Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P＜0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P＜0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P＜0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.

Aim To investigate the regulatory mecha-nism of butin on the proliferation,migration,cycle blockage and pyroptosis related inflammatory factors in human fibroblast-like synoviocytes of rheumatoid arthri-tis(HFLS-RA).Methods Cell proliferation,migra-tion and invasion were studied using cell migration and invasion assays.Cell cycle was detected by flow cytom-etry,and the expression of the pyroptosis-associated in-flammatory factors IL-1β,IL-18,caspase-1 and caspase-3 was detected by ELISA,RT-qPCR and West-ern blot.Results Migration and invasion experiments showed that the cell proliferation rate of the butin group was lower than that of the blank control group(P＜0.05).Cell cycle analysis demonstrated that in the G0/G1 phase,the DNA expression was elevated in the medium and high-dose groups of butin(P＜0.05),while in the G2 and S phases,the DNA expression was reduced in the medium and high-dose groups of butin(P＜0.05).The results of ELISA,RT-qPCR and Western blot assay revealed that the expression of IL-1β,IL-1 8,caspase-1,and caspase-3 decreased in the butin group compared with the IL-1β+caspase-3 in-hibitor group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Butin inhib-its HFLS-RA proliferation by inhibiting the synthesis of inflammatory vesicles by caspase-1 in the pyroptosis pathway,thereby reducing the production and release of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β and IL-18 down-stream of the pathway,and also inhibits HFLS-RA pro-liferation by exerting a significant blocking effect in the G1 phase,which may be one of the potential mecha-nisms of butin in the treatment of RA.

Aim To investigate the mechanism of py-roptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway and the intervention effect of Radix Angelica Sinensis and Radix Astragalus ultrafiltration extract(RAS-RA)in radiation-induced pulmonary fi-brosis.Methods Fifty Wistar rats were randomly di-vided into five groups,with ten rats in each group.Ex-cept for the blank control group,all other groups of rats were anesthetized and received a single dose of 40 Gy X-ray local chest radiation to establish a radiation-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis rat model.After radiation,the rats in the RAS-RA intervention groups were orally administered doses of 0.12,0.24 and 0.48 g·kg-1 once a day for 30 days.The average weight and lung index of the rats were observed after 30 days of contin-uous administration.Hydroxyproline(HYP)content in lung tissue was determined by hydrolysis method.The levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in serum were detected by ELISA.Lung tissue pathological changes were ob-served by HE and Masson staining.Ultrastructural changes in lung tissue were observed by transmission e-lectron microscopy.The expression levels of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway-related proteins and fibrosis-related proteins in lung tissue were detec-ted by Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the HYP content in lung tissue and the levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β in serum significantly in-creased in the model group(P＜0.01).HE and Mas-son staining showed inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen fiber deposition.Transmission electron mi-croscopy revealed increased damaged mitochondria,disordered arrangement,irregular morphology,shallow matrix,outer membrane rupture,mostly fractured and shortened cristae,mild expansion,increased electron density of individual mitochondrial matrix,mild sparse structure of lamellar bodies,partial disorder,unclear organelles,and characteristic changes of pyroptosis.Western blot analysis showed increased expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,NLRP3,CoL-Ⅰ,α-SMA,and CoL-Ⅲ proteins(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the RAS-RA intervention group showed signifi-cant improvement in body mass index and lung index of rats,decreased levels of IL-18 and IL-1 β inflammatory factors(P＜0.01),improved mitochondrial structure,reduced degree of fibrosis,and decreased expression of caspase-1,GSDMD,NLRP3,COL-Ⅰ,COL-Ⅲ,and α-SMA proteins in lung tissue(P＜0.01).Conclusion RAS-RA has an inhibitory effect on radiation-in-duced pulmonary fibrosis,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of pyroptosis through the regu-lation of the NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate and assess hemolytic transfusion reaction in patient with complex and combined anti-Fya and anti-Jkb which so as to provide a safety blood transfusion strategy.Methods:ABO/Rh blood grouping,antibody screening and identification,and Coombs'tests were performed by the routine serological methods include manual tube and automatic blood group analyzer with matching micro-column gel cards from Diagnostic Grifols and Jiangsu LIBO.The hospital information system and laboratory information system were used to collect dada on patients' blood routine tests,liver and kidney function,coagulation,cardiac function,and other clinical indicators before and after blood transfusion were analyzed and compared in conjunction with the patients'clinical manifestations.Results:The patient's blood group was A/CcDEe.Before two transfusion,the anti-body screening were positive which identification were anti-Fya and anti-Fya combined with anti-Jkb respectively,while the Coomb's test were positive with anti-C3 and anti-IgG combined with anti-C3 respectively.No agglutination and hemolysis was observed in saline medium cross-matching test before two transfusion of Fya-red blood cell.But before re-transfusion agglutinated reaction was observed in cross-matching test by DG Gel Coombs,which strength was 2+on whether major or minor side.The patient developed soy sauce urine/hemoglobinuria and fever after transfused Fya-red blood cell again.Primary laboratory indicators were observed to be elevated,include C-reactive protein from 3.06 mg/L to 29.97 mg/L,total bilirubin from 21.4 μmol/L to 276.3 μmol/L,direct bilirubin from 8.4 μmol/L to 135.6 μmol/L,lactate dehydrogenase from 166 U/L to 1453 U/L.Urinary free hemoglobin test was 4+.The main laboratory indicators reflecting the heart,liver,kidney and circulatory coagulation function also have vary increased and gradually returned to normal after a week. Conclusion:Jkb-incompatible transfusion of the Kidd blood group system can lead to acute hemolytic transfusion reaction,but in emergency implementing incompatible transfusion due to IgG antibodies outside of the primary blood group (such as ABO/RhD)can ensure the implementation of emergency operation.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from n-butanol fraction of Corydalis impatiens(Pall.)Fisch.and their antioxidant activities.METHODS The n-butanol fraction was isolated and purified by silica gel,MCI,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The antioxidant activities were determined by DPPH method and tyrosinase method.RESULTS Fourteen compounds were isolated and identified as nicotinamide(1),methyl L-pyroglutamate(2),bungeanoline F(3),monomethyl fumarate(4),5-hydroxymethylfurfural(5),4-hydroxybenzoic acid(6),hydroxybenzoate(7),methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(8),methyl ferulate(9),dimethylcaffeic acid(10),dimethyl feruloyl malate(11),(-)-4-O-feruloylquinic acid(12),syringaresinol(13)and(-)-loliolide(14).Compounds 1,8,11 and 13 showed strong antioxidant activites on DPPH free radicals,with IC50 values ranging from 54.47 to 97.4 μmol/L.Compound 13 had potential inhibitory effect on tyrosinase.CONCLUSION Compounds 4-14 are first isolated from Corydalis genus,and 3 is isolated from this plant for the first time.Compounds 1,8,11 and 13 have strong antioxidant activities.

Objective:To compare the diagnostic efficacy of 22 G fine needle aspiration (FNA) needles and 22 G end-cutting fine needle biopsy (FNB) needles for solid pancreatic lesion using both cytological and histological examination.Methods:Clinical data of 116 patients who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration/biopsy (EUS-FNA/FNB) at the Digestive Endoscopy Center of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from June 2022 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Sixty-three patients sampled with 22 G FNA needles were the FNA group, and 53 sampled with 22 G FNB needles were the FNB group. The diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and cytological and histological diagnostic yield of FNA needles and FNB needles for solid pancreatic lesions were compared.Results:There were no significant differences in age, gender, lesion location, lesion size, or the number of passes between the FNA group and the FNB group ( P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the diagnostic accuracy [93.7% (59/63) VS 90.6% (48/53), P=0.730], sensitivity [93.0% (53/57) VS 90.2% (46/51), P=0.732], specificity [100.0% (6/6) VS 100.0% (2/2), P=1.000], positive predictive value [100.0% (53/53) VS 100.0% (46/46), P=1.000] and negative predictive value [60.0% (6/10) VS 28.6% (2/7), P=0.335] of combined cytology and histology in distinguishing benign and malignant lesions between the two groups. In the FNA group, the diagnostic accuracy of combined cytology and histology was higher than cytology alone [93.7% (59/63) VS 81.0% (51/63), P=0.008], and was higher than histology alone without statistical significance [93.7% (59/63) VS 87.3% (55/63), P=0.125]. In the FNB group, the diagnostic accuracy of combined cytology and histology was higher than cytology alone [90.6% (48/53) VS 69.8% (37/53), P=0.001], but not than histology alone [90.6% (48/53) VS 90.6% (48/53)， P=1.000]. For solid masses located in pancreatic body/tail, the diagnostic accuracy for malignancy by histology using FNB needles tended to be higher than that of FNA needles [100.0% (17/17) VS 81.3% (26/32), P=0.080]. Conclusion:Both FNA needles and FNB needles exhibit adequate diagnostic yield for solid pancreatic masses when combining cytology and histology. FNB needles may offer a higher histological diagnostic yield.

Objective To understand the status of HIV infection among unpaid blood donors in Hangzhou,and to provide data support for reducing the risk of HIV transmission through blood transfusion,and formulating effective blood donor recruitment and AIDS prevention and control strategies in Hangzhou.Methods Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)and nucleic acid testing(NAT)were used to detect HIV-I/Ⅱ antibody/antigen and HIV RNA from 902 847 unpaid blood donors in Hangzhou from January 2016 to December 2020.Anti-HIV antibody/antigen or HIV RNA reactive samples were sent to Hangzhou Center for Disease Control(CDC)for further confirmation by Western bloting and NAT.Results A total of 103 HIV positive cases were detected in Hangzhou area from January 2016 to December 2020,with a positive detection rate of 0.01%,101 cases were positive for ELISA and NAT screening,2 cases were negative for ELISA screening and positive for NAT.Among the 103 infected patients,males(91.26%,94/103),18-35 years old(69.90%,72/103),and first-time blood donors(68.93%,71/103)were the majority.The positive rate of HIV among blood donors decreased year by year from 2016 to 2020(χ2=7.181,P=0.007),but there was no significant difference in HIV positive rate between male and female blood donors(χ2=10.336,P=0.350;χ2=0.653,P=0.957).There was no significant difference in HIV positive rate among blood donors of different age groups(χ2=6.378,P=0.173;χ2=2.318,P=0.678;χ2=5.284,P=0.259;χ2=9.183,P=0.057).Conclusion In recent 5 years,HIV infection has been at a low epidemic level among unpaid blood donors in Hangzhou,but there is still an infection risk.It is necessary to strengthen the recruitment of blood donors from low-risk groups,adopt advanced detection technology and select appropriate detection strategies to ensure blood safety.

Objective To analyze the setup errors during proton and heavy ion therapy for head and head neck tumor patients fixed by thermoplastic film combined with styrofoam.Methods Totally 20 patients undergoing proton and heavy ion therapy at some hospital from January to December 2018 were selected retrospectively,of whom 10 ones had head tumors with clinical targets located in the head and the other 10 cases had head and neck tumors with clinical targets distributed in the head and neck.All the 20 patients were fixed with thermoplastic film combined with styrofoam.The head and neck images of the patients acquired after image guidance were aligned with the CT localization-based digitally reconstructed radiograph images,and the setup errors at six-dimensional directions(left-right translation,head-foot translation,forward-backward translation,isocentric rotation,pitch rotation and transverse-roll rotation)were recorded in the first five and the last five times of radiotherapy treatment.The data were processed by using the SPSS 23.0 statistical software and EXCEL.Results There were no significant differences between the head tumor patients in the setup errors at the six directions during the first and last five times of radiotherapy(P＞0.05).The head and neck tumor patients did not have obvious differences in the setup errors at the the directions of left-right translation,forward-backward translation,isocentric rotation and transverse-roll rotation(P＞0.05),while did at the directions of head-foot translation and pitch rotation(P＜0.05).The head and head neck tumor patients with the fixation by thermoplastic film combined with styrofoam had their setup errors at the six directions meet clinical requirements after calibration by the six-dimensional treatment table.Conclusion The fixation mode by thermoplastic film and styrofoam behaves well to enhance the setup repeatability for head tumor patients at the six-dimensional directions,while not so well for head neck tumor patients at the directions of head-foot translation and pitch rotation.Proper measures have to be taken to decrease the setup errors during proton and heavy ion therapy for head and head neck tumor patients.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(7):56-61]

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective Nowadays, radioactive xenon isotopes, including ^131mXe, ^133mXe, ¹³³Xe, and ¹³⁵Xe, are primarily released into the atmosphere through various reactor operation and major accidents of reactors. To improve the online monitoring capability of xenon in nuclear facilities and their gaseous effluents, a highly sensitive online xenon monitoring system was developed to monitor, warn, and alarm the activity concentration of radioactive xenon. Methods The online monitoring system for radioactive xenon gas in nuclear facilities was established using xenon membrane separation and concentration, xenon high-efficiency selective adsorption, and low-background gamma-ray spectrometry analysis methods. Results Under the operation mode of one-hour sampling and one-hour measuring, the minimum detectable activity concentration of the radioactive xenon online monitoring system for ¹³³Xe was approximately (1.43 ± 0.03) Bq/m³. Conclusion This system can be effectively used for online monitoring of xenon activity concentration in nuclear facilities such as nuclear power plants and isotope production reactors, as well as in gaseous effluents. It helps improve the safety level of personnel, the environment, and nuclear facilities.