[Efficacy of high-dose dual therapy for Helicobacter pylori infection eradication in servicemen: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of high-dose dual therapy compared with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for treating Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori) infection in servicemen patients. Methods: A total of 160 H. pylori-infected, treatment-naive servicemen, including 74 men and 86 women, aged from 20 years to 74 years, with a mean (SD) age of 43 (13) years, tested in the First Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from March 2022 to May 2022 were enrolled in this open-label, randomized controlled clinical trial. Patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups: the 14-day high-dose dual therapy group and the bismuth-containing quadruple therapy group. Eradication rates, adverse events, patient compliance, and drug costs were compared between the two groups. The t-test was used for continuous variables, and the Chi-square test for categorical variables. Results: No significant difference in H. pylori eradication rates were found between high-dose dual therapy and bismuth-containing quadruple therapy by ITT, mITT and PP analysis[ITT:90.0% (95%CI 81.2%-95.6%) vs. 87.5% (95%CI 78.2%-93.8%), χ2=0.25, P=0.617;mITT:93.5% (95%CI 85.5%-97.9%) vs. 93.3% (95%CI 85.1%-97.8%), χ2<0.01, P=1.000; PP: 93.5% (95%CI 85.5%-97.9%) vs. 94.5% (95%CI 86.6%-98.5%), χ2<0.01, P=1.000 ]. The dual therapy group exhibited significantly less overall side effects compared with the quadruple therapy group [21.8% (17/78) vs. 38.5% (30/78), χ2=5.15,P=0.023]. There were no significant differences in the compliance rates between the two groups [98.7%(77/78) vs. 94.9%(74/78), χ2=0.83,P=0.363]. The cost of medications in the dual therapy was 32.0% lower compared with that in the quadruple therapy (472.10 RMB vs. 693.94 RMB). Conclusions: The dual regimen has a favorable effect on the eradication of H. pylori infection in servicemen patients. Based on the ITT analysis, the eradication rate of the dual regimen is grade B (90%, good). Additionally, it exhibited a lower incidence of adverse events, better compliance and significantly reduced cost. The dual regimen is expected to be a new choice for the first-line treatment of H. pylori infection in servicemen but needs further evaluation.

[The evidential research on the versions of Shanghan Lun Ben Zhi].

Shanghan Lun Ben Zhi(, Essential intention of Treatise on Febrile Diseases Caused by Cold) have many versions: the edition of Yanshan bookstore was published in the 16th year of Daoguang (1836); the edition of Juwentang was published during the Tongzhi period; the lithographic printing of Licheng Sanyou Yizhai was published in the 1st year of Xuantong (1909); the Qiu Jisheng's edition was published in the 8th year of the Republic of China (1919); the lithographic printing of Shaoxing Moruntang book court was published in the 18th year of the Republic of China (1929); the photocopy of lithographic printing of Licheng Sanyou Yizhai in the 1st year of Xuantong (1909) was published by Taiwan Freedom Press in 1973; the photocopy of Juwentang's edition during the Tongzhi period was published through Xuxiu Siku Quanshu(, Continuation of Complete Library of Four Branches of Literature) by Shanghai Ancient Books Publishing House in 2002; the photocopy of Tongzhi's edition was published through Zhongyi Guji Zhenben Jicheng (, Integration of Ancient Books of Traditional Chinese Medicine: continued) by Hunan Science and Technology Publishing House in 2014; the point collation edition of Xuxiu Siku Quanshu Shanghan Lei Yizhu Jicheng(, Continuation of the Integration of Typhoid Medical Works in Complete Library of Four Branches of Books) was published by Jiangsu Science and Technology Press in 2010. The description of Sibu Zonglu Yiyao Bian(, Four general catalogues medical editorial) was recorded in Daoguang's 16th year (1836) of Yanshan bookstore as "the edition of Qing Daoguang's 15th year Yiwei" ; in addition, Zhongguo Zhongyi Guji Zongmu(, Chinese traditional medicine ancient books general catalogue) was recorded in Daoguang's 16th year (1836) of Yanshan bookstore as "the Yanshan bookstore engraved edition in Qingdaoguang's 15th year Yiwei (1835)" , but they were both errors. The photocopy Tongzhi edition of Xuxiu Siku Quanshu was mistakenly entitled "edition of Qing Daoguang Lithography of Yanshan Bookstore Print" . The description of Shanghan Lun Ben Zhi in Zhongguo Zhongyi Guji Zongmu had the edition of Qing Daoguang's 9th year Jichou (1829) and the edition of Guangdong Dasheng pharmaceutical bureau of the Republic of China.

Maresin 1 attenuates neuroinflammation in a mouse model of perioperative neurocognitive disorders.

BACKGROUND: Resolution of inflammation is an active and dynamic process after surgery. Maresin 1 (MaR1) is one of a growing number of specialised pro-resolving lipids biosynthesised by macrophages that regulates acute inflammation. We investigated the effects of MaR1 on postoperative neuroinflammation, macrophage activity, and cognitive function in mice. METHODS: Adult male C57BL/6 (n=111) and Ccr2RFP/+Cx3cr1GFP/+ (n=54) mice were treated with MaR1 before undergoing anaesthesia and orthopaedic surgery. Systemic inflammatory changes, bone healing, neuroinflammation, and cognition were assessed at different time points. MaR1 protective effects were also evaluated using bone marrow derived macrophage cultures. RESULTS: MaR1 exerted potent systemic anti-inflammatory effects without impairing fracture healing. Prophylaxis with MaR1 prevented surgery-induced glial activation and opening of the blood-brain barrier. In Ccr2RFP/+Cx3cr1GFP/+ mice, fewer infiltrating macrophages were detected in the hippocampus after surgery with MaR1 prophylaxis, which resulted in improved memory function. MaR1 treatment also reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cell surface markers and cytokines by in vitro cultured macrophages. MaR1 was detectable in the cerebrospinal fluid of older adults before and after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: MaR1 exerts distinct anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving effects through regulation of macrophage infiltration, NF-κB signalling, and cytokine release after surgery. Future studies on the use of pro-resolving lipid mediators may inform novel approaches to treat neuroinflammation and postoperative neurocognitive disorders.

Growth inhibitive effect of betulinic acid combined with tripterine on MSB-1 cells and its mechanism.

Marek's disease (MD), a highly infectious lymphoproliferative disease in chickens, is caused by a cell-associated oncogenic herpesvirus, Marek's disease virus (MDV). MSB-1 is a MD-derived lymphoblastoid cell line and can induce tumors when inoculated into susceptible chickens. Betulinic acid, which is present as one of the major effective components in many traditional Chinese medicines, has recently been reported to inhibit growth of cancer cells and employed as a potential anticancer agent. Tripterine, a major active compound extracted from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, has now also shown anti-tumor activities in various cancers. The aim of this study was to investigate the synergistic growth-inhibitive effect of betulinic acid combined with tripterine on MSB-1 cells and its mechanism. Viability of MSB-1 cells was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-y1)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. Cell apoptotic analysis was performed by fluorescence detection. NF-κB transcription activity was detected by measuring luciferase activity. Western blotting was used to analyze the expression of p65, IκB and Meq. Our results showed that the proliferation in the combination group was significantly decreased as compared with that of monotherapy using betulinic acid or tripterine, accompanied by an induction of apoptosis, inhibition of NF-κB transcriptional activity and its targeting oncogenic gene Meq. The results suggest that the combination of betulinic acid and tripterine at lower concentration may produce a synergistic inhibitive effect on MSB-1 cells that warrants further investigation for its potential clinical applications.

Supplementation dietary zinc levels on growth performance, carcass traits, and intramuscular fat deposition in weaned piglets.

This study was conducted to estimate dietary zinc (Zn) levels on growth performance, carcass traits, and intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition in weaned piglets. Sixty piglets were randomly divided into five groups, as follows: control (basal diet), Zn250, Zn380, Zn570, and Zn760 with supplementation of 250, 380, 570, and 760 mg Zn/kg of the basal diet, respectively. The final weight, average daily gain (ADG), gain/feed (G/F), lean meat percentage, fat meat percentage, lean eye area, backfat thickness, and IMF content were dose-dependently increased in all groups of Zn treatment. The serum total triglycerides (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) were significantly higher in all Zn treatments than in the control. The enzyme activities of lipoprotein lipase (LPL), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) were markedly higher, while enzyme activities of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT-1) were significantly lower in all Zn treatments than in the control. The messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), FAS, ACC, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), LPL, and adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) were significantly higher, while the mRNA levels of CPT-1 and HSL were significantly lower in all Zn treatments compared with the control. These results indicated that high levels of Zn increased IMF accumulation by up-regulating intramuscular lipogenic and fatty acid transport gene expression and enzyme activities while down-regulating lipolytic gene expression and enzyme activities.

Acetylpuerarin reduces inflammation and improves memory function in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease induced by Abeta1-42.

This study was performed to determine if acetylpuerarin (compound N-2211) could reduce amyloid-beta1-42 (Abeta1-42) induced learning and memory deficits and to examine its anti-neuroinflammatory effects in a rat model. Forty Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 each): control, model (Abeta1-42 injected), low-dose and high-dose acetylpuerarin groups. The acetylpuerarin groups received peritoneal acetylpuerarin every day for 12 days after 2 weeks of Abeta1-42 (5 microg/1 microl) intrahippocampal injections. The Morris water maze (MWM) was used to assess rats' learning and memory abilities. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess expression levels of ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule (Ibal), protein kinase C delta (PKCdelta), IkappaB kinase beta (IKKbeta), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in hippocampus. After Abeta1-42 injection, the learning and memory abilities of rats were reduced, and acetylpuerarin treatment ameliorated the observed deficits. Abeta1-42 injection resulted in microglia transforming from resting microglia into an activated state, but this was reduced by acetylpuerarin treatment. Furthermore, hippocampal expression of PKCdelta, IKKbeta, and iNOS increased following Abeta1-42 treatment, and acetylpuerarin could suppressed the levels of PKCdelta, iNOS, and IKKbeta. Acetylpuerarin improves learning and memory functions in Abeta1-42 induced rat models. These effects may be due to anti-neuroinflammatory effects.

Comparison of volatile components in Chinese traditional pickled peppers using HS-SPME-GC-MS, GC-O and multivariate analysis.

Volatile compounds of Chinese traditional pickled peppers (CTPPs) were extracted by solid-phase micro-extraction (SPME) and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) to visually compare their volatile compositions by applying principal component analysis (PCA). A total of 67 volatile components were identified by GC-MS, including 7 acids, 6 alkanes, 14 alcohols, 9 esters, 11 terpenes, 3 aldehydes, 5 ketones, 7 phenols and 5 miscellaneous compounds, tentatively identified or identified by comparing with mass spectra and retention indices of the standards or from literature. Of 45 volatile compounds detected in the sniffing port of GC-O, the majority of odour-active components included acetic acid, 2-ethyl phenol, L-linalool, tridecane, butyl butanoate, δ-3-carene. The individual concentrations of the volatile compounds such as acetic acid, ethanol, 1-propanol, L-linalool, hexyl 2-methyl butyrate and hexyl pentanoate corresponded well to the intensities of related attributes in the correlation analysis. Due to their high concentration level and low threshold value, these compounds played an important role in the final aromatic profile of the pickled peppers. The differences in flavours were observed by applying PCA to GC-MS data sets. From the PCA results, samples were primarily separated along the first principal component.

Effects of dietary taurine supplementation on growth performance and immune status in growing Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The effect of dietary taurine was investigated on performance and immune responses in growing (1 to 42 d) Japanese quail. One-day-old quails of both sexes (300) were randomly allotted to 12 groups with 25 quails in each group (3 dietary treatments, 4 replicates). They were fed with maize-soybean meal-based diets containing 0, 0.01, or 0.05% taurine for 42 d. Dietary 0.01% taurine decreased food intake (P < 0.05) in the starter phase but did not affect BW gain and feed efficiency from d 1 to 42 of age. In the starter phase, dietary 0.05% taurine did not affect food intake but increased weight gain and improved feed efficiency (P < 0.05). In the grower phase, dietary 0.05% taurine did not affect weight gain but improved feed efficiency and decreased food intake (P < 0.05). In the overall period, dietary 0.05% taurine improved feed efficiency and decreased food intake (P < 0.05). The relative weights of thymus were greater in the quails given 0.01% taurine in diet (P < 0.05). The relative weights of the bursa of Fabricius and thymus were greater in dietary 0.05% taurine compared with the control (P < 0.05).The quail serum anti-Newcastle disease virus hemagglutination antibody titer in the taurine-supplemented diet had no significant effects compared with the control (P > 0.05). The response to phytohemagglutinin measured as the foot web index was significantly increased by 0.05% taurine supplementation (P < 0.05). It is concluded that the taurine-supplemented diet has a beneficial effect on immune responses and performance in growing Japanese quail.

Effect of processing parameters on the formation of spherical multinuclear microcapsules encapsulating peppermint oil by coacervation.

The gelatin/gum arabic multinuclear microcapsules encapsulating peppermint oil were prepared by coacervation. The effect of various processing parameters, including the core/wall ratio, wall material concentration, pH value, as well as stirring speed on the morphology, particle size distribution, yield and loading was investigated. When the wall material concentration or the core/wall ratio increased, the morphology of multinuclear microcapsules changed from spherical to irregular and the average particle size increased, the optimal wall material concentration and the core/wall ratio were 1% and 2:1, respectively. The multinuclear spherical microcapsules with desired mean particle size can be manufactured by modulating the pH value and stirring speed. The ideal preparation conditions were pH 3.7 at 400 rpm of stirring speed. The yield of multinuclear microcapsules encapsulating peppermint oil by coacervation was approximately 90% and the processing parameters had very slight influence on the yield. When transglutaminase was used as the cross-linker instead of formaldehyde, morphology, mean particle size, yield and loading remained the same as that hardening with formaldehyde, but the particle size distribution became narrower.

[Screening and sequence analysis of the adult stage-specific gene of Trichinella spiralis].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the sequence of the adult stage-specific gene of Trichinella spiralis. METHODS: An adult T. spiralis cDNA library was screened using an adult T. spiralis stage-specific probe. The gene sequence was analyzed by DNAstar software and GenBank database. RESULTS: A cDNA clone of 1,629 bp was obtained by screening the library with an adult stage-specific probe. The clone contained one open reading frame composed of 1,464 bp encoding 487 amino acids. GenBank searching revealed that no identical cDNA was found. Two zinc fingers located at the positions within amino acids 207-270. Some possible antigen epitopes were predicted within the amino acids 52-64, 108-116, 137-163 and 226-260. CONCLUSION: A novel stage-specific gene of adult T. spiralis encoding the protein containing certain predicted antigen epitopes was obtained.

Hematopoietic progenitor cells grow on 3T3 fibroblast monolayers that overexpress growth arrest-specific gene-6 (GAS6).

Pluripotential hematopoietic stem cells grow in close association with bone marrow stromal cells, which play a critical role in sustaining hematopoiesis in long-term bone marrow cultures. The mechanisms through which stromal cells act to support pluripotential hematopoietic stem cells are largely unknown. This study demonstrates that growth arrest-specific gene-6 (GAS6) plays an important role in this process. GAS6 is a ligand for the Axl (Ufo/Ark), Sky (Dtk/Tyro3/Rse/Brt/Tif), and Mer (Eyk) family of tyrosine kinase receptors and binds to these receptors via tandem G domains at its C terminus. After translation, GAS6 moves to the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum, where it is extensively gamma-carboxylated. The carboxylation process is vitamin K dependent, and current evidence suggests that GAS6 must be gamma-carboxylated to bind and activate any of the cognate tyrosine kinase receptors. Here, we show that expression of GAS6 is highly correlated with the capacity of bone marrow stromal cells to support hematopoiesis in culture. Nonsupportive stromal cell lines express little to no GAS6, whereas supportive cell lines express high levels of GAS6. Transfection of the cDNA encoding GAS6 into 3T3 fibroblasts is sufficient to render this previously nonsupportive cell line capable of supporting long-term hematopoietic cultures. 3T3 cells, genetically engineered to stably express GAS6 (GAS6-3T3), produce a stromal layer that supports the generation of colony-forming units in culture (CFU-c) for up to 6 wk. Hematopoietic support by genetically engineered 3T3 is not vitamin K dependent, and soluble recombinant GAS6 does not substitute for coculturing the hematopoietic progenitors with genetically modified 3T3 cells.

Blocking effects of heteroclitin D and gomisin J on L-type calcium channels in ventricular cells of guinea pig.

AIM: To study the effects of heteroclitin D (HD) and gomisin J (GJ), two lignans from Kadsura medicinal plants, on L-type calcium channels in ventricular cells of guinea pig. METHODS: The calcium currents were measured by whole-cell patch-clamp recording technique. RESULTS: HD 1 and 10 mumol/L decreased the L-type calcium current from (770 +/- 155) to (482 +/- 104) and (384 +/- 85) pA, respectively. GJ 10 mumol/L inhibited calcium current from (822 +/- 169) to (436 +/- 143) pA. Neither HD nor GJ affected the steady-state activation curve. But they had impact on steady-state inactivation curve. HD 10 mumol/L changed the half inactivation voltage (V0.5) from -22.7 to -40.9 mV, and slope factor (kappa) from 10.2 to 20.6 (n = 4 cells from 3 guinea pigs, P < 0.05). GJ 10 mumol/L changed the V0.5 from -17.7 to -33.3 mV, and kappa from 15.9 to 27.8 (n = 5 cells from 3 guinea pigs, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HD and GJ inhibited L-type calcium channels.

[Effect of age on hemostasis and plasma level of TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha].

UNLABELLED: Hemostasis (HS) in 134 healthy subjects of over 20 years old was investigated. The cases with HS symptom were 45.5%, which increased with age. TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and T/K ratio were measured by radioimmuno assay (RIA). RESULTS: elevation of TXB2 was more significant in the middle age and old age than in the young group (P < 0.01). But the level of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in various age group didn't changed significantly; while the ratio between TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha was more significant in the aged than in the young person (P < 0.01). The results revealed that there was hypercoagulable tendency with the increase of age, and it was correlated with TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha. It is significant in theory and practice to prevent and cure the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease as well as HS with the traditional Chinese medicine.

Effects of Panax notoginseng saponin Rg1 on cardiac electrophysiological properties and ventricular fibrillation threshold in dogs.

AIM: To study the effects of Rg1 isolated from saponins of Panax notoginseng on cardiac electrophysiological properties and ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT). METHODS: Seventeen open-chest dogs were randomly allocated into a Rg1 group (20 mg kg-1, iv) and a control group. The electrophysiological variables and VFT were evaluated by standard electric stimuli and monophasic action potential (MAP) recording. RESULTS: Rg1 prolonged sinus node recovery time (SNRT) by 19.1%, AV conduction Wenckebach cycle length (AVWCL) by 7.1%, and ventricular effective refractory period (VERP) by 7.9%. It prolonged ventricular MAPD30, MAPD50, and MAPD90 by 25.5%, 24.2%, and 13.5%, respectively. VFT was increased by 19.2%. CONCLUSION: Rg1 prolonged ventricular refractoriness and repolarization, and increased VFT. It was indicated that cardiac electrophysiological effects of Rg1 were similar to those of amiodarone.

[Epidemiological study of blood stasis and plasma tissue plasminogen activator and its inhibitor activity in healthy aged].

According to the blood stasis survey of 77 healthy subjects in presenile geriatric period, in comparison with 35 healthy young people, it was found the 51.79% of healthy subjects had blood stasis. The detectable rate were significantly different among various age groups (P < 0.005), and the rate increase was age-dependent. Chromogenic peptide substrate analytical method was used to detect plasma tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA), tissue plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity and ratio of P/t. The result revealed that the activity of plasma t-PA in presenile geriatric period subjects was significantly higher than that of young people (P < 0.01), but the activity of PAI had no difference in various age groups, and the ratio of P/t was markedly decreased. It showed that this was the physiological compensatory reaction of aging organism against hypercoagulability, and it was an effective way to maintain the physiological balance of the aged.

[Research on effect of kidney tonifying herbs on senile neuroendocrine-immunity].

Kidney Tonifying Herbs (KTH) exerted their effects on reserve function of the adrenal cortex and lymphocytic receptor of glucocorticoid. The therapeutic mechanism of KTH was explored with respect of function in endocrine axes and neurotransmitter in hypothalamus. The conclusion was that the senile hypothalamic function played an important role in the declining of neuroendocrine immunity function. KTH might regulate the function of hypothalamus, delaying the aging of neuroendocrine-immunity disturbance. The way of KTH effect might be the function of comprehensive coordination of the multicomponents, multilayers, multilinks and multipathways.

[Prevention of arrhythmia in rats by puhuang].

I.P. injection (5g crude drug/kg) of water extract of Puhuang (Typha orientalis) to S.D. rats can prevent ventricular fibrillation and sudden death caused by isoproterenol and also arrhythmia induced by the infusion of BaCl2. Water extract of Puhuang can clearly increase the survival rate and also raise the dosage of BaCl2 infusion necessary to cause the death of animals.

[Studies on the indole alkaloids of Winchia calophylla A. DC].

Winchia calophylla A. DC. (Apocynaceac) is one traditional medicine of the Dai Nationality in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, for the treatment of trachitis. Four indole alkaloids have been isolated from the stem bark and the leaves of this plant by aluminum oxide and silica gel chromatography. Three of them were identified as echitamine chloide (I), echitamidine (II) and Nb-demethyl-echitamine (III) by comparison with literature. One of them are new, with structures elucidated as 22-O-acetyl-Nb-demethyl-echitamine (IV) by chemical and spectroscopic methods.