Research progress on structure, function and disease correlation of solute carrier family 4 / 生理学报

The solute carrier family 4 (SLC4) includes 10 members (SLC4A1-5, SLC4A7-11), which are expressed in multiple tissues in the human body. The SLC4 family members differ in their substrate dependence, charge transport stoichiometry and tissue expression. Their common function is responsible for the transmembrane exchange of multiple ions, which is involved in many important physiological processes, such as erythrocyte CO2 transport and the regulation of cell volume and intracellular pH. In recent years, many studies have focused on the role of SLC4 family members in the occurrence of human diseases. When SLC4 family members have gene mutations, a series of functional disorders will occur in the body, leading to the occurrence of some diseases. This review summarizes the recent progress about the structures, functions and disease correlation of SLC4 members, in order to provide clues for the prevention and treatment of related human diseases.

Mutation of dentin sialophosphoprotein and hereditary malformations of dentin / 中华口腔医学杂志

The classification as well as the clinical manifestations of hereditary malformations of dentin are of great concern and have been deeply elucidated. The understanding of its genetic basis also increases progressively. Dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP) is the pathogenic gene of dentinogenesis imperfecta type Ⅱ, dentinogenesis imperfecta type Ⅲ and dentin dysplasia type Ⅱ. In this article, the classification of DSPP mutations as well as the resultant dysfunction of the mutant DSPP are summarized respectively and the corresponding clinical manifestations are analyzed. This work will provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of hereditary malformations of dentin.

Role of ATP6V1H gene in bone metabolism / 中国骨伤

Osteoporosis is one of the common clinical orthopedic diseases, which can lead to a variety of complications. There are many pathogenic factors in this disease. The latest research found that ATP6V1H is a new gene leading to the occurrence of osteoporosis, and it is likely to become a new target for the future drug treatment of osteoporosis.This paper introduces the biological structure and characteristics of H subunit, summed up the human body caused by loss of ATP6V1H and animal models such as zebrafish, mice bone loss and osteoporosis symptom such as related research reports of the loss, from osteoclast, osteoblast and marrow stromal cell level and the connection between the various subunits further expounds the H subunit regulate bone dynamic balance of mechanism, to explore ATP6V1H in bone developmentand bone related diseases has laid a solid foundation, also provide new ideas for clinical treatment of osteoporosis.

Clinical Research Progress in TCM Non-medicine Therapies for Stable Period of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease / 中国中医药信息杂志

TCM non-medicine therapies include acupuncture, moxibustion, point-application, point injection, acupuncture point thread implanting, etc, which have been widely used in the clinical treatment for stable period of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). TCM non-medicine therapies can significantly control the progress of the disease and improve the life quality of patients. This article reviewed the clinical study on TCM non-medicine therapies for stable period of COPD in recent 5 years, in order to provide some references for the treatment of COPD.

Summary and analysis of safety warning on clinical application of anti-cold Chinese patent medicine preparations / 中国中药杂志

In China, many surveys have shown that most people do not have a correct understanding about cold and administration of anti-cold Chinese patent medicine preparations. The author conducted a systematic summary and analysis on the actual application of anti-cold Chinese patent medicine preparations as well as the warning on safe application of anti-cold Chinese patent medicine preparations in Clinical Medication Information of China Pharmacopoeia, in the expectation of reducing the blind application of anti-cold Chinese patent medicine preparations and providing traditional Chinese medicine pharmacists new ideas in monitoring the safe application of exterior syndrome-relieving Chinese patent medicine preparations.

Impact of psychosocial stress on airway inflammation and its mechanism in a murine model of allergic asthma / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>It has already been recognized that psychosocial stress evokes asthma exacerbation; however, the mechanism of how stress gets inside the body is not clear. This study aimed to observe the impact of psychosocial stress on airway inflammation and its mechanism in the ovalbumin-induced asthmatic mice combined with social disruption stress.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-six male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into: control group, asthma group (ovalbumin-induced), asthma plus social disruption stress group (SDR), and SDR group. The open field video tracking system was used to assess animal behaviors. The invasive pulmonary resistance (RL) and dynamic lung compliance (cdyn) test system from Buxco was applied to detect pulmonary function. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was utilized to determine OVA-IgE, T-helper type 2 (Th2) cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13) and corticosterone in mouse serum, the Th2 cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, IL-6, TNF-α) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and IL-6 and TNF-α levels in the supernatant of splenocytes cultured in vitro. Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining was used to assess airway inflammation in lung histology. The cell count kit-8 assay (CCK-8) was applied to evaluate the inhibitory effect of corticosterone on splenocyte proliferation induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Real time-PCR and Western blotting were utilized to determine glucocorticoid receptor (GR) mRNA and GR protein expression in lungs.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The open field test showed that combined allergen exposure and repeated stress significantly shortened the time the mice spent in the center of the open field (P < 0.01), increased ambulatory activity (P < 0.01) and the count of fecal boli (P < 0.01), but deceased vertical activity (P < 0.01). Results from pulmonary function demonstrated that airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was enhanced by psychosocial stress compared with allergy exposure alone. The ELISA results showed that cytokines in serum and BALF were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Moreover, the lung histology showed that infiltrated inflammatory cells were significantly increased in the asthma-SDR group compared with the asthma group (P < 0.05). Interestingly, serum corticosterone was remarkably raised by psychosocial stress (P < 0.05). In addition, the inhibitory effect of corticosterone on IL-6 and TNF-α in LPS-stimulated splenocyte cultures in vitro was diminished in the asthma-SDR group compared to the asthma group. The CCK-8 test revealed that the inhibition effect of corticosterone on splenocyte proliferation induced by LPS was significantly impaired in the SDR and asthma-SDR groups, while no significant effect was observed in the control and asthma groups. Furthermore, expression of GR mRNA and GR protein were significantly reduced in the lung tissues of the asthma-SDR group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Social disruption stress can promote anxiety behavior, activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, increase AHR and inflammation, and also impair glucocorticoid sensitivity and its function in a murine model of asthma. The down-regulation of GR expression induced by social disruption stress is in part associated with glucocorticoid insensitivity, which leads to asthma exacerbation.</p>

DNA extraction and sex determination for human teeth dated 3000 years ago unearthed in Xi'an / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To extracted DNA from ancient human teeth dated 3000 years ago unearthed in Xi'an and determine the genders for the individuals.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty five ancient human teeth were studied. A 'Reverse-root-canal' technique and a Chelex-100 solution were used to extract the DNA. Specific primers for Amelogenin gene were designed for PCR amplification.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Genomic DNA was successfully extracted from 30 samples, for which 8 were determined to be males and 22 were females.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 'Reverse-root-canal' technique may be used for extracting DNA from ancient human teeth. Genetics method can supplement physical anthropology for determination of sex for ancient samples.</p>

Study on the correlation between the inflammatory factors in the serum and the induced sputum and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in advanced lung adenocarcinoma of different syndromes / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation between the inflammatory factors in the serum and the induced sputum and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients of different syndromes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 71 patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma were assigned to three groups according to syndrome differentiation, i.e., Shen-yang deficiency (SYD) group (28 cases), Fei-qi deficiency (FQD) group (23 cases), and yin deficiency fire excess (YDFE) group (20 cases). Another 41 healthy subjects were enrolled as the normal control group. Sputum was induced and blood samples were collected for measurement of cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interferon gamma (INF-gamma). The cytokine assay was performed using Bio-Plex Pro multi assay technology. 24-h collection of urine was performed and salivary samples of the diurnal rhythm profiles [including urinary free cortisol (UFC), urinary 17-hydroxycorticosteroids (17-OH), urinary 17-ketosteroid (17-KS), and cortisol in the serum and saliva] were obtained for assessment of the HPA axis activity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A higher level of serum IL-6 and a lower level of 24-h UFC and 17-OH were found in the SYD group (P < 0.05). The urinary 17-KS was obviously lower in the SYD group than in the normal control group and the YDEE group (P < 0.05). Compared with the FQD group and the normal control group, a higher serum level of TNF-alpha and a lower level of IFN-gamma were found in the SYD group and the YDFE group (P < 0.05). The TNF-alpha and TGF-beta levels in the induced sputum obviously increased in the SYD group (P < 0.05). The IFN-gamma level in the induced sputum obviously decreased in the YDFE group (P < 0.05). The serum and salivary cortisol obviously decreased from 8: 00 am to 8:00 am the next morning in the SYD group (P < 0.05). The serum cortisol level was negatively correlated with serum TNF-alpha (r = -0.26, P = 0.03) and serum IL-6 (r = -0.25, P = 0.03). The salivary cortisol level was negatively correlated with IL-6 in the induced sputum (r = -0.29, P = 0.02). The serum IFN-gamma was positively correlated with urinary 17-OH (r = 0.21, P = 0.03).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The inflammatory factors of advanced lung adenocarcinoma patients of SYD syndrome were up-regulated, with the most obvious decreased or disarranged HPA axis functions. The levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma were closely correlated with the HPA axis functions. The transformation from qi deficiency, yin deficiency to Shen-yang deficiency existed in lung adenocarcinoma patients. The levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma in the serum and the induced sputum, as well as the HPA axis functions are important indices for microscopic syndrome typing of lung adenocarcinoma.</p>

Molecular mechanism of icariin on rat asthmatic model / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Effects of icariin on airway inflammation in asthmatic rats and the intervention of LPS induced inflammation are interfered with the machanism of icariin. Our study aimed to observe the effect of icariin on ovalbumin-induced imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokine expression and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into control group (PBS), asthma group (ovalbumin (OVA)-induced), dexamethasone group, and OVA+icariin low, medium and high dose groups (5, 10, 20 mg/kg, respectively). Each group had ten rats. The model of OVA sensitization was a rat asthma model. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method was used to observe the effects of icariin on interleukin-4 (IL-4) and inerferon γ (IFN-γ) in rats' lung tissue. Immunohistochemical staining was applied to detect the intervention effects of icariin on T cells (T-bet) and gatabinding protein 3 (GATA-3) in rat pulmonary tissue. Realtime RT-PCR was used to observe the intervention effects of icariin on T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA expression in rat pulmonary tissue and spleen lymphocytes. Western blotting was used to observe the icariin intervention effects on T-bet, GATA-3 and nuclear factor-Kappa B (NF-κB) p65 protein expressions in rat pulmonary tissue.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ELISA results from pulmonary tissue showed that IL-4 expression was significantly reduced (P < 0.05), while the IFN-γ expression increased but not significantly when we compared OVA+icariin medium and high dose groups with the asthma group. Immunohistochemical staining of pulmonary tissue showed that the GATA-3 decreased significantly while the T-bet staining did not change in the OVA+icariin high dose group. In pulmonary tissue and spleen lymphocytes T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA expressions were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in icariin treatment groups compared with the asthma model group. GATA-3 and T-bet mRNA in rat spleen lymphocytes in the asthma group were higher than in the control group. GATA-3 mRNA expression in pulmonary tissue significantly decreased (P < 0.05) while T-bet mRNA expression decreased but not significantly in the icariin treatment group compared with the asthma group. T-bet and GATA-3 protein expressions in pulmonary tissue increased significantly compared with the asthma group, which meant that icariin could inhibit the increase of GATA-3 protein, but not of T-bet. The bronchus, blood vessels and periphery pulmonary tissue had infiltration of inflammatory cells in the OVA+icariin high dose group while NF-κB p65 cells were reduced, and expression of NF-κB p65 in this group was less than in the asthma group. The expression of total p65 protein decreased with icariin treatment while the expression of cytoplasmic p65 protein increased.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Icariin could regulate the imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokines in asthmatic rat pulmonary tissue. Icariin could regulate the imbalance of Th1/Th2 associated transcription factors T-bet and GATA-3 in asthmatic rat pulmonary tissue and spleen lymphocytes. Icariin could inhibit the activation of NF-κB p65 protein in asthmatic rat pulmonary tissue.</p>

Effects of bushen huoxue recipe on urinary levels of albumin, IL-6, TGF-beta1 and MCP-1 in chronic nephritis patients of shen-deficiency blood-stasis syndrome / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of Bushen Huoxue Recipe (BSHXR, a Chinese medicine recipe for Shen reinforcing and blood circulation activating) on the levels of urinary albumin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1) in chronic nephritis patients of Shen-deficiency blood-stasis syndrome.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five patients were blocking assigned randomly to two groups, fifteen patients in the control group and thirty in the treatment group. All orally took Monopril 10 mg, once daily. But BSHXR was given additionally to patients in the treatment group after decocting,one dose per day (taken in two times). The treatment course for both groups was eight weeks. Besides, a normal control group consisting of six healthy subjects from health examination of Shuguang Hospital was set up. The 24-h urinary albumin and contents of TGF-beta1, IL-6 and MCP-1 in urine of all subjects were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with before treatment the 24-h urinary albumin was obviously reduced in the treatment group, showing significant difference (P<0.01). The urinary 24-h albumin decreased in the control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Statistical difference existed between the treatment group and the control group after treatment (P<0.01). Compared with before treatment, urinary levels of IL-6, TGF-beta1, and MCP-1 were all down-regulated in the treatment group and the control group after treatment (P<0.01), and the decreasing of IL-6 and TGF-beta1, levels was more significant in the treatment group statistically (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BSHXR could attenuate the albuminuria in patients of chronic nephritis. Its mechanism might be possibly correlated with its down-regulation of IL-6, TGF-beta1, and MCP-1 levels.</p>

Inflammatory airway features and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function in asthmatic rats combined with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Bronchial asthma (BA) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are both inflammatory airway diseases with different characteristics. However, there are many patients who suffer from both BA and COPD. This study was to evaluate changes of inflammatory airway features and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in asthmatic rats combined with COPD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Brown Norway (BN) rats were used to model the inflammatory airway diseases of BA, COPD and COPD + BA. These three models were compared and evaluated with respect to clinical symptoms, pulmonary histopathology, airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR), inflammatory cytokines and HPA axis function.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The inflammatory airway features and HPA axis function in rats in the COPD + BA model group were greatly influenced. Rats in this model group showed features of the inflammatory diseases BA and COPD. The expression of inflammatory cytokines in this model group might be up or downregulated when both disease processes are present. The levels of corticotrophin releasing hormone mRNA and corticosterone in this model group were both significantly decreased than those in the control group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>BN rat can be used as an animal model of COPD + BA. By evaluating this animal model we found that the features of inflammation in rats in this model group seem to be exaggerated. The HPA axis functions in rats in this model group have been disturbed or impaired, which is prominent at the hypothalamic level.</p>

Effect of Bushen Huoxue recipe on the state of extracellular matrix in glomerulosclerosis rats model / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect and acting mechanism of Bushen Huoxue Recipe (BHR) on the state of extracellular matrix in glomerulosclerosis (GS) rats model.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>GS rat model was established by unilateral nephrectomy and adriamycin injection. Model rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the normal control group, the model group, the test group treated by BHR, and the positive control group treated with fosinopril sodium, with 11 rats in each group. The 24 h urinary protein and renal function of rats were observed, the contents of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) in renal tissue and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) in blood plasma, and renal tissue were detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with those in the normal control group, 24 h urinary protein was increased and renal function was deprived in the model group; TIMP-1 expression increased, MMP1 expression decreased in renal tissue of rats in the model group, showing statistical difference between groups (P < 0.05). As compared with the model group, the abnormal changes of TIMP-1 and MMP1 expressions were ameliorated in the two groups treated either by BHR or fosinopril (P < 0.05). The content of TGF-beta1 in the model group, either in blood or in renal tissue, was significantly higher than those in the normal control group respectively (P < 0.01), showing no significant change after BHR treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The protective effect of BHR on renal function in rats with GS is possibly by way of influencing expressions of TGF-beta1, TIMP-1 and MMP1 to regulate the state of extracellular matrix and lessen the matrix aggregation.</p>

Accuracy of 18F-FDG PET/CT for lymph node staging in non-small-cell lung cancers / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>This retrospective study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of 2-(F18)-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose-positron emission tomography ((18)F-FDG-PET)/computed tomography (PET/CT) in the preoperative diagnosis of metastatic mediastinal and hilar lymph node in patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 39 patients received preoperative (18)F-FDG PET/CT and the postoperative biopsy. We compared preoperative PET/CT scan results with corresponding intraoperative histopathalogic findings in 39 NSCLC patients. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT were assessed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Histopathologic examination confirmed metastasis in 57 out of the 208 excised lymph nodes; 23 of the 57 nodes were mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of PET/CT in the preoperative diagnosis of mediastinal lymph node metastasis in NSCLC patients were 65%, 96.8%, 92%, 78.5% and 90%, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PET/CT scan showed good accuracy in the preoperative diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar lymph node metastasis in the patients with NSCLC. We recommend that PET/CT scanning be used as a first-line evaluation tool for tumor diagnosis, therapy evaluation and follow-up.</p>

Expression of CIC-5 in rat tooth germ development / 华西口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the expression and possible function of CIC-5 during the rat tooth germ development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Isolated total mRNA and protein from the rat tooth germs which were at different stages of development. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to investigate the mRNA and protein expression of the CIC-5 in the rat tooth germ.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mRNA and protein of CIC-5 expressed in the late bell stage, but undetected inThe mRNA and protein of CIC-5 expressed in the late bell stage, but undetected in the early or middle bell stage.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These results showed the spatial temporal distribution of expression of CIC-5 during the different stages of the rat tooth germ development and suggested that it might contribute to the rat tooth germ development.</p>