Immunomodulatory Function of Pien Tze Huang in T Cell-Mediated Anti-tumor Activity against B16-F10, MC38 and Hep1-6 Tumor Models.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-tumor effects of Pien Tze Huang (PZH) in mouse models of B16-F10 melanoma, MC38 colorectal cancer, Hep1-6 hepatocellular carcinoma and chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma model. METHODS: Various tumor models, including B16-F10, MC38 and Hep1-6 tumor hypodermic inoculation models, B16-F10 and Hep1-6 pulmonary metastasis models, Hep1-6 orthotopic implantation model, and chemically induced hepatocellular carcinoma model, were utilized to evaluate the anti-tumor function of PZH. Tumor growth was assessed by measuring tumor size and weight of solid tumors isolated from C57BL/6 mice. For cell proliferation and death of tumor cells in vitro, as well as T cell activation markers, cytokine production and immune checkpoints analysis, single-cell suspensions were prepared from mouse spleen, lymph nodes, and tumors after PZH treatment. RESULTS: PZH demonstrated significant therapeutic efficacy in inhibiting tumor growth (P<0.01). Treatment with PZH resulted in a reduction in tumor size in subcutaneous MC38 colon adenocarcinoma and B16-F10 melanoma models, and decreased pulmonary metastasis of B16-F10 melanoma and Hep1-6 hepatoma (P<0.01). However, in vitro experiments showed that PZH only had slight impact on the cell proliferation and survival of tumor cells (P>0.05). Nevertheless, PZH exhibited a remarkable ability to enhance T cell activation and the production of interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin 2 in CD4+ T cells in vitro (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Importantly, PZH substantially inhibited T cell exhaustion and boosted cytokine production by tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells (P<0.01 or P<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study has confirmed a novel immunomodulatory function of PZH in T cell-mediated anti-tumor immunity, indicating that PZH holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for cancer treatment.

Clinical observation of acupuncture treatment for children with accommodative myopia / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of accommodative myopia in children.Methods:A total of 76 children with accommodative myopia who met the inclusion criteria were divided into a control group or a test group according to the random number table method,with 38 cases in each group.The control group was given education on eye hygiene,and the test group was treated with acupuncture twice a week for 2 months in addition to the intervention used in the control group.The patient's uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA),refraction,and axial length(AL)were measured before treatment and 1 month and 2 months after treatment.Results:After 1 month of treatment,there was no significant difference in the UCVA between the two groups(P＞0.05);after 2 months of treatment,the UCVA of the test group was better than that of the control group(P＜0.05).After 1 and 2 months of treatment,the refraction of the two groups was significantly different from that before treatment(P＜0.01),but there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).After 1 and 2 months of treatment,the AL in the control group was increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.05),while there was no significant change in the test group(P＞0.05),and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture treatment can improve UCVA in children with accommodative myopia.

Systematic analysis of MYB transcription factors related to the geniposide biosynthesis in Gardenia jasminoides Ellis based on whole genome / 药学学报

MYB transcription factors are involved in the regulation of various secondary metabolites biosynthesis. Gardenia jasminoides Ellis is the commonly used Chinese herbal medicine, and its main active ingredient is geniposide. Here, leaves and flower buds at different developmental stages of G. jasminoides were used to explore MYB transcription factors related to geniposide biosynthesis based on genome and transcriptome analysis. Transcriptome data analysis showed that, different from the expression of the common pathway genes for terpenoid biosynthesis, the expression level of genes in the specific pathway of geniposide biosynthesis was significantly higher in flower buds than in leaves, which was the same as the organ accumulation pattern of this component. And the promoter regions of geraniol synthase, iridoid synthase and geniposidic acid methyltransferase involved in the specific pathway all contained multiple MYB-binding sites. A total of 105 MYB transcription factors were obtained by annotating the coding genes of G. jasminoides, which were divided into 68 1R-MYB, 33 R2R3-MYB, 3 3R-MYB and 1 atypical MYB transcription factor according to the number of conserved domain. Based on the analysis of phylogenetic tree and quantitative real-time PCR, three candidate MYB transcription factors related to geniposide biosynthesis were selected, including potential positive regulation factor GjMYB23 and negative regulation factors GjMYB31 and GjMYB73. The results of this study will lay a foundation for searching the regulation of geniposide biosynthesis and further analysis of the quality formation mechanism of G. jasminoides, so as to promote the breeding of excellent varieties of G. jasminoides.

Improved Safety of Hybrid Electroconvulsive Therapy Compared With Standard Electroconvulsive Therapy in Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group Pilot Trial.

Objectives: ECT is a rapid and effective treatment for depression. While efficacy is often remarkable over the initial 3-4 sessions, the efficacy of later sessions is less rapid, and the side-effects, especially cognitive impairment limit its use. To preliminarily compare the efficacy and acceptability of a novel hybrid-ECT (HECT) protocol for patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) with standard ECT, we conducted this pilot trial. Methods: Thirty patients were randomly assigned to ECT or HECT. Both arms received three ECT sessions (phase 1) but, in phase 2, the HECT arm received low-charge electrotherapy instead of ECT. The primary outcome was the change in 24-item Hamilton depression rating scale (HAMD-24) scores between baseline and the end of treatment. Cognitive function was assessed by repeatable battery for the assessment of neuropsychological status (RBANS), Stroop color word, and orientation recovery tests (ORT). Safety was measured by the drop-out rate and adverse events (AEs). Four visits were conducted at baseline, post-phase 1, post-phase 2, and at 1-month follow-up. Trial registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn/), identifier: ChiCTR1900027701. Results: Patients in both arms showed significant within-group improvements in HAMD-24, but the between-group differences were non-significant. Participants in the HECT arm outperformed ECT patients for most cognitive tests at the end of treatment or at follow-up. There was a significantly lower AE rate and shorter ORT in phase 2 of the HECT ar. Conclusion: In this pilot trial, HECT was associated with fewer AEs and better cognitive function including executive and memory function, but its possible similar antidepressive efficacy needs to be further investigated in future.

Clinical study of acupuncture plus Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang for benign essential blepharospasm / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of acupuncture plus Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang for benign essential blepharospasm (BEB). Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was performed. A total of 105 participants were randomized 1:1:1 into an acupuncture group, a herbal medicine group and an acupuncture plus herbal medicine group. Participants in the acupuncture group received manual acupuncture treatment, twice a week. Participants in the herbal medicine group received Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang, oral administration, once a day. Participants in the acupuncture plus herbal medicine group received both treatments. The therapeutic effects of the three groups were evaluated after four weeks of treatment. The primary outcome was the Jankovic rating scale (JRS) score, and the secondary outcome was the blepharospasm disability index (BSDI) score. Results: After four weeks of treatment, the JRS total scores significantly decreased in all three groups versus baseline (P<0.05). A greater reduction in the JRS total score was reported in participants in the acupuncture plus herbal medicine group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the acupuncture group and the herbal medicine group (P>0.05). The acupuncture plus herbal medicine group had a greater decrease in the JRS severity score than the herbal medicine group (P<0.05). The reduction in the JRS frequency score was not significantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). The BSDI scores significantly decreased in all three groups versus baseline (P<0.05), but the reduction in the BSDI score was insignificantly different among the three groups (P>0.05). Conclusion: It is effective in the treatment of BEB either to use acupuncture and Dang Gui Bu Xue Qu Feng Tang alone or in combination. The combination therapy shows a more significant effect than either of the treatment alone.

Clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture in controlling myopia in children and its influence on retinal blood flow / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in controlling myopia in children and its effect on retinal blood flow. Methods: Sixty-eight myopic children were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, with 34 cases in each group. The control group was given auricular acupressure treatment alone, and the observation group was treated with EA once a week in addition to the treatment used in the control group. The spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) were measured at baseline, and after 3 months and 6 months of treatment. Optical coherence tomography angiography was used to measure the vessel density (VD) and perfusion density (PD) in the surface layer of the retina. Results: After 3 months and 6 months of treatment, the changes in SER between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05). After 3 months of treatment, the changes in AL between the two groups were not statistically significant (P>0.05); after 6 months of treatment, the change amount of AL in the observation group was smaller than that in the control group (P<0.05); after 3 months and 6 months of treatment, the changes in VD and PD in the surface layer of the retina in the observation group were significantly greater than those in the control group (P<0.01). Conclusion: EA treatment once a week for 6 months can delay the increase of AL and improve the retinal surface blood flow in myopic children.

Food Chemistry of Selenium and Controversial Roles of Selenium in Affecting Blood Cholesterol Concentrations.

Hypercholesterolemia, one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, is a worldwide public health problem. Nutraceuticals and phytochemicals are attracting attention as a result of their cholesterol-lowering ability and minimal side effects. Among them, selenium (Se) is on the list. The amount of Se in foods varies by region. Se-enriched fertilizers and feeds can raise the Se content in plants and animals, while some processing methods decrease food Se content. This review summarizes recent studies on (1) the content distribution of Se in foods and factors influencing Se-enriched foods, (2) the bioavailability and metabolism of Se, and (3) the role of Se in affecting blood cholesterol and cholesterol metabolism. Although the hypocholesterolemic effect of Se is equivocal, its cholesterol-lowering activity may be more remarkable when the Se supplementation is 200 µg/day or the baseline blood total cholesterol is above 200 mg/dL in humans with low Se status.

Study protocol for a parallel-group, double-blinded, randomized, controlled, noninferiority trial: the effect and safety of hybrid electroconvulsive therapy (Hybrid-ECT) compared with routine electroconvulsive therapy in patients with depression.

BACKGROUND: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is the most rapid and effective treatment for patients with depression, ECT can achieve remarkable antidepressant effects in the initial 3-4 sessions, but significant side effects limit its use. However, recent low-charge electrotherapy (LCE) studies have demonstrated antidepressant or antipsychotic effects with significantly fewer side effects. The aim of this study is to propose a novel two-step charge set strategy for ECT treatment, referred to as Hybrid-ECT, to decrease side effects by using a low charge while preserving treatment efficacy. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized, double-blinded, standard-controlled, parallel-group design will be carried out. We plan to enroll 112 inpatients diagnosed with depression (unipolar or bipolar) and randomly assign them to conventional ECT (control group) or to Hybrid-ECT (treatment group, 3 ECT sessions followed by LCE sessions (approximately 2.8 joules per session)). We will evaluate participants across a wide variety of domains including clinical symptoms, cognitive, psychological and functional metrics. We will also perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and event-related potential (ERPs) assessments during treatment to explore brain function differences between ECT and LCE. DISCUSSION: This research proposes a simple but completely novel ECT strategy that aims to rapidly relieve depressive symptoms and minimize side effects. The mechanism of ECT and LCE will be further discussed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, Number: ChiCTR1900022905 (Registration date: April 30, 2019).

Low-charge electrotherapy for patients with schizophrenia: A double-blind, randomised controlled pilot clinical trial.

A double-blind, randomised controlled pilot clinical trial was conducted to assess the potential effectiveness and safety of low-charge electrotherapy (LCE) for patients with schizophrenia. Bitemporal LCE (approximately 2.8 Joules) was administered three times a week. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score was set as the outcome measure. Any adverse event (AE) was recorded. Three visits occurred at baseline, post-treatment, and after one month of follow-up. Twelve patients were randomised to the electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) group or LCE group (6 patients in each group). No patient withdrew during the study. The LCE group did not experience seizures during the trial. Patients in both groups showed significant improvements in clinical measures after treatment, and the reduction of all scale scores between the two groups was nonsignificant. The LCE group experienced significantly fewer AEs than the ECT group. Compared with ECT, LCE exerts similar antipsychotic effects while causing fewer AEs. Thus, LCE has the potential to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with schizophrenia, but further research is needed.

A comparison between topical and retrobulbar anesthesia in 27-gauge vitrectomy for vitreous floaters: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: To compare the safety and efficacy of topical anesthesia versus retrobulbar anesthesia in 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for vitreous floaters. METHODS: 30 patients with vitreous floaters were randomized into Group T (topical anesthesia, proparacaine eye drop) and Group R (retrobulbar anesthesia), and underwent 27-gauge PPV. A 5-point visual analogue pain scale (VAPS) was used to assess patients' pain experience of anesthesia and surgery procedure (during surgery, 2 h and 1 day after surgery). RESULTS: The VAPS of anesthesia procedure was 1.27 ± 0.59 for patients in Group R, while it was all 0 for patients in Group T (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference for VAPS during surgery (Group T: 1.13 ± 0.74, Group R: 0.67 ± 0.62, p = 0.67), 2 h (Group T: 0.80 ± 1.01, Group R: 0.67 ± 0.62, p = 0.67) and 1 day (Group T: 0.20 ± 0.41, Group R: 0.27 ± 0.46, p = 0.68) after surgery between these two groups. Only one patient (6.7%) in Group T required additional topical anesthesia during the surgery. Most of the patients reported the pain experience came from initial trocar insertion in both groups. None of the patients required post operative analgesia in both groups. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were noted in both groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggested that topical anesthesia is a safe and effective anesthetic approach for patients with floaters who underwent 27-gauge PPV. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03049163 . Registered 8 February 2017.

Immunomodulatory activity of macromolecular polysaccharide isolated from Grifola frondosa / 中国天然药物

The present study was designed to evaluate the immune-modulating effects of the polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa (GFP) by using mouse peritoneal macrophage and cytoxan (CTX) induced immunosuppression models. Our results from the phagocytotic and mononuclear phagocytic system function assays showed that GFP-A (one component from GFP) stimulated the phagocytosis of the phagocytes. The splenocyte proliferation assay showed that GFP-A acted the effect combing ConA or LPS in splenocyte proliferation. The results showed that GFP-A increased indices of thymus and spleen, the levels of LDH and ACP in the spleen, the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6 and IFN-γ in splenocyte. And GFP-A also significantly increased the expression of CD4(+) and CD8(+) splenic T lymphocytes, which were suppressed by the CTX in peripheral blood. In conclusion, our results indicate that the GFP-A is involved in immunomodulatory effects leading to its modulatory effects on immunosuppression.

Histone modifications of the Crhr1 gene in a rat model of depression following chronic stress.

Multiple lines of evidence suggest a link between depression and changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis hormone dynamics, including altered regulation of the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) and its main receptor, corticotrophin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1). However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying depression remain poorly understood. In this study, we employed a model of depression in rats by subjecting animals to 21 days of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Real-time PCR and western blotting were used to study the mRNA and protein expression levels of CRHR1 in the hypothalamus. In addition, chromatin immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect histone methylation at the Crhr1 gene promoter; the levels of histone H3 trimethylation at lysines 4 (H3K4) and 9 (H3K9) reflect active transcription and transcriptional repression, respectively. Rats exposed to CUMS exhibited significant reduction in locomotion and sucrose preference. These behavioral alterations were associated with elevated expression levels of CRHR1 mRNA and protein in the hypothalamus of rats in the CUMS group. We also found that the levels of H3K9 trimethylation at the Crhr1 gene promoter in the CUMS group were significantly lower than those in the control group, whereas H3K4 trimethylation levels were the same for both groups. Taken together, our findings suggest that the increase in CRHR1 expression in the hypothalamus of stressed rats correlates with a decrease in the repressive chromatin state caused by reduced H3K9 trimethylation levels. These data are the first in vivo evidence of a role for chromatin modifications in the regulation of Crhr1 gene expression in the hypothalamus, and may provide novel insight into therapeutic approaches to treat depression.

Factor analysis on the distribution of Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with hyperlipidemia in Xinjiang region / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the distributive rule of Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with hyperlipidemia (HLE) in Xinjiang region.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Chinese medicine syndrome of HLE patients were differentiated. The common factors of diagnostic information for dominating HLE were extracted by factor analysis and the syndrome type was determined based on Chinese medicine theory and experiences of experts.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The syndromes in HLE patients of Xinjiang region were mainly the Pi-Shen deficiency with insufficient Jin syndrome (I), the qi-blood deficiency syndrome (II), the Fei-Wei dryness syndrome (III), the phlegm-dampness obstructing Fei syndrome (IV), the dampness-heat accumulation syndrome (V), and the Gan-Shen yin-deficiency with blood-stasis syndrome (VI). Syndrome II was the most commonly encountered one (35.09%), the next were syndrome III (29.82%) and I (13.45%). Scores of the 6 syndromes, which embodied the severity of disease, were different significantly (F = 32.746, P < 0.01), the highest presented in syndrome I and the second in Syndrome VI.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Syndrome in hyperlipidemia patients of Xinjiang region is dominantly the deficiency syndrome, combined with qi-stagnancy and blood-stasis, showing a complex state involving multiple organs and all the qi, blood and Jin-Ye in body.</p>

Possible mechanism for the regulation of glucose on proliferation, inhibition and apoptosis of colon cancer cells induced by sodium butyrate.

AIM: To study the effect of glucose on sodium butyrate-induced proliferation inhibition and apoptosis in HT-29 cell line, and explored its possible mechanisms. METHODS: HT-29 cells were grown in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum, and were allowed to adhere for 24 h, and then replaced with experimental medium. Cell survival rates were detected by MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. Glucose transport protein 1 (GLUT1) and monocarboxylate transporter 1 (MCT1) mRNA expression was detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Low concentration of glucose induced apoptosis and regulated proliferation in HT-29 cell line, and glucose can obviously inhibit the effect of proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induced by sodium butyrate. Glucose also down-regulated the expression of MCT1mRNA (0.28 +/- 0.07 vs 0.19 +/- 0.10, P < 0.05), and decreased the expression of GLUT1mRNA slightly (0.18 +/- 0.04 vs 0.13 +/- 0.03, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Glucose can regulate the effect of proliferation inhibition and apoptosis induced by sodium butyrate and this influence may be associated with the intracellular concentration of glucose and sodium butyrate.

Biflavanones, diterpenes, and coumarins from the roots of Stellera chamaejasme L.

A new biflavanone (1) with a C-3/C-3" linkage, a new daphnane-type diterpene (2) acylated by an unsaturated fatty acid, and a new coumarin glycoside (3), along with six lignans, two phenylpropanoids, five flavonoids, two diterpenes, and three coumarins were isolated from the roots of Stellera chamaejasme L. (Thymelaeaceae). Elucidation of these secondary metabolites of S. chamaejasme L. supplied strong chemical verification of the close taxonomic relationships among the genera Stellera, Daphne, and Wikstroemia, all of which belong to the family Thymelaeaceae.