Glycyrrhizic acid: a potential drug against COVID-19 / 药学学报

Pneumonia caused by SARS-CoV-2 has seriously threatened human life and health worldwide and caused a large number of deaths. Viral infection and acute inflammation are important causes of death, so it is particularly important to combine antiviral therapy with anti-inflammatory therapy. Glycyrrhizic acid, the main component of the glycyrrhizic root extract, has a wide range of pharmacological effects as well as high efficiency and low toxicity, its preparation has been widely used in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and other diseases. Glycyrrhizic acid can regulate the expression and release of a variety of cytokines and play a significant anti-inflammatory effect. At the same time, glycyrrhizic acid also showed significant inhibition towards a variety types of viruses. Therefore, the potential application of glycyrrhizic acid as COVID-19 treatment should be explored.

Chemical composition and larvicidal activities of essential oil of Cinnamomum camphora (L. ) leaf against Anopheles stephensi

Abstract INTRODUCTION Anopheles stephensi is the main malaria vector in Southeast Asia. Recently, plant-sourced larvicides are attracting great interests. METHODS: The essential oil was extracted from the leaf of Cinnamomum camphora (L.), and a bioassay was conducted to determine the larvicidal efficacy. The chemical composition of the essential oil was determined by GC-MS analysis. RESULTS: The oil showed strong, dose-dependent larvicidal activities. The onset of larvicidal efficiency was rapid. The LC50 and LC95 were determined as 0.146% and 1.057% at 1 h, 0.031% and 0.237% at 12 h, 0.026% and 0.128% at 24 h, respectively. The oil contains 32 compounds. CONCLUSIONS The essential oil of C. camphora leaf has an excellent larvicidal potential for the control of A. stephensi.

AKT/mTOR/STATs signaling pathway regulates various immune cells that mediate MS / 医学研究生学报

AKT/mTOR/STATs signaling pathway not only plays an important role in tumor growth, but also in the regulation of immune system. Activated AKT promotes the activation of downstream signaling pathways mTORC1 and mTORC2 through phosphorylation. mTOR is currently being considered as an important regulator of immune system and plays an important role in regulating the function and metabolism of various immune cells. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune deficiency disease whose pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. This article focuses on the regulation of AKT/mTOR/STATs signaling pathways in various immune cells such as macrophage M1/M2 polarization, B cell proliferation and differentiation, helper T lymphocyte (Th cell) proliferation and differentiation, and Treg cell proliferation and differentiation, which would be helpful to illustrate the role of the AKT/mTOR/STATs signaling pathway in mediating the regulation of immune cells in MS.

Clinical comparison between a percutaneous hydraulic pressure delivery system and balloon tamp system using high-viscosity cement for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures

OBJECTIVES: Osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) affect the elderly population, especially postmenopausal women. Percutaneous kyphoplasty is designed to treat painful vertebral compression fractures for which conservative therapy has been unsuccessful. High-viscosity cement can be injected by either a hydraulic pressure delivery system (HPDS) or a balloon tamp system (BTS). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to compare the safety and clinical outcomes of these two systems. METHODS: A random, multicenter, prospective study was performed. Clinical and radiological assessments were carried out, including assessments of general surgery information, visual analog scale, quality of life, cement leakage, and height and angle restoration. RESULTS: Using either the HPDS or BTS to inject high-viscosity cement effectively relieved pain and improved the patients' quality of life immediately, and these effects lasted at least two years. The HPDS using high-viscosity cement reduced cost, surgery time, and radiation exposure and showed similar clinical results to those of the BTS. In addition, the leakage rate and the incidence of adjacent vertebral fractures after the HPDS treatment were reduced compared with those after treatment using the classic vertebroplasty devices. However, the BTS had better height and angle restoration abilities. CONCLUSIONS: The percutaneous HPDS with high-viscosity cement has similar clinical outcomes to those of traditional procedures in the treatment of vertebral fractures in the elderly. The HPDS with high-viscosity cement is better than the BTS in the treatment of mild and moderate OVCFs and could be an alternative method for the treatment of severe OVCFs.

Surgical Therapy of 17α-hydroxylase Deficiency in 30 Patients / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To analyze the clinical features of 17α-hydroxylase deficiency and explore the appropriate timing and methods of surgical treatment. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with complete 17α-hydroxylase deficiency,containing Y chromosome material in their karyotype,adimitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2004 to December 2014. Results Thirty patients with complete 17α-hydroxylase deficiency were included. Their social gender were all female and the mean age at diagnosis was (16.1±2.7) years. Twenty-six patients (86.7%) presented with primary amenorrhea and hypertension. The development of secondary sexual characteristics was poor and their uterus was absent. The levels of gonadotropin,progesterone,and adrenocorticotropic hormone were elevated in all patients and the levels of estradiol,testosterone,and cortisol were decreased. All patients had undergone laparoscopic gonadectomy. Most (86.7%) of the gonads were located in abdomen,while 13.3% were in inguinal canal. Histopathology confirmed that gonadal malignancy was obsetved in two patients (6.7%): one with leydig cell tumor and the other with sertoli cell tumor. Conclusions Patients with complete 17α-hydroxylase deficiency have specific clinical features. Early diagnosis and timely laparoscopic gonadectomy are critical to prevent gonadal malignancy.

Clinical Features of 32 Patients with XO/XY Gonadal Dysgenesis / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To summarize the clinical features of XO/XY gonadal dysgenesis. Method We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with XO/XY gonadal dysgenesis admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2008 to May 2015. Results Totally 32 patients with XO/XY gonadal dysgenesis were included. The social gender was female in all subjects and the age 6 to 33 years. Patients presented mainly with primary amenorrhea or short stature,and usually had specific somatic signs of Turner's syndrome. The breast development of 27 patients (84.38%) was less than level 3. The armpit hair was sparse or absent in 28 patients (87.5%) and the pubic hair was sparse or absent in 26 patients (81.25%).Other findings include naive vulva (n=18,56.25%)) and enlarged clitoris (n=5,15.63%). The average level of follicle stimulating hormone was (78.56±35.62) mIU/ml,the luteinizing hormone level was (20.23±11.35) mIU/ml,the estradiol level was (9.94±8.21) pg/ml,and the testosterone level was (0.24±0.18) ng/ml. All patients received prophylactic gonadectomy. The histopathology results showed a variety of gonads,and gonadal malignancy were observed in 4 patients.Conclusions Patients with XO/XY gonadal dysgenesis manifest primary amenorrhea or short stature,poorly developed secondary sexual characteristics,and elevated gonadotropin level. The gonads have increased risk of gonadal malignancy.

Artificial disc and vertebra system: a novel motion preservation device for cervical spinal disease after vertebral corpectomy

OBJECTIVE: To determine the range of motion and stability of the human cadaveric cervical spine after the implantation of a novel artificial disc and vertebra system by comparing an intact group and a fusion group. METHODS: Biomechanical tests were conducted on 18 human cadaveric cervical specimens. The range of motion and the stability index range of motion were measured to study the function and stability of the artificial disc and vertebra system of the intact group compared with the fusion group. RESULTS: In all cases, the artificial disc and vertebra system maintained intervertebral motion and reestablished vertebral height at the operative level. After its implantation, there was no significant difference in the range of motion (ROM) of C3-7 in all directions in the non-fusion group compared with the intact group (p>0.05), but significant differences were detected in flexion, extension and axial rotation compared with the fusion group (p<0.05). The ROM of adjacent segments (C3-4, C6-7) of the non-fusion group decreased significantly in some directions compared with the fusion group (p<0.05). Significant differences in the C4-6 ROM in some directions were detected between the non-fusion group and the intact group. In the fusion group, the C4-6 ROM in all directions decreased significantly compared with the intact and non-fusion groups (p<0.01). The stability index ROM (SI-ROM) of some directions was negative in the non-fusion group, and a significant difference in SI-ROM was only found in the C4-6 segment of the non-fusion group compared with the fusion group. CONCLUSION: An artificial disc and vertebra system could restore vertebral height and preserve the dynamic function of the surgical area and could theoretically reduce the risk of adjacent segment degeneration compared with the anterior fusion procedure. However, our results should be considered with caution because of the low power of the study. The use of a larger ...

Construction of expression vector pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP and generation of CD69 transgenic mice / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct the expression vector pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP that contains mouse cell surface activation protein CD69 and enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP),and to generate CD69 transgenic mice based on this vector.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>First, RNA was extracted from mouse lung tissue and cDNA was synthesized via reverse transcription. PCR primer was designed through the PubMed searching, then mouse CD69 DNA fragment was amplified with PCR. Second, this DNA fragment was subcloned to the pInsulater-LCK-IRES-EGFP plasmid and constructed the transgenic vector after the verification of nucleotide sequence. Third, the expression vector was then transfected into 293 T cells and its expression in 293 T cells was observed under fluorescence microscope. Last, microinjection was performed to transfer the expression vector pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP into fertilized eggs, which were implanted into pseudo-pregnant recipient mice. After birth the tail samples of the pups were obtained for the purpose of genotyping to determine the transgenic founders. Fluorescence microscope and flow cytometer were used to measure the expression of CD69 on cells.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The construction of the expression vector pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP was verified by enzyme digestion and DNA sequencing. The transfected 293 T cell showed expression of the protein under fluorescence microscope. Identification of PCR for the tail tissue of the pups confirmed the present of CD69 transgene and resting lymphocytes demonstrated the expression of CD69.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The construction of expression vector pLCK-CD69-IRES-EGFP and generation of CD69 transgenic mice have been successfully processed, which lays a foundation of the solid pattern studies in inflammatory diseases.</p>

Expression Profile of a Novel Germ Cell-specific Gene, TSCPA, in Mice and Human / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

In order to identify novel genes involved in spermatogenesis, testis cDNA samples from Balb/C mice of different postnatal days were hybridized with the whole mouse genome Affymetrix chip to screen the testis-specific genes. The characteristics of the selected genes were analyzed by RT-PCR as well as other bioinformatic tools. A novel differentially expressed testis-specific gene (GenBank Acces-sion No: NM_029042) in the developmental stages of testes was identified, and named TSCPA. Cellular mapping prediction of TSCPA indicated that its protein was probably expressed in nuclei, and one puta-tive domain (aa 332-377) was anchoring domain of cAMP-dependent type Ⅱ PK. The result of subcel-lular localization of GFP-TSCPA fusion protein in Cos-7 cells showed that TSCPA protein was ex-pressed in nuclei. RT-PCR analysis revealed that TSCPA was expressed specifically in mouse and hu-man testis. TSCPA gene was expressed weakly in 21-day-old mouse testis and the expression was in-creased gradually from 38th day to 6th month of mouse testes. No expression of hTSCPA was found in cryptorchidism and Sertoli-cell-only syndrome patients. It was concluded that the expression profile of TSCPA in human and mice indicated that TSCPA might play an important role in spermatogenesis.

DNA polymorphism detection of Cannabis using amplified fragment length polymorphism / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To screen the AFLP primers with good diversity to distinguish various species of Cannabis.@*METHODS@#The AFLP was used to analyze the genetic diversity of 12 species of Cannabis using 55 primer combinations.@*RESULTS@#A total of 285 AFLP bands were obtained using five primer combinations with better diversity, among which 99 bands were polymorphic and 10 bands were special, with 47-76 bands amplified in each pair of primers.@*CONCLUSION@#AFLP may has good resolution in the diversity study of Cannabis. It may provide an essential basis for further study of the genetic diversity of Cannabis.

Q39 induces apoptosis in human leukemia cell line K562 in hypoxia / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine whether a novel compound, 3-(4-bromophenyl)-2-(ethyl sulfonyl)-6-methylquinoxaline 1, 4-dioxide (Q39), induces apoptosis in human leukemia cell line k562 in hypoxic environment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MTT assay was used to determine the 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50). Flow cytometry and DAPI staining were employed to determine the apoptosis; JC-1 staining was used to determine mitochondria membrane potential (DeltaPsim); Western-blotting was used to determine protein expression of procaspase-3, cleaved caspase-3, PARP, Bax, Bcl-2 and HIF-1alpha.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In hypoxic environment, Q39 exerted higher antiproliferative activity in K562 cells, and the IC50 value was (0.21+/- 0.05) micromol/L. The apoptotic phenomenon was observed at 6 h after cells exposed to Q39, and apoptotic body emerged as exposure time increased. After K562 cells were incubated with Q39 for 0, 6, 12 and 24 h, the ratio of apoptotic cells was 2.8%, 3.2%, 5.9% and 19.2%, respectively. By fluorescence stain assay, an significant Delta Psim loss in K562 cells induced by Q39 was shown in a time-dependent manner. Western blot assay demonstrated that Q39 decreased the protein expression of Bcl-2, procaspase-3, and HIF-1alpha, meanwhile increased protein expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3, and induced the cleavage of PARP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The novel compound Q39 exhibits great anticancer activity against K562 cells in hypoxic environment. Q39 can downregulate the protein expression of HIF-1alpha, and regulate the apoptosis-related protein expression to cause a drop of DeltaPsim, suggesting that mitochondria and HIF-1alpha pathway might be involved in the antiproliferative effect of Q39.</p>

Lipase-catalyzed production of biodiesel from high acid value waste oil with ultrasonic assistant / 生物工程学报

Biodiesel fuel produced with the enzyme-catalyzed esterification and transesterification of high acid value waste oil through ultrasonic assistant was explored. Propyl oleate, biodiesel, converted from high acid value waste oil and 1-proponal catalyzed with immobilized lipases from Candida antarctica and Aspergillus oryzae in conditions of ultrasonic assistant. Commercial immobilized lipase Novozym 435 from C. antarctica was used as biocatalyst catalyzing high acid value waste oil and 1-proponal esterification and transesterification to propyl oleate under the ultrasonic assistant conditions and different conditions such as lipases amounts, initiatory molar ratio of propanol to oil, frequency of ultrasonic and power of ultrasonic were investigated and optimized. It is revealed that the enzymatic activity of Novozym435 is enhanced and, in particular, enzyme-catalyzed transesterification activity is enhanced obviously under the ultrasonic assistant conditions. Low frequency and mild energy ultrasonic is a key factor for enhancing enzymatic activity, emulsifying oil-propanol system and accelerating the speed of produce diffusing in the system. Under the optimal ultrasonic assistant reaction conditions, such as Novozym435 amounts 8% by oil quantity, initiatory molar ratio of propanol to oil 3:1, frequency of ultrasonic 28 KHz, power of ultrasonic 100 W and temperature of water batch 40-45 degrees C, the conversion ratio to propyl oleate reached to 94.86% in 50 mins in comparison with the highest conversion ratio to propyl oleate 84.43% under the conventional mechanical agitation conditions. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that various short chain linear and branched alcohols (C1-C5) show high conversion ratio to fatty acid alkyl esters (biodiesel) under the optimal ultrasonic assistant reaction conditions. On the other hand, ultrasonic energy is propitious to reduce the adsorption of product propyl oleate, by-product glycerol and other emplastics in system on the surface of immobilized lipase Novzym435 and recyclable Novozym435 possess clean appearances, well decentralizations, no agglomeration and easy washing and well operational stability.

Overexpression of GbERF confers alteration of ethylene-responsive gene expression and enhanced resistance to Pseudomonas syringae in transgenic tobacco.

GbERF belongs to the ERF (ethylene responsive factor) family of transcription factors and regulates the GCC-box containing pathogen-related (PR) genes in the ethylene signal transduction pathway. To study the function of GbERF in the process of biotic stress, transgenic tobacco plants expressing GbERF were generated. Overexpression of GbERF did not change transgenic plant's phenotype and endogenous ethylene level. However, the expression profile of some ethylene-inducible GCC-box and non-GCC-box containing genes was altered, such as PR1b, PR2, PR3, PR4, Osmotin, CHN50, ACC oxidase and ACC synthase genes. These data indicate that the cotton GbERF could act as a transcriptional activator or repressor to regulate the differential expression of ethylene-inducible genes via GCC and non-GCC cis-elements. Moreover, the constitutive expression of GbERF in transgenic tobacco enhanced the plant's resistance to Pseudomonas syringae pv tabaci infection. In conclusion, GbERF mediates the expression of a wide array of PR and ethylene-responsive genes and plays an important role in the plant's response to biotic stress.

A case of eumycetoma on the submaxilla due to Madurella / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features,diagnosis,treatment,prognosis and causative agent of a case of eumycetoma on the submaxilla.Methods A case of eumycetoma diagnosed in our department was assessed for its clinical and pathological features as well as mycologic and molecular identification.Related literature was reviewed.Results The patient was primarily characterized by swelling of the submaxilla,with multiple sinuses draining many black granules.Pathologic examination revealed a pyogenic granulomatous inflammation,and a number of lotus rhizome node-like hypha were observed in tissue samples through PAS staining.Sequence analysis of multiple loci of the isolates,including ITS 1,ITS2 and D1/D2,showed that it was mostly similar to Madurella mycetomatis with a homology of 97%.Conclusion This is a case ofeumycetoma on the submaxilla induced by a novel species of Madurella.

The surveillance and molecular epidemiology of Aspergillus in the environment and patients at liver transplant department and intensive care units / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To explore the possible relationship between environmental contamination by Aspergillus and invasive aspergillosis.Methods From November 2005 to October 2006,samples were collected from the environment (air in corridors,air in wards,surfaces and tap water) twice a month,and from patients (nose,pharynx and sputum) at a liver transplantation department (LTD),neurologic surgery intensive care unit (NSICU) and central intensive care unit (CICU) in our hospital,and subjected to fungal culture.The Aspergillus density was determined in these environments.The isolates of Aspergillus flavus were genotyped by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay to investigate the origin of infection.Results The mean aspergillus density was 12,10.75,0 and 20 cfu/m~3 at LTD,NSICU,CICU and corridors respectively.The five most prevalent species of aspergillus in these environments in decreasing order were Aspergillus flavus,Aspergillus fumigatus,Aspergillus niger,Aspergillus versicolor and Aspergillus clavatus.RAPD demonstrated that the genotypes ofA.flavus isolated from two patients were identical to those of the environmental strains in NSICU.The A.flavus genotypes from 3 patients in CICU were all different from those of the environment strains in CICU,but the genotypes were identical from two of the three patients.Conclusions Aspergillus contamination of different degree does exist at LTD,NSICU and CICU. The genotypes of A.flavus are identical from patients and environment in NSICU,suggesting that the clinical infection may originate from hospital environment.

Effects of cen-penetrating peptide on the presentation of MHC classⅠ-restricted cytotoxic T lympho-cyte epitope of human papillomavirus 16E7 / 中华皮肤科杂志

0.05).At the late stage (8-48 h) of incubation,the presence time of E7_(49-57)/K~b was significantly pro- longed on the surface of Tat-E7_(49-57)-incubated cells than that on the surface of other peptides-incubated cells (all P

Incomplete P450 17 alpha enzyme deficiency:report of six cases / 中华妇产科杂志

Objectives To summarize the characteristics,differential diagnosis and management of incomplete 17 alpha-hydroxylase/17,20-1yase deficiency(17 OHD)of Chinese patients.Methods Six cases of incomplete 17 OHD from Peking Union Medical College Hospital were studied retrospectively through analyzing their clinical data,and the molecular pathogenic mechanism was discussed after literature review.Results Four cases of 46,XX incomplete 17 OHD were reported.The clinical characteristics included female phenotype,various degrees of breast development and absent or sparse axillary/pubic hair, oligomenorrhea or secondary amenorrhea,recurrent luteinized ovarian cysts,hypogonadism with persistent hyperprogesteronemia or high serum 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone level,with or without hypokalemic hypertension.There were also 2 cases of 46,XY incomplete 17 OHD,in which ambiguous genitalia were present besides hypokalemic hypertension.Conclusions Incomplete 17 OHD is a very rare form of congenital enzymatic deficiencies of steroid synthesis,which should be included in the differential diagnosis when there are menstrual disorders,sexual infantilism,recurrent ovarian cysts or ambiguous genitalia.Under such circumstances,hyperprogesteronemia offers a valuable clue for further investigation.