Objective:To analyze the effects of irinotecan combined with XELOX regimen on immune status, intestinal microecology and prognostic risk in elderly patients with colorectal cancer.Methods:A total of 105 elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer admitted to Qidong People's Hospital of Jiangsu Province from October 2018 to April 2023 were included as the study objects. They were divided into control group ( n=45) and observation group ( n=60) according to different chemotherapy regimen. The control group was treated with XELOX regimen alone, and the observation group was treated with irinotecan combined with XELOX regimen. The short-term efficacy, changes of indexes related to immune status and intestinal microecology before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. The patients were followed up from the end of treatment. With death or recurrence and metastasis as the end event during the follow-up, 105 patients were divided into poor prognosis group ( n=32) and good prognosis group ( n=73). The clinical data of the two groups were compared, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer. Results:The total effective rate of the observation group was 53.33% (32/60), which was higher than that of the control group (20.00%, 9/45) ( χ2=12.01, P=0.001). One week after treatment, the ratios of CD4 + T cells and CD4 +/CD8 + in the observation group were (38.59±1.50) % and 1.81±0.20, respectively, higher than those in the control group (36.25±1.82) % and 1.59±0.15 ( t=7.22, P<0.001; t=6.19, P<0.001). The ratio of CD8 + T cells was (21.27±2.70) %, lower than that of the control group (22.80±2.92) % ( t=2.78, P=0.007). The numbers of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus were (9.44±0.82), (9.89±0.79), (9.14±0.66) lg CFU/g, respectively, which were higher than those in the control group (8.20±0.70), (9.05±0.72), (8.25±0.62) lg CFU/g ( t=8.16, P<0.001; t=5.60, P<0.001; t=7.02, P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences in the proportion of smoking and drinking history ( χ2=7.61, P=0.006), the proportion of low differentiation ( χ2=6.54, P=0.011), the proportion of lymph node metastasis ( χ2=5.86, P=0.016) and the level of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) before chemotherapy [ (5.80±0.89) μg/L vs. (7.48±1.02) μg/L, t=8.51, P<0.001], the level of carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) [ (29.54±1.85) U/ml vs. (34.52±2.50) U/ml, t=11.36, P<0.001] in good prognosis group and poor prognosis group. Multivariate analysis showed that smoking and drinking history ( OR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.53-2.15, P<0.001), low differentiation ( OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.60-2.15, P<0.001), lymph node metastasis ( OR=1.82, 95% CI: 1.68-2.33, P<0.001), high CEA level before chemotherapy ( OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.62-2.38, P<0.001), high CA199 level before chemotherapy ( OR=1.80, 95% CI: 1.66-2.37, P<0.001) were risk factors for the prognosis of advanced colorectal cancer in the elderly. Conclusion:Irinotecan combined with XELOX regimen can effectively improve immune function and intestinal microecology in elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer, but the risk of poor prognosis after chemotherapy is higher. Smoking and drinking history, low differentiation, lymph node metastasis, high CEA level before chemotherapy, and high CA199 level before chemotherapy are risk factors affecting the prognosis of elderly patients with advanced colorectal cancer.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of bone cement leakage after percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods:A multi-center, large-sample, case-control study was carried out to analyze the clinical data of 2 273 OVCF patients (2 689 vertebrae) undergone PVP at four hospitals between May 2018 and October 2021, including 994 males and 1 279 females, with the age of 52-91 years [(69.1±3.1)years]. Of all, 581 patients (604 vertebrae) were allocated to leakage group and 1 692 patients (2 085 vertebrae) to no leakage group according to the occurrence of bone cement leakage. The gender, age, fracture sites, vertebral compression degree, endplate integrity of fractured vertebrae, surgical segments, surgical approaches and bone cement injection volume were recorded. Univariate analysis was used to investigate the correlation between those indicators with bone cement leakage. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent risk factors for bone cement leakage.Results:Univariate analysis showed that gender, age, fracture sites, vertebral compression degree, bone cement injection volume were related to bone cement leakage after PVP ( P<0.05 or 0.01), but no correlation was found in the endplate integrity of fractured vertebrae, surgical segments and surgical approaches (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that fracture sites ( OR=1.68, 95% CI 1.11-2.55, P<0.05), vertebral compression degree more than 40% ( OR=1.98, 95% CI 1.29-3.02, P<0.01), bone cement injection volume greater than or equal to 5.5 ml ( OR=1.55, 95% CI 1.07-2.26, P<0.05) were significantly associated with bone cement leakage after PVP. Conclusion:Thoracic vertebral fracture, vertebral compression degree more than 40% and bone cement injection volume greater than or equal to 5.5 ml are independent risk factors for bone cement leakage after PVP in OVCF.

BACKGROUND: Stem cells intra-articular injection stagey indicated a potential therapeutic effect on improving the pathological progress of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the long-term effect of stem cells intra-articular injection on the cartilage regeneration remains unclear. miR-29a-3p is predicted to be a critical target for inhibiting insulin-like growth factor-1 expression and may aggravate the progression of OA. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the therapeutic efficacy of intra-articular injection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transfected with miR-29a-3p inhibitor in OA. RESULTS: miR-29a-3p inhibitor transfection did not influence cell viability of BMSCs, while the chondrogenic differentiation potential of BMSCs was significantly improved. Interestingly, intra-articular injection of BMSCs with miR-29a-3p inhibition significantly prevented articular cartilage degeneration by up-regulating the expression of Sox 9, Col-2a1, aggrecan and down-regulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase, as well as relieved pain in OA. CONCLUSION The double effects on cartilage protection and pain relief indicated a great potential of intra-articular injection of miR-29a-3p inhibitor-transfected BMSCs for the treatment of OA.

Objective:To study the feasibility of establishing gastrointestinal anastomosis by magnetic compression technique in rabbits.Methods:Ten healthy New Zealand rabbits were selected as models for gastrointestinal anastomosis by magnetic compression technique. Daughter and parent magnets suitable for gastrointestinal anastomosis in rabbits were designed and manufactured. A daughter magnet was inserted into the stomach through the purse fistula in the lack of blood vessel area of gastric body, and was pushed into the duodenum along the intestinal tract. And then a parent magnet was inserted through the stomach fistula. The daughter and parent magnets were automatically attracted and pressed the gastric and intestinal walls after they were adjusted in the proper position. The stomach fistula was closed with purse string suture. After ischemia, necrosis, detachment of the tissues between magnets, gastrointestinal anastomosis was established, and the magnets and necrotic tissues were expelled together from the body through the digestive tract. Survival of experimental animals was observed. Anastomotic specimens were obtained one month after operation. The blasting pressure of anastomotic stoma was measured, and the healing of anastomotic stoma was observed with naked eyes.Results:According to the pre-designed operative route, 10 New Zealand rabbits all successfully completed the operation and survived one month after surgery. No complications occurred during perioperative period. The operation time was 35.80±4.71 min (range 28.00-43.00 min), and the magnet discharge time was 11.40±1.56 days (range 9.00-14.00 days). Anastomotic specimens were obtained one month after the operation. Gross observation showed that the anastomotic stoma of gastrointestinal bypass anastomosis healed well, and the surrounding tissues adhered slightly. The anastomotic bursting pressure was 103.00±7.95 mmHg (range 94.00-113.00 mmHg) (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa).Conclusion:The establishment of gastrointestinal anastomosis by magnetic compression technique in rabbits is simple and effective.

Objective:This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of a portable REF-XT01 uric acid meter in measuring blood uric acid concentration, and to determine whether the results of the uric acid meter could be used to guide the adjustment of uric acid-lowering drugs.Methods:1 551 subjects were enrolled from the Gout Clinical Medical Center of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University. The fasting venous blood was collected and the serum uric acid was measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Meanwhile, the capillary blood uric acid was measured by fingertip puncture using the REF-XT01 uric acid meter. Linear regression, intra-group correlation coefficient(ICC), and Bland-Altman plots were used to analyze the uric acid concentration correlation between the biochemical analyzer(sUA BA)and the uric acid meter(sUA UM). The receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC curve)was conducted to evaluate whether sUA UM can be used as a reference for the gout patients to take uric acid-lowering drugs. Results:The regression analysis showed correlation between sUA BA and sUA UM, with the regression formula Y=0.875X+ 39.525( r=0.84, P<0.01)and the ICC was 0.829(95% CI 0.814-0.844, P<0.01). The Bland-Altman diagram showed a good consistence(the absolute deviation was-143.4-114.5 μmol/L, mean deviation was -14.4 μmol/L)between sUA BA and sUA UM. The sensitivity was 96.61%, specificity was 48.81%, and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was 0.926( P<0.01)when 300 μmol/L was defined as the detection threshold of the uric acid meter, the sensitivity was 90.98%, specificity was 66.78%, and the area under the ROC curve(AUC)was 0.914( P<0.01)when 360 μmol/L was defined as the detection threshold of the uric acid meter. Conclusion:REF-XT01 uric acid meter is applicable for the adjustment of uric acid-lowering drugs for the gout patients, because of its high accuracy for the detection of uric acid.

OBJECTIVE:To explore drug quality dynamic evaluation mechanism based on analysis of drug quality announce-ment data. METHODS:The sorts and types of drugs,places of origin,quantity of production enterprises and frequency distribu-tion of being mentioned were analyzed on the basis of drug quality announcement issued by CFDA and provincial administration in 2013. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS:Frequency of TCM being mentioned (0.75%) was higher than that of chemical drug (0.30%). Among drugs mentioned more than 10 times,the most chemical drugs were injection (70%) and the most TCM were tablet(66.7%). Among all types,drug types produced by more than 100 enterprises accounted for 62.5%,and those produced by more than 50 enterprises accounted for 93.75%,which indicated the frequency of problems was in relatively direct proportion to the quantity of drug manufacturing enterprises. Top 10 provinces in the list of the number of drug quality announcements showed different characteristics of problem type distribution. In compassion,the quality problems of TCM in Jilin,Guangxi,Mongolia,Si-chuan were prominent,and reference number proportion of involved TCM were 85%,80%,97% and 69%,respectively;the quality problems of chemical drugs in Henan,Shanxi,Jiangsu,Guangdong,Anhui,Shandong should be paid attention,and refer-ence number proportion of involved chemical drugs were 62%,61%,95%,57%,86% and 65%,respectively. It is suggested that the government should carry out the dynamic risk assessment system based on data of drug quality announcement,and strength-en standard management of data collection of local drug quality announcement.

OBJECTIVETo observe the law of the meridian abnormal changes and the correlation with acupuncture efficacy based on the effectiveness study of electroacupuncture (EA) in treatment of severe functional constipation.

METHODSSeventy patients of severe functional constipation were randomized into an EA group and a sham-EA group, 35 cases in each one. In the EA group, Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) were punctured deeply and stimulated with EA (dense-disperse wave, 2Hz/15 Hz, 0. 1 to 1. 0 mA), and Shangjuxu (ST 37) was needled. In the sham-EA group, the sites lateral to Tianshu (ST 25) and Fujie (SP 14) were punctured shallowly and stimulated with electricity. The site lateral to Shangjuxu (ST 37) was punctured shallowly. The treatment was given continuously for 8 weeks in the two groups, 5 times weekly in the first 2 weeks and 3 times weekly in the rest 6 weeks. WANG Juyi's meridian examination method was applied to detect the abnormalities of the spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians before treatment, and in 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks among 70 patients separately. The frequency of complete spontaneous bowel movement (CSBM) every two weeks, meridian abnormal value and the relativity with CSBM change rate were compared in the patients between two groups.

RESULTSRegarding the increase of CSBM frequency, the effect started since the 2nd week in the EA group, with the treatment going on, CSBM frequency was increased apparently (all P<0. 05). In the sham-EA group, after 6 and 8-weeks of treatment, CSBM frequency was increased apparently as compared with that before treatment (all P<0. 05). The increase of CSBM frequency in the EA group was remarkably as compared with the sham-EA group at every time point (all P<0. 05). The abnormal value of the large intestine meridian in 2 weeks of treatment and the values of the stomach and spleen meridians and the relevant meridians in 4 weeks of treatment were all reduced apparently as compared with those in the baseline in the EA group (all P<0. 05). With the treatment time going on, the abnormal reflections on the large intestine and stomach meridians were reduced gradually (all P<0. 05), and the total change rate of abnormalities on the large intestine, stomach and spleen meridians presented the negative correlation with the total change rate of CSBM frequency (P<0. 01, P<0. 05).

CONCLUSIONIn the EA group, the efficacy on CSBM frequency in severe functional constipation is advantageous and stable as compared with the sham-EA group. Acupuncture at the relevant acupoints of the spleen, stomach and large intestine meridians achieves the definite regulation to the meridian abnormalities. It is discovered that the abnormal changes in the spleen, stomach

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) and Hydroxyindole O-methyltransferase(HIOMT) are the key regulation enzymes in the melatonin biosynthesis pathway in mammals. The AANAT and HIOMT genes were constructed into a binary plant expression vector YXu55. Using leaf strips as the recipiences, we efficiently transformed tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) variety qinyan 95 by the Agrobacterium mediated method. After gradient selection with gentamycin, a number of transgenic plants were regenerated. Southern blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the AANAT-HIOMT genes were integrated into the genome of the transgenic plants and the target genes could express at the level of RNA transcription. By RP-HPLC, we measured the melatonin contents in transgenic plants. The results showed that the melatonin level in YXu55 (containing the gentamycin-resistance gene, the AANAT gene and HIOMT gene) transgenic plants were much higher than those in pZP122 (control containing only the gentamycin-resistance gene) transgenic plants and nontransgenic plants. The content of melatonin in pZP122 transgenic plants was nearly the same as that in nontransgenic plants. Physiological determination of antioxidative characteristics demonstrated that 1) the capacity of total antioxidation, 2) the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) and 3) the content of glutathione (GSH) were increased in YXu55 transgenic plants containing the AANAT-HIOMT genes as compared to the control plants (pZP122 or nontransgenic plants). At the same time, malonaldehyde (MDA) content did not appear remarkably difference between transgenic plants and nontransgenic plants. The above mentioned facts indicate enhancement of melatonin levels in YXu55 transgenic plants might help to reduce damage by oxidative stress.
Acetylserotonin O-Methyltransferase ; genetics ; Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; genetics ; Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase ; genetics ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Melatonin ; biosynthesis ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; enzymology ; genetics ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tobacco ; enzymology ; genetics ; Transduction, Genetic ; methods