Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Background/Aims: Dexamethasone (DEX) is a widely used exogenous therapeutic glucocorticoid in clinical settings. Its long-term use leads to many side effects. However, its effect on metabolic disorders in individuals on a high-fat diet (HFD) remains poorly understood. Methods: In this study, HFD-fed mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEX 2.5 mg/kg/day for 30 days. Lipid metabolism, adipocyte proliferation, and inflammation were assayed using typical approaches. Results: DEX increased the epididymal fat index and epididymal adipocyte size in HFD-fed mice. The number of epididymal adipocytes with diameters > 70 μm accounted for 0.5% of the cells in the control group, 30% of the cells in the DEX group, 19% of the cells in the HFD group, and 38% of all the cells in the D+H group. Adipocyte proliferation in the D+H group was inhibited by DEX treatment. Adipocyte enlargement in the D+H group was associated with increased the lipid accumulation but not the adipocyte proliferation. In contrast, the liver triglyceride and total cholesterol levels and their metabolism were downregulated by the same treatment, indicating the therapeutic potential of DEX for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Conclusions DEX synergizes with HFD to promote lipid deposition in adipose tissues. A high risk of obesity development in patients receiving HFD and DEX treatment is suggested.

Objective:To discuss the distinctive sonographic feature and the biological behavior of renal angiomyolipoma(RAML),and to provide the reference for the clinicians to make the accurate diagnosis of RAML.Methods:The clinical data of one patient with invasive classical RAML combined with pseudaneurysm formation were collected.The sonographic appearances were analyzed in conjunction with the pathological characteristics to clarify the biological behavior of RAML,and the relevant literatures were reviewed.Results:The patient,a 60-year-old female,visited the local hospital due to discomfort in the lumbar area,and received CT examination,and the CT examination results revealed a left renal mass,so the patient came to our hospital.The specialist clinical examinations and laboratory investigations were unremarkable.The ultrasound results indicated an enlarged left kidney with a cystic and solid mass at the upper pole,which featured pseudaneurysm formation(originating from the interlobar arteries);the enhanced CT image results suggested a high probability of upper pole renal carcinoma combined with aneurysmal formation within the tumor,alongside invasion into the left adrenal gland.The patient underwent laparoscopic radical left nephrectomy,and the postoperative pathology confirmed the diagnosis of invasive classical RAML.Conclusion:The classical RAML can exhibit the invasive biological behavior.The pseudaneurysm formation is a special sonographic manifestation of RAML,which can be challenging to differentiate from the other renal tumors.

OBJECTIVE To establish the specific chromatogram of Qianghuo Shengshi Tang(QHSS) reference sample, clarify the key quality attributes of QHSS, providing reference for the quality evaluation of QHSS reference sample. METHODS The SilGreen C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) was used. The mobile phase consisted acetonitrile and 0.2% formic acid aqueous solution. The detection wavelength was 328 nm. Established an HPLC characteristic spectrum analysis method for the reference sample of QHSS. A variety of chromatographic columns and different instruments were applied to investigate the adaptability of the system. HPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS was used to identify the specific peaks of the QHSS reference samples in positive ion mode. RESULTS There were 14 peaks in the specific chromatogram, which belonged to Notopterygii Rhizoma Et Radix, Angelicae Pubescentis Radix, Ligustici Rhizoma Et Radix, Chuanxiong Rhizome, Viticis Fructus, respectively. Ferulic acid(peak 3) was reference peak. A total of 22 compounds were identified by mass spectrometry, including coumarin and flavonoids. CONCLUSION The established specific chromatogram method of QHSS is simple, stable and reproducible. The material basis of QHSS reference sample is basically determined, providing a reference for the development and quality control of QHSS.

This article reported a case of a patient with schizophrenia who experienced self-perceived fever and discomfort after taking atypical antipsychotic drugs with strong alpha 1 receptor antagonism,which included olanzapine,risperidone,paliperidone and clozapine.Such phenomenon was believed to be a medication side effect.Therefore,the patient switched to aripiprazole and the fever disappeared.This case report is intended to remind psychiatrists to pay attention to the side effects caused by atypical antipsychotic drugs with strong alpha 1 receptor antagonism as well as to suggest that various factors should be considered,including mechanisms of drug action,patient pathophysiology and individual differences,in order to improve treatment compliance and prognosis.

Background Bipolar disorder is a severe mental disorder characterized by cycling between mania/hypomania and depression,yet its underlying pathophysiological mechanism remains unclear.Several prior studies have suggested a potential role for voltage-gated calcium channel subunit genes in the etiology of bipolar disorder,particularly in their influence on brain structure.Objective To investigate the differences in grey matter volume(GMV)for individuals with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls,and to explore the potential influence of calcium channel voltage-dependent T-type α1 G subunit(CACNA1G)rs757415 polymorphism on GMV in bipolar disorder and clarify the specific brain regions associated with this genetic variation,thus offering a new opportunity to gain insight into the pathophysiological mechanism of bipolar disorder.Methods A cohort of 289 patients who met the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,fourth edition(DSM-IV)criteria for bipolar disorder were selected for participation.These patients were either admitted to hospital or examined in outpatient clinic for bipolar disorder at the Mental Health Center of West China Hospital,Sichuan University between September 2013 and December 2022.Another 322 healthy individuals were concurrently recruited as a control group from Sichuan University and surrounding communities.All participants underwent brain imaging using a 3.0 T magnetic resonance scanner to acquire data on GMV.Additionally,the presence of the CACNA1G rs757415 polymorphism was validated using the imLDRTM technique.Spearman correlation analysis was utilized to investigate potential relationship between abnormal brain regions identified through GMV data and clinical characteristics of the patients.Then the genotype-by-diagnosis interaction effect for CACNA1G rs757415 on GMV was observed using the full factor method.Results The study successfully enrolled 173 patients with bipolar disorder and 207 healthy controls who completed all the necessary procedures.Analyses revealed decreased GMV for patients with bipolar disorder compared to healthy controls in the left cerebellar declive extending to cerebellar anterior/posterior lobe,fusiform gyrus,parahippocampal gyrus and inferior occipital gyrus(t=5.664,P<0.05);in the right cerebellar anterior/posterior lobe,fusiform gyrus,parahippocampal gyrus extending to lingual gyrus(t=4.583,P<0.05);in the bilateral anterior cingulate/paracingulate gyri,superior frontal gyrus and precuneus(t=7.543,P<0.05);in the left lingual gyrus and superior temporal gyrus(t=6.593,P<0.05);and in the right insula entending to central operculum(t=7.153,P<0.05).Correlation analysis indicated that the duration of bipolar disorder was positively correlated with cerebrospinal fluid volume(r=0.258,P=0.003),whereas negatively correlated with the GMV in the left cerebellar declive extending to cerebellar anterior/posterior lobe,inferior occipital gyrus and parahippocampal gyrus(r=-0.204,P=0.019),in the right cerebellar anterior lobe extending to right cerebellar posterior lobe,fusiform gyrus,parahippocampal gyrus and lingual gyrus(r=-0.238,P=0.006),in the bilateral superior frontal gyrus extending to anterior cingulate/paracingulate gyri and precuneus(r=-0.219,P=0.012),in the left lingual gyrus extending to superior temporal gyrus(r=-0.296,P=0.001),and in the right insula extending to central operculum(r=-0.257,P=0.003).A significant genotype-by-diagnosis interaction effect for CACNA1G rs757415 on GMV was observed in the right parahippocampal gyrus-fusiform gyrus-cerebellum 4-5(F=19.967,P<0.05).In the control group,individuals carrying the non-risk allele showed increased GMV in the right parahippocampal gyrus-fusiform gyrus-cerebellum 4-5 compared to those carrying the risk allele.In contrast,within the patient group,risk allele carriers exhibited increased GMV in the same brain regions when compared to non-risk allele carriers.Moreover,the GMV in the right parahippocampal gyrus-fusiform gyrus-cerebellum 4-5 of patients with bipolar disorder carrying risk alleles was increased compared to healthy controls.Conclusion CACNA1G rs757415 polymorphism may affect the GMV in the right parahippocampal gyrus,fusiform gyrus and cerebellum 4/5 of patients with bipolar disorder.

Objective To investigate the safety of regular plasma donors aged 55 to 60,so as to provide reference for retention and recruitment of elderly plasma donors in China.Methods Plasma donors from 9 blood products manufacturing enterprises from 2018 to 2020 and the local general population were selected as the research objects.The total protein level,albumin and globulin ratio(ALB/GLB,A/G)and adverse reactions of plasma donation of regular plasma donors and local general population were retrospectively analyzed.Results The total protein level(g/L)and A/G of plasma donors aged 56 to 60 and the general population were 61.21±5.62 vs 60.04±6.93 and 1.610±0.299 vs 1.635±0.330,respectively,and the differences were statistically significant.The total protein level of regular plasma donors was higher than that of general popu-lation,but A/G was slightly lower than that of general population.From 2018 to 2020,there were a total of 23 056 302 plas-ma donations in 108 plasma stations,and adverse reactions occurred in 20 932 donations,with a total incidence of 0.09%,with no serious adverse reactions.Conclusion It is safe for regular plasma donors aged 55 to 60 to donate plasma,and the retention of them can alleviate the pressure of plasma supply.