Glucose starvation induces resistance to metformin through the elevation of mitochondrial multidrug resistance protein 1

Metformin, a drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus, has shown therapeutic effects for various cancers. However, it had no beneficial effects on the survival rate of human malignant mesothelioma (HMM) patients. The present study was performed to elucidate the underlying mechanism of metformin resistance in HMM cells. Glucose‐starved HMM cells had enhanced resistance to metformin, demonstrated by decreased apoptosis and autophagy and increased cell survival. These cells showed abnormalities in mitochondria, such as decreased ATP synthesis, morphological elongation, altered mitochondrial permeability transition pore and hyperpolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). Intriguingly, Mdr1 was significantly upregulated in mitochondria but not in cell membrane. The upregulated mitochondrial Mdr1 was reversed by treatment with carbonyl cyanide m‐chlorophenyl hydrazone, an MMP depolarization inducer. Furthermore, apoptosis and autophagy were increased in multidrug resistance protein 1 knockout HMM cells cultured under glucose starvation with metformin treatment. The data suggest that mitochondrial Mdr1 plays a critical role in the chemoresistance to metformin in HMM cells, which could be a potential target for improving its therapeutic efficacy.     

Improved Diagnostic Sensitivity of Bowel Disease of Prematurity on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound

Bowel diseases of prematurity, including necrotizing enterocolitis, are dreaded ailments of neonates. Early diagnosis is difficult, with clinical and radiographic findings often inconclusive. We present a novel use of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in detection of pediatric bowel disease. Early identification of compromised blood flow or an at-risk bowel can be quantitatively detected and monitored. This ability has implications for guidance of emerging therapies, allowing targeting of inflammation. These findings represent an advancement in detection of bowel disease in neonates.     

Comparative outcomes of vascular access in patients older than 70 years with end-stage renal disease

Objective

The advantage of arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) in older patients requiring dialysis is controversial. We reviewed our vascular access experience in patients ≥70 years of age (older group) compared with younger patients.

Dorsal suspension for Morton’s neuroma: A comparison with neurectomy

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the clinical outcomes of dorsal suspension with those of neurectomy for the treatment of Morton’s neuroma.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of dorsal suspension and neurectomy group. The dorsal suspension was performed by dorsal transposition of neuroma over the dorsal transverse ligament after neurolysis. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), postoperative satisfaction, and complications were evaluated.ResultsBoth groups reported significant pain relief, and there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to postoperative pain. The postoperative FAAM outcomes showed no significant between-group differences. Satisfaction analysis showed ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ results in the dorsal suspension and neurectomy groups (95% and 77.7%, respectively). Complications of numbness and paresthesia reported in the dorsal suspension group (5% and 5%, respectively) were significantly fewer than those of neurectomy group (61.1% and 33.3%, respectively) (both, p < .05).ConclusionsWith its favorable results, dorsal suspension can be another operative option for the treatment of Morton’s neuroma.Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative case series.     

晚期肺癌化疗患者医院感染的病原学与危险因素分析

目的研究晚期肺癌化疗患者发生医院感染的病原学特点,分析其危险因素,降低晚期肺癌化疗患者医院感染率。方法选择2012年1月-2015年12月收治的532例晚期肺癌化疗患者为研究对象,采集患者痰液或呼吸道分泌物标本进行细菌培养,应用SAS 9.3软件进行统计分析,并分析晚期肺癌化疗患者发生医院感染的危险因素。结果 125例晚期肺癌化疗患者发生医院感染,感染率为23.50%,其主要感染部位为呼吸道、胃肠道、口腔黏膜,分别占52.00%、15.20%、14.40%;共分离病原菌104株,其中革兰阴性菌51株占49.04%、革兰阳性菌30株占28.85%、真菌23株占22.11%;logistics回归显示,住院时间长、接受侵入性操作、使用抗菌药物是晚期肺癌化疗患者发生医院感染的危险因素。结论晚期肺癌化疗患者医院感染率较高,主要病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主,通过缩短患者住院时间、减少侵入性操作、合理使用抗菌药物等措施,降低晚期肺癌化疗患者医院感染的发生。     

