[Study on molecular of anti-tumor mechanism of Forsythia suspensa based on molecular docking and network pharmacology].

In this paper, the possible molecular mechanism of Forsythia suspensa for the anti-tumor effect was investigated through the network pharmacology and molecular docking. The main components of F. suspensa were obtained by literature mining and TCMSP database. Cancer-related genes were collected with use of GAD and OMIM databases. The interaction network of Compounds-Targets-Pathways was constructed through Cytoscpe software. The targets were analyzed by GO and KEGG means in DAVID database, and the KEGG signal pathways were visualized. Component-Target network analysis results were verified by PyRx molecular docking. The results showed that a total of 26 main components of F. suspensa may act on key targets such as AKT1, IL6, ESR1, EGFR, EGF and CCND1, and were involved in 20 signal pathways. Molecular docking analysis showed that hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic action and Pi-cation bonding maybe the main forms of interaction. In this study, we revealed the anti-tumor effect of F. suspensa through the network of Compounds-Targets-Pathways and molecular docking verification, providing reference and guidance for systematically elucidating the anti-tumor molecular mechanism of the main components of F. suspensa.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the impact of preconception lifestyle interventions on fertility, obstetric, fetal, anthropometric and metabolic outcomes in men and women.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the impact of preconception lifestyle interventions on live birth, birth weight and pregnancy rate? SUMMARY ANSWER: Lifestyle interventions showed benefits for weight loss and increased natural pregnancy rate, but not for live birth or birth weight. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Evidence on the practice and content of preconception counseling and interventions is variable and limited. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Systematic review and meta-analysis (MA). Main search terms were those related to preconception lifestyle. Database searched were Ovid MEDLINE(R), EBM Reviews, PsycINFO, EMBASE and CINAHL Plus. No language restriction was placed on the published articles. The final search was performed on 10 January 2017. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Participants were non-pregnant women of childbearing age intent on conceiving or their male partners. Exclusion criteria include participants with BMI < 18 kg/m2, animal trials, hereditary disorder in one or both partners and trials focusing solely on alcohol or smoking cessation/reduction, micronutrient supplementation, or diabetes control. Anthropometric, fertility, obstetric and fetal outcomes were assessed. Bias and quality assessments were performed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: The search returned 1802 articles and eight studies were included for analysis. Populations targeted were primarily overweight or obese subfertile women seeking reproductive assistance, with few community-based studies and none including men. MA showed greater reduction in weight (n = 3, P < 0.00001, mean difference: -3.48 kg, 95% CI: -4.29, -2.67, I2 = 0%) and BMI (n = 2, P < 0.00001, mean difference: -1.40 kg/m2, 95% CI: -1.95, -0.84, I2 = 24%) with intervention. The only significant fertility outcome was an increased natural pregnancy rate (n = 2, P = 0.003, odds ratio: 1.87, CI: 1.24, 2.81, I2 = 0%). No differences were observed for ART adverse events, clinical pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery complications, live birth, premature birth, birth weight, neonatal mortality or anxiety. Risk of bias were high for three studies, moderate for three studies and low for two studies, Attrition bias was moderate or high in majority of studies. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Results were limited to subfertile or infertile women who were overweight or obese undergoing ART with no studies in men. The heterogeneous nature of the interventions in terms of duration and regimen means no conclusions could be made regarding the method or components of optimal lifestyle intervention. Attrition bias itself is an important factor that could affect efficacy of interventions. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Existing preconception lifestyle interventions primarily targeted overweight and obese subfertile women undergoing ART with a focus on weight loss. It is important to note that natural conception increased with lifestyle intervention. This emphasizes the need for further research exploring optimal components of preconception lifestyle interventions in the broader population and on the optimal nature, intensity and timing of interventions. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): No conflict of interest declared. C.L.H. is a National Heart Foundation Postdoctoral Research Fellow. B.H. is funded by an Alfred Deakin Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. H.J.T. and B.W.M. hold NHMRC Practitioner fellowships. L.J.M. is supported by a SACVRDP Fellowship; a program collaboratively funded by the NHF, the South Australian Department of Health and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42015023952.

[The advantages of 3D imagery in diagnosing and supervising children's and teenagers' scoliosis]. / Intérêt de l'imagerie 3D dans le diagnostic et la surveillance des scolioses de l'enfant et de l'adolescent.

