Object To investigate the chemical constituents from the roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. Methods The constituents were isolated on normal and reversed silica gel column chromatography and their structures were identified by spectral evidence. Results A new oleanane-type triterpenoid saponin and twelve known compounds, including two triterpenoid saponins, two cumarins and eight flavonoids, were isolated. Conclusion The new compound was elucidated as 3-O-[β-D-(6-methyl) glucuronopyranosyl (1→2)-D-glucuronopyranosyl]-24-hydroxy-glabrolide on the basis of ESI-MS, 1HNMR,13CNMR, HMQC and HMBC spectral evidence.

Objective To type Streptococcus pneumoniae(S.pneumoniae) isolated from children, and provide scientific basis for the correct selection of S.pneumoniae vaccine.Methods 182 strains of S.pneumoniae were collected from Children's Hospital of Hebei Province in 2014, species of strains were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), types of strains were analyzed with multiplex PCR.Results PCR detection showed that cpsA gene amplification of 182 strains were all positive;multiplex PCR detection revealed that except 8 strains were not typed, the main types of the remaining 174 strains were 19 F (n=68, 37.36%), 19A(n=33, 18.13%), and 6A/6B (n=26,14.28%), the other types were 35B, 14, 6C/6D, 23F, 15B/15C, and so on.Conclusion The main types of 182 strains of S.pneumoniae are 19 F, 19A, and 6A/6B, which provide scientific basis for the correct selection of S.pneumoniae vaccine for this province.

Objective: To explore the neuroprotective effects of the Shaoyao Gancao decoction (SGD) against excitatory damage in PC12 cells and the role of the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway mediation by SGD in regulating γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-glutamate (Glu) homeostasis. Methods: N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) was used to establish a PC12 cell excitability injury model. To investigate the neuroprotective effect of SGD, a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine PC12 cell viability, Annexin V/Propidium Iodide (Annexin V/PI) double staining was used to determine PC12 cell apoptosis, and Ca2+ concentration was observed using laser confocal microscopy. GABA receptor agonists and antagonists were used to analyze the neuroprotective interactions between γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and NMDA receptors. Additionally, molecular biology techniques were used to determine mRNA and protein expression in the Src-NR2-nNOS pathway. We analyzed the correlations between the regulatory sites of GABA and NMDA interactions, excitatory neurotoxicity, and brain damage at the molecular level. Results: NMDA excitotoxic injury manifested as a significant decrease in cell activity, increased apoptosis and caspase-3 protein expression, and a significant increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Administration of SGD, a GABAA receptor agonist (muscimol), or a GABAB receptor agonist (baclofen) decreased intracellular Ca2+ concentrations, attenuated apoptosis, and reversed NMDA-induced upregulation of caspase-3, Src, NMDAR2A, NMDAR2B, and nNOS. Unexpectedly, a GABAA receptor antagonist (bicuculline) and a GABAB receptor antagonist (saclofen) failed to significantly increase excitatory neurotoxicity. Conclusions Taken together, these results not only provide an experimental basis for SGD administration in the clinical treatment of central nervous system injury diseases, but also suggest that the Src-NR2A-nNOS pathway may be a valuable target in excitotoxicity treatment.

Objective: To explore and validate the potential targets of Paeoniae Radix Alba (P. Radix, Bai Shao) in protecting against chemical liver injury through network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and in vitro cell experiments. Methods: Network pharmacology was used to identify the common potential targets of P. Radix and chemical liver injury. Molecular docking was used to fit the components, which were subsequently verified in vitro. A cell model of hepatic fibrosis was established by activating hepatic stellate cell (HSC)-LX2 cells with 10 ng/mL transforming growth factor-β1. The cells were exposed to different concentrations of total glucosides of paeony (TGP), the active substance of P. Radix, and then evaluated using the cell counting kit-8 assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blot. Results: Analysis through network pharmacology revealed 13 key compounds of P. Radix, and the potential targets for preventing chemical liver injury were IL-6, AKT serine/threonine kinase 1, jun proto-oncogene, heat shock protein 90 alpha family class A member 1 (HSP90AA1), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARG), PTGS2, and CASP3. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis indicated the involvement of response to drugs, membrane rafts, and peptide binding. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis revealed that the main pathways involved lipid and atherosclerosis and chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation. Paeoniflorin and albiflorin exhibited strong affinity for HSP90AA1, PTGS2, PPARG, and CASP3. Different concentrations of TGP can inhibit the expression of COL-Ⅰ, COL-Ⅲ, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-1β, HSP-90α, and PTGS2 while increasing the expression of PPAR-γ and CASP3 in activated HSC-LX2 cells. Conclusion P. Radix primarily can regulate targets such as HSP90AA1, PTGS2, PPARG, CASP3. TGP, the main active compound of P. Radix, protects against chemical liver injury by reducing the inflammatory response, activating apoptotic proteins, and promoting the apoptosis of activated HSCs.

Objective We aimed to investigate(i)the preventive and therapeutic effects of Huogu Muli Prescription(HGMLP),a Chinese medical compound consisting of epimedii folium,drynariae rhizoma,and ostreae concha,on postmenopausal osteoporosis(PMOP)rats and(ii)whether it exerts its effects by regulating the osteoclast-osteogenesis balance.Methods Forty-eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following six groups:(i)the sham-operated group,(ii)the model group,(iii)the Qianggu Capsule group,(iv)the calcium carbonate group,and(v,vi)the HGMLP low-dose and high-dose groups(n = 8 rats per group).After adaptive feeding,rats in all groups except the sham-operated group were treated with bilateral ovarian castration to establish the PMOP model.Each day,rats in the Qianggu Capsule group received 0.054 g/kg Qianggu Capsule suspension intragastrically,rats in the calcium carbonate group received 1.670 g/kg calcium carbonate suspension intragastrically,and rats in the HGMLP low-dose and high-dose groups received 0.188 g/kg and 0.375 g/kg HGMLP intragastrically.Rats in the sham-operated group and the model group received an equal volume of normal saline intragastrically.After 90 consecutive days,serum estradiol(E2),estrogen receptor α(ERα),procollagen typeⅠN propeptide(PINP),and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b(TRACP-5b)were detected by ELISA.Total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC),superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),and malondialdehyde(MDA)levels were measured by colorimetry.Bone mineral density(BMD),trabecular number(Tb.N),trabecular separation/spacing(Tb.Sp),trabecular thickness(Tb.Th),and structure model index(SMI)were measured by Micro-CT,and the microstructure of cancellous bone was observed.The expressions of osteoprotegerin(OPG),receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB(RANK),RANK ligand(RANKL),phosphorylation of forkhead box O3(FoxO3α),Wnt2,β-catenin,and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ(PPARγ)in rat femur tissue were detected by Western blotting.Results(i)The serum levels of E2 and ERα increased in the Qianggu Capsule group and HGMLP groups,compared with the model group(all P<0.05).(ii)Compared with the model group,the serum levels of PINP,TRACP-5b decreased and PINP/TRACP-5b increased in both the Qianggu Capsule group and HGMLP high-dose group(all P<0.05).(iii)The activities of T-AOC,AOD,and CAT in the Qianggu Capsule group and HGMLP groups were higher than those in the model group,while the content of MDA lower(all P<0.05).(iv)Compared with the model group,the femoral BMD,Tb.Th,and Tb.N increased in the Qianggu Capsule group and HGMLP groups,while the femoral Tb.Sp and SMI decreased(all P<0.05);the femoral BMD increased and the Tb.Sp decreased in the calcium carbonate group(all P<0.05).(v)The protein expressions of RANKL,RANK,FoxO3α,and PPARγ in the Qianggu Capsule group and HGMLP groups were lower than those in the model group,while the protein expressions of OPG,Wnt2,and β-catenin were higher(all P<0.05).Conclusion HGMLP can significantly increase estrogen levels,inhibit osteoclast differentiation,and inhibit bone resorption in the PMOP rats.It also alleviates oxidative stress,promotes osteogenic differentiation,inhibits lipogenic differentiation,improves bone formation,and recovers the balance between osteoclasts and osteoblasts,thus achieving prevention and treatment of PMOP.The potential mechanism of HGMLP may be related to regulation via the OPG/RANKL/RANK or FoxO3α/Wnt2/β-catenin/PPARγ pathways.

Objective We aimed to study the protective effect of total glucosides of paeony (TGP) on chemical liver injury with pattern of liver yin deficiency in rats and determine whether it exerts these effects through the phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway.Methods Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into the following four groups: (i) the blank group, (ii) the model group, (iii) the Yiguan Jian group, and (iv) the TGP group (10 rats per group). For 6 weeks, rats in all groups except for the blank group were injected intraperitoneally with 20％ carbon tetrachloride olive oil solution and were given thyroid tablets (30mg/kg) by gavage in order to establish the model of chemical liver injury with pattern of liver yin deficiency. During the modeling period, rats in the blank and model groups were gavaged daily with distilled water, while rats in the Yiguan Jian group and the TGP group were gavaged with 635mg/kg of Yiguan Jian decoction and 50mg/kg of TGP suspension, respectively. During the administration period, the body weight and rectal temperature of rats were measured every 2 weeks. After the administration, 24-hour food intake, 24-hour water intake, and moisture capacity in tongue surface were recorded. Serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) contents were measured by ELISA and the cAMP/cGMP ratio was calculated. Changes in the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alanine transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TBIL), and total bile acids (TBA) were detected using colorimetric method. Masson staining was performed to observe the degree of liver fibrosis and to calculate the relative collagen area. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were conducted to determine the PI3K, AKT, and mTOR mRNA and protein expression levels in rat liver.Results Compared with the blank group, rats in the model group had a lower body weight at weeks 2, 4, and 6, a higher rectal temperature at weeks 2, 4, and 6, and a higher 24-hour food intake; the cAMP level was elevated, the cGMP level was decreased, and the cAMP/cGMP ratio was elevated; the contents of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α were elevated, and the contents of IL-10 and IL-1Ra were decreased; ALT, AST, γ-GT, ALP, TBIL, and TBA levels were elevated; the percentage of collagen area in the liver was increased; and the mRNA and protein phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR were elevated ( P<0.05). Compared with the model group, rats in the TGP group showed a decrease in rectal temperature at weeks 2, 4, and 6, a decrease in 24-hour food intake and water intake, and an increase in the moisture capacity in tongue surface; rats in the Yiguan Jian and TGP groups showed a decrease in cAMP, an increase in cGMP, and a decrease in the cAMP/cGMP, the contents of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α were decreased and the content of IL-10 was increased, the percentage of collagen area in the liver was decreased; ALT, AST, γ-GT, ALP, and TBIL levels were decreased in the TGP group, and PI3K, AKT, and mTOR were downregulated at the mRNA and protein levels(P<0.05).Conclusion TGP has a good protective effect on chemical liver injury with pattern of liver yin deficiency in rats. TGP may regulate the balance of yin and yang by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, reducing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and increasing the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines.

AIM:This study is aimed to investigate the impact of 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone(HMF)on the proliferation,invasion,and migration of human colorectal cancer(CRC)cell lines(SW480 and HCT116)and preliminarily explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS:Human colorectal cancer cells(SW480 and HCT116)cultured in vitro were subjected to various concentrations of HMF(0,12.5,25 and 50 μmol/L)for 48 h.Proliferation levels were assessed using the CCK-8 assay,invasion abilities were examined via the Transwell assay,migra-tion rates were measured using the scratch assay,and oxidative stress levels were determined by the DCF-DA reactive oxy-genation assay.The mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)mRNA and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreduc-tase-1(NQO-1)were quantified using RT-qPCR.RESULTS:Treatment with varying concentrations of HMF resulted in a significant reduction in the proliferative capacity of SW480 and HCT116 cancer cells,as was indicated by CCK-8 experi-ments(P<0.05).Transwell assays demonstrated a pronounced attenuation in the invasive potential of SW480 and HCT116 following HMF treatment(P<0.05).Scratch assays highlighted a notable constraint on the migratory capabilities of SW480 and HCT116 after HMF treatment(P<0.05).DCF-DA staining revealed a substantial increase in reactive oxy-gen species(ROS)levels within SW480 and HCT116 cells after HMF treatment(P<0.05).Furthermore,RT-qPCR ex-periments elucidated that HMF markedly suppressed the mRNA expression of antioxidant genes HO-1 and NQO-1.CON-CLUSION:HMF induces oxidative stress response in SW480 and HCT116 cells,consequently inhibiting their prolifera-tion,invasion and migration.

