Total and double-stranded DNA-specific immunoglobulin E in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children with human adenovirus pneumonia.

BACKGROUND: Some antibodies and autoreactive antibodies are associated with the severity of infectious diseases. The roles of humoral responses to lung inflammation in children with human adenovirus (HAdVs) pneumonia remain unknown. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was done to compare plasma immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels between HAdVs pneumonia patients and healthy children by searching the electronic medical record system of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center. Then, a prospective study was performed for children with HAdVs pneumonia who needed flexible bronchoscopy for examination and treatment purposes during July 2017 to July 2019. We examined the IgE and autoreactive IgE levels in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of these children to explore their role in HAdVs pneumonia. RESULTS: A significantly higher level of IgE was found in plasma from children hospitalized with HAdVs pneumonia compared with that from healthy children in the same age range. Furthermore, the levels of IgE, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), and double-stranded DNA-specific immunoglobulin E (dsDNA-IgE) in BALF were increased compared to plasma in children with HAdVs pneumonia. The levels of IgE, dsDNA, and dsDNA-IgE in BALF were significantly higher in the severe group compared to the non-severe group. The ability of IgE in BALF to recognize dsDNA was verified by the ELISPOT test. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that IgE and dsDNA-IgE in BALF may contribute to lung injury caused by HAdVs, especially in severe cases. Elevated dsDNA-IgE may serve as an indicator of severity in children with HAdVs pneumonia.

Proteomics Analysis of Testis of Rats Fed a High-Fat Diet.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The adverse effects of obesity on male fertility have been widely reported. In recent years, the relationship between the differential expression of proteins and long non-coding RNAs with male reproductive disease has been reported. However, the exact mechanism in underlying obesity-induced decreased male fertility remains unclear. METHODS: We used isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification to identify differential protein expression patterns in the testis of rats fed a high-fat diet and normal diet. A microarray-based gene expression analysis protocol was used to compare the differences in long non-coding RNAs in high-fat diet-fed and normal diet-fed rats. Five obviously upregulated or downregulated proteins were examined using western blot to verify the accuracy of their expression. Then, we carried out functional enrichment analysis of the differentially expressed proteins using gene ontology and pathway analysis. Finally, the metabolic Gene Ontology terms and pathways involved in the differential metabolites were analyzed using the MetaboAnalyst 2.0 software to explore the co-expression relationship between long non-coding RNAs and proteins. RESULTS: We found 107 proteins and 263 long non-coding RNAs differentially expressed between rats fed a high-fat diet and normal diet. The Gene Ontology term enrichment analysis showed that the protein function most highly enriched was related to negative regulation of reproductive processes. We also found five Gene Ontology terms and two metabolic pathways upregulated or downregulated for both proteins and long non-coding RNAs. CONCLUSION: The study revealed different expression levels for both proteins and long non-coding RNAs and showed that the function and metabolic pathways of differently expressed proteins were related to reproductive processes. The Gene Ontology terms and metabolic pathways upregulated or downregulated in both proteins and long non-coding RNAs may provide new candidates to explore the mechanisms of obesity-induced male infertility for both protein and epigenetic pathways.

Fructus Ligustri Lucidi modulates estrogen receptor expression with no uterotrophic effect in ovariectomized rats.

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence suggests that Fructus Ligustri Lucidi (FLL) plays a beneficial role in preventing the development of osteoporosis. However, the effects of FLL on estrogen receptor (ER) α and ERß expressions remain unknown. Therefore, in the current study we attempted to probe into the effects of FLL on ERα and ERß expressions in femurs, tibias and uteri of ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: The OVX rats were orally administrated with FLL water extract (3.5 g/kg/day) for 12 weeks. The uteri, femurs, tibias and serum were harvested from rats. The serum levels of estrogen (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined by ELISA. The expressions of ERα and ERß in the femurs and tibias as well as uteri were analysed by western blot and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: FLL treatment did not increase uterus relative weight in OVX rats. Further, FLL treatment increased ERα expression in the femurs and tibias, and enhanced ERß expression in the uteri of OVX rats. However, the resulted expression of ERα was stronger than that of ERß in OVX rats in response to FLL treatment. Meanwhile, administration with FLL to OVX rats increased FSH and LH but did not increase E2 level in the serum. CONCLUSION: FLL treatment shows tissue selection on ERα and ERß expressions in the femurs and tibias as well as uteri of OVX rats without uterotrophic effect, which may offer the scientific evidence of the efficiency and safety of its clinical application.

Curcumin treatment suppresses CCR7 expression and the differentiation and migration of human circulating fibrocytes.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Recent studies have demonstrated that circulating fibrocytes contribute to the formation and development of fibrosis. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound isolated from turmeric, has been shown to have anti-fibrotic effects in various organs. We and others have demonstrated that curcumin beneficially affects the development of fibrosis. However the effect of curcumin on circulating fibrocytes has not been reported. METHODS: Human circulating fibrocytes were isolated from leukocyte concentrates of healthy human donors and identified based on the expression of CD34, CD45, collagen I (COLI), and chemokine receptor CCR7 (CCR7) via flow cytometry. Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to evaluate cell viability. The effect of curcumin on the differentiation and migration of human circulating fibrocytes was evaluated by immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry and a transwell migration assay. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 secretion was examined by ELISA. RESULTS: Curcumin treatment (72 h; 20 µM) significantly decreased the expression of COL I, α-SMA and CCR7, as well as TGF-ßl secretion, in human circulating fibrocytes. The inhibitory effect of curcumin on the differentiation and migration of human circulating fibrocytes is likely via regulating the CCR7/CCL21 signaling pathway, in particular by reducing CCR7 expression. These observed effects may be beneficial in resolving fibrosis by suppressing TGF-ß1 secretion. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that curcumin has the potential to suppress the differentiation and migration of circulating fibrocytes, which would provide new explanation for curcumin's application in the development of fibrosis in various organs.

The characteristics of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: an analysis of 1317 cases in southeastern China.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To research the demographic and histopathological features of ESCC in southeastern China. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the ESCC cases in the biobank of the National Engineering Centre for Biochip in Shanghai, which cooperates with lots of hospitals and research institutions in southeastern China. The patients were pathologically confirmed as having ESCC. The demographic and histopathological features of these cases were analysed subsequently. RESULTS: A total of 1317 patients were enrolled. The overall male: female ratio was 2.88: 1. 74.34% of these cases occurred in people aged between 50-70 years. Dysphagia was the most common symptom, which accounted for 93.40% of all the patients. Stage II and III were predominant (79.73%). 72.89% of patients had a tumour length greater than 3 cm. Most of the tumours (65.83%) were located in middle third of the oesophagus. There was a significant difference among the tumour stage, length, and location in different sex groups (P < 0.05), but not between different age groups (P > 0.05). In males, ESCC is usually located in the lower parts, with a longer tumour length and higher tumour stage. 24.15% of patients had lymph nodes ratio (LNR) > 0.2. CONCLUSIONS: In our analysis, dysphagia was more common in ESCC patients, to whom more attention should be paid. Additionally, males had a higher incidence, with longer and more distant disease, which gives a poor prognosis.

Protein profiling the differences between diabetic and normal mouse cumulus cells.

As the number of young people suffering from diabetes increases worldwide, the impact of this disease on human reproduction urgently needs to be addressed. Here we compared the proteomes of cumulus cells of super-ovulated cumulus-oocyte complexes from diabetic and normal mice. We identified 57 up-regulated and 74 down-regulated proteins in diabetic cumulus cells; among these groups were proteins associated with cell cycle, cellular communication, epigenetic regulation, protein localization, and chromatin organization - all in accordance with type I diabetes. The poor-quality follicles derived from diabetic mice were further enforced by the presence of glycoproteins that are specifically expressed by the oocyte or oviductal epithelial cells in the cumulus-cell samples. In conclusion, the proteomic differences between diabetic and normal cumulus cells provide targets for improving the reproduction health of type I diabetic patients.

[Clinical features of inhaled and blood-borne Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia and analysis of antibiotic resistance of the pathogen in children].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical manifestations between inhaled and blood-borne Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (SAP) and the antibiotic resistance between the isolates of inhaled and blood-borne Staphylococcus aureus. METHODS: The clinical data of 44 pediatric SAP cases in the Children′s Hospital, Chongqing Medical University from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-four cases were identified as inhaled SAP, and 20 cases as blood-borne SAP. RESULTS: Inhaled SAP was more common in children younger than 3 years of age, while blood-borne SAP was more prevalent in children older than 6 years of age. Patients with inhaled SAP had significantly higher incidence rates of cough, wheeze, moist rales, dyspnea and empyema than those with blood-borne SAP (P<0.05). The patients with blood-borne SAP were more vulnerable to severe fever, unconsciousness, dysfunction of liver and kidney, pyogenic osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, sepsis, and abscess of skin and soft tissues (P<0.05). Inhaled SAP isolates had significantly higher rates of resistance to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, oxacillin, and cefoxitin than blood-borne SAP isolates (P<0.05), while the latter had a higher rate of resistance to cotrimoxazole (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Inhaled SAP often occurs in children younger than 3 years of age, and the respiratory manifestations are commonly seen. Blood-borne SAP often occurs in children older than 6 years of age, with the infectious-toxic symptoms that result in multiple organ infection and dysfunction. The isolates of inhaled and blood-borne SAP have different antibiograms.

[Analysis of serum vancomycin concentration after administration of different doses in children with Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze serum vancomycin concentration after administration of different therapeutic doses in children with Staphylococcus aureus pneumonia (SAP) in order to determine the appropriate dose of vancomycin in clinical administration. METHODS: The clinical data of 35 children who were diagnosed with SAP and treated with vancomycin from January 2008 to December 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 35 SAP cases with vancomycin therapy, 22 cases (63%) had serum vancomycin trough concentration monitored. The numbers of cases with vancomycin at 10, 12.5, and 15 mg/(kg·dose) × every 6 hours (q6h) were 11, 4 and 7, respectively. The mean serum trough concentration of vancomycin in the 15 mg/(kg·dose) group was 14.98 mg/L, which was significantly higher than in the 10 mg/(kg·dose) and 12.5 mg/(kg·dose) groups (4.97 and 8.00 mg/L respectively; P<0.05). The percentage of cases that reached the expected trough concentration in the 15 mg/(kg·dose) group (71%) was significantly higher than that in the 10 mg/(kg·dose) group (9%), but there was no significant difference in this percentage between the 15 mg/(kg·dose) and 12.5 mg/(kg·dose) groups (71% vs 25%). CONCLUSIONS: The reasonable dosage of vancomycin for the treatment of pediatric SAP is 15 mg/(kg·dose) × q6h or 60 mg/(kg·d).

Gut microbiota and its metabolic products in acute respiratory distress syndrome.

The prevalence rate of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is estimated at approximately 10% in critically ill patients worldwide, with the mortality rate ranging from 17% to 39%. Currently, ARDS mortality is usually higher in patients with COVID-19, giving another challenge for ARDS treatment. However, the treatment efficacy for ARDS is far from satisfactory. The relationship between the gut microbiota and ARDS has been substantiated by relevant scientific studies. ARDS not only changes the distribution of gut microbiota, but also influences intestinal mucosal barrier through the alteration of gut microbiota. The modulation of gut microbiota can impact the onset and progression of ARDS by triggering dysfunctions in inflammatory response and immune cells, oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, autophagy, pyroptosis, and ferroptosis mechanisms. Meanwhile, ARDS may also influence the distribution of metabolic products of gut microbiota. In this review, we focus on the impact of ARDS on gut microbiota and how the alteration of gut microbiota further influences the immune function, cellular functions and related signaling pathways during ARDS. The roles of gut microbiota-derived metabolites in the development and occurrence of ARDS are also discussed.

Analysis of the Risk Factors for Plastic Bronchitis in Children with Severe Adenovirus Pneumonia: A Retrospective Study.

Purpose: Plastic bronchitis (PB), a rare complication of respiratory infection characterized by the formation of casts in the tracheobronchial tree, can lead to airway obstruction and severe condition. Adenovirus is one of the common pathogens of PB caused by infection. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features and risk factors for PB in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia. Methods: A retrospective study of children with severe adenovirus pneumonia with bronchoscopy results at Guangzhou Women and Children's Hospital between January 2018 and January 2020 was performed. Based on bronchoscopy, we divided children with severe adenovirus pneumonia into two groups: PB and non-PB. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for PB in patients with severe adenovirus pneumonia after univariate analysis. Results: Our study examined 156 patients with severe adenovirus pneumonia with bronchoscopy results in hospital. Among them, 18 developed PB and 138 did not. On multivariate analysis, the independent risk factors of PB in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia were history of allergies (OR 10.147, 95% CI 1.727-59.612; P=0.010), diminished breath sounds (OR 12.856, 95% CI 3.259-50.713; P=0.001), and increased proportion of neutrophils (>70%; OR 8.074, 95% CI 1.991-32.735; P=0.003). Conclusion: Children with severe adenovirus pneumonia with a history of allergies, diminished breath sounds, and increased the proportion of neutrophils >70% may show higher risk of PB.

Analysis of mortality risk factors in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia: A single-center retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Human adenovirus (HAdV) is one of the most common viruses causing respiratory infections among young children. Most adenovirus infections are mild and self-limited; however, these infections may occasionally cause severe pneumonia and even death. The mortality risk factors for severe adenovirus pneumonia are not completely clear. This study aimed to evaluate the mortality risk factors in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia. METHODS: A retrospective study of children with severe adenovirus pneumonia hospitalized in Guangzhou Women and Children's Hospital between July 2018 and January 2020 was performed. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent mortality risk factors for severe adenovirus pneumonia after univariate analysis. RESULTS: Our study included 189 patients (123 males and 66 females). Among them, 13 patients did not survive with a mortality of 6.88%. In multivariate analysis, the independent mortality risk factors in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia were age less than 1 year (OR = 18.513, 95% CI: 2.157-158.883, p = 0.008), hypoxia (OR = 62.335, 95% CI: 2.385-1629.433, p = 0.013), and thrombocytopenia (platelet <100∗10ˆ9/L) (OR = 13.324, 95% CI: 1.232-144.075, p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: In children with severe adenovirus pneumonia who are younger than one year old, hypoxia and platelet counts less than 100∗10ˆ9/L represent mortality risk factors.

Compound shougong powder inhibits the malignant phenotype of hepatocellular carcinoma cells by targeting the DNA damage repair pathway.

OBJECTIVES: Compound Shougong Powder (SGS), a traditional Chinese medicine formulation, has been used to treat cancer for many years with remarkable efficacy. However, the mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of SGS in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are not completely clear. METHODS: The survival and metastasis of HCC cells were examined by CCK-8 assay, EdU assay, Wound-healing and Transwell assay. The anti-tumour effect of SGS was studied using hoechst 33258 staining and flow cytometry. RNA sequencing was applied to detect the underlying mechanism. Comet DNA, qRT-PCR and WB experiments were performed for validation. In addition, HCC nude mouse model was constructed to detect SGS effect in vivo. KEY FINDINGS: SGS inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells and induced apoptosis in vitro. In addition, SGS also suppressed tumour growth in a nude mouse model of HCC in a dose-dependent manner. RNA sequencing of the suitably treated HCC cells revealed significant changes in the expression levels of genes involved in the DNA damage repair pathway. The sequencing results were verified by Comet DNA, qRT-PCR, WB assays and molecular docking. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, SGS inhibits the malignant phenotype of HCC cells by down-regulating DNA repair genes and consequently inducing DNA damage.

Identification of candidate biomarkers for severe adenovirus community-acquired pneumonia by proteomic approach.

Introduction: Worldwide, Human adenoviruses (ADV) cause a significant portion of childhood mortality. The severity of ADV Community-acquired Pneumonia (CAP) can be assessed by clinical features, but the rapid and accurate diagnostic biomarkers are still lacking. Candidate biomarkers for severe ADV CAP are to be screened and the different protein expression levels associated with pediatric ADV CAP may help assess the severity of ADV CAP for the pediatricians to make early intervention. Methods: In our study, serum samples from healthy controls, patients with ADV CAP, streptococcus pneumonia (SP) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection were collected. Differently expressed proteins (DEPs) were detected by iTRAQ-based mass spectrometry. Gene Ontology and Pathway Enrichment analysis of DEPs were performed by Cytoscape. The protein interaction network for the identified proteins was constructed by String. Results: The results showed that 119 DEPs in mild ADV CAP and 148 DEPs in severe ADV CAP were identified, compared with healthy children. Four proteins (Protein S100-A9 (S100A9), Protein S100-A8 (S100A8), Leucine aminopeptidase III (LAP3), and Apolipoprotein A-IV(APOA4)) were validated by Western blot, and results indicated that the expression levels of these four proteins were consistent with the proteomic analysis. LAP3 was the most significantly up-regulated protein in severe ADV CAP compared to mild group. In addition, LAP3 was the most significantly up-regulated protein in severe ADV CAP comparing with SP CAP infection and RSV CAP infection. Conclusion: Our findings identified LAP3 protein as a potential diagnostic biomarker which can assess the severity of ADV CAP.

[Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of prefrontal lobe and thalamus in schizophrenics: correlation with clinical characteristics].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the characteristics of different subtypes of schizophrenics on prefrontal lobe and thalamus by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-MRS) and its relationship. METHODS: From August 2007 to April 2010 at our center, a total of 159 schizophrenics fulfilling the third edition criteria of Chinese Classification of Mental Disorders (CCMD-III) were recruited. And prefrontal lobe and thalamus were evaluated by multi-voxel (1)H-MRS. There were 88 males and 71 females. There were first-episode (n = 54) and not-first-episode (n = 105), negative subtype (n = 125) and positive subtype (n = 34), medicated (n = 96) and non-medicated (n = 63) by different criteria. The levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho) and creatine compounds (Cr) were measured and the ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr determined. Positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) and Wisconsin card sorting test (WCST) were also assessed. Only 45 normal controls received (1)H-MRS. RESULTS: On left prefrontal lobe and left thalamus, the NAA/Cr ratios in different subtypes of patients were lower than those in normal controls (P < 0.05 or 0.01). The NAA/Cr ratios in patients of non-first-episode (1.48 ± 0.34), negative subtype (1.40 ± 0.35) and medicated (1.47 ± 0.36) on right thalamus were also lower than those in normal controls (1.62 ± 0.37, t = 2.25, 3.56, 2.28, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). Compared with positive subtype schizophrenics, the NAA/Cr ratios in those of negative subtype on right thalamus were lower (1.40 ± 0.35 vs 1.60 ± 0.37, t = 2.92, P < 0.01). On right thalamus of non-medicated schizophrenics, there was a negative correlation between the duration of illness and the ratio of NAA/Cr (r = -0.38, P < 0.05) and a positive correlation between the duration of illness and the ratio of Cho/Cr (r = 0.43, P < 0.01). On right thalamus of negative subtype schizophrenics, the ratios of NAA/Cr were negatively correlated with the total score of PANSS and the score of negative factor respectively (r = -0.36, -0.40, P < 0.05). On left prefrontal lobe of different subtypes, the ratios of NAA/Cr were negatively correlated with the total score of PANSS, the score of negative factor, responses errors and persistent errors (P < 0.01) and positively correlated with completed categories and conceptual level responses (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Abnormalities in neuronal function and/or integrity are present on left prefrontal lobe and left thalamus in schizophrenics. And right thalamus is probably involved in non-first-episode subtype, negative subtype and non-medicated subtype. Different subtypes of schizophrenics may have different characteristics of (1)H-MRS due to the duration of illness and their clinical symptoms.

Therapeutic effects of garlic in cardiovascular atherosclerotic disease.

Garlic (Allium sativum) is a widely known medicinal plant, potential of which remains to be fully evaluated. Its wide-range beneficial effects appear to be relevant for treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis and related diseases. It is generally believed that garlic-based preparations are able to improve lipid profile in humans, inhibit cholesterol biosynthesis, suppress low density lipoprotein oxidation, modulate blood pressure, suppress platelet aggregation, lower plasma fibrinogen level and increase fibrinolytic activity, thus providing clinically relevant cardioprotective and anti-atherosclerotic effects. It is important to assess the level of evidence available for different protective effects of garlic and to understand the underlying mechanisms. This information will allow adequate integration of garlic-based preparations to clinical practice. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of anti-atherosclerotic effects of garlic preparations, focusing on antihyperlipidemic, hypotensive, anti-platelet and direct anti-atherosclerotic activities of the medicinal plant. We also provide an overview of available meta-analyses and a number of clinical trials that assess the beneficial effects of garlic.

Berberine Induces Cell Apoptosis through Cytochrome C/Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/Caspase-3 and Apoptosis Inducing Factor Pathway in Mouse Insulinoma Cells.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate apoptotic effects of berberine, a significant alkaloids component existing in Rhizoma coptidis, and its possible acting mechanism in insulinoma cells. METHODS: Different concentrations of berberine were used to treat mouse insulinoma (MIN6) cells for various period of time. The viability and apoptosis of the cells were analyzed using methylthiazolyldiphenvl-tetrazolium bromide assay, flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay. Changes in the relating pro- and anti-apoptosis proteins were detected by western-blotting. RESULTS: The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of berberine was 5.7 µmol/L on MIN6 cells viability for 16 h. Berberine caused a 20% reduction (P<0.05) in cell number after only 4-h incubation; which reached 50% after 24 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment for 16 h significantly increased the level of DNA fragmentation. The flow cytometry showed the apoptotic rate increased 2.9- and 4.6-fold after treating with berberine (5 µmol/L) for 8 and 16 h, while 3- and 8.7-fold after 10 µmol/L treatment for 8 and 16 h (P<0.01). Berberine treatment dramatically elevated the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. Meanwhile, berberine notably increased the apoptosis-inducing factors and cytochrome C transforming from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm. Apoptotic protease-activating factor 1 (Apaf-1) was subsequently activated after cytochrome C release. Furthermore, caspase-3 and poly adenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase were also activated to trigger apoptosis cascade. CONCLUSION: High concentration (5 and 10 µmol/L) of berberine could induce the apoptosis of MIN6 cells through cytochrome C/Apaf-1/caspase-3 and apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) pathway.

Anti-diabetic effect of loganin by inhibiting FOXO1 nuclear translocation via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in INS-1 cell.

OBJECTIVES: JiangTangXiaoKe (JTXK) granule, a Chinese traditional herbal formula, has been clinically used and demonstrated to be beneficial in controlling high glucose and to relieve the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients for decades. In this study, we explored how loganin, one of the components in JTXK granule, mediated the anti-diabetic effect. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We generate a cell model with the dysfunction of insulin secretion by over-expression FOXO1 in INS-1 cells. MTT method was used to detect cytotoxicity after treated with Loganin. ELISA analysis was used to examine insulin secretion. The expression levels of FOXO1 and Akt were evaluated by Western blot. RESULTS: Treatment with Loganin did not change the expression level of FOXO1 in INS-1 cells, but increased phosphorylation of FOXO1 and inhibited the nuclear translocation and accumulation of FOXO1, which improved the insulin secretion of the cells. Mechanistically, we found PI3K/Akt signaling pathway involved in these effects, which were blocked by an Akt inhibitor, LY294002. CONCLUSION: Loganin mediated the subcellular distribution of FOXO1 via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, which protected the function of insulin secretion in islet INS-1 cells.

[Acupoint puncture combined with Ilizarov technique for the treatment of elderly paitents with knee osteoarthritis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of acupoint puncture combined with Ilizarov technique in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in the elderly. METHODS: From March 2015 to February 2016, 76 patients with primary knee osteoarthritis were treated with tibial osteotomy acupoint puncture grouop and Ilizarov technique anatomical puncture group, including 24 males and 52 females, aged 56 to 75 years old with an average of 61.4 years old, and a course of 3 to 17 years with an average of 5.2 years. Among them, 38 cases were treated with external fixation of acupoint puncture needle and 38 cases were treated with external fixation of anatomical puncture needle. Preoperative full-length X-ray of both lower limbs showed tibial varus deformity, narrowing of medial knee joint space and enlargement of lateral knee joint space. The force line of the affected knee and lower limb was moved inward by body surface measurement, and the KSS knee function score was decreased. Symptoms included medial knee pain, flexion and extension, and conservative treatment for more than 2 years. RESULTS: The lower limb force lines of both groups were corrected and the osteotomy ends healed well. No nonunion of osteotomy, inadequate correction of lower limbs or recurrence of deformity were found. Seventy-five patients were followed up for 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after operation. There was no significant difference in knee joint mobility between the two groups before operation and on 6, 12, 24 months after operation(F=1.346, P>0.05). There were significant difference in KSS pain and total score between the two groups at 3 months after operation, acupoint puncture group was better than anatomical puncture group(P<0.05); there was no significant difference in KSS score at 12 months after operation(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The acupoint puncture group formed a potential acupuncture effect in the acupoint area by continuously tightening the steel needle on Ilizarov ring external fixator during the post-operative adjustment. Within three months after wearing external fixator, the knee pain symptoms of knee osteoarthritis were relieved rapidly, continuously and effectively, which was significantly better than that of the anatomical puncture group.

Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from seal oils on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease associated with hyperlipidemia.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy and safety of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) from seal oils for patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) associated with hyperlipidemia. METHODS: One hundred and forty-four patients with NAFLD associated with hyperlipidemia were included in the 24-wk, randomized, controlled trial. The patients were randomized into two groups. Group A (n=72) received recommended diet and 2 g n-3 PUFA from seal oils, three times a day. Group B (n=72) received recommended diet and 2 g placebo, three times a day. Primary endpoints were fatty liver assessed by symptom scores, liver alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and serum lipid levels after 8, 12, 16, and 24 wk. Hepatic fat infiltration was detected by ultrasonography at weeks 12 and 24 after treatment. RESULTS: A total of 134 patients (66 in group A, 68 in group B) were included in the study except for 10 patients who were excluded from the study. After 24 wk of treatment, no change was observed in body weight, fasting blood glucose (FBG), renal function and blood cells of these patients. Total symptom scores, ALT and triglyceride (TG) levels decreased more significantly in group A than in group B (P<0.05). As expected, there was a tendency toward improvement in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), and total cholesterol (TCHO) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels (P<0.05) after administration in the two groups. However, no significant differences were found between the two groups. The values of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were significantly improved in group A (P<0.05), but no significant change was found in group B at different time points and after a 24-wk treatment. After treatment, complete fatty liver regression was observed in 19.70% (13/66) of the patients, and an overall reduction was found in 53.03% (35/66) of the patients in group A. In contrast, in group B, only five patients (7.35%, 5/68) achieved complete fatty liver regression (P=0.04), whereas 24 patients (35.29%, 24/68) had a certain improvement in fatty liver (P=0.04). No serious adverse events occurred in all the patients who completed the treatment. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that n-3 PUFA from seal oils is safe and efficacious for patients with NAFLD associated with hyperlipidemia and can improve their total symptom scores, ALT, serum lipid levels and normalization of ultrasonographic evidence. Further study is needed to confirm these results.