[Clinical features of patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma]

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of patients with metastatic pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL). Methods: A follow-up study. The clinical data of 250 patients with metastatic PPGL treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2018 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 124 males and 126 females. The clinical features and treatment status of patients with metastatic PPGL were summarized and analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to evaluate patients' prognosis. Results: The age of onset, age of diagnosis, and age of tumor metastasis in patients with metastatic PPGL were (33.1±14.2) years, (35.4±15.2) years, and (40.7±15.3) years, respectively. Metastasis occurred in 26.4%(66/250) of patients at the time of initial diagnosis. Among patients without metastases at the time of initial diagnosis, the time from primary tumor resection to metastasis[M(Q1, Q3)] was 5.0 (3.0, 9.0) years, among which 20.1%(37/184) of patients had metastases more than 10 years after surgery. Most patients showed increased 24-hour urinary norepinephrine and plasma normetanephrine, accounting for 78.2%(176/225) and 78.7%(85/108), respectively. 42.3%(69/163) of patients had increased neuron specific enolase (NSE)levels. Germline mutations were screened in 201 patients, of which 55.2%(111/201) had germline pathogenic mutations. In patients with gene mutations, 76.5%(85/111) had SDHB mutations. 52.0%(130/250) of metastatic PPGL patients had primary sites outside the adrenal gland, with the Ki-67 index of 5% (3%, 8%). There were 85.6%(214/250) patients had multisystem metastasis, with bone metastasis being the most common site of metastasis, accounting for 60.8%(152/250). In terms of treatment, 32.8%(75/229) of patients underwent two treatment regimens and 8.7%(20/229) of patients underwent three treatment regimens. Most patients had a good prognosis, with a 5-year and 10-year survival rate of 88.0% and 84.0%, respectively. However, some patients had rapid disease progression, and as of August 2023, 30 patients died, and the time from diagnosis to death in deceased patients was 2.0 (1.0, 4.0) years. Conclusions: Patients with metastatic PPGL have a high rate of germline mutations, especially those with SDHB mutations. The metastatic PPGL is usually multisystem metastasis with the characteristics of mostly paraganglioma, large lesion diameter and high Ki-67 index.

[Clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation: analysis of 17 cases]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and molecular genetic characteristics of esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation, and to summarize the experiences in its diagnosis and treatment. Methods: A total of 17 cases of esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation diagnosed in Ningbo Clinical Pathological Diagnosis Center, Ningbo, China from June 2011 to December 2022 were collected. The clinical information and pathological diagnosis was reviewed. The tumor histological features and immunohistochemical results were analyzed. The next-generation sequencing was performed to detect and analyze the gene mutations in tumor samples. Results: The 17 patients included in this study were 54-77 years old, with a median age of 66 years. There were 16 males and 1 female. Among them, 9 cases were mainly carcinoma with ductal differentiation. The squamous epithelium on the tumor's surface was accompanied by high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia. The tumor and atypical squamous epithelium were transitional, and the focus was accompanied by various proportions of squamous cell carcinoma component (less than 10%). The other 8 cases were mostly squamous cell carcinoma, basaloid squamous cell carcinoma or sarcomatoid carcinoma with various degrees of tumor specific differentiation and focal area of carcinoma with ductal differentiation (less than 10%). The tumor cells in the area with ductal differentiation were mainly arranged in small tubes, while the tubes showed a double-layer structure, including the inner cells and outer cells of the lumen. Immunohistochemical results showed that the outer cells of the tumorous tubules expressed p63, p40, CK5/6 and CK34βE12, while the inner cells expressed CK7. Compared with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma reported in the literature, the frequency of gene mutations such as MYC (P=0.002), TP63 (P=0.002), CDKN1C (P=0.002) and NFE2L2 (P=0.045) was significantly lower in this group of cases. At the signaling pathway level, the mutation frequency of NOTCH signaling pathway (P=0.041) was significantly higher, while the mutation frequencies of NRF2 pathway (P=0.013) and PI3K pathway (P=0.009) were significantly lower than that of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Esophageal carcinoma with ductal differentiation is a type of esophageal carcinoma with unique morphology, and its molecular changes are also significantly different from those of conventional esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

China Initiative for Multi-Domain Intervention (CHINA-IN-MUDI) to Prevent Cognitive Decline: Study Design and Progress

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common type of irreversible dementia, is predicted to affect 152 million people by 2050. Evidence from large-scale preventive randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on modifiable risk variables in Europe has shown that multi-domain lifestyle treatments for older persons at high risk of dementia may be practical and effective. Given the substantial differences between the Chinese and European populations in terms of demographics and living conditions, direct adoption of the European program in China remains unfeasible. Although a RCT has been conducted in China previously, its participants were mainly from rural areas in northern China and, thus, are not representative of the entire nation.There is an urgent need to establish cohorts that represent different economic, cultural, and geographical situations in order to explore implementation strategies and evaluate the effects of early multi-domain interventions more comprehensively and accurately.

MEDTODS

We developed an integrated intervention procedure implemented in urban neighborhood settings, namely China Initiative for Multi-Domain Intervention (CHINA-IN-MUDI). CHINA-IN-MUDI is a 2-year multicenter open-label cluster-randomised controlled trial centered around a Chinese-style multi-domain intervention to prevent cognitive decline. Participants aged 60-80 years were recruited from a nationally representative study, i.e. China Healthy Aging and Dementia Study cohort. An external harmonization process was carried out to preserve the original FINGER design. Subsequently, we standardized a series of Chinese-style intervention programs to align with cultural and socioeconomic status. Additionally, we expanded the secondary outcome list to include genomic and proteomic analyses. To enhance adherence and facilitate implementation, we leveraged an e-health application.

RESULTS

Screening commenced in July 2022. Currently, 1,965 participants have been randomized into lifestyle intervention (n = 772) and control groups (n = 1,193). Both the intervention and control groups exhibited similar baseline characteristics. Several lifestyle and vascular risk factors were present, indicating a potential window of opportunity for intervention. The intervention will be completed by 2025.

CONCLUSIONS

This project will contribute to the evaluation of the effectiveness and safety of intervention strategies in controlling AD risk and reducing clinical events, providing a basis for public health decision-making in China.

[Preliminary study on the ability of 68Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT to differentiate between adrenal aldosterone-producing adenoma and nonfunctional adenoma]

Objective: To evaluate the ability of ⁶⁸Ga-Pentixafor (nuclide ligand imaging agents for chemokine receptor 4) PET/CT to differentiate between aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA) and adrenal nonfunctional adenoma (NFA), and to assess how well this imaging method correlates with clinical features and postoperative outcomes. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 73 APA and 12 NFA patients who received ⁶⁸Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT imaging at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from August 2018 to October 2021. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the differential value of visual analysis and the maximum standard uptake value (SUV_max) of the focus on APA and NFA. The related factors of SUV_max, and its predictive effect on postoperative outcomes were analyzed using Pearson or Spearman analysis and χ² text. Results: ⁶⁸Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT imaging was positive in 64 APA patients (sensitivity=87.7%) and negative in all 12 NFA patients (specificity=100%). The area under the ROC curve with SUV_max differentiating APA and NFA was 0.932 (P<0.001). When the SUV_max cut-off point was 6.23, the sensitivity was 80.8% and the specificity was 100%. The SUV_max correlated positively with lesion size (r=0.598) and aldosterone/renin activity ratio (r=0.313) and correlated negatively with potassium level (r=-0.286), renin activity (r=-0.240) and age of diagnosis (r=-0.273) (all P<0.05). Of the patients who underwent adrenalectomy and received more than 6 months of post-surgical follow-up, the clinical complete remission rate was higher for ⁶⁸Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT imaging-positive patients than imaging-negative patients (24/39 vs. 0/4, P=0.031). Conclusions: ⁶⁸Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT is effective at differentiating between APA and NFA. The SUV_max of ⁶⁸Ga-Pentixafor PET/CT correlates with age at onset, lesion size, and the severity of clinical manifestations, and is able to predict postoperative outcomes.

[Clinicopathological features of mixed cervical carcinoma with adenoid cystic pattern]

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotype, molecular characteristics, differential diagnosis, clinical treatment and prognosis of mixed carcinoma of cervix with adenoid cystic pattern. Methods: Three cases of mixed cervical carcinoma with adenoid cystic pattern were collected at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou University Medical School from 2018 to 2021.The clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) were performed. The related literature was reviewed. Results: The three patients were postmenopausal women with a median age of 74.7 years. The clinical symptom was vaginal bleeding without obvious causes. One case was an endophytic tumor, and the others were exophytic. The median diameter of the three cases was 3.3 cm. Two patients underwent hysterectomy, the tumors infiltrated the external 1/3 and middle 1/3 of the cervix respectively. All the lymph nodes were negative. One patient had a previous biopsy. Microscopically, all three tumors were characterized by a cribriform structure, which were filled with basophilic myxoid substance and surrounded by tubules lined by two layers of cells. The tumor cells had scanty cytoplasm and showed the characteristics of cervical basal-like cells. All three cases were accompanied by high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions and squamous cell carcinoma, and one also showed a non-specific spindle cell sarcomatoid component. Within the double-layered epithelial structure, the outer epithelium was positive for p63, CD117, p16^INK4a (clone E6H4) and MYB protein and negative for S-100 by IHC. The combined positive score of PD-L1 (clone 22C3) was less than 1 in all three cases. Human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18 were detected in one patient preoperatively, while high-risk HPV were positive in the other two patients by RNAscope ISH postoperatively. None of the three cases showed MYB gene rearrangement by FISH. The mean follow-up time was 23.3 months (36, 28 and 6 months, respectively). Two patients underwent hysterectomy and radiotherapy survived without disease. One patient survived with tumor just by radiotherapy and drug therapy. Conclusions: Mixed cervical carcinoma with adenoid cystic pattern is extremely rare. It is a high-grade malignancy with poor prognosis. The tumor is associated with high-risk HPV infection, without MYB gene rearrangement, and with low PD-L1 immunoreactivity. Radical surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy is the mainstay of treatment at present.

[The 495th case: young female-hyperandrogenemia-severe insulin resistance]

A 22-year-old female has complained of hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans, enlarged clitoris, and menstrual disorders since puberty. Laboratory examinations revealed hyperandrogenemia. Severe insulin resistance and diabetes were found during hospitalization in our hospital. She was diagnosed with type A insulin resistance syndrome finally. After treatment with metformin, the acanthosis nigricans was significantly relieved, blood glucose was controlled satisfactorily, and the menstrual cycle was restored.

[Recurrence and metastasis of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma after tumor resection and clinical characteristics analysis]

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the incidence of recurrence or metastasis of pheochromocytoma/paraganglioma (PPGL) patients after primary tumor resection, and to compare the differences of clinical indicators between patients with or without recurrence or metastasis. Methods: This study is a retrospective study. All 157 patients were followed up after tumor resection in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from 2008 to 2016. We obtained the basic information [age of diagnosis, gender, height, weight and body mass index (BMI)], the onset status of PPGL (age of onset, course of disease, family history, tumor location, whether the tumor is bilateral or multiple, and preoperative blood pressure), clinical and pathological features of PPGL tumor (tumor size, whether it could adhere, invade or infiltrate during operation, whether the tumor capsule is smooth and complete on the postoperative pathological diagnosis, whether there is infiltration growth and cystic necrosis on tumor pathology and Ki-67 index), and laboratory examination results [24 hours urinary norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (E), dopamine (DA) before operation]. According to the outpatient or telephone follow-up, the postoperative incidences of recurrence and metastasis were explored, and the basic information, status of onset, clinical and pathological characteristics of tumors, and laboratory test results of patients were compared. Results: A total of 157 patients, 69 males and 88 females, were with an average age of (42.4±13.4) years old. There were 103 patients with PCC and 54 with PGL. The average follow-up time was (9.5±2.0) years. Of the 103 patients with PCC, 13 (12.6%) had postoperative recurrence and 9 (8.7%) had distant metastasis. Compared with the patients without recurrence and metastasis, the onset age of the 13 patients with recurrence was younger [(27.3±15.7) years vs (39.3±12.2) years, P=0.003], the course of disease was longer [48.0 (23.0, 141.0) months vs 12.0 (4.0, 60.0) months, P=0.010]. The tumor size of 9 patients with distant metastasis was larger [8.0 (6.1, 12.8) cm vs 5.0 (4.0, 7.0) cm, P=0.027]. Of the 54 patients with PGL, 8 (14.8%) had postoperative recurrence and 5 (9.3%) had distant metastasis. Compared with the patients without recurrence and metastasis, the course of disease of the 8 patients with recurrence was longer [90.0 (36.3, 165.0) months vs 24.0 (8.0, 72.0) months, P=0.009], and the proportion of primary tumors with multiple lesions was higher (4/8 vs 4.4%, P=0.003). The preoperative diastolic blood pressure was higher in 5 patients with distant metastasis [(146.0±32.1) mmHg vs (120.6±25.3) mmHg, P=0.043] (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and the proportion of primary tumors with multiple lesions was higher (2/4 vs 4.4%, P=0.029). Conclusion: PPGL patients are prone to have recurrence or metastasis. PPGL patients with postoperative recurrence or distant metastasis had younger onset age, longer course of disease, larger tumor size and higher proportion of multiple lesions.

Hsa-miR-34a-5p reverses multidrug resistance in gastric cancer cells by targeting the 3'-UTR of SIRT1 and inhibiting its expression

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle to chemotherapy, which leads to ineffective chemotherapy, an important treatment strategy for gastric cancer (GC). The abnormality of microRNAs (miRNAs) is critical to the occurrence and progression of MDR in various tumors. In this study, hsa-miR-34a-5p was found to be decreased in multidrug resistant GC cells SGC-7901/5-Fluorouracil (SGC-7901/5-Fu) compared to the parental SGC-7901 cells. Overexpression of hsa-miR-34a-5p in SGC-7901/5-Fu cells promoted apoptosis and decreased migration and invasiveness after chemotherapy. In addition, overexpression of hsa-miR-34a-5p suppressed the growth of drug-resistant tumor in vivo. The mechanism of the effects of hsa-miR-34a-5p could include the regulation of the expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), P-glycoprotein (P-gp) or Multidrug resistance-related protein 1 (MRP1) through direct binding to the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of SIRT1. Functional gain-and-loss experiments indicated that hsa-miR-34a-5p enhances the chemotherapy sensitivity of MDR GC cells by inhibiting SIRT1, P-gp and MRP1. In conclusion, hsa-miR-34a-5p can reverse the MDR of GC cells by inhibiting the expression of SIRT1, P-gp or MRP1.

[Absence of arterial duct in fetus: an autopsy analysis]

Objective: To analyze the absence of congenital arterial duct in fetus and to improve the diagnostic accuracy. Methods: Four hundred cases of congenital heart disease diagnosed by echocardiography during pregnancy were examined the fetal cardiovascular malformation and visceral malformation, and the absence of arterial duct was analyzed. Results: There were 24(6%)cases of absence of arterial duct, including 19 cases of left aortic arch and five cases of right aortic arch. There were 21 cases with main pulmonary arteries and 3 cases without main pulmonary arteries and branches. There were 15 cases of pulmonary artery stenosis with absence of arterial duct and the major cardiovascular malformations included six cases of single ventricle, six cases of atrial septal defect, four cases of single atrium, four cases of right atrium isomerism, four cases of double outlet right ventricle, four cases of anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, three cases of tetralogy of Fallot, and three cases of persistent left superior vena cava. There were seven cases of pulmonary atresia with absence of arterial duct and with systemic-pulmonary collateral circulation. There was one case of tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve and absent arterial duct and the pulmonary artery was dilated. There was one case of aortopulmonary septal defect with absent arterial duct, with normal pulmonary artery. There were also seven cases of asplenia, seven cases of pulmonary abnormality and seven cases of visceral inversion. Conclusions: The absence of arterial duct is often associated with congenital heart disease. Pulmonary atresia is often associated with systemic-pulmonary collateral circulation. The visceral malformations are related to the accompanying congenital cardiovascular malformations.

Altered resting-state functional connectivity between subregions in the thalamus and cortex in migraine without aura

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Migraine is a complex and disabling neurological disorder, the exact neurological mechanisms of which remain unclear. The thalamus is considered to be the hub of the central processing and integration of nociceptive information, as well as the modulation of these processes.

METHODS

A total of 48 migraineurs without aura (MWoAs) during the interictal phase and 48 age- and sex-matched healthy controls underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scans. We utilized masked independent component analysis and seed-based functional connectivity (FC) to investigate whether MWoAs exhibited abnormal FC between subregions in the thalamus and the cortex regions.

RESULTS

The MWoAs showed significantly weaker FC between the anterior dorsal thalamic nucleus and left precuneus. Additionally, MWoAs exhibited significantly reduced FC between the ventral posterior nucleus (VPN) and left precuneus, right inferior parietal lobule (R-IPL) and right middle frontal gyrus. Furthermore, the FC Z-scores between the VPN and R-IPL were negatively correlated with pain intensity in MWoAs. The disease duration of patients was negatively correlated with the FC Z-scores between the VPN and R-IPL.

CONCLUSION

These altered thalamocortical connectivity patterns may contribute to multisensory integration abnormalities, deficits in pain attention, cognitive evaluation and pain modulation. Pain sensitivity and disease duration are closely tied to abnormal FC between the VPN and R-IPL. Remarkably, recurrent headache attacks might contribute to this maladaptive functional plasticity closely related to pain intensity.

Effects of corn dried distillers' grains with solubles on performance, egg quality, yolk fatty acid composition and oxidative status in laying ducks

The study investigated the effects of increasing content of corn distillers' dried grains with solubles (DDGS) in the diets of laying ducks on oxidative status, laying performance, egg quality, and egg yolk fatty acid composition. Longyan females (1080) with similar BW at 17 wk of age were randomly assigned to 6 treatment groups, each consisting of 6 replicates of 30 birds. The basal diet (I) was a typical corn-soybean ration while the experimental diets (II to VI) substituted corn DDGS for soybean meal and wheat bran and a small reduction of corn. The level of substitution in diets (II to VI) was 6%, 12%, 18%, 24% and 30%. The experiment lasted for 18 wk. Average egg weight decreased linearly as the level of corn DDGS inclusion increased (P < 0.001). Haugh unit, albumen weight, and proportion declined as linear responses to corn DDGS substitution (P < 0.05), but yolk color linearly increased (P < 0.001); the proportions of oleic (C18:1) and total monounsaturated fatty acids in egg yolk linearly decreased with increasing corn DDGS and many of the key polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) like linoleic (C18:2n-6), arachidonic (C20:4n-6) and α-linolenic (C18:3n-3) acids linearly increased (P < 0.001), but not those of eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n-3) and docoshexaenoic (C22:6n-3) acids. The PUFAs n-6/n-3 ratio linearly increased with increasing corn DDGS level (P < 0.001). Increasing corn DDGS linearly increased hepatic expression of GPX1, HO-1, and Nrf2 and hepatic activity of GSH-Px and the liver content of MDA (P < 0.001). There were no treatment effects on egg production, egg mass, feed conversion ratio, eggshell thickness, strength, and yolk cholesterol content (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the current study indicates that the use of corn DDGS is possible as a replacement, primarily for soybean meal at levels up to 18% in the diets of laying ducks without affecting laying performance, egg quality, and antioxidant status. Increasing amounts of corn DDGS linearly increased egg yolk concentrations of key fatty acids like like C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 and the antioxidant enzyme activity of GSH-Px through the Nrf2 pathway to avoid oxidative stress.

Optimization of dietary zinc for egg production and antioxidant capacity in Chinese egg-laying ducks fed a diet based on corn-wheat bran and soybean meal

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zinc supplementation on productive performance and antioxidant status in laying ducks. Five-hundred-four laying ducks were divided into 7 treatments, each containing 6 replicates of 12 ducks. The ducks were caged individually and fed a corn-soybean meal and wheat bran basal diet (37 mg Zn/kg) or the basal diet supplemented with 15, 30, 45, 60, 75, or 90 mg Zn/kg (as zinc sulfate). During the early laying period of 10 d (daily egg production <80%), egg production, daily egg mass, and FCR increased quadratically with increasing dietary Zn levels (P < 0.05). The highest egg production and daily egg weight were obtained when 30 or 45 mg Zn/kg diet was supplemented, with lowest FCR. Similarly, the highest egg production and daily egg mass were observed in the group supplemented with 30 or 45 mg Zn/kg during the peak laying period of the subsequent 120 d (daily egg production >80%). Average egg weight and feed intake did not differ among the groups of graded Zn supplementation.The egg quality was not affected by dietary Zn, including the egg shape index, Haugh unit, yolk color score, egg composition, and shell thickness. The activities of plasma activities of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) increased in a quadratic manner (P < 0.001) with increasing supplemental Zn. Plasma concentration of Zn increased quadratically (P < 0.05) as dietary Zn increased. The hepatic activity of Cu/Zn-SOD and GSH-PX increased quadratically (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary Zn. Plasma Zn concentrations were positively correlated with activities of T-SOD (P < 0.05), and positively with plasma Cu. Plasma concentration of reduced glutathione was correlated with plasma Cu. In conclusion, supplementation of Zn at 30 or 45 mg/kg to a corn-wheat bran and soybean basal diet may improve the productive performance and enhance the antioxidant capacity.

[Investigation of pregestational diabetes mellitus in 15 hospitals in Guangdong province]

Objective: To investigate the morbidity, diagnostic profile and perinatal outcome of pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM) in 15 hospitals in Guangdong province. Methods: A total of 41 338 women delivered in the 15 hospitals during the 6 months, 195 women with PGDM (PGDM group) and 195 women with normal glucose test result (control group) were recruited from these tertiary hospitals in Guangdong province from January 2016 to June 2016. The morbidity and diagnostic profile of PGDM were analyzed. The complications during pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. In the PGDM group, pregnancy outcomes were analyzed in women who used insulin treatment (n=91) and women who did not (n=104). Results: (1) The incidence of PGDM was 0.472%(195/41 338). Diabetes mellitus were diagnosed in 59 women (30.3%, 59/195) before pregnancy, and 136 women (69.7%,136/195) were diagnosed as PGDM after conceptions. Forty-six women (33.8%) were diagnosed by fasting glucose and glycohemoglobin (HbA1c) screening. (2) The maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) , prenatal BMI, percentage of family history of diabetes, incidence of macrosomia, concentration of low density lipoprotein were significantly higher in PGDM group than those in control group (all P<0.05). Women in PGDM group had significantly higher HbA1c concentration ((6.3±1.3)% vs (5.2±0.4)%) , fasting glucose [(6.3±2.3) vs (4.8±1.1) mmol/L], oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) -1 h glucose ((12.6±2.9) vs (7.1±1.3) mmol/L) and OGTT-2 h glucose [(12.0±3.0) vs (6.4±1.0) mmol/L] than those in control group (P<0.01). (3) The morbidity of preterm births was significantly higher (11.3% vs 1.0%, P<0.01), and the gestational age at delivery in PGDM group was significantly smaller [(37.6±2.3) vs (39.2±1.2) weeks, P<0.01]. Cesarean delivery rate in the PGDM group (70.8% vs 29.7%) was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.01). There was significantly difference between PGDM group and control in the neonatal male/female ratio (98/97 vs 111/84, P=0.033). The neonatal birth weight in PGDM group was significantly higher ((3 159±700) vs (3 451±423) g, P<0.01) . And the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia in the PGDM group was higher than the control group (7.7% vs 2.6%, P=0.036). (4) In the PGDM group, women who were treated with insulin had a smaller gestational age at delivery [(36.9±2.9) vs (37.9±2.5) weeks, P<0.01], and the neonates had a higher neonatal ICU (NICU) admission rate (24.2% vs 9.6%, P<0.01). Conclusions: The morbidity of PGDM in the 15 hospitals in Guangdong province is 0.472%. The majority of PGDM was diagnosed during pregnancy; HbA1c and fasting glucose are reliable parameters for PGDM screening. Women with PGDM have obvious family history of diabetes and repeated pregnancy may accelerate the process of diabetes mellitus. Women with PGDM have higher risk for preterm delivery and neonatal hypoglycemia. Unsatisfied glucose control followed by insulin treatment may increase the need for NICU admission.

[Influencing factors of visual hallucinations in patients with Parkinson's disease and its relationship with sleep disorders]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of visual hallucinations in patients with Parkinson's disease(PD), and to analyze the relationship between visual hallucinations and sleep disorders.

METHODS

We recruited 187 patients with PD(H-Y Ⅰ-Ⅲ) from outpatient department in Beijing Hospital. The patients were investigated for general information and the use of medicine. The patients were divided into visual hallucination(VH) group and non-hallucination(non-VH) group. A comparison study was conducted between two groups. We investigated the sleep disorders of PD patients according to Non Motor Symptom Quest(NMSquest) and Parkinson's disease sleep scale(PDSS). Logistic stepwise multiple regression procedures were used to determine the best predictive model of visual hallucinations in patients with PD.

RESULTS

(1) 42 cases(22.5%) of PD patients were accompanied by visual hallucinations; (2) the VH group and non-VH group had no difference in age, sex, duration of illness, the scores of Minimum Mental State Examination(MMSE) and levodopa equivalent doses (LED). The scores of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale(UPDRS) Ⅰ, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety(HAMA) and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression(HAMD) in VH group were significantly higher than those in non-VH group[3.5(2, 5) vs 2 (1, 3); 10(6.75, 15) vs 8(5, 11); 11(7.75, 17) vs 9(5, 13); P<0.05]; (3) the incidences of vivid dreams and REM sleep behavior disorder(RBD) in VH group were significantly higher than those in non-VH group(61.9% vs 40.7%, 71.4% vs 47.6%, P<0.05). There were no significant differences in incidences of excessive daytime sleepiness and restless legs between two groups(P>0.05). The score of PDSS in VH group was significantly lower than that in non-VH group[111(92.75, 128.25) vs 123(109, 135), P<0.05]; (4) the Logistic stepwise multiple regression revealed that vivid dreams(P=0.045) and the score of PDSS(P=0.006) were the independent influencing factors for VH in PD patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of VH in PD with H-Y staging Ⅰ-Ⅱ is 22.5%. The presence of vivid dreams and severe sleep disorder are independently associated with VH in PD.

A single CT-guided percutaneous intraosseous injection of thermosensitive simvastatin/poloxamer 407 hydrogel enhances vertebral bone formation in ovariectomized minipigs

The ultimate goal of osteoporosis treatment is prevention of fragile fracture. Local treatment targeting specific bone may decrease the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. We developed an injectable, thermosensitive simvastatin/poloxamer 407 hydrogel; a single CT-guided percutaneous intraosseous injection augmented vertebrae in ovariectomized minipigs.

INTRODUCTION

The greatest hazard associated with osteoporosis is local fragility fractures. An adjunct, local treatment might be helpful to decrease the incidence of osteoporotic fracture. Studies have found that simvastatin stimulates bone formation, but the skeletal bioavailability of orally administered is low. Directly delivering simvastatin to the specific bone that is prone to fractures may reinforce the target bone and reduce the incidence of fragility fractures.

METHODS

We developed an injectable, thermosensitive simvastatin/poloxamer 407 hydrogel, conducted scanning electron microscopy, rheological, and drug release analyses to evaluate the delivery system; injected it into the lumbar vertebrae of ovariectomized minipigs via minimally invasive CT-guided percutaneous vertebral injection. Three months later, BMD, microstructures, mineral apposition rates, and strength were determined by DXA, micro-CT, histology, and biomechanical test; expression of VEGF, BMP2, and osteocalcin were analyzed by immunohistochemistry and Western blots.

RESULTS

Poloxamer 407 is an effective controlled delivery system for intraosseous-injected simvastatin. A single injection of the simvastatin/poloxamer 407 hydrogel significantly increased BMD, bone microstructure, and strength; the bone volume fraction and trabecular thickness increased nearly 150 %, bone strength almost doubled compared with controls (all P < 0.01); and induced higher expression of VEGF, BMP2, and osteocalcin.

CONCLUSIONS

CT-guided percutaneous vertebral injection of a single simvastatin/poloxamer 407 thermosensitive hydrogel promotes bone formation in ovariectomized minipigs. The underlying mechanism appears to involve the higher expression of VEGF and BMP-2.

Effect of pregnancy-specific stress on spontaneous preterm birth among Chinese people

BACKGROUND

The current evidence implicates that psychosocial stress, especially pregnancy-specific stress, is associated with the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of pregnancy-specific stress on spontaneous preterm birth among Chinese people.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 2,189 pregnant women were enrolled and followed up until parturition from February 2011 to January 2012. Maternal pregnancy-specific stress was assessed using the revised Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS) at third trimester in pregnancy. Socio-demographic and psychological data were collected through interviews, medical, and obstetrical examination records.

RESULTS

High levels of maternal pregnancy-specific stress during the third trimester increased risk of spontaneous preterm birth compared with the low and medium levels (adjusted risk ratios, 2.92; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-7.58). The first stressor from the revised PSRS includes a risk factor for the safety of infants.

CONCLUSIONS

High level of pregnancy-specific stress in third trimester might predict spontaneous preterm birth.

Plasma FGF23 levels and heart rate variability in patients with stage 5 CKD

Fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23) is a bone-derived hormone which regulates mineral homeostasis but may also have a role in cardiovascular disease. Here, we found that higher plasma FGF23 was independently associated with decreased heart rate variability in stage 5 CKD patients and parathyroidectomy may reverse these abnormal indicators.

INTRODUCTION

Lower heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with healthy controls is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Higher levels of plasma FGF23 also predict higher risk of CVD. Here, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between plasma FGF23 levels and HRV in patients with stage 5 CKD and to investigate longitudinal changes of them together with the correlation between their changes in two severe secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) subgroups with successful parathyroidectomy (PTX) and persistent SHPT.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 100 stage 5 CKD patients, 78 controls, and a prospective study in two PTX subgroups classified as successful PTX (n = 24) and persistent SHPT (n = 4) follow-up. Blood examination and 24-h Holter monitoring for HRV were measured.

RESULTS

Most HRV indices were lower in stage 5 CKD patients than in healthy controls, and plasma FGF23 levels were higher. In multivariate stepwise regression models, levels of plasma FGF23 and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) were correlated with HRV. The successful PTX subgroup had significant improvements over baseline in HRV indices. Persistent SHPT subgroup had numerically similar changes in HRV indices. However, plasma FGF23 levels decreased in both subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Plasma FGF23 levels were higher in CKD patients than in controls, much higher in patients with severe SHPT. FGF23 was independently associated with decreased HRV in stage 5 CKD. Successful PTX may reverse these abnormal indicators and contribute to decreases in the risk of cardiovascular disease.

TNF-α-induced CXCL8 production by A549 cells: involvement of the non-neuronal cholinergic system

It was recently suggested that the non-neuronal cholinergic system has a regulatory role in pulmonary inflammation. We investigated this system's involvement in the control of cytokine production by the A549 human alveolar epithelial cell line. CXCL8 and acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations were measured using ELISA and LC-MS/MS, respectively. The mRNA expression of muscarinic receptor (MR) subtypes was determined using RT-PCR. In A549 cells, TNF-α increased the release of CXCL8 and ACh and the expression of the subtype 3 MR (M3R). Furthermore, TNF-α-induced CXCL8 secretion was (i) inhibited by the MR antagonist tiotropium and the M3R antagonist 4-DAMP and (ii) enhanced by the M1/M3R agonist pilocarpine and the cholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. Taken as a whole, these results suggest that ACh release by A549 cells enhances TNF-α-induced CXCL8 secretion through activation of the M3R. Western blot analysis revealed that pilocarpine and physostigmine enhanced the TNF-α-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK and the degradation of IκBα. Inhibition of these pathways with specific inhibitors abrogated the pilocarpine-induced CXCL8 release. Our results suggest that the TNF-α-induced secretion of CXCL8 in A549 cells is regulated by the release of ACh, the latter's binding to the M3R and the downstream activation of NF-κB and the ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. Our findings suggest that MR antagonists may have anti-inflammatory effects by preventing pro-inflammatory events driven by endogenous, non-neuronal ACh.

Microchemical inhomogeneity to characterize atomic configurations in the heating and quenching of a CuHf2 alloy

Based on the constructed Cu-Hf interatomic potential, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to reveal the atomic configurations in heating and quenching of a CuHf(2) alloy through scrutinizing the evolution of microchemical inhomogeneity. Simulations show that the CuHf(2) crystalline structure becomes more homogeneous during heating but an obvious drop in microchemical inhomogeneity appears when reaching its melting point. During the quenching process, the CuHf(2) melt becomes increasingly inhomogeneous and shows a change in the slope in the microchemical inhomogeneity around glass transition temperature. Simulation results were evidenced by the atomic packing analysis through the Voronoi tessellation method. The implications of our study suggest that the glass transition could be visualized as a process involving increase of microchemical inhomogeneity from the liquid to glassy state.

Prediction of favored and optimized compositions for Cu-Zr-Ni metallic glasses by interatomic potential

For the Cu-Zr-Ni system, an interatomic potential was constructed under the newly proposed formulism named smoothed and long-range second-moment approximation of tight-binding. Applying the constructed potential, molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to compare the relative stability of crystalline solid solution versus its disordered counterpart. Simulations not only reveal that the origin of metallic glass formation is the crystalline lattice collapsing while the solute concentrations exceed critical values, but also determine a quadrilateral region, within which the metallic glass formation is energetically favored. Moreover, the energy differences between the crystalline solid solutions and the disordered states were considered as the driving force for amorphization and were computed by molecular static calculations. The calculation results located an optimized composition area with the driving force much greater than those outside. In addition, the alloys around the composition of Cu(16)Zr(60)Ni(24) were identified to have maximum driving force, and the atomic configurations were also analyzed by the Voronoi tessellation method.

Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase-9 attenuates acute small-for-size liver graft injury in rats

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) and portal hypertension have been implicated in small-for-size liver graft dysfunction. Matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9 (MMP-2/9) are critically proposed to involve in hepatic I/R injury and activated by hemodynamic force. We hypothesized that MMP-2/9 overexpression played a crucial role in acute graft injury following small-for-size liver transplantation (LT). Rats were randomly assigned into four groups: 75% partial hepatectomy (PH); 100% LT; 25% LT and 25% LT treated with CTT peptide (MMP-2/9 inhibitor). ELISA, real-time PCR, gelatin zymography and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the expression pattern of MMP-2/9 in liver tissue. MMP-9 expression was significantly increased 6 h after reperfusion and reached a peak 12 h in the 25% LT group, whereas MMP-2 was expressed in all groups invariably. Compared with the 25% LT group, rats from CTT-treated group exhibited markedly decreased alanine aminotransferase and total bilirubin values, downregulated proinflammatory cytokines, attenuated malondialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, and improved liver histology. Likewise, MMP-9 inhibition significantly reduced number of TUNEL-positive cells and caspase-3 activity, along with decreased protein levels of Fas and Fas-L. Specifically, rat survival was also improved in the CTT-treated group. These results support critical function of MMP-9 involved in acute small-for-size livergraft injury.

Formation and growth of calcium phosphate on the surface of oxidized Ti–29Nb–13Ta–4.6Zr alloy

The bioconductivity of a new biomedical titanium alloy Ti-29Nb-13Ta-4.6Zr achieved by a combination of surface oxidation and alkali treatment is reported in this paper. Oxidation treatment at 400 degrees C for 24 h was found to result in the formation of a hard layer on the surface of the alloy. Immersion in a protein-free simulated body fluid and fast calcification solution led to the growth of calcium phosphate (Ca-P) phase on the oxidized and alkali-treated alloy, and the new bioconductive surface was still harder than the substrate. The surface processes during various treatment and immersion processes were investigated in detail, and the morphology of the calcium phosphate crystals was shown to be determined by the concentrations of Ca and P in the solution.

[The in vitro metabolism of hainanensine derivative HH07A by rat liver microsomes]

The metabolism of hainanensine derivative HH07A has been studied in vitro with rat microsomes. A method of HPLC-DAD was developed for screening the metabolites from the microsomal incubation system. Two metabolites were found according to their UV spectra. One of them was extracted and purified with preparative HPLC and TLC, its chemical structure was identified by UV, IR, MS and NMR.

Characterization of rat liver microsomal metabolites of clivorine, an hepatotoxic otonecine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloid

The metabolism of the hepatotoxic otonecine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA), clivorine, was investigated using rat liver microsomes. The metabolites dehydroretronecine (DHR), 7-glutathionyldehydroretronecine (7-GSH-DHR), 7, 9-diglutathionyldehydroretronecine (7,9-diGSH-DHR), and clivoric acid were identified using chromatographic and mass spectrometric analyses. NMR characterizations were also performed on the isolated clivoric acid and the synthetic 7-GSH-DHR and 7,9-diGSH-DHR. The results indicated that the two glutathione (GSH) conjugates were formed by reaction of the unstable toxic pyrrolic ester with GSH added in the microsomal incubation system, whereas DHR was generated from hydrolysis of the unstable pyrrolic ester, and that clivoric acid was produced from all these further conversions of the unstable pyrrolic ester. Furthermore, tissue-bound pyrroles were also determined to be present after microsomal incubation of clivorine. Clivoric acid has not been previously identified, and DHR and 7, 9-diGSH-DHR were found, for the first time, as metabolites of an otonecine-type PA, while 7-GSH-DHR was previously reported by us to be a microsomal metabolite of clivorine. The in vitro metabolic pathway of clivorine was delineated to be the initial formation of the unstable pyrrolic ester, which then may undergo hydrolysis, GSH conjugations, or covalent binding with hepatic tissues that may lead to hepatotoxicity. The present definitive identification of four pyrrolic ester-related metabolites of clivorine and indirect determination of bound pyrroles provide the strongest evidence to date to support the hypothesis that the formation of an unstable pyrrolic ester plays a key role in otonecine-type PA-induced hepatotoxicity.

Microsomal formation of a pyrrolic alcohol glutathione conjugate of clivorine. Firm evidence for the formation of a pyrrolic metabolite of an otonecine-type pyrrolizidine alkaloid

The formation of the pyrrolic alcohol glutathione (GSH) conjugates of two different types of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), i.e. clivorine (an otonecine-type PA) and retrorsine (a retronecine-type PA), was investigated with rat microsomes in the presence of GSH. Two GSH conjugates identified as metabolites of retrorsine were the pyrrolic alcohol conjugated with one [7-GSH-dehydroretronecine (DHP)] or two (7,9-diGSH-DHP) molecules of GSH. diGSH-DHP, the less abundant of the two conjugates, had not been previously identified as a metabolite of PAs. In the case of clivorine, 7-GSH-DHP was identified. This is the first unequivocal identification of a pyrrolic metabolite of an otonecine-type PA. Consequently, this study provides the strongest evidence obtained to date to support the hypothesis, suggested >25 years ago, that the mechanism of hepatotoxicity induced by otonecine-type PAs involves key metabolic steps similar to those for retronecine-type PAs.

