A genetic variant in the immune-related gene ERAP1 affects colorectal cancer prognosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Findings on the association of genetic factors and colorectal cancer (CRC) survival are limited and inconsistent, and revealing the mechanism underlying their prognostic roles is of great importance. This study aimed to explore the relationship between functional genetic variations and the prognosis of CRC and further reveal the possible mechanism.@*METHODS@#We first systematically performed expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Then, the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to filter out the survival-related eQTL target genes of CRC patients in two public datasets (TCGA and GSE39582 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database). The seven most potentially functional eQTL single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with six survival-related eQTL target genes were genotyped in 907 Chinese CRC patients with clinical prognosis data. The regulatory mechanism of the survival-related SNP was further confirmed by functional experiments.@*RESULTS@#The rs71630754 regulating the expression of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 ( ERAP1 ) was significantly associated with the prognosis of CRC (additive model, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.88, P = 0.012). The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that the A allele of the rs71630754 could increase the binding of transcription factor 3 (TCF3) and subsequently reduce the expression of ERAP1 . The results of bioinformatic analysis showed that lower expression of ERAP1 could affect the tumor immune microenvironment and was significantly associated with severe survival outcomes.@*CONCLUSION@#The rs71630754 could influence the prognosis of CRC patients by regulating the expression of the immune-related gene ERAP1 .@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#No. NCT00454519 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ ).

Expression and drug resistance of EGFR in targeted therapy of non-small cell lung cancer / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with the highest morbidity and mortality. Epidermal growth factor receptor is expressed in the majority of non-small cell lung cancer tumor cells, making it possible to give these patients more precise and targeted therapies. The mechanisms of abnormal EGFR regulation are closely related to the efficacy of targeted therapy and the occurrence of drug resistance. Therefore, this review will review the expression mechanism of EGFR in NSCLC and the acquired drug resistance of epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor after treatment of NSCLC.

Cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis treated with warming needle with different lengths of moxa stick: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical efficacy on cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis treated with warming needle with different lengths of moxa stick.@*METHODS@#Six hundred patients with cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis were randomly divided into 4 groups: a 4 cm length group (150 cases, 5 cases dropped off, 2 cases suspended), a 3 cm length group (150 cases, 6 cases dropped off, 2 cases suspended), a 2 cm length group (150 cases, 6 cases dropped off), and a routine acupuncture group (150 cases, 6 cases dropped off). Warming needle with moxa stick in the length of 4 cm, 3 cm and 2 cm was delivered in the 4 cm length group, the 3 cm length group and the 2 cm length group, respectively. In the routine acupuncture group, simple acupuncture was applied. The acupoints selected in the above groups included Dazhui (GV 14) and bilateral Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C5 and C7, Fengchi (GB 20), Jianzhen (SI 9), Quchi (LI 11), Zhongzhu (TE 3), etc. In each group, the intervention was delivered once daily and 5 times a week. One course of intervention was composed of 2 weeks and 2 courses were required. The TCM syndrome score, the score of clinical assessment scale for cervical spondylosis (CASCS), the score of the brachial plexus traction test of the affected upper limb, F wave occurrence rate and conduction velocity of the ulnar nerve, the median nerve and the radial nerve of the affected upper limb were compared before and after treatment in the patients of each group. The levels of serum inflammatory factors, i.e. interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), were measured before and after treatment in the patients of each group. The clinical cfficacy was evaluated in the 4 groups.@*RESULTS@#After treatment, the results of TCM syndrome evaluation, i.e. the scores of neck pain, activity limitation and upper limb numbness and pain, as well as the total scores; and the scores of brachial plexus traction test were reduced when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The scores of subjective symptoms and adaptability, and the total scores of CASCS were elevated in comparison with those before treatment in each group (P<0.01, P<0.05). In the 4 cm length group, compared with the other 3 groups, the scores of neck pain and activity limitation for TCM syndrome evaluation, and its total score were lower (P<0.05, P<0.01); and the scores of subjective symptoms and adaptability, and the total score of CASCS were higher (P<0.05, P<0.01). The score of the brachial plexus traction test in the 4 cm length group was lower than that of the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, F wave occurrence rates and conduction velocity of median nerve and radial nerve were increased when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.05, P<0.01). F wave occurrence rate and conduction velocity of the radial nerve in the 4 cm length group were higher than those of the other 3 groups (P<0.05), and those of the median nerve were higher when compared with the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of serum IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were all reduced when compared with those before treatment in each group (P<0.01, P<0.05); the level of serum IL-6 in the 4 cm length group was lower than those of the other 3 groups and serum level of TNF-α was lower compared with that in the routine acupuncture group (P<0.05). The total effective rate of the 4 cm length group was 78.3% (112/143), which was higher when compared with the 3 cm length group (67.6%, 96/142), the 2 cm length group (65.3%, 94/144) and the routine acupuncture group (53.5%, 77/144), respectively (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Warming needle with moxa stick of 4 cm in length effectively relieves the clinical symptoms of cervical spondylosis of nerve root type with qi stagnation and blood stasis, improves the nerve function of the upper limbs, and reduces the inflammatory responses caused by nerve compression. The clinical efficacy of this therapy with moxa stick of 4 cm in length is superior to the warming needle with moxa sticks of 3 cm and 2 cm, as well as the routine acupuncture.

