Phillygenin Attenuates Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Fibrosis Modulating Inflammation and Gut Microbiota.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic pathological process that various pathogenic factors lead to abnormal hyperplasia of hepatic connective tissue, and its main feature is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. However, there are currently no drugs approved for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Phillygenin (PHI), a lignan isolated from Forsythiae Fructus, showed potential anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis effects but the mechanisms remain unknown.

Effect of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pills () on the Immediate Blood Flow of Patients with Coronary Slow Flow.

Objective: To observe the immediate effect and safety of Shexiang Tongxin dropping pills (, STDP) on patients with coronary slow flow (CSF), and furthermore, to explore new evidence for the use of Chinese medicine in treating ischemic chest pain.

Methods: Coronary angiography (CAG) with corrected thrombolysis in myocardial infarction (TIMI) frame count (CTFC) was applied (collected at 30 frames/s). The treatment group included 22 CSF patients, while the control group included 22 individuals with normal coronary flow.

Proportion of Uterine Malignant Tumors in Patients with Laparoscopic Myomectomy: A National Multicenter Study in China.

Background: The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that the use of morcellation may cause fibroids or pelvic dissemination and metastasis of uterine sarcoma; therefore, the use of morcellation is limited in the USA. A large sample study is necessary to assess the proportion of uterine malignant tumors found in patients with laparoscopic myomectomy.

Methods: A national multicenter study was performed in China.

Imbalanced response of ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and CD36 expression to increased oxidized low-density lipoprotein loading contributes to the development of THP-1 derived foam cells.

ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and CD36, type B scavenger receptor, function as the key mediators of macrophages cholesterol efflux and intake, respectively. However, their contribution to development of foam cells still remains uncertain. We here examined the effects of increased oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) loading on the ABCA1 and CD36 expression, and lipid accumulation in THP-1 macrophages.

[Evaluation of myocardial perfusion in patients with coronary slow flow by myocardial contrast echocardiography].

Objective: To explore myocardial perfusion of patients with coronary slow flow (CSF) using myocardial contrast echocardiography.

Methods: Myocardial contrast echocardiography was performed in coronary artery angiography diagnosed CSF patients (n = 20) and control patients (n = 20). The images at baseline and after low dose dobutamine stress test were analyzed by automatic tracking software and the maximal amplitude score A, the mean ascending slope of the curve β and the product of A×β were measured.

[Clinical application of VerifyNow-P2Y12 assay in evaluation of platelet inhibition efficacy of clopidogrel].

Objective: To evaluate the platelet inhibition efficacy in patients under regular maintenance dose of clopidogrel by VerifyNow-P2Y12 assay and explore the clinical characteristics of clopidogrel non-responders and related predicting factors.

Methods: A total of 99 patients underwent percutaneous coronary intervention procedure and receiving clopidogrel in regular maintenance dose for at least 1 week were enrolled. Platelet reactivity, including baseline, P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU), and platelet inhibition rate were measured with VeifyNow-P2Y12 assay.

[Diagnostic value of 320-slice computed tomography coronary angiography to assess in-stent restenosis].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of 320-slice CT coronary angiography (CTA) in the evaluation of in-stent restenosis (ISR, ≥50% luminal narrowing) in comparison with quantitative coronary angiography (CAG).

Methods: A total of 69 patients with previous stent implantation who underwent both CTA and CAG were prospectively included. We assessed diagnostic valve for ISR with CTA in comparison with CAG.

Human papillomavirus type-distribution in cervical cancer in China: the importance of HPV 16 and 18.

Prophylactic vaccination against HPV 16 and 18 has the potential for effective prevention of high-grade precancer (cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN)] 2/3) and ICC caused by these viruses (globally 50 and 70%, respectively) when employed in women prior to starting sexual activity. To provide data for decisions on HPV vaccination in China, we determined HPV type-distribution in ICC and CIN 2/3 from women of different regions within China. A multicenter study was conducted by randomized sampling of paraffin blocks of 664 ICC (630 squamous cell carcinoma [SCC]; 34 adenocarcinoma [ADC]), 569 CIN 2/3 cases from seven regions of China.