Autoimmunity and the activation of immune cells are closely related to the occurrence of chronic spontaneous urticaria, while the gut microbiota participates in multiple physiological activities including the regulation of the host's immunity. Gut microbiota in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria has unique structural composition and metabolic features. Gut microbiota imbalance and secondary short-chain fatty acid deficiency may be important causes for the occurrence of the disease and aggravation of inflammation. Studies have shown that probiotics can improve the clinical manifestations of patients with urticaria. This review summarizes the research progress in the correlations of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Autoimmunity and the activation of immune cells are closely related to the occurrence of chronic spontaneous urticaria, while the gut microbiota participates in multiple physiological activities including the regulation of the host's immunity. Gut microbiota in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria has unique structural composition and metabolic features. Gut microbiota imbalance and secondary short-chain fatty acid deficiency may be important causes for the occurrence of the disease and aggravation of inflammation. Studies have shown that probiotics can improve the clinical manifestations of patients with urticaria. This review summarizes the research progress in the correlations of gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids with chronic spontaneous urticaria.

Letrozole,a third generation non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor,has been approved for the treatment of breast cancer in women.In recent years,it has been used in the field of growth and development in children,such as childhood dwarfism,somatic delayed pubertal growth and precocious puberty,but the long-term effects on liver and kidney function,lipid metabolism,reproductive function and bone metabolism are unclear.Studies have shown that letrozole can cause abnormal testicular morphology,changes in seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissues,reduce bone density,affect the bal-ance of bone metabolism,and cause cognitive impairment and apoptosis of nerve cells.The mecha-nism of reproductive toxicity of letrozole may be related to its influence on the development and matura-tion of testicular cells,the expression of sex hormones and gonadotropins in vivo,and the distribution and expression of estrogen receptors in testicular tissues.The mechanism of bone metabolic toxicity is related to its increase in the proliferation and differentiation of osteoclasts induced by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand,as well as the increase of apoptosis,oxidative stress and NF-κB activity of osteo-blasts.The mechanism of cognitive toxicity is related to its regulation of classical and nonclassical effects of the hippocampus,reduction of glutamate uptake by astrocytes,and reduction of L-type calcium channel blockade of caspase 3 activation.This article is to provide reference for safe and effective use of letrozole in clinical pediatrics.

Objective To explore the functional connectivity (FC) of the fronto-striatal circuitry in patients with bulimia nervosa (BN) based on the resting-state fMRI and its correlation with the inhibitory function.Methods 27 medication-naive female patients with BN and 27 age-and education-matched female healthy control subjects were included in the study.All the subjects performed a stop signal task (SST) and underwent the resting-state fMRI scan,separately.The FC between striatal subregions and the frontal cortex was analyzed.Results Compared with healthy controls,FC between the right ventral rostral putamen (VRP) and the right supplementary motor areas (SMA) decreased (MNI coordinate:x =3,y =-15,z =51,K =27) in patients with BN.And the FC was also decreased between the right VRP and premotor area(PM) (MNI coordinate:x =27,y =0,z =57,K =44).FC between bilateral dorsal caudal putamen (DCP) (MNI coordinate:x=21,y=-6,z=48,K=43) and the right PM(MNI coordinate:x=21,y=-12,z=57,K=24) was decreased in patients with BN (P＜0.05,Alphasim corrected,voxel P＜0.005,clusters ≥ 20 voxels).FC between the right VRP and right SMA was negatively correlated with the stop signal reaction time (SSRT) in patients with BN (r=-0.595,P=0.004).The FC between right DCP and right PM was positively correlated with the impulsivity regulation subscale scores of the Eating Disorder Inventory-Ⅱ in patients with BN(r=0.483,P=0.023).Conclusion There is disrupted FC between the striatum and motor cortex in medication-naive female patients with BN based on resting-state fMRI,which may be related to impaired inhibitory control in patients with BN.

Objective:To prepare the multilayer alginate chitosan microspheres loading vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vancomycin (VAN), and to study in vitro release characteristics.Methods:The microspheres were prepared by emulsion cross-linking and self-assembly techniques.The effects of sodium alginate concentration, calcium chloride concentration, oil/water ratio and span80 concentration on the entrapment efficiency(EE) and drug loading(DL) of VEGF and VAN were investigated by orthogonal experimental design to optimize the preparation process.The surface morphology and particle size of microspheres were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).Self-assembly was detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR).The EE, DL and in vitro release of VEGF and VAN were detected by ELISA double antibody sandwich method and ultraviolet spectrophotometry,and the cumulative release curve was drawn.Results:The prepared microspheres were yellowish brown powder.The SEM results showed that the microspheres were spherical, the surface was smoothy, and the dispersity was better.The average particle size was about 50 μm.Sodium alginate concentration of 1.0 g·mL-1, CaCl2 concentration of 8 g·mL-1, oil to water ratio of 3∶1, and span80 concentration of 2% were the best formula.The EE of VEGF and VAN were 49.63% and 16.67%, respectively.In vitro, the cumulative release last 16.5 d and 12.5 d respectively and the amount reached up to 95%.Conclusion:The multilayer alginate chitosan microspheres loading VEGF and VAN present several advantages, such as smaller particle size, higher EE and better controlled release.

Thirteen novel oleanolic acid (OA) derivatives were designed and synthesized with modification at positions of C-3, C-12 and C-28 of OA. Their structures were confirmed by MS, 1H NMR and elemental analysis. Their in vitro cytotoxicities against various cancer cell lines (SGC7901, MCF-7 and A549) were evaluated by MTT assay. The results indicated that the tested derivatives were found to have stronger cell growth inhibitory activity than OA. Among them, compounds II2 and II3 showed more potent cytotoxicity on MCF-7 and A549 tumor cells than gefitinib (positive control). They are worthy to be studied further.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of artificial extracorporeal liver support therapy in the treatment of pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) and to analyze the associated prognostic factors. MethodsThe clinical records of 23 patients with PALF treated from January 2012 to February 2015 in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the First Hospital of Jilin University were analyzed retrospectively. After three-month follow-up, 15 patients survived (survival group, n=15), while 8 patients died (death group, n=8). The changes in biomarkers of liver function and coagulation function after treatment were evaluated within groups. At the same time, the above parameters and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score before treatment were compared between the two groups. The efficacy of artificial extracorporeal liver support therapy was analyzed, and the prognostic factors were reviewed. The t test was applied in the comparison of continuous data. ResultsIn the survival group, the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total bilirubin (TBil), ammonia, and lactic acid were significantly reduced after treatment (t=8.812, 6.243, 8.431, and 6.721, respectively; all P<0.01). However, in the death group, only ALT level was significantly reduced after treatment (t=2.532, P<0.05). Compared with the levels before treatment, the levels of prothrombin time (PT), prothrombin time activity (PTA), and international normalized ratio (INR) were significantly improved after treatment (t=6.256, -2.738, and 6.711, respectively; all P<0.05). Before treatment, compared with the survival group, patients in the death group presented significantly lower level of ALT (t=6.283，P<0.01), significantly higher level of TBil (t=-3.938, P=0001), significantly longer PT (t=-2.394, P=0.026), and significantly higher MELD score (t=-6.239, P<0.01). ConclusionArtificial extracorporeal liver support therapy is an effective way of treating PALF. Once patients with high ALT level, short PT, and high MELD score have been diagnosed with PALF, artificial extracorporeal liver support therapy should be applied as soon as possible to improve the survival rate. Bile enzyme separation, prothrombin time, and MELD score could assist in determining the prognosis of PALF.

Objective To observe the effects of Dengzhanhua Capsule on kidney tissue inflammatory cytokines in chronic renal failure rats;To explore its possible mechanism for the efficacy in chronic renal failure. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, model group, benazepril group and Dengzhanhua group, 15 rats in each group. Chronic renal failure rat model was established by Platt 5/6 nephrectomized. Benazepril (0.29 mg/100 g) was given to rats in the benazepril group by gastrogavage. Dengzhanhua Capsule (0.3 g/100 g) was given to rats in the Dengzhanhua group by gastrogavage. Normal saline was given to rats in the normal group and the model group by gastrogavage. The whole treatment period was twelve weeks. Expressions of TGF-β1 and PAI-1 were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR after treatment. Concentrations of kidney tissue inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by ELISA. Results Expressions of TGF-β, PAI-1 and IL-6, TNF-αin benazepril group and Dengzhanhua group were significantly lower than those in model group (P<0.05). Compared with benazepril group, it was significantly lower in Dengzhanhua group (P<0.05). Conclusion Dengzhanhua Capsule can reduce kidney tissue inflammatory in chronic renal failure rats, and inhibit renal fibrosis.