ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Tongluo Mingmu capsules in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis， collateral obstruction， and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome. MethodA randomized， double-blind， positive-control， and multi-center clinical trial design method was used. 416 patients with diabetic retinopathy with blood stasis， collateral obstruction， and Qi and Yin deficiency syndrome in four test centers were included （the ratio of the treatment group to the control group was 3∶1）. On the basis of standardized hypoglycemic treatment， the treatment group was given both four Tongluo Mingmu capsules and two Calcium Dobesilate capsule agents three times a day， while the control group were given both two Calcium Dobesilate capsules and four Tongluo Mingmu capsule agents three times a day. The course of treatment was 12 weeks. The curative effect of Tongluo Mingmu capsules was evaluated by comparing the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy， traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） syndrome score， corrected visual acuity， fundus changes， fundus fluorescence angiography， and other curative effect indexes before and after treatment in the two groups. At the same time， general examination， laboratory examination， and adverse events were performed to evaluate the safety of the drug. ResultThe baseline demographic data and disease characteristics of the treatment group and the control group were balanced and comparable， with the difference not statistically significant. After 12 weeks of treatment， the total effective rate of the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy in the treatment group （61.0%， 189/310） was better than that in the control group （44.1%， 45/102）， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=8.880， P<0.01）. The total effective rate of TCM syndromes in the treatment group （88.4%， 259/293） was better than that in the control group （69.9%， 65/93）， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=17.927， P<0.01）. The disappearance rate of dry eyes （χ²=8.305）， dull complexion （χ²=4.053）， lassitude （χ²=10.267）， shortness of breath （χ²=8.494）， and dry stool （χ²=8.657） in the treatment group was higher than that in the control group， and the difference between the groups was statistically significant （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In terms of improving corrected visual acuity （χ²=8.382）， fundus changes （χ²=6.026） ， the treatment group was significantly better than the control group （P<0.05）. During the trial， the incidence of adverse events in the treatment group and the control group was 1.3% and 2.9%， respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups. In addition， there were no serious adverse events and adverse events leading to withdrawal in both groups. ConclusionTongluo Mingmu capsules can improve the comprehensive curative effect of diabetic retinopathy and enhance the efficacy of TCM syndromes， visual acuity， fundus changes， and fundus fluorescein angiography， with great safety. Therefore， it can provide a new alternative therapeutic drug for patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Bone metastasis is a common complication of many advanced cancers,especially prostate cancer(85％),breast cancer(70％)and lung cancer(40％),which severely affects the quality of life of the pa-tients and increases its death risk.Macrophages are the essential immune cells in the human body that play a crucial role in the tumor microenvironment(TME),including phagocytosis or removal of cell debris,damaged or apoptotic cells.The phenotypic and functional transition of macrophages is a dynamic process.Under vari-ous stimulation conditions in TME,they can be transformed into two major subpopulations:M1 and M2.In TME,M1 macrophages exert anti-tumor effects and contribute to tumor immunity.M2 macrophages display a robust immunosuppressive phenotype,aiding in tumor cell proliferation and thereby promoting the occurrence of bone metastasis.This article reviews the interaction between macrophages and TME,and explores the role of macrophage polarization in bone metastasis of common cancers such as prostate cancer,breast cancer and lung cancer,and the influence in the occurrence and development of tumors.

Objective:To compare the efficacy between dual stability constructs and modified Scott techniques for treatment of symptomatic spondylolysis in active adolescents.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to analyze the clinical date of 64 active adolescents who had been treated for symptomatic spondylolysis at Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The 900th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force from January 2017 to October 2021. There were 59 males and 5 females with an age of (24.9±5.2) years. Responsible vertebral bodies were L 3 in 2 cases, L 4 in 10 cases, L 5 in 47 cases, and L 4 to L 5 in 5 cases; spondylolisthesis was accompanied in 9 cases. Depending on the surgical methods, the patients were divided into a dual stability constructs (pedicle screws and laminar screws) group (observation group, 31 cases) and a modified Scott group (control group, 33 cases). The 2 groups were compared in terms of operative time, bleeding volume, postoperative drainage volume, isthmus healing rate, rate of internal fixation failure, visual analogue scale (VAS) for low back pain, Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and the good and excellent rate by JOA at postoperative 1 month, 3 months, and the last follow-up, and the incidence of complications. Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up. The operation time in the observation group [(94.7±14.9) min] was significantly longer than that in the control group [(84.4±16.4) min] ( P=0.011), but there was no significant difference in intraoperative bleeding volume or postoperative drainage volume ( P>0.05). The healing rate of bilateral isthmi in the observation group was 93.5% (29/31), significantly higher than that in the control group [60.6% (20/33)], and the rate of internal fixation failure in the observation group (0) was significantly lower than that in the control group (12.1%, 4/33) ( P<0.05). At postoperative 1 month, 3 months, and the last follow-up, the VAS scores were significantly lower than the preoperative value in all patients while the JOA scores significantly higher ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, in the observation group the VAS score [0 (0, 1.0)] was significantly lower than that in the control group [1(0, 2)], and the JOA score [(27.1±1.2) points] and the excellent and good rate by JOA [93.5% (29/31)] were significantly higher than those in the control group [(25.7±2.1) points and 75.8% (25/33)] ( P<0.05). In the control group, follow-ups revealed internal fixation failure in 4 cases due to the cable cutting out of the spinous processes, yielding a failure rate of 12.1%, while no internal fixation failure was observed in the observation group. Conclusions:Both dual stability constructs and modified Scott techniques can relieve the clinical symptoms of spondylolysis in active adolescents to various extents. However, dual stability constructs with pedicle screws and laminar screws may lead to a higher isthmus healing rate and better curative effects.

Objective To screen the macroporous adsorption resin suitable for the separation and purification of total polyphenols from purple tea and establish the purification process parameters to prepare high-purity total polyphenols from purple tea. Methods The static adsorption-elution test was used to screen macroporous adsorption resin for the purification of total polyphenols from purple tea. Based on the single factor test, the comprehensive score of adsorption rate was used as the index to investigate the effects of different factors on the purification process and identify the optimal parameters for the purification process. Those factors included sample concentration, the pH value of the sample solution, the ratio of column diameter to height, sample size, ethanol percentage in the eluent, eluent volume and elution flow rate. Results The best process parameters for purification of total polyphenols from purple tea by AB-8 macroporous adsorption resin were as following. The sample concentration was 375 μg/ml with flow rate 2 ml/min. The sample volume was 3 BV. The sample solution pH was 2. The ratio of colume diameter to height was 1∶6. The impurities were removed first by water 3 BV. 50% ethanol 4 BV was used for elution with flow rate 2 ml/min. Conclusion AB-8 macroporous resin was selected for the purification of polyphenols from purple tea under the optimized technological conditions. The mass fraction of total polyphenols increased from 40.2% to an average of 69.8%. The solid content decreased from 56.0 mg to 29.9 mg. The established purification process has good stability and feasibility. It can be used as a purification process for total polyphenols from purple tea.