Objective: To establish and validate a nomogram-based predictive model for idiopathic hyperaldosteronism (IHA). Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with the collected clinical and biochemical data of patients with primary aldosteronism (PA) including 249 patients with unilateral primary aldosteronism (UPA) and 107 patients with IHA, who were treated at the Department of Endocrinology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from November 2013 to November 2022. Plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) and plasma renin concentration (PRC) were measured by chemiluminescence. Stepwise regression analysis was applied to select the key predictors of IHA, and a nomogram-based scoring model was developed. The model was validated in another external independent cohort of patients with PA including 62 patients with UPA and 43 patients with IHA, who were diagnosed at the Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. An independent-sample t test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ² test were used for statistical analysis. Results: In the training cohort, in comparison with the UPA group, the IHA group showed a higher serum potassium level [M(Q₁, Q₃), 3.4 (3.1, 3.8) mmol/L vs. 2.7 (2.1, 3.1) mmol/L] and higher PRC [4.0 (2.1, 8.2) mU/L vs. 1.5 (0.6, 3.4) mU/L] and a lower PAC post-saline infusion test (SIT) [305 (222, 416) pmol/L vs. 720 (443, 1 136) pmol/L] and a lower rate of unilateral adrenal nodules [33.6% (36/107) vs. 81.1% (202/249)]; the intergroup differences in these measurements were statistically significant (all P<0.001). Serum potassium level, PRC, PAC post-SIT, and the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules showed similar performance in the IHA group in the validation cohort. After stepwise regression analysis for all significant variables in the training cohort, a scoring model based on a nomogram was constructed, and the predictive parameters included the rate of unilateral adrenal nodules, serum potassium concentration, PAC post-SIT, and PRC in the standing position. When the total score was ≥14, the model showed a sensitivity of 0.65 and specificity of 0.90 in the training cohort and a sensitivity of 0.56 and specificity of 1.00 in the validation cohort. Conclusion: The nomogram was used to successfully develop a model for prediction of IHA that could facilitate selection of patients with IHA who required medication directly.
Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism/diagnosis* ; Nomograms ; Hypertension ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aldosterone ; Saline Solution ; Renin ; Potassium

Aim To discuss the effect of berberine ( BE) on the activity of HSV-1 virus infected HEp-2 cells and its related molecular mechanisms.Methods Hie infected cell model was constructed and divided into control group, infection group, low concentration group ( 5 (xmol • L 1 -BE) , medium concentration group ( 10 (xmol • L '-BE) and high concentration group ( 15 (xmol • L '-BE) ) , and then incubated for 24 hours.qRT-PCR was used to determine HSV-1 infection-related genes ( gD, ICP-4, ICP-8, ICP-27 ) and mRNA expression levels of LncBNA NRAV, miR- 299-3p, RAB5C.CCK-8 method and flow cytometry were applied to detect cell viability and apoptotic rate.The expression levels of PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway related protein were analysed by WB.Results It was found that BE j j reduced the mRNA expression of gD, ICP-4, ICP-8, anrl ICP-27, improved cell viability, and inhibited eell apoptosis.BE promoted the expression of miR-299-3p by inhibiting LncRNA NRAV and RAB5C.BE inhibited the protein expression levels of PBK/AKT signaling pathway and JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway proteins PI3K, AKT, JNK, and P38.Conclusions The mechanism that BE enhances the activity of HEp-2 cells after HSV-1 infection and suppresses its apoptosis may be related to LncRNA NRAV and RAB5C targeting competitive binding to miH-299-3p, inhibiting the activation of PBK/AKT signaling pathway and JNK/ p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Methotrexate (MTX) injection has a short half-life and significant toxic side effects. In order to overcome the demerits of MTX injection, MTX@COF was prepared for subcutaneous injection by loading MTX in crosslinked cyclodextrin metal-organic framework (COF) in this study. The cationic lipid material (2, 3-dioleoyl-propyl)-trimethylamine (DOTAP) was then coated on the MTX@COF surface by solvent evaporation. Different surface charge characteristics were observed in the coated MTX@COF@DOTAP with no significant change in particle morphology. The in vitro release behaviors of sustained-release particles were investigated in water and phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and the in vivo release characteristics were evaluated for pharmacokinetics in rats. The in vitro release results showed that the cumulative release of MTX, MTX@COF and MTX@COF@DOTAP within 6 h was 92.70%, 36.31% and 18.19% in water, respectively; the cumulative release of MTX, MTX@COF and MTX@COF@DOTAP within 4 h was 90.82%, 79.37% and 58.30% in phosphate buffer, respectively; the results showed that MTX@COF can significantly delay the release of MTX, the modification to MTX@COF by DOTAP can further delay the release of MTX. Pharmacokinetic studies in rats showed that the mean retention time [MRT_(0-t)] and the time to peak (T_max) of the subcutaneous injection of MTX@COF@DOTAP group were significantly prolonged compared with the MTX@COF group and the MTX group. The area under the concentration-time curve [AUC_(0-t)] of the MTX@COF@DOTAP subcutaneous injection group was 1.8 times high as that of the MTX group. In this study, MTX@COF@DOTAP particles had a certain sustained-release effect, and could prolong the bioavailability of MTX by subcutaneous injection, which provided a new idea for the development of new MTX dosage forms.

Aged ; Animals ; Arcobacter/genetics* ; Chickens ; Diarrhea/microbiology* ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial/genetics* ; Genes, Bacterial ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/veterinary* ; Humans ; Male ; Meat ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Phylogeny ; Poultry Diseases/microbiology* ; Virulence ; Virulence Factors/genetics*

Objective: Several COVID-19 patients have overlapping comorbidities. The independent role of each component contributing to the risk of COVID-19 is unknown, and how some non-cardiometabolic comorbidities affect the risk of COVID-19 remains unclear. Methods: A retrospective follow-up design was adopted. A total of 1,160 laboratory-confirmed patients were enrolled from nine provinces in China. Data on comorbidities were obtained from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio ( Results: Overall, 158 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with severe illness and 32 (2.7%) had unfavorable outcomes. Hypertension (2.87, 1.30-6.32), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (3.57, 2.32-5.49), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (3.78, 1.81-7.89), fatty liver disease (7.53, 1.96-28.96), hyperlipidemia (2.15, 1.26-3.67), other lung diseases (6.00, 3.01-11.96), and electrolyte imbalance (10.40, 3.00-26.10) were independently linked to increased odds of being severely ill. T2DM (6.07, 2.89-12.75), CVD (8.47, 6.03-11.89), and electrolyte imbalance (19.44, 11.47-32.96) were also strong predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease on admission (5.46, 3.25-9.19), while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes (6.58, 1.46-29.64) within two weeks. Conclusion Besides hypertension, diabetes, and CVD, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, other lung diseases, and electrolyte imbalance were independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity and poor treatment outcome. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease, while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes.
Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Trace metals deficiency or excess are associated with the etiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Aconiti Radix Cocta(A) and Paeoniae Radix Alba(B) are commonly used together for the treatment of RA. In this study, we aim to determine anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability in the compatibility of herb A and B for avoiding metal deficiency or excess, and optimize the combination ratio of herb A and B, accordingly. Anti-arthritic-related metal bioaccessibility were evaluated by in vitro simulator of all gastrointestinal tract(including mouth, stomach, small and large intestines), and the roles of gastrointestinal digestive enzymes and intestinal microflora were investigated. Anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability was assessed by the affinity adsorption with liposomes. The results indicated that compatibility proportion of corresponding herbal plants, gastrointestinal digestion and microbial metabolic, which could affect metal digestion and absorption. The optimal compatibility proportion of 1 A∶1 B is recommended, according to the dose of anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability, which is often chosen for clinical practice of RA therapy. Thus, anti-arthritic-related metal bioavailability might be the key active substances for RA treatment.
Aconitum ; Biological Availability ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Paeonia

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the clinical characteristics and diagnostic and therapeutic considerations of primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) by reviewing PTL cases. METHODS: In the study, 12 cases of PTL diagnosed and treated in Peking University First Hospital between January 1995 and September 2015 were identified. The clinical characteristics, management experiences and prognosis of these cases were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: A total of 12 PTL patients (four males and eight females) were collected, with an average age of 63 years (42 to 81 years) at the time of diagnosis. The average time to clarify diagnosis was 5 months (0.5 to 24 months). Eleven patients presented with a rapidly growing neck mass and visited surgical department, except one complained of coughing and suffocated. Seven patients were hypothyroid, and four were euthyroid at the time of diagnosis. In sonography of 11 cases, nine showed bilateral nodules, with an average diameter of 3.87 cm. Pathologic diagnosis of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma was confirmed in all the 12 cases by means of partial thyroidectomy (four) or core needle biopsy (eight). The pathological subtypes were diffuse large B cell lymphoma in nine patients, mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma (MALToma) in two, and small B cell lymphoma in the other one patient. Five patients were concomitant with Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Eleven patients received chemotherapy. Only one patient did not have any further treatment after operation due to an inertia type of tumor. The median overall survival time was 24 months (1-117 months), three patients died. Among the patients who survived, seven completed chemotherapy without disease progression, one MALToma case did not receive chemotherapy after thyroidectomy but was still alive with PTL, and one patient just finished his second course of chemotherapy. CONCLUSION The diagnosis of PTL should be considered when dealing with rapidly growing goiters in elder female Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients whose B ultrasound indicates hypoechogenicity in thyroid nodules or parenchyma, especially with lymphadenopathy and tracheal compressions. Timely use of coreneedle biopsy on suspicious cases can avoid unnecessary surgical trauma, and chemotherapy is the main treatment.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Hashimoto Disease ; Humans ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Neoplasms

A new sensitive method for detection of cumulative radon radiation based on the lead was established. PS2.M which stabilized by K+with hemin as a co-factor exhibits superior peroxidase-like activity, and can effectively catalyze the H2O2-mediated oxidation of TMB. In the presence of Pb2+, K+-stabilized PS2.M DNAzymes are induced to undergo a conformational change,because Pb2+has a higher efficiency with regard to stabilizing G-quadruplexes than K+, accompanied by a decrease of catalytic activity and a sharp decrease of readout signal. In the work, a novel"turn-off"model of colorimetry-Pb2+biosensor based on superior peroxidase-like activity of G-quadruplex for Pb2+analysis was developed. The fading degree of reaction system (△A value) was linearly related to Pb2+concentration in the range of 5. 0×10-9-1. 8× 10-7mol/L. The linear regression equation was △A=0.36+0.13C (10-8mol/L), with R=0.9987. The detection limits of lead and radon were 3.76 nmol/L(S/N=3) and 1.96×103Bq·h/m3(S/N=3), respectively. The method exhibited good selectivity, high sensitivity and convenient operation, and could avoid the radioactive hazard in determination of the radon in environment.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early cardiac injury caused by obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) before the development of cardiovascular symptoms of OSA. METHODS: Ninety-two patients without any known cardiovascular disorders who underwent polysomnography (PSG) were enrolled in the study. Subjects were divided into mild, moderate, and severe OSA groups by their apnea hypopnea index (AHI), and 25 healthy individuals were identified as controls. After PSG examination, fasting blood samples for the evaluation of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and heart-type fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP) were collected in the morning, and left ventricular(LV) functions were assessed by using echocardiographic methods. Thirty moderate and severe OSA patients were treated with continuous positive airway pressure respectively (CPAP). RESULTS: The levels of h-FABP and NT-proBNP were obviously higher in all OSA groups than those in the control group (<0.01), and were positively correlated with AHI (<0.01). The Em/Am values of all OSA groups and E/A values of the moderate and severe OSA groups were significantly reduced (<0.01). The difference in Em/Am values among the groups was statistically significant (<0.01). Compared with those before treatment, h-FABP and NT-BNP levels in serum of OSA patients after CPAP treatment were significantly reduced (<0.01), and Em/Am and E/A values were significantly increased (<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction and early myocardial microtrauma are major manifestations of early heart damage in patients with OSA. CPAP therapy could significantly improve early cardiac damage in OSA patients.
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Heart Injuries ; Humans ; Polysomnography ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left