Objective To investigate the effects, and possible mechanism of action, of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on acute lung injury in a rodent model of endotoxic shock. Method Endotoxic shock was induced in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats by intravenous injection of lipopolysacchaiide (LPS) at 10 mg/kg. Three groups (each group with 10 rats), were given injections of either normal saline (Control), LPS 10 mg/kg (LPS group), or LPS 10 mg/kg + VIP 5nmol (VIP). Samples were collected 6 hours after injection. Indices of lung injury including lung wet/dry weight ratio, protein concentration and neutrophil count in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid( BALF) were derived. Assays of TNF-α,IL-1β, IL-10 in serum and BALF were performed using ELISA. Light and electron microscopy were used to detect histopathological changes in lung tissues. Results The lung wet/dry weight ratio, protein concentration and neutrophil count in BALF were significantly raised in the LPS group compared to the Control group (P ＜ 0.05). These indices were significantly lowered in the VIP group compared to the LPS group, though not to the level of the control group. Concentrations of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10 in serum and BLAF also increased in the LPS group compared to the control group (P ＜ 0.0S). Levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly lowered in the VTP group compared to the LPS group (P ＜ 0.05), while levels of IL-10 was significantly raised ( P ＜ 0.05). Histopathological changes due to lung injury were not as severe in the VIP group compared to the LPS group. CondusKms VIP plays a protective role during acute lung injury induced by endotoxic shock in rats. Its mechanism of action may be related to down-regulation of proinflammatory cytokines and up-regulation of anti inflammatory cytokines.

Objective To study the diagnosis and treatment of malignant renal angiomyolipoma with metastases. Methods Three cases of advanced malignant renal angiomyolipoma with metasta-ses were retrospectively reviewed. Case 1 was a 55-year-old woman presenting with recurrent low-grade fever and aching pain in left flank. Ultrasound showed solid mass in the left kidney. Left radical nephrectomy was then performed. The right pulmonary lobectomy of the inferior lobe and wedge ex-section of superior lobe was performed 7 years later because of multiple pulmonary metastases. Case 2 was a 37-year-old woman. Left nephrectomy was performed because Ultrasound and CT showed left kidney solid mass. Six years later, multi-site metastases were found in liver and retroperitoneum and mestastasis tumors were resected. At 10 years after the primary diagnosis, CT showed multi-metasta-ses in liver and retroperitoneum. The retroperitoneal masses were resected and liver lesions were trea-ted by radiofrequency ablation. Case 3 was a 34-year-old man presenting with swelling pain in right flank. CT scan showed a lesion in the right kidney and right radical nephrectomy was performed. Four months after the surgery, MRI revealed multiple liver and retroperitoneal nodules. All the 3 cases had not been diagnosed with tuberous sclerosis and did not accept chemotherapy. Results The cut sur-face of the lesions was red-brown and yellow and the texture was tender. Under microscopic examina-tion, the tumors of case 1 and case 3 were composed of sheets or nests of large polygonal epithelioid cells. It revealed that occasionally clear cytoplasm with abundant eosinophilic, prominent nucleoli, and multinucleated and markedly pleomorphic form. Necrosis was presented as well. Large areas of case 2 tumor were made up of spindle smooth-muscle cells, adipose tissue, thick-wall blood vessels and some areas merged with a proliferation of epithelioid which was consistent with typical angiomyolipoma. Im-munohistochemical study showed that the epithelioid cells and spindle smooth-muscle cells were posi-tive for VM, HMB45, Melan-A and negative for S100, CK. Case 1 and case 3 were diagnosed with malignant epithelioid angiomyolipoma, while case 2 was diagnosed with malignant classic angiomyoli-poma and epithelioid in part of the tumor. Case 1 was well alive. Case 2 was alive with tumor 12 years after the diagnosis. And case 3 was missed in the follow-up 3 months after metastasis resection. Conclusions Malignant renal angiomyolipoma is a rare disease. The diagnosis depends on histopatho-logic, immunohistochemieal study and clinical follow-up. Radical resection of the primary, recurrent and metastatic tumors is the main therapy. It needs more research to clarify if metastasis has any effect on prognosis.

BACKGROUND:With unique structure and physicochemical property, carbon nanotubes have promising application prospects in the fields of drug delivery, biosensor and biomaterials. However, carbon nanotubes are highly hydrophobic and trend to aggregate, and thus carbon nanotubes are hard to be dispersed in solution. Furthermore, carbon nanotubes induce blood coagulation and have cytotoxicity, which greatly limit the application of carbon nanotubes. OBJECTIVE:To prepare heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes and to study the effects of heparin-immobilization on the water solubility, stability as wel as biocompatibility of carbon nanotubes. METHODS:By the method of covalent grafting, heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes was fabricated and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and carbazole assay. Transmission electron microscopy was used to investigate the dispersing performance and suspension stability of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution. Anti-Xa activity and activated partial thromboplastin time assays were used to measure the anticoagulation activity of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes. MTT assay was used to evaluate the cytocompatibility of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Heparin was covalently linked to the surface of single-wal ed carbon nanotubes successful y. The amount of heparin on single-wal ed carbon nanotubes was measured to be 257.53 mg/g. Heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes were wel dispersed and stable in an aqueous solution without aggregation. The anti-Xa activity of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes was measured to be 36.53 U/mg, suggesting a significant anticoagulant activity. Further study of activated partial thromboplastin time assay found that the anticoagulant effect of heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes could be prolonged. MTT assay revealed that heparinized single-wal ed carbon nanotubes had no cytotoxicity and showed good cytocompatibility. Taken together, the immobilization of heparin on single-wal ed carbon nanotubes wil not only improve its solubility and stability in water, but also endow it with excellent biocompatibility.

0.05),but there was a significant difference in the lowest SaO2,average SaO2 and AHI between the 2 groups(P

0.05). CONCLUSION Obesity was an influential factor of snoring. The PS and OSAHS have the same effect on children growth and their clinical features.

Objective:To compare the volatile constituents in mugwort leaves produced in Qichun, Hubei Province and Nanyang, Henan Province.
Methods:The volatile constituents were extracted using headspace heating and analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Then a qualitative analysis was made according to the standard database provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the relative contents of each constituent were calculated using the peak area normalization method.
Results:A total of 59 compounds were identified from the mugwort leaves from Qichun and 51 compounds were identified from the mugwort leaves from Nanyang. These mainly include monoterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids, CxHyOz and other compounds involving the aldehyde, ketone, alkane and benzene. The mugwort leaves from Qichun and Nanyang share 32 common volatile constituents. The chromatographic peak area of identified compounds accounting for 96.38% of GC-MS total chromatographic peak areain Qichun mugwort leaves, versus 95.54% of that in Nanyang mugwort leaves.
Conclusion:The headspace heating extraction combined with GC-MS technology can evidently display similarities and differences of volatile constituents in mugwort leaves produced in different areas and thus provide scientific basis for the quality and screening of mugwort leaves.

OBJECTIVE To survey the patient with pulmonary infection induced by extended-spectrum ?-lactamases-producing bacteria and their Enterobacteriaceae clinical characteristics, drug-resistance and countermeasure. METHODS Isolation, cultivation, identification, drug-sensitivity tests and confirmation of ESBLs-producing bacteria were done for the bacteria of sputum specimens collected from our hospital from Feb 2001 to Sept 2004. Susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion(K-B)method. RESULTS Totally 541 strains of Enterobacteriaceae were cultivated altogether and ESBLs-producing bacteria were 135 strains. The ESBLs- producing strains were sensitive to imipenem, and the resistance rates to it were 0.00% . The resistance rates of ESBLs-producing strains to cefoperazone/sulbactam and piperacillin/tazobactam were 31.11% and 44.44%, respectively . The multi-drug-resistance (MDR) rate of ESBLs-producing strains was higher than that of strains no producing ESBLs (P

Objective:To investigate the neuroimaging relationship between tau protein deposition and brain atrophy, and assess their relationships with cognitive decline in Alzheimer′s disease (AD) patients.Methods:From April 2017 to October 2019, 26 AD patients (12 males, 14 females, age (70.7±12.2) years) and 19 cognitively normal controls (CN; 9 males, 10 females, age (65.6±8.1) years) in Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively enrolled. All subjects received (S)-6-[(3- 18F-fluoro-2-hydroxy)propoxy]-2-(4-methylaminophenyl)quinoline ( 18F-THK5317) PET/MR and the standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) and gray matter volume (GMV) were measured. General linear model (GLM) was used to evaluate the differences of SUVR and GMV between two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between SUVR and GMV, and relationships of SUVR and GMV with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores in AD patients. Results:Compared with CN, the AD patients showed significantly increased 18F-THK5317 retention in lateral temporal, frontal, posterior cingulated/precuneus and occipital cortex with significant differences of SUVR between two groups (2.18±0.54 vs 1.78±0.09, 2.13±0.50 vs 1.82±0.06, 2.03±0.45 vs 1.69±0.08, 2.18±0.57 vs 1.76±0.10, t values: 2.58-6.57, all P<0.001). The AD patients also showed decreased GMV in medial temporal, posterior cingulated/precuneus and orbitofrontal cortex ( t values: 3.67-8.85, all P<0.001). In AD patients, SUVR was negatively associated with GMV in bilateral lateral temporal cortex, pre-frontal cortex and orbital frontal cortex ( r values: from -0.52 to -0.43, all P<0.05). Both SUVR ( r=-0.599, P=0.001) and GMV ( r=0.443, P=0.023) were significantly correlated with MMSE scores in AD patients. Conclusion:AD patients have neocortical 18F-THK5317 abnormal uptake and GMV reduction, which are significantly correlated with cognitive decline.

Objective:To explore the expression of serum connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), glyoxalase Ⅰ (GLO-I) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) in endometrial cancer and their relationship with clinicopathological characteristics.Methods:A total of 96 endometrial cancer patients in Yuechi County People's Hospital from February 2015 to February 2017 were selected as the research group, 48 patients with endometrial hyperplasia during the same period were selected as the benign control group, and 48 patients with healthy physical examination during the same period were selected as the healthy control group. The serum levels of CTGF, GLO-Ⅰ, and PKM2 in the three groups were analyzed. The correlation between serum levels of CTGF, GLO-Ⅰ and PKM2 in the research group was analyzed, and the relationship between each serum index and clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed.Results:The levels of serum CTGF, GLO-Ⅰ and PKM2 in the research group were higher than those in the benign control group and healthy control group: (184.31 ± 37.14) μg/L vs. (110.45 ± 20.59), (17.28 ± 0.42) μg/L; (95.17 ± 16.56) pmol/L vs. (56.29 ± 10.14), (9.08 ± 0.66) pmol/L; (20.25 ± 6.13) μg/L vs. (13.11 ± 4.58), (9.05 ± 2.74) μg/L; and the levels of serum CTGF, GLO-Ⅰ and PKM2 in the benign control group were higher than those in the healthy control group, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The results of Pearson correlation analysis showed that the level of CTGF had positive correlation with GLO-Ⅰ and PKM2 ( r = 0.713, 0.741, P<0.05), and the level of GLO-Ⅰ had positive correlation with PKM2 ( r = 0.823, P<0.05). The results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the levels of CTGF, GLO-Ⅰ, PKM2 had positive correlation with FIGO stage ( r = 0.609, 0.704, 0.721; P<0.05), myometrial invasion depth ( r = 0.753, 0.695, 0.719; P<0.05), lymph node metastasis ( r = 0.776, 0.744, 0.640; P<0.05); had negative correlation with the degree of differentiation ( r = - 0.711, - 0.720, - 0.668; P<0.05). Conclusions:Serum CTGF, GLO-I, PKM2 expression levels are abnormally elevated in patients with endometrial cancer, which are significantly related to multiple clinicopathological characteristics.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of humanized anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody (tocilizumab) in treatment of systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA).

METHODSThirteen sJIA patients admitted between December 2015 and November 2016 and received tocilizumab treatment were enrolled in the study. The complete blood count (CBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and ferritin levels were measured; American College of Rheumatology Pediatric(ACR Pedi)30/50/70/90 scores were assessed; and the use of glucocorticosteroid and adverse events were documented.

RESULTSCompared with the baseline levels, the CRP and ESR at d3 were decreased (all<0.05); hemoglobin was increased and platelet was decreased at week 2 (all<0.05), ferritin decreased at week 4, white blood cell (WBC) decreased at week 8 after treatment with tocilizumab (all<0.05). The level of IL-6 was rising at d3 and week 2 and descending at week 4, but no significant difference was observed compared with the baseline level (all>0.05). All 13 patients achieved ACR Pedi 30 remission at week 4, 61.5% achieved ACR Pedi 90 remission and glucocorticosteroids were withdrawn at week 20. Twenty two adverse events occurred, and infection accounted for 54.5% (12/22); no severe adverse reactions were observed during 20-week follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSTocilizumab is safe and effective in treatment of sJIA, with decreasing inflammation, improving disease activity and reducing glucocorticosteroid use.