Objective To evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization through left inferior phrenic artery (LIPA) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) feeded by LIPA. Methods Angiographic data of 187 HCC patients were retrospectively analyzed. Five patients with LIPA feeding HCC were diagnosed and successfully treated with TACE through LIPA. Results All 5 patients underwent CT and angiography after 3 months, 3 of them achieved complete remission. LIPA recanalized in the other 2 patients, then these 2 patients underwent TACE through LIPA again. Conclusion LIPA could formed lateral branch to feed HCC. TACE through LIPA is safe and effective.

Objective To evaluate the effect of autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) on phenotype transformation and proliferation of rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs).Methods Cultured PASMCs were treated with different concentrations of 3-MA (low-dose group,2.0 mmol/L;middle-dose group,4.0 mmol/L;high-dose group,8.0 mmol/L;control group,0 mmol/L).The protein expression of LC3 Ⅱ,OPN and Vimentin was detected by Western blotting.Cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay.Results The autophagy of PASMCs was decreased with the increase of the concentration of 3-MA.Compared with the control group,significantly down-regulated protein expression of LC3 Ⅱ,OPN and Vimentin was observed in 3-MA-treated cells,with significantly lower proliferation activity.Conclusion The autophagy inhibitor 3-MA significantly down-regulated the expression of LC3 Ⅱ,OPN and Vimentin in PASMCs,with inhibiting the proliferation of PASMCs.

Objective To evaluate the effect of 15-deoxy-△12,14-prostaglandin J2 (15d-PGJ2) on endotoxin-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in rats.Methods Forty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 3-5 months, weighing 220-250 g, were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =10 each) using a random number table: control group (group C), 15d-PGJ2 group, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group, and LPS +15d-PGJ2 group.In group 15d-PGJ2, 15d-PGJ20.3 mg/kg was injected via the tail vein, while the equal volume of normal saline was given in group C.In LPS and LPS+15d-PGJ2 groups, ALI was produced with LPS 6 mg/kg injected through the tail vein, and then the equal volume of normal saline and 15d-PGJ2 0.3 mg/kg were injected, respectively.At 4 h after LPS injection, blood samples were drawn from the abdominal aorta for blood gas analysis, and arterial oxygen partial pressure (PaO2) was recorded.The rats were then sacrificed, lungs were removed for microscopic examination, and for determination of wet/dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio), TNF-α, IL-8 and cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1 (CINC-1) contents (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) , and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 and IκB-α expression (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C, no significant change was found in PaO2, W/D ratio, contents of TNF-α, IL-8 and CINC-1, and expression of NF-κB p65 and IκB-α in group 15d-PGJ2 (P＞0.05), and PaO2 was significantly decreased, W/D ratio and contents of TNF-α,IL-8 and CINC-1 were increased, the expression of NF-κB p65 was up-regulated, and the expression of IκB-α was down-regulated in LPS and LPS+ 15d-PGJ2 groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group LPS,PaO2 was significantly increased, W/D ratio and contents of TNF-α, IL-8 and CINC-1 were decreased, the expression of NF-κB p65 was down-regulated, and the expression of IκB-α was up-regulated (P＜0.05),and the pathological changes were attenuated in group LPS+ 15d-PGJ2.Conclusion 15d-PGJ2 can mitigate endotoxin-induced ALI in rats.

Objective To evaluate the changes in the expression of Talin1 and F-actin during ser-um-induced proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells ( PASMCs) of rats with hepatopulmonary syndrome ( HPS) . Methods Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, weighing 220-250 g, were used for producing HPS by chronic ligation of the common bile duct. Blood samples from the abdominal aorta were collected to prepare serum. Primarily cultured PASMCs obtained from rats were seed in 6- or 96-well plates and divided into 2 groups using a random number table method: control group ( group C) and HPS group ( group HPS) , with 24 wells in each group ( for 6-well plates) or with 30 wells in each group ( for 96-well plates) . In C and HPS groups, normal rat serum or HPS rat serum were added, respectively, with the final concentration of 5％. At 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation, the expression of Talin1, F-actin and G-actin was determined by Western blot, the F-actin∕G-actin ratio was calculated, and the proliferation of PASMCs was measured by 3H-TdR incorporation and CCK-8 assays. Results Compared with group C, the proliferation of PASMCs was significantly enhanced, the expression of Talin1 was up-regulated, and the F-actin∕G-actin ratio was increased in group HPS ( P<0. 05) . The proliferation of PASMCs was gradually en-hanced, the expression of Talin1 was gradually up-regulated, and the F-actin∕G-actin ratio was gradually increased with the prolonged incubation time in group HPS (P<0. 05). Conclusion The mechanism by which the HPS rat serum induces proliferation of PASMCs may be related to up-regulating the expression of Talin1 and F-actin.

Objective To evaluate the effects of the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice on myogenic differentiation of human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). Methods Hu?man PMVECs were isolated and then subcultured. The cultured PMVECs were incubated with the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice or with the serum of healthy volunteers. At 24, 48 and 72 h of incubation (T1?3), the inverted microscope was used to observe the morphology of primary PMVECs. The expression of muscular proteins ( alpha?smooth muscle actin [α?SMA ] , smooth muscle?mysion heavy chain [ SM?MHC] , capolnin) in PMVECs was detected using Western blot analysis. Results The expression of cal?ponin andα?SMA was negative, and a few SM?MHC proteins were expressed when PMVECs were incubated with the serum of healthy volunteers; the expression of calponin, α?SMA and SM?MHC was positive when PMVECs were incubated with the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice. Compared with the serum of healthy volunteers, the expression of SM?MHC was significantly up?regulated when PMVECs were incubated with the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice (P<0.05). The expression of calponin, α?SMA and SM?MHC was significantly up?regulated at T2,3 compared with that at T1 , and at T3 compared with that at T2 when PMVECs were incubated with the serum of patients with obstructive jaundice ( P<0.05) . Conclusion The serum of patients with obstructive jaundice promotes myogenic differentiation of human PMVECs, which is probably one of the mechanisms underlying intrapulmonary microvascular dilatation.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of TCF3-PBX1 fusion gene-positive childhood B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL).Methods:The clinical data of 1 287 newly diagnosed children with B-ALL who were admitted to five hospital in Fujian province (Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Zhangzhou Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Quanzhou First Hospital Affiliated to Fujian Medical University, Nanping First Hospital of Fujian Province) from April 2011 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of TCF3-PBX1 fusion gene testing, all the patients were divided into TCF3-PBX1-positive group and TCF3-PBX1-negative group. The clinical characteristics, early treatment response [minimal residual disease (MRD) at middle stage and end of induction chemotherapy] and long-term efficacy [overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS)] of the patients in both groups were compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis. The prognostic factors of TCF3-PBX1-positive B-ALL were analyzed by using Cox proportional hazards model. Among 83 children with TCF3-PBX1-positive B-ALL, the treatment regimens, risk stratification and efficacy evaluation of 62 cases were performed by using Chinese Children's Leukemia Group (CCLG)-ALL 2008 regimen and 21 cases were performed by using Chinese Children's Cancer Group (CCCG)-ALL 2015 regimen, and the efficacy and incidence of serious adverse events (SAE) between the two groups compared.Results:Among 1 287 B-ALL patients, 83 patients (6.4%) were TCF3-PBX1-positive. The proportion of patients with initial white blood cell count (WBC)≥50×10 9/L in the TCF3-PBX1-positive group was higher than that in the TCF3-PBX1-negative group, while the proportions of patients with MRD ≥1% on induction chemotherapy day 15 or day 19, and MRD ≥0.01% on induction chemotherapy day 33 or day 46 in the TCF3-PBX1-positive group were lower than those in the TCF3-PBX1-negative group (all P < 0.05). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that MRD ≥1% on induction chemotherapy day 15 or day 19 and TCF3-PBX1 ≥0.01% on induction chemotherapy day 33 or day 46 were risk factors for OS and EFS (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that MRD ≥1% on induction chemotherapy day 15 or day 19 was an independent risk factor for OS ( HR = 10.589, 95% CI 1.903-58.933, P = 0.007) and EFS ( HR = 10.218, 95% CI 2.429-42.980, P = 0.002). TCF3-PBX1≥0.01% on induction chemotherapy day 33 or day 46 was an independent risk factor for EFS ( HR = 6.058, 95% CI 1.463-25.087, P = 0.013) but not for OS ( HR = 3.550, 95% CI 0.736-17.121, P = 0.115). The 10-year EFS and OS rates of the TCF3-PBX1-positive group were 84.6% (95% CI 76.9%-93.1%) and 89.1% (95% CI 82.1%-96.6%), and the differences between the two groups were not statistically significant (both P > 0.05). Among 80 children who received standardized treatment, compared with children who were treated with CCLG-ALL 2008 regimen, the incidence of infection-related SAE was lower in children who were treated with CCCG-ALL 2015 regimen [0 (0/21) vs. 20.3% (12/59), χ2 = 5.22, P = 0.022], but there were no statistical differences in treatment-related mortality, relapse rate, EFS and OS between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Conclusions:Children with TCF3-PBX1-positive B-ALL have a good prognosis, and MRD≥1% at middle stage of induction chemotherapy and TCF3-PBX1≥0.01% at the end of induction chemotherapy may be influencing factors for poor prognosis. CCCG-ALL 2015 regimen can reduce infection-related SAE while achieving good efficacy.

This article systematically analyzes the historical evolution of the name， origin， quality evaluation， harvesting， processing and other aspects of Picrorhizae Rhizoma by referring to the medical books， prescription books， and other documents of the past dynasties， combined with relevant modern research materials， in order to provide a basis for the development and utilization of famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb. The research results indicate that Picrorhizae Rhizoma was first recorded in New Revised Materia Medica from the Tang dynasty. Throughout history， Huhuanglian has been used as its official name， and there are also aliases such as Gehu Luze， Jiahuanglian and Hulian. The main source of past dynasties is the the rhizomes of Picrorhiza kurrooa and P. scrophulariiflora. In ancient times， Picrorhizae Rhizoma was mainly imported by foreign traders via Guangzhou and other regions， and also produced in China， mainly in Xizang. In ancient times， it was harvested and dried in early August of the lunar calendar， while in modern times， it is mostly harvested from July to September， with the best quality being those with thick and crispy rhizomes without impurities， and bitter taste. Throughout history， Picrorhizae Rhizoma was collected， washed， sliced， and dried before being used as a raw material for medicine， it has a bitter and cold taste， mainly used to treat bone steaming， hot flashes， infantile chancre fever， and dysentery. There is no significant difference in taste and efficacy between ancient and modern times. Based on the research results， it is recommended that the rhizomes of P. scrophulariiflora in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia， or the rhizomes of P. kurrooa， can be used in famous classical formulas containing this medicinal herb， which can be processed according to the processing requirements marked by the original formula. For those without clear processing requirements， the dried raw products are used as medicine.