A pilot study on the effects of early use of valproate sodium on neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of early use of sodium valproate on neuroinflammation after traumatic brain injury (TBI).@*METHODS@#A total of 45 children who visited in Xuzhou Children's Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from August 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled in this prospective study, among whom 15 healthy children served as the healthy control group, and 30 children with TBI were divided into a sodium valproate treatment group and a conventional treatment group using a random number table (n=15 each). The children in the sodium valproate treatment group were given sodium valproate in addition to conventional treatment, and those in the conventional group were given an equal volume of 5% glucose solution in addition to conventional treatment. The serum concentrations of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured in the healthy control group on the day of physical examination and in the children with TBI on days 1, 3, and 5 after admission. Glasgow Outcome Scale-Extended (GOS-E) score was evaluated for the children with TBI 2 months after discharge.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the healthy control group, the children with TBI had significantly higher serum concentrations of NLRP3, HMGB1, TNF-α, and IL-1β on day 1 after admission (P<0.017). The concentration of NLRP3 on day 5 after admission was significantly higher than that on days 1 and 3 after admission in the children with TBI (P<0.017). On days 3 and 5 after admission, the sodium valproate treatment group had a significantly lower concentration of NLRP3 than the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). For the conventional treatment group, there was no significant difference in the concentration of HMGB1 on days 1, 3, and 5 after admission (P>0.017), while for the sodium valproate treatment group, the concentration of HMGB1 on day 5 after admission was significantly lower than that on days 1 and 3 after admission (P<0.017). On day 5 after admission, the sodium valproate treatment group had a significantly lower concentration of HMGB1 than the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). For the children with TBI, the concentration of TNF-α on day 1 after admission was significantly lower than that on days 3 and 5 after admission (P<0.017). On days 3 and 5 after admission, the sodium valproate treatment group had a significantly lower concentration of TNF-α than the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). The concentration of IL-1β on day 3 after admission was significantly lower than that on days 1 and 5 after admission (P<0.017) in the children with TBI. On days 3 and 5 after admission, the sodium valproate treatment group had a significantly lower concentration of IL-1β than the conventional treatment group (P<0.05). The GOS-E score was significantly higher in the sodium valproate treatment group than that in the conventional treatment group 2 months after discharge (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Early use of sodium valproate can reduce the release of neuroinflammatory factors and improve the prognosis of children with TBI.

Effect of somatostatin on postoperative gastrointestinal function and stress level in children with acute abdomen: a prospective randomized controlled study / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of somatostatin on postoperative gastrointestinal function and stress level in children with acute abdomen.@*METHODS@#A total of 102 children with acute abdomen who underwent surgery in Xuzhou Children's Hospital from August 2019 to June 2021 were enrolled as subjects and were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 51 children in each group. The children in the control group were given conventional treatment such as hemostasis and anti-infective therapy after surgery, and those in the observation group were given somatostatin in addition to conventional treatment. Peripheral blood samples were collected from both groups before surgery and on days 1 and 5 after surgery. The two groups were compared in terms of the serum levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), cortisol, gastrin, and motilin, postoperative recovery, and the incidence rate of complications.@*RESULTS@#There was no significant difference in the serum levels of ET-1, ACTH, cortisol, gastrin, and motilin between the two groups before surgery (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly lower serum levels of ET-1, ACTH, and cortisol on days 1 and 5 after surgery (P<0.05) and significantly higher levels of motilin and gastrin on day 5 after surgery (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly shorter time to first passage of flatus, first bowel sounds, and first defecation after surgery, as well as a significantly shorter length of hospital stay (P<0.05). The incidence rate of complications in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (6% vs 24%, P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#In children with acute abdomen, somatostatin can significantly reduce postoperative stress response, improve gastrointestinal function, and reduce the incidence rate of complications, thereby helping to achieve a good prognosis.

Analysis of Coexisting Gene with NRAS in Acute Myeloid Leukemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the coexisting mutations and clinical significance of Homo sapiens neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (NRAS) gene in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.@*METHODS@#High-throughput DNA sequencing and Sanger sequencing were used to detect 51 gene mutations. The occurrence, clinical characteristics and treatment efficacy of coexisting genes with NRAS were investigated.@*RESULTS@#A total of 57 NRAS mutations (17.5%) were detected in 326 patients with AML. Compared with the patients in NRAS non-mutation group, patients in the mutant group were younger (P=0.018) and showed lower platelet count (P=0.033), but there was no significant difference in peripheral leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and sex. For FAB classification, NRAS mutation and M2 subtype showed mutually exclusive (P=0.038). Among 57 patients carried with NRAS mutation, 51 (89.5%) patients carried with other gene mutations, 25 (43.9%) carried with double gene mutations, 10 (17.5%) carried with 3 gene mutations, and 16 (28.1%) corried with ≥ 4 gene mutations. The most common coexisting gene mutation was KRAS (24.6%, 14/57), followed by FLT3-ITD (14.0%, 8/57), RUNX1 (12.3%, 7/57), NPM1 (10.5%, 6/57), PTPN11 (10.5%, 6/57), DNMT3A (10.5%, 6/57) and so on. The age (P=0.013, P=0.005) and peripheral platelet count (P=0.007, P=0.021) of patients with NPM1 or DNMT3A mutations were higher than those of the patients with wild type, but there was no significant difference in peripheral leukocyte count and hemoglobin. Also, there was no significant difference in age, peripheral leukocyte count, hemoglobin, and peripheral platelet count between the patients in KRAS, FLT3-ITD, RUNX1 or PTPN11 mutant group and the wild group. Patients with FLT3-ITD mutations showed a lower complete remission (CR) rate (P=0.044). However, there was no significant difference in CR rate between the patients with KRAS, NPM1, RUNX1, PTPN11 or DNMT3A mutations and the wild group. The CR rate of the patents with single gene mutation, double gene mutations, 3 gene mutations, and≥ 4 gene mutations were decreased gradually, and there was no significant difference in CR rate between pairwise comparisons.@*CONCLUSION@#The mutation rate of NRAS mutation is 17.5%, 89.5% of AML patients with NRAS mutation coexist with additional gene mutations. The type of coexisting mutations has a certain impact on clinical characteristics and CR rate of patients with AML.

Characteristics analysis for Chinese patent medicine containing Jujubea Fructus based on data mining / 中国中药杂志

Chinese patent medicine prescriptions containing Jujubea Fructus in 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the Composition Principles of Chinese Patent Drug were collected, and the characteristics of Chinese patent medicine containing Jujubea Fructus were analyzed by using data mining technology. Statistical software Excel 2019, Clementine 12.0 and SPSS 21.0 were used to conduct statistical analysis of conforming Chinese patent medicine prescriptions by means of frequency statistics, association rule analysis and cluster analysis. Finally, a total of 185 Chinese patent medicine prescriptions containing Jujubea Fructus were included in this study, involving 402 Chinese medicines and 28 kinds of high frequency Chinese medicines, with Jujubea Fructus, Poria, Zingiberis Rhizoma Recens, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, and Codonopsis Radix as the top five. The deficiency-nourishing drugs were in the most common efficacy classification, mainly sweet, bitter and pungent, with most medicine properties of warm and gentle, main meridians of spleen lung and stomach, dosage forms of pills, granules and tablets, and main indications of splenic diseases. Fifteen drug combinations were obtained in association rule analysis. Eleven drug combinations were obtained by association rule analysis of Chinese patent medicine containing Jujubea Fructus in the treatment of splenic diseases, and the drugs were divided into two categories by cluster analysis. According to the above analysis, it is found that the Chinese patent medicine prescriptions containing Jujubea Fructus are mainly composed of deficiency-nourishing drugs, mostly compatible with drugs of sweet, bitter and pungent flavors, warm and gentle properties, and spleen, lung, and stomach meridians in the treatment of splenic diseases, with Sijunzi Decoction as the main drug. This study provides guidance for modern clinical application and development of Jujubea Fructus.

Medicinal and Edible Resources in Xinjiang： Current Status and Prospects / 中国实验方剂学杂志

The homology of medicine and food has long been recognized in China， and the medicinal and edible resources are often employed to prevent and treat diseases or maintain health in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. Due to the unique geographical and climatic conditions， the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region （hereinafter referred to as Xinjiang） is blessed with abundant medicinal and edible resources， like Rosae Rugosae Flos， Punica granatum， and Amygdalus communis， which have been widely used by local ethnic communities as medicine in light of the remarkable pharmacological activities， guaranteeing their health condition to some extent. This paper collected the relevant articles from China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） database through the keyword and full-text search with the medicinal and edible resource Rosae Rugosae Flos as the search term， and the subsequent analysis revealed that the medicinal and edible resources in Xinjiang has a wide range of applications in food， medicine， and ecological protection. This paper further explored their research value， status， and prospects， so as to provide some references for the rational， effective， and sustainable development and utilization of these medicinal and edible resources in Xinjiang， thus better achieving "poverty alleviation" and "rural revitalization"， popularizing TCM culture， and building a healthy China.

