Antihepatofibrotic effect of Guizhifuling pill on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver fibrosis in mice.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects and the underlying mechanism of Guizhifuling pill (, GZFL) on carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced hepatic fibrosis in mice. METHODS: Male ICR mice by intraperitoneally administered with 20% CCl (mixed 1∶4 in soybean oil) to induce liver fibrosis. Mice that underwent CCl were orally with GZFL. Using hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining to examine the pathological changes in liver tissue. Serum biochemical parameters, antioxidant enzyme activity and proinflammatory cytokines was assessed. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathway and nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) family members were evaluated by Western blotting. RESULTS: Our findings indicated that GZFL could effectively suppress the progression of liver fibrosis in mice, which was determined based on the improvement in liver function and reduction of collagen deposition. GZFL treatment also decreased the level of cytokines and increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes in liver tissue. Moreover, GZFL exerted anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through regulating the Nrf2-mediated antioxidant system and inhibiting the NF-κB pathway. CONCLUSIONS: GZFL may prevent the progression of liver fibrosis by regulating the Nrf2/ heme oxygenase-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways, thereby highlighting its role in the management of liver fibrosis.

A Signature of Five Long Non-Coding RNAs for Predicting the Prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease Based on Competing Endogenous RNA Networks.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play important roles in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the functions and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNA are largely unclear. Herein, we obtained 3,158 lncRNAs by microarray re-annotation. A global network of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) was developed for AD and normal samples were based on the gene expressions profiles. A total of 255 AD-deficient messenger RNA (mRNA)-lncRNAs were identified by the expression correlation analysis. Genes in the dysregulated ceRNAs were found to be mainly enriched in transcription factors and micro RNAs (miRNAs). Analysis of the disordered miRNA in the lncRNA-mRNA network revealed that 40 pairs of lncRNA shared more than one disordered miRNA. Among them, nine lncRNAs were closely associated with AD, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Of note, five lncRNAs were found to be potential biomarkers for AD. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) assay revealed that PART1 was downregulated, while SNHG14 was upregulated in AD serum samples when compared to normal samples. This study elucidates the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of AD and presents new lncRNAs that can be exploited to design diagnostic and therapeutic agents for AD.

Correlation analysis of lower respiratory tract fungal infection in hospital of Zhoushan archipelago area / 中华传染病杂志

Objective To study the microbial strains,risk factors and resistance profiles of lower respiratory tract fungal infection in hospital of Zhoushan archipelago area.Methods A total of 204 patients who were hospitalized for lower respiratory tract infection were retrospectively analyzed from May 2008 to April 2011 in Zhoushan archipelago area,and collected 204 fungal strains isolated from confirmed lower respiratory tract fungal infection cases.Chi-square test and Logistic regression analysis were performed.Results Among the 204 fungal strains isolated from lower respiratory tract specimens,110 (53.8％) strains of Candidaalbicans,32 (15.7％) strains of Candida tropicalis,24 (11.8％) strains of Candida glabrata,12 (5.9％) strains of Candida krusei,14 (6.9％) strains of other Candida,and 12 (5.9％) strains of Aspergillus were detected.Logistic regression analysis showed that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,bacterial pneumonia,long-term use of broadspectrum antibiotics and corticosteroids,endotracheal intubation or incision,old age,exposure in intensive care unit (ICU),and hospitalization ≥7 days were major risk factors (P=0.000,0.001,0.000,0.000,0.012,0.000,0.000,0.000).The resistance rates of isolated Candida against amphotericin B,5-flucytosine,voriconazole,itraconazole and fluconazole were 0,2.1％,4.2％,14.8％ and 22.9％,respectively.Conclusions Candida albicans is the major pathogen of lower respiratory tract fungal infection in hospital of Zhoushan archipelago area,and Candida is sensitive to amphotericin B,5-flucytosine and voriconazole.

Pulmonary imaging and clinical features of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus infection / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To review pulmonary CT imaging features and their correlations with the changes on clinical indexes in patients infected with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (novel bunyavirus).Methods Clinical data and pulmonary CT findings of 19 patients infected with the novel bunyavirus in Zhoushan Hospital and Daishan Hospital of Zhejiang Province during May 2011 and August 2012 were collected.Infection of the novel bunyavirus was confirmed by Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).All patients received high resolution CT scanning at initial period,critical period and recovery period.And the changes on WBC,platelet (PLT) and lymphocytes (mainly CD4 + T lymphocytes) were observed.Repeated measures analysis of variance and least significant difference (LSD) were performed,and correlation between the changes on clinical parameters and pulmonary imaging was studied.Results In pulmonary CT images,13 out of 19 cases presented groundglass shadow,5 cases presented consolidation shadow,3 cases presented retisculation,5 cases presented pleural thickening and adhesion,and 3 cases presented mediastinal lymphadenopathy.Sixteen patients presented the involvement of bilateral lungs and 3 patients unilateral.Pleural effusion was observed in 11 cases.There were significant differences in WBC,PLT and CD4+T count among initial,critical and recovery periods in 15 patients with obvious lung lesions (F =20.21,28.37 and 32.92,P ＜0.01).And the above indexes dropped to the lowest points during critical period,which were (1.6 ± 0.6) x 109/L,(26.0 ±9.1) x 109/L and (100.0 ± 66.2) x 106/L,respectively.After treatment,pulmonary CT scan showed that the foci were completely absorbed and no sequelae were observed.Conclusion The changes on pulmonary CT imaging are correlated with those of clinical indexes in novel bunyavirus infection,and the prognosis is good if patients receive the appropriate treatment in the early stage.

Protective effects of ursodeoxycholic acid on α-naphthylisothi-induced acute liver injury in rats / 中华消化杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects and mechanism of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) on α-naphthylisothi (ANIT)-induced cholestatic liver injury in rats.MethodsA total of 48 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected.Fouty-two rats were gavaged with ANIT (100 mg/kg) to induce acute liver injury,six rats were sacrificed 24 hours after the liver injury and the rats left were evenly divided into control group which were gavaged with saline and UDCA group which were gavaged with UDCA (20 mg/kg).Six rats were sacrificed at 48 hours,72 hours and 96 hours after modeling.The six untreated rats were set as blank control group.Serum and liver tissues of all rats were kept after sacrificed.Serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT),aspartate transaminase (AST),total bilirubin (TBil) and total bile acid (TBA) were tested,interleukin-10 (IL-10),interleukin-6 (IL-6),and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The expression of multidrug resistance associated protein2 (Mrp2) at mRNA level in liver tissue was measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and the inflammatory reaction activity of liver tissues was inspected with Haematoidin-Eosin (HE)staining under microscope.ResultsAt 48 hours after liver injury modeling,serum TBil (143.80± 12.08) μmol/L vs.(178.50±15.19) μmol/L,TBA (13.15±3.81) μmol/L vs.(21.68±7.93)mol/L,IL-10 (44.13±3.68,37.15±6.25 ng/L),IL-6(50.80±2.09,57.32±4.63 ng/L) and TNF-α (17.53±0.84) ng/L vs,(19.10±1.64) ng/L of UDCA group and control group were compared,and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.01 or P＜ 0.05).At 72 hours after liver injury modeling,serum ALT (721.67±97.54) U/L vs.(929.50±148.29) U/L and IL-10 (54.68±6.79)ng/L vs.(43.85±4.08) ng/L of UDCA group and control group were compared,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).At 96 hours after liver injury modeling,serum ALT (156.83±14.99) U/L vs.(250.67±42.29) U/L,AST (143.67±27.45) U/L vs.(206.00±63.94) U/L and TBil (23.53±5.08) μmol/L vs.(34.02±9.98) μmol/L of UDCA group and control group were compared,and the differences were statistically significant (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).The differences of Mrp2 expression at mRNA level in liver tissues between UDCA group and control group at 48 hours (0.77 ± 0.21,0.46 ± 0.25),72 hours (2.27 ±0.84,1.10 ±0.38) and 96 hours (3.64±0.54,2.75±0.69) after liver injury modeling were statistically significant (P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).ConclusionThe mechanism of the protective effects of UDCA on ANIT-induced liver injury may be related with the regulation of serum cytokines and liver Mrp2 expression.

Clinical features and genetic sequences of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus in a new-epidemic region of Zhejiang Province, China / 中华传染病杂志

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical characteristics,epidemiology of patients with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome bunyavirus (SFTSV) infection and genetic sequences of SFTSV.MethodsClinical data of five cases of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS)from Zhoushan Hospital during May 2011 to July 2011 were retrospectively analyzed.SFTSV gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry (FCM).The sequences of isolated SFTSV strains were compared with those in GenBank. ResultsThe symptoms of continuous high fever,sore muscles,enlarged superficial lymph nodes,abdominal pain,diarrhea with gastrointestinal hemorrhage were observed.The white blood cells,platelets and CD3+ CD4+ T lymphocytes were progressive decreased in acute phase with the minimum of (0.97-2.00) × 109/L,(12-42) × 109/L and 7.52％-20.39％,respectively.The SFTSV was isolated from the sera of two patients.The sequences were compared with SFTSV sequences in GenBank.The homology of RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene was 96％ compared with BX-2010,L-WWG,LN3,JS4,SD4,HN6 and AH12; the glycoprotein gene was 94％ ; N protein gene was 95％ compared with JS4,SD4 and LN4.The homology of the above three genes between two isolates was 99％.ConclusionsOur results suggest that SFTSV is sporadic in Zhejiang Province which is probably from native epidemic focus.SFTS is progressive and severe with acute onset.Multiple organ dysfunction is common in severe eases.

Correlation of serum total bile acid levels with liver tissue inflammation grade in chronic liver diseases / 中华临床感染病杂志

Objective To investigate the correlation of serum total bile acid (TBA) levels with the inflammation grades of liver tissue in chronic liver diseases.Methods Cyclophorase assay was used to detect the serum TBA levels in 172 patients with various chronic liver diseases,and the inflammation grades of liver tissue were determined by liver biopsy.The correlation between serum TBA levels and the inflammation grades of liver tissue was evaluated using SPSS 12.0 software.Results Serum TBA level was positively correlated with the inflammation grade of liver tissue ( r =0.275,P ＜ 0.01 ).The inflammation grade reached G2 when serum TBA was 20 μmol/L.Conclusion Serum TBA level may be useful for evaluating the inflammation grade of liver tissue in chronic liver diseases.