Molecular mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ against atherosclerosis by regulating miR-17-5p and PCSK9/VLDLR signal pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study explores the regulatory effect of astragaloside Ⅳ on miR-17-5 p and its downstream proprotein convertase subtillisin/kexin type 9(PCSK9)/very low density lipoprotein receptor(VLDLR) signal pathway, aiming at elucidating the mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ against atherosclerosis(AS). In cell experiment, oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) was used for endothelial cell injury modeling with vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs). Then cells were classified into the model group, miR-17-5 p inhibitor group, blank serum group, and astragaloside Ⅳ-containing serum group based on the invention. Afterward, cell viability and the expression of miR-17-5 p, VLDLR, and PCSK9 mRNA and protein in cells in each group were detected. In animal experiment, 15 C57 BL/6 mice were used as the control group, and 45 ApoE~(-/-) mice were classified into the model group, miR-17-5 p inhibitor group, and astragaloside Ⅳ group, with 15 mice in each group. After 8 weeks of intervention, the peripheral serum levels of interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-10(IL-10), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and the expression of miR-17-5 p, VLDLR, and PCSK9 mRNA in the aorta of mice were detected. The pathological changes of mice in each group were observed. According to the cell experiment, VSMC viability in the miR-17-5 p inhibitor group and the astragaloside Ⅳ-containing serum group was higher than that in the model group(P<0.05). The mRNA and protein expression of miR-17-5 p and VLDLR in VSMCs in the miR-17-5 p inhibitor group and the astragaloside Ⅳ-containing serum group was lower than that in the model group(P<0.05), but the mRNA and protein expression of PCSK9 was higher than that in the model group(P<0.05). As for the animal experiment, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the peripheral serum of the miR-17-5 p inhibitor group and the astragaloside Ⅳ group were lower(P<0.05) and the serum level of IL-10 was higher(P<0.05) than that of the model group. The mRNA expression of miR-17-5 p and VLDLR in the aorta in the miR-17-5 p inhibitor group and the astragaloside Ⅳ group was lower(P<0.05), and PCSK9 mRNA expression was higher(P<0.05) than that in the model group. Pathological observation showed mild AS in the miR-17-5 p inhibitor group and the astragaloside Ⅳ group. In summary, astragaloside Ⅳ can prevent the occurrence and development of AS. The mechanism is that it performs targeted regulation of miR-17-5 p, further affecting the PCSK9/VLDLR signal pathway, inhibiting vascular inflammation, and thus alleviating endothelial cell injury.

Impacts of moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) on the improvements in the quality of life in patients with advanced malignant tumor / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the impacts of moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) on the improvements in the quality of life in the patients with advanced malignant tumor.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 patients with advanced malignant tumor were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. In the control group, the routine symptomatic scheme was adopted. In the observation group, on the base of the routine treatment, moxibustion was applied to bilateral Zusanli (ST 36), once a day. The observation period was 12 days. The percentages of , and in T lymphocyte subset, the ratio of / , the value of hemoglobin, Karnofsky score (KPS) and the main symptom score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) were compared before and after treatment in the two groups.@*RESULTS@#In comparison before and after treatment in the two groups as well as between the two groups, the differences were not significant in the contents of , and , hemoglobin and the ratio of / (all >0.05). In the observation group, KPS after treatment was increased as compared with the score before treatment (0.05). In the observation group, the improvements in lassitude, short breath, poor appetite, dizziness and vertigo, complexion, palpitation, soreness and weakness of the lumber region and knee joint as well as the total score were better than the control group (<0.05, <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) effectively regulates the immune balance and relieves the clinical symptoms in the patients with advanced malignant tumor.

Factors influencing the clinical pregnancy rate following intrauterine insemination / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the factors that affect the clinical pregnancy rate after intrauterine insemination (IUI).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 611 IUI cycles and analyzed the relationship of the clinical pregnancy rate after IUI with the female age, infertility duration, type of infertility, cycle number, cycle protocol, thickness and type of endometrium, and semen parameters before processing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the ovulation induction than in the natural ovulation cycles (23.03% vs 11.03%, P < 0.01), but lower in the 4th cycle and above than in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd cycles (2.04% vs 21.30%, 18.13%, and 12.67%, P < 0.01). Marked decreases were found in the clinical pregnancy rate in the females aged ≥ 40 years and the cases with pre-processing total progressively motile sperm count (TPMSC) < 10 x 10(6), progressive motile sperm < 20%, or morphologically normal sperm < 2% (all P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed the cycle protocol, cycle number, and percentage of progressively motile sperm as three predictive variables affecting the clinical pregnancy rate after IUI (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The cycle protocol, cycle number, percentage of progressively motile sperm, female age, TPMSC, and sperm morphology are the main factors affecting the clinical pregnancy rate following IUI, while infertility duration, type of infertility, and thickness and type of endometrium exert little influence.</p>

Management of Benign Tracheal Stenosis by Small-diameter Tube-assisted Bronchoscopic Balloon Dilatation / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>A limitation of bronchoscopic balloon dilatation (BBD) is that airflow must be completely blocked for as long as possible during the operation. However, the patient often cannot hold his or her breath for a long period affecting the efficacy of the procedure. In this study, we used an extra-small-diameter tube to provide assisted ventilation to patients undergoing BBD and assessed the efficacy and safety of this technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Bronchoscopic balloon dilatation was performed in 26 patients with benign tracheal stenosis using an extra-small-diameter tube. The tracheal diameter, dyspnea index, blood gas analysis results, and complications were evaluated before and after BBD. Statistical analyses were performed by SPSS version 16.0 for Windows (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixty-three BBD procedures were performed in 26 patients. Dyspnea immediately improved in all patients after BBD. The tracheal diameter significantly increased from 5.5 ± 1.5 mm to 13.0 ± 1.3 mm (P < 0.001), and the dyspnea index significantly decreased from 3.4 ± 0.8 to 0.5 ± 0.6 (P < 0.001). There was no significant change in the partial pressure of oxygen during the operation (before, 102.5 ± 27.5 mmHg; during, 96.9 ± 30.4 mmHg; and after, 97.2 ± 21.5 mmHg; P = 0.364), but there was slight temporary retention of carbon dioxide during the operation (before, 43.5 ± 4.2 mmHg; during, 49.4 ± 6.8 mmHg; and after, 40.1 ± 3.9 mmHg; P < 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Small-diameter tube-assisted BBD is an effective and safe method for the management of benign tracheal stenosis.</p>

Variation of substance content during growth cycle of cultured Ganoderma lucidum and its mechanism / 中草药

Objective: To study the variation of the substance content in the different fractions of matrix during the growth cycle of Ganoderma lucidum, and to explore the mechanisms by investigating the change regulation of extracellular enzyme activity in the matrix of G. lucidum. Methods: G. lucidum was adopted by bag cultivation with sterilized raw materials, the growth period was divided into eight stages, and the matrix was splided in four equal portions. The variation of the contents of total sugar, reducing sugar, water-soluble protein, and free amino acids in different fractions of the matrix was studied, and the variation of activities of lignin enzymes (laccase and manganese peroxidase), cellulase (carboxymethyl cellulase, hemicellulase, and filter paper enzyme), and acidic protease at different fractions of the matrix were studied in order to elucidate the mechanisms. Results: During the growth period of G. lucidum, the content of total sugar at different fractions of the matrix decreased, and the content of reducing sugar increased before the growth of primordium, then decreased after the growth of primordium. The contents of water-soluble proteins showed increasing tendency at different fractions of the matrix, and the content of amino acid decreased before sackful of mycelium, but increased during the stage of bud and reached the peak, then decreased again. The variation of laccase activity showed the shape of U, and the lowest activity was appeared in the primordium period. The activity of manganese peroxidase was slowly increased during vegetative growth period, and decreased after sackful of mycelium. The activities of cellulase enzyme and acid protease were totally increased. Conclusion: In the growth cycle of G. lucidum, the substance contents in different fractions of matrix present different change tendency with the growth and development of G. lucidum; The extracellular enzyme activity of G. lucidum could affect the content of substance in the matrix, and there is a certain correlation between the activity of extracellular enzyme and material content in matrix of G. lucidum.

Cytokine responses after lobectomy for early non-small cell lung cancer: a prospective randomized comparison of video-assisted thoracic surgery and open thoracotomy / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and open thoracotomy (OT) on acute inflammatory responses and immunosuppression after lobectomy for early non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Present prospective randomized study. OT or VATS lobectomy was performed in patients who met enter criteria and clinical data was collected. Plasma concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10 were measured before surgery and at postoperative day (POD) 1 and POD 3. There were 271 patients underwent lobectomy for early NSCLC, including of 133 patients in group VATS and 138 patients in group OT from January 2007 to June 2008. There were 132 males and 139 females, aging from 19 ∼ 70 years with a mean of (56 ± 8) years.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with OT group, shorter postoperative hospital stay [(8.2 ± 2.5) d vs. (9.8 ± 6.2) d, P = 0.03], lower morbidity rate (11.3% vs. 21.7%, P = 0.02) and lower increase of plasma concentration of IL-6 at POD 1 [(35 ± 25)% vs. (65 ± 43)%, P = 0.00], IL-6 at POD 3 [(14 ± 22)% vs. (55 ± 44)%, P = 0.00] and IL-10 at POD 1 [(25 ± 20)% vs. (43 ± 35)%, P = 0.00] were observed in patients of VATS group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VATS lobectomy for early NSCLC is associated with less acute inflammatory responses and less immunosuppression when compared with OT.</p>

CT-guided hookwire localization of small solitary pulmonary nodules in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) provides a minimally invasive approach to resect small solitary pulmonary nodules (SSPN). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of preoperative CT-guided hookwire localization for SSPN in VATS.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hookwire was used to localize 26 SSPN under CT guidance in 24 patients (14 male, 10 female, age range 21-61 years, mean 52.3 years), preoperatively, and wedge resection was performed through VATS. The lesion size, distance from the lesion to parietal pleura, the time of localization and complications were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 26 pulmonary nodules were preoperatively detected and localized with hookwire under CT-guidance. The mean lesion size was 10.05 +/- 3.08 mm in diameter, and the mean distance from lesion to parietal pleura was 10.09 +/- 2.62 mm. The mean localization time was 20.18 +/- 7.16 min, and then the nodules were removed by VATS within 18 +/- 6.65 min. The major complication of CT-guided hookwire localization was mild pneumothorax in 6 patients (25.0%), but no one needed chest tube drainage. The dislodgment of hookwire was found in only one patient (4.2%) during the operation, but the lesion was still successfully resected under VATS. Of those patients, 8 were confirmed to have a primary NSCLC by rapid pathologic diagnosis during VATS wedge resection, and then VATS lobectomies were performed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The preoperative CT-guided hookwire localization for small solitary pulmonary nodules is an effective and safe technique to assist VATS resection of the nodules.</p>

Portal vein stenting combined with transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization in treatment of portal vein tumor thrombus in patients with primary hepatic carcinoma / 第二军医大学学报

Objective: To discuss the clinical outcomes of portal vein stenting combined with transcatheter hepatic arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating portal vein tumor thrombus in the patients with primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC). Methods: Eleven PHC patients with tumor thrombus in the main branch or trunk of the portal vein were treated with stenting and TACE simultaneously (or TACE were performed 1 week later). The successful rate of the procedure, the patency of the obstruction, the complications, the mortality and the survival periods were all recorded. Results: Portal vein puncture was successfully performed in all 11 cases and successful stenting was achieved in 10 cases. Hepatic encephalopathy combined with hepatic failure was noticed in 1 patient. The median patency period after stenting was 5.7 (1-18) months. The survival rates of patients at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment were 5/11,4/ 11 and 2/ 11, respectively. Conclusion: Metallic stent implantation combined with TACE has satisfactory outcome in treating tumor thrombus in the main branch and trunk of the portal vein in PHC patients without distant metastases.

Common complications due to CT-guided transthoracic aspiration biopsy and the comprehension of puncture / 介入放射学杂志

Objective To analyze the complications due to CT-guided transthoracic aspiration biopsy for pulmonary lesions and discuss the role of puncture skill for reducing the complications.Methods CT- guided transthoracic aspiration biopsy was performed in 116 patients with intrapulmonary parenchymal occupied lesions from June 2006 to June 2007 in our hospital.The complications and the whole process of puncture were analyzed to obtain the experience for reducing the occurrence of complications.Results CT-guided transthoracic aspiration biopsy was succeeded in all 116 cases.The major complications included pneumothorax (15.51%),puncture tract hemorrhage(10.34%),hemoptysis(4.31%)and others(1.72%).Only 1 case of pneumothorax was treated by closed thoracic drainage and no specific treatment for others.Conclusion CT- guided transthoracic aspiration biopsy for pulmonary lesions is an efficient and safe diagnostic modality.The criteria for reducing the complications are associated with accurate localization,the correct breath training and evaluation of lesion before the operation.(J Intervent Radiol,2007,16:847-849)

In vivo 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy in evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma and its early response to transcatheter arterial chemoembolization / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the value of in vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the assessment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and monitor its metabolic change shortly after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this prospective study, 28 consecutive patients with large HCC (> or = 3 cm in diameter) confirmed by fine needle aspiration biopsy were recruited. The 1H MRS of all hepatic lesions and some uninvolved liver parenchyma were performed with 1. 5T whole body MR scanner. Among them, 15 cases were evaluated again about one week after TACE. The main metabolites such as choline and lipid before and after interventional therapy were measured to assess the early response of the tumor.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The technical success rate of 1H MRS in liver was high (33/41, 80%), closely related to breath motion, location of lesion, and size of voxel. In spectra, the choline compound peak of HCC elevated compared with uninvolved liver parenchyma. After TACE, both the amplitude and the area of choline resonance peak significantly descended (choline-to-lipid ratios from 0.352 +/- 0.080 to 0.167 +/- 0.030, P = 0.026; from 0.205 +/- 0.060 to 0.070 +/-0.020, P = 0.042, respectively); yet lipid resonance peak ascended.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In vivo 1H MRS is technically feasible for the evaluation of large focal hepatic lesions, however, the reproducibility and stability are not as good as routine MR scan. 1H MRS can monitor the early stage metabolic changes of HCC after TACE but limitation like quantification still exists.</p>