Objective:To investigate the protective effect of calycosin on microgravity-induced muscle atrophy by using real-time shear wave elastography (RT-SWE).Methods:The potential key active compound calycosin of anti-muscular atrophy in Astragali Radix was screened by systematic pharmacology. Eighteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group [0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose-Na (CMC-Na) gavage], the hind limb unloading (HLU)+CMC-Na group (HLU+0.5% CMC-Na gavage), and the HLU+calycosin group (HLU+calycosin gavage) according to the method of random number table, with 6 rats in each group. After 28 d of continuous administration, the organ index, the toxicity of liver and kidney, the wet weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight was measured, respectively. The non-invasive RT-SWE was used to evaluate the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris in each group and the one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences among groups.Results:There was no significant difference in organ index, liver and kidney toxicity among different groups of rats (all P>0.05). There were significant differences in the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight among different groups of rats ( F=60.66, 56.44, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight in the HLU+calycosin group increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). The thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris of rats in different groups were significantly different ( F=35.47, 14.68, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the muscle thickness and elastic modulus of rats in HLU+calycosin group were increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). Conclusions:The treatment of calycosin has no side effects on rats. It can improve the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris, and effectively prevent microgravity-induced muscle atrophy, which may provide a new candidate drug for astronaut muscular atrophy.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of calycosin on microgravity-induced muscle atrophy by using real-time shear wave elastography (RT-SWE).Methods:The potential key active compound calycosin of anti-muscular atrophy in Astragali Radix was screened by systematic pharmacology. Eighteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group [0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose-Na (CMC-Na) gavage], the hind limb unloading (HLU)+CMC-Na group (HLU+0.5% CMC-Na gavage), and the HLU+calycosin group (HLU+calycosin gavage) according to the method of random number table, with 6 rats in each group. After 28 d of continuous administration, the organ index, the toxicity of liver and kidney, the wet weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight was measured, respectively. The non-invasive RT-SWE was used to evaluate the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris in each group and the one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences among groups.Results:There was no significant difference in organ index, liver and kidney toxicity among different groups of rats (all P>0.05). There were significant differences in the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight among different groups of rats ( F=60.66, 56.44, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight in the HLU+calycosin group increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). The thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris of rats in different groups were significantly different ( F=35.47, 14.68, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the muscle thickness and elastic modulus of rats in HLU+calycosin group were increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). Conclusions:The treatment of calycosin has no side effects on rats. It can improve the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris, and effectively prevent microgravity-induced muscle atrophy, which may provide a new candidate drug for astronaut muscular atrophy.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of re-sampling for patients who had failed non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) due to low cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) fraction. METHODS: Clinical data of 20 387 patients undergoing NIPT test was reviewed. The patients were re-sampled when initial blood test did not yield a result due to cffDNA fraction. The results were analyzed, and the outcome of pregnancy was followed up. RESULTS: Among all samples, 17 (0.08%) had failed to yield a result due to low cffDNA fraction, all of which accepted re-sampling. A result was attained in 16 cases, with a success rate of 94.12%. Only one sample had failed the re-test. CONCLUSION For patients who had failed the initial NIPT due to low cffDNA fraction, re-sampling should be considered with gestational week and ultrasound results taken into consideration.
Aneuploidy ; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids/genetics* ; DNA/genetics* ; Female ; Fetus ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Objective : To explore the effects of two hemostatic agents on the bonding strength of different bonding systems in primary tooth dentin. Methods : Seventy-two retained deciduous teeth were randomly selected. Forty-eight teeth were used to construct the microleakage model, the other 24 teeth were cut along the mesial and distal directions and 48 samples were obtained to construct the shear bond strength model. The two experiments were divided into 2 groups. Group A was the total-etch group: A1 (ViscoStat + Spectrum Bond NT); A2 (ViscoStat Clear + Spectrum Bond NT); and A3 (Non + Spectrum Bond NT); Group B was the self-etch group: B1 (ViscoStat + Single bond Universal Adhesive); B2 (ViscoStat Clear + Single bond Universal Adhesive); and B3 (Non + Single bond Universal Adhesive). Microleakage experiments and shear bond strength experiments were carried out respectively and the morphology of the fracture surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy. Results : There was no significant difference in microleakage among groups A1, A2, and A3 (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in microleakage among groups B1, B2, and B3 (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in the shear bond strength among groups A1, A2 and A3 (P > 0.05). The shear bond strength of groups B1 and B2 was significantly lower than that of group B3 (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between groups B1 and B2 (P > 0.05). Conclusion ViscoStat and ViscoStat Clear had no effect on the marginal integrity of deciduous tooth dentin under the different bonding systems. The two hemostatic agents reduced the shear bonding strength of deciduous tooth dentin under the self-etch adhesive system, but had no effect on the shear bonding strength of deciduous tooth dentin under the total-etch adhesive system.

The administration of nanoparticles (NPs) first faces the challenges of evading renal filtration and clearance of reticuloendothelial system (RES). After that, NPs infiltrate through the expanded endothelial space and penetrated the dense stroma of tumor microenvironment to tumor cells. As long as possible to prolong the time of NPs remaining in tumor tissue, NPs release active agent and induce pharmacological action. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the physical and chemical properties of NPs and the influence of various biological factors in tumor microenvironment, and discusses how to improve the final efficacy through adjusting the characteristics and structure of NPs. Perspectives and future directions are also provided.

Objective To evaluate the value of endoscopic ultrasonography( EUS) alone for early liver cirrhosis and the diagnostic efficacy of EUS combined with liver histopathology ( LH) and liver stiffness measurement ( LSM) for early liver cirrhosis. Methods Data of 226 patients with chronic liver lesions who underwent endoscopy and EUS at Tianjin Second People's Hospital were collected to assess esophageal and gastric varices. Liver fibrosis was assessed by LH and LSM was determined by Fibroscan. Models of EUS-LSM, EUS-LH, LSM-LH, ELL ( EUS, LSM and LH) were constructed to predict early liver cirrhosis. The ROC curve and AUROC were used to evaluate the efficacy of different models in the diagnosis of early liver cirrhosis. Results A total of 149 patients were diagnosed as chronic liver disease and 77 patients were diagnosed as early liver cirrhosis ( Child-Pugh A grade) by clinical evaluation. Ratio of varices found by EUS was significantly higher than that by endoscopy [ 68. 8％ ( 53/77) VS 32. 5％ ( 25/77) , P<0. 05] . The cut-off value was 8. 65 kPa by LSM to predict early liver cirrhosis. Pseudolobules were confirmed by LH in 42 ( 54. 5％) patients in the early liver cirrhosis group. The AUROC of ELL was 0. 919 ( 95％CI: 0. 875-0. 951),sensitivity=0. 792,specificity=0. 913,PPV=0. 824,NPV=0. 895,+LR=9. 08,-LR=0. 23, accuracy=0. 872, and ELL was superior to EUS ( P<0. 0001) , LSM ( P<0. 0001) , LH ( P<0. 0001) , EUS-LSM (P<0. 0001), EUS-LH (P=0. 0134) and LSM-LH (P=0. 0022) in the diagnosis of early liver cirrhosis. Conclusion EUS is superior to endoscopy in detecting the varices for early liver cirrhosis. Combination of EUS with LSM and LH can improve diagnostic efficacy for early liver cirrhosis.

Objective To evaluate the effect of therapeutic hypercapnia preconditioning on lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats.Methods Forty healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats of either sex,aged 2 months,weighing 250-300 g,were divided into 5 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table:sham operation group (group S),grouP I/R and preconditioning with therapeutic hypercapnia of different level groups (group THP1-3).Lung I/R injury was induced by clamping the left hilum of lung for 45 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion.In THP1-3 groups,the respiratory parameters were adjusted at 5 min of stability after isolating the left hilum of lung to make PETCO2 reach 55-65,65-75 and 75-85 mmHg respetively and maintained at this level for 5 min,normal ventilation was then used to make PETCO2 restore the normal level,continuously repeating for 3 circles,and then the left hilum of lung was blocked for 45 min followed by 120 min of reperfusion.The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected at the end of reperfusion for determination of the total protein (TP) concentration using Coomassie brilliant blue staining.Lung tissues were obtained at the end of reperfusion for examination of pathological changes after haematoxylin and eosin staining (under a light microscope) and for determination of wet/dry weight ratio (W/D ratio),malondialdehyde (MDA) content,superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,interleukin-8 (IL-8) and IL-10 contents (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay),tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression (by immunohistochemistry) and expression of TNF-α mRNA (by real-time polymerase chain reaction).Results Compared with group S,the TP concentration in BALF,W/D ratio and contents of MDA,IL-8 and IL-10 in lung tissues were significantly increased,the SOD activity was decreased,the expression of TNF-α mRNA was up-regulated (P＜0.05),strong positive expression of TNF-α was found,and the pathological changes of lung tissues were aggravated in group I/R.Compared with group I/R,the TP concentration in BALF,W/D ratio and contents of MDA and IL-8 in lung tissues were significantly decreased,the SOD activity was increased,the expression of TNF-α mRNA was down-regulated (P＜0.05),no significant change was found in IL-10 content (P＞0.05),the staining range and intensity of TNF-α were decreased,and the pathological changes of lung tissues were significantly attenuated in THP1-3 groups.Conclusion Therapeutic hypercapnia preconditioning can reduce lung I/R injury in rats,and the mechanism is related to inhibiting inflammatory responses and oxidative stress responses.

Objective To explore the feasibility and effectiveness of lateral gastrocnemius muscle branch nerve transferring for deep pe-roneal nerve injury. Methods Thirty-two adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control group (n=8), sham group (n=8), nerve direct repairing group (n=8) and nerve transferring group (n=8). Twelve weeks after the anastomosis, the nerve anastomosis was observed vi-sually, the length of lateral of gastrocnemius muscle branch (L1), the diameter at the point of entering muscle (D1), the maximum detachable length of nervus peroneus communis (L2), the diameter of deep peroneal nerve (D2) and the distance between branch point and neck of fibu-la (S) were measured. The peroneal nerve functional index (PFI), the amplitude of compound muscle action potential (CMAP), nerve con-duction velocity (NCV), the weight of the tibialis anterior and the creatine kinase (CK) activity of theanterior tibial were compared among groups. Results L10.05). Conclusion It is feasible that lateral head muscular branches of gastrocnemius nerve transferring can repair deep peroneal nerve injury, which is needed to separate superficial peroneal nerve and deep peroneal nerve in the epineurium without damaging nerve for tension free neuroanastomosis. Lateral head muscular branches of gastrocnemius nerve transferring can repair the func-tion after deep peroneal nerve injury.