AIM: To study the processing of Indigo Naturals. METHODS: Study on the microstructure of Indigo Naturals with scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X ray diffractometer (XRD) were carried out. RESULTS: Through the SEM, it is clear that Indigo attached to the surface of some white substance, and the XRD proves that the white substance in Indigo Naturals is calcium carbonate (CaCO 3). CONCLUSION: The study about the processing of Indigo Naturals indicates that Indigo Naturals consists of Indigo and other effective compositions attached the surface of calcium carbonate (CaCO 3).

This study is to investigate the inhibitory effect of kaempferol on inflammatory response of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-stimulated HMC-1 mast cells. The cytotoxicity of kaempferol to HMC-1 mast cells were analyzed by using MTT assay and then the administration concentrations of kaempferol were established. Histamine, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α were measured using ELISA assay in activated HMC-1 mast cells after incubation with various concentrations of kaempferol (10, 20 and 40 µmol.L-1). Western blot was used to test the protein expression of p-IKKβ, IκBα, p-IκBα and nucleus NF-κB of LPS-induced HMC-1 mast cells after incubation with different concentrations of kaempferol. The optimal concentrations of kaempferol were defined as the range from 5 µmol.L-1 to 40 µmol.L-1. Kaempferol significantly decreased the release of histamine, IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β and TNF-α of activated HMC-1 mast cells (P<0.01). After incubation with kaempferol, the protein expression of p-IKKβ, p-IKBa and nucleus NF-κB (p65) markedly reduced in LPS-stimulated HMC-1 mast cells (P<0.01). Taken together, we concluded that kaempferol markedly inhibit mast cell-mediated inflammatory response. At the same time, kaempferol can inhibit the activation of IKKβ, block the phosphorylation of IκBα, prevent NF-KB entering into the nucleus, and then decrease the release of inflammatory mediators.

Objective:To observe the effect of early mechanical ventilation on the expression of inflammatory factors and prognosis of patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).Methods:From January 2017 to December 2020, 138 patients with sTBI admitted to the department of the emergency of Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch were enrolled. Although some patients were admitted to hospital without acute respiratory failure, their Glasgow coma score (GCS) were less than 8, they bad risk of hypoxia, so early mechanical ventilation was required. According to the patient's condition and the willingness of family members, patients were divided into mechanical ventilation group (tracheal intubation mechanical ventilation) and conventional oxygen inhalation group (nasal catheter or mask oxygen inhalation) in the end. The arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin (IL-6, IL-10) levels at admission, preoperation and 72 hours postoperation, as well as GCS before operation and 1 week after operation, the duration and number of patients successfully evacuated from the ventilator within 1 week after surgery were observed and analyzed. Results:A total of 138 sTBI patients were enrolled in the study, including 72 cases in the mechanical ventilation group and 66 cases in the routine oxygen inhalation group. In the two groups, PaO 2, PaO 2/FiO 2 and IL-10 were higher, and PaCO 2, TNF-αand IL-6 were lower at 72 hours post operation than that before operation. Moreover, the changes in the mechanical ventilation group were more significant than those in the conventional oxygen inhalation group [PaO 2 (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa): 94.6±7.7 vs. 92.5±6.8, PaO 2/FiO 2 (mmHg): 351±94 vs. 319±89, IL-10 (ng/L): 8.2±2.7 vs. 7.4±1.8, PaCO 2 (mmHg): 35.6±1.8 vs. 37.5±2.7, TNF-α(ng/L): 71.5±6.3 vs. 96.8±15.5, IL-6 (ng/L): 10.8±3.9 vs. 14.4±6.5, all P < 0.05]. There were 17 patients with severe respiratory insufficiency or failure in the conventional oxygen inhalation group before operation. Compared with the conventional oxygen inhalation group, the GCS score (11.7±3.1 vs. 9.1±4.6) and the proportion of successful weaning [62.5% (45/72) vs. 44.0% (29/66)] were significantly higher, and the duration of successful weaning (hours: 63.5±28.6 vs. 88.1±33.9) was significantly shorter in the mechanical ventilation group 1 week after operation. Conclusion:Early mechanical ventilation in sTBI patients can significantly improve oxygen supply, inhibit the release of pro-inflammatory factors, reduce secondary brain damage, and effectively improve the prognosis.