ObjectiveTo investigate the intervention effects of modified Linggui Zhugan Tang （LGZGT） on patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome （OSAHS） of the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction with blood stasis type， reveal its possible mechanisms， and provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of OSAHS with traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. MethodsEighty OSAHS patients with spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction with blood stasis were randomly assigned to a control group and an observation group （1∶1） using a random number table， with 40 patients in each group. The control group received standard basic treatment combined with oral Doxofylline tablets， while the observation group received standard basic treatment combined with modified LGZGT. Serum levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor （MIF）， microRNA-223 （miR-223）， and interleukin-18 （IL-18） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the mRNA expression levels of MIF， miR-223， and IL-18 were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. After two months of treatment， the total clinical efficacy， apnea-hypopnea index （AHI）， lowest nocturnal oxygen saturation （LSpO₂）， body mass index （BMI）， TCM syndrome scores， and expression levels of MIF， miR-223， and IL-18 before and after treatment were compared between the two groups. Correlations between MIF， miR-223， IL-18 and AHI and LSpO₂ were also analyzed. ResultsCompared with the control group， the observation group showed a significantly higher total clinical effective rate （P<0.01， Z=-3.49）. Within the control group， no significant changes were observed in AHI， LSpO₂， BMI， TCM syndrome scores， or MIF， miR-223， IL-18 levels and their mRNAs after treatment. In the observation group， AHI， BMI， TCM syndrome scores， and MIF and IL-18 levels and their mRNAs decreased significantly， while LSpO₂ increased significantly （P<0.01）. After treatment， compared with the control group， the observation group exhibited significantly lower AHI， BMI， TCM syndrome scores， and MIF and IL-18 levels and their mRNAs， and significantly higher LSpO₂ （P<0.01）. Correlation analysis showed that MIF and IL-18 were positively correlated with AHI （P<0.01） and negatively correlated with LSpO₂ （P<0.01）， whereas miR-223 was negatively correlated with AHI （P<0.01） and positively correlated with LSpO₂ （P<0.01）. ConclusionModified LGZGT may improve OSAHS of the spleen deficiency and dampness obstruction with blood stasis type by reducing airway inflammatory factors， alleviating airway inflammation， relieving airway edema and stenosis， and improving airway obstruction.

Tacrolimus (TAC), also called FK506, is one of the classical immunosuppressants to prevent allograft rejection after liver transplantation. However, it has been proved to be associated with post-transplant hyperlipemia. The mechanism behind this is unknown, and it is urgent to explore preventive strategies for hyperlipemia after transplantation. Therefore, we established a hyperlipemia mouse model to investigate the mechanism, by injecting TAC intraperitoneally for eight weeks. After TAC treatment, the mice developed hyperlipemia (manifested as elevated triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), as well as decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c)). Accumulation of lipid droplets was observed in the liver. In addition to lipid accumulation, TAC induced inhibition of the autophagy-lysosome pathway (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3β (LC3B) II/I and LC3B II/actin ratios, transcription factor EB (TFEB), protein 62 (P62), and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)) and downregulation of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in vivo. Overexpression of FGF21 may reverse TAC-induced TG accumulation. In this mouse model, the recombinant FGF21 protein ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and hyperlipemia through repair of the autophagy-lysosome pathway. We conclude that TAC downregulates FGF21 and thus exacerbates lipid accumulation by impairing the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Recombinant FGF21 protein treatment could therefore reverse TAC-caused lipid accumulation and hypertriglyceridemia by enhancing autophagy.
Animals ; Mice ; Tacrolimus ; Liver ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Autophagy ; Disease Models, Animal

Objective:To investigate the correlation between RNF213 gene p. R4810K polymorphism and posterior cerebral artery involvement in Chinese children with familial moyamoya disease.Methods:Children with familial moyamoya disease admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery, the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from August 2004 to June 2018 were enrolled, and they were divided into posterior cerebral artery involved group and posterior cerebral artery uninvolved group. RNF213 gene p. R4810K single nucleotide polymorphism was detected. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for posterior cerebral artery involvement. Results:A total of 65 children with familial moyamoya disease were enrolled. Their age was 6.98±4.46 years and 37 (56.9%) were male. The first symptom of 55 children (84.6%) was cerebral ischemia, and 37 (56.9%) involved posterior cerebral artery. There were 3 (4.6%) children with p. R4810K AA genotype, 26 (40.0%) with GA genotype, and 36 (55.4%) with GG genotype. The p. R4810K genotype distribution in the posterior cerebral artery involved group was statistically different from that in the uninvolved group (GA+ AA genotype: 56.8% vs. 28.6%; χ2=5.124, P=0.024), and there were no statistical difference in gender, age, first symptom, and genetic pattern. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting the first onset age and gender, p. R4810K G>A mutation was the only independent risk factor for posterior cerebral artery involvement (odds ratio 3.240, 95% confidence interval 1.082-9.705; P=0.020). Conclusion:The p. R4810K polymorphism of RNF213 gene is associated with posterior cerebral artery involvement in Chinese children with familial moyamoya disease.

Objective To observe the effect of intrathecal injection of TRESK overexpression adenoviruson phosphorylation of JNK and apoptosis of neurons in neuropathic pain rats.Methods Seventy-two male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups:groups C,S,NP,T,V,and NS,12 for each group.SNI was administrated to rats in groups NP,T,V and NS.TRESK adenovirus and negative virus were intrathecally injected after use of SNI in groups T and V,while equal volume of NS was injected to rats in group NS.MWT and TWL were measured at 1 day before operation(baseline,BL)and at 1,3,7 and 14 days after operation (days 1,3,7,and 14).Six rats in each group were sacrificed at D7 to determinate the expression of TRESK protein of DRG.The other rats were sacrificed at D14 to determinate neural apoptosis and the expressions of caspase3 and p-JNK of DRG.Results As compared with groups C,S and T,the expression of TRESK protein was significantly decreased at D7 in groups NP,NS and V (P＜0.05).Compared with groups C and S,MWT was significantly decreased at days 1,3,7 and 14 (P＜0.05),phosphorylation of JNK in DRG was significantly increased at D14 (P＜0.05),neuronal apoptosis rate and expressions of Caspase3 of DRG were significantly increased at D14 (P＜0.05) in groups NP,T,NS and V.Compared with groups NP,V and NS,MWT was significantly increased at time points of days 1,3,7 and 14 in group T (P＜0.05),phosphorylation of JNK of in DRG was significantly decreased at D14 in group T (P＜0.05),neuronal apoptosis rate and expression of Caspase3 of DRG were significantly decreased at D14 in group T (P＜0.05).Intrathecal injection ofpAd/CMV/VS-DEST-TRESK obviously reduced mechanical hyperalgesia,upregulated TRESK expression,and lowered JNK phosphorylation and NP in SNI rat.Conclusions Intrathecal injection of TRESK over expression adenovirus relieves NP via inhibiting JNK activation and neuronal apoptosis.

Objective To evaluate the clinical,pathological and imaging features of basal cell adenoma in the parotid. Methods The clinical,pathological and CT imaging data of 21 cases with parotid basal cell tumor confirmed by operation and pathology were retrospectively analyzed. Results All 21 patients(5 male,16 female ) had solitary BCA lesion,which located at the superficial lobe of parotid gland(n=17)and involved both the superficial and deep lobe(n=4). Twelve lesions were well-defined and cystic degeneration was displayed in 9 le-sions,3 lesions had punctate calcification at the edge of tumor. All lesions were significantly enhanced,the enhancement of BCA in the ve-nous phase was close to the arterial phase. Conclusion The CT features of BCA in parotid gland are characteristic,which is helpful to make qualitative diagnosis when in combination with clinical features.

Purpose:To estimate the curative effects and side effects obtained from high-dose epirubicin (EPI) combination therapy in the treatment of advanced chest malignant tumors. Methods:Forty-eight cases with advanced chest malignant tumor(32 cases with non-small-cell lung cancer; eleven cases with breast cancer and five cases with mediastinal malignant lymphomas) were treated with the combination therapy of high-dose EPI. Results:The response rate in non-small-cell lung cancer was 56.3%, in breast cancer was 72.7%, in mediastinal malignant lymphomas was 100%. The most frequent toxicities were neutropenia.Conclusions:The combined chemotherapy of high-does EPI is an effective and safe treatment in advanced chest malignant tumor.

Objective To observe the structure feature of cultured mesothelial cells, determine its anticoagulant and fibrinolytic activity, and provide a basis for selection of artificial vascular prostheses coating cells. Methods The greater omenta, aortae and subcutanenous connective tissue of SD rats have been taken for mesothelial cell, endothelial cell and fibroblast culture. The cultured mesothelial cells have been observed by light microscopy and electron microscopy. The 6 keto PGF 1? (the metabolite of prostacyclin)concentrations in medium were measured by rodioimmunoassay, Tissue plasminogen activator(t PA) activity was detected by chromogenic assay. Results The cultured mesothelial cells have many structure feature similar to endothelial cells. The average concentration of the 6 keto PGF 1? in mesothelial cell culture was higher than that in endothelial cells and fibroblasts culture, the t PA activity in mesothelial cells culture was also higher than that in fibroblasts, but there wasn't a significant difference between mesothelial cells and endothelial cells.Conclusion Mesothelial cells have similar structure and functions comparing with endothelial cells. It may be an ideal coating lining for artificial vascular impants. [