The Value of Percutaneous Shoulder Puncture with Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound in Differentiation of Rotator Cuff Tear Subtypes: A Preliminary Prospective Study

Imaging tests perform relatively well in the detection of rotator cuff tears (RCTs), exhibiting high sensitivity and specificity, mainly among larger full-thickness tears (tear width >1 cm). However, these tests are relatively less accurate in the detection of small full-thickness tears and partial-thickness tears. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility of percutaneous ultrasound-guided tendon lesionography (PUTL) using the SonoVue and the value of percutaneous shoulder puncture via contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS)—a combination of percutaneous ultrasound-guided subacromial bursography (PUSB) and PUTL—in the detection of RCT subtypes. Conventional ultrasound (US), CEUS and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed and prospectively evaluated in 97 patients who had undergone arthroscopy because of suspected RCTs. The rates of detection of the various subtypes of RCTs using CEUS, PUSB, PUTL, US and MRI were evaluated. The RCT subtype detection rate via CEUS was significantly higher than the rates via US and MRI (96.9%, 74.2% and 76.3%, respectively), as were the detection rates for small full-thickness tears combined with partial-thickness tears (98.2%, 60.0% and 61.8%, respectively). The detection rate with PUSB was significantly higher than those with US and MRI in assessing full-thickness tears combined with bursal-side partial-thickness tears (93.9%, 65.3% and 65.3%, respectively). The detection rate with PUTL was significantly higher than those with US and MRI in assessing the corresponding subtypes (100.0%, 69.2% and 76.9%, respectively). On the basis of our findings, we consider PUTL a tolerable and feasible procedure. Percutaneous shoulder puncture using CEUS can be an effective alternative method with better diagnostic performance than US and MRI for the detection of RCT subtypes.     

Bioequivalence and Food Effect of Dapagliflozin/Saxagliptin/Metformin Extended-release Fixed-combination Drug Products Compared With Coadministration of the Individual Components in Healthy Subjects

PurposeFixed-combination drug products (FCDPs) for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may show efficacy comparable to their individual components (ICs) while improving adherence to treatment. This study evaluated the bioequivalence and safety of 2 dapagliflozin/saxagliptin/metformin extended-release (XR) FCDPs relative to their ICs: saxagliptin and dapagliflozin/metformin XR.MethodsThis randomized, open-label, single-dose, single-center crossover study was conducted in 84 healthy subjects aged 18–55 years. The primary objective was to evaluate the fed-state bioequivalence of a dapagliflozin 5-mg/saxagliptin 2.5-mg/metformin 1000-mg XR FCDP and a dapagliflozin 10-mg/saxagliptin 5-mg/metformin 1000-mg XR FCDP relative to the ICs. Secondary objectives included the evaluation of the effect of food on the pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters of saxagliptin, dapagliflozin, and metformin in both FCDPs and characterization of the PK parameters of the active metabolite of saxagliptin, 5-hydroxy saxagliptin, in healthy subjects. PK parameters (AUC_0–∞, AUC_0–t, and C_max) were used to assess the bioequivalence of the 2 FCDPs with their ICs. The C_max and AUC_0–t of the study drugs were compared between female and male subjects to assess sex differences in exposure. Safety and tolerability of both FCDPs and ICs were also assessed with adverse events, vital signs (systolic and diastolic blood pressures and pulse rate), 12-lead ECG, physical examinations, and laboratory assessments.FindingsBoth dapagliflozin/saxagliptin/metformin XR FCDPs were bioequivalent to their ICs. For the dapagliflozin 5-mg/saxagliptin 2.5-mg/metformin 1000-mg XR FCDP, the 90% CI for the geometric mean ratio of dapagliflozin C_max was slightly above the 80%–125% bioequivalence limit, which is unlikely to be clinically relevant. Food delayed the absorption of the study drugs in both FCDPs, which is unlikely to have a clinically relevant impact on efficacy. In both cohorts, exposure was higher in female subjects compared with male subjects, potentially due to the lower body weight of the female subjects. The safety profile and tolerability of the FCDPs were similar to those of their ICs, and no deaths or serious adverse events were reported.ImplicationsThese data support the use of the dapagliflozin/saxagliptin/metformin XR FCDP in patients with T2DM. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03169959.     

Medial sustainable nail versus proximal femoral nail antirotation in treating AO/OTA 31-A2.3 fractures: Finite element analysis and biomechanical evaluation

Objectives

Using finite element analysis and biomechanical tests, the biomechanical behaviors of Medial Sustainable Nail (MSN) and Proximal Femoral Nail Antirotation (PFNA) were compared for the fixation of fracture type of AO/OTA 31-A2.3.

纯化痘病毒筛选的常用方法

痘病毒是自然界普遍存在的DNA病毒，能够高效表达外源基因，诱导较强的细胞免疫和体液免疫，受到基因治疗学者的广泛关注。痘病毒发生同源重组的概率较低，所以有效地筛选和纯化痘病毒十分重要。目前常用的筛选重组痘病毒方法有基于CRISPR进行筛选；根据报告基因GFP、LacZ、GPT等进行筛选；利用TK^-和Brdu结合荧光进行筛选；利用药物抗性基因与荧光或显色基因融合，即可在药物筛选的同时观察荧光或显色基因表达情况。本文旨在对目前常用的痘病毒的筛选纯化方法进行综述。     

Emergence of a virulent porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in Taiwan in 2018

In March 2018, an abortion storm caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus was confirmed in a farrow‐to‐finish pig herd in Taiwan. Open reading frame 5 and non‐structural protein 2 of the virus confirmed that the virus is closely related to the virulent strains circulating in the United States.     

Relationship between rosacea and dietary factors: A multicenter retrospective case–control survey

Although patients with rosacea often consult dermatologists for dietary factors that might be related to their skin disorders, few studies have been conducted to research the relationship between rosacea and dietary factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential relationship between rosacea and diet among the large Chinese population with rosacea, which would provide dietary guidelines for patients with rosacea. A multicenter case–control study was conducted. The feeding frequency 2 years before the occurrence of rosacea was collected by standardized questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to calculate risks related to the diet. One thousand three hundred and forty‐seven patients with rosacea and 1290 controls were enrolled in our study. We found that high‐frequency intake of fatty food and tea presented a positive correlation with rosacea, while high‐frequency dairy product intake showed significant negative correlation with rosacea. Sweet food, coffee and spicy food appeared to be independent of any subset of rosacea in our study. However, high‐frequency dairy product intake showed a borderline beneficial effect on rosacea severity. We further analyzed the correlation between diet and the subtype of rosacea. We found that high‐frequency fatty intake was associated with erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR) and phymatous rosacea, while high‐frequency tea intake was only associated with ETR. In addition, high‐frequency dairy product intake showed negative correlations with ETR and papulopustular rosacea. Rosacea is associated with some dietary factors, and our study is valuable in establishing dietary guidelines to prevent and improve rosacea.     

A Tool to Assess Patient and Surrogate Knowledge About the POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) Program

ContextIt is especially important that patients are well informed when making high-stakes, preference-sensitive decisions like those on the Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form. However, there is currently no way to easily evaluate whether patients understand key concepts when making these important decisions.ObjectivesTo develop a POLST knowledge survey.MethodsExpert (n = 62) ratings of key POLST facts were used to select items for a POLST knowledge survey. The survey was administered to nursing facility residents (n = 97) and surrogate decision-makers (n = 112). A subset (n = 135) were re-administered the survey after a standardized advance care planning discussion to assess the scale's responsiveness to change.ResultsThe 19-item survey demonstrated adequate reliability (α = 0.72.). Residents' scores (x = 11.4, standard deviation 3.3) were significantly lower than surrogate scores (x = 14.7, standard deviation 2.5) (P < 0.001). Scores for both groups increased significantly after administration of a standardized advance care planning discussion (P < 0.001). Although being a surrogate, age, race, education, cognitive functioning, and health literacy were significantly associated with higher POLST Knowledge Survey scores in univariate analyses, only being a surrogate (P < 0.001) and being white (P = 0.028) remained significantly associated with higher scores in multivariate analyses.ConclusionThe 19-item POLST Knowledge Survey demonstrated adequate reliability and responsiveness to change. Findings suggest the survey could be used to identify knowledge deficits and provide targeted education to ensure adequate understanding of key clinical decisions when completing POLST.     

调强放射治疗在不可切除老年胃癌患者姑息治疗中的临床价值

目的:探讨调强放射治疗（intensity-modulated radiotherapy，IMRT）在老年不可切除胃癌患者中姑息减症治疗的临床价值。方法:回顾性分析23例老年病理确诊胃癌患者，手术无法切除，伴有出血(78.3%)、梗阻(52.2%)及疼痛(69.6%)症状；采用调强放射治疗为主的姑息治疗。观察治疗后症状缓解率、症状缓解时间以及中位生存时间（median overall survival，mOS）。结果: 全组患者男性16例，女性7例，年龄60~89岁(平均74岁)；Ⅲ期9例，Ⅳ期14例。全部采用6MV X线IMRT，常规分割，1.8~2.2 Gy/次，5次/周，总剂量35~50 Gy；同步放化5例，序贯化疗9例。出血、梗阻及疼痛症状缓解率分别为77.8%(14例)、58.3%(7例)和56.2%(9例)；中位症状缓解时间分别为101天、87天和99天。全组中位生存时间114天，症状缓解者中位生存时间较症状未缓解者明显延长(129天 vs 73天，P=0.01)。治疗期间出现Ⅲ级毒副反应者2例。结论:IMRT是一个有效的、可耐受的并能够缓解老年不可切除胃癌患者临床症状的治疗手段，可以改善患者生活质量，延长生存期。     

Plastin 1 drives metastasis of colorectal cancer through the IQGAP1/Rac1/ERK pathway

Tumor metastasis is the dominant cause of death in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, and it often involves dysregulation of various cytoskeletal proteins. Plastin 1 (PLS1) is an actin‐bundling protein that has been implicated in the structure of intestinal epithelial microvilli; however, its role in CRC metastasis has not yet been determined. In this study, we demonstrated that PLS1 is highly expressed in 33.3% (45/135) of CRC patients and is correlated with lymph node metastasis and poor survival. In in vitro and in vivo experiments, PLS1 induced the migration and invasion of CRC cells and the metastases to the liver and lung in mice. Moreover, the expressions of key factors for CRC metastases, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 9 and 2, were enhanced by PLS1, which was dependent on phosphorylating ERK1/2 activated by IQGAP1/Rac1 signaling. The connection between these signals and PLS1 was further confirmed in CRC tissues of patients and the metastatic nodules from a mouse model. These findings suggest that PLS1 promotes CRC metastasis through the IQGAP1/Rac1/ERK pathway. Targeting PLS1 may provide a potential approach to inhibit the metastasis of CRC cells.     

Z‐ligustilide: A review of its pharmacokinetics and pharmacology

Z‐ligustilide is a natural benzoquinone derivative found in many widely used Chinese herbal medicines such as Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels as well as Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort and so on. It has been used as a part of traditional Chinese medicine and is also present in various Chinese medicine preparations. Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that Z‐ligustilide has poor oral bioavailability in rats due to severe first‐pass metabolic reactions. New evidence suggests that Z‐ligustilide has a wide range of pharmacological properties, including anticancer, antiinflammatory, anti‐oxidant as well as neuroprotective activities and so on. The literature discussed is derived from readily accessible papers spanning the early 1970s to the end of March 2019. Information were collected from journals, books, and online searches (Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct, Science Citation Index Finder, Springer link, and CNKI). This review intends to provide a comprehensive overview of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacology of Z‐ligustilide in recent years, with a focus on its biological properties and mechanisms, which is of great significance for Chinese medicine.