Xanthii Fructus is a traditional medicine for the treatment of nasal diseases in clinic, mainly come from the burs of Xanthium sibiricum with a worldwide distribution. By sorting and studying literature of Chinese medicine and comparing different figures recorded with the morphological description of several species from Xanthium (Asteraceae) in the Flora of China, combining the biological investigation in resource survey, the article pointed out that the burs or the whole herbs of X. mongolicum, as well as X. sibiricum, has been used by the traditional Chinese medicine in ancient time. It provides a reference for further studies in the future.
China ; Herbal Medicine ; history ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; history ; Xanthium ; anatomy & histology ; classification

Objective To investigate the effects of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE) on the expression of nm23, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) and extrahepatic metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods The specimens were collected from resectable HCC in 72 patients. Patients were divided into two groups. In one group, TACE was performed before tumor resection (Group A, n=36). In another group, the tumors were resected directly without preoperative TACE (Group B, n=36). The expression and distribution of nm23, TIMP-2 in the tumor tissue and liver parenchyma in the two groups were compared. All patients were followed up for 24 months,and the incidence of extrahepatic metastasis was compared between the two groups. Chi-square test was applied to compare the expression levels of nm23-H1 and TIMP-2. Results The number of cases of strong, moderate and no expression of nm23 were 24, 6 and 6 cases in group A respectively, and were 9, 6 and 21 cases in group B. Statistical differences were found between the two groups(X~2=15.52, P<0.01). The number of cases of strong, moderate and no expression of TIMP-2 were 21,3 and 12 cases in group A respectively, and were 9, 9 and 18 cases in group B. Statistical differences were demonstrated between them (X~2=9.00, P<0.05). There were 13 cases in group A and 15 cases in group B being diagnosed to have extrahepatic metastasis within 24- month period of follow up, but there was no significant difference between the two groups(X~2= 0.23, P>0.05). Conclusions TACE could enhance the expression of nm23-H1 and TIMP-2 in tumor tissues. Therefore, the potential of metastasis of tumor cells might be prohibited by TACE.

Objective To investigate the relationship between pure -tone audiometry (PTA ) ,speech dis‐crimination abilities in quiet or in noise and the international outcome inventory for hearing aids (IOI-HA) in pres‐bycusis patients .Methods Twenty presbycusis subjects were tested in this study .Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) and speech discrimination threshold were obtained before being fitted with hearing aids .They weared hearig aids more than six months ,and pure-tone audiometry ,speech discrimination scores in quite(the level = 65 dB SPL) and in noise(signal to noise ratio = 10 dB) were carried out in sound field .A stepwise forward multiple-regression analysis was performed to investigate the impact of PTA and speech discrimination scores to IOI-HA .Results The PTAs before or after hearing aid fittings showed a negative association with IOI-HA ,while speech discrimination scores in quiet or in noise before or after hearing aid fittings showed a positive association with IOI-HA .Speech discrimination threshold in noise was identified as a single predictor of IOI-HA(P<0 .001) .Conclusion The relation between speech discrimination scores in noise and IOI-HA suggests that a poor score might limit the hearing aids outcome .The speech discrimination scores in noise help the clinicians predict the outcomes of hearing aid in real‐ities .

Adolescent ; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Sotalol ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the association of PGC-1 α gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Southern China Han population. Methods 350 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and their parents and 366 normal Han volunteers were recruited in the study. Their blood specimens were collected to extract the genornic DNA. Thr394Thr(G/A), Gly482Ser(G/A), Thr528Thr(A/G) and Thr612Met (C/T) genotypes were identified by PCR-RFLP and DNA direct sequencing. The possible association was analyzed between diabetic patients with the specific cSNPs and their haplotypes by case-control and haplotype relative risk (HRR) and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) methods. Results (1) The case- control study indicated that G and A allele frequencies of PGC-1 α gene Gly482Ser variant were 0.589, 0.411 in type 2 diabetic group and 0.687, 0.313 in normal group respectively (X<'2> = 15.076, P < 0.01). The allele frequencies of Thr394Thr, Thr528Thr, Thr612Met polymorphisms did not show significant difference between twogroups respectively (all P > 0.05). The distributions of Thr394Thr-Gly482Ser-Thr528Thr haplotypes in the diabetic group were significanly different from the controls (X<'2> = 40.2, P < 0.05) and had a linkage disequilibrium with type 2 diabetes mellitus (t = 2.503, P < 0.05). (2) The family-basod studies showed that 482A allele was transmitted more significantly both via TDT and extended TDT from heterozygous parents to patients than expected respectively (all P < 0.05). HRR also supported that the 482A allele was more often transmitted to patients than predicted by chance (X<'2> = 7.217, P = 0.007, HRR = 1. 450). TDT analyses of haplotypes suggested that the frequencies of 394A-482A-528A-612C,394A-482A-528A-612T, 394A-482A-528G-612C and 394A-482A-528G- 612T haplotypes significantly deviated from 0.5 (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Conclusion In Southern China Hanpopulation, type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with the Gly482Ser variant of PGC-1α gene, and Thr394Thr (G/ A) variant of PGC-1α gene appears to play an auxiliary role in this association.

Objective: To investigate psychosexual health of students during pubertal transition in Taizhou and explore the influence of family factors. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 215 students in senior grades of primary school, junior and senior high schools in Taizhou by stratified cluster sampling. Results: The average score of adolescents sexual and mental health questionnaire was (3.82±0.52), the sexual knowledge score was (3.31±1.00) and the score of sexual adaptation was (4.29±0.68). Sexual attitude and sexual control among female students were significantly better than male students (t=4.53,6.96，P<0.01). The four dimensions of physiological knowledge, sexual knowledge, sexual concept and self-adaptation made significant progress with the improvement increased with educational background(F=157.18，85.18，85.96，65.54，P<0.01). The parent-child relationship, parental sex education, the only child in the family, education background of parents, family economic status and the long-term separation from parents in early childhood had predictive effects on the development of puberty students’ psychosexual health (P<0.05). Conclusion Students during pubertal transition in Taizhou show moderate level of psychosexual health. Schools should strengthen sexual knowledge education.In order to promote students’ psychosexual health, more attention should be paid to the influence of family factors.

Objective: To construct a prediction model for preeclampsia (PE) risk in twin-pregnant women, so as to provide the basis for early screening and prevention of PE. Methods: A total of 467 twin-pregnant women who underwent prenatal examination and delivered at Huzhou Maternal and Child Health Hospital were selected. Sixty cases with preeclampsia (PE) were included in the case group, and 60 women without PE were included in the control group. General information, blood biochemical indicators and uterine artery resistance index (UtA-RI) were collected. A logistic regression model was used to screen predictive factors and establish a nomogram. The Bootstrap method was performed for the internal validation; the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and decision curve analysis were employed to evaluate the discrimination, calibration and clinical utility of the nomogram, respectively. Results: In the case group, there were 47 individuals (78.33%) aged younger than 35 years, 21 individuals (35.00%) with pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) of 25 kg/m2 and above, and 33 individuals (55.00%) with in vitro fertilization. In the control group, there were 57 individuals (95.00%) aged younger than 35 years, 8 individuals (13.33%) with pre-pregnancy BMI of 25 kg/m2 and above, and 39 individuals (65.00%) with natural pregnancy. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified age, pre-pregnancy BMI, method of conception, placental growth factor (PLGF) and UtA-RI as risk prediction factors for PE in twin-pregnant women. The established nomogram had an area under the ROC curve of 0.827 (95%CI: 0.755-0.899), a sensitivity of 0.767, a specificity of 0.733, a good discrimination and calibration, and a relatively high clinical net benefit. Conclusion The nomogram established by age, pre-pregnancy BMI, method of conception, PLGF and UtA-RI has a good predictive value for the risk of PE in twin-pregnant women.

Objective To explore the application effect of nursing supporting system on the construction of excellent nursing service project.Methods To organize and coordinate the establishment of infusion medication distribution center and central transportation center.Dining hall and other logistical support measures were socially managed.To actively serve the clinical to alleviate the nurse human resource pressure and implement a nursing program to reduce negative jobs.Nursing time,nursing quality and patient satisfaction were compared before and after the establishment of nursing supporting system.Results After the establishment of nursing supporting system,direct nursing time rose from (2.97 ±0.40) h to (3.86 ±0.50) h,infusion preparation time decreased from (5.03 ±0.40) h to (3.46 ±0.12) h,and average nursing quality rose from (96.11 ±0.70) points to (99.38 ±0.53 ) points.The differences were statistically significant (t =13.9138,13.9137,10.44,respectively;P ＜0.01 ).Patient satisfaction increased from 95.13％ to 99.72％.The difference was statistically significant ( x2 =15.03,P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions Nursing supporting system could alleviate the pressure of nurses,improve nursing quality,increase direct patient care time and enhance patient satisfaction.

OBJECTIVEIntrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) may contribute to the disorder of development of fetal brains. L-arginine has been known to be effective in blood vessel distension and improving the blood circulation of placentas. Recent studies have shown that L-arginine can ameliorate the placental hypoxia and improve the development of fetus. This study aimed to explore the effects of L-arginine on the expression of insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, IGF binding protein-3(IGFBP3)and IGF-I mRNA in brains of IUGR rats and the possible mechanisms of L-arginine.

METHODSThirty-six pregnant rats were randomly assigned into four groups: Control, Model, Low dose L-arginine (100 mg/kg) and High-dose L-arginine (200 mg/kg L-arginine) groups (n=9 each). IUGR was induced by passive smoking in rats from the last three groups. L-arginine was administered for the last two groups between days 8 and 20 of gestation. On day 21 of gestation, the pup rats were delivered by cesarean section. The levels of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGFBP3 in the brains of pup rats were measured by enzyme-linked immunoadsordent assay (ELISA) and the expression of IGF-I mRNA was detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR).

RESULTSThe levels of IGF-I, IGF-II and IGF-I mRNA expression in the Model group were significantly lower than in the Control group, with the IGF-I levels of 0.789 +/- 0.062 ng/mg vs 0.947 +/- 0.042 ng/mg, the IGF-II levels of 0.270 +/- 0.020 ng/mg vs 0.374 +/- 0.015 ng/mg and the IGF-I mRNA expression of (13.12 +/- 1.39) x 10(4) cps/mug RNA vs (21.28 +/- 3.54) x 10(4) cps/mug RNA (P < 0.01). In contrast, the IGFBP3 levels in the Model group were significantly higher than in the Control group (0.253 +/- 0.011 ng/mg vs 0.089 +/- 0.015 ng/mg; P < 0.01). Low or high dose L-arginine treatment increased significantly the IGF-I levels from 0.789 +/- 0.062 ng/mg (Model group) to 0.937 +/- 0.067 ng/mg (low dose group) or 0.858 +/- 0.077 ng/mg (high dose group), the IGF-II levels from 0.270 +/- 0.020 ng/mg (Model group) to 0.318 +/- 0.018 ng/mg (low dose group) or 0.354 +/- 0.021 ng/mg (high dose group) and the IGF-I mRNA expression from (13.12 +/- 1.39) x 10(4) cps/mug RNA (Model group) to (19.24 +/- 2.48) x 10(4) cps/mug RNA (low dose group) or (17.35 +/- 2.30) x 10(4) cps/mug RNA (high dose group) (P < 0.01). The IGFBP3 levels were significantly reduced after low or high dose L-arginine treatment (0.132 +/- 0.006 ng/mg or 0.146 +/- 0.009 ng/mg) compared with those of the Model group (0.253 +/- 0.011 ng/mg) ( P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSL-arginine can increase the levels of IGF-I and IGF-II and the IGF-I mRNA expression, and decrease the IGFBP3 level in the brain of rats with IUGR induced by passive smoking, thereby offering protective effects against IUGR.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 3 ; analysis ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; analysis ; genetics ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; analysis ; Male ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of osthole (Ost) on adrenocortical function in Y1 mouse adrenocortical tumor cells.

METHODSY1 mouse adrenocortical tumor cells were taken as subjects in this experiment. In 10.0%, 1.0%, and 0.1% serum DMEM-F12 medium, Y1 cells were treated with 1, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 micromol/L Ost for 24 and 48 h. 0.1% Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) was taken as negative control group and 1 mmol/L (Bu) 2cAMP as positive control group. Cell growth morphology was observed under inverted microscope. Contents of corticosterone were tested by ELISA. Expression levels of steroids synthase such as Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp21a1, Hsd3b2, Cyp11b1, Cyp11b2, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b3 mRNA were detected by Real time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).

RESULTSY1 cell proliferation was obviously inhibited by 100 and 200 micromol/L Ost, and its inhibitory effect was more significant in 0.1% serum medium. Compared with the negative control group, gene expressions of Star, Cyp11a1 , Cyp21a1, Hsd3b2, Cyp11b1, Cyp17a1, and Hsd17b3 were significantly enhanced in the posi- tive control group (P < 0.05). Y1 cell corticosterone levels significantly increased in 50 micromol/L Ost treatment group after 24-and 48-h intervention (P < 0.05). Contents of corticosterone increased more obviously in 25 and 50 +/- mol/L Ost treatment groups after 48-h intervention, as compared with 24-h intervention (P < 0.01). After 24-h intervention, expression levels of Star, Cyp21a1, and Hsd3b2 genes were significantly up-regulated in 25 and 50 lLmol/L Ost groups (P < 0.05). Star gene expression was further enhanced after 48-h intervention (P < 0.05). However, Ost showed no effect on Cyp11a1 (P > 0.05). Additionally, gene expressions of Cyp11b1 and Cyp17a1 were significantly enhanced by 10, 25, and 50 pLmolIL Ost after treatment for 24 and 48 h (P < 0.05). Ost showed no obvious effect on Cyp11b2 and Hsd17b3 expressions.

CONCLUSIONOst could regulate adrenal cortex function and promote corticosterone synthesis and secretion through strengthening gene expressions of steroidogenic enzymes.

Adrenal Cortex ; drug effects ; Adrenal Cortex Neoplasms ; pathology ; Animals ; Corticosterone ; biosynthesis ; Coumarins ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; Mice ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Tumor Cells, Cultured