Effects of mycophenolic acid on high glucose-induced expression of TGF-beta and CTGF in mesangial cells.

The effects of mycophenolic acid (MPA) on high glucose-induced expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in mesangial cells (MC) were investigated. Rat MC were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of MPA (1.0 and 10.0 micromol/L) or MPA plus high glucose for 72 h. The expression of TGF-beta and CTGF was detected by Western blot. The results showed that high glucose could induce the expression of TGF-beta and CTGF in MC, but MPA could inhibit this effects. MPA did not influence the expression of TGF-beta and CTGF in normal glucose. It was concluded that MPA might prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting the expression of TGF-beta and CTGF in MC.     

实施品牌战略 实现医院可持续发展

从阐述品牌的内涵,分析实施品牌战略的意义,探寻实施品牌战略的有效途径等三个方面,论证了医院必须通过实施品牌,塑造医院良好形象,更新经营观念和调整营销策略来拓宽服务渠道,扩大服务范围,以增强社会对自身的认知,从而保持持久的竞争力,在激烈的市场竞争中得到发展。     

患者对预检分诊服务满意度理论框架的扎根理论研究

目的 通过扎根理论研究构建患者视角的预检分诊服务满意度理论框架,为评估和量化患者对预检分诊服务的满意度提供参考。方法 采用目的抽样和理论抽样的方法,选择27例接受过预检分诊服务的患者进行半结构式深度访谈;运用程序化扎根理论的研究方法,采用NVIVO12.0软件辅助对原始数据进行开放式编码、主轴编码及选择性编码,并进行理论饱和度检验。结果 析出患者期望、服务质量、信息供给、人本关怀、持续改进5个主范畴。结论 5个主范畴分别构成预检分诊服务满意度的主体因素、核心因素、关键因素、基本因素和保障因素。该理论框架可为改善预检分诊服务、评估患者满意度提供参考。     

Transnasal Endoscopic and Transoral Approaches in the Biopsies of Ventral Atlas and Axis Vertebrae: A Comprehensive Retrospective Study for Preprocedural Scheme,Biopsy Procedure,Core Technique Analysis,Diagnostic Yield and Clinical Outcome

ObjectiveThis study aims to describe and analyze the transoral and transnasal approaches for pathologies of the ventral atlas and axis vertebrae, which are considered technically challenging regions for diagnostic biopsy.MethodsA series of transnasal endoscopic approach (TNA) and transoral approach (TOA) biopsies for the pathologies of the first and second cervical vertebrae were conducted and retrospectively analyzed from July 2014 to May 2021. The depth of the biopsy trajectory was measured on computed tomography images for all nine patients (eight males and one female with an average age of 58.11 ± 11.60 years), as were the coronal, sagittal, and vertical biopsy safe ranges. The characteristics of each lesion, including radiographic features, blood supply, and destruction of anterior or posterior vertebral body edges, were evaluated to guide the biopsy. Four biopsy core techniques (BCTs), including “lesion perforating”, “aspiration”, “cutting‐and‐scraping” and “biopsy forceps utilization” were elaborated in this study. The biopsy procedures and periprocedural precautions were demonstrated. Patient demographics, clinical data, lesion characteristics, diagnostic yield, and complications were recorded for each case.ResultsEight TOA biopsies for the axis vertebral body and one TNA biopsy for the atlas anterior arch were successfully performed and yielded adequate pathologies. All biopsies were organized based on the preprocedural radiographic measurements, which showed that the average length of biopsy trajectory and coronal, sagittal, and vertical safe biopsy ranges were 85.00 ± 5.88, 20.63 ± 4.75, 16.25 ± 1.49, and 24.63 ± 2.26 mm, respectively, and these corresponding data were 95, 36, 9, and 26 mm in the TNA patient. Six osteolytic lesions (66.7%), one osteoblastic lesion (11.1%), and two mixed lesions (22.2%) were observed, among which seven lesions had a rich blood supply. Biopsy forceps and core needles were utilized to obtain samples in six and three patients, respectively. All the TNA and TOA biopsies were performed with cooperative application of multiple BCTs under compound anatomic and stereotactic navigations. Intraprocedural or postprocedural complications occurred in no patients who underwent the biopsy in the follow‐up period (1–39 months). No significant differences were found between the preprocedural and postprocedural blood indexes and visual analogue scale scores.ConclusionWith a sophisticated preprocedural arrangement, cooperative application of BCTs, and careful periprocedural precautions, transnasal endoscopic and transoral biopsies are two feasible, efficient, and well‐tolerated procedures that achieve satisfactory diagnostic yield, complication rate, and clinical outcome.     

