To compare the clinical efficacy of intralesional corticosteroid injection combined with topical corticosteroids versus topical corticosteroids alone in patients with idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM).

OBJECTIVE To study the pharmacokinetics of Esketamine hydrochloride nasal spray in rats and ciliary toxicity to maxillary mucosa of bullfrog. METHODS The plasma concentration of esketamine hydrochloride in rats was determined by LC-MS/ MS after intravenous injection of esketamine hydrochloride solution and nasal administration of esketamine hydrochloride； the pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by using Phoenix WinNonlin 8.1.0 software. Using the maxillary mucosa of isolated bullfrog as a model， the morphological changes of maxillary mucosa were investigated， and the duration and recovery of ciliary oscillation were recorded after nasal administration of esketamine hydrochloride. RESULTS The peak of blood concentration occurred 2 min after nasal administration of esketamine hydrochloride； cmax was （814.58±418.80） ng/mL， AUC0－∞ was （203.75± 92.76） ng·h/mL， and the absolute bioavailability was 60.68%. After nasal administration of esketamine hydrochloride， it was observed that the cilia of bullfrog were arranged neatly， the edges were clear， the cilia tissue structure was complete and the cilia moved actively. The cilia movement time was （178.17±13.30） min for the first time， and after the cilia moved again， the ciliary movement time measured again was （24.50±9.19）min with a relative movement percentage of 53.56%. CONCLUSIONS Esketamine hydrochloride nasal spray has a rapid onset of action， high bioavailability， and low ciliary toxicity.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Edaravone and dexborneol(Eda.B)on oxidative stress pathway in peripheral blood of elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:A total of 87 elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke in the Department of Neurology, Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital from July 2021 to January 2022 were selected as the study subjects.According to the random number table, they were divided into control group(44 cases)and edaravone dexborneol group(43 cases). Each group was divided into <12 h group, 12-24 h group and 24-48 h group according to the time of onset.Peripheral blood was collected in each group at admission and discharge, respectively.The serum levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS), Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1(Keap1), nuclear factor-E2-associated factor 2(Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6), as well as superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and malondialdehyde(MDA)content were detected.Results:Elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke receving Eda.B treatment after admission could reduce the serum concentration of ROS, TNF-α and IL-6, as well as MDA content, and increase the concentration of Keap1, Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 and SOD activity.Except for ROS concentration in <12 h group and SOD activity in <12 h and 12 h-24 h groups, the differences between the other groups were statistically significant( P<0.05 for all). Compared with the control group, the serum concentration of TNF-α and IL-6 of patients in the Eda.B group at discharge decreased, while the concentration of Nrf2(24-48 h group)and HO-1(24-48 h group), and SOD activity increased, the differences were statistically significant( P<0.05 for all). In the control group at discharge, the concentrations of ROS(24-48 h group), TNF-α(<12 h group, 24-48 h group)and IL-6, as well as MDA content decreased, while the concentrations of Keap1, Nrf2(<12 h group, 12-24 h group)and HO-1(<12 h group, 12-24 h group)increased, the differences were also statistically significant( P<0.05 for all). Compared with admission, the concentration of Keap1(24-48 h group)and HO-1(24-48 h group), the activity of SOD(<12 h group, 12-24 h group)increased and the content of MDA(12-24 h group)in the Eda.B group decreased at discharge( P<0.05 for all). Conclusions:Eda.B can reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response in peripheral blood of elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke by acting on the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway.

