OBJECTIVE: This study aims to elucidate the therapeutic potential of osthole for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), focusing on its ability to alleviate chronic pruritus (CP) and the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: In this study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of osthole in both a 2,4-dichloronitrobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse model and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) stimulated huma immortalized epidermal (HaCaT) cells. The anti-itch effect of osthole was specifically assessed in the AD mouse model. Using methods such as hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: Osthole improved skin damage and clinical dermatitis scores, reduced scratching bouts, and decreased epidermal thickness AD-like mice. It also reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-31 and IL-31 receptor A (IL-31 RA) in both skin tissues and HaCaT cells. Furthermore, Osthole suppressed the protein expression levels of phosphor-p65 (p-p65) and phosphor-inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa-Bα (p-IκBα). Meanwhile, it increased the protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) and PPARγ in HaCaT cells. CONCLUSION These findings indicated that osthole effectively inhibited CP in AD by activating PPARα, PPARγ, repressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, as well as the expression of IL-31 and IL-31 RA.

Autophagy， a mechanism of cell self-protection and self-renewal， is associated with the occurrence and development of lung cancer. Favorable autophagy can slow down the progression of lung cancer， while unfavorable autophagy can promote the progression. Therefore， regulating the level of autophagy is of great significance in the treatment of lung cancer. Healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi stagnation is an extension of the theory of deficiency and Qi stagnation proposed by the Academician WANG Yongyan. It refers to the pathological process that the abnormal body fluid metabolism caused by Qi deficiency of lung， spleen， and kidney results in phlegm and blood stasis. Lung cancer has the root cause of Qi deficiency of lung， spleen， and kidney and the syndrome of phlegm and blood stasis. The autophagy in lung cancer is interconnected with healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi stagnation. The Qi deficiency of lung， spleen， and kidney is the key factor for the weakening of favorable autophagy in lung cancer， which inhibits the apoptosis of tumor cells and leads to the accumulation of harmful substances. Phlegm and blood stasis is a direct factor enhancing the unfavorable autophagy in lung cancer， which promotes the autophagic death of normal cells， weakens the immunosuppressive effect of immune cells on tumor cells， and leads to the proliferation and migration of tumor cells. The combination of healthy Qi deficiency and pathogenic Qi stagnation results in the development of autophagy in an unfavorable direction and finally leads to the continuous progression of lung cancer. Therefore， the traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatment of lung cancer should follow the principle of reinforcing healthy Qi and expelling pathogenic Qi， removing phlegm and resolving stasis， so as to enhance favorable autophagy while inhibiting unfavorable autophagy. Such therapy can inhibit the proliferation and migration of tumor cells and promote the remission of lung cancer. According to the existing literature， Chinese medicine monomers are mainly used to treat lung cancer by regulating autophagy. The Chinese medicine intervention of autophagy in lung cancer mainly aims to promote the activation of autophagy. This may be because the favorable autophagy weakening caused by the Qi deficiency of lung， spleen， and kidney is the fundamental reason for the development of lung cancer.

Objective To explore the monitoring of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in a model of brain herniation induced by acute intracranial hypertension in Guangxi Bama-Mini pigs by phasecontrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (PC cine MRI).Methods Femoral artery blood were extracted from 10 pigs,and injected into the frontal and temporal parietal lobe to make a model of brain herniation induced by acute intracranial hypertension.The mean arterial blood pressure (MAP),intracranial pressure (ICP),and cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) were monitored.Routine T1WI,T2WI,coronal,sagittal and cerebrospinal fluid flow sequence (fast PC cine slice) which positioned on the cervical 3 (C3) vertebral body as the center and perpendicular to the spinal scans were performed on all experimental animals before and after blood injection with 3.0T Magnetic Resonance Imaging.The ICP,MAP,CPP,the absolute values of CSF peak flow velocity and the absolute value of carotid peak flow velocity before and after blood injection were compared.Results The ICP,MAP,CPP,and the absolute value of CSF peak flow velocity before injection of autologous arterial blood were statistically significant as compared with those after blood injection [(6.80±2.044) mmHg vs (52.20±1.619) mmHg,(76.80±7.068) mmHg vs (142.80±12.399) mmHg,(70.00±6.074) mmHg vs (90.50±12.250) mmHg,and the absolute value of CSF peak flow velocity was (243.20±77.671) mm/s vs (201.40±55.482) mm/s,respectively,P＜0.01].The absolute value of the peak velocity of the carotid artery before blood injection was not statistically significant compared with that after blood injection [(876.80±239.908) mm/s vs (799.40±241.829) mm/s,P＞0.05].Conclusion After the formation of brain herniation induced by acute intracranial hypertension,the CSF flow in the C3 level spinal canal showed a low dynamic change,and the CSF flow velocity waveform was disordered and malformed.The non-invasive measurement of CSF dynamics by PC cine MRI can provide an important basis for the change of CSF dynamics in the model of brain herniation induced by acute intracranial hypertension,and provide a theoretical basis for further research on damage control neurosurgery in the future.

Objective: To explore the clinical manifestation and treatment strategy for descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM). Methods: A total of 27 cases diagnosed as DNM from January 2010 to August 2018 in the First People’s Hospital of Foshan were reviewed. There were 16 males and 11 females, age ranged from 16 to 84 years. The clinical data were collected. SPSS 16.0 software and chi square test were used for statistical analysis. Results: ALL 27 cases were diagnosed as DNM by contrast-enhanced CT scan of the neck and chest. Among the 27 cases, 13 cases resulted from peritonsillar abscess, 8 cases from esophageal foreign body perforation, 5 cases from parapharyngeal and retropharyngeal space abscess, and one case from infection of oral cavity. These 27 cases were divided into three subtypes according to the sites of mediastinitis, including 11 cases for typeⅠ, 5 cases for type ⅡA and 11 cases for type ⅡB. Of 27 cases, 20 cases underwent transcervical drainage for DNM, of which 5 cases with tracheotomy and 6 cases with thoracic drainage, and finally 19 of the 20 patients were cured, and one patient died of bacteremia; 7 cases refused to received surgery and were routinely treated with antibiotics, of which, one case was cured and 6 cases died. The curative rate in patients underwent surgery was significantly higher than that in patients treated with medication (χ²=13.638, P<0.001). Among the 20 cured cases, 4 cases were combined with diabetes mellitus and 6 cases with necrotizing fasciitis, while in the 7 died cases, 5 cases were combined with diabetes mellitus and 6 cases with necrotizing fasciitis. The comorbidity rates of diabetes mellitus (χ²=4.074, P=0.044) and necrotizing fasciitis (χ²=4.457, P=0.035) in died cases were significantly higher than those in cured cases. Conclusion DNM is a serious infection, with high mortality especially in patients with diabetes and necrotizing fasciitis. Timely cervical and chest enhanced CT scan play vital role in its diagnosis. DNM can be treated effectively with transcervical drainage.

