Effect of silicon dioxide exposure on airway surface microenvironment and NEK7/NLPR3 inflammasome in rats / 预防医学

Objective@#To examine the effect of SiO2 exposure on the airway surface microenvironment and NIMA-related kinase 7 (NEK7)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in rats.@*Methods@#Twenty-four specific pathogen-free male rats of the SD strain were randomly divided into the control group and the model group, of 12 rats in each group. Rats in the model group were given SiO2 suspensions through disposable tracheal intubation perfusion to model silicosis in rats, while rats in the control group was perfused with the same amount of physiological saline. The pH value and glucose level were measured in the rat bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) 14 and 28 days after modeling. Lung tissues were stained with HE and Masson and the distribution of inflammatory cells and the deposition of pulmonary interstitial collagens were observed in lung tissues under a light microscope. The expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), collagen type Ⅰ(ColⅠ), collagen type Ⅲ (Col Ⅲ), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), NLRP3, N-terminal domain of Gasdermin D (GSDMD-NT), caspase-1, and NEK7 was quantified in lung specimens using immunohistochemistry.@*Results@# Lower pH values were measured in rat BALF in the model group than in the control group 14 [(6.38±0.05) vs. (6.68±0.08), P<0.05] and 28 days after modeling [(6.63±0.14) vs. (6.86±0.05), P<0.05], while higher glucose levels were seen in the model group than in the control group 14 [(0.39±0.06) vs. (0.31±0.04) mg/dL, P<0.05] and 28 days after modeling [(0.39±0.08) vs. (0.31±0.06) mg/dL, P<0.05]. HE and Masson staining showed mild to moderate alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis in rats 14 days post-exposure to SiO2, and showed moderate to severe alveolitis and pulmonary fibrosis 28 days post-exposure. Immunohistochemistry detected higher TGF-β1, ColⅠ, Col Ⅲ, IL-1β, NLRP3, GSDMD-NT, caspase-1 and NEK7 expression in rat lung tissues in the model group than in the control group (all P<0.05). @*Conclusions@#SiO2 exposure may cause changes in rat airway surface microenvironment, including BALF acidification and elevated glucose. Pyroptosis induced by activation of NEK7-associated NLRP3 inflammasome may be an important mechanism of pulmonary fibrosis caused by silicosis.

Research progress of traditional Chinese medicine extracts in intervention of fibrosis caused by silicosis / 环境与职业医学

Silicotic nodules and pulmonary fibrosis are histopathological appearance in silicosis patients after long-term inhalation of crystalline silica particles, and are difficult to reverse and recover. Research on the pathogenesis and treatment strategies of silicosis has significantly lagged behind medical progress and clinical needs, resulting in the disease remaining a thorny clinical problem. Traditional Chinese medicine extracts or compound preparations have become a hot issue in exploring silicosis treatment strategies in recent years. This paper described the main pathological processes of pulmonary fibrosis caused by silicosis, followed by introducing its main pathogenesis mechanisms, including transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)/Smad signaling pathway, oxidative stress reaction, apoptosis, and autophagy. In addition, it briefly described the research progress, targets, and intervention effects of selected traditional Chinese medicine extracts, which provides a scientific basis for the theoretical and clinical research of traditional Chinese medicine extracts in inhibiting pulmonary fibrosis. To change the clinical status quo of silicosis fibrosis which is difficult to control and reverse, the paper proposed that we can further explore the pathogenesis and progression mechanisms of silicosis and drug treatment strategy, and focus on the transformation of basic research into clinical practice.

The effect of kanglaite injection in combination with gefitinib versus gefitinib alone in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer: A meta-analysis

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of kanglaite (KLT) injection combined with gefitinib versus gefitinib alone in the treatment of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The randomized controlled trials involving NSCLC treatment with KLT injection combined with gefitinib versus gefitinib alone were searched on seven medical databases up to October 2016. Two reviewers independently assessed the methodological quality of the included studies. The RevMan 5.3 software was employed for data analysis. Results: Seven randomized trials involving 554 patients met our criteria. Compared with gefitinib alone, KLT injection combined with gefitinib showed significant effects in increasing objective response rate (relative risk [RR] =1.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09–1.75), improving the performance status (RR = 1.80; 95% CI: 1.34–2.42), raising the percentages of CD4+ cells (weighted mean difference [WMD] = 4.45; 95% CI: 2.61–6.28), natural killer cells (WMD = 4.43; 95% CI: 3.85–5.01), and ratio of CD4+/CD8+ (WMD = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02–0.14), whereas the difference was not significant in gefitinib toxicity including rash (RR 0.90; 95% CI: 0.58–1.40, P = 0.65), diarrhea (RR 1.04; 95% CI: 0.66–1.64, P = 0.88), and liver injury (RR 1.00; 95% CI: 0.58–1.73, P = 1.00), CD3+ cells (WMD = 1.16; 95% CI: -2.64–4.97) and CD8+ cells (WMD = 6.78; 95% CI: -1.68–15.23). Conclusion: Co-use of KLT injection and gefitinib may benefit the patients with NSCLC through enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness compared with gefitinib alone. To confirm these results, further rigorously designed trials are warranted

Treatment of Hormone Dependent Asthma by Combination of Chinese and Western Medicines / 浙江中医药大学学报

[Objective]To observe the clinical effect of the treatment of hormone dependent asthma by Bushen Yiqi Decoction. [Methods]84 cases of hormone dependent asthma in the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from December 2011 to December 2015 were selected. According to the random number table, 84 cases were randomly divided into two groups:control group and observation group, 42 cases in each group. Control group was in accordance with the GINA guidelines recommended fourth level of treatment. Observation group, on the basis of the control group, treated hormone dependent asthma by western medicine in combination with Bushen Yiqi Decoction. [Results] The total effective rate of observation group was 88.1%, and the total effective rate of control group was 71.43%. Two groups of comparison, the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05); IL-5, IL-4, EOS levels were decreased after treatment in the two groups(P<0.05), but the observation group decreased more significantly, compared with the control group, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05);During treatment and after treatment, reduction rate of using hormone and antiasthmatics in control group and observation group was respectively(85.7%VS64.3%) and(78.6%VS61.9), two groups of comparison, the difference was statistically significant( P<0.05). [Conclusion]Compared with the pure oral hormone plus inhalation in the treatment of hormone dependent asthma, application of Bushen Yiqi Decoction has obvious curative effect and can reduce the dosage of hormone and side effects. It is worthy of clinical promotion.

Human infection with a novel avian-origin influenza A (H7N9) virus: serial chest radiographic and CT findings / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Rapidly progressive pneumonia infection with H7N9 virus is a novel disease, and limited information is available concerning serial chest radiographic and computed tomography (CT) findings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in serial radiologic findings in patients with H7N9 pneumonia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The two institutional ethics review boards approved this retrospective study. This study included 10 patients with H7N9 pneumonia. All patients underwent chest radiologic examinations at different time points. Serial radiologic images were systematically analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients showed abnormal results on initial chest radiography and CT. The initial radiographic abnormalities were unilateral (n = 9) and bilateral (n = 1), including ground-glass opacities (GGOs) (n = 5) and consolidation (n = 5). The initial CT findings consisted of unilateral (n = 6) and bilateral (n = 4), including consolidation (n = 10), GGOs (n = 10), reticular opacities (n = 2), and pleural effusion (n = 3). Follow-up radiologic findings showed rapid development of consolidation or GGOs within two weeks after illness onset. Pneumomediastinum with secondary subcutaneous emphysema and pneumothorax were noted in two patients. Follow-up high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) after two weeks showed slow improvement in both size and opacity of the lesions. On HRCT after discharge, patients had substantial residual lesions such as irregular linear opacities, reticular opacities, parenchymal bands, traction bronchiectasis, and cystic lesions.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The most common radiologic findings at presentation are multifocal or diffuse areas of consolidation and GGOs in H7N9 pneumonia. HRCT in sequence can show more changes in rapid progression of disease and a slow decrease of both size and opacity of the lesions plays an important role in the evaluation of H7N9 pneumonia.</p>

Preventive effects of Citrus reticulata essential oil on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats and the mechanism / 中西医结合学报

To investigate the effects of essential oil of Citrus reticulata (EOCR) on proliferation of human embryonic lung fibroblasts (HELFs), and to explore its protective effects on bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis in rats.

PROLIFERATION OF CERVICAL RESERVE CELLS AND IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY OF CD44v5 / 解剖学报

Objective Cervical reserve cells are the maternal cells of cervical neoplasia. It's proliferation and origin were studied. Methods The pathological morphology of cervical reserve cell proliferating was observed by light microscopy in 238 cases of cervical benign diseases; Immunohistochemical technology of CD44v5 was used to inspect the expression of cervical reserve cells in 54 cases. Results and Conclusion 1.Reserve cell proliferation was common in most cases of cervical benign diseases and it was originated from stroma; 2 The proliferating reserve cells were composed of four types:large cells, small cells, clear cells and spindle cells; 3The expression of CD44v5 in reserve cells showed 100% strongly positive. The cells proliferation was common in begin diseases of cervix; Reserve cells possibly were originated from stroma.

Study on nuclear DNA content and image cytometry in cervical cancer and precursor lesions / 中华妇产科杂志

Objective The aim of this research was to study the biological and clinical features of cervical cancer and precursor lesions Methods Nuclear DNA was analyzed by image cytometry (ICM) in 125 embedded tissue 5 ?m sections stained with Feulgen stain Samples included normal cervical squamous epithelium ( n =11), cervical intraepithelial neoplasiaⅠ (CINⅠ) ( n =22), CINⅡ ( n =17) and CINⅢ ( n =13), cervical neoplasm ( n =62) Results The mean DNA content, nuclear area increased progressively from normal cervical epithelium, CINⅠ , CINⅡ , CINⅢ to invasive squamous carcinoma Statistical analysis revealed significant difference ( P