OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of asperuloside on cervical cancer based on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial pathway. METHODS: Different doses (12.5-800 µg/mL) of asperuloside were used to treat cervical cancer cell lines Hela and CaSki to calculate the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of asperuloside. The cell proliferation was analyzed by clone formation assay. Cell apoptosis, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were determined by flow cytometry. The protein expressions of cleaved-caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, Cyt-c, cleaved-caspase-4 and glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) were analyzed by Western blot. And the inhibitor of ER stress, 4-phenyl butyric acid (4-PBA) was used to treat cervical cancer cells to further verify the role of ER stress in the apoptosis of cervical cancer cells induced by asperuloside. RESULTS: Asperuloside of 325, 650, and 1300 µg/mL significantly inhibited the proliferation and promoted apoptosis of Hela and CaSki cells (P<0.01). All doses of asperuloside significantly increased intracellular ROS levels, reduced mitochondrial membrane potential, significantly reduced Bcl-2 protein expression level, and increased Bax, Cyt-c, GRP78 and cleaved-caspase-4 expressions (P<0.01). In addition, 10 mmol/L 4-PBA treatment significantly promoted cell proliferation and reduced apoptosis (P<0.05), and 650 µg/mL asperuloside could reverse 4-PBA-induced increased cell proliferation, decreased apoptosis and cleaved-caspase-3, -4 and GRP78 protein expressions (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Our study revealed the role of asperuloside in cervical cancer, suggesting that asperuloside promotes apoptosis of cervical cancer cells through ER stress-mitochondrial pathway.
Female ; Humans ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; HeLa Cells ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Cell Line, Tumor

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture on neurologic function and serum inflammatory factors in patients after thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). METHODS: A total of 102 AIS patients with onset to treatment time (OTT) ≤3 h were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 51 cases each group. In the control group, thrombolysis and conventional medical treatment were applied. On the basis of the treatment as the control group, acupuncture at Shuigou (GV 26), Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Neiguan (PC 6), etc. was applied in the observation group, 30 min each time, once a day. Both groups were treated for 2 weeks. Before and after treatment, the scores of National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin scale (mRS), modified Barthel index (MBI) and serum level of homocysteine (Hcy), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were compared, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of NIHSS, mRS and serum level of Hcy, hs-CRP were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), while the MBI scores were increased (P<0.05) in the two groups. The scores of NIHSS, mRS and serum level of Hcy, hs-CRP in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01), the MBI score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). The total effective rate was 88.2% (45/51) in the observation group, which was superior to 70.6% (36/51) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture could promote the recovery of neurologic function in patients after thrombolysis in AIS, improve the ability of daily living, which may be related to reducing the level of inflammatory factors, thus inhibiting inflammatory response and improving cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury.
United States ; Humans ; Ischemic Stroke ; C-Reactive Protein ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Inflammation ; Homocysteine ; Hypersensitivity ; Thrombolytic Therapy

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of electroacupuncture (EA) for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction. METHODS: A total of 100 patients with AECOPD complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction were randomly divided into an EA group (50 cases, 2 cases dropped off, 1 case excluded) and a medication group (50 cases). Both groups were treated with symptomatic and supportive treatment such as low flow oxygen, nebulized inhalation of short-acting β2 agonist (SABA) or short-acting muscarinic antagonist (SAMA) combined with inhaled corticosteroid (ICS). The EA group was treated with EA at Zusanli (ST 36), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zhongwan (CV 12), Shuifen (CV 9), Tianshu (ST 25), Chize (LU 5) and Lieque (LU 7), with discontinuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency, 30 min each time, once a day. In the medication group, oral mosapride citrate tablets were given, 3 times a day, 5 mg each time. Both groups were treated for 5 d. Before and after treatment, the gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS) score was observe, serum procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and plasma oxygenation index (PaO₂/FiO₂) were detected, and patient satisfaction degree was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with before treatment, except for diarrhea dimension in the medication group, the total scores and each dimension scores of GSRS were decreased (P<0.05), serum PCT and CRP were decreased (P<0.05), plasma PaO₂/FiO₂ was increased (P<0.05) in the two groups after treatment. After treatment, in the EA group, the total score and abdominal pain, dyspepsia, constipation and diarrhea scores of GSRS were lower than those in the medication group (P<0.05), meanwhile serum PCT and CRP were lower and plasma PaO₂/FiO₂ was higher than those in the medication group (P<0.05). The improvement of gastrointestinal symptoms, life quality and overall satisfaction degree in the EA group were superior to those in the medication group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA could improve the symptoms of patients with AECOPD complicated with gastrointestinal dysfunction, reduce inflammatory response, improve oxygenation and patient satisfaction degree.
Humans ; Electroacupuncture ; Gastrointestinal Diseases/therapy* ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/therapy* ; Diarrhea ; Abdominal Pain ; C-Reactive Protein

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of transcutaneous acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on sleep quality and inflammatory factor in frail elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. METHODS: A total of 100 frail elderly patients undergoing elective laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. Patients in the observation group received TEAS, 30 min before surgery until the end of surgery, at 18:00 on the day of surgery and on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd day after surgery (30 min each time). TEAS was delivered at bilateral Neiguan (PC 6), Shenmen (HT 7) and Hegu (LI 4). The disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz was selected, and the maximal stimulation intensity depended on patient's tolerance. The operation procedure in the control group was same as the observation group, but without electric stimulation exerted. The 1st day before surgery and on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after surgery, the scores of Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Athens insomnia scale (AIS), as well as the serum levels of C reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were observed in the patients of two groups. At 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after surgery, the score of pain visual analogue scale (VAS) was recorded in the two groups, as well as the pressing times of analgesic pump and the usage of flurbiprofen axetil during analgesic stage. The occurrence of post operative adverse reactions was observed in the patients of two groups. RESULTS: On the 1st and 3rd day after surgery, except the usage of hypnotic drug scores, the scores of each item and the total scores of PSQI, as well as AIS scores were all increased in the two groups compared with those of 1 day before surgery (P<0.05); and the scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). On the 7th day after surgery, the scores of each item and the total scores of PSQI, and AIS scores were not different statistically in comparison between the two groups (P>0.05). On the 1st, 3rd and 7th day after surgery, serum levels of CRP and IL-6 were all increased in the patients of two groups when compared with those of 1 day before surgery (P<0.05), serum levels CRP and IL-6 in the patients of the observation group were lower than those of the control group (P<0.05). The VAS scores of 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after surgery, the pressing times of analgesic pump, the frequency and dosage of the remedies were not different statistically between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION TEAS can effectively improve sleep quality and reduce inflammatory reaction in frail elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.
Aged ; Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Frail Elderly ; Interleukin-6 ; Sleep Quality ; C-Reactive Protein ; Colorectal Neoplasms

Humans ; Uric Acid ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Spondylarthritis/diagnostic imaging* ; C-Reactive Protein ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics, serogroups and antimicrobial resistance of invasive non-typhoid Salmonella infection in children at Xiamen. Methods: Retrospective cohort study. The clinical manifestations, treatment, prognosis, serogroups and antimicrobial resistance of 29 hospitalized children with invasive non-typhoid Salmonella infection confirmed by blood, cerebrospinal fluid, bone marrow and other sterile body fluids or deep pus culture at the Department of Infectious Diseases, the Department of Orthopedics and the Department of General Surgery in Xiamen Children's Hospital from January 2016 to December 2021 were analyzed. According to the clinical diagnosis criteria, the patients were divided into sepsis group and non-sepsis group (bacteremia and local suppurative infection). The inflammatory markers, serogroups distribution and drug resistance were compared between the two groups. Comparison between groups using Mann-Whitney U test and χ² test. Results: Among the 29 cases, there were 17 males and 12 females, with an onset age of 14 (9, 25) months, and 10 cases (34%) of patients were younger than 1 year old, 15 cases (52%) under 1 to 3 years old, and 4 cases (14%) greater than or equal 3 years old. The onset time of 25 cases (86%) was from April to September. The diseases included 19 cases (66%) septicemia (2 of which were combined with suppurative meningitis), 10 cases (34%) non-sepsis group, including 7 cases bacteremia and 3 cases local suppurative infection (2 cases of osteomyelitis, 1 case of appendicitis with peritonitis). The clinical manifestations were fever in 29 cases (100%), diarrhea and abdominal pain in 18 cases (62%), cough and runny nose in 10 cases (34%). Eighteen cases (62%) were cured and 11 cases (38%) were improved by effective antibiotics treatment. C-reactive protein in sepsis group was significantly higher than that in non-sepsis group (25.2 (16.1, 56.4) vs. 3.4 (0.5, 7.5) mg/L, Z=-3.81, P<0.001).The serogroups of C, B and E were the most prevalent among non-typhoid Salmonella isolates, accounting for 10 cases (34%), 9 cases (31%) and 7 cases (24%) respectively. Antibacterial drug sensitivity test showed that the sensitivity rates of imipenem, ertapenem and piperaciratazobactam were all 100% (31/31), those of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, and cefepime were 94% (29/31), 94% (29/31) and 97% (30/31) respectively. The drug resistance rates of ampicillin, ampicillin-sulbactam and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole were 51% (16/31), 48% (15/31) and 48% (15/31) respectively, those of cefazolin, cefotetan, tobramycin, gentamicin and amikacinwere all 100% (31/31). There were no significant differences in the drug resistance rates of ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, aztreonam, ampicillin-sulbactam, ampicillin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin between the sepsis group and the non-sepsis group (χ²=0.31,0.31,0.00,0.02,0.02,0.02,0.26, all P>0.05). Conclusions: Invasive non-typhoid Salmonella infection in children at Xiamen mainly occurred in infants younger than 3 years old.The main clinical manifestations are fever, abdominal pain and diarrhea. C-reactive protein can be served as the laboratory indicators for indicating sepsis. The third generation of cephalosporins is recommended as the first choice for treatment.
Infant ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Ceftriaxone/therapeutic use* ; Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination/therapeutic use* ; Ceftazidime/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; C-Reactive Protein ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Salmonella Infections/microbiology* ; Ampicillin/therapeutic use* ; Salmonella ; Diarrhea/drug therapy* ; Bacteremia ; Abdominal Pain ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests

The value of combined detection of neutrophil apolipoprotein (HNL), serum amyloid A (SAA), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral infectious diseases. A retrospective study was conducted to collect the clinical data of infected patients and healthy people in the clinical department of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from September to December in 2022. 100 patients with confirmed infection were divided into bacterial infection group (n=50) and virus infection group (n=50), and 50 healthy people were selected as control group (n=50). Fasting venous blood was collected at the initial stage of admission or on the day of physical examination. HNL was detected by double antibody sandwich method, SAA and CRP were detected by nephelometry, and PCT was detected by chemiluminescence method. The efficacy of infection markers in the differential diagnosis of bacterial infection and viral infection in infected patients was evaluated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of HNL, SAA, PCT and CRP in bacterial and viral infectious diseases; Logistic regression was used to analyze the influence of each index on the diagnostic efficiency. The results showed that the levels of HNL (126.60±33.32) ng/ml, PCT (28.02±11.37) ng/ml and CRP (36.13±14.37) mg/L in bacterial infection group were significantly higher than those of HNL (47.72±15.94) ng/ml, PCT (1.27±0.40) ng/ml, CRP (18.77±10.66) mg/L in virus group and HNL (38.21±12.53) ng/ml, PCT (0.38±0.12) ng/ml and CRP (4.13±1.07) mg/L in control group. The level of HNL increased most significantly (F=89.228, P<0.05). The area under ROC curve (AUC) from large to small was HNL+SAA+PCT+CRP (0.976), HNL (0.907), PCT (0.885), CRP (0.856), SAA (0.790), SAA/CRP (0.733). The level of SAA/CRP in virus infection group (94.05±3.75) was significantly higher than that in bacteria group (17.70±3.69) and control group (3.89±1.50) (F=84.005, P<0.05). The area under ROC curve (AUC) from large to small was HNL+SAA+PCT+CRP (0.986), SAA/CRP (0.956), SAA (0.878), HNL (0.768), CRP (0.742), PCT (0.730). In conclusion, HNL has the best auxiliary diagnostic efficacy in bacterial infection, followed by PCT; SAA/CRP has the best auxiliary diagnostic efficacy in viral infection, followed by SAA; the combined detection of serum HNL, SAA, PCT and CRP may be helpful for the differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral infections.
Humans ; C-Reactive Protein ; Procalcitonin ; Serum Amyloid A Protein ; Retrospective Studies ; Virus Diseases/diagnosis* ; Bacteria ; Communicable Diseases ; Bacterial Infections/diagnosis*

The value of combined detection of neutrophil apolipoprotein (HNL), serum amyloid A (SAA), procalcitonin (PCT) and C-reactive protein (CRP) in the differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral infectious diseases. A retrospective study was conducted to collect the clinical data of infected patients and healthy people in the clinical department of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from September to December in 2022. 100 patients with confirmed infection were divided into bacterial infection group (n=50) and virus infection group (n=50), and 50 healthy people were selected as control group (n=50). Fasting venous blood was collected at the initial stage of admission or on the day of physical examination. HNL was detected by double antibody sandwich method, SAA and CRP were detected by nephelometry, and PCT was detected by chemiluminescence method. The efficacy of infection markers in the differential diagnosis of bacterial infection and viral infection in infected patients was evaluated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of HNL, SAA, PCT and CRP in bacterial and viral infectious diseases; Logistic regression was used to analyze the influence of each index on the diagnostic efficiency. The results showed that the levels of HNL (126.60±33.32) ng/ml, PCT (28.02±11.37) ng/ml and CRP (36.13±14.37) mg/L in bacterial infection group were significantly higher than those of HNL (47.72±15.94) ng/ml, PCT (1.27±0.40) ng/ml, CRP (18.77±10.66) mg/L in virus group and HNL (38.21±12.53) ng/ml, PCT (0.38±0.12) ng/ml and CRP (4.13±1.07) mg/L in control group. The level of HNL increased most significantly (F=89.228, P<0.05). The area under ROC curve (AUC) from large to small was HNL+SAA+PCT+CRP (0.976), HNL (0.907), PCT (0.885), CRP (0.856), SAA (0.790), SAA/CRP (0.733). The level of SAA/CRP in virus infection group (94.05±3.75) was significantly higher than that in bacteria group (17.70±3.69) and control group (3.89±1.50) (F=84.005, P<0.05). The area under ROC curve (AUC) from large to small was HNL+SAA+PCT+CRP (0.986), SAA/CRP (0.956), SAA (0.878), HNL (0.768), CRP (0.742), PCT (0.730). In conclusion, HNL has the best auxiliary diagnostic efficacy in bacterial infection, followed by PCT; SAA/CRP has the best auxiliary diagnostic efficacy in viral infection, followed by SAA; the combined detection of serum HNL, SAA, PCT and CRP may be helpful for the differential diagnosis of bacterial and viral infections.
Humans ; C-Reactive Protein ; Procalcitonin ; Serum Amyloid A Protein ; Retrospective Studies ; Virus Diseases/diagnosis* ; Bacteria ; Communicable Diseases ; Bacterial Infections/diagnosis*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the risk factors of different types of Henoch-Schönlein purpura (HSP) in Tibetan patients at high altitude, as to provide reference for correctly identifying high-risk patients. METHODS: A retrospective study was used to analyze the 304 HSP patients admitted to Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital from April 2014 to March 2022. The gender, age, allergic history, family history, clinical type, laboratory indexes (hemoglobin, platelet count, eosinophil, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, immunoglobulin G, immunoglobulin A, complement C3 and C4) were analyzed retrospectively. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis to screen for risk factors affecting different types of HSP. RESULTS: Renal HSP patients showed higher IgA [(9.2±1.7) g/L vs. (6.4±2.4) g/L, P=0.015], lower complement C3 [(203.3±21.6) mg/dL vs. (301.1±19.5) mg/dL, P=0.043], and complement C4 [(33.5±2.3) mg/dL vs. (53.0±7.2) mg/dL, P=0.032]. The patients with abdominal HSP showed lower levels of hemoglobin [(119.6±19.6) g/L vs. (146.6±47.3) g/L, P=0.038] and plasma albumin [24.8 (22.1, 33.9) g/L vs. 32.6 (24.6, 35.1) g/L, P=0.045]. The patients with articular HSP exhibited higher CRP [13.5 (0.2, 20.6) g/L vs. 7.5 (0.1, 15.2) g/L, P=0.036] and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [24 (5, 40) mm/h vs. 15 (4, 30) mm/h, P=0.049]. Elevated IgA and decreased complement C4 were risk factors for renal HSP, anemia and decreased plasma albumin were risk factors for abdominal HSP, and elevated CRP was a risk factor for articular HSP. CONCLUSION The clinical characteristics of different types of HSP in plateau areas were different. Patients with high IgA, low complement C4, anemia, hypoalbuminemia, and significantly elevated CRP should be highly vigilant. Early and effective intervention can improve the clinical efficacy, avoid severe development, and improve the prognosis.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Tibet/epidemiology* ; Complement C3/analysis* ; IgA Vasculitis/complications* ; Altitude ; Complement C4 ; C-Reactive Protein/analysis* ; Immunoglobulin A ; Risk Factors ; Anemia ; Hemoglobins/analysis* ; Serum Albumin/analysis*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive value of blood cell ratios and inflammatory markers for adverse prognosis in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (PSS) combined with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical data from 80 patients with PSS and COVID-19 who visited the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from December 2022 to February 2023. Inclusion criteria were (1) meeting the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) classification criteria for Sjögren's syndrome; (2) confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction or antigen testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2); (3) availability of necessary clinical data; (4) age > 18 years. According to the clinical classification criteria of the "Diagnosis and Treatment Protocol for Novel Coronavirus Pneumonia (trial the 10th Revised Edition)", the patients were divided into the mild and severe groups. Disease activity in primary Sjögren' s syndrome was assessed using the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren' s syndrome disease activity index (ESSDAI). Platelet-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein-lymphocyte ratio (CLR), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and other laboratory data were compared between the two groups within 24-72 hours post-infection. RESULTS: The mild group consisted of 66 cases with an average age of (51. 52±13. 16) years, and the severe group consisted of 14 cases with an average age of (52.64±10.20) years. Disease activity, CRP, platelets, PLR, and CLR were significantly higher in the severe group compared with the mild group (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis using age, disease activity, CRP, platelets, PLR, and CLR as independent variables indicated that disease activity, CRP, PLR, and CLR were correlated with the severity of COVID-19 (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis further confirmed that PLR (OR=1.016, P < 0.05) and CLR (OR=1.504, P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for the severity of COVID-19 in the critically ill patients. Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for PLR and CLR was 0.708 (95%CI: 0.588-0.828) and 0.725 (95%CI: 0.578-0.871), respectively. The sensitivity for PLR and CLR was 0.429 and 0.803, respectively, while the highest specificity was 0.714 and 0.758, respectively. The optimal cutoff values for PLR and CLR were 166.214 and 0.870, respectively. CONCLUSION PLR and CLR, particularly the latter, may serve as simple and effective indicators for predicting the prognosis of patients with PSS and COVID-19.
Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Sjogren's Syndrome/diagnosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; C-Reactive Protein ; COVID-19 ; SARS-CoV-2