OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic effect of treating chronic urticaria with compound glycyrrhizin con-comitant with cetirizine.METHODS:A total of80patients with chronic urticaria were enrolled,the control group were ran-domly assigned to receive oral cetirizine tablet10mg/d for2weeks,and the treatment group to receive compound glycyrrhizin injection40ml/d and cetirizine10mg/d for2consecutive weeks,then the curative effects of the2groups were evaluated.RES_ ULTS:The total effective rates of the control group and the treatment group were65.0%and92.5%,respectively and there was significant difference between the2groups(P

Viral hepatitis is a major liver disease caused by virus infection .Viral hepatitis is popular in China , mainly caused by hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses .Experimental animal model is a necessary platform for the research on mechanism of viral infection and pathogenicity , for treatment and vaccine development .Up to date, a great progress in the development of viral hepatitis animal models has been achieved in spite of the most of findings are limited to hepatitis B and C.Here, we summarize the recent findings of viral hepatitis animal models , focusing on the tree shrew animal model and its modeling strategy .

OBJECTIVETo screen the hepatocyte proteins that interact with hepatitis B virus X protein (HBx).

METHODSThe recombinant plasmid pSos-HBx was constructed by inserting Sos-HBx fragment into the bait vector, and after sequence verification the plasmid was transformed into competent yeast cells. The expression and self-activation of Sos-HBx protein was detected in the yeast cells. The hepatocyte proteins interacting with the bait protein was screened with CytoTrap yeast two-hybrid technique.

RESULTSThe reconstructed plasmid harboring HBx gene expressed Sos-HBx protein in the yeast cells without self-activation of the protein. CytoTrap yeast two-hybrid system identified 6 hepatocyte proteins that interacted with HBx, including fibronectin 1, translationally controlled tumor protein, IQ motif and WD repeats 1, follistatin, orosomucoid 1, and disulfide isomerase family A member 3.

CONCLUSIONSix HBx-binding hepatocyte proteins have been identified using the CytoTrap yeast two-hybrid system, which provides clues for further investigation of the role of HBx protein in hepatitis and liver cancer.

Genetic Vectors ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs ; Proteins ; metabolism ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

BACKGROUNDDrug-resistance of tumor is the main reason of the failure of che-motherapy. Much attention has been paid to the expression of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) and its mechanism of drug-resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Results of this research will contribute to reversing drug-resistance and improving curative effect. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships between the expression of MRP and clinicopathological parameters and prognosis in patients with NSCLC.

METHODSExpression of MRP was detected in 62 cases of paraffin-embedded NSCLC samples by streptavidin-biotin-peroxidase complex immunohistochemistry method, as well as in 30 fresh cases of NSCLC samples and corresponding normal lung tissues by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

RESULTSMRP expression of NSCLC tissues was significantly higher than that of normal lung tissues. The survival time of patients with negative MRP expression was (69.81±17.41) months, and that of patients with positive MPR expression was (25.38±4.46) months (P=0.0156). This statistically significant relationship between the survival time and prognosis was also showed in squamous cell carcinoma patients (P=0.015), but not in adenocarcinoma. Multivariate COX model analysis suggested that the survival time was significantly related to lymphatic metastasis (P=0.038) and expression of MRP (P=0.035).

CONCLUSIONSMRP expression in NSCLC is significantly higher than that in the normal lung tissues. The mean survival time of patients with negative MRP expression is remarkably longer than that of patients with positive MRP expression. MRP expression may be an independent prognostic factor.

AIM:To establish and characterize the patient-derived esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma xeno-graft (PDECX) in mice.METHODS:The samples of human esophageal cancer were grafted into severe combined immu-nodeficient ( SCID) mice.The xenografts were transferred to SCID mice when the first passage of xenografts grew up .The growth of tumors in the first, second and third passages was observed .HE staining was performed.The expression of CK5/6, p63 and p40 in the patient samples , and the first and third passages of the xenografts were detected by immunohisto-chemical analysis.The expression of mTOR, p-mTOR, p70S6K, p-p70S6K, Akt1, p-Akt (Ser473), Erk1/2 and p-Erk1/2 were determined by Western blot .RESULTS:The PDECX was successfully established .The positive expression of CK5/6, p63 and p40 in the xenografts was consistent with that in the patients ’ samples.The levels of phosphorylated and total proteins of proliferation-related signaling pathways were different in the xenografts from different patients .CONCLU-SION:The PDECX model adequately reflects the tumal heterogeneity that is observed in the patients .

Objective To investigate the role of glucose transporter ( GLUT ) 2 and 4 in hyperuricemia-induced insulin resistance. Methods Male uric acid oxidase gene knock-out spontaneous hyperuricemia mice ( KO) and wild-type mice ( WT) were fed with high-fat diet to establish an insulin resistance model. Then, some of KO mice were treated with allopurinol for lowering uric acid. Uric acid, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and fasting insulin ( FINS) were detected. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test ( IPGTT ) and insulin tolerance test ( ITT ) were performed. Finally, the expression levels of Slc2a4 and Slc2a2 mRNA in tissues were determined by real-time PCR, while those of GLUT2 and GLUT4 proteins in tissues were analyzed by Western blot. Results There was no significant difference in FPG among various groups. The level of FINS in KO group was significantly higher than that in WT group [(0.636± 0.07) vs (0.456 ± 0.03) ng/ml, P<0.01], with decreased insulin sensitivity and impaired glucose tolerance. The uric acid level in the KO group remained at a high level [ ( 549. 68 ± 48. 7 ) vs ( 216. 61 ± 27. 5 )μmol/L] . After uric acid level in KO mice was reduced by allopurinol, insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism were improved. Compared with WT group, the expression levels of Slc2a4 and GLUT4 in the gastrocnemius muscle were decreased while the expression levels of Slc2a2 and GLTU2 in liver were increased in KO group, which were reversed by allopurinol-mediated uric acid reduction. Conclusion Uric acid may induce insulin resistance via decreasing Slc2a4/GLUT4 expressions in skeletal muscle, and increasing Slc2a2/GLTU2 expressions in liver.

BACKGROUNDTo study the expression of MGMT and its relationship with efficacy of chemotherapy and prognosis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

METHODSMGMT was detected in 128 NSCLC tissues and 10 normal pulmonary tissues by immunohistochemistry. According to the level of MGMT , 128 patients with NSCLC were divided into the group Mer- with negative MGMT expression and the group Mer+ with positive MGMT expression.

RESULTSMGMT positively expressed in 61 of 128 patients with NSCLC (47.66%), but none of normal group. No significant relationship was found among MGMT expression and TNM stages, lymph node metastasis and histological classification of the cancer. However, the mean survival periods and survival rates in group Mer- were significantly higher than those of group Mer+ (P < 0.01 , P < 0.05). In 45 evaluable patients, total response rates were 42.86% and 4.17% in Mer- and Mer+ patients respectively (P < 0.001); and there were remarkably longer mean survival periods and higher survival rates in Mer- patients than those in Mer+ patients (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSExpression of MGMT may be helpful to predict efficacy of chemotherapy and prognosis in patients with NSCLC.

