ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Shenshu Fujian decoction on platelet-derived growth factor （PDGF）/naked cuticle homolog 2 （NKD2） /Wnt signaling pathway in rats with chronic renal failure （CRF）. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group， model group， Niaoduqing group （5 g·kg^-1）， low-dose Shenshu Fujian decoction group （5.5 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose Shenshu Fujian decoction group （11 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose Shenshu Fujian decoction group （22 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. A CRF rat model was established by feeding a 0.5% adenine diet for 21 days. After successful modeling， intragastric administration was given once daily for 28 consecutive days. After treatment， the renal morphology of rats was observed. Serum creatinine （SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） levels were detected. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to detect renal histopathological changes， and collagen volume fraction （CVF） was calculated. Serum levels of inflammatory markers interleukin （IL）-1β and IL-6 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expressions of fibronectin 1 （FN1）， type Ⅰ collagen （ColⅠ）， α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β （PDGFR-β）， NKD2， dishevelled protein 2 （DVL2） and β-catenin in renal tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significant renal pathological changes， a markedly increased kidney weight/body weight ratio （P<0.01）， significantly elevated CVF （P<0.01）， and notably increased serum levels of SCr， BUN， IL-1β， and IL-6 （P<0.01）. Expression levels of FN1， ColⅠ， α-SMA， PDGFR-β， NKD2， DVL2， and β-catenin in renal tissue were also significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed significantly decreased kidney weight/body weight ratios and CVF （P<0.01）， as well as markedly decreased serum SCr， BUN， IL-1β， and IL-6 levels. Protein expression levels of FN1， ColⅠ， α-SMA， PDGFR-β， NKD2， DVL2， and β-catenin in renal tissue were decreased， with more pronounced effects observed in the Niaoduqing， medium-dose， and high-dose Shenshu Fujian decoction groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShenshu Fujian decoction improves renal function， reduces inflammation， and reverses renal fibrosis in CRF rats， possibly by downregulating the expression of PDGF/NKD2/Wnt signaling pathway-related proteins.

Objective To optimize the culture and fermentation conditions of the Penicillium aurantiocandidum Z12 strain, a fungal strain with molluscicidal actions against Oncomelania hupensis, so as to provide the basis for the research and development of molluscicidal active substances from the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain and its fermentation broth and large-scale fermentation. Methods The carbon source, nitrogen source and mineral salts were identified in the optimal culture medium for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain with a single-factor experiment to determine the best fermentation condition for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain. Factors that significantly affected the growth of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain were identified using the Plackett-Burman design, and the best range of each factor was determined using the steepest climb test. Response surface analyses of temperature, pH value, seeding amount and liquid-filling quantity were performed using the Box-Behnken design to create a regression model for fermentation of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain to identify the optimal culture medium. Results Single-factor experiment preliminarily identified the best culture medium and conditions for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain as follows: sucrose as the carbon source at approximately 20 g/L, tryptone as the nitrogen source at approximately 5 g/L, K₂HPO₄ as the mineral salt at approximately 5 g/L, initial pH at approximately 8, temperature at approximately 28 °C, seeding amount at approximately 6%, and liquid-filling quantity at approximately 50 mL/100 mL. Plackett-Burman design showed that factors that significantly affected the growth of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain included temperature (t = −5.28, P < 0.05), seeding amount (t = 5.22, P < 0.05), pH (t = −4.30, P < 0.05) and liquid-filling quantity (t = −4.39, P < 0.05). Steepest climb test showed the highest mycelial growth at pH of 7.5, seeding amount of 8%, and liquid-filling quantity of 40 mL/100 mL, and this condition was selected as the central point of response surface analysis for the subsequent optimization of fermentation conditions. Response surface analyses using the Box-Behnken design showed that the optimal conditions for fermentation of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain included sucrose at 15 g/L, tryptone at 5 g/L, K₂HPO₄ at 5 g/L, temperature at 28.2 °C, pH at 7.5, seeding amount at 10%, and liquid-filling quantity at 35.8 mL/100.0 mL, resulting in 0.132 g yield of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain. Conclusion The optimal culture condition for the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain has been identified, and the optimized culture medium and fermentation condition may effectively improve the fermentation yield of the P. aurantiocandidum Z12 strain.

Objective To clarify the effect and mechanism of tumor antigen-loaded dendritic cells (Ag-DCs) combined with cytokine-induced killers (CIKs) on the killing of esophageal cancer tumor cells. Methods Peripheral blood DCs and CIKs were induced and cultured, and the DCs were loaded with tumor antigen to obtain Ag-DCs, and Ag-DCs were co-cultured with CIKs. The experiment was divided into CIK group, DC combined with CIK group, Ag-DC combined with CIK group. Flow cytometry was used to detect the phenotype of cells. MTT assay was employed to determine the killing activity against EC9706 cells. Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was used to detect the apoptosis rate of cells, immunofluorescence staining to detect the expression of phosphorylated apoptotic signal-regulated kinase 1 (p-ASK1) and Western blot analysis to detect the expression of ASK1 pathway related proteins. A nude mouse model of esophageal cancer transplantation tumor was constructed and divided into control group, DC combined with CIK group and Ag-DC combined with CIK group. The corresponding immune cells were injected into the tail vein for treatment and the tumor volume was measured every 2 days. After 21 days, all nude mice were sacrificed with the tumors taken out. HE staining was used to observe the tumor pathological changes and immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of ki67 and ASK1 in the tumor tissue. Results Comparedwith the CIK group alone and the DC combined with CIK group, the ratio of CD3⁺ CD8⁺ and CD3⁺ CD56⁺ in the cells significantly increased after Ag-DCs and CIKs co-culture, along with the increased killing rate of EC9706 cells, increased apoptosis rate of EC9706 cells, and the improved activation level of ASK1. Compared with the CIK group and the DC combined with CIK group, the growth of the transplanted tumor in nude mice treated with Ag-DCs combined with CIKs was significantly inhibited, and after 21 days, it was observed that the tumor tissue mass in this group was relatively smaller, with sparsely arranged cells in the tumor tissue and a decline in the positive rate of ki67 in tumor tissue, while the positive rate of ASK1 was significantly increased. Conclusion Co-cultivation of tumor antigen-loaded DCs with CIKs can significantly increase the killing activity of esophageal cancer tumor cells. The mechanism of action may be related to the activation of the ASK1 pathway.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; Cytokine-Induced Killer Cells ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Cytotoxicity, Immunologic ; Dendritic Cells ; Esophageal Neoplasms/therapy* ; Ki-67 Antigen ; Mice, Nude

Objective:The residual cancer burden (RCB) evaluation system was used to analyze the influencing factors of the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer, and to explore the prognostic value of RCB evaluation in neoadjuvant therapy.Methods:Clinicopathologic data and postoperative RCB grading of 364 breast cancer patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy in Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from Nov. 2019 to Nov. 2022 were collected. Chi-square test was used to analyze the relationship between RCB grading and clinicopathological parameters, and Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between RCB grading and clinicopathological characteristics. Factors influencing pathologic complete response (pCR) were analyzed by Logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and log-rank test were used to evaluate cumulative survival.Results:Among the 364 patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy, 129 cases of RCB grade 0 and 235 cases of RCB gradeⅠ-Ⅲ (including 46 cases of RCB gradeⅠ, 109 cases of RCB grade Ⅱ and 80 cases of RCB grade Ⅲ) were obtained after surgery. Histological classification ( χ 2=21.757, P=0.000), estrogen receptor (ER) ( χ 2=52.837, P=0.000), progesterone receptor (PR) ( χ 2=55.658, P=0.000), human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) ( χ2=89.040, P=0.000), Ki67 expression ( χ2=12.927, P=0.005), molecular typing ( χ 2=80.793, P=0.000) and preoperative lymph node status ( χ 2=25.764, P=0.000) were all associated with postoperative RCB grading. Further correlation analysis showed that histological grade ( r=-0.229, P=0.000), HER2 expression ( r=-0.465, P=0.000) and Ki67 expression ( r=-0.179, P=0.000) were negatively correlated with RCB grading, while ER ( r=0.352, P=0.000), PR ( r=0.379, P=0.000) and lymph node metastasis ( r=0.214, P=0.000) were positively correlated with RCB grading. Logistic regression analysis showed that high histological grade, negative expression of ER, PR and AR, positive expression of HER2, high proliferation index of Ki67 and no lymph node metastasis were favorable factors for postoperative pCR, and PR, AR and HER2 were independent predictors of postoperative pCR. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed significant differences in postoperative cumulative survival among patients with different RCB grades ( P=0.004) . Conclusions:Postoperative RCB grading of breast cancer is closely related to many clinicopathological features before neoadjuvant therapy and survival prognosis. Clinicopathological factors closely related to RCB grading are also important influencing factors affecting the pCR of patients with neoadjuvant therapy. Therefors, RCB grading has a high prognostic value.

