ObjectiveTo observe the effect of earthworm protein on the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （PI3K/Akt/Nrf2） pathway in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR） and explore mechanism of earthworm protein in treating hypertensive vascular endothelial dysfunction （VED）. MethodTen 10-week-old Wistar Kyoto （WKY） rats and fifty SHR rats were selected for a week of adaptive feeding. WKY rats were selected as the normal group， and fifty SHR rats were randomized according to body weight into model， valsartan （8×10^-3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （0.2， 0.1， 0.05 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） earthworm protein groups. The normal and model groups were administrated with equal volume of double distilled water by gavage. During the drug intervention period， the general situations of rats in each group were observed and their blood pressure was monitored at specific time points every other week before and after administration. After 8 weeks of drug intervention， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of angiotensin-Ⅱ （Ang-Ⅱ） and endothelin-1 （ET-1） in the serum of rats in each group. The corresponding kits were used to determine the levels of nitric oxide （NO）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the changes in the intima of the aorta. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to measure the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， Nrf2， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） in the aortic tissue. Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the thoracic aorta. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group had decreased body mass， increased irritability， severe endothelial damage， elevated blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， lowered NO level （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the aortic tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， drug intervention caused no significant change in the body mass， calmed the rats， alleviated the endothelial damage， lowered blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， elevated the NO level （P<0.05）， and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe earthworm protein can exert antihypertensive effects by ameliorating VED in SHR. Specifically， it may regulate the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress and ferroptosis.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Tiaogan Lifei Decoction on the level of symptom control in patients with bronchial asthma (asthma) treated with moderate and high dosage inhaled glucocorticoids (ICS).Methods:Randomized double-blind placebo controlled prospective study was used. Totally 90 patients with asthma (liver lung disharmony, wind phlegm blocking collateral syndrome) using moderate and high dosage ICS who met the inclusion criteria from January 2020 to December 2021 in Chaoyang District Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Beijing were divided into two groups according to random number table method, with 45 cases in each group. On the basis of using the original dosage of ICS, the treatment group used Tiaogan Lifei Decoction, while the control group used Tiaogan Lifei Decoction simulant. The course of treatment was 12 weeks. TCM symptom score of both group before and after the treatment was detected; asthma control test (ACT) was used to assess the effects of asthma on the patients; St George's Hospital Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) was used to assess patients' quality of life; the peak expiratory flow rate (PEF) was measured with a peak expiratory flow meter. 2 ml of venous blood was collected for eosinophil (EOS) detection, and the serum allergen specific IgE level was determined by ELISA. The adverse reactions were observed during the treatment and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.Results:During the test, 3 cases and 2 cases in the treatment group and control group lost prevention respectively. 3 cases in the treatment group and 6 cases in the control group withdrew from the trial because of the aggravation of symptoms and the need to increase the dosage of ICS. The total effective rate in the treatment group was 78.6% (33/42), and that in the control group was 55.8% (24/43), with statistical significance ( χ2=4.98, P=0.026). After treatment, the scores of daily activities, early awakening, control and total scores in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group ( t values were 1.76, 1.99, 2.00, 2.69, respectively, P<0.01 or P<0.05); after treatment, the scores of cough, chest tightness, active wheezing, upset, pharyngeal itch and total score in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group ( t values were -5.89, -6.01, -5.66, -4.27, -6.67, -9.05, respectively, P<0.01); SGRQ score in the treatment group was lower than that of the control group ( t=-7.19, P<0.01). No serious adverse reactions occurred during treatment in the two groups. Conclusion:Tiaogan Lifei Decoction is helpful to improve the symptom control level of asthma patients who are using ICS, and effectively improve the quality of life of patients with asthma of liver lung disharmony and wind phlegm obstructing collaterals syndrome.

【Objective】 To detect the anti-SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody levels in convalescent plasma (CP) and to evaluate whether it has specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 S antigen effect, so as to provide laboratory data support for clinical use of CP. 【Methods】 Nine CP donors who have recovered from COVID-19 were studied, and 4 volunteers who completed the vaccination and 3 asymptomatic infected blood donors were compared. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies including total antibody, IgM and IgG were measured by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassays (CMIA) test in three groups. The VSV pseudovirus-based neutralization assay for evaluating neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 was carried out in all samples. 【Results】 All samples were tested positive by the total antibody and IgG CMIA in COVID-19 CP donors and recipients of inactivated COVID-19 vaccine. High titers of IgG were observed in CP donors and vaccine recipients compared with asymptomatic blood donors. All vaccine recipients and 8 of 9 CP donors tested positive by SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus-based neutralization test, whereas all asymptomatic blood donors tested negative. 【Conclusion】 The levels and characteristics of neutralizing antibodies among COVID-19 CP donors, vaccine recipients and asymptomatic blood donors were different. When unable to implement the pseudovirus assay to measure neutralizing antibodies, the detection of total antibody can be considered instead.

