Objective: To investigate the effects of culture medium osmolarity on the proliferation of human hepatoma cell line HHCC. Methods:Cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay and cell cycle analysis was carried out by flow cytometry. Results:Hyperosmolarity decreased significantly the absorbance (A) of HHCC cells and cell number, and hyposmolarity have counter effects. Compared with control, hyperosmolarity blocked cell cycle progression at the G 1 phase, while hyposmolarity accelerated cells into S phase from G 1 phase, and the effect of hyposmolarity was weakened by chloride channel blocker NFA. Conclusion:Culture medium osmolarity influenced the proliferation of HHCC cells by mediating cell cycle.

AIM: To investigate the changes of the redox status and the antioxidative capability in the tissue of malignant tumors. METHODS: The carcinoma tissues collected from 42 patients with primary cancer in digestive tract (13 cases of esophageal cancer, 14 cases of gastric cancer and 15 cases of colorectal cancer),the corresponding paratumor mucosa tissues were taken as the control samples. The content of oxidized and reduced glutathion (GSSG and GSH), oxidized and reduced coenzyme II (NADP+ and NADPH) were measured, the GSH/GSSG, NADPH/NADP+ ratios, and the GSH/GSSG, NADPH/NADP+ redox potentials were calculated according to Nernst formula. RESULTS: The levels of GSH and NADPH in cancer tissues were significantly higher than those in corresponding paratumor tissues (P0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The significant increase in GSH and NADPH contents in cancer tissues indicates a notable enhancement of its antioxidative capability compared with the corresponding paratumor tissues. Based on this changes, the redox potential in the cancer tissues has only slightly reductive shift, which may suggest an apparent oxidative stress existed in the cancer tissues.

Objective To identify the risk factors of prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) after lung transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 90 recipients undergoing lung transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. According to the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation after operation, all recipients were divided into the PMV group (ventilation duration > 48 h, n=30) and control group (ventilation duration≤48 h, n=60). Perioperative parameters were compared between two groups, including preoperative parameters [serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)], intraoperative parameters (cold ischemia time of donor lung, blood loss), and postoperative parameters [the first red blood cell, white blood cell, platelet count, hemoglobin, C-reactive protein, serum creatinine, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), oxygenation index, eGFR and the mean arterial pressure in intensive care unit (ICU)]. The risk factors of PMV after lung transplantation were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Preoperative serum creatinine level in the PMV group was 62 (53, 67) μmol/L, significantly higher than 57 (47, 62) μmol/L in the control group. Preoperative eGFR in the PMV group was 97 (93, 107) mL/min, significantly lower than 106 (102, 116) mL/min in the control group. The first postoperative oxygenation index in the PMV group was 196 (157, 286) mmHg, significantly lower than 250 (199, 354) mmHg in the control group (all P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the first increase of postoperative total bilirubin, the first decrease of postoperative oxygenation index and preoperative eGFR decrease were the independent risk factors for PMV following lung transplantation. Conclusions The first increase of postoperative total bilirubin, the first decrease of postoperative oxygenation index and preoperative eGFR decrease are the independent risk factors for PMV after lung transplantation.

Andrographis paniculata is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with a wide cultivation in south China. The market demand has been increasing steadily in recent years. However, there are problems such as disordered production, pesticide residues and heavy metal content in the process of Andrographis paniculata production. Pollution- free cultivation is an effective strategy to solve this problem, and it is also the development direction of the Chinese herbal medicine planting industry at this stage. In order to guide the cultivation of pollution-free and high-quality Andrographis paniculata, this study established a pollution- free fine cultivation technology system of Andrographis paniculata including precise cultivation and site selection. In addition, soil improvement, scientific pollution-free planting mode and high- efficiency integrated pest control technology help solve problems such as pesticide residues and heavy metal content. This paper provides a reference for the pollution-free and fine cultivation of Andrographis paniculata.

Background: The dietary agent sulforaphane (SFN) has been reported to reduce diabetes-induced renal fibrosis, as well as inhibit histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity. Bone morphologic protein 7 (BMP-7) has been shown to reduce renal fibrosis induced by transforming growth factor-beta1. The aim of this study was to investigate the epigenetic effect of SFN on BMP-7 expression in diabetes-induced renal fibrosis. Methods: Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice and age-matched controls were subcutaneously injected with SFN or vehicle for 4 months to measure the in vivo effects of SFN on the kidneys. The human renal proximal tubular (HK11) cell line was used to mimic diabetic conditions in vitro. HK11 cells were transfected to over-express HDAC2 and treated with high glucose/palmitate (HG/Pal) to explore the epigenetic modulation of BMP-7 in SFN-mediated protection against HG/Pal-induced renal fibrosis. Results: SFN significantly attenuated diabetes-induced renal fibrosis in vivo. Among all of the HDACs we detected, HDAC2 activity was markedly elevated in the STZ-induced diabetic kidneys and HG/Pal-treated HK11 cells. SFN inhibited the diabetes-induced increase in HDAC2 activity which was associated with histone acetylation and transcriptional activation of the BMP-7 promoter. HDAC2 over-expression reduced BMP-7 expression and abolished the SFN-mediated protection against HG/Pal-induced fibrosis in vitro. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that the HDAC inhibitor SFN protects against diabetes-induced renal fibrosis through epigenetic up-regulation of BMP-7.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of action of Dingchuan granules in intervening respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia based on network pharmacology and animal experiments.Methods The potential active ingredients and targets of each traditional Chinese medicine in Dingchuan granules were obtained from TCMSP and TCMID databases,and the active ingredients of the drugs in Dingchuan granules were screened according to ADME pharmacokinetic parameters;the potential disease targets of respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia were obtained from Genecards,OMIM,and DisGeNet databases;the protein-interaction networks of intersecting targets were visualized by using String platform;the key core targets were visualized by using David database;and the intersection targets were visualized by using David database.Interaction networks were constructed using the String platform to visualize the intersecting targets;GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of the key core targets were performed using the David database;and then the relevant networks for the intervention of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Pneumonia in the Dingchuan particles were constructed using the Cytoscape software(3.9.1).Respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)-induced respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia in young rats was selected for experimental validation.Results The results of the network pharmacology showed that the 177 potential active ingredients of Dingchuan granules acted on 144 targets,and there were 1075 targets related to respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia,and 55 drug-disease intersecting targets were obtained,of which 25 core targets were ALB,IL6,CASP3,EGFR,VEGFA,etc.The GO function of Dingchuan granules was also investigated,and the GO function of Dingchuan was investigated.The results of GO function enrichment analysis showed that the biological processes involved mainly include positive regulation of transcription,positive regulation of RNA polymerase II promoter transcription,positive regulation of gene expression,negative regulation of apoptosis,etc.The KEGG pathway enrichment mainly involves the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,the cancer pathway,the tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway,the IL-17 signaling pathway and so on.The KEGG pathway enrichment mainly involves PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,tumor necrosis factor signaling pathway,IL-17 signaling pathway,etc.Animal experiments initially showed that the fixed wheezing granules can play a role in inflammation and immune response by regulating the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,thus participating in the inflammatory and immune response.Compared with the normal group,the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt in the lung tissues of young rats in the model group were significantly higher(P<0.05),the viral load was significantly higher(P<0.05),the pathological score of lung tissue damage was significantly higher(P<0.05),and the content of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α in alveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was significantly higher(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the expression of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt proteins in the lung tissues of young rats in each dose group and the positive control group was reduced(P<0.05),the viral load was significantly reduced(P<0.05),the pathological scores of lung tissue injury were significantly reduced(P<0.05),and the contents of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α in BALF were significantly reduced(P<0.05).Conclusion The study revealed the synergistic mechanism of multi-component,multi-target,and multi-pathway action of Dingchuan granules for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus pneumonia.It was verified by animal experiments that RSV infection in young rats probably activated the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,which caused the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α.Dingchuan granules could effectively down-regulate the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,inhibit the release of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α,and thus achieve the anti-inflammatory effect.

BACKGROUND:As a bone replacement and filling material,calcium phosphate stone bone cement has good biocompatibility,bone conductivity,and other advantages,especially its better biodegradability compared to other calcium phosphate bone cements.It has important application value in bone repair.However,due to its limitations such as insufficient mechanical properties,fast solidification reaction,and poor injection performance,it is currently only suitable for the repair of non weight-bearing bone. OBJECTIVE:To explore the modification of brushite cements with bioactive ions(metal and non metal ions)to expand its application range. METHODS:The author used PubMed,ScienceDirect,CNKI,and WanFang to search the literature published between 2018 and 2023 with the search terms"metal ion,iron,copper,strontium,magnesium,zinc,non-metal ion,modification,bone,brushite cements"in Chinese and"metal ion,iron,Fe,copper,Cu,strontium,Sr,magnesium,Mg,zinc,Zn,non-metal ion,modification,bone,brushite cements"in English.After reading titles and abstracts,the articles were initially screened,and irrelevant and duplicate articles were excluded.Finally,64 articles were included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Bioactive ions affect the hydration process of calcium phosphate bone cement.Different ions are substituted by ions and incorporated into the crystal structure of calcium phosphate bone cement,changing the crystal morphology of the cement and causing changes in physical and chemical properties such as setting time,injectability,and compressive strength.(2)Ionic modified calcium phosphate bone cement produces different ion release effects due to different crystal structures.Different types of ions have properties such as promoting angiogenesis/osteogenesis,antibacterial,anti-tumor,etc.In addition,calcium phosphate bone cement has good biodegradability,which has great advantages for the performance of various ions.(3)The physicochemical properties of calcium phosphate bone cement modified with different ions are as follows:iron,copper,strontium,magnesium,zinc,silver,and cobalt can prolong the setting time.Strontium,and magnesium can improve injection performance.Copper,strontium,magnesium,silver and silicon can enhance compressive strength.The ions that can simultaneously improve the three physical and chemical properties of calcium phosphate bone cement include strontium and magnesium.Good physical and chemical properties are a prerequisite for clinical application,so improving the setting time,injectability,compressive strength,and other properties of calcium phosphate bone cement with ions is of great significance for the research and application of bone cement.(4)The biological properties of calcium phosphate bone cement modified with different ions are as follows:copper,strontium,magnesium,zinc,cobalt,lithium,selenium,and silicon have promoting angiogenesis/osteogenic effects.Iron,copper,magnesium,zinc,and silver have antibacterial properties.Magnesium ions have anti-inflammatory properties.Copper and selenium have anti-tumor properties.(5)In summary,magnesium ions can improve the setting time,injectability,and compressive strength of calcium phosphate bone cement,while also promoting neovascularization/osteogenesis,antibacterial properties,and have good application prospects for the treatment of bone defects with concurrent infections.In addition,copper also has anti-tumor properties,so copper ions have great potential in the treatment of bone defects caused by infections and tumors.However,relevant research is still in the basic research stage,and the effects of different ion doping concentrations and synthesis conditions on the physicochemical properties of calcium phosphate bone cement need to be further explored.At the same time,the impact of biological properties also needs to be studied and observed for a longer period of time.

Hypersplenism is an important complication of cirrhotic portal hypertension, and splenectomy is an important means to treat hypersplenism in cirrhosis. It is realized that hypersplenism played a pathological role in the course of cirrhosis. This article analyzes and compares the changes in the condition of patients with cirrhosis between splenectomy with and without hyperfunction, and comprehensively discusses the pathological role and mechanism of hypersplenism in the course of cirrhosis, in order to strengthen the clinical prevention and treatment of hypersplenism in cirrhosis and to better improve the condition and prognosis of patients with cirrhosis.

Objective:To explore the patterns and causes of occupational exposure to infectious diseases (OEID) among frontline medical staffs (FMS) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) isolation wards (CIW), and the particularity of post-OEID management and the measures to prevent OEID.Methods:A total of 1 061 FMS of Wuhan Huoshenshan Hospital from February 4 to March 21, 2020 were enrolled. The OEID of FMS was investigated and analyzed from the perspectives of FMS physical and psychological conditions, protective equipment, infection-control related regulations and procedures, local air quality, exposure patterns, and the particularity of emergency treatment after exposure.Results:The incidence of OEID among FMS was 2.0%(21/1 061). The nurses and doctors accounted for 95.2%(20/21) and 4.8%(1/21), respectively. The incidences in 17 general wards and two intensive care units (ICU) were 71.4%(15/21) and 28.6%(6/21), respectively. Nearly 90.5%(19/21) and 9.5%(2/21) of the OEID events occurred in contaminated area and potential contaminated area, respectively. About 23.8%(5/21) of the OEID events were air exposure of oral-nasal skin, mucosa and respiratory tract, which was secondary to uncontrollable vomiting, and 76.2%(16/21) were pricking injuries. The inducement factors involved poor quality and inappropriate wearing of some goggles, atomization of the inside of goggles leading to blurring vision, chest distress and decreased sense of touch and operational flexibility related to level-3 protection equipment, poor air quality, FMS physical and psychological conditions, etc. Under the direction of "the Procedures for Handling OEID" , all incidents are properly handled and no FMS was infected by 2019 novel coronavirus and blood-borne pathogens. No new OEID event was found after the strict implement of set of preventive measures.Conclusions:The OEID among FMS in CIW is attributed to multiple causes. The optimized process that takes into account the specificity of OEID management for both COVID-19 and blood-borne infectious diseases can effectively prevent potential post-exposure infections. And reasonable precautions can fully reduce the risk of OEID of FMS in CIW.