Objective To determine the normal range of minimal erythema dose (MED) for ultraviolet A (UVA) and B (UVB) in volunteers from Urumqi region.Methods One hundred and twenty-seven volunteers including healthy subjects and patients with noninflammatory skin disorders were enrolled in this study.SUV-1000 type UV simulator was used as the light source to determine MED of UVA and UVB in these subjects.Results These subjects included 48 persons with Fitzpatrick skin type Ⅲ,79 with Fitzpatrick skin type Ⅳ,51 males and 76 females.The median MED value for UVA and UVB was 38.1 J/cm2 and 31.8 mJ/cm2 respectively in subjects with skin type Ⅲ,59.16 J/cm2 and 48.00 mJ/cm2 respectively in subjects with skin type Ⅳ.Significantly lower median MED values of UVA (both P ＜ 0.01) and UVB (both P ＜ 0.05) were observed in the male and female subjects with skin type Ⅲ compared with those with skin type Ⅳ.The male subjects showed a significantly higher median UVA-MED value (59.16 J/cm2 vs.41.10 J/cm2,P ＜ 0.05),but a similar UVB-MED value (39.60 mJ/cm2 vs.35.55 mJ/cm2,P ＞ 0.05) compared with the female subjects.No significant difference was observed in the median value of UVA-or UVB-MED in subjects with skin type Ⅲ or Ⅳ between Han and Uygur nationality (all P ＞ 0.05).Also,no correlation was found in the median value of UVA-or UVB-MED with age or duration of outdoor exposure in the male or female subjects (all P ＞ 0.05).The lower reference limit was 33.38 J/cm2 for UVA-MED and 27.90 mJ/cm2 for UVB-MED in the population in Urumqi region.Conclusion Skin phototype may be an important determinant of MED.

Objective:To investigate the analgesic time-effect characteristics and changes in concentrations of rabbit's hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and noradrenaline (NE) caused by buccal acupuncture in the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rabbits,and to reveal the analgesic central mechanism of buccal acupuncture,thereby providing a theoretical basis for the treatment of pain by buccal acupuncture.Methods:Forty rabbits were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a body acupuncture group,and a buccal acupuncture group,with 10 rabbits in each group.No model was established in the normal group,while equal dose of normal saline was injected at the matched site and time point;rabbits in other groups were subjected to the establishment of RA models using egg protein.From the 27th day of the experiment,rabbits in each group received the designated intervention.Rabbits in the normal group and the model group were fixed for 30 min every day using the same method as those in the other groups.In the acupuncture group,Dubi (ST 35) and Zusanli (ST 36) on bilateral hind limbs were selected.Perpendicular needling (using the needles with 0.25 mm in diameter and 25 mm in length) was performed with twirling manipulation for 15 s at intervals of 5 min.The needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was performed once a day.In the buccal acupuncture group,the knee point in the buccal acupuncture and needles with a diameter of 0.25 mm and a length of 15 mm were selected.Oblique needling was performed with twirling manipulation for 15 s at intervals of 5 min.The needles were retained for 30 min and acupuncture was performed once a day.The thermal pain thresholds at the 0,5,15,30,60,120 and 240 min after the 1st and 10th acupuncture therapy were measured with a PL-200 thermal-inducing pain meter.After the 10th acupuncture therapy,rabbit's hypothalamus was removed,and the 5-HT and NE concentrations in the hypothalamus at the peak point of the acupuncture pain threshold curve were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Results:The analgesic effect was obvious at 5 min after buccal acupuncture started,peaked at 30 min,and decreased to the lowest value at 240 min.Rabbits in the body acupuncture group began to show significant analgesic effect at 15 min,which was peaked at 30 min,and began to decline at 60 min.The pain threshold at 240 min was still higher than that at 0 min.Compared with the model group,the concentrations of hypothalamic 5-HT in the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group was significantly increased,and the between-group differences were statistically significant (both P＜0.05).The NE/5-HT ratios in hypothalamus in the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group were significantly lower than the ratio in the model group,and the differences were statistically significant (both P＜0.05);difference in the decrease was statistically significant between the buccal acupuncture group and the body acupuncture group (P＜0.05).Conclusion:The analgesic effect of buccal acupuncture shows an obvious time-dependent curve.It is characterized by rapid onset of pain relief,rapid increase and decline in pain threshold.5-HT and NE levels in rabbit's hypothalamus can be affected by buccal acupuncture,with increased 5-HT concentration and reduced NE/5-HT ratio.

AIMPulmonary hypertension is a common complication of congenital heart disease with a left-to right shunt. The mechanism of pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow is still not fully understood. Recent studies showed that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) could relax vascular smooth muscle cells. But the change of the system of H2S in pulmonary hypertension induced by high pulmonary blood flow was not reported. We studied the influence on expression of CSE mRNA and production of hydrogen sulfide in rat lung tissues by L-Arginine, in order to demonstrate a regulating role of nitric oxide (NO) in the regulation of cystathionine-gamma-lyase/hydrogen sulfide system (CSE/H2S).

METHODSThirty male SD rats were randomly divided into shunting group, shunting with L-Arginine group, and control group. Abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava shunting was produced in rats of the later group. Pulmonary artery mean pressure (mPAP) and the hypertrophy of right ventricle of each rat were analyzed. The expression of lung tissue CSE mRNA was measured using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization. The activity of CSE in lung tissue was measured according to chemical analysis.

RESULTSmPAP was significantly increased in shunted rats compared with normal control (P < 0.01), the expression of lung tissue CSE mRNA and the activity of CSE in lung tissue were decreased in shunt group (P < 0.01). However, L-arginine significantly attenuated pulmonary artery pressure, but augmented the expression of lung tissue CSE mRNA as well as the activity of CSE in lung tissue.

CONCLUSIONL-Arginine reverses the down-regulation of CSE/H2S system in high pulmonary blood flow-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Animals ; Arginine ; metabolism ; Cystathionine gamma-Lyase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; Lung ; blood supply ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate regulation function of anodonta glucan HBP-A on chondrocytes through Wnt pathway in vitro.

METHODSRat chondrocytes were cultured and differentiated induced with IL-1beta (10 ng/ml) in vitro. Chondrocytes were divided into five groups:IL-13 group,IL-1beta + IWP-2 (5 microM,Wnt pathway inhibitor) group, IL-1beta + HBP-A (0.3 mg/ml) group and IL-1beta + IWP-2 + HBP-A group. Wnt-3a, beta-catenin (24 h,48 h,72 h) and MMP-13(72 h) genes expression were detected by Rt-PCR, while beta-catenin, MMP-13, Sox-9 and coll-II (48 h) protein expression were measured by Western-blot.

RESULTSAfter induction of IL-1beta, gene expression of Wnt-3a, beta-catenin and MMP-13 were increased,so were the protein expression of beta-catenin and MMP-13. In contrast,protein expression of Sox-9 and Coll-II were declined. Following addition of HBP-A, Wnt-3a, beta-catenin and MMP-13 were shown as induction of IL-1beta, but protein expression of Sox-9 and Coll-II were upgraded. Combining HBP-A with IWP-2 led to the lowest level in Wnt-3a, beta-catenin gene and beta-catenin protein expression and highest expression of Sox-9 protein.

CONCLUSIONHBP-A could not only delay the differentiation of chondrocytes through downgrading the signal expression of Wnt/beta-catenin,but also adjust the expression of Wnt-3a, beta-catenin and Sox-9 when combinated with the Wnt inhibitor.

Animals ; Anodonta ; chemistry ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chondrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Glucans ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Rats ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; drug effects ; Wnt3A Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes of pulmonary surfactant (PS) in rats with acute lung injury(ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and to explore the effects of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on PS.

METHODSFourty- eight male rats were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8). They were control group, LPS group, LPS+ NaHS low, middle, high dose groups and LPS+ PPG group. Saline was administrated in Control group. LPS was administrated in LPS group. In LPS + NaHS low, middle, high dose groups or LPS + PPG group, sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) of different doses or DL-propargylglycine (PPG) were respectively administrated when the rats were administrated of LPS after 3 hours. All the rats were killed at 6 hours after administration of Saline or LPS. The morphological changes of alveolar epithelial type II cells (AEC-II) were respectively observed by transmission electron microscopes. The content of H2S in plasma and activity of cystathionine-gamma-lyase (CSE) in lung tissues were respectively detected. The contents of total protein (TP) and total phospholipids (TPL) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BLAF) were respectively measured. The pulmonary surfactant protein A (SP-A), surfactant protein B (SP-B) and surfactant protein-C (SP-C) mRNA expressions in lung tissues were analysed.

RESULTS(1) Compared with control group, the content of H2S in plasma, activity of CSE, content of TPL, and SP-A, SP-B and SP-C mRNA expressions were respectively decreased in LPS group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). But the content of TP was increased in LPS group (P < 0.01); (2) Compared with LPS group, the content of H2S, activity of CSE and SP-A mRNA expression were significantly increased in LPS + NaHS low, middle and high dose groups (P < 0.05). The SP-B mRNA expression and content of TPL were significantly increased in LPS + NaHS Middle and High dose groups (P < 0.05). The content of TP was decreased in LPS + NaHS High dose group (P < 0.05). The SP-C mRNA expression was not altered in LPS+ NaHS low, middle and high dose groups (P > 0.05); (3) Compared with LPS group, the content of H2S, activity of CSE, content of TPL, and SP-A, SP-B and SP-C mRNA expressions were respectively decreased, but content of TP was increased in LPS + PPG group (P < 0.05).

CONCUSIONThe decrease of PS is the important physiopathologic process of ALI induced by LPS. Exogenously applied H2S could attenuate the process of ALI that possibly because H2S could adjust the compose and secretion of PS.

Acute Lung Injury ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Animals ; Hydrogen Sulfide ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Male ; Pulmonary Surfactants ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of patients infected with novel coronavirus Omicron variant in Shanghai, as to provide a reference for epidemic prevention, clinical diagnosis, and treatment.Methods:Altogether 4 264 novel coronavirus Omicron variant-infected patients with positive results of nucleic acid admitted to Shanghai New International Expo Center N3 Mobile Cabin Hospital from April 2 to May 7, 2022, were included. The demographic and baseline clinical characteristics, treatment strategy, prognosis, and different factors affecting the length of hospital stay were analyzed.Results:A total of 4 264 novel coronavirus variant Omicron-infected cases were collected, including 3 111 cases (73.0%) asymptomatic infections and 1 153 cases (27.0%) mild infections. The overall median age was 45 (33, 55) years old with a range from 2 years old to 81 years old. The male to female ratio was 1.37∶1. Altogether 3 305 cases (77.5%) had been vaccinated, of which 3 166 cases completed more than 2 doses. The upper respiratory tract symptoms such as cough and expectoration were the most common clinical manifestations of these infected patients. During the course of the disease, patients with asymptomatic infection were mainly treated with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM, 55.1%) and clinical observation (36.8%), and those with mild infection were mainly treated with TCM (42.2%) or integrated Chinese and Western medicine (30.4%). All patients were cured and discharged. The overall median length of hospital stay and the negative conversion time of nucleic acid were 9 (6, 10) days and 8 (5, 9) days, respectively. Compared with the asymptomatic infected patients, the hospitalization duration and the nucleic acid negative conversion time of the mildly infected patients were slightly longer [days: 10 (8, 11) vs. 9 (5, 10); 8 (6, 10) vs. 7 (4, 9), both P < 0.001]. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the increasing age and mild infection were associated with longer hospitalization duration, and the treatment of TCM or integrated Chinese and Western medicine was associated with shortened length of hospital stay (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The current novel coronavirus Omicron variant epidemic in Shanghai mainly caused asymptomatic and mild infections. The young and middle-aged population had a relatively high infection rate. The upper respiratory tract symptoms such as cough and expectoration were the most common clinical symptoms. Elderly and confirmed patients had prolonged hospitalization duration, while for patients receiving TCM treatment, the hospitalization duration was shortened.

Objective:To investigate regulation function of anodonta glucan HBP-A on chondrocytes through Wnt path-way in vitro. Methods:Rat chondrocytes were cultured and differentiated induced with IL-1β (10 ng/ml) in vitro. Chondro-cytes were divided into five groups:IL-1βgroup,IL-1β+IWP-2 (5μM,Wnt pathway inhibitor) group,IL-1β+HBP-A (0.3 mg/ml) group and IL-1β+IWP-2+HBP-A group. Wnt-3a,β-catenin (24 h,48 h,72 h) and MMP-13(72 h) genes expres-sion were detected by Rt-PCR,whileβ-catenin,MMP-13,Sox-9 and coll-Ⅱ (48 h) protein expression were measured by Western-blot. Results:After induction of IL-1β,gene expression of Wnt-3a,β-catenin and MMP-13 were increased,so were the protein expression ofβ-catenin and MMP-13. In contrast,protein expression of Sox-9 and Coll-Ⅱwere declined. Follow-ing addition of HBP-A,Wnt-3a,β-catenin and MMP-13 were shown as induction of IL-1β,but protein expression of Sox-9 and Coll-Ⅱwere upgraded . Combining HBP-A with IWP-2 led to the lowest level in Wnt-3a ,β-catenin gene andβ-catenin protein expression and highest expression of Sox-9 protein. Conclusion:HBP-A could not only delay the differentiation of chondrocytes through downgrading the signal expression of Wnt/β-catenin,but also adjust the expression of Wnt-3a,β-catenin and Sox-9 when combinated with the Wnt inhibitor.

BACKGROUNDLarge animal models with toxin-mediated pancreatic damage have been used extensively in researches with respect to diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diabetic complications. The present study aimed to establish Chinese Guizhou minipig models with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes and characterize the animal models by analyzing inflammatory cytokine levels in aortic wall, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6).

METHODSTwenty-two male Chinese Guizhou minipigs (age, 4 to 6 months; weight, 20 kg to 30 kg) were divided into STZ-induced diabetic group (n = 12) and control group (n = 10). STZ (125 mg/kg) was administrated to induce hyperglycemia and afterwards insulin was used to control fasting blood glucose levels below 10 mmol/L. Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and one month after STZ administration and serum concentrations of alanine transaminase, asparagine transaminase, albumin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, lipids and white blood cell count were measured before and six months later. Animals in both groups were euthanized after six months and pancreas was examined immunohistochemically for islet beta cells. Aortic intima of diabetic minipigs and controls was analyzed for TNF-alpha level in tissue conditioned medium by Western blot. TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels in aortic intima were assayed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTSSignificant elevation in serum glucose levels was observed one month and six months after STZ induction (P < 0.001) and markedly increased OGTT values were noted, compared with baseline data. The normal pancreas had many irregular sized islets and small clusters of islet beta cells, while in pancreas of diabetic minipigs islet beta cells almost disappeared. No statistical difference was notified in serum concentrations of biochemical examinations before and six months after STZ induction. Western blot demonstrated dramatically increased TNF-alpha level in aotic intima conditioned medium, and significant elevation of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6 mRNA levels was revealed by RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study has established Chinese Guizhou minipig models with STZ-induced diabetes. Inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta and IL-6) significantly elevated in aortic intima of diabetic minipigs.

Animals ; Aorta ; chemistry ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; immunology ; pathology ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-1beta ; blood ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Male ; Pancreas ; pathology ; Streptozocin ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

Objective Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and tuberculosis (TB) are major public health and social issues worldwide. The long-term follow-up of COVID-19 with pulmonary TB (PTB) survivors after discharge is unclear. This study aimed to comprehensively describe clinical outcomes, including sequela and recurrence at 3, 12, and 24 months after discharge, among COVID-19 with PTB survivors. Methods From January 22, 2020 to May 6, 2022, with a follow-up by August 26, 2022, a prospective, multicenter follow-up study was conducted on COVID-19 with PTB survivors after discharge in 13hospitals from four provinces in China. Clinical outcomes, including sequela, recurrence of COVID-19, and PTB survivors, were collected via telephone and face-to-face interviews at 3, 12, and 24 months after discharge. Results Thirty-two COVID-19 with PTB survivors were included. The median age was 52 (45, 59) years, and 23 (71.9％) were men. Among them, nearly two-thirds (62.5％) of the survivors were moderate, three (9.4％) were severe, and more than half (59.4％) had at least one comorbidity (PTB excluded). The proportion of COVID-19 survivors with at least one sequela symptom decreased from 40.6％ at 3 months to 15.8％ at 24 months, with anxiety having a higher proportion over a follow-up. Cough and amnesia recovered at the 12-month follow-up, while anxiety, fatigue, and trouble sleeping remained after 24 months. Additionally, one (3.1％) case presented two recurrences of PTB and no re-positive COVID-19 during the follow-up period. Conclusion The proportion of long symptoms in COVID-19 with PTB survivors decreased over time, while nearly one in six still experience persistent symptoms with a higher proportion of anxiety. The recurrence of PTB and the psychological support of COVID-19 with PTB after discharge require more attention.

The present study investigated the mechanism of the Tibetan medicine Ershiwuwei Songshi Pills(ESP) against the liver injury induced by acetaminophen(APAP) in mice based on the kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap1)/nuclear transcription factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2) and Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) p65 signaling pathways. Kunming mice were randomly divided into a blank control group, a model group, an N-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) group, and high-(400 mg·kg~(-1)), medium-(200 mg·kg~(-1)), and low-dose(100 mg·kg~(-1)) ESP groups. After 14 days of continuous administration, except for those in the control group, the mice were intraperitoneally injected with 200 mg·kg~(-1) APAP. After 12 h, the serum and liver tissues of mice were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was performed on pathological sections of the liver, and the levels of aspartate aminotransferase(AST) and alanine aminotransferase(ALT) in the serum and the levels of glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), superoxide dismutase(SOD), catalase(CAT), myeloperoxidase(MPO), and total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) in liver tissue homogenate were detected to observe and analyze the protective effect of ESP on APAP-induced liver injury in mice. The serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β), and interleukin-6(IL-6) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The protein expression of Nrf2, Keap1, TLR4, and NF-κB p65 in the liver was determined by Western blot. Quantitative real-time was used to determine the mRNA expression of glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit(GCLC), glutamate-cysteine ligase regulatory subunit(GCLM), heme oxygenase-1(HO-1), and NAD(P)H dehydrogenase quinone 1(NQO-1) in the liver to explore the mechanism of ESP in improving APAP-induced liver damage in mice. As revealed by results, compared with the model group, the ESP groups showed improved liver pathological damage, decreased ALT and AST levels in the serum and MDA and MPO content in the liver, increased GSH, SOD, CAT, and T-AOC in the liver, reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels in the serum, down-regulated expression of Keap1 in the liver cytoplasm and NF-κB p65 in the liver nucleus, up-regulated expression of Nrf2 in the liver nucleus, insignificant change in TLR4 expression, and elevated relative mRNA expression levels of antioxidant genes GCLC, GCLM, HO-1, and NQO-1. ESP can reduce the oxidative damage and inflammation caused by APAP, and the mechanism may be related to the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway and the signal transduction factors on the TLR4/NF-κB p65 pathway.
Acetaminophen/toxicity* ; Animals ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Glutamate-Cysteine Ligase/pharmacology* ; Glutathione ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism* ; Liver ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Mice ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*