Smart Hip Ultrasound Technology in Screening for Infant Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo develop a deep learning system for early ultrasound screening of developmental dysplasia of the hip （DDH）， a new smart-hip ultrasound technique （S-hip）， and to validate its clinical application. MethodsWe selected 11，100 annotated and reviewed coronal ultrasound images of infant hips between November 2021 and August 2022， 8，100 of which were used for the training set and 3，000 for the test set， to build a S-hip deep learning system. To verify the consistency between the automated measurement by S-hip and the manual measurements by sonographers， 174 standard coronal ultrasound images of 87 infants' bilateral hips were acquired， then α angle， β angle and femoral head coverage （FHC） were measured by S-hip， an ultrasound expert and a resident. The measurement data and the time required for the measurements were recorded and statistically analyzed. Another 100 standard coronal ultrasound images of the hips were randomly selected and measured twice respectively by the ultrasound expert and resident to assess the intra-sonographer repeatability. ResultsThe intraclass correlation coefficient （ICC） （95% CI） values of α angle， β angle and FHC results measured by S-hip and ultrasound expert were 0.799 （0.738， 0.847）， 0.798 （0.737， 0.846） and 0.934 （0.954， 0.975）， respectively. Those values measured by the ultrasound expert and resident were 0.725 （0.645， 0.789）， 0.674 （0.583， 0.748） and 0.931 （0.908， 0.949）， respectively. The mean absolute errors （MAE） of α angle， β angle and FHC results between measurements by S-hip and ultrasound expert were 2.69 °， 4.43 ° and 2.47%， respectively. The time required for measurements by S-hip， ultrasound expert and resident was （1.59±0.36） s， （18.76±2.23） s and （19.45±2.76） s， respectively. The automated measurement by S-hip cost much shorter time than the manual measurements by sonographers and the difference was statistically significant （P<0.001）. The ICC （95% CI） values of α angle， β angle and FHC results between two measurements by the ultrasound expert were 0.943 （0.916， 0.961）， 0.959 （0.940， 0.972）， and 0.981 （0.971， 0.987）， respectively. Those values by the ultrasound resident were 0.884 （0.833， 0.921）， 0.921 （0.884， 0.946）， and 0.962 （0.944， 0.974）. ConclusionThe S-hip based on a deep learning system is a highly reliable automated technique to accurately measure α angle， β angle and FHC. Compared with ultrasound residents， S-hip allows for a more simplified and significantly quicker measurement， which may enhance the widespread use of hip ultrasound screening in infants.

Clinical Characteristics and Diagnostic Methods of Pulmonary Mucormycosis / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical features and prognosis of pulmonary mucormycosis （PM） in southern China， and to explore the diagnostic value of metagenomic next generation sequencing （mNGS） in PM. MethodsThe clinical manifestations， diagnosis， treatment and prognosis of patients diagnosed with PM in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 1， 2019 to January 31， 2022 who had undergone mNGS detection in lung tissue or alveolar lavage fluid were collected retrospectively. A total of 14 patients with PM were included， including 4 patients with confirmed diagnosis and 10 patients with clinical diagnosis. ResultsAll patients had underlying medical conditions， with hematological malignancies and diabetes being the most common. The most common symptoms were fever （n = 10）， cough （n = 9） and shortness of breath （n = 9）. Consolidation was the most common sign of chest CT， followed by mass， mostly with cavity. On laboratory tests， decreased CD4+T lymphocytes， elevated CD8+T lymphocytes， and decreased CD4+/CD8+ ratio， and presentation with pleural effusion indicate poor prognosis. The positive rate of mNGS diagnosis was 78.5%， which was significantly higher than that of histopathology （50%）， fungus rapid fluorescence staining （61.5%） and fungal culture （23.1%） of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. ConclusionsPulmonary mucormycosis is more likely to occur in patients with underlying diseases or who are immunocompromised. The clinical manifestations lack specificity. The low CD4/CD8 ratio and presentation of pleural effusion on CT imaging indicate poor prognosis of patients. mNGS is a rapid， convenient and sensitive method for the diagnosis of PM， which has advantages in the diagnosis of pulmonary mucormycosis.

