Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Jaundice ; Liver Cirrhosis ; pathology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion

The tuberous roots of Aconitum carmichaeli are largely used in traditional Chinese medicine and widely grown in Jiangyou, Sichuan, China. During the growth process, this medicinal plant releases a large amount of allelochemicals into soil, which retard the growth and development of near and late crops. Therefore, a pure culture experiment was thus carried out by seed soaking to study the allelopathic effects of extracts from tuberous roots of A. carmichaeli (ETR) on the seed germination and young seedling growth of Lolium perenne, Trifolium repens, and Medicago sativa, the late pasture grasses after cultivation of A. carmichaeli. The results showed that three pasture grasses varied significantly in seed germination and young seedling growth in response to ETR concentrations. Seed germination of M. sativa was stimulated by low ERT concentration (0.01 x g(-1)), while all of pasture grass seeds germinated poorly in solution with 1.00 g x L(-1). Seed soaking with 1.00 g x L(-1) also inhibited significantly the growth of pasture young seedlings, with M. sativa showing the highest seedling height reduction of 42.05% in seeding height, followed by T. repens (40.21%) and L. perenne with about 11%. Cultivation of L. perenne could thus be beneficial to increase whole land productivity in A. carmichaeli-pasture grass cropping systems. In addition, hydrolysis of protein, starch, and inositol phosphates was blocked and free amino acids, soluble sugars and phosphorus were decreased in seeds by seed soaking with ETR, which could be one of the reason for the inhibition of seed germination. There was a significant reduction in root vigor, nitrate reductase, and chlorophyll after the seed treatment with ETR, indicating the suppression of nutrient uptake, nitrate assimilation, and photosynthesis by allelopathic chemicals in ETR, which could lead to the slow growth rate of pasture grass seedlings.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Allelopathy ; China ; Pheromones ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Poaceae ; drug effects ; growth & development

Objective • To examine quality of life and its influencing factors in patients over 12 months after diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods • A total of 111 patients included in the study completed the self-reported measures. Quality of life was measured using Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung. Other measures included socio-demographic characteristics, disease- and treatment-related information, and emotional feelings. Results • The factors influencing the quality of life of NSCLC patients were investigated from two approaches: treatment and subjective feeling. Univariate Logistic regression analysis found the risk factors for low quality of life included sense of low self-esteem and loneliness, bone metastasis, pathological type, chemotherapy cycle, age, cohabitant type and financial burden. Conclusion • The factors associated with quality of life in lung cancer patients are diverse and extensive, and it warrants attention on psychological support and symptom management for these patients.

Abstract: Objective　To establish a risk prediction model for nosocomial infection in preterm very low birth weight infants, and conduct internal validation. Methods　A total of 206 cases of very low birth weight premature infants hospitalized in the Department of Neonatology of Union Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College from January 2018 to June 2020 were included in this study, factors that may affect the nosocomial infection of children were collected, and the infants were divided into two groups according to whether there is nosocomial infection. The influencing factors were compared between the two groups, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was performed after screening variables with LASSO regression. According to the results of multi factor analysis, the nomogram model was constructed and verified internally. Results　A total of 29 of 206 children had nosocomial infection (14.08%), and 33 pathogenic bacteria were detected, including 23 Gram-negative bacteria, 9 Gram-positive bacteria and 1 fungus. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis based on LASSO regression showed that the risk factors for nosocomial infection of VLBW premature infants were 28-31+6 weeks of gestation, amniotic fluid pollution, mechanical ventilation, indwelling gastric tube, unreasonable use of antibiotics, and hospitalization time ≥ 7 days. The protective factors were Apgar score ≥ 7 points at 1 min and breast feeding accounting for 50% or more (P<0.05). The Area Under Curve (AUC) of ROC curve of nomogram model was 0.946 [95%CI(0.923, 1.000)]. The calibration curve showed that the probability of hospital infection predicted by the model was basically consistent with the actual probability. The decision curve showed that when the probability threshold of nomogram model to predict the risk of nosocomial infection of very low birth weight premature infants was 0-0.85, the net rate of return was greater than 0. Conclusion　Preterm infants with extremely low birth weight are at high risk of nosocomial infection, mainly affected by factors such as gestational weeks, hospitalization time, amniotic fluid pollution, etc. The nomogram model constructed by the above factors has high accuracy and discrimination for predicting nosocomial infection in such children.

AIM: To explore the long-term efficacy of Q-factor guided laser epithelial keratomleusis ( LASEK ) for myopia and astigmatism with positive Q-factor.
METHODS: There were 158 eyes which were myopia and astigmatism with positive Q- factor taken in two groups randomly: 86 eyes accepted Q - factor guided LASEK as observation group and 72 eyes accepted routine LASEK as control group. The difference between the two groups about all data was similar. The uncorrected visual acuity ( UCVA ) and the best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) as well as diopter, ocular tension, corneal topography, Keratometry value K, aspherical factor Q, Higher-order aberrations ( HOA ) , corneal thickness by ultrasound and, contrast sensitivity ( CS ) , Haze were examined and compared before and after surgery. All the cased were followed up for 14d, 1, 3, 6, 12mo. And there were no statistical difference among the data before surgery.
RESULTS: After 12mo there were no statistical difference between the two groups about UCVA and BCVA. But the safety index of observation group was 1.10, that of control group was 1. 07. The validity index of observation group was 1. 06, that of control group was 0.99. The HOA of observation group was 0. 45±0. 17μm, and that of control group was 0. 72±0.25μm, there was statistically significant difference (t=-8. 193,P=0. 000). Q factor of observation group was 0. 41±0. 17, that of control group was 0. 77±0. 22, there was significant difference (t=11. 377,P = 0. 028). The contrast sensitivity of 3mo post surgery of patients in the observation group returned to the level of before surgery. But in the control group the contrast sensitivity of the patients did not returned until 6mo.
CONCLUSION:Q-factor guided LASEK for myopia and astigmatism with positive Q-factor is stable, safe and effective. The operation allow for reducing the high order aberrations, maintaining the most asphericity of cornea, saving more in corneal tissue, which cause faster recovery of contrast sensitivity, less haze and better visual quality.

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis (EGE) is a rare chronic disease of digestive system, characterized by the eosinophil infiltration of the gastrointestinal tract and the thickening of the gastrointestinal wall. At present, the etiology and pathogenesis of EGE are still unclear. Accompanied with eosinophilia and elevation of serum immunoglobulin E, the clinical manifestations of EGE are dependent on the location of lesions and the extent or depth of eosinophil infiltration in the gastrointestinal tract. The thickening or edema of the gastrointestinal wall, nodular-like changes, intestinal stenosis and ascites can be regarded as common radiological findings of EGE, while erythema, hyperemia or edema, erosion and ulcer of mucosal are the endoscopic features of EGE. Tissue biopsy is helpful for the diagnosis of EGE. However, with unspecific clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, radiological and endoscopic findings and unidentified cut-off count of pathological diagnostic criteria, EGE is very difficult to be diagnosed. Therefore, this paper mainly reviews the research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of EGE, attempting to improve the clinicians' understanding of EGE.

Objective: To investigate the regulation of autophagy by SUMO specific peptidase 3 (SENP3, normally called SUMO specific protease 3) in mouse testis. Methods: Immunofluorescence was used to detect the localization of SENP3 in spermatogenic cells and Sertoli cells of testis. Senp3 wild type (Senp3+/+) mice and Senp3 gene knockout heterozygous (Senp3+/-) mice were subjected to starvation treatment to induce autophagy. Testicular tissue proteins were extracted, and the extent of autophagy was detected by Western blotting. The extent of autophagy of Sertoli cells was detected and compared with that of spermatogenic cells in testis by transmission electron microscopy and immunofluorescence. Results: SENP3 mainly localized in the nucleus of Sertoli cells. Compared to Senp3+/+ mice, the extent of starvation-induced autophagy in Sertoli cells of Senp3+/- mice increased. Conclusion: SENP3 can inhibit autophagy in Sertoli cells during nutrient deficiency, which may play a role in controlling the extent of autophagy.

Objective • To observe the short-term clinical efficacy of adjunctive Er,Cr:YSGG laser application following subgingival scaling in patients with severe periodontitis. Methods • In this parallel control design clinical trial, 46 patients with severe periodontitis were selected. Baseline examination was performed 2 weeks after supragingival scaling. Then the patients were randomly divided into the test group and the control group, with 23 cases in each group. After ultrasonic subgingival scaling, sites with probing depth (PD) ≥ 5 mm of patients in two groups received subgingival debridement with Er,Cr:YSGG laser and hand curettes, receptively. The changes in plaque index (PLI), PD, clinical attachment level (CAL), the percentage of bleeding on probing (BOP) positive sites, and the degree of subjective pain during treatment with visual analogue scale(VAS)were compared between two groups at baseline, 6 weeks after treatment, and 3 months after treatment. Results • For sites with PD ≥ 5 mm, PLI, PD, CAL, and the percentage of BOP positive sites significantly reduced for both groups at 6 weeks and 3 months after treatment compared with baseline (all P=0.000). For sites with 5 mm ≤ PD ≤ 6 mm, the CAL of the test group was significantly lower compared with the control group at 6 weeks after treatment (P=0.036). For sites with PD ≥ 7 mm, the PDs of the test group were significantly lower compared with the control group at 6 weeks and 3 months after treatment (P=0.002, P=0.039). The PD reduction between baseline and 6 weeks after treatment was greater in the test group compared with the control group (P=0.015). The CAL of the test group was lower compared with the control group at 6 weeks after treatment (P=0.011). The VAS of the test group was significantly lower than that of the control group (P=0.005). Conclusion • Adjunctive Er,Cr:YSGG laser application following subgingival scaling can achieve similar short-term clinical efficacy compared with traditional hand curettes. Er,Cr:YSGG laser may be beneficial particularly on the reduction of PD and regain of CAL in deep pockets on a short-term basis, which can make the patients more comfortable. Subgingival scaling with adjunctive Er,Cr:YSGG laser application can be an effective way for the non-surgical periodontal therapy.

Major depression disorder (MDD) is a common but serious affective disorder in modern society. Suicide idea and suicide behaviour induced by MDD during its later stage put a heavy burden on society and family. Anti-depression drugs lack efficiency in treating a portion of MDD patients. This is referred to as treatment resistant depression (TRD). A study reported the rapid onset and long lasting anti-depression effect of ketamine, which also come into effect in TRD patients. △9-Tetrahydrocannabinol is the active substance of marijuana, which also exerts rapid anti-depression effect via targeting at brain cannabinoid receptors. The two central nerve system stimulants belonging to the tightly controlled psychoactive substances have obvious adverse effects. This article summarizes the action of ketamine and endocannabinoid system in rapid anti-depression therapy in recent researches.

Objective • To discover lead compounds with 6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]carbazole as core scaffold that can inhibit the proliferation of cervical cancer cells. Methods • A series of 6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]carbazole derivatives and analogs were synthesized using Fischer indole synthesis method, and their anticancer activity against HeLa cells was tested in vitro by CCK8 test. Results • 2-Methoxy-6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]carbazole and 8-chloro-2- methoxy-6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]carbazole could significantly inhibit the proliferation of HeLa cells with the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 9.61 μmol/L and 16.52 μmol/L, respectively. Conclusion • Two objective lead compounds were found. Among 6,11-dihydro-5H-benzo[a]carbazole derivatives, compounds with methoxy group at the C-2 position of the core scaffold show better activity against proliferation of cervical cancer cells.