Janus kinase 2（JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3（STAT3） signaling pathway regulates multiple processes in neurons， including growth， development， proliferation and differentiation， and is closely associated with the onset， progression and treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury （CIRI）. This article provides an overview of the JAK2/ STAT3 signaling pathway and its relationship with CIRI， followed by a comprehensive review of the current research status on the regulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway by traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） to ameliorate CIRI. Among them， TCM monomers and compound prescriptions such as glycyrrhetinic acid， triptolide， and Taohong siwu decoction can inhibit inflammatory responses， enhance cellular autophagy， and suppress apoptosis by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway， thereby alleviating CIRI. In addition， TCM monomers and compound prescriptions like astragaloside Ⅳ， ginkgolide K， and Qingnao dripping pills can mitigate CIRI by activating the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress， promote angiogenesis， and enhance neuronal survival rates.

Objective To detect the expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)and nu-clear factor(NF)-κB in hepatic tissues of the patients with chronic hepatitis B,and to analyze their correlation with the hepatic inflammatory activity and fibrosis degree.Methods The liver biopsy specimens from 66 pa-tients with hepatitis B and 10 non-hepatopathic controls were selected,and immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect ICAM-1 and NF-κB expression levels in different liver tissues.Results The positive rate of ICAM-1 and NF-κB expression in liver tissues of the patients with chronic hepatitis B was higher than that in normal liver tissues,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The expres-sion of ICAM-1 and NF-κB in the patients with hepatitis B was positively correlated with the inflammatory ac-tivity and fibrosis degree(r=0.493,0.496,P＜0.01;r=0.580,0.519,P＜0.01).Conclusion ICAM-1 and NF-κB in the patients with chronic hepatitis B are highly expressed,which is useful in judging the hepatic in-flammatory activity and fibrosis degree.

AIM:To investigate whether crocin alleviates right ventricular injury induced by monocrotaline(MCT)in rats with pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH),and to explore the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Forty male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal group,PAH group,crocin group and sildenafil group,with 10 rats in each group.The rats in PAH,crocin and sildenafil groups received subcutaneous injection of MCT(50 mg/kg)to establish the PAH model.Starting from the day of MCT injection,the rats in crocin group received crocin(200 mg/kg),the rats in sildenafil group received sildenafil(30 mg/kg),and those in PAH and normal groups were orally gavaged with an equal volume of saline once daily.After 4 weeks,measurements of right ventricular systolic pressure(RVSP),mean pulmonary artery pressure(mPAP),right ventricular hypertrophy index(RVHI)and right ventricular mass index(RVMI)were taken for the rats in each group.Tissue staining was conducted to observe pathological changes in the right ventricle,and the expression levels of inflammatory factors(IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α),the p38 MAPK/NF-κB inflammato-ry pathway,CCL2,CCR2,and the macrophage marker CD68 were assessed.RESULTS:Compared with PAH group,the rats in crocin and sildenafil groups exhibited significant reductions in RVSP,mPAP,RVHI and RVMI(P＜0.05).Right ventricular tissue displayed no evident infiltration of inflammatory cells or proliferation of collagen fibers.The down-regulation of the p38 MAPK/NF-κB pathway and inflammatory factors(IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α)was significant(P＜0.05).Additionally,the CCL2/CCR2 pathway and the infiltration of CD68+ macrophages were markedly decreased(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Crocin effectively mitigates right ventricular damage in MCT-induced PAH rats,with its effica-cy comparable to that of sildenafil at the dosage utilized in this experiment.Some protective mechanisms of crocin may be attributed to its regulatory effects on inflammation.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the changes of midbrain raphe nucleus echo and blood trace metals, non-motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:A total of 177 patients with PD were recruited from Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology from November 2017 to December 2019. Their non-motor symptoms were assessed by a series of PD-related scales. All subjects completed transcranial color-coded sonography, and were divided into two groups according to the continuity of raphe nucleus echo. The difference of trace metals in peripheral blood and the scores of non-motor symptoms were analyzed.Results:The serum iron level of PD patients in the continuous echo of raphe nucleus group (117 cases; 15.33 （11.30, 18.93） μmol/L) was higher than that of the discontinuous group (60 cases; 12.52 （4.15, 16.00） μmol/L, t=-2.294, P=0.022), so was the scores of Scale for outcomes in PD for Autonomic Symptoms (34.00 （28.00, 39.00） vs31.00 （26.25, 36.00）， t=-2.044, P=0.041). There was no significant difference in the level of serum copper, hemoglobin, ceruloplasmin, and the scores of Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale, Parkinson′s Disease Sleeping Scale, 39 items Parkinson′s Disease Questionnaire, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale between the two groups. Conclusion:There was significant difference in serum iron levels and the scores of SCOPA-AUT between the two groups, but no difference in depression, sleep, and daily living ability.

Objective To investigate the correlation of substantia nigra hyperecho with essential tremor (ET) and Parkinson disease (PD).Methods The clinical data of 158 patients with ET or PD who underwent transcranial ultrasonography in Tongji Hospital from March 2016 to March 2018 were retrospectively analyzed.There were 35 patients with ET (ET group),113 patients with PD who had no previous history of ET (PD group),and 10 PD patients with previous history of ET (ET-PD group).And 58 healthy subjects served as controls (control group).The hyperechoic area of substantia nigra in different groups was compared.Results The hyperechoic areas of the substantia nigra were [0 (0,0)]cm2 (control group),[0.27(0,0.41)]cm2 (ET group),[0.33(0.21,0.40)]cm2 (ET-PD group) and [0.35(0.29,0.45)]cm2 (PD group);the differences between control group and ET group,between the ET group and PD group were statistically significant (Z=-5.24,P=0.01;Z=-3.09,P=0.02),and there were no significant difference between the ET group and ET-PD group,between ET-PD group and PD group (Z=-0.98,P=0.32;t=-0.98,P=0.33).The ratio of substantia nigra hyperechoic positive to negative in ET-PD group was 9.00 (9/1),while that in ET group was 0.94 (17/18) (OR=9.53,95％ CI:1.09-83.43,x2=3.91,P=0.04).Conclusion Substantia nigra hyperecho is an objective imaging indicator for patients with ET and PD,and has a certain differential value for their diagnosis.

Objective: To study serum zinc level in pregnancy and umbilical cord blood and their association with newborn birth weight. Methods: Pregnant women accepting obstetric examination in Ma'anshan Maternal and Child Care Center were recruited from May 2013 to September 2014. The follow up was conducted during their first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy and the self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information of social and demographic characteristics. Blood samples in the first, second pregnancy period and umbilical cord blood samples were collected and serum concentrations of zinc were assayed. 3 239 mother-infant entered the final analysis. We divided serum zinc level into low (<P₂₅), medium (P₂₅-P₇₅) and high (>P₇₅) groups according to their exposure concentrations at each trimesters. Non-conditional multivariate logistic regression model was conducted to evaluate the association between serum zinc level in first, second trimesters of pregnancy and umbilical cord blood with small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA). Results: Serum zinc level in P₅₀ (P₂₅-P₇₅) during the first, second trimesters and cord blood were 1 016.18 (907.09-1 145.60), 813.36 (732.47-897.89) and 903.44 (808.71-1 015.64) μg/L, respectively. The prevalence of zinc deficiency during the first, second trimesters and cord blood were 1.5% (44/2 957), 15.9% (492/3 087) and 6.5% (176/2 707), respectively. The prevalence of total SGA and LGA were 9.7% (313/3 239) and 16.5% (536/3 239), respectively. Compared to high-level serum zinc group, the risk of SGA (OR (95%CI) in low-level serum zinc group during first trimesters was 1.51 (1.05-2.19)). Serum zinc level among second pregnancy period and umbilical cord blood had no statistically significant effect on SGA and LGA (both P values >0.05). Conclusion Zinc nutritional status of pregnant women in Ma'anshan city was at a good level. The low serum zinc level in first trimester increased the risk of SGA.

Objective To explore the risk factors of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia ( MPP ) combined with mucous plug in children. Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out on the clinical data of one hundred and forty-nine patients with MMP who received fiber bronchoscope from September 2013 to September 2016. Based on the airway mucosal lesions seen through the bronchoscope,patients were divided into two groups:the mucous plug group( 82 cases) and the control group( 67 cases) . The risk factors of mucous plug in MMP children were analyzed through single factor and multifactor analysis. Area under curve ( AUC ) was calculated according to receiver operator characteristic ( ROC ) curve to evaluate the diagnostic value of independent risk factor. Results The result of univariate analysis showed that,in the mucous plug group,the age was (5.88±2.01)ages,pleural effusion cases was 64.63％,febrile course was (10.65±2.87)d,CRP was (50. 99±20. 23) mg/L,serum LDH was (429. 94±160. 28)U/L,significantly higher than those in the control group ( age(5. 12±2. 15)ages,pleural effusion cases was 28. 36％,febrile course was(8. 97±3. 01)d,CRP was (20. 89±9. 98) mg/L and serum LDH was(300. 12±125. 14)U/L),the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05) . Multiple factors analysis showed that age of onset, febrile course, CRP, serum LDH were the independent risk factors, the differences were statistically significant ( 95％CI= 2. 054 ～ 18. 305, 1. 539 ～21. 778,1. 159 ～ 24. 565,1. 883 ～ 9. 469,P<0. 05) . . ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC of CRP and LDH was 0. 897,0. 829,respectively. Conclusion Old age,long febrile course,and high level of CRP and LDH are the independent risk factors for the mucous plug formation in MPP children. The diagnostic value of CRP is higher than that of LDH. Monitoring these factors can help the doctor determine whether the patient need do bronchoscope without delay and prevent the formation of mucous plug and improve the prognosis.

Objective: To evaluate left atrial (LA) function and synchrony in lone atrial fibrillation (LAF) patients by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and to explore the predictive value of 2D-STE parameters for AF recurrence after ablation procedure. Methods: Our research included in 2 groups: LAF group,n=50 patients diagnosed in our hospital from 2013-06 to 2015-05; it was further divided into 2 subgroups as Non-LA enlargement subgroup,n=34 and LA enlargement subgroup,n=16 and Control group,n=35 healthy subjects. With sinus rhythm, 2D-STE was conducted to obtain LA peak ventricular systolic longitudinal strain (PALS), strain rate (SRs) and atrial contraction longitudinal strain (ACLS), strain rate (SRa). Standard deviation for the time to peak (TPSD) of regional strain was calculated. TPSD during ventricular systole was named as SDs and TPSD during ventriculardiastole was named asSDa. Results: Compared with Control group, LAF group had reduced PALS (28.34±8.57) vs (38.73±6.13), SRs (1.17±0.31) vs (1.57±0.25), ACLS (14.11±4.91) vs (18.86±3.57 ) and SRa (-1.41±0.58) vs (-1.90±0.30), allP<0.05; while elevated SDs (8.11±3.00) % vs (4.67±1.48) % and SDa (5.57±2.26) % vs (3.11±1.13) %, bothP<0.05. Furthermore, Compared with Control group, Non-LA enlargement subgroup had decreased PALS, SRs, ACLS and SRa, allP<0.05; while increased SDs and SDa, bothP<0.05. Logistic regression analysis indicated that compared with traditional parameters, SDs and SDa could more effectively distinguish LAF patients from normal subjects (SDs with the sensitivity 83%, speciifcity 72% and SDa with the sensitivity 81%, speciifcity 76%). Elevated SDa and SDs were the best predictors for post-operative AF recurrence (SDs with the sensitivity 80%, speciifcity 71% and SDa with the sensitivity 86%, speciifcity 79%). Conclusion: 2D-STE may detect LA dysfunction and dyssynchrony in LAF patients, abnormal parameters could be found in LAF patients without LA enlargement. SDs and SDa were the best predictors for post-operative AF recurrence.

Objective: To study the value of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) for assessing left ventricular remodeling (LVR) in patients of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with late percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 127 STEMI patients with elective PCI were enrolled. Echocardiography was conducted within 48 hours of admission and the patients were followed-up for 6-9 (median 7.8) months after discharge. LVR was deifned by left ventricular end-systolic volume (LVESV) elevation >15% than the ifrst echocardiography. The patients were divided into 2 groups: LVR group,n=41 and Non-LVR group,n=84. Results: There were significant differences between 2 groups in left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), longitudinal Ts-SD, radial strain (RS) and longitudinal postsystolic index. Further Logistic regression analysis indicated that GLS (OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.26-0.57,P<0.01) and RS (OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.02-1.13,P=0.01) were the independent predictors for LVR occurrence; ROC presented that the optimal cut-off value for GLS was -10.85% (sensitivity 89.7%, specificity 91.7%) and for RS was 28.46% (sensitivity 82.1%, speciifcity 66.7%). Conclusion: STE measured GLS and RS were the independent predictors for LVR occurrence in STEMI patients with late PCI.

Objective To investigate the value of quantitative analysis of the left ventricular longitudinal strain in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and with normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by using two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging.Methods Twenty-eight HCM patients with normal LVEF (all of the cases were non obstructive HCM),who were diagnosed by clinical and ultrasound echocardiography between January 1,2015 and January 1,2016 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University,served as the experimental group.And twenty healthy volunteers served as the healthy control group.The peak longitudinal strain (LPS) of the left ventricle and the systolic peak of the left ventricle were calculated by the STE technique.The indexes such as the transmural gradient (△ LS=LPSEndo-LPSEpi)and the transmural gradient percentage (△ LS％=△ LS/LPSEndo) were calculated.The Peak systolic longitudinal strain of endocardium (LPSEndo),the peak systolic longitudinal strain of mid-cardium (LPSMid),the peak systolic longitudinal strain of epicardium (LPSEpi),the peak systolic longitudinal strain of basal segment (LPSb),the peak systolic longitudinal strain of middle segment (LPSm),the peak systolic longitudinal strain of apical segment (LPSa),the global peak systolic longitudinal strain (GLPS) and other left ventricular myocardial strain,such as △ LS,△ LS％,in both the HCM group and the healthy control group,were analyzed by using independent samples t test comparison.For each layer of the left ventricle and the overall myocardial longitudinal strain,two independent sample t test was used for comparison between groups,and LSD-t test was used for intra-group comparison.Results (1) There was a gradient of LPS among the three layers and the three segments in both of the two groups:LPSEndo and LPSMid [(18.36±4.97)％ vs (13.80±4.23)％,(26.41±2.93)％ vs (22.19±2.49)％],the difference was statistically significant (t=5.550,8.529,P ＜ 0.05);LPSEndo and LPSEpi [(18.36±4.97) ％ vs (11.91 ±3.63)％,(26.41±2.93)％ vs (19.43±2.20)％],the difference was statistically significant (t=5.550,8.529,P ＜ 0.05);There was significant difference between LPSMid and LPSEpi in the healthy control group [(22.19 ± 2.49)％ vs (19.43 ± 2.20)％,t=3.709,P ＜ 0.05)],that was,LPSEndo ＞ LPSMid ＞ LPSEpi.LPSa and LPSm,the difference was statistically significant (t=4.029,6.839,P ＜ 0.05);LPSa and LPSb,the difference was statistically significant (t=5.304,9.887,P ＜ 0.05);There was significant difference between LPSm and LPSb in the healthy control group (t=4.170,P ＜ 0.05);that was,LPSa ＞ LPSm ＞ LPSb.In the HCM group,LPS in the 3 layers,3 segments,and the whole left ventricular wall were lower than that of the the healthy control group,the differences were statistically significant [GLPS:(14.63± 3.75)％ vs (22.68±2.51)％,t=-8.347;LPSEndo to LPSEpi:t=-6.477,-7.909,-8.242;LPSa to LPSb:t=-6.647,-8.790,-7.267;all P ＜ 0.05).(2) Compared with the healthy control group,both the segmental gradient and global transmural gradient in the HCM group were found reduced,but the difference had no statistical significance (all P ＞ 0.05).(3) The transmural gradient percentage both in the healthy control group and the HCM group were reduced from the apical segment to the basal segment,the difference were statistically significant (HCM group:t=9.985,5.969;healthy control group:t=17.513,7.043;all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with the healthy control group,the △ LS％a and the △ LS％m of HCM group were significantly higher [(58.86± 11.32)％ vs (43.70±4.73)％,(28.43± 11.48)％ vs (20.30± 3.66)％],and the difference was statistically significant (t=5.634,3.049,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions (1) Using 2D-STI could accurately determine the regional or the global left ventricular systolic function in patients with HCM.(2) The transmural gradient percentage can be more sensitive to reflect the change of the transmural gradient,and more research needed to explore its value for clinical application.