Effects of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor,captopril, on bone of mice with streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetes

There are contradictory results about the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) on bone. This study was performed to address the skeletal renin?angiotensin system (RAS) activity and the effects of the ACEI, captopril, on the bone of streptozotocin-induced type 1 diabetic mice. Histochemical assessment on bone paraffin sections was conducted by Safranin O staining and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Micro-computed tomography was performed to analyze bone biological parameters. Gene and protein expression were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting, respectively. Type 1 diabetic mice displayed osteopenia phenotype and captopril treatment showed no osteoprotective effects in diabetic mice as shown by the reduction of bone mineral density, trabecular thickness and bone volume/total volume. The mRNA expression of ACE and renin receptor, and the protein expression of renin and angiotensin II were markedly up-regulated in the bone of vehicle-treated diabetic mice compared to those of non-diabetic mice, and these molecular changes of skeletal RAS components were effectively inhibited by treatment with captopril. However, treatment with captopril significantly elevated serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b levels, reduced the ratio of osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand expression, increased carbonic anhydrase II mRNA expression and the number of matured osteoclasts and decreased transforming growth factor-β and osteocalcin mRNA expression in the tibia compared to those of diabetic mice. The present study demonstrated that the use of the ACEI, captopril, has no beneficial effect on the skeletal biological properties of diabetic mice. However, this could be attributed, at least partially, to its suppression of osteogenesis and stimulation of osteoclastogenesis, even though it could effectively inhibit high activity of local RAS in the bone of diabetic mice.     

Chronic endometritis and reproductive failure: Role of syndecan‐1

Chronic endometritis (CE) is an unusual inflammatory condition characterized by endometrial plasmacyte infiltration. It has a high prevalence in women with reproductive failure. Because of its characteristic localization patterns and molecular functions, syndecan‐1 has been identified as a biomarker of plasmacyte, and syndecan‐1 immunohistochemistry (IHC) becomes the most dependable diagnostic method for CE. In this review, we discuss the association between CE and reproductive failure, the clinicopathological characterization of CE, the function and expression of syndecan‐1, the progress of syndecan‐1 IHC in the diagnosis of CE, and the prediction of reproductive outcome.     

Tracheal window resection and reconstruction via sternocleidomastoid flap for invasive thyroid carcinoma

 Open in a separate windowOBJECTIVESThe aim of this study was to present surgical techniques and evaluate outcomes of a sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) myoperiosteal flap used for the reconstruction of tracheal or laryngotracheal defects after the radical resection of invasive thyroid carcinoma.METHODSA retrospective study was performed for patients at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2008 to December 2018 of papillary thyroid carcinoma with tracheal or laryngotracheal invasion. Patients were enrolled only when they received window resection and reconstruction via an SCM myoperiosteal flap. The primary outcome was a stable airway, and the secondary outcome was survival.RESULTSA total of 15 invasive thyroid carcinoma patients were enrolled in this study. Laryngotracheal and tracheal reconstruction were performed in 11 and 4 patients respectively, with a median vertical defect of 3.5 cm (3.0, 4.5). A stable airway was achieved in 14 patients postoperatively. One patient experienced tracheal stenosis and received a second operation of tracheal sleeve resection and end-to-end anastomosis 105 days after the first operation. Tracheostomy was conducted in 5 out of 15 patients in whom the vertical defects were larger than 4 cm, and the tubes were extubated after a median time of 56 days (32, 84). The median observation time was 55 months (48, 86), and all 15 patients achieved a stable airway and showed no evidence of local recurrence at the end of follow-up.CONCLUSIONSFor thyroid carcinoma with tracheal or laryngotracheal invasions, window resection with the SCM myoperiosteal flap reconstruction presented positive results in terms of a stable airway as well as oncological outcomes. The SCM myoperiosteal flap can be an appropriate reconstruction strategy, especially when the defects reach the thyroid cartilage.     

