This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Polysaccharides/isolation & purification* ; Polygonatum/chemistry* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans

Objective:To investigate the relationship between preoperative plasma fibrin degradation products (FDP) level and clinicopathological features of patients with completely resected non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:A retrospective case series study was performed. The clinical data of 521 patients who were pathologically diagnosed with NSCLC in Beijing Friendship Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 2016 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among 521 cases, 406 cases were postoperatively pathologically confirmed as non-lymph node and non-distant metastasis (non-metastasis group) and 115 cases were postoperatively pathologically confirmed as lymph node or distant metastasis (metastasis group). The preoperative FDP level and clinicopathological characteristics as well as the clinicopathological characteristics of NSCLC patients with different FDP levels were compared between the two groups. The correlation between preoperative FDP level and TNM staging was analyzed by using Spearman correlation analysis.Results:Among 521 NSCLC patients, 266 cases were female, 255 cases were male; the age [ M( Q1, Q3)] was 59 years (54 years, 65 years); 441 cases were adenocarcinoma and 70 cases were squamous cell carcinoma. The preoperative median FDP level was 2.78 mg/L (2.35 mg/L, 3.13 mg/L) and 2.99 mg/L (2.56 mg/L, 4.16 mg/L), respectively of NSCLC patients in non-metastasis group and metastasis group, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 6.13, P < 0.001). The preoperative FDP level was 2.56 mg/L (2.35 mg/L, 3.20 mg/L) and 2.99 mg/L (2.56 mg/L, 3.20 mg/L), respectively in the early-stage NSCLC (stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ) and advanced NSCLC (stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ) patients, and the difference was statistically significant ( Z = 8.42, P < 0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed that preoperative FDP level was positively correlated with tumor diameter ( r = 0.287, P < 0.001). There was a positive correlation between preoperative FDP level and the number of metastatic lymph nodes in 115 patients with lymph node metastasis ( r = 0.679, P < 0.001). According to the preoperative median FDP (2.78 mg/L), all patients were divided into FDP ≤2.78 mg/L group and FDP >2.78 mg/L, and there were statistically significant differences in age, metastasis, tumor staging, tumor diameter, the metastatic number of lymph node and histological types of NSCLC patients in both groups (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The increase of preoperative plasma FDP level may be related to the tumor metastasis and clinical stage of NSCLC patients

Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a flavin-dependent metabolic enzyme that oxidizes dihydroorotate acid to orotic acid in the de novo synthesis pathway of pyrimidine metabolism. DHODH is located in mitochondria, closely related to cellular oxidative phosphorylation, and an important suppressor of the ferroptosis pathway. This study investigates the influence of DHODH on the progression of malignant tumors, including its important role in the de novo synthesis of pyrimidine, oxidative phosphorylation, and ferroptosis. The objective is to present evidence that DHODH is a potential target for the clinical treatment of tumors.

Objective:To investigate the impact of peak pressure upon different bone densities during autonomous puncture by orthopedic robot on puncture path deviation and bone cement leakage.Methods:A spinal surgery robot system was designed for autonomous vertebral puncture and bone cement injection, and six porcine spine specimens were used for single-segment or double-segment simulated percutaneous vertebral augmentation surgery. The accuracy of puncture path (Gertzbein-Robbins grading), bone cement leakage classification, and peak bone drill pressure were measured to assess the accuracy of autonomous vertebral puncture and bone cement leakage in vertebral cortical and cancellous bone of different densities.Results:A total of 64 porcine vertebrae were simulated for puncture, among which 53 vertebrae were classified as Grade A, 8 as Grade B, and 3 as Grade C according to the Gertzbein-Robbins grading. The cortical bone pressure of Grade A vertebrae was 6.663±0.319 N which was lower than that of Grade B (8.348±0.418 N) and Grade C (11.500±0.600 N), with significant differences ( F=341.000, P<0.001). The cancellous bone pressure of Grade A, B, and C vertebrae were 3.660±0.317, 3.594±0.608, and 4.117±0.257 N, respectively, with no significant difference ( F=2.496, P=0.091). There were 40 cases of no leakage, 20 cases of Type I leakage (leakage into the surrounding vertebrae), and 3 cases of Type II leakage (leakage into the vertebral canal), with an overall leakage rate of 36% (23/64). The peak cortical bone pressure for no leakage, Type I, and Type II leakage was 6.638±0.301, 6.792±0.404, and 6.753±0.473 N, respectively, and the peak cancellous bone pressure was 3.634±0.279, 3.783±0.423, and 3.920±0.255 N, respectively, with no significant difference ( F=1.521, P=0.227; F=2.106, P=0.131). Conclusion:During the autonomous puncture process of the novel orthopedic robot, the accuracy of autonomous puncture path decreased when the puncture pressure through the cortical bone was high, and the probability of invading the pedicle increased. The puncture pressure of cortical and cancellous bone had no significant effect on the occurrence rate of bone cement leakage.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the impact of iodine-rich processed foods and dining places on the iodine nutritional status of children. METHODS: School-aged children (SAC) in seven provinces in China were selected by school-based multi-stage sampling. Urinary iodine, salt iodine, and thyroid volume (TVOL) were determined. Questionnaires were used to investigate dining places and iodine-rich processed foods. The water iodine was from the 2017 national survey. Multi-factor regression analysis was used to find correlations between variables. RESULTS: Children ate 78.7% of their meals at home, 15.1% at school canteens, and 6.1% at other places. The percentage of daily iodine intake from water, iodized salt, iodine-rich processed foods, and cooked food were 1.0%, 79.2%, 1.5%, and 18.4%, respectively. The salt iodine was correlated with the urinary iodine and TVOL, respectively (r = 0.999 and -0.997, P < 0.05). The iodine intake in processed foods was weakly correlated with the TVOL (r = 0.080, P < 0.01). Non-iodized salt used in processed foods or diets when eating out had less effect on children's iodine nutrition status. CONCLUSION Iodized salt remains the primary source of daily iodine intake of SAC, and processed food has less effect on iodine nutrition. Therefore, for children, iodized salt should be a compulsory supplement in their routine diet.
Humans ; Child ; Nutritional Status ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Iodine ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary/analysis* ; China ; Water

Objective:To analyze and compare the association between different obesity-related indices and vitamin D deficiency in middle-aged and elderly population dwelled in Lanzhou city.Methods:From May, 2011 to September, 2012, middle-aged and elderly individuals with complete baseline data were included via randomly cluster sampling from 3 communities in Lanzhou. The subjects were divided into 4 subgroups by vitamin D levels and various obesity-related indices were compared across subgroups with the same gender. The relationship between the obesity-related indices and the severity of vitamin D deficiency was analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis, and the effects of different obesity-related indices on the severity of vitamin D deficiency was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 9 437 residents were included. The overall prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 97.7%. Compared with the group with lower vitamin D level, participants in the group with higher vitamin D level showed evidently lower body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), lipid accumulation product (LAP), visceral adiposity index (VAI) and triglyceride/ high density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) ratio in the total population and females, while only WC, LAP, VAI and TG/HDL-C in the males (all P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed that BMI, WC, LAP, VAI and TG/HDL-C were positively correlated with the severity of vitamin D deficiency in the total population and the females, while only LAP, VAI and TG/HDL-C in the males (all P<0.05) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher levels of these obesity related indices were correlated with more severe vitamin D deficiency in the total population and the females, while only higher LAP, VAI and TG/HDL-C in the males (all P<0.05). The effects of higher LAP was the most prominant in the total population ,the females and the males. Conclusion:Various obesity phenotypes are closely related to vitamin D deficiency in middle-aged and elderly women, while only visceral obesity and abnormal lipid metabolism are related to vitamin D deficiency in middle-aged and elderly men, with LAP being the most important influencing factor.

Butyrate, normally produced by probiotics in the gut, not only provides energy for cells, but also changes the phosphorylation, acetylation and methylation levels of many proteins in cells. As a result, it affects the expression of many genes and the transmission of cell signals. Through G protein-coupled receptors, butyrate promotes the secretion of intestinal mucus and the formation of epithelial barriers, and attenuates the impacts of the pathogenic bacteria and their metabolites on human body. The Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a group of pattern recognition receptors, and their activation causes the translocation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and eventually leads to expression and secretion of various pro-inflammatory factors and chemokines. The expression of TLRs is also involved in the pathogenesis of some inflammatory diseases and tumors. The purpose of this review is to summarize the effects of butyrate on TLRs and their downstream signaling pathways. We not only summarized the production of butyrate, the expression of TLRs and the influence of their interaction on the body under the conditions of inflammation and tumor, but also discussed the potential role of butyrate as a bacterial metabolite in the treatments of some human diseases.
Humans ; Butyrates ; Toll-Like Receptors ; Acetylation ; Phosphorylation ; Inflammation

Cross-Sectional Studies ; Dietary Supplements ; Female ; Humans ; Iodides ; Iodine ; Nutritional Status ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Pregnant Women ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyrotropin

Objective:To assess the feasibility and effects of the mobile device-based video teaching in plastic surgery education.Methods:In the study, 22 participants were assigned into two groups according to their standardized training area. The intervention group ( n=11) which was outside Beijing had an unlimited access to video-based education; the control group ( n=11) which was in Beijing received traditional teaching. After the end of the first semester of teaching, the two groups of students were tested on theory and clinical operational theory, and the evaluation results were compared. SPSS 18.0 software was applied for t test and chi-square test. Results:After the first semester, the effect of teaching method was evaluated by the scores of written examination and clinical examination. The average scores of the written test in the intervention group were (38.82±3.22) points, while that in the control group were (38.36±2.98) points, without significant differences between the two groups ( P=0.74); the average scores of the clinical examination theory test in the intervention group and the control group were (46.36±3.44) points and (41.00±5.24) points, respectively, with significant differences between the two groups ( P=0.01). In term of total scores, the average scores of the intervention group were (85.18±4.83) points, and those of the control group were (79.36±5.52) points, with statistical differences between the two groups ( P=0.016). Conclusion:Mobile device-based video teaching in plastic surgery education can not only improve students' performance but also facilitate their clinic skills, which is worth popularizing.

Introduction: Potassium level is measured for patients with high risk of hyperkalemia in the emergency department (ED) using both blood gas analyser (BGA) and biochemistry analyser (BCA). The study was conducted to evaluate the correlation and agreement of potassium measurement between BGA and BCA. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study on the data obtained from Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (Hospital USM) from Jun 2018 until May 2019. Blood samples were taken via a single prick from venous blood and sent separately using 1ml heparinised syringe and were analysed immediately in ED using BGA (Radiometer, ABL800 FLEX, Denmark) and another sample was sent to the central laboratory of Hospital USM and analysed by BCA (Architect, C8000, USA). Only patients who had potassium levels ≥5.0mmol/L on blood gas results were included. A total of 173 sample pairs were included. The correlation and agreement were evaluated using Passing and Bablok regression, Linear Regression and Bland-Altman test. Result: Of the 173 sample pairs, the median of potassium level based on BGA and BCA were 5.50mmol/L (IQR: 1.00) and 5.90mmol/L (IQR: 0.95) respectively. There was significant correlation between two measurements (p<0.001, r: 0.36). The agreement between the two measurements showed within acceptable mean difference which was 0.27 mmol/L with 95% limit of agreement were 1.21mmol/L to 1.73mmol/L. Conclusion: The result of blood gas can be used as a guide for initial treatment of hyperkalaemia in critical cases where time is of the essence. However, BCA result is still the definitive value.