Purpose To investigate the conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of epiploic appendagitis (EA). Materials and Methods A retrospective study was performed on 23 patients who were diagnosed with EA in the 907th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force from May 2016 to May 2023. The conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings were analyzed,and the subsequent evolution of ultrasound findings were followed up. Results All 23 patients presented with a solitary mass adjacent to the colon or cecum,with eleven masses being oval,eight being elliptical and four irregular in shape. The margin of the mass was clear in 15 cases,with 12 cases showing a linear hypoechoic rim around the mass. All 23 masses appeared as solid hyperechoic lesions,with two cases showing internal inhomogeneous echoes and linear hypoechoic areas,three cases showing mild thickening of the adjacent intestinal wall and 19 cases showing adhesion to the anterior abdominal wall and fixed in position. No obvious blood flow signals were detected inside the masses in all 23 cases,while only five cases showing slight blood flow signals around the mass periphery. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound demonstrated that the central part of the mass did not enhance,while the edge of the mass showed a ring-shaped hyperenhancement with a thickness of approximately 0.20-1.50 cm in ten patients. Follow-up ultrasound examinations were performed in 12 patients,and the results showed that seven patients had complete disappearance of the initial mass,with one patient found to have a loose body in the rectouterine pouch,and the volume of the mass in the remaining five patients showed varying degrees of reduction during the follow-up period. Conclusion The characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in EA include a central necrotic area without enhancement,showing a ring-shaped enhancement at the edge. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a highly effective imaging modality that can provide strong evidence for the clinical diagnosis of EA by visualizing the size and extent of the infarcted epiploic appendage.

Purpose To investigate the conventional ultrasound and contrast-enhanced ultrasound features of epiploic appendagitis (EA). Materials and Methods A retrospective study was performed on 23 patients who were diagnosed with EA in the 907th Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army Joint Logistic Support Force from May 2016 to May 2023. The conventional and contrast-enhanced ultrasound findings were analyzed,and the subsequent evolution of ultrasound findings were followed up. Results All 23 patients presented with a solitary mass adjacent to the colon or cecum,with eleven masses being oval,eight being elliptical and four irregular in shape. The margin of the mass was clear in 15 cases,with 12 cases showing a linear hypoechoic rim around the mass. All 23 masses appeared as solid hyperechoic lesions,with two cases showing internal inhomogeneous echoes and linear hypoechoic areas,three cases showing mild thickening of the adjacent intestinal wall and 19 cases showing adhesion to the anterior abdominal wall and fixed in position. No obvious blood flow signals were detected inside the masses in all 23 cases,while only five cases showing slight blood flow signals around the mass periphery. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound demonstrated that the central part of the mass did not enhance,while the edge of the mass showed a ring-shaped hyperenhancement with a thickness of approximately 0.20-1.50 cm in ten patients. Follow-up ultrasound examinations were performed in 12 patients,and the results showed that seven patients had complete disappearance of the initial mass,with one patient found to have a loose body in the rectouterine pouch,and the volume of the mass in the remaining five patients showed varying degrees of reduction during the follow-up period. Conclusion The characteristics of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in EA include a central necrotic area without enhancement,showing a ring-shaped enhancement at the edge. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a highly effective imaging modality that can provide strong evidence for the clinical diagnosis of EA by visualizing the size and extent of the infarcted epiploic appendage.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the effectiveness of Kirschner wire buckling combined with bone fixation in the treatment of metacarpal avulsion fracture. METHODS: The clinical data of 35 patients of metacarpal avulsion fracture admitted between March 2017 and June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 22 males and 13 females; the age ranged from 20 to 55 years, with an average of 31.6 years. There were 17 cases of the second metacarpal avulsion fracture, 6 cases of the fourth metacarpal avulsion fracture, and 12 cases of the fifth metacarpal avulsion fracture. The causes of injury included 21 cases of strangulation, 8 cases of sprain, and 6 cases of sports injury. X-ray film examination showed that the size of the avulsion fracture of metacarpal bone ranged from 0.30 cm×0.20 cm to 0.55 cm×0.45 cm. The total active motion (TAM) of the injured finger before operation was (154.00±17.38)°. The time from injury to operation was 3-10 days, with an average of 5.8 days. Follow-up regularly after operation, X-ray film and CT examination were performed to evaluate fracture healing and TAM of injured finger was measured. The finger function was evaluated by the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of Hand Surgery Society of Chinese Medical Association. RESULTS: All the incisions healed by first intention. All 35 patients were followed up 9-36 months, with an average of 28 months. All metacarpal avulsion fractures achieved bony healing, and the healing time was 4-6 weeks, with an average of 4.8 weeks. The metacarpophalangeal joint of the patient was stable, without stiffness, and the flexion and extension activities were good. At last follow-up, the TAM of the injured finger reached (261.88±6.23)°, which was significantly different from that before operation ( t=-35.351, P<0.001). The finger function was evaluated according to the trial standard of upper limb function evaluation of the Society of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, and 33 cases were excellent and 2 cases were good, with an excellent and good rate of 100%. CONCLUSION The treatment of metacarpal avulsion fracture with Kirschner wire buckling combined with bone fixation has the advantages of less trauma, firm fixation, and less interference to the soft tissue around metacarpophalangeal joints, which is a good alternative method for the metacarpal avulsion fracture.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Fractures, Avulsion/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Metacarpal Bones/injuries* ; Bone Wires ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Hand Injuries

Insufficient catalytic efficiency of flavonoid 6-hydroxylases in the fermentative production of scutellarin leads to the formation of at least about 18% of by-products. Here, the catalytic mechanisms of two flavonoid 6-hydroxylases, CYP82D4 and CYP706X, were investigated by molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemical calculations. Our results show that CYP82D4 and CYP706X have almost identical energy barriers at the rate-determining step and thus similar reaction rates, while the relatively low substrate binding energy of CYP82D4 may facilitate product release, which is directly responsible for its higher catalytic efficiency. Based on the study of substrate entry and release processes, the catalytic efficiency of the L540A mutation of CYP82D4 increased by 1.37-fold, demonstrating the feasibility of theoretical calculations-guided engineering of flavonoid 6-hydroxylase. Overall, this study reveals the catalytic mechanism of flavonoid 6-hydroxylases, which may facilitate the modification and optimization of flavonoid 6-hydroxylases for efficient fermentative production of scutellarin.
Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/metabolism* ; Apigenin ; Glucuronates

Objective: Sweet Tea (ST), derived from the leaves of Lithocarpus polystachyus, is a Chinese folk medicine with wide pharmacological activities. However, the promotive effects of ST water extract on hepatocytes proliferation and its underlying mechanism remains still unknown. In the present study, the beneficial effects of ST water extract on human hepatocytes and its possible mechanism were investigated. Methods: MTT assay was used to detect the safety range of ST; HL7702 cells were divided into four groups: control group, ST low- (50 μg/mL), medium- (200 μg/mL) and high-concentration (800 μg/mL) groups; BrdU ELISA and EDU staining were used to observe DNA content and cell proliferation; Moreover, flow cytometry was applied to analyze the distribution of cell cycle. Furthermore, the expression of cyclin D1, CDK4, HGF/c-Met, Akt, Erk1/2 were detected by Western blot. Results: It was found that ST water extract concentration-dependent promoted human hepatocytes HL7702 cell proliferation within 72 h through accumulating the cells in S phase and G2/M phase. Furthermore, ST water extract up-regulated expression of Cyclin D1 and CDK4 proteins. Moreover, ST water extract not only increased HGF expression and phosphorylation of c-Met level, but also activated the phosphorylation levels of AKT, ERK1/2. Interestingly, both of AKT inhibitor A6730 and ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 reversed the promotive effects of ST water extract, which further confirmed that activation of AKT and ERK1/2 were involved. Conclusion: The findings reveal that ST water extract promoted HL7702 cells proliferation through the stimulation of cell cycle mediated by activating the AKT- and ERK1/2-related pathway.

Objective:To detect the expression levels of miR-3074-5p and its target gene p27 in the placental tissues of pre-eclampsia (PE) patients, and to preliminarily explore the association of miR-3074-5p/p27 pathway in the pathogenesis of PE. Methods:From September 2017 to March 2018, 16 pregnant women with PE (PE group) and 9 normal pregnant women (control group) were enrolled in Obstetrics Department in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University. The placental expression levels of miR-3074-5p, p27, cyclin D1 (CCND1) and cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) were determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to authenticate the directly targeted effect of miR-3074-5p on expression of p27 mRNA. The expression of p27 in the human extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo was down-regulated by its specific shRNA, and the effects of down-regulated p27 expression on physiological activities of HTR-8/SVneo cells were detected. Results:Compared with control group, the expression levels of miR-3074-5p ( P=0.034) and CCND1 ( P=0.031) protein in the placenta of PE patients were significantly decreased, whereas the placental p27 ( P=0.010) protein expression was significantly increased in PE group. IHC analysis showed that, the signals of p27 and CCND1 proteins were dominantly detected in syncytiotrophoblast. The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-3074-5p could inhibit the expression of p27 by directly bound to the 3'UTR of p27 mRNA. After the p27 expression was down-regulated, the proliferative and invasive activities of HTR-8/SVneo cells were significantly enhanced ( P=0.014, P=0.045). Conclusion:miR-3074-5p might participate in the regulation of physiological activities of extravillous trophoblast cells by its targeted inhibition on p27 expression, and the abnormally decreased miR-3074-5p in trophoblast cells might be associated with the pathogenesis of PE by promoting the expression of p27.

