Objective To compare the therapeutic efficacy of whey protein powder in peritoneal dialysis hypoproteinemia patients.Methods From August 2019 to August 2020,100 patients with peritoneal dialysis hypoproteinemia from the Peritoneal Dialysis Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University were investigated.The patients were separated into 2 groups randomly;the study group were administered whey protein powder and the control group with high protein food.After 32 weeks of treatment,biochemical and biometric indices including hemoglobin(Hb),albumin(ALB),prealbumin(PA),triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC),phosphorus(P),low density lipoprotein(LDL),high density lipoprotein(HDL),serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),estimated glo-merular filtration rate(eGFR),total spKt/Vurea(TKt/V),total creatinine clearance rate(TCcr),hand grip strength(HG),triceps skinfold(TSF),arm circumference(AMC),mid-arm muscle circumference(MAMC)were compared between groups.Results Compared with 0 week,at 16 and 32 weeks,ALB,PA,and HG were significantly increased in the study group(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,ALB,PA,and HG increased significantly at 16 and 32 weeks in the study group(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in TG,TC,HDL,LDL,eGFR,TKt/V,and TCcr at 0,8,16,and 32 weeks between the control and study groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion For patients with peritoneal dialysis hypoproteinemia caused by insufficient protein intake or excessive protein loss,the addition of whey protein during peritoneal dialysis can significantly improve the nutritional status of patients,with greater efficacy than a high protein diet alone.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Lycopi Herba extract on chronic prostatitis （CNP） and explore the underlying action mechanism via the inflammasome NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） pathway. MethodNormal human prostatic stromal cells， namely WPMY-1 were induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） of 5 mg·L^-1， and the effects of Lycopi Herba extract of 3.125， 6.25， 12.5， 25， 50， and 100 mg·L^-1 on interleukin-6 （IL-6） level released by LPS-induced WPMY-1 cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） was calculated. The expression of key proteins in the NLRP3 pathway was detected by western blot after Lycopi Herba extract of 50， 75， and 100 mg·L^-1 was administered to WPMY-1 cells. The rat model of CNP was established by injecting carrageenan salt solution into the abdominal lobe of the prostate gland. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in the prostate gland in rats. The prostate organ index of rats was measured. The level of 5α-dihydrotestosterone （5α-DHT） in serum， as well as the levels of IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）， cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）， prostaglandin E₂ （PGE₂）， and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） in prostate tissue were detected by ELISA. The key protein expressions of COX-2， TGF-β₁， and NLRP3 pathway in prostate tissue were detected by Western blot. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the expressions of COX-2， IL-1β， TGF-β₁， and TNF-α mRNA in prostate tissue. ResultCompared with the normal group， the level of IL-6 and the protein expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and IL-1β of WPMY-1 cells in the model group were increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Lycopi Herba extract could inhibit the levels of IL-6 （P<0.01） released by LPS-induced WPMY-1 cells， with IC₅₀ of 38.26 mg·L^-1. The protein expression levels of NLRP3， ASC， and IL-1β in the low-， medium-， and high-dose groups of Lycopi Herba extract were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression levels of Caspase-1 protein in medium- and high-dose groups of Lycopi Herba extract were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the sham operation group， the prostate organ index of rats in the model group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， a large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated in the prostate tissue， and the histopathological score was significantly increased （P<0.05）； the levels of 5α-DHT in serum， the levels of TNF-α， PGE₂， IL-6， TGF-β₁， NOS₂/iNOS， and COX-2 in prostate tissue， and expression levels of COX-2， IL-1β， and TGF-β₁ were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA expression levels of COX-2， TGF-β₁， NLRP3， Caspase-1， ASC， and IL-1β in prostate tissue were significantly up-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the low and high doses of Lycopi Herba extract could alleviate the pathological changes in prostate tissue induced by carrageenan， significantly reduce the level of 5α-DHT in serum， levels of TNF-α， PGE₂， TGF-β₁， and iNOS in prostate tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and mRNA expression levels of COX-2， IL-1β， and TGF-β₁ （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of COX-2， Caspase-1， ASC， and NLRP3 in prostate tissue were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The prostate organ index of the low-dose group of Lycopi Herba extract was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The level of COX-2 in prostate tissue of the high-dose group of Lycopi Herba extract was significantly decreased， and the protein expression levels of TGF-β₁ and IL-1β were significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）. ConclusionLycopi Herba extract has an obvious therapeutic effect on CNP and may reduce inflammation by inhibiting the activation of the inflammasome NLRP3 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the efficacy and mechanism of the alcohol extract DH50 of Angelicae Pubescentis Radix in treating gouty arthritis