Haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may improve long-term survival for children with high-risk T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first complete remission

Background: The role of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in children with high-risk (HR) T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) in first complete remission (CR1) is still under evaluation. Moreover, relapse is the main factor affecting survival. This study aimed to explore the effect of allo-HSCT (especially haploidentical HSCT [haplo-HSCT]) on improving survival and reducing relapse for HR childhood T-ALL in CR1 and the prognostic factors of childhood T-ALL in...     

电纺参数对PLGA/HA复合支架纤维形貌和直径的影响

目的通过静电纺丝的方法制备PLGA/HA复合支架,探讨电纺参数对复合支架纤维形貌和直径的影响。方法以三氯甲烷和N,N-二甲基甲酰胺为混合溶剂制备PLGA/HA纺丝液,通过调节PLGA的浓度、电压、接收距离,制备具有不同表面形貌的PLGA/HA复合纤维,采用SEM观察PLGA的浓度、电压、接收距离对纤维形貌和直径的影响。结果复合纤维的直径随PLGA浓度的增加而增加;随电压的增加而增加;随接收距离的增加先减小后增加。结论制备PLGA/HA复合支架较合适的电纺参数为：PLGA浓度25%,电压20KV,接收距离15cm。静电纺丝法制得的PLGA/HA复合支架有可能作为骨组织再生的支架在组织工程领域发挥作用。     

维脑路通片压片工段工艺质量回顾分析

目的：通过维脑路通片压片工段工艺质量回顾分析,保证药品质量的安全生产要求。维脑路通是芦丁经羟乙基化半合成的产物,对抗5-羟色胺、缓激肽引起的血管损伤,增加毛细血管抵抗力,能降低毛细血管的通透性和脆性,并有抑制血小板凝集、防止血栓形成的作用,降低毛细血管通透性,可防止血管通透性升高引起的水肿。对急性缺血性脑损伤有显著的保护作用。适用于脑血栓形成和脑栓塞所致的偏瘫、失语以及心肌梗死前综合征、动脉硬化等。维脑路通是临床上治疗闭塞性脑血管病的常用药物。根据2010年修订的《药品生产质量管理规范》第二百六十六条要求,企业至少应当对关键中间控制点及成品的检验结果进行回顾分析。方法：是通过联系跟踪95批次的产品,进行片重的分析。结果：是平均偏差SD=0.000467,平均数average=0.125679,相对平均偏差RSD=0.003716,RSD（％）=0.3716,RSD<3％,符合方法学要求。结论：是验证工厂使用的压片机的性能符合GMP的要求,达到了阶段性的压片工段的质量管理要求。     

Study on modified shengmai yin injection for prevention and treatment of brain impairment in endotoxin shock rats

Objective:To examine the effects of modified Shenmai Yin on invigorating vital energy, promoting blood flow, and protection against neural impairment in an endotoxin-induced shock rat model. Methods: Ninety-six SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation (saline 20 ml/kg), shock model (lipopolysaccharide, LPS, 8 mg/kg), Reformed Shengmai Yin (加味生脉饮 Pulse-activating Decoction) (LPS 8 mg/kg + reformed Shengmai Yin Injection 10 ml/kg), and dexamethasone (LPS 8 mg/kg + dexamethasone 5 mg/kg) groups. Each group was subdivided into 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, and 6 h time points for observation. The carotid artery was separated and connected with a biological functional system to monitor mean arterial pressure (MAP). Brain water levels, malonaldehyde (MDA) content, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity were also determined. Results: In the shock model group, MAP was progressively decreased after injection of LPS, brain water and MDA contents were increased, brain SOD activity was decreased, and capillary vessel edema in brain tissue was also observed. All these parameters were improved significantly in both treatment groups, although the effects were more marked with Shengmai Yin than with dexamethasone. Conclusion: Modified Shengmai Yin exhibits strong anti-shock and neuroprotective effects against Endotoxininduced shock.     

Rituximab for the treatment of refractory anti-glomerular basement membrane disease

BackgroundAnti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease is a rare but severe autoantibody-mediated immune disorder. The typical clinical presentation includes rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis and often concurrent pulmonary hemorrhage. The present study is aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of rituximab either used alone or with other immunosuppressants.MethodsEight patients diagnosed with anti-GBM disease and treated with rituximab from 2014 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsEight patients included 5 males and 3 females with a median age of 58.5 years. They all presented severe kidney injuries and 1 patient had lung hemorrhage. At diagnosis, the median of serum creatinine was 246 µmol/L (ranging from 91 to 850 µmol/L), with 3 patients requiring dialysis. All of them received corticosteroids and plasmapheresis. Rituximab was given as either standard four weekly doses or one pulse ranging from 100 to 600 mg. After a median follow-up of 34.5 months, kidney function was partially recovered or stabilized in 5/8 (62.5%) patients, free of dialysis. Anti-GBM antibodies remained undetected in all patients during follow-up. No severe adverse effect associated with rituximab was observed.ConclusionRituximab may be an alternative therapy in the treatment of patient with severe or refractory anti-GBM disease.     

Simple renal cyst as an independent risk factor for hypertension

A simple renal cyst (SRC) may increase the risk for hypertension. The authors examined the relationship between a SRC and hypertension in participants receiving physical examinations at Hebei Medical University. This study enrolled 66 883 participants who received physical examinations at our center from January 2012 to December 2017. Demographic data, medical history related to hypertension, hematological indexes, hypertension, and SRC subtype based on ultrasound examinations were examined. The relationship between SRC and hypertension was analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis in different models. Subgroup analysis and propensity score (PS) matching were also performed. Based on SRC subtype (unitary vs. multiple, small vs. large, unilateral vs. bilateral), a comprehensive scoring system was established to determine the effect of SRC load on hypertension. The results of univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that SRC was a risk factor for hypertension (P < .01). Subgroup and interaction analysis showed the homogeneity that SRC was an independent risk factor for hypertension in multiple subgroups (P > .05). A SRC remained an independent risk factor for hypertension after PS matching (P < .01). Based on a scoring system that considered different SRC subtypes, the risk for hypertension increased with renal cyst load (P < .01). In conclusions, a SRC was an independent risk factor for hypertension, and there was a positive correlation between SRC load and hypertension. The risk of hypertension increased gradually with the size, number, and location of a SRC. Careful follow‐up or excision should be considered for patients with SRCs.     

In vitro and in vivo characterization of erythrosin B and derivatives against Zika virus

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes significant human diseases without specific therapy. Previously we found erythrosin B, an FDA-approved food additive, inhibited viral NS2B−NS3 interactions, leading to inhibition of ZIKV infection in cell culture. In this study, we performed pharmacokinetic and in vivo studies to demonstrate the efficacy of erythrosin B against ZIKV in 3D mini-brain organoid and mouse models. Our results showed that erythrosin B is very effective in abolishing ZIKV replication in the 3D organoid model. Although pharmacokinetics studies indicated that erythrosin B had a low absorption profile, mice challenged by a lethal dose of ZIKV showed a significantly improved survival rate upon oral administration of erythrosin B, compared to vehicle control. Limited structure−activity relationship studies indicated that most analogs of erythrosin B with modifications on the xanthene ring led to loss or reduction of inhibitory activities towards viral NS2B−NS3 interactions, protease activity and antiviral efficacy. In contrast, introducing chlorine substitutions on the isobenzofuran ring led to slightly increased activities, suggesting that the isobenzofuran ring is well tolerated for modifications. Cytotoxicity studies indicated that all derivatives are nontoxic to human cells. Overall, our studies demonstrated erythrosin B is an effective antiviral against ZIKV both in vitro and in vivo.KEY WORDS: Flavivirus, Zika virus, Dengue virus, Antiviral, Protease inhibitor, Erythrosin B     

Unusual morphologic features of low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma: A case report

BackgroundEndometrial stromal tumours are uncommon tumours of the uterus. They mainly occur in perimenopausal women. Tumours with typical clinicopathological features do not usually pose diagnostic problems. However, rare clinicopathological features can occur, and clinicians without significant experience may have difficulty diagnosing these tumours and managing these patients.MethodsHerein, we report a case of endometrial stromal sarcoma that occurred in a 25‐year‐old woman. The pathological features, immunophenotype, treatment and prognosis were discussed.ResultsThe tumour revealed morphological heterogeneity, and there were similar proliferative‐type endometrial stromal cells, an extensive amount of mature adipose tissue, and prominent rhabdomyoblastic and smooth muscle cells. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies confirmed low‐grade endometrial stromal sarcoma with smooth muscle, adipocytic and rhabdomyoblastic differentiation (approximately 60% were differentiated tissues). The final treatment of the tumour was total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy. There was no evidence of recurrence for 109 months postoperatively.ConclusionsWe found that low‐grade endometrial stromal tumours with extensive adipocytic and prominent rhabdomyoblastic differentiation are misdiagnosed because they are infrequent. They must be differentiated from rhabdomyosarcoma with accurate identification of adipocytes, and long‐term follow‐up is needed.     

Self-assembled sonogels formed from 1,4-naphthalenedicarbonyldinicotinic acid hydrazide

In this paper, we report self-assembled sonogels formed from 1,4-naphthalenedicarbonyldinicotinic acid hydrazide (NDC-NN3) in some liquids including ethanol, tetrahydrofuran (THF), 1,4-dioxane, n-propanol, n-butanol and n-pentanol. When the clear solution of NDC-NN3 in the selected liquids mentioned above at a suitable concentration was irradiated with ultrasound waves at room temperature, a sonogel was formed. Upon heating, the sonogel dissolved gradually and finally became a clear solution again. Upon cooling the hot solution to room temperature, the solution state did not change even after standing for a few days. Nevertheless, if the solution underwent sonication for a certain time, a stable gel was obtained again. The critical gelation concentrations (CGCs) of NDC-NN3 in ethanol, THF, 1,4-dioxane, n-propanol, n-butanol and n-pentanol are 10, 8, 6, 8, 6 and 8 mg mL⁻¹, respectively. The obtained sonogels display excellent mechanical properties. The crystal structure of NDC-NN3 suggests that the naphthalene ring, hydrazide group and the position of N in the pyridine ring mediate the self-assembly process. Upon sonication, the formation of suitable π–π stacking and intermolecular hydrogen bonding drives the gelator molecules to self-assemble into fibers, spheres and micro-burdock-shaped balls in various solvents, which ultimately confine the liquids.

Ultrasound-induced gelation of a novel type of gelator, 1,4-naphthalenedicarbonyl- dinicotinic acid hydrazide, is reported. The gelator self-assembled into various architectures in different solvents.