Objective:To detect the expression levels of miR-3074-5p and its target gene p27 in the placental tissues of pre-eclampsia (PE) patients, and to preliminarily explore the association of miR-3074-5p/p27 pathway in the pathogenesis of PE. Methods:From September 2017 to March 2018, 16 pregnant women with PE (PE group) and 9 normal pregnant women (control group) were enrolled in Obstetrics Department in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University. The placental expression levels of miR-3074-5p, p27, cyclin D1 (CCND1) and cyclin dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) were determined by quantitative PCR (qPCR), Western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses. The dual-luciferase reporter assay was applied to authenticate the directly targeted effect of miR-3074-5p on expression of p27 mRNA. The expression of p27 in the human extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo was down-regulated by its specific shRNA, and the effects of down-regulated p27 expression on physiological activities of HTR-8/SVneo cells were detected. Results:Compared with control group, the expression levels of miR-3074-5p ( P=0.034) and CCND1 ( P=0.031) protein in the placenta of PE patients were significantly decreased, whereas the placental p27 ( P=0.010) protein expression was significantly increased in PE group. IHC analysis showed that, the signals of p27 and CCND1 proteins were dominantly detected in syncytiotrophoblast. The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-3074-5p could inhibit the expression of p27 by directly bound to the 3'UTR of p27 mRNA. After the p27 expression was down-regulated, the proliferative and invasive activities of HTR-8/SVneo cells were significantly enhanced ( P=0.014, P=0.045). Conclusion:miR-3074-5p might participate in the regulation of physiological activities of extravillous trophoblast cells by its targeted inhibition on p27 expression, and the abnormally decreased miR-3074-5p in trophoblast cells might be associated with the pathogenesis of PE by promoting the expression of p27.

Objective: To observe the effects of Fufang Lishao Pills (FFLSP) on the proinflammatory factors, pain-relatedproteins and JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathways in nitroglycerin-induced chronic migraine model, and exploring thepharmacological target and mechanism of FFLSP on chronic migraine rats. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats wererandomly divided into 6 groups: Control, Migraine, FFLSP-L (420 mg·kg-1), FFLSP-M (840 mg·kg-1), FFLSP-H (1680mg·kg-1) and Flunarizine Hydrochloride group (FH, 1 mg·kg-1) . Chronic migraine model was made by subcutaneousinjection of nitroglycerin (10 mg·kg-1) once every 3 days for 5 times. The rats were treated with FFLSP by intragastricadministration once a day for 30 days. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of iNOS, COX-2, CGRPand c-Fos and the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 in cortex of rats. The production of IL-1β and TNF-αwere detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Results: Compared with Control rats, and the level ofiNOS, COX-2, CGRP, c-Fos expression (P ＜ 0.01) and IL-1β, TNF-α production remarkably up-regulated (P ＜ 0.05), and the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 also significantly increased in cotex of Migrainerats (P ＜ 0.01) . However, compared with Migrainerats, the levels of iNOS, COX-2, CGRP, c-Fos expression and IL-1β, TNF-α productionobviously declined (P ＜ 0.05; P ＜ 0.01), and the phosphorylation level of JAK2 and STAT3 showed a significantlydecrease in the cortex of Migraine rats with FFLSP treatment (P ＜ 0.01) . Conclusion: This study demonstrates that thepharmacological mechanism of FFLSP in improving chronic migraine may be achieved by inhibiting neuroinflammationthrough the blockage of JAK2/STAT3 pathwayin the cortex of rat with nitroglycerin induction.

In recent years,the role of phosphodiesterase 5(PDE5)has been highlighted in the development and progression of neurological disease.PDE5 inhibitors show significant effect of neruoprotection,which may be related with some effects such as resistance to stroke,anti-oxidation,inhibition of neuroinflammation and amelioration of cognitive deficits.Based on the domestic and overseas researches about PDE5,this review systematically summarized the neuroprotection of PDE5 and their related mechanisms.