Anti-osteoporosis mechanism of Panax quiquefolium L. based on zebrafish model and metabonomics / 药学学报

In this study, we investigated the anti-osteoporotic activity and mechanism of action of extract of Panax quiquefolium L. based on zebrafish model combined with metabolomics technology. A zebrafish model of prednisolone-induced osteoporosis was used to compare the anti-osteoporotic activity of Panax quiquefolium L., and the expression of osteoblast-associated genes and osteoclast-associated genes in zebrafish was detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), using bone fluorescence area and fluorescence density as evaluation indexes. Metabolomics based on ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) was used to explore the change patterns of biomarkers and the metabolic pathways affected. The results showed that the 50% ethanol extracts of Panax quiquefolium L. from Jilin, Canada, Wenden and the United States can significantly improve the bone fluorescence area of zebrafish compared with model group. Furthermore, four sources 50% ethanol extracts of Panax quiquefolium L. except United States also can significantly improve the bone fluorescence density of zebrafish. In addition, PCR showed that extract of Panax quiquefolium L. can significantly up-regulated the expression of vitamin D receptor b (vdrb), collagen type I α2 (col1a2) and cysteine-rich acidic secreted protein (sparc) genes, and down-regulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (mmp9), anti-tartrase acid phosphatase (trap) and cathepsin K (ctsk) genes. Metabolomic analysis identified 24 key differential metabolites. Furthermore, pathway analysis showed that Panax quiquefolium L. could regulate the levels of 10 key biomarkers by participating in purine metabolism, tricarboxylic acid cycle and pentose phosphate metabolism and improve the osteoporosis status of zebrafish. This study preliminically revealed the anti-osteoporosis mechanism of 50% ethanol extract from Panax quiquefolium L. through multi-component, multi-target and multi-pathway and also provides theoretical basis for clinical development and utilization of anti-osteoporosis products of Panax quiquefolium L. This experiment was approved by the Experimental Animal Welfare Ethics Committee of the Institute of Biology, Shandong Academy of Sciences (approval number: SWS20181002).

Influence of toilet revolution on pathogen spectrum of foodborne diseases in Yichang / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To master the changes of foodborne disease pathogen spectrum in Yichang during 2014-2020, and to understand the impact of the toilet revolution on the pathogen spectrum of foodborne diseases in Yichang. Methods The basic information on the cases of foodborne diseases in Yichang from 2014 to 2020 was collected. The fecal specimens were collected to detect pathogens, including Salmonella , Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Shigella, and diarrheogenic Escherichia coli and Norovirus. The distribution of foodborne pathogenic bacteria in food was obtained from the surveillance project report of food microorganisms and their pathogenic factors in Yichang. From 2017 to 2020, water samples from the Yangtze River were collected from May to October with frequent intestinal diseases to detect pathogenic bacteria of foodborne diseases. Results The monitoring results of foodborne diseases showed that the detection rate of norovirus increased to 6.12% year by year from 2015 to 2017, and plummeted to 0.43% in 2018, with a statistically significant difference (χ2＝60.962，P2＝106.47，P2＝44.036 , P<0.05). Conclusion The toilet revolution can reduce the detection rate of pathogens of foodborne diseases in Yichang and reduce the detection rate of Salmonella in Yangtze River water, but it has little impact on the composition of foodborne disease pathogen spectrum.

Mechanism of epidural scar hyperplasia after laminectomy induced by blood siltation / 中华骨科杂志

Objective:To explore the mechanism of epidural scar tissue hyperplasia induced by erythrocyte rupture and release of interleukin-33 (IL-33) after laminectomy in mice.Methods:In the zoological experiment, the operation group (Laminectomy) and the sham operation group were set, and HE staining and Masson staining were performed to test for blood accumulation in the operation area after laminectomy in mice. Then 12 wild-type mice with 6-8 week old were selected and divided into 4 groups: the sham operation group, the operation group (normal saline control), the pure red blood cell intervention operation group, the whole blood intervention operation group. The normal saline (100 mg/kg) was injected into the postoperative area. The red blood cells or whole blood with the same volume were injected into the postoperative area in the pure red blood cell intervention group and the whole blood intervention group. The postoperative recovery of mice in each group was observed. The levels of fibronectin in the postoperative scar tissues of mice in four groups were detected by western blot technology, and the degree of postoperative epidural scar hyperplasia was directly observed by immunohistochemistry. In the cytological experiment, the wild-type mouse erythrocyte normal saline group, the control group of IL-33 knockout mouse erythrocyte normal saline, the wild-type mouse erythrocyte lysis group, and the IL-33 knockout mouse erythrocyte lysis group were set. The levels of IL-33 in the red blood cells of four groups were detected by western blot. Then, a blank wild-type mouse erythrocyte control group, a wild-type mouse relative to the control group (only secondary antibody added to test for non-specific binding), a wild-type mouse erythrocyte group and an IL-33 knockout mouse erythrocyte group (to test for antigen specificity of the primary antibody) were set. Immunofluorescence staining was performed on the erythrocytes of four groups and the level of IL-33 was detected by flow cytometry.Results:HE staining and Masson staining after laminectomy showed that there was blood stasis in the local incision area of mice in the operation group. The epidural scar hyperplasia in the incision area of mice after whole blood or red blood cells intervention was higher, especially in the whole blood intervention group. IL-33 expression was almost undetectable in the wild-type erythrocyte normal saline control group, the IL-33-knockout erythrocyte normal saline control group, and the IL-33-knockout erythrocyte lysis group, while significant IL-33 expression was detectable in the wild-type erythrocyte lysis group. Immunofluorescence staining showed that IL-33 was expressed in and on the erythrocyte membrane of wild-type mice, while non-specific expression of IL-33 or a very small amount of IL-33 was almost undetectable in the other three groups. The immunofluorescence intensities of IL-33 in the four groups were 0.62±0.41, 60.17±4.39, 16.78±7.43 and 0.61±0.03, respectively ( F=281.90, P<0.001). The expression of IL-33 in the erythrocyte group of wild-type mice was the highest ( P<0.05). According to the results of flow cytometry, except for the trace amount of IL-33 detected in the wild-type mouse erythrocyte group, the expression of IL-33 in the other three groups was basically 0. The ratios of fibronectin to β-actin in the modeling area of the four groups gradually increased, and the ratios were 0.79±0.09, 1.26±0.23, 1.79±0.05 and 2.29±0.58, respectively, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=12.86, P=0.002). Fibronectin in the operation area of the three operation groups (normal saline control group, red blood cell intervention group and whole blood intervention group) was significantly higher than that of the sham operation group. The immunohistochemical staining results of fibronectin in the modeling area of the four groups were the same as those in western blot experiment. The average optical density values of fibronectin in each group were 0.09±0.01, 0.18±0.01, 0.22±0.01 and 0.24±0.01, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( F= 210.7, P<0.001). Conclusion:There is indeed blood accumulation in the surgical area after laminectomy in mice, and it can aggravate the hyperplasia of epidural scar tissue. Erythrocyte is the main component in blood, and there is a large amount of IL-33 expression in the inner and outer membrane of erythrocyte membrane. The mechanism of promoting the proliferation of epidural scar tissue may be related to the release of IL-33 by erythrocyte lysis.

Spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of Oncomelania hupensis snails in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020, to provide insights into precision control of O. hupensis snails in Anhui Province.@*METHODS@#O. hupensis snail distribution data were collected in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020 and descriptively analyzed, including actual area of snail habitats, area of emerging snail habitats and area of Schistosoma japonicum-infected snails. The actual area of snail habitats and area of emerging snail habitats were subjected to spatial autocorrelation analysis, hotspot analysis, standard deviation ellipse analysis and space-time scanning analysis, and the clusters of snail distribution and settings at high risk of snail spread were identified in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020.@*RESULTS@#The actual area of snail habitats gradually decreased in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020. The actual area of snail habitats were 26 238.85 hm2 in Anhui Province in 2020, which were mainly distributed in marshland and lake regions. There was a large fluctuation in the area of emerging snail habitats in Anhui Province during the period from 2011 to 2020, with the largest area seen in 2016 (1 287.65 hm2), and 1.96 hm2 emerging infected snail habitats were detected in Guichi District, Chizhou City in 2020. Spatial autocorrelation and hotspot analyses showed spatial clusters in the distribution of actual areas of snail habitats in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020 (Z = 3.00 to 3.43, all P values < 0.01), and the hotspots were mainly concentrated in the marshland and lake regions and distributed along the south side of the Yangtze River, while the cold spots were mainly concentrated in the mountainous regions of southern Anhui Province. There were no overall spatial clusters in the distribution of areas of emerging snail habitats (Z = -2.20 to 1.71, all P values > 0.05), and a scattered distribution was found in local regions. Standard deviation ellipse analysis showed relatively stable distributions of the actual areas of snail habitats in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020, which was consistent with the flow direction of the Yangtze River, and the focus of the distribution of areas of emerging snail habitats shifted from the lower reaches to upper reaches of Anhui section of the Yangtze River. Space-time scanning analysis identified two high-value clusters in the distribution of actual areas of snail habitats in lower and middle reaches of Anhui section of the Yangtze River from 2011 to 2020, and two high-value clusters in the distribution of areas of emerging snail habitats were identified in mountainous and hilly regions.@*CONCLUSIONS@#There were spatial clusters in the distribution of O. hupensis snails in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2020, which appeared a tendency of aggregation towards the south side and upper reaches of the Yangtze River; however, the spread of O. hupensis snails could not be neglected in mountainous and hilly regions. Monitoring of emerging snail habitats should be reinforced in mountainous and hilly regions and along the Yangtze River basin.

