Limonitum Ameliorates Castor Oil-Induced Diarrhoea in Mice by Modulating Gut Microbiota.

Diarrhoea is a common clinical condition; its pathogenesis is strongly associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Limonitum is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine that exerts appreciable benefits regarding the amelioration of diarrhoea. However, the mechanism through which Limonitum ameliorates diarrhoea remains unclear. Here, the efficacy and underlying mechanism of Limonitum decoction (LD) regarding diarrhoea were explored from the aspect of gut microbiota. Castor oil (CO) was used to induce diarrhoea in mice, which were then used to evaluate the effects of LD regarding the timing of the first defecation, diarrhoea stool rate, degree of diarrhoea, diarrhoea score, intestinal propulsive rate, and weight of intestinal contents. The concentrations of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetic, propionic, isobutyric, butyric and valeric acids, were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology was applied to evaluate changes in the gut microbiota under exposure to LD. LD was found to effectively ameliorate the symptoms of diarrhoea, and the diversity and relative abundance of gut microbiota were restored to normal levels following LD treatment. Additionally, LD significantly restored the observed reductions in SCFAs. These results provide strong evidence that LD can sufficiently ameliorate diarrhoea in mice by regulating their gut microbiota. The findings presented here highlight that Limonitum may constitute a prospective remedy for diarrhoea.

MiR-26a regulates vascular smooth muscle cell calcification in vitro through targeting CTGF.

Vascular calcification is one of the most important factors for high morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-26a on vascular smooth muscle cell calcification. First, the VSMCs were induced by ß-glycerol phosphate (ß-GP) for 7d and 14d, and Alizarin Red S staining was performed to examine the mineralized nodule change; then real time RT-PCR and western blotting were performed to explore the expression of miR-26a, CTGF, OPG, RANKL and ALP in un-induced and ß-GP-induced VSMCs; next, the VSMCs were transfected with miR-26a mimics, and Alizarin Red S staining was performed to examine the mineralized nodule change; finally, real time RT-PCR and western blotting were performed to explore the expression of miR-26a, CTGF, OPG, RANKL and ALP in un-transfected and miR-26a mimics transfected VSMCs. After ß-GP treatment, ß-GP promoted clear mineralized nodule changes, and miR-26a and OPG expression were significantly decreased and CTGF, RANKL and ALP expression were increased in VSMCs. Overexpression of miR-26a inhibited VSMCs calcification induced by ß-GP, and regulated the expression of CTGF, OPG, RANKL and ALP. Our findings suggested that up-regulation of miR-26a before ß-GP treatment inhibits VSMCs calcification through targeting CTGF (Fig. 4, Ref. 18).

[Follow-up study on efficacy of blocking mother-to-infant transmission of HBV and its influence factors in Jiangsu province, 2010-2015].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of blocking transmission of HBV from mother to infant in Jiangsu, and discuss influencing factors related to development of chronic HBV infection in children of HBsAg positive mother. Methods: HBsAg positive mothers delivered during 2010-2015 in three counties of Jiangsu (Zhangjiagang, Danyang and Taixing) and their neonates were included in the study. The neonates were vaccinated with hepatitis B vaccine (10 µg) and hepatitis B immunoglobin (100 units) within 24 hours after birth. Blood samples were collected from the infants 7 months later, and serum HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc were detected by Abbott particles chemiluminescence. Results: A total of 2 099 children aged 7-52 months were surveyed, of whom 34 (1.62%) developed chronic HBV infection. Logistic regression analysis showed that mother HBeAg positivity (RR=4.997, 95% CI: 2.408-10.370) was the independent risk factors of mother-to-infant transmission of HBV, while elder delivery age (RR=0.264, 95% CI: 0.101-0.691) was independent protective factors of HBV transmission. Among the other 2 065 uninfected children, 9.7% had anti-HBs level less than 10 mIU/ml, 35.4% between 10 and 100 mIU/ml, and 54.9% higher than 100 mIU/ml. The anti-HBs positive rate was 90.3% and the anti-HBc positive rate was 13.7%. The positive rate and geometric mean titers (GMT) of anti-HBs reached the peaks at 7-12 months after birth, and decreased with the age. Conclusions: The current immunological strategy of Jiangsu has good protective efficacy for the interruption of perinatal transmission of HBV. Mother HBeAg positivity is the major risk factor for perinatal blocking failure. Children with effective immunization still need to be monitored for anti-HBs and revaccinated if necessary.

RAPD analysis of natural populations of Acanthopanax brachypus.

Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis is a new technology of molecular marking which has proved very powerful in detecting genetic diversity at the level of population. The genomic DNAs used in our experiment were extracted from fresh leaves taken from 59 individuals sampled from three natural populations in Yan An, Shanxi Province. Through more than 2,000 PCRs, deep-going RAPD analysis was carried out on DNA samples from 49 individuals. The percentage of polymorphic RAPD loci found in these three populations were respectively 27.2%, 18.6% and 5.4%; the average genetic distances within population, 0.055, 0.036 and 0.008; the average genetic distances between populations (I-II), (I-III) and (II-III), 0.105, 0.096 and 0.060. The genetic diversity of A. brachypus within and between populations was found, for the first time, to be rather poor, thus revealing innate factors as the cause contributing to its endangered status. In addition, our work also provides basic materials for elucidating the underlying cause of its endangerment and for its protection biology.

Usefulness of Tl-201 SPECT imaging in evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy and dilation in patients with previous myocardial infarction.

Using short axis slices of Tl-201 myocardial SPECT images, total left ventricular (LV) mass, perfused LV mass, defect size, defect mass, ratio of total LV area to cavity area (T/C), ratio of radius of total LV area to radius of cavity area (TR/CR), and ratio of wall thickness to radius of cavity area (W/R) were obtained. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated using blood pool imaging studies. A total of 33 patients with old myocardial infarctions were studied. The patients were divided into group 1 (n = 16) with no history of heart failure, and group 2 (n = 17) with a history of heart failure. The LVEF (P less than 0.001), T/C (P less than 0.005), TR/CR (P less than 0.005) and W/R (P less than 0.001) were significantly lower, while the total LV mass (P less than 0.001) and perfused LV mass (P less than 0.01) were significantly higher in group 2. In the whole group of 33 patients, there was inverse linear correlation between the total LV mass and LVEF (r = -0.82), perfused LV mass and LVEF (r = -0.67), and defect mass and LVEF (r = -0.59). There was linear correlation between W/R and LVEF (r = 0.64). Nonlinear correlations were found between T/C and LVEF (r = 0.81) and TR/CR and LVEF (r = 0.80). Tl-201 myocardial SPECT imaging is useful for the evaluation of LV hypertrophy and cavity dilation in patients with previous myocardial infarction.

[Experimental study of anisodamine on therapeutic effect of pulmonary edema in rats].

The pulmonary edema (PE) induced by adrenaline (AD) is similar to neurogenic pulmonary edema. Anisodamine (654-2) showed an apparent therapeutic effect on it. The pulmonary wedge arterial pressure (PAWP), carotid arterial pressure (CAP) and blood gases were measured. It was found that in PE group, PAWP was increased to four-fold compared with those from before AD administration (from 0.98 +/- 0.24 to 4.04 +/- 0.53 kPa, mean +/- SD) rapidly. CAP was increased to one fold. The changes of PaO2,O2Sat and PaCO2 showed progressive hypoxia. The PaO2(kPa) was 11.0 +/- 1.3, 6.1 +/- 1.7, 4.4 +/- 1.9 and 3.8 +/- 1.9, PaCO2(kPa) was 4.1 +/- 2.1, 5.4 +/- 0.8, 9.7 +/- 2.9 and 10.3 +/- 3.4, O2 Sat(%) was 95.6 +/- 16.0, 69.2 +/- 15.1, 48.9 +/- 22.0, and 33.7 +/- 25.9 in order before AD injection, 1, 5 min after AD injection and before death respectively. Blood pH value also decreased in apparent way. All of animal died within 15 min. While in 654-2 therapeutic group, the significant increased PAWP and CAP were decreased gradually to normal within 30 min. The abnormal blood gases and pH were approached to repair within 20 min. All of animals survived.

Effect of chuanxiongqin (tetrame-thylpyrazine) on microcirculatory perfusion in hamsters and capillary permeability in rats.

The authors continuously observed the effect of Chuanxiongqin on the microcirculation of hamster cheek pouch by use of the Dual-Window Television Automatic Estimating System. It was seen that the caliber of arterioles, the microcirculatory velocity, and blood flow all decreased after local application of noradrenaline and all increased and returned to normal 1 to 30 min after local administration of Chuanxiongqin. Microcirculatory perfusion, however, could not be improved by normal saline or Iluangqi. The effect of Chuanxiongqin on the pulmonary capillary permeability was also investigated in rats. Pulmonary edema was induced in rats by adrenaline administration. Evans blue was injected intravenously and the amount of Evans blue in broncho-alveolar lavage fluid was estimated. It was found that Evans blue was increased in broncho-alveolar fluid of rats with pulmonary edema, and this increase could be lessened by Chuanxiongqin.