Costunolide covalently targets NACHT domain of NLRP3 to inhibit inflammasome activation and alleviate NLRP3-driven inflammatory diseases

The NLRP3 inflammasome's core and most specific protein, NLRP3, has a variety of functions in inflammation-driven diseases. Costunolide (COS) is the major active ingredient of the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Saussurea lappa and has anti-inflammatory activity, but the principal mechanism and molecular target of COS remain unclear. Here, we show that COS covalently binds to cysteine 598 in NACHT domain of NLRP3, altering the ATPase activity and assembly of NLRP3 inflammasome. We declare COS's great anti-inflammasome efficacy in macrophages and disease models of gouty arthritis and ulcerative colitis via inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation. We also reveal that the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone motif in sesquiterpene lactone is the certain active group in inhibiting NLRP3 activation. Taken together, NLRP3 is identified as a direct target of COS for its anti-inflammasome activity. COS, especially the α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone motif in COS structure, might be used to design and produce novel NLRP3 inhibitors as a lead compound.

Effects of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 on semen parameters and sex-related hormone levels in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has yet to be proven to alter male reproductive function, particularly in the majority of mild/asymptomatic patients. The purpose of this study was to explore whether mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 affects semen quality and sex-related hormone levels. To find suitable comparative studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis was done up to January 22, 2022, by using multiple databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to identify and choose the studies. Meta-analysis was used to examine the semen parameters and sex-related hormones of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 patients before and after infection. The effects of semen collection time, fever, and intensity of verification on semen following infection were also investigated. A total of 13 studies (n = 770) were included in the analysis, including three case-control studies, six pre-post studies, and four single-arm studies. A meta-analysis of five pre-post studies showed that after infection with COVID-19, sperm concentration (I2 = 0; P = 0.003), total sperm count (I2 = 46.3%; P = 0.043), progressive motility (I2 = 50.0%; P < 0.001), total sperm motility (I2 = 76.1%; P = 0.047), and normal sperm morphology (I2 = 0; P = 0.001) decreased. Simultaneously, a systematic review of 13 studies found a significant relationship between semen collection time after infection, inflammation severity, and semen parameter values, with fever having only bearing on semen concentration. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in sex-related hormone levels before and after infection in mild/asymptomatic patients. Mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 infection had a significant effect on semen quality in the short term. It is recommended to avoid initiating a pregnancy during this period of time.

Efficacy and safety of fourth-generation CD19 CAR-T expressing IL7 and CCL19 along with PD-1 monoclonal antibody for relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma / 中华血液学杂志

Objective: This study systematically explore the efficacy and safety of fourth-generation chimeric antigen receptor T-cells (CAR-T), which express interleukin 7 (IL7) and chemokine C-C motif ligand 19 (CCL19) and target CD19, in relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. Methods: Our center applied autologous 7×19 CAR-T combined with tirelizumab to treat 11 patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma. The efficacy and adverse effects were explored. Results: All 11 enrolled patients completed autologous 7×19 CAR-T preparation and infusion. Nine patients completed the scheduled six sessions of tirolizumab treatment, one completed four sessions, and one completed one session. Furthermore, five cases (45.5%) achieved complete remission, and three cases (27.3%) achieved partial remission with an objective remission rate of 72.7%. Two cases were evaluated for disease progression, and one died two months after reinfusion because of uncontrollable disease. The median follow-up time was 31 (2-34) months, with a median overall survival not achieved and a median progression-free survival of 28 (1-34) months. Two patients with partial remission achieved complete remission at the 9th and 12th months of follow-up. Therefore, the best complete remission rate was 63.6%. Cytokine-release syndrome and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome were controllable, and no immune-related adverse reactions occurred. Conclusion: Autologous 7×19 CAR-T combined with tirelizumab for treating relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma achieved good efficacy with controllable adverse reactions.

Cloning and expression analysis of wpHSP90 gene from Whitmania pigra at different temperatures / 中国中药杂志

HSP90 is a widely distributed molecular chaperone that participates in a variety of cellular processes and plays an important role in the meiosis of germ cells. However, its role in the gonadal development of hermaphroditic Whitmania pigra is not yet clear. To explore the effect of HSP90 on the germ cell development of Wh. Pigra, this study cloned the wpHSP90 gene, performed bioinformatics analysis, and measured its expression levels. The results showed that the cloned wpHSP90 was 2 592 bp in length, with an open reading frame(ORF) of 2 373 bp, encoding 790 amino acids. Prediction analysis revealed 85 phosphorylation modification sites on serine, threonine, and tyrosine residues of the wpHSP90 protein. Structural domain prediction and multiple sequence alignment results showed that wpHSP90 contained two conserved domains of HSP90 and exhibited the highest homology with Helobdella robusta, with a sequence similarity of 80.72%. RT-qPCR results showed that the relative expression level of wpHSP90 in the gonads of 5-month-old Wh. pigra was positively correlated with temperature within the range of 12 ℃ to 28 ℃. The expression level in the female gonads was significantly higher than in the male gonads and correlated with the trend of germ cell development in the ovaries and testes. In conclusion, wpHSP90 may be involved in regulating the development of germ cells, particularly oocytes, in Wh. pigra. This study provides a reference for further research on the gonadal development mechanism in Wh. pigra.

Research and development practice of traditional Chinese medicine based on network target theory and technology / 中国中药杂志

Network targets theory and technology have transcended the limitations of the "single gene, single target" model, aiming to decipher the mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) based on biological network from the perspective of informatics and system. As the core of TCM network pharmacology, with the development of computer science and high-throughput experimental techniques, the network target theory and technology are beginning to exhibit a trend of organic integration with artificial intelligence technology and high-throughput multi-modal multi-omics experimental techniques. Taking the network target analysis of TCM like Yinqiao Qingre Tablets as a typical case, network target theory and technology have achieved the systematic construction, in-depth analysis, and high-throughput multi-modal multi-omics validation of multi-level biological networks spanning from traditional Chinese and Western phenotypes to tissues, cells, molecules, and traditional Chinese and Western medicines. This development helps to address critical issues in the analysis of mechanisms of TCM, including the discovery of key targets, identification of functional components, discovery of synergistic effects among compound ingredients, and elucidation of the regulatory mechanisms of formulae. It provides powerful theoretical and technological support for advancing clinical precision diagnosis and treatment, precise positioning of TCM, and precise research and development of TCM. Thus, a new paradigm of TCM research gradually emerges, combining big data and artificial intelligence(AI) with the integration of human experience and scientific evidence.

Clinical characteristics and management strategies of lymphoma patients with COVID-19 / 中华临床感染病杂志

Novel coronavirus has brought great threats to the people and challenges to the health systems around the world. Compared with general population, lymphoma patients are more vulnerable to novel coronavirus infection(COVID-19) and have poorer prognosis. So the clinical management of COVID-19 in lymphoma patients in more difficult and the great importance should be attached. This article reviews the clinical characteristics and current management strategies of lymphoma patients with COVID-19, to provide reference for the clinical treatment of lymphoma patients with COVID-19.

The correlation between brain functional network connectivity and inflammatory cytokines in patients with bipolar disorder II depressive episodes / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective:To investigate the functional connectivity of default mode network (DMN) and limbic system, the expression level of inflammatory cytokine and their correlation in bipolar disorder type Ⅱ(BDⅡ) patients with depressive episodes.Methods:Thirty-three BD Ⅱ patients with depressive episodes and forty-six healthy controls were recruited to complete the resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). After image preprocessing, the DMN and limbic system were extracted from the image data by independent component analysis (ICA), so as to compare the differences of functional connectivity of resting brain network between the patients and the controls.Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8(IL-8), interleukin-10(IL-10), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-C motif chemokine ligand 4 (CCL4) in patients and healthy controls were detected.The correlation between functional connectivity of different brain regions and inflammatory cytokines was analyzed.SPSS 17.0 software was used for data statistical analysis.The two samples were compared using t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test, and Spearman was used for correlation testing. Results:In BDⅡ patients, the functional connectivity of the right medial prefrontal cortex(cluster-size=7 voxel, cluster-level PGRF<0.05, MNI: x=6, y=54, z=9, t=-3.765) and the left superior frontal gyrus(cluster-size=10 voxel, cluster-level PGRF<0.05, MNI: x=-21, y=54, z=15, t=-4.139) in DMN decreased, while the left cerebellum Ⅳ and Ⅴ lobules of limbic system (cluster-size=21 voxel, cluster-level PGRF<0.05, MNI: x=-15, y=-24, z=-30, t=4.468) and cerebellar tonsil of left cerebellum posterior lobe(cluster-size=8 voxel, cluster-level PGRF<0.05, MNI: x=-15, y=-51, z=-45, t=4.138) in the limbic system increased.Compared with the healthy controls, the serum levels of IL-10(7.39 (6.33, 9.32) pg/mL vs 6.54 (5.84, 7.39) pg/mL, Z=-2.937, P=0.003)and CCL4 (39.31 (25.77, 68.70) pg/mL vs 31.30 (20.32, 40.89) pg/mL, Z=-2.209, P=0.027) were higher in BDⅡ patients.The functional connectivity of the left cerebellum Ⅳ and Ⅴ lobules was positively correlated with the serum levels of IL-10 ( r=0.432, P=0.031) and that of the cerebellar tonsil of left cerebellum posterior lobe was positively correlated with the serum levels of IL-10 ( r=0.429, P=0.032) and CCL4 ( r=0.402, P=0.046). Conclusion:The functional connectivity of DMN and limbic system in BDⅡ patients with depressive episode is abnormal in resting-state fMRI.The expression level of inflammatory cytokines in patients' serum increases, and has correlation with the functional connection of limbic system.

Tumor-promoting role of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimbrillin in progression of esophageal squamous cell cancer / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective:To investigate the effects of Porphyromonas gingivalis ( P. gingivalis) fimbrillin (FimA) on the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods:Wild-type P. gingivalis and fimA gene-deleted P. gingivalis ( fimA-/-P. gingivalis) were used to infect ESCC cells after morphology and PCR identification. Immunofluorescence, CCK-8 and Transwell chamber were used to detect the effects of FimA on the infectivity of P. gingivalis and it influences on cell invasion, proliferation and migration. Western blot was used to detect pSmad2/3 changes. The growth of tumor was detected in a nude mouse model bearing subcutaneous tumor. Results:Deletion of FimA might reduce the interbacterial adhesion of P. gingivalis. Compared with wild-type P. gingivalis, less fimA-/-P. gingivalis could infect NE6-T cells. Moreover, the proliferation, migration and invasion of NE6-T and KYSE30 cells as well as the activation of pSmad2/3 induced by P. gingivalis were inhibited after deletion of FimA. The growth of KYSE30 infected by fimA-/-P. gingivalis in nude mice was significantly slower than that of the wild-type P. gingivalis group. Conclusions:FimA mediated the effects of P. gingivalis on promoting the evolution of ESCC and was a potential target molecule to block the tumor-promoting effect of P. gingivalis.

Advances in clinical determinants and mechanisms of calcineurin inhibitor pharmacokinetic disposition in vivo / 中国药理学通报

Tacrolimus and cyclosporine are both calcineurin inhibitors ( CNI) that widely used for immunosuppression and have the characteristics of great intra-and inter-variabilities in phar-macokinetics and pharmacodynamics.CNI undergoes extensive first-pass metabolism and is substrate for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4, CYP3A5 and P-glycoprotein in intestine and liver.'Hie functions of the enzyme and transporter are determined by complex interactions including gene polymorphisms, induction or inhibition of drugs and endogenous substances ( such as inflam-matory factors).This review summarizes the clinical determinants of CNI treatment variability, including food intake, diarrhea and other intestinal diseases, anemia, hypoproteinemia, hyperlipidemia, liver and kidney disease and combination medications.The underlying mechanisms are also discussed.

Effects of Wp-PKC on gonadal development of Whitmania pigra / 中国中药杂志

Protein kinase C(PKC) is a kind of kinase which is widely involved in cell proliferation and development. PKC(Wp-PKC) in Whitmania pigra body belongs to classic PKC. In order to investigate the effect of Wp-PKC on the development of Wh. pigra germ cells, 17β-estradiol(17β-E2)(100 ng·mL~(-1)) and methyltestosterone(MT)(150 μg·L~(-1)), 150 μg·L~(-1)(MT)+0.5 mg·L~(-1) PKC, 0.5 mg·L~(-1) PKC inhibitor were added to Wh. pigra culture water, and no addition group(control group) was added, and the effects on the development of Wh. pigra germ cells and the expression of Wp-PKC were observed. The results showed that: Wp-PKC in male gonads was always higher than that in female gonads; MT promoted the development of male gonads in Wh. pigra, while the expression of Wp-PKC was significantly higher than that in the control; 17β-E2 promoted the development of female gonads in Wh. pigra and Wp-PKC expression significantly lower than that of the control; while the development of the female and male gonads in the PKC inhibitor group was inhibited, the expression of Wp-PKC was significantly lower than that of the control. In summary, Wp-PKC may promote the development of Wh. pigra, especially the development of male gonads.

Discussion on the sharing mechanism of cerebration of constructing the sharing platform for respiratory disease biobank / 中华医学科研管理杂志

Objective:Standardized sample resources and high-quality clinical big data are important resources for medical research, only through resource sharing can maximize its utilization.Which can be utilized to the max only through resource sharing.Methods:This paper attempts to explore the sharing mechanism of the resource sharing platform and proposes some aspects such as the platform construction background, management regulations, legal ethical system, data sharing principles, benefit distribution, etc.This article attempts to explore the sharing mechanism based on the resource sharing platform of the respiratory disease biobank, proposes the contents that should be included in the sharing mode.Detailed information including the platform construction background, management procedures, legal and ethical system, data sharing principles and benefit distribution should take into consideration in the operating mechanism of the platform.Results:Establishing a resource sharing platform matches the development of clinical research in China.The tailored sharing model which is suitable for the field of respiratory diseases will also guide the rapid development of clinical research.Conclusions:The construction of a respiratory disease biobank sharing platform is conducive to promoting the opening and sharing of biological samples and information resources in the context of big data.

Cloning and expression analysis of protein kinase C gene from Whitmania pigra / 中国中药杂志

Protein kinase C(PKC) is a type of protein kinase widely involved in cell proliferation and development, but the developmental mechanism in the gonads of androgynous animals is still unclear. In order to explore the role of protein kinase C in the development of Whitmania pigra germ cells, the Wh. pigra PKC(Wp-PKC) gene was cloned, bioinformatics analysis was conducted, and fluorescent quantitative PCR was used to analyze the expression of female and male gonads. The results showed that:(1)The cloned Wp-PKC had a full length of 2 580 bp, a relative molecular weight of 76 555.19, and contains an open reading frame encoding 670 amino acids, Wp-PKC was closely related to Danio rerio PKC-α and rat PKC-γ. The similarity of amino acid sequence was 55% and 58%.(2)The protein encoded by Wp-PKC had no signal peptide and was a hydrophilic protein. The secondary structure is mainly composed of random coils, α-helices, extended chains, folds and folds, with the largest proportion of random coils and α-helices. Wp-PKC protein does not contain a transmembrane domain. Multiple sequence alignment and domain prediction analysis show that Wp-PKC contains 4 conserved domains of classical protein kinase C.(3)Fluorescence quantitative results showed that the expression of Wp-PKC in Wh. pigra gonads was positively correlated with the development of germ cells, and the expression in male gonads was significantly higher than that in female gonads. In summary, Wp-PKC is a classic PKC, and Wp-PKC may promote the development of Wh. pigra, especially the development of male gonads, and provide references for further research on the developmental mechanisms of Wh. pigra.

SIRT6 as a key event linking P53 and NRF2 counteracts APAP-induced hepatotoxicity through inhibiting oxidative stress and promoting hepatocyte proliferation

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the leading cause of drug-induced liver injury, and its prognosis depends on the balance between hepatocyte death and regeneration. Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) has been reported to protect against oxidative stress-associated DNA damage. But whether SIRT6 regulates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity remains unclear. In this study, the protein expression of nuclear and total SIRT6 was up-regulated in mice liver at 6 and 48 h following APAP treatment, respectively.

Isolation and identification of Prevotella nigrescens in patients with chronic periodontitis and analysis of its tumorigenic role in esophageal squamous carcinogenesis / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective@#To isolate and identify Prevotella nigrescens (P.nigrescens) in gingival crevicular fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis and to analyze its tumor-promoting role in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).@*Methods@#Samples of gingival crevicular fluid were collected from patients with chronic periodontitis and cultured on GAM agar medium under anaerobic conditions. Black colonies on GAM agar plates were picked for subculture, and then the bacteria were isolated and purified. Bacterial identification was conducted using Gram staining and 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. The isolated bacterial species was used to infect ESCC NE6-T cells and the changes in biological characteristics of the infected cells were evaluated.@*Results@#Multiple bacterial colonies were observed after anaerobic culturing of gingival crevicular fluid samples for 120 h on GAM agar plates. A single bacterial colony with pure black and smooth appearance was obtained from grey black bacterial colonies with streak method. It was a Gram-negative bacterium with bead-like shape. It showed 99.78% 16S rDNA sequence identity with P. nigrescens F0103 and was named P. nigrescens LY01. P. nigrescens LY01 infection promoted the in vitro proliferation, migration and invasion of NE6-T cells and the growth of subcutaneous xenograft in nude mice. In addition, it could also induce the upregulation of Ki67 and activation of p-STAT3.@*Conclusions@#P. nigrescens inhabiting in gingival sulcus might promote the progression of ESCC in human with chronic periodontitis.

Isolation and identification of Prevotella nigrescens in patients with chronic periodontitis and analysis of its tumorigenic role in esophageal squamous carcinogenesis / 中华微生物学和免疫学杂志

Objective To isolate and identify Prevotella nigrescens (P.nigrescens) in gingival cre-vicular fluid of patients with chronic periodontitis and to analyze its tumor-promoting role in esophageal squa-mous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods Samples of gingival crevicular fluid were collected from patients with chronic periodontitis and cultured on GAM agar medium under anaerobic conditions. Black colonies on GAM agar plates were picked for subculture, and then the bacteria were isolated and purified. Bacterial identification was conducted using Gram staining and 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. The isolated bacterial species was used to infect ESCC NE6-T cells and the changes in biological characteristics of the infected cells were evaluated. Results Multiple bacterial colonies were observed after anaerobic culturing of gingival cre-vicular fluid samples for 120 h on GAM agar plates. A single bacterial colony with pure black and smooth appearance was obtained from grey black bacterial colonies with streak method. It was a Gram-negative bac-terium with bead-like shape. It showed 99. 78％ 16S rDNA sequence identity with P. nigrescens F0103 and was named P. nigrescens LY01. P. nigrescens LY01 infection promoted the in vitro proliferation, migration and invasion of NE6-T cells and the growth of subcutaneous xenograft in nude mice. In addition, it could al-so induce the upregulation of Ki67 and activation of p-STAT3. Conclusions P.nigrescens inhabiting in gin-gival sulcus might promote the progression of ESCC in human with chronic periodontitis.

Lipidomics analysis on schisandrol B-induced liver enlargement in mice / 药学学报

Schisandrol B (SolB) is one of the active constituents from a traditional Chinese medicine Schisandra chinensis or Schisandra sphenanthera. Our previous studies found that SolB exerts hepatoprotective effects against drug-induced liver injury and promotes liver regeneration. We further found that SolB significantly induces liver enlargement but the mechanisms remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the change of lipidome in liver tissues during SolB-induced hepatomegaly. The animal experiment protocol was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Sun Yat-sen University. Serum and liver samples of male C57BL/6 mice were collected after intraperitoneal injection of SolB (100 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 5 days. Lipidomics analysis was performed using Q Exactive UHPLC-MS/MS system. The results showed that SolB significantly promoted liver enlargement in mice without liver injury and inflammation. Lipid accumulation was observed in the liver tissues after SolB treatment. Thirty-five lipids were identified with significant change and triglycerides (TG) were found to have the most significant increase in SolB-treated group, indicating the increase of energy production during SolB-induced hepatomegaly. This study reveals the impact of SolB on lipid metabolism and provides a potential explanation for liver enlargement induced by SolB.

Clinical analysis of 35 cases of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome / 中国医师杂志

Objective:To investigate the clinical features of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome (DiHS) and enhance the recognition of its diagnosis and treatment.Methods:Drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome diagnosed in the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in recent 6 years were retrospectively analyzed and summarized.Results:Of 35 cases of drug-induced hypersensitivity syndrome there were ten types of suspected drugs. Antibiotics were the most common allergy-inducing drug, followed by allopurinol, antiepileptics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The expected clinical findings of DiHS were characterized by skin rash, fever, enlarged lymph nodes, which may be accompanied by eosinophilia, liver function damaged. The lesions of DiHS were variable and the majority of cases 65.71%(23/35) were characterized by eruptive papules.The main therapeutic approach of DiHS was systemic application of glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). When necessary its combination with immunosuppressant or hemoperfusion (HP).Conclusions:DiHS should be on the high alert when a patient with medication history, rash, high fever and lymph nodes large, accompanied by eosinophilia, liver function damaged. Predictors of good prognosis are early diagnosis and treatment.

Effect of moxibustion on VEGF and EGF expressions in tumor tissues of rats with gastric tumor / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To explore the inhibitory effect of moxibustion on tumor growth and metastasis, and also its possible mechanism, in gastric tumor-bearing rats by investigating the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and epidermal growth factor (EGF). Methods:Fifty healthy Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (half male and half female) were routinely housed for 1 week. A total of 20 rats were randomly divided into a blank group and a sham operation group, with 10 rats in each group. The remaining 30 rats were used to make gastric cancer models by implantation of ascites-type Walker-256 cancer cells. After successful modeling, rats were randomly divided into a model group, a moxibustion group and an infrared group, with 10 rats in each group. From the day of modeling, the body weight of each group was weighed every 4 days. Warm moxibustion was alternately performed at two-group acupoints [Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4) and bilateral Zusanli (ST 36) in one group, and bilateral Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21) in another group] in the moxibustion group. The body surface projection area of the stomach was irradiated with short-wave infrared rays in the infrared group, once a day, 20 min per time for 21 d. At the end of the treatment, the gastric tumor was completely dissected, and the tumor volume and tumor growth inhibition rate were calculated. Then the gastric tumor cell metastasis was recorded. The levels of VEGF and EGF in rat gastric tumor tissues were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results:Compared with the blank group, the body weight of the model group decreased significantly after modeling (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the rats in the moxibustion group had increased body weight during the middle and late stages (bothP<0.05). The tumor volumes of rats in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were smaller than the volume in the model group (bothP<0.05). The tumor growth inhibition rate in the moxibustion group was significantly higher than that in the infrared group (P<0.05). The case number of tumor metastasis in the moxibustion group was smaller than that in the model group and the infrared group. The VEGF level in the tumor tissues of the model group was statistically significantly higher than that in the blank group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the VEGF levels in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were statistically significantly lower (bothP<0.05). The EGF levels in the tumor tissues of the model group was statistically significantly lower than that in the blank group (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the EGF levels in the moxibustion group and the infrared group were statistically significantly increased (bothP<0.05). Conclusion:Moxibustion can increase the body weight, inhibit the tumor growth, invasion and metastasis in gastric tumor-bearing rats, which may be related to the regulation of VEGF and EGF expressions in tumor tissues.

Chronic wound biofilms: diagnosis and therapeutic strategies / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Objective@#To review the diagnosis of chronic wound biofilms and discuss current treatment approaches.@*Data sources@#Articles included in this review were obtained from the following databases: Wanfang, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, PubMed, and the Web of Science. We focused on research published before August 2019 with keywords including chronic wound, biofilm, bacterial biofilms, and chronic wound infection.@*Study selection@#Relevant articles were selected by carefully reading the titles and abstracts. Further, different diagnosis and clinical treatment methods for chronic wound biofilm were compared and summarized from the selected published articles.@*Results@#Recent guidelines on medical biofilms stated that approaches such as the use of scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy are the most reliable types of diagnostic techniques. Further, therapeutic strategies include debridement, negative pressure wound therapy, ultrasound, antibiotic, silver-containing dressing, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and others.@*Conclusion@#This review provides the identification and management of biofilms, and it can be used as a tool by clinicians for a better understanding of biofilms and translating research to develop best clinical practices.

Establishment of a new genus of filovirus (Mengla virus) entry evaluating system and entry inhibitors discovery / 药学学报

Mengla virus (MLAV), isolated from the bats in China, was identified as a new genus of filovirus in 2019, i.e. Dianlovirus genus of Filoviridae family. Among filoviruses, Ebola virus (EBOV) and Marburg virus (MARV) are the most contagious viruses with mortality rates of 24%-90%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that MLAV was closely related to MARV among the members of filovirus family. MLAV enters into host cells via viral glycoprotein (GP). The recombinant virus study indicated that MLAV has a potential for bat-to-human cross-species transmission. In this study, a GP-mediated MLAV entry evaluating model was established, and by using this model, we investigated the susceptibility of MLAV to the human cell lines sourced from different tissues and the African green monkey kidney cell lines. Four compounds, chloroquine, tetrandrine, clomiphene, and toremifene, which were known as EBOV and MARV entry blockers, were tested for HIV/MLAV-GP infection. It was found that chloroquine effectively blocked the entry of MLAV with the half maximal effective concentration (EC50) of 1.56 μmol·L-1, resembling its anti-EBOV and -MARV activities. To the best of our acknowledge, there is no anti-MLAV drug reported by far, and the identification of chloroquine as an MLAV entry inhibitor may provide an insight for developing anti-filovirus agents.