A tachykinin NK3 receptor antagonist, SR 142801 (osanetant), prevents substance P-induced bronchial hyperreactivity in guinea-pigs

Aerosolized substance P (0.1 M, for 30 min) induced airway hyperresponsiveness in guinea-pigs 24 h after they were pre-treated with salbutamol (8.7 mM by aerosol for 10 min) and phosphoramidon (0.1 mM by aerosol for 10 min). This was displayed by an exaggerated response to the bronchoconstrictor effect of acetylcholine. A microvascular leakage hypersensitivity also occurred and was demonstrated by a potentiation of the plasma protein extravasation from bronchial vessels induced by histamine. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the non-peptide and potent tachykinin NK3 receptor antagonist, SR 142801 (osanetant), in comparison with those of the tachykinin NK1 and NK2 receptor antagonists, SR 140333 (nolpitantium) and SR 48968 (saredutant) respectively, on substance P. When given once at 1 mg/kg i.p. 45 min before exposure to substance P, SR 142801 prevented both hyperresponsiveness to acetylcholine and the potentiation of histamine-induced increase in microvascular permeability. SR 142801 did not exhibit any tachykinin NK1 or NK2 antagonistic activity in experiments on guinea-pig isolated airways, in vitro or in vivo. The results suggest that tachykinin NK3 receptors might be involved in these substance P-induced effects on airways.

Effects of SCA40 on human bronchi and on guinea pig main bronchi in vitro. Comparison with cromakalim

The aim of this study was to examine the activity of SCA40, a novel charybdotoxin-sensitive potassium channel opener, against a variety of spasmogens or against electrical field stimulation in guinea pig isolated main bronchi and in human isolated bronchi; the effects of SCA40 were compared with those of cromakalim. Like cromakalim, SCA40 reduced the contractility of guinea pig and human isolated bronchi precontracted with acetylcholine 10(-6) M or neurokinin A 10(-6) M, SCA40 being more efficient and more potent than cromakalim. Moreover, on guinea pig isolated main bronchi, SCA40 can exert a preventive effect on contractions induced by acetylcholine, neurokinin A or capsaicin, that is, it shifts to the right the concentration-effect curves of these substances, whereas cromakalim has no such effect. The effects of cromakalim were antagonized by glibenclamide 10(-5) M, whereas the effects of SCA40 were inhibited by tetraethylammonium (TEA 10(-2) M) and charybdotoxin (3 x 10(-8) M), but this inhibitory effect of TEA was reversed by nifedipine (10(-6) M). Electrical field stimulation of guinea pig isolated main bronchi induced two successive contractile responses. Both contractions were significantly reduced by SCA40 (10(-6) and 10(-5) M) and cromakalim (10(-5) M). Since cromakalim was unable to inhibit the effects of acetylcholine or neurokinin A, it might be suggested that for this latter compound the inhibition seems to take place prejunctionally and to affect the release of neuromediators produced by electrical field stimulation. In contrast, in the case of SCA40, a postjunctional effect seems to be likely, owing to its preventive effects, although a prejunctional effect cannot be excluded. Finally, on guinea pig isolated main bronchi, SCA40 (10(-8)-10(-6) M) did not potentiate the relaxant effect of isoprenaline or sodium nitroprusside, suggesting a lack of functional manifestation of inhibition of phosphodiesterase for these concentrations. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that SCA40 is a potent and efficient relaxant of guinea pig and human airway smooth muscle, and is able to inhibit, in the guinea pig isolated main bronchi, the contractions induced by electrical field stimulation. It has an effect on TEA-sensitive K+ channels, but this effect is probably not involved in its relaxant effect which does not also rest on an inhibitory effect of phosphodiesterase.

[Studies on metabolism of 6-methoxy butyl phthalide by rat liver microsomes]

The in vitro biotransformation of 6-methoxy butyl phthalide (MBP) by phenobarbital induced rat liver microsomes was investigated by GC/MS and GC/MS with TMS derivatization. Three major metabolites of MBP were identified as 3-OH-MBP, 6-OH-butyl phthalide and gamma-OH-MBP. A less polar metabolite was tentatively identified as an epoxidation product.

[Studies on metabolism of 6-chloro butyl phthalide by rat liver microsomes]

The in vitro metabolism of 6-chloro-butyl phthalide (CBP) was studied by rat hepatic microsomes. The constitution of the incubation system was optimized and a RP-HPLC-DAD method was developed for the on-line analysis of CBP and its metabolites. The difference of the metabolism profiles of CBP by rat liver microsomes induced by phenobarbital (PB) and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) was also compared. TLC, column chromatography and preparative HPLC were used for the isolation and purification of the major metabolites and they were identified as (R/S) gamma-hydroxy-CBP and (R/S) beta-hydroxy-CBP by UV, NMR and MS.

Aspects of schizandrin metabolism in vitro and in vivo

The metabolic transformation of schizandrin, isolated from the kernel of Schizandra chinensis Bill, was studied in vitro with a phenobarbital induced rat liver microsomal fraction containing the NADPH generating system. The major metabolites were isolated by preparative HPLC and identified as 7,8-dihydroxy-schizandrin, 7,8-dihydroxy-2-demethyl-schizandrin, and 7,8-dihydroxy-3-demethyl-schizandrin by UV, NMR and MS spectral analysis. The 7,8-dihydroxy-schizandrin was confirmed further by comparison with spectral and chromatographic behavior of the authentic compound. The metabolic biotransformation of schizandrin in vivo was also determined.