To investigate the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanism of the main flavonoid components of Silybum marianum (S. marianum) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), we identified nine flavonoids in S. marianum through TCMSP, PubChem database and corresponding literatures. The potential therapeutic targets of NAFLD were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction, GeneCards and Venny 2.1.0 platform, while the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of potential targets was analyzed using String platform and Cytoscape software. Then GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed using David 6.8 database, followed by molecular docking verification using AutoDock software. In vitro, components with higher degree value in the "components-targets-pathway" network were chosen for further analysis. L02 cells were used to establish lipid accumulation model and treated with different components. Furthermore, the effects of four pure active compounds from S. marianum on lipid accumulation in hepatocytes were analyzed by oil red O staining. The results showed that the main nine flavonoids extracted from S. marianum contained 24 potential NAFLD targets. Several critical pathways closely related to NAFLD process were identified by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis, including phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B (PI3K-Akt) pathway, type 2 diabetes pathway, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) pathway and insulin resistance pathway. The results of molecular docking further indicated that the core components displayed strong binding abilities with key targets respectively, and silandrin showed better binding activity as compared to other components. The results obtained from L02 cells showed that the lipid accumulation was reduced by treatment with isosilybin A, isosilybin B, silydianin and silychristin, while the activity of isosilybin B was better than that of isosilybin A. Taken together, we concluded that the main flavone components of S. marianum could improve lipid accumulation through multiple signaling pathway in hepatocytes, and this could be a potential new strategy for the treatment of NAFLD.

OBJECTIVETo analyze the secular changes of physical growth in 7-17 year old students of Zang-tribe in Tibet during 1965-2004, and to make suggestions for further improvement.

METHODSThe data collected by local government in 1965 and Chinese national survey on students' physical fitness and health in 1985, 1995 and 2004 were used to analyze and find out the differences from the students' stature, body weight, chest girth, and BMI in different years, and to compare the increasing rate per 10 years in different periods of time.

RESULTSLevels on stature, body weight and chest girth were increased significantly among 7-17 year-old students of Zang-tribe in Tibet during 1965-2004. From 1965 to 1985, the levels of stature and body weight were increased 11.4 cm and 5.0 kg respectively among male Zang-tribe students, 9.1 cm and 3.9 kg among the female. During 1985-2004, stature levels of Zang-tribe students was kept rising in much less extent, while average levels of body weight were reaching up remarkably, especially in 1995-2004, in which the average increasing rate per 10 years had achieved 14.8% and 13.4% among the male and female students aged 7-17 years old respectively. Levels of chest girth were increased rapidly in 1965-1985, showing a higher increasing rate in male students (2.7%) than in female students (1.9%). In 1985-2004, the increasing rates fell obviously both in male and female students, but there existed a higher rate in 1995-2004 than in 1995-1985, especially for females (4.0%). Upon the secular changes of stature and body weight, the levels of BMI were decreased in 1985 as comparing to those in 1965, then increased rapidly in 1985-2004, especially in 1995-2004, having an increasing rate up to 12.6% and 12.4% respectively in male and female students.

CONCLUSIONSecular changes on physical growth among 7-17 year-old students of Zang-tribe in Tibet were paralleled with the economic progress in 1965-2004, giving active effects by economic progress and nutrition improvements to the physical growth of children and adolescents.

Adolescent ; Body Height ; physiology ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; physiology ; Child ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Male ; Students ; statistics & numerical data ; Tibet

Abstract: Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of pathogens causing bloodstream infection in hematology patients during treatment and to compare the effects of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) on them, so as to provide evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infection. Methods A total of 292 cases with bloodstream infection in hematology wards of the PLA General Hospital were collected from 2017 to 2021, which were divided into HSCT group and N-HSCT group according to whether performed HSCT or not. The epidemiological characteristics and influence of pathogenic bacteria in blood stream infection were analyzed and compared between the two groups. Results A total of 362 strains of pathogenic bacteria were collected from 292 cases, including 106 strains in HSCT group (84 cases) and 256 strains in N-HSCT group (208 cases). Bloodstream infections were more common in acute myeloid leukemia (130/392, 44.52%), followed by non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (74/292, 25.34%). The rate of once bloodstream infection in HSCT group was higher than that in N-HSCT Group, but the rate of twice bloodstream infections in N-HSCT group was higher. Gram-negative Bacilli were the most common pathogens (56.08%), with Escherichia coli being absolutely dominant (109/362, 30.11%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (39/362, 10.77%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) (107/362, 29.56%) were the most common Gram-positive cocci. The detection rate of fungi in HSCT group (10/106, 9.43%) was significantly higher than that in N-HSCT Group (3.52%). The drug resistance rate of the common pathogenic bacteria was at a high level, and there was a certain proportion of multi-drug resistant strains (except for Pseudomonas aeruginosa). The resistance rates of CoNS to penicillin, gentamicin, moxifloxacin, clindamycin and rifampicin in HSCT group were higher than those in N-HSCT Group. The resistance rate of Escherichia coli to piperacillin/tazobactam, cephalosporins and etapenem in HSCT group was significantly higher than that in N-HSCT group. Conclusions The pathogens of blood stream infection in hematology patients are complicated and various. It is difficult for clinical diagnosis and treatment to detect multiple infections and multiple pathogens. HSCT patients have a higher risk of fungal bloodstream infection and more multi-drug resistant strains detected. Therefore, the identification of bloodstream infection and multi-drug resistant strains associated with HSCT patients should prompt surveillance.

