ObjectiveTo study the mechanism of compound Xishu granules （CXG） in inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating ferroptosis. MethodsThe transplanted tumor model of human Huh7 was established with nude mice and the successfully modeled mice were randomized into model， Fufang Banmao （0.21 g·kg^-1）， low-dose （1.87 g·kg^-1） CXG， medium-dose （3.74 g·kg^-1） CXG， and high-dose （7.49 g·kg^-1） CXG groups. Mice were administrated with drinking water or CXG for 28 days， and the body weight and tumor volume were measured every 4 days. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the histopathological changes of tumors. The cell-counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to examine the survival rate of Huh7 cells treated with different concentrations （0， 31.25， 62.5， 125， 250， 500， 1 000 mg·L^-1） of CXG for 24 h and 48 h. CA-AM， DCFH-DA， and C11-BODIPY^581/591 fluorescent probes were used to determine the intracellular levels of ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and lipid peroxide （LPO）， respectively. The colorimetric method was employed to measure the levels of glutathione （GSH） and superoxide dismutase （SOD）. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， transferrin receptor 1 （TFR1）， and ferritin heavy chain 1 （FTH1）， respectively. ResultsIn the animal experiment， compared with the model group， the drug treatment groups showed reductions in the tumor volume from day 12 （P<0.01）. After treatment， the Fufang Banmao and low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups had lower tumor volume， relative tumor volume， and tumor weight than the model group （P<0.05）， with tumor inhibition rates of 48.99%， 79.93%， 91.38%， and 97.36%， respectively. Moreover， the CXG groups had lower tumor volume and relative tumor volume （P<0.05 in all the three dose groups） and lower tumor weight （P<0.05 in medium-dose and high-dose groups） than the Fufang Banmao group. Compared with the model group， the drug treatment groups showed reduced number of tumor cells， necrotic foci with karyopyknosis， nuclear fragmentation， and nucleolysis， and the high-dose CXG group showed an increase in the proportion of interstitial fibroblasts. In the cell experiment， compared with the blank group， CXG reduced the survival rate of Huh7 cells in a dose-dependent manner after incubation for 24 h and 48 h （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank group， the RSL3 group and the low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups showed a decrease in the relative fluorescence intensity of CA-AM and increases in the fluorescence intensity of DCFH-DA and fluorescence ratio of C11-BODIPY^581/591， which indicated elevations in the levels of Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， ROS （P<0.05）， and LPO （P<0.01）， respectively. Compared with the blank group， the RSL3 and low-， medium-， and high-dose CXG groups showed lowered levels of GSH and SOD （P<0.05）. In addition， the RSL3 group and the medium- and high-dose CXG groups showed down-regulated expression of GPX4 and FTH1 （P<0.05）， and the low- and high-dose CXG groups presented up-regulated expression of TFR1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionCXG suppresses the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by inducing ferroptosis via downregulating the GSH-GPX4 signaling axis and increasing intracellular Fe²⁺and LPO levels.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shuanghua drink in treating primary dysmenorrhea in the rat model and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsAn oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model was established to evaluate the analgesic effect of Shuanghua drink. Forty-eight non-pregnant female institute of cancer research （ICR） mice were randomly divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （85.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （7.14 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （14.28 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （28.57 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight mice. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration at corresponding doses for 10 consecutive days. One hour after the final administration， 2 U of oxytocin was intraperitoneally injected per mouse. The writhing latency and number of writhing within 20 minutes were recorded. A primary dysmenorrhea rat model was established by using estradiol benzoate and oxytocin to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Shuanghua drink on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle. Forty-eight non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （51.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （4.28 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （8.57 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （17.10 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight rats. Rats received subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate for 10 consecutive days to enhance uterine sensitivity. On the eleventh day， oxytocin （2 U/rat） was intraperitoneally administered to induce abnormal uterine contractions for establishing the primary dysmenorrhea model. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration from the second day of modeling for 10 days. The effects of Shuanghua drink were evaluated by using parameters including uterine motility and the variation rate of uterine motility. The mechanism of action was investigated in rats with primary dysmenorrhea. The content of prostaglandin F_2α （PGF_2α）， prostaglandin E₂ （PGE₂）， thromboxane B₂ （TXB₂）， prostacyclin metabolite （6-keto-PGF_1α）， and β-endorphin （β-EP） in uterine tissue of rats was detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The changes in the content of nitric oxide （NO） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） were analyzed via colorimetric assay. Western blot was performed to determine the content of phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta （p-IKKβ）/IKKβ， phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B alpha （p-IκBα）， IκBα， phosphorylated p65 （p-p65）， p65， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） proteins in uterine tissue of rats. ResultsIn the oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model， the model group exhibited significantly shortened writhing latency and increased writhing frequency compared to the control group （P<0.01）. Both the ibuprofen group and the high-dose group of Shuanghua drink displayed prolonged writhing latency （P<0.05）， while the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink exhibited reduced writhing frequency （P<0.01）. In the primary dysmenorrhea rat model， the uterine motility and its variation rate in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group （P<0.01）. These parameters were markedly suppressed by ibuprofen and Shuanghua drink at all tested doses （P<0.01）. For the mechanism of action， the model group showed significantly increased PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， NO， and iNOS in uterine tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significantly decreased β-EP （P<0.01）. These parameters were significantly attenuated in the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink. The PGF_2α/PGE₂ （P<0.01）， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α （P<0.01）， NO （medium-dose group P<0.05）， and iNOS （P<0.01） were reduced， and the β-EP （medium-dose group P<0.05） was up-regulated. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink showed significantly increased content of β-EP in the serum of rats （P<0.05）. Compared to the blank group， the model group showed significantly elevated expressions of COX-2， p-IKKβ/IKKβ， p-IκBα/IκBα， and p-p65/p65 proteins （P<0.01） and significantly reduced anti-inflammatory protein IκBα （P<0.05）. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink showed significantly reduced expressions of COX-2 （P<0.01）， p-IKKβ/IKKβ （P<0.01）， p-IκBα/IκBα （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and p-p65/p65（P<0.01） and up-regulated expression of IκBα protein （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShuanghua drink effectively alleviates primary dysmenorrhea through analgesia and suppression of abnormal contractions of uterine smooth muscle. Its mechanism may be mediated by reduced levels of PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， iNOS， and NO， elevated β-EP level， and inhibited COX-2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy of Shuanghua drink in treating primary dysmenorrhea in the rat model and explore its mechanism of action. MethodsAn oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model was established to evaluate the analgesic effect of Shuanghua drink. Forty-eight non-pregnant female institute of cancer research （ICR） mice were randomly divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （85.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （7.14 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （14.28 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （28.57 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight mice. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration at corresponding doses for 10 consecutive days. One hour after the final administration， 2 U of oxytocin was intraperitoneally injected per mouse. The writhing latency and number of writhing within 20 minutes were recorded. A primary dysmenorrhea rat model was established by using estradiol benzoate and oxytocin to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Shuanghua drink on the contraction of uterine smooth muscle. Forty-eight non-pregnant female Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were divided into six groups， including a blank group， a model group， an ibuprofen group （51.00 mg·kg^-1）， a low-dose group of Shuanghua drink （4.28 mL·kg^-1）， a medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink （8.57 mL·kg^-1）， and a high-dose group of Shuanghua drink （17.10 mL·kg^-1）. Each group consisted of eight rats. Rats received subcutaneous injections of estradiol benzoate for 10 consecutive days to enhance uterine sensitivity. On the eleventh day， oxytocin （2 U/rat） was intraperitoneally administered to induce abnormal uterine contractions for establishing the primary dysmenorrhea model. All treatment groups received daily intragastric administration from the second day of modeling for 10 days. The effects of Shuanghua drink were evaluated by using parameters including uterine motility and the variation rate of uterine motility. The mechanism of action was investigated in rats with primary dysmenorrhea. The content of prostaglandin F_2α （PGF_2α）， prostaglandin E₂ （PGE₂）， thromboxane B₂ （TXB₂）， prostacyclin metabolite （6-keto-PGF_1α）， and β-endorphin （β-EP） in uterine tissue of rats was detected by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The changes in the content of nitric oxide （NO） and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS） were analyzed via colorimetric assay. Western blot was performed to determine the content of phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B kinase beta （p-IKKβ）/IKKβ， phosphorylated inhibitor of kappa B alpha （p-IκBα）， IκBα， phosphorylated p65 （p-p65）， p65， and cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2） proteins in uterine tissue of rats. ResultsIn the oxytocin-induced writhing mouse model， the model group exhibited significantly shortened writhing latency and increased writhing frequency compared to the control group （P<0.01）. Both the ibuprofen group and the high-dose group of Shuanghua drink displayed prolonged writhing latency （P<0.05）， while the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink exhibited reduced writhing frequency （P<0.01）. In the primary dysmenorrhea rat model， the uterine motility and its variation rate in the model group were significantly higher than those in the blank group （P<0.01）. These parameters were markedly suppressed by ibuprofen and Shuanghua drink at all tested doses （P<0.01）. For the mechanism of action， the model group showed significantly increased PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， NO， and iNOS in uterine tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01） and significantly decreased β-EP （P<0.01）. These parameters were significantly attenuated in the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink. The PGF_2α/PGE₂ （P<0.01）， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α （P<0.01）， NO （medium-dose group P<0.05）， and iNOS （P<0.01） were reduced， and the β-EP （medium-dose group P<0.05） was up-regulated. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and medium-dose group of Shuanghua drink showed significantly increased content of β-EP in the serum of rats （P<0.05）. Compared to the blank group， the model group showed significantly elevated expressions of COX-2， p-IKKβ/IKKβ， p-IκBα/IκBα， and p-p65/p65 proteins （P<0.01） and significantly reduced anti-inflammatory protein IκBα （P<0.05）. Compared to the model group， the ibuprofen group and the low-dose， medium-dose， and high-dose groups of Shuanghua drink showed significantly reduced expressions of COX-2 （P<0.01）， p-IKKβ/IKKβ （P<0.01）， p-IκBα/IκBα （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and p-p65/p65（P<0.01） and up-regulated expression of IκBα protein （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShuanghua drink effectively alleviates primary dysmenorrhea through analgesia and suppression of abnormal contractions of uterine smooth muscle. Its mechanism may be mediated by reduced levels of PGF_2α/PGE₂， TXB₂/6-keto-PGF_1α， iNOS， and NO， elevated β-EP level， and inhibited COX-2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the added value of T 1-weighted stack-of-stars volumetric interpolated body examination (StarVIBE) sequence on PET/MR image quality. Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 60 patients (42 males, 18 females; age 11-86 (58±12) years) who underwent 18F-FDG PET/MR examination and with positive PET results in Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from April 2020 to April 2021. All patients completed StarVIBE sequence collection, and volumetric interpolated body examination (VIBE) sequence was used as control. StarVIBE and VIBE sequence images were evaluated independently using five-point method by two physicians. The evaluation was carried out from six aspects: lesion display, lesion boundary display, vascular around lesions display, fusion level with PET image, image artifact and overall image quality. Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the image quality of the two sequences, and Kappa test was performed to assess the consistency of the image quality scores between the two physicians. Results:There were 26 cases with cervical lesions, 14 cases with chest lesions, 7 cases with abdomen lesions and 13 cases with pelvic lesions. The scores of lesion display (4.0(3.8, 4.5) vs 3.5(3.0, 4.0)), lesion boundary display (4.0(4.0, 4.0) vs 3.0(3.0, 3.5)), vascular around lesions display (5.0(4.0, 5.0) vs 4.0(3.5, 4.5)), fusion level with PET image (5.0(5.0, 5.0) vs 4.5(4.0, 5.0)), image artifact (4.5(4.0, 5.0) vs 4.5(4.0, 5.0)) and overall image quality (5.0(4.0, 5.0) vs 4.0(4.0, 4.0)) of StarVIBE sequences were better than those of VIBE sequences ( z values: 3.77-6.54, all P<0.001). On the vascular around the lesions display, the scores of StarVIBE were significantly better than those of VIBE sequence in the neck (5.0(4.5, 5.0) vs 3.0(2.7, 3.5); z=4.49, P<0.001) and chest (4.5(4.3, 4.7) vs 4.0(3.6, 4.3); z=3.10, P=0.002). As for image quality, the scores of StarVIBE were also significantly better than those of VIBE in neck (5.0(4.5, 5.0) vs 4.0(3.7, 4.5); z=4.36, P<0.001) and chest (5.0(5.0, 5.0) vs 4.0(4.0, 4.5); z=3.02, P=0.003). In abdominal lesions, the score of StarVIBE was higher than that of VIBE in blood vessels (4.5(3.5, 5.0) vs 4.0(3.5, 4.5); z=2.07, P=0.038), and there was no difference between score of overall image quality (4.0(3.7, 4.5) vs 4.0(3.5, 4.5); z=0.27, P=0.785). The score of overall image quality of pelvic StarVIBE sequence was better than that of VIBE sequence (5.0(4.5, 5.0) vs 4.0(4.0, 4.5); z=2.12, P=0.034). Kappa value of image quality score between two physicians was 0.554, indicating moderate consistency. Conclusion:In whole-body PET/MR imaging, StarVIBE sequence can significantly improve the image quality of cervical, thoracic and pelvic lesions when comparing with VIBE sequence.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic and grading value of combination of 68Ga -1, 4, 7, 10-tetraazacyclododecane-1, 4, 7, 10-tetraacetic acid- D-Phe1-Tyr3-Thr8-octreotide ( 68Ga-DOTA-TATE) and 18F-flurodeoxyglucose ( 18F-FDG) dual probes in multi-parameter positron emission tomography (PET)/magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (PNEN). Methods:From April 9th, 2020 to February 24th, 2022, in Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, the clinical data and the imaging of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/MR and 18F-FDG PET/MR of 59 patients with pancreatic tumors (27 male, 32 female, aged 22 to 75 years old(51.8±13.3) years old), confirmed by surgical or biopsy pathology were retrospectively analyzed. All the cases were divided into PNEN group (42 cases) and non-PNEN group (17 cases) according to pathological results. Among which 39 patients with PNET were further divided into grade 1 group (G1 group, 27 cases) and grade 2 group (G2 group, 12 cases). Non-zero parameters were selected via the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression approach, and a logistic regression model was established by combination of the selected features and the corresponding non-zero coefficients. The measurement data with non-normal distribution were compared by Mann-Whitney U test. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to detemine the optimal cut off value to assess the dignostic efficiency. Results:Compared with those of non-PNEN group, the parameters of PNEN group increased, which included maximum standard uptake value of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE(SUV Gmax, 46.70 (22.37, 76.35) vs. 7.12 (4.75, 8.64)), mean standard uptake value of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE(SUV Gmean, 25.50 (13.18, 43.90) vs. 3.65 (2.89, 4.69)), peak standard uptake value of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE (SUV Gpeak, 27.17 (12.39, 46.97) vs. 5.46 (4.12, 6.56)), total lesion somatostatin receptor (SSR) expression (TLSRE, 68.21 (32.52, 440.96) vs. 26.02 (14.87, 69.57)), SUV Gmax/maximum standard uptake value of 18F-FDG (SUV Fmax, 12.71 (3.80, 21.70) vs. 1.10 (0.52, 2.35)), tumor to background ratio of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE (TBR G, 13.31 (5.54, 22.38) vs. 1.57 (1.31, 2.66)), tumor to liver ratio of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE(T/L G, 6.54 (2.90, 9.63) vs. 0.74 (0.65, 0.94)), tumor to spleen ratio of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE (T/S G, 2.36 (0.97, 3.70) vs. 0.25 (0.23, 0.38)), tumor to mediastinum ratio of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE (T/M G, 104.41 (34.03, 206.52) vs. 16.00 (12.87, 21.46)), SUV Gmax/minimum apparent diffusion coeffecient (ADC min, 55.14 (22.50, 96.37) vs. 6.76 (4.39, 12.76)) and SUV Gmean/ADC min (34.57 (13.47, 55.13) vs. 3.57 (2.46, 6.81)), and the differences were statistically significant ( U=28.00, 25.00, 32.00, 198.00, 54.00, 31.00, 28.00, 19.00, 10.00, 56.00 and 44.00, all P<0.01). The area under the curve (AUC) and diagnostic accuracy of dual-probe PET/MR imaging in the diagnosis of PNEN and non-PNEN were 0.941 and 96.6%, respectively. The AUC and diagnostic accuracy of model Y 1 in the diagnosis of PNEN and non-PNEN were 0.959 and 96.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference in AUC between model Y 1 and dual-probe PET/MR imaging in PNEN diagnosis ( P>0.05), however combining model Y 1 could improve the accuracy of PNEN diagnosis (100.0%). Compared with those of PNET G1 group, the parameters of G2 Group were higher, which included the maximum diameter of tumor (2.69 cm (2.08 cm, 5.00 cm) vs. 1.50 cm (1.20 cm, 2.50 cm)), metabolic tumor volume (MTV, 7.56 mL (4.45 mL, 53.57 mL) vs. 2.16 mL (1.22 mL, 5.48 mL)), total lesion glycolysis (TLG, 22.24 (11.95, 189.85) vs. 3.81 (2.11, 18.67)), tumor to background ratio of 18F-FDG (TBR F, 2.94 (2.00, 3.96) vs. 1.48 (1.29, 3.72)), tumor to liver ratio of 18F-FDG (T/L F, 2.32 (1.35, 2.98) vs. 1.08 (0.90, 2.17)) and SSR-expressing tumor volume (SRETV, 8.00 (3.06, 40.00) vs. 1.91 (0.95, 4.88)), and the differences were statistically significant ( U=66.00、66.00、77.00、93.00、90.00、65.50, all P<0.05). The maximum diameter of tumor was the best single parameter for the differential diagnosis of PNET G2 and G1, AUC was 0.796 and the cutoff value was 1.90 cm. The model Y 2, which combined the maximum diameter of tumor and TBR G had an AUC of 0.835 for the differential diagnosis of PNET G2 and G1. There was no significant difference in AUC between the maximum diameter of tumor and model Y 2 ( P>0.05). However the combination of the maximum diameter of tumor and model Y 2 could improve the accuracy of differential diagnosis of PNET G2 and G1 (94.87%). Conclusion:The combination of multi-parameter of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE and dual-probe 18F-FDG PET/MR imaging can improve the diagnostic and grading accuracy of PNEN, which may be helpful in the selection of clinical treatment for patients.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/MR imaging for liver metastasis. Methods:A retrospective analysis of 75 cases (46 males, 29 females; age (58.9±14.3) years) with suspected liver metastases from January 2020 to October 2020 in Ruijin Hospital were performed. All patients underwent PET/MR and enhanced upper abdominal CT scans. Diagnostic efficacies of enhanced CT, PET, MR and PET/MR for liver metastases (based on lesions and patients respectively) were calculated and compared (McNemar test).Results:A total of 306 liver lesions were detected in 75 patients, of which 179 lesions in 45 patients were confirmed as liver metastases through follow-up or pathology. In lesion-based analysis, the sensitivities of enhanced CT, PET, MR and PET/MR were 74.9%(134/179), 60.3%(108/179), 98.9%(177/179) and 100%(179/179), with specificities of 96.9%(123/127), 100%(127/127), 92.9%(118/127) and 92.1%(117/127), respectively. The diagnostic efficacy of PET/MR was significantly higher than that of enhanced CT and PET ( χ2 values: 51.000 and 81.000, both P<0.001), but there was no statistical difference between PET/MR and MR ( χ2=2.000, P=0.368). In patient-based analysis, the sensitivities of enhanced CT, PET, MR and PET/MR were 82.2%(37/45), 84.4%(38/45), 95.6%(43/45) and 100%(45/45), with specificities of 86.7%(26/30), 100%(30/30), 70.0%(21/30) and 70.0%(21/30), respectively. The diagnostic efficacies of enhanced CT and PET were statistically different from PET/MR ( χ2 values: 13.000 and 16.000, both P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference between MR and PET/MR ( χ2=2.000, P=0.368). Conclusions:Compared with enhanced CT, PET and MR, 18F-FDG PET/MR has a higher detective rate for liver metastases. The overall diagnostic efficacy of 18F-FDG PET/MR is better than enhanced CT and PET alone, but similar to MR.

Objective　To investigate the efficacy and safety of a reduced-dosage rituximab (RTX) treatment regimen for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) under B cell monitoring.Method　Clinical data from 35 patients with NMOSD who were regularly followed up in the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from December 2016 to June 2019 were collected.They were divided into rituximab reduction group under B cell monitoring,azathioprine group and cyclophosphamide group.Differences in the indexes including the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score,possibility of no recurrence,and adverse drug reactions were used to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the three treatment regimens.Results　(1)The EDSS score of the RTX group was significantly lower than that of the AZA group before and after treatment (P<0.05).(2)The relapse risk of the RTX and CTX groups was significantly lower than that of the AZA group (Log-rank χ2=9.147,P=0.01).(3)The proportion of total adverse events in the RTX group was less than that in the CTX group.The glucocorticoids withdrawal rate in the RTX group was higher than that of the AZA group and the CTX group (P<0.05),and the difference was statistically significant.(4)The mean interval of treatment in RTX group was 7.00 (6.0,10.0) months.Conclusion　The reduced-dose rituximab regimen under B cell monitoring is generally safe and effective in the treatment of NMOSD,which can prolong the medication interval and reduce the medication expenses of patients.

Objective To investigate the optimal injury time point of cardiac arrest (CA) induced electrically, and establish a reproducible prolonged CA and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) model in pigs. Methods Forty healthy domestic male pigs were randomly divided into four groups, which were ventricular fibrillation (VF) 8, 10, 11, and 12 minutes groups, each group for 10 animals. In these groups, VF was induced by alternating current delivered to right ventricular endocardium and untreated for 8, 10, 11, and 12 minutes, respectively, followed by 6 minutes of CPR procedure. The resuscitation and survival outcomes were recorded. Hemodynamic parameters and arterial blood gases of animals after successful resuscitation were measured and recorded for 6 hours. Those successful resuscitation animals were regularly evaluated for the neurological deficit score (NDS) and survival outcomes every 24 hours till 96 hours after resuscitation. Results The shortest duration of CPR (minute: 6.9±1.3) and the highest successful ratio of the first defibrillation (7/10) were observed in group VF 8 minutes, and the ratio of successful resuscitation was 100%. The best coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) during the CPR, less neurological impairment, longer survival time, more stable hemodynamics, and shorter time for arterial pH and lactate level restoring to the original state after CPR were also observed in group VF 8 minutes, and no severe damage was found in those animals. The longest duration of CPR (minute:10.3±2.9) and the lowest successful ratio of the first defibrillation (1/10) were observed in group VF 12 minutes, and only 4 animals achieved restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), and no animal survived to CPR 96 hours. The worst CPP during CPR and the highest NDS after resuscitation were also found in VF 12 minutes animals compared to those animals in the other groups. The injuries caused by ischemia and hypoxia in groups VF 10 minutes and VF 11 minutes were in between those of the groups VF 8 minutes and VF 12 minutes, and the duration of CPR were (7.0±2.1) minutes and (8.2±2.6) minutes. There were 9 and 7 animals achieved ROSC in groups VF 10 minutes and VF 11 minutes correspondingly, and 6 and 4 animals survived to 96 hours respectively. Obviously unstable hemodynamics was observed during the period of CPR 2 hours in the two groups. At CPR 1 hour, the heart rates (HR, beats/min) in groups VF 10 minutes and VF 11 minutes increased to 172 (155, 201) and 168 (136, 196) respectively, and the mean arterial pressures (MAP, mmHg, 1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) declined to 97 (92, 100) and 81 (77, 100), the cardiac output (CO, L/min) decreased to 5.0 (4.0, 5.8), 3.7 (3.0, 5.4) correspondingly. Distinct injuries were found in the two groups [CPR 24-96 hours NDS in groups VF 10 minutes and VF 11 minutes: 180 (110, 255)-20 (0, 400) and 275 (223, 350)-240 (110, 400)], and the arterial pH of the two group decreased to 7.26±0.09 and 7.23±0.09 respectively, and the level of lactate (mmol/L) increased to 9.17±1.48 and 12.80±2.71 correspondingly at CPR 0.5 hour. Significantly lower pH was observed in group VF 11 minutes compared to group VF 8 minutes at CPR 0.5 hour (7.23±0.09 vs. 7.33±0.04, P < 0.05). The highest level of lactate (mmol/L) was also found at the same time point in group VF 11 minutes, which recovered to normal slowly, and was still significantly higher than groups VF 8, 10, 12 minutes (7.58±3.99 vs. 2.55±1.53, 2.13±2.00, 3.40±2.30, all P < 0.05) at CPR 4 hours. Conclusions The longer duration of CA was, the more severe damage would be, the longer CPR time would be required, and the harder of the animals to achieve ROSC. In this prolonged CA and CPR porcine model, 10-11 minutes for untreated VF, was an optimal time point with appropriate successful rate of resuscitation, survival outcomes, and post-resuscitation injuries. Therefore, we recommended 10-11 minutes might be the rational length of no-flow time in this model.

The objective was to investigate the hypoglycemic action of catalpol in spontaneous diabetes db/db mice. 40 db/db mice were randomly divided into fi ve groups: model control gourp; db/db plus catalpol 40, 80, 120 mg/kg body wt. groups and db/db plus metformin 250 mg/kg group. Age-matched db/m mice were selected as normal control group. The mice were administered with corresponding drugs or solvent by gavage for 4 weeks. The oral glucose tolerance test was carried out at the end of 3rd week. After 4 weeks of treatment, the concentrations of fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated serum protein (GSP), insulin (INS), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and adiponection (APN) in serum were detected. The protein expressions of phosphorylation-AMPKalpha1/2 in liver, phosphorylation-AMPKalpha1/2 and glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) in skeletal muscle and adipose tissues were detected by western blot. Real time RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and Hydroxymethyl glutaric acid acyl CoA reductase (HMGCR) in liver. Our results showed that catalpol could significantly improve the insulin resistance, decrease the serum concentrations of INS, GSP, TG, and TC. The concentrations of APN in serum, the protein expression of phosphorylation-AMPKalpha1/2 in liver, phosphorylation-AMPKalpha1/2 and GLUT-4 in peripheral tissue were increased. Catalpol could also down regulate the mRNA expressions of ACC and HMGCR in liver. In conclusion, catalpol ameliorates diabetes in db/db mice. It has benefi t eff ects against lipid/glucose metabolism disorder and insulin resistance. The mechanism may be related to up-regulating the expression of phosphorylation-AMPKalpha1/2.
Acetyl-CoA Carboxylase ; Acyl Coenzyme A ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Blotting, Western ; Cholesterol ; Fasting ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Liver ; Metabolism ; Metformin ; Mice* ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Oxidoreductases ; RNA, Messenger ; Triglycerides

Objective To assess the clinical value of MPI with ATP intervention (ATP-MPI) in the diagnosis of coronary heart disease (CHD).Methods To collect published literatures on ATP-MPI studies for the diagnosis of CHD,the PubMed,the Excerpta Medica Database (EMbase),Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBMdis),Vip and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases were searched with computer and manual method since the data were available until to 2014.According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,the literatures were screened to extract data by two independent evaluators.Meta-analysis was conducted with Stata 12.0 software.Results A total of 11 studies involving 968 patients were included.In patient study,which included 9 literatures and 933 patients,the Se,Sp,LR+,LRand 95％ CI of ATP-MPI diagnosis of CHD were 0.89 (0.82-0.94),0.84 (0.74-091),6.00 (3.25-9.91),0.13 (0.07-0.22),respectively.The diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) was 45.04.The AUC of summary ROC (SROC) curve was 0.94.In the coronary artery study,which included 6 literatures and 1 079 coronary arteries,the Se,Sp,LR+,LR-and 95％ CI of ATP-MPI diagnosis of coronary stenosis were 0.83 (0.71-0.91),0.92 (0.86-0.95),10.00 (5.58-16.99),0.18 (0.09-0.34),respectively.The DOR was 53.24 and the SROC AUC was 0.94.Conclusion ATP-MPI has a significant value in the diagnosis of CHD.