Objective To investigate the effect of vitamin B6(VB6)on vascular endothelial injury of atherosclerosis(AS)mice and its mechanism.Methods Thirty-six ApoE-/-mice were randomly divided into control group,AS group,VB6 group,AS+LiCl group,AS+VB6 group and AS+VB6+LiCl group,with 6 mice in each group.The mice in the AS group,AS+LiCl group,AS+VB6 group and AS+VB6+LiCl group were fed with high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish the AS model;the mice in the control group and VB6 group were given regular diet and normal drinking water for 12 weeks.After 12 weeks,the mice in the control group were given conventional diet and the same volume of physiological saline as the VB6 group daily by gavage;the mice in the VB6 group were given routine diet and VB6(50 mg·kg-1)by gavage daily;the mice in the AS+LiCl group were given high-fat diet continuously and LiCl(1 mg·kg-1)by gavage daily;the mice in the AS+VB6 group were given high-fat diet continuously and VB6(50 mg·kg-1)by gavage daily;the mice in the AS+VB6+LiCl group were given high-fat diet continuously and VB6(50 mg·kg-1),LiCl(1 mg·kg-1)by gavage daily;all mice were intervened for 4 weeks.After intervention,the serum nitric oxide(NO),malondialdehyde(MD A)levels and superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity of mice in each group were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphology of thoracic aortic tissue of mice in each group and the percentage of AS plaque area to total vascular area was calculated.The vasodilatation rate of thoracic aorta was detected by isolated vascular ring experiment.The expression of sodium/hydrogen exchanger 1(NHE1)protein in thoracic aorta was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with the control group,the NO level and SOD activity in the serum of mice in the AS group decreased,while the MDA level increased(P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the NO,MDA levels and SOD activity in the serum of mice between the VB6 group and the control group(P＞0.05).Compared with the AS group,the serum NO level and SOD activity of mice in the AS+VB6 group increased,while the MDA level decreased(P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in serum NO,MDA levels and SOD activity of mice between the AS+LiCl group,AS+VB6+LiCl group and AS group(P＞0.05).Compared with the AS+VB6 group,the serum NO level and SOD activity of mice in the AS+VB6+LiCl group decreased,while the MDA level increased(P＜0.05).The percentage of AS plaque area to total vascular area of mice in the AS group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the percentage of AS plaque area to total vascular area of mice among the VB6 group and the control group(P＜0.05).The percentage of AS plaque area to total vascular area of mice in the AS+VB6 group was significantly lower than that in the AS group(P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the percentage of AS plaque area to total vascular area of mice between the AS+LiCl group,AS+VB6+LiCl group and AS group(P＜0.05).The percentage of AS plaque area to total vascular area of mice in the AS+VB6+LiCl group was significantly higher than that in the AS+VB6 group(P＜0.05).In the control group,the vascular endothelium of mice was smooth with orderly arrangement of cells;in the AS group,AS+LiCl group and AS+VB6+LiCl group,the tissue structure of vascular of mice was disordered and the vascular endothelium was rough;in the VB6 group and AS+VB6 group,the vascular wall structure of mice was normal,the vascular endothelium was smooth,and the cells were arranged orderly.The vasodilatation rate of thoracic aorta of mice induced by acetylcholine(Ach)in the AS group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the vasodilatation rate of thoracic aorta of mice induced by Ach between the VB6 group and the control group(P＞0.05).The vasodilatation rate of thoracic aorta of mice induced by Ach in the AS+VB6 group was significantly lower than that in the AS group(P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the vasodilatation rate of thoracic aorta of mice induced by Ach between AS+LiCl group,AS+VB6+LiCl group and AS group(P＞0.05).The vasodilatation rate of thoracic aorta of mice induced by Ach in the AS+VB6+LiCl group was significantly higher than that in the AS+VB6 group(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the vasodilatation rate of thoracic aorta of mice induced by sodium nitroprusside among the six groups(P＞0.05).The percentage of NHE1 expression in the thoracic aorta of mice in the AS group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the percentage of NHE1 expression in the thoracic aorta of mice between the VB6 group and the control group(P＞0.05).The percentage of NHE1 expression in the thoracic aorta of mice in the AS+VB6 group was significantly lower than that in the AS group(P＜0.05);there was no significant difference in the percentage of NHE1 expression in the thoracic aorta of mice among the AS+LiCl group,AS+VB6+LiCl group and the AS group(P＞0.05).The percentage of NHE1 expression in the thoracic aorta of mice in the AS+VB6+LiCl group was significantly higher than that in the AS+VB6 group(P＜0.05).Conclusion VB6 can improve vascular endothelial injury in AS mice via inhibiting the expression of NHE1 protein.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a gastric bypass stent system for weight loss and obesity-associated metabolic parameters.Methods:A sub-analysis of a multicenter randomized control trial was conducted on data of 14 obese patients who were implanted the gastric bypass stent system under endoscopy in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2021 to October 2022. The device was removed after 12 weeks and the patients were followed up for 36 weeks. Outcomes included changes in excess weight loss (EWL), total weight loss (TWL), insulin resistance, liver enzymes, lipids and uric acid at 12, 24 and 36 weeks, and the safety of the device.Results:Among the 14 patients, there were 9 males and 5 females, aged 34.3±7.4 years, with an initial body weight of 104.8±13.9 kg. Stents were removed in advance in 2 patients because of intolerable adverse reactions of the digestive tract. The remaining 12 patients completed follow-up, and their EWL was 34.4%±25.5% at 12 weeks, 39.1%±37.5% at 24 weeks, and 27.3%±40.8% at 36 weeks. TWL was 8.7%±6.2%, 10.1%±10.2% and 8.3%±13.8%, respectively. The levels of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at 12 weeks (4.81±3.71, P=0.022), 24 weeks (4.17±2.77, P=0.002) and 36 weeks (4.66±3.58, P=0.016) were statistically significant compared with baseline (7.03±3.59). The levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were 48 (21-124) U/L, 39 (14-96) U/L, 27 (10-86) U/L and 32 (16-113) U/L at baseline, 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 36 weeks, respectively, and the changes of ALT were statistically significant at 24 weeks and 36 weeks ( P=0.009, P=0.026 compared with baseline). The levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were 30 (20-62) U/L, 24 (15-72) U/L, 22 (11-56) U/L and 26 (13-74) U/L at baseline, 12 weeks, 24 weeks and 36 weeks, respectively, and the change of AST was significant at 24 weeks ( P=0.018 compared with baseline). However, the changes of uric acid and serum lipid were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The only severe adverse event was esophageal mucosal laceration during the process of explantation, which was successfully treated with endoscopic clips. There was no device migration, acute pancreatitis or hepatic abscess. Conclusion:The gastric bypass stent system, relatively safe, has a good short-term weight loss effect and improves insulin resistance and liver enzymes.

Ferrets offer an advantage in nonclinical studies of anti-infective drugs because of their ability to be infected with and spread pathogenic microorganisms,especially viral strains,without the need for host adaptation.Additionally,the clinical symptoms exhibited by infected ferrets are very similar to those of humans.Although ferrets play a very important role in the research and development of antiviral drugs,the scope of their application remains limited.This may be related to the lack of corresponding national standards for laboratory animal feeding and application of ferrets as well as the lack of specific diagnostic and detection reagents.This paper summarizes the characteristics of ferrets as infectious disease models with a summary and analysis of the application direction of ferrets in anti-infective drug research.Our aim is to promote further standardization of the use of ferrets.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of rashes in monkeypox patients through a series of skin biopsies, and examine their pathological features and the most effective tests.Methods:Patients with monkeypox virus infection admitted to Beijing Ditan Hospital from June to August 2023 were identified. Among them, 24 patients underwent skin biopsies for clinical pathological study that were included in this study. Clinical information, rash pictures, and nucleic acid test results were analyzed using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, RNAscope ? hybridization and electron microscopy. Results:All 24 patients were male, including 14 patients with concurrent human immunodeficiency virus infection. Their average age was (32.3±5.4) years. The nucleic acid test confirmed monkeypox virus infection. The clinical feature of monkeypox rashes was solitary rather than clustered distribution, with rashes occurring in similar phase, distinguishing it from herpesvirus. The rashes in these patients were mostly scattered, with an average of (13.0±11.8) rashes, and most commonly present in the perineum, face, limbs, and trunk. The three main pathological features of these rashes were ballooning degeneration of the epidermal spinous cell layer, the characteristic intra-cytoplasmic Guarnieri′s bodies and significant infiltration of inflammatory cells in whole dermal layer. Immunohistochemistry, RNAscope ? hybridization, and electron microscopy can all effectively detect the monkeypox virus. Electron microscopy showed viral replication in various types of skin cells. Conclusions:The study describes the pathological features of monkeypox virus rashes. Pathological examination of skin biopsy samples is helpful to diagnose these rashes. The study suggests that the monkeypox virus has a unique epitheliotropic affinity and can infect various types of cells in the skin.