Xinjiang Ethnic Medicines： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Xinjiang is rich in resources of medicinal plants， which are widely used in ethnic medicines because of their remarkable pharmacological activities and safeguard lives and health of people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang and local health services. The ethnic medicines in Xinjiang are harmonious but different and united in diversity. Besides， they also promote each other and develop together， constituting an inseparable and important part of traditional Chinese medicine in China. Among them， Uygur medicine， Kazak medicine， Kirgiz medicine， Tajik medicine， and Tatar medicine are predominant in regional characteristics， but the development of the ethnic medicine industry in Xinjiang is backward. In recent years， Xinjiang ethnic medicines have been reported to possess significant pharmacological activities， which deserve further development and investigation. However， the development of ethnic medicines in Xinjiang has been restricted severely due to the lack of effective inheritance of practice and experience， weak basic research， insufficient brand awareness， resource destruction， etc. This study analyzed the medicinal value， development status， and prospects of Xinjiang ethnic medicines and summarized the problems in the modernization of ethnic medicines in Xinjiang to provide some scientific references for the follow-up development and clinical application of Xinjiang ethnic medicines， aiming to promote the sustainable development of traditional ethnic medicines of China.

Study on residues of heavy metals and harmful elements in Qingqiao and Laoqiao based on chemometrics / 中国中药杂志

Forsythiae Fructus is divided into Qingqiao and Laoqiao due to different harvesting periods. So far, the accumulation of heavy metals in the two types of Forsythiae Fructus has not been reported. In this study, the residual levels of copper(Cu), lead(Pb), chromium(Cr), arsenic(As), cadmium(Cd) and mercury(Hg) in 29 batches of Laoqiao and 60 batches of Qingqiao were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS). The samples were collected from Shanxi, Shaanxi, Henan, and Hebei Provinces. In addition, the diversity and correlation of harmful elements in Qingqiao and Laoqiao were analyzed by multivariate statistical method. Furthermore, principal component analysis(PCA) was used to analyze the harmful elements concentrations of Qingqiao and Laoqiao. The results showed that there was a significant difference on the residual levels of heavy metals and harmful elements between Qingqiao and Laoqiao. Among them, the content of Pb in Laoqiao is significantly higher than that in Qingqiao(P<0.01), while the content of Cu is significantly lower than that in Qingqiao. However, the difference in harmful elements among different producing areas of Forsythiae Fructus is not significant. PCA analysis showed that Qingqiao and Laoqiao were successfully grouped into two categories. This study suggests significant difference in the residual levels of heavy metals and harmful elements between Qingqiao and Laoqiao. Besides, Forsythiae Fructus has a certain enrichment of Pb in the fruit ripening stage(Laoqiao). This study provides a reference for the quality classification and safety of Forsythiae Fructus.

Clinical and imaging features of thirty cases of paragonimiasis westermani / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics of pulmonary and extra pulmonary paragonimiasis westermani. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of 30 patients diagnosed by clinical features, laboratory serological tests and surgical pathology. Results The symptoms of the lung included mainly chest distress, fever, chest pain, cough and expectoration, and dyspnea. The extra pulmonary symptoms included abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, emaciation, both lower extremities asthenia, headache, dizziness, epileptic seizures, and subcutaneous migratory masses. The laboratory examination showed that the eosinophil numbers of serum and pleural effusion of all the thirty patients were increased, and the eggs of Paragonimus westermani were found by the stool tests in four cases. The chest CT tests found abnormal nodules, ground glass changes, insect damages, pleural effusion, "tunnel" signs, and "halo" signs. Cranial CT and MRI showed intracranial hemorrhage foci, and extensive "finger-like" edema. Abdominal CT showed serpentine deformation and “tunnel” signs in the hepatic and spleen capsules. Conclusions Paragonimiasis westermani is a multiple organ system involved infection, and it has complex and varied clinical manifestations. The "tunnel" sign and serpentine deformations in the intracranial part, lung, liver and spleen are important imaging manifestations of the disease.

