Objective To investigate the effect of diosgenin on the proliferation and apoptosis of breast cancer cells and its potential molecular mechanism. Methods The breast cancer cell line MCF-7 was treated with low, medium, and high doses of diosgenin, and cell proliferation was detected through the MMT method. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis. Nuclear-cytoplasmic-protein separation method was applied to detect the subcellular localization of death associated protein (DAXX). qRT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of DAXX and c-Jun N-terminal kinase pathway (JNK)-related proteins. Results Diosgenin considerably inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells and promoted cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Diosgenin can promote the movement of DAXX from nucleus into the cytoplasm. Diosgenin upregulated the expression of cell surface death receptor (Fas), increased the phosphorylation levels of JNK and mitogen activated protein kinase (p38), and activated the JNK/p38 signaling pathway with concentration dependence. Conclusion Diosgenin inhibits the proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of the breast cancer cell line MCF-7, whose mechanism may be related to the regulation of DAXX subcellular localization and the activation of JNK/p38 signaling pathway.

Objective To compare the oncologic safety, surgical efficacy, and aesthetic outcomes between conventional breast-conserving surgery and axillary single-port incision insufflation endoscopic breast-conserving surgery with mini-latissimus dorsi surgery in early breast cancer patients. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 62 female patients with early breast cancer was performed. Patients were divided into two groups on the basis of surgical method: the conventional group (37 cases) and the endoscopic group (25 cases).The clinical baseline data, surgical results, and postoperative effects of the two groups were compared. Results According to the clinical baseline data, the endoscopic group had a greater maximum tumor diameter and a greater tumor-to-breast volume ratio due to expanded indications for breast-conserving surgery (P<0.001), whereas the other data revealed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with those in the conventional group, the total incision length in the endoscopic group was shorter [3.40(3.15, 3.60) cm vs. 7.30 (6.50, 7.60) cm, P<0.001], the postoperative drainage volume was lower (206.20±35.11 ml vs. 223.95±26.17 ml, P=0.026), but the operative time was longer (254.92±22.67 min vs. 146.78±13.01 min, P<0.001). The incision margin positive rate was 0% (0/25) in the endoscopic group, which was significantly lower than the 10.8% (4/37) in the conventional group (P=0.141). The endoscopic group had a lower incidence of complications (4% vs. 27%, P=0.047) and superior JBCS aesthetic scores at the 6-month follow-up (76% vs. 43.2%, P=0.006). Conclusion Axillary single-port incision insufflation endoscopic breast-conserving surgery with mini-latissimus dorsi surgery is not inferior to conventional procedures in terms of oncologic safety (margin-negative rate) and offers advantages in terms of scar concealment, fewer complications, and better aesthetic outcomes, especially suitable for early breast cancer patients with small-to-medium breast volumes, tumors located in the outer quadrants and mastectomy ratios of >20%.

Objective To analyze three-dimensional imaging characteristics and advantages for severe portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation, and to evaluate clinical efficacy of portal vein stent implantation. Methods Clinical data of 10 patients who received portal vein stent implantation for severe portal vein stenosis after liver transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. Imaging characteristics of severe portal vein stenosis, and advantages of three-dimensional reconstruction imaging and interventional treatment efficacy for severe portal vein stenosis were analyzed. Results Among 10 patients, 3 cases were diagnosed with centripetal stenosis, tortuosity angulation-induced stenosis in 2 cases, compression-induced stenosis in 2 cases, long-segment stenosis and/or vascular occlusion in 3 cases. Three-dimensional reconstruction images possessed advantages in accurate identification of stenosis, identification of stenosis types and measurement of stenosis length. All patients were successfully implanted with portal vein stents. After stent implantation, the diameter of the minimum diameter of portal vein was increased [(6.2±0.9) mm vs. (2.6±1.7) mm, P<0.05], the flow velocity at anastomotic site was decreased [(57±19) cm/s vs. (128±27) cm/s, P<0.05], and the flow velocity at the portal vein adjacent to the liver was increased [(41±6) cm/s vs. (18±6) cm/s, P<0.05]. One patient suffered from intrahepatic hematoma caused by interventional puncture, which was mitigated after conservative observation and treatment. The remaining patients did not experience relevant complications. Conclusions Three-dimensional visualization technique may visually display the location, characteristics and severity of stenosis, which is beneficial for clinicians to make treatment decisions and assist interventional procedures. Timely implantation of portal vein stent may effectively reverse pathological process and improve portal vein blood flow.

