Albizzia julibrissin is empirically used as an antidepressant in clinical practice. Preclinical studies have indicated that its total extracts or bioactive constituents exerted antidepressant-like responses in animal models, providing the molecular basis to reveal its underlying mechanism of action. While attempts have been made to understand the antidepressant effect of A. julibrissin, many fundamental questions regarding its mechanism of action remain to be addressed at the molecular and systems levels. In this review, we conclusively discussed the mechanism of action of A. julibrissin and A. julibrissin formulae by reviewing recent preclinical and clinical studies conducted by using depressive animal models and depressive patients. Several representative bioactive constituents and formulae were highlighted as examples, and their mechanisms of action were discussed. In addition, some representative A. julibrissin formulae that have been shown to be compatible with conventional antidepressants in clinical practice were also reviewed. Furthermore, we discussed the future research directions to reveal the underlying mechanism of A. julibrissin at the molecular and systems levels in depression treatment. The integrated study using both the molecular and systematic approaches is required not only for improving our understanding of its molecular basis and mechanisms of action, but also for providing a way to discover novel agents or approaches for the effective and systematic treatment of depression.

Objective To study the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Lymphedema Quality of Life Questionnaire (LYMQOL) in lymphedema patients. Methods LYMQOL was translated into Chinese. The Chinese version of the LYMQOL was distributed with the official Wechat account "Lymphedema Channel" to lymphedema patients who were recruited from October 28
China ; Humans ; Lymphedema ; Quality of Life ; Reproducibility of Results ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective:To investigate the infarct size and its related factors in patients with anterior choroidal artery (AchA) territory infarction.Methods:From April 2016 to April 2018, consecutive patients with acute AchA territory infarction hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, the Affiliated Shuyang Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were enrolled retrospectively. The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was used to assess the severity of the disease at baseline, and the Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) was used to determine the side, location, size, and morphology of the infarct lesions. The patients were divided into small infarction group (<20 mm) and large infarction group (≥20 mm). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for infarct size. Results:A total of 100 consecutive patients with acute AchA territory infarction were enrolled, including 86 (86.0%) in small infarction group, 14 (14.0%) in large infarction group. Based on the NIHSS score, there were 89 patients with mild stroke, 9 with moderate stroke, and 2 with severe stroke. According to DWI, 69 patients (69.0%) had long cord-like infarcts and 31 (31.0%) had other shapes of infarcts. The baseline NIHSS score (7.0 [2.0-10.5] vs. 3.0 [2.0-4.0]; Z=2.353, P=0.019) and the proportion of patients with severe stroke (14.3% vs. 0%; P=0.018), the infarcts in posterior part of periventricular area (85.7% vs. 57.0%; χ2=4.180, P=0.041) and medial globus pallidus (21.4% vs. 4.7%; χ2=5.206, P=0.023), and cord-like infarction (92.9% vs. 65.1%; χ2=4.332, P=0.037) in patients of the large infarction group were significantly higher than those of the small infarction group; leukocyte count (7.7±1.7×10 9/L vs. 6.6±1.8×10 9/L; t=2.214, P=0.036) and platelet count (234.5±39.5×10 9/L vs. 198.0±49.4×10 9/L; t=2.618, P=0.010) were significantly higher than those of the small infarction group; the proportion of patients with sensory impairment was significantly higher than that of the small infarction group (50.0% vs. 24.4%; χ2=3.908, P=0.048). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that platelet count (odds ratio 1.018, 95% confidence interval 1.000-1.621; P=0.044) and stroke severity (odds ratio 18.245, 95% confidence interval 1.534-217.052; P=0.022) were significantly and positively correlated with the infarct size. Conclusion:The related factors of the infarct size in patients with AchA territory infarction included sensory impairment, baseline NIHSS score, stroke severity, morphology and location of infarct lesions, and leukocyte and platelet counts, of which platelet count and stroke severity were independently positively correlated with the infarct size.

Objective To investigate the expressions of CD147 and matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9)in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC)tissue and their clinical significance.Methods The expressions of CD147 and MMP-9 were analyzed semi-quantitatively by immunohistochemical staining in LSCC and control group tissues.Results ① The positive rate of CD147 was 83.3% (30/36)in LSCC,which was higher than that in laryngeal polyp (33.3%,5/15)and in adjacent normal tissue (16.7%,6/36);it was related to histological grade, clinical stage and lymph node metastasis status (P<0 .0 5 ).② The positive rate of MMP-9 was 7 2 .2% (2 6/3 6 )in LSCC,which was higher than that in laryngeal polyp (13.3%,2/15)and in adjacent normal tissue (5.6%,2/36);it was related to histological grade,T stage,clinical stage and lymph node metastasis status (P<0.05).③ There was a positive correlation between the expressions of CD147 and MMP-9 in LSCC tissue (r=0.721,P=0.000). Conclusion The over-expressions of CD147 and MMP-9 in LSCC may contribute to the development and metastasis of LSCC.

Objective To investigate the relationship between activation of gliacytes , mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and neuronal apoptosis after microinjecting aggregated Aβ25-35 into hippocampus.Methods The model was established by using stereotaxic technique to inject 10μg aggregated Aβ25-35 into dorsal hippocampus in rats .The rats were grouped as the control , vehicle and model groups .Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used for detection of activation of microglia(MG), atrocytes (AS) and expression of p-p38MAPK in the hippocampus.ELISA was used to evaluate the level of TNF-αand IL-1β.The survival neurons were observed by Nissl staining and the apoptotic neurons were identified by tunnel staining .Results Expression of ox-42, GFAP, p-p38MAPK were up-regulated in hippocampus, as well as TNF-α、IL-1β, which reached a highest value on the 7th day after injection of Aβ25-35.However, the number of neuron with Nissl positive decreased gradually , and the tunnel positive neurons increased highly and reached a peak value on the 7th day.There were significant differences between the control and vehicle group ( P <0.01). Conclusion Apoptosis of the neuron caused by Aβ25-35 injection may result from activation of gliacytes , p38 MAPK and increase of TNF-αand IL-1βlevel.

Objective To evaluate perfusion computed tomography in the assessment of portal vein pressure changes in an experimental dog model of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertension.Methods The canine model of cirrhosis and portal hypertension was induced by portal vein stenosis with combination of systemic thioacetamide(TAA) feeding in drinking water.All of the Beagles in control group and cirrhotic group underwent hepatic perfusion on a spiral CT scanner.The parameters of hepatic perfusion were calculated by the method of deconvolution.The portal vein pressure was measured by a laparotomy surgery.Results ① In control group, the portal vein pressure was ( 14.5 ± 2.2) cm H2O, while it was (23.1 ± 2.8) cm H2O in PHT group, there was significant difference in the portal vein pressure between the two groups (P＜0.05).② The blood flow(BF) was (112 ±14) ml·100 g-1·min-1 in controls, while ( 96 ± 11) ml·100 g-1·min-1 in PHT group; the blood volume ( BV ) in control group and PHT group was (10 ±3) ml·100 g-1 and (11 ± 5) ml· 100 g-1, respectively; the mean transit time( MTT) was (7.1 ± 2.0) s and (10.4 ± 3.5) s, respectively; the hepatic arterial fraction (HAF) was ( 24 ± 5) % and ( 37 ± 6)% , respectively; the hepatic arterial perfusion (HAP) was(27 ±6) ml·100 g-1·min-1 and (35 ±5) ml·100 g-1·min-1, respectively; the portal venous perfusion (PVP) was (85 ± 13) ml·100 g-1·min-1 and (61 ±11) ml·100 g-1·min-1, respectively.There was significant difference in all parameters between the two groups except the parameter BV(P ＜ 0.05).③ In PHT group, the PVP and BF were negatively correlated with the portal vein pressure, while positively correlated with MTT and HAF.Portal vein pressure was negatively correlated with PVP, the equation, Y = 36.624 -0.219X, was deduced with linear regression analysis, by which the portal vein pressure in PHT Beagles was ( 23.2 ± 2.4) cm H2O, which was correlated with the observed by laparotomy value (23.1 ± 2.8) cm H2O (r = 0.843, P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion CT perfusion is a new non-invasive and effective method for assessment of portal vein pressure.

Objective To evaluate 1-week and 1-year outcomes of carotid artery stenting (CAS)using cerebral perfusion CT(PCT). Methods The clinical database of 20 patients with unilateral carotid artery stenosis( ≥60% ) who underwent CAS were retrospectively reviewed. Relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative cerebral blood flow(rCBF) and relative mean transit time( rMTT) were measured by using cerebral PCT within one week before CAS and at one week and at one year after CAS. Cerebral MRI was performed within one week before CAS. The noncontrast CT was performed within one week before CAS and immediately after CAS. The arteriography was performed at one year after CAS. The variance analysis was performed to determine whether there were significant differences of rCBV, rCBF, rMTT in anterior cerebral artery area( ACA area), middle cerebral artery area( MCA area), posterior cerebral artery area( PCA area),basal ganglia area, front and back cortical watershed area( CWS area) and internal watershed area( IWS area) among the different time points. Results In the three measures, there was no significant difference of rCBV in all areas among the three time points( P ＞ 0. 05 ) , and there was no significant difference of rCBF and rMTT in PCA area( P ＞ 0. 05 ), but there were significant differences of rCBF and rMTT in all other areas among the three time ponits(P ＜0. 01). In one week before CAS, at one week and at one year after CAS, rCBF of 20 patients is 0. 86 ±0. 06, 0. 95 ±0. 04, 0. 98 ±0. 07 in ACA area, 0. 81 ±0. 04, 1.06 ±0. 04, 1.03 ±0.07 in MCA area, 0. 84 ±0. 06, 0. 97 ±0. 04, 0. 96 ±0. 04 in basal ganglia, 0. 78 ±0. 03,0. 97 ±0. 03, 0. 96 ±0. 02 in front CWS area, 0. 77 ±0. 03, 1.00 ±0. 02, 0. 98 ±0. 03 in back CWS area,and 0. 80 ± 0. 04, 0. 94 ± 0. 03, 0. 93 ± 0. 04 in IWS area ( F = 18. 95, 146. 41,63.03,540. 85,415.97,164.19, P＜0. 01). rMTT is 1.17 ±0.05, 1.04±0.04, 1.01 ±0.06 in ACA area, 1.41±0.06, 1.08±0.04, 1.07±0.04 in MCA area, 1.20±0.06, 1.06±0.04, 1.05±0.04 in basal ganglia, 1.41 ±0.05,1.10 ±0. 05, 1.09 ±0. 04 in front CWS area, 1.43 ±0. 10, 1.07 ±0. 06, 1.08 ±0. 06 in back CWS area,1.29±0.10, 1.09 ±0.05, 1.11 ±0.07 in IWS area (F=51.74, 248. 89, 70.08, 381.68, 288.94,41.53, P ＜0. 01 ). There were significant differences of rCBF and rMTT between those measured one week before CAS and one week or one year after CAS ( P ＜ 0. 01 ), but there were no significant differences of rCBF or rMTT in any area measured between those at 1 week after CAS and those measured at 1 year after CAS(P＞0.05). Conclusions Hemodynamic outcome at one year after CAS is good in the absence of contralateral carotid artery steno-occlusive disease. In addition, the coherence of results between 1-week and 1-year indicates that the outcome of one week after CAS could predict long-term hemodynamic outcome.

AIM: To investigate the effects of long-term TCV116 on left ventricular remodeling and heart function after myocardial infarction. METHODS: Myocardial infarction (MI) was caused by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery in rats. One week after the surgical performance, the surviving rats were randomly assigned to the following treatment protocols: (1) MI rats with no therapy; (2) MI rats treated with TCV116 2 mg/kg per day; (3) Sham-operated control; (4) Sham-operated rats, treated with TCV116 2 mg/kg per day. At 22 weeks, cardiac hemodynamic parameters such as MAP, LVSP, dp/dt_(max) and LVEDP, and histomorphometric parameters such as (LVW/BW) and LVCA/BW were measured, mRNA of cardiac genes such as ?MHC, BNP, TGF-?_1, collagen I and III were quantified, and survival rates were calculated. RESULTS: Compared with sham-operated rats, MI rats without therapy showed significant increases in histomorphometric parameters as well as in mRAN expressions of cardiac genes (P

AIM: To investigated the effects of Chlamydia pneumoniae (C.pneumoniae) infection on the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). METHODS: After propagated in HEP-2 cells, C. pneumoniae organisms were infected to HUVECs. The infection was assessed by ectromicroscope and PCR. The expression of ICAM-1 on HUVECs was detected by flow cytometry before infection and 12 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h after infection. RT-PCR was used to detect the ICAM-1 mRNA expression. RESULTS: C.pneumoniae was able to infect cultured HUVECs. After infection, the expression of ICAM-1 on the surface of cultured HUVECs was increased,, the peak was at the time of about 24-48 h; The light quantative RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that the infection also enhanced the ICAM-1 mRNA expression. CONCLUSION: The ability of C.pneumoniae to grow in HUVECs and to stimulate the expression of ICAM-1 protein and mRNA suggests that C.pneumoniae may play a role in atheriosclerosis.

AIM: To investigate the role of phosphoinositide pathway in the formation of pressure-overload cardiac hypertrophy. METHODS: Cardiac hypertrophy was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats with coarctation of abdominal aorta, whole heart weight/body weight ratio was tested after 10 or 30 days of operation. Content of G?q/11 protein in left ventricle was detected by immunoblot analysis and concentration of IP 3 was measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: At 10 and 30 days, whole heart weight/body weight ratio of coarctation aorta (CA) group was higher than that of sham-operated (SO) rats ( P 0.05). At 10 days, the level of IP 3 significantly increased in left ventricle of CA rats compared with the control animals ( P