Potential targets for traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic inflammation in obesity: macrophage polarization / 中国中药杂志

Obesity has been identified as a chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and a key risk factor for diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and malignancies, and has become an urgent global health burden. Adipose tissue macrophages play a significant role in adipose immune homeostasis and inflammatory responses. Under different conditions, they can be polarized into pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype or anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype. In obese individuals, there is abnormal polarization of macrophages in adipose tissue, leading to an imbalance in the M1/M2 phenotype dynamic equilibrium and the development of pathological inflammation. Therefore, restoring the balance of M1/M2 macrophage polarization is an important potential target for the treatment of chronic inflammation in obesity. Studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) can positively modulate macrophage polarization and produce beneficial effects on obesity. Based on existing evidence, this paper systematically reviewed the potential mechanisms of TCM in improving chronic inflammation in obesity from the perspective of macrophage polarization, in order to provide evidence for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic inflammation in obesity with TCM and offer new insights for related research design and the development of new TCM.

Inhibition of glutaminolysis alleviates myocardial fibrosis induced by angiotensin II / 生理学报

The present study was aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of glutaminolysis of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs) in hypertension-induced myocardial fibrosis. C57BL/6J mice were administered with a chronic infusion of angiotensin II (Ang II, 1.6 mg/kg per d) with a micro-osmotic pump to induce myocardial fibrosis. Masson staining was used to evaluate myocardial fibrosis. The mice were intraperitoneally injected with BPTES (12.5 mg/kg), a glutaminase 1 (GLS1)-specific inhibitor, to inhibit glutaminolysis simultaneously. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect protein expression levels of GLS1, Collagen I and Collagen III in cardiac tissue. Neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat CFs were treated with 4 mmol/L glutamine (Gln) or BPTES (5 μmol/L) with or without Ang II (0.4 μmol/L) stimulation. The CFs were also treated with 2 mmol/L α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) under the stimulation of Ang II and BPTES. Wound healing test and CCK-8 were used to detect CFs migration and proliferation respectively. RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression levels of GLS1, Collagen I and Collagen III. The results showed that blood pressure, heart weight and myocardial fibrosis were increased in Ang II-treated mice, and GLS1 expression in cardiac tissue was also significantly up-regulated. Gln significantly promoted the proliferation, migration, mRNA and protein expression of GLS1, Collagen I and Collagen III in the CFs with or without Ang II stimulation, whereas BPTES significantly decreased the above indices in the CFs. α-KG supplementation reversed the inhibitory effect of BPTES on the CFs under Ang II stimulation. Furthermore, in vivo intraperitoneal injection of BPTES alleviated cardiac fibrosis of Ang II-treated mice. In conclusion, glutaminolysis plays an important role in the process of cardiac fibrosis induced by Ang II. Targeted inhibition of glutaminolysis may be a new strategy for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis.

Betulin Targets Lipin1/2-Meidated P2X7 Receptor as a Therapeutic Approach to Attenuate Lipid Accumulation and Metaflammation

The present study focused on the potential mechanism of betulin (BT), a pentacyclic triterpenoid isolated from the bark of white birch (Betula pubescens), against chronic alcohol-induced lipid accumulation and metaflammation. AML-12 and RAW 264.7 cells were administered ethanol (EtOH), lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or BT. Male C57BL/6 mice were fed Lieber-DeCarli liquid diets containing 5% EtOH for 4 weeks, followed by single EtOH gavage on the last day and simultaneous treatment with BT (20 or 50 mg/ kg) by oral gavage once per day. In vitro, MTT showed that 0-25 mM EtOH and 0-25 μM BT had no toxic effect on AML-12 cells. BT could regulate sterolregulatory-element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1), lipin1/2, P2X7 receptor (P2X7r) and NOD-like receptor family, pyrin domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) expressions again EtOH-stimulation. Oil Red O staining also indicated that BT significantly reduced lipid accumulation in EtOH-stimulated AML-12 cells. Lipin1/2 deficiency indicated that BT might mediate lipin1/2 to regulate SREBP1 and P2X7r expression and further alleviate lipid accumulation and inflammation. In vivo, BT significantly alleviated histopathological changes, reduced serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and triglyceride (TG) levels, and regulated lipin1/2, SREBP1, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α/γ (PPARα/γ) and PGC-1α expression compared with the EtOH group. BT reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors and blocked the P2X7rNLRP3 signaling pathway. Collectively, BT attenuated lipid accumulation and metaflammation by regulating the lipin1/2-mediated P2X7r signaling pathway.

