Research progress of probiotics intervening osteoporosis through intestinal tract / 中国医师杂志

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic bone disease characterized by decreased bone density and damage to bone microstructure, leading to brittle fractures. It is a multifactorial disease that is more common in postmenopausal women, and its high incidence and serious complications are receiving increasing attention. Currently, clinical anti-osteoporosis drugs are mainly divided into two categories: inhibiting bone resorption and promoting bone formation, including bisphosphonates, calcitonin and estrogen, etc. But the side effects and high economic cost of drugs limit the scope of their use to some extent. In recent years, the effect of intestinal flora on bone health, especially on osteoporosis, has become a potential new target for regulating bone density. Probiotics belong to intestinal flora and are defined as living microorganisms. They have initially shown good efficacy in the treatment of some bone metabolic diseases, suggesting that intestinal flora can be used as a potential target for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and the application of probiotics as a new therapeutic method for osteoporosis. This paper mainly reviews the relevant studies on probiotics and osteoporosis, shows the latest research progress of probiotics intervention in OP, clarifies the relevant action mechanism of probiotics intervention in OP through intestinal tract, and analyzes the research status and prospect of probiotics treatment in OP.

Phase separation in cGAS-STING signaling / 医学前沿

Biomolecular condensates formed by phase separation are widespread and play critical roles in many physiological and pathological processes. cGAS-STING signaling functions to detect aberrant DNA signals to initiate anti-infection defense and antitumor immunity. At the same time, cGAS-STING signaling must be carefully regulated to maintain immune homeostasis. Interestingly, exciting recent studies have reported that biomolecular phase separation exists and plays important roles in different steps of cGAS-STING signaling, including cGAS condensates, STING condensates, and IRF3 condensates. In addition, several intracellular and extracellular factors have been proposed to modulate the condensates in cGAS-STING signaling. These studies reveal novel activation and regulation mechanisms of cGAS-STING signaling and provide new opportunities for drug discovery. Here, we summarize recent advances in the phase separation of cGAS-STING signaling and the development of potential drugs targeting these innate immune condensates.

Interferon-armed RBD dimer enhances the immunogenicity of RBD for sterilizing immunity against SARS-CoV-2

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global crisis, urgently necessitating the development of safe, efficacious, convenient-to-store, and low-cost vaccine options. A major challenge is that the receptor-binding domain (RBD)-only vaccine fails to trigger long-lasting protective immunity if used solely for vaccination. To enhance antigen processing and cross-presentation in draining lymph nodes (DLNs), we developed an interferon (IFN)-armed RBD dimerized by immunoglobulin fragment (I-R-F). I-R-F efficiently directs immunity against RBD to DLN. A low dose of I-R-F induces not only high titer long-lasting neutralizing antibodies but also comprehensive T cell responses than RBD, and even provides comprehensive protection in one dose without adjuvant. This study shows that the I-R-F vaccine provides rapid and complete protection throughout upper and lower respiratory tracts against high dose SARS-CoV-2 challenge in rhesus macaques. Due to its potency and safety, this engineered vaccine may become one of the next-generation vaccine candidates in the global race to defeat COVID-19.

Growth performance and element concentrations reveal the calcicole-calcifuge behavior of three Adiantum species.

BACKGROUND: The calcicole or calcifuge behavior of wild plants has been related to element deficiency or toxicity. For fern species, however, knowledge about their adaptive differences and responses to soil environmental changes is virtually absent. In the karst regions of southern China, most Adiantum species favor calcareous soils, but A. flabellulatum prefers acidic soils. Such contrasting preferences for soil types in the same genus are interesting and risky because their preferred soils may "pollute" each other due to extreme precipitation events. We mixed calcareous and acidic soils at 1:1 (v/v) to simulate the "polluted" soils and grew three Adiantum species (the calcicole A. capillus-veneris f. dissectum and A. malesianum and the calcifuge A. flabellulatum) on the calcareous, acidic and mixed soils for 120 d and assessed their growth performance and element concentrations. RESULTS: The calcareous soil showed the highest pH, Ca, Mg and P concentrations but the lowest K concentration, followed by the mixed soil, and the acidic soil. After 120 d of growth, the calcifuge A. flabellulatum on the calcareous and mixed soils exhibited lower SPAD and relative growth rate (RGR) than those on the acidic soil, and its leaf and root Ca, Mg and Fe concentrations were higher and K was lower on the calcareous soil than on the acidic soil. The calcicole A. capillus-veneris f. dissectum on the calcareous soil had similar leaf element concentrations and RGR with those on the mixed soil, but their leaf Ca, Fe and Al were lower and leaf P and K concentrations, SPAD and RGR were higher than those on the acidic soil. For the calcicole A. malesianum, leaf Ca, Fe and Al were lowest and leaf P and RGR were highest when grown on the mixed soil, intermediated on the calcareous soil, and on the acidic soil. Compared with A. malesianum, A. capillus-veneris f. dissectum had lower leaf Ca, Fe and Al but higher leaf Mg concentration when grown on the same calcareous or mixed soils. CONCLUSIONS: A. capillus-veneris f. dissectum is a low leaf Ca calcicole species while A. malesianum is an Al accumulating calcicole species. They can effectively take up P and K to leaves and hence can thrive on calcareous soils. In contrast, the calcifuge A. flabellulatum grown on calcareous soils is stunted. Such growth performance may be attributed to the increased leaf Ca and decreased leaf K concentration. If their preferred soils are "polluted", A. flabellulatum can grow worse, A. capillus-veneris f. dissectum can remain almost unaffected while A. malesianum will perform better.

Composition of Ophiopogon Polysaccharide, Notoginseng Total Saponins and Rhizoma Coptidis Alkaloids Inhibits the Myocardial Apoptosis on Diabetic Atherosclerosis Rabbit / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effects of Composition of Ophiopogon polysaccharide, Notoginseng total saponins and Rhizoma Coptidis alkaloids (CONR) on myocardial apoptosis of diabetic atherosclerosis (DA) rabbits METHODS: Sixty male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 6 groups [control group, model group, CONR high-dose group (450 mg/kg), CONR medium-dose group (150 mg/kg), CONR low-dose group (50 mg/kg), and simvastatin group] by using a completely random method, 10 in each group. DA model was established by intravenously injected alloxan combined with high-fat diet and abdominal aortic balloon injury. After mediation for 10 weeks, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycosylated hemoglobin (GHB), glycosylated serum protein (GSP), fructoseamine (FRA), aldose reductase (AR), advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in serum were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method; the expression of receptor of AGEs (RAGE) in myocardial tissue were observed by immunohistochemical method; and p-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) protein expression in myocardial tissue were measured by Western blotting. The myocardial apoptosis was detected by TdT-mediated dUTPnick-end labeling (TUNEL) method, and apoptosis index (AI) was calculated.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the control group, serum FBG, GHB, GSP, FRA, AR, AGEs and the expression of myocardium RAGE, p-JNK, caspase-3 proteins, as well as apoptosis index (AI) were significantly increased and bcl-2 protein was significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the levels of serum FBG, GHB, GSP, FRA and AR showed a significant decline in CONR high- and medium-dose groups (P<0.01). FBG and GHB showed a significant decline in CONR low-dose group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of serum AGEs and myocardium RAGE, p-JNK and caspase-3 protein as well as AI were significantly decreased and bcl-2 protein was significantly up-regulated in all treatment groups (P<0.01); high-dose CONR had the most significant effect on abovementioned indices compared with other treatment groups (P<0.01). Middle-dose CONR had better effect on serum AGEs compared with the low-dose group (P<0.01); middle-dose CONR and simvastatin groups had better effect on the expression of caspase-3, bcl-2 protein, myocardium apoptosis compared with the CONR low-dose group (P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#CONR may effectively inhibit myocardial apoptosis on DA rabbits by intervening AGEs-RAGE and JNK, caspase-3, and bcl-2 protein expressions.

DNA sensor cGAS-mediated immune recognition

The host takes use of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to defend against pathogen invasion or cellular damage. Among microorganism-associated molecular patterns detected by host PRRs, nucleic acids derived from bacteria or viruses are tightly supervised, providing a fundamental mechanism of host defense. Pathogenic DNAs are supposed to be detected by DNA sensors that induce the activation of NFκB or TBK1-IRF3 pathway. DNA sensor cGAS is widely expressed in innate immune cells and is a key sensor of invading DNAs in several cell types. cGAS binds to DNA, followed by a conformational change that allows the synthesis of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate (cGAMP) from adenosine triphosphate and guanosine triphosphate. cGAMP is a strong activator of STING that can activate IRF3 and subsequent type I interferon production. Here we describe recent progresses in DNA sensors especially cGAS in the innate immune responses against pathogenic DNAs.

Review on classification of curative effect evaluation standard to modified Huangqi-Guizhiwuwu Tang on diabetic peripheral neuropathy / 国际中医中药杂志

There are lack of specific treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN)right now.However, TCM intervention highlights the distinct advantage for the disease.Modified Huangqi-Guizhiwuwu Tang is one of the important recipes for that.But there are no uniform standards curative effect evaluation for it, and some clinical trials do not have some new evaluation standards.We summary the clinical research literatures in recent years and analyze the existing problems, therefore, provide new recommendations as views for medical researchers in the design of clinical trials.

Effects of Chinese Herbal Compounds on Levels of Blood Glucose, Froctosamine and Insulin of Diabetic Rats / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To observe the effects of Chinese herbal compounds (alkaloid of Coptidis Rhizoma 40%, total saponin of panax notoginseng 35%, and polysaccharide of Ophiopogonis Radix 25%) on levels of blood glucose, fructosamine, and insulin of diabetic rats, and explore mechanism of action.Methods Ten rats were randomly chosen as blank control group, and other rats were used to establish diabetic rat models by STZ intraperitoneal injection. Successfully molding rats were randomly divided into Chinese herbal compounds high, medium, low dose groups, metformin group, and model group, 10 rats in each group. Each rat received gavage for continuous 4 weeks. Then rat blood was collected by cutting head and taking caudal vein. FBG was detected by glucose oxidase method;insulin level was detected by radio-immunity double antibody method;fructosamine content was detected by fructosamine method.Results Compared with the blank control group, model group the levels of FBG, froctosamine content increased, while fasting insulin level were lower after 4 weeks'medication. Compared with the model group, the levels of FBG, froctosamine content in Chinese herbal compounds high and medium dose groups and metformin group were lower, while fasting insulin level increased after 4 weeks'medication (P<0.05).Conclusion TCM herbal compounds can increased the basic insulin level by decreasing the contents of FBG and fructosamine.

[Control effects of mowing in combining with planting tree species on Chromolaena odorata in karst region of Guangxi, China].

A field experiment was conducted in 2006-2008 to evaluate the control effects of three mowing frequencies in combining with planting three tree species with three densities on the Chromolaena odorata in southwestern Karst region of Guangxi. In all treatments, the relative coverage, height, density, and aboveground biomass of C. odorata were decreased by 89.7%-99.3%, 41.6% - 81.2%, 61.4% - 83.2% and 91.7% - 97.8%, respectively, and the capitulum number was significantly lesser than that in the control (P<0.05). The control effects on the growth of C. odorata were in the order of mowing frequency > tree species > planting density, and the optimal control mode was mowing twice one year and planting four plants of Delavaya yunnanensis per plot (4 m x 4 m).

Artemisinin biosynthesis enhancement in transgenic Artemisia annua plants by downregulation of the ß-caryophyllene synthase gene.

Artemisinin is an effective antimalarial drug isolated from the medicinal plant Artemisia annua L. Due to its increasing market demand and the low yield in A. annua, there is a great interest in increasing its production. In this paper, in an attempt to increase artemisinin content of A. ANNUA by suppressing the expression of ß-caryophyllene synthase, a sesquiterpene synthase competing as a precursor of artemisinin, the antisense fragment (750 bp) of ß-caryophyllene synthase cDNA was inserted into the plant expression vector pBI121 and introduced into A. annua by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. PCR and Southern hybridization confirmed the stable integration of multiple copies of the transgene in 5 different transgenic lines of A. annua. Reverse transcription PCR showed that the expression of endogenous CPS in the transgenic lines was significantly lower than that in the wild-type control A. annua plants, and ß-caryophyllene content decreased sharply in the transgenic lines in comparison to the control. The artemisinin content of one of the transgenic lines showed an increase of 54.9 % compared with the wild-type control. The present study demonstrated that the inhibition pathway in the precursor competition for artemisinin biosynthesis by anti-sense technology is an effective means of increasing the artemisinin content of A. annua plants.

Clinical observation of Yiling-Qutan Decoction used to treat sub-health / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of the Yiling-Qutan Decoction on treating Sub-health and the mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine.Methods 219 cases of Sub-health and belonging to dampness-phlegm syndrome and were collected and treated with Yiling-Qutan Decoction for 1 month.The effective rate of syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine and state of Sub-health,syndrome score of traditional Chinese medicine and sub-health status score were observed.Results The effective rate of syndrome of traditional Chinese medicine:7 patients were cured,35 cases were significantly effective,171 cases were effective and 6 cases were unfruitful.The improvement of syndrome score of and Sub-health status were also significantly better (P＜0.01).Conclusion It was effective to treat sub-health with Yiling-Qutan Decoction.

Salicylic acid activates artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua L.

This paper provides evidence that salicylic acid (SA) can activate artemisinin biosynthesis in Artemisia annua L. Exogenous application of SA to A. annua leaves was followed by a burst of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the conversion of dihydroartemisinic acid into artemisinin. In the 24 h after application, SA application led to a gradual increase in the expression of the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) gene and a temporary peak in the expression of the amorpha-4,11-diene synthase (ADS) gene. However, the expression of the farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FDS) gene and the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP71AV1) gene showed little change. At 96 h after SA (1.0 mM) treatment, the concentration of artemisinin, artemisinic acid and dihydroartemisinic acid were 54, 127 and 72% higher than that of the control, respectively. Taken together, these results suggest that SA induces artemisinin biosynthesis in at least two ways: by increasing the conversion of dihydroartemisinic acid into artemisinin caused by the burst of ROS, and by up-regulating the expression of genes involved in artemisinin biosynthesis.

A novel type III polyketide synthase encoded by a three-intron gene from Polygonum cuspidatum.

A type III polyketide synthase cDNA and the corresponding gene (PcPKS2) were cloned from Polygonum cuspidatum Sieb. et Zucc. Sequencing results showed that the ORF of PcPKS2 was interrupted by three introns, which was an unexpected finding because all type III PKS genes studied so far contained only one intron at a conserved site in flowering plants, except for an Antirrhinum majus chalcone synthase gene. Besides the unusual gene structure, PcPKS2 showed some interesting characteristics: (1) the CHS "gatekeepers" Phe215 and Phe265 are uniquely replaced by Leu and Cys, respectively; (2) recombinant PcPKS2 overexpressed in Escherichia coli efficiently afforded 4-coumaroyltriacetic acid lactone (CTAL) as a major product along with bis-noryangonin (BNY) and p-hydroxybenzalacetone at low pH; however, it effectively yielded p-hydroxybenzalacetone as a dominant product along with CTAL and BNY at high pH. Beside p-hydroxybenzalacetone, CTAL and BNY, a trace amount of naringenin chalcone could be detected in assays at different pH. Furthermore, 4-coumaroyl-CoA and feruloyl-CoA were the only cinnamoyl-CoA derivatives accepted as starter substrates. PcPKS2 did not accept isobutyryl-CoA, isovaleryl-CoA or acetyl-CoA as substrate. DNA gel blot analysis indicated that there are two to four PcPKS2 copies in the P. cuspidatum genome. RNA gel blot analysis revealed that PcPKS2 is highly expressed in the rhizomes and in young leaves, but not in the roots of the plant. PcPKS2 transcripts in leaves were induced by pathogen infection, but not by wounding.

Effect of the Donglian Capsule on Early Insulin Resistance in Experimental Diabetic Rats / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of Donglian Capsule(the combination of Ophiopogonis Tuber Polysaccharide with Rhizoma Coptidis Alkaloids, OPRA for short, Component of Chinese medicine)on early insulin resistance in experimental diabetic rats. Methods The animal model of insulin resistance in 2 type diabetic was established by injecting low dose of STZ in 60 high fat-fed SD rats. After one week, the successful models were randomly divided into 4 groups: untreated, high and low OPRA-treated, mefformin-treated group, Meanwhile, a normal control group was designed. After four weeks, the differences of FBG, PG, INS and C-P were compared among the groups. Results The OPRA can significantly reduced the level of serum TC and FBG, increased the C-E ]Lightened the IRI(P<0.01). Conclusion The OPRA can reduce the level of serum TG and FBG, and decrease insulin resistance to protect the β-cell function.

Effect Donglian Capsule on Nonenzymatic Protein Glycation in Diabetes Melitus Rat / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To observe the effect of Donglian capsule on nonenzymadc protein glycation.Methods An animal model of DM was established by injecting a little dosage of STZ in high fat-fed rats.When the models were established successfully,corresponding medicines were supplied for 12 weeks and then the blood glucose,glycosylation serum protein(GSP)and aldose reductase(AR)in rats semm were measured.Results Comparing with the model group,the levels of blood glucose,GSP and AR in Metformin Hydrochloride tablets group and Chinese medicine group were decreased markedly (P＜0.05).Conclusion Donglian capsule Can restrain nonenzymatic protein glycation and so thus prevent and treat DM.

