ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of astragaloside Ⅳ（AS-Ⅳ） on the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells（VSMCs） induced by angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ） based on solute carrier family 7 member 11/glutathione peroxidase 4（SLC7A11/GPX4） pathway. MethodsPrimary rat thoracic aortic VSMCs were cultured by tissue explant method， and the cell types were identified by immunofluorescence. Cell counting kit-8（CCK-8） was used to determine the optimal concentration and time of AS-Ⅳ after Ang Ⅱ stimulation. The experiment was divided into blank group， model group， AS-Ⅳ group（40 μmol·L^-1）， Erastin group（0.5 μmol·L^-1）， Erastin+AS-Ⅳ group（0.5 μmol·L^-1+40 μmol·L^-1）. The blank group was cultured in normal medium， the model group was cultured in medium containing Ang Ⅱ（0.1 μmol·L^-1）， and each administration group was cultured in medium containing Ang Ⅱ（0.1 μmol·L^-1） and the corresponding doses of drug. CCK-8 and plate clone formation assay were used to detect the proliferation of cells in each group， Prussian blue staining was used to detect cell iron deposition， the content of reactive oxygen species（ROS） in cells was detected by fluorescence probe method， the content of malondialdehyde（MDA） was detected by thiobarbituric acid（TBA） method， and the protein levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 in each group were detected by Western blot. ResultsPrimary rat thoracic aortic VSMCs were successfully cultured by tissue explant method， and immunofluorescence detection showed that positive expression of α-smooth muscle actin（α-SMA） and negative expression of vimentin in the cells， identifying them as VSMCs. The optimal concentration and time of AS-Ⅳ determined by CCK-8 were 40 μmol·L^-1 and 24 h， respectively. Pharmacodynamic studies showed that compared with the blank group， the cell proliferation in the model group increased， the iron deposition in the cells increased， the contents of ROS and MDA increased， and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the cell proliferation of the AS-Ⅳ group was inhibited， the iron deposition in the cells was decreased， the contents of ROS and MDA were decreased， and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins were increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. While in the Erastin group， the cell proliferation was increased， the iron deposition was increased， ROS and MDA contents were increased， and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins were decreased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the AS-Ⅳ group， Erastin+AS-Ⅳ group showed increased cell proliferation， increased iron deposition in cells， increased ROS and MDA contents， and decreased expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins（P<0.05）. Compared with the Erastin group， the cell proliferation in Erastin+AS-Ⅳ group was inhibited， the iron deposition was decreased， the contents of ROS and MDA were decreased， and the expression levels of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins were increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionAS-Ⅳ can inhibit ferroptosis by regulating the SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway， so as to weaken the proliferation of VSMCs， thus playing a role in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of modified Tianwang Buxindan （MTBD） on the skin of sleep-deprived （SD） mice and investigate its mechanism. MethodSixty 2-month-old female Kunming mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a vitamin C （VC， 0.08 g·kg^-1）， and MTBD low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （6.5， 12.5， 25 g·kg^-1）. Except for the blank group， the other groups were subjected to SD mouse model induction （using multiple platform water environment method for 18 hours of sleep deprivation daily from 15：00 to next day 9：00）， continuously for 14 days， and caffeine （CAF， 7.5 mg·kg^-1） was injected intraperitoneally from the 2nd week onwards， continuously for 7 days. While modeling， the blank group and the model group were administered with normal saline （0.01 mL·g^-1）， and the other groups received corresponding drugs for treatment. On the day of the experiment， general observations were recorded （such as body weight， spirit， fur， and skin）. After sampling， skin tissue pathological changes were observed under an optical microscope using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Masson staining methods. Skin thickness and skin moisture content were measured. Biochemical assay kits were used to detect skin hydroxyproline （HYP） content， skin and serum superoxide dismutase （SOD） activity， and malondialdehyde （MDA） content. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum interleukin （IL）-6， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and IL-1β levels in mice. Western blot was used to detect skin tissue type Ⅰ collagen （ColⅠ）， type Ⅲ collagen （ColⅢ）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， phosphorylated （p）-PI3K， protein kinase B （Akt）， p-Akt， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase （HO）-1， and nuclear factor （NF）-κB protein expression. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed varying degrees of changes. In general， signs of aging such as reduced body weight （P<0.01）， listlessness， dull fur color， and formation of wrinkles on the skin appeared. Tissue specimen testing revealed skin thinning， flattening of the dermoepidermal junction （DEJ）， and reduced collagen fibers under the optical microscope. Skin thickness and moisture content decreased， skin tissue HYP content significantly decreased （P<0.01）， skin and serum SOD activity significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and MDA content significantly increased （P<0.01）. Serum IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β levels significantly increased （P<0.01）. Skin ColⅠ， ColⅢ， p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， Nrf2， and HO-1 protein expression significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and NF-κB expression increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the VC group and the MTBD low-dose group showed increased skin moisture content， HYP content， SOD activity， and ColⅠ， ColⅢ， p-PI3K/PI3K protein expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased serum MDA content （P<0.05）. In addition， a decrease in serum IL-6 and IL-1β levels was detected in the MTBD low-dose group （P<0.05）， while the above indicators in the MTBD medium- and high-dose groups improved （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionSleep deprivation accelerates the aging process of the skin in SD model mice. MTBD can improve this phenomenon， exerting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects， and its mechanism of action may be related to the activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Objective To establish a gas chromatography for simultaneous determination of camphor residue and borneolum content in Qingchang Suppository. Methods Gas chromatograph method was used. The chromatographic column was Agilent capillary column(30 m×0.25 mm×0.25 µm). The column temperature was 140 ℃. The sample injection temperature was 250 ℃. The FID detector temperature was 250 ℃. Results Camphor，borneol and isoborneol content showed good linear in the extent of 0.0299~1.497(r=1.000), 0.0205~1.025(r=1.000), 0.0097~0.4830 µg (r=1.000). RSDs of precision，stability and repeatability test results were less than 2%. The recovery was 99.7%, 101.0%, 102.5%. Conclusion This method is simple and quick with accurate result, which could be used for the content determination of Borneol in Qingchang Suppository.

Objective:Serum soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) is a useful biomarker of bacterial infection. However, the diagnostic value of sTREM-1 of alveolar fluid in pulmonary infection is still unclear. This article aimed to explore the value of sTREM-1 of alveolar fluid in the early diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) by systematic review of relevant literatures.Methods:CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed/Medline and Embase databases were retrieved. Articles on diagnosis of VAP by sTREM-1 before June 30, 2019 were collected. QUADAS-2 scale provided by Cochrane Collaboration Network was used to evaluate the quality of diagnostic experiments. RevMan 5.3 and Stata 13.0 software were used to complete Meta-analysis. The levels of sTREM-1 between VAP and non-VAP patients were analyzed by Meta-analysis, and then diagnostic test Meta-analysis was conducted. Heterogeneity, sensitivity and publication bias were analyzed.Results:A total of 24 articles were enrolled. QUADAS-2 scale indicated that the selected literature had low bias and high clinical adaptability. ① In Meta-analysis of sTREM-1 level in alveolar fluid, 20 articles were selected and found to have high heterogeneity ( I2 = 94.4%, P = 0.000). The random effects models were used for Meta-analysis. It was indicated that the sTREM-1 level in alveolar fluid of VAP group was significantly higher than that of non-VAP group with significant difference [standardized mean difference ( SMD) was 1.47, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.00-1.95, Z = 6.14, P = 0.000]. By subgroup analysis and Meta-regression analysis, no source of heterogeneity was found. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the results of this Meta-analysis were robust and credible, and Begg funnel plot analysis showed that there was no significant publication bias ( Z = 1.46, P = 0.143). ② A total of 18 articles were included in the Meta-analysis of diagnostic experiments. Deek funnel plot showed publication bias ( P = 0.012). The combined sensitivity was 0.87 (95% CI was 0.81-0.91), specificity was 0.80 (95% CI was 0.73-0.86), and diagnostic odds ratio ( DOR) was 26 (95% CI was 13-50). Subgroup analysis of three different sources of alveolar fluid (bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, endotracheal aspiration fluid and exhaled ventilator condensate) showed that STREM-1 had a certain value in early diagnosis of VAP. The I2 of combined DOR was 35.4%, and I2 of sensitivity was 79.46%, I2 of specificity was 77.61%, suggesting heterogeneity in the selected literature. Subgroup analysis found that nationality, subject design, sample source, sample size and diagnostic "gold criteria" were related to heterogeneity, but not age. The area under synthetic receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve (AUC) was 0.90 (95% CI was 0.87-0.92). Conclusions:The detection of sTREM-1 level in alveolar fluid can be used for the early diagnosis of VAP with high sensitivity and specificity. If combined with other biomarkers, it may have more diagnostic value.

Objective To investigate the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC)value of rectal adenocarcinoma on DWI and its pathological grading.Methods The ADC values of 46 rectal adenocarcinomas were measured and compared with their histopathological grades.Results The 46 rectal adenocarcinomas included well differentiated adenocarcinomas in 14,moderate-ly differentiated ones in 20,and poorly differentiated ones in 12.The ADC values of well,moderately and poorly differentiated ade-nocarcinomas were (1.125±0.103)×10 -3 mm2/s,(1.030±0.098)×10 -3 mm2/s and (0.922±0.091)×10 -3 mm2/s,respective-ly,exhibiting a statistical difference (χ2 =1 7.35 1,P =0.000).Mann-Whitney U test showed that difference in ADC value between different histopathological grades was statistically significant.Conclusion ADC value of rectal adenocarcinoma can be used as a bio-marker for cell grading to guide treatment decision and prognosis assessment.

Objective To investigate optimal extraction process of Piper puberulum ( Benth.) Maxim.and qualitative analyze the chemical component of the extracts.Methods Method of solvent heating reflux was used for extraction.On the basis of single factor experiment, L9 (34 ) orthogonal experiment was designed with the variants of extraction frequency, time, material-liquid ratio, and immersion time.Extraction rate as index, extraction processes were optimized to achieve best extraction.The extracts, including total extract, water elution, and ethanol elution, were physiochemically analysed to achieve an initial qualitative result.Results The optimal extraction process was: extractions 3 times for 2 hours, with an 1︰30 material -liquid ratio and 2 hours of immersion, Initial qualitative analyzed the total extracts containing amino acids, polypeptides, proteins, alkaloids, steroids or triterpenes, flavones, saponins, polysaccharides, reducing sugars or glucosides, cumarins, terpene lactones, phenols, and tannins.The water elution containing: amino acids, polypeptides, proteins, saponins, polysaccharides, reducing sugars or glucosides, cumarins, and terpene lactones.The ethanol elution containing: amino acids, polypeptides, proteins, alkaloids, steroids or triterpenes, flavones, polysaccharides, reducing sugars or glucosides, phenols, and tanins.Conclusion The experiments show that optimal extraction process can achieve high extraction yield, stable and practical.

In this study,a series of new sildenafil analogues 11-27 possessing a guanidine group were synthesized to investigate their PDE5 inhibitory activity and selectivity using[~3H]cGMP SPA kit in vitro and efficacy in the rat model of erection.Most of the compounds showed potent activity against PDE5,and more importantly,several compounds exhibited higher PDE5 selectivity over PDE6 than that of sildenafil.Structure-activity relationship of these sildenafil analogues was also discussed.Within this series of compounds,compound 15(IC_(50) =1.7 nmol/L)not only exhibited more potent PDE5 inhibitory activity than that of sildenafil (IC_(50) = 6.5 nmol/L),but also showed functional efficacy in the rat model of erection.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate high resolution CT (HRCT) in the diagnosis of diffuse pulmonary nodules.

METHODSFifty normal chest radiographs, conventional CT and HRCT were used to evaluate the visualization of pulmonary lobule. The configuration, distribution and intrinsic structure of lesion in 38 patients with diffuse pulmonary nodules were analyzed by HRCT.

RESULTSThe chest radiographs were not able to show the structure of pulmonary lobule. The visualization rates of pulmonary lobule were 20% by conventional CT and 50% by HRCT (P < 0.05). Of 38 patients with diffuse pulmonary nodules, 19 had interstitial nodules which were located in the pulmonary intestities, the lobular septa and under the pleura. HRCT could clearly show their para-bronchial distribution with clear cut margin. Four had airspace nodules, chiefly shown as solidification of the air spaces. There was no nodule beneath the pleura or in the lobular septa. HRCT revealed even density and hazzy margins. Fifteen had randomly distributed nodules, with the nodules scattered at random. HRCT showed nodules with high density, sizes varying greatly but the margin was clear.

CONCLUSIONHigh resolution CT is able to show the pattern of distribution, intranodular structures and background of the diffuse pulmonary nodules, which is valuable in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of this disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

AIM:To study the role of prostaglandin F2?(PGF2?) in cardiac hypertrophy and its relation with calcineurin(CaN) signal transduction pathway in vitro.METHODS:The cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocyte was used to observe the hypertrophic effect of PGF2?,and the hypertrophic response was assayed by measuring the cell diameter,protein content and atrial natriuretic factor(ANF) mRNA expression.For mechanism studies,the intracellular free calcium concentration([Ca2+]i) in cultured cardiomyocytes was measured by using Fura-2/AM as a fluorescent indicator.ANF and CaN mRNA expressions,and the expressions of CaN and its downstream effectors,NFAT3 and GATA4 proteins were assayed by RT-PCR and Western blotting,respectively.RESULTS:In cultured cardiomyocytes,PGF2? induced profound hypertrophic morphology change and the significant increase in cell diameter,and protein content in a concentration-dependent manner compared with those in vehicle control(P