Dear Editor,Corneal endotheliitis,first reported in 1982 as an autoimmune disorder by Khodadoust and Attarzadeh[1],is now recognized to be frequently induced by viral infections,including varicella zoster virus(VZV),c...Dear Editor,Corneal endotheliitis,first reported in 1982 as an autoimmune disorder by Khodadoust and Attarzadeh[1],is now recognized to be frequently induced by viral infections,including varicella zoster virus(VZV),cytomegalovirus(CMV)and herpes simplex virus(HSV),that can cause inflammatory and immune-related injuries or direct damages to corneal endothelial cells[2-3].In cases with this type of endotheliitis of viral origin,manifestations may include conjunctival ciliary congestion or mixed congestion,corneal subepithelial bulla,localized corneal edema,keratic precipitates(KP)characteristic to the edema area,puckered posterior elastic lamina,mild anterior chamber reaction,intraocular pressure(IOP)elevation in presence of inflammation in trabecular meshwork,and endothelial decompensation[3-4].Accurate diagnosis of viral corneal endotheliitis is challenging due to its complex presentation,leading to a high misdiagnosis rate.To the best of our knowledge,there was no previous report of viral corneal endotheliitis presenting with corneal endothelial defects in the English literature.展开更多
Multiple studies implicate iron accumulation in the substantia nigra in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease.Indeed,slowing of iron accumulation in cells has been identified as the key poin...Multiple studies implicate iron accumulation in the substantia nigra in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease.Indeed,slowing of iron accumulation in cells has been identified as the key point for delaying and treating Parkinson’s disease.Myricetin reportedly plays an important role in anti-oxidation,anti-apoptosis,anti-inflammation,and iron chelation.However,the mechanism underlying its neuroprotection remains unclear.In the present study,MES23.5 cells were treated with 1×10^-6 M myricetin for 1 hour,followed by co-treatment with 400 nM rotenone for 24 hours to establish an in vitro cell model of Parkinson’s disease.Our results revealed that myricetin alleviated rotenone-induced decreases in cell viability,suppressed the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species,and restored mitochondrial transmembrane potential.In addition,myricetin significantly suppressed rotenone-induced hepcidin gene transcription and partly relieved rotenone-induced inhibition of ferroportin 1 mRNA and protein levels.Furthermore,myricetin inhibited rotenone-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 and SMAD1 in MES23.5 cells.These findings suggest that myricetin protected rotenone-treated MES23.5 cells by potently inhibiting hepcidin expression to prevent iron accumulation,and this effect was mediated by alteration of STAT3 and SMAD1 signaling pathways.展开更多
BACKGROUND The coaxial radiography-guided puncture technique(CR-PT)is a novel technique for endoscopic lumbar discectomy.As the X-ray beam and the puncturing needle are maintained in a parallel and coaxial direction,t...BACKGROUND The coaxial radiography-guided puncture technique(CR-PT)is a novel technique for endoscopic lumbar discectomy.As the X-ray beam and the puncturing needle are maintained in a parallel and coaxial direction,the X-ray beam can be used to guide the trajectory angle,facilitating the choice of the puncture site and providing real-time guidance.This puncture technique offers numerous advantages over the conventional anterior-posterior and lateral radiography-guided puncture technique(AP-PT),especially in cases of herniated lumbar discs with a hypertrophied transverse process or articular process,high iliac crest,and narrowed intervertebral foramen.AIM To confirm whether CR-PT is a superior approach to percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy compared to AP-PT.METHODS In this parallel,controlled,randomized clinical trial,herniated lumbar disc patients appointed to receive percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy treatment were recruited from the Pain Management Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Sixty-five participants were enrolled and divided into either a CR-PT group or an AP-PT group.The CR-PT group underwent CR-PT,and the AP-PT group underwent AP-PT.The number of fluoroscopies during puncturing,puncture duration(min),surgery duration(min),VAS score during puncturing,and puncture success rate were recorded.RESULTS Sixty-five participants were included,with 31 participants in the CR-PT group and 34 in the AP-PT group.One participant in the AP-PT group dropped out due to unsuccessful puncturing.The number of fluoroscopies[median(P25,P75)]was 12(11,14)in the CR-PT group vs 16(12,23)in the AP-PT group,while the puncture duration(mean±SD)was 20.42±5.78 vs 25.06±5.46,respectively.The VAS score was 3(2,4)in the CR-PT group vs 3(3,4)in the AP-PT group.Further subgroup analysis was performed,considering only the participants with L5/S1 segment herniation:9 patients underwent CR-PT,and 9 underwent AP-PT.The number of fluoroscopies was 11.56±0.88 vs 25.22±5.33;the puncture duration was 13.89±1.45 vs 28.89±3.76;the surgery duration was 105(99.5,120)vs 149(125,157.5);and the VAS score was 2.11±0.93 vs 3.89±0.6,respectively.All the above outcomes demonstrated statistical significance(P<0.05),favoring the CR-PT treatment.CONCLUSION CR-PT is a novel and effective technique.As opposed to conventional AP-PT,this technique significantly improves puncture accuracy,shortens puncture time and operation time,and reduces pain intensity during puncturing.展开更多
