This research aims to investigate the encapsulation and controlled release effect of the newly developed self-assembling peptide R-LIFE-1 on exosomes. The gelling ability and morphological structure of the chiral self-assembling peptide (CSAP) hydrogel were examined using advanced imaging techniques, including atomic force microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and cryo-scanning electron microscopy. The biocompatibility of the CSAP hydrogel was assessed through optical microscopy and fluorescent staining. Exosomes were isolated via ultrafiltration, and their quality was evaluated using Western blot analysis, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and transmission electron microscopy. The controlled release effect of the CSAP hydrogel on exosomes was quantitatively analyzed using laser confocal microscopy and a BCA assay kit. The results revealed that the self-assembling peptide R-LIFE-1 exhibited spontaneous assembly in the presence of various ions, leading to the formation of nanofibers. These nanofibers were cross-linked, giving rise to a robust nanofiber network structure, which further underwent cross-linking to generate a laminated membrane structure. The nanofibers possessed a large surface area, allowing them to encapsulate a substantial number of water molecules, thereby forming a hydrogel material with high water content. This hydrogel served as a stable spatial scaffold and loading matrix for the three-dimensional culture of cells, as well as the encapsulation and controlled release of exosomes. Importantly, R-LIFE-1 demonstrated excellent biocompatibility, preserving the growth of cells and the biological activity of exosomes. It rapidly formed a three-dimensional network scaffold, enabling the stable loading of cells and exosomes, while exhibiting favorable biocompatibility and reduced cytotoxicity. In conclusion, the findings of this study support the notion that R-LIFE-1 holds significant promise as an ideal tissue engineering material for tissue repair applications.
Objective To identify and investigate the quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in 11 non-key Chinese medical journals so as to learn about the current status and problems. Methods Eleven non-key medical journals of TCM from 1995 to 2000 were hand searched to identify the RCT and controlled clinical trials (CCTs). Each identified RCT or CCT was page by page verified by handsearchers based on the criteria developed by the Cochrane Handbook; the RCTs’ design, randomization method description, blind, baseline comparison, inclusion and exclusion criteria, diagnostic criteria,criteria for theraputic effectiveness, sample size, statistical method，described outcome, side effects, and follow up etc. were analyzed. Results In the related journals from 1995 to 2000, a total of 66 volumes and 390 issues were checked. As a result, 22 739 clinical studies were identified, of which 1 416 RCTs, only 24 (1.69%) were done with double blinding. There were 141 CCTs from 1995 to 2000, the total number of RCT increased from 95 to 1 416 and most of studies were on digestives diseases. Most of these studies had no detailed randomization method description, only 38 (2.68%) studies provided a methodology description. In addition, 1 220 (86.16% ) described outcome index, 1 203 (84.96%) used statistical method，934 (65.96%) had baseline comparison，828 (58.47%) described diagnostic criteria, 197 (13.91%) had inclusion and exclusion criteria，finally only 89 (6.29%) reported side effects. Conclusions Although the number of RCT has increased in the 11 non-key medical journals of TCM in the past six years, the quality of these RCTs needs to be improved.
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of acute normovolemic hemodilution (ANH) with autologous blood transfusion (ABT) and controlled hypotension (CH) during surgery on allogeneic blood transfusion and blood coagulation function. MethodsSixty patients in our hospital from February 2012 to January 2014 were chosen as our study subjects. They underwent surgeries of grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ, and the estimated amount of bleeding during surgery was more than 400 mL. The patients were randomized into group A (ANH+CH group) and group B (control group), with 30 in each. Patients in group A were first administered a standard endotracheal general anesthesia. Then an invasive arterial blood pressure monitoring was performed and the central venous blood was taken. ANH was implemented, and CH was applied to reduce bleeding. When the procedure was almost completed, ABT was implemented. The value of hematocrit, hemoglobin, platelet, prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thranboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, international normalized ratio (INR), heart rate, mean arterial pressure and central venous pressure were measured and recorded at the end of blood volume collection (T1), and before ABT (T2) and after ABT (T3). When hemoglobin was lower than 70 g/L during the surgery, ABT was implemented. After surgery, no allogeneic blood transfusion was performed if hemoglobin was higher than 90 g/L. Patients in group B received routine treatment. ResultsPatients' hemodynamics maintained relatively stable during ANH+ABT+CH. Blood volume collected from patients was (408.3 ±142.1) mL; blood loss volume was (705.4±586.8) mL. Compared with group B, the amount of bleeding was significantly lower, and it was reduced by (549.2±250.2) mL. No organ damage was found. For group A, compared with those values at T0, PT, hematocrit, hemoglobin, fibrinogen, and INR were significantly different at T1 and T2 (P<0.05), but the average value was within the acceptable range which did not affect the blood coagulation function. PT, APTT, platelet, hematocrit, hemoglobin, fibrinogen, and INR were significantly different before and after autologous blood transfusion (P<0.05). Postoperative infection and non-healing wounds rate was not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThis technique of acute normovolemic hemodilution with autologous blood transfusion and controlled hypotension is a useful, efficient and cost-effective blood conservation strategy. Moderate hemodilution has no influence on blood coagulation function in patients.