OBJECTIVE To explore the in vitro and in vivo inhibitory effects and mechanism of metformin on the malignant biological behavior of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma （ESCC） cells by the hypoxia inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）/interleukin-8 （IL-8） signaling pathway. METHODS Human ESCC TE1 cells were assigned into blank group， metformin low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.5， 1， 2 mmol/L）， IDF-11774 （HIF-1α inhibitor） group （20 μmol/L）， and high-dose metformin+HIF-1α activator dimethyloxalylglycine （DMOG） group. After 24 h treatment， cell proliferation [measured by the positive rate of 5-ethynyl- 2′-deoxyuridine （EdU） and optical density at 450 nm （OD450 value）]， apoptosis， invasion and migration as well as mRNA expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA）， Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death （Bim）， migration and invasion enhancer 1 （MIEN1）， and matrix metalloproteinase-9 （MMP-9）， and protein expressions of HIF-1α and IL-8 in the cells were detected. The xenograft tumor model of nude mice was established. Thirty nude mice were randomly divided into blank group， metformin low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （i.g. administration of metformin 62.5， 125， 250 mg/kg+i.p. administration of equal volume of normal saline）， IDF-11774 group （i.g. administration of 50 mg/kg IDF-11774+i.p. administration of equal volume of normal saline） and high-dose metformin+DMOG group （i.g. administration of metformin 250 mg/kg+i.p. administration of DMOG 250 mg/kg）， with 5 mice in each group. They were given relevant medicine， once a day， for 4 consecutive weeks； the mass and volume of the tumor and protein expressions of HIF-1α and IL-8 in the tumor tissue were determined. RESULTS The EdU positive rate， OD450 value， cell invasion number， scratch healing rate， mRNA expressions of PCNA， MIEN1 and MMP-9， protein expressions of HIF-1α and IL-8， as well as the mass and volume of transplanted tumors and protein expressions of HIF-1α and IL-8 in tumor tissues were decreased by metformin in concentration/dose-dependent manner （P＜0.05）. Additionally，metformin increased the apoptosis rate and mRNA expression of Bim in cells （P＜0.05）. The trend of changes in corresponding indicators in the IDF-11774 group was consistent with that in the metformin groups， whereas DMOG could significantly attenuate the aforementioned effects of high-concentration/high-dose metformin （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Metformin can inhibit the proliferation， invasion， migration of TE1 cells， and tumor growth of nude mice， and induce cell apoptosis， the mechanism of which may be related to the inhibition of HIF-1α/IL-8 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of combined use of artificial bone materials in percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF).Methods:One hundred and eighty-four consecutive patients with OVCF admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from June 2020 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients had single-level fracture and treated with PVP. According to whether artificial bone materials were used, the patients were divided into experimental group ( n=95) and control group ( n=89). The experimental group was treated with bone cement mixed with artificial bone materials, and the control group was treated with bone cement. The following indices were observed in the two groups before surgery and at 3 days, 3 months, 12 months (final follow-up) after surgery: visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Oswestry disability index (ODI), Cobb angle of kyphosis, and the percentage of anterior vertebral height, the amount of bone cement injected, postoperative complications and adjacent vertebral fractures were recorded. Measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and t-test was used for comparison between groups; Chi- test was used for comparison between groups for count data. Results:All patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for 12-20 months, with a mean follow-up of (14.24±2.51) months. The VAS score at 3 days, 3 months after operation and final follow-up (experimental group: 2.00±0.71, 1.89±0.71, 1.41±0.49; control group: 2.13±0.73, 1.81±0.60, 1.44±0.50) and ODI index at 3 months after operation and the final follow-up [experimental group: (21.56±4.68)%, (23.22±4.11)%; control group: (22.46±3.74)%, (22.39±4.05)%] were significantly improved compared with those before operation [VAS, experimental group: 7.66±0.86, control group: 7.81±0.89; ODI, experimental group: (70.11±8.24)%, control group: (68.97±8.59)%], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the amount of bone cement injected between the two groups ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the Cobb angle of kyphosis and the percentage of anterior vertebral height at each time point ( P>0.05). The incidence of bone cement leakage in the experimental group was 15.8% (15/95), slightly lower than that in the control group [22.5% (20/89)], but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). As of the final follow-up, the incidence of adjacent vertebral fracture in the experimental group was 8.4% (8/95), which was lower than that in the control group (19.1%, 17/89), and the difference was statistically significant ( P< 0.05). Conclusion:The application of bone cement mixed with artificial bone materials in PVP for OVCF, can achieve good clinical efficacy, and reduce the incidence of adjacent vertebral fractures.

