Xuanfei Baidu formula alleviates impaired mitochondrial dynamics and activated NLRP3 inflammasome by repressing NF-κB and MAPK pathways in LPS-induced ALI and inflammation models.

BACKGROUND: Xuanfei Baidu Formula (XBF) is an effective traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remedy for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China. This herbal medicine has shown effects in reducing clinical symptoms and shortening the average length of hospital stay for COVID-19 patients. Previous studies have demonstrated that XBF alleviates acute lung injury (ALI) by regulating macrophage-mediated immune inflammation, but the mechanisms of action remain elusive. PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the lung-protective and anti-inflammatory effects of XBF and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Here, XBF's effects were investigated in an ALI mouse model induced by inhalation of atomized lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Besides, the LPS-induced inflammation model in RAW264.7 cells was used to clarify the underlying mechanisms of XBF against ALI. RESULTS: Our results showed that XBF treatment alleviated LPS-induced lung injury, as evidenced by reduced histopathological changes, pulmonary alveoli permeability, fibrosis, and apoptosis in the lung tissues. In addition, inflammation was alleviated as shown by decreased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1ß in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and reduced white blood cell (WBC) count in BALF. Furthermore, consistent with the in vivo assay, XBF inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory cytokines release and pro-inflammatory polarization in RAW264.7 cells. Mechanistically, XBF increased mitochondrial fusion by upregulating Mfn1 and attenuated NLRP3 inflammasome activation by repressing Casp11, respectively, to inhibit NF-κB and MAPK pathways, thus repressing pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization. CONCLUSION: In this study, we demonstrate that XBF exerts anti-ALI and -inflammatory effects by recovering mitochondrial dynamics and reducing inflammasome activation, providing a biological illustration of the clinical efficacy of XBF in treating COVID-19 patients.

Guipi decoction for coronary heart disease: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Guipi Decoction (GPD) is a classical traditional Chinese medication used to treat CHD. However, systematic review and meta-analysis regarding its efficacy and safety has not been systematically evaluated. The objective of this protocol is to determine the efficacy and safety of GPD in the treatment of CHD. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness and safety of GPD in the treatment of CHD will be retrieved from 8 electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, VIP Database, Wanfang Database and China Biology Medicine Database. Study selection, data collection, risk of bias assessment, and evaluation of the quality of evidence will be performed in order. Data will be analyzed by RevMan V.5.3.5 software. RESULTS: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of GPD in the treatment of CHD. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence for determining whether or not GPD is an effective and safe intervention for CHD. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD 42020156420.

The deubiquitinating enzyme MoUbp8 is required for infection-related development, pathogenicity, and carbon catabolite repression in Magnaporthe oryzae.

Deubiquitination is an essential regulatory step in the Ub-dependent pathway. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) mediate the removal of ubiquitin moieties from substrate proteins, which are involved in many regulatory mechanisms. As a component of the DUB module (Ubp8/Sgf11/Sus1/Sgf73) in the SAGA (Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltransferase) complex, Ubp8 plays a crucial role in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and humans. In S. cerevisiae, Ubp8-mediated deubiquitination regulates transcriptional activation processes. To investigate the contributions of Ubp8 to physiological and pathological development of filamentous fungi, we generated the deletion mutant of ortholog MoUBP8 (MGG-03527) in Magnaporthe oryzae (syn. Pyricularia oryzae). The ΔMoubp8 strain showed reduced sporulation, pathogenicity, and resistance to distinct stresses. Even though the conidia of the ΔMoubp8 mutant were delayed in appressorium formation, the normal and abnormal (none-septum or one-septum) conidia could finally form appressoria. Reduced melanin in the ΔMoubp8 mutant is highly responsible for the attenuated pathogenicity since the appressoria of the ΔMoubp8 mutant was much more fragile than those of the wild type, due to the defective turgidity. The weakened ability to detoxify or scavenge host-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) further restricted the invasion of the pathogen. We also showed that carbon derepression, on the one hand, rendered the ΔMoubp8 strain highly sensitive to allyl alcohol, on the other hand, it enhances the resistance of the MoUBP8 defective strain to deoxyglucose. Overall, we suggest that MoUbp8 is not only required for sporulation, melanin formation, appressoria development, and pathogenicity but also involved in carbon catabolite repression of M. oryzae.

Auto-flocculation microalgae species Tribonema sp. and Synechocystis sp. with T-IPL pretreatment to improve swine wastewater nutrient removal.

It is recognized coupling microalgae, which is rich in lipids or protein with wastewater treatment offers extra economic benefits that can potentially make microalgal production feasible by reducing production costs and providing environmental benefits. However, the pretreatment of high concentration nutrients such as ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), total phosphorus (TP) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in swine wastewater is the premise of application for microalgae in wastewater treatment. This study two auto-flocculation microalgae Tribonema sp. and Synechocystis sp. were selected for evaluation; they were cultivated in diluted swine wastewater together after it was pretreated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) plus intense pulsed light (T-IPL). The results showed that the growth of the two strains in the wastewater pretreated with T-IPL grew better than when grown without the pretreatment. The content of lipid in the two algae, cultured in the pretreated wastewater, was also higher than the lipid content from the un-pretreated wastewater; but protein content was lower. Overall, the removal efficiencies of pollutants NH3-N, TP, and COD by the two microalgae in anaerobic digestion of swine wastewater (ADSW) with T-IPL pretreatment, were higher than the removal efficiencies without pretreatment. This research also indicates that these two auto-flocculation microalgae have the potential to reduce harvesting costs. And, using T-IPL to pretreat wastewater could provide a promising method for the pretreatment of wastewater.

Effect of Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang for H-type hypertension: A protocol for a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: H-type hypertension is a kind of cardiovascular disease that threatens human life and health seriously. Banxia Baizhu Tianma Tang (BBTT) has been used widely for H-type hypertension while its effective evidence is not clear. Hence, we provide a systematic review protocol to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BBTT in the treatment of H-type hypertension. METHODS: Nine databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, WOS, Medline, CNKI, WangFang, CBM, and VIP will be searched from their inception to October 2019. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of BBTT for H-type hypertension will be included. The language is limited to Chinese and English. The primary outcome measure will be the major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (MACCE). The entire process will include study selection, data extraction, assessment of bias risk, data synthesis. Data analysis will be performed using RevMan V.5.3.5 (The Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK). RESULTS: This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of BBTT in the treatment of H-type hypertension from several aspects, including MACCE, blood pressure (BP), blood lipids, inflammation indicators and homocysteine (Hcy). CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide evidence for determining whether or not BBTT is an effective and safe intervention for H-type hypertension. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD 42019131491.

Microalgae-based wastewater treatment for nutrients recovery: A review.

The water resource crisis and concerns with environmental pollution are pushing for upgrading of conventional wastewater treatment process. Microalgae-based wastewater treatment process has shown many advantages that can meet the new demand for improved wastewater treatment. However, considering the issues related to the complexity of wastewater characteristics and adaptability of microalgae species, and the challenges to the design and optimization of treatment processes in order to achieve higher removal efficiencies with lower costs, further exploration and research are still needed. This review provides an overview of microalgae strains commonly used for wastewater treatment, physical and chemical properties of various wastewaters and their suitability for algae cultivation, factors affecting algae growth, nutrient assimilation/removal and biomass productivity. The design and operation of microalgae-based wastewater treatment processes are also discussed. Moreover, the issues and limitations of microalgae-based wastewater treatment are also discussed and suggestions are proposed for the further research and development.

Qinwen Baidu decoction for sepsis: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is the most common critical illness in the clinic, with a high incidence and mortality. Qingwen Baidu decoction (QWBDD) has been widely applied in the treatment of sepsis, however, there is no systematic review or meta-analysis of QWBDD in the treatment of sepsis. Hence, we provide a protocol of systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of QWBDD in the treatment of sepsis. METHODS: The databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Clinical Trial Database, World Health Organization International Clinical Trial Registration Platform, CNKI, CBM, VIP, and WanFang Database will be searched from the time when the respective databases were established to January 2019. All randomized controlled trials (RTCs) published in Chinese and English assessing QWBDD for sepsis will be included. Continuity data are expressed as mean difference (MD) or standard mean difference (SMD), and dichotomous data is expressed as relative risk. Analyses will be performed by using RevMan V.5.3.5 software. RESULTS: This study will provide high-quality synthesis of current evidence of QWBDD in the treatment of sepsis from the following aspects, including 28-day mortality, mean arterial pressure (MAP), blood lactate, procalcitonin (PCT), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), hypersensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), acute physiology and chronic health score (APACHE-II), intensive care unit stay, mean hospital stay, mechanical ventilation time, etc. CONCLUSION:: Our systematic review will provide evidence for judging whether QWBDD is an effective intervention for sepsis. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD 42019123078.

Herbal medicine (Zhengan Xifeng Decoction) for essential hypertension protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Essential hypertension is one of the most common chronic diseases worldwide, as well as a leading risk factor for cardiocerebrovascular diseases. Zhengan Xifeng Decoction (ZGXFD) has been widely used to treat essential hypertension, but there is no systematic review by assessing efficacy and safety of ZGXFD on essential hypertension. Therefore, we aim to perform systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ZGXFD in the treatment of essential hypertension. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis will be performed by means of electronic databases, including EMBASE, Cochrane Center Registration Controlled trials (Cochrane Library), Web of Science (WOS), World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, PubMed, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and Wan-fang database. The electronic databases will be searched from their inception to October 2018. This systemic review will include only published English and Chinese articles randomized controlled trials (RTCs) of ZGXFD on essential hypertension. The primary outcome is Efficacy and blood pressure (BP), blood lipid and adverse reactions will be accepted as secondary outcomes. All statistical analyses will be conducted using RevMan V.5.3.5 software. RESULTS: This systematic review and meta-analysis will provide high-quality evidence from several aspects, including for efficacy, blood pressure, blood lipid and adverse effects to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ZGXFD on EHTN. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will determine whether or not ZGXFD is an effective intervention for essential hypertension.

Herbal medicine (zhishi xiebai guizhi decoction) for unstable angina: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Unstable angina (UA) is a clinically common coronary heart disease. Zhishi xiebai guizhi decoction (ZXGD) has been widely used in the management of UA, although its effective evidence is not clear and there is no systematic review regarding its efficacy and safety. Therefore, we conduct this systematic review protocol to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ZXGD in the treatment of UA. METHODS: We will search the following electronic databases: Cochrane Library, Web of Science, PubMed, EBASE, Springer, WHO International Clinical Trial Registration Platform, China Biomedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese Scientific Journal Database (VIP), and Wan-fang database from their inception to October 2018. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English and Chinese will be included. Continuous data will be expressed as mean difference or standard mean difference, and dichotomous data relative as risk. Study selection, data extraction, and assessment with risk of bias and data analysis will be performed by two independent authors. RevMan software version 5.3 will be used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: This study will provide high-quality evidence of ZXGD in the treatment of UA from the following aspects, including clinical efficacy, blood lipids, Seattle angina scale, electrocardiogram improvement, ST-segment depression, left ventricular ejection fraction, angina duration, and adverse events. CONCLUSION: This systematic review will provide a basis for judging whether ZXGD is an effective intervention for UA or not. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD 42018115528.

Treatment of Danhong Injection Combined with Naoxintong Capsule in Acute Coronary Syndrome Patients Undergoing PCI Operation: Study for a Randomized Controlled and Double-Blind Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This double-blind and randomized placebo-controlled trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of Danhong injection combined with Naoxintong capsule in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: ACS patients scheduled to undergo PCI (n = 130) were equally and randomly apportioned to either a treatment or control group. After PCI, the treatment group received Danhong injection combined with Naoxintong capsule for 12 weeks, while the control group was given placebo. Both groups were otherwise treated with conventional secondary prevention of coronary artery disease. The groups were primarily evaluated for clinical efficacy and cardiovascular events. Evaluative indicators of safety included adverse events, platelet count, and liver, renal, and blood coagulation functions. RESULT: No cardiovascular events or adverse reactions were observed in either group. The treatment group demonstrated better signs of clinical efficacy, including left ventricular ejection fraction, higher nitric oxide levels, and lower levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and von Willebrand factor (VWF). CONCLUSION: ACS patients treated with Danhong injection combined with Naoxintong capsule after PCI demonstrated better improvement with regard to markers associated with atherosclerosis and adverse cardiovascular events, without apparent adverse effects. Thus, Danhong injection combined with Naoxintong capsule was safe and effective for treating ACS patients after PCI.