ECG changes following balloon pulmonary angioplasty in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: a retrospective study.

Purpose: This research evaluates the effect of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) on cardiac electrophysiological changes in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH).

Methods: Involving a retrospective analysis of 39 CTEPH patients (average age 61 ± 11), who had at least two BPAs and paired ECGs pre- and post-surgery, we examined changes in ECG indicators of right ventricular hypertrophy and their correlation with hemodynamic results.

Results: BPA yielded marked improvements in cardiac function and hemodynamics.

Preliminary study on the short-term changes of pulmonary perfusion after a single balloon pulmonary angioplasty in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

Background: Little is known about immediate responses of blood perfusion to the balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) procedure.

Objectives: To investigate the changes in pulmonary perfusion of balloon-dilated vessels and untreated vessels with before, immediately after a single BPA and at follow-up.

Design: Retrospective single-center cohort study.

Percutaneous endovascular biopsy for the diagnosis of pulmonary artery masses: A preliminary study of single-center.

Percutaneous endovascular biopsy (PEB) including forceps biopsy and catheter aspiration has been used to make a pretreatment diagnosis for pulmonary artery (PA) masses. This retrospective study aims to describe the procedure of PEB and compare the diagnostic yield of forceps biopsy and catheter aspiration for a definite diagnosis in patients with PA masses. All consecutive 22 patients (53 ± 14 years), 11 males and 11 females, who underwent PEB for pathologic confirmation between November 2018 and November 2022 were enrolled.

Improving the imaging diagnostic strategy for pulmonary artery masses based on F-FDG PET/CT integrated with CTPA.

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) and F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (F-FDG PET/CT) for pulmonary artery (PA) masses.

Methods: Of 2889 patients with PA filling defects of PA on CTPA, 79 consecutive patients suspicious for PA malignancy who subsequently underwent F-FDG PET/CT were enrolled. All masses were diagnosed on the basis of pathological findings or clinical imaging follow-up.

Online Liquid Microextraction Coupled with HPLC-ABTS for Rapid Screening of Natural Antioxidants: Case Study of Three Different Teas.

In the present study, an online liquid extraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (HPLC-ABTS) system for rapid screening of antioxidants in tea samples was proposed. As an example, the tea samples were firstly extracted by online HPLC extractor with mobile phase at 70°C, then the hyphenated HPLC-ABTS was used for the chromatographic separation on a Poroshell EC C18 column by 0.3% aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile with a gradient elution at 1.

Application of DynaCT angiographic reconstruction in balloon pulmonary angioplasty.

Objectives: To investigate the feasibility and accuracy of balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) using DynaCT angiographic reconstruction guidance.

Methods: Thirty-four BPAs (23 CTEPH patients) targeting 175 pulmonary arteries were included. Eleven BPAs (2D group) were guided by DSA two-dimensional angiography.

Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association for management guidelines of vacuum sealing drainage application in abdominal surgeries-Update and systematic review.

Vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) is frequently used in abdominal surgeries. However, relevant guidelines are rare. Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association organized a committee composed of 28 experts across China in July 2017, aiming to provide an evidence-based recommendation for the application of VSD in abdominal surgeries.

Synergistic antitumor effect of brusatol combined with cisplatin on colorectal cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common and life‑threatening type of malignant cancer, which is associated with a high mortality rate. Cisplatin (CDDP) is a commonly used chemotherapy drug with significant side effects. Brusatol (BR) is one of the principal chemical compounds isolated from the Chinese herb Bruceae Fructus, which has been reported to markedly inhibit the proliferation of numerous cancer cell lines.

Efficacy and safety of Re-Du-Ning injection in the treatment of seasonal influenza: results from a randomized, double-blinded, multicenter, oseltamivir-controlled trial.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of RDNI in the treatment of seasonal influenza.

Results: 1575 participants were screened and 229 completed the study and had a RT-PCR laboratory confirmation of influenza virus infection. Fever alleviation time was 2 and 6 hours, and fever clearance time was 27 and 47 in RDNI and oseltamivir, with significant difference between two groups.

Effect-enhancing and toxicity-reducing activity of usnic acid in ascitic tumor-bearing mice treated with bleomycin.

Usnic acid (UA) can be found in certain lichen species. Growing evidence suggests that UA possesses antitumoral, antioxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Bleomycin (BLM) is widely used in the treatment of malignant ascites, however, it unexpectedly causes pulmonary fibrosis (PF).

The outcomes of initial endoscopic transluminal drainage are superior to percutaneous drainage for patients with infected pancreatic necrosis: a prospective cohort study.

Background And Study Aim: The commonly used minimally invasive methods for patients with infected pancreatic necrosis (IPN) are initial endoscopic transluminal drainage (ETD) and percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD), which are followed, if necessary, by endoscopic or surgical necrosectomy. This study intends to explore which of the two minimally invasive treatments leads to a better prognosis.

Patients And Methods: Patients with IPN and an indication for intervention were prospectively enrolled and underwent either initial ETD or PCD followed, if necessary, by endoscopic or surgical necrosectomy.

Role of an imbalanced miRNAs axis in pathogenesis of psoriasis: novel perspectives based on review of the literature.

Background: Specific profile of microRNAs (miRNAs, miR) expressed in psoriasis has been identified in the past few years, while the studies on roles and molecular mechanisms of these miRNAs are still on the way. In our previous study, four specific miRNAs (miR-31, miR-203, hsa-miR-99a and miR-125b) were found to be specifically altered in psoriatic lesions.We therefore conducted a systematic literature review in this study to reveal the role of these miRNAs in the pathogenesis of psoriasis in order to inform future research.

Preparation and properties of octenyl succinate β-cyclodextrin and its application as an emulsion stabilizer.

The aim of this study was to synthesize and characterize the octenyl succinic-β-cyclodextrin (OS-β-CD) and assess its application as a potential emulsion stabilizer. OS-β-CD was prepared by esterifying β-CD with OSA under alkaline conditions. The properties of OS-β-CD were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, C and H NMR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), which demonstrated that OS groups had been introduced into the β-CD molecules and most of OS substitution occurred at the C-6 hydroxyl group of glycosyl units.

Treatment outcomes of spontaneous rupture of hepatocellular carcinoma with hemorrhagic shock: a multicenter study.

Background: Spontaneous rupture is one of the most fatal complications of HCC. The incidence of HCC still remains a significant health problem in Eastern Asia. Many studies have shown that the in-hospital or 30-day mortality rates are as high as 25-100 %.

[Indoor Deposition Flux, Seasonal Variations and Human Exposure Levels of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Xiamen, China].

Indoor dust was an important and even a major route of human exposure to polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). However, the vacuum dust concentrations were less correlated with indoor residents' serum concentrations of PBDEs, thus inadequat for either estimation of human exposure dose or research of deposition flux and its seasonal variations. Passive sampling of indoo dustfall could offset these shortages.

Evaluation of safety of modified-Danggui Buxue Tang in rodents:immunological, toxicity and hormonal aspects.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Radix Astragali (RA), Radix Angelicae Sinensis (RAS) and Folium Epimedii (FE) are three of the extensively applied herbs among traditional Chinese medicines for gynecological disorders and osteoporosis. A derivative herbal formula-RRF, consisting of the three medicines with a weight ratio of 5:1:5, is derived from a famous Chinese herbal formula-Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT). RRF has shown noteworthy perimenopause ameliorating effect in both ovariectomized rats and natural aging female rats, which might represent a promising candidate for the treatment of perimenopausal disorders.

The gastroprotective effect of pogostone from Pogostemonis Herba against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

Pogostemonis Herba, known as "Guang-Huo-Xiang" in Chinese, has been widely used in the treatment of gastrointestinal dysfunction. Pogostone is one of the major constituents of Pogostemonis Herba. The aim was to scientifically evaluate the possible gastroprotective effect and the underlying mechanisms of pogostone against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

Andrographolide sodium bisulphite-induced inactivation of urease: inhibitory potency, kinetics and mechanism.

Background: The inhibitory effect of andrographolide sodium bisulphite (ASB) on jack bean urease (JBU) and Helicobacter pylori urease (HPU) was performed to elucidate the inhibitory potency, kinetics and mechanism of inhibition in 20 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, 2 mM EDTA, 25 °C.

Methods: The ammonia formations, indicator of urease activity, were examined using modified spectrophotometric Berthelot (phenol-hypochlorite) method.

Gastroprotective effect of andrographolide sodium bisulfite against indomethacin-induced gastric ulceration in rats.

Andrographolide sodium bisulfite (ASB), a water-soluble sulfonate of andrographolide has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and analgesic activities. However, there is no report on the gastroprotective effect of ASB against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer. Here we investigated the possible anti-ulcerogenic potential of ASB and the underlying mechanism against indomethacin-induced gastric ulcer in rats.

The protective effect of 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid against UV irradiation induced photoaging in mice.

It has been confirmed that repeated exposure of skin to ultraviolet (UV) radiation results in cutaneous oxidative stress and inflammation, which act in concert to cause premature skin aging, well known as photoaging. 18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (GA), widely used to treat various tissue inflammations, is the main active component of licorice root, and has also been shown to possess favorable anti-oxidative property and modulating immunity function. In the present study, we investigated the potential protective effect of GA on UV-induced skin photoaging in a mouse model.

Properties and extraction of pectin-enriched materials from sugar beet pulp by ultrasonic-assisted treatment combined with subcritical water.

Pectin-enriched material (PEM) was extracted from sugar beet pulp using subcritical water combined with ultrasonic-assisted treatment. Optimisation of the reaction parameters for maximum extraction yield of PEM was carried out using response surface methodology. Optimum modification conditions were as follows: liquid/solid ratio 44.

Ulinastatin attenuates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.

Unlabelled: To investigate the effects of Ulinastatin (UTI) in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in rats and whether this effect might be related to Aquaporin 4 (AQP4), one hundred and eighty adult male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, weighing 230-280 g, were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham (S) group, IR group and UTI (U) group. Every group was further divided into 3 sub-groups: 6 h group, 24 h group and 48 h group. The transient focal IR injury was induced by inserting a silicone-coater monofilament nylon suture (0.

White pepper and piperine have different effects on pharmacokinetics of puerarin in rats.

This study attempted to explore the effects of white pepper and its major component piperine on puerarin administered to rats. Pharmacokinetic parameters of puerarin in rats were determined by oral administration (400 mg/kg) or intravenous injection (40 mg/kg) of puerarin, pretreated with or without white pepper and piperine given orally. Compared to the control group given oral puerarin only, the combined use of piperine (10 or 20 mg/kg) increased the C max of puerarin by 1.