[Properties of new exotic traditional Chinese medicinal Vernonia amygdalina leaves:a literature research].

The leaves of Vernonia amygdalina Delile of the family Asteraceae(also known as "bitter leaf"), rich in biological activities, are used as both medicine and food for a long time in West tropical Africa. They have been introduced into Southeast Asia and Fujian and Guangdong provinces of China in recent years. However, little is known about the properties of the plant in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), which limits its combination with other Chinese medicinal herbs. In this study, 473 articles on V. amygdalina leaves were selected from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP to summarize their components, pharmacological effects and clinical research. V. amygdalina leaves presented anti-microbial, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological effects. On the basis of the theory of TCM properties, the leaves were inferred to be cold in property and bitter and sweet in flavor, acting on spleen, liver, stomach and large intestine and with the functions of clearing heat, drying dampness, purging fire, removing toxin, killing insects and preventing attack of malaria. They can be used to treat dampness-heat diarrhea, interior heat and diabetes, malaria, insect accumulation and eczema(5-10 g dry leaves by decoction per day and an appropriate amount of crushed fresh leaves applying to the affected area for external use). Due to the lack of TCM properties, V. amygdalina leaves are rarely used medicinally in China. The determination of medicinal properties of the leaves is conducive to the introduction of new exotic medicinal herbs and the development of new TCM resources, which facilitated further clinical application and research and development of Chinese medicinal herbs.

New model of PIRADS and adjusted prostatespecific antigen density of peripheral zone improves the detection rate of initial prostate biopsy: a diagnostic study.

This study explored a new model of Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PIRADS) and adjusted prostate-specific antigen density of peripheral zone (aPSADPZ) for predicting the occurrence of prostate cancer (PCa) and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). The demographic and clinical characteristics of 853 patients were recorded. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), PSA density (PSAD), PSAD of peripheral zone (PSADPZ), aPSADPZ, and peripheral zone volume ratio (PZ-ratio) were calculated and subjected to receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The calibration and discrimination abilities of new nomograms were verified with the calibration curve and area under the ROC curve (AUC). The clinical benefits of these models were evaluated by decision curve analysis and clinical impact curves. The AUCs of PSA, PSAD, PSADPZ, aPSADPZ, and PZ-ratio were 0.669, 0.762, 0.659, 0.812, and 0.748 for PCa diagnosis, while 0.713, 0.788, 0.694, 0.828, and 0.735 for csPCa diagnosis, respectively. All nomograms displayed higher net benefit and better overall calibration than the scenarios for predicting the occurrence of PCa or csPCa. The new model significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy of PCa (0.945 vs 0.830, P < 0.01) and csPCa (0.937 vs 0.845, P < 0.01) compared with the base model. In addition, the number of patients with PCa and csPCa predicted by the new model was in good agreement with the actual number of patients with PCa and csPCa in high-risk threshold. This study demonstrates that aPSADPZ has a higher predictive accuracy for PCa diagnosis than the conventional indicators. Combining aPSADPZ with PIRADS can improve PCa diagnosis and avoid unnecessary biopsies.

[Effect of ZhuLian's type â ¡ inhibition needling technique on endocrine metabolism in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of ZhuLian's type Ⅱ inhibition needling technique on sex hormones, insulin resistance and ovarian morphology in rats with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), so as to explore its mechanism on regulating endocrine and metabolic dysfunction of PCOS. METHODS: Twenty-four female SD rats were randomly divided into control, model and ZhuLian acupuncture groups (n=8 in each group). The PCOS model was established by continuous gavage of letrozole combined with high-fat diet. Rats of the ZhuLian acupuncture group were stimulated at "Guanyuan"(CV4) and bilateral "Guilai"(ST29), "Zusanli"(ST36), "Sanyinjiao"(SP6), and "Fenglong"(ST40) by ZhuLian's type Ⅱ inhibition needling technique for 30 min, continuously intervented for 28 days. The body weight was measured before and after modeling and after intervention. The ovarian volume was calculated. HE staining was used to observe the changes of ovarian histology. Plasma levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and fasting insulin (FINS) were measured by ELISA. LH/FSH ratio and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were calculated. RESULTS: After modeling, the rats' body weight and the ovarian volume were increased (P<0.05), and the ovaries showed polycystic changes in the model group compared with the control group. And the FINS level, HOMA-IR, LH content and LH/FSH ratio were significantly increased (P<0.05), while the FSH level was decreased (P<0.05). After the intervention, the rats' body weight and ovarian volume were decreased (P<0.05), and a small number of preantral follicles and more antral follicles were observed under microscope, and the levels of LH, LH/FSH, FINS and HOMA-IR were significantly decreased (P<0.05), while FSH content was increased (P<0.05) in the ZhuLian acupuncture group than in the model group. CONCLUSION: ZhuLian's type Ⅱ inhibition needling technique can improve the endocrine and metabolic disorders in PCOS rats, which may be related to the regulation of endocrine system.

[Efficacy and action mechanism of ZHU Lian inhibition type â acupuncture for acne with spleen-stomach dampness-heat].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy of ZHU Lian inhibition type Ⅰ acupuncture for acne with spleen-stomach dampness-heat, and to explore its possible action mechanism. METHODS: A total of 82 patients of acne with spleen-stomach dampness-heat were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 41 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with danshentong capsules (1 g, 3 times per day) and 0.1% adapalene gel smear (once every night) for 4 weeks. The patients in the observation group were treated with ZHU Lian inhibition type Ⅰ acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4), Neiting (ST 44), Quchi (LI 11), Yangbai (GB 14), Sibai (ST 2), Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10), Yinlingquan (SP 9) and skin lesions, once every other day, 7 times as a course of treatment, totaling for 2 courses of treatment. The skin lesion score of the global acne grading system (GAGS) and quality of life-acne (Qol-Acne) score as well as the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were compared between the two groups before and after treatment; the clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups, and the recurrence rate was evaluated 4 weeks after treatment. RESULTS: After treatment, the skin lesion scores of GAGS in the two groups were reduced (P<0.05), and the score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the Qol-Acne scores were increased in the two groups (P<0.05), and the score in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The serum levels of TNF-αand IL-6 in the two groups were reduced after treatment (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 95.1% (39/41) in the observation group, which was higher than 82.9% (34/41) in the control group (P<0.05). Four weeks after treatment, the recurrence rate of acne lesions was 10.3% (4/39) in the observation group, which was lower than 32.4% (11/34) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ZHU Lian inhibition type Ⅰ acupuncture is effective for acne with spleen-stomach dampness-heat, and the recurrence rate is low. Its mechanism may be related to the reduction of serum inflammatory factor TNF-α and IL-6.

[Effect of electroacupuncture combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion on silent information regulator-1/nuclear factor κB signaling pathway in gastric antrum of diabetic gastroparesis rats].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion on silent information regulator-1 (SIRT1)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signal pathway and inflammatory factor expression in gastric antrum tissue of diabetic gastroparesis (DGP) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying improvement of DGP. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, model, medication, EA, Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion (moxibustion) and EA+moxibustion groups (n=12 per group). The DGP model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). Rats of the medication group were treated by gavage of 0.15 mg/mL mosapride citrate suspension. EA (10 Hz /50 Hz, 2 mA) or moxibustion (3 cones) or EA+moxibustion was applied to "Zhongwan"(CV12), bilateral "Neiguan"(PC6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao"(SP6) of the related group for 20 min, once a day for 3 weeks. Blood glucose, gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsion rate were measured. The levels of serum interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were detected by ELISA; the phosphorylation level of the phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor κBα inhibitor (pIκ-Bα), the protein and mRNA expression of NF-κB p65 and SIRT1 in the gastric antrum tissue were detected by Western blot and real-time quantifitative PCR, respectively. RESULTS: (1) Compared with the normal group, the levels of blood glucose, serum IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, and gastric pIκ-Bα and NF-κB p65 protein and mRNA expressions were significantly increased (P<0.01), and the gastric emptying rate, intestinal propulsion rate, serum IL-10 level, and SIRT1 protein and mRNA expressions were considerably decreased in the model group (P<0.01). (2) In contrast to the model group, the blood glucose in the EA, moxibustion and EA+moxibustion groups, serum IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α levels in the 4 treatment groups, as well as NF-κB p65 protein expression in the medication and EA+moxibustion groups, and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression and pIκ-Bα protein and mRNA expression in the 4 treatment groups were significantly decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05); while the gastric emptying rate and intestinal propulsive rate and IL-10 content in the 4 treatment groups, and SIRT1 protein and mRNA expression in the medication and EA+moxibustion groups were obviously increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). (3) The effects of EA+moxibustion were significantly superior to those of simple EA and moxibustion in increasing gastric emptying rate, IL-10, SIRT1 protein expression (P<0.05, P<0.01), and in lowering IL-8 and TNF-α contents, pIκ-Bα protein and mRNA expression and NF-κB p65 mRNA expression (P<0.05, P<0.01). No significant differences were found among the 4 intervention groups in promoting the intestinal propulsive rate and among the EA, moxibustion and EA+moxibustion groups in lowering blood glucose (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: EA combined with Zhuang-medicine-thread moxibustion can effectively reduce the level of serum inflammatory factors and regulate SIRT1/NF-κB signal pathway in DGP rats, which may contribute to its function in improving gastrointestinal movement.

Clinical characterization and mutation spectrum in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis in China.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is the most common adenomatous polyposis syndrome. Patients with FAP are screened for germline mutations of two genes, APC and MUTYH. However, limited data exist on the clinical characterization and genotypic spectrum of FAP in China. This study was aimed to determine APC and MUTYH mutational status in a small cohort of FAP probands in China and to characterize the genotype-phenotype correlation in mutated patients. METHODS: Mutation screening of 46 unrelated probands was performed using multigene panels by next-generation sequencing. Clinical data of the index were used to assess genotype-phenotype correlations. RESULTS: Overall, 42 out of 46 (91.30%) unrelated probands found mutations, including 35 (76.09%) with APC mutations, 3 (6.52%) with MUTYH mutations, and 4 (8.70%) with both APC and MUTYH mutations. Ten APC genetic alterations variants were novel. The hereditary pattern of the family with both APC and MUTYH mutations was autosomal dominant inheritance. Upper gastrointestinal polyp was the most common extracolonic manifestations. The onset time for patients with both APC and MUTYH mutations was earlier than MUTYH mutation carriers and similar to APC mutation carriers. But the age of carcinogenesis for patients with both APC and MUTYH mutations was later than APC mutation carriers and similar to MUTYH mutation carriers. CONCLUSION: In this study, we show the importance of using multigene panels that allow for a parallel comprehensive screening. We suggest that genetic testing of patients with suspected adenomatous polyposis syndromes should include APC and MUTYH gene mutation analyses simultaneously.

ILK promotes survival and self-renewal of hypoxic MSCs via the activation of lncTCF7-Wnt pathway induced by IL-6/STAT3 signaling.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been applied in treating various diseases including myocardial infarction (MI) and achieved a bit of success; however, the decreased survival rate of MSCs after transplantation greatly limited the efficacy for cell therapy. How to improve the MSC survival rate in stem cell transplantation has undoubtedly become urgent and genetic engineering may be an ideal and feasible way. In this study, we explored the effects on MSCs survival and self-renewal by overexpression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in MSCs under hypoxic stimulation and aimed to reveal the molecular mechanisms from the point of paracrine function of MSCs. We first found that overexpression of ILK induced the expression and secretion of IL-6 increased significantly in MSCs under hypoxic stimulation, and the survival and self-renewal of MSCs exposed to hypoxia were enhanced after ILK overexpression. Then the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling was detected because of the increased IL-6, and an lncRNA, named lncTCF7, was upregulated remarkably, promoting the activation of Wnt pathway that was required for keeping cell viability and stemness of MSCs. Moreover, we further verified that inhibition of STAT3 signaling by WP1066 and silencing lncTCF7 expression eliminated the protective effects of ILK overexpression on cell survival and self-renewal of MSCs under hypoxic sitmulation. In conclusion, our results uncovered a novel function of ILK to promote MSC survival and self-renewal, suggesting more application potentials of MSC cell therapy on MI.

lncRNA MIR503HG functioned as a tumor suppressor and inhibited cell proliferation, metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer.

Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy with high recurrence. Currently, the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been suggested to play vital roles in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer. The present study investigated the role of lncRNA MIR503 host gene (MIR503HG) in the pathogenesis of bladder cancer by using both in vitro and in vivo functional assays. The expression of MIR503HG was downregulated in bladder cancer tissues and cell lines. Low expression of MIR503HG was associated with advanced tumor stage, advanced histological grade, and lymph node metastasis. Ectopic expression of MIR503HG inhibited cell proliferation, cell growth, cell invasion, and migration, and also promoted cell apoptosis and inhibited cell cycle progression in SW780 cells. In parallel, T24 cells were used for loss-of-function studies. Knockdown of MIR503HG promoted the cancer cell proliferation and increased the migration and invasion abilities of T24 cells. In addition, knockdown of MIR503HG reduced the cell apoptotic rate in cancer cells and promoted cell cycle progression. Furthermore, MIR503HG overexpression decreased the epithelial-mesenchymal transition-related mRNA and protein levels of ZEB1, Snail, N-cadherin, and vimentin, with an increase in E-cadherin level. Consistently, knockdown of MIR503HG showed the opposite effects. In vivo xenograft, nude mice results showed that overexpression of MIR503HG suppressed the tumor growth and tumor metastasis. In conclusion, our results identified a novel lncRNA MIR503HG that exhibited significant antiproliferation, antimigration/invasion effects on bladder cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo, which may hold a therapeutic promise to treat bladder cancer.

Three microporous metal-organic frameworks assembled from dodecanuclear {NiLn} subunits: synthesis, structure, gas adsorption and magnetism.

Three isostructural heterometallic metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) {[Ln2Ni(OAc)5(HL)(L)]·solvent molecules}n (H2L = 2-hydroxyimino-N-[1-(2-pyrazinyl)ethylidene]-propanohydrazone, Ln = Dy for 1, Tb for 2 and Gd for 3) were solvothermally synthesized by varying rare-earth metal ions with different electron configurations. Their crystal structures, gas adsorption and magnetic behaviors were fully investigated. The three isomorphous MOFs exhibit three-dimensional microporous frameworks with two different orientated dodecane metallic {NiIILnIII(HL)}6 metallomacrocycles alternately connected by {LnIII(L)} connectors, in which an empty one-dimensional channel decorated by the basic hydrazone interior is generated. Due to their LnIII-independent microporous nature, the activated sample of 1 as a representative example has a significant CO2 uptake up to 42.2 cm3 g-1 and an unusually high CO2/N2 and CO2/CH4 adsorption selectivity of up to 98.8 and 16.8 at 298 K and 100 kPa. Magnetically, apparent antiferromagnetic interactions for both 1 and 2 as well as ferromagnetic coupling for 3 are respectively observed at low temperature resulting from the competition of magnetic anisotropy and intermetallic ferromagnetic superexchange. Additionally, 1 with highly anisotropic DyIII spin shows slow magnetization relaxation under zero dc field, whereas 3 possessing isotropic GdIII ions displays a significant cryogenic magnetocaloric effect with a maximum entropy change of 26.6 J kg-1 K-1 at 3.0 K and 70 kOe. These interesting results can provide valuable information on gas separation-based multifunctional 3d-4f MOF materials.

Risk factors associated with histological upgrade of gastric low-grade dysplasia on pretreatment biopsy.

OBJECTIVES: Histological discrepancies between biopsy and resection specimens are common. In this study, we aimed to analyze the risk factors predicting histological upgrade or downgrade of biopsy-diagnosed gastric low-grade dysplasia (LGD). METHODS: The medical records of patients with 104 biopsy-diagnosed gastric LGD from January 2011 to December 2017 were collected. The association of endoscopic characteristics with histological discrepancies between the biopsy and resection specimens was analyzed. The risk factors for histological upgrade were studied using the multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among the 104 lesions, 88 were removed by endoscopic resection and 16 were monitored. The upgrade and downgrade rates of the pathological diagnosis were 48.9% and 12.5%, respectively. Lesion size >20 mm, surface redness and positive results in magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging (ME-NBI) were risk factors for histological upgrade. Compared with the negative ME-NBI group, the positive ME-NBI group had a higher upgrade rate (56.8% vs 7.1%) but a lower downgrade rate (2.7% vs 64.3%). In addition, 11 of the 16 the gastric LGD with negative ME-NBI findings were monitored, and all 11 lesions regressed to gastritis during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic resection should be recommended in cases of LGD showing surface redness, with a lesion size of >20 mm or positive ME-NBI result, whereas regular follow-up may be an option for LGD with negative ME-NBI result.

Cadmium(II)-Triazole Framework as a Luminescent Probe for Ca(2+) and Cyano Complexes.

A bidentate ligand, 1-{4-[4-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)phenoxy]phenyl}-1H-1,2,4-triazole (TPPT), has been designed and synthesized. By using TPPT as a building block for self-assembly with Cd(NO3 )2 ⋅4 H2 O and CdCl2 ⋅10.5 H2 O, novel 1D double-chain {[Cd(TPPT)(NO3 )2 ]⋅3 H2 O}n (1) and 2D (4,4) layer [Cd(TPPT)Cl2 (H2 O)]n (2) have been constructed. When 1 was employed as a precursor and exposed to DMF or N,N'-dimethylacetamide (DMAC), the crystals of 1 dissolved and reassembled into two types of brown block-shaped crystals of 1D double chains: {[Cd(TPPT)2 (NO3 )2 ]⋅DMF}n (1 a) and {[Cd(TPPT)2 (NO3 )2 ]⋅DMAC}n (1 b). The anion-exchange reactions of complex 2 have also been investigated. After gently stirring crystals of 2 in CHCl3 /C2 H5 OH/H2 O containing NaBr, NaI⋅2 H2 O, or NaOAc⋅3 H2 O, the crystals retained their crystalline appearances. A remarkable single crystal to single crystal transformation was observed and 1D double chains of {[Cd(TPPT)Br2 ]⋅C2 H5 OH}n (2 a) and {[Cd(TPPT)2 I2 ]⋅CHCl3 }n (2 b), and 1D single chains of [Cd(TPPT)(H2 O)2 (CH3 COO)2 ]n (2 c), can be obtained. Luminescent properties indicate that 1 shows excellent selectivity for Ca(2+) and cyano complexes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example of a luminescent probe for Ca(2+) based on triazole derivatives.

Accuracy of Magnetically Controlled Capsule Endoscopy, Compared With Conventional Gastroscopy, in Detection of Gastric Diseases.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Diseases of the stomach, including gastric cancer and peptic ulcer, are the most common digestive diseases. It is impossible to visualize the entire stomach with the passive capsule currently used in practice because of the large size of the gastric cavity. A magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) system has been designed to explore the stomach. We performed a prospective study to compare the accuracy of detection of gastric focal lesions by MCE vs conventional gastroscopy (the standard method). METHODS: We performed a multicenter blinded study comparing MCE with conventional gastroscopy in 350 patients (mean age, 46.6 y), with upper abdominal complaints scheduled to undergo gastroscopy at a tertiary center in China from August 2014 through December 2014. All patients underwent MCE, followed by conventional gastroscopy 2 hours later, without sedation. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of detection of gastric focal lesions by MCE, using gastroscopy as the standard. RESULTS: MCE detected gastric focal lesions in the whole stomach with 90.4% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.7%-96.1%), 94.7% specificity (95% CI, 91.9%-97.5%), a positive predictive value of 87.9% (95% CI, 81.7%-94.0%), a negative predictive value of 95.9% (95% CI, 93.4%-98.4%), and 93.4% accuracy (95% CI, 90.83%-96.02%). MCE detected focal lesions in the upper stomach (cardia, fundus, and body) with 90.2% sensitivity (95% CI, 82.0%-98.4%) and 96.7% specificity (95% CI, 94.4%-98.9%). MCE detected focal lesions in the lower stomach (angulus, antrum, and pylorus) with 90.6% sensitivity (95% CI, 82.7%-98.4%) and 97.9% specificity (95% CI, 96.1%-99.7%). MCE detected 1 advanced gastric carcinoma, 2 malignant lymphomas, and 1 early stage gastric tumor. MCE did not miss any lesions of significance (including tumors or large ulcers). Among the 350 patients, 5 reported 9 adverse events (1.4%) and 335 preferred MCE over gastroscopy (95.7%). CONCLUSIONS: MCE detects focal lesions in the upper and lower stomach with comparable accuracy with conventional gastroscopy. MCE is preferred by almost all patients, compared with gastroscopy, and can be used to screen gastric diseases without sedation. Clinicaltrials.gov number: NCT02219529.

[Soil heavy metal cadmium standard limit and range of background value research].

With the rapid development of industrial and agricultural production in China, problems such as excessive soil pollutants worsen year by year, and soil cadmium pollution resulting from the emergence of "cadmium rice" and other food security incidents occur frequently. It causes the extensive concern of society on soil cadmium environmental standards. A soil environmental standard is the foundation for the evaluation of soil environmental quality. The maximum allowable value of cadmium that affects plant and animal and human health is regarded as the basis value all over the world; however, the certification methods and the goals of standard application are different, thus the standard limit has a great difference. Through the research on domestic and foreign soil cadmium standard limits and the soil cadmium background values in China, the soil cadmium background content range values of the provinces and of some types of soil are given. We report the outstanding problems existing in China's current environmental quality standard of soil cadmium. It is proposed that the soil environmental quality standard should allow the coexistence of gradient of soil cadmium standard limit, effective state and total standard limit, and anthropogenic pollution and background values exceeding the standard should be strictly distinguished.