Ephedra can improve chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Pseudoephedrine (PSE) is a main active ingredients of ephedra. It has anti-inflammatory pharmacological properties. Its effect on COPD and its possible mechanism have not been elucidated. The COPD rat model was constructed by systemic cigarette smoke exposure combined with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) tracheal instillation. BEAS-2B cells were treated using cigarette smoke extract; PSE was administered for treatment. The senescence level of rat lung tissue and bronchial epithelial cells was evaluated through staining, immunofluorescence and western blot.The mitochondrial damage of rats and BEAS-2B cells was detected by transmission electron microscopy, JC-1 probe, MitoSOX Red probe and kits. In addition, the lung function indexes of rats were detected by animal lung function analysis system. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining analyzed the pathological damage. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), kit and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate inflammation and oxidative stress. Western blot detected phosphoinositide 3-kinase/ protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/AKT/mTOR) axis protein. PSE significantly reduced senescent cells, apoptosis rate and P21 level in rat lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells, significantly increased the levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP), restored mitochondrial structure, and visible mitochondrial cristae. It also inhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and mitochondrial excessive fission. PSE also significantly improved lung function in rats, increased mean alveolar number (MAN), reduced pro-inflammatory factors, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels. PSE markedly suppressed p-p85, p-AKT and p-mTOR protein expressions. In addition, the PI3K/AKT agonist 740Y-P weakened the effect of PSE on improving COPD. PSE inhibited PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis, improved lung tissue senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction and pathological damage, and reduced airway inflammation and oxidative stress damage, thereby alleviating COPD.

Objective: : The facial nerve trace on the ipsilateral side of the vestibular schwannoma was reconstructed by diffusion tensor imaging tractography to identify the adjacent relationship between the facial nerve and the tumor, and to improve the level of intraoperative facial nerve protection. Methods: : The clinical data of 30 cases of unilateral vestibular schwannoma who underwent tumor resection via retrosigmoid approach were collected between January 2019 and December 2020. All cases underwent magnetic resonance imaging examination before operation. Diffusion tensor imaging and anatomical images were used to reconstruct the facial nerve track of the affected side, so as to predict the course of the nerve and its adjacent relationship with the tumor, to compare the actual trace of the facial nerve during operation, verify the degree of coincidence, and evaluate the nerve function (House-Brackmann grade) after surgery. Results: : The facial nerve of 27 out of 30 cases could be displayed by diffusion tensor imaging tractography, and the tracking rate was 90% (27/30). The intraoperative locations of facial nerve shown in 25 cases were consistent with the preoperative reconstruction results. The coincidence rate was 92.6% (25/27). The facial nerves were located on the anterior middle part of the tumor in 14 cases, anterior upper part in eight cases, anterior lower part in seven cases, and superior polar in one case. Intraoperative facial nerve anatomy was preserved in 30 cases. Among the 30 patients, total resection was performed in 28 cases and subtotal resection in two cases. The facial nerve function was evaluated 2 weeks after operation, and the results showed grade I in 12 cases, grade II in 16 cases and grade III in two cases. Conclusion : Preoperative diffusion tensor imaging tractography can clearly show the trajectory and adjacent position of the facial nerve on the side of vestibular schwannoma, which is beneficial to accurately identify and effectively protect the facial nerve during the operation, and is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Objective:To analyze the clinical, imaging and pathological characteristics of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), and to explore the effective treatment of PXA.Methods:A total of 25 patients with PXA admitted to our hospital from July 1, 2012 to December 1, 2019 were chosen in our study. Their clinical manifestations, imageology features, pathology features, treatments, and prognoses were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Headache ( n=12) and epilepsy ( n=8) were the most common first symptoms in 25 patients. The tumors in 8 patients were located in the parietal lobe, 6 were in the temporal lobe, and 6 were in the frontal lobe. Among the pathological results, the average positive rate of cell proliferation antigen Ki-67 and P53 in patients with WHO grading II was 6.4% and 21.2%, respectively; the average positive rate of Ki-67 and P53 in patients with WHO grading III was 22.2% and 48.3%, respectively. Synaptophysin protein was confirmed in 12 of the 15 patients. Twenty patients were followed up for 31 months after surgery; 19 survived; 9 had no tumor recurrence or residue, including 8 with WHO grading II and one with WHO grading III. Conclusion:Pathological result play an important role in PXA diagnosis; the prognosis of patients with WHO grading II is obviously better than that of patients with WHO grading III.

ObjectiveTo study the anti-inflammatory effect of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Changweishu on sepsis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction and its protective effect on intestinal mechanical barrier.Methods A prospective research method was conducted. Fifty sepsis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction admitted into Department of Emergency Intensive Care Unit (EICU) of Hebei Provincial TCM Hospital from October 2013 to June 2015 were enrolled, and they were divided into a conventional treatment of western medicine control group and a TCM Changweishu group according to the random number table method, 25 cases in each group. The conventional western medicine treatment was given to both groups, and in TCM Changweishu group, additionally Changweishu 1 dose per day, a mixture of following ingredients constituting one dose without decoction, was applied, including: rhubarb 9 g, dandelion 20 g, green tangerine peel 15 g, angelica sinensis radix 15 g, red and white peony each 12 g, rhizome ligusticum 9 g, agrimony 20 g, coptidis rhizoma 6 g, rhizoma pinelliae 6 g, fructus trichosanthis 15 g, garden burnet root 20 g, poria 20 g, and taken once 1/2 dose in the morning and once 1/2 dose in the evening by oral or nasal feeding. After treatment for 7 days, the level changes of inflammatory factors of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) and gastrointestinal dysfunction indexes of diamine oxidase (DAO), D-lactic acid in the two groups were observed.Results After treatment, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6, HMGB-1, DAO, D-lactic acid in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment [the western medicine control group: TNF-α (A value) 10.89±1.65 vs. 50.30± 1.58, IL-6 (A value) 7.35±1.85 vs. 12.66 ± 1.43, HMGB1 (A value) 5.28 ±1.64 vs. 6.23±0.95, DAO (A value) 5.87±0.59 vs. 6.67±0.49, D-lactic acid (A value) was 2.63±0.17 vs. 4.58±0.16; TCM changweishu group: TNF -α (A value) 5.38±1.19 vs. 51.23±2.34, IL-6 (A value) 5.54±1.26 vs. 13.24±1.78, HMGB1 (A value) 3.69±1.09 vs. 6.14±1.42, DAO (A value) was 3.39± 0.40 vs. 6.70±0.34, D-lactic acid (A value) 1.95±0.13 vs. 4.63±0.11, allP < 0.05]. After treatment, the degrees of decline in indexes of TCM Changweishu group were more obvious than those in western medicine control group [TNF-α(A value) 5.38±1.19 vs. 10.89±1.65, IL-6 (A value) 5.54±1.26 vs. 7.35±1.85, HMGB1 (A value) 3.69 ±1.09 vs.5.28±1.64, DAO (A value) 3.93±0.40 vs. 5.87±0.59, D-lactic acid (A value) 1.95±0.13 vs. 2.63±0.17, allP <0.05].Conclusions TCM Changweishu has protective effect on sepsis patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction, and its mechanisms are the amelioration of damage in intestinal tract mechanical barrier, decrease of permeability of intestinal mucosa and inhibition of levels of inflammatory factors.

Objective To explore the clinical features,differential diagnosis,preoperative imaging and microsurgical treatment skills/experiences of falcotentorinal meningiomas.Methods Nine patients with falcotentorinal meningiomas,admitted to and performed microsurgical resection in our hospital from January 2009 to October 2015,were chosen in our study.Preoperative examinations included MR imaging and CT angiography:the Galen's veins were totally occluded in two patients and stenosed of different degrees in 7 patients;3 patients had meningiomas at the above of Galen's veins,and 6 under the Galen's veins.Seven patients were resected via Poppen approachs,and 2 with considerable lateral extensions tumors were via bilateral Poppen approach.Results Simpson Grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ tumor resection was achieved in 7 patients and Grade Ⅲ in two patients.Postoperative complications included cortical blindness in two patients recovering within 3 months of follow-up,intracranial infection in one patient curing two weeks later;no postoperative death or severe disabilities were noted.Clinical follow-up was available in 9 patients for a period ranging from 0.5 to 7 years:7 patients enjoyed Simpson Grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ resection had no tumor recurrence and were self-reliable;in two patients with Simpson Grade Ⅲ resection,one accepted postoperative treatment of Gamma knife,another one without other treatment,and these two patients had no tumor progression in the 28 months of follow-up.Conclusion The microsurgery is preferred in the resection of falcotentorinal meningiomas,and sufficient preoperative imaging evaluation,reasonable operation concept,technique and experience of adept micromanipulation are the keys to the safe and effective removal of the tumors.

Objective To summarize the clinical features of pediatric intracranial arachnoid cysts (IACs).Methods Retrospective analysis of clinical data of 488 patients with pediatric IACs,admitted to our hospital from January 2003 to September 2013,was performed; 342 males and 146 females (M∶F=2.34∶1,mean age=[5.61±3.25] years) were chosen.Results A total of 221 patients (45.29％) were discovered accidentally,while 267 patients (54.71％) existed clinical chief complaints,including123 (46.07％) can be found being responsible for.Atotalof364 patients (74.59％) were simple IACs,and 124 patients (25.41％) were combined with other congenital diseases.IACs located at the middle cranial fossa (n=355,72.75％),the posterior fossa (n=82,16.80％),the anterior cranial fossa (n=20,4.10％),the cerebralconvexity (n=12,2.46％),the suprasellarcistern (n=7,1.43％),the intracerebral ventricle (n=5,1.02％),the quadrigeminal cistern (n=5,1.02％),and the inter hemispheres (n=2,0.41％).Four hundred and forty-nine patients (92.01％) were single cyst,and 39 (7.99％) were multiple cysts.In aspect of the tension effects based on imaging,127 patients (26.02％) were positive,and 361 (73.98％) were negative.All 76 patients (15.57％) accepted surgical operation,and 412 (84.43％) adopted the conservative treatment.After 3-72 months follow-up (mean 32.43±8.92 months),the symptoms relieved and the volume of cysts reduced in operation cases in different degrees; while 407 patients (98.78％) were stable,3 (0.73％) worsened on clinical symptoms,and 2 (0.49％) were improved.Conclusions The clinical complaints of IACs in children are complex,but only part could be determined the responsibility relations between the clinical complaints and IACs.Some IACs could be accompanied with other congenital diseases.In the natural history of IACs,most cysts maintain the stable volume,and only a few ofIACs need operation intervention.

Objective To evaluate the screening effect of osteoporosis self-assessment tool for Asians (OSTA) in middle aged and elderly healthy men in Chengdu.Methods A total of 4042 healthy men aged 40 to 106 years received dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) assay,and OSTA index evaluation.Measurement sites included lumbar spine (L1-4),left femoral neck,trochanter,Ward's area,total hip and femoral shaft.All persons were classified into highosteoporosis-group (OSTA≤-4),mediumosteoporosis-group (-4 ＜ OSTA≤≤-1),low osteoporosis-group (OSTA＞-1),or the low risk-group (OSTA＞-1) and high risk-group (OSTA≤-1) by OSTA scores.T-scores were compared between different measurement sites detected by DXA.The sensitivity,specificity,Kappa value and the area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of OSTA in screening osteoporosis were evaluated.Results The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in lumbar spine,proximal femur were gradually increased along with aging.The detection rate of osteoporosis in lumbar spine and proximal femur were 16.2％ and 24.0％ respectively in subjects aged over 80 years.OSTA index in low-risk,medium-risk group,high-risk group were 85.0％,11.0％,4.0％ respectively.The detection rate of osteoporosis in lumbar spine and proximal femur were 2.6％ and 1.6％ in low-risk group,10.4％ and 10.4％ in medium-risk group,and 29.3％ and 30.5％ in high-risk group,respectively.Taking OSTA ≤-1 as the cut-off value,the sensitivity and specificity of OSTA in screening osteoporosis in lumbar spine and femur by T-score＜-1 were 28.1％,28.7 ％,89.0％ and 92.4％ respectively,and by T-score≤-2.5 were 51.6％,63.2％,86.7％ and 86.8％ respectively.The consistency of diagnosis result between T-score and OSTA index according to the three versus two risk levels was 0.153 and 0.197 versus 0.195 and 0.243 Kappa value,respectively.The AUC of OSTA index for lumbar spine and femur by T-score＜-1 and T-score≤-2.5 were 0.689 and 0.823,and for different age groups and different measurement sites were 0.639 and 0.899 (all P＜0.001).Conclusions OSTA index has a certain ability in screening osteoporosis in men aged over 50 years.There are different screening results on osteoporosis among the different age groups.

Objective To investigate the operation strategy of pediatric intracranial arachnoid cysts (IACs).Methods Surgical intervention was performed in 76 patients with pediatric IACs,admitted to our hospital from January 2003 to October 2013; cyst-peritoneal shunt was chosen in 40 patients and fistulation in 36 (including microscopic fistulation in 31 and endoscopic fistulation in 5).According to the changes of cyst volume and the relief of symptoms,the efficacy was evaluated,and the complications after operation,including the recent complications (within 2 months of operation) and long-term complications (longer than 2 months of surgery),were observed.Results The efficiency of cysts-peritoneal shunt was 80％ (32/40); the rate of recent complication for patients performed cysts-peritoneal shunt was approximately 17.5％ (7/40),including 3 of CSF leakage,3 of intracranial infection and 1 of wound infection; the rate of long-term complications was approximately 22.5％ (9/40),including 3 of shunt-dependency,2 of intracranial infection,2 of obstruction of the catheter,1 of off the catheter and 1 of skin channel infections.Meanwhile,the efficiency of fistulation was approximately 91.67％ (33/36); the rate of recent complication was approximately 8.33％ (3/36),including 1 of intracranial infection,2 of subdural hematoma; the rate of long-term complications was 0.Significant difference was noted in the surgical efficiency (x2=1.126,P=0.289) and the rate of recent complication (x2=0.707,P=0.401) between cyst-peritoneal shunt and fistulation; however,the rate of long-term complications in patients after cyst-peritoneal shunt insertion was significantly higher than that in patients after fistulation (x2=7.159,P=0.008).Conclusion Fistulation might be the preferred method for pediatric IACs,and shunt should be avoided.