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Objective:To investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Zhonghua Dieda Pills; To preliminarily explore its mechanism on adjuvant arthritis model rats.Methods:Three inflammatory models and two pain models were used to investigate the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of Zhonghua Dieda Pills. After establishing the adjuvant arthritis rat model, the rats were divided into normal group, model group, dexamethasone group (0.8 mg/kg), and Zhonghua Dieda Pills (2.0, 1.0, 0.5 g/kg) groups according to random number table method. Each group was given corresponding drugs once a day for 5 weeks. The toe volume was measured at 1, 3 and 5 weeks after administration, and the swelling degree was calculated; the organ indices of rats were calculated and the histopathological changes of articular cartilage were observed by HE staining; the expressions of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in joint tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results:Zhonghua Dieda Pills (2.0 g/kg) group significantly reduced the swelling of foot and plantar of rats, reduced the swelling of ear of mice, and reduced the dry weight of granuloma of rats ( P<0.05); Zhonghua Dieda Pills (1.4 g/kg) group significantly reduced the number of twisting of rats, and the pain threshold after 3 h of administration was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05); Zhonghua Dieda Pills (2.0 g/kg) group significantly reduced the swelling of the foot and metatarsal of arthritic rats after 3-5 weeks of administration ( P<0.05), decreased the thymus index ( P<0.05), and reduced the expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and TGF-β in joint tissues ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Zhonghua Dieda Pills have confirmed anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which may play a therapeutic role in adjuvant arthritis model rats by reducing the levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-1β, TNF-α and TGF-β.
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Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) for malignant obstruction of the biliary tract. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with malignant biliary obstruction treated by PDT in our medical center. On the basis of different treatment plans, the patients were categorized into the photodynamic only group and the combined treatment group, in which additional interventional operations, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy were arranged. The alterations in liver function, duration of biliary patency, and postoperative complications that occurred within one month were closely monitored in both groups. Results A total number of 19 patients were enrolled in this study. The technical success rate of PDT was 100%. The deterioration of liver function was not observed in any patients within one month after PDT. Within a maximum of 17.7 months follow-up, the patency rates of the biliary tract were 100.0%, 89.5%, 72%, and 64% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure, respectively. The mean biliary patency time was 6.9±0.8 months (95%CI: 5.2-8.7 months). Specifically, the biliary patency times for Bismuth type Ⅲ and Ⅳ were 7.5±1.1 and 6.1±1.3 months, respectively. The biliary patency time was around 3.3±0.7 months in the photodynamic only group and 7.9±0.9 months in the combined treatment group (P=0.017). Conclusion PDT for Bismuth Ⅲ-Ⅳ malignant biliary obstruction is safe and effective. Moreover, the period of biliary patency is greatly extended when PDT is combined with systemic therapy.
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Cinnamomum camphora is an important economic tree species in China. According to the type and content of main components in the volatile oil of leaf, C. camphora were divided into five chemotypes, including borneol-type, camphor-type, linalool-type, cineole-type, and nerolidol-type. Terpene synthase(TPS) is the key enzyme for the formation of these compounds. Although several key enzyme genes have been identified, the biosynthetic pathway of(+)-borneol, which has the most economic value, has not been reported. In this study, nine terpenoid synthase genes CcTPS1-CcTPS9 were cloned through transcriptome analysis of four chemical-type leaves. After the recombinant protein was induced by Escherichia coli, geranyl pyrophosphate(GPP) and farnesyl pyrophosphate(FPP) were used as substrates for enzymatic reaction, respectively. Both CcTPS1 and CcTPS9 could catalyze GPP to produce bornyl pyrophosphate, which could be hydrolyzed by phosphohydrolase to obtain(+)-borneol, and the product of(+)-borneol accounted for 0.4% and 89.3%, respectively. Both CcTPS3 and CcTPS6 could catalyze GPP to generate a single product linalool, and CcTPS6 could also react with FPP to generate nerolidol. CcTPS8 reacted with GPP to produce 1,8-cineol(30.71%). Nine terpene synthases produced 9 monoterpene and 6 sesquiterpenes. The study has identified the key enzyme genes responsible for borneol biosynthesis in C. camphora for the first time, laying a foundation for further elucidating the molecular mechanism of chemical type formation and cultivating new varieties of borneol with high yield by using bioengineering technology.
Subject(s)
Cinnamomum camphora/enzymology , Alkyl and Aryl Transferases/chemistryABSTRACT
Background/Aims@#Although the conversion from tacrolimus (TAC) to cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4-immunoglobulin (CTLA4-Ig) is effective in reducing TAC-induced nephrotoxicity, it remains unclear whether CTLA4-Ig has a direct effect on TAC-induced renal injury. In this study, we evaluated the effects of CTLA4-Ig on TAC-induced renal injury in terms of oxidative stress. @*Methods@#In vitro study was performed to assess the effect of CTLA4-Ig on TAC-induced cell death, reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, and the protein kinase B (AKT)/forkhead transcription factor (FOXO) 3 pathway in human kidney 2 cells. In the in vivo study, the effect of CTLA4-Ig on TAC-induced renal injury was evaluated using renal function, histopathology, markers of oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine) and metabolites (4-hydroxy-2-hexenal, catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and glutathione reductase), and activation of the AKT/FOXO3 pathway with insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1). @*Results@#CTLA4-Ig significantly decreased cell death, ROS, and apoptosis caused by TAC. TAC treatment increased apoptotic cell death and apoptosis-related proteins (increased Bcl-2-associated X protein and caspase-3 and decreased Bcl-2), but it was reversed by CTLA4-Ig treatment. The activation of p-AKT and p-FOXO3 by TAC decreased with CTLA4-Ig treatment. TAC-induced renal dysfunction and oxidative marker levels were significantly improved by CTLA4-Ig in vivo. Concomitant IGF-1 treatment abolished the effects of CTLA4-Ig. @*Conclusions@#CTLA4-Ig has a direct protective effect on TAC-induced renal injury via the inhibition of AKT/FOXO3 pathway.
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Objective To investigate the clinical application value of 18F-FDG PET-CT simulation localization in radiotherapy of recurrent abdominal and pelvic tumors. Methods 18F-FDG PET-CT was used to simulate positioning 38 patients with abdominal and pelvic tumors who relapsed after treatment.Based on both CT images and 18F-FDG PRT-CT, we drew up a systemic treatment plan and outlined the radiotherapy target area, and then compared the differences between the two methods. Results In 38 patients, 21.1%(3/8) of patients were found to have distal metastases outside the pelvic and abdominal cavity, and changed the systemic treatment plan.The radiotherapy target was altered in 34(89.5%) patients.The mean value of GTVPET-CT was 118.14cm3and the mean value of GTVCT was 148.53cm3(P=0.044). Conclusion For patients with recurrent abdominal and pelvic tumors, 18F-FDG PET-CT simulation localization treatment improves tumor re-staging, changes the integrated therapy for some patients, and makes the target area of radiotherapy more accurate.
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Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological features and differential diagnosis of NTRK3 gene rearrangement thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC). Methods: The PTC cases without BRAF V600E mutation were collected at Fujian Provincial Hospital South Branch from January 2015 to January 2020. The cases of NTRK3 gene rearrangement PTC were examined using immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The clinical data, histopathological characteristics, immunohistochemical features and molecular pathological changes were retrospectively analyzed. Data from the TCGA PTC dataset and the literature were also studied. Results: A total of 3 PTC cases harboring NTRK3 gene rearrangement were confirmed. All the patients were female, aged from 26,49,34 years. Histologically, two of them demonstrated a multinodular growth pattern. Only one case showed prominent follicular growth pattern; the other two tumors showed a mixture of follicular, papillary and solid growth patterns. All tumors showed a typical PTC nuclear manifestation, with some nuclear pleomorphism, vacuolated foci and oncocytic features. The characteristic formation of glomeruloid follicular foci was present in two cases which also showed psammoma bodies, and tumoral capsular or angiolymphatic invasion. The background thyroid parenchyma showed chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis. Mitotic rates were low, and no cases had any tumor necrosis. The pan-TRK and TTF1 testing was both positive in 3 cases, while S-100 and mammaglobin were both negative in