Objective: To investigate hypertriglyceridemia and hepatomegaly caused by Schisandrae Sphenantherae Fructus (FSS) and Schisandra chinensis Fructus (FSC) oils in mice. Methods: Mice were orally administered a single dose of Schisandrae Fructus oils. Serum and hepatic triglyceride (TG), triglyceride transfer protein (TTP), apolipoprotein B48 (Apo B48), very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), alanine aminotransfease (ALT) and liver index were measured at 6-120 h post-dosing. Results: FSS and FSC oil caused time and dose-dependent increases in serum and hepatic TG levels, with maximum increases in the liver (by 297% and 340%) at 12 h post-dosing and serum (244% and 439%) at 24-h post-dosing, respectively. Schisandrae Fructus oil treatments also elevated the levels of serum TTP by 51% and 63%, Apo B48 by 152% and 425%, and VLDL by 67% and 38% in mice, respectively. FSS and FSC oil treatments also increased liver mass by 53% and 55% and HGF by 106% and 174%, but lowered serum ALT activity by 38% and 22%, respectively. Fenofibrate pre/ co-treatment attenuated the FSS and FSC oil-induced elevation in serum TG levels by 41% and 49% at 48 h post-dosing, respectively, but increased hepatic TG contents (by 38% and 33%, respectively) at 12 h post-dosing. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence to support the establishment of a novel mouse model of hypertriglyceridemia by oral administration of FSS oil (mainly increasing endogenous TG) and FSC oil (mainly elevating exogenous TG).

The Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) flaviviruses exhibit similar replicative processes but have distinct clinical outcomes. A systematic understanding of virus–host protein–pro-tein interaction networks can reveal cellular pathways critical to viral replication and disease patho-genesis. Here we employed three independent systems biology approaches toward this goal. First, protein array analysis of direct interactions between individual ZIKV/DENV viral proteins and 20,240 human proteins revealed multiple conserved cellular pathways and protein complexes, including proteasome complexes. Second, an RNAi screen of 10,415 druggable genes identified the host proteins required for ZIKV infection and uncovered that proteasome proteins were crucial in this process. Third, high-throughput screening of 6016 bioactive compounds for ZIKV inhibition yielded 134 effective compounds, including six proteasome inhibitors that suppress both ZIKV and DENV replication. Integrative analyses of these orthogonal datasets pinpoint proteasomes as crit-ical host machinery for ZIKV/DENV replication. Our study provides multi-omics datasets for fur-ther studies of flavivirus–host interactions, disease pathogenesis, and new drug targets.

BACKGROUND: Drug-coated balloons (DCBs) have emerged as potential alternatives to drug-eluting stents in specific lesion subsets for de novo coronary lesions. Quantitative flow ratio (QFR) is a method based on the three-dimensional quantitative coronary angiography and contrast flow velocity during coronary angiography (CAG), obviating the need for an invasive fractional flow reserve procedural. This study aimed to assess the serial angiographic changes of de novo lesions post-DCB therapy and further explore the cut-off values of lesion and vessel QFR, which predict vessel restenosis (diameter stenosis [DS] ≥50%) at mid-term follow-up. METHODS: The data of patients who underwent DCB therapy between January 2014 and December 2019 from the multicenter hospital were retrospectively collected for QFR analysis. From their QFR performances, which were analyzed by CAG images at follow-up, we divided them into two groups: group A, showing target vessel DS ≥50%, and group B, showing target vessel DS <50%. The median follow-up time was 287 days in group A and 227 days in group B. We compared the clinical characteristics, parameters during DCB therapy, and QFR performances, which were analyzed by CAG images between the two groups, in need to explore the cut-off value of lesion/vessel QFR which can predict vessel restenosis. Student's t test was used for the comparison of normally distributed continuous data, Mann-Whitney U test for the comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for the evaluation of QFR performance which can predict vessel restenosis (DS ≥50%) at mid-term follow-up using the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: A total of 112 patients with 112 target vessels were enrolled in this study. Group A had 41 patients, while group B had 71. Vessel QFR and lesion QFR were lower in group A than in group B post-DCB therapy, and the cut-off values of lesion QFR and vessel QFR in the ROC analysis to predict target vessel DS ≥50% post-DCB therapy were 0.905 (AUC, 0.741 [95% confidence interval, CI: 0.645, 0.837]; sensitivity, 0.817; specificity, 0.561; P < 0.001) and 0.890 (AUC, 0.796 [95% CI: 0.709, 0.882]; sensitivity, 0.746; specificity, 0.780; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The cut-off values of lesion QFR and vessel QFR can assist in predicting the angiographic changes post-DCB therapy. When lesion/vessel QFR values are <0.905/0.890 post-DCB therapy, a higher risk of vessel restenosis is potentially predicted at follow-up.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease/therapy* ; Coronary Restenosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fractional Flow Reserve, Myocardial ; Humans ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To study the value of unmethylated cytosine guanine dinucleotide oligodeoxynucleotide (DSP30) and IL-2 in the conventional cytogenetic (CA) detection of the chromosomal aberrations in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) . Methods: Bone marrow or peripheral blood cells of CLL patients were cultured with DSP30 plus IL-2 for 72 h, following which R-banding analysis was conducted. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was performed in 85 patients. CA results were compared with data obtained by FISH. Results: Among 89 CLL patients, the success rate of chromosome analysis was 94.38% (84/89) . Clonal aberrations were detected in 51 patients (51/84, 60.71%) . Of them, 27 (27/51, 52.94%) were complex karyotype. Among 85 CLL patients tested by FISH, chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 74 (74/85, 87.06%) patients, of which 2 (2/74) patients were complex karyotypes, accounting for 2.70%. Of the 85 CLL patients examined by FISH, 50 had abnormal karyotype analysis, 30 had normal karyotype, 5 failed to have chromosome analysis. Among them, 25 cases showed clonal aberrations by FISH assay but normal by CA, and 4 cases were normal by FISH but displayed aberrations in chromosome analysis, and totally 78 (91.76%) cases with abnormality detected by the combination of the two methods. The frequency of 13q- abnormality detected by FISH was significantly higher than that by CA analysis (69.41%vs 16.67%, P<0.001) , while the frequency of 11q-,+12 and 17p- detected by two methods showed no significant difference (P>0.05) . The detection rate of complex abnormalities in conventional karyotype analysis was higher than that in FISH (50.98%vs 2.70%) . In addition, 11 low-risk and 9 intermediate-risk patients according to FISH results showed complex karyotype by cytogenetics, and were classified into high-risk cytogenetic subgroup. Conclusion: DSP30 and IL-2 are effective in improving the detection rate of CA in CLL patients (60.71%) and CA is more effective to detect complex karyotype. However, FISH had a higher overall abnormality detection rate (87.06%) than CA, especially for 13q-. The combination of CA and FISH not only enhanced the detection rate of clonal aberrations to 91.76%, but also provided more precise prognosis stratification for CLL patients, thus to provide more information for clinical implication.
Chromosome Aberrations ; Cytogenetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Interleukin-2 ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell

ObjectiveTo study the influence of povidone-iodine (PI) versus that of the benzethonium chloride wipe (BCW) on semen collection and semen quality of sperm donors undergoing penile skin disinfection and provide some evidence for the selection of disinfection methods for semen collection.

METHODSWe used PI from August to December 2015 and BCWs from January to July 2016 for penile skin disinfection before semen collection, with two samples from each donor, one collected with and the other without penis skin disinfection (the blank control group). After semen collection, we conducted a questionnaire investigation on the influence of the two disinfection methods on semen collection and compared the semen parameters between the two groups of sperm donors.

RESULTSTotally, 185 sperm donors were included in this study, of whom 63 underwent penile skin disinfection with PI and the other 122 with BCWs before semen collection. Statistically significant differences were found between the PI and BCW groups in the adaptability to the disinfectant and rigid disinfection procedures (P <0.05), but not in the other items of the questionnaire (P >0.05). Compared with the sperm donors of the blank control group, those of the PI group showed statistically significant difference in the percentage of progressively motile sperm (PMS) (［63.02 ± 3.18］% vs ［61.45 ± 4.78］%, P<0.05), but not in the abstinence time (［4.97 ± 1.79］ vs ［4.7 ± 0.94］ d, P >0.05), semen volume (［4.11 ± 1.54］ vs ［4.15 ± 1.61］ ml, P >0.05), sperm concentration (［110 ± 29.6］ vs ［107.5 ± 31.79］ ×10⁶/ml, P >0.05), or total sperm count (［439.10 ± 170.13］ vs ［434.02 ± 186.91］ ×106/ejaculate, P >0.05), while those of the BCW group exhibited no remarkable difference in any of the above parameters (P >0.05). Among the samples with abnormal semen quality, significantly fewer were found with abnormal PMS in the BCW than in the PI group (1.64% ［2/122］ vs 9.68% ［6/62］, P <0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the PI and BCW groups in the abnormal semen volume, abnormal sperm concentration, or the rate of semen bacterial contamination (P >0.05).

CONCLUSIONSBefore semen collection from donors, penile skin disinfection with povidone-iodine may affect both the semen collection process and the quality of donor sperm, while the benzethonium chloride wipe can reduce the influence on the semen collection process and does not affect the semen parameters.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local ; administration & dosage ; Benzethonium ; administration & dosage ; Disinfection ; methods ; statistics & numerical data ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; Povidone-Iodine ; administration & dosage ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Skin ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Retrieval ; Spermatozoa ; Tissue Donors

Thirteen compounds were isolated from the 95% aqueous EtOH extract of the rhizomes of Sophora tonkinensis by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Sphadex LH-20, MCI, ODS, and semi-preparative HPLC.Their structures were elucidated as 1-(6,7-dihydro-5H-pyrrolo[1,2-a]imidazol-3-yl)ethanone(1), cyclo(Pro-Pro)(2), nicotinic acid(3), p-hydroxybenzonic acid(4), p-methoxybenzonic acid(5), 4-hydroxymethyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(6), coniferin(7), syringin(8),(-)-secoisolariciresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(9),(-)-syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(10),(-)-syringaresinol-4,4'-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(11),(-)-pinoresinol-4,4'-di-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(12), and(6S,9R)-roseoside(13) by their physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data.Compound 1 was a new naturalproduct, and compounds 2,5,6,9,10,12 and 13 were obtained from the Sophora genus for the first time.Compound 1 possessed moderate cytotoxic activity against A549 human tumor cell [IC₅₀（23.05 ± 0.46）μmol•L⁻¹].

OBJECTIVETo investigate the Effect of 2,3-butanedione monoxime (BDM) on calcium paradox-induced heart injury and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThirty-two adult male SD rats were randomized into 4 groups, namely the control group, BDM treatment control group, calcium paradox group, and BDM treatment group. Isolated Sprague Dawley male rat hearts underwent Langendorff perfusion and the left ventricular pressure (LVP) and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were monitored. Left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP) was calculated to evaluate the myocardial performance. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) content in the coronary flow was determined. Triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining was used to measure the infarct size, and myocardial cell apoptosis was tested with TUNEL method. Western blotting was used to determine the expression of cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome c.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, BDM at 20 mmol/L had no effect on cardiac performance, cell death, apoptotic index or the content of LDH, cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome c at the end of perfusion under control conditions (P>0.05). Calcium paradox treatment significantly decreased the cardiac function and the level of LVDP and induced a larger infarct size (P<0.01), an increased myocardial apoptosis index (P<0.01), and up-regulated expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome c (P<0.01). BDM (20 mmol/L) significantly attenuated these effects induced by calcium paradox, and markedly down-regulated the levels of LVEDP and LDH (P<0.01), lowered myocardial apoptosis index, decreased the content of cleaved caspase-3 and cytochrome c (P<0.01), increased LVDP, and reduced the infarct size (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONBDM suppresses cell apoptosis and contracture and improves heart function and cell survival in rat hearts exposed to calcium paradox, suggesting the value of BDM as an potential drug for myocardial ischemia reperfusion injur.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Calcium ; adverse effects ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; metabolism ; Diacetyl ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; In Vitro Techniques ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; metabolism ; Male ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo assess the diagnostic value of CT enterography in patients with Crohn's disease.

METHODSMulti-detector CT enterography and small bowel follow-through were performed in 30 patients with Crohn's disease. The locations and characteristics of the intestinal and extra-intestinal lesions detected by both two techniques were compared.

RESULTSSkip lesions were diagnosed in 16 patients (53.3%) by CT enterography and in 9 patients (30%) by small bowel follow-through (P = 0.039). Mucosal changes were detected in 29 patients (96.7%) by CT enterography and in 18 patients (60%) by small bowel follow-through (P = 0.001). Among 11 patients whose small bowel follow-through did not show abnormal mucosal changes, 8 patients underwent endoscopy, which showed superficial ulcer with or without mucosal congestion and edema in 5 patients, mucosal congestion and edema in 2 patients, and mucosal erosion in 1 patient. CT enterography and small bowel follow-through consistently depicted fistula in 3 patients and had no significant difference in diagnosing intestinal stenosis. CT enterography also exclusively detected abdominal abscess in one patient.

CONCLUSIONSCT enterography is superior to small bowel follow-through in diagnosing the disease location and characteristics of Crohn's disease; furthermore, it can detect more extra-intestinal lesions. CT enterography has potential to replace small bowel follow-through as the imaging examination of choice for patients with Crohn's disease.

Constriction, Pathologic ; Crohn Disease ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Intestine, Small ; diagnostic imaging ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To observe the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in the Guangxi Bai Ku Yao populations.Methods A toLal of 1170 subiects of Bai Ku Yao aged 15 and over were surveyed by a stratified randomized cluster sampling.Blood pressure,body height,weight,waist circumference,serum lipid and apolipoprotein levels were measured, and body mass index(BMI)were calculated,matched 1173 subjects of Han Chinese from the same region served as control.Results The standardized prevalence of hypertension in Bai Ku Yao was significantly lower than that in Han(11.53% vs.16.79%,P<0.01).The mean levels of systolic,diastolic blood pressure,and pulse pressure in Bai Ku Yao were also signifieanfly lower than those in Han[(115.7 ±16.3)vs.(120.0±16.3)mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),P<0.01;(74.1 ±9.4)vs.(75.9 ±10.4)mm Hg,P<0.01;and(41.6 ± 12.0)vs.(44.2 ±11.2)mm Hg,P<0.01;respectively].Hypertension was positively correlated with male,age,physical activity,BMI,waist circumference,and the intakes of total energy,total fat,and sodium,and negatively associated with education level in both ethnic groups(P<0.05-0.01),but was positively associated with alcohol consumption only in Han.The rates of awareness,treatment and control of hypertension were significantly lower in Bai Ku Yao than those in Han population[(11.81%vs.21.76%),P<0.05;(5.51%vs.12.95%),P<0.05;and(2.36%vs.8.29%),P<0.05;respectively].Conclusion The prevalence of hypertension was significantly lower in Bai Ku Yao population than in Han population and diet,low sodium inmke,life style,and genetic factors might be responsible for the lower hypertension prevalence in Bai Ku Yao population.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the imaging features and pathological manifestations of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs).

METHODSThe imaging characteristics and pathological manifestations of 26 surgically treated patients with histologically confirmed GISTs were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTSThe tumors were found to originate from the small bowel (n=10), stomach (n=8), colon (n=6), mesentery (n=1) and omentum (n=1). The imaging and pathological features of GISTs were (1) most of GISTs were well-defined and exophytic (n=19, 73.1% ), which usually compressed the adjacent tissues but no invasion. The tumor diameter ranged from 5.1 to 23.5 cm with a mean diameter of 11.6 +/- 5.9 cm, (2)most tumors had an inhomogenous density or signal intensity due to necrosis(n=21, 80.8%), hemorrhage (n=15, 57.7%) or calcification (n=3, 11.5%) within the tumor, (3) on the CT or MR images, heterogeneous enhancement pattern presented as peripheral or intra-tumor patchy enhancement was common (n=21, 80.8%). Furthermore, enhanced striped vessels were seen in 12 patients. However, homogenous enhancement pattern was rare (n=5, 19.2%), (4) the most common site where GIST metastasized to was the liver (n=7), followed by the peritoneum (n=4), but rarely to lymph nodes, (5) of these 26 patients, spindle-cell type was observed in 69.2% (n=18), epithelioid-cell type in 23.1% (n=6), and mixed cell type in 7.7% (n=2). Immunohistochemical studies showed positive CD117 expression in all of these 26 patients, but positive CD34 expression in only 22 patients.

CONCLUSIONGastrointestinal stromal tumor usually presents as a exophytic, well-defined large tumor, with internal striped vessels, necrosis or hemorrhage within. It usually metastasizes to the liver or the peritoneum but rarely to lymph nodes. Pathologically, most of gastrointestinal stromal tumors consist of spindle-cells, while a small portion of the tumors are composed of epithelioid-cells or mixed ones. Both CT and MRI play an important role in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antigens, CD34 ; metabolism ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; diagnostic imaging ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Immunohistochemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; metabolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed