ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Qinlian Hongqutang （QLHQT） on nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH）. MethodsC57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal and modeling groups. The NASH model was established by feeding a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. After successful modeling， mice were randomly assigned to the model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose QLHQT groups （0.51， 1.02， and 2.04 g·kg^-1）， and a positive control metformin group， with six mice in each group. The mice were treated for 8 weeks. Body weight was recorded before and after treatment. Serum levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， as well as hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C contents， were determined by biochemical assays. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and oil red O staining were used to evaluate liver histopathology and lipid deposition， respectively. Flow cytometry， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） were used to assess hepatic macrophage expression and related markers. Western blot and immunofluorescence were used to investigate the potential mechanisms of QLHQT in regulating macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with the normal group， body weight and serum and hepatic levels of TC， TG， and LDL-C were significantly increased in the model group （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed unevenly distributed round lipid droplets in the hepatocyte cytoplasm， accompanied by inflammatory cell aggregation. Flow cytometry showed that the proportion of CD86-positive cells was significantly increased， whereas the proportion of CD206-positive cells was markedly decreased （P<0.05）. Hepatic inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） levels and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） mRNA expression were significantly increased， while hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The protein expression levels of Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 （TRAF6）， and myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88） in the liver were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， body weight was reduced in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups and in the metformin group. Serum and hepatic TC， TG， and LDL-C levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Liver histopathology showed alleviated hepatic lipid deposition， with markedly reduced lipid droplets and inflammation. Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry showed that the proportions of CD86-positive cells were significantly decreased， whereas the proportions of CD206-positive cells were significantly increased in the high-， medium-， and low-dose QLHQT groups （P<0.05）. Hepatic iNOS levels and TNF-α mRNA expression were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， whereas hepatic IL-10 levels and IL-4 mRNA expression were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The hepatic protein expression levels of TLR4， TRAF6， and MyD88 were significantly decreased， while signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 （STAT6） phosphorylation was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in total STAT6 protein expression. ConclusionQLHQT effectively ameliorates hepatic inflammation in NASH mice， and the mechanism may involve STAT6- and TLR4-mediated signaling pathways driving polarization of M1 macrophages toward the M2 phenotype.

Objective To investigate the ameliorative effect and the related mechanism of rotating magnetic fields(RMF)on sevoflurane(SEV,a commonly used inhalational anesthetics in clinics)-induced cognitive impairments in elderly rats.Methods The cognitive functions of 24 elderly male SD rats which were allocated into 3 experimental groups(Control group,SEV group,and SEV+RMF group;n=8 per group)were assessedviawater maze testing,and the damage and repair of hippocampal neurons were detected using ELISA and Western blotting assays.Water maze testing was also conducted on additional 24 elderly male SD rats which were randomized into 3 groups(SEV group,SEV+RMF group,and SEV+autophagy inhibitor+RMF group;n=8 per group)for assessing their cognitive functions.Results Compared with SEV group,RMF intervention significantly reduced the escape latency and swimming distance in water maze test(P<0.01),while increasing the number of platform crossovers(P<0.001).RMF downregulated the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6 in SEV-treated rats(P<0.001),and led to remarkable reductions in both serum neuron-specific enolase and β-amyloid protein levels(P<0.001).Moreover,RMF upregulated the expressions of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampal neurons(P<0.001),suppressed the expression of apoptotic protein caspase-3 and autophagy related protein p62 in the hippocampus,and upregulate the expression of autophagy related protein Beclin-1(P<0.001).However,the administration of autophagy inhibitor 3-MA abolished the ameliorative effects of RMF on SEV-induced cognitive impairments in elderly rats(P<0.001).Conclusion RMF can effectively improves SEV-induced cognitive dysfunction in elderly rats,and this neuroprotective effect is mediated by the autophagy activation in hippocampal neurons.

Objective To investigate the ameliorative effect and the related mechanism of rotating magnetic fields(RMF)on sevoflurane(SEV,a commonly used inhalational anesthetics in clinics)-induced cognitive impairments in elderly rats.Methods The cognitive functions of 24 elderly male SD rats which were allocated into 3 experimental groups(Control group,SEV group,and SEV+RMF group;n=8 per group)were assessedviawater maze testing,and the damage and repair of hippocampal neurons were detected using ELISA and Western blotting assays.Water maze testing was also conducted on additional 24 elderly male SD rats which were randomized into 3 groups(SEV group,SEV+RMF group,and SEV+autophagy inhibitor+RMF group;n=8 per group)for assessing their cognitive functions.Results Compared with SEV group,RMF intervention significantly reduced the escape latency and swimming distance in water maze test(P<0.01),while increasing the number of platform crossovers(P<0.001).RMF downregulated the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α,interleukin-1β,and interleukin-6 in SEV-treated rats(P<0.001),and led to remarkable reductions in both serum neuron-specific enolase and β-amyloid protein levels(P<0.001).Moreover,RMF upregulated the expressions of nerve growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampal neurons(P<0.001),suppressed the expression of apoptotic protein caspase-3 and autophagy related protein p62 in the hippocampus,and upregulate the expression of autophagy related protein Beclin-1(P<0.001).However,the administration of autophagy inhibitor 3-MA abolished the ameliorative effects of RMF on SEV-induced cognitive impairments in elderly rats(P<0.001).Conclusion RMF can effectively improves SEV-induced cognitive dysfunction in elderly rats,and this neuroprotective effect is mediated by the autophagy activation in hippocampal neurons.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of domestic upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).Methods:A total of 160 patients undergoing EUS at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University (Center1) and Shenzhen People's Hospital (Center 2) from March to July 2021 were randomly selected by stratified blocked randomization, and were treated with SonoScape EG-UG5T (the test group) or Fujifilm EG-580UT (the control group). The primary outcome was the ultrasound image quality excellence rate, and the comparison was verified by non-inferiority. The secondary outcomes were the endoscopic image quality excellence rate, the operational performance excellence rate, and the system stability evaluation. The safety evaluation was based on the occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative adverse events in the subjects.Results:In the intention-to-treat analysis set (ITT), the excellence rate of ultrasound image quality in the test group and the control group was 100.0% (78/78) and 100.0% (77/77), respectively. The rate difference between the two groups was 0.0% (95% CI: -4.7%-4.8%). In the per protocol analysis set (PPS), the excellence rate of ultrasound image quality in the test group and the control group was 100.0% (78/78) and 100.0% (75/75), respectively. The rate difference between the two groups was 0.0% (95% CI: -4.7%-4.9%). The lower limit of the confidence interval of ultrasound image quality excellence rate of both data sets was greater than the non-inferiority threshold value of -8%, which inferred that the non-inferiority hypothesis of the test machine non-inferior to the control machine was valid. The endoscopic image quality excellence rate and the operational performance excellence rate of the test group and the control group was 100.0% in both the ITT and PPS analyses, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P=1.000). The system instability event rate was 0.0% (0/78) in the test group and 3.9% (3/77) in the control group ( P=0.120). No adverse event occurred in either group. Conclusion:The domestic upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound is standard-compliant for clinical application under normal conditions in terms of effectiveness, safety, and stability.

With the deepening of China′s healthcare reform, cost control of medical consumables has become an important means to alleviate the problem of " high medical cost" . Through analysis of the difficulties of medical consumables cost control and mechanism loopholes in such control, the authors proposed a whole-process control practice, in terms of assessment, procurement, use, supervision, assessment and evaluation, and recommend on formulating whole-process cost control measures at both government and hospital levels.

Objective To observe the effect of the three active ingredients of a Chinese traditional medicine compound named Kang Fu Ling( KFL) against PC12 cells oxidative damage induced by microwave radiation.Methods PC12 cells were differentiated into neuros induced by nerve growth factor ( NGF ) .PC12 cells were incubated for 48 hours after astragalosides,total paeony glycoside and tanshinones were added at different concentrations (1, 3, or 9 μg/ml) .The cells in the control group were cultivated with the only medium of the same volume.Then, cells were irradiated with 30 mW/cm2 microwave for 6 minutes.The morphology of PC12 cells was observed under an inverted microscope soon before and after irradiation and the cell viability was measured by methylthiazolyl tetrazolium ( MTT) colorimetry.Reactive oxygen species ( ROS ) was determined using active oxygen probe 2′, 7′-dichlorodihyarofluolescen diacetde ( DCFH-DA ) while malonyldialdehyde(MDA) was measured in the homogenate of PC12 cells through thiobarbituric acid ( TBA) reactive substance assay.Results The cell morphology of each group showed no obvious difference.6 h after irradiation, the viability of irradiation control group measured by MTT declined apparently(P<0.01)compared with the normal control group.The 3 μg/ml astragalosides treatment group increased the viability of PC12 cells after microwave exposure ( P <0.01).The contents of ROS and MDA were increased after irradiation(P<0.01).However, in the three active ingredients of Kang Fu Ling treatment groups, both ROS and MDA were much lower than in irradiation control group.Conclusion Astragalosides, total paeony glycoside and tanshinones, which are the three active ingredients of Kang Fu Ling, all have protective effect against PC12 cell injury caused by microwave radiation,possibly by scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress injury.

OBJECTIVETo analyze clinical manifestation and genetic mutations in 8 Chinese pedigrees featuring hereditary dysfibrinogenemia.

METHODSProthrombin time(PT), activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT), thrombin time(TT), calibration of plasma protamine sulfate against TT, fibrinogen (Fg) activity, coagulation factors II, V, VII, VIII, IX, X, XI and XII of all probands and their family members were detected with an automatic blood coagulation analyzer; D-dimer(D-D) and fibrin(ogen) degradation products(FDPs) were also dtected by automatic blood coagulation analyzer, Fg antigen were detected with an immunoturbidimetry method. Exons of fibrinogen genes FGA, FGB and FGG and flanking sequences were amplified by polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and sequenced.

RESULTSAll of the probands showed normal levels of FDPs, D-dimer(D-D) and activity of coagulation factor II,V,VII, VIII, IX,X,XI, XII. Plasma PT and APTT were normal or slightly prolonged. Prolonged TT was found in all of the probands, whilst TT was not significantly shortened by protamine sulfate. Fg antigen was within the normal range, but Fg activity was significantly decreased. The Fg antigen/activity ratio was greater than 2. One proband has carried a heterozygous variant of the FGA gene g.1233G>A(p.A α Arg35His). Four have carried a heterozygous mutation of the FGB gene g.9692A>G(p.Bβ Asn190Ser). The remaining 3 had heterozygous substitution of FGG gene g.10819G>A(p.γ Arg301His). In addition, 2 polymorphisms (p.A α Thr331Ala) and p.B β Arg478Lys) were identified in FGA and FGB genes.

CONCLUSIONp.A α Arg35His, p.B β Asn190Ser and p. γ Arg301His are responsible for the inherited dysfibrinogenemia in the 8 Chinese pedigrees. p.B β Asn190Ser is firstly reported in China. p.B β Asn190Ser and p. γ Arg301His may be mutation hot spot in the Chinese population.

Afibrinogenemia ; blood ; genetics ; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products ; analysis ; Fibrinogen ; analysis ; genetics ; Humans ; Pedigree

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of calcium channel β 2 subunit (CACNB2) gene and essential hypertension (EH) in ethnic Han Chinese in Wenzhou area, and to study the influence of rs7069292 alleles on gene expression with luciferase reporter technique.

METHODSSixty hundred and thirty seven Han Chinese with EH and 600 normal controls were enrolled. Genotypes of 6 SNP within CACNB2 gene including rs2228645, rs2357928, rs7069292, rs7099380, rs10764319 and rs11014166 were determined with matrix assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS). A luciferase reporter gene plasmid containing the fragment flanking rs7069292 (-2831 bp to -2460 bp) in the 5' regulatory region of CACNB2 was constructed.

RESULTSCompared with the control, CT and TT genotypes for the rs7069292 locus were significantly more common in EH group (5.20% vs. 2.17%, 2.59% vs. 1.08%, P< 0.05). CC genotype was not found. Promoter activity for allele C of the rs7069292 locus was significantly increased compared with allele T (P< 0.05). No significant difference was detected for other 5 SNPs in terms of genotypes and allele frequency.

CONCLUSIONThe rs7069292 CT polymorphism of the CACNB2 gene is associated with EH in ethnic Han Chinese from Wenzhou area. A T>C mutation may affect the expression of CACNB2.

Aged ; Alleles ; Base Sequence ; Calcium Channels, L-Type ; genetics ; Case-Control Studies ; Cell Line ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hypertension ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide

Objective To determine the changes of peripheral levels of T helper cell cytokines of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) during antiviral treatment,and to further explore its clinical significance.Methods The plasma levels of interleukin (IL)-2,IL-6,IL-10,interferon (IFN)-γ and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α of thirty-three CHB patients during antiviral treatment (entecavir) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbont assay (ELISA).And their biochemical indicators of liver function were determined.The differences of cytokines levels before and after antiviral treatment were compared using ANOVA.The correlations between the changes of cytokines and alanine transaminase (ALT),hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA levels were analyzed.Results Levels of IFNγ before and 12,24,48 weeks after treatment were (5.98±2.77),(5.95±3.37),(2.93±2.15) and (9.29±4.65) pg/mL,respectively (F=3.845,P＜0.05),which were positively correlated with ALT levels (r =0.396,P＜0.05).Both TNF-α and IL-10 levels declined after antiviral treatment,which were significantly different at different time points (F=20.156 and 16.695,respectively; both P＜0.05),and both levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were positively correlated with ALT levels (r=0.354and 0.316,respectively; both P＜0.05) and positively correlated with HBV DNA levels (r=0.382and 0.386,respectively; both P＜0.05).While both IL-2 and IL-6 levels were not significantly different between before and after antiviral treatment (F=0.010 and 0.932,respectively; both P＞0.05).The serum levels of ALT and HBV DNA before and after antiviral treatment were all significantly different (F=17.69 and 198.98,respectively; both P＜0.05),which declined gradually during treatment and were positively correlated (r =0.581,P＜0.05).Conclusions IL-10,IFNγand TNF-α may be involved in the pathologic process of CHB,and closely related to the deterioration of the disease.Monitoring plasma levels of these cytokines during antiviral treatment could be useful to understand the immune status and evaluate the efficacy of antiviral drugs.