miR-449b-5p inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth and cell cycle progression by targeting Cyclin E2 / 中国肿瘤生物治疗杂志

@#[Abstract] Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-449b-5p on the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. Methods: Cancer tissue and corresponding para-cancerous tissue specimens from 20 patients who underwent surgery in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2018 to June 2020 were collected for this study; in addition, normal ovarian epithelial cell line (HOSEpiC) and six human cervical cancer cell lines (SKOV3, ES-2, OVCAR-3, HO8910, CaOV-3 and A2780) were also selected. mRNA expressions of miR-449b-5p and CCNE2 in ovarian cancer tissues and cells were detected by qPCR. The plasmids miR-NC, miR-499b-5p mimic, miR-499b-5p inhibitor and pc-CCNE2 were transfected into SKOV3 cells separately or in combination. Cell growth and cell cycle were measured by the CCK-8 method and Flow cytometry, the expression of CCNE2 protein was detected by WB assay, respectively. The targeting relationship between miR-449b-5p and CCNE2 was verified by Dual luciferase reporter assay. miR-499b-5p transfected SKOV3 cells were injected subcutaneously in nude mice to construct xenograft model, and the tumor volume was measured weekly. Nude mice were sacrificed at day 42. The weight of the subcutaneous tumors was weighed by an electronic balance, and the expressions of CCNE2 and Ki67 were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with normal ovarian tissues and epithelial cell line HOSEpiC, miR-499b expression was significantly downregulated in human cervical cancer tissues and cell lines SKOV3, ES-2, OVCAR-3, HO8910, CaOV-3 and A2780 (P<0.01). Compared with the Control group, the proliferation of SKOV3 cells in the miR-499b mimic group was significantly reduced (P<0.01) and the cell proportion in G0/G1 phase was significantly increased ( P<0.01); while the proliferation of SKOV3 cells in the miR-499b inhibitor group was significantly increased (P<0.01) and the cell proportion in G0/G1 phase was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Over-expression of miR-499b-5p significantly inhibited the luciferase activity of wild type CCNE2 plasmid (P<0.01) but had no effect on the luciferase activity of the mutant CCNE2 plasmid. Compared with the miR-499b mimic group, the growth of SKOV3 cells in the miR-499b mimic+pc-CCNE2 group was significantly increased (P<0.01) and the cell proportion in G0/G1 phase was significantly reduced (P<0.01). Compared with the miR-NC group, the tumor volume and weight of nude mice in the miR-499b mimic group were significantly reduced (all P<0.01), and the proportion of CCNE2 and Ki67 positive cells was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion: miR-449b-5p inhibits the growth and cell cycle progression of ovarian cancer cells by targeting Cyclin E2.

Development of a new protocol for freeze-drying preservation of Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciens and its protective effect on other marine bacteria

Background: Freeze-drying is known as one of the best methods to preserve bacterial strains. Protectant is the key factor affecting the survival rate of freeze-dried strains. In addition, salinity, bacterial suspension concentration, drying time, and other factors can also affect the survival rate of strains to varying degrees. At present, there are relatively few studies on freeze-drying preservation of marine bacteria. In the present study, we performed the freeze-drying protectant screening and optimized the preservation conditions for Pseudoalteromonas nigrifaciens, which is widely distributed in marine environment. The protective effects of the screened protectants were verified by 18 other marine bacterial strains. Results: The results indicated that the combination of 5.0% (w/v) lactose, 5.0% (w/v) mannitol, 5.0% (w/v) trehalose, 10.0% (w/v) skim milk powder, 0.5% (w/v) ascorbic acid and 0.5% (w/v) gelatin was the best choice for the preservation of P. nigrifaciens. The suggested salinity and concentration of initial cell suspension were 10 g/L NaCl and 1.0 × 109 CFU/mL, respectively. Furthermore, stationary-phase cells were the best choice for the freeze-drying process. The highest survival rate of P. nigrifaciens reached 52.8% when using 5­10% (w/v) skim milk as rehydration medium. Moreover, the other 18 marine strains belonging to Pseudoalteromonas, Vibrio, Photobacterium, Planomicrobium, Edwardsiella, Enterococcus, Bacillus, and Saccharomyces were freezedried under the abovementioned conditions. Their survival rates were 2.3­95.1%. Conclusion: Collectively, our results supported that the protectant mixture and parameters were beneficial for lyophilization of marine bacteria

Population structure and genetic diversity in yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) assessed with microsatellites

Yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) is an important aquaculture species which is widely distributed, especially in the Yangtze River of China. To facilitate its conservation and stock improvement, 273 yellow catfish samples from the Yangtze River (seven populations) and Baiyangdian (BYD) Lake were genotyped using eight microsatellites in combination with capillary electrophoresis. A total of 250 alleles were detected at eight loci in eight populations showing high allelic (Na= 31.25 ± 7.38) and genetic diversity (He = 0.888–0.944). Both FST and clustering analyses revealed the presence of subtle population differences between the species of Yangtze River and the BYD lake. Mantel tests suggest that genetic distance is significantly correlated with geographical distance (R = 0.9294 and P < 0.05). The results of genetic diversity and population structure will help in conservation and improvement of yellow catfish.

Efficacy of Continuous Prevention of Injury Combined with Interfereuce of Pain on Enhancement of Physical Safety and Pain Control in Patients with Multiple Myeloma / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the efficacy of continuous prevention injury combined with interference of pain on enhomcement of physical safety inside and outside hospital and pain control in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).@*METHODS@#Two hundred and thirty-three MM patients admitted in our hospital from January 2016 to December 2017 were divided into 2 group according to odd-even number of hospitalization: routine nursing group (odd number) and combined nursing group (ever number). 119 patients in routine nursing group were given routine nursing, 114 patients in combined nursing group were given combined nursing consisting of continuous prevention of injury combined with interference of pain. The safety event incidence, pain relief, life quality and mental status of patients in 2 groups were compared.@*RESULTS@#The incidence of accidental injuries and disease damages in combined nursing group was significantly lower than that in routine nursing group (3.51% and 4.29% vs 11.76% and 12.61%) (P＜0.05). The numeric rating scale (NRS) pain score on the day of hospitalization was not significantly different between 2 groups (P＞0.05), after interference, the NRS score and the six-point behavior score in combined nursing group were superior to those in routine nursing group (P＜0.05). Before interference, the life quality scores were not significantly different between 2 groups (P＞0.05), after interference, the some indicators of life quality in 2 groups were impromoved, the scores of physical function, role function, coguitive function, emotional function, and social function of patients in combined nursing group were superior to those in routine nursing group, the scores related with fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, loss of appetite, insomnia and overall health status of patients in combined nursing group were superior to those in routine nursing group (P＜0.05). Before interference, there were no significant difference in scores of HAMA scale and HAMD scale between 2 groups (P＞0.05), after interference, the scores of HAMA scale and HAMD scale in 2 groups both decreased, but the scores of above-mentioned scales in combined nursing group was lower than those in routine nursing group (P＜0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The Continuous prevention of injury combined with interference of pain shows the better safety of inside and outside hospital and good efficacy of pain control for MM patients.

Classification Algorithm Performance Study on Diabetes Electronic Medical Records / 医学信息学杂志

The paper preprocesses the data including basic information,admission and discharge record and progress note of diabetes Electronic Medical Records (EMR),implementing decision tree,Artificial Neural Network (ANN),Naive bayesian and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) classifications respectively on data that have been processed with Weka 3.9.The result shows that Naive bayesian classification,which is superior to the others in predicting and classifying such data,can provide basis for the classification and prediction of diabetes.

Diversity of agronomic traits of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis and their correlation with rhizome yield and active compositions / 中国中药杂志

The supply deficiency of crude medicinal plant of Paris polyphylla var. chinensis has become a bottleneck for related medicinal industry. An important approach to increase herbal production is to breed high-yield cultivated variety, which characterized ideal plant morphology. In the present study, we collected 99 wild germplasm resources of P. polyphylla and then measured their 12 main agronomic traits and contents of polyphyllin Ⅶ,Ⅵ,Ⅱ,Ⅰ. Followed analyses were used to characterize those traits and explore the potential connection with herbal yield or quality. The results showed that: ①There was ample morphological diversity in wild P. polyphylla, whose variation of agronomic traits reduced according to followed order: content of polyphyllin, weight of dry rhizome, petiole length, stem length, petal length, pedicel length, sepal length, leaf width, leaf length, sepal width, leaf number, stamen number, petal number. ② Most of those traits were significantly correlated to each other and generally represented the characterization of photosynthetic organs or reproductive organ. ③The total content of polyphyllin Ⅶ,Ⅵ,Ⅱ,Ⅰvaried between 0.02% and 0.87% and averagedat 0.13%, which showed no significant correlation with any agronomic trait. ④Plant breeders should play more attention on those germplasm resources with large leaves, large sepals and high stem.

