The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of lung zinc ions to pathogenesis of lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, lung I/R group (I/R group), lung I/R + low-dose zinc chloride group (LZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + high-dose ZnCl₂ group (HZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + medium-dose ZnCl₂ group (MZnCl₂+I/R group) and TPEN+MZnCl₂+I/R group (n = 8 in each group). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the concentration of zinc ions in lung tissue. The degree of lung tissue injury was analyzed by observing HE staining, alveolar damage index, lung wet/dry weight ratio and lung tissue gross changes. TUNEL staining was used to detect cellular apoptosis in lung tissue. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to determine the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and ZIP8, as well as the mRNA expression levels of zinc transporters (ZIP, ZNT) in lung tissue. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of lung tissue was detected by JC-1 MMP detection kit. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the lung tissue damage, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index were significantly increased in the I/R group. And in the lung tissue, the concentration of Zn²⁺ was markedly decreased, while the cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio and apoptotic levels were significantly increased. The expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein were down-regulated significantly, while the mRNA expression of other zinc transporters remained unchanged. There was also a significant decrease in MMP. Compared with the I/R group, both MZnCl₂+I/R group and HZnCl₂+I/R group exhibited significantly reduced lung tissue injury, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index, increased Zn²⁺ concentration, decreased ratio of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 and apoptosis, and up-regulated expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein. In addition, the MMP was significantly increased in the lung tissue. Zn²⁺ chelating agent TPEN reversed the above-mentioned protective effects of medium-dose ZnCl₂ on the lung tissue in the I/R group. The aforementioned results suggest that exogenous administration of ZnCl₂ can improve lung I/R injury in rats.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/pathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Chlorides/administration & dosage* ; Lung/pathology* ; Zinc Compounds/administration & dosage* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism*

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an acute infectious respiratory disease that has been prevalent since December 2019. Chinese medicine (CM) has demonstrated its unique advantages in the fight against COVID-19 in the areas of disease prevention, improvement of clinical symptoms, and control of disease progression. This review summarized the relevant material components of CM in the treatment of COVID-19 by searching the relevant literature and reports on CM in the treatment of COVID-19 and combining with the physiological and pathological characteristics of the novel coronavirus. On the basis of sorting out experimental methods in vivo and in vitro, the mechanism of herb action was further clarified in terms of inhibiting virus invasion and replication and improving related complications. The aim of the article is to explore the strengths and characteristics of CM in the treatment of COVID-19, and to provide a basis for the research and scientific, standardized treatment of COVID-19 with CM.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology* ; Animals

Astragaloside Ⅳ （AS-Ⅳ） is a natural triterpenoid saponin compound derived from Astragalus membranaceus and has shown significant potential in the regulation of liver diseases. This article reviews the latest research advances in AS-Ⅳ in the field of liver diseases in China and globally， and it is found that AS-Ⅳ exerts a liver-protecting effect by regulating lipid metabolism， exerting an anti-tumor/anti-inflammatory/anti-fibrotic effect， and modulating gut microbiota. Its mechanism of action involves multiple signaling pathways， such as AMPK， NLRP3， NF-κB， JAK2/STAT3， and Nrf2. These research findings provide a scientific basis for the development of liver-protecting drugs or functional foods based on the natural product AS-Ⅳ.

Objective To investigate the changes in cerebral blood flow(CBF)and whole-brain functional connectivity(FC)in patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder(NMOSD)examined by conventional MRI.Methods Twenty-two patients with NMOSD and 25 matched healthy controls(HC)were included,and all subjects'conventional MRI sequences,arterial spin labeling(ASL),and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging(rs-fMRI)image data were acquired,and the brain regions with CBF differences between groups extracted based on ASL were used as seed points for whole-brain FC analysis,the FC differences between the groups were compared,and the correlation between the parameter values and the expanded disability status scale(EDSS)scores were analyzed.Results NMOSD patients exhibited a decrease in CBF value in the right supratemporal gyrus,bilateral calcarine fissure and right supplementary motor area,while the right middle temporal gyrus displayed an increase when compared to HC.Whole-brain FC analysis based on seed points revealed an increase in FC value between bilateral calcarine fissure and olfactory cortex,as well as between right supplementary motor area and left superior frontal gyrus.While FC value between the right supplementary motor area and left precentral gyrus,bilateral thalamus,right supraoccipital gyrus were decreased.The FC value between the right supratemporal gyrus and right inferior parietal lobule,left supratemporal gyrus,right precuneus lobes showed a decrease[Gaussian random field(GRF)-corrected,P＜0.05].There was a correlation between CBF values of bilateral calcarine fissure and EDSS scores in NMOSD patients(rs=-0.456,P=0.033).Conclusion There are CBF and FC abnormalities in multiple brain regions in NMOSD patients,which provide imaging basis and insights for the brain micropathological changes of NMOSD,and help to understand the pathology and neural mechanism of NMOSD.

Objective To explore the feasibility of automatic segmentation of clinical target volume(CTV)and organs at risk(OARs)for cervical cancer using AccuLearning(AL)based on geometric and dosimetric indices.Methods Seventy-five CT localization images with manual contouring data of postoperative cervical cancer were enrolled in this study.Sixty cases were randomly selected to trained to generate automatic segmentation model by AL,and the CTV and OARs of the remaining 15 cases were automatically contoured.Radiotherapy plans on the automatic segmentation contours were imported on the CT images of manual contours.The efficiency,Dice similarity coefficient(DSC),Hausdorff distance(HD)and dosimetric parameters were compared between the two methods.Results The time of automatic segmentation was significantly shorter than that of the manual contour(P<0.05).The DSC of all structures were≥0.87.The HD of bowel bag and rectum were about 10 mm,and that of the rest of OARs were less than 5 mm.CTV(D98,V90% ,V95% ,Dmean,HI),bowel bag(V50)and bladder(V50)had significant differences in dosimetric comparison(P<0.05).Conclusion The automatic segmentation model based on AL can improve the efficiency of radiotherapy.Automatic segmentation of OARs has the potential of clinical application,while that of CTV still needs to be further modified.

Objective To explore the correlation between intestinal dose and acute radiation enteritis(ARE)in patients with cervical cancer received concurrent chemoradiotherapy,and optimize the dose limit of intestinal tissue.Methods 158 cervical cancer patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy from 2014 to 2019 were selected in this study.According to CTCAE 5.0,patients with ARE≥grade 2 were classified as ARE≥grade 2 group,otherwise classified as ARE0.7,P<0.05).Conclusions For patients with cervical cancer received concurrent chemoradiotherapy,the dose of bowelbag V5 and V40 should be considered to rationally optimize the dose of bowelbag in the radiotherapy plan,so as to reduce the incidence of ARE≥grade 2.

Objective To assess the feasibility of utilizing the ExacTracDynamic surface monitoring system(ETD)for setup and body surface monitoring in patients with thoracic tumors undergoing intensity-modulated radio-therapy(IMRT).Methods Patients receiving IMRT for thoracic tumors were included in this study.The enrolled patients were alternatively assigned to either conventional cross curve positioning(control group)or surface monitoring system-assisted positioning(experimental group).ETD X-ray images were utilized for calibration purposes prior to radiotherapy,enabling the determination of setup errors.A region of interest(ROI)was delineated on the body surface above the sternum,and real-time body surface monitoring was performed based on this ROI during radiotherapy.Post-radiotherapy X-ray images were obtained to verify patient position.Data regarding left-right(X),head-foot(Y),abdomen-back(Z),pitch,roll,and yaw directions were recorded and analyzed.Results A total of 60 patients were enrolled,with 754 fractions of radiotherapy in the control group and 718 fractions in the experimental group.The setup errors in the X and Z directions were significantly smaller in the experimental group compared to the control group(P<0.05).Moreover,there was a significant reduction in the number of setup errors≤0.50 cm for X,Y,and Z directions,as well as≤1.00° for Roll angle in the experimental group compared to the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,differences were observed between surface monitoring and X-ray image verification regarding position deviation along Y and Z directions(P<0.05),although these deviations remained within submillimeter levels on average.Conclusion Surface monitoring system-assisted positioning can enhance radiotherapy setup accuracy among thoracic tumor patients,particularly along X and Z directions.Furthermore,when setting ROI above sternum on body surface area,surface monitoring provides better reflection of target area's position deviation.

Selective dorsal neurotomy (SDN) is a surgical treatment for primary premature ejaculation (PE), but there is still no standard surgical procedure for selecting the branches of the dorsal penile nerves to be removed. We performed this study to explore the value of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) of the penile sensory-evoked potential (PSEP) for standard surgical procedures in SDN. One hundred and twenty primary PE patients undergoing SDN were selected as the PE group and 120 non-PE patients were selected as the normal group. The PSEP was monitored and compared between the two groups under both natural and general anesthesia (GA) states. In addition, patients in the PE group were randomly divided into the IONM group and the non-IONM group. During SDN surgery, PSEP parameters of the IONM group were recorded and analyzed. The differences in PE-related outcome measurements between the perioperative period and 3 months' postoperation were compared for the PE patients, and the differences in effectiveness and complications between the IONM group and the non-IONM group were compared. The results showed that the average latency of the PSEP in the PE group was shorter than that in the normal group under both natural and GA states (P < 0.001). Three months after surgery, the significant effective rates in the IONM and non-IONM groups were 63.6% and 34.0%, respectively (P < 0.01), and the difference in complications between the two groups was significant (P < 0.05). IONM might be useful in improving the short-term therapeutic effectiveness and reducing the complications of SDN.
Male ; Humans ; Premature Ejaculation/surgery* ; Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring/methods* ; Prospective Studies ; Neurosurgical Procedures/methods* ; Penis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To analyze the epidemic characteristics and drug resistance of pulmonary tuberculosis among the floating population in Beijing and to provide a scientific basis for formulating strategies for the prevention and control of tuberculosis among the floating population. Methods: Data of tuberculosis patients who were positive for Mycobacterium tuberculosis culture was collected from 16 districts and one municipal institution of tuberculosis control and prevention in Beijing in 2019. The strain samples were tested for drug sensitivity by the proportional method. According to household registration location, patients were divided into the floating population and Beijing registration. SPSS 19.0 software analyzed tuberculosis patients' epidemic characteristics and drug resistance in the floating population. Results: In 2019, there were 1 171 culture-positive tuberculosis patients in Beijing, among the floating population, 593 (50.64%) patients were identified, with a male-to-female sex ratio of 2.2∶1 (409∶184). Compared to patients under household registration as Beijing residents, a higher proportion of young adults aged 20-39 years (65.09%,386/593) were noticed, with 55.65% (330/593) reported from the urban areas and 96.80% (574/593) were reported the first time. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After completing the drug sensitivity test, 37 cases were with multiple drug-resistant tuberculosis, accounting for 6.24% (37/593). The rates of isoniazid resistance (42.11%,8/19) and multidrug resistance (21.05%,4/19) in floating population patients after retreatment were significantly higher than those in newly treated patients (11.67%, 67/574 and 5.75%, 33/574), and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Most patients with tuberculosis in the floating population in Beijing in 2019 were young males aged 20-39 years. The reporting areas were urban areas and the newly treated patients mainly. The patients with tuberculosis in the re-treated floating population were more likely to suffer from multidrug and drug resistance, which should be taken as the key population for prevention and control.
Young Adult ; Humans ; Female ; Male ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Tuberculosis ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary/epidemiology* ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant/epidemiology* ; Drug Resistance

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to assess the quality of prosthetic prescriptions of removable partial dentures (RPDs) and to analyze the current situation of the communication and information delivery between clinicians and technicians. METHODS: All RPD prosthetic prescriptions received by a major dental laboratory in 4 weeks were involved in a quality audit, and the prescriptions were divided into three groups in accordance with the grades of clients. The filling of prosthetic prescriptions was recorded. The items in the prescriptions for audit included the general information of the patient, the general information of the clinician, the design diagram information, other detailed information, and the return date. The prescriptions were categorized into four levels on the basis of their quality by two quality inspectors who have been working for more than 10 years. RESULTS: A total of 916 prescriptions were collected and assessed. The names in the general information of the patient and the clinician were filled out best, both at the rate of 97.6% (n=894). The return date was filled out worst, only at the rate of 6.4% (n=59). Of those prescriptions, 86.8% (n=795) exhibited inadequate design diagram information. The results of the quality assessment demonstrated that 74.2% of prescriptions were assessed as noncompliant ones and failed to meet the acceptable clinical quality standard. CONCLUSIONS At present, the overall quality of RPD prosthetic prescriptions is poor. The responsibilities of clinicians and technicians are unclear, and the communication between them is not ideal.
Humans ; Denture Design ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Prescriptions