Effects of Dianxianqing granules on tau protein in P301S mice by regulating mitophagy / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE To study the effects of Dianxianqing granules on the tau protein in P301S mice by regulating mitophagy. METHODS Totally 36 P301S mice were randomly divided into model group， Dianxianqing granule group （12.48 g/kg）， donepezil hydrochloride group （positive control， 1.3 mg/kg）， with 12 mice in each group； another 10 C57BL6 mice were selected as control group. Administration groups were given relevant drug solutions intragastrically， and control group and model group were given constant volume of water intragastrically. The gavage volume was 20 mL/kg， once a day， for consecutive 5 months. During the experiment， the general condition of mice was observed in each group. After the last medication， the learning and memory ability was determined by Y maze test and Morris water maze test； HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes in brain tissue， and Nissl staining was used to observe the structure of neural cells and the number of Nissl bodies in cerebral tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of phospho-tau serine 202/threonine 205 （abbreviated as AT8） in brain tissue. Western blot assay was used to determine the expressions of mitophagy-associated proteins [PTEN-induced putative kinase-1 （PINK1）， Parkin， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B）， p62]， synaptic-associated proteins [postsynaptic density protein-95 （PSD-95）， synaptophysin （SYP）， and growth-associated protein-43 （GAP-43）] and the phosphorylation of tau protein [expressed by the phosphorylation levels of serine 199 （Ser199） and Ser202] in brain tissue. RESULTS The mice in E-mail：lnzyxyqy2003@163.com model group showed symptoms such as white hair， decreased body mass， and lower limb paralysis， with incomplete hippocampal structures in their brain tissue， as well as incomplete cell membrane edges and cell structures； the spontaneous alternating response rate， the times of crossing platform， the number of Nissl bodies， the protein expressions of PINK1， Parkin， LC3B， SYP， GAP-43， and PSD-95 were decreased significantly， compared with control group； swimming latency （fourth and fifth day）， the protein expressions of AT8 and p62，the phosphorylation levels of Ser199 and Ser202 were increased or lengthened significantly， compared with control group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with model group， the above symptoms and indexes of mice were improved significantly in administration groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. CONCLUSIONS Dianxianqing granules can effectively improve cognitive impairment in P301S mice，the mechanism of which may be associated with inducing mitochondrial autophagy， reducing the hyperphosphorylation of tau protein， up-regulating the expression of synaptic-associated proteins in brain tissue，and repairing damaged neural cells.

Effect of Nrf2 in tumor progression and its inhibitors in cancer therapy / 中国中药杂志

Nrf2 is the key transcription factor mainly for regulating oxidative homeostasis and cytoprotective responses against oxidative stress. Nrf2/Keap1 pathway is one of the most important cellular defense mechanisms against endogenous or exogenous oxidative stress. With its activation, a wide range of stress-related genes is transactivated to restore the cellular homeostasis. Recent studies revealed that the aberrant activation of Nrf2 is related to the malignant progression, chemotherapeutic drug resistance and poor prognosis. Nrf2 plays a crucial role in cancer malignancy and chemotherapeutic resistance by controlling the intracellular redox homeostasis through the activation of cytoprotective antioxidant genes. Nrf2 inhibitor containing many natural products has been deemed as a novel therapeutic strategy for human malignancies. This article reviews the progress of studies of the Nrf2/Keap1 pathway, and its biological impact in solid malignancies and molecular mechanisms for causing Nrf2 hyperactivation in cancer cells. In conclusion, we summarized the deve-lopment of Nrf2 inhibitors in recent years, in the expectation of providing reference for further drug development and clinical studies.

Developing spectrum-toxicity relationship with rough set theory for hepatotoxicity material basis of Polygonum multiflorum / 中国中药杂志

Idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of Polygonum multiflorum has attracted a great attention in the world. The most toxic part of idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity was screened by MTT assay and flow cytometry, which was the 50% ethanol elute by macroporous adsorptive resins from alcohol-extraction of P. multiflorum. The fingerprints were collected by HPLC from 50% ethanol elute of crude and processed P. multiflorum from different habitats, then 14 common peaks were determined. Spectrum-toxicity relationship was analyzed by rough set theory(RST). Two main chemical components were predicted for idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity, in which TSG was the greater contributor. Idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of TSG was tested in vitro, and the results indicated that TSG was the most important constituent contributed to idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity of P. multiflorum. The study showed the discovery of the main chemical components for idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity, and RST was effective for analyzing the spectrum-toxicity relationship, which could be a new method used in the effective/toxic constituents field of traditional Chinese medicine.

Shen-Jing as a Chinese Medicine Concept Might Be a Counterpart of Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine / 中国结合医学杂志

As the epitome of the modern regenerative medicine, stem cells were proposed in the basic sense no more than 200 years ago. However, the concept of "stem cells" existed long before the modern medical description. The hypothesis that all things, including our sentient body, were generated from a small origin was shared between Western and Chinese people. The ancient Chinese philosophers considered Jing (also known as essence) as the origin of life. In Chinese medicine (CM), Jing is mainly stored in Kidney (Shen) and the so-called Shen-Jing (Kidney essence). Here, we propose that Shen-Jing is the CM term used to express the meaning of "origin and regeneration". This theoretical discovery has at least two applications. First, the actions underlying causing Shen-Jing deficiency, such as excess sexual intercourse, chronic diseases, and aging, might damage the function of stem cells. Second, a large number of Chinese herbs with Shen-Jing-nourishing efficacy had been proven to affect stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Therefore, if Shen-Jing in CM is equivalent with stem cells in regenerative medicine, higher effective modulators for regulating stem-cell behaviors from Kidney-tonifying herbs would be expected.

Effect of dexmedetomidine on apoptosis and CHOP in hypoxia/reoxygenation injury A549 cell / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (Dex) on injury of A549 cells induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)and the influence of C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) expression.@*METHODS@#Logarithmic growth phase A549 cells(it originated from alveolar type Ⅱ epithelial cell line) were randomly divided into 4 groups (=10):normoxic control group (N), Dex group (D), hypoxia/reoxygenation group (H), hypoxia/reoxygenation + Dex group(HD). At the beginning of modeling, 1 nmol/L Dex was puted into D and HD groups. N and D groups were cultured in the normoxic incubator for 30 h. H and HD group were incubated in the anoxic cultivation for 6 h, fo llowed by normoxic culture for 24 h. Then A549 cells were observed under the inverted microscope to observe the morphological changes. Cell activity was detected by cell counting Kit-8(CCK-8) and the apoptosis index(AI) was detected by in situ end labeling (TUNEL) method. The expression of CHOP、glucose-regulated protein of molecular weight 78 kDa (Grp78)、cysteinyl aspirate-specificprotease-3 (caspase-3) protein and CHOP、Grp78 mRNA were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR.@*RESULTS@#Compared with N group, the number of adherent cells in H group decreased significantly, and cell morphology changed. The absorbance value in H group decreased obviously (<0. 01). The AI value and expression of CHOP, Grp78, caspase-3 proteins and CHOP, Grp78 mRNA were significantly increased (<0.01). Compared with H group, the cell damage in HD group was decreased, the absorbance value increased (<0.01), the number of apoptosis cells decreased relatively (<0.01), the expression of CHOP, caspase-3 protein and CHOP mRNA decreased (<0. 01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Dex has notable effects against H/R injury, which may be related to effective inhibition of apoptosis mediated by the CHOP's signal path.

