Wearable sensor supports in-situ and continuous monitoring of plant health in precision agriculture era.

Plant health is intricately linked to crop quality, food security and agricultural productivity. Obtaining accurate plant health information is of paramount importance in the realm of precision agriculture. Wearable sensors offer an exceptional avenue for investigating plant health status and fundamental plant science, as they enable real-time and continuous in-situ monitoring of physiological biomarkers. However, a comprehensive overview that integrates and critically assesses wearable plant sensors across various facets, including their fundamental elements, classification, design, sensing mechanism, fabrication, characterization and application, remains elusive. In this study, we provide a meticulous description and systematic synthesis of recent research progress in wearable sensor properties, technology and their application in monitoring plant health information. This work endeavours to serve as a guiding resource for the utilization of wearable plant sensors, empowering the advancement of plant health within the precision agriculture paradigm.

Effects of Motherwort Injection Versus Intramuscular Oxytocin for Preventing Postpartum Hemorrhage Among Women Who Underwent Cesarean Section.

Objectives: Subject to ethical constraints, real-world data are an important resource for evaluating treatment effects of medication use during pregnancy and the postpartum period. This study investigated whether motherwort injection, a traditional Chinese medicine preparation, was more effective than intramuscular (IM) oxytocin for preventing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in a real-world setting when intravenous (IV) oxytocin is administered. Methods: We conducted an active-controlled, propensity-score matched cohort study using an established pregnancy registry database. Women who underwent cesarean section and received IV oxytocin at the third stage of labor were included. We used an active-comparator design to minimize indication bias, in which we compared IM motherwort injection in the uterus versus IM oxytocin, both on top of IV oxytocin use. We applied 1:1 propensity-score matching (PSM) to balance patient baseline characteristics and used a logistic regression model to estimate treatment effect (i.e., risk difference (RD) and odds ratio (OR)) by using the counterfactual framework. The outcomes of interest were blood loss over 500 ml within 2 h after delivery (PPH, primary) and blood loss over 1,000 ml (severe PPH, secondary). We conducted four sensitivity analyses to examine the robustness of the results. Results: A total of 22,519 pregnant women underwent cesarean sections, among which 4,081 (18.12%) PPH and 480 (2.13%) severe PPH occurred. Among included women, 586 (2.60%) were administrated with IM motherwort injection, and 21,933 (97.40%) used IM oxytocin. After PSM, patient baseline characteristics were well balanced. Compared with IM oxytocin, the use of IM motherwort injection was associated with significantly lower risk of PPH (RD -25.26%, 95% CI -30.04% to -20.47%, p < 0.001; OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.32, p < 0.001) and severe PPH (RD -3.58%, 95% CI -5.87% to -1.30%, p < 0.001; OR 0.39, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.71, p < 0.002). Sensitivity analyses showed that the results were similar. Conclusion: With the use of data from a real-world setting, the findings consistently showed that among women undergoing cesarean section who had received IV oxytocin, the additional use of IM motherwort injection could achieve a lower risk of PPH as compared to the additional use of IM oxytocin. Our study suggested a paradigm for investigating the treatment effect of Chinese herbal medicine in the real-world practice setting.

Quantifying the impacts of human mobility restriction on the spread of coronavirus disease 2019: an empirical analysis from 344 cities of China.

BACKGROUND: Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), human mobility restriction measures have raised controversies, partly because of the inconsistent findings. An empirical study is promptly needed to reliably assess the causal effects of the mobility restriction. The purpose of this study was to quantify the causal effects of human mobility restriction on the spread of COVID-19. METHODS: Our study applied the difference-in-difference (DID) model to assess the declines of population mobility at the city level, and used the log-log regression model to examine the effects of population mobility declines on the disease spread measured by cumulative or new cases of COVID-19 over time after adjusting for confounders. RESULTS: The DID model showed that a continual expansion of the relative declines over time in 2020. After 4 weeks, population mobility declined by -54.81% (interquartile range, -65.50% to -43.56%). The accrued population mobility declines were associated with the significant reduction of cumulative COVID-19 cases throughout 6 weeks (ie, 1% decline of population mobility was associated with 0.72% [95% CI: 0.50%-0.93%] reduction of cumulative cases for 1 week, 1.42% 2 weeks, 1.69% 3 weeks, 1.72% 4 weeks, 1.64% 5 weeks, and 1.52% 6 weeks). The impact on the weekly new cases seemed greater in the first 4 weeks but faded thereafter. The effects on cumulative cases differed by cities of different population sizes, with greater effects seen in larger cities. CONCLUSIONS: Persistent population mobility restrictions are well deserved. Implementation of mobility restrictions in major cities with large population sizes may be even more important.

Effect of a school-based educational intervention on HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge and willingness to be vaccinated among Chinese adolescents : a multi-center intervention follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Middle school students are recommended as the primary target population for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. This study aimed to assess HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge, and to evaluate the effect of a school-based educational intervention, immediately and one year later, on HPV knowledge and vaccine acceptability among adolescents in mainland China. METHODS: A school-based interventional follow-up study was conducted in seven representative cities in mainland China from May 2015 to May 2017. "Train-the-trainer" strategy was employed to educate school teachers in this study. Students aged 13 to 14 years old were assigned to intervention classes and control classes. All students were required to complete the baseline questionnaire. Students in the intervention classes were given a 45-minute lecture regarding HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge and were then asked to complete a post-education questionnaire. One year later, all students were asked to complete the post-education questionnaire again. RESULTS: Baseline HPV knowledge was low among Chinese adolescents, with only 12.6% and 15.7% of students having heard of HPV and HPV vaccines, respectively. After the intervention, the level of HPV-related knowledge increased immediately, and students with higher knowledge levels of HPV and HPV vaccines were more willing to get vaccinated. One year after the intervention, the knowledge of HPV and HPV vaccines was dramatically diminished. However, knowledge was significantly higher in intervention classes compared to control classes. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and awareness of HPV and vaccination are generally deficient among Chinese adolescents. School-based health education was very effective in improving awareness and positive attitudes about HPV and HPV vaccines within a short time. Integrating health education on HPV into the existing school-based sexual health curriculum could be an effective way to increase HPV vaccination coverage and help to eliminate preventable HPV-associated cancers in China.

Association between prepregnancy subnormal body weight and obstetrical outcomes after autologous in vitro fertilization cycles: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To study the association between prepregnancy subnormal body weight and obstetrical outcomes after autologous in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SETTING: Not applicable. PATIENT(S): Women with prepregnancy subnormal body weight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2) and normal body weight (body mass index 18.5-25 kg/m2) after assisted reproductive treatment. INTERVENTIONS(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), live birth rate (LBR), and miscarriage rate. CPR and LBR were calculated at per-woman and per-cycle levels. RESULT(S): A total of 38 cohort studies with low risk of bias were included. Meta-analyses showed that, compared with normal-weight women, those underweight before pregnancy had a lower CPR at per-woman and per-cycle levels. Compared with normal weight, underweight before pregnancy had little impact on LBR at both per-woman and per-cycle levels, nor on miscarriage rate. CONCLUSION(S): Compared with women of normal weight, women who were underweight before pregnancy had modest association with a lower CPR, but underweight did not seem to affect LBR or miscarriage after IVF.

Effect of an educational intervention on HPV knowledge and attitudes towards HPV and its vaccines among junior middle school students in Chengdu, China.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the knowledge and attitudes towards human papillomavirus (HPV) and its vaccines among adolescents in mainland China. Also, limited information has been available on how to improve their knowledge and willingness towards HPV and its vaccines to ensure a successful vaccination program in the future. METHODS: This was a school-based interventional follow-up study. One urban and one rural junior middle school in Chengdu were selected by convenience sampling. At baseline, half of the grade one students were randomly selected as controls and the rest were interventions. A set of self-administered questionnaires on HPV and its vaccines were completed by both groups at baseline. After that, only the intervention group received a PowerPoint-oriented health education and finished the post-education questionnaires. One year later, both groups completed the same questionnaires as the follow-up survey. RESULTS: In total, 1675 students finished the pre-intervention questionnaires; 751 were from the control group and 924 were from the intervention group. Among them, only 34.3% had heard of cervical cancer/genital warts, while only 15.1% of them had ever heard of HPV. However, 55.2% of students showed their willingness to be vaccinated even before any intervention. Seven variables were found to be associated with the willingness to be vaccinated at baseline. Immediately after the intervention, 88.4% of students were willing to vaccinate themselves. After 1 year, the effectiveness of intervention remained but decreased. Compared with the control group, the intervention group was more aware about cervical cancer, HPV and its vaccines with statistical significance. However, the level of HPV knowledge and willingness to be vaccinated among the intervention group had significantly decreased compared with that immediately after the intervention (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The baseline level of knowledge on HPV, its vaccines, and cervical cancer was very low among junior middle school students in Chengdu, China. However, the willingness to be vaccinated seemed positive. School-based health education is effective and appropriate in increasing the awareness of HPV and willingness towards its vaccines. Regular health education on HPV and cervical cancer prevention at a shorter interval should be guaranteed to ensure continuous effectiveness.

miR-30a inhibits breast cancer progression through the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

BACKGROUND: miR-30a is a microRNA associated with the progression of malignant tumors such as gastric cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer, and can regulate the proliferation and migration of breast cancer (BC) cells in vitro. However, its expression, function, clinical significance and relationship with the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway in human BC were still unclear. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were used to measure the expressions of miR-30a and ß-catenin in 114 pairs of human BC tumor tissues and adjacent normal tissues which were collected from March 2014 to October 2015. The effect of miR-30a on the expression of ß-catenin was studied in the MCF-7 cells in vitro. RESULTS: The expression levels of miR-30a in human BC tumor tissues were significantly lower than they were in the adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.001), and significantly higher in ß-catenin protein (P < 0.001), but there was no significant different in ß-catenin mRNA (P = 0.3816). The immunohistochemistry results showed that ß-catenin protein was only expressed on the cell membrane in paracancerous normal tissues, but ß-catenin protein was expressed on the cell membrane and cytoplasm in BC tumor cells. In addition, there was a significantly negative correlation (r = -0.816, P < 0.001) between the expression miR-30a and ß-catenin protein in BC tissues. The age of onset, PR expression, ER expression, and HER-2 expression of the BC patients were not related to miR-30a or ß-catenin protein expression (P > 0.05). Tumor diameter, histological grade, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, and the prognosis of BC patients (P < 0.05) were significantly related to miR-30a or ß-catenin protein expression. In MCF-7 cells, miR-30a regulated the accumulation of ß-catenin protein by inhibiting the expression of BCL9 in BC cells. CONCLUSION: miR-30a was lowly expressed in breast cancer tissues and highly in ß-catenin protein, and miR-30a might block the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway by inhibiting the accumulation of ß-catenin, and then inhibiting breast cancer progression.

Changes in Body Mass Index, Leptin, and Leptin Receptor Polymorphisms and Breast Cancer Risk.

Obesity is a strong risk factor for breast cancer. The polymorphisms of leptin (LEP) and leptin receptor (LEPR) may be associated with breast cancer by regulator of adipose tissue mass and tumor cell growth. A total of 794 cases and 805 matched controls were sequentially enrolled. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used to determine the LEPrs7799039, LEPRrs1137100, and LEPRrs1137101 genotypes for each participant. Associations between polymorphisms of these genes, change in body mass index (BMI), and breast cancer risk were assessed by unconditional multivariable logistic regression models. The unconditional logistic regression model showed that persistent overweight (BMI ≥24 kg/m2) over the preceding 10 years was associated with increased breast cancer risk in premenopausal women (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.19-2.35). No associations between LEPrs7799039, LEPRrs1137100, or LEPRrs1137101 polymorphisms alone and breast cancer risk were found. Persistent overweight over the preceding 10 years and carrying the LEPrs7799039 AA genotype together increased breast cancer risk in premenopausal women (ORadj = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.26-3.16). Persistent overweight over the preceding 10 years and carrying the LEPRrs1137100 GG genotype increased breast cancer risk in premenopausal women (ORadj = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.06-2.68). In premenopausal women, persistent overweight (BMI ≥24 kg/m2) over the preceding 10 years increases breast cancer risk. Persistent overweight along with LEPrs7799039 AA or LEPRrs1137100 GG genotypes synergistically increase risk of breast cancer among premenopausal women.

PI3K/Akt signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of bleomycin­induced pulmonary fibrosis via regulation of epithelial­mesenchymal transition.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation, fibroblast proliferation and extracellular matrix deposition. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis remain to be fully elucidated. The contribution of the phosphoinositide 3­kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway in fibrotic processes remains to be investigated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in pulmonary fibrosis. A rat model of pulmonary fibrosis was induced by intratracheal administration of bleomycin (BLM), and a specific PI3K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002, was used to assess the role of the PI3K/Akt pathway in fibrogenesis. The inflammatory and fibrotic alterations in the lung tissues were evaluated using histological staining and the hydroxyproline assay. In addition, the concentration of cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the expression of Akt, phosphorylated (p­)Akt, epithelial cadherin, α smooth muscle actin and vimentin in lung tissues. The data demonstrated that an increase in the expression levels of p­Akt was involved in the progression of pulmonary fibrosis and contributed to fibrogenesis. Administration of the Akt inhibitor significantly attenuated inflammation and fibrosis, which was accompanied by a reversal of lung fibrosis­associated epithelial­mesenchymal transition. Taken together, these observations suggest that the PI3K/Akt pathway serves a central role in the pathophysiology of lung fibrosis, and is a promising therapeutic target.

Functional human TSHß splice variant produced by plasma cell may be involved in the immunologic injury of thyroid in the patient with Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Hashimoto's Thyroiditis (HT) is the most common cause of hypothyroidism in areas of the world where iodine levels are sufficient. However, the pathogenesis of HT has not been completely elucidated. The first functional human TSHß splice variant was supposed to be involved in the pathology of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. The question remains as to which kind of intrathyroid cells expresses functional TSHß splice variant and whether there are expression variations of functional TSHß splice variant in the injured thyroid of patient with HT. For the answer to this question, immune-injured thyroids were obtained from 30 patients with HT. Localization study of functional TSHß splice variant in injured thyroid was done by immunofluorescence double staining. Transcription and translation level of functional TSHß splice variant were detected by using qRT-PCR and semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry method, respectively. The correlation between expression level of functional TSHß splice variant and degree of thyroid follicles damage was assessed. It was firstly identified that functional TSHß splice variant was predominately expressed by plasma cells infiltrated around follicles and germinal center in injured thyroid of patient with HT. Of particular interest, the TSHß splice variant was expressed at significantly higher levels in the thyroid tissues of patients with HT than that in the normal thyroid tissues, furthermore, expression level of TSHß splice variant was positive related with the degree of follicles damage in thyroid of patient with HT. These findings defined the immune-derived functional TSHß splice variant that resided in the thyroid of patient with HT, which exerted the unique effects on the pathogenesis of HT, meanwhile, we considered these findings to have significant implications for understanding immune-endocrine interactions in a number of ways.

Effects of hypothyroidism on expression of CRMP2B and ARPC5 during development of the rat frontal cortex.

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) can lead to irreversible central nervous system (CNS) damage. However, the pathogenesis of the developmental brain disorders caused by CH has not been completely elucidated. ARPC5 and CRMP2 are closely associated with neurite outgrowth in brain development. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine whether CRMP2B and ARPC5 expression is altered in the developing cerebral cortex of rats with CH. Control rats and rats with hypothyroidism were sacrificed at birth and at 15 days postpartum. We performed qRT-PCR to detect differences in the crmp2B and arpc5 mRNA expression in the right half of the frontal cortex of these rats. Western blotting was then used to detect differences in CRMP2B and ARPC5 protein expression. Furthermore, immunohistochemical analysis was performed on the left half of the frontal cortex to detect abnormal localization of CRMP2B and ARPC5. Results showed increased expression of the nuclear short isoform of CRMP2B and decreased expression of full-length CRMP2B and ARPC5 in cortical neurons of rats with hypothyroidism. These findings demonstrate that reduced levels of thyroid hormones can inhibit the expression of full-length CRMP2B and ARPC5 and promote nuclear transformation of the short isoform of CRMP2B. CRMP2B and ARPC5 may participate in CNS injury mediated by hypothyroidism by inducing neurite outgrowth inhibition and cytoskeletal protein disorganization.

Tissue-engineered calcium phosphate cement in rabbit femoral condylar bone defects.

BACKGROUND: Calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is a favorable bone-graft substitute, with excellent biocompatibility and osteoconductivity. However, its reduced osteoinductive ability may limit the utility of CPC. To increase its osteoinductive potential, this study aimed to prepare tissue-engineered CPC and evaluate its use in the repair of bone defects. The fate of transplanted seed cells in vivo was observed at the same time. METHODS: Tissue-engineered CPC was prepared by seeding CPC with encapsulated bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) expressing recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) and green fluorescent protein (GFP). Tissue-engineered CPC and pure CPC were implanted into rabbit femoral condyle bone defects respectively. Twelve weeks later, radiographs, morphological observations, histomorphometrical evaluations, and in vivo tracing were performed. RESULTS: The radiographs revealed better absorption and faster new bone formation for tissue-engineered CPC than pure CPC. Morphological and histomorphometrical evaluations indicated that tissue-engineered CPC separated into numerous small blocks, with active absorption and reconstruction noted, whereas the residual CPC area was larger in the group treated with pure CPC. In the tissue-engineered CPC group, in vivo tracing revealed numerous cells expressing both GFP and rhBMP-2 that were distributed in the medullar cavity and on the surface of bony trabeculae. CONCLUSION: Tissue-engineered CPC can effectively repair bone defects, with allogenic seeded cells able to grow and differentiate in vivo after transplantation.

A newly-designed PE-supported arsine for efficient and practical catalytic Wittig olefination.

A newly designed PE-supported arsine has been developed as an excellent catalyst for catalytic Wittig-type olefination. Simple ketones, in particular inactive ketones prove to be suitable substrates for the first time. This reaction provides an easy access to di-, tri-, and tetra-substituted olefins in high yield.

[In vivo osteogenic functions of injectable biological bone cement].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the osteogenic functions of injectable biological bone cement during repairing inclusive bone defects in rabbit femoral condyles. METHODS: Encapsulated rhBMP-2 gene modified rabbit bone mesenchymal cells (BMSCs) were seeded into calcium phosphate cement (CPC) to prepare injectable biological bone cement. The live/dead cell ratio was detected by calcein-AM/ethidium homodimer staining and cement microstructure examined by electron microscope. The anti-compression strength of CPC were tested. Inclusive bone defects were created in the bilateral femoral condyles of 6 rabbits. The biological CPC was implanted randomly at one side and pure CPC at the other side. The radiological films were taken immediately, at Weeks 6 & 12 post-operation. The animals were sacrificed at Week 12 post-operation and both femoral condyles were retrieved to prepare decalcified slides. The morphometry parameters of bone tissue, such as cement area (CA), calcified trabecular area (TBA), osteoblast index (OBI) and osteoclast (OCI) were measured. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expressions of BMP (bone morphogenetic protein)-2, TGF (transforming growth factor)-ß1 and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor). RESULTS: The calcein-AM/ethidium homodimer staining showed that the live rate of encapsulated cells was over 90%. It was found under electron microscope that there was the formation of hydroxyapatite crystals and the presence of connective microporous structure. The anti-compression strength of biological cement was (20.19 ± 1.75) MPa. And it was much less than that of pure CPC. Radiological study showed that both types of CPC could fill bone defects completely without gap. The biological CPC degraded a little faster. As demonstrated by decalcified slides, the cements were absorbed into numerous small blocks around newborn trabeculae without insertion of fibrous tissues. CA decreased to 9.68% in biological CPC group and it was much less than 17.47% for pure CPC group. TBA was 58.75% in biological CPC group and it was much greater than 34.34% for pure CPC group. There was no significant difference in OBT and OCT between two groups. Immunohistochemical staining showed there were a large number of oval-shaped nuclear mast cells in biological CPC group. They were strongly positive for the expression of BMP-2. A moderate number of cells had a positive expression of TGF-ß1 and VEGF. More positive cells were present in biological CPC group. CONCLUSION: The introduction of BMP-2 into CPC renders CPC capable of bone induction. Thus CPC induce both the proliferation of BMSCs and the expressions of TGF-ß1 and VEGF. The synergistic effects of these three factors accelerate the degradation of CPC.

[Proteomic changes in cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with experimental congenital hypothyroidism].

OBJECTIVE: To screen differentially expressed brain proteins with proteomic method in cerebral cortex of neonatal rats with congenital hypothyroidism. METHOD: From the 13th day of gestation, pregnant Wistar rats from the experimental group were given intragastrically with 2.5 ml of 1% propylthiouracil daily. Cerebral cortex specimens were collected from the control and hypothyroidism neonatal rats. Two-directional electrophoresis (2-DE) was applied to analyze protein expression diversities between the euthyroid and hypothyroidism neonatal rat cerebral cortex. Protein spots with significantly different expression were screened and identified by mass spectrometry. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to analyze serum FT(3), FT(4) levels of each groups. RESULT: The body weight of hypothyroid neonatal rats were lower than those in the corresponding control group (t = -8.07, P < 0.01). The FT(3) levels of hypothyroid neonatal rats were lower than those in the corresponding control group (t = 5.39, P < 0.01). The FT(4) levels of hypothyroid neonatal rats were lower than those in the corresponding control group (t = 7.62, P < 0.01). Stable 2-DE maps of normal and CH neonatal rat were constantly obtained. The maps were analyzed by software. Seven protein spots with high reproducibility, high resolution and significantly different expression were chosen and identified by mass spectrometry, including collapsing response mediator protein 2, actin related protein 2/3 complex subunit 5, ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2-25K, ATP synthase subunit d, Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase, synuclein alpha, and nucleoside diphosphate kinase. CONCLUSION: The value of this research is demonstrated here by the identification of several proteins known to be associated with nerve synapse structures formation, cell survival, metabolism, cell signal transduction, neural differentiation and nerve growth in the central nervous system. Furthermore this study identified several proteins except for collapsing response mediator protein 2 and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase that have not previously been described in the literature and which may play an important role as either sensitive biomarkers of brain dysfunction caused by congenital hypothyroidism. In congenital hypothyroidism, brain development retardation may be related with some important processes, including abnormal synaptic formation, excess ROS production and apoptosis. The above-mentioned proteins may play critical roles in the processes, which provide valuable clues to clarify the pathogenesis of brain developmental disorders induced by congenital hypothyroidism.

Highly diastereroselective synthesis of dihydrofurans and dihydropyrroles via pyridine catalyzed formal [4+1] annulation.

A pyridine-catalyzed ylide cyclization affording dihydrofurans and dihydropyrroles has been developed. In the presence of a catalytic amount of pyridine and Fe(Tcpp)Cl, α-ylidene-ß-diketones and α,ß-unsaturated imines react with diazoacetates providing dihydrofurans and dihydropyrroles respectively, in up to 96% yield with high diastereoselectivities.

Traditional Chinese medicine Kang Xian Fu Fang I is effective for prophylaxis and treatment of alcoholic liver disease in rats.

BACKGROUND: Reversal of liver fibrosis is one of the key steps in the prevention and treatment of alcoholic liver disease (ALD), but the mechanism is unknown. This study was to investigate the effects of the Chinese medicine Kang Xian Fu Fang I (KXI) on prophylaxis and treatment of ALD in rats and its possible mechanism of action. METHODS: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control; ALD model; treatment of ALD with KXI; and prophylaxis of ALD by KXI. At the end of 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks, five rats from each group were anesthetized and their livers were removed for pathological studies using hematoxylin-eosin and Masson stain, immunohistochemical studies, and flow cytometry for matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9). Blood samples were taken for hyaluronic acid (HA) assay. RESULTS: Serum HA level and liver collagen content were lower in the groups given KXI for prophylaxis and treatment than in ALD model group (P<0.05). The levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also decreased in the prophylaxis and treatment groups (P<0.05). Immunohistochemistry showed immunoreactive MMP-2 in endothelial cells of the hepatic artery and portal vein, sinusoidal endothelial cells, and sinusoidal cells. Immunoreactive MMP-9 occurred in the hepatic cells around the veins and sinusoidal cells. CONCLUSIONS: KXI can effectively inhibit or reverse the course of ALD. This may be attributable to its capacity to inhibit the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9.