Th2 cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis. To investigate the effect of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) on the production of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5 in allergic rhinitis, a model of allergic rhinitis was established in SD rats. The expression level of p38 MAPK mRNA in PBMCs was detected by means of real time quantitative RT-PCR. The p38 MAPK activity in PBMCs was detected by Western blotting. PBMCs were cultured with various concentrations of p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 or without the treatment, and then IL-4, IL-5 levels of the supernatant were determined by using sandwich ELISA. The results showed that mRNA expression and activity of p38 MAPK in PBMCs were significantly higher in allergic rhinitis rats than in control rats (P<0.05). The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 decreased the production of IL-4 and IL-5 in a dose-dependent manner. It is concluded that p38 MAPK plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis which is associated with Th2 cytokines release.

Objective To explore the relationships of depression status of medical college students with their automatic thoughts and personality. Methods A total of 1 440 medical college students were tested by self-rating depression scale (SDS), automatic thoughts questionnaire (ATQ) and Eysenck personality questionnaire (EPQ). Results ①27.5% medical college students had different degree depressive mood. ② Compared with the non-depression group students, the depression group had higher scores in ATQ, EPQ-N(neurosism) and EPQ-P(psychoticism), lower scores in EPQ-E(extroversion), EPQ-L(lie) (P

Nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker (NSBB) therapy for the prevention of initial and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices has been used for the past four decades. NSBB therapy is considered the cornerstone of treatment for varices, and has become the standard of care. However, a 2010 study from the group that pioneered β-blocker therapy suggested a detrimental effect of NSBBs in decompensated cirrhosis, especially in patients with refractory ascites. Since then, numerous additional studies have incompletely resolved whether NSBBs are deleterious, although more recent evidence weighs against a harmful effect. The possibility of a “therapeutic window” has also been raised. We aimed to review the literature to analyze the pros and cons of using NSBBs in patients with cirrhosis, not only with respect to bleeding or mortality but also to other potential benefits and risks. β-blockers are highly effective in preventing first bleeding and recurrent bleeding. Furthermore, NSBBs improve congestion/ischemia of the gut mucosa, decrease intestinal permeability, and therefore indirectly alleviate systemic inflammation. β-blockers shorten the electrocardiographic prolonged QTc interval and may also decrease the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. On the other hand, the possibility of deleterious effects in cirrhosis has not been completely eliminated. NSBBs may be associated with an increased risk of portal vein thrombosis, although this could be correlational artifact. Overall, we conclude that β-blockers in cirrhosis are much more of a friend than enemy.

Nonselective beta-adrenergic blocker (NSBB) therapy for the prevention of initial and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding in cirrhotic patients with gastroesophageal varices has been used for the past four decades. NSBB therapy is considered the cornerstone of treatment for varices, and has become the standard of care. However, a 2010 study from the group that pioneered β-blocker therapy suggested a detrimental effect of NSBBs in decompensated cirrhosis, especially in patients with refractory ascites. Since then, numerous additional studies have incompletely resolved whether NSBBs are deleterious, although more recent evidence weighs against a harmful effect. The possibility of a “therapeutic window” has also been raised. We aimed to review the literature to analyze the pros and cons of using NSBBs in patients with cirrhosis, not only with respect to bleeding or mortality but also to other potential benefits and risks. β-blockers are highly effective in preventing first bleeding and recurrent bleeding. Furthermore, NSBBs improve congestion/ischemia of the gut mucosa, decrease intestinal permeability, and therefore indirectly alleviate systemic inflammation. β-blockers shorten the electrocardiographic prolonged QTc interval and may also decrease the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. On the other hand, the possibility of deleterious effects in cirrhosis has not been completely eliminated. NSBBs may be associated with an increased risk of portal vein thrombosis, although this could be correlational artifact. Overall, we conclude that β-blockers in cirrhosis are much more of a friend than enemy.

Objective To evaluate the value of neck blood vessel colored doppler ultrasound (NBVCDU) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) to extracranial carotid artery stenosis in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA).Methods After implementing NBVCDU and MRA examinations at the same time,45 TIA patients with at least one examination showing arteriostenosis in extracranial section were chosen to carry out cerebral digital subtraction angiography( DSA ),then the stenosis rate was calculated by American symptomatic carotid endarterectomy trial (NASCET) method.Results Regarding DSA as the gold standard,for 45 TIA patients that having 180 arteriostenosis in extracranial section, sensitivity,specificity,accuracy of NBVCDU examination was 93.51% ,95.15% ,94.44%, Kappa = 0.735; sensitivity,specificity,accuracy of MRA was 92.21% ,94.17% ,93.33% , Kappa =0.681; sensitivity,specificity,accuracy of NBVCDU combined with MPA was 97.40% ,99.03% ,98.33%, Kappa = 0.872.Conclusions The sensitivity and accuracy of arteriostenosis in extracranial section by NBVCDU examination is higher than that by MRA, and it is suitable in the crowd primary examination.NBVCDU combined with MRA has shown good consistence with DSA for diagnosing arteriostenosis in extracranial section,but can't replace DSA comlpetely.

Objective Study on skin irritation and allergenicity of indomethacin emulsion ,in order to provide theoretical basis for clinical safe medication .Methods New Zealand white rabbits were used to test skin irritation ,given 0 .5g test sub-stance for 14 days .The skin irritation was observed in the two groups with eight rabbits each during the experiment .Six rab-bits in each group were sacrificed 72 hours after the last medication and skin tissues were taken for histopathology examination ;and the skin tissues of remaining two rabbits were taken for histopathology examination in 14th day after the last medication . Guinea pigs were used to test skin allergenicity ,given 0 .5g test substance on day 0 ,7 ,14 for local induction .On day 28 ,the animal subjects were given 0 .4g test substance on non-administration skin of guinea pigs for local excitation .Results Slight ir-ritation of indomethacin emulsion on normal or damaged skin was observed but it is reversible after withdrawal for rabbits .Sen-sitization effect on the skin of guinea pig was not found .Conclusion Indomethacin emulsion is not suitable to long-term use clinically ,and skin irritation need to pay more attention .

Background/Aims: Galectin-3 plays a key pathogenic role in cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of galectin-3 on cardiomyopathy – related factors and cardiac contractility in a rat model of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy. Methods: Rats were divided into two sets, one for a functional study, the other for cardiac contractile-related protein evaluation. There were four groups in each set: sham operated and sham plus N-acetyllactosamine (N-Lac, a galectin-3 inhibitor; 5 mg/kg); bile duct ligated (BDL) and BDL plus N-Lac. Four weeks after surgery, ventricular level of galectin-3, collagen I and III ratio, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured either by Western blots or immunohistochemistry or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Blood pressure was measured by polygraph recorder. Cardiomyocyte contractility was measured by inverted microscopy. Results: Galectin-3 and collagen I/III ratio were significantly increased in cirrhotic hearts. TNFα and BNP were significantly increased in BDL serum and heart compared with sham controls. Galectin-3 inhibitor significantly decreased galectin-3, TNFα, and BNP in cirrhotic hearts but not in sham controls. N-Lac also significantly improved the blood pressure, and systolic and diastolic cardiomyocyte contractility in cirrhotic rats but had no effect on sham controls. Conclusion Increased galectin-3 in the cirrhotic heart significantly inhibited contractility via TNFα. Inhibition of galectin-3 decreased the cardiac content of TNFα and BNP and reversed the decreased blood pressure and depressed contractility in the cirrhotic heart. Galectin-3 appears to play a pathogenic role in cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.

Th2 cytokines play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.To investigate the effect of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)on the production of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-5 in allergic rhinitis,a model of allergic rhinitis was established in SD rats.The expression level of p38 MAPK mRNA in PBMCs was detected by means of real time quantitative RT-PCR.The p38 MAPK activity in PBMCs was detected by Western blotting.PBMCs were cultured with various concentrations of p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 or without the treatment,and then IL-4,IL-5 levels of the supernatant were determined by using sandwich ELISA.The results showed that mRNA expression and activity of p38 MAPK in PBMCs were significantly higher in allergic rhinitis rats than in control rats(P<0.05).The p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 239063 decreased the production of IL-4 and IL-5 in a dose-dependent manner.It is concluded that p38 MAPK plays an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis which is associated with Th2 cytokines release.

Carenoprazan has the similar structure and mechanism with the potassium-competitive blocker vonoprazan. Howerver, its safety during the pregnancy remains uncertain. To study the embryo-fetal development toxicity and toxicokinetics of carenoprazan hydrochloride via oral administration, time-mated Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 5 groups, treated with normal saline, cyclophosphamide for injection(3. 8 mg/kg), and carenoprazan hydrochloride(20, 60, 200 mg/kg), respectively. Administrated orally from gestation day(GD)6 - 15. At the termination(GD 20), pregnant dams were sacrificed, and concentrations of carenoprazan hydrochloride as well as its metabolite in plasma and issues of both maternal and fetus were examined. As a result, the body weight gain of maternal in both high(200 mg/kg)and medium(60 mg/kg)dose as well as the food consumption of high-dose were decreased during GD 10-16. At the high dose group, decrease of crown rump length of fetuses were significant. Also, skeletal malformation/variations of fetus increased obviously at both high- and medium- dosage. The toxcicokinetics of carenoprazan hydrochloride are linear after single treatment between 20-200 mg/kg. The placental barrier was penetrated by carenoprazan hydrochloride and metabolite, and the distribution of metabolite in organs were similar in both maternal and fetus, with the highest concentration in livers. Therefore might resulted in the development toxicity. The No Observed Adverse Effect Level(NOAEL)of carenoprazan hydrochloride for both maternal and fetal was 20 mg/kg.

Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Humans