Objective To evaluate the effect of mechanical stretch preconditioning on pathological stretch-induced activation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling pathway in human type Ⅱ alveolar epithelial cells (AEC Ⅱ).Methods AEC Ⅱ cell line (A549 cells) culturedin vitro were divided into control group (group C), pathological stretch group (group P1) and mechanical stretch preconditioning group (group P2). In group C, A549 cells were cultured routinely. In group P1, A549 cells were exposed to 20% cyclic stretch for 6 hours. In group P2, A549 cells were exposed to 5% cyclic stretch for 60 minutes, and then exposed to 20% cyclic stretch for 6 hours. The cells were harvested for determination of the cell viability by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, lactate dehydrogeuase (LDH) release was determined by colorimetric method, the levels of interleukin (IL-1β and IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the protein expressions of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and γ-aminobutyric acid A receptor (GABAAR) were determined by Western Blot.Results Compared with group C, the cell viability of group P1 was significantlydecreased (A value: 0.196± 0.071 vs. 0.886±0.107), the release rate of LDH was significantly increased [(12.3±2.4)% vs. (1.9±0.5)%]; the contents and mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in cell culture medium were significantly increased [IL-1β (ng/L): 138.6±19.7 vs. 32.7±7.4, IL-6 (ng/L): 196.5±31.7 vs. 55.4±13.8, TNF-α (ng/L): 111.3±21.8 vs. 20.8±7.6; IL-1β mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 2.79±0.44 vs. 0.83±0.12, IL-6 mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 1.99±0.25 vs. 0.56±0.11, TNF-α mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 2.54±0.37 vs. 0.72±0.09]; the protein expressions of GAD and GABAAR were significantly decreased [GAD (gray value): 0.38±0.12 vs. 1.75±0.45, GABAAR (gray value): 0.29±0.09 vs. 1.68±0.39; allP < 0.05]. Compared with group P1, the cell viability of group P2 was significantly increased (A value: 0.523±0.132 vs. 0.196±0.071),the release rate of LDH was significantly decreased [(6.9±1.7)% vs. (12.3±2.4)%]; the contents and mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in cell culture medium were significantly decreased [IL-1β (ng/L): 79.2±11.6 vs. 138.6±19.7, IL-6 (ng/L): 89.6±15.6 vs. 196.5±31.7, TNF-α (ng/L): 55.9±11.4 vs. 111.3±21.8; IL-1β mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 1.92±0.36 vs. 2.79±0.44, IL-6 mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 1.09±0.18 vs. 1.99±0.25, TNF-α mRNA (2-ΔΔCT): 1.77±0.25 vs. 2.54±0.37]; the protein expressions of GAD and GABAAR were significantly increased [GAD (gray value): 1.26±0.33 vs. 0.38±0.12, GABAAR (gray value): 1.04±0.15 vs. 0.29±0.09; allP < 0.05]. Conclusion The mechanism by which mechanical stretch preconditioning attenuates pathological stretch-induced injury in human AECⅡ is related to the activation of GABA signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on microRNA (miRNA)-155-hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway in a rat model of endotoxin-induced acute lung injury.Methods Forty adult male Wistar rats,weighing 220-250 g,were equally and randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table:control group (group C),dexmedetomidine group (group D),endotoxin-induced acute lung injury group (group L),and endotoxin-induced acute lung injury+dexmedetomidine group (group LD).Acute lung injury was induced by intraperitoneal lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 5 mg/kg in L and LD groups.In D and LD groups,dexmedetomidine was infused in a loading dose of 1 μg · kg-1 · h-1 for 10 min starting before intraperitoneal injection of normal saline or LPS followed by an infusion of 5 μg · kg-1 · h-1 throughout the operation.At 6 h after normal saline or LPS injection,blood samples were taken from the carotid artery for detection of arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2).The left lung was lavaged,and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for determination of concentrations of total protein,interleukin-1β (IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).The rats were then sacrificed,and lungs were removed for determination of the wet to dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio),mRNA expression of miR-155,IL-1β,TNF-α and ICAM-1,and protein expression of HIF-1α and HO-1,and for examination of the pathological changes which were scored.Results Compared with group C,the PaO2 was significantly decreased,and the W/D ratio,lung injury score,concentrations of total protein,IL-1β,TNF-α and ICAM-1 in BALF,mRNA expression of miR-155,IL-1β,TNF-α and ICAM-1,and protein expression of HIF-1α and HO-1 were significantly increased in L and LD groups (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group L,the PaO2 and protein expression of HIF-1α and HO-1 were significantly increased,and the W/D ratio,lung injury score,concentrations of total protein,IL-1β,TNF-α and ICAM-1 in BALF,and mRNA expression of miR-155,IL-1β,TNF-α and ICAM-1 were significantly decreased in group LD (P＜0.05).Conclusion Dexmedetomidine reduces endotoxin-induced acute lung injury through activating miR-155-HIF-1α-HO-1 signaling pathway in rats.

Objective To evaluate the effect of ulinastatin on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signal pathway in mice with ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI).Methods Thirty-six male Wister mice were randomly divided into 3 groups using a random number table:control group (group C), ventilator-induced lung injury group (group VILI),and ventilator-induced lung injury+ ulinastatin group (group UTI),n =12 in each group.VILI was induced by 4 h mechanical ventilation with tidal volume 40 ml/kg in groups VILI and UTI.Ulinastatin 1×10 5 U/kg was injected intraperitoneally 1 h before ventilation in group UTI,while the equal volume of normal saline was given in groups C and VILI.The mice were then sacrificed,the left lung was lavaged,and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF)was collected for determination of concentrations of protein,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1).The lung tissues were re-moved for determination of the wet to dry lung weight (W/D)ratio,the mRNA expression level of IL-1β,TNF-αand ICAM-1.The pathological changes of the lungs were determined under light micro-scope and the lung injury scores were also determined.Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detected the protein expression level of GAD and GABAA R.Results The W/D ratio (6.7 ± 2.4 vs.8.5±2.3)and lung scores [(6.9±2.3)scores vs.(1 1.8±2.7)scores]were significantly de-creased in group UTI than those in group VILI.The concentrations of IL-1β[(56±1 1)ng/L vs.(77 ±1 5)ng/L],TNF-α[(105±29)ng/L vs.(1 58±37)ng/L]and ICAM-1 [(205±46)ng/L vs.(293 ±61)ng/L]in BALF in group UTI were significantly decreased than those in group VILI.The mRNA ex-pression levels of IL-1β(1.81±0.26 vs.2.58±0.34),TNF-α(1.61±0.15 vs.2.94±0.27)and ICAM-1 (1.74±0.27 vs.2.79±0.31)were significantly decreased in group UTI than those in group VILI.The protein expression levels of GAD (0.44±0.08 vs.0.18 ±0.04)and GABAA R (0.30 ±0.09 vs.0.15 ± 0.04)were significantly increased in group UTI than those in group VILI.Conclusion Ulinastatin can at-tenuate VILI probably through activating GABA signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the expression of gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABAA)receptors during ventilator-induced lung injury(VILI)in rats. Methods Thirty pathogen-free adult male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 280-320 g,were divided into 3 groups(n=10 each)using a random number table:control group(group C),group VILI and dexmedetomidine group(group Dex).The rats were mechanically ventilated for 4 h with the tidal volume of 40 ml/kg to establish VILI model. Dexmedetomidine 50 μg/kg was injected intraperitoneally after the rats were anesthetized in group Dex,while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in C and VILI groups. The animals were sacrificed at 4 h of mechanical ventilation,the lungs were removed for examination of pathological changes which were scored,bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was collected for determination of concentrations of total protein,interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β),IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),and the lung specimens were obtained for determination of the wet/dry weight ratio(W/D ratio),alveolar fluid clearance(AFC)and expression of GABAA receptors,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA in lung tissues. Results Compared with group C,the W/D ratio,pathological scores,expression of total protein,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF and expression of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA in lung tissues were significantly increased,and the GABAA receptor expression and AFC were decreased in VILI and Dex groups(P<0.05).Compared with group VILI,the W/D ratio,pathological scores,expression of total protein,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF and expression of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA in lung tissues were significantly decreased,and the GABAA receptor expression and AFC were increased in group Dex(P<0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which dexmedetomidine reduces VILI is related to up-regulation of GABAA receptor expression in rats.

Extraction is the critical link during pharmaceutical process of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which is directly related to the quality of drugs. So the key to technology upgrading of pharmaceutical equipment in Chinese materia medica enterprise is the development of new extraction techniques, which concerns the modernization of TCM. In this paper, fundamentals, traits, and development status of new extraction technologies were firstly introduced, including ultrasound extraction, microwave extraction, super fluid extraction, semi-bionic extraction method, enzymatic treatment extraction, continuous countercurrent extraction, vacuum extraction. Then information of projects supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China was analyzed in order to recognize the assistance and research results of new extraction techniques. The patents authorized by the State Intellectual Property Office were also summarized for the purpose of understanding the achievement transformation. The information about extraction equipments was collected and screened to acquire the characteristics and market situation. The results showed that there are still problems about new extraction technologies, such as weak basic study, hard transformation of achievements, and the disconnection between research study and practical application. It is necessary to discuss the approaches and methods for accelerating the transformation of fundamental research, which will provide references for the long-term development of new extraction techniques of TCM.
Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; economics ; methods ; trends ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; economics ; isolation & purification ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; economics ; trends ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Translational Medical Research ; trends

Objective To observe the effect of low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in improving the memory function and quality of life of patients with traumatic brain injury. Methods Sixty patients with brain injury were randomly divided into the treatmem group and control group. The patients in the control group received conventional treatments (including medications, acupuncture and exercise training), and those in the treatment group were given additional low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment. Scores of the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) and Functional independence Measure (FIM) were recorded before and after the treatments and compared between the two groups. Results The patients in both of the groups showed significant improvements in RBMT and FIM scores after the treatments (P<0.05). The improvements in RBMT and FIM scores after the treatments differed significantly between the two groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Low-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can significantly improve the cognitive function and functional independence of patients with traumatic brain injury.

Objective To evaluate the relationship between the shedding of syndecan-4(SDC-4) in lung tissues and ventilator-induced lung injury in rats. Methods Thirty pathogen-free healthy adult male Wistar rats, weighing 220-250 g, were divided into 3 groups(n=10 each)using a random number table:control group(group C), mechanical ventilation with traditional tidal volume(VT)group(group T-VT) and mechanical ventilation with high VTgroup(group H-VT). The animals were anesthetized with pento-barbital sodium and tracheostomized. The rats kept spontaneous breathing in group C. The rats were me-chanically ventilated for 4 h with the VTset at 6 ml∕kg in group T-VT and with the VTset at 40 ml∕kg in group H-VT. Blood samples were collected immediately after the end of ventilation for measurement of serum SDC-4 concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The left lung was lavaged, and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid was collected for determination of interleukin-1beta(IL-1β), IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and SDC-4 concentrations by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The lungs were removed for determination of the wet to dry weight ratio and expression of SDC-4 protein and mRNA in lung tissues(by Western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction, respectively)and for examination of the pathological changes. The lung injury scores were recorded. Results Compared with group C, the wet to dry weight ratio, lung injury scores, concentrations of IL-1β, IL-18, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and SDC-4 in bron-cho-alveolar lavage fluid and concentrations of SDC-4 in serum were significantly increased, the expression of SDC-4 mRNA was up-regulated, and the expression of SDC-4 was down-regulated in group H-VT(P<005), and no significant change was found in the parameters mentioned above in group T-VT(P>005).Marked pathological changes of lung tissues were found in group H-VT. Conclusion A large shedding of SDC-4 in lung tissues may be involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of ventilatior-induced lung injury in rats.

The article reported one case of renal damage caused by lenvatinib in the treatment of advanced primary liver cancer. The patient was a 63-year-old male who was admitted to the hospital due to "liver cancer for 4 years, blood pressure elevation for nearly 2 years, and edema for 7 months". During the treatment of liver tumors with atezolizumab combined with lenvatinib, blood pressure increased and renal insufficiency aggravated progressively. Pathological light microscopy of renal biopsy showed endothelial cell lesion and tubulointerstitial damage, and electron microscopy showed moderate proliferation of mesangial cells and deposition of mesangial matrix. There were many agglomerated low-electron density deposits in the mesangial area, and a small amount of electron dense deposits in the subendothelium. The pathological diagnosis was endothelial cell disease (thrombotic microangiopathy) and secondary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Renal injury was considered as secondary to lenvatinib. After discontinuing lenvatinib and giving angiotensin receptor antagonist treatment, blood pressure was normal, urine protein turned negative, and renal function improved significantly after 8 months of outpatient follow-up.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy of variation of the end-tidal pressure of carbon dioxide (△PETCO2) in predicting the fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing resection of gastrointestinal tumor.Methods Forty-six patients of both sexes,aged 40-64 yr,with body mass index of 20-24 kg/m2,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ,undergoing elective resection of gastrointestinal tumor with general anesthesia,were enrolled in the study.When the change in mean arterial pressure was less than 10％ within 5 min after anesthesia induction,250 ml Ringer's solution was rapidly infused over 10 min via the peripheral vein.Increase in cardiac index after volume expansion ≥ 15％ was considered to be a positive response.The receiver operating characteristic curve for △PETCO2 in determining fluid responsiveness was drawn.Results The results of receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve for △PETCO2 in determining fluid responsiveness (95％ confidence interval) was 0.826 (0.730-0.942,P＜0.05),the critical value 21.9％,sensitivity 76.5％,specificity 90.9％.Conclusion △PETCO2 can accurately predict the fluid responsiveness in patients undergoing resection of gastrointestinal tumor.

Objective:The residual cancer burden (RCB) evaluation system was used to analyze the influencing factors of the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer, and to explore the prognostic value of RCB evaluation in neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:Clinicopathologic data and postoperative RCB grading of 364 breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from Nov. 2019 to Nov. 2022 were collected. Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between RCB grading and clinicopathological parameters, and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between RCB grading and clinicopathological characteristics. Factors influencing pathologic complete response (pCR) were analyzed by Logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used to evaluate cumulative survival.Results:Among the 364 patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy, 129 cases of RCB grade 0 and 235 cases of RCB gradeⅠ-Ⅲ (including 46 cases of RCB gradeⅠ, 109 cases of RCB grade Ⅱ and 80 cases of RCB grade Ⅲ) were obtained after surgery. Histological classification ( χ 2=21.757, P=0.000), estrogen receptor (ER) ( χ 2=52.837, P=0.000), progesterone receptor (PR) ( χ 2=55.658, P=0.000), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) ( χ2=89.040, P=0.000), Ki67 expression ( χ2=12.927, P=0.005), molecular typing ( χ 2=80.793, P=0.000) and preoperative lymph node status ( χ 2=25.764, P=0.000) were all associated with postoperative RCB grading. Further correlation analysis showed that histological grade ( r=-0.229, P=0.000), HER2 expression ( r=-0.465, P=0.000) and Ki67 expression ( r=-0.179, P=0.000) were negatively correlated with RCB grading, while ER ( r=0.352, P=0.000), PR ( r=0.379, P=0.000) and lymph node metastasis ( r=0.214, P=0.000) were positively correlated with RCB grading. Logistic regression analysis showed that high histological grade, negative expression of ER, PR and AR, positive expression of HER2, high proliferation index of Ki67 and no lymph node metastasis were favorable factors for postoperative pCR, and PR, AR and HER2 were independent predictors of postoperative pCR. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed significant differences in postoperative cumulative survival among patients with different RCB grades ( P=0.004) . Conclusions:Postoperative RCB grading of breast cancer is closely related to many clinicopathological features before neoadjuvant therapy and survival prognosis. Clinicopathological factors closely related to RCB grading are also important influencing factors affecting the pCR of patients with neoadjuvant therapy. Therefors, RCB grading has a high prognostic value.