Role and possible mechanism of estrogen receptor α down-regulation leading to damage of TM4 Sertoli cell connectivity in mice / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the role of autophagy in the dysfunction of testicular TM4 cell junction induced by ERα down-regulation. Methods TM4 cells were treated with different concentrations of E R a inhibitor ICI182780 (ICI), and the proliferative activity of TM4 cells was detected by CCK-8 method. The number and morphological changes of TM4 cells were observed by light microscope. The levels of E R a, junction function related proteins and autophagy marker proteins were detected by Western blot. The expression and localization of Cx43 were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The cells were treated with chloroquine (CQ) and ICI for 24 h. The expression levels of autophagy and junction function related proteins were detected by Western blot. Results When ICI concentration was 50 nmol • L ~ or above, the cell viability decreased significantly. The increase of cell vacuoles in ICI group was observed by light microscope. Compared with normal control group, the protein expression levels of E R a, ZO-1, occludin, claudin-11, p-catenin and Cx43 in ICI groups significantly dropped, while the expression levels of N-cadherin and E-cadherin had no significant changes; LC3 II significantly rose, while p62 expression significantly fell. The results of immunofluorescence showed that the fluorescence expression of Cx43 in ICI group decreased significantly, but the position of CX43 did not change significantly. Compared with ICI group, the expression levels of LC3 II, p62, Cx43, ZO-1 and β-Catenin significantly increased. Conclusions The down-regulation of E R a leads to damage of TM4 cell junction function, which may be related to the activation of autophagy.

Effects of high-fat diet on testicular germ cell apoptosis in mice through endoplasmic reticulum stress / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the effects of high-fat diet on testicular germ cell apoptosis in mice through endoplasmic reticulum stress. Methods C57BL/6J male mice were assigned into normal group and high-fat diet group randomly, with six mice in each group. The mice in normal group or high-fat diet group were fed with regular or high-fat diet continuously for five months. The mice were weighed, anesthetized, and euthanized to collect testicular and epididymal tissue for analysis. The testicular tissue was weighed and their indices were calculated. Epididymal tissue was collected for semen analysis. The morphological alterations of testicular tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin ( HE ) staining. The apoptosis of germ cells was detected by TUNEL staining and the apoptotic indices were calculated. The expression levels of apoptosis and endoplasmic reticulum stress-related proteins in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot. The protein expression and localization of GRP78 in testicular tissue were further detected by immunofluorescence. Results The results showed that compared to the normal group, the high-fat diet group had a significant increase in body weight, a significant decrease in testicular index, sperm concentration, and sperm vability, loose arrangement of germ cells, significant thinning of the seminiferous epithelium, no significant change in the diameter of seminiferous tubules, a significant increase in germ cell apoptosis , with an increased apoptosis index, and significant increase in expression of Bax and cleaved-caspase-12,and a significant decrease in Bcl-2 protein expression. The expression levels of GRP78 , p-IREl, XBP1, and ATF6a proteins were significantly up-regulated, while p-PERK, p-eIF2a, ATF4 protein expression showed no significant changes. Immunofluorescence results further showed a significant increase in the expression of GRP78 protein in the testicular tissue,with no significant changes in the expression location. Conclusions High-fat diet can induce the apoptosis of mouse testicular germ cells, and the mechanism may be related to the activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress IRE1 and ATF6 signaling pathway.

Relationship between smoking and the risk of morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases among residents aged 30 years and above in Sichuan Province: a prospective study / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective: To investigate the morbidity of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) in residents aged 30 years and above in Sichuan Province, and analyze the effect of smoking on the risk of morbidity on COPD. Methods: From 2004 to 2008, people were randomly selected from Pengzhou, Sichuan Province. All the local people aged 30-79 years were asked to receive questionnaire survey, physical examination and pulmonary function testing, and long-term follow-up to determine the morbidity of COPD. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the relationship between smoking and COPD. Results: In 46 540 participants, the current smoking rates were 67.31% in males and 8.67% in females, there were 3 101 new cases of COPD, with a cumulative incidence of 6.66%. Adjusted for age, gender, occupation, marriage, income level, educational level, BMI, daily total physical activity, current cooking frequency, whether there was smoke exhaust device at present and frequency of passive smoking exposure, multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that compared with the non-smoking population, current smoking and quitting smoking increased the risk of COPD, with HR of 1.42 (95%CI:1.29-1.57) and 1.34 (95%CI:1.16-1.53). Compared with people who never or occasionally smoke, the risk of morbidity on COPD increased with the increase of average daily smoking volume, mixed smoking at present, mixed smoking at the beginning increased the risk of COPD, with HR of 1.79 (95%CI: 1.42-2.25) and 2.12 (95%CI: 1.53-2.92), started smoking at the age of <18 years old and ≥18 years old increased the risk of COPD, with HR of 1.61 (95%CI:1.43-1.82) and 1.34 (95%CI: 1.22-1.48), inhaling into the mouth, throat and lung during smoking increased the risk of COPD, with HR of 1.30 (95%CI: 1.16-1.45), 1.63 (95%CI: 1.45-1.83) and 1.37 (95%CI: 1.21-1.55). Adjusted for multiple confounding factors and adjusted for regression dilution bias, the average daily smoking volume, the age of starting smoking and the depth of smoking inhalation had an impact on the incidence of COPD, and the gender difference was particularly prominent. Conclusions: Smoking increased the risk of morbidity on COPD, which was related to the average daily smoking volume, the type of smoking, the age of starting smoking and the depth of smoking inhalation. Tobacco control should comprehensively consider the specific characteristics of smoking, so as to prevent COPD.

Research progress in signaling pathways related to treatment of functional dyspepsia with traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Functional dyspepsia(FD) is a prevalent functional gastrointestinal disease characterized by recurrent and long-lasting symptoms that significantly impact the quality of life of patients. Currently, western medicine treatment has not made breakthrough progress and mainly relies on symptomatic therapies such as gastrointestinal motility agents, acid suppressants, antidepressants/anxiolytics, and psychotherapy. However, these treatments have limitations in terms of insufficient effectiveness and safety. Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) possesses unique advantages in the treatment of FD. Through literature search in China and abroad, it has been found that the mechanisms of TCM in treating FD is associated with various signaling pathways, and research on these signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms has gradually become a focus. The main signaling pathways include the SCF/c-Kit signaling pathway, 5-HT signaling pathway, CRF signaling pathway, AMPK signaling pathway, TRPV1 signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, and RhoA/ROCK2/MYPT1 signaling pathway. This series of signaling pathways can promote gastrointestinal motility, alleviate anxiety, accelerate gastric emptying, reduce visceral hypersensitivity, and improve duodenal micro-inflammation in the treatment of FD. This article reviewed the research on TCM's regulation of relevant signaling pathways in the treatment of FD, offering references and support for further targeted TCM research in the treatment of FD.

Effects of Chemoradiotherapy Versus Chemotherapy Alone on Survival of Patients with Primary Mediastinal Large B-cell Lymphoma / 肿瘤防治研究

Objective To explore the prognostic factors of primary mediastinal large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) and the effects of chemoradiotherapy versus chemotherapy alone on patients' prognosis before and after rituximab era. Methods We extracted the data of PMBCL patients diagnosed from 2001 to 2015 from SEER database. SEER Stat software was used to calculate the incidence rate. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression model were used to analyze the impact of various clinical variables on prognosis. Results We included 635 patients with PMBCL. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age, stage and chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that OS of the patients receiving chemotherapy only in 2006-2015 was significantly better than that in 2001-2005 (χ2=10.002, P=0.002). The patients who received chemoradiotherapy had better OS than those who received chemotherapy alone from 2001 to 2005. The OS and DSS of patients receiving chemoradiotherapy were not significantly different from those of chemotherapy alone from 2006 to 2015. Conclusion The application of rituximab improves the long-term survival of PMBCL patients. The prognosis of patients who received chemoradiotherapy is comparable to that of chemotherapy alone from 2006 to 2015.

Effect of Combination of Regenerative Medicine and Rehabilitation on Motor Function of Neurological Diseases: A Scoping Review / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To perform a scoping review of the combination of regenerative therapy and rehabilitation in neurological diseases. Methods Literatures about the combination of regenerative therapy and rehabilitation in neurological diseases were retrieved in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and Wanfang data from establishment to April 1st, 2021. Results A total of 2567 literatures were retrieved, and 26 were finally enrolled, including three human clinical studies and 23 animal basic studies. The research design was mainly randomized or non-randomized controlled trials and case series. The researches mainly involved the therapeutic effect of combined regeneration therapy and rehabilitation on neurological diseases, such as stroke, spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy, etc. Conclusion The researches and applications of regenerative rehabilitation in neurological diseases were scoped, and it was found that the combination of regenerative therapy and rehabilitation has synergistic effects on the restoration of motor function of neurological diseases, and more scientific researches are needed to support its clinical practice in the future.