Efficacy and safety of nafamostat mesilate anticoagulation in blood purification treatment of critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundNafamostat mesilate (NM), a broad-spectrum and potent serine protease inhibitor, can be used as an anticoagulant during extracorporeal circulation, as well as a promising drug effective against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a systematic meta-analysis to evaluate the safety and efficacy of NM administration in critically ill patients who underwent blood purification therapy (BPT).MethodsThe Cochrane Library, Web of Science and PubMed were comprehensively searched from inception to August 20, 2021, for potential studies.ResultsFour randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and seven observational studies with 2723 patients met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis demonstrated that conventional therapy (CT) significantly increased hospital mortality compared with NM administration (RR = 1.25, p = 0.0007). In subgroup analyses, the in-hospital mortality of the NM group was significantly lower than that of the anticoagulant-free (NA) group (RR = 1.31, p = 0.002). The CT interventions markedly elevated the risk ratio of bleeding complications by 45% (RR = 1.45, p = 0.010) compared with NM interventions. In another subgroup analysis, NM used exhibited a significantly lower risk of bleeding complications than those of the low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) used (RR = 4.58, p = 0.020). The filter lifespan was decreased significantly (MD = −10.59, p < 0.0001) in the NA groups compared with the NM groups. Due to the poor quality of the included RCTs, these results should be interpreted with caution.ConclusionGiven the better survival outcomes, lower risk of bleeding, NM anticoagulation seems to be a safe and efficient approach for BPT patients and could yield a favorable filter lifespan. More multi-center RCTs with large samples are required for further validation of this study.     

糖尿病氧化应激环境中α-Klotho对巨噬细胞-血管内皮细胞串扰的影响

目的：探讨糖尿病氧化应激环境中过表达α-Klotho(KL)的小鼠单核巨噬细胞白血病细胞(RAW264.7)对人脐静脉内皮细胞(HUVECs)增生、迁移、管腔形成以及紧密连接的影响。

方法：将RAW264.7细胞分为对照组、4-羟壬二酸酯(4HNE)组、4HNE+KL组,采用免疫荧光实验检测RAW264.7细胞F4/80的表达。制备3组细胞的条件培养基用于培养HUVECs,分为Mø-NC组、Mø-4HNE组和Mø-4HNE+KL组。采用CCK8实验检测血管内皮细胞增生,采用划痕实验和Transwell实验检测迁移,采用管腔形成实验检测管腔形成,采用Western blot实验检测闭合蛋白5(Claudin 5)、咬合蛋白(Occludin)、带状闭合蛋白1(ZO 1)表达水平。

结果：免疫荧光实验结果显示,4HNE组RAW264.7细胞F4/80荧光强度较对照组明显增强,而4HNE+KL组F4/80荧光强度较4HNE组明显减弱(均P<0.05)。CCK8实验结果显示,相比于Mø-NC组,Mø-4HNE组HUVECs增生显著增加,而Mø-4HNE+KL组HUVECs增生较Mø-4HNE组显著下降(均P<0.01)。划痕实验和Transwell实验结果显示,相比于Mø-NC组,Mø-4HNE组HUVECs迁移显著增强,而Mø-4HNE+KL组HUVECs迁移较Mø-4HNE组显著减弱(均P<0.01)。管腔形成实验结果显示,相比于Mø-NC组,Mø-4HNE组HUVECs管腔数显著增加,而Mø-4HNE+KL组管腔数较Mø-4HNE组显著下降(均P<0.01)。Western blot实验结果显示,相比于 Mø-NC组,Mø-4HNE组HUVECs中Claudin 5、Occludin、ZO 1蛋白的相对表达量明显减少,而Mø-4HNE+KL组Claudin 5、Occludin、ZO 1蛋白的相对表达量较Mø-4HNE组明显增加(均P<0.01)。

结论：KL通过改变糖尿病氧化应激环境中巨噬细胞激活状态抑制了HUVECs的增生、迁移、管腔形成,并增强了HUVECs的紧密连接。     

Vitamin D Enhances Neutrophil Generation and Function in Zebrafish (Danio rerio)

Vitamin D (VD) is a major regulator of calcium metabolism in many living organisms. In addition, VD plays a key role in regulating innate and adaptive immunity in vertebrates. Neutrophils constitute an important part of the first line of defense against invading microbes; however, the potential effect of VD on neutrophils remains elusive. Thus, in this study zebrafish in different developmental stages were utilized to identify the potential role of VD in the basal homeostasis and functions of neutrophils. Our results showed that addition of exogenous VD₃ promoted granulopoiesis in zebrafish larvae. Reciprocally, neutrophil abundance in the intestine of adult zebrafish with a cyp2r1 mutant, lacking the capacity to 25-hydroxylate VD, was reduced. Moreover, VD-mediated granulopoiesis was still observed in gnotobiotic zebrafish larvae, indicating that VD regulates neutrophil generation independent of the microbiota during early development. In contrast, VD was incapable to influence granulopoiesis in adult zebrafish when the commensal bacteria were depleted by antibiotic treatment, suggesting that VD might modulate neutrophil activity via different mechanisms depending on the developmental stage. In addition, we found that VD₃ augmented the expression of il-8 and neutrophil recruitment to the site of caudal fin amputation. Finally, VD₃ treatment significantly decreased bacterial counts and mortality in zebrafish infected with Edwardsiella tarda (E. tarda) in a neutrophil-dependent manner. Combined, these findings demonstrate that VD regulates granulopoiesis and neutrophil function in zebrafish immunity.     

Vitamin D Status Presents Different Relationships with Severity in Metabolic-Associated Fatty Liver Disease Patients with or without Hepatitis B Infection

Whether the associations between serum vitamin D (VitD) and metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) vary with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection has not been well established. This study aims to investigate the relationships between serum VitD and metabolism, liver fat content (LFC) and fibrosis among MAFLD patients with and without CHB. Consecutive subjects (healthy controls: 360, CHB: 684, MAFLD: 521, CHB with MAFLD: 206) were prospectively enrolled between January 2015 and December 2021. Anthropometric, laboratory, imaging, and histological evaluations were conducted, with LFC measured via magnetic resonance imaging-based proton density fat fraction (MRI-PDFF). Serum VitD levels were lower in MAFLD patients than in healthy controls and patients with CHB alone or overlapping with MAFLD (24.4 ± 8.1 vs. 29.0 ± 9.5 vs. 27.4 ± 9.6 vs. 26.8 ± 8.4 ng/mL respectively; p < 0.001 in one-way ANOVA test). After adjusting for confounding factors, including season, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, insulin resistance, liver stiffness measurements, sun exposure, exercise and dietary intake, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that VitD remained significantly negatively correlated with LFC in MAFLD patients (β = −0.38, p < 0.001), but not in CHB with MAFLD patients. Moreover, quantile regression models also demonstrated that lower VitD tertiles were inversely associated with the risk of insulin resistance and moderate–severe steatosis in the MAFLD group (p for trend <0.05) but not in the MAFLD with CHB group. VitD deficiency was associated with the severity of metabolic abnormalities and steatosis independent of lifestyle factors in MAFLD-alone subjects but not in MAFLD with CHB subjects.