Objective To study the expression and significance of neuronal nitric oxide synthase(nNOS) in ureteropelvic junction obstruction(UPJO).Methods Specimens of the narrow segment of the ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) were obtained from 36 cases of UPJO(without aberrant vessels,adhesive band compression and high insertion of ureteral junction).Furthermore,the light microscopic examination demonstrated that smooth muscle fascicles were sparse and thin,and fibrous connective tissues between them were deposited.Control UPJ specimens were taken from 20 cases of renal neoplasm,and tissues were confirmed histologically to be unaffected.Immunohistochemical staining(SABC method) was performed to detect the expression of nNOS in specimens of the 2 groups.Quantitative analysis was made using image analysis technique. Results Immunoreactivity to nNOS was predominantly present in the smooth muscle cell cytoplasm of UPJ.The mean density of nNOS in UPJO and control groups was 0.208?0.014 and 0.230?(0.016),respectively,which were significantly different between the 2 groups(P

Objective To study the anti-depression mechanism of Dingzhixiaowan concerning on histology of hippocampal formation.Methods 40 female rats were divided into control,depression model group(model group),distilled water group(DW group) and Dingzhixiaowan group(Chinese herb group).Behavior points were measured by open field method.Serum concentrations of cortisol and estradiol(E2) were checked with ELISA.HE staining and electron microscopy were applied to observe the histology of neurons in hippocampal formation.Immunohistochemistry method was employed to detect Nestin expression.Results Compared with the control,behavior points,serum E2 level and Nestin expression decreased obviously and serum cortisol level increased markedly,CA3 neurons were seriously damaged in model and DW groups.While behavior points,serum E2 level did not change,Nestin expression increased obviously and serum cortisol level decreased markedly,CA3 neurons were basically normal in Chinese herb groups.Conclusion Dingzhixiaowan can protect hippocampal formation,which might be one of the anti-depression mechnisms.

Objective:To study performed of develop a mice model of allergic diseases induced by crude extractings from populus pollen.Methods: A total of 60 BALB/c mice were divided randomly into there groups:normal control group,Albumin Egg(OVA) group and populus pollen model group with 20 in each.Mices were repeatedly sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of OVA or crude populus pollen extract every 5 d for four doses.Five days after the last sensitization,mices were repeatedly challenged by once daily antigen from 21-25 d.The changes of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were stained with hematoxylin and eosin(HE) to evaluate the degree of allergic inflammation.PAS staining was used to observe the secretion of airway mucus;The changes of the nasal mucosas and lungs of mice were stained with HE to evaluate the degree of allergic inflammation.And the average optical density of IL-4 and IFN-γ positive cells in lung tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry.The total IgE in the serum was also measured by enzyme-linked immunoassay(ELISA).Results: Compared with the mice in normal control group,those in OVA group and model group developed obvious allergic inflammation in the nasal mucosas and lungs,and increased airway mucus secretion.The number of inflammatory cells including eosinophil and neutrophils markedly increased in BALF smear.The average optical density of IL-4 positive cells in lung tissue was all increased in OVA group and model group compared with those in normal control group,and the average optical density of IFN-γ in lung tissue was on the contrary.The total IgE in the serum were all increased in OVA group and model group compared with those in normal control group,and the IFN-γ in the serum was significantly reduced in OVA group and model group compared with those in normal control group.Conclusion: Taken together,crude populus pollen extract can successfully induce a mice model of allergic diseases.This model is a useful tool in studying the mechanisms of allergic disease.

Novel cancer immunotherapy can treat tumors through regulating innate immunity and adaptive immune system. cGMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is a key regulator of innate immune response to both exogenous and endogenous DNA. After recognizing the cytoplasmic DNA, cGAS produces the second messenger cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which subsequently combines with the adaptor STING (also known as MITA, MPYS and ERIS) to mediate innate immunity by inducing the production of type I interferons and inflammatory cytokines. Recent studies have revealed that the cGAS/STING signaling pathway can be activated by tumor-derived DNA and by-products of genomic instability and affect the incidence and development of tumors, which plays a critical role in the natural antitumor immunity across cancer types and immune checkpoint blockade therapy. In this article, current understanding of cGAS/STING signaling pathway in tumors was summarized, the pivotal role in tumor immunity and radiotherapy was highlighted, and the potential targeted or alternative therapy of this signaling pathway was reviewed.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the incidence and influencing factors of depression in family caregivers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, so as to provide the basis for the prevention and treatment of depression among the family caregivers of AD patients. Methods: Publications pertaining to depression in family caregivers of AD patients were retrieved from CNKI, Wanfang Data, PubMed and other databases from the time of their establishment to June 15, 2023. The evaluation criteria recommended by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to assess the quality of cross-sectional and cohort studies, respectively. Stata 16.0 and Revman 5.4 softwares were used to conduct a meta-analysis on the incidence and influencing factors of depression in family caregivers of AD patients. Sensitivity analysis and publication bias assessment were also performed on the results. Results: A total of 2 324 articles were retrieved, and ultimately 14 articles were included, with a total sample size of 8 313 individuals. There were 6 high-quality articles and 8 moderate-quality articles. Meta-analysis showed that the incidence of depression in family caregivers of AD patients was 37.5% (95%CI: 30.2%-45.1%). Factors associated with depression included patients' high degree of dementia (OR=1.718, 95%CI: 1.059-2.789), patients' low scores on Activities of Daily Living Scale (OR=1.344, 95%CI: 1.059-1.706), patients' psychobehavioral abnormalities (OR=1.248, 95%CI: 1.155-1.348), long duration of caregiving (OR=1.998, 95%CI: 1.637-2.437), less involvement of other family members in caregiving (OR=1.597, 95%CI: 1.237-2.061), low educational level (OR=1.191, 95%CI: 1.044-1.359), poor caregiving skills (OR=3.060, 95%CI: 2.257-4.149), poor self-rated health (OR=2.536, 95%CI: 1.114-5.771) and social support (OR=0.424, 95%CI: 0.232-0.774). The results of depression incidence demonstrated good stability with no significant publication bias. However, publication bias was observed in the influencing factors for depression, which were patients' high degree of dementia and patients' low scores on Activities of Daily Living Scale. Conclusions The incidence of depression in family caregivers of AD patients ranges from 30.2% to 45.1%. It is primarily influenced by the severity of patients' symptoms and ability to perform daily activities, and caregivers' educational level, caregiving skills, health status, caregiving duration and social support.

Objective To explore the optimal conditions for extraction of Polygala fallax Hemsl. Methods Various trials were conducted to extract P. Fallax Hemsl. With L_(16) (4~5) orthogonal experiments. Results The optimal experimental parameters for extraction were 95% ethenol, dosage-liquor ration at 1:5, three-times extraction at 75℃, 1.5 hours for each extraction, and extraction rate at 11.89%. Conclusion Orthogonal test is convenient and accurate in extracting P. Fallax Hemsl.

Objective To discuss the effects of different drying methods on composition and antioxidative activities of the volatile oil fromCymbopogon citrates; To optimize the best drying method for Cymbopogon citrates. MethodsCymbopogon citrates was dried by drying in the sun, drying in the shade and oven drying at 40℃. Volatile oil was extracted by steam distillation. Chemical constituents in the volatile oil were analyzed by GC-MS and the antioxidative activities were determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP method).Results Extraction rate of the volatile oil fromCymbopogon citratesunder the environment of freshness, sun drying, shade drying and oven drying at 40℃ were 0.25%, 1.21%, 1.19% and 1.17%, respectively; after dried by different methods, main constituents and antioxidative activities of the volatile oil fromCymbopogon citrates were basically same. Conclusion Different drying methods have little influence on composition and antioxidative activities of the volatile oil fromCymbopogon citrates. Oven drying at 40℃ was the best way to dryCymbopogon citrates.

Objective:To explore the mechanism of promotion effect of juglone combined with cisplatin on the apoptosis of human cervical cancer HeLa cells,and to clarify the effects of its associated signal transduction pathways.Methods:The HeLa cells at logarithmic growth phase were divided into control group,juglone group, cisplatin group and juglone combined with cisplatin group (combined treatment group).The inhibitory rates of proliferation of HeLa cells were detected by MTT assay.The apoptosis was detected by Hoechst 33258 staining. The expressions of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase-3, AKt, and pAKt were detected by Western blotting method. Results:The MTT results showed that the HeLa cell proliferation at 24,48 72 h in each drug group was inhibited;compared with control group,the profileration of HeLa cells in juglone group and cisplatin group was significantly inhibited,especially in combined group. Compared with single drug group,the inhibitory effect in combined treatment group was more significantly.After treatment for 12 h,the typical morphological changes of apoptosis were found in juglone group and cisplatin group by Hoechst 33258 staining,especially in combined treatment group. The Western blotting results showed that the expression levels of Bcl-2 and pAKt in HeLa cells in juglone group and cisplatin group 12 h after treatment were decreased obviously,whereas the expression levels of Bax,Caspase-3,and AKt were increased significantly, especially in combined treatment group compared with control group. Conclusion:Juglone combined with cisplatin could inhibit the PI3K/AKt pathway,thereby promoting the apoptpsis of HeLa cells.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) for nursing workload in emergency intensive care unit (EICU).Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Critical patients except for trauma admitted to EICU of West China Hospital of Sichuan University from June 2012 to July 2016 were enrolled. APACHE Ⅱ score and therapeutic intervention scoring system (TISS-28) score were calculated in each case. The relationship between APACHE Ⅱ score and TISS-28 score was analyzed by correlation analysis and curve estimation.Results A total of 1148 patients were enrolled, including 689 male (60.0%), and age of (56±19) years old, APACHE Ⅱ score was 19 (13, 25), and TISS score was 19 (13, 25). The Spearman correlation coefficient between APACHE Ⅱ score and TISS-28 score was 0.849 (P < 0.001), and that among the linear model quadratic model, composite model, growth model, logarithm model, cubic model and exponential modelR2 were 0.669, 0.710, 0.792, 0.764, 0.765, 0.765, respectively (allP < 0.01), and the most suitable description for relationship between APACHE Ⅱ score and TISS-28 score curve was cubic model. The nursing workload was significantly increased when APACHE Ⅱ score ≥30, and it was decreased when APACHE Ⅱ score < 30.Conclusion APACHE Ⅱ was a useful score for predicting the nursing workload in EICU.

OBJECTIVE To explore the pro-apoptotic mechanism of juglone in SiHa cells and to in?vestigate its associated signal transduction pathways. METHODS SiHa cells were treated with juglone 20μmol·L-1 for 24,48 and 72 h. Cellular morphology was detected by inverted microscopy.The cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. After 24 h treatment with juglone 20μmol·L-1,the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry while the expressions of apopto?sis-related protein BCL-2,BAX and cleave-caspase-3,PI3K/AKt pathway-related protein PTEN,AKT and pAKT were detected by Western blotting. RESULTS After treatment with juglone for 24, 48 and 72 h,the growth of SiHa cells was significantly inhibited. Compared with cell control group,cells in juglone treated gruop were sparse,slipped off the wall,became round and the cell proliferation inhibitory rate was 43.3%,63.0%and 73.1%(P<0.05,P<0.01),respectively. Twenty-four hours post treatment, the early apoptosis rate of juglone treated gruop cells was increased by(6.47±1.79)%(P<0.01)compared with cell control group. Western blotting results showed that the expression of BCL-2 decreased by 53.0%while the expression of BAX and caspase-3 increased by 85.5%and 183.3%,respectively. The expression of PTEN was increased by 75.0% but the pAKt was decreased by 45.8%(P<0.01). CONCLUSION Juglone can upregulate the expression of PTEN, thus inhibiting PI3K/AKt pathway and promoting apoptosis of SiHa cells.