The historical evolution， fermentation technology and key links of Sojae Semen Praeparatum （SSP） were sorted out by consulting ancient books and modern literature， and the influencing factors and control methods of quality were analyzed and summarized in order to provide reference for the quality control of SSP. After analysis， it was found that in the fermentation process of SSP， fermentation strains， miscellaneous bacteria， temperature and humidity were all important factors affecting the quality of SSP. The condition control of "post fermentation" process has been paid more attention to in the past dynasties. In addition， the delicious SSP recognized in ancient times should be made from mold fermentation， and the breeding and application of fermented mold may be the key point to solve the quality problem of SSP. Therefore， based on the evaluation indexes of SSP in the past dynasties， it is of great significance to study and optimize the technological conditions such as strain， temperature and humidity in depth to improve the quality of SSP.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze and compare the clinical effects of transvaginal cervical cerclage during pregnancy with different surgical indications.METHODS: A total of 39 patients who underwent transvaginal cervical cerclage during pregnancy in the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University from July 2012 to June 2018 were enrolled.The patients were grouped according to the indications of surgery:those with the history of late abortion or preterm labor being the indication of surgery were the indication of the history of the cerclage group（group H,20）,and those with the length of the cervix being shortened or the shape of the cervix being changed in vaginal ultrasound indication cerclage group（group U,20）.The patients whose hysical examination revealed dilated cervix with or without amniocentesis were included as emergency cerclage group（group E,7）.The clinical effects of vaginal cervical cerclage during pregnancy were compared among the 3 groups.RESULTS: The gestational week of cerclage in the H group[（15.64 ± 2.96）w] was shorter than that in the U group[（22.04±5.01）w]and the E group[（22.08±2.96）w],and the difference was statistically significant（P<0.05）,but the gestational age of cerclage was of no significant difference between the E group and the U group（P>0.05）.The extended days[（29.43±47.24）d],gestational age of delivery[（26.39±6.52）w],full-term birth rate（14.29%）and live birth rate（28.57%）in group E were all lower than those in group H[（136.45±53.70）d,（35.60±7.07）w,69.57%,86.36%]and group U[（103.40±36.15）d,（36.81±3.45）w,70.00%,100.00% ],with statistically significant differences（P<0.05）.No statistically significant differences were observed between group H and group U（P>0.05）.The abortion rate（71.42%）in group E was higher than that in group H（13.04%）and group U（00.00%）（P<0.05）,but there was no statistically significant difference between group H and group U（P>0.05）.There was no significant difference in preterm birth rate among the three groups（P>0.05）.CONCLUSION: Cervical cerclage with three different surgical indications can effectively improve the pregnancy outcome of patients with cervical insufficiency.The pregnancy outcomes are similar between the indication of the history of the cerclage and the vaginal ultrasound indication cerclage,but better than the emergency cerclage.

Lilii Bulbus, which comes from many medicinal plants，is a frequently-used traditional Chinese medicine，the records in previous herbal literatures of it's origin and quality were inconstant. To trace back it's sources, we conducted a systematical study on it's origin and quality by textual research and investigation in this paper,The result showed that the origins of Lilii Bulbus are mainly source from white-flowers, red-yellow-flowers and red-flowers of Lilium， L. brownii var. viridulum, which were believed authentic or good quality in all previous herbal literatures,and L. pumilum and L. concolor which belong to white-flowers,and L. lancifolium which belong to red-yellow-flowers were believed low-quality and unfit for medicinal uses, or they were listed below and often have different effect with L. brownii var. viridulum. Among them, only L. concolor does not belong to Lilii Bulbus according to Chinese Pharmacopeia (2015 edition), The mainstream varieties of Lilii Bulbus became L. lancifolium now according to our practical investigation, which were very different from previous herbal literatures. Although chemical and pharmacological studies provided a reference for L. lancifolium，we should respect the actual records of the previous herbal literatures，the research of material foundation of efficacy should be more sufficient，and provide science evidence for clinical application of different species of Lilii Bulbus.

