Objective To investigate the expression levels of regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) in pediatric nephroblastoma and pericancerous tissues, and explore the relationship between RGS4 and the occurrence and development of pediatric nephroblastoma. Methods Thirty-seven samples of pediatric nephroblastoma tissues and 8 samples of pericancerous tissues were collected after surgery to detect the expression of RGS4 protein by immunohistochemistry. Another 8 samples of fresh cancer tissues and corresponding pericancerous tissues were collected to detect the mRNA and protein levels of RGS4 by qRT-PCR and Western blot assay, respectively. Results Immunohistochemistry results showed that RGS4 protein was positively expressed both in pediatric nephroblastoma and pericancerous tissues, and its high expression rate was lower in pediatric nephroblastoma than that in pericancerous tissues [(37.83%(14/37) vs. 87.5%(7/8),χ2=4.675, P<0.05]. The expression level of RGS4 mRNA was significantly lower in pediatric nephroblastoma than that in pericancerous tissues (1.064 ± 0.549 vs. 5.374 ± 0.735, t=13.290, n=8, P < 0.01). Western blot results showed that the expression level of RGS4 protein was lower in pediatric nephroblastoma than that of pericancerous tissues (0.301±0.092 vs. 0.779 ± 0.041, t=13.424, n=8, P < 0.01). Conclusion The expression level of RGS4 is down-regulated in pediatric nephroblastoma, which may be related to the occurrence and development of pediatric nephroblastoma.

ObjectiveTo study the role of L-arginine/nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the antidepressant effects of ketamine.MethodsForty two male Wistar rats (200-250 g) were equally randomized into 7 groups ( n =6 ):control group ( C group ),L-Arginine ( a precursor of NO ) group ( LA group),L-NAME ( an non-selectivity inhibitor of NO synthase) group ( LN group),ketamine 3 mg/kg group ( K3 group),ketamine 10 mg/kg group (K10 group),L-Arginine + ketamine 10 mg/kg group(LAK10 group),L-NAME + ketamine 3 mg/kg group (LNK3 group).The forced swimming test (FST) of 15 min (pre-test session) was used to establish a rat depression model,then twenty-four hours later FST (test session) was carried out of 6 min and the immobility time in last 5 min was recorded. All the groups were pretreated with saline 1.0 ml,L-arginine 750 mg/kg or L-NAME 30 mg/kg 90 min before FST.Saline 1.0 ml,ketamine 3.0 mg/kg or ketamine 10.0 mg/kg were injected 60 min before FST.The content of hippocampal NO was detected immediately after ethology measurement.ResultsCompared with C group (immobility time:( 139.0 ± 27.6)s),the immobility time decreased significantly (( 85.5 ± 34.2),(91.3 ±31.6)s) in K10 group and LNK3 group (P＜0.05),K3 group,LA group,LAK10 group and LN group had no significant difference (P＞0.05) ;compared with C group ( (0.61 ±0.21 ) μmol/gProt),the content of NO increased in LA group ( ( 1.09 ±0.39) μmol/gProt) and decreased in K10 group and LNK3 group significantly( (0.28 ± 0.12),(0.31 ± 0.14 ) μmol/gProt) (P ＜ 0.05 ),K3 group,LAK10 group and LN group had no significant difference (P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionThe antidepressant effects of ketamine are related to the suppression of L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway.

Objective To observe changes of hippocampal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in rats with neuropathic pain-induced depression, and to explore the relationship between hippocampal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and severity of depression.Methods Twenty-eight adult male rats were randomly divided into two groups: group sham (n=14) and spared nerve injury (group SNI) (n=14).Mechanical withdrawal thresholds (MWT) were measured 1 day before and 7, 14 and 21 days after operation.Sucrose preference test and forced swim test were tested 1-3 days before and 21-23 days after operation.After test, hippocampus was collected.The hippocampal levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were measured by ELISA.Correlational relationships between hippocampal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and sucrose preference were evaluated.Results Compared with group sham, MWT was decreased 7, 14, 21 days after operation (P<0.001).Group SNI displayed decreased sucrose preference 21 days after operation (P<0.01) and increased immobility time in FST 23 days after operation (P<0.05).The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were increased in hippocampus (P<0.05 or P<0.01).No significant difference was observed in IL-1β.The hippocampal levels of IL-1β (r2=0.60,P<0.01), IL-6 (r2=0.55,P<0.01) and TNF-α(r2=0.60,P<0.01) were negatively correlated with sucrose preference.Conclusion The hippocampal levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α are increased in rats with depression induced by neuropathic pain, and the levels of hippocampal pro-inflammatory cytokines are negatively correlated with the severity of depression.

Objective To compare the newer antifungal agents micafungin and voriconazole for prophylaxis effects on the clinical outcomes.Methods We electronically searched the database of Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials,Pubmed,EMbase,China Biology Medicine (CBM),China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),and relevant database articles (1996.01-2014.12).Comparative studies were carried out on proved fungal infections,mortality,and adverse effects.Meta-analysis was performed by Review Manager 5.3 software.Results We found 1 564 records and 16 studies totaling 4 234patients included in analyses.Pooled comparisons of studies found that antifungal prophylaxis with the new agents did reduce the incidence of invasive fungal infections and transplant related mortality than fluconazole or itraconazole [OR =0.41 (0.21 ～ 0.80) and OR =0.40 (0.24 ～ 0.66),respectively,P ＜ 0.01].Voriconazole had higher rates of liver dysfunction,lower gastrointestinal side effects over fluconazole,and lower rates of nephrotoxic effects than amphotericin B.Voriconazole had significant decrease in adverse events requiring drug discontinuation compared to itraconazole [OR =0.43 (0.27 ～ 0.68),P ＜ 0.01].Conclusions This analysis indicated the 2 agents appear to be well tolerated with manageable side effects and beneficial in the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infection (IFI).

Objective To investigate the risk factors for the occurrence of cerebral infarction in patients with capsular warning syndrome (CWS). Methods Consecutive patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) meeting the CWS clinical manifestations were col ected retrospectively. They were divided into either a cerebral infarction group or a non-cerebral infarction group according to the brain diffusion weighted imaging findings. The independent risk factors for patients with CWS were identified through the comparison of demographic and baseline clinical data. Results A total of 39 patients were enrol ed, including 25 males (64. 1%) and 14 females (35. 9%), and their mean age was 58. 9 ± 10. 3 years. There were 21 patients in the cerebral infarction group and 18 in the non-cerebral infarction group. Compared with the non-cerebral infarction group, the age of patients in the cerebral infarction group was older (62. 5 ± 9. 3 years vs. 54. 8 ± 10. 2 years;t=2. 470, P=0. 018). The constituent ratio of the patients with a history of previous stroke or transient ischemic attack was higher (33. 3% vs. 5. 6%; P=0. 049), the fasting blood glucose level was higher (8. 2 ± 3. 2 mmol/L vs. 6. 0 ± 1. 3 mmol/L; t=2. 748, P=0. 009), and ABCD2 score was higher (5. 2 ± 1. 1 vs. 3. 5 ± 1. 1;t=4. 734, P<0. 001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the ABCD2 score was an independent risk factor for cerebral infarction in patients with CWS (odds ratio, 4. 529, 95% confidence interval 1. 233-16. 627;P=0. 023). Conclusions The higher ABCD2 score was an independent risk factor for the occurrence of cerebral infarction in patients with CWS. It can be used as an evaluation tool for predicting the risk of cerebral infarction in patients with CWS.

On Sept 7, 2015, Chinese hospital ship Ark Peace left its home-port in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, forHarmony Mission-2015, the fifth in a series of annual international humanitarian and free medical assistance endeavors by the PLA Navy.This mission lasted 142 days, involving a visit to Malaysia and participation in Peace Friendship-2015 exercise,before she was dispatched to seven countries (regions) including Australia, Polynesia, USA, Mexico, Barbados, Grenada, Peru and provided a wide range of medical , humanitarian assistance to the last four countries .A total of 12 589 patients were treated on the main platform , 4852 patients by the 29 fore-lying medical corps , 59 surgeries performed , 46 patients hospitalized ,and 7130 CT and DR et al auxiliary examinations conducted during four mission stops .We organized academic exchanges , visits and interviews , get-togethers , dynamic and static exhibitions in each country .The experience from Harmony mission-2015is of great significance for such tasks in the future .

Objective To investigate the treatment effects of Kansui root on severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) with abdominal compartment syndrome (ACS).Methods 16 cases of SAP were randomly divided into kansui root treatment group and control group according to random number table.Patients in control group received routine treatment including fasting, anti-shock, antibiotics and nutritional support.And the patients in kansui root group received routine treatment plus kansui root therapy.The clinical and laboratory parameters were determined and compared between the two groups.Results The relieving time of abdominal pain, bowel sound, the recovery time of hyperamylasemia, body temperature and leukocyte count in treatment group was (7.6±2.3)d, (6.1 ±3.1)d, (5.9±3.3)d, (5.2 ±3.2) d, (6.3 ±2.1)d, which were significantly shorter than those in control group [ ( 11.7 ± 2.1 ) d, ( 11.2 ± 2.3d, ( 10.2 ± 2.7) d, (9.2 ± 3.5 ) d, ( 11.1 ±3.3)d, P＜0.01 ) ].At the 3rd, 4th and 5th day, the intra-abdominal pressure in treatment group were also significantly lower than those in control group[ ( 19.8 ±3.1 )cmH2O vs(23.7 ±2.9) cmH2O, ( 12.3 ±2.7) cmH2O vs (21.3±1.5)cmH2O,(8.2±3.1)cmH2O vs (17.3 ±2.3)cmH2O,P＜0.05].Conclusions Severe acute pancreatitis has close relationship with Jiexiong syndrome in traditional chinese medicine.Kansui root is an effective therapy for alleviating high intra-abdominal pressure.

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of butin in Vernohia anthelmintica(VW)on proliferation of human immortal ke-ratinocyte cell strain HaCaT and cell secretory factors,and explore the mechanism of butin in VW in the treatment of vitiligo. METHODS:MTT method was used to determine the survival rate of HaCaT cells cultured by 0 (blank control),0.1,0.5,1.0, 5.0,10.0 μg/mL of butin for 48 h. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the contents of cell secretory factors as endothelin 1 (ET-1),ET-3,melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH),stem cell factor (SCF),basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)in culture medium after HaCaT cells were cultured by 0.5,1.0,5.0 μg/mL of butin for 48 h. RESULTS:Compared with blank control,cell survival rate was increased to varying degrees after cultured by 0.1-5.0μg/mL of butin for 48 h,while decreased after cultured by 10.0 μg/mL of butin. Contents of ET-1,SCF,bFGF in culture medium were significantly increased after cultured by 0.5,1.0,5.0μg/mL of butin for 48 h(P<0.01);and contents of ET-3,MSH in culture medium were significantly increased af-ter cultured by 1.0,5.0 μg/mL of butin for 48 h(P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS:Butin can promote the proliferation of HaCaT cells, the mechanism may be associated with promoting the secretion of cell secretory factors of ET-1,ET-3,MSH,SCF,bFGF.

Objective To investigate the effect of acacetin(ACE)on the apoptosis of dental pulp cells induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)by regulating the high mobility histone 1(HMGB1)/Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)signaling pathway.Methods Third generation dental pulp cells were isolated,cloned and purified from pulp of five patients with healthy teeth extracted from orthodontics and impaction.Cell morphology was observed and identification of stromal cell surface antigen1(STRO1)by immunofluorescence,and epidermal antigens CD90,CD105,CD34 and CD45 were identified by flow cytometry.MTT was applied to identify the effect of ACE on the activity of primary dental pulp cells(DPSCs).DPSCs were divided into the control group(0 μmol/L ACE culture),the LPS group(1 ng/L LPS treatment),the L-ACE group(added 20 μmol/L ACE on the basis of LPS group),the H-ACE group(added 40 μmol/L ACE on the basis of LPS group),the pcDNA-NC group(transfected pcDNA-NC plasmid on the basis of H-ACE group)and the HMGB group(transfected pcDNA-HMGB on the basis of H-ACE group).Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8.Clone formation number was detected by clone formation assay.Western blot experiments were applied to detect the expression of HMGB1/TLR4 pathway,apoptosis and inflammation related proteins.ELISA assay was applied to detect levels of interleukin(IL-)-1β,IL-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in cell supernatant.Results DPSCs were successfully isolated and identified based on cell morphology,positive expression of STRO1,positive expression of CD90 and CD105,and negative identification of CD34 and CD45.Compared with the control group,cell proliferation activity,clonal cell count,B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)and IL-4 levels were decreased in the LPS group,while apoptosis rate,the pathway related proteins HMGB1,TLR4,apoptosis related proteins aspartate-specific cysteine protease(Caspase)-3,Caspase-7,Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),and inflammatory factors IL-1β,TNF-α were increased in the LPS group(P＜0.05).Compared with the LPS group,cell proliferation activity,Bcl-2 and IL-4 were increased successively in the L-ACE group and the H-ACE group,and apoptosis rate,pathway-related proteins HMGB1,TLR4,Caspase-3,Caspase-7 and Bax,and inflammatory factors IL-1β,TNF-α were reduced successively(P＜0.05).Overexpression of HMGB reversed the effects of H-ACE on cell proliferation,apoptosis,expression of related proteins and inflammatory factors(P＜0.05).Conclusion ACE inhibits LPS induced apoptosis of dental pulp cells,and it may be achieved by inhibiting the HMGB1/TLR4 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the effect of CT slice thickness on the reproducibility of radiomic features in urinary stones.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 30 cases of stones diagnosed by urinary CT.Thin-slice(1 mm)images were reconstructed into two groups of images with thicknesses of 2 mm and 5 mm.Two radiologists conducted manual segmentation independently and then extracted features.The reproducibility of the radiomic features was calculated using the concordance correlation coefficient(CCC).Results Under different slice thickness conditions by the same radiologist,the average CCC of all groups was less than 0.85(P＜0.05).For radiologist A,the proportion of stone features with CCC＜0.85 were 50.13％,79.91％,and 82.38％in the 1 mm vs 2 mm group,2 mm vs 5 mm group,and 1 mm vs 5 mm group,respectively.Corresponding values for radiologist B were 44.55％,79.47％and 82.32％,respectively.Among the seven categories of radiomic features,the morphological features with CCC＜0.85 was 100％in the 1 mm vs 5 mm group.Conclusion CT slice thickness significantly affected the reproducibility of radiomic features in urinary stones,with the greatest effect observed in morphological features.Thin-slice imaging demonstrated more stable reproducibility of stone characteristics.