Medical device related infections caused by bacteria are common complications in clinical practice,and preventing bacterial colonization on the surface of medical materials is one of the important challenges in the medical field.Therefore,there is an urgent need to construct medical coatings that combine antibacterial properties and biocompatibility.In this study,a γ-polyglutamic acid(γ-PGA)complex with long-chain alkyl quaternary ammonium salts formed by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions was prepared,which was insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents(e.g.,ethanol),and was capable of constructing antimicrobial coatings on the surfaces of medical materials in a simple and efficient manner.The bactericidal effect of the coating was verified using viable bacteria counting experiments,and the results showed that the bactericidal rate of the coated thermoplastic polyurethane(TPU)membrane against Staphylococcus aureus was greater than 99.9%compared with that of the uncoated TPU membrane.In addition,a cytotoxicity assay was performed using the L929 fibroblast and cell proliferation detection kit(CCK-8),which showed that the survival rate of L929 fibroblasts on coated TPU was greater than 90%.Meanwhile,the hemolysis rate of coated erythrocytes was tested using fresh rabbit red blood cells(RBCs),and the hemolysis rate on the coated TPU surface was 1.5%.The above results indicated that the coating had good biocompatibility.The preparation method of medical antibacterial coating reported in this study provided a new idea for preventing bacterial infections related to implantable/interventional medical devices.

Objective: This retrospective, cross-sectional, observational study assessed the duration of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) symptoms during the second wave in Brunei Darussalam. Methods: Data from COVID-19 cases admitted to the National Isolation Centre during 7–30 August 2021 were included in the study. Symptom onset and daily symptom assessments were entered into a database during hospitalization and disease was categorized by severity. The time between symptom onset and hospital admission, the duration of symptoms and length of hospitalization were assessed separately by age group, disease severity and vaccination status using one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni post hoc corrections. Results: Data from 548 cases were included in the study: 55.7% (305) of cases were male, and cases had a mean age of 33.7 years. Overall, 81.3% (446) reported symptoms at admission (mean number of symptoms and standard deviation: 2.8 ± 1.6), with cough (59.1%; 324), fever (38.9%; 213) and sore throat (18.4%; 101) being the most common. Being older, having more severe disease and being unvaccinated were significantly associated with the time between symptom onset and hospital admission, symptom duration and length of hospitalization. Discussion: Knowing which factors predict the duration of COVID-19 symptoms can help in planning management strategies, such as the duration of isolation, predict the length of hospitalization and treatment, and provide more accurate counselling to patients regarding their illness.

The issues of disordering production and non-standard pesticide application are common in the production of Chinese herbal medicines. Aimed to above problems, research groups built the pollution-free and precision cultivation system of medicinal plants. This system mainly included the precise site selection of medicinal plants based on the GIS technology, modern omics-assisted breeding, metagenomics guiding the soil complex improvement, and the precise field management based on rational application of fertilizer and comprehensive control of disease. At present, the production and distribution of medicinal plants were performed in the many poor counties of the whole nation. The breeding platform of resistant varieties was built, and certificates of new and well-bred varieties were received, in the base of genetic backgrounds of the original species of medicinal plants. The disease incidences were declined after application of these resistant varieties. Additionally, chemical pesticide consumption of medicinal plants (such as Panax ginseng, P. notoginseng, Salvia miltiorrhiza, P. quinquefolium, Schisandra chinensis, Platycodon grandiflorum and P. grandiflorus etc.) reduced by 20%-80% based on the genetic testing technologies of plant diseases and insect pests and safety evaluation of pollution-free pesticides. The application of pollution-free and precision cultivation system of Chinese herbal medicines achieve significantly social, economic and ecological benefits.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of the furin inhibitor α1-PDX on the growth, invasion, and tumorigenicity of cervical cancer cells and explore the mechanisms.

METHODSThe changes in the growth, migration and invasion of α1-PDX-transfected HeLa cells were observed using MTT assay, Boyden migration and invasion assay. The protein levels of furin and MT1-MMP were measured using Western blotting and furin activity was detected by enzyme activity assay in the transfected cells. HeLa cells were seeded subcutaneously in nude mice and the tumor volume changes were recorded.

RESULTSCompared with the control cells, α1-PDX-treated cells showed a significant growth inhibition by 18.4% at 24 h (P<0.01) with obviously lowered migration ability and cell invasiveness (P<0.01). Treatment with α1-PDX significantly reduced furin enzyme activity and MTI-MMP protein levels in HeLa cells. In nude mice, α1-PDX-treated HeLa cells exhibited a delayed and lowered tumorigenicity with reduced size of the tumors.

CONCLUSIONα1-PDX can inhibit the growth, metastasis and tumorigenicity of HeLa cells, the mechanism of which may involve a decreased furin activity and MTI-MMP expression.

Animals ; Female ; Furin ; antagonists & inhibitors ; HeLa Cells ; drug effects ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Transfection ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; alpha 1-Antitrypsin ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the effects of the furin inhibitor α1-PDX on the growth, invasion, and tumorigenicity of cervical cancer cells and explore the mechanisms. Methods The changes in the growth, migration and invasion of α1-PDX-transfected HeLa cells were observed using MTT assay, Boyden migration and invasion assay. The protein levels of furin and MT1-MMP were measured using Western blotting and furin activity was detected by enzyme activity assay in the transfected cells. HeLa cells were seeded subcutaneously in nude mice and the tumor volume changes were recorded. Results Compared with the control cells, α1-PDX-treated cells showed a significant growth inhibition by 18.4% at 24 h (P<0.01) with obviously lowered migration ability and cell invasiveness (P<0.01). Treatment withα1-PDX significantly reduced furin enzyme activity and MTI-MMP protein levels in HeLa cells. In nude mice, α1-PDX-treated HeLa cells exhibited a delayed and lowered tumorigenicity with reduced size of the tumors. Conclusionα1-PDX can inhibit the growth, metastasis and tumorigenicity of HeLa cells, the mechanism of which may involve a decreased furin activity and MTI-MMP expression.

Objective To investigate the effects of the furin inhibitor α1-PDX on the growth, invasion, and tumorigenicity of cervical cancer cells and explore the mechanisms. Methods The changes in the growth, migration and invasion of α1-PDX-transfected HeLa cells were observed using MTT assay, Boyden migration and invasion assay. The protein levels of furin and MT1-MMP were measured using Western blotting and furin activity was detected by enzyme activity assay in the transfected cells. HeLa cells were seeded subcutaneously in nude mice and the tumor volume changes were recorded. Results Compared with the control cells, α1-PDX-treated cells showed a significant growth inhibition by 18.4% at 24 h (P<0.01) with obviously lowered migration ability and cell invasiveness (P<0.01). Treatment withα1-PDX significantly reduced furin enzyme activity and MTI-MMP protein levels in HeLa cells. In nude mice, α1-PDX-treated HeLa cells exhibited a delayed and lowered tumorigenicity with reduced size of the tumors. Conclusionα1-PDX can inhibit the growth, metastasis and tumorigenicity of HeLa cells, the mechanism of which may involve a decreased furin activity and MTI-MMP expression.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological features and immunophenotypes of male genitourinary system lymphoma.

METHODSWe retrospectively studied the histopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical markers of 35 cases of male genitourinary system lymphoma, and reviewed the relevant literature.

RESULTSThe 35 patients of male genitourinary system lymphoma were aged from 4 to 83 (mean 56.5) years, 28 (80%) of them > or = 50 years. Twenty-eight cases (80%) involved the testis, 3 (8.6%) the prostate, 1 (2.9%) the spermatic cord, 1 the seminal vesicles, 1 the penis and 1 the epididymis. Histologically, 22 cases (62.9%) were diffused large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 6 (17.1%) mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma, 4 (11.4%) Burkitt lymphoma, 2 (5.7%) peripheral T cell lymphoma, and 1 (2.9%) plasmacytoma.

CONCLUSIONMale genitourinary system lymphomas are rare tumors clinically, which occur more often in the elderly. The majority of them are B cell lymphomas, of which the most common is DLBCL, followed by MALT lymphoma and Burkitt lymphoma. T cell lymphoma and plasmacytoma are rare. The diagnosis of male genitourinary system lymphoma relies on the histopathology, and immunohistochemical markers are of high value for its definite diagnosis, classification and differential diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Genital Neoplasms, Male ; pathology ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of primary testicular mixed germ cell tumor (MGCT).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data of 13 cases of primary testicular MGCT and reviewed other relevant literature.

RESULTSMGCT accounted for 24.1% (13/54) of all the testicular germ cell tumors diagnosed in our hospital. The patients ranged in age from 2 to 53 years, averaging at 28.3 years. All were unilateral cases, 6 in the left and 7 in the right testis, with a left/right ratio of 0.86:1. Morphologically, testicular MGCT displayed a variety of subtypes, embryonal carcinoma in 11 cases (84.6%), seminoma in 8 (61.5%), teratoma in 6 (46.2%), choriocarcinoma in 4 (30.8%) and yolk sac tumor in 4 (30.8%). Nine of the cases (69.2%) were composed of two different germ cell histological elements, 3 (23.1%) composed of three, and 1 (7.7%) composed of five.

CONCLUSIONTesticular MGCT is rather rare and most commonly occurs in young men. Its biological behavior, clinical management and prognosis vary with its different histological elements. Therefore accurate pathological diagnosis is essential and immunohistochemistry plays an important role in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of testicular MGCT.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal ; pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Testicular Neoplasms ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BM-MNCs) transplantation by intracoronary infusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSOne hundred and eighty-four patients with AMI treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were randomized in a 1:1 way to either intracoronary transplantation of autologous BM-MNCs (n = 92) right after PCI or to sodium chloride concluding heparin (controlled, n = 92) via a micro infusion catheter. In the process of the intracoronary infusion of BM-MNCs, the complications should be recorded, which were aberration reflect (including of pale, syncope, nausea, hypotension and shock), deterioration of angina or heart failure, arrhythmias (including of bradycardia, sinus arrest or atrial ventricular block or ventricular fibrillation), embolism etc. Body temperature, blood pressure and heart rates should be monitored during the first week after transplantation. Holter, coronary angiography and ultrasonic cardiography were performed at the designed time points. Main heart accidents, restenosis and tumor were recorded during 2-years follow up.

RESULTSDuring the period of bone marrow puncture and intracoronary infusion of BM-MNCs, few patients occurred pale, dizziness, bradycardia and hypotension, which were transient and due to vagus reflect. No stem cell-related arrhythmias, deterioration of angina were noted. In BM-MNCs group one patient developed in-stent reocclusion in one week after transplantation, five developed in-stent restenosis during further follow-up 30 months, which were similar with control group. There were no deaths, major adverse cardiac events, tumor and other late adverse events during follow-up period in both groups.

CONCLUSIONIntracoronary transplantation of autologous BM-MNCs in the acute phase after AMI is feasible and seems safe in the 30 months of follow-up.

Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; methods ; Coronary Vessels ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Infarction ; surgery ; Transplantation, Autologous

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study is to identify short-term result of cell transplantation in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) patients who were treated by intracoronary transplantation of autologous mononuclear bone marrow cells (BMCs) in addition to standard therapy.

METHODSBased on given standard therapy, eighteen patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy were enrolled and divided into transplantation group and control group. The clinical characteristics of two groups were comparable. Among these patients, 10 patients were performed percutaneous coronary autologous BMCs transplantation. Blood routine test, hepatic function, renal function, glucose, triglyceride (TG), cholesterol, low density cholesterol (LDL), high density cholesterol (HDL), uric acid (UA) and high sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were measured at the time point of pre-operation and some time after transplantation. All patients were monitored under ultrasonic cardiography, Holter, six-minute-walk test and magnetic resonance imaging over a period of at least 6 months. Annual hospital days were recorded during two-year follow-up.

RESULTSBlood routine test, hepatic function, renal function, glucose, TG, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, UA and hsCRP had no significant differences among 48 hours, 3 months and 6 months after transplantation compared with control and pre-transplantation (P > 0.05). Six-minute-walk distance elevated significantly six months after BMCs transplantation compared with control and pre-transplantation [(494.3 +/- 62.8) m vs (307.2 +/- 75.0) m, (321.5 +/- 63.7) m, P < 0.05]. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and the sizes of LVEDd had no significant changes compared with that of control and pre-transplantation (P > 0.05). Myocardium lesion area measured by (MRI) seemed decrease in transplantation group compared with that of control and pre-operation [(4.96 +/- 0.47) cm(2) vs (5.12 +/- 0.54) cm(2), (5.02 +/- 0.39) cm(2), P > 0.05], but there was no significance. None of proarrhythmias and side effects had been observed around transplantation and 2 years follow-up. There was no significant difference in survival between two groups in 2 years follow-up. Interestingly, annual hospital day in BMCs transplantation patients was significantly shorter than that in control group [(30.2 +/- 11.2) d vs (43.6 +/- 9.8) d, P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONSAutologous bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation can prolong six-minute-walk, decrease re-hospitalization rate, elevate exercise ability and help to improve cardiac function in patients with IDC. In addition, it was demonstrated that cell transplantation is safe.

Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated ; surgery ; therapy ; Humans ; Transplantation, Autologous ; Treatment Outcome