活血解毒方对缺氧/复氧所致心肌细胞凋亡的影响＊

目的 研究活血解毒方对缺氧/复氧（H/R）所致的心肌细胞凋亡的影响。方法 体外培养H9C2心肌细胞并分成正常对照组（Control组）、缺氧复氧组（H/R组）、H/R + 活血解毒中药组、LY294002组和活血解毒中药 + LY294002组，其中正常对照组给予DMEM培养基培养，缺氧复氧组给予缺氧4 h、复氧6 h处理，缺氧复氧 + 活血解毒中药组、LY294002组和活血解毒中药 + LY294002组分别给予活血解毒中药、LY294002、活血解毒中药配合LY294002预处理24 h，然后均给予缺氧4 h、复氧6 h处理。采用CCK8检测各组心肌细胞的存活率，流式细胞术检测各组细胞凋亡水平，电镜观察各组心肌细胞中线粒体、自噬体的变化，Western Blot检测各组细胞凋亡蛋白半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶3（Caspase3）、半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶3（Cleaved caspase3）、β-连环蛋白（β-Catenin）、p-p65、B淋巴细胞瘤-2（B-cell lymphoma-2，Bcl-2）蛋白的表达。结果 活血解毒方预处理显著增加H/R诱导的H9C2心肌细胞凋亡，降低凋亡相关蛋白Cleaved caspase3、β-Catenin、p-p65表达，增加Bcl-2表达。结论 活血解毒方可通过抑制细胞凋亡，降低缺氧/复氧所致的心肌细胞损伤，其作用机制可能与PI3K信号通路相关。     

Natural killer cells in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome

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Acoustic triggered nanobomb for US imaging guided sonodynamic therapy and activating antitumor immunity

We fabricated an ultrasound activated ‘nanobomb’ as a noninvasive and targeted physical therapeutic strategy for sonodynamic therapy and priming cancer immunotherapy. This ‘nanobomb’ was rationally designed via the encapsulation of indocyanine green (ICG) and perfluoropentane (PFP) into cRGD peptide-functionalized nano-liposome. The resulting Lip-ICG-PFP-cRGD nanoparticle linked with cRGD peptide could actively targeted ID8 and TC-1 cells and elicits ROS-mediated apoptosis after triggered by low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU). Moreover, the phase change of PFP (from droplets to microbubbles) under LIFU irradiation can produce a large number of microbubbles, which act as intra-tumoral bomber and can detonate explode tumor cells by acoustic cavitation effect. Instant necrosis of tumor cells further induces the release of biologically active damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) to facilitate antitumor immunity. More important, the ‘nanobomb’ in combination with anti-PD-1checkpoint blockade therapy can significantly improve the antitumor efficacy in a subcutaneous model. In addition, the liposomes may also be used as an imaging probe for ultrasound (US) imaging after being irradiated with LIFU. In summary, the US imaging-guided, LIFU activated ROS production and explosion ‘nanobomb’ might significantly improve the antitumor efficacy and overcome drug resistance through combination of SDT and immunotherapy, we believe that this is a promising approach for targeted therapy of solid tumor including ovarian cancer.     

Association between metabolic syndrome and left ventricular geometric change including diastolic dysfunction

BackgroundWe investigated the association between individual components of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and left ventricular (LV) geometric changes, including diastolic dysfunction, in a large cohort of healthy individuals.MethodsOverall, 148 461 adults who underwent echocardiography during a health‐screening program were enrolled. Geographic characteristics on echocardiography and several markers of LV relaxation function were identified according to individual MetS components. Univariate linear regression analysis and a multivariate regression model adjusted for factors known to influence LV relaxation function were conducted.ResultsThe prevalence of LV diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) was higher in the MetS group than in the non‐MetS group (0.56% vs. 0.27%, p < .001). In univariate and multivariate analyses, E/A ratio, e′ velocity, and left atrial volume index were significantly associated with each component of MetS and covariates (all p ≤ .001). In the age‐ and sex‐adjusted model, MetS was significantly associated with LVDD (odds ratio [95% confidence interval], 1.350 [1.103, 1.652]). However, subjects with more MetS components did not have a significantly higher risk of LVDD. As the analysis was stratified by sex, the multivariate regression model showed that MetS was significantly associated with LVDD only in men (1.3 [1.00, 1.68]) with higher risk in more MetS component (p for trend < .001). In particular, triglyceride (TG) and waist circumference (WC) among MetS components were significantly associated with LVDD in men.ConclusionsMetS was associated with the risk of LVDD, especially in men, with a dose‐dependent association between an increasing number of components of MetS and LVDD. TG and WC were independent risk factors for LVDD in men.     

Association between the Dietary Inflammatory Index and Gastric Disease Risk: Findings from a Korean Population-Based Cohort Study

Evidence suggests that diets with high pro-inflammatory potential may play a substantial role in the origin of gastric inflammation. This study aimed to examine the association between the energy-adjusted dietary inflammatory index (E-DII^TM) and gastric diseases at baseline and after a mean follow-up of 7.4 years in a Korean population. A total of 144,196 participants from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study_Health Examination (KoGES_HEXA) cohort were included. E-DII scores were computed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to assess the association between the E-DII and gastric disease risk. In the prospective analysis, the risk of developing gastric disease was significantly increased among individuals in the highest quartile of E-DII compared to those in the lowest quartile (HR_quartile4vs1 = 1.22; 95% CI = 1.08–1.38). Prospective analysis also showed an increased risk in the incidence of gastritis (HR_quartile4vs1 = 1.19; 95% CI = 1.04–1.37), gastric ulcers (HR_quartile4vs1 = 1.47; 95% CI = 1.16–1.85), and gastric and duodenal ulcers (HR_quartile4vs1 = 1.46; 95% CI = 1.17–1.81) in the highest E-DII quartile compared to the lowest quartile. In the cross-sectional analysis, the E-DII score was not associated with the risk of gastric disease. Our results suggest that a pro-inflammatory diet, indicated by high E-DII scores, is prospectively associated with an increased risk of gastric diseases. These results highlight the significance of an anti-inflammatory diet in lowering the risk of gastric disease risk in the general population.     

Lower-Income Predicts Increased Smartphone Use and Problematic Behaviors Among Schoolchildren During COVID-19 Related School Modification: A Longitudinal Study

BackgroundAs the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued for a couple of years, the long-term effects of the pandemic and the subsequent school curriculum modification on the mental health of children and parents need to be investigated. To clarify the changes that can occur during one school year and to predict the risk factors for vulnerable groups, this study identified parameters relative to children’s screen time, their problematic behavior, and parental depression.MethodsA total of 186 participants were analyzed who were parents of elementary schoolchildren in South Korea. These parents were required to complete a web-based questionnaire twice. The questionnaires were conducted in June 2020 and September 2021. Participants’ general demographics including family income, children’s screen time, sleep patterns, problematic behavior, and parental depression were assessed via the parental questionnaire that included various measurement tools.ResultsChildren’s body mass index (BMI) increased significantly in 2021 (18.94 ± 3.75 vs. 18.14 ± 3.30, P < 0.001). Smartphone frequency of use per week (5.35 vs. 4.54, P < 0.001) and screen time per day (3.52 vs. 3.16, P < 0.001) significantly increased during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic. The television screen time (2.88 vs. 3.26, P < 0.001), frequency of viewing (3.77 vs. 4.77, P < 0.001), and children’s problematic behaviors significantly decreased (9.15 vs. 11.85, P < 0.001). A lower income household was a key predictor of increased smartphone frequency (B = 1.840, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.923–2.757, P < 0.001) and smartphone screen time (B = 1.992, 95% CI, 1.458–2.525, P < 0.001). The results showed that the lower income household (B = 5.624, 95% CI, 2.927–8.320, P < 0.001) and a child’s psychiatric treatment history (B = 7.579, 95% CI, 5.666–9.492, P < 0.001) was the most significant predictor of problematic behaviors of children and parental depression (B = 3.476, 95% CI, 1.628–5.325, P < 0.001; B = 3.138, 95% CI, 1.827–4.450, P < 0.001).ConclusionThis study suggested that children’s smartphone screen time and BMI increased during COVID-19 because of the school curriculum modification following school closures in South Korea. The increased children’s problematic behaviors and parental depression were predicted by lower-income households and the previous psychiatric history of children. These results indicate that multiple social support systems to the vulnerable group are needed during the ongoing pandemic and that a modified school setting is required.     

Clinical Impact of Empirical Antibiotic Therapy in Patients With Coronavirus Disease 2019 Requiring Oxygen Therapy

Despite the low prevalence of secondary bacterial infection in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, most of them were administered antibiotic therapy empirically. However, the prognostic impact of empirical antibiotic therapy has not been evaluated. We conducted retrospective propensity score-matched case-control study of 233 COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe illnesses who required oxygen therapy and evaluated whether empirical antibiotic therapy could improve clinical outcomes. Empirical antibiotic therapy did not improve clinical outcomes including length of stay, days with oxygen requirement, the proportion of patients with increased oxygen demand, the proportion of patients who required mechanical ventilation, and overall mortality. This finding implies that routine administration of antibiotics for the treatment of COVID-19 is not essential and should be restricted.     

视觉电生理和视野检查对原发性开角型青光眼早期诊断的敏感性

目的:探讨多种视觉电生理联合全自动视野计检查对原发性开角型青光眼早期诊断中的敏感性,为临床早期诊断提供客观敏感的指标。方法:选择10例(20眼)原发性开角型青光眼患者和正常对照者10例(20眼)分别进行闪光视网膜电图(FERG)、图形视网膜电图(PERG)、图形视觉诱发电位(PVEP)检查;还对正常对照组、青光眼组中各5例(10眼)进行多焦视网膜电图(mERG)检查;青光眼组10例(20眼)和正常对照组8例(16眼)行蓝黄视野(B/Y)、标准视野(W/W)检查。结果:PERG的异常率较高,PERG的潜伏期延长较敏感,mERG二阶反应黄斑区振幅下降,随离心度的增大,振幅逐渐变小,潜伏期延长,PVEP的P100波振幅降低,潜伏期延长。B/Y视野异常与W/W视野异常比较有显著差异(P <0.01)。结论:B/Y视野检查联合多种视功能检查对原发性开角型青光眼早期诊断较敏感。早期诊断中的B/Y视野敏感性高;若眼压差大,眼底C/D未出现改变,则PERG可作为较敏感观测指标。     

Anti-atherogenic effects of the aqueous extract of rhubarb in rats fed an atherogenic diet

The present study was designed to investigate whether the aqueous extract of rhubarb (AR) could prevent the development of atherosclerosis through regulating vascular inflammatory processes in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR significantly reduced plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and increased plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. AR inhibited vascular expressions of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE) induced in rats with an atherogenic diet. On the other hand, AR augmented the vascular expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) and restored vascular nitric oxide (NO) production. Furthermore, AR suppressed the elevated expression of vascular nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) p65 as well as adhesion molecules, including intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and E-selectin in rats fed with an atherogenic diet. Also, AR decreased endothelial expression of ICAM-1 and ET-1 in aorta. These results suggest that AR suppresses the development of atherosclerosis in the atherogenic-diet rat model through inhibiting vascular expressions of proinflammatory and adhesion molecules via the regulation of nitric oxide and endothelin system.