[Mechanism of Fushen Granules treat peritoneal dialysis-related peritonitis by regulating TLR4/NF-κB pathway:based on network pharmacology and animal experiments].

Network pharmacology was employed to probe into the mechanism of Fushen Granules in treating peritoneal dialysis-rela-ted peritonitis(PDRP) in rats. The main active components of Fushen Granules were searched against the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, and their targets were predicted. PDRP-related targets were retrieved from DisGeNET and other databases. The common targets shared by the drug and the disease were identified by the online tool, and protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of the common targets. The obtained 276 common targets were imported into DAVID for GO function enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment. The main signaling pathway of Fushen Granules in the treatment of PDRP was predicted as Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor(NF)-κB. The rat model of uremia was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. From two weeks after operation, the rat model of peritoneal dialysis(PD) was established by intraperitoneal injection of 20 mL dialysate with 1.25% glucose every day. The sham operation group and model group received 2 mL normal saline by gavage every day. The rats in Fushen Gra-nules groups were administrated with 2 mL solutions of low-(0.54 g·kg~(-1)), medium-(1.08 g·kg~(-1)) and high-dose(2.16 g·kg~(-1)) Fushen Granules every day. The bifico group received 2 mL(113.4 mg·kg~(-1)) of bifico solution every day. At the end of the 8th week, the levels of serum creatinine(Scr) and blood urea nitrogen(BUN) in each group were measured. The serum levels of hypersensitive C reactive protein(hs-CRP), tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α, and interleukin(IL)-6 were measured, and the pathological changes in the colon tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The serum levels of lipopolysaccharide(LPS) and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein(LBP) of rats were measured, and the expression levels of LBP, TLR4, NF-κB p65, inhibitor of κB kinase α(IκBα), TNF-α, and IL-1ß in the colon tissue were determined. Compared with sham operation group, the model group had abnormal structure of all layers of colon tissue, sparse and shorter intestinal villi, visible edema in mucosal layer, wider gap, obvious local inflammatory cell infiltration, significantly decreased body weight(P<0.01), and significantly increased kidney function index(Scr, BUN) content(P<0.01). Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines(hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6), LPS and LBP were significantly increased(P<0.01), protein expressions of LBP, TLR4, NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-1ß were significantly increased(P<0.01), and protein expressions of IκBα were significantly decreased(P<0.01). Compared with model group, intestinal villi damage in colonic tissue of rats in low-, medium-and high-dose Fushen Granules groups and bifico group were alleviated to different degrees, edema in submucosa was alleviated, space was narrowed, and inflammatory cell infiltration in lamina propria was reduced. The contents of renal function index(Scr, BUN) and serum inflammatory factors(hs-CRP, TNF-α, IL-6) were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01) in medium-and high-dose Fushen Granules groups and bifico group(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Serum LPS and LBP contents in Fushen Granules group and bifico group were significantly decreased(P<0.01), protein expressions of LBP, TLR4, NF-κB p65, TNF-α and IL-1ß in Fushen Granules group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01), and protein expressions of IκBα were significantly increased(P<0.01). The expression of LBP protein in bifico group was significantly decreased(P<0.01). The results suggest that Fushen Granules can protect the residual renal function of PD rats, reduce the inflammatory response, and protect the colon tissue. Based on network pharmacology, TLR4/NF-κB pathway may be the main signaling pathway of Fushen granule in the treatment of PDRP. The results showed that Fushen Granules could improve intestinal inflammation and protect intestinal barrier to prevent PDRP by regulating the expression of key factors in TLR4/NF-κB pathway in colon of PD rats.

Meta-analysis of the effectiveness and safety of Xingnaojing and naloxone in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Xingnaojing combined with naloxone in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning. METHODS: By retrieving the literatures published in the databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Embase, Wanfang Database, Weipu Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure from January 2010 to September 2021, the data of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of Xingnaojing combined with naloxone in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning were extracted. The methodological quality of the included RCTs was evaluated by using the tools of bias risk evaluation of Cochrane Collaboration, and the data were statistically analyzed by using RevMan 5.3 software. RESULTS: A total of 20 literatures were included, involving in 771 cases treated by Xingnaojing combined with naloxone and 761 cases in the control group. The effective rate of the experimental group is higher than that of the control group [risk ratio (RR) = 1.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.14, 1.26)]. The average awake time (STD mean difference = -2.08, 95% CI [-2.60, -1.56]), physical recovery time (STD mean difference = -2.94, 95% CI [-3.59, -2.28]), delayed encephalopathy (RR = 0.44, 95% CI [0.31, 0.62]), and adverse reactions (RR = 0.23, 95% CI [0.10, 0.54]) was lower than that of the control group. CONCLUSION: Xingnaojing combined with naloxone in the treatment of carbon monoxide poisoning is significantly superior to naloxone, but it still needs to be further verified by high-quality large samples of RCTs.

[Rapid prediction of flavonoid content in Epimedium sagittatum by infrared spectroscopy].

Epimedii Folium is a well-known Chinese herbal medicine with the effect of nourishing kidney and strengthening Yang. Its main active ingredients are flavonoids. In this study, 60 samples of Epimedium sagittatum were collected for the determination of total flavonoids(TF) including the total amount of epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, and icariin(abbreviated as ABCI) specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia as well as rhamnosylicariside Ⅱ and icariside Ⅱ. The calibration parameters of "first derivativemultiva-riate scattering correction in 1 900-650 cm~(-1) band(4-point smoothing)" and "first derivativestandard normal variable correction in 4 000-650 cm~(-1) full band(4-point smoothing)" were confirmed respectively. The quantitative model was established via Fourier infrared spectroscopy plus attenuated total reflection(FTIR-ATR) accessory combined with partial least squares(PLS) method and then used to predict the flavonoid content of 11 validation sets. The average prediction accuracy for ABCI in calibration set and validation set was 98.985% and 96.087%, respectively. The average prediction accuracy for TF in calibration set and validation set was 98.998% and 94.771%, respectively. These results indicated that FTIR-ATR combined with PLS model could be used for rapid prediction of flavonoid content in E. sagittatum, with the prediction accuracy above 94.7%. The establishment of this method provides a new solution for the detection of a large number of E. sagittatum samples.

[Content correlation of eight phenolic acids and flavonoids in different medicinal parts of PA-type Perilla germplasms].

In this study, 10 PA-type Perilla germplasms were selected to detect the content of two phenolic acids, i.e., rosmarinic acid(RA) and caffeic acid(CA), and six flavonoids, including scutellarin-7-O-diglucuronoside(SDG), luteolin-7-O-diglucuronoside(LDG), apigenin-7-O-diglucuronoside(ADG), scutellarin-7-O-glucuroside(SG), luteolin-7-O-glucuroside(LG), and apigenin-7-O-glucuroside(AG) in leaves, stems, and fruits. The total content of phenolic acids and flavonoids in leaves was 3.991-12.028 mg·g~(-1) and 12.309-25.071 mg·g~(-1), respectively, which was much higher than that in stems(0.586-2.015 mg·g~(-1) and 0.879-1.413 mg·g~(-1), respectively) and fruits(0.004-2.222 mg·g~(-1) and 0.651-1.936 mg·g~(-1), respectively). RA was detected in five fruit samples, and RA content between leaves and fruits showed a significant negative correlation in the other five samples. For flavonoids, only LG and LDG could be detected in stems, and SG and SDG were not detected in fruits, while other flavonoids were not detected in some samples. The content of total flavonoids and LG in leaves and fruits was significantly positively correlated, and the content of LG in stems and fruits was significantly positively correlated. In 10 stem samples, seven met the standard that the content of RA in the stem should be not less than 0.1% specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). Only one fruit sample reached the standard of RA content in the fruit not less than 0.25% specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Effects of hsa-miR-28-5p on Adriamycin Sensitivity in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma.

Background: Adriamycin (doxorubicin) is an important traditional drug that exhibits cytotoxicity in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Doxorubicin affects the DLBCL cells at all stages of their cell cycle. Combined with our previous results, this study discovered that the overexpression of hsa-miR-28-5p inhibited the proliferation, promoted apoptosis, and triggered cell cycle arrest at the S-phase in DLBCL cells. However, the effect of (Homo sapiens, hsa)-microRNA (miR)-28-5p on doxorubicin sensitivity in DLBCL has not been investigated. This study aims to reveal the effects of hsa-miR-28-5p on doxorubicin sensitivity at the level of DLBCL cells. Methods: To determine the optimal concentration of doxorubicin, different concentrations of doxorubicin were used to treat DLBCL cells. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation of DLBCL cells. The hsa-miR-28-5p-mimic NC and hsa-miR-28-5p mimic were transfected to doxorubicin-mediated DLBCL cells. Simultaneously, blank control groups were set up. The cells were cultured and transfected for 24 h. Next, each group was administered with different concentrations of doxorubicin and cultured again for 24 h to observe the effects of hsa-miR-28-5p on doxorubicin sensitivity at different times. The proliferation, early apoptosis, and late apoptosis in DLBCL cells were determined using soft agar colony-forming assay, mitochondrial membrane potential assay, and caspase-3 activity assay, respectively. The apoptosis and cell cycle were explored using Annexin V-PE/7-AAD and PI/RNase staining buffer, respectively. We speculated that PD-L1 might be involved in the effect of hsa-miR-28-5p on the sensitivity of adriamycin (doxorubicin) in the DLBCL cells. Hence, we performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) to determine PD-L1 expression within formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples from 52 DLBCL cases. Results: The optimal concentration of doxorubicin targeting DLBCL cells was found to be 3.028 µmol/l. The effect of doxorubicin on DLBCL cells was time- and concentration-dependent. hsa-miR-28-5p mimic + doxorubicin remarkably decreased proliferation of DLBCL. DLBCL cell apoptosis rate was the highest in hsa-miR-28-5p mimic + doxorubicin group. Apart from that, hsa-miR-28-5p mimic plus doxorubicin had the best effect in promoting DLBCL cell apoptosis. After the intervention of hsa-miR-28-5p mimic + doxorubicin on DLBCL cells, the cell cycle was arrested in the S-phase and DNA synthesis was blocked. hsa-miR-28-5p mimic + doxorubicin could regulate the cycle of DLBCL cells. As a result, overexpression of hsa-miR-28-5p combined with doxorubicin is possibly involved in the development of DLBCL by affecting the proliferation, apoptosis, and cycle of DLBCL cells. PD-L1 showed an association with the prognosis of DLBCL patients. Combining with the literature, this suggested hsa-miR-28-5p may influence DLBCL occurrence and therapeutic effect by regulating the PD-L1 level. Conclusion: The combination of hsa-miR-28-5p mimic and doxorubicin may be considered more effective in inhibiting growth, arresting the cell cycle, and promoting cell apoptosis of DLBCL cells compared to using doxorubicin alone. The effects of doxorubicin on DLBCL cells were found to be time- and concentration-dependent. The overexpression of hsa-miR-28-5p enhanced the effect of doxorubicin on DLBCL cells, which may be attributed to the regulation of PD-L1 levels.

[Levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E and their influencing factors in children with obesity]. / è‚¥èƒ–ç—‡å„¿ç«¥è„‚æº¶æ€§ç»´ç”Ÿç´ A、D、Eæ°´å¹³åŠå ¶å½±å“å› ç´ .

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E in children with obesity and their influencing factors. METHODS: A total of 273 children with obesity who attended the Department of Clinical Nutrition, Xi'an Children's Hospital, from January 2019 to April 2021 were enrolled as the obesity group. A total of 226 children with normal body weight who underwent physical examination during the same period were enrolled as the control group. Anthropometric parameters and body composition were measured for both groups, and the serum concentrations of vitamins A, D, and E were also measured. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the obesity group had significantly higher serum levels of vitamin A [(1.32±0.21) µmol/L vs (1.16±0.21) µmol/L, P<0.001] and vitamin E [(9.3±1.4) mg/L vs (8.3±1.2) mg/L, P<0.001] and a significant reduction in the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [(49±22) nmol/L vs (62±24) nmol/L, P<0.001]. In the obesity group, the prevalence rates of marginal vitamin A deficiency, vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency, and vitamin E insufficiency were 5.5% (15/273), 56.8% (155/273), and 4.0% (11/273), respectively. After adjustment for body mass index Z-score and waist-to-height ratio, serum vitamin A level was positively correlated with age (P<0.001), while vitamins E and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were negatively correlated with age in children with obesity (P<0.001). After adjustment for age, the serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were not correlated with degree of obesity, percentage of body fat, and duration of obesity in children with obesity, while the serum levels of vitamins A and E were positively correlated with waist-to-height ratio (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: There are higher serum levels of vitamins A and E in children with obesity, especially in those with abdominal obesity, while serum vitamin D nutritional status is poor and worsens with age. Therefore, vitamin D nutritional status should be taken seriously for children with obesity, and vitamin D supplementation should be performed when necessary.

Study on Supramolecules in Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoction.

With the application of the concept of supramolecular chemistry to various fields, a large number of supramolecules have been discovered. The chemical components of traditional Chinese medicine have various sources and unique structures. During the high-temperature boiling process, various active components form supramolecules due to complex interactions. The supramolecular structure in a traditional Chinese medicine decoction can not only be used as a drug carrier to promote the absorption and distribution of medicinal components but may also have biological activities superior to those of single active ingredients or their physical mixtures. By summarizing the relevant research results over recent years, this paper introduces the research progress regarding supramolecules in various decoctions, laying a foundation for further research into supramolecules in traditional Chinese medicine decoctions, and provides a new perspective for revealing the compatibility mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine, guiding clinical medications, and developing new nanometers materials.

[Water migration and kinetics of Arecae Semen during moistening process].

In this study, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance(LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) were employed to analyze the water distribution, status, and migration in the moistening process of Arecae Semen. Peleg model was adopted to study the water absorption kinetics of Arecae Semen moistened at different water temperatures(10, 30, and 50 ℃). The Arecae Semen samples soaked at different water temperatures all contained four water states: binding water T_(21), non-flowing water T_(22), free water T_(23), and unbound water T_(24). Non-flowing water had the largest increase in peak area during the moistening process, followed by free water. The peak areas of non-flowing water, free water, and total water were correlated with the water content(P<0.01). Therefore, LF-NMR can quickly and non-destructively predict the water content of Arecae Semen during moistening. The peak area of non-flowing water and the content of free water were correlated with the content of arecoline in the soaking solution(P<0.01), which indicated that the faster flow of non-flowing water and more free water corresponded to more arecoline dissolved. The MRI images showed that the water migration pathway varied at different soaking temperatures, and the moistening degree obtained by this means was consistent with that obtained based on traditional experience. The rate constant K_1 fitted by Peleg model decreased with the increase in water temperature, while the capacity constant K_2 showed an opposite trend. The Arrhenius equation fitting of K_1 with temperature showed that the activation energy of Arecae Semen in the moistening process was 32.98 kJ·mol~(-1). LF-NMR/MRI can be used to analyze the water status and content and determine the end moisturing point of Arecae Semen. Peleg model can accurately describe the water absorption properties of Arecae Semen in the moistening process. The findings of this study can guide the moistening optimization and mechanism research of other seed Chinese medicinal materials.

Levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E and their influencing factors in children with obesity / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the levels of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E in children with obesity and their influencing factors.@*METHODS@#A total of 273 children with obesity who attended the Department of Clinical Nutrition, Xi'an Children's Hospital, from January 2019 to April 2021 were enrolled as the obesity group. A total of 226 children with normal body weight who underwent physical examination during the same period were enrolled as the control group. Anthropometric parameters and body composition were measured for both groups, and the serum concentrations of vitamins A, D, and E were also measured.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, the obesity group had significantly higher serum levels of vitamin A [(1.32±0.21) μmol/L vs (1.16±0.21) μmol/L, P<0.001] and vitamin E [(9.3±1.4) mg/L vs (8.3±1.2) mg/L, P<0.001] and a significant reduction in the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [(49±22) nmol/L vs (62±24) nmol/L, P<0.001]. In the obesity group, the prevalence rates of marginal vitamin A deficiency, vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency, and vitamin E insufficiency were 5.5% (15/273), 56.8% (155/273), and 4.0% (11/273), respectively. After adjustment for body mass index Z-score and waist-to-height ratio, serum vitamin A level was positively correlated with age (P<0.001), while vitamins E and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were negatively correlated with age in children with obesity (P<0.001). After adjustment for age, the serum levels of vitamin A, vitamin E and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were not correlated with degree of obesity, percentage of body fat, and duration of obesity in children with obesity, while the serum levels of vitamins A and E were positively correlated with waist-to-height ratio (P<0.001).@*CONCLUSIONS@#There are higher serum levels of vitamins A and E in children with obesity, especially in those with abdominal obesity, while serum vitamin D nutritional status is poor and worsens with age. Therefore, vitamin D nutritional status should be taken seriously for children with obesity, and vitamin D supplementation should be performed when necessary.

