Establishment of a formal program for retinoblastoma: Feasibility of clinical coordination across borders and impact on outcome

Retinoblastoma is an ocular tumor that occurs in young children, in either heritable or sporadic manner. The relative rarity of retinoblastoma, and the need for expensive equipment, anesthesia, and pediatric ophthalmologic expertise, are barriers for effective treatment in developing countries. Also, with an average age‐adjusted incidence of two to five cases per million children, patient number limits development of local expertise in countries with small populations. Lebanon is a small country with a population of approximately 4.5 million. In 2012, a comprehensive retinoblastoma program was formalized at the Children's Cancer Institute (CCI) at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, and resources were allocated for efficient interdisciplinary coordination to attract patients from neighboring countries such as Syria and Iraq, where such specialized therapy is also lacking. Through this program, care was coordinated across hospitals and borders such that patients would receive scheduled chemotherapy at their institution, and monthly retinal examinations and focal laser therapy at the CCI in Lebanon. Our results show the feasibility of successful collaboration across borders, with excellent patient and physician adherence to treatment plans. This was accompanied by an increase in patient referrals, which enables continued expertise development. However, the majority of patients presented with advanced intraocular disease, necessitating enucleation in 90% of eyes in unilateral cases, and more than 50% of eyes in bilateral cases. Future efforts need to focus on expanding the program that reaches to additional hospitals in both countries, and promoting early diagnosis, for further improvement of globe salvage rates.     

Propofol inhibits the malignant development of osteosarcoma U2OS cells via AMPK/FΟΧO1-mediated autophagy

It has previously been reported that propofol regulates the development of human osteosarcoma (OS). However, the specific molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of propofol on OS remain poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to explore the effects of propofol on OS U2OS cells and the potential underlying mechanism. The Cell Counting Kit-8 and colony formation assays were performed to assess cell viability and proliferation. Furthermore, cell apoptosis was assessed using the TUNEL assay and western blotting. Wound healing and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate OS cell migration and invasion abilities, respectively. The protein expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-, autophagy- and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/FOXO1 signaling pathway-related proteins were also determined using western blotting. The results demonstrated that propofol significantly reduced the viability of OS cells and promoted autophagy in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, cell treatment with propofol significantly enhanced the protein expression levels of phosphorylated (p)-AMPK and FOXO1, while decreasing the protein levels of p-FOXO1. Furthermore, treatment with propofol significantly suppressed cell viability, migration and invasion abilities and the EMT of OS cells, and potentially promoted cell apoptosis via inducing autophagy via the AMPK/FOXO1 signaling pathway. In summary, the present study indicated that propofol potentially had an inhibitory effect on the development of OS cells via AMPK/FOXO1-mediated autophagy. These results have therefore provided an experimental basis for further studies into the therapeutic effect of propofol on OS.     

鲑鱼降钙素对老年骨质疏松患者腰背疼痛及骨代谢的影响

目的 探讨鲑鱼降钙素注射液治疗老年骨质疏松的疗效,以及对患者腰背疼痛及骨代谢的影响.方法 选取湖北省枣阳市第一人民医院2018年6月至2019年6月收治的老年骨质疏松患者100例,按随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,各50例.两组患者均采用常规口服药物治疗,观察组增加肌肉注射鲑鱼降钙素治疗,均治疗6周.结果 与治疗前比较...     

Development and Characterizations of Pullulan and Maltodextrin-Based Oral Fast-Dissolving Films Employing a Box–Behnken Experimental Design

Migraine is a neurological disorder characterized by severe headaches, visual aversions, auditory, and olfactory disorders, accompanied by nausea and vomiting. Zolmitriptan (ZMT^®) is a potent 5HT1B/1D serotonin receptor agonist frequently used for the treatment of migraine. It has erratic absorption from the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), but its oral bioavailability is low (40–45%) due to the hepatic metabolism. This makes it an ideal candidate for oral fast dissolving formulations. Hence, the current study was undertaken to design and develop oral fast-dissolving films (OFDFs) containing ZMT for migraine treatment. The OFDFs were formulated by the solvent casting method (SCM) using Pullulan (PU) and maltodextrin (MDX) as film-forming agents and propylene glycol (PG) as a plasticizer. The strategy was designed using Box–Behnken experimental design considering the proportion of PU:MDX and percentage of PG as independent variables. The effectiveness of the OFDF’s was measured based on the following responses: drug release at five min, disintegration time (D-time), and tensile strength (TS). The influence of formulation factors, including percent elongation (%E), thickness, water content, moisture absorption, and folding endurance on ZMT-OFDFs, were also studied. The results showed a successful fabrication of stable ZMT-OFDFs, with surface uniformity and amorphous shape of ZMT in fabricated films. The optimized formulation showed a remarkable rapid dissolution, over 90% within the first 5 min, a fast D-time of 18 s, and excellent mechanical characteristics. Improved maximum plasma concentration (C max) and area under the curve (AUC 0–t) in animals (rats) treated with ZMT-OFDFs compared to those treated with an intra-gastric (i-g) suspension of ZMT were also observed. Copolymer OFDFs with ZMT is an exciting proposition with great potential for the treatment of migraine headache. This study offers a promising strategy for developing ZMT-OFDFs using SCM. ZMT-OFDFs showed remarkable rapid dissolution and fast D-time, which might endeavor ZMT-OFDFs as an auspicious alternative approach to improve patient compliance and shorten the onset time of ZMT in migraine treatment.     

Inactivation Methods for Experimental Nipah Virus Infection

Nipah virus (NiV) is an emerging zoonotic paramyxovirus that causes severe disease in humans and livestock. Due to its high pathogenicity in humans and the lack of available vaccines and therapeutics, NiV needs to be handled in biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratories. Safe inactivation of samples containing NiV is thus necessary to allow further processing in lower containment areas. To date, there is only limited information available on NiV inactivation methods validated by BSL-4 facilities that can be used as a reference. Here, we compare some of the most common inactivation methods in order to evaluate their efficacy at inactivating NiV in infected cells, supernatants and organs. Thus, several physical and chemical inactivation methods, and combinations thereof, were assessed. Viral replication was monitored for 3 weeks and NiV presence was assessed by RT-qPCR, plaque assay and indirect immunofluorescence. A total of nineteen methods were shown to reduce NiV infectious particles in cells, supernatants and organs to undetectable levels. Therefore, we provide a list of methods for the safe and efficient inactivation of NiV.     

电针对慢性应激模型大鼠体重、摄食量和NT的影响

目的探讨慢性应激状态下大鼠体重、摄食量及脑肠肽类激素神经降压素（NT）的变化及电针百会、印堂、天枢穴改善抑郁症消化功能障碍的作用机理。方法将40只SD雄性大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、西药组、电针组,每组10只。用放射免疫法测定大鼠下丘脑和回肠组织NT的含量。结果慢性应激使模型组大鼠体重增长缓慢,摄食量减少（P〈0．01）,下丘脑和回肠组织NT的含量显著下降（P〈0．01）;电针和氟西汀均可上调NT含量（P〈0．01）,增加大鼠体重和摄食量（P〈0．01）。结论电针可以上调慢性应激状态下大鼠NT的释放,对体重、摄食量均有良性调节作用,效果优于氟西汀。     

