Utility of Ultrasonography for Diagnosing and Differentiating Periapical Granuloma from Radicular Cyst.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the reliability and accuracy of high-resolution ultrasonography (US) for diagnosing periapical lesions and differentiating radicular cysts from granulomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 109 teeth with periapical lesions of endodontic origin from 109 patients scheduled for apical microsurgery. Ultrasonic outcomes were analyzed and categorized after thorough clinical and radiographic examinations using US. B-mode US images reflected the echotexture, echogenicity, and lesion margin, while color Doppler US assessed the presence and features of blood flow of interested areas. Pathological tissue samples were obtained during apical microsurgery and subjected to histopathological examination. Fleiss' κ was used to measure interobserver reliability. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic validity and the overall agreement between US and histological findings. The reliability of US compared to histopathological examinations was assessed based on Cohen's κ. RESULTS: The percent accuracy of US for diagnosing cysts, granulomas, and cysts with infection based on histopathological findings was 89.9%, 89.0%, and 97.2%, respectively. The sensitivity of US diagnoses was 95.1% for cysts, 84.1% for granulomas, and 80.0% for cysts with infection. The specificity of US diagnoses was 86.8% for cysts, 95.7% for granulomas, and 98.1% for cysts with infection. The reliability for US compared to histopathological examinations was good (κ = 0.779). CONCLUSION: The echotexture characteristics of lesions in US images correlated with their histopathological features. US can provide accurate information on the nature of periapical lesions based on the echotexture of their contents and the presence of vascularity. It can help improve clinical diagnosis and avoid overtreatment of patients with apical periodontitis.

Effects of remimazolam on gastrointestinal motor function in patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effects of remimazolam on gastrointestinal motor function in the patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy.Methods:A total of 262 American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ patients, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective gastrointestinal endoscopy from May 2022 to August 2022, were divided into 2 groups ( n=131 each) using a random number table method: remimazolam group (group R) and propofol group (group P). The patients in group R received intravenous remimazolam 0.20-0.25 mg/kg, and patients in group P received intravenous propofol 1.5-2.0 mg/kg. The gastrointestinal endoscopy was performed when the patients′ Modified Observer′s Assessment of Alertness/Sedation scores ≤3. During fasting before gastrointestinal preparation, before gastrointestinal endoscopy and while leaving the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), the concentrations of serum motilin and gastrin were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the intestinal peristalsis rating assessed by the endoscopist during the examination was recorded, the occurrence of hypotension and hypoxemia during the examination and occurrence of abdominal distension, abdominal pain, and nausea and vomiting during stay in PACU were recorded. Results:Compared with group P, the intestinal peristalsis rating was significantly increased, the serum motilin and gastrin concentrations were increased while leaving PACU, the incidence of hypotension and hypoxemia was decreased during the examination, and the incidence of abdominal distention was decreased during stay in PACU in group R ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Remimazolam has a milder inhibitory effect on secretion of gastrointestinal hormones than propofol in the patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy and is helpful for the recovery of gastrointestinal motility.

Influence of occupational stress on mental health of medical staff: mediating effect of affective commitment and moderating effect of overcommitment / 环境与职业医学

