Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA) is one of the triterpenes in the gum resin of the Boswellia serrata and Boswellia carterii,also known as Salai guggal or Indian frankincense.There has been growing interst in anti-tumor activity of AKBA.This review will summarize the latest advances of AKBA on anti-tumor activity for the better understanding of this compound and its further applications.

Objective To observe the characteristics of vertical cast-off bloodstain pattern by different hitting-tools. Methods The regular hitting tools, a kitchen knife, a dirk, a plane set-hammer and an iron pipe, were selected. At a distance of 30 cmaway fromthe wall, the hitting tool with 5 mL fresh chick-en blood made the cast-off bloodstain fromtop to bottom. Then the holistic distribution characteristics ( length , width and density ) of cast-off bloodstain and morphology characteristics ( length , width and contact angle) of first single cast-off bloodstain were analyzed. Results The distribution length of cast-off bloodstain formed by dirk was minimum( P<0 .05 ) . The distribution width of cast-off bloodstain formed by kitchen knife was minimum(P<0.05). Except the pair of kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, the distribution density between each two tools had statistical differences (P<0.05). The length of first single cast-off bloodstain formed by plane set-hammer was longest compared (P<0.05). The width of first single cast-off bloodstain had statistical differences between kitchen knife and plane set-hammer, and between dirk and plane set-hammer (P<0.05). Conclusion The type of hitting tool could be inferred by the specific characteristics of cast-off bloodstain pattern formed by every specific type of hitting tool in crime scene.

Background:Inflammatory bowel disease( IBD)is a group of chronic and non-specific intestinal inflammatory diseases of undetermined origin. Functional impairment of macrophages has been associated with the dysregulation of mucosal immunity in intestinal tract of patients with IBD. Aims:To investigate the correlation of serum levels of macrophage polarization-related cytokines with the development and disease activity of IBD. Methods:A total of 105 IBD patients admitted from May 2013 to May 2014 at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital were recruited,of them 65 were Crohn’s disease (CD)and 40 were ulcerative colitis( UC). Twenty-four patients with colonic polyps were served as controls. Serum samples were obtained and the levels of interleukin-1beta(IL-1β),IL-6,IL-10,IL-13,interferon-gamma(IFN-γ)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)were determined by ELISA method. Results:Serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,IL-10, IL-13 and IFN-γ were significantly higher in CD group than in control group(P < 0. 05),and serum levels of IL-10,IL-13 and IFN-γ were significantly higher in UC group than in control group(P < 0. 05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that serum IL-13(OR = 1. 009,P = 0. 005)and iNOS( OR = 0. 982,P = 0. 013)were correlated with CD,while Spearman correlation coefficient demonstrated a link between serum IL-10 and disease activity of CD(rs = - 0. 432,P =0. 014). No correlations were observed between serum levels of these cytokines and development and disease activity of UC (P > 0. 05). Conclusions:Serum levels of macrophage polarization-related cytokines increase to varying degrees in IBD patients,but these cytokines have no obvious correlations with IBD and its disease activity. Presumably,theses cytokines are only involved in but not the triggers in the development of IBD.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics,pathological classification and therapy strategy of rectal carcinoid and its prognostic factors.Methods Forty four patients with rectal carcinoid were diagnosed and treated in Ruijin Hospital Shanghai Jiaotong University from January 2006 to November 2013,among whom 21 patients (19 males and 2 females) were followed-up for 1-7.5 years.The clinical data of these cases were retrospectively analyzed.Results The patients underwent colonoscopy because of changed bowel habits and/or abnormal digital rectal examination,none of them had carcinoid syndrome.Colonoscopy showed that most lesions presented yellowish in color and smooth in surface; the diameter of the tumor was ≤ 1.0 cm in 12 cases (57％) ; the tumors were located at the rectum within 8 cm from anal rim in 17cases (76％); most of them were well differentiated.Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that NSE expression was highly positive.The 1 year-and 3year-survival rate were both 100％.Among 8 cases who were followed up for over 5 year,2 relapsed.Conclusions The digital rectal examination plays a key role in detecting rectal carcinoid.Though prognosis is relatively good,we should keep close following-up to detect the recurrence.The main risk factors influencing the prognosis are tumor size,depth of invasion and clinical stage.The combination measurement of CEA,TSGF,CA19-9 and NSE will either increase the sensitivity or the specificity of early detection.

Objective To study the expression of interleukin-1β in aortic dissections and aneurysms. Methods Aortic specimens were obtained from patients with type Ⅰ thoracic aortic dissection (11 cases),ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (10 cases),and healthy organ donors (7 cases).Expression of interleukin-1β,matrix metalloproteinase-9,and signal transduction factors phospho-p38 and phospho-JNK were detected by real time RT-PCR,Western blot,and immunohistochemistry,respectively.TUNEL staining was performed to detect apoptosis of media cells. Results Apoptosis in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms was dramatically higher than control group.Expression of interleukin-1β gradually increased in an order of control group,thoracic aortic dissection to ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively).Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9significantly increased in the media of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms compared with control group (P ＜ 0.01,respectively).There were positive correlations between interleukin1 β and matrix metalloproteinase-9,interleukin-1β and phospho-p38 in thoracic aortic dissection ( P ＜ 0.01,respectively),interleukin-1β and apoptosis in ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions Interleukin-1β and interferon-γ might effect the formation of thoracic aortic dissection and ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms possibly through the up-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and apoptosis of media cells in humans.

Objective To observe the effects of different interventions on the body mass index (BMI) and body fat content in overweight and obese adolescents, with an attempt to design reasonable weight relief program.Methods Totally 67 overweight or obese adolescents from a middle school of Beijing were randomly divided into three groups: control group ( n = 16 ), diet intervention group ( n= 22), and combined interventions group ( n =29). The changes of BMI and body fat rate (BFR) were observed. Results BMI significantly decreased after interventions ( diet intervention group: P = 0. 000; combined interventions group: P = 0. 018 ); the change of BMI in diet intervention group was significantly larger than that in control group ( P = 0. 035 ). The trunk and body BFRs also significantly decreased after interventions (diet intervention group: P=0. 000, P = 0. 013; combined interventions group: P = 0. 000, P = 0. 000 ); the changes of trunk and body BFRs were significantly larger in combined interventions group than those in control group ( P = 0.005, P = 0. 003 ). Conclusion Diet intervention and combined interventions are both effective in achieving weight loss in adolescents, and combined interventions have superior effectiveness.

Acne is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis of pilosebaceous units. Increased sebum content is the precondition of acne occurrence, and changes of sebum components promote inflammatory reactions in acne. Imbalance of sebum homeostasis is one of the key factors for acne occurrence. Due to the complex composition and diverse structure of sebum, it is difficult to analyze all lipid compounds in sebum by using a single experimental method. Lipidomics can be used to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze hundreds of lipids with different properties and biological activities, which provides a potential insight into the role of sebum in the pathogenesis of acne. This review summarizes application of lipidomics in the analysis of sebum in acne patients.

Objective:To explore the anti-inflammatory effect of pomegranate peel polyphenols on a rat auriclular model of acne and its mechanism of action.Methods:Totally, 36 specific-pathogen-free SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank group, model group, low-, medium- and high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups and positive control group. In all groups except the blank group, 0.5 ml of 100% oleic acid was applied to the openings of bilateral auricular ducts once a day for 3 consecutive weeks, followed by subcutaneous injections of 50 μl of Propionibacterium acnes suspension at the oleic acid-applied sites once a day for 3 consecutive days, so as to establish a rat auriclular model of acne. After the model was confirmed to be successfully established by naked eyes, the low-, medium-, high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups were topically treated with 0.5 mg of 1.4%, 2.8%, 5.6% (mass fraction) pomegranate peel polyphenol ointment respectively, the positive control group was topically treated with 0.5 mg of clindamycin hydrochloride gel, and the blank group and model group were topically treated with the same amount of distilled water. All the topical treatments were performed twice a day for 2 consecutive weeks. Twenty-four hours after the last topical treatment, abdominal aortic blood samples were collected, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to detect the serum level of interleukin 17 (IL-17) in rats; rat auricular tissues were resected, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe histopathological changes of the skin tissues in each group, and immunohistochemical study to determine the expression of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) , hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) , and retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt) in local tissues. Data meeting the assumptions of homogeneity of variances were analyzed by using one-way analysis of variance, and those that did not meet the assumptions of homogeneity of variances were analyzed by using Kruskal-Wallis H test; multiple comparisons were performed by using least significant difference- t test. Results:Compared with the model group, the pomegranate peel polyphenol groups and positive control group showed marked improvement in cysts, desquamation, crusts and epidermal keratinization, and reduced infiltration with inflammatory factors in the dermis at the modeling site. The serum level of IL-17 was significantly lower in the low-, medium- and high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups (61.03 ± 5.99 ng/L, 55.35 ± 2.24 ng/L, 54.35 ± 4.29 ng/L, respectively) , positive control group (48.11 ± 4.07 ng/L) and blank group (42.10 ± 5.62 ng/L) than in the model group (70.24 ± 3.30 ng/L; t = 3.12, 5.34, 5.70, 8.29, 10.54, respectively, all P<0.05) . Immunohistochemical study revealed that the HIF-1α expression level was significantly lower in the low-, medium- and high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups (0.29 ± 0.05, 0.29 ± 0.03, 0.33 ± 0.02, respectively) and positive control group (0.30 ± 0.01) than in the model group (0.41 ± 0.04; t = 4.89, 5.50, 3.62, 5.21, respectively, all P<0.05) ; the RORγt expression level was significantly lower in the low- and high-dose pomegranate peel polyphenol groups (0.28 ± 0.02, 0.31 ± 0.04, respectively) than in the model group (0.35 ± 0.02, t = 3.68, 2.18, respectively, both P<0.05) ; there was no significant difference in the mTOR expression level among these groups ( P = 0.119) . Conclusion:Pomegranate peel polyphenols could improve inflammatory reactions in the rat auriclular model of acne, which may be related to the down-regulation of HIF-1α/RORγt signaling pathway.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of compound Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets or Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets combined with standard protocols for eradication of Helicobacter pylori(Hp) in children. Methods: From March 2017 to March 2018, 120 children aged 3-10 years with Hp infection were admitted into the Department of Gastroenterology, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, including 67 male and 53 female childen.They were divided into 3 groups (control group, compound Lactobacillus acidophilus group, Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group) by the method of random number table.Control group was given Clarithromycin+ Amoxicillin+ Omeprazole, for 14 days orally; compound Lactobacillus acidophilus group and Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group were given drugs respectively on the first day, 500 mg of compound Lactobacillus acidophilus was added, twice a day or 250 mg of Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group, twice a day orally, for 14 days, respectively.The adverse reactions in children were observed during the treatment, andurea ¹³C breath test or the stool Hp antigen test was performed at least 4 weeks by the end of the treatment, and the children with negative results were judged to be eradicated successfully.The ulcer healing, Hp eradication rate and incidence of adverse reactions(nausesa, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea) among the 3 groups were observed and the Hp eradication rate and the incidence of adverse reactions (nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, constipation, diarrhea) were compared. Results: The eradication rates in the control group, the compound Lactobacillus group, and Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group were 80.0% (32/40 cases), 85.0% (34/40 cases), and 87.5% (35/40 cases), respectively, and the difference was not statistically significant (P=0.646); the ulcer healing rate was 100.0% of 101 Hp eradicators in 3 groups, and the ulcer healing rate of 19 cases without Hp eradicated was 48.15%, and there was a significant difference between them (χ²=51.30, P<0.01). However, there was no significant difference in the total effective rate among 3 groups (P>0.05). The overall incidence of adverse reactions in Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group (P=0.021) and the incidence of diarrhea (P=0.002) and loss of appetite (P=0.021) was lower than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant.There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two probiotic groups (P>0.05). Conclusions Both compound Lactobacillus acidophilus tablets and Saccharomyces boulardii Sachets group can reduce the overall incidence of adverse reactions and the incidence of diarrhea and appetite declines in children′s standard Hp eradication regimen without affecting Hp eradication rate.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of pomegranate peel polyphenols on sebum secretion in golden hamsters, and to explore its possible mechanisms.Methods:Thirty golden hamsters were randomly and equally divided into 5 groups: (ointment) vehicle group, 0.48%-, 0.96%-, 1.92%-pomegranate peel polyphenol ointment groups, and retinoic acid cream group. Corresponding cream or ointments were applied to bilateral sebaceous gland spots of the golden hamsters at a dose of 1 gram twice a day for 4 consecutive weeks. The area of bilateral sebaceous gland spots was measured on days 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 after the start of treatment, which was calculated by the maximum longitudinal diameter multiplied by the maximum transverse diameter. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, immunohistochemical study was conducted to determine the expression of AKT/Sox9 signaling pathway in sebaceous gland spots resected from the golden hamsters. The area of sebaceous gland spots in these groups at different time points was compared by repeated measures analysis of variance, and other data were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance or Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results:The area of sebaceous gland spots was significantly smaller in the 0.96%-, 1.92%-pomegranate peel polyphenol ointment groups (50.48±2.41 mm 2, 48.24±2.56 mm 2, respectively) and retinoic acid cream group (48.31±2.76 mm 2) than in the vehicle group (57.99±3.29 mm 2; t=2.69, 3.98, 3.65, P=0.012, 0.001, 0.001, respectively) . Sox9 expression was significantly lower in the 1.92%-pomegranate peel polyphenol ointment group (0.39±0.04) and retinoic acid cream group (0.38±0.03) than in the vehicle group (0.44±0.02, P=0.040) . However, there was no significant difference in AKT expression among the 5 groups ( F=1.645, P=0.199) . Conclusion:Pomegranate peel polyphenols can reduce the sebaceous gland spot area and inhibit sebum secretion in golden hamsters, which may be related to the inhibition of Sox9 expression.