[Visual analysis of knowledge map of network Meta-analysis in traditional Chinese medicine based on CiteSpace].

Network Meta-analysis has been widely applied in the field of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) due to its unique advantages. This study aimed to conduct a visual analysis on the state of the application network Meta-analysis in the field of traditional Chinese medicine. Databases of CNKI and Web of Science were retrieved to identify the qualified literatures and then screen out their titles and abstracts. Institutions, authors, cited references, and keywords were analyzed using the information visualization analysis software CiteSpace. Finally, 79 English and 186 Chinese articles were included. The results indicated that the literatures were mainly published in Chinese, and the number of articles was increased rapidly since 2015. Cooperation between institutions and authors were mainly concentrated inside the institutions. The most important four institutions were four universities who attached more importance to evidence-based medical education and academic exploration. The keywords beside the method of network Meta-analysis could be summarized into three types: the main interventions in traditional Chinese medicine(Chinese herbal injection, herb medicine, acupuncture, etc.), disease types(cancer, circulatory system disease, bone joint disease, urinary system disease, etc.) and the outcome of interests(efficacy, safety, symptom, survive, mortality, etc.), which reflected the current research hotspots to certain extent. In addition, the most cited articles were methodology articles, including the introduction of methodology and the guides of application software, suggesting that the exploration of methodological articles will be extremely concerned.

[Research progress on chemical constituents, pharmacological action and quality control of Scutellaria barbata].

Scutellaria barbata is a recognized anti-cancer traditional Chinese medicine, with the effects of clearing heat and detoxi-fication, dispelling blood stasis and stopping bleeding, diuresis and detumescence. At present, terpenoids, flavonoids, polysaccharides and volatile oils have been isolated from S. barbata, which have many pharmacological effects, such as resisting tumor, virus, bacteria and oxidation, and immunomodulation. This paper reviews the studies on the chemical constituents, pharmacological action and quality control of S. barbata, in the expectation of providing ideas and references for the further development and studies of S. barbata.

Vibration response imaging: a novel noninvasive tool for evaluating the initial therapeutic effect of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

BACKGROUND: The popular methods for evaluating the initial therapeutic effect (ITE) of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) can only roughly reflect the therapeutic outcome of a patient's ventilation because they are subjective, invasive and time-delayed. In contrast, vibration response imaging (VRI) can monitor the function of a patient's ventilation over the NPPV therapy in a non-invasive manner. This study aimed to investigate the value of VRI in evaluating the ITE of NPPV for patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). METHODS: Thirty-six AECOPD patients received VRI at three time points: before NPPV treatment (T1), at 15 min of NPPV treatment (T2), and at 15 min after the end of NPPV treatment (T4). Blood gas analysis was also performed at T1 and at 2 hours of NPPV treatment (T3). Thirty-nine healthy volunteers also received VRI at T1 and T2. VRI examination at the time point T2 in either the patients or volunteers did not require any interruption of the on-going NPPV. The clinical indices at each time point were compared between the two groups. Moreover, correlations between the PaCO2 changes (T3 vs T1) and abnormal VRI scores (AVRIS) changes (T2 vs T1) were analyzed. RESULTS: No significant AVRIS differences were found between T1 and T2 in the healthy controls (8.51 ± 3.36 vs. 8.53 ± 3.57, P > 0.05). The AVRIS, dynamic score, MEF score and EVP score showed a significant decrease in AECOPD patients at T2 compared with T1 (P < 0.05), but a significant increase at T4 compared with T2 (P < 0.05). We also found a positive correlation (R2 = 0.6399) between the PaCO2 changes (T3 vs T1) and AVRIS changes (T2 vs T1). CONCLUSIONS: VRI is a promising noninvasive tool for evaluating the initial therapeutic effects of NPPV in AECOPD patients and predicting the success of NPPV in the early stage.

SNHG9 promotes Hepatoblastoma Tumorigenesis via miR-23a-5p/Wnt3a Axis.

Background: Hepatoblastoma is a common hepatic tumor occurring in children between 0-5 years. Accumulating studies have shown lncRNA's potential role in distinct cancer progression and development, including hepatoblastoma. SnoRNA host gene 9 (SNHG9) is associated with the progression of distinct human cancers, but, its specific molecular mechanisms in hepatoblastoma is not unknown. Methods: In this study, we estimated SNHG9 expression in hepatoblastoma tissue and cell lines by quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). Next, we downregulated and upregulated SNHG9 expression in hepatoblastoma cell lines and then determined cell proliferation (CCK-8), colony formation, and cellular apoptosis activity. The dual luciferase reporter activity, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP), biotin RNA pull down and Spemann's Pearson correlation coefficient assay were performed to establish the interaction between SNHG9, WNt3a and miR- 23a-5p. A xenograft in-vivo tumorgenicity test was performed to elucidate the role of SNHG9 hepatoblastoma in tumorigenesis. SNHG9 role in Cisplatin drug resistance in hepatoblastoma was also determined. Results: SNHG9 was significantly upregulated in hepatoblastoma tissue and cell lines. SNHG9 overexpression on HUH6 & HepG2 resulted in a significant increase in cell proliferation and clonogenic activity while SNHG9 knock down resulted in a sustained inhibition of cell proliferation and clonogenic activity. Dual luciferase activity, RNA immunoprecipitation and biotin pull down confirmed the direct interaction of miR-23a-5p with SNHG9. The xenograft tumorgenicity test showed SNHG9 downregulation significantly inhibited the tumor growth in BALB/c mice. ROC and Kaplan-Meier analysis showed potential prognostic and diagnostic importance of SNHG9 in hepatoblastoma. Conclusion: We concluded that SNHG9/miR-23a-5p/Wnt3a axis promotes the progression hepatoblastoma tumor.

