Objective: To screen the material basis of Huopu Xialing Decoction in the treatment of damp pathogen stagnation of lung syndrome of early COVID-19 and predict its mechanism. Methods: Literatures and clinical reports were reviewed to analyze the relationship between Huopu Xialing Decoction and damp pathogen stagnation of lung syndrome of early stage of COVID-19. TCMSP database was used to screen the potential active components in Huopo Xialing Decoction. Molecular docking of the active components with SARS-CoV-2 hydrolase and ACE2 was also carried out. According to the binding ability, the core components with both were screened. The interaction network of key components target proteins was constructed by using the software of Cytoscape to screen the main targets; The GO analysis of the main targets was carried out by using the STRING database, and the Pathway and KEGG enrichment analysis was carried out by using the plug-in of the software ClueGO of Cytoscape. Results: The Huopo Xialing Decoction was used to treat the early coronavirus pneumonia with damp pathogen and lung depression syndrome in the relationship analysis between prescriptions and syndrome, and the potential components of the 12 ingredients in Huopo Xialing Decoction were selected, with 67 core targets. Among them, paryriogenin I from Tetrapanax papyrifer, ergosterol peroxide from Poria cocos and Polyporus umbellatus, baicalin from Pinellia ternata had good binding activity with SARS-CoV-2 3CL hydrolase and ACE2. The results of enrichment analysis of GO, Pathway and KEGG showed that 12 potential components in Huopo Xialing Decoction were involved in regulating the biological processes such as stimulation response, signal transduction, cell death and the related signaling pathways including interleukins, EGFR in cancer, tyrosine kinases, programmed cell death and MAPK signaling pathways. Conclusion: For the early COVID-19 patients with the syndrome of damp pathogen stagnation of lung, Huopo Xialing Decoction was used to resolve dampness and detoxification, and ventilate lung and promote pathogenic penetration. Phenanthrone, baicalin, jujuboside_qt, cerevisterol, hederagenin, ergosterol peroxide, citrostadienol, ergosterol-7,22-diene-3-one, paryriogenin I, alisol B,23-acetate, alisol B, neohesperidin may be the main material basis, and play a role by blocking the protein synthesis of SARS-CoV-2 virus, preventing the virus from entering the host cells, regulating the IL signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway, C-type lectin receptor signaling pathway and inhibiting the expression of related inflammatory factors.

Objective To observe the changes of esophageal motility in patients with achalasia (AC) before and after peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM ) and to evaluate the effects of POEM on esophageal motility in AC .Methods A total of 35 patients with AC received POEM .The esophageal motility in response to different food swallows (5 mL liquid and 2 cm × 2 cm × 2 cm solid food) was evaluated by high-resolution manometry (HRM) system before operation and one month after operation .The changes of parameters of esophageal body and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) were analyzed and compared before and after operation .The t-test ,non-parametric test or single factor analysis of variance was performed for statistical analysis .Results Before POEM operation ,lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) of 35 patients in response to liquid swallows and solid swallows was (28 .94 ± 18 .70) mmHg (1 mmHg=0 .133 kPa) and (26 .41 ± 11 .57) mmHg ,respectively ;after operation it was (16 .02 ± 5 .46) mmHg and (15 .82 ± 5 .04) mmHg ,respectively ;and the differences were statistically significant (t= 4 .338 and 4 .726 ,both P<0 .01) .Before operation ,4 s integrated relax pressure (4 s IRP) during liquid swallows and solid swallows was (27 .18 ± 14 .63) mmHg and (28 .46 ± 11 .15) mmHg ,respectively ;after operation it was (12 .22 ± 6 .75) mmHg and (14 .54 ± 7 .83) mmHg ,respectively ;and the differences were statistically significant (t= 5 .902 and 5 .436 ,both P< 0 .01) .And after operation intra boluspressure (IBP) of liquid swallows and solid swallows also decreased compared to that before operation (t=5 .075 and 2 .944 ,both P< 0 .01) .Lower esophageal sphincter relaxation rate (LESRR) during liquid swallows and solid swallows increased compared to that before operation (t= -2 .990 , P< 0 .01 ;t=-0 .340 ,P>0 .05) .There was no difference in the distal contractile integral (DCI) and distal esophageal peristaltic amplitude in subtype Ⅰ and Ⅲ patients before and after operation (all P>0 .05 ) .All those parameters decreased in subtype Ⅱ patients (Z= -2 .704 and -2 .489 ,P< 0 .05 ;Z= -1 .929 and-0 .747 , P> 0 .05 ) . Proximal esophageal peristalsis was observed in two patients after operation , however there was no integrated esophageal body peristalsis .Clinical symptoms quickly relieved in all patients after POEM operation and clinical score significantly decreased compared to that before operation (0 .86 ± 1 .19 vs 8 .16 ± 1 .84 ,t=20 .605 , P<0 .05) .Conclusions POEM can effectively relieve LES relaxation disorder in AC patients and improve esophageal body peristalsis to a certain degree .The efficacy is regardless of AC types ,and further studies are need to shed light on the long-term efficacy .The long-term efficacy still need further follow-up study .

Objective: To investigate the expressions of programmed death ligand 1（PD-L1）in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its correlation with angiogenesis. Methods: 120 cases of TNBC patients who underwent surgery in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from March 1, 2011 to June 1, 2012 were collected. The tumor tissues of patients were surgically resected and confirmed by pathology. PD-L1 protein expression in TNBC tissues of 120 patients was detected by tissue microarray combined with immunohistochemistry, and its relationship with various clinical indicators was analyzed. Blood vessels and lymphatic vessels were labeled withCD34andD2-40todetectmicrovesseldensity(MVD)andlymphaticvesseldensity(LVD)inTNBC.Results:Thepositiveexpression rate of PD-L1 in the tumor cells and interstitial infiltrating lymphocytes fromTNBC was 56.7% (68/120); No correlation was found between PD-L1 protein expression and the gender, age, histological grade, clinical stage, or tumor size of patients with TNBC (P>0.05), but related to the lymph node metastasis (P<0.05) and vascular thrombus (P<0.05). TNBC with high PD-L1 expression exhibited high incidence of lymph node metastasis and formation of vascular thrombus, and the expression of PD-L1 was positively correlated with MVD (r=0.500, P=0.02) as well as LVD (r=0.662, P=0.01). Log-Rank test showed that the survival time of TNBC patients with positive PD-L1 protein expression was significantly shorter than that of patients with negative expression (P<0.05). Cox multivariate analysis suggested that PD-L1 protein expression could be an independent prognostic factor for TNBC overall survival. Conclusion: PD-L1 plays an important role in TNBC angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, and is closely related to TNBC invasion and metastasis; blocking PD1/PD-L1 signal pathway is expected to be an effective new strategy for TNBC treatment.

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and safety of Qizhi Jiangtang Capsule (QJC) in treating stage 3b diabetic kidney disease (DKD) patients with macroalbuminuria.

METHODSPatients who conformed to the diagnostic criteria of stage 3b DKD were randomly assigned to two groups according to random digital table, the experiment group and the control group, 84 in each group. All patients received a two-week elution period, and then were treated with basic Western therapy. Patients in the experiment group took QJC, 5 pills per time, 3 times a day, while those in the control group took Valsartan Capsule 160 mg each time, once daily. The observation period of follow-ups was limited within 6 months, and the time points were set as the baseline, 1st month, 3rd month, and 6th month. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBS), 24 h urine protein quantitative (24 h UPQ), plasma albumin (ALB), and serum creatinine (SCr) were detected and recorded, and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated. The occurrence of hypoglycemic reaction, coagulation disorder, gastrointestinal tract reaction, allergy, hyperkalemia, doubling of creatinine, and overall adverse events were observed and recorded at same time.

RESULTSFinally 81 patients in the experiment group and 80 patients in the control group were effectively included. Compared with the baseline level, SBP and DBS obviously decreased in the control group at month 1 of treatment (P < 0.05), and more significantly decreased at month 6 of treatment (P < 0.01). SBP at month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups; DBS at month 6 of follow-ups was lower in the control group than in the experiment group (P < 0.05). At month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups, 24 h UPQ of the experiment group was significantly lower than the baseline level (P < 0.01). It was also significantly lower than the level of the control group at the same time point (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in 24 h UPQ at month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups between the control group and the baseline level (P > 0.05). ALB of the experiment group showed an increasing trend. It was significantly higher than the baseline level at month 6 (P < 0.05), which was also higher than that of the control group at same period (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the ALB level in the control group (P > 0.05). SCr of two groups showed an increasing trend. SCr of the experiment group was significantly higher at month 1, 3, and 6 follow-ups than the baseline level (P < 0.05). But the increment of SCr was higher in the control group than in the experimental group, and obviously higher than the baseline levels (P < 0.05). eGFR of both groups showed a decreasing trend. The decrement was higher in the control group than in the experimental group (P < 0.05). The proportion of progression of renal functions at month 1, 3, and 6 of follow-ups in the experimental group was 0.0% (0 case), 9.55% (8 cases), and 21.4% (18 cases), while they were 8.3% (7 cases), 21.4% (18 cases), and 40.5% (34 cases) in the control group. There was no statistical difference in the proportion of progression of renal functions between the two groups at month 3 and 6 of follow-ups (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONQJC could effectively reduce urinary protein of patients with stage 3b DKD, and delay the progression of renal functions.

Adult ; Albumins ; analysis ; Albuminuria ; drug therapy ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Creatinine ; blood ; Diabetic Nephropathies ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Valine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Valsartan

Objective To investigate the associations of variants in signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4) in Chinese Han population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods The study was performed in 228 RA cases and 228 controls. Haplotypes from the HapMap database Chinese population were used to select tag-single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (r2=0.9) in STAT4 gene. Twenty-three SNPs located in STAT4 gene were examined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was tested by a chi-square and Fisherˊs analysis. Differences in genotypes of the STAT4 polymorphism variants were evaluated using a Chi-square test. All statistical analyses were done with Haploview 4.1 software. Results Significant difference was detected in three SNPs (rs11685878, rs129888 and rs16833437) in allele frequencies analysis (χ2=6.014 8, 4.024 8, 5.539 1, P<0.05). Association was detected for three SNPs (rs11685878, rs16833437 and rs12988825) in genotype analysis ( χ2=6.814 9, 6.098 7, 6.691 7, P<0.05). Conclusion STAT4 may associate with susceptibility in Chinese Han population.

Objective To investigate the biomechanical and pathological changes in vivo in the taut bands (TB) of biceps femoris in rats after repeated low-frequency electrical stimulation.Methods Twenty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group,an electrical intensity-dependent fatigue group,which were subject to electric intensity-dependent fatigue test,and an electrical frequency-dependent fatigue group,which were subject to electrical frequency-dependent fatigue test.After fatigue tests,the taut band of the biceps femoris and the non-taut band of the contralateral biceps femoris were harvested for pathological observation.The maximum contraction force (MCF),electrical intensity-and frequency-dependent fatigue characteristics and any pathological changes in the TBs were assessed and compared to the non-taut band region of the other biceps femoris.Results The MCF at the 15th and 20th stimulation (1.42 ± 0.28 g and 0.93 ± 0.54 g respectively) were significantly lower than that at the 1 st and 5th stimulation of the TBs.High stimulation intensity (HSI) at the 15th and 20th stimulation (3.76 ± 0.71 V and 3.44 ± 0.97 V) were also significantly lower than at the 1st TB stimulation.At the 10th,15th and 20th stimulation of the TBs,MCF and HSI were both significantly lower than in the bands which were not tight.In the frequency-dependent fatigue stimulation tests,the frequency which generated the MCF of the TBs was significantly lower than in the bands which were not tight,while the MCF of the TBs was significantly higher than that of non-TBs.After either intensity or frequency fatigue testing,more severe edema,uneven cytoplasmic death and degeneration of muscle fibers were observed in sections from TBs than from the bands which were not tight.Conclusions Taut muscle bands are significantly less fatigue-resistant than normal muscle fibers.Taut bands may contribute to the fatigue of myofascial pain syndromes.

Objective To study the relationships between the standing balance and walking ability of hemiplegic stroke survivors.Methods Eighty-eight post-stroke hemiplegic patients who could walk independently for more than 10 metres were selected into a patient group,while 88 healthy counterparts were recruited into a control group.Descriptors of the gait and balance function of both groups were collected using a gait and balance training and evahuation apparatus (Model:AL-600).The gait parameters were step width,walking speed,step length asymmetry (SLA),swing time asymmetry (SWTA) and stand time asymmetry (STA).The balance parameters studied were total trajectory length of the center of plantar pressure (COPD),the average left and right deviation of the center of plantar pressure (COPD-X) and the average anterio-posterior deviation of the center of plantar pressure (COPD-Y).Differences in indexes of gait and balance function between the two groups were analyzed using t-tests,and the relationships between the gait and balance indicators were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients.Results The walking speed,step width,COPD,COPD-X,COPD-Y,SLA,SWTA and STA of the patient group [(37.64± 18.29)cm/s,(14.45±4.17)cm,(66.75±29.04)cm,(2.04±1.41)cm,(2.48±1.28)cm,(1.30±0.46),(1.65±0.67) and (1.18±0.16),respectively] all increased significantly more compared to the control group [(90.76±14.72)cm/s,(8.70±2.62) cm,(27.84±6.54) cm,(1.30±0.53) cm,(1.68±0.40) cm,(1.07±0.06),(1.07±0.08) and (1.05±0.06),respectively],though the walking speed was significantly slower than that in the control group (P＜0.05).The patient group's average COPD-X showed slightly and moderately negative correlation with their walking speed,step width,SLA and SWTA (P＜0.05).COPD-Y was weakly related with step width (P＜0.05).Conclusion The standing balance of hemiplegic patients after stroke is related to their walking speed,step width and gait asymmetry.Especially significant correlation is observed between standing balance parameters such as COPD-X and gait parameters.

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of extract from Tibetan medicine Berberis Cortex (TMBC) on expressions of protein kinase C (PKC-β), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) in the retina of diabetic rats. Diabetic rats were established by one time intraperitoneal injection of strepto-zocin (STZ). Rats were randomly divided into the model group, low-dose TMBC group, medium-dose TMBC group, high-dose TMBC group, metformin group, calcium dobesilate group, berberine group and the normal control group. Intragastric administration was given. The medication amounts of TMBC in the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose group were 5, 10, and 20 times to the adult medication dose. In the metformin group and the berberine group, 10 times of the adult medication dose were given. Distilled water was given in the model group and the normal con-trol group. After 6-week intragastric administration, all experimental rats were sacrificed. The expressions of PKC-β, VEGF and HIF-1α were examined by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay and western blot. HIF-1α ex-pression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that compared with the normal control group, the mRNA and protein expression of PKC-β, VEGF and HIF-1α increased obviously in the retina of diabetic rats ( P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression of PKC-β, VEGF and HIF-1α in the high-dose and medium-dose TMBC group reduced obviously (P< 0.01). The protein expression levels of PKC-β, VEGF and HIF-1α were also obviously reduced (P< 0.05). The expressions of PKC-β, VEGF and HIF-1α in the low-dose TMBC group were obviously reduced (P < 0.05). It was concluded that TMBC can depress the expressions of HIF-1α, PKC-β and VEGF in the retina of diabetic rats, which can be served as a protective effect to prevent progress of di-abetic retinopathy.

Objective The clinical data of postoperative perirenal hematoma after renal biopsy in recent 10 years were retrospectively analyzed,and its relationship with pathological type was explored.Methods From April 2003 to April 2013,2062 patients of renal biopsy were enrolled and divided into 3 groups:youth group (18-39 years,1634 cases),middle age group (40-59 years,323 cases) and aged group (≥60 years,105 cases).Relationship between renal hematoma and pathology was analyzed.Results There were 1370,255,69 cases of primary glomerular disease respectively in 3 groups,and 264,68,36 cases of secondary glomerular diseases.Three hundred and seventy-nine in all patients were complicated with perirenal hematoma,and the incidence rates were 15.8％ (325/2062),1.8％ (37/2062),0.8％ (17/2062) respectively.Incidence rate of hematoma in primary glomerular disease was higher than that in secondary diseases [19.0％ (322/1694) vs.15.5％ (57/368)].Three most common primary glomerular disease in which perirenal hematoma occured was IgA nephropathy 7.4％ (126/1694),focal/segmental lesions 4.2％(71/1694) and membranous nephropathy 2.4％ (41/1694); while the incidence rate of lupus nephritis hematoma was as high as 9.0％ (33/368).Conclusion Single-center data shows that the most common pathology types of perirenal hematoma are lupus nephritis,IgA nephropathy,focal/segmental lesions and membranous nephropathy.

In order to study genetic variation diversity of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) strains in Shanxi,the genomic sequences of nine PCV2 strains including SXQX,SXCZ,SXTY2,SXJC,SXJX,SXLL,SXPY,SXPG and SXXY recently isolated from some areas of Shanxi from 2013 to 2016,was cloned,sequenced and received by GenBank.The amplified PCV2 genomic sequences,ORF2 sequences and Cap protein amino acid of these nine strains were analysed and compared with those of published 28 PCV2 strains by DNAStar,drawing phylogenetic tree.The results showed that the genomic sequences of SXJX,SXJC and SXXY PCV2 strains were 1 768 bp,and the others were 1 767 bp,which accounted for 33％ and 67％,respectively.The homologies of nucleotide sequences of the nine strains were 94.7％-99.8％,the homologies of nucleotide sequences of the nine strains with the 28 isolates from different regions of the world PCV strain were 93.9％-99.9％,and the homologies of nucleotide sequences of the nine strains with the domestic vaccine strains were 95.1％-99.8％.The phylogenetic analysed that SXJX,SXJC and SXXY belonged to genotype PCV-2D,SXLL,SXPY and SXCZ belonged to genotype PCV-1C,and SXTY14,SXPG and SXQX belonged to genotype PCV-1A/1B.Thus it proved that the epidemic strain of PCV2 was mainly PCV-2b in Shanxi.The homologies of ORF2 nucleotide sequences and Cap amino acid of the nine strains were 90.0％-100.0％ and 87.1 ％-100.0％ respectively,the homologies of ORF2 nucleotide sequences and Cap amino acid of the nine strains with the 28 isolates from different regions of the world PCV strain were 87.6％-100.0％ and 84.1％-100.0％ respectively,and the homologies of ORF2 nucleotide sequences and Cap amino acid of the nine strains with the domestic vaccine strains were 91.0％-100.0％ and 89.3％-100.0％ respectively.The Cap amino acids of SXQX,SXJX,SXTY14,SXPG,SXJC and SXXY PCV2 were 233,ORF2 of SXQX,SXTY14 and SXPG located at 1 033-1 734 bp,ORF2 of SXXY,SXJX and SXJC located at 1 033-1 734 bp,and the Cap amino acids of SXCZ,SXLL and SXPY PCV2 were 234,ORF2 of them located at 1 030-1 734 bp,in addition,the positions of 1 030-1 734 bp were more three bases TCA than other ORF2 genome sequence of 1 767 bp,resulting in increasing a K (Lys) of amino acid sequencein at the 234 position.Also Cap protein of 9 PCV2 strains showed more amino acid variation in addition to the only high-ly conserved glycosylation sites (NYS) (pp.143-145 amino acid).It provided theoretical basis for the PCV2 immune prevention of research in Shanxi,and the data of basic theory of molecular pathogenesis of PCV2.