Spectral characteristics of burning moxa sticks / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:The drug and thermal effects of moxa-wool moxibustion have been extensively studied in the clinical trials; however, the infrared radiation effects during the moxibustion are rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To learn the spectrum characteristics of moxa sticks in the traditional moxibustion.METHODS:The herba violae, bog rush, tobacco and moxa were chosen as experimental materials. Furthermore, the moxa sticks of different storage years (1, 3, 10 years), proportions (1:3, 1:5, 1:10), and places of production (Nanyang, Qiai) were compared. A spectral measurement platform was built by using an optical power meter to analyze the spectral characteristics of the ten kinds of materials above. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:For the different materials, the herba violae and bog rush could not burn after crushed and the infrared radiation intensity of tobacco was too low, but a strong infrared emission was from the moxa with a wide range of spectrum from ultraviolet to far infrared ray. It was also found that the year of storage, proportion, place of production as well as production process had significant effects on the radiation intensity of the moxa stick. The spectrum ascended at visible-light spectrum region, reached its peak at near-infrared region, and then descended at mid-infrared and far-infrared regions. We analyzed the stability characteristics and relative total intensity of moxa stick based on statistics and mathematics. The results showed that the stability characteristics were proportional to the proportion of moxa wool, and the year of storage had stronger effect on the relative total intensity compared with the proportion of moxa wool. Herein, we systematically analyzed the spectral characteristics of different moxa sticks, thereby providing the scientific basic data for the study on the optical radiation of moxa-wool moxibustion.

Preliminary study on quantitative assessment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by MRI / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To discuss the feasibility for quantitative assessment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by sequence of diffusion weighted imaging and hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Methods Thirty patients with NAFLD and twenty-six normal volunteers were enrolled in an experiment group,and 25 healthy volunteers were selected into a control group.All the patients and volunteers underwent CT and MRI examinations.With the ratio of liver-to-spleen CT value as reference standard,the correlation and difference of ADC value,value of water peak,the area under water peak,values of lipid peak and area under lipid peak and fat fraction were measured and compared between the two groups.Results There was positive significant correlation between ratio of liver-to-spleen CT value and ADC value (r=0.92,P＜0.05),and negative significant correlation between ratio of liver-to-spleen CT value and lipid peak and area of lipid peak (r=-0.91 and r=-0.96,respectively;all P＜0.05),there was significant negative correlation between ADC value and lipid peak and area of lipid peak (r=-0.91,P＜0.05),and ADC value,the values of water peak,lipid peak and area under peak and fat fraction were different between the two groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion There is significant correlation and difference between DWI and 1H-MRS in evaluating NAFLD,which has the potential to quantitatively diagnose the severity and degree of fatty liver.

Forecast on the Flowing of Medical Direct Expenses on Patients' Distribution in China from 2016 to 2020 / 中国卫生经济

Objective:To forecast the reduce of medical direct expenses of China from 2016 to 2020,under the circumstances that some outpatients and inpatients of tertiary hospitals and secondary hospitals could be distributed to primary medical institutions.Methods:According to the number of outpatients,number of inpatients,medical expenses of outpatients per visit,and medical expenses of inpatients per visit in the first grade,second grade and third grade public hospitals from 2006 to 2015,the corresponding visit numbers and costs from 2016 to 2020 were forecasted based on liner regression model.The percentages of transferable patients out of all patients in different levels of institutions could be equal to 10％,20％ and 30％.The direct medical expense could be saved after the distribution were calculated.Results:If the trend of health service utilization from 2016 to 2020 were equal to the sample,the third grade hospitals would keep the fast increasing of outpatient expenses and patients.8％,16％ and 24％ of the total expenses would be saved if 10％,20％ and 30％ patients in third and second were led to the second and first grade medical institutions.Conclusion:It needed to slowdown the increasing trend of medical expenses,lead patients visit hospitals reasonably,strengthen the construction capacity of second grade medical and health institutions,meanwhile,the medical and health service system construction should adjust the distribution ratio.

