Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xinmaikang Prescription for mice with atherosclerosis(AS).Methods A high-fat diet feeding method was used to construct an AS ApoE-/-mouse model.Successful modeled mice were randomly divided into four groups,i.e.,the model group,the Atorvastatin group,and the low-and high-dose groups of Xinmaikang Prescription,with eight mice in each group.A normal group(eight mice)was also set up.After 12 weeks of corresponding intervention in each group,the pathological changes of aorta were observed by oil red O staining,enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to determine the contents of interleukin 1β(IL-1β)and interleukin 18(IL-18)in serum,and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of pyroptosis-associated proteins nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)and cysteine protein hydrolase 1(Caspase-1)as well as inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in aorta tissues,and Western Blot method was used to detect the protein expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 in aortic tissues.Results Compared with the normal group,the intima thickness in the model group was significantly increased,and a large number of lipid plaques and inflammatory cell infiltration appeared in aorta,the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were elevated(P<0.01),and the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 in the aortic tissues were significantly increased(P<0.01);in the Xinmaikang Prescription high-dose group and Atorvastatin group,the lipid droplets and area of vulnerable plaques in aortic tissues were significantly reduced,and the serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were decreased(P<0.01),and the mRNA and protein expression of NLRP3,Caspase-1,IL-1β and IL-18 in aortic tissues were significantly reduced(P<0.01).Conclusion Xinmaikang Prescription may effectively reduce the inflammatory response and pyoptosis of vascular endothelial cells in AS model mice through regulating the NLRP3/Caspase-1/IL-1β signaling pathway,thus exerting the effect of preventing and treating AS.

Objective To investigate the multi spiral computed tomography(MSCT)characteristics and biological behaviors of advanced gastrointestinal signet ring cell carcinoma(SRCC),so as to provide accurate preoperative type,stage and personalized choice of treatment strategy in clinical practice.Methods The clinical manifestations,five tumor markers and MSCT imaging data of 26 cases(group A)with advanced gastrointestinal SRCC confirmed by surgical or endoscopic biopsy and pathological immunohistochemistry were analyzed retrospectively,and 44 cases(group B)of advanced non-signet ring cell carcinoma(NSRCC)during the same period were randomly selected as the control group.The clinical manifestations,five tumor markers and MSCT imaging features of groups A and B were analyzed.Results There were no significant differences in gender,tumor location,tumor thickness(T)and length(L),and five tumor markers between groups A and B(P＞0.05).There were significant differences in age,main symptoma,tumor thickness-to-length ratio(TLR),angle between cancerous edge and normal tissue(CNA)(P＜0.05).However,age of group A and group B[group A≤50 years old(12/26,46％),group B＞50 years old(42/44,95％)],main symptom(x2=19.085,P＜0.05),tumor TLR(Z=-2.044,P＜0.05)and CNA(x2=14.776,P＜0.05)were significantly different(P＜0.05).Conclusion SRCC affects younger patients and is more likely to originate from the middle and lower parts of the stomach and rectum,with lower TLR,obtuse angle of CNA,and"caterpillar-like"characteristics of colorectal SRCC.