Objective To investigate the relation between serum leptin/tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)and malnutrition in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and stable chronic cor pulmonale (CCP) at high altitude. Methods Totally 162 COPD and CCP patients and 40 normal controls (group C) were studied. COPD and CCP patients were divided into malnutrition group (group A, n = 104) and normal nutrition group (group B, n =58) according to the nutritional parameters. Levels of serum leptin and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Body mass index (BMI), percentage of normal body weight (NW%), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-upper arm circumference (MAC), serum albumin (ALB) ingroupA[(17.4±1.8) kg/m2, (82.3±4.3)%, (7.0±2.6) mm, (17.8±2.8) cm, (30.3±3.9)g/L, respectively] were significantly lower than those in group B and group C [(21.8 ± 2.0) kg/m2,(98.6±5.5)%, (9.3±2.6) mm, (21.5±2.9) cm, (36.2±3.8) g/L, and (23.1±2.3) kg/m2,(102.2±5.2)%, (9.7±3.8) mm, (22.1±2.8) cm, (36.8±3.9) g/L, respectively; all P＜0. 01].The levels of serum leptin and TNF-α in group A [(9.5 ±1. 8) ng/ml and (17.3 ±2. 2) ng/ml, respectively]were significantly higher than those in group A and group C [(7.3 ± 2. 0) ng/ml, (13.5 ± 2. 3) ng/ml; and (6. 7 ±2. 3) ng/ml, (12. 8 ±2. 1) ng/ml, respectively; all P ＜0.01). However, they were not significantly different between group A and group B (all P ＞ 0. 05). The level of leptin was negatively correlated with BMI (r=-0.745, P=0. 0005), NW% (r= -0.887, P=0. 0005), TSF (r= -0.725, P=0. 0005), MAC (r= -0. 761, P=0. 0005), serum albumin (r= -0. 558, P=0. 0005) in group A, and was positively correlated with TNF-α (r = 0. 527, P = 0. 0005). Conclusion Serum leptin and TNF-α correlate with malnutrition in patients with COPD and CCP at high altitude.

Objective: Our aim was to observe the protective effect of propofol in clinical relevant concentration on the peroxidative injured erythrocyte. Methods: Intravenous blood samples taken from 20 healthy adults were prepared for red blood cell (RBC) suspensions and divided equally into 5 groups: groupⅠfor control, group Ⅱ with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 100 mmol/L) -induced injury, and group Ⅲ, Ⅳ, Ⅴ with the same injury as the group Ⅱ but being pretreated with 3 different concentrations of propofol (25, 50, 75 μmol/L), respectively. The concentrations of potassium and malondialdehyde (MDA) in RBC suspensions and hemolytic degree after incubation were measured. Results: After 60-minute incubation, the extracellular potassium concentrations (0.16, 0.14, 0.14 mmol/L), MDA concentrations (5.66, 5.57, 6.20 nmol/L), and hemolytic degree (76.89%, 59.84%, 64.22%) decreased significantly in the groups that were pretreated with propofol as compared with the group Ⅱ (0.26 mmol/L, 9.19 nmol/L, and 100%), but no difference has been seen within the groups pretreated with 3 different concentrations of propofol and between the propofol-treated groups and the group Ⅰ(0.10 mmol/L, 4.13 nmol/L, 52.73%). Conclusion: Propofol in clinical relevant concentrations may decrease MDA production, hemolytic degree, and potassium exflux from erythrocyte in response to in vitro oxidative challenge with hydrogen peroxide and enhance erythrocyte antioxidant capacity. The protective effect is not related with concentrations.

Objective To compare the clinical results of surgical and conservative treatment of acute patellar dislocations.Methods Retrospective analyzed the clinical data of 35 patients with acute patellar dislocations from June 2004 to October 2009,and divided the patients into 2 groups.One group with 18 patients underwent surgical treatments,and the other group with 17 patients underwent conservative treatments,record the number of relapses cases of both the two groups.A radiographic examination was performed in the evaluation of the patients,and the Kujala questionnaire was applied with the intention of analyzing the improvement of pain and quality of life.Results All patients were followed up for more than 12 months.(1) The conservative treatment group exhibited a higher number of recurrent dislocations (7 patients) (41.2％) than the surgical treatment group,which did not have any relapses (x2 =9.265,P =0.002).(2) The patellar tilt returned to normal in the surgical group,while 8 patients returned to normal in the conservative group,with statistical difference between groups (x2 =10.980,P =0.001).And the lateral shift ratio returned to normal in the surgical group,while 6 patients returned to normal in the conservative group,with statistical difference between groups(x2 =7.667,P =0.006).(3)The surgical treatment group obtained a significantly better mean score on the Kujala test than preoperative ((90 ± 5) vs.(58 ± 6),t =16.465,P ＜ 0.01) ; The conservative treatment group,compared with the preoperative,is not improved obviously ((72 ± 6) vs.(62 ± 8),t =0.943,P ＞ 0.05) ;Postoperative group comparison,surgical group was higher than that in conservative group,there was significant difference between two groups (t =12.256,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion For acute patellar dislocation,surgical treatment can significantly restore patellar stability,improve the function of knee joint.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To investigate the effect of artemisinin on lipopolysaccharide ( LPS)-induced intestinal epi-thelial barrier damage in IEC-6 cells and its molecular mechanism.METHODS:Cultured IEC-6 cells were divided to 5 groups:control group, LPS (100 mg/L) group and LPS +Artemisinin (30, 50 and 100μmol/L) groups.The cytotoxici-ty was detected by MTT assay.The releases of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 in the IEC-6 cells were measured by ELISA.The transepithelial electrical resistance ( TER) was detected by electrical resistance tester, and the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) flux permeability were analyzed by a microplate reader.The expression of tight junction proteins, ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin, and the expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB at mRNA and protein levels were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS:Artemisinin alone (up to 100 μmol/L) or in combination with LPS (100 mg/L) was not toxic to IEC-6 cells.Compared with control group, the releases of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 in the culture supernatant of IEC-6 cells significantly increased after treatment with LPS.The expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB was activated by LPS.LPS down-regulated the protein expression of ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin.However, artemisinin treatment decreased the re-leases of TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 in the culture supernatant of IEC-6 cells.The expression of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB at mR-NA and protein levels was gradually reduced after treatment with artemisinin.In addition, artemisinin upregulated the pro-tein expression of ZO-1, claudin-1 and occludin significantly (P<0.01) in a dose-dependent manner.CONCLUSION:Artemisinin attenuates LPS-induced intestinal epithelial barrier damage by inhibiting TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB activation in the IEC-6 cells.

AIM To explore the effects of glycyrrhetinic acid on the gastric ulcer rats infected by Helicobacter pylori (Hp) and its action mechanism.METHODS Gastric ulcer rat models were induced by acetic acid stress and then followed by Hp infection.After treatment with low and high doses of glycyrrhetinic acid,the ulcer index,gastric acid and proteinase activities in gastric ulcer rats were analyzed.The effects of glycyrrhetinic acid on the expressions of BCL2 and Caspase-3,the GSK3β activity in gastric mucosa and gastric epithelial cells,and the cell apoptosis level were then detected.RESULTS Glycyrrhetinic acid reduced the ulcer index,gastric acid and proteinase activities in rats.Besides,the expression of BCL2 was significantly up-regulated by glycyrrhetinic acid in gastric mucosa and gastric epithelial cells,whereas the expression of Caspase-3,level of cell apoptosis,and GSK3β activity were significantly reduced.After the treatment with GSK3 β activator LY294002,the level of BCL2 was down-regulated,Caspase-3 expression was increased,and the level of cell apoptosis was enhanced.CONCLUSION Glycyrrhetinic acid promotes the healing of gastric ulcer infected by Hp via regulating GSK3β activity and inhibiting apoptosis of gastric epithelial cells.

The historical evolution， fermentation technology and key links of Sojae Semen Praeparatum （SSP） were sorted out by consulting ancient books and modern literature， and the influencing factors and control methods of quality were analyzed and summarized in order to provide reference for the quality control of SSP. After analysis， it was found that in the fermentation process of SSP， fermentation strains， miscellaneous bacteria， temperature and humidity were all important factors affecting the quality of SSP. The condition control of "post fermentation" process has been paid more attention to in the past dynasties. In addition， the delicious SSP recognized in ancient times should be made from mold fermentation， and the breeding and application of fermented mold may be the key point to solve the quality problem of SSP. Therefore， based on the evaluation indexes of SSP in the past dynasties， it is of great significance to study and optimize the technological conditions such as strain， temperature and humidity in depth to improve the quality of SSP.