Cloning and expression analysis of U6 promoters in Panax quinquefolius / 中国中药杂志

The U6 promoter is an important element driving sgRNA transcription in the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Seven PqU6 promo-ter sequences were cloned from the gDNA of Panax quinquefolium, and the transcriptional activation ability of the seven promoters was studied. In this study, seven PqU6 promoter sequences with a length of about 1 300 bp were cloned from the adventitious roots of P. quinquefolium cultivated for 5 weeks. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyze the sequence characteristics of PqU6 promoters, and the fusion expression vectors of GUS gene driven by PqU6-P were constructed. Tobacco leaves were transformed by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated method for activity detection. The seven PqU6 promoters were truncated from the 5'-end to reach 283, 287, 279, 289, 295, 289, and 283 bp, respectively. The vectors for detection of promoter activity were constructed with GUS as a reported gene and used to transform P. quinquefolium callus and tobacco leaves. The results showed that seven PqU6 promoter sequences(PqU6-1P to PqU6-7P) were cloned from the gDNA of P. quinquefolium, with the length ranged from 1 246 bp to 1 308 bp. Sequence comparison results showed that the seven PqU6 promoter sequences and the AtU6-P promoter all had USE and TATA boxes, which are essential elements affecting the transcriptional activity of the U6 promoter. The results of GUS staining and enzyme activity test showed that all the seven PqU6 promoters had transcriptional activity. The PqU6-7P with a length of 1 269 bp had the highest transcriptional activity, 1.31 times that of the positive control P-35S. When the seven PqU6 promoters were truncated from the 5'-end(PqU6-1PA to PqU6-7PA), their transcriptional activities were different in tobacco leaves and P. quinquefolium callus. The transcriptional activity of PqU6-7PA promoter(283 bp) was 1.59 times that of AtU6-P promoter(292 bp) when the recipient material was P. quinquefolium callus. The findings provide more ideal endogenous U6 promoters for CRISPR/Cas9 technology in ginseng and other medicinal plants.

Protective effects of ginsenosides on macrophages subjected to simulated weightlessness / 数字中医药（英文）

@#[Objective] To investigate the evolution of inflammation under conditions and the effects of ginsenosides on macrophages subjected to the simulated weightlessness, with the aim of mitigating the inflammation. [Methods] Initially, genes related to weightlessness, inflammation, and immunity were identified in the GeneCards database. Then, Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interaction Gene/Proteins (STRING) protein network analysis was conducted to determine the core targets involved in the weightlessness-induced inflammation. Subsequently, Label-Free Quantitative (LFQ) proteomics was carried out to discern the distinctive genes within ginsenoside-treated Tohoku Hospital Pediatrics-1 (THP-1) cells. Next, utilizing the outcomes of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses, the biological processes and signaling pathways in which ginsenosides predominately engaged were scrutinized, and the primary targets of ginsenosides in combating weightlessness-induced inflammation were examined. Finally, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was performed to detect the secretion levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced THP-1 cells under simulated weightlessness conditions, as well as during the weightlessness recovery period following treatment with ginsenosides. [Results] A total of 2 933 genes associated with inflammation, 425 genes linked to weightlessness, and 4 564 genes connected to immunity were retrieved from the GeneCards database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were generated to identify pivotal targets associated with weightlessness-induced inflammation such as IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, and albumin (ALB). It was found that ginsenosides primarily participated in the regulation of various inflammationrelated signaling pathways and pathways related to pathogenic microorganism infections. Moreover, it has a significant impact on the expression of proteins such as cluster of differentiation 40 (CD40), IL-1β, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1). As revealed in the simulated weightlessness cell test, ginsenosides exhibited a remarkable capacity to attenuate the secretion of inflammatory factors, specifically IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.000 1), in THP-1 macrophages following induction by LPS under simulated weightlessness conditions. In addition, it reduced the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α (P < 0.000 1) during the weightlessness recovery phase [Conclusion] Weightlessness can disrupt several inflammation-related signaling pathways, but ginsenosides were shown to mitigate the release of various inflammatory factors in macrophages subjected to simulated weightlessness, thereby exerting a protective role against inflammation. This study has laid a theoretical groundwork for further exploring the potential application of ginsenosides in safeguarding against LPS induced inflammation in a weightlessness environment.

Neuropathologic damage induced by radiofrequency ablation at different temperatures

Abstract Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of neuropathologic damage induced by radiofrequency ablation at different temperatures. Methods This is basic research, and 36 SD rats were used to construct the neuropathological injury model. The rats were subjected to radiofrequency stimulation at different temperatures and were divided into 6 groups according to the temperature injury: 42°, 47°, 52°, 57°, 62°, and 67°C groups. Conduction time, conduction distance, and nerve conduction velocity were recorded after temperature injury. HE-staining was used to observe the histopathological morphology of the sciatic nerve. The expression of SCN9A, SCN3B, and NFASC protein in sciatic nerve tissue were detected by western blot. Results With the increase in temperature, nerve conduction velocity gradually decreased, and neurons were damaged when the temperature was 67°C. HE-staining showed that the degrees of degeneration of neurons in rats at 47°, 52°, 57°, 62°, and 67°C were gradually increased. The expression of SCN9A, SCN3B protein in 57°, 62°, 67°C groups were much higher than that of NC, 42°, 47°, 52°C groups. However, the expression of NFASC protein in 57°, 62°, 67°C groups was much lower than that of the NC, 42°, 47°, 52°C groups. Conclusion There was a positive correlation between temperature caused by the radiofrequency stimulation to neuropathological damage. The mechanism is closely related to the expression of SCN9A, SCN3B, and NFASC protein in nerve tissue caused by heat transfer injury.

In vitro and in vivo study of the pathogenic role of PPARα in experimental periodontitis

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study is to investigate the pathogenic role of PPARα in periodontal antigen treated gingival cells in vitro and in experimental periodontitis in vivo . Methodology Gingival fibroblasts, gingival epithelial cells and splenocytes were isolated from C57BL/6J wild type (WT) mice and treated with fixed P. gingivalis at for 48 hours. The mRNA levels of PPARs, TNFα, IL-1β and IL-10 were detected by Real-time quantitative PCR. Silk ligatures after being soaked in the P.gingivalis suspension were tied around both maxillary second molars of WT mice or PPARα knock-out (KO) mice for two weeks. PPARα agonist fenofibrate and vehicle control were injected into the different side of the palatal gingiva on days 3, 6, and 9. At day 14, bone resorption and gingival mRNA expression levels of PPARs, TNFα, IL-1β and IL-10 were measured by micro-computed tomography and RT-qPCR respectively. Results P. gingivalis treatment downregulated the expression of PPARα, but not PPARβ or PPARγ, and increased the expression of TNF-α and IL-1β in Gingival fibroblasts, gingival epithelial cells and splenocytes from WT mice. Gingival mRNA levels of PPARα were significantly decreased in experimental periodontitis in WT mice. The bone loss of PPARα KO mice in experimental periodontitis was significantly higher than WT mice and was not reduced by fenofibrate treatment. Gingival TNFα protein expressions were significantly increased by P. gingivalis associated ligation and decreased by fenofibrate treatment in WT mice but not in PPARα KO mice. Conclusion This study suggests that PPARα plays an essential role in periodontitis.

Therapeutic potential of PPARα agonist in ligature-induced experimental periodontitis

