Aim To investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of Aesculetin from Viola tianshanica Maxim in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and the underlying mechanism.Methods RAW 264.7 cells were divided into control group, model group( LPS), 0.16, 0.8, 4, 20 μmol·L-1 AESN groups( different concentrations of AESN + LPS)and positive control group(10 μmol·L-1 Indomethacin+LPS).LPS(1 mg·L-1)was used to stimulate RAW 264.7 cells for 24 h to establish inflammatory model.MTS assay was used to detemine cytotoxicity of Aesculetin in RAW 264.7 cells.Griess method was used to detect NO secretion in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells.ELISA was applied to determine the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in cell culture supernatant.qRT-PCR was employed to detect the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β and iNOS.Immunofluorescence assay was used to evaluated the protein expressions of iNOS, p-NF-κB p65, IκBα, p-p38 and p-ERK1/2.Enzyme assay was used to detect the inhibition activity of Aesculetin on cyclooxygenase 1/2(COX 1/2).Results Aesculetin significantly inhibited the secretion of inflammatory mediator NO, mRNA and protein expression of iNOS in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 at 0.16, 0.8, 4 and 20 μmol·L-1.The contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in supernatant significantly decreased, and the mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β were also reduced by Aesculetin.Aesculetin also obviously inhibited the protein degradation of IκBα and inhibited the nuclear translocation of p-NF-κB p65, p-p38, p-ERK1/2.In addition, Aesculetin had significant inhibitory activities on COX-1 and COX-2, and the IC50 was 28.1 μmol·L-1, 2.3 μmol·L-1, respectively.Conclusions AESN has good anti-inflammatory effect, and its mechanism is closely related to the inhibition of NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways

In order to investigate the effects of fungal elicitor and macroporous adsorption resin on shikonin accumulation in hairy roots of arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst, we used spectrophotometry to determine the total naphthoquinone content of the hairy roots, by adding different volume ratio of Aspergillus niger elicitor, Aspergillus oryzae elicitor, and the macroporous resin into the M-9 liquid medium at different culture time. The results show that the total naphthoquinone content was 2.28 times higher than the control when we added mixed elicitors of Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus oryzae at the ratio of 2.5:50 in the 10th day of hairy roots cultivating. The total naphthoquinone content was 3.71 times higher than that of the control, when we added macroporous adsorption resin NKA-9. Aspergillus niger elicitor exhibited synergistic effect with Aspergillus oryzae elicitor to enhance the naphthoquinone. Also, the total naphthoquinone level was 4.17 times higher than that of the control by adding mixed fungal elicitor and macroporous adsorption resin NKA-9 in the bioreactor. Aspergillus oryzae and mixed elicitor could promote the hairy roots proliferation, and macroporous adsorption resin NKA-9 and mixed elicitor increased the total naphthoquinone content. In summary, the measure developed for Arnebia euchroma (Royle) Johnst hairy roots cultivating in bioreactors may potential for large-scale production of naphthoquinone.
Aspergillus niger ; metabolism ; Boraginaceae ; metabolism ; Fungal Proteins ; pharmacology ; Naphthoquinones ; analysis ; metabolism ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Porosity ; Resins, Synthetic ; pharmacology

Fluorescence imaging has been widely used in the fields of biomedicine and clinical diagnosis. Compared with traditional fluorescence imaging in the visible spectral region (400-760 nm), near-infrared (NIR, 700-1 700 nm) fluorescence imaging is more helpful to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and the sensitivity of imaging. Highly-sensitive fluorescent probes are required for high-quality fluorescence imaging, and the rapid development of nanotechnology has led to the emergence of organic dyes with excellent fluorescent properties. Among them, organic fluorescent probes with the advantages of high safety, good biocompatibility, and high optical stability, are more favorable than inorganic fluorescent probes. Therefore, NIR fluorescence imaging assisted with organic fluorescent probes can provide more structural and dynamic information of biological samples to the researchers, which becomes a hot spot in the interdisciplinary research field of optics, chemistry and biomedicine. This review summarizes the application of NIR organic fluorescent probes in cervical cancer imaging. Several typical organic fluorescent probes (such as indocyanine green, heptamethine cyanine dye, rhodamine and polymer fluorescent nanoparticles) assisted NIR fluorescence imaging and their applications in cervical cancer diagnosis were introduced, and the future development and application of these techniques were discussed.
Female ; Fluorescent Dyes ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; Optical Imaging ; Polymers ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging*

As a common ophthalmic disease, floaters have a complex etiology. It involves changes in the structure and function of the vitreous body and is closely associated with factors like age and myopia. Vitreous liquefaction and posterior detachment play a crucial role in this regard. Clinically, patients usually experience the floating of dotted or linear black shadows in front of their eyes, and generally, floaters do not cause visual impairment. In the past, due to the limitations of traditional concepts and treatment methods, a conservative observation strategy was often adopted. However, an increasing number of patients have complained that floaters lead to difficulties in driving and reading, which seriously affects their visual quality and mental health. Consequently, the demand for treatment has been growing day by day. The existing treatment options each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The efficacy of drug treatment is limited and remains controversial. Vitrectomy has a definite curative effect, yet it comes with a high risk of complications. YAG laser vitreolysis is relatively safe, but its curative effect is restricted by factors such as the size and location of the opacities. Nanobubble-mediated vitreolysis is still in the research stage and is expected to offer patients safer and more effective treatment in the future. This article reviews the etiology of floaters and the latest progress in its treatment, aiming to deepen clinicians' understanding of floaters, provide a more comprehensive scientific basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment, and promote personalized and precise treatment.

As a common ophthalmic disease, floaters have a complex etiology. It involves changes in the structure and function of the vitreous body and is closely associated with factors like age and myopia. Vitreous liquefaction and posterior detachment play a crucial role in this regard. Clinically, patients usually experience the floating of dotted or linear black shadows in front of their eyes, and generally, floaters do not cause visual impairment. In the past, due to the limitations of traditional concepts and treatment methods, a conservative observation strategy was often adopted. However, an increasing number of patients have complained that floaters lead to difficulties in driving and reading, which seriously affects their visual quality and mental health. Consequently, the demand for treatment has been growing day by day. The existing treatment options each have their own advantages and disadvantages. The efficacy of drug treatment is limited and remains controversial. Vitrectomy has a definite curative effect, yet it comes with a high risk of complications. YAG laser vitreolysis is relatively safe, but its curative effect is restricted by factors such as the size and location of the opacities. Nanobubble-mediated vitreolysis is still in the research stage and is expected to offer patients safer and more effective treatment in the future. This article reviews the etiology of floaters and the latest progress in its treatment, aiming to deepen clinicians' understanding of floaters, provide a more comprehensive scientific basis for clinical diagnosis and treatment, and promote personalized and precise treatment.

Echinococcosis ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Cord Diseases ; diagnosis ; Spine ; pathology

BACKGROUNDSinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) is a rare anomaly and few large or long-term series are well established. This study was designed to review 33-year surgical experience of SVA in one center.

METHODSFrom August 1980 to December 2013, patients with SVA underwent surgical repair were retrospectively studied.

RESULTSA total of 160 patients were identified with mean age of (30±12) years and 112 (70%) of them were males. The right coronary sinus origin of SVA was found in 108 patients (67.5%), the non-coronary sinus in 51 patients (31.9%), and the left coronary sinus in one patient (0.6%). The rupture of SVA into the right ventricle was identified in 89 (55.6%) cases, the right atrium in 61 (38.1%), the left ventricle in 2 (1.3%) and no rupture in 8 (5.0%). Ventricular septal defect (VSD) and aortic regurgitation (AR) were found in 59 (37%) and 45 (28%) patients respectively. An approach via the involved chamber was used in 86 patients (54%), aortotomy in 8 (5%), and a combined approach in 66 (41%). Either direct suture (56, 35%) or patch (104, 65%) closure were used to repair the SVA. The VSD was closed with a patch (44/59, 75%) or direct suture (15/59, 25%). aortic valve replacement (AVR) was performed in 23/45 (51%) and aortic valvuloplasty (AVP) in 9/45 (20%) patients combined with AR. There were 3 hospital deaths (1.9%) and 2 late deaths and 84% of the patients were followed up for (17.6±4.2) years. New York Heart Association functional class improved significantly after surgery (P < 0.01). Actuarial survival was 94% at 10 years, and 88% at 20 years.

CONCLUSIONSSurgical treatment of SVA is safe and effective, ruptured SVA or unruptured SVA with VSD and/or AR should be repaired surgically as early as possible. However, late progressive AR is still a risk during long-term follow-up, and early aggressive measures are recommended. These include more use of a combined approach to achieve optimal evaluation of lesions, more patch repairs to reduce the chance of recurrence, and more AVR in patients with moderate to severe AR.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aortic Aneurysm ; surgery ; Cardiac Surgical Procedures ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sinus of Valsalva ; surgery ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDReconstruction of carina, bronchoplasty and arterioplasty are widely used to extend the indication of lung cancer operation. Because these procedures preserve as many healthy lung tissues as possible, their therapeutic effect is better than pneumonectomy in many central lung cancer cases with poor cardiopulmonary function. The aim of this study is to explore the feasibility and indication of extended resection in selected patients with centrally located lung cancer.

METHODSFrom November, 1979 to January, 2003, lobectomy or pneumonectomy combined with extended resection of tracheo-carina, bronchus or vessels were performed in 50 patients with centrally located lung cancer. Tracheo-carinal reconstruction and bronchoplasty were performed in 48 cases, and pulmonary arterioplasty in 2 cases.

RESULTSPostoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (8.0%), and operative death occurred in 2 patients (4.0%). All the 48 patients were followed up from 1 to 10 years. The 1-, 3-, 5- and 10-year survival rate was 89.4% (42/47), 57.1% (20/35), 42.1% (8/19) and 25.0%(2/8) respectively.

CONCLUSIONSExtended pulmonary resection combined with tracheo-carinal reconstruction, bronchoplasty and vascular reconstruction is feasible for selected patients with centrally located lung cancer. It is helpful to prolong the long-term survival of patients with lung cancer.

Objective To analyze the influential factors of healthy children′s heart rate turbulence (HRT). Methods One hundred and six healthy children with ventricular premature beat (VPB) were selected in this study and the correlation among HTR parameters as turbulence onset (TO) and turbulence lope (TS) and age, gender, basic heart rate, the number of VPBs were analyzed. Results It was observed that among three age groups, TO decreased with the age, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05), but there was no significant gender difference (all P > 0.05). TS increased with the age, and intergroup difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). In the group of children aged over seven, significantly higher TS was observed among boys (P < 0.05), while in the group of children aged 1 to 3 and the group aged 3 to 7 , there was no significant gender difference (P > 0.05). TO and TS decreased with the decline of heart rate (r = 0.494, P < 0.00; r = -0.569,P < 0.00 respectively), and the correlation between TO and HR, TS and HR was found.The number of VPBs had no significant correlation with TO or TS (r = 0.104,P = 0.290; r = 0.122,P =0.212). Conclusions The results demonstrate that influenced by age and basic heart rate, healthy children′s HRT increases with the age and the decline of heart rate. Therefore, the reference index of children′s HRT should differ from that of adults, which requires further evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR)C677T polymorphism and the efficacy of the adjuvant chemotherapy with XELOX regimen for patients who had underwent radical resection of colorectal cancer. METHODS: Sixty-two patients who had received chemotherapy with XELOX regimen following radical resection of colorectal cancer were tested for MTHFR C677T polymorphism using Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR to analyze the association of MTHFR C677T polymorphism with the prognosis and adverse reactions to chemotherapy. RESULTS: Among the 62 patients with colorectal cancer, there were 3 allelotypes (C/C, C/T and T/T)at the MTHFR C677T locus, and their frequencies were 46.8%, 40.3%, and 12.9%, respectively. The recurrence free survival time was prolonged in C/T and T/T group than C/C group(Log-rank=4.778, P<0.05). Specifically, the relapse rate was 58.6% in patients with C/C allelotype, which was significantly higher than 33.3% in patients with T/T and C/T allelotype(Log-rank=3.985, P<0.05). TNM stage(HR=5.326, P<0.05) and MTHFR C677T polymorphism(HR=0.284, P<0.05) were shown to be the prognostic factors for postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. The toxicities of chemotherapy were primarily gastrointestinal reactions and bone marrow suppression, without statistically significant differences across different allelotypes (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with the prognosis with adjuvant chemotherapy with XELOX regimen, and is not associated with the toxicities of chemotherapy. TNM stage IV is predicative of worse prognosis with postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy.