Research progress on role of traditional Chinese medicine in hepatic fibrosis based on miRNA-mediated activation of NLRP3 inflammasome / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, liver fibrosis has become a hotspot in the field of liver diseases. MicroRNA(miRNA)-mediated Nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) inflammasome activation is pivotal in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The present study mainly discussed the role of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Different miRNA molecules regulated liver fibrosis by mediating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, including miRNA-350-3 p(miR-350-3 p)/interleukin-6(IL-6)-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/c-myc signaling pathway, miR-148 a-induced autophagy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells via hedgehog signaling pathway, miR-155-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome by the negative feedback of the suppressor of cytokine signaling-1(SOCS-1), miR-181 a-mediated downstream NLRP3 inflammatory pathway activation through mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)/nuclear transcription factor κB(NF-κB) inflammatory pathway, miR-21-promoted expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 of RAW264.7 cells in mice by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α inducible protein 3(A20), and miR-20 b-promoted expression of IL-1β and IL-18 by activating NLRP3 signaling pathway. Additionally, the anti-liver fibrosis mechanism of different active components in Chinese medicines(such as Curcumae Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Aurantii Fructus, Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Epimedii Folium, and Cinnamomi Cortex) was also explored based on the anti-liver fibrosis effect of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Overview of "--" acupuncture, an acupuncture school of 's Zhuang medicine of Guangxi / 中国针灸

The theory of "--" of Zhuang medicine was explored and the academic achievements and experience of professor - were summarized to explain the theory and clinical characteristics of -- acupuncture, an acupuncture school of 's Zhuang medicine of Guangxi. This acupuncture method is guided by the theory of "three- synchronization" and "--" of Zhuang medicine, based on the theory of "three channels and two paths", with regulating as the method and regulating spirit as the basis. After the patient is calmed and resting, the micro needle shallow needling technique is adopted, mainly at the umbilical ring point, so as to achieve the purpose of regulating the mind and treating the root cause.

Rho/ROCK signaling pathway and anti-cryodamage ability of human sperm / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the influence of the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway on the anti-cryodamage ability of human sperm and provide some theoretical evidence for the development of high-efficiency semen cryoprotectants.@*METHODS@#We collected semen samples from 25 healthy males, each divided into a fresh, a normal cryopreservation control and an Rho-inhibition group. Before and after freezing, we detected sperm motility, viability, membrane integrity, morphology, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), acrosomal enzyme activity (AEA) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and determined the expressions of RhoA and ROCK proteins in the sperm by immunofluorescence staining.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the normal cryopreservation control, the frozen-thawed sperm of the Rho-inhibition group showed significantly increased sperm motility （ ［51.20 ± 7.70］% vs ［57.50 ± 6.83］%, P = 0.002), survival rate ( ［52.87 ± 5.07］% vs ［60.24 ± 5.53］%, P = 0.001), membrane integrity (［59.78±5.56］% vs ［67.10 ± 4.43］%, P = 0.001), percentage of morphologically normal sperm (［4.83 ± 1.11］% vs ［7.46 ± 1.28］, P = 0.001) and MMP (56.30 ± 4.28 vs 63.11 ± 2.97, P = 0.001), but decreased DFI (［27.64 ± 6.64］% vs ［18.87 ± 4.07］%, P = 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in the AEA of the frozen-thawed sperm between the control and Rho-inhibition groups (97.65 ± 9.31 vs 98.30 ± 11.33, P > 0.05). Immunofluorescence staining revealed extensive expressions of RhoA and ROCK proteins in the head and neck of the sperm.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The Rho/ROCK signaling pathway plays a role in the cryodamage to human sperm, and inhibiting the activity of Rho/ROCK can significantly improve the ability of sperm to resist cryodamage.

Role of Diabetes Mellitus on Treatment Effects in Drug-susceptible Initial Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

We assessed the role of diabetes mellitus (DM) on treatment effects in drug-susceptible initial pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients. A prospective study was conducted in eight provinces of China from October 2008 to December 2010. We enrolled 1,313 confirmed drug-susceptible initial PTB patients, and all subjects received the treatment regimen (2H3R3E3Z3/4H3R3) as recommended by the national guidelines. Of the 1,313 PTB patients, 157 (11.9%) had DM; these patients had more sputum smear-positive rates at the end of the second month [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 2.829, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.783-4.490], and higher treatment failure (aOR 2.120, 95% CI 1.565-3.477) and death rates (aOR 1.536, 95% CI 1.011-2.628). DM was a contributing factor for culture-positive rates at the end of the second month and treatment failure and death of PTB patients, thus playing an unfavorable role in treatment effects of PTB.

Risk of Treatment Failure in Patients with Drug-susceptible Pulmonary Tuberculosis in China / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

The objective of this prospective study of the risks of treatment failure in patients with drug-susceptible pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) was to provide reference data to help develop a disease control strategy. Participants were recruited in eight provinces of China from October 2008 to December 2010. A total of 1447 patients with drug-susceptible PTB and older than 15 years of age were enrolled. Demographic characteristics, bacteriological test results, and patient outcome, i.e., cure or treatment failure were recorded and compared using the chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with risk of treatment failure. Of the 1447 patients who were enrolled, 1349 patients (93.2%) were successfully treated and 98 (6.8%) failed treatment. Failure was significantly associated with age 365 years [odds ratio (OR)=2.522, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.097-5.801)], retreatment [OR=2.365, 95% CI: (1.276-4.381)], missed medicine [OR=1.836, 95% CI: (1.020-3.306)], treatment not observed [OR=1.879 95% CI: (1.105-3.195)], and positive culture result after the first [OR=1.971, 95% CI: (1.080-3.597)] and second month [OR=4.659, 95% CI: (2.590-8.382)]. The risk factors associated with treatment failure were age 365 years, retreatment, missed medication, treatment not observed, and positive culture at the end of month 1 or month 2. These risk factors should be monitored during treatment and interventions carried out to reduce or prevent treatment failure and optimize treatment success.

Antihepatoma spectrum-effect relationship of extract from Zanthoxyli Radix / 中草药

Objective: To study the relationship between HPLC fingerprint and antihepatoma activity of the extract from Zanthoxyli Radix. Methods: Zanthoxyli Radix fingerprint was established and human hepatic carcinoma cell line HepG2 was chosen as efficacy model. The antihepatoma activity of the extracts in Zanthoxyli Radix of 33 batchs from different habitats was determined by MTT method. After integrated the area of characteristic peak with the antihepatoma activity of Zanthoxyli Radix, the hepatic carcinoma "spectrum-effect" relationship was established by step-back technique. Results: The HPLC-fingerprint of Zanthoxyli Radix was established, and the similarity of fingerprint had reached above 0.7. All data were done with the chromatographic fingerprint similarity evaluation system software, chosen out 24 fingerprint peaks. The spectrum-effect relationship on HepG2 was established and this relationship was significantly different. The results indicated that the multiple linear regression could predict the antihepatoma activity to HepG2 with statistical and practical significance. Conclusion: The spectrum-effect relationship on HepG2 has the good predictive and describing abilities to evaluate the quality and therapeutic activity of Zanthoxyli Radix. According to the spectrum-effect relationship equation, we can predict the sensibility of different tumor cells.

Real-time CT of upper airway in patients with obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the technology and clinical application of real-time CT scan in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome during awake and drug induced sleep state.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-two patients with OSAHS diagnosed by polysomnography underwent 256 layer spiral CT scan during awake and drug-induced sleep apnea state, and multiplanar reconstruction and volume rendering of computed tomography images were performed. To observe the dynamic changes of upper airway and locate the sites of airway obstruction in patients with OSAHS, the minimum section area, diameter and volume of pharynx cavity were measured on reconstructed 3-dimensional computed tomography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Real-time CT scans were completed successfully in all of the patients. It was revealed that airway obstruction frequently occurred at retropalatal and retroglottal region. Real-time CT scans revealed 29 cases with airway obstruction at isolated retropalatal region, 19 cases with airway obstruction at retropalatal and retroglottal region simultaneously, 6 cases with airway obstruction at retropalatal and epiglottal region simultaneously, 7 cases with airway obstruction at retropalatal, retroglottal and retroglottal region simultaneously, 1 case without airway obstruction. There was no airway obstruction at retroglottal or retroglottal region isolatedly. Rate of single region airway obstruction was 46.8% (29/62), and rate of multiple regions airway obstruction 51.6% (32/62). The real-time CT results showed that starting from Friedman tongue position I to IV, the percentage of obstruction at retroglottal and (or) retroglottal region simultaneously were increasing, the percentage of obstruction were 0/6, 8/25, 13/20, 11/11, respectively (χ(2) = 22.00, P < 0.005). The minimum section area, volume, minimum anteroposterior diameter and left-right diameter of pharynx cavity between awake and drug-induced sleep apnea state had statistically significant difference in all region.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Real-time CT scans in drug-induced sleep state could get more information about the anatomical and pathological changes of upper airway, providing relatively objective morphological basis for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with OSAHS. Therefore, real-time CT scans have important value in practical application.</p>