Astragalin inhibits airway inflammation in asthma through NOX2/ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the effect of astragalin (AG) on airway inflammation in asthmatic mice and its mechanism. Methods Fifty SPF male mice were randomly divided into normal group, asthma model group, and astragalin low (AG25), medium (AG50), and high (AG100) dose groups. A mouse model of asthma was prepared by egg albumin inhalation, the number of cells was counted by Diff-Quik staining after collecting bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and IL4, 5, and 13 levels in BALF were measured by ELISA. The inflammatory changes in mouse lung tissues were observed using HE staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using a DCFH-DA probe, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured by colorimetry. IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, NOX2, p47phox, p-NF-κBp65, NF-κBp65, IκBα, p-IκBα and β-actin expressions in lung tissues were detected by Western blot. Results AG significantly reduced the number of inflammatory cells and total cells in BALF, decreased IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 contents in BALF and lung tissues, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues. AG inhibited nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX2) and p47phox expression, decreased ROS levels and MDA levels, increased SOD activity, and inhibited IκBα and NF-κBp65 phosphorylation. Conclusion AG attenuates airway inflammation in asthma by modulating the oxidative stress response through the NOX2/ROS/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Dissolution kinetics of Compound Danshen Tablets based on cell bioelectrical sensing effect / 中草药

Objective: Establishing the model of cell bioelectrical sensing effect of Compound Danshen Tablets to study its dissolution kinetics. Methods: By means of real-time cell-based assay, the in vitro dissolution of Compound Danshen Tablets can be investigated, and then the dissolution kinetics model can also be established. In addition, the result was compared and verified by UV-Vis. Results: The cell line with specific dependence on Compound Danshen Tablets was screened by CCK-8 experiment and RTCA experiment. The dissolution kinetics model of Compound Danshen Tablets based on RTCA technology was established, and the best fitting model was obtained: Weibull model ln{ln[1/(1-Q)] =1.071 4 lnt-3.736 7; Establish a dissolution kinetic model of Compound Danshen Tablets based on UV spectrophotometry to obtain the best fitting model, Weibull model ln{ln[1/(1-Q)]}=1.080 4 lnt-3.723 4; Comparing the two Weibull models, the RTCA fitted model worked better. Conclusion: The application of RTCA in the dissolution kinetics of traditional Chinese medicine compound solid preparations is feasible, Which provides new ideas for traditional Chinese medicines and the quality evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine compunds.

Simulated microgravity conditions and carbon ion irradiation induce spermatogenic cell apoptosis and sperm DNA damage / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of simulated microgravity and carbon ion irradiation (CIR) on spermatogenic cell apoptosis and sperm DNA damage to the testis of male Swiss Webster mice, and assess the risk associated with space environment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sperm DNA damage indicated by DNA fragmentation index (DFI) and high DNA stainability (HDS) was measured by sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA). Apoptosis of spermatogenic cells was detected by annexin V-propidium iodide assay. Bax (the expression levels of p53) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were measured by immunoblotting; p53 and PCNA were located by immunohistology.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HDS, DFI, apoptosis index, and the expression levels of p53 and Bax were detected to be significantly higher in the experimental groups (P<0.05) compared with those in the control group; however, the PCNA expression varied to a certain degree. p53- and PCNA- positive expression were detected in each group, mainly in relation to the spermatogonic cells and spermatocytes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The findings of the present study demonstrated that simulated microgravity and CIR can induce spermatogenic cell apoptosis and sperm DNA damage. Sperm DNA damage may be one of the underlying mechanisms behind male fertility decline under space environment. These findings may provide a scientific basis for protecting astronauts and space traveler's health and safety.</p>

The morphological study on masseter muscle following mandibular angle osteotomy / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the morphological change of masseter after the mandibular angle osteotomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Computerized tomography (CT) examination was performed on 120 patients treated by mandibular angle osteotomy before operation and at 3, 6, 12 months after operation, respectively. The pre- and postoperative masseter muscle thickness and cross-sectional area were evaluated using 3D CT images observed from 3 selected slice planes, which were paralleled with Frankfurt horizontal plane. These CT images were stored and three-dimensional reconstruction were made for calculation of masseter muscle volume through software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After operation, the reduction of the masseter muscle volume and cross-sectional area was seen. The volume of the masseter at 3, 6, 12 months postoperatively decreased to 82.02%, 77.00% and 80.43% (P < 0.05). The cross-sectional area at 3, 6,12 months postoperatively decreased to 85.81%, 78.86% and 81.56% at A plane, 80.94%, 75.03% and 77.04% at B plane, and reached to 13.46%, 11.48% and 13.89% at C plane (P < 0.05, P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The masseter thickness after operation was significantly different from that before operation during the follow-up period, but not at 12 months after operation at A plane.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The masseter atrophy happens spontaneously after mandibular angle osteotomy, especially at the region of mandibular angle. It should be considered during surgical design.</p>

A design of a portable acquistion system for autonomic nervous function data / 中国医疗器械杂志

In this paper, a design of the portable acquisition system for autonomic nervous function data based on the microcontroller is introduced. The system contains an electrocardiogram amplifier and an AD convertor, using SD memory card as its storage device and thus it can record data for a longer time and exchange data with PC easily. The system with a simple structure realizes its miniaturization and low energy consumption.