OBJECTIVETo explore the effect of drug-containing serum of Chinese herbal compounds [Xiongshao Capsule (XS, for activating blood) and Huanglian Capsule (HL, for dispelling toxin)] on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced adherence between human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), inflammatory reaction and expression of related proteins in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway.

METHODSThirty-two rats were randomly divided into four groups (8 in each group) using random digit table: the blank control group treated with distilled water, the test group I treated with Chinese herbal compound of XS (0.135 g/kg), the test group II treated with Chinese herbal compound of HL (0.135 g/kg), and the test group Ill treated with Chinese herbal compound of XS (0.135 g/kg) and HL (0.135 g/kg). All medication was given by gastrogavage once a day for a week. Rats' blood serum was harvested 1 h after the last administration to prepare drug-containing serum. HUVECs were exposed to TNF-alpha (100 ng/mL) to induce cell injury model and incubated with corresponding drug-containing serum (10%) for 24 h. Normal rats' serum was given to cells in the blank control group and the model group, while XC + HL containing serum was given to cells in the rest 3 groups. The adherence of HUVECs and PMN cells was detected by using rose bengal strain. Levels of E-selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and interleukin-1beta (IL-1P) in the supernatant of cultured HU-VECs were determined by ELISA. Protein expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinases p38 (p38MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK 12) were determined by Western blot.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, HUVECs were seriously injured; PMN adherence amount significantly increased; levels of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and IL-1beta increased; expression levels of p-p38MAPK and p-ERK 1/2 in the supernatant of HUVECs significantly increased in the model group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, HUVECs-PMN adherence amount decreased (P < 0.05); levels of E-selectin, ICAM-1, and IL-1 beta in the supernatant of HUVECs decreased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); expression levels of p-p38MAPK and p-ERK 1/2 of endothelial cells decreased in the test group I, II, and III (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSDrug-containing serums of activating blood, activating blood and dispelling toxin could attenuate TNF-alpha induced injury of HUVECs, inhibit HUVECs-PMN adherence and the release of adhesion factors. Its mechanism might be involved with protein phosphorylation of p38MAPK and ERK 1/2 in the MAPK pathway.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; E-Selectin ; Endothelial Cells ; physiology ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 ; Neutrophils ; Rats ; Serum ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic Soave's surgery for the treatment of congenital Hirschsprung's disease in infants (age ＜ 2 months).Methods The clinical data of 368 infants with congenital Hirschsprung's disease who received laparoscopic Soave's surgery at the Children's Hospital of Xuzhou City from June 2005 to June 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.Three Trocars with diameter of 0.5 cm were used.The colic ligament was freed and the mesentery was ligated laparoscopically,then the rectal mucosa was stripped for 5-7 cm in length,and was pulled out through the rectal muscle sheath.Patients were followed up via out-patient examination at postoperative month 1,3,6,12 to learn the frequency of defecation,constipation and anal stenosis.The follow-up was ended in June of 2013.Results Two patients were converted to open surgery,and the remaining 366 patients received laparoscopic surgery successfully,with no incidence of wound infection.The operation time,volume of blood loss and duration of hospital stay were (100 ±20)minutes,(5.4 ± 1.5) mL and (7.3 ± 1.5) days,respectively.The average time for antibiotics usage was (3.5 ± 1.6) days and the time for infusion was (3.8 ± 1.4) days.All the infants were followed up,and the mean time for postoperative follow-up was 4.5 years (range,1.0-8.0 years).Eleven patients were complicated with Hirschsprung's disease associated enteritis,7 patients with constipation,5 with anal stenosis,4 with fecal pollution.The condition of the infants was improved after conservative treatment.Conclusion Laparoscopic Soave's surgery is suitable for the treatment of congenital Hirschsprung's diseases in infants aged under 2 months,it has the advantages of small trauma,quick recovery,better cosmetic effects and few complications.

This study investigated the mental health status of medical students in China, and analyzed the influencing factors in order to provide evidence for mental health education for medical students. A stratified cluster sampling method was used to recruit medical students from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China. The questionnaire survey on general information and Symptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) were used for investigation and analysis. The results showed among the 1137 valid questionnaires, 278 (24.45%) participants had SCL-90 score ≥ 160. The top three mental problems of medical students were obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal sensitivity and depression in terms of the factor score ≥ 2.5 and the number of participants who reflected on the diseases. The third-year medical students had the worst mental health status, and fifth-year medical students had the best mental health status. Students from rural area had more psychological problems than those from urban area; furthermore, students with high professional satisfaction, those who were the single child of the family, non-poor students, and those whose parents had high education level had better mental health status. It was concluded that the mental health of medical students is not optimistic in China. Medical students have some mental health problems of different degrees. Factors that influence the mental health of medical students include academic pressure, professional satisfaction level and family environment.

Objective To determine potential gene-gene interactions of TNF-? and VDR loci with outcomes of hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection.Methods A total of 391 chronic hepatitis B(HB) patients as a case group and 212 HBV self-limited infected subjects as a control group were recruited to conduct a case-control study.TNF-?-238G/A,-857C/T,-863C/A,VDR-TaqⅠT/C and FokⅠC/T gene polymorphisms were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP).The interactions between TNF-? and VDR genes were analyzed by multiple model.Results There were positive gene-gene interactions between TNF-?-238 GA and FokⅠ CT/CC(ORint=4.04),between-863 CC and-857 CC(ORint=1.26) and between-857 CC and FokⅠ CT/CC(ORint=1.37),respectively,which increase the risk of chronic hepatitis B.There were negative gene-gene interactions between TNF-?-238 GA and-857 CC(ORint=0.92)and between FokⅠ CT/CC and TNF-?-863 CC(ORint=0.95),which decrease the risk of chronic hepatitis B.Conclusion Interaction between TNF-? loci and VDR loci potentially increase the risk of chronic hepatitis B after HBV infection.

Objective To revise the Symptom Distress Scale for postoperative patients with pituitary tumor and to test its reliability and validity. Methods On the base of previous qualitative interview and literature review, Delphi consultation was performed to identify items of the Symptom Distress Scale for postoperative patients with pituitary tumor. By convenience sampling method, totally 191 patients from four first-class ternary hospitals in Jiangsu province were investigated effectively by this scale. Results A scale of 4 factors and 16 items was identified by expert interviews, item analysis, exploratory factor analysis and the four factors could explain 69.812%of the variance. The Cronbachαcoefficient of the scale was 0.920, the content validity index was 0.915, and the interrater reliability was 0.860. Conclusions Symptom Distress Scale for postoperative patients with pituitary tumor has good reliability and validity to assess the symptom distress of pituitary tumor patients after operation.

Objective To study the content of monoamine neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factor in the hippocampus, amygdala and prefrontal cortex in anxious depression rats, and explore the possible pathogenesis.Methods 60 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, vehicle group, anxiety group, depression group, and anxious depression group, 12 rats in each group.Chronic restraint stress combined with corticosterone injection was used to establish anxiety and depression model, the modeling time was 21 d.After modeling, elevated plus maze test, open field test, and forced swimming test were used to evaluate the anxiety and depression-like behavior, HPLC-ECD was used to detect the content of 5-HT, NE, and DA in the hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex of rats.Western-blotting was used to detect the expression of BDNF and NT-3 in rats.Results Rats in anxious depression model group were comparable to the anxiety group in time and frequency entering open arm time, and number of locomotor activity in open field, and it had a significant difference when compared with the control and depression groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05).Immobile time in anxious depression model rats was increased significantly when compared with the control and anxiety groups (P<0.01).Meanwhile, compared with the control group, 5-HT in hippocampus and 5-HT, NE in amygdala or prefrontal cortex were significantly decreased in the depressive rats with anxiety (P<0.01 or P<0.05).Moreover, the content of BDNF and NT-3 was significantly decreased in each brain regions compared with the control group (P<0.01 or P<0.05), and BDNF levels were obviously decreased compared with the anxiety group (P<0.05).Conclusions Rats of anxious depression have significant anxiety and depression-like behaviors.Its mechanism may be associated with the down-regulation of monoamine neurotransmitters and neurotrophic factors BDNF and NT-3 in hippocampus, amygdala, and prefrontal cortex region.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and safety of total aortic arch surgery under mild hypothermicvia single upper hemisternotomy approach.Methods:From January 2019 to July 2019, 35 patients(31 male and 4 female) with Stanford A type aortic dissection were diagnosed, who were(43.7±5.7)years old. Aortic arch surgeries were carried out under mild hypothermic via single upper hemisternotomy approach and the perioperative mortality, time of cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB), aortic cross clamp(ACC), circulation arrest(CA) and morbidity of neurological dysfunction were respectively were recorded.Results:All patients were finished aortic arch surgery under mild hypothermic single upper hemisternotomy approach, with 8.6% of mortality(3 patients died perioperation). The time of CPB, ACC and CA were respectively(202±53)min, (128±28)min and(8±3)min. There were 6 cases of transient neurological dysfunction(17.1%) and 1 case of permanent neurological dysfunction(2.9%).Conclusion:Aortic arch surgery under mild hypothermic for Standford A dissectionvia single upper hemisternotomy approach is safe and feasible.

OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Buzhong yiqi wuling decoction combined with western medicine in the treatment of chronic congestive heart failure(CHF). METHODS:120 CHF patients were divided into observation group and control group by random number table method,with 60 cases in each group. Control group received conventional western medicine treatment as rest,low salt diet and diuretics. Observation group was additionally given Buzhong yiqi wuling decoction,one dose a day,at twice,on the basis of control group. Treatment course of 2 groups lasted for 2 weeks. Average TCM symptom score, level of plasma NT-proBNP,6 min walk test(6MWT)distance before and after treatment,clinical efficacy and the occurrence of ADR were compared between 2 groups. RESULTS:Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in average TCM symptom score,level of plasma NT-proBNP and 6MWT distance between 2 groups(P>0.05). After treatment,average TCM symptom score and level of plasma NT-proBNP of 2 groups were decreased significantly,and the observation group was more significant than the control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05);6MWT distance of 2 groups were improved significantly compared to before treatment,and the observation group was significantly longer than the control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). After treatment,total effective rate of observation group(93.33%)was significantly higher than that of control group(83.33%),with sta-tistical significance(P<0.05). No obvious ADR was found in 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS:Buzhong yiqi wuling decoction is an ef-fective prescription to treat CHF,and can relieve clinical symptoms,improve the cardiac function,decrease NT-proBNP level and en-hance the patient exercise tolerance with good safety.

Objective To observe the effects of Zuogui Jiangtang Jieyu Prescription (ZGJTJYP) on pathological morphology of hippocampal neurons in rats of diabetes mellitus with depression (DD); To discuss its protective mechanism of action. Methods DD rat model was established by tail vein injection of STZ combined with chronic stress. Totally seventy-two SPF rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive medicine group, ZGJTJYP low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, with 12 cases in each group, and were given corresponding medicine. After the last administration, blood glucose and behavioral changes were measured in each group. HE staining, Nissl staining, and Golgi staining were used to observe the changes of pathological morphology in rat hippocampus. The expression of Caspase-3 in hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the normal group, blood glucose level was significantly increased in the model group; the number of neurons in the hippocampus decreased in the model group; the apoptosis increased in the model group; the neuronal soma showed deformation and reduced dendritic spines and other pathological damages in the model group. After intervention of ZGJTJYP, hyperglycemia and depression-like status of the model rats were relieved; the number of hippocampal neurons increased significantly; neuronal morphology basically returned to normal. The expression of Caspase-3 in ZGJTJYP high-and medium-dose groups was significantly lower than that in model group. Conclusion ZGJTJYP can significantly improved blood glucose and learning and memory abilities in DD rats, which may be related to slowing hippocampal injury and apoptosis, and restoring neuronal quantity and morphology.

Objective To investigate the effects of cognitive interventions (CIs) in the context of communi- ty based rehabilitation (CBR) on cognitive deficits (CDs) in stroke patients.Methods Ninety-two stoke patients with CDs were randomly divided into a CI group and a control group.All patients were treated with conventional CBR.In addition,the patients in the CI group were also treated with special intervention therapy.The patients in both groups were assessed with the neurological and cognitive status examination (NCSE) for cognitive functioning, the FCA for motor function and the BI for their ability in the activities of daily living.Results The NCSE,FCA and BI scores in the cognitive intervention group after treatment were significantly higher than those before treatment and also significantly higher than those in the control group after treatment.Conclusion CIs can not only improve CDs,but also enhance recovery of motor function and ADL.