OBJECTIVE: To study the in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of the polysaccharide of Alocasia cucullata (PAC) and the underlying mechanism. METHODS: B16F10 and 4T1 cells were cultured with PAC of 40 µg/mL, and PAC was withdrawn after 40 days of administration. The cell viability was detected by cell counting kit-8. The expression of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 proteins were detected by Western blot and the expressions of ERK1/2 mRNA were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). A mouse melanoma model was established to study the effect of PAC during long-time administration. Mice were divided into 3 treatment groups: control group treated with saline water, positive control group (LNT group) treated with lentinan at 100 mg/(kg·d), and PAC group treated with PAC at 120 mg/(kg·d). The pathological changes of tumor tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The apoptosis of tumor tissues was detected by TUNEL staining. Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of ERK1/2, JNK1 and p38 mRNA were detected by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: In vitro, no strong inhibitory effects of PAC were found in various tumor cells after 48 or 72 h of administration. Interestingly however, after 40 days of cultivation under PAC, an inhibitory effect on B16F10 cells was found. Correspondingly, the long-time administration of PAC led to downregulation of Bcl-2 protein (P<0.05), up-regulation of Caspase-3 protein (P<0.05) and ERK1 mRNA (P<0.05) in B16F10 cells. The above results were verified by in vivo experiments. In addition, viability of B16F10 cells under long-time administration culture in vitro decreased after drug withdrawal, and similar results were also observed in 4T1 cells. CONCLUSIONS Long-time administration of PAC can significantly inhibit viability and promote apoptosis of tumor cells, and had obvious antitumor effect in tumor-bearing mice.
Mice ; Animals ; Alocasia/metabolism* ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism*

Aim To explore the role of SIRT1/Nrf2 / HO-1 in alleviating the cognitive function impairment by sevoflurane treatment in a mouse model of postoperative cerebral reperfusion. Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups: sham operation group, hemorrhagic shock reperfusion group, sevoflurane postconditioning group, sevoflurane postcondition-ing + SIRT1 inhibitor group and sevoflurane postconditioning + Nrf2 inhibitor group. Mice were subjected to Morris water maze test after cerebral ischemia reperfusion. The ATP, superoxide dismutase (SOD), ROS and MDA contents in tissue of mice were detected. SIRT1, Nrf2 and HO-1 proteins in tissue were detected by Western blot. Results After hemorrhagic shock, the learning and memory ability of mice was reduced.ATP and SOD concentration in hippocampus was reduced , MDA and ROS concentration increased, and the SIRT, Nrf2 and HO-1 concentration was reduced. Sevoflurane improved the cognitive dysfunction and oxi-dative damage in postoperative mice, and the neuro-protective effect of sevoflurane on hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation mice was weakened followed with SIRT1 and Nrf2 inhibitors. Conclusion Sevoflurane probably alleviates the oxidative reaction damage and cognitive impairment caused by cerebral reperfusion in mice through SIRT1/Nrf2/H0-1 pathway.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ivabradine in the treatment of chronic heart failure （CHF） in the context of “Quadruple Therapy” from the perspective of the health system. METHODS Based on real-world cohort data， the Markov model was constructed according to the natural progression of CHF， with a cycle time of 3 months， a study timeframe of 20 years， and a discount rate of 5%. Using quality-adjusted life year （QALY） and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios （ICER） as the output indexes， the cost-utility analysis was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of ivabradine in combination with the “Quadruple Therapy” regimen， compared with the “Quadruple Therapy” regimen for the treatment of CHF， and the robustness of the results of the base analysis was verified by univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis. RESULTS The results of the base analysis showed that the ICER of ivabradine combined with the “Quadruple Therapy” regimen was 165 065.54 yuan/QALY， compared with the “Quadruple Therapy” regimen， which was lower than the willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold （257 094 yuan/QALY） based on 3 times of China’s gross domestic product （GDP） per capita in 2022. The results of the univariate sensitivity analysis showed that the discount rate had the greatest impact on the robustness of the model. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that the probability that the ivabradine combined with the “Quadruple Therapy” regimen was cost-effective under the WTP threshold in this study was 59.50%. CONCLUSIONS When using 3 times China’s 2022 GDP per capita （257 094 yuan/ QALY） as the WTP threshold， the combination of ivabradine and the “Quadruple Therapy” regimen for treating CHF is cost- effective.

Objective To investigate the infection of Chlamydia pneumoniae and mycoplasma pneumoniae in adults and their association with atherosclerosis,and to provide theoretical guidance for the prevention of such diseases. Methods A case-control study was used to collect 362 patients who were diagnosed with atherosclerosis from January 2019 to December 2021 in Department of Sichuan Bazhong Central Hospital, and 370 cases who were admitted to the hospital during the same period of physical examination without any cardiovascular disease were selected as the control group, and whole blood samples of the two groups of study subjects were collected, and the infection of Chlamydia pneumoniae and mycoplasma pneumoniae was detected by PCR. Results The infection rate of Chlamydia pneumoniae was 35.49%, the infection rate of mycoplasma was 40.37%, and the co-infection rate was 11.37%；The infection rate of Chlamydia pneumoniae in the control group was 12.04%, the infection rate of mycoplasma was 15.83%, and the coinfection rate was 3.14%, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ²=10.926, P=0.023). The effects of mycoplasma, chlamydia, and co-infection on atherosclerotic patients have sex differences, mainly manifested as higher infection rates in men; In addition, the effects of mycoplasma, chlamydia, and co-infection on atherosclerosis patients varied by age, mainly in the 55-70 years age group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression results showed that Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was a risk factor for atherosclerosis (OR=1.303, 95%CI: 1.043-1.677) in the whole population, and chlamydia pneumoniae (OR=1.472, 95% CI: 1.037-1.556), mycoplasma (OR=2.003, 95%CI: 1.637-3.842) and co-infection in men (OR=1.937, 95%CI: 1.380-2.184) were risk factors for atherosclerosis, while co-infection in women (OR=1.699, 95%CI: 1.263-1.765) was a risk factor for atherosclerosis. Conclusion Chlamydia pneumoniae and mycoplasma infection are risk factors for atherosclerosis, and their impact on male groups is greater, and more attention needs to be paid to them.

Objective: To explore the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness, willingness, uptake patterns, barriers and needs among Chinese student men who have sex with men (MSM), so as to provide relevant evidence for targeted interventions with PrEP. Methods: A proportional sampling method was used to conduct a cross sectional survey of MSM aged 16 years and older residing in 21 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in mainland China between October 20 and December 20, 2021, to collect information on demographic and sexual behavioral characteristics, and 923 students of them were selected as the subjects of this study. The chi-square test and Fisher s test were used for univariate analysis, followed by multivariate Logistic regression to analyze the influencing factors of PrEP awareness and uptake. Results: According to the cascade analysis method, the awareness, willingness, uptake and adherence rates of PrEP among the student MSM were obtained as 88.95%, 67.36%, 13.20% and 45.21 %, respectively. HIV testing more than once in the last 3 months, and all of them were aware of the HIV test results of their sexual partners, and those with high frequency of condom use had a higher rate of awareness ( OR =2.32, 1.79, 1.69, P <0.05). Willingness rates were higher for those from the pilot city, using substances, and HIV testing more than once in the last 3 months ( OR =2.13, 1.65, 1.69, P <0.05). Higher rates of uptake were found among those from high risk and pilot areas, presence of commercial sex, substance use, and high literacy ( OR =5.60, 3.54,2.81, 1.92, 4.54, P <0.05). Adherence rates were higher among those who used one pill per day or both ( OR =12.77, 13.26, P <0.05). The barriers and needs faced by student MSM were primarily personal concerns about medication side effects, preventative effects, and confidence in sexual behavioral styles, and the high cost of medication and related service costs. Conclusions The student MSM population in China is characterized by high awareness, low willingness, low uptake, and low adherence to PrEP. Targeted interventions should be considered and tailored by the departments to facilitate PrEP promotion among student MSM.

Objective To discuss the application of gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent in patients with pulmonary puncture bleeding.Methods The clinical data of 43 patients with hemorrhage caused by DSA-guided lung puncture biopsy,who received gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent treatment at the Jining Municipal First People's Hospital of China between September 2021 and May 2023,were collected,and the hemostatic effect of gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent was analyzed.Results Successful lung puncture needle biopsy was achieved in all the 43 patients.The puncture needle channel occlusion was accomplished by using gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent.Five minutes after occlusion treatment,in one patient,whose moderate hemoptysis with moderate bleeding shadow before puncture needle biopsy changed to bloody sputum,the intrapulmonary bleeding shadow displayed on image became slightly enlarged when compared the size five minutes ago,while in all the remaining patients successful hemostasis was achieved,the hemoptysis disappeared and the pulmonary hemorrhage shadow was similar to that five minutes ago.No occlusion-related complications occurred in all patients.Conclusion For the treatment of pulmonary hemorrhage caused by DSA-guided lung puncture biopsy,gelatin sponge-hemocoagulase plugging agent is clinically safe and effective.

Objective: To analyze the use of preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among male students who had sex with men (MSM) with different sexual behavior patterns using potential categories, so as to provide evidence for determining the use patterns of PrEP consistent with MSM. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted by proportional sampling method on MSM in 31 provincial administrative regions in mainland China from 20 October to 30 December 2021, a total of 1 040 students were selected for the study. Latent variable analyses were conducted on a total of seven sexual behavioral characteristics, including knowledge of sexual partner HIV infection, frequency of condom use, number of sexual partners, engaging in group sex, provision of commercial sex, use of sex aids, and history of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the past year. And demographic characteristics were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis. The rates of PrEP awareness, willingness to use and usage rate in different sexual behavior risk groups were investigated. Results: Student MSM could be divided into two potential category groups:a lowrisk behavior group (82.4%) and a highrisk behavior group (17.6%). The PrEP usage rate (15.8%) was higher in the highrisk behavior group, and the difference was statistically significant compared to the lowrisk behavior group (7.2%) (χ2=13.43, P<0.05). Student MSM residing in the northeast, south, and northwest of China, in the pilot city, and with a sex role of "0.5" (possible acceptance and insertion of sexual behavior) were more likely to be in the highrisk behavior group (OR=3.13, 3.07, 3.87, 2.22, 1.66, P<0.05). Conclusion Student MSM in highrisk and lowrisk sexual differs in the behavior of PrEP, and targeted interventions should be implemented to promote the use of PrEP and reduce HIV infection in this population.

Based on the standards of modern Chinese medicinal materials, literature and records of ancient books, this article reviewed the preliminary processing of Aucklandiae Radix and processing of its decoction pieces. There are some problems in the records of the initial processing of Aucklandiae Radix, such as lack of specific parameters, inconsistent processing sequence, unclear removal methods of fibrous roots and soil, inconsistent cutting specifications, drying methods and temperature. Different processing methods of Aucklandiae Radix decoction pieces can lead to differences in the content of their index components. From the initial processing of the producing area to softening, slicing, and then secondary drying, it may increase production costs and time, and lead to the loss of active components. There are more than 20 kinds of processing methods in ancient books, such as stirfrying, baking, simmering, grinding juice and so on. However, only paper simmering, bran stirfrying and Coptidis Rhizoma processing are commonly used at present, and other processing methods have great exploration space. Referring to the research results of freshcut processing of other Chinese materia medica containing volatile components, it is considered that the key to ensure the quality of Chinese materia medica and decoction pieces is to formulate a standardized process flow of freshcut processing of Aucklandiae Radix.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of adult carotid body tumors (CBTs) in Northwest China to provide references for early diagnosis and treatment of CBTs.Methods:A multicenter, retrospective, non-intervention epidemiological investigation was conducted on adult CBTs patients who were hospitalized from January 1, 2011 to June 30, 2023 in 7 Class A tertiary hospitals in Northwest China (Departments of Neurosurgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University, Second Affiliated Hospital of Lanzhou University, People's Hospital of Gansu Province, 940 th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, People's Hospital of Qinghai Province, General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region). Medical records were collected in these patients, and they were divided into 2 groups according to their average altitude residence: high altitude group (≥1 500 m) and low altitude group (<1 500 m); meanwhile, these patients were divided into Shamblin type I, type II and type III groups according to Shamblin classification criteria; differences in general data and clinical features among patients from different altitude groups or Shamblin subgroups were compared. Independent influencing factors for Shamblin type III CBTs were analyzed by multivariate ordered Logistic regression. Results:(1) A total of 359 patients were enrolled in the study, including 276 females and 83 males, aged (48.80±12.07) years; 211 patients were into the high altitude group and 148 into the low altitude group; 165 patients were into Shamblin type I group, 146 into Shamblin type II group, and 48 into Shamblin type III group. (2) Compared with those in the low altitude group, patients in the high altitude group had higher proportion of females, older age, lower proportion of Han nationality, higher proportion of Shamblin type I, smaller tumor volume, lower platelet count, higher red blood cell count, hematocrit, hemoglobin level, platelet distribution width and mean platelet volume, and higher large platelet percentage, with significant differences ( P<0.05). (3) Compared with those in the Shamblin type I group, patients in the Shamblin type III group had younger age, lower resident altitude, larger tumor volume, longer time interval from onset to diagnosis, higher proportion of unintentional tumor discovery, larger volume of intraoperative blood loss, lower hemoglobin level, hematocrit, mean erythrocyte volume, and mean hemoglobin concentration, decreased erythrocyte distribution width variable coefficient, and increased platelet count, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Compared with those in the Shamblin type II group, patients in Shamblin type III group had younger age, larger tumor volume, longer time interval from onset to diagnosis, larger volume of intraoperative blood loss, lower hemoglobin, hematocrit and mean erythrocyte volume, higher erythrocyte distribution width variable coefficient and platelet count, with significant differences ( P<0.05). (4) Age ( OR=0.960, 95% CI: 0.942-0.977, P<0.001), residence altitude ( OR=0.992, 95% CI: 0.990-0.999, P=0.020) and time interval from onset to diagnosis ( OR=1.009, 95% CI: 1.005-1.014, P<0.001) were independent influencing factors for Shamblin type III CBTs. Conclusions:More females than males are noted in patients with adult CBTs in Northwest China, and more CBTs patients live at high altitude, with Shamblin type I enjoying the highest proportion. More female and old patients lived at high altitude is noted than those lived at low altitude; patients with Shamblin type III have the youngest age, lowest altitude, and longest time interval from onset to diagnosis. CBTs patients with young age, low residence altitude, and long time interval from onset to diagnosis are more likely to develop Shamblin type III.

Twelve abietane diterpenes were isolated from the 95% ethanol fraction solvated from the aqueous extract of Styrax by using various chromatographic methods, including MCI Gel CHP 20P, Sephadex LH-20, ODS, silica gel, TLC and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of the isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopy methods (1D, 2D NMR, UV, MS, etc.), and the absolute configuration of the new compound was determined by ECD calculations. Compound 1 is a new compound, which was identified as (4R,5R,9S,10R,12S)-12-methoxy-neoabietic acid, and compounds 2-12 were isolated from Styrax for the first time.