[Objective] To evaluate the clinical curative effect of a combined protocol using Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture for chronic gastritis.[Methods] 23 patients used the Chinese medicine only(group 1)and 65 patients received the combined protocol(2).Clinical symptoms and gastroscopic findings before and after treatment were recorded and analyzed.[Results] The clinical symptoms improved greatly in 15 of the group 1,with an overall curative rate 65%,and in 62 of the group 2 with an overall curative rate 95%.The difference between the 2 groups was significant.[Conclusion] The combined use of Chinese medicine and the needle medicine is preferable to single use of Chinese medicine for chronic gastritis.

Objective To analyze the change in transmissibility of novel coronavirus pneumonia and predict the trend of the incidence, and to provide a reference for the government to better respond to the novel coronavirus pneumonia epidemic. Methods The EpiEstimof R language software was used to estimate the change of effective basic reproduction number, and the Richards model was run by Matlab7.0 software to fit the cumulative number of confirmed cases and the number of suspected cases. The coefficient of determination and root mean squared error were used to evaluate the fitting effect of the model. Results A total of 75 confirmed cases and 107 suspected cases were reported in Ningxia. The strict implementation of various prevention and control measures gradually reduced the effective basic reproduction number from 3.82 to less than 1, indicating that the epidemic was under control. The Richards model was used to fit the cumulative confirmed cases and suspected cases, which revealed that the natural growth rates were 0.16 and 0.23, and the coefficients of determination were 0.991 and 0.998, respectively. Conclusion Combined with the effective basic reproduction number, the Richards model fitted the trend of novel coronavirus pneumonia, which can be used to predict the trend of incidence of new coronavirus pneumonia.

【Objective】 To explore the effects of anti-inflammatory of short-chain fatty acids in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells （THP-1） and chronic obstructive pulmonary （COPD） mice. 【Methods】 We adopted the methods of qRT-PCR， ELISA， Western blotting， HE staining and Sirius staining to detect the changes of inflammatory factors in THP-1 cells and COPD with or without short-chain fatty acids. 【Results】 The ELISA and qRT-PCR experiments showed that the serum inflammatory factors， including interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， were higher in clinical COPD patients than in healthy people. And the THP-1 cells expressed these inflammatory factors highly after LPS stimulation. Among three short-chain fatty acids treated， butyrate could reduce the levels of inflammatory factors better than acetate and propionate. After COPD mice were treated with butyrate in the drinking water， the mRNA expressions of inflammatory factors IL-6， IL-1β and TNF-α in the lung tissue decreased， and the concentrations of IL-6 and IL-1β in plasma decreased. The protein detection results showed that the phosphorylation expression of NF-κB decreased， and butyrate might inhibit the expressions of inflammatory factors by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. 【Conclusion】 The SCFA butyrate can inhibit LPS-induced inflammatory response of THP-1 cells and have an inhibitory effect on inflammation in COPD mice.

Objective: To study the anti-asthma action and biological potency differences of Ephedra Herba from 37 different habitats. Methods: Taking the isolated tracheal smooth muscle from guinea pig to establish antiasthma pharmacological model, the ephedra decoction at different concentration was added to the sink by cumulative metrology method, antispasmodic percentage and biological potency value of Ephedra Herba from different habitats were calculated and the cluster analysis for the biological potency value of Ephedra Herba from different habitats was conducted. Results: Ephedra Herba had the antispasmodic acction to the isolated tracheal smooth muscle of guinea pig caused by histamine phosphate, and compared with the control medicine, Ephedra Herba from 20 habitats showed significant differences (P < 0.05), and the antispasmodic acction of Ephedra Herba was in a dose-dependent manner with administered concentration, when the concentration was raised and the antispasmodic percentage increased, and there were no significant difference in the antispasmodic percentage between Ephedra sinica and E. intermedia (P > 0.05); Compared with the control medicine, the antiasthma biological potency of Ephedra Herba from 37 different habitats existed significant or very significant differences (P < 0.05, 0.01), and the antiasthma biological potency value was 22.35-489.04 U/g, while FL% was 13.15%-38.97%, which revealed that the high potency level had a difference of 21.88 times from the low one. And the antiasthma biological potency of Ephedra Herba had lowly significant correlation differences with the total determination of ephedrine and D-pseudephedrine; The Ephedra Herba with different antiasthma biological potency could be identified by cluster analysis method, in which the biological potency from 24 ones in total of 37 Ephedra Herba was higher than that in the control medicine and accounted for 64.86% of the total samples. Conclusion: The anti-asthma biological potency value of Ephedra Herba could quantitatively evaluate the quality of Ephedra Herba from different habitats.

Background The pathogenesis of beryllium-induced pulmonary fibrosis is unknown and there is no specific treatment for the disease as yet. MicroRNA (miRNA) may play a role in the process of beryllium-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Objective To construct a microRNA-21 (miR-21) interfering cell line, and to investigate the effect of miR-21 on beryllium sulfate (BeSO₄)-induced fibrosis in human lung adenocarcinoma alveolar basal epithelial cells (A549 cells) and its potential mechanism. Methods The miR-21 target genes were predicted by the online database miRBase and verified by experiments using dual luciferase reporter gene. After transfecting A549 with miR-21interference lentivirus, puromycin was used to select a stable cell line. An in vitro model of pulmonary fibrosis was established using BeSO₄ infecting A549 cells with a concentration of 10 μmol·L⁻¹ and an exposure time of 48 h. Then the treated cells were divided into control group, model group, miR-21 interference group, and miR-21 interference control group. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the relative expression level of miR-21 gene. Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression levels of TGF-β1/Smads pathway related proteins [Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, Smad7, and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)], myofibrosis cell marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), andextracellular matrix collagen-I (COL-I) and collagen-Ⅲ (COL-Ⅲ). Results The miRBase predicted that miR-21 had a binding site with Smad7, and the results of the dual luciferase reporter gene experiment showed that the target gene of miR-21 was Smad7. The construction of miR-21 interfered with A549 cell line was successful. Compared with the control group, the relative expression of miR-21 gene in the model group increased by 97.57%; the relative expression of Smad7 protein in the model group decreased by 15.48%; the relative protein expression of Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, TGF-β1, α-SMA, COL-I, and COL-Ⅲ increased by 13.55%, 35.72%, 18.35%, 35.75%, 25.52%, 31.58%, 24.61%, and 11.66% respectively (P<0.05). Compared with the interference control group, the miR-21 gene expression level in the interference group decreased by 28.96%; the relative expression of Smad7 protein increased by 19.07%; the relative protein expression of Smad2, Smad3, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, TGF-β1, α-SMA, COL-I, and COL-Ⅲ decreased by 8.01%, 19.95%, 14.56%, 19.37%, 11.95%, 10.96%, 18.81%, and 31.36% repectively (P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the gene abd protein expression levels of each gene between the model group and the interference control group (P>0.05). Conclusion In an in vitro model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by beryllium compounds, miR-21 may promote fibrosis by targeting Smad7 to regulate the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway.

