Objective To test the effects of Vitamin D (VitD) on endothelial nitric oxide(NO) production and to study the signal pathway leading to NO release.Methods In vitro cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with various concentrations of VitD(0 mmol/L,0.01 mmol/L,0.10 mmol/L,1.00 mmol/L,10.00 mmol/L) for 60 min,and VitD at concentration of 1.00 mmol/L at different time points (30 min,60 min,90 min,120 min).The effect of VitD on NO production in presence of VitD receptor(VDR) agonist(ZK191784) or antagonist(ZK159222) for 60 min were examined in cell culture supernatant with kit for the detection of nitric oxide fluorescent probe(DAF-FM DA).HUVEC was cultured with VitD in presence of VDR agonist or antagonist for 60 min,and the effect of VitD on NO production with DAF-FM DA and the protein expression and phosphorylation of Caveolin-1 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS) were detected by Western blot,respectively.Results VitD caused a concentration-dependent increase in NO production.The maximum effect was observed at a concentration of 1.0 mmol/L and the optimal time of stimulation was 60 min.Effects induced by VitD were enhanced by VDR agonist,and abolished by antagonist.VitD and VDR agonist maintained the expression of Caveolin-1 at the same low phosphorylation level the same as normal,increased the phosphorylated level of eNOS.However,VDR antagonist increased the phosphorylation of caveolin-l,but reduced the level of eNOS phosphorylation,respectively.Conclusions VitD can induce a significant increase in endothelial NO production through VDR.VitD interaction with VDR causes the low phosphorylation of caveolin-1 leading to eNOS activation and NO production.

Objective:To observe the effects of low intensity pulsed ultrasound(LIPUS) on the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSCs) on titanium surface.Methods:BMSCs from Wistar rat bone marrow were respectively cultured on the flat titanium surface and the large grain blast acid etched(SLA) titanium surface,and induced by mineralization medium.Then,the cells were interfered by LIPUS and a control condition.Alkaline phosphatase(ALP) were quantitative determinated after 3 and 7 d mineralization induction respectively,ALP staining were observed after 14 d induction.Alizarin red staining were observed after 21 d mineralization induction.Osteogenic related protein and gene expressions were detected after mineralization induction.Results:ALP in culture medium of LIPUS group was higher than that of the control group after 3 d and 7 d mineralization induction(P＜0.05).LIPUS group showed stronger ALP staining and alizarin staining,and more mineralized nodules than control group.The expression of osteogenic related proteins,including Runx2,BMP2,OPN in LIPUS group increased.Osteogenic related genes expression,including ALP,Runx2,BMP2,OPN,OCN and Col-1 of the LIPUS group increased.Conclusion:The osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs on the fiat titanium surface or SLA titanium surface can be promoted by LIPUS.

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of moxibustion in the treatment of diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-D), by observing the effects of moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) on microRNA-133b (miRNA-133b), pituitary homeobox family factor 3 (Pitx3)/tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and neurotransmitters in the brain tissue of IBS-D rats. Methods: Healthy Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a moxibustion group, and a Western medicine group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the IBS-D rat model was established by mother-offspring separation and acetic acid enema combined with restraint stress stimulation in all the other groups. No intervention was performed in the normal and model groups. Mild moxibustion was applied to both Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) in the moxibustion group. Rifaximin was given by gavage in the Western medicine group. The physical status of rats in each group was observed at different periods. After the intervention, hematoxylin- eosin staining was performed to observe the histopathological morphology of rat colon; enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of dopamine (DA), noradrenaline (NE), and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) in plasma, colon, and midbrain tissue of rats; the relative expression levels of miRNA-133b, Pitx3 mRNA, and TH mRNA in the midbrain tissue were measured by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the relative expression levels of Pitx3 and TH proteins in the midbrain tissue were measured by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results: The body weights of rats among groups and at different time points were statistically different (P<0.01). The body weight of the normal group was higher than that of the other groups over time (P<0.01). After modeling, the minimum volume threshold of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) was significantly lower (P<0.01) and the loose stool rate was significantly higher (P<0.01) in the model, moxibustion, and Western medicine groups compared with the normal group; the miRNA-133b expression in the midbrain tissue was significantly lower (P<0.01), the expression levels of Pitx3 and TH in the midbrain tissue were significantly higher (P<0.01), and the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT in plasma, colon and midbrain tissue were significantly higher (P<0.01). After the intervention, the minimum volume threshold of AWR was significantly higher (P<0.01), the loose stool rate was significantly lower (P<0.01), the miRNA-133b expression was significantly increased (P<0.01 or P<0.05) and the expression levels of Pitx3 and TH were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the midbrain tissue, the levels of DA, NE, and 5-HT in plasma, colon, and midbrain tissue were significantly reduced (P<0.01) in the moxibustion and Western medicine groups compared with the model group; the levels of 5-HT in the colon and midbrain tissue of the moxibustion group were significantly lower than those in the Western medicine group (P<0.05), and there was no statistical difference compared with the remaining groups (P>0.05). Linear correlation analysis showed that miRNA-133b was negatively correlated with Pitx3 (r<0, P<0.01); Pitx3 with TH, TH with DA, and NE with 5-HT were positively correlated (r>0, P<0.01).Conclusion: Moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) improves diarrhea symptoms and visceral hypersensitivity in IBS-D rats. The mechanism may be related to up-regulating miRNA-133b, inhibiting Pitx3/TH, and reducing neurotransmitter expression levels in the midbrain tissue.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for the elderly patients (80 years or older) with choledocholithiasis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 742 cases of choledocholithiasis who underwent ERCP at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School from January 2014 to December 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: 196 patients aged 80 or above (the very elderly group) and 546 patients aged 60 or below (the non-elderly group). The baseline data including gender, number and size of stones of the two groups were matched using the 1∶1 propensity score matching, and the covariate equalization samples between the two groups were obtained and 196 pairs of patients were successfully matched. The treatment success rate, complication incidence, hospitalization time and cost were analyzed.Results:Comorbidities in patients of the elderly group were significantly more than those in the non-elderly group [93.4% (183/196) VS 76.5% (150/196), P<0.001]. The success rates of treatment were 96.4% (189/196) and 96.9% (190/196), respectively ( P=0.778). The incidence of postoperative complications were 8.7% (17/196) in the elderly group and 6.6% (13/196) in the non-elderly group ( P=0.447). The mean hospitalization time and the mean hospitalization cost of the elderly group and the non-elderly group were 8.20 days, 23 624.06 Yuan and 8.03 days, 22 249.64 Yuan, respectively (all P>0.05). Conclusion:ERCP is effective and safe, and can be used as the first choice for senile patients with choledocholithiasis.

Objective To evaluate the effect of the current immunization strategy for hepatitis B virus (Hepatitis B) in blocking mother-to-infant transmission in Hubei Province, and to explore the mechanism and possible influencing factors of failure of mother-to-infant blockade. Methods A multi-stage random sampling method was used to select 2 counties or districts in Hubei Province. Through maternity hospital health handbook, neonatal health record or hospital medical record system, hepatitis B virus (HBV) surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive pregnant women in 2012-2018 years were included to retrospectively investigate their delivery status and the HBV infection status of their children. Results Among the 302 newborns, 32 were positive for HBsAg, and the success rate of blockade of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B was 89.45%. Further analysis showed that 68.21% (206 / 302) of newborns were delivered in township hospitals, 66.23% (200 / 302) were delivered by caesarean section and 41.72% (126 / 302) were breastfed, while 16.89% (51/302) were positive for hepatitis B virus e antigen (HBeAg), and 41.06% (124/302) were positive for anti-HBe. The vaccination rate of hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) during pregnancy was 3.31% (10/302), and the newborn HBIG vaccination rate was 94.37% (285/302). There were 84.11% (254/302) of pregnant women taking protective measures in daily life. Logistic regression analysis showed that township hospitals (OR=2.82, P<0.05), HBeAg positivity during pregnancy (OR=8.68, P<0.05), and HBIG vaccination during pregnancy (OR=12.62 , P<0.05) were risk factors for failure of mother-to-infant blockade, while anti-HBe positivity during pregnancy (OR=0.22, P<0.05), vaccination of newborns with HBIG (OR=0.20, P<0.05), and protective measures taken in daily life (OR=0.28, P<0.05) were protective factors for mother-to-infant interruption. Conclusion Deliveries in township hospitals and HBeAg-positivity during pregnancy are more likely to fail in blocking of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B. HBIG vaccination during pregnancy does not reduce the risk of blockade failure. Neonatal HBIG vaccination, anti-HBe positivity during pregnancy, and protective measures in daily life can reduce the risk of blockade failure of mother-to-infant transmission of hepatitis B.

Bioactive compounds derived from herbal medicinal plants modulate various therapeutic targets and signaling pathways associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), the world's primary cause of death. Ginkgo biloba, a well-known traditional Chinese medicine with notable cardiovascular actions, has been used as a cardio- and cerebrovascular therapeutic drug and nutraceutical in Asian countries for centuries. Preclinical studies have shown that ginkgolide B, a bioactive component in Ginkgo biloba, can ameliorate atherosclerosis in cultured vascular cells and disease models. Of clinical relevance, several clinical trials are ongoing or being completed to examine the efficacy and safety of ginkgolide B-related drug preparations in the prevention of cerebrovascular diseases, such as ischemia stroke. Here, we present a comprehensive review of the pharmacological activities, pharmacokinetic characteristics, and mechanisms of action of ginkgolide B in atherosclerosis prevention and therapy. We highlight new molecular targets of ginkgolide B, including nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidases (NADPH oxidase), lectin-like oxidized LDL receptor-1 (LOX-1), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), platelet-activating factor (PAF), proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and others. Finally, we provide an overview and discussion of the therapeutic potential of ginkgolide B and highlight the future perspective of developing ginkgolide B as an effective therapeutic agent for treating atherosclerosis.