Objective To investigate the clinical features and maternal and fetal outcomes of acute pancreatitis in pregnancy(APIP)and the risk factors for disease aggravation,and to establish a predictive model.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for 52 APIP patients who were admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from January 2017 to December 2022,and according to disease severity,they were divided into mild acute pancreatitis(MAP)group with 32 patients,moderate-severe acute pancreatitis(MSAP)group with 8 patients,and severe acute pancreatitis(SAP)group with 12 patients.The logistic regression analysis was performed for the clinical data of each group,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were plotted to assess the value of risk factors in predicting the severity of APIP.A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups,and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparision between two groups.The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups,and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for further comparision between two groups;the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.Results Of all patients in terms of etiology,26(50%)had hyperlipidemic pancreatitis,20(38.4%)had biliary pancreatitis,and 6(11.5%)had idiopathic pancreatitis.In terms of gestational week,1 patient(1.9%)was in early pregnancy,25(48.1%)were in mid-pregnancy,and 26(50.0%)were in late pregnancy.A total of 10 patients(19.2%)had acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS),among whom 9(90%)required respiratory support.There were significant differences between the patients with different severities of APIP in aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,blood urea nitrogen,blood glucose,C-reactive protein(CRP),international normalized ratio(INR),pneumonia,ARDS,sepsis,hepatic insufficiency,and coagulation dysfunction(all P<0.05).The univariate analysis showed that the severity of APIP was associated with blood glucose,blood urea nitrogen,CRP,and pneumonia(all P<0.05),and pneumonia was a risk factor for the aggravation of APIP(odds ratio=18.938,95%confidence interval:1.020—351.747,P=0.048).CRP,blood glucose,blood urea nitrogen,and INR used in combination had a larger area under the ROC curve than each index used alone(0.954 vs 0.778/0.796/0.721/0.801).Conclusion Pneumonia is a risk factor for the aggravation of APIP,and the combination of CRP,blood glucose,blood urea nitrogen,and INR can be used to predict the severity of APIP.

Objective:To discuss the effect of oridonin on the proliferation,migration,epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),and apoptosis of the human nasopharyngeal carcinoma HONE-1 cells,and to clarify its related antitumor mechanism.Methods:The HONE-1 cells were treated with different concentrations(0,5,10,20,40,80,and 160 mg·L-1)of oridonin for 48 h.CCK-8 method was used to detect the inhibitory rates of proliferation of the cells in various groups and the drug concentration for subsequent experiment was confirmed.The HONE-1 cells were divided into control group,3 mg·L-1 oridonin group,and 6 mg·L-1 oridonin group.After 24 and 48 h of culture,CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferation activities of the cells in various groups;5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine(EdU)method was used to detect the rates of EdU-positive cells in various groups;colony formation assay was used to detect the numbers of clone formation in the cells in various groups;Transwell chamber experiment and cell wound assay were used to detect the numbers of migration cells and the scratch healing rates of the cells in various groups;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of cyclin-dependent kinase 1(CDK1)and cyclin-dependent kinase 4(CDK4)mRNA in the cells in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of E-cadherin,Vimentin,Caspase-3,and poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1(PARP1)proteins in the cells in various groups.Results:The CCK-8 method results showed that the half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of oridonin at 48 h was 12.18 mg·L-1,and 1/4 IC50 and 1/2 IC50 values were used as the concentrations for subsequent experiments.Compared with control group,after treated for 24 and 48 h,the proliferation activities of the cells in 3 and 6 mg·L-1 oridonin groups were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the rate of EdU-positive cells were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the numbers of clone formation and migraton cells were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the scratch healing rates were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the expression levels of CDK1 and CDK4 mRNA in the cells were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the expression levels of E-cadherin,Caspase-3,and PARP1 proteins were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the expression levels of Vimentin protein were decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Oridonin can inhibit the proliferation,clone formation,and migration of the human nasopharyngeal carcinoma HONE-1 cells by downregulating the expression of cell cycle-related proteins and EMT,and promote the apoptosis to exert an antitumor effect.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is a rare neurogenic malignant tumor. MPNST has aty-pical clinical symptoms and imaging presentations, difficult diagnosis, a high degree of malignancy, and poor prognosis. It usually occurs in the trunk, approximately 20% in the head and neck, and rarely in the mouth. This paper reports a case of MPNST of the tongue. A summary of the clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment of MPNST is presented in combination with a literature review to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.
Humans ; Nerve Sheath Neoplasms/pathology* ; Neurofibrosarcoma ; Tongue/pathology*