Bacterial biofilms gave rise to persistent infections and multi-organ failure, thereby posing a serious threat to human health. Biofilms were formed by cross-linking of hydrophobic extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), such as proteins, polysaccharides, and eDNA, which were synthesized by bacteria themselves after adhesion and colonization on biological surfaces. They had the characteristics of dense structure, high adhesiveness and low drug permeability, and had been found in many human organs or tissues, such as the brain, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and skeleton. By releasing pro-inflammatory bacterial metabolites including endotoxins, exotoxins and interleukin, biofilms stimulated the body’s immune system to secrete inflammatory factors. These factors triggered local inflammation and chronic infections. Those were the key reason for the failure of traditional clinical drug therapy for infectious diseases.In order to cope with the increasingly severe drug-resistant infections, it was urgent to develop new therapeutic strategies for bacterial-biofilm eradication and anti-bacterial infections. Based on the nanoscale structure and biocompatible activity, nanobiomaterials had the advantages of specific targeting, intelligent delivery, high drug loading and low toxicity, which could realize efficient intervention and precise treatment of drug-resistant bacterial biofilms. This paper highlighted multiple strategies of biofilms eradication based on nanobiomaterials. For example, nanobiomaterials combined with EPS degrading enzymes could be used for targeted hydrolysis of bacterial biofilms, and effectively increased the drug enrichment within biofilms. By loading quorum sensing inhibitors, nanotechnology was also an effective strategy for eradicating bacterial biofilms and recovering the infectious symptoms. Nanobiomaterials could intervene the bacterial metabolism and break the bacterial survival homeostasis by blocking the uptake of nutrients. Moreover, energy-driven micro-nano robotics had shown excellent performance in active delivery and biofilm eradication. Micro-nano robots could penetrate physiological barriers by exogenous or endogenous driving modes such as by biological or chemical methods, ultrasound, and magnetic field, and deliver drugs to the infection sites accurately. Achieving this using conventional drugs was difficult. Overall, the paper described the biological properties and drug-resistant molecular mechanisms of bacterial biofilms, and highlighted therapeutic strategies from different perspectives by nanobiomaterials, such as dispersing bacterial mature biofilms, blocking quorum sensing, inhibiting bacterial metabolism, and energy driving penetration. In addition, we presented the key challenges still faced by nanobiomaterials in combating bacterial biofilm infections. Firstly, the dense structure of EPS caused biofilms spatial heterogeneity and metabolic heterogeneity, which created exacting requirements for the design, construction and preparation process of nanobiomaterials. Secondly, biofilm disruption carried the risk of spread and infection the pathogenic bacteria, which might lead to other infections. Finally, we emphasized the role of nanobiomaterials in the development trends and translational prospects in biofilm treatment.

BACKGROUND:Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes may play a crucial role in tissue damage repair,and miRNA is an important component of exosomes for therapeutic effects.Among them,miR-29b-3p has the effect of reducing cell apoptosis,promoting axonal regeneration,and angiogenesis. OBJECTIVE:To study the protective effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome via miR-29b-3p on a neural cell injury model simulated by H2O2-treated PC12 cells,and explore the relevant mechanisms. METHODS:(1)First,the collagenase digestion method was used to extract rat adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were transfected with miR-29b-3p mimics and inhibitors.Exosomes were extracted from the culture supernatant by ultracentrifugation and identified so as to construct adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes with high expression and knockdown miR-29b-3p.(2)By constructing a neural cell injury model simulated by PC12 cells treated with H2O2,the relevant mechanisms of the protective effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome via miR-29b-3p on the simulated neuronal cell injury model were studied. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome had a typical cup-shaped shape and a diameter distribution in the range of 50-140 nm,expressed membrane proteins Alix,CD63,and TSG101,which were specific markers on the surface of exosomes,and could be successfully ingested by PC12 cells.(2)Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome pretreatment could reduce cell apoptosis induced by H2O2 treatment in PC12 cells,and this protective effect was enhanced with the increase of miR-29b-3p expression in the exosomes and weakened with the decrease of miR-29b-3p expression in the exosomes.The mechanism of its effect was related to adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome via miR-29b-3p promoting the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and inhibiting the expression of apoptotic protein Bax.