Research progress of human bocavirus infection in children / 中华危重病急救医学

Human bocavirus is a novel pathogen first detected in respiratory tract samples in 2005. People of different ages can be infected by human bocavirus. Children are the susceptible population, especially the infants aged from 6-24 months old. The epidemic season varies in different regions due to the differences in climate and geographical location, and it mainly occurs in autumn and winter. It's demonstrated that human bocavirus-1 is closely related to respiratory system diseases and even causes life-threatening critical illness. Also, the severity of symptom is positively correlated with viral load. Co-infections between human bocavirus-1 and other viruses often present high frequency occurrence. Human bocavirus-1 interferes immune function of host by inhibiting interferon secrete pathway. Currently, it remains limited knowledge and understanding of the roles of human bocavirus 2-4 in diseases, but the gastrointestinal diseases should be paid more attention. Detection of human bocavirus DNA by traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay shouldn't be regarded as conclusive diagnostic basis. Instead, combined with mRNA and specific antigen detection, it is beneficial to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. Till now, the knowledge of human bocavirus remains poorly studied, which is deserved to further progress.

Effect of Polygonati Rhizoma in improving pyroptosis injury of diabetic macroangiopathy via NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pathway / 中国中药杂志

This study aims to explore the influence of Polygonati Rhizoma on the pyroptosis in the rat model of diabetic macroangiopathy via the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3)/cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1(caspase-1)/gasdermin D(GSDMD) pathway. The rat model of diabetes was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ) combined with a high-fat, high-sugar diet. The blood glucose meter, fully automated biochemical analyzer, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot were employed to measure blood glucose levels, lipid levels, vascular thickness, inflammatory cytokine levels, and expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins. The mechanism of pharmacological interventions against the injury in the context of diabetes was thus explored. The results demonstrated the successful establishment of the model of diabetes. Compared with the control group, the model group showed elevated levels of fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-c), lowered level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-c), thickened vascular intima, and elevated serum and aorta levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-18(IL-18). Moreover, the model group showed increased NLRP3 inflammasomes and up-regulated levels of caspase-1 and GSDMD in aortic vascular cells. Polygonati Rhizoma intervention reduced blood glucose and lipid levels, inhibited vascular thickening, lowered the levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-18 in the serum and aorta, attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome expression, and down-regulated the expression levels of caspase-1 and GSDMD, compared with the model group. In summary, Polygonati Rhizoma can slow down the progression of diabetic macroangiopathy by inhibiting pyroptosis and alleviating local vascular inflammation.

Measures for waste and by-product recycling and circular economy of whole industry chain of traditional Chinese medicine resources facing carbon peak and carbon neutrality (dual carbon) goals / 中国中药杂志

It has become a common consensus that resource conservation and intensive recycling for improving resource utilization efficiency is an important way to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality(dual carbon). Traditonal Chinese medicine(TCM)resources as national strategic resources are the material basis and fundamental guarantee for the development of TCM industry and health services. However, the rapid growth of China's TCM industry and the continuous expansion and extension of the industrial chain have exposed the low efficiency of TCM resources. Resource waste and environmental pollution caused by the treatment and discharge of TCM waste have emerged as major problems faced by the development of the industry, which has aroused wide concern. Considering the dual carbon goals, this paper expounds the role and potential of TCM resource recycling and circular economy industry development. Taking the typical model of TCM resource recycling as the case of circular economy industry in reducing carbon source and increasing carbon sink, this paper puts forward the suggestions for the TCM circular economy industry serving the double carbon goals. The suggestions mainly include strengthening the policy and strategic leading role of the double carbon goals, building an objective evaluation system of low-carbon emission reduction in the whole industrial chain of TCM resources, building an industrial demonstration park for the recycling of TCM resources, and promoting the establishment of a circular economy system of the whole industrial chain of TCM resources. These measures are expected to guide the green transformation of TCM resource industry from linear economic model to circular economy model, provide support for improving the utilization efficiency and sustainable development of TCM resources, and facilitate the low-carbon and efficient development of TCM resource industry and the achievement of the double carbon goals.

Clinical efficacy of hepatic artery chemoembolization combined with systemic treatment in the treatment of recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma with abdominal lymph node metastasis / 中华消化外科杂志

In China, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are usually with late stage and long medical history when diagnosed, resulting in a lower 5-year survival rate. For advanced HCC, guidelines from different countries have different indications for local treatment. The applica-tion of hepatic artery chemoembolization has brought new treatment opportunities to patients with advanced HCC. Due to tumor heterogeneity, the response to immunotherapy is different in patients with intrahepatic recurrent lesions and extrahepatic metastatic lesions of primary hepatic carcinoma. Therefore, hepatic artery chemoembolization combined with systemic treatment is beneficial to prolong the survival of patients. The authors introduce the clinical experience of a patient with recurrent advanced HCC combined with abdominal lymph node metastasis who was treated with hepatic artery chemoembolization combined with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab. The results show that tumor is controlled in a short period with a good clinical effect.

Long-term follow-up results of radiotherapy combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization and tyrosine kinase inhibitor in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma showing macrovascular invasion / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Objective:To assess the long-term follow-up results of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) showing macrovascular invasion (MVI).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for 63 patients with HCC showing MVI without distant metastasis treated in Peking University Cancer Hospital from October 2015 to October 2018. Among them 28 patients were treated with IMRT combined with TACE and sorafenib (Group A) and 35 patients were treated with IMRT combined with TACE (Group B). Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to assess the progression-free survival (PFS) and the overall survival (OS) of both groups.Results:The median follow-up time was 62 months. Before PSM, the median OS of group A and B were 19.0 months and 15.2 months ( χ2=3.15, P=0.076), respectively, and the median PFS of groups A (10.7 months) was longer than that of group B (8.6 months; χ2=3.99, P=0.046). After PSM, the median OS of group A (30.6 months) was significantly longer than that of group B (15.2 months; χ2=5.34, P=0.023), and the PFS of groups A (12.5 months) was still longer than that of group B (8.3 months; χ2=4.79, P=0.026). In the whole group, 10 patients (15.9%) suffered from grade-3 hematologic toxicity, and seven patients (11.1%) experienced grade-3 hepatic toxicity. The incidence of skin reactions, hand-foot syndrome, and diarrhea in group A was higher than that in group B, but all these adverse events were grade 1-2. Moreover, no grade-4 adverse events, radiation-induced liver disease, and treatment-related mortality occurred in both groups. Conclusions:As demonstrated by the long-term follow-up result, IMRT combined with TACE and TKI could improve both the PFS and the OS of patients with HCC showing MVI after PSM.

