Expression of FMD virus-like particles in yeast Hansenula polymorpha and immunogenicity of combine with CpG and aluminum adjuvant

Background@#Inactivated vaccines are limited in preventing foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) due to safety problems. Recombinant virus-like particles (VLPs) are an excellent candidate for a novel vaccine for preventing FMD, given that VLPs have similar immunogenicity as natural viruses and are replication- and infection-incompetent. @*Objectives@#The 3C protease and P1 polyprotein of type O FMD virus (FDMV) was expressed in yeast Hansenula polymorpha to generate self-resembling VLPs, and the potential of recombinant VLPs as an FMD vaccine was evaluated. @*Methods@#BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant purified VLPs using CpG oligodeoxynucleotide and aluminum hydroxide gel as an adjuvant. Cytokines and lymphocytes from serum and spleen were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, enzyme-linked immunospot assay, and flow cytometry. @*Results@#The VLPs of FMD were purified successfully from yeast protein with a diameter of approximately 25 nm. The immunization of mice showed that animals produced high levels of FMDV antibodies and a higher level of antibodies for a longer time. In addition, higher levels of interferon-γ and CD4 + T cells were observed in mice immunized with VLPs. @*Conclusions@#The expression of VLPs of FMD in H. polymorpha provides a novel strategy for the generation of the FMDV vaccine.

Progress in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for treating rectal cancer using multimodal functional imaging and radiomics technologies / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

Conventional imaging techniques, digital rectal examination, and endoscopy previously used to predict the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for treating rectal cancer are mainly based on the morphological information of tumors, but their treatment efficacy was not satisfying. In comparison, functional parameters are added into functional imaging and radiomics technologies such as diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-MRI), and positron emission computed tomography (PET-CT) based on the morphological information of tumors. These technologies cover rich biological information of tumors and can reflect the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy of rectal cancer patients before the morphology of tumors changes. This paper reviews the progress made in predicting the efficacy of neoadjuvant chemoradiation for treating rectal cancer using functional imaging and radiomics technologies.

The value of three-dimensional amide proton transfer-weighted imaging and its combination with diffusion weighted imaging in diagnosing breast benign and malignant lesions / 中华放射学杂志

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of three-dimensional amide proton transfer-weighted imaging (APTWI) and its combination with diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) for differentiating breast benign from malignant lesions.Methods:This was a prospective study. From July to December 2020, 226 patients with breast lesions confirmed by surgery or puncture pathology in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were collected. All patients underwent MR T 1-weighted imaging, T 2-weighted imaging, DWI, APTWI, and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value and the magnetization transfer ratio asymmetry at an offset of 3.5 ppm [MTRasym(3.5 ppm)] were obtained from DWI and APTWI respectively. Mann-Whitney U test was used for the comparison of DWI and APTWI parameters between breast benign and malignant lesions. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the differences of diagnostic efficacy between DWI, APTWI, and their combination. Results:There were 226 patients with 226 breast lesions, including 124 malignant and 102 benign lesions. The ADC values of patients with malignant breast lesions [1.03 (0.93, 1.13)×10 -3 mm 2/s] and MTRasym (3.5 ppm) [1.95% (1.10%, 2.88%)] were lower than those of benign breast lesions [1.38 (1.11, 1.55)×10 -3 mm 2/s, 3.30% (2.20%, 4.20%), respectively], and the differences were statistically significant ( Z=-8.19, -6.51, P<0.05). The area under the ROC curves (AUC) of DWI, APTWI, and its combination in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions were 0.817, 0.752, and 0.868, respectively. The AUC of the combination of DWI and APTWI was higher than that of DWI and APTWI ( Z=4.00, 2.93, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the AUC between DWI and APTWI diagnoses ( Z=1.58, P>0.05). Taking 1.25×10 -3 mm 2/s as the optimal cut-off value for ADC values, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions were 94.4% (117/124), 62.7% (64/102), and 80.1% (181/226), respectively; Taking 2.70% as the optimal cut-off value for MTRasym (3.5 ppm), the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions were 73.4% (91/124), 64.7% (66/102), and 69.5% (157/226), respectively, and the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of DWI combined with APTWI in differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions were 82.3% (102/124), 79.4% (81/102), and 81.0% (183/226), respectively. Conclusion:APTWI can be used for the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant breast lesions, and the combination of APTWI and DWI can obtain the better diagnostic performance than the single method.

Research progress on antioxidant mechanism of melatonin in reducing neonatal lung injury / 中华危重病急救医学

The etiology of neonatal lung injury is complicated. Because neonatal lungs are immature in the vesicles and alveolar period, they are easy to be injured by various factors. Clinically, the main manifestations of neonatal lung injury are refractory hypoxemia, respiratory distress, and decreased lung compliance, etc. In recent years, newborn treatment technology has been rapidly developed, but the incidence of neonatal lung injury is still very high, so more attention has been paid by the medical community. Oxidative stress refers to a state of imbalance between oxidation and antioxidant in the body. After newborns transition from amniotic fluid to the air, oxidative stress is relatively higher in the first few weeks of life, and oxidative stress injury will be further aggravated under the stimulation of adverse factors. Melatonin, as an important antioxidant factor in the human body, participates in many vital physiological and pathological processes, and can directly scavenge oxygen free radicals, enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes, inhibit cell apoptosis. Researches have showed that the antioxidant properties of melatonin played an important role in neonatal lung injury, however, the specific mechanism has not yet been fully clarified. The aim of this article is to review the antioxidant effects of melatonin in neonatal lung injury and provide new ideas for the treatment of neonatal lung injury.

Lipid production by oleaginous microorganisms using food wastes: a review / 生物工程学报

Food wastes are rich in nutrients and can be used for producing useful chemicals through biotransformation. Some oleaginous microorganisms can use food wastes to produce lipids and high value-added metabolites such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, squalene, and carotenoids. This not only reduces the production cost, but also improves the economic value of the products, thus has large potential for commercial production. This review summarized the advances in food waste treatment, with a focus on the lipid production by oleaginous microorganisms using food wastes. Moreover, challenges and future directions were prospected with the aim to provide a useful reference for related researchers.

Caprylic Acid Improves Lipid Metabolism, Suppresses the Inflammatory Response and Activates the ABCA1/p-JAK2/p-STAT3 Signaling Pathway in C57BL/6J Mice and RAW264.7 Cells / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to investigate the effects of caprylic acid (C8:0) on lipid metabolism and inflammation, and examine the mechanisms underlying these effects in mice and cells.@*METHODS@#Fifty-six 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly allocated to four groups fed a high-fat diet (HFD) without or with 2% C8:0, palmitic acid (C16:0) or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). RAW246.7 cells were randomly divided into five groups: normal, lipopolysaccharide (LPS), LPS+C8:0, LPS+EPA and LPS+cAMP. The serum lipid profiles, inflammatory biomolecules, and ABCA1 and JAK2/STAT3 mRNA and protein expression were measured.@*RESULTS@#C8:0 decreased TC and LDL-C, and increased the HDL-C/LDL-C ratio after injection of LPS. Without LPS, it decreased TC in mice ( P < 0.05). Moreover, C8:0 decreased the inflammatory response after LPS treatment in both mice and cells ( P < 0.05). Mechanistic investigations in C57BL/6J mouse aortas after injection of LPS indicated that C8:0 resulted in higher ABCA1 and JAK2/STAT3 expression than that with HFD, C16:0 and EPA, and resulted in lower TNF-α, NF-κB mRNA expression than that with HFD ( P < 0.05). In RAW 264.7 cells, C8:0 resulted in lower expression of pNF-κBP65 than that in the LPS group, and higher protein expression of ABCA1, p-JAK2 and p-STAT3 than that in the LPS and LPS+cAMP groups ( P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Our studies demonstrated that C8:0 may play an important role in lipid metabolism and the inflammatory response, and the mechanism may be associated with ABCA1 and the p-JAK2/p-STAT3 signaling pathway.

Intensive phototherapy vs. exchange transfusion for the treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: a multicenter retrospective cohort study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Intensive phototherapy (IPT) and exchange transfusion (ET) are the main treatments for extreme hyperbilirubinemia. However, there is no reliable evidence on determining the thresholds for these treatments. This multicenter study compared the effectiveness and complications of IPT and ET in the treatment of extreme hyperbilirubinemia.@*METHODS@#This retrospective cohort study was conducted in seven centers from January 2015 to January 2018. Patients with extreme hyperbilirubinemia that met the criteria of ET were included. Patients were divided into three subgroups (low-, medium-, and high- risk) according to gestational week and risk factors. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the data before treatment. Study outcomes included the development of bilirubin encephalopathy, duration of hospitalization, expenses, and complications. Mortality, auditory complications, seizures, enamel dysplasia, ocular motility disorders, athetosis, motor, and language development were evaluated during follow-up at age of 3 years.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1164 patients were included in this study. After PSM, 296 patients in the IPT only group and 296 patients in the IPT plus ET group were further divided into the low-, medium-, and high-risk subgroups with 188, 364, and 40 matched patients, respectively. No significant differences were found between the IPT only and IPT plus ET groups in terms of morbidity, complications, and sequelae. Hospitalization duration and expenses were lower in the low- and medium-risk subgroups in the IPT only group.@*CONCLUSIONS@#In this study, our results suggest that IPT is a safe and effective treatment for extreme hyperbilirubinemia. The indication of ET for patients with hyperbilirubinemia could be stricter. However, it is necessary to have a contingency plan for emergency ET as soon as IPT is commenced especially for infants with risk factors. If IPT can be guaranteed and proved to be therapeutic, ET should be avoided as much as possible.

Design and Application of Ultrasound Audit Workstation System / 中国医疗器械杂志

According to the problems exist in the original ultrasound system, the study elaborates the design and application of the ultrasound audit workstation system, including the workflow, trace information recording, information management, audit data interaction, application effects, et al. This study points out that the system can optimize the ultrasound process, help to improve the quality and efficiency of ultrasound report audit as well as improve the efficiency of patients' ultrasound examination and medical treatment experience.

A Novel Early Warning Model for Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease Prediction Based on a Graph Convolutional Network / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

Objectives@#Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is a widespread infectious disease that causes a significant disease burden on society. To achieve early intervention and to prevent outbreaks of disease, we propose a novel warning model that can accurately predict the incidence of HFMD.@*Methods@#We propose a spatial-temporal graph convolutional network (STGCN) that combines spatial factors for surrounding cities with historical incidence over a certain time period to predict the future occurrence of HFMD in Guangdong and Shandong between 2011 and 2019. The 2011-2018 data served as the training and verification set, while data from 2019 served as the prediction set. Six important parameters were selected and verified in this model and the deviation was displayed by the root mean square error and the mean absolute error.@*Results@#As the first application using a STGCN for disease forecasting, we succeeded in accurately predicting the incidence of HFMD over a 12-week period at the prefecture level, especially for cities of significant concern.@*Conclusions@#This model provides a novel approach for infectious disease prediction and may help health administrative departments implement effective control measures up to 3 months in advance, which may significantly reduce the morbidity associated with HFMD in the future.

Analysis of carcinogenic virus infection in HIV-infected patients / 上海预防医学

Objective To investigate the status of carcinogenic infection in people infected with HIV and those with negative HIV test results in VCT clinics. To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and provide scientific basis for more targeted disease prevention and control strategies. Methods The serum levels of Epstein-Barr virus （EBV）， human herpesvirus type 8 （HHV-8） and human T-lymphotropic virus type Ⅰ （HTLV-Ⅰ） antibodies were detected by ELISA method in 224 HIV-infected patients and 480 HIV-negative visitors treated in VCT clinics during the same period from 2014 to 2017， to compare the differences in the infection rates of this virus between HIV-infected and HIV-negative individuals and to systematically analyze the correlation between viral infections and high-risk sexual behavior. Results Among the 224 HIV-infected patients， 79 were positive for EBV antibody， with the infection rate of 35.27%； 151 were positive for HHV-8 antibody， with the infection rate of 67.41%； and 95 were positive for HTLV-Ⅰ， with the infection rate of 42.41%. A total of 480 HIV negative visitors were tested. 7 patients were positive for EBV antibody， with the infection rate of 1.46%. 26 patients were infected with positive HHV-8 antibody， with the infection rate of 5.41%. 9 patients had positive HTIV-Ⅰ antibody， with the infection rate of 1.86%. The infection rates of the three carcinogenic viruses in HIV-infected patients were all higher than those in HIV-negative groups， and the differences were statistically significant （ P <0.05）. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of three highly carcinogenic viruses in HIV-infected patients and serious co-infection. It is necessary to improve the education of safe sex among HIV-infected patients and people with high risk of infection in order to curb the epidemic of HIV and other infectious diseases.

Analysis of carcinogenic virus infection in HIV-infected patients / 上海预防医学

Objective To investigate the status of carcinogenic infection in people infected with HIV and those with negative HIV test results in VCT clinics. To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and provide scientific basis for more targeted disease prevention and control strategies. Methods The serum levels of Epstein-Barr virus （EBV）， human herpesvirus type 8 （HHV-8） and human T-lymphotropic virus type Ⅰ （HTLV-Ⅰ） antibodies were detected by ELISA method in 224 HIV-infected patients and 480 HIV-negative visitors treated in VCT clinics during the same period from 2014 to 2017， to compare the differences in the infection rates of this virus between HIV-infected and HIV-negative individuals and to systematically analyze the correlation between viral infections and high-risk sexual behavior. Results Among the 224 HIV-infected patients， 79 were positive for EBV antibody， with the infection rate of 35.27%； 151 were positive for HHV-8 antibody， with the infection rate of 67.41%； and 95 were positive for HTLV-Ⅰ， with the infection rate of 42.41%. A total of 480 HIV negative visitors were tested. 7 patients were positive for EBV antibody， with the infection rate of 1.46%. 26 patients were infected with positive HHV-8 antibody， with the infection rate of 5.41%. 9 patients had positive HTIV-Ⅰ antibody， with the infection rate of 1.86%. The infection rates of the three carcinogenic viruses in HIV-infected patients were all higher than those in HIV-negative groups， and the differences were statistically significant （ P <0.05）. Conclusion There is a high prevalence of three highly carcinogenic viruses in HIV-infected patients and serious co-infection. It is necessary to improve the education of safe sex among HIV-infected patients and people with high risk of infection in order to curb the epidemic of HIV and other infectious diseases.

Research progress on measurement of axial length and calculation of refractive force of intraocular lens / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#The effect of cataract surgery is affected by various factors, such as the measurement of preoperative biological parameters, the formula for calculating refractive force of intraocular lens(IOL), surgical methods and surgical techniques. The axial length(AL)is an important parameter for calculating the refractive force of IOL. At present, the main methods of measuring AL are ultrasonic biometry and optical biometry, and these two methods have their own advantages and disadvantages and complement each other. The calculation formula of refractive force of IOL has been continuously updated in the past decades. In recent years, many new calculation formulas have appeared, such as the Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula(BUⅡ), the Kane formula, the Olsen formula, the Hill-radial basis function(Hill-RBF)formula, <i>etc</i>. This paper mainly summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of the two AL measurements, and compares the accuracy of the IOL refractive force calculation formula at different AL.

Progress in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital lacrimal duct disease / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#Congenital lacrimal duct disease is caused by congenital dysplasia of nasolacrimal system, which usually involving bone, mucous membrane or membranous structure. It can be divided into upper lacrimal duct system and lower lacrimal duct system or both. Its clinical manifestations are mostly epiphora, or it can be combined with pyorrhea. In recent years, more and more studies are devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of congenital lacrimal duct disease, but the views of all parties are different. Therefore, in order to obtain better serve the clinical, this article reviews the latest diagnosis and treatment progress of congenital lacrimal duct disease.

Research on Syringin protecting C2C12 myotube viability through regulating NF- κB/PPAR γ1 pathway / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective:To discuss the protective effect of Syringin (SYR) on myotube cell atrophy induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its molecular mechanism.Methods:After C2C12 myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes, they were divided into normal control group, model group and syringin group according to the random number table method. The cultured medium of model group and syringin group were added with LPS with a concentration of 200 ng/ml; the cultured medium of the syringin group was also added with 10 μmol/L syringin for 24 h. CCK8 was used to detect cell viability. In cell supernatant, NO release was detected with Griess and TNF-α level was detected by ELISA kit. The expression of NF-κB, PPAR γ1, MyHC were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the model group, the viability of cells [(101.08±8.92)%, (79.53±5.19)% vs. (69.07±7.16)%] in the 10 μmol/L and 100 μmol/L syringin groups were significantly increased ( P<0.01 or P<0.01), of which 10 μmol/L syringin had better effect. Compared with the model group, the level of NO [(2.92±0.33) μmol/L vs. (3.57±0.41) μmol/L] in the syringin group was significantly decreased after 6 hours of intervention ( P<0.01), and the cells in the syringin group after 24 hours of intervention, the level of TNF-α [(2.73±0.29) pg/ml vs. (4.15±0.29) pg/ml] was significantly decreased ( P<0.01), and the protein expression of cellular NF-κB (0.95±0.24 vs. 1.16±0.28) was significantly decreased ( P<0.05), the protein expression of MyHC (0.79±0.15 vs. 0.70±0.16) was increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:SYR could inhibit the inflammatory response induced by LPS, promote the activity of myotubes, and antagonize the damage of LPS to myotube cells.

Comparative metabolomics provides novel insights into the basis of petiole color differences in celery (Apiumgraveolens L.) / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Plant metabolites are important for plant development and human health. Plants of celery (Apiumgraveolens L.) with different-colored petioles have been formed in the course of long-term evolution. However, the composition, content distribution, and mechanisms of accumulation of metabolites in different-colored petioles remain elusive. Using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), 1159 metabolites, including 100 lipids, 72 organic acids and derivatives, 83 phenylpropanoids and polyketides, and several alkaloids and terpenoids, were quantified in four celery cultivars, each with a different petiole color. There were significant differences in the types and contents of metabolites in celery with different-colored petioles, with the most striking difference between green celery and purple celery, followed by white celery and green celery. Annotated analysis of metabolic pathways showed that the metabolites of the different-colored petioles were significantly enriched in biosynthetic pathways such as anthocyanin, flavonoid, and chlorophyll pathways, suggesting that these metabolic pathways may play a key role in determining petiole color in celery. The content of chlorophyll in green celery was significantly higher than that in other celery cultivars, yellow celery was rich in carotenoids, and the content of anthocyanin in purple celery was significantly higher than that in the other celery cultivars. The color of the celery petioles was significantly correlated with the content of related metabolites. Among the four celery cultivars, the metabolites of the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway were enriched in purple celery. The results of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) suggested that the differential expression of the chalcone synthase (CHS) gene in the anthocyanin biosynthesis pathway might affect the biosynthesis of anthocyanin in celery. In addition, HPLC analysis revealed that cyanidin is the main pigment in purple celery. This study explored the differences in the types and contents of metabolites in celery cultivars with different-colored petioles and identified key substances for color formation. The results provide a theoretical basis and technical support for genetic improvement of celery petiole color.

Ultrasound-Guided Continuous Thoracic Paravertebral Block Improves Patient's Quality of Recovery After Open Hepatectomy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

Background Ultrasound-guided continuous thoracic paravertebral block can provide pain-relieving and opioid-sparing effects in patients receiving open hepatectomy. We hypothesize that these effects may improve the quality of recovery (QoR) after open hepatectomy. Methods Seventy-six patients undergoing open hepatectomy were randomized to receive a continuous thoracic paravertebral block with ropivacaine (CTPVB group) or normal saline (control group). All patients received patient-controlled intravenous analgesia with morphine postoperatively for 48 hours. The primary outcome was the global Chinese 15-item Quality of Recovery score on postoperative day 7, which was statistically analyzed using Student's t-test. Results Thirty-six patients in the CTPVB group and 37 in the control group completed the study. Compared to the control group, the CTPVB group had significantly increased global Chinese 15-item Quality of Recovery scores (133.14 ± 12.97 vs. 122.62 ± 14.89, P = 0.002) on postoperative day 7. Postoperative pain scores and cumulative morphine consumption were significantly lower for up to 8 and 48 hours (P < 0.05; P = 0.002), respectively, in the CTPVB group. Conclusion Perioperative CTPVB markably promotes patient's QoR after open hepatectomy with a profound analgesic effect in the early postoperative period.

Application of Three Blood Stasis Models in Zebrafish in Evaluation of Anti-thrombosis and Anti-myocardial Hypoxia Activities of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo establish blood stasis models in zebrafish using three inducers and select the optimal model for evaluating the activity of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma in promoting blood circulation. MethodArachidonic acid （AA）， ponatinib， and isoprenaline （ISO） were used to induce blood stasis models in zebrafish. A normal group， a model group， a positive drug group， and Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma water extract freeze-dried powder groups at different concentrations were set up. The staining intensity of cardiac erythrocytes and the fluorescence intensity of cardiac apoptotic cells were calculated， the anti-thrombotic effect and anti-myocardial hypoxia activity of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were evaluated. The activities of water extract and 70% methanol extract of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma were compared based on the preferred AA- and ISO-induced blood stasis models in zebrafish and the difference in the chemical composition was analyzed by UHPLC LTQ-Orbitrap MS/MS. ResultAfter induction by AA and ponatinib， the staining intensity of cardiac erythrocytes was reduced （P<0.01）， and the fluorescence intensity of cardiac apoptotic cells increased after the induction by ISO （P<0.01）. The freeze-dried powder of the water extract of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma could antagonize the thrombosis in the AA-induced model （P<0.01） and the myocardial apoptosis in the ISO-induced model （P<0.05）， while no significant improvement in the thrombosis was observed in the ponatinib-induced model. The freeze-dried powder of 70% methanol extract of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma could inhibit myocardial apoptosis in the ISO-induced blood stasis model （P<0.01）， and the effect was stronger than that of the freeze-dried powder of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma water extract. The difference in chemical composition lay in some saponins （such as ginsenoside Re）， amino acids， and acetylenic alcohols. ConclusionAA， ponatinib， and ISO all can serve as inducers for the blood stasis model in zebrafish. AA- and ISO-induced models can be used to evaluate the activity of freeze-dried powder of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma water extract in promoting blood circulation. The chemical compositions of the freeze-dried powders of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma extracted with water and 70% methanol are quite different. For the ISO-induced blood stasis model， the freeze-dried powder of Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma extracted with 70% methanol has a stronger ability against myocardial hypoxia. Saponins and acetylenic alcohols may be closely related to the effects of promoting blood circulation and resolving blood stasis.

Mechanism of Zhizi Prescription in Protection of CCl4-induced Acute and Subacute Liver Injury in Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Zhizi prescription （ZZP） on carbon tetrachloride （CCl4）-induced acute and subacute liver injury and its mechanism. MethodAcute and subacute liver injury animal models were induced. C57 mice were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， obeccholic acid group， ZZP high-dose （0.5 g·kg-1） group， and ZZP low-dose （0.25 g·kg-1） group. According to the experiment design， the serum and liver tissue of mice were collected after the last administration. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Sirius staining was used to observe the liver pathological changes. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， total bilirubin （TBIL）， liver homogenate hydroxyproline （Hyp）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） levels were determined by kit. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the liver tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expressions of collagen 1A1 （Col1a1）， collagen 3A1 （Col3a1）， fibronectin （FN）， transforming growth factor β receptor Ⅱ （Tgfbr2） and α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in the liver tissue. ResultIn terms of the acute liver injury， as compared with the normal group， the levels of ALT， AST， TBIL and MDA in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the activity of liver SOD was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the ZZP high-dose and low-dose groups both significantly reduced the degree of liver cell injury， and protected the acute liver injury induced by CCl4. The ZZP high-dose group had a better effect than the ZZP low-dose group. In terms of the subacute liver injury， the levels of ALT， AST， MDA，TNF-α and IL-6 in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the activity of liver SOD was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， liver Hyp content in the ZZP high-dose and low-dose groups was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the collagen deposition in liver of both groups was significantly reduced. The ZZP high-dose group also significantly down-regulated the mRNA expressions of α-SMA， Col1a1， Col3a1， FN， and Tgfbr2 in the liver of mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZZP effectively protects the acute and subacute liver injury induced by CCl4， and the protective effect is proportional to its concentration. The mechanism may be related to the increase of the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver tissue， the decrease of the level of lipid peroxidation， and the inhibition of inflammatory response， thus reducing collagen deposition and improving early liver fibrosis.

Mechanism of Zhizi Prescription in Protection of CCl4-induced Acute and Subacute Liver Injury in Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Zhizi prescription （ZZP） on carbon tetrachloride （CCl4）-induced acute and subacute liver injury and its mechanism. MethodAcute and subacute liver injury animal models were induced. C57 mice were randomly divided into a normal group， model group， obeccholic acid group， ZZP high-dose （0.5 g·kg-1） group， and ZZP low-dose （0.25 g·kg-1） group. According to the experiment design， the serum and liver tissue of mice were collected after the last administration. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and Sirius staining was used to observe the liver pathological changes. Serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， total bilirubin （TBIL）， liver homogenate hydroxyproline （Hyp）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and superoxide dismutase （SOD） levels were determined by kit. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the liver tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expressions of collagen 1A1 （Col1a1）， collagen 3A1 （Col3a1）， fibronectin （FN）， transforming growth factor β receptor Ⅱ （Tgfbr2） and α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in the liver tissue. ResultIn terms of the acute liver injury， as compared with the normal group， the levels of ALT， AST， TBIL and MDA in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the activity of liver SOD was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the ZZP high-dose and low-dose groups both significantly reduced the degree of liver cell injury， and protected the acute liver injury induced by CCl4. The ZZP high-dose group had a better effect than the ZZP low-dose group. In terms of the subacute liver injury， the levels of ALT， AST， MDA，TNF-α and IL-6 in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the activity of liver SOD was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. As compared with the model group， liver Hyp content in the ZZP high-dose and low-dose groups was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the collagen deposition in liver of both groups was significantly reduced. The ZZP high-dose group also significantly down-regulated the mRNA expressions of α-SMA， Col1a1， Col3a1， FN， and Tgfbr2 in the liver of mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZZP effectively protects the acute and subacute liver injury induced by CCl4， and the protective effect is proportional to its concentration. The mechanism may be related to the increase of the activity of antioxidant enzymes in the liver tissue， the decrease of the level of lipid peroxidation， and the inhibition of inflammatory response， thus reducing collagen deposition and improving early liver fibrosis.

A new flavone glycoside from Eriocaulon buergerianum / 药学学报

Ten compounds were isolated from the water extract of Eriocaulon buergerianum by HP20, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 and MCI Gel CHP-20 column chromatographic methods. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic and chemical approaches as 6-methoxyquercetin-3-O-(2′′′-vanilloyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (1), syringaresinol-4′-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), rutin (3), 1-O-feruloylglycerol (4), 1,2-benzenediol (5), vomifoliol (6), β-D-(6-O-trans-feruloyl) fructofuranosyl-α-D-O-glucopyranosied (7), dihydroferulic acid (8), guanosine (9) and quercetin-3-O-β-gentiobioside (10). The compound 1 is a new compound, the compounds 2 and 4-10 were obtained from Eriocaulon genus for the first time, and the compound 3 was isolated from this plant for the first time. Molecular docking study showed that 1 is a potential inhibitor of TNF-α. The compound 1 was evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro, and 1 showed significant inhibitory activity against TNF-α production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells at the concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 μmol·L-1.