PCNA、Survivin蛋白在人绒癌细胞株BeWo合体化过程中表达变化的研究

目的:通过检测人绒癌细胞株Be Wo合体化过程中增殖细胞核抗原(proliferating cell nuclear antigen,PCNA)、生存素(Survivin)蛋白表达的变化,探讨滋养细胞合体化后增殖性的变化,为恶性滋养细胞肿瘤,尤其是耐药恶性滋养细胞肿瘤的临床治疗提供新的思路和方法。方法:利用毛喉素(forskolin)诱导Be Wo细胞株融合;应用逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)检测促融素(Syncytin)在forskolin作用不同时间的Be Wo细胞株中的表达;应用蛋白质印迹(Western blotting)检测PCNA、Survivin蛋白在forskolin作用不同时间的Be Wo细胞株中的表达;应用噻唑蓝比色分析实验(MTT)法检测forskolin作用不同时间的绒癌细胞株Be Wo的增殖能力。结果:1forskolin作用后的Be Wo细胞株Syncytin基因的表达增强,且随着forskolin作用时间的延长,Syncytin的表达更强,于48 h达到高峰。2forskolin作用后的Be Wo细胞株PCNA、Survivin蛋白的表达降低。3forskolin作用后的Be Wo细胞株的增殖能力下降,且不同作用时间的差异有统计学意义;forskolin作用的时间越长,Be Wo细胞株增殖能力下降越明显。结论:人绒癌细胞株Be Wo合体化后PCNA、Survivin蛋白的表达降低,说明人绒癌细胞株Be Wo合体化后增殖性降低,推测诱导滋养细胞合体化可能对临床治疗恶性滋养细胞肿瘤具有一定作用。     

Is Atrial Fibrillation a Risk Factor for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Occurrence?

Recent studies have reported an association between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and atrial fibrillation (AF). The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether AF is one of the risk factors for GERD occurrence.In this hospital-based, retrospective, case–control study, the patients were classified into 2 groups. The patients diagnosed with new AF were assigned to the AF group (n = 1612); those diagnosed without AF and GERD were assigned to the control group (n = 1612). The subjects in the control group were selected from outpatients of total healthcare center without a history of AF or GERD, and matched for age and gender. We evaluated the incidence of GERD and risk factors for GERD occurrence between the 2 groups.The number of patients experiencing occurrence of GERD during the follow-up period was significantly higher in the AF group than those in the control group, respectively (129 patients vs 98 subjects, P = 0.037). The incidence of GERD was significantly higher in the AF group than in the control group by Kaplan–Meier analysis with log-rank test (P = 0.008). The AF group''s adjusted hazard ratio of GERD occurrence against that of the control group was 1.37 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.16–1.57; P = 0.009) according to Cox''s proportional hazard model.The presence of AF appears to increase the incidence of GERD and may be considered a risk factor for the development of GERD. Further, large prospective and cohort studies will be required to better establish the correlation of GERD with AF.     

六味能消胶囊联合脂必泰胶囊治疗高脂血症的临床研究

目的探讨六味能消胶囊联合脂必泰胶囊治疗高脂血症的临床效果。方法选取2017年5月—2018年10月东营市东营区人民医院收治的64例高脂血症患者,随机分为对照组和治疗组,每组各32例。对照组口服脂必泰胶囊,1粒/次,2次/d。治疗组在对照组治疗基础上口服六味能消胶囊,1粒/次,3次/d。两组均连续治疗8周。观察两组的临床疗效,比较两组治疗前后血脂指标、血流变学指标、血小板参数及血清学指标的变化情况。结果治疗后,对照组和治疗组的总有效率分别是75.0%、96.9%,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组总胆固醇(TC)、非-HDL-C、三酰甘油(TG)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平均较治疗前显著降低,而高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)显著升高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,治疗组TC、非-HDL-C、TG、LDL-C水平低于对照组,而HDL-C高于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组血浆黏度(PV)、红细胞比容(HCT)、聚集指数(RCAI)、平均血小板体积(MPV)、血小板最大聚集率(MAR)均显著降低,而变形指数(RDI)值均显著升高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,PV、HCT、RCAI、MPV、MAR值均显著低于对照组,而RDI值高于对照组,两组比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗后,两组血清C反应蛋白(CRP)、内皮素(ET)水平较治疗前均显著降低,而一氧化氮(NO)水平显著增高,同组治疗前后比较差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗后,治疗组CRP、ET水平低于对照组,而NO水平高于对照组,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论六味能消胶囊联合脂必泰胶囊治疗高脂血症具有较好的临床疗效,综合调脂作用显著,可明显纠正患者体内血流变学异常,改善血小板功能及微炎症状态,保护血管内皮功能,具有一定的临床推广应用价值。     

从温阳透发法论治难治性痤疮

痤疮可辨为阴、阳两证。阳疮者,缘患者劳汗被寒、玄府闭合,汗脂凝聚日久不得外排,蕴热搏结气血而生疮化腐,疮症为热为痛,此为易治;阴疮者,由阳疮转化而来,缘患者外感寒风、内伤生冷,且医者又重用寒凉、失于托透,以至气血冰凝,久不溃脓或溃脓难出,此为难治。根据难治性痤疮临床表现,其多类属于阴疮,以阳虚表郁、邪闭毛窍为致病之关键,其中表郁毛窍、邪闭肌腠为病之标,阳虚阴凝为病之本。治疗当以温阳透发、祛邪外达为法。以麻黄附子细辛汤温阳化阴滞、发阳透毒治其本,待阴邪发越,即用火针强开门户、消疮排脓治其标。标本兼治、针药结合的方法治疗难治性痤疮在临床中能够安全有效地消除痤疮、改善皮损、降低复发率。