Prognosis analysis of radical or modified radical hysterectomy and simple hysterectomy in patients with stage Ⅱ endometrial cancer / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective: To compare the prognosis and perioperative situation of patients with stage Ⅱ endometrial cancer (EC) between radical hysterectomy/modified radical hysterectomy (RH/mRH) and simple hysterectomy (SH). Methods: A total of 47 patients diagnosed EC with stage Ⅱ [International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009] by postoperative pathology, from January 2006 to January 2021 in Peking University People's Hospital, were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were (54.4±10.7) years old, and the median follow-up time was 65 months (ranged 9-138 months). They were divided into RH/mRH group (n=14) and SH group (n=33) according to the scope of operation. Then the prognosis of patients between the groups were compared, and the independent prognostic factors of stage Ⅱ EC were explored. Results: (1) The proportions of patients with hypertension in RH/mRH group and SH group were 2/14 and 45% (15/33), the amounts of intraoperative blood loss were (702±392) and (438±298) ml, and the incidence of postoperative complications were 7/14 and 15% (5/33), respectively. There were significant differences (all P<0.05). (2) The median follow-up time of RH/mRH group and SH group were 72 vs 62 months, respectively (P=0.515). According to Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank method, the results showed that there were no significant difference in 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate (94.3% vs 84.0%; P=0.501), and 5-year overall survival rate (92.3% vs 92.9%; P=0.957) between the two groups. Cox survival analysis indicated that age, pathological type, serum cancer antigen 125 (CA125), and estrogen receptor (ER) status were associated with 5-year PFS rate (all P<0.05). But the scope of hysterectomy (RH/mRH and SH) did not affect the 5-year PFS rate of stage Ⅱ EC patients (P=0.508). And level of serum CA125 and ER status were independent prognostic factors for 5-year PFS rate (all P<0.05). Conclusions: This study could not find any survival benefit from RH/mRH for stage Ⅱ EC, but increases the incidence of postoperative complications. Therefore, the necessity of extending the scope of hysterectomy is questionable.

Hepatotoxicity and mechanism of Rhododendri Mollis Flos based on zebrafish model / 中国中药杂志

This study used the zebrafish model to explore the hepatotoxicity of Rhododendri Mollis Flos(RMF). The mortality was calculated according to the number of the survival of zebrafish larvae 4 days after fertilization under different concentration of RMF, and the dose-toxicity curve was fitted to preliminarily evaluate the toxicity of RMF. The liver phenotypes under the sublethal concentration of RMF in the treatment group and the blank control group were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and acridine orange(AO) staining. Meanwhile, the activities of alanine aminotransferase(ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase(AST) were determined to confirm the hepatotoxicity of RMF. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to determine the expressions of genes and proteins in zebrafish larvae. Gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry(GC-TOF-MS) was used to conduct untargeted metabolomics testing to explore the mechanism. The results showed that the toxicity of RMF to zebrafish larvae was dose-dependent, with 1 100 μg·mL~(-1) of the absolute lethal concentration and 448 μg·mL~(-1) of sublethal concentration. The hepatocyte apoptosis and degeneration appeared in the zebrafish larvae under the sublethal concentration of RMF. The content of ALT and AST in zebrafish larvae at the end of the experiment was significantly increased in a dose-dependent manner. Under the sublethal concentration, the expressions of genes and proteins related to apoptosis in zebrafish larvae were significantly increased as compared with the blank control group. The results of untargeted metabolomics showed that the important metabolites related to the he-patotoxicity of RMF were mainly enriched in alanine, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and other pathways. In conclusion, it is inferred that RMF has certain hepatotoxicity to zebrafish larvae, and its mechanism may be related to apoptosis.

