Clinical Research Advances of Duodenal-Type Follicular Lymphoma--Review / 中国实验血液学杂志

Duodenal-type follicular lymphoma (DFL) is a unique subtype of follicular lymphoma (FL), which often involves the second portion of duodenum (descending part of duodenum). Due to its specific pathological features, such as lack of follicular dendritic cells meshwork and disappearance of activation-induced cytidine deaminase expression, DFL presents an inert clinical course and is often confined to the intestinal tract. Inflammation-related biomarkers suggest that the microenvironment may play a likely role in the pathogenesis and favorable prognosis of DFL. Since patients generally have no obvious clinical symptoms and low progression rate, the treatment regimen for DFL is mainly observation and waiting (W&W) strategy. This study will review the latest research progress of epidemiology, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of DFL in recent years.

A foot structure study of new arch flexibility grading system based on three-dimensional arch volume / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Different arch structures may cause different foot function injuries. In the past, the arch structure and flexibility of the foot were often defined by the height of the arch, and there was no three-dimensional (3D) structure classification method. In order to form a more complete 3D description, we propose a new classification system of arch volume flexibility (AVF), and then use this new classification system to investigate the relationship between the AVF and arch index (AI), and the arch height flexibility (AHF) and AI, respectively.@*METHODS@#It is proposed to recruit 180 young male adults for the test. We obtained arch volume and AI through 3D scanning and obtained the navicular height through manual measurement. Based on these data, we calculated the AHF and the AVF. Using the quintile method, these arches are divided into very stiff, stiff, neutral, flexible, and very flexible. According to AI value, all arches were divided into cavus, rectus, and planus. The distribution of AVF was compared using χ2 goodness of fit test. The spearman correlation test was used to compare the AHF and AVF. A p < 0.05 indicates that the difference is statistically significant.@*RESULTS@#All participants' plantar data was obtained through 3D scanning, but only 159 of them were complete, so only 318 feet had valid data. The left AHF is (21.23 ± 12.91) mm/kN, and the right AHF is (21.71 ± 12.69) mm/kN. The AVF of the left foot arch is (207.35 ± 118.28) mm3/kg, while the right one is (203.00 ± 117.92) mm3/kg, and the total AVF of the arch was (205.17 ± 117.94) mm3/kg. There was no statistical difference in the AVF between the left and right feet for the same participant (n = 159, p = 0.654). In cavus, the percentage of arch with AVF is 21.4% (very stiff), 21.4% (stiff), 14.3% (neutral), 7.1% (flexible), and 35.7% (very flexible). In rectus, the percentage of arch with AVF is 23.9% (very stiff), 19.6% (stiff), 14.7% (neutral), 24.5% (flexible), and 17.2% (very flexible). In planus, the percentage of arch with AVF is 14.9% (very stiff), 20.6% (stiff), 27.0% (neutral), 16.3% (flexible), and 21.3% (very flexible). Moreover, the correlation between AHF and AVF is not significant (p = 0.060).@*CONCLUSION@#In cavus, rectus, and planus, different AVF accounts different percentage, but the difference is not statistically significant. AVF is evenly distributed in the arches of the feet at different heights. We further found the relationship between AHF and AVF is not significant. As a 3D index, AVF may be able to describe the flexibility of the arch more comprehensively than AHF.

Effect of diosgenin on mTOR/FASN/HIF-1α/VEGFA expression in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 中国中药杂志

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of diosgenin on mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), fatty acid synthase(FASN), hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA) expression in liver tissues of rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD) and explore the mechanism of diosgenin on lipogenesis and inflammation in NAFLD. Forty male SD rats were divided into a normal group(n=8) fed on the normal diet and an experimental group(n=32) fed on the high-fat diet(HFD) for the induction of the NAFLD model. After modeling, the rats in the experimental group were randomly divided into an HFD group, a low-dose diosgenin group(150 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), a high-dose diosgenin group(300 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a simvastatin group(4 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with eight rats in each group. The drugs were continuously given by gavage for eight weeks. The levels of triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), alanine transaminase(ALT), and aspartate transaminase(AST) in the serum were detected by the biochemical method. The content of TG and TC in the liver was detected by the enzyme method. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure interleukin 1β(IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α) in the serum. Lipid accumulation in the liver was detected by oil red O staining. Pathological changes of liver tissues were detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The mRNA and protein expression levels of mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA in the liver of rats were detected by real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and Western blot, respectively. Compared with the normal group, the HFD group showed elevated body weight and levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, AST, IL-1β, and TNF-α(P<0.01), increased lipid accumulation in the liver(P<0.01), obvious liver steatosis, up-regulated mRNA expression levels of mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA(P<0.01), and increased protein expression levels of p-mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA(P<0.01). Compared with the HFD group, the groups with drug treatment showed lowered body weight and levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, ALT, AST, IL-1β, and TNF-α(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced lipid accumulation in the liver(P<0.01), improved liver steatosis, decreased mRNA expression levels of mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA(P<0.05, P<0.01), and declining protein expression levels of p-mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA(P<0.01). The therapeutic effect of the high-dose diosgenin group was superior to that of the low-dose diosgenin group and the simvastatin group. Diosgenin may reduce liver lipid synthesis and inflammation and potentiate by down-regulating the mTOR, FASN, HIF-1α, and VEGFA expression, playing an active role in preventing and treating NAFLD.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and cancer associated fibroblasts jointly generate chemo-resistance and affect prognosis in epithelial ovarian cancer / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and cancer associated fibroblasts (CAF) jointly generate chemo-resistance in epithelial-ovarian cancer and their effect on prognosis. Methods: A total of 119 patients with high-grade ovarian serous cancer who received surgery in Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from September 2009 to October 2017 were collected. The clinico-pathological data and follow-up data were complete. Multivariate Cox regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors. Ovarian cancer tissue chips of patients in our hospital were prepared. EnVision two-step method immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression levels of STAT3, the specific markers of CAF activation, fibroblast activating protein (FAP), and type Ⅰ collagen (COL1A1) secreted by CAF. The relationship between the expression of STAT3, FAP, COL1A1 protein and drug resistance and prognosis of ovarian cancer patients was analyzed, and the correlation between the expression of three proteins was analyzed. These results were verified through the gene expression and prognostic information of human ovarian cancer tissues collected in the GSE26712 dataset of gene expression omnibus (GEO) database. Results: (1) Multivariate Cox regression model analysis showed that chemotherapy resistance was an independent risk factor for overall survival (OS) of ovarian cancer (P<0.001). (2) The expression levels of STAT3, FAP, and COL1A1 proteins in chemotherapy resistant patients were significantly higher than those in chemotherapy sensitive patients (all P<0.05). Patients with high expression of STAT3, FAP, and COL1A1 had significantly shorter OS than those with low expression (all P<0.05). According to the human ovarian cancer GSE26712 dataset of GEO database, patients with high expression of STAT3, FAP, and COL1A1 also showed shorter OS than patients with low expression (all P<0.05), the verification results were consistent with the detection results of ovarian cancer patients in our hospital. (3) Correlation analysis showed that the protein level of STAT3 was positively correlated with FAP and COL1A1 in our hospital's ovarian cancer tissue chips (r=0.47, P<0.001; r=0.30, P=0.006), the analysis of GEO database GSE26712 dataset showed that the expression of STAT3 gene and FAP, COL1A1 gene were also significantly positively correlated (r=0.31, P<0.001; r=0.52, P<0.001). Conclusion: STAT3 and CAF could promote chemotherapy resistance of ovarian cancer and lead to poor prognosis.

