Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative disease. Its most significant pathological change is destruction of articular cartilage and the main clinical symptoms are pain and dysfunction of joints. Recent studies have shown that the expression of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) in chondrocytes can abnormally up-regulate or down-regulate and alter the activities of chondrocytes like their proliferation, migration and apoptosis, thus leading to the occurrence and development of osteoarthritis. Exosomes are extracellular vesicles with a diameter of 40-100 nm, which are secreted in intercellular fluid, act as medium of intercellular communication. They protect ncRNA, protein, lipid and other bioactive materials from enzymatic degradation by encapsulating them and transferring to sibling chondrocytes, due to their good tissue permeability. They can also improve communication between cells and regulate the activities of chondrocytes. Thus, exosomes behave like gene carriers. The ncRNA carried by exosomes can supplement or adsorb the abnormal ncRNA in chondrocytes, so as to regulate the activity of chondrocytes, and is therefore considered as a possible candidate with capabilities to repair cartilages. In this study we reviewed existing literatures related to the roles and effects of exosome miRNA, lncRNA and circRNA on osteoarthritis. We also reviewed the pathogenesis of exosome ncRNA in osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVETo establish a convenient and effective method for the identification of Gynostemma and Cayratia japonica.

METHODEight species, including Gynostemm pentaphyllum, G. pentagynum, G. cardiospermum, G. longipe, G. yixingense, G. laxiflorum, G. guangxiense and C. japonica were investigated through PCR - RFLP of six chloroplast DNA fragments. The six gene fragments were digested by six restriction endonuclease respectively, including Taq I, Hpa II, EcoR I, Rsa I, Hha I, Hind III.

RESULTSeven species of Gynostemma and their adulterant could be identified by trnK1f-trnK2r and Rsa.

CONCLUSIONPCR - RFLP provides a quick, reliable molecular marker technique for identification of Cynostemma and their adulterant Cayratia japonica.

DNA, Chloroplast ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Gynostemma ; classification ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; genetics ; Vitaceae ; classification ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effects of irbesartan against cardiac inflammation associated with diabetes and obesity in the db/db mouse model of type 2 diabetes and explore the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSTwenty- four 10-week-old diabetic db/db mice were equally randomized into irbesartan treatment (50 mg/kg per day) group and model group, using 12 nondiabetic littermates (db/+) as the controls, The mice were treated with irbesartan or saline vehicle for 16 consecutive weeks, after which the heart pathology was observed and the heart weight, body weight, and serum levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol(TC), and triglycerides(TG) were measured. The expression of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) p65 in the myocardium was assessed with immunohistochemistry, the protein levels of P-IκBα ,IκBα and β-actin were analyzed with Western blotting, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α mRNA were detected using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR).

RESULTSCompared with db/+ mice, the saline-treated db/db mice developed obesity, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia (P<0.01). Histopathological examination of the heart tissue revealed inflammatory cell infiltration, increased myocardial interstitium and disorders of myocardial fiber arrangement. The diabetic mice showed increased P-IαBα and decreased IκBα protein levels, enhanced activity and expression of NF-κB in the hearts, and increased mRNA expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in the myocardium. These abnormalities were all associated with increased inflammatory response. Treatment with irbesartan improved the heart architecture and attenuated high glucose-induced inflammation in the diabetic mice.

CONCLUSIONTreatment with irbesartan attenuates cardiac inflammation in type 2 diabetic db/db mice, and this effect was probably associated with the suppression of cardiac angiotensin II and NF-κB signaling pathway.

Actins ; metabolism ; Angiotensin II ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biphenyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; drug therapy ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Inflammation ; drug therapy ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Obesity ; complications ; Random Allocation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEEosinophilic airway inflammation is one of the basic characteristics of allergic asthma. Toll-like receptor is one of the most important innate immunity pattern recognition receptors. Glucocorticoids (GCS) are still the most effective treatment for asthma. However, few reports of studies on regulatory mechanism of GCS on the innate immunity system are available. The mechanism of effects of GCS on TLR4 is unclear. The present study aimed at understanding the effect of dexamethasone (DXM) on change of TLR4 and mechanism of regulatory effect of TLR4 on eosinophil (EOS) apoptosis.

METHODSTwenty-seven Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (age 28 to 42 days, body weight 120 to 180 gram) were randomly divided into the control group, asthma group and DXM group with 9 in each. Asthma model rats were sensitized with the mixture of ovalbumin (OVA, 1 mg) and Al (OH)(3), 100 mg on day 1 and day 8, repeatedly exposed to aerosolized OVA after day 15, once a day for three days and continued for 30 minutes at every time. During the sensitization stage, 100 microg/ml DXM were prepared with DXM group for every other day, and the same doses DXM were prepared for every day on the stage of challenge. The histopathological changes of lung tissues were observed with light microscope (LM). EOS and other inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were counted; the concentrations of OVA-sIgE in serum were measured by using "sandwich" ELISA; The expressions of TLR4 mRNA were determined by in situ hybridization, the apoptosis of EOS was detected by TUNEL.

RESULTS(1) LM showed many inflammatory cells infiltration around the bronchi and blood vessels, bronchus mucus increased, airway epithelium damage and desquamation, and airway mucous plugs in asthma group, whereas DXM group showed significantly milder changes. (2) Inflammationary cells count in BALF of asthma group was significantly higher as compared to control group (P < 0.01); compared with asthma group, the total cell count, EOS absolute count and EOS% were all significantly decreased in DXM group [(2.14 +/- 0.10) x 10(9)/L, (4.78 +/- 1.23) x 10(7)/L, (2.17 +/- 0.25)%]. (3) Levels of OVA-sIgE in serum of asthma group [(83.40 +/- 6.80) microg/ml] were significantly higher than those of the control group [(14.38 +/- 4.25) microg/ml] (P < 0.01), while those of DXM group [(45.02 +/- 7.47) microg/ml] were significantly lower than asthma group (P < 0.0 1). (4) There were no significant differences in TLR4 mRNA detected by in situ hybridization between control group (24.71 +/- 0.85) and asthma group (25.81 +/- 3.56) (P > 0.05); but it significantly increased in DXM group (29.86 +/- 3.92) as compared to asthma group. (5) The percentages of apoptotic EOS in asthma group [(7.39 +/- 1.93)%] were significantly lower than those in control group [(9.06 +/- 1.52)%] (P < 0.01); and significantly higher in DXM group [(13.33 +/- 1.09)%] than in asthma group (P < 0.01). There were significantly positive correlations between TLR4 mRNA and the percentage of apoptotic EOS (r = 0.612, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONDXM can decrease OVA-sIgE level, induce EOS apoptosis, which may correlate with the activation of TLR4 signal transduction.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Asthma ; chemically induced ; immunology ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Eosinophils ; immunology ; Glucocorticoids ; pharmacology ; Immunoglobulin E ; blood ; Lung ; pathology ; Ovalbumin ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; immunology ; metabolism

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of ultrasonography and CT in acute appendicitis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 279 patients who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and followed emergency surgery.Patients were divided into different subgroups based on postoperative pathological results and body mass index(BMI),and the pathological results were used as the gold standard to analyze whether there were differences in the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and CT examination for acute appendicitis.Results A total of 279 patients with confirmed acute appendicitis,with 64 cases of simple appendicitis,127 cases of suppurative appendicitis,and 88 cases of gangrenous appendicitis according to pathological classification.The diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography was 68.75%(44/64),73.22%(93/127),and 81.81%(72/88),respectively.The diagnostic accuracy of CT was 71.87%(46/64),82.67%(105/127),and 90.90%(80/88),respectively.There was no statistically significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two examinations(P>0.05).Subgroup analysis based on patient BMI showed that there was no difference in diagnostic accuracy of the two examinations for patients with normal BMI(P>0.05),while for overweight and obese patients,the diagnostic accuracy of CT was better than that of ultrasonography,with a statistical difference(P<0.05).Conclusion There is no difference in the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography and CT examinations for acute appendicitis of different pathological types.But for overweight and obese acute appendicitis patients,the diagnostic accuracy of CT examination is superior to ultrasonography.