Objective:To assess the current situation, advantages, and difficulties of standardized management in Investigator-Initiated Clinical Trials (IIT).Methods:This article summarized the requirements and policies for clinical research management, the development of clinical research domestically and internationally, the achievements and advantages of clinical research management development in China, and the main problems and difficulties with the standardized IIT management in China, and compiled the experiences and models of several medical institutions in IIT management.Results:While China has a large number of clinical medical publications and is ranked high in the world, the quality of the publications needs to be further improved. Domestic management requirements for IIT were gradually improving, providing a basis for medical institutions to implement standardized management throughout the lifecycle of IIT, and achieve certain progress. However, there were still challenges in the departmental divisions, the unification of management standards, whole-process management and quality control, the scientific review, high-risk project management, and registration.Conclusions:Drawing on the excellent experience of domestic medical institutions, measures including identifying a primary responsible department, establishing unified supervision and inspection standards, and implementing a whole life cycle management may help overcome the challenges in IIT management and improve the quality and efficiency of IIT management.

Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， as an invaluable scientific legacy and cultural patrimony of China， encapsulates the cumulative wisdom of millennia from the Chinese civilization. The deeply rooted medical theories and extensive empirical practices of TCM hold an indispensible central role within China's healthcare framework. Facing the challenges of modern medicine and health needs， it is particularly urgent to explore the mechanisms of Chinese medicines. Post-translational modification （PTM）， as a core mechanism to regulate the complex and diverse protein functions， is a bridge between environmental stimuli and physiological responses. Different PTMs can interact with each other to form a complex regulatory network， which is in line with the multi-component and multi-target action of Chinese medicines. In recent years， protein modification omics has emerged as a powerful means to probe into PTMs， and studies have employed protein modification omics to investigate the mechanisms of Chinese medicines. However， the research in this field is still in the initial stage. This article summarizes the basic theory of PTM and the basic research process of protein modification omics， reviews the application status of protein modification omics in the research on the mechanisms of Chinese medicines， and analyzes the existing research limitations. This study aims to explore an innovative research paradigm for analyzing the mechanisms of Chinese medicines from the perspective of PTM and provide a theoretical basis and practical guidance for understanding the mechanisms of Chinese medicines in the future.

