Research progress in targeting autophagy of traditional Chinese medicine and natural compounds to regulate atherosclerosis / 中国中药杂志

Atherosclerosis(AS) is the common pathological basis of many ischemic cardiovascular diseases, and its formation process involves various aspects such as vascular endothelial injury and platelet activation. Vascular endothelial injury is the initiating factor of AS plaque. Monocytes are recruited to differentiate into macrophages at the damaged endothelial cells, which absorb oxidized low-density lipoprotein(ox-LDL) and slowly transform into foam cells. Smooth muscle cells(SMCs) proliferate and migrate continuously. As the only cell producing interstitial collagen fibers in the fibrous cap, SMCs largely determine whether the plaque ruptured or not. The amplifying inflammatory response during the formation of AS recruits platelets to adhere to the damaged area of vascular endothelium and stimulates excessive platelet aggregation. Autophagy activity is associated with vascular lesions and abnormal platelet activation, and excessive autophagy is considered to be a negative factor for plaque stability. Therefore, precise regulation of different types of vascular autophagy and platelet autophagy to treat AS may provide a new therapeutic perspective for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerotic ischemic cardiovascular disease. Currently, treatment strategies for AS still focus on lowering lipid levels with high-intensity statins, which often cause significant side effects. Therefore, the development of safer and more effective drugs and treatment modes is the focus of current research. Traditional Chinese medicine and natural compounds have the potential to treat AS by targeted autophagy, and have been playing an increasingly important role in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases in China. This paper summarizes the experimental studies on different vascular cell types and platelet autophagy in AS, and sums up the published research results on targeted autophagy of traditional Chinese medicine and natural plant compounds to regulate AS, providing new ideas for further research.

Single Center Analysis of Bloodstream Infection Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis in Patients with Hematological Malignancies in the Tropics / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the characteristics, prognosis and risk factors of bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies in the tropics, so as to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of bloodstream infection.@*METHODS@#The clinical features, blood culture results and prognosis of patients with bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies admitted to Hainan Hospital of PLA General Hospital were retrospectively studied.@*RESULTS@#The most common primary infection site of the 81 patients with hematological malignancies was lung (46.91%), followed by PICC (11.11%). The detection rate of Gram-positive bacteria and Gram-negative bacteria in the blood culture was 60.98% and 30.02%, respectively. Coagulase-negative staphylococci was the most common Gram-positive bacteria resulting in bloodstream infection in our study. Of the Gram-negatives, Klebsiella pneumoniae (34.38%) was predominant, followed by Escherichia coli (18.75%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.75%). Gram-positive bacteria was highly sensitive (100%) to vancomycin, linezolid and tigecycline. Study showed that Gram-negative bacteria had low sensitive to quinolones, in particular, the resistance rate of Escherichia coli to quinolones was as high as 83.33%. In terms of overall survival (OS), the 30-days OS of patients with Gram-negative and Gram-positive septicemia was 77.42% and 92.00%, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that septic shock (P=0.001, RR=269.27) was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality, and remission status (P=0.027, RR=0.114) was an independent predictor of a favourable outcome of bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies.@*CONCLUSION@#Gram-positive bacteria are the main pathogens causing bloodstream infections in patients with hematological malignancies in the tropics. Improving the care of PICC is an important measure to reduce the incidence of bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies in the tropics. A correct treatment relieving disease and effective prevention and treatment of septic shock can reduce mortality of patients with bloodstream infection in patients with hematological malignancies in the tropics.

Risk factors of recurrent associated with children intussusception after hydrostatic reduction enema guided by ultrasonography / 中国介入影像与治疗学

Objective: To observe the risk factors of recurrence of children intussusception after ultrasound-guided hydrostatic reduction of intussusception with saline enema (UGHSE). Methods: Clinical data of 92 intussusception cases underwent UGHSE were retrospectively analyzed, including 50 cases with recurrence of intussusception (recurrence group) and 42 cases without recurrence (non-recurrence group). Logistic regression equation was used to analyze the risk factors of recurrence of children intussusception after UGHSE. The ROC curve was further evaluated to predict the accuracy of various factors in predicting the recurrence. Results: Blood stool, secondary factors of intussusception, the maximum diameter of intussusception "concentric circles", blood flow signal of intussusception intestinal wall and seroperitoneum were all significantly different between 2 groups (all P<0.05), and all the above factors were risk factors for recurrent intussusception (all P<0.05). Taken the maximum diameter of intussusception "concentric circles" = 35 mm as the cut-off value, the AUC for predicting recurrence of intussual recombination was 0.87, higher than that of the other factors (all P<0.05). Conclusion: The maximum diameter of intussusception "concentric circles" ≥35 mm, blood stool, seroperitoneum, no blood flow signal of intussusception intestinal wall and secondary factors of intussusception are important risk factors for recurrence of children intussusception after UGHSE.

Identification of 11(13)-dehydroivaxillin as a potent therapeutic agent against non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Despite great advancements in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), sensitivity of different subtypes to therapy varies. Targeting the aberrant activation NF-κB signaling pathways in lymphoid malignancies is a promising strategy. Here, we report that 11(13)-dehydroivaxillin (DHI), a natural compound isolated from the Carpesium genus, induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of NHL cells. Multiple signaling cascades are influenced by DHI in NHL cells. PI3K/AKT and ERK are activated or inhibited in a cell type dependent manner, whereas NF-κB signaling pathway was inhibited in all the NHL cells tested. Applying the cellular thermal shift assay, we further demonstrated that DHI directly interacts with IKKα/IKKß in NHL cells. Interestingly, DHI treatment also reduced the IKKα/IKKß protein level in NHL cells. Consistent with this finding, knockdown of IKKα/IKKß inhibits cell proliferation and enhances DHI-induced proliferation inhibition. Overexpression of p65, p52 or RelB partially reverses DHI-induced cell growth inhibition. Furthermore, DHI treatment significantly inhibits the growth of NHL cell xenografts. In conclusion, we demonstrate that DHI exerts anti-NHL effect in vitro and in vivo, through a cumulative effect on NF-κB and other pathways. DHI may serve as a promising lead compound for the therapy of NHL.

The establishment and application of safety evaluation and key technology research system for modem Chinese herbal drug / 中国比较医学杂志

The adverse reactions caused by traditional Chinese medicine have occurred frequently, but there is a lack of scientific,objective and standardized methods for safety evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine.In the process of preclinical evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine, it is imperative to form a set of scientific, standardized and feasible evaluation system of modem Chinese herbal drug.We established the preclinical safety evaluation system of modem Chinese herbal drug including the quality control system of samples for the preclinical safety evaluation, the toxicity evaluation system of modem Chinese herbal drug and its preparation and the evaluation management system, and standardized each research link of preclinical evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine.Whether from protecting patients' health and increasing the safety of clinical medication, or from enriching and improving traditional Chinese medicine science, developing traditional Chinese medicine and promoting mutual connection of traditional Chinese medicine and international medicine, it has important instructional significance and application value.

Clinical research of needle-pricking therapy for functional retrograde ejaculatioin / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the clinical effects of needle-pricking therapy, a newly medical and minimally invasive technique, for functional retrograde ejaculation and to explore its mechanism. Methods Thirty-six patients with functional retrograde ejaculation were randomly divided into an observation group(19 cases) and a control group(17 cases) In the observation group,needle-pricking therapy was used at Guanyuan(CV 4) and bilateral sacral plexus nerve,lumbar 1 nerve and greater occipital nerve stimulating points,once a week. In the control group, midodrine tablets were prescribed orally,three times a day. All the treatment was given for 9 weeks. The clinical effects of the two groups were observed, and the levels of luteinizing hormone(LH), testosterone(Tes) and estra4 diol(E2) were compared between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate of the observation group was, 89. 47%(17/19), which was better than 47.06% (8/17) of the control group(P<0. 05). The LH and Tes were obviously increased and E2 was decreased compared with those before treatment in the observation group(all P< 0. 01). Tes was raised(P<0. 05) and E2 was apparently declined in the control group(P<0. 01). After treatment, the differences of serum LH and Tes were statistically significant between the two groups(both P<0. 01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Needle-pricking therapy has advantages for functional retrograde ejaculation probably in that stimulating lumbosacral nerves can strengthen the function of pelvic floor muscles and urethral expansion muscle and regulate sexual gland axis.</p>

Therapeutic Effects of Artemisia Argyi Ferment Substance on Systemic Candida Albicans Infection / 医药导报

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanism of Artemisia argyi ferment substance on systemic Candida albicans infection. Methods The model of systemic Candida albicans infection was established in immunosuppressed mice. The model mice were randomly divided into the model control,Artemisia argyi ferment substance( AAFS) at different doses(100,200,and 400 mg·kg-1 )and fluconazole group(20 mg·kg-1 ),30 mice in each. Mice in each treatment group were given therapeutic drugs by gavage for 5 consecutive days,twice daily. The survival of mice was determined 21 days after the model was set up. The serum levels of IFN-γand IL-2 were determined by ELISA. The proliferation activity of T lymphocyte in the spleen was detected by MTT assay. The number of living fungi in liver and kidney tissues was counted. Results Compared with the model control,AAFS at middle and high doses and fluconazole significantly increased the survival rate of mice,the serum levels of IFN-γand IL-2,and the proliferation activity of T lymphocyte in the spleen,but decreased the number of living fungi in tissues(P〈0. 01). Compared with low dose AAFS,middle and high doses of AAFS and fluconazole showed significantly different effect on each index(P〈0. 05 or P〈0. 01),but there was no difference among these groups(P〉0. 05). Conclusion AAFS at 200-400 mg·kg-1 has inhibitory effects on systemic Candida albicans infection in mice,the mechanism of which is related to increasing the proliferation of T lymphocyte in spleen and the levels of IFN-γand IL-2 in serum.