Water migration and kinetics of Arecae Semen during moistening process / 中国中药杂志

In this study, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance(LF-NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) were employed to analyze the water distribution, status, and migration in the moistening process of Arecae Semen. Peleg model was adopted to study the water absorption kinetics of Arecae Semen moistened at different water temperatures(10, 30, and 50 ℃). The Arecae Semen samples soaked at different water temperatures all contained four water states: binding water T_(21), non-flowing water T_(22), free water T_(23), and unbound water T_(24). Non-flowing water had the largest increase in peak area during the moistening process, followed by free water. The peak areas of non-flowing water, free water, and total water were correlated with the water content(P<0.01). Therefore, LF-NMR can quickly and non-destructively predict the water content of Arecae Semen during moistening. The peak area of non-flowing water and the content of free water were correlated with the content of arecoline in the soaking solution(P<0.01), which indicated that the faster flow of non-flowing water and more free water corresponded to more arecoline dissolved. The MRI images showed that the water migration pathway varied at different soaking temperatures, and the moistening degree obtained by this means was consistent with that obtained based on traditional experience. The rate constant K_1 fitted by Peleg model decreased with the increase in water temperature, while the capacity constant K_2 showed an opposite trend. The Arrhenius equation fitting of K_1 with temperature showed that the activation energy of Arecae Semen in the moistening process was 32.98 kJ·mol~(-1). LF-NMR/MRI can be used to analyze the water status and content and determine the end moisturing point of Arecae Semen. Peleg model can accurately describe the water absorption properties of Arecae Semen in the moistening process. The findings of this study can guide the moistening optimization and mechanism research of other seed Chinese medicinal materials.

Molecular Mediators of Estrogen Reduction-induced Otolith Shedding.

OBJECTIVE: Previous study suggested that estradiol (E2) plays an important role in otolith shedding by regulating the expression of otoconin 90 (OC90). The purpose of this article is to provide further data on the effect and mechanism of E2 on the morphology of otolith. METHODS: The rats receiving bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) were used as animal models. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to observe the relationship between estrogen receptor (ER) and estrogen-related receptor α (ERRα). The morphology of otolith was observed under the scanning electron microscopy. Western blotting and qPCR were used for quantitative analysis of the roles of ER and ERRα in regulating OC90 expression. RESULTS: The looser otoliths were observed in rats receiving bilateral OVX, which could be reversed by supplementation with E2. The level of ERRα was decreased in bilateral OVX rats. ER and ERRα interacted with each other on the regulation of the expression of OC90. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest ER and ERRα are both important downstream receptors involved in regulating OC90 expression in utricles of rats, and ERRα probably functions by interacting with ER. This provides evidence for the mechanism of otolith shedding. And it may be significant for future studies of targeted prevention and therapies for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoctions Significantly Reduce the Mortality in Severe and Critically Ill Patients with COVID-19: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease associated with high mortality, and traditional Chinese medicine decoctions (TCMDs) have been widely used for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 in China; however, the impact of these decoctions on severe and critical COVID-19-related mortality has not been evaluated. Therefore, we aimed to address this gap. In this retrospective cohort study, we included inpatients diagnosed with severe/critical COVID-19 at the Tongren Hospital of Wuhan University and grouped them depending on the recipience of TCMDs (TCMD and non-TCMD groups). We conducted a propensity score-matched analysis to adjust the imbalanced variables and treatments and used logistic regression methods to explore the risk factors associated with in-hospital death. Among 282 patients with COVID-19 who were discharged or died, 186 patients (66.0%) received TCMD treatment (TCMD cohort) and 96 (34.0%) did not (non-TCMD cohort). After propensity score matching at a 1:1 ratio, 94 TCMD users were matched to 94 non-users, and there were no significant differences in baseline clinical variables between the two groups of patients. The all-cause mortality was significantly lower in the TCMD group than in the non-TCMD group, and this trend remained valid even after matching (21.3% [20/94] vs. 39.4% [37/94]). Multivariable logistic regression model showed that disease severity (odds ratio: 0.010; 95% CI: 0.003, 0.037; [Formula: see text]¡ 0.001) was associated with increased odds of death and that TCMD treatment significantly decreased the odds of in-hospital death (odds ratio: 0.115; 95% CI: 0.035, 0.383; [Formula: see text]¡ 0.001), which was related to the duration of TCMD treatment. Our findings show that TCMD treatment may reduce the mortality in patients with severe/critical COVID-19.

The tongue features associated with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) tongue diagnosis plays an important role in differentiation of symptoms because the tongue reflects the physiological and pathological condition of the body. The automatic tongue diagnosis system (ATDS), which noninvasively captures tongue images, can provide objective and reliable diagnostic information. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) currently is an important global public health problem and contributor to morbidity and mortality from non-communicable diseases. Thus, it is interesting to analyze and probe the relationship between tongue examination and CKD. METHODS: This protocol is a cross-sectional, case-controlled observational study investigating the usefulness of the ATDS in clinical practice by examining its efficacy as a diagnostic tool for CKD. Volunteers over 20 years old with and without CKD will be enrolled. Tongue images will be captured and the patients divided into 2 groups: CKD group and healthy group. Nine primary tongue features will be extracted and analyzed, including tongue shape, tongue color, tooth mark, tongue fissure, fur color, fur thickness, saliva, ecchymosis, and red dots. RESULT: The results of this study will systematically evaluate tongue manifestations of patients and examine its efficacy as an early detection and diagnosis of CKD. DISCUSSION: The aim of this protocol is to investigate discriminating tongue features to distinguish between CKD and normal people, and establish differentiating index to facilitate the noninvasive detection of CKD. TRIAL REGISTRIES: ClinicalTrials.gov; Identifier: NCT04708743.

Therapeutic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine to improve metabolic diseases via the gut microbiota.

Metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia are associated with the dysfunction of gut microbiota. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) have shown considerable effects in the treatment of metabolic disorders by regulating the gut microbiota. However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Studies have shown that TCMs significantly affect glucose and lipid metabolism by modulating the gut microbiota, particularly mucin-degrading bacteria, bacteria with anti-inflammatory properties, lipopolysaccharide- and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria, and bacteria with bile-salt hydrolase activity. In this review, we explored potential mechanisms by which TCM improved metabolic disorders via regulating gut microbiota composition and functional structure. In particular, we focused on the protection of the intestinal barrier function, modulation of metabolic endotoxemia and inflammatory responses, regulation of the effects of SCFAs, modulation of the gut-brain axis, and regulation of bile acid metabolism and tryptophan metabolism as therapeutic mechanisms of TCMs in metabolic diseases.

Normobaric hyperoxia plays a protective role against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Following renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI), because of the decrease in oxygen supply to the kidney, a large amount of oxygen-free radicals is generated, and in severe cases, tissue cells will undergo apoptosis or even die. Normobaric hyperoxia (NBHO) is a very common clinical adjuvant treatment. It restores the oxygen supply after renal ischemia and combats oxidative stress in tissues, thus playing a protective role. In this study, our aim is to elucidate the protective mechanism of NBHO inhalation in a rat RIRI model. We performed a surgical excision of the left kidney of the rat and established a right kidney solitary kidney model. Later, the right renal pedicle of the rat was clamped using a non-invasive vascular clamp for 45 min. After the vascular clamp was released and reperfused for 24 h, the rat was placed in a closed oxygen chamber. It was subjected to inhalation of high-concentration oxygen (50%-55%), 2 h daily, for 7 days.RIRI induces postoperative weight loss, impaired renal function, increased oxygen free radicals, reduced antioxidant substances, increased histopathological damage, and increased levels of apoptosis. These effects were significantly improved after treatment with NBHO. At the same time, NBHO significantly increased the expression levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 in the tissues after RIRI. To verify whether HO-1 induced by Nrf2 is involved in the resistance to oxidative stress, after the rat RIRI and before inhaling NBHO, we intraperitoneally injected HO-1 specific inhibitor zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP) (45 µmol/Kg). However, we found that ZnPP reversed the protective effect of NBHO on RIRI in rats. Combining all the results, we have demonstrated the protective effect of NBHO on RIRI, which can be at least partially attributed to the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1 antioxidative stress pathway.

Chinese Medicine Sequential Therapy Improves Pregnancy Outcomes after Surgery for Endometriosis-Associated Infertility: A Multicenter Randomized Double-blind Placebo Parallel Controlled Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) improving pregnancy outcomes after surgery for endometriosis-associated infertility. METHODS: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind placebo parallel controlled clinical trial was designed. A total of 202 patients who had laparoscopy for endometriosis-associated infertility with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome were included and randomly divided into the CM treatment group and placebo control group at a ratio of 1:1 using a central block randomization from May 2014 to September 2017, 101 patients in each group. The two groups received continuous intervention at 1-5 days after surgery, for 6 menstrual cycles. Before ovulation, the CM group was treated Huoxue Xiaoyi Granule (); after ovulation, Bushen Zhuyun Granule ( was involved. The control group was treated with placebo. Transvaginal ultrasonography was performed every menstrual cycle during the treatment, and female hormone levels in the follicular and luteal phases were measured during the 1st, 3rd and 6th menstrual cycles. The analysis was continued until pregnancy. The primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate and pregnancy outcome, and the secondary outcomes were follicular development and endometrial receptivity. Safety evaluations were performed before and after treatment. RESULTS: (1) Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates: the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of the CM group were significantly higher than those of the placebo group [44.6% (45/101) vs. 29.7% (30/101), 34.7% (35/101) vs. 20.8% (21/101), both P<0.05]. (2) Follicle development: the incidence of dominant follicles, rate of cumulative cycle ovulation, and rate of cumulative cycle mature follicle ovulation were significantly higher in the CM group than those in the placebo group [93.8% (350/373) vs. 89.5% (341/381), 80.4% (275/342) vs. 69.1% (253/366), 65.8% (181/275) vs 56.1% (142/253), P<0.05 or P<0.01]). The incidence of cumulative cycle luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome was significantly lower in the CM group than in the placebo group [11.7% (40/342) vs. 17.8% (65/366), P<0.05). (3) Endometrial receptivity: after treatment, both endometrial types and endometrial blood flow types in the CM group were mainly types A and B, while those in the placebo group were mainly types B and C, with a significant difference between the two groups (both P<0.05). (4) Adverse events: the incidence of adverse events between the two groups was not significantly different (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Strategies for activating blood circulation-regulating Gan (Liver)-tonifying Shen (Kidney) sequential therapy can effectively improve the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate of endometriosis-associated infertility with qi stagnation and blood stasis after laparoscopy, improve follicular development, promote ovulation, improve endometrial receptivity, while being a safe treatment option. (Trial registration No. NCT02676713).

Choroid Plexus Enlargement and Allostatic Load in Schizophrenia.

Although schizophrenia is a brain disorder, increasing evidence suggests that there may be body-wide involvement in this illness. However, direct evidence of brain structures involved in the presumed peripheral-central interaction in schizophrenia is still unclear. Seventy-nine previously treatment-naïve first-episode schizophrenia patients who were within 2-week antipsychotics initial stabilization, and 41 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Group differences in subcortical brain regional structures measured by MRI and the subclinical cardiovascular, metabolic, immune, and neuroendocrine biomarkers as indexed by allostatic load, and their associations were explored. Compared with controls, patients with schizophrenia had significantly higher allostatic load (P = .001). Lateral ventricle (P < .001), choroid plexus (P < .001), and thalamus volumes (P < .001) were significantly larger, whereas amygdala volume (P = .001) was significantly smaller in patients. The choroid plexus alone was significantly correlated with higher allostatic load after age, sex, education level, and the total intracranial volume were taken into account (t = 3.60, P < .001). Allostatic load was also significantly correlated with PANSS positive (r = 0.28, P = .016) and negative (r = -0.31, P = .008) symptoms, but in opposite directions. The peripheral multisystemic and central nervous system abnormalities in schizophrenia may interact through the choroid plexus during the early stage of the illness. The choroid plexus might provide a sensitive structural biomarker to study the treatment and prevention of brain-periphery interaction abnormalities in schizophrenia.

Image Recognition of Chinese Herbal Pieces Based on Color Matching Template / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective::To construct the color matching template irrelevant to size and rotation according to the types and distribution characteristics of colors in images of Chinese herbal pieces, in order to establish color characterization and image identification methods for Chinese herbal pieces. Method::Totally 20 types of Chinese herbal pieces were selected, including rhizomes, flowers, seeds and fruits.For each sample, two observation surfaces were selected to extract color parameters in foreground through image processing such as image segmentation, model transformation from RGB to L*a*b*.Color vectors of the two observation surfaces were sequenced in a descending order, scaled to a certain size by interpolating, and combined into an integrated color vector in a weight ratio of 1∶1.As for centripetally distributed observation surface images(e.g.transverse section), corrosion operation was conducted to extract the color components of each ring from outer to inner by circles, which were then ordered and scaled.The integrated color vector was used as initial template for training, the correlation coefficient between each sample and the template was calculated, and the interval estimation of positive samples were carried out by t test.With the total recognition rate as an indicator, the optimal template dimensions, width of ring and training volume were ultimately determined. Result::The visualization results of the trained templates of the varied herbal pieces were easy to be visually distinguished.After 260 samples of the herbal pieces were tested, the template of a and b components was better than that of L*, a* and b* in terms of recognition performance, with a* recognition accuracy of 95.8%(249/200). Conclusion::Color characteristics of images from two observation surfaces of Chinese herbal pieces are integrated to obtain the combined color feature vector, so as to achieve preferable recognition results for samples from both the same and different medicinal parts.This method boasts a strong anti-interference ability of random variation of sample shape, sampling part and color.

[Petroleum pollution and microbial community structure in the soil of Liaohe Oilfield.] / è¾½æ²³æ²¹ç”°åœŸå£¤çŸ³æ²¹æ±¡æŸ“åŠå ¶å¾®ç”Ÿç‰©ç¾¤è½ç‰¹å¾.

We analyzed the soil physico-chemcial properties, microbial community structure, petroleum hydrocarbon contents and components in soil samples from the well sites of Shuguang, Huanxi-ling and Jinzhou oil exploitation sites in Liaohe Oilfield, with uncontaminated paddy soil as a control. The results showed that: 1) The soil around all the three oil exploitation sites were seriously polluted by petroleum with certain differences in the petroleum hydrocarbon contents and components. The average content of petroleum hydrocarbon in the soil of Shuguang and Huanxiling oil exploitation sites was two times higher than that of Jinzhou oil exploitation site. The content of resins and asphaltenes in the soil of Shuguang oil exploitation site was the highest, while the soils of Huan-xiling and Jinzhou oil exploitation sites had the highest alkane content, which accounting for more than 40% in all the sites. 2)Compared with the paddy soil, the microbial OTU numbers, Chao1 and Shannon indices in the soil of Jinzhou oil exploitation site increased. The dominant phyla and genera were similar in the soil of all oil exploitation sites but with large differences in abundance. The soil in Jinzhou oil exploitation site had higher abundance of Mycobacterium and Pseudomonas, while Sphingomonas and Nocardioides, Massilia in the soil of Shuguang oil exploitation site, and Lysobacter, Thiobacillus and Pseudomonas in the soil of Huanxiling oil exploitation site. 3) The abundances of Sphingomonas, Nocardioides, Thiobacillus, Massilia, Pseudomonas and the contents of total petroleum hydrocarbons, total organic carbon and resins and asphaltenes were significantly positively correlated, while Mycobacterium, Lysobacter and Pseudomonas were significantly positively correlated with the contents of total nitrogen and total phosphorus. This study systematically analyzed the petroleum hydrocarbon, physico-chemcial properties and microbial communities in the soil of different oil exploitation sites, and revealed the specific dominant bacterial genera and microbial communities in the soil of Liaohe Oilfield. Our results provided a theoretical basis for functional bacterium screening and microbial community construction in the remediation process of petroleum contaminated soil in Liaohe Oilfield, and a reference for efficient degradation bacteria screening in other oilfields.

Chinese herbal medicine Tangshen Formula treatment for type 2 diabetic kidney disease in the early stage: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the main cause of end-stage kidney disease and has become a heavy economic and social burden due to its high prevalence and morbidity. The most effective strategy is that patients with DKD should be diagnosed and treated early. Preliminary studies showed that the Chinese herbal Tangshen Formula (TSF) may delay the progression of DKD, reducing microalbuminuria and macroalbuminuria and improving renal function. We designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of TSF in patients with DKD. METHODS/DESIGN: This trial is a 13-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. A total of 632 participants will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio to an experiment group (TSF plus losartan) and a control group (placebo plus losartan). The trial cycle will last 24 weeks. The primary outcome will be the change in the urine microalbumin-creatinine ratio from baseline to week 24. The secondary outcome will be the change in the rate of progression to the clinical proteinuria period after intervention, the rate of urine microalbumin negative conversion, the rate of normal urinary microalbumin, the doubling rate of the baseline creatinine value and the glomerular filtration rate between the two groups. Safety in medication will also be evaluated. DISCUSSION: We hypothesize that patients with type 2 diabetes in the early stage of DKD will benefit from TSF. If successful, this study will provide evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03009864. Registered January 2017.