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility and clinical effect of controlled hypotension in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for subcarinal lymph node dissection in patients with lung cancer.MethodsWe analyzed the clinical data of 53 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients undergoing VATS with controlled systolic blood pressure while dissecting the subcarinal lymph node from September to October 2016 in our department (a treatment group, including 31 males and 22 females with an average age of 53.20±8.80 years ranging 43-68 years). We selected 112 NSCLC patients undergoing VATS without controlled systolic blood pressure while dissecting the subcarinal lymph node from January to August 2016 in our department (a contol group, including 67 males and 45 females with an average age of 54.32±7.81 years ranging 39-73 years). The clinical data of both groups were compared.ResultsThe operation time and blood loss of the treatment group were less than those of the control group (177.6±39.4 min vs. 194.3±47.8 min, 317.9±33.6 ml vs. 331.2±38.7 ml, P<0.05). The duration of subcarinal lymph node dissection and total duration of lymph node dissection of the treatment group were also less than those of the control group (10.5±4.3 min vs. 13.6±5.2 min, 37.7±7.5 min vs. 48.7±6.4 min, P<0.001). The thoracic drainage at postoperative days 1, 2, 3 and total drainage volume, duration of tube placement and hospital stay of the treatment group were less than those of the control group (P<0.05). Whereas the postoperative complications of the two groups did not differ significantly (P>0.05).ConclusionControlled hypotension reduces the difficulty of dissecting subcarinal lymph nodes and the risk of bleeding, and produces less drainage volume, which is safe and effective.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effects of aminophylline combined with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of asthma. MethodsDatabases including The Cochrane Library(Issue 1, 2015), PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched from January 2005 to December 2014 to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the treatment of bronchial asthma combining aminophylline with TCM. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 10 RCTs involving 820 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: The total clinical effective rate in the aminophylline plus TCM group was higher than that of the aminophylline alone group (RR=1.22, 95%CI 1.11 to 1.33). The FEV1 in the aminophylline plus TCM group was also higher than that of the aminophylline alone group (MD=0.53, 95%CI 0.33 to 0.73). ConclusionCurrent evidence shows, the total clinical effective rate of aminophylline combined with TCM for asthma is better than that of aminophylline alone, and its mechanism may be related to the improvement of FEV1. Due to the limited quantity and quality of included studies, the above conclusion needs to be further verified by more high quality studies.
ObjectiveTo assess the prognostic significance of the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its association with clinicopathological characteristics. MethodsThe relevant studies investigating the association between CONUT score and prognosis of NSCLC patients were systematically searched in the PubMed, Web of Science, EMbase, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang Database and other databases from their inception to July 2023. Two independent researchers screened the references according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and conducted quality assessment. The quality of included references was evaluated using New Castle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). The meta-analysis was performed using Stata 17.0 software, and a combined hazard ratio (HR) or odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the association of CONUT score with prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics in NSCLC patients. ResultsA total of 17 cohort studies, comprising 5182 NSCLC patients with stage Ⅰ-Ⅳ, were included in this analysis. All studies had a NOS≥6 points. The meta-analysis showed that there was a significant correlation between CONUT score and overall survival (OS) as well as disease-free survival (DFS) among NSCLC patients: the higher the score, the shorter the OS [HR=1.87, 95%CI (1.58, 2.21), P<0.001] and DFS [HR=1.91, 95%CI (1.63, 2.24), P<0.001]. These differences were statistically significant. Furthermore, CONUT score was significantly associated with age, smoking status, tumor stage, and N stage (P<0.05). ConclusionA higher CONUT score is associated with a poorer OS and DFS in patients with NSCLC, and CONUT score can be used as a potential predictor of NSCLC prognosis.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the efficacy and safety of early oxygen therapy for patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). MethodsWe searched databases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 11, 2015) and CBM from inception to October 2015, to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about early oxygen therapy for patients with AMI. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software. ResultsA total of 7 RCTs involving 1 388 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, there were no significant differences between the oxygen therapy group and the control group in mortality (OR=1.12, 95%CI 0.57 to 2.20, P=0.75), the incidence of major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCE) (OR=1.00, 95%CI 0.46 to 2.18, P=1.00), the incidence of arrhythmia (OR=1.01, 95%CI 0.45 to 2.24, P=0.98) and the incidence of cardiac death (OR=0.53, 95%CI 0.17 to 1.67, P=0.28). But, the oxygen therapy group had higher risk of recurrent myocardial infarction (OR=5.50, 95%CI 1.44 to 20.99, P=0.01) and longer average hospital length of stay (MD=1.28, 95%CI 1.10 to 1.47, P<0.0001). ConclusionThe efficacy of early oxygen therapy for patients with AMI is not clear, even may increase the risk of recurrent myocardial infarction and the average hospital length of stay. Due to the limited quantity and quality of include studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical outcomes of different pituitary down regulation protocols with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment. MethodsThe clinical data of 358 IVF cycles in women at 40 years old or younger from November 2012 to January 2013 in the West China Second University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. All the 358 cycles were divided into two groups, according to whether the leading follicle diameter was <14 mm (group A, 158 cycles) or ≥14 mm (group B, 200 cycles) after discontinuing the GnRH-a. The clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. ResultsCompared with group B, the amount of gonadotropins used was significantly more, and the time of gonadotropin use was also significantly longer in group A (P<0.05). However, the serum level of estradiol (E2), progesterone (P) and Luteinizing hormone (LH), incidence of premature P rise, retrieved ovum number, the rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and live birth did not significantly differ between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionDiscontinuing the use of GnRH-a in early stage of controlled ovarian stimulation can keep effective pituitary down regulation and it has the same optimal clinical outcomes in patients undergoing IVF-ET.
Objective To explore the effect of controlled release of nerve growth factor (NGF) on peripheral nerve defect repaire by acellular nerve graft. Methods The microspheres of NGF were prepared with drug microsphere technologyand fixed with the fibrin glue to make the compl icated controlled release NGF. Twenty healthy male SD rats weighing 280-300 g were adopted to prepare acellular xenogenous nerve, 52 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were adopted to prepare the 10 mm defect model of left sciatic nerve. and thereafter were randomly divided into 4 groups: autograft group(group A), acellular nerve allograft combined with the double controlled release NGF (group B), acellular nerve allograft (group C) and acellular nerve allograft combined with fibrin glue (group D). Without any operation, the right sciatic nerve was regarded as control group. General observation was conducted after operation. The nerve axon regeneration length was measured 2 weeks after operation. The effects of peripheral nerve regeneration were evaluated by neural electrophysiology, the recovery rate of triceps surae muscular tension and weight and histological assessment 16 weeks after operation. Results All the animals survived till the end of experiment. The length of nerve regeneration was measured at 2 weeks after transplantation. The regeneration nerve of group A was longer than that of other groups (P lt; 0.05), group B longer than groups C and D (P lt; 0.05), and there were no difference between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). At 16 weeks after operation, the recovery rates of nerve conduction velocity of groups A and B (73.37% ± 7.82% and 70.39% ± 8.45%) were larger than that of groups C and D (53.51% ± 6.31% and 55.28% ± 5.37%) (P lt; 0.05). The recovery rates of the triceps surae muscular tension in group A (85.33% ± 5.59%) were larger than that in groups B, C and D (69.79% ± 5.31%, 64.46% ± 8.49％ and 63.35% ± 6.40%) (P lt; 0.05). There were no significant differences among groups B, C and D (P gt; 0.05). The recovery rates of the triceps surae weight in group A (62.54% ± 8.25%) werelarger than that in groups B, C and D (53.73% ± 4.56%, 46.37% ± 5.68% and 45.78% ± 7.14%, P lt; 0.05). There was significant difference between group B and groups C, D (P lt; 0.05) and no significant differences between group C and group D (P gt; 0.05). The histological observation indicated that axon number and myel in thickness in group B were larger than those in group C and group D (P lt; 0.05). The axonal diameter in group B was significantly less than that in group A (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Acellular nerve graft combined with the controlled release NGF is a satisfactory alternative to repair the peripheral nerve defect.
In 2007, the findings from clinical trials on stroke treatment have been both encouraging and disappointing. In order to interpret the challenges and opportunity in evidence-based stroke practice, we reviewed several major clinical trials in stroke that were published last year. It revealed that we should strengthen the evidence base for acute stroke care by conducting more high-quality randomized controlled trials and by increasing the energy, resources and manpower available for these trials.