OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Qinggan Huoxue Recipe (QGHXR), a compound Chinese herbal medicine, and its decomposed formulas Qinggan Recipe (QGR) and Huoxue Recipe (HXR) on expressions of CD14, Toll like receptor 4 (TLR(4)) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in Kupffer cells. METHODS: The isolated primary rat Kupffer cells were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for a certain period of time, a series of concentrations of drug-containing serums of QGHXR and its decomposed formulas were added, the expressions of NF-kappaB, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), CD14, and TLR(4) of the Kupffer cells were detected in different culture conditions by using Western blot, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and ELISA methods respectively. RESULTS: QGR could down-regulate the expression of membrane receptor CD14, but the expression of NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha were not significantly decreased after QGR treatment. HXR could down-regulate the expression of membrane receptor TLR4 and inhibit the expressions of NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha. QGHXR could down regulate the expressions of membrane receptors CD14 and TLR(4) and inhibit the expressions of NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha. CONCLUSION: QGHXR can protect liver cells by down regulating the expressions of CD14, TLR(4) and NF-kappaB and inhibiting TNF-alpha expression.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of dexmedetomidine-assisted topical anesthesia in patients undergoing bronchoalveolar lavage ( BAL). Methods Twenty-four ASA Ⅱ or Ⅲ patients in ICU, aged 24-64 yr, weighing 50-80 kg, scheduled for BAL, were randomly divided into 2 groups ( n = 12 each) : topical anesthesia group (group A) , topical anesthesia + dexmedetomidine group (group B) . In group A, 0.9% normal saline 5 ml was injected intravenously 30 min before operation, 2% lidocaine 5-10 ml was given via a tracheal tube or cannula 5 min before operation and then an increment of 2% lidocaine 5 ml was given using fibreoptic bronchoscope every 15-30 min as required (the total amount was within 20 ml) . In group B, dexmedetomidine 0.5-1.0 μg/kg was injected (time of injection≥ 10 min) followed by infusion at 0.1-0.5 μg·kg-1 ·h-1 and the topical anesthesia was performed as the method described in group A. The time of lavage, adverse reactions and adverse cardiovascular events were recorded. Blood samples were taken 20 min before lavage, 20 min after the start of lavage and 20 min after the end of lavage (T1-3 ) for determination of the concentrations of plasma catecholamine and serum cortisol. Results The incidences of adverse reactions and adverse cardiovascular events were significantly lower and the operation time was significantly shorter in group B than in group A ( P < 0.05). The concentrations of plasma catecholamine and serum cortisol were significantly higher at T2，3 in group A, while lower at T2，3 in group B than at T1 ( P < 0.05) . The concentrations of plasma catecholamine and serum cortisol were significantly lower in group B than in group A ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Dexmedetomidine-assisted topical anesthesia can be used safely and effectively in BAL.

Objective:To realize prokaryotic expression, purification and identification of 2019-novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) nucleocapsid protein (NP), and apply it to the serological diagnosis.Methods:The synthetic 2019-nCoV NP gene was cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET28a to construct expression plasmid, and then purified by Ni-chelating affinity. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blot (WB), and immunochromatography were used to test the purified protein. Indirect ELISA reaction conditions were optimized for serum antibody detection.Results:The relative molecular mass of recombinant NP was about 50×10 3 after SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, which was consistent with the expectation. Indirect ELISA and WB results showed that it could specifically bind to the serum of patients infected with 2019-nCoV. The detection limit of NP was 0.2 ng/ml by immunochromatography. The sera from 32 patients infected with 2019-nCoV and the control sera were detected by indirect ELISA, and the results showed that they were clearly clustered. Conclusions:Prokaryotic expression of 2019-nCoV NP has good immunogenicity and can be used for the development of serological diagnostic reagents.

Objective:To explore the feasibility of the post process of computed tomography angiography(CTA)on head and neck based on artificial intelligence(AI)deep learning on stenosis assessment.Methods:A total of 108 patients who underwent CTA on head and neck at Shunyi Hospital of Beijing Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023 were selected,and they were divided into an AI group(54 cases)and a manual group(54 cases)based on different diagnostic methods.Dual source CT was used to conduct examination,and data was transmitted to"Shenrui Dr.Wise Head and Neck CTA Intelligent Assistance System"and"Siemens Syngo View Post Process Workstation".The image evaluation was conducted on a 5-point scale.The time-consuming of post process and diagnosis of CTA images of the artery of head and neck between two groups were observed and compared,and the quality of CTA images of the artery of head and neck,and the diagnostic results of the degree of the artery stenosis of head and neck also were observed and compared between two groups.Results:The differences of the time-consuming of post process of images and the time-consuming of diagnosis between two groups were all statistically significant(t=52.315,24.509,P<0.05),respectively.The intra-group correlation coefficient(ICC)of each branch of the artery of head and neck was 0.996 between two physicians.In AI group,the score of common carotid artery was(4.77±0.12),and the score of internal carotid artery was(4.56±0.13),and the score of vertebral artery was(4.55±0.16),and the score of middle cerebral artery was(4.78±0.16).In manual group,the score of common carotid artery was(3.02±0.12),and the score of internal carotid artery was(3.02±0.12),and the score of vertebral artery was(3.02±1.14),and the score of middle cerebral artery was(3.11±1.09).The differences of the image scores of each main branch of the artery of head and neck between two groups were significant(t=107.165,94.590,13.812,15.753,P<0.05),respectively,and scores of AI group all higher than these of manual group.The result of digital subtraction angiography(DSA)was used as the"gold standard".A total of 44 stenosis arteries were included for comparison,and the DSA results indicated that there were 12 cases with mild stenosis,12 cases with moderate stenosis and 10 cases with severe stenosis in AI group,and there were 12 cases with mild stenosis,8 cases with moderate stenosis and 7 cases with severe stenosis in manual group.There was a favorable diagnostic consistency in AI group(Kappa=0.898,P<0.05).The compliance rate of each stenosis of AI group was higher than that of manual group.The sensitivity(96.80%)and specificity(66.52%)of AI group were all higher than those(68.36 and 14.75%)of manual group,and the difference of specificity was significant.Conclusion:The time-consuming of post process,the time-consuming of diagnosis and the quality of CTA image of the artery of head and neck in AI mode are better than those in manual mode,and the consistency of diagnostic efficacy between two modes is favorable.