Background The contribution of long-term ambient PM_2.5 exposure to hypertension should not be ignored. However, the conclusions of whether dietary factors play a role in regulating PM_2.5-related hypertension are still inconsistent. Objective To explore the correlation between long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and blood pressure indicators (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure) in adults in Ningxia and a potential moderating effect of dietary factors. Methods A set of cross-sectional survey data from March, 2013 to May, 2018 was retrieved from the China Northwest Cohort-Ningxia, and the average ambient PM_2.5 concentration in the previous three years was also collected to estimate the long-term exposure of the participants. Binary logistic regression model was used to validate the correlation between long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and hypertension in Ningxia, and linear model was used to study the correlation between long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and blood pressure indicators (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure), and to explore the influence of dietary factors on ambient PM_2.5-related hypertension. Results A total of 11470 participants were included in the study, 42.2% male and 57.8% female. The three-year average ambient PM_2.5 concentration before the baseline survey was 37.0 μg·m⁻³. Each 1 μg·m⁻³ increase in ambient PM_2.5 was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (OR=1.111, 95%CI: 1.097, 1.125), and increased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure by 0.886 (95%CI: 0.783, 0.990), 0.570 (95%CI: 0.500, 0.641), 0.676 (95%CI: 0.600, 0.751), and 0.316 (95%CI: 0.243, 0.389) mmHg, respectively. The stratified analysis showed that the OR and 95%CI of hypertension were 1.171 (1.097, 1.254), 1.117 (1.064, 1.174), and 1.160 (1.116, 1.207) respectively for each 1 μg·m⁻³ increased in PM_2.5 with low frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption and salty taste respectively. The OR and 95%CI of hypertension were decreased when the moderate and high frequency of vegetable and fruit intake and moderate and light taste applied, the values were 1.091 (1.062, 1.121) and 1.114 (1.097, 1.131), 1.105 (1.082, 1.129) and 1.111 (1.092, 1.13), 1.115 (1.090, 1.140) and 1.102 (1.083, 1.121) respectively. Compared with low frequency of vegetable and fruit intake and salty taste, the increase degree of ambient PM_2.5 related systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure also decreased in middle and high frequency of vegetable and fruit intake and moderate and light taste. Conclusion Long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 is significantly associated with increased risks of hypertension and blood pressure in Ningxia area. Increasing the frequency of vegetable and fruit intake and decreasing salty taste may reduce the effect of ambient PM_2.5 on hypertension and blood pressure.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of oblique lumbar interbody fusion combined with unilateral pedicle screw fixation via Wiltse approach in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS: From July 2017 to January 2019, 90 patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, including 38 males and 52 females, aged from 43 to 75 years old with an average of(59.9±8.8) years old, and were treated with oblique lumbar interbody fusion(OLIF) combined with Wiltse unilateral pedicle screw fixation. Surgical decompression and fixation was performed in 50 cases of single segment, 32 cases of double segments and 8 cases of three segments. The distribution of responsible segments included 8 cases of L₂-L₃, 12 cases of L₃-L₄ and 30 cases of L₄-L₅ on single segment, 10 cases of L₂-L₄ and 22 cases of L₃-L₅ on double segments, and 8 cases of L₂-L₅ on three segments. The operation time, blood loss and occurrence of complications were recorded, Visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and SF-36 scale were used to evaluate clinical efficacy. Lumbar X-ray and MRI were taken at three days after operation, interverterbral space height, intervertebral foraminal height, interverterbral foraminal area, and spinal canal area were measured, and interbody fusion was evaluated according to CT at half a year after operation. RESULTS: All patients were followed up from 12 to 33 months, with an average of (20.2±6.6) months. Mean operation time was (103.3±35.9) min, and mean intraoperative blood loss was (70.4±17.8) ml. VAS of low back pain leg pain, and ODI decreased from 6.2±1.1, 6.1±0.9 and (59.9±4.2)% to 2.7±0.5, 2.5±0.5 and (31.3±8.8)%. SF-36 scale significantly increased from (37.2±3.1) to (54.9±6.1) at the six months postoperation(P<0.05). The intervertebral space height, intervertebral foraminal height, intervertebral foraminal area, and spinal canal area were significantly improved at 3 days after operation(P<0.05). Six months after operation, CT scan showed well fusion in 87 cases, but 3 cases with poor fusion, including 1 case of single segment, 2 cases of multi-segments. The total fusion rate was 96.7% (87/90), the single segment fusion rate was 98.0% (49/50), and the multi-segments fusion rate was 95.0%(38/40). The overall incidence of complications was 17.8%(16/90), including transient iliopsoas muscle weakness in 5 cases (5.6%), endplate fracture in 2 cases (2.2%), peritoneal injury in 1 case (1.1%), postoperative hematoma in 1 case (1.1%), adjacent segment disease in 1 case(1.1%), and fusion cage subsidence in 6 cases (6.7%). Three patients was followed up for recurrent nerve root pain and the symptoms were relieved after revision operation. All complications were relieved or disappeared in varying degrees during the follow-up period, and there were no complications such as cage displacement and screw fracture. CONCLUSION OLIF combined with unilateral pedicle screw fixation via Wiltse approach is effective in treating lumbar spinal stenosis with minimally invasive advantages such as less trauma and less complications. Under the premise of strictly grasping the indications, this method could also achieve satisfactory clinical results in multi-segments oprations.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Spinal Stenosis/surgery* ; Pedicle Screws ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Low Back Pain

Objective: To investigate the influence of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway on the anti-cryodamage ability of human sperm and provide some theoretical evidence for the development of high-efficiency semen cryoprotectants. METHODS: We collected semen samples from 25 healthy males, each divided into a fresh, a normal cryopreservation control and an Rho-inhibition group. Before and after freezing, we detected sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity, morphology, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), acrosomal enzyme activity (AEA) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and determined the expressions of RhoA and ROCK proteins in the sperm by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Compared with the normal cryopreservation control, the frozen-thawed sperm of the Rho-inhibition group showed significantly increased sperm motility （ ［51.20 ± 7.70］% vs ［57.50 ± 6.83］%, P = 0.002), survival rate ( ［52.87 ± 5.07］% vs ［60.24 ± 5.53］%, P = 0.001), membrane integrity (［59.78±5.56］% vs ［67.10 ± 4.43］%, P = 0.001), percentage of morphologically normal sperm (［4.83 ± 1.11］% vs ［7.46 ± 1.28］, P = 0.001) and MMP (56.30 ± 4.28 vs 63.11 ± 2.97, P = 0.001), but decreased DFI (［27.64 ± 6.64］% vs ［18.87 ± 4.07］%, P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the AEA of the frozen-thawed sperm between the control and Rho-inhibition groups (97.65 ± 9.31 vs 98.30 ± 11.33, P > 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining revealed extensive expressions of RhoA and ROCK proteins in the head and neck of the sperm. CONCLUSIONS The Rho/ROCK signaling pathway plays a role in the cryodamage to human sperm, and inhibiting the activity of Rho/ROCK can significantly improve the ability of sperm to resist cryodamage.

Objective To investigate the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1) in gastric cancer and its clinical significance. Methods Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the protein expression of MAP2K1 in gastric cancertissues and cells. The morphology and the expression position of MAP2K1 were observed by immunofluorescence. MAP2K1 mRNA expression in gastric cancer tissues was analyzed by data mining of Starbase database and Oneomine database. The correlation between MAP2K1 mRNA expression and clinicopathological features was analyzed by UALCAN database. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan Meier-Plotter online analysis tools. GEPIA2 database mining the relationship between MAP2K1 and gastric cancer stem cell related factors and drug resistance related factors. Results Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and Western blotting showed that MAP2K1 protein was highly expressed in gastric cancer tissues and cells, and MAP2K1 was expressed in the cytoplasm of gastric cancer. According to the analysis of various databases, the expression of MAP2K1 mRNA in gastric cancer tissue was higher than that in normal gastric tissue, and the expression of MAP2K1 mRNA was closely related to gastric cancer stage, grade, lymph node metastasis and patient gender, and the overall survival rate of gastric cancer patients in the group with high MAP2K1 mRNA expression was significantly lower than that in the group with low MAP2K1 mRNA expression, which may be related to the characteristics of gastric cancer stem cells and drug resistance. Conclusion MAP2K1 is highly expressed in gastric cancer, and its expression level may affect the poor prognosis of patients by regulating stem cell related factors and drug resistance related factors. MAP2K1 may be a new diagnostic marker to determine the prognosis of gastric cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Prenatal stress can cause neurobiological and behavioral defects in offspring; environmental factors play a crucial role in regulating the development of brain and behavioral; this study was designed to test and verify whether an enriched environment can repair learning and memory impairment in offspring rats induced by prenatal stress and to explore its mechanism involving the expression of insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2) and activity-regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein (Arc) in the hippocampus of the offspring. METHODS: Rats were selected to establish a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model during pregnancy. Offspring were weaned on 21st day and housed under either standard or an enriched environment. The learning and memory ability were tested using Morris water maze and Y-maze. The expression of IGF-2 and Arc mRNA and protein were respectively measured by using RT-PCR and Western blotting. RESULTS: There was an elevation in the plasma corticosterone level of rat model of maternal chronic stress during pregnancy. Maternal stress's offspring exposed to an enriched environment could decrease their plasma corticosterone level and improve their weight. The offspring of maternal stress during pregnancy exhibited abnormalities in Morris water maze and Y-maze, which were improved in an enriched environment. The expression of IGF-2, Arc mRNA, and protein in offspring of maternal stress during pregnancy was boosted and some relationships existed between these parameters after being exposed enriched environment. CONCLUSIONS The learning and memory impairment in offspring of prenatal stress can be rectified by the enriched environment, the mechanism of which is related to the decreasing plasma corticosterone and increasing hippocampal IGF-2 and Arc of offspring rats following maternal chronic stress during pregnancy.
Animals ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/metabolism* ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/metabolism* ; Learning ; Learning Disabilities/psychology* ; Male ; Memory Disorders/psychology* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/metabolism* ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/psychology* ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Social Environment ; Stress, Psychological/genetics*