OBJECTIVE: Astragali Radix (AR, Huangqi in Chinese) has been utilized generally as a bulk drug for the treatment of chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) in China. The efficacy of wild-simulated AR (WAR) and transplanted AR (TAR) commercially available is unclear. This study aimed to further clarify the therapeutic action of WAR and TAR to treat CAG rats based on endogenous-xenobiotics metabolism. METHODS: Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometer (UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS) based metabolomics had been used to analyze the cecal contents metabolic features and metabolic process differences of two ARs in the treatment of CAG. RESULTS: Apparent pharmacodynamic indicator examination revealed that the WAR group had a more substantial curative effect. Metabolomics studies revealed that seven endogenous metabolites were significant differences in two ARs. Furthermore, following treatment, 77 and 65 xenobiotics metabolites were identified in the WAR and TAR groups, respectively. Finally, the most critical riboflavin metabolic route in the formation of CAG was chosen for molecular docking with the relevant exogenous components, and WAR scored higher than TAR. CONCLUSION In this work, we analyzed the efficacy differences of AR from diverse cultivation forms by combining metabolomics and medicinal chemistry technologies, and it gave a fresh perspective for TCM efficacy evaluation and quality control research.

Objective:To evaluate inflammation early in the infarct zone and its dynamic changes after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using 18F-FDG PET imaging, and analyze its relationship with left ventricular remodeling progression (LVRP). Methods:Sixteen Bama miniature pigs (4-6 months old, 8 females) were selected. AMI models were established by balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending artery. 18F-FDG PET imaging was performed before AMI and at days 1, 5, 8, and 14 post-AMI to evaluate the regional inflammation response. 18F-FDG SUV ratio (SUVR) and the percentage of uptake area of left ventricle (F-extent) in the infarct zone, and the SUVRs of the spleen and bone marrow, were measured. Echocardiography and 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile(MIBI) SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) were performed at the above time points and on day 28 post-AMI to assess left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and myocardial perfusion defect extent. The degree of LVRP at day 28 post-AMI was defined as ΔLVESV(%)=(LVESV AMI 28 d-LVESV AMI 1 d)/LVESV AMI 1 d×100%. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results:Twelve pigs were successfully modeled and completed the study. Inflammation in the infarct zone persisted until day 14 post-AMI. The SUVR of the infarct zone pre-AMI and at days 1, 5, 8, and 14 post-AMI were 1.03±0.08, 3.49±1.06, 2.93±0.90, 2.38±0.76, and 1.63±0.62, respectively ( F=49.31, P<0.001). The F-extent values in the infarct zone pre-AMI and at days 1, 5, 8, and 14 post-AMI were 0, (40.08±12.46)%, (40.00±12.76)%, (31.08±12.82)%, and 16.50%(7.25%, 22.00%), respectively ( H=37.61, P=0.001). There were no significant differences in the SUVRs of bone marrow and spleen before and after AMI ( F values: 0.69 and 0.77, both P>0.05). At day 1 post-AMI, both SUVR and F-extent in the infarct zone were significantly correlated with LVRP ( r values: 0.82 and 0.70, P values: 0.001 and 0.035). Conclusions:18F-FDG PET imaging can be used to evaluate inflammation in the infarct area and its dynamic changes after AMI. Inflammation in the infarct area is severe at day 1, and then gradually decreases. The extent and severity of inflammation visible on 18F-FDG PET imaging 1 d after AMI are closely related to LVRP.

Objective:To investigate effect of neferine(NeF)on myocarditis in heart failure(HF)rats by regulating CC-che-mokine ligand 2/CC chemokine receptor 2(CCL2-CCR2)signaling axis.Methods:HF rat model was constructed by ligating left ante-rior descending branch,and randomly separated into HF group,different doses of NeF groups(5 mg/kg,10 mg/kg,20 mg/kg),20 mg/kg NeF+CCL2 group,another 10 rats without ligating left anterior descending branch were regarded as sham surgery group.After treatment,cardiac function[left ventricular end systolic diameter(LVESD),ejection fraction(EF),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)]were evaluated.Serum indicators[brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),IL-1β,N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-pro BNP),TNF-α]were detected.Myocardial tissue was isolated and expressions of TNF-α and IL-1β,pathological damage,collagen deposition,expressions of CCL2 and CCR2 proteins were detected.Results:Compared with sham surgery group,HF group showed a decrease in myocardial cells,infiltration of inflammatory cells,and severe deposition of collagen fibers,LVESD,serum BNP,NT-pro BNP,TNF-α,IL-1β levels,myocardial tissue TNF-α,IL-1β expressions,collagen area ratio,CCL2,CCR2 protein expressions were greatly increased,LVEF and EF were greatly decreased(P<0.05).Compared with HF group,central muscle tissue damage and collagen fiber deposition were reduced in different doses of NeF groups,LVESD,serum BNP,NT-pro BNP,TNF-α,IL-1β levels,myocardial tissue TNF-α,IL-1β expressions,collagen area ratio,CCL2,CCR2 protein expressions were greatly decreased,LVEF and EF were greatly increased,with differences between groups(P<0.05).After CCL2 intervention,compared with 20 mg/kg NeF group,myocardial tissue damage and collagen fiber deposition were worsened,LVESD,serum BNP,NT-pro BNP,TNF-α,IL-1β levels,myocardial tissue TNF-α,IL-1β expressions,collagen area ratio,CCL2,CCR2 protein expressions were greatly increased,LVEF and EF were greatly decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:NeF regulates CCL2-CCR2 signaling axis,inhibits myocar-ditis in HF rats,and improves cardiac function.

During coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, the treatment of severe trauma has been impacted. The Consensus on emergency surgery and infection prevention and control for severe trauma patients with 2019 novel corona virus pneumonia was published online on February 12, 2020, providing a strong guidance for the emergency treatment of severe trauma and the self-protection of medical staffs in the early stage of the epidemic. With the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council renaming "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection" and the infection being managed with measures against class B infectious diseases since January 8, 2023, the consensus published in 2020 is no longer applicable to the emergency treatment of severe trauma in the new stage of epidemic prevention and control. In this context, led by the Chinese Traumatology Association, Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association, Trauma Medicine Branch of Chinese International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, and Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Traumatology, the Chinese expert consensus on emergency surgery for severe trauma and infection prevention during coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic ( version 2023) is formulated to ensure the effectiveness and safety in the treatment of severe trauma in the new stage. Based on the policy of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council and by using evidence-based medical evidence as well as Delphi expert consultation and voting, 16 recommendations are put forward from the four aspects of the related definitions, infection prevention, preoperative assessment and preparation, emergency operation and postoperative management, hoping to provide a reference for severe trauma care in the new stage of the epidemic prevention and control.

Objective:To evaluate the left ventricular diastolic dyssynchrony (LVDD) and its influencing factors early after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) using phase analysis of SPECT gated myocardial perfusion imaging (GMPI).Methods:Bama miniature swines ( n=16) were subjected to establish AMI models. GMPI was performed before and 1 d after AMI to obtain the extent of myocardial perfusion defect (Extent, %) and left ventricular systolic dyssynchrony (LVSD)/LVDD parameters, namely the phase histogram bandwidth (PBW) and phase standard deviation (PSD). Meanwhile, left ventricular end-diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and the ratio of early to late peak mitral diastolic flow (E/A) were obtained by echocardiography. Independent-sample t test, paired t test and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze the data. Results:Sixteen AMI swines were successfully created. Compared to baseline, Extent, LVEDV and LVESV significantly increased on 1 d after AMI ( t values: -11.14, -4.55, -6.12, all P<0.001), while LVEF and E/A significantly decreased ( t values: 10.16, 2.18, P<0.001, P=0.046). GMPI showed that the LVDD parameters PBW and PSD increased significantly on 1 d after AMI when compared to those at baseline((142.25±72.06)° vs (33.06±8.98)°, (56.15±26.71)° vs (12.51±5.13)°; t values: -6.11, -6.60, both P<0.001). There were significant differences between LVSD parameters and LVDD parameters (PBW: (109.06±62.40)° vs (142.25±72.06)°, PSD: (44.40±25.61)° vs (56.15±26.71)°; t values: -2.73, -2.20, P values: 0.016, 0.044). LVDD parameters PBW, PSD were negatively correlated with E/A after AMI ( r values: -0.569, -0.566, P values: 0.021, 0.022), and positively correlated with the Extent ( r values: 0.717, 0.634, P values: 0.002, 0.008). The phase analysis of SPECT GMPI to evaluate LVDD showed good intra-observer and inter-observe reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC): 0.953-0.984, all P<0.001). Conclusions:LVDD occurs early on 1 d after AMI, and can reflect left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. The Extent is correlated with LVDD significantly. Phase analysis of SPECT GMPI is an accurate method to evaluate LVDD and left ventricular diastolic function.

Objective: Astragali Radix (AR) is one of the most widely used traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) for tonic, which can be divided into wild-simulated and cultivated AR according to its cultivation method. However, whether cultivated AR can replace wild-simulated AR has always been a concern. Methods: In this study, a rapid, highly sensitive and specific analytical method using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS) was developed to quantitatively measure 12 chemical constituents of AR in the different cultivation methods. Results: AR samples were analyzed with a good linear regression relationship (R

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT metabolic parameters for occult lymph node metastasis (OLM) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:A total of 183 patients (72 males, 111 females; age (61.5±8.4) years) who underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and preoperatively diagnosed with clinical N0 stage (cN0) in Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2013 to December 2018 were retrospectively enrolled. All patients underwent anatomical pulmonary resection with systematic lymph node dissections within 3 weeks after 18F-FDG PET/CT examinations. According to the presence or absence of lymph node metastasis, patients were divided into OLM positive (OLM+ ) group and OLM negative (OLM-) group. Parameters of primary lesions, such as the maximum diameter (D max), tumor sites, morphological features, maximum standardized uptake value (SUV max), mean standardized uptake value (SUV mean), metabolic total volume (MTV), total lesion glycolysis (TLG), tumor SUV max to liver SUV mean (TLR max), tumor TLG to liver SUV mean (TLR TLG) were analyzed. Mann-Whitney U test and χ2 test were used to compare the parameters between groups. Multivariable logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors for OLM. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of different parameters. Results:Among 183 patients, 25 (13.7%, 25/183) of them were diagnosed as OLM. In OLM+ group, 46 lymph nodes were pathologically positive for metastasis, including 15 N1 disease and 31 N2 disease. D max (2.9(2.3, 3.7) vs 2.3(1.7, 2.8) cm), lobulation ((76.0%(19/25) vs 37.3%(59/158)), SUV max (11.1(7.9, 17.7) vs 4.7(2.3, 9.2)), TLG (41.5(10.2, 91.1) vs 15.6(6.5, 23.8) ml), TLR max (4.7(3.5, 7.6) vs 2.1(0.9, 4.0)) and TLR TLG (18.1(5.0, 44.3) vs 6.1(3.0, 11.4) ml) of the primary lesions in OLM+ group were significantly higher than those in OLM-group ( z values: from -4.709 to -3.247, χ2=13.190, all P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that TLR max (odds ratio ( OR)=15.145, 95% CI: 3.381-67.830, P<0.001) and D max ( OR=3.220, 95% CI: 1.192-8.701, P=0.021) were independent risk factors for OLM. TLR max yielded the highest area under curve (AUC; AUC=0.794) with the threshold of 3.12, and the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for predicting OLM were 92.0%(23/25), 63.3%(100/158), 67.2%(123/183), 28.4%(23/81) and 98.0%(100/102), respectively. Conclusions:TLR max of tumor is the independent risk factor for OLM in NSCLC patients. TLR max can sensitively predict OLM preoperatively in patients with NSCLC.

Objective To investigate the association between interleukin-17 A (IL-17 A) gene promoter polymorphism and blood lipid and inflammatory factors in coronary heart disease.Methods A total of 241 patients with coronary heart disease who were admitted to hospital from April 2010 to December 2016 were enrolled in this study.68 cases of healthy subjects were collected.IL-17 gene promoter rs8193036 genotype,blood lipid and inflammatory factors were detected and compared.Results Compared with the control group,the genotype CC,CT and TT of the rs8193036 genotype in the coronary heart disease group were significantly different (P＜0.05),and the frequency of C allele in the coronary heart disease group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P＜0.05).The levels of triglyceride,low-density lipoproteinCholesterol,high density lipoprotein cholesterol,interleukin-17a,interleukin-6,interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor alpha in CC genotype of tumor necrosis factor alpha group were significantly higher than those in tumor necrosis factor alpha group (P＜0.05),high density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased significantly (P＜0.05).Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol had no significant differences (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The rs8193036 polymorphism of IL-17A gene promoter is associated with the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease.The C allele is an important genetic marker of coronary heart disease.The polymorphism of IL-17A promoter rs8193036 might affect coronary heart disease by increasing blood lipids and inflammation factors.

Objective To evaluate the dynamic changes of left ventricular mechanical synchrony in the early period after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI) and real time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE),and analyze the correlation with phase analysis of single photo emission computed tomography gated myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT GMPI) in porcine models,and further to investigate the clinical significance of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony in patients with AMI.Methods Bama minipigs(n =11) were subjected to left anterior descending (LAD) occlusion by balloon to introduce AMI porcine models.All animals underwent 2D-STI and RT-3DE at the baseline (before AMI),1 day,1 week and 4 weeks after LAD occlusion,respectively.In addition,SPECT GMPI was measured at baseline and 1 day after AMI.Data was analyzed and compared the dynamic changes of left ventricular mechanical synchrony before and after AMI.Then the correlation between echocardiography and SPECT GMPI in evaluating left ventricular mechanical synchrony before and after AMI were calculated.Results Eight pigs were successfully established as AMI models and complete the study.SPECT GMPI,2D-STI and RT-3DE showed that the left ventricular mechanical synchrony indexes were significantly higher at 1 day after AMI than those before AMI,which means the appearance of left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony.Compared with those 1 day after AMI,GLS,Time SD,Tmsv16-SD％ and Tmsv16-Dif％ did not change significantly at 1 week after AMI,but they significantly increased at4 weeks after AMI (all P ＜0.05).At baseline and 1 day after AMI,the GLS measured by 2D-STI and the SPECT GMPI parameter phase bandwidth (BW) showed good correlation(r =0.708-0.719,P ＜0.05),Time SD was significantly correlated with the SPECT GMPI parameter phase standard deviation (SD)(r =0.717-0.830,P ＜0.05),while Tmsv16-Dif％ derived from RT-3DE had a better positive correlation with BW (r =0.713-0.857,P ＜0.05),as similar as Tmsv16-SD％ with SD(r =0.803-0.957,P ＜0.05).Conclusions Left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony is present 1 day after AMI.Compared with that 1 day after AMI,left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony doesn't change significantly at 1week after AMI,but further aggravates at 4 weeks after AMI.The parameters of 2D-STI and RT-3DE have good correlation with the mechanical synchrony parameters measured by SPECT GMPI.2D-STI and RT-3DE can be used as reliable methods to evaluate left ventricle mechanical dyssynchrony early after AMI.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the treatments of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (nvAF) in elderly patients aged 80 years and over,and to investigate the influencing factors for occurrence of stroke and transient ischemic attack(TIA)and relationships between antithrombotic therapy and stroke or TIA.Methods 101 elderly patients with nvAF were enrolled and grouped according to the occurrence of stroke/TIA and antithrombotic-correlated bleeding.The influencing factors were retrospectively analyzed and antithrombotic schemes were compared.Results Incidence rate of stroke/TIA was 28.7％ (29/101).Among all patients,70 cases were treated with antiplatelet therapy,19 cases were treated with anticoagulation therapy,while 12 cases received no antithrombotic (antiplatelet or anticoagulation) therapy before stroke.Both the nvAF time course and the antithrombotic strategy were significantly different between post-AF stroke/TIA group and non-postAF stroke/TIA group(both P＜0.05).The difference was reflected in ratios of antiplatelet therapy/anticoagulation therapy.The proportion of anticoagulation therapy was higher in non stroke/TIA group(x2 =5.778,P =0.016).Different antiplatelet therapy scheme significantly affected occurrence of stroke/TIA(P＜0.05).There was no significant effect of antithrombotic schemes on hemorrhagic events(x2=0.708,P =0.702).Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension,coronary heart disease,cancer,diabetes and previous stroke history,as well as nvAF duration were the independent risk factors for post-AF stroke/TIA(OR=1.351,95 ％CI:1.129-1.617).Conclusions Currently,the proportion using anticoagulation therapy is low,and single antiplatelet therapy is the main regimen in the elderly patients with nvAF.For elderly patients with nvAF,anticoagulation therapy has a protective effect against the occurrence of post-nvAF stroke/TIA,meanwhile there is no significantly increased risk of bleeding,which makes anticoagulation therapy advisable in the elderly.The nvAF time course is one of the risk factors,which is worth experts' attention in risk evaluation of thrombus in elderly patients.