Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of homocysteine(Hcy)and high?sensitivity troponin T(hs?TNT)of serum in coronary heart disease(CHD). Methods A total of 310 cases of CHD(CHD group )and 285 cases of healthy individuals(healthy control group)were re?cruited in our hospital from August 2014 to July 2015. The serum levels of Hcy and hs?TNT in all subjects were measured using methods of enzy?matic cycling and electrochemical luminescence. Results Levels of Hcy and hs?TNT of serum sample in CHD group were higher than healthy control group(P<0.05). The positive rate of Hcy combined with hs?TNT was 88.4%,which was significantly higher than the positive rate of indi?vidual detection(P<0.05). Hcy and hs?TNT of patients with myocardial infarction were different from those of patients without myocardial infarc?tion . The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusion The combined detection of Hcy and hs?TNT can improve the detec?tion rate of CHD,which has a certain application value in the diagnosis of CHD.

OBJECTIVE:To establish the method for simultaneous determination of 5 saponins in Lonicerae Flos. METHODS:Using macranthoidin B as a reference,HPLC method was adopted to calculate the relative correction factor(RCF)of it to macran-thoidin A,dipsacoside B,macranthoside A and macranthoside B. The contents of above 4 saponins were calculated through RCF. Using the contents of saponins determined by external standard method as measured value,the calculated value was compared with measured value. RESULTS:The linear ranges of macranthoidin A,macranthoidin B,dipsacoside B,macranthoside A and macran-thoside B were 0.316-6.32 μg(r=0.9973),0.453-9.06 μg(r=0.9982),0.231-4.62 μg(r=0.9996),0.342-6.84 μg(r=0.9984) and 0.147-2.94 μg(r=0.9961),respectively. RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were all lower than 2.0%. The recoveries were 97.74%-104.51%(RSD=2.37%,n=6)、96.70%-103.20%(RSD=2.37%,n=6)、96.12%-103.61%(RSD=2.45%, n=6)、98.80%-104.70%(RSD=2.32%,n=6)、99.21%-102.92%(RSD=1.39%,n=6),respectively. There was no statistical sig-nificance between calculated value and measured value(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple,precise,stable and re-producible. It can be used for the determination of saponins in Lonicerae Flos.

Objective To evaluate the effect of Eucommia on hyperlipidemia and related indexes in rats, and provide animal data useful for the clinical experimental studies on hyperlipidemia.Methods Seventy-two healthy male SD rats were used in this study.One group of 12 rats fed with normal diet was chosen as normal control group, and other 60 rats were fed with high fat diet for two weeks to generate rat models of hyperlipidemia.48 of the hyperlipidemic model rats were taken and divided randomly into 4 groups, including model group, high dose Eucommia, moderate dose Eucommia, and low dose Eucommia groups.The last three groups were gavaged different dose of Eucommia, respectively.Druing this period, the other groups except the normal control group were fed with high fat diet continuously.The levels of serum TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C of rats were measured on day 30 and 45.Results The serum levels of TC and LDL-C of the rats in the model group were obviously higher than those in the normal control group.The rat models of hyperlipidemia were established successfully.The three dose groups had a tendency of lowing blood lipid after 30 days.At 45 days, the levels of serum TC and LDL-C in the low and high dose groups were lower than those in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.05), (P<0.01, P<0.01).TG in the high, moderate and low dose groups were lower than that in the model group (P<0.01, P<0.01, P<0.01), but the level of the serum HDL-C was not significantly lower than that in the model group (P>0.05, P>0.05, P>0.05).Conclusions Eucommia in a dose of 0.43 g/kg, 0.86 g/kg and 1.71 g/kg administered for 30 days have a tendency to reduce the level of serum TC, TG, and LDL-C.When Eucommia is administered in a dose of 0.43 g/kg, 1.71g/kg and 3.42 g/kg for 45 days, it shows an adjuvant hypolipidemic effect.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) exist in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explore the relationship among the expressions of CD133, Notch1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their relations with the clinicopathological parameters of the patients.

METHODSA total of 305 specimens of NSCLC and 80 normal lung tissue specimens were analyzed for CD133, Notch1, and VEGF protein expressions by immunohistochemical staining.

RESULTSIn NSCLC specimens, the positivity rates of CD133, Notch1, and VEGF were 48.9%, 43.9%, and 45.6%, respectively, significantly higher than those in normal lung tissues (10.0%, 15.0%, and 0%, respectively, P<0.01). The expression levels of CD133, Notch1, and VEGF proteins were significantly correlated with the tumor grades, lymph node metastasis, TNM stages, and postoperative survival time of the patients (P<0.01). A positive correlation was found among the expression levels of CD133, Notch1, and VEGF proteins. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significantly lower overall mean survival time of the patients positive for CD133, Notch1, and VEGF than that of the negative patients (P<0.001). Cox regression analysis suggested that positive expressions of CD133 and Notch1 were independent prognostic factors of NSCLC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCD133, Notch1, and VEGF may play important roles in the occurrence, progression, invasion, and metastasis of NSCLC. CD133 and Notch1 have important values for predicting the prognosis and evaluating disease progression of the patients.

AC133 Antigen ; Antigens, CD ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; Glycoproteins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lung ; metabolism ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; Peptides ; metabolism ; Prognosis ; Receptor, Notch1 ; metabolism ; Regression Analysis ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Objective:To explore application research of intimacy enhancement therapy in the rehabilition of depression patients, and to provide reference for carrying out depression nursing care.Methods:This study was a randomized controlled trial. From September 2022 to September 2023, a total of 84 depression patients and spouse were selected by convenience sampling method and assigned to the experimental group and control group with 42 cases in each group using the random number table method from Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University. The control group applied with routine nursing, and the experimental group implemented intimacy enhancement therapy. Before and 8 weeks after intervention, Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD-17), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA-17) and Symptom checklist-90 (SCL-90) were used for assessment.Results:Finally, 81 patients completed the study, including 39 in the experimental group, 13 males and 26 females, aged (36.18 ± 10.93) years old, and 42 in the control group, 17 males and 25 females, aged (38.76 ± 10.90) years old. Before intervention, there was no significant difference in HAMD-17, HAMA-17 and SCL-90 (all P>0.05). After 8 weeks of intervention, the scores of HAMD-17, HAMA-17 scores in the experimental group were (21.00 ± 4.49), (25.38 ± 5.16) points, which were lower than (23.76 ± 6.24), (28.48 ± 5.88) points in the control group; the scores of somatization, interpersonal sensitivity, compulsion, anxiety, depression, others, total SCL-90 in the experimental group were (1.25 ± 0.19), (0.69 ± 0.35), (1.40 ± 0.23), (1.17 ± 0.29), (1.18 ± 0.14), (1.22 ± 0.18), (119.69 ± 9.09) points, which were also lower than (1.82 ± 0.26), (1.53 ± 0.36), (1.69 ± 0.39), (1.88 ± 0.38), (1.73 ± 0.35), (1.31 ± 0.17), (146.19 ± 8.97) points of the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.05-13.20, all P<0.05). Conclusions:Intimacy enhancement therapy can effectively alleviate somatic symptoms and improve prognosis of patients with depression.

Objective To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of ultrasound-guided thoracic paravertebral block (TPVB) combined with general anesthesia in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. Methods A total of 122 patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery were selected and randomly divided into control group and tudy group, with 61 patients in each group.The control group received general anesthesia, while the study group received ultrasound-guided TPVB combined with general anesthesia.Clinical data and perioperative indicators were recorded and compared between the two groups.Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores before surgery, 24 hours and 72 hours after surgery, and inflammatory factors[interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-10(IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)], oxidative stress indicators[malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px)]levels before surgery and 72 hours after surgery were compared between the two groups.Postoperative adverse reactions were recorded.Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression of key molecules mRNA in the Nrf2/Keap1/ARE pathway in the peripheral blood of patients in the two groups. Results There were no statistically significant differences in operative time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05).The study group had shorter extubation time and indwelling time of drainage tube, less total drainage volume, and less total PCIA drug consumption within 36 hours after surgery and times of patient controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA) effective compression compared to the control group (P < 0.05).At 24 and 72 hours after surgery, MAP, HR, and VAS scores were higher than preoperative levels in the control group, while VAS scores were higher than preoperative levels in the study group, but MAP, HR, and VAS scores were lower in the study group compared to the control group (P < 0.05).At 72 hours after surgery, serum levels of IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and MDA were higher than preoperative levels, while SOD and GSH-Px levels were lower than preoperative levels in both groups.Additionally, the study group had lower serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and MDA and higher levels of IL-10, SOD, and GSH-Px compared to the control group (P < 0.05).The total incidence of postoperative adverse reactions was 4.92%(3/61) in the study group, which was lower than 21.31%(13/61) in the control group (P < 0.05).At 72 hours after surgery, the expression levels of Nrf2 mRNA and ARE mRNA in the peripheral blood of patients in the study group were lower than those in the control group, while the expression level of Keap1 mRNA was higher (P < 0.05). Conclusion Compared with general anesthesia, ultrasound-guided TPVB combined with general anesthesia can significantly improve hemodynamic stability and analgesic effects in patients with early-stage lung cancer after thoracoscopic surgery, relieve inflammatory and oxidative stress responses, and decrease the incidence of postoperative adverse reactions.The molecular mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Nrf2/Keap1/ARE signaling pathway activation.

Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)is the most common chronic liver disease. However, the treatment of NASH remains challenging. Apoptosis signal regulating kinases-1(ASK-1)is a member of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinases(MAPKKKs). When the body is stimulated by reactive oxygen species, endoplasmic reticulum stress, calcium influx and extracellular inflammatory signals, c-Jun amino terminal kinases(JNK)and p38 MAPK wiube activated, which then promotes cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and production of inflammatory factors, and causes NASH, fibrosis and other diseases. Therefore, ASK-1 inhibitors can be used to treat NASH. This paper reviews the current treatment methods of NASH, the structure and mechanism of ASK-1, and the research progress of ASK-1 inhibitors in the treatment of NASH in recent years, which aims to explore the guiding significance for the design and development of ASK-1 inhibitors.

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of Snail and Slug in primary cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) and their relationship with KAI1 expression.

METHODSThe expressions of Snail, Slug, and KAI1 proteins were examined by immunohistochemistry in 154 specimens of CSCC tissues, 50 specimens of cervical intraepithelial neoplasm (CIN), and 40 specimens of normal cervical tissues.

RESULTSThe positivity rates of Snail, Slug, and KAI1 expression were 0%, 2.5%, and 95.0% in normal cervical tissues, 32.0%, 34.0% and 64.0% in CIN tissues, and 66.2%, 66.9%, and 43.5% in CSCC tissues, respectively, showing significant differences in the rates among the 3 groups (P<0.05). The expressions of Snail, Slug, and KAI1 were significantly correlated with the histological grades of the tumor, depth of invasion, lymph node metastasis, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages, and postoperative survival time (P<0.05). The expressions of Snail and Slug were positively correlated (r=0.752, P<0.001), and both of them were negatively correlated with the expression of KAI1 (P<0.001). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that patients positive for Snail and Slug had significantly lower survival rates than the negative patients (P<0.001), while a positive expression of KAI1 was associated with a higher survival rate of the patients. Cox regression analysis identified Snail, KAI1, and FIGO stage as independent factors that affected the outcomes of CSCC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of Snail, Slug, and KAI1 are related to the tumor grade, FIGO stage, invasive depth, lymph node metastasis, and prognosis of CSCC, and their combined detection can help estimate the outcomes of the patients.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kangai-1 Protein ; metabolism ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Snail Family Transcription Factors ; Survival Rate ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology

Objective:To analyze the rules of medication and principles of formulas for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) using the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support platform (V2.5).Methods:The clinical data, including gender, age, clinical symptoms, frequency of traditional Chinese medicine medication and prescription information, of patients with COVID-19 and asymptomatic infection who were admitted to Hebei COVID-19 designated hospital supported by medical team of First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine from January to March 2021 were collected. The information data were input into the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support platform (V2.5). The data mining and analysis were realized by the integrated association rules and complex entropy clustering analysis methods of the software, including the analysis of the frequency of each drug use, drug meridian, taste, and prescription rules, and the new prescriptions were developed.Results:A total of 564 patients (564 prescriptions) were enrolled, involving 200 Chinese herbs, including 357 cases of common COVID-19 and 207 cases of asymptomatic infection. The proportion of women with common COVID-19 was high, and the high incidence age group was 51-70 years old. There was no significant difference in gender of asymptomatic infection, and the high incidence age group was 1-20 years old. The main clinical manifestations of most patients were head heavy and cough, followed by low fever and cough with sputum, the main tongue coating and pulse pattern were similar in both types of patients. The frequency of traditional Chinese medicine used in patients with common type of COVID-19 from high to low was liquorice root (326 times), indian bread (264 times), pinellia tuber (263 times), bitter apricot seed (236 times), baical skullcap root (229 times), gypsum (205 times), agastache rugosus (201 times), dried tangerine peel (194 times), ephedra (184 times), and Chinese thorowax root (163 times), while that used by asymptomatic infection were baical skullcap root (174 times), liquorice root (142 times), medicated leaven (137 times), agastache rugosus (127 times), pinellia tuber (114 times), Chinese thorowax root (100 times), officinal magnolia bark (91 times), atractylodes rhizome (89 times), peony root (84 times), and milkvetch root (83 times). The two types of patients were mainly treated with warm, cold and flat drugs, and the nature and taste were mainly pungent, bitter and sweet. The meridian tropism of drugs was mainly lung, spleen and stomach. High frequency drug formulation mainly included drugs for resolving turbidity and detoxification. At the same time, seven new prescriptions for common COVID-19 and four new prescriptions for asymptomatic infection were developed.Conclusions:The primary reason for the COVID-19 occurrence and development is turbidity-toxin and the qi of plague, and resolving turbidity and detoxication are the basic treating principle. On the basis, for patients with common COVID-19, symptomatic treatment such as relieving exterior syndrome, clearing heat, resolving phlegm, and antitussive drugs should be taken into account at the same time, while the treatment of asymptomatic infections should focus more on supporting the body and eliminating the harmful pathogens.

Objective To investigate the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) exist in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and explore the relationship among the expressions of CD133, Notch1, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and their relations with the clinicopathological parameters of the patients. Methods A total of 305 specimens of NSCLC and 80 normal lung tissue specimens were analyzed for CD133, Notch1, and VEGF protein expressions by immunohistochemical staining. Results In NSCLC specimens, the positivity rates of CD133, Notch1, and VEGF were 48.9%, 43.9%, and 45.6%, respectively, significantly higher than those in normal lung tissues (10.0%, 15.0%, and 0%, respectively, P<0.01). The expression levels of CD133, Notch1, and VEGF proteins were significantly correlated with the tumor grades, lymph node metastasis, TNM stages, and postoperative survival time of the patients (P<0.01). A positive correlation was found among the expression levels of CD133, Notch1, and VEGF proteins. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a significantly lower overall mean survival time of the patients positive for CD133, Notch1, and VEGF than that of the negative patients (P<0.001). Cox regression analysis suggested that positive expressions of CD133 and Notch1 were independent prognostic factors of NSCLC (P<0.05). Conclusions CD133, Notch1, and VEGF may play important roles in the occurrence, progression, invasion, and metastasis of NSCLC. CD133 and Notch1 have important values for predicting the prognosis and evaluating disease progression of the patients.