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 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 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 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 auditory outcomes and prognostic factors in ossiculoplasty using autogenous ossicles. METHODS A retrospective review was performed in 126 patients with cholesteatoma or chronic otitis media, who admitted to the Department of Otolaryngology in Jingzhou hospital affiliated to Tongji medical college from January 2014 to July 2016, and underwent canal wall-down tympanoplasty (CWDT) with ossiculoplasty using autogenous ossicles in a single stage. The postoperative complication and hearing thresholds were analyzed after 12 months' follow-up. RESULTS The rate of dry ear was 96.5％. We had not found any extrusion of prosthesis. There was no one with postoperative retraction pocket or recurrence of cholestatoma during the follow-up. Auditory outcomes showed air conduction threshold improved from (52.7±7.4)dB to (39.0±9.1)dB after operation, while the air-bone gaps improved from(27.4±6.9)dB to (20.8±6.2)dB. Postoperative outcomes were considered successful, if the postoperative air-bone gap was <20 dB. The successful hearing was achieved in 88 patients (69.8％). Prognostic factors were analyzed using multivariate analysis with logistic regression. And we found the presence of the stapes and the malleus handle was significantly favorable predictive factors. All the patients recovered well without severe complication. CONCLUSION Autogenous ossicles is very valuable in ossiculoplasty. The present stapes and malleus handle are important factors for the auditory outcomes in ossiculoplasty.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the risk of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) through EB virus antibody profile by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

METHODSEBNA 1/IgA, EBNA 1/IgG and zta/IgG by ELISA and VCA/IgA by immmunoenzymatic method were detected in 121 NPC patients and 332 healthy subjects (HS) in the Pearl river estuary.

RESULTSThe sensitivity rates were 85%, 83% and 79% for EBNA 1/IgA, EBNA 1/IgG and zta/IgG, all three of which if combined was the highest 92%. The specificity rates were 86%, 86% and 80% for EBNA 1/IgA, EBNA 1/IgG and zta/IgG, all three of which if combined was also the highest 93%. According to the level of odds ratio, nasopharyngeal carcinoma risk could be divided into 3 groups: low, moderate and high-risk groups. 93% of HS had low risk of NPC with the odds ratio 0.0 to 0.3. 0.4% of HS had high risk of NPC with the odds ratio of 137.9%.

CONCLUSIONELISA is more objective than the traditional immunoenzymatic method in the detection and diagnosis of NPC. The combination of EBNA 1/IgA, EBNA 1/IgG and zta/IgG is able to evaluate the risk of NPC.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Viral ; analysis ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epstein-Barr Virus Nuclear Antigens ; analysis ; Female ; Herpesvirus 4, Human ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; virology ; Risk Factors

Objective To compare the clinical choosing principles of sedated colonoscopy with con-ventional colonoscopy. Methods Outpatients who were willing to accept colonoscopy with or without seda-tion were prospectively recruited,which were assigned to sedated colonoscopy group(n=362)and conven-tional colonoscopy group(n=323). All patients and endoscopists were asked to answer a self-administered questionnaire. The colonoscopy completion,operation time,procedure-related discomfort,and questionnaire results of the two groups were compared and statistically analyzed. Results The completion rate was 98. 9%in the sedated colonoscopy group(358/362)and 89. 8% in the conventional colonoscopy group(290/323) ( P=0. 337 ). The operation time of sedated and conventional group were( 5. 60 ± 3. 25 ) minutes and (7. 71 ± 5. 70)minutes respectively(P<0. 001). And the average cost was CNY 886. 54 per patient in se-dated group and CNY 386. 00 per patient in the conventional group. Patient satisfaction score of conventional group and sedated group were 4(3-4)and 3(2-3)points(P<0. 001),while endoscopist satisfaction score was 4(3-4)and 4(4-4)(P<0. 001). A total of 354 patients(97. 79%)in the sedated group and 225 pa-tients(69. 66%)in the conventional group showed willingness to repeat the identical colonoscopy( P <0. 001). Patients who were male(P=0. 035),having no past abdominal operations(P<0. 001),or no ab-dominal pain during colonoscopy( P =0. 015 )in the conventional group preferred to repeat conventional colonoscopy. Conclusion Although the examination time of conventional colonoscopy is longer than sedated colonoscopy,it could reduce anesthesia risk and the cost. Conventional colonoscopy remains an irreplaceable examination of colorectal diseases in developing countries. Physicians should not only focus on patients'com-fort during endoscopy,but also help patients make a decision based on their actual situation and endoscopic indications to make the best of medical resources.