Objective To study the correlation among property, efficacy and target of herbal Chinese materia medica; To analyze the molecular mechanism of cold and heat property of Chinese materia medica; To provide references for explaination of microcosmic mechanism and scientific connotation of property of Chinese materia medica. Methods Recordings about property and efficacy of single medicine in 2015 edition of Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China were sorted out. According to Pharmacological Research of New Ideas and New Targets and Pharmacology, 509 kinds of herbal Chinese materia medica were selected. Relevant articles about property, efficacy, pharmacologic action, and target in CNKI and Chinese Academic Journal Database (Wanfang Data) were searched by computers. The target information was screened and standardized, and the database was constructed by using MySQL5.7.13. The correlation between the property, efficacy and the target of the herbal Chinese materia medica was studied by using the frequency analysis and correlation rule algorithm of R software platform 3.3.1. Results 509 kinds of herbal Chinese materia medica were selected, including 227 kinds of cold-property medicine, 106 kinds of neutural-property medicine and 176 kinds of hot-property medicine. According to the result of data mining, efficacy of cold-roperty medicine was quenching thirst, clearing liver and treating stranguriaetc. The target was transforming growth factor β2 and liver microsome, etc. The efficacy of hot-property medicine was warming the middle, releasing cold and dissolving lumps. The target was bone morphology protein 2, rheumatoid factor, etc. The efficacy of neutural-property medicine was clearing lungs, diminishing distension and increasing energy. The target was β-amyloid and prostaglandin E2 receptors. Conclusion There is certain correlation in property, efficacy and target in Chinese materia medica.

Objective To investigate the expression of gastric and intestinal phenotypic markers in Siewert typeⅡand Ⅲ early gastroesophageal junction(GEJ) cancer, and to explore its correlation with clinic-pathological features.Methods From April 2010 to July 2015, 53 cases diagnosed as early GEJ cancer were enrolled.The gastric and intestinal phenotypic markers such as mucin5AC(MUC5AC),mucin6(MUC6),mucin2(MUC2),caudal related homeodomain transcription 2(CDX2) and cluster of differentiation 10(CD10) were detected, and then the patients were divided into gastric type, gastrointestinal type, intestinal type and non-classified type according to the results of immunohistochemical staining.Combined with Siewert classification the clinicopathological features were analyzed.Chi square test or Fisher′s exact test was performed for statistical analysis.Results In the cancer tissues of 47 patients with Siewert type Ⅱand Ⅲ early GEJ cancer, the case numbers of positive expression of MUC5AC,MUC6,MUC2, CDX2 and CD10 were 21(44.7%),19(40.4%),31(66.0%),27(57.4%) and 17(36.2%),respectively;the case numbers of gastric type, gastrointestinal type, intestinal type and non-classified type were 11(23.4%),14(29.8%),21(44.7%) and one(2.1%), respectively.The positive expression rates of MUC5AC and MUC6 in Siewert typeⅡwere 55.9%(19/34) and 50.0%(17/34),which were higher than those of Siewert typeⅢ(2/13), and the positive expression rate of MUC2 was 55.9%(19/34), which was lower than that of Siewert typeⅢ(12/13), and the differences were statistically significant (x2=6.240,4.679 and 4.053;all P<0.05).In Siewert typeⅡ, the proportion of intestinal type was 32.4%(11/34), which was lower than that of Siewert typeⅢ(10/13), and the differences were statistically significant (x2=7.142,P=0.010).In patients with Siewert typeⅡand Ⅲ early cancer, males predominated in intestinal type which were mostly well differentiated type with less submucosal carcinoma.The maximum diameter of tumor was less than those of gastric type and gastrointestinal type.In paracancerous mucosal tissues, the incidences of intestinal metaplasia in gastrointestinal type and intestinal type were 11/14 and 81.0%(17/21), which were higher than that of gastric type (3/11);the incidences of atrophy in gastrointestinal type and intestinal type were 12/14 and 85.7%(18/21),which were higher than that of gastric type (4/11),and the differences were statistically significant (Fisher′s exact test,all P<0.05).Conclusions Siewert typeⅡand Ⅲ early GEJ cancer can directly originated not only from gastric mucosa, but also from gastrointestinal and intestinal mucosa.Atrophy and intestinal metaplasia could exist before cancer genesis.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Escherichia coli ( E. coli) producing a novel Shiga toxin 2k subtype in goat in Lanling county, Shandong province. Methods:In November 2019, 512 goat fecal samples were collected from different households in Lanling county, Shandong province. After enriched with EC broth, stx-positive samples were detected by PCR and inoculated in CHROMagar? ECC agar and CHROMagar? STEC agar. The whole genomes of stx-positive strains were sequenced. Based on the genomic senquences, the stx subtype, serotype, multi-locus sequence type and virulence genes of each strain were analyzed. Results:Eighty-six strains of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) were isolated from 512 goat fecal samples. Five stx subtypes were identified and 37 strains were positive for stx2k. The 86 STEC strains belonged to 20 O∶H serotypes and 18 different sequence types (STs). Conclusions:STEC strains circulating in goats in Lanling county, Shandong province were heterogeneous in stx subtypes, serotypes and virulence gene profiles, and a certain proportion of strains producing a novel Shiga toxin 2k subtype were detected.

Objective:To explore the risk factors and regularity of pediatric primary Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection accompanied with elevated transaminase.Methods:Clinical data of 399 children diagnosed as primary EBV infection in the outpatient department, Children′s Hospital of Fudan University from September 2016 to October 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the potential correlations between elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) or aspartate transaminase (AST) and age, gender, course of fever and plasma EBV-DNA load. The cumulative rates of elevated transaminase recovery to nomal at different times were caculated.Results:Among 399 children diagnosed with primary EBV infection, there were 219 males and 180 females. The age was (4.2±2.7) years. Among all cases, 51.9% (207/399) had elevated transaminase. In patients who had elevated ALT, 74.5% (149/200), 21.0% (42/200) and 4.5% (9/200) had mild (40-160 U/L), moderate (160-400 U/L) and severe (>400 U/L) elevation of ALT, respectively. In patients who had elevated AST, 83.8% (155/185), 11.9% (22/185) and 4.3% (8/185) had mild (40-160 U/L), moderate (160-400 U/L) and severe (>400 U/L) elevation of AST, respectively. Only age was correlated with the occurrence of elevated transaminase ( OR=1.13, 1.10, both P<0.05). A total of 167 repeated tests were ordered in patients with elevated ALT and/or AST, including 113 cases with elevated ALT and 104 cases with elevated AST. The time of ALT and AST returned to normal were (24±13) days and (25±18) days respectively. The cumulative rates for ALT returned to normal within 1, 1-<4, 4-<8 weeks and more than 8 weeks were 2.7% (3/113), 54.0% (61/113), 79.6% (90/113) and 81.4% (92/113) respectively, and were 1.9% (2/104), 48.1% (50/104), 71.2% (74/104) and 74.0% (77/104) for AST. Conclusions:Age is a risk factor for transaminase elevation associated with primary EBV infection in children. The transaminases returned to normal within 3 weeks in half of the cases, and within 8 weeks in most cases.

Objective:To investigate the effect of fecal microbiota transplantation(FMT)on unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)-induced renal fibrosis in mice.Methods:Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into the control group,UUO group,UUO+FMT group and myeloid-derived suppressor cells(MDSCs)transfer group.The latter 3 groups were constructed renal fibrosis models by UUO,the UUO+FMT group received FMT from control mice after UUO surgery,and the MDSCs transfer group underwent splenectomy and intravenous injection of MDSCs from the peripheral blood of the UUO+FMT group.Renal tissue specimens were collected at 14 d after UUO for HE and Masson staining.TNF-α and IL-10 expression levels were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR),Western blot and immunofluorescence staining.Results:HE staining showed that the renal tissue structure of the control group was normal.The UUO group showed significant dilatation of renal tubules accompanied by obvious inflammatory cell infiltration.However,the renal lesions in the UUO+FMT group and MDSCs transfer group were significantly improved compared with those in the UUO group.Masson staining showed that the positive area of collagen deposition significantly increased in the UUO group compared with the control group,while the positive area of collagen deposition decreased in the UUO+FMT group and MDSCs transfer group compared with the UUO group.The results of qRT-PCR,Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that the expression levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were elevated in renal tissues of the UUO group compared with the control group.Compared with the UUO group,the expression level of TNF-α decreased while IL-10 increased in the UUO+FMT group and MDSCs transfer group.Conclusions:FMT reduces the expression of TNF-α and increase the expression of IL-10 in the kidney of UUO mice,and alleviates renal fibrosis.FMT may exert a nephroprotective effect by regulating MDSCs.

Objective:To investigate the value of the virtual monoenergetic image (VMI) obtained by a new dual-layer detector spectral CT combined with metal artifact reduction algorithms(O-MAR) in reduction of different types of artifacts caused by 125I seeds implantation and in improvement of the post-operative CT image quality. Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. Thirty-five patients who underwent dual-layer detector spectral CT scanning of the chest and abdomen after 125I seeds implantation were retrospectively included at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March to September 2022. The spectral data were collected and reconstructed into conventional CT image (CI), VMI image (50-150 keV, 20 keV/level), CI+O-MAR image, and VMI+O-MAR image (50-150 keV, 20 keV/level). The artifacts′ removal effects and image quality improvement in each group were evaluated. Two slices with the strongest artifacts were selected for analysis for each patient, resulting in a total of 70 slices. Objective indicators including artifact index (AI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of soft tissue regions affected by artifacts were measured and calculated. Subjective indicators including the overcorrected artifacts and new artifacts, the different forms of artifacts, the diagnosis of artifacts, and the image quality were assessed. One-way analysis of variance was used for comparisons among multiple groups. Paired t test was used to compare the quantitative indicators between the combined O-MAR group and the non-O-MAR group. Kappa statistics was used to evaluate the consistency between observers. Results:In high/low-density artifacts (ROI H/L), the AI values in all groups showed decrease with increasing VMI keV. In artifact-affected tissue (ROI T), SNR of the CI/VMI (70-150 keV)+O-MAR group were significantly higher than those of the CI/VMI group ( P<0.05), CNR of the CI/VMI(50-150 keV)+O-MAR group were significantly higher than those of the CI/VMI group ( P<0.05). Both overcorrection and new artifacts mainly presented in VMI 50 keV and VMI 70 keV groups; Compared with VMI (50-70 keV) group, significantly less numbers of overcorrection and new artifacts were found in VMI (50-70 keV)+O-MAR group ( P<0.05); regarding the comparison of artifact types, with the VMI keV increasing, the number of a-type banded artifacts gradually decreased on images with high-density artifacts, reaching a minimum of 3 in the VMI 150 keV+O-MAR group; while the number of e-type artifacts with little or no artifacts increased, with the highest number of 23 in the VMI 150 keV+O-MAR group. The total number of high-density artifacts in each type decreased with increasing VMI keV. As VMI keV increased, the diagnostic and image quality scores of high-density artifacts in each group were significantly higher than those of low-density artifacts in the VMI+O-MAR group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:VMI combined with O-MAR can significantly improve the objective and subjective image quality of follow-up CT imaging after 125I seed implantation, enhancing lesion visibility and diagnostic confidence. Additionally, VMI+O-MAR showed more pronounced correction effect on high-density artifacts.

Objective:To investigate the iodine nutritional status, prevalence and distribution characteristics of thyroid nodules among children and adolescents in Jurong City, Jiangsu Province, and study the risk factors for thyroid nodules in children and adolescents.Methods:In 2021, a cluster sampling method was used to select one primary and one secondary school in the urban and rural areas of Jurong City, ≥150 children and adolescents were selected as survey respondents from each school on a class-by-class basis, including third-grade children in primary schools and seventh-grade adolescents in secondary schools. The basic information and mental health status of survey respondents were collected by basic information questionnaires and Children's Anxiety Related Emotional Disorders Screening Form (SCARED). Water samples were collected from schools where survey respondents were enrolled and from townships where schools were located, and the iodine content in the water were tested. At the same time, household salt and urine samples from survey respondents were collected to test the salt iodine and urine iodine. Thyroid volume and thyroid nodules were measured using B-ultrasound method to analyze goiter (swelling of the thyroid gland) and thyroid nodules. The Cochran-Armitage trend test method was applied for trend analysis, and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors for thyroid nodules.Results:A total of 710 children and adolescents (370 males and 340 females) were surveyed, including 347 children (169 males and 178 females) and 363 adolescents (201 males and 162 females). A total of 14 water samples were collected, with an iodine content range of 8.98 to 10.82 μg/L and a median iodine content of 9.98 μg/L. A total of 710 edible salt samples were tested, with a salt iodine content of (20.94 ± 1.94) mg/kg, an iodine salt coverage rate of 100.00%, and a qualified iodine salt consumption rate of 97.46% (692/710). A total of 710 urine samples were tested, with a median urine iodine of 288.13 μg/L, median urinary iodine for boys and girls was 310.29 and 245.12 μg/L, respectively, and the difference between the two was statistically significant ( Z = - 5.91, P < 0.001). A total of 710 children and adolescents were tested by B-ultrasound, and the detection rate of goiter and thyroid nodules was 2.25% (16/710) and 25.07% (178/710). There was no significant upward trend in the detection rate of thyroid nodules with age (χ 2trend = 0.45, P = 0.651). The detection rates of thyroid nodules in boys and girls were 20.00% (74/370) and 30.59% (104/340), respectively, and the difference between the two was statistically significant (χ 2 = 10.57, P < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that female students who participated in extracurricular tutoring/interest classes in the past month were two influencing factors for thyroid nodules in children and adolescents ( OR = 1.76, 1.54, 95% CI: 1.25 - 2.49, 1.09 - 2.17, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The iodized salt coverage rate, qualified iodized salt consumption rate, and goiter rate in children and adolescents in Jurong City have all reached the elimination standard for iodine deficiency disorders, and their iodine nutrition is at a super-appropriate level. However, the external environment of Jurong City is still iodine-deficient. The detection rate of thyroid nodules in children and adolescents is at a high level. Female students and those who have participated in extracurricular tutoring/interest classes in the past month are risk factors for thyroid nodules in children and adolescents.

Objective:To compare image quality and diagnostic parameters of whole-brain CT perfusion scans under different scanning conditions and assess the utility of deep learning image reconstruction algorithm (DLIR) in reducing tube current during low-dose scans.Methods:Method A total of 105 patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke (AIS) were prospectively enrolled in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March, 2022 to March, 203 and their baseline information was recorded. All patients underwent head non-contrast CT and CT perfusion (CTP) examinations. CTP scanning was performed at 80 kV in two groups with the tube current of 150 mA (regular dose) and 100 mA (low dose), respectively. The CTP images of 150 mA group were reconstructed using filtered back-projection algorithm as well as adaptive statistical iterative reconstruction-V (ASIR-V) at 40% and 80% strength levels, which were denoted as groups A-C. The CTP images of 100 mA group were reconstructed using ASIR-V80%, DLIR-M, and DLIR-H, which were denoted as groups D-F. Clinical baseline characteristics and radiation doses were compared between the two groups under different scanning conditions. Furthermore, we assessed the subjective and objective image quality, conventional perfusion parameters, and abnormal perfusion parameters of AIS patients across the six groups of reconstructed CTP images.Results:Under the scanning conditions of 150 mA and 100 mA, 47 and 48 patients were diagnosed with AIS, respectively. There were no significant differences in the baseline characteristics between the two groups. However, there was a significant difference in the mean effective radiation dose (5.71 mSv vs. 3.80 mSv, t = 2 768.30, P < 0.001). The standard deviation (SD) of noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) were significantly different among the six groups of reconstructed images ( F = 40.58-212.13, P < 0.001). In GM, the SD values in groups C, D, and F were lower than those in other groups ( P < 0.05), and the SNR values in groups C and F were higher than those in other groups ( P < 0.05). In WM, the SD and SNR values in groups C and F were significantly different from those in other groups ( P < 0.05). Additionally, CNR values in groups C and F were higher than those in other groups ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in subjective scores among groups B, C, and F ( P > 0.05). Regarding perfusion parameters in the brain GM, groups D and E had lower cerebral blood volume (CBV) values compared to groups A to C ( P < 0.05), and group F had lower CBV values than group B ( P < 0.05). In the brain WM, group D had consistently lower mean transit time (MTT) values compared to the other groups ( P < 0.05). Notably, there were no significant differences in AIS lesion detection rates and relevant diagnostic parameters across the six image groups. Conclusions:Low-tube current CTP scan combined with the DLIR-H algorithm can enhance image quality without affecting perfusion parameters such as CBV and MTT, while reducing radiation dose by 30%. This algorithm can be routinely applied in brain CTP examinations.

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of splenic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in sepsis-induced adrenal injury (SAI).Methods:Thirty male C57 mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into normal control group ( n = 5), sham operation group (Sham group, n = 5), sepsis model group [cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) group, n = 10] and sepsis+splenectomy group (CLPS group, n = 10). The sepsis model of mice was reproduced by CLP method. In Sham group, only the cecum was opened and separated, then closed, without CLP. In CLPS group, the spleen was removed before CLP. In normal control group, no challenge was given. After 24 hours, the rats were sacrificed by anesthesia, and peripheral blood, spleen, bone marrow, and bilateral adrenal glands were harvested. The pathological of adrenal gland was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining under optical microscope. The ratio of MDSCs in peripheral blood, spleen and bone marrow was determined by flow cytometry. The expressions of MDSCs surface antigen CD11b, Gr-1 and interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) mRNA in adrenal tissue were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Western Blot was used to detect the expressions of mammalian rapamycin target protein (mTOR) pathway related proteins including total mTOR (T-mTOR), phosphorylation of mTOR (p-mTOR) and caspase-3. Results:The adrenal cortex and medulla of the normal control group and Sham group were intact and the structure was clear under optical microscope, while in the CLP group, the adrenal gland showed edema, cortical hemorrhage and cell edema. Compared with the CLP group, the adrenal tissue injury was significantly reduced in the CLPS group. Compared with the normal control group and Sham group, MDSCs ratio in the peripheral blood was significantly increased and significantly reduced in the spleen in the CLP group, but there was no significant difference in bone marrow, the expression levels of CD11b, Gr-1, IL-6, IL-1β mRNA and caspase-3 protein were increased significantly and p-mTOR protein expression was significantly decreased in adrenal tissue, there was no significant difference in the expression of T-mTOR protein. Compared with the CLP group, in the CLPS group, the MDSCs ratio in the peripheral blood was significantly decreased (0.143±0.011 vs. 0.324±0.023, P < 0.01), the expression levels of CD11b, Gr-1, IL-6 , IL-1β mRNA and caspase-3 protein in adrenal gland were significantly decreased [CD11b mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 2.90±0.56 vs. 5.74±0.13, Gr-1 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 2.71±0.14 vs. 4.59±0.46, IL-6 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 2.44±0.64 vs. 5.17±1.04, IL-1β mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 3.58±0.52 vs. 4.44±0.26, caspase-3 protein (caspase-3/GAPDH): 0.05±0.01 vs. 0.13±0.02, all P < 0.01], the p-mTOR protein expression was significantly increased (p-mTOR/GAPDH: 0.61±0.11 vs. 0.27±0.04, P < 0.01). Conclusions:The spleen is the major source of MDSCs in SAI. Splenectomy can attenuate SAI by reducing mobilization of MDSCs and activating the mTOR signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Shenqi Gualou Xiebai Banxia Decoction （参芪瓜蒌薤白半夏汤， SGXBD） in the treatment of atherosclerosis. MethodsThirty Apolipoprotein E gene knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice were randomly divided into five groups： model group， rosuvastatin group， low-， moderate-， and high-dose SGXBD， with six mice in each group. They were fed a high-fat diet to prepare for atherosclerosis model. Another six C57BL/6J wild-type mice were set as the blank group. After modeling， the low-， moderate-， and high-dose SGXBD groups were gavaged with 6.46， 12.92， and 25.84 g/（kg·d） of SGXBD， respectively. The rosuvastatin group was given 1.55 mg/（kg·d） of rosuvastatin tablets by gavage. The blank group and model group were given 0.5 ml saline by gavage. After four weeks， the total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C） in the serum of each group were detected， as well as TC and TG in the liver. The serum bile acid level was detected by enzyme cycling colorimetry. The mRNA and protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ （PPARγ）， sterol regulatory element-binding protein 2 （SREBP2）， 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase （HMGCR）， and cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase （CYP7A1） in the liver were detected by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed significant increases in serum TG， TC， and LDL-C levels， and significant decreases in HDL-C and bile acid levels； the levels of TG and TC in the liver， as well as the expression of SREBP2 and HMGCR proteins and mRNA in the liver significantly increased， while the expression of PPARγ and CYP7A1 proteins and mRNA significantly decreased （all P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the rosuvastatin group and high-dose SGXBD group showed significant decreases in serum TG， TC， and LDL-C levels and liver TG and TC levels， and significant increases in bile acid levels； the expression of PPARγ and CYP7A1 proteins and mRNA increased， while the expression of SREBP2 and HMGCR proteins and mRNA decreased； the low-dose SGXBD group showed significant decreases in serum TC and LDL-C levels and liver TC level （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the rosuvastatin group， the low-dose SGXBD group had a significantly higher liver TC level， while the high-dose SGXBD group had a significantly lower liver TC level， CYP7A1 mRNA level， and PPARγ protein expression level， and a significantly higher SREBP2 protein expression level （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the low- and moderate-dose groups， the high-dose SGXBD group had significantly lower serum TG and liver TC levels （P＜0.05）. ConclusionSGXBD may improve blood lipid levels and exhibit anti-atherosclerotic effects by regulating the protein level of PPARγ and simultaneously affecting the synthesis of liver cholesterol and the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids.