To investigate the effects of manual acupuncture at Shenmen (HT7) or Taiyuan (LU9) on the attention function of the brain, and to lay an experimental foundation for researching brain function and integration mechanisms of the human brain in relation to acupuncture stimulation.

OBJECTIVEChronic inflammation of airway in bronchial asthma is caused by many complicated elements. Recently, a close attention has been paid to the neurogenic inflammation in airway which is mediated by sensory neuropeptides secreted by sensory nerve in the lung. Neurokinin A (NKA) is an important sensory neuropeptide leading to neurogenic inflammation in airway. Experimental studies showed that NKA has a close relation to asthma. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the changes of NKA in plasma of asthmatic children and possible relationship between sensory neuropeptides and asthma in children.

METHODSThirty-five children with bronchial asthma were studied; 16 of the cases were < 3 yrs and 19 were >or= 3 yrs. Eighteen of the cases had severe asthma and 16 had mild asthma. None of the subjects was treated with glucocorticoid within 3 days before the study started; 15 healthy children without history of asthma or family history of asthma were enrolled as control subjects. Plasma was collected from each case during acute attack of asthma and their clinical remission of the asthmatic children. After purifying with SEP-pak C(18), NKA content was detect by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) as instructed by the manufacturer of the NKA Kit (NKA unit: ng/L).

RESULTS(1) The content of plasma NKA of asthmatic children was significantly higher at the asthma attack (256 +/- 153) than that at their clinical remission stage (70 +/- 66; q = 9.497, P < 0.01) and than that of the normal control group (38 +/- 6; q = 8.599, P < 0.01); no significant difference in plasma NKA was found between the clinical remission stage and the normal control group (q = 1.245, P > 0.05). (2) There was a significant positive correlation between the asthmatic clinical state and the levels of plasma NKA; the contents of plasma NKA at the stage of acute attack in severe asthma (296 +/- 170) were significantly higher than those of the mild asthmatic children (190 +/- 99; q = 3.77, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe contents of plasma NKA were significantly higher during the asthma attack stage of children, and the higher was the level of NKA, the more severe the attack.; with asthma remission, the contents of plasma NKA decreased to normal; the contents of plasma NKA has a close relation to the asthmatic children.

Asthma ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Neurokinin A ; blood

OBJECTIVETo explore the inhibitory effect of combined administration of bear bile powder (BBP) and cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan, CTX) on colorectal cancer liver metastasis by regulating tumor promotion inflammation microenvironment.

METHODThe CRC liver metastasis mode in mice was established through in situ spleenic injection of SL4 tumor cells into spleens. The mice were randomly divided into 5 groups: the model group, the CTX (80 mg x kg(-1)) treatment group, the CTX + BBP high dose (300 mg x kg(-1)) group, the CTX + BBP middle dose (150 mg x kg(-1)) group and the CTX + BBP low dose (75 mg x kg(-1)) group. Mice were orally administered with drugs for 12 days, and sacrificed on the 13'h day for weighing their spleens and lives, HE staining, and immunofluorescence analysis. Their peripheral blood, and metastatic tumor in spleens and lives were analyzed with flow cytometry.

RESULTSpleen and liver weights of the: CTX treatment group and other doses groups were significantly lower than that of the model group. HE staining and immunofluorescence analysis showed that lymphocyte infiltration was detected in normal tissues, and macrophages infiltration was observed around the tumor tissues. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the number of T-lymphocytes in peripheral blood of different doses groups were much higher than that of the CTX treatment group (P < 0.05), with the rise in the ratio of CD4/CD8; the total number of lymphocytes in spleen cell suspension increased in different doses groups, compared to the CTX treatment group, with notable increase in B cells (P < 0.05) and significant decrease in CD11b, F4/80 cells (P < 0.05). The combined treatment showed less monocyte macrophages in liver metastasis than that of the CTX treatment group.

CONCLUSIONThe combined treatment of bear bile powder and cyclophosphamide has the effect in not only protecting liver and increase immunity, but also in anti-inflammation and antitumor by regulating tumor microenvironment and reducing the collection of mononuclear macrophages. Particularly, the combined administration of low dose of bear bile powder and CTX shows the most significant effect in reducing inflammatory cell infiltration.

Animals ; Bile ; chemistry ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; pathology ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; mortality ; physiopathology ; secondary ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Tumor Microenvironment ; drug effects ; Ursidae

BACKGROUNDThe mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, a key cellular signaling pathway associated with various cellular functions, has distinct roles in the inflammatory process. In this study, the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin (Rapa) was used to test whether inhibition of mTOR activation attenuates lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in a murine model.

METHODSMice pretreated with Rapa or vehicle were given LPS intratracheally. Local cell numbers and inflammatory cytokines present in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL), wet-to-dry weight ratio, histopathology of the lungs, and survival were evaluated.

RESULTSThe phosphorylation of S6, a major downstream target of mTOR, had a 3-fold increase in lung tissue after LPS stimulation, but the increase was blocked by Rapa. Rapa reduced the levels of TNF-α (LPS vs. LPS + Rapa, (1672.74 ± 193.73) vs. (539.17 ± 140.48) pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.01) and IL-6 (LPS vs. LPS + Rapa: (7790.88 ± 1170.54) vs. (1968.57 ± 474.62) pg/ml, respectively; P < 0.01) in the BAL fluid. However, Rapa had limited effects on the overall severity of ALI, as determined by the wet-to-dry weight ratio of the lungs, number of neutrophils in the BAL fluid, and changes in histopathology. In addition, Rapa failed to reduce mortality in the LPS-induced ALI model.

CONCLUSIONSWe confirmed that mTOR was activated during LPS-induced ALI and strongly inhibited by Rapa. Although Rapa reduced the levels of the mediators of inflammation, the overall severity and survival of the ALI murine model were unchanged.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Phosphorylation ; Sirolimus ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo assess the feasibility, safety and outcome of anatomical laparoscopic left lateral hepatic lobectomy for benign and malignant liver tumors.

METHODSFrom April 2005 to May 2008, 11 patients (7 male, 4 female; mean age 51.7 years) underwent anatomical laparoscopic left lateral hepatic lobectomy. Four patients presented with hepatocellular carcinoma and cirrhosis, while 1 patient had metastatic liver tumors from postoperatively colon cancer, five patients had hemangioma (2 cases with gallstones underwent cholecystectomy), 1 patient had a huge symptomatic angiolipoleiomyoma. Mean tumor size was 5.8 cm (range 2.1 to 12.0 cm). All the lesions were localized in the anatomical left lateral lobe (segments II to III).

RESULTSThe mean operative time was 147 min (range 120 to 180 min). There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications, and blood transfusions were not required. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 5.9 days.

CONCLUSIONSAnatomical laparoscopic left lateral hepatic lobectomy are feasible and safety.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Hepatectomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of Magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate in treatment of chronic liver diseases.

METHODSIt is a randomized, double-blind, multi-doses, active drug controlled, multi-center study. 480 proper patients were randomly divided into group A (180 patients), group B (180 patients) or group C (120 patients). Patients in group A received magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate 100 mg once daily. Patients in group B received magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate 150 mg once daily. Patients in group C received compound glycyrrhizin 120 mg once daily. The treatment course was 4 weeks. Patients were followed up 2 weeks after the treatment. Patients visited once every 2 weeks. Clinical symptoms, ALT, AST were evaluated in all the patients before treatment, at week 2, at week 4 and at 2 weeks later after treatment. The other liver function test was done before treatment and at week 4.

RESULTS412 patients completed the study according to the protocol,152 in group A, 160 in group B and 100 in group C. ALT and AST level were significantly decreased in all groups at week 2 and week 4 (P < 0.05). The degree of ALT decrease is greater in group B than in group C at week 2 (P < 0.01). The degree of ALT decrease was not significant different among three groups at week 4 (P > 0.05). The rates of ALT improvement at week 4 in group A, B, C were 92.59%, 91.76%, 88.29%, respectively (P > 0.05). The rates of symptoms improvement at week 4 in group A, B, C were 90.41%, 89.86%, 86.46% and 72.22%, 73.53%, 68.47%, respectively (P > 0.05). No relapse were found in all three groups after treatment. The rate of adverse event in three groups was similar (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMagnesium isoglycyrrhizinate is an effective and safe treatment for chronic liver diseases.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Chronic Disease ; Double-Blind Method ; Fatty Liver ; blood ; drug therapy ; Female ; Glycyrrhizic Acid ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Injections, Intravenous ; Liver ; drug effects ; pathology ; Liver Diseases ; blood ; drug therapy ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Saponins ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Triterpenes ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use

The neurotrophin receptor kinase (NTRK) gene encodes neurotrophic factor receptor tyrosine kinase (NTRK), which plays an important role in the development and function of the nervous system. NTRK gene fusion mutation results in the production of chimeric NTRK proteins, which have carcinogenic potential through constitutive activation or overexpression. NTRK gene fusion mutation can lead to a special type of wild type gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST), whose clinical manifestations and treatment are completely different from other types of GIST. This fusion mutation can be detected clinically by a variety of methods, including tumor DNA and RNA sequencing and immunohistochemical staining. In patients with NTRK fusion positive tumors, NTRK inhibitors such as larotrectinib and entrectinib have shown good antitumor efficacy, with clinical response rates as high as 75%. Therefore, there is a need to improve the recognition and detection of fuch patients and to improve their prognosis by individualized and precise treatment with TRK inhibitors.
Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors/genetics* ; Gene Fusion ; Humans ; Neoplasms ; Nerve Growth Factors ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors ; Receptor, trkA/genetics* ; Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of hydronidone on CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in rats and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: Sixty-six male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups, including a control group (n=10), a liver fibrosis model group (n=20), 2 hydronidone dose groups (100 and 250 mg/kg; n=12), and a pirfenidone (250 mg/kg) treatment group (n= 12). Rat models of liver fibrosis were established by subcutaneous injection of CCl₄ in all but the control group. Hydronidone and pirfenidone were given daily at the indicated doses by intragastric administration for 6 weeks. After the treatments, serum samples were collected from the rats for detecting liver function parameters, and hydroxyproline content in the liver tissue was determined. Inflammation and fibrosis in the liver tissue were observed using HE staining and Sirius Red staining. In the cell experiment, human hepatic stellate cell line LX-2 was stimulated with TGF-β1 and treated with hydronidone or pirfenidone, and the expression levels of α-SMA, collagen type I and phosphorylated Smad3, phosphorylated p38, phosphorylated ERK1/2 and phosphorylated Akt were detected with Western blotting. RESULTS: In the rat models of liver fibrosis, treatment with hydronidone obviously improved the liver functions, reduced the content of hydroxyproline in the liver tissue, and significantly alleviated liver fibrosis (P < 0.05). In LX-2 cells, hydronidone dose-dependently decreased the expression levels of α-SMA and collagen type I. In TGF- β1-stimulated cells, the phosphorylation levels of Smad3, P38, ERK, and Akt increased progressively with the extension of the treatment time, but this effect was significantly attenuated by treatment with hydronidone (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Hydronidone can inhibit the phosphorylation of the proteins in the TGF-β signaling pathway, thereby preventing TGF-β1-mediated activation of hepatic stellate cells, which may be a possible mechanism by which hydronidone alleviates CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis in rats.
Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Carbon Tetrachloride/metabolism* ; Collagen Type I ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; Hydroxyproline/therapeutic use* ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Smad Proteins/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*

【Objective】 To study the annual financial expenditure in blood stations with different scales, and to establish the regression equation between blood collection units and total expenditure. 【Methods】 The annual total expenditure, the per capita cost of serving population, as well as the collection units of whole blood and apheresis platelet of 24 blood stations were collected. The financial expenditure required for collecting 10 000U blood was calculated.The statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS statistical software. 【Results】 From 2017 to 2020, the total annual financial expenditure of 24 blood stations showed an upward trend. The total expenditure among blood stations was different. The per capita cost of servicing population in the areas where the 24 blood stations were located had been increasing year by year. The 24 blood stations were divided into two grades according to the blood collection volume as 50 000 U, and the relationship equation between the blood collection volume and the annual total expenditure had been established. After testing, each equation was effective(P<0.05); There was no difference in the financial expenditure required for collecting 10 000U blood among blood stations with different scales. 【Conclusion】 From 2017 to 2020, the blood stations with an annual collection volume more than 50 000 U demonstrated a higher financial expenditure and the per capita cost of serving population than those <50 000 U. The blood collection volume of blood stations is significantly correlated with the annual total expenditure and the per capita cost of serving population.