Progress in the study of Velvet and LaeA proteins and their relation to the development and bioactive compounds in medicinal fungi / 药学学报

The medicinal fungi, which are of great importance in traditional medicine, are facing the problems of wild resources scarcity and low concentration of bioactive compounds. Velvet family and LaeA global regulator play a vital role in secondary metabolism and developmental programs, which are found in a wide variety of fungi ranging from Chytridiomycota to Basidiomycota. This review elaborates the structures and functions between Velvet family and LaeA protein. The Velvet family which shares the Velvet protein domain, including VeA (Velvet), VelB (Velvet like B), VosA (viability of spores A) and VelC (Velvet like C), acts on the regulation function is secondary metabolism and developmental programs such as asexual and sexual development. Furthermore, the function is affected by environmental factors such as light and temperature. LaeA protein which owns S-adenosylmethionine-dependent methyltransferase domain, coordinately regulates development and secondary metabolism by regulating and modifying the Velvet proteins. The regulation of LaeA is mediated by light receptor proteins. Therefore, clarifying the mechanism of Velvet and LaeA proteins in medicinal fungi will pave the way for nurturing medicinal fungi and improving production of bioactive compounds.

Research progress of the regulation on active compound biosynthesis by the bHLH transcription factors in plants / 药学学报

Transcription factor is one of the key factors in the regulation of gene expression at the transcriptional level. It plays an important role in plant growth, active components biosynthesis and response to environmental change. This paper summarized the structure and classification of bHLH transcription factors and elaborated the research progress of bHLH transcription factors which regulate the active components in plants, such as flavonoids, alkaloids, and terpenoids. In addition, the possibility of increasing the concentration of active substances by bHLH in medicinal plants was assessed. The paper emphasized great significance of model plants and multidisciplinary research fields including modern genomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics and bioinformatics, providing the contribution to improve the discovery and function characterization of bHLH transcription factors. Accelerating the research in the mechanism of bHLH transcription factors on the regulation of active components biosynthesis will promote the development of breeding and variety improvement of Chinese medicinal materials, also ease the pressure of resources exhaustion of traditional Chinese medicine home and abroad.

Determination of chlorogenic acid and baicalin in Yinhuang film-coated tablets by HPLC isocratic elution / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an HPLC method for determination of chlorogenic acid and baicalin in Yinhuang film-coated tablets.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>HPLC isocratic elution was adopted, with the C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) as the chromatographic column, methanol-water-phosphoric acid (45: 55: 0.2) as the mobile phase. The flow rate was set at 1.0 mL x min(-1), and column temperature was set at 30 degrees C. The detection wavelength was 328 nm, and the sample size was 20 microL.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>At concentrations ranging between 2.200-44.00, 24.20-242.0 mg x L(-1), peak area of chlorogenic acid and baicalin showed good linear relationship, the average recoveries were 99.63% (RSD 1.8%, n = 9) and 99.72% (RSD 1.9%, n = 9), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method is simple that it can accurately measure the content of chlorogenic acid and baicalin in Yinhuang film-coated tablets.</p>

Effects of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia on perioperative inflammatory factors in patients undergoing cardiac surgery / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia on immune function in patients with extracorporeal circulation undergoing cardiac surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty cases undergoing cardiac surgery which included atrial septal defect neoplasty, ventricular septal defect neoplasty, mitral valve replacement and pulmonary valve coarctotomy were randomly divided into group A and group B, 15 cases in each group. Group A was given general anesthesia plus acupuncture at Neiguan (PC 6), Lieque (LU 7) and Yunmen (LU 2), and group B was given simple general anesthesia. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels before and after surgery were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of TNF-alpha was increased and the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 in the serum were decreased in both groups after extracorporeal circulation for 2 h and 24 h, and the ranges of all changes were more less in group A (all P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compared with simple general anesthesia, acupuncture-drug compound anesthesia can improve immune suppression partially in the perioperative periods under the same conditions of controlling anesthesia degree.</p>