[An experimental study of acute toxicity and pharmacology of fermented Platycodonis Radix].

This study investigated the acute toxicity of fermented Platycodonis Radix on mice and its effect on coughing in mice infected with Mycoplasma pneumoniae. The maximum dosage(MAD) was used in the acute toxicity experiment on mice to observe the signs of mice. After 14 days, dissection, blood biochemical examination, and pathological tissue section observation were conducted. In the pharmacological experiment of fermented Platycodonis Radix, 60 healthy BALB/c mice, 30 males and 30 females, were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, a carbetapentane group(0.013 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and high-, medium-, and low-dose fermented Platycodonis Radix groups(5.2, 2.6, and 1.3 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with 10 mice in each group. Except for the blank group, the mice in the other five groups underwent model induction by intranasally instilling 20 µL of 1×10~6 CCU M. pneumoniae for 3 days, and the mice in each group were orally administered the corresponding drugs for 7 days. Cough induction experiment was conducted to observe and record the cough latency and total cough count within 3 min for each group. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes in lung tissues. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe the protein expression of transient receptor potential A1(TRPA1), calcitonin gene-related peptide(CGRP), and substance P(SP) in the lung tissues of mice in each group. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) was used to elucidate the changes in the mRNA levels of cough-related factors TRPA1, CGRP, and SP in mice treated with fermented Platycodonis Radix. No mice died in the acute toxicity experiment, and there were no changes in general behavior and major organ histopathological examinations. Compared with the blank group, there were no statistically significant differences in blood biochemical indexes. In the pharmacological experiment of fermented Platycodonis Radix, compared with the model group, the high-and medium-dose fermented Platycodonis Radix groups showed improved lung tissue structure of mice, with clear structure and regular tissue morphology. The qRT-PCR and immunohistochemical detection showed a decrease in the expression of TRPA1, CGRP, and SP in the fermented Platycodonis Radix groups. Fermented Platycodonis Radix can exert an inhibitory effect on cough by suppressing the expression of TRPA1, CGRP, and SP in lung tissues, thereby identifying the target of the drug.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of a Novel Series of 2-Ureidonicotinamide Derivatives Against Influenza A Virus.

BACKGROUND: Viral resistance to existing inhibitors and the time-dependent effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors have limited the number of antivirals that can be used for prophylaxis and therapeutic treatment of severe influenza infection. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs to prevent and treat influenza infection. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study was to design and synthesize a novel series of 2-ureidonicotinamide derivatives and evaluate their anti-IAV activities. Furthermore, we predicted the abilities of these compounds to inhibit the PA-PB1 subunit and forecasted the docking poses of these compounds with RNA polymerase protein (PDB ID 3CM8). METHODS: The novel designed compounds were synthesized using classical methods of organic chemistry and tested in vitro for their abilities inhibiting RNP and against influenza A virus. In addition, the 23 synthesized molecules were subjected to the generated pharmacophore Hypo1 to forecast the activity target PA-PB1 subunit of RNA polymerase. The ADMET pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by the ADMET modules in Discovery Studio 2016. The docking results helped us demonstrate the possible interactions between these compounds with 3CM8. RESULTS: The synthesized 2-ureidonicotinamide derivatives were characterized as potent anti-influenza inhibitors. The target compounds 7b and 7c demonstrated significant antiviral activities and could be considered as novel lead compounds of antiviral inhibitors. In addition, compound 7b revealed suitable ADME properties expressed and might be a significant RNA polymerase inhibitor targeting the PA-PB1 subunit based on the predictable results and the docking results. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a novel series of compounds that might be useful in the search for an effective drug against the influenza virus.

Validating the General Extended Technology Acceptance Model for E-Learning: Evidence From an Online English as a Foreign Language Course Amid COVID-19.

The present study validated the general extended technology acceptance model for e-learning (GETAMEL) with the survey data from the English as a foreign language (EFL) online class during the novel coronavirus lockdown period. A total of 678 undergraduates participated in the survey. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the data. The results showed that the influence of perceived usefulness of students on their intentional behavior to use the online learning system was not mediated by their attitude, indicating a very limited role of attitude toward technology in the model. Enjoyment and self-efficacy had no significant effects on the internal constructs, raising theoretical concerns on the applicability of this general model into specific contexts. In addition, we found that experience might be a moderator rather than an antecedent of the internal constructs in the model.

[Effect of baicalin on expression of fibrogenic factors TGF-ß1, mmp2 and timp2 in tissue of mice with pulmonary fibrosis].

To investigate the effect of baicalin extracted from Qinbai Qingfei Concentrated Pills on the expressions of TGF-ß1, mmp2 and timp2 in mice with pulmonary fibrosis induced by bleomycin. The Biacore technique was used to detect the specific binding between Qinbai Qingfei Concentrated Pills and TGF-ß1, and the affinity components were enriched, regenerated and recovered by Biacore fishing. Then ultra-performance liquid chromatography and quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) were used to determine whether the monomer was baicalin. Biacore was used to verify the affinity kinetics of baicalin, which was validated by pharmacodynamics in vivo. Totally 30 BALB/C mice were randomly divided into three groups: baicalin group, blank group and model group. The blank group was given sodium chloride injection(0.08 mL·kg~(-1)), while the model group and the baicalin group were injected with 4 mg·kg~(-1) bleomycin. The localization of TGF-ß1, mmp2 and timp2 protein in the cells and the mRNA expressions of TGF-ß1, mmp2 and timp2 were detected by RT-PCR 14 days later. The results of Biacore affinity analysis showed that the peak of binding response between Qinbai Qingfei Concentrated Pills and TGF-ß1 protein reached 1 524.0 RU, with specific binding. The affinity constant K_D of baicalin and TGF-ß1 was 1.620 06 µmol·L~(-1), which was determined by SPR kinetic analysis, suggesting a stable binding between baicalin and TGF-ß1, which verified the results of angulation. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the deposition of cellulose in baicalin group was significantly less than that in model group, the mRNA expressions of TGF-ß1, mmp2 and timp2 were decreased in baicalin solution compared with the model group. Baicalin combined with TGF-ß1 could inhibit the expressions of mmp2 and timp2 and delay the progress of pulmonary fibrosis.

[Effect of Dilong on expression of fibrogenic factors TGF-ß1 and α-SMA in lung tissue of mice with pulmonary fibrosis].

The aim of this paper was to investigate the effect of Dilong( geosaurus) on the expressions of fibrotic factors TGF-ß1 and α-SMA in bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mice. The binding ability of Dilong to fibrotic factor TGF-ß1 was initially detected by Biacore technology and verified by in vivo pharmacodynamics. A total of 60 SPF C57 mice were randomly divided into 6 groups. Except the blank group( injecting 0. 08 m L·kg-1 sodium chloride in the trachea),the other five groups were given bleomycin( 4 mg·kg-1) to replicate the pulmonary fibrosis model. After 14 days of drug treatment,the expressions of TGF-ß1 and α-SMA were detected by Masson staining,immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. The results of Biacore experiment showed that the extract of Dilong was well bound to TGF-ß1 protein in vitro,and the binding value reached 619. 3. Compared with the model group,Masson's results showed that cellulose deposition in high-dose,medium-dose and low-dose Dilong groups decreased to varying degrees. RT-PCR results showed that different doses of Dilong could reduce protein and mRNA expressions of TGF-ß1 and α-SMA to a certain extent in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion,Dilong could delay the process of pulmonary fibrosis by binding to target protein TGF-ß1 and inhibiting the expression of α-SMA.

The effect of Platycodin D on the expression of cytoadherence proteins P1 and P30 in Mycoplasma pneumoniae models.

Platycodin D is one of the most important monomers of the Qinbaiqingfei pellet (Qinbai), which has already been approved as the first effective new Traditional Chinese Medicine used to fight against Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) in clinic in China. In previous studies, pharmacodynamics experiment has proved that Platycodin D has anti-M. pneumoniae effect and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) is 16mµg/ml. This paper further clarified that the mechanism underlying the anti-M. pneumoniae effect of Platycodin D might be due to M. pneumoniae adhesion proteins P1 and P30. P1 and P30 expression levels in M. pneumoniae strain, M. pneumoniae-infected BALB/c mice, and M. pneumoniae-infected A549 cells were determined by reverse transcription PCR. Platycodin D strongly inhibited P1 and P30 expression in M. pneumonia and high dosage of Platycodin D exhibited a greater effect on reducing P1 and P30 expression than low dose Platycodin D. Platycodin D prevented M. pneumoniae infection through inhibiting the expression of adhesion proteins, which might be one of the mechanisms for the anti-M. pneumoniae properties of Qinbai. These results provide a foundation to further explore the mechanisms of action of Qinbai in future studies.

Arsenic trioxide intravenous infusion combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma with pulmonary metastasis: Long-term outcome analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety, clinical efficacy, and long-term outcome of arsenic trioxide (As2 O3 ) intravenous infusion for pulmonary metastases in patients with HCC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty consecutive patients who were diagnosed with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with pulmonary metastasis were randomized 1:1 into the treatment and control groups. Treatment group underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) for the primary liver tumor and then underwent As2 O3 treatment, whereas control group underwent TACE alone. The treatment group underwent a continuous 5-h intravenous infusion of 10 mg/day As2 O3 . The course of As2 O3 treatment was initiated 3-5 days after TACE (to allow liver and gastrointestinal function to recover) and continued for 14 consecutive days. All patients in the treatment group underwent at least four treatment courses. Response to treatment was evaluated after four treatment courses. RESULT: In treatment group, two patients had a complete response (CR), six had a partial response (PR), 10 had stable disease (SD), and 12 had progressive disease. A clinically effective rate (CR + PR) was achieved in 26.7%, and the clinical benefit rate (CR + PR + SD) was 60%. In the control group, no patients had a CR or PR, five had SD, and 25 had progressive disease. The clinically effective rate was 0%, and the clinical benefit rate was 16.7%. The overall 1-year survival was 56.7% in treatment group and 36.7% in control group. The overall 2-year survival was 16.7% in treatment group and 3.3% in control group. CONCLUSION: Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization plus an intravenous infusion of As2 O3 effectively controlled pulmonary metastasis and prolonged overall survival in patients with HCC compared with TACE alone.

[The clinical therapeutic effects of arsenic trioxide combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization in treating primary liver cancer with pulmonary metastases].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects of arsenic trioxide combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization on treatment of primary liver cancer with pulmonary metastases. METHODS: Sixty patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A (treatment group, n = 30) and group B (control group, n = 30). Group A was received periodic transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and 10 mg arsenic trioxide by intravenous infusion for 5 hours per day, 3 days after TACE. Each cycle consisted of 14 days' administration, and repeated after 2 weeks. Each patient was received 3-4 successive cycles. Group B was received periodic TACE alone. OBJECTIVE: efficiency, benefit rate, quality of life and the correlates with metastatic tumor size and number in the both groups were recorded. RESULTS: The objective efficiency was 26.7% (8/30), and the benefit rate was 60.0% (18/30) in group A, while they were 0 and 16.7% (5/30) in group B with significant statistics differences (χ(2) = 7.067, P = 0.008; χ(2) = 11.915, P = 0.001). The quality of life was improved in 4 patients and stable in 18 of group A, while no patient was improved and 13 were stable in group B (χ(2) = 9.669, P = 0.008). There was a significantly positive correlation between the tumor burden and therapeutic effect (Kendall r = -0.765, P < 0.001; Spearman r = -0.821, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Arsenic trioxide combined TACE is an effective treatment method in treating primary liver cancer with pulmonary metastases.

Survival trends in gastric cancer patients of Northeast China.

AIM: To describe survival trends in patients in Northeast China diagnosed as gastric cancer. METHODS: A review of all inpatient and outpatient records of gastric cancer patients was conducted in the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University. All the gastric cancer patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria from January 1, 1980 through December 31, 2003 were included in the study. The main outcomes were based on median survival and 3-year and 5-year survival rates, by decade of diagnosis. RESULTS: From 1980 through 2003, the median survival for patients with gastric cancer (n = 1604) increased from 33 mo to 49 mo. The decade of diagnosis was not significantly associated with patient survival for gastric cancer (P = 0.084 for overall survival, and P = 0.150 for 5-year survival); however, the survival rate of the 2000s was remarkably higher than that of the 1980s (P = 0.019 for overall survival, and P = 0.027 for 5-year survival). CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference of survival among each period; however, the survival rate of the 2000s was remarkably higher than that of the 1980s.

[Levels of P27Kip1 expression and apoptosis in HL-60 cells after treatment with TGF-ß1 and/or arsenic trioxide].

This study was purposed to investigate the effects of TGF-beta1 and arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on cell apoptosis, cell cycle and changes of P27(Kip1), endogenous TGF-ß1, cyclin E and BCL-2 in HL-60 cells, and to explore the relationship between expression of P27(Kip1) and apoptosis induced by As2O3 and/or TGFß1. Cell apoptosis and cell cycle changes of HL-60 cells treated with As2O3 and/or TGFß1 were detected by cytomorphologic observation and flow cytometry, the protein expressions of P27(Kip1), TGF-ß1, cyclin E and BCL-2 were measured by immunohistochemistry. The results showed the effect of 5 µmol/L of As2O3 was the most strong among the different concentration of As2O3 ,and the effect on apoptosis at 48 hour was more strong than that at 24 hours (p < 0.05). The TGF-beta1 (5 ng/ml) induced arrest of cells in G1 phase (p < 0.05) compared with As2O3 alone and As2O3 combined with TGF-ß1, while there was no difference with control. P27(Kip1) expression was up regulated (p < 0.05), cyclin E and BCL-2 expression was down-regulated (p < 0.05) in TGFß1-treated group. BCl-2 expression was down regulated, endogenesis TGFß1 expression was up regulated (p < 0.05), and the level of P27(kip1) and cyclin E were not changed in As2O3-treated group (p > 0.05). The down-regulating effect of TGF-ß1 combined with As2O3 on BCL-2 protein was more strong than that in single factor treated group (p < 0.05). It is concluded that TGFß1 induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in HL-60 cells, while the P27(kip1) expression is up regulated. P27 protein is the key effector of TGFß-induced cell cycle arrest. The effect of TGF-ß1 combined with As2O3 on apoptosis as well as the down-regulation of BCL-2 protein in HL-60 cells is more strong than that in single factor-treated groups, that indicates the passages linking up each other.

[Oriented immobilization of human IgG by protein A on imaging ellipsometry biosensor].

The biosensor based on optical imaging ellipsometry, can be used to detect directly, without labeling, the surface concentration of biomolecules on solid surface. The feasibility of using protein A to immobilize antibody on the silicon surface of the imaging ellipsometry biosensor was investigated in this study. The results showed that the anti-IgG immobilized by the protein A on silicon surface could bind effectively human IgG, and the human IgG immobilized on silicon surface by protein A bound more polyclonal antibody molecules than that immobilized on silicon surface directly, suggesting that protein A might block the surface to prevent the absorption of human IgG on surface directly, which might compromise its native configuration. The silicon surface modified with protein A is expected to be used to immobilize a variety of antibodies, as protein A can bind selectively the Fc regions of many mammalian IgG. The combination of imaging ellipsometry and the protein A surface modification has the potential to be developed into immunoassays of high sensitivity.