AIM: To establish variation in flow rates of anthraquinones in Anzhong Tongbian Capsule(Radix et Rhizoma rhei,Radix paeoniae alba,Fructus cannabis and Semen trichosanthis). METHODS: The thin layer chromatographic method was adopted. The anthraquinones compounds from Radix et Rhizoma Rhei in Anzhong Tongbian Capsules were extracted by ultrasound and separated by outspread on silica gel G thin layer,and n-hexane-ethyl acetate-formic acid(30 ∶ 10 ∶ 0. 5)as the developing system,detection wavelength was set at 435 nm and reference wavelength was 610 nm by using CAMAG TLC ScannerⅢ. RESULTS: Anthraquinones was separated well and 5 peaks of emodin,chrysophanol,aloe-emodin,rhein and physcion were ascertained. CONCLUSION: The method is simple and accurate with a good reproducibility and can be used for the quality control for Radix et Rhizoma Rhei in Anzhong Tongbian Capsules.

AIM: To study the pharmacokinetics of phenolic acids from Mailuoning injection in rats. METHODS: SD rats were given a single i.v. administration dose of Mailuoning injection 10 mL/kg, plasma and urine were collected before and after injection. Phenolic acid components in plasma and urine were measured by LC/MS. Pharmacokinetic parameters were determined from the plasma concentration-time data and urinary excretion-time data with the DAS software package. RESULTS: After i.v. of Mailuoning injection, chlorogenic acid (CGA), 1, 5-dicaffeylquinic acid (1,5-DCQA), 3, 4-dicaffeylquinic acid (3,4-DCQA), 3, 5-dicaffeylquinic acid (3,5-DCQA) and caffeic acid (CA) were quickly excrectioned. The t1/2 of CGA, 1,5-DCQA, 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA and CA were 0.649, 0.334, 0.479, 0.486 and 0.330 h, respectively. AUC0-∞ were (22.522±2.716), (0.353±0.062), (3.620±1.246), (5.287±1.627) and (2.257±0.360) mg·L-1·h, respectively. After i.v. of Mailuoning injection, CGA, 1,5-DCQA, 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA and CA can all be detected in the urine. The amounts of CGA, 1,5-DCQA, 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA and CA excreted from urine during 0-24 h were (122.22±26.49)%, (3.30±1.26)%, (0.24±0.11)%, (1.93±0.77)% and (18.61±4.99)% of dose given in rats, respectively. CONCLUSION: After i.v. of Mailuoning injection, phenolic acids can be excreted quickly. Only a small quantity of 1,5-DCQA, 3,4-DCQA, 3,5-DCQA and CA were excreted from urine. 3,4-DCQA and 3,5-DCQA may be metabolized into CGA in the rat plasma.

Objective:To investigate the value of ultrasound in evaluating pathologically complete response(pCR) of neoadjuvant chemotherapy(NAC) for breast cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed in 67 breast cancer patients who received NAC in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2018 to December 2019. Ultrasound examination was performed before and after NAC, and two-dimensional, color and elastic images were stored for subsequent analysis. According to the operation pathological results after NAC, the patients were divided into two groups, pCR group and npCR group, using the Miller-Payne criteria as the evaluation criteria. Chi-square test was used to compare the ultrasound characteristics of breast masses in pCR group and npCR group before NAC. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predicative value(PPV) and negative predicative value(NPV) of pCR were analyzed using ROC curve. The difference of pCR estimated by ultrasound in different molecular types was also analyzed.Results:①Of the 67 patients, 16 achieved pCR and 51 achieved npCR. Among the 16 pCR patients, 11(68.8%) were evaluated correctly and 5(31.2%) were wrong.Among the 51 npCR patients, 49(96.1%) were evaluated correctly and 2(3.9%) were wrong. ②There was no statistically significant difference between pCR and npCR in ultrasound features of pre-NAC breast masses( P>0.05). ③After the whole process of NAC, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 89.6%, 68.8%, 96.1%, 84.6%, and 90.7%, respectively; The area under ROC curve was 0.824. ④The diagnostic efficiency of pCR estimated by ultrasound was higher for Luminal B and HER-2 breast cancer. Conclusions:The accuracy of pCR after NAC evaluated by ultrasound is 89.6%, with different diagnostic efficiency in different molecular types.

This article was aimed to study the factors associated with sleep quality of anger-out and anger-in population based on the frequent pattern-tree (FP-Tree) growing algorithm with data mining. The algorithm of structuring frequent model FP-tree and mining frequent itemsets were designed. The database information scanned was recorded by using FP-Tree growing algorithm through state-trees. The frequent itemsets met minimum support required was generated through reducing the search space of project sets and scanning database only one. The data mining of all factors associated with emotional diseases was actualized. The results showed that factors associated with sleep quality of anger-out and anger-in population were disturbance in respiration, cough or snoring, feeling cold, hot or nightmares. The total time for program analysis was 2 seconds. It was concluded that data mining algorithm based on FP-Tree frequent itemsets can effectively realize the useful information receiving from factors associated with emotional diseases.

Objective To explore the effect on image quality and scanning time by changing parameters and using different scan-ning technique for the clinical application of axial FLAIR pulse sequence.Methods Seven different sets of parameters of T2-FLAIR Pulse Sequences were performed on thirty patients at a 3.0 T MR scanner.Group A was scanned with a routine sequence for refer-ence.Group B,reducing the matrix to 128.Group C,increasing the turbo factor parameter to 24.Group D,setting the contatena-tion to 1.Group E setting the Accel.factor PE to 4.Group F,using a BLADE-FLAIR sequence.Group G,using a HASTE-FLAIR sequence.The SNRs of all images were statistically analyzed by ANOVA among 7 sequences.The image quality of all images was statistically analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis test among 7 sequences.Results The SNR of seven groups of images were 54.69 ±8.12, 1 57.57±25.61,44.56±7.37,38.48 ± 9.32,44.1 9 ±8.79,45.60 ± 6.92,105.20 ± 18.25,respectively(F = 266.368,P =0.000). The scores of image quality were 3.87±0.09,2.50±0.12,3.72±0.1 6,3.10±0.10,1.88±0.10,3.92±0.07,2.08±0.10,re-spectively and the differences among groups were statistically significant(χ2 =1 93.361,P =0.000).Conclusion Suitable turto factor and BLADE technique can be the best option for FLAIR sequence in the head.HASTE-FLAIR sequence can act as the secondary op-tion for the uncooperative patients.

Medical college of Xi`an Jiaotong university offered the functional experiment course in 1997. The courseincludes the basic knowledge of medical scientific research, the experimental design and the implementation of theexperiment, totally 24 hours. The course determines the key role of students in teaching, cultivates their ability to studyindependently and raises their comprehensive ability. The course assessment shows a good result.[

BACKGROUND:Currently, the morphologic changes of the discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) remain unclear, and morphological indexes used to evaluate the injuries of DLM stil need to be explored. OBJECTIVE:To compare the MR imaging difference between symptomatic and asymptomatic DLM in adults, and to select reliablemorphologicalparametersfor assessing DLM. METHODS:A total of 36 patients (36 knees) with a symptomatic DLM (study group)and 34 patients (34 knees) with an asymptomatic DLM (control group) were included in this study. GE Healthcare Centricity RIS/PACKS System was used to measure the primary morphological parameters of two patients with DLM on coronal MR imaging. Intergroup comparison was performed with the Wilcoxon test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:On the coronal MR imaging, the width of the body portion and height of the free edge of the DLM was significantly increased in the study group compared with the control group (P< 0.001), while the height of the peripheral portion which connects with the capsule of the DLM was significantly decreased in the study group compared with the control group (P= 0.002). The heightof the middle of the DLM and the width of the lateral femoral condyle showed no significant differences between the both groups (P> 0.05). The width ratio of the body of the DLM to the lateral femoral condyle and the height ratio of height of the free edge to the middle of the DLM were significantly increased in thestudy group compared with the control group (P< 0.001), while the height ratio of the peripheral portion to the middle for the DLM was significantly decreased compared with the control group (P< 0.001). These findings suggest that compared with asymptomatic discoid lateral meniscus, the width of the body portion and the height of the free edge for the DLM are increased;however,the height of the peripheral portion which connects with the capsule of the DLM is decreased. The width ratio of the body portion of the DLM to the lateral femoral condyle and the height ratio of the free edge to the middle for the DLM may be reliable morphological parameters for the assessment of the DLM in adults.

Objective To investigate clinical and pathological features of primary cutaneous CD30 + anaplastic large cell lymphoma(PC-ALCL). Methods Clinical and pathological data were collected from 7 patients with PC-ALCL and analyzed retrospectively. Results Of the 7 patients, 6 were male and 1 was female, with an average age of 52 years. PC-ALCL was characterized by solitary (n = 3)or multiple (n = 4)erythematous nodules, lumps and/or plaques with (n = 6)or without (n = 1)ulceration. Systemic involvement was observed in none of the 7 patients. Histopathological examination showed diffuse distribution of tumor cells in the dermis, which were large with rich cytoplasm and atypical nuclei. Mitotic figures were seen. An immunohistochemical study of tumor cells showed positive staining for CD30 and cytotoxic protein, but negative staining for CD20, CD56,anaplastic lymphoma kinase(ALK). Epstein-Barr virus-encoded RNA in situ hybridization was negative. Conclusions PC-ALCL is a rare primary cutaneous low-grade malignant T-cell lymphoma, which can be confirmed by clinical manifestations as well as histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. It usually has good prognosis with rare systemic involvement and metastasis.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects and mechanisms of cordycepin,an effective component of cordyceps militaris, on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) and its related eIF2α/TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway.

METHODFirstly, 15 C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups,the control group (Group A), the model group (Group B) and the cordycepin-treated group (Group C). After renal interstitial fibrotic model was successfully established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), the mice in Group C were intraperitoneally administrated with cordycepin(5 mg x kg(-1) d(-1)) and the ones in Group A and B were administrated with physiological saline for 5 days. At the end of the study, the obstructed kidneys were collected and detected for the pathological changes of RIF, and the mRNA expressions of collagen type I (Col I) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in the kidney by Northern blot. Secondly, after renal tubular epithelial (NRK-52E) cells cultured in vitro were exposed to transforming growth factor (TGF) -β with or without cordycepin, the mRNA expressions of Col I and collagen type IV( Col IV) by Northern blot, and the protein expressions of eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α), phosphorylated eIF2α ( p-eIF2α), Smad2/3 and phosphorylated Smad2/3 (p-Smad2/3) were tested by Western blot.

RESULTIn vivo, cordycepin alleviated RIF in model mice, including improving fibrotic pathological characteristics and mRNA expressions of Col I and α-SMA. In vitro, cordycepin induced the high expression of p-elF2α, and inhibited the expressions of p-Smad2/3, Col I and Col IV induced by TGF-β in NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONCordycepin attenuates RIF in vivo and in vitro, probably by inducing the phosphorylation of eIF2α, suppressing the expression of p-Smad2/3, a key signaling molecule in TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, and reducing the expressions of collagens and α-SMA in the kidney.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Deoxyadenosines ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phosphorylation ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad Proteins ; physiology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects and molecular mechanisms of rhein on reducing starvation-induced autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial ( NRK-52E) cells.

METHODHank's balanced salt solution (HBSS) was used to induce NRK-52E cells to be in the state of starvation. After the intervention of HBSS for 0, 0.5,1, 2 and 6 hours, firstly, the protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3 I/II), which is a key protein in autophagy, was detected. Secondly, the protein expressions of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and phosphorylated-mTOR Ser2448 (p-mTOR S2448) were examined. And then, after the co-treatment of rhein (5 mg x L(-1)) and HBSS (1 mL) without or with mTOR inhibitor, rapamycin (100 nmol x L(-1)), the protein expressions of LC3 I/II, mTOR and p-mTOR S2448 were tested, respectively.

RESULTHBSS could induce the up-regulation of LC3 II and the down-regulation of p-mTOR S2448 at protein expression level in NRK-52E cells. The co-treatment of rhein and HBSS could reversely regulate the protein expressions of LC3 II and p-mTOR S2448 in NRK-52E cells significantly. The co-treatment of rapamycin, rhein and HBSS could recover the level of LC3 II protein expression in HBSS-intervened NRK-52E cells.

CONCLUSIONHBSS induces autophagy in renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting mTOR signaling pathway activation. Rhein reduces the autophagic protein expression in renal tubular epithelial cells through regulating mTOR signaling pathway activation, which is the possible effects and molecular mechanisms.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; pharmacology ; Autophagy ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Isotonic Solutions ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; physiology