Background Flurochloridone (FLC) is toxic to male reproduction and can induce apoptosis of testicular tissue and supporting cells under oxidative stress. Of particular concern is whether nuclear factor-erythrocyte 2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway and nuclear factor kappa B (NFκB) signaling pathway participate this process. Objective To observe apoptosis of testicular tissue and sertoli TM4 cells and alterations of Nrf2/HO-1 and NFκB signaling pathways in mice treated with FLC in vivo/in vitro. Methods (1) Animal experiment. Testis samples were harvested from male C57BL/6 mice after 28-day FLC (0, 3, 15, 75, and 375 mg·kg⁻¹ per day) exposure via oral route. Malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in homogenate of testicular tissue were measured by colorimetry. Apoptosis of testicular tissue was evaluated by TUNEL staining. Expression and distribution of Nrf2 and NFκB were detected by immunohistochemistry. Protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NAD(P)H: quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), NFκB, inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-B kinase subunit beta (IKKβ), and phosphorylated recombinant inhibitory subunit of nuclear factor kappa-B alpha (P-IκBα) in testicular tissue homogenate were determined by Western blotting. (2) Cell experiment. TM4 cell lines were treated with 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC for 6 h, and cell viability was detected by CCK-8. After 6 h exposure to 40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC, the apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, and the protein expression levels of Nrf2, HO-1, NQO1, NFκB, IKKβ, and IκBα were detected by Western blotting. Results (1) Animal experiment. Apoptosis occurred in the interstitial and basal parts of spermatogenic tubules in male C57BL/6 mice after 28 days of oral FLC exposure. Compared with the control group, the MDA level in testicular tissue of the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ FLC-treated group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and the SOD activity was significantly decreased (P<0.05). After 375 mg·kg⁻¹ FLC exposure, apoptosis occurred in the interstitial and basal parts of spermatogenic tubules. The results of immunohistochemistry showed the expression of Nrf2 and NFκB in the interstitium and basal part of spermatogenic tubules of the treated groups. Compared with the control group, the protein levels of Nrf2, NQO1, P-IκBα, NFκB, and IKKβ in the 15, 75, and 375 mg·kg^-1 groups were significantly increased (P<0.001), and the HO-1 protein level was significantly increased in the 375 mg·kg⁻¹ group (P<0.001). (2) Cell experiment. Compared with the control group, the TM4 cell viabilities in the 40, 80, 120, 160, and 200 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC-treated groups significantly decreased (P<0.01). The apoptosis rates were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the apoptosis rates increased from 5.7% in the control group to 7.4%, 9.4%, and 11.7% in the 40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹, respectively. The Nrf2 protein level in the 40 μmol·L⁻¹ group was significantly increased (P<0.01), while the levels significantly decreased in the 80 and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ groups (P<0.01). The HO-1 protein levels in the 40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ groups were significantly increased (P<0.01). The level of NQO1 protein in the 40 μmol·L⁻¹ group was significantly increased (P<0.01). The NFκB protein levels were significantly increased in the 80 and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ groups (P<0.001). The IκBα protein levels were significantly decreased in all treated groups (P<0.001). The IKKβ protein had no significant change. Conclusion FLC induces testicular tissue apoptosis, and the process affects Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway and NFκB signaling pathway. The in vitro study confirms that FLC could induce apoptosis of TM4 cells and activate Nrf2/HO-1 and NFκB signaling pathways.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of total saponins from Panax japonicus (TSPJ) against high-fat dietinduced testicular Sertoli cell junction damage in mice. METHODS: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into normal diet group, high-fat diet group, and low-dose (25 mg/kg) and high-dose (75 mg/kg) TSPJ treatment groups (n=10). The mice in the normal diet group were fed a normal diet, while the mice in the other groups were fed a high-fat diet. After TSPJ treatment via intragastric administration for 5 months, the testes and epididymis of the mice were collected for measurement of weight, testicular and epididymal indices and sperm parameters. HE staining was used for histological evaluation of the testicular tissues and measurement of seminiferous tubule diameter and seminiferous epithelium height. The expression levels of ZO-1, occludin, claudin11, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and β-catenin in Sertoli cells were detected with Western blot, and the localization and expression levels of ZO-1 and β-catenin in the testicular tissues were detected with immunofluorescence assay. The protein expressions of LC3B, p-AKT and p-mTOR in testicular Sertoli cells were detected using double immunofluorescence assay. RESULTS: Treatment with TSPJ significantly improved high-fat diet-induced testicular dysfunction by reducing body weight (P < 0.001), increasing testicular and epididymal indices (P < 0.05), and improving sperm concentration and sperm viability (P < 0.05). TSPJ ameliorated testicular pathologies and increased seminiferous epithelium height of the mice with high-fat diet feeding (P < 0.05) without affecting the seminiferous tubule diameter. TSPJ significantly increased the expression levels of ZO-1, occludin, N-cadherin, E-cadherin and β-catenin (P < 0.05) but did not affect claudin11 expression in the testicular tissues. Immunofluorescence assay showed that TSPJ significantly increased ZO-1 and β-catenin expression in the testicular tissues (P < 0.001), downregulated LC3B expression and upregulated p-AKT and p-mTOR expressions in testicular Sertoli cells. CONCLUSION TSPJ alleviates high-fat diet-induced damages of testicular Sertoli cell junctions and spermatogenesis possibly by activating the AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and inhibiting autophagy of testicular Sertoli cells.
Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Testis ; Sertoli Cells ; beta Catenin ; Diet, High-Fat ; Occludin ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Seeds ; Cadherins ; Intercellular Junctions

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) on the childhood Epstein-Barr virus(EBV)-positive lymphoproliferative diseases(EBV + LPD). Methods:The clinical features, treatment course, and prognosis of 9 children with EBV + LPD who underwent allo-HSCT in Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from July 2019 to July 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. Results:All the 9 children underwent histopathological examination, including 6 patients with EBV-positive T-cell lymphoproliferative disease (EBV + T-LPD), 1 with pulmonary lymphomatoid granuloma, and 2 with systemic EBV-positive T-cell lymphoma.There were 6 males and 3 females, with the median age of 5.8 (1.5-13.0) years.At the initial diagnosis, plasma and peripheral EBV-DNA copy at the initial diagnosis was (5.67-865.00)×10 2/mL, and (5.13-1 250.00)×10 2/mL, respectively.The EBV-DNA load of cerebrospinal fluid increased to (5.18-291.00)×10 2/mL in 3 cases.The whole exon sequencing data showed no abnormality in 3 cases, pulmonary lymphomatoid granuloma with the IL2RG mutation in 1 case and EBV + T-LPD with a hemizygous mutation in the SH2D1A gene as the pathogenic mutation in 1 case.Pathogenic mutations were not detected in the remaining 4 cases.The course of disease before transplantation was 5.4(3.0-10.0) months.Disease status before transplantation was as follows: all 3 cases of lymphomas had partial regression; 2 cases of EBV + T-LPD had active disease; and 4 cases had no active disease.Among the donors, there were 5 cases of half-matched relatives, 2 cases of full-matched siblings and 2 cases of unrelated full-matched donors.The median number of mononuclear cells in peripheral blood and/or bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell was 6.60(3.64-12.18)×10 8/kg, while the median implantation time of neutrophils was 18(9-23) days.One month after the transfusion of hematopoietic stem cells, plasma EBV-DNA copy was negative in all cases, and peripheral EBV-DNA copy was negative in 7 cases.The copy number in the other 2 cases was 10 2/mL.At the 3-month evaluation, plasma and peripheral EBV-DNA copy were negative in all cases.In addition, 3 cases of lymphomas achieved radiographic complete remission, and 6 cases of EBV + T-LPD were inactive.All transplant-related complications were effectively controlled after medication.Following the median follow-up of 24 (11-42) months, all patients had disease-free survival.Serious impact on the quality of life due to graft versus host disease was not reported. Conclusions:allo-HSCT is an effective treatment of childhood EBV + LPD, which is able to control transplant-related complications.Children with EBV + LPD can achieve long-term disease-free survival through transplantation.

Background Flurochloridone (FLC) can induce apoptosis in Sertoli cells, but the specific mechanism remains unknown. Objective To investigate the testicular cell apoptosis in mice as well as apoptosis and activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress in TM4 cell line induced by FLC through in vivo and in vitro study designs respectively, and study the role of inosital-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α)-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway in the process of FLC-induced apoptosis in TM4 cells through intervention study design. Methods Testicular tissues were collected from male C57BL/6 mice which were treated with 3, 15, 75, and 375 mg·（kg·d）⁻¹ FLC by oral perfusion for 28 d. Apoptosis was observed by TUNEL staining, and the levels of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blotting, including B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim), and Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax). In the in vitro study, TM4 cells were treated with different concentrations of FLC (40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹) for 6 h, then apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry, and the levels of apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bim, and Bax) and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins [glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), phosphorylated-protein kinase R like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), phosphorylated-inosital-requiring enzyme 1α (p-IRE1α), and phosphorylated-JNK (p-JNK)] were measured by Western blotting. In the intervention study, TM4 cells were pretreated with IRE1α phosphorylation inhibitor 4μ8C and JNK phosphorylation inhibitor SP600125 for 6 h, then treated with 160 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC for 6 h. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins were measured by Western blotting, and cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8. Results After the male C57BL/6 mice orally exposed to FLC for 28 d, apoptosis occurred in the seminiferous tubule. The protein expression level of Bcl-2, apoptosis inhibitor, was decreased in the 75 and 375 mg·(kg·d)⁻¹ groups (P<0.05), and the protein expression levels of Bim and Bax, apoptosis promoters, were increased in the 75 and 375 mg·(kg·d)⁻¹ groups respectively (P<0.05). The percentages of apoptotic cells in the 0, 40, 80, and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC groups were 2.7%±0.2%, 4.8%±1.3%, 9.4%±0.3%, and 13.2%±0.2%, respectively, increased significantly compared with the control group (P<0.05). The protein expression level of Bcl-2 also was decreased in the 160 μmol·L⁻¹ FLC group (P<0.05), while the levels of Bim and Bax were increased in both of the 80 and 160 μmol·L⁻¹ groups (P<0.05). The expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins (GRP78, p-PERK, ATF6, p-IRE1α, and p-JNK) were increased (P<0.05) or showed a rising trend in TM4 cells. Pre-treatment with 4μ8C (25 and 50 μmol·L⁻¹) and SP600125 (10 and 20 μmol·L⁻¹) significantly down-regulated the protein expression levels of GRP78, p-IRE1α, p-JNK, and Bax induced by FLC (P<0.05) or in a downward trend. Both of the inhibitors alleviated the decreased cell viability induced by FLC (P<0.05) or in alleviating fashion. Conclusion FLC could induce apoptosis in mice testis and TM4 cell apoptosis through activating endoplasmic reticulum stress and IRE1α-JNK signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the expression of fructose bisphosphate aldolase A (ALDOA) in the bone marrow of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and the correlation with clinical features and prognosis.Methods:The bone marrow samples of 90 newly diagnosed AML (non-acute promyelocytic leukemia) patients and 18 allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation donors who were treated from January 2013 to December 2015 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and the Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University were collected. The relative expression level of ALDOA mRNA in bone marrow samples was detected by using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Clinical data of these patients were retrospectively analyzed, and the patients were divided into continuous complete remission (CR) group and refractory recurrent (RR) group according to the clinical response and follow-up results. The differences of the relative expression level of ALDOA mRNA between AML group and the normal control group, CR group and RR group were analyzed. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression risk model were used for analysis of factors influencing prognosis of AML patients.Results:The relative expression level of ALDOA mRNA in AML group was higher than that in normal control group [(5.71±0.44) vs. (1.10±0.08), t = 4.74, P<0.001]. The relative expression level of ALDOA mRNA in the RR group was higher than that in the CR group [(6.69±0.67) vs. (4.30±0.36) , t = 2.79, P < 0.001]. In addition, there were statistically significant differences in the proportion of patients with ALDOA mRNA high expression and those with ALDOA mRNA low expression stratified by the number of white blood cell, the proportion of bone marrow blasts and whether complete remission could be achieved or not after 1 course of induction therapy (all P < 0.05). Overall survival in patients with ALDOA high expression was worse than that in patients with ALDOA low expression ( χ2 = 5.59, P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis showed that white blood cell count, prognosis stratification, whether complete remission could be achieved or not after 1 course of induction therapy and ALDOA expression were the independent prognostic factors for the death of AML patients (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:ALDOA may play an important role in the development and progression of AML, and the expression level of ALDOA in the bone marrow can be used as an index for the prognosis assessment of AML patients and may be a potential therapeutic target for AML.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of children with high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) receiving lasting remission after severe infection.Methods:The data of 3 children with high-risk ALL who were treated in Children's Hospital Affiliated of Zhengzhou University in 2014, 2015 and 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of all patients were also analyzed, and the relevant literatures were reviewed.Results:All 3 children were clinically classified as high-risk ALL with severe infection. A variety of anti-infective drugs and blood products were used in the treatment, and all achieved lasting remission.Conclusions:Children with high-risk ALL after severe infection can acquire lasting remission, which may be related with the production of infection stimulating inflammatory factors and cytokines to activate certain immune pathways, or various kinds of antibiotics, blood products participating in the immune regulation to make the body regain the immune surveillance function of the tumor cells.