Humans ; Aged ; Lung Diseases ; Pneumonia/drug therapy* ; Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/drug therapy* ; Administration, Inhalation ; Community-Acquired Infections/drug therapy*

To explore the ultrasound characteristics of accessory cavitated uterine malformation (ACUM) and the causes of misdiagnosis, in order to better understand the disease and improve the diagnostic ability of radiologists.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China.Methods:Data of chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) CML patients diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2022 from 77 centers, ≥18 years old, and receiving initial imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or flumatinib-therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China with complete data were retrospectively interrogated. The choice of initial TKI, current TKI medications, treatment switch and reasons, treatment responses and outcomes as well as the variables associated with them were analyzed.Results:6 893 patients in CP ( n=6 453, 93.6%) or AP ( n=440, 6.4%) receiving initial imatinib ( n=4 906, 71.2%), nilotinib ( n=1 157, 16.8%), dasatinib ( n=298, 4.3%) or flumatinib ( n=532, 7.2%) -therapy. With the median follow-up of 43 ( IQR 22-75) months, 1 581 (22.9%) patients switched TKI due to resistance ( n=1 055, 15.3%), intolerance ( n=248, 3.6%), pursuit of better efficacy ( n=168, 2.4%), economic or other reasons ( n=110, 1.6%). The frequency of switching TKI in AP patients was significantly-higher than that in CP patients (44.1% vs 21.5%, P<0.001), and more AP patients switched TKI due to resistance than CP patients (75.3% vs 66.1%, P=0.011). Multi-variable analyses showed that male, lower HGB concentration and ELTS intermediate/high-risk cohort were associated with lower cytogenetic and molecular responses rate and poor outcomes in CP patients; higher WBC count and initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher response rates; Ph + ACA at diagnosis, poor PFS. However, Sokal intermediate/high-risk cohort was only significantly-associated with lower CCyR and MMR rates and the poor PFS. Lower HGB concentration and larger spleen size were significantly-associated with the lower cytogenetic and molecular response rates in AP patients; initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher treatment response rates; lower PLT count, higher blasts and Ph + ACA, poorer TFS; Ph + ACA, poorer OS. Conclusion:At present, the vast majority of newly-diagnosed CML-CP or AP patients could benefit from TKI treatment in the long term with the good treatment responses and survival outcomes.

o-Phthalaldehyde(OPA)is a new type of chemical disinfectant widely used in medical institutions.The development of new efficient and convenient detection platforms or methods for OPA is of great significance.In this work,in two-dimensional photonic crystal(2DPC)hydrogel,a responsive 2DPC hydrogel was prepared by functionalizing the hydrogel with ethylenediamine(EDA)and embedding amino groups.The amino group on the polymer chain of 2DPC hydrogel reacted with OPA,and with the increase of OPA concentration,the crosslinking density of the hydrogel also increased,resulting in the volume phase transition of the hydrogel,e.g.,shrinkage phenomenon.In the meantime,the spacing of 2DPC microspheres gradually decreased,while the diameter of Debye diffraction ring gradually increased.The results showed that the change of particle size spacing had a good linear relationship with logarithm of concentration of OPA in the range of 101?106 nmol/L,with the detection limit of 0.21 nmol/L(3σ/k).Therefore,the amino functionalized photonic crystal hydrogel sensor could realize the quantitative detection of OPA.The method was simple with low cost,ease to operate and use.Then the practicability of this hydrogel sensor for real sample was verified in the diluted clinical disinfectant.The recoveries of OPA in the diluted disinfectant were 100%?103%,with a relative standard deviations of 1.8%?5.5%.The results proved that 2DPC hydrogel sensor could be used for detection of OPA in disinfectant used for clinical endoscopes and other instruments.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of Ropivacaine combined with Lidocaine for incision infiltration anesthesia in lumbar fusion surgery.Methods:The case data of 154 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who underwent lumbar fusion surgery at the Department of Orthopedics, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from March 2021 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into the experimental group ( n=72) and the control group ( n=82) according to whether or not they underwent Ropivacaine combined with Lidocaine incisional infiltration anesthesia. The experimental group was anesthetized with Ropivacaine combined with Lidocaine incisional infiltration anesthesia, and the control group was not anesthetized with incisional infiltration. The static and dynamic pain visual analog score (VAS) at six postoperative time points (2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48 h after surgery), the application of postoperative analgesic medications, and related complications were compared between the two groups. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and t-test was used for comparison between groups, the measurement data of non-normal distribution were expressed as median (interquartile distance) [ M( Q1, Q3)], and non-parametric test was used for comparison between groups; the count data were expressed as the number of cases and percentage, and the Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. Results:All patients underwent successful surgery, and the static [(4.40±1.67), (3.86±1.22), (3.58±1.15), (3.43±1.11) points] and dynamic [(4.56±1.69), (4.03±1.21), (3.79±1.16), (3.65±1.13) points] VAS scores of the patients in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group [static: (5.38±1.73), (5.06±1.58), (4.68±1.37), (3.82±1.22) points; dynamic: (5.55±1.62), (5.29±1.50), (4.89±1.41), (4.12±1.29) points] at 2, 4, 6, 12 h after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05); at 24, 48 h after surgery, there was no significant difference in the static and dynamic VAS scores between the two groups ( P>0.05). The dosage of oral Tramadol [100(0, 100) mg] and subcutaneous injection of Morphine [0(0, 0) mg] in the experimental group at 48 h after surgery were significantly lower than those in the control group [100(100, 100), 0(0, 10) mg], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative incision complications and cerebrospinal fluid leakage between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Ropivacaine combined with Lidocaine for incision infiltration anesthesia in lumbar fusion surgery can effectively relieve early pain in the surgical area, reduce the use of postoperative analgesic medications, and will not increase related complications.

The core of theory of visceral manifestation of spleen is about'spleen in charge of transportation and transformation,spleen qi dispersing the essence'.Middle-jiao spleen-earth has the functions of digesting food and transporting food essence,and maintaining the homeostasis of glucose and lipid metabolism in the body.'Spleen in charge of transportation and transformation,spleen qi dispersing the essence'functions like the glucose and lipid metabolism at physiological state.The deficiency of spleen results in the dysfunction of food in-take and digestion and the susceptibility to external pathogens;qi deficiency and blood stasis lead to the interior damp-heat,and the long-term accumulation of damp-heat develops into stasis and then turns into toxins,which eventually induces inflammation-to-tumor transition.The pathogenesis of'spleen deficiency being the root cause and stasis blended with toxins'is correlated with the pathological changes of inflammation-to-tumor transition.The therapy of strengthening the spleen,dispersing essence and removing turbidity is effective on improving the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism,and the therapy of strengthening the spleen,resolving stasis and removing toxin is effective on restraining the process of inflammation-to-tumor transition in the stomach.It has become a new direction in the field of spleen-stomach research to expound the scientific connotation of the essence of spleen function of'spleen in charge of transportation and transformation,spleen qi dispersing the essence'from the perspective of glucose and lipid metabolism,to focus on the inflammation-to-tumor transition process of major diseases of digestive system,to explore the evolution of the traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of inflammatory diseases and precancerous lesions of the digestive tract,and to reveal the pharmacological mechanism of treatment from the perspective of spleen,which will enrich the scientific connotation of theory of visceral manifestation of spleen and promote the modernization and internationalization of traditional Chinese medicine.