Inflammasome, which is a large multiprotein complex in the cytosol regulating IL-1β production, plays an important role in atherosclerosis ( AS ) . To date, NLRP3 ( nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3) inflammasome is the most widely studied type of inflammasome. This article aims to review the effects of NLRP3 inflammasome on AS-related cells ( endothelial cells, macrophages and vascular smooth mus-cle cells) to further explore the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the progression of AS.

In order to investigate the effect of curcumin on proliferation and apoptosis of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPF) in culture and search for a new method to prevent the recurrence after pterygium surgery, HPF was incubated with 0-160 micromol/L curcumin for 24-96 h. The MTT method was used to assay the biologic activities of curcumin at different time points and different doses. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Administration of 20-80 micromol/L curcumin for 24-72 h could significantly inhibit HPF proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). After treatment with curcumin at different concentrations of 20, 40, 80 and 160 micromol/L for 24 h, FCM revealed there was a significant sub-G1 peak at each concentration. The number of HPF in G0/G1 phase was increased, while in S phase, it was decreased (P<0.05). At the concentration of 20-80 micromol/L, curcumin, in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), could inhibit the expression of PCNA in HPF. It was suggested that curcumin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HPF, make HPF arrest in G0/G1 phase and induce the apoptosis of HPF in a dose-and time-dependent manner.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid autoantibodies (anti-TGAb and anti-TPOAb) in cord blood of infants of mothers complicated with hypothyroidism and the influencing factors of neonatal thyroid function. Methods Clinical data of 67 singleton pregnant women complicated with hypothyroidism in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Thyroid function and its autoantibody levels in maternal, cord blood and neonatal serum at 5-7 d after birth were compared. Umbilical TSH level and its affecting factors were also investigated. The results of TSH was expressed as median (25th-75th percentile). Results (1) Umbilical TSH levels were elevated in 9. 0% (6/67) of all infants born to mothers complicated with hypothyroidism. (2) No correlation was found in TSH levels between cord blood and venous blood in neonates 5-7 d after birth. Umbilical TSH levels were significantly higher in infants born vaginally than in those born abdominally [10. 20(6. 10-12. 80) mU/L vs 5. 86(4.02-7.74) mU/L,P=0.001]. Higher umbilical TSH levels were also detected in those complicated with fetal distress and preterm birth compared with those withoutere [fetal distress: (10. 36(6. 61-13. 37) mU/L and 6. 89(4. 18-9. 70) mU/L, P = 0. 046; preterm birth: 8. 90(7. 60-10. 33) mU/L and 6.84(4.17-9. 80) mU/L,P=0. 046,0. 049)]. (3) The anti-TGAb levels in cord blood were positively correlated with that in neonatal serum at 5-7 d after birth (r=0. 960, P = 0. 000), and the same was true for anti-TGPOAb levels (r= 0. 975, P = 0. 000). Maternal thyroid autoantibody levels (anti-TGAb and anti-TPOAb) had significant effect on umbilical antibody levels (P = 0. 003 and 0. 000, respectively), but not on the neonatal TSH levels (P>0. 05). Conclusions Umbilical TSH levels are affected by many delivery factors which may limit its prediction role on congenital hypothyroidism. However, there is an increased risk of elevated umbilical TSH, anti-TGAb and anti-TPOAb levels among these patients which may increase the risk of congenital hypothyroidism. Further follow up of these infants is warranted.

Objective:To make a preliminary application of the assessment system for cancer pain management and find insuffi-ciency in the clinical practice of cancer pain diagnosis and treatment. Methods:Data from 41 doctor questionnaires, 43 nurse question-naires, 50 patient questionnaires, and 12 ward questionnaires from the tumor departments of 3 hospitals were analyzed, and the insuffi-ciency in cancer pain management was determined. The wards in the tumor and non-tumor departments related to oncology were as-sessed using rank test, and differences between the 2 wards were investigated. Results:The average scores of doctor, nurse, and wards were 85.41±5.93, 88.46±5.09 and 83.75±3.11, respectively, whereas patient score was 68.67±7.14. To further analyze the patient subsys-tem by converting into a hundred-mark system, the effectiveness and safety scores for the pain management was 81.69±7.71. However, patients' opinion score on pain treatment was only 55.78±11.37. The score of tumor departments was 82.22±2.03, whereas related non-tumor departments had a score of 39.27 ± 3.58. Wilcoxon W value was at 120.0 with P<0.01 after rank test. Conclusion:Education on patients' opinion on cancer pain management should be promoted in the tumor wards, and continuous education on cancer pain diagno-sis and treatment is needed in the non-tumor departments relative to oncology.

Objective The effect of Asperosaponin Ⅵ(ASAⅥ)on adipocyte differentiation and the involvement of Wnt signal pathway was investigated. Methods The murine bone marrow stromal cell line ST-2 were divided into 6 groups:control group, adipocyte differentiation group, and 4 different doses of ASAⅥgroups. Control group was exposed to the vehicle, adipocyte differentiation group was exposed to adipogenic reagent, and those 4 ASAⅥgroups were treated with different concentration(10-7, 10-6, 10-5, 10-4 mol/L)of ASAⅥafter adipocyte differentiation induction. 5 days later, oil red O staining was performed to calculate adipocyte rate. Then mRNA transcription levels of PPARγ, FABP4 genes andβ-catenin that were Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway proteins were examined by FQ-PCR. Then Wnt pathway inhibitor DKK1 was supplemented into ST-2 cells treated with 10-4 mol/L ASAⅥfor 5 days. After that FQ-PCR was used to detect whether tran?scription levels of PPARγ, FABP4 andβ-catenin in ST-2 cells were changed. Results Compared with adipocyte differenti?ation group 10-5 mol/L and 10-4 mol/L ASAⅥtreatments greatly down-regulated the number of lipid droplets and markedly inhibited transcription levels of adipocyte characterization transcription factors included PPARγ, FABP4 while up-regulat?ed transcription level ofβ-catenin in ST-2 cells. DKK1 can reverse the inhibitory effect of ASAⅥon adipocyte differentia?tion in ST-2 adipocyte. The transcription levels of PPARγand FABP4 were up-regulated significantly while transcription level ofβ-catenin was inhibited. Conclusion ASAⅥblocks adipocyte differentiation in ST-2 cells which might be medi?ated through activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the value of multislice spiral computed tomography ( MSCT ) in predicting the resectability of pancreatic cancer ( PC) .Methods The MSCT images of 102 PC patients ( 62 men, mean age, 61 ±9 years;40 women, mean age, 60 ±9 years) confirmed by postoperative pathology were analyzed retrospectively .The images were analyzed and evaluated by 2 senior radiologists who were double blinded.The relationship between tumor and vessels was investigated based on consensus statement on the radiological diagnosis of PC of the Society of Abdominal Radiology and the American Pancreatic Association in 2014 .The diagnostic criterion on the resectability of PC was based on the 2015 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines on PC . Image analysis included the lesion location , size and density , the characteristics of pancreatic and bile ducts , relationship of tumor and adjacent vessels , the extrapancreatic findings as well as T staging and resectability.Results The locations of PC were found in the pancreatic head (n=71,69.6%), body (n=23, 22.5%) and tail (n=8, 7.8%).The long-and short-axis diameter were (28.9 ±8.8)mm and (23.8 ±8.0)mm in head, and respectively, (31.2 ±11.0)mm and (23.8 ±6.3)mm in body and tail, respectively.The imaging findings included hypo-(n=98, 96.1%) and iso-density masses (n=4, 3.9%) on pancreatic phase, intra-and extrahepatic bile duct dilation (n=63, 61.8%), main pancreatic duct cut-off with dilation (n=46, 45.1%), the pseudocyst (n=4), acute pancreatitis (n=1) and chronic pancreatitis (n=2).T staging evaluation by MSCT observed T1 (n=3), T2 (n=7), T3 (n=78) and T4 (n=14), respectively.MSCT assessment for T staging was correct in 98 (96.1%), but wrong in 4 (3.9%), which was quite consistent with pathological T staging (K=0.88, P<0.05).MSCT assessment for the resectability was correct in 98 (96.1%), but wrong in 4 (3.9%).Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and area under curve of MSCT in the assessment of the resectability were 96.8%, 87.5%, 98.9%, 70.0%and 92.2%, respectively.Conclusions MSCT could improve the diagnostic accuracy for T Staging and resectability of PC .

Objective To analyze the imaging findings and misdiagnosis of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN),to improve diagnosis level and decrease misdiagnosis rate.Methods The images of 130 patients were suspicion or diagnosis of IPMN, and the other pancreatic lesions but confirmed IPMN by pathology.Two radiologists collected materials, analyzed the reasons of misdiagnosis, and found out countermeasures.Results A total of 130 patients confirmed by pathology were available for analysis, in which there were 105 (80.7%) of IPMN, and 25 (19.2%) of other pancreatic lesions.The most misdiagnosed patients were between IPMN and chronic pancreatitis(CP),serous cystadenoma(SCN).All patients were divided into mild to moderate group and severe to infiltrating carcinoma group based on pathologic grades.There was significant difference between two groups in cystic diameter, wall nodule, separation and dilation, the diameter of main duct, and intra-or extrahepatic biliary tract(P<0.05).The most common causes of misdiagnosis included that the radiologists didn't combined with the patient's clinical features,and didn't reconstruct images or perform MRCP scan when the relationship between the lesions and the pancreatic duct was unclear.Conclusion It is important that the radiologists need to combine with the patient's clinical features, clear the relationship between the lesions and the pancreatic duct, and fully master imaging findings.The recurrent pancreatitis maybe result from IPMN, and IPMN for a long time would lead to CP.

Objective To establish a MRI grading diagnostic model for chronic pancreatitis (CP) to acquire better combination for CP diagnosis and improve the diagnostic ability of CP grading.Methods To collecte the data of 68 CP patients who were clinically diagnosed and 23 health volunteers from Dec 2012 to Oct 2014.There were 23 mild CP, 14 moderate CP and 31 severe CP according to Cambridge classification.3.0 T MRI data were analyzed, and 14 features were extracted to compare the MRI features among groups.The single ordinal regression analysis was conducted on the variables with significant difference between groups, and the collinearity was diagnosed.The factor analysis was used for multicollinearity.The multiple ordinal logistic regression was finally conducted to establish the regression model.Results There was no significant difference between control groups and CP groups on pancreas divisum (X14), but significant differences were found in other 13 features (P<0.05).Single ordinal regression analysis of 13 features showed that all features except pancreatic parenchymal bubble (X12) were significantly correlated with CP grading diagnosis(P<0.05).The effect of multicollinearity was validated among 9 continuous variables.Three common factors were identified, including F1(X3、X4、X5、X9、X8), F2(X7、X6) and F3 (X1、X2) which represented the exocrine function, the features of main pancreatic ducts and pancreatic parenchyma, respectively.Six features were implemented into the multi Logistic regression model, which included F1, F2, F3, X10 (the visualizations of branch pancreatic duct after secretin stimulation), X11 (pancreatic shape) and X13 (the filling defects of main pancreatic duct).Finally, the most appropriate regression model was gotten, which was the scale model of the probit link function.The model′s diagnostic accuracy for normal, mild CP, moderate CP, severe CP and total CP was 96.65%,100%, 71.42%,100% and 94.50%, respectively.Conclusions The ordinal logistic regression model proposed in this study may accurately predict the CP grades and can offer valuable references for clinic diagnosis and therapy of CP.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of different amounts of iodine intake on the cellular and humoral immune in Grave's disease (GD) patients.MethodsThe clinical GD cases were diagnosed by thyroid fine needle Cytology examination.Patients in GD group are divided into GD group Ⅰ and GD group Ⅱ based on the median of urine iodine.The blood levels of FT4,FT3,TSH,TPOAb,TGAb,TRAb and TNF-t were detected.The difference and association of these parameters between these groups were analyzed.ResultsThe TNF-αt level in GD Ⅰ group was higher than that of GD Ⅱ group( P ＞ 0.05 ) ;The average level of TRAb of GD Ⅰgroup ( [ 1.4 ±0.2 ] U/L) were higher than that of GD Ⅱ group ( [ 1.2 ± 0.1 ] U/L) ( P ＜ 0.05 ) ;The positive rates of TGAb and TPOAb of GD Ⅰ group were higher than that of GD Ⅱ group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The percentages of patients with high level of TGAb and TPOAb in GD Ⅰ group ( 78.9％ 、84.2％ ) were higher than that in GD Ⅱ group (50.0％,62.5％ ) ( x2 =6.79,10.70,P ＜0.05 ) ; Analysis showed a linear positive correlation of TNF-αwith TRAb and TPOAb ( r is 0.489 and 0.563,P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionIodine is an important factor to the development of Graves disease.Excessive iodine intake will exaggerate the GD condition and patients with GD should be controlled for iodine intake.

Objective To explore the impacts of natural ovulation cycles and stimulation cycles on the outcome of intrauterine insemination (IUI) in order to improve the clinical effects of IUI. Methods 176 women received 384 stimulation cycles. According to different ovulation stimulation protocols , the women were divided into six groups including natural cycle (NC) group, clomiphene citrate (CC) group, letrozole (LE) group;human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG ) group, CC + HMG group, and LE + HMG group. The pregnancy rate between nature cycles and ovarian hyperstimulation cycles was compared. Results The pregnancy rate was 9.33%in the nature cycle group and 13.27% in the stimulation cycle group, with a significant difference (P < 0.05);and it dif not differ significantly among the stimulation cycle groups (P > 0.05). Conclusions Use of ovulation-induction medications is one of the important factors affecting the pregnancy rate of intrauterine insemination. There are no differences in the outcome of IUI among different ovulation stimulation protocols.