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Pseudo- or secondary achalasia may mimic primary achalasia upon radiological examination and may be difficult to diagnose. It is usually due to a cancer or metastases involving the gastroesophageal junction. We present the case of a 53-year-old woman with recent onset of dysphagia, and with typical findings suggesting primary achalasia. We found a 4-cm mediastinal tumor invading the lower esophagus, which was proven to be a metastasis from a lung carcinoma. The patient was treated with surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In patients with a new onset of achalasia symptoms, keeping in mind the possibility of an underlying cancer is important.
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Carcinoma/complications , Esophageal Achalasia/etiology , Lung Neoplasms/complications , Mediastinal Neoplasms/complications , Deglutition Disorders/etiology , Female , Humans , Middle AgedABSTRACT
For this study, 34 water samples were collected along the Wei River and its tributaries. Multivariate statistical analyses were employed to interpret the environmental data and to identify the natural and anthropogenic trace metal inputs to the surface waters of the river. Our results revealed that Zn, Se, B, Ba, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni and V were all detected in the Wei River. Compared to drinking water guidelines, the primary trace metal pollution components (B, Ni, Zn and Mn) exceeded drinking water standard levels by 47.1, 50.0, 44.1 and 26.5%, respectively. Inter-element relationships and landscape features of trace metals conducted by hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) identified a uniform source of trace metals for all sampling sites, excluding one site that exhibited anomalous concentrations. Based on the patterns of relative loadings of individual metals calculated by principal component analysis (PCA), the primary trace metal sources were associated with natural/geogenic contributions, agro-chemical processes and discharge from local industrial sources. These results demonstrated the impact of human activities on metal concentrations in the Wei River.
Subject(s)
Metals/analysis , Rivers/chemistry , Water Pollutants, Chemical/analysis , Water Pollution, Chemical/analysis , China , Cluster Analysis , Multivariate AnalysisABSTRACT
Objective:To discuss the effect of downregulating of high mobility group box protein 2(HMGB2)expression on the biological behavior of the liver cancer cells and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)process,and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The human liver cancer LM3 cells at logarithmic growth phase were divided into negative control group and HMGB2 RNA interference group(HMGB2 siRNA group);the cells in two groups were transfected with RNA oligonucleotides(RNA oligos)with irrelevant sequences and RNA oligos designed to knock down HMGB2,and the Lipofectamine 2000 was regarded as the vector.The expression levels of HMGB2 mRNA and protein in the cells in two groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting methods;cell scratch assay and Transwell chamber assay were used to detect the migration and invasion abilities of the cells in two groups;the expression levels of E-cadherin,N-cadherin,and Vimentin proteins and protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway related proteins in the cells in two groups were detected by Western blotting method.Results:Compared with negative control group,the expression levels of HMGB2 mRNA and protein in the cells in HMGB2 siRNA group were significantly decreased(P<0.05),the cell scratch healing rate was significantly decreased(P<0.01),the number of invasion cells was significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the expression level of E-cadherin protein in the cells was significantly increased(P<0.01),while the expression levels of N-cadherin,Vimentin,mTOR,AKT,and phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT)proteins in the cells were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusion:Downregulating the expression of HMGB2 can reduce the migration and invasion abilities of the liver cancer LM3 cells and inhibit the EMT,and its mechanism may be related to regulating the expression of the AKT/mTOR pathway related proteins.
