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For a long time, macrolides have been the first choice for the antibacterial treatment for pertussis.However, in the past decade, resistance to macrolide antimicrobials has been common in clinically isolated Bordetella pertussis in China, which is in contradiction with the recommended macrolide treatment.Therefore, Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) is suggested as the first choice for antibacterial treatment for pertussis in China, with a dosage determined according to age and body weight, lasting 14 days.If TMP-SMZ cannot be used, full-dose and full-course β-lactam antimicrobials may be used, of which the effects should be assessed carefully.The impact of other antibacterial drugs, such as quinolones and tetracyclines, on the elimination of Bordetella pertussis should also be evaluated as soon as possible to treat adult pertussis and potential cases caused by drug-resistant bacteria in future.
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Objective:To determine the erythromycin resistance of Bordetella pertussis isolates and their ptxP1 and ptxP3 phenotypic composition and compare clinical manifestations of children with pertussis caused by the two types of strains. Methods:This was a cross-sectional study, the pertussis cases diagnosed using bacterial culture from January 2019 to December 2022 in Beijing Children′s Hospital and the First People′s Hospital of Wuhu were collected.Any suspected Bordetella pertussis colonies were identified by the slide agglutination test.The susceptibility of isolates to erythromycin was detected by the E-test and K-B test.The ptxP gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced to determine its genotype. t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test were use to statistical analysis. Results:A total of 192 strains of Bordetella pertussis were identified, including 188 (97.9%) erythromycin-resistant strains.Among the 188 strains, 30.3%(57/188) belonged to the ptxP1 genotype and 69.7%(131/188) belonged to the ptxP3 genotype.In children aged below 1 year old, the incidence of paroxysmal cough caused by infection with the ptxP3 strain was higher than that with the ptxP1 strain (57.1% vs.29.4%, P<0.05), and children infected with the ptxP3 strain were more likely to develop apnea or asphyxia (23.8% vs.17.6%), post-tussive vomiting (44.4% vs.32.4%), whooping cough (72.0% vs.50.0%) and pneumonia or bronchitis (85.7% vs.73.5%) compared to those infected with the ptxP1 strain, but the differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). In children aged 1 year old and above, the white blood cell count of children infected with the ptxP1 strain was higher than that of infections with the ptxP3 strain [13.5(9.9, 24.5)×10 9/L, 10.3 (7.0, 16.4)×10 9/L, P<0.05], and children infected with the ptxP1 strain were more likely to contract other pathogen infections than those infected with the ptxP3 strain (17.4% vs.4.4%, P>0.05). Conclusions:ptxP3 erythromycin-resistant Bordetella pertussis has become the main pathogen of pertussis.Infants with pertussis caused by the ptxP3 erythromycin-resistant strain show more significant manifestations and a higher possibility of severe symptoms than those infected with the ptxP1 erythromycin-resistant strain.
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Objective To investigate the leadership status and training requirements of administrators in children's hos-pitals in China to develop a leadership training program based on the CIPP model and the specific requirements of children's hos-pitals and strengthen the leadership and management skills of children's hospital administrators.Methods This paper conducted a questionnaire survey among the administrators of children's hospitals in China to investigate the current status and needs of lead-ership training.It constructed a leadership training system and an effect evaluation model for the administrators based on four di-mensions:background,input,process,and result.Results Among the 160 administrators surveyed,85%of the respondents had received for more than a week of management training.But half of them believed that the current amount of management training was inadequate and there was an urgent need for professional or management training.Training contents needed primarily focused on hospital management,humanistic knowledge and literacy,and health management.The trainees were satisfied with the entire training system,including the courses,instructors and the organization.However,they also suggested increasing the fre-quency of offline training and facilitating interactive course discussions.Conclusion This paper systematically analyzes the cur-rent situation and training needs of leadership of administrators in children's hospitals.By doing this,it can accurately identify the need for developing leadership training programs and align the training program with the objective requirements,thereby providing a scientific basis for enhancing the quality of leadership training for hospital administrators nationwide.
