This study started from the effect of baicalin (BC), the main active component of the labiaceae plant Scutellaria baicalensis, on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats, to explore the mechanism of glucose metabolism reprogramming in fibroblast like synoviocytes (FLSs), a key effector cell of synovial inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). First of all, CIA rats and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-induced RASFs in vitro and in vivo models were established, the arthritis index (AI) score and histopathological changes of CIA rats after BC administration were observed, and the levels of inflammatory factors in serum and cell supernatant were quantified by ELISA, immunocytochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of G-protein-coupled receptor 81 (GPR81) and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) proteins. In addition, the kit was used to measure the levels of key products and enzyme activities in glucose metabolism reprogramming. The results showed that BC (50, 100 and 200 mg·kg^-1) could alleviate the symptoms of arthritis in CIA rats in a dose-dependent manner, inhibit synovial hyperplasia, alleviate the infiltration of inflammatory cells, down-regulate the levels of pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-1β, and up-regulate the levels of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 in CIA rats. At the same time, the secretion levels of lactate, pyruvate, acetyl-CoA, citrate and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase B (LDH-B) were decreased, and the expressions of GRP81 and PDK1 were down-regulated, suggesting that BC mediated the reprogramming process of glucose metabolism. However, when GPR81 inhibitor 3-OBA inhibited lactate uptake, the activity of LDH-B was significantly increased, suggesting that BC inhibited the expression of PDK1, a key enzyme in the reprogramming metabolism from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation. All animal experiments in this study were conducted in accordance with the ethical standards of the Laboratory Animal Care Center of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine (approval number: AHUCM-rats-2021049). These studies revealed that baicalin mediated metabolic reprogramming of RASFs from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation by inhibiting PDK1 protein expression, and alleviated joint inflammation in CIA rats.

Objective To explore dynamic response of serum lipids and relationship with body mass index(BMI)after fat meal in obese children and adolescents. Methods The subjects were 31 obese children and adolescents (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) and 30 controls (BMI

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of Chinese medicine of Wusheng Tincture for external application in treating cancer pain, and to observe its effect on the quality of life ( QOL) of cancer patients. Methods Eighty-three cancer pain patients were randomized into treatment group (N=42) and control group (N=41). Except 5 cases dropping out for the itch of skin, a total of 78 cases finished the treatment, 40 in the treatment and 38 in the control group. The patients were given the corresponding medicine according to the classification of numerical rating scale ( NRS) scores. In the control group, the patients were treated following the three-step analgestic ladder issued by World Health Organization ( WHO). The treatment group was given external application of Wusheng Tincture on the painful regions based on the same three-step analgestie ladder treatment as that of the control group, the treatment course lasting 7 days. The rating scale NRS scores and QOL scores were observed for the assessment of therapeutic effect and QOL of the two groups. Results (1) On medication day 7, NRS scores in both groups were decreased as compared with those one day before treatment (P<0.01), but the differences between the two groups were insignificant (P>0.05) . (2) The total effective rate of the treatment group was 82.5%, and that of the control group was 68.4%, the difference being significant between the two groups ( P<0.05) . For mild-pain patients, the therapeutic effect of the treatment group was better than that of the control group (P<0.05) . However, the difference of the therapeutic effect for patients with moderate and severe pain was insignificant between the two groups ( P>0.05) . ( 3) On medication day 7, QOL scores were much lower in both groups than those one day before medication, the difference being significant ( P<0.01) . However, the difference of QOL scores between the two groups was insignificant after medication (P>0.05) . Conclusion External application of Wusheng Tincture may have certain therapeutic effect in treating patients with mild cancer pain, but fails in enhancing the effect for patients with moderate and severe pain, either in improving the QOL of cancer pain patients when used together with WHO three-step analgestic ladder.

OBJECTIVETo study the characteristic of joint sounds from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) without symptom during mandible movement.

METHODSJoint sounds of 42 asymptomatic TMJ were recorded and analyzed with K6-I system during mandible movement, the waveform, frequency range, peak frequency and amplitude of joint sounds electrosonogram were studied.

RESULTSJoint sounds were recorded in 25 joints of the 42 joints, 4 kinds of joint sounds were found according to the waveform, frequency range, peak frequency and amplitude of the electrosonography.

CONCLUSIONSJoint sounds can be recorded in asymptomatic TMJ during mandible movement, 4 kinds of joints sounds were found according to the electrosonographic characteristics.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Sound ; Sound Spectrography ; Temporomandibular Joint ; physiopathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; classification ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

The paper, based on the previous publication as special impact of Chinese medicine theories on supramolcular chemistry, aims to analyze the natural origination for the Chinese medicine and to explain the special impact of "Qi chromatography" reaction on "imprinting templates" in supramolcular host of human being with Chinese medicine, in order to reveal the CM's properties of "medical element" with "imprinting templates" autonomisation generally took place in natural supramolecules, and also to discover that the CM's pharmacology are satisfied with its own approaches different form western pharmacology. It was decided, for CM's pharmacology guided by CM's theories, to "Qi chromatography" relations between the CM's ingredient groups and the meridian zang-fu viscera. The supramolcular chemistry played an all-through role in procession of making macro-regularities and special presentation on behavior of "Qi chromatography" impulse owning to the matching action of all kinds of ingredients on the meridian zang-fu viscera with similar "imprinting templates". The CM's pharmacology were guided by CM's theories, owing to its interpretation of supramolecular chemistry. The pharmacology was achieved to construct up completely on base of classical chemical single molecular bonds whereas the CM's pharmacology be configured to big building by way of "imprinting templates" as multi-weak bonds among "supramolecular society". CM's pharmacology was supramolcular pharmacology dealt with "molecular society" on the base of western pharmacology, and employed to double research approaches both math-physical quantitative representation on macroscope and qualitative analyses in microscope.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Meridians ; Molecular Imprinting ; Qi

AIMTo determine the molecular weight and first-order structure of somatostatin.

