Aim To investigate the effect of MAPK signal transduction pathway on the expression of TNF-? in AM(alveolar macrophage) of CB(chronic bronchitis) rats,meanwhile,to initially discuss the possible regulated target of TAL(triterpene acids of loquat.leaf),to explain the mechanism about anti-inflammatory action of TAL on CB rats.Methods The depurated AM was incubated with the special inhibitors of MAPK signal transduction pathway respectively(ERK,p38 or JNK) and the expression of TNF-? was observed by RT-PCR and Western blot.Using factorial design,TNF-? level in AM culture supernatant was detected by ELISA.Results The special inhibitors of ERK(PD98059) and p38(SB203580) could change the expression of TNF-? in AM of CB rats apparently.Factorial analysis shows there is statistical significance between TAL,PD98059/SB203580 and mixture of them.Conclusions TAL reducing the expression of TNF-? may be related with the inhibition of ERK and p38 signal transduction pathway.It may be one of the mechanisms by which TAL has the preventive and therapeutic effects on chronic bronchitis.

Objective Sperm quality can be affected by many factors .The aim of this study was to observe the effects of di-etary n-6/n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs) on sperm concentration and motility . Methods Twenty healthy B6 male mice were equally randomized to a control and an experimental group to be fed with standard diet and standard diet +10%arachidonic acid (AA), respectively, both for 8 weeks.Then the testes and epididymal tails of the mice were collected for observation of the changes in the microstructure of the epididymal tissue and determination of sperm motility and concentration . Results Compared with the con-trol group, the experimental animals showed significantly decreased serum levels of α-linolenic acid ( ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and linoleic acid (LA) (P <0.01), but dramatically increased the levels of AA and n-6/n-3 PUFAs (P<0.01).The latter also exhibited remarkable reduction in sperm concentration (7 ×106/mL vs 80 ×106/mL, P<0.01), sperm motility (27%vs 86%, P<0.01). Conclusion High levels of dietary n-6/n-3 PUFAs ratios reduce sperm concentration and motility in mice .

Objective To investigate the pattern of antihypertensive medication prescribing in outpatients from the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, and analyze the shortcoming and deficiency compared with 2010 Chinese guidelines for the management of hypertension. Methods A total of 154 262 electronic prescribing for outpatients with hy-pertension, from January-December 2012 in a Grade 3A hospital in Tianjin, were enrolled in this retrospective survey. Data of commonly used antihypertensive medication and combination therapy in patients were analyzed. The patient data collected were divided into different groups according to age, gender, high blood pressure level and the onset of the season. Results (1)The list of the drugs commonly used for treating hypertension in outpatients were calcium antagonist (52.3%), angiotensin receptor blockers (34.0%),βblockers (25.9%), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (12.1%), fixed-dose combination (11.0%) and diuretics (1.4%).(2)The fewer combination therapy was found in outpatients than that of monotherapy (43.9%vs 56.1%). Some prescriptions were not routinely recommended by the Guideline (4.6%).(3)The combination therapy used in patients with stage 3 hypertension was higher than that of patients with stage 1or stage 2 hypertension (44.5%vs 37.7%vs 37.7%, P<0.01). The rate of combination therapy was significantly higher in cardiology department than that of other clini-cal departments (P<0.01). The combination therapy tended to be used in the elderly patients than that of non-elderly pa-tients (P<0.01). The number of prescriptions was lower in summer than that of other seasons,but the rate of combination therapy was higher in summer than that of spring, autumn and winter (P<0.01). Conclusion The prescriptions of combina-tion therapy and diuretic were inadequate in outpatients with hypertension. These findings indicate the difference between clinical prescription and the guideline for the management of hypertension.

Objective To study the effect of annexin A1 on cardiac function,tumor necrosis factorα(TNF?α),and interleukin 1β(IL?1β)in diabetic rats. Methods Twenty?four SD rats were randomly divided into normal control and diabetic groups. The type 2 diabetes model was in?duced with a high?glucose and high?fat diet and administration of low?dose streptozotocin.Left ventricular end?diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ven?tricular end?systolic volume(LVESV),peak velocity of early diastolic mitral?to?late diastolic peak velocity(e/a)ratio,left ventricular ejection frac?tion(LVEF),and stroke volume(SV)were measured by using color Doppler ultrasonography at the end of week 8. The expression levels of TNF?αand IL?1βin blood were measured by using enzyme?linked immunosorbent assay,and the expression level of annexin A1 in blood was measured at weeks 0,4,and 8 by using real?time polymerase chain reaction. Results Compared with the normal control group,the diabetic group had de?creased LVEDV,e/a,and SV(P<0.05).The annexin A1 expression level in the diabetic group decreased significantly after 8 weeks(P<0.01). The TNF?αand IL?1βlevels in the diabetic group were significantly higher than those in the normal control group(P<0.05)and increased signifi?cantly after 8 weeks(P<0.01). Annexin A1 level correlated with the TNF?αand IL?1βlevels in the diabetic group(P<0.01). Conclusion Annexin A1 expression shows an anti?inflammatory effect that improved the cardiac function of diabetic rats.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and the related factors of female breast disease in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province, and to provide a targeted prevention guide for female breast disease. Methods A total of 6310 women were enrolled in this study. In addition to breast ultrasound, mammography and pathology assays were performed. Finally, the prevalence and influencing factors for female breast disease were analyzed. Results The prevalence of breast cancer and the total prevalence of breast diseases was 0.06% and 24.94%, respectively. The prevalence of female breast diseases was significantly correlated to age, educational level, occupa-tion, menstruation, reproductive age and a history of abortion. Logistic regression analysis showed that the occupa-tional type had a significant effect on the prevalence of female breast. Conclusion The prevalence of female breast disease is relatively high in Zhengzhou City, and it is affected by many factors. The targeted surveys and breast dis-ease screening should be conducted, and the secondary prevention of female breast disease should be strengthened.

Objective: To analyze the expression and prognostic significance of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma associated long non-coding RNA-1 (ESCCAL-1) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues. Methods: From August 2011 to May 2013, 73 patients with ESCC, who received radical resection in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University and Henan Cancer Hospital, were enrolled. The expressions of ESCCAL-1 in esophageal tumor tissues and corresponding adjacent non-tumor tissues were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). T test, chi square test and multivariate analysis were performed for statistical analysis. Results: The expression of ESCCAL-1 was 28.03±9.37 in esophageal tumor tissues of patients with ESCC, which was higher than that in corresponding adjacent normal tissues (11.39±4.15), and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.964, P<0.01). However there were no statistically significant differences in the expressions of ESCCAL-1 among the patients with different age, gender, histological grade, classification of Union for International Cancer Control (UICC), T stage or lymph nodes metastasis (all P>0.05). The median disease-free survival (DFS) time and overall survival (OS) time of patients with low ESCCAL-1 expression were 39 months and 42 months, respectively, which were longer than those of patients with high ESCCAL-1 expression (30 months and 37 months), and the differences were statistically significant (χ²=9.049, P=0.003; χ²=10.165, P=0.001). The results of multivariate analysis showed that ESCCAL-1 expression was the independent risk factor of DFS and OS (high risk (HR)=2.45, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.22 to 4.93, P=0.012; HR=2.29, 95%CI 1.14 to 4.59, P=0.019). Conclusions ESCCAL-1 may be involved the genesis and development of ESCC. The expression of ESCCAL-1 in esophageal tumor tissues may be a prognostic parameter for patients with ESCC receiving radical resection.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the mechanism of mental dependence of propofol and adenosine A2A receptor-neurotransmitter-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in rats.Methods:Forty-eight healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged about 7 weeks, weighing 200-300 g, were used in this study.The model of propofol dependence was established by intraperitoneal injection of propofol 40 mg/kg for 14 consecutive days.The rats were divided into 6 groups ( n=8 each) using a random number table method: central control group (group c-C), central agonist group (group c-CGS), central antagonist group (group c-DMPX), peripheral control group (group p-C), peripheral agonist group (group p-CGS) and peripheral antagonist group (group p-DMPX). Adenosine A2A agonist CGS-21680 2.5 ng/0.5 μl was intracranially injected immediately after establishing the model in group c-CGS, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in c-C group.CGS-21680 0.1 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group p-CGS, while the equal volume of normal saline was given instead in group p-C.Adenosine A2A receptor antagonist DMPX 50 ng/0.5 μl was intracranially injected at 20 min before each propofol injection in group c-DMPX, and DMPX 0.25 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected in group p-DMPX.The position preference value (CPP value) was determined before establishing the model, immediately after establishing the model, and after administration of agonist or normal saline (after intervention). The animals were sacrificed at 1 day after establishing the model, and blood samples and brain tissues were obtained for determination of the levels of dopamine (DA) and glutamate (Glu) in plasma and hippocampus and content of serotonin (5-HT) in cerebral cortex (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) and expression of phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in cerebral cortex (by Western blot). Results:Compared with the baseline before establishing the model, CPP value was increased immediately after establishing the model in c-C, c-CGS, p-C and p-CGS groups ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in CPP value immediately after establishing the model in c-DMPX and p-DMPX groups ( P>0.05). Compared with the value immediately after establishing the model, no significant change was found in CPP value after intervention in c-C and p-C groups ( P>0.05), and CPP value was increased after intervention in c-CGS and p-CGS groups ( P<0.05). Compared with group c-C, the contents of hippocampal DA and Glu were significantly increased in group c-CGS, and the contents of hippocampal Glu were decreased, the content of 5-HT in cerebral cortex was increased, and the expression of p-ERK1/2 was down-regulated in group c-DMPX ( P<0.05). Compared with group p-C, no significant change was found in levels of DA and glutamate (Glu) in plasma and hippocampus and 5-HT and p-ERK1/2 in cerebral cortex in group p-CGS ( P>0.05), and the contents of hippocampal DA and Glu were significantly decreased, the content of 5-HT in cerebral cortex was increased, and the expression of p-ERK1/2 was down-regulated in group p-DMPX ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The mechanism underlying the development of propofol mental dependence may be related to activating adenosine A2A receptors, increasing excitatory neurotransmitters in brain, and thus up-regulating ERK activity in rats.

Objective:To explore the effect of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-related long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) ESCCAL-1 on the polarization of THP-1 cells-derived macrophages.Methods:The esophageal cancer cell line KYSE450 was divided into 5 groups: KYSE450 group (normal KYSE450 cells), shRNA-ESCCAL-1 group (infected with knockout ESCCAL-1 lentivirus), shRNA-NC group (infected with interference control lentivirus), OE-ESCCAL-1 group (infected with overexpressing ESCCAL-1 lentivirus) and OE-NC group (infected with overexpressed control lentivirus). The expression of ESCCAL-1 was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). After co-culture of cells in each group with THP-1 cells-derived macrophages, flow cytometry was used to detect the expressions of THP-1 cells-derived macrophages M1 polarization markers HLA-DR, iNOS, CD86 and M2 polarization markers Arg-1, CD163, CD206, and inflammatory cytokines.Results:After THP-1 cells were stimulated with 100 ng/ml phorbol ester for 48 hours, the cells grew adherently, and the expression levels of CD11b and CD36 increased, indicating that THP-1 cells were successfully differentiated into macrophages. After THP-1 cells-derived macrophages were co-cultured with esophageal cancer KYSE450 cell line treated differently for 24 hours, there were no significant differences in the expressions of M1 polarization markers HLA-DR, iNOS and CD86 between shRNA-ESCCAL-1 group and shRNA-NC group or between OE-ESCCAL-1 group and OE-NC group (all P > 0.05). Compared with shRNA-NC group, the expressions of M2 polarization markers Arg-1, CD163 and CD206 in shRNA-ESCCAL-1 group decreased [8.54±0.29 vs. 11.83±0.69, 12.0±0.3 vs. 24.5±0.8, 2.05±0.23 vs. 14.54±1.10], and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 7.636, 27.38 and 19.31, all P < 0.01); compared with the OE-NC group, the expressions of M2 polarization marker Arg-1, CD163 and CD206 in OE-ESCCAL-1 group increased [32.60±1.14 vs. 14.20±0.20, 43.7±1.5 vs. 25.1±1.2, 35.8±0.7 vs. 13.6±0.6], and the differences were statistically significant ( t values were -27.58, -17.24 and -43.98, all P < 0.01). Compared with shRNA-NC group, the expression level of interferon-γ in shRNA-ESCCAL-1 group decreased [(6.3±1.5) pg/ml vs. (20.0±2.6) pg/ml, t = 7.75, P = 0.001]; compared with OE-NC group, the expression level of interleukin-1RA in OE-ESCCAL-1 group increased [(3 167±306) pg/ml vs. (467±176) pg/ml, t = -13.27, P < 0.01]. Conclusions:Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma-related lncRNA ESCCAL-1 can promote the M2 polarization of macrophages.

Patients who initiated peritoneal dialysis (PD) in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2013 were enrolled in the single center and retrospective study. Clinical and laboratory data were collected to analyze the long-term survival rates, technique survival rates and associated influencing factors. Patients were followed up until December 31, 2021 or endpoints occurred (death or stopping PD treatment). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate survival rates and technique survival rates. Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of death and technique failure in PD patients. A total of 373 patients were enrolled in the study, with age of (52.1±15.8) years old and 199 (53.4%) males. During the follow-up, 154 (41.3%) patients died, 72 (19.3%) patients transferred to hemodialysis, and 40 (10.7%) patients received kidney transplant. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that overall survival rates of PD patients at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years were 92.2%, 76.6%, 66.0%, 52.4% and 38.6%, respectively. Technique survival rates were 93.5%, 84.8%, 74.2%, 62.8% and 44.5% at 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression model results showed that age ( HR=1.055, 95% CI 1.039-1.073, P<0.001), transfer from hemodialysis ( HR=2.212, 95% CI 1.514-3.231, P<0.001), episodes of peritonitis ( HR=2.141, 95% CI 1.194-3.837, P=0.011), Charlson comorbidity index ( HR=1.525, 95% CI 1.305-1.783, P<0.001), and baseline albumin ( HR=0.951, 95% CI 0.925-0.978, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors of survival in PD patients. Episodes of peritonitis ( HR=2.327, 95% CI 1.274-4.250, P=0.006) and Charlson comorbidity index ( HR=1.244, 95% CI 1.035-1.496, P=0.020) were independent influencing factors of technique survival in PD patients. PD patients have good early survival rates and technical survival rates, but long-term outcomes need to be further improved. Peritonitis is a major risk factor for low long-term survival rates and technical survival rates in PD patients.

Objective:To investigate the effects of early-life (intrauterine and breastfeeding period) exposure to angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT 1-AA) on lipid metabolism in offspring rats. Methods:Thirty-two AT 1-AA negative healthy nonpregnant specific pathogen free female Sprague Dawley rats weighing 150-170 g were randomly divided into two groups. Those in the immune group ( n=16) were subcutaneously injected with the mixture of an equal volume of Freund's adjuvant and the second extracellular loop of human-derived angiotensin Ⅱ receptor type 1 (AT1R-ECⅡ) repeatedly to establish the AT 1-AA-positive rat model by active immunization and those in the control group ( n=16) with normal saline solution. Before each immunization, blood samples were collected from the tail of rats to detect serum AT 1-AA levels of those rats in both groups, and the AT 1-AA-positive rat model was successfully established when the serum AT 1-AA was positive and its level reached a plateau. After eight weeks of immunization, the female rats in the two groups were mated with healthy AT 1-AA-negative male rats to conceive. Serum samples were collected from the maternal and offspring rats at the gestation of 18 days (G18), postnatal 21 days (P21), and from the normally fed offspring rats from the time of weaning to 12 weeks old (W12). Active immunization was not performed on the offspring throughout the experiment. The serum AT 1-AA levels of maternal and offspring rats were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and serum AT1-AA was positive when the ratio of AT1-AA level of the immune group over the control group ≥2.1. The blood lipid levels of maternal and offspring rats were measured by an automatic biochemical analyzer. Serum AT 1-AA levels, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [instead of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)], low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and free fatty acid levels of the offspring and maternal rats were determined for correlation analysis. Two independent sample t-test, linear regression analysis, and analysis of variance were adopted for statistical analysis. Results:(1) The serum levels of AT 1-AA in maternal rats at G18 and P21 in the immune group were significantly higher than those in the control group (G18: 1.170±0.190 vs 0.114±0.016, t=14.64; P21: 0.988±0.283 vs 0.084±0.006, t=9.57; both P<0.001). (2) The serum levels of AT 1-AA in the offspring at G18 and P21 in the immune group were significantly higher than those in the control group (offspring at G18: 0.948±0.220 vs 0.105±0.010, t=10.10; male offspring at P21: 0.758±0.273 vs 0.080±0.002, t=7.46; female offspring at P21: 0.774±0.274 vs 0.084±0.005, t=7.55; all P<0.001), which showed a positive correlation with those in maternal rats at the same period (offspring at G18: R=0.78; male offspring at P21: R=0.82; female offspring at P21: R=0.82; all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the serum AT 1-AA level in offspring at W12 between the immune and control group ( P>0.05). (3) The serum levels of TC at G18 and P21, and HDL at P21 in maternal rats in the immune group were all higher than those in the control group [TC at G18: (2.36±0.32) vs (1.95±0.24) mmol/L, t=2.70; P21: (2.82±0.50) vs (2.18±0.26) mmol/L, t=3.41; HDL at P21: (1.94±0.33) vs (1.57±0.23) mmol/L, t=2.80; all P<0.05]. (4) Compared with the offspring in the control group, there was no significant change in lipid metabolism at G18 and W12 in the offspring in the immune group (both P>0.05). The serum levels of TC and HDL in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group were higher than their counterparts in the control[TC in male offspring: (2.38±0.52) vs (1.83±0.30) mmol/L, t=2.73; HDL in male offspring: (1.44±0.32) vs (1.07±0.18) mmol/L, t=2.98; TC in female offspring: (2.50±0.72) vs (1.70±0.26) mmol/L, t=3.16; HDL in female offspring: (1.41±0.33) vs (1.00±0.14) mmol/L, t=3.41; all P<0.05]. (5) The serum levels of TC and HDL in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group showed no correlation with those in maternal rats at P21 (all R<0.5, all P>0.05). The serum levels of HDL in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group had a positive correlation with their own serum TC levels (male offspring: R=0.98; female offspring: R=0.97; both P<0.001) and also with their own serum AT 1-AA levels (male offspring: R=0.74, P=0.023; female offspring: R=0.91, P=0.001). The serum levels of TC in male and female offspring at P21 in the immune group had a positive correlation with their serum AT 1-AA levels (male offspring: R=0.72, P=0.030; female offspring: R=0.90, P=0.001). Conclusion:The early-life exposure to AT 1-AA may cause abnormal expression of TC and HDL in offspring rats.