Construction of a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma based on pyroptosis-related genes / 中华肝脏病杂志

Objective: To study the construction of a prognostic model for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) based on pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs). Methods: HCC patient datasets were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, and a prognostic model was constructed by applying univariate Cox and least absolute shrinkages and selection operator (LASSO) regression analysis. According to the median risk score, HCC patients in the TCGA dataset were divided into high-risk and low-risk groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, univariate and multivariate Cox analysis, and nomograms were used to evaluate the predictive ability of the prognostic models. Functional enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were performed on differentially expressed genes between the two groups. Finally, two HCC datasets (GSE76427 and GSE54236) from the Gene Expression Omnibus database were used to externally validate the prognostic value of the model. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis or Wilcoxon tests were performed on the data. Results: A total of 366 HCC patients were included after screening the HCC patient dataset obtained from the TCGA database. A prognostic model related to HCC was established using univariate Cox regression analysis, LASSO regression analysis, and seven genes (CASP8, GPX4, GSDME, NLRC4, NLRP6, NOD2, and SCAF11). 366 cases were evenly divided into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the median risk score. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in the survival time between patients in the high-risk and low-risk groups in the TCGA, GSE76427, and GSE54236 datasets (median overall survival time was 1 149 d vs. 2 131 d, 4.8 years vs. 6.3 years, and 20 months vs. 28 months, with P = 0.000 8, 0.034 0, and 0.0018, respectively). ROC curves showed good survival predictive value in both the TCGA dataset and two externally validated datasets. The areas under the ROC curves of 1, 2, and 3 years were 0.719, 0.65, and 0.657, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that the risk score of the prognostic model was an independent predictor of overall survival time in HCC patients. The risk model score accurately predicted the survival probability of HCC patients according to the established nomogram. Functional enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis showed that the immune status of the high-risk group was significantly decreased. Conclusion: The prognostic model constructed in this study based on seven PRGs accurately predicts the prognosis of HCC patients.

Two cases of airway dysfunction related to diacetyl exposure / 中华劳动卫生职业病杂志

Occupational exposure to diacetyl can lead to bronchiolitis obliterans. In this paper, two patients with severe obstructive ventilation disorder who were exposed to diacetyl at a fragrance and flavours factory were analyzed. The clinical manifestations were cough and shortness of breath. One of them showed Mosaic shadows and uneven perfusion in both lungs on CT, while the other was normal. Field investigation found that 4 of the 8 workers in the factory were found to have obstructive ventilation disorder, and 2 had small airway dysfunction. This paper summarizes the diagnostic process of patients in order to improve the understanding of airway dysfunction caused by occupational exposure to diacetyl and promote the development of relevant standards.

Effect of Huatan Tongluo Decoction on Gut-Brain Axis in Rats with Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To explore the effects of Huatan Tongluo Decoction （HTTLD） on the morphology and function of brain tissues and intestine in rats with cerebral ischemia/reperfusion based on the gut-brain axis. Method:Sixty SPF male rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group， a model group， high- （28.66 g·kg^-1）， medium- （14.33 g·kg^-1）， and low-dose （7.16 g·kg^-1） HTTLD groups， and an edaravone （4 g·kg^-1）+<italic>Clostridium butyricum</italic> （5.0×10⁸ cfu·mL^-1） group. The model was established by focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats. The drugs were administered by gavage. The brain tissue injury was determined by neurological deficit score and 2，3，5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. The effect of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion on intestinal motility was assessed by the propulsion rate of small intestine. The intestinal mucosal cell damage was evaluated by the pathomorphological examination of the duodenal mucosa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the content of <italic>D</italic>-lactate （<italic>D</italic>-LAC）， diamine oxidase （DAO）， and bacterial endotoxin （lipopolysaccharide， LPS） in serum. Western blot was used to detect the expression of Occludin， Claudin-5， and zonula occludens 1 （ZO-1） in the duodenum. Result:After cerebral ischemia/reperfusion， rats developed neurological deficit symptoms. The neurological deficit score in the model group was higher than that in the sham operation group （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）. Compared with the model group， the high- and medium-dose HTTLD groups could relieve the symptoms of neurological deficits and lower neurological deficit scores （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）. The results of TTC staining showed that the model group presented obvious infarcts in brain tissues compared with the sham operation group （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）. The cerebral infarction volumes of HTTLD groups were reduced compared with that in the model group （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）， especially the high-dose HTTLD group， and the effect was dose-dependent. Furthermore， the propulsion rate of small intestine in the model group was significantly reduced compared with that in the sham operation group （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）. Compared with the model group， HTTLD groups could increase propulsion rates of small intestine （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）， especially the high-dose HTTLD group， and the effect was dose-dependent. After cerebral ischemia/reperfusion， obvious duodenal mucosal damage could be observed， which was relieved after the administration of HTTLD. Western blot results showed that the protein expression of ZO-1， Occludin， and Claudin-5 in the model group was reduced compared with that in the sham operation group （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）. Compared with the model group， the HTTLD groups could up-regulate the expression of ZO-1， Occludin， and Claudin-5 to varying degrees （<italic>P<</italic>0.05， <italic>P<</italic>0.01）， especially the high-dose HTTLD group. ELISA showed that the serum <italic>D</italic>-LAC， DAO， and LPS of the model group were elevated compared with those in the sham operation group （<italic>P<</italic>0.01）. Compared with the model group， the HTTLD groups showed reduced <italic>D</italic>-LAC and DAO （<italic>P<</italic>0.05， <italic>P<</italic>0.01）， and the medium- and high-dose HTTLD groups showed reduced LPS （<italic>P<</italic>0.05， <italic>P<</italic>0.01）， especially the high-dose HTTLD group. Conclusion:After cerebral ischemia/reperfusion， the rats showed damaged brain tissues， neurological dysfunction， intestinal mucosal injury， weakened intestinal motility， and destroyed the intestinal mucosal barrier. HTTLD can protect against brain-gut axis injury after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion by reducing the damage on brain tissues and gastrointestinal mucosa， relieving the symptoms of neurological deficits， promoting gastrointestinal motility， improving intestinal barrier function， and reducing the release of intestinal bacterial metabolites or poisons.

Daily use and refinement management of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus / 医疗卫生装备

Object To strengthen the preventive maintenance and prolong the service life of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.Methods The problems found in practice and causes of ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus were summarized, and then some countermeasures were put forward. A refinement management system was established to facilitate the maintenance.Results The refinement management contributed to enhancing the initiative of the operator, decreasing the failure rate of the apparatus while improving its cleanness.Conclusion Refinement management prolongs the apparatus's service life and raises its economic and social benefits, and thus is worthy promoting practically.

Role of kallistatin in protecting hepatic stellate cells against oxidation through inhibition of oxidative stress and activation of Akt-eNOS signaling / 药学学报

The present study was aimed to investigate the role and mechanisms of kallistatin in protection against oxidative stress-induced hepatic stellate cell damage. The effects of kallistatin on the viability, the intracellular superoxide level and Akt, eNOS molecules were investigated in human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 and the incompletely activated primary rat hepatic stellate cells. Two different oxidative-stress related models, the hydrogen peroxide model and the iron-overload model were used in the experiments. The results show that kallistatin protected the hepatic stellate cells from oxidative damage and repaired the cell damage by oxidative stress. The main mechanism is antioxidant activity of kallistatin, which can remove the oxidized substances inside the cells. On the other way, kallistatin activates Akt and eNOS molecules to generate the antioxidant effect. Our results help to explore new anti-fibrotic targets.