Application of nanotechnology in local anesthetic drug sustained release and light-responsive controlled release / 药学学报

Local anesthetic drugs are commonly used to block the conduction function of patient's nerves temporarily for anesthesia during surgery or to provide targeted analgesia after trauma. Compared with general anesthetics, local anesthetics makes less impact on the physiological status and alleviates pain complications in the presence of clear consciousness. However, its clinical application is still limited by its systemic toxicity, as well as toxicity to nerves and muscles, duration of action and lack of penetration. Nanotechnology can help it penetrate the physiological barrier, prolong the time of nerve block, and reduce toxic side effects. In addition, by building a light-responsive release system, local anesthetics can be released on demand, enhancing drug effectiveness and safety. However, in addition to the problems of poor consistency and high production costs, the system of light response release is still limited in application due to the limitation of the depth of penetration of the tissue. According to the current research progress, this paper briefly introduces and analyzes the main dosage forms, hoping to provide new ideas for the responsive release of local anesthetic drugs.

The Pathology of Primary Familial Brain Calcification: Implications for Treatment / 神经科学通报·英文版

Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder mainly characterized by progressive calcium deposition bilaterally in the brain, accompanied by various symptoms, such as dystonia, ataxia, parkinsonism, dementia, depression, headaches, and epilepsy. Currently, the etiology of PFBC is largely unknown, and no specific prevention or treatment is available. During the past 10 years, six causative genes (SLC20A2, PDGFRB, PDGFB, XPR1, MYORG, and JAM2) have been identified in PFBC. In this review, considering mechanistic studies of these genes at the cellular level and in animals, we summarize the pathogenesis and potential preventive and therapeutic strategies for PFBC patients. Our systematic analysis suggests a classification for PFBC genetic etiology based on several characteristics, provides a summary of the known composition of brain calcification, and identifies some potential therapeutic targets for PFBC.

Correlation between consumption of probiotic products and post-stroke depression in patients with ischemic stroke / 国际脑血管病杂志

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the consumption level of probiotic products and post-stroke depression (PSD).Methods:Patients with ischemic stroke visited the Department of Neurology, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from May 2021 to January 2022 were prospectively enrolled. According to self-rating depression scale (SDS), they were divided into PSD group (SDS score ≥53) and non-PSD group (SDS score <53). The influence factors of PSD were determined by comparing the demographic data, clinical data and consumption level of probiotic products between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between PSD and the consumption level of probiotic products. Results:A total of 120 patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled, including 39 (32.5%) in the PSD group and 81 (67.5%) in the non-PSD group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for potential confounding factors, the severity of infarction (odds ratio 1.276, 95% confidence interval 1.138-1.432; P<0.001) and the consumption level of probiotic products (odds ratio 0.300, 95% confidence interval 0.098-0.916; P=0.035) were the independent influencing factors of PSD. Conclusion:The consumption level of probiotic products is an independent protective factor for PSD, and higher consumption level of probiotic products is associated with lower PSD incidence.

