Investigating pharmacological mechanisms of andrographolide on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH): A bioinformatics approach of network pharmacology.

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms of andrographolide against non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) based on network pharmacology, so as to provide a reference for further study of andrographolide in the treatment of NASH and other metabolic diseases. Methods: The methionine- and choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced NASH mice were treated by administration of andrographolide, and serum transaminase and pathological changes were analyzed. The network pharmacology-based bioinformatic strategy was then used to search the potential targets, construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, analyze gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment, and conduct molecular docking to explore the molecular mechanisms. Results: The predicted core targets TNF, MAPK8, IL6, IL1B and AKT1 were enriched in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) signaling pathway and against NASH by regulation of de novo fatty acids synthesis, anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. Conclusion: This work provides a scientific basis for further demonstration of the anti-NASH mechanisms of andrographolide.

Daidzein enhances immune function in late lactation cows under heat stress.

Heat stress decreases natural immunity making cows more vulnerable to diseases. A previous study reported that daidzein can enhance animal resistance to heat stress and regulate animal immunocompetence. However, it is unclear whether daidzein regulates the immune performance of late lactation cows under heat stress. In this study, late lactation cows in four groups were raised in hot weather and fed with basic diet, basic diet plus 200, 300, 400 mg/day daidzein, respectively, and the experimental period was 60 days. Blood was collected to examine the changes of serum total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), immunoglobulin G (IgG), interferon alpha (IFN-α), and interleukin-2 (IL-2). We found the levels of serum IgG and INF-α were significantly higher in late lactation cows after 300 and 400 mg/day daidzein treatment compared to those in the control group and 200 mg/day daidzein treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Moreover, 300 and 400 mg/day daidzein treatment markedly increased serum IL-2 (P < 0.01), while the levels of serum TP and ALB were not changed by any concentration of daidzein treatment (P > 0.05). Daidzein can enhance the immunocompetence of late lactation cows and strengthen cow resistance to heat stress.

Digital surgical technology in reconstruction of orbital frame / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the application of digital surgical technology in reconstruction of orbital frame and assess the treatment outcomes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Seven patients with post-traumatic orbital defect were included in this study. Images of the orbit were obtained for each individual through computed tomography (CT). Preoperative design was finished according to rapid prototyping, computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) and other digital surgical techniques. Surgical fracture reductions with internal fixation and implant of Medpor were used in operation to reconstruct orbit as well as correct enophthalmos and diplopia.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Accurate realignment of the displaced orbital rim was obtained in all the 7 patients, and enophthalmos and diplopia were corrected in 4 and 2 patients, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Digital techniques provide a precise means for preoperative design and operation implementation during orbital reconstruction. As a result, complications can be reduced, and the patient's facial appearance can be maximally improved.</p>

Ultrastructure and melatonin 1a receptor distribution in the ovaries of African ostrich chicks.

Healthy 90-day-old ostrich chicks were used in the present study. The ultrastructure and melatonin 1a receptor (MT1) distribution in the ovaries of ostrich chicks was observed by transmission electron microscope and light microscope. The results showed that the ostrich chick ovary contained primordial follicles, primary follicles and secondary follicles, but no mature follicles. There are some unique ultrastructural characteristics observed in the secondary follicle, such as the cortical granule, which was located in cytoplasm beside the nucleus and appeared first in the oocyte. The zona radiata appeared in the secondary follicle, and there was an obvious vitelline membrane. There were intraovarian rete, connecting rete, and extraovarian rete in the ovaries of ostrich chicks. This is the first study that provides immunohistochemical evidence for the localization of the melatonin MT1 in the ostrich chick ovary. The germinal epithelium, follicular cell layer of every grade of follicle, cytoplasm of the oocyte and interstitial cells all expressed MT1. The expression of positive immunoreactivity materials was the strongest in the follicular cell layer of the primordial follicle and germinal epithelium, was weaker in the follicular cell layer of the primary follicle and secondary follicle, and was weakest in the oocytes of all grades of follicle. In addition, the extraovarian rete displayed strong positive expression of MT1, while there was no positive expression in the intraovarian rete or connecting rete. The positive expression of MT1 immunoreactivity in the ovary was very strong, implying that the ovary is an important organ for synthesizing MT1.

Management of complicated midface deficiencies with external distraction / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To treat complicated midface deficiencies with external distraction device.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Four patients (one with acquired midface hypoplasia, two with Crouzon syndrome and one with Parry Romberg) with severe midface deficiencies underwent external distraction osteogenesis. After Le Fort III or Le Fort III plus I osteotomies were performed, the external distraction devices were activated on the 7th postoperative day with a rate of 1 mm per day. The distraction devices were removed after consolidation for 3 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All patients completed the distraction treatment. The distraction distance ranged from 10 to 14 mm. The appearance of all patients was significantly improved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>External distraction osteogenesis provides an effectively treatment for patients with severe and complicated midface deficiencies.</p>

The preparation of series of the controllable degradation coral-hydroxyapatite (SCHA-200R) and the on its application as the scaffold in bone tissue-engineering / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Fabricate series of the controllable degradation coral-hydroxyapatite.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The natural coral undergo a chemical reaction with (NH4)2 HPO4 at high temperature and pressure for different time-lengths. After getting the products, the components and the special structures were analyzed. Observe the biologic degradation of the reaction products and analyze the metal elements and their contents. Haemolysis tests, cytotoxity tests and bone compatibility tests were performed to assess the biocompatibility of the products.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>When hydrothermal reactions happened under different conditions, the different gradients of CaCO3/hydroxyapatite materials were produced. These types of materials kept the characteristic of interconnected micro-porous network structures. A thin layer of compact material can be seen on the surface of its trabecula ultra-micro structure. The SCHA-200R has a good biocompatibility.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gradient HA (SCHA-200R) materials can be formed by adjusting the same temperature, same pressure and different time-length of the reaction. This kind of gradient material keeps the quality of micro-porous network structures. The SCHA-200R is a potential candidate scaffold for bone tissue engineering.</p>

[Effect of bee pollen on development of immune organ of animal].

OBJECTIVE: To study on the effect of been pollen on development of immune organ of animal. METHOD: A total of 144 one day-old broilers were randomly divided into 2 groups, in which each group included 72 chickens. The control group was fed on the basal diet for 42 days, and that of experiment group supplemented 1.5% bee pollen. Six chickens in each group were selected and slaughtered at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, 42 days respectively, and the thymuses, cloacal bursa and spleens were obtained, weighted, fixed in Bouin liquid and made into paraffin section. RESULT: Compared with control group, the weight and the relative weight of thymuses, cloacal bursa and spleens of experiment group increased significantly (P < 0.05) or extremely significantly (P < 0.01). In experiment group, the cortex of thymic lobule, bursa nodule and Periarterial Lymphatic Sheaths thicken obviously; the volume of bursa nodule, splenic nodule and ellipsoid augmented, and the germinal center of splenic nodule were obvious; the thymic corpuscle increased; the plica of cloacal bursa developed well and the degenerating of it retarded. CONCLUSION: The diet supplemented bee pollen could boost the early development of thymus and cloacal bursa, retard the degenerating of cloacal bursa and promote the immune response of spleen.

Reconstruction correction to Reconstrction of mandibular bone defects by using the techniques correction to teachniques of the reverse engineering and rapid prototyping / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the feasibility of designing and fabricating customized titanium bone substitutes to restore mandibular bone defects using reverse engineering (RE) and rapid prototyping (RP) techniques.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Titanium tray for mandibular defects were designed and fabricated through multi-step procedures of reverse engineering and rapid prototyping, then in operation it was filled with cancellous bone and fixed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The bone substitutes fabricated by this method had been successfully put into clinical use for maxillofacial surgery in 2 patients and got a satisfactory result.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Reverse engineering combining with rapid prototyping could accomplish the design and manufacture of implant for the restoration of mandibular bone defects.</p>