Research progress of artesunate in diabetes and its complications

Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by abnormally elevated blood glucose levels.Persistent hyperglycemia leads to diabetic nephropathy,diabetic retinopathy,diabetes with periodontal disease and other diabetic complications.These diseases have become the main causes of disability and death in diabetic patients.Artesunate is well known as an antimalarial drug for controlling malaria symptoms.Current studies have shown that artesunate improves diabetes and its complications by protecting islet cells,improving glucose and lipid metabolism,anti-inflammatory and immune regulation.Based on the research status in recent years,this paper focuses on the mechanism of artesunate in diabetes and its complications,to provide a theoretical basis for future diabetes research.

加速康复外科联合舒适护理对老年股骨颈骨折患者的影响

目的分析加速康复外科(enhanced recovery after surgery,ERAS)联合舒适护理对老年股骨颈骨折(femoral neck fracture,FNF)患者的影响。方法选取开封市人民医院2020年8月至2022年8月收治的82例老年股骨颈骨折患者为研究对象,分为对照组和研究组,每组41例。对照组行常规护理,研究组行ERAS联合舒适护理,比较两组的心理状态、髋关节功能、疼痛程度、并发症及生活质量。结果护理后,研究组焦虑自评量表(self-rating anxiety scale,SAS)、抑郁自评量表(self-rating depression scale,SDS)评分均低于对照组(P<0.001);研究组护理后1个月、3个月及6个月Harris评分较对照组高(P<0.001);研究组术后1 d、3 d、5 d及7 d视觉模拟评分法(visual analogue scale,VAS)评分较对照组低(P<0.05);研究组并发症发生率较对照组低(4.88%vs.24.39%,P=0.012);研究组社会功能、心理功能、躯体功能及物质生活评分均较对照组高(P<0.001)。结论老年FNF患者应用ERAS联合舒适护理,有利于减少并发症,提高生活质量,减轻术后疼痛,并促进髋关节功能恢复,改善心理状态。

PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE IN DIABETIC PATIENTS OVER 50 YEARS OLD IN CHINA

Objective To investigate the prevalence of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in China type 2 diabetic patients and to demonstrate the relationships between putative risk factors and PAD. Methods In total 1 397 type 2 diabetic patients aged 50 years and older were enrolled and determined ankle-brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in 15 Class III Grade A hospitals in 7 major cities of China. Results Mean patient age was 63.7±8.2 years and mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 9.39±7.4 years. Two hundreds and seventy-two (19.47%) patients were diagnosed as PAD by ABI <0.9, 122 (18.37%) in male and 150 (20.46%) in female. PAD patients had a significantly longer duration of diabetes mellitus, higher hemoglobin Alc, and a significantly lower mean body mass index than non-PAD ones. Aging, smoking, and systolic blood pressure were found to be positively related with the prevalence of PAD. In terms of lipid profiles, no variable was found to relate with PAD. Notably, baPWV showed as the same significant guiding index for PAD, almost matched with ABI. Conclusions PAD is a common complication in China type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore, PAD screening and treatment should be emphasized for diabetic patients with high risk factors.

Genesis of green sandstone/mudstone from Middle Jurassic Zhiluo Formation in the Dongsheng Uranium Orefield, Ordos Basin and its enlightenment for uranium mineralization

The middle Jurassic Zhiluo Formation in the Dongsheng is comprised of a big set of green sandstone/mudstone with most of uranium orebodies occurring in close proximity to its footwall.By synthesizing field observations,region analysis,data collected from previous coal and uranium borehole,a regional north-south geological profile across the entire orefield is conducted.Experiments on sandstone/mudstone including rock mineral identification,clastic micromorphology and element geochemistry were carried out.Information from the geological profile indicates that green sandstone/mudstone is widely present in a stable horizon with clear boundaries to the country rock.Microscopic observations and geochemical data on sandstone/mudstone exhibit similar mineral composition with almost identical slightly flat,minor Eu enriched,Ce depleted chondrite-normalized REE patterns.Furthermore,the green clay membrane of the clasts has a complex composition containing chlorite/smectite,green smectite,chlorite,and green kaolinite,with elements including Fe,Mg,Si,and Al.These above results indicate that the green sandstone/mudstone underwent resemble sedimentary diagenetic processes as the country rock without transformation by large-scale regional fluid,while the existence of Fe2+-rich membrane is the main factor to the green sandstone/mudstone.Further concentration of the pre-enrichment uranium during diagenetic process led to the final formation for uranium deposits.The above studies are conducive to enrich the metallogenic mechanism of sandstone type uranium deposits and could provide certain reference for uranium exploration and deployment.