Background Occupational stress has been shown to be an important factor affecting the mental health of workers. The role of affective commitment to the organization and overcommitment to work cannot be ignored. However, there is a lack of research on this topic in China. Objective To explore a potential mediating effect of affective commitment on how occupational stress affects the mental health of medical staff and a potential moderating effect of overcommitment on the mediating effect of affective commitment. Methods A total of 1372 health care workers in a tertiary Grade A hospital in Lanzhou City were selected as study subjects for a cross-sectional survey. The occupational stress, emotional commitment, and psychological distress of the subjects were evaluated by the Effort-Reward Imbalance Scale, Affective Commitment Scale, and Kessler 10 Scale. SPSS 26.0 was used for correlation analysis, mediation analysis, and moderated mediation analysis. Common method bias wasevaluated by Harman one-factor test. Results A total of 1372 questionnaires were distributed, of which 1277 valid questionnaires were returned, with a valid recovery rate of 93.08%. The mean occupational stress score was 1.14±0.23, the mean overcommitment score was 20.26±3.21, the mean affective commitment score was 20.25±3.34, and the mean psychological distress score was 26.26±7.90. The Spearman correlation analysis results showed that occupational stress among medical staff was positively correlated with overcommitment and psychological distress (r=0.153, 0.410, P＜0.01) and negatively correlated with affective commitment (r=−0.341, P＜0.01); overcommitment was negatively related to affective commitment and positively related to psychological distress (r=−0.107, 0.312, P＜0.01); affective commitment was negatively related to psychological distress (r=−0.464, P＜0.01). The positive effect of occupational stress on psychological distress of medical staff was significant (b=0.41, t=15.42, P<0.001); affective commitment presented a partial mediating effect on the relationship between occupational stress and psychological distress (effect value=0.13), accounting for 31.71% of the total effect; overcommitment moderated the process of occupational stress-affective commitment-psychological distress (P＜0.01). Conclusion Affective commitment of medical staff has a partial mediating effect on the relationship between occupational stress and psychological distress, and overcommitment plays a significant role in moderating the process of occupational stress-affective commitment-psychological distress.

Effect of Guiqi Baizhu Prescription Combined with Oxaliplatin on Expression of EGFR and VEGFR2 and Angiogenesis in Gastric Cancer-bearing Mice / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Guiqi Baizhu prescription （GQBZ） combined with oxaliplatin on the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 （VEGFR2） and angiogenesis in gastric cancer-bearing mice. MethodThe tumor-bearing model of gastric cancer was induced in Kunming mice. The mice were randomly divided into blank group， model group， oxaliplatin group （10 mg·kg-1）， and high- （17.68 g·kg-1）， medium- （8.84 g·kg-1）， and low-dose （4.42 g·kg-1） combination groups （GQBZ combined with oxaliplatin）. After the last administration， the transplanted tumor was collected and the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the morphological changes of tumor tissues. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the serum content of epidermal growth factor （EGF）， interleukin-8 （IL-8）， and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. Western blot and immunohistochemistry （IHC） were used to detect the expression of EGFR， phosphorylated EGFR （p-EGFR）， VEGFR2， phosphorylated VEGFR2 （p-VEGFR2）， and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule （CD31）. Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of EGFR and VEGFR2. ResultThe tumor weight in the drug intervention groups was significantly lower than that in the model group （P<0.01）. Compared with the oxaliplatin group， the high- and medium-dose combination groups showed reduced tumor weight （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The tumor cells in the model groups were high in cell density and regular in shape， and no clear tissue necrosis was seen. The tumor cell density in the drug intervention groups was reduced， and clear tissue necrosis and large-scale inflammatory cells were visible. Compared with the blank group， the model group and the drug intervention groups showed increased serum levels of EGF， VEGF， and IL-8 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the drug intervention groups showed decreased serum levels of EGF， VEGF， and IL-8 （P<0.01）， reduced protein expression of EGFR， p-EGFR， VEGFR2， p-VEGFR2， and CD31， and declining mRNA expression of EGFR and VEGFR （P<0.01）. Compared with the oxaliplatin group， the high- and medium-dose combination groups showed decreased serum levels of EGF， VEGF， and IL-8 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced protein expression of EGFR， p-EGFR， VEGFR2， p-VEGFR2， and CD31， and dwindled mRNA expression of EGFR and VEGFR2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The low-dose combination group showed decreased serum levels of EGF， VEGF， and IL-8， reduced protein expression of EGFR， p-EGFR， VEGFR2， p-VEGFR2， and CD31， and dwindled mRNA expression of EGFR and VEGFR2， but the difference was not statistically significant. ConclusionGQBZ combined with oxaliplatin can inhibit the growth and angiogenesis of tumor tissues in gastric cancer-bearing mice by affecting the expression of EGFR and VEGFR2.

Based on plasma metabonomics and network analysis to research the mechanisms of Chaigui granules for treating depression / 药学学报

The purpose of this study was to systematically analyze the antidepressant mechanism of Chaigui granules from the perspective of biological metabolic network by using integrated metabolomics and biological network analysis tools. The model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression rat was established, and LC-MS-based plasma metabolomics was used to identify the key metabolites and analyze metabolic pathways underlying the antidepressant effects of Chaigui Granules. The key metabolites regulated by Chaigui granules was integrated with biological network analysis tools to further focus on the key metabolic pathways and explore the potential targets of the antidepressant effect of Chaigui granules. The results showed that there were significant differences in the plasma levels of 20 metabolites in the model group compared with the control group (P < 0.05), Chaigui granules significantly regulated 12 metabolites including docosatrienoic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, chenodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid, L-glutamine, glycocholic acid, linoleyl carnitine, L-tyrosine, N-acetylvaline, palmitoylcarnitine, arachidonic acid. Further network analysis of the key metabolites regulated by Chaigui granules indicated that plasma arachidonic acid metabolism might be the core pathway for the antidepressant effect of Chaigui granules, with 10 proteins were potential targets for the antidepressant effect of Chaigui granules, including CYP2B6, CYP2E1, CYP2C9, CYP2C8, PLA2G6, PTGS2, ALOX15B, PTGS1, ALOX12 and ALOX5. The animal experimental operations involved in this paper was followed the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Shanxi University and passed the animal experimental ethical review (Approval No. SXULL2020028).

Effect of the prophylactic use of antibiotics on wound infection after cleft lip surgery / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the effect of preoperative prophylactic use of antibiotics on wound infection in patients with cleft lip.@*METHODS@#Aretrospective study was conducted on the clinical data of 1 361 patients who underwent one-stage cleft lip repair in the Department of Cleft Lip and Palate in West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, from January 2015 to November 2018. The patients were divided into two groups according to whether prophylactic antibiotics were used or not. There were 594 patients in the prevention group, including 373 unilateral incomplete cleft lip (UICL) patients, 157 unilateral complete cleft lip (UCCL) patients, 25 bilateral incomplete cleft lip (BICL) patients, 39 bilateral complete cleft lip (BCCL) patients. There were 767 patients in the non-prophylactic group, including 482 UICL patients, 211 UCCL patients, 31 BICL patients, 43 BCCL patients. The relationship between preoperative and postoperative leukocyte count, preoperative and postoperative body temperature, and postoperative wound infection were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#No significant difference was observed in the leukocyte count and body temperature between both groups (@*CONCLUSIONS@#The preoperative prophylactic use of antibiotics has no significant effect on the incidence of postoperative infection in patients undergoing cleft lip repair.

Research progress on the relationship between breast artery calcification and cardiovascular disease / 解放军医学杂志

As a disease with high morbidity and mortality, cardiovascular disease always threatens human health at all times. Exploring the risk factors has always been the research direction of physicians. In recent years, it has been found that breast artery calcification is closely related to the occurrence and development of cardiovascular disease, which is one of the potential risk factors. The present paper reviews the overview, grading methods, incidence and related studies of breast artery calcification and cardiovascular disease, and explores in-depth the correlation between breast artery calcification and cardiovascular disease in order to provide a basis for improving the assessment of cardiovascular disease risk.

The risk factors and preventive measures of hospital infections on preoperative children with cleft lips and palates / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To analyze the risk factors of preoperative upper respiratory infections in children with cleft lips and palate (CLP) and investigate preventive measures to reduce infections and improve the quality of treatments.@*METHODS@#A total of 510 children with CLP of ages 3 years old or younger were selected from hospital cases from June to December 2017. The test group comprised 50 children with upper respiratory infections, whereas the control group comprised 460 children without upper respiratory infections. A t-test and a multivariate logistic analysis were utilized to analyze the risk factors and to investigate the preventive measures.@*RESULTS@#Feeding patterns, the presence of infected companions during hospitalization, and ventilation at night were statistically significant. The feeding patterns and the presence of infected companions during hospitalization were independent risk factors for upper respiratory infections in children with CLP.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Bottle feeding, infected companions during hospitalization, and the absence of window ventilation at night are risk factors for preoperative upper respiratory infections in children 3 years old or younger with CLP. Among the risk factors identified, feeding patterns and the presence of infected companion during hospitalization were the most influential. Medical staff members should streng-then corresponding health education and nursing measures to control the risk factors.

