Objective:To analyze the correlation of poorly differentiated cluster(PDC)grade with clinicopathological features and prognosis of patients with colon cancer.Methods:Hematoxylin-eosin-stained specimens and data from 102 patients with colon cancer who under-went surgery at the Affiliated Hospital of Anhui West Health Vocational College between December 2016 and July 2021 were analyzed in this study.The PDC grades of tumor tissues were determined in all colon cancer cases.Additionally,associations between the PDC grade and clinicopathological features of patients were analyzed via Chi-square test and Logistic regression analysis,whereas the association between the PDC grade and patient prognosis was evaluated using Cox regression analysis.Results:In total,52 cases were identified as PDC G1,14 as PDC G2,and 36 as PDC G3.Tumor budding(TB)was independently and positively associated with PDC,whereas tumor infiltrating lympho-cytes(TIL)were independently and negatively associated with PDC(all P<0.05).Lymph node metastasis or presence of cancerous nodules(hazard ratio[HR]=2.377;95%confidence interval[CI]=1.237-4.568;P=0.009),distant metastasis(HR=7.455;95%CI=2.597-21.399;P<0.001),and the PDC grade(HR=2.095;95%CI=1.099-3.994;P=0.025)were independent risk factors for colon cancer progression.Conclu-sions:Our findings suggest that both TIL and TB affect the colon cancer PDC grade.Therefore,evaluating the PDC grade in cancer tissues can facilitate the prognostic stratification of patients with colon cancer.

