Risk factors for the postoperative bladder neck contracture in patients with small-volume prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: This study was to explore the risk factors for postoperative bladder neck contracture (BNC) after transurethral operation of prostate in patients with small-volume prostatic obstruction. METHODS: Clinicopathologic data at our center from February 2016 to January 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Clinicopathological characteristics between patients with and without BNC were compared. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for postoperative BNC. RESULTS: There were a total of 39 patients (8.53%) with postoperative BNC. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that preoperative bladder neck diameter (BND), intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), surgical methods (transurethral resection of prostate (TURP)/anatomical endoscopic enucleation of the prostate (AEEP)), and postoperative urinary tract infection (UTI) were independent risk factors for postoperative BNC in patients with small-volume prostatic obstruction (P < 0.05). The incidence of postoperative BNC in patients undergoing AEEP was significantly decreased compared with those undergoing TURP. The optimal cut-off value of preoperative IPP was 6.10 mm while the optimal cut-off value of preoperative BND was 2.52 cm. CONCLUSIONS: Larger preoperative bladder neck and higher preoperative IPP lead to decreased incidence of postoperative BNC in patients with small-volume prostatic obstruction. Active management of postoperative UTI could effectively prevent the occurrence of postoperative BNC. Compared with TURP, complete AEEP would contribute to reduce BNC in patients with small-volume prostatic obstruction.

Effect of nasal swell body on nasal airflow and Artemisia pollen deposition / 临床耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective:The nasal swell body（NSB） consists of the nasal septal cartilage, nasal bone, and swollen soft tissue, all of which are visible during endoscopic and imaging examinations. Although the function of the NSB remains uncertain, there is evidence to suggest that it plays a vital role in regulating nasal airflow and filtering inhaled air. Based on anatomical and histological evidence, it is hypothesized that the NSB is indispensable in these processes. This study aims to investigate the impact of NSB on nasal aerodynamics and the deposition of allergen particles under physiological conditions. Methods:The three-dimensional （3D） nasal models were reconstructed from computed tomography （CT） scans of the paranasal sinus and nasal cavity in 30 healthy adult volunteers from Northwest China, providing basis for the construction of models without NSB following virtual NSB-removal surgery. To analyze the distribution of airflow in the nasal cavity, nasal resistance, heating and humidification efficiency, and pollen particle deposition rate at various anatomical sites, we employed the computed fluid dynamics（CFD） method for numerical simulation and quantitative analysis. In addition, we created fully transparent segmented nasal cavity models through 3D printing, which were used to conduct bionic experiments to measure nasal resistance and allergen particle deposition. Results:①The average width and length of the NSB in healthy adults in Northwest China were （12.85±1.74） mm and （28.30±1.92） mm, respectively. ②After NSB removal, there was no significant change in total nasal resistance, and cross-sectional airflow velocity remained essentially unaltered except for a decrease in topical airflow velocity in the NSB plane. ③There was no discernible difference in the nasal heating and humidification function following the removal of the NSB; ④After NSB removal, the deposition fraction（DF） of Artemisia pollen in the nasal septum decreased, and the DFs post-and pre-NSB removal were（22.79±6.61）% vs （30.70±12.27）%, respectively; the DF in the lower airway increased, and the DFs post-and pre-NSB removal were（24.12±6.59）% vs （17.00±5.57）%, respectively. Conclusion:This study is the first to explore the effects of NSB on nasal airflow, heating and humidification, and allergen particle deposition in a healthy population. After NSB removal from the healthy nasal cavities: ①nasal airflow distribution was mildly altered while nasal resistance showed no significantly changed; ②nasal heating and humidification were not significantly changed; ③the nasal septum's ability to filter out Artemisia pollen was diminished, which could lead to increased deposition of Artemisia pollen in the lower airway.

Intestinal microbiomics and liver metabolomics insights into the preventive effects of chromium (III)-enriched yeast on hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia induced by high-fat and high-fructose diet.

In recent years, organic chromium (III) supplements have received increasing attentions for their low toxicity, high bioavailability and wide range of health-promoting benefits. This study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of chromium (III)-enriched yeast (YCr) on high-fat and high-fructose diet (HFHFD)-induced hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia in mice, and further clarify its mechanism of action from the perspective of intestinal microbiomics and liver metabolomics. The results indicated that oral administration of YCr remarkably inhibited the aberrant elevations of body weight, blood glucose and lipid levels, hepatic cholesterol (TC) and triglyceride (TG) levels caused by HFHFD. Liver histological examination showed that oral YCr intervention inhibited HFHFD induced liver lipid accumulation. Besides, 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing showed that YCr intervention was beneficial to ameliorating intestinal microbiota dysbiosis by altering the proportion of some intestinal microbial phylotypes. Correlation-based network analysis indicated that the key intestinal microbial phylotypes intervened by YCr were closely related to some biochemical parameters associated with glucose and lipid metabolism. Liver metabolomics analysis revealed that dietary YCr intervention significantly regulated the levels of some biomarkers involved in purine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, citrate cycle, pyrimidine metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis, and so on. Moreover, dietary YCr intervention regulated the mRNA levels of key genes associated with glucose, cholesterol, fatty acids and bile acids metabolism in liver. These findings suggest that dietary YCr intervention has beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism by regulating intestinal microbiota and liver metabolic pathway, and thus can be served as a functional component to prevent hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia.

Discrimination and Prediction of Lonicerae japonicae Flos and Lonicerae Flos and Their Related Prescriptions by Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Multivariate Statistical Analysis.

LJF and LF are commonly used in Chinese patent drugs. In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, LJF and LF once belonged to the same source. However, since 2005, the two species have been listed separately. Therefore, they are often misused, and medicinal materials are indiscriminately put in their related prescriptions in China. In this work, firstly, we established a model for discriminating LJF and LF using ATR-FTIR combined with multivariate statistical analysis. The spectra data were further preprocessed and combined with spectral filter transformations and normalization methods. These pretreated data were used to establish pattern recognition models with PLS-DA, RF, and SVM. Results demonstrated that the RF model was the optimal model, and the overall classification accuracy for LJF and LF samples reached 98.86%. Then, the established model was applied in the discrimination of their related prescriptions. Interestingly, the results show good accuracy and applicability. The RF model for discriminating the related prescriptions containing LJF or LF had an accuracy of 100%. Our results suggest that this method is a rapid and effective tool for the successful discrimination of LJF and LF and their related prescriptions.

[Calibration on chromone reference extract and application on quality control of Saposhnikoviae Radix].

The calibration of chromone reference extract(CRE) was conducted and a quality control method of Saposhnikoviae Radix(SR) was established based on CRE. Meanwhile, the quality control system of SR was improved and the feasibility of using reference extract as a substitute for single reference substance in quality control of Chinese medicine was discussed. In this study, the content of the prepared CRE was calibrated with prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, 4'-O-ß-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, and secO-glucosylhamaudol as indicators. Subsequently, an HPLC analytical method was developed to determine the content of four chromones in 20 batches of SR samples based on the CRE with known content as the standard substance. T-test was used for the comparison of the determination results of the two methods(single chemical component and CRE as reference substances, respectively), and the P values of prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, cimifugin, 4'-O-ß-D-glucosyl-5-O-methylvisamminol, and sec-O-glucosylhamaudol were 0. 16,0. 39, 0. 14, and 0. 42. The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference between the two methods. This study initially verified the feasibility that the CRE could be used as a substitute for single reference substance in quality control of SR. In conclusion,this study is expected to provide a scientific basis and a new research model for the application of reference extract in the quality control of Chinese medicine.

Mercury and selenium in squids from the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean: The distribution and human health implications.

Squids are globally distributed. Hg-contaminated squids may have high risks on humans. With abundant Se (antagonistic effect on Hg), the risks can be reduced. We collected squids around the world (Northwest Pacific Ocean, Southeast Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean). Concentrations of Hg and Se were region-based and tissue-based. The higher content of Se were, the lower relative Hg levels were. The correlation between Se:Hg and Se was the strongest in the digestive gland. The values of Se:Hg and THQ all confirm that the health risk was lower in samples with higher concentrations of Se. Despite the risk assessment by Se:Hg, BRV and THQ analysis showed no risk when consumed in moderation, the maximum daily intake is provided based on Monte Carlo simulation. In future, when evaluating the risks cause by Hg exposure and providing the recommended daily amount, it may need to concurrent consideration of Se levels.

Screening out the anti-insomnia components from Prunella vulgaris L. based on plasma pharmacochemistry combined with pharmacodynamic experiments and UPLC-MS/MS analysis.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Prunella vulgaris L. (P. vulgaris) is a medicinal plant belonging to the Labiatae family, and its dried spikes is called as Xiakucao in China, which is a common traditional Chinese medicine with the activities of clearing the liver and expelling fire, improving eyesight, dispersing nodules and detumescence. Modern pharmacological studies have proved that P. vulgaris has various pharmacological activities such as immunomodulatory, antiviral, antibacterial and anti-insomnia activities. AIMS OF THIS REVIEW: P. vulgaris have been reported to have anti-insomnia effects. Nevertheless, the pharmacodynamic substance basis of this anti-insomnia effect is still unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the active components responsible for evoking the anti-insomnia effect of P. vulgaris and to evaluate its anti-insomnia effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we proposed a method combined with pharmacodynamic experiments, extraction and enrichment of chemical components, and the plasma pharmacochemistry to screen out the anti-insomnia components of P. vulgaris. Firstly, the active eluted fraction of the ethanol extract was screened out based on pharmacodynamic tracing method, and then the chemical composition was analyzed systematically by UPLC-MS/MS. Thirdly, pharmacodynamic tracing method and silica gel column chromatography were employed to screen out the active fraction of 70% ethanol eluted fraction, and its bioactive components in vitro and in vivo were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. Finally, screening out the anti-insomnia components of P. vulgaris by comparing the difference between in vivo and in vitro components, and three potentially bioactive ingredients were validated experimentally. RESULTS: It was confirmed that the fraction eluted with 70% ethanol from macroporous adsorption resin column was responsible for the anti-insomnia efficacy, and 55 compounds were identified or preliminarily identified. Then totally 9 compounds in vitro and 12 compounds in vivo from the active fraction of 70% ethanol eluted fraction were tentatively identified. Among them, mangiferin, rosmarinic acid and salviaflaside were the prototype components of P. vulgaris, which indicated that the three compounds might play the key role in the anti-insomnia activities. In vivo, compared to blank control group, the three compounds significantly shortened the sleeping latency and prolonged the sleeping time produced by pentobarbital sodium. CONCLUSIONS: This study clarified that mangiferin, rosmarinic acid and salviaflaside were considered as the anti-insomnia components of P. vulgaris. This is the first study on screening out the active ingredients responsible for evoking the anti-insomnia effect of P. vulgaris. The three compounds of P. vulgaris may help develop one or more drugs to prevent or treat insomnia. Further investigations are recommended to define the mechanism of the anti-insomnia activity of P. vulgaris.

Uses, chemical compositions, pharmacological activities and toxicology of Clematidis Radix et Rhizome- a Review.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Clematis chinensis Osbeck (C. chinensis), Clematis hexapetala Pall (C. hexapetala) and Clematis terniflora var. mandshurica Rupr (C. mandshurica) are collectively referred to as Clematidis Radix et Rhizome (CRR) in China. CRR is widely distributed in China, which is used as a traditional Chinese medicine to treat rheumatic arthralgia, limb numbness, tendon constriction and inconvenience in flexion and extension. AIMS OF THIS REVIEW: This review systematically summarized the research progress on uses, chemical components, pharmacological activities and toxicology of CRR, listed the chemical structures of main compounds for clarifying the differences in chemical compositions. Meanwhile, the review will provide a theoretical and practical basis for the further research and development of CRR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The available information on CRR was collected using published materials and electronic databases, including ancient and modern books, Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Ph.D. and M. Sc. dissertations, CNKI, SciFinder, WanFang data, PubMed, ScienceDirect and Web of Science. The starting and ending years of references is 1965-2020, the search strategy was conducted by key words such as uses, chemical components, pharmacology and toxicology of CRR. RESULTS: Up to now, CRR has been used to treat various diseases/disorders, such as relieving rheumatism pain, treating cervical spondylopathy and scapulohumeral periarthritis, treating hepatic carcinoma and gastrointestinal, etc. In addition, more than 200 compounds have been isolated from the three plant species of Clematidis. Moreover, the crude extracts and isolated compounds of CRR have been reported to have a wide range of pharmacological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, etc. Toxicity studies have shown that CRR can cause oral burning, swelling, abdominal pain or severe diarrhea, difficulty breathing, dilated pupils, renal tissue structural changes, and severe death. CONCLUSIONS: Researches in recent years mainly focused on C. chinensis and C. mandshurica, while there are a few reports on the pharmacological studies of C. hexapetala. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct further research on C. hexapetala. Meanwhile, it is important to pay attention to pursue research on the similarities and differences between the three plant species of Clematidis to find their respective advantages and make rational use of CRR. In addition, there is no report on the mechanism of toxicity research, which needs more attention.

