ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of baicalin for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） in rats and decipher the molecular mechanisms via the nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into six groups： normal control， COPD model， low-dose baicalin， medium-dose baicalin， high-dose baicalin， and budesonide. The normal control group received no treatment， whereas COPD was modeled in other groups with a combined modeling approach involving intratracheal lipopolysaccharide instillation and passive cigarette smoke exposure. The model establishment was evaluated through behavioral observation combined with pathological examination. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to assess histopathological changes in the lung. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin （IL）-6， IL-8， IL-17， IL-22， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and transforming growth factor （TGF）-β）］， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Meanwhile， the levels of IL-6， IL-17， and IL-22 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） and IL-10， IL-22， and TNF-α in the lung tissue were measured via ELISA. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to detect the expression of histone deacetylase 2 （HDAC2） and Nrf2. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， glucocorticoid receptor （GR）， NF-κB， HDAC2， and Nrf2 in the lung tissue. Additionally， real-time PCR was conducted to assess the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， HDAC2， Nrf2， GR， and NF-κB in the lung tissue. ResultsHE staining revealed that the airway mucosal epithelium in the COPD model group appeared extensive shedding， structural disorganization， and diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells within the lumen. And goblet cells showed compensatory proliferation with pathological hypertrophy of mucus glands. In contrast， inflammatory infiltration and alveolar overdistension were significantly alleviated in the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups. The COPD model group exhibited mucus plug formation within the terminal bronchioles， along with fibrotic narrowing of the bronchial wall. Moreover， the smooth muscle bundles of the bronchial wall were hypertrophic， with concomitant collagen deposition. Progressive dissolution and rupture of alveolar septa were observed， leading to the formation of abnormally enlarged air-filled cavities. However， the bronchial wall structure was largely restored with only mild thickening of the smooth muscle layer in the baicalin groups. Compared with the COPD model group， the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups showed declined ROS and VEGF levels （P<0.05）， and all the baicalin groups presented lowered levels of IL-6， IL-8， IL-17， IL-22， TGF-β， and TNF-α and elevated level of IL-10 （P<0.05）. Baicalin upregulated the protein levels of HDAC2， Nrf2， GR， PI3K， and Akt， while suppressing the protein level of NF-κB （P<0.05）. Furthermore， baicalin increased the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and GR while down-regulating the mRNA level of NF-κB （P<0.05）. ConclusionBaicalin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB while enhancing the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor HDAC2 and activating the antioxidant factor Nrf2， thereby alleviating the lung tissue damage in COPD rats. The therapeutic effects of baicalin may be closely associated with its regulatory role in the NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of baicalin for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） in rats and decipher the molecular mechanisms via the nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into six groups： normal control， COPD model， low-dose baicalin， medium-dose baicalin， high-dose baicalin， and budesonide. The normal control group received no treatment， whereas COPD was modeled in other groups with a combined modeling approach involving intratracheal lipopolysaccharide instillation and passive cigarette smoke exposure. The model establishment was evaluated through behavioral observation combined with pathological examination. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was performed to assess histopathological changes in the lung. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin （IL）-6， IL-8， IL-17， IL-22， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， and transforming growth factor （TGF）-β）］， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Meanwhile， the levels of IL-6， IL-17， and IL-22 in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF） and IL-10， IL-22， and TNF-α in the lung tissue were measured via ELISA. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to detect the expression of histone deacetylase 2 （HDAC2） and Nrf2. Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， glucocorticoid receptor （GR）， NF-κB， HDAC2， and Nrf2 in the lung tissue. Additionally， real-time PCR was conducted to assess the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， HDAC2， Nrf2， GR， and NF-κB in the lung tissue. ResultsHE staining revealed that the airway mucosal epithelium in the COPD model group appeared extensive shedding， structural disorganization， and diffuse infiltration of inflammatory cells within the lumen. And goblet cells showed compensatory proliferation with pathological hypertrophy of mucus glands. In contrast， inflammatory infiltration and alveolar overdistension were significantly alleviated in the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups. The COPD model group exhibited mucus plug formation within the terminal bronchioles， along with fibrotic narrowing of the bronchial wall. Moreover， the smooth muscle bundles of the bronchial wall were hypertrophic， with concomitant collagen deposition. Progressive dissolution and rupture of alveolar septa were observed， leading to the formation of abnormally enlarged air-filled cavities. However， the bronchial wall structure was largely restored with only mild thickening of the smooth muscle layer in the baicalin groups. Compared with the COPD model group， the medium- and high-dose baicalin groups showed declined ROS and VEGF levels （P<0.05）， and all the baicalin groups presented lowered levels of IL-6， IL-8， IL-17， IL-22， TGF-β， and TNF-α and elevated level of IL-10 （P<0.05）. Baicalin upregulated the protein levels of HDAC2， Nrf2， GR， PI3K， and Akt， while suppressing the protein level of NF-κB （P<0.05）. Furthermore， baicalin increased the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and GR while down-regulating the mRNA level of NF-κB （P<0.05）. ConclusionBaicalin exerts anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the pro-inflammatory factor NF-κB while enhancing the expression of the anti-inflammatory factor HDAC2 and activating the antioxidant factor Nrf2， thereby alleviating the lung tissue damage in COPD rats. The therapeutic effects of baicalin may be closely associated with its regulatory role in the NF-κB/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

Objective To compare the differences in efficacy and safety between transarterial chemoembolization(TACE)com-bined with lenvatinib and camrelizumab(triple therapy)and TACE combined with lenvatinib(double therapy)in intermediate or advanced stage hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods The clinical data of 145 patients who were diagnosed with HCC and received triple therapy or double therapy were retrospectively collected.The differences of objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),median progression-free survival(mPFS),median overall survival(mOS),and adverse events were compared between the two groups.Results The ORR and DCR in 1,3 and 6 months of the triple therapy group were higher than those of the double therapy group,and the differences were statistically significant in 3 and 6 months.The mPFS and mOS of the triple therapy group were higher than those of the double therapy group,and the differences were statistically significant.The Cox proportional hazards model results showed that the therapy methods,maximum tumor diameter and alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)were independent risk factors of progres-sion-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS).Besides,Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer(BCLC)staging was independent risk fac-tor of OS.In terms of adverse events,the incidence of reactive cutaneous capillary endothelial proliferation(RCCEP)and hypothy-roidism in the triple therapy group were higher than those in the double therapy group,and the differences were statistically signifi-cant.Conclusion Compared with double therapy,triple therapy can significantly improve the efficacy of intermediate or advanced stage HCC,prolong patients'PFS and OS,and its safety can be well controlled.

Objective: To explore the effects of pubertal timing on eating disorders among adolescents in Bengbu. Methods: Totally 831 students from grade five to eight in two nine-year schools were selected and surveyed with Pubertal Development Scale (PDS) and Eating Disorder Inventory(EDI). Results: The score of female on drive for thinness and body dissatisfaction was higher than male’s. The score of different grade on drive for thinness, bulimia, perfectionism,maturity fears and ineffectiveness was significant difference between them(P<0.05 ).The score of interpersonal distrust was highest in delay pubertal timing in schoolboys, and the score of drive for thinness，body dissatisfaction and diet of schoolgirl in early pubertal timing was highest，there was significant difference between them(F=2.68，4.87，6.46，3.07，5.49，P<0.05 ). Conclusion There are close relationship between the pubertal timing and eating disorders.The eating disorders will be offected in early and delay pubertal timing of adolescents.

Objective To compare high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) ablation effect on uterine fibroids between patients with different uterus positions. Methods The clinical data of 372 patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids, who were treated with HIFU at authors' hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. According to the position of the uterus, the patients were divided into anteverted group, mid-position group and retroverted group. Single factor analysis of variance was used to compare the baseline data of fibroids and HIFU ablation results between each other among the three groups. Results Successful HIFU treatment was accomplished in all patients. The average age of the patients was (39±6) years. Single factor analysis of variance indicated that no statistically significant difference in baseline data of fibroids existed between each other among the three groups (P>0.05) . The one cm3 sonication time and energy efficiency factor (EEF) in the anteverted group were significantly smaller than those in the retroverted group, the differences were statistically significant (P =0.007 and P =0.017 respectively) . Conclusion Uterine fibroids within an anteverted uterus are more likely to be ablated by HIFU.

Objective ToinvestigatetheeffectofhighGintensityfocusedultrasound (HIFU)ablationonuterinefibroidswithdifferent withdifferentT2Gweightedimage(T2WI)signalintensity.Methods 357patientswithsymptomaticuterinefibroidstreatedwith HIFU wereretrospectivelyanalyzed.AccordingtoT2WIsignalcharacteristics,fibroidsweredividedinto4groups:hypointensity,isointensity, hyperintensityand mixedintensity.The HIFUtreatmentparametersandablationeffectsofeachgroup werecomparedby O n eG W a y analysisofvariance.Results Theaverageageofthepatientswas(38.5±6.2)y,andtherewerenosignificantdifferencesinbaseline data(P＞0.05).AllpatientssuccessfullycompletedHIFUtreatment,withtheaveragetreatmenttimeof(128.3±60.9)min,theaverage nonGperfusionvolumerate(NPVR)of(74.4±14.7)%,andtheaverageenergyefficiencyfactor(EEF)of(7.1±4.8)j/mm3.Theresults of O n eG W a y analysisofvarianceshowedthattheT2WIhypointensitygrouphadshortersonicationtime,treatmenttimeand1cm3 sonicationtime,smallertreatmentpowerandEEF,largerNPVR,comparingwiththehyperintensitygroup withstatisticallysignificant differences(P＜0.05).Conclusion UterinefibroidswithT2WIhypointensityhavelowwatercontentandhighenergydepositionefficiency, whicharemoresuitableforHIFUablation.

Objective To explore the value of interventional therapy in unruptured intracranial aneurysms combined with brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVM).Methods Data of 23 patients with unruptured aneurysms combined with BAVM were retrospectively analyzed.All patients were treated with interventional embolization,and the embolization methods were choosen according to the Redekop classification.The proximal or distal hemodynamic aneurysms were embolized with coils,and the intranidal aneurysms were embolized with Onyx.The outcome was assessed by the Glasgow outcome score (GOS) one week after treatment.DSA scan was used to observe whether there was recurrence during 3-6 months after embolization.Results Totally there were 36 aneurysms in 23 patients,including 8 intranidal aneurysms,16 proximal flow-related aneurysms,11 distal flow-related aneurysms and 1 unrelated aneurysm.Embolizations of 16 proximal hemodynamic aneurysms and l0 distal hemodynamic aneurysms were done with coils.And embolization of 8 intranidal aneurysms were done with Onyx.One distal hemodynamic aneurysm was not embolized due to the difficulty of embolization and the regular shap of aneurysm;and the patient died of cerebral hernia caused by intracranial hemorrhage on the sixth day after embolization.Because it was more suitable for surgical clipping,1 unrelated hemodynamic aneurysm was not embolized.In 23 cases,BAVM were completely embolized in 7 cases and incompletely embolized in 16 cases.A week after operation,the GOS score were 5 in 19 cases and 4 in 3 cases.The GOS score was not evaluated in the dead case.Except for 1 cases of death,the other 22 cases were followed up after embolization.No recurrence and intracranial hemorrhage occurred.Conclusion Interventional treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms combined with BAVM is safe and effective.Making treatment plan according to the hemodynamic characteristics of lesions and completely embolizing all lesions to prevent postoperative bleeding is helpful to improve the prognosis of patients.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of activating silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) on early myocardial damage in severely burned rats.

METHODSTwenty-four healthy male SD rats were divided into sham injury group (SI), scald group (S), and resveratrol (RSV) treatment group (RT) according to the random number table, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in groups S and RT were inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald on the back by immersing in 95 °C water for 18 s. Immediately after injury, rats in group S were intraperitoneally injected with 10 mL normal saline (50 mL/kg) and those in group RT with 10 mL normal saline (50 mL/kg)+10 µL RSV in the concentration of 1 g/mL (50 mg/kg). Backs of rats in group SI were immersed in 20 °C room temperature water for 18 s to simulate the scald process. Heart tissues and aorta abdominalis blood samples were collected at post injury hour (PIH) 6. The histomorphology of heart tissues was observed with HE staining. The serum contents of creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined with ELISA. The protein expressions of SIRT1 and caspase-3 and mRNA expressions of SIRT1, caspase-3, IL-1β, and TNF-α in heart tissue specimens were determined with Western blotting and real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR (with protein level denoted as gray value). Data were processed with one-way analysis of variance and LSD- t test.

RESULTS(1) In group SI, myocardial fibers were in irregularly cylindrical shape, neatly arranged, and the transverse striation were distinct. In group S, myocardial interstitial edema, disorder of myocardial fiber arrangement, and cytoplasm destruction were observed. In group RT, the degrees of myocardial interstitial edema, disorder of myocardial fiber arrangement, and cytoplasm destruction were alleviated in comparison with those of group S. (2) The serum contents of CK and LDH of rats in group S were respectively (2 385 ± 712) and (2 551 ± 196) U/L, which were significantly higher than those in the group SI [(290 ± 59) and (759 ± 60) U/L, with t values respectively 9.466 and 25.452, P values below 0.01]. The serum contents of CK and LDH of rats in group RT were respectively (1 336 ± 149) and (2 209 ± 133) U/L, which were significantly lower than those of group S (with t values respectively -4.506 and -4.860, P values below 0.01). (3) The protein expressions of SIRT1 and caspase-3 in heart tissue of rats in group S were respectively 0.47 ± 0.11 and 0.48 ± 0.12, which were significantly higher than those in group SI [0.18 ± 0.06 and 0.09 ± 0.05, with t values respectively 4.813 and 9.014, P values below 0.01]. The protein expression of SIRT1 in heart tissue of rats in group RT was 0.74 ± 0.18, which was significantly higher than that of group S (t = 4.561, P < 0.01); the protein expression of caspase-3 in heart tissue of rats in group RT was 0.21 ± 0.08, which was significantly lower than that of group S (t = -6.239, P < 0.01). (4) The mRNA expressions of SIRT1, caspase-3, IL-1β, and TNF-α in heart tissue of rats in group S were respectively 2.33 ± 0.24, 1.96 ± 0.20, 2.46 ± 0.21, 1.89 ± 0.37, which were significantly higher than those in group SI (1.00 ± 0.07, 1.00 ± 0.06, 1.00 ± 0.08, 1.00 ± 0.09, with t values respectively 14.961, 12.823, 18.559, 6.679, P values below 0.01). The mRNA expression of SIRT1 in heart tissue of rats in group RT was 2.89 ± 0.31, which was significantly higher than that of group S (t = 3.997, P < 0.01). The mRNA expressions of caspase-3, IL-1β, and TNF-α in heart tissue of rats in group RT were respectively 1.31 ± 0.08, 1.64 ± 0.09, 1.25 ± 0.08, which were significantly lower than those of group S (with t values respectively -8.264, -10.245, -4.818, P values below 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of SIRT1 in heart tissue is upregulated in the early stage of severely burned rats. Activation of SIRT1 by RSV can alleviate myocardial tissue injury and reduce apoptosis of cardiac myocytes and secretion of IL-1β and TNF-α.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; Apoptosis ; Burns ; Caspase 3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Edema ; metabolism ; Interleukin-1beta ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; pathology ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Serum ; Sirtuin 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stilbenes ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation ; physiology

Objective To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and clinical application of B ultrasound/CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation (RFA) in treating hypersplenism due to portal hypertension. Methods B ultrasound/CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation was carried out in 28 patients with hypersplenism associated with portal hypertension. Routine blood counts, liver functions and prothrombin time were determined before RFA and 2 days, 2 weeks, one, 3, 6 and 10 months after RFA separately. The results were analyzed and compared. Enhanced CT scanning reexamination was performed immediately after RFA and one week, one, 3 and 10 months after RFA separately. The volume of ablated spleen tissue was calculated with CT post-processing software. Results The mean operation time was (3.8 ± 1.1) hours and the mean ablation time was (2.7 ± 0.8) hours. The ablated volume of the spleen accounted for 20% - 80% of the whole spleen, with a mean of 50.5% ± 10.3%. Two days after RFA, the platelet count decreased to (19.5 ± 12.1) × 109/L, while the white blood cell count reached its peak value of (5.4+0.2) × 109. From two weeks to 10 months after RFA the white blood cell counts and platelet counts, the liver function, and the prothrombin time were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Pathologically, hepatic proliferation could be seen within the cirrhotic liver after RFA. Child-Pugh score was grade A in all patients except one patient with Child-Pugh grade C who developed abdominal distention and bloody ascites after RFA. No other severe complications occurred. Conclusion For hypersplenism due to portal hypertension, B ultrasound/CT-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation is a safe, effective and minimally - invasive treatment.

Objective To introduce a method for fast establishment of pig models with secondary hypersplenism, and using this model to study the effect of radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Methods Congestive splenomegaly was created by CT- guided percutaneous embolization of splenic vein and its collateral branches in pigs. Then radiofrequency ablation was employed in the models to observe the changes of peripheral blood as well as the spleen changes in its morphology and histopathology. The blood cell count for peripheral venous blood was determined once a week, and the spleen size was measured by CT scanning. Results One week after splenic vein embolization, the counts of peripheral erythrocytes and platelets showed a reduction, which became more obvious in three weeks (P < 0.05). Erythropenia, thrombocytopenia and splenomegaly could last for over six weeks. At the second week after the procedure , pathologically the spleen assumed passive congestion appearance. The thermal energy produced by radiofrequency ablation could cause local splenic coagulation necrosis, splenic vessels occlusion and splenic thrombotic infarction due to diffuse micro-vascular thrombosis. Conclusion To establish an animal model with secondary hypersplenism, the method of CT-guided percutaneous embolism of splenic vein is simple and reliable. The animal models can be used for surgical or interventional researches. Radiofrequency ablation is an effective intervention means.