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Objective:To conduct a comparative analysis of the radiation damage to zebrafish embryos and the associated biological mechanism after ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) and conventional dose rate irradiation.Methods:Zebrafish embryos at 4 h post-fertilization were exposed to conventional and FLASH irradiation (9 MeV electron beam). The mortality and hatchability of zebrafish after radiation exposure were recorded. Larvae at 96 h post-irradiation underwent morphological scoring, testing of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and analysis of changes in oxidative stress indicators.Results:Electron beam irradiation at doses of 2-12 Gy exerted subtle effects on the mortality and hatchability of zebrafish embryos. However, single high-dose irradiation (≥ 6 Gy) could lead to developmental malformation of larvae, with conventional irradiation showing the most significant effects ( t = 0.87-9.75, P < 0.05). In contrast, after FLASH irradiation (≥ 6 Gy), the ROS levels in zebrafish and its oxidative stress indicators including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were significantly reduced ( t = 0.42-15.19, P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in ROS levels in incubating solutions after conventional and FLASH irradiation ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:Compared to conventional irradiation, FLASH irradiation can reduce radiation damage to zebrafish embryos, and this is in a dose-dependent manner. The two irradiation modes lead to different oxidative stress levels in zebrafish, which might be a significant factor in the reduction of radiation damage with FLASH irradiation.
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Trichinosis is a global food-borne zoonotic parasitic disease caused by Trichinella spiralis(T.spiralis),which causes serious harm to animal production,and the public health safety of humans and animals.T.spiralis has a complex devel-opment history,and its entire life cycle is completed in the same host.To coexist with the host,it has evolved various immune escape mechanisms for avoiding immune clearance by the host,thus establishing long-term chronic infection.In this study,to aid in understanding the pathogenic mechanism of T.spiralis,the immune escape mechanism of Trichinella is discussed from three aspects:the molecular role of antigens in various stages,the immune regulatory effect on the host,and the formation of cysts to generate immune isolation.
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Objective:To compare the radiation chemistry effects on water molecules after ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) and conventional irradiation.Methods:Both FLASH and conventional irradiation were applied to ultrapure water, with the hydroxyl radical yield in the homogeneous phase detected using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and the hydrogen peroxide (H 2O 2) yield in the diffusion phase analyzed uuxing fluorescence probe. The liposome model was then established to investigate the radiation chemistry effect of FLASH and conventional irradiation in inducing lipid peroxidation. Results:Radiation chemistry reactions were observed in water molecules after irradiation. In the homogeneous phase, the yield of free radicals using FLASH irradiation is similar to those from conventional irradiation ( P>0.05). In the diffusion phase, the amount of H 2O 2 produced by FLASH irradiation was significantly lower than those from conventional irradiation ( t=0.49-12.81, P<0.05). The liposome model confirmed that conventional irradiation could significantly induce lipid peroxidation through the radiation chemistry effect in water molecules as compared with FLASH irradiation ( t=0.31-11.73, P<0.05). Conclusions:The radiation chemistry effect in water molecules after FLASH irradiation was significantly lower than that from conventional irradiation. This could be one of the mechanisms of FLASH effect.
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Objective:To compare the effects on DNA strand break induced by ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) electron beam and conventional irradiation, and investigate whether FLASH effect was correlated with a reduction of radiation response.Methods:Aqueous pBR322 plasmid was treated with FLASH (125 Gy/s) and conventional irradiation (0.05 Gy/s) under physioxia (4% O 2) and normoxia (21% O 2). Open circle DNA and linear DNA were detected by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the plasmid DNA damage was quantified with an established mathematical model to calculate the relative biological effect (RBE) of DNA damage. In some experiments, Samwirin A (SW) was applied to scavenge free radicals generated by ionizing radiation. Results:Under physioxia, the yields of DNA strand breakage induced by both FLASH and conventional irradiation had a dose-dependent manner. FLASH irradiation could significantly decrease radiation-induced linear DNA compared with conventional irradiation ( t=5.28, 5.79, 7.01, 7.66, P<0.05). However, when the aqueous plasmid was pretreated with SW, there was no difference of DNA strand breakage between FLASH and conventional irradiation ( P>0.05). Both of the yields of open circle DNA and linear DNA had no difference caused by FLASH and conventional radiotherapy at normoxia, but were significantly higher than those under physioxia. In addition, the yields of linear DNA and open circle DNA induced by FLASH irradiation per Gy were (2.78±0.03) and (1.85±0.17) times higher than those of conventional irradiation, respectively. Conclusions:FLASH irradiation attenuated radiation-induced DNA damage since a low production yield of free radical in comparison with conventional irradiation, and hence the FLASH effect was correlated with oxygen content.
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Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and therapeutic strategies of huge esophageal stones.Methods:One patient with esophageal esophageal calculus admitted to Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, who failed in undergoing endoscope treatment and shifted to an operation were retrospectively analyzed, and analyzed and summarized in combination with relevant literature.Results:The patient has significant dysphagia and severe malnutrition requiring further medical intervention. CT examination found that the lower esophagus was incarcerated with huge stones, and gastroscopy showed stones were obstructing the lumen, esophageal polyps and muscle bridges under the stones.Because the stones were large and hard, multiple endoscopic stone removal failed, and then the stones were successfully removed by thoracic surgery. The patient recovered well after surgery and had no complications such as anastomotic leakage or stenosis.Conclusions:Esophageal stones are easy to cause obstruction, and even lead to perforation, so it should be actively managed clinically. For patients with esophageal stones who have failed multiple endoscopic stone removals, thoracotomy can be used as a further treatment.
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Objective:To analyze the data of ultra-high dose rate (FLASH) radiotherapy in GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database by bioinformatics method, in order to find the hub genes involved in flash radiotherapy induced acute T-lymphoblastic leukemia.Methods:The gene expression profiles of malignant tumors receiving FLASH radiotherapy were downloaded from GEO database. The R software was used to screen the differential expressed genes (DEGs) and analyze their biological functions and signal pathways. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs was analyzed by online tool of STRING, and Hub genes were screened by Cytoscape plug-in. The expressions of screened Hub genes in acute T lymphoblastic leukemia were identified with TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) and GTEx (Genotype-Tissue Expression) database.Results:Based on the analysis of GSE100718 microarray dataset of GEO database, a total of 12 800 genes were found to be associated with radiosensitivity of acute T lymphoblastic leukemia, of which 61 significantly altered DEGs were selected for further analysis. It was found that these genes were involved in the biological processes of metabolism, stress response, and immune response through the pathways of oxidative phosphorylation, unfolded protein response, fatty acid metabolism, and so on. PPI analysis indicated that HSPA5 and SCD belonged to the Hub genes involved in the regulation of FLASH radiosensitivity, and they were significantly highly expressed in acute T lymphoblastic leukemia combined with TRD/LMO2-fusion gene.Conclusions:Through bioinformatics analysis, the Hub genes involved in regulating the sensitivity of FLASH radiotherapy and conventional radiotherapy can be effectively screened, and thus the gene expression profiles can be used to guide the stratification of cancer patients to achieve a precise radiotherapy.
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AIM: To study the distribution of CYP2C9∗3 and VKORC1-1639G>A gene polymorphism in Han population in Anhui province and their influence on the stable dose of warfarin. METHODS: The blood samples of 1 169 patients from 6 tertiary general hospitals in 5 areas of Anhui province from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected, the genotype of CYP2C9∗3 and VKORC1-1639G>A was detected by fluorescent staining in situ hybridization technique. RESULTS: The distribution of CYP2C9∗3 genotypes in 1 169 patients: the frequencies of AA, AC and CC genes were 90.16%, 9.24% and 0.60%, respectively; The distribution of VKORC1 genotype: the frequencies of AA, AG and GG genes were 84.26%, 14.71% and 1.03% respectively; There was no significant difference between the two genotypes in gender, age and regional distribution (P>0.05). The average daily warfarin dose of CYP2C9∗3 AA genotype in 755 patients with stable warfarin dose was (3.02±0.59) mg/d, which was significantly higher than patients with AC genotype and CC genotype; The average daily warfarin dose of patients with VKORC1-1639AA genotype was (2.72±0.40) mg/d, which was significantly lower than that of patients with AG genotype and GG genotype (P<0.05). And the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); There are significant differences in gender, age and clinical diagnosis between patients with stable dose of warfarin and those without stable dose (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypes are associated with the stable dose of warfarin. Clinical anticoagulation therapy guided by CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypes can provide guidance for individualized medication of warfarin.
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Esophageal cancer is one of the common malignancies of the digestive tract, and its exact etiology and pathogenesis have not been completely clear. The establishment of animal model of esophageal cancer provides support for the basic and preclinical research of esophageal cancer, which is of great significance for further study to clarify the pathogenesis and explore the development of new therapeutic drugs. At present, the animal models commonly used in the study of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma mainly include chemical induction model, heterotopic transplantation model and orthotopic transplantation model. With the continuous progress of animal research on human origin tumor, the human transplanted tumor model has been more and more widely used. No matter which model has its own advantages and disadvantages and applicability, should be selected according to the purpose of the experiment. In this paper, the research progress on animal models of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in recent years is reviewed, and the models commonly used in scientific research and preclinical treatment are discussed, which may provide a theoretical basis for the clinical treatment.
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Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) in patients with pulmonary oligometastases.Methods:Clinical data of patients with pulmonary metastases treated with SABR from 2011 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The local control rate (LCR) and overall survival (OS) were calculated by Kaplan- Meier method. log-rank test was used for univariate analysis and Cox’s regression model for multivariate analysis. Results:A total of 214 lung metastases were detected in 159 patients, and the median follow-up time was 43 months. The 1-, 3-and 5-year LCR were 90.1%, 73.9% and 65.8%, respectively. The 1-, 3-and 5-year OS were 73.8%, 43.6% and 11.9%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that biological effective dose (BED)≥100 Gy was significantly correlated with LCR ( P=0.033). Cox’s multivariate analysis showed that BED and primary tumor source were the independent prognostic factors of LCR ( P=0.023, P=0.043). No>grade 3 adverse events were observed in all patients during treatment. Conclusions:SABR is a safe and effective treatment of lung oligometastases. SABR should be actively aD ministered for pulmonary oligometastases, especially for those with lesions from lung cancer and the radiation dose should be selected as BED ≥100 Gy.
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Objective:To evaluate the role of salvage radiotherapy in the re-treatment of patients with regional lymph node oligo-recurrence after radical surgery for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of patients diagnosed with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with radical surgery and developed regional lymph node oligo-recurrence ( n=1-3) from January 2013 to January 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 74 cases with intact clinical data were extracted for analysis. The survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method. Group comparison was conducted by Log-rank method. Results:The median overall survival (OS) after recurrence was 9(2.5-43) months, and the median progression-free survival time (PFS) was 4(1-33) months. There were 47 cases in the salvage radiotherapy group and 27 cases in the non-radiotherapy group, and the objective response rates were 77%(36/47) and 30%(8/27), respectively. Patients in the salvage radiotherapy group had better OS ( P=0.042) and PFS ( P=0.01) compared with their counterparts in the non-radiotherapy group. Among the patients who received salvage radiotherapy, involved field irradiation and elective nodal irradiation yielded similar OS ( P=0.963) and PFS ( P=0.599), and patients treated an irradiation dose ≥ 60Gy had better OS ( P=0.001) and PFS ( P=0.001) compared with those with dose< 60Gy. Conclusions:Local salvage radiotherapy is an effective treatment of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with regional lymph node oligo-recurrence after radical surgery. Salvage radiotherapy has better OS and PFS compared with non-radiotherapy. Prospective clinical studies should be carried out to standardize the target and dose of radiotherapy, and to further clarify the effect of radiotherapy.
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Objective:To investigate the effect of mannose on the radiosensitivity of six human non-small cell lung cancer cell lines and its possible mechanism.Methods:The expression of mannose phosphate isomerase in six lung cancer cell lines were detected by Western blot. The inhibitory effect of mannose on the proliferation of lung cancer cell lines were observed by MTT assay. When irradiated with 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 Gy, the effect of mannose on the radiosensitivity of six lung cancer cell lines was detected by plate clone formation assay, respectively; and the apoptosis rates of normal control, mannose, irradiation and combined groups were detected by flow cytometry.Results:The expression levels of mannose phosphate isomerase were different among six lung cancer cell lines. Among them, A549 cells had the highest expression level and H460 cells showed the lowest expression level. When aD ministrated with 11.1 mmol/L mannose, the same inhibitory effect was observed on both A549 and H460 cell lines. Moreover, the inhibitory effect on H460 cell line was significantly increased with the increase of mannose concentration. In addition, aD ministration of 11.1 mmol/L mannose could significantly increase the radiosensitivity and apoptosis rate of H460 cell line. However, it exerted limited effect upon the radiosensitivity and apoptosis rate of A549 cell line. Conclusion:In six lung cancer cell lines with high expression of mannose phosphate isomerase, the aD ministration of mannose can enhance the radiosensitivity of partial tumors cells.
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Objective:To evaluate the long-term survival and identify prognostic factors of patients diagnosed with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (ES-NSCLC) receiving stereotactic ablation radiotherapy (SABR).Methods:Clinical data of 109 ES-NSCLC patients treated with SABR in Henan Cancer Hospital from 2011 to 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were calculated by Kaplan- Meier method and log-rank test. Multivariate prognostic analysis was performed by Cox regression model. Results:The median follow-up time was 44 months (2-93 months). The median OS, CSS and PFS were 78 months, 78 months and 44 months, respectively. The 1-year OS, CSS and PFS were 95.4%, 97.2% and 84.1%, and 75.6%, 79.1% and 56.6% for the 3-year OS, CSS and PFS, and 55.6%, 60.7% and 37.3% for the 5-year OS, CSS and PFS, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that ECOG score, age, smoking history and derived-neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) were the influencing factors of OS ( P=0.03, 0.02, 0.04, 0.001). Age, smoking history and dNLR were the influencing factors of CSS ( P=0.02, 0.03, 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that dNLR was an independent prognostic factor for OS and CSS ( P=0.001, 0.001). Conclusions:ES-NSCLC patients treated with SABR can achieve favorable survival. The dNLR is an independent prognostic factor of OS and CSS, which can be considered in clinical application.
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OBJECTIVE： To study the relationship of CYP3A4， CYP2C8 and CYP3A5 gene polymorphism with ADR/blood concentration of hydroxychloroquine in patients with autoimmune disease （AID）， and to provide reference for individual medication of hydroxychloroquine. METHODS： Totally 77 AID patients，who were treated with hydroxychloroquine （daily dose of 200 mg to 400 mg） for a long-term （＞6 months）， were selected from the department of rheumatology and immunology， the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University during Jul. 2017 to Aug. 2018. The information， blood sample and ADR of them were collected. Those patients were divided into normal liver function group， abnormal liver function group， normal renal function group， abnormal renal function group， normal eye group and abnormal eye group according to the site of ADR. The concentration of hydroxychloroquine was determined by HPLC. Genotype of CYP3A4， CYP2C8 and CYP3A5 were detected by MassARRAY microarray system. The differences of hydroxychloroquine-induced ADR in different genotypes were analyzed by χ2 test. The blood concentration difference of hydroxychloroquine in different genotypes were analyzed by independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA. RESULTS： There was statistical significance in the distribution of CYP3A5 rs4646453 locus between normal renal function group and abnormal renal function group（P＜0.05）. The incidence of CC genotype was higher than that of AA+AC genotype in abnormal renal function group. There was statistical significance in the distribution of CYP2C8 rs10882526 locus between normal liver function group and abnormal liver function group（P＜0.05）. The incidence of allele G was higher than that of allele A in abnormal liver function group， and the incidence of AG genotype was higher than that of AA genotype. There was no significant correlation of the gene polymorphisms of CYP3A4， CYP2C8 and CYP3A5 with blood concentration among 77 AID patients. In subgroup analysis， blood concentration of GT， GG and TT genotypes of CYP2C8 rs10882521 in 58 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus （SLE） were 514.1，735.3 and 785.9 ng/mL， respectively； GG and TT genotypes were significantly higher than GT genotype （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS： AID patients with CYP3A5 rs4646453 CC genotype have a higher incidence of renal dysfunction due to taking hydroxychloroquine； patients with CYP2C8 rs10882526 locus allele G and AG have a relatively high incidence of renal dysfunction due to taking hydroxychloroquine. When SLE patients taking the same dose of hydroxychloroquine， the blood concentration of hydroxychloroquine in patients carrying CYP2C8 rs10882521 GT genotype is lower than other genotypes.
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Objective@#To compare the effect of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT) on the survival of patients with esophageal cancer.@*Methods@#Clinical data of 275 cases of thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated with neoadjuvant therapy combined with surgery from December 2011 to December 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. The data of treatment and follow-up were complete and analyzable. There were 70 cases in the NCRT group and 205 cases in the NCT group. The survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method and statistically compared by log-rank test, and multivariate analysis was performed by Cox regression model.@*Results@#The median follow-up time was 32(3-84) months. The median survival time and recurrence-free survival time was 42(3-84) months and 30(3-84) months, respectively. The overall 3-and 5-year survival rates were 56.8% and 45.9%, respectively, and the 3-and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates were 45.1% and 38.9%, respectively. The median survival time in the NCRT and NCT groups was 46(7-84) and 40(4-74) months, and the median recurrence-free survival time was 31(3-84) and 28(3-69) months, respectively. The 3-and 5-year overall survival of the two groups were 59.1%, 47.1% and 56.3%, 47.5%(P=0.515), and the 3-and 5-year recurrence-free survival were 44.5%, 40.1% and 47%, 39%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the survival between two neoadjuvant therapy modes (P=0.554). Multivariate analysis showed that postoperative pathological TNM staging was an independent factor affecting the prognosis of patients with esophageal cancer (P=0.001).@*Conclusions@#The survival results of NCRT are similar to those of NCT. Postoperative pathological staging is an independent survival factor.
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the antipyretic mechanism of Herba Ephedrae (Eph)-Ramulus Cinnamomi (RC) herb pair on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 30 qualified male SD rats were randomly assigned to the normal control (NC) group, the pyrexia model (model) group, the Eph, RC and Eph-RC treatment groups by a random digital table, 6 rats in each group. Each rat received a 20% aqueous suspension of yeast (10 mL/kg) except the NC group. The 3 treatment groups were administered 8.1, 5.4 and 13.5 g/kg Eph, RC and Eph-RC respectively at 5 and 12 h after yeast injection, the NC group and the model groups were administered equal volume of distilled water. Rectal temperatures were measured at 0, 6, 8, 10, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 h and urine was collected prior to yeast injection and at 6, 10, 18, 24, 30, and 36 h after yeast injection. Then urine metabolomic profiling by gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, coupled with multivariate statistical analysis and pattern recognition techniques were used to explore the antipyretic effects of Eph-RC. Partial least squares discriminate analysis was used to analyze the metabolomics dataset including classification and regression in metabolomics plot profiling.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the NC group, rectal temperatures were significantly higher in the model group (P<0.01), while 3 treatment groups decreased significantly compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Rectal temperatures of Eph-RC-treated rats started to go down at 6 h, and markedly decreased at 8, 12, 15, 18 and 24 h (P<0.05 or P<0.01), while those of the Eph and RC groups had decreased firstly at 8 h and were markedly lower at 12 h (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Seventeen potential biomarkers related to pyrexia were confirmed and identified, including pyruvic acid, L-phenylalanine, L-tyrosine, phenylacetic acid, hippuric acid, succinic acid, citrate and so on. Eight potential alterations of metabolic pathways including phenylalanine metabolism, citrate cycle, tryptophan metabolism, biosynthesis of valine, leucine and isoleucine, were identified in relation to the antipyretic effects of Eph-RC using MetPA software.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The antipyretic effect of Eph-RC herb pair on yeast-induced pyrexia in rats involved correction of perturbed amino acid, fatty acid, and carbohydrate metabolism according to the metabolic pathway analysis with MetPA.</p>
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of the aqueous extract of Armadillidium vulgare (AV).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The antinociceptive effect of AV (400, 600 and 800 mg/kg) was investigated in mice using the acetic acid-induced writhing, formalin-induced nociceptive, and hot plate tests. Phlogogen-induced paw edema using carrageenan, dextran, or compound 48/80 as phlogogen was used as inflammatory models to evaluate AV's anti-inflammatory effect. Additionally, the bioactive substances glucosamine (GLcN) and taurine in AV were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Oral treatment of the mice with AV (600 and 800 mg/kg) significantly reduced the number of writhes in the acetic acid-induced writhing test (P<0.01) but not the hot plate test (P>0.05). All doses tested significantly inhibited paw-withdrawal during the second phase of the formalin-induced nociceptive model (P<0.01). AV demonstrated a strong anti-inflammatory effect in all those inflammatory models (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>AV has antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, providing scientific evidence of the efficacy of its traditional use in pain treatment. Furthermore, GLcN and taurine contribute, at least in part, to the anti-inflammatory activity of AV.</p>
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Animals , Female , Male , Mice , Analgesics , Pharmacology , Anti-Inflammatory Agents , Pharmacology , Edema , Drug Therapy , Inflammation , Drug Therapy , Isopoda , Chemistry , Pain , Drug Therapy , Pain Measurement , Phytotherapy , Plant Extracts , Chemistry , Pharmacology , Water , ChemistryABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Mahuang-Shigao herb-pair is a famous formula composed of Ephedra and Gypsum. The herb-pair is frequently used for treating cold symptoms and bronchial asthma in the clinical practice of Chinese medicine (CM). In the present study, we evaluated evidence for the benefit of combined use of Ephedra and Gypsum by analyzing the antipyretic and anti-asthmatic activities of Ephedra-Gypsum.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The antipyretic effects of Ephedra-Gypsum were evaluated in yeast-induced hyperthermia test. Thirty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including control group, standard aspirin group, and 3 Ephedra- Gypsum groups of different doses (6, 12, 24 g/kg). Ephedra-Gypsum extract and asprin were administered orally 6 h after the injection of yeast solution and body temperature was measured every 1 h for 8 h. The antiasthmatic effects of Ephedra-Gypsum were evaluated using an ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthmatic rat model. Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups. Rats were alternately sensitized and OVA+Al(OH) challenged by exposure to mists of ovalbumin. Ephedra-Gypsum extracts (6, 12, 24 g/kg) or dexamethasone were administered 45 min prior to the allergen challenge for 8 days. Latent period and the weight of wet to dry ratio of lung were determined. In addition, the eosinophils in blood and white blood cell (WBC) were counted by an YZ-Hemavet Analyzer.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The Ephedra-Gypsum extracts at test dose (6, 12, 24 g/kg) significantly and dose-dependently attenuated yeast-induced fever in rats. The Ephedra-Gypsum extracts also prolonged the latent period, reduced OVA-induced increases in eosinophils and WBC, and decreased the wet and dry weight ratio of the lungs in the anti-asthmatic test.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>These findings indicate that the Ephedra-Gypsum extract has antipyretic and anti-asthmatic properties. Hence, the results support additional scientific evidence in prescriptions.</p>