Objective: To study the correlations between galectin-3, soluble ST2 (sST2) levels and chronic heart failure (CHF) classiifcation, traditional HF indicator and short-term death in relevant patients. Methods: This research included 2 groups: CHF group, containing 142 relevant patients treated in our hospital from 2014-02 to 2015-10 and Control group, containing 85 normal subjects from physical examination at the same period of time. Based on NYHA criterion, the patients were classiifed in NYHA grade II, III and IV respectively. Blood levels of N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-ProBNP), high-sensitivity C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and ultrasonic morphology were examined upon admission; protein expressions of galectin-3 and sST2 were assessed by ELISA. Results: The patients with NYHA grade III and IV had increased levels of galectin-3 and soluble sST2; galectin-3, sST2 were positively related to NT-ProBNP, hs-CRP and LVEDD, while negatively related to LVEF. Logistic regression analysis indicated that galectin-3 and sST2 were related to short-term death in CHF patients,P<0.05. Area under ROC curve of galectin-3 and sST2 for diagnosing CHF were 0.738 and 0.771,P<0.01. Conclusion: Galectin-3 and sST2 levels were related to traditional HF indicator and could be used for CHF diagnosis in relevant patients.

AIM: To establish an HPLC method for determining sophocarpine,sophoridine and oxymatrine in Sophora flavescens Ait,so as to investigate their contents in different years and different parts. METHODS: An Elite Hypersil NH2 column(250 mm ? 4. 6 mm,5 ?m) was used with the mobile phase being acetonitrile-absolute alcohol-3% phosphoric acid solution(82 ∶ 10 ∶ 8),flow rate being 1 mL/min,determinating wavelength being 220 nm,the column temperature being 26 ℃,The injection volume was 5 ?L. RESULTS: The calibration curves of sophocarpine,sophoridine and oxymatrine were in good linearity over the ranges of 0. 004 99 - 0. 149 7 ?g(r = 0. 999 9),0. 025 08 - 0. 752 25 ?g(r = 0. 999 9),0. 075 38 - 2. 261 25 ?g(r = 0. 999 9); and the average recovery of sophocarpine,sophoridine and oxymatrine was 99. 91% ,99. 26% ,100. 27% with RSD of 1. 11% , 0. 82% ,2. 18% respectively. CONCLUSION: The HPLC method shows a good separation,reproducibility and accuracy,there are obvious differences in the contents of three alkaloids in different years and different parts of Sophora flavescens Ait. The results provide important data for quality evaluation and utilization of Sophora flavescens materials.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the serum dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate ( DHEAS) level and bone mineral density ( BMD) in aged women. Methods Two hundred and seven elderly women aged 60-84 years were enrolled in the study. Acquisition histories, including age, body mass index, and blood pressure were recorded. Serum steroid hormones ( DHEAS, testosterone, estradiol, and cortisol) and bone metabolic markers:β-C-terminal telopeptide of type Ⅰ collagen (β-CTx ) , osteocalcin, and total procollagen type Ⅰ N propeptide ( TPINP) were determined. The BMD was also determined. The enrolled subjects were divided into 3 groups according to T values(T>-1. 0 s、-2. 5 s

Objective To evaluate the role of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)-heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) signaling pathway in attenuation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALl) by dexmedetomidine in mice.Methods Forty male Kunming mice,aged 2 months,weighing 20-25 g,were equally and randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table:control group (group C),LPS group,low-dose dexmedetomidine + LPS group (group D1),and high-dose dexmedetomidine + LPS group (group D2).Dexmedetomidine 25 and 50 μg/kg were injected intraperitoneally in D1and D2 groups,respectively,and 1 h later LPS 5 mg/kg was injected intraperitoneally.At 6 h after LPS injection,the left lung was lavaged,and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for determination of concentrations of protein,tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β).The right lung was removed for examination of the pathological changes (under the light microscope) and for detection of expression of phosphorylation of p38MAPK (p-p38MAPK),p38MAPK,phosphorylation of MAPK-activated protein kinase 2 (p-MAPKAPK-2),MAPKAPK-2,phosphorylation of HSP27 (p-HSP27) and HSP27 in lung tissues.The wet to dry lung weight (W/D) ratio was calculated.The ratios of p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK,p-MAPKAPK-2/MAPKAPK-2 and p-HSP27/HSP27 were calculated.Results Compared with group C,the W/D ratio,concentrations of protein,TNF-α and IL-1β in the BALF,and ratios of p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK,p-MAPKAPK-2/MAPKAPK-2 and p-HSP27/HSP27 were significantly increased in group LPS.Compared with group LPS,the W/D ratio,concentrations of protein,TNF-α and IL-1β in the BALF,and ratios of p-p38MAPK/p38MAPK,p-MAPKAPK-2/MAPKAPK-2 and p-HSP27/ HSP27 were significantly decreased in D1 and D2groups.The pathological changes of the lung were significantly reduced in D1 and D2 groups as compared to LPS group.Conclusion Dexmedetomidine attenuates LPS-induced ALI in mice possibly through inhibiting p38MAPK-HSP27 signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the curative effect of Huoxue-Xiaozhi capsule on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods A total of 100 patients with NAFLD who met the inclusion criteria were divided into 2 groups with 50 patients in each group by random number table method. The treatment group was treated with Huoxue-Xiaozhi capsule, while the control group was treated with Compound Methionine Choline Tablets. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. The ALT, AST, γ-GT (γ- glutamyltranspeptidase ), ALP (alkaline phosphatase, alkaline phosphate) were detected by automatic blood biochemical analyzer. The serum high sensitivity-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) and Homocysteine (Hcy) were detected by supplementary detection method. The serum IL-18 was detected by ELISA method, and liver imaging was performed before and after treatment. The symptoms and signs were evaluated, and clinical efficacy was evaluated. Results The total effective rate was 90.0％ (45/50) in the treatment group and 74.0％ (37/50) in the control group. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (Z=-2.328, P=0.020 ). After treatment, the serum hs-CRP (2.4 ± 2.9 mg/L vs. 3.6 ± 2.8 mg/L, t=2.105), Hcy (11.2 ± 5.5 μmol/L vs. 13.9 ± 6.4 μmol/L, t=2.262), IL-18 (690.6 ± 61.3 ng/L vs. 775.4 ± 60.5 ng/L, t=6.962) in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). After treatment, the improvement of hypochondriac lump, sallow complexion, dark complexion and hypochondriac dull pain in the treatment group were superior to those in the control group (Z values were -2.563, -2.788, -2.780, -2.220 respectively, all Ps<0.05 ). The Serum ALT, AST,γ-GT and ALP levels were significantly lower than those of the control group (t values were 18.820, 19.811, 10.221 and 3.248 respectively, all Ps<0.001 ). Conclusions The Huoxue-Xiaozhi capsule can improve the liver function and reduce the levels of serum hs-CRP, HCY and IL-18, and its curative effect of NAFLD.

Objective:To evaluate clinical efficacy of pedicled fat flaps in the repair of facial defects after skin tumor resection.Methods:Clinical data were collected from 39 patients with facial tumors in Department of Dermatology, The Third People′s Hospital of Hangzhou, and analyzed retrospectively. There were 20 males and 19 females, aged 55 ± 7.3 years (range, 42 - 80 years) , including 15 with basal cell carcinoma, 10 with squamous cell carcinoma, 5 with keratoacanthoma and 9 with solar keratosis. Postoperative skin defects varied from 1.5 cm × 3.0 cm to 8.0 cm × 4.5 cm in size. All patients received skin defect repair with pedicled fat flaps after tumor resection. Twenty-four hours after the surgery, survival condition of the flaps was observed. These patients were followed up at 1, 3 months after the surgery and every 3 months thereafter, and the shape and texture of the flaps and their matching degree with surrounding tissues were evaluated.Results:Twenty-four hours after surgery, the flaps survived well without infection in the 39 patients. Partial necrosis was observed at the distal end of the flaps in 2 cases, whose skin defects were on the lower eyelid, with the ratio of the flap length to pedicle width being greater than 3∶1, and wounds were healed after treatment in both of the 2 cases. One month after surgery, bloated appearance was observed in 3 cases, of which 2 had defects of the upper lip and 1 had defects of the cheek, and the ratios of flap length to pedicle width were less than 2∶1, 2∶1 - 3∶1, and greater than 3∶1 respectively. All patients were followed up for 1 - 12 months, with an average of 7 months. The color and texture of the flaps were good, and favorable function and shape were achieved in both the donor and recipient sites.Conclusion:The pedicled fat flap is markedly effective for the repair of facial skin defects, with high survival rate of flaps, high safety and reliability, and less damage to the donor site.

Objective To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of Xiaozhong Sanjie prescription combined with Huayu powder external application for treatment of patients with nodular goiter (NG) and approach its mechanism. Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted, including 128 patients who were definitely diagnosed as NG and admitted into Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University from September 2014 to December 2016, and they were divided into a control group and a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment group by random number table method, 64 cases in each group. The control group received follow up observation; the TCM group was treated by Xiaozhong Sanjie prescription (the ingredients: rhizoma sparganii 15 g, zedoary 10 g, fritillary bulb 15 g, prunella vulgaris 20 g, bupleurum 6 g, dried tangerine 10 g, oyster 20 g, fructus aurantii 10 g, radix glycyrrhizae 5 g) in the mean time combined with Huayu powder (the ingredients: borneol 10 g, prunella vulgaris 20 g, pinellia ternata 15 g, oyster 15 g, radix curcumae 15 g, rhubarb 15 g); the ingredients of the prescription were immersed in water and decocted to form a decoction, a dose 400 mL daily, 200 mL taken orally in the morning and 200 mL in the evening after meal; the powder ingredients were mixed and stirred thoroughly with Chinese rice wine or vinegar (10 mL) to form a paste which was put uniformly flat onto a gauze about 15 cm in length and 1 cm in thickness, roasted by infrared lamp, as the paste temperature was lowered to body temperature, it was attached on the goiter skin of neck, then fixed by bandage before sleep to the next morning, afterwards the paste was removed and nodular skin washed, the length of external application being guaranteed to be over 4 hours a day; in the event when skin red swelling or pruritus occurred, promethazine should be used or the duration of application was shortened. Fifteen days constituted one therapeutic course, and after consecutive 3 courses of treatment, the therapeutic effects in the two groups were observed. Before and after treatment in the two groups, the changes of thyroid nodular size and TCM syndrome score were observed, meanwhile the thyroid functional index levels of serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), insulin-like growth factor Ⅰ(IGF-Ⅰ) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results After treatment for 45 days, compared with control group, the thyroid nodule in TCM treatment group was significantly shrunken (mm: 8.75±3.41 vs. 15.89±4.51, P < 0.05) , and TCM syndrome score in TCM treatment group was significantly lowered (20.35±4.83 vs. 35.53±6.71, P < 0.05); before and after admission in the two groups, the thyroid function indexes of thyrotropic-stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4) were in the normal range, and there were no statistical significant differences between the two groups (all P > 0.05); the levels of serum VEGF, IGF-I were reduced in the TCM treatment group [VEGF (ng/L): 27.52±8.35 vs. 33.08±9.57, IGF-Ⅰ (μg/L): 24.12±6.74 vs. 35.57±11.39], TGF-β1 was increased in the TCM treatment group (ng/L: 363.67±97.83 vs. 225.87±47.71), and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Conclusions Xiaozhong Sanjie decoction combined with Huayu powder external application can inhibit the levels of VEGF, IGF-Ⅰ and elevate the TGF-β1 level that possibly the mechanism of the combined therapy to shrink the thyroid nodule size.

Objective To optimize the process conditions of the oil extraction ofseabuckthorn oil and to evaluate its antioxidant activity by anti-free radical action.Methods The extraction time and particle size of sea-buckseed oil were optimized by using the response surface software design-expert.Its antio xidant activity was studied through its anti-dpph free radical reaction.Results The best process of seabuckthorn seed oil was extracting time 3 h,material liquid than 1:8,extraction temperature 80 C,about 30 mesh size,the yield is highest at 11.13％.The optimum reaction time was 8 min in control,and with the increase of concentration,seabuckthorn oil antioxidant activity increased,when the addition amount of 4.00 ml sample,clearance rate as high as 77.62％.Conclusions This method is simple and reliable,the extraction rate is high,and the test results show that the oil has obvious anti-oxidative effect,which can be used as whitening and wrinkling products to delay the aging of human body.

Adipose tissue is not only an energy storage organ, but also an endocrine organ involved in metabolic processes. It has the function of secreting various adipokines, such as leptin, adiponectin, etc. Adipose tissue and adipokines are involved in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism, which show great value in the study of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. As a fibroblast growth factor (FGFs), the family of protein hormone-like factors 19 (FGF19) and FGF21 have roles in decreasing body weight, increasing insulin sensitivity, improving blood lipid spectrum, etc. FGF19 and FGF21 are promising target drugs for the treatment of metabolic diseases. The recent research progress on the glycolipid metabolism regulating of FGF19 and FGF21 in adipose tissue were summarized and the application prospects were reviewed.

Objective:To evaluate the value of shear wave elastography (SWE) in skin assessment of Systemic sclerosis (SSc).Methods:A total of 58 SSc patients admitted to Peking University Third Hospital from May 2021 to October 2022 and 41 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Skin shear wave elastography (SWE) was performed at 17 sites defined in modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) measurement, and shear wave velocity values were recorded to evaluate skin hardness. SPSS 22.0 software was used to analyze the skin hardness of SSc patients and healthy controls, and the correlation between skin hardness of SSc patients and clinical data was analyzed. A logistic regression model was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of skin hardness at different sites of SSc patients, and to further select the most practical measurement site.Results:The SWE value of SSc patients was significantly higher than that of healthy control group ( P<0.05). There was a positive correlation between SWE and mRSS in the measurement of bilateral fingers, bilateral dorsal hands, bilateral forearms, fore-chest, abdomen, bilateral thighs, and bilateral dorsal feet. Skin stiffness measured by SWE was significantly correlated with SSc disease activity score (EScSG-DAI), ( r=0.71, P<0.001), disease injury score (SCTC-DI), (P=0.55, P=0.005) and functional score (HAQ-DI), ( r=0.46, P=0.003). Reducing the number of measurement sites to 12 (bilateral fingers, bilateral hands, bilateral forearms, bilateral upper arms, forehead, fore-chest, bilateral dorsum of feet) performs as well as all 17 measurement sites simultaneously in assessing disease activity. Conclusion:SWE is a good evaluation tool to reflect the skin lesions of SSc, which is of great value for the diagnosis and evaluation of the disease. We can further standardize the measurement sites and select the most appropriate evaluation strategy, so as to achieve better clinical application.