Objective To investigate the acute toxicology and intervention effect of Panacis Majoris Rhizoma on rats with chronic pharyngitis.Methods A single,maximum dose of Panacis Majoris Rhizoma(74.4 g·kg-1)was administered to Kunming mice to evaluate its toxicity,involving the assessment of the survival status of the mice,organ indices,morphological changes in major organs,blood routine,and biochemical indicators.SD rats were randomly divided into the control group,model group,prednisone group(6.25 mg·kg-1),and low-,medium-,and high-dose Panacis Majoris Rhizoma groups(0.58,1.16,and 2.32 g·kg-1).All rats received the corresponding drugs(or normal saline)via intragastric administration once daily for a duration of 30 days.Except the control group,chronic pharyngitis was induced in rats of the other groups by using β-hemolytic streptococcus.Following euthanasia,serum inflammatory levels of interleukin-6(IL-6),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),C-reactive protein(CRP),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),and prostaglandin E2(PGE2)were measured.Additionally,pharyngeal tissues were stained with HE and pathological characteristics were observed.Results Toxicological studies have demonstrated that the administration of Panacis Majoris Rhizoma resulted in significant increase in plasma alanine transaminase levels and spleen index of mice,along with corresponding tissue pathological alterations.Nevertheless,no noteworthy pathological changes were observed in other organs,and there were no notable changes in blood routine and plasma biochemical indicators.Pharmacodynamic investigations have revealed that Panacis Maioris Rhizoma effectively reduces the serum levels of inflammatory factors and improves pathological changes in pharyngeal tissues.Conclusion Panacis Maioris Rhizoma alleviated β-hemolytic streptococcus-induced CP by inhibiting inflammatory responses,and may show potential toxicity to the spleen.

Neurogenesis decline in hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) participates in stress-induced depressive-like behaviors, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we observed low-expression of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 6 (NLRP6) in hippocampus of stress-stimulated mice, being consistent with high corticosterone level. NLRP6 was found to be abundantly expressed in neural stem cells (NSCs) of DG. Both Nlrp6 knockout (Nlrp6^-/-) and NSC-conditional Nlrp6 knockout (Nlrp6CKO) mice were susceptible to stress, being more likely to develop depressive-like behaviors. Interestingly, NLRP6 was required for NSC proliferation in sustaining hippocampal neurogenesis and reinforcing stress resilience during growing up. Nlrp6 deficiency promoted esophageal cancer-related gene 4 (ECRG4) expression and caused mitochondrial dysfunction. Corticosterone as a stress factor significantly down-regulated NLRP6 expression, damaged mitochondrial function and suppressed cell proliferation in NSCs, which were blocked by Nlrp6 overexpression. ECRG4 knockdown reversed corticosterone-induced NSC mitochondrial function and cell proliferation disorders. Pioglitazone, a well-known clinical drug, up-regulated NLRP6 expression to inhibit ECRG4 expression in its protection against corticosterone-induced NSC mitochondrial dysfunction and proliferation restriction. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that NLRP6 is essential to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis and proliferation in NSCs, and identifies NLRP6 as a promising therapeutic target for hippocampal neurogenesis decline linked to depression.

Compound formulas of traditional Chinese medicines （TCM）， also known as prescription in clinic， refers to a form of medication in which several TCMs are selectively combined according to the certain compatibility principles and the needs of patient’s condition， based on syndrome differentiation and treatment. At present， the methods and strategies for investigating the compatibility mechanisms of TCM prescriptions mainly focus on the following two aspects: analysis of pharmacological substances （including chemical composition analysis of TCM， ingredients of TCM analysis in blood， and pharmacokinetic analysis） and pharmacological signaling pathways analysis （involving network pharmacology analysis， signal pathway indicator detection， and metabolomics analysis）. In future research， the compatibility relationships of TCM prescriptions should be explored according to the principles of “Qiqing Hehe”，“ Shengjiang Fuchen”，“ Junchen Zuoshi”， and “Siqi Wuwei”. The regularity of TCM prescriptions compatibility should be shown in the change regularity of chemical components， pharmacokinetics， pharmacological pathways， and chemical compositions of various ratios of TCMs. Based on the insurance of holistic efficacy of TCM prescriptions， the underlying mechanisms of compatibility should be uncovered， which will provide references for the optimization of clinical applications of prescriptions and new directions for the creation of innovative TCM prescriptions.

Objective: To determine the valuable hemolytic characteristics in differential diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AIHA) and hereditary spherocytosis (HS). Method: The clinical and hemolytic characteristics of 108 PNH patients, 127 AIHA patients and 172 HS patients diagnosed from January 1998 to April 2017 were compared. Results: ①Reticulocyte percentage (Ret%) of PNH patients [6.70% (0.14%-22.82%)] was significantly lower than that of AIHA [14.00%(0.10%-55.95%), P<0.001] and HS patients [11.83%(0.60%-57.39%), P<0.001]. The Ret% in PNH patients were significantly lower than those in AIHA and HS patients at the same levels of anemia, except for in mild anemia between PNH and AIHA patients. However, when comparing the Ret% between AIHA and HS patients, there was significant difference only in mild anemia [7.63%(1.87%-29.20%)% vs 11.20%(3.31%-22.44%), z=-2.165, P=0.030]. ②The level of TBIL in HS patients was significantly higher than that in AIHA and PNH patients [79.3 (11.2-244.0) μmol/L vs 57.6 (7.6-265.0) μmol/L, z=5.469, P<0.001; 79.3(11.2-244.0) μmol/L vs 26.2(4.6-217.7) μmol/L, z=-2.165, P<0.001], and the proportion of HS patients with TBIL more than 4 times the upper limit of normal (ULN) (64.1%) was significantly higher than that of AIHA (37.7%, χ²=19.896, P<0.001) and PNH patients (4.6%, P<0.001). ③The LDH level of PNH patients was significantly higher than that of AIHA and HS [1 500 (216-5 144) U/L vs 487 (29-3 516) U/L, z=-9.556, P<0.001; 1 500 (216-5 144) U/L vs 252 (132-663) U/L, z=-11.518, P<0.001], and the proportion of PNH patients with LDH more than 1 000 U/L (79.1%) was significantly higher than that of AIHA patients (13.0%, χ²=93.748, P<0.001) and HS patients (0, P<0.001). ④Splenomegaly occurred in 43.5% of PNH patients, including 16.0% with severe splenomegaly. In contrast, the occurrence of splenomegaly was 98.6% in AIHA patients and 100.0% in HS patients (P<0.001), and 63.0% of AIHA patients (P<0.001) and 90.4% of HS patients (P<0.001) were with severe splenomegaly. ⑤The prevalence of cholelithiasis in HS patients was up to 43.1%, significantly higher than that in AIHA patients (10.5%, P<0.001) and PNH patients (2.9%, P<0.001). Conclusion The comprehensive assessment of the five hemolytic characteristics is simplified, practical and efficient, with great clinical significance, providing specific indicators for differential diagnosis and efficient approach for making further work-up.

Objective To investigate the role and mechanism of macrophage activation induced by exosomes from high glucose-treated renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods (1) The supernatant of renal tubular epithelial cells which were cultured in normal glucose control group (5.5 mmol/L D-glucose) or high glucose group (30.0 mmol/L D-glucose) for 48 h were collected and ultracentrifuged to harvest exosomes.Exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscope and Western blotting.(2) Exosomes were labeled with the green lipophilic fluorescent dye PKH67 and cultured with THP-1 macrophage to investigate whether HK2-derived exosomes could be internalized by THP-1 macrophage.Observing the morphology microscopically and detecting the chemotaxis function of THP-1 macrophages in Transwell chamber after co-cultured with exosomes.The expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),Interleukin-1β (IL-1β),monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in cells and supernatants were separately detected by quantitative Real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA),and the expression of p-c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (p-JNK),mitogen-activated protein kinase p-p38 (p-p38MAPK) and nuclear factor κB p65 (NF-κB p65) in THP-1 macrophages were detected by Western blot.Results (1) Vesicles that harvested by ultracentrifugation ranged in size from 30 nm to 100 nm and expressed exosomal marker CD63,TSG101 but absence of calnexin which is a marker of endoplasmic reticulum,suggesting that the exosomes were not contaminated with cells.(2) Results from laser scanning confocal microscope showed that each group of exosomes can be internalized by THP-1 macrophages.Compared with normal glucose exosomes group,high glucose exosomes had increased the expression of iNOS,TNF-α,IL-1β and MCP-1 in THP-1 macrophages (all P ＜ 0.01),moreover,p-JNK,p-p38 MAPK and NF-κB p65 proteins level also increased significantly (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Exosomes from high glucose-treated HK2 cells can induce THP-1 macrophage activation and functional changes through MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Aim To investigate the effect of paeoniflorin(PF)on TLR2/4 pathway in AGEs-induced RAW264.7 macrophages.Methods RAW264.7 macrophages were incubated at different time points in AGEs stimulation,as well as different concentrations of PF,to optimize experimental conditions.RAW264.7 macrophages were randomly divided into five groups: control group(DMEM),bull serum albumin(BSA)group(200 mg·L-1 BSA),AGEs group(200 mg·L-1 AGEs),paeoniflorin group(200 mg·L-1 AGEs+10-5 mol·L-1 PF)and TLR2/4 inhibitor group(200 mg·L-1 AGEs+30 mg·L-1 OxPAPC).The expression of Toll-like receptor 2(TLR2),Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),p-IRAK1,TIR-domain containing adaptor protein-inducing IFN-β(TRIF),interferon regulatory factor 3(IRF3),p-IRF3,NF-κB p-p65,NF-κB p65,inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-l β(IL-1β)and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1)were measured by Western blot.Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA,while TNF-α,IL-1β and MCP-1 levels in cell supernatant were measured by ELISA.Results Compared with control group,AGEs significantly increased the expression of TLR2,TLR4,MyD88,p-IRAK1,TRIF,IRF3,p-IRF3,NF-κB p-p65,NF-κB p65,iNOS,TNF-α,IL-1β and MCP-1 proteins(P<0.01),as well as TLR2 and TLR4 mRNA(P<0.01).TNF-α,IL-1β and MCP-1 contents were also elevated in cell supernatant(P<0.01).The effects induced by AGEs were decreased significantly in PF and TLR2/4 inhibitor group(P<0.01).Conclusion PF plays an anti-inflammatory effect via inhibiting TLR2/4 pathway on macrophages,which may provide a new theoretical basis for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.

Objective To investigate the correlation between emotional intelligence and self control in adult patients with early depressive disorder .Methods From September 2015 to February 2016 , a total of 61 adult patients with early depressive disorder were selected by convenience sampling and were surveyed by questionnaires of Emotional Intelligence Scale ( EIS) and self control scale of depression .Results Total scores of emotional intelligence in patients with early depressive disorder were (113.61 ±16.60), with the highest score of emotional use , and the lowest of self management .Emotional intelligence had a significantly positive correlation with total score of self control of depression ( r =0.369, P <0.01 ).Dimensions in emotional intelligence , like emotional perception , self management and emotion use , were positively correlated with self control of depression ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusions For adult patients with early depressive disorder , emotional intelligence has a significantly correlation with self control of depression .Nurses in department of psychiatry are thus reminded to take effective educational measures to improve the patients ′emotional intelligence , so as to improve emotional intelligence and self control abilities of patients with depressive disorder .

Purpose To investigate the clinical characteristics and Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy patients with hyperurice-mia. Methods 151 IgA nephropathy patients confirmed by renal biopsy in 2013 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were di-vided into the two groups:IgA nephropathy patients with or without hyperuricemia. Morphological changes were evaluated with Oxford classification scoring system and Lee’s grades. A comparative analysis of clinical manifestations and pathological injuries was performed between the two groups. Results Incidence of hyperuricemia in IgA nephropathy patients was 48. 3% and was more common in young men. Hypertension was associated with hyperuricemia. Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy patients with hyperuricemia was pre-dominant M1E0S1T0 and Lee’s grades presented with grade Ⅲ. The outstanding histopathologic features with higher plasma uric acid levels indicated higher tubulointerstitial chronicity, higher glomerular sclerosis ratio, accompanied by a decline in glomerular filtration rate. There was no significant difference of vascular lesions. Conclusions The prevalence of hyperuricemia in IgA nephropathy pa-tients is high. Oxford classification shows IgA nephropathy with hyperuricemia are associated with more severe tubulointerstitial lesions and lower GFR.

BACKGROUND:In vitro studies have demonstrated that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) promote the differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into cardiomyocyte-like cells. However, it is unclear whether coronary venous retroperfusion of bFGF stimulates BMSCs differentiation in vivo. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of coronary venous retroperfusion of bFGF on BMSCs differentiation in vivo. METHODS:BMSCs from 12 dogs were isolated by density gradient centrifugation and expanded in vitro. These cells were transfected by enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP) lentiviral vector and the transfection efficiency was analyzed. Acute myocardial infarction was induced by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery. After 1 week, 10 survival animals were randomized to BMSCs group (n=5) and bFGF+BMSCs group (n=5). bFGF-and EGFP-positive BMSCs were reversely infused via coronary vein using over-the-wire bal oon catheter. One week after infusion, the number of EGFP-positive cells co-staining factor VIII and troponin I was compared between the two groups by immunofluorescence method. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:BMSCs were successful y transfected by EGFP and the transfection efficiency was 85%. Immunofluorescence showed that EGFP-positive BMSCs were observed in 23.5%of slides. There were more EGFP-positive cells co-staining VIII and troponin I in the bFGF+BMSCs group than in the BMSCs group (P<0.05). Thus, the coronary venous retroperfusion of bFGF enhances the differentiation of BMSCs into vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes. Combined delivery of bFGF and BMSCs can exert a synergistic effect to promote cardiac repair.

Objective To explore the relationship of X-ray exposure parameters and false-node rate during image-guidance treatment with CyberKnife spine tracking.Methods Using spine tracking planning on a chest phantom,several combinations of X-ray exposure parameters were used to locate.The false-node ratio and the surface absorbed dose were investigated and the radiation dose was optimized.Results The false-node ratio and surface absorbed radiation dose decreased when the X-ray exposure parameters increased until they saturated.In the range of ≤5.0％ false-node rate,the surface absorbed radiation dose was 0.11,0.26 mGy,and 0.31-0.46 mGy,when the false-node rate was 2.77％,1.07％and 1.0％,respectively.Conclusions In image-guided treatment of CyberKnife,the radiation dose would be optimized,and the patient's radiation dose would be reduced greatly,which is important to protect the patients.