Protein disulfide isomerase inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress response and apoptosis via its oxidoreductase activity in colorectal cancer.

Protein disulfide isomerase (PDI), a principal endoplasmic reticulum resident oxidoreductase chaperone, is known to play a role in malignancies. This study aims to explore the molecular mechanism by which PDI regulates endoplasmic reticulum stress and the apoptosis signaling pathway in colorectal cancer (CRC). We determined the expression of PDI in CRC tissues and adjacent normal tissues. Gain- and loss- of function assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of PDI on oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis in CRC cells, as reflected by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level and the expression of related proteins. PDI protein expression was upregulated in CRC tissues. Small molecule inhibitor of PDI or PDI knockdown reduced CRC cell viability and induced apoptosis. Overexpression of wild-type PDI augmented the viability of CRC cells and inhibited endoplasmic reticulum stress response and apoptosis. Small molecule inhibitor of PDI or PDI knockdown increased intracellular H2O2 level and activated apoptosis signaling pathway, which could be reversed by wild-type PDI restoration. Moreover, the catalytic active site of C-terminal of PDI was found to be indispensable for the regulatory effects of PDI on H2O2 levels, apoptosis and cell viability in CRC cells. Collectively, PDI inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis of CRC cells through its oxidoreductase activity, thereby promoting the malignancy of CRC.

Poly[[µ(2)-acetato-aquadi-µ(3)-isonicotinato-holmium(III)silver(I)] perchlorate].

In the title three-dimensional heterometallic complex, {[AgHo(C(6)H(4)NO(2))(2)(C(2)H(3)O(2))(H(2)O)]ClO(4)}(n), the Ho(III) ion is eight-coordinated by four O atoms from four different isonicotinate ligands, three O atoms from two different acetate ligands and one O atom of a water mol-ecule. The two-coordinate Ag(I) ion is bonded to two N atoms from two different isonicotinate anions. These metal coordination units are connected by bridging isonicotinate and acetate ligands, generating a three-dimensional network. The coordinated water mol-ecules link the carboxyl-ate group of the acetate ligand and the nitrate ligand by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonding. The crystal structure is further stabilized by hydrogen bonds. The perchlorate ion is disordered over two sites with site-occupancy factors 0.539 (12) and 0.461 (12), while the methyl group of the acetate ligand is disordered over two sites with site-occupancy factors 0.51 (4) and 0.49 (4).

Poly[hexa-aqua-bis(µ(3)-terephthalato)(µ(2)-terephthalato)diytterbium(III)].

In the title two-dimensional coordination polymer, [Yb(2)(C(8)H(4)O(4))(3)(H(2)O)(6)](n), the unique Yb(III) ion is eight-coordinated in a distorted dodeca-hedral coordination geometry by three water O atoms and five O atoms from carboxyl-ate groups belonging to four different terephthalate ligands. One of the terephthalate ligands is located around an inversion center. The coordination polymers are parallel to (121) and are connected by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional framework.

Antiviral effects of selected IMPDH and DHODH inhibitors against foot and mouth disease virus.

Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) is an important pathogen that affects livestock breeding and causes huge economic losses worldwide. Currently, the development of antiviral agents to combat FMDV infection at the early stages is being explored. As viral replication critically depends on the host for nucleoside supply, host enzymes involved in nucleotides biosynthesis may represent potential targets for the development of antiviral agents. In the present study, the effects of IMP dehydrogenase (AVN-944 and mycophenolate mofetil) and dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (teriflunomide) inhibitors were evaluated both in vitro and in vivo. The results revealed that these compounds were effective in suppressing FMDV (O/MY98/BY/2010 and A/GD/MM/2013) infection. With regard to the antiviral mechanism, time-of-addition experiments revealed that these compounds were effective when added at the early stages of viral lifecycle (0-8 h post infection). However, exogenous guanosine/uridine eliminated the antiviral activity of these compounds. Importantly, treatment AVN-944 and teriflunomide significantly improved the survival of mice that were subcutaneously treated with FMDV. Together, the results of the present study indicate the broad-spectrum activities of anti-FMDV agents targeting IMP dehydrogenase or dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, which could be useful in developing strategies to prevent FMD.

catena-Poly[bis-(µ-4-methyl-benzoato-κO:O')hepta-kis(µ-4-methyl-benzoato-κO,O':O)tris-amarium(III)].

