OBJECTIVE To investigate the improvement effects and mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ （AS- Ⅳ ） on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced neuroinflammation. METHODS BV2 cells were divided into control group， LPS group， AS-Ⅳ groups at concentrations of 20 and 40 μmol/L， and dexamethasone group （2 μmol/L）. Except for control group， neuroinflammation model was established with LPS （1 μg/mL） in other groups after medication. The levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and nitric oxide （NO）] in cell supernatant were measured in each group. Mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， positive control group （Aspirin enteric-coated tablet， 20 mg/kg）， AS-Ⅳ low- and high-dose groups （10， 20 mg/kg）， with 6 mice in each group. Mice in each group were administered the corresponding drug/normal saline via gavage/intraperitoneal injection， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. Except for normal group， other groups were intraperitoneally injected with LPS （250 μg/kg） 1 hour after daily administration of the drug/normal saline to establish neuroinflammation model. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were measured 2 h after the last medication； histopathological morphology of cerebral tissue in mice were observed； the co-localization of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）/ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba1） and CD206/Iba1 in the cerebral cortex region of mice was observed； the expressions of proteins related to the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）/mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathway in brain tissue of mice were also determined， including NF-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65（p-NF-κB p65）， p38 MAPK， phosphorylated p38 MAPK （p-p38 MAPK）， extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK）， and phosphorylated ERK （p-ERK）. RESULTS In the cell experiments， compared with control group， the levels of IL-6， TNF- α and NO in the cell supernatant of the LPS group were increased significantly （P＜0.05）； compared with LPS group， the levels of IL-6， TNF-α and NO were decreased significantly in the administration groups （P＜0.05）. In the animal experiments， compared with the normal group， the serum levels of IL-6 and TNF- α， the number of iNOS/Iba1 co-localization positive cells in the cerebral cortex， and the phosphorylation levels of p38 MAPK， NF- κB p65 and ERK proteins in brain tissue were all significantly increased/elevated in model group （P＜0.05）； the number of CD206/ Iba1 co-localization positive cells in the cerebral cortex region significantly decreased （P＜0.05）. The neurons in the cerebral cortex and the CA3 region of the hippocampus displayed a disordered arrangement. Compared with model group， above quantitative indexes of mice were all reversed significantly in administration groups （P＜0.05）； the neuronal cells in the cerebral cortex and the CA3 region of the hippocampus exhibited a relatively orderly arrangement. CONCLUSIONS AS-Ⅳ may inhibit the activation of the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathway， promote the M2-type polarization of microglia， and thereby suppress neuroinflammatory responses.

Objective:To evaluate whether FOXO4-DRI could reverse radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) and to explore the underlying mechanism.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, FOXO4-DRI, radiation, and radiation+ FOXO4-DRI. Mice in radiation or radiation+ FOXO4-DRI groups received 17 Gy X-ray radiation on the right side of the whole chest. Mice in FOXO4-DRI and radiation+ FOXO4-DRI groups were injected with FOXO4-DRI intraperitoneally at 16 and 20 weeks after irradiation, respectively. The right lungs were collected at 24 weeks after irradiation and subjected to HE staining and Masson trichrome staining to observe the morphological changes and collagen deposition. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expressions of col1α1 and α-SMA in lung tissues. β-gal staining was used to observe senescent cells. The level of reactive oxygen species in lung tissue was detected. The expressions of P21, P16 Ink4a and senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR, and the expression of related proteins were assessed by Western blot. Results:FOXO4-DRI reduced collagen deposition ( t=6.18, P<0.05), down-regulated the expression of col1α1 and α-SMA ( t=4.69, 3.20, P<0.05), and reduced the number of β-gal positive cells ( t=6.09, P<0.05) in the lung tissue of RIPF mice. FOXO4-DRI also down-regulated the gene and protein expressions of P21 and P16 Ink4a ( t=5.31, 3.32 and 4.77, 3.37, P<0.05) and inhibited the expressions of SASP genes IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α and MMP2 ( t=4.36, 4.84, 4.47, 3.82, P<0.05), reduced reactive oxygen species ( t=2.84, P<0.05), and promoted the activation of p-AKT and p-PI3K proteins ( t=-7.13, -12.61, P< 0.05) in the lung tissue of RIPF mice. Conclusions:FOXO4-DRI reverses RIPF by activating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, reducing oxidative stress and inhibiting cellular senescence.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of Qingruxiao granules combined with tamoxifen in the treatment of breast hyperplasia and its effect on serum hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha (HIF-α), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) and prolactin (PRL) levels. Methods:Ninety-eight patients with breast hyperplasia admitted to Xi'an No.3 Hospital from June 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively included in this study. They were divided into control and observation groups ( n = 49/group) according to different treatments. The control group was treated with tamoxifen alone. The observation group was treated with Qingruxiao granules combined with tamoxifen. Clinical efficacy, symptom score, ultrasound parameters (glandular layer thickness, longest diameter of mass, maximum diameter of hypoechoic area, inner diameter of lactating tube), endocrine hormone levels (estradiol, progesterone, and prolactin), HIF-α, and Ang-2 pre- and post-treatment, as well as the incidence of adverse reactions were compared between the two groups. Results:Total response rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group [93.88% (4/49) vs. 77.55%, χ2 = 5.33, P < 0.05). After treatment, breast mass score, breast pain, systemic accompanying symptom, and nipple discharge in the observation group were (1.34 ± 0.29) points, (1.02 ± 0.36) points, (0.68 ± 0.17) points, (0.97 ± 0.15) points, respectively, which were significantly lower than (1.57 ± 0.23) points, (1.45 ± 0.41) points, (0.95 ± 0.26) points, and (1.28 ± 0.26) points, respectively, in the control group ( t = 4.35, 5.52, 6.08, 7.23, all P < 0.001). The glandular layer thickness, the longest diameter of mass, the maximum diameter of hypoechoic area, and the inner diameter of lactating duct in the observation group were (9.45 ± 1.67) mm, (11.46 ± 3.68) mm, (14.37 ± 4.22) mm, and (1.23 ± 0.39) mm, respectively, which were significantly lower than (11.26 ± 2.51) mm, (16.33 ± 4.01) mm, (19.87 ± 5.01) mm, (1.54 ± 0.48) mm in the control group ( t = 4.20, 2.26, 5.88, 3.51, all P < 0.001). Serum estradiol and prolactin levels in the observation group were (122.35 ± 29.76) ng/L and (205.64 ± 36.42) IU/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than (139.76 ± 30.48) ng/L and (251.49 ± 41.87) IU/L in the control group ( t = 2.86, 5.78, both P < 0.05). Serum progesterone level in the observation group was (9.22 ± 1.57) μg/L, which was significantly higher than (7.18 ± 1.21) μg/L in the control group ( t = -7.20, P < 0.05). Serum HIF-α and Ang-2 levels in the observation group were (0.15 ± 0.05) ng/L and (0.98 ± 0.11) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than (0.24 ± 0.07) ng/L and (1.49 ± 0.22) ng/L in the control group ( t = 7.32, 14.51, both P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusion:Qingruxiao granules combined with tamoxifen can effectively improve clinical symptoms, reduce tumor size, regulate endocrine hormone levels, decrease the expression of angiogenic factors in patients with breast hyperplasia, and is highly safe.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of percutaneous curved kyphoplasty in the treatment of old osteoporotic vertebral body with endplate fracture.Methods:Clinical data of 58 patients suffering from old osteoporotic vertebral bodies with endplate fractures from January 2018 to January 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had a single vertebral body fracture and were treated with bilateral injection of bone cement with percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). According to the shape of the puncture device, the patients were divided into a curved needle group and a ordinary group. There were 28 cases in the curved needle group, including 7 males and 21 females, aged 60-84 years old, with an average age of 71.8±7.8 years. The distribution of vertebral bodies with fractures: T 11 3 cases, T 12 5 cases, L 1 6 cases, L 2 5 cases, L 3 3 cases, L 4 4 cases, and L 5 2 cases. In the ordinary group, there were 30 cases, 8 males and 22 females, with an average age of 73.2±8.4 years (range, 61-88 years). The vertebral body distribution of fracture: T 11 3 cases, T 12 5 cases, L 1 7 cases, L 2 4 cases, L 3 4 cases, L 4 5 cases, and L 5 2 cases. The surgery time, amount of bone cement injection, and bone cement leakage rate were compared between the two groups, as well as the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) at 1 week, 6 months, and 1 year after surgery. Preoperative and postoperative vertebral midpoint height and kyphosis Cobb angle were measured. Results:All patients were followed up for 12-24 months, with an average of 14.7±2.9 months. The bone cement leakage rate in curved needle group (18%, 5/28) was lower than that in ordinary group (23%, 7/30), but there was no significant statistical difference (χ 2=0.27, P=0.607). The amount of bone cement injection and surgery time in curved needle group (5.0±0.5 ml, 55.2±6.9 min) were significantly higher than those in ordinary group (3.4±0.6 ml, 42.9±3.6 min, P<0.05) . The scores of VAS (2.3±1.0, 2.6±1.5) and ODI (27.5%±9.7%, 28.7%±11.3%) in curved needle group were lower than those in ordinary group (2.7±1.0, 4.5±1.1 and 31.8%±10.5%, 43.1%±13.4%) at 6 months after surgery and at the last follow-up after surgery. In the curved needle group, the Cobb angle was 25.5°±3.5° preoperatively, 18.4°±1.6° postoperatively, and 20.5°±4.9°at the last follow-up. The height of the vertebral body was 14.2±1.9 mm before surgery, 21.5±2.2 mm after surgery, and 20.1±3.6 mm at the last follow-up. Compared with the preoperative results, the kyphosis Cobb angle decreased and the height of the fractured vertebral body increased at the last follow-up, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). In the ordinary group, the Cobb angle was 24.4°±3.6° preoperatively, 23.1°±4.0° postoperatively, and 27.8°±2.9° at the last follow-up. The height of the vertebral body was 14.5±1.8 mm before surgery, 15.4±2.0 mm after surgery, and 12.7±1.0 mm at the last follow-up. At the last follow-up, the kyphosis Cobb angle increased and the height of the fractured vertebral body decreased compared with preoperative and postoperative 1 week, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At 1 week after surgery, 6 months after surgery and the last follow-up, the Cobb angle of curved needle group was lower than that of ordinary group ( P<0.05), the height of vertebral body was higher than that of ordinary group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Flexible application of percutaneous curved kyphoplasty in the treatment of old osteoporotic vertebral body with endplate fractures can effectively increase the riveting force of bone cement in the vertebral body, restore the height of endplate, and reduce the occurrence of kyphosis and chronic low back pain.

Background::Sepsis is a serious disease caused by infection. Aminophylline has anti-asthma and anti-inflammatory effects. We aimed to explore the safety and effect of aminophylline in sepsis.Methods::We conducted a clinical randomized controlled trial involving 100 patients diagnosed with sepsis within 48 h after intensive care unit (ICU) admission in two sites. All patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive standard therapy with or without aminophylline. The primary clinical outcome was all-cause mortality at 28 days.Results::From September 27, 2018 to February 12, 2020, we screened 277 septic patients and eventually enrolled 100 patients, with 50 assigned to the aminophylline group and 50 to the usual-care group. At 28 days, 7 of 50 patients (14.0%) in the aminophylline group had died, compared with 16 of 50 (32.0%) in the usual-care group ( P = 0.032). Cox regression showed that the aminophylline group had a lower hazard of death (hazard ratio = 0.312, 95% confidence interval: 0.129-0.753). Compared with the usual-care group, patients in the aminophylline group had a longer survival time ( P = 0.039 by the log-rank test). The effects of aminophylline on vasopressor dose, oxygenation index, and sequential organ failure assessment score were time-dependent with treatment. There were no significant differences in total hospitalization days, ICU hospitalization days, and rates of serious adverse events (all P > 0.05). No adverse events were observed in the trial. Conclusions::Aminophylline as an adjunct therapy could significantly reduce the risk of death and prolong the survival time of patients with sepsis.Trial registration::ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR1800019173.

Tocilizumab has been reported to attenuate the "cytokine storm" in COVID-19 patients. We attempted to verify the effectiveness and safety of tocilizumab therapy in COVID-19 and identify patients most likely to benefit from this treatment. We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label multicenter trial among COVID-19 patients. The patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either tocilizumab in addition to standard care or standard care alone. The cure rate, changes of oxygen saturation and interference, and inflammation biomarkers were observed. Thirty-three patients were randomized to the tocilizumab group, and 32 patients to the control group. The cure rate in the tocilizumab group was higher than that in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (94.12% vs. 87.10%, rate difference 95% CI-7.19%-21.23%, P = 0.4133). The improvement in hypoxia for the tocilizumab group was higher from day 4 onward and statistically significant from day 12 (P = 0.0359). In moderate disease patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions, the hypoxia ameliorated earlier after tocilizumab treatment, and less patients (1/12, 8.33%) needed an increase of inhaled oxygen concentration compared with the controls (4/6, 66.67%; rate difference 95% CI-99.17% to-17.50%, P = 0.0217). No severe adverse events occurred. More mild temporary adverse events were recorded in tocilizumab recipients (20/34, 58.82%) than the controls (4/31, 12.90%). Tocilizumab can improve hypoxia without unacceptable side effect profile and significant influences on the time virus load becomes negative. For patients with bilateral pulmonary lesions and elevated IL-6 levels, tocilizumab could be recommended to improve outcome.
Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; COVID-19/drug therapy* ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To analyze the survival benefits and treatment related toxic effects of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-RT) for non-operative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.Methods:The data of 2 132 ESCC patients who were not suitable for surgery or rejected operation, and underwent radical radiotherapy from 2002 to 2016 in 10 hospitals of Jing-Jin-Ji Esophageal and Esophagogastric Cancer Radiotherapy Oncology Group (3JECROG) were analyzed. Among them, 518 (24.3%) cases underwent SIB (SIB group) and 1 614 (75.7%) cases did not receive SIB (No-SIB group). The two groups were matched with 1∶2 according to propensity score matching (PSM) method (caliper value=0.02). After PSM, 515 patients in SIB group and 977 patients in No-SIB group were enrolled. Prognosis and treatment related adverse effects of these two groups were compared and the independent prognostic factor were analyzed.Results:The median follow-up time was 61.7 months. Prior to PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-years overall survival (OS) rates of SIB group were 72.2%, 42.8%, 35.5%, while of No-SIB group were 74.3%, 41.4%, 31.9%, respectively ( P=0.549). After PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-years OS rates of the two groups were 72.5%, 43.4%, 36.4% and 75.3%, 41.7%, 31.6%, respectively ( P=0.690). The univariate survival analysis of samples after PSM showed that the lesion location, length, T stage, N stage, TNM stage, simultaneous chemoradiotherapy, gross tumor volume (GTV) and underwent SIB-RT or not were significantly associated with the prognosis of advanced esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent radical radiotherapy ( P<0.05). Cox model multivariate regression analysis showed lesion location, TNM stage, GTV and simultaneous chemoradiotherapy were independent prognostic factors of advanced esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent radical radiotherapy ( P<0.05). Stratified analysis showed that, in the patients whose GTV volume≤50 cm 3, the median survival time of SIB and No-SIB group was 34.7 and 30.3 months ( P=0.155), respectively. In the patients whose GTV volume>50 cm 3, the median survival time of SIB and No-SIB group was 16.1 and 20.1 months ( P=0.218). The incidence of radiation esophagitis and radiation pneumonitis above Grade 3 in SIB group were 4.3% and 2.5%, significantly lower than 13.1% and 11% of No-SIB group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The survival benefit of SIB-RT in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma is not inferior to non-SIB-RT, but without more adverse reactions, and shortens the treatment time. SIB-RT can be used as one option of the radical radiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Objective:To analyze the survival benefits and treatment related toxic effects of simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy (SIB-RT) for non-operative esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients.Methods:The data of 2 132 ESCC patients who were not suitable for surgery or rejected operation, and underwent radical radiotherapy from 2002 to 2016 in 10 hospitals of Jing-Jin-Ji Esophageal and Esophagogastric Cancer Radiotherapy Oncology Group (3JECROG) were analyzed. Among them, 518 (24.3%) cases underwent SIB (SIB group) and 1 614 (75.7%) cases did not receive SIB (No-SIB group). The two groups were matched with 1∶2 according to propensity score matching (PSM) method (caliper value=0.02). After PSM, 515 patients in SIB group and 977 patients in No-SIB group were enrolled. Prognosis and treatment related adverse effects of these two groups were compared and the independent prognostic factor were analyzed.Results:The median follow-up time was 61.7 months. Prior to PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-years overall survival (OS) rates of SIB group were 72.2%, 42.8%, 35.5%, while of No-SIB group were 74.3%, 41.4%, 31.9%, respectively ( P=0.549). After PSM, the 1-, 3-, and 5-years OS rates of the two groups were 72.5%, 43.4%, 36.4% and 75.3%, 41.7%, 31.6%, respectively ( P=0.690). The univariate survival analysis of samples after PSM showed that the lesion location, length, T stage, N stage, TNM stage, simultaneous chemoradiotherapy, gross tumor volume (GTV) and underwent SIB-RT or not were significantly associated with the prognosis of advanced esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent radical radiotherapy ( P<0.05). Cox model multivariate regression analysis showed lesion location, TNM stage, GTV and simultaneous chemoradiotherapy were independent prognostic factors of advanced esophageal carcinoma patients who underwent radical radiotherapy ( P<0.05). Stratified analysis showed that, in the patients whose GTV volume≤50 cm 3, the median survival time of SIB and No-SIB group was 34.7 and 30.3 months ( P=0.155), respectively. In the patients whose GTV volume>50 cm 3, the median survival time of SIB and No-SIB group was 16.1 and 20.1 months ( P=0.218). The incidence of radiation esophagitis and radiation pneumonitis above Grade 3 in SIB group were 4.3% and 2.5%, significantly lower than 13.1% and 11% of No-SIB group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:The survival benefit of SIB-RT in patients with locally advanced esophageal carcinoma is not inferior to non-SIB-RT, but without more adverse reactions, and shortens the treatment time. SIB-RT can be used as one option of the radical radiotherapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic factors of T1-2N0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) treated with definitive radiotherapy. Methods: The clinical data of 196 patients with T1-2N0M0 ESCC who were treated with definitive radiotherapy in 10 hospitals were retrospectively analyzed. All sites were members of Jing-Jin-Ji Esophageal and Esophagogastric Cancer Radiotherapy Oncology Group (3JECROG). Radiochemotherapy were applied to 78 patients, while the other 118 patients received radiotherapy only. 96 patients were treated with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and 100 treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The median dose of plan target volume(PTV) and gross target volume(GTV) were both 60 Gy. The median follow-up time was 59.2 months. Log rank test and Cox regression analysis were used for univariat and multivariate analysis, respectively. Results: The percentage of normal lung receiving at least 20 Gy (V₂₀) was (18.65±7.20)%, with average dose of (10.81±42.05) Gy. The percentage of normal heart receiving at least 30 Gy (V₃₀) was (14.21±12.28)%. The maximum dose of exposure in spinal cord was (39.65±8.13) Gy. The incidence of radiation pneumonia and radiation esophagitis were 14.80%(29/196) and 65.82%(129/196), respectively. The adverse events were mostly grade 1-2, without grade 4 toxicity. Median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 70.1 months and 62.3 months, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year OS rates of all patients were 75.1%、57.4% and 53.2%, respectively. The 1-, 3- and 5-year PFS rates were 75.1%、57.4% and 53.2%, respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients′age (HR=1.023, P=0.038) and tumor diameter (HR=1.243, P=0.028)were the independent prognostic factors for OS, while tumor volume were the independent prognostic factor for PFS. Conclusions Definitive radiotherapy is a promising therapeutic method in patients with T1-2N0M0 ESCC. Patients′ age, tumor diameter and tumor volume may impact patients′ prognosis.

Objective:To observe the effects of salvianolic acid B on migration and tube formation of the retinal vascular endothelial cell (RVEC) in high glucose, and explore its mechanism with network pharmacology.Methods:The cells were divided into normal group, model group and 1.0, 0.5, 0.1 μg/ml salvianolic acid B group according to the random number table method. The cells of each group were added with 5.5 mmol/L glucose for intervention, and the salvianolic acid B group was added with 1.0, 0.5, and 0.1 μg/ml salvianolic acid B for intervention. After 72 h, the cell viability of each group was detected by the CCK-8 method. The cells were divided into normal group, model group and low-, medium-, and high-dose salvianolic acid B group according to the random number table method. Then the cells of the normal group were added with 5.5 mmol/L glucose; the model group was added with 25 mmol/L glucose; the low-, medium-, and high-dose salvianolic acid B group was added with 25 mmol/L glucose and 0.062 5, 0.1250, 0.250 0 μg/ml salvianolic acid B. Then by taking Transwell test to detect the number of cell migration, and Matrigel test to analyze the total length of cells tubes. The active targets of Salvianolic acid B were screened by SuperTarget and Swiss TargetPrediction. Then, the targets of diabetic retinopathy were obtained by searching the GAD database, pharmGkb database, TTD database, DiGSeE database and OMIM database. The effective targets of drug-disease interaction were screened, and the component-target-disease interaction network was constructed by Cytoscape. Finally, the effective targets were analyzed by DAVID for GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Molecular docking was performed by using Accelrys Discovery Studio Client 2.5 software.Results:The CCK-8 method showed that the cell absorbance values of 0.5 and 0.1 μg/ml salvianolic acid B group were not significantly different from those of the normal group ( P>0.05). The results of Transwell experiment and Matrigel experiment showed that compared with the model group, the relative number of migrating cells and the total length of tubule formation in each dose group of salvianolic acid B decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). The interaction network revealed that salvianolic acid B acted on 46 targets and 8 signaling pathways. Conclusions:Salvianolic acid B could inhibit the migrating and tube forming ability of RVEC cultivated by high glucose. The results suggest that salvianolic acid B may play roles in preventing diabetic retinopathy.