ObjectiveTo determine the optimal dose of Dachengqi Decoction （大承气汤， DCQD） for the treatment of acute intestinal obstruction （AIO） through a randomized， double-blind， dosage parallel controlled， multi-center clinical trial， and to providee evidence support for the reasonable dosage of DCQD in clinical practice. MethodsBased on the commonly used clinical dose of DCQD， three different groups were set up， including low-dose group which used Dahuang （Radix et Rhizoma Rhei） 12 g， Houpo （Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis） 9 g， Zhishi （Fructus Aurantii Immaturus） 9 g， and Mangxiao （Natrii Sulfas） 4.5 g， medium-dose group using Dahuang 36 g， Houpo 27 g， Zhishi 27 g， Mangxiao 13.5 g， and high-dose group using Dahuang 60 g， Houp0 45 g， Zhishi 45 g and Mangxiao 22.5 g. Initially， 149 AIO patients with Yangming （阳明） bowel excess syndrome were randomly assigned to three groups using a stratified randomization method， and both the patients and the doctors were blinded. In addition to conventional western medicine treatment， each group was given 12 bags of granules made from the raw herbs of DCQD at different doses， taken orally or injected through a gastric catheter once every 6 hours， 3 bags each time， for 3 consecutive days. After treatment， the indicators of the three groups of patients with primary AIO and non-primary AIO were evaluated respectively， and the full analysis set （FAS） and per-protocol set （PPS） were used for analysis. The primary outcomes were the time to recover voluntary bowel movements and voluntary flatulence. The secondary outcomes were the ideal rate of spontaneous defecation and the ideal rate of spontaneous flatus. The occurrence of adverse events during the study was recorded and analyzed using the safety analysis set （SS）. ResultsA total of 91 patients with primary AIO and 58 patients with non-primary AIO were included in the FAS and SS analysis， while 80 primary AIO patients and 56 non-primary AIO patients were included in the PPS analysis. Both FAS and PPS analysis showed significant differences in the time to recover voluntary bowel movements and voluntary flatulence among primary AIO patients in different dose groups of DCQD （P＜0.01）， and the high- and medium-dose groups assumed less time than the low-dose group （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the ideal rate of spontaneous defecation and spontaneous flatus among the three groups （P＞0.05）. And consistent results were seen in the non-primary AIO patients among the three groups. Five adverse events occurred in primary AIO patients （3 in the low-dose group， 1 in the medium-dose group， and 1 in the high-dose group）， mainly manifested as abdominal distension and abdominal pain， and there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse events （P＞0.05）. No adverse events occurred in patients with non-primary AIO. ConclusionDCQD， as an effective treatment for patients with AIO， is commonly used at a medium dose for patients with primary AIO and at a high dose for patients with non-primary AIO. The therapeutic advantage is mainly reflected in the shorter time to recover spontaneous defecation and spontaneous flatulence and the improvement of intestinal function.

Objective:To investigate the biological effects of acute high-dose radon exposure on mice.Methods:BALB/c male mice aged 6 to 8 weeks were exposed once in an HD-3 ecological radon chamber with an average radon concentration of 7 × 10 5 Bq/m 3 for 10 h. Mice were weighed, their lung tissues and blood samples were collected at 1, 2 and 3 months after exposure. Control groups were set up at the three time points with four mice in each group. For these mice, the lung tissue pathology was observed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining method, routine blood tests were conducted using a hematology analyzer and the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and lung tissues were measured using corresponding assay kits. Results:The HE staining result revealed that compared to the control groups, the experimental groups exhibited thickening of alveolar walls and increased infiltration of granulocyte, whose degrees, however, reduced over time and displayed no significant difference at 3 months after exposure. There was no significant difference in body weight or blood routine between the experimental and control groups. The detection result revealed decreased SOD levels in the lung tissues at 2 months after exposure, which were (11.34 ± 1.03) U/mgprot and (9.75 ± 0.71) U/mgprot, respectively for the control and experimental groups ( t = 2.54, P < 0.05). The MDA levels in lung tissue increased at 1 month after exposure, which were(2.30 ± 0.24) and (2.77 ± 0.29) nmol/mgprot, respectively for the control and experimental groups ( t = 2.49, P < 0.05). At 3 months after exposure, the SOD and MDA levels differed insignificantly between the control and experimental groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:After acute high-dose radon exposure, the mice suffered damage to the lung tissue, with changes in their oxidative stress indicators being detected. However, these effects gradually diminished at 3 months after exposure. Additionally, acute high-dose radon exposure did not give rise to significant changes in the body weight or routine blood result of the mice.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of patients with brucella bloodstream infection in different age groups, and provide a basis for clinicians to take targeted diagnosis and treatment measures. Methods:Demographic data and general condition (age, sex, occupation, location, onset season, source of infection, clinical stage), clinical characteristics (main clinical symptoms and complications), and laboratory test results (routine and pathogenic tests) of adult patients with brucella bloodstream infection admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College from January 2015 to January 2020 were collected. According to the age stratification standards recommended by the World Health Organization, the patients were divided into a young group (18 - 44 years old), a middle-aged group (45 - 59 years old), and an elderly group (≥60 years old), and various indicators among different age groups were compared and analyzed. Results:A total of 75 patients were included, including 15 cases (20.00%) in the young group, 37 cases (49.33%) in the middle-aged group, and 23 cases (30.67%) in the elderly group. Among them, 61 cases (81.33%) were males and 14 cases (18.67%) were females, with statistically significant differences in gender ratios among different age groups (χ 2 = 7.28, P = 0.021). The majority of patients were farmers (64 cases, 85.33%), and 92.00% (69/75) of the patients came from rural areas. The main sources of infection were infected cattle and sheep, and contaminated food (39 cases, 52.00%). The main season of onset was spring and summer (45 cases, 60.00%). The clinical staging was mainly in the acute phase (66 cases, 88.00%). In terms of clinical symptoms, the young group of patients had no symptoms of low back pain, while the incidence rates of low back pain in the middle-aged and elderly groups were 35.14% (13/37) and 30.43% (7/23), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the three groups (χ 2 = 6.98, P = 0.031). In terms of complications, there were no cases of concurrent spondylitis in the young group of patients. The incidence rates of spondylitis in the middle-aged and elderly groups were 32.43% (12/37) and 34.78% (8/23), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference among the three groups (χ 2 = 6.86, P = 0.032). In terms of routine laboratory examinations, there were statistically significant differences in the proportion of blood lymphocytes and albumin levels among patients of different age groups ( F = 3.41, 3.27, P = 0.038, 0.044). In terms of pathogenic examination, there was a statistically significant difference in the median alarm time for positive blood culture among patients of different age groups ( H = 9.54, P = 0.008), with the middle-aged group having the longest (66.24 h) and the elderly group having the shortest (58.80 h). Conclusions:The clinical characteristics of patients with brucella bloodstream infection vary among different age groups, middle-aged and elderly patients are prone to low back pain symptoms, accompanied by spondylitis. Clinicians should pay attention to the patient's own characteristics and provide targeted diagnosis and treatment.

In the current international situation, there is the possibility of nuclear war and nuclear terrorism. The nuclear and radiological emergency in the event of an accident should be enhanced. The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a publication on January 27, 2023, updating the list of drugs recommended for stockpiling in response to radiation and nuclear emergencies, which was the first update since 2007. The list of recommended drug stocks in the publication includes drugs to prevent or reduce the effects of radiation, as well as drugs used to treat injuries after exposure. Based on the list of drugs, this article reviews the emergency response to nuclear and radiological accidents, the general situation of emergency drug stockpiles, drug reserves in some countries, and current considerations, with a view to providing references for emergency medical rescue in nuclear and radiological accidents in China.

Objective:To investigate the expression changes of lncRNAs and mRNAs in human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC) treated by tritiated water.Methods:HUVEC cells were divided into two groups, the control group cultured in DMEM medium, and the tritiated water exposure group cultured in a medium containing tritiated water with a final concentraion of 3.7×10 3 Bq/ml. After culture for 48 h, cells were collected for RNA extract.The differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were screened by high-through put chip technology and then analyzed. Results:Compared with the control group, 1 717 lncRNAs were significantly up-regulated and 3 994 lncRNAs significantly down-regulated, and 4 562 mRNAs were significantly up-regulated and 1 433 mRNAs down-regulated. Through co-expression analysis of differential mRNAs and lncRNAs, some key genes including SQSTM1, CXCL8, ITPR1, GADD45A, NF-kB1 and VDAC1 were obtained.Conclusions:Tritiated water exposure can induce multiple changes of mRNAs and lncRNAs in vascular endothelial cells, which may lead to toxic effects through signaling pathways including some key genes such as SQSTM1, CXCL8, and ITPR1.

Objective:To assess impact of radiation from nuclear power on the surrounding environment, a dose assessment model was constructed and relevant dose coefficients were determined through refined animal models.Methods:Zebrafish is one of the most important aquatic model animals in the radiation hazard assessment of nuclear power liquid effluent. A geometric model of zebrafish containing internal bones and visceral organ was established for dose estimation. The internal and external dose coefficients (DC) of the zebrafish model were calculated by Monte Carlo method with seven nuclides as the source term, 3H, 40K, 58Co, 60Co, 110Ag, 134Cs, 137Cs, which are common in nuclear liquid effluents and environmental monitoring. Results:The level of nuclide gamma energy determines dose coefficients for external radiation. The dose coefficients of most nuclides in internal organs was higher than that in whole body, and the internal organ dose of 58Co was 165% higher than that in whole body. The internal radiation dose coefficients of the model established in this study was relatively high, and the internal radiation dose coefficients caused by 60Co was 2.6 times of existing ellipsoid model, which suggested that the different internal materials and the choice of different particle types would affect the energy deposition. Conclusions:Refining of model animals is important. Accurate assessment of the organs dose coefficients of model animals is helpful to assess the radiation effects on non-human species.

Objective:To explore the effect of a Chinese medicinal composition ( Xiadanqi) on the prevention of radon exposure induced injuries of lung in vitro and in vivo. Methods:Mice were randomly divided into three groups of blank control group, radon-exposed group alone and radon-exposed group intervened with Chinese medicinal composition. The pathological changes of lung tissues in each group after 120 WLM were observed by HE and Masson staining, and the expressions of α-SMA protein and Vimentin protein in lung tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry staining. The levels of oxidative stress in lung tissue of each group were detected with SOD and MDA kits. At the same time, a radon exposed cell model and a radon exposure + Xiadanqi intervention cell model were constructed using an ecological radon chamber. The cell adhesion abilities of different groups were detected by an adhesion kit. The cell migration ability of each group was determined by the transwell migration experiment. The expression of E-cadherin and Vimentin protein was detected by Western blot. Results:Compared with the radon exposure group, the concentration of MDA was decreased ( t=4.43, P<0.05), the activity of SOD was increased ( t=3.22, P<0.05), and α-SMA and Vimentin protein expressions were decreased ( t=3.08, 7.57, P<0.05) in lung tissue of mice intervened with 2 mg/g Xiadanqi. In vitro, compared with radon exposure group, the migration ability was reduced ( t=4.78, 13.01, P<0.05), the cell adhesion property was enhanced ( t=3.41, 12.55, P<0.05), the expression of E-cadherin protein was increased ( t=2.96, 19.57, P<0.05), and the expression of Vimentin protein was obviously reduced ( t=21.00, 33.32, P<0.05) in radon-exposed cells with the treatment of Chinese medicine (150 μg/ml and 200 μg/ml). Conclusions:The Chinese medicinal composition ( Xiadanqi) has a certain radioprotective effect on radon exposure induced injury by reducing oxidative stress, attenuating EMT and fibrosis, and thus it may be applied as a protective agent for radon induced injury.

ObjectiveTo investigate the value of peripheral blood long non-coding RNA-LET (lncRNA-LET) in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) cirrhosis, and to provide a basis for early clinical diagnosis and treatment of liver cirrhosis. MethodsA total of 175 CHB patients who attended The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University from March 2017 to May 2019 were enrolled, among whom 52 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis were enrolled as cirrhosis group and 123 patients without the pathological changes of liver cirrhosis were enrolled as non-cirrhosis group. A total of 40 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period of time were enrolled as normal control group. Liver function parameters and the level of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood were measured for all subjects. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups; an analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups, and the Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of ranked data. A Pearson correlation analysis was performed to investigate correlation. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the value of peripheral blood lncRNA-LET in predicting liver cirrhosis. Results Compared with the normal control group, the cirrhosis group and the non-cirrhosis group had significantly higher serum levels of the liver function parameters total bilirubin (TBil), total bile acid (TBA), albumin (Alb), and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (all P＜0.05) and a significantly lower serum level of cholinesterase (ChE) (P＜0.05); compared with the non-cirrhosis group, the cirrhosis group had significantly higher serum levels of TBil, TBA, Alb, and ALT (all P＜0.05) and a significantly lower serum level of ChE (P＜0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the cirrhosis group and the non-cirrhosis group had significantly lower relative expression of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood (P＜0.05), and the cirrhosis group had significantly lower relative expression of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood than the non-cirrhosis group (P＜0.05). The relative expression of lncRNA-LET decreased significantly with the increase in liver fibrosis stage (P＜0.05). In the patients with CHB, the relative expression of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood was negatively correlated with liver fibrosis stage, TBil, TBA, Alb, and ALT (r=-0.352,-0.372,-0.364, and -0.410, all P＜0.001) and was positively correlated with ChE (r=0.340, P＜0.001). The ROC curve was used to analyze the value of peripheral blood lncRNA-LET in predicting liver cirrhosis, and the area under the ROC curve was 0934, with an optimal cut-off value of 0.833, a sensitivity of 84.57%, and a specificity of 80.57%. ConclusionThe expression level of lncRNA-LET in peripheral blood decreases with the progression of liver fibrosis and has a good value in the diagnosis of CHB cirrhosis, and therefore, it can be used as a potential biological indicator for the diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.

Objective To investigate the ultrasonic performance of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and the correlation between microvessel density in plaque .Methods 87 cases of patients undergoing carotid artery plaque dissection were selected .113 plaques were found .All patients were taken carotid color Doppler sonography test and analysis of the plaque .The maximum thickness of plaques was taken HE stained ,and the vessel density in the plaque was counted .The correlation with sonographic performance of plaques was analyzed .Results The maximum plaque thicknesses in hard plaque ,soft plaque and mixed plaque were (0.49 ±0.05)mm,(0.36 ±0.08)mm and (0.39 ± 0.10)mm,respectively,and cross-sectional area stenosis rates were (88.32 ±6.51)%,(68.92 ±12.05)% and (71.95 ±13.04)%,respectively,the differences were statistically significant (F=16.329,23.723,all P<0.05). The maximum plaque thickness and cross -sectional area stenosis rate in hard plaque were all larger than soft plaque and mixed plaque,the differences were statistically significant (t=7.091 7,2.501 and 6.452,6.086,all P<0.05). The microvessel density values in different plaques were (2.11 ±0.48)strips/mm2,(5.91 ±1.03)strips/mm2 and (3.82 ±0.99)strips/mm2,the differences were statistically significant (F=143.541,P<0.05),soft plaque>mixed plaques>hard plaque,the differences were statistically significant (t=6.579 and 9.392,all P<0.05).Pearson cor-relation analysis showed that the maximum plaque thickness and cross -sectional area stenosis rate in soft plaque were positive correlation between microvascular density values (r=0.372,P=0.011;r=0.438,P=0.000).Conclusion Color Doppler ultrasound examination might indirectly reflect microvessel densities in carotid artery plaque .It could be used preliminary assessment of vulnerability of carotid artery plaque .

Objective To investigate the value of contrast -enhanced ultrasound combined with serum homocysteine in determining the stability of atherosclerotic plaques.Methods 96 cases with cerebrovascular disease accompanied by carotid atherosclerotic plaques were selected.All patients were taken ultrasonography and contrast -enhanced ultrasound.Semi -quantitative grading was used for plaque according to the reinforced.The serum homocys-teine levels were detected.Results A total of 146 plaques of 96 cases were found out.Hard plaques were 13(8.9%),soft plaques were 71(48.6%)and mixed plaques were 62(42.5%).All cases were divided into three groups according to the plaque ultrasound contrast semiquantitative grading.24 cases were in Ⅰ grade group,46 cases were in Ⅱ grade group,26 cases were in Ⅲ grade group.The differences of serum homocysteine levels among the three groups were statistically significant(F =59.942,P <0.05),pairwise compared,the differences were statistically significant(t =16.837,20.682 and 15.416,all P <0.05).Pearson linear correlation analysis showed that contrast -enhanced ultrasound plaque classifications were positively correlated with serum homocysteine levels(r =0.709,P =0.000).Conclusion Contrast -enhanced ultrasound could accurately assess the neovascularization in the plaque. Semi -quantitative grading of ultrasound contrast are positively correlated with serum homocysteine levels.Combined the two could provides scientific basis for early and accurate prediction the stability of plaque.