Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are common organic compounds in indoor and outdoor air, and enter the human body primarily through the respiratory tract and directly damage the respiratory system. Previous studies have suggested that exposure to VOCs/SVOCs may associate with the prevalence, incidence, and progression of asthma, but the extent of the associations is still vague. Furthermore, biomarkers for efficient and simple asthma diagnosis, typing, and attack prediction remain unclear at this stage. From the perspective of the collection and detection methods of VOCs/SVOCs, this paper summarized the epidemiological associations and underlying biological mechanisms between VOCs/SVOCs exposure and the prevalence, incidence, and progression of asthma in children/adults. It also demonstrated the application of VOCs/SVOCs in recent years in assisting asthma diagnosis, such as distinguishing asthma patients from the healthy population, differentiating different asthma phenotypes, and predicting asthma acute exacerbations, aiming to provide a scientific basis for improving current asthma management.

Hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC） is one of the most common malignant tumors with high incidence and mortality rates worldwide， which brings a huge burden to the physical and mental health and socio-economic life of patients. The adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK） signaling pathway serves as the regulatory center of cellular energy metabolism and is closely associated with the biological activities of HCC cells， including autophagy， apoptosis， and angiogenesis， and it has become a hot topic in current cancer research. Traditional Chinese medicine drugs are abundant in natural components such as flavonoids， alkaloids， and phenols and have the characteristics of multiple targets， pathways， components， and hierarchies. By targeting the AMPK signaling pathway， these components can be used alone or in combination with conventional antitumor therapies to exert an anti-tumor effect on HCC from various aspects. This article reviews and summarizes the extracts of traditional Chinese medicine that target the AMPK signaling pathway for the prevention and treatment of HCC， in order to provide a theoretical basis and a reference for the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of HCC and the development of related drugs.

Acylcarnitines are metabolic intermediates of fatty acids and branched-chain amino acids having vital biofunctions and pathophysiological significances.Here,we developed a high-throughput method for quantifying hundreds of acylcarnitines in one run using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS).This enabled simultaneous quantification of 1136 acyl-carnitines(C0-C26)within 10-min with good sensitivity(limit of detection＜0.7 fmol),linearity(cor-relation coefficient＞0.992),accuracy(relative error＜20％),precision(coefficient of variation(CV),CV＜15％),stability(CV＜15％),and inter-technician consistency(CV＜20％,n=6).We also established a quantitative structure-retention relationship(goodness of fit＞0.998)for predicting retention time(tR)of acylcarnitines with no standards and built a database of their multiple reaction monitoring parameters(tR,ion-pairs,and collision energy).Furthermore,we quantified 514 acylcarnitines in human plasma and urine,mouse kidney,liver,heart,lung,and muscle.This provides a rapid method for quantifying acyl-carnitines in multiple biological matrices.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of miR-520a in regulation ErbB4 expression and the biological behavior of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

METHODSThe role of miR-520a in regulating the expression of ErbB4 was investigated by Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay system. The effect of miR-520a on the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells was detected by MTT and Transwell invasion assay, respectively.

RESULTSWestern blotting and luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-520a down-regulated the expression of ErbB4 in vitro. miR-520a significantly inhibited the proliferation and suppressed the invasion of ESCC cell line Eca109.

CONCLUSIONmiR-520a regulates the expression of ErbB4 and suppresses the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro, suggesting its role as a tumor suppressor.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Receptor, ErbB-4 ; metabolism

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of posterolateral lumbar fusion (PLF) and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion. Methods A total of 105 patients with lumbar inter-vertebral disc protrusion were divided into two groups according to the surgical procedures. 52 cases in the PLF group were treated by PLF and 53 cases in the PLIF group were treated by PLIF. The surgical effects were compared. Results The two groups had no difference in operation duration, intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay, and there was no significant difference (P>0.05). The total effective rate was 94.34% in PLIF group, higher than 80.77% in PLF group, and there was sifference between two groups (P<0.05). Both groups had increase of intervertebral height and segmental angle, but PLIF group had significantly greater increase of intervertebral height and segmental angle, and there was significant difference between two groups ( P<0 . 01 ) . The surgical complication rate was 7 . 55% in PLIF group and 15.38% in PLF group, and there was significant difference(P>0.05). Conclusion PLIF has significant effects for treat-ment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion with greater protrusion or segmental instability. PLIF can promote fast re-covery of the supporting function of the anterior lumbar column and reconstruction of lumbar physiological curvature, which is consistent with lumbar biomechanical principles. PLIF has significant meaning in promoting early recovery of lumbar functions and improving life quality.

Objective To investigate the role of miR-520a in regulation ErbB4 expression and the biological behavior of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The role of miR-520a in regulating the expression of ErbB4 was investigated by Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay system. The effect of miR-520a on the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells was detected by MTT and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. Results Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-520a down-regulated the expression of ErbB4 in vitro. miR-520a significantly inhibited the proliferation and suppressed the invasion of ESCC cell line Eca109. Conclusion miR-520a regulates the expression of ErbB4 and suppresses the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro, suggesting its role as a tumor suppressor.

Objective To investigate the role of miR-520a in regulation ErbB4 expression and the biological behavior of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The role of miR-520a in regulating the expression of ErbB4 was investigated by Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay system. The effect of miR-520a on the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells was detected by MTT and Transwell invasion assay, respectively. Results Western blotting and luciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-520a down-regulated the expression of ErbB4 in vitro. miR-520a significantly inhibited the proliferation and suppressed the invasion of ESCC cell line Eca109. Conclusion miR-520a regulates the expression of ErbB4 and suppresses the proliferation and invasion of ESCC cells in vitro, suggesting its role as a tumor suppressor.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and the immune function impacts of high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods Twenty-five cases with primary liver cancer and 6 cases with metastatic liver cancer were treated with HIFU.The clinical symptoms,AFP levels,color Doppler ultrasound detection,CT and changes of T-cell subsets ( CD3 +,CD4 +,CD8 +,CD4 +/CD8 + ) were recorded before and after treatment.Results After HIFU treatment,among 31 patients,the clinical remission rate was 89.7％ ( 25/29 ).AFP was decreased in 83.3％ ( 15/18 ) of the patients.Color Doppler showed reduced tumor sizes and reduced or disappeared blood supply in most of the patients.CT scan displayed that the density of the target region was decreased and necrosis of the lesions occurred.The percentage of CD3 + and CD4 + cells and the ratio of CD4 +/CD8 + were significantly increased after a period of treatment( P ＜0.05 ).The proportion of CD8 + cells was decreased significantly after a period of treatment ( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion HIFU is an effective technique for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.Meanwhile,it can improve human immune function to certain extend.

Objective To observe the morphological changes of rats' pancreas and nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin(ET) in the blood serum in rats after exposure to different pulses of high power pulse microwave (HPPMW).Methods SD-rats were irradiated with 104,105 and 4 × 105 pulses of HPPMW,respectively.After gloss observation,the histopathological changes of pancreas were observed through biological microscope and electroscope.The changes of amylase,nitric oxide and endothelin in blood serum were detected by biochemical and radio-immunological methods. Results Compared with the blank control,no apparent abnormality could be observed in the pancreas of all groups.The dilatation of capillary could be observed in each experimental group by microscope.The ultrastructure changes of pancreas were most serious in 4 × 105 pulse group,especially at 24 and 48 h after irradiation.Compared with the control group,the levels of serum amylase were decreased (F =12.58,11.73,P ＜ 0.05),while ET were increased (F =4.50,4.49,P ＜0.05) at 24 and 48 h after irradiation.The levels of NO in serum were increased ( F =17.51,41.72,19.98,32.64,P ＜ 0.05 ) at each time-point.The level of NO went up with the increase of pulses.Conclusions HPPMW has damage effects on the pancreas in rats.The pulses with the pancreas can lead to severity of the damage. The mechanism of HPPMW may be involved in the enhancement of ET and NO in serum.

Objective To assess and compare the efficacy and safety of ecabet sodium-based quadruple therapy versus bismuth-based quadruple therapy for Helicobacter pylori (Hp) eradication.Methods A multicenter,randomized,positive controlled clinical trial was carried out.The object of the study were chronic gastritis patients at 8 hospitals in Xi'an,Beijing,Shanghai and Guangzhou from June 2009 to June 2011.All patients were divided into treatment group and control group.In treatment group,patients received ecabet sodium-based quadruple therapy (two times per day,omeprazole magnesium 20 mg,amoxicillin 1000 mg,clarithromycin 500 mg and ecabet sodium 1.0 g each time for 10 days.In control group,patients were assigned to receive bismuth-based quadruple therapy (two times per day; omeprazole magnesium 20 mg,amoxicillin 1000 mg,clarithromycin 500 mg and bismuth potassium citrate 220 mg each time) for 10 days.The Hp eradication was determined by 13C or 14C urea breath test at the 38th day after the treatment and the eradication rate was calculated.Side effects were recorded and analyzed.The data were analyzed by chi square test and Fisher's exact test.Results A total of 311 patients were recruited,and 155 patients were allatted in treatment group and 156 in control group.The per-protocol (PP) analysis indicated that the eradication rates of treatment group arid control group were 75.71％(106/140) and 77.37％(106/137) respectively,and there was no significant difference x2 =0.106,P=0.745).The intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis indicated that the eradication rates of treatment group and control group were 68.39％ (106/155) and 67.95％ (106/156) respectively,and there was no significant difference x2 =0.007,P=0.934).The side effects rates of treatment group and control group were 20.00％ (31/155) and 25.64％(40/156) respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant (Fisher's exact test,P=0.280).No serious side effect was observed in two groups.Conclusion The efficacy and safety of ecabet sodium-based quadruple therapy for Hp eradication in chronic gastritis patients may be the same as bismuth-based quadruple therapy.