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine. One or several curves of more than 10 degrees in the frontal plane can be seen with the rotation of vertebrae in the axial plane, which modifies sagittal curves. In addition to esthetic harm, the morbidity of a scoliosis depends on the extent of the deformation. Treatment, whether it be orthopedic or surgical, is aggressive and never completely cures the condition. At best the deformation will be stabilized at the end of growth. Therefore, it is essential to detect any slight curve and quickly identify any potential progressive form in order to treat it. Visualization of scoliosis in 3D through spine modeling has several advantages at each stage of care. First, with slight curvatures, 3D modeling allows the medical staff to confirm the scoliosis by showing the modification in the three different planes. All curvatures will not progress. Orthopedic treatment is constraining and expensive; only progressive forms will receive it. When the curvature is slight and does not need immediate treatment, 3D modeling at each successive check-up will help detect any sign of likely progression quickly and reliably. Moreover, the medical observation of corset treatment and the preoperative work-up are improved because all 3D parameters of the deformation are accessible. The need for 3D modeling for scoliosis has been known for a long time, but no tool allowing a vertical study with a low level of radiation was available. The EOS imagery system meets these criteria through an optimal analysis of deformations caused by scoliosis.

Anticoccidial evaluation of a traditional Chinese medicine--Brucea javanica--in broilers.

The traditional Chinese medicinal plant Brucea javanica has received much attention for its significant antiprotozoal effects in recent years; however, little is known about its potential anticoccidial functions. In the present study, a series of experiments was conducted to investigate the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of ethanol extract from B. javanica on coccidiosis induced by Eimeria tenella in broiler chickens. Chickens infected with E. tenella were treated with B. javanica extract and compared either with broilers treated with the anticoccidial halofuginone hydrobromide (Stenorol) or with control groups that consisted of infected-unmedicated and uninfected-unmedicated broilers. The experiments revealed that the B. javanica extract could significantly (P<0.05) reduce bloody diarrhea and lesion scores. Additional, OPG output in these plant extract treated groups was reduced in comparison with non-treated groups (P<0.05). However, there was no evidence to show that the extract could promote BWG. Histological data showed that the number of second-generation schizonts in the medicated groups was substantially less than that in the infected-unmedicated control. In summary, our work showed that B. javanica extract exerted considerable anticoccidial effects, supporting its use as a promising therapeutic in controlling avian coccidiosis.

A survey of outcomes and management of patients post fragility fractures in China.

UNLABELLED: We found that the fragility hip and vertebral fractures caused excess mortality rates in this Chinese female population, which was unexpectedly lower than those in western countries and other Asian countries. This was the first nationwide survey relating to post-fracture outcomes conducted among Chinese population in Mainland China. INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the mortality, self-care ability, diagnosis, and medication treatment of osteoporosis following fragility hip and vertebral fractures through a nationwide survey among female patients aged over 50 in Mainland China. METHODS: This was a multicenter, retrospective cohort study based on medical chart review and patient questionnaire. Female patients aged 50 or older admitted for low-trauma hip or vertebral fractures and discharged from Jan 1, 2008 to Dec 31, 2012 were followed. RESULTS: Total of 1151 subjects of hip fracture and 842 subjects of vertebral fracture were included. The mean age was 73.4 ± 10.0, and the median of duration from index fracture to interview was 2.6 years. The overall 1-year, 2-year, 3-year, 4-year, and 5-year cumulative mortality rates were 3.5, 7.0, 11.2, 13.1, and 16.9 %, respectively. The first year mortality rates in hip (3.8 %, 95% CI 3.3-4.4 %) and vertebral fracture (3.1 %, 95% CI 2.5-3.7 %) were significantly higher than that in the general population (1.6 %). Impaired self-care ability was observed in 33.2, 40.6, and 23.8 % of overall, hip fracture, and vertebral fracture group, respectively. The overall diagnosis rate of osteoporosis was 56.8 %, and bone mineral density (BMD) measurement had never been conducted in 42.0 % among these women. After the index fracture, 69.6 % of them received supplements and/or anti-osteoporotic medications, among which 39.6 % only received calcium with/without vitamin D supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: The osteoporotic hip and vertebral fractures caused excess mortality rates in this population of Mainland China. The current diagnosis and medical treatment following the fragility fractures is still insufficient in Mainland China.

Cerebral responses to puncturing at different acupoints for treating meal-related functional dyspepsia.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the similarities and differences in cerebral responses to puncturing at different acupoints for treating meal-related functional dyspepsia (FD). METHODS: Twenty right-handed FD patients were enrolled and randomized divided into two groups. Each patient received 20 sessions' electro-acupuncture treatment. The acupoints used in Group A were four acupoints on the Stomach Meridian, and the acupoints used in Group B were four acupoints on the Gallbladder Meridian. PET-CT scans were performed before and after acupuncture treatment to record the changes of cerebral glycometabolism. KEY RESULTS: After treatment, the dyspepsia symptoms and the quality of life (QOL) of the patients in each group were significantly improved (p < 0.05) and there was insignificant difference in efficacy between the two groups (p > 0.05). In Group A, deactivation in brainstem, bilateral anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and cerebellum, left superior medial frontal gyrus, orbital frontal cortex (OFC), and thalamus, etc., and activation in bilateral middle cingulate cortex (MCC), precuneus and lingual gyrus, etc. were observed. In Group B, deactivation in brainstem, bilateral thalamus, putamen, ACC, postterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum, etc., and activation in bilateral MCC, precuneus, left OFC, etc. were observed (p < 0.05, Family-wise error corrected). CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES: Different acupoints have similar clinical efficacy but relatively different cerebral responses. The influence on the sensory transduction regions (brainstem and thalamus) and visceral modulation regions might be the common mechanism of different acupoints treating for FD, and the modulation on some emotion/cognition-related areas (e.g., prefrontal cortex) is the potential difference between the different acupoints.

Normal fetal brain development: MR imaging with a half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement sequence.

PURPOSE: To analyze normal maturation of the fetal brain with half-Fourier rapid acquisition with relaxation enhancement (RARE) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The normal brains of 25 fetuses of 12-38 weeks gestational age were examined in utero with half-Fourier RARE imaging. Gyrus maturation, gray and white matter differentiation, ventricle-to-brain diameter ratio, and subarachnoid space size were evaluated with respect to gestational age. RESULTS: At 12-23 weeks, the brain had a smooth surface, and two or three layers were differentiated in the cerebral cortex. At 24-26 weeks, only a few shallow grooves were seen in the central sulcus, and three layers, including the immature cortex, intermediate zone, and germinal matrix, were differentiated in all fetuses. At 27-29 weeks, sulcus formation was observed in various regions of the brain parenchyma, and the germinal matrix became invisible. Sulcation was seen in the whole cerebral cortex from 30 weeks on. However, the cortex did not undergo infolding, and opercular formation was not seen before 33 weeks. At 23 weeks and earlier, the cerebral ventricles were large; thereafter, they gradually became smaller. The subarachnoid space overlying the cortical convexities was slightly dilated at all gestational ages, most markedly at 21-26 weeks. CONCLUSION: Changes in brain maturation proceed through stages in an orderly and predictable fashion and can be evaluated reliably with half-Fourier RARE MR imaging.

Hamster adapt78 mRNA is a Down syndrome critical region homologue that is inducible by oxidative stress.

We are using the technique of mRNA differential display to identify RNAs that may be important in protecting cells against the damaging effects of oxidative stress. For these studies, we utilize a so-called "adaptive response" model system in which hamster HA-1 cells respond to a minimally toxic "pretreatment" dose of hydrogen peroxide by synthesizing RNAs and proteins that protect them against subsequent exposure to a highly cytotoxic concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Using this approach, we have recently reported several novel RNAs whose levels are increased under conditions of adaptive response. Here we report a new RNA, designated adapt78, whose steady-state level is significantly induced by a pretreatment dose of hydrogen peroxide. adapt78 mRNA was calculated to be 2.35 kb in size and inducible by the standard pretreatment dose of 4 micromol H2O2/10(7) cells. It was induced as early as 90 min after peroxide exposure and maximally at 5 h. Induction was strongly dependent upon calcium. Cloning and sequencing revealed a large predicted open reading frame of 197 amino acids. In vitro transcription and translation generated a protein of 25,000 Da. GenBank homology analysis revealed that much of adapt78 is strongly homologous to a sequence that has been mapped to the Down syndrome critical region (Fuentes et al., Hum. Mol. Genet. 4, 1935-1944, 1995). However, both the 5' and the 3' ends of adapt78 show no homology to any previously reported complete sequence. adapt78 represents a new oxidant-inducible RNA and marker of cellular oxidative stress and may provide new insight into our understanding of oxidant-related disorders and neural degeneration.

Expression of Drosophila trpl cRNA in Xenopus laevis oocytes leads to the appearance of a Ca2+ channel activated by Ca2+ and calmodulin, and by guanosine 5'[gamma-thio]triphosphate.

The effects of expression of the Drosophila melanogaster Trpl protein, which is thought to encode a putative Ca2+ channel [Phillips, Bull and Kelly (1992) Neuron 8, 631-642], on divalent cation inflow in Xenopus laevis oocytes were investigated. The addition of extracellular Ca2+ ([Ca2+]0) to oocytes injected with trpl cRNA and to mock-injected controls, both loaded with the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator fluo-3, induced a rapid initial and a slower sustained rate of increase in fluorescence, which were designated the initial and sustained rates of Ca2+ inflow respectively. Compared with mock-injected oocytes, trpl-cRNA-injected oocytes exhibited a higher resting cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i), and higher initial and sustained rates of Ca2+ inflow in the basal (no agonist) states. The basal rate of Ca2+ inflow in trpl-cRNA-injected oocytes increased with (1) an increase in the time elapsed between injection of trpl cRNA and the measurement of Ca2+ inflow, (2) an increase in the amount of trpl cRNA injected and (3) an increase in [Ca2+]0. Gd3+ inhibited the trpl cRNA-induced basal rate of Ca2+ inflow, with a concentration of approx. 5 microM Gd3+ giving half-maximal inhibition. Expression of trpl cRNA also caused an increase in the basal rate of Mn2+ inflow. The increases in resting [Ca2+]1 and in the basal rate of Ca2+ inflow induced by expression of trpl cRNA were inhibited by the calmodulin inhibitors W13, calmodazolium and peptide (281-309) of (Ca2+ and calmodulin)-dependent protein kinase II. A low concentration of exogenous calmodulin (introduced by microinjection) activated, and a higher concentration inhibited, the trpl cRNA-induced increase in basal rate of Ca2+ inflow. The action of the high concentration of exogenous calmodulin was reversed by W13 and calmodazolium. When rates of Ca2+ inflow in trpl-cRNA-injected oocytes were compared with those in mock-injected oocytes, the guanosine 5'-[beta-thio]diphosphate-stimulated rate was greater, the onset of thapsigargin-stimulated initial rate somewhat delayed and the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate-stimulated initial rate markedly inhibited. It is concluded that (1) the divalent cation channel activity of the Drosophila Trpl protein can be detected in Xenopus oocytes: (2) in the environment of the Xenopus oocyte the Trpl channel admits some Mn2+ as well as Ca2+, is activated by cytoplasmic free Ca2+ (through endogenous calmodulin) and by a trimeric GTP-binding regulatory protein, but does not appear to be activated by depletion of Ca2+ in the endoplasmic reticulum; and (3) expression of the Trpl protein inhibits the process by which the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores activates endogenous store-activated Ca2+ channels.

Persistent light reaction with erythroderma caused by musk ambrette: a case report.

Persistent light reaction is an uncommon type of photodermatitis caused mainly by musk ambrette, a synthetic fragrance material commonly used in foods and cosmetics. Erythrodermic persistent light reaction is rare. We report a case of erythroderma with underlying persistent light reaction due to musk ambrette. A 71-year-old man showed a photodermatitis that waxed and waned for five years before it became more persistent and finally evolved into erythroderma. Positive results of a photopatch test to musk ambrette and a low minimal erythema dose to ultraviolet B were noted. A biopsy specimen of the erythrodermic lesion revealed spongiotic dermatitis. The erythroderma and photodermatitis responded to systemic steroids and psoralen/ultraviolet A therapy (total dose: 90 J/cm2). We suggest that persistent light reaction be included in the differential diagnosis of erythroderma.