Real World Evidence of Bempedoic Acid on Efficacy and Safety in Patients with Uncontrolled LDL-c and at High Risk of CVD

Background and Objective: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with high-risk patients requiring effective management to reduce their risk of cardiovascular events. Bempedoic acid is a novel therapeutic agent recently approved as an add-on therapy to statins in patients with uncontrolled LDL-c. Bempedoic acid inhibits cholesterol synthesis in the liver, which ultimately reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. Therefore, the present study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of bempedoic acid in patients with uncontrolled LDL-c (Previously on moderate or high-intensity statins) with a high risk of CVD in real-world settings. Methods: This is a multicenter, retrospective, observational study on the data of high-risk-CVD patients collected from Bempedoic Acid on Efficacy and Safety in patients (BEST) Registry. The clinical data of 140 patients who were already on statin therapy and were receiving Bempedoic acid at a dose of 180 mg, along with measurements of the level of LDL-c, HbA1c, HDL, TG, TC, PPPG, FPG, AST, ALT, serum creatinine was taken into consideration. The primary outcome includes a change in LDL-c level, and secondary outcomes involve a change in the level of HbA1c, HDL, TG, TC, PPPG, FPG, AST, ALT, and serum creatinine at week 12 and 24. Adverse events were reported at both time points. Results: A total of 140 patients were included in the present study with a mean age of 51.8 ± 9.2 years and had primary confirmed diagnosis of dyslipidemia with uncontrolled LDL-c. The mean levels of LDL-c decreased from the mean baseline value of 142.67 ± 46.49 mg/dL, to 106.78 ±33.92 mg/d; a statistically significant reduction by 23.23% (p < 0.01) at week 12. Similarly, at week 24, the mean LDL-c value reduced to 90.39 ± 38.89 mg/dL. A 33.38 % decrease was observed (p < 0.01). Other parameters such as non-HDL, FPG, PPPG, AST and serum creatinine also showed statistically significant reduction at week 12 and week 24. Conclusion: The present study demonstrates that bempedoic acid is an effective add-on medication in lowering LDL-c levels in high-risk CVD patients with uncontrolled LDL-c.

Neutralizing Antibody Responses against Five SARS-CoV-2 Variants and T Lymphocyte Change after Vaccine Breakthrough Infections from the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1 Variant in Tianjin, China: A Prospective Study / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate whether Omicron BA.1 breakthrough infection after receiving the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine could create a strong immunity barrier.@*METHODS@#Blood samples were collected at two different time points from 124 Omicron BA.1 breakthrough infected patients and 124 controls matched for age, gender, and vaccination profile. Live virus-neutralizing antibodies against five SARS-CoV-2 variants, including WT, Gamma, Beta, Delta, and Omicron BA.1, and T-lymphocyte lymphocyte counts in both groups were measured and statistically analyzed.@*RESULTS@#The neutralizing antibody titers against five different variants of SARS-CoV-2 were significantly increased in the vaccinated population infected with the Omicron BA.1 variant at 3 months after infection, but mainly increased the antibody level against the WT strain, and the antibody against the Omicron strain was the lowest. The neutralizing antibody level decreased rapidly 6 months after infection. The T-lymphocyte cell counts of patients with mild and moderate disease recovered at 3 months and completely returned to the normal state at 6 months.@*CONCLUSION@#Omicron BA.1 breakthrough infection mainly evoked humoral immune memory in the original strain after vaccination and hardly produced neutralizing antibodies specific to Omicron BA.1. Neutralizing antibodies against the different strains declined rapidly and showed features similar to those of influenza. Thus, T-lymphocytes may play an important role in recovery.

A case report of 4-day-old neonate infected with Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Objective　To understand the clinical manifestations, symptoms, treatment and recovery of neonates infected with Omicron variant (BA.5.1.3) of SARS-CoV-2, and provide a certain reference for subsequent diagnosis and treatment of related diseases. Methods　The clinical manifestations, epidemiology, auxiliary examinations, and treatment processes of the neonate aged 4-day-old who was community-acquired infection of variant BA.5.1.3 in Sanya was retrospectively analyzed. Results　The neonate's mother was identified as a close contact with patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) one hour before delivery, and tested positive for nucleic acid within 24 hours after delivery. But her breast milk, amniotic fluid, placenta, and umbilical cord were not detected for nucleic acid test after delivery. The nucleic acid test of the neonate was negative within 24 hours after birth. Then he was transferred to the hotel for isolation. Before the transfer, the mother and baby stayed in the same room and ate breast milk but the mother did not wear any mask. The neonate didn't have nucleic acid test on the second and third days of his life, and the nucleic acid test of the neonate was positive on the fourth day, negative on the fifth day, and positive on the sixth day. Then he was transferred to the designated hospital of COVID-19 for treatment. The neonate had no cough, no fever, yellow skin, abdominal distension, general breast feeding, and good reaction. On admission, the laboratory examination showed that blood routine examination and electrolyte were normal, and the myocardial enzyme and liver and kidney functions were normal. The bilirubin was significantly increased (449.3 μmol/L). The nucleic acid test of the neonate was positive and his chest imaging results were normal. The treatment measures were mainly isolation, feeding, blue light fading, close monitoring of vital signs, and antiviral drugs were administered. Jaundice subsided and abdominal distension was relieved after 6 d of treatment, and the treatment process was smooth without complications. Conclusions　The results suggest that the neonates are susceptible to Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 and prone to aggregation. The evidence of vertical transmission is insufficient and the clinical symptoms of neonates infected with Omicron variant BA.5.1.3 are mid, with no involvement of organ damage of the heart, liver, kidney, brain, and other organs.

Rapid detection and genotyping of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 variants using a RT-PCR and CRISPR-Cas12a-based assay / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To establish a rapid detection and genotyping method for SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 variants using CRISPPR-Cas12a gene editing technology.@*METHODS@#We combined reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and CRISPR gene editing technology and designed a specific CRISPPR RNA (crRNA) with suboptimal protospacer adjacent motifs (PAM) for rapid detection and genotyping of SARS- CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 variants. The performance of this RT- PCR/ CRISPPR-Cas12a assay was evaluated using 43 clinical samples of patients infected by wild-type SARS-CoV-2 and the Alpha, Beta, Delta, Omicron BA. 1 and BA. 4/5 variants and 20 SARS- CoV- 2-negative clinical samples infected with 11 respiratory pathogens. With Sanger sequencing method as the gold standard, the specificity, sensitivity, concordance (Kappa) and area under the ROC curve (AUC) of RT-PCR/CRISPPR-Cas12a assay were calculated.@*RESULTS@#This assay was capable of rapid and specific detection of SARS- CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 variant within 30 min with the lowest detection limit of 10 copies/μL, and no cross-reaction was observed in SARS-CoV-2-negative clinical samples infected with 11 common respiratory pathogens. The two Omicron BA.4/5 specific crRNAs (crRNA-1 and crRNA-2) allowed the assay to accurately distinguish Omicron BA.4/5 from BA.1 sublineage and other major SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. For detection of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 variants, the sensitivity of the established assay using crRNA-1 and crRNA-2 was 97.83% and 100% with specificity of 100% and AUC of 0.998 and 1.000, respectively, and their concordance rate with Sanger sequencing method was 92.83% and 96.41%, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#By combining RT-PCR and CRISPPR-Cas12a gene editing technology, we successfully developed a new method for rapid detection and identification of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.4/5 variants with a high sensitivity, specificity and reproducibility, which allows rapid detection and genotyping of SARS- CoV-2 variants and monitoring of the emerging variants and their dissemination.

Betulinic Acid Improves Cardiac Function in Septic Rats Through AKT / mTOR and AKT / AMPK -modulated Autophagy / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Betulinic acid (BA) exerts protective effects on organs in septic animals. However, whether BA can improve cardiac function in sepsis and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here, male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with BA (25 mg/ kg/ d, i. g.) for 5 days and then intraperitoneally injected with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/ kg). The rats were anesthetized to determine transthoracic echocardiography using a high-resolution imaging system for small animals after they were treated with LPS for 6 h. Histopathologic alterations were examined by HE staining. Myocardial injury markers (cTnI and CK-MB) and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6) in the serum were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Autophagy-related proteins (p62 and LC3 Ⅱ) and AKT-modulated autophagy pathways in the myocardium were determined by Western blotting. Pretreatment with BA markedly improved left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) and fraction shortening (FS) (P<0. 05), improved myocardial histomorphology, and significantly inhibited cTnI, CK-MB, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 (P<0. 05) in the septic rat serum. BA markedly decreased p62 (P<0. 01), increased LC3 Ⅱ (P< 0. 001), and significantly down-regulated p-AKT (Thr308), p-AMPKα (Ser485/ 491), p-mTOR (Ser2448) and p-S6K (Thr389) (P<0. 05), while markedly up-regulated p-AMPKα (Thr172) and pULK1 (Ser317) (P<0. 01) in septic rat hearts. The findings indicate that BA can attenuate sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunctions associated with down-regulating autophagy inhibiting pathways mediated by AKT/ mTOR and AKT/ AMPK pathways.

Identification and clinical transfusion of B (A) subgroup / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To carry out serological and molecular biological identification of B (A) subtype, and discuss the rational blood transfusion strategy. 【Methods】 Serological and direct sequencing methods were used to detect serotype and genotype of 7 cases of B (A) subtype, and cross matching was performed by saline medium and anti human globulin card to analyze the red blood cells(RBCs) transfusion strategy. 【Results】 The serology results of blood type of 7 samples were similar, with B(A)04/O01 in 3 cases, B(A)04/O02 in 2 cases and B(A)02/O01 in 2 cases. 7 cases of B (A) subtypes were matched with randomly selected blood donors of type O and B on the major side. 【Conclusion】 B(A) subtypes should be identified by genotyping techniques. Washed RBCs of type B and O can be used for B(A) blood type transfusion.

Understanding the physiological functions of the host xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors PXR and CAR on the gut microbiome using genetically modified mice

Pharmacological activation of the xenobiotic-sensing nuclear receptors pregnane X receptor (PXR) and constitutive androstane receptor (CAR) is well-known to increase drug metabolism and reduce inflammation. Little is known regarding their physiological functions on the gut microbiome. In this study, we discovered bivalent hormetic functions of PXR/CAR modulating the richness of the gut microbiome using genetically engineered mice. The absence of PXR or CAR increased microbial richness, and absence of both receptors synergistically increased microbial richness. PXR and CAR deficiency increased the pro-inflammatory bacteria Helicobacteraceae and Helicobacter. Deficiency in both PXR and CAR increased the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, which has bile salt hydrolase activity, corresponding to decreased primary taurine-conjugated bile acids (BAs) in feces, which may lead to higher internal burden of taurine and unconjugated BAs, both of which are linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and cytotoxicity. The basal effect of PXR/CAR on the gut microbiome was distinct from pharmacological and toxicological activation of these receptors. Common PXR/CAR-targeted bacteria were identified, the majority of which were suppressed by these receptors. hPXR-TG mice had a distinct microbial profile as compared to wild-type mice. This study is the first to unveil the basal functions of PXR and CAR on the gut microbiome.

Betulinic Acid Induces Autophagy and Apoptosis of Human Colorectal Cancer SW620 Cells by Regulating PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of betulinic acid （BA） on apoptosis and autophagy of human colorectal cancer SW620 cells and the regulatory role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodCell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） colorimetry to determine the optimal administration time and dosage for subsequent experiments. Four groups were designed， including blank group and low-， medium-， and high-dose BA groups. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was conducted for the observation of SW620 cell morphology， and annexin-V/propidium iodide double staining for the determination of apoptosis rate in SW620 cells. Hoechst33258 staining and MDC staining were used for the observation of apoptosis and autophagy， respectively. Western blotting was employed to determine the protein levels of B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2（Bcl-2）-associated X protein （Bax）， aspartate proteolytic enzyme-9 （Caspase-9）， activated aspartate proteolytic enzyme-3 （cleaved Caspase-3）， microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 （LC3）， the mammalian homolog of yeast Atg6 （Beclin-1）， p62， phosphorylated PI3K （p-PI3K）， phosphorylated Akt （p-Akt）， and phosphorylated mTOR （p-mTOR） in SW620 cells. ResultBA inhibited the activity of SW620， HT29， and HCT116 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The cells treated with BA for 48 h had lower viability than those treated for 24 h （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50） value of BA at the time point of 48 h was also lower than that at the time point of 24 h （P<0.01）， and that for SW620 cells was the minimum. BA induced the apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner and increased the autophagosomes. Compared with the blank group， BA increased the apoptosis rate （P<0.01）， up-regulated the protein levels of Bax， Caspase-9， cleaved Caspase-3， and LC3 Ⅱ （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the protein levels of p62， p-Akt， p-PI3K， and p-mTOR （P<0.01）. Additionally， medium- and high-dose BA up-regulated the protein level of beclin-1 （P<0.01）. ConclusionBA may inhibit the activity of SW620 cells by hindering the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway to induce cell apoptosis and autophagy.

Baicalin Alleviates LPS-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats Through p38 MAPK/NLRP3 Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects and mechanism of baicalin （BA） on lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced acute lung injury in rats. MethodEighty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into the control group， model group， low-dose BA （BA-L） group， medium-dose BA （BA-M） group， high-dose BA （BA-H） group， dexamethasone （DEX） group， SB203580 group， and BA + SB203580 group， with 10 rats in each group. The rats in the BA-L， BA-M， and BA-H groups were injected intraperitoneally with different doses （10， 50， 100 mg·kg-1） of BA solution， the ones in the DEX group with 5 mg·kg-1 DEX solution， the ones in the SB203580 group with 0.5 mg·kg-1 SB203580 solution， the ones in the BA + SB203580 group with 100 mg·kg-1 BA solution and 0.5 mg·kg-1 SB203580， and those in both the control group and model group with the same volume of normal saline， once per day， for seven successive days. One hour after the last administration， rats in all groups except for the control group were given 5 mg·kg-1 LPS via intratracheal instillation for inducing the acute lung injury， whereas those in the control group received the same volume of normal saline solution. Twelve hours later， the lung tissues were sampled and stained with htoxylin-eosin （HE） for observing the pathological changes， followed by the counting of the total number of cells and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）. The wet/dry weight ratio of the lung tissue and the contents of serum superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were measured. The activity of reactive oxygen species （ROS） in the lung tissue was detected by immunofluorescence and the levels of interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-18 （IL-18）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in BALF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was conducted to determine the relative expression of p-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） and Western blotting was carried out to detect the protein expression levels of p-p38 MAPK， thioredoxin interacting protein （TXNIP）， NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， and cysteinyl aspartate specific protease-1 （Caspase-1） in the lung tissue. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group displayed inflammatory pathological changes in lung tissue， elevated wet/dry weight ratio， total number of cells and neutrophils in BALF， and ROS and MDA levels （P<0.01）， decreased SOD activity （P<0.01）， and up-regulated IL-1， IL-18， IL-6， TNF-α， p-p38 MAPK， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， BA at different doses， SB203580， and BA + SB203580 all effectively alleviated the pathological changes in lung tissue induced by LPS， reduce the lung wet/dry weight ratio， the total number of cells and neutrophils in BALF， and ROS and MDA levels （P<0.05，P<0.01）， enhanced the activity of SOD （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of IL-1β， IL-18， IL-6，TNF-α， p-p38 MAPK， NLRP3， and Caspase-1 in lung tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionBA has a protective effect against LPS-induced acute lung injury， which may be related to its inhibition of p38MAPK/NLRP3 signaling pathway and the improvement of inflammatory response.

Clinical characteristics of patients infected with 2019-nCoV Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 in Zhuhai city / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of patients infected with 2019-nCoV Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2 in Zhuhai city.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to compare clinical characteristics of patients infected with 2019-nCoV Omicron variants BA.1 and BA.2, who were admitted in the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University during January 13 to March 8 2022. The Mann-Whitney U-test or Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for quantitative data, and the χ2 test or Fisher’s exact test was used for qualitative data. Results:Among 122 patients infected with the Omicron variant, there was 79 adults (BA.1 23 cases, BA.2 56 cases) and 43 children (BA.1 19 cases, BA.2 24 cases). In adults, patients infected with BA.2 sub-variant had a higher baseline viral loads at admission than BA.1 infected patients [7.64(6.92, 8.55) lg copies/mL vs. 6.64(6.04, 7.34) lg copies/mL; Z=-3.022, P=0.003]; compared to BA.1 patients, BA.2 patients had a higher proportion of mild and asymptomatic cases and a lower proportion of common infection cases ( χ2=8.052, P=0.012); the proportion of patients with pneumonia imaging changes in BA.1 patients was higher than that in BA.2 infected patients [(6/23, 26.1%) vs. (2/56, 3.6%); χ2=6.776, P=0.009). In children, the rate of fever in BA.2 group was higher than that in BA.1 group [(16/24, 66.7%) vs. ( 5/19, 26.3%); χ2=6.910, P=0.009); the proportion of patients with reduced lymphocyte counts in BA.2 group was higher than that in BA.1 group [(17/24, 70.8%) vs.(1/19, 5.3%); χ2=18.734, P<0.001). Compared with adult cases, children with BA.2 sub-variant infection had higher fever rate [(16/24, 66.7%) vs. (19/56, 33.9%); χ2=7.317, P=0.007). The viral loads of daily nasal swabs in BA.2 infected patients increased first and then decreased in both adults and children, with a greater decrease than BA.1 during the first two weeks. Conclusions:Compare with 2019-nCoV Omicron variant BA.1, BA.2 has a higher baseline viral loads in adults, which means much more contagious in the early stages. But the viral load drops faster in BA.2 infected patients. In children, BA.2 patients are more likely to have fever and reduced lymphocyte counts, which indicates that the prevention and control of 2019-nCoV Omicron sub-variant BA.2 is more difficult.

Male Reproductive Injury is Blocked by Baicalin by Modulating Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Asthmatic Mice / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Reproductive health is an important issue in the field of population and health. As the most common respiratory disease in the world, asthma is linked with male reproductive dysfunction, but the related study is rarely reported. In this study, we analyzed the interventional effect of baicalin (BA) on male reproductive injury in asthmatic mice and its mechanism. Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into three groups, namely as control group ( CK group), OVA-induced asthma model group ( OVA group) and baicalin intervention asthma group (OVA+BA group). The results showed that no significant difference was found in body weight among the three groups. In the OVA group, the testicular coefficient and sperm count decreased significantly, with sperm malformation rate increased significantly ( P < 0.05). In the baicalin intervention group, the testicular coefficient was increased significantly and sperm malformation rate decreased significantly ( P < 0. 05) ; Hematoxylin-eosin ( HE) staining showed that damaged basement membrane of seminiferous tubules, decreased the number of spermatogenic cells and reduced Johnson score were observed in OVA group. The seminiferous tubule diameter and seminiferous epithelium height were significantly increased (P < 0. 05), the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules was relatively complete and Johnson score gains in the OVA + BA group. Compared with control group, the contents of hydrogen peroxide ( H

Identification and pedigree investigation of B(A) and cisAB blood groups / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To investigate the serological and molecular genetic characteristics of B(A) and cisAB blood groups discovered in our laboratory. 【Methods】 ABO blood group serology and genetic tests were used to identify blood groups of 6 blood samples, submitted by blood center and hospitals in Shandong, and pedigree investigation was carried on 2 of them. 【Results】 Among the 6 samples, serological results were B(A) in 5 cases and cisAB in 1 case. The results of genetic tests were consistent with the serological results, as the alleles included B(A)04, B(A)02 and cisAB01, and all genotypes were heterozygous with O. Serological pedigree study was conducted on 2 samples: One cisAB patient with his 4 relatives(cisAB type father and three O type relatives) and one B(A)02/O1 donor with his 3 relatives[ B(A) type father/brother and O type mother). For B(A)02/O1 donor, the results of genetic testing were consistent with the serological results, as the paternal genotype was the same as that of the proband, the younger brother was B(A)02/O2, and the maternal genotype was O1/O2. 【Conclusion】 The cisAB and B(A) blood groups are often indistinguishable by serological phenotypes and require genetic confirmation. CisAB pedigree investigation revealed 2 cases of cisAB blood type and B(A) pedigree investigation revealed 3 cases of B(A). The genotyping of cisAB and B(A) in this region were cisAB01/O2, B(A)02/O1, B(A)02/O2, B(A)04/O1 and B(A)04/O2. B(A)and cisAB subtypes can be accurately identified through genetic testing and pedigree investigation, which can provide a reliable basis for blood transfusion selection and ensure the safety of clinical blood transfusion.

Protective Effects of Hu-Lu-Ba-Wan () against Oxidative Stress in Testis of Diabetic Rats through PKCα/NAPDH Oxidase Signaling Pathway / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the protective effect and the underlying mechanism of Hu-Lu-Ba-Wan (, HLBW) on the testis of diabetic rats.@*METHODS@#Twenty-four male Wistar rats (160-180 g) were randomly divided into 3 groups according to a random number table, including a control group (n=8), diabetic group (n=8), and HLBW group (n=8). Diabetic rat model was established by high-fat-diet administration and single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (26 mg/kg). Then HLBW granule was administrated for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose and insulin levels as well as serum total testosterone level and testicular testosterone content were examined. Oxidative stress markers in both serum and testis were tested. Meanwhile, testicular morphology was observed under hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and the ultrastructure of Leydig cell was observed by electron microscope. The superoxide anion level was detected by DHE, and TUNEL-positive cells of testis was evaluated by TUNEL assay. The gene and protein expression of protein kinase C (PKCα), phosphorylated PKCα (P-PKCα) and P47phox in testicular tissues were determined by quantitative RT-PCR analysis and Western bolt analysis.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the diabetic group, HLBW treatment significantly reduced the fasting glucose levels and increased the levels of fasting insulin and testosterone in serum (P<0.01). HLBW administration also reduced the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in plasma and alleviated the damage of oxidative stress in the testis of diabetic rats. Additionally, HLBW down-regulated the protein and mRNA levels of PKCα, P-PKCα and P47phox in testicular tissues.@*CONCLUSION@#HLBW may attenuate the oxidative stress in the testis of diabetic rats via PKCα /NAPDH oxidase signaling pathway.

Bile acid homeostasis in female mice deficient in

Bile acids (BAs) are amphipathic molecules important for metabolism of cholesterol, absorption of lipids and lipid soluble vitamins, bile flow, and regulation of gut microbiome. There are over 30 different BA species known to exist in humans and mice, which are endogenous modulators of at least 6 different membrane or nuclear receptors. This diversity of ligands and receptors play important roles in health and disease; however, the full functions of each individual BA

Efficacy evaluation of different forms of traditional Chinese health-preservation exercises for osteoporosis: a network meta-analysis / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effects of different forms of traditional Chinese health-preservation exercises on osteoporosis (OP) using network meta-analysis.Methods: A systematic search on Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Springer Link, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang) and Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP) targeted the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying traditional Chinese exercises for OP published up to January 2020. Cochrane handbook was adopted to estimate the publication bias in the included studies, and statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 and GeMTC 0.14.3 when data were extracted. Results: Fifty RCTs were included in the network meta-analysis, comprising a total of 4505 OP patients. The network meta-analysis showed that in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) was the most efficacious, followed by Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises), Ba Duan Jin (Eight-sectioned Exercise), Wu Qin Xi (Five-animal Exercises), sports training, drug and blank control; in terms of bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral neck, Yi Jin Jing was the most efficacious, followed by Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duan Jin, Tai Ji Quan, sports training, blank control and drug; regarding the lumbar BMD, it was Yi Jin Jing, Tai Ji Quan, Ba Duan Jin, Wu Qin Xi, sports training, blank control and drug in the descending order of efficacy; in terms of serum alkaline phosphatase, it was Yi Jin Jing, Tai Ji Quan, sports training, Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duan Jin, drug and blank control in the descending order of efficacy. Conclusion: The evidence to date suggests that the first choice for OP amongst the traditional Chinese exercises should be Yi Jin Jing, which can not only reduce the subjective pain, but also promote bone formation and increase BMD, though this conclusion requires more high-quality large-scale RCTs for further proof.

Anti-tumor Effect and Mechanism of Betulinic Acid： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Betulinic acid （BA） is a lupane pentacyclic triterpene extracted from a variety of Chinese herbs such as Betulae Platyphyllae Cortex， Astragali Radix， Paeoniae Radix Alba， Jujubae Fructus， Sanguisorbae Radix， Eucommiae Cortex， Glycrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma， Aucklandiae Radix， and Ziziphi Spinosae Semen. It has attracted wide attention from doctors because of its low toxicity， high efficacy， and multiple functions. BA has been found to possess a significant anti-tumor biological activity， and it is expected to become a potential drug for the treatment of malignant tumors. So far， a number of studies have shown that BA is able to promote apoptosis， inhibit proliferation， metastasis and invasion， and induce cell cycle arrest via multiple mechanisms， thus resisting various malignant tumors such as ovarian cancer， breast cancer， gastric cancer， lung cancer， colorectal cancer， and prostate cancer. It exerts the anti-tomor effect by regulating the expression of cancer suppressor genes p53 and p21， triggering the generatoipn of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， down-regulating the expression of nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB）， adjusting the B lymphocytoma-2 （Bcl-2） family to cause tumor cell apoptosis， and regulating transcription factor Sp1/3/4 to induce apoptosis. Its anti-proliferative activity is mainly achieved via the regulation of cyclin B， cyclin D and cyclin dependent kinases CDK and CDC. Its efficacy in inhibiting metastasis and invasion is mainly realized by regulating matrix metalloproteinase （MMP） and matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor （TIMP）， up-regulating E-cadherin， down-regulating N-cadherin and blocking the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation （EMT）. In addition， BA also induces cell cycle arrest， affects tumor metabolic reprogramming， and activates autophagy to inhibit tumor. Although there are a large number of studies on BA against tumors and its efficacy has been proved strong， the systematic review on its anti-tumor effect is still lacking. Therefore， this study reviewed the anti-tumor effect and mechanism of BA， in order to provide reference for its subsenquent research.

Serological and molecular investigation of B (A) blood group and its transfusion strategy: A case report / 中国输血杂志

【Objective】 To study the serological and genetic characteristics of a case of B(A) blood group. 【Methods】 Serological and genetic ABO blood group typing were used to analyze the ABO subtype and family inheritance of the probands and her 8 family members. The B(A) blood type sample was used as the blood recipient, and the B-type and O-type donors were selected for cross-matching using microcolumn gel anti-human globulin method to evaluate the blood transfusion strategy. 【Results】 5 out of 9 family blood samples were B(A) phenotype, carrying B(A)04 allele. Among them, 1 was B(A)04/O1 type, and 4 were B(A)04/B type. The primary blood matching of B(A) blood type samples with type B and O recipients were all negative. 【Conclusion】 A total of 5 cases of B(A)04 blood type were found in this family investigation, and there were differences in serological manifestations. Washed RBCs with B and O type can be used for B(A) blood type transfusion, and type B suspended RBCs can be considered in case of emergency.

Short-term nasal symmetry repaired by force-balanced muscular reconstruction technique / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#This study aimed to compare the postoperative outcome of the new and classical muscular reconstruction technique combined with nasal internal-fixation method for secondary deformity post unilateral cleft lip repair. A rationale is provided for the further surgical improvement of secondary deformities.@*METHODS@#Sixty patients aged 4-18 years with secondary unilateral cleft lip-nose deformity were involved in this research. The deformities of 28 patients were repaired using the muscular force balance technique through nasal internal fixation method, and 32 were repaired using classical muscular reconstruction technique. Two-dimensional analysis was used to evaluate the nose-lip morphology of pre- and post-operative patients through standardized photographs seven days after surgery.@*RESULTS@#Compared with preoperative nasal morphology in the muscular force balance technique group, the 7-days postoperative results of this group showed the significantly improved short-term outcomes in the correction of columellar deflection, alar rim angle, nasal shape, and the symmetry of alar base width, nostril width, nostril height, alar rim angle (@*CONCLUSIONS@#The new muscular reconstruction technique with nasal internal-fixation method has a significant effect on nasal repair.

Operative Management of Calcaneal Fractures using Mippo Technique

Introduction: Calcaneal fractures continues to be a topic ofcontroversy in terms of the optimal management modality.Current study aimed to access the sinus tarsi approach forthe fixation of calcaneal fractures in terms of radiological andfunctional results.Material and Methods: Study was conducted on 30 patientsof both genders aged between 20 and 60 years with both jointdepression and tongue type fractures, Sanders type 2 and type3 fractures.Results: In our study, as per AOFAS Scale at 3 months, 19(63.33%) calcaneum cases fell into the excellent group, 9 (30%)into good and 2(6.66%) into poor result group. The Mean ±SDAOFAS scale was 78.43±7.17 (range 55-85). At 6 months, theresult as per AOFAS scale showed further improvement with 28(93.33%) calcaneum cases falling into the excellent group and 2(6.66%) falling into the good result group. None of them fell inpoor group at 6 months follow up. The Mean ±SD AOFAS scalewas 90.03±5.24 (range 74-95).Conclusion: Fixation with plate using MIPPO techniquethrough sinus tarsi approach is an effective and safe methodwith good clinical and radiological results, for the treatmentof calcaneal fractures; to achieve anatomical restoration undervision, stable fixation and early mobilization with minimal softtissue complications.

A collection of Chinese medicinal raw materials and prescriptions in Zorigt wang’s “Mthong ba dga’ byad” sutra and their explanations / Монголын эм зүй, эм судлал

Abstract@#In addition to citing from the old medical scriptures by Indian, Tibetan, and Mongolian medical scholars, “Mthong ba dga’ byad” by Jigmeddanzanjamts, also contains a number of prescriptions of Chinese medicine that were widely used in Chinese medical practice at that time. Therefore, crude drugs and prescriptions of Chinese medicine in this book has a great significance, but there are few studies done in the last decades. @*Purpose@#To make selection of Chinese herbal medicines and recipes from the book “Mthong ba dga’ byad” by Jigmeddanzanjamts and explain them. @*Research methods@#Research methods in ancient textbook, check list, analysis and synthesis methods were used. @*Conclusion@#It was clarified that in the book “Mthong ba dga’ byad” by Jigmeddanzanjamts there are 44 names of herbal medicines and prescriptions of Chinese origin, and some prescriptions are explained. According to these herbal medicines and prescriptions, Mongolian doctors and maarambas used not only Indian Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicines, but also Chinese medicines and prescriptions in their medical care.