Cloning, subcellular lacalization and expression analysis of chloroplast-targeted Obg gene in Cyathula officinalis / 中国中药杂志

According to ObgC gene sequences from Cyathula officinalis genomic data, the specific primers were designed, and a full-length CoObgC cDNA (2 226 bp) was obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) methord. Sequence alignment showed that CoObgC gene contained a 1 818 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding 605 amino acids. Sequence analysis predicted that molecular weight of CoObgC protein was about 66.39 kDa, the academic isoelectric point was 5.35, and the protein was stable protein. Then multiple sequence alignment was applied to construct phylogenetic tree. The real-time fluorescence quantification PCR (RT-qPCR) demonstrated that a high expression level in leaf, followed by root and flower, the low transcription was in stem. The recombinant vector pCABIA2300-CoObgC was constructed and introduced into tobacco epidermal cells by agrobacterium-mediated transformation, green fluorescence was tested and targeted to chloroplast under a laser scanning confocal microscope. These findings will be helpful to lay a foundation for studying the structure and function of CoObgC gene, and elucidating C. officinalis molecular biology experiment.

Efficacy and safety of domestic leuprorelin in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty: a multicenter, randomized, parallel, controlled trial / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>In central precocious puberty (CPP), the pulse secretion and release of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) are increased due to early activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, resulting in developmental abnormalities with gonadal development and appearance of secondary sexual characteristics. The CPP without organic disease is known as idiopathic CPP (ICPP). The objective of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of domestic leuprorelin (GnRH analog) in girls with ICPP.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 236 girls with ICPP diagnosed from April 2012 to January 2014 were selected and were randomized into two groups. One hundred fifty-seven girls in the test group were treated with domestic leuprorelin acetate, 79 girls in the control group were treated with imported leuprorelin acetate. They all were treated and observed for 6 months. After 6-month treatment, the percentage of children with peak luteinizing hormone (LH) ≤3.3 U/L, the percentage of children with peak LH/peak follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio <0.6, the improvements of secondary sexual characteristics, gonadal development and sex hormone levels, the change of growth rate of bone age (BA) and growth velocity, and drug adverse effects between two groups were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the treatment, the percentage of children with a suppressed LH response to GnRH, defined as a peak LH ≤3.3 U/L, at 6 months in test and control groups were 96.80% and 96.20%, respectively, and the percentage of children with peak LH/FSH ratio ≤0.6 at 6 months in test and control groups were 93.60% and 93.70%, respectively. The sizes of breast, uterus and ovary of children and the levels of estradiol (E 2 ) were significantly reduced, and the growth rate of BA was also reduced. All the differences between pre- and post-treatment in each group were statistically significant (P < 0. 05), but the differences of the parameters between two groups were not significant (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Domestic leuprorelin is effective and safe in the treatment of Chinese girls with ICPP. Its effectiveness and safety are comparable with imported leuprorelin.</p>

Effect of qubi recipe on changes of oxygen free radical metabolism and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in collagen-induced arthritis rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Qubi Recipe (QR) on the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1alpha in rats with type II collagen-I induced arthritis (CIA), and to explore its therapeutic roles and mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 72 male SD rats of SPF grade were recruited. Twelve were randomly selected as the blank control group. The CIA model was established in the rest 60 rats by subcutaneously injecting type II collagen of bovine emulsion from the tail root and induction of incomplete Freund's adjuvant. On day 15 after primary immunization rats were randomly divided into four groups, i.e., the CIA model group, the Tripterygium Glycosides (TG) group (at the daily dose of 9.68 mg/kg body weight), the high dose QR group (at the daily dose of 6.66 g/kg body weight), and the low dose QR group (at the daily dose of 3.33 g/kg body weight), 15 in each group. Corresponding medication was given to rats in all groups by gastrogavage once daily for 4 successive weeks. An equal volume of pure water was given to rats in the blank control group and the CIA model group by gastrogavage, once daily for 4 successive weeks. The swelling degree of the joints was measured. Rats were sacrificed after 4-week treatment. Plasma levels of SOD, MDA, and GSH-Px were measured with colorimetric method. The expression of HIF-1alpha was detected by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) Compared with the CIA model group, the swelling degree of the joints was significantly alleviated in the TG group and the high dose QR group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), and it was obviously milder in the high dose QR group than in the TG group (P < 0.05). (2) Compared with the CIA model group, the activities of GSH-Px could be obviously elevated and activities of MDA lowered in the TG group, the high dose QR group, and the low dose QR group (P < 0.05). Plasma activities of SOD could be obviously elevated in the high dose QR group and the TG group (P < 0.05). (3) Compared with the CIA model group, the expression of HIF-1alpha obviously decreased in the TG group and the high dose QR group (P < 0.05), and it showed a decreasing tendency in the low dose QR group with no statistical difference (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>QR could markedly alleviate the swelling degree of ankle joints in CIA model rats. Its therapeutic efficacy was superior to that of TG. Its mechanism might be achieved through down-regulating expression of HIF-1alpha in the joint, and regulating activities of SOD, MDA and GSH-Px in the plasma.</p>

Association between the interaction polymorphisms of interleukin-l0 and smoking on patients with bladder cancer risk from a case-control study / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between both polymorphisms of interleukin-10 (IL-10),smoking and the susceptibility to bladder cancer.Methods A case-control study was conducted to study the promoter polymorphisms of IL-10 gene by allele specific PCR amplification (AS-PCR) and to explore the possible genetic and environmental factors on bladder cancer,based on data from a hospital which included 400 patients with bladder cancer and another 400 healthy controls.Results The genotypes of IL-10 gene might be associated with the susceptibility to bladder cancer.Homozygous mutant of IL-10 gene at the point of 1082,819 and 592 could enhance the risk of bladder cancer (OR value is 2.058,1.979,1.979,respectively).No statistically significant correlation was found between the divergence of IL-10 genotype and the different clinical stages and pathological grade of bladder cancer (P＞0.05).Interactions were noticed between polymorphisms in IL-10 gene and their correlation with smoking on bladder cancer.The positive interaction of 1082 site homozygous variant (AA),819 site homozygous variant (TT),592 site homozygous variant (AA) and smoking were revealed in the occurrence rates of bladder cancer (OR=2.264,γ=l0.213;OR=2.438,γ=6.750; OR=2.438,y=6.750).Conclusion Our research findings showed that the significant interactions between IL-10 gene with homozygous mutant and smoking might increase the risk of bladder cancer.

Epidemiological features of chronic and Alzheimer's diseases in the community-based elderly living in cities and couties in Hebei province / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To understand the epidemiological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD)in the community-based elderly living in cities and counties in Hebei province.Methods Under the stratified random sampling method,Mini Mental State Examination(MMSE)was used to evaluate senile dementia and Activity of Daily Living Scale(ADL)and to evaluate the daily lives of the elderly.Related dementia standard on the diagnose of AD and its subtypes was used.Statistically,data was analyzed through SPSS 13.0 software.Results The overall prevalence was 64.84%(2355/3632) on chronic diseases in those elderly who were over 60 years of age while AD appeared to be high and increased with age.The prevalence rate of dementia was 7.24%(263/3632),in which AD accounted for 4.87%(177/3632).Rates for other chronic diseases were as follows:hypertension (32.35%),diabetes(11.37%),chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(9.25%),coronary heart disease(8.84%)and stroke(7.16%).The prevalence of AD increased with age and was related to the low degree of education having.Conclusion Elderly living in the communities of Hebei province showed high prevalent rates of chronic diseases including AD,which had become the major kind of diseases related to old age.

Changes of platelet aggregation function of apheresis collected platelets and soluble P-selectin during storage / 中国实验血液学杂志

The objective of this study was to explore the changes of aggregation function of apheresis platelets and soluble P-selectin (sP-selectin) during storage. 20 samples of apheresis platelets were collected, and the aggregation function were examined by function test and the level of sP-selectin every day in storage of 5 days. The results showed that the aggregation function of platelets declined obviously during storage, there were significant differences between the first-day group and any of the other groups (p < 0.01). The max platelet aggregation rate was < or = 3% in the fourth-day group; sP-selectin level in plasma increased with prolong of storage time; there were significant differences between the first-day group and any of the other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, platelets were activated continuously during storage, while its aggregation function declines significantly. The ability of platelet aggregation to response to ADP loses almost completely since the fourth day during platelet storage. It should be paid more attention to the damage of apheresis collected platelets during storage.

Inhibitory effect of artemether on gastric and pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro / 上海第二医科大学学报

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect and the effect on cell proliferation and apoptosis of artemether(ART) on human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines and pancreatic cancer cell lines in vitro. Methods The inhibitory effect of ART on human gastric cancer cell lines(SGC-7901 and MKN-45) and human pancreatic cancer cell lines(SW-1990 and BXPC-3) were detected by MTT assay,and the effect on cell cycle and apoptosis were evaluated by flow cytometry. Results It was indicated by MTT assay that the killing effect of ART on the cancer cell lines were positively correlated to time and dosage(P