Transcriptome-wide identification and expression pattern analysis for Dof gene family in Panax ginseng from Jilin / 中国中药杂志

Dof(DNA binding with one finger), a unique class of transcription factors in plants, play an important role in seed development, tissue differentiation, and metabolic regulation. To identify the number and function of Dof gene family members in Panax ginseng, this study identified the members of Dof gene family in P. ginseng and systematically analyzed their structures, evolution, functional differentiation, expression patterns, and interactions using bioinformatics methods at the transcriptome level. At the same time, the association analysis of Dof genes from P. ginseng with key enzyme genes for ginsenoside synthesis was carried out to screen the candidate PgDof genes involved in the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthesis. The results showed that there were 54 genes belonging to the Dof gene family in P. ginseng from Jilin. All PgDof genes had Zf-Dof conserved motifs, implying that they were evolutionarily conserved and could be divided into five groups. Expression pattern analysis confirmed that the expression of PgDof gene family members in different tissues, different year-old P. ginseng, and different farm varieties varied significantly. Simultaneously, as revealed by "gene-saponin content" and "gene-gene" linkage analysis, an important candidate PgDof14-1 gene involved in the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthesis was obtained. From the established genetic transformation system of this gene in the hairy roots of P. ginseng, a positive hairy root clone was determined. This study has laid a theoretical foundation for the study of Dof gene family in P. ginseng.

IL-33 Promotes ST2-Dependent Fibroblast Maturation via P38 and TGF-β in a Mouse Model of Epidural Fibrosis

BACKGROUND@#Recent evidence suggests that IL-33, a novel member of the IL-1b family, is involved in organ fibrosis. However, the roles of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 in epidural fibrosis post spine operation remain elusive. @*METHODS@#A mouse model of epidural fibrosis was established after laminectomy. IL-33 in the wound tissues post laminectomy was measured with Western blotting, ELISA and imaging. The fibroblast cell line NIH-3T3 and primary fibroblasts were treated with IL-33 and the mechanisms of maturation of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts were analyzed. To explore roles of IL-33 and its receptor ST2 In vivo, IL-33 knockout (KO) and ST2 KO mice were employed to construct the model of laminectomy. The epidural fibrosis was evaluated using H&E and Masson staining, western-blotting, ELISA and immunohistochemistry. @*RESULTS@#As demonstrated in western blotting and ELISA, IL-33 was increased in epidural wound tissues post laminectomy. The immunoflurosence imaging revealed that endothelial cells (CD31 + ) and fibroblasts (a-SAM +) were major producers of IL-33 in the epidural wound tissues. In vitro, IL-33 promoted fibroblast maturation, which was blocked by ST2 neutralization antibody, suggesting that IL-33-promoted-fibroblasts maturation was ST2 dependent. Further, IL-33/ ST2 activated MAPK p38 and TGF-β pathways. Either p38 inhibitor or TGF-β inhibitor decreased fibronectin and a-SAM production from IL-33-treated fibroblasts, suggesting that p38 and TGF-β were involved with IL-33/ST2 signal pathways in the fibroblasts maturation. In vivo, IL-33 KO or ST2 KO decreased fibronectin, a-SMA and collagen deposition in the wound tissues of mice that underwent spine surgery. In addition, TGF-β 1 was decreased in IL-33 KO or ST2 KO epidural wound tissues. @*CONCLUSION@#In summary, IL-33/ST2 promoted fibroblast differentiation into myofibroblasts via MAPK p38 and TGF-β in a mouse model of epidural fibrosis after laminectomy.

Epidemiological trends for human schistosomiasis prevalence in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018 based on Joinpoint regression analysis / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the trends of human schistosomiasis prevalence in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the schistosomiasis elimination strategy in the province. Methods All data pertaining to human schistosomiasis prevalence in Hubei Province were collected from 2004 to 2018, and the trends for changes in seroprevalence, egg-positive rate and prevalence of human Schistosoma japonicum infection were analyzed using a Joinpoint regression model. Results Both of the numbers of residents seropositive and egg-positive for S. japonicum infections appeared a tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, and the prevalence of human S. japonicum infections reduced from 6.85% in 2004 to 0 in 2018. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that the prevalence of human S. japonicum infections appeared an overall tendency towards a reduction in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018 [average annual percent change (AAPC) = −24.1%, P < 0.01], and the trends for the reduction were both significant during the period from 2004 to 2006 [annual percent change (APC) = −35.1%, P < 0.01] and from 2006 to 2018 (APC = −22.1%, P < 0.01). The prevalence of human S. japonicum infections appeared a tendency towards a decline in islet (AAPC = −25.1%, P < 0.01), inner embankment (AAPC = −26.4%, P < 0.01) and hilly subtypes of schistosomiasis-endemic areas (AAPC = −32.5%, P < 0.01) of Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, and the prevalence all appeared a tendency towards a decline during the infection control stage (from 2004 to 2008), the transmission control stage (from 2009 to 2013) and the transmission interruption stage (from 2014 to 2018) (AAPC = −28.0%, −24.4% and −63.8%, all P values < 0.01). The seroprevalence of human S. japonicum infections appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018 (AAPC = −14.5%, P < 0.01), and the trends for the reduction were both significant during the period from 2004 to 2012 (APC = −8.4%, P < 0.01) and from 2012 to 2018 (APC = −22.1%, P < 0.01). In addition, the egg-positive rate of human S. japonicum infections appeared an overall tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018 (AAPC = −30.6%, P < 0.05), and the trend for the reduction was significant during the period from 2007 to 2014 (APC = −15.5%, P < 0.01). Conclusions The prevalence of human schistosomiasis appeared a tendency towards a decline in Hubei Province from 2004 to 2018, and the islet and inner embankment subtypes of endemic areas are a high priority for schistosomiasis control during the stage moving towards elimination in Hubei Province.

Investigation on prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild mice in Shitai County, Anhui Province, 2018 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infection in wild mice in Shitai County, Anhui Province, so as to provide insights into precise control of the source of S. japonicum infections. Methods Wild mice were captured using the trapping method for three successive nights at snail-infested settings from Jitan Village of Jitan Township, and Shiquan Village and Xibai Village of Dingxiang Township, Shitai County, Anhui Province in June and October, 2018. All trapped wild mice were sacrificed and liver and mesenteric vein specimens were collected for detection of S. japonicum eggs using microscopy, while the fecal samples in mouse intestines were collected for identification of S. japonicum infections using Kato-Katz technique. In addition, the population density of trapped wild mice was estimated and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection was calculated in trapped wild mice. Results A total of 376 wild mice were trapped from three villages in Shitai County. The population density of trapped wild mice was 9.1% (376/4 124), and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection was 24.2% (91/376) in trapped wild mice. The highest prevalence of S. japonicum infection was detected in Shiquan Village of Dingxiang Township (30.1%), and the lowest prevalence was seen in Xibai Village of Dingxiang Township; however, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of S. japonicum infection in trapped wild mice among three villages (χ2= 4.111, P > 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild mice captured between on June (26.8%, 34/127) and October (22.9%, 57/249) (χ2 = 0.690, P = 0.406). The trapped wild mice included 6 species, including Rattus norvegicus, Niviventer niviventer, R. losea, Apodemus agrarius, Mus musculus and N. coning, and the two highest prevalence of S. japonicum infection was detected in R. losea (34.9%, 22/63) and R. norvegicus (31.2%, 44/141). Conclusions The prevalence of S. japonicum infections is high in wild mice in Shitai County, and there is a natural focus of schistosomiasis transmission in Shitai County.

Comparison and significance of scleral cribriform curvature in different types of glaucoma / 中华眼底病杂志

Objective:To observe the differences in scleral lamina curvature (SLC) of patients with pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PXG), primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), and primary chronic angle-closure glaucoma (CPACG) were compared and analyzed and their significance was analyzed.Methods:A retrospective clinical study. From June 2017 to December 2020, 30 PXG (PXG group), POAG (POAG group) and CPACG patients (CPACG group) diagnosed at Eye Center of Cangnan County people's Hospital of Zhejiang Province (Cangnan Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University) were included in the study. The age difference between the three groups of patients was statistically significant ( t=17.925, P=0.001); gender composition ratio ( χ2=2.158, P=0.276), intraocular pressure ( t=4.993, P=0.078), and axial length ( t=1.956, P=0.532), central corneal thickness ( t=1.407, P=0.724), average visual field defect ( t=2.725, P=0.496), optic disc retinal nerve fiber layer thickness ( t=2.185, P=0.492) in comparison, the differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The frequency-domain optical coherence tomography deep-enhanced imaging (OCT EDI) technology was used to measure the average and 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, 120°, 150° SLC of the affected eyes, and calculate the SLC index (SLCI) and SL curve depth (SLCD). Quantitative data comparison between groups used independent sample t test. Count data comparison used χ2 test. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used for correlation analysis. Results:The results of OCT EDI examination showed that the SLC of eyes with PXG and CPACG was significantly steep, while the SLC of eyes with POAG was relatively flat. Except for the angle of 150°, the other 6 angles of SLCI and SLCD in the PXG group and CPACG group were higher than those in the POAG group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between PXG group and CPACG group for 7 angles of SLCI and SLCD ( P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the average SLCI [odds ratio (OR)=1.498, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.137-2.018, P=0.001], age ( OR=1.074, 95% CI 1.019-1.143, P=0.016) was significantly correlated with PXG; mean SLCI ( OR=1.625, 95% CI 1.192-1.997, P=0.001), intraocular pressure ( OR=1.383, 95% CI 1.106-1.993, P=0.012) was significantly correlated with CPACG. POAG group ( β=0.143, 95% CI 0.032- 0.208, P=0.016), CPACG group ( β=0.132, 95% CI 0.079-0.315, P=0.043) intraocular pressure was correlated with mean SLCI; all factors of PXG group were correlated with SLCI without correlation ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Compared with POAG, the SLC of eyes with PXG and CPACG is steeper and related to disease occurrence.

Establishment of an indicator system for schistosomiasis transmission risk assessment after transmission interruption in Hubei Province based on the Delphi method / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To establish an indicator system for assessment of schistosomiasis transmission risk after transmission interruption in Hubei Province, so as to provide insights into the precise control of schistosomiasis. Methods The indicator system was preliminarily established based on data collection, literature review, expert interviews. Two rounds of expert consultation were performed. The indicator system was screened based on the importance, operability, sensitivity and comprehensive score of the indicators, and the weights of each indicator were calculated. The credibility of the Delphi method was evaluated by calculating the active coefficient of the experts, degree of expert authority and coordination levels of experts’ opinions. Results An indicator system for assessment of schistosomiasis transmission risk was preliminarily established, including 3 primary indicators, 12 secondary indicators and 44 tertiary indicators. A Delphi consultation was performed among 17 experts participating in schistosomiasis control, management and research. Following two rounds of consultation, a risk assessment indicator system was finally constructed, including 3 primary indicators, 10 secondary indicators and 35 tertiary indicators. Among the primary indicators, the variable with the highest normalized weight was the current status of schistosomiasis (0.420 2), followed by social factors (0.397 3) and natural environments (0.182 5). Among the secondary indicators, those with high combined weights included risk monitoring (0.142 3), current snail status (0.140 1), and current prevalence of human and livestock infections (0.137 8). Among the tertiary indicators, those with high combined weights included the positive rate of wild feces (0.049 8), the prevalence of snail infections (0.047 4), and the area of snail habitats submerged by floods (0.046 8). During the two-round consultation, the active coefficients of the experts were 85.00% and 100.00%, the degree of expert authority was both 0.75 and greater, and the coordination levels of experts’ opinions were 0.405 to 0.521 and 0.592 to 0.695 (all P values < 0.05). Conclusion An indicator system for assessment of schistosomiasis transmission risk is successfully established after transmission interruption in Hubei Province based on the Delphi method, which provides insights into the identification of the schistosomiasis transmission risk and the targets for schistosomiasis control in Hubei Province.

Change of serum levels of pentraxin-3 and syndecan-4 in children with chronic heart failure / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the change and significance of serum pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and syndecan-4 in children with chronic heart failure (CHF).@*METHODS@#A total of 40 children with CHF who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were enrolled as the heart failure group, and 30 children who underwent physical examination in the outpatient service during the same period of time were enrolled as the control group. The serum levels of PTX-3, syndecan-4, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#The children with CHF had significant reductions in the serum levels of PTX-3, syndecan-4, and NT-proBNP after treatment. The levels of these markers in children with CHF were significantly higher than the control group before and after treatment (@*CONCLUSIONS@#Serum PTX-3 and syndecan-4 may be involved in the development and progression of ventricular remodeling in children with CHF and may be used as markers for the diagnosis, cardiac function grading, and treatment outcome evaluation of children with heart failure.

Clinical manifestations and gene mutation analysis of children with noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium: an analysis of 6 cases / 中国当代儿科杂志

This article summarizes and analyzes the clinical features and gene mutation characteristics of children with noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium (NVM). For the 6 children with NVM (4 boys and 2 girls), the age of onset ranged from 3 months to 12 years. Of the 6 children, 5 had arrhythmia, 3 had cardiac insufficiency, 1 had poor mental state, and 1 had chest distress and sighing. NVM-related gene mutations were detected in 4 children, among whom 2 had

Progress in anti-inflammatory effects of escin / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

The fraction of horse chestnut seeds was named escins, which mainly consists of A, B, C, and D escin. Accumulating evidence suggests that escin exerts potent anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects. The effects of escin on inflammation and edema have been confirmed in various models. In a study in 1961, intravenous administration of escin was found to reduce acute edema in a rat paw. In the same study, escin was found to inhibit the increase in vascular permeability induced by egg white injection. Escin dose-dependently reduced the capillary permeability in chlo?roform-induced local inflammation in the abdominal skin surface of rabbits. The anti-inflammatory and anti-edematous effects of external use of escin were studied in carrageenan-induced paw edema and histamine-induced capillary perme?ability in rats. Escin gel decreased the contents of PGE2, TNF-α, and IL-1β, and reduced the raw edema and capillary permeability. The carrageenan-induced paw edema and pleuritis in bilaterally adrenalectomized rats were used to inves?tigate the anti-inflammatory effects of escin and glucocorticoid alone or combined. Co-administration of escin with corti?sone significantly reduced the volume of exudates and the number of white blood cells of exudates. The findings sug?gest escin can synergize with glucocorticoids to enhance their anti-inflammatory effect. The anti-inflammatory effect of escin was investigated in carrageenan-induced paw edema and acetic acid-induced capillary permeability in mice. Escin showed an anti-inflammatory effect, which is similar to that seen with dexamethasone treatment. However, escin showed a longer duration of the anti-inflammatory response than that of dexamethasone. Furthermore, escin had no signif?icant effects on spleen index, thymus index , proliferative capacity of splenocytes, lymphocyte count, and phagocytic rate. The findings suggest that escin is a potent anti-inflammatory drug with long-lasting anti-inflammatory effects without any immunosuppressive effects. Traditionally the mechanism of anti-inflammatory effect of escin is supposed to be rela?tive to release of PGF2α and corticosterone. The early studies showed that escin might promote the release of PGF2αand affect the pituitary adrenal system, stimulate the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and glucocorticoid, which may explain its anti-inflammatory and anti-edema effects. Escin has glucocorticoid-like anti-inflammatory effect. However, escin did not exhibit an anti-inflammatory effect in low dose. Combination of suboptimal concentrations of escin with corticosterone inhibited the release of inflammatory factors including NO, TNF-αand IL-1βin the LPS-stimulated macrophage cells. Previous studies demonstrate that escin combined with glucocorticoid produced synergistic anti-inflammatory effects. The potential synergistic mechanisms may be associated with the property which escin regulates the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling pathway. Escin can upregulate the expression of GR, promote the combina?tion of glucocorticoid and GR, then promote the activated GR transfer into the nucleus. Activated GR will inhibit the acti?vation of NF-κB directly, thus further inhibiting the expression of TNF-αand IL-1βand other inflammatory factors. Escin could inhibit 11β-HSD2 but not 11β-HSD1, thus decrease the metabolism of glucocorticoid. Escin and glucocorticoids have similar chemical structures. This indicate that one of the anti-inflammatory mechanisms of escin may be due to its stimulating GR by binding to it. Eacin might be a partial agonist of GR. A good many of researches have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of escin, and shed light on the underlying mechanisms by which escin exerts these effects. Escin, as an oral or intravenous formulation, or a topical gel, inhibits inflammation, producing measurable improve?ments in edema and acute lung injury. Further clinical studies of escin are needed to demonstrate these properties in larger patient populations.

Apatinib Combined with Local Irradiation Leads to Systemic TumorControl via Reversal of Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironmentin Lung Cancer / Journal of the Korean Cancer Association, 대한암학회지

Purpose@#This study aimed to investigate the potential systemic antitumor effects of stereotactic ablativeradiotherapy (SABR) and apatinib (a novel vascular endothelial growth factor receptor2 inhibitor) via reversing the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment for lung carcinoma. @*Materials and Methods@#Lewis lung cancer cells were injected into C57BL/6 mice in the left hindlimb (primary tumor;irradiated) and in the right flank (secondary tumor; nonirradiated). When both tumors grewto the touchable size, mice were randomly divided into eight treatment groups. These groupsreceived normal saline or three distinct doses of apatinib (50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg, and 200mg/kg) daily for 7 days, in combination with a single dose of 15 Gy radiotherapy or not tothe primary tumor. The further tumor growth/regression of mice were followed andobserved. @*Results@#For the single 15 Gy modality, tumor growth delay could only be observed at the primarytumor. When combining SABR and apatinib 200 mg/kg, significant retardation of both primaryand secondary tumor growth could be observed, indicated an abscopal effect wasinduced. Mechanism analysis suggested that programmed death-ligand 1 expressionincreased with SABR was counteract by additional apatinib therapy. Furthermore, whenapatinib was combined with SABR, the composition of immune cells could be changed.More importantly, this two-pronged approach evoked tumor antigen–specific immune responsesand the mice were resistant to another tumor rechallenge, finally, long-term survivalwas improved. @*Conclusion@#Our results suggested that the tumor microenvironment could be managed with apatinib,which was effective in eliciting an abscopal effect induced by SABR.

Research about new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on relieving postoperative pain in pterygium surgery / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective:To evaluate the early analgesic effect of new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 0.1% bromofenac sodium hydrate eye drops in pterygium surgery and the efficacy and safety on relieving the irritative symptoms.Methods:One hundred patients (112 eyes) with pterygium who were treated in Cangnan People′s Hospital (Cangnan Hospital Affiliated of Wenzhou Medical University) from January 2016 to September 2017 were selected and divided into observation group and control group by the hospital sequence, with 50 patients in each group. Before operation and 7 d after operation, the patients in two group were given topical tobramycin eye drops (4 times a day), and the patients in observation group were given 0.1% bromofenac sodium hydrate eye drops twice a day on the base of tobramycin eye drops. The patients were investigated early after operation and the pain scores of the two groups were compared 6, 8, 24, 48 and 72 h after operation.The corneal epithelial healing was compared too.Results:The pain scores in observation group 6, 8, 24, 48 and 72 h after operation were significantly lower than that in control group [(0.96 ± 0.13) scores vs. (2.21 ± 0.07) scores, (0.90 ± 0.05)scores vs. (1.71 ± 0.30) scores, (0.71 ± 0.07) scores vs.(1.54 ± 0.09) scores, (0.51 ± 0.04) scores vs. (1.31 ± 0.10) scores, (0.21 ± 0.02) scores vs. (0.80 ± 0.1) scores], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The corneal wound healing rate of the two groups 2 or 3 d after operaion had no significant differences and the corneal wound healing rate 7 d after operaion was 100.0% (57/57, 55/55) in two groups. Conclusions:In pterygium surgery patients, using 0.1% bromfenac sodium hydrate drops before and after operation to relieve pain is valid, and can effectively relieve early postoperative pain.

Identification of the iridoids of Hedyotis diffusa Willd and its mechanism on renal fibrosis based on network pharmacology / 药学学报

To identify the composition of iridoids from Hedyotis diffusa Willd and explore the mechanism on its anti-renal fibrosis effect based on network pharmacology, LC-Q/TOF-MS (liquid chromatograpy-quadrupole/time of flight mass spectrometry) was used to analyze the iridoid ingredients and the related targets of renal fibrosis were obtained by DisGeNET database and MalaCards database. The potential targets were screened by SYBYL-X7.3 software. We then imported the identified ingredients and potential target genes into Cytoscape3.7.1 to construct the compound-target network and the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Finally, the gene ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis of the selected core genes were made to explore the mechanism of iridoids against renal fibrosis. There were 10 active iridoid compounds and 111 corresponding targets including dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1), heparanase (HPSE), human kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene (KRAS), moesin (MSN), etc. in compound-target network. The GO functional enrichment analysis obtained 211 GO entries. Twenty related signal pathways including Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway, renal cell carcinoma signaling pathway, and the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of tran-ions (Jak-STAT) signaling pathway were selected by KEGG enrichment analysis. We preliminarily investigated the mechanism of the iridoid compounds on renal fibrosis to provide guide information for the subsequent experimental research and clinical application.

Endemic situation of schistosomiasis in national surveillance sites of Anhui Province from 2015 to 2018 / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To analyze the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in national surveillance sites of Anhui Province from 2015 to 2018, so as to provide scientific evidence for schistosomiasis control and prevention in Anhui Province. Methods According to the National Schistosomiasis Surveillance Programme (2014 version), a total of 51 national schistosomiasis surveillance sites were assigned in Anhui Province in 2015, and Schistosoma japonicum infections in humans and livestock and snail distribution were monitored from 2015 to 2018. Results A total of 89 638 local residents and 42 609 mobile populations received serological screening of schistosomiasis in 51 national surveillance sites of Anhui Province from 2015 to 2018, and the sero-prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 1.41% to 3.69% in local residents and 0.84% to 2.13% in mobile populations, respectively. There were 5 egg-positive local residents and 1 egg-positive mobile populations detected in 2015, with occupations of farmers and fishermen. There were 6 405 livestock detected for S. japonicum infections, and no egg-positives were identified. Among an area of 12 661 hm2 surveyed in the national schistosomiasis surveillance sites of Anhui Province from 2015 to 2018, the areas of snail habitats were 2 461.27 to 2 628.96 hm2, andthemeandensityoflivingsnailswas 0.3757 to 0.4330 snails/0.1 m2, with no S. japonicum infections identified in snails. Conclusions The endemic situation of schistosomiasis is at a low level in Anhui Province; however, the risk of schistosomiasis transmission remains in local regions of the province. The construction of the surveillance-responsesystemshouldbereinforcedtoconsolidatetheachievementsofschistosomiasis control in Anhui Province.

Spatiotemporal distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snail habitats in Anhui Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of Oncomelania hupensis snails and infected snails in the endemic areas of schistosomiasis in Anhui Province. Methods Based on the snail survey data in Anhui Province in 2016, the distribution of snails and infected snails were analyzed, and the spatial distribution of snails and spatial cluster patterns of infected snails were investigated in snail habitats in Anhui Province from 1950 to 2016. Results A total of 22 757 snail habitats and 5 004 infected snail habitats were identified in Anhui Province from 1950 to 2016, which appeared single-peak and double-peak patterns, with an inflection point seen in 1970. There were 141 000 hm2 historically accumulative snail habitats, 88.08% of which were firstly identified from 1950 to 1979, and totally 114 500 hm2 snail habitats were eradicated, 77.17% of which were eradicated from 1970 to 1999. There were 4 830 snail habitats identified until 2016, in which 1 051 were once detected with infected snails. In addition, 78.12% of current snail habitats had been present for over 40 years, and infected snails had been eliminated in 65.75% of the infected snail habitats within 10 years. There was a spatial autocorrelation of the living snail density in current snail habitats in Anhui Province (Moran’s I = 0.196, Z = 139.63, P < 0.001), and local hotspot analysis showed spatial clusters of living snails density in snail habitats, with high-value clusters in south of the Yangtze River and low-value clusters in north of the Yangtze River. The 21 high-value clusters of living snail density with statistical significance were distributed along the Yangtze River basin and its branches. Spatiotemporal scan analysis revealed spatiotemporal clusters of infected snails in 4 current snail habitats. Conclusions The current snail habitats have been present for a long period of time, and snails are difficult to be eliminated by chemical treatment alone, which requires the combination of environment improvements. There are spatial clusters of living snail density in current snail habitats in Anhui Province. The epidemic factors and risk of human and animal infections still remain in some clusters of historical infected snail habitats revealed by spatiotemporal scan analysis, which should be consid- ered as the key target areas for snail control in Anhui Province.

Anti-injury effect of hydrogen-enriched water in a rat model of liver injury induced by aflatoxin B / 生理学报

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-injury effect and protective mechanism of hydrogen-enriched water in a rat model of acute liver injury induced by aflatoxin B (AFB). Healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, model group (AFB group) and hydrogen-enriched water treatment group (AFB+H group). The rat model of acute liver injury induced by AFB was established by single intragastric administration of AFB (2.0 mg/kg), and then the rats were treated with hydrogen-enriched water intragastrically. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of liver tissue. Blood samples were taken from vena cava to measure serum liver function indexes. Live tissue was sampled to detect malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH) contents. Western blot was used to detect phosphorylation levels of MAPK signaling pathway proteins (ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK). The results showed that, compared with the AFB group, the AFB+H group exhibited increased body weights, alleviated acute liver injury, decreased activities of serum glutamic-pyruvic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, as well as total bilirubin level in the serum. Meanwhile, hydrogen-enriched water decreased MDA content and increased GSH content in liver tissue. AFB-increased phosphorylation levels of ERK, JNK and p38 MAPK in liver tissue were down-regulated significantly by hydrogen-enriched water treatment. These results suggest that hydrogen-enriched water can alleviate liver injury induced by AFB, and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of oxidative stress and the inhibition of MAPK signal transduction pathway activation.

Limited external fixation of plastic cardboard for the treatment of senile comminuted humeral fracture / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To explore clinical efficacy of limited external fixation with plastic paperboard in treating senile proximal comminuted humeral fracture.@*METHODS@#From June 2015 to December 2017, 32 senile patients with proximal comminuted fracture of humerus were treated with plasticized cardboard after manual external fixation. Among them, including 13 males and 19 females aged from 55 to 85 years old with an average of(68.22±8.36) years old; 18 patients on the left side and 14 patients on the right side; all patients were regularly review shoulder X-rays and performed appropriate functional exercises. Constant-Murley shoulder joint scoring was used to evaluate clinical effects.@*RESULTS@#Thirty-two patients were followed up for 3 to 12 months with an average of (4.97±2.39) months. All patients were underwent functional exercise under guidance of physicians. Nine patients were treated with topical Chinese herbal moist heat compresses to promote shoulder function recovery. Thirty-one patients were obtained fracture healing, the time ranged from 5 to 12 weeks with an average of(7.44±1.72)weeks. One patient was not healed due to comminuted fracture of fracture end and the separation was large, the blood supply to humeral head was insufficient for necrosis absorption. Postoperative Constant-Murley shoulder score at 3 months was 87.56±6.93; 15 patients got excellent results, 14 good, 2 fair and 1 poor.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Limited external fixation with plastic paperboard for the treatment of senile proximal comminuted humeral fracture could ensure biomechanical stability of fracture, promote early recovery of shoulder joint function and shorten recovery time.