Preliminary study on quantitative assessment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by MRI / 医疗卫生装备

Objective To discuss the feasibility for quantitative assessment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by sequence of diffusion weighted imaging and hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy.Methods Thirty patients with NAFLD and twenty-six normal volunteers were enrolled in an experiment group,and 25 healthy volunteers were selected into a control group.All the patients and volunteers underwent CT and MRI examinations.With the ratio of liver-to-spleen CT value as reference standard,the correlation and difference of ADC value,value of water peak,the area under water peak,values of lipid peak and area under lipid peak and fat fraction were measured and compared between the two groups.Results There was positive significant correlation between ratio of liver-to-spleen CT value and ADC value (r=0.92,P＜0.05),and negative significant correlation between ratio of liver-to-spleen CT value and lipid peak and area of lipid peak (r=-0.91 and r=-0.96,respectively;all P＜0.05),there was significant negative correlation between ADC value and lipid peak and area of lipid peak (r=-0.91,P＜0.05),and ADC value,the values of water peak,lipid peak and area under peak and fat fraction were different between the two groups (P＜0.05).Conclusion There is significant correlation and difference between DWI and 1H-MRS in evaluating NAFLD,which has the potential to quantitatively diagnose the severity and degree of fatty liver.

Forecast on the Flowing of Medical Direct Expenses on Patients' Distribution in China from 2016 to 2020 / 中国卫生经济

Objective:To forecast the reduce of medical direct expenses of China from 2016 to 2020,under the circumstances that some outpatients and inpatients of tertiary hospitals and secondary hospitals could be distributed to primary medical institutions.Methods:According to the number of outpatients,number of inpatients,medical expenses of outpatients per visit,and medical expenses of inpatients per visit in the first grade,second grade and third grade public hospitals from 2006 to 2015,the corresponding visit numbers and costs from 2016 to 2020 were forecasted based on liner regression model.The percentages of transferable patients out of all patients in different levels of institutions could be equal to 10％,20％ and 30％.The direct medical expense could be saved after the distribution were calculated.Results:If the trend of health service utilization from 2016 to 2020 were equal to the sample,the third grade hospitals would keep the fast increasing of outpatient expenses and patients.8％,16％ and 24％ of the total expenses would be saved if 10％,20％ and 30％ patients in third and second were led to the second and first grade medical institutions.Conclusion:It needed to slowdown the increasing trend of medical expenses,lead patients visit hospitals reasonably,strengthen the construction capacity of second grade medical and health institutions,meanwhile,the medical and health service system construction should adjust the distribution ratio.

Effects of dexmedetomidine on hypoxia/reoxygenation injury-induced cell apoptosis and caspase-12 expression in A549 cells / 生理学报

To investigate the effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) on hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury-induced cell apoptosis and caspase-12 expression, A549 cells were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group, DEX group, H/R group and DEX+H/R group. Cells of control and DEX groups were cultured in the normoxic incubator for 30 h. Cells of H/R and DEX+ H/R groups were incubated in the anoxic cultivation for 6 h, followed by normoxic culture for 24 h, and DEX (1 nmol/L) was added into the culture medium in DEX and DEX+H/R groups. Morphological changes were observed under the inverted microscope. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8. The apoptosis index (AI) of A549 cells was detected by TUNEL method. The activity of caspase-3 enzyme in cells was detected by using caspase-3 kit. The expressions of GRP78, caspase-12 protein and mRNA were determined by Western blot and RT-PCR respectively. Compared with control group, the morphological changes of the cultured cells were observed: some of the cell fusion occurred and the shape of the cells was multilateral; the cell viability was decreased significantly (P < 0.01), the number of apoptotic cells and the AI value, caspase-3 activity, and the expressions of GRP78, caspase-12 protein/mRNA were significantly increased (P < 0.01) in H/R group. While the administration of DEX alleviated the H/R injury-induced cell damage, obviously increased the cell viability (P < 0.01), significantly decreased the increment of apoptotic cells and the AI value induced by H/R injury (P < 0.01), and also dramatically decreased the H/R injury-induced high level of caspase-3 activity (P < 0.01) as well as high expression of caspase-12 protein and mRNA (P < 0.01). Taken together, the results suggest that DEX can effectively protect A549 cells from the H/R injury, which may be mediated by down-regulating the expression of caspase-12 and inhibiting cell apoptosis.

Application of silk-based tissue engineering scaffold for tendon / ligament regeneration / 浙江大学学报·医学版

Tendon/ligament injury is one of the most common impairments in sports medicine. The traditional treatments of damaged tissue repair are unsatisfactory, especially for athletes, due to lack of donor and immune rejection. The strategy of tissue engineering may break through these limitations, and bring new hopes to tendon/ligament repair, even regeneration. Silk is a kind of natural biomaterials, which has good biocompatibility, wide range of mechanical properties and tunable physical structures; so it could be applied as tendon/ligament tissue engineering scaffolds. The silk-based scaffold has robust mechanical properties; combined with other biological ingredients, it could increase the surface area, promote more cell adhesion and improve the biocompatibility. The potential clinical application of silk-based scaffold has been confirmed by in vivo studies on tendon/ligament repairing, such as anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, achilles tendon and rotator cuff. To develop novel biomechanically stable and host integrated tissue engineered tendon/ligament needs more further micro and macro studies, combined with product development and clinical application, which will give new hope to patients with tendon/ligament injury.

Dynamic changes of IL-1β in rat myocardium during hypoxia/ reoxygenation transition / 中国应用生理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression profile of interleuki-1β (IL-1β) in rat myocardium at different time points during hypoxia/reoxygenation(H/R)transition.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The isolated Langendorff perfused rat heart model was established.Forty SD rats were randomly divided into sham group (A group) and hypoxia/reoxygenation group (H/R group). The H/R group rats were subdivided into H/R 0.5 h group(B group), H/R 1 h group(C group), H/R 2 h group(D group)according to reoxygenation time. The left ventricular development pressure(LVDP), maximal rates of increase/decrease of the left ventricular pressure(±dp/dtmax) were continuously recorded. The concentration of interleukin-1β(IL-lβ) and creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) in myocardium was measured by ELISA. The mRNA expression of IL-lβ in myocardium was determined by RT-PCR. Microstructure of myocardium was observed under light microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The value of LVDP and ±dp/dtmax in hypoxia/reoxygenation group rat were significantly lower than that in sham group(P < 0.05). The expression of IL-lβ and CK-MB at protein level and the expression of IL-1β at mRNA level in hypoxia /reoxygenation group were higher than that in sham group(P < 0. 05). There were significant differences of the above parameters among H/R 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h group(P <0.05). The concentration of IL-1β and CK-MB, the mRNA expression of IL-1β were higher in H/R 2 h group than that of other groups(P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The high expression of IL-Iβ in myocardium after myocardial hypoxia /reoxygenation in rats might lead to. ischemia/reperfusion injury.</p>

From "different patterns in the same disease" to "analogous patterns in the same disease" / 中国中西医结合杂志

The relationship between disease in Western medicine (WM) and pattern in Chinese medicine (CM) is a key scientific issue in integrative medicine (IM). The theory of "different patterns in the same disease" has greatly promoted the development of IM and the modernization of CM. However, this concept is frequently misinterpreted in the clinical practice. The individual difference was overemphasized, while common changes among patients suffering from the same disease were neglected. As a result, the identification and treatment of common changes based patterns were weakened. The theory of "analogous patterns in the same disease" combines the concept of "different patterns in the same disease" and "microcosmic identification of patterns", which reveals the core mechanism of CM from the pathogenesis, and identifies the major pattern by analyses of manifestations and pathologic changes. And under the guidance of the theory of "formula corresponding to pattern", the major formula can be set for the major pattern. For those differences among individuals suffering from the same disease, they can be identified as different analogous patterns (subtypes) within a same major pattern, and can be treated with analogous formulae deriving from modified major formula. The theory of "analogous patterns in the same disease" clarifies the intrinsic relationship between the disease and pattern, perfects and develops the theory of "different patterns in the same disease", and it is an important innovation in thinking ways and research methods of IM.

