Bipolar androgen therapy (BAT), as a new therapy, can effectively reduce the serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) level of a part of patients with castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), delay tumor progression, improve their quality of life and restore the sensitivity to drug therapy. This paper will review the background, possible mechanism, clinical research progress and development prospect of BAT.

Objective:To investigate the safety and feasibility of the CHESS endoscpic ruler (CHESS ruler), and the consistency between the measured values and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Methods:From January 2021 to January 2022, a total of 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension were prospectively enrolled from General Hospital, Xixia Branch Hospital, Ningnan Hospital of People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (29 cases), and the First People′s Hospital of Yinchuan (25 cases), General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (18 cases), Wuzhong People′s Hospital (10 cases), the Fifth People′s Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (10 cases), Shizuishan Second People′s Hospital (6 cases), Yinchuan Second People′s Hospital (5 cases), and Zhongwei People′s Hospital (2 cases) 8 hospitals. The clinical characteristics of all the patients, including gender, age, nationality, etiolog of liver cirrhosis, and Child-Pugh classification of liver function were recorded. A big gastroesophageal varices was defined as diameter of varices ≥5 mm. Endoscopist (associated chief physician) performed gastroscopy according to the routine gastroscopy procedures, and the diameter of the biggest esophageal varices was measured by experience and images were collected, and then objective measurement was with the CHESS ruler and images were collected. The diameter of esophageal varices of 10 randomly selected patients (random number table method) was determined by 6 endoscopists (attending physician or associated chief physician) with experience or measured by CHESS ruler. Kappa test was used to test the consistency in the diameter of esophageal varices between measured values by CHESS ruler and the interpretation values by endoscopic physician experience.Results:Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with portal hypertension, male 65 cases and female 40 cases, aged (54.8±12.2) years old, Han nationality 82 cases, Hui nationality 21 cases and Mongolian nationality 2 cases. The etiology of liver cirrhosis included chronic hepatitis B (79 cases), alcoholic liver disease (7 cases), autoimmune hepatitis (7 cases), chronic hepatitis C (2 cases), and other etiology (10 cases). Liver function of 32 cases was Child-Pugh A, Child-Pugh B 57 cases, and Child-Pugh C 16 cases. All 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension were successfully measured the diameter of gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler, and the success rate of application of CHESS ruler was 100.0% (105/105). The procedure time from the CHESS ruler into the body to the exit of the body after measurement was (3.50±2.55) min. No complications happened in all the patients during measurement. Among 105 liver cirrhosis patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension, 96 cases (91.4%) were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists. Totally 93 cases (88.6%) were considered as big gastroesophageal varices by CHESS ruler. Eight cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopist, however not by the CHESS ruler; 5 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices by the CHESS ruler, but not by the endoscopists; 4 cases were not recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler; 88 cases were recognized as big gastroesophageal varices both by the endoscopists and CHESS ruler. The missed diagnostic rate of big gastroesophageal varices by the endoscopists experience was 5.4% (5/93), and the Kappa value of consistency coefficient between the measurement by the CHESS ruler and the interpretation by endoscopists experience was 0.31 (95% confidence interval 0.03 to 0.60). The overall Kappa value of consistency coefficient by 6 endoscopists measured by CHESS ruler in big gastroesophageal varices diagnosis was 0.77 (95% confidence interval 0.61 to 0.93).Conclusion:As an objective measurement tool, CHESS ruler can make up for the deficiency of subjective judgment by endoscopists, accurately measure the diameter of gastroesophageal varices, and is highly feasible and safe.

Severe acute pancreatitis-associated acute lung injury (SAP-ALI) is a serious disease associated with high mortality. Emodin has been applied to alleviate SAP-ALI; however, the mechanism remains unclear. We report that the therapeutic role of emodin in attenuating SAP-ALI is partly dependent on an exosomal mechanism. SAP rats had increased levels of plasma exosomes with altered protein contents compared to the sham rats. These infused plasma exosomes tended to accumulate in the lungs and promoted the hyper-activation of alveolar macrophages and inflammatory damage. Conversely, emodin treatment decreased the plasma/pancreatic exosome levels in the SAP rats. Emodin-primed exosomes showed less pro-inflammatory effects in alveolar macrophages and lung tissues than SAP exosomes. In detail, emodin-primed exosomes suppressed the NF-κB pathway to reduce the activation of alveolar macrophage and ameliorate lung inflammation by regulating PPARγ pathway, while these effects were amplified/abolished by PPARγ agonist/antagonist. Blockage of pancreatic acinar cell exosome biogenesis also exhibited suppression of alveolar macrophage activation and reduction of lung inflammation. This study suggests a vital role of exosomes in participating inflammation-associated organ-injury, and indicates emodin can attenuate SAP-ALI by reducing the pancreatic exosome-mediated alveolar macrophage activation.

Macrophages are typically identified as classically activated (M1) macrophages and alternatively activated (M2) macrophages, which respectively exhibit pro- and anti-inflammatory phenotypes, and the balance between these two subtypes plays a critical role in the regulation of tissue inflammation, injury, and repair processes. Recent studies indicate that tissue cells and macrophages interact

Background and Objectives: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) with tumorigenic potential are reported as the crucial factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and therapy resistance. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are documented to play an important role in the protection of hepatocytes. Bie Jia Jian pill (BJJP), a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used to treat liver fibrosis and liver cancer. This study aimed to explore the potential role of combined use of BJJP with BMSCs in HCC cell lines. Methods: and Results: Flow cytometry was used to identify BMSCs isolated from BALB/c mice and CSCs enriched from Huh7 cells by measuring CD24, CD133, CD44, CD73, CD105, CD166, CD29, CD14 and CD34. Differentiation potential of BMSCs was also determined. Cell viability and proliferation ability of CSCs were determined by CCK-8 assay and clone formation assay. The expressions of CSCs biomarkers and Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway related proteins were determined by PCR and western blot. TOP-Flash/FOP-Flash luciferase assay was applied to measure the activity of β-catenin/TCF. Compared with untreated CSCs, BJJP or BMSCs treatment alone on CSCs lead to increased miR-140 expression and cell apoptosis, as well as decreased expressions of CD24, CD133, EpCAM and cell viability.Downregualted expressions of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway related proteins, Wnt3a and β-catenin were found in response to BJJP or BMSCs treatment alone. The combination of BJJP＋BMSCs treatment on CSCs could further enhance the suppressive effect on CSCs. Down-regulation of miR-140 in CSCs partially blocked the effects of BMSCs or BMSCs＋BJJP on the expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin as well as the cell viability and apoptosis of CSCs.Reversed expression pattern was found in CSCs transfected with miR-140 overexpression. Conclusions Taken together, we demonstrate that BJJP＋BMSCs together could further enhance the suppressive effect on CSCs through regulating miR-140 and suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. This study demonstrated the potential of BJJP＋BMSCs in therapeutic treatment of HCC.

Background and Objectives: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) with tumorigenic potential are reported as the crucial factors of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence and therapy resistance. Bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are documented to play an important role in the protection of hepatocytes. Bie Jia Jian pill (BJJP), a Traditional Chinese Medicine, has been used to treat liver fibrosis and liver cancer. This study aimed to explore the potential role of combined use of BJJP with BMSCs in HCC cell lines. Methods: and Results: Flow cytometry was used to identify BMSCs isolated from BALB/c mice and CSCs enriched from Huh7 cells by measuring CD24, CD133, CD44, CD73, CD105, CD166, CD29, CD14 and CD34. Differentiation potential of BMSCs was also determined. Cell viability and proliferation ability of CSCs were determined by CCK-8 assay and clone formation assay. The expressions of CSCs biomarkers and Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway related proteins were determined by PCR and western blot. TOP-Flash/FOP-Flash luciferase assay was applied to measure the activity of β-catenin/TCF. Compared with untreated CSCs, BJJP or BMSCs treatment alone on CSCs lead to increased miR-140 expression and cell apoptosis, as well as decreased expressions of CD24, CD133, EpCAM and cell viability.Downregualted expressions of Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway related proteins, Wnt3a and β-catenin were found in response to BJJP or BMSCs treatment alone. The combination of BJJP＋BMSCs treatment on CSCs could further enhance the suppressive effect on CSCs. Down-regulation of miR-140 in CSCs partially blocked the effects of BMSCs or BMSCs＋BJJP on the expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin as well as the cell viability and apoptosis of CSCs.Reversed expression pattern was found in CSCs transfected with miR-140 overexpression. Conclusions Taken together, we demonstrate that BJJP＋BMSCs together could further enhance the suppressive effect on CSCs through regulating miR-140 and suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway. This study demonstrated the potential of BJJP＋BMSCs in therapeutic treatment of HCC.

Objective:To explore the changes of personality in medical college freshmen from 2010 to 2019 and the difference of gender.Methods:The cross-temporal meta-analysis and independent sample t-test were used to explore the change of medical college freshmen’s scores on 16 personality factor questionnaire (16PF) in the past 10 years (2010~2019) and the gender difference.A total of 17 395 samples of medical college freshmen were enrolled in the present study. Results:(1)The score of Warmth(A), Reasoning (B), Emotional Stability(C), Dominance(E), Liveliness(F), Rule-Consciousness(G), Social Boldness(H) and Perfectionism (Q3) were negatively correlated with year ( β=-0.93, -0.64, -0.85, -0.48, -0.80, -0.65, -0.92, -0.91, all P<0.01), while Sensitivity(I), Vigilance(L), Abstractness (M), Privateness (N), Apprehension (O), Openness to change (Q1), Self-Reliance (Q2), and Tension (Q4) were positively correlated with years ( β=0.72, 0.88, 0.81, 0.65, 0.86, 0.95, 0.90, 0.88, all P<0.01). (2)The scores in female freshman were higher than those in male freshman in Warmth, Sensitivity, Abstractness, Privateness, Apprehension, and Tension ( t=22.51, 18.15, 21.15, 5.89, 12.35, 5.46, all P<0.01), while the scores in female freshman were lower than those in male freshman in emotional stability, dominance, rule-consciousness, social boldness, and vigilance ( t=-18.25, -16.54, -9.75, -5.05, -9.97; all P<0.01). Conclusion:The warmth, reasoning, emotional stability, dominance, liveliness, rule-consciousness, social boldness and perfectionism present a decreasing tendency, while sensitivity, vigilance, abstractness, privateness, apprehension, openness to change, self-reliance, and tension present a rising tendency. The change tendency in both male and female are consistent with the overall trends and the significant gender differences are found in some personality traits.

Objective To explore the effect of atorvastatin on postoperative complications after the burr hole drainage of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH). Methods The clinical data of 172 CSDH patients who had underwent the burr hole drainage were retrospectively analyzed. Among them 82 patients were given atorvastatin (atorvastatin group), and 90 patients were not given atorvastatin (control group). The postoperative complications were compared between 2 groups. Results All patients were followed up for 6 months. The total incidence of postoperative complications in control group was significantly higher than that in atorvastatin group:47.78%(43/90) vs. 31.71%(26/82), and the recurrent rate of subdural hematoma and incidence of subdural effusion in control group were significantly higher than those in atorvastatin group: 22.22% (20/90) vs. 8.54% (7/82) and 28.89% (26/90) vs. 12.20%(10/82). There were statistical differences (P<0.05). There were no statistical difference in the incidences of pneumocephalus, acute epidural/subdural hematoma and brain damage induced by drainage tube (P>0.05). Conclusions Atorvastatin can improve the prognosis of CSDH patients, especially in reducing the incidence of recurrent subdural hematoms and subdural effusion.

Objective To investigate the relationship between impulsive behaviors and the errorrelated negativity (ERN) component of event-related potentials of error processing in heroin addicts.Methods Using the paradigms for psychological experiment,the Iowa gambling task (IGT) was performed both in heroin addiction group (HA group,20 cases) and healthy control group (HC group,20 cases),and the inspection of electroencephalography was underwent in all subjects concurrently.Following the collection of data,the amplitude and latency of ERN were compared between the two groups,and then the relationship between the amplitude of ERN and the scores of Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) was analyzed separately.Results Decision-making course had no effect on the net score remarkably in HA group (F =1.21,P ＞0.05).Compared with HC group(64.3 ±8.4,73.8 ± 16.4),BIS score as well as the numbers of high frequency loss cards were significantly higher in HA group(75.2 ±7.6,105.5 ±22.2; t =-5.39,-9.24 ; P ＜ 0.05),while both the two groups had visible waveforms of ERN,and the amplitude was markedly lower in HA group(HA:(4.23 ±0.87) μV,HC:(6.11 ± 1.09) μV; t =5.96,P ＜0.05),but no statistical difference was found in latency of these two groups(HC:(102.1 ±28.2) ms,HA:(107.8 ±24.2) ms;t =-0.62,P =0.54),and the amplitude of the two groups was negatively associated with BIS score respectively in both two groups (HC:r =-0.66,HA:r =-0.78 ; both P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The reduced capability of error processing maybe partly contribute to both addiction and relapse to heroin addict,and the ERN event-related potential could be regarded as an indicator of impulsive behaviors and the capability error processing.

Objective To investigate the characteristic of P30o event-related potentials(ERP) of impulsive behavior in heroin addicts.Methods The Iowa gambling task (IGT) were performed by using the paradigm for psychological experiment both in heroin addiction group (HA group) and health control group (HC group),the inspection of electroencephalography were underwent in all the subjects concurrently.Following the collection of data of ERP,amplitude and latency of P300 were compared between the two groups,and then the relationship betweenamplitude or latency of P300 and the results of Barratt impulsiveness scale were analyzed separately.Results Compared to HC group,BIS score as well as the numbers of high frequency loss cards were significantly higher in HA group ( HA:75.12 ± 12.49,91.14 ± 21.35 ; HC:66.54 ± 8.61,73.71 ± 18.91 ; P ＜ 0.05 ),while the both two groups had visible waveforms of P30o,and the amplitude and latency were markedly lower ( HA:4.92 ± 1.14,293.43 ± 36.21 ; HC:7.65 ± 1.59,332.68 ± 40.15 ; P ＜ 0.05 ) and were negatively associated with BIS score in HA group( r =-0.76,-0.52,P＜ 0.05).Logistic regression results showed that the scores of BIS-11 were related to amplitude of P30o merely( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Impulsive behavior can be observed from the abnormal characteristic of the P300 event-related potential of impulsive behavior in heroin addicts,which may partly contribute to both addiction and relapse of heroin addict.