Exploring the effect of Anshen Dingzhi prescription on hippocampal mitochondrial signals in single prolonged stress mouse model.

HEADINGS ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Anshen Dingzhi prescription (ADP), which was first published in the masterpiece of traditional Chinese Medicine in the Qing Dynasty, "Yi Xue Xin Wu" (1732 CE), is documented to interrupt panic-related disorders. However, the mechanism of its action is still not clear. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aims to investigate the effects of ADP on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)-like behaviors and explore the mechanism from perspective of sirtuin1 (SIRT1)-peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha (PGC-1α)-dependent mitochondrial function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The changes of SIRT1-PGC-1α signal and mitochondrial function were evaluated in the hippocampus of mice receiving single prolonged stress (SPS). Later, the roles of this signaling pathway played in fear memory generalization and anxiety-like behavior in SPS mice was investigated using two agonists of this signaling pathway. On this basis, the effects of ADP (36.8 mg/kg) with definite therapeutic effects, on mitochondrial function were investigated and further confirmed by a SIRT1 inhibitor. Finally, the possible components of ADP targeting PGC-1α were monitored through bioinformatics. RESULTS: Compared with control mice, SIRT1-PGC-1α signal in the hippocampus was impaired in SPS mice, accompanied with dysfunction of mitochondria and abnormal expression of synaptic proteins. The agonists of SIRT1-PGC-1α signal, ZLN005, as well as resveratrol improved the behavioral changes of mice caused by SPS, reversed the decline of proteins in SIRT1-PGC-1α signal, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the abnormal expression of synaptic proteins. The fingerprint was established for the quality control of ADP. At a dose of 36.8 mg/kg, ADP could prevent fear memory generalization and anxiety-like behavior in SPS mice. Mechanically, ADP promoted SIRT1-PGC-1α signal and repaired mitochondrial function. Importantly, SIRT1 inhibitor, selisistat eliminated the ameliorative effects of ADP on behavioral and mitochondrial function. Through molecular docking simulation, the brain-entering components of ADP, including malkangunin, Rg5, fumarine, frutinone A, celabenzine, and inermin had high binding energy with PGC-1α. CONCLUSION: Dysfunction of SIRT1-PGC-1α-dependent mitochondrial function is attributed to SPS-triggered fear generalization and anxiety-like behavior, and ADP could improve PTSD-like behaviors likely through activating this signaling pathway.

Insights into the health status of the general population living near an electroplating industry zone: metal elevations and renal impairment.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2016 in Zhejiang Province, China, to evaluate the body burdens of metals and metalloids associated with renal dysfunction in populations living near electroplating industries. We recruited 236 subjects and performed physical examinations, determined the blood and urinary levels of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), antimony (Sb), and selenium (Se) by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS), and measured three renal impairment biomarkers, namely nacetyl-ß-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), retinol-binding protein (RBP), and ß2-microglobulin (BMG). The proportion of abnormal nasal symptoms in the exposure group (10.1%) was much higher than in the control group (0; p < 0.05). The blood and urinary levels of As, Cd, and Se in the exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.05). The blood levels of Mn and Pb, as well as the urinary levels of Cr and Ni, were significantly higher in the exposure group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The exposure group demonstrated higher levels of NAG, RBP, and BMG than the control group (0.51 vs. 0.14 mg/g creatinine, 12.79 vs. 9.26 IU/g creatinine, and 1.39 vs. 0.78 mg/g creatinine, respectively; p < 0.05). Urinary BMG was positively correlated with urinary Cd levels (r = 0.223, p < 0.05), while urinary RBP was correlated with blood Cd levels (r = 0.151, p < 0.05) and urinary Cd, Cr, Ni, and Se levels (r = 0.220, 0.303, 0.162, and 0.306, respectively; p < 0.05). In conclusion, our study indicated that a population living in the vicinity of electroplating industries had high body burdens of certain metals and metalloids associated with non-negligible renal dysfunction.

An Apriori Algorithm-Based Association Analysis of Analgesic Drugs in Chinese Medicine Prescriptions Recorded From Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain.

Chronic pain, a common symptom of people with rheumatoid arthritis, usually behaves as persistent polyarthralgia pain and causes serious damage to patients' physical and mental health. Opioid analgesics can lead to a series of side effects like drug tolerance and addiction. Thus, seeking an alternative therapy and screening out the corresponding analgesic drugs is the key to solving the current dilemma. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) therapy has been recognized internationally for its unique guiding theory and definite curative effect. In this study, we used the Apriori Algorithm to screen out potential analgesics from 311 cases that were treated with compounded medication prescription and collected from "Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University" in Hangzhou, China. Data on 18 kinds of clinical symptoms and 16 kinds of Chinese herbs were extracted based on this data mining. We also found 17 association rules and screened out four potential analgesic drugs-"Jinyinhua," "Wugong," "Yiyiren," and "Qingfengteng," which were promised to help in the clinical treatment. Besides, combined with System Cluster Analysis, we provided several different herbal combinations for clinical references.

New antibacterial depsidones from an ant-derived fungus Spiromastix sp. MY-1.

Six new (1-6) and seven known depsidones (7-13) were isolated from the culture of an ant (Monomorium chinensis)-derived fungus Spiromastix sp. MY-1. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including high resolution MS, 1D and 2D NMR data. The new bromide depsidones were obtained through supplementing potassium bromide in the fermentation medium of Spiromastix sp. MY-1. All isolated compounds showed various bioactivities against the tested phytopathogenic bacteria. Particularly, new bromide compound 4, named spiromastixone S, exhibited the strongest activity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae with a MIC value of 5.2 µmol·-1.

Ribosomal DNA copy number associated with blood metal levels in school-age children: A follow-up study on a municipal waste incinerator in Zhejiang, China.

To evaluate the body burdens of heavy metals and explore the impact of environmental metal exposure on ribosomal DNA (rDNA) or mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number (CN) variation in school-age children living near a municipal waste incinerator (MWI), we conducted a follow-up study in 2019. A total of 146 sixth-grade children from a primary school located 1.2 km away from the MWI were recruited for our study. Metals, including vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), arsenic (As), selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), stannum (Sn), stibium (Sb), thallium (Tl), and lead (Pb), were determined by an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer method. Real-time qPCR was used to measure the rDNA and mtDNA CN. The blood metal levels followed this order: Zn > Cu > Se > Pb > Mn > Sb > As > Ni > Cd > Co > Cr > Sn > V > Tl. Blood Cr level was significantly correlated with 18 S, 2.5 S, and 45 S CN (ß = -0.25, -0.22, -0.26, p < 0.05); Ni was correlated with 5 S (ß = -0.36, p < 0.01); Cu was correlated with 28 S, 18 S, and 5.8 S (ß = -0.24, -0.24, -0.23, p < 0.05); while Zn was correlated with 18 S, 5.8 S, and 45 S (ß = -0.28, -0.32, -0.26, p < 0.05). In conclusion, school-age children living near the MWI had lower blood metal levels compared to children recruited in 2013, while rDNA CN loss was found to be correlated to several heavy metals in these children.

High-dose VitC plus oncolytic adenoviruses enhance immunogenic tumor cell death and reprogram tumor immune microenvironment.

Preclinical and clinical studies have validated the antitumor effects of several oncolytic viruses (OVs). However, the efficacy of OVs is limited when they are administered as monotherapies. Combination therapy is a promising direction for oncolytic virotherapy in the future. A high dose of vitamin C (VitC) exerts anticancer effects by triggering the accretion of substantial amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS). OVs can induce immunogenic tumor cell death and elicit an antitumor immune response. ROS play an important role in immunogenic cell death (ICD). This study aimed to explore whether high-dose VitC in combination with oncolytic adenoviruses (oAds) exhibited a synergistic antitumor effect. High-dose VitC synergized with oAds against tumor by enhancing immunogenic tumor cell death. Combination therapy with high-dose VitC and oAds significantly increased the number of T cells in the tumor microenvironment (TME) and promoted the activation of T cells. Furthermore, the antitumor effect of the combination therapy was CD8+ T cell dependent. In addition, combination therapy with high-dose VitC and oAds reprogramed the immunosuppressive TME. Our study provides a new strategy for combination therapy of OVs.

Guidelines on the treatment with integrated traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine for severe coronavirus disease 2019.

Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is characterized by numerous complications, complex disease, and high mortality, making its treatment a top priority in the treatment of COVID-19. Integrated traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western medicine played an important role in the prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of COVID-19 during the epidemic. However, currently there are no evidence-based guidelines for the integrated treatment of severe COVID-19 with TCM and western medicine. Therefore, it is important to develop an evidence-based guideline on the treatment of severe COVID-19 with integrated TCM and western medicine, in order to provide clinical guidance and decision basis for healthcare professionals, public health personnel, and scientific researchers involved in the diagnosis, treatment, and care of COVID-19 patients. We developed and completed the guideline by referring to the standardization process of the "WHO handbook for guideline development", the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system, and the Reporting Items for Practice Guidelines in Healthcare (RIGHT).

Combined Acupuncture-Hyperbaric Oxygen-Steroids Therapy for Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Objectives: Acupuncture, widely used in Chinese society, has been studied as an adjunct treatment of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of combined acupuncture and hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) with conventional steroid therapy for ISSNHL. Methods: This retrospective chart review enrolled 154 patients who met the ISSNHL criteria and were categorized into three groups according to the different treatment regimens. Among these patients, 43 underwent steroid therapy only (S) group, 74 received steroid and HBOT (S-H) group, and the remaining 37 were treated with combined acupuncture-HBOT in addition to steroid therapy (S-H-A) group. The outcome was determined by comparing the differences in pure-tone thresholds and absolute hearing gains after treatment calculated at each audiometric octave frequency or grouped frequencies of audiograms. Hearing recoveries classified into three grades: complete, partial, and poor were also analyzed and compared among different treatment groups. Results: All subjects presented with initial severe hearing loss with averaged hearing thresholds >70 dB. The S-H-A group exhibited good hearing improvement outcomes at each audiometric octave frequency and grouped frequencies of audiograms, with greater hearing gain and had more favorable outcomes in hearing recovery grades compared with the S group and the S-H group. Conclusions: The results obtained in this study revealed a preliminary finding of ISSNHL patients benefiting from combined acupuncture, HBOT, and conventional steroid therapy. Acupuncture is a safe and nonpharmacologic treatment option and can be considered as an initial treatment strategy in such a clinical scenario.

Clinical characteristics and correlation between hearing outcomes after different episodes of recurrent idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.

OBJECTIVES: Recurrent idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL) is a rare disease. In this study, we evaluated the correlations between hearing recovery after the first and recurrent episodes of ISSNHL and characterized the clinical features of different episodes of ISSNHL. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted by reviewing medical records pertaining to the period 2008-2018. A total of 30 patients (16 male, 14 female) who had experienced at least two episodes of ISSNHL were included. All patients were had received steroid therapy (including systemic and IT) and/or hyperbaric oxygen therapy within 2 weeks after the onset of disease. The SDRG's criteria was used for the grading of hearing recovery. RESULTS: The median age at the first and second episode of ISSNHL was 48 and 53.5 years, respectively; a total of 30% of patients presented with vertigo in the first episode and 40% presented with vertigo in the second episode. The hearing outcomes of both episodes showed significant improvement after treatment. The rate of complete recovery after the first and second episodes was 46.67% and 33.33%, respectively. A significant positive correlation was observed between the treatment outcomes of the first and second episodes (r = 0.721, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In ISSNHL, hearing recovery after a recurrent episode is significantly correlated with the hearing outcome after the initial episode (p = 0.042). The treatment outcome of the first episode is a prognostic factor for the outcomes of recurrent episodes.

Development of a new atmospheric pressure plasmaspray ionization for ambient mass spectrometry.

A new atmospheric pressure ionization method, plasmaspray ionization, termed as PSI, was developed to be an alternative ambient ion source for mass spectrometry. It comprises a plasma jet device and a sample spray part. While the nonthermal plasma jet strikes the surface of stainless steel tube out of the spray capillary, the sprayed sample will be ionized with the assistant of auxiliary gas. Although PSI is a little bit more complex than electrospray ionization (ESI) in instrument, it shows both better linearity and higher sensitivity for organic compounds. For protein samples, it presents wider distributions of multiply charged ions and higher mass resolution without sacrificing any sensitivity. For the mechanism of PSI, the charge build-up process on the tip of capillary should play a key role for the ion formation, and the stimulated pulsed voltage on the flow tube will promote the ion aggregation speed until the charge density is high enough. PSI source contains the features of plasma ionization and ESI and can be considered as a novel combo bridging these techniques. These results reflect that this method of PSI can be applied and further developed as a versatile new ion source for a wild range of organic and biological samples.

Drug screening and development from the affinity of S protein of new coronavirus with ACE2.

Recently, various studies have shown that angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) acts as the "doorknob" that can be bound by the spike protein of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which conduces to its entrance to the host cells, and plays an important role in corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This paper aims to collect and sorts out the existing drugs, which exert the ability to block the binding of S protein and ACE2 so as to provide directions for the later drug development. By reviewing the existing literature, we expound the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 from the perspective of S protein and ACE2 binding, and summarize the drugs and compounds that can interfere with the interaction of spike protein and ACE2 receptor from different ways. We summarized five kinds of substances, including peptide P6, griffithsin, hr2p analogs, EK1, vaccine, monoclonal antibody, cholesterol-depleting agents, and extracts from traditional Chinese medicine. They can fight SARS-CoV-2 by specifically binding to ACE2 receptor, S protein, or blocking membrane fusion between the host and virus. ACE2 is the key point for SARS-CoV-2 to enter the cells, and it is also the focus of drug intervention. Our drug summary on this pathomechanism is expected to provide ideas for the drug research on SARS-CoV-2 and help to develop anti-coronavirus drugs of broad spectrum for future epidemics.

Selenium Status in Diet Affects Acetaminophen-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Interruption of Redox Environment.

Aims: Drug-induced liver injury, especially acetaminophen (APAP)-induced liver injury, is a leading cause of liver failure worldwide. Mouse models were used to evaluate the effect of microelement selenium levels on the cellular redox environment and consequent hepatotoxicity of APAP. Results: APAP treatment affected mouse liver selenoprotein thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity and glutathione (GSH) level in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Decrease of mouse liver TrxR activity and glutathione level was an early event, and occurred concurrently with liver damage. The decreases in the GSH/glutathione disulfide form (GSSG) ratio and TrxR activity, and the increase of protein S-glutathionylation were correlated with the APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Moreover, in APAP-treated mice both mild deprivation and excess supplementation with selenium increased the severity of liver injury compared with those observed in mice with normal dietary selenium levels. An increase in the oxidation state of the TrxR-mediated system, including cytosolic thioredoxin1 (Trx1) and peroxiredoxin1/2 (Prx1/2), and mitochondrial Trx2 and Prx3, was found in the livers from mice reared on selenium-deficient and excess selenium-supplemented diets upon APAP treatment. Innovation: This work demonstrates that both Trx and GSH systems are susceptible to APAP toxicity in vivo, and that the thiol-dependent redox environment is a key factor in determining the extent of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Dietary selenium and selenoproteins play critical roles in protecting mice against APAP overdose. Conclusion: APAP treatment in mice interrupts the function of the Trx and GSH systems, which are the main enzymatic antioxidant systems, in both the cytosol and mitochondria. Dietary selenium deficiency and excess supplementation both increase the risk of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.

Decreased drug resistance of bladder cancer using phytochemicals treatment.

The aim of the study is to investigate the ability of phytochemicals to overcome the multiple drug resistance (MDR) of bladder cancer. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay was used to evaluate the cytotoxic sensitivity of T24-GCB cells, a GCB resistant cell line, to different phytochemicals, including capsaicin, quercetin, curcumin, and resveratrol, and their combination with gemcitabine. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of membranous ABCC2 and metabolic proteins, DCK, TK1, and TK2 in tumor cells. Animal models were used to confirm the treatment efficacy of phytochemicals in combination with gemcitabine to bladder cancer. The observed/expected ratio of cytotoxicity analysis revealed that capsaicin has synergistic effect with gemcitabine to T24-GCB cells in a dose-dependent pattern. Quercetin, curcumin, and resveratrol have additive effect with gemcitabine to T24-GCB cells. Capsaicin and quercetin alone and combination with gemcitabine decreased the expression of ABCC2 and DCK and TKs, in T24-GCB cells. On the contrary, resveratrol and curcumin alone and combination with gemcitabine increased the expression of ABCC2 but decreased cytoplasmic kinases simultaneously. In xenografted subcutaneous tumor model on nude mice, combination treatment of capsaicin and gemcitabine demonstrated the highest tumor suppression effect when compared to capsaicin or gemcitabine treatment alone. The MDR of bladder cancer is closely related to membranous ABCC2, cytoplasmic DCK, and TKs expression. Capsaicin owns the strongest synergistic cytotoxic effect of gemcitabine to T24-GCB cells. This combination regimen may provide as an adjunctive treatment for overcoming MDR in bladder cancer.

Curcumin ameliorates duodenal toxicity of AFB1 in chicken through inducing P-glycoprotein and downregulating cytochrome P450 enzymes.

It has been reported that oral intake of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-contaminated feed could cause acute, sub-chronic, or chronic toxicity in livestock and poultry. However, the harmful effect of AFB1 on the small intestine is still controversial. Therefore, blocking the entry of AFB1 into the body through the digestive tract is one of the important methods to prevent its toxicity. In the present study, 1-day-old Arbor Acres broilers were randomly divided into 6 groups including control group, curcumin control group (450 mg curcumin/kg feed), curcumin low-, medium-, and high-dose group (150, 300, and 450 mg curcumin/kg feed + 5 mg AFB1/kg feed), and AFB1 group (5 mg AFB1/kg feed). After 28 d, the samples of chickens' duodenums were collected for further analyses. AFB1 caused abnormal functional and morphological changes in the duodenum, including histological lesions, increased the length of the duodenum and depth of crypt, decreased the unit weight of the duodenum, height of villus, and the value of villus height/crypt depth. Meanwhile, AFB1 administration enhanced malonaldehyde activity, 8-HOdG level, and the mRNA expression of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes, and reduced superoxide dismutase, catalase, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) activity and the mRNA expression of Abcb1. Importantly, curcumin supplementation partially ameliorated AFB1-induced abnormal functional and morphological signs of the duodenum, alleviated AFB1-induced oxidative stress, and decreased the mRNA expression of CYP450 enzymes. Furthermore, curcumin ameliorated AFB1-induced decrease in the Abcb1 mRNA expression, P-glycoprotein (P-gp) level, and ATPase activities. It has been suggested from these results that curcumin supplementation in the feed could ameliorate AFB1-induced duodenal toxicity and damage through downregulating CYP450 enzymes, promoting ATPase activities, and inducing P-gp in chickens.

On Research Progress of Western and Chinese Medicine Treatment on Pre-Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Pre-rheumatoid arthritis is the inevitable phase before the actual onset of rheumatoid arthritis and has the crucial clinical significance of early controlling and preventing disease progression. Full understanding, from both Western medicine (WM) and Chinese medicine (CM), could offer new ideas for decision making in clinical and mechanism research. This paper reviews the novel studies of WM and CM to discuss the advantages and potential mechanisms working behind.

Susceptibility breakpoint for Danofloxacin against swine Escherichia coli.

BACKGROUND: Improper use of antimicrobials results in poor treatment and severe bacterial resistance. Breakpoints are routinely used in the clinical laboratory setting to guide clinical decision making. Therefore, the objective of this study was to establish antimicrobial susceptibility breakpoints for danofloxacin against Escherichia coli (E.coli), which is an important pathogen of digestive tract infections. RESULTS: The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 1233 E. coli isolates were determined by the microdilution broth method in accordance with the guidelines in Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) document M07-A9. The wild type (WT) distribution or epidemiologic cutoff value (ECV) was set at 8 µg/mL with statistical analysis. Plasma drug concentration data were used to establish pharmacokinetic (PK) model in swine. The in vitro time kill test in our study demonstrated that danofloxacin have concentration dependent activity against E.coli. The PK data indicated that danofloxacin concentration in plasma was rapidly increased to peak levels at 0.97 h and remained detectable until 48 h after drug administration. The pharmacodynamic cutoff (COPD) was determined as 0.03 µg/mL using Monte Carlo simulation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to establish the ECV and COPD of danofloxacin against E.coli with statistical method. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the COPD of danofloxacin against E.coli (0.03 µg/mL), the ECV for E.coli seemed reasonable to be used as the final breakpoint of danofloxacin against E.coli in pigs. Therefore, the ECV (MIC ≤8 µg/mL) was finally selected as the optimum danofloxacin susceptibility breakpoint for swine E.coli. In summary, this study provides a criterion for susceptibility testing and improves prudent use of danofloxacin for protecting public health.

Effects of Periostracum Cicadae on Cytokines and Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins in an IgA Nephropathy Rat Model.

Periostracum cicadae, the cast-off shell of the cicada Cryptotympana pustulata Fabricius, is used in traditional Chinese medicine for its diaphoretic, anticonvulsive, sedative, antipyretic, and antiallergic effects. However, the exact pathogenesis of immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) remains unclear, thereby hindering investigations to identify novel therapeutic agents. A rat IgAN model was established by administration of bovine serum albumin, lipopolysaccharide, and carbon tetrachloride, which simultaneously established blood stasis and a heat syndrome model. The animals were sacrificed to detect changes in protein levels in urine and blood. Immunofluorescence was performed to assess IgA deposition in the glomeruli. Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematology and eosin, periodic acid-Schiff, TUNEL (TdT-mediated dUTP Nick-End Labeling), and immunohistochemical staining were performed to evaluate histopathological changes in kidney tissues. Additionally, target-related proteins were measured by Western blotting. Periostracum cicadae resulted in a reduction in blood and urine protein levels. Serum TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6 levels significantly decreased in the periostracum cicadae-treated groups compared to the IgAN group. Furthermore, a reduction in MCP-1 (Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1), TLR4 ((Toll-Like Receptor 4)), and IgA expression levels and a dose-dependent increase in caspase 3 expression were observed in response to periostracum cicadae treatment. TGF-ß1(Transforming Growth Factor-ß) levels decreased, whereas that of Fas increased in the kidney tissues of the periostracum cicadae-treated groups. The findings of the present study indicate that periostracum cicadae induces apoptosis and improves kidney inflammation and fibrosis in IgA nephropathy rat models.

Effect of Lang-Chuang-Ding Decoction () on DNA Methylation of CD70 Gene Promoter in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Female Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of Lang-chuang-ding Decoction (, LCD) on the expression of DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). METHODS: PBMCs isolated from female patients with SLE or healthy donors were cultured and treated with LCD medicated serum or normal serum for 24 or 48 h. The mRNA expressions of CD70 gene in PBMCs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the DNA methylation of the CD70 gene promoter region was detected by methylation-specific PCR. RESULTS: After treated with medicated serum for 48 h, the mRNA expression levels of CD70 in PBMCs of SLE patients were signifificantly higher than those of healthy donors (P<0.05); the DNA methylation levels of CD70 promoter region in PBMCs of SLE patients treated with medicated serum for 48 h were signifificantly higher than those treated with fetal bovine serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: LCD could inhibit CD70 gene expression in PBMCs of SLE patients by promoting the DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter.

Effect of Lang-Chuang-Ding Decoction () on DNA Methylation of CD70 Gene Promoter in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells of Female Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus / 中国结合医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of Lang-chuang-ding Decoction (, LCD) on the expression of DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of females with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PBMCs isolated from female patients with SLE or healthy donors were cultured and treated with LCD medicated serum or normal serum for 24 or 48 h. The mRNA expressions of CD70 gene in PBMCs were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR); the DNA methylation of the CD70 gene promoter region was detected by methylation-specific PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treated with medicated serum for 48 h, the mRNA expression levels of CD70 in PBMCs of SLE patients were signifificantly higher than those of healthy donors (P<0.05); the DNA methylation levels of CD70 promoter region in PBMCs of SLE patients treated with medicated serum for 48 h were signifificantly higher than those treated with fetal bovine serum (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>LCD could inhibit CD70 gene expression in PBMCs of SLE patients by promoting the DNA methylation of CD70 gene promoter.</p>

Dried salted plum consumption ameliorates hyperbaric oxygen therapy-induced otalgia severity at the first chamber session: a prospective randomized controlled study.

PURPOSE: One of the most common complications of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO2) therapy is middle ear barotrauma (MEB), occasionally causing otalgia. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of dried salted plum consumption on MEB and otalgia associated with HBO2 therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients undergoing the first chamber session of HBO2 therapy were included in the present prospective randomized controlled trial. The Valsalva maneuver was administered to all patients before HBO2. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: one that ate a dried salted plum during HBO2 treatment and the other that did not. An otoscopic examination was performed after HBO2 therapy. The MEB was graded according to Teed scores. The degree of otalgia was recorded using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: Ninety patients were enrolled. The overall incidence of MEB (Teed score grade 1~4) was 39.6% (21 of 53) for patients administered a dried salted plum versus 37.8% (14 of 37) for the control group (P=1.000). The incidence of mild MEB (Teed score grade 1~2) and severe MEB (Teed score Grade 3~4) between the two groups was not significantly different. Otalgia was present in 5.7% (3 of 53) of patients administered a dried salted plum versus 18.9% (7 of 37) for the control group (P=.085). No patients administered a dried salted plum had a VAS score ≥4 for otalgia versus 10.8% (4 of 37) for the control group (P=.026). CONCLUSIONS: Dried salted plum consumption does not decrease the incidence of MEB, but may ameliorate the severity of first chamber session HBO2-induced otalgia.