Research Progress on Mechanism of Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Treating Rheumatoid Arthritis Based on Signaling Pathway / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the most common inflammatory arthropathy diseases, characterized by synovium hyperplasia and progressive destruction of articular cartilage, which is significantly associated with dysfunction and shortening of life span. Drug therapy is the main intervention for RA, but the glucocorticoid and immunosuppressant have many shortcomings in treatment, such as great side effect, slow onset and poor efficacy, while biological agents are too expensive. RA belongs to the category of "arthralgia syndrome" in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). TCM treatment for RA has a well-established history and multiple advantages such as good curative effect and less side effects, but its mechanism needs to be further studied. Signaling pathway is involved in the pathogenesis and progression of RA, so it is one of the main targets in research on the pathogenesis of RA and related pharmacological research of therapeutic drugs. In recent years, a large number of studies have been carried out on the regulation effect of active components of TCM on RA signaling pathways. These signaling pathways include Wnt signaling pathway, Janus tyrosine kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and transcription activator (STAT) signaling pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) signaling pathway, phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K)/serine/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathway, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, Toll like receptor (TLRs) signaling pathway, receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL)/receptor activator of the nuclear factor kappa B (RANK)/Osteoprotegerin (OPG) signaling pathway and so on. By reviewing the research results in recent years, we hope to provide ideas and reference for the basic research, development of new drugs and clinical treatment of RA.

Involvement of mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and MAPKs/NF-κ B inflammatory pathway in the neuroprotective effect of atractylenolide III in corticosterone-induced PC12 cells / 中国天然药物

Atractylenolide III (ATL-III), a sesquiterpene compound isolated from Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae, has revealed a number of pharmacological properties including anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer activity, and neuroprotective effect. This study aimed to evaluate the cytoprotective efficiency and potential mechanisms of ATL-III on corticosterone injured rat phaeochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Our results demonstrate that ATL-III increases cell viability and reduces the release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). The results suggest that ATL-III protects PC12 cells from corticosterone-induced injury by inhibiting the intracellular Ca overloading, inhibiting the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and modulating the MAPK/NF-ΚB inflammatory pathways. These findings provide a novel insight into the molecular mechanism by which ATL-III protected the PC12 cells against corticosterone-induced injury for the first time. Our results provide the evidence that ATL-III may serve as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of depression.

Gray scale and doppler ultrasonography features of the carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma.

OBJECTIVES: For lesions in the salivary glands, ultrasonography (US) is an ideal tool for initial assessment. The aim of this study was to characterize and differentiate between the Gray scale and Doppler US findings of intracapsular carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (Ic-CxPA) and invasive carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (Inv-CxPA). METHODS: A total of 87 patients (89 lesions) with histopathologically proven CxPA underwent US examination. The following characteristics were assessed on US images: size, shape, border, echogenicity, echo texture, posterior echo, vascularity, and regional lymph node enlargement. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), nonparametric test, Fisher's exact test, chi-square test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used for the analyses of the US findings of Ic-CxPAs and Inv-CxPAs. RESULTS: We found that on US images, nearly all Ic-CxPAs (10/11) and a few of Inv-CxPAs (17/78) showed benign features, such as a regular shape, a well-defined border, and enhancement of posterior echo, while most Inv-CxPAs (61/78) showed one or more following features: an irregular shape, an ill-defined border, and lack of enhancement of posterior echo. CONCLUSIONS: Ic-CxPAs tended to exhibit benign features, whereas most Inv-CxPAs tended to exhibit one or more invasive features. US can provide strong evidence in differentiating Inv-CxPAs from Ic-CxPAs.

Meta analysis on risk factors for central venous catheter-related blood-stream infection in intensive care unit patients / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To evaluate risk factors for central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection(CRBSI)in intensive care unit(ICU)patients by Meta analysis. Methods Literatures about risk factors of CRBSI in ICU pa-tients were retrieved from databases of Cochrane Library,PubMed,Embase,CBM,CNKI,and WanFang Data,RevMan 5.3 software was used for Meta analysis.Results There are 12 literatures in accordance with the inclusion criteria,with a total sample size of 14 422 cases,5 cohort studies and 7 case-control studies,the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale(NOS)scores were 4-6 points. According to Meta analysis,duration of indwelling catheter(WMD,12.25 [95%CI,5.55-18.94]),multi-cavity catheter(OR,3.52[95% CI,1.46-8.52]),femoral vein catheterization (OR,2.44[95%CI,1.34-4.46]),parenteral nutrition(O R,2.47[95% CI,1.18-5.21]),length of stay in ICU(WMD,10.01[95%CI,4.17-15.85]),APACHE II score(WMD,4.46[95%CI,1.25-7.66]),and dia-betes mellitus(OR,1.83[95% CI,1.08-3.09])were significantly different in each group(all P<0.05). Conclusion Risk factors for CRBSI in ICU patients are duration of indwelling catheter,multi-cavity catheter,femo-ral vein catheterization,parenteral nutrition,length of stay in ICU,APACHE II score,and diabetes mellitus. However,due to the limitation of methodological quality of included studies,more strictly designed and large sam-ple prospective studies are needed to verify the result.

Analysis of ultrasound images of port-wine stains / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective To investigate ultrasound features of port-wine stains (PWS),and to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasound imaging.Methods A total of 128 patients with pathologically or clinically confirmed PWS (162 lesions),who were also subjected to ultrasound examination,were collected from Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine between January 2015 and January 2016.According to ultrasound findings,these PWS lesions were divided into 3 types:flat type,hypertrophic type and nodular type,and the ultrasound features were retrospectively analyzed.Results For 95 patients with flat PWS (118 lesions),the skin thickness was significantly higher in the lesion areas than in the normal areas,but most of the thickness difference was less than 0.2 mm.Of the 118 lesions,79 (67％) showed hypoechoic areas,75 (64％) showed no blood flow signal,and the vein spectrum was detected in 15,with a peak of (3.33 ± 1.80) cm/s.For 17 patients with hypertrophic PWS (24 lesions),the lesion areas showed significantly increased skin thickness compared with the normal areas (1.80 ± 0.70 mm vs.1.14 ± 0.43 mm,t =6.834,P ＜ 0.001).All (100％) of the 24 lesions showed hypoechoic areas,low blood flow signals were observed in 15 (62％),and the vein spectrum was detected in 18 lesions,with a peak velocity of (6.61 ± 3.87) cm/s.For 16 patients with nodular PWS (20 lesions),the skin thickness in the lesion areas was (6.45 ± 4.68) mm.Of the 20 lesions,18 (90％) showed hypoechoic areas,and abundant blood flow signals were observed in 15 (75％).Additionally,the vein spectrum was detected in 15 lesions,with a peak velocity of (10.00 ± 5.39) cm/s,and the artery spectrum was detected in 19 lesions,with a systolic peak velocity of (24.58 ± 13.82) cm/s and a resistance index of 0.59 ± 0.13.The skin lesions was significantly thicker in the hypertrophic PWS group and nodular PWS group than in the flat PWS group (both P ＜ 0.05),and significantly thicker in the nodular PWS group than in the hypertrophic PWS group (P ＜ 0.05).The peak velocity of vein spectrum significantly differed among the 3 groups (F =10.630,P ＜ 0.001),and was significantly higher in the hypertrophic PWS group and nodular PWS group than in the flat PWS group (both P ＜ 0.05).However,no significant difference was observed between the hypertrophic PWS group and nodular PWS group (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Ultrasonography is,to a certain extent,valuable in the diagnosis of PWS.

Ferulic acid attenuated acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity though down-regulating the cytochrome P 2E1 and inhibiting toll-like receptor 4 signaling-mediated inflammation in mice.

Ferulic acid (FA), a phenolic acid which is abundant in vegetables and fruits, has been reported to exert anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. In the present study, the pharmacological effects and the underlying mechanisms of FA in mice with acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity were investigated. Our results revealed that FA pretreatment inhibited the augments of serum aminotransferases in a dose-dependent manner and attenuated the hepatic histopathological abnormalities and hepatocellular apoptosis in acetaminophen (APAP) exposed mice. Moreover, FA inhibited the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) as well as the contents of glutathione (GSH). Furthermore, FA markedly attenuated acetaminophen-induced serum tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-1ß production, suppressed Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 expression and dampened p38 mitogen-activated (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa (NF-κB) activation. These data suggested that FA could effectively protect against APAP-induced liver injury by down-regulated expression of CYP 2E1 and the suppression of TLR4-mediated inflammatory responses.

Improved Efficacy of Liposomal Doxorubicin Treatment of Superficial Tumors by Thermotherapy.

Our study aimed to investigate the effect of ultrasonic thermotherapy on the targeted delivery of liposomal doxorubicin to superficial tumors, local drug concentrations in tumor tissue, and the curative effect of chemotherapy. Twenty rabbits with VX2 tumors transplanted into the superficial muscle of the hind limb were randomly assigned to the following 4 treatment groups: (1) free doxorubicin, (2) liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride, (3) liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride plus 41 °C thermotherapy, and (4) liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride plus 43 °C thermotherapy. Ultrasonic thermotherapy was delivered at 41 °C to 43 °C. Plasma, tumor, and organ/tissue homogenates were analyzed by high-pressure liquid chromatography to determine doxorubicin concentrations. The drug concentration in plasma and tumor tissue was significantly higher in the liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride plus thermotherapy group than in the liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride and free doxorubicin groups, but there were no significant differences among the 4 groups in the concentration in heart or kidney tissue. Combining thermotherapy with liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride chemotherapy significantly increased the concentration of the drug in tumor tissue. The doxorubicin concentration was significantly higher in the liposomal doxorubicin hydrochloride plus 41 °C thermotherapy group.

Urinary metabolomics study of the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi ethanol extract on D-galactose-induced rats / 药学学报

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-aging effects and reveal the underlying mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi ethanol extract (SBG) in D-galactose-induced rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups: vehicle control group, D-galactose group, and D-galactose combined with 50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1) SBG. A rat aging model was induced by injecting subcutaneously D-galactose (100 mg x kg(-1)) for ten weeks. At the tenth week, the locomotor activity (in open-field test) and the learning and memory abilities (in Morris water maze test) were examined respectively. The urine was collected using metabolic cages and analyzed by high-resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analyses. The SBG at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg x kg(-1) treatments groups could significantly ameliorate aging process in rats' cognitive performance. The 50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1) SBG regulated citrate, pyruvate, lactate, trimethylamine (TMA), pantothenate, β-hydroxybutyrate in urine favorably toward the control group. These biochemical changes are related to the disturbance in energy metabolism, glycometabolism and microbiome metabolism, which is helpful to further understanding the D-galactose induced aging rats and the therapeutic mechanism of SBG.

Research progress in antidepressive active ingredients and pharmacological effects of Angelicae Sinensis Radix / 中草药

Through literature analysis, this paper summarizes the application of Angelicae Sinensis Radix in depression. The organic acids, phthalides, and polyacetylenes of Angeliae Sinensis Radix have the effect of antidepression, neuroprotective and monoamine reuptake inhibition. This paper reviewed that Angelicae Sinensis Radix improved the possible mechanisms of depression including injury of nerve, oxidative stress, and neurotransmitter system disorders, which will provide scientific basis for clinical treatment of depression.

Urinary metabolomics study of the effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi ethanol extract on D-galactose-induced rats / 药学学报

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anti-aging effects and reveal the underlying mechanism of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi ethanol extract (SBG) in D-galactose-induced rats. Fifty rats were randomly divided into five groups: vehicle control group, D-galactose group, and D-galactose combined with 50, 100, 200 mg·kg-1 SBG. A rat aging model was induced by injecting subcutaneously D-galactose (100 mg·kg-1) for ten weeks. At the tenth week, the locomotor activity (in open-field test) and the learning and memory abilities (in Morris water maze test) were examined respectively. The urine was collected using metabolic cages and analyzed by high-resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy combined with multivariate statistical analyses. The SBG at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg·kg-1 treatments groups could significantly ameliorate aging process in rats' cognitive performance. The 50, 100, 200 mg·kg-1 SBG regulated citrate, pyruvate, lactate, trimethylamine (TMA), pantothenate, β-hydroxybutyrate in urine favorably toward the control group. These biochemical changes are related to the disturbance in energy metabolism, glycometabolism and microbiome metabolism, which is helpful to further understanding the D-galactose induced aging rats and the therapeutic mechanism of SBG.

Antidepression constituents from Angelica Sinensis Radix in Xiaoyao Powder / 中草药

Objective: This current study focused on the identification of active constituents from Angelica Sinensis Radix in Xiaoyao Powder based on UPLC-PDA-guided isolation technique. Methods: The UPLC-PDA chromatogram of Xiaoyao Powder was compared with that of Angelica Sinensis Radix. The relative retention time of each peak and the Uhraviolet spectra provided by PDA were used in the analyses. The constituents were isolated from Angelica Sinensis Radix under the guidance of UPLC-PDA investigation. The structures of the isolates were elucidated by NMR techniques. The antidepression effect was evaluated on glutamate-induced neurons. Results: Five marker peaks of Xiaoyao Powder fingerprint belonged to Angelica Sinensis Radix and they were determined as coniferyl ferulate (1), E-butylidenephthalide (2), ligustilide (3), Z-butylidenephthalide (4), and 14-acetoxy-12-senecioyloxytetradeca-2E,8E,10E-trien-4,6-diyn-1-ol (5). Compound 5 was isolated from the plants in Umbelliferae for the first time. The treatment with compounds 1, 3, and 4 could protect PC12 and SH-SY5Y cells from glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. Antidepression bioactivity of compound 1 was first investigated. Conclusion: UPLC-PDA-guided isolation technique is confirmed to be a rapid and accurate method to identify the main active constituents from Angelica Sinensis Radix in Xiaoyao Powder.

Effect of pungent dispersion bitter purgation method on the esophageal mucosal intercellular space of reflux esophagitis model rats / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effect of pungent dispersion bitter purgation method (PDBPM) on the esophageal mucosal intercellular space of reflux esophagitis (RE) model rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 100 Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the Western medicine group (WM), the Chinese medicine group (CM), 25 rats in each group. Rats in the control group only received switch operation. Rats in the rest three groups received modified partial cardia muscle incision combined pylorus ligation of external parts to prepare the RE rat model. Starting from the 3rd day after operation, WM mixture (Motilium 3. 2 mg/kg + Omeprazole Capsule 4.3 mg/kg + Hydrotalcite Tablet 161.4 mg/kg) was administered by gastrogavage to rats in the WM group. Rats in the CM group was administered by gastrogavage with Modified Banxia Xiexin Decoction (5.7 g/kg), 2.5 mL each time, twice daily for 14 consecutive days. Equal volume of normal saline was administered by gastrogavage to rats in the control group and the model group. On day 7 and 14, the lower esophagus pH value, general specimen of mucosa and histopathologic changes were observed. Intercellular spaces of esophageal epithelium were measured for a control study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the same group at day 7, the lower esophagus pH value increased at day 14 (P < 0.01); the naked eye integral of esophageal mucosa and intercellular spaces of esophageal epithelium also decreased at day 14 in the CM group and the WM group (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group at the same time point, the lower esophagus pH value decreased in the model group (P < 0.01). The naked eye integral of esophageal mucosa, and intercellular spaces of esophageal epithelium increased in the model group with increased intercellular spaces (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group at the same time point, the lower esophagus pH value increased and the naked eye integral of esophageal mucosa decreased in the CM group and the WM group at day 7 and 14 (P < 0.01). Intercellular spaces of esophageal epithelium of RE model rats at day 14 was lower in the CM group and the WM group than in the model group (P < 0.01). Compared with the WM group, the lower esophagus pH value decreased at day 7 in the CM group (P < 0.05); the naked eye integral of esophageal mucosa and intercellular spaces of esophageal epithelium decreased at day 14 in the CM group (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>PDBPM had favorable treatment effect on RE model rats. The therapeutic effect was more obvious along with the therapeutic course went by. Its mechanism might be achieved through good repair effect on damaged mucosa, increasing the pressure of esophageal sphincter, and inhibiting gastric acid.</p>