Objective To establish a stable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)method for detecting gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in plasma,and to evaluate the value of GABA detection in the diagnosis of sleep disorders.Methods GABA was detected using a UPLC Xevo TQs system.The method was pre-validated and its performance was verified to establish a reference range for healthy individuals.The difference in plasma GABA levels between apparently healthy individuals and patients with sleep disorders was compared.Results We employed deuterated compounds as isotopic internal standards and utilized an Amide chromatographic column for separation.The mobile phase was 0.050%formic acid in water and 90%acetonitrile in water containing 0.175%formic acid and 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate with gradient elution in the column temperature of 35℃.The linear range for the detection of GABA by LC-MS/MS was 0.05-10.00 μmol/L,with a lower limit of quantification of 0.02 μmol/L,the inter-day CV<3.00%and intra assay CV<4.00%,respectively,and the recovery rate was 101.06%-109.02%.The reference ranges for plasma GABA were established by analyzing 300 healthy controls stratified by age:18-34 years(0.08-0.15 μmol/L),35-49 years(0.10-0.20 μmol/L),and≥50 years(0.12-0.23 μmol/L).Then plasma GABA was used as a biomarker for auxiliary diagnosis of sleep disorders in analyzing 221 patients and 300 healthy controls,which revealed that AUC values were 0.510(P=0.850),0.686(P=0.002),and 0.890(P<0.001)in the groups of 18-34 years,35-49 years,and≥50 years,respectively,with optimal cut-off values of 0.09,0.10 and 0.11 μmol/L.Conclusion A reliable LC-MS/MS method for detecting GABA has been established,which can detect plasma GABA levels sensitively and accurately and can be used in assisting the clinical diagnosis of sleep disorders.

Objective To establish a stable liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)method for detecting gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA)in plasma,and to evaluate the value of GABA detection in the diagnosis of sleep disorders.Methods GABA was detected using a UPLC Xevo TQs system.The method was pre-validated and its performance was verified to establish a reference range for healthy individuals.The difference in plasma GABA levels between apparently healthy individuals and patients with sleep disorders was compared.Results We employed deuterated compounds as isotopic internal standards and utilized an Amide chromatographic column for separation.The mobile phase was 0.050%formic acid in water and 90%acetonitrile in water containing 0.175%formic acid and 5 mmol/L ammonium acetate with gradient elution in the column temperature of 35℃.The linear range for the detection of GABA by LC-MS/MS was 0.05-10.00 μmol/L,with a lower limit of quantification of 0.02 μmol/L,the inter-day CV<3.00%and intra assay CV<4.00%,respectively,and the recovery rate was 101.06%-109.02%.The reference ranges for plasma GABA were established by analyzing 300 healthy controls stratified by age:18-34 years(0.08-0.15 μmol/L),35-49 years(0.10-0.20 μmol/L),and≥50 years(0.12-0.23 μmol/L).Then plasma GABA was used as a biomarker for auxiliary diagnosis of sleep disorders in analyzing 221 patients and 300 healthy controls,which revealed that AUC values were 0.510(P=0.850),0.686(P=0.002),and 0.890(P<0.001)in the groups of 18-34 years,35-49 years,and≥50 years,respectively,with optimal cut-off values of 0.09,0.10 and 0.11 μmol/L.Conclusion A reliable LC-MS/MS method for detecting GABA has been established,which can detect plasma GABA levels sensitively and accurately and can be used in assisting the clinical diagnosis of sleep disorders.

This study aimed to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of Colquhounia Root Tablets(CRT) in treating diabetic kidney disease(DKD) by integrating biomolecular network mining with animal model verification. By analyzing clinical transcriptomics data, an interaction network was constructed between candidate targets of CRT and DKD-related genes. Based on the topological eigenvalues of network nodes, 101 core network targets of CRT against DKD were identified. These targets were found to be closely related to multiple pathways associated with type 2 diabetes, immune response, and metabolic reprogramming. Given that immune-inflammatory imbalance driven by metabolic reprogramming is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms of DKD, and that many core network targets of CRT are involved in this pathological process, receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)-reactive oxygen species(ROS)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)-nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) signaling axis was selected as a candidate target for in-depth research. Further, a rat model of DKD induced by a high-sugar, high-fat diet and streptozotocin was established to evaluate the pharmacological effects of CRT and verify the expression of related targets. The experimental results showed that CRT could effectively correct metabolic disturbances in DKD, restore immune-inflammatory balance, and improve renal function and its pathological changes by inhibiting the activation of the RAGE-ROS-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling axis. In conclusion, this study reveals that CRT alleviates the progression of DKD through dual regulation of metabolic reprogramming and immune-inflammatory responses, providing strong experimental evidence for its clinical application in DKD.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products/genetics* ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Humans ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tablets/administration & dosage*

Objective To compile nursing guidelines for diabetic patients undergoing ultrasound-guided islet transplantation through percutaneous portal vein puncture and catheterisation,providing valuable insights for the care of such patients during the surgical procedure.Methods Between December 2017 to September 2023,a total of 27 patients underwent 44 surgical procedures for ultrasound-guided islet transplantation via percutaneous portal vein puncture and catheterisation at our hospital.Nursing assistance was provided preoperatively,intraoperatively and postoperatively for all the procedures.Results All 27 patients who had undergone 44 surgical procedures successfully went through the ultrasound-guided islet transplantation via percutaneous portal vein puncture and catheterisation.Among the 44 surgical procedures,3(6.8%)resulted in upper abdominal and liver area pain,nausea and vomiting during surgery,8(18.2%)had transient increase of portal vein pressure during transplantation,and 6(13.6%)encountered active bleeding following the removal of the portal vein catheters.None of the patients developed delayed portal vein bleeding or complication such as portal vein thrombosis after the surgery.Conclusions Nursing interventions play a crucial role in ensuring the successful outcomes of ultrasound-guided islet transplantation.Following measures are the keys and they play an important roles in ensuring the smooth completion of ultrasound-guided islet transplantation:preoperatively,carefully assess the condition of recipients and provide them with psychological supports and patient education.Intraoperatively,closely monitor the vital signs,portal vein pressure and blood glucose as well as to prevent complications.Postoperatively,implement the nursing measures to prevent the recipients from postoperative bleeding of portal vein.

Objective:To explore the risk factors for duodenal papillary adenocarcinoma by comparing the differences in clinical and endoscopic features between patients with duodenal papillary adenomas and adenocarcinomas.Methods:This study retrospectively included patients diagnosed as having duodenal papillary adenocarcinoma and adenoma from January 1st 2018 to June 1st 2023 at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School. Demographic, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging, endoscopic and pathological characteristics of patients with adenomas and adenocarcinomas were collected and compared. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify high-risk factors for duodenal papillary adenocarcinoma.Results:A total of 119 cases of adenocarcinoma and 171 cases of adenoma were included. There were statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of patient age, body mass index (BMI), clinical symptoms, family history of malignant tumors, bile duct dilation, pancreatic duct dilation, lesion size, adenoma site classification, stage assessed by EUS, and involvement of the bile and pancreatic ducts ( P<0.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that non-ampullary lesions, involvement not limited to the major duodenal papilla assessed by EUS, involvement of the bile and pancreatic ducts assessed by EUS, age ≥60 years, lesion size ≥1.5 cm, clinical symptoms, family history of malignant tumors, bile duct dilation, and pancreatic duct dilation were risk factors for duodenal papillary adenocarcinoma. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that non-ampullary lesions ( OR=7.00, 95% CI:1.44-34.15, P=0.016), involvement not limited to the major duodenal papilla assessed by EUS ( OR=13.77, 95% CI: 4.69-40.45, P<0.001), age ≥60 years ( OR=2.52, 95% CI: 1.23-5.18, P=0.011), bile duct dilation ( OR=2.58, 95% CI: 1.12-5.94, P=0.026), and lesion size ≥1.5 cm ( OR=2.76, 95% CI:1.36-5.59, P=0.005) were independent risk factors for duodenal papillary adenocarcinoma. Conclusion:This study shows the independent risk factors for duodenal papillary adenocarcinoma, which include non-ampullary lesions, involvement not limited to the major duodenal papilla assessed by EUS, age ≥60 years, bile duct dilation, and lesion size ≥1.5 cm.

Humans ; Asthma/drug therapy* ; Biological Therapy

The enteric-hepatic axis plays an important role in the occurrence, progression and regression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Obeticholic acid (OCA) is a farnesoid X receptor agonist. In this study, C57BL/6 mice were fed with methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet for 8 weeks with OCA (6.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) administration by gavage at the same time. The effects of OCA on serum lipid and bile acid metabolomics and ileal gut microbiota (GM) of MCD mice were studied by UPLC-MS and 16S rDNA sequencing. The results were as follows: (1) OCA decreased the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in serum and the contents of triglyceride (TG) and malondialdehyde in liver, alleviated the accumulation of liver fat and inflammation of MCD mice. OCA down-regulated the contents of 2 eicosanoids (12,13-EPOME, 9,10-EPOME) and 4 free fatty acids (FFA16∶1, FFA18∶1, FFA16∶2, FFA18∶3) and TG (16∶1_16∶1_18∶2) in serum, and up-regulated the content of 1 eicosanoid thromboxanes B3. KEGG differential metabolite pathway analysis showed that fatty acid biosynthesis might be the main way that OCA ameliorated lipid metabolism disorder of MCD mice. OCA reduced the relative abundance of Christensenellaceae and Lachnospiraceae_UCG-006 in the GM of MCD mice; OCA decreased the serum levels of 23-deoxycholic acid, porcine deoxycholic acid, 3-deoxycholic acid, glycine deoxycholic acid, glycine cholic acid, taurine deoxycholic acid, taurocholic acid and taurine. These results suggest that the alleviating effect of OCA on NAFLD of MCD mice may be related to its above-mentioned regulation of the metabolism of the free fatty acids, oxidized lipids, 12α-hydroxylated bile acids and the abundance of GM. The animal experiments were approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Hubei University (No. 20220036).

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of thumb-tack needles based on "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" on sequela symptoms, mental state and pulmonary ventilation function in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during recovery period. METHODS: Fifty cases of COVID-19 during recovery period were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 25 cases in each group. The patients in the observation group were treated with thumb-tack needles at Guanyuan (CV 4), Zusanli (ST 36) and Taiyuan (LU 9). The patients in the control group were treated with sham thumb-tack needles at identical acupoints as the observation group. The treatment in the two groups was given once a day, 7-day treatment was taken as a course of treatment, and totally two courses of treatment were given. The TCM symptom score, Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) score, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score, pulmonary function (forced vital capacity [FVC], forced expiratory volume in the first second [FEV1], peak expiratory flow [PEF]), the severity of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction and pulmonary imaging changes in the two groups were compared before and after treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the total scores and each item scores of TCM symptom scale, HAMA scores and HAMD scores in the two groups were reduced after treatment (P<0.05). Except for the symptom scores of dry throat and dry stool, the total score and each item score of TCM symptom scale, HAMA score and HAMD score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, FVC, FEV1 and PEF in the two groups were increased after treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). The severity of pulmonary ventilation dysfunction in the two groups was reduced after treatment (P<0.05), and the severity in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the lung shadow area in the two groups was decreased (P<0.05), and that in the observation group was smaller than the control group (P<0.05). The improvement of imaging change in the observation group was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The thumb-tack needles based on "Biaoben acupoint compatibility" could significantly reduce the sequela symptoms, anxiety and depression in patients with COVID-19 during recovery stage, and improve the pulmonary ventilation function.
Acupuncture Points ; Anxiety/etiology* ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Depression/etiology* ; Humans ; Needles ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Thumb

OBJECTIVE: To establish the fixation model of anterior cervical transpedicular system (ACTPS) after subtotal resection of two segments of lower cervical spine(C₃-C₇) in order to provide a finite element modeling method for anterior cervical reconstruction. METHODS: The CT data of the cervical segment (C₁-T₁) of a 30-year-old adult healthy male volunteer was collected. Used Mimics 10.0, Rapidform XOR3, HyperMesh 10.0, CATIA5V19 and ANSYS 14.0 to establish the three-dimensional nonlinear complete model of lower cervical spine(C₃-C₇) as the intact group. The number of units and nodes of the complete model were recorded. After the effectiveness of the complete model was verified, the C₅ and C₆ vertebral subtotal resection was performed, and the ACTPS model was established as the ACTPS group. The axial force of 75 N and moment couple of 1N·m was loaded on the upper surface of C₃ in intact group and ACTPS group, the range of motion(ROM)and stress distribution in states of flexion extension, lateral flexion, rotation was compared between two groups. RESULTS: There were 85 832 elements and 23 612 nodes in the complete model of lower cervical spine(C₃-C₇) which was established in this experiment. The stress distribution of ACTPS internal fixation model was relatively uniform. Comparing with the intact group, the overall range of motion in ACTPS group was decreased in flexion extension, lateral flexion and rotation directions, and the corresponding compensation of adjacent C_3,4 segment was increased slightly. CONCLUSION The stress distribution of ACTPS fixation system is uniform, there is no stress concentration area at the joint of screw and titanium plate, and the fracture risk of internal fixation is low. It is suitable for stability reconstruction after anterior decompression of two or more cervical segments.
Adult ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Finite Element Analysis ; Humans ; Male ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Spinal Fusion

This study analyzed the effects of male age and abstinence time on semen quality and explored the best abstinence time for Chinese males among different age groups. Semen parameters, including sperm kinetics, morphology, and DNA fragmentation index (DFI), were reviewed from 2952 men. Samples were divided into six age groups (≤25 years, 26-30 years, 31-35 years, 36-40 years, 41-45 years, and >45 years) and were divided into six groups according to different abstinence time (2 days, 3 days, 4 days, 5 days, 6 days, and 7 days). The differences in semen quality between the groups were compared, and the effect of age and abstinence time on semen quality was analyzed. Significant differences were observed in semen volume, progressive motility (PR), and DFI among the age groups (all P < 0.05), and no significant differences were observed in sperm morphological parameters (all P > 0.05). There were significant differences in semen volume, PR, and DFI among different abstinence time groups (all P < 0.05) and no significant differences in sperm morphological parameters (all P > 0.05). Pearson analysis showed that male age and abstinence time were both significantly correlated with sperm kinetics and DFI (both P < 0.05), while no significant correlation was found with sperm morphological parameters (all P > 0.05). The box plots and histograms of men's age, abstinence time, and semen quality show that most semen quality parameters differ significantly between the 2 days and 7 days abstinence groups and other groups at different ages. Except for the sperm morphology parameters, sperm kinetic parameters and sperm DFI are linearly related to male age and abstinence time.
Adult ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa