Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of black blood computed tomography(BBCT)in vulnerable plaques at the carotid bifurcation.Methods The imaging data of 73 patients with suspected carotid atherosclerosis were retrospectively analyzed.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of conventional computed tomography angiography(CTA)ima-ges and BBCT images were compared by paired sample t-test.The 5-level scoring method was applied to evaluate the image quality subjectively,and the Friedman test was used to compare the differences in the subjective evaluation of image quality among the groups.Taking high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging(HRMR-VWI)as the gold standard,the diagnostic value between BBCT and conventional CTA was compared,and the consistency of BBCT and HRMR-VWI in the evaluation of vulnerable plaques was calculated.Results The standard deviation(SD)value of BBCT images was lower than that of conventional three-phase CTA images,indicating better quality of BBCT images(P＜0.001).The mean CT value and CNRplaque-lumen of non-calcified plaques were higher in BBCT images than those in conventional three-phase CTA images,suggesting that BBCT had a higher contrast with sur-rounding tissues and could better display the fine structure of non-calcified plaques(P＜0.001).BBCT images achieved the highest scores in the subjective evaluation of image quality(P＜0.001).Compared with conventional CTA images,BBCT had higher sensi-tivity(88.2％vs 29.4％)and accuracy(90.9％vs 54.5％)in identifying vulnerable plaques(P＜0.001).The Kappa value between BBCT and HRMR-VWI was 0.813,showed good consistency.Conclusion The image quality of neck BBCT is superior to that of conventional CTA.BBCT has a better effect than conventional CTA in identifying vulnerable plaques at the carotid bifurcation,which is comparable to HRMR-VWI.

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of black blood computed tomography(BBCT)in vulnerable plaques at the carotid bifurcation.Methods The imaging data of 73 patients with suspected carotid atherosclerosis were retrospectively analyzed.The signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of conventional computed tomography angiography(CTA)ima-ges and BBCT images were compared by paired sample t-test.The 5-level scoring method was applied to evaluate the image quality subjectively,and the Friedman test was used to compare the differences in the subjective evaluation of image quality among the groups.Taking high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging(HRMR-VWI)as the gold standard,the diagnostic value between BBCT and conventional CTA was compared,and the consistency of BBCT and HRMR-VWI in the evaluation of vulnerable plaques was calculated.Results The standard deviation(SD)value of BBCT images was lower than that of conventional three-phase CTA images,indicating better quality of BBCT images(P＜0.001).The mean CT value and CNRplaque-lumen of non-calcified plaques were higher in BBCT images than those in conventional three-phase CTA images,suggesting that BBCT had a higher contrast with sur-rounding tissues and could better display the fine structure of non-calcified plaques(P＜0.001).BBCT images achieved the highest scores in the subjective evaluation of image quality(P＜0.001).Compared with conventional CTA images,BBCT had higher sensi-tivity(88.2％vs 29.4％)and accuracy(90.9％vs 54.5％)in identifying vulnerable plaques(P＜0.001).The Kappa value between BBCT and HRMR-VWI was 0.813,showed good consistency.Conclusion The image quality of neck BBCT is superior to that of conventional CTA.BBCT has a better effect than conventional CTA in identifying vulnerable plaques at the carotid bifurcation,which is comparable to HRMR-VWI.

Objective:To identify diagnostic markers related to oxidative stress in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) by analyzing transcriptome sequencing data, and to investigate their roles in CRSwNP.Methods:Utilizing four CRSwNP sequencing datasets, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and three machine learning methods for Hub gene selection were performed in this study. Subsequent validation was carried out using external datasets, as well as real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time qPCR), and immunofluorescence staining of clinical samples. Moreover, the diagnostic efficacy of the genes was assessed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, followed by functional and pathway enrichment analysis, immune-related analysis, and cell population localization. Additionally, a competing endogenous RNA (CeRNA) network was constructed to predict potential drug targets. Statistical analysis and plotting were conducted using SPSS 26.0 and Graphpad Prism9 software.Results:Through data analysis and clinical validation, CP, SERPINF1 and GSTO2 were identified among 4 138 DEGs as oxidative stress markers related to CRSwNP. Specifically, the expression of CP and SERPINF1 increased in CRSwNP, whereas that of GSTO2 decreased, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Additionally, an area under the curve (AUC)>0.7 indicated their effectiveness as diagnostic indicators. Importantly, functional analysis indicated that these genes were mainly related to lipid metabolism, cell adhesion migration, and immunity. Single-cell data analysis revealed that SERPINF1 was mainly distributed in epithelial cells, stromal cells, and fibroblasts, while CP was primarily located in epithelial cells, and GSTO2 was minimally present in the epithelial cells and fibroblasts of nasal polyps. Consequently, a CeRNA regulatory network was constructed for the genes CP and GSTO2. This construction allowed for the prediction of potential drugs that could target CP. Conclusion:This study successfully identifies CP, SERPINF1 and GSTO2 as diagnostic and therapeutic markers related to oxidative stress in CRSwNP.

To conduct textual research on the records of Chrysanthemi Flos in the ancient literature from the aspects of name， origin， species， scientific name， origin， harvesting， processing， quality and so on， and the modern literature was sorted out to clarify the relationship between the ancient and modern times， so as to provide a reference for the development of famous classical formulas containing Chrysanthemi Flos. Chrysanthemi Flos is an ornamental， edible and medicinal plant in China， it has many aliases， but it has been recorded in this materia medica under the name of Juhua， Ganju and Ganjuhua. Before the Tang dynasty， medicinal Chrysanthemi Flos mainly collected wild products， including yellow flowers and white flowers， of which the mainstream of yellow flowers was originally Dendranthema lavandulifolium and D. potentilloides， the mainstream of white flowers is D. vestitum and D. chanetii. The cultivation of medicinal Chrysanthemi Flos began in the Northern Song dynasty， and wild D. lavandulifolium， D. potentilloides， D. vestitum and D. chanetii were selected through long-term interspecies and intraspecies crossbreeding， which gradually formed the current cultivar D. morifolium. After chrysanthemums were introduced abroad， foreign scholars began to name chrysanthemums with Linnaeus's plant classification system. In 1792， Mathier named chrysanthemums as Chrysanthemum morifolium and continued to this day， and all the editions of Chinese Pharmacopoeia adopted this scientific name. In the Song dynasty， many local varieties such as Nanyangju， Dengzhouhuang and Dengzhoubai appeared. By the time of the Republic of China， five famous authentic varieties， namely Huaiju， Boju， Chuju， Gongju and Hangju， had been cultivated for medicinal purposes. Boju has been the best medicinal variety since the late Qing dynasty. Hangbaiju has been famous for its tea use， especially the best quality of Huju. Chuju has its own unique characteristics， and it is of good quality both for medicine and tea. Gongju has always been a good tea chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemums are traditionally harvested in September of the lunar calendar， but some of the new varieties cultivated nowadays are harvested earlier. The embryo chrysanthemum in Hangbaiju is a commodity type that collects unopened buds in advance. In ancient times， chrysanthemums were mainly dried in the shade， in modern times， drying methods include drying in the shade， drying in the oven and drying in the sun after steaming. At present， hot air drying is mostly used. In terms of processing， Chrysanthemi Flos was used raw products in ancient times， in modern times， it is still widely used， sometimes stir fried（including stir-fried charcoal）. Due to different varieties， producing areas and processing methods， there are certain differences in the proportion of ingredients contained in chrysanthemum. Therefore， it is suggested that chrysanthemums with different varieties， origins and processing methods should be selected according to clinical indications in the development of famous classical formula preparations containing Chrysanthemi Flos.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum hepcidin level and iron, mineral metabolism in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. Methods Seventy-five MHD patients were selected. The serum hepcidin, serum iron and mineral metabolism indexes were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent double antibody sandwich method, and their correlation was analyzed. Results The level of serum hepcidin in 75 MHD patients was 87- 264 μg/L. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to serum hepcidin level. In group A, the serum hepcidin level of 26 cases was＜120 μg/L; in group B, the serum hepcidin level of 24 cases was 120- 200 μg/L; in group C, the serum hepcidin level of 25 cases was>200 μg/L. There were no significant differences in age, gender, albumin and serum calcium among 3 groups (P > 0.05). The levels of ferritin, transferrin saturation (TS), serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone (PTH) increased in the 3 groups as the hepcidin level increased, while hemoglobin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and 25 hydroxy vitamin D decreased significantly, and there were statistical differences (P＜0.05). The Pearson correlation analysis result showed that serum hepcidin was positively correlated with ferritin, PTH, serum phosphorus (r = 0.862, 0.536 and 0.320; P＜0.01); and serum hepcidin was negative correlation with serum iron, TIBC, hemoglobin, 25 hydroxy vitamin D (r=-0.358,-0.270,-0.284 and-0.614; P＜0.01); but there was no correlation between serum hepcidin and albumin and serum calcium (r=0.018 and-0.005, P＞0.05). Conclusions The serum hepcidin level in MHD patients is closely related to iron and mineral metabolism.

Objective To analyze the anatomical relationship between Zuckerkandl's tubercle (ZT) and the recurrent laryngeal nerve(RLN),to reduce the incidence of RLN injury risk.Methods 280 patients undergoing total thyroidectomy from Jan.2008 to Jan.2013 were included in our study.A meticulous technipue of excapsular dissection was used to dissect thyroid.ZT's size,classification,and its relationship with RLN were studied and classified.Results A total of 280 thyroid gland lobes were dissected.ZT identified in the left was 94.1％(128/136),right 96.4％(160/166),and bilateral 72.8％(220/302).ZT grades were as the following:Grade 0,left 11.8％(16/136) and right 11.4％(19/166);Grade I,left 30.1％(41/136) and right 25.3％(42/166);Grade II,left 44.1％(60/136) and right 43.4％(72/166);Grade III,left 8.1％(11/136) and right 16.3％(27/166).There was no significant difference on ZT classification between the left side and right side.For ZT with grade I or above,112 cases were at the left side,among which type A was 90.2％(101/112),type B 0.9％(1/112),type C 7.1％(8/112),and type D 1.8％(2/112),and 141 cases were at the right side,among which type A was 92.9 ％ (131/141),type B 0.7％(1/141),type C 5.0％(7/141),and type D 1.4％(2/141).There was no significant difference between the left side and the right side in terms of type.Type A of ZT was the most common type.Conclusion As an important anatomic landmark,ZT is essential for locating and dissecting RLN during thyroid surgery,however,due to its complex anatomical relationship with adjacent organs and the variability of RLN and its branches here,from which to reveal RLN has the possibility of increasing the injury risk.

Objective To establish a sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method for measurement of notoginsenoside R1, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Rd, tanshinone Ⅰ, astragaloside Ⅳ and harpagosidein of Fufang Xueshuantong Capsule in rat plasma. Methods The HPLC separation was performed on Thermo Hypersil GOLD column (2.1 mm× 100mm, 5 μm) at 30 ℃, injecting 10 μL and using acetonitrile-water (0.1% formic acid) as the mobile phrase (B was acetonitrile, A was 0.1%formic acid;0-10 min, 25%-55%B;10-20 min, 55%-70%B) with the flow rate of 0.2 mL/min. Detection was performed on a tandem quadrapole mass spectrometer using positive electrospray ionization, SRM scan mode. Results The eight compounds showed good linearity in wide ranges (notoginsenoside R1 1.00-800 ng/mL, ginsenoside Rg1 0.950-760 ng/mL, ginsenoside Re 1.44-1440 ng/mL, ginsenoside Rb1 1.33-1330 ng/mL, ginsenoside Rd 9.90-990 ng/mL, harpagosidein 1.01-1010 ng/mL, astragaloside Ⅳ 1.16-928 ng/mL, tanshinone Ⅰ 10.0-800 ng/mL). In addition, the accuracy and recovery were around 85%-115%and 50%-70%. The RSD of intra and inter day precision were lower than 15%. Conclusion The method is specific, rapid and sensitive. Therefore, it can be applied to pharmacokinetic study of eight effective compounds in Fufang Xueshuantong Capsule.

Objective To evaluate different methods to explose recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN)based on the location of thyroid diseses and anatomic path of the RLN,to avoid the RLN damage in thyroid surgery.Methods A total of 755 cases underwent total lobectomy was studied retrospectively.RLN was explosed in each case.Results A total of 963 RLN was exposed in 755 cases,among those 658 RLN were exposed by lateral approach,106 by inferior approach,and 199 by superior approach.It was showed that 694 RLN traveled deep to the inferior throid artery and 119 superficial to the artery,98 through between two branches of the artery,and 62 with the cross of the nerve branches and the artery branches.Before entering larynx,578 RLN gave off branches and 385 had no branches.Non-recurrent laryngeal nerves were found in 2 cases.There were 6 cases who presented with hoarseness after thyroidectomy and undergoing reexploration,among them RLN were legated in 4 cases and severed in 2 cases.Conclusions The anatomic relation of RLN is relatively complicated.Lateral,inferior or superior aproach may be used for exposure of RLN to decrease risks of injury to the nerve.

OBJECTIVETo compare the quality of cultivated and wild Anemarrhena Rhizome from Yi County (Xiling Zhimu) based on contents analysis of active constituents.

METHODSamples of cultivated Anemarrhena Rhizome from most townships of Yi County were analyzed and compared with wild ones. Six indexes belonged to three kinds active constituents of saponin, flavornoid and polysaccharide were adopted. HPLC-ELSD method with cholesterol as internal standard was adopted to determine the content of sarsasapongenin. HPLC-ELSD method was used to simultaneously determine the contents of anemasaponin C and Anemasaponin A III. Contents of neomangiferin and mangiferin were determined by HPLC-UV method. Total polysaccharide was determined by phenol sulfate method.

RESULTThe mean content of sarsasapongenin in cultivated Anemarrhena Rhizome samples is slightly lower than the wild. The mean contents of anemasaponin C and Anemasaponin A III in cultivated Anemarrhena Rhizome samples are higher than the wild. There is no notable difference of these three index between the cultivated and the wild. The cultivated Anemarrhena Rhizome samples have a lower content of neomangiferin and a higher content of mangiferin than the wild. While the total content of these two flavonoids have no notable difference. The cultivated Anemarrhena Rhizome samples have a higher content of total polysaccharide than the wild samples.

CONCLUSIONContents of active constituents in cultivated Anemarrhena Rhizome from Yi County (Xiling Zhimu) are not notably different with the wild Anemarrhena Rhizome. They have similar good quality as the wild ones.

Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; growth & development ; China ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Gardening ; methods ; Plant Extracts ; analysis ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo establish an HPLC-ELSD method for determination of Anemarsaponin C and Anemarsaponin A III in Anemarrhenae Rhizoma.

METHODKromasil C18 column(4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) was used as stationary phase. Mobile phase was methanol-water gradient with the flow rate of 1 mL x min(-1); the temperature of the drift tube and evaporation was 50 degrees C and 70 degrees C respectively. The gas pressure was 1.03 x 10(5) Pa.

RESULTThere are good linearity in the range 0.310-3.10 microg of anemarsaponin C (lgA = 1.254 2lgM + 5.734 7, r = 0.999 5) and in the range 0.323-3.23 microg (lgA = 1.328 41gM + 5. 937, r = 0.999 6) of anemarsaponin A III. The average recovery of anemarsaponin C and anemarsaponin A III was 98.1% with RSD 2.1% and 97.3% with RSD 1.5% (n = 6) respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe method is rapid and accurate. It is suitable for quality control of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma. The result of determination reveals that the quality of Anemarrhenae Rhizoma from different places of north China are of notable difference.

Anemarrhena ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; Saponins ; analysis ; Triterpenes