From Perspective of Hippocampal Plasticity: Function of Antidepressant Chinese Medicine Xiaoyaosan.

The hippocampus is one of the most commonly studied brain regions in the context of depression. The volume of the hippocampus is significantly reduced in patients with depression, which severely disrupts hippocampal neuroplasticity. However, antidepressant therapies that target hippocampal neuroplasticity have not been identified as yet. Chinese medicine (CM) can slow the progression of depression, potentially by modulating hippocampal neuroplasticity. Xiaoyaosan (XYS) is a CM formula that has been clinically used for the treatment of depression. It is known to protect Gan (Liver) and Pi (Spleen) function, and may exert its antidepressant effects by regulating hippocampal neuroplasticity. In this review, we have summarized the association between depression and aberrant hippocampal neuroplasticity. Furthermore, we have discussed the researches published in the last 30 years on the effects of XYS on hippocampal neuroplasticity in order to elucidate the possible mechanisms underlying its therapeutic action against depression. The results of this review can aid future research on XYS for the treatment of depression.

Diagnostic accuracy of interleukin-2 receptor in sarcoidosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2 R), a valuable diagnostic biomarker for sarcoidosis, has been reported with variable results. Based on the literatures currently accessible, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic performance of serum sIL-2 R for sarcoidosis were performed. METHODS: Relevant studies investigating sIL-2 R for sarcoidosis diagnosis in several databases were searched and data on sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were pooled by STATA 16.0 software. Overall test performance was assessed using summary receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve (AUC). Potential publication bias was assessed by Deeks test. RESULTS: We included eleven studies involving 1,424 subjects, with 1,099 cases of sarcoidosis and 325 of non-sarcoidosis. The pooled parameters of sIL-2 R in diagnosing sarcoidosis were summarized as follows: sensitivity, 0.85 (95% CI: 0.72-0.93); specificity, 0.88 (95% CI: 0.72-0.96); PLR, 7.3 (95% CI: 2.7-20.1); NLR, 0.17 (95% CI:0.08-0.36); DOR, 44 (95% CI: 8-231); and the AUC, 0.93 (95% CI: 0.90-0.95). No publication bias was identified (P = 0.64). CONCLUSIONS: Evidence suggests sIL-2 R performs well in diagnosing sarcoidosis. Nevertheless, results of sIL-2 R assay should be interpreted with other diagnostic examinations.

Immunophenotype in acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous disease, and the immune inflammatory response is thought to play an important role in pathogenesis. However, the immunophenotype of patients with COPD is unknown. Herein, we evaluated the immunophenotype of patients with acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD). METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in West China Hospital from September 2018 to October 2019. The proportion of CD4 + T lymphocyte subtypes (Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg) and levels of serum cytokines in the peripheral blood of patients with AECOPD, stable COPD (SCOPD), healthy smokers (HSs)and healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 15 HCs, 19 HSs, 42 patients with SCOPD, and 55 patients with AECOPD were included. Compared to patients with SCOPD, Th1 cells, Th17 cells, Treg cell ratio, Th1/Th2 cell ratio, and the levels of C-reactive protein, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-10 were significantly increased in patients with AECOPD (P < 0.001), while the proportion of Th2 cells was significantly reduced (P < 0.01). The proportion of Th17 cells was positively correlated with COPD Assessment Test score (r = 0.266, P = 0.009), modified Medical Research Council dyspnea score (r = 0.858, P < 0.0001), and Th1 cell ratio (r = 0.403, P < 0.0001) and negatively correlated with forced vital capacity (r = - 0.367, P = 0.009) and proportion of Th2 cells (r = - 0.655, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The immunophenotype of patients with AECOPD shows abnormal activation of Th1, Th17, and Treg cells. There is a correlation between the proportion of Th17 cells and the severity of COPD; therefore, this may represent a novel index for the evaluation of COPD severity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: China Clinical Trials Registry, ChiCTR1800018452, registered 19 September 2018, https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx .

Chemical constituents and pharmacological effects of durian shells in ASEAN countries: A review.

Durio zibethnus is mainly distributed in Southeast Asia. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that durian shells have the effects of clearing heat and purging fire, nourishing yin and moisturizing dryness. Therefore, it is often used as a pharmaceutic food in the Chinese folk to assist treating diseases. At present, the chemical constituents isolated from durian shell include phenolic acids, phenolic glycosides, flavonoids, coumarins, triterpenes, simple glycosides and other compounds. Modern pharmacological studies show that durian shell has many pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. The chemical composition and pharmacological effects of durian shells are summarized in order to provide references for the further research and application of durian shell.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Gigantochloa verticillata (Bambusodae).

Gigantochloa verticillata is produced in Mengla and Jinghong, Yunnan Province, China, and cultivated in Hong Kong. Vietnam, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia are distributed and cultivated. We determined the complete chloroplast genome sequence for G. verticillata using Illumina sequencing data. The complete chloroplast sequence is 139,489 bp, including large single-copy (LSC) region of 83,062 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,877 bp, and a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 21,775 bp. Plastid genome contain 132 genes, 85 protein-coding genes, 39 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 23 chloroplast genomes indicates that G. verticillata is closely related to Dendrocalamus latiflorus in Bambusodae.

Complete chloroplast genome sequence of Bambusa pervariabilis (Bambusodae).

Bambusa pervariabilis is mostly produced in south China; usually cultivated on the banks of the rivers and near villages. We determined the complete chloroplast (cp) genome sequence of B. pervariabilis using Illumina sequencing data. The complete cp sequence is 139,393 bp, include large single-copy (LSC) region of 82,969 bp, small single-copy (SSC) region of 12,874 bp, a pair of invert repeats (IR) regions of 21,775 bp. Plastid genome contain 132 genes, 85 protein-coding genes, 39 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. Phylogenetic analysis based on 28 cp genomes indicates that B. pervariabilis is closely related to Bambusa multiplex in Bambusodae.

Octreotide-Paclitaxel Conjugate Reverses Paclitaxel Resistance by p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Signaling Pathway in A2780/Taxol Human Ovarian Cancer Cells.

BACKGROUND Platinum plus paclitaxel is a first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer. Platinum resistance is a hot topic for many scholars, but drug resistance caused by paclitaxel is also a topic of concern. Currently, scholars believe that inhibition of MAPK signaling pathway may be an effective way to reverse the drug resistance of tumor paclitaxel. MATERIAL AND METHODS A2780/Taxol cells or nude mice were divided into 8 groups: control group, OCT (octreotide) group, OC (octreotide+cyclosomatostatin) group, PTX (paclitaxel) group, PO (paclitaxel+octreotide) group, POC (paclitaxel+octreotide+cyclosomatostatin) group, P-O (octreotide-paclitaxel conjugate) group, and P-OC (octreotide-paclitaxel conjugate+cyclosomatostatin) group. The phosphorylation level of p38 MAPK and the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were determined by western blot. Flow cytometry was used to discover the apoptosis of A2780/Taxol cells and xenografts. The expression of class III beta-tubulin was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Octreotide-paclitaxel conjugate inhibited phosphorylation of the p38MAPK signal pathway, decreased the expression of downstream VEGF, and increased the apoptosis of drug-resistant cancer cells. In addition, it reduced the expression of class III beta-tubulin protein and increase the sensitivity of drug-resistant cells to paclitaxel. All these effects of octreotide-paclitaxel conjugate were cancelled by cyclosomatostatin. CONCLUSIONS Octreotide-paclitaxel conjugate can reverse the paclitaxel resistance of A2780/Taxol human ovarian cancer cells by inhibiting the activity of p38 MAPK signaling pathway.

Efficacy and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Several recent clinical trials have assessed the effects of dupilumab in uncontrolled asthma, but reached no definite conclusion. We therefore conducted this meta-analysis to evaluate the overall efficacy and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of uncontrolled asthma. METHODS: All randomized controlled trials were included. Standard mean differences (SMD) or relative risks (RR) were calculated using Fixed-or random-effects models. RESULTS: Five studies involving 3369 patients were identified. Pooled analysis showed significant improvements in the first-second forced expiratory volume (FEV1) (SMD = 4.29, 95% CI: 2.78-5.81) and Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire scores (SMD = 4.39, 95% CI: 1.44-7.34). Dupilumab treatments were also associated with significantly decreased 5-item Asthma Control Questionnaire scores (SMD = - 4.95, 95% CI: - 7.30 to - 2.60), AM and PM asthma symptom scores (SMD = - 5.09, 95% CI: - 6.40 to - 3.77; SMD = - 4.92, 95% CI: - 5.98 to - 3.86, respectively), and severe exacerbation risk (RR = 0.73; 95% CI: 0.67-0.79) compared with placebo, with similar incidence of adverse events (RR = 1.0; 95% CI: 0.96-1.04). CONCLUSION: Dupilumab treatment is relatively well-tolerated and could significantly improve FEV1, symptoms, asthma control, and quality of life, and reduced severe exacerbation risk in patients with uncontrolled asthma.

Long-term follow-up of self-expandable metallic stents in benign tracheobronchial stenosis: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Self-expandable metallic stents (SEMSs) have enabled a approving management of malignant airway stenosis. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of this treatment in patients with benign airway stricture are unclear. We conducted this study to retrospectively determine the efficacy and long-term outcomes in patients who have undergone SEMS placement for benign tracheobronchial stenosis. METHODS: All patients treated with SEMSs from July 2003 to June 2016 were reviewed for symptomatic response, complications, and long-term outcomes. RESULTS: Total 131 stents were successfully deployed in 116 patients. Ninety-eight patients demonstrated clinical improvement after stent insertion (84.48%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 77.89-91.07). Compared with uncovered stents, covered stents were associated with more sore throats complaints or chest pain (13.89% versus 28.81%, P = 0.036) and with higher incidences of major and minor granulation tissue formation and with recurrent stenosis (4.17% versus 15.25%, P = 0.029; 11.11% versus 37.29%, P < 0.0001 and 9.72% versus 28.81%, P = 0.005, respectively). Each covered and uncovered stent developing tissue hyperplasia required a median of 2 (range: 1-15) and 1(range: 1-7) fibrobronchoscope with electrocautery therapy, respectively. At follow-up (median: 1276 days; range: 2-4263), 68 patients had complete resolution, 15 remained under interventional treatment, 8 had bronchial occlusions, 7 underwent surgery, 14 were lost to follow-up, and 4 died of stent unrelated causes. CONCLUSION: SEMS placement achieved most clinical improvement among patients in our study, if adequate endotracheal measures were used to address stent-related complications. The use of permanent SEMSs for benign tracheobronchial stenosis was effective and safe for the majority of patients in a long-term follow-up. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study has been retrospectively registered in the China Clinical Trial Registry on October 21, 2018 (Registry ID: ChiCTR1800019024 ).

Uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex-cord tumor: A case report and literature review.

Uterine tumors resembling ovarian sex-cord tumor (UTROSCT) are a rare, multi-phenotype sex-cord tumors, containing a structure which is characteristic with the trabecular, cord, nests, and false adenoid arrangement. In addition, CD99-positive was a basis for diagnosis of the disease. With uncertain malignant potential and relapse, these patients should be closely followed up. This article is to summarize clinical and pathological features, diagnosis and differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of UTROSCT.

Effects of Tiotropium Combined with Theophylline on Stable COPD Patients of Group B, D and its Impact on Small Airway Function: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Tiotropium bromide has been widely used in clinical practice, while theophylline is another treatment option for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, only a few relevant studies have investigated the long-term outcomes and efficacy of both in patients with COPD. We evaluated the effects of tiotropium and low-dose theophylline on stable COPD patients of groups B and D. METHODS: Eligible participants (n = 170) were randomized and received either tiotropium 18 µg once daily with theophylline 100 mg twice daily (Group I) or tiotropium 18 µg once daily (Group II) for 6 months. COPD assessment test (CAT), modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scores and pulmonary function tests were measured before randomization and during the treatment. RESULTS: After 6 months of treatment, the CAT scores in both groups decreased significantly (11.41 ± 3.56 and 11.08 ± 3.05, p < 0.0001). The changes of CAT (p = 0.028) and mMRC scores (p = 0.049) between the two groups differed after 1 month of treatment. In Group I, forced expiratory flow after 25% of the FVC% predicted (MEF25% pred) was significantly improved after 3 months (4.84 ± 8.73%, p < 0.0001) and 6 months (6.21 ± 8.65%, p < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in small airway function tests (MEF50% pred, MEF25% pred, and MMEF% pred) between the two groups after 6 month of treatment (p = 0.003, p < 0.0001, and p = 0.021, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Tiotropium combined with low-dose theophylline significantly improved the symptoms and general health of patients with stable COPD of groups B and D after 6 months of follow-up. Additionally, this therapy also improved the indicators of small airway function. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registry ID: ChiCTR1800019027).

Long-term treatment with budesonide/formoterol attenuates circulating CRP levels in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients of group D.

BACKGROUND: The systemic inflammation is associated with clinical outcome and mortality in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. To investigate the effects of tiotropium (Tio) and/or budesonide/formoterol (Bud/Form) on systemic inflammation biomarkers in stable COPD patients of group D, a randomized, open-label clinical trial was conducted. METHODS: Eligible participants (n = 324) were randomized and received either Tio 18ug once daily (group I), Bud/Form 160/4.5ug twice daily (group II), Bud/Form 320/9ug twice daily (group III), or Tio 18ug once daily with Bud/Form 160/4.5ug twice daily (group IV) for 6 months. Systemic inflammation biomarkers were measured before randomization and during the treatment, including C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), serum amyloid A (SAA), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), fibrinogen (Fib), and white blood cell (WBC). RESULTS: After 6-month treatment, CRP levels in group II, group III and group IV changed by a median (interquartile range) of -1.25 (-3.29, 1.18) mg/L, -1.13 (-2.55, 0.77) mg/L, and -1.56 (-4.64, 0.22) mg/L respectively, all of which with statistical differences compared with group I. In addition, there were no treatment differences in terms of IL-8, SAA, TNF-α, Fib and WBC levels. CONCLUSIONS: A long-term treatment with Bud/Form alone or together with Tio can attenuate circulating CRP levels in COPD patients of group D, compared with Tio alone.

Disseminated histoplasmosis: a rare clinical phenotype with difficult diagnosis.

We describe a rare and interesting case of a 37-year-old man who presented with an intermittent fever, progressive cytopenia, and hepatosplenomegaly. Histopathological examination of a bone marrow smear revealed haemophagocytes and intracellular yeast-like Histoplasma capsulatum (H. capsulatum); thus, we prolonged the blood culture duration to detect fungi, and H. capsulatum was detected in the peripheral blood. After the diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis, the patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B and symptomatic therapy. This is the first case in southwest China for which H. capsulatum was cultivated in peripheral blood, illustrating that the duration of specimen culture should be lengthened if a specific pathogen infection is suspected. Moreover, this case enriches our understanding of clinical manifestations of disseminated histoplasmosis.

Synthetic paclitaxel-octreotide conjugate reverses the resistance of paclitaxel in A2780/Taxol ovarian cancer cell line.

The high mortality of ovarian cancer is partly due to the frequent resistance of ovarian cancer to current chemotherapy agents such as paclitaxel and platinum. Somatostatin analogue (SSTA) has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of some tumors through binding to somatostatin receptor (SSTR) and activation of Ras-, Rapl- and B-Raf-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (Erk2). It was reported that paclitaxel-octreotide conjugate (POC) exhibited enhanced tumor growth inhibition with reduced toxicity. In the present study, we prepared the POC and investigated its effects and mechanism for the reversal of drug resistance in paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer cell line. We demonstrated that treatment with POC led to more cell apoptosis than either paclitaxel or octreotide (OCT) alone. Moreover, the expression of multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA, and protein decreased in a dose-dependent manner while the expression of SSTR remained stable following treatment with POC. Although the exact action, in vivo effects and pharmacologic kinetics of POC remain to be investigated, we have demonstrated the feasibility for the synthesis of POC, and more significantly, provided a potential approach to overcome the resistance of ovarian cancer against taxol. The findings also shed some new light on the mechanisms underlying the development of resistance to taxol by ovarian cancer cells.

Synthetic paclitaxel-octreotide conjugate reversing the resistance of A2780/Taxol to paclitaxel in xenografted tumor in nude mice.

Peptide hormone-based targeted therapy to tumors has been studied extensively. Our previous study shows that somatostatin receptor expresses high level on drug-resistant human ovarian cancer. The paclitaxel-octreotide conjugate (POC) exhibits enhanced growth inhibition, as well as reduced toxicity, in paclitaxel-resistant human ovarian cancer cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of targeted cytotoxicity and potential reversal mechanism of resistance in paclitaxel-resistant human ovarian cancer cells xenografted into nude mice. The SSTR2 shows higher expression levels in tumor tissue. Moreover, fluorescein-labeled POC displays favorable targeting in tumor cells. POC presents the perfect efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth and exerts lower or no toxic effects on normal tissues. Real-time PCR and Western Blotting has demonstrated that the mRNA and protein expressions of SSTR2 in POC group were significantly higher, while MDR1, α-tubulin, ßIII-tubulin, VEGF and MMP-9 were significantly lower than in the other treatment groups and controls. Combined with the previous study in vitro, this study evaluates an effective approach on the treatment of paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer which expresses somatostatin receptor SSTR. Our investigation has also revealed the possible molecular mechanism of POC in treating the ovarian cancer, and therefore, provided a theoretical basis for the clinical application of this newly-invented compound.

[Effect of hypoxia on the expression and production of fractalkine in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the expression and production of fractalkine (FKN) in cultured rat pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (PMVECs). METHODS: PASMCs and PMVECs from SD rat were cultured in vitro, and were exposed to hypoxia for 12 h,24 h and 48 h. The expressions of fractalkine mRNA and protein in PASMCs and PMVECs were measured by the methods of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. The fractalkine concentrations in supernatant fluid of cultured PASMCs and PMVECs were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the control group, the expression and production of fractalkine in PASMCs did not increase after the treatment of hypoxia for 12 hours (P > 0.05), but increased after being treated with hypoxia for 24 hours (P < 0.05), and became more significant after 48 hours (P < 0.01). (2) Compared with the control group, there were no differences of FKN concentrations in supernatant fluid of PMVECs, FKN mRNA and protein levels in PMVECs after being treated with hypoxia for 12 hours, 24 hours or 48 hours (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Hypoxia stimulates the synthesis and secretion of fractalkine in cultured rat PASMCs.

[Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in human stool using TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction].

The special DnaJ-like protein gene of Cryptosporidium parvum was amplified through designing special primers and TaqMan probes within the conserved and specific regions for this gene. method of real-time PCR assay for the detection of C. parvum was established. The specificity and sensitivity of PCR were also analyzed. By adding standard culture fluid in blank fecal sample, the sensitivity of the method was evaluated. The results showed that the detection limit of pure culture with real-time PCR assay was 26 oocysts/ml. The detection limit for C. parvum in artificially contaminated fecal sample was 2 600 oocysts/ml. The specificity of the method was verified with no amplification on DNA from other enteric parasites and bacteria. These results indicated that the real-time PCR method for C. parvum detection in fecal sample is simple, rapid, with high specificity and sensitivity.