Elevated serum prostaglandin E2 predicts the risk of infection in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure patients

Objective To evaluate the serum Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level in Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and determine its predicative value for infection. Methods From April 2014 to April 2015, ninety-one patients with hepatitis B virus and ACLF but without infection were enrolled into this prospective study that was carried out at our Hospital. Twenty patients with stable chronic hepatitis B were enrolled from the outpatient department and twenty healthy control subjects without any disease were enrolled from hospital staff. Serum PGE2 levels were determined using ELISA at enrollment. Clinical and laboratory parameters were collected. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine optimal cut-off values to predict infection. Results Significantly higher PGE2 levels were found in patients with ACLF in comparison with healthy controls and patients with stable CHB (P < 0.000 1). In ACLF patients, PGE2 levels were significantly higher in patients that eventually developed infection than those without this complication (P < 0.000 1). ROC analysis showed that serum PGE2 (area under the ROC curve, 0.83) could predict infection in patients with ACLF with sensitivity of 78.4% and specificity of 81.5% using a threshold of 141 pg/mL. Conclusions Serum PGE2 is associated with the susceptibility to secondary infections for patients with ACLF. Increased PGE2 serum levels may serve as a potential biomarker for developing infections in ACLF patients.

Effects of Astragalus-Angelica compatilibity on bone marrow hematopoiesis suppression induced by Cyclophosphamide in mice / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the effects of different proportion combinations of Astragalus and Angelica on bone marrow hematopoiesis suppression induced by Cyclophosphamide (CTX) in mice, and to analysis their interactions. Methods: The model of bone marrow hematopoietic function suppression in mice was established by ip injection of CTX. Recombinant human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) was used as the positive control drug, ICR mice in the drug groups were administered with the extracts of Astragalus, Angelica, and combinations of Astragalus and Angelica with different ratios (10:1, 5:1, 2.5:1, 1:1, 1:2.5, 1:5, and 1:10). To detect peripheral hemogram, the nucleated cell count in bone marrow (BMNC), the area of bone marrow hematopoietic tissue, spleen index (SI), as well as the contents of hematopoietic growth factor (HGF) in serum such as Erythropoietin (EPO), thrombopoietin (TPO), and Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). To integrate all the test parameters using comprehensive index method, then to analyze the interaction between Astragalus and Angelica through multiple linear regression analysis. Results: Following continuous CTX injection for 3 d, peripheral hemogram significantly decreased, accompanied by GM-CSF and TPO contents declined, BMNC reduced, SI elevated, and bone marrow hematopoietic tissue area lessened from day 5 to day 7 after injection. Single Astragalus had no remarkable effects on peripheral hemogram, HGF contents, bone marrow hematopoietic tissue area and BMNC. Except for HGF and BMNC, Angelica alone could increase the numbers of WBC, RBC, and PLT in the peripheral blood, raise the area of bone marrow hematopoietic tissue. Astragalus mixed Angelica with the ratios of 5:1, 2.5:1, 1:1, 1:2.5, 1:5, and 1:10 could increase the numbers of WBC, RBC, and PLT along with HGF content, BMNC and bone marrow hematopoietic tissue area, while decreased SI. The comprehensive effect analysis displayed that the effects of Astragalus-Angelica with 1:1, 1:2.5, and 1:5 ratios on promoting hematopoiesis were strongest. The interaction analysis revealed Angelica played a greater role in advancing hematopoiesis than Astragalus did after being combined, meanwhile, the interaction of Astragalus combined with Angelica produced a nonnegligible positive effect on promoting hematopoiesis, namely synergism. Conclusion: Astragalus-Angelica compatilibity has the synergism on promoting hematopoiesis, which is better when the combination ratio of Astragalus and Angelica is 1:1, 1:2.5, or 1:5, furthermore, the effect of Angelica is greater than that of Astragalus.

Elevated serum prostaglandin E2 predicts the risk of infection in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure patients

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the serum Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level in Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and determine its predicative value for infection.@*METHODS@#From April 2014 to April 2015, ninety-one patients with hepatitis B virus and ACLF but without infection were enrolled into this prospective study that was carried out at our Hospital. Twenty patients with stable chronic hepatitis B were enrolled from the outpatient department and twenty healthy control subjects without any disease were enrolled from hospital staff. Serum PGE2 levels were determined using ELISA at enrollment. Clinical and laboratory parameters were collected. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to determine optimal cut-off values to predict infection.@*RESULTS@#Significantly higher PGE2 levels were found in patients with ACLF in comparison with healthy controls and patients with stable CHB (P < 0.0001). In ACLF patients, PGE2 levels were significantly higher in patients that eventually developed infection than those without this complication (P < 0.0001). ROC analysis showed that serum PGE2 (area under the ROC curve, 0.83) could predict infection in patients with ACLF with sensitivity of 78.4% and specificity of 81.5% using a threshold of 141 pg/mL.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Serum PGE2 is associated with the susceptibility to secondary infections for patients with ACLF. Increased PGE2 serum levels may serve as a potential biomarker for developing infections in ACLF patients.

Effect of astragaloside Ⅳ combined with Panax notoginseng saponins on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury and study of pharmacokinetics in rats / 中国中药杂志

The aim is to study the effect of astragaloside Ⅳ (AST Ⅳ) combined with Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury, and to probe the synergistic mechanism through the pharmacokinetics of the four major components such as AST Ⅳ, ginsenoside Rg₁ (Rg₁), ginsenoside Rb₁ (Rb₁), notoginsenoside R₁ (R₁) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats. Following the establishment of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion model in rats by modified suture method, neurological function score, cerebral infarction area and pathomorphology were used to evaluate the pharmacological effect that the combination of AST Ⅳ and PNS antagonized cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury; the contents of AST Ⅳ, Rg₁, Rb₁, R₁ in rat plasma of different time points were determined with ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem massspectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and pharmacokinetics changes of the main effective components were analyzed. The results showed that AST Ⅳ, PNS alone and their combination could reduce the cerebral infarction area of rats, relieve the behavioral scores of neurologic deficit, improve the pathological changes after cerebral ischemia, the effects of the combination were better. Among AST Ⅳ, Rg₁, Rb₁, R₁, the area under the curve (AUC) was significantly increased, the mean residence time of (MRT0-t) was delayed, the peak concentration (Cmax) was significantly raised, the apparent volume of distribution (Vz/F) was reduced, and the clearance rate in vivo was significantly slowed. It suggested that AST Ⅳ combined with PNS has synergistic enhancement on anti-cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, moreover, make the pharmacokinetic behavior of the main effective components change, the mechanism may be associated with prolonging the retention time of the effective components in cerebral ischemia condition, elevating the bioavailability.

Effects of Astragali Radix combined with Angelicae Sinensis Radix on the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells senescence model in mice / 中国中药杂志

The aim is to study the effect and its mechanism of Astragalus Radix combined with Angelicae Sinensis Radix on the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs) in senescence model. After drug-containing plasma of rats was prepared via intragastric administration, HSCs of mice were cultured in vitro, and then they were divided into blank control group, model group, blank plasma group, Astragalus Radix + Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1∶1 group and 10∶1 group, Angelicae Sinensis Radix plasma group, and Astragalus Radix plasma group. HSCs senescence model was induced by using tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide(t-BHP), and intervened by drug-containing plasma. Cells senescence rate was tested by SA-β-galactosidase staining method; cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry; Cyclin D1, P21, and P53 mRNA were measured with RT-PCR, and Cyclin D1 protein expression was measured by Western blot. Results showed that after being induced by t-BHP, senescence rate of HSCs was increased; cell proliferation ability was decreased; count of G₀/G₁ phase cells was increased; count of G₂/M+S phase cells was reduced; Cyclin D1 expression was down-regulated while P53, P21 expression was up-regulated, which were reversed by Astragalus Radix + Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1∶1 and 10∶1, single Angelicae Sinensis Radix, and single Astragalus Radix plasma. Furthermore, the above effects were most obvious in Astragalus Radix+Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1∶1 group. These results suggested that t-BHP can promote HSCs senescence and reduce cell proliferation ability. Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Astragalus Radix and their combinations can inhibit HSCs senescence, promote HSCs proliferation as well as cell cycle conversion; moreover, the effects of 1∶1 Astragalus Radix+Angelicae Sinensis Radix were strongest. The mechanisms may be related to up-regulating the expression of cell cycle positive regulator, down-regulating the expression of cell cycle negative regulator, thus promoting the cells to enter the proliferation phase from the stationary phase.

Combination of total Astragalus extract and total Panax notoginseng saponins strengthened the protective effects on brain damage through improving energy metabolism and inhibiting apoptosis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of the combination between total Astragalus extract (TAE) and total Panax notoginseng saponins (TPNS) against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group, model group, TAE (110 mg/kg) group, TPNS (115 mg/kg) group, TAE-TPNS combination group and Edaravone (4 mg/kg) group, treated for 4 days, then, cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury was established by bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) ligation for 20 min followed by reperfusion for 1 and 24 h.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>TPNS could increase adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, TAE and TAE-TPNS combination increased ATP, adenosine diphosphate (ADP) contents and Na-K-ATPase activity, and the effects of TAE-TPNS combination were stronger than those of TAE or TPNS alone after reperfusion for 1 h. After reperfusion for 24 h, TAE, TPNS and TAE-TPNS combination significantly increased neurocyte survival rate and decreased the apoptosis rate as well as down-regulated the expression of phosphorylated c-June N-terminal kinase1/2 (p-JNK1/2), cytochrome C (Cyt C), cysteine aspartic acid-specific protease (Caspase)-9 and Caspase-3. Furthermore, the effects in TAE-TPNS combination were better than those in TAE or TPNS alone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The combination of TAE 110 mg/kg and TPNS 115 mg/kg could strengthen protective effects on cerebral ischemia injury, the mechanism underlying might be related to improving jointly the early energy metabolism, and relieving the delayed apoptosis via inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway of JNK signal transduction.</p>

Effects of astragaloside IV combined with active components of Panax notoginseng on apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress in brain tissues after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in mice / 中草药

Objective: To probe the effects and mechanisms of astragaloside IV combined with the active components from Panax notoginseng on apoptosis of nerve cells through endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in mice. Methods: C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into Sham, model, astragaloside IV (AST IV), ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), ginsenoside Rb1(Rb1), notoginsenoside R1 (R1), four active components combination, AST IV + Rg1, AST IV + Rb1, AST IV + R1 and Edaravone group, pretreated for 3 d. After 1 h of the last administration, the model of cerebral I/R injury was established by bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) ligation followed by reperfusion, then TUNEL method was used to detect the apoptosis in hippocampal CA1 and apoptosis rate was calculated; The expression of cysteine aspartic acid specific protease (Caspase-3), glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78), Caspase-12 and phosphorylated C-Jun amino terminal enzyme (p-JNK1/2) proteins in brain tissues was tested by Western-blotting at 24 h after reperfusion. Results: After cerebral ischemia for 20 min followed by reperfusion 24 h, the apoptosis rate of nerve cell in hippocampal CA1 and the expression of Caspase-3 protein in brain tissues were increased. All drugs could decrease the apoptosis rate and inhibit Caspase-3 protein expression. Furthermore, the decreased effects of AST IV + Rg1 and AST IV + R1 on the apoptosis rate and Caspase-3 protein expression were better than those of the active components alone; In the four active components combination, the decrease of the apoptosis rate was stronger than that of the four active components alone and the inhibition of AST IV + Rb1 on Caspase-3 was greater than that of the four active components alone as well as AST IV + Rb1 and AST IV + R1. After the cerebral I/R, the expression of GRP78 and Caspase-12, p-JNK1/2 proteins were up-regulated. AST IV, Rg1, R1, and the combinations could further increase GRP78 protein expression in brain tissues, and the effect of the combinations was better than that of the active components alone; The effect of the four active components combination was better than that of AST IV + Rb1 and AST IV + R1. R1, the four active components combination, AST IV + Rg1, and AST IV + R1 could down-regulate Caspase-12 protein, and the effect of the four active components combination was more obvious than that of the four active components alone and AST IV + Rb1. The expression of p-JNK1/2 in AST IV, Rg1, the four active components combination, AST IV + Rg1, and AST IV + Rb1 was decreased, the decrease in the four active components combination was stronger than that in the four active components alone as well as AST IV + Rg1 and AST IV + R1. Conclusion: AST IV combined with the effective components from P. notoginseng has the potentiation on the inhibition of apoptosis, and the mechanism underlying might be associated with relieving ERS via different links. AST IV + Rb1 might affect JNK pathway and AST IV + R1 might act on the Caspase-12 pathway; Moreover, the four active components combination and AST IV + Rg1 could act on both Caspase-12 and JNK.

Autophagy in cerebral ischemia and the effects of traditional Chinese medicine / 中西医结合学报

Autophagy is a lysosome-mediated degradation process for non-essential or damaged cellular constituents, playing an important homeostatic role in cell survival, differentiation and development to maintain homeostasis. Autophagy is involved in tumors as well as neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Recently, active compounds from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) have been found to modulate the levels of autophagy in tumor cells, nerve cells, myocardial cells and endothelial cells. Ischemic stroke is a major cause of neurological disability and places a heavy burden on family and society. Regaining function can significantly reduce dependence and improve the quality of life of stroke survivors. In healthy cells, autophagy plays a key role in adapting to nutritional deprivation and eliminating aggregated proteins, however inappropriate activation of autophagy may lead to cell death in cerebral ischemia. This paper reviews the process and the molecular basis of autophagy, as well as its roles in cerebral ischemia and the roles of TCM in modulating its activity.

Observation of long-term efficacy and life quality in allergic rhinitis treated with acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the long-term efficacy and patient's life quality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-nine patients were randomized into the combined acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding therapy group (combined therapy group, 36 cases) and an acupuncture-moxibustion group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied at Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23), Tongtian (BL 7) and Zusanli (ST 36). Moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the combined therapy group, on the basis of the treatment as acupuncture-moxibustion group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed before and after treatment as well as in the 4-weeks follow-up after the end of treatment respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The markedly effective rate was 72.7% (24/33) in the combined therapy group and 48.4% (15/31) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group after treatment. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was 57.6% (19/33) in the combined therapy group and was 22. 6% (7/31) in the 4-week follow-up after treatment, indicating the long-term efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (P<0. 05). Scores of RQLO after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment in both groups were improved as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). In 4-week follow-up, the improvements in sleep and affection in the combined therapy group were superior to the acupuncture-moxibustion group (3.27 +/- 3.23 vs 4.61 +/- 3.56, 3.48 +/- 3.67 vs 5.81 +/- 4.15, both P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and display the more roles in the long-term efficacy.</p>

Relationship between the polymorphism of growth hormone receptor Ex3 and the efficacy of rhGH treatment in children with idiopathic short stature / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the influence of growth hormone receptor (GHR) Ex3 genotype on the short-term response to recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) therapy in children with idiopathic short stature (ISS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty prepubertal children with ISS receiving rhGH treatment [0.116±0.02 IU/(kg/d)] were randomly recruited. The GHR Ex3 locus was genotyped using a PCR multiplex assay. The growth data including growth velocity, height SDS for chronological age (HtSDSCA), height SDS for bone age (HtSDSBA) and predict final height were compared in children with different GHR genotypes 6 months after rhGH treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 6 months of rhGH treatment, the children with ISS carrying d3/d3 alleles showed a significantly higher increment in growth velocity than those carrying fl/fl alleles (6.3±1.6 cm/year vs 3.4±0.5 cm/year; P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The polymorphism in GHR Ex3 is associated with the responsiveness to rhGH treatment, showing that the growth velocity in ISS children with d3/d3 genotype is significantly higher than those with fl/fl genotype.</p>

Application of ThinPrep cytology test in the diagnosis of lung cancer / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the diagnostic value of ThinPrep cytology test (TCT) in lung cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>353 cases of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and(or) bronchial brushing cytology (192 cases from lung cancer patients and 161 cases from benign lung disease patients) were detected with TCT and method of direct smear, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of two methods was compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sensitivity and specificity of TCT were 39.6% and 99.4%. And which of direct smear method were 8.3% and 100%, respectively. The sensitivity of TCT was significantly higher than that of method of direct smear in the diagnosis of lung cancer (P < 0.01). There were 71 patients who underwent BALF and bronchial brushing cytology simultaneously, the sensitivity of TCT of BALF was higher than that of bronchial brushing cytology (P < 0.05). Of the 69 cases which had both TCT and histopathological results, TCT and pathology concordance rate was 84.1%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TCT has more diagnostic value in lung cancer; BALF is more preponderant than bronchial brushing cytology by TCT in the diagnosis of lung cancer.</p>

Determination of anthraquinone in Semen Cassiae from different regions by HPLC / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the content of 7 anthraquinones in Semen Cassiae.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>A HPLC method was developed, with Inertsil ODS-3 column, acetonitrile and 0.1% H3PO4 solution as mobile phases in gradient elution. The detection wavelength wasset at 278 nm, and the flow rate was 0.8 mL x min(-1).</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Recoveries of all 7 anthraquinones were between 95%-105%. The content of the anthraquinones in crude drug produced in different habitation were different.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method is convenient and accurate, which provides the foundation for the research of Semen Cassiae.</p>

Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration treatment for acute hypernatremia / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVHF) for acute hypernatremia.@*METHODS@#Seven patients with hypernatremia were studied and treated with CVVHF. The serum sodium concentration and its remedy speed, creatinine, osmolarity, and blood pressure, etc were observed before and after CVVHF.@*RESULTS@#The patients were treated with CVVHF averagely for 40 hours. The serum sodium concentration, creatinine, osmolarity after the treatment decreased significantly and the APACHE II scores significantly improved. Among the 5 coma patients, 2 patients's consciousness was improved.@*CONCLUSION@#CVVHF is effective and can be a new method for treating acute hypernatremia.

Clinical significance of hMAM mRNA detection in bone marrow of breast carcinoma patient / 中华肿瘤杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of the human mammoglobin (hMAM) mRNA in bone marrow and its clinical significance in the breast cancer patient.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression of hMAM mRNA was detected using nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the bone marrow aspiration sample from 75 breast cancer patients, 15 patients with benign breast lesions and 8 healthy volunteers as control. The possible correlation of hMAM mRNA expression with clinico-pathological parameters and related molecular markers such as Ki67, p53 and VEGF were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sensitivity of RT-PCR in this series reached 10(-6). The hMAM mRNA was found to be positively expressed by RT-PCR in 21 of 75 breast cancer patients with a positive rate of 28.0%. However, hMAM mRNA expression was not detected in the bone marrow aspiration samples from patients with benign breast lesions and healthy volunteers. The hMAM mRNA expression was positively correlated with axillary nodal involvement and progesterone receptor (PR) status (P < 0.05) as well as Ki67 expression in breast cancer tissue (chi2 = 4.936, P = 0.026), but not with age, tumor size, clinical stage, or estrogen receptor (ER) status (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>RT-PCR is quite sensitive and has a high specificity in detecting the presence of hMAM mRNA in the bone marrow from breast cancer patients. Thereupon, hMAM mRNA may be useful as a molecular biomarker in detecting disseminated tumor cells (DTC) in the bone marrow of breast cancer patients. Positive hMAM mRNA expression result may have an impact upon therapeutic recommendations and patients' prognostic judgement.</p>

Quality assessment of Coptis chinensis in China / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the dynamic change of the ingredients of Coptis chinensis and evaluate the quality of the crude drugs from main producing areas.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The ingredients of samples from Shizhu and Wuxi counties in Chongqing, Hongya and Dayi counties in Sichuan, Zhenping county in Shanxi, Lichuan county in Hubei were analyzed for berberine, coptisine, jatrorrhizine, palmatine and the total alkaloids by HPLC and UV methods.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>The contents of measured indexes were mostly highest in 5-years-old C. chinensis. Considering factors such as the yield, it is reasonable to harvest the 5-years-old C. chinensis. There are minor differences in condents of C. chinensis from different areas, all tested samples met the pharmacopoeial standards. It is concluded that the general quality of C. chinensis was good and acceptable.</p>