Epidemiological characteristics of local COVID-19 epidemics and control experience in routine prevention and control phase in China / 中华流行病学杂志

The COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing in the world, the risk of COVID-19 spread from other countries or in the country will exist for a long term in China. In the routine prevention and control phase, a number of local COVID-19 epidemics have occurred in China, most COVID-19 cases were sporadic ones, but a few case clusters or outbreaks were reported. Winter and spring were the seasons with high incidences of the epidemics; border and port cities had higher risk for outbreaks. Active surveillance in key populations was an effective way for the early detection of the epidemics. Through a series of comprehensive prevention and control measures, including mass nucleic acid screening, close contact tracing and isolation, classified management of areas and groups at risk, wider social distancing and strict travel management, the local COVID-19 epidemics have been quickly and effectively controlled. The experiences obtained in the control of the local epidemics would benefit the routine prevention and control of COVID-19 in China. The occurrence of a series of COVID-19 case clusters or outbreaks has revealed the weakness or deficiencies in the COVID-19 prevention and control in China, so this paper suggests some measures for the improvement of the future prevention and control of COVID-19.

Overview of miRNA involved in PASMCs phenotypic switching in pulmonary hypertension / 中国药理学通报

Pulmonary hypertension ( PH) is occult, with no distinctive clinical manifestations and poor prognosis.Pulmonary vascular remodelling is an important pathological feature in which pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell ( PASMCs) pheno- typic switching plays a crucial role.MicroRNA (miRNA) is a class of evolutionary highly conserved single-stranded small non-coding RNA.Recently, an increasing number of scholars have found that miRNA can play an important role in the occurrence and development of PH by regulating the phenotypic switching of PASMCs, which is expected to be a potential target for the prevention and treatment of PH.It has been found that miR NA such as miR-221 , miR-24, miR-15b, miR-96, miR-23a.miR-9, miR-214, miR-20a can promote the phenotypic switching of PASMCs, while miRNA such as miR-21, miR-132, miR-182, miR-449, miR-206 .miR-124, miR-30c, miR-140.miR-17-92 cluster can inhibit it.This article aims to review the research progress on miRNA that mediates PASMCs phenotypic switching in PH from both growth factor-related miRNA and hy- poxia-related miRNA.

Clinical observation on spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage for treating recurrent respiratory tract infection in children with cerebral palsy due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage (tuina) for treating recurrent respiratory tract infection in children with cerebral palsy due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung. Methods: A total of 70 children with cerebral palsy who suffered from recurrent respiratory tract infection due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung were randomized into an observation group and a control group by the random number table method, with 35 cases in each group. Both groups were treated with conventional rehabilitation training, while the observation group was given additional spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage, and the control group additionally took oral Yu Ping Feng granule. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by the total effective rate, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score, and serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig) A, IgM and IgG. Results: The difference in total effective rate between the two groups after treatment was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom scores in both groups decreased to varying degrees than those before treatment, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01); the differences in the scores of various TCM symptoms between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After treatment, the levels of IgA, IgM and IgG of the children in both groups increased to varying degrees, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The between-group differences in the IgA, IgM and IgG levels after treatment were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Spleen-invigorating and qi-benefiting pediatric massage can effectively treat recurrent respiratory tract infection due to qi deficiency of spleen and lung in children with cerebral palsy, relieve the clinical symptoms and improve immune function, and thus is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Content Comparison of Mannose,Glucose and Narinhenin in Dendrobium officinale and Dendrobium huoshanense / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To optimize the pre-column derivation high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) content determination method of D-mannose and D-glucose as well as the content determination method of narinhenin in Dendrobium officinale and D. huoshanense, and compare the contents of D-mannose,D-glucose and narinhenin between D. officinale and D. huoshanense. Method: A pre-column derivation HPLC method modified by Chinese Pharmacopoeia(Ch.P) 2015 was used to simultaneously determine the contents of D-mannose and D-glucose,with acetonitrile-0.02 mol·L-1 ammonium acetate solution as mobile phase for gradient elution. Kromasil 100-5 C18 was performed with the wavelength set at 250 nm,and the flow rate was 1 mL·min-1;column temperature was 30℃. HPLC content determination of narinhenin was performed on Kromasil 100-5 C18 with the acetonitrile-methanol-0.4% phosphoric acid solution as mobile phase for gradient elution,and the wavelength was set at 290 nm; the flow rate was 0.8 mL·min-1,and column temperature was 40℃. Result: D-mannose and D-glucose showed a good linear relationship within the range of 0.15-3.0 μg and 0.075-2.25 μg (r=0.999 9); and their average recoveries were 99.01% (RSD 2.1%) and 101.69% (RSD 2.0%) respectively. In addition, the other methodological researches such as repeatability and durability all met the requirements. The contents of D-mannose(Cm),D-glucose(Cg) and sum of them (Cm+Cg) were 12.75%-36.40%,2.93%-18.39% and 19.23%-54.58% in 43 batch of D. officinale. Almost all of the results except very few samples reached the D-mannose standard in Ch.P 2015, and the total content of D-mannose and D-glucose was also up to the total polysccharide standard in Ch.P. The correlation between content and origin was not significant. The contents of D-mannose(Cm),D-glucose(Cg) and sum of them (Cm+Cg) were 14.33%-29.47%,6.64%-15.20%,and 25.73%-44.37% in 12 batch of D. huoshanense. These contents and ratio of peak areas of D-mannose to D-glucose (Am/Ag) were within the scope of D. officinale's; in addition, their average contents were basically the same with those in D. officinale (about 33%).Next,naringenin showed a good linear relationship within the range of 0.020 8-0.832 0 μg (r=0.999 9),and its average recovery was 101.96% (RSD 1.8%). The content of naringenin was 0.053 2-0.122 4 mg·g-1 (average value of 0.081 0 mg·g-1) in 11 batch of D. officinale, slightly higher than 0.040 3-0.090 0 mg ·g-1 (average value of 0.068 3 mg ·g-1) in 7 batch of D. huoshanense. All of these results of narinfenin did not reach the content lower limit in Ch.P. Conclusion: The method used to determinate the content of D-mannose and D-glucose is reproducible, and their sum content is possible to substitute the total polysccaride determination (with higher errors) in D. officinale; monosaccharide content determination can be used for quantitative quality control of D. huoshanense. However, it could not distinguish D. officinale and D. huoshanense by determining the contents of polysccharide,D-glucose,D-mannose and narinhenin, and shall be combined with other specificity methods for further identification.

Isolation and Identification of Main Flavonoid Glycosides of Dendrobium officinale from Danxia Species and Yunnan Guangnan Species / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To extract,isolate,purify and identify the structures of the flavonoid glycoside in Dendrobium officinale from two different origin places (Danxia species and Yunnan Guangnan species),and provide experimental reference for confirming the common flavonoid glycoside components in D. officinale. Method: ① 70% ethanol was applied to extract the total flavonoids in leaves of D. officinale from two different species. Organic solvents petroleum ether,acetic ether and water saturated n-butyl alcohol were used in turn to extract the crude extraction. Then AB-8 Macroporous resin,Sephadex LH-20 and ODS chromatographic column were applied to isolate and purify the water saturated n-butyl alcohol extraction fraction. The structures of flavonoid glycoside were identified by studying physicochemical property,applying modern spectroscopy method like HPLC,ESI-MSn,1H-NMR,13 C-NMR,etc. ② HPLC characteristic spectrum technique was used to analyse and compare the common flavonoid glycoside components in Dendrobium officinale from different origin places (Danxia species,Yunnan Guangnan species,Guangxi Tiepilan species and Zhejiang native species). Result: Five flavonoid glycoside compounds were isolated from the crude extractions of the leaves of D. officinale from two different species,and they were identified as rutin,vicenin Ⅱ,viceninⅠ,violanthin and isoviolanthin. The characteristic spectrum of vicenin Ⅱ and viceninⅠwere detected in stems of D. officinale from four different origin places (Danxia species,Yunnan Guangnan species,Guangxi Tiepilan species and Zhejiang native species),and vicenin Ⅱ had a better separation degree in the characteristic spectrum. However,the characteristic spectrum of violanthin and isoviolanthin were more obvious in Yunnan Guangnan species and Guangxi Tiepilan species,while rutin was obvious in the Danxia species. Conclusion: Vicenin Ⅱis the common flavonoid glycosides component in D. officinale from different origin places (Danxia species,Yunnan Guangnan species,Guangxi Tiepilan species and Zhejiang native species),and can be used as the internal reference material for the characteristic spectrum of D. officinale.

