L-carnitine reduces acute lung injury via mitochondria modulation and inflammation control in pulmonary macrophages

Acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a critical respiratory syndrome with limited effective interventions. Lung macrophages play a critical role in the pathogenesis of abnormal inflammatory response in the syndrome. Recently, impaired fatty acid oxidation (FAO), one of the key lipid metabolic signalings, was found to participate in the onset and development of various lung diseases, including ALI/ARDS. Lipid/fatty acid contents within mouse lungs were quantified using the Oil Red O staining. The protective effect of FAO activator L-carnitine (Lca, 50, 500, or 5 mg/mL) was evaluated by cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) assay, real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), ELISA, immunoblotting, fluorescence imaging, and fluorescence plate reader detection in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (100 ng/mL)-stimulated THP-1-derived macrophages. The in vivo efficacy of Lca (300 mg/kg) was determined in a 10 mg/kg LPS-induced ALI mouse model. We found for the first time that lipid accumulation in pulmonary macrophages was significantly increased in a classical ALI murine model, which indicated disrupted FAO induced by LPS. Lca showed potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects on THP-1 derived macrophages upon LPS stimulation. Mechanistically, Lca was able to maintain FAO, mitochondrial activity, and ameliorate mitochondrial dynamics. In the LPS-induced ALI mouse model, we further discovered that Lca inhibited neutrophilic inflammation and decreased diffuse damage, which might be due to the preservation of mitochondrial homeostasis. These results broadened our understanding of ALI/ARDS pathogenesis and provided a promising drug candidate for this syndrome.

Alpinia officinarum Hance extract alleviates particulate matter-induced lung injury in mice

To evaluate the effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) extract on lung injury caused by particulate matter (PM). Methods: The Kunming mice were intranasally instilled with PM and treated with A. officinarum extract for 3 weeks. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood and lung samples were collected for biochemical, serological and histopathological studies. Results: Serological analysis showed that albumin levels, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly reduced after administrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of A. officinarum extracts to the PM injured mice. Markers of oxidative stress, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde levels and nitric oxide synthase activities, were significantly decreased. Correspondingly, total superoxide dismutase activity was improved dramatically. The expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were also down-regulated obviously. In addition, pathological sections of lung tissue showed that A. officinarum could reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells, pulmonary edema and pulmonary fibrosis. These results showed that A. officinarum extract could alleviate PM-induced lung injury via reducing the permeability of cell membranes in lung tissue, eliminating oxidative stress and relieving inflammatory response. Conclusions: A. officinarum extract was an efficient treatment for PM-induced lung injury ir mice, and it may be a promising therapeutic agent in future.

Alpinia officinarum Hance extract alleviates particulate matter-induced lung injury in mice

To evaluate the effect of Alpinia officinarum Hance (A. officinarum) extract on lung injury caused by particulate matter (PM). Methods: The Kunming mice were intranasally instilled with PM and treated with A. officinarum extract for 3 weeks. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood and lung samples were collected for biochemical, serological and histopathological studies. Results: Serological analysis showed that albumin levels, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase activities in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were significantly reduced after administrations of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg of A. officinarum extracts to the PM injured mice. Markers of oxidative stress, nitric oxide, malondialdehyde levels and nitric oxide synthase activities, were significantly decreased. Correspondingly, total superoxide dismutase activity was improved dramatically. The expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha were also down-regulated obviously. In addition, pathological sections of lung tissue showed that A. officinarum could reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells, pulmonary edema and pulmonary fibrosis. These results showed that A. officinarum extract could alleviate PM-induced lung injury via reducing the permeability of cell membranes in lung tissue, eliminating oxidative stress and relieving inflammatory response. Conclusions: A. officinarum extract was an efficient treatment for PM-induced lung injury ir mice, and it may be a promising therapeutic agent in future.

Colorimetric Detection of Iodine Ion Based on Its Inhibition Effect on Peroxidase-Like Activity of Platinum Nanoparticles / 分析化学

As an important inorganic element, iodine not only plays an important role in human growth and metabolism, but also has an irreplaceable role in the chemical engineering, medicine, food and other fields.Thus the detection of iodine ion is of important significance.In this work, colorimetric recognition and sensing of iodine ion with high sensitivity was proposed based on target induced shielding of the peroxidase-like activity of bare platinum nanoparticles ( PtNPs ).This assay exhibited simplicity and cost-effectiveness.The recognition of iodine ion by bare PtNPs could be fulfilled in a few seconds and the assay could be accomplished within 10 min.The detection range for iodine ion was 20 nmol/L-5.0 μmol/L and the detection limit was 8 nmol/L ( S/N = 3 ).Furthermore, the new assay system did not require surface modification of nanoparticles, nor complex organic synthesis.This assay was successfully applied to detection of iodine concentration in real salt and water samples, exhibiting promising application prospects.

Clinical Analysis of One-Stage Debridement,Bone Grafting and Internal Fixation for the Treatment of Single-Segmental Lumbar Spinal Tuberculosis with Extreme Lateral Approach / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective]To analyze the feasibility and clinical efficacy of one-stage debridement,bone grafting and in-ternal fixation for the treatment of single-segmental lumbar spinal tuberculosis with extreme lateral approach.[Methods]Thirteen patients of single-segmental lumbar spinal tuberculosis that received the surgeries from April 2013 to August 2016 were included.The operation duration and the amount of intraoperative blood loss were recorded.The VAS and ODI of the back pain,lumbar kyphosis angle,segment height restoration,and vertebral fusion rate were used to analyze the clinical efficacy.[Results]Thirteen patients were successfully followed up for 13-32 months(mean,20.3 months);the operation duration was 160-280 min(average,214±96)min;the amount of intraoperative blood loss was 150-350 mL, average(average,263±63)mL. At the final follow-up,ESR and CRP were normal and lower back pain(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)were significantly reduced(7.2±1.6 vs 2.5±1.2 and 63.3±5.4 vs 31.9±3.7,respectively)compared to preoperative values;there were no significant difference in the lumbar kyphosis angle,segment height resto-ration between preoperation(segmental lordosis,7.1°±4.7°;segmental height,64.8 mm±9.3 mm)and the values at final follow-ups(segmental lordosis,5.2°±3.5°;segmental height,69.4 mm±10.5 mm;P>0.05). All cases acquired good lumbar interbody fusion with no internal fixation failure or recurrence of tuberculosis.[Conclusions]Under systemic and routine antituberculosis chemotherapy,one-stage extreme lateral approach debridement,bone graft and internal fixation is effective and feasible for single-segmental lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

A review of radiation impact on drug metabolism / 药学学报

The radiation is regarded as the fourth biggest pollution following the water, air and noise pollution, which generates a broad impact on human physiology and healthy. The radiation mainly comes from medical rays, industrial rays, nuclear wastes and atmospheric ultraviolet rays. The universality makes people pay more and more attention to the damage effect and mechanism of radiation. The radiation is divided into ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. It is a good idea to study the effect of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation on drug's metabolism, which may give a guidance to clinical medication to avoid adverse reactions and to support personalized medicine. This article reviews the effect of ionizing radiation (γ-rays, X-rays, uranium and cesium) and non-ionizing radiation (ultraviolet rays) on drug metabolism, their impact on metabolic characteristics of some drugs and the impact on expression of enzymes and transporters in drug metabolism, which is conducted with a focus on clinical significance.

Clinical characteristics and treatment of unicentric retroperitoneal Castleman's disease / 中国肿瘤临床

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment analysis of unicentric retroperitoneal Castleman's dis-ease (CD) and to improve its levels of diagnosis and treatment. Methods:The clinical data of 18 patients with unicentric retroperitone-al CD were retrospectively reviewed from January 2002 to December 2016. We analyzed the demographic characteristics, clinical fea-tures, histological diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic characteristics of these patients. Results:The patients comprised 4 males and 14 females with a median age of 44.1 years old (ranging from 24 years old to 70 years old). The tumor was located in the kidney in one case, while it was located in the adrenal region in eight cases. In the other cases, the tumor was in the retroperitoneal region. Seven patients had a clinical atypical abdominal pain, and one patient had moderate anemia. All patients underwent surgical resection. The mean operation time was 153.3 min with a range of 60 min to 260 min. The mean blood loss was 447.2 mL (ranging from 10 mL to 3000 mL). Two cases had blood transfusion after operation, and one had urinary fistula complication. CD was confirmed by histopathol-ogy. Hyaline vascular type of CD was observed in 16 cases, and mixed type of CD was observed in 2 cases. The median follow-up was 25 months. One patient had tumor recurrence after 2 years of operation and died. Other patients remained alive without recurrence. Conclusion:Unicentric retroperitoneal CD is a rare disease that is often misdiagnosed because of the absence of specific clinical mani-festations. The final diagnosis depends on the results of a pathologic examination. Complete surgical resection offers a favorable result for unicentric retroperitoneal CD.

Inhibitory effect of oleanolic acid on inflammatory response in IL-1β-stimulated human synovial sarcoma SW982 cells / 药学学报

To study the role of oleanolic acid on interleukin (IL)-1β-stimulated expression of inflammatory cytokines, and to explore its anti-inflammatory mechanism in SW982 cells, the toxicity of oleanolic acid on SW982 cells was detected by MTT; effects of different concentrations of oleanolic acid (5, 10, 20 μmol·L-1) on the expression of inflammatory factors IL-6, IL-8 and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) was tested at protein and mRNA levels. The study was performed in IL-1β-stimulated SW982 cells together with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (real-time PCR) methods; the influence of oleanolic acid on the phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), phosphatidyl inositol-3-kinase/Akt (PI3K/Akt) and nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways related protein was analyzed by Western blot. Results showed that different concentrations of oleanolic acid (≤ 40 μmol·L-1) were almost non-toxicity to SW982 cells; oleanolic acid significantly inhibited the expression of inflammatory factors in a dose-dependent manner; oleanolic acid restrained extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), p38, c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and Akt protein phosphorylation and IκB-α protein degradation obviously. The inhibition effect of oleanolic acid on inflammatory factors stimulated by IL-1β may be worked through MAPK, PI3K/Akt and NF-κB signaling pathways.

The clinical significance of a new classification algorithm in Chinese DLBCL cases / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathologic features, pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria and the relationship between different classification models and prognosis in Chinese patients with DLBCL, and try to look for the most appropriate classification model to predict clinical prognosis and therapeutic responses for Chinese patients with DLBCL.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>181 cases of Chinese DLBCLs diagnosed according to the WHO 2008 classification were collected. Standard two-step Envision method of immunohistochemical staining was used to assess the expressions of CD20, CD3ε, CD79a, CD10, Mum-1, Bcl-6, GCET-1, FOXP1 and Ki-67. The phenotypic classifications were assessed according to the standard of Hans model and Chan model. Data were analyzed by χ(2) test and Life Table survival analysis with the SPSS14.0 statistical package.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ratio of male to female in this cohort was 1.26:1. The median age of all patients was 57 yrs with the average age of 53.5 yrs. Of 61 cases (33.7%) primarily showed lymph node involvement. Gastrointestinal tract as the most involved extra-nodal organ was observed in 43 cases (35.8%). All patients with complete clinical follow-up materials survived from 1 - 120 months. The patients showed a high risk for death in the initial one and half years. Three year survival rate was 49.7% (90/181). Three year survival of 44 cases received R-CHOP (Rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, bolus) was 76.9% (20/26), whereas 61.9% (60/97) in 119 cases received CHOP alone, R-CHOP group showed better prognosis (P = 0.017). All cases expressed one or more pan B cell markers, such as CD20 (176/179, 98.3%) and CD79a (62/77, 80.5%). For Hans model, 78 cases were classified as GCB group, while 103 cases as Non-GCB group. The ratio of Non-GCB to GCB was 1.32 without difference on the survival (P > 0.05). For the Chan's algorithm, 68 cases belonged to GCB subgroup, while 113 cases non-GCB subgroup. The ratio of non-GCB to GCB was 1.66. GCB subtype showed much better prognosis than non-GCB subtype according to Life Table survival analysis (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The epidemiology and clinicopathologic features of Chinese DLBCLs were similarly with the western cases. Chan's algorithm was a significant tool to predict the cell origin and clinical biology of Chinese DLBCLs.</p>

Clinicopathologic analysis of nodal marginal zone B cell lymphoma / 中华血液学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the clinicopathologic features of primary nodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (NMZL).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hematoxylin-Eosin staining and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate the histological and immunophenotypic characteristics of lymph node (LN) tissue in 22 NMZL cases. Additionally, interphase fluorescence in-situ hybridization (FISH) was carried out to detect the presence of t(11;18) (q21;q21)/API2-MALT1 and/or t(14;18)(q32;q21)/IGH-MALT1 in 9 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The median age of the 22 patients was 62 (16 - 77) ys. The male-to-female ratio was 1.2:1. All patients exhibited asymptomatic lymphadenopathy with the cervical region as the most often site to be involved (n = 11), followed by axillary (n = 9), inguinal (n = 7), submandibular (n = 6), mediastinal (n = 4), supraclavicular (n = 2) and retroperitoneal lymph nodes (n = 1). The Ann Arbor stages were I/II in 13 (59%) cases and III/IV in 9 (41%). Immunohistochemical study showed a consistently strong expression of CD20 and an absence in the expression of CD3ε, CD10, CD21, CD23, CyclinD1 and BCL6 by the tumor cells in all the cases. Frequency of expression of CD5 and BCL2 were 39% (7/18) and 30% (3/14) respectively. Among the 9 cases performed with FISH, 2 cases harbored t(14;18)and another 1 case positive for t(11;18) and t(14;18). Complete follow-up data were available for 13 cases. The follow-up time was 6 to 44 months. 3 of them died. 3-year cumulative survival rate was 67%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>NMZL patients are often elderly, which mainly present with multiple lymphadenopathy, rare involvement of extranodal organ and early stage. The diagnosis must be based on a combination of clinicopathologic features, especially those patients detected t(11;18) and/or t(14;18).</p>

Pathology of enterovirus 71 infection: an autopsy study of 5 cases / 中华病理学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the clinicopathologic features of fatal enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Autopsy was performed in 5 neonates died of EV71 infection. Tissue samples from major organs were collected, formalin-fixed and examined under light microscopy. Immunohistochemical study was carried out in selected examples.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Four of the 5 cases showed predominant changes in central nervous system, with encephalitis and encephalomyelitis identified mainly in brainstem and upper cervical spinal cord. Histologic findings included neuronal degeneration and necrosis, neuronophagia, perivascular cuffing and diffuse or nodular hyperplasia of macrophages/microglia. Cerebral edema, brain herniation and aseptic meningitis were also noted. The lungs showed mainly pulmonary congestion, neurogenic pulmonary edema and focal hemorrhage. There were minimal changes in the intestinal epithelium. The intestinal lymphoid tissue however was hyperplastic and associated with apoptosis of follicular center cells. The remaining case had cerebral edema and mild meningitis. The lung alveolar septa were thickened with lymphocytic infiltrates. Some alveolar cells were hyperplastic and associated with diffuse hyaline membrane formation. No specific abnormalities were identified in gastrointestinal tract. In all the 5 cases studied, there was enlargement of lung hilar and mesenteric lymph nodes, coupled with apoptosis of follicular center cells. In general, no significant pathologic changes were demonstrated in heart, liver and kidneys.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>In fatal EV71 infection, the major pathologic changes lie in the central nervous system. The pulmonary lesions are mainly secondary in nature. The usual cause of death is cerebral edema complicated by brain herniation and pulmonary edema. It is also noteworthy that some cases show only lung damages, without classic neurologic changes.</p>

Study on the distribution of human immunodeficiency virus-1 subtypes in different regions of China and mother-to-child transmission / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the distribution of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 genotypes in major prevalent regions of China and to illustrate the relationship between HIV-1 subtypes and mother-to-child transmission in a retrospective cohort.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>HIV-1 gag p17 and env C2-V4 region were amplified by nested-polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) and the sequences were obtained by sequencing gag nPCR products or clones of env gene.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>60 HIV-1 positive individuals were subject to typing for gag p17 and 69 for env C2-V4 region. Single clade was only found in Henan (subtype B') and Xinjiang (subtype C), and subtypes C and E were demonstrated in Yunnan. These regions represented most of the HIV-1 infections in China. Multiple subtypes (A, B, C, E, etc.) were found in Beijing and Shanghai, where HIV infections were still in low level. The sequences of subtype C were less diversive in Xinjiang (p17: 0.0192 +/- 0.0078, C2-V4: 0.0455 +/- 0.0145) than in Yunnan (p17: 0.0279 +/- 0.0102, C2-V4: 0.0482 +/- 0.0171), but all of them clustered in "C" branch in phylogenetic trees. Trafficking of subtype C from Yunnan to Xinjiang was found but had already been reported by others. Compared to subtype C, subtype E was quite divergent (p17: 0.0473 +/- 0.0105, C2-V4: 0.1114 +/- 0.0112) in Yunnan, but no recombination was found in the C2-V4 region of env gene. Highe divergence of subtype B' was found in Henan and the peripheral provinces (p17: 0.0381 +/- 0.0101, C2-V4: 0.0691 +/- 0.0166), which might be attributed to the early epidemics of HIV-1 in these areas (early 1990's). In maternal-child cohort, subtypes B (7/21), C (11/21), E (1/21) and undefined types (2/21) were identified in non-transmitting HIV-1 positive mothers, while only subtype B (7/11) and C (4/11) appeared in transmitting HIV-1 positive mothers. The rate of transmission was 53.8% (7/13) in mothers infected with subtype B and 30.8% (4/13) in those infected with subtype C, but with no significant difference (P = 0.196). The imbalancing distribution of subtypes might be explained by the fact that transfusion or illegal blood would increased mother-to-child transmission on HIV-1 and most of mothers with clade B were infected by illegal blood transfusion in this cohort. In addition, most of the maternal-child pair's sequences clustered in gag or env phylogenetic trees but only a few did disperse among the unrelated patients because children were older (>/= 4 years).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The characteristics of HIV-1 clade's distribution differed over most parts of China but no difference was demonstrated between subtype B and C in mother-to-child transmission on HIV-1.</p>