them. FISH studies confirmed the NTRK3 gene rearrangement in all 3 cases. Studies on the TCGA datasets and literature revealed similar findings. Conclusions: NTRK3 gene rearrangement PTC is rare. It may be easily misdiagnosed due to the lack of histological and clinicopathological characteristics. Molecular studies such as pan-TRK immunostaining, FISH and even next-generation sequencing are needed to confirm the diagnosis. Immunohistochemistry of pan-TRK performed in the PTC cases without BRAF V600E mutation can be used as a good rapid-screening tool. With the emergence of pan-cancer tyrosine receptor kinase inhibitors, proper diagnosis of these tumors can help determine appropriate treatments and improve their outcomes.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Biomarkers, Tumor , Gene Rearrangement , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Mutation , Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf/genetics , Receptor, trkC , Retrospective Studies , Thyroid Cancer, Papillary/genetics , Thyroid Neoplasms/geneticsABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the regulatory relationship of Protein Phosphatase 2 Regulatory Subunit B"Alpha ( PPP2R3A) and hexokinase 1 ( HK1) in glycolysis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).@*Methods@#In HepG2 and Huh7 cells, PPP2R3A expression was silenced by small interfering RNA (siRNA) and overexpression by plasmid transfection. The PPP2R3A-related genes were searched by RNA sequencing. Glycolysis levels were measured by glucose uptake and lactate production. QRT-PCR, ELISA, western blot and immunofluorescence assay were performed to detect the changes of PPP2R3A and HK1. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion assay were used to study the roles of HK1 regulation by PPP2R3A.@*Results@#RNA sequencing data revealed that PPP2R3A siRNA significantly downregulated the expression of HK1. PPP2R3A gene overexpression promotes, while gene silencing suppresses, the level of HK1 and glycolysis in HCC cells. In HCC tissue samples, PPP2R3A and HK1 were colocalized in the cytoplasm, and their expression showed a positive correlation. HK1 inhibition abrogated the promotion of glycolysis, proliferation, migration and invasion by PPP2R3A overexpression in liver cancer cells.@*Conclusion@#Our findings showed the correlation of PPP2R3A and HK1 in the glycolysis of HCC, which reveals a new mechanism for the oncogenic roles of PPP2R3A in cancer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/pathology , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Proliferation , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Glycolysis , Hexokinase/metabolism , Liver Neoplasms/pathology , Protein Phosphatase 2/metabolism , RNA, Small Interfering/metabolismABSTRACT
Objective:To explore the value of a deep learning model based on MRI in predicting the methylation status of MGMT in WHO Ⅱ, Ⅲ gliomas.Methods:The clinical and imaging data of 121 patients with WHO grade Ⅱ, Ⅲ glioma confirmed by surgical pathology and molecular pathology in the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from June 2016 to June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, the MGMT promoter was methylated. A total of 78 cases were metabolized and 43 cases were unmethylated. T 2WI and T 1WI enhanced sequence images of 121 cases of WHO Ⅱ, Ⅲ gliomas were collected, and all the images of each patient including the lesion level were selected manually, and were randomly divided into training set and validation set according to 7∶3. The EfficientNet-B3 convolutional neural network was used to build independent prediction models (T 2-net, T 1C-net, TS-net) based on T 2WI, T 1WI enhancement, T 2WI combined with T 1WI enhancement, and the prediction performance of each model was evaluated separately through the ROC curve. Results:The T 2-net model in the validation set presented an accuracy of 72.3%, a sensitivity of 64.7%, a specificity of 73.3%, and an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.72 for predicting the methylation status of the MGMT promoter in WHO Ⅱ, Ⅲ gliomas. The T 1C-net model showed an accuracy of 66.8%, a sensitivity of 68.3%, a specificity of 66.9%, and an AUC of 0.72. The TS-net model showed an accuracy of 81.8%, a sensitivity of 63.1%, a specificity of 85.0%, and AUC of 0.78. Conclusions:The EfficientNet-B3 convolutional neural network based on MRI can predict the methylation status of the MGMT promoter of WHO Ⅱ, Ⅲ gliomas; the TS-net model has the best prediction performance.
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italic>Aconitum pendulum is a Tibetan medicine that is rich in bioactive compounds such as aconitine-type C19-diterpenoid alkaloids. To investigate the key enzymes in the aconitine biosynthesis pathway, roots, leaves and flowers of Aconitum pendulum were subjected to a high-throughput transcriptomic sequencing analysis by Illumina HiSeqTM2000. Trinity de novo assembly yielded 47 264 unigenes with an average length of 1 140 bp and N50 of 1 678 bp, of which 30 231 unigenes (63.96%) were annotated. In the KEGG database, 542 unigenes were implicated in 17 secondary metabolic pathways; the analysis showed that 44 genes encoded 20 key enzymes in the diterpene skeleton of aconitine biosynthesis and 12 BAHD acyltransferase genes were related to the acetylation modification, with differential expression among three organs. For example, ApTPS8 was the only committed enzyme in the upstream aconitine biosynthetic pathway. The high expression level of ApTPS8 in root indicated that it is the main tissue for the production of precursors of diterpene alkaloids. Consistent with the accumulation of aconitine, we propose that ApBAHD1/2/8 is involved in the biosynthesis of 2-hydroxyaconitine, dehydrated 14-benzoylaconitine, 8-O-methyl-14-benzoylaconine, benzoyldeoxyaconitine and benzoylaconitine, and ApBAHD10 is involved in the biosynthesis of acontine, lucidusculine, 14-O-acetylneoline and 14-O-acetylvirescenin. Comparative transcriptome analysis of A. pendulum and A. carmichaeli indicates significant gene loss in the family of diterpene synthases and acyltransferases in A. pendulum, which is in accordance with the significantly fewer type and quantity of aconitine compounds in this species. Therefore, A. pendulum has proved to be an ideal material for the study of the aconitine biosynthesis pathway. This work provides basic scientific data for further study of aconitine biosynthesis, the discussion of molecular mechanisms of toxicity, and the synthesis of genuine medicinal materials.
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The plant root-associated microbiomes include root microbiome and rhizosphere microbiome, which are closely related to plant life activities. Nearly 30% of photosynthesis products of plants are used to synthesize root compounds, there is evidence that root compounds regulate and significantly affect the root microbiome Tanshinones are the main hydrophobic components in Salvia miltiorrhiza. In order to study whether these compounds can regulate the root-associated microbiomes of S. miltiorrhiza, our study first identified a white root S. miltiorrhiza(BG) which contains little tanshinones. Retain of the fifth intron of tanshinones synthesis key enzyme gene SmCPS1 leading to the early termination of the SmCPS1 gene, and a stable white root phenotype. Further, wild type(WT) and BG were planted in greenhouse with nutrient soil(Pindstrup, Denmark) and Shandong soil(collected from the S. miltiorrhiza base in Weifang, Shandong), then high-throughput sequencing was used to analyze the root-associated microbiomes. The results showed that the tanshinones significantly affected the root-associated microbiomes of S. miltiorrhiza, and the impact on root microbiomes was more significant. There are significant differences between WT and BG root microbiomes in species richness, dominant strains and co-occurrence network. Tanshinones have a certain repelling effect on Bacilli which belongs to Gram-positive, while specifically attract some Gram-negative bacteria such as Betaproteobacteria and some specific genus of Alphaproteobacteria. This study determined the important role of tanshinones in regulating the structure of root-associated microbiomes from multiple angles, and shed a light for further improving the quality and yield of S. miltiorrhiza through microenvironment regulation.
Subject(s)
Abietanes , Microbiota , Plant Roots , Salvia miltiorrhizaABSTRACT
Objective:To study the functional connectivity (FC) and metabolic effective connectivity (MEC) patterns of the default mode network (DMN) in healthy male adults based on a novel hybrid PET/MR system.Methods:Fifteen healthy male adults with median age of 29 years were recruited locally in Xi′an from January to May 2019. All subjects went through PET/MR scan to get the whole brain 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET, resting-state functional MRI (fMRI) and magnetization prepared rapid gradient echo (MPRAGE) T 1 weighted imaging data. CONN18b and statistical parametric mapping (SPM) 12 softwares were used to analyze data. The voxel-wise FC and FDG metabolic data were extracted within 4 sub-networks of DMN, which included medial prefrontal cortex (MPFC), posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) and bilateral lateral parietal (LP). The FC and MEC between 4 sub-networks were calculated based on merged resting-state fMRI and metabolic data, and analyzed by one-sample t test separately, with Bonferroni correction. Results:FC pathways were all significant within 4 sub-networks of DMN ( t values: 6.00-7.71, all P<0.008, Bonferroni corrected). Meanwhile, there were significant bi-directional MEC between MPFC and PCC(MPFC to PCC: t=10.03; PCC to MPFC: t=3.73, both P<0.004, Bonferroni corrected), as well as between bilateral LP (LP_L to LP_R: t=5.28; LP_R to LP_L: t=4.76, both P<0.004, Bonferroni corrected). There were significant uni-directional MEC from both MPFC and PCC to bilateral LP ( t values: 3.44-6.93, all P<0.004, Bonferroni corrected). Conclusions:Special FC and MEC patterns exist within DMN. The closely interrelated MPFC and PCC play more important roles in DMN, and they may mediate LP jointly. The novel integrated PET/MR system will bring new perspective on the organization of brain networks, which may deepen the comprehensive understanding of DMN.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of Shuangshen Ningxin capsules （SSNX） on cardiac hemodynamics and cardiac function in rats with coronary microvascular dysfunction. Method:Rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group， a model group， a nicorandil group （5 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>）， and high- （180 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>）， medium- （90 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>）， and low-dose （45 mg·kg<sup>-1</sup>） SSNX groups. Rats received corresponding drugs for 7 days. Two hours after the last administration， the model of coronary microvascular dysfunction was induced by left ventricular injection of embolic microspheres （40-120 μm， about 1 000 microspheres）. Twenty-four hours after modeling， left ventricular internal dimension in diastole （LVIDd）， left ventricular internal dimension in systole （LVIDs） left ventricular end-diastolic volume （LVEDV）， left ventricular end-systolic volume （LVESV）， stroke volume （SV）， cardiac output （CO）， left ventricular ejection fraction （EF）， and left ventricular shortening rate （FS） were detected by echocardiography. Cardiac catheterization was used to observe the arterial systolic blood pressure （SBP）， diastolic blood pressure （DBP）， left ventricular systolic pressure （LVSP）， left ventricular end-diastolic pressure （LVEDP）， maximum rate of increase in left ventricular pressure （LV+dp/dt<sub>max</sub>）， and maximum rate of decrease in left ventricular pressure （LV-dp/dt<sub>max</sub>）， and the mean arterial pressure （MAP） was calculated. Heart rate （HR） was calculated according to Ⅱ lead ECG. Biochemical analysis was carried out to detect the activities of creatine kinase （CK）， creatine kinase-MB （CK-MB）， and lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect serum cardiac troponin T （cTnT）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of Caspase-3， Bcl-2， and Bax， and 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining to observe the area of myocardial infarction. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the morphological changes of the myocardium. Result:As revealed by echocardiography， compared with the sham operation group， the model group showed reduced SV， CO， EF， and FS （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and increased LVIDs and LVEDV （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， the SSNX groups showed increased EF （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01） and FS （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， and the high- and medium-dose SSNX groups displayed reduced LVIDs and LVESV， and increased LVEDV， SV， and CO （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. SBP， DBP， MAP， LVSP， LV+dp/dt<sub>max</sub>， and LV-dp/dt<sub>max</sub> in the model group were lower than those in the sham operation group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）， while there was no significant difference in HR. SSNX improved hemodynamics of rats， and increased SBP， DBP， MAP， LVSP， LV+dp/dt<sub>max</sub>， LV-dp/dt<sub>max</sub>， and HR as compared with the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05， <italic>P</italic><0.01）. The serum CK， LDH， CK-MB， and cTnT levels in the model group were higher than those in the sham operation group （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the model group， SSNX groups reduced serum CK， LDH， CK-MB， and cTnT （<italic>P</italic><0.05，<italic> P</italic><0.01）. Compared with the sham operation group， the model group displayed increased expression of Caspase-3 protein in the myocardium （<italic>P</italic><0.01） and reduced expression of Bcl-2 protein （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. The expression of Caspase-3 protein in the myocardium of SSNX groups was lower than that in the model group， and statistical difference was observed between the low-dose SSNX group and the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Compared with the model group， the SSNX groups exhibited increased expression of Bcl-2 in the rat myocardium， and the statistical difference was observed in the high-dose SSNX group <italic>（P</italic><0.01）. As demonstrated by the TTC staining， compared with the model group， SSNX groups showed reduced areas of myocardial infarction （<italic>P</italic><0.01）. The HE staining indicated that the pathological injury in myocardial tissues of the SSNX groups was relieved as compared with that in the model group. Conclusion:SSNX can significantly enhance the cardiac function after coronary microvascular dysfunction caused by embolic microspheres， improve cardiac hemodynamics， reduce the area of myocardial infarction， and decrease CK， LDH， CK-MB， and cTnT levels. The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of cardiomyocyte apoptosis to protect the myocardium.
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Objective:To study the effect of Shuangshen Xionglian （SSXL） granules on vasculopathy and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase （PI3K）/serine threonine kinase （Akt）/nitrogen oxide synthase （eNOS） signal in hyperhomocysteinemia chronic kidney disease rats. Method:Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups： sham operation group， model group， and high， medium and low-dose （8， 4， 2 g·kg-1） SSXL groups. The model of hyperhomocysteinemia chronic kidney disease in rats was established with high methionine feed combined with 5/6 nephrectomy. After 5/6 nephrectomy， continuous intragastric administration lasted for four weeks. Arterial blood pressure was measured at the 4th and 8th weeks after operation. At the end of the 8th week after the operation， blood was collected to determine serum creatinine， urea nitrogen， homocysteine （Hcy）， methionine and blood lipid. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of PI3K/Akt/eNOS pathway-related proteins， such as p-p85， p-Akt and p-Ser177 in thoracic aorta， and serum NO and eNOS were measured. The changes of endothelium-dependent relaxation and non-endothelium-dependent relaxation were measured by the method of isolated thoracic aorta ring. Pathological htoxylin eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the changes of renal tissue and thoracic aorta. Result:At the 8th week of the experiment， compared with the sham operation group， arterial systolic blood pressure， serum urea nitrogen， creatinine， Hcy， methionine， total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein of the model group were significantly increased. Four weeks later after administration， arterial systolic blood pressure， serum urea nitrogen， Hcy， methionine， serum total cholesterol and serum low-density lipoprotein were significantly reduced in each dose group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The creatinine in the SSXL 8， 4 g·kg-1 group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）. The nitric oxide content of SSXL in each dose groups were increased compared with that in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the serum eNOS activity of the SSXL in the SSXL 8 g·kg-1 group was significantly increased compared with that in the model group （P<0.05）. The endothelium dependent and non-endothelium dependent vasodilation of thoracic aortic rings in the model group were significantly damaged. The cumulative concentration of acetylcholine （1×10-5.5~1×10-4 mmo1·L-1） in the SSXL 8 g·kg-1 group was significantly improved （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The diastolic degree of the vascular ring in the SSXL 8 g·kg-1 group was significantly higher than that in the model group （P<0.05）. Western blot results showed that the expressions of p-85， p-Akt and p-Ser177 in blood vessels increased in the sham group compared with those in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the phosphorylation level of this pathway was increased in the SSXL groups， and the expressions of p-Akt and p-Ser177 in the SSXL 8 g·kg-1 group were significantly increased （P<0.05）. The pathological results showed that the pathological changes of thoracic aorta and renal tissue in the dosages of SSXL were significantly reduced compared with those in the model group. Conclusion:SSXL granules can improve hyperhomocysteine and dyslipidemia in rats of chronic kidney disease with hyperhomocysteine， reduce serum creatinine， urea nitrogen levels and arterial systolic blood pressure， and improve vascular morphology and diastolic function， which may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/Akt/eNOS signaling pathway.
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Natural borneol is an important traditional Chinese medicine herb with resuscitation-inducing, antipyretic and analgesic effects, and has been widely used in the fields of medicine, perfume and chemical industry. At present, natural borneol is short supply, with promising market development prospects. This paper summarized the distribution of borneol plant resources, cultivation status and molecular biological research progress, in the expectation of providing basis and ideas for the research and application of natural borneol.
Subject(s)
Camphanes , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Medicine, Chinese TraditionalABSTRACT
Background/Aims@#It is undetermined if herbal medicines (HM) containing aristolochic acid (AA)-containing have similar nephrotoxicity to AA itself. @*Methods@#We administered HM containing a high concentration of AA for 5 days (short-term study) or a low concentration of AA for 30 days (long-term study) to C57BL/6 mice; for comparison, same dose of AA compound was used as controls. @*Results@#The nephrotoxicity in the HM- and AA-treated mice was compared in terms of renal function, histopathology, oxidative stress, apoptotic cell death, and mitochondrial damage. Short-term HM treatment resulted in acute kidney injury (marked renal dysfunction, acute tubular necrosis, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL] expression) in which the severity of renal dysfunction and histopathology was comparable with that induced by the administration of AA alone. Long-term HM treatment resulted in features of chronic kidney disease (CKD, mild renal dysfunction and tubular atrophy and dilatation). No significant differences in these parameters were observed between the HM- and AA-treated mice. HM-induced oxidative stress (8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine and manganese- dependent superoxide dismutase expression) and apoptotic cell death (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling [TUNEL]-positive cells and active caspase-3 expression) were similar in HM- and AA-treated mice in the short-term and long-term studies. Mitochondrial injury, evaluated by electron microscopy, was also similar in HM- and AA-treated mice in the short-term and long-term studies. @*Conclusions@#The nephrotoxic potential of HM containing AA was similar to that of AA itself.
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Objective:To investigate the therapeutic effect of Qihong capsule on pentobarbital sodium induced heart failure in beagle dogs. Method:Thirty healthy adult beagle dogs were randomly divided into 6 groups, 6 in each group. They were normal group, model group, digoxin tablet group (40 μg·kg-1), Qihong capsule high, medium and low dose groups (2.6，1.3，0.65 g·kg-1). The heart failure model of beagle dogs was established by intravenous infusion of 2% pentobarbital sodium. The success standard of the model was that the maximum rate of rise of left ventricular pressure was reduced by 70%.The corresponding drugs were given through duodenum. The Ⅱ lead electrocardiogram, coronary blood flow, cardiac output, left ventricular pressure and maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise were measured by multi-channel physiological recorder. The arterial oxygen content and coronary sinus oxygen content were measured by Roche blood oxygen analyzer at different time points, and the myocardial oxygen utilization rate was calculated. Result:After intravenous infusion of 2% pentobarbital sodium for about 15 minutes, beagle dogs began to show obvious symptoms of heart failure. The main manifestations were the increase of PR interval of Ⅱ lead electrocardiogram, the decrease of coronary blood flow, left ventricular pressure, cardiac output, cardiac output, venous oxygen content, and the increase of myocardial oxygen utilization rate (P<0.01) compared with the model group, Qihong capsule significantly increased coronary blood flow at 60-120 min after treatment (P<0.05). The cardiac output of 2.6 g·kg-1 Qihong capsule increased significantly at 45-60 min after treatment, with the maximum increase of about 16%, which was significantly different from that of model group (P<0.05). At the same time, it can increase the oxygen content of coronary sinus blood, which indicates that the myocardial oxygen supply is increased and the oxygen utilization rate is decreased. Qihong capsule 1.3 g·kg-1 group significantly increased the maximum rate of left ventricular pressure rise (P<0.05), the maximum increase rate was about 42%. Conclusion:Qihong capsule can increase coronary blood flow and venous blood oxygen content at the same time, make myocardial nutrient supply sufficient, reduce oxygen utilization rate, on this basis, Qihong capsule can further increase cardiac output and improve cardiac function, so as to play a protective role in heart failure.
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Objective:To evaluate the effects of aquatic exercise on lower-limb motor function and activities of daily living for patients with stroke. Methods:The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about effects of aquatic therapeutic exercise on stroke patients were recalled from the databases of Cochrane Library, PEDro, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Knowledge, Web of Science, OVID, EBSCO, CMCI, CNKI, Wanfang and VIP. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was evaluated. The data were extracted, and analysed with RevMan 5.3. Results:A total of 23 RCTs that represented 861 participants were evaluated. Compared with the control group, aquatic exercise significantly improved the performance of Berg Balance Scale (WMD = 2.69, 95%CI 1.21 to 4.16,P < 0.001), Timed Up and Go Test (WMD = -1.56, 95%CI -3.07 to -0.05,P < 0.05), Functional Reach Test (WMD = 2.69, 95%CI 1.21 to 4.16,P < 0.001), sway velocity of center of pressure (SVCOP) (left/right) (WMD = -1.38, 95%CI -2.72 to -0.05,P < 0.05), SVCOP (anteroposterior) (WMD = -1.64, 95%CI -3.10 to -0.18,P < 0.05), walking speed (SMD = 0.33, 95%CI 0.07 to 0.58,P < 0.05), Two Minute Walk Test (WMD = 12.75, 95%CI 4.17 to 21.34,P < 0.01), Functional Ambulation Category (WMD = 0.94, 95%CI 0.67 to 1.20,P < 0.001), muscle strength of knee extensor (WMD = 4.30, 95%CI 1.53 to 7.07,P < 0.01), muscle strength of knee flexor (WMD = 4.80, 95%CI 0.29 to 9.32,P < 0.05), and Functional Independence Measurement (WMD = 6.12, 95%CI 3.98 to 8.27,P < 0.001), but not significantly in the score of modified Barthel Index (WMD = 2.92, 95%CI -6.74 to 12.58,P = 0.55). Conclusion:Aquatic exercise can improve balance, walking and muscle strength of lower extremities of stroke patients, but do not for activities of daily living.
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Segmental zoster paresis(SZP)is a rare complication in herpes zoster infection,with its symptoms often neglected due to the co-existence of pain.Here we reported a case of SZP.Also,we analyzed 42 Chinese SZP cases in literature,which revealed that the male to female ratio of SZP patients was 13∶8,and the median age of disease onset was 65 years.The most commonly affected region is upper limb.The diagnosis depends mainly on typical medical history and clinical symptoms.Although there is no definite therapy for SZP,the antiviral therapy is the most commonly used treatment,which achieved complete recovery in 78.6% of the patients and partial recovery in 14.3% of the patients.
Subject(s)
Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Herpes Zoster/diagnosis , Paresis/etiology , Upper Extremity/physiopathologyABSTRACT
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a kind of joint disease characterized by progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, synovitis and pain. Its pathogenesis is not yet completely clear. Generally, it is believed that age, sex, obesity, trauma, inflammation, genetic susceptibility and other mechanical and biological factors together lead to the degradation and synthetic coupling imbalance of cartilage cells, extracellular matrix and subchondral bone. In recent years, signaling pathway has become a hot spot in the research of KOA chondrocyte proliferation and apoptosis, and the research of signal pathway in the pathogenesis and targeted therapy of KOA also began. It usually involves the expressions of cytokines, relevant genes and proteins in KOA chondrocyte. These researches mainly focus on the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes, the synthesis and degradation of extracellular matrix, and the sclerosis of subchondral bone. More studies focus on p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) signaling pathway. Literatures show that p38 MAPK signaling pathway can regulate the proliferation and apoptosis of chondrocytes, maintain the balance of extracellular matrix metabolism, regulate the production of matrix metalloproteinases and pro-inflammatory factors, participate in the degradation of collagen and proteoglycan, and play an important regulatory role in the pathological process of KOA. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) therapy under the guidance of holistic concept and dialectical treatment theory has a strong pertinence and remarkable curative effect, and can control the development of the disease fundamentally. Starting with the relationship between p38 MAPK and the pathogenesis of KOA, this paper summarizes the research progress of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in the diagnosis and treatment of KOA by TCM, and provides new targets for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of KOA.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#To study the characteristics of lung adenocarcinoma driver gene variants detected by next generation sequencing (NGS) and quantitative fluorescence PCR.@*Methods@#NGS was performed on 372 surgical resections from primary lung adenocarcinoma patients to detect 10 driver gene mutations, single-nucleotide variants(SNV), insertion/deletion and gene fusions; and quantitative fluorescence PCR were performed on 169 surgical resections from primary lung adenocarcinoma patients to detect nine driver gene hotspot mutations. Variants of VAF (variant allele frequency)≥1.0% were classified into 1 of 4 levels according to the guidelines and the precision oncology knowledge base of OncoKB, and the characteristics were investigated.@*Results@#Sixty seven variants(leve1-4) were found by NGS, the positive rate of total mutations was 86.6% (322/372), in which variants at four levels were detected: levelⅠvariant, which was recognized as biomarker predictive of response to an FDA/NMPA approved drug in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), was 71.2% (265/372);level Ⅱ variant, which was recognized as being standard care by the NCCN or other expert panels, was 3.0% (11/372); levelⅢA, a variant with compelling clinical evidence supports the biomarker as being predictive of response to a drug in this indication 3.0% (11/372); levelⅢB, a variant with compelling clinical evidence supports the biomarker as being predictive of response to a drug in another indication, was 4.3% (16/372); and level Ⅳ, a variant with compelling biological evidence supports the biomarker as being predictive of response to a drug, was 8.1% (30/372). The positive rate of unknown clinical significance and/or benign/likely benign variants was 18.8% (70/372). The positive rate of mutations detected by quantitative fluorescence PCR was 81.7% (138/169). Eighteen of the 20 samples showed concordance between NGS and quantitative fluorescence PCR. The two discordant cases could be due to the lack of coverage of two mutation sites in fluorescence PCR: EGFR c. 2571_2573delinsTCG(p. L858R), and HIP1-ALK_H19:A20 fusion.@*Conclusions@#Lung adenocarcinoma driver gene variants occur mainly in hotspot region, and NGS can comprehensively detect the driver gene variants of significant and potential clinical significance. NGS should be recommended when multiple genes need to be tested.