Association between the Controlling Nutritional Status score and long-term outcome in patients with acute heart failure / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status by the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score and its association with the long-term prognosis in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Methods: This prospective monocentric study consecutively enrolled patients admitted to our hospital for AHF from April 2012 to May 2016. Patients were divided into 3 groups based on the CONUT score at admission: normal (0-1), mild malnutrition (2-4) and moderate-severe malnutrition (5-12) groups. Baseline information was obtained and recorded within 24 hours after admission. All patients were followed up every 3 months by outpatient visit or telephone call until March 2019. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. The Kaplan-Meier survival curves and log-rank test were used to compare all-cause mortality between groups. Variables showing statistical significance in the univariate analysis were incorporated into multivariate Cox regression model to analyze the independent risk factors for all-cause mortality after discharge. Results: A total of 396 patients were enrolled in this study, including 114 patients with normal nutritional status, 200 patients with mild malnutrition and 82 patients with moderate-severe malnutrition. One hundred and fifty-eight patients died during a median follow-up of 34 (18, 46) months. The mortality was 32.4% (37/114), 39% (78/200) and 52.4% (43/82) in normal, mild malnutrition and moderate-severe malnutrition groups, respectively. The mortality was significantly higher in the moderate-severe malnutrition group than in normal nutrition group (P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in mortality between normal and mild malnutrition group as well as between mild and moderate-severe malnutrition group (both P>0.05). Kaplan-Meier curves indicated that patients with high CONUT score group was at higher risk of all-cause mortality compared with those with low CONUT score (P=0.002). Cox proportional hazard analyses showed that the risk of all-cause mortality of moderate-severe malnutrition group was significantly higher than that of normal nutrition group (HR =1.648, 95%CI 1.021-2.660, P=0.041). Conclusions: The CONUT score of patients with AHF at admission is associated with the long-term prognosis. High CONUT score is an independent risk factor for all-cause mortality in AHF patients after discharge.

CSCO ablation expert workshop report: Recommendations for the management of tumor ablation during the coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a global pandemic since its outbreak in December 2019, which posed a threat to the safety and well-being of people on a global scale. Cancer patients are at high risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and their critical morbidity and case fatality rates are high. The ablation expert committee of the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology compiled corresponding expert recommendations. These recommendations summarize the preventive measures and management of tumor ablation treatment in medical institutions, including outpatient clinics, oncology wards, ablation operation room, and postablation follow-ups in accordance with the guidelines and protocols imposed by the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China and the experience in management and prevention according to various hospitals. This consensus aims to reduce and prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and its cross-infection between cancer patients in hospitals and provide regulatory advice and guidelines for medical personnel

Preliminary clinical efficacy of iodine-125 seed implantation for the treatment of advanced malignant lung tumors

Aims: This study aims to observe the preliminary clinical efficacy of percutaneous interstitial brachytherapy using iodine-125 seeds for the treatment of advanced malignant lung tumors. Subjects and Methods: This retrospective study enrolled 24 patients in our hospital with advanced malignant lung tumors between June 2013 and November 2017. Computed tomography (CT)-guided iodine-125 seed implantation therapy was administered to these patients. All patients were followed up at 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by CT. Results: Among the 24 patients, the objective response rates at 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure were 50.0%, 50.0%, and 33.3%, respectively. Recent occurrence of adverse reactions were observed, including four cases of pneumothorax, three cases of hemoptysis, and two cases of particle displacement. Conclusions: CT-guided percutaneous interstitial brachytherapy with iodine-125 seeds can be used for the treatment of lung malignant tumors. Its clinical curative effect is remarkable and it results in limited trauma, reducing the incidence of adverse reactions and improving patient quality of life

Permeation mechanism of phenolic acid components from traditional Chinese medicine on PES membrane separation process / 中国中药杂志

To explore the permeation mechanism of micro-molecule medicinal ingredients of water extract of tradition Chinese medicine(TCM) in membrane separation process. With phenolic acid components as the model solute, five phenolic acids with similar molecular weight and structure, namely gallic acid, protocatechuate acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, 3-hydroxybenzoic acid and salicylic acid, were selected in the PES membrane separation experiments. With the relative flux and the transmission rate as indexes, the scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) were used to analyze the permeation mechanism of different phenolic acid components. The results showed phenolic acids with similar molecular weight had different permeation behaviors, with decreased relative flux and increased solute permeation with the increase of solute concentration. According to the permeation behavior analyzed by the molecular structure of solute, the transmission rate of phenolic acids increased with the increase of the number of hydroxyl, and the order of substituent positions of phenolic acids based on the permeation rate as follows: para-substituted > meta-substitution > ortho-substitution. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reflected the role of charge repulsion in the membrane process; that is to say, the greater the resistance is, the less the solute permeation is. Therefore, the permeation phenomenon of the phenolic acid components in the PES membrane is not only the result of simple sieving mechanisms, but also has the effects of steric hindrance and charge repulsion during the membrane process.

Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine syndrome factors on analgesic efficacy of oxycodone after laparoscopic hysteromyomectomy / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) syndrome factors on the analgesic efficacy of oxycodone after laparoscopic hysteromyomectomy.Methods:Two hundred female patients, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical statusⅠorⅡ, aged 20-59 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective laparoscopic hysteromyomectomy under general anesthesia, were divided into 4 groups according to the TCM syndrome types: kidney deficiency and blood stasis type group (group A, n=65), damp-heat stagnation type group (group B, n=53), Qi stagnation and blood stasis type group (group C, n=43), and phlegm and dampness stagnation type group (group D, n=39). Postoperative pain was assessed using the numerical rating scale (NRS). When the NRS score≥4, oxycodone was slowly injected intravenously in a titrated manner until the NRS score<4 (loading dose). The patient-controlled intravenous analgesia solution contained oxycodone 100 mg in 100 ml of normal saline.The patient-controlled intravenous analgesia pump was set up to deliver a 1-ml bolus dose with a 10-min lockout interval and background infusion at a rate of 1 ml/h.The loading dose of oxycodone and consumption of oxycodone on 1st and 2nd days after operation were recorded. Results:Compared with A and C groups, the loading dose of oxycodone and consumption of oxycodone on 1st and 2nd days after operation were significantly increased in B and D groups ( P<0.05). There were no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between group B and group D and between group A and group C ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The TCM syndrome factors can affect the analgesic efficacy of oxycodone after laparoscopic hysteromyomectomy, and the postoperative analgesic efficacy of oxycodone is weakened comparatively in the patients of damp-heat stagnation type and of phlegm and dampness stagnation type.

3D printed guide template used in osteotomy for malunion of tibial fracture / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the personalized 3D printed guide template used in the osteotomy for malunion of tibial fracture.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the 30 patients who had been treated for malunion of tibial fracture at Department of Orthopaedics, The First Affiliated Hospital to Zhengzhou University from January 2010 to January 2018. Of them, 15 used a personalized 3D printed guide template in the osteotomy (3D printing group). They were 9 males and 6 females, with an age of 46.3 year±8.2 years. The fracture malunion was located in the upper and middle tibia in 11 cases, in the lower tibia in 4 cases, on the left side in 6 cases and on the right side in 9 ones. There were 8 cases of varus deformity and 7 ones of valgus deformity. Their preoperative fracture deformity angle was 24.3°±5.5°. The other 15 patients were treated with conventional surgery (conventional group). They were 10 males and 5 females, with an age of 47.1 years±6.0 years. The fracture was located in the upper and middle tibia in 12 cases, in the lower tibia in 3 cases, on the left side in 5 cases and on right side in 10 cases. There were 7 cases of varus deformity and 8 ones of valgus deformity. Their preoperative fracture deformity angle was 22.5°±5.4°. The 2 groups were compared in terms of preoperative baseline data, operation time, intraoperative blood loss and postoperative recovery of the alignment of lower limb.Results:There were no significant differences in the preoperative baseline data between the 2 groups, showing comparability ( P>0.05). The 3D printing group was followed up for an average of 12 months while the conventional group for an average of 10 months. The operation time for the 3D printing group was significantly shorter than that for the conventional group(102.2 min±13.0 min versus 137.9 min ±10.5 min), the intraoperative blood loss for the former significantly less than that for the latter (77.3 mL ± 39.7 mL versus 163.3 mL ± 35.2 mL), and the postoperative malunion angle in the former significantly smaller than that in the latter (1.9°±0.4° versus 3.2°±0.9°) (all P< 0.05). The last follow-ups revealed no implant failure or re-malunion but fine healing of the osteotomy sites and good recovery of the alignment of lower limb in the 2 groups. Conclusion:A personalized 3D printed guide template used in the osteotomy for malunion of tibial fracture is an effective aid because it can facilitate precise osteotomy, reduce operation time and intraoperative blood loss and help correct the alignment of lower limb, leading to good short-term surgical outcomes.

Qualitative evaluation of Forsythia suspensa by HPLC-PDA fingerprint combined with UFLC-Q-TOF-MS qualitative identification / 中国中药杂志

The analysis of Forsythia suspensa was performed on Waters Symmetry C18 column( 4. 6 mm×250 mm,5 μm) and mobile phase was methanol( A)-0. 1% formic acid aqueous solution( B) with the elution gradient. Column temperature was maintained at 30℃,and the flow rate was 1. 0 m L·min-1 with detection wavelength 265 nm. The HPLC-PDA fingerprint of F. suspensa was optimized.Chemical constituents in F. suspensa were analyzed by UFLC-Q-TOF-MS in positive and negative ion mode. The quality of 48 batches of F. suspensa from different habitats,processing methods and specifications was evaluated by similarity evaluation and cluster analysis.The 18 common peaks were confirmed. The similarity of F. suspensa from different habitats was more than 0. 98,and 56 chemical constituents were identified. Different processing methods had great influence on the quality of F. suspensa. Compared with boiled and direct drying,the quality of F. suspensa processed by sun-drying was obviously decreased. The similarity was about 0. 58. Different specifications of F. suspensa also had obvious distinction,and the similarity was about 0. 78. The effective components of grown F. suspensa,such as forsythoside A and phillyrin,were significantly reduced. The results of cluster analysis were basically consistent with the results of similarity evaluation. The establishment of fingerprint and the recognition of chemical pattern of F. suspensa can provide a more comprehensive reference for the quality control of herbs.

Mechanism of mild hypothermia promoting nerve regeneration after traumatic brain injury in rats / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate whether mild hypothermia can promote neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus and cognitive function recovery after traumatic brain injury ( TBI) through inhibiting apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Methods A total of 66 healthy adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group, TBI group and TBI+hypothermia group, with 22 rats in each group. The rat TBI model was established using the fluid percussion device. The rats in TBI +hypothermia group received 4-hour hypothermia therapy immediately after injury, with the target temperature of 33. 5℃. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was injected into the rats' abdominal cavity to label the mitotic cells. The test of Morris water maze was used to evaluate the rats' spatial learning and memory capabilities. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the expression levels of BrdU, doublecortin (DCX), neuron specific nuclear protein (NeuN), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 3 (caspase-3) and cleaved caspase-3 expressions in dentate gyrus of hippocampus at 7 days and 28 days after injury. Expressions apoptosis-related proteins including the factor associated suicide ( FAS )/factor associated suicide ligand (FASL), B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-3 expressions were detected by Western blot assay. Results The water maze tests at 28 days after injury showed that compared with TBI group, the escape latency in TBI+hypothermia group was significantly shorter [(24. 2 ± 5. 9)s:(18 ± 4. 1)s], and both the time in the target quadrant and the number of platform crossing were increasedsignificantly[(24.9±6.5)s:(31.7±5.2)s; (1.9±0.8) times:(3.5±1.2)times](P<0. 05). Compared with the sham group, in TBI group and TBI+hypothermia group, the BrdU+ new-born cells in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus were significantly increased at 7 days after injury [(9. 4 ± 4. 1):(33. 4 ± 3. 8);(9. 4 ± 4. 1):(45. 8 ± 5. 6)], the BrdU+ /DCX+ new-born neurons were increased at 7 days after injury [(2. 0 ± 0. 6):(9. 6 ± 1. 6);(2. 0 ± 0. 6):(19. 2 ± 3. 7)], and the BrdU+ /NeuN+mature neurons were increased at 28 days after injury [(2. 6 ± 1. 0) :(17. 2 ± 3. 9); (2. 6 ± 1. 0) :(33. 6 ± 9. 1)] (P<0. 01). TBI group showed more obvious increase than the TBI+hypothermia group (P<0. 01). Moreover, compared with 7 days after injury, the number of BrdU+ cells at 28 days after injury was further increased in TBI +hypothermia group but decreased in TBI group [(45. 8 ± 5. 6) :(58. 8 ± 9. 2);(33. 4 ± 3. 8):(22. 0 ± 3. 5)](P<0. 05 or <0. 01). Compared with the sham group, the caspase-3 +NeuN+ and caspase-3 +NeuN+ apoptotic neurons were significantly increased at 7 days after injury in TBI group [(2. 0 ± 0. 9):(11. 6 ± 2. 6); (2. 6 ± 1. 0):(10. 2 ± 2. 9)] (P<0. 05). Compared with the TBI group, the cleaved caspase-3 +NeuN+ apoptotic neurons were decreased in TBI+hypothermia group [(6. 6 ± 2. 0):(11. 6 ± 2. 6)](P<0. 05). Furthermore, compared with the TBI group, mild hypothermia might down-regulate the expression of FAS, FASL, cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-3 and up-regulate the expression of Bcl-2 in the hippocampus [(1. 54 ± 0. 15) :(1. 14 ± 0. 12);(1. 06 ± 0. 04):(0. 80 ± 0. 09); (0. 84 ± 0. 03):(0. 62 ± 0. 08); (0. 93 ± 0. 06):(0. 86 ± 0. 09);(0. 71 ± 0. 01):(1. 58 ± 0. 18)](P<0. 05). Conclusions Mild hypothermia might inhibit apoptosis of hippocampal neurons through cleaved caspase-3, FAS/FASL and Bcl-2 pathways, thus improving the neurogenesis and maturation of neurons in the dentate gyrus of hippocampus and facilitating cognitive function recovery in rats. It indicates that the function of hypothermia in anti-apoptosis and neurogenesis and maturity of hippocampal neurons may have a potential role in predicting the prognosis of TBI patients.

Cyberknife stereotactic body radiotherapy for liver metastases from prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effectiveness and adverse effects of Cyberknife stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) on liver metastases from PCa.@*METHODS@#From June 2009 to September 2016, we treated 20 cases of PCa liver metastases by Cyberknife SBRT, at a total dose of 36 (30－50) Gy, on 1－3 liver metastatic lesions, for 3－5 times, with a prescription isodose line of 70－92%. We assessed the therapeutic effect according to the modified Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (mRECIST), calculated the survival and disease-control rates using the Kaplan-Meier method, and analyzed the adverse events based on the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events－Version 4.0 (CTCAE 4.0).@*RESULTS@#Of all the cases treated, complete response (CR) was found in 8 (40.0%), partial response (PR) in 9 (45.0%), stable disease (SD) in 2 (10.0%), and progressive disease (PD) in 1 (5.0%), with a local control rate (CR+PR) of 85.0% and a disease-control rate (CR+PR+SD) of 95.0%. Among the 14 patients with elevated PSA, 10 (71.4%) showed a significant decrease after treatment. The median follow-up time was 17 months, the 1- and 2-year survival rates were 85.0% and 15.0%, respectively, and the median survival time of the 20 patients was 16.5 months (95% CI: 12.12－22.88). Cyberknife SBRT was well tolerated in all the patients, with only a few mild adverse events (mainly grades 1 and 2 but no 4 and 5) during the whole course of treatment.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Cyberknife SBRT is safe and effective in the treatment of PCa liver metastases, with a high local control rate, and capable of reducing the PSA level and raising the long-term survival rate of the patients.

Design, integration, and application of special membrane materials and equipment for new separation process in Chinese materia medica industry / 中草药

The development of human society is mainly marked by materials. “Academic Leadership Series, National Science Think Tank, Development Strategies of Chinese Disciplines in the Next 10 Years: Material Science” points out that: Material science has become the essential link for the development and deepening of modern science and technology, and plays a basic and leading role in the development of science and technology; The emergence of a new type of material can also drive the birth of an industry. The excessive consumption of resources and energy by process industry and the pollution of environment have become bottlenecks restricting the sustainable development of human society. Chemical engineering has always been important to achieve efficient transformation of materials and effective utilization of energy. In the 21st century, the objectives of chemical engineering have been transformed into: Relying on superior performance, friendly environment, and fully function, new structural and functional materials with good and complete functions to develop new process industrial technology and form new process flow and integration technology in order to achieve the goal of high efficiency, low consumption, and pollution-free. Membrane technology, with advanced separation materials as carriers, can achieve separation of substances and molecules at mild and low cost conditions. It is especially suitable for the needs of modern industry for energy saving, recycling of low-grade raw materials, and eliminating environmental pollution. It has become key technologies to solve the major problems in the fields of energy, water resources and environment. The application of membrane materials and equipment to the Chinese materia medica (CMM) industry can significantly improve the production efficiency. In this paper, through the analysis of the application of membrane materials and technology in foreign and domestic pharmaceutical industries, facing the industrial upgrading and green development of the application process of CMM industry, it is proposed to introduce the theory and method of material chemical engineering into the field of CMM, to carry out original research with independent intellectual property rights, and to construct a new membrane-based approach. The new separation procedure, separation process and exclusive equipment with separation technology as the core realize energy saving and emission reduction in the production process of CMM. Through expatiating on the basic research and engineering application of industrialization of separation process of CMM and its complex systems such as water extraction system and oil-water mixture system in the past 20 years, the project team provides theoretical basis and application demonstration for the design, integration, and application of new separation process of CMM based on special membrane technology.

Effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on bioavailability and brain distribution of curcumin by nasal delivery / 中国中药杂志

Curcumin( Cur) is a natural active substance extracted from the roots or tubers of traditional Chinese medicinal materials. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor activities on brain diseases. Due to the poor stability,low solubility,poor absorption and low bioavailability of curcumin,N-acetyl-L-cysteine( NAC) was used as an absorption enhancer and mixed with curcumin to improve the absorption of curcumin in the body. In this paper,curcumin was smashed by airflow pulverization,and Cur-NAC mixtures were prepared by being grinded with liquid. Then,the raw material and the product were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry( DSC),X-ray diffraction( XRD) for structural characterization. The dissolution was determined by high performance liquid chromatography( HPLC) analysis. The characteristic peaks of the samples prepared by grinding method were similar to those of the raw materials,while the melting temperature and the accumulated dissolution degree were not significantly changed. The crystal forms of the products were not changed,and no new crystal form was formed after grinding. After the administration of intranasal powder,blood samples were collected from the orbit,while the whole brain tissues were removed from the skull and dissected into 10 anatomical regions. The concentrations of curcumin in these samples were determined by UPLC-MS/MS. The concentrations of curcumin in plasma and brain were compared at different time points. After intranasal administration of two drugs,it was found that the concentration of curcumin after sniffing up the mixtures in plasma was high,and the concentration of the drug in the olfactory bulb,hippocampus,and pons was increased significantly. Within 0. 083-0. 5 h,the olfactory bulb,piriform lobe and hippocampus remained high concentrations,the endodermis,striatum,hypothalamus and midbrain reached high concentrations within 1-3 h; and the cerebellum,pons and brain extension maintained relatively high concentrations within 3-7 h. The experiment showed that nasal administration of Cur-NAC mixtures can significantly improve the bioavailability of curcumin,and lead to significant differences in brain tissue distribution.

The effects of optical genetic techniques on new neurons through the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway / 中国应用生理学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of optical genetic techniques on new neurons through the Wnt/β-Catenin pathway.@*METHODS@#Neural stem cells (ESCs)were extracted from the cerebral cortex of fetal rat and transfected by lentivirus carrying DCX-ChR2-EGFP gene and the expression of DCX of newborn neurons differentiated from neural stem cells were observed. All cells were divided into 3 groups(n=9): control group, NSCs+EGFP and NSCs+ChR2 groups. The control group was normal cultured NSCs (NSCs group); the neural stem cells in NSCs+EGFP group were transfected with lentivirus carrying EGFP gene. The neural stem cells in NSCs+ChR2 group were infected with lentivirus carrying DCX-ChR2-EGFP gene. After 48 hours of lentivirus infection, 470 nm blue laser irradiation was performed for 3 consecutive days. NeuN positive cell density(the maturation of neural stem cells)and the ratio of NeuN/Hoechst in each group were observed. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of MAP2, NeuN, Neurog2, NeuroD1 and GluR2. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of β-catenin and TCF4 associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling channel. Verapamil (100 μmol/L, L-type calcium channel blockers) and Dkk1 (50 μg/ml, β-catenin inhibitor) were used to treat stem cells of the NSCs+ChR2 group and then the expressions of MAP2, NeuN, Neurog2, NeuroD1 and GluR were detected by Western blot.@*RESULTS@#After 3 days of 470 nm blue laser irradiation, NeuN positive cell density(the maturation of neural stem cells)and the ratio of NeuN/Hoechst, the expression levels of the protein MAP2, NeuN, Neurog2, NeuroD1, GluR and the protein β-catenin and TCF4 associated with Wnt/β-catenin signaling channel detected by Western blot were significantly increased in the group of NSCs+ChR2, compared with NSCs and NSCs+EGFP groups. The expressions of MAP2, NeuN, Neurog2, NeuroD1 and GluR were remarkably decreased after treated by verapamil and Dkk1 in the group of NSCs+ChR2. It was proved that the opening of ChR2 channel producing cationic influx promoted the maturation of neural stem cells and induced by the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.@*CONCLUSION@#Optical genetic promoted the maturation of newborn neurons through the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.