The title samarium coordination polymer, [Sm(3)(C(8)H(7)O(2))(9)](n), was obtained by the hydro-thermal reaction of Sm(NO(3))(3) with 4-methyl-benzoic acid in alkaline aqueous solution. In the asymmetric unit, there are three crystallographically independent Sm(III) ions, two of which are eight-coordinate in a distorted square-anti-prismatic environment, while the third is nine-coordinate in a distorted tricapped trigonal-prismatic coordination. The metal centres are coordinated and bridged by four tridentate, three bidentate and two monodentate methyl-benzoate anions, forming polymeric chains running parallel to the b axis.

µ-Aqua-bis-(µ-4-methyl-benzoato-κO:O')bis-[(4-methyl-benzoato-κO)(1,10-phenanthroline-κN,N')iron(II)].

In the title binuclear complex, [Fe(2)(C(8)H(7)O(2))(4)(C(12)H(8)N(2))(2)(H(2)O)], the Fe(II) ion is six-coordinated by three carboxylate O atoms from three 4-methyl-benzoate ligands, two N atoms from two 1,10-phenanthroline ligands and one bridging aqua ligand in a distorted octa-hedral geometry. The coordinated water mol-ecule acting as the bridging ligand is located on a twofold axes and the complex mol-ecule displays C(2) mol-ecular symmetry. The Fe⋯Fe separation in the binuclear complex is 3.490 (3) Å. The crystal structure is stabilized by hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking inter-actions [the centroid-centroid distance between adjacent 1,10-phenanthroline ring systems is 3.653 (2) Å, and that between the 1,10-phenanthroline ring system and the phenyl ring of the 4-methyl-benzoate unit of a neighbouring complex is 3.622 (3) Å].

4'-Hydroxy-biphenyl-4-carboxylic acid.

The title compound, C(13)H(10)O(3), has potential oxygen donor and acceptor sites. Inter-molecular hydrogen bonding between neighboring carboxyl-ate groups leads to the formation of hydrogen-bonded dimers [graph-set motif R(2) (2)(8)]. A second hydrogen-bonding inter-action between the hydr-oxy groups generates a chain and extends the structure into a lamellar layer. One of the benzene rings is disordered over two positions with an occupancy ratio of 0.57 (2):0.43 (2).

Correlation between DCE-MRI radiomics features and Ki-67 expression in invasive breast cancer.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between Ki-67 expression and radiomics features of dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in patients with invasive breast cancer. A total of 53 cases with low-Ki-67 expression (Ki-67 proliferation index <14%) and 106 cases with high-Ki-67 expression (Ki-67 proliferation index >14%) were investigated. A systematic approach was applied that focused on the automated segmentation of lesions and extraction of radiomics features. For each lesion 5 morphology, 4 gray-scale histogram and 6 texture features were obtained, and statistical analyzes were performed to assess the differences in these features between the low- and high-Ki-67 expressions. One morphology metric (area), 3 gray-scale histogram indexes (standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis) and 3 texture features (contrast, homogeneity and inverse differential moment) demonstrated a significant difference (P<0.05), with low-Ki-67 expression lesions tending to be smaller, clearer and heterogeneous when compared with the high-Ki-67 expressed cases. These results may provide a noninvasive means to better understand the proliferation of breast cancer.

[Color selection of ultrathin veneers in clinic].

Ultrathin veneer is a new therapeutic technology developed from minimally invasive theories. Ultrathin veneer alters the unwanted shape and color of a tooth through minimal or lack of preparation. The color of tooth after restoration is mixed with the natural color of tooth, the original color of veneer, and the color of bonding material because of ultrathin (approximately 0.2 mm) veneer. Thus, the color is affected by numerous variations. Full considerations are required for creating designs. The author summarizes clinical points and provides suggestions for ultrathin veneer in color.

Preparation and properties of graphene oxide-regenerated cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel with pH-sensitive behavior.

In this study, graphene oxide reinforced regenerated cellulose/polyvinyl alcohol (GO-RCE/PVA) ternary hydrogels were successfully prepared via a repeated freezing and thawing method in NaOH/urea aqueous solution. The effect of GO content on the mechanical properties, swelling behavior, water content of composite hydrogels was investigated. It was found that the mechanical properties of GO-RCE/PVA ternary hydrogels were largely enhanced relative to RCE/PVA hydrogels. With the addition of 1.0wt% GO, the tensile strength was increased by 40.4% from 0.52MPa to 0.73MPa, accompanied by the increase of the elongation at break (from 103% to 238%). Meanwhile, GO-RCE/PVA ternary hydrogels performed the excellent pH-sensitivity, and the higher pH leaded to higher swelling ratio. With 0.8wt% GO loading, the swelling ratio of GO-RCE/PVA ternary hydrogel was improved from 150% (pH=2) to 310% (pH=14). In addition, a slight increase in the water content of the ternary hydrogel was achieved with increasing concentrations of GO. It is believed that this novel ternary hydrogels is a promising material in the application of biomedical engineering and intelligent devices.