Mechanism of curcumin inhibiting choroidal neovascularization in brown Norway rat / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of curcumin inhibiting the choroidal neovascularization(CNV)of brown Norway(BN)rats.METHODS: CNV model of 36 BN rats was established through laser photocoagulation induction, and they were divided into 6 groups with 6 rats in each group. Normal group was fed normally with no intervention, while 532nm laser photocoagulation was used to establish a experimental CNV model in BN rats. Rats after modeling were respectively intervened for 14d and divided into model group, ranibizumab group, curcumin low [100mg/(kg·d)], medium [200mg/(kg·d)], and high [400mg/(kg·d)] dose group. The model group was given intragastric administration of saline for 14d, ranibizumab(10mg/mL, 0.2mL/dose)was injected at 2d after photocoagulation with 5μL once for rats in ranibizumab group, and different concentrations of curcumin were intragastrically administrated to the rats in low, medium and high groups for 14d. Fundus photography, fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)and indocyanine green angiography(ICGA)examination were performed at 14d after photocoagulation. Ocular histopathological specimens of rats with CNV were made, and the central thickness of CNV were observed by HE staining. Ocular histopathological specimens were made, and the expressions of AKT/p-AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathway-related proteins were observed by immunohistochemistry. The mRNA relative expressions of AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF factor in CNV tissues were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein expressions of AKT/p-AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF factor in CNV tissues were detected by Western-blot.RESULTS: CNV generation rates in the model group, the ranibizumab group, and the low, medium and high-dose curcumin groups were 78.18%, 73.21%, 77.19%, 75.86%, 74.55%, respectively, which were higher than 70%. The average absorbance were 182.12±6.59, 119.22±8.03, 166.45±8.33, 164.34±5.69, 149.22±6.45, respectively; the ranibizumab group was significantly lower than the model group(P<0.05); the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups were significantly higher than the ranibizumab group(P<0.05), and the curcumin high-dose group was significantly lower than the model group(P<0.05). HE staining showed that the retinal tissue structure of BN rats in normal group was clear and neatly arranged. The central thickness of CNV in the ranibizumab group was significantly reduced at 14d after photocoagulation compared with the model group(P<0.05); While the curcumin high-dose group was significantly reduced compared with the model group(P<0.05), but increased when compared with ranibizumab group(P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry results showed that AKT, p-AKT, HIF-1α, and VEGF factors were negatively expressed in the retinal tissue structure of BN rats in the normal group, and no brown-yellow reactants were found. The expression of AKT, p-AKT, HIF-1α, and VEGF factors in the model group were higher than that in the normal group at 14d after photocoagulation(P<0.05); the ranibizumab group was lower than the model group(P<0.05). While the expression of the curcumin high-dose group was significantly decreased compared with the model group(P<0.05), but significantly increased when compared with ranibizumab group(P<0.05). The mRNA results showed that the relative expression levels of AKT, HIF-1α and VEGF mRNA in the model group at 14d after photocoagulation were higher than those of the normal group(P<0.05); the ranibizumab group was lower than the model group(P<0.05). While curcumin high-dose group was significantly decreased compared with the model group(P<0.05), but significantly increased when compared with ranibizumab group(P<0.05). Western-blot results showed that there was no significant difference in the relative expression of AKT protein among each experimental groups at 14d after photocoagulation. The relative expression of p-AKT protein in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group(P<0.05); the ranibizumab group was significantly lower than the model group(P<0.05); the curcumin high-dose group was significantly lower than the model group(P<0.05). The relative expression levels of HIF-1α protein were significantly higher in the model group than in the normal group(P<0.05), and the ranibizumab group was lower than in the model group(P<0.05). The relative expression levels of HIF-1α protein was lower in the curcumin high-dose group than in the model group(P<0.05)but higher than ranibizumab group(P<0.05). The relative expression level of VEGF protein was significantly lower in the curcumin medium/high-dose group than in the model group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Curcumin at 400mg/(kg·d)has an inhibitory effect on CNV in BN rats. The mechanism may be closely related to inhibiting the activation of AKT/p-AKT/HIF-1α/VEGF signaling pathways.

