BACKGROUND: Artesunate can relieve pulmonary fibrosis, but its mechanisms are rarely reported.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of artesunate on apoptosis of HFL-I cells and the role of Fas, FasL and Caspase-3 in the artesunate-mediated apoptosis of HFL-I cells. METHODS: Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine the effects of artesunate at 1, 10, 100 mg/L on the growth of HFL-I cells in vitro. Apoptosis ratio was examined by flow cytometry (FCM). The mRNA level of Fas, FasL and Caspase-3, were assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Artesunate had a significantly inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HFL-I cells in a dose-dependent manner in vitro. The apoptosis rate of HFL-I cells was significantly increased in the artesunate-treated group compared with the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The mRNA levels of Fas, FasL and Caspase-3 were significantly higher in the artesunate-treated group than the control group (P < 0.05). The findings of this study demonstrate that artesunate can exert a marked anti-pulmonary fibrosis effect by up-regulating mRNA levels of Fas, FasL and Caspase-3, which can induce the growth inhibition and apoptosis in HFL-I cells.

Objective To reduce the birthrate of ?-thalassemia major and improve the quality of population. Methods 527 pregnant women and their spouses were screened at 12~26 weeks of gestation with hematological data to find out carriers of ?-thalassemia. The blood samples of the couples who were both carriers were analyzed with PCR-RDB method for prenatal gene diagnosis. The umbilical blood samples were examined to prove the results. Results There were 28 cases of ?-thalassemia out of 1054 individuals, the positive rate was 2.66%; the ratio of male to female was 1/1.15. As the result of prenatal gene diagnosis, among four fetuses at risk, one was completely normal while three were with ?-thalassemia major(one homozygous and two compound heterozygous) who were aborted within 2 weeks after prenatal gene diagnosis. Conclusions It suggests that the PCR-RDB assay is effective in preventing the birth of ?-thalassemia major and has clinical significance in improving the population quality.

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) plays important roles in varieties of biological processes. This factor is highly conserved in mammalian animals and only one heterozygous LIF mutation was reported to cause the infertility of women. A LIF mutation was generated and the evidences were provided that the mutation of mature LIF at the 29th amino acid totally abolished its functions, including stimulation of STAT activation assayed by Luciferase reporter gene expression and EMSA experiments. In addition, the mutated LIF failed to inhibit the proliferation of M1 cells. The data indicated that the mutation of LIF did not have a dominant negative effect but lost the biological functions, suggesting that the 29th amino acid is critical for maintaining the activities of LIF.

ObjectiveTo study androgen excess within ovarian granulosa cells of PCOS patients in vitro,and the partial improvement by using astragalus polysaccharides.MethodsOvarian granulosa cells from the PCOS patients during IVF / ICSI - ET were isolated and cultured in vitro,then it was treated by different concentrations of astragalus polysaccharides.The levels of estradiol,progesterone and testosterone were determined.ResultsAndrogen secretion within ovarian granulosa cells from PCOS patients was significantly increased [ ( 0.4716 ± 0.03 ) nmol/L,( 0.23 ± 0.0162 ) nmol/L,P ＜ 0.05 ].The levels of estradiol and progesterone were not significantly different( P ＞ 0.05 ).Different concentrations of astragalus polysaccharides may result from the alleviation of androgen secretion which was commonly found in PCOS treatment (concentration was 1000 μg/ml,100 μg/ml,50 μg/ml,P ＜ 0.01 ;concentration was 500 μg/ml,P =0.002 ; concentration was 200 μg/ml,P =0.003).ConclusionsAstragalus polysaccharides inhibit the secretion of testosterone in granulosa cells of PCOS patients during in vitro,and it may be an alternative treatment for PCOS.

Objective To investigate the stroke occurrence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and its related factors, especially the carotid atherosclerosis. Methods The data of stroke occurrence in 700 CKD patients hospitalized in Renji Hospital during 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. The incidences of stroke were compared among CKD [Ⅰ-Ⅱ, CKD Ⅲ-Ⅴ non-dialysis patients and dialysis patients. Carotid atherosclerosis of 409 CKD patients was examined by color Doppler ultrasound. The related factors were selected by Spearmnan correlation analysis and Logistic regression analysis. Results Of 700 CKD patients, 67 cases (9.57%) experienced at least one episode of stroke, which was much higher than that of general population. The related factors of stroke in CKD included GFR, age, SBP, CRP, Lpa, serum glucose, pre-albumin, HDL and carotid atherosclerosis. Logistic regression revealed that SBP (β=1.021, P=0.042), CRP (β=1.008, P=0.024) and carotid atherosclerosis (β =3.456, P=0.025) were risk factors of stroke in CKD. Incidence of carotid atherosclerosis was high (50.37%) in CKD patients, besides it was significantly higher in CKD patients with stroke history as compared to those without stroke history (80.0% vs 47.4%, P<0.01). Conclusions The incidence of stroke is quite high in CKD patients, which is closely associated with hypertension, inflammation and glyeolipid metabolism disorder. Carotid atherosclerosis is common in CKD patients with stroke, which may be helpful in screening cerebrovascular diseases in CKD patients.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of telbivudine for pregnant women with hepatitis Be antigen (HBeAg)negative chronic hepatitis B(CHB). Methods Sixty-two cases of HBeAg negative CHB pregnant women were collected from May 2007 to May 2012,and they were divided into telbivudine group (n=31 ,600 mg per day by oral administration)and compound glycyrrhizin group (n=31 ,120 mg per day by intravenous administration).All neonates were given intramuscular injection of 200 IU hepatitis Bimmune globalin at birth immediately and 15 days after birth,and 20 μg genetically engineered hepatitis B vaccine at 0,1 and 6 months after birth.The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT)level and hepatitis B virus (HBV)DNA titer were monitored.The HBV DNA negative conversion rate,the rate of intrauterine infection,duration of pregnancy,delivery mode,neonate weight and disability rate were compared between groups.All categorical data were analyzed using the chi-square test and comparison between groups was analyzed by t test.Results In telbivudine group,the HBV DNA level before delivery ([0.20±0.11]lg copy/mL)and 6 weeks after delivery ([0.22±0.13]lg copy/mL) were lower than that before treatment [(6.24±0.75 )lg copy/mL]and the differences were statistically significant (t=303.128 and 301 .321 ,respectively;both P <0.01).The negative conversion rate of HBV DNA in telbivudine group was 28 cases before delivery,while in compound glycyrrhizin group,no one had HBV DNA negative conversion.And statistical significant differences were achieved between these two groups before delivery and 6 weeks after delivery (t = -20.285 and -8.721 ,respectively;both P <0.01).In telbivudine group,the ALT levels before delivery and 6 weeks after delivery were (13.08±5.87) U/L and (25.97 ± 17.48)U/L,respectively,which were significantly decreased compared with that before treatment (205.95± 95.69 )U/L.The differences were statistically significant (t = 93.128 and 81.321, respectively;both P <0.01).In compound glycyrrhizin group,the ALT level before delivery ([104.15 ± 69.15]U/L)was lower than that before treatment ([209.60 ± 102.24]U/L)and the difference was statistically significant (t = 9.281 ,P =0.032).However,the ALT level was fluctuant 6 weeks after delivery (150.26± 86.43)U/L,which was not significantly different from that before treatment (t =2.821 ,P =0.122).The ALT levels before delivery and 6 month after delivery were significantly different in both two groups (t=-2.559 and -3.158,respectively;both P <0.05 ).There were no statistically significant differences between these two groups in the rate of intrauterine infection, duration of pregnancy,delivery mode,neonate weight and disability rate.Conclusion The using of telbivudine for pregnant women with HBeAg negative CHB can effectively control the hepatitis activation and reduce the virus titer.

Objective To observe and evaluate the clinical effect of pure hemodialysis (HD﹚, hemodialysis combined with hemoperfusion (HD+HP﹚, hemodialysis combined with hemodiafiltration (HDF﹚ on onuremic patients. Methods All 90 patients with uremic in our hospital from January 2011 to May 2014 were randomly divided into HD group, (HD+HP﹚ group,HDF group according to the treatment methods, 30 cases in each group. After two months,the skin itching symptoms and blood toxin levels before and after treatment in each group of were compared. Results Before treatment,Pi, Scr and BUN levels were not significantly different between groups(P>0.05﹚. After treatment the Pi, Scr and BUN levels were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P<0.05﹚. No significant differences between groups(P>0.05﹚. Before treatment,three groups of PTH, β2-MG and Cys C level had no significant difference (P>0.05﹚.After treatment,three groups of PTH,β2-MG and Cys C levels were significantly decreased than before treat-ment(P<0.05﹚.Multiple comparisons between groups showed that the indexes of the level of (HD+HP﹚group was lower than that of the other two groups (P<0.05﹚.(HD+HP﹚ group,HDF group of skin pruritus symptom improvement rate were higher than those in HD group (P<0.05﹚,but (HD+HP﹚groups, HDF groups had no significant difference (P>0.05﹚. Conclusion Scavenging effects of HD,(HD+HP﹚and HDF to the small molecules are roughly the same,but scavenging effect of(HD+HP﹚and HDF for large, middle molecular substances are better than those of HD,so (HD+HP﹚ has the best effect.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of using ligation clip-assisted modified " expansion and co-llapse method" to determine the intersegment plane in thoracoscopic resection of the external posterior basal segment (S 9+ 10) in children with congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM). Methods:Retrospective study.The clinical data of 12 CPAM children who underwent thoracoscopic S 9+ 10 resection in Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Shandong University from July 2019 to May 2021 were collected and analyzed.There were 7 males and 5 females.The age at operation ranged from 3.50 to 11.50 months.The body weight of patients ranged from 6.5 to 11.5 kg.In all the patients, the ligation clip-assisted modified " expansion and collapse method" was applied during the operation to determine the intersegment plane (S 9+ 10 was in the expansion state and the remaining lungs were in the collapse state) before thoracoscopic S 9+ 10 resection.After S 9+ 10 resection, the surgical treatment and postoperative recovery were summarized and analyzed. Results:All the operations were completed under thoracoscopy, and there was no conversion to thoracotomy.In 11 patients, the intersegment plane was accurately determined by the ligation clips-assisted improved " expansion and collapse method" , and the S 9+ 10 segment was successfully resected.Of these 11 cases, 8 cases had right S 9+ 10 resection and 3 cases had left S 9+ 10 resection.In the process of using the ligation clip-assisted improved " expansion and collapse method" to determine the intersegment plane, the operator needed to clamp the ligation clip after the anesthesiologist expanded the lung completely.Because the operation was not stable enough, the ligation clip fell off and did not clamp S 9+ 10, resulting in operation failure.The operation was changed to the traditional " expansion and collapse method" . Besides, the basal segment bronchus was cut off by mistake, so the right basal segment had to be resected.The operation time ranged from 85 to 205 min, with a median of 149 min.Intraoperative bleeding ranged from 5 to 15 mL, with a median of 10 mL.The indwelling time of drainage tubes ranged from 2 to 4 days, with a median of 3 days.The postoperative hospital stay ranged from 5 to 8 days, with a median of 6 days.Postoperative pathological examination results suggested 4 cases of type 1, 6 cases of type 2 and 2 cases of type 3.There were 2 cases of simple subcutaneous emphysema without postoperative complications such as bleeding, bronchopleural fistula and atelectasis.The follow-up time ranged from 6 to 28 months, with a median of 15 months.The chest CT of all children showed no residual lesions and no residual cavities in the involved hemithorax. Conclusions:Ligation clip-assisted improved " expansion and collapse method" for determining the intersegment plane is suitable for CPAM children with a narrow thoracic space, and the operation is simple and effective.It is relatively safe and feasible to use this method in S 9+ 10 resection.

During 2 years,a 6-year-old girl was hospitalized for 2 times with recurrent onset of episodes of vomiting,weakness and fever after eating dessert at the Department of Neurology & Endocrine Pediatrics,the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University.The arterial blood gas analysis revealed severe hypoglycemia,lacticacidemia and metabolic acidosis,the urine ketone body was positive.After intravenous infusion of glucose,bicarbonate and antibiotics,there was a dramatic clinical improvement in a short time.Physical examination showed tachypnea and mild hepatomegaly,and she had normal physical and mental development.The laboratory findings revealed transient hyperuricacidemia.Urine organic acids analysis repeatedly showed an elevation of lactic acid,ketone and glycerol.Glyceroluria was a very distinctive trait.The literatures in PubMed was searched with glyceroluria as keyword.Three related diseases were identified:FBPase deficiency,glycerol kinase (GK) deficiency and complex GK deficiency.Further reading of related literatures to understand the characteristics of diseases and laboratory tests,the clinical diagnosis of GK deficiency and complex GK deficiency was excluded.The mutation analysis of FBPase gene (FBP1) was performed by Sanger sequencing and a novel compound heterozygous mutations of c.355G ＞A and c.960delG was discovered.Full analysis of disease-related traits and targeted gene testing is one of the effective methods for accurate diagnosis and treatment of inherited metabolic disorders.

It is very important for epilepsy treatment to distinguish epileptic seizure and non-seizure. In this study, an automatic seizure detection algorithm based on dual density dual tree complex wavelet transform (DD-DT CWT) for intracranial electroencephalogram (iEEG) was proposed. The experimental data were collected from 15 719 competition data set up by the National Institutes of Health (NINDS) in Kaggle. The processed database consisted of 55 023 seizure epochs and 501 990 non-seizure epochs. Each epoch was 1 second long and contained 174 sampling points. Firstly, the signal was resampled. Then, DD-DT CWT was used for EEG signal processing. Four kinds of features include wavelet entropy, variance, energy and mean value were extracted from the signal. Finally, these features were sent to least squares-support vector machine (LS-SVM) for learning and classification. The appropriate decomposition level was selected by comparing the experimental results under different wavelet decomposition levels. The experimental results showed that the features selected in this paper were different between seizure and non-seizure. Among the eight patients, the average accuracy of three-level decomposition classification was 91.98%, the sensitivity was 90.15%, and the specificity was 93.81%. The work of this paper shows that our algorithm has excellent performance in the two classification of EEG signals of epileptic patients, and can detect the seizure period automatically and efficiently.
Algorithms ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy/diagnosis* ; Humans ; Seizures/diagnosis* ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Support Vector Machine ; Wavelet Analysis