Objective:To analyze the response of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with multiple and few symptoms to different inhalation drugs, including acute exacerbation and symptom changes.Methods:This study was a multi center, retrospective Cohort study. The subjects of this study were patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in stable stage in 12 hospitals in Hunan and Guangxi from December 2016 to February 2022. Demographics data, lung function, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment test questionnaire (CAT) score, modified British Medical Research Council dyspnea questionnaire (mMRC) score and inhalation drug scheme of patients were collected. According to the CAT and mMRC scores, patients were divided into a multi symptom group (CAT≥10 points or mMRC≥2 points) or a few symptom group (CAT<10 points and mMRC<1 point); Subsequently, they were divided into four subgroups based on the inhalation drug regimen: long-acting anticholinergic drugs (LAMA) group, long-acting β2-receptor agonists (LABA)+ inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) group, LABA+ LAMA group, and LABA+ LAMA+ ICS group. All patients were followed up for 1 year, with minimum clinical improvement (MCID) defined as a decrease of ≥2 points in the patient′s CAT score at 6 months, and clinical symptom deterioration (CSD) defined as an increase of ≥2 points in the patient′s CAT score at 6 months.Results:A total of 929 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were included, including 719(77.4%) with multiple symptoms and 210(22.6%) with few symptoms. There was no statistically significant difference in MCID, CSD, acute exacerbation, hospitalization frequency, and mortality rate among subgroups of asymptomatic COPD patients treated with different inhalation drug regimens (all P>0.05). Among patients with multiple symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, compared to those who use LAMA or LABA+ ICS, those who used LABA+ LAMA or LABA+ LAMA+ ICS were more likely to obtain MCID and had a more significant improvement in CAT scores, and the risk of acute exacerbation is lower (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Lesser symptomatic COPD patients should receive single drug LAMA as the initial inhalation treatment drug, while multi symptomatic COPD patients should receive LABA+ LAMA as the initial inhalation treatment drug.

Higher alcohols are one of the main by-products of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in brewing. High concentration of higher alcohols in alcoholic beverages easily causes headache, thirst and other symptoms after drinking. It is also the main reason for chronic drunkenness and difficulty in sobering up after intoxication. The main objective of this review is to present an overview of the flavor characteristics and metabolic pathways of higher alcohols as well as the application of mutagenesis breeding techniques in the regulation of higher alcohol metabolism in S. cerevisiae. In particular, we review the application of metabolic engineering technology in genetic modification of amino transferase, α-keto acid metabolism, acetate metabolism and carbon-nitrogen metabolism. Moreover, key challenges and future perspectives of realizing optimization of higher alcohols metabolism are discussed. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive understanding of metabolic regulation system of higher alcohols in S. cerevisiae and to provide insights into the rational development of the excellent industrial S. cerevisiae strains producing higher alcohols.
Alcoholic Beverages ; Alcohols/analysis* ; Fermentation ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism* ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE：To study the effects of berberine on mic e macrophage polarization based on TLR 4-MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway. METHODS ：Using mice RAW 264.7 macrophage as the object ，atorvastatin calcium as positive control ， inflammatory cell model was induced by lipopolysaccharide （LPS）；ELISA method was used to detect the contents of TNF-α，IL-6 and NF-κB in cell culture medium after treated with low，medium and high doses of berberine （5，10，20 μmol/L）for 24 h. The real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was conducted to determine the mRNA expression of TLR 4 and MyD 88 in cells. Western blotting assay was used to detect the protein expression of TLR 4，MyD88，iNOS and CD 206 in cells. RESULTS ：Compared with blank control group ，the contents of TNF-α，IL-6 and NF-κB in cell culture medium，mRNA expression of TLR 4 and MyD 88， protein expression of TLR 4，MyD88 and iNOS in cells were increased significantly in LPS induction group （P＜0.05）. Compared with LPS induction group ，the contents of TNF-α and IL-6，mRNA and protein expression of TLR 4 and MyD 88 in atorvastatin calcium group ，berberine medium-dose and high-dose groupsas well as the content of NF-κ B and protein expression of iNOS in administration groups were decreased significantly ， while the content of NF-κB in berberine high-dose group was significantly lower than atorvastatin calcium group （P＜0.05）. The protein expressions of CD206 in atorvastatin calcium group and berberine high-dose group were increased significantly ，while the protein expression of CD 206 in berberine high-dose group was significantly higher than atorvastatin calcium group （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ：Different doses of berberine can intervene in mice macrophage polarization to different extents ，the mechanism of which may be associated with the regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.