Hepatotoxicity of cantharidin is associated with the altered bile acid metabolism

Cantharidin (CTD) is an effective antitumor agent. However, it exhibits significant hepatotoxicity, the mechanism of which remains unclear. In this study, biochemical and histopathological analyses complemented with ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)-based targeted metabolomic analysis of bile acids (BAs) were employed to investigate CTD-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Sixteen male and female Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: control and CTD (1.0 mg/kg) groups. Serum and liver samples were collected after 28 days of intervention. Biochemical, histopathological, and BA metabolomic analyses were performed for all samples. Further, the key biomarkers of CTD-induced hepatotoxicity were identified via multivariate and metabolic pathway analyses. In addition, metabolite–gene–enzyme network and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were used to identify the signaling pathways related to CTD-induced hepatotoxicity. The results revealed significantly increased levels of biochemical indices (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and total bile acid). Histopathological analysis revealed that the hepatocytes were damaged. Further, 20 endogenous BAs were quantitated via UHPLC-MS/MS, and multivariate and metabolic pathway analyses of BAs revealed that hyocholic acid, cholic acid, and chenodeoxycholic acid were the key biomarkers of CTD-induced hepatotoxicity. Meanwhile, primary and secondary BA biosynthesis and taurine and hypotaurine metabolism were found to be associated with the mechanism by which CTD induced hepatotoxicity in rats. This study provides useful insights for research on the mechanism of CTD-induced hepatotoxicity.     

Validation of the Modena bleeding score in endoscopic sinus surgery

IntroductionThe Modena bleeding score is a categorical rating scale that allows the assessment of the surgical field in relation to bleeding during endoscopic surgery. It has recently been presented and validated in the field of endoscopic ear surgery by the present authors. The Modena bleeding score provides five grades for rating the surgical field during endoscopic procedures (from grade 1 ? no bleeding to grade 5 ? bleeding that prevents every surgical procedure except those dedicated to bleeding control).ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to validate the Modena bleeding score in the setting of endoscopic sinus surgery.MethodsFifteen three-minute videos of endoscopic sinus surgery procedures (each containing three bleeding situations) were evaluated by 15 specialists, using the Modena bleeding score. Intra and inter-rater reliability were assessed, and the clinical validity of the Modena bleeding score was calculated using a referent standard.ResultsThe data analysis showed an intra-rater reliability ranging from 0.6336 to 0.861. The inter-rater reliability ranged from 0.676 to 0.844. The clinical validity was α = 0.70; confidence limits: 0.64 ? 0.75, corresponding to substantial agreement.ConclusionThe Modena bleeding score is an effective method to score bleeding during endoscopic sinus surgery. Its application in future research could facilitate the performance and efficacy assessment of surgical techniques, materials or devices aimed to bleeding control during endoscopic sinus surgery.     

滋肾育胎丸加减方预防ACA阳性者不良妊娠结局的效果及机制研究＊

目的 探讨滋肾育胎丸加减方预防抗磷脂抗体（ACA）阳性者不良妊娠结局的效果及机制研究。方法 选取2016年2月至2019年2月我院收治的89例ACA阳性，先兆性流产或有习惯性流产（RSA）史患者，将采用西医治疗的40例作为对照组，将采用西医联合滋肾育胎丸加减方治疗的49例作为观察组，比较两组中医证候疗效、中医证候积分、ACA-IgA、ACA-IgM、ACA-IgG、凝血指标［血小板聚集功能（PAF）、活化蛋白C（PC）、抗凝血酶（AT）、纤溶酶原激活抑制物-1（PAI-1）］、Th1/Th2细胞因子［干扰素γ（IFN-γ）、白介素-2（IL-2）、白介素-4（IL-4）、白介素-10（IL-10）］、妊娠结局、安全性。结果 治疗2周后检测ACA，观察组2例未降低，对照组11例未降低，观察组未降低患者占比低于对照组（P<0.05）；观察组总有效率100.00%高于对照组85.00%（P<0.05）；观察组治疗4周、7周后中医证候积分低于对照组（P<0.05）；观察组治疗4周、7周后ACA-IgA、ACA-IgM、ACA-IgG低于对照组（P<0.05）；观察组治疗4周、7周后PAF、PAI-1低于对照组，PC、AT高于对照组（P<0.05）；观察组治疗4周、7周后IFN-γ、IL-2低于对照组，IL-4、IL-10高于对照组（P<0.05）；观察组活产率95.92%高于对照组80.00%（P<0.05）；组间不良反应总发生率比较，差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）。结论 动态监测ACA对滋肾育胎丸加减方精准应用具有指导意义，指导滋肾育胎丸加减方通过调理脏腑、气血、经络功能，改善先兆性流产或有RSA史患者临床症状及凝血因子指标，降低ACA水平，并可改善患者免疫耐受功能，提高胎儿活产率，且安全性高。     

A Priori Subcell Limiting Approach for the FR/CPR Method on Unstructured Meshes

A priori subcell limiting approach is developed for high-order flux reconstruction/correction procedure via reconstruction (FR/CPR) methods on two-dimensional unstructured quadrilateral meshes. Firstly, a modified indicator based on modal energy coefficients is proposed to detect troubled cells, where discontinuities exist. Then, troubled cells are decomposed into nonuniform subcells and each subcell has one solution point. A second-order finite difference shock-capturing scheme based on nonuniform nonlinear weighted (NNW) interpolation is constructed to perform the calculation on troubled cells while smooth cells are calculated by the CPR method. Numerical investigations show that the proposed subcell limiting strategy on unstructured quadrilateral meshes is robust in shock-capturing.     

Robust antibody response after a third BNT162b2 vaccine compared to the second among immunocompromised and healthy individuals,a prospective longitudinal cohort study

PurposeAs protection from COVID-19 following two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine showed a time dependent waning, a third (booster) dose was administrated. This study aims to compare the antibody response following the third dose versus the second and to evaluate post-booster seroconversion.MethodsA prospective observational study conducted in Maccabi Healthcare Services. Serial SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG tests, 1,2,3 and 6 months following the second vaccine dose and one month following the third were obtained. Neutralizing antibody levels were measured in a subset of participants. Per individual SARS-CoV-2 Spike IgG titer ratios were calculated one month after the booster administration compared to titers one month following the second dose and prior to booster.ResultsAmong 110 participants, 56 (51%) were women. Mean age was 61.7 ± 1.9 years and 66 (60%) were immunocompromised. One month after third dose, IgG titers were induced 7.83 (95 %CI 5.25–11.67) folds and 2.40 (95 %CI 1.90–3.03) folds compared to one month after the second, in the immunocompromised and immunocompetent groups, respectively. Of the 17 immunocompromised participants who were seronegative after the second dose, 4 (24%) became seropositive following the third. Comparing the titers prior to the third dose, an increase of 50.7 (95 %CI 32.5–79.1) fold in the immunocompromised group and 25.7 (95 %CI 19.1–34.7) fold in and immunocompetent group, was observed.ConclusionA third BNT162b2 vaccine elicited robust humoral response, superior to the response observed following the second, among immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals.     

Endoscopic diagnosis of sessile serrated polyp: A systematic review

The aim of the present review was to clarify how we should detect and diagnose sessile serrated polyps (SSP) endoscopically. A systematic search was conducted of MEDLINE from January 2004 through March 2018. Nine findings: (i) proximal location; (ii) size >10 mm; (iii) irregular shape; (iv) indistinctive border; (v) cloud‐like surface; (vi) mucus cap; (vii) rim of debris in white‐light endoscopy; (viii) dilated vessels; and (ix) dilated crypts (pits) in image‐enhanced endoscopy were considered to be candidate discriminators of SSP from hyperplastic polyps. Prospective studies in a general setting are warranted to validate the above‐mentioned endoscopic features of SSP during real‐time colonoscopy and to determine whether these features are useful for the differential diagnosis of SSP.     

HPLC-MS/MS测定连翘中连翘酯苷A、阿魏酸、槲皮素、松脂醇β-D葡萄糖苷、连翘苷的含量

[目的]建立采用HPLC-MS/MS测定连翘中连翘酯苷A、阿魏酸、槲皮素、松脂醇β-D葡萄糖苷、连翘苷的含量的方法,为其开发应用提供方法参考。[方法]色谱柱选用Phenomenex Luna C18柱(150 mm×2. 0 mm,5μm);流动相A:0. 1%甲酸溶液,流动相B:100%乙腈;流速为0. 7 m L/min;进样量为12μL;洗脱梯度设定为:0～5 min,10%～55%B; 5～11 min,55%～100%B。质谱选择负离子扫描,离子源为电喷雾式(ESI)。采用多反应监测的检测模式,喷雾电压:-4. 7 k V,雾化气压0. 5 MPa,雾化温度620℃,氮气压力0. 65 MPa。[结果]本次研究所检测的连翘在可测定浓度的范围内5种成分的峰面积与浓度都表现出较好的线性关系,加样后的回收率在97. 8%～99. 5%之间。[结论]采用HPLC-MS/MS测定连翘中5中成分的含量效果较好,灵敏度高、结果可靠,为连翘的开发应用以及质量控制提供了参考。     

面肌痉挛微血管减压术中异常肌反应变化特点与术后疗效关系探究

目的探究面肌痉挛患者微血管减压术(MVD)中异常肌反应(AMR)的变化特点与术后疗效的关系。方法回顾性分析73例MVD术中采用AMR全程定量化监测患者的AMR变化特点,减压操作前AMR阈值较基础阈值升高≥1倍为A1组、1倍为A2组,手术结束时AMR完全消失为B1组、未消失为B2组,B2组中AMR阈值较基础阈值升高≥1倍为B2a组、1倍为B2b组,对各组的术后疗效进行对比分析。结果 A1组21例中,19例立即治愈,1例延迟治愈,1例未愈; A2组52例中,35例立即治愈,9例延迟治愈,8例未愈。A1组较A2组疗效好(P=0. 046)。B1组50例中,42例立即治愈,5例延迟治愈,3例未愈; B2组23例中,12例立即治愈,5例延迟治愈,6例未愈。B1组较B2组疗效好(P=0. 003)。B2 a组的治愈比例较B2 b组高(分别为14/16、3/7),差异有统计学意义(P=0. 045)。结论 AMR在术中的变化特点对术者有重要参考意义,AMR在减压前升高、在手术结束时完全消失、未消失但升高较基础阈值≥1倍者术后疗效相对较好。