Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was used to induce mouse mononuclear macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) to establish the inflammation model for investigating the effect and mechanism of Mailuoning oral liquid on arteriosclerosis occlusion (ASO) in vitro. RAW264.7 cells viability was measured by MTT assay. NO concentration was determined by Griess. mRNA levels and protein expressions of NFAT5/NLRP3 signaling pathway were detected by Q-PCR and Western blot. The relationship between NFAT5 and NLRP3 was explored by cellular transfection of NFAT5-siRNA combined with Western blot. Nuclear translocation of NFAT5 was detected by immunofluorescence. The results showed that Mailuoning oral liquid decreased the NO release induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. The mRNA levels of NFAT5, NLRP3, caspase1, IL-18 and MMP9, the protein expressions of NFAT5, NLRP3, cleaved-caspase1 (p20) and the phosphorylation of NF-κB-P65 were decreased after administration of Mailuoning oral liquid. NFAT5-siRNA significantly reversed the increase in protein expressions of NLRP3 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells. Both Mailuoning oral liquid and KRN2 (NFAT5 inhibitor) could inhibit the expressions and nuclear translocation of NFAT5. In conclusion, Mailuoning oral liquid exert significant anti-inflammatory effects in vitro by inhibiting the NFAT5/NLRP3 signaling pathway, and NFAT5 might be involved in regulating the expressions of NLRP3.

The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding acupuncture direction published from January 1st, 2013, to November 7th, 2023 were searched in China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, and VIP Chinese Journal Database. As a result, 21 RCTs were included. The problems identified included conceptual misunderstandings regarding acupuncture direction, incomplete selection strategies, confounding research factors, and inaccuracies in reporting. Based on the findings, four strategic approaches for enhancing therapeutic efficacy through acupuncture direction were summarized: aligning needle direction with the meridian pathway, directing the needle toward the lesion site, orienting the needle toward adjacent acupoints, and targeting special anatomical structures. Two additional strategies were proposed for optimizing the procedure: simplifying acupuncture operations and directing the needle toward safe anatomical sites. Recommendations were made to improve the rationality of research factor settings and the completeness of acupuncture operation reporting. Furthermore, three methods for reporting acupuncture direction were discussed: reporting the tip-pointed position, reporting the insertion angle and orientation, and reporting azimuth and polar angles, aiming to promote greater standardization and completeness in acupuncture practice and reporting.
Acupuncture Therapy/standards* ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Meridians

Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the impact of INTERCEPT Foam Spray (IFS) application on delayed endoscope reprocessing through microbiological surveillance culture (MSC). Methods: A quasi-experimental, matched-comparison pilot study was conducted using gastrointestinal endoscopy. IFS was applied to the endoscopes after precleaning and before reprocessing the next day. An equal number of endoscopes, matched by endoscope type, were subjected to routine reprocessing. The MSC were subjected to high-level disinfection to detect any contamination. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test (categorical data) and Student t-test (continuous data). Results: In total, 150 MSCs were collected from 42 endoscopes. Positive MSCs were observed in 4.0% (4/75) of the sprayed group and 1.3% (1/75) of the control group (95% confidence interval, 30.34–0.31; p>0.05), all of which were contributed by colonoscopes. Colonoscope were more prone to positive MSC (mean difference in percentage, p<0.05). Mean spraying hours were not associated with detected growth (11.7% vs. 13.6%; 95% confidence interval, 1.43 to –5.27; p>0.05), with environmental and skin flora being the primary contaminants. Conclusions IFS may be applied when delayed endoscope processing is necessary, but with caution when applied to colonoscopes. However, further research is warranted to verify the result.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the impact of INTERCEPT Foam Spray (IFS) application on delayed endoscope reprocessing through microbiological surveillance culture (MSC). Methods: A quasi-experimental, matched-comparison pilot study was conducted using gastrointestinal endoscopy. IFS was applied to the endoscopes after precleaning and before reprocessing the next day. An equal number of endoscopes, matched by endoscope type, were subjected to routine reprocessing. The MSC were subjected to high-level disinfection to detect any contamination. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test (categorical data) and Student t-test (continuous data). Results: In total, 150 MSCs were collected from 42 endoscopes. Positive MSCs were observed in 4.0% (4/75) of the sprayed group and 1.3% (1/75) of the control group (95% confidence interval, 30.34–0.31; p>0.05), all of which were contributed by colonoscopes. Colonoscope were more prone to positive MSC (mean difference in percentage, p<0.05). Mean spraying hours were not associated with detected growth (11.7% vs. 13.6%; 95% confidence interval, 1.43 to –5.27; p>0.05), with environmental and skin flora being the primary contaminants. Conclusions IFS may be applied when delayed endoscope processing is necessary, but with caution when applied to colonoscopes. However, further research is warranted to verify the result.

Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the impact of INTERCEPT Foam Spray (IFS) application on delayed endoscope reprocessing through microbiological surveillance culture (MSC). Methods: A quasi-experimental, matched-comparison pilot study was conducted using gastrointestinal endoscopy. IFS was applied to the endoscopes after precleaning and before reprocessing the next day. An equal number of endoscopes, matched by endoscope type, were subjected to routine reprocessing. The MSC were subjected to high-level disinfection to detect any contamination. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact test (categorical data) and Student t-test (continuous data). Results: In total, 150 MSCs were collected from 42 endoscopes. Positive MSCs were observed in 4.0% (4/75) of the sprayed group and 1.3% (1/75) of the control group (95% confidence interval, 30.34–0.31; p>0.05), all of which were contributed by colonoscopes. Colonoscope were more prone to positive MSC (mean difference in percentage, p<0.05). Mean spraying hours were not associated with detected growth (11.7% vs. 13.6%; 95% confidence interval, 1.43 to –5.27; p>0.05), with environmental and skin flora being the primary contaminants. Conclusions IFS may be applied when delayed endoscope processing is necessary, but with caution when applied to colonoscopes. However, further research is warranted to verify the result.

In order to investigate the enzyme production mechanism of yak rumen-derived anaerobic fungus Orpinomyces sp. YF3 under the induction of different carbon sources, anaerobic culture tubes were used for in vitro fermentation. 8 g/L of glucose (Glu), filter paper (Flp) and avicel (Avi) were respectively added to 10 mL of basic culture medium as the sole carbon source. The activity of fiber-degrading enzyme and the concentration of volatile fatty acid in the fermentation liquid were detected, and the enzyme producing mechanism of Orpinomyces sp. YF3 was explored by transcriptomics. It was found that, in glucose-induced fermentation solution, the activities of carboxymethyl cellulase, microcrystalline cellulase, filter paper enzyme, xylanase and the proportion of acetate were significantly increased (P < 0.05), the proportion of propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The results of transcriptome analysis showed that there were 5 949 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the Glu group and the Flp group, 10 970 DEGs between the Glu group and the Avi group, and 6 057 DEGs between the Flp group and the Avi group. It was found that the DEGs associated with fiber degrading enzymes were significantly up-regulated in the Glu group. Gene ontology (GO) function enrichment analysis identified that DEGs were mainly associated with the xylan catabolic process, hemicellulose metabolic process, β-glucan metabolic process, cellulase activity, endo-1,4-β-xylanase activity, cell wall polysaccharide metabolic process, carbohydrate catabolic process, glucan catabolic process and carbohydrate metabolic process. Moreover, the differentially expressed pathways associated with fiber degrading enzymes enriched by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis were mainly starch and sucrose metabolic pathways and other glycan degradation pathways. In conclusion, Orpinomyces sp. YF3 with glucose as carbon source substrate significantly increased the activity of cellulose degrading enzyme and the proportion of acetate, decreased the proportion of propionate, butyrate and isobutyrate. Furthermore, the degradation ability and energy utilization efficiency of fungus in the presence of glucose were improved by means of regulating the expression of cellulose degrading enzyme gene and participating in starch and sucrose metabolism pathway, and other glycan degradation pathways, which provides a theoretical basis for the application of Orpinomyces sp. YF3 in practical production and facilitates the application of Orpinomyces sp. YF3 in the future.
Animals ; Cattle ; Neocallimastigales/metabolism* ; Anaerobiosis ; Rumen/microbiology* ; Propionates/metabolism* ; Isobutyrates/metabolism* ; Cellulose/metabolism* ; Fungi ; Starch/metabolism* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Acetates ; Sucrose/metabolism* ; Cellulases ; Cellulase

Objective    To evaluate the changes of the flow parameters before and after the anastomotic port exploration and dredging during coronary artery bypass grafting by using the transit time flow measurement (TTFM). Methods    A total of 167 patients who underwent continuous coronary artery bypass grafting and anastomotic port exploration and dredging surgery in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from 2018 to 2019 were enrolled in this study. There were 136 male and 31 female patients aged 41-82 (58.35±17.26) years. If the probe entered and exited the anastomotic port smoothly, it was recorded as a non-resistance group; if the resistance existed but the probe could pass and exit, it was recorded as a resistance group; if the probe could not pass the anastomotic port for obvious resistance, it was recorded as the stenosis group. In the stenosis group, the grafts were re-anastomosed and the flow parameters were re-measured by TTFM. Results    A total of 202 anastomotic ports were carried out by exploration and dredging. Among them, 87 anastomosis (43.1%) were in the non-resistance group, and there was no significant change in the blood flow volume (BFV) and pulsatility index (PI) before and after exploration and dredging (6.16±3.41 mL/min vs. 6.18±3.44 mL/min,  P=0.90; 7.06±2.84 vs. 6.96±2.49, P=0.50). Sixty-four anastomosis (31.7%) were in the resistance group, the BFV was higher after exploration and dredging than that before exploration and dredging (17.11±7.52 mL/min vs. 4.96±3.32 mL/min, P<0.01), while the PI was significantly smaller (3.78±2.20 vs. 8.58±2.97, P<0.01). Fifty-one anastomosis (25.2%) were in the stenosis group, and there was no significant change in the BFV and PI before and after exploration and dredging (3.44± 1.95 mL/min vs. 3.48±2.11 mL/min, P=0.84; 10.74±4.12 vs. 10.54±4.11, P=0.36). After re-anastomosis, the BFV was higher (16.48±7.67 mL/min, P<0.01) and the PI deceased (3.43±1.39, P<0.01) than that before exploration and dredging. Conclusion    The application of anastomotic exploration and dredging can reduce the occurrence of re-anastomosis, and promptly find and solve the stenosis of the distal coronary artery, improve the poor perfusion of distal coronary, and thus improves the prognosis of patients.

Accurate tumor targeting, deep penetration and superb retention are still the main pursuit of developing excellent nanomedicine. To achieve these requirements, a stepwise stimuli-responsive strategy was developed through co-administration tumor penetration peptide iRGD with shape-transformable and GSH-responsive SN38-dimer (d-SN38)-loaded nanoparticles (d-SN38@NPs/iRGD). Upon intravenous injection, d-SN38@NPs with high drug loading efficiency (33.92 ± 1.33%) could effectively accumulate and penetrate into the deep region of tumor sites with the assistance of iRGD. The gathered nanoparticles simultaneously transformed into nanofibers upon 650 nm laser irradiation at tumor sites so as to promote their retention in the tumor and burst release of reactive oxygen species for photodynamic therapy. The loaded d-SN38 with disulfide bond responded to the high level of GSH in tumor cytoplasm, which consequently resulted in SN38 release and excellent chemo-photodynamic effect on tumor.

Objective To evaluate the clinical characteristics and pregnant outcomes of gravidae with COVID-19. Methods This study involved nine gravidae with COVID-19 admitted to the Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from January 22 to February 1, 2020. Their clinical data, including epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, chest CT, treatment, delivery mode, and pregnancy outcomes, were analyzed retrospectively. Specimens of maternal vaginal swab were collected in six pregnant women, and the specimens of amniotic fluid, cord blood, neonatal throat swab and breast milk samples were collected in four pregnant women who had a delivery during our study. All samples were tested for the existence of COVID-19. Descriptive analysis was applied in this study. Results (1) Among the nine cases, five were admitted in the third trimester and four in the second trimester. The median incubation period of COVID-19 was 8 (1-14) d. Fever was presented in all cases on admission, and the other commonly seen symptoms were cough (seven cases) and diarrhea (five cases). Other signs and symptoms were also reported, including shortness of breath, myalgia and fatigue (four cases in each), nasal obstruction, pharyngalgia, chest pain, and headache/dizziness (three cases in each), rash (two cases), and chills and expectoration (one case in each). The most common laboratory abnormalities were a decreased number of lymphocytes (seven cases) and elevated C-reactive protein (six cases). Chest CT scans were performed in seven women, and all showed patchy areas or ground-glass opacity in both lungs. Oligohydramnios was detected in only one case at 37 +5 weeks, which was 7 d after the diagnosis of COVID-19. (2) All nine cases received empiric antibiotic and antiviral therapy with Chinese medicine as adjuvant treatment. Eight patients required oxygen inhalation, and eight were treated with glucocorticoid. Six cases received immunotherapy. (3) Four of the nine cases had delivered, including three cesarean sections and one spontaneous vaginal preterm birth after premature rupture of membranes, and the mother was transferred to the intensive care unit 2 d after delivery due to acute respiratory distress syndrome. One case was terminated at 26 gestational weeks. Of the four neonates, there were two term and two premature babies, and one preterm baby was small-for-gestational-age. No neonatal asphyxia was observed. Serial real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed negative results in the detection of 2019-novel coronavirus in all samples obtained from amniotic fluid, umbilical cord blood, neonatal nasopharynx, breast milk, and vagina. Maternal conditions were all stable in all cases, including the four continuing pregnancy, and the terminated ones, except the case mentioned above. Conclusions There is no distinguishable clinical feature between pregnant and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients. So far, there is no evidence for vertical transmission or worsening perinatal outcome in mothers and babies.

Background: Due to unrational use of antibiotics in clinical practice, the resistance rate of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) has increased year by year. The drug resistance rate is different in different regions. Aims: To investigate the resistance of Hp to seven commonly used antibiotics in Changchun area, and provide the theoretical guidance for clinical treatment of Hp infection. Methods: The gastric mucosal specimens of 298 patients undergone gastroscopy from Sept. 2014 to Oct. 2017 at the First Hospital of Jilin University were collected. Hp was isolated and identified. The antibiotic sensitivity of Hp was detected by agar dilution method. Results: A total of 69 Hp strains were successfully isolated from 298 gastric mucosal specimens, the isolation rate was 23.1%. The susceptibility test results showed that the resistance rate of clarithromycin was the highest among the 69 strains (52.2%), the lowest was the resistance rate to amoxicillin (5.8%). Seventeen (24.6%) strains were sensitive to the seven antibiotics, 16 (23.2%) strains were resistant to one antibiotic, and 36 (52.2%) strains were resistant to more than two antibiotics. Conclusions: Hp in this region is highly resistant to clarithromycin and nitrooxazoles. Amoxicillin can be recommended as a treatment for eradication of Hp infection.