Astragalus polysaccharide has been widely used in food and medicinal industry owing to its health-promoting properties. In order to characterize better the relationship among molecular weight, structure-activity and activities, a simple method was used different concentration of ethanol including 30% (PW30), 50% (PW50), 70% (PW70), 75% (PW75), 80% (PW80) and 90% (PW90) to precipitate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight. As a result, PW90 showed smooth surface and the strongest antioxidant activity among these six fractions (P < 0.05). In conclusion, graded ethanol precipitation was a simple method to separate Astragalus polysaccharides into different molecular weight with different antioxidant activity fractions.
Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Xianxiong decoction on the mice with acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide.

METHODEighty female ICR mice were randomly divided into 8 groups: model group, Xianxiong decoction group, Daxianxiong decoction group, Xianxiong decoction group without Kansui Radix group, Xianxiong decoction group without Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Kansui Radix group, normal group and control group. Animals of each group, except normal group, were undertaken intraperitoneal injection and intranasal inhalation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on day 1, 2, 3 to establish acute lung injury (ALI) model. 30 min after modeling, 0.2 mL corresponding drugs were administrated to each mice, dexam ethasone and normal saline were given to the mice of control group and normal group respectively. White blood cell in blood, neutrophil percentage of blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) supernatant, the ratio of wet and dry lung tissue ( W/D), histopathological changes of lung tissue were estimated. Sixty ICR mice were randomly divided into normal, model, control, high, middle and low dose Xianxiong decoction groups and were modeled in the same way. ELISA was applied to detect the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF, PCR for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha mRNA in lung tissue, and Western blot for NF-kappaB and TNF-alpha. Half of 20 ICR mice were administrated with Xianxiong decoction of its maximum tolerant normal saline.

RESULTCompared with model group, the number of WBC in blood of Xianxiong decoction group mice decreased (P < 0.01), percentage of neutrophils in both blood and BALF decreased as well (P < 0.01, P < 0.05); it also significantly reduced the ratio of W/D (P < 0.01); and found the alveolar wall, the number of inflammatory cells infiltrating improved, compared with model group. Xianxiong decoction reduced the level of NF-kappaB, TNF-alpha and IL-6 in BALF (P < 0.01, P < 0.01, P < 0.05); its high and low dose groups only found TNF-alpha level declined. Five mice died 24 h after administration of Xianxiong decoction which indicated its toxicity when other influential factors were considered.

CONCLUSIONXianxiong decoction is effective on the ALI mice induced by LPS, but it is of toxicity at 3 g x mL(-1).

Acute Lung Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Animals ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Lipopolysaccharides ; adverse effects ; Lung ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To study the effect of TLR4 activation with LPS on BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts ( iMEFs).Methods The activation of TLR4/NF-κB signaling path-way was detected by ICC.iMEFs were treated with LPS,BAY11-7082,Adnovirus GFP and BMP9.The early osteo-genic differentiation capability of iMEFs was detected by ALP staining and quantitative assay .The later osteogenic differentiation capability was detected by alizarin red S staining .The expression of later osteogenic differentiation marker gene OCN and OPN were detected by PCR and Western blot .The change of p-Smad1/5/8 was detected by Western blot.The expression of Runx2 and Dlx5 were detected by PCR and Western blot .Results LPS can effec-tively stimulate TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway .TLR4 activation inhibited BMP 9-induced osteogenic differentiation . BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation related gene and Smad 1/5/8 signaling activation were inhibited by TLR4 activation .The inhibition effect was partly reversed by BAY 11-7082 ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusions TLR4 activation with LPS can inhibit BMP9-induced osteogenic differentiation of iMEFs cells via NF-κB signaling pathway .

Objective : To understand the relationship between sleep duration and low vision among primary and middle school students, so as to provide the reference for promoting eye health of primary and middle school students. Methods : Using stratified cluster sampling method, the students were selected from four primary schools, four junior high schools and three senior high schools in Dinghai, Putuo, Daishan and Shengsi of Zhoushan. The questionnaire for the influencing factors of myopia in the national monitoring and intervention project of common diseases and influencing factors among students in 2019 was used to collect their demography, video display terminal use, outdoor activity, parents'myopia and sleep duration. The multivariate logistic regression model was established to analyze the relationship between sleep duration and low vision among the students. Results : A total of 3 016 questionnaires were sent out, and 2 932 valid ones were returned. The effective rate was 97.21%. There were 1 537 ( 52.42% ) males and 1 395 females ( 47.58% ); 947 ( 32.30% ) primary school students and 1 985 ( 67.70% ) middle school students; 2 328 ( 79.40% ) students with low vision. There were 1 022 ( 34.85% ), 903 (30.80%), 697 ( 23.77% ) and 310 ( 10.57% ) students with the daily sleep duration of <8 hours, 8-<9 hours, 9-<10 hours and ≥10 hours, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of low vision was lower when the daily sleep duration of students was 8-<9 hours ( OR=0.735, 95%CI: 0.561-0.963 ) and 9-<10 hours ( OR=0.605, 95%CI: 0.446-0.825 ). Conclusion Adequate sleep duration is conducive to reduce the risk of low vision among primary and middle school students.

AIM: To explore the long-term efficacy of Q-factor guided laser epithelial keratomleusis ( LASEK ) for myopia and astigmatism with positive Q-factor.
METHODS: There were 158 eyes which were myopia and astigmatism with positive Q- factor taken in two groups randomly: 86 eyes accepted Q - factor guided LASEK as observation group and 72 eyes accepted routine LASEK as control group. The difference between the two groups about all data was similar. The uncorrected visual acuity ( UCVA ) and the best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) as well as diopter, ocular tension, corneal topography, Keratometry value K, aspherical factor Q, Higher-order aberrations ( HOA ) , corneal thickness by ultrasound and, contrast sensitivity ( CS ) , Haze were examined and compared before and after surgery. All the cased were followed up for 14d, 1, 3, 6, 12mo. And there were no statistical difference among the data before surgery.
RESULTS: After 12mo there were no statistical difference between the two groups about UCVA and BCVA. But the safety index of observation group was 1.10, that of control group was 1. 07. The validity index of observation group was 1. 06, that of control group was 0.99. The HOA of observation group was 0. 45±0. 17μm, and that of control group was 0. 72±0.25μm, there was statistically significant difference (t=-8. 193,P=0. 000). Q factor of observation group was 0. 41±0. 17, that of control group was 0. 77±0. 22, there was significant difference (t=11. 377,P = 0. 028). The contrast sensitivity of 3mo post surgery of patients in the observation group returned to the level of before surgery. But in the control group the contrast sensitivity of the patients did not returned until 6mo.
CONCLUSION:Q-factor guided LASEK for myopia and astigmatism with positive Q-factor is stable, safe and effective. The operation allow for reducing the high order aberrations, maintaining the most asphericity of cornea, saving more in corneal tissue, which cause faster recovery of contrast sensitivity, less haze and better visual quality.

Objective To explore the expression of c-Fos protein and character of mossy fiber sprouting(MFS) in hippocampus of rat with febrile seizures(FS).Methods Thirty-six 21-day-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into FS group,febrile control(FG) group and normal control(NG) group.FS was established by hyperthermal bath.Immune histochemistry and(Timm′s) staining were used to examine the expression of c-Fos protein in CA1 region and MFS in CA3 region of hippocampus.Results Excessive expression of c-Fos protein presented in the hippocampal CA1 region of FS group.The surface area percentage of c-Fos protein of FS group[(2.26?0.23)%] was higher than that of FG group[(1.08?0.19)%] and NG group[(0.71?0.14)%],there were significant difference between FS group and the other two groups(?~2=10.48 P

AIM:To investigate the effect of bone morphogenetic proteins 9 (BMP9) on the migration and in-vasion abilities of human lung squamous-cell carcinoma NCI-H520 cells and its mechanism.METHODS:The expression of BMP9 at mRNA and protein levels in the NCI-H520 cells and human bronchial epithelial ( HBE) cells was detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.The NCI-H520 cells were transfected with the recombinant adenovirus AdBMP9 and the expres-sion of BMP9 at mRNA and protein levels was validated by RT-PCR and Western blot.The migration and invasion abilities of the NCI-H520 cells were determined by wound-healing and Transwell assays.The mRNA and protein levels of the migra-tion-related factor matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot.The level of phospho-rylated Smad1/5 (p-Smad1/5) was detected by Western blot.Meanwhile, NCI-H520 cells were treated with BMP specific antagonist AdNoggin and AdBMP9.The level of p-Smad1/5 and the cell migration ability were measured by Western blot, wound-healing and Transwell assays.RESULTS:The expression of BMP9 at mRNA and protein levels was lower in NCI-H520 cells than that in HBE cells.After AdBMP9 was stably transfected into the NCI-H520 cells, the expression of BMP9 at mRNA and protein levels was significantly up-regulated, cell migration and invasion abilities were significantly de-creased, and the mRNA and protein levels of MMP2 were decreased.Meanwhile, the level of p-Smad1/5 was increased. Noggin reversed BMP9-caused the increase in p-Smad1/5 and the decrease in cell migration ability.CONCLUSION:O-ver-expression of BMP9 inhibits the migration and invasion abilities of lung squamous-cell carcinoma NCI-H520 cells.The activation of BMP-Smad signaling pathway may be involved in this inhibitory process.

Objective To investigate the life quality in infants with food allergy before and after treatment by using of Food Allergy Quality of Life Questionnaire - Parent Form(FAQLQ - PF). Methods The severity of eczema in 46 children with food allergy was determined by eczema area and severity index(EASI). The life quality of such infants was assessed by the FAQLQ - PF after 2 - months treatment. Results (1)Among the 50 subjects,46(92% )respon-ded to the tests;the average age was(4. 78 ± 1. 48)months. Twenty - nine(63. 04% )subjects had family history of allergic disease. Egg(73. 91% )was the most common allergen,followed by cow milk(43. 48% ),fish and shrimp (8. 70% ),and carrot(4. 35% ).(2)The scores of EASI,FAQLQ - PF in children with food allergy before treatment were 13. 20 ± 12. 86 and 2. 12 ± 1. 33,respectively,the scores after treatment declined(2. 02 ± 4. 40 and 1. 33 ± 1. 08, respectively),there was a statistical significance(t = 28. 070,4. 014,all P ﹤ 0. 05).(3)Compared with pre - treat-ment,the scores of emotional impact subscale and food anxiety subscale declined,from 2. 10 ± 1. 47 and 2. 63 ± 1. 83 to 1. 30 ± 1. 09 and 1. 68 ± 1. 37,respectively,and there were statistically significant differences(t = 5. 204,8. 818,all P ﹤ 0. 05).(4)There was a positive correlation between the EASI and FAQLQ - PF scores(ρ = 0. 205,P ﹤ 0. 05). Conclusions Food allergy adversely affects the quality of life in infants. The poor life quality is associated with more severe symptoms. The life quality in infants and parents can be improved by standardized treatment.

Objective To investigate the immunoregulatory effect and compare the different regula- tions of bone marrow mescnchymal stem cells(MSCs)derived from both lupus(NZBWF1/J)and normal(BALB/ c)mice on T lymphocytes in vitro.Methods MSCs from NZBWF1/J and BALB/c mice bone marrow were iso- lated and expanded,and identified by the surface phenotypes.CD3~+ T lymphocytes isolated by nylon wool columns were stimulated by phorbol myristate acetate(PMA)and co-cultured with or without the two strains of MSCs for 24 h.Intracellular eytokines of T cell,such as interferon(IFN)-?,interleukin(IL)-4,IL-12,IL-6, were analyzed by flow cytometry and quantification of transcription factors T-box expressed in T cells(T-bet) and GATA-binding protein 3(GATA-3)were detected by reverse transcriptase PCR(RT-PCR).T cell apop- tosis was assessed by flow cytometry using rhodamine123.Results The results showed that a decrease of CD3~+ T cell apoptosis was seen when NZBWF1/J MSCs or BALB/c MSCs were added to T cells stimulated by PMA(P＜0.05),and an increase of TH2 cytokines by NZBWF1/J MSCs and TH1 eytokines by BALB/c MSCs were observed in the CD3~+ T cells eo-cuhured with MSCs(P＜0.05).Conclusion It is suggested that the al- teration of T subsets caused by MSCs may interfere with the systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)development and normal MSCs may be effective in the improvement of SLE.NZBWF1/J MSCs have defective immunoregula- tory function when compared with MSCs from healthy mouse strains.

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of herb-partitioned spreading moxibustion at Baliao points plus climen for diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Methods: A total of 60 patients with DOR were randomized into a spreading moxibustion group and a Western medicine group by the random number table method, with 30 cases in each group. The Western medicine group was treated with climen, starting from the 5th day of the menstrual cycle for 21 d. The spreading moxibustion group was treated with herb-partitioned spreading moxibustion at Baliao points on the basis of the medication in the Western medicine group, 1 h per time, once a week. The treatment was performed for 1 month as one treatment course in both groups, for 3 courses in total. The serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E2) in the patients were measured before and after treatment. The peak systolic velocity (PSV) and resistance index (RI) were also detected. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptom score was evaluated. The clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment. Results: The total effective rate in the spreading moxibustion group was 93.3％, which was significantly higher than 80.0％ in the Western medicine group, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom scores, the serum FSH levels, FSH/LH ratios and RI in both groups decreased, and the intra-group differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). The serum E2 level and PSV increased compared with those in the same group before treatment, and the intra-group differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). After treatment, the TCM symptom score, the serum FSH level, FSH/LH ratio and RI in the spreading moxibustion group were lower than those in the Western medicine group, while the serum E2 level and PSV were higher than those in the Western medicine group, and the differences between the groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Herb-partitioned spreading moxibustion at Baliao points plus climen can produce valid therapeutic efficacy for DOR. It can improve the clinical symptoms, regulate serum hormone levels and increase ovarian blood perfusion, thus improving ovarian reserve function, producing more significant efficacy than climen alone.