Icariin promotes self-renewal of neural stem cells: an involvement of extracellular regulated kinase signaling pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of icariin (ICA) on self-renewal and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NSCs were derived from forebrains of mice embryos by mechanical dissociation into single cell suspension. The self-renewal of NSCs was measured by neurosphere formation assay. The proliferation of NSCs was detected by water-soluble tetrazolium (WST) and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay. Protein expression of neuron-specific marker tubulin-βIII(TuJ1) and astrocyte-specific marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were measured by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Using microarray, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened between NSCs with or without ICA treatment. The signaling pathways enriched by these DEGs and their role in mediating effects of ICA were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ICA significantly promoted neurosphere formation of NSCs cultured in growth protocol in a dose-dependent manner and achieved the maximum effects at 100 nmol/L. ICA also increased optical absorbance value and EdU incorporation into nuclei of NSCs. ICA had no significant effects on the percentage of TuJ1 or GFAP-positive cells, and TuJ1 or GFAP protein expression in NSCs cultured in differentiation protocol. A total of 478 genes were found to be differentially regulated. Among signaling pathways significantly enriched by DEGs, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway was of interest. Blockade of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/MAPK, other than p38/MAPK subfamily pathway partially abolished effects of ICA on neurosphere formation and EdU incorporation of NSCs.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ICA can promote the selfrenewal of NSCs at least partially through ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.</p>

Effect of compound bushen recipe on chronic fatigue syndrome in C. elegans: an experimental study / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of compound bushen recipe (CBR) in improving the survival state of stress and the overall life span in C. elegans by simulating chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) under various stress states.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The tolerance and the average survival time of adult larvae against heat stress (35 degrees C), oxidative stress (250 microg/mL juglone), and in vivo Abeta protein toxicity (Abeta(1-42) transgenic mutant CL4176) under the intervention of the high (500 mg/L), middle (250 mg/L), and low (100 mg/L) dose CBR were observed. The effect of CBR on the average live time (at 25 degrees C), movement distance in 20 seconds, the frequency of pharyngeal pump in 30 seconds, and the reproductive capability were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the survival time of heat stressed C. elegans could be significantly increased in each CBR group (P < 0.01). The survival time of heat stressed C. elegans could be elongated, the protein toxicity be attenuated, and the live time prolonged in the high and middle dose CBR groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).The movement distance and the frequency of pharyngeal pump could also be increased in the high dose CBR group (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the reproductive capability among all groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>CBR could significantly enhance the stress capacity of C. elegans against internal and external environment, and prolong their lifespan. It did not interfere their normal production, and also could improve the quality of life, thus laying a foundation for further mechanism studies and pharmacological researches on CBR in preventing and treating CFS.</p>

