Hepatitis D: advances and challenges

Hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection causes the most severe form of viral hepatitis with rapid progression to cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Although discovered > 40 years ago, little attention has been paid to this pathogen from both scientific and public communities. However, effectively combating hepatitis D requires advanced scientific knowledge and joint efforts from multi-stakeholders. In this review, we emphasized the recent advances in HDV virology, epid...     

氟尿嘧啶类联合奥沙利铂方案治疗晚期转移性小肠癌的临床效果

目的 评估临床采用氟尿嘧啶类药物联合奥沙利铂治疗晚期转移性小肠癌的临床效果及安全性.方法 回顾性分析近6年来于本院接受化学治疗的89例晚期小肠癌患者的一般资料,按照治疗方法的不同进行等均分组,其中45例患者采取FOLFOX(奥沙利铂、亚叶酸钙、氟尿嘧啶)治疗方案,纳入对照组,另外44名患者采取XELOX(奥沙利铂联合卡培他滨)方案,作为观察组.观察两组临床效果以及用药不良反应,并在随访过程中观察两组中位疾病进展时间.结果 观察组总有效率优于对照组(61.36％比55.55％),但组间差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);观察组毒副反应发生率高于对照组(36.3％比31.1％),但差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 采用氟尿嘧啶类药物联合奥沙利铂治疗晚期转移性小肠癌安全有效,毒副反应可耐受,可作为不可手术切除或转移性小肠癌的一线化疗选择,但仍需要大量数据样本做进一步研究证实.     

建立中药材盲样检验机制 有效预防以权谋私

从建立管理制度、完善工作程序、编制作业文件、加强运行监督等方面介绍了药品检验机构新近运行的中药材盲样检验机制,详细介绍了中药材盲样检验工作流程,对中药材盲样检验机制在药品检验机构廉政建设中有效预防以权谋私的作用进行了简要论述。     

流式细胞术在中医药治疗HIV/AIDS研究中的应用及不足

目的：探讨流式细胞术在中医药艾滋病毒感染者及艾滋病患者（HIV/AIDS）研究中的应用及不足。方法：查阅相关文献,根据近年来临床和基础研究中流式细胞术的应用现状,重点探讨流式细胞术在艾滋病中医药研究中存在的问题。结果：流式细胞术在中医药治疗HIV/AIDS的中医基础医学研究和临床中有着广泛的运用,但也存在着对检测的质量控制缺乏重视、使用仪器陈旧、检测项目较少等不足。结论：流式细胞术有待进一步研究和改进。     

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.     

Silencing of Nesprin‐2 inhibits the differentiation of myofibroblasts from fibroblasts induced by mechanical stretch

Mechanical force plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of hypertrophic scar (HTS). Dermal fibroblasts and myofibroblasts are the key cells involved in HTS. Myofibroblasts in HTS possess different biochemical and biophysical characteristics by which myofibroblasts are often distinguished from fibroblasts. The role of mechanotransducers outside the nucleus in the pathogenesis of HTS has been reported in many studies. However, the role of Nesprin‐2 in HTS is not clear. Hence, we aim to construct a cell model of HTS and explore the role of Nesprin‐2 in this process. Myofibroblasts and fibroblasts were isolated from HTS and healthy skin tissues of the same patient. Fibroblasts were exposed to cyclic stretch with 10% magnitude and a frequency of 0.1 Hz for 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days, respectively. After the cell model was confirmed, fibroblasts transfected with siRNA targeting human Nesprin‐2 were exposed to cyclic stretch. The mechanical behaviour and biochemical reaction of the dermal fibroblasts were analysed. The stretched fibroblasts at day 5 showed the same mechanotransductive and biochemical features as unstretched myofibroblasts. Mechanical strain could induce the myofibroblasts differentiation and a cell model of HTS was established successfully at day 5. The expressions of lamin A/C, alpha‐smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor beta 1, and collagen type I in fibroblasts were reduced by the silencing of Nesprin‐2. Mechanical strain could induce the myofibroblasts differentiation and silencing of Nesprin‐2 could block the mechanical stimulation of terminal myofibroblasts differentiation. Nesprin‐2 might be a potential target to treat the HTS.     

Effect of Calcium Carbide Residue on Strength Development along with Mechanisms of Cement-Stabilized Dredged Sludge

The purpose of this research is to explore the feasibility of using calcium carbide residue (CCR), a by-product from acetylene gas production, as a solid alkaline activator on the strength development in CCR–Portland cement-stabilized dredged sludge (CPDS). The effects of cement content, CCR content and curing time on the strength development of CPDS were investigated using a series of unconfined compressive strength (UCS), pH and electric conductivity (EC) tests. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analyses were performed to gain additional insight into the mechanism of strength development. Meanwhile, the carbon footprints of CPDS were calculated. Following the results, it was found that CCR can significantly improve the strength of cemented dredged sludge. On the basis of the strength difference (ΔUCS) and strength growth rate (UCS_gr), it was recommended that utilizing 20% cement with the addition of 20% CCR is the most effective way to develop the long-term strength of CPDS. In addition, the microstructural analysis verified that the optimum proportion of CCR benefits the formation of hydration products in CPDS, particularly needle-like gel ettringite, resulting in a less-porous and dense inter-locked structure. Furthermore, the solidification mechanism of CPDS was discussed and revealed. Finally, it was confirmed that CCR can be a sustainable alternative and effective green alkaline activator for the aim of improving cemented dredged sludge.     

Recovery of complete left bundle branch block in a dilated cardiomyopathy patient after treatment with sacubitril/valsartan: A case report

Rationale:The treatment of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has recently been greatly improved, especially with the widespread use of sacubitril/valsartan (ARNI) combination therapy. We know that ARNI-like drugs can significantly improve the symptoms of heart failure with reducing ejection fraction. However, clinical studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of ARNI in DCM-associated arrhythmia are limited, and whether individuals with arrhythmia would benefit from ARNI remains controversial. In this case, we report a patient with complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) associated with DCM whose CLBBB returned to normal after treatment with ARNI.Patient concerns:A 38-year-old man was admitted to the hospital for 20 days for idiopathic paroxysmal dyspnea. He presented with exacerbated dyspnea symptoms at night, accompanied by cough and sputum.Diagnosis:Physical examination revealed a grade 4/6 systolic murmur could be heard in the apical area of the heart and mild edema was present in both lower limbs. Laboratory examination found that the B-type natriuretic peptide was significantly increased. Echocardiography indicated left atrial internal diameter, right ventricular internal diameter, and left ventricular diastolic diameter were enlarged and ejection fraction was significantly decreased. Besides, the pulsation of the wall was diffusely attenuated. Electrocardiogram was suggestive of tachycardia and CLBBB. A diagnosis of DCM with CLBBB was considered based on a comprehensive evaluation of the physical examination, laboratory examination, echocardiography and electrocardiogram.Interventions:The patient was treated with ARNI at a dose of 50 mg (twice a day) at first, gradually increasing to the target dose (200 mg, twice a day) in the following 9 months as shown in Table ​Table1,1, along with metoprolol 25 mg (once a day [qd]), diuretics 20 mg (qd), and aldosterone 20 mg (qd).Table 1Specific medications used in treatment.

KIF23 is a potential biomarker of diffuse large B cell lymphoma: Analysis based on bioinformatics and immunohistochemistry

Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common form of blood cancer. The genetic and clinical heterogeneity of DLBCL poses a major barrier to diagnosis and treatment. Hence, we aim to identify potential biomarkers for DLBCL.Differentially expressed genes were screened between DLBCL and the corresponding normal tissues. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and Gene oncology analyses were performed to obtain an insight into these differentially expressed genes. PPI network was constructed to identify hub genes. survival analysis was applied to evaluate the prognostic value of those hub genes. DNA methylation analysis was implemented to explore the epigenetic dysregulation of genes in DLBCL.In this study, Kinesin family member 23 (KIF23) showed higher expression in DLBCL and was identified as a risk factor in DLBCL. The immunohistochemistry experiment further confirmed this finding. Subsequently, the univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that KIF23 might be an independent adverse factor in DLBCL. Upregulation of KIF23 might be a risk factor for the overall survival of patients who received an R-CHOP regimen, in late-stage, whatever with or without extranodal sites. Higher expression of KIF23 also significantly reduced 3, 5, 10-year overall survival. Furthermore, functional enrichment analyses (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Gene oncology, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis) showed that KIF23 was mainly involved in cell cycle, nuclear division, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, TGF-beta, and Wnt/beta-catenin pathway in DLBCL. Finally, results of DNA methylation analysis indicated that hypomethylation in KIF23''s promoter region might be the result of its higher expression in DLBCL.The findings of this study suggested that KIF23 is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of DLBCL. However, further studies were needed to validate these findings.