Risk factors associated with malignant vasovagal syncope in children / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and risk factors of malignant vasovagal syncope (VVS) in children. Methods: This was a case-control study. The data of 368 VVS patients who were treated in the Department of Cardiology, Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from June 2017 to December 2021 was collected and analyzed. They were divided into malignant VVS group and non-malignant VVS group according to the presence of sinus arrest, and then their demographic characteristics were compared. The children with malignant VVS and complete clinical information were recruited into the case group and were matched by age and sex (1∶4 ratio) with non-malignant VVS patients during the same period.Their clinical characteristics and lab tests were compared. Independent sample t test, Mann Whitney U or χ2 test was used for comparison between groups.Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for malignant VVS in children. Results: Eleven malignant VVS and 342 non-malignant VVS met the inclusion and exclusion critera. Eleven malignant VVS and 44 non-malignant children were recruited in the case-control study. Ten patients of the 11 malignant VVS had a cardiac arrest occurring at 35 (28, 35) minutes of the head-up tilt test, and the duration of sinus arrest was (9±5) s. One patient had syncope occurring while waiting for drawing blood, and the duration of sinus arrest was 3.4 s. The children with malignant vasovagal syncope were younger than non-malignant VVS patients (9 (7, 10) vs. 12 (10, 14) years old, P<0.05), and had higher mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and standard deviation of the mean cardiac cycle over 5-minute period within 24 hours ((347±9) vs. (340±8) g/L, (124±9) vs. (113±28) ms, both P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that MCHC was an independent risk factor for malignant VVS in pediatric patients (OR=1.13, 95%CI 1.02-1.26, P=0.024). Conclusions: The onset age of malignant VVS was younger, with no other special clinical manifestations. MCHC was an independent risk factor for malignant VVS.

Anterior Cingulate Cortex Mediates Hyperalgesia and Anxiety Induced by Chronic Pancreatitis in Rats / 神经科学通报·英文版

Central sensitization is essential in maintaining chronic pain induced by chronic pancreatitis (CP), but cortical modulation of painful CP remains elusive. Here, we examined the role of the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the pathogenesis of abdominal hyperalgesia in a rat model of CP induced by intraductal administration of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). TNBS treatment resulted in long-term abdominal hyperalgesia and anxiety in rats. Morphological data indicated that painful CP induced a significant increase in FOS-expressing neurons in the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) and ACC, and some FOS-expressing neurons in the NTS projected to the ACC. In addition, a larger portion of ascending fibers from the NTS innervated pyramidal neurons, the neural subpopulation primarily expressing FOS under the condition of painful CP, rather than GABAergic neurons within the ACC. CP rats showed increased expression of vesicular glutamate transporter 1, and increased membrane trafficking and phosphorylation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subunit NR2B and the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) subunit GluR1 within the ACC. Microinjection of NMDAR and AMPAR antagonists into the ACC to block excitatory synaptic transmission significantly attenuated abdominal hyperalgesia in CP rats, which was similar to the analgesic effect of endomorphins injected into the ACC. Specifically inhibiting the excitability of ACC pyramidal cells via chemogenetics reduced both hyperalgesia and comorbid anxiety, whereas activating these neurons via optogenetics failed to aggravate hyperalgesia and anxiety in CP rats. Taken together, these findings provide neurocircuit, biochemical, and behavioral evidence for involvement of the ACC in hyperalgesia and anxiety in CP rats, as well as novel insights into the cortical modulation of painful CP, and highlights the ACC as a potential target for neuromodulatory interventions in the treatment of painful CP.

