OBJECTIVE To investigate the antidepressant effect of triptolide in chronically unpredictable stressed mice and its possible protective effect on brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). METHODS One method was selected from 8 different stress methods each day,and the mice were treated with triptolide(20,40,80 and 160μg·kg-1)10 min before the stress method. A chroni?cally unpredictable stressed model was established and after 14 d stress experiment, the total distance in the locomotor activity and the immobility time in the force swimming test and tail test were observed respectively. Triptolide(20,40,80 and 160μg·kg-1)was given 10 min before the test. In addition, Western blot was used to analyze the expression of phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein(p-CREB) and BDNF in the hippocampus and frontal cortex. RESULTS There was no effect on the locomotor activity in any group. Compared with the normal control group,the chronically unpre?dictable stressed group showed obvious depressive-like behavior,while the immobility time in the force swimming test decreased from(161 ± 18)s in chronically stressed group to(102 ± 14)s(P<0.05) and(83±14)s(P<0.01)when mice were ip given triptolide 80 and 160μg·kg-1, respectively,and(77± 11)s(P<0.01)in imipramine(IMI)hydrochloride group(10 mg?kg-1),and(96±9)s(P<0.01)in fluox?etine(FLU)group(10 mg?kg-1). The immobility time in the tail suspension test decreased from(128± 8)s in chronically stressed group to(93±9)s(P<0.05),(85±8)s(P<0.01)and(77±11)s(P<0.01)when mice were ip given triptolide 40,80 and 160μg · kg-1 respectively,and(64 ± 9)s(P<0.01)in IMI hydro?chloride 10 mg?kg-1 group,and(72±6)s(P<0.01)in FLU group(10 mg?kg-1). Moreover,the expression of p-CREB in the hippocampus and frontal cortex significantly increased in triptolide 80 and 160μg·kg-1 groups(P<0.05),so did the expression of BDNF in the hippocampus and frontal cortex in triptolide 80 and 160μg·kg-1 groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Triptolide can ameliorate the depressive-like behavior in chronically unpredictable stressed mice,which may be related to the cAMP-CREB-BDNF signal transduction cascades.

Objective To evaluate the role of adenosine A1 receptors in hippocampal neurons in the cognitive dysfunction caused by isoflurane anesthesia in aged mice.Methods Sixteen male adenosine A1 receptor gene knockout homozygote mice (gene knockout mice) and 16 male wild-type mice,aged 18-22 months,weighing 27-32 g,were studied.Each type of mice was randomly divided into 2 groups (n=8 each) using a random number table:control group (group C) and isoflurane anesthesia group (group Ⅰ).Mice inhaled 1.4％ isoflurane in 100％ O2 for 2 h in group Ⅰ,and 100％ O2 for 2 h in group C.All the mice underwent Morris water maze test at 24 h after isoflurane or O2 inhalation.After the test,the mice were sacrificed and the hippocampal tissues were harvested to determine the number of β-amyloid1-42 (Aβ1-42) plaques (using immunohistochemistry) and expression of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) protein,and 2B subunit-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NR2B) (by Western blot analysis).Results Compared with group C of wild type mice,the escape latency was significantly prolonged,the number of Aβ1-42 plaques was enlarged,the expression of p-tau protein was up-regulated,and the expression of N R2B was down-regulated in group Ⅰ of wild type mice.Compared with group Ⅰ of wild type mice,the escape latency was significantly shortened,the number of Aβ1-42 plaques was decreased,the expression of p-tau protein was down-regulated,and the expression of NR2B was up-regulated in group Ⅰ of gene knockout mice.There was no significant difference in the parameters mentioned above between group Ⅰ and group C of gene knockout mice.Conclusion Adenosine A1 receptors in hippocampal neurons mediate isoflurane anesthesia-induced cognitive dysfunction in aged mice,and the mechanism may be related to promotion of deposition of Aβ,phosphorylation of tau protein and inhibition of activities of NR2B.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between changes in intestinal mucosal permeability and prognosis of patients with liver cirrhosis. Methods: Data of 89 cases with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in the Hepatology Department of Shanxi Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2017 to August 2017 were collected as the liver cirrhosis experimental group, and 40 healthy subjects were randomly selected as the healthy control group. JY-DLT, the Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Biochemical Index Analysis System was used to measure the levels of serum diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid, and endotoxin (ETX) in two groups to evaluate intestinal mucosal barrier function. Spearman’s rank correlation test was used to evaluate the correlation between liver cirrhosis prognosis and intestinal mucosal permeability. The results of the two groups were compared by Mann-Whitney H test of two independent samples. One-way Anova was used for intergroup comparison. The pairwise comparison between groups was performed using the LSD or SNK test. Results: The level of ETX in patients with decompensated cirrhosis was significantly higher than that in the compensated phase, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The levels of DAO, D-lactic acid and ETX in the liver cirrhosis group were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.01). The plasma levels of DAO, D-lactic acid and ETX in the Child-Pugh grade groups of patients with liver cirrhosis were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results of intergroup comparison showed that there were statistically significant differences in DAO, D-lactic acid and ETX levels between Child-Pugh grade A and grade B groups (t = -4.255, 2.527, -2.179, P < 0.05). Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences in the levels of D-lactic acid and ETX between the Child-Pugh grade A and grade C groups (t = -2.693, -4.248, P < 0.01).The plasma levels of DAO, D-lactic acid and ETX levels were positively correlated (r = 0.205, 0.372, 0.342, P < 0.01). D-lactic acid and ETX levels were positively correlated with CTP score, Forns’ index, RPR index, APRI score, FIB-4 index and FibroScan score(P < 0.01). Conclusion The three indices (plasma DAO, D-lactic acid, and ETX) can accurately detect the changes in intestinal mucosal permeability. Moreover, the higher index of intestinal mucosal permeability causes the more severe degree of liver cirrhosis and the correlation between the intestinal mucosal permeability and the prognosis score of liver cirrhosis provides a reference for a new evaluation system and new ideas for the treatment of liver cirrhosis.

Objective:To establish an in vitro capsular bag model and compare the inhibitory effects of different 360° square-edge intraocular lens (IOL) on lens epithelial cells (LECs) migration. Methods:In vitro capsular bag model with posterior capsule opacification (PCO) was established using Transwell compartment, cell climbing slices, human collagen type Ⅳ, and IOL.The models were divided into Plate-loop HydroSmart group, C-loop HydroSmart group, and C-compensation-loop Hydrophobic group according to the different square-edge IOL implanted.A blank control group was set using the Transwell compartment without IOL.The early PCO pathological manifestations in lens epithelial cell line SRA01/04 cultured in the Transwell compartment were observed with an inverted microscope.The cell morphology in different groups was observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining.The cell counting and cell migration inhibition rate of anterior capsule and posterior capsule were calculated by Transwell assay and cell-exclusion zone assay, respectively. Results:The early pathological characteristics of PCO, such as early Soemmering ring and small Elschnig pearl, could be found in cells in the in vitro capsular bag model after 48-hour culture.The migrating cells in model groups were fibrous.No changes mentioned above were found in blank control group.The number of migrating cells in the anterior capsule of Plate-loop HydroSmart group, C-loop HydroSmart group, C-compensation-loop Hydrophobic group was 18.80±5.53, 24.67±9.80, and 34.47±10.80, respectively, and the number of migrating cells in the optical area of the posterior capsule of the three groups was 56.43±9.00, 162.20±16.38, and 121.30±12.01, respectively.The cell migration inhibition rate in the anterior capsule of Plate-loop HydroSmart group, C-loop HydroSmart group, C-compensation-loop Hydrophobic group was (92.02±1.94)%, (89.76±3.10)%, (86.27±4.54)%, respectively, and the cell migration inhibition rate in optical area of the posterior capsule of the three groups was (91.60±3.65)%, (70.14±5.35)%, (78.43±3.48)%, respectively.The number of migrating cells in the anterior capsule was lower and the cell migration rate inhibition was higher in Plate-loop HydroSmart group than C-compensation-loop Hydrophobic group, with significant differences (both at P<0.05). The number of migrating cells in the optical area of the posterior capsule and the cell migration inhibition rate was greater than those of C-loop HydroSmart group and C-compensation-loop Hydrophobic group, showing statistically significant differences (all at P<0.001). Conclusions:The in vitro capsular bag model can be used in PCO research.Compared with C-loop HydroSmart IOL and C-compensation-loop Hydrophobic IOL, Plate-loop HydroSmart IOL can more effectively inhibit the migration of LECs to the optical area of the posterior capsule.

Immunocheckpoint inhibitors (ICIs) activated the patients' tumor immunity to kill the tumor cell, and brought new hope to patients with tumor. However, a series of immunocheckpoint inhibitors related adverse effects (irAEs) may also occur based on immune injury. Glucocorticoids are the basis for the treatment of such irAEs. However, the usage, dosage and course of treatment of glucocorticoid in irAEs are different from those in classic autoimmune diseases. Meanwhile, long-term use of large doses of glucocorticoids may cause serious adverse effects too. In this paper, the mechanism, dosage forms, adverse effects and management of glucocorticoids are described in detail, providing references and suggestions for oncologists to apply glucocorticoids in clinical practice.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a major breakthrough in cancer therapy. Immune-related adverse events (irAEs) may occur during treatment due to their unique mechanism of action. Dermatologic toxicities appear to be one of the most prevalent irAEs. The most common symptoms are maculopapular rash and pruritus. Serious dermatologic AEs, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis, are rare. In this review, we summarized guidelines of management of immunotherapy-related toxicities and case reports, and proposed treatment recommendation.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are able to reactivate the immune system therefore enhance the anti-tumor effects. However, over-activated T cells may induce immune related adverse events (irAEs). Hematological irAEs are rarely reported, which mainly represent as mono-lineage cytopenia or pancytopenia, including autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA), immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), neutropenia and aplastic anemia, sometimes even lethal, such as hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The clinical manifestations of hematological irAEs will be summarized and recommendations of diagnosis and treatment are proposed.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have made remarkable breakthroughs in cancer treatment. However, the widely use of ICIs is associated with a spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs). These adverse events can affect any organ system. In this article, we have made a systemic review about the clinical characteristics of rheumatic irAEs, and also summarized irAEs in patients with pre-exsiting rheumatic disease. We also focus on the management of rheumatic irAEs.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been widely used in management of malignant tumor. Programmed death ligand 1 (PD-1)/programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors have been introduced to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in recent years. Currently, PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors are considered to have minor side effects and do not independently increase the risk of infection. However, they may cause immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that can require immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants, leading to opportunistic infections. Furthermore, there were reports about reactivation of chronic/latent infections without irAEs. Thus, immune checkpoint inhibitor related infections have drawn more and more attention in the world. In this paper, we described the potential mechanism, available clinical data and recommendation of diagnosis and management for PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitor related infections.

Immunotherapy for malignant tumors is a hot spot in current research and treatment of cancer. The activation of programmed cell death receptor-1 (PD-1) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA)-4 relevant signaling pathway can inhibit the activation of T lymphocytes. Tumor cells can achieve immune escape by activating this signaling pathway. By inhibiting this signaling pathway, immune-checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) activate T lymphocytes to clear the tumor cells. Therefore, the adverse effects of ICIs are mainly immune-related adverse events (irAEs). The digestive system, including gastrointestinal tract and liver are vital organs of digestion and absorption, metabolism and detoxification, as well as important immune related organs, which are the commonly affected system of irAEs. This review separately explains the incidence, clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of liver and gastrointestinal adverse events in ICIs.