OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect and mechanism of Hyssopus cuspidatus Boriss. extract (HCE) in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic asthma. METHODS: Components identification of HCE was conducted using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry. Mice were sensitized with OVA to establish asthmatic model, and dexamethasone was used as positive control. Respiratory reactivity, white cells counting in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and peripheral blood, cytokine level measurement in serum and lung tissue, and histologic examination were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HCE on asthma. Network pharmacology approach was used for mechanism prediction. Western blotting and untargeted lipidomics method were applied for mechanism validation. RESULTS: Fifty-two compounds were identified in HCE, predominantly terpenoids and flavonoids. HCE markedly reduced airway resistance, the eosinophil infiltration in lung tissues, and the levels of immunoglobulin E, interleukin-4, interleukin-5, and interleukin-13. Network pharmacology analysis suggested phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3K), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 Mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) may be key proteins of HCE in the treatment of allergic asthma. Western blot results indicated that the levels of phosphorylated PI3K, JNK, and P38 were downregulated in HCE-treated group. Moreover, HCE significantly upregulated the levels of ceramide and sphingomyelin and downregulated the level of phosphatidylcholine. CONCLUSION HCE inhibited allergic asthma via PI3K/JNK/P38 signaling pathway and lipid homeostasis regulation.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic progressive lung disease characterized by progressive lung fibrogenesis and histological features of usual interstitial pneumonia. IPF has a poor prognosis and presents a spectrum of disease courses ranging from slow evolving disease to rapid deterioration; thus, a differential diagnosis remains challenging. Several biomarkers have been identified to achieve a differential diagnosis; however, comprehensive reviews are lacking. This review summarizes over 100 biomarkers which can be divided into six categories according to their functions: differentially expressed biomarkers in the IPF compared to healthy controls; biomarkers distinguishing IPF from other types of interstitial lung disease; biomarkers differentiating acute exacerbation of IPF from stable disease; biomarkers predicting disease progression; biomarkers related to disease severity; and biomarkers related to treatment. Specimen used for the diagnosis of IPF included serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, lung tissue, and sputum. IPF-specific biomarkers are of great clinical value for the differential diagnosis of IPF. Currently, the physiological measurements used to evaluate the occurrence of acute exacerbation, disease progression, and disease severity have limitations. Combining physiological measurements with biomarkers may increase the accuracy and sensitivity of diagnosis and disease evaluation of IPF. Most biomarkers described in this review are not routinely used in clinical practice. Future large-scale multicenter studies are required to design and validate suitable biomarker panels that have diagnostic utility for IPF.
Humans ; Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis/diagnosis* ; Biomarkers ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; Lung ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; Disease Progression ; Prognosis

Objective:To explore the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation program based on Delphi method in patients with overlap syndrome (OS) .Methods:From March 2019 to March 2021, a total of 107 OS patients admitted to Qinghai Provincial People's Hospital were enrolled using the convenience sampling method and divided into the observation group ( n=54) and the control group ( n=53) by the random number table method. The control group received conventional nursing, and the observation group conducted pulmonary rehabilitation program based on Delphi method on the basis of conventional nursing. The COPD Assessment Test (CAT) , the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) , and the St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were used to assess the improvement of the conditions, exercise endurance, and quality of life of the two groups before and after intervention. Results:After intervention, the CAT score of the observation group was lower than that of the control group, 6MWD was longer than that of the control group, and the clinical symptoms, disease impact, and activity scores of SGRQ were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The pulmonary rehabilitation program based on the Delphi method can reduce patients' condition, improve exercise endurance and quality of life.

Objective To explore the association between lipid profiles and left ventricular hypertrophy in a Chinese general population. Methods We conducted a retrospective observational study to investigate the relationship between lipid markers [including triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A-I, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein[a], and composite lipid profiles] and left ventricular hypertrophy. A total of 309,400 participants of two populations (one from Beijing and another from nationwide) who underwent physical examinations at different health management centers between 2009 and 2018 in China were included in the cross-sectional study. 7,475 participants who had multiple physical examinations and initially did not have left ventricular hypertrophy constituted a longitudinal cohort to analyze the association between lipid markers and the new-onset of left ventricular hypertrophy. Left ventricular hypertrophy was measured by echocardiography and defined as an end-diastolic thickness of the interventricular septum or left ventricle posterior wall > 11 mm. The Logistic regression model was used in the cross-sectional study. Cox model and Cox model with restricted cubic splines were used in the longitudinal cohort. Results In the cross-sectional study, for participants in the highest tertile of each lipid marker compared to the respective lowest, triglycerides [odds ratio (OR): 1.250, 95％CI: 1.060 to 1.474], HDL-cholesterol (OR: 0.780, 95％CI: 0.662 to 0.918), and lipoprotein(a) (OR: 1.311, 95％CI: 1.115 to 1.541) had an association with left ventricular hypertrophy. In the longitudinal cohort, for participants in the highest tertile of each lipid marker at the baseline compared to the respective lowest, triglycerides [hazard ratio (HR): 3.277, 95％CI: 1.720 to 6.244], HDL-cholesterol (HR: 0.516, 95％CI: 0.283 to 0.940), non-HDL-cholesterol (HR: 2.309, 95％CI: 1.296 to 4.112), apolipoprotein B (HR: 2.244, 95％CI: 1.251 to 4.032) showed an association with new-onset left ventricular hypertrophy. In the Cox model with forward stepwise selection, triglycerides were the only lipid markers entered into the final model. Conclusion Lipids levels, especially triglycerides, are associated with left ventricular hypertrophy. Controlling triglycerides level potentiate to be a strategy in harnessing cardiac remodeling but deserve to be further investigated.

Objective: To establish the in vitro porcine gastric model of submucosal eminence lesion and to evaluate its application to endoscopic submucosal dissection(ESD). Methods: Silicone rubber impression materials and steel balls with diameters of 1 cm, 2 cm, and 3 cm were used to make three pairs of spherical cavities. And then raw ground beef was put into spherical cavities and boiled for 20 minutes to make spherical mass models. Six isolated porcine stomach with esophagus and duodenum were selected. The mass models with diameters of 1 cm, 2 cm and 3 cm were imbedded respectively into the submucosa of fundus, body, and antrum of porcine stomach through the incision on serosal layer. The submucosal masses were observed by endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasonography and ESD was performed. Results: A total of 18 mass models were constructed in 6 porcine stomachs, of which 17 models were successfully established and 1 failed. Typical endoscopic characteristics of gastric submucosal eminence lesions were found in 17 models. Endoscopic ultrasonography showed that these models originated from submucosal layer and demonstrated mixed echo. There were no significant differences between mucosa of lesions and that of surrounding areas. ESD was successfully performed in the porcine gastric models of submucosal eminence lesions, and all models were not broken or detached. Conclusion The in vitro porcine gastric model of submucosal eminence lesions can well replicate disease status and provide a suitable model for study on endoscopic therapy of submucosal eminence lesion and training of endoscopists.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence, mutation characteristics and clinical outcomes of inherited metabolic diseases(IMD) by using tandem mass spectrometry screening. Methods: In Hunan province, 565 182 newborns who underwent tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) screening for IMDs were studied, including fatty acid oxidation disorders (FAODs), amino acid disorders (AAs), and organic acidemias (OAs) between March 2013 and September 2017.For the patients with positive results, a recall screening test was performed, and the results were further confirmed by specific biochemical and genetic analysis.For all the patients with IMD, guideline-directed medical treatment was administrated, and the follow-up outcomes was evaluated. Results: A total of 107 newborns were diagnosed with IMDs, with an overall prevalence of 1∶5 282, including 65 newborns with FAODs (1∶ 8 695), 29 newborns with AAs (1∶19 489), and 13 newborns with OAs (1∶43 476). The primary carnitine deficiency(PCD)(44 cases), hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA)(17 cases), short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency(SCADD)(12 cases), citrine deficiency(NICCD)(6 cases) were the 4 most common IMDs in Hunan province.The hotspot mutations in SLC22A5 gene of PCD were c. 51C>G(25.3%), c.1400C>G(23.0%), and c. 760C>T(13.8%); in PAH gene of HPA were c. 728G>A (22.2%) and c. 721C>T(14.8%); in ACADS gene of SCADD was c. 1031A>G(38.9%); and in SLC25A13 gene of NICCD was c. 851_854delGTAT (50.0%), respectively.The remaining IMDs were rare, and the hotspot mutations were unclear right now.During a mean follow-up of (26.1±5.6) months, 7 patients died, 4 patients suffered an intelligent disability, whereas the remaining 96 subjects had normal physical and intelligent development. Conclusions The overall prevalence of IMDs is not fairly low in Hunan province.Newborn screening and early appropriate management can significantly improve the outcomes of these patients.

Spinal cord injury is a catastrophic injury causing lifelong severe disabilities, and poses a great burden to the individuals, families and society. In order to promote the standardization in treatment of traumatic spinal cord injury, the consensus on the evaluation, treatment and rehabilitation of traumatic spinal cord injury was suggested by experts, who came from authoritative multicenter in China. The expert consensus, which formed a standardization process from the first aid clinical treatment to rehabilitation of spinal cord injury, shall give a better practical guide for clinic and rehabilitation physicians.

Objective Toll-like receptor ( TLR) gene family is the most important pathogen recognition receptor and animal experiment have found TLR4 mice is inclined to infect aspergillosis ( IA) .The study was to investigate the variation of TLR4 gene in Chinese Han nationality and its relation with the susceptibility of IA. Methods 25 patients diagnosed with proven IA from June 2011 to December 2012 in our hospital were enrolled, among which 17 were males.Their average age was 52.4 ±12.3, and 12 pa-tients had underlying diseases, the others had no underlying diseases.The control group consisted of 103 normal persons, among which 70 were males.Their average age was 56.0 ±17.2.All of the subjects were Chinese Han population.DNA was extracted from periph-eral blood.Polymerase chain reaction ( PCR) was applied to amplify the coding sequence of TLR4 gene followed by sequencing.The sequencing result was compared with TLR4 coding sequence in NCBI GenBank along with the analysis on amino acid change caused by genetic mutation and its effect on protein function.Comparison analysis was made on genetic mutation rate between IA group and con-trol group. Results Two missense mutations,TLR4 219 C>G and 1420 C>T, were identified in TLR4.The prediction result of protein structure showed 219 C>G resulted in the change of functional area for TLR4 to recognize pathogen and 1420 C>T caused no change in domains.The variation rate of TLR4 in IA group was 8%( 2/25 ) and both the patients had no underlying diseases. No mutation has been founded in control group and the difference between two groups was of statistical significance (P=0.037). Conclusion Two missense mutations (219 C>G and 1420 C>T) have been detec-ted in encoding area of TLR4 gene of IA patients.Variation in the cod-ing region of TLR4 gene may increase the susceptibility to IA.

Objective To evaluate the clinical outcomes of submental island pedicled flap (SIPF) combination with bio-membrane in reconstructing palate defects after maxillofacial or palatal neoplasm resection.Methods There were 12 patients with squamous cell carcinoma and one patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma.The clinical stages of tumours were]] in two patients,Ⅲ in four patients,Ⅳ in six patients(UICC 2002),and one patient with adenoid cystic carcinoma no staged.SIPFs were designed and created,and the tissue sides of the SIPFs were covered with bio-membrane to reconstruct the oral and the nasal sides of the defects respectively.Speech and swallowing functions and opening mouth were evaluated 6 months postoperatively.Results All flaps survived and no serious complications occurred.Ten patients achieved normal speech,two had intelligible speech,and one was with slurred speech;Nine patients resumed a solid diet,three with a soft diet,and one on a liquid diet.Eight patients recovered normal mouth opening,four emerged minor limitation of mouth opening,and one had serious limitation of mouth opening.Conclusions SIPF combined with bio-membrane is a safe,simple,and reliable method for reconstruction of piercing palate defect following neoplasm ablation,with satisfactory oral functions.

Objective To observe efifcacy and safety of catheter ablation for atrial ifbrillation (AF) occurring after surgical valve replacement in patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Methods A total of 23 RHD patients with atrial ifbrillation after surgical valve replacement were enrolled in this study from 2008 to 2013. The clinical characteristics, ablation strategies and successful rate were investigated. Results All the cases included 8 males and 15 females (age, 51.0 ± 9.2 years). Valves replaced were isolated mitral valves (13/23, 56.5%) and multiple valves (10/23, 43.5%). Postoperative AF after cardiac surgery was paroxysmal in 14 patients (60.9%) and nonparoxysmal in 9 cases. Nine patients (39.1%) was in sinus rhythm before cardiac surgery, 4 in paroxysmal AF and 10 in non-paroxysmal AF. The mean interval between the catheter ablation AF and the surgical intervention was (6.9±5.8) years. The postoperative AF duration was (3.1±3.2) years, left and right atrial diameters were (44.1±5.9) mm and (48.1±9.0) mm respectively, left ventricular ejection fraction was 64.0%±8.3%, the mean ablation procedure duration was (156.8±46.6) min, and lfuoroscopy exposure averaged (27.3±11.2) min. Standard pulmonary vein isolation was performed in all cases by using ipsilateral circumferential ablation technique. Additional ablation, including complex fractionated atrial electrograms, mitral and tricuspid isthmus, and left atrial roof, was applied in most of the cases. After a mean follow-up of (29.7±21.2) months (median, 24 months), 60.9%of the patients remained free of AF, 1 died, and 2 lost to follow-up. Conclusions Catheter ablation for AF is effective and safe in patients with RHD after surgical valve replacement. Stepwise ablation strategy may be better for these patients.