ObjectiveTo study the changing law of appearance color and physicochemical properties of Angelicae Sinensis Radix Carbonisata（ASRC） during the processing by color space method combined with statistical analysis， so as to provide reference for determining the processing endpoint and evaluating the quality of the decoction pieces. MethodsTaking processing time（4， 8， 12， 16 min） and temperature（180， 200， 220， 240 ℃） as factors， ASRC decoction pieces with different processing degrees were prepared in a completely randomized design. Then， the brightness value（L^*）， red-green value（a^*）， yellow-blue value（b^*）， and total chromaticity value （E^*ab） of the decoction pieces were determined by spectrophotometer， the color difference value（ΔE） was calculated， and the data of colorimetric values were analyzed by discriminant analysis. At the same time， the pH， charcoal adsorption， and contents of tannins， 5-hydroxymethylfurfural（5-HMF）， tryptophan， chlorogenic acid， ferulic acid， senkyunolide I， senkyunolide H and ligustilide of ASRC with different processing degrees were determined by pH meter， ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography（UPLC）. Principal component analysis（PCA） was used to analyze the data of physicochemical indexes， after determining the processing technology of ASRC， the canonical discriminant function was established to distinguish the decoction pieces with different processing degrees， and leave-one-out cross validation was conducted. Finally， Pearson correlation analysis was used to explore the correlation between various physicochemical indexes and chromaticity values. ResultsWith the prolongation of the processing time， L^*， a^*， b^* and E^*ab all showed a decreasing trend， and the established discriminant model based on color parameters was able to distinguish ASRC with different processing degrees. The pH showed an increasing trend with the prolongation of processing time， and the charcoal adsorption， and the contents of tannins， 5-HMF， and tryptophan all showed an increasing and then decreasing trend. Among them， the charcoal adsorption， contents of tannin and 5-HMF reached their maximum values successively after processing for 8-12 min. While the contents of chlorogenic acid， ferulic acid， senkyunolide I， senkyunolide H and ligustilide decreased with the increase of processing time， with a decrease of 60%-80% at 8 min of processing. Therefore， the optimal processing time should be determined to be 8-12 min. PCA could clearly distinguish ASRC with different processing degrees， while temperature had no significant effect on the processing degree. The 12 batches of process validation results（10 min， 180-240 ℃） showed that except for 3 batches identified as class Ⅱ light charcoal， all other batches were identified as class Ⅲ standard charcoal， and the chromaticity values of each batch of ASRC were within the reference range of class Ⅱ-Ⅲ sample chromaticity values. The correlation analysis showed that the chromaticity values were negatively correlated with pH and charcoal adsorption， and positively correlated with contents of tryptophan， chlorogenic acid， ferulic acid， senkyunolide I， senkyunolide H， and ligustilide. And both pH and charcoal adsorption were negatively correlated with the contents of the above components， but the charcoal adsorption was positively correlated with the content of 5-HMF. ConclusionThe chromaticity values and the contents of various physicochemical indicators of ASRC undergo significant changes with the prolongation of processing time， and there is a general correlation between chromaticity values and various physicochemical indicators. Based on the changes in color and physicochemical indicators， the optimal processing time for ASRC is determined to be 8-12 min. This study reveals the dynamic changes of the relevant indexes in the processing of ASRC， which can provide a reference for the discrimination of the processing degree and the quantitative study of the processing endpoint.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China.Methods:Data of chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) CML patients diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2022 from 77 centers, ≥18 years old, and receiving initial imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or flumatinib-therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China with complete data were retrospectively interrogated. The choice of initial TKI, current TKI medications, treatment switch and reasons, treatment responses and outcomes as well as the variables associated with them were analyzed.Results:6 893 patients in CP ( n=6 453, 93.6%) or AP ( n=440, 6.4%) receiving initial imatinib ( n=4 906, 71.2%), nilotinib ( n=1 157, 16.8%), dasatinib ( n=298, 4.3%) or flumatinib ( n=532, 7.2%) -therapy. With the median follow-up of 43 ( IQR 22-75) months, 1 581 (22.9%) patients switched TKI due to resistance ( n=1 055, 15.3%), intolerance ( n=248, 3.6%), pursuit of better efficacy ( n=168, 2.4%), economic or other reasons ( n=110, 1.6%). The frequency of switching TKI in AP patients was significantly-higher than that in CP patients (44.1% vs 21.5%, P<0.001), and more AP patients switched TKI due to resistance than CP patients (75.3% vs 66.1%, P=0.011). Multi-variable analyses showed that male, lower HGB concentration and ELTS intermediate/high-risk cohort were associated with lower cytogenetic and molecular responses rate and poor outcomes in CP patients; higher WBC count and initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher response rates; Ph + ACA at diagnosis, poor PFS. However, Sokal intermediate/high-risk cohort was only significantly-associated with lower CCyR and MMR rates and the poor PFS. Lower HGB concentration and larger spleen size were significantly-associated with the lower cytogenetic and molecular response rates in AP patients; initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher treatment response rates; lower PLT count, higher blasts and Ph + ACA, poorer TFS; Ph + ACA, poorer OS. Conclusion:At present, the vast majority of newly-diagnosed CML-CP or AP patients could benefit from TKI treatment in the long term with the good treatment responses and survival outcomes.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of curcumin (Cur) against arsenic-induced neuroimmune toxicity and the underlying molecular mechanisms in vivo. Methods Eighty SPF female C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups: a control group, an arsenic-treated group, a Cur-treated group and an arsenic+Cur group, with 20 mice in each group. The control group received distilled water; the arsenic-treated group was given 50 mg/L NaAsO₂ in the drinking water; the Cur-treated group was gavaged with 200 mg/kg of curcumin for 45 days; and the arsenic+Cur group received distilled water and was gavaged with 200 mg/kg of curcumin. Y-maze and Morris water maze experiments were conducted to assess the learning and memory ability of the mice. Western blot analysis was used to detect protein levels of blood-brain barrier tight junction proteins zonula occludens protein 1(ZO-1) and claudin 5, T lymphocyte subpopulation CD4 and CD8, Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (JAK2/STAT3) signaling pathway-related molecules JAK2 and STAT3. Real-time PCR was used to assess the mRNA levels of CD4⁺ T lymphocyte subsets type 1 T helper (Th1), Th2, Th17 and regulatory T cells (Treg) transcription factors and cytokines in hippocampus. Results Compared with the control group, the arsenic-treated group showed a significantly decreased correct rate, increased latency to reach the platform on the third and fifth days, and reduced times of crossing the platform. The expression of ZO-1 and claudin 5 protein decreased significantly, and the protein levels of CD4 and CD8 were up-regulated. The mRNA levels of Th1, Th17, and Treg transcription factor T-box expressed in T cell(T-bet), retinoid-related orphan receptor gamma t(RORγt), and forkhead box protein 3(FOXP3) in the arsenic-treated group were decreased. Th1 and Th17 cytokines interferon γ(IFN-γ) and interleukin 17(IL-17) were markedly decreased. In contrast, the mRNA levels of the Th2 transcription factor GATA binding protein 3(GATA3) and cytokine IL-4 in arsenic-treated group were higher than those in the control group. Furthermore, the protein levels of phosphorylated JAK2 (p-JAK2) and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) increased. Compared with the arsenic-treated group, the arsenic+Cur group demonstrated a significantly increased correct rate, decreased latency to reach the platform on the third and fifth days, and increased times of crossing the platform. The protein expression levels of ZO-1 and claudin 5 increased significantly, and the protein levels of CD4 and CD8 were down-regulated. The mRNA levels of Th2 transcription factor GATA3 and cytokine IL-4 were decreased. The mRNA levels of Th17 transcription factor RORγt and cytokine IL-17 were markedly increased. Furthermore, the protein levels of p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 decreased. Conclusion Through inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, curcumin could improve arsenic-induced decline in learning and memory abilities in mice, reverse the destruction of blood-brain barrier permeability of innate immune system components in arsenic-exposed mice, and antagonize arsenic-induced increase in the number of renal CD4 and CD8 molecule as well as the imbalance of CD4⁺ T lymphocyte subsets (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg), ultimately counteracting arsenic-induced neurotoxicity.
Animals ; Janus Kinase 2/genetics* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics* ; Female ; Curcumin/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Arsenic/toxicity*

Objective:To study the clinical value of color Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of persistent sciatic vein(PSV).Methods:A retrospective study was performed on 17 patients who were diagnosed with PSV by color Doppler ultrasound in the Second Hospital of Shandong University and the Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from May 2010 to December 2021. Their sonographic features were analyzed, summarized and classified.Results:In all the 17 cases, the sciatic vein showed a vein adjacent to the sciatic nerve in the pelvis or back of the thigh. According to anatomy, persistent sciatic vein could be divided into three types: complete PSV, upper PSV and lower PSV. There were 7 cases of complete PSV, 2 cases of upper PSV and 8 cases of lower PSV. Femoral vein dysplasia was found in 11 of 17 patients with PSV. In addition to 1 case of bilateral PSV, the diameter of the femoral vein on the affected side was (0.36±0.19)cm in 16 cases, and the diameter of femoral vein at the corresponding position on the healthy side was (0.61±0.11)cm, there was significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Color Doppler ultrasonography is the effective imaging method for diagnosis of the PSV.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, treatment and the short-term prognosis of 31 cases of 2019 novel coronavirus(2019-nCoV) infection in children from six provinces (autonomous region) in northern China. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the epidemiological history, clinical symptoms, signs, laboratory examinations, chest imaging, treatment and the short-term prognosis of 31 cases of 2019-nCoV was conducted. The patients were diagnosed between January 25th, 2020 and February 21st, 2020 in 21 hospitals in 17 cities of six provinces(autonomous region) of Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Hebei, Henan and Shandong. Results: The age of the 31 children with 2019-nCoV infection was 7 years and 1 month (6 months -17 years). Nine cases (29%) were imported cases. Other 21 cases (68%) had contact with confirmed infected adults. One case (3%) had contact with asymptomatic returnees from Wuhan. Among the 31 children, 28 patients (90%) were family cluster cases. The clinical types were asymptomatic type in 4 cases (13%), mild type in 13 cases (42%), and common type in 14 cases (45%). No severe or critical type existed. The most common symptom was fever (n=20, 65%), including 1 case of high fever, 9 cases of moderate fever, 10 cases of low fever. Fever lasted from 1 day to 9 days. The fever of fifteen cases lasted for ≤3 d, while in other 5 cases lasted > 3 d. Other symptoms included cough (n=14, 45%), fatigue (n=3, 10%) and diarrhea (n=3, 9%). Pharyngalgia, runny nose, dizziness, headache and vomiting were rare. In the early stage, the total leukocytes count in peripheral blood decreased in 2 cases (6%), the lymphocytes count decreased in 2 cases (6%), and the platelet count increased in 2 cases (6%).Elevation of C-reactive protein (10%, 3/30), erythrocyte sedimentation rate(19%,4/21), procalcitonin(4%,1/28), liver enzyme(22%, 6/27) and muscle enzyme (15%, 4/27) occurred in different proportions. Renal function and blood glucose were normal. There were abnormal chest CT changes in 14 cases, including 9 cases with patchy ground glass opacities and nodules, mostly located in the lower lobe of both lungs near the pleural area. After receiving supportive treatment, the viral nucleic acid turned negative in 25 cases within 7-23 days. Among them, 24 children (77%) recovered and were discharged from hospital. No death occurred. Conclusions In this case series, 2019-nCoV infections in children from six provinces (autonomous region) in northern China are mainly caused by close family contact. Clinical types are asymptomatic, mild and common types. Clinical manifestations and laboratory examination results are nonspecific. Close contact history of epidemiology, nucleic acid detection and chest imaging are important bases for diagnosis. After general treatment, the short-term prognosis is good.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of daptomycin in the treatment of left-sided infective endocarditis after failing to respond to vancomycin.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted for 6 cases of infective endocarditis.Results Five of the six infective endocarditis patients were complicated with paravalvular abscess (artificial valve in 3 cases,native valve in 2 cases).Their disease deteriorated even under vancomycin treatment.Four of these patients received emergency valve replacement surgery but still febrile after operation.The antimicrobial therapy was switched to daptomycin at dose of 6 mg/kg daily for 2 to 4 weeks.The patients responded satisfactorily to daptomycin.The infection was controlled to some extent in the fifth patient after switching to daptomycin,but recurred later,and died suddenly on day 21 after reoperation.The sixth patient had infective endocarditis of native valve,and had treated with piperacillin-tazobactam for 2 weeks and vancomycin for 3 weeks,but responded poorly.The patient still had fever and enlarged vegetation.Switching to daptomycin reduced the body temperature and vegetation.Serum creatine kinase elevated moderately in one patient,and normal in the other 5 patients.No other apparent adverse reaction was reported.One patient died and the other five patient survived well for 18 months to 5 years.Conclusions Preliminary observation demonstrates the efficacy of daptomycin salvage treatment in a few cases of left-sided infective endocarditis after failing to respond to vancomycin therapy.

OBJECTIVETo perform molecular cytogenetic study on two fetuses with abnormal ultrasound findings and analyze their genotype-phenotype correlation.

METHODSG-banded karyotyping, single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed on amniotic fluid cells from both fetuses and peripheral blood samples from their parents. Results of SNP array were analyzed with bioinformatics software.

RESULTSG-banded karyotyping failed to detect any abnormalities in both fetuses and their parents. SNP array detected a 2.484 Mb terminal deletion at 17p13.3 [arr[hg19] 17p13.3 (83 035-2 567 405)×1] in fetus 1 and a 3.295 Mb terminal deletion at 17p13.3p13.2 [arr[hg19] 17p13.3p13.2 (83 035- 3 377 560)×1] in fetus 2. Both deletions have overlapped with the critical region of Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS) and involved candidate genes such as PAFAH1B1, YWHAE and CRK. In addition, SNP array and FISH analyses on the parental peripheral blood samples demonstrated that both 17p13.3 and 17p13.3p13.2 deletions were of de novo origin. Metaphase FISH performed on amniotic fluid cells confirmed the presence of 17p13.3 and 17p13.3p13.2 deletions detected by the SNP array, while metaphase FISH performed on the parents excluded any potential chromosome rearrangements.

CONCLUSIONAbnormal ultrasound features for fetuses with MDS mainly include central nervous system anomalies. SNP array can efficiently detect 17p13.3 microdeletions underlying MDS, and accurately map the breakpoints and involved genes, which may facilitate understanding of the genotype and phenotype correlations for MDS.

Chromosome Banding ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; genetics ; Classical Lissencephalies and Subcortical Band Heterotopias ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; Female ; Fetal Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; genetics ; Genetic Association Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Phenotype ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pregnancy ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze a fetus with abnormal sonographic features and correlated its genotype with phenotype.

METHODSG-banding analysis, single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP array) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed for the fetus. Karyotyping and FISH were also carried out for the parents.

RESULTSSNP array detected a 4.4 Mb deletion at 1q44 and a 10.4 Mb duplication at 17q24.3q25.3 in the fetus. Based on the results of SNP array and FISH analysis, the father was diagnosed with a cryptic t(1;17)(q44;q24.3) translocation. The fetus has inherited a der(1)t(1;17)(q44;q24.3) from its father.

CONCLUSIONThe 1q44 deletion and 17q24.3q25.3 duplication may have contributed to the abnormal sonographic features presented by the fetus.

Adult ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pregnancy ; Translocation, Genetic ; Trisomy ; genetics ; Ultrasonography, Prenatal

OBJECTIVETo analyze the correlation between atypical neurofibromatosis type 1(NF1) microdeletion and fetal phenotype.

METHODSFetal blood sampling was carried out for a woman bearing a fetus with talipes equinovarus. G-banded karyotyping and single nucleotide polymorphism array (SNP-array) were performed on the fetal blood sample. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to confirm the result of SNP array analysis. FISH assay was also carried out on peripheral blood specimens from the parents to ascertain the origin of mutation.

RESULTSThe karyotype of fetus was found to be 46, XY by G-banding analysis. However, a 3.132 Mb microdeletion was detected in chromosome region 17q11.2 by SNP array, which overlaped with the region of NF1 microdeletion syndrome. Analyzing of the specimens from the fetus and its parents with FISH has confirmed it to be a de novo deletion.

CONCLUSIONTalipes equinovarus may be an abnormal sonographic feature of fetus with atypical NF1 microdeletion which can be accurately diagnosed with SNP array.

Adult ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 17 ; genetics ; Craniofacial Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; embryology ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Deletion ; Humans ; Intellectual Disability ; diagnosis ; embryology ; genetics ; Karyotyping ; Learning Disorders ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Neurofibromatoses ; diagnosis ; embryology ; genetics ; Neurofibromatosis 1 ; diagnosis ; embryology ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Diagnosis

Objective To evaluate inhibitory effects of the Chlamydiaphage phiCPG1 capsid protein Vp1 on Chlamydia psittaci strain guinea pig inclusion conjunctivitis (GPIC) and Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) serovar E,and to provide new ideas for the treatment of Ct infection.Methods The Chlamydiaphage phiCPG1 capsid protein Vp1 was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 transfected with the recombinant plasmid Vp1-pET30a (+),identified by Western blot analysis and purified by using dialysis bags.Bicinchonininc acid (BCA) assay was performed to determine the concentration of Vp1 protein.GPIC and Ct serovar E strains were both classified into 4 groups to be firstly incubated with Vp1 protein (Vp1 group),Tris-glycine solution (Tris group),S protein (S group) or Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM,DMEM group) at room temperature for 3 hours,then were used to infect Hela cells followed by 72-hour (GPIC) or 48-hour (Ct serovar E) culture with the presence of Vp 1 protein (Vp 1 group),Tris-glycine solution (Tris group),S protein (S group) or DMEM (DMEM group).Subsequently,immunofluorescence staining was conducted to observe and count chlamydial inclusions.Results The number of GPIC inclusions was significantly different between the 4 groups after 72-hour culture (F=476.632,P＜ 0.05),and lower in the Vp1 group (5.0 ± 1.5) than in the Tris group (24 ± 1.2,P＜ 0.05),S group (25 ± 1.7,P＜ 0.05) and DMEM group (25 ± 1.5,P＜ 0.05),but insignificantly different between the latter 3 groups (P ＞ 0.05).Compared with the DMEM group,the Vp1 group showed a significant decrease of 80.2％ ± 3.99％ and 77.2％ ± 1.79％ in the number of GPIC and Ct serovar E inclusions respectively,with no significant difference in the inhibitory effect of Vp1 on GPIC versus Ct serovar E (t =2.057,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The phiCPG1 capsid protein Vp1 can obviously inhibit GPIC and Ct serovar E infections to a similar degree.