Effect of Ganmai Dazao Decoction on ethology of rats with PTSD and its mechanism / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the effect of Ganmai Dazao Decoction on the ethology of rats with posttraumatic stress disorder(PTSD) and study the related mechanism through the changes in magnetic resonance imaging and protein expression. Sixty rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, namely the normal group, the model group, the low(1 g·kg~(-1)), medium(2 g·kg~(-1)), and high-dose Ganmai Dazao Decoction groups(4 g·kg~(-1)), and the positive control group(intragastric administration with 10.8 mg·kg~(-1) of fluoxetine), with 10 rats in each group. Two weeks after inducing PTSD by single-prolonged stress(SPS) in rats, the positive control group was given fluoxetine hydrochloride capsule by gavage, the low, medium, and high-dose groups were given Ganmai Dazao Decoction by gavage, and both the normal group and the model group were given the same volume of normal saline by gavage, each for 7 days. The open field experiment, elevated cross elevated maze, forced swimming experiment, and new object recognition test were carried out for the behavioral test. Three rats in each group were selected to detect the expression of neuropeptide receptor Y1(NPY1R) protein in the hippocampus by Western blot. Then, the other three rats in each group were selected to use the 9.4T magnetic resonance imaging experiment to observe the overall structural changes in the brain region and the anisotropy fraction of the hippocampus. The results of the open field experiment showed that the total distance and central distance of rats in the model group were significantly lower than those in the normal group, and the total distance and central distance of rats in the middle and high-dose Ganmai Dazao Decoction groups were higher than those in the model group. The results of the elevated cross maze test showed that medium and high-dose Ganmai Dazao Decoction remarkably increased the number of open arm entries and the residence time of open arm of rats with PTSD. The results of the forced swimming experiment showed that the immobility time in the water of the model group rats was significantly higher than that of the normal group, and Ganmai Dazao Decoction hugely reduced the immobility time in the water of rats with PTSD. The results of the new object recognition test showed that Ganmai Dazao Decoction significantly increased the exploration time of new objects and familiar objects in rats with PTSD. The results of Western blot showed that Ganmai Dazao Decoction significantly reduced the expression of NYP1R protein in the hippocampus of rats with PTSD. The 9.4T magnetic resonance examination found that there was no significant difference in the structural image among the groups. In the functional image, the fractional anisotropy(FA value) of the hippocampus in the model group was significantly lower than that in the normal group. The FA value of the hippocampus in the middle and high-dose Ganmai Dazao Decoction groups was higher than that in the model group. Ganmai Dazao Decoction reduces the injury of hippocampal neurons by inhibiting the expression of NYP1R in the hippocampus of rats with PTSD, thereby improving the nerve function injury of rats with PTSD and playing a neuroprotective role.

Stigma and Efficacy of Zhizhu Kuanzhong Capsules Versus Doxepin in the Treatment of Refractory Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background/Aims@#Stigma related with antidepressants is prevalent in patients with functional dyspepsia. It affects medication compliance and efficacy.Herbal medicine acquired a deep-rooted cultural identity in relieving dyspeptic symptoms in Asians. The research was designed to compare the effectiveness of Zhizhu Kuanzhong capsules (ZZKZ) versus doxepin hydrochloride (doxepin) on alleviating stigma and medication nonadherence among patients with refractory FD (rFD). @*Methods@#Patients with rFD from February 2021 to February 2022 were randomly allocated to receive either doxepin (n = 56) or ZZKZ (n = 57) combined with omeprazole for 4 weeks. Medication possession ratio (MPR), the disease- and medication-associated stigma were analyzed. The scales were utilized to assess dyspeptic symptoms (Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire) and psychological conditions (Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire). @*Results@#The MPR values for ZZKZ were significantly higher than those for doxepin (P < 0.001). The stigma scores decreased in ZZKZ group while increased in doxepin group compared to baseline after treatment. The proportion of patients showing ZZKZ-associated stigma was significantly lower than doxepin-associated stigma (P < 0.001). The MPR values were negatively correlated with posttreatment stigma scores in both groups (P < 0.001). Dyspeptic symptoms and psychological condition were improved in both groups after treatment, with no significant difference on post-treatment Leeds Dyspepsia Questionnaire, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire, or Patient Health Questionnaire scores between 2 groups. @*Conclusion@#ZZKZ is superior to doxepin in alleviating stigma and medication non-adherence, with comparable efficacy in improving dyspeptic symptoms and psychological condition of patients with rFD.

The value of real-time shear wave elastography in evaluating the severity of liver fibrosis in hepatitis B / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To explore the value of real-time shear wave elastography in evaluating the severity of liver fibrosis in hepatitis B, and to analyze the factors that affecting its accuracy. Methods　A total of 196 chronic hepatitis B patients, who admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College from February 2018 to October 2020, were selected for retrospective analysis. Demographic indicators such as gender, age, body mass index(BMI), and laboratory indicators such as fasting blood glucose, liver function, and blood lipid composition were collected. The patients were detected by real-time shear wave elastography. Taking the pathological test results as the gold standard, the diagnostic value of real-time shear wave elastography in the severity of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B was analyzed, and the comprehensive effect of various factors on the diagnostic accuracy of real-time shear wave elastography was evaluated by Logistic regression analysis. Results　The differences in real-time shear wave elastography of patients with different severity of liver fibrosis in hepatitis B were statistically significant, and F0 grade <F1 grade <F2 grade <F3 grade <F4 grade (all P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that the cut-off values of real-time shear wave elastography for patients with liver fibrosis in hepatitis B ≥ F1, ≥ F2, ≥ F3 and F4 were 6.15 kPa, 7.03 kPa, 8.15 kPa and 10.09 kPa respectively; the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.759, 0.806, 0.900 and 0.930 respectively (P<0.05). Results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis based on univariate analysis showed that glutamic alanine transaminase (ALT), glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (AST), fatty liver and inflammation levels were independent factors affecting the accuracy of real-time shear wave elastography in evaluating the severity of liver fibrosis in hepatitis B (P<0.05). Conclusions　Real-time shear wave elastography technology can be used to evaluate the severity of liver fibrosis in hepatitis B, and its accuracy is mainly affected by ALT, AST, inflammation levels and fatty liver.

Improving Clinician-Patient Communication Alleviates Stigma in Patients With Functional Dyspepsia Receiving Antidepressant Treatment

Background/Aims@#Antidepressants are effective in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD). However, stigma associated with FD and antidepressants may affect treatment adherence. This study aims to explore possible communication strategies to alleviate stigma and improve adherence in patients with FD. @*Methods@#In this randomized, single-center, and single-blind trial, 160 patients with FD initiating antidepressant treatment were recruited. Different communication strategies were performed when prescribing antidepressants. Participants in Group 1 were told that brain is the “headquarters” of gut, and that antidepressants could act as neuromodulators to relieve symptoms of FD through regulating the functions of gut and brain. Participants in Group 2 were told that antidepressants were empirically effective for FD. Stigma scores, medication-related stigma, treatment compliance, and efficacy were analyzed. @*Results@#After 8-week antidepressant treatment, the proportion of patients with FD with decreased stigma scores in Group 1 was significantly higher than in Group 2 (internalized stigma: 64.10% vs 12.00%; perceived stigma: 55.13% vs 13.33%; P < 0.01). Medication-related stigma was lower in Group 1 than in Group 2 (P < 0.05 for 3 of 4 questions). Concurrently, patients in Group 1 had better treatment compliance (0.71 ± 0.25 vs 0.60 ± 0.25, P < 0.01) and efficacy. In Group 1, participants with decreased post-treatment stigma scores showed better treatment compliance and efficacy than those with non-decreased scores. Decrease in stigma scores positively correlated with treatment compliance. @*Conclusion@#Improving knowledge of patients with FD of the disease and antidepressants via proper communication may be an effective way to alleviate stigma and promote adherence.

Changes of pharmacokinetics and application of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling in pharmacotherapy during pregnancy / 药学学报

The rational medication in pregnant women is a clinical issue that clinicians and pharmacists must take seriously. Most tissues and organs undergo anatomical and physiological changes during pregnancy that affect the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs in vivo, which ultimately lead to changes in bioavailability. In order to achieve an effective therapeutic concentration, dose adjustment might be required during this period. In the past ten years, the application of modeling and simulation methods in the field of drug development and clinical therapy has continued to expand, for instance, using population pharmacokinetic (PPK) and physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling to adjust dosage regimen in special populations. Rigorously designed and validated models will effectively make up for the deficiencies of clinical trials, provide valuable references for the design of clinical research, and even replace part of them. This article will introduce the physiological changes that affect the pharmacokinetic properties of the drug during pregnancy and review the progress in the application of PBPK modeling in pharmacokinetic studies in pregnant women.

Metabolomic characteristics of spontaneously hypertensive rats under chronic stress and the treatment effect of Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder, a traditional Chinese medicine formula / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVE@#Numerous studies have demonstrated the close relationship between chronic stress and blood pressure (BP). Hypertensive subjects exhibit exaggerated reactions to stress, especially higher BP. The mechanisms by which stress affects pre-existing hypertension still need to be explored. Danzhi Xiaoyao Powder (DP), a historical traditional Chinese medicine formula, is a promising treatment for BP control in hypertensive patients under stress. The present study investigated the metabolomic disruption caused by chronic stress and the treatment effect and mechanism of DP.@*METHODS@#Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were subjected to chronic restraint stress (CRS) for 4 weeks. BP was measured via the tail-cuff method, and anxiety-like behavior was quantified using the elevated-plus-maze test. Meanwhile, DP was administered intragastrically, and its effects were observed. Global metabolomic analysis was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry, followed by multivariate statistical analysis to detect differential metabolites and pathways.@*RESULTS@#DP alleviated the CRS-induced increase in BP and anxiety-like behavior. Systematic metabolic differences were found among the three study groups. A total of 29 differential plasma metabolites were identified in both positive- and negative-ion modes. These metabolites were involved in triglyceride metabolism, amino acid (phenylalanine, tryptophan, and glycine) metabolism, and steroid hormone pathways.@*CONCLUSION@#These findings expose the metabolomic disturbances induced by chronic stress in SHRs and suggest an innovative treatment for this disorder.

Automated Framework and Visualization-based Analysis of Concept Evolution of Spleen and Stomach Diseases and Syndromes in Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo collect and screen records concerning the spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes in ancient books of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） using an automated framework and to systematically explore the concept evolution of spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes using the visualization method. MethodA total of 1 224 kinds of ancient book data in the Ancient Books of Traditional Chinese Medicine Database （V2.1） were analyzed using the automated testing tool Selenium WebDriver with the Python 3.8 programming language and the etree library of Lxml for automatic collection and statistics of the "book title" "author" "classification" "dynasty" "completion time"， and "informative abstract". After being checked and collated， the collected data were visually analyzed with Tableau （V2020.1.3） for figuring out the concept evolution of spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes in the past dynasties from the perspectives of symptoms and signs， etiology and pathogenesis， principle-method-recipe-medicinal， and prognosis. ResultA total of 7 203 clauses were automatically collected from 989 ancient books. It was found that in the pre-Qin period， there were few ancient books related to the spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes， and the understandings were confined to the superficial symptoms or signs and the basic etiology and pathogenesis. From the Han to Sui and Tang dynasties， the related concepts gradually increased and the descriptions about the manifestations are more detailed than those in previous dynasties. The etiology， diagnosis， and treatment system of the spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes were further perfected. In the Song， Jin， and Yuan dynasties， such concepts as independent signs，symptoms， as well as nature and location of spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes were enriched. In the Ming and Qing dynasties， a TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment system for spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes was formed， and the related concepts were gradually simplified and unified. ConclusionThe concepts of spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes have undergone an evolution from simplicity to complexity and then back to simplicity. There are numerous ancient books discussing the concepts of spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes， exhibiting a fluctuating yet rising trend with time. The automated framework enables the construction of a lightweight database of spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes. Based on data visualization， the concept evolution of the spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes from ancient times to the present has been efficiently uncovered， which is conducive to tracing the origin and development of spleen and stomach diseases and syndromes in TCM. This has provided reference for related research of spleen and stomach diseases in modern Chinese medicine.

Chuanxiong injection improves neurological function of post-stroke depression rats through cAMP-CREB-BDNF pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the neuroproteetion of Chuanxiong injection on post-stroke depression (PSD) and its effeet on cAMP-p-CREB-BDNF pathway in hip¬pocampus.Methods Hats were randomly divided into four groups of sham, model, low-dose ( 0.1 g • kg ~1 ) of Chuanxiong injection and high-dose (0.2 g • kg 1 ) of it.The PSD model was established by middle cere-bral artery occlusion ( MCAO) combined with chronic stress stimulation.After the treatment, the behaviors of rats were observed by the tests of sugar consumption, open-field and Morris water maze.The function and status of neurons in hippocampus CA1 area were detec¬ted by Nissl staining and Neun immunofluorescence.The expressions of cAMP-p-CREB-BDNF pathway pro¬teins in hippocampus were observed by Western blot.Results Both Chuanxiong injection groups of low-dose and high-dose significantly increased consumption of sugar water, horizontal anrl vertical movement scores, decreased total route distance and route near the plat, elevated the number of Nissl body in CA1 area, re¬stored the morphology of Nissl body, and enhanced the expressions of cAMP and p-CREB in hippocampus.Additionally, the high dose group shortened swimming duration, reduced distance ratio of near plat to far from plat, and increased the expressions of Neun and BD- NF.Conclusions Chuanxiong injection has the po¬tential of improving the behavior and neurological func¬tion of PSD rats via up-regulating cAMP-CREB-BDNF pathway, protecting the neurons in hippocampal CA1 area, and ultimately alleviating the cognitive deficiency of PSD rats.

Biosynthesis and metabolism regulation of terpenoids in Pogostemon cablin: a review / 中国中药杂志

The terpenoids in Pogostemon cablin have complex structures and abundant pharmacological effects. Patchouli alcohol(PA) and pogostone(PO) have a high medicinal value by virtue of anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and other biological activities. Due to the low content of terpenoid metabolites in P. cablin, the study of biosynthesis and metabolism regulation can provide a biosynthetic basis for obtaining high-content terpenoids. In this study, key enzyme genes in biosynthesis, transcription factors in metabolism regulation, spatio-temporal expression of terpene synthase were reviewed, aiming to provide a reference for the development, protection, and utilization of P. cablin resources.

Genetic Diversity Analysis of Pogostemon cablin Based on AFLP Markers / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:This paper aims to study the genetic diversity of <italic>Pogostemon cablin</italic> by amplified fragment length polymorphism （AFLP） markers. Method:The 12 pairs of primers were used for AFLP analysis of 212 samples from 14 varieties，and biological analysis software such as POPGENE 32，Arlequinver 3.5，MEGA 7 and NTSYSpc 2.10e were used for polymorphism parameter calculation，principal coordinate analysis and cluster analysis. Result:A total of 2 238 loci were amplified by 12 pairs of primers. 2 226 of them were polymorphic loci， accounting for 99.38%. At the inter-population level，the values of effective alleles（<italic>Ne</italic>），Nei's gene diversity index（<italic>H</italic>），Shannon polymorphic information index（<italic>I</italic>） were 1.365 6±0.066 3， 0.220 7±0.036 4， and 0.343 7±0.050 2，respectively；and 1.118 5±0.038 7，0.071 3±0.023 0，0.109 4±0.035 0，respectively at the intra-population level. Analysis of molecular variance（AMOVA）showed that 71.57% of the total variation of <italic>P. cablin</italic> was of inter-population nature， and 28.43% was of intra-population nature. The 14 populations could be divided into four groups by cluster analysis. Conclusion:The results of AFLP molecular markers showed that abundant genetic diversity was present at inter-population level of <italic>P. cablin</italic>，however，relatively low at intra-population level； the genetic differentiation at the inter-population level was significant，which could provide a reference for the subsequent study of good germplasm selection of <italic>P. cablin</italic>.

Modified Procedures for ALPPS Based on a Risk-Reduced Strategy: Paralleled Clinical Evaluation at Multiple Institutions

Purpose@#We compared the clinical outcomes of modified procedures for associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) based on a risk-reduced strategy with those of classic ALPPS procedures in treating large liver carcinoma. @*Materials and Methods@#Short-term outcomes, increases in future liver remnant (FLR) and functional FLR (FFLR), and overall survival (OS) were compared between 45 consecutive patients treated with modified ALPPS procedures and 34 patients treated with classic ALPPS procedures. @*Results@#Clinical outcomes after the 1st-stage operation markedly improved with the modified procedures. Although the proportions of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were higher in the modified group, the mortality and incidence of severe complications did not increase. FLR and FFLR hypertrophy at 1 week after the 1st-stage operation were similar in both groups; however, kinetic growth rates in the modified group were lower. OS rates were similar. @*Conclusion@#Modified ALPPS procedures could be safely applied to provide long-term survival for patients with liver cirrhosis without sufficient FLR.

Modified Procedures for ALPPS Based on a Risk-Reduced Strategy: Paralleled Clinical Evaluation at Multiple Institutions

Purpose@#We compared the clinical outcomes of modified procedures for associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy (ALPPS) based on a risk-reduced strategy with those of classic ALPPS procedures in treating large liver carcinoma. @*Materials and Methods@#Short-term outcomes, increases in future liver remnant (FLR) and functional FLR (FFLR), and overall survival (OS) were compared between 45 consecutive patients treated with modified ALPPS procedures and 34 patients treated with classic ALPPS procedures. @*Results@#Clinical outcomes after the 1st-stage operation markedly improved with the modified procedures. Although the proportions of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma were higher in the modified group, the mortality and incidence of severe complications did not increase. FLR and FFLR hypertrophy at 1 week after the 1st-stage operation were similar in both groups; however, kinetic growth rates in the modified group were lower. OS rates were similar. @*Conclusion@#Modified ALPPS procedures could be safely applied to provide long-term survival for patients with liver cirrhosis without sufficient FLR.

Exosomes Derived from Hydroquinone-transformed Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells Inhibited Recipient Cell Apoptosis by transferring miR-221 / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objective@#Although benzene is a confirmed environmental carcinogen, the mechanism of its carcinogenicity remains largely unclear. The suggested oncogene, miR-221, is elevated and plays important roles in various tumors, but its role in benzene-induced carcinogenesis remains unknown.@*Methods@#In the present study, we constructed hydroquinone (HQ, a representative metabolite of benzene with biological activity)-transformed malignant cell line (16HBE-t) and analyzed the level of miR-221 in it with qRT-PCR. Exosomes from 16HBE-t cells incubated with or without an miR-221 inhibitor were isolated by ultracentrifugation, characterized by transmission electron microscopy and laser scanning confocal microscope, and then transfected into 16HBE cells. The effects of exosomal miR-221 on apoptosis induced by HQ in recipient cells were determined using flow cytometry.@*Results@#The amount of miR-221 in 16HBE-t was significantly increased compared with controls. When recipient cells ingested exosomes derived from 16HBE-t, miR-221 was increased, and apoptosis induced by HQ was inhibited. Blocking miR-221 in 16HBE-t using an inhibitor did not significantly alter miR-221 or apoptosis in recipient cells.@*Conclusion@#Exosomal miR-221 secreted by 16HBE-t inhibits apoptosis induced by HQ in normal recipient cells.

Effects of 5-azacytidine on DNA methylation and index components in patchouliol-type Pogostemon cablin / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the relationship of DNA methylation with the contents of the index components as well as the growth and development of Pogostemon cablin. The demethylation reagent 5-azacytidine(5-azaC) was used to treat the tissue culture seedlings of patchouliol-type P. cablin. High performance liquid chromatography was employed to evaluate the changes of DNA methy-lation in P. cablin, and GC-MS to detect the contents of index components in P.cablin. The agronomic characters of P.cablin were measured using the common methods. The results showcased that DNA methylation of P.cablin was significantly reduced by 5-azaC in a concentration-dependent manner. Thirty days after treatment with 5-azaC at different concentrations, the content of patchouli alcohol changed slightly; compared with that in the control group, the content of pogostone in 50 μmol·L~(-1) and 100 μmol·L~(-1) 5-azaC groups was significantly up-regulated. The 100 μmol·L~(-1) 5-azaC group had the largest differences in contents of pogostone and patchouli alcohol compared with the control group, followed by the 50 μmol·L~(-1) 5-azaC group. Ninety days after disinhibition, the content of pogostone in the treatment group was significantly increased and the content of patchouli alcohol was significantly decreased. In addition, 5-azaC significantly inhibited the growth and development of P.cablin in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that DNA methylation regulates the biosynthesis of the index components in patchouliol-type P.cablin and proper demethylation can directly promote the synthesis of pogostone and indirectly affect the accumulation of patchouli alcohol.

An unexpected electrocardiogram sign of subacute left ventricular free wall rupture: Its early awareness may be lifesaving / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

@#BACKGROUND: Post-infarct left ventricular free wall rupture (LVFWR) is not always an immediately catastrophic complication. The rupture can be subacute, allowing time for diagnosis and intervention. Accordingly, early recognition of the entity may be lifesaving. METHODS: We present an electrocardiogram (ECG) change pattern in two cases, which was erroneously attributed to ischemia. Two women in their 80s were admitted to our institute after experiencing the sudden onset of chest pain. They were managed as anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction without reperfusion treatment. Unfortunately, they experienced a recurrence of severe chest pain with cardiogenic shock during hospitalisation. The ECG recorded at that time showed a ST-segment re-elevation in infract-related leads. RESULTS: The two cases were regrettably received a misjudgement of reinfarction at first, and one of the patients even was administrated with tirofi ban. Afterwards the diagnosis of subacute LVFWR was made through antemortem echocardiography. CONCLUSION: New ST-segment elevation (STE) in infarct-associated leads, coupled with recurrence of chest pain and new-onset hypotension, may constitute the premonitory signs of a subacute LVFWR.

Effect of low high-density lipoprotein levels on mortality of septic patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

@#BACKGROUND: An increase in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) is well associated with a decreased cardiovascular risk, especially atherosclerosis. Recent studies suggest that lower levels of HDL may also be associated with an increased risk of sepsis and an increased rate of mortality in septic patients. However, this conclusion remains controversial. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases were searched from inception to September 30, 2019. All studies were conducted to evaluate the correlation of lipoprotein levels and the risk and outcomes of sepsis in adult patients. The primary outcomes were the risk and mortality of sepsis. RESULTS: Seven studies comprising 791 patients were included. Lower levels of HDL had no marked relevance with the risk of sepsis (odds radio [OR] for each 1 mg/dL increase, 0.94; 95% CI 0.86–1.02; P=0.078), whereas lower HDL levels were related to an increased mortality rate in septic patients (OR for below about median HDL levels, 2.00; 95% CI 1.23–3.24; P=0.005). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis did not reveal a significant association between lower HDL levels and an increase in the risk of sepsis, whereas it showed that lower HDL levels are associated with a higher mortality rate in septic adult patients. These findings suggest that HDL may be considered as a promising factor for the prevention and treatment of sepsis in the future.