Objective:A retrospective study was performed to compare the difference in platelet count(PLT),prothrombin time(PT),international normalized ratio(INR),and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),between cirrhotic...Objective:A retrospective study was performed to compare the difference in platelet count(PLT),prothrombin time(PT),international normalized ratio(INR),and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),between cirrhotic patients with and without acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding(AUGIB)or acute oesophageal variceal bleeding(AEVB).Methods:Between January 2012 and June 2014,a total of 1734 cirrhotic patients were enrolled and were classified into‘AUGIB’(n=497)and‘no AUGIB’(n=1237)groups according to their disease history.They were further divided into‘AEVB’(n=297)and‘no AEVB’(n=1259)groups according to the endoscopic findings.Additionally,178 patients with AUGIB were not assigned to either the‘AEVB’or‘no AEVB’groups due to the absence of any endoscopic findings.Results:Compared with the‘no AUGIB’group,the‘AUGIB’group had similar PLT(99.99689.90 vs.101.47683.03;P=0.734)and APTT(42.96±15.20 vs.43.77611.01;P=0.219),but significantly higher PT(17.30±5.62 vs.16.03±64.68;P<0.001)and INR(1.45±0.69 vs.1.316±0.59;P<0.001).A lower PT was independently associated with the absence of AUGIB(OR=0.968;95%CI:0.942–0.994).Compared with the‘no AEVB’group,the‘AEVB’group had significantly lower PLT(86.87662.14 vs.101.74683.62;P=0.004)and APTT(40.98±67.9 vs.43.72±10.97;P<0.001),but similar PT(16.53±3.71 vs.16.04±4.68;P=0.088)and INR(1.35±0.41 vs.1.31±0.59;P=0.225).A higher PLT was independently associated with the absence of AEVB(OR=1.004;95%CI:1.002–1.006;P=0.001).Conclusions:PLT was associated with the occurrence of portal hypertension-related bleeding in liver cirrhosis.展开更多
Background and aims:Due to the invasiveness of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy,non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices in liver cirrhosis have been widely established by numerous studies.A questionnaire survey,whic...Background and aims:Due to the invasiveness of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy,non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices in liver cirrhosis have been widely established by numerous studies.A questionnaire survey,which was aimed at understanding the current knowledge about non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices in liver cirrhosis,was distributed among the members of Gastroenterology Branch of the Liaoning Medical Association.Methods:A questionnaire assessing the knowledge about non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices was sent to 42 members who participated in the entire ninth committee.They were from 33 hospitals in 13 cities of Liaoning Province,China.Results:Overall,97.6%(41/42)of participants responded to the questionnaire.A majority of participants were chief physicians(85.4%),had>20 years of experience in clinical work of digestive diseases(80.5%)and worked at tertiary hospitals(97.6%).In 46.3%of participants’departments,there were>200 patients with liver cirrhosis and gastroesophageal varices admitted every year.In 90.2%of participants’departments,upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was regularly employed for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices.Only six(15%)participants often used non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices in clinical practice.Thirty(75%)participants knew at least one non-invasive diagnostic test for varices.The knowledge of at least one non-invasive diagnostic test was significantly associated with the number of cirrhotic patients with varices(P¼0.038)or the regular use of gastrointestinal endoscopy to diagnose varices(P¼0.022).Conclusions:This questionnaire survey suggested that non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices in liver cirrhosis were rarely or never used in clinical practices in Liaoning Province,China.Reliable,non-invasive indexes should be further explored in a well-designed multi-center observational study.展开更多
To the Editor:Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct)is an obligate intracellular bacterium that can infect the human urogenital system and cause cervicitis,salpingitis,and pelvic inflammatory diseases.Ct infections can be easily t...To the Editor:Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct)is an obligate intracellular bacterium that can infect the human urogenital system and cause cervicitis,salpingitis,and pelvic inflammatory diseases.Ct infections can be easily treated using antibiotics.However,drug resistance and infection persistence pose significant challenges to the diagnosis and treatment of Ct.^([1])Therefore,developing effective vaccines is the most convenient and reliable option for controlling Ct infection.展开更多