Farnesyl diphosphate synthase(FPPS) is a key enzyme at the branch point of the sesquiterpene biosynthetic pathway, but there are no reports on the transcriptional regulation of FPPS promoter in Pogostemon cabin. In the early stage of this study, we obtained the binding protein PcFBA-1 of FPPS gene promoter in P. cabin. In order to explore the possible mechanism of PcFBA-1 involved in the regulation of patchouli alcohol biosynthesis, this study performed PCR-based cloning and sequencing analysis of PcFBA-1, analyzed the expression patterns of PcFBA-1 in different tissues by fluorescence quantitative PCR and its subcellular localization using the protoplast transformation system, detected the binding of PcFBA-1 protein to the FPPS promoter in vitro with the yeast one-hybrid system, and verified its transcriptional regulatory function by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The findings demonstrated that the cloned PcFBA-1 had an open reading frame(ORF) of 1 131 bp, encoding a protein of 376 amino acids, containing two conserved domains named F-box-like superfamily and FBA-1 superfamily, and belonging to the F-box family. Moreover, neither signal peptide nor transmembrane domain was contained, implying that it was an unstable hydrophilic protein. In addition, as revealed by fluorescence quantitative PCR results, PcFBA-1 had the highest expression in leaves, and there was no significant difference in expression in roots or stems. PcFBA-1 protein was proved mainly located in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, yeast one-hybrid screening and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay showed that PcFBA-1 was able to bind to FPPS promoter both in vitro and in vivo to enhance the activity of FPPS promoter. In summary, this study identifies a new transcription factor PcFBA-1 in P. cabin, which directly binds to the FPPS gene promoter to enhance the promoter activity. This had laid a foundation for the biosynthesis of patchouli alcohol and other active ingre-dients and provided a basis for metabolic engineering and genetic improvement of P. cabin.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; Geranyltranstransferase/genetics* ; Pogostemon ; Transcription Factors/genetics*

In this study, 24 copies of samples of Chrysanthemum morifolium and soil from two main production towns in Macheng city were collected, and the contents of 13 mineral elements, 5 effective components and 14 soil nutrient factors in Ch. morifolium were determined. The enrichment characteristics of available soil nutrients by mineral elements were analyzed and the dominant factors affecting the effective components of Ch. morifolium were screened. The results showed that the content of mineral elements and soil nutrients and effective components are very different, and variation of soil fertility was much greater than that of inorganic elements in chrysanthemum plants. In general, the level of element content in Ch. morifolium from different producing areas is K>N>P>Mg>Ca>Fe>Mn>Zn>Cu>Ni>Cr>Pb>Cd. The content of K, N and Mg is higher than that of common crops, and the content of Cu, Cd and Pb in Ch. morifolium from various producing areas does not exceed the relevant standards. The N, P and K enrichment capacity in soil was stronger than that of other elements, and the Ca enrichment ability was the worst. The content of AvCu in the soil was positively correlated with the contents of N, Mg, K, Fe and Cu elements in Ch. morifolium. The contents of chlorogenic acid, luteolin, 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid reached the pharmacopoeia standard. The percentage of chlorogenic acid and 3,5-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid in Ch. morifolium that from Huangtugang town in the active components were generally higher than that from Futianhe town, and the diffe-rences of luteolin contents in the two producing areas were relatively small. The correlation and regression analysis showed that the contents of Cu, Zn and Cr in Ch. morifolium were positively correlated with the active components, while the contents of Fe, Mn and Ni were negatively correlated with the contents of AvP, AvK, TK, AvMn and AvCu in soil. In general, Zn and Ca fertilizer should be added to the ecological planting of Ch. morifolium, K fertilizer should be added, and N and P fertilizer should be applied appropriately.
Chrysanthemum ; Fertilizers ; Minerals ; Nutrients ; Soil

Aorta ; Aortitis ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Takayasu Arteritis/drug therapy*

BACKGROUND: A patient's infectivity is determined by the presence of the virus in different body fluids, secretions, and excreta. The persistence and clearance of viral RNA from different specimens of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study analyzed the clearance time and factors influencing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA in different samples from patients with COVID-19, providing further evidence to improve the management of patients during convalescence. METHODS: The clinical data and laboratory test results of convalescent patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were collected retrospectively. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for patients' oropharyngeal swab, stool, urine, and serum samples were collected and analyzed. Convalescent patients refer to recovered non-febrile patients without respiratory symptoms who had two successive (minimum 24 h sampling interval) negative RT-PCR results for viral RNA from oropharyngeal swabs. The effects of cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T lymphocytes, inflammatory indicators, and glucocorticoid treatment on viral nucleic acid clearance were analyzed. RESULTS: In the 292 confirmed cases, 66 patients recovered after treatment and were included in our study. In total, 28 (42.4%) women and 38 men (57.6%) with a median age of 44.0 (34.0-62.0) years were analyzed. After in-hospital treatment, patients' inflammatory indicators decreased with improved clinical condition. The median time from the onset of symptoms to first negative RT-PCR results for oropharyngeal swabs in convalescent patients was 9.5 (6.0-11.0) days. By February 10, 2020, 11 convalescent patients (16.7%) still tested positive for viral RNA from stool specimens and the other 55 patients' stool specimens were negative for 2019-nCoV following a median duration of 11.0 (9.0-16.0) days after symptom onset. Among these 55 patients, 43 had a longer duration until stool specimens were negative for viral RNA than for throat swabs, with a median delay of 2.0 (1.0-4.0) days. Results for only four (6.9%) urine samples were positive for viral nucleic acid out of 58 cases; viral RNA was still present in three patients' urine specimens after throat swabs were negative. Using a multiple linear regression model (F = 2.669, P = 0.044, and adjusted R = 0.122), the analysis showed that the CD4+ T lymphocyte count may help predict the duration of viral RNA detection in patients' stools (t = -2.699, P = 0.010). The duration of viral RNA detection from oropharyngeal swabs and fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (15 days vs. 8.0 days, respectively; t = 2.550, P = 0.013) and the duration of viral RNA detection in fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (20 days vs. 11 days, respectively; t = 4.631, P < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in inflammatory indicators between patients with positive fecal viral RNA test results and those with negative results (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In brief, as the clearance of viral RNA in patients' stools was delayed compared to that in oropharyngeal swabs, it is important to identify viral RNA in feces during convalescence. Because of the delayed clearance of viral RNA in the glucocorticoid treatment group, glucocorticoids are not recommended in the treatment of COVID-19, especially for mild disease. The duration of RNA detection may relate to host cell immunity.
Adult ; Aged ; Betacoronavirus ; genetics ; Clinical Laboratory Techniques ; Coronavirus Infections ; diagnosis ; genetics ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; genetics ; rehabilitation ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retrospective Studies

Background: A patient’s infectivity is determined by the presence of the virus in different body fluids, secretions, and excreta. The persistence and clearance of viral RNA from different specimens of patients with 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remain unclear. This study analyzed the clearance time and factors influencing 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) RNA in different samples from patients with COVID-19, providing further evidence to improve the management of patients during convalescence. Methods: The clinical data and laboratory test results of convalescent patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were collected retrospectively. The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for patients’ oropharyngeal swab, stool, urine, and serum samples were collected and analyzed. Convalescent patients refer to recovered non-febrile patients without respiratory symptoms who had two successive (minimum 24 h sampling interval) negative RT-PCR results for viral RNA from oropharyngeal swabs. The effects of cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4)+ T lymphocytes, inflammatory indicators, and glucocorticoid treatment on viral nucleic acid clearance were analyzed. Results: In the 292 confirmed cases, 66 patients recovered after treatment and were included in our study. In total, 28 (42.4%) women and 38 men (57.6%) with a median age of 44.0 (34.0–62.0) years were analyzed. After in-hospital treatment, patients’ inflammatory indicators decreased with improved clinical condition. The median time from the onset of symptoms to first negative RT-PCR results for oropharyngeal swabs in convalescent patients was 9.5 (6.0–11.0) days. By February 10, 2020, 11 convalescent patients (16.7%) still tested positive for viral RNA from stool specimens and the other 55 patients’ stool specimens were negative for 2019-nCoV following a median duration of 11.0 (9.0–16.0) days after symptom onset. Among these 55 patients, 43 had a longer duration until stool specimens were negative for viral RNA than for throat swabs, with a median delay of 2.0 (1.0–4.0) days. Results for only four (6.9%) urine samples were positive for viral nucleic acid out of 58 cases; viral RNA was still present in three patients’ urine specimens after throat swabs were negative. Using a multiple linear regression model (F=2.669, P=0.044, and adjusted R²=0.122), the analysis showed that the CD4+ T lymphocyte count may help predict the duration of viral RNA detection in patients’ stools (t=-2.699, P=0.010). The duration of viral RNA detection from oropharyngeal swabs and fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (15 days vs 8.0 days, respectively; t=2.550, P=0.013) and the duration of viral RNA detection in fecal samples in the glucocorticoid treatment group was longer than that in the non-glucocorticoid treatment group (20 days vs 11 days, respectively; t=4.631, P <0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in inflammatory indicators between patients with positive fecal viral RNA test results and those with negative results (P >0.05). Conclusions In brief, as the clearance of viral RNA in patients’ stools was delayed compared to that in oropharyngeal swabs, it is important to identify viral RNA in feces during convalescence. Because of the delayed clearance of viral RNA in the glucocorticoid treatment group, glucocorticoids are not recommended in the treatment of COVID-19, especially for mild disease. The duration of RNA detection may relate to host cell immunity.

With the increasing prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the extremely high mortality, disability, symptom burden and dysfunction, as well as the need for continuous drug management and care and increased rehospitalization rate, it brings patients, families and even society huge economic burden. The transitional care model provides non-drug treatment method to help patients get through the transition period safely and steadily, it also improves patients' self-care ability, quality of life and reduce hospital readmission. This review will start from the concept of disease management in transitional period, elaborate on the problems and core elements of transitional caring, then discuss the application of advanced practice nurse-dominated transitional caring mode in COPD, so as to provide theoretical and practical basis for improving the quality of chronic diseases management in China.

BACKGROUND: Some porous materials have been developed to enhance biologic fusion of the implants to bone in spine fusion surgeries. However, there are several inherent limitations. In this study, a novel biomedical porous tantalum was applied to in vitro and in vivo experiments to test its biocompatibility and osteocompatibility. METHODS: Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were cultured on porous tantalum implant. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Cell Counting Kit-8 assay were used to evaluate the cell toxicity and biocompatibility. Twenty-four rabbits were performed discectomy only (control group), discectomy with autologous bone implanted (autograft group), and discectomy with porous tantalum implanted (tantalum group) at 3 levels: L3-L4, L4-L5, and L5-L6 in random order. All the 24 rabbits were randomly sacrificed at the different post-operative times (2, 4, 6, and 12 months; n = 6 at each time point). Histologic examination and micro-computed tomography scans were done to evaluate the fusion process. Comparison of fusion index scores between groups was analyzed using one-way analysis of variance. Other comparisons of numerical variables between groups were made by Student t test. RESULTS: All rabbits survived and recovered without any symptoms of nerve injury. Radiographic fusion index scores at 12 months post-operatively between autograft and tantalum groups showed no significant difference (2.89 ± 0.32 vs. 2.83 ± 0.38, F = 244.60, P = 0.709). Cell Counting Kit-8 assay showed no significant difference of absorbance values between the leaching liquor group and control group (1.25 ± 0.06 vs. 1.23 ± 0.04, t = -0.644, P = 0.545), which indicated the BMSC proliferation without toxicity. SEM images showed that these cells had irregular shapes with long spindles adhered to the surface of tantalum implant. No implant degradation, wear debris, or osteolysis was observed. Histologic results showed solid fusion in the porous tantalum and autologous bone implanted intervertebral spaces. CONCLUSION This novel porous tantalum implant showed a good biocompatibility and osteocompatibility, which could be a valid biomaterial for interbody fusion cages.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; physiology ; Diskectomy ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Prostheses and Implants ; Rabbits ; Spinal Fusion ; Tantalum ; chemistry