Objective:To explore the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of emerging snail-infested sites in different environmental types in Yunnan Province.Methods:The data of snail-infested sites in Yunnan Province from 1950 to 2014 (from Yunnan Institute for Endemic Diseases Control and Prevention), were collected and sorted out, a spatial and temporal database on the distribution of emerging snail-infested sites were established, and the changes in the spatial and temporal distribution of emerging snail-infested sites in different environments types (ditches, tangerines, paddy fields, dry land, beaches and other environments) were studied by using spatial autocorrelation analysis and scanning statistics analysis.Results:From 1950 to 2014, the annual number of emerging snail-infested sites in Yunnan Province reached a peak (1 730) in 1955 and then showed a fluctuating downward trend. From 1993 to 2014, the number of emerging snail-infested sites remained below 100, and increased to 160 and 131, respectively, in 2004 and 2013. The longest mean duration of 43.85 years was recorded for the beaches environment for emerging snail-infested sites, followed by the paddy fields environment with a mean duration of 37.01 years, and the shortest mean duration of 20.44 years for the tangerines environment. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed that there was a positive spatial correlation between the duration of emerging snail-infested sites of different environmental types (global Moran's I ranged from 0.43 to 0.64, P < 0.05). Scanning statistics analysis showed that emerging snail-infested sites of different environmental types had spatial and temporal aggregation ( P < 0.001), with 3- 6 clusters of statistically significant aggregation detected respectively. Conclusion:The emerging snail-infested sites in different environments types in Yunnan Province have spatial and temporal aggregation, and it is necessary to strengthen monitoring and prevention and control of the aggregation areas of different environment types to prevent further spread of the snail.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of less invasive surfactant administration (LISA) combined with caffeine citrate in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants receiving continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) ventilation.Methods:From August 2019 to April 2021, a total of 112 preterm infants with RDS (26 weeks≤gestational age ≤32 weeks) who were hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Xuzhou Central Hospital, were chosen as research subjects. The patients were randomly divided into the LISA combined treatment group ( n=58) and the INSURE group ( n=54). In the LISA combined treatment group, a LISA tube was inserted through the vocal cords under direct vision with a direct laryngoscope and then infused with pulmonary surfactant (PS) into the lung when NCPAP ventilation was applied, and caffeine citrate was given intravenously. In the INSURE group, the patients were endotracheally intubated and infused with PS into the lung through an endotracheal tube, and then extubated and put on NCPAP again. The following indicators were examined: the general clinical data, results of blood gas analysis at 1 h and 6 h after infusion of PS into the lung, clinical efficacy and related complications. Results:①No significant differences were found between the two groups in the general clinical data (all P>0.05).Intra-group comparison within LISA combined treatment group or INSURE group showed that partial pressure of arterial carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO 2) of blood gas analysis and PaO 2/fraction of inspired oxygen (P/F) at 1 h and 6 h after infused PS into the lung were all improved compared to those of before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The PaO 2 and P/F in the LISA combined treatment group at 1 h and 6 h after breath support therapy were higher than those in the INSURE group, while PaCO 2 was lower than that in the INSURE group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The duration of noninvasive ventilation, total oxygen inhalation, re-administration of PS, failure rate of machine withdrawal, the rate of tracheal intubation within 72 h and the times of apnea in the LISA combined treatment group were significantly shorter, or lower, or less than those in the INSURE group [3.0 (1.0, 18.0) d vs. 7.5 (2.0, 22.0) d, 5.5 (3.0, 21.0) d vs. 10.5 (4.0, 28.0) d, 9 (15.5%) vs. 17 (31.5%), 6 (10.3%) vs. 14 (25.9%), 5 (8.6%) vs. 12 (22.2%), 5.0 (3.0, 21.0) times vs. 15.0 (4.0, 28.0) times], and the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). The incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the LISA combined treatment group was less than that in the INSURE group [(5 (8.6%) vs. 13 (24.1%)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in other complications( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with INSURE, the LISA technique combined with caffeine citrate can effectively improve oxygenation, reduce the mechanical ventilation rate, shorten the duration of noninvasive mechanical ventilation, and reduce the incidence of BPD in the treatment of premature infants with RDS at the gestational age of 26-32 weeks.

Objective:To investigate the effects of non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) on plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level and Tei index of right ventricle in preterm infants.Methods:Premature infants of gestational age<34 weeks with respiratory distress syndrome who were admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Xuzhou Central Hospital and requiring for NPPV from December 2018 to October 2020, were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups 46 patients received nasal continuous positive airway pressure ventilation (NCPAP group) and 49 patients received bi-level positive airway pressure ventilation (BiPAP group); 42 preterm infants of gestational age<34 weeks and without NPPV were selected as the control group. The plasma BNP, Tei index of right ventricle, mean airway pressure and oxygen index at 0-12 h and 48-60 h after NPPV were monitored in NCPAP group and BiPAP group. The plasma BNP and Tei index of right ventricle at 0-12 h and 48-60 h after admission were monitored in the control group. SPSS 20.0 statistical software was used for data analysis.Results:(1)The plasma BNP and Tei index of right ventricle at 48-60 h after NPPV were significantly higher than those at 0-12 h after NPPV in NCPAP group and BiPAP group [NCPAP group: (287.5±155.5) vs. (179.9±102.3) ng/L, (0.43±0.08) vs. (0.38±0.06); BiPAP group: (303.1±135.4) vs. (186.5±95.6) ng/L, (0.45±0.08) vs. (0.39±0.06); t=6.00, 3.34, 7.47, 4.48; all P<0.05]. There were no significant differences in the plasma BNP and Tei index of right ventricle at 48-60 h and 0-12 h after admission in the control group [(181.9±86.8) vs. (169.5±78.9) ng/L, (0.34±0.05) vs. (0.36±0.05); t=0.83, -1.59; all P>0.05].(2) There were no significant differences in the plasma BNP and Tei index of right ventricle at 48-60 h after NPPV between NCPAP group-and BiPAP group (all P>0.05), but they were significantly higher than those in control group at 48-60 h after admission(all P<0.05). (3)The mean airway pressure and oxygen index at 48-60 h after NPPV in NCPAP group and BiPAP group showed a decrease trend compared to those at 0-12 h after NPPV, but the differences were not significant [NCPAP group: (6.8±1.2) vs. (7.0±1.3) cmH 2O(1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa), (5.7±2.1) vs. (6.1±2.3); BiPAP group: (7.0±1.3) vs. (7.2±1.2) cmH 2O, (5.5±2.0) vs. (5.8±2.1); t=-1.05, -0.80, -1.88, -0.67; all P>0.05]; while there were no significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). (4)There was a positive correlation between the plasma BNP and mean airway pressure ( r=0.48, P<0.001), but no correlation between Tei index of right ventricle and mean airway pressure ( r=0.17, P=0.119) at 48-60 h after NPPV. Conclusion:The cardiac function indexes such as plasma BNP and Tei index of right ventricle in preterm infants are increased at 48-60 h after NPPV. When mean airway pressure is the same, the effects of NCPAP and BiPAP on plasma BNP and Tei index of right ventricle in preterm infants are similar.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of initial treatment with ibuprofen or paracetamol and rescue treatment with high-dose ibuprofen in preterm infants with haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA).Methods:The preterm infants (gestational age ≤ 32 weeks) with hsPDA who were admitted to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Xuzhou Central Hospital from October 2016 to November 2019 were enrolled in the study. A total of 110 eligible cases were included and randomly divided into three groups for initial treatment: 38 cases received oral ibuprofen 10 mg/kg, and 5 mg/kg after 24 h and 48 h (ibuprofen group), 37 cases received oral paracetamol 15 mg/kg, q.8.h for 3 d (paracetamol group) and 35 cases received oral injection water 1 ml/kg, and 0.5 ml/kg after 24 h and 48 h (conservative management group). The preterm infants who failed in the initial treatment were given high-dose ibuprofen for rescue treatment (oral ibuprofen 20mg/kg, and 10 mg/kg after 24 h and 48 h). Serum creatinine, cystatin C, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT), total bilirubin, fecal occult blood and urinary prostaglandin E 2 were measured; echocardiography and brain color Doppler ultrasonography examinations were performed before and after treatment. Urine output and complications were recorded. The data were analyzed by ANOVA, t-test, non-parametric test, chi-square test and Pearson correlation coefficient with SPSS 20.0 statistical software. Results:During initial treatment, the success rates of ibuprofen group and paracetamol group were higher than that of conservative management group [71.1% (27/38) and 70.3%(26/37) vs. 40.0% (14/35), P=0.008 and 0.010]. Thirty one patients, who failed in initial treatment, received rescue treatment (8, 7, 16 cases from ibuprofen, paracetamol and conservative groups, respectively). The success rate of rescue treatment with high-dose ibuprofen was 58.1% (18/31). During initial treatment, there were no significant differences in the incidence of oliguria, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, positive fecal occult blood tests, Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade intraventricular hemorrhage, and ≥Ⅱ stage necrotizing enterocolitis among the three groups (all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the incidence of above complications between rescue treatment and initial treatment [6.5% (2/31) vs. 6.4%(7/110), 3.2%(1/31) vs. 4.5%(5/110), 12.9%(4/31) vs. 6.4%(7/110), 0 vs. 4.5%(5/110), 3.2%(1/31) vs. 1.8%(2/110), all P>0.05]. The changes of serum creatinine and GPT before and after treatment were not significant in all groups ( P>0.05). Serum cystatin C were increased in both ibuprofen group[(0.44±0.17)μmol/L] and paracetamol group [(0.18±0.09)μmol/L] after treatment ( t=-15.70, -14.64; P<0.001), and the increase in ibuprofen group was greater than that in paracetamol group ( P<0.001). Urinary prostaglandin E 2 were decreased in both ibuprofen group [(-11.63±3.70)ng/L] and paracetamol group[(-4.89±1.91)ng/L] after treatment ( t=15.57, 7.03; P<0.001), and the decrease in ibuprofen group was greater than that in paracetamol group ( P<0.001). Serum cystatin C was not significantly increased after high dose ibuprofen rescue treatment [(1.67±0.17)mg/L vs.(1.71±0.21)mg/L; t=-1.12, P=0.273]. Conclusion:Both initial treatment with ibuprofen or paracetamol and rescue treatment with high-dose ibuprofen can effectively promote hsPDA closure in preterm infants without increase of complications. However, renal function indexes such as urine output and serum cystatin C should be monitored. The high-dose ibuprofen is relatively safe, and can be used as one of rescue treatment.

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has become an important part of the health system in the Sultanate of Oman. Although there is no independent law, the local health department has implemented the administrative measures such as the admittance assessment system of TCM doctors and the standardized examination and approval of TCM clinics. The development of TCM in the Sultanate of Oman is supported by the policies of the two governments, with the characteristics likemedical cooperation starting with high-level personnel, the cooperation in economy, trade and medical treatment, TCM and local traditional medicine showing inclusive with good base, and the advantages of TCM theory and treatment meeting the needs of the local medical market. The prospect of cooperation in TCM market is broad. It is suggested that the local government should promote the legislation of traditional medicine and improve the admittance system of practitioners. China needs to promote the formulation of international standards of TCM and optimize the cooperation platform of TCM by using Internet and other technologies. The practitioners in China need to carry out medical activities on the premise of understanding and respecting the local cultural background.In order to promote the development of TCM in Arab countries, the Sultanate of Oman will radiate the whole Middle East through the above strategies.

Objective:To evaluate the correlation, consistency and safety of an smartphone application (APP) in screening neonatal jaundice using the smartphone based on the image-based bilirubin (IBB) and transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB).Methods:From July to October 2018, neonates with the age ≤28 d and gestational age ≥35 weeks who were admitted to Department of Neonatal and Obstetrics, Xuzhou Central Hospital without blue light phototherapy were recruited.They were randomly divided into two groups to measure the jaundice value of skin in front of sternum by a cross-control analysis.Jaundice level in group Ⅰ was first measured using the Nezhabaobei? APP in iPhone 6, and then measured using the JM-103 transcutaneous jaundice instrument as the control device.In group Ⅱ, jaundice level was sequencially measured by the control device and the Nezhabaobei? APP.Sex, age, gestational age, birth weight and the mean value of three consecutive tests were recorded.The Pearson′s correlation analysis, Bland-Altman plots consistency analysis, t test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 185 eligible neonates were enrolled, including 99 males and 86 females, with the median age of 5 d (3-8 d), gestational age of (37.6 ± 1.7) weeks, and birth weight of (2 950 ± 645) g. There were good correlation ( r=0.860, P<0.05) and consistency (95.1% of the samples fall within the 95% consistency interval) between IBB and TcB.Good correlation and consistency were also yielded in subgroup analyses based on the sex, age, gestational age and birth weight.The consistency was better in subgroups of ≤7 d, >37 weeks and>2 500 g. The ability of IBB to predict TcB>256.5 μmol/L was better than that of TcB>171.0 μmol/L.The area under the ROC curve was 0.93, the cut-off value was 232.6 μmol/L, the sensitivity was 96.7%, and the specificity was 82.6%.The difference of the mean values of IBB and TcB detected for 3 times was significantly lower than that obtained in the first measurement of IBB and TcB [(12.0 ± 34.4) μmol/L vs.(14.4 ± 38.6) μmol/L, P=0.038]. There were no adverse events and no defects in the device itself. Conclusions:There are good correlation and consistency between IBB and TcB.The ability of IBB to predict TcB>256.5 μmol/L is better than that of TcB>171.0 μmol/L, which is safe in clinical use.