Objective To observe the efficacy of breviscapine in the treatment of patients with acute cerebral infarction and its effect on serum neuron specific enolase(NSE), angiotensin-2(Ang-2) and interleukin-6(IL-6) levels.Methods 60 cases of acute cerebral infarction(ACI) patients from January 2014 to January 2015 in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital were selected and randomly divided into two groups, 30 cases in each group.All patients were given conventional western medicine treatment , and the observation group were also treated with breviscapine.After 2 weeks, the degree of neural function defect scores and efficacy were compared and the serum levels of NSE , Ang-2 and IL-6 were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and compared pre-and post-treatment between two groups.Results The degree of neural function defect score post-treatment in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group ( P<0.05 ).The overall response in observation group was 27 cases (90.00%), which was significantly higher than 20 cases(66.67%) in control group(χ2 =4.81,P<0.05).The serum levels of Ang-2, IL-6 and NSE post-treatment in observation group were significantly lower than those in control group ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion The curative effect of breviscapine in treatment of acute cerebral infarction is significantly, which could improve the cerebral microcirculation, protect the brain tissue, and its mechanism may be through reducing the serum levels of NSE, IL-6 and Ang-2.

[ ABSTRACT] AIM:To study the role of Radix Pseudostellariae polysaccharide ( RPP) in hepatic insulin resist-ance.METHODS:Six-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into low-fat diet (LFD) control group and high-fat diet ( HFD) model group.After 16 weeks, intraperitoneal pyruvate tolerance test ( IPPTT) was performed to determine the establishment of the HFD-induced hepatic insulin resistance model.HFD containing RPP (500 mg/kg) was given for 4 consecutive weeks.IPPTT, liver malondialdehyde ( MDA) level and liver mitochondrial MDA level were measured.The protein levels of p-AKT (Ser473/Thr308), p-AMPK, nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), NQO1 and IκBαin the liver tissues were measured by Western blot.RESULTS:After administration of RPP, a significant reduction in the levels of blood glucose and hepatic mitochondrial MDA was observed.The levels of p-AKT ( Ser473/Thr308) and p-AMPK were significantly elevated in the liver tissues.The hepatic IκBαlevels were up-regulated.RPP also enhanced the expression of Nrf2 system-regulated proteins NQO1 and HO-1 in the liver tissues.CONCLUSION:Radix Pseudostellariae polysaccha-rides effectively reduce HFD-induced hepatic insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice and improves liver glucose metabolism by ameliorating HFD-impaired hepatic transduction of insulin signaling, activating Nrf2-associated signaling and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory signaling proteins.

Objective To investigate the effects of urotensin Ⅱ/urotensin Ⅱreceptor ( UⅡ/UT) system on the expression of inflammatory signal molecules p 38 mitogen-activated protein kinase ( p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB ( NF-κB ) in lipopolysaccharide ( LPS )-stimulated Kupffer cells ( KCs ) . Methods Rat KCs were isolated and purified by means of in situ perfusion and density gradient centrifuga-tion.The isolated cells were randomly divided into six treatment groups including group 1:UⅡ(-) urantide (-)LPS(-), group 2:UⅡ(+)urantide(-)LPS(-), group 3: UⅡ(-)urantide(+)LPS(-), group 4:UⅡ(-)urantide(-)LPS(+), group 5:UⅡ(+) urantide(-) LPS(+) and group 6:UⅡ(-)urantide(+) LPS(+) .Western blot assay was performed to detect p 38 MAPK/p-p38 MAPK protein and NF-κB p65 sub-unit.The DNA-binding activity of NF-κB was tested by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA).Re-sults There was no significant difference with the expression of p 38 MAPK protein in KCs among the six groups (P>0.05).The expression of p65 protein and p-p38 MAPK and the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB were significantly enhanced in LPS-stimulated KCs from groups 4, 5 and 6 in comparison with those in group 1 (P<0.01).No significant differences with the levels of p65 protein and phosphor-p38 MAPK and the DNA-binding activity of NF-κB were observed between UⅡ/urantide-treated cells ( group 2 or group 3) and untreated cells (group 1) (all P>0.05), but that were decreased in group 6 than those in group 4 (all P<0.01).Conclusion UⅡ/UT system participated in the activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in LPS-stimulated primary Kupffer cells .

Objective To assess the change of left ventricular wall motion at ventricular pacing(VP)by using global circumferential strain (GCS) and segmental circumferential strain of speckle tracking imaging(STI). Methods Seven adult pigs were sedated,followed by median sternotomy and opening of the pericardium. Temporary pacing leads were placed on the right ventricular (RV) epicardium and LV epicardium for RV or LV pacing. A LV short axis view at the mid-level LV was acquired at sinus and VP rhythm. Analysis of circumferential strain by STI was performed offline. The onset of QRS wave was used to characterize the beginning of the cardiac cycle, and the ratio of beginning systolic time, end systolic time and total systolic time to cardiac cycle dyssynchrony was analyzed at sinus and VP rhythm. Results Compared with sinus rhythm,in VP rhythm all of the ratio of the beginning systolic time,end systolic time and total systolic time to cardiac cycle were increased (all P ＜0.05), and the construction of six segments were dyssynchrony,even segmental paradoxical movement. At VP ≥130 beats/min,both LV global and LV segments sometimes showed irregular motion while the EKG remained normal, which included: ( 1 ) multiple construction and diastole in one heart cycle; (2) A large variability of construction amplitude in several consecutive cardiac cycles. Conclusions VP can lead to several kinds of disturbance of left ventricular wall motion, including delay and lengthening of LV systole, dyssynchrony, and irregularity of systole and diastole.

Objective To investigate the potential role of soluble triggering receptor expressed on ayeloid cells-1(sTREM-1) expression in serum,endotracheal aspiration (ETA),bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and exhaled breath condensate (EBC) as early biomarkers for the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods One hundred and thirty-two patients with clinically suspected VAP were prospectively included in this multicenter study.The levels of sTREM-1 in serum,ETA,BALF and EBC were analyzed for diagnostic evaluation at the time of VAP clinically suspected.The bacterial count over 104/CFU as a gold standard for VAP,and the receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify the ideal cutoff values.Results VAP was confirmed in 76 patients (57.58％).In VAP patients (VAP group) and non-VAP patients (non-VAP group),the level of sTREM-1 in BALF was 32.35 (30.08-41.72) and 18.92(11.89-31.72) ng/L,and the level of sTREM-1 in EBC was 1.57 (1.02-2.61) and 0.41(0.19-1.61)ng/L respectively.The level of sTREM-1 in BALF and in EBC in VAP group was significantly higher than that in non-VAP group (P ＜0.05).The optimum cutoff value for sTREM-1 in BALF according to the maximum Youden index was 23.61 ng/L.This cutoff value had 85.5％ sensitivity and 73.1％ specificity,with 0.813 area under the curve.sTREM-1 in BALF had excellent correlation with that in EBC (R2 =0.78,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The results of this prospective study suggest that sTREM-1 levels in BALF and EBC have better roles in facilitating the diagnosis of VAP and thus may be practically recommended to guide the administration of antibiotics when VAP is suspected.

Background Maternal exposure to bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy is closely related to adverse growth and development conditions such as preterm birth and low birth weight, but the relevant mechanisms are still unclear. UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) can regulate the excretion of BPA conjugating with glucuronic acid through urine, which is one of the important pathways for BPA elimination. Objective To explore the changes in the expression of UGTs in placenta and fetal liver of rats before birth induced by maternal exposure to BPA during pregnancy. Methods Thirty SPF-grade healthy SD pregnant rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, 0.05, 0.5, 5, and 50 mg·kg⁻¹ BPA groups. The pregnant rats were exposed to BPA dissolved in corn oil via oral gavage daily from gestational day (GD) 5 to GD 19. After anesthesia, the pregnant rats were sacrificed on GD 20 and the placentas were collected. Body length, tail length, and weight of the fetal rats were measured. Fetal liver tissues were then separated, and organ weights were measured. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot (WB) were used to determine the mRNA and protein levels of UGT1A1, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, and UGT2B1 in the placenta and fetal liver tissues in each group. Results There were no differences in body length and tail length of the pups after maternal exposure to BPA during pregnancy. The fetal body weight and placenta weight in the 5 and 50 mg·kg⁻¹ BPA groups and the liver weight in the 5 mg·kg⁻¹ BPA group reduced compared with the control group (P<0.05). The results of UGTs expressions in placenta showed that compared with the control group, the UGT1A1 mRNA levels in placenta of the BPA groups (exposure dose≥0.5 mg·kg⁻¹) and the UGT1A1 protein level in placenta of the 50 mg·kg⁻¹ BPA group increased (P<0.05); the UGT1A6 mRNA and protein levels in placenta of each BPA group did not change (P>0.05); the UGT1A9 mRNA level in placenta of the 50 mg·kg⁻¹ BPA group and the UGT1A9 protein levels in placenta of the BPA groups (exposure dose≥0.5 mg·kg⁻¹) reduced (P<0.05); while the levels of UGT2B1 mRNA in placenta of the BPA groups (exposure dose≥0.5 mg·kg⁻¹) reduced (P<0.05). The results of UGTs expressions in fetal liver showed that compared with the control group, the UGT1A1, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, and UGT2B1 mRNA levels of each BPA group increased (P<0.05); no obvious alternation was observed in UGT1A6 protein levels in each BPA group (P>0.05); the relative protein levels of UGT1A9 in fetal liver in the 50 mg·kg⁻¹ BPA group increased (P<0.05); conversely, the relative protein levels of UGT2B1 in fetal liver in the BPA groups (exposure dose≥0.5 mg·kg⁻¹) reduced (P<0.05). Conclusion Maternal exposure to BPA during pregnancy can elevate the UGT1A1 gene and protein expressions, inhibit the UGT1A9 gene and protein expressions and UGT2B1 gene expressions in placenta. Besides, maternal exposure to BPA during pregnancy can raise the gene expressions of UGT1A1, UGT1A6, UGT1A9, and UGT2B1 in fetal liver, as well as the protein expression of UGT1A9, but inhibit the protein expression of UGT2B1. These changes may contribute to fetal developmental abnormalities after maternal exposure to BPA during pregnancy.

Acute basilar artery occlusion (ABAO) has a high rate of disability and mortality, and the key to its treatment is to start reperfusion therapy as early as possible. A number of retrospective studies have found that the good prognosis rate of endovascular treatment of ABAO is related to number of infarction locus, extent of ABAO, vascular occlusion and collateral circulation. Screening patients through imaging evaluation before endovascular treatment may further improve the rate of favorable outcome. This article reviews research progress on the correlation between imaging evaluation before endovascular treatment of ABAO and clinical prognoses.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics and diagnostic methods of cerebral schistosomiasis.Methods The data of CT,MRI and the cerebral spine fluid(CSF) immunoassay in 42 patients with cerebral schistosomiasis were analyzed retrospectively.Results Forty cerebral schistosomiasis patients were diagnosed by the iconography and immunoassay,1 by the postoperative pathological examination and 1 by diagnostic treatment with praziquantel.Conclusions CT and MRI are of great value to determination of the position and nature of the cerebral schistosomiasis.The sensitivity and accuracy of MRI are better for indicating the main pathological changes of the disease than those of CT.The CSF immunoassay plays an important role in the differential diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis.

Lymph metastasis has great impact on the prognosis of pancreatic cancer patients, which can relfect the biological and invasive potential of pancreatic cancer. However, currently, there is no standard in the clinical management of the lymph metastasis in pancreatic cancer. In this report, we will discuss and summarize the followings:lymph metastatic rate and its impact on prognosis, the rule of lymph metastasis, sentinel lymph node, intra-operative lymph nodes mapping, TNM staging, regional lymph nodes resection, number of lymph nodes examined, lymph node ratio, guiding adjuvant treatments, lymphatic targeted therapy.

Objective To investigate the clinical features, pathological characteristics and prognostic factors of the ma-lignant ovarian germ cell tumor. Methods There was a retrospective analysis about 31 patients of malignant ovarian germ cell tumor from Jan 2006 to Dec 2011,while clinic and pathological factors were analyzed,and the related litera-ture was prognostic analyzed. Results Nine cases were ovarian teratoma with malignant change in 31 patients. 7 cases were ovarian immature teratoma, 6 cases were ovarian dysgerminoma, 5 cases were yolk sac tumor, 3 cases were em-bryonal carcinoma, 1 patient was ovarian mixed yolk sac tumor and embryonal carcinoma. Multivariate survival analysis showed that operation pathological staging and pathological types were independent prognostic factors affecting overall survival rate for patients (P=0.018 and P=0.021). A variety of different pathological types of malignant ovarian germ cell tumor survival rate, the difference was statistically significant (P=0.049). Conclusion Operation and pathology of malignant ovarian germ cell tumor staging more late, the survival rate of the patients is low. Prognosis of ovarian malig-nant germ cell tumors of different pathological types is different.