Total Saponins of Dioscorea Mitigate Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Mice by Regulating AMPK/SREBP-1c/ACC Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the role and mechanism of total saponins of Dioscorea （TSD） in mitigating nonalcoholic steatohepatitis （NASH） in mice. MethodForty-eight C57BL/6J mice were randomized into a normal group and a modeling group. The mice for modeling were fed with a high-fat and high-cholesterol diet + 20% fructose solution for 16 weeks and randomized into model， atorvastatin （4 mg·kg-1·d-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （200， 60， and 20 mg·kg-1·d-1） TSD groups. The mice were administrated with corresponding doses of drugs by gavage for 8 weeks. The mouse activity， liver index， levels of total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， and free fatty acids （FFAs） in the liver， and levels of TC， TG， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， γ-glutamyl transferase （GGT）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the serum were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin staining， Masson staining， oil red O staining， and transmission electron microscopy were employed to observe the pathological changes， lipid accumulation， and morphological changes of liver ultrastructure. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c （SREBP-1c）， acetyl-CoA carboxylase （ACC）， and phosphorylated ACC （p-ACC） in the liver tissue. ResultCompared with the normal group, the activity of mice in the model group decreased(P<0.05， P<0.01), the levels of TC, TG, FFA and serum TC, TG, ALT, AST, GGT, IL-1β and TNF-α, liver coefficient and liver pathology scores were significantly increased, the expression of p-AMPK/AMPK and p-ACC proteins in liver tissues was significantly reduced, and the expressions of SREBP-1c and ACC proteins were significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group， atorvastatin increased the mouse activity （P<0.05）， while each dose of TSD caused no significant changed in the mouse activity. The levels of TC, TG, FFA in liver and serum TC, TG, ALT, AST, GGT, IL-1β, TNF-α, liver coefficient and liver pathological score in TSD and atorvastatin groups were significantly decreased, and the expressions of p-AMPK/AMPK and p-ACC in liver tissue were significantly increased. The expressions of SREBP-1c and ACC were significantly decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01). ConclusionTSD may alleviate NASH in mice by regulating the AMPK/SREBP-1c/ACC signaling pathway to reduce lipid synthesis.

Total Saponin of Dioscorea collettii Attenuates MSU Crystal-Induced Inflammation by Inhibiting the Activation of the TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Rhizomes from Dioscorea collettii are extensively used in traditional medicine for the treatment of arthritic diseases, particularly gouty arthritis (GA). This study aims to investigate whether the total saponin of Dioscorea collettii (TSD) can attenuate monosodium urate (MSU) crystal-induced inflammatory effects by suppressing the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Seventy-two male Wistar rats and THP-1 cells were used in this study. Pathological examination was used to examine the ankle joints of rats. The expression levels of TLR4, NF-κB, MyD88, and IL-1ß were detected by qRT-PCR, Western blotting, or immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Compared with those in the normal group, the ankle joints of rats in the model group exhibited significant swelling, synovial tissue hyperplasia, inflammatory cell infiltration, and increased expression of IL-1ß protein. The joint swelling degree of rats in the TSD high- and medium-dose groups and the colchicine group was significantly decreased, and the histopathology was obviously improved. TSD and colchicine reduced the levels of IL-1ß and TNF-α in synovial fluid. They also decreased the mRNA expression of TLR4, NF-κB, and IL-1ß in rat joint synovial tissue and the protein expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB. NF-κB protein expression in both the cytoplasm and nuclei of THP-1 cells showed the opposite trend. Furthermore, immunofluorescence showed that TSD reduced the nuclear translocation of NF-κBp65 in the model group. CONCLUSION: TSD exhibits an anti-inflammatory effect in the MSU-induced inflammation model, and the mechanism may be to reduce the production of cytokines by inhibiting the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

First Report of Fruit Rot of Grapes (Vitis vinifera) Caused by Cladosporium cladosporioides in Xinjiang, China.

Xinjiang Province accounts for nearly 20% of the total grape (Vitis Vinifera L.), proles orientalis) (wine, table and raisin combined) production, being the largest production area in China. Fruit rot is the most common disease that impacts grape quality and yield. A new disease where the ripe grape berry surfaces were coated with brownish mildew was observed, and the disease mainly occurred on whole clusters or most of the berries in the cluster. In September 2019 and 2020, 125 diseased grape clusters were collected from 10 locations in northern Xinjiang where the disease incidence was 15.3% - 27.4% ((diseased clusters/ total clusters)*100). To identify the pathogen, symptomatic grape berries were disinfected with 1% NaClO for 2 min, followed by 70% ethanol for 30 s, and rinsed thrice in sterile distilled water. Three pieces of ~0.5 cm2 diseased grape skin with partial exocarp were placed on potato dextrose agar (PDA) amended with streptomycin sulfate and kanamycin (50 µg/mL each). The PDA plates were then incubated at 25℃ under light condition with the luminous intensity 3500 Lux for 7 days. Fungal colonies emerging from the plated tissue were subcultured and single-spored three times to obtain pure cultures. From 20 strains with similar colony phenotype and grey olive hue, flocculent, felt-like surface, six (Cc-Vivi-3, 7, 9, 11, 13 and 19) isolates were chosen for further characterization after 7 days of incubation. Conidia were either single or grew in chains, with around 4 conidia per chain. Conidia were ovoid, nearly spindle or globose with slightly smooth or irregular reticulate surface. Conidiophores were solitary, smooth, septate, erect or geniculate. These characteristics were consistent with the descriptions for Cladosporium cladosporioides. To confirm this identification, PCR was performed on the genomic DNA of the selected strains using primers for internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region ITS1/ITS4, actin (ACT) and translation elongation factor (TEF) (Schubert et al., 2007; Braun et al., 2003). Amplified ITS sequences provided a 100% match to C. cladosporioides (AY213641) in NCBI. Homology of ACT sequences to C. cladosporioides (HM148527 and MH047330) was 99.57% and 100%, respectively; and the homology of TEF sequences with C. cladosporioides (HM148258, HM148289, HM148260 and HM148266) was 97.56% ~ 100%. To further confirm the evolutionary relationship of strains from grapes with Cladosporium spp., phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, ACT and TEF conjoint sequences from the six experimental isolates, five C. cladosporioides strains, eight proximal Cladosporium species were analyzed. The phylogenetic tree showed that the six isolates from grapes clustered with C. cladosporioides strains, but not other proximal Cladosporium species. This confirmed that all six isolates evaluated were C. cladosporioides. Pathogenicity tests with one C. cladosporioides isolate (Cc-Vivi-3; accession No. ITS: MW556429, ACT: MW567144, TEF: MW567143) were carried out as follows: ripe and healthy grape clusters from cultivars Xinyu and Munag when total soluble solids were 20-21°Bx and 19-20 °Bx, respectively, were detached from the vines. Five berries of three clusters of each cultivar were punctured with a sterile syringe, then inoculated with a 20 µL conidial suspension (107 conidia/mL). And uninoculated, punctured berries in clusters treated with sterilized water served as controls. The experiment was repeated three times. Symptoms were recorded 15 days after incubation at 80% relative humidity and 25℃ with a 14 h light/10 h dark cycle. The olive green or blackish green mildew layer was produced on all inoculated berries. No symptoms were observed on the uninoculated berries. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by reisolating C. cladosporioides from all symptomatic tissues and identifying them by PCR targeting the ACT gene. This is the first description of C. cladosporioides causing grape fruit rot in Xinjiang, China. In recent years, worldwide reports of Cladosporium spp. damaging crops are increasing (Briceño et al., 2008; Walker et al., 2016; Meneses et al., 2018; Robles-Yerena et al., 2019; Ding et al., 2019; Yang et al., 2021). However, relatively few methods of management including some fungicides and biocontrol agents are available in different crops (Wang et al., 2018; Addrah et al., 2019). In view of the important role of Xinjiang in China agricultural production, that should arouse strong attention.

Expressions of DCX and GAP-43 in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of offspring rats after maternal expo-sure to acrylamide / 实用医学杂志

Objective To investigate the neurodevelopmental toxicity of ACR by studying the expression of DCX and GAP-43 in the hippocampal dentate gyrus of rats after maternal exposure to acrylamide. Methods Pregnant rats were randomly divided into low-dose ACR(4.5 mg/kg),medium-dose(9 mg/kg),high dose groups(18 mg/kg)and the control group(0 mg/kg),8 in each group,and were exposed to toxicant from gestation-al day 15 to postnatal day 13. All rats and their pups were killed on postnatal day 14. ABC immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of GFAP in the hippocampus of mother rats and offspring. Results Compared with the control group,the expression of DCX and GAP-43 in hippocampus dentate gyrus of the pregnant rats in middle and high dose groups was significantly decreased(P < 0.05). Conclusion ACR may interfere with the growth and development of neurons by reducing the expression of DCX and GAP-43.

Protective Roles of Melatonin against Acrylamide-induced Testicular Toxicity in Rats / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

[Objective] The present study aimed to determine the protective role of Melatonin (MT) against Acrylamide (AA)-induced testicular toxicity and the potential molecular mechanism.[Methods] The animals were randomly divided into three groups,the control group (n =12),the AA group (n =12) and the AA+MT group (n =12).The rats in the AA and AA + MT group were gavaged with AA at a dose of 15 mg/(kg · day) for 4 consecutive weeks.After 3 weeks of AA treatment,MT was intraperitoneally injected 30 minutes before AA treatment at 10 mg/(kg· day) for 1 week in the AA + MT rats.Subsequently,the mitochondrial membrane potential measurement,TUNEL assay,Western blot and electron microscopic techniques were applied in the present study.[Results] The results showed that AA could decrease the testis mitochondrial membrane potential (P ＜ 0.05) which could be recovered by MT (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,MT induced down-regulation of Bax expression and up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression in the testis,compared with AA rats.The amelioration of testicular apoptosis was further confirmed by the TUNEL labeling.Western blot results suggested that the decreased ratios of Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xL/Bak in the AA group (both P ＜ 0.05) could be recovered by MT treatment (both P ＜ 0.05).The levels of Cyt-c,Casp-3,p53 and NF-κB in AA group were markedly elevated compared with the control (all P ＜ 0.05),and reduced in MT treatment group (all P ＜ 0.05).MT could relieve abnormal mitochondrial structures in the seminiferous tubule in the electron microscopic level.[Conclusion] MT may exert productive effect through its anti-apoptotic properties associated with mitochondria.

"Link between""current testing items""database and new standards in Guangdong Province" / 中华医学图书情报杂志

It was proposed that the items incurrent testing itemsdatabase should be classified , ranked , amal-gamated or disintegrated , the testing items and their names should be standardized , and the link between current testing itemsdatabase and new standards should be established according to the new standards by taking their problems into consideration, such as non-standard link, repetition of a same item, non-standard names of testing item and method, in order to improve the effectiveness of main testing methods, lay a foundation for the verifica-tion, and provide reference for the link between new and old items in other provinces.

Effect of Potassium-rich Diet on Constipation for Hospitalized Elderly with Coronary Heart Disease / 中国康复理论与实践

@# Objective To observe the effect of potassium-rich diet on constipation for elderly patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) during hospitalization. Methods 100 elderly CHD patients were divided into treatment group (n=50) and control group (n=50). The treatment group drank orange juice 400 ml (about potassium 600 mg) per day, while the control group drank the same volume of water. Their defecation in 7 d was recorded. Results Compared with those in control group, the frequency of defecation increased (P<0.01), The Bleijenberg score and Bristol score both decreased (P<0.05) in the treatment group. There was no significant difference in incidence of major adverse cardiac events between these groups (P>0.05). Conclusion Potassium-rich diet plays an important role in prevention of constipation in elderly patients with CHD during hospitalization.

Initial study of optimal reconstruction windows in 320-detector row CT coronary angiography / 中华放射学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal reconstruction windows for coronary angiography using 320-detector row dynamic volume CT (DVCT) and evaluate their effects on image quality,radiation dose and diagnostic accuracy.MethodsFrom 77 patients [mean heart rate (70 + 13) bpm,range:46-102 bmp] were scanned with retrospective ECG-gating 320-detector row DVCT.The relationship between heart rate and optimal reconstruction windows was analyzed.From 53 patients [mean heart rate ( 75 ±11 ) bpm,range:57-114 bpm] were scanned with prospective ECG-gating 320-detector row DVCT.The effects of prospective ECG-gating on image quality,radiation dose and diagnostic accuracy were evaluated.Friedman test was performed for image quality scores in random groups.Linear regression and Spearman correlation were performed to test bivariate data.ResultsThe proportion of systolic duration in the cardiac cycle increased significantly with higher heart rate (r =0.78,P ＜0.01 ).The image quality in systolic and diastolic phases were significantly influenced by heart rate ( r =0.38,0.82 ; P ＜ 0.01 ).According to the regression analysis of image quality score in different heart rate groups,the optimal reconstruction windows were determined as followed:when heart rate was ＜ 70 bpm,the optimal reconstruction windows should be preset at 65％-80％ ; 70 to 80 bpm,70％-85％ ; 81 to 90 bpm,70％-90％ ; ＞90 bpm,35％-50％.Compared with retrospective ECG-gating,prospective ECG-gating which preset reconstruction windows according to the phases mentioned above,could decrease radiation dose [(6.1 ± 3.8 )vs (12.4 ± 7.0) mSv],without deteriorating the image quality (t =6.5,P ＜ 0.01 ).However,in higher heart rate,the radiation dose of prospective ECG-gating DVCT was still higher ( r =0.64,P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsDVCT can provide high image quality in a wide range of heart rate with prospective ECG gating.It is still recommended to control heart rate strictly since the radiation dose increases significantly in high heart rate.

Initial experience of evaluation of coronary artery with 320-slice row CT system in high pre-test probability population without heart rate(rhythm)control / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the accuracy of 320-slice row CT system for the detection of coronary artery disease(CAD)in high pre-test probability population without heart rate/rhythm control.Methods Thirty patients with a high pre-test probability of CAD underwent 320-slice row CT without preceding heart rate/rhythm control.Invasive coronary angigraphy(ICA)served as the standard reference.Data sets were evaluated by 2 observers in consensus with respect to stenoses≥50% decreased diameter.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value(PPV),negative predictive value(NPV)and Youden index were analyzed;the impact of heart rate and calcification on image quality as well as diagnostic accuracy were also analyzed by Chi-square test Results Mean heart rate during scanning was 73.7±15.4 beats per min(bpm),and median(QR)of Agatston score of segment was 45.6(181).On a per-segment analysis,overall sensitivity was 96.1%(74/77,95%CI:89.03%-99.19%),specificity was 98.3% (337/343,95%CI:96.23%-99.36%),PPV was 92.5% (74/80,95%CI:84.39%-97.20%),NPV of 99.1% (337/340,95%CI:97.44%-99.82%)and the Youden index was 0.94.In both heart-rate subgroups(242 in heart rate＜70 bpm group,169 in heart ratet≥70 bpm group),diagnostic accuracy for the assessment of coronary artery stenosis was similar(P＜0.05).The accuracy and the quality score of the subgroup Agatston score≥100 were lower than that of the subgroup Agatston score＜100;however,the difiercnce of results between 320-slice row CT and ICA was not significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion 320-detector row CT can reliably detect coronary artery stenoses in a high pre-test probability population without heart rate/rhythm control.

Protective effect of amyloid-beta 42 protein and its subunit vaccines immunization on spatial learning and memory of APPSWE transgenic mice / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND: It has been demonstrated that amyloid-beta 42 protein (Aβ42) immunization in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer disease(AD)can induce specific Aβ42 antibody, clear Aβ from the brain, and thereby improve spatial learning and memory. It has been a promising treatment strategy for AD.OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of Aβ42 and its subunit vaccines immunization on spatial learning and memory of APPSWE transgenic mice.DESIGN: A randomized controlled experiment with mice as subjects.SETTING: The brain research laboratory of the anatomy department in a the medical college of a univeristy.MATERIALS: The experiment was conducted in the Experimental Animal Center and the Anatomy Department of Sun Yat-sen University from April 2003 to February 2004. Thirty-two APPSWE transgenic mice of 5 months old were bought from Taconic Company, USA. The second generation of mice were successfully reproduced in the Anatomy Department. These mice were randomly assigned into four groups: control group, Aβ42 group, Aβ1-15group, and Aβ36-42 group. Each group contained 8 in each group.INTERVENTIONS: Aβ42 and its subunits combined with MF59 adjuvant were subcutaneously injected for fundamental immunity and then applied in nasal mucosa for intensified immunization. The immunization period was 8 months. Y-maze was used for behavior test before immunization and Morris water maze was used after immunization.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Spatial learning and memory, mean escape latency, times of passing through the platform point, swimming distance percentage of the first quadrant, and swimming distance percentage of the 20% marginal area.RESULTS: The correct reaction times in Y-maze behavior test were 7.50 ±0. 81, 7.06 ±0.71, 7.19 ±0.91, and 7.50 ±0.86 respectively in the control, Aβ42, Aβ1-15, Aβ36-42 groups and there was no significant difference ( P ＞ 0. 05) . After immunization, the mean escape latencies in 8 units of localized navigation test were(67.3 ±2. 8) s, (23.6 ± 1.6) s, (26.4 ±2.0) s,and (36.5 ± 2.2) s. The results in three experiment groups were different from that in control group and there was no difference between the three experiment groups ( P ＞ 0. 05 ) . The mean times of passing through the platform point in the 4 groups were 0.71 ±0.29, 8.14 ± 1.37, 7.28 ± 1.34,and 3.29 ± 0. 67. Swimming distance percentage of the first quadrant in the4 groups were(24.3 ±2.9)%, (50.6±11.6)%, (49.9±9.3) %,and(35.4±7.0)% and the swimming distance percentages of 20%marginal area were (46.4 ± 7.3 ) %, ( 11.6 ± 3.9) %, ( 14.4 ± 2. 6) %, and (25.8 ± 3.3)%. The mice in three experiment groups showed increase in the times of passing through platform point, swimming distance percentage of the first quadrant, and decrease in distance percentage of 20% marginal area compared with control group. The results in three experiment groups were no significantly different( P ＜ 0. 05).CONCLUSION: Immunization with A342 and its subunits can effectively ameliorate impairment of spatial learning and memory in APPSWE transgenic mice.

The primary report of percutaneous polymethyl methacrylate cementoplasty in osteolytic metastases of the pelvis and peripheral bone / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To propose a technique and treatment of percutaneous polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA) cementoplasty for painful metastatic lesions of the pelvis, humerus, and tibia. Methods Percutaneous PMMA cementoplasty was performed in 24 cases, including the lesions of S1 in 9 cases, acetabulum in 7 cases, ischium in 5 cases, humerus in 2 cases, and tibia in 1 case. There were 26 local lesions. The puncture approach was performed under fluoroscopic guidance. The S1 vertebral body puncture was performed with lateral transsacroiliac joint approach. The needle progression was controlled in the anteroposterior projection with a needle course above the level of the S1 foramen. With the needle adjacent to the S1 vertebral body edge, the needle tip should center just in front of the spinal canal in the lateral fluoroscopic projection. The acetabular roof puncture was performed with lateral approach. The needle progression was controlled in the anteroposterior and lateral projections alternately with a needle course parallel to the body axial plane. The puncture needle arrived directly at the lesions. The puncture to the ischium was from ischium tubercle to the lesions. The puncture progression to the internal compartment of the acetabulum was with the trajectory of the needle from the ischium tubercle to the lesion. The puncture progression to the humerus should avoid conflicting with the radial nerve and upper extremity vessels. The needle course should be from the dorsal upper arm to the lesions. As for the lesions of the tibia, the needle was punctured from the front of tibia to the lesion. After the needle tip placement in the lesions, PMMA in paste condition was injected with the precession injector pressure device under continuous visual control with adequate filling and avoidance of important PMMA leakage. Results Partial or complete pain relief was obtained in all 24 patients (CR in 10 cases, PR in 14 cases) within 7 days after the operation. Clinical improvement was maintained in 23 patients at the follow-up of 2-7 months. One patient with lesion of humerus re-experienced severe pain in local area of PMMA injection 27 days after the operation when he got up by using the treated arm for the support of the body weight. The condition was considered as the fracture at the cement-bone interface, and the gradual pain relief was obtained in 2 days with the external fixation of plaster for limiting the motion of the treated arm, and the complete relief maintained. There was PMMA leakage in 2 cases without corresponding clinical importance. Conclusion The technique and treatment of percutaneous PMMA cementoplasty in osteolytic metastases of the pelvis and peripheral bone was safe and effective. Considering the incidence of the potential fracture, the external fixation for motion limitation should be given after PMMA injection to extremity lesions.

Breeding of APPSWE transgenic mice and gene identification of filial generation / 中国病理生理杂志

0 05), but there were significant differen t between the positive rates with APPSWE gene (P

THE EFFECT OF INOCULATING A? SUBUNIT VACCINE ON AMYLOID PLAQUES OF BRAIN AND COGNITIVE BEHAVIOR IN Tg2576 MICE / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the effects of A? subunit vaccine immunization on amyloid plaques and behavioural impairment in Tg2576 mice. Methods Twenty-four Tg2576 mice were randomly divided into A?-(1-15) group,A?-(36-42) group,A?-(42) group and control group.Tg2576 mice were inoculated by corresponding vaccine in 9 month old.Indirect ELISA was used to assay antibody against A?-(42) in the serum and homogenate of brain.The method of immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe deposition of amyloid plaques and using method of Morris water maze to test mouse's learning and memory.Histochemical staining was used to observe the morphology of brain,liver,spleen,lung and kidney to assess safety of subunit vaccine. Results After the second inoculating,antibody against A?-(42) began to develop in experimental group mice.The titer increased with inoculating times.Once the inoculating was stopped,the titer of antibody was decreased.The low titer of antibody against A?-(42) could be also detected in supernatant of homogenated brain.After six month inoculating,amyloid deposition in cortex and hippocampi were significantly reduced in A?-(42),A?-(1-15) and A?-(36-42) group.Compared with control group,they were greatly decreased in experimental groups(P0.05).The effect of A?-(1-15) subunit vaccine had more superior than that of A?-(36-42) vaccine(P