Objective To investigate the relationship of pathological response of breast cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy with the imaging findings in dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI.Methods Forty- five patients with pathologically confirmed breast carcinoma who finished courses of neoadjuvant chemotherapy had breast MRI prior to operation.Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI scans were performed on a 1.5 T scanner using 3D SPGR sequence before and repeated 6 times after administration of Gd-DTPA. Pathological response was assessed by a pathologist according to Miller & Payne five points classification blinded to breast MRI results.Grade 5 was defined as pCR(pathological complete response).Grade 4 and 5 were defined as major histopathological response(MHR).The type of time signal intensity curve(TIC) (three types),pattern of residual enhancement of each breast cancer were recorded and correlated with pathological findings.Fisher exact test was used for statistical analysis.Results Grade 5 responses were achieved in seven patients;grade 4 in sixteen patients;grade 3 in sixteen patients and grade 1—2 in six patients.70.0%(14/20)of type Ⅰ time signal intensity curve correlated with MHR,while all 6 type Ⅲ curves showed non-MHR response.The type of time signal intensity curve and pathological response grades had statistically significant correlation(P=0.001).18 of the 23 cases with MHR exhibited residual enhancement,while the remaining 5 cases showed no enhancement.Of the 18 MHR cases with residual enhancement,11 showed non-mass-like enhancement and 7 showed mass-like enhancement.The mass(non- mass)morphological pattern in dynamic contrast enhanced-MRI had statistically significant differences in pathological response(P=0.012).Conclusions Pathological response of breast carcinoma after neoadjuvant chemotherapy could be characterized using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI by identifying patterns of residual contrast enhancement and kinetic curve.Favorable pathological responses correlated with Type Ⅰ TIC,non-enhancement,and non-mass-like residual enhancement.

OBJECTIVETo investigate Chinese medicine (CM) patterns and epidemiological characters of patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) syndromes in clinics in China.

METHODSA prospective multi-center observational epidemiology survey on the clinical CM patterns of ILI and its prevalence was conducted from September 2009 to April 2010. A unified survey questionnaire was developed for data collection of ILI symptoms and CM patterns. Totally 45 hospitals from 22 provinces, municipality cities and autonomous regions of China participated this study. The collected data were input by EPI-data v3.1 and analyzed by SPSS 18.0, which included descriptive analysis and Chi-square test for group comparison.

RESULTSA total of 5,967 ILI patients were included in the study. The proportion of the 18-34 aged group (56.2%) was the largest; students (41.0%) were more than other occupations. Majority of the patients had the wind-heat invading Lung (Fei) syndrome (76%), while in Southwest China mainly wind-heat invading Lung syndrome and wind-cold tightening the exterior syndrome occurred. The typical symptoms of ILI were ranked as fatigue (80.9%), cough (72.2%), sore throat (67.2%), muscular soreness (67.1%), headache (65.4%), aversion to cold (60.1%), thirst (55.1%) and nasal obstruction (48.1%).

CONCLUSIONSThe ILI patients in clinics were mainly teenagers and young adults. In regard to CM syndrome, wind-heat invading Lung syndrome prevailed in all regions except the Southwest China. The characteristics of CM syndrome of ILI patients may be relevant to age and region distribution.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Body Temperature ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Hospitals ; Humans ; Influenza, Human ; epidemiology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Prevalence ; Seasons ; Sex Characteristics ; Syndrome ; Time Factors ; Young Adult

Objective To provide a longitudinal evaluation tool based on the frequency of aggressive be-havior for the aggression assessment of schizophrenia patients.Methods The Life History of Aggression was translated and revised to form the Life History of Aggression-Chinese Version(LHA-CV)based on 369 patients diagnosed with schizophrenia in the Chengdu community and compulsory medical insti-tution.The reliability of LHA-CV was analyzed by means of split-half reliability,test-retest reliability and inter-evaluator consistency.The validity was analyzed by item analysis,construct validity and crite-rion validity.Results Item analysis found that LHA-CV had good homogeneity and discriminant validity.Exploratory factor analysis found that the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin(KMO)test value was 0.80,and the Bartlett's sphericity test χ2=1203.46(P<0.05),and it revealed four factors including non-physical ag-gression,physical aggression,self-directed aggression and antisocial behavior/consequences.The factor loadings for all 11 items were greater than 0.40.Confirmatory factor analysis was performed on the factor model,Chi-square degree of freedom(χ2/df)was 3.61,root mean square error of approxima-tion(RMSEA)was 0.07,goodness-of-fit index(GFI)was 0.92,comparative fit index(CFI)was 0.90,incremental fit index(IFI)was 0.90,and the discriminant validity of each factor was good.The criterion validity test showed the total score of LHA-CV was positively correlated with the aggressive behavior level of MacArthur Community Violence Instrument,the total score of Buss-Perry Aggression Scale,and the score of Antisocial Personality Disorder Subscale of Personality Diagnostic Question-naire-4th Edition Plus(PDQ-4+_ASPD,P<0.05).The Cronbach's α coefficient of non-physical aggres-sion,physical aggression,self-directed aggression,antisocial behavior/consequences and LHA-CV total score were 0.82,0.73,0.74,0.56 and 0.79,respectively.The test-retest reliability,Spearman-Brown split-half reliability and intra-class correlation coefficient of LHA-CV total score were 0.82(P<0.05),0.66 and 0.99,respectively.Conclusion LHA-CV has good reliability and validity,and can be used as an evaluation tool for longitudinally assessing aggressive behavior in schizophrenia patients.

Objective To explore the establishment of the mimetic aging effect in guinea pigs induced by D-galactose, and to detect the biological indicatrix associated with hearing loss and provide a new tool for molecular pathogenesis of hearing loss.Methods Total of 51 guinea pigs were randomly divided into three groups: group A ( model aging group , n = 25) , which were injected with D-galactose (200 mg ·kg-1·d-1 ) by intra peritoneum for 6 weeks, group B ( model control group , n = 18), which were given the same amount of saline only, and group C(vacant group, n = 15) were not treated.Then, The guinea pigs in group A and B were exposed in noise for 8 days, 8 hours once a day.Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was used to test the hearing threshold of guinea pigs thrice, first before the drug administered, then after 6 weeks the drug used, third after noise exposure.And colorimetry was used to analyze the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malon dialdehyde (MDA) in brain and liver tissue.The DNA of inner ear tissue was harvested and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to detect the differential polymorphic markers.Results After injection, there was no significant difference in elevation of ABR threshold between the group A and group B ( t = 1.14, P>0.05 ).However, exposure of noise later, elevation in ABR threshold of ( 22.97±10.56) dB PeSPL was observed in group A, and ( 14.16±7.36) dB peSPL in group B.The was significant difference in variation of hearing threshold between group A and group B ( t = 2.78 ,P<0.05 ).The activity of SOD in brain and liver tissue in group A was lower than that in group B.the level of MDA was opposite between group A and group B.The difference between group A and group B was significant ( P<0.01 ) .A differential polymorphic marker was observed by AFLP. Conclusions The mimetic aging effect of the guinea pigs can be induced by D-galactose, and this model can not directly induce the hearing loss.The differential polymorphic marker possibly act as a predisposing factor which can greatly enhance the sensitivity of the ear to the noise.

OBJECTIVETo probe into clinical value of comprehensive program of acupuncture, moxibustion and massage as main for treatment of cervical spondylopathy of the nerve root type.

METHODSFive centers, single blind, randomized controlled method were used, 660 cases were divided into a treatment group of 317 cases and a control group of 311 cases. They were treated respectively with comprehensive program of acupuncture, moxibustion and massage as main, and comprehensive program of physical therapy as main. Establish syndrome detection scale and multiply dimensional effect assessment indexes, and evaluate the therapeutic effects and safety.

RESULTSThe cured rate, the cured-markedly effective rate were 42.9%, 64.4% in the treatment group, respectively, better than 16.7%, 36.3% in the control group (P<0.01); after treatment of 2 weeks, clinical symptoms improved in the both groups, but the treatment group was better than the control group in the improvement degrees of neck-shoulder-limb pain, neck rigidity, abnormality of cervical anteflexion, etc. (P<0.01 or P<0.05); the treatment group was shorter than the control group in the time of producing the effect and therapeutic course (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONComprehensive program of acupuncture, moxibustion and massage as main is safe and effective for treatment of cervical spondylopathy, with a better therapeutic effect compared with the comprehensive program of physical therapy.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Humans ; Massage ; Moxibustion ; Single-Blind Method ; Spinal Diseases

The odor fingerprint of Pollygonati Rhizoma samples with different mildewing degrees was analyzed and the relationship between the odor variation and the mildewing degree was explored. A fast discriminant model was established according to the response intensity of electronic nose. The α-FOX3000 electronic nose was applied to analyze the odor fingerprint of Pollygonati Rhizoma samples with different mildewing degrees and the radar map was used to analyze the main contributors among the volatile organic compounds. The feature data were processed and analyzed by partial least squares discriminant analysis(PLS-DA), K-nearest neighbor(KNN), sequential minimal optimization(SMO), random forest(RF) and naive Bayes(NB), respectively. According to the radar map of the electronic nose, the response values of three sensors, namely T70/2, T30/1, and P10/2, increased with the mildewing, indicating that the Pollygonati Rhizoma produced alkanes and aromatic compounds after the mildewing. According to PLS-DA model, Pollygonati Rhizoma samples of three mildewing degrees could be well distinguished in three areas. Afterwards, the variable importance analysis of the sensors was carried out and then five sensors that contributed a lot to the classification were screened out: T70/2, T30/1, PA/2, P10/1 and P40/1. The classification accuracy of all the four models(KNN, SMO, RF, and NB) was above 90%, and KNN was most accurate(accuracy: 97.2%). Different volatile organic compounds were produced after the mildewing of Pollygonati Rhizoma, and they could be detected by electronic nose, which laid a foundation for the establishment of a rapid discrimination model for mildewed Pollygonati Rhizoma. This paper shed lights on further research on change pattern and quick detection of volatile organic compounds in moldy Chinese herbal medicines.
Electronic Nose ; Odorants/analysis* ; Volatile Organic Compounds/analysis* ; Bayes Theorem ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Discriminant Analysis

ObjectiveNeuroinflammation plays a crucial role in both the onset and progression of ischemic stroke, exerting a significant impact on the recovery of the central nervous system. Excessive neuroinflammation can lead to secondary neuronal damage, further exacerbating brain injury and impairing functional recovery. As a result, effectively modulating and reducing neuroinflammation in the brain has become a key therapeutic strategy for improving outcomes in ischemic stroke patients. Among various approaches, targeting immune regulation to control inflammation has gained increasing attention. This study aims to investigate the role of in vitro induced regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in suppressing neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke, as well as their potential therapeutic effects. By exploring the mechanisms through which Tregs exert their immunomodulatory functions, this research is expected to provide new insights into stroke treatment strategies. MethodsNaive CD4⁺ T cells were isolated from mouse spleens using a negative selection method to ensure high purity, and then they were induced in vitro to differentiate into Treg cells by adding specific cytokines. The anti-inflammatory effects and therapeutic potential of Treg cells transplantation in a mouse model of ischemic stroke was evaluated. In the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model, after Treg cells transplantation, their ability to successfully migrate to the infarcted brain region and their impact on neuroinflammation levels were examined. To further investigate the role of Treg cells in stroke recovery, the changes in cytokine expression and their effects on immune cell interactions was analyzed. Additionally, infarct size and behavioral scores were measured to assess the neuroprotective effects of Treg cells. By integrating multiple indicators, the comprehensive evaluation of potential benefits of Treg cells in the treatment of ischemic stroke was performed. ResultsTreg cells significantly regulated the expression levels of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in vitro and in vivo, effectively balancing the immune response and suppressing excessive inflammation. Additionally, Treg cells inhibited the activation and activity of inflammatory cells, thereby reducing neuroinflammation. In the MCAO mouse model, Treg cells were observed to accumulate in the infarcted brain region, where they significantly reduced the infarct size, demonstrating their neuroprotective effects. Furthermore, Treg cell therapy notably improved behavioral scores, suggesting its role in promoting functional recovery, and increased the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice, highlighting its potential as a promising therapeutic strategy for stroke treatment. ConclusionIn vitro induced Treg cells can effectively suppress neuroinflammation caused by ischemic stroke, demonstrating promising clinical application potential. By regulating the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, Treg cells can inhibit immune responses in the nervous system, thereby reducing neuronal damage. Additionally, they can modulate the immune microenvironment, suppress the activation of inflammatory cells, and promote tissue repair. The therapeutic effects of Treg cells also include enhancing post-stroke recovery, improving behavioral outcomes, and increasing the survival rate of ischemic stroke mice. With their ability to suppress neuroinflammation, Treg cell therapy provides a novel and effective strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke, offering broad application prospects in clinical immunotherapy and regenerative medicine.

ObjectiveProteoglycan TPG-1 isolated from Trametes robiniophila（Huaier） has proved to have anti-hepatoma activity， and this paper aims to explore the molecular mechanism. MethodHuman hepatoma SK-HEP-1 cells were treated with TPG-1 （0， 0.05， 0.1， 0.25， 0.5， 1 g·L^-1）. Then cell survival was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） and apoptosis by flow cytometry. In addition， expression of genes in SK-HEP-1 cells treated with or without TPG-1 was examined by DNA microarray to preliminarily explore the anti-hepatoma molecular mechanism of TPG-1. ResultTPG-1 inhibited the proliferation of SK-HEP-1 cells as compared with the blank group （P<0.01）. After treatment with 1 g·L^-1 TPG-1 for 48 h， the apoptosis rate of SK-HEP-1 cells increased （P<0.01）， and TPG-1 promoted the cleavage of cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase （Caspase）-3 and Caspase-7， the key mediators of apoptosis （P<0.01）. Additionally， TPG-1 （1 g·L^-1） suppressed the migration of SK-HEP-1 cells （P<0.05）. A total of 971 differentially expressed genes （DEGs） were identified in SK-HEP-1 cells after treatment with TPG-1， with 486 up-regulated and 485 down-regulated. These DEGs were mainly involved in the Gene Ontology （GO） terms of interleukin-6 （IL-6） biosynthesis， antigen processing and presentation， superoxide dismutase activity， positive regulation of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase （MAPKKK） cascade， nature killer （NK） cell chemotaxis， and chemokine biosynthesis， and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathways of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain （NOD）-like receptor signaling pathway， apoptosis， Toll-like receptor signaling pathway， retinoic acid-inducible gene-Ⅰ （RIG-Ⅰ）-like receptor signaling pathway， T-cell receptor signaling pathway， and chemokine signaling pathway. Western blot results showed that TPG-1 （1 g·L^-1） activated mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway in SK-HEP-1 cells （P<0.01）. ConclusionProteoglycan TPG-1 inhibited the proliferation and migration， and induced apoptosis of human hepatoma SK-HEP-1 cells. Up-regulation of MAPK signaling pathway may be responsible for the growth inhibition of human hepatoma SK-HEP-1 cells by TPG-1.

Malignant tumor is a serious threat to human life and health. The prevalence and mortality of malignancies in China are increasing year by year. Conquering cancer has become a difficult problem for human beings. Chemical drug therapy combined with molecular targeted therapy is a general and preferred anti-tumor clinical scheme， but the side effects and the drug resistance of cancer cells often hinder the efficacy. Therefore， it is of great significance to study the mechanism of drug resistance and the methods to reverse drug resistance. Chinese medicine has the characteristics of complex components， multiple targets， low toxicity， etc. A large number of experimental studies have demonstrated that the effective components or extracts of Chinese medicine can inhibit the proliferation， migration， and invasion of cancer cells， and induce apoptosis， autophagy， differentiation， and senescence. In clinical practice， Chinese medicine has been applied to the protection against ttumor， adjuvant treatment， and later consolidation. The research on Chinese medicine is expected to promote drug resistance reversal and cancer therapy. Studies have shown that the combination of Chinese medicine and chemotherapy can reverse drug resistance and increase efficacy， which has become the mainstream trend of cancer treatment. This study reviewed the mechanisms of the drug resistance of cancer cells induced by self-protective autophagy， gene mutation， high expression of enzymes， abnormal signaling pathways， and abnormal expression of RNA and protein， and summarized how compounds isolated from Chinese medicine， single drug and its extract， and classic anti-cancer prescription reversed the drug resistance to lay a solid foundation for the further investigation of the anti-tumor effect of Chinese medicine.

As a traditional Chinese medicine, Chinese dragon's blood has multiple effects, such as activating blood to remove blood stasis, softening and dispelling stagnation, astringent and hemostasis, clearing swelling and relieving pain, regulating menstruation and rectifying the blood, so it is called "an effective medicine of promoting blood circulation". It has been widely used clinically to treat a variety of diseases. With the further research on Chinese dragon's blood, its anti-tumor medicinal value is gradually emerging. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Chinese dragon's blood exerts anti-tumor effects mainly by inhibiting cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, inducing DNA damage and cell cycle arrest, inducing senescence and autophagy of tumor cells, inhibiting metastasis and angiogenesis, as well as reversing multidrug resistance. This article focuses on the research progress on anti-tumor effects of Chinese dragon's blood extract and its chemical components, with a view to provide new references for the in-depth research and reasonable utilization of Chinese dragon's blood.
China ; Dracaena ; Female ; Plant Extracts ; Resins, Plant