METHODSThe molecular weight of somatostatin was determined by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Somatostatin was deoxidized by 2-mercaptoethanol. A series of typical fragment ions of deoxidized product were obtained by insource collision-induced dissociation (CID).

RESULTSThe m/z of quasi-molecular ion [M + H]+ of somatostatin was 1,637.8 and [M + Na]+ was 1,659.5. The m/z of double-charge ion [M + 2H]2+ was 819.5 and [M + H + Na]2+ was 830.3. It showed that the molecular weight of somatostatin was 1,636.7. The y and b series of fragment ions of deoxidized product were obtained by adjusting the fragmentor voltage. It was determined that the first-order structure of deoxidized product of somatostatin was A-G-C-K-N-F-F-W-K-T-F-T-S-C.

CONCLUSIONThe molecular weight and first-order structure of somatostatin were confirmed.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Molecular Structure ; Molecular Weight ; Somatostatin ; analysis ; chemistry ; Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization ; methods

A new qualitative and quantitative analytical method of the chromatographic fingerprints: the Total Quantum Statistical Moment (TQSM) has been eluciated and established according to statistical moment principle. The study was carried out with model drugs as the alcohol extracted liquid for Radix et Rhizoma Rhei (AELRR) by HPLC under the chromatographic conditions that the column was C18, 4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm; the detection of wavelengths was set at 254 nm; a solution of acetonitrile: 1% acetic acid water (from 0:100 to 100:0) was carried with gradient elution as the mobile phase; the ratio of flow was 1 mL min(-1); the temperature was 40 degrees C. The coefficients were dealt with Excel document. It has been established the expressions that consists of four main parameters: 1) total quantum zero moment as AUC(T), area under curve; 2) total quantum respondent ratio as AUCPW(T), area under curve per weight; 3) total quantum center moment as MCRT(T), mean chromatographic retention time of total quantum, expressed by lambda(T); 4) total quantum variance as VCRT(T), variance of mean chromatographic retention time of total quantum, expressed by sigma2(T), by which we have obtained. The TQSM's parameters of the AELRR, such as AUC(T) as 3.273 x 10(8) microV s, AUCPW(T) as 2.286 x 10(6) microV s mg (-1), MCRT(T) as 33.50 min, VCRT(T) as 484.4 min2, and total quantum concentration as 143.2 mg mL(-1). The total quantum statistic moment can be characterized the curve of chromatographic fingerprints with expressive parameters above, also used to quantitative analyses by AUC(T), to qualitative analyses by AUCPW(T), MCR(T), and VCRT(T).
Anthraquinones ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Ecosystem ; Emodin ; analogs & derivatives ; analysis ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quantum Theory ; Rheum ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo determine the chroma value of sintered IL1-IL5 zirconia materials in comparison with the Vita In-Ceram YZ color shade.

METHODSFive types of shading dental zirconia ceramics with color gradient were prepared by adding Fe2O3, CeO2, and Bi2O3 to the zirconia powder, and their chroma values were determined using a spectrophotometer and the color difference was calculated.

RESULTSThe chroma value ranges were L: 67.76-77.78, a: -2.19-3.80, and b: 12.13-25.01. Slight deltaE was found between IL1 and LL1, IL2 and LL2, and IL3 and LL3. The deltaE between IL4 and LL4 could be compensated by veneering porcelain, whereas deltaL between IL5 and LL5 could not be compensated in this manner.

CONCLUSIONShading dental zirconia ceramics can be prepared by addition of metal oxides with color similar to the Vita In-Ceram YZ color shades to match that of the veneering porcelain in clinical practice.

Color ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Veneers ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; Prosthesis Coloring ; methods ; Spectrophotometry ; Zirconium

OBJECTIVETo investigate the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) function of the condylar hyperplasia patients after condylectomy.

METHODSTwelve patients with condylar hyperplasia were included in this study. Before and after condylectomy, they were examined and the Fricton' s Craniomandibular Index (CMI) was calculated to assess the functional disorder of TMJ.

RESULTS(1) The facial asymmetry was improved after condylectomy. The morphological symmetry of the bilateral condyle and ramus was displayed by X-ray examinations. There was new cortex formed on the surface of the operated condyle. (2) The TMJ function was improved in terms of Fricton's DI and CMI, which decreased from 0.131 and 0.066 to 0.042 and 0.021 respectively (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCondylectomy is an effective method to remedy facial asymmetry and, at the same time, improve the TMJ function of the condylar hyperplasia patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperostosis ; surgery ; Male ; Mandibular Condyle ; pathology ; surgery ; Orthopedic Procedures ; Temporomandibular Joint ; pathology ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; etiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish and assess the Caco-2 cell in vitro absorption model.

METHODSCaco-2 cells were cultured on the millipore filters fixed in Snapwell transport chamber. The cell morphology, transepithelial electrical resistance, mannitol efflux rate and alkaline phosphatase activities were monitored during culture.

RESULTSAfter 21 days of in vitro culture, formation of tight junction was observed between the cells. The transepithelial electrical resistance reach a relatively stable value of 620-/+47 Omega.cm(2), the mannitol efflux rate was lower than 0.3%.h(-1).cm(-2), and the alkaline phosphatase activity in the apical side was significantly higher than that in the basolateral side.

CONCLUSIONThe established Caco-2 cell model shows similar morphology to intestinal epithelial cells with formation of polarity, and can be used as an in vitro model for absorption studies.

Caco-2 Cells ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Intestinal Absorption ; Intestines ; cytology