induced by monosodium urate （MSU） crystals in vivo and in vitro. MethodFifty male SD rats were randomly assigned into five groups （n=10）： a normal group， a model group， a dexamethasone （DXMS， 0.07 mg·kg^-1） group， and low- （DH50-D， 9 mg·kg^-1） and high-dose （DH50-G， 18 mg·kg^-1） DH50 groups. The rats in the normal group and model group were administrated with the same amount of pure water. On day 5， the gouty arthritis model was established by injecting MSU into the right ankle joint of rats. The toe volume and joint inflammation index were measured 4， 8， 24， and 48 h after modeling. The pathological changes of the synovial tissue were detected by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin （IL）-1β， and IL-6 in the synovial tissue. Western blot was employed to measure the protein levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， cysteine-aspartic protease-1 （Caspase-1）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a C-terminal caspase recruitment domain （ASC）， IL-1β， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） in the synovial tissue. Furthermore， the cell inflammation model was established with RAW264.7 cells stimulated with MSU （75 mg·L^-1）. The cell experiments were carried out with 6 groups： a normal group， a model group， a positive drug （DXMS， 100 μmol·L^-1） group， and low- （DH50-D， 25 mg·L^-1）， medium- （DH50-Z， 50 mg·L^-1）， and high-dose （DH50-G， 100 mg·L^-1） DH50 groups. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay was employed to determine the cell viability， ELISA to determine the content of TNF-α in the supernatant of cell culture， and Western blot to determine the protein levels of NLRP3， cleaved Caspase-1， IL-1β， TNF-α， and COX-2. ResultCompared with the normal group， the rat model group showed increased toe swelling degree and joint inflammatory index （P<0.01）， serious infiltration of the synovium， elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines in the tissue homogenate （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， Caspase-1， ASC， IL-1β， and COX-2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the rat model group， low- and high-dose DH50 mitigated the toe swelling degree， decreased the joint inflammatory index， alleviated the inflammatory infiltration， lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines in the tissue homogenate （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of related proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the normal group， the cell model group showed elevated level of TNF-α in the supernatant （P<0.01） and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， cleaved Caspase-1， IL-1β， TNF-α， and COX-2 （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， low， medium， and high doses of DH50 lowered the level of TNF-α in the supernatant of cell culture in a dose-dependent manner and down-regulated the expression of related proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDH50 can mitigate gouty arthritis both in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes and the production of inflammatory cytokines.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of alcohol extract of Oroxylum indicum （MHD-80） on reducing uric acid （UA） and protecting the kidney in the hyperuricemia （HUA） model in vivo. MethodPotassium oxazine （350 mg·kg^-1） and adenine （80 mg·kg^-1） were used to construct an HUA model of mice in vivo to evaluate the mechanism related to UA reduction and the protective effect of renal function of MHD-80. Seventy male ICR mice were randomly divided into seven groups， including the normal group， model group， allopurinol group （5 mg·kg^-1）， febusotan group （5 mg·kg^-1）， and MHD-80 low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （3， 6， 12 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 in each group. Except for the normal group， the other groups were given intragastric administration of potassium oxazine and adenine for 14 consecutive days to establish the HUA model. On the 8^th to 14^th day after modeling， each group was given corresponding drugs by intragastric administration， once a day. 1 h after the last administration， blood was collected from the eyeballs， and kidney and liver tissues of mice were collected. Serum levels of UA， urea nitrogen （BUN）， and creatinine （Cr） and liver activity of xanthine oxidase （XOD） were determined by enzyme colorimetry. Serum contents of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β） were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Hematoxilin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in kidney tissues. The protein expression levels of ATP-binding box transporter G2 （ABCG2） and glucose-facilitating transporter 9 （GLUT9） in kidney tissues were detected by Western blot. ResultIn vivo experiment shows that compared with the normal group， the serum levels of UA， Cr， BUN， inflammatory factors TNF-α， IL-1β， and liver XOD activity in the serum of mice in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expression of GLUT9 in kidney tissues was significantly up-regulated （P<0.05）. ABCG2 protein expression was significantly down-regulated （P<0.05）， and renal injury was obvious. Compared with the model group， the levels of UA， BUN， Cr， TNF-α， IL-1β， and liver XOD activity in the serum of mice in the high-dose group of MHD-80 were decreased to different degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）， GLUT9 protein expression was significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）， ABCG2 protein expression was significantly up-regulated （P<0.05） in the high-dose group of MHD-80， and the degree of renal injury was reduced. ConclusionMHD-80 has certain uric acid reduction， anti-inflammatory， and anti-renal injury effects， which are related to inhibiting XOD activity and regulating the expression of ABCG2 and GLUT9 uric acid transporter.

This paper reports a case of peritonitis caused by Campylobacter fetus in a continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patient. The patient was a middle-aged man, with chronic kidney disease stage 5 secondary to chronic glomerulonephritis, and had been on CAPD for 6 years. He was admitted to our department with a 7 day history of abdominal pain and cloudy effluent. Peritoneal effluent culture was negative and metagenomic next-generation sequencing suggested Campylobacter fetus. Intraperitoneal treatment with amikacin was failed. Peritoneal dialysis catheter was removed and hemodialysis treatment was performed. After treatment of erythromycin oral for 4 weeks, the patient's symptoms was improved and discharged.

Objective:To determine whether the early stage platelet count can predict the outcome of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis (PDAP).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted by selecting PDAP patients who were hospitalized in the First People's Hospital of Foshan from January 2012 to January 2019. According to the final treatment outcome, the patients were divided into cured group and withdrawn group. The withdrawn group included patients who transferred to hemodialysis or died. Basic data on demography, blood routine examination, peritoneal fluid, biochemical indicators were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the withdrawn risk factors of PDAP.Results:There were 180 patients included in the study, including 112 cases in the cured group and 68 cases in the withdrawn group. Compared with the cured group, there were older age [(53.38±14.17) years old vs (48.41±13.04) years old, t=2.407, P=0.017], longer age of dialysis [(49.20±26.05) months vs (30.36±32.97) months, t=4.034, P<0.001], longer hospital stay [(23.88±11.50) d vs (17.80±3.95) d, t=5.133, P<0.001] and higher platelet count [(285.55±107.23)×10 9/L vs (234.90±74.03)×10 9/L, t=3.450, P=0.001], lower serum albumin [(31.72±7.47) g/L vs (35.40±4.93) g/L, t=-3.972, P<0.001] in the withdrawn group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that longer dialysis age ( OR=1.012, 95% CI 1.007-1.024, P=0.015) and higher platelet count ( OR=1.013, 95% CI 1.004-1.026, P=0.008) were independent risk factors, and higher serum albumin ( OR=0.941, 95% CI 0.896-0.988, P=0.005) was an independent protective factor of withdrawal from peritoneal dialysis in PDAP patients. Conclusions:The long dialysis age, early high platelet count are independent risk factors and high serum albumin level is an independent protective factor for withdrawal from peritoneal dialysis in PDAP patients.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion assisted with microscope.Methods Thirty-seven patients with cervical spondylosis were included to be retrospectively ana lyzed,including 21 males and 16 females.All these patients had accepted anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) assisted with microscope from October,2015 to February,2018,and they were aged from 22 to 77 years old (51.5±6.2 years on the average).In these patients,30 cases were operated on single segment,6 cases were operated on double segments,and 1 case was operated on 3 segments.Among all the patients,15 patients of which (40.54％) had cervical spondylotic myelopathy and 22 patients of which (59.46％) sufferered from cervical spondylotic radicu lopathy.All the operations were performed with a conventional transverse anterior cervical incisions,an intervertebral distractor was placed.The decompression was completed under the microscope,and the fixation was performed under direct vision.Moreover,the operative time,intraoperative blood loss and surgery-related complications were recorded.Follow-up was carried out at different times,including 7 days,1 month,3 months,6 months and every year after operation.Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used to calculate the rate of improvement in neurological function,which can evaluate the clinical efficacy.And cervical dysfunction index (NDI) was used to assess cervical function.Results All patients in this group underwent successful decompression under the microscope.The operation time was 90-160 min,with an average of (110.67±36.42) min;The intraoperative blood loss was 20-110 ml,with an average of (36.00±29.11) ml.All patients were followed-up for 12-31 months,with an average of (15.2±4.7) months.The JOA score improved from 8.37±3.26 preoperatively to 15.96 ± 1.50 at the last follow-up,and its difference had signifi cance in statistics (t=8.592,P=0.000).Neurological function improvement rate could be graded:excellent in 31 cases and good in 6 cases,the excellent and good rate was 100％;NDI was reduced from 19.01 ± 6.47 preoperatively to 5.81 ± 2.58 at the last follow-up,with statistical significant difference (t=5.127,P=0.000).During the follow-up,1 screw was found loosened and slightly withdrawn in 1 female patient at 3 months after operation,of whom had not obvious discomfort.The patient was continuously observed and there was no screw withdrawal again.Moreover,there were no complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage,hoarseness and difficulty in swallowing.Conclusion Microscope-assisted ACDF can provide safe and adequate decompression without significantly extending the operation time,which is satisfactory in clinical results.Even in some cases of 1 or 2 segments of intervertebral disc nucleus prolapse,it is possible to avoid a more traumatic ACDF.And