OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect and potential mechanism of cornuside on diabetic nephropathy （DN） model mice. METHODS Male KK-Ay mice were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet for two weeks to reproduce the DN model. The successfully modeled mice were randomly grouped into model group， aminoguanidine group （positive control，100 mg/kg） and cornuside group （100 mg/kg）， and male C57BL/6J mice were included as normal group， with 6 mice in each group. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically， and normal group and model group were given a constant volume of normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. The levels of fasting blood glucose （FBG）， 24 h urinary protein， serum interleukin-12 （IL-12）， IL-10， blood urea nitrogen （BUN） and serum creatinine （Scr） were detected； the pathological injury， fibrotic change and glomerular microstructure of renal tissue were observed； the expressions of the receptor of advanced glycation end products （RAGE）， collagen type Ⅳ （COL-Ⅳ） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） in renal cortex were detected in each group. RESULTS Compared with normal group， the renal cortex of mice in model group showed obvious inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrotic changes； the mesangial hyperplasia of glomerulus was serious and the basement membrane had a large number of irregular dark dense deposits； the levels of FBG and 24 h urinary protein， the serum levels of IL- 12， BUN and Scr， and the expression levels of RAGE， COL-Ⅳ and iNOS in the renal cortex were significantly increased， while the serum level of IL-10 was significantly decreased （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the renal pathological injuries， fibrotic changes and glomerular microstructure of mice in administration groups were improved significantly， and the above quantitative indexes were generally improved （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Cornuside has a certain protective effect on DN model mice. It can inhibit the inflammatory response， reduce urinary protein excretion， and alleviate renal fibrosis， which may be related to the inhibition of the advanced glycation end products/RAGE signaling pathway.

Background::Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a severe and acute cardiovascular syndrome with high mortality among patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs). Accurate prediction and timely intervention play a pivotal role in enhancing survival rates. However, there is a notable scarcity of practical early prediction and risk assessment systems of PE in patients with AIIRD.Methods::In the training cohort, 60 AIIRD with PE cases and 180 age-, gender-, and disease-matched AIIRD non-PE cases were identified from 7254 AIIRD cases in Tongji Hospital from 2014 to 2022. Univariable logistic regression (LR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to select the clinical features for further training with machine learning (ML) methods, including random forest (RF), support vector machines (SVM), neural network (NN), logistic regression (LR), gradient boosted decision tree (GBDT), classification and regression trees (CART), and C5.0 models. The performances of these models were subsequently validated using a multicenter validation cohort.Results::In the training cohort, 24 and 13 clinical features were selected by univariable LR and LASSO strategies, respectively. The five ML models (RF, SVM, NN, LR, and GBDT) showed promising performances, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.962-1.000 in the training cohort and 0.969-0.999 in the validation cohort. CART and C5.0 models achieved AUCs of 0.850 and 0.932, respectively, in the training cohort. Using D-dimer as a pre-screening index, the refined C5.0 model achieved an AUC exceeding 0.948 in the training cohort and an AUC above 0.925 in the validation cohort. These results markedly outperformed the use of D-dimer levels alone.Conclusion::ML-based models are proven to be precise for predicting the onset of PE in patients with AIIRD exhibiting clinical suspicion of PE.Trial Registration::Chictr.org.cn: ChiCTR2200059599.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child with multiple malformations. METHODS: A child who had presented at Shanxi Provincial Children's Hospital in February 2021 was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient was collected, and whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out to screen pathogenic variants associated with the phenotype. Candidate variant was validated by Sanger sequencing of her family members. RESULTS: The child had normal skin, but right ear defect, hemivertebral deformity, ventricular septal defect, arterial duct and patent foramen ovale, and separation of collecting system of the left kidney. Cranial MRI showed irregular enlargement of bilateral ventricles and widening of the distance between the cerebral cortex and temporal meninges. Genetic testing revealed that she has harbored a heterozygous variant of NM_178014.4: c.217A>G (p.Met73Val) in the TUBB gene, which was unreported previously and predicted to be likely pathogenic based on the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). The child was diagnosed with Complex cortical dysplasia with other brain malformations 6 (CDCBM6). CONCLUSION CDCBM is a rare and serious disease with great genetic heterogeneity, and CDCBM6 caused by mutations of the TUBB gene is even rarer. Above finding has enriched the variant and phenotypic spectrum of the TUBB gene, and provided important reference for summarizing the genotype-phenotype correlation of the CDCBM6.