【Objective】 To estimate the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among blood donors during the COVID-19 outbreak, in order to provide reference for formulating coping strategies. 【Methods】 A total of 3 623 samples of healthy blood donors in Xi′an from January 1 to June 14, 2020 were collected and tested by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassays(CMIA). The correlation between the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Xi′an and the monthly prevalence trend of SARS-CoV-2 antibody in Xi′an was also studied. 【Results】 Among the 3 623 blood donors, 3 were reactive by CMIA, with the seroprevalence rate of SARS-CoV-2 at 0.083%(95%CI: 0.00, 0.18). The earliest yielding of SARS-CoV-2 in Xi′an was in February 4, 2020. 【Conclusion】 The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence rate in Xi′an is low, which is in line with the local prevalence status. It is suggested that serological detection of blood donors is a way to monitor the prevalence of COVID-19.

Objective:To explore the application value of primary trauma treatment (PTC) teaching mode in special professional cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guide training.Methods:Cluster sampling method was adopted, and the residents' committee selected special occupation population from every town/sub-district office in the southern mountainous area of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region for CPR training. A monthly session was held from January to December 2019, with personnel trained by traditional operation teaching and individual practice method from January to June 2019 as the control group and personnel trained by PTC teaching mode from July to December 2019 as the observation group. The two groups of trainers, training objectives and assessment standards were consistent. Questionnaire survey was conducted at the beginning and end of each training period, including the degree of mastery of first-aid knowledge and skills and the level of self-efficacy, etc., to evaluate the training effect.Results:There were 503 trainees in each group, and there was no significant difference in gender, age, education and occupation distribution between the two groups. There was no significant difference in the first aid principles, CPR skill level and self-efficacy between the two groups before the training. The first aid principle, CPR skills level and self-efficacy of the two groups after training were all improved, and the principle of first aid and CPR skills level in the observation group was obviously higher than that in the control group (first aid related concepts: 4.39±0.76 vs. 3.87±0.89, gold life-saving time: 5.71±0.49 vs. 4.53±0.62, the meaning of the first witnesses: 5.33±0.82 vs. 4.18±0.78, cardiac, respiratory cardiac arrest in the judgment: 5.12±0.73 vs. 4.07±0.73, CPR skills: 5.29±0.64 vs. 4.15±0.71, all P < 0.05). The self-efficacy score of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group (emergency attitude: 18.17±1.24 vs. 17.35±1.25, self-efficacy: 13.56±1.54 vs. 11.35±1.26, behavioral intention: 9.56±0.84 vs. 8.92±0.95, all P < 0.05). Conclusion:The application of PTC teaching mode in the training of CPR guidelines for special professions has significant effects, which can effectively help special professions to master CPR knowledge and skills, and has promotion value.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of two pedigrees affected with congenital arthrogryposis. METHODS: Whole exome sequencing (WES) was used to screen potential variations in the proband. Suspected variations were analyzed with bioinformatics software and validated by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: A heterozygous c.1123G>A (p.Glu375Lys) variation was detected in the proband and an affected fetus from pedigree 1, while a de novo heterozygous c.118 G>A (p.Val40Met) variation was detected in an affected fetus from pedigree 2. CONCLUSION The two heterozygous variations of the MYH3 gene probably underlie the disease in the pedigrees. Above results have facilitated genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis.
Arthrogryposis ; Cytoskeletal Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Whole Exome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To analyze variant of SGCA gene in a Chinese pedigree affected with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2D with whole exome sequencing (WGS). METHODS: Multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) was employed to detect large fragment deletion or duplication of the DMD gene. FastTarget next generation sequencing was used to detect variants of the DMD gene, and the result was verified by Sanger sequencing. After excluding the diagnosis of DMD for the proband, WGS was applied to test the proband and his parents. Suspected pathogenic variants were validated by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: No variant, deletion or duplication of the DMD gene was detected. Whole exome sequencing showed that the proband has carried compound heterozygous missense variants c.409G>A (p.Glu137Lys) and c.409G>C (p.Glu137Gln) in exon 5 of the SGCA gene, which were respectively inherited from his mother and father. Neither variant was found in DNA derived from the cord blood sample. CONCLUSION The c.409G>A (p.Glu137Lys) and c.409G>C (p.Glu137Gln) compound heterozygous missense variants probably underlie the disease in the proband. Above finding has facilitated genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for the family.
Exons ; Female ; Humans ; Muscular Dystrophies, Limb-Girdle ; Pedigree ; Pregnancy

Objective To investigate the predictive value of metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) calculated from 18F-FDG PET-CT results for postoperative recurrence and prognosis in patients with resectable pancreatic cancer. Methods From may 2009 to December 2015, 30 patients with pancreatic cancer who underwent curative resection after PET-CT examination were enrolled, and the clinic pathological data and 18F-FDG PET-CT data were retrospectively analyzed. The prognostic value of SUVmax, SUVmean, MTV, TLG and other prognosis factors were analyzed. Results In 30 patients with pancreatic cancer, preoperative 18F-FDG PET-CT detected all primary lesion (10 0%). 29 patients were recurrence or metastasis, and 26 patients were died with median of 17.8 months (2.6-39.6 months) follow-up. The median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 6.5 months and the median overall survival (OS) time was 11.6 months. The multivariate analysis revealed the histological differentiation and MTV were the independent influencing factors for PFS (both P<0.05). The lymph node metastasis, MTV and TLG were the independent influencing factors for OS (all P<0.05). Conclusion The MTV and TLG of PET-CT may be predicting the recurrence and survival of patients with pancreatic cancer after curative resection, suggesting that it can be used to guide the individual treatment.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of acupuncture on neuromuscular block of vecuronium and analgesia under general anesthesia.MethodsNinety ASA Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients,aged 29-80 yr,weighing 50-80kg,scheduled for laparoscopic chotecystectomy,were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =30 each):acupuncture at acupoints combined with general anesthesia group (group A),acupuncture at non-acupoints combined with general anesthesia group (group B) and general anesthesia group (group C).Bilateral Hegu (LI4),Neiguan (PC6),Zusanli (ST36),yanglingquan (GB34),and Quchi (LI11) acupoints were selected in group A.In group B,the points adopted were the midpoints between the meridians in which the acupoints were selected in group A and the adjacent meridians on the lateral side,at the level of selected meridian points correspondingly.Electric stimulation was started from 15-30 min before anesthesia induction and continued until the end of operation.Anesthesia was induced with iv injection of fentanyl,propofol and vecuronium and maintained with intermittent iv boluses of fentanyl and vecuronium.All the patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia after operation.The effect time,onset time,clinical duration and recovery index of vecuronium,consumption of anesthetics during operation,and consumption of fentanyl for postoperative analgesia and postoperative adverse reactions were recorded.Results Compared with group C,the elinical duration was significantly prolonged,the consumption of anesthetics during operation and consumption of fentanyl for postoperative analgesia were significantly reduced,and the incidence of nausea was significantly decreased ( P ＜ 0.05 ),while no significant changed was found in the effect time,onset time,and recovery index in group A ( P ＞ 0.05).Compared with group B,the amount of fentanyl consumed during and after operation was significantly reduced in group A ( P ＜ 0.05 ).ConclusionAcupuncture can prolong the clinical duration of vecuronium,and enhance the analgesic efficacy during and after operation under general anesthesia.

Objective To investigate acute CT radiation injury on rabbit liver after the whole body CT scans with high-dose abdominal CT scan model.Methods The forty-six New Zealand white rabbits were randomly assigned into 3 groups.High-dose CT scanning groups included one-off CT scanning group(group 1)and repeated CT scanning group (group 2)with high-dose abdominal CT scan modes,and 18 rabbits in each group.The other two groups were routine-dose CT scanning group(n=5)and control group(n=5).Rats in both group 1 and 2 were divided into 6 subgroups(n= 3).Four to twenty-four times of continuous or discontinuous CT scans with 240 mAs and 140 Kv were performed on every rabbit.The liver samples of every animal were eoUected at 48 h or 24 h after CT scans and pathological examination and immunohistochemistry assay of Cpp32 and Bax expression were performed.Results(1)Light microscope showed①in group 1,slight hepatic injury occurred at 6 times of continuous CT scanning;after 6～18 times of continuous CT scanning,hepatocytes were slight swelling at first,followed by hydropic or fatty degeneration,constriction or emphraxis of hepatic sinuses,puncture necrosis of hepatocytes,and local hepatic hemorrhage;②in group 2:slight hepatic injury occurred at 8 times of CT scanning,and after 8～24 times of CT scanning,hepatocytes were slight or mild swelling at first,followed by moderate or diffuse swelling,hydropic degeneration,and dispersed karyopyknosis of hepatocytes near central vein.(2)Immunohistochemistry assay showed:①in group 1,positive expressions of the apoptosis-inducing protein Bax and Cpp32 were observed in part of liver samples,the expressions of Bax and Cpp32 were correlated with CT radiation dose;②in group 2,positive expressions of the apoptosis-inducing protein Bax and Cpp32 were found in every subgroup,but the expression was not correlated with CT scan times.(3)The hepatic tissues of routine-dose CT scanning group were normal under the light microscope and immunohistochemistry assay.Conclusion Routine-dose CT scanning on liver is very safe,but high-dose CT scanning with non-routine scan times may cause acute pathological hepatic injury and hepatocyte apoptosis.