OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect and underlying mechanism(s) of icariin (ICA) in preventing hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced vascular endothelial cell injury via endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). METHODS: To study the effects of ICA on HO-induced damage, we used the cell counting kit-8 assay to detect cell viability and the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling assay to determine cell adhesion and apoptosis, respectively. Spectrophotometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure the expression levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Subsequently, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), activating transcription factor-4 (ATF4) and eukaryotic initiation factor-2α (eIF2α) were detected using Western blotting. RESULTS: In human umbilical vein endothelial cells, different concentrations of ICA exhibited multiple effects, including reduced HO damage, improved cell viability and adhesion, reduced cell apoptosis and increased SOD and GSH-Px activity. Among the ICA concentrations used, only the HO + 100 μmol/L ICA group had significant differences compared to the HO group. ERS activators HO and dl-dithiothreitol (DTT) significantly increased GRP78, ATF4 and eIF2α expressions, decreased cell activity and reduced SOD and GSH-Px activity. In contrast, the HO + 100 μmol/L ICA and HO + 100 μmol/L ICA + DTT groups had significant inhibitory effects on the expressions of GRP78, ATF4 and eIF2α proteins, showing enhanced cell viability and SOD and GSH-Px activity. CONCLUSION The results showed the dose-dependent effects of ICA against HO-induced injury in vascular endothelial cells. The inhibition of GRP78, ATF4 and eIF2α protein expressions in the ERS, and the subsequent alleviation of oxidative stress damage, might be the molecular mechanism.

·AIM:To compare the similarities and differences of central corneal thickness (CCT) measured by different devices, so as to provide a safe, effective, simple and accurate method for measuring corneal thickness. ·METHODS: Totally 95 eyes of 95 cataract patients enrolled continuously for preoperative examination in ophthalmology department of Putuo Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from September 2016 to December 2016. Handheld automatic PachPen ultrasonic pachymetry (USP), anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and specular microscopy were respectively used to measure the central corneal thickness,and intraocular pressure was measured at the same time. The similarities and differences of these three different devices to measure the central corneal thickness and their correlations with intraocular pressure were observed. Then the data were analyzed statistically. · RESULTS: The CCT value measured by PachPen ultrasonic pachymetry was 544. 43 ± 36. 61μ m, the CCT value measured by AS-OCT was 527.09 ± 35.54μ m, and the CCT value measured by specular microscopy was 533.20 ± 30. 17μ m. There was significant difference between these three groups(F=6.272,P=0.002),and the CCT value measured by PachPen ultrasonic pachymetry was significantly higher than the other two groups. The correlation coefficients between the CCT values of these three groups and intraocular pressure were 0.290, 0.277 and 0.204 (P<0.05) respectively, of which the correlation between the CCT measured by PachPen ultrasonic pachymetry and the intraocular pressure was the highest. There was statistically significant correlation between the CCT values measured by these three measurements (P<0.001). ·CONCLUSION: The CCT value measured by PachPen ultrasonic pachymetry is the highest. The second CCT value is measured by specular microscopy, and the smallest CCT value is measured by AS-OCT. Obvious correlation and good consistency were found in the CCT values measured by three types of devices, and the CCT values were all correlated with intraocular pressure. Therefore,we should take more attention in clinic.

Objective: To explore the impact of bundle branch block (BBB) on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) prognosis in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 6 429 ACS patients received PCI in our hospital from 2013-01 to 2013-12 were enrolled. According to BBB diagnosis at discharge, the patients were divided into 2 groups: BBB group, n=159 and Non-BBB group, n=6 270. The incidences of 2-year major adverse cardio and cerebral-vascular events (MACCE) including all-cause death, cardiac death, myocardial infarction, revascularization, in-stent thrombosis and stroke were compared between 2 groups; relationship between existing BBB and clinical outcomes was assessed. Results: Compared with Non-BBB group, BBB group had the elder age (62.97±11.37) years vs (58.26±10.36) years, lower BMI (25.31±3.02) vs (25.89±3.20), decreased glomerular filtration rate (86.89±16.15)ml/min vs (91.05±15.53)ml/min and LVEF (59.27±9.86)% vs (62.37±7.36) %, all P<0.05; other baseline condition, angiographic and interventional features were similar between 2 groups, all P>0.05. During 2-year follow-up period, compared with Non-BBB group, BBB group showed the higher incidences of cardiac death (2.5% vs 0.7%) and in-stent thrombosis (3.1% vs 0.8%), both P<0.05; other incidences of MACCE were similar between 2 groups, all P>0.05. With adjusted propensity score matching, 2-year incidence of MACCE was similar between 2 groups, P>0.05; 2-year incidences of MACCE in BBB group including LBBB and RBBB were similar to Non-BBB group, P>0.05. Cox regression analysis revealed that BBB was not related to ACS prognosis after PCI. Conclusion: BBB was not an independent risk factor for long-term MACCE occurrence in ACS patients after PCI.

In this study, the endocytosis pathway of heparosan and its intracellular distribution were investigated in MCF-7 tumor cells and COS7 normal cells. The endocytosis inhibition and cellular probe location experiments showed that MCF-7 tumor cells took heparosan more efficiently and selectively than COS7 cells. The cellular uptake of heparosan was energy-dependent in both MCF-7 tumor cells and COS7 normal cells. Moreover, the major endocytosis pathway of heparosan into MCF-7 tumor cells was caveolin-mediated endocytosis and macropinocytosis. The internalized heparosan was mainly located in lysosomes of the cells.

Objective To optimize the processing technology of sliced Myristicae Semen. Methods Roasting temperature, roasting time and the amount of bran were set as factors, and the content of total lignans, volatile oil, fatty oil were set as evaluation indicators. The processing technology of sliced Myristicae Semen was optimized by L9(34) orthogonal test. Results The optimal processing technology was as following: 40 g bran plus 100 g sliced Myristicae Semen, roasting for 20 minutes at 110-120 ℃. Conclusion The process is reasonable and reliable, which can provide references for new processing technology of Myristicae Semen.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the value of ovarian ablation using goserelin in premenopausal patients with stage II/III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer without chemotherapy-induced amenorrhea (CIA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the data of breast patients treated between October 1999 and November 2007 without CIA. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for calculation of the survival rate. Log rank method and Cox regression analysis were used for univariate and multivariate prognostic analysis. RESULTS: The median follow-up period was 61 months. Initially, 353 patients remained without CIA after chemotherapy and 98 among those who received goserelin and tamoxifen (TAM). In univariate analysis, goserelin improved locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS) (98.9% vs. 94.1%, p=0.041), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) (85.4% vs. 71.9%, p=0.006), disease-free survival (DFS) (85.4% vs. 71.6%, p=0.005), and overall survival (OS) (93.5% vs. 83.5%, p=0.010). In multivariate analysis, goserelin treatment was an independent factor influencing DMFS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.603; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.228 to 2.092; p=0.001), DFS (HR, 1.606; 95% CI, 1.231 to 2.096; p=0.001), and OS (HR, 3.311; 95% CI, 1.416 to 7.742; p=0.006). In addition, treatment with goserelin resulted in significantly improved LRFS (p=0.039), DMFS (p=0.043), DFS (p=0.036), and OS (p=0.010) in patients aged < 40 years. In patients aged > or = 40 years, goserelin only improved DMFS (p=0.028) and DFS (p=0.027). CONCLUSION: Ovarian ablation with goserelin plus TAM resulted in significantly improved therapeutic efficacy in premenopausal patients with stage II/III hormone receptor-positive breast cancer without CIA.
Amenorrhea* ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Goserelin* ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Premenopause ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Tamoxifen

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate the prognostic value of lymph node ratio (LNR) in stage II/III breast cancer patients who undergo mastectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and pathological data describing stage II/III breast cancer patients were included in this retrospective study. The primary outcomes were locoregional recurrence-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Among 277 patients, there were 43 ypN0, 64 ypN1, 89 ypN2, and 81 ypN3 cases. Additionally, there were 43, 57, 92 and 85 cases in the LNR 0, 0.01-0.20, 0.21-0.65, and > 0.65 groups, respectively. The median follow-up was 49.5 months. Univariate analysis showed that both ypN stage and LNR were prognostic factors of LRFS, DMFS, DFS, and OS (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that LNR was an independent prognostic factor of LRFS, DMFS, DFS, and OS (p < 0.05), while ypN stage had no effect on prognosis (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The integrated use of LNR and ypN may be suitable for evaluation the prognosis of stage II/III breast cancer patients who undergo mastectomy after neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Therapy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes* ; Mastectomy* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Prognosis* ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the comprehensive medical goal appraisal system on hand hygiene compliance rate of health care workers(HCWs).Methods Comprehensive medical goal appraisal system was adopted to inter-vene hand hygiene compliance rate of HCWs in a comprehensive hospital ,hand hygiene compliance rates of HCWs and consumption of instant hand sanitizer per bed-day before (December 2012)and after intervention (January 2013-June 2014)were compared.Results Hand hygiene compliance rate after intervention was higher than before interven-tion (85.17% [18 208/21 379]vs 39.92%[853/2 137]),hand hygiene compliance rate enhanced by 113.35%(χ2 =2 590. 81,P <0.001).Hand hygiene compliance rates of HCWs of different departments,different occupations and different hand hygiene moments were all higher than before intervention (all P <0.001);after intervention ,hand hygiene compliance rate revealed a increased tendency,and has maintained high since October 2013 (>90%),consumption of instant hand sanitizer before and after intervention was 7.24 mL/bed-day(4 200 L/579 841 bed-day)and 10.54 mL/bed-day(9 323.5L/884 489 bed-day)respectively,the consumption after intervention increased by 45.58% compared with that before intervention. Conclusion Comprehensive medical goal appraisal can effectively enhance hand hygiene compliance rate ,and maintains at a high level;the measure can affect hand hygiene behavior of HCWs by hawthorne effect,and is an effective and long-term measure to improve hand hygiene compliance of HCWs.

A new hasubanan alkaloid, hernsubanine E (1), as well as two known compounds p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (2) and (-)-syringaresinol (3) have been isolated from the whole plants of Stephania hernandifolia by various column chromatographic methods. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral analyses. Compounds 2 and 3 were isolated from the genus of Stephania for the first time.
Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Heterocyclic Compounds, 4 or More Rings ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Stephania ; chemistry

AlM:To research the reasonability of current criteria on distant vision anddiopter for recruiting civil aviators in China.
METHODS: The data about distant vision and diopter of 1901 aviators, including flight majors and aviators in active service participating in physical examination of Civil Aviation Flight University of China from 2006 to 2013, were collected. ANOVA and LSD were used to compare the differences between distant vision and diopter among different groups. The Spearman correlation coefficients of distant vision (≥0. 1 vs ≥0. 3) and diopter (0. 00 to -3. 00D) were calculated.
RESULTS: The diopter of civil aviators in China increased with distant vision decreased. The correlation between distant vision and diopter ( 0. 00 to -3. 00D ) among distant vision≥0. 3's population (0. 4 CONCLUSlON: The current eye standard of recruiting civil aviators in China is reasonable to consider both distant vision and diopter, but the standard for distant vision is higher. Further research is proposed to explore the proper standard of distant vision that matches the diopter standard.