Objective To prepare ligustrazine-chitosan microspheres and to investigate the drug release behavior in vitro. Methods Microspheres were prepared using the spray drying method.The encapsulation efficiency was used to evaluate the influence of different formulation and preparation factors,the formulation was optimized by L9(34) orthogonal design.Results The optimal formulation and preparation factors were as follows: chitosan concentration(0.01 g/mL),ratio of chitosan to ligustrazine(1∶4),inlet temperature(120 ℃),air flow rate(500 L/h).The optimized microspheres had a spherical shape,the loading capacity was(18.60?0.15)%,entrapment efficiency was(93.01?0.76)%,the average diameter was(10.69?0.64) ?m.The drug release profile in vitro could be described by Higuchi equation Q=19.798 t1/2+25.209(r=0.997) at 1-15 h,which showed the prepared microspheres obviously had the sustained release effect.Conclusion The encapsulation efficiency of ligustrazine-chitosan microspheres is higher,the preparation method is simple,and the process is stable.It will provide the basis for realizing the industrialization in Chinese materia medica microspheres.

Objective To study the nurse-patient communication procedures among nursing interns. Method Totally 334 nursing interns were involved in the survey using the basic questionnaire and the nurse-patient communication procedure scale. Result The average score of the communication skills was 22 . 91 ± 2 . 13 , with the dimensions of communication preparation (0.97 ± 0.07), information collection (0.88 ± 0.13), information sending (0.90 ± 0.12), respecting patients (0.91 ± 0.18), ending communication (0.98 ± 0.08). Conclusions The nurse-patient communication skills of the nursing interns were at a relatively high level. They could conduct the effective communication according to the communication procedures in the sequence of communication preparation, information collection, information sending, respect patients and ending communication. But they are weak in the procedures of information collection and information sending. Therefore, some special trains, such as case analysis, can be done to improve the ability in these procedures.

Objective To investigate the serum concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its soluble receptor 1 (sFlt-1) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its correlation with clinic and pathologic parameters.Methods serum levels of VEGF and sFlt-1 in a group of 60 patients with SLE and 30 healthy controls were assessed by ELISA.Results The VEGF and sFlt-1 serum levels were higher in active SLE group than the control group (P＜0.01).The VEGF/sFlt-1 ratio in the control group was lower than that in the active SLE group.inactive SLE group and LN group (P＜0.01).Particularly the ratio increased in WHO class Ⅴ LN group compared to WHO classⅡ,Ⅲ,Ⅳ LN group (P＜0.05).The semm level of sFlt-1 was correlated to proteinuria (rs=0.6244,P＜0.01) and ESR (rs=0.4235,P＜0.01) and the serum levels of VEGF and sFlt-1 were correlated to the systemic lupus erythematosus disease activation index (SLEDAI) (rs=0.5046,P＜0.01 and rs=0.5152,P＜0.01,respectively).The serum level of VEGF was correlated with renal tissue activation index (RAI) (rs=0.3386.P＜0.05) and the serum levels of VEGF and sFlt-1 were not correlated to blood pressure,serum creatine,blood ureanitmgen,C3,C4,C-reative protein.The muhi-factors stepwise regression analysis indicated that serum VEGF was positively correlated with SLEDAI (R2=0.1 75,P＜0.05),serum sFlt-1 was positively correlated with ESR and proteinurine (R2=0.497,P＜0.05).Conclusion Serum VEGF and sFlt-1 are elevated in patients with active SLE and they can reflect the activity of the disease.The overcxpression of serum VEGF might be correlated to the proliferated glomerulonephritis and the overexpression of sFlt-1 contribhtes to proteinurla.The imbalance between these two factors may act an important role in SLE pathogenesis.

Objective:To analyze the role of baseline mesorectal fascia (MRF) status and the correlation between MRF changes and prognosis after neoadjuvant therapy in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer.Methods:Totally 321 patients with locally advanced rectal cancer were retrospectively analyzed from January 2014 to December 2016 in Peking University Cancer Hospital. All patients underwent surgery after neoadjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and were followed up regularly after surgery. The MRF status, extramural vascular invasion (EMVI) status, tumor location, tumor stage and lymph node status were evaluated on baseline MRI. For patients with positive baseline MRF, preoperative MRF status was also evaluated. Chi-square test or independent t test were used to compare the characteristics between MRF positive and negative patients. Kaplan-Meier curve, log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression were used to analyze the correlation between imaging features and prognosis. Results:In all of the 321 subjects, 193 (60.1%) had positive baseline MRF, 54 (28.0%) of the 193 patiens had negative MRF after neoadjuvant therapy, and 139 (72.0%) of them still had positive MRF preoperatively. The postoperative pathological T and N stages were significantly higher in patients with positive baseline MRF than those with negative MRF, and the proportion of patients achieving complete pathological response was significantly lower than those with negative MRF (all P<0.05). The postoperative pathological T and N stages of patients with MRF negative conversion were significantly lower than those without MRF negative conversion. In patients with negative baseline MRF and patients with negative MRF conversion after neoadjuvant therapy, the proportion of positive MRI EMVI was significantly lower (all P<0.05). Univariate survival analysis showed that overall survival and metastasis free survival were poorer in patients with positive MRF at baseline, with a hazard ratio of 3.33 and 1.69, respectively. There was no significant correlation between negative MRF conversion after neoadjuvant therapy and overall survival, metastasis free survival and recurrence free survival. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that baseline MRF and EMVI status were independent factors for overall survival and metastasis free survival, with a risk ratio of 2.15 and 3.35 for overall survival, 1.13 and 2.74 for metastasis free survival, respectively. Conclusions:Baseline MRF status is one of the independent prognostic predictors in locally advanced rectal cancer patients with neoadjuvant therapy. However, the role of the change in MRF status after neoadjuvant therapy is uncertain for predicting prognosis.

Objective To explore the mechanisms of ligament of Marshall (LOM) initiat and sustain atrial fibrillation (AF).Methods The electrophysiologic properties of canine LOM were investigated using multipolar catheter mapping(normal canines,n =4,group A;AF canines,n =5,group B).The programmed stimulation were performed in the LOM,PV-left atrium(LA)junction and LA,respectively.Activations maps of LOM were analyzed from episodes of spontaneous onset of AF and initiation of induced AF by a single extrastimulus.The effectives refractory period of each part was compared and statistically analyzed among three parts in each group and between the two groups.LOM were cutted with surgical incision technology.The inducing rate of AF and the mapping rate of double potential and fragmented electrocardiogram were compared and statistically analyzed pro and post isolation of LOM.Results The incidence of abnormal potential of LOM in the two groups was significantly different(P ＜0.01),re-entry cycle(group A 25％ vs.B group 80％),tachycardia(group A 25％ vs.B 100％),double potential(group A 25％ vs.group B 80％),fragmentation potential(group A 25％ vs.group 80％).There was a significant difference in the rate of LOM tachycardia induction before and after LOM intervention in group B (P ＜ 0.05,before 100％ vs.after 20％).Conclusion There are two possible mechanisms of LOM involved in the occurrence and maintenance of AF:one is that LOM induces AF through spontaneous excitation,the other is that LOM participates in the reentry of left atrium and pulmonary vein in the form of bypass to induce and maintain AF.

Macrophage as a crucial component of innate immunity, plays an important role in inflammation and infection immunity. Notch signal pathway is a highly conserved pathway, which regulates cellular fate and participates in numerous pathological processes. At present, a lot of literature has confirmed the role of Notch signaling in regulating the differentiation, activation and metabolism of macrophage during inflammation and infection. This review focuses on how Notch signaling promotes macrophage pro-inflammatory and anti-infective immune function in different inflammatory and infectious diseases. In this regulation, Notch signaling interact with TLR signaling in macrophages or inflammatory-related cytokines including IL-6, IL-12, and TNF-α. Additionally, the potential application and challenges of Notch signaling as a therapeutic target against inflammation and infectious diseases are also discussed.
Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Macrophages ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Communicable Diseases ; Receptors, Notch/metabolism*

Phytoremediation plays an important role in the treatment of heavy metal pollution in soil. In order to elucidate the mechanism of salicylic acid (SA) on copper absorption, seedlings from Xuzhou (with strong Cu-tolerance) and Weifang Helianthus tuberosus cultivars (with weak Cu-tolerance) were selected for pot culture experiments. 1 mmol/L SA was sprayed upon 300 mg/kg soil copper stress, and the photosynthesis, leaf antioxidant system, several essential mineral nutrients and the changes of root upon copper stress were analyzed to explore the mechanism of copper resistance. The results showed that Pn, Tr, Gs and Ci upon copper stress decreased significantly compared to the control group. Meanwhile, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b and carotenoid decreased with significant increase in initial fluorescence (F₀), maximum photochemical quantum yield of PSⅡ (Fv/Fm), electron transfer rate (ETR) and photochemical quenching coefficient (qP) content all decreased. The ascorbic acid (AsA) content was decreased, the glutathione (GSH) value was increased, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activity in the leaves were decreased, and the peroxidase (POD) activity was significantly increased. SA increased the Cu content in the ground and root system, and weakened the nutrient uptake capacity of K, Ca, Mg, and Zn in the root stem and leaves. Spray of exogenous SA can maintain the opening of leaf stomata, improve the adverse effect of copper on photosynthetic pigment and PSⅡ reaction center. Mediating the SOD and APX activity started the AsA-GSH cycle process, effectively regulated the antioxidant enzyme system in chrysanthemum taro, significantly reduced the copper content of all parts of the plant, and improved the ion exchange capacity in the body. External SA increased the content of the negative electric group on the root by changing the proportion of components in the root, promoted the absorption of mineral nutrient elements and the accumulation of osmoregulatory substances, strengthened the fixation effect of the root on metal copper, and avoided its massive accumulation in the H. tuberosus body, so as to alleviate the inhibitory effect of copper on plant growth. The study revealed the physiological regulation of SA upon copper stress, and provided a theoretical basis for planting H. tuberosus to repair soil copper pollution.
Antioxidants ; Copper ; Helianthus/metabolism* ; Salicylic Acid/pharmacology* ; Chlorophyll A/pharmacology* ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Chlorophyll/pharmacology* ; Ascorbic Acid ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Photosynthesis ; Glutathione ; Plant Leaves ; Stress, Physiological ; Seedlings