Nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion loaded with active components of Tongmai prescription: preparation, characterization and evaluation by Caco-2 cell model / 药学学报

It is of great significance to apply the nanocrystals self-stabilized Pickering emulsion (NSSPE) to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compounds, and to study the effect of NSSPE on the oral absorption of various components with different solubility and permeability. In the study, NSSPE of Tongmai prescription was prepared by the high pressure homogenization method with nanocrystals of main active components (puerarin, ferulic acid, salvianolic acid B and tanshinone IIA) of Tongmai prescription as solid particle stabilizers and a mixture of Ligusticum chuanxiong essential oil and Labrafil M 1944 CS as oil phase. The NSSPE had better physical stability than nanocrystals suspension and blank emulsion. The adsorption of nanocrystals on the surface of oil droplets was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy. The surface adsorption rates of puerarin, ferulic acid, salvianolic acid B and tanshinone ⅡA in NSSPE were 15.40% ± 3.19%, 15.39% ± 5.07%, 10.97% ± 3.70% and 31.51% ± 1.60%, respectively. When solid active components were prepared into nanocrystals suspension, the cellular uptake and transport across Caco-2 cells were increased significantly for puerarin and tanshinone IIA. The uptake rates of ferulic acid, ligustilide and tanshinone IIA in NSSPE were further increased compared with the physical mixture of nanocrystals suspension and oil, and the transports of ligustilide and tanshinone IIA were also significantly improved. The main absorption mechanisms of NSSPE were passive diffusion and caveolin-mediated endocytosis, which were determined mainly by the microstructure of NSSPE. In conclusion, NSSPE could be applied to complicated TCM. The "micro" and "nano" synergistic microstructure with drug nanocrystals adsorbed on the surface of micron-sized oil droplets could not only improve the physical stability of NSSPE, but also promote the absorption of various components in NSSPE, which made NSSPE a promising oral drug delivery system for TCM.

Expression pattern of MMP-12 in long-term optic nerve regeneration induced by lens injury / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the expression changes of MMP-12 during the long-term axon regeneration induced by the lens injury after the optic nerve clamp trauma in sprague-dawley(SD)rats.METHODS: The optic nerve injury model and lens injury model of SD rats were established, and the 24 experimental animals were divided into control group; lens injury group; optic nerve injury group; lens injury combined with optic nerve injury group, with 6 rats in each group. Reference transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze the expression changes of differentially expressed genes in the injured optic nerve region, and relevant differentially expressed genes with high expression were screened. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)were used to quantify the expression changes of matrix metalloproteinase-12(MMP-12)in the injured optic nerve region.RESULTS: The Principal Component Analysis of transcriptome sequencing indicated that lens injury combined with optic nerve injury was the principal component of gene expression change. Analysis of gene expression differences showed that the expression of MMP-12 gene was up-regulated in the lens injury combined with optic nerve injury group. The mRNA expression level of MMP-12 in the lens injury combined optic nerve injury group was up-regulated compared with the control group, the optic nerve injury group and the lens injury group at 14d and 21d after successful modeling(P<0.05). At 7, 28d, there was no difference in expression among all groups. The protein expression level of MMP-12 in the lens injury combined with optic nerve injury group was up-regulated compared with the control group and optic nerve injury group at 7, 14 and 21d after successful modeling(P<0.05), and it was up-regulated in the lens injury group combined with optic nerve injury group compared with optic nerve injury group at 21d(P<0.05). At 28d, there was no difference in expression among all groups.CONCLUSION: The up-regulated expression of MMP-12 may be involved in the long-term regeneration of the optic nerve after lens injury.

Study on related substances of TSD-1 — a novel P2Y12 receptor antagonist / 药学学报

For quantitative analysis of related substances in TSD-1 active pharmaceutical ingredient, structures of prepared impurities were confirmed by NMR and UHPLC-MS, and a high performance liquid chromatographic method was established to determine the related substances in TSD-1. The analytical column was an Agilent ZORBAX Eclipe XDB-C8 (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 µm). The mobile phase A was 50 mmol·L-1 ammonium acetate solution (adjusted pH to 5.8 with acetic acid) and the mobile phase B was acetonitrile. The whole run was carried out by gradient elution at a flow rate of 1.0 mL·min-1. The detection wavelength was set at 240 nm and the column temperature was 30 ℃. The resolutions among peaks of TSD-1, impurity A, impurity B, TSD-D, and TSD-F were good. The calibration curves (n = 7) of TSD-1, impurity A, impurity B, TSD-D and TSD-F were linear in their respective weight ranges of 0.242-48.4 µg·mL-1 (r = 1.000 0), 0.244-9.75 µg·mL-1 (r = 0.999 9), 0.244-4.80 µg·mL-1 (r = 0.999 9), 0.254-1.02 µg·mL-1 (r = 0.999 9), and 0.247-0.987 µg·mL-1 (r = 0.999 9). The lower limits of quantitation were 0.244, 0.244, 0.254, and 0.247 µg·mL-1 for impurity A, impurity B, TSD-D, and TSD-F, respectively, and the average recovery of each impurity ranged from 99.08% to 103.00% with high accuracy. TSD-D and TSD-F were not detected in the three batches of TSD-1 active pharmaceutical ingredients, and impurity A and impurity B were not detected beyond the limit. The established HPLC method is simple, accurate, and suitable for determination of related substances of TSD-1, which can provide a valuable reference for the subsequent development of TSD-1.

Metformin inhibits proliferation and promotes apoptosis of HER-2 positive breast cancer cells possibly through the Hippo-YAP pathway / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of metformin on the proliferation and apoptosis of HER-2-positive breast cancer cell line SKBR3 and explore the possible mechanism of its action.@*METHODS@#SKBR3 cells were treated with different concentrations (20-120 μmol/L) of metformin, and the changes in cell proliferation and colony formation ability were assessed using CCK-8 assay and crystal violet staining, respectively. Flow cytometry was performed to analyze cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expressions of YAP, TAZ, EGFR, CTGF, CYR61, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin and fibronectin in the treated cells, and the protein expressions of YAP and TAZ were detected using Western blotting; immunofluorescence assay was used to observe YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation in the cells.@*RESULTS@#Metformin treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of SKBR3 cells (P < 0.05) in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The results of flow cytometry showed that metformin significantly promoted apoptosis and caused cell cycle arrest at G1 phase in SKBR3 cells. Metformin treatment significantly down-regulated the mRNA expressions of YAP, TAZ, EGFR, CTGF and CYR61, N-cadherin, vimentin and fibronectin (P < 0.05) and up-regulated the expression of E-cadherin (P < 0.05); Western blotting results showed that YAP and TAZ protein expressions were significantly down-regulated in the cells after metformin treatment (P < 0.05). Immunofluorescence assay revealed that metformin treatment caused the concentration of YAP and TAZ in the cytoplasm, and significantly reduced their amount in the cell nucleus.@*CONCLUSION@#Metformin can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis and epithelal-mesenchymal transition of HER-2 positive breast cancer cells possibly by that inhibing YAP and TAZ expression and their nuclear localization.

Experimental study of dopamine ameliorating the inflammatory damage of olfactory bulb in mice with allergic rhinitis / 中华耳鼻咽喉头颈外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the effects of dopamine on olfactory function and inflammatory injury of olfactory bulb in mice with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: AR mouse model was established by using ovalbumin (OVA), and the mice were divided into two groups: olfactory dysfunction (OD) group and without OD group through buried food pellet test (BFPT). The OD mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, and OVA combined with dopamine (3, 6, 9 and 12 days, respectively) or OVA combined with an equal amount of PBS (the same treatment time) was administered nasally. The olfactory function of mice was evaluated by BFPT. The number of eosinophils and goblet cells in the nasal mucosa were detected by HE and PAS staining. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry or immunofluorescence were used to detect the expression of olfactory marker protein (OMP) in olfactory epithelium, the important rate-limiting enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) of dopamine, and the marker proteins glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and CD11b of glial cell in the olfactory bulb. TUNEL staining was used to detect the damage of the olfactory bulb. SPSS 26.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: AR mice with OD had AR pathological characteristics. Compared with AR mice without OD, the expression of OMP in olfactory epithelium of AR mice with OD was reduced (F=26.09, P<0.05), the expression of GFAP and CD11b in the olfactory bulb was increased (F value was 38.95 and 71.71, respectively, both P<0.05), and the expression of TH in the olfactory bulb was decreased (F=77.00, P<0.05). Nasal administration of dopamine could shorten the time of food globule detection in mice to a certain extent, down-regulate the expression of GFAP and CD11b in the olfactory bulb (F value was 6.55 and 46.11, respectively, both P<0.05), and reduce the number of apoptotic cells in the olfactory bulb (F=25.64, P<0.05). But dopamine had no significant effect on the number of eosinophils and goblet cells in nasal mucosa (F value was 36.26 and 19.38, respectively, both P>0.05), and had no significant effect on the expression of OMP in the olfactory epithelium (F=55.27, P>0.05). Conclusion: Dopamine can improve olfactory function in mice with AR to a certain extent, possibly because of inhibiting the activation of glial cells in olfactory bulb and reducing the apoptotic injury of olfactory bulb cells.

Clinical characteristics of influenza pneumonia in the elderly and relationship between D-dimer and disease severity / 北京大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To clarify the clinical characteristics of influenza pneumonia in the elderly patients and the relationship between D-dimer and the severity of influenza pneumonia.@*METHODS@#In the study, 52 hospitalized patients older than 65 years with confirmed influenza pneumonia diagnosed in Peking University People's Hospital on 5 consecutive influenza seasons from 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. General information, clinical symptoms, laboratory data, treatment methods and prognosis of the patients were collected. The relationship between D-dimer and pneumonia severity was analyzed, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of D-dimer.@*RESULTS@#Among the 52 patients, 31 were male (31/52, 59.6%), the average age was (77.1±7.4) years, and 19 of them (36.5%) were diagnosed with severe pneumonia. About 70% patients presenting with fever. In the severe group, the patients were more likely to complain of dyspnea than in the non-severe group (14/19, 73.7% vs. 10/33, 30.3%, P=0.004), severe pneumonia group had higher level of CURB-65 (confusion, urea, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and age>65), pneumonia severity index (PSI), C-reactive protein, urea nitrogen, lactate dehydrogenase, fasting glucose, and D-dimer (P value was 0.004, < 0.001, < 0.001, 0.003, 0.038, 0.018, and < 0.001, respectively), albumin was lower than that in the non-severe group [(35.8±5.6) g/L vs. (38.9±3.5) g/L, t=-2.348, P=0.018]. There was a significant positive correlation between the D-dimer at the first admission and PSI score (r=0.540, 95%CI: 0.302 to 0.714, P < 0.001), while a significant negative correlation with PaO2/FiO2 (r=-0.559, 95%CI: -0.726 to -0.330, P < 0.001). Area under the curve of D-dimer was 0.765 (95%CI: 0.627 to 0.872). Area under the curve of PSI was 0.843 (95%CI: 0.716 to 0.929). There was no statistically significant difference in test efficacy between the two (Z=2.360, P=0.174). D-dimer level over 1 225 μg/L had a positive predict value for influenza pneumonia in hospital death with a sensitivity of 76.92% and a specificity of 74.36%.@*CONCLUSION@#Influenza pneumonia in the elderly always has atypical symptoms, dyspnea is a prominent feature in severe cases, D-dimer level is associated with the severity of influenza pneumonia, and greater than 1 200 μg/L has a good predictive value for in-hospital death in the elderly.

Infection and distribution characteristics of HPV of middle-aged and elderly women from a certain hospital in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2018 to 2020 / 中华预防医学杂志

Objectives: To analyze the type and distribution characteristics of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection along with cervical cytology in middle-aged and elderly women in Guangxi and to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of cervical cancer in elderly women. Methods: 21 subtypes of HPV and cervical cytology of women over 45-year-old visiting the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2019 to December 2020 were collected. They were divided into two groups by age, 45-64 years group and over 65 years group. The HPV, HR-HPV, and multiple HPV infection prevalence were analyzed, as well as HPV genotypes, the age distribution of HPV infection rate, and cervical cytology. Results: A total of 6 657 eligible women were included. 6 238 women were in the 45-64 years group, with a HPV prevalence about 20.86% (1 301), while 419 women were in the over 65 years group, with a HPV prevalence about 32.94% (138). The age-associated HPV and HR-HPV prevalence increased with the age, peaking at the age group of 70-74 years (P<0.001). The most prevalent genotype was HPV52, and the infection rate was 5.3% (353), followed by HPV16 and HPV 58, about 4.63% (308) and 3.08% (205) respectively. The majority cytology of HPV-positive middle-aged and elderly women was normal. 8.70% (88) of them were ASC-US, 6.52% (66) for HSIL, 4.55% (46) for LSIL, and 2.96% (30) for ASC-H, and 0.10% (1) for SCC. Compared to middle-aged women, elderly women had a lower negative cytology rate, 69.79% (67) vs. 77.95% (714), but a higher HSIL rate, 13.54% (13) vs. 5.79% (53) (P<0.05). Conclusions: HPV and HR-HPV prevalence of elderly women in a medical center of Guangxi are higher than those of middle-aged women. The most prevalent genotype is HPV16 in elderly women, followed by HPV52 and HPV58.

Protein A immunoadsorption in the treatment of de novo DSA-mediated acute rejection after lung transplantation / 器官移植

Objective To investigate the treatment on de novo donor specific antibody (dnDSA) mediated acute rejection after lung transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 1 recipient with antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) early after lung transplantation was retrospectively analyzed. The process of diagnosis and treatment were assessed. Results The recipient underwent right lung transplantation due to systemic sclerosis-associated end-stage interstitial lung disease. Preoperatively, classⅠ panel reactive antibody (PRA) was positive (11%). No pretreatment was given before transplantation. Antithymocyte globulin induction therapy was delivered on the day of transplantation and postoperatively. The recipient was properly recovered early after transplantation. Chest tightness and shortness of breath occurred at postoperative 13 d, which were progressively worsened and rapidly progressed into type Ⅰ respiratory failure. Class Ⅰ PRA was increased to 58%, and dnDSA was observed at the loci of A24: 02. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) was 2 110. According to the guidelines of International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation, the recipient was diagnosed as possible AMR. After comprehensive treatment including plasmapheresis, protein A immunoadsorption, glucocorticoid pulse, rituximab and immunoglobulin intravenous drip, the PRA and DSA levels were gradually decreased, and the MFI of DSA was 0 at postoperative 20 d. Clinical condition of the recipient was gradually improved. The dyspnea was healed, shortness of breath was eased, respiratory failure was treated, and pulmonary effusion was gradually absorbed. At postoperative 45 d, the recipient was discharged after full recovery. During 1-year follow-up, the recipient was physically stable and obtained normal quality of life. Class Ⅰ PRA was 5%, and class Ⅱ PRA was negative. No DSA was noted. Conclusions Based on traditional drug therapy, supplement of protein A immunoadsorption therapy may effectively eliminate DSA from the circulating blood of the recipient and mitigate the damage of target organs. Ideal short- and long-term prognosis may be achieved. Traditional drug therapy combined with immunoadsorption may yield ideal efficacy in treating AMR after lung transplantation.

Sacubitril/valsartan attenuates left ventricular remodeling and improve cardiac function by upregulating apelin/APJ pathway in rats with heart failure / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To investigate the effect and mechanism of sacubitril/valsartan on left ventricular remodeling and cardiac function in rats with heart failure. Methods: A total of 46 SPF-grade male Wistar rats weighed 300-350 g were acclimatized to the laboratory for 7 days. Rats were then divided into 4 groups: the heart failure group (n=12, intraperitoneal injection of adriamycin hydrochloride 2.5 mg/kg once a week for 6 consecutive weeks, establishing a model of heart failure); heart failure+sacubitril/valsartan group (treatment group, n=12, intragastric administration with sacubitril/valsartan 1 week before the first injection of adriamycin, at a dose of 60 mg·kg-1·d-1 for 7 weeks); heart failure+sacubitril/valsartan+APJ antagonist F13A group (F13A group, n=12, adriamycin and sacubitril/valsartan, intraperitoneal injection of 100 μg·kg-1·d-1 APJ antagonist F13A for 7 weeks) and control group (n=10, intraperitoneal injection of equal volume of normal saline). One week after the last injection of adriamycin or saline, transthoracic echocardiography was performed to detect the cardiac structure and function, and then the rats were executed, blood and left ventricular specimens were obtained for further analysis. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining were performed to analyze the left ventricular pathological change and myocardial fibrosis. TUNEL staining was performed to detect cardiomyocyte apoptosis. mRNA expression of left ventricular myocardial apelin and APJ was detected by RT-qRCR. ELISA was performed to detect plasma apelin-12 concentration. The protein expression of left ventricular myocardial apelin and APJ was detected by Western blot. Results: Seven rats survived in the heart failure group, 10 in the treatment group, and 8 in the F13A group. Echocardiography showed that the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and the left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD) were higher (both P<0.05), while the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening (LVFS) were lower in the heart failure group than in the control group (both P<0.05). Compared with the heart failure group, rats in the treatment group were featured with lower LVEDD and LVESD (both P<0.05), higher LVEF and LVFS (both P<0.05), these beneficial effects were reversed in rats assigned to F13A group (all P<0.05 vs. treatment group). The results of HE staining showed that the cardiomyocytes of rats in the control group were arranged neatly and densely structured, the cardiomyocytes in the heart failure group were arranged in disorder, distorted and the gap between cells was increased, the cardiomyocytes in the treatment group were slightly neat and dense, and cardiomyocytes in the F13A group were featured similarly as the heart failure group. Masson staining showed that there were small amount of collagen fibers in the left ventricular myocardial interstitium of the control group, while left ventricular myocardial fibrosis was significantly increased, and collagen volume fraction (CVF) was significantly higher in the heart failure group than that of the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the heart failure group, the left ventricular myocardial fibrosis and the CVF were reduced in the treatment group (both P<0.05), these effects were reversed in the F13A group (all P<0.05 vs. treatment group). TUNEL staining showed that the apoptosis index (AI) of cardiomyocytes in rats was higher in the heart failure group compared with the control group (P<0.05), which was reduced in the treatment group (P<0.05 vs. heart failure group), this effect again was reversed in the F13A group (P<0.05 vs. treatment group). The results of RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that the mRNA and protein levels of apelin and APJ in left ventricular myocardial tissue of rats were downregulated in heart failure group (all P<0.05) compared with the control group. Compared with the heart failure group, the mRNA and protein levels of apelin and APJ were upregulated in the treatment group (all P<0.05), these effects were reversed in the F13A group (all P<0.05 vs. treatment group). ELISA test showed that the plasma apelin concentration of rats was lower in the heart failure group compared with the control group (P<0.05); compared with the heart failure group, the plasma apelin concentration of rats was higher in the treatment group (P<0.05), this effect was reversed in the F13A group (P<0.05 vs. treatment group). Conclusion: Sacubitril/valsartan can partially reverse left ventricular remodeling and improve cardiac function in rats with heart failure through modulating Apelin/APJ pathways.

Analysis of Q-markers of Arisaema Cum Bile Acting on Stroke Based on UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS and TCMIP v2.0 / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo predict the possible quality markers （Q-markers） of Arisaema Cum Bile in the prevention and treatment of stroke based on ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight tandem mass spetrometry （UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS） and Integrative Pharmacology-based Research Platform of Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCMIP） v2.0. MethodUPLC-QTOF-MS/MS was employed with the mobile phase of 0.1% formic acid aqueous solution （A）-0.1% formic acid acetonitrile solution （B） for gradient elution （0-3 min， 0.2%-5%B； 3-5 min， 5%-8%B； 5-8 min， 8%-10%B； 8-14 min， 10%-25%B； 14-18 min， 25%-50%B； 18-20 min， 50%-70%B； 20-21 min， 70%-98%B； 21-23 min， 98%B； 23-24 min， 98%-0.2%B； 24-26 min， 0.2%B）， the flow rate of 0.5 mL·min-1 and electrospray ionization （ESI）. High quality MS/MS data were scanned in positive and negative ion modes with scanning range of m/z 50-1 500. A local database of the chemical constituents in Arisaema Cum Bile was established by UNIFI 1.8. Then the chemical constituents in Arisaema Cum Bile were characterized by matching with the local database and comparing with the reference substances and literature information. TCMIP v2.0 was used to obtain the targets corresponding to the identified components of Arisaema Cum Bile and stroke， and the "disease-formula" correlation analysis was carried out to screen the core targets by topological eigenvalues. DAVID 6.8 was used for enrichment analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway of core targets. According to the "five principles" of Q-markers and combined with literature reports， the Q-markers of Arisaema Cum Bile in the prevention and treatment of stroke were predicted， and the core components acting on these target genes were obtained. Cytoscape 3.8.0 was employed to draw the network diagram of "medicinal materials-active ingredients-target genes-pathways". Finally， AutoDock Vina 1.2.2 was used to calculate and verify the molecular docking between the candidate components and the key targets. ResultA total of 76 chemical components was identified in positive and negative ion modes， 85 core targets were collected for Arisaema Cum Bile in the prevention and treatment of stroke. A total of 31 stroke-related pathways， 23 target genes and 9 main active components of Arisaema Cum Bile acting on these genes were screened， and then we determined 4 possible Q-markers for Arisaema Cum Bile in the prevention and treatment of stroke according to the "five principles". ConclusionThe possible Q-markers of Arisaema Cum Bile for stroke are gallic acid， apigenin-6，8-di-C-glucoside， apigenin and cholic acid， and the target of these four components may be estrogen receptor alpha （ESR1）.

Ziyin Huatan Recipe, a Chinese herbal compound, inhibits migration and invasion of gastric cancer by upregulating RUNX3 expression / 中西医结合学报

OBJECTIVES@#Ziyin Huatan Recipe (ZYHT), a traditional Chinese medicine comprised of Lilii Bulbus, Pinelliae Rhizoma, and Hedyotis Diffusa, has shown promise in treating gastric cancer (GC). However, its potential mechanism has not yet been clearly addressed. This study aimed to predict targets and molecular mechanisms of ZYHT in treating GC by network pharmacology analysis and to explore the role of ZYHT in GC both in vitro and in vivo.@*METHODS@#Targets and molecular mechanisms of ZYHT were predicted via network pharmacology analysis. The effects of ZYHT on the expression of metastasis-associated targets were further validated by Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. To explore the specific molecular mechanisms of the effects of ZYHT on migration and invasion, the runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) gene was knocked out by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9, and lentiviral vectors were transfected into SGC-7901 cells. Then lung metastasis model of GC in nude mice was established to explore the anti-metastasis effect of ZYHT. Western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to explore the impact of ZYHT on the expression of metastasis-related proteins with or without RUNX3 gene.@*RESULTS@#The network pharmacology analysis showed that ZYHT might inhibit focal adhesion, migration, invasion and metastasis of GC. ZYHT inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of GC cells in vitro via regulating the expression of metastasis-associated targets. Knocking out RUNX3 almost completely reversed the cell phenotypes (migration and invasion) and protein expression levels elicited by ZYHT. In vivo studies showed that ZYHT inhibited the metastasis of GC cells to the lung and prolonged the survival time of the nude mice. Knocking out RUNX3 partly reversed the metastasis of GC cells to the lung and the protein expression levels elicited by ZYHT.@*CONCLUSION@#ZYHT can effectively inhibit the invasion and migration of GC in vitro and in vivo, and its molecular mechanism may relate to the upregulation of RUNX3 expression.

Clinical phenotype and gene mutation analysis of 12 patients with hereditary protein C deficiency in different families / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: To investigate the molecular pathogenesis and clinical features of unrelated 12 patients with inherited coagulation protein C (PC) deficiency in Chinese population. Methods: The PC activity (PC:A) and PC antigen (PC:Ag) were detected by chromogenic substrate and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The nine exons and flanking sequences of the protein C (PROC) gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction with direct sequencing, and the suspected mutations were validated by reverse sequencing (clone sequencing for deletion mutations) . Results: The PC:A of the 12 probands decreased significantly, ranging from 18% to 55%, and the PC:Ag of the 10 probands decreased significantly. Eleven mutations were found, out of which four mutations [c.383G>A (p.Gly128Asp) , c.997G>A (p.Ala291Thr) , c.1318C>T (p.Arg398Cys) , and c.532G>C (p.Leu278Pro) ] were discovered for the first time. Six mutations were in the serine protease domain, four mutations were located in epidermal growth factor (EGF) -like domains, and one mutation was located in activation peptide. There were two deletion mutations (p.Met364Trp fsX15 and p.Lys192del) , and the rest were missense mutations. Mutations p.Phe181Val and p.Arg189Trp were identified in three unrelated families. All mutations may be inherited, and consanguineous marriages were reported in two families. Among the probands, nine cases had venous thrombosis, two cases had poor pregnancy manifestations, and one case had purpura. Conclusion: Patients with PC deficiency caused by PROC gene defects are prone to venous thrombosis, especially when there are other thrombotic factors present at the same time.

Polysaccharide Krestin Prevents Alzheimer's Disease-type Pathology and Cognitive Deficits by Enhancing Monocyte Amyloid-β Processing / 神经科学通报·英文版

Deficits in the clearance of amyloid β protein (Aβ) by the peripheral system play a critical role in the pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Impaired uptake of Aβ by dysfunctional monocytes is deemed to be one of the major mechanisms underlying deficient peripheral Aβ clearance in AD. In the current study, flow cytometry and biochemical and behavioral techniques were applied to investigate the effects of polysaccharide krestin (PSK) on AD-related pathology in vitro and in vivo. We found that PSK, widely used in therapy for various cancers, has the potential to enhance Aβ uptake and intracellular processing by human monocytes in vitro. After administration of PSK by intraperitoneal injection, APP/PS1 mice performed better in behavioral tests, along with reduced Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, neuronal loss, and tau hyperphosphorylation. These results suggest that PSK holds promise as a preventive agent for AD by strengthening the Aβ clearance by blood monocytes and alleviating AD-like pathology.

Association between the Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte Ratio and New-onset Subclinical Macrovascular and Microvascular Diseases in the Chinese Population / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#The association between neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) with subclinical macrovascular and microvascular diseases has been less investigated. We sought to examine the association between NLR and new-onset subclinical macrovascular and microvascular abnormalities in the Chinese population.@*METHODS@#From a community cohort, we included 6,430 adults aged ≥ 40 years without subclinical macrovascular and microvascular diseases at baseline. We measured subclinical macrovascular and microvascular abnormalities separately using the ankle-brachial index (ABI), brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and albuminuria.@*RESULTS@#During a mean follow-up of 4.3 years, 110 participants developed incident abnormal ABI, 746 participants developed incident elevated baPWV, and 503 participants developed incident albuminuria. Poisson regression analysis indicated that NLR was significantly associated with an increased risk of new-onset abnormal ABI, elevated baPWV, and albuminuria. Compared to overweight/obese participants, we found a much stronger association between NLR and subclinical vascular abnormalities in participants with normal weight. Furthermore, we found an interaction between the NLR and body mass index (BMI) on the risk of new-onset abnormal ABI ( P for interaction: 0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#NLR was associated with subclinical macrovascular and microvascular diseases in the Chinese population. Furthermore, in participants with normal weight, the association between NLR and subclinical vascular abnormalities was much stronger.

Correlation of serum homocysteine level with psychiatric symptoms and social ability in patients with schizophrenia / 中国基层医药

Objective:To correlate serum homocysteine (Hcy) level with psychiatric symptoms and social ability in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:A total of 143 patients with schizophrenia who received treatment in the Third Hospital of Quzhou from January 2018 to January 2020 were included in this study. They were randomly divided into abnormal Hcy group (Hcy ≥ 10) μmol/L, n = 46) and normal Hcy group (Hcy < 10 μmol/L, n = 97) according to different serum Hcy levels. Baseline data, the scores of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and the Substance Dependence Severity Scale (SDSS) were compared between the two groups. The correlation between serum Hcy level and psychiatric symptoms and social ability was analyzed using the Pearson correlation analysis. Results:PANSS total score and BPRS total score were (77.86 ± 8.37) points and (94.47 ± 9.36) points, respectively in the abnormal Hcy group, and (74.37 ± 7.94) points and (90.35 ± 9.26) points, respectively in the normal Hcy group. There were significant differences in PANSS total score and BPRS total score between the two groups ( t = 2.41, 2.47, both P < 0.05). SDSS total score was significantly higher in the abnormal Hcy group than in the normal Hcy group [(11.75 ± 2.38) points vs. (10.53 ± 2.28) points, t = 2.88, P < 0.05]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that serum Hcy level was positively correlated with PANSS positive subscale score ( r = 0.73, P < 0.001), general mental symptom score ( r = 0.43, P = 0.032) and PANSS total score ( r = 0.53, P = 0.027), but it was not correlated with PANSS negative symptom score ( P > 0.05). Serum Hcy level was positively correlated with BPRS excitement subscale score ( r = 0.42, P = 0.037) and hostility subscale score ( r = 0.37, P = 0.047), but it was not correlated with anxiety, blunted affect, unusual thought content subscale scores and BPRS total score (all P > 0.05). Conclusion:Serum Hcy level is correlated with psychiatric symptoms and social ability in patients with schizophrenia. The higher the level of Hcy, the more severe the psychiatric symptoms, and the higher the degree of social disability.

Prospective study on the effect of prophylactic octreotide administration in preventing pancreatic fistula after pancreatoduodenectomy / 中华胰腺病杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of prophylactic octreotide administration on pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD)associated postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF), total complications, peri-operative death and postoperative in-hospital days.Methods:From January 2020 to August 2021, 148 patients who underwent PD in the Department of Biliary-Pancreatic Surgery in Ren Ji Hospital affiliated with School of Medicine of Shanghai Jiao Tong University were recruited into this single-center randomized control double-blinded clinical trial. Patients were randomly assigned into octreotide group ( n=74) and control group ( n=74). Octreotide group was subcutaneously injected with 0.1 mg (1 ml) octreotide after preoperative anesthesia, and was subcutaneously injected with the same dose every 8 hours for 5 days, with a total of 16 doses. Control group was injected with 1 ml normal saline in the same way, and relevant clinical data and indicators of the two groups were recorded. The primary endpoint was clinically relevant pancreatic fistula, and the secondary endpoints were total complications, perioperative death and postoperative in-hospital days. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to screen the risk factors of clinically related POPF after PD. Results:120 patients were finally enrolled, including 61 in octreotide group and 59 in control group. There were no significant differences on age, gender ratio, body mass index, preoperative surgery rate of jaundice reduction, preoperative major biochemical indicators, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, pancreatic duct diameter, pancreatic texture and pathological type composition ratio. The total incidence of clinical relevant POPF was 8.3%, and there were no significant differences on biochemical leakage (4.9% vs 8.5%, P=0.435), grade B fistula (4.9% vs 8.5%, P=0.435) and grade C fistula (1.6% vs 1.7%, P=0.981). The total complication incidence (24.5% vs 28.8%, P=0.601), perioperative mortality (0 vs 3.3%, P=0.147) and postoperative in-hospital days (20.6±11.1 d vs 19.5±12.2 d, P=0.633) were not significantly different between two groups. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative serum albumin level <30 g/L( P<0.001) and pathological type of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma ( P=0.036) were independent risk factors for POPF after PD, while multivariate analysis found no statistically significant risk factors. Conclusions:Octreotide can neither reduce the incidences of POPF, total complications and postoperative mortality, nor shorten postoperative in-hospital days. However, for patients with preoperative hypoproteinemia and (or) the pathological type of pancreatic duct adenocarcinoma, the prophylactic use of octreotide during PD and after PD may reduce the occurrence of POPF.

Investigation of metabolites of synthetic cannabinoid 4CN-MDMB-BUTINAC in vitro by liquid-chromatography-quadruple/orbitrap mass spectrometry / 药学学报

To investigate the metabolites of a new synthetic cannabinoid 3,3-dimethyl-2-[1-(4-cyanobutyl)indazole-3-formamimino]methyl butyrate (4CN-MDMB-BUTINACA) in vitro, a human liver microsome incubation model was established to analyze the metabolic biotransformation of synthetic cannabinoids using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry. Nontarget metabolomic results showed that the metabolites of 4CN-MDMB-BUTINACA included hydroxylation, ester hydrolysis, ester hydrolysis with hydroxylation reaction, pentane oxidation and ester hydrolysis with pentane oxidation reaction, among which M1-a, M2 and M4 were potential metabolic markers. The research results provide a theoretical basis and technical support for the biomonitoring and metabolic characterisation of the cannabinoid 4CN-MDMB-BUTINACA.

Management of vascular complications after kidney transplantation caused by donor derived infection: a report of 6 cases / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective:To summarize the institutional experiences of treating vascular complications caused by donor-derived infection(DDI)after kidney transplantation(KT).Methods:From January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2020, clinical data were retrospectively reviewed for 6 cases of vascular complications caused by DDI.Age, gender, surgical approaches, immunity induction therapy, immune suppression therapy, infection prevention, onset time of complication, type of complications, infection pathogens, therapeutic protocols and prognoses were summarized.Results:Six patients developed vascular complications caused by DDI in 997 KT recipients with an overall morbidity rate of 0.6%.In 3 cases, carbapenem resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae were positive in culture of secretion and blood samples.And Candida albicans was detected by blood cultures and pathological examinations.One case of antibiotic resistant Staphylococcus aureus was detected by blood culture.Among 3 cases of transplant kidney artery pseudoaneurysm on interventional therapy, there were curing(1 case)and immediate recurrent infection(2 cases). The latter two eventually died by cardiac complications.In 2 cases of arterial hemorrhage, graft nephrectomy was followed by hemodialysis.One case of transplanted renal artery stenosis was successfully cured by artery stenting and survived with normal graft function so far.Conclusions:Interventional endovascular therapy and open surgery are indicated for vascular complications caused by DDI post-KT.Interventional therapy may boost the odds of rescuing transplant kidney.However, clinicians should watch out for the risk of recurrent infection.Open surgery is an effective tool of eliminating infected focus.Preserving transplant kidney or nephrectomy may be adopted on the basis of specific conditions.

Efficacy observation of chiropractic plus foot bath with Chinese medicine for transient synovitis of the hip in children / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To compare the efficacy of different treatment protocols in treating transient synovitis of the hip (TSH) in children and to optimize the clinical treatment strategy for this condition. Methods: Ninety kids with TSH were divided into a control group, a chiropractic group and a chiropractic plus foot bath group using the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The control group was treated with conventional traction; the chiropractic group was given chiropractic treatment based on the control group; the chiropractic plus foot bath group was given Chinese medicine foot bath based on the chiropractic group. Traction and foot bath were conducted once daily while chiropractic was done once every other day, all with 14 d as a treatment course for a total of two courses. Changes in the visual analog scale (VAS) score and range of motion (ROM) of the hip joint in the three groups were observed, and the efficacy was compared. Results: The total effective rate was 93.3％ in the chiropractic plus foot bath group, versus 76.7％ in the chiropractic group and 66.7％ in the control group, and the total effective rate was notably higher in the chiropractic plus foot bath group than in the other two groups (both P<0.05). Respectively after the first and second treatment course, the VAS score decreased significantly in each of the three groups compared with that before treatment (all P<0.01), and the ROM of the hip joint in flexion increased significantly (all P<0.01). After two treatment courses, the VAS score was lower in the chiropractic plus foot bath group than in the other two groups (both P<0.05), and its ROM of the hip joint in flexion was larger than that in the other two groups (both P<0.05). Conclusion: Based on traction, chiropractic plus Chinese medicine foot bath can effectively reduce pain and improve motor function of the hip joint in treating TSH.

Research progress of B and T lymphocyte attenuator in immune diseases / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is an immune checkpoint discovered in the early 21st century. BTLA is a typeⅠtransmembrane protein that belongs to Ig super family. The ligand for BTLA is herpesvirus-entry mediator (HVEM), a TNF receptor family protein. BTLA regulates the homeostasis of γδ T cells and innate lymphocytes (ILCs), promotes the survival of effector T cells and helps them differentiate into memory T cells. BTLA also plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of dendritic cells (DCs). Studies have shown that BTLA knockout mice have increased susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Recent studies showed that BTLA also plays a crucial role in allergic diseases (such as allergic conjunctivitis and allergic rhinitis) and autoimmune diseases (such as systemic lupus erythematosus and ankylosing spondylitis). This article makes a systematic review about recent researches of BTLA in immune diseases.