Comparison of OCT and OCTA manifestations among untreated PCV, neovascular AMD, and CSC in Chinese population

AIM: To compare the qualitative and quantitative features among untreated polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy(PCV), neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nv-AMD) and central serous chorioretinopathy(CSC) using optical coherence tomography(OCT) and OCT angiography(OCTA).METHODS: This retrospective study included 16 eyes with thin-choroid PCV, 18 eyes with thick-choroid PCV, 16 eyes with nv-AMD and 17 eyes with CSC, respectively. The indicators were obtained by OCT and OCTA.RESULTS: Sub-foveal choroidal thickness(SFCT) in CSC was thicker compared to other groups(all P<0.05). SFCT in nv-AMD was thicker compared to thin-choroid PCV, but thinner compared with thick-choroid PCV(both P<0.05). As the ratio of thickness of Haller's layer to thickness of SFCT, which of thin-choroid PCV was significantly higher than CSC(P<0.001). Likewise, thick-choroid PCV had significantly higher ratio than nv-AMD(P=0.016) or CSC(P<0.001). There were differences among them in pigment epithelium detachment(PED). The whole-superficial retinal vessel density(RVD), deep RVD and choroidal capillary vessel density(CCVD) in CSC were significantly higher compared to other three groups, respectively(all P<0.05). The whole CCVD in nv-AMD was higher compared to thick-choroid PCV(P=0.032). Cross-sectional local angiographic form was 87.50%, 83.33%, 0 and 35.29% in thin-choroid PCV, thickchoroid PCV, nv-AMD and CSC, respectively. Cross-sectional diffuse angiographic form was 12.50%, 16.67%, 100% and 5.88% in thin-choroid PCV, thick-choroid PCV, nv-AMD and CSC, respectively.CONCLUSION: Combination of OCT and OCTA can effectively observe the significant alterations existed in PCV, CSC and nv-AMD, and there are distinctive differences among them. The pathogenesis is not exactly the same between PCV and nv-AMD, or PCV and CSC.

Determination of formation age(0.14 Ma)of the Pengyang sandstone-type uranium deposit in the Ordos Basin,China:Using pitchblende in situ femtosecond LA-MC-ICP-MS method

1.Objective Because of the characteristics of multistage mineralization,long duration,relatively new age,and complicated occurrence of ore minerals,dating of sandstone-type uranium deposits has been a challenging problem.For a long time,the whole-rock U-Pb isochronal method has been used in the dating of sandstone-type uranium deposits,but its accuracy has been questioned by experts.

Effect of intradermal needle therapy at combined acupoints on patients’ gastrointestinal function following surgery for gastrointestinal tumors

BACKGROUND Postoperative gastrointestinal function recovery is critical for rapid rehabilitation of patients with gastrointestinal tumors.Traditional Chinese medicine offers considerable advantages for gastrointestinal disease treatment.However,no study has reported the clinical efficacy of intradermal needle therapy(INT)at the Yuan-source,Luo-connecting,and He-sea points of the corresponding meridian for gastrointestinal function in patients following surgery for gastrointestinal tumors.AIM To investigate the effect of INT at combined acupoints on patients’gastrointestinal function following surgery for gastrointestinal tumors.METHODS This randomized controlled trial was conducted at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University on patients with diagnosed gastrointestinal cancer,no distant metastases or organ failure,and hospitalized for elective radical tumor resection,who did not receive preoperative radiotherapy or chemotherapy.Participants were randomly allocated to either the intervention(n=32)or the control(n=32)group.Participants in the control group received enhanced recovery care,while those in the intervention group received enhanced recovery care combined with INT at the Yuan-source,Luo-connecting,and He-sea points.After surgery,INT was performed immediately upon the patient's return to the ward,and continued for seven consecutive days.The independent samples t-test,chi-square test,and generalized estimating equations were used for data analysis.RESULTS The participants’ages ranged from 40 to 80 years(average 63±10.1 years).Most participants underwent surgery for either gastric(43.8%)or colon cancer(39.1%)and had adenocarcinoma(87.5%).Significant differences were noted in time to first postoperative flatus passage(66±27 h vs 103±41 h,P<0.001),time to first defecation(106±44 h vs 153±50 h,P<0.001),and time to first oral feeding(73±30 h vs 115±38 h,P<0.001)between the intervention and control groups.Gastrointestinal symptoms,including abdominal distension,nausea,and fatigue 48 h and 72 h after surgery,were significantly alleviated in the intervention group compared with that observed in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION INT at the Yuan-source,Luo-connecting,and He-sea points can promote recovery of gastrointestinal function and ease gastrointestinal symptoms in patients following surgical resection of gastrointestinal tumors.

Choroid changes in vortex vein-occluded monkeys

AIM：To determine acute and chronic choroidal vascular changes after vortex vein occlusion in monkeys.METHODS：One or two temporal vortex veins were occluded in 8 cynomolgus monkeys.Fluorescein angiography（FA）,indocyanine green angiogram（ICGA）,and enhanced-depth imaging optical coherence tomography（EDI-OCT）were performed preoperatively and at 1d,1,4,8 and 12wk after occlusion.EDI-OCT images were binarized to calculate the choroid vascular index（CVI）.RESULTS：ICGA showed delayed filling of choroidal arteries in occluded quadrants in eyes with two occluded temporal vortex veins within 1wk.The thickness of the superotemporal choroid increased 1d and 4wk after occlusion,the thickness of the superonasal and inferonasal choroid increased 12wk after occlusion,and the CVI of the superonasal quadrant increased 8wk after occlusion in eyes with 2 occluded vortex veins. CONCLUSION：Occlusion of two vortex veins leads to hemodynamic and structural changes in choroidal layers in the acute phase,while autoregulation may play the main role in the long term.Occlusion of one vortex vein has little influence on the hemodynamic and structural status of the choroid.

Multiple neurofibromas plus fibrosarcoma with familial NF1 pathogenicity:A case report

BACKGROUND Neurofibromatosis(NF)is a genetic disease consisting of seven types,of which types 1 to 4 are caused by a dominant autosomal gene mutation;such disease sometimes arises in patients with NF type 1.However,it remains unclear whether the origin of neurofibrosarcoma is directly linked to the incidence of NF type 1,as no reports have been published on this issue.Here,we report a case of NF1-positive multiple neurofibromas with malignant fibrosarcomatous transformation in the pleural cavity.CASE SUMMARY A 51-year-old male was admitted to our hospital due to fever accompanied by coughing,chest tightness and asthma for more than one month.The preliminary diagnosis was NF type 1,which was pathologically confirmed by a subsequent thoracoabdominal subcutaneous biopsy.The definitive diagnosis was neurofibrosarcoma with a pathogenic NF1 gene.The patient refused surgery and chemoradiotherapy,and died two months later.NF is a genetic disease consisting of seven types,of which types 1 to 4 are caused by a dominant autosomal gene mutation.The case reported belongs to the class of NF1-positive dominant inheritance.Neurofibrosarcoma is a malignant tumor derived from cells surrounding the peripheral nerves.However,due to the lack of previous reports,it remains unclear whether the origin of neurofibrosarcoma is directly linked to the incidence of NF type 1.CONCLUSION We report the first case of NF1-positive multiple neurofibromas with malignant fibrosarcomatous transformation in the pleural cavity.

Design and synthesis of chitin synthase inhibitors as potent fungicides

Chitin is a structural component of fungal cell walls but is absent in vertebrates,mammals,and humans.Chitin synthase is thus an attractive molecular target for developing fungicides.Based on the structure of its donor substrate,UDP-N-acetyl-glucosamine,as well as the modelled structure of the bacterial chitin synthase NodC,we designed a novel scaffold which was then further optimized into a series of chitin synthase inhibitors.The most potent inhibitor,compound 13,exhibited high chitin synthase inhibitory activity with an IC（50） value of 64.5 μmol/L All of the inhibitors exhibited antifungal activities against the growth of agriculturally-destructive fungi,Fusarium graminearum,Botrytis cinerea.and Colletotrichum lagenarium.This work presents a new scaffold which can be used for the development of novel fungicides.

Severe Mediastinal Abscess after Endobronchial Ultrasoun ~with Transbronchial Needle Aspiration

Endobronchial ultrasound with transbronchial needle aspiration （EBUS-TBNA） is a minimally invasive and safe technique which is universally accepted for the mediastinum and/or hilum lymph node biopsy.Severe infectious complications following EBUS-TBNA were occasional,but sometimes life-threatening. Two patients with severe mediastinal abscess after EBUS-TBNA were treated successfully with surgical drainage in our department,and we reported here to improve our clinical vigilance to this disease.