Anemoside B4, a new pyruvate carboxylase inhibitor, alleviates colitis by reprogramming macrophage function.

OBJECTIVES: Colitis is a global disease usually accompanied by intestinal epithelial damage and intestinal inflammation, and an increasing number of studies have found natural products to be highly effective in treating colitis. Anemoside B4 (AB4), an abundant saponin isolated from Pulsatilla chinensis (Bunge), which was found to have strong anti-inflammatory activity. However, the exact molecular mechanisms and direct targets of AB4 in the treatment of colitis remain to be discovered. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activities of AB4 were verified in LPS-induced cell models and 2, 4, 6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic (TNBS) or dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice and rat models. The molecular target of AB4 was identified by affinity chromatography analysis using chemical probes derived from AB4. Experiments including proteomics, molecular docking, biotin pull-down, surface plasmon resonance (SPR), and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were used to confirm the binding of AB4 to its molecular target. Overexpression of pyruvate carboxylase (PC) and PC agonist were used to study the effects of PC on the anti-inflammatory and metabolic regulation of AB4 in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: AB4 not only significantly inhibited LPS-induced NF-κB activation and increased ROS levels in THP-1 cells, but also suppressed TNBS/DSS-induced colonic inflammation in mice and rats. The molecular target of AB4 was identified as PC, a key enzyme related to fatty acid, amino acid and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. We next demonstrated that AB4 specifically bound to the His879 site of PC and altered the protein's spatial conformation, thereby affecting the enzymatic activity of PC. LPS activated NF-κB pathway and increased PC activity, which caused metabolic reprogramming, while AB4 reversed this phenomenon by inhibiting the PC activity. In vivo studies showed that diisopropylamine dichloroacetate (DADA), a PC agonist, eliminated the therapeutic effects of AB4 by changing the metabolic rearrangement of intestinal tissues in colitis mice. CONCLUSION: We identified PC as a direct cellular target of AB4 in the modulation of inflammation, especially colitis. Moreover, PC/pyruvate metabolism/NF-κB is crucial for LPS-driven inflammation and oxidative stress. These findings shed more light on the possibilities of PC as a potential new target for treating colitis.

Serum ceramide concentrations are associated with depression in patients after ischemic stroke-A two-center case-controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The present study aims to correlate the severity of post-stroke depression (PSD) and serum ceramide concentration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this two-center case-control study, we prospectively collected clinical and demographical information from age and gender-matched 51 PSD patients, 56 non-post-stroke depression (Non-PSD) patients, and 39 patients with major depression (MD) to perform the suitable biochemical analysis to bring a correlation in causing depression in patients soon after the stroke. The ROC curve method was used to evaluate ceramide's diagnostic efficacy in all three groups of patients. A follow-up analysis was also conducted based on PSD severity to associate serum ceramide levels and neuropsychiatric symptoms. The severity of the patient's depressive symptoms was assessed by using the self-rating depression scale (SDS). RESULTS: In comparison between PSD and MD patients, three serum ceramide species were found to be significantly different. Compared with Non-PSD patients, PSD patients had significantly higher levels of all the four serum ceramides, and increasing levels ofC16:0, C18:0(VS MD) and C16: 0(VS Non-PSD) serve as a diagnostic tool and an independent risk factor in all three categories of patients. Moreover, the follow-up analysis results showed that, as the treatment progressed, the differences in the 3 serum ceramide species were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: There was a stage-specific association between serum ceramides and PSD, and the potential pathophysiological mechanism has to be investigated in future research.

Phenotype, molecular characterisation and risk factors for postoperative meningitis caused by ESBL-producing-Enterobacteriaceae: a six years multi-Centre comparative cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To determine the phenotype, molecular characterisation and risk factors of postoperative meningitis induced by Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae (EPE) in China. METHODS: We performed a multi-centre comparative cohort study of postoperative meningitis patients infected with Enterobacteriaceae in 4 neurosurgical centres in China from January 2014 to December 2019. Phenotype and molecular characteristics of the isolates were reviewed and tested, and independent risk factors of the EPE meningitis were evaluated by binary logistic regression. RESULTS: In total, 220 Enterobacteriaceae include 78 EPE were available in this study. 85.6% (67/78) ESBL-related genes were tested, and blaSHV (14.9%) and blaSHV + blaTEM + blaCTX-M-9 (20.9%) were found to be the most frequent mono and combined ESBL-related genes harboured by Enterobacteriaceae. On binary logistic analysis, craniotomy (OR. 2.583, 95% C.I. 1.274-5.235, P = 0.008) and malignancy (OR. 2.406, 95% C.I. 1.299-4.456, P = 0.005) were the associated independent risk factors to meningitis induced by EPE. CONCLUSIONS: To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest series focusing on risk factors of EPE meningitis which has been conducted in China. Craniotomy and malignancy were independent risk factors for EPE meningitis. The risk factors identified may be further utilized in clinical practice and research to avoid and reduce the mortality in future.

Efficacy and safety of antifibrinolytic therapy in the perioperative cardiovascular surgery / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

Massive hemorrhage and allogeneic blood transfusion are common complications in the perioperative period of cardiovascular surgery, which can significantly increase the incidence of adverse events and worsen the long-term prognosis. Therefore, perioperative blood protection strategies have been widely promoted and applied in clinical practice. Additionally, as the core strategy, antifibrinolytic therapy can tremendously reduce perioperative bleeding and blood transfusion during cardiovascular surgery. Tremendous clinical trials have confirmed the efficacy and safety of lysine analog in adult cardiopulmonary bypass cardiac surgery. However, evidence-based medicine on the effectiveness and safety of antifibrinolytic drugs in off-pump cardiovascular surgery and pediatric cardiovascular surgery is still insufficient; there still needs further research and concern. In addition, the topical use of antifibrinolytic drugs and related molecular mechanisms have been reported in recent years. Therefore, this article reviews the efficacy and safety of perioperative antifibrinolytic therapy in cardiovascular surgery.

Epidemiology and risk factors of neurosurgical bacterial meningitis/encephalitis induced by carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

OBJECTIVES: This is a retrospective observational study conducted in one of the largest clinical center of neurosurgery in China. Our aim was to determine the epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) related meningitis/encephalitis and to elucidate the risk factors for CRE neurosurgical infections. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study between January 2012 and December 2017 of patients who underwent neurosurgery. The medical records of each patient were reviewed, and 20 clinical variables on risk factors were extracted and evaluated by Multivariate logistic analysis for CRE-meningitis/encephalitis. RESULTS: In 2012-2017, the positive rate of neurosurgical meningitis/encephalitis was 7.9% (2947/29605), Enterobacteriaceae accounted for 6.3% (185/2947) of all bacterial infections. Totally, 133 Enterobacteriaceae include 26 CRE isolates were available in this study. Of them, Univariate analysis showed that the risk factors of CRE meningitis were ventilator, bacteremia, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, hospital acquired pneumonia and mortality attribute to infection. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that hospital acquired pneumonia and mortality attribute to infection were independent risk factors for CRE meningitis. CONCLUSION: CRE is one of the most serious drug-resistant bacteria published by World Health Organization (WHO) in 2016, and meningitis/encephalitis caused by CRE is an important sign of the failure of the neurosurgery, which demands the physician's immediate attention.

Effect of multi-disciplinary team combined with bundle management on prevention of multidrug-resistant organism infection in the intensive care unit / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To explore the effect of multi-disciplinary team (MDT) combined with bundle management on prevention and control of multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection in the intensive care unit(ICU).Methods Patients who were admitted to the ICU in a tertiary first-class hospital from January 2013 to December 2015 were studied,MDT combined with bundle management has been applied in the prevention and control of MDRO infection in ICU since January 2014,continuous quality improvement program was performed one year later,isolation of MDROs from specimens of ICU patients before implementation(in the year of 2013),after implementation(in the year of 2014),and after continuous quality improvement(in the year of 2015) was compared.Results The infection rates of MDROs in ICU patients before implementation,after implementation,and after continuous quality improvement were 26.55％ (154/580),17.13％ (117/683),and 12.01％ (77/641) respectively,showing a downward trend,with a significant difference (x2 =44.030,P＜0.001);the total isolation rates of MDROs in ICU patients were 64.44％(154/239),63.59％(117/184),and 43.26％ (77/178) respectively,showing a downward trend,with a significant difference (x2 =22.284,P＜0.001).The main MDROs in ICU were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and pandrug resistant(PDR) Acinetobacterbaumannii (44.54％).Conclusion MDT combined with bundle management can decrease MDRO infection rate and isolation rate in ICU.

Correlation between allergic diseases and colorectal cancer:a meta analysis / 重庆医学

Objective To definite the correlation between allergic diseases with the occurrence risk and prognosis of colorec tal cancer by meta analysis.Methods The databases of PubMed,MEDLINE,EMBASE,Web of Science,CNKI and Wanfang data were retrieved by computer.The time limit was from January 1988 to October 2015.The literatures were screened and the data were extracted according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria.The meta analysis was performed by using STATA12.0 software.Results A total of 16 articles(ll cohort studies,5 case-control studies)were included in this study.The meta analysis showed that the risk of colorectal cancer occurrence in the patients with allergic diseases was significantly lower than that of the control group(OR=0.88,95％CI:0.80-0.98,P＜0.05;the stratified analysis found that the risk of colorectal cancer occurrence in the patients with hay fever(OR=0.93,95％CI..0.87-0.99,P＜0.05)and patients with allergic dermatitis(OR=0.73,95％CI:0.56-0.95,P＜ 0.05) were lower than that of the control group.Compared with the control group,the death risk of colorectal cancer in the patients with allergic diseases was significantly lower than that of the control group(OR=0.73,95 ％ CI:0.85-0.97,P＜0.05).Conclusion The patients with allergic diseases may reduce the occurrence risk and death risk of colorectal cancer through enhancing the recognition ability of immune system and destroying tumor cells.

Food-advanced glycation end products aggravate the diabetic vascular complications via modulating the AGEs/RAGE pathway / 中国天然药物

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-advanced glycation end products (AGEs) diet on diabetic vascular complications. The Streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice were fed with high-AGEs diet. Diabetic characteristics, indicators of renal and cardiovascular functions, and pathohistology of pancreas, heart and renal were evaluated. AGEs/RAGE/ROS pathway parameters were determined. During the experiments, the diabetic mice exhibited typical characteristics including weight loss, polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria, high-blood glucose, and low-serum insulin levels. However, high-AGEs diet effectively aggravated these diabetic characteristics. It also increased the 24-h urine protein levels, serum levels of urea nitrogen, creatinine, c-reactive protein (CRP), low density lipoprotein (LDL), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the diabetic mice. High-AGEs diet deteriorated the histology of pancreas, heart, and kidneys, and caused structural alterations of endothelial cells, mesangial cells and podocytes in renal cortex. Eventually, high-AGEs diet contributed to the high-AGE levels in serum and kidneys, high-levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and low-levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum, heart, and kidneys. It also upregulated RAGE mRNA and protein expression in heart and kidneys. Our results showed that high-AGEs diet deteriorated vascular complications in the diabetic mice. The activation of AGEs/RAGE/ROS pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular complications in diabetes.

Mosquito resistance against different insecticides in Songjiang District of Shanghai / 上海预防医学

[ Objective] To investigate the resistance of mosquito against insecticides in Songjiang, providing scientific basis for appropriate application of insecticides. [ Methods ] The dipping method and drug velum contacting method were used for determination of the resistance of culex pipiens pallens and anopheles hurcanus sinensis against insecticides. [ Results] Culex pipiens pallens were found to have high resistance to DDVP, resistance coefficient 30.07, and low resistance to cypermethrin, fenobucarb and deltamethrin, resistance coefficient 3.96, 3.25 and 2.79, while their sensitivity to beta-cypermethrin, resistance coefficient 0.28.Anopheles sinensis had R level resistance to DDT and deltamethrin, mortality rates 73.36%and 57.50%respectively. [ Conclusion] Mosquitos in Songjiang District have developed different degrees of resistance to insecticides.In order to control and delay their resistance, insecticides should be alternated and combined in application.

Effect of propofol on generation of inflammatory mediator of monocytes

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of propofol with different concentrations on the expression of inflammatory mediators of interleukin and tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by stimulating the mouse primary monocytes and human monocytic cell line with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and also discuss the effect of propofol on the secretion of inflammatory mediator and its possible molecular mechanism.@*METHODS@#The mononuclear cells of mouse spleen were separated and then purified to obtain the primary monocytes. The dose-effect relationship of production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by monocytes which were stimulated by LPS, namely the monocytes were stimulated by the dose of 0-500 ng/mL for 24 h. ELISA was employed to detect the concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. The effect of propofol on the secretion of above pro-inflammatory cytokines by the monocytes was observed. Cells were divided into the control group, the 0.1% DMSO group, the LPS group and the treatment group with LPS + different dose of propofol (propofol 1-100 μg/mL). ELISA was employed to detect the concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. The change in the expression of important signaling molecules in Toll-like receptor and NF-κB signaling pathway was detected after THP-1 cells were treated with propofol.@*RESULTS@#The concentration of TNF-α was (3863 ± 153) pg/mL after 12 h of stimulation by LPS and then its concentration was decreased gradually. But the concentration of IL-6 and IL-8 was relatively high after 24 h of stimulation by LPS, (5627 ± 330) pg/mL and (1626 ± 200) pg/mL, respectively. The propofol could inhibit the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α caused by LPS. After the intervention treatment of 50 μg/mL propofol, the concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α was significantly decreased (P < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The propofol can inhibit the expression of TLR-4 and NF-κB to inhibit the activation of p38 and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Effect of propofol on generation of inflammatory mediator of monocytes

Objective: To evaluate the effect of propofol with different concentrations on the expression of inflammatory mediators of interleukin and tumor-necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) by stimulating the mouse primary monocytes and human monocytic cell line with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and also discuss the effect of propofol on the secretion of inflammatory mediator and its possible molecular mechanism. Methods: The mononuclear cells of mouse spleen were separated and then purified to obtain the primary monocytes. The dose-effect relationship of production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by monocytes which were stimulated by LPS, namely the monocytes were stimulated by the dose of 0-500 ng/mL for 24 h. ELISA was employed to detect the concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. The effect of propofol on the secretion of above pro-inflammatory cytokines by the monocytes was observed. Cells were divided into the control group, the 0.1% DMSO group, the LPS group and the treatment group with LPS + different dose of propofol (propofol 1-100 μg/mL). ELISA was employed to detect the concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α. The change in the expression of important signaling molecules in Toll-like receptor and NF-κB signaling pathway was detected after THP-1 cells were treated with propofol. Results: The concentration of TNF-α was (3. 863 ± 153) pg/mL after 12 h of stimulation by LPS and then its concentration was decreased gradually. But the concentration of IL-6 and IL-8 was relatively high after 24 h of stimulation by LPS, (5. 627 ± 330) pg/mL and (1. 626 ± 200) pg/mL, respectively. The propofol could inhibit the expression of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α caused by LPS. After the intervention treatment of 50 μg/mL propofol, the concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α was significantly decreased (P < 0.01). Conclusions: The propofol can inhibit the expression of TLR-4 and NF-κB to inhibit the activation of p38 and the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

Effect of combined treating winter disease in summer with acupoint application in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases / 现代临床护理

Objective To explore the effects of combined with treating winter disease in summer and acupoint application in obstructive lung disease patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Methods Based on normal treatment and community nursing, 184 patients with obstructive lung disease were treated with the therapy of combined with treating winter disease in summer and acupoint application. The associated symptoms and lung function index of patients were compared before and after 3 years.Result After 3 years' intervention,the patients' incidence of associated symptoms was less than before and lung function index was better than before with differences is statistical significance(P<0.05).Conclusion Treating winter disease in summer and acupoint application therapy for obstructive lung disease patients reducs the incidence of adverse reactiones of the therapy and improve lung fuction and quality of life.

The clinical applicated value of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis / 中华医学超声杂志（电子版）

Objective To explore the clinical value of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound in the diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis (ICMVT). Methods Sonographic features of 175 patients with isolated calf muscular venous thrombosis were analyzed retrospectively and outcome of anticoagulant therapy in 1, 3, and 6 months was followed up. Diagnosis was established with high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound examination. Results One hundred and seventy-ifve patients presenting with 190 calf muscle vein thrombosis were included. One hundred and iffty-eight cases with 173 calf muscle vein thrombosis were diagnosed by high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound, 7 cases of misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis in 10 cases. The accuracy rate was 91.1%(173/190). Seven cases were misdiagnosed with 1 euroifbromatosis, 1 mixed hemangioma, 5 gastrocnemius hematoma. After diagnosis of ICMVT, all patients prescribed thrombolysis and anticoagulation therapy. High-frequency color Doppler ultrasound for 1, 3, 6 months after treatments revealed partial or complete recanalization without calf deep vein thrombosis. Typical sonographic features included:calf muscle venous lumen dilation, tortuous anechoic lumen or hypoechoic iflling, with tubular or branched shape in the longitudinal view and oval or round shape in the transversal view. Conclusion High-frequency color Doppler ultrasound is an accurate and reliable method in the diagnosis of the isolated calf muscular venous thrombosis.

Surgical effect of traumatic lens dislocation with secondary glaucoma / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To retrospectively evaluate the effect of lens extraction combined with vitrectomy to treat traumatic lens dislocation with secondary glaucoma. METHODS: Thirty - one eyes ( 31 cases ) of lens dislocation caused by blunt trauma with secondary glaucoma were treated respectively with cataract extraction combined with anterior vitrectomy, trabeculectomy and intraocular lens implantation. The visual acuity and pressure were observed 1wk, 1 and 3mo after operative. RESULTS: Thirty - one eyes were all complete the operation successfully, and 6 eyes were given combined trabeculectomy, 9 eyes were implanted anterior chamber intraocular lens implantation ( IOL ) and 15 eyes were given posterior chamber suture fixation. Sixteen eyes were implanted in one-stage operation, while 8 eyes were implanted in two-stage operation. All intraocular pressure ( IOP ) were controlled to the normal level after operation and 23 eyes had visual acuity of more than 0. 3. CONCLUSION: Lens extraction combined with vitrectomy is an effective method for treatment of lens dislocation with secondary glaucoma. In order to control the IOP and get well visual function, we should choose IOL implantation or trabeculectomy according to the patient's condition.