Effect of Combination of Regenerative Medicine and Rehabilitation on Motor Function of Neurological Diseases: A Scoping Review / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective To perform a scoping review of the combination of regenerative therapy and rehabilitation in neurological diseases. Methods Literatures about the combination of regenerative therapy and rehabilitation in neurological diseases were retrieved in PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI and Wanfang data from establishment to April 1st, 2021. Results A total of 2567 literatures were retrieved, and 26 were finally enrolled, including three human clinical studies and 23 animal basic studies. The research design was mainly randomized or non-randomized controlled trials and case series. The researches mainly involved the therapeutic effect of combined regeneration therapy and rehabilitation on neurological diseases, such as stroke, spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy, etc. Conclusion The researches and applications of regenerative rehabilitation in neurological diseases were scoped, and it was found that the combination of regenerative therapy and rehabilitation has synergistic effects on the restoration of motor function of neurological diseases, and more scientific researches are needed to support its clinical practice in the future.

The Effect of Bcl-6 Expression on the Prognosis of Newly Treated Double-Expressing Lymphoma Treated with R-CHOP Regimen / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the treatment outcome and prognosis of the newly-treated myc@*METHODS@#152 double-expression lymphoma patients (myc@*RESULTS@#The median age of 152 DEL patients was 60.5 years old (15-87 years old). 85 patients (55.9%) were Ann Arbor stage III/IV. There was no significant difference in clinical data between the patients in the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that bcl-6 expression, ECOG score, and stage were the independent prognostic factors for the entire group of DEL patients. There was no statistical difference in ORR between the patients in the two groups (χ2=0.749, P=0.387). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that PFS and OS of the bcl-6@*CONCLUSION@#bcl-6

Analysis of the influence of tracking error of Xsight lung tracking system caused by cardiac beating / 中华放射肿瘤学杂志

Objective:To analyze the influence of tracking error of Xsight lung tracking system caused by cardiac beating.Methods:48 patients with lung tumors adjacent to the heart were enrolled into this study. The tumor movement curves were collected by the Xsight lung tracking system and recorded in the treatment log files during the Cyberknife treatment process. The curves were subject to filtering analysis and the respiratory motion of < 1 Hz and the cardiac beating motion of > 1 Hz were separated. According to the filtering results, the patient treatment tracking data were divided into two groups based on whether the cardiac beating wave of >1 Hz existed. The tracking errors were statistically compared between two groups based on the X-ray imaging data collected by Xsight lung tracking system during treatment.Results:For the fractionation with cardiac beat information, the tracking errors of the patient′s related models were (1.45 ± 0.99), (0.46 ± 0.21) and (0.70 ± 0.54) mm in the left-right, superior-inferior and anterior-posterior direction, respectively. For the fractionation without cardiac beat information, the tracking errors of the patient′s related models were (1.52 ± 1.17), (0.63 ± 0.37) and (1.07 ± 0.62) mm in the left-right, superior-inferior and anterior-posterior direction, respectively. The tracking errors in the superior-inferior and anterior-posterior direction of patients with accurate cardiac beat models were 28.34% and 34.86% less than those of their counterparts without accurate cardiac beat models and there was significant difference (both P<0.05). Conclusion:The tracking accuracy of Xsight lung tracking system will be significantly improved if the cardiac beat model is accurately established.

Application of hemodynamic optimization in the design of artificial heart / 生物医学工程学杂志

Heart failure is one kind of cardiovascular disease with high risk and high incidence. As an effective treatment of heart failure, artificial heart is gradually used in clinical treatment. Blood compatibility is an important parameter or index of artificial heart, and how to evaluate it through hemodynamic design and

Comparison on predictive capacity of ARIMA model and LSTM model for incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease in Shijiazhuang / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To predict the incidence of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Shijiazhuang using the multiple seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model (ARIMA) and long short term memory (LSTM) model, lay theoretical foundation for the prevention and control of HFMD. Methods Multiple seasonal ARIMA model and LSTM model were established separately by using Eviews 8.0 and python 3.7.1 according to the data of monthly incidence of HFMD from January 2013 to May 2018 in Shijiazhuang, and the data from June 2018 to May 2019 were used to verify the prediction precision of model. Finally, the monthly incidence from June to August 2019 was predicted. Results Based on the monthly incidence from January 2013 to May 2018, the optimal models, ARIMA(1,0,0)×(1,1,2)12 and LSTM model were established. Mean absolute percentage of error (MAPE) of ARIMA and LSTM model were 22.14 and 10.03 respectively based on the monthly incidence from June to December 2018, while MAPE of ARIMA and LSTM model were 43.84 and 25.26 respectively based on the monthly incidence from June 2018 to May 2019. These results indicated that LSTM model was superior to ARIMA model in model fitting degree and predicting accuracy, which was relatively consistent with the actual situation. Conclusions LSTM model is able to fit and predict the incidence trend of HFMD well in Shijiazhuang. It can provide guidance to HFMD epidemic prediction and alerting.

Exploring the causal relationship between hip circumference and type 2 diabetes based on mendelian randomization / 中华疾病控制杂志

Objective To investigate the causal association between hip circumference (HC) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) based on Mendelian randomization. Methods The genetic variants data of the HC and T2DM from the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) and DIAbetes Genetics Replication And Meta-analysis (DIAGRAM) database were matched according to the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rsID. Genetic loci strongly related to the HC were used as instrumental variables; and the inverse-variance weighting, MR-Egger regression model and weighting median method were carried out to analyze the causal effect of HC on T2DM. Results Fifty-two, nine and fifteen SNPs were matched in the total cohort, female cohort and male cohort, respectively. Heterogeneity test suggested the SNPs were homogeneous. We found HC to be positively associated with T2DM risk (OR=1.065, 95% CI: 1.030-1.100, OR=1.103, 95% CI: 1.057-1.150 and OR=1.583, 95% CI: 1.273-1.968, respectively) in above three cohorts, respectively. Sensitivity analysis showed the results were robust. Conclusions There is a relationship between HC and T2DM of people, and HC may be the risk factor of T2DM.

Changes of phenolic compounds in LebZIP2-overexpressing transgenic plants

The bZIP gene is a transcription factor that plays various roles in relation to plant stress and hormone signaling. This gene is also involved in plant environmental stress and herbicide tolerance. We generated Nicotiana benthamiana transgenic plants with LebZIP2-encoding gene isolated from tomatoes using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic seeds harvested from these T0 transgenic plants were grown and examined for gene transfer and changes in phenolic compounds in the T1 generation. RT-PCR analysis using a primer specific to the LebZIP gene confirmed that the gene was transferred to the T1 generation. We analyzed the increase and decrease tendency for 30 phenolic compounds using the T1 generation-transgenic plants and investigated the mechanism between the specifically increased compound and LebZIP2 gene. Gallic acid, homogentisic acid, protocatechuic acid, myricetin, t-cinnamic acid, and b-resorcyclic acid were identified as the phenolic compounds that increased in T1 transgenic plants overexpressing the LebZIP gene. Among these, homogentisic acid at 246.75-1055.19 µg/g, was increased by 2-5 fold in the T1 transgenic plants compared to the control. Protocatechuic acid was found at 1640.54-2456.00 µg/g and was increased by 2-4 fold in T1 transgenic plants. t-Cinnamic acid was present in a small amount of 23.14 µg/g in the control, whereas it was 102.19-135.47 µg/g in T1 transgenic plants, showing an increase of 4-5 folds. These results indicated that homogentisic acid, protocatechuic acid, and t-cinnamic acid among the 30 phenolic compounds analyzed, were significantly increased in LebZIP2-overexpressing T1 transgenic plants, and support the evidence that the LebZIP2 gene is significantly involved in the increment of three phenolic compounds.

Comparison of immunohistochemical stain and 14C urea breath test in the diagnosis of helicobacter pylori associated gastritis / 临床与实验病理学杂志

Purpose To evaluate the value of immunohistochemical stain (IHC) in the diagnosis of helicobacter pylori (HP) -associated gastritis with gastric biopsy tissue. Method239 cases of gastric biopsy were selected. All patients had14 C urea breath test (UBT) at the time of gastric biopsy. IHC for HP was performed with the biopsy tissues. The results were compared with gold standard results. Gold standard was established according to the Chinese Fourth National Consensus report on HP infection with modification. It was considered positive if two or more of the three test results were positive, including IHC, UBT, and HE. Results 239 gastric biopsy specimens fit the criteria. Compared with the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity value of IHC stains were 97.3％ and 100.0％ respectively, higher than 91.1％, 81.9％ of 14 C UBT, and 80.4％, 92.9％ of HE stain respectively. The14 C UBT showed 9.6％ false positive rate, and 4.2％ false negative rate. Conclusion IHC is a valuable test in the diagnosis of HP-associated gastritis, and it should be recommended for routine histopathologic diagnostic workup if HP gastritis is clinically suspected or chronic active gastritis is identified in the biopsy tissue.

Efficacy analysis of rituximab combined with CHOP or EPOCH regimen in treatment of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with newly diagnosed myc/bcl-2 double-expression / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Objective To evaluate the efficacy, safety and the prognosis of rituximab combined with CHOP (R-CHOP) or combined with EPOCH (R-EPOCH) regimen in treatment of newly diagnosed myc/bcl-2 double-expression diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods The clinical efficacy, adverse reactions and survival of 16 DLBCL patients who received R-CHOP regimen with double-expression and 15 DLBCL patients who received R-EPOCH regimen with double-expression between August 2014 and December 2017 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were retrospectively analyzed, and all patients with double or triple-hit lymphoma were excluded. Results The ratio of the International Prognostic Index (IPI) score ≥3 in R-EPOCH group was higher than that in R-CHOP group [10 cases vs. 5 cases, χ2＝ 3.888, P＝0.049]. There were no statistical differences in other clinical data of both groups. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in 75% (12/16) of R-CHOP group and 67% (10/15) of R-EPOCH group, and there was no statistical difference between the two groups (χ2＝ 0.013, P＝ 0.908). The incidence of grade 3-4 leukopenia and grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia in R-EPOCH group was higher than that in R-CHOP group, and the difference was statistically significant [93% (14/15) vs. 38% (6/16), χ 2＝ 10.542, P＝ 0.01; 73% (11/15) vs. 6% (1/16), χ 2＝ 14.685, P< 0.01]. The 1-year overall survival (OS) rate and progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 86.5% and 81.3% in R-CHOP group, 76.0% and 51.4% in R-EPOCH group. There was no statistical difference in the 1-year OS rate between the two groups (P＞0.05), and the 1-year PFS rate in R-CHOP group was higher than that in R-EPOCH group (P<0.01). The 1-year OS rate and PFS rate was 100.0% and 93.8% in IPI<3 group, 65.5% and 45.0% in IPI≥3 group. The 1-year OS rate and PFS rate in IPI<3 group were superior to those in IPI≥3 group (all P ＞0.01). The 1-year OS rate and PFS rate of the female group were lower than those of the male group (59.6% vs. 100.0%, 44.2% vs. 86.3%), and there were statistical differences (all P<0.01). Cox regression analysis showed that high IPI score was an independent prognostic factor for all patients ( HR＝6.335, 95% CI 0.740-54.261, P＝0.092). Conclusions R-EPOCH and R-CHOP are the ideal treatment methods for the double-expression lymphoma. Both regimens have similarities in the treatment outcome of myc/bcl-2 double-expression DLBCL. The adverse reactions in R-EPOCH group are severer than those in R-CHOP group.

Non-surgical treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion without blood stasis:a serum proteomic analysis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: Proteomics is a well studied research method, but its application in the non-surgical treatment of lumbar intervertebral disc protrusion (LIDP) is little reported. OBJECTIVE: To screen the differentially expressed proteins in patients with LIDP but without blood stasis before and after non-surgical treatment by proteomics. METHODS: Sixty patients with LIDP but without blood stasis were selected, and treated with non-surgical treatment for 4 weeks. The differentially expressed proteins were screened and identified by iTRAQ combined with LC-MS/MS. The bioinformatics analysis of the identified proteins was carried out, and the curative effectiveness was investigated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with those before treatment, the Visual Analogue Scale scores were significantly (P ＜ 0.05), the Japanese Orthopedic Association scores were significantly increased decreased (P ＜ 0.05), and the excellent and good rate reached 95.0% post-treatment. A total of 300 differentially expressed proteins were screened and 25 significantly expressed proteins were identified (P ＜0.05). Bioinformatics analysis revealed that nine of the significantly expressed proteins were enriched to 15 KEGG signaling pathways. These results suggest that the use of Western medicine non-surgical treatment for the LIDP without blood stasis can achieve satisfactory results. Besides, complement C1qA, cDNA protein (FLJ60724), complement C4B frameshift mutation, cDNA protein (FLJ53025), mannose binding protein C, apolipoprotein B, hemoglobin α-1 globin chain variant, hemoglobin β subunit and cDNA protein (FLJ76254) may be the potential serum markers of the non-surgical treatment for the LIDP without non-blood stasis.

The development of Taiwan Fracture Liaison Service network

Osteoporosis and its associated fragility fractures are becoming a severe burden in the healthcare system globally. In the Asian-Pacific (AP) region, the rapidly increasing in aging population is the main reason accounting for the burden. Moreover, the paucity of quality care for osteoporosis continues to be an ongoing challenge. The Fracture Liaison Service (FLS) is a program promoted by International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) with a goal to improve quality of postfracture care and prevention of secondary fractures. In this review article, we would like to introduce the Taiwan FLS network. The first 2 programs were initiated in 2014 at the National Taiwan University Hospital and its affiliated Bei-Hu branch. Since then, the Taiwan FLS program has continued to grow exponentially. Through FLS workshops promoted by the Taiwanese Osteoporosis Association (TOA), program mentors have been able to share their valuable knowledge and clinical experience in order to promote establishments of additional programs. With 22 FLS sites including 11 successfully accredited on the best practice map, Taiwan remains as one of the highest FLS coverage countries in the AP region, and was also granted the IOF Best Secondary Fracture Prevention Promotion award in 2017. Despite challenges faced by the TOA, we strive to promote more FLS sites in Taiwan with a main goal of ameliorating further health burden in managing osteoporotic patients.

Novel Patched 1 Mutations in Patients with Gorlin-Goltz Syndrome Strategic Treated by Smoothened Inhibitor

We studied a family with Gorlin-Goltz syndrome. The novel mutations of our cases were located on the 21st exon of the PTCH1 gene (c.3450C>G). The father, who received a strategic 56-day vismodegib treatment for disease control, was the first patient with Gorlin syndrome treated with the hedgehog inhibitor in Taiwan. The lesions regressed gradually, with scar formation, and were subsequently removed via a wide excision. Further details are provided below.

Research progress of puerarin and its derivatives on anti-inflammatory and anti-gout activities / 中国中药杂志

The research progress of puerarin and its derivatives in anti-inflammatory and anti-gout activities was reviewed in this paper. Puerarin possesses anti-inflammatory activity by affecting immunocyte, inflammation cytokines and signaling pathway. Puerarin also has anti-gout activity through inhibition of xanthine oxidase, promoting the excretion of uric acid to reduce serum uric acid level. Although its ability in reducing uric acid level was lower than that of allopurinol in clinical application, puerarin can also enhance the total antioxidant and free radical scavenging with stronger anti-inflammatory effect, so it will be a promising research direction to find new drugs with better anti-gout activity and less side effects by modifying the chemical structure of puerarin.

Canine femoral artery displacement with the chitosan-sulfated silk fibroin artificial blood vessel:the formation of vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:The chitosan-sulfated silk fibroin artificial blood vessel was obtained in our previous study. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the biocompatibility and function of the chitosan-sulfated silk fibroin artificial blood vessel replacement into the canine femoral artery. METHODS:Eight Beagles were randomly allotted to two groups, and chitosan-sulfated silk fibroin artificial blood vessel was implanted into the femoral artery (experimental group), but animalsin control group received no intervention. Six months after implantation, the coagulation function was detected, the vascular formation, including endothelial, smooth muscle and fibroblast layers were observed through hematoxylin-eosin staining under electron microscope. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells and fibroblasts were found in the experimental group, which were similar with the normal vascular structures. (2) Immunohistochemistry:in the experimental group, there was a deeply stained band at the tissue edege through Factor Ⅷ staining, suggesting the formation of the endothelium;there were abundant brown particles precipitated in á-SMA staining, suggesting the vascular smooth muscle cel formation;Vimentin staining showed various brown particle precipitations indicating the fibroblast formation, and all were close to the normal vascular structures. (3) Electron microscope observed that the inner surface and section of the artificial vessel were similar with the normal one, and the three-layer structures formed in the section arranged irregularly. (4) There were no differences in the prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and fibrinogen between groups. To conclude, these results suggest that the chitosan-sulfated silk fibroin artificial blood vessel holds good biocompatibility and performances.