Abstract Inflammation-related immune responses and bone metabolism lead to extensive tooth loss in periodontitis. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) alpha agonist anti-inflammatory treatment in vitro and in ligature-induced experimental periodontitis in vivo . Methodology: Splenocytes were isolated from C57BL/6J mice and cultured for 48 hours under the following conditions: control, P. gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (1 µg/ml); experimental, LPS (1 µg/ml) + PPARα agonist (fenofibrate) at 1, 10, 50, 100 µM. MRNA and secreted protein levels of TNF-α expression were detected by RT-qPCR and ELISA, respectively. Silk ligatures (7-0) were tied around maxillary second molars of C57BL/6J mice for two weeks. Optimized doses of fenofibrate (50 µM) and vehicle control were injected into the contralateral side of the palatal gingiva on days three, six, and nine. At day 14, bone resorption, osteoclastogenesis, and gingival mRNA expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and RANKL/OPG were measured by micro-computed tomography, Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, and Real-time quantitative PCR, respectively. Results: TNF-α expression in cultured spleen cells were significantly increased in the presence of LPS, when compared with the control group, and significantly reduced by fenofibrate treatment in a dose-dependent manner from 1-100 µM (p<0.05). Gingival mRNA levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and the ratio of RANKL/OPG, were significantly decreased after injection of fenofibrate, when compared to the control side (p<0.05). Periodontal bone loss and TRAP positive cell formation were significantly decreased on the side with an injection of fenofibrate, as compared to the control side (p<0.05). Conclusions: An anti-inflammatory treatment, PPARα agonist, inhibited inflammation and periodontal bone loss in ligature-induced experimental periodontitis.

The therapeutic mechanism of Shenyuan Gan in lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation in BV2 microglial cells / 数字中医药（英文）

@#Objective To study the therapeutic effects of Shenyuan Gan (参远苷, SYG) on the inflammatory response in BV2 microglial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Methods The cytotoxicity of SYG to BV2 microglial cells was evaluated using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, and the effect of SYG concentrations on LPS-induced BV2 microglial cells was studied. The morphological changes were observed using an optical microscope. The nitric oxide (NO) concentration in cell culture supernatant was determined using Griess reagent. The expression of cytokines and inflammatory mediators were also measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Western blot analysis was used to determine the levels of inducible NO synthase (iNOS), nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65, alpha inhibitor of NF-κB (IκB-α), phosphorylation-IκB-α (p-IκB-α), NOD-like receptor 3 (NLRP3), and caspase-1 expression. Moreover, the expression of iNOS, NLRP3, and ionized calcium binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) was also observed using immunofluorescent staining. Results SYG had a low cytotoxic effect on BV2 microglial cells and could significantly decr-ease LPS-induced morphological changes of BV2 microglial cells (P < 0.05). ELISA results showed that SYG significantly inhibited the LPS-induced increase in interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 in BV2 microglia cells (P < 0.05), and Western blot analysis showed that the phosphorylation levels of iNOS, NF-κB p65, and IκB-α as well as NLRP3 and caspase-1 expression were also significantly decreased, and IκB-α expression was increased after SYG treatment (P < 0.05, compared with the LPS-treated group). The immunofluorescence results were consistent with the Western blot results, and Iba1 staining indicated that the cell morphology tended to be resting. These results indicate that SYG has a certain inhibitory effect on LPS-induced inflammation in BV2 microglial cells. Conclusion SYG can inhibit LPS-induced release of inflammatory factors in BV2 microglial cells by affecting the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 and IκB-α. SYG is a valuable candidate for treating neuroinflammation-related diseases.

Research progress of posterior seleral staphyloma in high myopia / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#High myopia complicated with fundus lesions is one of irreversible blinding eye diseases. Posterior seleral staphyloma(PSS)is one of the most basic pathologies in a series of complications of high myopia. This article reviews the pathogenesis, examination methods, classification and treatment of PSS in high myopia by sorting out domestic and foreign literature, providing a better understanding of the prevention and control of PSS.

CircRNA has_circ_0001806 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression via the miR-193a-5p/MMP16 pathway

Reportedly, circular RNAs (circRNAs) are crucial regulators in cancer progression. Nonetheless, the molecular mechanism of circRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has not been fully clarified. Gene expression omnibus (GEO) database was employed to screen out the differentially expressed circRNAs in HCC. qRT-PCR and western blot were executed to detect circ_0001806 expression, miR-193a-5p expression, and MMP16 mRNA and protein expressions in HCC. The effect of circ_0001806 on HCC was analyzed by the CCK-8 method and Transwell experiment. RIP assay, pull-down experiment, and dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment were applied to validate the targeting relationships among circ_0001806, miR-193a-5p, and MMP16. Circ_0001806 was up-modulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. Knockdown of circ_0001806 impeded the multiplication, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Circ_0001806 could up-regulate MMP16 expression through repressing miR-193a-5p, thereby facilitating the malignant biological behaviors of HCC. Circ_0001806 promoted HCC progression by regulating miR-193a-5p/MMP16 axis.

A predicted protein functional network aids in novel gene mining for characteristic secondary metabolites in tea plant (Camellia sinensis)

Modeling a protein functional network in concerned species is an efficient approach for identifying novel genesin certain biological pathways. Tea plant (Camellia sinensis) is an important commercial crop abundant innumerous characteristic secondary metabolites (e.g., polyphenols, alkaloids, alkaloids) that confer tea qualityand health benefits. Decoding novel genes responsible for tea characteristic components is an important basisfor applied genetic improvement and metabolic engineering. Herein, a high-quality protein functional networkfor tea plant (TeaPoN) was predicted using cross-species protein functional associations transferring andintegration combined with a stringent biological network criterion control. TeaPoN contained 31,273 nonredundant functional interactions among 6,634 tea proteins (or genes), with general network topologicalproperties such as scale-free and small-world. We revealed the modular organization of genes related to themajor three tea characteristic components (theanine, caffeine, catechin) in TeaPoN, which served as strongevidence for the utility of TeaPoN in novel gene mining. Importantly, several case studies regarding geneidentification for tea characteristic components were presented. To aid in the use of TeaPoN, a concise webinterface for data deposit and novel gene screening was developed (http://teapon.wchoda.com). We believe thatTeaPoN will serve as a useful platform for functional genomics studies associated with characteristic secondarymetabolites in tea plant.

Prognostic impacts of marital status on patients with buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma / 口腔疾病防治

Objective@# To explore the influence of marital status on the survival of patients with buccal mucosa squamous cell carcinoma (BMSCC) and to provide a scientific basis for risk assessment and nursing decisions for these patients.@*Methods @# A total of 1 006 BMSCC participants were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results(SEER) database. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to evaluate the effect of marital status (married, unmarried and unhappily married) on the survival of patients with buccal squamous cell carcinoma. The independent prognostic effect of marital status was further determined by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis.@*Results@# Marital status was an independent prognostic factor for BMSCC patients (P=0.001). Married patients had the best survival, while separated/divorced/widowed patients had the worst survival (HR=1. 445, P=0.001), and never married patients had an intermediate risk (HR=1.297, P=0.040).@*Conclusion@#Marital status was an independent prognostic factor for BMSCC patients. Unmarried and unhappily married patients had worse survival, which suggests that we should pay more attention to patients’ marital status, especially unmarried and unhappily married patients.

Effect of long-snake moxibustion on nonspecific low back pain with symptom of cold and dampness / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical therapeutic effect of long-snake moxibustion and ginger-partitioned moxibustion at point on nonspecific low back pain (NLBP) with symptom of cold and dampness.@*METHODS@#A total of 120 patients were randomized into a long-snake moxibustion group, an ashi point group and a waiting for treatment group, 40 cases in each one. Ginger-partitioned moxibustion was applied from Dazhui (GV 14) to Yaoshu (GV 2) of governor vessel in the long-snake moxibustion group, and was applied at point of affected area in the ashi point group, 40 min each time, once every other day and totally 8 times were required. No intervention was adopted in the waiting for treatment group, and after the trial, long-snake moxibustion was applied. Before and after treatment, the visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of rest and activity, the Oswestry disability index (ODI) score and the score of cold and dampness symptom were observed in the 3 groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the VAS scores of rest and activity, the ODI scores and the scores of cold and dampness symptom after treatment were decreased in the long-snake moxibustion group and the ashi point group (<0.05). After treatment, the variations of the above indexes in the long-snake moxibustion group and the ashi point group were larger than those in the waiting for treatment group (<0.05), and the variations of the above indexes in the long-snake moxibustion group were larger than those in the ashi point group (<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Long-snake moxibustion can effectively improve the pain, dysfunction and the symptom of cold and dampness in patients with nonspecific low back pain, and the improvement is superior to the ginger-partitioned moxibustion at point.

Anti-allergic rhinitis effects of caffeoylquinic acids from the fruits of Xanthium strumarium in rodent animals via alleviating allergic and inflammatory reactions

Abstract The fruits of Xanthium strumarium L., Asteraceae, have been used for various diseases in Chinese folk medicine, including allergic rhinitis, tympanitis, arthritis, ozena etc. The current study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of caffeoylquinic acids from fruits of X. strumarium on allergic rhinitis in animals. The toxicity test indicated that the caffeoylquinic acids have no obvious toxicity. By using HPLC assays combined with reference standards, ten caffeoylquinic acids were identified as the predominant constituents. Anti-allergic activities of the caffeoylquinic acids were evaluated using passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test and Schultz-Dale test; dimethylbenzene induced ear edema test was performed to evaluate its anti-inflammatory effect. Then, the allergic rhinitis model in rats was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the caffeoylquinic acids against allergic rhinitis with the following indexes: allergic rhinitis symptom scores, serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, histopathological examination, and histamine release. Our study revealed that the caffeoylquinic acids showed obvious anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties, and its treatments were beneficial for ameliorating the nasal symptoms, decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting the releases of histamine. Collectively, the caffeoylquinic acids might be utilized as effective and safe disease therapeutic agents for allergic rhinitis.

Effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on mental health of high school students:based on the dual-factor model of mental health / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#Based on the dual-factor model of mental health, this study aims to explore the effects of acceptance and commitment therapy on the mental health of high school students.@*Methods@#During Oct. to Nov. 2017, General Health Questionnaire12(GHQ-12) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale21(DASS-21) was administered among 543 high school students from a middle school in Nanchang. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 high school students were screened and were randomly assigned to the intervention group and control group, respectively. The intervention group received one intervention (1.5 h) per week for 8 weeks. The control group did not receive the intervention. Pre-and post-intervention assessment were conducted using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-2nd Edition (AAQ-II), the Cognitive Fusion Questionnaire-Fusion (CFQ-F), the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), the Positive Affect Scale (PAS), the GHQ-12, and the DASS-21.@*Results@#After intervention, the post-test scores of AAQ-II, CFQ-F, GHQ-12, and DASS-21 in the intervention group significantly decreased (t=2.91, 2.47, 4.91, 4.42, P<0.05) and the post-test score on PAS significantly increased (t=-5.27, P<0.01). There were no statistical changes in AAQ-II, CFQ-F, GHQ-12, and DASS-21 scores in the control group after intervention (t=-1.25, -0.09, -0.61, -0.69, -0.81, P>0.05).@*Conclusion@#Acceptance and commitment therapy can effectively improve the psychological flexibility and positive emotions, as well as alleviate general psychological distress and negative emotions, and promote the improvement of mental health of high school students.

Multi-Epitope Fusion Protein Eg mefAg-1 as a Serodiagnostic Candidate for Cystic Echinococcosis in Sheep

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) in sheep is a hazardous zoonotic parasitic disease that is caused by Echinococcus granulosus (Eg). At present, serological test is an important diagnostic method for Eg infection in domestic animals. Here, a fusion protein Eg mefAg-1 harboring 8 dominant B-cell epitopes of Eg such as antigen B, tetraspanin 1, tetraspanin 6, reticulon and Eg95 was produced in E. coli and evaluated for CE in sheep by indirect ELISA. Eg mefAg-1 showed in ELISA a high sensitivity (93.41%) and specificity (99.31%), with a coincidence rate of 97.02%. Overall, it is suggested that the Eg mefAg-1 could be a potential antigen candidate for CE serodiagnosis in sheep.

Simultaneous Determination of Ten Banned Substances in Pig Urine by Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry / 分析化学

A simple, sensitive and reliable method was developed for simultaneous determination of ten banned drugs residues including zeranols(ZALs),chloroamphenicol,pentachlorophenol,etc. in swine urine using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The urine samples were pretreated using lyophilization and QuEChERS procedures, respectively. Acetonitrile and ammonium acetate (5 mmol/L) were chosen as mobile phases. Target compounds were separated well in ZorbaxSB-C18by following the optimized gradient elution program and determined by LC-MS/MS in negative electrospray ionization mode. The linearity of the matrix-matched standard curve of ten analytes in two methods was good in the range of the experimental concentration with correlation coefficients more than 0.99. The recoveries of ten drugs were in the range of 80.7%-107.7% and 73.5%-103.3% at the spiked levels of 5,10 and 20 μg/L by lyophilization and QuEChERS methods,respectively. The coefficients of variation were less than 15%. The limits of detection (LOD) and the limits of quantification (LOQ) from lyophilization and QuEChERS method were 0.1 to 2.0 μg/L and 0.2 to 5.0 μg/L,respectively.

Research on level of serum lipid metabolism related hormones in patients of obstructive sleep apnoea hypoxia syndrome combine with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective: To assess the level of serum lipid metabolism related hormones in the patients of obstructive sleep apnoea hypoxia syndrome (OSAHS) combine with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and explore the potential role in the pathogenesis. Methods: Patients that main complaint for snoring were selected. According to polysomnography and NAFLD screening, the patients were divided as follows: OSAHS+NAFLD group, OSAHS group, NAFLD group, and control group, and the levels of serum lipid metabolism related hormones were measured. The patients with OSAHS were divided into three groups, i.e., mild, moderate and severe groups according to the degree of apnea hypopnea index (AHI) and minimal oxyhemoglobin saturation (MinSaO2) respectively. The statistical analysis about the morbidity of NAFLD in the patients with different OSAHS severity were analyzed. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of NAFLD. Results: Significant differences were found in AHI, MinSaO2, the duration of hemoglobin desaturation (TSaO2<90%), body mass index, adiponectin, leptin, high sensitive C reactive protein and lipopolysaccharide (P<0.05 for all) among the groups of OSAHS, NAFLD and OSAHS+NAFLD. The morbidity of NAFLD exited statistical difference in the patients with different OSAHS severity (17.0%, 51.6% and 97.2%, P=0.006), and the same trend was seen in the patients with different MinSaO2 severity (18.2%, 57.1% and 91.9%, P=0.011). Multiple regression analysis showed that body mass index, AHI and adiponectin were independent predictors of the morbidity of NAFLD (P=0.006, P=0.020 and P=0.008). Conclusion: The morbidity of NAFLD increases with the worsening of OSAHS. There is positive correlation between the severity and the level of serum adiponectin and leptin in the patients with OSAHS and NAFLD.

Effect of Bryan cervical disc replacement on cervical curvature and replacement segment in treating cervical spondylosis / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Bryan cervical disc replacement on cervical curvature and replacement segment in the treatment of cervical spondylosis, and analyze its clinical efficacy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-nine patients underwent Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement from August 2010 to August 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 26 males and 23 females, aged from 27 to 66 years old with an average of 48.5 years. Including 21 cases of nerve root type, 16 cases of spinal cord type, 12 cases of mixed type. And 21 cases were single segment replacement, 28 cases were double segments replacement. Preoperative and postoperative pain was compared using visual analogue scale(VAS);cervical function was observed by Japanese Orthopedic Association Scores (JOA) and Neck Disability Index (NDI);cervical lordosis curvature, function spinal unit(FSU) curvature, activities of replacement and adjacent segment, FSU activity were measured by cervical X-rays. Clinical effects were evaluated by the Odom method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the patients were followed up for 18.5 to 37.3 months with an average of 33.1 months. Pvoperative VAS, JOA, NDI scores were 7.08±1.55, 5.2±1.9, 39.96±7.06 before operation, 3.76±2.33, 13.20±1.20, 25.20±6.64 at 3 months after operation, and 2.80±1.50, 14.3±1.6, 24.24±7.89 at the last follow-up. Patients at three months and the last follow-up after operation were obviously improved in their VAS, JOA, and NDI scores (<0.05). There was no significant difference between the scores at last follow-up and 3 months after operation. Cervical lordosis changed from (10.64±4.26)° preoperatively to (13.68±4.56) ° at the last follow-up;the FSU curvature from (5.40±0.41) °to (9.92±2.00) °at the last follow-up (<0.05). The range of motion of the cervical spine preoperatively, 3 month postoperatively, and at the last follow-up were(70.84±6.17)°, (60.00±6.58)°, (71.48±4.61)°; FSU activities were(12.00±0.49)°, (9.36±0.26)°, (12.52±0.33)°;the activities of replacement segment were (10.48±0.67)°, (7.24±0.34)°, (9.28±0.36)°;the activities of upper segment of replacement were (10.52±0.60)°, (8.60±0.30)°, (10.44±0.43)°;the activities of lower segment of replacement were (8.48±0.40)°, (6.56±0.36)°, (9.60±0.39)°;there were significant differences in above items preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively(<0.05); and there were no significant difference preoperatively and at the last follow-up(>0.05). Pharyngeal discomfort and hoarseness occurred in 5 cases, and were recovered within 2 weeks after operation;heterotopic ossification occurred in 1 case at 6 months after operation;displacement of prosthesis occurred in 1 case at 12 months after operation. Based on Odom standard to evaluate the clinical outcome, 20 cases obtained excellent results, with 27 good, 2 general.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Bryan artificial cervical disc replacement not only generate good clinical effects, but may also restore the cervical lordosis and FSU curvature, while retaining the activities of replacement segment, and restoring overall cervical biomechanical functions.</p>

Herb-herb interaction in traditional Chinese medicine:a review of pharmacokinetics-based interaction in Herb-Pairs / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

″Herb-Pairs″, also known as pair drugs, refers to a prescription consisted of two relatively fixed traditional Chinese medicine, is the most basic, most simple and most common form of medication prescription in traditional Chinese medicine compound compatibility. It is not a random combination of two herbs, nor is the simple accumulation of efficacy, but the simple and delicate experience of ancient Chinese medicine practitioners. As a bridge between single drug and prescriptions, it is the embodiment of the regular and dialectical connotation. Therefore, research on Herb-Pairs has always been the most basic and most important entry point for compound compatibility studies. However, the interaction between herbs and herbs is an effect with a downside as well as benefits. The beneficial herb-herb interaction in Herb-Pairs include mutual promotion, mutual enhancement, mutual restraint between two drugs and counteract toxicity of another drug. And the harmful herb- herb interaction in Herb- Pairs includes mutual inhibition and antagonism. All of these interactions areby means of affecting the metabolism of components to play a therapeutic effect. Using the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic (PK-PD) binding model, the combination of drug metabolism and pharmacodynamics can further elucidate the influence on effect caused by drug concentration and metabolism, which can help elucidate the mechanism of drug action. Consequently, in this review, the herb-herb interactions in terms of pharmacokinetic were summarized to elucidate rule of TCM compatibility.

Effects of ginsenoside Re on vascular intimal proliferation in balloon-injuried rats via regulation of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effects of ginsenoside Re on intimal hyperplasia in balloon-injuried rats and further explore the role of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in this protection. Methods: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, including Sham operation group, model group, ginsenoside Re low, medium, and high-dose groups. The injured model of carotid artery intima was established by 2F balloon catheters in each group except the sham operation group. One day after model was established, animals were daily ig administered with distilled water in model group, Sham operation group, and ginsenoside Re (12.5 mg/kg, 25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) groups. Two weeks later, animals were sacrificed and the injured artery was taken for HE staining. The histopathological changes were observed and the lumen area, intima area, and media area as well as the ratio of intimal area/media area were detected. The expression of transforming growth factors β1 (TGF-β1), SMAD family member 2 (Smad 2) and Smad family member 3 (Smad 3) were measured by real time RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with the Sham operation group, the vessel cavity in the model group was narrower (P < 0.01); Compared with the model group, the medium and high dose of ginsenoside Re obviously alleviated vascular intimal hyperplasia (P < 0.05). Compared with the Sham operation group, the mRNA and protein expressions levels of TGF-β1, Smad 2, and Smad 3 in model group were higher (P < 0.01), which were obviously decreased in the medium and high-dose ginsenoside Re (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ginsenoside Re could alleviate the vascular neointimal hyperplasia through suppressing the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.