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of enteral nutrition by nasojejunal tube insertion and by percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in elderly patients.Methods A total of 65 elderly patients with dysphagia recruited at our department from January 2010 to November 2014 were divided into the nasojejunal tube feeding group (35 cases) and the PEG feeding group (30 cases).Differences between these two groups in nutritional indexes,immunological indexes,complications and mortality were analyzed retrospectively.Results Serum total protein,albumin and prealbumin and upper arm circumferences all increased after treatment with nasojejunal tube feeding or percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (P＞0.05).There was overall improvement in nutritional status,as assessed by Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002).Specifically,the before/one month-after-treatment ratio of scores was 3.72±0.91/1.90±0.61 (t=7.24,P＜0.01) for the nasojejunal tube feeding group and 3.52±1.23/2.02±0.53 (t=4.17,P＜0.01) for the PEG feeding group.Compared with NRS2002 scores at one month post-operation,further improvement was achieved at 3 months postoperation both for the nasojejunal tube feeding group (1.89±0.65,t=5.21,P＜0.01) and for the PEG feeding group (1.91±0.62,t=4.40,P＜0.01).There was no difference in the indexes of nutrition,immune status or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.05).Although improvement in CD3+,CD4+,CD8+,CD4+/CD8+,IgA,IgG,and IgM was seen in both groups after operation,the differences did not reach statistical significance (P＞0.05).The incidence of aspiration pneumonia was notably lower (P＜0.05) while the incidence of diarrhea was much higher (P＜0.05) in the nasojejunal tube feeding group than in the PEG feeding group at one month and three months.The two groups had similar causes of death and mortality rates.Conclusion Both nasojejunal tube and PEG feeding can improve the nutritional status of elderly patients with dysphagia.However,the choice for the route of nutrition should be individualized.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture plus a multi-function cervical rehabilitation system in treating cervical spondylosis.Methods Sixty patients with cervical spondylosis were randomly allocated to treatment and control groups, 30 cases each. The treatment group received electroacupuncture plus treatment with a multi-function cervical rehabilitation system and the control group, electroacupuncture alone. After 30 days of treatment, changes in the pain score, the neck disability index, and cervical active range of motion and isometric muscle strength were observed in the two groups and the clinical therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.Results The total efficacy rate was 96.7% in the treatment group and 93.3% in the control group; there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). There were statistically significant pre-/post-treatment differences in the pain score, the neck disability index, and cervical active range of motion and isometric muscle strength in the two groups (P<0.01,P<0.05). There were statistically significant post-treatment differences in the neck disability index, and cervical active range of motion and isometric muscle strength between the treatment and control groups (P<0.05).Conclusions Electroacupuncture plus a multi-function cervical rehabilitation system is an effective way to treat cervical spondylosis. It can relieve the clinical symptoms in the patients.

Objective Toinvestigatetheimpactofthedifferentrupturepoints(sac,neck,andtop) of intraoperative aneurysm rupture (IAR)on the prognosis of patients in anterior circulation aneurysm clipping.Methods Theclinicaldataof135consecutivepatients(148aneurysms)acceptedmicrosurgical aneurysm clipping from May 2009 to March 2012 were analyzed retrospectively. The prognostic evaluation of the patients after procedure was assessed by using the Glasgow outcome scale (GOS). The different aneurysm rupture points of IAR were used as influencing factors,and the relationship between the different rupture pointsandtheprognosisofpatientswasanalyzed.Results Duringclippingof148aneurysmsin 135 patients,31 aneurysms in 30 patients had intraoperative rupture (20. 9% of the aneurysms, 22.2% of the patients). Nine rupture points occurred on the top of aneurysms,17 occurred on the sac,and 5 occurred on neck. The Glasgow outcome scale (GOS)scores 5,4,3,2 and 1 were in 17,8,2,1 and 2 patients,respectively. A total of 25 patients had good prognosis and 5 cases had poor prognosis. There were no significant differences in the impact of different rupture points of IAR on the prognosis in patients of IAR (OR,100. 00,95% confidence interval 6. 764-18. 344,P=0. 006). Of the 25 patients with aneurysm sac or top rupture,1 case had poor prognosis. Of the 5 patients with aneurysm neck rupture, 4caseshadpoorprognosis.Conclusion Inanteriorcirculationaneurysmclipping,thedifferent aneurysm rupture points may have significant impact on the prognosis of patients,the aneurysm neck rupture is a main factor for resulting in the poor prognosis of patients.

To establish vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as secretary biomarkers for cell growth on topographic substrates, we have evaluated the secretion and expression of these 2 factors by SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells on poly-L-lactide (PLLA) micropillar arrayed topographic substrates. We fabricated topographic substrates with UV lithography, silicon etching and polydimethylsiloxane-based replica molding, and interfaced SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells with both the topographic substrates and PLLA flat substrates. Cell morphology and spreading were examined with scanning electron microscopy. The secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 were evaluated with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real time qPCR, respectively, 24 hours after cell plating. We successfully achieved 4 topographic substrates with a nominal pillar diameter of 2 microm and 4 microm, and a nominal pillar spacing of 2 microm and 7 microm. We found that the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and/or IL-8 by SH-SY5Y cells on 2-2 microm (pillar diameter-spacing), 4-2 microm and 4-7 microm topographic substrates were upregulated in comparison to those by cells on PLLA flat substrate, 24 hours after cell plating. Furthermore, both cytokines were even more substantially upregulated on the 2-7 microm substrate than on the other 3 topographic substrates. Compared to those on PLLA flat substrate, cells on topographic substrates showed significant changes in morphology (spreading area, perimeter and roundness), and the increase in the secretion and mRNA expression of VEGF and IL-8 was accompanied with a decrease in cell spreading areas. These results provided evidence that pillar arrayed topography was an important microenvironmental factor in affecting VEGF and IL-8 expression or secretion, and VEGF and IL-8 might serve as important secretary biomarkers for growth on topographic substrates by SH-SY5Y cells.
Biomarkers ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Cellular Microenvironment ; Humans ; Interleukin-8 ; genetics ; secretion ; Neuroblastoma ; secretion ; Polyesters ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; secretion

UV photolithography and hydrofluoric acid wet etching were used to produce silicon master molds and polydimethylsiloxane (PMDS)-based soft lithography was adopted to fabricate three-dimensional poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and PDMS microwell patterns with high aspect ratio and channel connection. Nine microwell patterns were thus obtained with different structural dimensions. Patterns were treated with oxygen plasma etching and polylysine coating to enhance hydrophilicity and cell compatibility for subsequent culture of C17. 2 neural stem cells. With proliferation during the culture, C17. 2 cells gradually distributed within the microwells, showing an obviously three-dimensional (3-D) growth behavior. The presence of channel structures greatly favored the 3-D growth of C17. 2 neural stem cells on the microwell patterns. Multi-layered scanning with confocal microscopy and 3-D rendering after carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFDA-SE) staining showed that most C17. 2 cells grew within a range of 30 to 90 microm from the microwell bottom. Immunofluorescence staining indicated that C17. 2 cells within 3-D microwell patterns were uniformly nestin-positive on day 2 after cell plating. It could well be concluded that the microwell patterns thus fabricated were suitable for the 3-D culture and subsequent differentiation of C17. 2 neural stem cells. And the cells can be maintained with uniform stemness properties while cultured in these microwell patterns.
Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; chemistry ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nestin ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; Polyglycolic Acid ; chemistry

Objective To assess the safety and the curative effect of the combination of minipercutaneous nephrolithotomy (mini-PCNL) and ureteroscopic lithotripsy (URL) in the treatment of nonhydronephrotic staghorn calculi. Methods The clinical data of 53 eases with non-hydronephrotic staghom calculi treated by mini-PCNL combined with URL were retrospectively analyzed. Results Fifty-three cases (64 renal units) were performed first-stsge operation, 9 renal units were stone free in first-stage operation, 33 renal units were stone free in second-stage operation, other 13 renal units were stone free in third-stage operation. A complete stone clearance rate of 85.9%(55/64) was achieved, and after one to three sessions of mini-PCNL and extracorpereal shock wave lithotripsy afterwards that increased to 95.3% (61/64). Blood transfusion was performed in 3 cases, no major complication was noted in the patients. Conclusions The combination of mini-PCNL and URL has more advantages, less invasions, easier recovery and less complications. It provides a new minimally invasive way for non-hydronephrotic staghorn calculi.