Objective:To conduct periodic revalidation of the 15 items and 43 terms autoverification rules of blood analysis after 1 year of application, analyze the application suitability and make the rules improved.Methods:Track the results of 528 010 blood analysis samples of our hospital from August 1, 2019 to January 31, 2020, and analyze the pass rate and interception rate of autoverification; 600 specimens in total were selected randomly for microscope examination, including 300 specimens which touched autoverification rules (1 012 items of autoverification rules) and were intercepted by autoverification and 300 specimens which untouched autoverification rules and were released by autoverification. The abnormal characteristics and unacceptable Delta check of the specimens also need to be concerned at the same time.The false negative rate and false positive rate, true negative rate, true positive rate and pass correct rate of autoverification were verified and compared with the rate of the second phase verification when the autoverification rule was established. The false negative rate, false positive rate, true negative rate and true positive rate of the Delta check rule which 54 716 specimens touched were calculated and compared with the second phase verification rate when the autoverification rule was established.The results of microscopic examination were used as the gold standard for the calculation of the rates, and P<0.05 was considered as a significant difference. The false positive and true positive of 1 012 autoverification rules were analyzed item by item.The false positive and true positive of 108 specimens which touched blast cell autoverification rule were analyzed terms by terms. The mean TAT and median TAT of 528 010 specimens and 193 750 outpatient specimens were calculated respectively, and the report percentages of 528 010 samples that TAT<30, 30-60　and>60 min were calculated respectively. Analyze and evaluate the application suitability of autoverification rules to juge whether they meet the needs of doctors and laboratory. The design process and the rules and application process of autoverification were optimized and improved.Results:The autoverification pass rate was 63.06% (332 971/528 010), the interception rate was 36.94% (195 039/528 010). The false negative rate was 1.00% (1/600), the false positive rate was 12.67% (76/600), the true negative rate was 49% (294/600), the true positive rate was 37.33% (224/600), and the correct rate was 98% (294/300). The pass rate, true negative rate, true positive rate and correct rate of the periodic reverification group were higher than the second phase verification group, the false negative rate and false positive rate were lower than that the second phase verification group. The false negative rate and true positive rate of the Delta check of periodic verification group were lower than that the second phase verification group, the false positive rate and true negative rate were higher than the second phase verification group, there were significant differences in the comparition results. The mean TAT of 528 010 specimens was25 min, and the median TAT was 22 min. The mean TAT of 193 750 outpatient specimens was 23 min, and the median TAT was 20 min. The report percentages of 528 010 samples that TAT<30 min, 30 min-60 min and>60 min were 83.30% (439 819/528 010), 8.00% (42 250/528 010) and 8.70% (45 941/528 010), respectively.Conclusion:The results of periodic revalidation of autoverification after 1 years application show that the 15 items and 43 terms autoverification rules of blood analysis could meet requirements about the accuracy and efficiency of the laboratory, and have a good suitability for application.

An explicit illustration of pulmonary delivery processes (PDPs) was a prerequisite for the formulation design and optimization of carrier-based DPIs. However, the current evaluation approaches for DPIs could not provide precise investigation of each PDP separately, or the approaches merely used a simplified and idealized model. In the present study, a novel modular modified Sympatec HELOS (MMSH) was developed to fully investigate the mechanism of each PDP separately in real-time. An inhaler device, artificial throat and pre-separator were separately integrated with a Sympatec HELOS. The dispersion and fluidization, transportation, detachment and deposition processes of pulmonary delivery for model DPIs were explored under different flow rates. Moreover, time-sliced measurements were used to monitor the PDPs in real-time. The Next Generation Impactor (NGI) was applied to determine the aerosolization performance of the model DPIs. The release profiles of the drug particles, drug aggregations and carriers were obtained by MMSH in real-time. Each PDP of the DPIs was analyzed in detail. Moreover, a positive correlation was established between the total release amount of drug particles and the fine particle fraction (FPF) values ( = 0.9898). The innovative MMSH was successfully developed and was capable of illustrating the PDPs and the mechanism of carrier-based DPIs, providing a theoretical basis for the design and optimization of carrier-based DPIs.

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) had been widely used in lung diseases on account of direct pulmonary delivery, good drug stability and satisfactory patient compliance. However, an indistinct understanding of pulmonary delivery processes (PDPs) hindered the development of DPIs. Most current evaluation methods explored the PDPs with over-simplified models, leading to uncompleted investigations of the whole or partial PDPs. In the present research, an innovative modular process analysis platform (MPAP) was applied to investigate the detailed mechanisms of each PDP of DPIs with different carrier particle sizes (CPS). The MPAP was composed of a laser particle size analyzer, an inhaler device, an artificial throat and a pre-separator, to investigate the fluidization and dispersion, transportation, detachment and deposition process of DPIs. The release profiles of drug, drug aggregation and carrier were monitored in real-time. The influence of CPS on PDPs and corresponding mechanisms were explored. The powder properties of the carriers were investigated by the optical profiler and Freeman Technology four powder rheometer. The next generation impactor was employed to explore the aerosolization performance of DPIs. The novel MPAP was successfully applied in exploring the comprehensive mechanism of PDPs, which had enormous potential to be used to investigate and develop DPIs.