文摘Dear Editor,Corneal endotheliitis,first reported in 1982 as an autoimmune disorder by Khodadoust and Attarzadeh[1],is now recognized to be frequently induced by viral infections,including varicella zoster virus(VZV),cytomegalovirus(CMV)and herpes simplex virus(HSV),that can cause inflammatory and immune-related injuries or direct damages to corneal endothelial cells[2-3].In cases with this type of endotheliitis of viral origin,manifestations may include conjunctival ciliary congestion or mixed congestion,corneal subepithelial bulla,localized corneal edema,keratic precipitates(KP)characteristic to the edema area,puckered posterior elastic lamina,mild anterior chamber reaction,intraocular pressure(IOP)elevation in presence of inflammation in trabecular meshwork,and endothelial decompensation[3-4].Accurate diagnosis of viral corneal endotheliitis is challenging due to its complex presentation,leading to a high misdiagnosis rate.To the best of our knowledge,there was no previous report of viral corneal endotheliitis presenting with corneal endothelial defects in the English literature.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81671249the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China,No.ZR2016CM04(both to ZGM).
文摘Multiple studies implicate iron accumulation in the substantia nigra in the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson’s disease.Indeed,slowing of iron accumulation in cells has been identified as the key point for delaying and treating Parkinson’s disease.Myricetin reportedly plays an important role in anti-oxidation,anti-apoptosis,anti-inflammation,and iron chelation.However,the mechanism underlying its neuroprotection remains unclear.In the present study,MES23.5 cells were treated with 1×10^-6 M myricetin for 1 hour,followed by co-treatment with 400 nM rotenone for 24 hours to establish an in vitro cell model of Parkinson’s disease.Our results revealed that myricetin alleviated rotenone-induced decreases in cell viability,suppressed the production of intracellular reactive oxygen species,and restored mitochondrial transmembrane potential.In addition,myricetin significantly suppressed rotenone-induced hepcidin gene transcription and partly relieved rotenone-induced inhibition of ferroportin 1 mRNA and protein levels.Furthermore,myricetin inhibited rotenone-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 and SMAD1 in MES23.5 cells.These findings suggest that myricetin protected rotenone-treated MES23.5 cells by potently inhibiting hepcidin expression to prevent iron accumulation,and this effect was mediated by alteration of STAT3 and SMAD1 signaling pathways.
文摘BACKGROUND The coaxial radiography-guided puncture technique(CR-PT)is a novel technique for endoscopic lumbar discectomy.As the X-ray beam and the puncturing needle are maintained in a parallel and coaxial direction,the X-ray beam can be used to guide the trajectory angle,facilitating the choice of the puncture site and providing real-time guidance.This puncture technique offers numerous advantages over the conventional anterior-posterior and lateral radiography-guided puncture technique(AP-PT),especially in cases of herniated lumbar discs with a hypertrophied transverse process or articular process,high iliac crest,and narrowed intervertebral foramen.AIM To confirm whether CR-PT is a superior approach to percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy compared to AP-PT.METHODS In this parallel,controlled,randomized clinical trial,herniated lumbar disc patients appointed to receive percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy treatment were recruited from the Pain Management Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University and Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.Sixty-five participants were enrolled and divided into either a CR-PT group or an AP-PT group.The CR-PT group underwent CR-PT,and the AP-PT group underwent AP-PT.The number of fluoroscopies during puncturing,puncture duration(min),surgery duration(min),VAS score during puncturing,and puncture success rate were recorded.RESULTS Sixty-five participants were included,with 31 participants in the CR-PT group and 34 in the AP-PT group.One participant in the AP-PT group dropped out due to unsuccessful puncturing.The number of fluoroscopies[median(P25,P75)]was 12(11,14)in the CR-PT group vs 16(12,23)in the AP-PT group,while the puncture duration(mean±SD)was 20.42±5.78 vs 25.06±5.46,respectively.The VAS score was 3(2,4)in the CR-PT group vs 3(3,4)in the AP-PT group.Further subgroup analysis was performed,considering only the participants with L5/S1 segment herniation:9 patients underwent CR-PT,and 9 underwent AP-PT.The number of fluoroscopies was 11.56±0.88 vs 25.22±5.33;the puncture duration was 13.89±1.45 vs 28.89±3.76;the surgery duration was 105(99.5,120)vs 149(125,157.5);and the VAS score was 2.11±0.93 vs 3.89±0.6,respectively.All the above outcomes demonstrated statistical significance(P<0.05),favoring the CR-PT treatment.CONCLUSION CR-PT is a novel and effective technique.As opposed to conventional AP-PT,this technique significantly improves puncture accuracy,shortens puncture time and operation time,and reduces pain intensity during puncturing.