Study on the effects of Huaweishu granule on cisplatin-induced Beagle dog vomiting model and its mechanism / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To study on the effects of Huaweishu granule on cisplatin-induced Beagle dog vomiting models and its mechanism.Methods Cisplatin-induced Beagle dog vomiting models were adopted as research object.The changes of vomiting frequency,latency,serum motilin content in the medulla oblongata and ileum,5-HT and substance P content of these models after using Hua weishu Granule were observed.Results ① Latent period of vomiting of the model group was (60.8±37.1)min; while this period was (137.3± 53.4)min,(122.8 ± 50.7) min,(l16.8±44.6)min,in the Huawei-shu low,medium and high dose group respectively,all showing a statistic difference than the model group (P＜0.05).②Frequency of vomiting in the model group was (270.3±51.8),while this frequence was (111.5±45.0) and (149.5±26.8) in Huawei-shu low and medium dose group respectively; ③ serum motilin in the model group was (0.354±0.098)ng/ml,while serum motilin in Huawei-shu low,medium and high dose group was (0.230±0.074) ng/ml,(0.235± 0.071) ng/ml,and (0.245± 0.062)ng/ml respectively,all lower than the model group (P＜ 0.05).④ Medulla oblongata 5-HT in the model group was (2.028 ±0.198)ng/ml,while medulla oblongata 5-HT in Huawei-shu low,medium and high dose group was (1.620±0.329)ng/ml,(1.194±0.386)ng/ml,and (1.269 ± 0.251) ng/ml respectively,all were lower than the model group (P＜0.05); ileum 5-HT in the model group was (1.634± 0.221)ng/ml,while ileum 5-HT in Huawei-shu low,medium and high dose group was (1.108±0.291)ng/ml,(1.194±0.386)ng/ml,and (1.269 ± 0.251) ng/ml respectively,all were lower than the model group(P＜0.05) ;⑤ ileal substance P content of the model group was (0.356±0.063)ng/ml,while ildeal P content in Huawei-shu low dose group was (0.274±0.064)ng/ml,lower than the model group than(P＜0.05).The medullary substance P content was (0.432±0.021)ng/ml in the model group,while medullary P content in Huawei-shu low,medium and high dose group was (0.370±0.040) ng/ml,(0.385±0.029) ng/ml,and (0.386± 0.041)ng/ml respectively,all were lower than the model group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Huawei-shu granule can prevent cisplatin-induced Beagle vomiting.

Effects of electroacupuncture assistant general anesthesia on postoperative cognitive dysfunction of aged patients / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) assistant general anesthesia on postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) of aged patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and twenty senile American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade I - III patients (more than 65 years old) with non-cardiac surgery were randomly assigned to two groups, Group A and Group B, 60 cases in each group. Patients in Group A received general anesthesia, while those in Group B received EA assistant general anesthesia. Patients in Group B received EA at Baihui (DU20), Hegu (LI4), Neiguan (PC6), Zusanli (ST36) 30 min before anesthesia induction to the end of operation. Anesthesia was induced by etomidate 0.2 - 0.3 mg/kg, fentanyl 3-5 microg/kg, cisatracurium 0.15 mg/kg in the two groups. Anesthesia maintenance was provided by sevoflurane and continuous pumping of remifentanil. Tramadol 50 mg was given 30 min before ending the operation. The scores of mini-mental state examination (MMSE), nausea and vomiting were recorded in the two groups one day before anesthesia, the 2nd, 4th, and 6th day after operation. The occurrence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) on day 2, 4, and 6 was compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The occurrence of POCD on day 2 and 4 was obviously lower in Group B than in Group A at the same time period (40.0% vs 66.7%, 13.3% vs 43.3%), showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the pre-anesthesia scores of MMSE between the two groups. The scores of MMSE on the 2nd and the 4th day were higher in Group B than in Group A (21.3 +/- 3.9 vs 18.3 +/- 3.8, 26.4 +/- 2.9 vs 22.9 +/- 3.9, P < 0.05). Compared with one day before anesthesia in the same group, the scores of MMSE were significantly different on the 2nd and the 4th day (Group A: 18.3 +/- 3.8, 22.9 +/- 3.9 vs 27.9 +/- 2.1; Group B: 21.3 +/- 3.9 vs 27.5 +/- 2.5; P < 0.05). The occurrence of post-aesthesia nausea and vomiting was lower in Group B (23.3%, 14/60) than in Group A (46.7%, 28/60) with statistical difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EA assistant general anesthesia could reduce the occurrence of POCD in aged patients.</p>