This study aims to explore the effect of butyl alcohol extract of Baitouweng Decoction(BAEB) on vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC) in mice and to clarify the mechanism from Toll-like receptors(TLRs)/MyD88 and Dectin-1/Syk signal pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome. To be specific, female KM mice were randomized into control group(i.g., normal saline), model group, fluco-nazole group(i.g., 20 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose BAEB groups(i.g., 20, 40, and 80 mg·kg~(-1), respectively). VVC was induced in mice except the control group. After the modeling, administration began and lasted 7 days. The ge-neral conditions and body weight of mice were recorded every day. On the 1 st, 3 rd, 7 th, and 14 th after vaginal infection by Candida albicans, the fungal load in the vaginal lavage fluid of the mice was measured with the plate method, and the morphology of C. albicans in vaginal lavage fluid was observed based on Gram staining. After the mice were killed, vaginal tissues were subjected to hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS) staining for vaginal histopathological analysis. The content of cytokines in vaginal lavage fluid, such as interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), IL-6, and S100 a8, was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and content of reactive oxygen species(ROS) in vaginal tissues by tissue ROS detection kit. The protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, Dectin-1, Syk, MyD88, TLR2, TLR4, and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) in vaginal tissues was detected by Western blot, and the levels and distribution of NLRP3, Dectin-1, Syk, MyD88, TLR2, and TLR4 in vaginal tissues were determined with the immunohistochemical method. The results show that BAEB can improve the general conditions of VVC mice, reduce the fungal load and C. albicans hyphae in vaginal secretion, decrease ROS content in vaginal tissues and content of cytokines in vaginal lavage fluid, and down-regulate the expression of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, Dectin-1, Syk, MyD88, TLR2, TLR4, and NF-κB in vaginal tissues. The above results indicate that BAEB exerts therapeutic effect on VVC mice by down-regulating the key proteins in the TLRs/MyD88 and Dectin-1/Syk signal pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome.
1-Butanol/therapeutic use* ; Animals ; Candida albicans ; Candidiasis, Vulvovaginal/drug therapy* ; Caspase 1/metabolism* ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 2/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

Objective: To analyze the course of disease and epidemiological parameters of COVID-19 and provide evidence for making prevention and control strategies. Methods: To display the distribution of course of disease of the infectors who had close contacts with COVID-19 cases from January 1 to March 15, 2020 in Guangdong Provincial, the models of Lognormal, Weibull and gamma distribution were applied. A descriptive analysis was conducted on the basic characteristics and epidemiological parameters of course of disease. Results: In total, 515 of 11 580 close contacts were infected, with an attack rate about 4.4%, including 449 confirmed cases and 66 asymptomatic cases. Lognormal distribution was fitting best for latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period of confirmed cases and infection period of asymptomatic cases; Gamma distribution was fitting best for infectious period and clinical symptom period of confirmed cases; Weibull distribution was fitting best for latent period of asymptomatic cases. The latent period, incubation period, pre-symptomatic infection period, infectious period and clinical symptoms period of confirmed cases were 4.50 (95%CI:3.86-5.13) days, 5.12 (95%CI:4.63-5.62) days, 0.87 (95%CI:0.67-1.07) days, 11.89 (95%CI:9.81-13.98) days and 22.00 (95%CI:21.24-22.77) days, respectively. The latent period and infectious period of asymptomatic cases were 8.88 (95%CI:6.89-10.86) days and 6.18 (95%CI:1.89-10.47) days, respectively. Conclusion: The estimated course of COVID-19 and related epidemiological parameters are similar to the existing data.
COVID-19 ; Cohort Studies ; Contact Tracing ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prospective Studies

Objective:To investigate the association between serum trace elements and dyslipidemia in Pudong New Area. Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out. A stratified， cluster sampling approach was used for sampling. In total 1 814 community residents aged above 35 years old were recruited in Pudong New Area， Shanghai. A face-to-face investigation was conducted and blood samples were collected. Serum levels of 16 trace elements， including boron， vanadium， chromium， manganese， iron， cobalt， nickel， copper， zinc， arsenic， selenium， strontium， molybdenum， tin， antimony， and barium were measured by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS）. The relationship between serum trace elements and dyslipidemia was analyzed with single and multiple Logistic regression models. Results:Prevalence of dyslipidemia is higher among participants of more than 45 years old with high BMI， hypertension or diabetes．Serum iron leveled the highest， followed by copper， zinc， selenium， strontium， boron and other trace elements. After adjusting for potential confounders， the odds ratios of dyslipidemia associated with the highest quartile of trace elements concentrations were 1.41 （95%CI： 1.12-1.78）， 0.77 （95%CI： 0.61-0.96）， 1.65 （95%CI： 1.31-2.09）， 1.27 （95%CI： 1.02-1.58）， and 1.32 （95%CI： 1.06-1.66） for chromium， cobalt， zinc， arsenic， and tin， respectively， compared with that associated with the other three quartiles. Conclusion:Some serum trace elements are potentially associated with dyslipidemia in community residents.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical outcomes and complications of hip arthroscopic treatment for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) performed with either Inside-out or Outside-in approach. METHODS: The clinical date of 48 patients with FAI treated by hip arthroscopy surgery and follow-up from June 2016 to June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the different operative methods, the patients were divided into two groups. Inside-out group, from central compartment to peripheral compartment;Outside-in group, from peripheral compartment to central compartment. There were 14 males and 10 females in Inside-out group with an averageage of (39.8±7.6)years old, 13 males and 11 females in Inside-out group with an average age of (39.5±9.1)years old in Outside-in group. There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, side, impingement type, medical history and follow-up time between the two groups. The complication occurrence rate, modified Harris hip score (mHHS)and nonarthritic hip score (NAHS) were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: The mHHs and NAHS scores of the two groups were significantly higher than those before operation, but there was no significant difference between the two groups ( CONCLUSION Both hip arthroscopic surgery methods can obtain satisfactory clinical efficacy in the treatment of FAI, but the incidence of postoperative complications of Outside-in surgical method is lower. The out-side in method can be preferentially selected for the patients with the indications of operation.
Adult ; Arthroscopy ; Female ; Femoracetabular Impingement/surgery* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hip Joint/surgery* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To establish virus culture method and full genome sequencing method for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (2019-nCoV), and to illuminate the variation of 2019-nCoV.Methods:The pharyngeal swab specimens were inoculated into Vero-E6 cells for isolation, and the cytopathic effect were observed day by day, and the result of virus isolation were confirmed by Real-Time RT-PCR. Some isolated viruses were diluted 10 times to detect the virus titer. Full-genome of 2019-nCoV was sequenced with the whole genome capture technology and next generation sequencing technology. Phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterization for obtained 2019-nCoV sequences were undertaken.Results:Twenty-two 2019-nCoV strains were isolated with Vero-E6 cell line in the Biosafety Level-3 Laboratory (BSL-3). Eighteen full-genome sequences obtained (almost 29 000 nucleotide) were analyzed with 99.94%~100% identity and 28 nucleotides and 20 amino acids variations. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the 2019-nCoV sequences belonged to different clades, including clade S and clade L with Europe lineage L. I and Europe lineage L. II.1. Furthermore, 5 of 18 2019-nCoV harbor the D614G mutation.Conclusions:2019-nCoV were successfully isolated with Vero-E6 cells, and partially illuminated the phylogenetic characteristics, which provided a basis for subsequent drug screening and biological characteristics research. Continuous monitoring and analysis of the sequences of new cases would be vital to understand the genetic evolution and rates of substitution of the 2019-nCoV.

Though red yeast rice (RYR) has been used as medicine for centuries, few study has been reported about its biological activities related to traditional medicinal application and marketed RYR showed poor consistency in quality. In this study, with comprehensive investigation of their production processes and field acquisition samples including those from genuine producing area, an ultra performance liquid chromatographic (UPLC) method was firstly established to discriminate RYR for different applications based on their secondary metabolites fingerprint. It was performed on a CAPCELL CORE AQ column (100 mm×4.6 mm, 2.7 μm), with PDA (range: 200-650 nm, extracted: 237 nm) and ELSD detection. The mobile phase used was water (A) and acetonitrile (B) both containing 0.1% formic acid at gradient elution (0-15 min, 50% B→85% B (linear); 15-16 min, 85 % B→50% B (linear) and maintained until 21 min), with a flow rate of 0.5 mL∙min^-1. The method established was fully validated in agreement with guidelines of Chinese Pharmacopeia. Common metabolites were found in RYR for same application and the fingerprints of RYR for food coloring or brewing from various manufacturers had similarities above 0.90. Meanwhile, significant differences were observed among the fingerprints for various applications and discrimination could be achieved by principal component analysis (PCA). Lovastatin was absence in RYRs for food coloring or brewing, and the fingerprint of traditional medicinal RYR was similar to that of RYR for brewing. However, standardization was required for RYR containing lovastatin because of their significant differences from various manufacturers in fingerprints and lovastatin content. The results demonstrated the feasibility to discriminate RYR for different applications by the secondary metabolites fingerprint method established in this study, which provides a scientific basis to investigate the relationship between biological activities of medicinal RYR and their corresponding secondary metabolites, and further aid their quality standardization and improvement.

OBJECTIVE: To study clinical effects of modified Mclaughlin procedure combined with locking plate for posterior shoulder dislocation with proximal humeral fracture which area of femoral head injury less than 40%. METHODS: From July 2012 to June 2017, 7 patients with posterior shoulder dislocation were treated, including 5 males and 2 females; aged from 37 to 53 years old. Three patients combined with split of humerus head and 4 patients combined with humerus surgical neck fracture. All patients treated with modified Mclaughlin procedure combined with locking plate. Motion of shoulder joint after operation was observed, postoperative UCLA score was used to evaluate clinical effects. RESULTS: Seven patients were followed up from 10 to 33 months. The motion of anteflexion and up-lift ranged from 130° to 170°, the motion of extorsion ranged from 45° to 75°, the motion of abduction ranged fron 105° to 150°, and the internal rotation was between L₃ to buttock. UCLA score ranged from 29 to 34; and 1 patient reached excellent, and 6 patients good. CONCLUSIONS The modified Mclaughlin procedure combined with locking plate showed satisfying result for posterior shoulder dislocation combined with fractures. However, the internal rotation of shoulder could be compromised.
Adult ; Bone Plates ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Shoulder Dislocation ; Shoulder Fractures ; Treatment Outcome

This study developed a population pharmacokinetic model for sodium tanshinone IIA sulfonate (STS) in healthy volunteers and coronary heart disease (CHD) patients in order to identify significant covariates for the pharmacokinetics of STS. Blood samples were obtained by intense sampling approach from 10 healthy volunteers and sparse sampling from 25 CHD patients, and a population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed by nonlinear mixed-effect modeling. The final model was evaluated by bootstrap and visual predictive check. A total of 230 plasma concentrations were included, 137 from healthy volunteers and 93 from CHD patients. It was a two-compartment model with first-order elimination. The typical value of the apparent clearance (CL) of STS in CHD patients with total bilirubin (TBIL) level of 10 μmol(L was 48.7 L(h with inter individual variability of 27.4%, whereas that in healthy volunteers with the same TBIL level was 63.1 L(h. Residual variability was described by a proportional error model and estimated at 5.2%. The CL of STS in CHD patients was lower than that in healthy volunteers and decreased when TBIL levels increased. The bootstrap and visual predictive check confirmed the stability and validity of the final model. These results suggested that STS dosage adjustment might be considered based on TBIL levels in CHD patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bilirubin ; blood ; Coronary Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Middle Aged ; Models, Biological ; Phenanthrenes ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

Objective To investigate the expression and significance of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), an autophagy marker protein, in ameloblastomas. Methods Immunohistochemical methods were employed to evaluate the expression of LC3 in104 cases of ameloblastomas and 20 cases of normal oral mucosal tissues. The results were analyzed by a semiquantitative analysis method. Results The reactivity of LC3 in the epithelial cells of ameloblastomas was positive, and the positivity rate was significantly higher than that in normal oral mucosal tissues (P ＜ 0.05). There were no significant differences between the LC3 expression levels with respect to age, gender, or recurrence (P ＜ 0.05). The positivity rate in mandible ameloblastomas was significantly higher than that in maxilla and gingiva ameloblastomas (P ＜ 0.05). The reactivity for LC3 was significantly higher in solid ameloblastomas than that in the other three tissue types (P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Autophagic activity in ameloblastomas was higher than that in normal oral mucosal tissues. This suggests that autophagy plays an important role during tumorigenesis, and contributes to the local invasion of ameloblastomas.

The clinical predictive factors for malignant testicular histology remain unclear because of the low prevalence. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate predictors of malignant histology for testicular masses and decide more testis-sparing surgeries before surgery. This retrospective study enrolled 325 consecutive testicular mass patients who underwent radical orchiectomy (310/325) or testicular preserving surgery (15/325) from January 2001 to June 2016. The clinicopathological factors, including tumor diameter, cryptorchidism history, ultrasound findings, serum alpha-fetoprotein, and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) levels, were collected retrospectively for statistical analysis. A predictive nomogram was also generated to evaluate the quantitative probability. Among all patients, 247 (76.0%) were diagnosed with a malignant testicular tumor and 78 (24.0%) with benign histology. Larger tumor diameter (per cm increased, hazard ratio [HR] = 1.284, P = 0.036), lower ultrasound echo (HR = 3.191, P = 0.001), higher ultrasound blood flow (HR = 3.320, P < 0.001), and abnormal blood HCG (HR = 10.550, P < 0.001) were significant predictive factors for malignant disease in all testicular mass patients. The nomogram generated was well calibrated for all predictions of malignant probability, and the accuracy of the model nomogram measured by Harrell's C statistic (C-index) was 0.92. According to our data, the proportion of patients who underwent radical orchiectomy for benign tumors (24.0%) was much larger than generally believed (10.0%). Our results indicated that the diameter, ultrasonic echo, ultrasonic blood flow, and serum HCG levels could predict the malignancy in testicular mass patients.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood* ; Child ; Chorionic Gonadotropin/blood* ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orchiectomy ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Testicular Neoplasms/surgery* ; Testis/pathology* ; Tumor Burden ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult ; alpha-Fetoproteins/metabolism*