Effect and Safety of Penetrating Moxibustion in Treatment of Migraine without Aura: A Randomized Controlled Trial / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the clinical effect of penetrating moxibustion on migraine without aura (MO) patients.@*METHODS@#Totally 60 MO patients from the Acupuncture Clinic of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine were collected from November 2015 to February 2017. All patients were assigned to a treatment group and a control group using a random number table, 30 cases in each group. The treatment group was treated with penetrating moxibustion, and the control group was treated with mild moxibustion, thrice a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The total effective rate, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores, headache intensity, and Migraine Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire (MSQ) scores of patients after treatment were compared between the two groups. The moxibustion sensation and reaction after moxibustion were observed, and the adverse reactions were evaluated. All patients were followed up at 4 and 16 weeks after treatment.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate of the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group (93.33% vs. 80.00%, P0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Penetrating moxibustion can significantly relieve pain and improve quality of life of MO patients. After penetrating moxibustion, flushing and sweating of patients were obvious, and the curative effect was superior to the mild moxibustion.

Effects of neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio on heart valve calcification in maintenance hemodialysis patients / 医学研究生学报

ObjectiveCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hemodialysis (HD) end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This paper analyzes and discusses the relationship between neutrophils-to-lymphocytes ratio (NLR) and heart valve calcification (CVC) in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients to provide theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of CVC.MethodsThe demographic data, relevant clinical indicators and laboratory examination results of 135 patients with MHD in the Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University were retrospectively analyzed to calculate the NLR value. Echocardiography was used to detect the incidence of CVC in the patients, and they were divided into calcification group and non-calcification group. The correlation between NLR value and CVC in MHD patients was analyzed, and the independent risk factors of CVC were discussed by using Logistic regression.ResultsAmong the 135 MHD patients, CVC was found in 59 cases (43.7%). Compared with the non-calcification group, patients in the calcification group showed significant increases in age, dialysis age, high-sensitivity c-reactive protein (HsCRP), ALP and NLR, with statistically significant differences (P5.02 (OR=17.709, P=0.046) were independent risk factors for heart valve calcification in MHD patients.ConclusionThe incidence of heart valve calcification is high in MHD patients, and NLR is an independent risk factor for it.

Clinical Efficacy and Mechanism of Tongxie Yaofang on Patients with IBS-D of Liver Depression and Spleen Deficiency / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Tongxie Yaofang on irritable bowel syndrome-D (IBS-D) of liver-stagnation and spleen-deficiency type, in order to explore its mechanism in regulating brain-intestine interaction by changing the intestinal flora before and after treatment. Method:Totally 116 patients with IBS-D with liver stagnation and spleen deficiency who were diagnosed from July 2016 to December 2018 were randomly divided into observation group and control group, with 58 patients in each group. Observation group was treated with Tongxie Yaofang orally. Control group was treated with pivalvonium orally. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Scores of traditional Chinese medicine pattern curative effect scoring system (TCM-PES), IBS quality of life questionnaire (IBS-QOL), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) of two groups were compared before and after treatment. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were detected before and after treatment by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR) was used to detect changes in Escherichia coli, Bifidobacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Streptococcus faecalis and other intestinal flora before and after treatment. Result:TCM-PES and IBS-QOL scores of two groups were improved after treatment. TCM-PES and IBS-QOL scores of observation group were higher than those of control group (P<0.05). TCM syndromes of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group (P<0.05). SAS and SDS scores were significantly lower after treatment. SAS and SDS scores of observation group were lower than those of control group after treatment (P<0.05). Plasma CGRP and VIP decreased after treatment. Plasma CGRP and VIP in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). There was no significant change in E. coli after treatment in two groups. After treatment, L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, and S. faecalis increased (P<0.05). In control group, intestinal L. acidophilus increased after treatment (P<0.05). The differences of intestinal L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium, S. faecalis in two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion:TCM can alleviate clinical symptoms, such as abdominal pain and diarrhea in patients with IBS-D, improve patients' bad mood and improve their quality of life. This may be related to improvement of intestinal flora imbalance, regulation of brain intestinal peptide secretion and reduction of visceral hypersensitivity.

Predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the predictive value of neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) on myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, we collected and analyzed data form 133 severe COVID-19 patients admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University (Eastern District) from January 30 to February 18, 2020. Patients were divided into myocardial injury group (n=29) and non-myocardial injury group (n=104) according the presence or absence of myocardial injury. The general information of patients was collected by electronic medical record database system. All patients were followed up for 30 days, the organ injury and/or dysfunction were monitored, the in-hospital death was compared between the two groups, and the disease progression was reevaluated and classified at 14 days after initial hospitalization. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients. The ROC of NLR was calculated, and the AUC was determined to estimate the optimal cut-off value of NLR for predicting myocardial injury in severe cases of COVID-19. Results: There was statistical significance in age, respiratory frequency, systolic blood pressure, symptoms of dyspnea, previous chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, coronary heart disease history, white blood cells, neutrophils, lymphocytes, platelets, C-reactive protein, platelet counting, aspartate transaminase, albumin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, urea, estimated glomerular filtration rate, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, D-dimer, CD3+, CD4+, partial pressure of oxygen, partial pressure of CO2, blood oxygen saturation, other organ injury, clinical outcome and prognosis between patients with myocardial injury and without myocardial injury (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that NLR was a risk factor for myocardial injury (OR=1.066，95%CI 1.021-1.111，P=0.033). ROC curve showed that NLR predicting AUC of myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients was 0.774 (95%CI 0.694-0.842), the optimal cut-off value of NLR was 5.768, with a sensitivity of 82.8%, and specificity of 69.5%. Conclusion: NLR may be used to predict myocardial injury in severe COVID-19 patients.

Chemical constituents from fruiting bodies of Tremella sanguinea / 中国中药杂志

The chemical constituents from the fruiting bodies of Tremella sanguinea were separated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20,and RP-HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data analysis,as well as comparisons with the data reported in the literature. Sixteen compounds were isolated from the 90% ethanol extract of the fruiting bodies of T. sanguinea,which were identified as( 22 E)-5α,8α-epidioxy-24-methyl-cholesta-6,9( 11),22-trien-3β-ol( 1),( 22 E)-5α,8α-epidioxyergosta-6,22-dien-3β-ol( 2),cerevisterol( 3),ergosta-7-ene-3β,5α,6β-triol( 4),( 22 E)-6β-methoxyergosta-7,22-diene-3β,5α-diol( 5),ergosta-7-en-3β-ol( 6),4-hydroxy-methylincisterol( 7),2-pyrrolidone( 8),nicotinamide( 9),1-( 3-indolyl)-3-dihydroxypropan-1-one( 10),yangambin( 11),linoleic acid( 12),( 9 Z,12 Z,15 Z)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl octadeca-trienoate( 13),( 9 Z,12 Z)-2,3-dihydroxypropyl-octadeca-dienoate( 14),crypticin B( 15)and 3-phenyllactic acid( 16). All compounds were isolated from T. sanguinea for the first time. Except for compounds 6,9 and 12,the remained compounds were isolated from the genus Tremella for the first time.

Chemical constituents from stems and leaves of Clausena emarginata / 中国中药杂志

The chemical constituents from the stems and leaves of Clausena emarginata were separated and purified by column chromatographies on silica gel,ODS,Sephadex LH-20,and PR-HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of physicochemical properties and spectroscopic analysis,as well as comparisons with the data reported in the literature. Sixteen compounds were isolated from the 90% ethanol extract of the stems and leaves of C. emarginata,which were identified as siamenol( 1),murrastanine A( 2),3-formyl-1,6-dimethoxycarbazole( 3),3-methoxymethylcarbazole( 4),3-methylcarbazole( 5),murrayafoline A( 6),3-formylcarbazole( 7),3-formyl-1-hydroxycarbazole( 8),3-formyl-6-methoxycarbazole( 9),murrayanine( 10),murrayacine( 11),girinimbine( 12),nordentatin( 13),chalepin( 14),8-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3-pentylisocoumarin( 15) and ethyl orsellinate( 16). Compounds 1-4,14-16 were isolated from C. emarginata for the first time. Among them,compounds 1,2,15 and 16 were isolated from the genus Clausena for the first time. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines: HL-60,SMMC-7721,A-549,MCF-7 and SW480 in vitro. Compounds 12 and 14 showed significant inhibitory effects against various human cancer cell lines with IC_(50) values comparable to those of doxorubicin.

Polymorphism of D320N locus in PCSK9 gene of patients with coronary heart disease and its clinical significance / 第二军医大学学报

Objective To explore the relationship between D320N locus polymorphism in proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene and coronary heart disease. Methods A total of 3 450 patients with coronary heart diseases (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, asymptomatic myocardial ischemia, ischemic cardiomyopathy, and sudden death), who were treated in Hebei General Hospital from Jan. 2014 to Jan. 2016, were enrolled as the case group, with 1 100 healthy people in the same period served as controls. Serum lipid levels and PCSK9 concentrations of subjects in the two groups were detected. PCR assay combined with DNA direct sequencing method was applied in genotyping of D320N (A/G) polymorphic locus in PCSK9 gene. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between D320N locus polymorphism in PCSK9 gene and different types of coronary heart diseases. Results Serum concentrations of PCSK9, levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol, ratio of coronary heart disease family, and ratio of smoking of subjects in the case group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P0.001), while the level of high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly lower than that in the control group (P0.001). The frequencies of genotype AA and GA in the case group were 3.6% and 13.9%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group, respectively (1.1%, 7.0%; χ2＝20.502, 39.646; P0.001); the frequency of allele A in the case group was significantly higher than that in the control group (10.5% vs 4.6%, χ2＝70.481, P0.001). The frequencies of genotype AA, genotype GA and allele A were the highest in the sudden death group, and were the lowest in the asymptomatic myocardial ischemia group. Logistic regression analysis showed that genotypes AA and GA of D320N (A/G) polymorphic in PCSK9 gene were risk factors of coronary heart disease (both P0.001). Conclusion The D320N (A/G) locus polymorphism in PCSK9 gene was associated with coronary heart disease, and genotype AA may be an independent risk factor of coronary heart disease.

A prognostic model for assessment of outcome of root canal treatment in teeth with pulpitis or apical periodontitis / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To present a prognostic model for evaluating the outcome of root canal treatment in teeth with pulpitis or apical periodontitis 2 years after treatment.@*METHODS@#The implementation of this study was based on a retrospective study on the 2-year outcome of root canal treatment. A cohort of 360 teeth, which received treatment and review, were chosen to build up the total sample size. In the study, 143 teeth with vital pulp and 217 teeth with apical periodontitis were included. About 67% of the samples were selected randomly to derive a training date set for modeling, and the others were used as validating date set for testing. Logistic regression models were used to produce the prognostic models. The dependent variable was defined as absence of periapical lesion or reduction of periapical lesion. The predictability of the models was evaluated by the area under the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC).@*RESULTS@#Four predictors were included in model one (absence of apical lesion): pre-operative periapical radiolucency, canal curvature, density and apical extent of root fillings. The AUC was 0.802 (95%CI: 0.744-0.859). And the AUC of the testing date was 0.688. Only the density and apical extent of root fillings were included to present model two (reduction of apical lesion). The AUC of training dates and testing dates were 0.734 (95%CI: 0.612-0.856) and 0.681, respectively. As predicted by model one, the probability of absence of periapical lesion 2 years after endodontic treatment was 90% in pulpitis teeth with sever root-canal curvature and adequate root canal fillings, but 51% in teeth with apical periodontitis. When using prognostic model two for prediction, in teeth with apical periodontitis, the probability of detecting lesion reduction with adequate or inadequate root fillings was 95% and 39% 2 years after treatment.@*CONCLUSION@#The pre-operative periapical status, canal curvature and quality of root canal treatment could be used to predict the 2-year outcome of root canal treatment.

Genotype, environment and their interactions of functional components in Rheum tanguticum / 中国中药杂志

Six kinds of provenance of Rheum tanguticum collected from Qinghai province as the test materials, which were transplanted under 3 different environments by using complete randomized block design with three replicates. The contents of the chemical components was determined by HPLC. This study aimed at analyzing the effect of genotype, environment and their interactions on the 4 kinds of functional components (phenolic acids, bianthrone, free anthraquinones and combined anthraquinones) in 14 kinds of active components of Rh. tanguticum, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the selection of cultivated Rh. tanguticum in high quality producing area and excellent provenance. The provenance trial showed that the genotype and environment influence on the effect of all kinds of functional components in Rh. tanguticum were significant (<0.05). The content of phenolic acids was mainly influenced by environment, and the other three kinds of functional components were affected by environment and their interactions. The proportion of environment was larger. The cultivation quality of Rh. tanguticum should give priority to environment, then choose a provenance. Sichuan may be beneficial in accumulation of combined anthraquinones in Rh. tanguticum, Gansu may facilitate the binding of free anthraquinone, phenolic acids and bianthrone content. Preliminary inference based on the content and proportion of efficacy components, T4 could be potential special medicinal germplasm that have function of heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs and activate blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis; T3 and T6 could all be potential specialmedicinal germplasms that exist diarrhea attack characters. The results of this study have certain guiding significance for the production of rhubarb precision medicinal materials.

Genotype, environment and their interactions of functional components in Rheum palmatum / 中国中药杂志

Eight kinds of provenance of Rheum palmatum collected from 4 provinces Sichuan, Ningxia, Gansu, Shannxi as test materials, which were transplanted under 3 different environments by using complete randomized block design with three replicates. The contents of the chemical components was determined by HPLC. This study aimed at analyzing the effect of genotype, environment and their interactions on the 4 kinds of functional components (phenolic acids, bianthrone, free anthraquinones and combined anthraquinones) in 14 kinds of active components of R. palmatum, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the selection of cultivated R. palmatum in high quality producing area and excellent provenance. The functional components of R. palmatum were influenced by genotype and environment. The content of phenolic acids was mainly influenced by environment, and the other three kinds of functional components were affected by environment and their interactions. The proportion of environment was larger. The cultivation quality of R. palmatum should give priority to environment, then choose a provenance. Sichuan may be beneficial in accumulation of free anthraquinones in R. palmatum, Gansu may facilitate the binding of combined anthraquinone, phenolic acids and bianthrone content. Preliminary inference based on the content and proportion of efficacy components, P2 could be potential special medicinal germplasm that have function of heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs. P6 could be potential special medicinal germplasm that activate blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis. P7 and P1 could all be potential specialmedicinal germplasms that exist diarrhea attack characters. The results of this study have important guiding significance for the production of rhubarb precision medicinal materials.

Clinical characteristics of acute myocardial infarction in very elderly patients / 天津医药

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of very elderly patients (age ≥80 years) with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and to provide basis for the treatment and prevention of AMI. Methods The clinical data of 296 patients with ST-segment elevation AMI who admitted in the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University during May 2012 to July 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into very elderly group (≥80 years old, n=54), elderly group (60-79 years old, n=148) and younger group (<60 years old, n=94). The clinical baseline data, infarction area, imaging data, medication in-hospital and adverse cardiovascular events were compared between the three groups. Results The proportion of smoking, diastolic blood pressure, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), erythrocyte count (RBC) and hemoglobin (HGB) at admission were significantly lower in the very elderly group. Results of electrocardiogram (ECG) showed mainly anterior wall infarction in three groups, and there were higher proportions of multiple infarcts in very elderly group and elderly group than those of younger group (31.5%vs. 31.8%vs. 17.0%,χ2=6.994, P < 0.0167). Coronary angiography (CAG) indicated that the target vessels were mostly right coronary arteries ( 61.1%) in very elderly group, while they were mainly left anterior descending (proportions were 50.7% and 43.6% respectively) in elderly group and the younger group. The proportion of high thrombotic load, the proportion of temporary cardiac pacing and no-reflow rate were significantly higher but the proportion of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was lower in the very elderly group than those of younger group. The result of ultrasonic cardiogram (UCG) illustrated that the diameter of the left atrial diameter (LAD) and the left ventricular end-systolic dimension(LVDs) were larger in very elderly group than those of younger group (P<0.0167). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in the very elderly group and the elderly group than that of the young group, and the incidence of ventricular aneurysm was higher than that of the young group.During the hospitalization, the percentage of using diuretics, positive inotropic drugs and intraoperative tirofiban were higher in the very elderly group than those of elderly group and younger group. Meanwhile, all-cause mortality, the percentage of new-onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) and the percentage of atrioventricular block were also higher in the very elderly group compared with those of other two groups (P < 0.0167). Conclusion The very elderly patients with AMI are generally related with complex diseases and more postoperative complications. It is important to perform the blood vessel recanalization early according to the specific conditions, and to assess the risk of postoperative bleeding, thrombosis and other related risks in order to select the appropriate treatment with low mortality and less risk of hospital complications in the very elderly patients with AMI.

Effects of quercetin on proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 by up-regulating miR-199a expression / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To study the effect of quercetin on proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cells and the expression of miR-199a. Methods Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 cells were transfected with 20 μm/L quercetin. MTT proliferation assay were conducted to compare the proliferation, and Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay were adopted to compare the apoptosis of cells in quercetin group and NC group at 12 h, 24 h, 36 h and 48 h. The expression of miR-199a were determined by RT-qPCR and western blotting assays were used to detect the Western blotting was used to detect the expression of VEGFA, Bax and Caspase3. Results MTT showed that quercetin inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells (P<0.01). The apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was markedly increased after treated with quercetin (P<0.01). Moreover, quercetin can up-regulate the expression of miR-199a in HepG2 cells. The quercetin decreased the expression of VEGFA, increased the expression of Bax and Caspase 3 on both mRNA and protein level (P<0.01). Conclusion Quercetin can inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells by up-regulating the expression of miR-199a.

Effects of quercetin on proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cell line HepG2 by up-regulating miR-199a expression / 中国生化药物杂志

Objective To study the effect of quercetin on proliferation of hepatocarcinoma cells and the expression of miR-199a. Methods Hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 cells were transfected with 20 μm/L quercetin. MTT proliferation assay were conducted to compare the proliferation, and Annexin V/PI apoptosis assay were adopted to compare the apoptosis of cells in quercetin group and NC group at 12 h, 24 h, 36 h and 48 h. The expression of miR-199a were determined by RT-qPCR and western blotting assays were used to detect the Western blotting was used to detect the expression of VEGFA, Bax and Caspase3. Results MTT showed that quercetin inhibited the proliferation of HepG2 cells (P<0.01). The apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was markedly increased after treated with quercetin (P<0.01). Moreover, quercetin can up-regulate the expression of miR-199a in HepG2 cells. The quercetin decreased the expression of VEGFA, increased the expression of Bax and Caspase 3 on both mRNA and protein level (P<0.01). Conclusion Quercetin can inhibit the proliferation and promote apoptosis of hepatocarcinoma cells by up-regulating the expression of miR-199a.

Comparison of clinical features of purulent meningitis between small-for-gestational-age and appropriate-for-gestational-age infants / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the differences in the clinical features of purulent meningitis (PM) between small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) infants.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 58 full-term infants with PM were analyzed retrospectively. The infants were classified into a SGA group (13 cases) and an AGA group (45 cases) according to their birth weight and gestational age. Clinical manifestations, laboratory results, and outcomes were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The incidence of decreased muscle tone in the SGA group was significantly higher than that in the AGA group (P<0.05); the positive rate in the Pandy's test for cerebrospinal fluid in the SGA group was significantly higher than that in the SGA group (P<0.05). Brain imaging examination showed that the incidence of brain injuries in the SGA group was significantly higher than that in the AGA group (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SGA infants with PM display a higher risk of brain injury, suggesting a poorer outcome, compared with AGA infants.</p>

Publication patterns and citation analysis of APJTM during 2008 and June 2014

OBJECTIVE@#To draw on data about publication patterns and citation indicators of Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine (APJTM) during 2008 and June 2014 in order to know about the current state of the journal.@*METHODS@#Data used in this study were collected based on publications in APJTM from 2008 to June, 2014. Information including publication issue, type of manuscript, country/region of Corresponding author, funded research paper, and international collaboration were aggregated and analyzed with Excel software. Citation indicators including total cites, average cites of each manuscript, h-index, and impact factors were primarily drawn from Web of Science™ database on June 15, 2014 and changes over the past six and half years were interpreted. The top 10 most cited papers in Web of Science™ database were also analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Number of all submissions has arisen from less than 200 in 2008 to over 1 500 in 2013, manuscript acceptance rate has decreased to be less than 14.00% indicating its improvement in quality over this period of time. Out of the 1 115 publiations, 23.77% were fruits of funded projects or produced by funded co-authors, 87.08% of all publications in APJTM were submited by authors from 10 most contributed countries. During the studied period, each published manuscript in the journal has received an average of 1.05 cites, and at least 10 publications has been cited for more 10 times.@*CONCLUSION@#Detailed analysis shows APJTM has made great progress over the past six and half years, but authors' originating countries are still disproportionate. Efforts should be made to improve its citation indicators.

Fluorouracil implants for colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the benefit and safety of fluorouracil implants on colorectal cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Based on the methods of Cochrane systematic reviews, databases including CBM(1982 to March 2011), CNKI(1911 to March 2011), EMBASE(1966 to March 2011), and Medline(1950 to March 2011) were searched to identify randomized controlled trials assessing the benefit of fluorouracil implants on colorectal cancer. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane's tool for assessing bias. RevMan5.0 was used for meta-analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Sixteen studies were included(n=1223). The quality of included studies was moderate. Fluorouracil implants could reduce the 2-year mortality(RR=0.33. 95% CI:0.18-0.59), 2-year metastasis rate(RR=0.35, 95% CI: 0.19-0.66), and 2-year recurrence rate(RR=0.48, 95% CI:0.36-0.65). There were no significant differences in complications and adverse effects between fluorouracil implants and the control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Current evidence demonstrates that fluorouracil implants may modestly improve the outcome of colorectal cancer patients without increasing its adverse events. However, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the risk of bias of included studies.</p>

MicroRNA expression profile and pathogenetic initial study in essential hypertension / 中华心血管病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the differential microRNAs expression between patients with essential hypertension and healthy controls.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Whole blood from 15 hypertensive patients and 5 controls healthies were separated into plasma at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes. MicroRNAs were harvested using kit, and stored at -80°C. MicroRNAs profiling were performed using Exiqon microRCURY(TM) LNA microRNAs array, and were quantitative RT-PCR for the differential microRNAs expression. In addition, we used a set of plasma samples from 24 hypertensive patients and 22 healthy donors to independently validate the expression of these signature microRNAs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MicroRNAs expression profile was found to be differentially in the essential hypertensive patients compared with the healthy donors. Of 1700 microRNAs detected on the microarray, 46 microRNAs were found to be differentially expressed in the essential hypertensive patient, 27 microRNAs were collected in Sanger microRNAs data-bank, the function of remaining 19 microRNAs were unknown. In the 27 microRNAs, 9 microRNAs were up-regulated in the hypertension patient samples, while 18 known microRNAs were down-regulated. MiR-296-5p (Fold change 0.47, P = 0.013) and miR-133b (Fold change 0.57, P = 0.033) were consistently down-regulated in the patient plasma, whereas let-7e (Fold change 1.62, P = 0.009) and hcmv-miR-UL112 (Fold change 2.72, P = 0.004), one human cytomegalovirus encoded microRNAs, were up-regulated in the patient samples. The microRNAs expression was independently validated using another sample. We showed that MHC class I polypeptide-related chain B (MHC class I polypeptide-related chain B, MICB) and Interferon regulatory factor 1 (Interferon regulatory factor 1, IRF1) were functional targets of hcmv-miR-UL112 by fluorescent reporter assays.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The hypertensive patients have distinct microRNAs expression Profile. Hcmv-miR-UL112 may have important implications toward pathogenesis of essential hypertension.</p>