This study was aimed to investigate the effect of modifiedYin-Chen-Hao (YCH) decoction on the expression of aquaporin-8 (AQP8) mRNA and protein in rats with estrogen-induced cholestasis, in order to explore the potential mechanism of YCH decoction in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy. A total of 50 SD female rats, which were weighed between 180 g to 200 g, were randomly divided into the normal group (N,n = 10) and the model group (M’,n = 40). The animal model of intrahepatic cholestasis was induced by subcutaneous injection of 17-α-ethinylestradiol (5 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 5 days of rats in M’ group. The same volume of propylene glycol was subcutaneously injected to rats in N group. Five days later, rats in M’ group were divided into the model group (M,n = 10), high-dose (Zg,n = 10), middle-dose (Zz,n = 10) and low-dose (Zd,n = 10) modified YCH decoction group. The intragastric administration of normal saline, high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose modified YCH decoction were given to each group for 7 days, respectively. Then, rats were sacrificed and the liver tissues were removed and stored in liquid nitrogen. The expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting analysis. The results showed that compared with the normal group (N), the expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein in liver tissues of rats in the model group (M) were decreased (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group (M), the high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose modified YCH decoction can increase the expression of AQP8 mRNA and protein in liver tissues (P < 0.05). Moreover, along with the dose increasing of modified YCH decoction, the upregulation of AQP8 mRNA and protein was increased. It was concluded that the molecular mechanism of modified YCH decoction in treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis during pregnancy may be through the increasing of AQP8 mRNA and protein in liver tissues.

Objective:To construct a small interfering RNA(siRNA)expression vector(psiRNA-VEGFR-3)targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 3(VEGFR-3)and to investigate the effects of VEGFR-3 siRNA on the adherence and invasion of human colon cancer cells.Methods:A siRNA expression vector(psiRNA-VEGFR-3)targeting VEGFR-3 were constructed and was used to transfect LoVo cells via lipofectamine 2000.The mRNA and protein expression of VEGFR-3 were examined after transfection by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western blotting,respectively.The tumor adhesion ability was detected by cell-matrix adhesion experiment and the invasion ability of tumor cells was evaluated by millicell chamber model.Results:The VEGFR-3 siRNA expression vector was successfully constructed.The expression of VEGFR-3 mRNA and protein was inhibited after psiRNA-VEGFR-3 transfection.Seventy-two hours after psiRNA-VEGFR-3 transfection,Western blotting assay showed that the expression of VEGFR-3 protein was decreased from(1.26?0.19)to(0.39 s0.12)(P

Objective To identify the crucial gene implicated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) pathogenesis by comparing microarray-based gene expression profiles of synovial fibroblast in arthritis patients and that in control.Methods The public datasets were obtained from NCBI GEO and EBI ArrayExpress.The qualified microarray-based gene expression profiles were integrated and normalized using the method implemented in GeneSpring software.Furthermore,the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) method.The online tool DAVID and STRING were applied to conduct the enrichment analysis and gene product interaction analysis respectively.Results There were two datasets that were qualified and analyzed in the present study.A total of 336 significant DEGs were identified by comparing the whole-genome gene expression profiles from synovial fibroblast of RA patients and control group.Among these DEGs,261 were significantly downregulated and 75 upregulated.About 13.6％ of the downregulated genes were associated with extracellular matrix degradation.The COL9A3 and COL4A5,indispensable component of hyaline cartilage and basement membrane respectively,were significantly downregulated,as well as genes in WNT family,including WNT2,WNT11,and WNT16.In contrast,matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) was found to be significantly upregulated in RA patients.MMP13 is a matrix metallopeptidase that degrade extracellular matrix and hyaline cartilage,and it could possibly interact with other proteins to regulate morphogenesis.Conclusion Molecular mechanisms underlying RA pathogenesis were investigated by analyzing the public datasets.A few genes that associated with extracellular matrix degradation,construction and regulation,including MMP13,WNT2,WNT11,WNT16,COL9A3 and COL4A5,could be regarded as therapeutic targets in RA treatment.

Three key ethical issues in neurotherapeutics research are discussed: the ethical challenges arising from changes in the financial incentive of researchers and their institutions,risk-benefit analysis on testing innovative interventions,and the research for informed consent.

One hundred and seven patients with lumbar disc hefniation and lumbar stenosis with poor operative results are presented in this paper. According to clinical manifestation and imaging features, appropriate treatment modality was selected for each patient. Seventy-two cases were reoperated, among which excellent and good results were obtained in 60 cases (83.3%). Thirty-five patients were treated with conservative method, 28 cases improved and 7 cases exhibited no changes.The causes of operative failure and diagnostic criteri on of lumbar disc herniaton and lumbar spinal stenosis are described in detail. The indications for re-operation were discussed.

Objective To investigate the nosocomial infection status in adult patients after cardiac surgery , who suffered cardiac shock and were supported with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO).Methods The data of this retrospec-tive analysis were collected from adult patients of postoperative cardiac shock supported with veno-arterial( VA) ECMO from January 2011 to December 2013 in the Center for Cardiac Intensive Care, Beijing Anzhen Hospital.Results 125 patients were enrolled and nosocomial infection occured in 44 patients(51 episodes), infection rate was 35.2% or 71.8 episodes per 1 000 ECMO day.Respiratory tract infection occured most(27.2%), and then bloodstream infection(12.8%).The infection increased in the extension of time.The cultivation of the phlegm and blood specimen showed that the major pathogens were gram-negative bacteria.The patients were divided into the infection and the non-infection groups, the incidence of remedially continuous renal replacement therapy were significantly higher in the infection group than that in the non-infection group and the duration of ECMO support, the lenth of postoperative hospital stay, and the lenth of ICU stay were significantly longer in the in-fection group than those in the non-infection group[40.9% vs.22.2%, P<0.05; (7.2 ±4.6) d vs.(4.9 ±2.1) d, P<0.01;(12.5 ±6.2) d vs.(9.1 ±4.9) d, P<0.01和24(13, 36) d vs.15(11,20) d, P<0.01; respectively].The pa-tients in the infection group had higher mortality compared with the patients in the non-infection group(53.5% vs.17.1%, P<0.01).Conclusion Nosocomial infection is one of the common complications of the ECMO treatment and affects the prognosis of patients.The strict aseptic technique and rational application of antibiotics may reduce the mortality .

To explore the status of HER-2 gene amplification and protein expression in Chinese esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients and its relationship with the clinicopathological parameters.Methods The HER-2 gene amplification was detected by FISH and protein expression by IHC in 96 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma that would be followed up for 3 years.Results Three cases presented with 3 +,15 cases with 2 +,11 cases with 1 +,and 67 with negative by HER-2 immunohistochemical staining;2 of 3 cases presented with HER-2 amplification in in 3 +,1 case presented with over 6 HER-2 copy numbers.HER-2 amplification and HER-2 overexpression had significant correlation (P ＜ 0.000 1).HER2 amplification or overexpression was associated with clinicopathological parameters,such as,carcinomas without necrosis (P =0.012) and lower stage (P =0.040).There was better DFS or OS trend in patients with HER-2 overexpression or amplification,but the significant difference did not reached.Conclusion This research has demonstrated the correspondence between gene amplification and protein overexpression of HER-2 in ESCC.HER-2 gene overexpression or amplification is a potential better predictive parameter in ESCC,but needs further study.

Objective: To conduct a scoping review on prognostic prediction models for patients with comorbidity of chronic diseases, and understand modeling methods, predictive factors and predictive effect of the models, so as to provide the reference for prognostic evaluation on patients with comorbidity of chronic diseases. Methods: Literature on prognostic prediction models for patients with comorbidity of chronic diseases was collected through SinoMed, CNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and Web of Science published from the time of their establishment to November 1, 2023. The quality of literature was assessed using prediction model risk of bias assessment tool (PROBAST), then modeling methods, predictive factors and predictive effects were reviewed. Results: Totally 2 130 publications were retrieved, and nine publications were finally enrolled, with an overall high risk of bias. Thirteen models were involved, with three established using machine learning methods and ten established using logistic regression. The prediction results of four models were death, with main predictive factors being age, gender, body mass index (BMI), Barthel index and pressure ulcers; the prediction results of nine models were rehospitalization, with main predictive factors being age, BMI, hospitalization frequency, duration of hospital stay and hospitalization costs. Eleven models reported the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), ranging from 0.663 to 0.991 6; two models reported the C-index, ranging from 0.64 to 0.70. Eight models performed internal validation, one model performed external validation, and four models did not reported verification methods. Conclusions The prognostic prediction models for patients with comorbidity of chronic diseases are established by logistic regression and machine learning methods with common nursing evaluation indicators, and perform well. Laboratory indicators should be considered to add in the models to further improve the predictive effects.

Objective To compare the gene expression difference between 0.1 and 5 Gy X-ray irradiated cells,and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods A cDNA microarray corresponding to 45033 human genes was used to analyze the transcriptional profiles of normal human lymphoblastoid AHH-1 cells at 4 h after 0.1 or 5 Gy irradiation.The genes with a fold change ≥ 2.0 were identified as the differentially expressed genes.real-lime PCR and Western blot were used to confirm the expression of PERP.Results The microarray assay showed that there were 760 up-regulated genes and 1222 down-regulated genes in the cells at 0.1 Gy,while there were 744 genes down-regulated and 457 genes up-regulated in the cells at 5 Gy.In addition,55 genes were commonly up-regulated and 339 genes commonly down-regulated at 0.1 and 5 Gy.The predominant biological processes of the differential genes responding to low-dose radiation include cell-cell signaling transduction and DNA damage response,and the altered genes after 5 Gy irradiation were related to cell proliferation,differentiation,and apoptosis.Moreover,the expression of PERP gene was down regulated,which was consistent with the data of microarrey assay.Conclusions The quantitative and qualitative differences in the gene expressions may contribute to the diversed biological effects induced by low or high doses of ionizina radiation.

Objedtve To summarize the experience of single-stage repair of coarctation of aorta(CoA) or interrupted aortic arch (IAA)and associated intracardiac defects through median stemotomy.Methods From Jan 2007 to Jul 2008,a total of 24 pa-tients with CoA or IAA and associated intracardisc defects were surgically repaired in single-stage through median stermotomy,inchud-ing 9 coanctation of aorta,12 coarctation with aortic arch hypoplasia,and 3 interrupted aorlic arch,.The associated intracardiac de-fects were Taussing-Bing anomaly 4,non-restricted VSD 22,subaortic stenosis 1 and pulmonary vein stenosis 1.The age ranged form 1 to 99 months (average 16 months) and the body weight ranged from 4 to 19 kg(average 9.3 kg).Aortic arch reconstruction was performed by hypothermic continuous low flow bypass using regional perfusion for all patients.Three patients with LAA and 9 patients with CoA underwent end-to-end ansetomosis.Of the 12 patients with coarctation and aortic arch hyipoplasia,8 patiellts underwent ex-tended end-to-end anastomosis,2 patients underwent end-to-side anastomosis and 2 patients underwent aortoplasfy.Results 2 cases were dead. One infant with Taussig-Bing type heart was dead of severe infection after 47 days postoperative,the other one who associ-ated with LAA and VSD dead of pulmonary hypertension crisis due to pneumonia after 15 days postoperative.No patient presented neu-rdogieal complication and renal insufficiency during the perioperation.2 cases presented recurrent respiratory problem.During the 18months follow-up,no patient presented with recoarctation except one with pressure gradient more than 20 mm Hg.Conclusion Pa-tients with coarctation of aorta or interrupted aortic arch and associsted intracardisc defects should be surgically treated as early as pos-sible when diagnosis was mode.Single-stage sortic arch reconstruction through median stemotomy using continuous regional perfusion is an effective and safe procedurd.Sufficient resection of ductus,extensive dissection of thoracic vessels and optimal tissus-tissue anas-tomosis techmique are very important for successful repair and avoiding recoarctation.