Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P＜0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P＜0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P＜0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of different manners of heat exposure on thoracic aorta injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and explore the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Normal 6 to 7-week-old male SHRs were randomized into control group (cage at room temperature), intermittent heat exposure group (SHR-8 group, exposed to 32 ℃ for 8 h daily for 7 days) and SHR-24 group (with continuous exposure to 32 ℃ for 7 days). After the treatments, the pathologies of the thoracic aorta of the rats were observed with HE staining, and the expressions of Beclin1, LC3B and p62 were detected with Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay; TUNEL staining was used to observe cell apoptosis in the thoracic aorta, and the expressions of caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 were detected using Western blotting. The effects of intraperitoneal injections of 3-MA (an autophagy agonist), rapamycin (an autophagy inhibitor) or compound C 30 min before intermittent heat exposure on the expressions of proteins associated with autophagy, apoptosis and the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway in the aorta were examined with immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: In SHR-8 group, the rats showed incomplete aortic intima with disordered cell distribution and significantly increased expressions of Beclin1, LC3II/LC3I and Bax, lowered expressions of p62 and Bcl-2, and increased apoptotic cells in the thoracic aorta (P < 0.05). Pretreatment with 3-MA obviously inhibited the expressions of autophagy- and apoptosis-related proteins, whereas rapamycin promoted their expressions. Compared with the control group, the rats in SHR-8 group had significantly down-regulated p-mTOR and up-regulated p-AMPK and p-ULK1 expression of in the aorta; Treatment with compound C obviously lowered the expressions of p-AMPK and p-ULK1 and those of LC3B and Beclin1 as well. CONCLUSION In SHRs, intermittent heat exposure causes significant pathologies and promotes autophagy and apoptosis in the thoracic aorta possibly by activating the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism* ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Beclin-1 ; Hot Temperature ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Aortic Diseases ; Autophagy ; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk factors affecting thromboembolism in lymphoma patients with chemotherapy. METHODS: Three hundred and four consecutive lymphoma patients treated by chemotherapy between January 2012 and July 2019 were enrolled and retrospectively analyzed, consisting of 111 patients with thromboembolism and 193 without thromboembolism. Univariate analysis was used to compare the clinical characteristics and related laboratory examination between the patients, while multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to identify the risk factors affecting thromboembolism in lymphoma patients with chemotherapy. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that the female, BMI <18.5 or >24, ≥60 years old, with abnormal platelets before chemotherapy, prolonged single hospitalization days and patients at Ann Arbor stage III and IV could increase the incidence of thromboembolism in lymphoma patients treated by chemotherapy. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that abnormal platelet count before chemotherapy, patients at Ann Arbor stage III and IV, and female were all the independent risk factors affecting thromboembolism in lymphoma patients thromboembolism after chemotherapy (P<0.05). CONCLUSION For lymphoma chemotherapy patients, female, abnormal platelet count before chemotherapy and Ann Arbor stages III and IV show a significantly higher risk for thromboembolism. Thus, preventive anticoagulation therapy is recommended.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma/drug therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Thromboembolism/epidemiology*

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical effects of different postoperative rehabilitation modes on lumbar degenerative diseases, and explore influence of rehabilitation mode and other factors on postoperative effect. METHODS: From June 2013 to July 2016, totally 900 patients were admitted from nine tertiary hospitals in Beijing to perform single segment bone grafting and internal fixation due to lumbar degenerative diseases were prospectively analyzed. There were 428 males and 472 females, the age of patient over 18 years old, with an average of (51.42±12.41) years old;according to patients' subjective wishes and actual residence conditions, all patients were divided into three groups, named as observation group 1 (performed integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment model intervention), observation group 2 (performed integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment, classified rehabilitation model intervention), and control group(performed routine rehabilitation model intervention). Visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) were used to evaluate postoperative efficacy among three groups at 24 weeks. Possible factors affecting the postoperative efficacy including age, age grouping, gender, body mass index (BMI), BMI grouping, education level, visiting hospital, payment method of medical expenses, preoperative complications, preoperative JOA score, clinical diagnosis, surgery section, operative method, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative complications and rehabilitation mode were listed as independent variables, and postoperative ODI score at 24 weeks as dependent variables. Univariate analysis was used to analyze relationship between influencing factors and postoperative efficacy. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze relationship between influencing factors, rehabilitation mode and postoperative ODI score at 24 weeks, in further to find out the main reasons which affect postoperative efficacy, and to analyze impact of rehabilitation mode on postoperative efficacy. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 24 weeks after operation. All incisions healed at stage I with stable internal fixation. (1)Evaluation of postoperative efficacy:① There were no statistical differences in preoperative VAS and ODI among three groups( CONCLUSION Preoperative JOA score, gender, age could predict postoperative clinical effects of lumbar degenerative diseases in varying degrees treated with single level bone graft fusion and internal fixation. Different rehabilitation modes could improve clinical effects. Intergrated rehabilitation orthopedic treatment model and integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment with classifiedrehabilitation model are superior to conventional rehabilitation model in improving patients' postoperative function and relieving pain, which is worthy of promoting in clinical.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Lumbosacral Region ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome

COVID-19 ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Reproduction ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Singapore/epidemiology*

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of the combination of agomelatine and low-dose olanzapine (AO) in the treatment of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) with depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.Methods:From April 2019 to September 2020, PDS patients with depression, anxiety and sleep disorders in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital were selected and divided into AO group and flupentixol-melitracen (FM) group. Patients of the AO group were given oral agomelatine 25 mg and AO 1.70 mg (both once per day), and the patients of FM group were given oral FM 10.5 mg (once per day), and all patients took itopride 50 mg (three times per day) at the same time. The total treatment course was eight weeks. Nepean dyspepsia index-symptom (NDIS), patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), generalized anxiety disorder-7 (GAD-7) and Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) were used to evaluate the gastrointestinal symptoms, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders before treatment and two, four and eight weeks after treatment, respectively. The efficacy was evaluated according to the changes of scores of gastrointestinal symptoms before and after treatment. The adverse effects after medication were recorded. Independent sample t test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:A total of 184 PDS patients with depression, anxiety and sleep disorders were enrolled, including 98 patients in AO group and 86 patients in FM group. At two, four and eight weeks after treatment, NDIS, PHQ-9, GAD-7 and PSQI scores of AO group and FM group were all lower than those of each group before treatment (AO group: 13.73±0.53, 10.13±0.44 and 7.87±0.31 vs. 27.08±0.84; 6.04±0.35, 4.70±0.31 and 3.81±0.22 vs. 10.04±0.50; 6.36±0.30, 5.29±0.28 and 4.21±0.19 vs. 10.71±0.51; 6.64±0.37, 5.27±0.35 and 4.09±0.30 vs. 11.14±0.42; FM group: 15.33±0.58, 11.58±0.50 and 9.80±0.35 vs. 25.10±0.79; 6.79±0.35, 5.71±0.32 and 4.86±0.30 vs. 9.11±0.46; 7.27±0.31, 6.51±0.32 and 5.21±0.27 vs. 9.79±0.44; 8.01±0.33, 6.76±0.32 and 5.78±0.32 vs. 10.44±0.32), and the differences were statistically significant (AO group: tNDIS=13.470, 17.930 and 21.530, tPHQ-9=6.488, 8.991 and 11.300, tGAD-7=7.361, 9.315 and 11.031, tPSQI=7.088, 9.736 and 12.550. FM group: tNDIS=9.921, 14.400 and 17.640, tPHQ-9=4.032, 6.106 and 7.781, tGAD-7=4.638, 5.993 and 8.840, tPSQI=5.289, 8.199 and 10.310, all P<0.05). At two, four and eight weeks after treatment, NDIS, GAD-7 and PSQI scores of AO group were all lower than those of the FM group during the same period (NDIS: 13.73±0.53 vs. 15.33±0.58, 10.13±0.44 vs. 11.58±0.50, 7.87±0.31 vs. 9.80±0.35; GAD-7: 6.36±0.30 vs. 7.27±0.31, 5.29±0.28 vs. 6.51±0.32, 4.21±0.19 vs. 5.21±0.27; PSQI: 6.64±0.37 vs. 8.01±0.33, 5.27±0.35 vs. 6.76±0.32, 4.09±0.30 vs. 5.78±0.32), and the differences were statistically significant ( tNDIS=2.018, 2.225 and 4.156, tGAD-7=2.097, 2.869 and 2.536, tPSQI=1.951, 2.359 and 3.099, all P<0.05). At eight weeks after treatment, the total effective rate of the AO group was higher than that of the FM group (94.9%, 93/98 vs. 84.9%, 73/86), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=5.205, P=0.026). The incidence of adverse reactions of constipation and somnolence of the AO group were both lower than those of the FM group (2.0%, 2/98 vs. 9.3%, 8/86 and 1.0%, 1/98 vs. 8.1%, 7/86, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=4.699 and 5.582, P=0.047 and 0.027). Conclusion:AO may be a treatment option for PDS with depression, anxiety and sleep disorders.

Objective::To observe the clinical efficacy of modified Weijingtang and Maxing Shigan Tang combined with half-dose hormones in the treatment of mycoplcasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children caused by toxic heat closing lung. Method::Totally 120 cases were randomly divided into control group and observation group, with 60 cases in each group. In addition to the basic therapy, control group was given Lianhua Qingwen granules + methanilone (10 mg·kg^-1, 2 times/day), while observation group was given modified Weijingtang and Maxing Shigan Tang + methanilone (10 mg·kg^-1, 1 time/day) for 14 days. Lung function indicators [maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), time of peak tidal expiratory flow (TPTEF), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), volume peak time expiratory flow (VPTEF)], plasma myocardial enzyme profile [creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CKMB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hydroxybutyric acid dehydrogenase (HBDH)], immune function [immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin M (IgM), erythrocyte immune complex (RBC-ICR), erythrocyte C3b receptor (RBC-C3bR)], inflammatory factors [tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), gamma-interferon (IFN-γ), interleukin-13 (IL-13), interleukin-17A (IL-17A)], clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were observed before and after treatment. Result::Four cases fell off during the study period. The total effective rate in observation group was 96.6%(57/59), which was higher than that in control group 84.2%(48/57, P<0.05). Compared with control group after treatment, lung function, RBC-C3bR and IL-13 were increased in observation group (P<0.05), while myocardial enzyme spectrum, IgG, IgM, RBC-ICR, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-17A were decreased in observation group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in observation group was, lower than that in control group(P<0.05). Conclusion::Modified Weijingtang and Maxing Shigan Tang combined with half-dose hormones can improve lung function, myocardial enzyme profile, immune function and inflammatory factor levels of refractory mycoplasma pneumoniae in children caused by toxic heat closing lung, with a incidence of adverse reactions.