it is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective To compare the influence of hemodialysis (HD) and peritoneal dialysis (PD) on early outcome of patients underwent kidney transplantation from donation after cardiac death (DCD).Methods Patients admitted in the First People's Hospital of Foshan with DCD kidney transplant from January 1st,2011 to June 30th,2016 were analyzed retrospectively.Recipients were grouped into HD group (n=61) and PD group (n=28) according to their pre-transplant dialysis modality.Their short-term outcomes after DCD kidney transplant were compared,including recovery of renal function,short-term complications and laboratory data.Results Patients had longer dialysis duration and lower hemoglobin,serum albumin and phosphorus in PD group than those in HD group (all P ＜ 0.05),but no significant difference shown in age,gender,body mass index,primary disease,blood pressure,and hepatitis B infection (all P ＞ 0.05).HD patients with 6.00(4.00,11.00) d recovery time of renal function,18.00(17.00,21.50) d hospital time,had 24.59％ the delayed graft function (DGF),3.28％ acute rejection and 16.39％ infection during hospitalization.While for PD patients the recovery time of renal function was 4.00(3.75,7.00) d;hospital time was 19.00(15.00,21.75) d;the incidence rate of DGF was 14.29％;acute rejection was 3.57％;and infection during hospitalization reached 17.86％.Above indexes were not significantly different between HD and PD groups (all P ＞0.05).Repeated measure ments showed that,compared with those before transplant surgery,after 1 month,3 months and 6 months HD and PD groups had decreased creatinine and phosphorus,and increased hemoglobinserum albumin and calcium;Serum albumin and calcium were different between the two groups (P ＜ 0.001,P=0.040),whereas creatinine,hemoglobin and phosphorus did not show difference (all P ＜ 0.05).After transplantation the trends of creatinine,hemoglobin,calcium and phosphorus were not different between the two groups (P values were 0.295,0.310,0.501 and 0.063,respectively).Conclusions No significant difference of the recovery regarding renal function,anemia,nutrition status and mineral metabolites was found between pre-transplant HD and PD modality in patients who underwent DCD kidney transplantations.

BACKGROUND:Atorvastatin has been shown to reduce bone loss and fracture, but its effects on implant osseointegration remain unknown.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on implant osseointegration in osteoporotic rats and the underlying mechanisms.
METHODS:Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into sham-surgery, ovariectomy, and atorvastatin (10 and 20 mg/kg per day) treatment groups, respectively. Al rats received ovariectomy and implant surgery except those in the sham-surgery group. Bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebra, osseointegration ratio and pul-out strength of implants were measured after 12-week treatment.Levels of bone formation and resorption markers in osteoblasts treated with atorvastatin were determined by ELISA. Wnt pathway-relatedgene expression was detected by RT-PCR.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Bone mineral density, osseointegration ratio and pul-out strength of implants were significantly increased in 20 mg/kg per day of atorvastatin treatment group compared with ovariectomy group (P< 0.05). Levels of alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcinand osteoprotegerinwere significantly increased in osteoblasts treated with atorvastatinin vitro(P<0 .05), and the level of osteoclast differentiation factor RANKL was significantly inhibited (P< 0.05). Meanwhile, atorvastatin significantly promoted the mRNA expression of low-density lipoprotein associated protein 5and β-catenin, and inhibited the mRNA expression of dickkopfWnt signal pathway inhibitor 1and sclerostin. Our results suggest that atorvastatin promotes implant osseointegration in osteoporotic rats by activating Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of a new sling exercise treatment combined with injections of sodium hyaluronate on the radiographic findings and clinical variables of patients with patellofemoral pain.Methods Seventy patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome were divided into a group which was treated using a new sling exercise therapy combined with injections of sodium hyaluronate (the combined therapy group,n=34) and another which received only sodium hyaluronate injections (the control group,n=36).The patients of both groups were assessed pre-and post-treatment.The clinical assessment modalities were pain scores (using a visual analogue scale,VAS),quadriceps and hamstring strength and range of motion in the active flexion and extension of the knee.Q angles were measured supine and standing.Patellofemor tilt angle and congruence and sulcus angle were determined by CT scanning.Results After 5 weeks the average VAS pain score of the combined therapy group was significantly lower than that of the control group.Muscle strength and range of motion in the combined therapy group were both significantly higher than pro-treatment,the Q angles were significantly smaller,and the congruence and sulcus angles were significantly better.Conclusion Five weeks of practicing the new sling exercise therapy combined with injections of sodium hyaluronate can yield satisfactory clinical and radiologic outcomes in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome.