Research progress in mechanism of puerarin in treating vascular dementia / 中国中药杂志

Vascular dementia(VD) is a condition of cognitive impairment due to acute and chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. The available therapies for VD mainly focus on mitigating cerebral ischemia, improving cognitive function, and controlling mental behavior. Achievements have been made in the basic and clinical research on the treatment of VD with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) active components, including Ginkgo leaf extract, puerarin, epimedium, tanshinone, and ginsenoside. Most of these components have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective effects, and puerarin demonstrates excellent performance in mitigating cholinergic nervous system disorders and improving synaptic plasticity. Puerarin, ginkgetin, and epimedium are all flavonoids, while tanshinone is a diterpenoid. Puerariae Lobatae Radix, pungent in nature, can induce clear Yang to reach the cerebral orifices and has the wind medicine functions of ascending, dispersing, moving, and scurrying. Puerariae Lobatae Radix entering collaterals will dredge blood vessels to promote blood flow, and that entering the sweat pore will open the mind, which is in line with the TCM pathogenesis characteristics of VD. This study reviews the progress in the mechanism of puerarin, the main active component of Puerariae Lobatae Radix, in treating VD. Puerarin can ameliorate cholinergic nervous system disorders, reduce excitotoxicity, anti-inflammation, inhibit apoptosis, alleviate oxidative stress injury, enhance synaptic plasticity, up-regulate neuroprotective factor expression, promote cerebral circulation metabolism, and mitigate Aβ injury. The pathways of action include activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt), Janus-activating kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK), as well as inhibiting the tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), transient receptor potential melastatin 2(TRPM2)/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK), Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB), early growth response 1(Egr-1), and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9). By reviewing the papers about the treatment of VD by puerarin published by CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, and Web of Science in the last 10 years, this study aims to support the treatment and drug development for VD.

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.

Expert Consensus on Sepsis Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

To give full play to the therapeutic advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in sepsis， clarify the entry point of integrated TCM and western medicine， further standardize the clinical treatment of TCM， develop a recognized and integrated treatment protocol of TCM and western medicine， and improve the clinical efficacy on sepsis，the Chinese Association of Chinese Medicine organized TCM and western medicine experts specialized in sepsis treatment to conduct in-depth discussions on the advantages of TCM and integrated TCM and western medicine in the treatment of sepsis based on the TCM etiology and pathogenesis of sepsis， a representative acute and critical disease. They emphasized the pathogenesis characteristics of asthenia of healthy Qi and sthenia of pathogenic factors and summarized the roles of Chinese medicine in correcting the imbalance of inflammatory response， improving blood coagulation dysfunction， and relieving organ damage. Furthermore， they proposed the treatment protocol with integrated TCM and western medicine， which is expected to provide references for actual clinical treatment and scientific research.

Resveratrol Promotes Osteogenic Differentiation of Multiple Myeloma Derived Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Via Upregulating SIRT1 / RUNX2 / 中国生物化学与分子生物学报

Myeloma bone disease (MBD) is one of the most common complications of multiple myeloma (MM). MBD is considered to be caused by the activation of osteoclasts and suppression of osteoblasts resulting from the involvement of neoplastic plasma cells and the change of bone marrow microenvironment. It may be a feasible way to improve the treatment of MBD by promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMSC), from which the osteoblasts mainly originate. Resveratrol (RES), a naturally occurring polyphenolic flavonoid compound, was reported to function in the modulation of bone metabolism. But the effects of RES on osteogenic differentiation of MM derived BMSC (MM-BMSC) and its underlying mechanism remains unknown. Totally 10 cases of MM-BMSCs were isolated, cultured and identified successfully in the present study. RES was found to promote osteogenic differentiation of MM-BMSC by alkaline phosphatase activity assay, qRT-PCR and alizarin red staining. SIRT1 was predicted to be the target gene of RES in promoting osteogenic differentiation with bioinformatic analysis. RES upregulated the expression of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) in MM-BMSC (P<0. 001) and its osteogenic differentiation was inhibited in the SIRT1 small interfering RNA (si-SIRT1) transfected group. Furthermore, the mRNA (P<0. 001) and protein (P<0. 01) expression of runt related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) was increased in the RES treated group and decreased (mRNA P < 0. 01, protein P < 0. 05) in si-SIRT1 transfected group, respectively. In conclusion, resveratrol promotes osteogenic differentiation of MM-BMSCs via upregulating SIRT1/RUNX2 and seems to be a potential therapeutic agent to counteract bone disease in MM patients.

The protective effect of miR-5088-5p on hepatocyte pyroptosis induced by homocysteine / 中国药理学通报

Aim To explore the role of miR-5088-5p in hepatocyte pyroptosis induced by homocysteine. Methods Hepatocytes were cultured and divided into control group and Hcy group. After transfected miR-5088-5p NC and miR-5088-5p mimic under Hcy treatment, the expression of NLRP3, Caspase 1 and IL-1β was detected by Western blot. The expression of miR-5088-5p was detected by RT-qPCR. CBS

Neurological Diseases Responding Specifically to Traditional Chinese Medicine / 中国实验方剂学杂志

In recent years， the incidence of neurological diseases has been increasing year by year. To give full play to the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of neurological disorders， identify the breakthrough point of integrating TCM with western medicine， and further standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of TCM， the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized neurologists in TCM and western medicine to carry out in-depth discussion on the neurological diseases responding specifically to TCM and integrated TCM and western medicine， such as stroke， headache， vertigo， multiple sclerosis， and epilepsy， aiming to formulate a well-recognized and integrated treatment protocol for TCM and western medicine and improve the efficacy of neurological disorders. Furthermore， the treatment suggestions of the corresponding diseases in TCM and western medicine were proposed to provide references for clinical practice and scientific research.

Effect and Mechanism of Fuzheng Touxie Prescription on Immune Homeostasis of Drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infection Rats / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of Fuzheng Touxie prescription （FZTX） on the immune homeostasis of drug-resistant <italic>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</italic> lung infection in rats at different time points. Method:A total of 168 rats were divided into a blank group （<italic>n</italic>=8），a model group （<italic>n</italic>=40），a Touxie （TX） group （<italic>n</italic>=40），an early Fuzheng （FZ） group （<italic>n</italic>=40）， and a delayed FZ group （<italic>n</italic>=40）. The blank group was given distilled water by gavage， the model group was given distilled water by gavage after infection，the TX group was given clear heat and penetrate evil drug free decoction granules（3.5 g·kg^-1） by gavage after infection， the early FZ group was given Fuzheng Touxie whole formula free decoction granules（10.75 g·kg^-1） by gavage after infection， the delayed FZ group was given clear heat and penetrate evil drug free decoction granules by gavage after infection， on the third day plus Fuzheng drug free decoction granules［（3.5+10.75） g·kg^-1］ by gavage， the three treatment groups were gavaged twice a day， 2 mL each time .Each drug treatment group was divided into five groups according to five time points （3 h，1 d，3 d，5 d， and 7 d）， with eight rats in each group. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-<italic>α</italic>（TNF-<italic>α</italic>），high mobility group protein 1（HMGB1），interleukin-10（IL-10）， and tumor necrosis factor -<italic>α</italic>-induced protein-8-like2 （TIPE2） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and HMGB1 protein expression level by Western blot. Result:At 3 h，the TNF-<italic>α</italic> content in the drug treatment groups was higher than that in the blank group and the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. At 3 d，the TNF-<italic>α</italic> content in the early FZ group and the delayed FZ group was lower than that in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05） and the TX group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. At 1 d，the HMGB1 content in the TX group and the delayed FZ group was higher than that in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. At 5 d，the HMGB1 content was lower in the delayed FZ group than in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. At 7 d，HMGB1 protein expression in the model group was higher than that in the blank group （<italic>P</italic><0.05） and the early FZ group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. At 3 d，the IL-10 content was significantly higher in both the early FZ group and the delayed FZ group than that in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. At 5 d，the IL-10 content was higher in the early FZ group than that in the TX group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. At 7 d，the IL-10 content in the early FZ group and the delayed FZ group was lower than that in the TX group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. At 5 d，the TIPE2 content in the early FZ group was lower than that in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. At 7 d，the TIPE2 content in the TX group and the delayed FZ group was lower than that in the model group （<italic>P</italic><0.05）. Conclusion:FZTX or modified prescription can promote the inflammatory response to eliminate pathogenic bacteria in the early stage and suppress the inflammatory response in the late stage to avoid the inflammatory cascade effect and lung tissue damage，indicating that Fuzheng drugs have an important role in maintaining the immune homeostasis of the body after infection.

Whole exome sequencing and trio analysis to broaden the variant spectrum of genes in idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Dozens of genes are associated with idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (IHH) and an oligogenic etiology has been suggested. However, the associated genes may account for only approximately 50% cases. In addition, a genomic systematic pedigree analysis is still lacking. Here, we conducted whole exome sequencing (WES) on 18 unrelated men affected by IHH and their corresponding parents. Notably, one reported and 10 novel variants in eight known IHH causative genes (AXL, CCDC141, CHD7, DMXL2, FGFR1, PNPLA6, POLR3A, and PROKR2), nine variants in nine recently reported candidate genes (DCAF17, DCC, EGF, IGSF10, NOTCH1, PDE3A, RELN, SLIT2, and TRAPPC9), and four variants in four novel candidate genes for IHH (CCDC88C, CDON, GADL1, and SPRED3) were identified in 77.8% (14/18) of IHH cases. Among them, eight (8/18, 44.4%) cases carried more than one variant in IHH-related genes, supporting the oligogenic model. Interestingly, we found that those variants tended to be maternally inherited (maternal with n = 17 vs paternal with n = 7; P = 0.028). Our further retrospective investigation of published reports replicated the maternal bias (maternal with n = 46 vs paternal with n = 28; P = 0.024). Our study extended a variant spectrum for IHH and provided the first evidence that women are probably more tolerant to variants of IHH-related genes than men.

Screening of key genes and pathways of ischemic stroke and prediction of traditional Chinese medicines based on bioinformatics / 中国中药杂志

The aim of this paper was to explore the key genes and pathogenesis of ischemic stroke(IS) by bioinformatics, and predict the potential traditional Chinese medicines for IS. Based on the gene-chip raw data set of GSE22255 from National Center of Biotechnology Information(NCBI), the article enrolled in 20 patients with ischemic stroke and 20 sex-and age-matched controls, and differentially expressed genes(DEGs) were screened based on R language software. The DAVID tool and R language software were used to perform gene ontology(GO) biological process enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and gnomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The DEGs were imported into STRING to construct a protein-protein interaction network, and the Molecular Complexity Module(MCODE) plug-in of Cytoscape software was used to visualize and analyze the key functional modules. Moreover, the core genes and the medical ontology information retrieval platform(Coremine Medical) were mapped to each other to screen the traditional Chinese medicines and construct drug-active ingredient-target network. Compared with healthy controls, 14 DEGs were obtained, of which 12 genes were up-regulated and 2 genes were down-regulated. DEGs were mainly involved in immune response, inflammatory process, signal transduction, and cell proliferation regulation. The interleukin-17(IL-17), nuclear factor kappaB(NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor(TNF), nucleotide binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor and other signaling pathways were involved in KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The key modules of the DEGs-encoding protein interaction network mainly focused on 7 genes of TNF, JUN, recombinant immediate early response 3(IER3), recombinant early growth response protein 1(EGR1), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8(CXCL8) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CXCL2), which were involved in biological processes widely such as neuroinflammation and immunity. TNF and JUN were the key nodes in this module, which might become potential biological markers for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of IS. The potential traditional Chinese medicines for the treatment of IS includes Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Croci Stigma, Scutellariae Radix, and Cannabis Fructus. The occurrence of stroke was the result of multiple factors. Dysregulation of genes and pathways related to immune regulation and inflammation may be the key link for the development of IS. This study provided research direction and theoretical basis for further exploring the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of IS and searching for potential drug targets.

Morphological changes of frankel functional regulator III in mixed dentition with class III malocclusion / Cambios morfológicos del regulador funcional frankel III en dentición mixta con maloclusión clase III

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hard and soft tissue profile changes following treatment of functional and mild skeletal class III malocclusion in mixed dentition by means of the Frankel functional regulator (FR-3) appliance, and to reveal the mechanism and effectiveness of treatment with FR-3 appliance. Twenty-six patients (chronological mean age, 8.7±1.4 years; mean treatment duration, 10.3±1.3 months) with functional and mild skeletal class III malocclusion were selected and treated with FR-3 appliances. Lateral cephalogram was taken pre- and post-treatment, and the data was analyzed by paired-samples t test with SPSS22.0 software package. Differences were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. The results demonstrated that the FR-3 appliance produced a statistically significant decrease in L1-NB, L1-MP, U1-L1 (P<0.01) and an increase greatly in ANB, MP-FH, Y axis, ANSMe, ANS-Me/N-Me and overjet (P<0.01). SNA, SNB were increased significantly (P<0.05). Meanwhile, N'-Sn-Pog', ULSn-SN, LLSiSN increased, S-N'-Si, LL-EP decreased with significant difference (P<0.01). S-N'-Sn, Cm-Sn-UL, UL-EP, Sn-Mes and Ns-Mes increased with significant difference (P<0.05). Therefore it was concluded that after FR-3 treatment, the position of mandible may rotate clockwise backwards and downwards, with the labioversion of upper incisors and linguoversion of lower incisors. Although point A moved mesially, the length and position of the maxilla did not change significantly. With the protrusion of upper lip and the retrusion of lower lip, the relationship among nose, upper lip, lower lip and chin become harmonious, the profile of soft tissue is more coordinated and attractive.

El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar los cambios en el perfil de los tejidos duros y blandos después del tratamiento de la maloclusión funcional y leve de la clase III esquelética en la dentición mixta mediante el aparato regulador funcional Frankel (FR-3), y revelar el mecanismo y efectividad del tratamiento con el aparato FR-3. Veintiseis pacientes (edad media 8,7 ± 1,4 años; duración media del tratamiento, 10,3 ± 1,3 meses) con maloclusión funcional y leve de clase esquelética III fueron seleccionados y tratados con aparatos FR-3. El cefalograma lateral se tomó antes y después del tratamiento, y los datos se analizaron mediante la prueba t de muestras con el software SPSS22.0. Las diferencias se consideraron estadísticamente significativas a P <0,05. Los resultados demostraron que el dispositivo FR-3 produjo una disminución estadísticamente significativa en L1-NB, L1MP, U1-L1 (P <0,01) y un gran aumento en ANB, MP-FH, eje Y, ANS-Me, ANS -Me / N-Me y overjet (P <0,01). SNA, SNB se incrementaron significativamente (P <0,05). Mientras tanto, N'Sn-Pog', ULSn-SN, LLSi-SN aumentaron, S-N'-Si, LL-EP disminuyeron con una diferencia significativa (P <0,01). S-N'-Sn, Cm-Sn-UL, UL-EP, Sn-Mes y Ns-Mes aumentaron con una diferencia significativa (P <0,05). Por lo tanto, se concluyó que después del tratamiento con FR-3, la posición de la mandíbula puede girar en sentido reloj hacia atrás y hacia abajo, con labioversión de los incisivos superiores y linguoversión de los incisivos inferiores. Aunque el punto A se movió mesialmente, la longitud y la posición del maxilar no cambiaron significativamente. Con la protuberancia del labio superior y la retrusión del labio inferior, la relación entre la nariz, el labio superior, el labio inferior y el mentón se armoniza, el perfil del tejido blando es más coordinado y atractivo.

Comparison of the effect of mesh-plug, Lichtenstein, transabdominal preperitoneal, and totally extraperitoneal hernia repair: A network meta-analysis

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To compare Mesh-plug, Lichtenstein, transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP), and totally extraperitoneal (TEP) repairs in regards to operation time, seroma, infection, and recurrence of inguinal hernia repair. METHODS Relevant literature was searched in the Cochrane Library, Pubmed, and Embase. Furthermore, the analysis of randomized controlled studies (RCTs) was performed using methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. The main outcomes including operation time, seroma, infection, and recurrence were evaluated. RESULTS A total of 38 RCTs with 3255 patients were included in the meta-analysis. In addition, the comparison between Mesh-plug, Lichtenstein, TAPP, and TEP showed the differences were not significant regarding operation time, seroma, infection, and recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Meta-analysis suggests that Mesh-plug, Lichtenstein, TAPP, and TEP are comparable in the outcomes of hernia repair, such as operation time, seroma, infection, and recurrence.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Comparar as abordagens de tampão com tela (mesh plug), Lichtenstein, transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) e totalmente extraperitoneal (TEP) em relação ao tempo de operação, seroma, infecção e recorrência no reparo de hérnias inguinais. MÉTODOS Estudos relevantes na literatura foram pesquisados nos bancos de dados Cochrane, PubMed e Embase. Além disso, a análise dos estudos clínicos controlados randomizados (RCTs) foi feita utilizando métodos recomendados pela Cochrane Collaboration. Os principais resultados, incluindo tempo de operação, seroma, infecção e recorrência, foram avaliados. RESULTADOS Um total de 38 RCTs com 3.255 pacientes foram incluídos na meta-análise. Além disso, a comparação entre mesh plug, Lichtenstein, TAPP e TEP mostrou que não havia diferenças significativas nos aspectos de tempo de operação, seroma, infecção e recorrência. CONCLUSÕES A meta-análise sugere que mesh plug, Lichtenstein, TAPP e TEP oferecem resultados comparáveis no reparo das hérnia inguinais em relação a tempo de operação, seroma, infecção e recorrência.

Hematoma Expansion within 24 hours of Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Its Association with Signs on Nonenhanced Computed Tomography / 中国医学科学院学报

To explore the correlation between hematoma expansion within 24 hours of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage and signs on nonenhanced computed tomography(NECT). Methods The clinical data and CT images of 185 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage were retrospectively analyzed.The differences in CT parameters were compared between the expansion group and the unexpanded group.Binary logistic regression analysis was performed on the indicators with statistical significance between the two groups to identify the potential correlation between CT parameters and hematoma expansion.The roles of blend sign,lobulation sign,and black hole sign in predicting early hematoma expansion were assessed. Results The CT quantitative data including initial volume,maximum diameter,minimum diameter,maximum CT value,mean CT value,difference between maximum diameter and minimum diameter showed no significant difference between these two group(all >0.05).CT qualitative data including blend sign,lobulation sign,and black hole sign were significantly different(<0.05)but the differences became not significant after the hematoma broke into the ventricles.Binary logistic regression analysis showed that blend sign,lobulation sign,and black hole sign were independent risk factors for early hematoma expansion,with sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,and negative predictive value of the combined signs and the early hematoma expansion calculated by the four-fold table method being 78.4%,59.0%,42.1%,and 87.8%,respectively,and the Youden index was 0.374.Its Youden index was closer to 1 than the blend sign,the black hole sign,and the lobulation sign. Conclusion The blend sign,lobulation sign,and black hole sign in NECT can be used to predict hematoma expansion within 24 hours after hypertensive cerebral hemorrhage.

Effects of miR-34 on migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells by MSR1 protein / 中国免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of miR-34a on the migration and invasion of prostatic cell line through MSR1.Methods:Western blot was used to detect the expression of MSR1 in prostate cancer cell lines.qPCR was used to detect the ex-pression of miR-34a in prostate cancer cell lines.The correlation between miR-34a and MSR1 was examined by double luciferase as-say.Transwell invasion assay was used to detect the effect of miR-34a and MSR1 on the invasion ability of prostate cancer cells.The effects of miR-34a and MSR1 on the fine migration ability of prostate cancer were examined by scratch healing.Results:The expression level of MSR1 in PC3 cells was relatively high by Western blot.The expression level of miR-34a in PC3 cells was relatively low by qPCR.Double luciferase assay showed a direct binding site between miR-34a and MSR1,MiR-34a could regulate the expression level of MSR1,Scaffold Healing Test and Transwell Invasion Test were used to detect the migration and invasion of PC3 cells after overexpressing miR-34a.Overexpression of MSR1 could reverse the inhibitory effect of miR-34a on the migration and invasion of PC3 cells.Conclusion:miR-34a can regulate the migration and invasion of prostate cancer cells through MSR1 protein.

Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 for the Differentiation of Hepatocellular Carcinoma from Cirrhosis / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Overexpression and constitutive activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) 3 have been suggested in the tumorigenesis of many human cancers, including multiple carcinomas, melanoma, and lymphoma. The diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in lobectomy specimens is usually straightforward, but distinguishing cirrhosis from well-differentiated HCC can be challenging in core biopsies. Our aims were to investigate the expression level of STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 (pSTAT3) in HCC and cirrhosis, and the application of STAT3 in the differential diagnosis of HCC and cirrhosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty cases were divided into three groups: patients with HCC only (Group 1), HCC and cirrhosis (Group 2), and cirrhosis only (Group 3). Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue sections were stained immunohistochemically for STAT3, pSTAT3, and CD163. The values obtained from the tissue sections of each group were compared in statistical analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>STAT3 showed a high level in HCC and was a significant marker for differentiating HCC from cirrhosis (P < 0.0001). The odds ratio between HCC and cirrhosis increased 34.4 times when the intensity of STAT3 increased by 1 level. Spearman's correlation and Chi-square tests also demonstrated that expression level of STAT3 did not correlate with age, gender, or the presence of a cirrhotic background.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>STAT3 staining differs significantly in HCC and cirrhosis. The findings reinforce the role of STAT3 in the tumorigenesis of HCC and provide a useful marker to differentiate HCC from cirrhosis in challenging liver biopsies.</p>

Effects of Astragali Radix combined with Angelicae Sinensis Radix on the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells senescence model in mice / 中国中药杂志

The aim is to study the effect and its mechanism of Astragalus Radix combined with Angelicae Sinensis Radix on the proliferation of hematopoietic stem cells(HSCs) in senescence model. After drug-containing plasma of rats was prepared via intragastric administration, HSCs of mice were cultured in vitro, and then they were divided into blank control group, model group, blank plasma group, Astragalus Radix + Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1∶1 group and 10∶1 group, Angelicae Sinensis Radix plasma group, and Astragalus Radix plasma group. HSCs senescence model was induced by using tert-butyl hydrogen peroxide(t-BHP), and intervened by drug-containing plasma. Cells senescence rate was tested by SA-β-galactosidase staining method; cell cycle distribution was determined by flow cytometry; Cyclin D1, P21, and P53 mRNA were measured with RT-PCR, and Cyclin D1 protein expression was measured by Western blot. Results showed that after being induced by t-BHP, senescence rate of HSCs was increased; cell proliferation ability was decreased; count of G₀/G₁ phase cells was increased; count of G₂/M+S phase cells was reduced; Cyclin D1 expression was down-regulated while P53, P21 expression was up-regulated, which were reversed by Astragalus Radix + Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1∶1 and 10∶1, single Angelicae Sinensis Radix, and single Astragalus Radix plasma. Furthermore, the above effects were most obvious in Astragalus Radix+Angelicae Sinensis Radix 1∶1 group. These results suggested that t-BHP can promote HSCs senescence and reduce cell proliferation ability. Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Astragalus Radix and their combinations can inhibit HSCs senescence, promote HSCs proliferation as well as cell cycle conversion; moreover, the effects of 1∶1 Astragalus Radix+Angelicae Sinensis Radix were strongest. The mechanisms may be related to up-regulating the expression of cell cycle positive regulator, down-regulating the expression of cell cycle negative regulator, thus promoting the cells to enter the proliferation phase from the stationary phase.

A multi-center study of different modes of peritoneal dialysis on sleep and quality of life / 中国实用护理杂志

Objective To investigate the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) and daytime ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (DAPD) on sleep and quality of life. Methods In this is a multi-center cross-sectional survey, we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Index Scale (PSQI) and the Chinese version of peritoneal dialysis patient quality of life scale, the unified investigating time, the organized trained peritoneal dialysis nurses qualified to conduct research full-time. Survey content includes general information, sleep and quality of life, laboratory tests, dialysis adequacy and other indicators, and the results were pooled analysis. Results A total of 325 hospitalized peritoneal dialysis patients were included in the study, including 177 patients in CAPD, 148 patients in DAPD. The total scores of QOL, physical function, physical factors, psychological status, social function and life satisfaction were (72.61± 10.94), (19.44±3.65), (59.69±7.31), (32.65±5.65), (24.82±6.03), (15.42±5.47)and (74.06±13.59), (20.16± 2.95), (58.99 ± 5.86), (34.58 ± 6.17), (25.10 ± 5.01), (15.36 ± 4.28). The score of CAPD in the mental state dimension was significantly lower than that in DAPD patients (t=-3.715, P 0.05). Conclusions Sleep and quality of life in peritoneal dialysis patients are lower than normal adults. Dialysis modes have an impact on sleep andquality of life of patients, health care workers should fully assess the physical and mental state of the patients in order to select the appropriate mode of dialysis.

Effect of spinal cord hemisection on bone fracture healing in rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: The nervous system has been proved to play an important role in fracture healing, and different nervous components exert different effects on bony callus.OBJECTIVE: To observe the callus volume and morphological changes in the fracture healing progress of the rats with spinal cord hemisection and fracture.METHODS: Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into two groups, and the models of simple fracture and spinal cord hemisection by cutting the right spinal cord combined with fracture were established. The tibia was removed at 14 and 28 days after surgery, and the wet weight was measured, the fracture healing was observed by X-ray examination, morphological changes of the callus were observed through hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the expression level of calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA in the broken bones was detected by SYBR Green qPCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: In the combination group, the wet weight of the contralateral tibia was more than that of the affected side (P < 0.05), which both were more than those in the simple group (P < 0.05). X-ray findings showed that the combination group had the largest lateral callus, followed by the affected side, and the smallest in the simple group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that in the combination group, the contralateral cells arranged in disorder, while the fibrous callus and cells in regular arrangement were found in the affected side; there were bony callus and cells in regular arrangement in the simple group at 28 days after surgery. SYBR Green qPCR results revealed that the expression level of calcitonin gene-related peptide mRNA in the simple group was significantly higher than that in the combination group (P < 0.05). To conclude, complete innervation is a necessary factor for fracture healing.

Effects of Astragalus-Angelica compatibility on proliferation of hematopoietic progenitor cells in mice with bone marrow hematopoiesis suppression / 中草药

Objective: To investigate the effects of different proportions of Astragalus and Angelica on the proliferation ability and cell senescence of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPC) in the mice model of bone marrow hematopoiesis suppression, and to probe the mechanism of Astragalus-Angelica compatibility on promoting hematopoiesis. Methods: ICR male mice were randomly divided into normal group, model group, positive control group of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF), Astragalus group, Angelica group, and different proportion combination groups of Astragalus and Angelica, and the animals in Chinese medicinal herb groups were ig administered, once a day, for 8 d. In the positive control group, rhG-CSF was sc injected on days 6, 7, and 8 of administration. Except for the normal group, the others were received cyclophosphamide (CTX) by ip injection on days 4, 5, and 6 of administration to establish the model of bone marrow hemopoiesis suppression. The mice were killed on day 9 to obtain bone marrow cells for the culture of HPC, and the senescence rate of bone marrow nucleated cell (BMNC) was detected by SA-β-galactosidase staining method. Results: Compared with the model group, Angelica and Astragalus-Angelica with proportions of 5:1, 1:1, and 1:5 could significantly raise colony forming unit-granulocyte (CFU-GM), colony forming unit-megakaryocyte (CFU-MK), colony forming unit-erythroid (CFU-E), and burst forming unit-erythroid (BFU-E) (P < 0.01). Astragalus-Angelica with 10:1 made CFU-MK, CFU-E, BFU-E remarkably increase (P < 0.05, 0.01), and had no effect on CFU-GM. Furthermore, Astragalus-Angelica with 1:1 promoting the formation of HPC was evidently stronger than that of single Astragalus, single Angelica, and other combinations (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, the senescence positive rate of BMNC was markedly decreased in Astragalus group, Angelica group, and Astragalus-Angelica combination groups (P < 0.01), while being lowest in Astragalus-Angelica with 1:1 proportion (P < 0.05, 0.01). Conclusion: Astragalus, Angelica, Astragalus-Angelica with 10:1, 5:1, 1:1, and 1:5 proportions can prompt the proliferation and differentiation of HPC that bone marrow hematopoiesis is suppressed in mice, inhibit the senescence of bone marrow hematopoietic cell, moreover, the effect of Astragalus-Angelica with 1:1 proportion is the best. It suggests that promoting the proliferation and differentiation of HPC is one of the mechanisms that Astragalus-Angelica prompt hematopoiesis.

A multi-center study of different modes of peritoneal dialysis on sleep quality / 医学研究生学报

Objective To investigate the continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis ( CAPD) and daytime ambulatory perito-neal dialysis ( DAPD) on sleep quality. Methods This is a multi-center cross-sectional survey, we used the Pittsburgh Sleep Index Scale ( PSQI) ,the unified investigating time, the organized trained peritoneal dialysis nurses qualified to conduct research full-time. Survey content includes general information, sleep index, laboratory tests, dialysis adequacy and other indicators, and the results were pooled analysis. Results A total of eight hospitals of 325 patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis were included in this study,which CAPD patients and DAPD Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Scale scores were 6.88 ±2.43,6.71 ±2.69, the difference was not statisti-cally significant (P>0.01).DAPD patients had a lower sleep efficiency than CAPD patients, but it had no difference between subjec-tive feeling, CAPD patients were more likely to have more nocturnal cough, snoring and other symptoms and lower quality of life in mental status scores than DAPD patients(P<0.01). Conclusion Sleep quality of peritoneal dialysis patients scored lower than the norm.Dialysis modes have an impact on sleep quality of patients, health care workers should fully assess the physical and mental state of the patients in order to select the appropriate mode of dialysis.

Resveratrol-downregulated phosphorylated liver kinase B1 is involved in senescence of acute myeloid leukemia stem cells / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Senescence is an important obstacle to cancer development. Engaging a senescent response may be an effective way to cure acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of resveratrol-downregulated phosphorylated liver kinase B1 (pLKB1) on the senescence of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem cells. The protein expressions of pLKB1 and Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a regulator of pLKB1, were measured in CD34(+)CD38(-) KG1a cells treated with resveratrol (40 μmol/L) or not by Western blotting. Senescence-related factors were examined, including p21 mRNA tested by real-time PCR, cell morphology by senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining, cell proliferation by MTT assay and cell cycle by flow cytometry. Besides, apoptosis was flow cytometrically determined. The results showed that pLKB1 was highly expressed in CD34(+)CD38(-) KG1a cells, and resveratrol, which could downregulate pLKB1 through activation of SIRT1, induced senescence and apoptosis of CD34(+)CD38(-) KG1a cells. It was concluded that resveratrol-downregulated pLKB1 is involved in the senescence of AML stem cells.