ObjectiveTo investigate effect of Maxing Shigantang and supplemented Guominjian decoction on symptoms and levels of inflammatory cytokines in induced sputum of children with cough variant asthma （CVA）. MethodA total of 118 CVA children who were treated in our hospital from January 2020 to January 2021 were enrolled and randomized into the control group and the observation group with the random number table method. Control group received routine western medicine and the observation group was treated by routine western medicine， Maxing Shigantang， and supplemented Guominjian decoction. In the one-month follow-up， the scores of cough and accompanying symptoms， levels of inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin-10 （IL-10）， interleukin-5 （IL-5）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， neutrophil， eosinophil］ in induced sputum， pulmonary function parameters ［forced vital capacity （FVC）， forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV₁）， FEV₁/FVC］， and treatment outcomes were compared between the two groups. Moreover， the frequency of acute asthma attacks during the three-month follow-up was also compared. ResultNo cases dropped out from this study. After treatment， the scores of cough and accompanying symptoms were decreased in both groups （P<0.05） and were lower in observation group than in control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， FVC， FEV₁， and FEV₁/FVC were raised in both groups and were higher in observation group than in control group （P<0.05）. The increase in the level of IL-10 along with the decrease in levels of IL-5， TNF-α， neutrophil， and eosinophil in induced sputum was found in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and observation group had higher level of IL-10 and lower levels of IL-5， TNF-α， neutrophil， and eosinophil than the control group （P<0.05）. The effective rate was 86.44% （51/59） in observation group， which was higher than the 69.49% （41/59） in control group （χ²=4.933， P<0.05）. No serious adverse reaction occurred in either group. The frequency of acute asthma attacks during the three-month follow-up was （1.09±0.18） in observation group， which was lower than the （2.83±049） in the control group （P<0.05）. ConclusionRoutine western medicine combined with Maxing Shigantang and supplemented Guominjian decoction can effectively and safely alleviate the airway inflammatory responses， control the clinical symptoms， improve pulmonary function， and reduce the frequency of acute recurrence in the treatment of CVA children.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of ginseng schisandra decoction in children with lobar pneumonia(lung spleen deficiency syndrome)induced by mycoplasma pneumoniae infection and improvement of inflammatory indicators.Method 84 children with lobar pneumonia(lung spleen deficiency syndrome)caused by mycoplasma infection admitted to the First Clinical Hospital of Jilin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to July 2022 were selected and randomly divided into two groups with 42 cases each.The conventional group was treated according to the traditional treatment plan,while the combined group was treated with ginseng and schisandra decoction in addition to the traditional treatment plan.After 7 days,compare the differences in traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores,clinical efficacy,inflammatory indicators,and total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups of children.Result The results showed that the traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score and inflammatory indicators in the combined group were lower than those in the conventional group(P<0.05),and the clinical efficacy level distribution was better than that in the conventional group(P<0.05).The total effective rate was higher than that in the conventional group(P<0.05),and there was no difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion In the treatment of children with lobar pneumonia(lung spleen deficiency syndrome)caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection,the modified Ginseng Wuweizi decoction has a positive therapeutic effect and good safety,and is worth promoting.

Tea green leafhopper(TGL),Empoasca onukii,is of biological and economic interest.Despite numerous studies,the mechanisms underlying its adaptation and evolution remain enig-matic.Here,we use previously untapped genome and population genetics approaches to examine how the pest adapted to different environmental variables and thus has expanded geographically.We complete a chromosome-level assembly and annotation of the E.onukii genome,showing nota-ble expansions of gene families associated with adaptation to chemoreception and detoxification.Genomic signals indicating balancing selection highlight metabolic pathways involved in adaptation to a wide range of tea varieties grown across ecologically diverse regions.Patterns of genetic vari-ations among 54 E.onukii samples unveil the population structure and evolutionary history across different tea-growing regions in China.Our results demonstrate that the genomic changes in key pathways,including those linked to metabolism,circadian rhythms,and immune system functions,may underlie the successful spread and adaptation of E.onukii.This work highlights the genetic and molecular basis underlying the evolutionary success of a species with broad economic impacts,and provides insights into insect adaptation to host plants,which will ultimately facilitate more sustain-able pest management.

Objective : To observe the changes of soft tissue in patients with Angle class Ⅱ division Ⅰ malocclusion during mixed dentition treated with MRC functional appliance. Methods : Twenty patients with Class Ⅱ division Ⅰ malocclusion of Angle were treated with functional MRC. The facial features before and after treatment were measured by software and the results were analyzed statistically. Results: The patients′soft tissue profiles were improved significantly before and after treatment, The OE-Prn-Pos angle, OE-N′-B′ angle, OE-N′-Pos angle, OE-Prn-N′angle, Cm-Sn-UL angle, and N′-Sn-Pos angle increased significantly (P < 0.05). The OE-Sn-UL angle, and Sn-N′-B′ angle decreased significantly (P < 0.05); the distance between the lateral soft tissue line and the middle Sn-H line, UL-E line and LL-E line were significantly different (P < 0.05). The distances were all reduced, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion The application of an MRC functional appliance can improve the relationship among nasolabial soft tissue, upper and lower lip soft tissue, and chin-lip soft tissue, thus improving the protrusion profile of patients.

BACKGROUND: Thoracolumbar fracture is most common seen in spinal fractures. The paraspinal muscle is subjected to extensive detachment and traction in traditional posterior approach, so the muscular ischemia and denervation lead to muscle atrophy further inducing intractable low back pain. Thereafter, minimally invasive spinal surgery becomes more and more popular.OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse approach combined with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement for single-level thoracolumbar fracture.METHODS: Clinical data of 52 patients with single-level thoracolumbar fracture without nerve injury were analyzed retrospectively, and were then assigned to observation (n=28) and control groups (n=24) according to the treatment method. The patients in the observation group were treated with pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse approach plus implanted with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement, and those in the control group were subjected to pedicle screw fixation through posterior approach plus implanted with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement. The operation time, blood loss and hospitalization time were compared between two groups. The low back pain was observed at baseline, 1 week and 3 months postoperatively, and the percentage of anterior vertebral height revealed on X-ray was observed at baseline, before ambulation, and during last follow-up. Moreover, the complications, loosening and rupture of the screws were recorded.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All patients were followed up, and the follow-up time was 16-24 months. (2) The operation time, blood loss and hospitalization time in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group (P < 0.05). (3) The postoperative visual analogue scale scores in the two groups were significantly lower than those before surgery, and the scores showed significant differences between two groups (P < 0.05). (4) The percentage of anterior vertebral height before ambulation and during last follow-up in the two groups was significantly improved, and the percentage showed significant difference between two groups at each time point (P < 0.05). (5) These findings suggest that based on strict indications, the pedicle screw fixation through Wiltse approach combined with injectable calcium sulfate bone cement is safe for single-level thoracolumbar fracture, which restores the anterior vertebral height rapidly, alleviates pain and exhibits satisfactory long-term efficacy. Furthermore, it holds shorter operation time and less blood loss than the traditional approach.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of the new investigational drug pegylated interferon α-2b (Peg-IFN-α-2b) (Y shape, 40 kD) injection (180 µg/week) combined with ribavirin in the treatment of patients with genotype 1/6 chronic hepatitis C (CHC), with standard-dose Peg-IFN-α-2a combined with ribavirin as a positive control. Methods: A multicenter, randomized, open-label, and positive-controlled phase III clinical trial was performed. Eligible patients with genotype 1/6 CHC were screened out and randomly divided into Peg-IFN-α-2b(Y shape, 40kD) group and Peg-IFN-α-2a group at a ratio of 2:1. The patients in both groups were given oral ribavirin for 48 weeks in addition and then followed up for 24 weeks after drug withdrawal. Abbott Real Time HCV Genotype II was used to determine HCV genotype, and Cobas TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure HCV RNA level at 0, 4, 12, 24, 48, and 72 weeks. Adverse events were recorded in detail. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virological response (SVR), and a non-inferiority test was also performed. Results: A total of 561 patients with genotype 1/6 CHC were enrolled, among whom 529 received treatment; 90.9% of these patients had genotype 1 CHC. The data of the full analysis set showed that SVR rate was 69.80% (95% CI 65.00%-74.60%) in the trial group and 74.16% (95% CI 67.73%-80.59%) in the control group (P = 0.297 0). The data of the per protocol set (PPS) showed that SVR rate was 80.63% (95% CI 76.04%-85.23%) in the trial group and 81.33% (95% CI 75.10%-87.57%) in the control group (P = 0.849 8), and the 95% CI of rate difference conformed to the non-inferiority standard. The analysis of the PPS population showed that of all subjects, 47.9% achieved rapid virologic response, with a positive predictive value of 93.8%. The incidence rate of adverse events was 96.30% in the trial group and 94.94% in the control group, and the incidence rate of serious adverse events was 5.13% in the trail group and 5.06% in the control group. Conclusion In the regimen of Peg-IFN-α combined with ribavirin for the treatment of genotype 1/6 CHC, the new investigational drug Peg-IFN-α-2b(Y shape, 40 kD) has comparable clinical effect and safety to the control drug Peg-IFN-α-2a.

Objective To analyze the effects of Leptospira interrogans ( L. interrogans) infection on the activation of NLRP3 in THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells and to further understand the mechanism of inflam-mation caused by L. interrogans in different hosts. Methods Human mononuclear macrophage cell line (THP-1) and murine mononuclear macrophage cell line (J774A. 1) were infected with L. interrogans strain 56601. The expression of NLRP3 at mRNA and protein levels were measured by using real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis, respectively. The NLRP3-mediated secretion of IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-33 was detec-ted by ELISA combined with the NLRP3 inhibitory test. Results Compared with the normal cells, the ex-pression of NLRP3 at mRNA level in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells was respectively increased by 4. 05, 0. 34, 0. 33, 0. 06 and 1. 66 times at the time points of 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h after infection ( P<0. 05), while that in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells was respectively increased by 12. 98, 16. 19, 10. 68, 5. 8 and 0. 57 times (P<0. 05). The expression rates of NLRP3 protein in THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells respectively increased from 9. 26% to 94. 01%, 89. 24%, 31. 80%, 19. 74%, 11. 28% and from 18. 71%to 58. 78%, 43. 64%, 36. 42%, 76. 46%, 85. 21% at the time points of 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h af-ter L. interrogans infection (P<0. 05). The level of IL-1β in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells was 73. 07 pg/ml, 939. 24 pg/ml, 939. 24 pg/ml, 843. 22 pg/ml and 851. 06 pg/ml at the time points of 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h, respectively (P<0. 05), while the level of IL-1β in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells began to rise at the time point of 12 h from 191. 17 pg/ml to 254. 4 pg/mL at the time point of 24 h (P<0. 05). The level of IL-18 in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells was 913. 89 pg/ml, 808. 19 pg/ml, 483. 54 pg/ml, 204. 19 pg/ml and 189. 09 pg/ml at the time points of 1 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h and 24 h, re-spectively (P<0. 05), while the level of IL-18 in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells increased at the time point of 24 h, which was 113. 37 pg/ml (P<0. 05). A slight increase in the level of IL-33 was detected in L. interrogans-infected J774A. 1 cells at the time points of 12 h and 24 h to 201. 14 pg/ml and 155. 68 pg/ml, respectively (P<0. 05), but no significant change was detected in L. interrogans-infected THP-1 cells (P>0. 05). Results of the inhibitory test showed that the up-regulation of IL-1β , IL-18 and IL-33 in THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells were effectively inhibited by the specific inhibitor of NLRP3. Conclusion NL-RP3 inflammasome was activated and involved in the production of specific inflammatory cytokines IL-1βand IL-18 in both THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells after L. interrogans infection, but the inflammatory cytokines induced by L. interrogans infection varied in different cells. L. interrogans induced earlier and higher level of IL-1βand IL-18 production in human macrophages than in murine macrophages.

AIM:We investigated how AT 1-R stimulated by mechanical stresses induces cardiac fibrosis .METHODS:We produced in vivo cardiac pressure overload model in angiotensinogen knockout ( ATG-/-) mice and in vitro mechanically-stretched cell model in cultured neonatal cardiac cells of ATG-/-mice both lack the participation of Ang II .RESULTS: Pressure overload for 4 weeks in ATG-/-mice induced myocardial hypertrophy accompanied by the significant interstitial fibrosis , however , the TGF-β, a key regulatory factor of fibrosis, was not significantly increased in these ATG-/-mice.Meanwhile, the inhibitor for AT1-R significantly inhibited mechani-cal stress-induced cardiac fibrosis in these ATG-/-models whereas inhibition of TGF-βdid not.CONCLUSION:The results showed that mechanical stress-induced fibrotic responses through AT 1-R required the phosphorylation of Smad 2 but not the involvement of TGF-β.

Objective To investigate the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase ( iNOS) and the levels of nitric oxide (NO) in THP-1 and J774A. 1 cells during Leptospira interrogans (L. interrogans) infection for a better understanding of the mechanism of macrophages involved defense against L. interrogans strains in different hosts. Methods The human mononuclear macrophages (THP-1) and the murine mono-nuclear macrophages (J774A. 1) were infected with L. interrogans strain 56601. The expression of iNOS at mRNA and protein levels were determined by using real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry analysis. The lev-els of NO were detected with Griess test. Results The expression of iNOS at mRNA level in J774A. 1 and THP-1 cells infected with L. interrogans strains for 2, 4, 12 and 24 hours were respectively 1. 37, 2. 82, 25. 76, 27. 47 times and 1. 59, 3. 98, 3. 89, 8. 81 times than that of cells without infection (P<0. 05). The expression rates of iNOS protein in J774A. 1 cells were increased from 34. 16% to 85. 85%, 93. 82%, 91. 77% and 93. 65% along with the increased time of infection time (P<0. 05). The expression rates of iNOS protein in THP-1 cells were up-regulated from 22. 08% to 72. 64%, 81. 33%, 80. 03% and 65. 72%after 2, 4, 12 and 24 hours of infection (P<0. 05), respectively. Results of the Griess test indicated that the levels of NO in J774A. 1 and THP-1 cells were respectively increased from 0. 1588 μmol/L to 0. 2208μmol/L, 0. 2668μmol/L, 0. 3808μmol/L, 0. 3828μmol/L and from 0. 0988μmol/L to 0. 2848μmol/L,0. 3228 μmol/L, 0. 2608μmol/L and 0. 3308μmol/L after infection with L. interrogans strains for 2, 4, 12 and 24 hours (P<0. 05). Conclusion The expression of iNOS and the levels of NO in J774A. 1 and THP-1 cells were significantly increased during L. interrogans infection. This study might help to explain the bactericidal mechanism of macrophages derived from different hosts against L. interrogans infection.

Objective The Improved segmental arch technique can effectively intrude incisors and correct deep overbites. To research its biomechanical characteristics, we reconstruct 3D nonlinear finite element model of mandibular teeth with improved segmen-tal arch, study the biomechanical characteristics and the suitable loading force of intrusion arch. Methods Combined with the re-sults of previous research, we complete the reconstruction of 3D nonlinear finite element model of mandibular teeth with improved seg-mental arch.Then, we set loading force of intrusion arch five conditions from 0.2 N~0.6 N, calculate the movement trend and stress distribution of improved segmental arch. Results In the five conditions of improved segmental arch, lateral incisors and canines in-truded and tipped labially, first molars tipped distally and rotated. In addition, the moment the initial loading force of intrusive arch in-creased, the movement of these teeth increased. However, other teeth did not move clearly. When the initial loading force of improved segment arch was 0.5 N, it can achieve appropriate intrusion of anterior teeth. Conclusion Under an appropriate intrusive force, improved segment arch can effectively intrude incisors and control the extrusion of posterior teeth. It can be used to correct the deep overbites, especially with high mandibular planes, gummy smile or adult stage.