Humans ; Child ; Female ; Abnormalities, Multiple ; Blood Group Antigens ; Family ; Malformations of Cortical Development/genetics* ; Brain ; Mutation

Objective:To investigate the effect of using two different input functions to reconstruct 18F-FDG PET/CT Patlak multi-parameter images on the quantitative parameters of lung cancer lesions. Methods:The original whole-body dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT scan data of lung cancer patients in the Department of Nuclear Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. The total scan time was 75 min. Two input functions were used for Patlak multi-parameter reconstruction: ① Image-derived input function(IDIF)using the Time-activity curve(TAC)of descending aorta from 0 min to 75 min. ② Population-based input function (PBIF) developed by Yale University. Metabolic rate of FDG (MR FDG) and Distribution volume (DV) images were obtained by Patlak multi-parameter analysis software using the above input functions. The region of interest (ROI) method was used to delineate the lesions to obtain multi-parameter quantitative information, including the max, peak and mean value of MR FDG and DV. Paired t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results:The original data of 27 lung cancer patients who received whole-body dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging were reconstructed by Patlak with two different input functions. The max, peak and mean values of MR FDG-IDIF and MR FDG-PBIF in lung cancer lesions were as follows: (0.26 ± 0.15), (0.19 ± 0.12), (0.14 ± 0.08)μmol·min -1·ml -1 and (0.26 ± 0.15), ( 0.20 ± 0.13), (0.15 ± 0.09)μmol·min -1·ml -1, with no statistically significant difference between two functions( P > 0.05). The max, peak and mean values of DV IDIF and DV PBIF were (165.56 ± 99.89)%, (117.66 ± 72.24)%, (62.16 ± 33.65)% and(170.04 ± 103.93)%, (121.91 ± 73.71)%, (65.05 ± 37.17)%, with no statistically significant difference between two functions ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:The population-based input function may be an alternative for patients who could not lie supine for long time during whole-body dynamic 18F-FDG PET/CT Patlak multi-parameter imaging.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of glucocorticoid sinus stents implanted 2 weeks after functional endoscopic sinus surgery（FESS） for the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps（CRSwNP）. Methods:CRSwNP patients with similar bilateral lesions were randomly divided into two groups, with a stent group of 25 patients and a control group of 24 patients. Patients in the stent group had glucocorticoid sinus stents implanted into the bilateral ethmoid sinuses 2 weeks after FESS, while the control group underwent postoperative debridement only. Follow-up assessments occurred at postoperative weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. Patients were asked to assess their sensation of nasal symptoms using a 10-point visual analog scale. Efficacy was assessed by endoscopic evaluations. Sinus obstruction, crusting/coagulation, polyp formation, middle turbinate position, adhesions, mucosa epithelialization, and postoperative intervention were assessed as efficacy outcomes. GraphPad Prism 9 was applied for statistical analysis. Results:At 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively, the stent group showed significant improvement in VAS scores of nasal congestion and runny nose compared with the control group（P<0.05）. No significant difference was observed in the VAS scores of head and facial stuffiness, loss of smell, or nasal dryness/crusting between the two groups（P>0.05）. Compared with the control group, the stent group had a lower rate of polypoid formation at 4, 8, and 12 weeks postoperatively. At postoperative week 12, the rate of mucosal epithelialization in the ethmoid cavity was significantly higher in the stent group. During the follow-up, the frequency of postoperative intervention was significantly lower in the stent group than in the control group（P<0.05）. Besides, a lower incidence of middle turbinate lateralization was found in the stent group at 8 and 12 weeks postoperatively. At 8 weeks postoperatively, the stent group had a percentage of adhesion lower than that of the control group（all P<0.05）. Conclusion:Implantation of glucocorticoid sinus stents after FESS can maintain sinus cavity patency, improve the inflammatory status of the operative cavity, reduce postoperative interventions, and promote benign regression of the operative cavity.
Humans ; Nasal Polyps/surgery* ; Ethmoid Sinus/surgery* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Rhinitis/surgery* ; Sinusitis/surgery* ; Paranasal Sinuses/surgery* ; Endoscopy ; Stents ; Chronic Disease ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of Liuling Jiedu Pills on acute pharyngitis caused by Staphylococcus aureus in rats.Methods The rat model of acute pharyngitis was replicated using the method of injecting 1×109 CFU·mL-1 of Staphylococcus aureus solution into the pharynx of rats.SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group,a model group,a Lanqin Oral Solution group(5 mL·kg-1),and a low-,medium-,and high-dose group of Liuling Jiedu Pills(4.375,8.750,and 17.500 mg·kg-1),with 10 rats in each group.Rats in each group were administered the drug by gavage once a day for 7 days.The general conditions of the rats were observed and recorded every day during the modeling and drug administration periods,and the local inflammation in the pharynx was scored;histopathological changes in the pharynx of the rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining;serum interleukin 1β(IL-1β),interleukin 6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by ELISA.Immunohistochemistry and Western Blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in rat pharyngeal tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,rats in the model group had significantly increased pharyngeal erythema,significantly higher inflammation scores(P＜0.01),significantly lower body mass on days 5-7 after modeling(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),significantly higher pathological scores(P＜0.01),significantly higher levels of the serum inflammatory factors IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α(P＜0.01),and significantly higher pharyngeal tissues showed significantly higher levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α proteins(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the pharyngeal erythema was significantly reduced in the Lanqin Oral Solution group and the low-,medium-and high-dose groups of Liuling Jiedu Pills,and the inflammation scores were significantly reduced(P＜0.01),and the serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α were significantly reduced(P＜0.01);the body mass of the rats in the Lanqin Oral Solution group,and in the medium-and high-dose groups of Liuling Jiedu Pills,were significantly increased on the seventh day of the modeling(P＜0.01);the histopathological scores and the levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α proteins in pharyngeal tissue were significantly decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Liuling Jiedu Pills can significantly improve the symptoms and inflammatory pathological changes of pharyngeal tissues in rats with acute pharyngitis,and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the expression levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α.

Perinatal depression, one of the most common complications in the perinatal period, has a significant impact on the physical and mental health of mothers and children.At present, it is difficult to diagnose perinatal depression at an early stage, so objective and effective biomarkers are of great significance for the early detection and treatment of perinatal depression. In recent years, the exploration of biomarkers for early diagnosis of perinatal depression has become a hot research topic, mainly in sex hormones, neuroendocrine-related hormones, immuno-inflammatory molecules, genetics, and epigenetics.This article reviews the research progress of the biomarkers of perinatal depression in recent years.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of comprehensive rehabilitation nursing based on guided education and training on rehabilitation treatment in school-age children with drug-resistant epilepsy undergoing epileptogenic focus resection.Methods:Fifty movement disorders school-age children with drug-resistant epilepsy undergoing epileptogenic focus resection in Institute of Functional Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2017 to December 2019 were enrolled in this study. The child patients were divided into the control group and the observation group according to the order of admission, with 25 cases in each group, and the control group was from January 2017 to June 2018 while the observation group was from July 2018 to December 2019. In the control group, routine nursing after epileptogenic focus resection and functional exercise were conducted. The observation group was treated with comprehensive rehabilitation nursing based on guided education and training. On the third day after operation, the day of discharge respectively, the motor function and activity of daily living of the two groups were evaluated. The satisfaction of children′s parents on nursing was compared between the two groups.Results:The scores of motor function on the third day after operation and the day of discharge were (57.0 ± 6.8), (73.0 ± 5.4) points respectively in the observation group, and those in the control group were (55.0 ± 5.6), (65.6 ± 5.9) points. There were significant differences intra group comparison ( t=-9.26, -6.48, both P<0.05). The activity of daily living scores on the third day after operation and the day of discharge were (45.2 ± 5.9), (74.2 ± 8.3) points respectively in the observation group, and those in the control group were (44.0 ± 5.8), (60.2 ± 7.6) points. There were significant differences intra group comparison ( t=-14.33, -8.51, both P<0.05). There were significant differences between the scores of motor function and the ability of daily living scores on the day of discharge in the observation group and the control group ( t values were -4.65, -6.25, both P<0.05). The satisfaction of children′s parents on nursing in the observation group and the control group were 96.0% (24/25), 72.0% (18/25) respectively. There was significant difference between the two groups ( χ 2=8.78, P<0.05). Conclusions:Rehabilitation nursing based on guided education and training can improve motor function and ability of daily living in movement disorders school-age children with drug-resistant epilepsy undergoing epileptogenic focus resection, promote the functional recovery of children after surgery and increase the satisfaction of children′s parents on nursing.

Objective:To investigate the value of 18F-FDG total-body PET/CT dynamic imaging in evaluating the efficacy of early radiotherapy for MDA-MB-231 breast cancer bearing nude mice. Methods:MDA-MB-231 breast cancer bearing nude mice were established and divided into control group and radiotherapy group based on the random number table method ( n=10 for each group). 18F-FDG total-body PET/CT dynamic imaging was performed before and after the radiotherapy. The SUV max and the maximum tracer uptake net influx constant ( Kimax) of tumors, and the target-to-background ratio (TBR) were calculated. The change of tumor volume was recorded. The value of 18F-FDG total-body PET/CT dynamic imaging in evaluating the efficacy of radiotherapy was accessed using pathological findings as the reference. Paired t test, independent-sample t test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for data analysis. Results:After radiotherapy, SUV max and Kimax(4.66±0.46 and 0.14±0.03) were reduced in the radiotherapy group compared with those before radiotherapy (5.30±0.52 and 0.19±0.03; t values: 4.61, 8.31, P values: 0.001, <0.001), while the SUV max (5.94±0.74 vs 5.24±0.50) and Kimax (0.23±0.03 vs 0.19±0.02) were increased compared with baseline in the control group ( t values: 4.77, 6.87, P values: 0.001, <0.001). TBR Ki was significantly higher than TBR suv based on all images of the 2 groups (14.11±5.58 vs 5.91±1.60; t=8.92, P<0.001). The tumor volume in the radiotherapy group decreased compared with that before radiotherapy, but the difference was not statistically significant ((0.74±0.12) vs (0.81±0.08) cm 3; t=2.24, P=0.052). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that glucose transport protein (Glut)1 was highly expressed in tumors, and the Glut1 positive cell percentage of the radiotherapy group was significantly lower than that of the control group ((38.30±6.18)% vs (69.78±5.37)%; t=12.17, P<0.001). The expression of Glut1 was significantly positively correlated with SUV max and Kimax(the control group: rsuv=0.75, P=0.012; rKi=0.77, P=0.010; the radiotherapy group: rsuv=0.67, P=0.035; rKi=0.77, P=0.010). The apoptosis index (AI) of tumor cells in the radiotherapy group was higher than that in the control group ((24.15±4.00)% vs (10.15±3.05)%; t=8.85, P<0.001). Conclusion:18F-FDG total-body PET/CT dynamic imaging can sensitively monitor the effect of early radiotherapy in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer bearing nude mice.

Abstract: To investigate the value of whole-body dynamic18F-flurodeoxygluse positron emission tomography with computed tomography(18F-FDG PET/CT) Patlak imaging for evaluating the radiosensitization early efficacy in C6 rat glioma. Methods: Twenty-four C6 rat glioma models were established and randomly divided into control group, Oleanolic acid(OA) group, radiotherapy group and OA+radiotherapy group, with 6 rats in each group. 75 min whole-body dynamic18F-FDG PET/CT Patlak imaging was performed before and 48 h after treatment. The left ventricular time-activity curve(TAC) of tumor-bearing rats was used as input function for Patlak analysis to obtain Ki images. The last frame of the dynamic PET scan was selected for static analysis, and the changes of maximum standardized uptake value(SUVmax), Ki values and tumor volume were observed, and the survival time of tumor-bearing rats was recorded. Then, the tumor samples were dissected for Ki-67 and glucose transporter-1(GLUT-1) immunohistochemical staining. Results: Before treatment, there were no significant differences in SUVmaxand Ki values among the 4 groups(F=0.909, 0.858,P>0.05). 48 h after treatment, SUVmaxand Ki values of control group and OA group increased significantly(t=-10.697,-17.516,P<0.01;t=-19.321,-9.887,P<0.01), SUVmaxand Ki values of radiotherapy group and OA+radiotherapy group decreased(t=5.629, 6.916,P<0.01;t=7.241, 10.490,P<0.01), there was no significant difference in SUVmaxbetween radiotherapy group and OA+radiotherapy group 48 h after treatment(t=1.233,P=0.246), while the Ki values in OA+radiotherapy group was significantly lower than that in radiotherapy group, the difference was statistically significant(t=3.051,P<0.05). The immunohistochemistry staining results suggested that the expression of Ki-67 and GLUT-1 in OA+radiotherapy group was lower than that in the other 3 groups(F=63.887, 40.720,P<0.05). In addition, Ki values showed positive correlations with the expression of Ki-67 and GLUT-1(r=0.931, 0.936,P<0.01). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the survival time of tumor-bearing rat in OA+radiotherapy group was longer than that in the other three groups, and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=19.817,P<0.01). Conclusion OA has radiosensitization effect on C6 rat glioma. Whole-body dynamic18F-FDG PET/CT Patlak multi-parameter imaging can evaluate the radiosensitization early efficacy in C6 rat glioma, which is more sensitive than PET/CT static imaging.