Aim To develop an UPLC-MS/MS method to determine the concentration of lorcaserin hydrochloride in beagle plasma, and study the pharmacokinetics of osmotic pump controlled-release tablets of lorcaserin hydrochloride. Methods A randomized crossover design was used, carbamazepine as the internal standard(IS), and plasma protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The chromatographic was Phenomenex Polar C18 column(100 mm×2. 1 mm, 3 μm), and acetonitrile - water(containing 10 mmol·L-1 ammonium acetate and 0.1% formic acid)(40:60, V/V)was mobile phase. Multiple reaction monitoring mode and electrospray positive ionization were used to detect lorcaserin hydrochloride. The MS/MS ion transitions were monitored at m/z 196.2→129.2 for lorcaserin hydrochloride and m/z 237→194.1 for carbamazepine, respectively. Results The linear range was 1 to 500 μg·L-1(r=0.999 2), the extraction recovery rate ranged from 87.70% to 89.70%, the precision RSD was 9.7%. The accuracy and matrix effect met the requirements, and the stability of lorcaserin hydrochloride was good in -20 ℃ refrigerator for 45 d, repeated freezing and thawing for three times, placed at room temperature for 24 h, and the disposed samples placed in automatsampler for 6 h were stable. The main pharmacokinetic parameters of the controlled-release tablet and immediate-release tablet were as follows:Tmax was(8.00±1.27)h and(1.00±0.13)h, Cmax was(70.56±3.73)μg·L-1 and(176.33±16.73)μg·L-1, and AUC0-t was(966.33±7.56)μg·h·L-1 and(973.05±69.09)μg·h·L-1, respectively. Conclusions The established UPLC-MS/MS method can be used to study the pharmacokinetics of lorcaserin hydrochloride in the plasma of beagle dogs, and osmotic pump controlled-release tablets has sustained release effect.

OBJECTIVES: To establish the menstrual blood identification model based on Naïve Bayes and multivariate logistic regression methods by using specific mRNA markers in menstrual blood detection technology combined with statistical methods, and to quantitatively distinguish menstrual blood from other body fluids. METHODS: Body fluids including 86 menstrual blood, 48 peripheral blood, 48 vaginal secretions, 24 semen and 24 saliva samples were collected. RNA of the samples was extracted and cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription. Five menstrual blood-specific markers including members of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family MMP3, MMP7, MMP11, progestogens associated endometrial protein (PAEP) and stanniocalcin-1 (STC1) were amplified and analyzed by electrophoresis. The results were analyzed by Naïve Bayes and multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The accuracy of the classification model constructed was 88.37% by Naïve Bayes and 91.86% by multivariate logistic regression. In non-menstrual blood samples, the distinguishing accuracy of peripheral blood, saliva and semen was generally higher than 90%, while the distinguishing accuracy of vaginal secretions was lower, which were 16.67% and 33.33%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The mRNA detection technology combined with statistical methods can be used to establish a classification and discrimination model for menstrual blood, which can distignuish the menstrual blood and other body fluids, and quantitative description of analysis results, which has a certain application value in body fluid stain identification.
Female ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Bayes Theorem ; Logistic Models ; Menstruation ; Body Fluids ; Saliva ; Semen ; Forensic Genetics/methods*

As a typical human pathogenic fungus,

The patient was found to develop a migrating mass in the lower abdomen without any known cause in 2000, and the cause had not been identified following multiple diagnoses since then. The mass was found to migrate to the left anterior axillary regions on August 11, 2020. Then, three segments of incomplete white worms were resected through minimally invasive surgery, and metagenomic sequencing revealed sparganosis mansoni. After surgical resection of complete worms was performed on October 21, 2021, the case was cured and discharged from the hospital. Follow-up revealed satisfactory outcomes and no new mass was found throughout the body.

At present, the issues regarding multi-center clinical trials of new drugs of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) remain: the lack of agreement on the content and scope of the ethical review among the ethics committee members of the center and the participating units results in repeated review, which leads to a time-consuming ethical review process. Moreover, the review capabilities of the ethics committees of various research centers are uneven, which is not necessarily beneficial to the protection of subjects' rights and safety. In view of the existing problems, to improve the efficiency of ethical review of multi-center clinical trials of new drugs of TCM and avoid repeated reviews, the TCM Clinical Evaluation Professional Committee of Chinese Pharmaceutical Association organized experts to formulate the "Consensus on collaborative ethical review of multi-center clinical trials of new drugs of TCM(version 1.0)"(hereinafter referred to as "Consensus"). The "Consensus" is formulated in accordance with the requirements of relevant documents such as but not limited to "the opinions on deepening the reform of the evaluation and approval system to encourage the innovation of pharmaceutical medical devices", "the regulations of ethical review of biomedical research involving human subjects". The "Consensus" covers the scope of application, formulation principles, conditions for the ethics committee of the center, sharing of ethical review resources, scope and procedure of collaborative review, rights and obligations, etc. The aims of the "Consensus" is to preliminarily explore and establish a scientific and operable ethical review procedure. Additionally, on the basis of fully protecting the rights and interests of the subjects, a collaborative ethical review agreement needs to be signed to clarify the ethical review responsibilities of all parties, to avoid repeated review, and to improve the efficiency and quality of ethical review in multi-center clinical trials of new drugs of TCM.
Biomedical Research ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Consensus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Ethical Review ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Multicenter Studies as Topic ; Pharmaceutical Preparations