Clinical and imaging features of thirty cases of paragonimiasis westermani / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the clinical manifestations and imaging characteristics of pulmonary and extra pulmonary paragonimiasis westermani. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed of 30 patients diagnosed by clinical features, laboratory serological tests and surgical pathology. Results The symptoms of the lung included mainly chest distress, fever, chest pain, cough and expectoration, and dyspnea. The extra pulmonary symptoms included abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, poor appetite, emaciation, both lower extremities asthenia, headache, dizziness, epileptic seizures, and subcutaneous migratory masses. The laboratory examination showed that the eosinophil numbers of serum and pleural effusion of all the thirty patients were increased, and the eggs of Paragonimus westermani were found by the stool tests in four cases. The chest CT tests found abnormal nodules, ground glass changes, insect damages, pleural effusion, "tunnel" signs, and "halo" signs. Cranial CT and MRI showed intracranial hemorrhage foci, and extensive "finger-like" edema. Abdominal CT showed serpentine deformation and “tunnel” signs in the hepatic and spleen capsules. Conclusions Paragonimiasis westermani is a multiple organ system involved infection, and it has complex and varied clinical manifestations. The "tunnel" sign and serpentine deformations in the intracranial part, lung, liver and spleen are important imaging manifestations of the disease.

Mechanism of Fuzheng Quxie Prescription Against Liver Injury of ConA Model Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the protective effect of Fuzheng Quxie prescription on liver injury by influencing the expressions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, apoptosis factor (Fas), apoptosis factor ligand (FasL), and macrophages (CD68) in the liver tissues of concanavalin A(ConA) model mice. Method:The sixty mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group,bicyclol group (62.5 mg·kg-1), and low, medium and high-dose Fuzheng Quxie prescription groups(50.3,67.0,83.8 g·kg-1). The normal group and the model group were given the equal volume of pure water for 7 d. They were fasted for 12 hours before the last administration. At 2nd hour after the last administration, phosphate buffer(PBS) was injected into the caudal vein of the normal group, and ConA (20 mg·kg-1) was injected into the caudal vein of the other groups for modeling. The animals were put to death six hours later after the injection, and the expressions of TNF-α, Fas, FasL and CD68 in liver tissues were observed by immunohistochemistry. Result:Compared with normal group, the expressions of TNF-α, Fas, FasL and CD68 in the liver tissues of the model group were significantly increased(Pα, FasL and CD68 in liver tissues of the bicyclol group were significantly decreased compared with the model group(Pα, FasL and CD68 in liver tissues were significantly decreased in medium and high-dose Fuzheng Quxie prescription groups (PPConclusion:Fuzheng Quxie prescription can effectively reduce the apoptosis of liver cells in ConA model mice by inhibiting Kupffer cells and Fas/FasL system activation.

Changes of Serum Biomarkers levels in Early Stage of Alcohol-induced Liver Injury in Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the dynamic changes of the biomarkers of alcoholic liver injury, including glutamate dehydrogenase(GLDH), α-glutathione-S-transferase(α-GST), purine nucleotide phosphorylase(PNP), and arginine enzyme 1(Arg1), and clarify whether these indexes can be used as early diagnostic biomarkers for alcoholic liver injury. Method:48 Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank group and a model group, 24 rats in each group, half male and half female. After fasting but except water for 7 h, 50% ethanol/10 mL·kg-1 was given to the model group by intragastric administration and the same volume of normal saline was administered to the blank group. After 1 h, 50% ethanol was again given for once by intragastric administration according to the previous dosage. In the blank group, the same volume of normal saline was administered. After modeling and administration for 6 d, acute alcoholic liver injury model was established. 3 h after the last intragastric administration of alcohol at day 2, 3, 4, 6, six rats (half male and half female) in each group were randomly selected. All the animals were sacrificed to determine the aspartate aminotransferase(AST), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), alkaline phosphatase(ALP), bilirubin(TBIL), GLDH, α-GST, PNP, and Arg1 levels. Result:As compared with the blank group, the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL, GLDH, PNP, α-GST and Arg1 in the model group were significantly different (Pα-GST and Arg1 levels were increased earlier and more significantly than ALT and AST levels. Conclusion:GLDH, PNP, α-GST and Arg1 can be used as biomarkers for early detection of alcoholic liver injury.

Changes of CCl4-induced of Liver Injury in Rats for 24 Hours / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To replicate the animal model of liver injury in rats by using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), investigate the dynamic changes of early biomarkers of liver injury, namely glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH), purine nucleotide phosphorylase(PNP), α-dynamic changes of glutathione-S-transferase (α-GST) and arginase 1(Arg1), and provide experimental evidence for early detection of acute liver injury. Method:Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank group and a model group. The model group was intraperitoneally injected with 10 mL·kg-1 10% CCl4 olive oil solution, fasting but except water. Animals were sacrificed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 h. The serum liver function alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin (TBIL), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, α-GST, Arg1, GLDH, PNP levels, and liver homogenate superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were then detected. Result:As compared with blank group, the levels of ALT, AST, TBIL, α-GST, Arg1, GLDH, PNP and MDA were increased significantly 3 h after administration, and SOD was decreased significantly(Pα-GST, ARG-, GLDH, TBIL, ALP and MDA were increased significantly, while GSH and SOD were decreased significantly (PPα-GST, Arg1, TBIL, ALP and MDA were significantly increased, while GSH and SOD were significantly decreased (PConclusion:α-GST, Arg1, GLDH and PNP have better sensitivity than traditional liver function test indicators, and can be used for early detection of liver injury induced by CCl4 in rats.

Dynamic Changes of Biomarker Levels in Early Stage of Acetaminophen-induced Liver Injury / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To determine whether glutathione dehydrogenase (GLDH), purine nucleotide phosphorylase (PNP), α-glutathione-S-transferase (α-GST), and arginase 1 (Arg1) can be used as the early biomarkers of drug-induced liver injury by comparing the changes of traditional biomarkers alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL) and potential biomarkers GLDH, PNP, α-GST and Arg1 in acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury model rats. Method:The 48 rats were randomly divided into two groups:blank group and model group. 24 rats in each group, half male and half female. The model group received 1 250 mg·kg-1 APAP solution by intragastric administration to establish the drug-induced liver injury. 6 rats (half male and half female) were randomly selected from each group at 3, 6,12 and 24 h after APAP was given to the model group, to detect the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL, GLDH, PNP, α-GST, Arg1 in serum and levels of GLDH, PNP, α-GST, Arg1 in liver tissue homogenate at each time point Histopathological changes of liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Result:As compared with the blank group, the levels of ALT, AST, ALP, TBIL, GLDH, PNP, α-GST and Arg1 in serum and liver homogenates were significantly increased in model group(PPα-GST and Arg1 levels in serum and liver tissues of rats in the model group were increased earlier and more significantly than ALT and AST levels. Conclusion:GLDH, PNP, α-GST and Arg1 can be used as biomarkers for early detection of drug-induced liver injury.

Effect of Ferula ferulaeoides on growth and apoptosis of human gastric cancer MGC-803 transplantation tumor in nude mice / 中国中药杂志

In this paper,the effects of active fractions of Ferula ferulaeoides on the growth and apoptosis of human gastric cancer cell MGC-803 transplantation tumor were systematically studied. The subcutaneous ectopic transplantation tumor model was established in human gastric cancer MGC-803 nude mice by cell suspension implantation method. The anti-tumor rate and organ index were used to evaluate the anti-tumor effect of the active fractions of F. ferulaeoides on the tumor-bearing nude mice. HE staining,TUNEL staining,RT-PCR,Western-blot and ELISA were used for pathological examination,apoptosis observation,and detection of apoptosis-related genes,proteins and cytokines expression. The results showed that as compared with the model group,the low,medium and high doses of the active fraction of F. ferulaeoides had inhibitory effects on xenografts in nude mice,respectively,in a dose-dependent manner; the apoptotic ratio was increased with the increase of drug concentration. As compared with the model group,F. ferulaeoides could down-regulate the expression of survivin mRNA in nude mice,and the protein expression levels of Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3 and caspase-9 in tumor tissues of nude mice could be increased to different degrees in F. ferulaeoides groups. The contents of IL-10 and TGF-β1 in plasma of nude mice were decreased in high dose group of F. ferulaeoides active fractions. The results indicated that F. ferulaeoides can significantly inhibit the growth of human gastric cancer MGC-803 subcutaneously transplanted tumor,and its mechanism may be related with down-regulating the expression of survivin mRNA,and up-regulating the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bax,caspase-3 and caspase-9.