HPLC Characteristic Spectrum Optimization of Flavonoid Glycosides on Dendrobium officinale and Characteristics Analysis of Different Provenances / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To optimize the HPLC characteristic spectrum of flavonoid glycosides of Dendrobium officinale,and identify the common and specific components of different provenances. Method: Kromasil 100-5 C18 column was adopted, with tetrahydrofuran-acetonitrile-methanol (10:22:5)-0.05% phosphoric acid as mobile phase (gradient elution). The detection wavelength was 340 nm,the column temperature was 30℃,and the flow rate was 1.0 mL ·min-1. Result: 13 flavonoid characteristic peaks were marked in 27 batches of D. officinale,and 7 characteristic peaks of 6 flavonoid C-glycosides (vicenin Ⅱ,vicenin Ⅰ,schaftoside,isoschaftoside,violanthin and isoviolanthin) and one flavonoid O-glycosides (rutin) was identified. 7-11 characteristic peaks were detected in different batches of samples. Among them,vicenin Ⅱ was a relatively stable common peak in different source samples,and the characteristic peaks of rutin,schaftoside and isoschaftoside were quite different. According to the relative abundance of the characteristic peaks,the samples could be divided into three categories. Among them,the first category had 10 batches of samples,which mainly came from Danxia landforms of Guangdong,Jiangxi,Fujian and Zhejiang (Wuyi) Province (which called "Danxia landform species") and characterized by detection of obvious peak of rutin. The second category had 11 batches of samples,which mainly came from Yunnan and Guangxi Province (which included "Yunnan Guangnan species" and "Guangxi Tiepilan species") and characterized by detection of violanthin and isoviolanthin. And the third category had 6 batches of samples, which were mainly derived from Zhejiang Province (which called "native species from Zhejiang") and characterized by detection of different degrees of rutin peak, but it was difficult to detect the characteristic peaks of violanthin and isoviolanthin. HPLC characteristic chromatograms of D. officinale in bionics wild cultivation and greenhouse of "Danxia landform species" and "Guangxi Tiepilan species" were compared. The results showed that the characteristic peaks in D. officinale planted in greenhouse could be detected stably,which verified the reliability of the source in D. officinale. Conclusion: The analytical method has a better separation effect on flavonoids of D. officinale, with a good reproducibility. The commonness and specificities of flavonoid glycosides components of D. officinale from different categories have basically confirmed. This suggests that Vicenin Ⅱ is suitable to be a reference peak for characteristic chromatogram. Both the relative abundance of rutin and the detection or relative abundance of violanthin and isoviolanthin peaks could be used as a reference to judge the categories of D. officinale in "Danxia landform species" or "Tiepilan species from Yunnan, South Guangdong and Guangxi" or "native species from Zhejiang".

Effect of Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-refreshing acupuncture plus functional training on neural development in infants with brain damage / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effect of Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-refreshing acupuncture plus functional training on neural development in infants with brain damage and seek an effective method for early intervention of infantile brain damage.Methods:Eighty infants with brain injury were recruited and allocated to a treatment group and a control group by their visiting sequence,with 40 cases in each group.The control group received exercise training,40 min each session and 6 sessions a week,and tuina treatment,30 min each time and 6 times a week.Based on the treatment protocol for the control group,the treatment group additionally received Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-refreshing acupuncture,3 times a week and 10 sessions as a course at a 2-week interval.Before the treatment and after 14-week treatment,the gross motor function measure (GMFM) and developmental quotient (DQ) of Bejing Gesell developmental scale were used to evaluate the development of the infants.Results:After the treatment,the GMFM score and DQs of Gesell scale all increased by different levels in the two groups,and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05);the scores of the treatment group were superior to those of the control group,and the between-group differences were statistically significant (all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Governor Vessel-unblocking and mind-refreshing acupuncture plus functional training can significantly promote the development of gross motor and cognitive functions in infants with brain damage,and it is an early and effective intervention for infantile brain damage.

Clinical Observation of Tong Du Xing Shen Needling plus Functional Training for Brain Injury Syndrome / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To explore an effective method in intervening brain injury syndrome in early stage. Method Eighty patients with brain injury syndrome admitted to Child's Rehabilitation Department of Nanhai Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine during January 2016 and December 2016 were enrolled and randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 40 cases each. The control group was intervened by functional training, while the treatment group was intervened by Tong Du Xing Shen (unblocking the Governor Vessel and awakening the mind) needling based on the functional training. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated by using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) and Gesell Developmental Scales after 12-week treatment. Result After the treatment, the GMFM and Gesell scores increased after the treatment in both groups to different extent (P<0.05), and the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was superior to that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Tong Du Xing Shen needling plus functional training can significantly promote the development of the gross motor function and cognitive function of brain injury patients, and it's an effective intervention method in early stage of brain injury syndrome.

Therapeutic Observation of ZHU Lian's Acupuncture plus Wen Ren Tiao Shu Method in Treating Anovulatory Infertility / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the efficacy difference between ZHU Lian's acupuncture plusWen Ren Tiao Shu method (warming the Conception Vessel and regulating back-Shu points) and ovulation drugs in treating anovulatory infertility.Method Seventy patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases each. The control group was given ovulation triggering medications; the observation group was intervened by ZHU Lian's acupuncture plusWen Ren Tiao Shu method, with Tianshu (ST25), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Guanyuan (CV4), Xuehai (SP10), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Ganshu (BL18), Pishu (BL20), Sanjiaoshu (BL22) and Shenshu (BL23) selected, once per day, 10 sessions as a course of treatment. The two groups were observed for 3 menstrual cycles. The symptoms score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), menstruation score, basal body temperature (BBT), and ovulation rate by gynecological scanning were compared before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The TCM symptoms score changed significantly after the intervention in the observation group (P<0.05); the TCM symptoms score didn't show significant change after the treatment in the control group (P>0.05); after the treatment, there was a significant difference in comparing the symptoms score between the two groups (P<0.01); there was a significant difference in comparing the BBT between the two groups after the intervention (P<0.05); according to Chi-square test, after the treatment, the difference in ovulation rate between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05); the total effective rate was 94.3% in the observation group, higher than 82.9% in control group.ConclusionZHU Lian's acupuncture plusWen Ren Tiao Shu method can improve the symptoms of anovulatory fertility, increase the conception rate, and reduce adverse reactions; this method can produce a more significant efficacy than oral administration of Western medications in treating anovulatory fertility.

Therapeutic Observation of ZHU Lian's Acupuncture plus Wen Ren Tiao Shu Method in Treating Anovulatory Infertility / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the efficacy difference between ZHU Lian's acupuncture plusWen Ren Tiao Shu method (warming the Conception Vessel and regulating back-Shu points) and ovulation drugs in treating anovulatory infertility.Method Seventy patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 40 cases each. The control group was given ovulation triggering medications; the observation group was intervened by ZHU Lian's acupuncture plusWen Ren Tiao Shu method, with Tianshu (ST25), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Guanyuan (CV4), Xuehai (SP10), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Ganshu (BL18), Pishu (BL20), Sanjiaoshu (BL22) and Shenshu (BL23) selected, once per day, 10 sessions as a course of treatment. The two groups were observed for 3 menstrual cycles. The symptoms score of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), menstruation score, basal body temperature (BBT), and ovulation rate by gynecological scanning were compared before and after the treatment, and the clinical efficacies were compared between the two groups.Result The TCM symptoms score changed significantly after the intervention in the observation group (P<0.05); the TCM symptoms score didn't show significant change after the treatment in the control group (P>0.05); after the treatment, there was a significant difference in comparing the symptoms score between the two groups (P<0.01); there was a significant difference in comparing the BBT between the two groups after the intervention (P<0.05); according to Chi-square test, after the treatment, the difference in ovulation rate between the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.05); the total effective rate was 94.3% in the observation group, higher than 82.9% in control group.ConclusionZHU Lian's acupuncture plusWen Ren Tiao Shu method can improve the symptoms of anovulatory fertility, increase the conception rate, and reduce adverse reactions; this method can produce a more significant efficacy than oral administration of Western medications in treating anovulatory fertility.

Changes of fecal flora and its correlation with inflammatory indicators in patients with inflammatory bowel disease / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes in fecal flora and its correlation with the occurrence and progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected fresh fecal specimens from 167 IBD patients (including 113 with ulcerative colitis and 54 with Crohn's disease) and 54 healthy volunteers. The fecal flora was analyzed by gradient dilution method and the data of inflammatory markers including WBC, PLT, CRP and ESR were collected to assess the association between the fecal flora and the inflammatory markers.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The species Enterrococcus (6.60∓0.23, P<0.01), Saccharomyces (2.22∓0.27, P<0.05), Bacteriodes (5.57∓0.28, P<0.001), Bifidobacterium (5.08∓0.30, P<0.01), Peptococcus (6.22∓0.25, P<0.001), Lactobacillus (6.00∓0.26, P<0.001), and Clostridium (3.57∓0.30, P<0.05) all increased significantly, while Eubacterium (1.56∓0.24, P<0.01) reduced markedly in patients with ulcerative colitis compared with those in the control subjects. Enterrococcus (6.93∓0.28, P<0.01), Saccharomyces (2.73∓0.37, P<0.01), Bacteriodes (4.32∓0.52, P<0.05), Bifidobacterium (4.88∓0.42, P<0.05), Peptococcus (6.19∓0.32, P<0.01) and Lactobacillus (4.73∓0.47, P<0.001) all increased significantly and Eubacterium (1.01∓0.29, P<0.01) and Clostridium (0.87∓0.31, P<0.01) decreased in patients with Crohn's disease. The positivity rates of bacterial culture were consistent with the results of quantitative analysis of the fecal flora. The changes in fecal flora did not show a significant correlation with these inflammatory markers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IBD patients have fecal flora imbalance compared with the healthy controls, and this imbalance may contribute to the occurrence and progression of IBD. The decline of Eubacterium contributes to the occurrence and development of IBD.</p>

Pathologic changes of the palatopharyngeal muscles in adult patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pathology of palatopharyngeal muscle obtained from patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The samples from both groups were studied under HE, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-tetrazolium reductase (NADH- TR), modified Gomori trichrome (MGT) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) staining. There were 36 cases of OSAHS who received uvulopalatopharyngoplasty in the experimental group (including 6 mild, 6 moderate and 24 severe cases). There were 6 patients with chronic tonsillitis but without OSAHS as matched control group. Both groups were diagnosed by PSG.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Centralized located nuclei and obvious variability of the size of fiber types were observed in both groups. The occurrence rate of the former were 1/6 in control group and 52.8% (19/36) in OSAHS, while the rate of the latter were 4/6 and 58.3% (21/36)respectively. A large number of fibers in both groups (control group 5/6, OSAHS group 28/36) presented an irregularly distributed staining for oxidative activity reaction in NADH stain.Endomysium connective tissue proliferation, a lobular or motheaten appearance, target-like fibers, ragged red fiber (RRF) and muscle necrosis were only observed in OSAHS group.While it was more common in serious OSAHS patients. Dominance of type 1 fibers were observed in matched control group in ATPase stain. Clusters of type 2 fibers or clusters of both type fibers were observed in OSAHS, especially more common in serious OSAHS. There was a predominance of the type 2 fibers in some OSAHS patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The observation of HE and special muscular stain identified that palatopharyngeal muscle of OSAHS patients had pathological lesion. The pathological changes included muscular lesion and abnormal distribution of different fiber types, the rate of type 1 fiber which maintained the opening of upper air way decreased.</p>

Nifedipine induced autophagy through Beclin1 and mTOR pathway in endometrial carcinoma cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Endometrial carcinoma is one of the most common female tract genital malignant tumors. Nifedipine, an L-type calcium channel antagonist can inhibit cell proliferation of carcinomas. Recent studies indicated that a rise in the free cytosolic calcium ([Ca(2+)](c)) was a potent inducer of autophagy. Here, we investigated the relationship between nifedipine and autophagy in Hec-1A cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cells were cultured with nifedipine (10 µmol/L) and harvested at different times for counting cell number. MTT assay was applied to evaluate the cell viability and transwell assay to reveal cell migration. Apoptotic cells were detected with annexin V/PI assay. Then cells were treated with 3-methyladenine (3-MA) (2.5 mmol/L) for 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 120 minutes and the expression of the L-type calcium channel alpha1D (Cav1.3) protein was detected. At last, cells were cultured and assigned to four groups with different treatment: untreated (control group), 10 µmol/L nifedipine (N group), 2.5 mmol/L 3-MA (3-MA group), and 10 µmol/L nifedipine plus 2.5 mmol/L 3-MA (N+3MA group). Autophagy was detected with GFP-LC3 modulation by fluorescent microscopy, and expression of the autophagy-associated proteins (LC3, Beclin1 and P70s6K) by Western blotting and monodansylcadaverine (MDC) labeled visualization.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Proliferation of Hec-1A cells was obviously suppressed by nifedipine compared with that of the untreated cells for 24, 48, and 96 hours (P = 0.000 for each day). The suppression of migration ability of the nifedipine-treated cells (94.0 ± 8.2) was significantly different from that of the untreated cells (160.00 ± 9.50, P = 0.021). The level of early period cell apoptosis induced by nifedipine was (2.21 ± 0.19)%, which was (2.90 ± 0.13)% in control group (P = 0.052), whereas the late period apoptosis level reached (10.38 ± 0.96)% and (4.40 ± 0.60)% (P = 0.020), respectively. The 3-MA group induced a slight increase in the Cav1.3 levels within 15 minutes, but significantly attenuated the Cav1.3 levels after 30 minutes. There were more autophagic vacuoles labeled by MDC in the N group (20.63 ± 3.36) than the control group (6.29 ± 0.16, P = 0.015). GFP-LC3 localization revealed that the LC3 levels of cells in 3-MA group, N+3MA group, 3-MA group were 2.80 ± 0.29, 2.30 ± 0.17, and 1.80 ± 0.21, respectively. Cells in the N group showed significant augmentation of autophagy (P < 0.05). Western blotting analysis confirmed the down-regulation of LC3 levels in 3-MA group (0.85 ± 0.21) and N+3MA group (1.21 ± 0.12) compared with nifedipine treatment (2.64 ± 0.15, P < 0.05). The annexin-V-FITC/PI assay showed that the level of early period cell apoptosis induced in the N+3-MA group ((11.22 ± 0.91)%) differed significantly from that of the control group ((2.51 ± 0.70)%) and N group ((3.47 ± 0.39)%). Similarly, the late period level of the N+3-MA group ((55.19 ± 2.51)%) differed significantly from that of the control group ((15.81 ± 1.36)%) and the N group ((22.09 ± 2.48)%, P < 0.05). The down-regulated expression of P70s6k and up-regulated expression of the Beclin1 revealed significant differences between the N+3-MA group and control group (P = 0.025; Beclin1: P = 0.015).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Proliferation and migration in vitro of endometrial carcinoma Hec-1A cells are significantly suppressed by nifedipine. The nifedipine leads autophagy to oppose Hec-1A cells apoptosis. Autophagy inhibition by 3-MA leads down-regulation of Cav1.3 and enhances nifedipine-induced cell death. The nifedipine-induced autophagy is linked to Beclin1 and mTOR pathways.</p>

Effect of vascular endothelial growth factor on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell proliferation and the signaling mechanism / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) on bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) proliferation and explore the signaling mechanism involved.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MSC culture was performed following the classical whole bone marrow adhering method. The characteristics of MSC were identified by induction of multi-lineage differentiation and flow cytometry for surface marker analysis (CD34, CD45, CD29, and CD90). Following the addition of 50 nmol/L wortmannin, 50 µmol/L PD98059, 30 µmol/L SB203580, 10 µmol/L H89, 20 µmol/L Y27632, 1 µmol/L rapamycin, 10 µmol/L straurosporine, 6 nmol/L Go6976, or 50 µmol/L Pseudo Z inhibitors in the cell culture, the MSC were treated with 20 ng/ml VEGF and the changes of the cell proliferation rate was measured with MTT assay.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cultured MSC were capable of multi-linage differentiation and did not express VEGF-R, CD29 or CD90. Treatment with 20 ng/ml VEGF obviously promoted MSC proliferation, and this effect was inhibited partially by p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor rapamycin, PD98059, SB203580, Go6976, and straurosporine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>VEGF promotes MSC proliferation in close relation to the AKT-PKC pathway, in which PKC signal pathway may play the central role.</p>

Effect of baicalin on liver fatty acid binding protein in oxidative stress model in vitro / 中华肝脏病杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of baicalin on liver fatty acid binding protein in oxidative stress model in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>(1) Cellular oxidative stress in vitro was induced by incubating cells with 400μmol/L hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for 20 minutes at 37 degrees C in the dark. After Chang liver cell line was treated with different dose of baicalin for 24, 48 and 72 hours. MTT assay was employed to detect cell viability, and then the hydrogen peroxide (TC50) of the different dose of baicalin was calculated. (2) Based on MTT assay, cells were treated with three different doses of baicalin (25, 50, 100 μmol/L) for 24 and 48 hours before being exposed to 400 μmol/L H₂O₂ for 20 minutes at 37 degrees C. Then, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay and activity assays of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH) were evaluated. (3) Realtime PCR and Western blotting were applied to explore the influence of baicalin on the expression level of L-FABP. (4) One-way ANOVA was used for results statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>(1) MTT assay showed baicalin treatment at 25, 50, 100 μmol/L for 24 and 48 hours was feasible (83.60% ± 3.47%, 72.36% ± 2.18%, 70.16% ± 2.04% for 24 hours; 84.93% ± 3.11%, 76.16% ± 2.45%, 72.72% ± 2.31% for 48 hours, P > 0.05, F = 386.24, 475.92 respectively). Meanwhile, we found by the linear regression model that the median toxic concentration of baicalin for 48 hours was 170.6 μmol/L, and the median toxic concentration of baicalin for 24 hours was 153.2 μmol/L. (2) ROS assay showed dichlorofluorescin in all baicalin-treated cells after stress was significantly reduced (37.0 ± 3.30, 22.90 ± 3.84, 29.60 ± 2.52 for 24 hours respectively, P < 0.05, F = 70.06; 35.77 ± 2.35, 21.80 ± 3.10, 23.87 ± 1.98 for 48 hours respectively, P < 0.05, F = 110.92) as compared with the H₂O₂-treated cells. Moreover, 50 μmol/L baicalin treatment for 48 hours was the optimal condition against ROS generation (21.80 ± 3.10, P < 0.01, F = 110.92). Furthermore, the activities of intracellular SOD and GSH was increased significantly (51.53 ± 1.91 μg/mg for SOD, P < 0.05, F = 93.81; 49.85 ± 1.45 U/mg for GSH, P < 0.05, F = 92.51). (3) Although realtime PCR analysis indicated 50 μmol/L baicalin treatment for 48 hours could have no changes of the level of L-FABP expression under the oxidative stress condition, western blotting analysis indicated 50 μmol/L baicalin treatment for 48 hours could increase up to about 80% for the level of L-FABP expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Baicalin was suggested to be able to enhance both L-FABP expression and activity of intracellular SOD and GSH, and therefore protected hepatocytes from oxidative stress.</p>

Association of MLH1 gene 415G/C polymorphism with colorectal cancer in Chinese / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the possible etiological role of MLH1 gene 415G/C polymorphism in sporadic Chinese colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ninety-seven sporadic CRC patients and 138 normal controls were collected from Hubei Provincial Cancer Hospital and the People's Hospital of Wuhan University. In addition, five CRC families including 6 patients and their 19 first-degree relatives were also recruited. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples. Gene mutation was analyzed by PCR-RFLP. MLH1 mRNA expression in colorectal mucosa was analyzed by RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequency of MLH1 gene CC genotype was significantly higher in sporadic CRC patients than that in controls (P=0.035, OR=5.29, 95% CI: 1.07-26.04). In the CRC families, the C allele frequency of CRC patients and their relatives was increased, compared with sporadic CRC patients and normal controls, respectively (P=0.003 and P=0.006). MLH1 mRNA expression of colorectal mucosa was similar in different genotypes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MLH1 gene 415G/C polymorphism might be a risk factor to sporadic CRC in Chinese. The mutation does not affect the MLH1 mRNA expression. For first-degree relatives from CRC families, carriers of MLH1 415C allele have a high risk to CRC.</p>

In vivo anti-obesity effect of the agonist for receptor VPAC1 / 生理学报

It was hypothesized that the VPAC1 agonist may exert anti-obesity functions because VPAC1 is involved in the anorexigenic effects and the anti-inflammatory function of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)/vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP). Furthermore, our in vitro test showed that the expression of VPAC1 increased significantly after the 3T3-L1 adipocytes were differentiated, and that incubation of adipocytes with VPAC1 agonist (10-1 000 nmol/L per 1x10(6) cells) resulted in stimulation of lipolysis. To test the effect of VPAC1 agonist [Lys15, Arg16, Leu27]-VIP (1-7) GRF (8-27) on diet-induced obesity (DIO), we further designed the following two in vivo experiments: (1) Mice were fed on high-fat diet (HFD) and intraperitoneally (i.p.) treated with VPAC1 agonist simultaneously for 28 d; (2) Mice were given HFD for 35 d, and subsequently fed on the same HFD and i.p. treated with VPAC1 agonist for the next 28 d. The physiological indices, including body weight, weight of white adipose tissue, plasma glucose and blood lipid, were collected. The results showed that treatment with VPAC1 agonist inhibited ingestion significantly and prevented the elevations in body weight and the weights of the white adipose tissues (epididymal and dorsal) induced by HFD. The increases in plasma glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL induced by HFD were also down-regulated in mice treated with VPAC1 agonist. VPAC1 agonist treatment also improved the glucose tolerance. Therefore, VPAC1 agonist treatment inhibits the development of the obesity induced by HFD and helps to improve the morbidities associated with DIO.

Study of HPLC-DAD fingerprint on complex traditional Chinese medicine proprietary preparation-Baoji pills / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Based on 'Back-tracking' method, identification and quality evaluation of complex traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation of Baoji pills (BJP) were carried out by HPLC fingerprint analysis.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>HPLC-DAD fingerprint of BJP was conducted with Zorbax SB-C18 column and non-linear elution with the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile-0.5% glacial acetic acid at column temperature 30 degrees C and detective wavelengths of 250 nm and 283 nm. From the established chromatographic pattern of BJP, track backward to the corresponding crude herbal drugs in the formula, attribution ofmost peaks in the BJP fingerprint can be disclosed.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The BJP HPLC fingerprint consisted of 44 peaks among which 35 peaks were assigned by parallel comparison with the fingerprint of the 10 corresponding crude drugs in the formula such as pueraria, pummelo peel, and magnolia bark, etc. and 22 peaks we reidentified by comparison with the chemical reference substances.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The established HPLC fingerprint represents the whole character of BJP, which enhanced the specialty for control and assessment of the product quality. It exemplified much more effective for quality control than selecting any marker for qualitative or quantitative testing target. And the Back-tracking' experimental method extended the study mentality for complex formula TCM products chromatographic fingerprinting analysis.</p>

HPLC fingerprinting of radix paeoniae alba / 药学学报

To establish a sensitive and specific HPLC method for quality control of Radix Paeoniae Alba, HPLC method was applied for quality assessment of Radix Paeoniae Alba. HPLC analysis was performed on a Symmetry C18 column (250 mm x 4. 6 mm ID, 5 microm, Waters, USA). The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (solvent A) and water containing 0.1% (v/v) phosphoric acid (solvent B) at a constant flow rate of 0.8 mL x min(-1). An increasing linear gradient (v/v) of solvent A was used (t/min, % A): (0,10), (5,10), (25,15), (45, 22), (46, 65), (50, 80) and (60, 80). The column temperature was set at 25 degrees C. The chromatograms were monitored at 230 nm and the on-line UV spectra were recorded in the range of 190 - 400 nm. The HPLC chromatographic fingerprinting of Radix Paeoniae Alba, showing 11 characteristic peaks, was established from 28 lots of Radix Paeoniae Alba. The areas of main chromatographic peaks were found to complied with the following rule: paeoniflorin > 1, 2, 3, 4, 6-penta-O-galloyl-glucos > albiflorin > methyl gallate > other compounds. The chromatographic fingerprinting of Radix Paeoniae Alba with high specificity can be used to control its quality and assure lot-to-lot consistency.

Preparation and Identification of Recombinant Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / 中国生物工程杂志

In order to prepare the recombinant vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) using intein mediated rapid purification system,the cDNA encoding the recombinant VIP was designed and synthesized according to the preference of E.coli,and then was cloned into the expression vector PTWIN. The recombinant plasmid PTWIN-VIP was transformed into expression host E.coli strain ER2566.The fusion protein consisting of the recombinant VIP,intein and chitin binding domain was expressed and purified by chitin affinity chromatography. The target peptide was released from the fusion protein by changing the temperature and the pH of the cleavage buffer. The molecular weight of the recombinant VIP was determined by the mass spectrometry and the results was conformity with the theoretical value. The preliminary bioactivity assay indicated that the recombinant VIP decreased the serum resistin levels significantly in LPS-induced acute inflammation. The preparation and the characterization of anti-inflammatory effects of the recombinant VIP layed the foundation for its further application.