The present study intended to provide some informations about the relationship between the supraependymal structures (SES) and the periventrieular neural tissue (PVNT), and with gross dissection and scanning electron microscopy the anterior medullary velum (AMV) was observed on 20 adult rabbits. The AMV may be divided into three portions: 1. the posterior membraneous wall of the recess of the inferior colliculus; 2. the anterior roof of the fourth ventricle; and 3. the transiional portion between the two portions mentioned above. On the ependymal surface of the entire AMV. There were numerous microvilli and cilia, except for the second portion of AMV, there were also some spherical-like structures, which were 2-6?m in diameter and had lace-like processes on its surface, and supraependymal cells(SEC) which were stellate, triangular, and spindle in shape. On the cellular surface with very few SEC, the secretory granules may be seen, which were 0.1-0.3?m in diameter. The SEC often extended out 2-5 processes, and the distal parts of which expanded into a flattened shovel-like structure, which lay on or inserted into the ependymal surface. The SEC here are similar to type Ⅱ SEC seen in the third and fourth ventricles, but they may differ significantly in structures on cellular surface, e.g. the secretory granules, and in shapes of their processes. Thus, it may suggest that the SEC here may play an intermediary role between PVNT and CSF, and be another route of neurohumoral modulation.

Objective: To clarify the specific mechanisms of action of raw Phellodendron chinense Schneid. (RPC) and saltwater-processed PC (SPC) in the treatment of rats with a kidney-yin deficiency pattern (KYDP). Methods: Healthy rats were administered hydrocortisone to establish a KYDP model. The rats were divided into seven groups: blank control, model, positive control (Liuwei Dihuang pills), high-dose RPC, low-dose RPC, high-dose SPC, and low-dose SPC. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of cAMP, cGMP, TRH, TSH, T3, T4, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and testosterone in the serum and the levels of Na+-K+-ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+-ATPase in the liver. TRH mRNA expression in the rat hypothalamus was measured using RT-PCR. THRα1+2 protein expression in the hypothalamus of rats was measured using Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression levels of FAS, FasL, and TSHR. Flow cytometry was used to determine CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocyte levels. Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology was used to evaluate the diversity of intestinal flora in KYDP rats. Results: The cAMP/cGMP ratio was significantly higher in the model group than in the blank control group (P = .048). Compared with the model group, after administration, the levels of the above-mentioned serum and liver indexes decreased, except that of testosterone. The CD4+/CD8+ ratio also decreased. Compared with the RPC group, the levels of T3, IFN-γ, FAS, FasL, and TSHR in the SPC group decreased whereas that of testosterone increased. Additionally, immune function and intestinal flora diversity improved in the SPC group. SPC proved to be more effective in improving liver energy metabolism in KYDP rats than RPC. Conclusion SPC had a better therapeutic effect on KYDP than RPC. The underlying mechanism of action may be related to improvements in liver energy metabolism, immune function, and intestinal flora diversity.

Objective:To investigate the amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression in brain glioma tissues and cerebrospinal fluid of glioma patients and their significances.Methods:(1) Fifty-six brain glioma specimens surgically resected and pathologically confirmed in our hospital from January 2015 to December 2020 were collected, including 9 with WHO grading I, 14 with WHO grading II, 18 with WHO grading III, and 15 with WHO grading IV. In addition, the necrotic brain tissues of 4 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage during hematoma removal at the same time period were collected as controls. Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the APP protein and mRNA expressions in glioma tissues and control brain tissues, respectively. (2) The cerebrospinal fluid of above 56 patients with glioma, 4 patients with viral meningitis, 4 patients with bacterial meningitis, 4 patients with autoimmune encephalitis, 5 patients with epilepsy, 3 patients with migraine and 3 normal subjects were collected at the same time period, and the APP content in the cerebrospinal fluid of all subjects were detected by ELISA.Results:(1) Western blotting and RT-qPCR showed that the APP protein and mRNA expressions in glioma tissues of WHO grading I, II, III and IV were significantly higher than those in control brain tissues, and the APP protein and mRNA expressions in glioma tissues of WHO grading I, II, III and IV increased successively, with statistical differences ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in APP protein and mRNA expressions between first-onset glioma and recurrent glioma in glioma tissues of WHO grading I and II ( P>0.05); while in glioma tissues of WHO grading III and IV, APP mRNA expression in recurrent glioma was statistically higher than that in first-onset glioma ( P<0.05). (2) ELISA results showed that APP content in patients with viral meningitis, bacterial meningitis, autoimmune encephalitis, epilepsy or migraine was not significantly different as compared with that in normal controls ( P>0.05). The APP content in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with WHO grading I, II, III and IV gliomas was significantly higher than that in normal controls, and the APP content in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with WHO grading I, II, III and IV gliomas increased successively, with statistical differences ( P<0.05). Conclusion:APP is highly expressed in glioma tissues and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with glioma, and its expression is significantly correlated with the pathological grades of glioma; the detection of APP expression in cerebrospinal fluid can be used as a new screening method for glioma patients.

BACKGROUNDSome studies have supposed that glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) may be involved in detoxification of carcinogens, especially from tobacco smoke. Therefore, polymorphism of GSTs has been considered as potential protectors of individual cancer risk. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between genetic polymorphism of GSTT1 and inherent susceptibility to lung cancer in Han population in Sichuan, China.

METHODSA case-control study was carried out to compare the distribution frequency of GSTT1 gene polymorphism between lung cancer (n=150) and control healthy individuals (n=152) with polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method and to analyze the relationship between the GSTT1 gene polymorphism and smoking and the inherent susceptibility of lung cancer.

RESULTS(1) The distribution frequency of GSTT1(-) genotype was 54.7% (82/150) in lung cancer and 38.2% (58/152) in control group respectively (OR=1.681, 95%CI=1.009- 2.803 , P=0.046); (2) GSTT1(-) genotype remarkably increased the risk of squamous cell carcinoma (OR=2.969, 95%CI= 1.511 -5.834, P=0.002) and adenocarcinoma (OR=2.095, 95%CI=1.060-4.140, P= 0.033 ); (3) In smokers, GSTT1(-) genotype significantly increased the risk for lung cancer (OR=4.051, 95%CI=1.959-8.380 , P=0.000); (4) In people with GSTT1(-) genotype, smoking markedly increased the risk for lung cancer (OR=53.885, 95%CI=11.789-246.302, P=0.000); (5) In heavy smokers (≥20 packyears), GSTT1(-) genotype could remarkably increase the risk of lung cancer (OR=4.296, 95%CI=1.649-11.190, P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS(1) People with GSTT1(-) genotype have significantly increased risk for lung cancer in Han population in Sichuan, China, especially for squamous cell carcinoma. (2) GSTT1(-) genotype interacts synergistically with smoking on lung cancer risk. The more the cigarettes smoke, the higher the risk of lung cancer increases in those people who are smokers with GSTT1(-) genotype.

BACKGROUNDGenetic polymorphism in metabolic enzymes, which are involved in metabolism of environmental carcinogens, have been thought to be related to susceptibility of lung cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the cytochrome P450 2D6(CYP2D6) genetic polymorphism distribution in Han population in Sichuan, China, and to evaluate the relationship between CYP2D6 genetic polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility.

METHODSPCR-RFLP was used to identify CYP2D6ch genotypes among 150 patients with primary lung cancer and 152 healthy controls, in Han population in Sichuan, China, and case-control study was used to analyze the relationship between genetic polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility.

RESULTS(1) The distribution frequency of CYP2D6ch C and T allele were 39.5% and 60.5% in control group and 46.3% and 53.7% in lung cancer group, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.089). (2)The distribution frequency of C/C, C/T and T/T genotypes were 18.4%, 42.1% and 39.5% in control group, and 22.7%, 47.3% and 30.0% in lung cancer group, respectively. No significant difference was found between the two groups (P=0.215). (3) The individuals who carried with Non-T/T genotypes had a 2.084-fold increased risk with squamous cell carcinoma (95%CI 1.024-4.244, P=0.043) than those who carried with T/T genotype. (4) The lighter smokers ( < 30 pack-years) who carried with Non-T/T genotypes had a 2.92-fold increased risk with lung cancer (95%CI 1.087-7.828, P=0.033) than those who carried with T/T genotype.

CONCLUSIONSCYP2D6ch Non-T/T genotypes are factors associated mail:zhouqh@mail.sc.cninfo.net) with increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma and also increase risk of lung cancer among lighter smokers.

BACKGROUNDTo investigate the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary sclerosing hemangioma (PSH).

METHODSThe clinical features, radiographic manifestations and treatment of 21 patients with PSH were reviewed.

RESULTSNone of the 21 patients was diagnosed as PSH preoperatively. There were 18 females and 3 males, and the average age was 48.0 years in this group. Twelve patients were symptom free. The plain chest roentgenograms showed a well defined, homogeneous, round or oval nodulous shadow in most cases. All patients received operation. There was no postoperative morbidity and mortality. Postoperative follow-up showed a good prognosis.

CONCLUSIONSPreoperative diagnosis of PSH is quite difficult. PSH should be suspected in middle to old aged female patients who show a well defined, homogeneous, round or oval shadow in plain chest roentgenograms. PSH has a good prognosis if it is treated surgically.

Objective To investigate the clinical features, treatment strategies and outcomes of patients with Moyamoya disease and lenticulostriate artery (LSA) aneurysm rupture. Methods Patients with moyamoya disease and LSA aneurysm rupture admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medicine School from October 2012 to March 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. They were followed up for 1 year. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to evaluate the outcomes, and 0-2 was defined as good outcome. The demographic characteristics, image anatomical features, treatment schemes, and outcomes of the patients were summarized. The Pubmed database was used to retrieve other similar studies, which combined with this group of cases for analysis. Results A total of 10 patients were enrolled, 2 males and 8 females, aged 29-72 years, with an average of 43. 6 years. All cases were intracranial hemorrhage, including 3 cases of cerebral hemorrhage, 6 cases of ventricular hemorrhage, and 1 case of subarachnoid hemorrhage. At the time of admission, 7 patients had disturbance of consciousness, and 3 patients underwent emergency extraventricular drainage. Among them, 5 patients received endovascular embolization, 4 had good outcome, 1 had mild neurological deficit (mRS score 3); 2 received surgical treatment, all had good outcome; 3 received conservative treatment, all had re-bleeding, 2 died, and 1 had severe disability (mRS score 4). Fourteen eligible articles were included, and a total of 18 patients were included in the analysis: surgical treatment in 7 cases, endovascular treatment in 6 cases, and conservative treatment in 5 cases (self-healing in 1 case). According to the data of this group of patients and literature reports, the good outcome rate of the patients with early interventional embolization or craniotomy clipping treatment was significantly higher than that of conservative treatment (70. 6％vs. 22. 2％; P = 0. 038). Conclusion There is a certain risk of conservative treatment of Moyamoya disease complicated with LSA aneurysm rupture and requires active treatment. Interventional embolization of the parent artery or surgically clipping of aneurysm can effectively improve the clinical outcome of such patients. Interventional embolization of the parent artery and aneurysm can be selected simultaneously if the condition of the parent artery is allowed. Surgery can be selected when the condition of parent artery is poor and the aneurysm is located in the superficial part.

Objective:To verify the clinical efficacy and safety of Qufeng Tongxuan method in treating low- and moderate-volume intracerebral hemorrhage at acute stage.Methods:A prospective, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed; patients with low- and moderate-volume intracerebral hemorrhage at the basal ganglia and/or thalamus accepted treatment in 16 hospitals from September 2019 to April 2022 were enrolled. These patients were divided into experimental and control groups with a block randomized method by SAS software. Patients in control group were given conventional western medicine treatment; those in experimental group accepted Qufeng Tongxuan method (sequential therapy of Shexiang Huayu Xingnao granules and Zhilong Huoxue Tongyu granules) besides conventional western medicine treatment. NIHSS was used to assess neurological function before treatment and on 7 th, 14 th, 30 th, and 90 th d of treatment. Prognoses of these patients were assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS) before treatment and on 180 th d of treatment. Brain CT was performed before treatment and on 7 th and 14 th d of treatment to calculate the hematoma volume. Before treatment and on 14 th d of treatment, changes of coagulation function, liver and kidney functions of the 2 groups were compared. Adverse reactions during treatment in the 2 groups were recorded. Results:No significant differences in NIHSS scores were noted between the 2 groups before treatment, on 7 th, 14 th, and 30 th d of treatment ( P>0.05); NIHSS scores in experimental group on 90 th d of treatment were signficantly lower than those in control group ( P<0.05); NIHSS scores in experimental group decreased gradually before treatment and on 7 th, 14 th, 30 th and 90 th d of treatment, with statistical significances ( P<0.05). No significant differences in mRS scores were noted between the 2 groups before treatment ( P>0.05); mRS scores in experimental group on 180 th d of treatment were signfciantly lower than those in control group ( P<0.05). No significant difference in hematoma volume was noted between the 2 groups before treatment and on 7 th and 14 th d of treatment ( P>0.05); both groups had gradually decreased hematoma volumes before treatment and on 7 th and 14 th d of treatment, respectively, with significant differences ( P<0.05); the volume difference of hematoma between 14 th d of treatment and before treatment in experimental group (6.42[4.10, 11.73]) was significantly higher than that in control group (4.00[1.25, 10.58], P<0.05). No significant differences in liver and kidney function indexes or coagulation function indexes were noted between the 2 groups before treatment and on 14 th d of treatment ( P>0.05). Adverse reaction incidence was 9.52% ( n=12) in experimental group and 10.34% ( n=12) in control group, without statistical difference ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Under premise of conventional western medicine treatment, Qufeng Tongxuan method can promote hematoma absorption and improve neurological deficit symptoms in low- and moderate-volume intracerebral hemorrhage at acute stage, without obvious adverse reactions.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the central government-funded echinococcosis control programme in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, so as to provide insights into echinococcosis control. Methods Administrative villages were sampled using a multi-stage cluster random sampling method from Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, and all residents at ages of 12 years and older in the sampled villages were screened for echinococcosis, and schools were sampled using a cluster sampling method, and all children at ages of 12 years and older in the sampled schools were screened for echinococcosis. Domestic dogs were sampled using a systematic random sampling method, and one domestic dog stool sample was collected from each household. Stray dog stool samples were collected outside the villages, and Echinococcus coproantigens were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in domestic and stray dogs. In addition, echinococcosis was screened in sheep and cattle in designated slaughterhouses in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County. The trends in the prevalence of echinococcosis in humans and livestock and the positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens in dogs were examined with the Cochran-Armitage trend test. In addition, individuals screened for echinococcosis were randomly sampled from 2007 to 2022 for survey on the awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge. Results A total of 290 356 person-times were screened for echinococcosis among residents at ages of 12 years and older in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, with 1 094 residents detected with cystic echinococcosis, and the detection of echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a gradual decline over years (χ² = 358.602, P < 0.001). A total of 32 931 person-times were screened for echinococcosis among children at ages of 12 years and older in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, with 296 children detected with echinococcosis, and the detection of echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a gradual decline over years (χ² = 267.673, P < 0.001). A total of 33 230 domestic dog stool samples were tested for Echinococcus coproantigens in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2007 to 2022, with 1 777 Echinococcus coproantigens-positive samples tested, and the positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens appeared a tendency towards a decline in domestic dogs over years (χ² = 2 210.428, P < 0.001), while the positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens showed a tendency towards a rise in domestic animals from 2016 to 2022 (χ² = 37.745, P < 0.001). The positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens remained relatively stable in stray dogs in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province from 2019 to 2022 (χ² = 0.315, P = 0.575). A total of 10 973 sheep were screened for echinococcosis in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County from 2007 to 2022, with 334 sheep detected with echinococcosis, and the detection of echinococcosis appeared a tendency towards a decline in sheep over years (χ² = 53.579, P < 0.001); however, there was no significant change in the detection of echinococcosis during the period from 2015 through 2022 (χ² = 1.520, P = 0.218). A total of 2 400 cattle were screened for echinococcosis in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County from 2017 to 2022, with 231 cattle detected with echinococcosis, and the detection of echinococcosis showed a tendency towards a decline over years (χ² = 5.579, P < 0.05). The awareness of echinococcosis control knowledge increased from 44.37% in 2007 to 94.00% in 2022 among residents at ages of 12 years and older and from 52.50% in 2007 to 92.50% in 2022 among children at ages of 12 years and older in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, respectively. Conclusions There has been a reduction in the detection of echinococcosis in humans and domestic animals and the positive rate of Echinococcus coproantigens in dogs and a rise in the awareness of the echinococcosis control knowledge following the implementation of the central government-funded echinococcosis control programme in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province; however, integrated echinococcosis control measures are still required for further control of the prevalence of echinococcosis.

Objective : To determine expression profile of VISTA on lymphocyte and the potential regulatory effects on immune response in a murine model of sepsis. Methods : Expression profile of VISTA on T lymphocytes in the spleen and peripheral blood was examined. Mice wereintravenously injected with an agonistic VISTA mAb(MH5A) or isotype control , and then the survival rate , cytokine expression , bacterial burden and lymphocyte apoptosiswere determined. Results : VISTA was substantially expressed on T cell from the spleen and peripheral blood , septic peritonitis did not induce significant changes in the expression profiles at 24h post surgery(P > 0. 05 in each comparison) . Treatment with MH5A improved the survival of septic mice(8/12 vs 2/12 , P = 0. 01) , accompanied by reduced lymphocyte apoptosis [(30 123 ± 6 400) vs (45 482 ± 8 652) , P = 0. 03] , decreased bacterial burden and lessened cytokines expression , such as TNF⁃α , IL⁃6 , IL⁃1β and IFN⁃γ(P < 0. 05 in each comparison) . Conclusion The present study identified VISTA as a novel immune checkpoint in the regulation of T cell apoptosis and inflammatory response during sepsis. VISTA agonism might offer a promising approach in the immunotherapy for sepsis.