Objective To investigate the impact of dexamethasone(DEX)on diaphragmatic atrophy caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS)and its correlation with diaphragmatic protein metabolism.Methods Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly assigned to control,ARDS model,low-dose DEX,and high-dose DEX group,with each group consisting of five rats.ARDS was induced in the rats by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)at 4 mg/kg.Conversely,intratracheal saline was administered to the control group at 2 mL/kg.Following the induction of the model,an intraperitoneal injection of DEX at 1 mg·kg-1·d-1 was administered to the low-dose DEX group.Conversely,DEX at 5 mg·kg-1·d-1 was administered to the high-dose group for 7 consecutive days.Subsequently,on the eighth day of the experiment,the diaphragmatic weight of all rats was measured.Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR)was utilized to assess the mRNA expression of interleukins(IL-1β,IL-18)in each group.Western blotting was employed to determine the protein expression levels of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)p65,NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),caspase-1,Gasdermin D(GSDMD),myosin heavy chain 2(Myh2),and F-box protein 32(Fbxo32).Additionally,immunohistochemistry was utilized to evaluate the ratio of fast to slow muscle fibers in the diaphragm.Results The ARDS model group showed significant reductions in body weight,diaphragm weight,fast muscle fibers,and Myh2 protein expression compared to the control group[body weight(g):266±17 vs.292±15,diaphragm weight(g):0.77±0.02 vs.0.92±0.08,fast muscle fibers:(74±1)%vs.(78±3)%,Myh2 protein expression(Avalue):0.75±0.07 vs.0.95±0.05,all P<0.05].Conversely,significant increases were observed in the expressions of IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA,slow muscle fibers,and the proteins NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD,Fbxo32[IL-1β mRNA(IL-1β/GAPDH):2.2±0.3 vs.1.0±0.2,IL-18 mRNA(IL-18/GAPDH):2.3±0.3 vs.1.0±0.3,slow muscle fibers:(26±1)%vs.(22±3)%,NF-κB p65 protein expression(A value):0.40±0.15 vs.0.17±0.05,NLRP3 protein expression(A value):0.51±0.05 vs.0.27±0.08,caspase-1 protein expression(A value):0.54±0.12 vs.0.30±0.19,GSDMD protein expression(A value):0.40±0.12 vs.0.20±0.05,Fbxo32 protein expression(A value):0.51±0.15 vs.0.33±0.08,all P<0.05].Compared with the ARDS group,both low and high doses of DEX were found to further reduce body weight,diaphragm weight,fast muscle fibers,and Myh2 protein expression,and further increase the expressions of IL-1β and IL-18 mRNA,slow muscle fibers,and the proteins NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-1,GSDMD,Fbxo32,with the changes in the high dose DEX group being more significant than those in the low dose group[body weight(g):198±14 vs.222±16,diaphragm weight(g):0.57±0.04 vs.0.68±0.04,fast muscle fibers:(56±5)%vs.(69±2)%,Myh2 protein expression(A value):0.29±0.16 vs.0.57±0.15,IL-1βmRNA expression:5.6±1.4 vs.3.3±0.6,IL-18 mRNA expression(IL-18/GAPDH):5.8±1.2 vs.3.9±0.6,slow muscle fibers:(44±5)%vs.(31±2)%,NF-κB p65 protein expression(A value):0.87±0.04 vs.0.70±0.07,NLRP3 protein expression(A value):0.75±0.08 vs.0.63±0.04,caspase-1 protein expression(A value):0.99±0.06 vs.0.82±0.08,GSDMD protein expression(Avalue):0.85±0.11 vs.0.61±0.10,Fbxo32 protein expression(Avalue):1.00±0.10 vs.0.78±0.12,all P<0.05].Normal muscle fiber structure was revealed by microscopic observation in the control group,clear fiber separation in the ARDS model group,and disordered muscle fiber arrangement with structural distortion was noted in both low and high-dose DEX groups.Conclusion Prolonged administration of DEX may worsen diaphragmatic atrophy induced by ARDS,possibly by promoting the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and cell pyroptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of curcumin on renal mitochondrial oxidative stress, nuclear factor-κB/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NF-κB/NLRP3) inflammatory body signaling pathway and tissue cell injury in rats with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: A total of 24 specific pathogen free (SPF)-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, ARDS model group, and low-dose and high-dose curcumin groups, with 6 rats in each group. The ARDS rat model was reproduced by intratracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) at 4 mg/kg via aerosol inhalation. The control group was given 2 mL/kg of normal saline. The low-dose and high-dose curcumin groups were administered 100 mg/kg or 200 mg/kg curcumin by gavage 24 hours after model reproduction, once a day. The control group and ARDS model group were given an equivalent amount of normal saline. After 7 days, blood samples were collected from the inferior vena cava, and the levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The rats were sacrificed, and kidney tissues were collected. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were determined by ELISA, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was detected using the xanthine oxidase method, and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were determined by colorimetric method. The protein expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), caspase-3, NF-κB p65, and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) were detected by Western blotting. The mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Renal cell apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The morphological changes in renal tubular epithelial cells and mitochondria were observed under a transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the ARDS model group exhibited kidney oxidative stress and inflammatory response, significantly elevated serum levels of kidney injury biomarker NGAL, activated NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway, increased kidney tissue cell apoptosis rate, and renal tubular epithelial cell damage and mitochondrial integrity destruction under transmission electron microscopy, indicating successful induction of kidney injury. Following curcumin intervention, the injury to renal tubular epithelial cells and mitochondria in the rats was significantly mitigated, along with a noticeable reduction in oxidative stress, inhibition of the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway, and a significant decrease in kidney tissue cell apoptosis rate, demonstrating a certain dose-dependency. Compared with the ARDS model group, the high-dose curcumin group exhibited significantly reduced serum NGAL levels and kidney tissue MDA and ROS levels [NGAL (μg/L): 13.8±1.7 vs. 29.6±2.7, MDA (nmol/g): 115±18 vs. 300±47, ROS (kU/L): 75±19 vs. 260±15, all P < 0.05], significantly down-regulated protein expressions of HIF-1α, caspase-3, NF-κB p65, and TLR4 in the kidney tissue [HIF-1α protein (HIF-1α/β-actin): 0.515±0.064 vs. 0.888±0.055, caspase-3 protein (caspase-3/β-actin): 0.549±0.105 vs. 0.958±0.054, NF-κB p65 protein (NF-κB p65/β-actin): 0.428±0.166 vs. 0.900±0.059, TLR4 protein (TLR4/β-actin): 0.683±0.048 vs. 1.093±0.097, all P < 0.05], and significantly down-regulated mRNA expressions of HIF-1α, NLRP3, and IL-1β [HIF-1α mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 2.90±0.39 vs. 9.49±1.87, NLRP3 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 2.07±0.21 vs. 6.13±1.32, IL-1β mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 1.43±0.24 vs. 3.95±0.51, all P < 0.05], and significantly decreased kidney tissue cell apoptosis rate [(4.36±0.92)% vs. (27.75±8.31)%, P < 0.05], and significantly increased SOD activity (kU/g: 648±34 vs. 430±47, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Curcumin can alleviate kidney injury in ARDS rats, and its mechanism may be related to the increasing in SOD activity, reduction of oxidative stress, and inhibition of the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway.
Male ; Rats ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NF-kappa B ; Actins ; Caspase 3 ; Curcumin ; Lipocalin-2 ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Inflammasomes ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Saline Solution ; Kidney ; Superoxide Dismutase

Objective To explore the relationship between the distribution characteristics and the habitat factors of the invasive B. straminea in South China. Methods From October 2016 to August 2017, the breeding condition and habitat factors of B. straminea were investigated in the rivers of Shenzhen and its adjacent areas in the dry season, normal season and wet reason. The generalized additive model (GAM) was used to study the main habitat factors affecting the distribution density of B. straminea. Results The distribution characteristics of B. straminea showed obvious aggregation and unevenness in space. In terms of time, the density of snails was the highest in the dry season, followed by the normal water season and the least in the wet season. The GAM model analysis showed that the main habitat factors affecting the distribution density of B. straminea were water depth, water temperature, flow velocity, dissolved oxygen, and total phosphorus. When the flow velocity and water temperature were 0.25 m / s and 26 °C, respectively, the largest distribution density of snails might appear. The distribution density of B. straminea was positively correlated with dissolved oxygen and total phosphorus. Conclusion B. straminea is suitable to live in the water environment with poor water quality. In the future, the monitoring should be strengthened to provide reference for the prevention and control of the spread of the snails.

Objective To propose a human-machine coupling dynamics modeling method based on virtual muscles, so as to quantitatively analyze the characteristics of human-computer interaction force and muscle activation of the musculoskeletal system. Methods First, in the gait experiment of wearing exoskeleton, the human motion capture system and self-developed mechanical monitoring device were used to obtain the wearer’s walking dynamics, electromyography (EMG) signals, exoskeleton drive status and local human-computer interaction information. The human-machine coupling model was established in modeling environment of the bone system, and the gait experiment data and the exoskeleton joint torques were used as driving information of the coupling model to perform inverse mechanical calculations. Finally, by adjusting strength and stiffness parameters of the virtual muscles, the real data of the model was compared with the experimental test result, to quantitatively evaluate effectiveness of the human-machine coupling model of the lower extremity exoskeleton. Results The normal interaction force calculated by inverse dynamics of the coupled model and the activation of lower limb muscles had a good consistency in response curve trend compared with measurement results of the gait experiment, and the interaction force results had a high degree of correlation (r=0.931, P<0.01), the root mean square error was small, and the peak error of lower limb muscle activation was lower than 5%. Conclusions The human-machine coupling model proposed in this study can effectively calculate the interaction force between human and exoskeleton. The establishment of the coupling model provides a theoretical basis for verification and iteration of the exoskeleton structure optimization and control algorithm, as well as performance evaluation on mobility assistance effects of the exoskeleton.

Objective:To investigate the effect of curcumin on renal fibrosis in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in adult SD rats.Methods:Twenty-four male SD rats were randomly (random number) divided into four groups: control group, ARDS group, low dose group, and high dose group ( n=6 per group). In the control group, the rats were given atomization intratracheal of standard saline 2 mL/kg; in the ARDS group, low-dose group, and high-dose group, the rats were given atomization intratracheal of 4 mg/kg LPS; in the low-dose group, the rats were given curcumin 100 mg/d by the oral administration, and in the high-dose group, the rats were given curcumin or 200 mg/d respectively. After seven days, the rats were sacrificed. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in renal tissue were detected by colorimetric assay. Nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were detected by Western blot. The expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) mRNA, proline hydroxylase 3 (PHD3) mRNA, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA and erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) mRNA were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). HE staining and Masson staining were used to assess pathological damage. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparison among multiple groups and SNK method was used for comparison between two groups. Results:Compared with the control group, the SOD activity and GSH content in the ARDS group, low-dose group, and high-dose group were significantly decreased (all P<0.05); the protein expression levels of MDA, NF-κB p65, and TGF-β1 were increased significantly, and IL-6 mRNA, PHD3 mRNA, VEGF mRNA, and EPOR mRNA were significantly upregulated (all P<0.05). HE staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration, and fibrogenesis in kidney tissue, and Masson staining showed deposition of collangen-like substance. Compared with the ARDS group, SOD activity and GSH content were increased, while the protein expression of NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1, IL-6 mRNA, PHD3 mRNA, VEGF mRNA, and EPOR mRNA were decreased significantly in the low-dose group and high-dose group (all P<0.05). Curcumin therapy reduced inflammatory cellular infiltration, and the deposition of collagen-like substance in kidney tissue. Compared with the low-dose group, SOD activity and GSH content were increased in the high-dose group (all P<0.05), and the protein expression of NF-κB p65 and TGF-β1, IL-6 mRNA, PHD3 mRNA, VEGF mRNA, and EPOR mRNA were decreased significantly in the high-dose group (all P<0.05). The high-dose group exhibited a significant reduction in edema, and a decrease of the deposition of collagen-like substance in kidney tissue. Conclusions:Curcumin can inhibit the development of renal fibrosis induced by acute respiratory distress syndrome in rats, and its mechanism may be related to inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors and enhancing hypoxia tolerance.

Objective To study the dynamic diffusion characteristics of Biomphalaria straminea in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Huizhou of Southern China. Methods B. straminea was monitored at 25 investigation points along 10 river channels in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Huizhou by salvaging method. The diffusion characteristics of snails along with water in the Guihua New Village section of the Guanlan River and the Dawei Village section of the Longgang River were analyzed by GPS location drift test. In addition, the influence of flooding on the diffusion of B. straminea in the Kuichong River both before and after Typhoon ^"Shanzhu^" was analyzed by monitoring the hydrology and distribution of snails. Results In March and October from 2016 to 2018, a total of 1 176 kg of floating objects were salvaged in rivers in Shenzhen, Dongguan and Huizhou. Scattered B. straminea were found on water hyacinths. Drift test of floats with GPS showed that the average drift speed of GPS floating objects was close to the river surface velocity. Affected by river current and wind direction, the GPS floats quickly drifted to the river bank and stopped in the stagnant area due to the blockade of water plants, stone and the bending of the shoreline. The drift distance of each time was between 136 - 715m. The test results of salvaged floating objects found that the loss rates of B. straminea were 46.70% - 60.00% and 22.10% - 30.80%, in the Guihua New Village section of the Guanlan River and the Dawei Village section of the Longgang River, respectively, which were significantly affected by the floating weight, river velocity and drifting distance. The analysis of the hydrology and distribution of B. straminea in the Kuichong River both before and after Typhoon ^"Shanzhu^" showed that the density of B. straminea in the river was significantly reduced by the flood. Conclusion B. straminea is mainly transported as suspended matter in water body, and flooding was an important factor in its long-distance diffusion.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of feeding intolerance (FI),and to explore the FI within 7 days of ICU admission in association with clinical outcome in critically ill patients.Methods The adult patients from 14 general ICUs in Zhejiang Province with an expected admission to ICU for at least 24h were recruited from March 2014 to August 2014,and all clinical,laboratory,and survival data were prospectively collected.The AGI (acute gastrointestinal injury) grade was daily assessed based on gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms,feeding details and organ dysfunction within the first week of ICU stay.The intra-abdominal pressures (IAP) was measured using AbViser device.Results Of 550 patients enrolled,418 were assessed in GI symptoms and feeding details within 7 days of ICU stay.The mean age and SOFA score were (65.1 ± 18.3) years and (8.96 ±4.10),respectively.Of them,355 patients (84.9％) were under mechanical ventilation support,and 37 (8.85％) received renal replacement therapy.The mean length of time for enteral feeding was (30.8 ±26.2) h,and the prevalence of FI on the 3rd and 7th day of ICU stay accounted for 39.2％ and 25.4％,respectively.Compared to those with FI within 7 days of ICU stay,the patients without FI had higher rate of successively weaning from mechanical ventilation (21.3％ vs.5.7％,P =0.003) and higher rate of withdrawal of vasoactive medication (45.5％ vs.20.0％,P =0.037),as well as lower mortality rate of 28-day (24.4％ vs.38.7％,P =0.004) and 60-day (29.6％ vs.44.3％,P =0.005).In multivariate Cox regression model with adjustment for age,sex,participant center,serum creatinine and lactate,AGI grade on the first day of ICU stay,and comorbidities,the FI within 7 days of ICU stay (x2 ≥ 7.24,P ＜ 0.01) remained to be independent predictors for 60-day mortality.After further adjusted for SOFA score,the FI within 7 days of ICU stay (HR =1.71,95％ CI:1.18-2.49;P =0.006) and AGI grade on the first day of ICU stay (HR =1.33,95 ％ CI:1.07-1.65;P =0.009) could provide independent prognostic values of 60-day mortality.Conclusions There is high rate of FI occurred within 7 days of ICU stay,and is significantly associated with worse outcome.In addition,this study also provides evidence to further support that measurement of gastrointestinal dysfunction could increase value of SOFA score in outcome prediction for the risk of 60-day mortality.

Objective To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on the implementation of blind nasojejunal (NJ) tube placement and enteral nutrition (EN) in neurosurgical severe coma patients in intensive care unit (ICU).Methods Seventy-nine neurosurgical severe coma patients admitted to ICU were randomly divided into conventional group (blind NJ tube placement,n =40) and EA group (NJ placement and EA,n =39).EA was performed after NJ tube placement at bilateral acupoints Zusanli (ST36) and Hegu (L14) points using EA treatment instrument.The impelling distance of NJ tube were measured and the success rate of NJ tube placement were calculated.The postoperative complications were observed.Results The difference of NJ tube impelling distances at the 24th,48th,and 72th hours after surgery in EA group were significant longer than that in conventional group (P ＜ 0.05).The success rates of NJ tube placement at the 24th and 72nd hours after surgery in EA group were significantly better than that in conventional group (P ＜ 0.05).Their EN calories qualifiedness rate in 72 hours also increased significantly compared with conventional group and the proportion of patients assisted with parenteral nutrition decreased (P ＜0.05).The postoperative complications including alimentary tract hemorrhage,vomiting,and abdominal distension decreased remarkably in EA group compared with conventional group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions EA stimulation at acupoints could promote the gastrointestinal peristalsis of neurosurgical severe coma patients and elevate the success rate of blind NJ tube placement,so it is beneficial for the implementation of early enteral nutrition (EEN).

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of extractive Angelica dahutica on intestinal absorption of puerarin, the mechanism of the absorption enhancement of A. dahutica was investigated, providing a new thread of combinations of the Chinese herbal drugs.

METHODEverted intestinal sac and in situ single pass perfusion were used to study the effect of gut absorption of puerarin solution containing the extractive A. dahurica as well as the influence of P-gp on the absorption of puerarin, and explore weather the extractive A. dahutica can enhance the absorption of puerarin and the mechanism of absorption of puerarin.

RESULTThe puerarin could be absorbed at all of four intestinal segments with increaing absorption amount perunit as follows: ileum > colon > jejunum > duodenum. The absorption of puerarin in jejunum was significantly increased with the extractive A. dahutica in situ single pass perfusion of jejunum. The apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) and absorption rate constant (Ka) of puerarin in the jejunum were descreased gradually with higher concentrations, and the Papp with the Ka of jejunum solution containing the P-gp inhibitor of verapamil were increasing respectively 2.49, 2.60 (P < 0.001) than only the jejunum solution in absorption. The absorption of jejunum in pH 5.0, 6.8 were better than it in pH 7.4.

CONCLUSIONThe mechanism of absorption of jejunum was active absorption and was effected by P-gp. The extrative A. dahurica can enhance the absorption of the jejunum.

Angelica ; Animals ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Intestinal Absorption ; Isoflavones ; pharmacokinetics ; Jejunum ; metabolism ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley