ObjectiveTo observe the curative effect of treating bradymenorrhea due to implantation of intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) with Busben Quyu Decoction. MethodsCompare the curative effects between two groups. One group is treatment group with 64 bradymenorrbea patients treated by Bushen Quyu Decoction for 3 months, and the other group is control group with 27 bradymenorrhea patients treated by Gongxuning tablet taken orally. Results There was significant difference between the treatment group and the control group in terms of curative effects. (P＜0.05). Conclusion Busben Quyu Decoction has good effect in treating bradymenorrhea caused by placement of IUD.

AIM: To assess the efficacy of Quyin Koufuye in different types of psoriasis vulgaris and analyzes the relationship between efficacy and various disease-related factors, as well as its complementary role in biologic therapy. METHODS: This study included a total of 396 patients with psoriasis. Based on the patient history, participants were categorized into the biologics group (n=98), Quyin Koufuye-assisted biologics group (n=62), and Quyin Koufuye monotherapy group (n=236). Patient history data were collected, including gender, duration of illness, disease type, initial site of onset, degree of itching, recurrence status and time, smoking habits, joint pain, family history of psoriasis, nail damage, treatment plan, and PASI/BSA scores. A retrospective analysis was conducted to identify factors influencing the efficacy of Quyin Koufuye and to analyze its combined effects with biologics. RESULTS: Combining Quyin Koufuye with biologics significantly boosted the PASI90 response rate to 72.6% (P=0.014). Responders to PASI50 with Quyin Koufuye experienced longer recurrence intervals (> 6 months) than non-responders (50% vs. 33.6%, P= 0.045). Influencing factors included psoriasis-affected body surface area (OR=0.960, P=0.000), prolonged smoking history (OR=2.10, P=0.046), and psoriasis type (OR=2.47, P=0.015). CONCLUSION: This study underscores the synergy of Quyin Koufuye and biologics in treating psoriasis, particularly for longer recurrence intervals-factors like smoking history, psoriasis type, and affected body surface area impact Quyin Koufuye's efficacy.

Humans ; Child ; Glioma/pathology* ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; World Health Organization ; Mutation ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/pathology*

Objective: To investigate immunohistochemical patterns of CXorf67 and H3K27me3 proteins in central nervous system germ cell tumors (GCTs) and to assess their values in both diagnosis and differential diagnosis. Methods: A total of 370 cases of central nervous system GCTs were collected from 2013 to 2020 at Huashan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. The expression of CXorf67, H3K27me3 and commonly-used GCT markers including OCT4, PLAP, CD117, D2-40, and CD30 by immunohistochemistry (EnVision method) was examined in different subtypes of central nervous system GCTs. The sensitivity and specificity of each marker were compared by contingency table and area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results: Of the 370 cases there were 282 males and 88 females with a mean age of 19 years and a median age of 17 years (range, 2-57 years). Among the GCTs with germinoma, the proportions of male patients and the patients with GCT located in sellar region were both higher than those of GCTs without germinoma (P<0.05), respectively. CXorf67 was present in the nuclei of germinoma and normal germ cells, but not in other subtypes of GCT. H3K27me3 was negative in germinoma, but positive in the nuclei of surrounding normal cells and GCTs other than germinoma. In the 283 GCTs with germinoma components, the expression rate of CXorf67 was 90.5% (256/283), but no cases were positive for H3K27me3. There was also an inverse correlation between them (r²=-0.831, P<0.01). The expression rates of PLAP, OCT4, CD117 and D2-40 were 81.2% (231/283), 89.4% (253/283), 73.9% (209/283) and 88.3% (250/283), respectively. In 63 mixed GCTs with germinoma components, the expression rate of CXorf67 was 84.1% (53/63), while all cases were negative for H3K27me3. The expression rates of PLAP, OCT4, CD117 and D2-40 were 79.4% (50/63), 79.4% (50/63), 66.7% (42/63) and 87.3% (55/63), respectively. The 6 markers with largest area under ROC curve in ranking order were H3K27me3, CXorf67, D2-40, OCT4, PLAP and CD117 (P<0.05). Conclusions: CXorf67 and H3K27me3 have high sensitivity and high specificity in diagnosing germinoma. There is a significant inverse correlation between them. Therefore, they can both be used as new specific immunohistochemical markers for the diagnosis of GCTs.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Brain Neoplasms/pathology* ; Central Nervous System/pathology* ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Germinoma/pathology* ; Histones ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal/diagnosis* ; Oncogene Proteins ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Young Adult

【Objective】 To explore the expression of USP9X in platelets and its effect on platelet function. 【Methods】 The expression of USP9X in human and mouse was evaluated by PCR and Western blot. Platelets from young and old mice were separated and prepared, and the expression of USP9X was detected. USP9X inhibitos were used to assess the regulation of USP9X in platelet function, including aggregation, ATP release and spreading. Platelet lysates were collected in different time points to evaluate the change of phosphorylation of Akt in USP9X inhibitors treated platelets. 【Results】 Both human and mouse platelets expressed USP9X. Compared to the young mice, the old mice showed significantly enhanced expression of USP9X(P<0.05). To assess the effect of USP9X on platelet function, USP9X inhibitor was used to pre-incubate platelets for 30 min and platelet function were examined later. Results showed that USP9X inhibitor significantly decreased platelet activation including aggregation, ATP release and spreading(P<0.05). Compared to the control group, the inhibitor treated group showed a significant decrease in the spreading area after 45 minutes. The Western blot results showed a significant decrease in Akt phosphorylation levels of platelets in the USP9X inhibitor treated group. 【Conclusion】 Both human and mouse platelet express USP9X, and inhibition of USP9X decreased platelet function including aggregation, ATP release and spreading. USP9X can also influence the phosphorylation of Akt. The inhibitor of USP9X may become a potential therapeutic target for thrombosis intervention.

OBJECTIVETo study the correlation between the inflammatory factors in the serum and the induced sputum and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients of different syndromes.

METHODSTotally 71 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma were assigned to three groups according to syndrome differentiation, i.e., Shen-yang deficiency (SYD) group (28 cases), Fei-qi deficiency (FQD) group (23 cases), and yin deficiency fire excess (YDFE) group (20 cases). Another 41 healthy subjects were enrolled as the normal control group. Sputum was induced and blood samples were collected for measurement of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon gamma (INF-gamma). The cytokine assay was performed using Bio-Plex Pro multi assay technology. 24-h collection of urine was performed and salivary samples of the diurnal rhythm profiles [including urinary free cortisol (UFC), urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OH), urinary 17-ketosteroid (17-KS), and cortisol in the serum and saliva] were obtained for assessment of the HPA axis activity.

RESULTSA higher level of serum IL-6 and a lower level of 24-h UFC and 17-OH were found in the SYD group (P < 0.05). The urinary 17-KS was obviously lower in the SYD group than in the normal control group and the YDEE group (P < 0.05). Compared with the FQD group and the normal control group, a higher serum level of TNF-alpha and a lower level of IFN-gamma were found in the SYD group and the YDFE group (P < 0.05). The TNF-alpha and TGF-beta levels in the induced sputum obviously increased in the SYD group (P < 0.05). The IFN-gamma level in the induced sputum obviously decreased in the YDFE group (P < 0.05). The serum and salivary cortisol obviously decreased from 8: 00 am to 8:00 am the next morning in the SYD group (P < 0.05). The serum cortisol level was negatively correlated with serum TNF-alpha (r = -0.26, P = 0.03) and serum IL-6 (r = -0.25, P = 0.03). The salivary cortisol level was negatively correlated with IL-6 in the induced sputum (r = -0.29, P = 0.02). The serum IFN-gamma was positively correlated with urinary 17-OH (r = 0.21, P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONSThe inflammatory factors of advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients of SYD syndrome were up-regulated, with the most obvious decreased or disarranged HPA axis functions. The levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma were closely correlated with the HPA axis functions. The transformation from qi deficiency, yin deficiency to Shen-yang deficiency existed in lung adenocarcinoma patients. The levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in the serum and the induced sputum, as well as the HPA axis functions are important indices for microscopic syndrome typing of lung adenocarcinoma.

Adenocarcinoma ; blood ; physiopathology ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Cytokines ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Inflammation ; Lung Neoplasms ; blood ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pituitary-Adrenal System ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Sputum ; chemistry ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of icariin on Bcl-2 and Bax protein expressions and eosinophils apoptosis in bronchial asthmatic mice.

METHODS48 female Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups, i.e., the normal control group, the model group, the Dexamethasone group, the low dose icariin group, the middle dose icariin group, and the high dose icariin group, 8 mice in each group. Bronchial asthma in mice were induced by intraperitoneal sensitization and challenged with nebulized ovalbumin (OVA). The mice of each treatment group were administrated with different doses of icariin by peritoneal injection from the first asthma sensitization (the 3rd week after the modeling) to the day before killing once every other day, while mice in the normal control group were administrated with physiological saline. The mice were killed after 6 weeks of treatment. The apoptosis of eosinophils and the Bcl-2 and Bax protein expressions of the lung tissues were detected by TUNEL and immunohistochemical assay respectively.

RESULTSAs compared with the model group, the apoptosis ratio of eosinophils were higher in the rest four treatment groups (P<0.05). The Bcl-2 protein positive areas in the lung tissues and the airway wall were significantly lowered (P<0.05). The Bax protein positive area significantly increased (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn bronchial asthmatic mice, icariin could enhance the apoptosis of eosinophils and lessen their infiltration by decreasing the expression of Bcl-2 protein and increasing the expression of Bax protein in lung.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Asthma ; metabolism ; Eosinophils ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Female ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the biomarkers and inflammatory characteristics for microcosmic syndrome differentiation of cold-phlegm syndrome (CPS) and heat-phlegm syndrome (HPS) in patients with bronchial asthma.

METHODSPatients with bronchial asthma of chronic persistent condition were distributed into three groups according syndrome differentiation, the CPS group (27 patients), the HPS group (32 patients) and the non-cold/heat-phlegm syndrome group (NP group, 31 patients), besides, a control group was setup with 33 healthy persons. Percentages of neutrophils and eosinophils (NEU, EOS) in sputum sample (collected by induction) and peripheral blood were counted; and levels of interleukin-8, -5, and -4 (IL-8, IL-5 and IL-4), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), leukotriene B4 (LT-B4), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and C-reactive protein (CRP) in sputum supernatant and serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

RESULTSPercentage of NEU in sputum of HPS group was higher than that in the other three groups (P < 0.05); while percentages of EOS in serum and sputum of CPS group were higher than that in the other three groups (all P < 0.01). Level of ECP (a parameter closely associated with EOS) also was high in the CPS group, but IL-8 (a parameter closely associated with NEU) showed no significant difference in various groups (P > 0.05). Moreover, the CPS group showed a higher serum IL-4 (P < 0.05) but a lower IFN-gamma/IL-4 level as compared with those in the NP group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONPhlegm, which is considered by Chinese medicine as an inveterate root of asthma, might be closely related with the inflammation in modern medicine. The inflammatory characteristics of asthma in patients with CPS partially present as increase of EOS, possibly show Th2 dominant trend, similar to that presented in eosinophilic asthma. Asthma with HPS embodies increase of NEU in respiratory tract. EOS and ECP might be the important markers for microcosmic syndrome differentiation of CPS, and NEU might be that for HPS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asthma ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Eosinophil Cationic Protein ; metabolism ; Eosinophils ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Neutrophils ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of neuronavigator-guided surgery for the resection of gliomas.

METHODSA total of 80 patients with gliomas underwent surgical treatment under the StealthStation neuronavigator to estimate the extent of the tumors. In 27 cases, the measurements of brain shifts at the dura, cortical surface and lesion margin were recorded during the operations. A technique termed "micro-catheter fence post" was used in superficial gliomas to compensate for brain shift.

RESULTSMean fiducial error and predicted accuracy in the 80 cases were 2.03 mm +/- 0.89 mm and 2.43 mm +/- 0.99 mm, respectively. The shifts at the dura, cortical surface and lesion margin were 3.44 mm +/- 2.39 mm, 7.58 mm +/- 3.75 mm, and 6.55 mm +/- 3.19 mm, respectively. Although neuronavigation revealed residual tumors, operations were discontinued in 5 cases of deep-seated gliomas. In the other 75 cases, total tumor removals were achieved in 62 (82.7%), and subtotal removals were achieved in 13 (17.3%). Post-operation, neurological symptoms were improved or unchanged in 68 cases (85.0%), and worsened in 12 (15.0%). No deaths occurred during the operations and post-operations.

CONCLUSIONSIntraoperative brain shifts mainly contribute to the fail of spatial accuracy during neuronavigator-guided glioma surgery. The "micro-catheter fence post" technique used for glioma surgery is shown to be useful for compensating for intraoperative brain shifts. This technique, thus, contributes to an increase in total tumor removal and a decrease in surgical complications.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Brain Neoplasms ; surgery ; Female ; Glioma ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neuronavigation ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVETo evaluate retrospectively the effectiveness of image-guided navigation techniques in the management of cerebral CMs.

METHODSBetween July 1997 and January 2001, 44 patients underwent image-guided resection of cerebral CMs. To counteract brain shift, a small silicon catheter was implanted as a guide in the case of deep-seated lesions (except in the case of brain stem CMs) and before excision of multiple lesions.

RESULTSA total of 27 men and 17 women with a mean age of 35 years underwent surgical procedures (5 patients had multiple lesions). The lesions were located in the frontal (n = 14), lobe temporal lobe (n = 12), parietal lobe (n = 6), cerebellum (n = 6), thalamus (n = 5), pons (n = 5), and orbital region (n = 1). Under the guidance of a StealthStation navigator, total removal of the lesions was achieved in all patients. Follow-up revealed marked improvement of preoperative symptoms in 26 patients and no additional deficits in 13 patients. Five patients suffered from additional neurological deficits, but two of them gradually improved during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSIONSWith the assistance of an image-guided surgical system, functional areas can be effectively avoided and surgical injury can be decreased. This system is well suited for accurate localization and safe resection of small, deep-seated CMs.

Adult ; Brain Neoplasms ; surgery ; Catheterization ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Female ; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Neuronavigation ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Silicones