Objective: To study the clinical outcome of transoral CO₂ laser surgery for glottic cancer involving the anterior commissure. Methods: Thirty-two cases of glottic cancer involving the anterior commissure treated by transoral CO₂ laser surgery between March 2009 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. Among these cases, 27 were T1bM0M0, 5 were T2N0M0. All cases were followed-up for more than 3 years. Results: All the 32 cases were successfully treated. Perioperative complications included injuries in the soft palate mucosa(13/32, 40.63%), loose incisors(3/32, 9.38%) and subcutaneous emphysema in the neck(2/32, 6.25%). During the follow-up period, granulation was found in all cases. Three cases had local recurrence. Two patients treated by a secondary transoral CO₂ laser surgery and the other case had total laryngectomy, all three cases were followed up for 5 years without recurrence. Two cases had regional recurrence but no primary site recurrence. One patient was treated by neck dissection, and followed up for 5 years without recurrence. The other patient died of supraclavicular and mediastinal lymph node metastasis and lung metastasis 40 months after operation. The overall 5-year survival rate was 90.6%. There was no significant difference in survival rate between T1bN0M0(92.6%) and T2N0M0(80.0%) (Log Rank χ²=0.788, P=0.375). The overall 5-year local regional control rate was 84.4%. In T1bN0M0 lesions, the 5-year local regional control rate was 92.6%, which was significantly higher than that in T2N0M0 lesions(40.0%) (Log Rank χ²=9.504, P=0.002). Conclusion With appropriate surgical indication, detailed preoperative evaluation, good surgical skill, transoral CO₂ laser surgery may achieve satisfactory outcome in the treatment of glottic cancer involving the anterior commissure.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of cervical esophagostomy for the treatment of patients with dysphagia induced by radiotherapy, in order to improve the therapeutic effects.

METHODSA retrospective study was performed on 53 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with dysphagia, who received cervical esophagostomy. The nutritional status of these patients was measured at five given time before and after operation. The occurrence of pneumonia and reflux esophagitis before and after operation was recorded, and the quality of life based on SF-36 quality of life (QOL) scale was studied.

RESULTSAfter operation, the nutritional status of these patients improved substantially, including the weight, levels of hemoglobin, total protein, albumin and transferring (P<0.05). The pneumonia-infection decreased from 60.38% (32/53) before operation to 15.22% (7/46) after operation (χ(2)=21.04, P<0.01). The incidences of reflux esophagitis decreased from 26.42% (14/53)without operation to 6.52% (3/46) after operation (χ(2)=5.00, P<0.01). Meanwhile, the status of physical health, mental health as well as physical function and social function of these patients were improved significantly at 1 month, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after operation (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCervical esophagostomy can improve the life quality of patients with dysphagia induced by radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Carcinoma ; Deglutition Disorders ; complications ; surgery ; Esophagitis, Peptic ; complications ; Esophagostomy ; Humans ; Incidence ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; complications ; radiotherapy ; Pneumonia ; complications ; Quality of Life ; Radiotherapy ; adverse effects ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To explore the m ain perform ance of personality change in people w ith m ild psy-chiatric im pairm ents w hich due to the brain traum a caused by traffic accidents and its value in assess-m ent of psychiatric im pairm ent. Methods The condition of personality change of patients w ith traum atic brain injury caused by traffic accident w as evaluated by the Scale of Personality Change Post-traum atic Brain Injury (SPCPTBI). Furtherm ore, the correlation betw een the personality change and the degrees of traum atic brain injury and psychiatric im pairm ent w ere explored. Results In 271 sam ples, 239 (88.2% ) w ith personality changes. A m ong these 239 sam ples, 178 (65.7% ), 46 (17.0% ), 15 (5.5% ) w ith m ild, m oderate and severe personality changes, respectively. The ratio based on the extent of personality changes to the degree of brain traum a w as not significant (P>0.05), but the total score difference betw een the groups w as significant (P<0.05). There w as no statistical significance betw een the m edium and high severity brain traum a groups. The higher degree of personality changes, the higher rank of m ental disabilities. The total score difference of the scale of personality change am ong the different m ild psychiatric im pair-m ent group w as significant (P<0.05). The difference betw een other psychiatric im pairm ent levels had statistical significance (P<0.05) except level 7 and 8. Conclusion The occurrence of personality change due to traum atic brain injury caused by traffic accident w as high. Correlations exist betw een the personality change and the degree of psychiatric im pairm ent. Personality change due to brain traum a caused by traffic accident can be assessed effectively by m eans of SPCPTBI, and the correlation betw een the total score and the extent of traum atic brain injury can be found.

Objective To observe the levels of serum VEGF in different molecular subtypes of breast cancer and explore its relationship with response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods Levels of serum VEGF in 110 cases with breast cancer underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy were detected by ELISA prior to and after 3 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Clinical response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was evaluated by physical examination and ultrasonography. Results Levels of serum VEGF were significantly increased in breast cancer patients with≥4 lymph node metastasis than those with < 4 lymph node[(307.31 ± 101.42) pg/mL vs. (170.16 ± 73.07) pg/mL,P = 0.017]. Patients with positive HER-2 status had significantly higher levels of serum VEGF than those with HER-2 negative status [(235.15 ± 88.42 ) pg/mL vs. (179.82 ± 69.90) pg/mL, P = 0.024]. No significant difference was observed among age , menopausal status and hormone status. In patients with neoadjuvant chemotherapy of cCR and Cpr,the mean levels of serum VEGF were (205.75 ± 78.12) pg/mL and (226.04 ± 89.04) pg/mL, respectively. After 3 cycles of chemotherapy, levels of serum VEGF decreased to (145.15 ± 67.08) pg/mL and (161.27 ± 93.57) pg/mL. There was significant difference between two groups (P=0.009,0.014). In patients with SD or PD response, no significant difference was observed between levels of serum VEGF before and after chemotherapy (P = 0.577). Conclusions Levels of serum VEGF in breast cancer correlate with lymph nodes metastasis and HER-2 status and may decrease after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. However,whether or not the levels of serum VEGF can be used as a biomarker for response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy needs more further studies.

Objective To analyze the chromosome karyotypes,prenatal diagnosis indications and pregnancy outcomes of high-risk pregnant women in Guangzhou.Methods 2 475 cases pregnant women with screening high risk were operated amniocen-tesis or cordocentesis from January 2010 to September 2012,then amniotic fluids and cord bloods were cultured and the cell were collected for chromosome preparation,G banding,karyotype analysis.We completed follow-up works lastly.Results 38 cases were detected chromosomal abnormality(including 12 cases Down′s syndrome,9 cases sex chromosome abnormality,7 cases transloca-tion,5 cases Edwards′syndrome,2 cases inversion,2 cases deletion,1 cases triploid),the abnormal rate was 1.54%.132 cases were detected chromosomal polymorphism(60 cases 1,9,16qh+ ,30 cases inv(9),25 cases D/Gs+ ,17 cases Y polymorphism).Research on prenatal diagnosis indications,there were 449 cases advanced age,668 cases Down′s screening with high risk,158 cases with ab-normal B ultrasound screening,38 cases with adverse pregnancy history.Conclusion The highest percentage abnormal karyotype is Down′s syndrome.Down′s screening high risk is the main reason for prenatal diagnosis.It is very important to do prenatal diagnos-tic and system B ultrasound for the high-risk pregnant women.

Objective T o understand the assessm ent on the criminal responsibility of drug-induced m ental disorders and judicial experts’ opinions. Methods T he judicial experts from institutes of forensic psychi-atry in Shanghai were selected. T hey were asked to finish a self-m ade questionnaire of assessm ent on the criminal responsibility of drug-induced m ental disorders by letters and visits. Results Most of experts knewthe special regulation,“not suitable for evaluation” towards the criminal responsibility of drug-in-duced m ental disorders of the guideline prom ulgated by Ministry of Justice. B efore and after the guide-line was issued, no expert m ade a no-responsibility opinion in such cases. After the guideline was issued, som e experts m ade a full-responsibility or lim ited-responsibility opinion in such cases. T here was a little disagreem ent am ong the experts in the case that the crime was unrelated with m ental sym ptom s or the criminals used drugs even though he knewit could induced insanity. B ut there were still m any obvious disagreem ents am ong experts in the case that crime was related to such sym ptom s and person was no ability to debate. Most experts agreed to settle the disagreem ents with im proved legislative perfection. Conclusion Most experts are not strictly com plying with the assessm ent guidelines during their practice, and there is still an obvious disagreem ent towards the criminal responsibility of drug-induced m ental disorders.