Relationship between CD4+CD25+Treg cells, Th17 cells and IL-6 and the prognosis of hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a meta-analysis / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role ofCD4+CD25+ T regulatory (Treg) cells, T helper (Th)17cells and interleukin (IL)-6 in the progression of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) and determine their value as prognostic markers.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang, Chinese Scientific Journals (VIP), PubMed, Embase and Web of Science databases were searched for English language case-control studies on the relationship between regulatory T lymphocytes and ACLF.The quality of included studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The meta-analysis was designed according to the PICOS approach recommended by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. RevMan software, version 5.1, was used to perform the meta-analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine case-cohort studies were selected for inclusion in the metaanalysis.The results of the meta-analyses showed that the level of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells was not significantly different between patients with HBV-related ACLF and patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (mean difference (MD)=0.59, 95% confidence interval (CI)-1.68, 2.85, P=0.61) nor between patients with HBVrelated ACLF and healthy controls (MD=1.12, 95% CI:-1.42, 3.66, P=0.39). Thus, it appears that ACLF patients do not have a higher level of CD4+CD25+ Treg cells than CHB patients or healthy controls. However, the ACLF patients did appear to have a significantly higher level of Th17 cells than both the CHB patients (MD=1.73, 95% CI:0.21, 3.26, P=0.03) and the healthy controls (MD=1.62, 95% CI:(0.52, 2.72, P=0.004). In addition, the ACLF patients also had significantly higher level than both the CHB patients (MD=11.69, 95%CI:1.98, 21.40, P=0.02) and the healthy controls (MD=13.17, 95% CI:1.38, 24.95, P=0.03).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CD4+CD25+ Treg cells may be an important protective factor in the progression and prognosis of HBV-related ACLF, while Thl7 cells and IL-6 may be risk factors for further progression and worsened prognosis.</p>

Factors influencing HIV infection in men who have sex with men in China.

To identify risk factors for HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM) and to provide a theoretical basis for prevention interventions. Between December 2011 and August 2012, a case-control study was conducted among MSM who underwent voluntary counselling and testing for HIV. Confirmed HIV-positive MSM were included in the case group, and HIV-negative MSM were included in the control group. Information on possible risk factors was collected by a survey questionnaire and a qualitative interview. The results of a conditional logistic regression showed that the following were influencing factors for HIV infection: average monthly income between 2001 and 3000 Yuan (odds ratio (OR)=6.341, 95% CI: 1.714-12.544), only sometimes using condoms when having anal sex with men in the last 6 months (OR=7.601, 95% CI: 1.359-23.083), having HIV-positive sex partners (OR=5.273, 95% CI: 1.572-17.691), rectal trauma with bleeding in the last 6 months (OR=2.947, 95% CI: 1.308-6.638), not using condoms at last sexual encounter (OR=1.278, 95% CI: 1.012-5.595), engaging in commercial sex (OR=5.925, 95% CI: 1.923-13.890) and having more than 16 sex partners in the last 6 months (OR=1.175, 95% CI: 1.021-1.353). These seven factors were the risk factors of HIV infection (OR>1). However, having anal sex less than 10 times in the previous 1 month (OR=0.002, 95% CI: 0.000-0.287) was a protective factor against HIV infection among MSM (OR<1), and insertive (OR=0.116, 95% CI: 0.000-0.236) (OR<1) anal intercourse influenced HIV infection. Interventions should be targeted at MSM whose average monthly income is between 2001 and 3000 Yuan, and who engage in commercial sex. In addition, the importance of using condoms at every sexual encounter should be emphasised in health education, as should the treatment of rectal trauma with bleeding. Finally, MSM should decrease the number of sex partners and frequency of anal sex to decrease the rate of HIV infection.

Analgesic effect of ferulic acid on CCI mice: behavior and neurobiological analysis / 中国中药杂志

To study the analgesic effect of chronic administration with ferulic acid, and preliminarily discuss its mechanism. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia tests were conducted to observe the analgesic effect of chronic administration with ferulic acid on CCI mice. The neurochemical detection method was applied to observe the effect chronic administration with ferulic acid on monoamine neurotransmitter and monoamine oxidase activity. Compared with the normal group, CCI mice showed notable reduction in heat sensation and nociceptive threshold in and mechanical allodynia. Ferulic acid (10, 20, 40 and 80 mg x kg(-1), po) could significantly reverse the situations. In an in-depth study, we found that the reason for these results was that ferulic acid was dose-dependent in increasing 5-HT and NE levels in hippocampus, frontal cortex and amygdale and could inhibit MAO-A activity in mouse brains. These results showed that ferulic acid has the analgesic effect. Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of monoamine oxidase activity and the increase in monoamine neurotransmitter in mouse brains.

Salvage surgery of thyroid carcinoma in advanced stage with common carotid artery involvement / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the feasibility of salvage surgery of thyroid carcinoma in advanced stage with common carotid artery involvement.@*METHODS@#Reviewed 4 cases of advanced-stage thyroid carcinoma treated in the Department of Otolaryngology, West China hospital from July 2006 to September 2009. CT revealed that the common carotid artery entrapped in the tumor without obvious anatomical space. 2 cases were proved to be low-differentiated squamous carcinoma pathologically and the rest 2 cases were papillary carcinoma. Total thyroidectomy, total laryngectomy and bilateral neck dissection were performed in 3 cases while in one case, total thyroidectomy, bilateral neck dissection and partial tracheal resection being performed. Adjacent prepared cervico-pectoral flap was used to reconstruct the defect of cervico-thoracic trachea. Rupture of common carotid artery in one case took place and was repaired by mere suture. One case of low differentiated squamous carcinoma was given postoperative chemotherapy and radiotherapy while the rest 3 cases given no adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The follow-up time lasted from half a year to 2 years.@*RESULTS@#Half a year postoperatively, the low-differentiated squamous carcinoma patient not receiving postoperative chemoradiotherapy suffered from lumber spinal metastasis, one year after operation he was still alive and half a year later lost follow-up, the other 3 patients were alive from half a year to 2 years postoperatively without any obvious clue of recurrence or remote metastasis.@*CONCLUSION@#Salvage surgery is still feasible in thyroid carcinoma in advanced stage with common carotid artery involvement. The larynx and trachea should be kept intact as possible but the reconstruction of the trachea defect is recommended to be less prior in the situation when carotid artery is involved in.

Puerarin enhances superoxide dismutase activity and inhibits RAGE and VEGF expression in retinas of STZ-induced early diabetic rats

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of puerarin on the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and expressions of advanced glycation end-product (AGE) receptor (RAGE) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retinas of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced early diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#Diabetic rat models were established by inducing diabetes via intra-peritoneal injection of STZ. Rats were randomly divided into normal (control), diabetic (DM), and DM+ puerarin groups. After intra-gastric administration of puerarin (500 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks), levels of SOD and malondialdehyde (MDA) were determined in serum and retina. mRNA and protein expression levels of RAGE and VEGF in retinas were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (mRNA) and Western blot analysis (protein levels).@*RESULTS@#There was significantly lower SOD activity and significantly higher MDA in serum and retinas of the DM group compared with the two other groups (P<0.05). After treatment with puerarin, SOD activity increased and MDA content decreased in this group (P<0.05). mRNA and protein expression levels of RAGE and VEGF in the DM group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P<0.05), and decreased after puerarin treatment (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Puerarin is able to enhance SOD activity, and inhibit RAGE and VEGF expressions in retinas of STZ-induced early diabetic rats.

Preparation of 4,4'-bis-(carboxyl phenylazo)-dibenzo-18-crown-6 dye and its application on ratiometric colorimetric recognition to Hg2+.

A multifunctional dye, 4,4'-bis-(carboxyl phenylazo)-dibenzo-18-crown-6 dye (BCADC) was designed and prepared via diazotization and coupling reaction of dibenzo-18-crown-6 with p-amino benzoic acid. The dye, combining crown ether ring, azo and carboxyl group, exhibits well-defined Hg(2+)-selective ratiometric colorimetric behavior, with the maximum absorbance peak changing from 354 nm to 408 nm exclusively. Under the optimum conditions, the recognition to Hg(2+) has a linear range of 2.5-58×10(-7) mol L(-1) with a 0.9978 correlation coefficient. The method was applied to analyse 3 environmental water samples with a detection limit of 2.9×10(-8) mol L(-1) and a relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) lower than 3.7% (n=5). The action mechanism between BCADC and metal ions was discussed by means of Job's plots and theoretical calculations.