AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an important regulator of cellular energy homeostasis. Recent studies demonstrated that AMPK is a novel signaling molecule modulating inflammatory responses and oxidative stress which are involved in inflammatory pulmonary diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary infectious diseases and pulmonary fibrosis. AMPK attenuates inflammatory lung injury by phosphorylating its downstream targets, such as sirtuin1 (SIRT1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha), p53 and forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a). This review summarized the relationship between AMPK and the development of inflammatory pulmonary diseases.

OBJECTIVE:To overcome the shortcoming of manual method,computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) system of prosthetic socket is applied to improve socket's quality and processing efficiency,which also reduces the demand of operator's knowledge and experience.METHODS:Prosthetic socket CAM system was discussed based on an advanced manufacture technology,and the hardware and software were designed.The advanced manufacture platform was composed of an industrial personal computer (IPC),a motion control card,four sets of Panasonic digital AC servo control system,four lead screw guides,two spindle motor of milling cutter,a transducer,two switching power supply,limit switch and proximity switch.The software of prosthetic socket CAM system mainly included three function modules:parameter setting,machine testing and beginning processing.Through adjusting command pulse's input and driver's coefficient,the motor worked at different speeds.RESULTS:The result of experiment demonstrated that maximum rotational speed restriction was applied to protect the motor,and the motor could work very smoothly without vibration in very low speed.It was suitable for manufacture prosthetic sockets,and could manufacture the high quality prosthetic socket to satisfy the requirements of amputee.CONCLUSION:Prosthetic socket CAM system based on the advanced manufacture platform can overcome the shortcoming of traditional manual method,ensure product quality,and reduce the cost.The protracted experience of certified prosthetist was incorporated into the design program to reduce the demand of manipulator's knowledge and experience,increase the one-time success rate of manufacture prosthetic sockets,and improve the quality uncertainty of sockets.It can change the backward production mode of designing,measuring,taking model,and modifying model which depends on handwork.

Objective To evaluate the predicting value of the marker of endothelial injury: plasma matrix metalloproteinase-9( MMP-9) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein( hsCRP) level on the progression of acute anterior circulating territory infarction progressing to malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (m-MCAI). Methods 90 patients with acute anterior circulating territory infarction, in which 46 patients progressed to m-MCAI, were collected and sampled consecutively. The plasma MMP-9 and hsCRP of all patients were determined by ELISA and immunotur-bidimetry,respectively,at admission. And the clinical characters and cranial CT features of the patients were analyzed. Results At admission,the plasma MMP-9 level in the patients with m-MCAI(242.0 ±58.0)ng/ml was significantly higher than that in the patients with non m-MCAI( 169.0 ± 50.0) ng/ml( P < 0. 01) ,the plasma hsCRP level in the patients with m-MCAI(6.25 ±1.2) ng/ml was significantly higher than that in the patients with non m-MCAI( 1.55 ± 0.9) mg/ml( P <0. 01).Conclusion The increased level of plasma MMP-9 and hsCRP could be predictors for the m-MCAI proceeding.

BACKGROUND:Chinese medicineTangbikang can improve nerve conduction velocity in diabetic rats, and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Insulin like growth factor-I is a key target in the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect ofTangbikangon the expression of insulin-like growth factor-I and its receptor protein and mRNA in the sciatic nerve of diabetic rat model. METHODS:The experimental diabetes melitus rat models were induced by feeding high fat forage and injection with streptozotocin. After model establishment, rats were givenTangbikang 4.18, 8.35, 16.7 mg/kg per day. This study set positive control methycobal, model and normal control groups. Intragastric administration was performed for 16 weeks. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Compared with the model group, blood glucose levels were similar in the methycobal group, but decreased in the high-doseTangbikang group (P < 0.01). Immunohistochemical staining and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR detection revealed that body mass, motor nerve conduction velocity, insulin like growth factor-I and its receptor protein and mRNA expressions were increased in the methycobal and high-dose Tangbikang groups (P< 0.05 orP < 0.01). Results indicated that Tangbikang can prevent and treat diabetic peripheral neuropathy by promoting insulin like growth factor-I and its receptor. Cite this article:Mu XH, Sun W, Qin LL, Wu LL, Li WL, Guo X, Zhang L, Liu TH.Effects of Tangbikang on insulin like growth factor-I and its receptor expression in sciatic nerves of diabetic rats. Zhongguo Zuzhi

The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of the adenosine derivative N6-(3-hydroxylaniline) adenosine (WS070117M1) on cigarette smoke plus LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in mice and its mechanism. COPD model was established by exposing male BALB/c mice to cigarette smoke and challenged with LPS inhalation. Supernatants of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were harvested and IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-β1 levels were measured by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunesorbent assay). The number of total white blood cells and neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was counted separately. Lung tissue was stained with Mayer 's hematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic examination. pAMPKa protein expression and distribution of lung tissue were analyzed by immunohistochemistry method. In vitro, levels of AMPKα phosphorylation in phorbol-12- myristate-13-acetate (PMA) differentiated THP-1 cells was detected by immunohistochemistry, IL-8 level in supernatants of cigarette smoke condensate stimulating PMA differentiated THP-1 cells was measured by ELISA. The results showed that WS070117M1 treatment significantly activated AMPKa in the lung tissue. It also resulted in down regulation of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TGF-β1 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and IL-8 level in cigarette smoke condensate stimulating PMA differentiated THP-1 cells. In addition, WS070117M1 could inhibit the recruitment of total white blood cells and neutrophils. These results suggest that WS070117M1 may alleviate the airway inflammation by activating AMPK in the lung tissue.

Diabetic cognitive dysfunction,a glucose metabolic disorder,is caused by metabolic,neurochemistrical,morphological,electrical physiological and behavioral changes featuring the disability of reasoning and learning,memory loss,inattention and hypophrenia.In recent years,more attention has been attached to the field of medicine.In this review,a progress of cognitive disorder was systematically explored over the pathogenesis and treatment of both TCM and western medicine,and investigated multi-targets and multiple methods of Chinese herbal researches at multiple stages for expanding the range of clinical application of TCM,enriching and developing the theory of TCM compatibility,and promoting the advantages of TCM syndrome differentiation.

Objective:To investigate the associations between serum uric acid levels during the third trimester of pregnancy and risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes.Methods:In this retrospective study, a cohort of 7 995 pregnant women who were hospitalized for childbirth from January 2014 to January 2019 were collected to compare pregnancy outcomes between subjects with or without hyperuricemia (HUA). A smooth curve analysis was used to evaluate the relationship between uric acid levels and preterm delivery, low birth weight and smaller than gestational age. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the interaction of the factors.Results:During the third trimester of pregnancy, the uric acid levels of about 10% pregnant women were over 420 μmol/L. In those with HUA, the median neonatal birth weight was 2 590 (1 790, 3 410) g, the probability of premature birth was 49.81%, and the incidence of small than gestational age was 20.41%. These were significantly different from the women without HUA (the median neonatal birth weight: 3300 (2850, 3640) g; the probability of premature birth 23.09%; the incidence of small than gestational age 6.55%, respectively) (All P<0.001). Maternal uric acid levels were negatively correlated with neonatal birth weight, and positively correlated with the risk of smaller than gestational age. It has a U-shaped association with the probability of premature birth, and the lowest probability of premature birth was at 200-400 μmol/L of the uric acid. Risks of low birth weight (adjusted β=-5.22, 95% CI-6.46—-3.99) and smaller than gestational age (adjusted OR=1.03, 95% CI 1.02-1.04) were increased in the function of uric acid levels. High uric acid, hypertension, oligoamnios and preeclampsia were important risk factors for the adverse pregnancy outcomes. The risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight enhanced when hyperuricemia combined with hypertension and preeclampsia. Conclusions:Serum uric acid level can be used as one of reliable markers for predicting adverse pregnancy outcomes, which might provide theoretical basis for clinical intervention in practice.

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Vam3 which is one of the dihydroxystilbene compounds on expressions of ICAM-1 in the lungs of OVA-induced asthmatic mice and the mechanisms of anti-airway inflammation. Balb/c mice were challenged with OVA inhalation. Lung tissues were stained with Mayer's hematoxylin and eosin for histopathologic examination. The expression of ICAM-1 in the lungs of mice was analyzed by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry method. The NF-kappaB activities were detected by NF-kappaB-luc reporter genetic transient transfection method. The activities of MMP-9 induced by LPS, TNF-alpha and PMA in THP-1 cells were determined by gelatin zymography method. The results showed that Vam3 could inhibit the expression of ICAM-1 in the OVA-induced mouse model. In addition, Vam3 could significantly suppress the activities of NF-kappaB in A549 cells and MMP-9 in THP-1 cells induced by LPS, TNF-alpha and PMA. These results suggested that Vam3 could alleviate the asthmatic inflammation by decreasing ICAM-1 expression in asthmatic mice, down regulating NF-kappaB and MMP-9 activities. Compound Vam3 showed inhibitory effects on inflammatory signal pathways involved in asthma.

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of glucose transporter (GLUT)-1 and insulin receptor (IR) alpha1 in osteoblast obtained from diabetic rats' mandibles.

METHODSThe expression of GLUT-1 and IR alpha1 of diabetic and control groups were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, Western blot and immunohistochemistry stain.

RESULTSThe mRNA expressions of GLUT-1 and IR alpha1 of diabetic group were significantly higher than control group (P<0.05). The protein expressions of GLUT-1 and IR alpha1 were similar to the mRNA expressions.

CONCLUSIONOsteoblasts obtained from diabetic rats' mandibles keep the adaptation changes to hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia, which may contribute to their dysfunction.

This study was aimed to explore the effect of Tang-Nai-Kang (TNK) on trans-differentiation of renal tubular epithelial cell in KKAy mice in order to discuss the possible mechanism. Fifty 12-week-old male KKAy mice were randomly divided into the model group, valsartan group, TNK high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose group, with 10 rats in each group. Ten C57BL/6J mice were used in the normal group. Rats in the model group and normal group were given 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Rats in other groups were given the corresponding drugs. After 8 weeks of gavage administration, kidneys of all mice were sampled and given Mosson and PAS dyeing. Expression distribution of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and E-cadherin in kidney tissues were observed under immunohistochemical staining. Expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) was measured by western blot. The results showed that compared with the normal group, the area of renal fibrosis in the model group was significantly increased (P < 0.01); the expression of α-SMA was stronger; and the expression of E-cadherin was weaker. Compared with the model group, the area of renal fibrosis in the valsartan group, TNK high-dose, middle-dose and low-dose groups were significantly decreased (P< 0.01); the expression of α-SMA was weaker (P< 0.01);and the expression of E-cadherin was obviously increased (P < 0.05). The TGF-β1 expression in the model group was significantly higher than that in the normal group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, the TGF-β1 expression in the valsartan group, TNK low-dose, middle-dose and high-dose groups were significantly lowered (P<0.01). And the TGF-β1 expression in the TNK high-dose group was even lower than that in the valsartan group. It was concluded that TNK was able to suppress the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cell, and lessen the renal tubule interstitial fibrosis, in order to protect the kidney.