Objective To evaluate the surgical treatments of refractory sclerosing peritonitis related peritoneal dialysis.Methods Clinical data of 15 patients with refractory sclerosing peritonitis related to peritoneal dialysis treated in the General Surgery Department of the 900th Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the People's Liberation Army from June 30,2014 to May 30,2018.Among them,5 cases underwent"open abdomen peritoneal catheter removal+intestinal adhesiolysis+abdominal infection flushing and drainage with catheter",4 cases underwent"laparoscopic peritoneal catheter removal+intestinal adhesiolysis+abdominal infection flushing and drainage with catheter",3 cases underwent"laparoscopic peritoneal dialysis catheter removal+abdominal infection flushing and drainage with catheter",2 cases underwent"open abdomen peritoneal dialysis catheter removal+abdominal infection flushing and drainage with catheter",and 1 case underwent"laparoscopic examination combined with laparotomy exploration and removal of lower abdominal catheter+intestinal adhesiolysis+abdominal infection flushing and drainage with catheter".Age,gender,clinical symptoms,abdominal CT examination,peripheral blood routine,blood biochemistry,blood C-reactive protein(CRP),white blood cells,biochemistry,and aetiology of peritoneal dialysis fluid were collected and followed up,and the therapeutic effect was evaluated.Results 15 patients were transferred to the Department of Surgery after ineffective treatment in the Department of Internal Medicine.Preoperatively(after 5 days of antibiotic treatment)compared to before antibiotic treatment,there were no significant changes in blood WBC,blood NEUT％,CRP,and peritoneal fluid WBC(P＞0.05).Laparoscopic exploration or laparotomy exploration was performed,during which the peritoneal dialysis catheter was removed and the abdominal infection focus was cleared.A pelvic cavity washout drainage tube was left in place postoperatively.Fourteen patients had a good recovery after surgery,with effective control of peritonitis symptoms and no complications such as intestinal obstruction or enterocutaneous fistula.After the removal of the peritoneal dialysis catheter,all patients switched to hemodialysis.A comparison of inflammatory markers before and after surgery showed a significant decrease after surgery.Three days postoperatively compared to before surgery(after 5 days of antibiotic treatment),there were no significant changes in blood WBC,blood NEUT％,CRP,and peritoneal fluid WBC(P＞0.05).Seven days postoperatively compared to before surgery(after 5 days of antibiotic treatment),there was a significant decrease in blood WBC[(7.43±2.65)× 109/L VS(10.17±5.24)× 109/L],blood NEUT％[(88.23±9.02)％VS(85.07±11.57)％],and CRP[(152.88±113.01)mg/L VS(114.49±92.97)mg/L](P＜0.05);the peritoneal fluid WBC at 7 days postoperatively showed no significant change compared to before surgery(after 5 days of antibiotic treatment)(P＞0.05).The cases were followed up for at least 22 months,and 13 patients did not experience peritonitis or intestinal obstruction again.One patient died 39 days after surgery due to multiple organ failure,and one patient died from other causes after a 2-year follow-up.Conclusion For refractory sclerosing peritonitis related peritoneal dialysis that is ineffective in medical conservative treatment,On the basis of reasonable and effective antibiotics to control infection,surgical intervention should be actively carried out and surgical methods such as surgery should be used to control the progress of peritonitis,reduce mortality and improve the cure rate.

Objective:To explore the development, application and practical experience of investigator-initiated integrated clinical research information platform.Methods:The process of developing and constructing an integrated clinical research platform in a tertiary hospital in Beijing was introduced, the functions and advantages of the platform were described and displayed, and the main problems and risk points in the development and construction process were analyzed.Results:The integrated clinical research platform meets the management requirements of clinical research initiated by investigators, and the standardized management of the whole life cycle of the project can be realized through the platform, and the key issues of data security, information capture, sharing and interoperability need to be further explored in terms of platform docking.Conclusions:The integrated clinical research platform effectively improves the standardization, management quality and efficiency of investigator-initiated clinical research.

