[Mechanism of Dabugan Decoction in treatment of generalized anxiety disorder based on network pharmacology and experimental verification].

This study aims to explore the mechanism of Dabugan Decoction in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder(GAD) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. Network pharmacology and molecular docking technology were used to obtain the possible targets and related signaling pathways of Dabugan Decoction in the treatment of GAD. The GAD rat model was established, and the corresponding drugs were given by gavage after randomization. After 28 days of continuous intervention, the anxiety state of rats was detected, and the pathological changes of the hippocampus were detected in each group. ELISA and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of related molecules. A total of 65 drug compounds in Dabugan Decoction were obtained, involving 403 targets of action, 7 398 disease targets of GAD, and 279 common targets of "drug-disease". The key nodes in the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network were Akt1, TNF, IL-6, TP53, IL-1ß, etc. Function analysis of Gene Ontology(GO) and enrichment analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) showed that the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway was the most important pathway. The results of molecular docking showed that the core components of the drug had good binding activity with the corresponding key targets. Animal experiments showed that Dabugan Decoction could effectively improve the anxiety behavior of rats and increase the open arm end movement distance and total distance of rats in the elevated cross labyrinth, the number and stay time of entering the open box, and the time(%) and the number of entering the center of the open field. At the same time, HE staining and Nicil staining showed that the number of hippocampal nerve cells in rats increased, and they were closely arranged. The damage to the cell body was improved, and there was an increase in Nissl substances in the cells. The expression of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1ß in rat hippocampus decreased, and the expression of TP53, p-Akt1, and p-PI3K increased. The mechanism may be related to the activation of the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and the inhibition of inflammatory response. Dabugan Decoction can play a good therapeutic and regulatory role in GAD, reflecting the overall effect of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) compound and the characteristics of multiple targets and multiple pathways. At the same time, it is preliminarily discussed that the state of GAD may be improved by Dabugan Decoction via-activating PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and inhibiting inflammatory response and anti-apoptosis, thus providing experimental data support for the clinical application of Dabugan Decoction.

The Adsorption Behavior of Atrazine in Common Soils in Northeast China.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the adsorption capacity of atrazine and the effects of different environmental conditions such as temperature, pH, Ca2+ and biochar on the adsorption characteristics of atrazine in different types of soil using the intermittent adsorption method. The kinetic experiment showed that the adsorption of atrazine in albic, black and saline-alkaline soils reached equilibrium within 24 h. In the thermodynamics experiment, the Freundlich model effectively described the adsorption characteristics of atrazine in all three types of soil, indicating that the adsorption process forms multi-molecular layers. Lower soil pH conditions were more favorable for the absorption of atrazine. The addition of appropriate concentrations of Ca2+ or biochar could promote the adsorption of atrazine by the soil. Biochar could promote the fixation of atrazine in soils.

[Correlation between the Distribution of Chinese Medicine Syndromes and CD4 + T Lymphocyte Count in AIDS Patients in Xinjiang Region].

Objective To observe the correlation between the distribution of Chinese medicine (CM) syndromes and CD4 + T lymphocyte counts of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients in Xin- jiang region. Methods Totally data (four diagnostic information of CM) of 787 HIV+ patients were collected and syndrome typed from 6 places with higher incidence of AIDS (Urumqi region, Aksu region, Turpan region, Yili region, Kashi region, and Bazhou region). CD4 + T lymphocyte counts were detected in AIDS patients with each syndrome. The correlations of CD4 + T lymphocyte counts and distributions of CM syndrome types were ana- lyzed. Results Qi-yin deficiency syndrome (QYDS) and qi deficiency and dampness resistance syndrome (QDDRS) were dominant in AIDS patients in Urumqi region and Aksu region. Gan stagnation qi stasis syn- drome (GSQSS) was more often seen in AIDS patients in Turpan region. QDDRS was more often seen in AIDS patients in Yili Region. Gan-Shen yin deficiency syndrome (GSYDS) was more often seen in AIDS patients in Kashi region. QYDS was more often seen in AIDS patients in Bazhou region. Fei-Shen yin deficiency syndrome (FSYDS) was more often seen in AIDS patients with CD4 T lymphocytes less than 200/µL. FSYDS and qi stag- nation phlegm coagulation syndrome (QSPCS) were more often seen in AIDS patients with CD4+ T lympho- cytes ranging 201 -350/µL. QDDRS and QYDS were more often seen in AIDS patients with CD4 + T lymphocytes ranging 351 -500/µL. Unconsolidated Fei-qi syndrome (UFQS) and Pi-qi deficiency syndrome (PQDS) were more often seen in AIDS patients with CD4+ T lymphocytes more than 501/µL (P <0. 05). Conclusions There existed different T-lymphocyte levels in AIDS patients with various syndrome types of CM in Xinjiang region, with certain correlation. Along with decreased CD4+T lymphocyte counts, AIDS patients' CM syndromes mani- fested a changing process from superficiality to interior syndrome, and from intermingled syndromes of defi- ciency and excess to deficiency syndrome.

Expression and clinical significance of microRNA-152 in supragalottic laryngeal carcinoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs of endogenous origin that play an important role in tumor development. Here, we examined the role of miR-152 in supragalottic laryngeal carcinoma. The expression of miR-152 was assessed by real-time PCR in tissues from 83 patients with supragalottic laryngeal carcinoma in relation to clinicopathological parameters. Cell viability was assessed by thiazolyl blue assay in Hep-2 cells transfected with miR-152 mimics or a negative control. MiR-152 was significantly downregulated in supragalottic laryngeal carcinoma tissues (t = 12.65, p < 0.001, paired t test), and its expression was correlated with pT stage (χ(2) = 26.88, p < 0.001) and pN stage (z = -3.56, p < 0.001) in patients with supragalottic laryngeal carcinoma. MiR-152 inhibited the proliferation of Hep-2 cells. MiR-152 may serve as a novel prognostic marker in patients with supragalottic laryngeal carcinoma.

Silencing of Src by siRNA inhibits laryngeal carcinoma growth through the Src/PI-3 K/Akt pathway in vitro and in vivo.

This study aimed to investigate the expression, function, and possible mechanism of Src in the Hep-2 cell line. We used Src-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) to inhibit the expression of Src in Hep-2 cells. RT-PCR and Western blot were applied to evaluate the expression level of Src after RNA interference, and the MTT assay and flow cytometry were used to observe the expression of PI-3 K and Akt. siRNA can downregulate the expression of Src in Hep-2 cells. Downregulation of Src decreased PI-3 K and Akt expression. We found that Src knockdown inhibits the proliferation of Hep-2 cells and the growth of laryngeal carcinoma in vivo. This study has demonstrated that Src participates in the regulation of apoptosis through the Src/PI-3 K/Akt signaling pathway in the Hep-2 cell line. Silencing of Src by siRNA is a viable approach in laryngeal carcinoma treatment.

[Analysis of tongue figure features in 990 cases of sexually transmitted and intravenous drug use spread HIV infected population in Xinjiang].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the tongue manifestation features of sexually transmitted and intravenous drug use spread HIV infected population in Xinjiang. METHODS: Recruited were 990 HIV infected subjects in Xinjiang from May 2011 to March 2012, who were assigned to the intravenous drug use spread HIV infected (498 cases) and the sexually transmitted (492 cases). By using tongue figure shoot combined with analyses of experts, tongue manifestations were analyzed and compared between the sexually transmitted and the intravenous drug use spread from four aspects, i.e., the tongue color, the tongue shape, the fur color, and the fur property. RESULTS: Compared with the sexually transmitted population, red tongue, fissured tongue, yellow fur, thick fur, eroded fur, deficiency of fur fluid were more often seen, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). Compared with the intravenous drug use spread population, pale tongue, white fur, and thin fur were more often seen, showing statistical difference (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The tongue manifestations of the intravenous drug use spread HIV population reflected inner exuberance of evil toxin and heat impairing qi and yin. Compared with the intravenous drug use spread population, the attack of HIV infection was more hiding in the sexually transmitted population, with milder internal injury. Their Wei-qi was not damaged and no obvious change occurred in the tongue figure.

[Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome factors of patients with HIV infection or AIDS in China].

OBJECTIVE: To study the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome factors of patients from different areas of China with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). METHODS: A cross-sectional investigation study was conducted in Henan, Guangdong and Yunnan Provinces and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China from October 2008 to August 2010. Based on literature review and expert opinion, a clinical questionnaire of TCM syndromes was drawn up. This survey was carried out after the investigators were professionally trained. Wenfeng III Auxiliary Diagnosis and Treat System of TCM was used to analyze the frequencies of AIDS patients' signs and symptoms with scores above 70 of syndrome factors respectively. Based on this work, syndrome factors of AIDS were analyzed in different areas. RESULTS: There were 608 HIV/AIDS cases investigated from October 2008 to August 2010 in total; among them, 276 cases were from Henan, 126 cases from Guangdong, 120 cases from Xinjiang and 86 cases from Yunnan. The results of syndrome factor analysis indicated that the syndromes of four provinces were similar. HIV/AIDS patients in the four areas exhibited qi deficiency, blood deficiency, yin deficiency, yang deficiency, dampness, phlegm, qi stagnation and essence deficiency syndromes. Patients in each area also had their own characteristics, such as that the scores of dampness of Guangdong and yin deficiency of Xinjiang were higher than the other syndromes, whereas the scores of Henan Province were higher than the other areas. AIDS patients had higher scores of syndromes than HIV-infected patients. CONCLUSION: HIV/AIDS patients from different areas had similar syndrome elements. The theory of "AIDS toxin injuring primordial qi" can sum up the TCM etiology and pathogenesis of HIV/AIDS.

Intriguing circles: Conflicts and controversies in circular RNA research.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are covalently closed RNA circles without a 5' cap or 3' tail. Since the landmark discovery of ciRS-7/CDR1as functioning as a miR-7 sponge in 2013, circRNAs have become a hot topic in RNA research. CircRNAs have been found to play active roles in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and many other diseases. They can function as microRNA (miRNA) sponges, protein scaffolds, and even translation templates. However, as circRNA research expands, many divergent views have emerged. For example, are most circRNAs competent in serving as miRNA sponges? What kinds of circRNAs are most likely to sponge miRNAs? Apart from sponging miRNAs, what could the functions of most circRNAs be? What are the features of circRNAs that are translatable? Many researchers have claimed that circRNAs are abundant, stable, conserved, and specific molecules, which hold great potential in serving as biomarkers. However, circRNA abundance is variable and some circRNAs are abundant while others are not. In addition, their stability and conservation may vary under different circumstances. Furthermore, it is unclear whether circRNA biogenesis is more likely to be regulated by RNA binding proteins or transcription factors. All of these are open questions that remain to be answered by researchers in this field. Discussing and investigating these questions will advance the understanding of this class of novel molecules and may propel inspiring new ideas for future studies. This article is categorized under: Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA Methods > RNA Analyses in Cells RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein-RNA Interactions: Functional Implications.

Comprehensive circRNA/miRNA/mRNA analysis reveals circRNAs protect against toxicity induced by BPA in GC-2 cells.

Aim: To identify the circRNAs expression pattern and roles in bisphenol A (BPA) induced germ cell apoptosis. Materials & methods: We performed circRNA/miRNA/mRNA-Seq in 120 µM BPA treated and nontreated GC-2 cells. Bioinformatic analysis, qPCR, apoptosis assays, luciferase report were done in the function analysis. Results: A large number of apoptosis related circRNAs/miRNAs/mRNAs were differentially expressed with competing endogenous RNA network constructed. Interestingly, most investigated upregulated circRNAs, including circDcbld2, circMapk1, circMpp6 and circTbc1d20 showed protective effects in antagonizing BPA toxicity, with the effects individually and synergistically observed. CircMapk1 may take its role by sponging miR-214-3p. Conclusion: circRNAs can play protective roles via sponging miRNAs in toxicity. Some circRNAs may serve as novel targets for BPA toxicity intervention or as biomarkers.

Differences in Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior towards HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections between Sexually Active Foreign and Chinese Medical Students.

Although the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) decreased in the last decade worldwide, the number of deaths due to HIV/AIDS and communicable diseases including syphilis, hepatitis, and tuberculosis had dramatically increased in developing countries. Education and behavior are incredibly important factors to prevent these diseases' spread. This study highlights the range of differences in knowledge, attitude, and behavior of 434 sexually active medical students towards HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Because the surveyed population constitutes the forefront of healthcare providers and was originated from different area of the world, this is the first time a study sought to investigate the behavioral attitude of this group of population irrespective of the three levels of their academic and professional knowledge. Several factors including sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behavior, HIV/AIDS, and STIs related patterns play a key role in medical student attitude and behavior towards people infected with HIV/AIDS and STIs. Our findings add consistent value in prior studies which aimed to stop new infections and also imply further investigations on the management of the studied infections by medical students. The present study arouses much interest among participants and provides evidence of reinforcing medical students' education on HIV/AIDS and STIs.

[The effect of ultraviolet irradiation on the biocompatibility of Medpor].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of ultraviolet ( UV) irradiation on the biocompatibility of Medpor. METHODS: The Medpor implant, 2 mm in thickness, was divided into several pieces with the size of 1 cm x 1 cm. 12 Japanese big ear rabbits were divided into experimental (n=6) and control group (n=6). The 1 cm x 1 cm auricular cartilage defects were made in each rabbit ear. Then the defects were repaired with UV-treated Medpor implants in experimental group, and Medpor implants in control group. The levels of the total hemolytic complement (CH50) were measured 3 d hefore operation, and 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90 d after operation. The wound healing was observed. 90 d after operation, the animals were killed to get the specimens for gross observation and histologic examination. The change of CH50 level after operation was significantly different between the two groups ( P < 0.05) . The CH50 level was comparatively stable in experimental group. Compared with control group, the local inflammatory reaction was not obvious in experimental group. A great amount of tissue, including big vessels was growing into the mini-pores of Medpor, resulting a close combination between the implant and surrounding tissue. CONCLUSION: It suggests that ultraviolet irradiation can improve the biocompatibility of Medpor and promote the wound recovery.

[Experimental study of c-jun protein expression on proliferation and apoptosis of laryngeal cancer cells].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: c-jun is an early protooncogene and its protein product is a component of activating protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor. c-jun participates in the transcription of many growth factors and cytokines. Recently it has been found that the expression level and activity of c-jun protein in tumor cells abnormally increased and c-jun protein controlled the proliferation, surviving, and apoptosis of tumor cells. In this study, the expression of c-jun protein in laryngeal cancer and its relationship with clinical statistics were discussed to evaluate the controlling role of c-jun protein in laryngeal cancer. METHODS: Samples from Department of Otolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, were acquired from May 2001 to February 2002. These samples including 52 laryngeal cancer tissues, 15 vocal polyps, and 10 normal laryngeal tissues were investigated individually by immunohistochemistry to observe the localization and expression of c-jun protein in these three kinds of samples. RESULTS: The expression of c-jun protein in laryngeal cancer (56.41+/-24.8%) was not only significantly higher than that in vocal cord (32.48+/-1.78%) and laryngeal tissue (no expression), but also was correlated with the differentiating degree of laryngeal cancer tissue and lymph node metastasis(P< 0.01); however, the expression of c-jun was not associated with clinical staging(P >0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression level of c-jun protein significantly increased in laryngeal cancer cell and its expression may be considered as an indicator for differentiating degree,neck lymph node metastasis, and prognosis of laryngeal cancer.