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AIM:To investigate the impact of total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehensis Skan(PHSTF)on the migration,invasion,and ferroptosis of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells.METHODS:The A549 cells were divided into control group,low-,medium-and high-dose(100,150 and 200 μg/mL)PHSTF groups,ferroptosis inhibitor liprox-statin-1(Lip-1)group,and high-dose PHSTF combined with Lip-1 group,each cultured in corresponding media.Cell via-bility was assessed using the CCK-8 assay,while cell migration and invasion abilities were determined through scratch and Transwell assays.Cell lipid peroxidation levels were measured using the glutathione(GSH)assay kit.RT-qPCR was em-ployed to assess the mRNA expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),while Western blot was utilized to examine the protein expression of SLC7A11,GPX4,Kelch-like epichlorohy-drin-associated protein-1(Keap-1),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1).RE-SULTS:Compared with control group,PHSTF significantly diminished the viability of A549 cells in a time-and dose-de-pendent manner(P＜0.01),and the cell migration and invasion were also reduced(P＜0.01),along with a significant de-crease in GSH level(P＜0.01).Treatment with PHSTF inhibited the mRNA and protein expression levels of ferroptosis-re-lated proteins,including SLC7A11 and GPX4(P＜0.01),suppressed the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1(P＜0.01),and enhanced the expression of Keap-1(P＜0.01).The Lip-1 partially restored the decrease in cell viability in-duced by PHSTF(P＜0.01),significantly up-regulated the protein expression levels of SLC7A11,GPX4,Nrf2 and HO-1,and suppressed the protein expression of Keap-1(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:Total flavonoids of Pterocarya hupehen-sis Skan can inhibit the migration and invasion of non-small-cell lung cancer A549 cells,and induce the cell ferroptosis by regulating the Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.
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Objective To study the cGAS/STING signaling pathway and investigate the potential effect of emodin(EMD)on autophagy of human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast synovial cells(MH7A).Methods CCK-8 method was used to detect MH7A cell proliferation,and the experimental concentration of EMD was screened according to cell survival rate.Then,autophagy inhibitor 3-MA was added to further verify the effect of EMD on autophagy.Autophagy of MH7A cells was detected via the monodansylcadaverine staining method.Protein expression levels of cGAS,STING,p-STING,LC3-Ⅰ,LC3-Ⅱ,P62 and Beclin-1 were detected by Western blot.Results Monodansylcadaverine staining indicated that EMD enhanced the autophagy of MH7A cells.Western blot indicated that EMD decreased the expression of autophagy related proteins cGAS,STING,p-STING and P62,and increased that of LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 in MH7A cells.After addition of the autophagy inhibitor 3-MA,the expression of P62 protein in MH7A cells increased,while that of LC3-Ⅱ and Beclin-1 decreased.Conclusions EMD may accelerate autophagy and inhibit MH7A cell proliferation by down-regulating cGAS/STING signaling pathway proteins.
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Objective:To investigate the effects of diquat (DQ) on the expression of intestinal pyroptosis-related proteins and tight junction proteins in rats, and to analyze the role of pyroptosis in the intestinal injury of rats with acute DQ poisoning.Methods:A total of 36 Wistar male rats were randomly divided into control group, and 3 hours, 12 hours, 36 hours and 3 days exposure groups, with 6 rats in each group. Each exposure group was given 1/2 median lethal dose (LD50) of 115.5 mg/kg DQ by one-time gavage. The control group was given the same amount of normal saline by gavage. The control group was anesthetized at 3 hours after DQ gavage to take jejunal tissues; each exposure group was anesthetized at 3 hours, 12 hours, 36 hours, and 3 days after DQ gavage to take jejunal tissues, respectively. The general conditions of the rats were recorded. The pathological changes of jejunum tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The expression of intestinal pyroptosis-related proteins [NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteine aspartate-specific protease 1 (caspase-1), Gasdemin D (GSDMD)] in the intestinal tissues was observed by immunohistochemical staining. Western blotting was used to detect the expression of intestinal pyroptosis-related proteins and intestinal tight junction proteins (Occludin and Claudin-1).Results:Light microscopy showed that pathological changes occurred in jejunum tissue at the early stage of exposure (3 hours), and the injury was the most serious in the 12 hours exposure group, with a large number of inflammatory cells infiltrating in the tissue, and the damage was significantly reduced after 3 days exposure. Immunohistochemical results showed that NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were expressed in the jejunal mucosa of the control group and the exposure groups, and the positive cells in the control group were less expressed with light staining. The expression of the above proteins in the exposed group was increased significantly and the staining was deep. Western