Stroke is one of the major diseases that threaten human health, early diagnosis and treatment are very important for stroke. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is measured noninvasively to diagnosis stroke, and it is a independent predictor for stroke because its thickening can timely predict the incidence and development of stroke. As an important predictor of cardiovascular disease, more and more attention is played on CIMT. In this review, we will make a summary on the important role of CIMT in stroke and the mechanisms of carotid intima-media thickening in stroke as well as the potential use of traditional Chinese medicine in treating carotid intima-media thickening.
Animals ; Carotid Arteries ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Stroke ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; physiopathology

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Xianxiong decoction on the mice with acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide.

METHODEighty female ICR mice were randomly divided into 8 groups: model group, Xianxiong decoction group, Daxianxiong decoction group, Xianxiong decoction group without Kansui Radix group, Xianxiong decoction group without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Kansui Radix group, normal group and control group. Animals of each group, except normal group, were undertaken intraperitoneal injection and intranasal inhalation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on day 1, 2, 3 to establish acute lung injury (ALI) model. 30 min after modeling, 0.2 mL corresponding drugs were administrated to each mice, dexam ethasone and normal saline were given to the mice of control group and normal group respectively. White blood cell in blood, neutrophil percentage of blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatant, the ratio of wet and dry lung tissue ( W/D), histopathological changes of lung tissue were estimated. Sixty ICR mice were randomly divided into normal, model, control, high, middle and low dose Xianxiong decoction groups and were modeled in the same way. ELISA was applied to detect the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF, PCR for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha mRNA in lung tissue, and Western blot for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha. Half of 20 ICR mice were administrated with Xianxiong decoction of its maximum tolerant normal saline.

RESULTCompared with model group, the number of WBC in blood of Xianxiong decoction group mice decreased (P < 0.01), percentage of neutrophils in both blood and BALF decreased as well (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); it also significantly reduced the ratio of W/D (P < 0.01); and found the alveolar wall, the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating improved, compared with model group. Xianxiong decoction reduced the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05); its high and low dose groups only found TNF-alpha level declined. Five mice died 24 h after administration of Xianxiong decoction which indicated its toxicity when other influential factors were considered.

CONCLUSIONXianxiong decoction is effective on the ALI mice induced by LPS, but it is of toxicity at 3 g x mL(-1).

Acute Lung Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the expressions of miR-20a-5p and lysine (K) demethylase 6B (KDM6B) in osteosarcoma tissues and the effects of miR-20a-5p targeting KDM6B on the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and tumor growth.Methods:The clinicopathological and paracancerous tissues of 20 patients with osteosarcoma admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese Medical University from January 2017 to March 2019 were collected. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of miR-20a-5p and KDM6B mRNA in tissues. The osteosarcoma MG63 cells were divided into control group, mimic NC group, miR-20a-5p mimic group, and NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group. The expression levels of miR-20a-5p and KDM6B mRNA of all groups were detected by qRT-PCR. Western blotting was used to detect the expression level of KDM6B. CCK-8 assay, cell scratch test and Transwell test were used to detect cell proliferation, migration and invasion ability. According to the random number table method, nude mice were divided into NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group, with 5 mice in each group. Tumor growth ability was detected by tumor xenograft nude mouse models.Results:The relative expression level of miR-20a-5p mRNA in osteosarcoma tissues was 0.55±0.27, and that in paracancerous tissues was 1.22±0.28, with a statistically significant difference ( t=7.701, P<0.001). The relative expression level of KDM6B mRNA in osteosarcoma tissues was 1.66±0.19, and that in paracancerous tissues was 1.00±0.15, with a statistically significant difference ( t=12.219, P<0.001). After transfection of miR-20a-5p, KDM6B mRNA and protein expression levels decreased with the increase of miR-20a-5p expression level. After miR-20a-5p transfection for 48 h, the cell proliferation abilities of the blank control group, mimic NC group and miR-20a-5p mimic group were 0.83±0.04, 0.81±0.03 and 0.52±0.01 ( F=89.655, P<0.001), compared with the blank control group and mimic NC group, the cell proliferation ability was significantly inhibited in the miR-20a-5p mimic group (both P<0.001). The cell proliferation abilities of NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group were 0.83±0.05, 0.52±0.01 and 0.67±0.05 ( F=43.919, P<0.001), compared with the NC+ empty vector group, the cell proliferation ability was significantly inhibited in the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group ( P<0.001); compared with the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group, the cell proliferation ability of miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group increased significantly ( P<0.001). The scratch healing rates of the blank control group, mimic NC group and miR-20a-5p mimic group were (32.51±2.73)%, (30.26±3.22)% and (13.52±1.77)% ( F=46.314, P<0.001), compared with the control group and the mimic NC group, the scratch healing rate of the miR-20a-5p mimic group was significantly decreased (both P<0.001). The scratch healing rates of NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group were (31.34±3.11)%, (12.15±1.64)% and (28.93±2.89)% ( F=47.511, P<0.001), compared with the NC+ empty vector group, the scratch healing rate of the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group was significantly decreased ( P<0.001); compared with the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group, the scratch healing rate of miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group was significantly increased ( P=0.001). The numbers of transmembrane cells in the blank control group, mimic NC group and miR-20a-5p mimic group were 114±16, 108±11 and 42±6 ( F=36.282, P<0.001), compared with the control group and mimic NC group, the number of transmembrane cells of the miR-20a-5p mimic group was significantly decreased (both P<0.001). The numbers of transmembrane cells in the NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group was 143±11, 39±4 and 139±12 ( F=112.120, P<0.001), compared with the NC+ empty vector group, the number of transmembrane cells of the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group was significantly decreased ( P<0.001); compared with the miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group, the number of transmembrane cells of the miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group was increased significantly ( P<0.001). The tumor volumes of mice for 21 d in the NC+ empty vector group, miR-20a-5p+ empty vector group and miR-20a-5p+ KDM6B group were (1 667.50±250.40) mm 3, (129.20±21.00) mm 3 and (775.41±77.51) mm 3 respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=77.651, P<0.001). The tumor weights of the 3 groups were (1.35±0.18) g, (0.12±0.01) g and (0.61±0.03) g respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=104.191, P<0.001). Conclusion:The expression of miR-20a-5p is significantly decreased in osteosarcoma tissues, and the expression of KDM6B is significantly increased in osteosarcoma tissues. Overexpression of miR-20a-5p may inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of osteosarcoma cells and tumor growth by targeting to reduce the expression of KDM6B.

Objectives:To study the expression of GST-pi and MDR1 genes in operative specimens of ovarian cancer,and to analyze the possible clinical role of GST-pi and MDR1. Methods:Eighteen frozen specimens of ovarian carcinoma and ten specimens of normal ovarian tissues from patients were examined for the expression of GST-pi and MDR1 genes by means of RT-PCR, and quantitative analysis was performed using β-actin as internal contrast.Results: Positive expression rate of GST-pi and MDR1 in ovarian carcinoma were 61.1% and 33.3%,respectively,and in contrast, 20% and 10% in normal ovarian tissues respectively. The level of GST-pi gene expression in ovarian carcinoma was obviously higher than that in normal ovarian tissue (P<0.05)and MDR1 gene also had high level expression in ovarian carcinoma, but had no statistical significantance. Four patients with ovarian carcinoma had GST-pi and MDR1 coexpression. Expression levels of GST-pi mRNA were lower than that of protein. Conclusions: (1) GST-pi and MDR1 had higher level expression in ovarian carcinoma than in normal ovarian tissues. (2) GST-pi and MDR1 may have same regulating factors but different mechanisms of action. (3)Processing after transcription and/or regulation of translation level may exist in GST-pi expression.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term prognosis of coronary artery disease (CAD) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) by risk stratification with American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) classification of coronary lesions. Methods: Data used in this study derived from the I-LOVE-IT 2 trial. I-LOVE-IT 2 trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized, assessor-blinded, noninferiority study. A total of 1 255 patients in I-LOVE-IT 2 trial with only one lesion and underwent biodegradable polymer drug-eluting stent implantation were included and grouped according to ACC/AHA classification of coronary lesions, namely type A/B1 lesion group (n=184), type B2 lesion group (n=457) and type C lesion group (n=614). The primary endpoint was 48-month patient-oriented composite endpoint (PoCE), a composite of all-cause mortality, all myocardial infarction, stroke, and/or any revascularization. The secondary endpoints were target lesion failure (TLF), components of PoCE, major bleeding (bleeding academic research consortium(BARC) type 3-5) and definite/probable stent thrombosis within 48 months. The incidences of endpoint events were compared in the three groups. The multivariable Cox hazard ratio model was used to analyze the independent predictors of PoCE and TLF at 48 months. Results: Incidences of PoCE at 48 months were significantly higher in patients with type C lesion compared with patients with type A/B1 (24.43%(150/614) vs. 14.13%(26/184), P<0.05) or B2 lesion (24.43%(150/614) vs. 15.97%(73/457), P<0.05). The multivariable Cox hazard ratio model showed that the type C lesion were the independent predictors of 48-month PoCE (HR=1.59, 95%CI 1.21-2.08, P<0.001) and TLF (HR=2.31, 95%CI 1.53-3.49, P<0.001). After multivariable adjustment, the HRs of PoCE for patients with type C lesion versus type A/B1 and type B2 were 1.91 (95%CI 1.25-2.92, P=0.003) and 1.64 (95%CI 1.23-2.20, P<0.001), respectively. Meanwhile, the HRs of TLF for patients with type C lesion versus type A/B1 and type B2 were 2.45 (95%CI 1.29-4.64, P=0.006) and 2.55 (95%CI 1.62-4.02, P=0.001), respectively. Conclusions: The ACC/AHA classification of coronary lesions has good discrimination with long-term outcomes for CAD patients undergoing PCI. The type C lesion is associated with a worse prognosis, enough attention should be paid in these patients during routine clinical management.
Cardiovascular Agents ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Prognosis ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Sirolimus ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDPulmonary embolism (PE) is rare and seldom considered in adolescent patients; however it occurs with a greater frequency than is generally recognized, and it is a potentially fatal condition. The aim of the current study was to understand its epidemiology, clinical features and the cause of delay of its diagnosis in adolescents.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of nine adolescents with acute PE admitted to the Peking University Third Hospital over the past 16-year period was performed. The epidemiology, clinical features and risk factors of the adolescents were described and compared with those of adults and elderly patients. The time to diagnosis and misdiagnosed diseases were analyzed. Pretest probability of PE was assessed retrospectively by the Wells score and revised Geneva score.

RESULTSThe incidence of PE was 43.6 per 100 000 hospitalized adolescents in our hospital. The incidence of PE in adolescents was much lower than that in adults and PE is diagnosed in about 1/50 of elderly people. The clinical features in adolescents were similar to those in adults. But fever and chest pain were more common in adolescents (P < 0.05). The major risk factors included surgery, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), thrombocytopenia, long-term oral glucocorticoids and trauma. The mean diagnostic time was (7.8 ± 8.4) days. Six cases had a delayed diagnosis. The mean delay time from symptom onset to diagnosis was (11.0 ± 8.8) days. The time of presentation to diagnosis in patients initially admitted to the emergency department was less than one day, and was much shorter than the time in outpatients, (9.4 ± 7.5) days. Most of the patients were initially misdiagnosed with a respiratory tract infection. Most patients' values of Wells score or revised Geneva score were in the moderate or high clinical probability categories; 88% by Well score vs. 100% by revised Geneva score.

CONCLUSIONSPE was seldom considered in the adolescent patients by physicians, especially outpatient physicians, so the diagnosis was often delayed. If adolescent patients complain of dyspnea or chest pain or syncope with/without fever, and they had risk factors such as surgery, thrombocytopenia and trauma, PE should be considered and included in the differential diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Male ; Probability ; Pulmonary Embolism ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Oxidative stress is one of the important mechanisms of postoperative abdominal adhesion. The nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-antioxidant response element (ARE) signal pathway is an important endogenous anti-oxidation stress pathway. Our previous study found that ligustrazine nano-spray can inhibit the formation of postoperative abdominal adhesion in rats, and moreover, ligustrazine has an anti-oxidation effect. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of ligustrazine nano-spray on the expression of mRNAs and proteins related to the Nrf2-ARE signal pathway in rats with abdominal adhesion, and to investigate the mechanism by which ligustrazine nano-spray inhibits abdominal adhesion via regulating the Nrf2-ARE signal pathway. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group, ligustrazine group and sodium hyaluronate group. In the sham group, only laparotomy was performed without modeling. In the model group, an abdominal adhesion model was created but no drug was used. In the ligustrazine group, ligustrazine nano-spray was used on the wound before incision suturing. In the sodium hyaluronate group, sodium hyaluronate was applied on the wound before incision suturing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the model group, ligustrazine nano-spray reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species, tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase 1, but increased the level of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in the rat serum. The expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 mRNA and proteins was also up-regulated in the ligustrazine group relative to the model group. Therefore, ligustrazine nano-sprays can inhibit abdominal adhesions in rats, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase 1 mRNA and proteins expression and the activation of Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the application of 43-plex SNP typing system in forensic science. Methods The typing of 43 SNP loci in 123 unrelated Han individuals from East China was detected by MALDI-TOF-MS. The application value of 43-plex SNP typing system was assessed according to the foren-sic parameters of population genetics. Results All the 43 SNP loci of 123 individuals showed no signifi-cant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). Excepted rs1355366, rs2270529, rs10776839 and rs938283, there were 39 SNP loci had minor allele frequencies (MAF), which were greater than 0.25. Among the 25 loci MAFs, 24 ranged from 0.4 to 0.5, while 3 were close to 0.4. The DP, CDP, PIC, Ho, PEtrio and PEduo of the 43 SNP loci were 0.2901-0.6544, 1-9.8×10-11, 0.1708-0.5000, 0.1557-0.5935, 0.0854-0.2500 and 0.0146-0.1250, respectively. The CPEtrio and CPEduo were 0.999986 and 0.9924361, respectively. Conclusion The 43-plex SNP typing system in present study shows a high polymorphism, which can be an effective supplement and verification for traditional STR genetic markers. It also can be used with other commercial kits for the forensic paternity testing and individual identification.

OBJECTIVEIbandronate, a third generation bisphosphonate, inhibits bone resorption in human and animal studies. This study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ibandronate as a single agent in patients with tumor-associated hypercalcemia.

METHODSAn open, multicenter, non-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 22 patients. The patients received 2 mg ibandronate intravenously if the corrected calcium was less than 3.0 mmol/L but more than 2.7 mmol/L; they received 4 mg ibandronate iv if corrected calcium was more than 3.0 mmol/L.

RESULTSThere was 100% efficacy in these two dose groups but the calcium correcting effect was more pronounced in the 4-mg dose group than the 2-mg dose group. The most common adverse reactions were fever and skin itching with an incidence of 4.5%.

CONCLUSIONIbandronate is active in patients with tumor-associated hypercalcemia and the adverse effects are well tolerated.

Bone Neoplasms ; complications ; secretion ; Breast Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; Calcium ; blood ; Diphosphonates ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Administration Schedule ; Female ; Fever ; chemically induced ; Humans ; Hypercalcemia ; blood ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; complications ; Phosphorus ; blood ; Pruritus ; chemically induced