This article reported a case of neurodevelopmental disorder accompanied by spastic diplegia and visual impairment with the manifestation of small fetal head circumference. Prenatal ultrasonography performed at 33 +5 weeks of pregnancy revealed small fetal head circumference (-2.61SD) and oligohydramnios. Whole-exome sequencing identified a heterozygous frameshift variation of c.1623_1624insA (p.R542Tfs*30) in the CTNNB1 gene (NM_001904.4) of the fetus. No phenotypic abnormalities or corresponding gene variations were detected in the parents, suggesting it was a de novo variation. Based on the clinical manifestations, the fetus was diagnosed with a neurodevelopmental disorder accompanied by spastic diplegia and visual defects. Following genetic counseling, the pregnant woman chose to terminate the pregnancy.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features, characteristics under white-light endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography, and treatment strategies of gastritis cystica profunda (GCP) accompanied with or without neoplastic lesions.Methods:Clinical data of 35 patients, who were pathologically diagnosed as having GCP after endoscopic or surgical resection in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2015 to February 2021, were retrospectively collected, including 27 patients with neoplastic lesions. The demographic information, clinical manifestations, endoscopic features, treatment methods, and pathological results of GCP were summarized.Results:Thirty-five patients with GCP were 68.26±8.08 years old, and mostly male (80.00%, 28/35). The most common symptom was upper abdominal pain, accounting for 31.43% (11/35), and 25.71% (9/35) had no symptoms. Other symptoms included acid reflux, heartburn, abdominal distension, anemia, and choking sensation after eating. The most common site of GCP was cardia (51.43%, 18/35), and the main endoscopic manifestations of GCP were flat mucosal lesions (68.57%, 24/35), mainly 0-Ⅱa and 0-Ⅱa+Ⅱc type lesions, accounting for 66.67% (16/24). The second common endoscopic manifestation was polypoid eminence (20.00%, 7/35). Endoscopic ultrasonography was performed in 15 patients, with main manifestations of uniform hypoechoic with or without cystic echo (73.33%, 11/15). Among the GCP cases, 33 patients received endoscopic resection, and 2 received surgical treatment. The treatment processes were all successfully completed, and en-bloc resection was accomplished for all lesions receiving endoscopy, with the mean endoscopic operation time of 86.13 min. One patient suffered postoperative delayed bleeding after ESD which was stopped by endoscopic hemostasis. Final pathological results showed that the proportion of GCP complicated with neoplastic lesions was 77.14% (27/35), 68.57% (24/35) with early gastric cancer or precursor. Twenty-three cases achieved R0 resection. One case showed positive basal resection margin and vascular invasion, and recurrence happened in situ at the 5th month of follow-up, surgical resection was then performed. The endoscopic complete resection rate was 95.83% (23/24).Conclusion:GCP usually occurs in middle-aged and elderly male, often located in cardia, manifested mainly as flat mucosal lesions and polypoid changes. Endoscopic ultrasonography shows a high diagnostic value for GCP, and endoscopic treatment is safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for GCP.

【Objective】 To analyze the basic characteristics of whole blood donors from blood stations before and after the outbreak of COVID-19. 【Methods】 After excluding invalid data, data related to the basic characteristics of whole blood donors collected from 26 blood stations in China during 2018 to 2021 were statistically analyzed, including the trend of total whole blood donors, the number of repeated blood donors, the frequency of blood donation, the average age of donors and the recruitment of first-time blood donors. 【Results】 Affected by the epidemic, 8 out of 14 indicators were with large variations, accounting for 57%. The overall growth rate of total whole blood donors during the epidemic was higher than before the epidemic (P<0.05).The number of repeated blood donors has shown an increased trend, with a higher number during the epidemic than before (P<0.05). The frequency of blood donation was lower during the epidemic than before(P<0.05).Average ages of blood donors and female blood donors fluctuated widely during the epidemic, both higher than those before the epidemic(P<0.05).The donation rate of first-time blood donors <25 years old and ≥25 years old varied widely and irregularly during the epidemic (both P<0.05). The percentage of first-time blood donors fluctuated irregularly during the epidemic, with overall percentage lower than that before the epidemic(P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Whole blood donors from 26 blood stations increased after the outbreak of COVID-19, and some indicators in certain areas showed significant fluctuations during the epidemic.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of dynamic qi acupuncture for acute lumbar sprain, and to explore the differences of different needle retention time on the improvement of pain, lumbar mobility and lumbar dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 160 patients with acute lumbar sprain were randomly divided into an observation group A (40 cases, 4 cases dropped off), an observation group B (40 cases, 2 cases dropped off), an observation group C (40 cases, 4 cases dropped off) and a medication group (40 cases, 6 cases dropped off). The patients in the observation group A, the observation group B and the observation group C were treated with acupuncture at "lumbago point" and Sanjian (LI 3) on the left side, and during the needles were kept for 10, 20 and 30 min respectively, the patients were required to take tolerable lumbar active activities, once a day; the patients in the medication group were treated with celecoxib capsules, 0.2 g each time, twice a day. All the patients were treated for 5 d. Before and after treatment, the scores of numerical rating scale-11 (NRS-11), lumbar range of motion (ROM) and modified Oswestry disability index (ODI) were observed, and the clinical efficacy of each group was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of NRS-11, ROM and ODI in each group were decreased compared before treatment (P<0.01). The decreased degree of NRS-11, ROM and ODI in each observation group was greater than that in the medication group (P<0.05), and the decreased degree of ROM and ODI in the observation group B and the observation group C was greater than that in the observation group A (P<0.05). The total effective rates were 94.4% (34/36) in the observation group A, 94.7% (36/38) in the observation group B and 97.2% (35/36) in the observation group C, respectively, which were higher than 79.4% (27/34) in the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Dynamic qi acupuncture with needle retention for 10, 20 and 30 min all could effectively improve the pain, lumbar mobility and lumbar dysfunction in patients with acute lumbar sprain. If the lumbar dysfunction is severe, needle retention for 20 min or more is recommended.