blotting results showed that compared with the control group, the expression of NLRP3 protein in jejunum tissues of all groups was increased, with the most significant increase in the 36 hours group (NLRP3/β-actin: 1.47±0.06 vs. 0.43±0.14, P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of GSDMD protein in the 3 hours, 12 hours and 36 hours exposure groups increased, and the expression of GSDMD protein in the 3 hours and 12 hours exposure groups increased significantly (GSDMD/β-actin: 1.04±0.40, 1.25±0.15 vs. 0.65±0.25, both P < 0.05). The expression of caspase-1 protein was increased in 36 hours exposure group compared with the control group (caspase-1/β-actin: 1.44±0.34 vs. 0.98±0.19, P > 0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of Occludin and Claudin-1 proteins in each exposure group decreased, and the expression of Occludin proteins was significantly decreased in the 3 hours, 12 hours, and 36 hours exposure groups decreased significantly (Occludin/β-actin: 0.74±0.17, 0.91±0.20, 0.79±0.23 vs. 1.41±0.08, all P < 0.05). Although the protein expression of Claudin-1 decreased in each exposure group, the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion:The intestinal injury caused by acute DQ poisoning may be related to the activation of pyroptosis pathway of small intestinal cells and the reduction of the density of intercellular junctions.
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Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics and pathogenic mutation of gene NUDT2 in the child with intellectual disability with or without peripheral neuropathy (IDDPN). Methods:The clinical characteristics and development of one child attending the Department of Rehabilitation of Tianjin Children's Hospital were evaluated retrospectively,and the relationship between the clinical phenotype and gene mutation profile of NUDT2 was analyzed. Results:The child had global developmental delay, special appearance, low muscle tone of the limbs, accompanied by peripheral nerve damage in the limbs, and whole exome sequencing found that the child carried a homozygous mutation of NUDT2 gene, c.34C>T (p.R12X), which was a nonsense mutation. Sanger verified that both parents were carriers of c.34C>T heterozygous mutations. In the inclusion of 10 registered IDDPN patients, it was found that all of them were homozygous mutations, and the clinical phenotypes all had different degrees of cognitive impairment and movement disorders, among which only 3 cases were complicated by peripheral nerve damage. Conclusions:The child in this case had low birth weight/length, weak sucking ability in infancy, cognitive impairment, peripheral nerve damage, and genetic testing showed homozygous nonsense mutation of NUDT2 gene, which provided evidence support for the clinical understanding of the disease.
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Objective To investigate the effects of modified Yupingfeng Powder medicated serum on the inflammatory response of rat lung epithelial type Ⅱ cells RLE-6TN;To explore the mechanism based on nuclear factor(NF)-κB signaling pathway.Methods The inflammatory reaction of RLE-6TN cells was induced by lipopolysaccharide,and the cells were divided into control group,model group,dexamethasone medicated serum group,and 5%,10%and 20%TCM serum group,and the cell model was intervened with different serum.After 24 hours,the content of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)in cell supernatant was detected by kit,and the content of reactive oxygen species(ROS)in cells were detected by fluorescence staining,Hoechst/PI double staining was used to observe cell apoptosis,and ELISA was used to detect tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-1β contents in cell supernatant,RT-qPCR was used to detect Toll like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),and NF-κB inhibitory protein α(IκBα)mRNA expression,Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88,NF-κBp65 and IκBα.Results Compared with the control group,the contents of LDH,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β in RLE-6TN cell supernatant and ROS content in cells of model group significantly increased(P<0.01),the cell apoptosis rate significantly increased(P<0.01),the expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA and protein significantly increased(P<0.01),the expression of IκBα mRNA significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the ratio of p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 and p-IκBα/IκBα significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the content of LDH,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1 in RLE-6TN cell supernatant and ROS content in cells significant decreased in the 20%TCM serum group and dexamethasone medicated serum group(P<0.01),the cell apoptosis rate significantly decreased(P<0.01),the expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 mRNA and protein significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01),the expression of IκBα mRNA significantly increased(P<0.01),and the ratio of p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 and p-IκBα/IκBα significantly decreased(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Modified Yupingfeng Powder medicated serum can reduce RLE-6TN cells inflammatory reaction,and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of NF-κB signaling pathway.
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Objective:To analyze the correlation between serum glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c), γ-glutamyltranspeptidase(γ-GT) and intercellular adhesion factor-1 (ICAM-1) levels and cognitive impairment in elderly patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with cardiovascular disease. Methods:In this retrospective cohort study, 158 elderly patients who underwent examination and were diagnosed with hyperlipidemia complicated with cardiovascular disease at Beijing Anzhen Hospital Affiliated with Capital Medical University from January to December 2022 were selected as study subjects. The simple mental state scale (MMSE) was assessed in the subjects in combination with the subject′s level of education. Illiteracy≤17 points, primary school≤20 points, middle school and above≤24 points were classified as cognitive impairment group (67 cases), the rest were were classified into the non-cognitive impairment group (91 cases); and another 50 healthy elderly people who received physical examination in the same period were selected as the control group. The blood samples in the three groups were extracted to measure serum HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1. The correlation between HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1 levels with cognitive impairment were analyzed. Results:The serum levels of HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1 in the cognitive impairment group were all significantly higher than those in the non-cognitive impairment group and the control group [5.41%±1.04% vs 4.82%±0.95%, 4.39%±0.86%; (52.01±10.96) vs (41.28±9.23), (25.03±7.17) U/L; (336.61±85.36) vs (286.93±72.53), (143.52±64.20) g/ml], and the MMSE score was significantly lower [(20.19±2.85) vs (25.30±1.24), (27.14±1.56) points] (all P<0.05). Serum levels of HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1 were all significantly negatively correlated with MMSE score ( r=-0.512, -0.498, -0.563) (all P<0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for serum HbA 1c, γ-GT, and ICAM-1 levels in the assessment of cognitive dysfunction were 0.657, 0.816, and 0.691, respectively (all P<0.05). The optimal cut-off values were 5.115%, 47.65 U/L, and 304.58 g/ml, respectively. Conclusion:Serum HbA 1c, γ-GT and ICAM-1 levels in elderly patients with hyperlipidemia complicated with cardiovascular disease are negatively correlated with cognitive impairment, and have certain value for the evaluation and early diagnosis of cognitive impairment.
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Objective:To explore the establishment and application of ovarian cancer organoids.Methods:Fresh ovarian tumor tissues, obtaining from patients underwent surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between October 2021 and March 2022, were collected, enzymatic degraded, digested, and embedded into matrigel to establish organoids. A total of 32 ovarian cancer samples were collected. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining and immunofluorescence (IF) procedure were used to verify the morphological structure of organoids and their expression of molecular markers. 3D cyto-live or dead assay was used to detecte the live or dead cells in organoids. Carboplatin with a concentration ranging from 5 to 80 μmol/L (5, 10, 20, 40, 80 μmol/L) was added to organoids to calculate the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC 50) in different organoids. Results:(1) Organoids from a total of 32 patients were established, of which 18 cases could be passaged stably in the long term in vitro, while 14 could be passaged in the short time. The average amplification time of long-term passage in vitro was over 3 months, and the longest reached 9 months. (2) In HE staining, significant nuclei atypia and local micropapillary structures were observed in organoids. IF staining revealed that ovarian cancer organoids expressed molecular markers similar to primary tumor tissues, such as Pan cytokeratin (Pan-CK), p53, paired box gene 8 (PAX8), and Wilms tumor gene 1 (WT1). (3) In 3D cyto-live or dead assay, a large number of apoptotic cells were observed inside and around the organoids after added carboplatin. The sensitivity to carboplatin varied in 18 organoids could amplify in the long term, with an average IC 50 of (29.5±15.8) μmol/L. Moreover, IC 50 values of 4 organoids derived from patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were much higher than the 14 organoids which did not received neoadjuvant chemotherapy [(48.7±11.3) μmol/L vs (24.0±12.1) μmol/L; t=3.429, P=0.022]. Conclusions:Organoids recapitulate ovarian cancers in vitro and could be stably passaged. Organoids derived from patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy have higher resistance to carboplatin.
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Objective:To develope and analyze and optimize the performance of some kinds of environmentally friendly flexible X-ray protective materials in attempt to tackle the various environmental and high energy consumption problems in the development of traditional medical X-ray protective clothing.Methods:The Monte Carlo program was used to establish a simplified model of medical X-ray tube. The aim was to carry out numerical simulation and prediction of the shielding materials′ performance against X-ray, prepare the flexible X-ray shielding materials through experiments and test and verify the their shielding performances The development and optimization path was also obtained by comparing the result between simulation and experiment.Results:Bi was the preferred alternative to toxic Pb elements, while W was able to compensate for weak X-ray absorption zone of Bi. The shielding efficiency of the composite material doped with 25% Bi+ 25% W was able to reach 77.8% and 66.3% at 80 and 120 kV p tube voltages, respectively. Conclusions:With both the selection of elements and the optimization of functional particles, the combination of W and Bi is an economical, environmentally friendly, and efficient shielding way within the energy range of medical diagnostic X-rays. The numerical simulation helps reduce experimental costs, shorten the research period, and improve the design efficiency of X-ray shielding materials.
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Aim To investigate whether catechin can play against CCl
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italic>Atractylodes chinensis has important medicinal and economic values. In this study, the chloroplast genome sequences of four A. chinensis samples from different producing areas were sequenced using the Illumina platform. The specific DNA barcodes were screened and the germplasm resources of A. chinensis samples from different producing areas and the genetic diversity of the population were analyzed basing on the specific barcodes. The whole chloroplast genomes of the four A. chinensis samples had a typical cyclic tetrad structure, with 112 genes annotated. The comparative genomics results indicated that ccsA and trnC-GCA_petN were potential specific DNA barcodes for intraspecific identification of A. chinensis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of ccsA and trnC-GCA_petN was performed on 256 samples from 14 areas in 9 provinces, and the amplification efficiency was 100%. Sequence analysis showed that ccsA and trnC-GCA_petN had 11 and 22 variant positions, which could identify 16 and 22 haplotypes, respectively. The combined sequence analysis identified 39 haplotypes, named Hap1-Hap39, of which the most abundant and widely distributed genotype was Hap9. Haplotype diversity (Hd) = 0.896 and nucleotide diversity (Pi) = 0.002 22 indicated high genetic diversity at the species level in A. chinensis. The genetic distances of the haplotypes were 0.000 00-0.004 88, indicating that there were small genetic differences among the haplotypes. The results of phylogenetic tree analysis showed that 39 haplotypes had very close genetic relationship, and formed two obvious branches with other groups of the same genus except Atractylodes macrocephala. This study plays an important role in the identification of the origin of A. chinensis and the protection and breeding of germplasm resources.
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"Taking drugs for a long term" is a qualitative expression of medication method based on the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine, and the study on it is conducive to the full utilization of the efficacy and rational use of drugs. There are 148 drugs that can be taken for a long time recorded in Shen Nong's Classic of Materia Medica, accounting for 41% of the total drugs. This paper analyzed three-grade classification, natural qualities, four properties and five flavors, and efficacy features of the "long-term taking" drugs(LTTD), thus exploring the herbal source of traditional Chinese medicine health care and the rationality of effect accumulation by long-term taking. It was found that there were more than 110 top-grade LTTD in Shen Nong's Classic of Materia Medica, most of which were herbs, with sweet flavor, flat property, and no toxicity. The efficacies were mainly making body feel light and agile(Qingshen) and prolonging life. Eighty-three LTTD were included in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). In the modern classification, tonic LTTD accounted for the most, followed by damp-draining diuretic LTTD and exterior-releasing LTTD. Twenty LTTD were included in the "List of Medicinal and Edible Products" and 21 were in the "List of Products Used for Health-care Food", involving in various modern health care effects, such as enhancing immunity, assisting in reducing blood lipids, and anti-oxidation. Shen Nong's Classic of Materia Medica is the classic source of traditional Chinese medicine health care, and its medication thought of taking drugs for a long term to accumulate effects has guiding significance for the regulation of sub-health and chronic diseases nowadays. The efficacy and safety of LTTD have been examined in practice for a long time, and some of the drugs are edible, which is unique in the whole cycle of health-care service, especially in line with the health-care needs in the aging society under the concept of Big Health. However, some records in the book are limited by the understanding of the times, which should be scientifically studied according to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the related regulations and technical requirements, under the attitude of eliminating falsifications and preserving the truth and keeping the right essence, so as to achieve further improvement, innovation, and development.
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Humans , Delivery of Health Care , Materia Medica , Medicine, Chinese TraditionalABSTRACT
This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of alcohol extract of root and root bark of Toddalia asiatica(TAAE) on collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) in rats through phosphatidylinoinosidine-3 kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway. To be specific, CIA was induced in rats, and then the rats were treated(oral, daily) with TAAE and Tripterygium Glycoside Tablets(TGT), respectively. The swelling degree of the hind leg joints was scored weekly. After 35 days of administration, the histopathological changes were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was employed to detect the levels of cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin(IL)-6)]. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) staining was performed to detect the apoptosis of synoviocytes in rats. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)-associated X(Bax), Bcl-2, and caspase-3 and pathway-related proteins phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K), phosphorylated(p)-PI3K, protein kinase B(Akt), and p-Akt. RT-qPCR was conducted to examine the mRNA levels of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β and pathway-related proteins PI3K, p-PI3K, Akt, and p-Akt. TAAE can alleviate the joint swelling in CIA rats, reduce serum levels of inflammatory cytokines, improve synovial histopathological changes, promote apoptosis of synoviocytes, and inhibit synovial inflammation. In addition, RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that TAAE up-regulated the level of Bax, down-regulated the level of Bcl-2, and activated caspase-3 to promote apoptosis in synoviocytes. TAAE effectively down-regulated the protein levels of p-PI3K and p-Akt. In this study, TAAE shows therapeutic effect on CIA in rats and reduces the inflammation. The mechanism is that it suppresses PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and promotes synoviocyte apoptosis. Overall, this study provides a new clue for the research on the anti-inflammatory mechanism of TAAE and lays a theoretical basis for the better clinical application of TAAE in the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.
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Rats , Animals , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism , Caspase 3/genetics , Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolism , Plant Bark , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Arthritis, Experimental/chemically induced , Inflammation/drug therapy , Cytokines/metabolism , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 , ApoptosisABSTRACT
The leaves of Vernonia amygdalina Delile of the family Asteraceae(also known as "bitter leaf"), rich in biological activities, are used as both medicine and food for a long time in West tropical Africa. They have been introduced into Southeast Asia and Fujian and Guangdong provinces of China in recent years. However, little is known about the properties of the plant in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM), which limits its combination with other Chinese medicinal herbs. In this study, 473 articles on V. amygdalina leaves were selected from PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP to summarize their components, pharmacological effects and clinical research. V. amygdalina leaves presented anti-microbial, hypoglycemic, anti-hypertensive, lipid-lowering, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological effects. On the basis of the theory of TCM properties, the leaves were inferred to be cold in property and bitter and sweet in flavor, acting on spleen, liver, stomach and large intestine and with the functions of clearing heat, drying dampness, purging fire, removing toxin, killing insects and preventing attack of malaria. They can be used to treat dampness-heat diarrhea, interior heat and diabetes, malaria, insect accumulation and eczema(5-10 g dry leaves by decoction per day and an appropriate amount of crushed fresh leaves applying to the affected area for external use). Due to the lack of TCM properties, V. amygdalina leaves are rarely used medicinally in China. The determination of medicinal properties of the leaves is conducive to the introduction of new exotic medicinal herbs and the development of new TCM resources, which facilitated further clinical application and research and development of Chinese medicinal herbs.
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Antioxidants , Medicine, Chinese Traditional , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Plant Leaves , Plants, Medicinal , VernoniaABSTRACT
This study aimed to investigate the anti-fatigue effect and mechanism of Lubian(Cervi Penis et Testis) on kidney Yin deficiency and kidney Yang deficiency mice. After one week of adaptive feeding, 88 healthy male Kunming mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a kidney Yin deficiency model group, a kidney Yin deficiency-Panacis Quinquefolii Radix(PQR) group, kidney Yin deficiency-Lubian treatment groups, a kidney Yang deficiency model group, a kidney Yang deficiency-Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma(GR) group, and kidney Yang deficiency-Lubian treatment groups, with eight mice in each group. The kidney Yin deficiency model and kidney Yang deficiency model were prepared by daily regular oral administration of dexamethasone acetate and hydrocortisone, respectively, and meanwhile, corresponding drugs were provided. The mice in the blank group received blank reagent. The treatment lasted 14 days. The exhaustive swimming time was measured 30 min after drug administration on the 14th day. On the 15th day, blood was collected from eyeballs and the serum was separated to determine the content of lactic acid(LD), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate(cGMP). The liver was dissected to determine the content of liver glycogen and the protein expression of phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K) and protein kinase B(Akt). Compared with the kidney Yang deficiency model group, the kidney Yang deficiency-Lubian treatment groups showed increased body weight(P<0.05), relieved symptoms of Yang deficiency, decreased cGMP content(P<0.01), increased cAMP/cGMP(P<0.01), prolonged exhausted swimming time(P<0.01), reduced LD(P<0.01), elevated BUN content(P<0.01), increased liver glycogen content(P<0.01), and increased protein expression of PI3K and Akt in the liver(P<0.05). Compared with the kidney Yin deficiency model group, the kidney Yin deficiency-Lubian treatment groups showed increased body weight(P<0.01), relieved symptoms of Yin deficiency, increased content of cGMP(P<0.01), decreased cAMP/cGMP(P<0.01), prolonged exhausted swimming time(P<0.01), decreased LD(P<0.01), decreased BUN content(P<0.01), increased liver glycogen content(P<0.01), and increased protein expression of PI3K(P<0.05) and Akt in the liver(P<0.05). To sum up, Lubian can regulate Yin deficiency and Yang deficiency and increase glycogen synthesis by affecting the PI3K-Akt pathway, thereby exerting an anti-fatigue role.
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Male , Mice , Animals , Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics , Liver Glycogen , Yang Deficiency/drug therapy , Yin Deficiency/drug therapy , Kidney , Body WeightABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic basis of a child with Alazami syndrome (AS).@*METHODS@#A child who presented at Tianjin Children's Hospital on June 13, 2021 was selected as the study subject. The child was subjected to whole exome sequencing (WES), and candidate variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.@*RESULTS@#WES revealed that the child has harbored two frameshifting variants of the LARP7 gene, namely c.429_430delAG (p.Arg143Serfs*17) and c.1056_1057delCT (p.Leu353Glufs*7), which were verified by Sanger sequencing to be respectively inherited from his father and mother.@*CONCLUSION@#The compound heterozygous variants of the LARP7 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis in this child.
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Female , Humans , Male , Child , Dwarfism/genetics , Exome Sequencing , Intellectual Disability/genetics , Microcephaly , Mothers , MutationABSTRACT
Currently, the main strategy for preventing neonatal group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is prenatal screening combined with intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis, which has effectively reduced the incidence of neonatal GBS early-onset disease. However, the burden of GBS infection is still significant. The intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis strategy has limitations such as inducing antibiotic resistance and inability to effectively prevent GBS late-onset disease. It is crucial to develop and evaluate other prevention strategies, while paying close attention to assessing penicillin allergy in pregnant women and how to prevent GBS infection in neonates with negative maternal GBS screening. In recent years, there has been some progress in GBS vaccines and related immunological research, and the use of specific vaccines is expected to significantly reduce GBS infection in neonates.