Silencing of matrix metalloprotease-12 delays the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer by regulating autophagy and lipolysis

Abstract The complex pathogenesis of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) makes it challenging to identify effective treatment methods. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-12 can degrade elastin as well as various extracellular matrix (ECM) components, which is associated with cancer progression. However, the relationship between MMP-12 and CRPC progression is poorly understood. In this study, we observed the effect of MMP-12 on the progression of CRPC and further explored its potential mechanism of action. High levels of MMP-12 were observed in patients with CRPC. We therefore developed cell co-culture and mouse models to study the function of MMP-12. Silencing MMP-12 in CRPC cells disrupted lipid utilization and autophagy marker expression via the CD36/CPT1 and P62/LC3 pathways, respectively, leading to reduced CRPC cell migration and invasion. Moreover, animal experiments confirmed that MMP-12-knockdown CRPC xenograft tumors exhibited reduced tumor growth, and the mechanisms involved the promotion of cancer cell autophagy and the inhibition of lipid catabolism. According to our results, MMP-12 played important roles in the progression of CRPC by disrupting adipocyte maturation and regulating cancer migration and invasion via the modulation of autophagy and lipid catabolism pathways.

Association between Norovirus epidemics and school toilets design and management in Chengdu City / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To analyze the relationship between the toilet design and sanitary condition of primary and secondary schools in Chengdu and the epidemic situation of Norovirus infection, so as to provide scientific references for school toilet design and Norovirus prevention and control.@*Methods@#A total of 78 cases of norovirus epidemics from 2019 to 2020 were included in this study. These epidemics happened in 78 schools and the causes were indicated as human-to-human transmission. The Chi square and Mann-Whitney U test were used to compare categorical and continuous data respectively. Unconditional binary Logistic regression was used to examine the multivariate associations.@*Results@#Most epidemics happened from October in 2019 to March in 2020(79.49%, 62 cases), in primary schools (71.79%, 56 cases) and in the center area (52.56%, 41 cases). The median of the case number in each epidemic was 10. Overall, 56 schools (71.79%) were equipped with toilets which were flushed independently, and 22 schools (28.21%) were equipped with toilets which were flushed uniformly. There were 27 schools (34.62%) that did not have enough water taps. Logistic regression analysis found that those with toilets flushed uniformly had a stronger epidemic, compared to the schools with toilets flushed independently( OR=5.53, 95%CI=1.63-18.76, P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#In order to prevent intestinal infectious diseases , it is suggested that schools should design or reconstruct independent flushing toilets with adequate faucets.

Application of partial least squares algorithm to explore bioactive components of crude and stir-baked hawthorn for invigorating spleen and promoting digestion / 中国中药杂志

This study was aimed at identifying the bioactive components of the crude and stir-baked hawthorn for invigorating spleen and promoting digestion, respectively, to clarify the processing mechanism of hawthorn by applying the partial least squares(PLS) algorithm to build the spectrum-effect relationship model. Firstly, different polar fractions of crude and stir-baked hawthorn aqueous extracts and combinations of different fractions were prepared, respectively. Then, the contents of 24 chemical components were determined by ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The effects of different polar fractions of crude hawthorn and stir-baked hawthorn aqueous extracts and combinations of different fractions were evaluated by measuring the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate. Finally, the PLS algorithm was used to establish the spectrum-effect relationship model. The results showed that there were significant differences in the contents of 24 chemical components for different polar fractions of crude and stir-baked hawthorn aqueous extracts and combinations of different fractions, and the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate of model rats were improved by administration of different polar fractions of crude and stir-baked hawthorn aqueous extracts and combinations of different fractions. The bioactive components of crude hawthorn identified by PLS models were vitexin-4″-O-glucoside, vitexin-2″-O-rhamnoside, neochlorogenic acid, rutin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, citric acid, malic acid, quinic acid and fumaric acid, while neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, rutin, gallic acid, vanillic acid, citric acid, quinic acid and fumaric acid were the bioactive components of stir-baked hawthorn. This study provided data support and scientific basis for identifying the bioactive components of crude and stir-baked hawthorn, and clarifying the processing mechanism of hawthorn.

Function monitoring and recovery methods in the rehabilitation of tennis players / Monitoramento de função e métodos de recuperação na reabilitação de jogadores de tênis / Seguimiento de la función y métodos de recuperación en la rehabilitación de tenistas

ABSTRACT Introduction Sports injury is a common injury among professional tennis players compared to other sports. Updated rehabilitation methods can accelerate players' recovery and ensure a return to sporting activity. However, contemporary rehabilitation monitoring practices want updated reporting. Objective Monitoring tennis players' function and recovery methods during rehabilitation training after injury. Methods The tennis player underwent arthroscopic capsulotomy of the left ankle joint, free body removal, and synovectomy. The athlete's body composition, blood routine, biochemistry, nutritional indices, and physiological indicators were monitored. Data were collected before, during, and at the end of the four months (6-10 months) of rehabilitation after the operation. Results 1 month after the operation, weight and lean mass decreased significantly; body fat percentage increased; static heart rate increased significantly (P<0.05). Three months after surgery, the athlete's lean mass increased significantly to 43.7 kg; body fat percentage decreased to 24.5% (P<0.05); hemoglobin, serum iron, total protein, and albumin improved; in rehabilitation during October, blood routine and biochemical blood indices were regular; Resting, maintained-load and recovery heart rate decreased significantly (P<0.05). Conclusion Tennis players should begin function monitoring, rehabilitation training, and nutritional recovery as soon as possible after ankle joint surgery. Evidence Level II; Therapeutic Studies - Investigating the result.

RESUMO Introdução A lesão esportiva é uma lesão comum entre os tenistas profissionais, em comparação com outros esportes. Métodos atualizados de reabilitação podem acelerar a recuperação dos jogadores e garantir um retorno à atividade esportiva. Porém o monitoramento das práticas de reabilitação contemporâneas carece de relatórios atualizados. Objetivo Explorar o monitoramento da função e métodos de recuperação dos jogadores de tênis durante o treinamento de reabilitação após uma lesão. Métodos O tenista foi submetido a capsulotomia artroscópica da articulação do tornozelo esquerdo, remoção de corpo livre e sinovectomia. Foram monitorados a composição corporal do atleta, rotina sanguínea, bioquímica sanguínea, indicadores nutricionais e indicadores fisiológicos. Esses dados foram coletados antes, durante e ao final dos 4 meses (6-10 meses) de reabilitação após a operação. Resultados 1 mês após a operação, o peso e a massa magra diminuíram significativamente, aumentando a porcentagem de gordura corporal; o ritmo cardíaco estático aumentou significativamente (P<0,05). 3 meses após a cirurgia, a massa magra do atleta aumentou significativamente para 43,7 kg, a porcentagem de gordura corporal caiu para 24,5% (P<0,05); a hemoglobina, o ferro sérico, a proteína total e a albumina melhoraram. Na reabilitação durante o mês de outubro, a rotina sanguínea e os índices bioquímicos do sangue foram normais; a frequência cardíaca em repouso, com carga mantida e de recuperação diminuiu significativamente (P<0,05). Conclusão Os tenistas devem começar o monitoramento das funções, treinamento de reabilitação e recuperação nutricional o mais rápido possível após uma cirurgia na articulação do tornozelo. Nível de evidência II; Estudos Terapêuticos - Investigação de Resultados.

RESUMEN Introducción La lesión deportiva es una lesión común entre los tenistas profesionales en comparación con otros deportes. Los métodos de rehabilitación actualizados pueden acelerar la recuperación de los jugadores y garantizar la vuelta a la actividad deportiva. Sin embargo, el seguimiento de las prácticas contemporáneas de rehabilitación carece de informes actualizados. Objetivo Explorar el seguimiento de la función y los métodos de recuperación de los tenistas durante el entrenamiento de rehabilitación después de una lesión. Métodos El tenista fue sometido a una capsulotomía artroscópica de la articulación del tobillo izquierdo, a la extracción del cuerpo libre y a la sinovectomía. Se controló la composición corporal del atleta, la rutina sanguínea, la bioquímica sanguínea, los indicadores nutricionales y los indicadores fisiológicos. Estos datos se recogieron antes, durante y al final de los 4 meses (6-10 meses) de rehabilitación tras la operación. Resultados 1 mes después de la operación, el peso y la masa magra disminuyeron significativamente, aumentando el porcentaje de grasa corporal; la frecuencia cardíaca estática aumentó significativamente (P<0,05). 3 meses después de la operación, la masa magra de la atleta aumentó significativamente hasta 43,7 kg, el porcentaje de grasa corporal disminuyó hasta el 24,5% (P<0,05); la hemoglobina, el hierro sérico, la proteína total y la albúmina mejoraron. En el periodo de entrenamiento de rehabilitación en el mes de octubre, la rutina sanguínea y los índices bioquímicos sanguíneos fueron normales; la frecuencia cardíaca en reposo, con carga mantenida y en recuperación disminuyó significativamente (P<0,05). Conclusión Los jugadores de tenis deben comenzar el control de la función, el entrenamiento de rehabilitación y la recuperación nutricional lo antes posible después de la cirugía de la articulación del tobillo. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - Investigación de resultados.

Effects of changes in family structure on depressive anxiety and stress related symptoms among college students / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To investigate the effects of major family structure changes on depression, anxiety and stress symptoms of college students, and to provide theoretical basis for mental health promotion and prevention.@*Methods@#A questionnaire survey was conducted among 9 779 college students from 6 universities, including Jiangxi University of Finance and Economics, Shangrao Normal University, Gannan Normal University, Fujian Polytechnic Normal University, and Changjiang University, by using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale 21 Items (DASS 21).@*Results@#The prevalence rates of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms among college students were 27.4%, 42.0% and 17.4%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that family structure was associated with anxiety and stress symptoms ( χ 2=8.40,13.08, P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that specific family structure other than single or two parent family was positively correlated with anxiety( OR =1.89,95% CI =1.05- 3.42 ) and stress symptoms ( OR =2.48, 95% CI =1.36-4.50), family structure changes due to parental divorce was positively correlated with stress symptoms ( OR =1.53,95% CI =1.05-2.20)( P <0.05).@*Conclusion@#The occurrence of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms of college students is related to the type of family structure and the changing factors. Colleges should pay more attention to the mental condition of college students with family structure changes, and deliver various mental health promotion services including psychological counseling and health education.

Research Status of SARS-CoV-2 on Cardiovascular System Injury in Children

Abstract In December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) began to break out in the Hubei Province of China. At present, the epidemic situation in the world continues and the number of confirmed cases is increasing every day. A recent review showed that children under the age of ten years make up about 1% of the infected population, which cannot be ignored. Studies have shown that after SARS-CoV-2 infection children can show clinical symptoms of cardiovascular system damage in addition to typical respiratory symptoms. This article mainly discusses the possible damage of SARS-CoV-2 to children's cardiovascular system and related mechanisms.