Humans ; Treatment Outcome ; Pain

Objective:To observe the results of electroacupuncture (EA) on the resuscitation of a rat model of asphyxia cardiac arrest (CA). And to explore its effect on the neurologic deficits and hemodynamic instability of post-cardiac arrest syndrome (PCAS).Methods:A total of 107 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham, CA, and EA groups. Each group received arterial catheterization and tracheal intubation. The sham group was not induced asphyxia. Asphyxial cardiac arrest was established by endotracheal tube clamping. Rats in the CA group received basic respiratory support and fluid resuscitation in return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and rats in the EA group received EA at Baihui based on the treatment of CA group after ROSC, with a dense-dispersed wave at frequencies of 4-20 Hz, while the current intensity was adjusted minimum to induce a twitch of the scalp, the course of treatment was 30 minutes. The baseline data, hemodynamics after ROSC, neurological deficit score (NDS), pathological changes of brain tissue, and levels of serum biomarker were recorded and compared among the three groups. The 72-hour survival of rats was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of necrotic neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region of rat brain. Meanwhile, Nissl staining and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) were used to detect cell apoptosis and injury.Results:Compared with the CA group, the mean arterial pressure (MAP) in the EA group increased significantly at 15 minutes after ROSC [mmHg (1 mmHg≈0.133 kPa): 125.00 (94.00, 136.25) vs. 92.00 (72.00, 122.50), P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in the NDS score between the EA group and the sham group. Still, the NDS score of the rats in the CA group at 6 hours after ROSC were significantly lower than that in the sham group (46.00±10.61 vs. 80.00±0.00, P < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that EA did not improve the 72-hour survival rate of rats (100% in the sham group, 25% in the CA group, and 30% in the EA group, P > 0.05). The analysis by TUNEL showed that the apoptosis rate of neurons in CA1 region of the hippocampus in EA group at 6 hours after ROSC was significantly lower than that in CA group [(62.84±2.67)% vs. (71.29±3.70)%, P < 0.05]. Compared with the CA group, the level of serum S100 calcium binding protein B (S100B) in the EA group at 6 hours after ROSC was significantly lower (ng/L: 19.30±13.87 vs. 132.28±31.67, P < 0.05), but there were no significant differences in the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) between these two groups. Conclusions:In the present study, EA at Baihui can stabilize the hemodynamic, moreover, it has a particular neuroprotective effect on PCAS rats. Still, EA at Baihui does not reduce the systemic inflammatory response and improve the survival rate of rats, and its mechanism remains to be verified in further research.

Cadinanes are a class of bicyclic sesquiterpenes with complex stereochemistry and broad pharmacological activities, such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and hypoglycemic activities. To date, structurally diverse and bioactive cadinane sesquiterpenes have been isolated and identified from a variety of plants and microorganisms. Moreover, deeper understandings on cadinane sesquiterpene synthases have been made. This article categorized the 124 new cadinanes which were published in the literatures in the past four years (2017-2020) into five structural types, and presented their pharmacological activities. We also illustrated the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways for typical cadinanes, summarized the research progress on cadinane sesquiterpene synthases. Finally, current challenges and future prospects were proposed and discussed.
Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; Polycyclic Sesquiterpenes ; Sesquiterpenes