[Evidence mapping analysis of clinical research on traditional Chinese medicine in treatment of vertigo].

In this study, the evidence map system was used to sort out the clinical research evidence on traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) treatment of vertigo and understand the evidence distribution in this field. CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase, and Web of Science were searched for the clinical randomized controlled trial(RCT) and systematic reviews/Meta-analysis on TCM treatment of vertigo in recent five years, and the evidence was analyzed and presented in the form of text and charts. The Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of interventions was used to evaluate the quality of the clinical RCT, and the AMSTAR mea-surement tool was used to evaluate the quality of the systematic reviews/Meta-analysis. A total of 382 RCTs and eight systematic reviews/Meta-analysis were included. In recent five years, the number of published articles has been on the rise. There were many intervention measures and TCM therapies for vertigo. Outcome indicators mainly included clinical efficacy, TCM syndrome score, vertigo score, occurrence of adverse reactions, and effective rate. The overall quality of clinical RCT and systematic reviews/Meta-analysis was low. Most studies have proven the potential efficacy of TCM in treating vertigo, but there was still no clear clinical evidence of efficacy. The results show that TCM has advantages in the treatment of vertigo, but there are also problems. More high-quality studies are still lacking, suggesting that more large-sample and multi-center RCT should be conducted in the future, and the quality of relevant syste-matic reviews/Meta-analysis should be improved to fully explore the advantages of TCM in the treatment of vertigo, and provide strong support for the effectiveness and safety of TCM in the treatment of vertigo.

A super large Stokes shift ratiometric fluorescent probe for highly selective sensing of ClO- in bio-imaging and real water samples.

Based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), a ratiometric fluorescent probe (NQ) was successfully designed and synthesized, in which quinolinone moiety was selected as the energy donor and naphthalimide block as the energy acceptor. NQ has a super large Stokes shift (231 nm) and a big quantum yield (0.463). Compared with previously reported probes with similar recognition sites, NQ can high sensitively and selectively recognize ClO- with a much low limit of detection (LOD = 21 nM) and extremely rapid response time (20 s). NQ has a strong anti-interference effect and a color change in the solution which can be seen by the "naked eye". Moreover, NQ can be applied to detect ClO- in real water samples and living cells imaging.

Deviations in the gut microbiota of neonates affected by maternal group B Streptococcus colonization.

BACKGROUND: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infection is the leading cause of septicemia, meningitis, and pneumonia in neonates. Aberrant gut colonization in early life may predispose children to various diseases in adulthood. However, the associations between gut microbial changes and GBS colonization is still unclear. RESULTS: The composition and diversity of meconium microbiota in GBS group were similar to that of healthy controls. However, we identified several specific taxa that were differentially abundant between the two groups (linear discriminant analysis (LDA) effect size (LEfSe): p < 0.05, LDA > 2.0). Particularly, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus paracasei was significantly reduced, indicating a role in GBS colonization. CONCLUSIONS: Our study presented a series of bacterial species colonized by GBS, thus providing novel evidence in support of initial intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in the neonates with mother's GBS colonization.

Coexpression Network Analysis of Benign and Malignant Phenotypes of SIV-Infected Sooty Mangabey and Rhesus Macaque.

To explore the differences between the extreme SIV infection phenotypes, nonprogression (BEN: benign) to AIDS in sooty mangabeys (SMs) and progression to AIDS (MAL: malignant) in rhesus macaques (RMs), we performed an integrated dual positive-negative connectivity (DPNC) analysis of gene coexpression networks (GCN) based on publicly available big data sets in the GEO database of NCBI. The microarray-based gene expression data sets were generated, respectively, from the peripheral blood of SMs and RMs at several time points of SIV infection. Significant differences of GCN changes in DPNC values were observed in SIV-infected SMs and RMs. There are three groups of enriched genes or pathways (EGPs) that are associated with three SIV infection phenotypes (BEN+, MAL+ and mixed BEN+/MAL+). The MAL+ phenotype in SIV-infected RMs is specifically associated with eight EGPs, including the protein ubiquitin proteasome system, p53, granzyme A, gramzyme B, polo-like kinase, Glucocorticoid receptor, oxidative phosyphorylation and mitochondrial signaling. Mitochondrial (endosymbiotic) dysfunction is solely present in RMs. Specific BEN+ pattern changes in four EGPs are identified in SIV-infected SMs, including the pathways contributing to interferon signaling, BRCA1/DNA damage response, PKR/INF induction and LGALS8. There are three enriched pathways (PRR-activated IRF signaling, RIG1-like receptor and PRR pathway) contributing to the mixed (BEN+/MAL+) phenotypes of SIV infections in RMs and SMs, suggesting that these pathways play a dual role in the host defense against viral infections. Further analysis of Hub genes in these GCNs revealed that the genes LGALS8 and IL-17RA, which positively regulate the barrier function of the gut mucosa and the immune homeostasis with the gut microbiota (exosymbiosis), were significantly differentially expressed in RMs and SMs. Our data suggest that there exists an exo- (dysbiosis of the gut microbiota) and endo- (mitochondrial dysfunction) symbiotic imbalance (EESI) in HIV/SIV infections. Dissecting the mechanisms of the exo-endo symbiotic balance (EESB) that maintains immune homeostasis and the EESI problems in HIV/SIV infections may lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of AIDS and the development of novel interventions for the rational control of this disease.

Water-soluble oxoglaucine-Y(III), Dy(III) complexes: in vitro and in vivo anticancer activities by triggering DNA damage, leading to S phase arrest and apoptosis.

Complexes of yttrium(III) and dysprosium(III) with the traditional Chinese medicine active ingredient oxoglaucine (OG), namely [Y(OG)2(NO3)3]·CH3OH (1) and [Dy(OG)2(NO3)3]·H2O (2), were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, ESI-MS, (1)H and (13)C NMR as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. In vitro the complexes exhibited higher anticancer activity than the free ligand OG against the tested cancer cell lines. Among the tested cell lines, HepG2 is the most sensitive to the complexes. Complex 2 can trigger DNA damage in HepG2 cells, resulting in cell cycle arrest in the S phase and leading to cell apoptosis. The S phase cell-cycle arrest is caused via the ATM (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated)-Chk2-Cdc25A pathway. Chk2 is phosphorylated and activated in an ATM-dependent manner. It, in turn, phosphorylates Cdc25A phosphatise on serine124, causing the inactivation of Cdc25A in ubiquitin-mediated proteolytic degradation. The cyclin-Cdk complexes of the S phase could also be inhibited by limited supply of cyclins A and E. This irreversible cell cycle arrest process ultimately induces mitochondria-involved apoptotic cell death via the activation of Bcl-2 protein. Complex e2 ffectively inhibited tumour growth in the BEL-7402 xenograft mouse model and exhibited higher safety in vivo than cisplatin.

Synthesis of a platinum(II) complex with 2-(4-methoxy-phenyl) imidazo [4,5-f]-[1,10] phenanthrolin and study of its antitumor activity.

A new platinum(II) complex of [Pt(II)(L) (pn)]Cl·2H2O (1) (pn = 1,3-propanediamine) with 2-(4-methoxy-phenyl)imidazo [4,5-f]-[1,10]phenanthrolin (H-L) was synthesized and characterized. In complex 1, the platinum adopts a four-coordinated square planar geometry. Complex 1 exhibited selective cytotoxicity against NCI-H460, BEL-7402, SK-OV-3, SK-OV-3/DDP and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values in the micromolar range (9.7-35.8 µM), but low cytotoxicity toward normal human liver HL-7702 cells. Complex 1 caused HeLa cell cycle arrest at S phase and it induced HeLa apoptosis by the activation of caspase-3/9. Various experiments showed that complex 1 preferred to bind with G-quadruplex in c-myc. Taken together, we found that complex 1 exerted its antitumor activity mainly via inhibiting telomerase by interaction with c-myc quadruplex and activation of caspase-3/9.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activities of methanol extract from aerial part of Phlomis younghusbandii Mukerjee.

This study was designed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive activity of the methanol extract from the aerial part of Phlomis younghusbandii (MEAP) and to explore the possible related mechanisms. Anti-inflammatory effects of MEAP were evaluated by using the ear edema test induced by dimethylbenzene and vascular permeability test induced by acetic acid. Anti-nociceptive activities of MEAP were evaluated by the chemical nociception in models of acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin-induced hind paw licking, and by the thermal nociception in hot plate tests. Mechanisms of MEAP activities also were explored by evaluating expression levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and iNOS induced by LPS using real-time fluorogenic PCR and expression of COX-2 using Western blotting and an open-field test. The results indicated that the MEAP administered orally could significantly decrease ear edema induced by dimethylbenzene and increase vascular permeability induced by acetic acid. Additionally, the nociceptions induced by acetic acid and formalin were significantly inhibited. The anti-nociceptive effect could not be decreased by naloxone in the formalin test, and MEAP did not affect the normal autonomic activities of mice. Expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS) induced by LPS were decreased obviously by treatment with MEAP. Furthermore, COX-2 expression in the spinal dorsal horns of the pain model mice induced by formalin was significantly down-regulated by MEAP. In conclusion, MEAP has significant anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, and the mechanisms may be related to the down-regulated expression of TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS and COX-2.

Effects of betamethasone on neuropathic pain in a rat spare nerve injury model.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of glucocorticoids on neuropathic pain using a rat spare nerve injury (SNI) model. Eighty rats were treated divided into the following groups: (i) a sham-operated group; (ii) a group subjected to SNI (S); (iii) a group subjected to SNI and administered 4 µg betamethasone intrathecally (D1); and (iv) a group subjected to SNI and administered 1 mg betamethasone at the site of nerve injury (D2). The mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal duration (TWD) were measured 1 day before and the 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after SNI. Glial fibrillary acidic protein, glucocorticoid receptor (GR), tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß levels in spinal cord tissue were quantified 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after SNI. The MWT was significantly higher in the D2 compared with S group 3-14 days after surgery and compared with the D1 group 7 and 14 days after surgery (P < 0.05). The TWD was significantly lower in the D2 group compared with the S and D2 groups 3-14 days after surgery (P < 0.05). Glial fibrillary acidic protein expression was significantly lower in the D1 and D2 groups compared with the S group 3-14 days after surgery (P < 0.05). Glucocorticoid receptor expression was significantly higher in the D1 group compared with the S and D2 groups after surgery (P < 0.05). Levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß were significantly lower in the D1 and D2 groups compared with the S group at all time points after surgery (P < 0.05). Betamethasone suppressed astrocyte activation and increases in TNF-α and IL-1ß levels in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Local injection of betamethasone resulted in smaller increases in spinal GR expression and more pronounced improvement in pain behaviour compared with intrathecal injection.

[Anti-tumor effect of Newcastle disease virus strain D817 against nude mouse xenografts of human colon carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-tumor effects of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) strain D817 on human colon carcinoma model in nude mice. METHODS: The nude mouse model of human colon carcinoma was established by subcutaneous inoculation of human colon cancer LOVO cells. The tumor-bearing mice were given PBS, 5-Fu, high-dose NDV D817, moderate-dose NDV D817 or low-dose NDV D817 via caudal vein injection. The tumor size and weight of mice were measured. The liver damages were examined by histopathology. Apoptosis and necrosis of tumor cells were detected by flow cytometry. The endotumoral content of TNF-alpha was detected using a mouse TNF-alpha ELISA kit. The live virus was detected by hemagglutination (HA) test. RESULTS: The moderate-dose NDV D817 inhibited the tumor growth more apparently than 5-Fu. The tumor growth inhibition rate reached to 48.1%. The liver damage and the weight change caused by NDV were less severe. NDV D817 made an increased apoptosis index and induced production of TNF-alpha. Live virus was not detected in important organs except in the tumor of nude mice by HA test. CONCLUSION: In the anti-tumor process in nude mice bearing xenografts of human colon carcinoma, a suitable dose of NDV D817 is more safe and effective.

The antitumor and antioxidative activities of polysaccharides isolated from Isaria farinosa B05.

The water-soluble intra-polysaccharides WIPS1 and water-soluble extra-polysaccharides WEPS1 were isolated from Isaria farinosa B05 through ethanol precipitation and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Their characteristics were determined by chemical analysis, gas chromatography, GPC and IR spectroscopy. The results show that WIPS1 contained 90.3% carbohydrate, 8.00% uronic acid, 7.15% protein and three kinds of monosaccharides including mannose, galactose and glucose with a molar ratio of 8.0:4.8:1.0. WEPS1 contained 93.4% carbohydrate, 8.06% uronic acid, 4.40% protein and three kinds of monosaccharides including mannose, galactose and glucose with a molar ratio of 21.6:4.7:1.0. WIPS1 and WEPS1 had a molecular weight of 42 and 208kDa, respectively. The in vivo tests in mice indicate that WIPS1 and WEPS1 had significant antitumor and antioxidative activities to some extent.