Objective To investigate the expression of αB-Crystallin in non-small cell lung cancer and adjacent tissues (NSCLC) and analyze the associations between its expression and clinicopathological features as well as proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells.Methods We down-regulated the expression of αB-Crystallin in NSCLC cell line A549 with specific siRNA,and assessed the role of αB-Crystallin in the proliferation and migration of NSCLC cell line with CCK-8 and Transwell.Then,we examined αB-Crystallin expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue microarray (TMA) consisting of 208 cases of NSCLC who were treated in the Department of Thoracic Surgery,Zhongshan Hospital in 2005.Associations between αB-Crystallin expression and clinical characteristics were assessed and the prognostic role of αB-Crystallin in NSCLC was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis.Results Loss of αB-Crystallin expression suppressed the proliferation and migration potential of A549 cells (P＜0.05).Furthermore,immunohistochemistry in tissue microarray revealed that αB-Crystallin was overexpressed in NSCLC compared with adjacent normal tissues,αB-Crystallin expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate analysis indicated that αB-Crystallin expression was an independent prognostic factor in patients' overall survival.Conclusions Our finding indicated that αB-Crystallin was overexpressed in NSCLC and promotes proliferation and migration of NSCLC cells.Its expression was associated with poor prognosis of NSCLC patients.αB-Crystallin may represent a potential therapeutic target and a novel prognostic marker of NSCLC.

Background:Entecavir (ETV) has been shown to be effective in randomized controlled trials in highly selected patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ETV in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients in the real-world setting.

Methods:A total of 233 treatment-naïve, CHB patients who received at least 12 months of ETV treatment were included in this retrospective study. Rates of virological response (VR), hepatitis B s antigen (HBsAg) loss, hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) clearance/seroconversion, virological breakthrough, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma were evaluated.

Results:Of 233 patients, 175 patients were male, with mean age of 43 years old, and 135 patients were HBeAg positive. The mean baseline levels of serum alanine aminotransferase and HBV DNA in all patients were 230 U/L and 6.6 log 10 IU/ml, respectively. The mean follow-up period was 28 months. The cumulative rates of achieving VR increased from 3.4% at 3 months to 94.4% at 60 months. Primary nonresponse occurred in 3 (1.3%) patients. Partial VR (PVR) occurred in 61 (26.2%) patients at 12 months. The baseline serum HBV DNA level (hazard ratio [HR], 2.054; P < 0.001) was an independent risk factor for PVR. HBsAg loss did not occur. The cumulative rates of HBeAg clearance increased from 2.2% at 3 months to 28.2% at 60 months. PVR was the significant determinant of HBeAg clearance (HR, 0.341; P = 0.026). Age (HR, 1.072; P = 0.013) and PVR (HR, 5.131; P = 0.017) were the significant determinants of cirrhosis.

Conclusions:ETV treatment was effective for HBV DNA suppression in this study, but HBsAg loss and HBeAg clearance/seroconversion rates were lower compared with previous clinical trials. PVR was associated with HBeAg clearance and cirrhosis.

"Haima" (Hippocampus) has a long history in China as an important traditional animal medicine, but many closely-related members of the Hippocampus genus are also used as Haima in particular regions. To investigate the real origin of "Haima", a herbalogical studies, particularly inpictures and photographs of the ancient literature are corroborated with seahorse specimens in museum, we confirm Chinese material medica "Haima" in China Pharmacopoeia is origin from H. kelloggi, 1901, H.spinosissimus, 1913, H. kuda, 1852, H. trimaculatus, 1814, or H. mohnikei, 1853. The so-called "Ci Haima" is H. spinosissimus, instead of H. histrix, 1856. The paper also suggests to revise of "macroscopical identification" item and add identification methods of "Haima" in China Pharmacopoeia, which may improve quality controls tandards of "Haima".

Objective:To investigate the safety of simultaneous resection of patients suffering with synchronous primary esophageal carcinoma and primary lung cancer.Methods:Seven patients meeting the following diagnostic criteria: histologically.All patients underwent radical resection of esophageal carcinoma, and simultaneously underwent radical resection of lung cancer.Surgical effect and sufety were observed.Results:There were 6 male patients and 1 female patient in all the 7 patients.The mean age was (61±7.26) years old.The average preoperative FEV1 was (2.50±0.63) L, the average FEV1 / FVC was (84.18±18.74)%, and the mean LVEF was (64.83±4.02)%.All of the 7 patients successfully underwent radical resection for esophageal carcinoma and pneumonectomy.The upper abdomen and right thoracotomy incision was performed in 5 cases, and the left thoracic incision in 2 cases.The site of surgical incision was determined by the location of lung tumor.The average intraoperative blood loss was (157.14±53.45) mL.All the patients recovered well after operation.There were no serious or deadly operative complications such as tracheoesophageal fistula and bronchopleural fistula.The average postoperative hospital stay was (11.7±1.98) days.Conclusions:Simultaneous surgical resection does not increase the surgical complications and is a safe treatment of patients with synchronous primary esophageal carcinoma and lung cancer.Good preoperative cardiopulmonary function may be a key factor affecting the safety of surgery.

BACKGROUNDThe Notch-regulated ankyrin repeat protein (NRARP) is recently found to promote proliferation of breast cancer cells. The role of NRARP in carcinogenesis deserves extensive investigations. This study attempted to investigate the expression of NRARP in thyroid cancer tissues and assess the influence of NRARP on cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, and invasion in thyroid cancer.

METHODSThirty-four cases with thyroid cancer were collected from the Department of General Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between 2011 and 2012. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the level of NRARP in cancer tissues. Lentivirus carrying NRARP-shRNA (Lenti-NRARP-shRNA) was applied to down-regulate NRARP expression. Cell viability was tested after treatment with Lenti-NRARP-shRNA using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis and cell cycle distribution were determined by flow cytometry. Cell invasion was tested using Transwell invasion assay. In addition, expressions of several cell cycle-associated and apoptosis-associated proteins were examined using Western blotting after transfection. Student's t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), or Kaplan-Meier were used to analyze the differences between two group or three groups.

RESULTSNRARP was highly expressed in thyroid cancer tissues. Lenti-NRARP-shRNA showed significantly inhibitory activities against cell growth at a multiplicity of infection of 10 or higher (P < 0.05). Lenti-NRARP-shRNA-induced G1 arrest (BHT101: 72.57% ± 5.32%; 8305C: 75.45% ± 5.26%) by promoting p21 expression, induced apoptosis by promoting bax expression and suppressing bcl-2 expression, and inhibited cell invasion by suppressing matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression.

CONCLUSIONDownregulation of NRARP expression exerts significant antitumor activities against cell growth and invasion of thyroid cancer, that suggests a potential role of NRARP in thyroid cancer targeted therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Cycle ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Survival ; genetics ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; mortality ; pathology

BACKGROUNDIn China, patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated liver disease are getting older, and thus the number of deaths due to such disease is increasing. The efficacy of combination therapy with ribavirin and interferon for chronic HCV infection in elderly patients has not been fully clarified. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the combination therapy in the elderly patients.

METHODSSixty-eight chronic hepatitis C patients, who received the combination therapy, were classified into two age groups: elderly group ((3)60 years, n = 25) and non-elderly group (< 60 years, n = 43). Rapid virological response, complete early virological response, sustained virological response, relapse, non-response rate, and safety were compared between the elderly group and non-elderly group.

RESULTSOverall sustained virological response was lower in the elderly group than non-elderly group (44% vs. 75%, P = 0.012, OR = 0.270, and 95%CI 0.095 - 0.768). Among patients with HCV genotype 1, sustained virological response was lower in the elderly group than non-elderly group (45% vs. 77%, P = 0.015, OR = 0.247, 95%CI 0.078 - 0.781). The proportions of dose reduction due to laboratory abnormalities were significantly higher in the elderly group than non-elderly group (60.0% vs. 32.6%, P = 0.027). Multiple binary Logistic regression analysis confirmed that patient age was an associated factor for sustained virological response.

CONCLUSIONAmong patients with HCV genotype 1, the elderly patients had lower sustained virological response than non-elderly patients during pegylated interferon-alpha-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy.

Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis C, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polyethylene Glycols ; therapeutic use ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use ; Ribavirin ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Background In China,patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated liver disease are getting older,and thus the number of deaths due to such disease is increasing.The efficacy of combination therapy with ribavirin and interferon for chronic HCV infection in elderly patients has not been fully clarified.The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of the combination therapy in the elderly patients.Methods Sixty-eight chronic hepatitis C patients,who received the combination therapy,were classified into two age groups:elderly group (＞60 years,n=25) and non-elderly group (＜60 years,n=43).Rapid virological response,complete early virological response,sustained virological response,relapse,non-response rate,and safety were compared between the elderly group and non-elderly group.Results Overall sustained virological response was lower in the elderly group than non-elderly group (44％ vs.75％,P=0.012,OR=0.270,and 95％ C/ 0.095-0.768).Among patients with HCV genotype 1,sustained virological response was lower in the elderly group than non-elderly group (45％ vs.77％,P=0.015,OR=0.247,95％ C/ 0.078-0.781).The proportions of dose reduction due to laboratory abnormalities were significantly higher in the elderly group than non-elderly group (60.0％ vs.32.6％,P=0.027).Multiple binary Logistic regression analysis confirmed that patient age was an associated factor for sustained virological response.Conclusion Among patients with HCV genotype 1,the elderly patients had lower sustained virological response than non-elderly patients during pegylated interferon-alpha-2a plus ribavirin combination therapy.