Ultrashort wave alleviates oxygen -glucose deprivation/reoxygenation injury via up -regulation of SPCA1 expression in N2a cells / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#Application of ultrashort wave (USW) to rats with cerebral ischemia and reperfusion injury could inhibit the decrease of expression of secretory pathway Ca2+-ATPase 1 (SPCA1), an important participant in Golgi stress, reduce the damage of Golgi apparatus and the apoptosis of neuronal cells, thereby alleviating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. This study aims to investigate the effect of USW on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) injury and the expression of SPCA1 at the cellular level.@*METHODS@#N2a cells were randomly divided into a control (Con) group, an OGD/R group, and an USW group. The cells in the Con group were cultured without exposure to OGD. The cells in the OGD/R group were treated with OGD/R. The cells in the USW group were treated with USW after OGD/R. Cell morphology was observed under the inverted phase-contrast optical microscope, cell activity was detected by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and SPCA1 expression was detected by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Most of the cells in the Con group showed spindle shape with a clear outline and good adhesion. In the OGD/R group, cells were wrinkled, with blurred outline, poor adhesion, and lots of suspended dead cells appeared; compared with the OGD/R group, the cell morphology and adherence were improved, with clearer outlines and fewer dead cells in the USW group. Compared with the Con group, the OGD/R group showed decreased cell activity, increased apoptotic rate, and down-regulating SPCA1 expression with significant differences (all P<0.001); compared with the OGD/R group, the USW group showed increased cell activity, decreased apoptotic rate, and up-regulating SPCA1 expression with significant differences (P<0.01 or P<0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#USW alleviates the injury of cellular OGD/R, and its protective effect may be related to its up-regulation of SPCA1 expression.

Mechanism of artesunate on bone destruction in experimental rheumatoid arthritis based on transcriptomics and network pharmacology / 中国中药杂志

The present study investigated the mechanism of artesunate in the treatment of bone destruction in experimental rheumatoid arthritis(RA) based on transcriptomics and network pharmacology. The transcriptome sequencing data of artesunate in the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation were analyzed to obtain differentially expressed genes(DEGs). GraphPad Prism 8 software was used to plot volcano maps and heat maps were plotted through the website of bioinformatics. GeneCards and OMIM were used to collect information on key targets of bone destruction in RA. The DEGs of artesunate in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and key target genes of bone destruction in RA were intersected by the Venny 2.1.0 platform, and the intersection target genes were analyzed by Gene Ontology(GO)/Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) enrichment. Finally, the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB(RANKL)-induced osteoclast differentiation model and collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) model were established. Quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction(q-PCR), immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to verify the pharmacological effect and molecular mechanism of artesunate in the treatment of bone destruction in RA. In this study, the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation model in vitro was established and intervened with artesunate, and transcriptome sequencing data were analyzed to obtain 744 DEGs of artesunate in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. A total of 1 291 major target genes of bone destruction in RA were obtained from GeneCards and OMIM. The target genes of artesunate in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation and the target genes of bone destruction in RA were intersected to obtain 61 target genes of artesunate against bone destruction in RA. The intersected target genes were analyzed by GO/KEGG enrichment. According to the results previously reported, the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway was selected for experimental verification. Artesunate intervention in the RANKL-induced osteoclast differentiation model showed that artesunate inhibited CC chemokine receptor 3(CCR3), CC chemokine receptor 1(CCR1) and leukemia inhibitory factor(LIF) mRNA expression in osteoclasts in a dose-dependent manner compared with the RANKL-induced group. Meanwhile, the results of immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry showed that artesunate could dose-dependently reduce the expression of CCR3 in osteoclasts and joint tissues of the CIA rat model in vitro. This study indicated that artesunate regulated the CCR3 in the cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction signaling pathway in the treatment of bone destruction in RA and provided a new target gene for the treatment of bone destruction in RA.