阿伐斯汀联合氯雷他定治疗慢性难治性荨麻疹的多中心随机对照研究

【摘要】 目的 比较阿伐斯汀与阿伐斯汀联合氯雷他定治疗慢性难治性荨麻疹的疗效。方法 2017年3月至2018年12月,于4家中心采用多中心、随机对照的临床研究,联合治疗组慢性难治性荨麻疹患者口服阿伐斯汀胶囊8 mg每日3次及氯雷他定片10 mg每日1次,阿伐斯汀组口服阿伐斯汀胶囊8 mg每日3次及安慰剂10 mg每日1次,治疗4周。分别于治疗前、治疗1、2、4周随访,采集临床指标及记录不良反应事件。根据瘙痒、风团的数目、风团大小、每次发作持续时间、每周发作次数评估症状积分,使用症状积分下降指数（SSRI）评价疗效。采用重复测量的方差分析和χ2检验进行疗效和安全性评价。结果 联合治疗组53例、阿伐斯汀组59例纳入疗效分析。治疗前,两组症状积分、瘙痒视觉模拟评分差异均无统计学意义。治疗2周,联合治疗组痊愈19例、显效10例,有效率54.72%;阿伐斯汀组痊愈15例,显效6例,有效率35.59%。治疗4周,联合治疗组痊愈23例,显效9例,有效率60.38%;阿伐斯汀组痊愈20例,显效2例,有效率37.29%。治疗2、4周,联合治疗组有效率均高于阿伐斯汀组（χ2 = 4.13、5.96,均P < 0.05）。两组各随访时间点的SSRI差异、组间SSRI差异均有统计学意义（F = 8.62、4.38,均P < 0.05）。多变量方差分析,治疗2、4周时,联合治疗组SSRI（0.63 ± 0.05、0.68 ± 0.05）高于阿伐斯汀组（0.47 ± 0.05、0.51 ± 0.05）,差异均有统计学意义（均P < 0.05）。联合治疗组发生药物相关性不良反应7例,阿伐斯汀组3例,主要表现为嗜睡、胃部不适、头痛、肝功能异常。结论 阿伐斯汀治疗慢性难治性荨麻疹安全、有效;阿伐斯汀联合氯雷他定可以显著提高疗效。     

基于EVs的肿瘤诊断,距离真正的临床应用还有多远

作为一种新型的旁/自分泌及远程信号传导方式,细胞外囊泡(EVs)几乎参与了肿瘤发生、进展、转移、耐药等整个过程,对肿瘤诊疗产生了极大的启发。EVs具有作为血液或尿液生物标志物的强大潜力,可用于癌症的诊断、预后和监测。由于在临床上的巨大应用价值,近几年EVs成为肿瘤研究的热点。因此,本文讨论了EVs标志物在肿瘤临床诊断中的优势、进展方向和技术挑战。     

Time-dependent effects of electroacupuncture at the Ren channel on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in focal cerebral ischemia rats

BACKGROUND: The onset of focal cerebral ischemia activates extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2, regulates cell cycle, promotes cell proliferation and differentiation, and affects the normal stage and function of brain cells.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at the Ren channel on extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in the lateral cerebral ventricle wall of rats with focal cerebral ischemia. The effects were analyzed at different time points after intervention.DESIGN: Randomized controlled study.SETTING: Department of Anatomy, Sun Yat-Sen University. MATERIALS: A total of 60 healthy adult male Wistar rats weighing (250±10) g were provided by the Experimental Animal Center, Medical College of Sun Yat-Sen University. The animal experiment was conducted with confirmed consent by the local ethics committee. The GB6805-Ⅱ electric acupuncture apparatus was provided by Shanghai Medical Equipment High-techno Company. METHODS: The experiment was performed at the Laboratory of Anatomy, Sun Yat-Sen University, from February to July 2007. All experimental animals were randomly divided into the following groups: normal group (n = 6), sham operation group (n = 18), model group (n = 18), and electroacupuncture group (n = 18). Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed in the model group and electroacupuncture group. Zea Longa's grading standard was used to assess neurological impairment after reperfusion; animals whose grades were between 1 and 4 were included in this study. The normal control group was not exposed to MCAO. In sham operation animals, the right common carotid artery (CCA) was isolated, and the external carotid artery (ECA) was damaged, but no embolism was induced. The electroacupuncture group was given acupuncture on the second day after surgery. The acupoint locations were chosen according to Experimental Acupuncture (People's Publishing House; 1997; First Edition). The Chengjiang, Qihai, and Guanyuan acupoints were labeled and connected to a G6805 electroacupuncture apparatus with sparse-dense waves (sparse waves were 30 Hz, dense waves were 100 Hz), with a frequency of 6-15 V. The duration was 20 minutes. Two days after surgery, the model and sham operation groups were placed with their backs on the operating table, but they received no acupuncture. However, the normal group received acupuncture. The experimental animals under anesthesia were sacrificed on days 7, 14, and 28 post-surgery. Western blot analysis was used to measure expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 in the inferior region of the lateral cerebral ventricle wall. Expression was measured in the normal group at time points corresponding to the sham operation group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 in the inferior region of the lateral cerebral ventricle wall at different time points after intervention.RESULTS: All 60 rats were included in the final analysis, without any loss. Seven days after MCAO, there was no significant difference in extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression in the electroacupuncture group compared to the model group (P > 0.05). However, extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2 expression significantly increased in the model group at 14 and 28 days after treatment (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at the Ren channel can enhance extracellular signal-regulated kinases1/2 expression in the inferior region of the lateral cerebral ventricle wall of rats with focal cerebral ischemia. However, this effect is not apparent until 14 days after electroacupuncture intervention.