BACKGROUND:The Notch signaling pathway is evolutionarily highly conserved and mediated by cel-cel interactions, which is widely involved in cel differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. This critical transduction system participates in coordinating various functions of vascular endothelial cels, thus playing a vital role in the formation and remodeling of vascular network. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the components of Notch signaling pathway and its impact on angiogenesis. METHODS: A computer-based online search of PubMed and CBM databases was performed. High-quality articles related to mechanism of angiogenesis regulated by Notch signaling were included, and repetitive studies were excluded. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Totaly 31 literatures were selectively included in this review. Angiogenesis is a complicated and muti-stage biological event and has been delicately regulated. Notch signaling participates in the regulation of every stage of angiogenesis directly or indirectly via the crosstalk with vascular endothelial growth factor, BMP-SMAD signaling and extracelular matrix molecules. Furthermore, consistent output of Notch signaling is essential for maintaining the stability and integrity of adult vascular system. This review wil thoroughly clarify the latest progress on angiogenesis regulated by Notch signaling and provide theoretical basis and a potential target for designing therapeutic methods against vascular disease.

Objective To approach the changes of advanced glycosylated end products (AGEs),surfactant proteins A (SP-A) in the lung of experimental diabetic rats and their relationship. Methods 48 male SD rats were divided into diabetes mellitus (DM) group and control group, each group with 24 rats.The DM rat model was made by injecting streptozocin (60mg/kg) into caudal vein. The rats were killed and the lung was individually taken out at the end of 4, 12 and 20 weeks after the models were established. The changes of AGEs, SP-A in rats lung were observed with immunohistochemical assay and the images were analyzed( black is minimum of gray, white is maximum of gray ). Results We observed a great quantity of AGEs positive cells in the alveolar epithelial cells, bronchial mucosal epithelium, angio-endothelial cell and smooth muscle cells of the DM rats. The average gray (AG) was inferior to that of the controls(4weeks 93.92 ± 7.92 vs 104. 75 ± 8. 20; 12 weeks 76. 25 ± 6. 76 vs 93.50 ± 7.56; 20 weeks 47.63 ± 7.96 vs 142. 38 ± 19. 76; P ＜0. 05) and decreased with the DM course. In the 4 weeks DM rats, there were a few SP-A positive cells in the type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells, Clara cells and alveolar macrophage cells. In the 12 and 20 weeks DM rats, there were a great many CTGF and TGF-β1 positive cells. The AG was inferior to that of the controls( 12 weeks 75.63 ± 6. 70 vs 110. 50 ± 13.20;20 weeks 47.38 ± 4. 84 vs 97. 25 ± 9. 87; P ＜ 0. 01 ). Conclusion With the progress of diabetes, DM rats' pulmonary alveolar type Ⅱ cells injury appeared, that might be related with the deposition of AGEs.

[ABSTRACT]AIM:Toinvestigatetheapplicabilityanddegradabilityoftheantigen-extractedxenogeneicbone carrying recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 ( rhBMP-2) as a scaffold in repairing the mandibular defect in vivo.METHODS:New Zealand rabbits (n=28) with 28 mandibular defects were divided into 3 groups at random:anti-gen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone /rhBMP-2 group (group A), antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone group ( group B ) and blank control group ( group C ) .Twelve bone defects each in group A and group B were classified into 3 time points (4, 8 and 12 weeks).Observation in general, X-ray test and hematoxylin and eosin staining and bone density measurement were conducted on each rabbit in group A and group B .Four bone defects were classified into group C .Ob-servation in general , X-ray test and hematoxylin and eosin staining were also conducted on each rabbit in group C .RE-SULTS:The X-ray showed that the implanted materials were degraded after a period of time , and were replaced by autoge-nous bone.At the 12th week, the implanted materials in group A were entirely degraded and replaced by autogenous bone . The bone density measurement showed that the bone density was enhanced after implantation .At the 12th week, there was an obvious difference between group A and group B .The hematoxylin and eosin staining showed there were more neovascu-larization, new fibrosis and new bone formation in group A than those in group B .The implanted material in group A de-graded much faster than that in group B .The significant difference in the new bone area ratio between the 2 groups among all weeks was observed .CONCLUSION: An antigen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone has good biocompatibility , which can act as a scaffold in bone repairment .It is the carrier of rhBMP-2 to continue the bone formation .Therefore, anti-gen-extracted xenogeneic cancellous bone is a kind of good material for bone repairment .

ObjectiveTo evaluate the protective effect of Xuebijing injection against renal injury in patients with sepsis, and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods A prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted in which 62 severe patients with sepsis and septic shock admitted in Department of Critical Care Medicine of Jiangsu Province Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from June 2013 to December 2013 were randomly divided into control group and Xuebijing group, with 31 patients in each group. The patients in both groups received basic treatment for sepsis, and the patients in Xuebijing group were additionally given intravenous injection of Xuebijing 100 mL once a day for 7 days. In both groups, the changes in acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ (APACHEⅡ) score were observed before treatment and 1, 3, 7 days after treatment, and the changes in the levels of interleukins (IL-6, IL-10), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (Fib), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), serum creatinine (SCr), and Cystain C (Cys C) were determined before treatment and 1 day and 3 days after treatment.Results There was no statistically significant difference in APACHEⅡ score before treatment between two groups, however, the APACHEⅡ scores were significantly decreased in both groups 3 days and 7 days after treatment compared with those before treatment, and the degree of decrease in Xuebijing group was more obvious 7 days after treatment (13.61±7.62 vs. 16.34±8.70,P< 0.05). Serum concentrations of Cys C, SCr, IL-6, IL-10, PT, APTT, and Fib showed no difference between two groups before treatment (allP> 0.05), while after treatment the degrees of improvement of above indexes in Xuebijing group were obviously superior to those in control group, especially 3 days after treatment[Cys C (mg/L):1.12±0.11 vs. 1.35±0.14, SCr (μmol/L): 115.0±31.0 vs. 135.0±24.0, IL-6 (ng/L): 54.27±28.79 vs. 73.35±31.01,PT (s): 13.50±0.11 vs. 15.71±0.11, APTT (s): 43.66±0.31 vs. 48.03±0.55, Fib (g/L): 1.91±0.51 vs. 1.51±0.52, P< 0.05 orP< 0.01].ConclusionXuebijing injection has certain renal protective effect in patients with sepsis, and its mechanism is possibly related to the regulation and improvement of uncontrolled inflammatory response and coagulation function in sepsis.

Parkinson's disease is a common progressive neurodegenerative disorder among old people, characterized by progressive loss of dopamine-producing neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and accordingly low level of dopamine in the nigrostriatal pathway.Neuroinflammation and even systemic inflammation have been suggested to be involved in the demise of dopaminergic neurons. Anti-inflammatory treatment could protect brain from inflammatory injury and prevent the progressive course of Parkinson's disease, which suggests a potential new strategy for Parkinson's disease treatment.

Objective To evaluate the values of bilateral inferior petrosal sinus sampling ( BIPSS),high dosage dexamethasone suppression test (HDDST) and pituitary image in the differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome. Methods Totally 87 patients with confirmed pathological diagnosis were recruited in the study.All received the procedure of BLPSS,HDDST,and pituitary MRI with dynamic enhancement.The diagnostic performances of three differential diagnosis methods in ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome were evaluated.Results Seventy-eight patients were diagnosed as cases of pituitary ACTH adenoma,and the remaining 9 were confirmed cases of ectopic ACTH syndrome due to the thymic carcinoid.The sensitivity and specificity of HDDST,pituitary MRI,and BIPSS for the diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome were 82.1％ and 100％,79.5％ and 44.4％,92.3％ and 100％,respectively.In Cushing's disease,the diagnostic accuracy was 83.9％ with HDDST,77.0％with pituitary MRI,and93.1％ with BIPSS.In those patients with Cushing's disease,the coincidence of lateralization was 83.9％ with BIPSS and 64.5％ with MRII.Conclusion BIPSS was better than the other two methods in differential diagnosis of ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome.Compared with the pituitary MRI,the concordant rate of BIPSS in lateralization of the tumor is higher,and it is more reliable.

Ectopic ACTH syndrome caused by adrenal pheochromocytoma is very rare.A case was herewith reported and the domestic and foreign literatures were reviewed.The correct diagnosis of the syndrome depends on clinical,biochemical,hormonal,radiographic,pathological investigations,as well as tumor immunohistochemistry for final comprehensive judgments.

Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) is a specific growth factor with intestinal protective effect. It plays a role in the regeneration and repair of intestinal injury through a variety of downstream signal pathways, which is mainly reflected in ensuring the integrity of intestinal structure, enhancing the function of intestinal barrier, increasing the blood supply of intestinal tract, and promoting the absorption of nutrients. Therefore, it is more and more popular in the clinical application of intestinal injury. This paper will summarize the latest research progress in the characteristics of GLP-2, its relationship with intestinal injury, mechanism of action and clinical application.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and related factors of diagnosis and treatment of patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage,and provide basis for clinical treatment and prognosis.Methods The clinical diagnosis and treatment data of 96 patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage,admitted to our hospital from February 2010 to February 2013,were analyzed.Results In all the 96 patients,improvement was noted in 76 accounting for 79.17％,limb paralysis in 74 accounting for 77.08％ and death in 17 accounting for 17.71％; death within 24 hours of onset was noted in 11 accounting for 11.46％ and within 24-72 hours in 6 accounting for 6.25％.Automatic discharge was observed in 3,accounting for 3.13％.Conclusion Choosing corresponding treatments according to the hematoma sizes in patients with hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage plays important role in improving the prognosis.

Objective:To understand the cognition and attitude of medical staff towards medical ethics review, analyze possible influencing factors, to put forward relevant suggestions for strengthening ethical management in the future.Methods:From November 2021 to May 2022, a self-designed questionnaire and general data questionnaire on the cognition and attitude of medical staff to ethical issues in clinical research were used to investigate 408 medical staff from two first-class ternary hospitals in Hunan Province, data was analyzed to explore the respondents′ cognition and attitude, as well as related influence factors.Results:The average cognitive score of medical staff was 65.41, and the average attitude score was 91.83. Many possible influence actors regarding the cognition were identified, including degree, technical title, professional field, number of clinical research projects engaged as investigators, number of clinical research projects conducted as principle investigators, whether the hospital has established an ethics committee, and research ethics training experiences. While the influence factors of attitude were experiences of conducting and engaging in clinical research, the construction of hospital ethics committee and research ethics trainings.Conclusions:Medical staffs have the willingness to explore more research ethics knowledge, while their cognition of research ethics should be improved. Root-cause analysis should be conducted to identify influencing factors for improvement. The research management department should strengthen the publicity and training of clinical research ethics of medical staff, to improve their clinical research ethics knowledge literacy, and ensure the well-functioning of clinical research ethics review.