Objective To investigate the renoprotective effects of a Sichuan dark tea-based medicated dietary formula(alternatively referred to as Qing,or clarity in Chinese)on mice with diet-induced obesity(DIO)and to explore the specific mechanisms involved.Methods Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to three groups,a control group,a DIO group,and a Qing treatment group,or the Qing group,with 8 mice in each group.The mice in the control group were given normal maintenance feed and purified water,and the other two groups were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish the DIO model.After that,high-fat diet continued in the DIO group,while the Qing group was given Qing at the same time for 12 weeks,during which period the weight of the mice was monitored and recorded every week.The mice were sacrificed after 12 weeks.Serum samples were collected and the levels of triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and albumin were measured to evaluate liver function.In addition,renal lipids were extracted to determine the levels of TG and TC in the kidney and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS)and oil red O stainings were performed to evaluate kidney pathological injury.Western blot was performed to determine the phosphorylated AMPK(pAMPK)/AMPK ratio in the kidney tissue.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of proteins related to fatty acid oxidation,including acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1(ACC1),carnitine acyltransferase 1(CTP1),peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ(PPARγ),peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor-1 α(PPAR1α),sterol-regulatory element binding proteins(SREBP-1),and key proteins related to lipid synthesis,including fatty acid synthase(FASN)and stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase 1(stearoyl-CoA desaturase)in the kidney tissue.16SrRNA and metabolomics were applied to analyze the gut microbiota in the intestinal contents and its metabolites.Results Compared with those of the control group,the levels of liver mass(P=0.000 3),serum ALT(P＜0.000 1)and AST(P=0.0001),and kidney TC(P=0.0191)and TG(P=0.0101)of the DIO group were significantly increased and there was lipid deposition in the kidney.Compared with those of the DIO group,mice in the Qing group showed effective reduction in liver mass(P=0.0316)and improvements in the abnormal serum levels of AST(P=0.0012)and ALT(P=0.002 7)and kidney TC(P=0.0200)and TG(P=0.0499).In addition,mice in the Qing group showed significant improvement in lipid deposition in the kidney.Qing group showed increased pAMPK/AMPK ratio in comparison with that of the DIO group.In comparison with those of the control group,mice in the DIO group had upregulated expression of lipid synthesis-related genes and proteins(SREBP-1,FASN,and SCD1).As for the fatty acid oxidation-related genes and proteins,DIO mice showed upregulated expression of ACC1 and downregulated expression of CPT1A,PPARy,and PGC1α in comparison with those of the control group.In the Qing goup,improvements in regard to all these changes were observed.The Qing group demonstrated improvement in the disrupted homeostasis of the gut microbiota.Short-chain fatty acids in the cecal contents,especially isovaleric acid and propionic acid,were also restored.Conclusion Sichuan dark tea-based medicated dietary formula may improve renal lipid metabolism by regulating gut microbiota and the levels of intestinal short-chain fatty acids,thereby protecting obesity-related kidney injury.Isovaleric acid and propionic acid may be the metabolites key to its regulation of gut microbiota.

Objective:Lung ultrasound (LUS) has been used in the diagnosis of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome(RDS) successfully, but there have been no multicenter prospective studies to verify its reliability or determine how to grade RDS with LUS findings.This study aimed to discuss the necessity and feasibility of using LUS findings to determine RDS grades through a multicenter prospective study.Methods:Every researcher participated in the National Neonatal Lung Ultrasound Training Course and receiving 3-6 months of lung ultrasound system training at the National Neonatal Lung Ultrasound Training Center.Patients between June 2018 and May 2020 who met the RDS ultrasound diagnostic criteria and had full available clinical data were included in this study.The LUS examination was completed immediately after the patients were admitted to the hospital.Some of them also underwent chest X-ray examination.Arterial blood gas analysis was completed immediately before or after the LUS ultrasound examination.RDS grading was performed according to the LUS findings and whether the patient had serious complications.Results:A total of 275 qualifying cases were included in this study, which included 220 premature infants and 55 full-term infants, and the primary RDS occurred in 117 cases (42.5%), and secondary RDS occurred in 158 cases (57.5%). LUS manifestations of RDS patients can be divided into three categories: (1)A ground-glass opacity sign: which could be found among 50 infants when they were admitted to the hospital (that was, at their first LUS examination). Twenty-eight of these infants were considered to have wet lungs and were not sent for special management on admission, but LUS showed typical snowflake-like lung consolidation within 0.5 to 4 hours.Twenty-two of them were given mechanical ventilation with exogenous pulmonary surfactant; Eighteen cases were controlled within 6-12 hours, but the lung lesions became more severe in the other 4 infants (due to severe intrauterine infection). (2)Snowflake-like lung consolidations: the first LUS on admission showed typical snowflake-like lung consolidation involving areas ranging from 1-2 intercostal spaces to 12 lung divisions in 204 cases.Thirty-eight infants among them the lung consolidation only had involvement of 1-2 intercostal spaces at the time of admission; Fifteen of them received invasive respiratory support and recovered within 4-12 hours.Twelve patients received noninvasive respiratory support; Seven of them recovered, while five cases developed severe lung illness.The remaining 11 patients who were not given any form of ventilator support developed severe conditions within 1-4 hours.Thirty of them showed snowflake signs involving 12 lung regions at admission.The remaining 136 patients had lung consolidation degree between the two degree above condition.(3)Snowflake-like sign with complications: Twenty-one patients had severe complications such as pneumothorax, pulmonary hemorrhage or/and persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn or large area atelectasis, etc, although snowflake lung consolidation did not involve all lung regions.Conclusion:(1) LUS is reliable and accurate for diagnosing RDS.RDS has the same characteristics on ultrasound for both preterm and full-term infants, both primary and secondary RDS.(2) To facilitate the management of RDS, it is necessary to classify RDS according to the ultrasound findings and the presence of severe complications.(3) Based on the results of this study, it is recommended that RDS can be divided into mild, moderate and severe degrees.The exact standards for grading are as follows: Mild RDS: the early stage of RDS, in which lung consolidation shows as a ground-glass opacity sign on ultrasound; Moderate RDS: lung consolidation shows a snowflake sign on ultrasound, not all of the lung fields are involved; Severe RDS meets one or more of the following criteria: lung consolidation shows as a snowflake sign on ultrasound and all lung regions are involved, or regardless of its degree and extent, lung consolidation has caused serious complications, such as pulmonary hemorrhage, pneumothorax, persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn, or/and a large area of pulmonary atelectasis.

Objective: To investigate the application value of augmented reality (AR) technology in pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Methods: The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 3 male patients who underwent PD in Tsinghua University Affiliated Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital from June 2018 to February 2019 were collected. The 3 patients were aged from 52 to 63 years, with a median age of 57 years. Digital imaging and communication standard format data of enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan were collected, the three-dimensional (3D) images of abdominal arteries, portal vein, descending duodenum, pancreatic body and tail, pancreatic head, common bile duct, and pancreatic duct were reconstructed. The results were imported into the AR software. Optical tracking based on two-dimensional codes and manual interactive rigid registration were adopted for intraoperative navigation. Observation indicators: (1) surgical and postoperative conditions; (2) postoperative pathological examination; (3) follow-up. Follow-up using outpatient examination or telephone interview was conducted to detect survival of patients and tumor metastasis and recurrence up to June 2019. The measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M (range). Count data were expressed as absolute numbers. Results: (1) Surgical and postoperative conditions: all the 3 patients underwent PD with AR technology as intraoperative navigation successfully. The operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, and duration of postoperative hospital stay were 6 hours (range, 5-8 hours), 700 mL (range, 300-900 mL), 11 days (range, 9-12 days). There was no perioperative death or complication occured. After surgery, the patients who underwent PD combined with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) resection and reconstruction had patent SMV on the enhanced computed tomography examination. (2) Postoperative pathological examination: results of pathological examination showed 1 case of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas with invasive adenocarcinoma (neoplasm invading SMV), 1 case of insulinoma, and 1 case of periampullary neuroendocrine carcinoma, respectively. (3) Follow-up: 3 patients were followed up for 4-12 months, with a median follow-up time of 6 months. During the follow-up, the patient with IPMN of the pancreas and invasive adenocarcinoma had liver metastasis at 3 months after surgery, and received chemotherapy at other hospital. After 4 cycles of chemotherapy, the metastatic nodule shrank, and the patient was still in follow-up up to deadline of follow-up. Other 2 patients had no recurrence or metastasis. Conclusion AR technique assisted PD is safe and feasible, which is helpful to indentify vascular branches and tracks.