Holmium laser technologies versus photoselective greenlight vaporization for patients with benign prostatichyperplasia: a meta-analysis.

This study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of holmium laser technologies (HoL-Ts) and photoselective greenlight vaporization (PVP) for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and to perform a meta-analysis according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines on PubMed, EMBASE, ClinicalTrial.gov, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to August 2019. Functional outcomes, perioperative parameters, and complications were included and analyzed. Review Manager 5.3 (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK) was used to perform all analyses. A total of six articles composed of 2014 patients were included in this review. In comparison with PVP, HoL-Ts had a better performance in 1-, 3-, and 6-month Qmax (P = 0.02, but I2 = 81%), with less postvoid residual urine volume (PVR) (MD = -33.85, 95% CI -52.13 to -15.57, P = 0.0003) and less total energy used (MD = -31.66, 95% CI -58.99 to -4.33, P = 0.02). Moreover, HoL-Ts had a relatively lower risk of conversion rate (OR = 0.08, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.60, P = 0.01) associated with enough enucleation and less intraoperative bleeding. Subgroup analysis of holmium laser enucleation of prostate (HoLEP) versus PVP suggested that HoLEP presented better results in 1-, 3-, 6-month and 1-year Qmax with less PVR, less energy consumption, and lower conversion rate. Compared with PVP, HoL-Ts had higher 1-, 3-, and 6-month Qmax, less PVR, and less total energy consumption with a relatively lower risk of conversion rate. In subgroup analyses, HoLEP had shown better results in accordance with all HoL-Ts. Nevertheless, well-designed RCTs including overall functional indicators are required to confirm our findings.

[Effect of electroacupunture on supplementary analgesia and the levels of serum ß-endorphin and prostaglandin E2 in patients with total knee arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect on supplementary analgesia after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) treated with electroacupunture, and explore it's mechanism. METHODS: A total of 40 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 20 cases in each one. During the operation, patients were given epidural anesthesia in the two groups, conventional patient controlled epidural analgesia and oral celecoxib were applied after the operation. In the observation group, electroacupunture was used at Liangqiu (ST 34), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40) and Qiuxu (GB 40) on the operation side from the 1st to 7th day after the operation to support analgesia, 30 min for each time, once a day. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to record postoperative pain of resting state and active state. The levels of serum prostaglandin E2 and ß-endorphin were measured on the 1st and 7th day after surgery in the two groups. RESULTS: In the observation group, the VAS scores of resting state and active state were superior to the control group on the 3rd, 5th and 7th day after the operaton (all P<0.05); after the treatment, the level of serum ß-endorphin was increased and the level of serum prostaglandin E2 was reduced in the two groups (all P<0.05), and the change of the observation group was larger than that of the control group (both P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupunture has the effect of supplementary analgesia for patients after TKA, the mechanism may be related to promote the synthesis of ß-endorphin and inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandin E2.

[Electroacupuncture Intervention Reduces Post-surgical Pain of Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the analgesic effect and safety of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention for patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHODS: A total of 40 patients undergoing TKA were randomly assigned to control group (simple multi-mode analgesia, n＝20) and EA group (EA combined with multi-mode analgesia, n＝20). Both groups were treated with epidural anesthesia during surgical operation, and conventional epidural automatic analgesia and oral Celecoxib after surgery. Following surgery, EA was applied to Liangqiu (ST 34)-Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9)-Zusanli (ST 36), Fenglong (ST 40)-Qiuxu(GB 40) on the operation side for 30 min, once daily for 7 consecutive days. The patients' pain state during rest and motion was assessed by using visual analogue scale (VAS). The active and passive knee flexion range of motion (ROM), use of painkillers including the number of patient's controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA) during 48 h after surgery, and other complications were recorded. RESULTS: After the treatment, the VAS scores under rest and motion state were both significantly lower in the EA group than in the control group on day 3, 5 and 7 after surgery (P<0.05). During 48 h after surgery, the number of PECA was significantly lower in the EA group than in the control group (P<0.05). Of the two 20 cases in the control and EA groups, 3 and 1 asked to receive muscular injection of Tramadol Hydrochloride for pain relief, 3 and 2 experienced nausea-vomiting, 2 and 1 had dizziness and headache, and 2 and 1 had a chest distress feeling, respectively, which had no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). The white blood cell (WBC) count in both groups were decreased gradually from day 1 to 7 after surgery, and plasma C-reactive protein content on day 5 and 7 were also lowered in both groups, without statistical differences between the two groups in the post-operative complications, dosages of additional postoperative analgesic drugs, and levels of plasma WBC and C-reactive protein (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA can effectively improve the early postoperative pain of TKA, reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and the use of analgesic drugs in TKA patients.

[Progress in prophylatic hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for advanced gastric carcinoma].

Advanced gastric cancer (AGC) has a high recurrence rate (especially peritoneal relapse) and a poor prognosis. Systematic chemotherapy or targeted therapy have not been able to significantly reduce the major cause of an unfavorable prognosis, namely the high peritoneal AGC recurrence rate post-surgery. Further studies concerning the application of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) post curative surgery for AGC patients, namely the prophylactic HIPEC (P-HIPEC), have involved a prophylactic approach to prevent peritoneal relapse following curative gastrectomy in high-risk patients. Theoretically, breaking the "plasma-peritoneal barrier" increases cytotoxic chemotherapy activity via a synergistic hyperthermic effect; therefore, HIPEC can eradicate free cancer cells and micro-metastasis within the peritoneal cavity intraoperatively or soon after curative gastrectomy to reduce peritoneal recurrence. Many clinical trials have shown that P-HIPEC can reduce peritoneal recurrence and improve prognosis of AGC patients. However, some studies applying HIPEC at an early stage have revealed a high rate of complications that limited generalizability. This procedure has been increasingly adopted, given the complication rate has now been reduced and safety has been proven. Recently, for assessing the important role of HIPEC, many high-quality prospective randomized controlled clinical trials have been conducted to further investigate the best guidance for P-HIPEC and to demonstrate its effectiveness and safety with a higher grade of evidence. With theory development, the technique, equipment, and management of HIPEC and the role of P-HIPEC for AGC continues to evolve. This study summarizes the progress of P-HIPEC for high-risk AGC patients.

Comparison of PM2.5 carbonaceous pollutants between an urban site in Shanghai and a background site in a coastal East China Sea island in summer: concentration, composition and sources.

Nine paired samples of atmospheric particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than or equal to 2.5 µm (PM2.5) were collected concurrently from an urban site in Shanghai, China and a background site in Huaniao Island (HNI) in the coastal East China Sea (ECS) between July 21 and 29, 2011. The samples were analyzed for 16 United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) priority polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), n-alkanes (20 species, C14-C33), hopanes (10 species, C29-C32), and steranes (12 species, C27-C29). These two sites, approximately 66 km apart, are both on the pathway of land-based pollutants as they are transported to the ECS by seasonal winds. As expected, concentrations in Shanghai were higher (average: 8.4 and 67.8 ng m-3 for the 16 PAHs and n-alkanes, respectively) than those in HNI (average: 1.8 and 8.5 ng m-3, respectively). The dominant contributor to the 16 PAHs in Shanghai was 5-6-ring PAHs (60.0%), whereas 2-3-ring PAHs contributed the most (72.5%) in HNI. Plant waxes contributed 45.7% and 25.9% of the n-alkanes in Shanghai and HNI, respectively, implying a relatively greater contribution from petroleum residues to the n-alkanes in HNI. Principal component analysis (PCA) and the compositions of hopanes and steranes highlighted a prominent contribution from traffic emissions to carbonaceous PM2.5 aerosols. This study provides comprehensive details about the sources, formation, and transport of pollutants from eastern China to the coastal ECS.

Cestrum nocturnum Flower Extracts Attenuate Proliferation and Induce Apoptosis in Malignant Cells through Inducing DNA Damage and Inhibiting Topoisomerase II Activity.

Most of the existing chemotherapeutic drugs have plenty of side effects. Chinese herbal medicine has been used for pharmaceutical and dietary therapy for thousands of years with more effective and fewer side effects. Cestrum nocturnum (CN) has long been used to treat digestive diseases for centuries in China. Our previous study first proved that the n-butanol part isolated from the flowers of CN produced an inhibitory effect on the proliferation of malignant cells. However, the fractions responsible for the antiproliferation effect of n-butanol part from CN flowers and related mechanisms remain unknown. Thus, in this study, we extracted fractions C4 and C5 from n-butanol part of CN flowers and investigated their immune toxicity and antitumor activities. It was found that fractions C4 and C5 exhibited great cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines but had low immune toxicity towards T and B lymphocytes in vitro. The tested fractions also attenuated proliferation and induced apoptosis at G0/G1 and G2/M phases in Bel-7404 cells through inducing DNA damage and inhibiting topoisomerase II relaxation activity. These results suggest that fractions C4 and C5 may represent important sources of potential antitumor agents due to their pronounced antitumor effects and low immune toxicity.

An Improved Drugs Screening System Reveals that Baicalein Ameliorates the Aß/AMPA/NMDA-Induced Depolarization of Neurons.

The presence of amyloid-ß (Aß) plaque and tau protein hyperphosphorylation in brain tissue is the pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). At least some Aß neurotoxicity is caused by the presence of excess glutamate that has been induced by Aß accumulation. Memantine is currently the only NMDA receptor inhibitor approved for treating moderate-to-severe AD patients. We utilized primary cortical neurons and DiBAC4(3), a slow-response voltage sensitive fluorescence dye, to create a novel system for screening herbal medicines that allows the identification of pure compounds able to ameliorate Aß-induced abnormal depolarization. The intensity of DiBAC4(3) fluorescence was increased when primary neurons were stimulated by Aß; furthermore, pre-treatment with memantine abolished this change. Using this system, we identified six crude extracts made from herbal medicines that effectively alleviated this Aß-induced abnormal depolarization. Among these herbal medicines, one pure compound, baicalein, which was known to be present in Scutellaria baricalensis and is known to improve memory using an AD mouse model, was identified by our assay. However, the compound's molecular mechanism remained unknown. We found that baicalein, in addition to inhibiting Aß-induced depolarization, possibly functions as an antagonist of AMPA and NMDA receptors. Taken together, we have established a system/platform to identify herbal medicines that ameliorate Aß-induced depolarization of neurons. Equally important, baicalein is a candidate drug with great potential for the treatment of AD patients.

Survival benefit of gastrectomy for gastric cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) is the most frequent pattern of metastasis in stage IV gastric cancer (GC). The study aims to investigate the efficacy of gastrectomy in GC with PC. Clinicopathological data of 518 stage IV GC patients were retrospectively collected in Nanfang Hospital. Among all cases, 312 GC patients with PC (without other site of metastasis) were eligible. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the independent prognostic factors. Propensity score matching analysis was performed to balance the characteristics and treatment-related factors. There was a significantly improved overall survival in gastrectomy group (148 patients) compared with nonresection group (164 patients) (P < 0.001). The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were 49.8% and 21.5% in gastrectomy group, whereas 28.8% and 9.7% in nonresection group, respectively. Further analysis showed that gastrectomy had also improved survival in P1 (P = 0.017) and P2 stage patients (P < 0.001), but not P3 stage (P = 0.495). The modality of gastrectomy plus chemotherapy plus hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) showed an optimum survival. In addition, P3 disease, nongastrectomy, nonchemotherapy, non-HIPEC, and age ≥ 60 years were independently associated with poor survival. The gastrectomy plus chemotherapy plus HIPEC modality showed a significant survival benefit for gastric adenocarcinoma patients, particularly in those with P1 and P2 diseases.

Seasonal variation of carbonaceous pollutants in PM2.5 at an urban 'supersite' in Shanghai, China.

Multiple PM2.5 samples collected through different seasons from October 2011 to August 2012 at an urban site in Shanghai, China were analyzed for carbonaceous pollutants. Data from this site, a 'super' air quality monitoring station at Fudan University, has been used by researchers to investigate the formation mechanism of haze episodes. The characteristics and concentrations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC), n-alkanes, as well as relative abundances of hopanes, in these samples were determined. The concentrations showed a pronounced annual cycle with higher values in cold seasons (spring and winter, mean: 8.6 µg/m(3), 3.3 µg/m(3) and 136.4 ng/m(3) for OC, EC and n-alkanes, respectively) and lower values in warm seasons (fall and summer, mean: 6.6 µg/m(3), 2.6 µg/m(3) and 73.8 ng/m(3) for OC, EC and n-alkanes, respectively). EC generally displayed a common source with that of OC in all seasons. Petroleum residue was the major source of n-alkanes, contributing 71.4% to the targeted C14-C33n-alkanes over four seasons. Principal components analysis and the composition of hopanes showed that emissions from vehicle exhaust contributed more carbonaceous aerosols than coal combustion. These data could provide important information for measures to reduce carbonaceous pollutant emissions and improve air quality in Shanghai, and other urban centers across China.

[Effect of Shengqing Capsule on Serum Cholesterol Content and Hepatic Scavenger Receptor Class B of Rats with Cholesterol Calculus].

Objective To observe the effect of Shengqing Capsule (SC) on serum contents of TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C, hepatic scavenger receptor B I (SRB I ) , and CD36 in rats with cholesterol cal- culus. Methods Totally 80 mice were divided into 4 groups according to random number table, i.e., the normal group, the model group, the Western medicine (WM) group, and the Chinese medicine (CM) group, 20 in each group. Mice in the normal group were fed with common forage, while mice in the other 3 groups were fed with lithogenic diet. Mice in the CM group and the WM group were fed with SC (at the daily dose of 0.35 g/kg) and Ursodeoxycholic Acid Tablet (UDCA, at the daily dose of 39. 55 mg/kg) re- spectively for 7 weeks. The general condition and gallstone formation rate were observed. Serum contents of TC, LDL-C, and HDL-C, and protein expressions of SBR I and CD36 were detected by oxidase meth- od and Western blot respectively. Results No gallbladder stone formed in the normal group, and gall- stone formed in 15 mice of the model group with gallstone formation rate of 75%. Compared with the nor- mal group, serum contents of TC and LDL-C and protein expressions of SRB I and CD36 increased, HDL-C content decreased in the model group (P <0. 01). The gallstone formation rate was 35% (7 mice) in the WM group and 30% (6 mice) in the CM group, lower than that of the model group (75%; P <0. 05). Contents of TC and LDL-C, and protein expressions of SRB I and CD36 decreased, HDL-C content in- creased in the WM group and the CM group (P <0.01). Compared with the WM group, TC content and protein expressions of SRB I and CD36 decreased in the CM group (P <0.01). Conclusion SC could prevent and treat gallbladder stone possibly through lowering expression levels of SRB I and CD36.

Targets of the StBEL5 Transcription Factor Include the FT Ortholog StSP6A.

The BEL1-like family of transcription factors is ubiquitous in plants and plays important roles in regulating development. They function in tandem with KNOTTED1 types to bind to a double TTGAC motif in the upstream sequence of target genes. StBEL5 of potato (Solanum tuberosum) functions as a mobile RNA signal that is transcribed in leaves, moves down into stolons in response to short days, and induces tuber formation. Despite their importance, however, very little is known about the targets of BEL1-like transcription factors. To better understand this network, we made use of a phloem-mobile BEL5 induction model, an ethanol-inducible system coupled with RNA sequencing analysis, and a screen for tandem TTGAC cis-elements in the upstream sequence to catalog StBEL5 target genes. Induction of StBEL5 activated several genes that are also induced by StSP6A (S. tuberosum SELF-PRUNING 6A), a FLOWERING LOCUS T coregulator that functions as a signal for tuberization. Both enhancement and suppression of StBEL5 expression were also closely linked to StSP6A transcriptional activity. Site mutagenesis in tandem TTGAC motifs located in the upstream sequence of StSP6A suppressed the short day-induced activity of its promoter in both young tubers and leaves. The expression profile of StBEL5 induced in stolons from plants grown under long-day conditions revealed almost 10,000 differentially expressed genes, including important tuber marker genes and genes involved in cell growth, transcription, floral development, and hormone metabolism. In a random screen of 200 differentially expressed targets of StBEL5, 92% contained tandem TTGAC motifs in the upstream sequence within 3 kb of the transcription start site.