Inflammasome, which is a large multiprotein complex in the cytosol regulating IL-1β production, plays an important role in atherosclerosis ( AS ) . To date, NLRP3 ( nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3) inflammasome is the most widely studied type of inflammasome. This article aims to review the effects of NLRP3 inflammasome on AS-related cells ( endothelial cells, macrophages and vascular smooth mus-cle cells) to further explore the role of NLRP3 inflammasome in the progression of AS.

Objective To evaluate the clinical significance of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroid autoantibodies (anti-TGAb and anti-TPOAb) in cord blood of infants of mothers complicated with hypothyroidism and the influencing factors of neonatal thyroid function. Methods Clinical data of 67 singleton pregnant women complicated with hypothyroidism in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Thyroid function and its autoantibody levels in maternal, cord blood and neonatal serum at 5-7 d after birth were compared. Umbilical TSH level and its affecting factors were also investigated. The results of TSH was expressed as median (25th-75th percentile). Results (1) Umbilical TSH levels were elevated in 9. 0% (6/67) of all infants born to mothers complicated with hypothyroidism. (2) No correlation was found in TSH levels between cord blood and venous blood in neonates 5-7 d after birth. Umbilical TSH levels were significantly higher in infants born vaginally than in those born abdominally [10. 20(6. 10-12. 80) mU/L vs 5. 86(4.02-7.74) mU/L,P=0.001]. Higher umbilical TSH levels were also detected in those complicated with fetal distress and preterm birth compared with those withoutere [fetal distress: (10. 36(6. 61-13. 37) mU/L and 6. 89(4. 18-9. 70) mU/L, P = 0. 046; preterm birth: 8. 90(7. 60-10. 33) mU/L and 6.84(4.17-9. 80) mU/L,P=0. 046,0. 049)]. (3) The anti-TGAb levels in cord blood were positively correlated with that in neonatal serum at 5-7 d after birth (r=0. 960, P = 0. 000), and the same was true for anti-TGPOAb levels (r= 0. 975, P = 0. 000). Maternal thyroid autoantibody levels (anti-TGAb and anti-TPOAb) had significant effect on umbilical antibody levels (P = 0. 003 and 0. 000, respectively), but not on the neonatal TSH levels (P>0. 05). Conclusions Umbilical TSH levels are affected by many delivery factors which may limit its prediction role on congenital hypothyroidism. However, there is an increased risk of elevated umbilical TSH, anti-TGAb and anti-TPOAb levels among these patients which may increase the risk of congenital hypothyroidism. Further follow up of these infants is warranted.

In order to investigate the effect of curcumin on proliferation and apoptosis of human pterygium fibroblasts (HPF) in culture and search for a new method to prevent the recurrence after pterygium surgery, HPF was incubated with 0-160 micromol/L curcumin for 24-96 h. The MTT method was used to assay the biologic activities of curcumin at different time points and different doses. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in each group was detected by immunohistochemistry. The cell cycle distribution was detected by flow cytometry (FCM). Administration of 20-80 micromol/L curcumin for 24-72 h could significantly inhibit HPF proliferation in a dose-and time-dependent manner (P<0.05). After treatment with curcumin at different concentrations of 20, 40, 80 and 160 micromol/L for 24 h, FCM revealed there was a significant sub-G1 peak at each concentration. The number of HPF in G0/G1 phase was increased, while in S phase, it was decreased (P<0.05). At the concentration of 20-80 micromol/L, curcumin, in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05), could inhibit the expression of PCNA in HPF. It was suggested that curcumin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HPF, make HPF arrest in G0/G1 phase and induce the apoptosis of HPF in a dose-and time-dependent manner.

Objective The effect of Asperosaponin Ⅵ(ASAⅥ)on adipocyte differentiation and the involvement of Wnt signal pathway was investigated. Methods The murine bone marrow stromal cell line ST-2 were divided into 6 groups:control group, adipocyte differentiation group, and 4 different doses of ASAⅥgroups. Control group was exposed to the vehicle, adipocyte differentiation group was exposed to adipogenic reagent, and those 4 ASAⅥgroups were treated with different concentration(10-7, 10-6, 10-5, 10-4 mol/L)of ASAⅥafter adipocyte differentiation induction. 5 days later, oil red O staining was performed to calculate adipocyte rate. Then mRNA transcription levels of PPARγ, FABP4 genes andβ-catenin that were Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway proteins were examined by FQ-PCR. Then Wnt pathway inhibitor DKK1 was supplemented into ST-2 cells treated with 10-4 mol/L ASAⅥfor 5 days. After that FQ-PCR was used to detect whether tran?scription levels of PPARγ, FABP4 andβ-catenin in ST-2 cells were changed. Results Compared with adipocyte differenti?ation group 10-5 mol/L and 10-4 mol/L ASAⅥtreatments greatly down-regulated the number of lipid droplets and markedly inhibited transcription levels of adipocyte characterization transcription factors included PPARγ, FABP4 while up-regulat?ed transcription level ofβ-catenin in ST-2 cells. DKK1 can reverse the inhibitory effect of ASAⅥon adipocyte differentia?tion in ST-2 adipocyte. The transcription levels of PPARγand FABP4 were up-regulated significantly while transcription level ofβ-catenin was inhibited. Conclusion ASAⅥblocks adipocyte differentiation in ST-2 cells which might be medi?ated through activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the value of multislice spiral computed tomography ( MSCT ) in predicting the resectability of pancreatic cancer ( PC) .Methods The MSCT images of 102 PC patients ( 62 men, mean age, 61 ±9 years;40 women, mean age, 60 ±9 years) confirmed by postoperative pathology were analyzed retrospectively .The images were analyzed and evaluated by 2 senior radiologists who were double blinded.The relationship between tumor and vessels was investigated based on consensus statement on the radiological diagnosis of PC of the Society of Abdominal Radiology and the American Pancreatic Association in 2014 .The diagnostic criterion on the resectability of PC was based on the 2015 NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines on PC . Image analysis included the lesion location , size and density , the characteristics of pancreatic and bile ducts , relationship of tumor and adjacent vessels , the extrapancreatic findings as well as T staging and resectability.Results The locations of PC were found in the pancreatic head (n=71,69.6%), body (n=23, 22.5%) and tail (n=8, 7.8%).The long-and short-axis diameter were (28.9 ±8.8)mm and (23.8 ±8.0)mm in head, and respectively, (31.2 ±11.0)mm and (23.8 ±6.3)mm in body and tail, respectively.The imaging findings included hypo-(n=98, 96.1%) and iso-density masses (n=4, 3.9%) on pancreatic phase, intra-and extrahepatic bile duct dilation (n=63, 61.8%), main pancreatic duct cut-off with dilation (n=46, 45.1%), the pseudocyst (n=4), acute pancreatitis (n=1) and chronic pancreatitis (n=2).T staging evaluation by MSCT observed T1 (n=3), T2 (n=7), T3 (n=78) and T4 (n=14), respectively.MSCT assessment for T staging was correct in 98 (96.1%), but wrong in 4 (3.9%), which was quite consistent with pathological T staging (K=0.88, P<0.05).MSCT assessment for the resectability was correct in 98 (96.1%), but wrong in 4 (3.9%).Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and area under curve of MSCT in the assessment of the resectability were 96.8%, 87.5%, 98.9%, 70.0%and 92.2%, respectively.Conclusions MSCT could improve the diagnostic accuracy for T Staging and resectability of PC .

Objective:To make a preliminary application of the assessment system for cancer pain management and find insuffi-ciency in the clinical practice of cancer pain diagnosis and treatment. Methods:Data from 41 doctor questionnaires, 43 nurse question-naires, 50 patient questionnaires, and 12 ward questionnaires from the tumor departments of 3 hospitals were analyzed, and the insuffi-ciency in cancer pain management was determined. The wards in the tumor and non-tumor departments related to oncology were as-sessed using rank test, and differences between the 2 wards were investigated. Results:The average scores of doctor, nurse, and wards were 85.41±5.93, 88.46±5.09 and 83.75±3.11, respectively, whereas patient score was 68.67±7.14. To further analyze the patient subsys-tem by converting into a hundred-mark system, the effectiveness and safety scores for the pain management was 81.69±7.71. However, patients' opinion score on pain treatment was only 55.78±11.37. The score of tumor departments was 82.22±2.03, whereas related non-tumor departments had a score of 39.27 ± 3.58. Wilcoxon W value was at 120.0 with P<0.01 after rank test. Conclusion:Education on patients' opinion on cancer pain management should be promoted in the tumor wards, and continuous education on cancer pain diagno-sis and treatment is needed in the non-tumor departments relative to oncology.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of budesonide (BUD) on RORγt expression in the pulmonary tissue of asthmatic mice and mechanisms of BUD in the treatment of asthma.

METHODSBlab/c asthmatic mouse model was induced by ovalbumin (OVA). Thirty female mice were randomly divided into three groups: control, asthmatic and BUD-treated. IL-17 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum were measured using ELISA. Total and differential cell counts in BALF were measured. Airway inflammation was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining. IL-17 mRNA and RORγt mRNA expression were measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSRORγt mRNA and IL-l7 levels in the asthmatic group were significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.01). BUD treatment significantly decreased RORγt mRNA and IL-l7 levels compared with the asthmatic group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, total, neutrophil and eosinophil cell count in BALF increased significantly in the asthmatic group (P<0.01). After BUD treatment, counts of total, neutrophil and eosinophil cells in BALF were significantly reduced (P<0.01) and were similar to in the control group. Inflammatory reactions in the respiratory tract were significantly alleviated in the BUD treated group.

CONCLUSIONSRORγt and IL-l7 levels in the pulmonary tissue of asthmatic mice increase and this may be associated with the pathogenesis of asthma. BUD can inhibit RORγt and IL-17 and thus reduces lung inflammation.

Animals ; Asthma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; cytology ; Bronchodilator Agents ; pharmacology ; Budesonide ; pharmacology ; Female ; Interleukin-17 ; analysis ; Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis

Trichosanthes kirilowii has been widely cultivated as its medicinal use, health care and food value. Drought resistance of seedlings is an important feature in breeding. Seeds of two T. kirilowii strains were used to research the difference of surface ultrastructure characteristic and drought resistance. Scanning electron microscope was used to identify the surface ultrastructure characteristic of seeds and PEG was used to simulate drought stress. The seeds germination rate, MDA content, chlorophyll content and the antioxidant enzymes activity were measured under the drought stress. The results showed that the seed surface colour of KXY-001 was lighter than that of KXY-005. The testa cobwebbing of KXY-001 was more intensive than that of KXY-005. The germination rate of KXY-001 was higher than that of KXY-005 under drought stress. The MDA content was increased and the chlorophyll content was decreased with the increasing of drought degree. The SOD activity of KXY-001 was higher than that of KXY-005, while the activity of POD and CAT was also increased firstly and decreased later. Surface reticulate of seeds and hilar traits can be used as identification points to identify the investigated strains. SOD and POD are activated to resist drought in T. kirilowii seedlings and the drought resistance of KXY-001 is superior than that of KXY-005.
Adaptation, Physiological ; drug effects ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Droughts ; Germination ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Seedlings ; metabolism ; Seeds ; growth & development ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Species Specificity ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Trichosanthes ; classification ; growth & development ; metabolism

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of DWI after secretin stimulation for the diagnosis of mild chronic pancreatitis (CP). Methods This was a prospective study. Ninety-nine consecutive individuals including 23 healthy volunteers, 11 risk volunteers, 15 mild CP patients, 14 moderate CP patients and 36 severe CP patients underwent secretin DWI and faecal elastase 1(FE-1) testing. The subjects were grouped by Cambridge classification about endoscopic retrograde cholangiography (ERCP), CT and ultrasonography. Secretin stimulated diffusion weighted imaging(S-DWI), the ADCs, time to peak ADCs and FE-1 were performed on all subjects. The changes of pancreatic ADC values were observed before and after the injection of secretin. All ADCs and FE-1 were compared between groups with single factor analysis of variance, and the correlation between ADCs and FE-1 was determined with Pearson analysis. ROC curves were performed to identify the diagnostic efficacy of DWI related measures. Results Eight patients with severe CP were excluded because the significant atrophy of the pancreatic parenchyma prohibited the evaluation of ADC measurement. Ninety-one individuals were divided into five groups including 23 healthy volunteers, 11 risk volunteers, 15 mild CP patients, 14 moderate CP patients and 28 severe CP patients. The mean baseline and peak ADCs were higher in the healthy volunteers than in other groups, with significant differences (P<0.05). There was no ADC peak in severe CP patients. There were significant differences between the mean baseline ADCs and the peak ADCs in the other groups (P<0.05). The mild and moderate CP groups showed a delayed peak. The area under curve (AUC) of the mean baseline and peak ADCs, time to peak ADCs for differentiating mild CP was 0.818, 0.912 and 0.965, respectively. Using 4.67 min as the cutoff value, time to peak ADCs were most accurate for differentiating healthy from risk patients and those with evident pancreatitis, yielding a sensitivity of 80.0%and a specificity of 100.0%. Good correlations between baseline and peak ADCs, time to peak ADCs, and FE-1 were shown(r=0.57, 0.72 and-0.84, P<0.01). Conclusions Using the peak and time to peak ADCs may improve the detection of risk and mild CP. Secretin-enhanced DWI is a noninvasive, convenient and accurate method.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of oral mifepristone (10 mg/day) versus placebo in the preoperative treatment of uterine fibroids.Methods:This study was a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo, parallel controlled trial. A total of 132 patients with uterine fibroids were randomly divided into study group and control group, with 66 cases in each group. The patients in the study group orally took 1 tablet/day of mifepristone (dose of 10 mg/tablet), the patients in the control group orally took 1 tablet/day of placebo, and both groups were treated for 3 months. The primary efficacy evaluation indicators were the change rate of maximum fibroid volume; the secondary efficacy evaluation indicators included amenorrhea rate, improvement of subjective symptoms and anemia; the safety evaluation indicators included the analysis of adverse events and changes in laboratory biochemical indicators.Results:At the end of treatment, the maximum leiomyoma volume was reduced by 25.97% (95% CI: -34.79%--15.95%) in the study group and reduced by 1.51% (95% CI: -13.03%-11.54%) in the control group. The change rate of the maximum leiomyoma volume before and after treatment in the study group was significantly greater than that in the control group, and the difference in the change rate of the maximum leiomyoma volume between the two groups was -24.84% (95% CI: -36.56%--10.94%), which was much higher than the 10% superiority threshold goal set by this study within the 95% CI interval. At the end of treatment, the complete amenorrhea rate [84% (52/62)], dysmenorrhea elimination rate [98% (61/62)], and menstrual blood loss disappearance rate [87% (54/62)] in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). At the end of treatment, the mean hemoglobin [(131±13) g/L], red blood cell count [(4.5±0.4)×10 12/L] and hematocrit (0.39±0.03) in the study group were significantly increased compared with the baseline, and the differences had statistical significance (all P<0.05); after treatment, the differences in the above three indicators between the two groups had statistical significance (all P<0.01). The serum estradiol level in the study group was significantly lower than that in the control group at the end of treatment, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). There were no significant differences in follicle-stimulating hormone and cortisol levels before and after treatment between the two groups ( P>0.05). The overall incidences of any adverse event were not significantly different between the two groups (all P>0.05). Abdominal pain was the most common adverse event in the study group [9% (6/65)], but the incidence was not significantly increased compared with the control group [3% (2/64); P>0.05]. Conclusion:Compared with placebo, oral mifepristone 10 mg/day is significantly superior to placebo in reducing the size of uterine fibroids and improving anemia, without significant adverse reactions, and could be used as a drug treatment for patients with of uterine fibroids before surgery.