Animals ; Antitussive Agents ; pharmacology ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; methods ; Mice

OBJECTIVETo investigate whether emodin exerts protective effects on mouse with allergic asthma.

METHODSA mouse model of allergic airway inflflammation was employed. The C57BL/6 mice sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) were intraperitoneally administered 10 or 20 mg/kg emodin for 3 days during OVA challenge. Animals were sacrificed 48 h after the last challenge. Inflammatory cell count in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was measured. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin in BALF and level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in serum were measured with enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay kits. The mRNA expressions of IL-4, IL-5, heme oxygenase (HO)-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTSEmodin induced significant suppression of the number of OVA-induced total inflammatory cells in BALF. Treatment with emodin led to significant decreases in the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and eotaxin in BALF and total IgE level in serum. Histological examination of lung tissue revealed marked attenuation of allergen-induced lung eosinophilic inflammation. Additionally, emodin suppressed IL-4, IL-5 and MMP-9 mRNA expressions and induced HO-1 mRNA expression.

CONCLUSIONEmodin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in the airway inflammation mouse model, supporting its therapeutic potential for the treatment of allergic bronchial asthma.

Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Chemokines ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Emodin ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Interleukins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Leukocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Ovalbumin ; Pneumonia ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

【Objective】To measure the orbital fat fraction（FF）of Graves ophthalmopathy（GO）patients and normal individuals with MR Water- fat separation（Dixon） technology ，and to explore the value of orbit MR quantitative fat analysis in diagnosis and treatment for GO patients.【Methods】Forty GO patients and 20 normal individuals who underwent orbital MR imaging were analyzed prospectively from February 2017 to February 2019 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat- sen University. All participants received bilateral orbital MR examination with oblique coronary FSE T2- weighted imaging combined with two-point Dixon technique，and then the signal intensity values of ipsilateral extraocular muscles and lacrimal glands on water and fat phase images were measured to calculate FF. The differences of mean FF between the two groups were evaluated，and the correlation between FF of GO and TRAb，CAS score，and the course of GO were conducted by Spearman rank correlation analysis. 【Results】 The median FF of extraocular muscles in GO patients was higher than that of normal individuals，and the result showed a statistically significant difference（P < 0.05）， while the FF of lacrimal glands in the two groups showed no statistical difference. The FF of extraocular muscles in the GO group were correlated with TRAb，CAS score and the course of GO（P < 0.05），especially the course was more correlative.【Conclusions】The fat content of extraocular muscles in GO patients were higher than that of normal individuals ，and there was a positive correlation in the fat content among TRAb，CAS score and the course of GO，suggesting that MR fat quantitative analysis may provide a new reference indexes for the evaluation of clinical staging ，curative effect assessment in GO patients.

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of a novel lead locking device (LLD) in the procedure of cardiac lead extraction for heart rhythm implants. Methods: A total of 6 patients using LLD for cardiac lead extraction in our hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical parameters, the reason of cardiac lead extraction, lead locking stylet condition, outcome of lead extraction and operative complications were summarized. Results: There were 6 patients including 1 female with the median age at 62.5 years. LLD was used and 13 cardiac leads were extracted including 1 scrap electrode wire and 12 functional electrode wire. Among those, LLD was successfully inserted and locked on the top of 11/13 (85%) leads for whole procedure and 2 (15%) leads were not locked for whole procedure; 12 (92 %) leads were completely removed and 1 (8%) lead was partially removed. No severe complications occurred. Conclusion: The novel LLD may safely and effectively extract electrode lead which is beneficial for complete cardiac lead extraction.

Objective:Phthalates （PAEs） are common environmental endocrine disruptors. In this study， the effects of oxidative stress on liver and nutrient metabolism were determined in male diabetic rats exposed to di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate （DEHP）， and the mechanism of DEHP toxicity was explored. Methods:Thirty-two SPF male Wistar rats aged five weeks， weighing 150-170 g， were fed adaptively for one week to establish the model of type 2 diabetes. The model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ） （25 mg/kg） after feeding with high sugar and high fat diet for four weeks. Second STZ injection was given two days later. The model was considered to be established successfully when the random blood glucose level was found to be higher than 16.7 mmol/L in two separate tests. Twenty diabetic rats were then randomly divided into four groups， including control group （corn oil）， 100， 300 and 900 mg/kg DEHP groups. The rats were treated with DEHP by gavage （5 mL/kg） once a day for 30 days. They were fed with normal diet during the treatment period. Caudal venous blood was collected on the 1st， 14th， and 28th days to measure the random blood glucose level. The changes of glucose tolerance were determined by oral glucose tolerance test on the 29th day. Fasting blood glucose （FPG） was measured on the next day of the last exposure. After the rats were anesthetized with pentobarbital and killed， the liver was weighed， the liver coefficient was calculated and the liver pathological section was made. Blood was taken from the abdominal aorta. The levels of aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）， triacylglycerol （TG） and albumin （ALB） in serum were measured by spectrophotometry， and the levels of insulin， glutathione （GSH）， H₂O₂， malondialdehyde （MDA） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in fasting serum were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results:There was no significant difference in body weight and random blood glucose in the type 2 diabetic rats exposed to different concentrations of DEHP （all P>0.05）. At each time point of the glucose tolerance curve， the blood glucose value of the exposure groups was higher than that of the control group. A "false plateau period" appeared after the blood glucose value reached or exceeded the upper limit at 15 minutes， and the blood glucose level in each group was higher than that of the control group at 120 minutes. The liver organ coefficient of 300 and 900 mg/kg DEHP groups was higher than that of the control group （both P<0.01）， and the liver organ coefficient was positively correlated with the exposure concentration of DEHP （r=0.80，P<0.000 1）. Under the microscope， the liver cells in diabetic rats were swollen， the cytoplasm was light stained， and there were vacuoles in the cells. The serum ALP level in diabetic rats of 900 mg/kg DEHP group was significantly higher than that in the control group （P<0.01）. The serum ALP level was positively correlated with the concentration of DEHP （r=0.75， P<0.01）. The serum MDA level in diabetic rats of 300 mg/kg and 900 mg/kg DEHP groups was significantly higher than that of the control group （both P<0.01）， and the serum MDA level was positively correlated with the concentration of DEHP （r=0.84， P<0.000 1）. The serum SOD level of 900 mg/kg DEHP group was significantly higher than that of control group （P<0.01）. Conclusion:DEHP exposure could lead to liver damage， abnormal glycolipid metabolism， and increase the level of oxidative stress and antioxidant level in male diabetic rats， but did not show a significant effect on insulin resistance.

Objective To develop a time-resolved fluorescent immunoassay kit for the rapid,accurate and quantitative detection of S100B protein in serum and to evaluate its performance.Methods The test strip was prepared using time-resolved fluorescent microsphere-labeled anti-S100B polyclonal antibody and rabbit IgG antibody,labeling pads,sample pads,S100B nitrocellulose films and absorbent paper,and an S100B time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit was obtained by assembling the cartridge.The performance of the kit developed was evaluated by standard curve,accuracy,minimum detection limit,linear interval,specificity,reproducibility and stability.The reference intervals of 199 pieces of healthy human serum and plasma samples from a certain region were detected with the kit,and the clinical performance of the kit and Roche Elecsys S100 kit was tested by synchronous blind method to assess the consistency of the results of the two kits for 142 samples.Results The S100B time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit had the standard curve beingy=(1.133 02+1.752 24)/[1+(x/1.082 20)×(-0.603 52)]-1.752 24,R2=0.999 08 and the linear range being[0.05,30]ng/mL,which met the requirements of the relative deviation of the accuracy within±15％,the minimum detection limit not hgier than 0.05 ng/mL,the relative deviation of specificity within±15％and the coefficient of variation of intra-and inter-batch difference less than 15％.The stability test results indicated that the kit was valid for 12 months at 2-30 ℃ conditions.The reference intervals of serum and plasma samples measured by the kit were both lower than 0.3 ng/mL.Clinical trials showed that the results by the kit and Roche Elecsys S100 Assay Kit were in high agreement(Kappa=0.906 1＞0.80)and met the requirements.Conclusion The kit developed detects the concentration of S100B protein in serum quickly,accurately and quantitatively,and provides references for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases,autoimmune diseases,cerebrovascular diseases and etc.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):47-55]

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) and Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk scores for in-hospital mortality in Chinese ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients. Methods:Present data are obtained from the prospective, multicenter Chinese AMI (CAMI) registry, 107 hospitals from 31 provinces, municipalities or autonomous districts in China took part in this study. From January 2013 to September 2014, 17886 consecutive ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction patients admitted to these 107 hospitals were enrolled. For each patient, TIMI and GRACE risk scores were calculated using specific variables collected at admission. Their prognostic value on the primary endpoint (in-hospital mortality) was evaluated. Results:Mean age of this patient cohort was (61.9±12.4)years, 76.5% (n=13685) patients were males. The in-hospital mortality was 6.4%(n=1 153)and the median length of hospital stay was 10.0 days. The incidence of cardiac arrest at admission were 4.3% (n=764). Coronary reperfusion therapy including fibrinolytic therapy(n=1782), primary percutaneous coronary intervention (n=7763) and emergent coronary artery bypass grafting (n=10) were applied to 9555 (53.4%) patients and the median of time to reperfusion was 300.0 minutes. The predictive accuracy of TIMI and GRACE for in-hospital mortality was similar:TIMI risk score (AUC) [area under the curve:0.7956; 95% confidence interval (95%CI:0.7822~0.8090)] and GRACE risk score (AUC:0.8096; 95%CI:0.7963~0.8230). Conclusions:The TIMI and GRACE risk score demonstrate similar predictive accuracy for in-hospital mortality and there are some disadvantages in risk stratification by these two risk scores for Chinese STEMI patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of nuclear transcription factor-κB(NF-κB)/amide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 1(NOX1) signaling pathway in tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) induced apoptosis of A549 cells. METHODS: i) A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-α at the concentrations of 0.00, 0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 nmol/L. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cell viability to screen the optimal stimulating concentration of TNF-α. ii) A549 cells at logarithmic growth stage were randomly divided into four groups, the control group, the TNF-α group, the BAY11-7082(NF-κB inhibitor) group and the TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group. The cells in the control group were not treated. The TNF-α and BAY11-7082 groups were stimulated with 0.50 nmol/L TNF-α and 5 μmol/L BAY11-7082, respectively. The TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group was stimulated by both TNF-α and BAY11-7082. After 24 hours of culture, the cell survival rate was detected by CCK-8 assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptotic rate, and Western blotting was used to detect the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 proteins. RESULTS: i) When A549 cells were stimulated with TNF-α at the concentration of 0.50 nmol/L, the cell proliferative activity was reduced and the cell apoptosis was promoted. This concentration was selected as the stimulation dose of TNF-α in subsequent experiments. ii) The survival rate of A549 cells in the TNF-α group decreased(P<0.05), the apoptotic rate and the protein expressions of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 increased in TNF-α group(all P<0.05) compared with the control group. In BAY11-7082 group, the survival rate and the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 of A549 cells were decreased(all P<0.05), and the apoptotic rate of A549 cells was increased(P<0.05) compared with the control group. A549 cells in TNF-α+BAY11-7082 group changed from a long spindle shape to an irregular one. The cell survival rate increased(P<0.05), the apoptotic rate and the relative expression of NF-κB(p65) and NOX1 decreased(all P<0.05) compared with the TNF-α group. CONCLUSION: NF-κB/NOX1 signaling pathway is involved in A549 cells apoptosis induced by TNF-α.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics, prevention and treatment of invasive fungal disease (IFD). METHODS: The clinical data of 164 patients who met the diagnostic criteria of IFD in our center from January 2012 to January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The incidence, clinical characteristics, related factors, treatment methods and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS: Among 1289 cases of blood diseases, 164 cases suffered from IFD with inciduce of 12.7%. The main infection sites were as followed: lung, blood and gastrointestinal tract, with incidence of 84.2%, 5.5% and 3% respectively. The funge was found in 35 cases by detection; among fungi, the detected rate of candida albicans. aspergillus and candida glabrata was more high with 51.5%, 20% and 14.3% respectively. Among 164 childen with blood deseases complicated by IFD, 36 cases gained complete remission, 97 cases gained partial remission, 10 cases were stable, 11 cases were progressive and 10 cases died, the overall effective rate reached 81.1%. The univariate analysis showed that the gramulopenia, granulocyte recovery, long-term use of corticosteroid and immuno-suppressive agents, as well as different grades of diagnosis were significant factors affecting the efficacy of antifungal therapy for blood disease children with IFD, the multivariate analysis further showed that the granulocyte recovery and diagnosis grades were independent prognostic factors affecting the therapeutic efficacy for IFD children. The overall survival rate of IFD children with 12 weeks of antifungal treatnment was 81.7%, out of which the survival rate of IFD children at 12 weeks of treatment with itraconazole, voriconazole, amphotericin B and caspofungin was 81.4%, 80%, 69.4% and 97.1% respectively, there were significant differences in survival rate between each other by long rank test. In addition of caspofungin, the other 3 kinds of drugs had toxic side effects of different degrees, but IFD children could tolerated these effects after symptomatic treatment. CONCLUSION The incidence of IFD in children with blood deseases in our hospital is 12.7%, the lung is most common infective site, moreover patogens of IFD mainly is candida. The promotion of granulocyte recovery and early stratified diagnosis can contribule to the treatment of IFD. For the IFD children with better economic condition, the caspofungin is a potent antifungal agent with high efficacy, low toxicity and better prognosis.
Amphotericin B ; Antifungal Agents ; Child ; Hematologic Diseases ; etiology ; Humans ; Invasive Fungal Infections ; complications ; Retrospective Studies

Applying Chinese medicine (CM) is an important strategy for malignant tumor treatment in China. One of the significant characteristics of CM is to treat diseases based on syndrome differentiation. For Western medicine, it is of important clinical significance to formulate guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients based on the characteristics of disease differentiation. In Chinese clinical practice, the combination of disease differentiation and syndrome differentiation is an important feature for cancer treatment in the past. Currently, molecular profiling and genomic analysis-based precision medicine optimizes the anticancer drug design and holds the greatest success in treating cancer patients. Therefore, we want to know which populations of cancer patients can benefit more from CM treatment if the theory of precision medicine is applied to CM clinical practice. So, we developed a novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategy "disease-syndrome differentiation-genomic profiling-prescriptions" for cancer patients by CM syndrome differentiation and precision medicine. As a result, this strategy has greatly enhanced the anti-tumor efficacy of CM and improved clinical outcomes for cancer patients with some gene mutations. Our idea will hopefully establish a novel approach for the inheritance and innovation of CM.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Precision Medicine ; Syndrome