Meta-analysis on efficacy of PCI treatment or conservative treatment among patients with chronic total occlusions / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To compare the efficacy between percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and conservative medication treatment in chronic total occlusions (CTO) patients. Methods: It was a meta-analysis.Articles on drug therapy and PCI for complete coronary artery occlusion were retrieved from Pubmed, Embase and Web of Science databases. The search time was from the database construction to May 10, 2020, and the following search criteria were used for the search "chronic total occlusion" "percutaneous coronary intervention" and "medical therapy". References from searched literatures were also searched to identify more eligible studies. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) and cohort studies comparing efficacy of PCI versus oral medication as well as medication as initial therapy option for CTO patients with single or multiple lesions were included. The primary endpoints included all-cause death, cardiac death, recurrent myocardial infarction, re-revascularization, major adverse cardiac events (MACE) and stroke. Data were analyzed with ReviewManager5.3.0 software. Pooled effect size RR and 95%CI were calculated by randomization effect model. Heterogeneity was evaluated by I2. Bege test was used to evaluate publication bias. Subgroup analyses were performed for RCT and cohort studies. Results: A total of 1 079 articles were retrieved and 16 studies (RCT=4, cohort study=12) were included with 12 223 patients. Fourteen publications (RCT=4, cohort study=10) reported all-cause death post PCI and/or drug therapy. Results showed that risk of all-cause death was significantly lower in PCI group than in drug therapy group (RR=0.45,95%CI 0.39-0.53,P<0.001);subgroup analysis showed that risk of all-cause death was significantly lower in PCI group than in drug therapy group from cohort studies (RR=0.44,95%CI 0.38-0.52,P<0.001),but comparable in RCT (P=0.27). Thirteen studies (RCT=3, cohort study=10) reported cardiac death post PCI and/or drug therapy. Results showed that risk of cardiac death was significantly lower in PCI group than in drug therapy group (RR=0.44,95%CI 0.35-0.55,P<0.001);subgroup analysis showed that risk of cardiac death was significantly lower in PCI group than in drug therapy group in cohort studies (RR=0.43,95%CI 0.34-0.54,P<0.001),but not in RCT (P=0.25). Fourteen publications (RCT=4, cohort study=10) reported recurrent myocardial infarction post PCI and/or drug therapy. Results showed that risk of recurrent myocardial infarction was significantly lower in PCI group than in drug therapy group (RR=0.62,95%CI 0.44-0.88,P=0.007);subgroup analysis showed that risk of recurrent myocardial infarction was significantly lower in PCI group than in drug therapy group from cohort studies (RR=0.56,95%CI 0.40-0.78,P=0.000 5),but comparable in RCT (P=0.17). Fourteen publications (RCT=4, cohort study=10) reported re-revascularization post PCI and/or drug therapy. Results showed that risk of re-revascularization was comparable between PCI group and drug therapy group (P=0.91);subgroup analysis showed that risk of re-revascularization was comparable between PCI group and drug therapy group both in cohort study and RCT (P=0.60 and 0.41, respectively). Eleven publications (RCT=3, cohort study=8) reported MACE post PCI and/or drug therapy. Results showed that risk of MACE was significantly lower in PCI group than in drug therapy group (RR=0.74,95%CI 0.59-0.93,P=0.03);subgroup analysis showed that risk of MACE was significantly lower in PCI group than in drug therapy group in cohort studies (RR=0.72,95%CI 0.56-0.93,P=0.01), but not in RCT (P=0.8). Six publications (RCT=2, cohort study=4) reported stroke post PCI and/or drug therapy. Results showed that risk of stroke was comparable between PCI and drug therapy groups (RR=0.62,95%CI 0.32-1.20, P=0.15);subgroup analysis showed that risk of stroke was comparable between PCI and drug therapy groups both in cohort studies and RCT (P=0.48 and 0.32, respectively). Conclusion: Compared with oral drug therapy, PCI may have better efficacy for CTO patients based on results from this cohort study.

Clinical Randomized Controlled Observation of Modified Wuhutang in Treatment of Acute Asthma in Children / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical effect of modified Wuhutang in the treatment of children with acute asthma. MethodA total of 130 children with acute asthma were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group， with 65 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with modified Wuhutang and the control group was treated with procaterol hydrochloride for one week. The scores of primary symptoms （wheezing， cough， shortness of breath， and chest tightness） and secondary symptoms （mental status， runny nose， dry mouth， tongue texture， tongue coating， stool， etc.）， lung functions， immunoglobulin E （IgE） expression， eosinophil （EOS） count， and serum inflammatory factors， including interleukin （IL）-5， IL-6， IL-8， and IL-1β in two groups before and after treatment were compared. ResultThe data of 126 children were statistically analyzed. As revealed by the results， compared with the conditions before treatment， the scores of primary symptoms and secondary symptoms， serum levels of IL， IgE expression， and EOS count were both reduced in two groups （P<0.05）， lung functions were increased in the two groups（P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group showed decreased scores of cough and secondary symptoms （P<0.05）， and insignificant decrease in IL-1β （P<0.05）. The improvement in lung functions， IgE expression， and EOS count in observation group was equivalent to that in control group. ConclusionModified Wuhutang for treatment of acute asthma in children （phlegm-heat obstructing lung syndrome） can significantly relieve the clinical symptoms， improve lung functions， and reduce IgE， IL-5， IL-6， IL-8， IL-1β expression levels and EOS count， and its overall clinical efficacy is superior or equivalent to that of tprocaterol hydrochloride.

Correlation analysis between corneal biomechanical parameters and high-order aberrations in myopia children / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the correlation between corneal biomechanical parameters measured by the corneal visualization Scheimpflug Technology(Corvis ST)and corneal high-order aberrations(HOAs)in children with mild to moderate myopia.METHODS:A cross-sectional study. A total of 255 pediatric patients with myopia enrolled from April to July 2021 in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital were continuously collected, and all the right eyes were taken for analysis. Corneal biomechanical parameters were obtained from Corvis ST. Pentacam three-dimensional anterior segment analyzer was used to measure total corneal higher-order aberrations(RMSh), third order aberrations(RMS3)and fourth order aberrations(RMS4).RESULTS:RMS3 was positively correlated with the second applanation time(A2T)(r=0.175, P=0.009)and negatively correlated with the axis length(AL)(r=-0.155, P=0.014). RMS4 was negatively correlated with the highest concavity radius(HCR)(r=-0.165, P=0.009). RMSh was negatively correlated with HCR and AL(r=-0.152, P=0.037; r=-0.175, P=0.005).CONCLUSION:There is a correlation between corneal biomechanical parameters and HOAs in children with myopia. Cornea with higher stiffness and stronger deformation resistance has smaller RMS3, RMS4 and RMSh.

Qi-Tai-Suan, an oleanolic acid derivative, ameliorates ischemic heart failure via suppression of cardiac apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis / 中国天然药物

Although anti-thrombotic therapy has been successful for prevention of deaths from acute myocardial infarction (MI), by far, there are few preventive and therapeutic options for ischemic heart failure (IHF) after MI. Qi-Tai-Suan (QTS) is an oleanolic acid (OA) derivative which once underwent a clinical trial for treating hepatitis. In this study, we investigated the potential cardioprotective effect of QTS on IHF. IHF mouse model was constructed by coronary artery ligation in male C57BL/6J mice, and the protective effects of QTS on IHF were examined by echocardiography measurement, histological and TUNEL analysis, etc. We found that QTS exhibited promising cardioprotective effect on IHF. QTS treatment significantly improved cardiac function of IHF mice and the symptoms of heart failure. Notably, QTS had much better oral bioavailability (F = 41.91%) in mice than its parent drug OA, and took effects mainly as its original form. Mechanistically, QTS ameliorated ischemic heart failure likely through suppression of cardiac apoptosis, inflammation and fibrosis. Taken together, QTS holds great promise as a preventive and therapeutic agent for ischemic heart failure and related diseases.

Study on liver diseases with zebrafish as an important tool / 中国中药杂志

With the increasing incidence of hepatobiliary diseases, it is particularly important to understand the role of molecular, cellular and physiological factors in the clinical diagnosis and treatment with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) in the development of liver disease. Appropriate animal models can help us identify the possible mechanisms of relevant diseases. Danio rerio(zebrafish) model was traditionally used to study embryonic development, and has been gradually used in screening and evaluation of liver diseases and relevant drug in recent years. Zebrafish embryos develop rapidly and the digestive organs of 5-day-old juvenile fish are all mature. At this stage, they may develop hepatobiliary diseases induced by developmental defects or compounds. Zebrafish liver is similar to human liver in cell composition, function, signal transduction, response to injury and cell process mediating liver disease. Furthermore, due to the high conservation of genes and proteins between humans and zebrafish, zebrafish becomes an alternative system for studying basic mechanisms of liver disease. Therefore, genetic screening could be performed to identify new genes involving specific disease processes, and chemical screening could be made for drugs in specific processes. This paper briefly introduced the experimental properties of zebrafish as model system, emphasized the study progress of zebrafish models for pathological mechanism of liver diseases, especially fatty liver, and drug screening and evaluation, so as to provide ideas and techniques for the future liver toxicity assessment of TCM.

Urodynamic assessment of bladder storage function after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#After radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer, the most common complication is lower urinary tract symptoms. Post-operatively, bladder capacity can alter bladder function for a prolonged period. This study aimed to identify factors affecting bladder storage function.@*METHODS@#A multicenter, retrospective cohort study was conducted. Information of patients with stages IA2 to IIB cervical cancer with urodynamic study results were retrospectively collected from nine hospitals between June 2013 and June 2018 according to the inclusion criteria. Demographic, surgical, and oncological data were collected. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify clinical factors associated with bladder storage function.@*RESULTS@#Two hundred and three patients with cervical cancer had urodynamic testing post-operatively. Ninety-five (46.8%) patients were diagnosed with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). The incidence of low bladder compliance (LBC) was 23.2%. Twenty-seven (13.3%) patients showed detrusor overactivity (DO). Fifty-seven patients (28.1%) presented with a decreased maximum cystometric capacity (DMCC). The probability of composite bladder storage dysfunction was 68.0%. Multivariate analysis confirmed that laparoscopy represents a protective factor for SUI with an odds ratio of 0.498 (P = 0.034). Patients who underwent a nerve-sparing procedure were less odds to experience SUI (P = 0.014). A significant positive correlation between LBC and DO was observed (P < 0.001). A greater length of the resected vagina and chemoradiotherapy were common risk factors for LBC and DO, while radiotherapy exerted a stronger effect than chemotherapy. Additionally, patients who received chemoradiotherapy frequently developed a DMCC. The follow-up time was not correlated with bladder storage function.@*CONCLUSION@#A nerve-sparing procedure without longer resected vagina is recommended for protecting the bladder storage function.

Correlation of Transluminal Attenuation Gradientdistal with Corrected Contrast Opacification with Anterior Coronary Atherosclerosis / 中国医学科学院学报

To explore the correlation between the transluminal attenuation gradient with corrected contrast opacification(TAG-CCO)and the severity of atherosclerotic stenosis in the anterior segment of myocrardial bridge(MB). The imaging data of 200 patients diagnosed with left anterior descending branch(LAD)single MB and coronary atherosclerosis in the anterior segment of MB were retrospectively analyzed.According to MB types,the patients were divided into two groups:incomplete and complete.There were some significant differences in TAG-CCO between patients with the same degree of coronary atherosclerosis(mild,moderate,and severe stenosis)in two groups.The relationships among groups with different degrees(mild,moderate,and severe stenosis)of the same type of MB were further compared. Among 84 patients with complete MB,36,30,and 18 patients had mild,moderate,or severe coronary atherosclerosis in the anterior segment of MB;among 116 patients with incomplete MB,45,42,and 29 patients had mild,moderate,or severe coronary atherosclerosis in the anterior segment of MB.In the complete MB group,the TAG-CCO in the anterior segment of MB subgroups were(-0.0086±0.0014)/10 mm,(-0.0170±0.0180)/10 mm,and(-0.0230±0.0026)/10 mm,respectively,in mild,moderate,and severe subgroups( = 404.728, <0.001).In the incomplete MB group,the TAG-CCO of patients with mild,moderate and severe coronary stenosis in the anterior segment of MB were(-0.0039±0.0011)/10 mm,(-0.0100±0.0140)/10 mm,and(-0.0160±0.0020)/10 mm,respectively,and the difference among the different stenosis groups was statistically significant( = 17.756, < 0.001);the TAG-CCO of patients with mild( = 16.519, < 0.001),moderate( = 2.570, = 0.012)and severe anterior segment coronary stenosis( = 10.714, < 0.001)were significantly lower in the complete MB group than in the incomplete MB group. TAG-CCO is correlated with the MB type and the degree of anterior coronary artery stenosis.Thus,TAG-CCO can be used as a predictive indicator for the degree of atheroscleratic stenosis in the anterior segment of MB.

Simultaneous Determination of Seven Components in Blossoms of Inula nervosa by UHPLC / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To establish an ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method for simultaneous determination of seven components(chlorogenic acid, 3, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 1, 5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, quercetin, kaempferol and thymol) in blossoms of Inula nervosa, and provide references for its quality control. Method::The separation was performed on an Agilent Poroshell 120 C18 column (3.0 mm×100 mm, 2.7 μm) with 0.1% formic acid(A) and methyl (B)as mobile phase for gradient elution(0-4 min, 2%B; 4-6 min, 2%-5%B; 6-10 min, 5%-10%B; 10-20 min, 10%-20%B; 20-30 min, 20%-27%B; 30-37 min, 27%-25%B, 37-45 min, 25%-32%B; 45-68 min, 32%-58%B; 68-75 min, 58%-25%B; 75-82 min, 25%-2%B; 82-90 min, 2%B). The flow rate was 0.3 mL·min-1 and the detection wavelength was 254 nm. Result::There was a good linear relationship between the concentration and peak area of all the seven components in the investigated concentration range (r>0.999). The average recoveries ranged from 97.80% to 101.28% with RSD≤3.0%. Cluster analysis of SPSS software and principal component analysis of SIMCA software can be used to intuitively classify samples from four different origins. Conclusion::The established method is simple and fast with high precision, which can be used to compare the differences of blossoms of Inula nervosa from different origins and efficiently control its quality.

Correlation between Coronary Artery Tortuosity and Stenosis in Patients with Myocardial Bridge / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To analyze the correlation between tortuosity and stenosis in patients with myocardial bridge(MB)on the left anterior descending artery(LAD). Methods Data of patients with MB on the LAD,which was discovered by coronary computed tomography angiography(CCTA),in the Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from October 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them 278 patients with tortuosity on LAD and 278 patients without tortuosity were selected.The clinical charateristics(age,gender,hypertension,hyperlipidemia,diabetes,smoking history,and family history)as well as the incidence and severity of stenosis of LAD were recorded and compared. Results The incidence of coronary artery stenosis in the non-tortuosity group(57.6%)was significantly lower than that in the tortuosity group(71.9%)($\bar{χ}$=12.608,

Secukinumab demonstrates high efficacy and a favorable safety profile over 52 weeks in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, affecting about 0.6% of the Chinese population. Many patients are not well controlled by conventional treatments, thus there is need for new treatment regimens. In this study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of secukinumab in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.@*METHODS@#This study was a 52-week, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group, Phase 3 trial. A sub-population of study participants (≥18 years) of Chinese ethnicity were randomized to receive subcutaneous injections of 300 or 150 mg secukinumab, or placebo. The co-primary endpoints were psoriasis area severity index (PASI) 75 and Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA) 0/1 at Week 12.@*RESULTS@#A total of 441 Chinese patients were enrolled in this study. Co-primary outcomes were achieved; 300 and 150 mg secukinumab were superior to placebo as shown in the proportion of patients that achieved PASI 75 (97.7% and 87.2% vs. 3.7%, respectively; P < 0.001), and IGA 0/1 (82.3% and 69.7% vs. 2.7%; P < 0.001) at Week 12. Treatment efficacy was maintained until Week 52. There was no increase in overall adverse events with secukinumab relative to placebo throughout the 52-week period.@*CONCLUSION@#Secukinumab is highly effective and well tolerated in Chinese patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03066609; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT03066609.

Effects of alprostadil in β-aminopropanitrile induced aortic dissection in a murine model / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the protective role of alprostadil on aortic dissection. Methods: 26 C57BL6 male mice were divided into control group (normal drinking water, n=13) and model group (1 g·kg-1·d-1 BAPN via drinking water, n=13). On day 14, mRNA expression of inflammatory-related genes as well as EP receptor families were detected by RT-PCR (n=6 each) and EP4 protein levels were determined by Western blot (n=7 each). Another 88 mice were divided into 3 groups: control group (n=22), model group (n=33) and treatment group (n=33). The mice in model group and treatment group were applied with BAPN (1 g·kg-1·d-1) via drinking water. The mice in treatment group received additional intraperitoneal injection with alprostadil (80 μg·kg-1·d-1) for 28 days. The mice in the control and model group received equal volume intraperitoneal injection with 0.9% saline respectively. The body weight and systolic blood pressure, the mortality and morbidity were monitored from the beginning until the designed end of the study. On day 28, the mice were sacrificed and aorta were fixed, embedded and sliced, followed by staining with HE and Victoria Blue. The distribution of EP4 was determined by immunohistochemistry in control (n=6) and model group (n=6). Furthermore, the concentration of PGE1 were tested among model (n=3) and treatment group (n=4). EP4 protein expression was determined in model group (n=7) and treatment group (n=6). Results: On day 14, mRNA expression level of MCP-1 ((2.74±1.55) vs. (1.00±0.49),<0.05) and MMP2((1.38±0.42) vs. (1.00±0.27), P<0.05) was significantly upregulated in model group compared with control group. Protein expression of EP4 receptor also increased in aorta in model group compared with control group (1.48±0.51 vs. 1.00±0.19, P<0.05). In the dissection area, the EP4 expression was also enriched compared with non-dissection area, particularly in endothelial cells and inflammatory cells on day 28. BAPN applied in drinking water (model and treatment groups) successfully induced the aortic dissection in mice, some mice died of the rupture. The elastic fibers were fractured, and the infiltrated immune cells were visible in dissected tissue. False lumen was formed. There was no dissection and death in the control group. Compared with control group, the morbidity and mortality rates were significantly increased in the model group (60.6%, 20/33, 30.3%, 10/33) and the treatment group (72.7%, 24/33, 24.2%, 8/33). The mortality and morbidity rates were similar between model and treatment groups. There is no difference in terms of SBP among three groups (P>0.05). Further study showed that after alprostadil injection, the blood concentration of PGE1 was increased in treatment group ((0.540±0.041 vs. 0.436±0.012)μmol/L, P<0.05). Besides, the EP4 receptor expression was downregulated in the treatment group compared to model group (0.60±0.30 vs. 1.00±0.20, P<0.05). Conclusion: EP4 expression is upregulated in BAPN induced aortic dissection mouse model. No protective effects are observed post alprostadil treatment in this model probably due to the reduced expression of EP4.

Research Progress on Processing of Polygalae Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Polygalae Radix， a traditional Chinese medicine， has the functions of improving intelligence， calming nerves， relieving cough and eliminating phlegm. Its processing methods are various， but the purpose of processing is to reduce toxicity and increase efficiency. In this paper， the methods of ancient processing， such as cleansing， cutting， processing with excipient and processing without excipient， were summarized， the processing methods of Polygalae Radix in the different versions of Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the local processing specifications were summarized， in order to compare the differences and research progress of different processing methods. On this basis， taking the modern research of processed products of Polygalae Radix as the breakthrough point， this paper reviewed the modern research on processed products of Polygalae Radix from the aspects of processing technology， chemical composition changes and pharmacodynamics changes before and after processing， and the mechanism of reducing toxicity and increasing efficiency. Based on the research status of processing of Polygalae Radix， some existing problems were analyzed in this paper， including not many ancient processing methods used in modern times， lack of standardized research on processing technology， few studies on the ingredients introduced by excipients， etc. The author thinks that it is necessary to strengthen the research on the ancient processing of Polygalae Radix combined with processing methods with local characteristics. While discussing the processing technology， combining with the composition and efficacy， we should carry out in-depth research on the processing mechanism of different processing products of Polygalae Radix， so as to provide scientific basis for the rationality of processing of Polygalae Radix and ensure the clinical safety of medication.

Identification of new fusion genes and their clinical significance in endometrial cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Background@#Fusion genes may play an important role in tumorigenesis, prognosis, and drug resistance; however, studies on fusion genes in endometrial cancer (EC) are rare. This study aimed to identify new fusion genes and to explore their clinical significance in EC.@*Methods@#A total of 28 patients diagnosed with EC were enrolled in this study. RNA sequencing was used to obtain entire genomes and transcriptomes. STAR-comparison and STAR-fusion prediction were applied to predict the fusion genes. Chi-square tests and Student t tests were used to verify the clinical significance with SPSS 13.0 software.@*Results@#New fusion genes were found, and the number of fusion genes varied from 3 to 110 among all patients with EC. The type of fusion genes varied and included messenger RNA (mRNA)-mRNA, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-lncRNA, and lncRNA-mRNA. There were six fusion genes with high fusion rates, namely, RP11–123O10.4–GRIP1, RP11–444D3.1–SOX5, RP11– 680G10.1–GSE1, NRIP1–AF127936.7, RP11–96H19.1–RP11–446N19.1, and DPH7–PTP4A3. Further studies showed that these fusion genes are related to stage, grade, and recurrence, in which NRIP1–AF127936.7 and DPH7–PTP4A3 were found only in stage III patients with EC. DPH7–PTP4A3 was found in grades 2 and 3, and recurrent patients with EC.@*Conclusion@#Fusion genes play an essential role in EC. Six genes that are overexpressed with high fusion rates are identified. NRIP1– AF127936.7 and DPH7–PTP4A3 might be related to stage, and DPH7–PTP4A3 be related to grade and recurrence.

Identification of new fusion genes and their clinical significance in endometrial cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Fusion genes may play an important role in tumorigenesis, prognosis, and drug resistance; however, studies on fusion genes in endometrial cancer (EC) are rare. This study aimed to identify new fusion genes and to explore their clinical significance in EC.@*METHODS@#A total of 28 patients diagnosed with EC were enrolled in this study. RNA sequencing was used to obtain entire genomes and transcriptomes. STAR-comparison and STAR-fusion prediction were applied to predict the fusion genes. Chi-square tests and Student t tests were used to verify the clinical significance with SPSS 13.0 software.@*RESULTS@#New fusion genes were found, and the number of fusion genes varied from 3 to 110 among all patients with EC. The type of fusion genes varied and included messenger RNA (mRNA)-mRNA, long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-lncRNA, and lncRNA-mRNA. There were six fusion genes with high fusion rates, namely, RP11-123O10.4-GRIP1, RP11-444D3.1-SOX5, RP11-680G10.1-GSE1, NRIP1-AF127936.7, RP11-96H19.1-RP11-446N19.1, and DPH7-PTP4A3. Further studies showed that these fusion genes are related to stage, grade, and recurrence, in which NRIP1-AF127936.7 and DPH7-PTP4A3 were found only in stage III patients with EC. DPH7-PTP4A3 was found in grades 2 and 3, and recurrent patients with EC.@*CONCLUSION@#Fusion genes play an essential role in EC. Six genes that are overexpressed with high fusion rates are identified. NRIP1-AF127936.7 and DPH7-PTP4A3 might be related to stage, and DPH7-PTP4A3 be related to grade and recurrence.

Analysis and future perspectives of the grants funded by National Natural Science Foundation of China on tumor biomarker research in laboratory medicine from 2010 to 2018 / 中华检验医学杂志

To summarize the projects granted by National Natural Science Foundation of China related to tumor biomarkers in laboratory medicine from 2010 to 2018. The projects are categorized and analyzed according to tumor classification, biochemical properties of biomarkers. What′s more, characters of granted projects of tumor biomarkers in recent 9 years are summarized and development trends are pointed out.