The contribution of particles to cardiovascular mortality and morbidity has been enlightened by epidemiologic and experimental studies. However, adverse biological effects of the particles with different sizes on cardiovascular cells have not been well recognized. In this study, sub-cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were exposed to increasing concentrations of pure quartz particles (DQ) of three sizes (DQPM1, <1 μm; DQPM3-5, 3-5 μm; DQPM5, 5 μm) and carbon black particles of two sizes (CB0.1, <0.1 μm; CB1, <1 μm) for 24 h. Cytotoxicity was estimated by measuring the activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and cell viability. Nitric oxide (NO) generation and cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) releases were analyzed by using NO assay and enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. It was found that both particles induced adverse biological effects on HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. The size of particle directly influenced the biological activity. For quartz, the smaller particles induced stronger cytotoxicity and higher levels of cytokine responses than those particles of big size. For carbon black particles, CB0.1 was more capable of inducing adverse responses on HUVECs than CB1 only at lower particle concentrations, in contrast to those at higher concentrations. Meanwhile, our data also revealed that quartz particles performed stronger cell damage and produced higher levels of TNF-α than carbon black particles, even if particles size was similar. In conclusion, particle size as well as particle composition should be both considered in assessing vascular endothelial cells injury and inflammation responses induced by particles.

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is an important regulatory factor of cell proliferation and metastasis, involved in the occurrence and development of a variety of malignant tumors, and it is one of the hot spots in the research of targeted anti-tumor drugs. Our group screened a novel benzobis (imidazole) structure small molecule compound LZJ541 through the screening model of Janus kinase (JAK)/STAT3 pathway inhibitors, which has definite STAT3 inhibitory activity. We examined the effect of LZJ541 on the proliferation of HepG2 and PC-3 cells by MTT assay in vitro, detected the effect of LZJ541 on the expression of STAT3-related proteins in HepG2 cells by Western blot, and measured the effect of LZJ541 on the apoptosis and cell cycle arrest of HepG2 cells via flow cytometry. The results indicated that LZJ541 significantly inhibited the activation of STAT3 signaling pathway and restrained the proliferation of HepG2 cells. Its half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) was 13.8 μmol·L^-1, which was much lower than that of PC-3 cells (with low STAT3 expression, IC₅₀: 41.99 μmol·L^-1), LZJ541 can also inhibit the phosphorylation of STAT3 in HepG2 cells, thereby inducing apoptosis and cycle arrest and then exerting anti-tumor effects. In conclusion, LZJ541 has a certain anti-tumor effect in vitro, which provides an experimental basis for the development of new STAT3-targeted anti-tumor drugs around this kind of compounds.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical effectiveness of Yiqi Huoxue Tongyang Xiezhuo Recipe (YHTXR, capable of supplementing qi, activating blood, warming yang, and discharge turbidity) in treating coronary atherosclerotic heart disease (CAHD). and chronic heart failure (CHF) with carotid plaque patients, and to explore new ways of Chinese medicine (CM).

METHODSTotally 69 CAHD-CHF patients of qi deficiency phlegm stasis syndrome (QDPSS) with carotid plaque were recruited in this study using parallel cohort method. They were assigned to the treatment group (35 cases) and the control group (34 cases). Patients in the control group received routine treatment of Western medicine, while those in the treatment group were additionally treated with YHTXR (twice daily). The therapeutic course for all was three months. Cardiac function levels, echocardiography, carotid plaque, blood lipids and safety indicators were observed before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment the improvement of cardiac function levels was better in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Decreased LDL-C levels were higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01). There was statistical difference in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), LDL-C, TC, TG in the treatment group between before and after treatment (P < 0.05). LDL-C and TG also decreased in the control group after treatment (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the left ventricular ejection fraction, carotid IMT, or TC in the control group between before and after treatment (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in stroke volume, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, the area of carotid artery plaque, or HDL-C in the two groups between before and after treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSYHTXR could effectively improve cardiac functions of CAHD-CHF patients of QDPSS with carotid plaque, reduce blood lipids and IMT. It had no significant adverse reactions for elderly patients in short term.

Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Coronary Disease ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Lipids ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; drug therapy ; Qi ; Ventricular Function, Left

?Age-related macular degeneration ( AMD) is one of the main leading causes of irreversible damage eyesight over the 50 years old people. Genetic factors play an important role in the occurrence and development of AMD. ln recent years, the studies found that complement factor H ( CFH) gene has obvious correlation with the incidence of AMD. ln this article, we reviewed the researches on the CFH in AMD.

Objective To observe the changes of respiratory and hemodynamic functions in children with different age undergoing laparoscopic Nissen's fundoplication(LNF). Methods Thirty-three children with LNF were divided into three groups according to the age: group Ⅰ,1 to 12 months,n=13;group Ⅱ,1 to 3 years old,n=10;and group Ⅲ,4 to 7 years,n=10.Heart rate(HR),mean arterial pressure,Ppeak,compliance of the respiratory system(CRS) and end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure(PETCO2) were recorded 5 min before pneumoperitoneum(T0),10 min(T1),60 min(T2) after pneumoperitoneum and 10 min after deflation(T3),and parameters of blood gas analysis such as PaCO2 were measured at the same time. Results Compared with those at T0,HR,Ppeak,PETCO2 and the difference between PaCO2 and PETCO2(Pa-ETCO2)were significantly increased at T1 and T2,while CRS was significantly decreased.The most significant changes were found in group Ⅰ. Conclusion The changes of respiratory and hemodynamic functions are observed in children undergoing LNF,and anesthesia management should be enhanced for those within 1 to 12 months old who experience the most significant changes.

As the increasing population aging,the incidence of age-related macular degeneration is increasing,blinding rate also increasing,so it is very important for the early diagnosis and treatment of age-related macular degeneration.There are many methods to check the aging macular degeneration,such as fundus angiography,optical coherence tomography (OCT),visual field and multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG).In recent years,many emerging ophthalmic methods have emerged and are gradually applied to clinical diagnosis,including optic coherence tomography angiography (OCTA).The function of these methods has its unique advantages,but there are also limitations.This paper will review these existing methods.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on post stroke depres- sion (PSD) after lacunar infarction (LI).Methods Seventy-five PSD patients with lacular infarction were recruited and randomly divided into a control group and an EA group.All patients were treated with Fluoxetine,in addition to EA treat- ment in the EA group.Then all patients were evaluated using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD),the Chinese stroke scale (CSS) and the Barthel Index (BI).The evaluations were carried out at 0,14 and 28 days.Results Depression symptoms (DSs) in the EA group were improved by day 14 of the treatment,and their HAMD scores had decreased.DSs in both groups had improved significantly by day 28,and the HAMD scores in the EA group were then significantly lower than those in the control group.Improvements in neurological impairment and in the activities of daily living were observed earlier in the EA group.Conclusion The combination of EA and Fluoxetine is helpful for PSD with complex patho- genesis and clinical symptoms.Therapeutic effects are enhanced and side effects are reduced.

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the clinical characteristics and diagnosis key points of brain abscess caused by Nocardia asiatica, and provide a clinical basis for diagnosing and treating intracranial infection caused by Nocardia. Methods　A case of pulmonary Nocardia asiatica complicated with brain abscess diagnosed at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University was selected to analyze the clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid characteristics, pulmonary and cranial imaging features, and treatment plan, and to summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience. Results　The patient was an elderly woman with a history of diabetes, dry cough was the first symptom without fever or headache. At the beginning of the course, it was diagnosed as pulmonary infection and tuberculosis in the local hospital, and received conventional antimicrobial and anti-tuberculosis therapies, but showed no improvement. The patient developed progressive limb weakness, followed by consciousness disorders, and coma. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) adenosine deaminase and lactate dehydrogenase were not abnormal, CSF pressure, protein and white blood cells were high, mainly with multiple nuclear cells. CSF glucose and chloride were normal in the early stage of the disease, but decreased significantly in the later stage. Metagenomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid indicated Nocardia asiatica with a specific sequence number of 537. Lung CT showed exudation, abscess, and cavity in the right lung. Skull MRI scan + enhancement suggested multiple scattered abscesses in both cerebral hemispheres. The abscesses were of different sizes and showed ring enhancement, with extensive surrounding edema, and ventricular compression. After treatment with meropenem, linezolid, and compound sulfamethoxazole tablets, the cerebrospinal fluid recovered, and the lesions in the lungs and intracranial structures improved. Conclusions　Brain abscess caused by Nocardia asiatica is similar to the tuberculous brain in clinical symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid examination, craniocerebral imaging, so we should be alert to the possibility of Nocardia infection in patients with diabetes. At the same time, metagenomic testing of the cerebrospinal fluid can help confirm the diagnosis. The mortality and disability rates of brain abscess caused by Nocardia are high. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of radiotherapy (RT) on the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with gynecological cancers via a nationwide population-based study. Methods: Based on patient data obtained from the National Health Insurance Research Database, 1928 gynecological cancer patients were identified with 1:1 matching for RT and non-RT cohorts by age, index date, and cancer type. Another cohort consisting of 964 noncancer individuals matched was used as normal control. The incidence of HZ was compared between cancer patients with and without RT. Age, comorbidities, cancer-related surgery and chemotherapy (CT), and cancer type were adjusted as confounders. Results: The risk of HZ in cancer patients was higher than that of non-cancer individuals (14.23 versus 8.34 per 1,000 person-years [PY], the adjusted hazard ratio [aHR]=1.38, p=0.044). In the cancer population, the incidence of HZ for the RT and non-RT cohorts was 20.55 versus 10.23 per 1,000 PY, respectively (aHR=1.68, p=0.009). Age >50 years was an independent factor for developing HZ. The 5-year actuarial incidence for patients receiving neither RT nor CT, RT alone, CT alone, and combined modalities was 5.4%, 6.9%, 3.7%, and 9.9%, respectively (p<0.001). In the RT cohort, the risk rose rapidly in the first year, becoming steady thereafter. Conclusion This population-based study showed that gynecological cancer patients receiving RT combined with CT had the highest cumulative risk of HZ. Health care professionals should be aware of the potential toxicities.