In this study, the effect of brassinosteroid(BR) on the physiological and biochemical conditions of 2-year-old Panax notoginseng under the cadmium stress was investigated by the pot experiments. The results showed that cadmium treatment at 10 mg·kg~(-1) inhibited the root viability of P. notoginseng, significantly increased the content of H_2O_2 and MDA in the leaves and roots of P. noto-ginseng, caused oxidative damage of P. notoginseng, and reduced the activities of SOD and CAT. Cadmium stress reduced the chlorophyll content of P. notoginseng, increased leaf F_o, reduced F_m, F_v/F_m, and PIABS, and damaged the photosynthesis system of P. notoginseng. Cadmium treatment increased the soluble sugar content of P. notoginseng leaves and roots, inhibited the synthesis of soluble proteins, reduced the fresh weight and dry weight, and inhibited the growth of P. notoginseng. External spray application of 0.1 mg·L~(-1) BR reduced the H_2O_2 and MDA content in P. notoginseng leaves and roots under the cadmium stress, alleviated cadmium-induced oxidative damage to P. notoginseng, improved the antioxidant enzyme activity and root activity of P. notoginseng, increased the content of chlorophyll, reduced the F_o of P. notoginseng leaves, increased F_m, F_v/F_m, and PIABS, alleviated the cadmium-induced damage to the photosynthesis system, and improved the synthesis ability of soluble proteins. In summary, BR can enhance the anti-cadmium stress ability of P. notoginseng by regulating the antioxidant enzyme system and photosynthesis system of P. notoginseng under the cadmium stress. In the context of 0.1 mg·L~(-1) BR, P. notoginseng can better absorb and utilize light energy and synthesize more nutrients, which is more suitable for the growth and development of P. notoginseng.
Cadmium/metabolism* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Panax notoginseng ; Brassinosteroids/pharmacology* ; Chlorophyll/metabolism* ; Plant Roots/metabolism* ; Stress, Physiological

Hydrogen peroxide (H

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

Abdominal Wall/surgery* ; Adenocarcinoma, Clear Cell/surgery* ; Endometriosis/pathology* ; Humans

Objective: Autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) derived from bone marrow can promote liver regeneration and improve the liver function of patients, but there are few studies on its effect on the long-term outcomes in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Based on previous work, this study observed the clinical outcomes of PBSC treatment in patients with decompensated cirrhosis for 10 years, in order to provide more data support for the safety and efficacy of stem cells in clinical applications. Methods: Data of patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who completed PBSC treatment in the Department of Gastroenterology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from August 2005 to February 2012 were included. The follow-up endpoint was death or liver transplantation, and patients who did not reach the follow-up endpoint were followed-up for at least 10 years. The patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis who met the conditions for PBSC treatment but did not receive PBSC treatment in our hospital during the same period were used as controls. Results: A total of 287 cases with decompensated liver cirrhosis had completed PBSC treatment, and 90 cases were lost to follow-up within 10 years after surgery. A total of 151 cases with complete survival follow-up data were included in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline information such as gender, age, etiological composition and liver function score between the two groups. The 10-year survival rate was higher in PBSC than control group (37.56% vs. 26.49%, P<0.05). Cholinesterase, albumin, international normalized ratio, Child-Turcotte-Pugh score, model for end-stage liver disease score, and other indicators were gradually recovered within 3 months to 1 year after PBSC treatment, and stabilized at a more desirable level in the long-term after follow-up for up to 10 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of liver cancer between the two groups (25.22% vs.31.85%, P=0.267). The age of onset of hepatocellular carcinoma was later in PBSC than control group [(56.66±7.21) years vs. (52.69±8.42) years, P<0.05]. Conclusions: This long-term observational follow-up study of more than ten years confirms that PBSC treatment can bring long-term benefits to patients with decompensated cirrhosis, with good long-term safety, thus providing more data support on the safety and efficacy of stem cells for clinical applications.
End Stage Liver Disease ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/drug therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Qingxin Lianzi Yin （QXLZY）， as an ancient classical formula for clearing the heart and nourishing the Yin， was composed of nine herbs （Scutellariae Radix， Ophiopogonis Radix， Lycii Cortex， Plantaginis Semen， Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma Praeparata Cum Melle， Nelumbinis Semen， Poria， Astragali Radix and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma）， coming from Prescriptions of the Bureau of Taiping People's Welfare Pharmacy. It could clear away the heart-fire， promote the interaction of the heart and kidney， replenish Qi and Yin， and stop strangury-turbidity. It was used to treat gonorrhea of urination， seminal emission， restlessness， wasting-thirst and so on. At present， the usage and dosage of QXLZY and its addition and subtraction are different in clinical practice. Most of the studies just focus on its clinical efficacy， and there is few review literature reflecting its historical evolution. Based on this， this paper systematically clarified the historical evolution， composition， preparation， interpretation， function， and modern clinical application of QXLZY. This work has been explained the historical evolution of QXLZY， and found that it was wildly used in modern clinical， especially suitable for the treatment of chronic urinary system diseases. At the same time， QXLZY also had significant therapeutic effects on neurasthenia， stomatitis， diabetic nephropathy and other aspects. Through the comprehensive analysis of ancient and modern literature， this work explores the true connotation of QXLZY from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine theory， which can point out the direction of the clinical application and positioning of this famous classical formula after it comes into the market， and also can provide reference basis for its subsequent in-depth research and development.

Objective:To explore the effective dose range of Kaihoujian throat spray (for children) in treating acute pharyngitis and acute tonsillitis, in order to provide the reference for the usage and dosage in clinic. Method:A total of 160 juvenile SD rats were divided into 16 groups according to the body mass grade, namely normal group, model group, amoxicillin or ribavirin group, compound Yizhi Huanghua group and different doses of Kaihoujian (for children) groups. The different doses of Kaihoujian (for children) groups were divided into 12 treatment groups based on 2 sprays/time, 4 times/day, 4 sprays/time, 4 times/day, 6 sprays/time, 4 times/day, 8 sprays/time, 4 times/day, 2 sprays/time, 6 times/day, 4 sprays/time, 6 times/day, 6 sprays/time, 6 times/day, 8 sprays/time, 6 times/day, 2 sprays/time, 8 times/day, 4 sprays/time, 8 times/day, 6 sprays/time, 8 times/day, and 8 sprays/time, 8 times/day. Except for normal group, all of the remaining groups were included in three animal models, namely 5%ammonia-induced acute pharyngitis in rat, B type streptococcus haemolyticus-induced acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis in rabbit, and adenovirus-induced acute pharyngitis in mice. Then the optimal usage and dosage of Kaihoujian throat spray (for children) were evaluated based on pharyngeal lesion score and htoxylin eosin(HE) staining. Result:There were significant differences in pharyngeal and tonsil lesions between the model group and the normal group (P<0.01). All of the 12 treatment groups could alleviate pharyngeal and tonsil lesions in three animal models, and the best dose range with significant potency were 4~8 sprays/times, 6 times/day and 2~6 sprays/times, 8 times/day(P<0.05,P<0.01). Conclusion:The clinical usage and dosage of Kaihoujian throat spray (for children) in treating acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis were suggested to be 2 sprays/times, 6~8 times/day for 1~3 year-old children; 3~6 sprays/times, 6~8 times/day for 4~6 year-old children and 5~8 sprays/times, 6~8 times/day for 7~12 year-old children.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on expression of cytoskeletal proteins from Sertoli cells (SCs) and spermatogenesis in rats with oligozoospermia of insufficiency of Shen (Kidney) essence syndrome (OIKES). METHODS: Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups using a random number table: control, tripterygium glycosides (TG) treatment, sham and EA groups (n=5 in each group). A rat model of OIKES was established by oral gavage with TG. The EA group was treated with TG and received EA at Shenshu (BL 23) and Zusanli (ST 36) acupoints for 20 min, once daily for 30 days, while the sham group received EA at identical acupoints with skin penetration without stimulation. After 30 days, the final body weight and coefficients for the testis and epididymis were calculated and sperm parameters were measured. Immunohistochemical analyses were performed to detect expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivity in germ cells. Apoptosis in germ cells was quantified by the transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling assay. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the final body weight and testis/epididymis coefficients of rats in the TG-treated group were not significantly different, but the sperm count and motility were lower (P<0.05). Expressions of vimentin and α-tubulin were also significantly weaker (P<0.01). The PCNA immunoreactivity of germ cells was decreased (P=0.059), whereas the apoptotic index of germ cells was increased significantly (P<0.01). In contrast, EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints significantly improved the final body weight as well as the sperm count, concentration and motility (P<0.01 or P<0.05). EA increased expression of vimentin and α-tubulin in SCs markedly, and significantly enhanced PCNA immunoreactivity with decreased apoptosis in germ cells (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS EA at BL 23 and ST 36 acupoints has protective effects on spermatogenesis in rats with OIKES. This effect seems to be achieved by attenuating TG-induced disruption of cytoskeletal protein in SCs.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of salvianolate in elderly patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP). METHODS: A prospective double-blind randomized placebo-controlled multicenter trial in elderly patients with UAP from 13 third-grade class-A hospitals in China was performed. A total of 318 patients were randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio to an experimental group (160 patients) and a control group (158 patients). The experimental group was treated with salvianolate for 14 days on the basis of conventional medicine, and the control group was given a placebo for 14 days with the same criteria. Follow-up was lasted 28 days in both groups. The primary endpoint was biweekly frequency of angina pectoris attacks. The secondary endpoints included biweekly dosage of nitroglycerin, the Seattle Angina Questionnaire, angina pectoris severity and duration, myocardial injury markers, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), as well as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs). Safety was assessed according to adverse events and serious adverse events. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between treatment groups. Compared with those in the control group, the frequency of biweekly angina attacks (2.92 vs . 4.08, P=0.025), the biweekly dosage of nitroglycerin, as well as the severity and duration of angina attacks (P<0.01) were reduced by salvianolate. The Seattle Angina Questionnaire score was also significantly improved in the experimental group than in the control group (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the two groups with respect to the incidence of MACEs. Salvianolate was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS Salvianolate appear to have efficacy and well tolerated for elderly patients with UAP. [ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03037047].

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)in a children's hospital,and provide basis for the prevention and control of MRSA infection in children. Methods Children who admitted to a children's hospital from 2011 to 2015 were analyzed retrospectively,clinical data of children,isolation of pathogens,types of specimens,and healthcare-associated infection(HAI)status were analyzed.Results From 2011 to 2015,a total of 911 children isolated Staphylococcus aureus (SA,1108 positive specimens),494 of whom isolated MRSA (599 positive specimens),54.23% of children isolated MRSA(isolation rate of specimens was 54.06%);there was no significant difference in the isolation rate of MRSA between children of different genders(P > 0.05);isolation rate of MRSA in different age groups was statistically significant(P <0.05).Isolation rates of MRSA from blood,puncture fluid,secretion,and pus were 68.97%,66.00%,55.81%, and 54.47% respectively.Isolation rate of SA and MRSA increased from 0.61% and 21.74% in 2011 to 1.40%and 75.59% in 2015 respectively,difference were both significant(both P <0.05).Incidence of SA and MRSA in-creased from 0.198% in 2011 to 2.697% and 2.119% in 2015 respectively,both showed an upward trend year by year(both P <0.05).Conclusion Isolation rate of MRSA and incidence of HAI in this children's hospital increased year by year,it is necessary to intensify management,use antimicrobial agents scientifically and rationally,timelyperform disinfection and isolation,so as to curb the emergence and spread of MRSA in hospital settings.