Objective:To observe the clinical effect of Bairui grain combined with ambroxol atomization inhalation treating acute attack of chronic bronchitis (wind heat attact the lung symptom). Methods:A total of 150 patients with acute attack of chronic bronchitis who were admitted in our hospital from July 2015 to July 2018 were randomly divided into control and intervention groups (75 each group) by the random number table method. The control group received ambroxol atomization inhalatio based on the regular western medicine treatment; the intervention group took Bairui grain orally based on control group. Both of the two groups were treated for 2 weeks. Before and after the treatment, to score the clinical symptoms and wind-heat attact the lung symptom. Use pulmonary function meter to detect the ratio of FEV1 to estimated value (FEV1%) and FEV1/FVC; use ELISA to detect serum and sputum levels of TNF-α and IL-6. Record the extinction time of the symptoms (cough, wheezing, sputum, lung rumble) and evaluate the clinical efficacy. Results:The total efficacy rate of intervention group was 98.6% (72/73), which was significantly higher than control group 88.9% (64/73) ( χ2=4.354, P=0.037). The symptoms (cough, wheezing, sputum, lung rumble) extinction time of intervention group were significantly less than those of the control group ( t values 5.331, 5.590, 5.841, 6.305, respectively, all Ps<0.01). After the treatment, scores of clinical symptoms (cough, wheeze, cough, cough) and symptoms of wind-heat attacking lung (cough, wheezing, fever, dry mouth, stuffy nose, runny nose) of intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group ( t values 4.990, 4.431, 5.221, 5.004, 5.652, 5.190, 5.311, 5.793, 5.643, respectively, all Ps<0.01). After treatment, the FEV1% (52.51% ± 5.63% vs. 47.30% ± 5.21%, t=8.931) and FEV1/FVC (61.57 ± 6.44 vs. 56.87 ±5.82, t=8.251) were significantly higher than the control group ( P<0.01). The serum level of TNF-α, IL-6 ( t values 5.331, 4.908) and the level of TNF-α, IL-6 ( t values 6.001, 4.803) in sputum were significantly lower than those of the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusions:The Bairui grain combined with ambroxol atomization inhalation can decrease the inflammotory cytokine levels of the acute attack patients with chronic bronchitis (syndrome of wind-heat attacking lung symptome), improve clinical symptoms and enhance efficacy.

Objective To investigate the association between bicuspid aortic valve ( BAV ) morphologic findings ( raphe vs nonraphe) ,the degree of valve dysfunction and prognosis . Methods Clinical and echocardiographic data in 317 BAV patients were analyzed retrospectively . According to the Sievers classification ,the morphologic BAV findings were categorized into no raphe ( type 0) ,one raphe ( type 1) and two raphes ( type 2 ) . T he patients with type 1 were further divided into three subtypes ,including R‐L subtype ( fusion of the left and right coronary cusps ) ,R‐N subtype ( fusion of the right and noncoronary cusps) and L‐N subtype ( fusion of the left and noncoronary cusps ) . Results Of the 317 patients ,there were 83 ( 26 .2% ) of type 0 ,232 ( 73 .2% ) of type 1 and 2 ( 0 .6% ) of type 2 .Among the 232 patients of type 1 ,there were 126 ( 54 .3% ) of R‐L subtype ,88 ( 37 .9% ) of R‐N subtype and 18 ( 7 .8% ) of L‐N subtype . BAV with raphe had a significantly higher prevalence of aortic valve calcification [ 120 ( 51 .3% ) vs 19 ( 22 .9% ) , P ＜ 0 .001 ] ,with significantly higher frequencies of aortic stenosis [ 164 ( 70 .1% ) vs 6 ( 7 .2% ) , P＜ 0 .001 ] ,aortic regurgitation [ 168 ( 71 .8% ) vs 40 ( 48 .2% ) , P ＝ 0 .001 ] ,increased left ventricular mass[ ( 253 .4 ± 113 .7) g vs ( 176 .4 ± 69 .3) g , P ＜0 .001] and left heart failure [ 34 ( 14 .5% ) vs 3 ( 3 .6% ) , P ＝0 .009] . Furthermore ,the dilation of aortic root and ascending aorta in BAV patients with raphe were significantly higher than those without raphe ( P ＜0 .01 ) ,however ,ascending aortic aneurysm rates were not significant between BAV with and without raphe[ 23( 9 .8% ) vs 4( 4 .8% ) , P ＝0 .251] . T he patients in R‐N subtype had a significantly higher proportion of aortic valve calcification than those in R‐L and L‐N subtype [ 55 ( 62 .5% ) vs 57 ( 45 .2% ) vs 6 ( 33 .3% ) , P ＝ 0 .01 ] ,with a significantly higher frequency of severe aortic stenosis [ 50 ( 56 .8% ) vs 21 ( 16 .7% ) vs 3 ( 16 .7% ) , P ＜0 .001 ] . However , there was no significant difference among different subtypes in other complications( P ＞0 .05).Conclusions T he presence of raphe is associated with a higher frequency of significant aortic valve calcification ,aortic valve dysfunction ,and increases left ventricular mass and left heart failure .T he R‐N type is also associated with aortic valve calcification and severe aortic stenosis .

Objective To explore the preventive effect of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) on aspiration pneumonia in patients with dysphagia.Methods The clinical data of 43 patients undertaking PEG was retrospectively collected and the incidence of aspiration pneumonia,microbiological examination of sputum and antibiotics use before and after PEG in all the patients were compared.Results After PEG,the incidence of aspiration pneumonia decreased significantly from 90.7％ to 53.5％ according to clinical diagnosis,from 70.4％ to 18.5％ according to the chest imaging.The use of β-lactamase inhibitor compound decreased significantly,but the detection rate of pseudomonas aeruginosa increased significantly compared with that before PEG.Conclusion PEG can decrease the incidence of aspiration and antibiotics use,and may increase the chances of pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization in the lower respiratory tract.

Objective To evaluate the accuracy and value of automatically assessing left ventricular systolic function in rats with myocardial infarction ( MI) by myocardial contrast echocardiography ( MCE) based on neutrosophic similarity score( NSS) algorithm. Methods According to different infarction size (IS),SD rats were divided into large MI (MI-L,IS≥15% ) and small MI (MI-S,IS＜15% ) groups. MCE was performed before MI and at 7,28 days after MI. In vitro study:the automatic segmentation of the endocardial contour based on neutrosophic similarity score algorithm was compared with the manual segmentation boundary. In vivo study:the left ventricular ejection fraction( LVEF) were calculated using the NSS system,biplane Simpson and PV-loop,respectively,and then NSS-LVEF,Simpson-LVEF and PV-LVEF were acquired,respectively. The IS was calculated by Masson and HE staining. The consistency between the two LVEFs was evaluated by Bland-Altman. The intraclass correlation coefficient ( ICC) was calculated to evaluate the reproducibility of MCE analysis system. Results ① The endocardial contour obtained by automatic segmentation had good agreement with the boundary of artificial tracing. ② There was no significant difference among the three LVEFs in same group ( F ＝0.028, P ＝ 0.973),but there was significant difference in different group ( F ＝78.61, P ＜0.01). NSS-LVEF was well consistent with both Simpson-LVEF and PV-LVEF. ③ The ICC of NSS algorithm for inter-observer and intra-observer were 0.96 and 0.98,respectively. ④Compared with before MI and at 7 days after MI,the LVEF in MI-L and MI-S groups at 28 days after MI decreased significantly ( P ＜0.05),especially in MI-L group ( P ＜0.01). There was significantly negative correlation between LVEF and IS ( r ＝ －0.917, P ＜ 0.01). Conclusions Left ventricular endocardium can be identificated automatically and LVEF can be calculated rapidly and accurately by MCE based on neutrosophic similarity score algorithm in rats with myocardial infarction.

ObjectiveTo explore the influence of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) on the clinical efifcacy of endoscopic esophageal variceal ligation (EVL) in cirrhotic patients with esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage (EVH).MethodsClinical data of 314 cirrhotic patients with EVH who underwent endoscopic EVL and were followed up for more than 6 months in the Third Afifliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2005 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval was received. The patients were divided into the PVT group and the control group according to whether they had PVT during treatment. Among the 72 patients in the PVT group, 61 were males and 11 were females with the mean age of (50±11) years old.Among the 242 patients in the control group, 206 were males and 36 were females with the mean age of (47±11) years old. The clinical efifcacy of two groups was compared, and the correlation between PVT and the elimination rate of esophageal varices (EV) as well as the recurrent bleeding rate of EV was analyzed. The number of EVL treatment period in two groups was compared usingt test and the rate was compared using Chi-square test. Univariate logistic regression analysis was conducted for the correlation between PVT and the elimination rate, recurrent bleeding rate of EV.ResultsThirty-six patients in the PVT group and 115 patients in the control group developed acute EVH. After EVL, the emergency hemostatic rate of both groups was 100%. The elimination rate of EV in the PVT group was 76%(55/72), signiifcantly lower than 90%(218/242) in the control group (χ2=9.166,P<0.05). The number of EVL treatment period in the PVT group was 3.4±1.6, significantly more than 2.8±1.1 in the control group (t=3.065,P<0.05). The recurrent bleeding rate of EV in the PVT group was 36%(26/72), signiifcantly higher than 21%(51/242) in the control group (χ2=6.779,P<0.05). PVT was a risk factor for both the elimination rate of EV (OR=0.356, 95%CI: 0.179-0.709,P<0.05) and the recurrent bleeding rate of EV (OR=2.383, 95%CI: 1.354-4.196,P<0.05). ConclusionPVT is a risk factor for both the elimination rate of EV and the recurrent bleeding rate of EV in cirrhotic patients with EVH treated by endoscopic EVL.

ObjectiveTo investigate the application value of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in biliary stricture following liver transplantation (LT).MethodsClinical data of 47 patients with biliary stricture following LT treated with ERCP in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2008 and January 2014 were retrospectively studied. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval had been received. Among the 47 patients, 41 were males and 6 were females with the age ranging from 24 to 62 years old and the median of 51 years old. Anastomotic stricture was observed in 31 cases and non-anastomotic stricture in 16 cases. ERCP was performed on patients to localize biliary stricture and then papillotomy was performed under the support of guide wire. The stricture was dilated progressively by dilating catheter or columnar balloon through the guide wire. Endoscopic nasobiliary drainage or plastic stent placement was chosen according to the ERCP results. The evaluation of curative effect was graded by cure, improvement, inefifcacy and restenosis.ResultsAll the 47 patients underwent ERCP successfully with totally 112 times. Nasobiliary drainage was performed 79 person-times, stent placement 33 person-times. Among the 31 patients with anastomtic stricture, 28 were cured and 3 were improved. Among the 16 patients with non-anastomtic stricture, 5 were cured, 3 were improved, and 8 were ineffective. The total cured rate of all the patients was 70% (33/47) and the effective rate was 83% (39/47). The incidence of complications was 9% (4/47), including 2 cases of mild pancreatitis, 1 case of hyperamylasemia and 1 case of biliary tract infection.ConclusionERCP is safe, effective and integrated in diagnosis and treatment for biliary stricture following LT, which is the ifrst choice for non-surgery treatment.

ObjectiveTo investigate the changes and role of β-arrestin 1 in the course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progressing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). MethodsEighty healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomized into the vegetarian diet group and the high fat diet group according to the random number table with 40 mice in each group. Mice in the vegetarian diet group were fed with vegetarian diet (13% calories in fat) and mice in the high fat diet group were fed with high fat diet (58% calories in fat). Eight mice in each group were decapitated at the end of 9 and 24 weeks. The rest mice in each group were decapitated at the end of 48 weeks. The incidence of HCC of two groups was observed. The expression of proteinβ-arrestin 1 in the liver tissues of mice was detected by Western blot and the mRNA level was examined using TaqMan real time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. The incidence of HCC in two groups was compared using Fisher's exact test, and the protein β-arrestin 1 expression and mRNA level of two groups were compared usingt test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between protein β-arrestin 1 expression, mRNA level and the feeding duration of high fat diet in high fat diet group.ResultsThe incidence of HCC in the high fat diet group was 18% (4/22), which was significantly higher than 0 (0/23) in the vegetarian diet group (P=0.034). The expression level of protein β-arrestin 1 in liver tissues of mice in the high fat diet group was 2.4±0.5 in the 9th week, which was significantly higher than 1.5±0.4 in the vegetarian diet group (t=2.779,P<0.05). The β-arrestin 1 mRNA level in liver tissues of mice in the high fat diet group in the 9th, 24th and 48th week were 4.1±0.8, 7.8±2.1 and 12.5±1.2 respectively, which were all significantly higher than 2.6±0.7, 3.6±0.6 and 6.9±1.2 in the vegetarian diet group (t=4.029, 5.522, 9.487;P<0.05) . The protein β-arrestin 1 and mRNA level in HCC tissues of mice in the high fat diet group in the 48th week were 4.6±0.5 and 22.0±3.2, which were signiifcantly higher than 1.6±0.4 and 12.5±1.2 in liver tissues at the same period (t=9.600, 7.837;P<0.05). The protein β-arrestin 1 and mRNA level in high fat diet group were positively correlated with the duration of high fat diet (r=0.949, 0.922;P<0.05). Conclusions It is likely to develop NALFD for the mice fed with high fat diet, and the incidence of HCC is signiifcantly increased. β-arrestin 1 may play a role of accelerating the course of NAFLD progressing to HCC.

ObjectiveTo prospectively study the safety and feasibility of sedation with propofol plus fentanyl for cirrhotic patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGIE).MethodsA total of 50cirrhotic patients and 50 control subjects without liver diseases referred to UGIE were assigned to the cirrhotic sedation group and the non-cirrhotic sedation group,respectively.Patients of both groups received sedation with propofol plus fentanyl.Meanwhile,30 cirrhotic patients underwent conventional UGIE.Vital signs of all subjects were recorded before sedation and procedure,five minutes,ten minutes and one hour after the procedure.Number connection test A (NCT-A) and line tracing test (LTT) were completed for all patients before sedation or procedures and 4 hours after endoscopy procedures.Occurrence of sedation-related complications was measured.ResultsIn the cirrhotic sedation group and the non-cirrhotic sedation group,blood pressure,heart rate,respiratory rate and saturation of pulse oximetry decreased of different degrees after secation (P ＞ 0.05 or P＜ 0.05),but returned to normal one hour after endoscopy procedures ( P ＞ 0.05).The total complication rates differed significantly between the cirrhotic sedation group and the non-cirrhotic sedation group [ 36％ (18/50) v.s.14％ (7/50),P ＜0.05 ].However,the rate of such complications as hypotension,bradycardia and hypoxemia in both groups was of no statistical difference (P ＞0.05 ).No cirrhotic patient developed overt hepatic encephalopathy after procedures.In addition,the NCT-A and LTT times before and after sedation in the cirrhotic sedation group and the cirrhotic non-sedation group were longer than those before and after procedure in the non-cirrhotic sedation group ( before sedation or procedure:(55.1 ±22.1)s,(58.6±23.1)s v.s.(36.9±7.0)s,(98.6±33.1)s,(89.5±15.6)s v.s.(81.4±13.6)s,P＜0.05; four hours after procedure:(54.4 ±21.6)s,(58.3 ±22.4)s v.s.(36.3 ±6.3)s,(88.4 ±30.6)s,(80.2 ±15.9)s v.s.(71.8 ± 12.0)s,P＜0.05,while there was no difference between cirrhotic sedation group and cirrhotic non-sedation group ( P ＞ 0.05 ).Within-group comparison showed NCT-A did not change ( P ＞ 0.05 ),whereas,LTT was obviously shorter than pre-sedation or pre-procedure ( P ＜ 0.05) due to learning effect.The differences in the NCT-A and LTT times before and after sedation or procedure were not significant among the three groups (P ＞ 0.05 ).ConclusionSedation with propofol plus fentanyl is relatively safe in cirrhotic patients during UGIE,which will not precipitate hepatic encephalopathy or cause irreversible complications.

Objective To compare the double-guide wire technique (DGT) with the standard cannulation technique (SCT) in patients with difficult access due to biliary complications after liver transplantation.Methods Difficult CBD cannulation is characterized by unsuccessful cannulation in 10 minutes.A total of 91 patients with biliary complications after liver transplantation were assigned to the DGT group (44patients,including 6 difficult cannulation,41 males and 3 females,30 to 61 years) and the SCT group (47patients,41 males and 6 females,33 to 56 years).An extra 20-minute cannulation was performed on the two groups.Success rate,procedure time and complications were compared.Results CBD cannulation was successful in 36 (81.8％) patients of DGT group and 33 (70.2％ ) patients of SCT group,which was not different ( P ＞ 0.05 ).The time of successful CBD cannulation in the DGT group ( 11.7 ± 3.2 minutes) was shorter than that in the SGT group ( 16.8 ±2.8 minutes,P ＜0.05).The incidence of post-ERCP hyperamylnsemia had no difference in the two groups ( P ＞ 0.05 ).There were no serious complications like infection,hemorrhage or perforation in either group.Mild pancreatitis occurred in 2 cases in the SCT group,but none in DGT.Conclusion DGT is an effective and safe technique in patients with biliary complications after liver transplantation,with no more complications than the SCT group.It is recommended in difficult cannulation of common bile duct (CBD).

Objective To study the effect of matrine on the expression of a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) in colorectal cancer cell line (SW480 cell). Methods MTT assay was used to evaluate the inhibitory effect of matrine on SW480 cells. The protein and mRNA levels of APRIL in SW480 cells were determined by immunohistochemistry and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RFQ-PCR). SW480 cells were treated with 0.5,1.0,2.0 mg/ml of matrine for 24 h, 48 h and 72 h. FU and blank were served as drug control and blank control groups, respectively. Results Matrine had obviously inhibitory effect on proliferation of SW480 cells in a time- and dose-dependant manner. The expression of APRIL was strong in SW480 cells. When treated with 50,100,200 ug/ml of FU, the APRIL mRNA levels in SW480 cells raised gradually and reached the highest levels at 72 h after treatment, which were significantly higher than those in blank control group (all P value<0.001). When treated with 0. 5,1.0, 2.0 mg/ml of matrine, the APRIL mRNA levels in SW480 cells increased at 24 h after treatment, which were significantly higher than those in blank control group (all P value<0. 001), and then decreased gradually and almost equal to level of blank control group at 72 h. Conclusion In treatment with FU, the survival cells.may have stronger ability of proliferation due to higher expression of APRIL in SW480 cells. Anti-APRIL therapy might be an important assistant treatment to counter the impact of APRIL. Matrine will not cause persistent increase of APRIL mRNA levels in SW480 cells, so it might be a helpful drug in anti-tumor theraphy.