抑郁症模型大鼠海马受体、离子通道基因表达谱变化及甘麦大枣汤加味的调节作用

目的:探讨抑郁症模型大鼠海马受体、离子通道基因表达谱变化及甘麦大枣汤加味的调节作用。方法:以孤养加慢性不可预见性温和刺激制作抑郁症模型大鼠,通过旷场行为测定和饮水试验观察大鼠行为学变化,采用基因芯片技术检测大鼠海马各类受体mRNA表达,RT-PCR法检测大鼠海马脑源性神经营养因子(BDNF)mRNA表达。并以文拉法辛为对照,观察甘麦大枣汤加味对上述各项指标的影响。结果:模型组大鼠水平运动、垂直活动及糖水消耗量显著下降(P<0.01),海马单胺类(DA、5-HT、NE)、氨基酸类(NMDA、GABA、Gly)、神经肽类(AT、AVP)受体亚型表达下调,BDNF mRNA表达显著下降(P<0.05);与模型组比较,甘麦大枣汤加味23g/kg与文拉法辛25mg/kg大鼠水平运动、垂直活动及糖水消耗量显著上升(P<0.01),海马单胺类(DA、5-HT、NE)、氨基酸类(NMDA、GABA、Gly)、神经肽类(AT、AVP)受体亚型表达上调,BDNF mRNA表达显著增加(P<0.01)。结论:甘麦大枣汤加味与文拉法辛可上调海马单胺类、氨基酸类、神经肽类受体亚型,改善细胞信号转导途径功能,增加BDNF表达,从而纠正模型大鼠行为学异常。     

东北地产药用植物数据库的建设与应用

为了满足现代教学、科研手段的需要,我们开展了东北地产药用植物数据库的建设工作.本文就数据库系统的开发、研究方法、特色与创新、应用效益等方面内容进行介绍,希望能对其他数据库建设提供有益的借鉴.     

针对不同靶位点的siRNA对人晶状体上皮细胞NF-κB P65表达的抑制作用

目的 探讨针对核因子-κB(NF-κB)P65亚基的小干扰RNA(siRNA)对晶状体上皮细胞(LECs)NF-κB表达的影响.方法 设计并合成3条NF-κB siRNA,1条阴性对照siRNA.实验分为6组,A组为正常对照组,常规体外培养HLE-B3细胞;B组为肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)刺激组;C、D、E、F组为转染组,分别转染4条siRNA,24h后加入含TNF-α的培养基培养.免疫印迹法、实时荧光定量PCR法分别检测NF-κB P65蛋白与mRNA的表达.结果 B组与A组比较,NF-κB P65表达明显增加,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).C组、D组与B组比较,NF-κB表达明显减少,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 特异性siRNA可以明显降低HLE-B3细胞株NF-κB P65蛋白及mRNA的表达,为RNA干扰治疗外伤性白内障奠定了基础.     

被动凝集法、间接免疫荧光法和胶体金法联合检测肺炎 支原体抗体对儿童肺炎支原体感染的诊断价值

目的 分析被动凝集法（PA）、间接免疫荧光法（IFA）和胶体金法（GICT）联合检测对儿童肺炎支原体（MP） 感染的诊断价值。方法 选取进行MP抗体检测的患儿617例,以临床诊断为判断标准,分为MP感染组（345例）和 非MP感染组（272例）。所有患儿均经PA检测MP总抗体,经IFA和GICT检测MP-IgM抗体。分析PA、IFA和GICT 这3种方法单独检测及两两联合检测与临床诊断的一致性,受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线评价其对MP感染的诊断价 值,分析PA联合IFA检测2组患儿抗体情况。结果 MP感染组PA检测MP总抗体、IFA和GICT检测MP-IgM抗体的 阳性率较非MP感染组高（P＜0.01）。PA检测MP总抗体的阳性检出率高于IFA和GICT检测MP-IgM抗体的阳性检 出率（P＜0.01）。PA联合IFA与临床诊断为中度一致（Kappa值=0.41,P＜0.05）。3种方法单独检测和两两组合检测 中PA联合IFA的曲线下面积、敏感度、总符合率、阴性预测值最高,阴性似然比最低。GICT单独检测特异度最高。 IFA 单独检测阳性预测值和阳性似然比最高。当 MP-IgM 抗体阳性时,MP 感染组 23.44% 的患儿总抗体滴度＜1︰ 160,非MP感染组47.22%的患儿总抗体滴度≥1︰160。当MP-IgM抗体阴性时,MP感染组91.91%的患儿MP总抗体 滴度≥1︰160,非MP感染组有73.50%的患儿总抗体滴度＜1︰160。结论 PA和IFA联合检测可为临床诊断儿童MP 感染提供更客观、准确的检测结果。