Objective To investigate the effects of Gynostemma Pentaphyllum on serum markers of liver fibrosis in cholesterol-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rabbits. Methods Forty adult male white rabbits were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, a treatment group and a simvastatin group, with 10 rabbits in each group. NAFLD was induced with a high-cholesterol diet. After modeling, the rabbits in the treatment group were intragastrically administrated with Gynostemma Pentaphyllum 5 mg/(kg?d), the simvastatin group with simvastatin 5 mg/(kg?d), and the model and normal control groups with the equal volume of distilled water for 9 weeks. The serum levels of total cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG), the serum inflammatory maker C-reactive protein (CRP), the serum markers of liver fibrosis such as hyaluronic acid and laminin (LN), and the TG level in the liver tissue were detected. Results Compared with the normal control group, the serum levels of TC (60.50 ± 9.77 mg/L vs.1.30 ± 0.44 mg/L), TG (1.72 ± 0.61 mmol/L vs. 0.85 ± 0.39 mmol/L), CRP (256.79 ± 30.78 mg/L vs. 8.71 ± 1.41 mg/L), HA (798.8 ± 69.4 ng/ml vs. 121.2 ± 6.8 ng/ml),LN (964.8 ± 62.8 ng/ml vs. 142.4 ± 12.2 ng/ml) in the model group were increased significantly (all P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the serum levels of TC (36.44 ± 6.57 mmol/L vs. 60.50 ± 9.77 mmol/L), TG (1.31 ± 0.39 mmol/L vs. 1.72 ± 0.61 mmol/L), CRP (68.77 ± 10.78 mg/L vs. 256.79 ± 30.78 mg/L), HA (420.8 ± 60.2 ng/ml vs. 798.8 ± 69.4 ng/ml), LN (449.8 ± 56.6 ng/ml vs. 964.8 ± 62.8 ng/ml) and the TG level in the liver tissue (0.52 ± 0.10 mmol/L vs. 0.77 ± 0.08 mmol/L) in the treatment group were decreased significantly (all P<0.01). The TG level in the liver tissue in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the simvastatin group (0.52 ± 0.10 mmol/L vs. 0.59 ± 0.09 mmol/L;P<0.05). There were no significant difference in the serum levels of TC, TG,CRP,HA and LN between the treatment group and the simvastatin group (all P>0.05). Conclusions Gynostemma Pentaphyllum may regulate lipid metabolism, alleviate inflammation, and decrease serum markers of liver fibrosis, and might protect against liver fibrosis in rabbits with NAFLD.

Excessive gestational weight gain has already become a global clinical and public health problem that seriously affects maternal health. Excessive gestational weight gain not only increases the cesarean section rate and induces adverse pregnant outcomes, but also affects offspring development and health. This article reviews the effects of excessive weight gain during pregnancy on offspring health and its underlying mechanisms. Excessive gestational weight gain may increase the risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases of the respiratory tract, diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome, mental or psychological illness among offspring, and the pathophysiological mechanisms include inflammatory response, intestinal flora dysbiosis and epigenetics theory. However, further studies are required to validate these hypotheses and to evaluate the effect of excessive weight gain at different gestational stages on offspring health, so as to provide insights into reasonable management of weight gain during pregnancy and improvements of offspring health.

Objective To examine the impact of C-reactive protein (CRP) on the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), inflammatory cytokine, in cultured human pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (hPASMCs) in order to find out the cause of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). Method The hPASMCs were cultured and stimulated by different concerntrations of CRP (5 - 200 μg/ml) for different lengths of time. The activity of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was evaluated by electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay (EMSA). The expression of IL-6 mRNA and the level of IL-6 protein were measured by using real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. Results CRP increased IL-6 production in hPASMCs in a dose-dependent manner. The increase in IL-6 at concerntration of 200 μg/mL in the CRP group was as high as 2.8times that in the control group. CRP also significantly induced the activation of NF-κB in hPASMCs. The effect of CRP on the inflammatory cytokine, IL-6, was inhibited by the specific FcγⅡa receptor antibody.Conclusions In vitro, CRP increases the production of IL-6 in hPASMCs mediated by FcγⅡa receptor and NF-κB translocation. These data offer important insights into the role of CRP in the pathogenesis of PAH.

Objective To study the short-term clinical efficacy of treating patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer with lentinan injection and javanica oil emulsion injection.Methods Clinical information of 42 patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer were retrospectively collected.The 42 patients were divided into two groups according to treatments,with 21 case in the control group who were treated with javanica oil emulsion injection,as well as 21 case in the treatment group treated with lentinan injection and javanica oil emulsion injection.The efficacy,quality of life (QOL) and adverse effects were observed after treatment for 3 weeks.Results 81.0％ (17/21)of patients in the treatment group improved in QOL,which was much higher than that in the control group 47.6％ ( 10/21 ) ( x2 =5.081,P =0.024 ).The objective remission rate was 19.0％ (4/21)and 14.3％ (3/21)in the treatment group and the control group respectively,with no significant differece bwtween the two groups( x2 =0.171,P =0.679 ).the disease control rate was 85.7％ (18/21)in the treatment group,which was significantly higher than that of 61.9％ (12/21)in the control group( x2 =4.200,P =0.040 ).The incidence of adverse effect related to hematological toxicity,liver and kidney function,the digestive tract and itching of skin were similar between the two groups (Ps ＞ 0.05 ).Phlebitis in the treatment group was not as frequent as that in the control group(P ＜0.05).Conclusion Treating patients with advanced gastrointestinal cancer with lentinan injection and javanica oil emulsion injection had high efficacy than treating only with javanica oil emulsion injection,and it improved QOL signifiantly with safety.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy of Hepatocyte growth-promoting factors(PHGF) combined with Wuji baifeng pills for liver cirrhosis. METHODS:A total of 97 patients with liver cirrhosis were randomly assigned to either control group(n=32,conventional therapy) or treatment group(n=65,PHGF plus Wuji baifeng pills in addition to routine treatment).The course of treatment was 3 months for both groups. Clinical data including cardinal symptoms and signs,hepatic function,blood clotting function,hepatic fibrosis parameters,the inner-diameter of the portal vein and splenic vein(PVD,SVD),spleen thickness(SPT) measured by the color Doppler ultrasonography were monitored before and after treatment. RESULTS:After treatment,the symptoms and signs of the treatment group had better improvement than in the control group,with a markedly higher total effective rate than in the control group(84.62% vs.59.38%,P

Objective To observe the influence ofgypenosides on hydrogen sulfide in liver tissue and plasma of rat with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.Methods 58 SPF male SD rats,with body mass 220～250 g,were randomly divided into a blank control group (group N,n=7),and a NAFLD and T2DM model group (Group M,n=51).Group N was fed with ordinary diet in the first four weeks,group M was fed with diets of high fat and sugar,injected with 40 mg/kg STZ overnight,and the same diets for the next four weeks.The rat model with T2DM and NAFLD was build.NAFLD and T2DM model group were divided into three groups:a high dose GPS group (JH,n=9) injected with 1 g/kg · d-1 GPS,a low dose GPS group (JL,n=9) injected with 0.5 g/kg · d-1 GPS,and a model group (M,n=9) injected with the same volume of water,and high fat diet at the same time.The treatment period was six weeks,and the experiment period was fourteen weeks.TG,TC,BS,and H2S in the plasma of rat were tested,and H2S in the liver tissue of the rat was tested.Results ①The changes of H2S in plasma:group JH [(4.30±0.43) μmol/L] and JL [(3.83 ±0.47) μmol/L] was lower than group M [(2.67 ± 0.41) μmol/L],there was a significant difference.②The changes of H2S in the liver tissue:group JH [(333.52±37.94) pmol/min/mg/protein] and JL [(275.81 ±36.07)pmol/min/mg/protein] was lower than group M [(237.8± 33.05) pmol/min/mg/protein],there was a significant difference.③BS levels:group JH(10.86±3.46)mmol/L,group JL (14.78±3.39)mmol/L,group M(18.84±4.24) mmol/L,group JH and JL was lower than group M,there was a significant difference (P＜0.01).④The plasma TG level:group N (0.96±0.09) mmol/L,group JH (2.82± 0.66) mmol/L,group JL (1.83± 0.56) mmol/L,group M (3.97 ± 0.64) mmol/L.group JH and JL was lower than group M,there was a significant difference (P＜0.01).Conclusion Gypenoside can reduce the blood sugar,triglycerides,and total cholesterol in rat with with type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcohol fatty liver disease.H2S concentrations in plasma and liver tissue of the rats with T2DM and NAFLD were increased by GPS,showing dose dependence.Gypenosides can also improve metabolism of blood glucose and lipid in rats with T2DM and NAFLD.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Gankang Ⅱ in reducing bilirubin level of patients with chronic hepatitis B,and discuss the mechanism.Methods124 cases hyperbilirubinemia patients with chronic hepatitis B were randomly divided into Gankang Ⅱ treatment group (the treatment group for short),and Yinzhihuang particles treatment group (the control group for short),with 62 eases in each group.The cure rate,recover rate of the treatment group and control group were observed,together with the changes of ALT,AST,GGT,and TBiL.Results①The cure rate was 80.6％,the recover rate was 19.4％ in the treatment group; the cure rate of was 62.9％ and the recover rate was 37.1％ in the control group; the cure rate of the treatment group was obviously higher than the control group.② There was no significant difference between the treatment group and the control group on TBiL,ALT,AST,and GGT before the treatment (P＞0.05).while after treated,TBiL (20.75±3.77) μmol/L,ALT (52.53± 12.23) U/L,AST (51.75 ±9.93) μmol/L,GGT (48.75 ±16.68) U/L of the treatment group were obviously lower than the TBiL(26.68 ±4.99)μmol/L,ALT(79.68± 1 1.92)U/L,AST (60.12 ± 8.12) μmol/L,GGT (58.97±15.47)U/L of control group.There was significant difference(P＜0.05～0.01).ConclusionThe effect of Gankang Ⅱ in reducing the bilirubin level of patients with chronic hepatitis B was sound.

Objective To study the protein expressions of Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) and caspase-8 in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage ,and the effects of erythropoietin tp reveal the mechanism of neu-m-protection by EPO. Methods 126 male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups: Sham-operated group, intracerebral hemorrhage group, and EPO group. Each group was divided into seven subgroups according to the differ-ent time points (3,6,12,24,48,72 h and 7 d). The model of intracerebral hemorrage was established in rats by in-tracerebral injection of autogenous blood. The protein expressions of FADD and caspas-8 in rats tissue around the hemorrhagic and the normal brain tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results The protein expressions of FADD and caspase-8 were increased [(4.66±0.46 ) and ( 15.89±1.81)] at 3 h after intracerebral hemorrhage, and peaked at 48 h [ (35.88±4.24 ) and (45.04±3.99)], the expressions of FADD and caspas-8 in the region around hematoma in EPO group significantly decreased compared with model group[ (3.92±0.64) and (28.24±1.90), (13.32±2.01 ) and (35.08±2.82)] at 3 h and 48 h. Conclusion The protein expressions of FADD and easpase-8 are markedly increased after intracerebral hemorrhage. EPO can protect the neurons by signifi-cantly reducing the expressions of FADD and caspase-8.

Objective To investigate the current situation and related risk factors of healthcare-associated infection (HAI),so as to provide evidence for making prevention and control measures of HAI.Methods On November 26, 2014,a combination method of bedside visiting and medical record reviewing was adopted to survey HAI status, pathogen examination,and antimicrobial application in all hospitalized patients in a tertiary first class military hospi-tal.Results A total of 1 657 hospitalized patients were investigated,66 patients developed 71 times of HAI,HAI rate and HAI case rate were 3.98% and 4.28% respectively.The top 4 departments with HAI prevalence rates were departments of neurosurgery (24.49%),hematology(19.05%),cadre ward(13.73%),and burn surgery (10.91 %).The top 5 HAI sites were lower respiratory tract (40.85%),urinary tract(23.94%),upper respirato-ry tract(12.68%),surgical site(9.86%),and gastrointestinal tract(5.63%).Of 66 cases of HAI,39 (59.09%) patients sent specimens for culture,a total of 48 pathogens were cultured,the major isolated bacteria was Esche-richia coli (n = 10,20.84%),followed by Staphylococcus aureus ,Klebsiella pneumoniae ,and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ,each was 7 (14.58 %)respectively.The usage rate of antimicrobial agents was 34.40%,specimen de-tection rate in patients receiving therapeutic and therapeutic+prophylactic antimicrobial agents was 59.28%.Risk factors for HAI were age <2 years old or >60 years,with respirator,tracheotomy,urinary tract catheterization, arteriovenous catheterization,hemodialysis,and surgery,difference was significant(all P <0.05).Conclusion Mo-nitoring on key departments and key sites of HAI should be strengthened,antimicrobial agents should be used rationally based on pathogenic detection results,specimen pathogenic detection rate should be improved,and effective prevention and control measures needs to be taken according to the risk factors of HAI.

Pituitary adenoma is a common neuroendocrine tumor, and its complex pathogenesis makes its treatment a clinical problem. Recently, studies have shown that long non-coding RNA (LncRNA), as a class of endogenous RNA with a length of more than 200 nucleotides and basically no protein-coding function, plays an important regulatory role in various forms in multiple tumors including pituitary adenoma, and is closely related to the proliferation, invasion and metastasis of pituitary adenoma. Based on the latest research status at home and abroad, this paper summarizes the research progress of LncRNA in pituitary adenoma, hoping to provide new ideas for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of pituitary adenoma.