High expression of TRAF4 in hepatocelullar carcinoma as an independent negative survival and recurrence predictor

Objective:To identify potential tumor markers for the development and recurrence of hepatocelullar carcinoma (HCC), this research studied the relationship between the expression of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) and tumor angiogenesis together with its survival time of HCC patients.Methods:The expressions of TRAF4, vascular endothelial growth factor and CD34 were performed upon 90 patients with curative liver resection between August 2006 and November 2009 by immunohistochemical method in locally advanced HCC and adjacent non-tumoral liver. The expression of TRAF4 was determined by the Spearman rank correlation. Their prognostic factors on disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were guaranteed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. The detection of the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and CD34 was fulfilled in 90 cases of HCC.Results:TRAF4 expression was both significantly higher in HCC than in surrounding non-tumor tissues (57.8% vs. 22.2 %; P<0.001) and significantly correlated with tumor size and tumor staging. High TRAF4 was correlated with reduced DFS rate (P=0.001) and overall OS rate (P<0.001) and were displayed in Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.Conclusions:TRAF4 is involved with multifarious clinicopathologic features. TRAF4 expression, as an independent adverse prognostic factor, DFS and OS in HCC, is associated with increased tumor angiogenesis. The combined detection of TRAF4 in locally advanced HCC is a trustworthy predictive factor for the tumor development and recurrence.

Estimation of bioaccessibility and risk assessment of heavy metals in decoction pieces of Bupleuri Radix / 中国中药杂志

This project was launched to study on the overall residual status of heavy metals of comprehensive understanding in decoction pieces of Bupleuri Radix (DPBR) from different habitats and risk assessment. In this study, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to determine the heavy metals of 30 batches of Bupleuri Radix in different producing areas. Simulated gastrointestinal fluid method was used to determine the dissolution rate of heavy metals in the simulated gastrointestinal fluid and the average daily intake Average Daily Dose (ADD) and Hazard Quotient (HQ) index were used to assess the risk of heavy metals in DPBR. The results showed that the contents of copper (Cu), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), and mercury (Hg) in the 30 batches of DPBR didn't exceed the limit of Chinese Pharmacopeia, however, the chromium (Cr) in DPBR exeeded the limit set by NSF in USA and the limit for herbal ingredients in Canada. The mean bioaccessible heavy metal concentrations decreased from Cu (5.27 mg·kg⁻¹)>Cr (4.67 mg·kg⁻¹)>As (0.18 mg·kg⁻¹)>Pb (0.12 mg·kg⁻¹)>Cd (0.06 mg·kg⁻¹), and Hg was not detected in this test. In addition, cumulative non-carcinogenic health risks (HI) for adults and children were 0.799 and 0.714, respectively. Both HI values in adults and children for combined trace element and heavy metal element exposures were below the value of 1 (HI<1), indicating very low carcinogenic health risk. Heavy metals toxicity in herbal medicines and its health risk to humans would be overestimated when assessed only by the total concentrations without considering the bioaccessibility. Therefore, bioaccessibility has great significance for evaluating the human health risks induced by heavy metals.

High expression of TRAF4 in hepatocelullar carcinoma as an independent negative survival and recurrence predictor

Objective: To identify potential tumor markers for the development and recurrence of hepatocelullar carcinoma (HCC), this research studied the relationship between the expression of the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 4 (TRAF4) and tumor angiogenesis together with its survival time of HCC patients. Methods: The expressions of TRAF4, vascular endothelial growth factor and CD34 were performed upon 90 patients with curative liver resection between August 2006 and November 2009 by immunohistochemical method in locally advanced HCC and adjacent non-tumoral liver. The expression of TRAF4 was determined by the Spearman rank correlation. Their prognostic factors on disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) were guaranteed by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. The detection of the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor and CD34 was fulfilled in 90 cases of HCC. Results: TRAF4 expression was both significantly higher in HCC than in surrounding non-tumor tissues (57.8% vs. 22.2 %; P<0.001) and significantly correlated with tumor size and tumor staging. High TRAF4 was correlated with reduced DFS rate (P=0.001) and overall OS rate (P<0.001) and were displayed in Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. Conclusions: TRAF4 is involved with multifarious clinicopathologic features. TRAF4 expression, as an independent adverse prognostic factor, DFS and OS in HCC, is associated with increased tumor angiogenesis. The combined detection of TRAF4 in locally advanced HCC is a trustworthy predictive factor for the tumor development and recurrence.

Clinical effect and safety of somatostatin in treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding in neonates / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinical effect and safety of somatostatin in the treatment of postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding in neonates.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A prospective randomized study was performed, and 126 neonates who underwent surgery for congenital gastrointestinal anomalies were randomly divided into control group, treatment group A, and treatment group B. The neonates in the control group were given routine postoperative hemostasis, and those in the treatment groups were given somatostatin in addition to the treatment for the control group. The neonates in treatment group A were given intravenous injection of somatostatin 0.25 mg as the initial dose and 0.25 mg/h for maintenance, and those in treatment group B were given continuous intravenous pumping of somatostatin at a dose of 3.5 μg/(kg·h). The clinical outcome and complications were compared between the three groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, the treatment groups had significantly shortened clearance time in occult blood test for gastrointestinal decompression drainage and a significantly lower degree of the reduction in 24-hour hemoglobin (P<0.05), while there were no significant differences between treatment groups A and B. Compared with the control group, treatment group A had significant reductions in heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP), and SaO2 after one hour of treatment (P<0.05 ), but there were no significant differences at the other time points between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in monitoring indices between the control group and treatment group B (P>0.05). No neonates in the control group experienced hypoglycemia reaction, and treatment group A had a significantly higher incidence rate of hypoglycemia (20%) than treatment group B (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Somatostatin has a marked clinical effect and good safety in the treatment of neonates with postoperative gastrointestinal bleeding, and the administration of somatostatin by continuous intravenous pumping leads to fewer side effects.</p>

Clinicopathological Features and Immunohistochemical Alterations of Keratinocyte Proliferation, Melanocyte Density, Smooth Muscle Hyperplasia and Nerve Fiber Distribution in Becker's Nevus

BACKGROUND: Although Becker's nevus (BN) is a relatively common disease, the systematic studies of clinicopathological and immunohistochemical results are poorly reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical alterations of keratinocyte proliferation, melanocyte density, smooth muscle hyperplasia and nerve fiber distribution in BN. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data were collected in 60 newly-diagnosed BN cases. Immunohistochemical stain of Ki-67, Melan-A, keratin 15, smooth muscle actin and protein gene product 9.5 was performed in 21 cases. RESULTS: The median diagnostic and onset age was 17 and 12 years, respectively. Skin lesions usually appeared on the upper trunk and upper limbs. The pathological features included the rete ridge elongation and fusion and basal hyperpigmentation. Epidermal Ki-67, Melan-A and keratin 15 expression and dermal nerve fiber length were significantly higher in lesional and perilesional skin than in normal skin (p<0.05~0.01), while smooth muscle actin expression was upregulated only in skin lesion (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the clinical diagnosis of BN is often straightforward, histopathology is helpful to differentiate from other pigmentary disorders. The hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, melanocytes, arrector pili muscle and dermal nerve fibers could be involved in the pathogenesis of BN.

Blood pH in coronary artery microthrombosis of rats

Objective: To study the mechanism and significance of pH change in the coronary artery microthrombosis of rats. Methods: After the sodium laurate-induced model of coronary artery microthrombosis of rats was constructed, the vascular endothelial cells were separated and then cultured in the mediums with different pH values for 24 h. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the content of von Willebrand factor (vWF) in the medium; while the real-time PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression of fibrinogen-like protein 2 (FGL2) at the mRNA and protein level. The comprehensive evaluation was performed to discuss the effect of pH change on the coronary artery microthrombosis of rats. Results: The expression level of vWF detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was 336.67 ± 24.95, 311.33 ± 14.98, 359.67 ± 39.63, 354.67 ± 49.01 and 332.00 ± 33.42 (pg/mL) respectively; while the expression of vWF in the model group was 570.00 ± 57.94, 524.67 ± 57.94, 437.00 ± 95.38, 415.33 ± 44.38 and 444.67 ± 74.31 respectively. Being cultured under the different pH values, the relative expression level of FGL2 mRNA in the model group was 7.93 ± 0.93, 6.70 ± 0.70, 5.03 ± 0.32, 5.13 ± 0.40 and 5.57 ± 0.83 respectively. Conclusions: The coronary artery microthrombosis of rats can cause the high expression and secretion of vWF. Meanwhile, FGL2 is also up-regulated in the thrombosis and such up-regulation is more significant in the condition with low pH, which indicates that the low pH condition may be one of factors that contribute to the cardiovascular diseases.