Application and development of systems biology in computer-aided drug design / 中国中药杂志

With the advances in medicine, people have deeply understood the complex pathogenesis of diseases. Revealing the mechanism of action and therapeutic effect of drugs from an overall perspective has become the top priority of drug design. However, the traditional drug design methods cannot meet the current needs. In recent years, with the rapid development of systems biology, a variety of new technologies including metabolomics, genomics, and proteomics have been used in drug research and development. As a bridge between traditional pharmaceutical theory and modern science, computer-aided drug design(CADD) can shorten the drug development cycle and improve the success rate of drug design. The application of systems biology and CADD provides a methodological basis and direction for revealing the mechanism and action of drugs from an overall perspective. This paper introduces the research and application of systems biology in CADD from different perspectives and proposes the development direction, providing reference for promoting the application.

Expression Analysis of miRNA Profiles in Apheresis Platelets during Storage / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the expression profiles changes of miRNA in apheresis platelets after 1, 3 and 5 days of storage.@*METHODS@#The apheresis platelets were collected from 20 volunteer blood donors. After mixing fully, the platelets were stored in a shaker with (22±2) ℃ horizontal oscillation. The samples were taken on the 1st, 3rd and 5th day, and used to sequence for miRNAs by DNA nanoball (DNB) sequencing technology, which were named as C_1, C_3 and C_5, respectively. The expression level of platelets miRNA was standardized by transcripts per kilobase million (TPM) algorithm. MiRNAs with P-value < 0.001 and the expression difference of more than two times were considered as significant difference between two groups. The expression of miRNAs was verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).@*RESULTS@#By DNB sequencing, there were 688, 730, and 679 platelet miRNAs expressed in C_1, C_3 and C_5 group, respectively. Cluster analysis showed that the expression profile of miRNAs changed significantly. The expression level of the first 20 high abundance miRNAs was about 4/5 of the total amounts of expressed miRNAs in each group, which the top five miRNAs were miR-21-5p, miR-26a-5p, miR-199a-3p, miR-126-3p, and let-7f-5p. The correlation of high abundance platelet miRNAs among the three groups was high (R2=0.876, R2=0.979, R2=0.937, respectively) and the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Compared with the differential expression of platelet miRNAs with more than 1 000 TPM in the C_3 and C_1 group, there were 6 differentially expressed miRNAs, including 3 up-regulated (miR-146a-5p, miR-379-5p, and miR-486-5p) and 3 down-regulated (miR-652-3p, miR-142-5p, and miR-7-5p). While in the C_5 and C_1 group, there were 4 differentially expressed miRNAs, including 2 up-regulated (miR-146a-5p and let-7b-5p) and 2 down-regulated (miR-30d-5p and miR-142-5p). Compared with the differentially expression of platelet miRNAs between 1-1 000 TPM in the C_3 and C_1 group, there were 133 differentially expressed miRNAs, in which 99 were up-regulated and 34 were down-regulated. While in the C_5 and C_1 group, there were 77 differentially expressed miRNAs, in which 31 were up-regulated and 46 were down-regulated. The six selected differentially expressed miRNAs verified by RT-qPCR were consistent with those of sequencing.@*CONCLUSION@#The expression profiles of platelets miRNAs change significantly among 1, 3, and 5 d of storage in vitro.

Effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on gut microbiota of rats with Parkinson's disease / 中国中药杂志

Under the guidance of the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory of "Zangfu-organs of spleen and stomach" and the modern theory of "microbiota-gut-brain axis", this study explored the effects of Nardostachys jatamansi on the gut microbiota of rats with Parkinson's disease(PD). The 40 SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, PD model group, levodopa group, and Nardostachys jatamansi ethanol extract group. The PD model was established by subcutaneous injection of rotenone in the neck and back area. After 14 days of intragastric administration, the PD rats' behaviors were analyzed through open field test, inclined plane test, and pole test. After the behavioral tests, the striatum, colon, and colon contents of rats in each group were collected. Western blot was employed to detect the protein expression of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and α-synuclein(α-syn) in striatum and that of α-syn in colon. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) in striatum and colon. High-throughput sequencing of 16 S rRNA gene was conducted to detect the differences in microbial diversity, abundance, differential phyla, and dominant bacteria of rats between groups. The results indicated that Nar. ethanol extract could relieve dyskinesia, reverse the increased levels of α-syn, TNF-α, IL-1β, and NF-κB in striatum, and improve the protein expression of TH in striatum of PD rats. The α diversity analysis indicated a significant decrease in diversity and abundance of gut microbiota in the PD model. The results of linear discriminant analysis effect size(LEfSe) of dominant bacteria indicated that Nardostachys jatamansi ethanol extract increased the relative abundance of Clotridiaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Anaerostipes, and reversed the increased relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia-Shigella in PD model group to exhibit the neuroprotective effect. In summary, the results indicated that Nar. ethanol extract exert the therapeutic effect on PD rats. Specifically, the extract may regulate gut microbiota, decrease the levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and reduce the protein aggregation of α-syn in the colon and striatum to alleviate intestinal inflammation and neuroinflammation. This study provides a basis for combining the theory of "Zangfu-organs of spleen and stomach" with the theory of "microbiota-gut-brain axis" to treat PD.

The mechanism of parthenolide strengthen vorinostat on inhibiting the proliferation of A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells / 药学学报

This research explored the synergistic effects and the mechanism of parthenolide (PTL) and vorinostat (suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, SAHA) on the proliferation of A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells. The combination effect of PTL and SAHA was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays. Scratch test was performed to detect cell migration. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate isomer/propidium iodide (FITC/PI) flow cytometry and Western blot analyses were used to determine cell apoptosis and its mechanism. The results showed that combination of PTL and SAHA inhibited the proliferation and migration of A549 with a synergistic effect compared to the single-drug groups. The combination of PTL and SAHA had synergistic effect to induce cell apoptosis by regulating p53 and c-myc pathways, and affected the expression levels of poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP), cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase (caspase)-9, and caspase-3. Taken together, this study shows that combination of PTL and SAHA has synergistic effect, induces cell apoptosis and inhibits A549 proliferation, which is likely to be a novel strategy for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.

Effect of parthenolide on proliferation and migration of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by targeting the c-myc G-quadruplex / 药学学报

This research investigated the effect of parthenolide on the proliferation and migration of human breast cancer cells and explored the molecular mechanism of that effect. Surface plasmon resonance and fluorescence resonance energy transfer melting were used to detect the binding and stabilizing ability of PTL and G-quadruplex. MTT assays were used to determine the effect of PTL on the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells. A wound healing assay was performed to detect the migration of MCF-7. The results indicate that PTL shows good binding and stabilizing activities with c-myc G-quadruplex with a KD = 13.1 μmol·L-1. PTL inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 cells with an IC50 of 21.3 μmol·L-1 (24 h), 14.5 μmol·L-1 (48 h) and 9.1 μmol·L-1 (72 h). PTL inhibited MCF-7 breast cancer cell proliferation and migration and down-regulated the transcription and expression level of c-myc by targeting G-quadruplex.

Chemical Constituents of Water Extract from Camptosorus sibiricus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::Camptosorus sibiricus is a kind of herbal medicine and famous folk medicine. However, the bioactivities or pharmacological effects of the C. sibiricus remain to be unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to make a systematic study on chemical constituents from C. sibiricus, so as to further study its potential medicinal value, and provide certain chemical basis and foundation for the comprehensive development and the search for pharmacological activity. Method::Various column chromatographic technologies, (silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and ODS column chromatography) as well as HPLC were adopted to separate chemical constituents of C. sibiricus extract. The structure of the purified compounds was elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and high-resolution electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS). Result::Totally 10 compounds have been isolated from water extract of C. sibiricus. By spectroscopic methods, they were elucidated as 7-dien-3-on-9-O-β-D-glucoside (1), bridelionoside F (2), (3R, 5S, 6S, 7E, 9S)-megastigm, an-7-ene-3, 5, 6, 9-tetrol 9-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), (6S, 7E, 9R)-roseoside (4), (3S, 5S, 6R, 9R)-3-hydroxy-5, 6-epoxy-β-ionol-9-O-β-glucopyranoside (5), 6, 9-dihydroxy-4, 7-megastigmadien-3-one (6), (3R, 6R, 7E, 9R)-3, 9-dihydroxy-4, elaphoside A (7), ptelatoside-A (8), n-butyl-a-β-D-fructofuranoside (9), dibutylphthalate(10)based on physical and chemical properties. Conclusion::All compounds were obtained from C. sibiricus for the first time. The discovery of these compounds further enriched the chemical constituents of C. sibiricus, and provided experimental and scientific basis for the comprehensive development and utilization of C. sibiricus.

Study of etiology and clinical characteristics of pertussis-like syndrome in children / 中国实用儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiology and clinical characteristics of pertussis-like syndrome. METHODS: Thenasopharyngeal secretionscollectedfrompatientswithpertussis-likesymptominChildren's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University from February 2016 to December 2017 were detected for pertussis DNA using PCR assays and other microbiological assessment. RESULTS: A total of 197 children were enrolled in the study,of whom 119(60.4%)patients were positive for Bordetella pertussis,and 37 cases(37.8%)were positive for other pathogens,including 14 cases(37.8%)of rhinovirus,14 cases(37.8%)of Mycoplasma pneumoniae,4 cases(10.8%)of human bocavirus,3 cases(8.1%)of parainfluenza virus and1 case(2.7%)of respiratory syncytial virus,and 1 case(2.7%)of Haemophilus influenzae. There were no significant differences in mean age,paroxysmal cough,inspiratory whoop,posttussive vomiting,paroxysmal cyanosis,or pulmonary signs between pertussis group and pertussis-like syndrome group(P>0.05). The proportion of male in pertussis group(57.1% vs. 35.3%),white blood cell counts[(18.83±11.54)×10~9/L vs.(12.46±6.01)×10~9/L)],lymphocyte counts[(10.62±8.48)×10~9/L vs.(6.54±5.13)×10~9/L)]were significantly higher than those in pertussis-like syndrome group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Rhinovirus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae are the main pathogens of pertussis-like syndrome. Leukocyte and lymphocyte counts can be used as an index to differentiate pertussis from pertussis-like syndrome.

Anti-oxidant components in Scutellaria baicalensis based on HPLC-ABTS-DAD-Q-TOF/MS / 中草药

Objective: To establish a two-dimensional fingerprint of Scutellaria baicalensis between characteristic chemical composition and anti-oxidant activity, and to study its anti-oxidant constituents on-line. Methods: The scavenging activities of S. baicalensis for ABTS+ by HPLC-ABTS-DAD-Q-TOF/MS was studied and its active constituents were screened. A total of ten anti-oxidant components in S. baicalensis were identified. The anti-oxidant activities of different active ingredients were evaluated by anti-oxidant efficiency. Results: The data showed that baicalin, 5,7,2’,5’-tetrahydroxy-8,6’-dimethoxy flavone, 5,7,2’- trihydroxy-6-methoxyflavone, and baicalein had stronger anti-oxidant activity, and 6-C-arabinosyl-8-C-glucosylchrysin, 6-C-glucosyl-8-C-arabinosyl-chrysin, oroxyloside, chrysin-7-O-glucuronide, wogonoside, and norwogonin had less anti-oxidant activity. Conclusion: HPLC-ABTS-DAD-Q-TOF/MS method can rapidly analyze and identify the anti-oxidant components in S. baicalensis, and these experimental data can provide support for the basic research of the anti-oxidant ingredients of S. baicalensis.

Detection of viral pathogens and allergens in infants and young children at high risk of asthma during a wheezing episode / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the viral etiology and allergen distribution in infants and young children at high risk of asthma during a wheezing episode.@*METHODS@#A total of 135 infants and young children at high risk of asthma were enrolled who were admitted due to asthmatic bronchitis or asthmatic bronchopneumonia between April 2016 and August 2017. Fluorescent probe PCR was used to measure influenza A (Flu A), respiratory syncytium virus (RSV), adenovirus (ADV), parainfluenza virus (PinF), human rhinovirus (HRV), human partial lung virus (hMPV) and human bocavirus (HBoV) in nasopharyngeal aspirates. ImmunoCAP was used to measure inhaled allergens, food allergens, and total IgE concentration.@*RESULTS@#Among the 135 patients, the overall virus detection rate of nasopharyngeal aspirates was 49.6%, and HRV had the highest detection rate of 25.2%, followed by HBoV (9.6%), RSV (8.1%), PinF (5.9%), Flu-A (3.7%), ADV (1.5%) and hMPV (0.7%). The 1-3 years group had a significantly higher detection rate of HRV than the <1 year group (P<0.05). The positive rate of allergen screening was 59.3%, with 44% for inhaled allergens and 89% for food allergens. Among the inhaled allergens, dust mites had the highest positive rate of 77%, followed by mould (37%), pollen (26%) and animal dander (9%). Among the food allergens, egg white had a positive rate of 73% and milk had a positive rate of 68%. The <1 year group had a significantly higher positive rate of inhaled allergens than the 1-3 years group (P<0.05). The 1-3 years age group had a significantly higher level of T-IgE than the <1 year group (P<0.05). The positive virus group had a significantly higher positive rate of inhaled allergens than the non-virus group (P<0.05). The children with the second wheezing episode had significantly higher positive rates of inhaled allergens and food allergens and level of T-IgE than those with the first wheezing episode (P<0.05). The children with the second wheezing episode also had significantly higher positive rates of dust mites and mould than those with the first wheezing episode (P<0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Early HRV infection and inhaled allergen sensitization are closely associated with the development of wheezing in infants and young children at high risk of asthma.

Therapeutic Observation of Acupuncture at the Three Nasal Points plus Bloodletting at Suliao (GV 25) for Rosacea / 上海针灸杂志

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at the three nasal acupoints plus bloodletting at Suliao (GV 25) in treating rosacea.Method Sixty rosacea patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 30 cases each. The treatment group was intervened by acupuncture at the three nasal acupoints plus bloodletting at Suliao (GV 25), while the control group was intervened by ordinary medication. The skin lesion scores of the two groups were observed before and after 4-week treatment, and the clinical efficacies were also compared. Result The skin lesion scores were significantly changed after respectively 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment in both groups (P<0.05). The skin lesion scores in the treatment group were significantly different from those in the control group respectively after 2, 3 and 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3％ in the treatment group versus 73.3％ in the control group, and the between-group difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Acupuncture at the three nasal acupoints plus bloodletting at Suliao (GV 25) is an effective approach in treating rosacea.

Analysis and comparison of HPLC fingerprints of wanai and Artemisiae argyi from thirty-one growing areas by multistatistical / 中成药

AIM To analyze and compare HPLC fingerprints of wanai and Artemisiae argyi Levi.et Vant from thirty-one growing areas by multistatistical.METHODS The analysis of 80％ methanol extract of A.argyi was developed on a 30 ℃ thermostatic Agilent TC-C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of acetonitrile-water (containing 0.2％ methanoic acid) flowing at 1 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 330 nm.RESULTS There were eighteen,twenty-five common peaks in the fingerprints of thirty-one batches of A.argyi,fifteen batches of wanai,respectively,with the similarities all more than 0.900.The similarities of thirty-one batches of samples from different growing area were good and together as a category except samples from Dengzhou city,Luohe city and Anhui province.Fifteen batches of wanai samples got together with Qiai among them.The cumulative contribution rate of the four principal components from A.argyi was 86.049％.Twelve batches of wanai samples had higher scores than Qiai.CONCLUSION This stable and reliable method can be used for the quality control of A.argyi.

On-line scavenging activity of Huanglian by HPLC-ABTS-DAD-Q-TOF-MS / 中国中药杂志

The present research aimed to establish an associated two-dimensional fingerprint of Huanglian between characteristic chemical composition and antioxidant activity, which was applied to on-line screen the active constituents. In this study, the HPLC-ABTS-DAD-Q-TOF/MS method, which can simultaneously identify individual components and rapidly screen for antioxidant compounds, was used to screen and identify antioxidant components in Huanglian. Fourteen compositions were discovered, and eight of them displayed antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of different ingredients was evaluated by antioxidant efficiency. The data showed that 2, 3, 4-trihydroxy phenylpropionic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, cularine, 3-O-feruloylquinic acid and feruloyltyramine showed stronger antioxidant activity than that of alkaloids. These experimental data can provide data support for the basic research of the antioxidant ingredients of Huanglian.

Epidemiological analysis of 440 cases of respiratory adenovirus infections in children from the Suzhou area between 2006 and 2015 / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the epidemiological characteristics of respiratory adenovirus (ADV) infections in children from the Suzhou area, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of ADV-positive children out of 35 529 children with respiratory tract infections who were hospitalized in the Children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2006 and December 2015 were retrospectively studied.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 35 529 children with respiratory tract infections, 440 (1.24%) were ADV-positive. There was no significant difference in the rate of ADV infections between boys and girls (1.18% vs 1.34%). The ADV infection rates of children at the age of <1 year old, 1-3 years old, 3-7 years old and 7-14 years old were 0.39% (71/18 002), 1.12% (103/9 191), 3.14% (201/6 398), and 3.35%( 65/1 938) respectively and the rate increased with age (P<0.01). The ADV infection rates in spring [1.85%(60/8 658)] and summer [2.20%(189/8 606)] were significantly higher than in autumn [0.30%(27/8 952)] and winter [0.69%(64/9 313)] (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The ADV infection rate is increased with age in the children from the Suzhou area, but it is not associated with gender. ADV infections are more common in spring and summer.</p>

In-stent Anchoring Facilitating Side-branch Balloon Delivery for Final Kissing: A Prospective, Single-center Registry Study / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Recrossing the compromised side branch (SB) with a balloon is sometimes technically challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether in-stent anchoring (ISA) is safe and effective to facilitate SB balloon delivery for final kissing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>One hundred and fifty-nine consecutive patients were included (166 bifurcation lesions) in this prospective, single-center registry. ISA was used as a bailout method after unsuccessful SB crossing using conventional techniques, including low-profile balloons. Technique success was defined as SB balloon delivery and final kissing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Kissing-balloon delivery was successfully performed with conventional strategies in 149 of 166 lesions (89.8%). In the remaining 17 lesions (10.2%), recrossing of the main vessel stent strut was not successful; therefore, ISA was attempted. The balloon successfully crossed the stent struts, and final kissing was achieved in 15 of 17 lesions (88.2%). Total final kissing was achieved in 164 of 166 lesions (98.8%), with success rates of 100% in the single-stent group and 97.6% in the two-stent group. Two cases without balloon delivery had complex bifurcation lesions with severe calcification. There was no vessel dissection in the anchoring zone.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ISA is safe and effective for recrossing stent struts when conventional low-profile balloons have failed. However, large-scale trials are warranted for further evaluation.</p>

Establishment and application of cell models with stable expression of hOCTN1/2 / 药学学报

Human carnitine/organic cation transporter 1 and 2(hOCTN1 and hOCTN2) mediate transport of endogenous and exogenous compounds. The present study aimed to establish cell models with stable expression of hOCTN1 or hOCTN2 to study interactions with compounds and transporters. MDCK cells were transfected with pcDNA3.1(+) plasmid vector containing hOCTN1 or hOCTN2(pcDNA3.1(+)-hOCTN1/2), several stable transfected clones were obtained after G418 screening. hOCTN1 and hOCTN2 clones were screened with ergothioneine and mildronate respectively as substrates to identify the best candidates. We explored interactions of endogenous substances, alkaloids, flavonoids and ACEIs with hOCTN1/2. As a result, the cellular accumulation of ergothioneine in MDCK-hOCTN1 or mildronate in MDCK-hOCTN2 was 122 and 108 folds of the control cells, respectively. The kinetic parameters, Km and Vmax of ergothioneine, mediated by MDCK-hOCTN1, were 8.19±0.61 μmol·L-1 and 1427±49 pmol·mg-1(protein)·min-1; while Km and Vmax of mildronate by MDCKhOCTN2 were 52.3±4.3 μmol·L-1 and 2454±64 pmol·mg-1(protein)·min-1. Dopamine, glutamine, piperine, berberine, nuciferine, lisinopril and fosinopril could inhibit ergothioneine or mildronate uptake by MDCKhOCTN1/2. In conclusion, cell models with good stable hOCTN1 and hOCTN2 functions have been established successfully, which can be applied to the study of interactions between compounds and transporters of hOCTN1 and hOCTN2.

Co relation of patterns and etiologies with visual ac uity in cystoid macular edema / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Abstract?AIM: To determine the relation between each of the optical coherence tomography ( OCT) patterns, etiologies and visual acuity in patients with cystoid macular edema ( CME) .?METHODS:Fifty-seven eyes with CME from 52 patients were included in our study. The data of this cross sectional study was collected rfom p atient s wtih CME assessed by OCT, who also underwent fun dus photography and visual acuity test the same day. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) was assessed by using E chart a nd converted in logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution( logMAR ) . Thevisual acuity varied from 2.3 logMAR to 0 logMAR w ith a mean of 1.11±0.57. The etiology was determined from medical history and the fundus ph otograph of the patient. Four O CT grades established according to ratio between the vertical size of largest cyst and the maximum macular thickness (<30 %,≥30% <60%,≥60% <90%and≥90%) were considered. The correlation was established by calculating the Pearson's correlatio n coefficient “r” and the statistical significance was considered when P value was inferior to 0.05.?RESULTS: OCT grade I V was the most associated with very severe visual loss with the greatest mean VA of 1.96± 0.23 logMAR and the correlation between OCT grades and visual acuity was strongly statistically significant ( r =0.729, P <0.001 ). The central retinal vein occlusion ( CRVO) was the most underlying disease associated with worsev ision, with the gre atest mean VA of 2 logMAR and the correlation was statistically significant ( r=0.375, P=0.004).Another associated OCT pattern, the disruption of bot h inner segment/outer segment ( IS/OS) and external limiting membrane ( ELM) , was inversely associated with severe visual loss ( high mean VA=1.11 ±0.57 logMAR, with statistically significant correlation, r=-0.346, P=0.008 ) . The presence of both vitreoretinal traction components and outer retinal layers disruption were significantly associated with OCT grade IV ( r=0.390, P=0.003) and CRVO (r=0.362, P=0.006).?CONCLUSION:In this study, the OCT fourth grade and CRVO seem to be more significantly associated with the worse vision in patients with CME.

Effects of pyruvate on retinal oxidative damage and retinal ultrastructure in diabetic rats / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AlM:To investigate the changes of retinal histology and oxidative stress in diabetic retinopathy and its reversal by pyruvate in diabetic rats. METHODS: Eighty Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups:control group ( 20 rats ) , model group ( 30 rats ) and treatment group ( 30 rats ) . After streptozotocin ( STZ) induced diabetes mellitus in the model group and the treatment group, the treatment group received 2%pyruvate in diet and drinking. The changes of body weight and blood glucose were observed and the changes of glutathione peroxidase ( GSH-PX ) , malonie dialdehyde ( MDA) , and Na+-K+-ATPase levels of retinal tissue and retinal ultrastructure were investigated in three groups at 12wk after occurrence of diabetes. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the body weight of the model group were significantly decreased, the activities of GSH-PX and ATP in the retina of diabetic rats were significantly lower, the MDA was signigicantly higher and significant changes occurred in retinal ultrastructure. Compared with model group, the blood glucose of the treatment group had no significant changes. However, the activities of GSH and ATP in the retina of diabetic rats were higher, the MDA was lower and the retinal ultrastructure was comparatively mild. CONCLUSlON:Pyruvate can alleviate oxidatie stress reaction, improve the energy metabolism of retina, and delay the development of retinopathy.

Multimodality imaging assessments of response to metformin therapy for breast cancer in nude mice / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Metformin is the most widely used anti-diabetic drug in the world. An increasing body of evidence shows metformin also blocks cell cycle progression and selectively induces apoptosis via caspase activation in some breast tumor cells. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) have great potential in the evaluation of the early response to cancer therapies. We used DWI and BLI in evaluating the response of breast cancer to metformin.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The luciferase-engineered human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 was inoculated into the mammary fat pad of nude mice. Twelve female nude mice bearing tumors were divided into two groups. The mice in the treatment group received metformin (2 mg/ml in drinking water daily) after tumor inoculation, and the mice in the control group were offered drinking water without any drug added. We performed 7T magnetic resonance imaging and optical imaging every week. Imaging included T1- and T2-weighted imaging, DWI, and BLI. After imaging. The tumors were collected and subjected to histological analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean photons/second of tumors in the treatment group was (3.00 ± 0.43)× 10(6) at day one, (1.01 ± 0.14)× 10(7) at 2 weeks, (5.79 ± 1.42)× 10(7) at 4 weeks, and (2.33 ± 0.70)× 10(7) at 8 weeks. The mean photons/second of tumors in the control group was (3.29 ± 0.59)× 10(6) at day one, (3.59 ± 0.63)× 10(7) at 2 weeks, (3.87 ± 0.56)× 10(8) at 4 weeks, and (4.12 ± 1.72)× 10(8) at 8 weeks. Compared to the control group, the treatment group showed an obvious decrease in the mean bioluminescence (photons/s) of the tumors and fewer metastases. Histological examination confirmed the presence of fewer metastases. DWI showed the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the tumors; the mean ADC value was (0.9287 ± 0.04346)× 10(-3) mm(2)/s in the treated tumors and (0.7553 ± 0.01804)× 10(-3) mm(2)/s in the untreated tumors. The ADC value of tumors in the treatment group was significantly higher than the control tumors (P = 0.0013).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The growth and metastasis of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer may be inhibited by metformin. DWI and BLI have great potentials in the evaluation of the early response to metformin treatment. BLI has a high degree of sensitivity and is able to detect micrometastasis, thus can be used for identifying tumor metastasis in vivo.</p>

Ultrasound-guided transrectal microwave ablation of the prostate in dogs / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility and safety of ultrasound-guided transrectal microwave ablation in reducing the prostate volume.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ultrasound-guided transrectal microwave ablation of both sides of the prostate was conducted on experimental dogs with the output volume of 30W for 120 seconds. The dogs were sacrificed on the very day of the ablation, and the prostate and its surrounding tissues were excised for observation of the thermal lesions and pathological examination.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 12 thermal lesions were achieved on the two sides of the prostate. The ultrasonogram manifested dense echo and increasing extent in the ablated area, and then an irregular heterogeneous echogenic area and clearly differentiated margin. Pathological examination of the gross specimen showed a little stagnant blood under the rectal mucous, the urethra and bladder not injured, and the thermal lesions elliptical, clearly margined and with the mean size of (0.94 +/- 0.30) cm3.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ultrasound-guided transrectal microwave ablation of the prostate can effectively cause coagulative necrosis of the local tissue without inflicting thermal injury upon the surrounding tissues. Conventional grayscale ultrasound can give a real-time'display of the extent of thermal lesion and the whole process of the ablation.</p>

Characteristics of human metapneumovirus respiratory tract infection in children and the relationship between the infection and meteorological conditions / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the epidemiology of human metapneumovirus (hMPV) infection in children and its relations with meteorological conditions in Suzhou.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Samples obtained from 6655 children hospitalized with acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) during the period from 2006 to 2009, were tested for virus pathogens. Nasopharyngeal aspirates were obtained from the children according to a standard protocol and were tested for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza viruses (IFV) A and B, parainfluenza virus (PIV) types 1, 2, and 3 and adenovirus (ADV) with direct immunofluorescence assay. Samples were tested for hMPV with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Meteorological conditions including mean temperature, relative humidity, rainfall amount, sum of sunshine and mean wind velocity were collected monthly. The relationship between activity of the virus and meteorological conditions was analyzed by linear regression and stepwise regression analysis.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Viral pathogens were identified in 32.2% of 6655 specimens. The positive rate of hMPV was 8.9%, RSV was 15.7%, IFV, PIV and ADV detection rates were less than that of hMPV. The annual positive rate of hMPV from 2006 to 2009 was 8.2%, 8.1%, 12.7%, 7.4% respectively (χ(2) = 33.23, P < 0.05). The hMPV positive rate of the four seasons was 11.6%, 7.6%, 4.7% and 11.7%, respectively, detection rate in winter and spring was significantly higher than those in summer and autumn (χ(2) = 74.67, P < 0.001). The positive rate of hMPV and the monthly mean temperature was moderately correlated (r = -0.43), and the monthly average rainfall (r = -0.29), monthly mean relative humidity (r = -0.27), monthly average sunshine duration (r = -0.11), the monthly average wind speed (r = -0.13) had low correlations.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>hMPV was the second most common viral pathogen of acute respiratory tract infection in children in Suzhou, which prevailed predominantly in the winter and spring. Climatic factors, especially temperature and rainfall may affect the prevalence of hMPV.</p>