Cloning and expression of human interleukin-26 in Escherichia coli / 生物工程学报

To clone human interleukin-26 (hIL-26) and express it in E. coli efficiently. Two pairs of primers were synthesized according to the hIL-26 gene reported on GenBank. The hIL-26 gene was cloned by nest PCR following the first round RT-PCR from human peripherial blood monocytes total RNA, and then the PCR product was cloned into pMD18-T vector. Colony PCR, restriction analysis and sequence analysis showed that the gene cloned was the same as the reported hIL-26. The recombinant was cut with BamHI and EcoR I to obtain the hIL-26 fragment, and then the fragment was inserted into pBV220 which was cut with the same enzymes. The recombinant expression vector was induced to express hIL-26 at 42 degrees C, SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the recombinant protein accounted for up to 20% of the whole protein of E. coli, and the protein was also confirmed by Western blotting. Purity of the protein was found to be above 90% after purified with molecular sieve. After renaturalized with glutathione buffer, the promoting effect of it on the production of IFN-y in PBMC was detected by RT-PCR. A recombinant bacterial strain for expressing hIL-26 with biological activity was constructed successfully.

Correlation of thrombosis with increased platelet turnover in essential thrombocythemia / 中国实验血液学杂志

This study was aimed to investigate the correlation of thrombosis with increased platelet turnover in essential thrombocythemia. According to presence or absence of thrombosis, 26 patients with ET were divided into two groups. Reticulated platelets (RP) were measured by flow cytometry and 26 healthy volunteers were selected as healthy controls. The ET patients with thrombosis were treated with hydroxyurea and interferon-alpha. The results demonstrated that the ET patients with thrombotic events had a significantly higher RP percentage (14.8% +/- 7.2%) than that in both asymptomatic ET patients (4.5% +/- 2.3%) and normal control (3.3% +/- 1.5%), (P < 0.05); the RP percentage in asymptomatic ET patients did not differ significantly from controls. ET patients with thrombosis also had a significantly higher absolute RP (ARP) count than those in ET patients without thrombosis [(176 +/- 37) x 10(9)/L vs (46 +/- 12) x 10(9)/L]. The ET patients with thrombosis were successfully treated with hydroxyurea plus INF-alpha, the RP percentage and ARP counts obviously reduced. In conclusion, when the ET patients had thrombotic events, those patients had a significantly higher RP percentage and ARP compared with patients without thrombosis and healthy controls. The ET patients with thrombosis were successfully treated with hydroxyurea plus INF-alpha.

The usage of inferior turbinate mucosal flap for repairing cleft lip / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate a technique for decreasing the tension of the nasal floor during the procedures of repairing complete clef lip.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With the designation of an inferior turbinate mucosal flap combined with an oral mucosal flap in the splitting side, the tension was effectively decreased and the nasal floor was closed easily. Eighteen patients was selected for the treatment with this technique since 2000. The follow-ups were 10 to 24 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All of the patients showed wound healing well with the significant improvement in the donor site.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The above mentioned technique may effectively decrease the tension and be used to close the nasal floor safely. It could also reduce the incidence of the complications.</p>

Effect of Runing II on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in transplanted tumor of mammary cancer MA-891 in TA2 mice / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of Runing II on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in transplanted tumor of mammary cancer MA-891 in TA2 mice.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The MA-981 mice mammary cancer cell cultivated in vivo was inoculated into the right axilla subcutaneously of TA2 mice to establish the transplanted tumor model, which were treated with Runing II.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Runing II could inhibit the growth of transplanted tumor and the occurrence of lung metastasis (P < 0.05), reduce the expression of VEGF protein and mRNA in tumor tissue (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Runing II could reduce the expression of VEGF protein and mRNA, hence to inhibit the growth of tumor and lung metastasis.</p>

Analysis of 5459 cleft lip and palate cases / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyse the constitution of 5459 cleft lip and palate cases and to review the development of surgical treatment to them.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data of the 5459 cleft lip and palate cases were collected and classified. The ratio of sex and disease pattern were calculated and analyzed statistically. Also, by means of classification of the disease pattern, the operation methods and the operation time, the change of the surgical methods and the first operation age were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the cleft lip and palate cases, the sex ratio is different. There were obvious differences in the first operative ages in different periods. The main repair methods for cleft lip and palate changed with time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The male is more than the female in the cleft lip and palate patients. The average first operation age has been decreased and the main repair methods have changed since 1980.</p>