Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Tongsai Granules(TSG)on macrophage-mediated inflammatory response to alleviate acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)in rats and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Twenty-four rats were divided into control group,AECOPD model group,TSG treatment group,and moxifloxacin+salbutamol(MXF+STL)treatment group.In the rat models of COPD,AECOPD was induced by nasal instillation of Klebsiella pneumoniae on day 3 of week 9 after modeling,and saline,TSG or MXF+STL were administered via gavage on days 1 and 2 and days 4 to 7 of week 9.After the treatments,lung tissues were collected for examining for pathologies and expressions of inflammatory markers,MMP2,and MMP9.In cultured macrophage MH-S cells with LPS stimulation,the effect of TSG-medicated serum on IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,COX-2,and iNOS expressions and phosphorylation levels of p38,p-p62,LC3,FoxO3a,and mTOR were evaluated.Results TSG significantly improved lung pathologies and lung function in AECOPD rats by reducing bronchial wall thickness and mean alveolar linear intercept,increasing alveolar numbers,and reducing pulmonary expression of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MMP2 and MMP9.In MH-S cells,TSG significantly suppressed LPS-induced expressions of inflammatory cytokines,COX-2 and iNOS.Serum pharmacology coupled with network pharmacology identified 10 chemical components in TSG-medicated serum,and functional analysis of their 466 targets suggested that the therapeutic effect of TSG on AECOPD was mediated primarily by luteolin and quercetin,which regulate the MAPK,mTOR,FoxO,and autophagy pathways.In MH-S cells,luteolin significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory responses and expressions of p-p38,FoxO3a,mTOR,p-p62 and LC3.Conclusion TSG reduces macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses to alleviate AECOPD in rats possibly by modulating p38,mTOR,and FoxO3a pathways and inhibiting autophagy.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of Tongsai Granules(TSG)on macrophage-mediated inflammatory response to alleviate acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)in rats and explore the underlying mechanism.Methods Twenty-four rats were divided into control group,AECOPD model group,TSG treatment group,and moxifloxacin+salbutamol(MXF+STL)treatment group.In the rat models of COPD,AECOPD was induced by nasal instillation of Klebsiella pneumoniae on day 3 of week 9 after modeling,and saline,TSG or MXF+STL were administered via gavage on days 1 and 2 and days 4 to 7 of week 9.After the treatments,lung tissues were collected for examining for pathologies and expressions of inflammatory markers,MMP2,and MMP9.In cultured macrophage MH-S cells with LPS stimulation,the effect of TSG-medicated serum on IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,COX-2,and iNOS expressions and phosphorylation levels of p38,p-p62,LC3,FoxO3a,and mTOR were evaluated.Results TSG significantly improved lung pathologies and lung function in AECOPD rats by reducing bronchial wall thickness and mean alveolar linear intercept,increasing alveolar numbers,and reducing pulmonary expression of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MMP2 and MMP9.In MH-S cells,TSG significantly suppressed LPS-induced expressions of inflammatory cytokines,COX-2 and iNOS.Serum pharmacology coupled with network pharmacology identified 10 chemical components in TSG-medicated serum,and functional analysis of their 466 targets suggested that the therapeutic effect of TSG on AECOPD was mediated primarily by luteolin and quercetin,which regulate the MAPK,mTOR,FoxO,and autophagy pathways.In MH-S cells,luteolin significantly inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory responses and expressions of p-p38,FoxO3a,mTOR,p-p62 and LC3.Conclusion TSG reduces macrophage-mediated inflammatory responses to alleviate AECOPD in rats possibly by modulating p38,mTOR,and FoxO3a pathways and inhibiting autophagy.

AIM:To investigate the effect of Tongsai granules(TSG)on epithelial barrier dysfunction in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(AECOPD)and the underlying mechanism.METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,TSG group,and moxifloxacin(MXF)+salbutamol(STL)group.Rat COPD model was established over 8 weeks.On day 3 of week 9,the rats with COPD were intratracheally administered Klebsiella pneumoniae to establish the AECOPD model.On days 1 to 2 and 4 to 7 in week 9,saline was administered via oral gavage to the rats in control and model groups,and the rats in TSG and MXF+ STL groups were treated daily with TSG and MXF+STL by gavage,respectively.Peak expiratory flow(PEF),histopatho-logical changes,and the expression levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β),IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),matrix me-talloproteinase 2(MMP2),MMP9,zonula occludens-1(ZO-1),E-cadherin(E-Cad)and occludin(OCC)were deter-mined.Moreover,human bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were exposed to cigarette smoke extract(CSE)and treated with different TSG fractions,and the protein levels of ZO-1,E-Cad,OCC,epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR),phosphorylated EGFR(p-EGFR),extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)and phosphorylated ERK(p-ERK)were determined.RESULTS:Treatment with TSG significantly reduced bronchial wall thickness,mean linear intercept,and the levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α,MMP2 and MMP9(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),significantly increased mean alveolar number and PEF(P＜0.01),and up-regulated the ZO-1,E-Cad and OCC protein levels(P＜0.01)in the lungs of AECOPD rats.Treatment with TSG2,the second TSG fraction,increased the protein levels of ZO-1,E-Cad and OCC in a dose-dependent manner in CSE-exposed BEAS-2B cells(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Network pharmacology analysis of 328 targets of the com-pounds in TSG2 and 3 864 genes related to AECOPD suggested that TSG2 relieved AECOPD likely through the regulation of ERBB2,ERK,EGFR,IL and WNT signaling pathways.Treatment with TSG2 also inhibited CSE-induced increases in p-EGFR and p-ERK levels in BEAS-2B cells(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Treatment with TSG could maintain airway epithelial barrier function in AECOPD rats,likely through the inhibition of EGFR/ERK signaling pathway.

Objective:This study compared the prevalence,awareness,treatment and control of hypertension and associated factors in China and the United States(US).Methods:Adult data from nationally representative samples were derived from the Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance in 2010 and 2013 in China and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2010 and 2013 in the US.Multivariable logistic and Poisson regression analysis were conducted to assess associations of the four outcomes with body weight status and behavioral factors.Results:Age-standardized prevalence rates of hypertension was 35.7％(95％confidence interval[CI]:35.4％to 36.1％)in 2010 and 29.8％(95％CI:29.4％to 30.2％)in 2013 in China,and 35.3％(95％CI:33.6％to 37.1％)in 2010 and 37.9％(95％CI:36.0％to 39.7％)in 2013 in the US.Among hypertensive participants,the age-standardized rates of treatment were 18.4％(95％CI:17.9％to 18.9％)in 2010 and 23.8％(95％CI:23.1％to 24.6％)in 2013 in China and 54.5％(95％CI:50.3％to 58.7％)in 2010 and 50.9％(95％CI:46.5％to 55.3％)in 2013 in the US;the age-standardized hypertension control rates were 3.2％(95％CI:3.0％to 3.5％)and 5.7％(95％CI:5.3％to 6.0％)in 2010 and 2013 in China and 50.6％(95％CI:46.2％to 55.0％)and 55.3％(95％CI:50.3％to 60.3％)in the US.Obesity was significantly associated with prevalence,awareness and control rates in both countries.Different from the US,obesity was negatively associated with hypertension control in China.Conclusion:Hypertension prevalence in China is similar to that in the US,but the control rate in China was significantly lower.Obesity was a critical risk factor for poor hypertension control in China.

Objective:To detect the level of serological indexes in patients with chronic hepatitis B and carry out magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination at the same time, so as to construct a diagnostic model for liver fibrosis and evaluate its diagnostic value.Methods:A total of 267 patients with chronic hepatitis B in Fushun Central Hospital from January 2018 to June 2020 were selected as the research objects. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) was measured by introvoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) magnetic resonance imaging, and the related serological indexes were detected; Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation among Frons index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis index based on the 4 factor (Fib-4), red blood cell volume distribution width to platelet ratio (RPR) and ADC; Logistic regression analysis was used to establish a new diagnosis model of hepatic fibrosis; receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of liver fibrosis model.Results:The pathological examination of 267 patients with chronic hepatitis B showed that there were 35 cases in F0 stage, 47 cases in F1 stage, 58 cases in F2 stage, 66 cases in F3 stage and 61 cases in F4 stage. There were significant differences in platelet (PLT), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), prothrombin activity (PTA), collagen Ⅳ (CⅣ), laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), precollagen Ⅲ (PCⅢ), Frons index, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index (APRI), fibrosis index based on the 4 factor(Fib-4), red blood cell volume distribution width to platelet ratio (RPR) and ADC in patients with mild liver fibrosis (F0-F1), moderate liver fibrosis (F2-F3) and severe liver fibrosis (F4) ( P<0.05). Pearson analysis showed that Frons index, APRI, Fib-4, RPR and ADC were positively correlated ( P<0.05). The comparison of value of logistic probability risk estimating (PRE) and Frons index, APRI, Fib-4, RPR in the diagnosis of chronic hepatitis B liver fibrosis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of Frons index, Fib-4 and APRI in the diagnosis of moderate liver fibrosis were higher than that of mild and severe liver fibrosis, with AUC of 0.903, 0.928 and 0.957, respectively; the AUC of RPR in the diagnosis of mild and moderate hepatic fibrosis was higher (0.861); the AUC of PRE in the diagnosis of mild, moderate and severe liver fibrosis was 0.860, 0.861 and 0.865, respectively; the sensitivity was 64.6%, 76.6%, 73.8%, and the specificity was 96.3%, 89.5% and 95.1%, respectively. Conclusions:Frons index, APRI, Fib-4, RPR and PRE liver fibrosis diagnostic models have certain diagnostic value. Among them, the liver fibrosis diagnostic model predicted by MRI and serological indexes has the best comprehensive efficiency. The best diagnostic scheme should be selected according to the actual situation.

Thyroid carcinoma (TC) is one of the most prevalent endocrine malignancies worldwide. Patients with TC have high overall survival, but TC experienced the largest increase in incidence. Therefore, it is necessary to get further understanding of the mechanism involved in the development and progression of TC. The concept of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) further illuminates the mechanism of tumorigenesis. Current studies indicate that psedugenic RNA, lncRNA, circRNA and mRNA, all of which may take part in the construction of ceRNETs as ceRNAs. These ceRNAs harbour the same miRNA response element (MRE) as mRNAs. Thus, ceRNAs can also competitively inhibit mRNA binding to the miRNAs, which results in affecting mRNA expression to exerts a pro-oncogenic or tumor-suppressive influence in tumor. Recently, a large number of studies have shown that ceRNA molecules play an important role in the malignant behavior of thyroid cancer. Therefore, it is necessary to summarize these studies. The purpose of this paper is to classify these ceRNA molecules in thyroid cancer and to elaborate the functions of these molecules in thyroid cancer.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of central lymph node metastasis for thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) combined with Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT).Methods:A total of 572 patients with PTMC were admitted to the Thyroid Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January to December 2018. Their all pathological features were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 140 PTMC patients combined with HT were screened. The software of SPSS 23.0 was used to analyze risk factors related to lymph node metastasis in central region, which included gender, age, tumor size, number of lesions, mutated BRAFV600 E gene, external invasion. Results:Single factor analysis of these 140 patients showed, tumor size 6 mm or higher ( χ2=5.376, P=0.020), multifocal ( χ2=7.986, P=0.005), BRAFV600 E mutation positive ( χ2=5.072, P=0.024) and external invasion ( χ2=7.778, P=0.005) were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showned, multifocal ( OR=2.473, P=0.018) and external invasion ( OR=3.608, P=0.048) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in central region of patients who had PTMC combined with HT. Conclusion:In patients who have PTMC combined with HT, the risk of central lymph node metastasis increased when patients had multifocal or external invasion before surgery, at this time, preventive central lymph node dissection was recommended.

Objective: To construct the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network related to gastric cancer and explore the molecular mechanism. Methods: The expression profiles of lncRNA, miRNA and mRNA in gastric cancer and paracancer tissues were analyzed by biochip technology, edgeR package in R software was used to filtrate differential expression genes (multiple change of >1.5 times, P<0.05) and volcano map was drawn. Based on the online miRNA-lncRNA prediction tool lncBase database and the miRNA Target gene prediction database (miRTarBase, target-scan, miRDB, starBase), the relationship between miRNA, lncRNA and mRNA was predicted. Cytoscape software was used to construct lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network and key genes (hub genes) were identified based on cytohubba calculation of degree score of each node. Then Hub genes related to the prognosis of gastric cancer were verified in the TCGA database. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of differentially expressed mRNA was performed using the online biological information annotation database DAVID, P<0.05 and false discovery rate (FDR)<0.05 were used as cut-off criteria. R software was used to download the RNA sequencing data and mirna-seq data of gastric cancer and adjacent tissues in TCGA database, edgeR package was used to screen out differentially expressed mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA, and some differentially expressed genes in our data were verified. In OncoLnc database, STAD project of TCGA data was selected and hub gene was input. Patients were divided into two groups based on the median value for hub genes and Kaplan-meier analysis was performed. Results: The differentially expressed 766 mRNA, 110 lncRNA and 10 miRNA were screened out, among them 90 mRNA, 4 lncRNA and 6 miRNA were used to construct the ceRNA network, and 2 of the 20 hub genes were related to the prognosis of patients. MLK7-AS1, SPP1, SULF1, hsa-miR-1307-3p were upregulated in gastric cancer tissues from our biochip, while MT2A, MT1X were downregulated, which were consistent with the results of TCGA gastric cancer database. The differentially expressed mRNAs were significantly enriched in the biological process (BP) and the mineral absorption pathway. CHST1 was negatively correlated while miR-183-5p was positively corelated with the survival of patients. Conclusion The establishment of ceRNA network for gastric cancer is conducive to further understanding of the molecular biological mechanism. CHST1 and miR-183-5p can be used as prognostic factors of gastric cancer.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and imaging manifestations of primary bone lymphoma (PBL) located in the jaw.Methods:Clinical data of 14 PBL patients admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2014 to April 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, which including age, gender, location, chief complaint, laboratory test, imaging manifestations and so on.Results:Among the 14 PBL patients, 10 were male and 4 were female. Age range from 4 to 79 years, median age was 56 years old. There were 6 cases involved maxillary, 7 cases involved mandible and 1 case involved mandible and maxillary simultaneously. Twelve patients were admitted with local mass as the chief complaint, 3 had a history of toothache, 4 had loosen tooth and 2 had numbness of lips and cheeks. Two cases of oral mass with mucosal surface ulcer or abscess formation. One case complained of fever, night sweats and other systemic symptoms. The imaging findings showed 8 cases of osteolytic lesions, 1 case of sclerosis, 4 cases of mixed lesions and 1 case of cystic lesions. One case had periosteum reaction. In 12 cases, there was an obvious mass, which was characterized by the large soft-tissue mass and marrow changes were associated with surprisingly little cortical destruction.Conclusions:PBL is more common in middle aged male. The upper and lower jaw bones can be involved. Clinical and imaging manifestations lack characteristics, and common dental or periodontal symptoms such as toothache, tooth loosening, and paresthesia may occur. However, the imaging characteristics of large soft tissue masses with small degree of bone destruction can be used as an important basis for the differential diagnosis of osteomyelitis, squamous cell carcinoma, osteosarcoma and other diseases.

Objective:To explore the strategy and experience for treating maxillofacial and cervical multi-space infection combined with descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) via multidisciplinary team (MDT) collaboration.Methods:A total of 36 patients with maxillofacial and cervical multi-space infection complicated with DNM admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from July 2011 to July 2019 were included in the study. The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed, including gender, age, symptoms at admission, source of infection, preoperative and postoperative evaluation indicators, MDT strategy and prognosis.Results:There were 26 males and 10 females with an average age of (51.6±17.6) years (8-80 years). The course of disease before admission was (8.9±8.4) days (2-30 days). All patients were admitted with maxillofacial and neck swelling and pain as the main complaints. Odontogenic infection accounted for 39% (14/36), throat floor swelling and pain accounted for 25% (9/36) and unknown maxillofacial swelling accounted for 36% (13/36). There were 28 cases receiving surgical treatment, 26 cases were cured and discharged (72%), 10 cases died (28%). In the patients treated with multidisciplinary therapy (mainly by surgery), the white blood cell count, neutrophil percentage, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels were significantly improved compared with those at admission at each observation time point after operation ( P<0.05). The length of stay was positively correlated with the levels of C-reactive protein ( r=0.545, P<0.05) and procalcitonin ( r=0.504, P<0.05). The prognosis of patients treated with surgery (26/28) was better than that of patients without surgery (0/8) ( P<0.01). Conclusions:The patients with maxillofacial and cervical multi-space infection combined with DNM might be in critical condition. The surgical based MDT strategy has an important impact on the prognosis of patients. White blood cell count and other inflammatory indicators monitoring can effectively observe the changes of the patient′s condition.