Leptospirosis is a global natural zoonotic infectious disease.Research shows that short-chain fatty acids,metabolites of gut microbiota,are involved in host immune regulation and affect disease progression.This experiment was conducted to investigate the role of short-chain fatty acids in leptospirosis.The results showed that supplementation of short-chain fatty acid butyric acid could significantly improve the survival rate of leptospirosis in hamsters.In vitro experiments showed that butyric acid treatment inhibited the expression of Cat and Gsr genes in macrophages after infection with Leptospira,but enhanced the expression of NOX1 and NOX4 genes.At the same time,butyric acid treatment enhanced macrophage ROS levels after leptospirosis infection,and high levels of ROS enhanced the bactericidal function of macrophages.In vivo experiments al-so confirmed that butyric acid protects hamsters against acute leptospirosis by regulating ROS production.Collectively,the short-chain fatty acid butyric acid,a metabolite of gut microbiota,en-hances the bactericidal function of macrophages by regulating ROS expression,thereby protecting the host against leptospirosis.

Medication during pregnancy is widespread, but there are few reports on its fetal safety. Recent studies suggest that medication during pregnancy can affect fetal morphological and functional development through multiple pathways, multiple organs, and multiple targets. Its mechanisms involve direct ways such as oxidative stress, epigenetic modification, and metabolic activation, and it may also be indirectly caused by placental dysfunction. Further studies have found that medication during pregnancy may also indirectly lead to multi-organ developmental programming, functional homeostasis changes, and susceptibility to related diseases in offspring by inducing fetal intrauterine exposure to too high or too low levels of maternal-derived glucocorticoids. The organ developmental toxicity and programming alterations caused by medication during pregnancy may also have gender differences and multi-generational genetic effects mediated by abnormal epigenetic modification. Combined with the latest research results of our laboratory, this paper reviews the latest research progress on the developmental toxicity and functional programming alterations of multiple organs in offspring induced by medication during pregnancy, which can provide a theoretical and experimental basis for rational medication during pregnancy and effective prevention and treatment of drug-related multiple fetal-originated diseases.

Ginsenoside Rc,a dammarane-type tetracyclic triterpenoid saponin primarily derived from Panax ginseng,has garnered significant attention due to its diverse pharmacological properties.This review outlined the sources,putative biosynthetic pathways,extraction,and quantification techniques,as well as the pharmacokinetic properties of ginsenoside Rc.Furthermore,this study explored the pharmaco-logical effects of ginsenoside Rc against metabolic syndrome(MetS)across various phenotypes including obesity,diabetes,atherosclerosis,non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,and osteoarthritis.It also highlighted the impact of ginsenoside Rc on multiple associated signaling molecules.In conclusion,the anti-MetS effect of ginsenoside Rc is characterized by its influence on multiple organs,multiple targets,and multiple ways.Although clinical investigations regarding the effects of ginsenoside Rc on MetS are limited,its proven safety and tolerability suggest its potential as an effective treatment option.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of mastoid obliteration withsingle-pedicle muscle flap covered by bone pate on vestibular stimulation. METHODS A retrospective study was performed on 59 patients who were treated for chronic otitis media with or without cholesteatoma by two techniques: canal wall down tympano-mastoidectomy(CWD) and subsequent mastoid obliteration(MO). The postoperative vestibular functions of all the patients in both groups were assessed by vestibular function tests and questionnaires. Finally, the data of examination a nd symptoms were a nalyzed. RESULTS After a minimum follow up period of 12 months, the rate of ear dry was 84％(22/26) for MO group and 55％(18/33) for CWD group(χ2=4.72, P <0.05). The dry ear time were 5.46±1.39 weeks for MO group and 8.67±2.3 weeks for CWD group(t =6.2529, P <0.05). When compared latent period of Caloric testing in the MO group (10.3±2.57)s and CWD group (12.7±3.33)s, significant differencewas found(t =3.1639, P <0.05). The postoperative caloric vestibular tests revealed an average nystagmus count of 52.96±20.82 beats per minute in the MO group and 69.94±18.98 beats in the CWD group(t =3.2688, P <0.05). By analyzing the questionnaire, 30％(10/33) of the patients who received CWD treatment reported vertigo by caloric stimuli such as wind, water compared with MO group(0)(χ2=7.45, P <0.05). The rate of suction cleaning induced vertigo was 48％(16/33) in CWD group and 23％(6/26) in MO group(χ2=3.17, P =0.075). CONCLUSION Our technique of mastoid obliteration with single-pedicle muscle flap covered by bone pate results in small cavities with complete epithelialization of all surfaces. Furthermore, obliteration of mastoid cavities provides protection to the labyrinthine organ and reduces postoperative vertigo to caloric stimulation.

Objective: To investigate the effect of pseudodeficiency alleles on the newborn screening of glycogen storage disease type Ⅱ(GSDⅡ) by using afluorometric enzymatic assay to determine acid α-glucosidase (GAA) activity in dried blood spot (DBS). Methods: A total of 30 507 newborns′ DBSs, obtained from Newborn Screening Center of Xinhua Hospital Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from May to December 2017, were screened for GSD Ⅱ by fluorometric enzymatic assay of GAA activity. The suspected positive DBSs after the first and second screening were directly analyzed by Sanger sequencing of GAA to confirm the diagnosis. Retrospective analysis of 3 172 controls without GSDⅡand 36 GSD Ⅱ patients were conducted to investigate the carrier status of pseudodeficiency alleles. Statistical analysis of frequency of pseudodeficiency alleles were carried out by Chi-square test or Fisher exact probability test. Results: GAA activity of 30 507 newborns showed a positively skewed distribution.Twenty-nine cases of newborns, suspected to be GSDⅡwere confirmed to be normal with genetic analysis of the original DBSs. Among the 29 suspected positive cases, 24 cases were homozygous for pseudodeficiency alleles c.[1726A/A; 2065A/A], and the other 5 cases were c.[1726G/A; 2065G/A] heterozygote. The frequency of c.1726G>Ahomozygote in 3 172 non-GSD Ⅱcontrols was 2.08% (66/3 172), and c.1726G>A homozygote occurred in allelic conjunction with c.2065G>Ahomozygote. Frequency of c.[1726A; 2065A] haplotype in 3 172 controls was 3.2%(206/6 344). Frequency of c.[1726A/A; 2065A/A] homozygote in 36 GSDⅡpatients (16.67%, 6/36) was significantly higher than that in non-GSD Ⅱcontrols(2.08%, 66/3 172) (χ²=34.517, P<0.001). Conclusions Pseudodeficiency alleles show a high frequency in Chinese, which leads to a high false positive rate in the newborns screening of GSDⅡ.The afterword genetic analysis of the original DBS after the GAA activity screening could reduce the effect of pseudodeficiency alleles on the newborns screening of GSDⅡ.

Objective: Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss is seldom achieved with nucleos(t)ide analog (NA) therapy in chronic hepatitis B patients but may be enhanced by switching to finite pegylated-interferon (Peg-IFN) alfa-2a. We assessed HBsAg loss with 48- and 96-week Peg-IFN alfa-2a in chronic hepatitis B patients with partial response to a previous NA. Methods: Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-positive patients who achieved HBeAg loss and hepatitis B virus DNA < 200 IU/mL with previous adefovir, lamivudine or entecavir treatment were randomized 1:1 to receive Peg-IFN alfa-2a for 48 (n = 153) or 96 weeks (n = 150). The primary endpoint of this study was HBsAg loss at end of treatment. The ClinicalTrials.gov identifier is NCT01464281. Results: At the end of 48 and 96 weeks' treatment, 14.4% (22/153) and 20.7% (31/150) of patients, respectively, who switched from NA to Peg-IFN alfa-2a cleared HBsAg. Rates were similar irrespective of prior NA or baseline HBeAg seroconversion. Among those who cleared HBsAg by the end of 48 and 96 weeks' treatment, 77.8% (14/18) and 71.4% (20/28), respectively, sustained HBsAg loss for a further 48 weeks. Baseline HBsAg < 1 500 IU/mL and week 24 HBsAg < 200 IU/mL were associated with the highest rates of HBsAg loss at the end of both 48- and 96-week treatment (51.4% and 58.7%, respectively). Importantly, extending treatment from 48 to 96 weeks enabled 48.3% (14/29) more patients to achieve HBsAg loss. Conclusion Patients on long-term NA who are unlikely to meet therapeutic goals can achieve high rates of HBsAg loss by switching to Peg-IFN alfa-2a. HBsAg loss rates may be improved for some patients by extending treatment from 48 to 96 weeks, although the differences in our study cohort were not statistically significant. Baseline and on-treatment HBsAg may predict HBsAg loss with Peg-IFN alfa-2a.

