OBJECTIVE To establish fingerprint， chemical pattern recognition and multi-component quantification analysis of Sanzi powder， and evaluate its quality. METHODS HPLC method was adopted. The fingerprints of 15 batches of Sanzi powder were established by using the Similarity Evaluation System for Chromatographic Fingerprint of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2012 edition）. Cluster analysis， principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis were also conducted. The variable importance in projection （VIP） value greater than 1 was used as the index to screen the differential markers， and the contents of the differential markers were determined by the same HPLC method. RESULTS A total of 21 common peaks in the HPLC fingerprints of 15 batches of Sanzi powder were calibrated， and the similarities of them were 0.994- 0.999； 6 common peaks were identified， including gallic acid （peak 3）， garminoside （peak 10）， corilagin （peak 11）， chebulinic acid （peak 16）， ellagic acid （peak 18）， crocin Ⅰ （peak 19）. According to the results of cluster analysis， YKD2024LH005，No.YKD2023LH062） principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis， 15 batches of samples could be clustered into two categories： S1， S5， S7， S9， S14 were clustered into one category； S2-S4， S6， S8， S10-S13， S15 were clustered into one category. VIP values of 11 differential components such as corilagin， chebulinic acid and ellagic acid were higher than 1. Among 15 batches of samples， the contents of corilagin， chebulinic acid and ellagic acid ranged 2.667-5.152， 9.506- 13.522， 0.891-1.811 mg/g. CONCLUSIONS Established HPLC fingerprint and multi-component quantification analysis of Sanzi powder are rapid and simple， and can be used for quality evaluation of Sanzi powder by combining with chemical pattern recognition. Eleven components such as corilagin， chebulinic acid and ellagic acid are differential markers affecting the quality of Sanzi powder.

Objective To explore the relationship between blood uric acid levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type H hypertension.Methods The clinical data of 284 patients with type H hyper-tension admitted to the Cardiovascular Department,Xianyang Hospital,Yan'an University in 2022 were collected and retrospectively reviewed.The patients were divided into NAFLD group(n=88)and normal group(n=196)according to whether they had NAFLD.The general information and laboratory indicators were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to explore the influencing factors of NAFLD in H-type hypertension patients.The draw ROC curves were plotted to observe the role of SUA in predicting NAFLD and select the optimal cutoff value based on the maximum Youden index.Results The NAFLD group demonstrated higher levels in body mass index,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,total cholesterol,triglycerides,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,SUA,γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase and alanine aminotransferase compared to the normal group,but significantly lower levels at age and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(P＜0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated levels of BMI(OR=1.173,95%CI:1.066～1.291),SUA(OR=1.005,95%CI:1.001～1.010),and TG(OR=1.929,95%CI:1.042～3.574)were risk factors for NAFLD in patients with type H hypertension(P＜0.05).The ROC curves showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of SUA,TG,BMI,and their combination were 0.709,0.707,0.750,and 0.796,respectively.Conclusion type H hypertensive NAFLD patients have high levels of BMI,SUA,TG compared to non-NAFLD patients.Elevated SUA is a risk factor for type H hypertensive NAFLD patients,with SUA＞337 μmol/L as a significant value for predicting NAFLD.

Objective:To explore the strategy of prostate biopsy in patients with prostate specific antigen(PSA)gray zone based on prostate imaging reporting and data system (PI-RADS).Methods:The clinical data of 427 patients who underwent transperineal prostate biopsy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The median age was 66 (61, 72) years old. The median PSA was 6.62 (5.46, 8.19) ng/ml. The median PSA density (PSAD) was 0.15 (0.11, 0.21) ng/ml 2. The median prostate volume (PV) was 43.68 (31.12, 56.82) ml. PSA velocity (PSAV) data were available in 65 patients with negative MRI examination(PI-RADS <3), and the median PSAV was 1.40 (0.69, 2.89) ng/(ml· year). Among the patients with positive MRI(PI-RADS≥3), there were 174 patients with only 1 lesion and 83 patients with ≥2 lesions. A total of 170 patients with negative MRI underwent systematic biopsy, and 257 patients with positive MRI underwent systematic combined targeted biopsy. The PI-RADS score, regions of interest(ROI), PSAD, f/tPSA and PSAV were analyzed to explore the biopsy strategy for patients with PSA gray area based on bpMRI imaging. Results:Of the 427 patients included in the study, 194 were positive and 233 were negative. Among the patients with positive biopsy pathology, 140 cases were clinically significant prostate cancer (CsPCa). Among the MRI-negative patients, there were 33 cases with PSAV ≥1.4 ng/(ml·year), and 10 cases of prostate cancer and 6 cases of CsPCa were detected by systematic biopsy.In 32 cases with PSAV <1.4 ng/(ml·year), 3 cases of prostate cancer and 0 case of CsPCa were detected by systematic biopsy. The sensitivity of systematic biopsy for the diagnosis of prostate cancer and CsPCa in patients with PSAV≥1.4 ng/(ml·year) were 76.9% (10/13) and 100.0% (6/6) respectively, the specificity were 55.8% (29/52) and 54.2% (32/59) respectively, the negative predictive value were 90.6% (29/32) and 100.0% (32/32) respectively, and the positive predictive value were 30.3% (10/33) and 18.2% (6/33) respectively. In MRI-positive patients with PI-RADS 3, the prostate cancer detection rates of targeted biopsy combined with systematic biopsy, systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 41.7% (45/108), 32.4% (35/108) and 35.2% (38/108), respectively ( P=0.349). The detection rates of CsPCa were 27.8% (30/108), 21.3% (23/108) and 25.0% (27/108), respectively ( P=0.541). In patients with PI-RADS 4-5 and PSAD > 0.15 ng/ml 2, the detection rates of CsPCa in targeted biopsy combined with systematic biopsy, systematic biopsy and targeted biopsy were 67.8% (61/90), 58.9% (53/90) and 67.8% (61/90), respectively ( P=0.354). Conclusions:For MRI-negative patients, all CsPCa could be detected by perineal systematic biopsy when PSAV ≥1.4 ng/(ml·year), and active observation could be performed when PSAV <1.4 ng/(ml·year). For MRI-positive patients, targeted combined systemic biopsy was required when PI-RADS score was 3, and targeted biopsy only could be performed when PI-RADS score ≥4 and PSAD >0.15 ng/ml 2, otherwise targeted combined systemic biopsy was required.

AIM:To investigate the ameliorative effect of nociceptin/orphanin(N/OFQ)on anxiety-like be-havior in nicotine(NIC)withdrawal-induced rats and its regulatory mechanisms on the expression of neurotransmitters as-sociated with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal(HPA)axis and inflammatory factors.METHODS:Thirty-two adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group,NIC withdrawal model group,low-dose N/OFQ treatment group,and high-dose N/OFQ treatment group,with 8 rats in each group.To establish NIC with-drawal model,the rats in the NIC model and N/OFQ treatment groups were subcutaneously injected with NIC(0.4 mg/kg),twice a day for 7 consecutive days followed by 3 days of withdrawal.During the withdrawal period,the rats in the low and high-dose N/OFQ treatment groups received intracerebroventricular injection of N/OFQ(1 nmol or 10 nmol)once per day for 3 consecutive days.Ten minutes after the third administration,all rats underwent open filed(OF)and elevated plus maze(EPM)tests to detect behavioral changes.The serum concentrations of corticotrophin-releasing hormone(CRH),adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH),corticosterone(CORT),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-6 were measured by ELISA.The mRNA expression levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 in the central nu-cleus of the amygdala(CeA)of the brain were detected by RT-qPCR.Histological changes in neuron morphology in the CA1 region of the hippocampus were observed under a light microscope following hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Norepinephrine(NE)levels in the CeA of the brain were determined by HPLC.The protein expression of tyrosine hydroxy-lase(TH)in the CeA of the brain was detected by Western blot.RESULTS:Compared with the NIC withdrawal model group,rats in the low and high-dose N/OFQ treatment groups showed significant increase in the distance and time spent in the central area of the open field(P<0.05 or P<0.01),as well as significant increase in the number of entries and the per-centage of time spent in the open arms of the EPM(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Furthermore,both low and high-dose N/OFQ treatment groups significantly inhibited serum concentrations of CRH,ACTH and CORT in NIC withdrawal rats(P<0.01).N/OFQ administration also significantly reduced the levels of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 in the serum,as well as expression levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 mRNA in the CeA(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The treatment with N/OFQ at both doses significantly alleviated neuronal damage in the CA1 region of the hippocampus and markedly re-duced thelevels of NE and TH protein expression in the CeA of NIC withdrawal rats(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:N/OFQ alleviates anxiety-like behavior in NIC withdrawal rats through mechanisms related to the regulation of HPA axis hormone levels and inflammatory factors.

Objective: To study the MRI manifestations of foot injuries in amateur marathoners and the diagnostic value of MRI for foot injuries. Methods: Forty-eight amateur marathoners were prospectively recruited from October 2018 to March 2019. Participants were grouped according to the FASS criteria. All participants underwent bilateral foot MRI examinations. The MRI features of foot in amateur marathoners with and without foot pain were analyzed.The association with gender, age, time to participate in marathon, amount of running per week, number of times to complete the whole marathon and the symptoms of foot pain was studied. Results: There were 28 sides in FASS in grade 0, including 8 males and 20 females, 8 hydrocele of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, 6 edema of bone marrow, 4 edema of soft tissue, 4 hydrocele of tendon sheath, and 6 without abnormal manifestations of MRI. There were 68 sides in FASS grade 1, including 42 males and 26 females, 38 Achilles tendinitis, 14 plantar fasciitis, 12 Achilles tendon bursitis and 4 posterior ankle impingement syndrome. The incidence of foot pain in amateur marathoners was related to gender (OR=1.060, P=0.043), unrelated to age (OR=0.248, P=0.078), number of marathons completed (OR=1.006, P=0.956), time to participate in marathon (OR=1.008, P=0.944), amount of running per week (OR=0.971, P=0.407). Conclusion Among amateur marathon runners, the foot pain is mainly caused by Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, while those without foot pain are mainly characterized by joint effusion, tendon sheath effusion and bone marrow edema. Gender is the only factor affecting the incidence of foot pain in amateur marathoners. MRI examination is an effective method to determine foot injury and has important clinical application value in the diagnosis and treatment of foot injury.

Objective To study the MRI manifestations of foot injuries in amateur marathoners and the diagnostic value of MRI for foot injuries. Methods Forty?eight amateur marathoners were prospectively recruited from October 2018 to March 2019. Participants were grouped according to the FASS criteria. All participants underwent bilateral foot MRI examinations. The MRI features of foot in amateur marathoners with and without foot pain were analyzed.The association with gender, age, time to participate in marathon, amount of running per week, number of times to complete the whole marathon and the symptoms of foot pain was studied. Results There were 28 sides in FASS in grade 0, including 8 males and 20 females, 8 hydrocele of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, 6 edema of bone marrow, 4 edema of soft tissue, 4 hydrocele of tendon sheath, and 6 without abnormal manifestations of MRI. There were 68 sides in FASS grade 1, including 42 males and 26 females, 38 Achilles tendinitis, 14 plantar fasciitis, 12 Achilles tendon bursitis and 4 posterior ankle impingement syndrome. The incidence of foot pain in amateur marathoners was related to gender(OR=1.060, P=0.043), unrelated to age(OR=0.248, P=0.078), number of marathons completed(OR=1.006, P=0.956), time to participate in marathon(OR=1.008,P=0.944), amount of running per week (OR=0.971,P=0.407). Conclusion Among amateur marathon runners, the foot pain is mainly caused by Achilles tendon and plantar fascia, while those without foot pain are mainly characterized by joint effusion, tendon sheath effusion and bone marrow edema. Gender is the only factor affecting the incidence of foot pain in amateur marathoners. MRI examination is an effective method to determine foot injury and has important clinical application value in the diagnosis and treatment of foot injury.

Objective By summing up monitoring data of human brucellosis in Qinghai Province from 2000 to 2012, to evaluate epidemiological dynamics and analyze prevalence trend. Method Monitoring data of human brucellosis in Qinghai Province from 2000 to 2012 were collected, epidemiological characteristics including prevalence condition, area and population distribution were analyzed by descriptive epidemiology method. Results Totally 38 578 persons were examined from 2000 to 2012. The number of persons infected with brucellosis was 1 209, the infection rate was 3.34%;the number of patients diagnosed with human brucellosis was 344, the prevalence rate was 0.89%. New cases had occurred since 2006, and there were 158 new cases diagnosed with brucellosis. The prevalence rates in cities and areas of agriculture and pasture were 2.93%(78/2 663), 1.18%(33/2 806) and 0.70%(233/33 109), respectively. The ages of developing brucellosis ranged from 10 to 72 years old. The prevalence rates of biological pharmaceutical producers and the herdsman were [18.13%(196/1 081)] and [6.13%(353/5 763)], respectively. The prevalence rate of human brucellosis in Han nation was the highest [4.61%(467/10 140)], followed by Tibet [3.60%(443/12 318)], Mongolia [2.53%(211/8 342)], Tu [2.22%(110/4 953)] and Hui [2.09%(59/2 825)], and the differences were statistically significant (χ2 = 102.493, P < 0.01). Conclusion The prevalence state of human brucellosis in Qinghai Province is in a increasing trend, and new cases are increasing.

Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) is a RNA-binding protein that acts as a tumor suppressor in many cancer types, including colorectal cancer (CRC). During CRC carcinogenesis, PDCD4 protein levels remarkably decrease, but the underlying molecular mechanism for decreased PDCD4 expression is not fully understood. In this study, we performed bioinformatics analysis to identify miRNAs that potentially target PDCD4. We demonstrated miR-181b as a direct regulator of PDCD4. We further showed that activation of IL6/STAT3 signaling pathway increased miR-181b expression and consequently resulted in downregulation of PDCD4 in CRC cells. In addition, we investigated the biological effects of PDCD4 inhibition by miR-181b both in vitro and in vivo and found that miR-181b could promote cell proliferation and migration and suppress apoptosis in CRC cells and accelerate tumor growth in xenograft mice, potentially through targeting PDCD4. Taken together, this study highlights an oncomiR role for miR-181b in regulating PDCD4 in CRC and suggests that miR-181b may be a novel molecular therapeutic target for CRC.
Animals ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caco-2 Cells ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Heterografts ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, SCID ; MicroRNAs ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; RNA, Neoplasm ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDWe previously demonstrated that the aqueous extract of the Schizandra chinensis fruit (AESC) ameliorated Cd-induced depletion of monoamine neurotransmitters in the brain through antioxidant activity. In the present study, we investigated the effect of AESC on anxiety-like behavior and the levels of norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol (a metabolite of norepinephrine) in different brain regions during ethanol withdrawal in rats.

METHODSMale Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with 3 g/kg of ethanol (20%, w/v) or saline by daily intraperitoneal injection for 28 days followed by three days of withdrawal. During withdrawal, rats were given AESC (100 mg × kg(-1)× d(-1) or 300 mg × kg(-1)× d(-1), P.O.) once a day for three days. Thirty minutes after the final dose of AESC, the anxiogenic response was evaluated using an elevated plus maze, and the plasma corticosterone levels were examined by radioimmunoassay. Meanwhile, the concentrations of norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and hippocampus were also measured by high performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTSRats undergoing ethanol withdrawal exhibited substantial anxiety-like behavior, which was characterized by both the decrease in time spent in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and the increased level of corticosterone secretion, which were greatly attenuated by doses of AESC in a dose-dependent manner. The high performance liquid chromatography analysis revealed that ethanol withdrawal significantly increased norepinephrine and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy-phenylglycol levels in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, while not significantly altering them in the hippocampus. Similar to the results from the elevated plus maze test, the AESC significantly inhibited the elevation of norepinephrine and its metabolite in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in a dose-dependent manner.

CONCLUSIONSThese results suggest that AESC attenuates anxiety-like behavior induced by ethanol withdrawal through modulation of the hypothalamic norepinephrine system in the brain.

Animals ; Anxiety ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Ethanol ; adverse effects ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Male ; Plant Extracts ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Schisandra ; chemistry ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; drug therapy

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed in the treatment of relapsed primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODSSeven cases with relapsed PCNSL admitted in our hospital between August 2012 and August 2013 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTSOf the 7 relapsed cases, ectopic recurrence occurred in 3, in situ recurrence in 3 and leptomeningeal metastasis in 1. Patients with relapsed PCNSL were administered with high-dose pemetrexed (900 mg/m²) once for every 3 weeks and supplemented with folic acid and vitamin B₁₂. Complete remission was obtained in 2 patients, partial remission in 3 patients and progressive disease in 2. The overall response rate was 71.4% (5/7). The main adverse reactions were myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reaction.

CONCLUSIONTreatment of relapsed PCNSL is difficult, and its prognosis is very poor. Pemetrexed therapy is a meaningful trial.

Adult ; Aged ; Central Nervous System Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Glutamates ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Guanine ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Pemetrexed ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies