The cGAS-STING signaling in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases: Future novel target option for pharmacotherapy

The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling exert essential regulatory function in microbial-and onco-immunology through the induction of cytokines, primarily type I interferons. Recently, the aberrant and deranged signaling of the cGAS-STING axis is closely implicated in multiple sterile inflammatory diseases, including heart failure, myocardial infarction, cardiac hypertrophy, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, aortic aneurysm and dissection, obesity, etc. This is because of the massive loads of damage-associated molecular patterns (mitochondrial DNA, DNA in extracellular vesicles) liberated from recurrent injury to metabolic cellular organelles and tissues, which are sensed by the pathway. Also, the cGAS-STING pathway crosstalk with essential intracellular homeostasis processes like apoptosis, autophagy, and regulate cellular metabolism. Targeting derailed STING signaling has become necessary for chronic inflammatory diseases. Meanwhile, excessive type I interferons signaling impact on cardiovascular and metabolic health remain entirely elusive. In this review, we summarize the intimate connection between the cGAS-STING pathway and cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. We also discuss some potential small molecule inhibitors for the pathway. This review provides insight to stimulate interest in and support future research into understanding this signaling axis in cardiovascular and metabolic tissues and diseases.

Exploration and reflection on the online teaching of physiology under the COVID-19 epidemic / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Facing the challenge of the COVID-19 epidemic to the classroom teaching, the physiology teaching team of Qiqihar Medical University constructed a blended teaching model based on "small private online course (SPOC)+ live real audio" to carry out online teaching. Through the joint efforts of all team members, the online teaching has been carried out in a stable order for 4 weeks, thus ensuring the teaching effect of physiology. Taking the physiology teaching of 236 nursing undergraduates in Batch 2019 as an example, this paper introduces the teaching design, implementation measures, teaching effect and teaching reflection of carrying out online teaching under the epidemic situation, and provides practical experience for further promoting online teaching in medical colleges and universities during epidemic prevention and control.

Identification of Q-Markers from Hedan Tablet by employing “spider-web” mode and taking compounds’ hepatotoxicity into account / 中草药·英文版

Objective: Due to the complicated compounds and the synergistic effect of multi-compounds, the quality control and assessment of Chinese materia medica (CMM) encounters a great challenge about how to identify the key compounds, which are directly correlated with its efficacy and safety. On the guidance of study on quality marker (Q-Marker), identification of Q-Markers was performed from Hedan Tablet (HDT) by the aid of the “spider-web” mode and hepatotoxicity evaluation derived from our previous researches and literatures. Methods: By the established ultra performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detector (UPLC-PDA) method, online UPLC-DPPH· and offline antioxidant assay, 21 candidate compounds of HDT were systematically investigated and comprehensively evaluated by the “spider-web” mode for them properties of Q-Marker based on “content-stability-activity”. In addition, the Q-Markers related with hepatotoxicity based on our previous researches and literatures were identified. Results: Salvianolic acid B (SaB), quercetin-3-O-glucuronide (Qug), isoquercitrin (IQ) and hyperoside (Hyp) were adopted as the preferable Q-Markers of HDT according to the shaded area (A) of tested compounds in “spider-web” mode. Psoralen (Ps), isopsoralen (IP), psoralenoside (PO) and isopsoralenoside (IPO) were also strongly recommended as Q-Markers closely related with safety by considering hepatotoxicity of the accumulated Ps and IP and conversion between glycoside (PO and IPO) and aglycone (Ps and IP). Conclusion: This study provided scientific evidence for quality control and assessment of HDT, and also provided a meaningful reference for application of Q-Markers in CMM.

Potential effect of EGCG on the anti-tumor efficacy of metformin in melanoma cells / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Metformin, a first-line drug for type 2 diabetes mellitus, has been recognized as a potential anti-tumor agent in recent years. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), as the dominant catechin in green tea, is another promising adjuvant agent for tumor prevention. In the present work, the potential effect of EGCG on the anti-tumor efficacy of metformin in a mouse melanoma cell line (B16F10) was investigated. Results indicated that EGCG and metformin exhibited a synergistic effect on cell viability, migration, and proliferation, as well as signal transducer and activator of transcription 3/nuclear factor-κB (STAT3/NF-κB) pathway signaling and the production of inflammation cytokines. Meanwhile, the combination showed an antagonistic effect on cell apoptosis and oxidative stress levels. The combination of EGCG and metformin also differentially affected the nucleus (synergism) and cytoplasm (antagonism) of B16F10 cells. Our findings provide new insight into the potential effects of EGCG on the anti-tumor efficacy of metformin in melanoma cells.

Application of virtual experiment in clinical microbiology inspection technology / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Clinical microbiology examination technology experiment is an important part of clinical microbiology examination technology teaching. In the experimental teaching of clinical microbiology examination technology, the virtual simulation technology was combined with traditional teaching to give full play to the advantages of the virtual experimental platform. As to experimental projects that couldn't be carried out in traditional teaching and some important experimental projects, students could learn on the virtual experimental platform, and after learning, they would participate in the corresponding assessment. The perfect combination of the two can solve the problem of high experimental cost and limited experimental content in the current experimental class, make up for the shortcomings of traditional teaching, realize the sharing of teaching resources. Besides, it can strengthen the students' experimental operation skills and enhance the interest of learning for cultivation of application-oriented medical talents.

The effect of blood glucose levels on the prognosis of acute severe traumatic brain injury patients / 中华内分泌外科杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between different blood glucose levels and prognosis in patients with acute severe craniocerebral injury.Methods Clinical data of 120 patients with acute severe craniocerebral injury from Jun.2014 to Jun.2017 in Department of Neurosurgery,Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University were analyzed retrospectively.The patients were divided into the group of acute severe craniocerebral injury and the group of acute extra-severe craniocerebral injury according to the Glasgow coma score (GCS).Blood glucose levels were detected at the time of admission,the 1st day,the 3rd day,the 7th day and the 14th day after operation.According to the blood glucose levels on admission,the patients were divided into the normal blood glucose group,the blood glucose value of 6.1-10.0 mmol/L group,the blood glucose value ＞ 10.0 mmol/L group.The prognosis was evaluated by Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) 3 months after discharge.The relationship between the blood glucose levels and GOS score in different groups was analyzed.Results The blood glucose levels in the group of acute extra-severe craniocerebral injury were higher than those in the group of acute severe craniocerebral injury,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).Of the patients with acute severe craniocerebral injury,54 had good prognosis,and 16 had poor prognosis.Of the patients with acute extra-severe craniocerebral injury,28 had good prognosis,and 22 had poor prognosis.The rate of good prognosis were 77.1％ and 56％ respectively,and the difference had statistical significance (P=0.014,x2=6.025).The good prognosis of patients with normal blood glucose group was 23 and the poor prognosis was 4,with a good prognosis rate of 85.2％ (23/27).Among patients with blood glucose of 6.1-10.0 mmol/L,30 had good prognosis and 8 had poor prognosis,with a good prognosis rate of 78.9％(30/38).Among patients with blood glucose ＞10.0 mmol/L,31 had good prognosis and 24 had poor prognosis,with a good prognosis rate of 56.4％ (31/55).With the increase of blood glucose,the good prognosis rate gradually decreased and the poor prognosis rate gradually increased,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.010,x2=9.283).Conclusion Blood glucose level has influence on the prognosis of patients with acute severe craniocerebral injury,and the good prognosis of patients with acute severe craniocerebral injury is severely affected by hyperglycemia.

Exploration and practice of scientific research ability training of students majoring in medical labo-ratory technology / 中华医学教育探索杂志

The new training standards of medical laboratory technology demand the graduates of medical laboratory technology should have the basic scientific research ability and quality. In order to com-plete the teaching work better and achieve the above training objectives, the members of the research group have made some attempts, adopting PBL, CBL and other teaching methods in theoretical teaching, develop-ing open experiments and comprehensive design experiments in experimental teaching, organizing students to study extracurricular undergraduate subject in spare time, in order to provide some basis for the training of students majoring in medical laboratory technology.

Chemical constituents from Nepeta angustifolia / 中成药

AIM To study the chemical constituents from Nepeta angustifolia C.Y.Wu.METHODS The ethyl acetate fraction of N.angustifolia 70％ ethanol extract was isolated and purified by silica,Sephadex LH-20,ODS and semi-preparative HPLC column,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Ten compounds were isolated and identified as oleanolic acid (1),betulinic acid (2),ursolic acid (3),3-sitosterol (4),angelicin (5),bakuchiol (6),blumenol C glucoside (7),psoralen (8),methyl rosmarinate (9),hesperidin (10).CONCLUSION Compounds 5-8are isolated from genus Nepeta for the first time,compounds 1,4-10 are first isolated from this plant.

Observation of the effect of immunopotentiator combined with antiviral therapy in the treatment of children with recurrent respiratory tract infections / 中国基层医药

Objective To explore the clinical curative effect of immunopotentiator combined with antiviral therapy in the treatment of children with recurrent respiratory tract infections.Methods 56 children with recurrent respiratory tract infections were selected as study subjects,and they were divided into two groups according to different therapeutic methods,28 cases in each group.The control group was given conventional antiviral treatment,the observation group was treated with immunopotentiator combined with antiviral therapy.The serum levels of IgA,IgG,IgM and peripheral blood T cell subsets CD3+,CD4+,CD8+ levels were detected in the two groups before treatment and after treatment.The fading away of the main symptoms and signs,and the clinical efficacy were observed.Results The fever subsided time [(1.98 ± 0.64) d],cough fade time [(1.65 ± 0.47) d] and lung's fading time [(2.38 ± 0.57) d] of the observation group were significantly shorter than those of the control group(all P ＜ 0.05).The total effective rate of the observation group was 92.86％,which was obviously higher than 67.86％ of control group(x2 =5.54,P ＜ 0.05).The serum immunoglobulin IgG [(9.09 ± 3.01) g/L],IgA [(1.75 ± 0.57) g/L],IgM [(1.39 ± 0.42) g/L] of the observation group after treatment had statistically significant differences compared with the control group (t =0.038,0.041,0.027,all P ＜0.05).The T lymphocyte subsets CD~ [(59.4 ± 8.9) ％],CD4+ [(40.5 ±4.4)％],CD8+ [(29.8 ± 4.7) ％] of the observation group after treatment had statistically significant differences compared with the control group (t =0.044,0.039,0.037,all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The application of immunopotentiator combined with antiviral therapy in the treatment of children with recurrent respiratory tract infections had exactly clinical curative effect,and it is worthy of popularization and application.

"Discriminant Analysis of ""Q-Markers"" of Traditional Chinese Medical Injections——Taking Dan Hong Injection as a Model" / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Quality control of traditional Chinese medicine is of great importance to ensure its safety and effectiveness in clinic,and is also an obstacle impeding the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.Though,the complexity of traditional Chinese medicine resulted in some relative weakness of quality standard researches.The critical point need addressing is to establish a sound quality standard system conforming to the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine in the process of the modernization of Chinese medicine.In this paper,in regard to Dan Hong injection,discriminant strategy of Q-Markers from traditional Chinese medicine injection was clarified from three aspects:what ingredients,which to control and how to control,providing a new vision in the field of the quality standard researches of traditional Chinese medicine.

"A study on the construction and cultivation of medical students'!lifelong learning ability under the""Three-orientation"" framework" / 中华医学教育探索杂志

The professional quality training ofthree orientedpersonnel training mode is one of the three core, which requires medical students to have lifelong learning ability. This study mainly describes the proposed concept of lifelong learning ability, expounds the necessity of lifelong learning ability, and analyzes the connotation, objective and strategies of improving the medical students'!lifelong learning ability under the framework of three oriented medical talents training mode. The training strategy has been discussed mainly from five aspects such as strengthening medical humanistic education, creating a lifelong learning atmosphere in campus, optimizing teaching methods, reform the course of career development and employ-ment guidance, reforming the course of career development and employment guidance, reforming the teaching of medical literature retrieval course and establishing the personal growth archives.

Simultaneous Determination of 4 Components in Danzhi Qing’e Tablet by HPLC / 中国药房

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the contents determination of psoralen,isopsoralen,psoralenoside and isop-soralenoside in Danzhi qing’e tablet. METHODS:HPLC performed on the column of Eclipse XDB-C18 with mobile phase of metha-nol-water(51∶49,V/V)(isocratic elution,for psoralen and isopsoralen)and acetonitrile-0.1% formic acid(12∶88,V/V)(isocratic elution,for psoralenoside and isopsoralenoside)at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min,the detection wavelength was 246 nm,column tem-perature was 30℃,and injection volume was 10 μl. RESULTS:The linear range was 3.138-200.8 μg/ml for psoralen(r=0.999 9), 3.175-203.2μg/ml for isopsoralen(r=0.999 9),3.181-101.8μg/ml for psoralenoside(r=0.999 9)and 3.169-101.4μg/ml for isopso-ralenoside (r=0.999 9);RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were lower than 2%;limits of quantitation were 0.627 5 ng,0.635 0 ng,3.181 0 ng and 3.169 0 ng,the limits of detection were 0.251 0 ng,0.254 0 ng,1.273 0 ng and 1.268 0 ng;recoveries were 95.68%-102.80%(RSD=2.4%,n=6),95.91%-102.10%(RSD=2.3%,n=6),98.64%-99.13%(RSD=0.23%,n=6) and 100.20%-101.70%(RSD=0.69%,n=6),respectively. CONCLUSIONS:The method is simple and accurate, and can be used for the simultaneous determination of psoralen,isopsoralen,psoralenoside and isopsoralenoside in Danzhi qing’e tablet.

Establishment of a Novel Diagnostic Method for Colorectal Cancer Based on Metabolites of Intestinal Microorganism / 分析化学

Abstract A rapid gas chromatographic ( GC ) method was established for the determination of short-chain fatty acids ( SCFAs ) in human feces. Feces samples were directly extracted by 1% HCl-75% ethanol solution, and then centrifuged at high speed for GC analysis. The chromatographic separation was performed on a DB-FFAP capillary column ( 30 m í 0 . 25 mm í 0 . 25 μm ) with a temperature program ( initial temperature at 50℃ held for 1 min, ramped to 190℃ at 10℃/min ) . The injection port temperature was 250℃ with split ratio at 50:1 . The carrier gas was high purity nitrogen with a constant linear velocity at 1. 0 mL/min. A flame ionization detector was employed to quantify SCFAs. The proposed method had been certified by systematic method validation, and used to determine feces samples. Subsequently, the health volunteer and colorectal cancer patient groups could be distinguished successfully by multivariate statistical analysis. Compared with health volunteers, the acetic acid and butyric acid of feces from colorectal cancer patients were reduced obviously, indicating that SCFAs particularly butyric acid could be considered as candidate markers for colorectal cancer diagnosis. In summary, this study provides a rapid method for the determination of SCFAs in feces form health volunteers and colorectal cancer patients. The method had a prospect for screening and diagnosing colorectal cancer rapidly.

Integration of quality education into physiology teaching reform / 中华医学教育探索杂志

According to the requirements of the ‘three guidance’ talent-cultivation model pro-posed by our university, humanistic spirit was permeated from multi angels during the process of phys-iology. Students'occupation quality was cultivated; physiology knowledge and clinical practice was combined for students; early contacting with clinical knowledge was conducted and teacher-student role reversal method was applied to train students' communication skills. Teaching practice showed that the reformed teaching model not only can ensure the quality of teaching but also can improve the comprehensive quality of students.

Rapid Analysis of Volatile Fatty Acids in Feces by Headspace Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry / 分析化学

A rapid headspace gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometric ( HS-GC/MS ) method was established for the analysis of volatile fatty acids ( VFAs ) in the feces. Feces were suspended by 6%phosphoric acid aqueous solution (1:2 m/V) and sealed in the headspace bottle for HS-GC/MS analysis. The HS-GC/MS method was optimized as follows: agitator temperature ( temp. ):80 ℃, syringe temp.:80 ℃, sample incubation time: 30 min, injection: 1 mL without split-flow. The chromatographic separation was performed on a DB-FFAP capillary column (30m×0. 25 mm×0. 25 μm) with injection port temp.:250 ℃. The temperature program ( initial temp. at 50 ℃ within first 1 min, and raised to 200 ℃ by 10 ℃/min) was employed by fixing the flow of carrier gas (high purity helium) at 1. 0 mL/min. The electron energy at -70 eV for electron impact ( EI ) ionization, ion source temp.: 250 ℃, transfer line temp.:280 ℃, the voltage of electron multiplier at 0. 95 kV. The spectra were recorded in the range of m/z 33-200 for full scan. The established HS-GC/MS method could be applied to analyze VGAs in the feces from human and rat appropriately. There are nine VFAs identified in the feces from human, and eight VFAs detected in the feces from rat by retrieving the NIST library, comparing with the standards and analyzing the MS data. Furthermore, the relative percentage contents of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid accounted for roughly 85% of all VFAs by area normalization. The method is simple and sensitive, and it can be used to rapidly detect VFAs in the feces from human and rat.

Study on ingredients of Scutellaria Radix extract penetrable through placental barrier of pregnant rat / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study ingredients penetrable through placental barrier by administering pregnant rats with Scutellaria Radix extract using HPLC-MS.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Rats in early, middle and late pregnancy were intragastrically administered with Scutellaria Radix extract for 5 days. Maternal plasma and embryonic tissues were obtained at 1.5, 12 h after the final administration of Scutellaria Radix extract to determine ingredients of biological specimens.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Under the optimum experimental conditions, seven compounds were detected in all pregnant rat plasma, specifically including baicalin, wogonoside, baicalein, wogonin and oroxylin A. The seven compounds were also discovered in embryonic tissues of rats in early pregnancy, including the five detected compounds. But they were not detected in embryonic tissues of rats in middle pregnancy, and six compounds except baicalein were detected embryonic tissues of rats in late pregnancy.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ingredients contained in Scutellaria Radix are detected in pregnant rats at different stages, except those in middle pregnancy, indicating a potential in utero exposure in case of oral administration of Scutellaria Radix pregnancy. Therefore, a study of embryotoxicity shall be continued to evaluate the safety of Scutellaria Radix extract.</p>

Variation of 4 kinds of compounds in Psoralea corylifolia processed by different methods / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>OBJECITVE: To established an efficient method for simultaneous quantification of 7 compounds belonging to 4 chemical types in Psoralea corylifolia processed by different methods, and to elucidate variations of 4 kinds of compounds in different processed P. corylifolia.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chromatographic separation was performed on an ACUITY C18 column using acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution in the gradient elution at 0.4 mL x min(-1). Detection wavelength was set at 246 nm. Column temperature was fixed at 50 degrees C.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The 4 kinds of compounds including psoralenoside, isopsoralenoside (benzofuran glycosides), psoralen, isopsoralen, psoralidin (coumarins), bavachin (flavonoids), and bakuchiol (meroterpenes) were separated in 25 min. The correlation coefficients of those compounds were over 0.9993 in the tested range. The intra- and inter-day precisions were below 1.5%. The average recoveries ranged from 99.2% to 106%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>This method is simple, rapid and accurate, which can be used for the determination of the 4 kinds of compounds in different processed P. corylifolia. In P. corylifolia processed by different methods, the contents of benzofuran glycosides, flavonoids, and meroterpenes in P. corylifolia processed by Leigong's method decrease obviously, while the contents of psoralen and isopsoralen increase significantly.</p>

Ingredients of Shuanghuanglian injection powder permeation through placental barrier of rat in pregnancy / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Use HPLC to study the permeation of ingredients of Shuanghuanglian injection powder (SHL) through placental barriers of rats at different stages of pregnancy.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The pregnant rats were administered SHL for 5 d through caudalis vena at different stages of pregnancy. Plasma and embryonic tissues were obtained 12 h after the final administration of SHL. The componds in biological specimen were identified by HPLC.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Baicalin, luteolin and wogonoside were the main compounds in plasma. Wogonoside retained in first trimester embryonic tissues, and baicalin retained in the embryonic tissues of different pregnant stages.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Baicalin is the main compound of SHL through placental barriers of rats. Embryotoxicity of baicalin should be considered as the key point to evaluate the safety of SHL.</p>

Identification of compounds in fruits of Psoralea corylifolia by HPLC-MS / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the compounds in fruits of Psoralea corylifolia by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>The chromatographic separation was carried out at 30 degrees C on a Diamonsil C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) eluted in the gradient program. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile (A) and water containing 0.05% formic acid (B). The detection wavelength was at 246 nm and the on-line UV spectra was recorded in the range of 190-400 nm. The mass spectra were obtained by Finnigan LCQ Deca XP(plus) ion trap mass spectrometer in the positive ion mode with ion spray voltage 4.5 kV, sheath gas (N2), 60 arbitrary units, auxiliary gas (N2), 20 arbitrary units; capillary temperature, 350 degrees C, capillary voltage 19 V, tube lens offset voltage 25 V, mass range recorded, m/z 90-800.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Two coumarin glycosides, three coumarins, eight flavonoids and one meroterpene were identified by HPLC-MS method.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method is simple and rapid for the identification and quality control for the fruits of P. corylifolia.</p>

Hierarchical cluster analysis of Radix Glycyrrhizae from different habitats / 中草药

Objective To study HPLC fingerprints of Radix Glycyrrhizae from different habitats, develop the method of hierarchical cluster analysis by using the results of fingerprints, and discuss regional effect on accumulation of active ingredients of Radix Glycyrrhizae. Methods HPLC Fingerprint analysis method of active ingredients was developed and the method had been evaluated. Based on the standardized result of peak area of glycyrrhizin, liquiritin, liquiritigenin, isoliquiritin, and isoliquiritigenin, seventeen batches of Radix Glycyrrhizae were classified and identified using hierarchical cluster analysis. Results The methodological evaluation showed that this method had a good repeatability. The amounts of glycyrrhizin and flavones in Radix Glycyrrhizae from various habitats are different. Conclusion Accumulation of active ingredients of Radix Glycyrrhizae has some relativity with habitats.