Objective To evaluate the role of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/ antioxidant response element (ARE) signaling pathway in reduction of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury by ischemic preconditioning in the rats.Methods Healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 250-300 g,aged 4-6 months,were used in the study.Their hearts were excised,and retrogradely perfused with K-H solution at 37 ℃ in a Langendorff apparatus.Forty isolated hearts were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=10 each) using a random number table:control group (group C),I/R group,ischemic preconditioning group (group IPC),and ischemic preconditioning +Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway blocker luteolin group (group IPC+L).After 20 min of equilibration,the hearts were continuously perfused for 100 min in group C.After 20 min of equilibration,the hearts were subjected to 40 min ischemia at 32 ℃ followed by 60 min of reperfusion in group I/R.In group IPC,ischemic preconditioning was induced by 6 cycles of 10 s ischemia followed by 10 s reperfusion starting from the time point immediately after 20 min of equilibration,and then the hearts were subjected to 40 min ischemia at 32 ℃ followed by 58 min of reperfusion.In group IPC+L,after 20 min of equilibration,the hearts were perfused with K-H solution containing lueolin 50 μmol/L for 3 min before ischemia,and the other treatments were similar to those previously described in group IPC.Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP),left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVDEP),heart rate (HR),and the maximum rate of increase of left ventricular pressure (+dp/dtmax) were recorded at the end of equilibration and reperfusion.At the end of reperfusion,left ventricular myocardial tissues were obtained for examination of the ultrastructure of myocardial cells and for determination of the expression of Nrf2,heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1),quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1),and superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mRNA and protein (by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot,respectively).Results Compared with group C,the HR,+ dp/dtmax and LVDP were significantly decreased,and LVEDP was significantly increased at the end of reperfusion in I/R and IPC+L groups,and the expression of Nrf2,HO-1,NQO1 and SOD1 mRNA and protein was significantly up-regulated in I/R,IPC and IPC+L groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group I/R,the HR,+dp/dtmax and LVDP were significantly increased,and LVEDP was significantly decreased at the end of reperfusion,the expression of Nrf2,HO-1,NQO1 and SOD1 mRNA and protein was significantly up-regulated (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes were significantly attenuated in group IPC,and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group IPC+L (P＞0.05).Compared with group IPC,the HR,+dp/dt and LVDP were significantly decreased,and LVEDP was significantly increased at the end of reperfusion,and the expression of HO-1,NQO1,SOD1 mRNA and protein was significantly down-regulated (P＜ 0.05),no significant change was found in Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression (P＞0.05),and the pathological changes were significantly aggravated in group IPC + L.Conclusion Ischemic preconditioning reduces myocardial I/R injury through activating Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway in the rats.

10.3969/j.issn.1000-3606.2013.06.019

Based on the circuit board, we draw its circuit diagram. By analyzing the circuit diagram, we maintain medical device power supply and achieve the troubleshooting goal quickly.
Durable Medical Equipment ; Electric Power Supplies ; Maintenance

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of intact canal wall tympanoplasty with mastoidectomy (ICWT) with titanium ossicular prostheses. METHOD: A retrospective review was performed on 31 patients who underwent ICWT from 2008 to 2011. Patients' postoperative hearing results and complication rates were evaluated based on different types of ossicular prosthesis: partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP), total ossicular replacement prosthesis (TORP). RESULT: The total effectiveness was 87.1%. No prosthesis was extruded. There was no significant difference in postoperative hearing results (average postoperative gain and ABG) between the two prostheses. In the low frequency (0.5 kHz), significant difference in ABG was found. CONCLUSION No significant difference in postoperative hearing results was found between PORP and TORP, which could be useful materials for tympanoplasty and obviously improve the hearing of otitis media patients after operation. As for the low incidence of postoperative complications in our short-term study, long-term follow-up visit is necessary.
Adult ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Ossicular Prosthesis ; Retrospective Studies ; Titanium ; Tympanoplasty ; instrumentation ; methods