Objective:To explore the effect of different intensity electrical stimulation combined with biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training on postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD) in vaginal delivery patients.Methods:Seven hundred and twenty patients with PFD after vaginal delivery from January 2017 to April 2019 in Jinshan Branch of Shanghai Sixth People′s Hospital were selected. The patients were divided into control group (358 cases) and observation group (362 cases) by random digits table method. The control group was treated with conventional electric stimulation combined with biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training, and the observation group was treated with enhanced electric stimulation combined with biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training. The electrophysiological indexes of pelvic floor, incidence of stress urinary incontinence (SUI), pelvic organ prolapse/urinary incontinence function questionnaire (PISQ-12) score and the 6 measurement points of quantitative stage of pelvic organ prolapse (POP-Q) staging method after treatment were compared between 2 groups. The 6 measuring points were 3 cm from central line of anterior wall of vagina to edge of the hymen (Aa point), furthest point in the upper part of anterior wall of vagina between top of vagina or anterior vault to Aa point (Ba point), 3 cm point from central line of vaginal posterior wall to hymen (Ap point), farthest point of posterior vaginal vault or upper part of posterior vaginal wall from top of vagina to Ap point (Bp point), farthest point of the top of vagina after cervix or hysterectomy (C point) and position of posterior fornix in presence of cervix (D point).Results:The fatigue degree of class Ⅰ muscle fibers, fatigue degree of class Ⅱ muscle fibers, average electromyography value of pre rest, average electromyography value of slow muscle, average electromyography value of post rest, maximum electromyography value of fast muscle and dynamic vaginal pressure in observation group were significantly better than those in control group: (- 2.51 ± 0.22)% vs. (- 3.29 ± 0.37)%, (- 2.89 ± 0.27)% vs. (- 3.18 ± 0.32)%, (3.41 ± 0.39) μV vs. (2.91 ± 0.28) μV, (30.12 ± 0.22) μV vs. (28.29 ± 0.37) μV, (3.14 ± 0.55) μV vs. (2.51 ± 0.30) μV, (39.89 ± 0.27) μV vs. (38.18 ± 0.32) μV and (76.92 ± 28.18) cmH 2O(1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa) vs. (69.10 ± 30.66) cmH 2O, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). The incidence of SUI and PISQ-12 score in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group: 14.36% (52/362) vs. 27.09% (97/358) and (28.49 ± 3.61) scores vs. (37.62 ± 3.83) scores, and there were statistical differences ( P<0.01). The Aa, Ba, Ap and C points in observation group were significantly improved than those in control group: (- 2.69 ± 0.21) cm vs. (- 2.38 ± 0.13) cm, (- 2.30 ± 0.52) cm vs. (- 2.21 ± 0.33) cm, (- 2.91 ± 0.35) cm vs. (- 2.85 ± 0.24) cm and (- 5.33 ± 065) cm vs. (- 5.20 ± 056) cm, and there were statistical differences ( t=2.365, 2.469, 2.691 and 2.889; P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in Bp and D points between 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:After vaginal delivery, the patients with PFD who use strong electric stimulation combined with biofeedback pelvic floor muscle training can significantly improve the pelvic floor electrophysiological index and POP-Q staging, reduce the incidence of SUI, and improve the quality of sexual life.