基金This study was partially supported by the grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(no.81500474)Natural Science Foundation of Liaoning Province(no.2015020409).
文摘Objective:A retrospective study was performed to compare the difference in platelet count(PLT),prothrombin time(PT),international normalized ratio(INR),and activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),between cirrhotic patients with and without acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding(AUGIB)or acute oesophageal variceal bleeding(AEVB).Methods:Between January 2012 and June 2014,a total of 1734 cirrhotic patients were enrolled and were classified into‘AUGIB’(n=497)and‘no AUGIB’(n=1237)groups according to their disease history.They were further divided into‘AEVB’(n=297)and‘no AEVB’(n=1259)groups according to the endoscopic findings.Additionally,178 patients with AUGIB were not assigned to either the‘AEVB’or‘no AEVB’groups due to the absence of any endoscopic findings.Results:Compared with the‘no AUGIB’group,the‘AUGIB’group had similar PLT(99.99689.90 vs.101.47683.03;P=0.734)and APTT(42.96±15.20 vs.43.77611.01;P=0.219),but significantly higher PT(17.30±5.62 vs.16.03±64.68;P<0.001)and INR(1.45±0.69 vs.1.316±0.59;P<0.001).A lower PT was independently associated with the absence of AUGIB(OR=0.968;95%CI:0.942–0.994).Compared with the‘no AEVB’group,the‘AEVB’group had significantly lower PLT(86.87662.14 vs.101.74683.62;P=0.004)and APTT(40.98±67.9 vs.43.72±10.97;P<0.001),but similar PT(16.53±3.71 vs.16.04±4.68;P=0.088)and INR(1.35±0.41 vs.1.31±0.59;P=0.225).A higher PLT was independently associated with the absence of AEVB(OR=1.004;95%CI:1.002–1.006;P=0.001).Conclusions:PLT was associated with the occurrence of portal hypertension-related bleeding in liver cirrhosis.
文摘Background and aims:Due to the invasiveness of upper gastrointestinal endoscopy,non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices in liver cirrhosis have been widely established by numerous studies.A questionnaire survey,which was aimed at understanding the current knowledge about non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices in liver cirrhosis,was distributed among the members of Gastroenterology Branch of the Liaoning Medical Association.Methods:A questionnaire assessing the knowledge about non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices was sent to 42 members who participated in the entire ninth committee.They were from 33 hospitals in 13 cities of Liaoning Province,China.Results:Overall,97.6%(41/42)of participants responded to the questionnaire.A majority of participants were chief physicians(85.4%),had>20 years of experience in clinical work of digestive diseases(80.5%)and worked at tertiary hospitals(97.6%).In 46.3%of participants’departments,there were>200 patients with liver cirrhosis and gastroesophageal varices admitted every year.In 90.2%of participants’departments,upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was regularly employed for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal varices.Only six(15%)participants often used non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices in clinical practice.Thirty(75%)participants knew at least one non-invasive diagnostic test for varices.The knowledge of at least one non-invasive diagnostic test was significantly associated with the number of cirrhotic patients with varices(P¼0.038)or the regular use of gastrointestinal endoscopy to diagnose varices(P¼0.022).Conclusions:This questionnaire survey suggested that non-invasive diagnostic tests for varices in liver cirrhosis were rarely or never used in clinical practices in Liaoning Province,China.Reliable,non-invasive indexes should be further explored in a well-designed multi-center observational study.
基金supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation(No.31770194)Tianjin Key Medical Discipline(specialty)Construction Project(No.TJYXZDXK-057B)Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation(No.LY18C01003).
文摘To the Editor:Chlamydia trachomatis(Ct)is an obligate intracellular bacterium that can infect the human urogenital system and cause cervicitis,salpingitis,and pelvic inflammatory diseases.Ct infections can be easily treated using antibiotics.However,drug resistance and infection persistence pose significant challenges to the diagnosis and treatment of Ct.^([1])Therefore,developing effective vaccines is the most convenient and reliable option for controlling Ct infection.