Applications of genetic code expansion in the study of lysine acylation / 中国药科大学学报

@#Lysine acylation is a ubiquitous protein modification that controls various aspects of protein function. However, it can be challenging to decipher the biological function of site-specific acylation modifications in living cells.The recently developed genetic code expansion (GCE) technology has enabled site-specific incorporation of unnatural amino acids (UAAs) that are structurally consistent with the natural acylation modifications in vivo through orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase/tRNA pairs, thus facilitating the study of physicochemical properties and biological behaviors of homogeneously acylated proteins.Besides, GCE technology allows for the targeted introduction of UAAs that mimic acylation modifications but cannot be recognized by deacylases, which improves the stability of lysine acylation modification products.Moreover, the insertion of photo-crosslinked UAAs at specific sites of the target protein has been used to elucidate the reciprocal proteome of acylated modified proteins.Based on the introduction of different structural and functional acylation modifications, we described the novel design of GCE technology combined with three types of UAAs, and their application in studying the functional effects of protein acylation modifications on the enzyme activity, protein stability, cellular localization, protein-DNA interactions and protein-protein interactions of target proteins, with a description of the limitations and prospects of GCE technology in studying protein acylation modification.

Correlation between visceral adipose index and glomerular filtration rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 中国基层医药

Objectives:To investigate the relationship between visceral adipose index and glomerular filtration rate in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:A total of 1 036 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus who received treatment in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University from May 2017 to May 2018 were included in this study. The visceral adipose index was detected using a bioresistance assay. These patients were divided into four groups using the quartile method: Visceral adipose index < 8.10 (q1 group, n = 246), 9.60 > visceral adipose index ≥ 8.10 (q2 group, n = 64), 11.10 > visceral adipose index ≥ 9.60 (q3 group, n = 423), visceral adipose index ≥ 11.10 (q4 group, n = 233). One-way analysis of variance was performed to compare the differences among groups. Partial correlation and multiple regression were used to analyze the correlation between body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat content, visceral adipose index, and urinary microalbumin and glomerular filtration rate. Results:With the increase in the visceral adipose index, the glomerular filtration rate gradually decreased. The glomerular filtration rate in the q1, q2, q3, q4 groups was (112.19 ± 31.74) mL·min -1·1.73 m -2, (106.14 ± 28.26) mL·min -1·1.73 m -2, (104.73 ± 23.63) mL·min -1·1.73 m -2, (103.40 ± 27.51) mL·min -1·1.73 m -2, respectively. In the female group, with the increase in visceral adipose index, the glomerular filtration rate decreased gradually. After controlling for age, sex, diabetes, and hypertension, the visceral adipose index was significantly correlated with the glomerular filtration rate ( r = -0.10, P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that visceral adipose index and waist-to-height ratio were closely related to glomerular filtration rate ( F = 6.00, P < 0.001). Conclusion:With the increase of visceral adipose index, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, waist-to-hip ratio, body fat content, and urinary microalbumin increased gradually. When the visceral adipose index is greater than 9.60, the glomerular filtration rate is significantly decreased. Therefore, it is suggested to adopt various methods to evaluate obesity in clinical work, and visceral fat index should be paid more attention, especially when the visceral fat index is greater than 9.60.

Histiocyte-rich rhabdomyoblastic tumor: a clinicopathological and molecular genetic analysis / 中华病理学杂志

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic and molecular genetic characteristics, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of histiocyte-rich rhabdomyoblastic tumor (HRRMT). Methods: The clinical data of two cases of HRRMT diagnosed in Fujian Provincial Hospital and Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated People's Hospital from 2020 to 2021 were collected. Histopathology and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining were used to assess morphological changes; the genetic changes were analyzed with next-generation sequencing. The relevant literature was reviewed. Results: Both cases showed well-defined solid nodules and soft masses. Microscopically, the tumors had a fibrous pseudocapsule with lymphocytic aggregation, and locally invaded the surrounding skeletal muscle tissue, and the tumor cells were fusiform to epithelioid with an intensive foamy histiocytic infiltrate. No necrosis or mitosis was observed. Immunophenotyping showed the tumor cells were positive for desmin, either one or both skeletal muscle markers (myogenin or MyoD1), and negative for h-caldesmon, ALK and SMA. The Ki-67 index was<5%. Using next-generation sequencing, one case was found to harbour KRAS (G12D) and MSH3 (Q470*) mutations. Conclusions: HRRMT is a newly described skeletal muscle tumor with uncertain malignant potential. Its diagnosis and differential diagnosis depend on morphologic and IHC staining. No specific molecular genetics changes have been identified so far.

Changes of cytokines after cardiopulmonary bypass in children with congenital heart disease / 中国小儿急救医学

Objective:To study the changes of cytokines after cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB)in children with congenital heart disease.Methods:A total of 124 children with congenital heart disease underwent CPB surgery at Shanghai Children′s Medical Center from June 2020 to October 2021 with cytokine detection were enrolled.Twelve kinds of cytokines, white blood cell count(WBC)and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR), C-reactive protein(CRP)and procalcitonin were detected before and 24 hours after operation.All patients were divided into CPB<120 min group ( n=102)and CPB≥120 min group ( n=22)acoording to CPB time, and were divided into systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) group, compensatory anti-inflammatory response syndrome (CARS) group and control group according to the changes of cytokines.The changes of cytokines, anti-inflammatory factors and pro-inflammatory factors before and after CPB and the correlation with CPB time were analyzed. Results:There were 65 boys and 59 girls with a body weight of(10.69±8.18)kg and a median age of 317(141, 975)d.After CPB, WBC(×10 9/L)(13.47 vs.8.6), NLR(4.93 vs.0.55), and CRP(mg/L)(81.35 vs.0.8) were significantly higher than those before operation( P<0.001). IL-6(pg/mL)(135.69 vs.6.86), IL-8(pg/mL)(33.33 vs.14.95), and IL-10(pg/mL)(6.05 vs.2.44)were significantly higher than those before operation( P<0.001). Compared with CPB<120 min group, IL-6(pg/mL)(211.88 vs.119.47), IL-8(pg/mL)(71.67 vs. 25.39), and IL-10(pg/mL)(7.69 vs. 4.92)in CPB≥120 min group significantly increased( P<0.001). CRP was negatively correlated with CPB time( r=-0.204, P=0.025), while IL-6( r=0.254, P=0.005), IL-8( r=0.358, P=0.001), IL-10( r=0.198, P=0.03) were positively correlated with CPB time.Twelve children(9.7%)had obvious SIRS, and four cases(3.2%)had early CARS.The mortality of CARS group was significantly higher than that of SIRS group and the control group( P=0.011). Conclusion:Il-6 , IL-8, and IL-10 are significantly increased after CPB in children with congenital heart disease.With the increase of CPB time, IL-6 and IL-8 increase significantly, and the correlation between IL-8 and CPB time is the strongest.Although the proportion of children with early postoperative CARS is small, the mortality is high, which indicates clinical surveillance and treatment need to be strengthened for anti-inflammatory response.

Genetic incorporation of unnatural amino acids into proteins and its translational application in biomedicine / 中国药科大学学报

@#Proteins in the human body are usually made of 20 natural amino acids.Through different amino acid combinations and isomerization, proteins of diverse functions are built.An emerging genetic code expansion technology can introduce unnatural amino acids into specific sites of target protein, endowing the protein with new biological characteristics including covalently binding with proximal proteins, carrying fluorescence, and mimicking specific protein post-translational modifications.In this paper, based on the structure and function of unnatural amino acids, the applications of different types of unnatural amino acids in regulating protein''s stability, studying protein''s conformation, expression level, and localization, and uncovering heretofore unknown protein-protein interactions were reviewed.Besides, genetic code expansion of unnatural amino acids is anticipated to find broad utilities in biomedicine by bringing new ideas and methods to the design and optimization of biologics.

Efficacy observation of continuous dosing or alternate-day dosing of apatinib combined with SOX regimen as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of continuous dosing or alternate-day dosing of apatinib combined with SOX regimen as first-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer.Methods:A total of 52 patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) negative and inoperable locally advanced or advanced gastric cancer who were pathologically diagnosed from January 2018 to January 2021 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University were collected. The patients were divided into continuous dosing group and alternate-day dosing group by random number table method. The continuous dosing group received apatinib (250 mg, once a day) combined with SOX regimen (S-1+oxaliplatin); the alternate-day dosing group received apatinib (250 mg, once every other day) combined with SOX regimen. Twenty-one days were a cycle, and the efficacy was evaluated after 2 cycles. After 4-6 cycles, patients with stable disease received apatinib and S-1 for maintenance therapy. The therapeutic effects and adverse reactions of the two groups were compared.Results:The curative effect could be evaluated in 51 patients, including 26 in the continuous dosing group and 25 in the alternate-day dosing group. The disease control rates in the continuous dosing group and the alternate-day dosing group were 84.6% (22/26) and 76.0% (19/25) ( χ2 = 0.60, P = 0.499), and the median progression-free survival time was 7.50 months (95% CI 6.17-8.83 months) and 8.30 months (95% CI 6.99-9.61 months) ( χ2 = 0.71, P = 0.401), and the median overall survival time was 15.50 months (95% CI 11.30-19.69 months) and 15.60 months (95% CI 13.63-17.57 months) ( χ2 = 1.82, P = 0.177). The main adverse reactions in the two groups were leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypertension, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, hand-foot syndrome, proteinuria, liver and kidney damage. The incidence rates of ≥grade 3 adverse reactions in the continuous dosing group and the alternate-day dosing group were 42.3% (11/26) and 12.0% (3/25), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.46, P = 0.035). Conclusions:The efficacy of continuous dosing or alternate-day dosing of apatinib combined with SOX regimen as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer is similar, but the incidence of ≥grade 3 adverse reactions in alternate-day dosing group is lower, which improves the compliance and tolerance of patients.

Self-management status and related factors of patients with intermittent clean catheterization after spinal cord injury / 中国康复理论与实践

ObjectiveTo investigate the status of self-management in patients with spinal cord injury and the related factors. MethodsFrom May, 2020 to February, 2021, 255 patients from a spinal cord injury club were enrolled, and investigated with the general information questionnaire, self-management ability scale, Chronic Disease Self-efficacy Scale through internet. Multiple linear stepwise regression was used to explore the related factors. ResultsThe scores of disease symptom management, daily life management, intermittent catheterization behavior management, emotional management and social return were (40.458±9.122), (33.945±6.800), (36.709±8.736) and (25.011±4.932), respectively. The average score for the single question of daily life management was the highest (3.772±0.755), while emotional management and social return was the lowest (3.573±0.705). Duration of intermittent catheterization, family members' attitude, self-efficacy and occupation were the related factors of symptom management (R2 = 0.135, F = 7.744, P < 0.001). Self-efficacy, duration of intermittent catheterization, use of hydrophilic coated catheters and complications were the related factors of daily life management (R2 = 0.173, F = 13.042, P < 0.001). Self-efficacy, duration of intermittent catheterization, use of hydrophilic coated catheters and medical insurance were the related factors of intermittent catheterization behavior management (R2 = 0.141, F = 10.259, P < 0.001). Self-efficacy, duration of intermittent catheterization, complications and frequency of intermittent catheter in the last week were the related factors of emotional management and social regression dimensions (R2 = 0.282, F = 19.590, P < 0.001). ConclusionThe self-management of patients with spinal cord injury by clean intermittent catheterization is at medium level. Moreover, it may be affected by many factors. Some of them can be targets of intervention.

The ATP Level in the mPFC Mediates the Antidepressant Effect of Calorie Restriction / 神经科学通报·英文版

Food deprivation can rescue obesity and overweight-induced mood disorders, and promote mood performance in normal subjects. Animal studies and clinical research have revealed the antidepressant-like effect of calorie restriction, but little is known about the mechanism of calorie restriction-induced mood modification. Previous studies have found that astrocytes modulate depressive-like behaviors. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) is the predominant isoform in mediating astrocyte Ca

Research Progress of Role of Autophagy in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Traditional Chinese Medicine Intervention / 中国实验方剂学杂志

For rheumatoid arthritis， glucocorticoids or immunosuppressive agents are currently used in clinical treatment， but long-term use of these drugs has large side effect on humans， and immunosuppressive agents are expensive. To a certain extent， its wide application is limited. The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） has a long history and little toxic and side effect， but its specific mechanism of action needs further exploration. The process of autophagy is an active biological process in which cells themselves are stimulated by the outside world through intracellular signal transduction to maintain a stable internal environment. Its abnormality is involved in the occurrence of many diseases. At present， studies have shown that abnormal autophagy is closely related to the occurrence and development of rheumatoid arthritis， which can interfere with the pathological changes of RA pannus formation， synovial inflammation and bone destruction and affect the disease process. In recent years， many studies have found that traditional Chinese medicine and its active ingredients can affect the pathological development of rheumatoid arthritis by regulating autophagy. This article investigates the relevant literature on the intervention of rheumatoid arthritis by regulating autophagy through using TCM， with a view to providing new ideas for basic research， new drug development and clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Immunomodulatory effects of flazin from Crassostrea sikamea on splenic lymphocytes of Sprague-Dawley rats / 中国天然药物

Crassostrea sikamea (C.sikamea) is an important edible and medicinal seafood in China. In the present study, a compound named flazin was separated and identified from the ethyl acetate extract of C.sikamea (EAECs) for the first time. In addition, the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetra zolium (MTS) assay revealed that EAECs and flazin inhibited the transformation of splenic lymphocytes in vitro. Moreover, flazin (20 μg·mL

The ATP Level in the mPFC Mediates the Antidepressant Effect of Calorie Restriction / 神经科学通报·英文版

Food deprivation can rescue obesity and overweight-induced mood disorders, and promote mood performance in normal subjects. Animal studies and clinical research have revealed the antidepressant-like effect of calorie restriction, but little is known about the mechanism of calorie restriction-induced mood modification. Previous studies have found that astrocytes modulate depressive-like behaviors. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) is the predominant isoform in mediating astrocyte Ca

Visual analysis of research progress of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma based on CiteSpace / 中国中药杂志

To analyze the study advance of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma, this study utilized CiteSpace 5.6.R5 software to conduct bibliometrics analysis on the Chinese literatures of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma from 1990 to 2020 included in the CNKI database retrieval platform. The analysis contents involved the number of published papers, co-authors, cooperative institutions, emergence, co-occurrence and clustering of keywords. A total of 808 Chinese literatures were included in the study, of which 17 were published by SUN Rong, the author with the most published papers, and formed a research team centered on SUN Rong; the analysis of the cooperation of publishing institutions showed that the Drug Safety Evaluation Research Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine was the organization with the largest number of publications, with a total of 29 articles. It also formed a scientific research coorperation institution with Shandong Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine as the core, and formed a relatively close cooperative network relationship. The analysis of literature keywords showed that the research direction was concentrated on the traditional Chinese medicine of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma, pharmacological mechanism, and side effects, active ingredients, etc. Among them, the research on the efficacy and toxicity of the active ingredients of Sophorae Tonkinensis Radix et Rhizoma has become a hot trend.

Knowledge map analysis of research progress of Strychni Semen based on CiteSpace / 中国中药杂志

To analyze the study advance of Strychni Semen, a kind of traditional Chinese medicine, this study systematically retrieved the related Chinese literatures about Strychni Semen from CNKI database platforms and the core database of Web of Science, and used bibliometrics and CiteSpace 5.6.R5 software to visually display the authors, research institutions, keywords and other contents. A total of 1 895 Chinese literatures and 1 599 English literatures were included in the study. The analysis of Chinese and English literature authors showed that CAI Bao-chang and CHEN Jun had the most publications on Strychni Semen, and CAI Bao-chang's team was the core research team. According to the analysis of publishing institutions, Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chinese Academy of Science were the research institutions with the largest number of Chinese and English literatures, respectively. But there was less cooperation between Chinese and English study institutions. The analysis of keywords in Chinese and English literatures showed that the research contents of Strychni Semen mainly focused on component analysis, research methods, receptor targets, clinical application, synergistic and attenuation measures. Break analysis showed that the apoptosis induced by Strychni Semen was a hot research topic, and research on components, toxicity and pharmacokinetics will be the research hotspot in future. The research on Strychni Semen is still in the developing period. This study has provided reference for the rapid grasp of the research contents and the judgment of research hotspots.

Network Pharmacology Study of Astragaloside Ⅳ in Treatment of Ischemic Stroke / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To study the mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ in the treatment of ischemic stroke by means of network pharmacology. Method:The targets of astragaloside Ⅳ were predicted using Swiss Target Prediction platform， and the targets of ischemic stroke were retrieved using GeneCards， Therapeutic Target Database （TTD）， Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database （TCMID） and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） databases. The potential targets of astragaloside Ⅳ acting on ischemic stroke were obtained by the intersection of the targets of astragaloside Ⅳ and ischemic stroke. STRING platform was used to build protein-protein interaction （PPI） network， and eigenvalues were calculated through network topology analysis to screen core targets. Gene Ontology （GO） analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway analysis were performed on the related targets in DAVID database. Finally， molecular docking verification was conducted to further clarify the core targets of astragaloside Ⅳ acting on ischemic stroke. Result:The 44 common targets were obtained after the intersection of the targets of astragaloside Ⅳ and ischemic stroke. PPI network topology analysis showed that RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase （Akt1）， renin （REN）， epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， vascular endothlial growth factor A （VEGFA） and neuronal proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase （SRC） were the core targets of astragaloside Ⅳ in the treatment of ischemic stroke. Enrichment analysis results of KEGG pathway showed that the pathways of astragaloside Ⅳ acting on ischemic stroke involved the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway， cGMP-PKG signaling pathway， calcium signaling pathway， Rap1 signaling pathway， PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， etc. Conclusion:Astragaloside Ⅳ may promote angiogenesis and inhibit platelet activity by acting on Akt1， REN， EGFR， VEGFA， SRC， thus improving cerebral blood flow. It can also inhibit the apoptosis of ischemic brain tissue cells and inflammation to reduce the damage of nerve function， and finally treat ischemic stroke. This study provides ideas and guidance for further exploring the mechanism of astragaloside Ⅳ in the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Effect of neutrophil extracellular traps on ischemic stroke and intervention of traditional Chinese medicine / 中国中药杂志

Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of death and disability in adults in China. Recent studies have shown that neutrophil extracellular traps play a crucial role in occurrence and development of ischemic stroke. This paper reviewed the literatures on NETs since the discovery of NETs more than a decade ago, and summarized the composition of NETs, the effects of NETs on stroke, the intervention targets of NETs, and the effects of traditional Chinese medicine on NETs. NETs are an important cause of brain injury after stroke. Platelets, peptidylarginine deiminase 4, reactive oxygen species and histones are the targets to regulate NET formation in stroke. There are few researches on traditional Chinese medicine targeting NETs for stroke. Studies on the intervention of traditional Chinese medicine mainly target on neutrophils, which are the main components of NETs, and platelets, which induce the formation of NETs. The paper provided a comprehensive overview of current studies of NETs in ischemic stroke, so as to provide new ideas for the treatment and drug development of ischemic stroke.

Effect of electro-nape-acupuncture on hearing in patients with refractory flat descending idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the therapeutic effect of electro-nape-acupuncture (ENA) combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and single HBOT on refractory flat descending idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL).@*METHODS@#A total of 78 patients were randomized into an ENA combined with HBOT (ENA+HBOT) group and a HBOT group, 39 cases in each one. Patients in both groups were treated with oral extract of ginkgo biloba leaves and mecobalamin tablets. On the basis of the conventional medication treatment, HBOT was adopt in the HBOT group. On the basis of the treatment in the HBOT group, electro-nape-acupuncture was applied at Fengchi (GB 20), Gongxue (Extra), Zhongzhu (TE 3), Waiguan (TE 5) and Yifeng (TE 17), Tinggong (SI 19), Tinghui (GB 2) and the vertigo-auditory area of affected side in the ENA+HBOT group. Pulse acupuncture instrument was connected at Fengchi (GB 20) and Gongxue (Extra) for 30 min (with continuous wave, 2 Hz in frequency), the needles were retained for another 30 min after electroaupuncture. The treatment was given once a day, 6 times a week for 4 weeks in both groups. Before the treatment and 2,4 weeks into the treatment, the average auditory threshold, the scores of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) were observed, and the therapeutic effect was evaluated in both groups.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the average auditory threshold, the scores of THI and DHI of 2,4 weeks into the treatment were decreased in both groups (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Electro-nape- acupuncture can improve the mean auditory threshold and the symptoms of tinnitus and dizziness in patients with refractory flat descending idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

Naoxintong Inhibits LPS Induced BV2 Cell Pyroptosis by NLRP3/Caspase-1 Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To explore the effect of Naoxintong ethanol extract (NXT) on pyroptosis of BV2 microglia cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and to explain the mechanism of pyroptosis based on NOD like receptor thermoprotein domain 3 (NLRP3)/cysteine-proteinase-1 (Caspase-1) pathway. Method::BV2 cells was treated with different concentrations of NXT(2, 10, 50 mg·L-1) after induced by LPS(1 mg·L-1) in vitro. Real-time PCR was used to detect mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine such as interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and NLRP3.Western bolt and immunofluorescence were used to observe the protein expression of NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway. Result::Compared with control group, after LPS(1 mg·L-1) stimulation, BV2 cells viability was decreased. The mRNA expression levels of IL-1β, TNF-α and NLRP3 were significantly elevated(P<0.01), the protein levels of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 p20/Caspase-1 were also increased. After given NXT(2, 10, 50 mg·L-1), BV2 cells viability reversed which induced by LPS. Compared with LPS group, the mRNA expression of IL-1β, TNF-α and NLRP3 reduced obviously with given 50 mg·L-1NXT (P<0.05, P<0.01), significantly inhibited NLRP3 high protein expression and Caspase-1 p20/Caspase-1 expression(P<0.01). Conclusion::NXT can inhibit LPS induced pyroptosis of BV2 cells and the mechanism may closely related to NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway.

Distinguishing MRI findings of hepatic benign regenerative nodules from hepatocellular carcinomas in Budd-Chiari syndrome / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective:To compare MRI characteristics between hepatic benign nodules and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with Budd-Chiari syndrome(BCS).Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 130 consecutive patients with BCS who were treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2011 to June 2018. There were 67 males and 63 females, age ranged from 18 to 78 years, with median age was 46 years. There were 45 patients with HCC and 85 patients with benign liver nodules. This study aimed to compare the clinical characteristics of BCS patients with HCC and benign nodules, and to compare the MRI features (distribution, capsule, plain scan signal, enhancement pattern) between HCC and benign nodules. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the efficacy of each of the indicators in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma.Results:The age and alpha-fetoprotein levels of the BCS patients with benign nodules were significantly lower than the BCS patients with HCC, while the international standardized ratio was significantly higher than the BCS patients with HCC (all P<0.05). Of the 130 BCS patients, there were 337 benign and 78 hepatocellular carcinomas nodules. The diameter of benign nodules was significantly smaller than HCC, and the proportions of benign nodules with encapsulation, fat content, cystic necrosis and hemorrhage were significantly lower than HCC (all P<0.05). The proportions of benign nodules with T 1 weighted imaging high signal, T 2 weighted imaging (T 2WI) low or equal signal and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) equal signal were significantly higher than HCC (all P<0.05). The proportions of benign nodules with washout appearance, arterial phase hyperenhancement and washout appearance were significantly lower than HCC (all P<0.05). The areas under the ROC curve for the diagnosis of HCC by DWI high signal and T 2WI high signal were 0.936 and 0.927, respectively, with sensitivities of 96.2% and 92.3%, specificities of 91.0% and 90.1%, respectively. Conclusion:The MRI features of BCS patients with benign regenerative nodules were significantly different from those of BCS patients with HCC. The washout appearance had a low specificity for the diagnosis of HCC.