Antibacterial properties of jiao da bio-magnesium scaffolds in vitro / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: It has been confirmed that some biomedical magnesium alloy products have antibacterial properties, but the specific antibacterial mechanism is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antibacterial properties of biomedical Jiao Da Bio-Magnesium scaffold in vitro and explore possible mechanism. METHODS: Jiao Da Bio-Magnesium porous scaffold material extract was prepared. As the most common bacteria causing orthopedic implants infection, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were selected for testing. The bacteriostasis rate was quantitatively evaluated by contact culture of the extraction solution. The bacteriostasis performance of the material was qualitatively evaluated by observing the bacterial morphology through scanning electron microscope. The alkaline phosphatase, conductivity, potassium ion, nucleic acid and protein content in bacterial extracellular liquid environment were detected. The possible antibacterial mechanism of Jiao Da Bio-Magnesium porous scaffold material extract was preliminarily explored. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The bacteriostasis rate of Jiao Da Bio-Magnesium porous scaffold extract cultured with Escherichia coli for 12 hours ranged from 56.23% to 79.72%, while the Staphylococcus aureus group ranged from 62.34% to 76.07%. (2) Under scanning electron microscope, wizened form, smaller volume and scarcer distribution were observed. (3) The material extract had no effect on the content of alkaline phosphatase in the extracellular environment of the two bacteria, but increased the electrical conductivity and potassium ion content in the extracellular environment of the two bacteria. (4) The material extract had no effect on the content of nucleic acid and protein in the extracellular environment of Escherichia coli, and increased the content of nucleic acid and protein in the extracellular environment of Staphylococcus aureus. (5) The material extract could inhibit the nucleic acid content of the two bacteria, but had no effect on the soluble protein content of Escherichia coli cells, and inhibited the synthesis of soluble protein in Staphylococcus aureus cells. (6) Results suggested that Jiao Da Bio-Magnesium porous scaffold material has certain antibacterial properties in vitro, and the inhibitory effect on Staphylococcus aureus is stronger than that on Escherichia coli. The possible antibacterial mechanism is speculated that it can change the permeability of bacterial cell membrane and affect the synthesis of bacterial nucleic acids and proteins.

Origin traceability of main root of spring Panax notoginseng based on stable isotope fingerprint / 中国中药杂志

This paper established the identification technology of the main root origin of three-year-old spring Panax notoginseng aiming at providing theoretical basis for the protection and traceability of geographical indication products of P. notoginseng. Forty-four samples of three-year-old spring P. notoginseng from Guangxi Baise, Yunnan Wenshan, Yunnan new cultivating regions. The stable isotopic ratios of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen were determined by elemental analysis and stable isotope mass spectrometer. Combined with Duncan multiple comparative analysis, fisher discriminant analysis and sequential discriminant analysis, a origin discriminant model for the main root of three-year-old spring P. notoginseng was established for 3 production areas of P. notoginseng. The geographical climate and environment of three production areas of P. notoginseng are obviously different. From Guangxi Baise-Yunnan Wenshan-Yunnan new cultivating regions, the longitude, average annual temperature and annual precipitation gradually decrease, and the elevation and latitude are increasing. The results of multiple comparative analysis showed that there were significant or very signi-ficant differences in the δ~(13)C,δ~(15)N,δ~2H,δ~(18)O of the main roots of P. notoginseng in three regions. The results of fisher's discriminant analysis and sequential discriminant analysis showed that the correct discriminant rates of the main roots of P. notoginseng for three regions were 80.05%,76.47% and 90.91%, respectively, based on four stable isotope ratios, with an average of 84.09%. Using stable isotope fingerprint and chemometrics method, we can distinguish the origin of the main raw materials and products of P. notoginseng.

A novel prognostic index in patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: fibrinogen/prealbumin ratio

ABSTRACT Background: Fibrinogen (Fib) to albumin (ALB) fibrinogen-to-albumin ratio as a prognostic index for esophageal cancer has been confirmed. A novel prognostic index was initially proposed with fibrinogen to prealbumin ratio (FPR) in patients with resectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Objective: The objective of the study was to study the prognostic role of the novel prognostic index (FPR) in patients with resectable ESCC without any neoadjuvant treatment. Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 372 resectable ESCC patients without any neoadjuvant treatment were included. The best cutoff values were selected by the receiver operating characteristic curves. Two Cox regression analyses with forward stepwise (one for categorical variables and the other for continuous variables) were used to evaluate the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS). Results: The best cutoff point was 0.014 for FPR. Patients with lower levels of FPR (≤0.014) had better CSS (50.7% vs. 18.0%, p < 0.001) and OS (48.0% vs. 17.6%, p < 0.001) than patients with higher levels of FPR (> 0.014). Multivariate Cox analyses (categorical and continuous) demonstrated that FPR was an independent prognostic factor in CSS (categorical: hazard ratio [HR]: 2.014, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.504-2.697, p < 0.001; continuous per 0.01: HR: 1.438, 95% CI: 1.154-1.793, p = 0.001) and OS (categorical: HR: 1.964, 95% CI: 1.475-2.617, p < 0.001; continuous per 0.01: HR: 1.429, 95% CI: 1.146-1.781, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our study indicated that FPR served as an independent prognostic factor in patients with resectable ESCC.

Engraftment of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived myogenic progenitors restores dystrophin in mice with duchenne muscular dystrophy

BACKGROUND: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a devastating genetic muscular disorder with no effective treatment that is caused by the loss of dystrophin. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) offer a promising unlimited resource for cell-based therapies of muscular dystrophy. However, their clinical applications are hindered by inefficient myogenic differentiation, and moreover, the engraftment of non-transgene hiPSC-derived myogenic progenitors has not been examined in the mdx mouse model of DMD. METHODS: We investigated the muscle regenerative potential of myogenic progenitors derived from hiPSCs in mdx mice. The hiPSCs were transfected with enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) vector and defined as EGFP hiPSCs. Myogenic differentiation was performed on EGFP hiPSCs with supplementary of basic fibroblast growth factor, forskolin, 6-bromoindirubin-3'-oxime as well as horse serum. EGFP hiPSCs-derived myogenic progenitors were engrafted into mdx mice via both intramuscular and intravenous injection. The restoration of dystrophin expression, the ratio of central nuclear myofibers, and the transplanted cells-derived satellite cells were accessed after intramuscular and systemic transplantation. RESULTS: We report that abundant myogenic progenitors can be generated from hiPSCs after treatment with these three small molecules, with consequent terminal differentiation giving rise to mature myotubes in vitro. Upon intramuscular or systemic transplantation into mdx mice, these myogenic progenitors engrafted and contributed to human-derived myofiber regeneration in host muscles, restored dystrophin expression, ameliorated pathological lesions, and seeded the satellite cell compartment in dystrophic muscles. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the muscle regeneration potential of myogenic progenitors derived from hiPSCs using non-transgenic induction methods. Engraftment of hiPSC-derived myogenic progenitors could be a potential future therapeutic strategy to treat DMD in a clinical setting.

Undifferentiated sarcoma of the soft tissues with cystic degeneration: Case report and review of literature

Undifferentiated sarcoma (UNDS) of the soft tissue is an exceedingly rare disease. Its diagnosis depends mainly on molecular and immunohistochemical analyses to exclude other soft-tissue sarcomas. It is difficult to confirm a positive diagnosis by imaging pathological features because of their rarity and similarity with other conditions. Since 2013, only 13 cases of undifferentiated soft-tissue sarcoma, mostly diagnosed through imaging of solid tumors in infant and children, have been reported. The authors present a rare case of a 3-month-old Chinese boy with UNDS primarily in the left lower extremity and characterized by a cystic and solid growth pattern

Analysis of HPLC Characteristic Chromatogram of Standard Pieces of Polygoni Multiflori Radix / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To establish HPLC characteristic chromatogram of standard pieces of Polygoni Multiflori Radix, and compare with the HPLC characteristic chromatograms of original pieces, raw materials and control materials of Polygoni Multiflori Radix. Method: HPLC analysis was carried out on a Waters BEH-C18 column (4.6 mm×250 mm, 5 μm) with the mobile phase of methanol(A)-0.1%phosphoric acid(B) for gradient elution (0-20 min, 15%-30%A; 20-35 min, 30%-40%A; 35-55 min, 40%-75%A; 55-75 min, 75%-100%A) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL·min-1. The detection wavelength was set at 270 nm and the column temperature was maintained at 30℃. The injection volume was 10 μL. Moreover, similarity and cluster analysis of HPLC characteristic chromatograms of four samples of Polygoni Multiflori Radix were performed. Result: HPLC characteristic chromatogram of standard pieces of Polygoni Multiflori Radix composed of seven peaks was established. The similarity was 0.999 between characteristic chromatograms of standard pieces and original pieces, which was better than similarities among characteristic chromatograms of raw materials, control materials and original pieces. There was no obvious difference on number of peaks between characteristic chromatograms of standard pieces and original pieces, while an obvious difference on number of peaks between chromatograms of control materials and original pieces was found. In addition, standard pieces, original pieces and control materials could generally gather into one class, while raw materials could generally gather into another class. Conclusion: Compared with the raw materials and control materials, the established HPLC characteristic chromatogram of standard pieces can better reflect the internal quality of original pieces, which can be used for the quality control of decoction pieces of Polygoni Multiflori Radix.

System modeling on Chinese herbal medicine process based on multi-block partial least squares / 中国中药杂志

The system model of Chinese herbal medicine process is the basis for improving the precision of pharmaceutical process and ensuring the stable transmission of quality between different sections of the process. By taking the wet granulation-tableting process as the research object and using the Panax notoginsengs sapions (PNS) as a model drug, multi-block partial least squares method (MBPLS) was used in this article to build the system model of Chinese herbal medicine process, analyze the mass transmission rules in the process and improve the understanding on pharmaceutical process system of Chinese medicine. According to the process flow, the quality attributes of raw materials, granules and tablets collected in the process were divided into different data blocks, and the MBPLS method was used to establish system model. The R²Y and Q²Y of MBPLS model were 89.1% and 65.5%, respectively, indicating that the performance of the MBPLS model was good. By analyzing the parameters of MBPLS model, it was determined that the physical quality attributes of PNS raw materials and quality attributes of PNS granules were the key factors to affect the quality of PNS tablets. The particle size, bulk density and tapped density of PNS raw materials were the critical quality attributes which caused the quality variations of PNS granules and PNS tablets. MBPLS can quantify the contributions of each unit to the product quality by dividing the quality attributes into different units. It was helpful to analyze the interactions between the process units of Chinese herbal medicine and it could be applied to build system model of other Chinese herbal preparations processes.

Effects of road transport on hematological and biochemical parameters in new zealand rabbits / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To observe the effects of road transport on hematological and biochemical parameters in New Zealand rabbits.Methods A total of 12 healthy New Zealand rabbits were selected for 2 h road transport.Blood samples were collected at 0, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after transport, respectively.White blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (MCV), mean erythrocyte hemoglobin content (MCH), mean erythrocyte hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and platelets (PLT) were measured using a blood analyzer.Blood alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin (ALB), total protein (TP), urea nitrogen (UREA), creatinine, uric acid (UA), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (COHL), glucose (GLU), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (CRP), α-amylase (AMYL), and creatine kinase (CK) were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer.Results Compared the parameters before and after transport, The WBC count was increased first (P< 0.05 or P < 0.01) and then decreased after transport, the levels of RBC, HGB, HCT and PLT were decreased first (P< 0.05 or P < 0.01) and then increased after transport, and MCV was significantly high at 96 h after transport (P< 0.05).Among the clinical biochemical parameters, ALT, AST and BUN were firstly elevated (P< 0.05 or P < 0.01) and then decreased.TP, ALB as well as CREA and TG were firstly decreased (P< 0.05 or P < 0.01) and then increased.GLU was significantly low at 24 h after transport (P< 0.05).All parameters except MCV at 96 h after transport were not significantly different from those before transport.Conclusions Changes of blood routine, liver and kidney function indexes, lipid metabolism indexes, glucose metabolism index and creatine kinase index are observed in the New Zealand rabbits after 2-hour road transportation, and all the indicators except MCV return to pre-transport levels within 96 h.

Comparison between topical tacrolimus and potent topical steroids in treatment of childhood vitiligo / 重庆医学

Objective To assess which of topical tacrolimus and topical highly potent steroids,is more effective and safer in the treatment of pediatric vitiligo.Methods The PubMed,Cochrane library,Scopus and CINAHL plus databases were retrieved.The search was confined to English language articles.The randomized controlled trial(RCT) articles were included in our study.The quality of the identified articles was examined by using the CASP Randomised Controlled Trials Checklist.Results As a result,there were only a few studies related to the comparison.However,there were only two RCTs regarding a comparison of topical tacrolimus 0.1％ and clobetasol propionate 0.05 ％ in childhood vitiligo.Conclusion When the body surface area (BSA) involved in the child is ＜20 ％,and the disease is not rapidly spreading,topical therapy is the first choice.Topical tacrolimus may be considered as an alternative therapy for childhood vitiligo,especially for acrofacial and segmental types,before considering other modalities,but still need to observe long-term side effects.

Association of education & lifestyle factors with the perception of genetic knowledge on the development of lung cancer.

Background & objectives: The perception of genetic knowledge is useful for improving the heath behaviour change against developing cancers. However, no studies have investigated the perception of genetic knowledge on the development of lung cancer. The aim of this study was to examine demographic and lifestyle factors of the perception of genetic knowledge on the development of lung cancer. Methods: Data on 2,295 US adults (739 had the perception of genetic knowledge) were taken from the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey. Multiple logistic regression models were used to evaluate potential factors of the perception of genetic knowledge of lung cancer. Results: Participants aged ≥65 yr were more likely to have the perception of genetic knowledge than those aged 18-44 yr (OR=1.77, 95% CI=1.27-2.46). Higher education was associated with a greater perception of genetic knowledge (OR=1.47, 95% CI=1.16-1.87). Subjects with correct smoking attitude were more than three times more likely to have the perception of genetic knowledge (OR=3.15, 95% CI=2.10-4.72). Subjects with exercise were at an increased likelihood of having the perception of genetic knowledge than those without exercise (OR=1.63, 95% CI=1.24-2.13). Interpretation & conclusions: Positive associations were observed between education and lifestyle factors and the perception of genetic knowledge on the development of lung cancer among US adults. Strategies developed to improve the perception of genetic knowledge of lung cancer may target on individuals who are young, less educated, and lack correct smoking attitude or exercise.

Intervention effects of Jiaotai pills on PCPA-induced insomnia in rats / 中国中药杂志

To elucidate the intervention effects of Jiaotai pills(JTP) on p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-induced insomnia in rats and its underlying mechanism, the insomnia model was established by single intraperitoneal injection with PCPA in rats. The locomotor activity of rats was observed, and the levels of nerve growth factor(NGF) in hypothalamus, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and serum of rats were determined by using ELISA. Moreover, a proton nuclear magnetic resonance(¹H-NMR)-based metabonomic approach was developed to profile insomnia-related metabolites in rat serum and hippocampus and analyze the intervention effects of JTP on changes in underlying biomarkers related to locomotor activity, NGF and insomnia. According to the results, JTP could significantly suppress the locomotor activity of insomnia rats, and increase the NGF levels in hypothalamus, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and serum of rats with insomnia. The disturbed metabolic state associated with PCPA-induced insomnia in rat serum and hippocampus could be intervened by JTP. Meanwhile, six and five potential biomarkers related to insomnia in rat serum and hippocampus were reversed by administration of JTP. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated that JTP had protective effects against PCPA-induced insomnia in rats, which was probably correlated with regulation of NGF level and metabolism of amino acids, lipids and choline.

Application of drug-target prediction technology in network pharmacology of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

In recent years, network pharmacology has been developed rapidly, and especially, the concept of ″network target″ has brought a new era in the field of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The integrity and systematicness emphasized in network pharmacology comply with the characteristics of holistic view and treatment in Chinese medicine. It can provide deeper insights into the underlying mechanisms of TCM theories, including the illustration on action mechanism of Chinese medicine, selection of pharmacodynamic materials and the combination principles of various Chinese herbs, etc. Therefore, this theory is more suitable for TCM academic characteristics and practical conditions. The key problem in network pharmacology is how to efficiently and quickly identify the interactions between large amounts of drugs and target proteins. As an efficient and high throughput way, drug-target prediction technology can reduce costs, quickly predict the component targets, and provide foundation for the application of TCM network pharmacology. In view of the large amount of compounds and target databases, different prediction methods and technologies have been developed, and used to predict the drug-target interactions. Many virtual screening technologies have been successfully applied to network pharmacology. Based on different prediction principles, drug-target prediction technology can be generally divided into four types： ligand-based prediction, receptor-based prediction, machine learning and combined prediction. In this paper, we are going to review the prediction methods of drug-target interactions and give acomprehensive elaboration of their application in network pharmacology of TCM, hoping to provide beneficial references for various Chinese medicine researchers.

Study on material base of Ligusticum wallichii for treating brain ischemia and its molecular mechanism based on molecular docking / 中国中药杂志

To explore the effective ingredients and mechanism of Ligusticum wallichii in treating brain ischemia. Four brain ischemia-related target proteins were selected in the joint screening for the 45 component in L. wallichii reported in literatures based on molecular docking by reference to the corresponding drugs in the market. According to the docking results, multiple components in L. wallichii, such as phthalides, were superior to the corresponding drugs in the market, suggesting that they may be the major effective components in L. wallichii for treating brain ischemia. The method can be used to study the material base and molecular mechanism of traditional Chinese medicines.

Establishment of a rabbit model of heart failure by aortic regurgitation / 中国实验动物学报

Objective To establish a New Zealand rabbit model of heart failure by aortic regurgitation.Methods Adapting catheterization-induced aortic regurgitation to establish a volume overloat rabbit model of heart failure.The SBP, LVSP, LVDP, LV+dp/dt and LV ±dp/dt were observed before and after modeling.The successful criteria of heart failure:the LV ±dp/dtmax was decreased more than 40%and the LVDP increased more than 40%, or the LV ±dp/dtmax fell down to less than 40%and the DBP should be decrease more than 40%.Evaluating the model by observing the coat color, mental status, physical activity, calculating the feed consumption index, weight gain index, heart rate, respiration frequency and other indicators.The activity of serum SOD and MDA concentration were assayed to determine the antioxidant capacity of the model animals.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit was used to detect the serum cAMP and cGMP con-centration.Gene chip technology was used to analyze the difference of gene expression.Results After modeling, the he-modynamic index of SBP, DBP and LVSP were significantly decreased, LVDP was significantly decreased, LVDP was sig-nificantly increased and the LV+dp/dt and LV ±dp/dt were significantly decreased.Compared with the normal control group, the model animals showed coat withered, less movement, less eating, unresponsiveness, listlessness, and reduced grab resistance after modeling.The respiratory rate of the model group was significantly increased, and this trend was in-creased over time.The serum SOD activity was lower, MDA concentration was higher, cAMP concentration was lower, and cGMP concentration was higher in the model group.665 differentially expressed genes were detected.Compared with the human gene sequences, 16 characteristic genes were obtained.In these 16 genes, which were closely related to heart func-tion, were mainly related to ion channels, muscle contraction, and signal transduction function.Conclusions This repor-ted method to establish rabbit model of heart failure by using aortic regurgitation is reliable.The aortic regurgitation increa-ses cardiac preload, than leads to an increase of the left ventricular end-diastolic volume, and finally results in left ventric-ular hypertrophy and heart failure.The results of myocardial tissue gene chip test show that there are some changes in gene expression of the model rabbits.