Objective To observe the clinical effect of treating diabetic nephropathy with Shengqidihuang decoction combined with metformin. Methods 54 cases with diabetic nephropathy were randomly divided into two groups by means of random number table. Both groups were given diabetic routine treatment. The control group was treated with metformin, 0.25 mg each time, three times a day, based on the diabetic routine treatment for 8 weeks, and the treatment group was treated with Shengqidihuang decoction, once a day, 4 weeks as a course, continuously treated for 2 courses based on the control group. 24 h urinary protein (24hUAE) , serum creatinine (SCr) , blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and fasting blood glucose (FBG) were detected before and after the treatment. The clinical effect was observed between the two groups after the treatment. Results The total effective rate of the treatment group and the control group was 85.2% and 66.7% respectively, showing a significant difference (λ2=3.376, P<0.05). Compared with the control group, 24 hUA ,SCr, BUN and FBG in the treatment group decreased significantly (λ2=4.231, P<0.05) after the treatment.24hUAE, SCr, BUN and FBG decreased significantly after the treatment, especially in the treatment group, also showing a significant difference (λ2= 3.754, P<0.05). Conclusion The therapy of mefformin combined with Shengqidihuang decoction on diabetic nephropathy was better than metformin only.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of thoracic electrical bioimpedance(TEB)in monitoring the cardiac function of peritoneal dialysis patients.Methods One hundred and one patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and 30 healthy persons (control group)were included in the study.Thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) noninvasive hcmodynamic monitoring and echocardiography were taken to analyze the correlation between indexes.Results Echocardiography showed that left atrial diameter (LAD),left ventricular end diastolic diameter (LVDd),left ventricular end systolic diameter (LVDs),interventricular septal thickness （IVST),interventricular septal thickness (PAP),left ventricle weight index (LVMI) of CAPD group were higher than that of the control group (all P ＜ 0.05),early and late wave of mitral valve flow (E/A) of CAPD group was lower than that of control group (P ＜ 0.05).TEB monitoring showed that cardiac output (CO),stroke volume (SV),acceleration index (ACI),ejection fraction (EF),velocity index (Ⅵ) of CAPD group were significantly lower than that of control group (all P ＜ 0.01),systolic time ratio (STR),SVR,TFC of CAPD group were significantly higher than that of control group (P ＜ 0.01).Correlation analysis show that left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was negatively correlated with BNP (r =-0.467,P ＜ 0.01),LVMI was positively correlated with BNP (r=0.416,P ＜ 0.01),PEP,STR and TFC were positively correlated with BNP (r =0.404,P ＜ 0.01; r =0.572,P ＜ 0.01; r=0.471,P ＜ 0.01),EF was negatively correlated with BNP (r =-0.664,P ＜ 0.01).Correlation analysis between echocardiogaphy and TEB monitoring index showed there was significant correlation between EF and LVEF (r =0.451,P ＜ 0.01),SVR and TFC were positively correlated with LVMI (r =0.232,P ＜ 0.05; r =0.284,P ＜ 0.05),SV was positively correlated with E/A (r =0.285,P ＜ 0.05),pre-ejection period (PEP) and STR were negatively correlated with LVEF (r =-0.389,P ＜ 0.01; r =-0.446,P ＜ 0.01),TFC was positively correlated with LAD (r=0.279,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion TEB monitoring can accurately evaluate the cardiac function with the advantage of dynamic monitoring and simple operation.It can partly replace the echocardiography test.

Background and purpose:We investigated whether lfuorine-18 lfuorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax) of the primary tumor (SUV-T), SUVmax of the regional lymph nodes (SUV-N) or the overall loco-regional lesion SUVmax (SUV-TOTAL) was related to survival of patients with stage Ⅲ non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who received Cetuximab and combined definitive chemoradiotherpay. Methods:From September 2009 to July 2012, seventeen patients with unresectable stageⅢNSCLC receiving cetuximab with cisplatin/vinorelbine (NP) followed by concomitant NP and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) at the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center were enrolled onto a prospectively study. All patients received positron emission tomography/computerized tomography (PET/CT) scans within 2 weeks before enrolment. Univariate analysis were used to assess the correlation between SUV-T, SUV-N, SUV-TOTAL, gender, age, histology, tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, performance status (PS) as well as smoking status and survival. The factors which showed statistical signiifcance entered into multivariate Cox-regression model. Survival functions of different populations were estimated by Kaplan-Meier method and compared by Log-rank test. Results:In the univariate analysis, SUV-T, SUV-N, SUV-TOTAL, PS and smoking status were prognostic factors. The best cut-off values for SUV-T, SUV-N and SUV-TOTAL were 11, 11 and 20, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that SUV-TOTAL (P=0.012), SUV-T (P=0.025), and SUV-N (P=0.033) were independent predictors of survival with hazard ratio (HR) of 14.7, 11.2, and 6.2, respectively. Conclusion:Local, regional and locoregional maximal SUVs deifned by 18F-FDG PET-CT scanning may have a strong correlation with survival in this patients setting, which merits further study.

Objective To discuss the safety and efficacy of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) in treating patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who has a history of hepatic failure. Methods A total of 7 HCC patients who had a history of hepatic failure (study group) were enrolled in this study. TACE was carried out in all these 7 patients. Other 51 patients who had no liver failure history were used as the control group. All the patients were followed up for at least six months. The postoperative adverse events, changes of liver function and the prognosis were recorded, and the results were compared between the two groups. Results In the study group, neither treatment-related death nor severe adverse events occurred. No significant difference in the occurrence of mild adverse events existed between the two groups. After TACE the liver functions, including alanine aminotransferase, total bilirubin, prolonged prothrombin time, albumin, etc. in the study group were significantly worse than those in the control group,groups. Conclusion For patients with inoperable hepatocellular carcinoma who has a history of hepatic failure, TACE is a safe and effective treatment.

Background and purpose:Clinical data show that Endostar, a recombinant human endostatin, has the therapeutic beneift for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) while combined with chemotherapy or ra-diotherapy. However, the microenvironment changes induced by Endostar monotherapy in NSCLC is not yet clear. The purpose of this study was to prospectively study tumor vascular effects of Endostar monotherapy in patients with locally advanced or advanced NSCLC by dynamic contrast-enhanced perfusion computed tomography (CT perfusion, CT-p). Methods:Previously untreated patients with histologically or cytologically conifrmed locally advanced or advanced NSCLC were eligible. All patients received daily Endostar (7.5 mg?m2) for 14 days. CT-p scans were acquired at the baseline and post-treatment. CT-p parameters, such as blood lfow (BF), blood volume (BV) and permeability surface PS (area product), were measured in all patients.Results:Of all 7 patients enrolled, four were staged asⅢB and three as stageⅣ (2 with malignant pleural effusion, 1 with brain metastasis). The median BF, BV and PS values of baseline and post-treatment were 27.1/48.9 mL/100 mL/min, 86.8/84.8 mL/100 mL and 45.0/54.0 mL/100 mL/min, respectively. After administration of Endostar for 14 days , BF showed a signiifcant increase compared with that at baseline (P=0.028), whereas no signiifcant changes were found in BV (P=0.398) and PS (P=0.237) values.Conclusion:Our results suggest that Endostar monotherapy induces a signiifcant increase in BF whereas no signiifcant difference in BV and PS.

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of MRI-navigation system EMT-100 in assisting the performance of precise percutaneous puncture biopsy.Methods With the help of MRI-navigation system EMT-100,percutaneous puncture biopsy of thoracic and abdominal lesions was performed in 42 patients.The puncture success rate was used as the main index to evaluate the effectiveness of MRI-navigation system EMT-100.The success rate of puncture biopsy,the total time used for procedure,the average number of puncturing,the average number of scanning,and the incidence of complications were recorded.Results In the 42 patients,the success rates with single and twice puncturing were 86％ (36/42) and 14％ (6/42) respectively.The success rate of puncture biopsy was 100％.The mean time used for locating puncture site was (11.5±5.5) min;the average number of puncturing was (1.4±0.5) times,and the average number of scanningwas(4.2±0.8) times.Among the 32 patients with pulmonary lesions,bloody sputum occurred in 2 patients (6.2％) and small amount pneumothorax in one patient (3.1％),and no serious complications occurred in other patients.Conclusion In performing percutaneous puncture biopsy of thoracic and abdominal lesions,the use of MRI-navigation system is safe.This technique has certain advantages,such as accurate positioning,high puncture success rate,wide range of application,radiationless,etc.It can help precisely obtain the lesion tissue and get pathological diagnosis.Therefore,it is really a valuable guiding technology.(J Intervent Radiol,2017,26:263-265)

[Objective] The present study aimed to determine the protective role of Melatonin (MT) against Acrylamide (AA)-induced testicular toxicity and the potential molecular mechanism.[Methods] The animals were randomly divided into three groups,the control group (n =12),the AA group (n =12) and the AA+MT group (n =12).The rats in the AA and AA + MT group were gavaged with AA at a dose of 15 mg/(kg · day) for 4 consecutive weeks.After 3 weeks of AA treatment,MT was intraperitoneally injected 30 minutes before AA treatment at 10 mg/(kg· day) for 1 week in the AA + MT rats.Subsequently,the mitochondrial membrane potential measurement,TUNEL assay,Western blot and electron microscopic techniques were applied in the present study.[Results] The results showed that AA could decrease the testis mitochondrial membrane potential (P ＜ 0.05) which could be recovered by MT (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,MT induced down-regulation of Bax expression and up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression in the testis,compared with AA rats.The amelioration of testicular apoptosis was further confirmed by the TUNEL labeling.Western blot results suggested that the decreased ratios of Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xL/Bak in the AA group (both P ＜ 0.05) could be recovered by MT treatment (both P ＜ 0.05).The levels of Cyt-c,Casp-3,p53 and NF-κB in AA group were markedly elevated compared with the control (all P ＜ 0.05),and reduced in MT treatment group (all P ＜ 0.05).MT could relieve abnormal mitochondrial structures in the seminiferous tubule in the electron microscopic level.[Conclusion] MT may exert productive effect through its anti-apoptotic properties associated with mitochondria.

Objective To preliminarily evaluate the effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on the proliferation and apoptosis of keratinocytes in patients with psoriasis,and to explore its possible mechanisms.Methods Keratinocytes were isolated from patients with psoriasis,and subjected to a primary culture in vitro.After 2-3 passages,the keratinocytes were divided into several groups to be treated with glycyrrhetinic acid at final concentrations of 0 (control group),1,2,4,8 and 10 mg/L (glycyrrhetinic acid groups),respectively.After 24-72 hours of treatment,MTS assay was performed to evaluate the effect of glycyrrhetinic acid on the proliferation of keratinocytes,and flow cytometry was conducted to detect the apoptosis of keratinocytes after 24-hour treatment with glycyrrhetinic acid at different concentrations.Real-time fluorescence-based PCR was performed to determine the expression of miR-21 in keratinocytes.Results After 24-72 hours of treatment with 1-10 mg/L glycyrrhetinic acid,the proliferation activity of keratinocytes significantly decreased along with the increase in the treatment duration and concentrations of glycyrrhizinic acid.After 24-hour treatment with 1,2,4,8,10 mg/L glycyrrhetinic acid,the apoptosis rates of keratinocytes increased to (9.64 ± 0.86)％,(25.24 ± 2.93)％,(27.68 ± 3.70)％,(35.55 ± 4.23)％ and (38.89 ± 2.31)％ respectively.As LSD-t test showed,the apoptosis rates of keratinocytes were significantly higher in all the glycyrrhetinic acid groups than in the control group (10.09％ ± 0.69％,all P ＜ 0.01),except the 1 mg/L glycyrrhetinic acid group.After 24-hour treatment with 1,2 and 4 mg/L glycyrrhetinic acid,the miR-21 expression (2-△△Ct) significantly decreased (0.24 ± 0.04,0.22 ± 0.07,0.17 ± 0.05,respectively) compared with the control group (0.92 ± 0.12,F =213.10,P ＜ 0.05).After 18-,24-and 48-hour treatment with 2 mg/L glycyrrhetinic acid,the miR-21 expression significantly decreased (0.55 ± 0.02,0.22 ± 0.06 and 0.15 ± 0.06 respectively) compared with the control group (0.98 ± 0.02,F =238.10,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Glycyrrhetinic acid can inhibit the proliferation of keratinocytes from psoriatic patients,but promote the apoptosis,likely by down-regulation of miR-21 expression.

Objective To investigate the effects of microRNA-134 (miR-134) on the proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its potential molecular mechanism.Methods Quantitative real-time fluorescent polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the differences of miR-134 expression between 10 cases of lung cancer tissues and normal lung tissues,and between normal human lung epithelial cell line BEAS-2B and lung adenocarcinoma cell line A549.miR-NC and miR-134 mimic were transfected into A549 cells.The effect of miR-134 on proliferation of A549 cells was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) and colony form experiment.Flow cytometry was used to determine the effect of miR-134 on A549 cells apoptosis.The effect of miR-134 on the expression of P53 protein was detected by Western blotting.Results The relative expressions of miR-134 in NSCLC tumor tissues and adjacent tissues were 0.429 ± 0.126 and 0.971 ±0.183 respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (t =7.742,P ＜0.001).The relative expressions of miR-134 in BEAS-2B cells and A549 cells were 1.013 ± 0.095 and 0.371 ± 0.068 respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (t =17.377,P ＜ 0.001).The absorbance (A) values of A549 cells transfected with miR-mimic were 0.451 ±0.051 and 0.518 ±0.074 on the third and forth day respectively,and those of A549 cells transfected with miR-NC were 0.683 ± 0.041 and 0.815 ± 0.065 respectively.The proliferation ability of miR-mimic group was significantly lower than that of miR-NC group (t =12.965,P ＜ 0.001;t =9.535,P ＜ 0.001).The colony forming rates of A549 cells transfected with miR-NC and miR-134 mimic were 91.2％ ± 8.3％ and 38.6％ ±4.5％ respectively,and the colony forming rate of A549 cells in miR-134 mimic group was significantly decreased (t =17.617,P ＜0.001).The apoptosis rates of miR-134 mimic group and miR-NC group were 93.5％ ± 3.7％ and 85.4％ ± 2.0％ respectively,and the difference was significant difference (t =6.119,P ＜ 0.001).The relative expressions of P53 protein in miR-134 mimic group and miR-NC group were 1.816 ±0.173 and 0.992 ± 0.096 respectively,and the difference was statistically significant (t =19.308,P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion miR-134 can be an effective target for the treatment of NSCLC by increasing the protein expression of P53,inhibiting the viability and proliferation of tumor cells,and promoting the apoptosis of tumor cells.

Objective To investigate the molecule mechanism of microRNA (miR)-138 in inhibiting invasion and migration of breast cancer by regulating epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT). Methods Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect expression of miR-138 after transfecting miR negative control simulacrum (miR-NC) and miR-138 simulacrum in human normal mammary epithelial cell (MCF-10A) and breast cancer cells (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) from July 2017 to June 2018. MTT method was used to detect the breast cancer cell activity. Cell scratch test and Transwell test were used to detect the breast cancer cell migration distance and invasion rate. RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of the EMT key molecules Vimentin, N-cadherin and E-cadherin after transfecting miR-138 simulacrum. Results The expression level of miR-138 in MCF-10A was significantly higher than that in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (1.006 ± 0.009 vs. 0.324 ± 0.027 and 0.512 ± 0.068), and there was statistical difference (P<0.05);there was no statistical difference in the expression level of miR-138 between MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 (P>0.05). The breast cancer cell viabilities of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 at third and fourth day after transfecting miR-138 simulacrum were significantly lower than those of transfecting miR-NC (MCF-7: 0.514 ± 0.052 vs. 0.593 ± 0.061 and 0.643 ± 0.074 vs. 0.784 ± 0.081;MDA-MB-231:0.552 ± 0.043 vs. 0.614 ± 0.063 and 0.673 ± 0.074 vs. 0.792 ± 0.077), and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). The breast cancer cell migration distances and invasion rates of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 after transfecting miR-138 simulacrum were significantly lower than those of transfecting miR-NC (MCF-7: 0.572 ± 0.051 vs. 1.003 ± 0.012 and 0.624 ± 0.043 vs. 1.002 ± 0.007, MDA-MB-231:0.472 ± 0.051 vs. 1.003 ± 0.095 and 0.573 ± 0.044 vs. 1.004 ± 0.091), and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). The expressions of Vimentin and N-cadherin mRNA in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 after transfecting miR-138 simulacrum were significantly lower than those of transfecting miR-NC, but the expression of E-cadherin mRNA was significantly increased, and there were statistical differences (P<0.05). Conclusions The expressions of miR-138 in both breast cancer cells decreased. Overexpression of miR-138 in breast cancer cell can inhibit proliferation, migration and invasion via regulating EMT.