Professor Cai Wanru believes that in the stable phase of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, "phlegm" and "stasis" are intertwined, with "phlegm" as the main component. Disease is manifested mostly in the lungs, spleen and kidney, and along with the duration of the disease, the patients are prone to "sputum", "stasis" and other pathological products, so that acute aggravating symptoms are often induced due to the transformation from "phlegm" to "stasis". The clinical manifestations are mainly the lack of righteousness, and various symptoms due to phlegm stagnation and blood stasis. Therefore, Professor Cai believes that the thought of "preventive treatment of disease" should be throughout the treatment of the disease. The thought is based on the principle of the relationships between the five internal organs. According to the characteristics of disease transmission, combined with the syndrome differentiation of physical constitution, the importance of strengthening the body resistance and nourishing the vigour was emphasized. In terms of the methods of treatment, methods such as nourishing the lungs and tonifying the spleen, warming the kidney and tonifying qi are often applied, so the prescription is flexible and the compatibility is rigorous. In terms of the control of symptoms and prevention of acute exacerbations, it has a significant effect. Therefore, the thought of "preventive treatment of disease" proposed by Professor Cai Wanru has a practical value in the clinical treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is worthy of promotion.

OBJECTIVETo observe blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading, as well as their correlation in Wilson's disease (WD) patients with different Chinese medical syndrome types.

METHODSTotally 906 WD patients in line with inclusive criteria were assigned to 6 groups, i.e., the heart spirit confused by phlegm group (HSCP, 26 cases), the phlegm-fire disturbing heart group (PFDH, 90 cases), the retention of damp-heat group (RDH, 113 cases), deficiency of qi and blood group (DQB, 168 cases), the deficiency of Gan-yin and Shen-yin group (DGYSY, 327 cases), the deficiency of Gan and Shen group (DGS, 182 cases) due to different Chinese medical syndrome types. Recruited were another 160 healthy subjects having similar ages and diet structures, who came for medical examinations, as the healthy control group. Venous blood was collected from the medial cubital vein of each-patient on an empty stomach in early mornings to detect blood uric acid levels. Results Blood uric acid levels were lower in each syndrome type group than in the healthy control group (146.08 +/- 67.24 micromol/L in the HSCP group; 157.08 +/- 69.77 micromol/L in the PFDH group; 162.58 +/- 97.72 micromol/L in the RDH group; 156.20 +/- 62.63 micromol/L in the DQB group; 161.83 +/- 111.23 micromol/L in the DGYSY group; 194.41 +/- 90.01 micromol/L in the DGS group; 242.39 +/- 87.55 micromol/L in the healthy control group, P < 0.01). Blood uric acid levels were higher in the DGYSY group than in the other 5 syndrome groups (P < 0.01). Correlation analyses between Goldstein grading and blood uric acid showed that, along with increased Goldstein grade (that was aggravating disease conditions), WD patients' blood uric acid levels decreased (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSWD patient's blood uric acid levels decreased more. Blood uric acid levels and Goldstein grading were different in various Chinese medical syndrome types. Blood uric acid levels had certain value in assessing the severity of WD.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Heart ; Hepatolenticular Degeneration ; blood ; classification ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Syndrome ; Uric Acid ; blood

OBJECTIVETo analyze the motor performance status in students of Han nationality in fifteen provinces in china.

METHODSTotally, 161 804 students of Han nationality aged from 7 to 18 years old were involved in the Chinese Surveillance on Students' Physical Fitness and Health in 2004. Motor abilities were accessed with the aid of gripping power, 50 m dash, standing long jump, and 1-min sit-ups. Based on general statistical description, principal component analysis and linear regression, the development characters of students' motor performance were explored.

RESULTSThis research showed some characters similar to those of last ones: motor capability was improved in correlation with age; boys did better than girls, the difference between 18 year-old rural boys and rural girls was 15.3 kg, -2.0 s, 58.6 cm, 8.7/min; the urban students performed better than the rural ones, the difference between 15 year-old urban boys and rural boys was 0.9 kg, -0.2 s, 3.5 cm, 3.5/min. The first principal component might represent the 4 tests greatly. Regression analysis on principal component quantitatively interpreted the influence of factors such as age, sex and area.

CONCLUSIONSThe general principles of exercise quality development of students are still in work. Principal component analysis should be adequate and convenient in motor performance analysis.

Adolescent ; Body Constitution ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Physical Education and Training ; Physical Fitness ; Population Surveillance ; methods ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Students ; statistics & numerical data ; Urban Population ; statistics & numerical data

OBJECTIVETo analyze the role of step-test on large sample surveillance in students' physical fitness and health.

METHODSTotally, 36 237 students aged 12-, 14- and 17-year-old from fifteen Chinese provinces taking part in the 2004th National Surveillance on Students' Physical Fitness and Health were enrolled in this study. All of them passed through the step-test, of which the indices were calculated in combining with the performance time and pulse rates in resuming period. The means of step-test index were analyzed among various youth groups, and compared with the obesity, overweight and the normal-weight subjects.

RESULTSAs compared with the general level of physical growth, the means of step-test index were found higher in rural groups than in urban ones, and higher in southern groups than in northern ones. The highest means of index was found in the rural groups in having the lowest socioeconomic status, and also the lowest means found in metropolis groups having the highest socioeconomic status. These gaps were due to the change of life style, absence of physical exercise and relatively to the high body weight of the high socioeconomic-level groups. Among the obesity, overweight and normal-weight youths, the means of step-test index was shown in a gradient decrease tendency, and those significant gaps might be found between the obesity and the overweight, and the overweight and the normal-weight groups, showing that there should be harmful influences of overweight and obesity on the youth's cardiovascular function.

CONCLUSIONAs a safe and easily-taken measure for cardiovascular function, the step-test should be useful in regularly measuring the national students' physical fitness and health status.

Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Exercise ; Exercise Test ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; prevention & control ; Physical Fitness ; Rural Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Students ; statistics & numerical data ; Urban Population ; statistics & numerical data ; Young Adult

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a newly developed immunosuppressor, widely used in allogeneic bone marrow transplant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active metabolite of MMF in vivo, on the maturation and immunologic function of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DC), and to explore the underlying mechanisms of MMF in graft versus host disease. Cultured DC were treated with MPA at doses of 0.01 and 0.1 micro mol/L. The immunophenotype of DC in control and treated groups was analyzed by flow cytometry. The capability of antigen presentation and the stimulatory activity of the DC on allogeneic T cells were tested by incorporation of (3)H-TdR and mixed lymphocyte reaction respectively. IL-12 production in culture supernatant and the levels of Th1/Th2 cytokines such as IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10 in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) supernatant were examined by ELISA assay. The results showed that DCs cultured in the presence of MPA expressed low levels of CD40, CD80 and CD86, and exhibited weak activity in stimulating the proliferation of allogeneic T cells and antigen presenting function with a concurrent reduction of IL-12 production. Allogeneic T cells stimulated by MPA-treated DC expressed higher levels of Th2 cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-10 but lower levels of Th1 cytokines such as IL-2 and IFN-gamma than those stimulated by DC without MPA treatment. It is concluded that MPA, and hence MMF, exerts a negative effect on the maturation and immunologic functions of DC in culture, and drives a shift of Th1 to Th2 cytokines in MLR.
Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; CD40 Antigens ; analysis ; Dendritic Cells ; drug effects ; immunology ; physiology ; Female ; Graft vs Host Disease ; prevention & control ; Immunosuppressive Agents ; pharmacology ; Interleukin-12 ; secretion ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mycophenolic Acid ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo compare the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of the different water extracts which were prepared by regular decoction time or removing volatie oil and ethanol extracts which were prepared in different concentration ethanol of Xixin (the roots and rhizomes of Asarum heterotropoides var. mandshuricum), and then to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive mechanisms.

METHODXylene-induced ICR mouse ear edema and hot plate test were utilized to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects of Xixin at different dose level (water extracts of regular decoction time or removing volatie oil at the dose of 0.8 g x kg(-1) and 1.6 g x kg(-1); 95% ethanol extracts at the dose of 0.91 g x kg(-1) and 1.82 g x kg(-1); 50% ethanol extracts at the dose of 0.76 g x kg(-1) and 1.52 g x kg(-1)). Xylene-induced adrenalectomized mouse ear edema model was used to study the anti-inflammatory mechanisms. To reveal the anti-nociceptive mechanisms, mice were pretreated with naloxone in the hot plate test.

RESULTThe water extracts significantly reduced the weight of ear edema as compared with control group. Inhibition ratios were 43.20% and 63.69% at the higher dose, respectively. The ethanol extracts also significantly reduced the weight of ear edema and the inhibition ratios were 61.86% and 52. 56% at the higher dose, respectively. Mice administered water extracts delayed the latency times in the hot plate test. The anti-nociceptive effects of water extracts peaked at 2.0 h after i.g. administration. The hot plate latency times were increased by 51.27%, 62.78%, 60.08% and 68.00% at peak time, respectively. Regular decoction time group showed more significant effects in both models. The anti-inflammatory effect of 95% ethanol extracts was similar to 50% ethanol extracts. The water extracts were not effective in reducing xylene-induced adrenalectomized mouse ear edema. The anti-nociceptive effect of water extracts was blocked by naloxone.

CONCLUSIONBoth the water extracts and ethanol extracts of Xixin showed considerable anti-inflammatory potency against xylene induced inflammation. The water extracts produced anti-nociception in thermal model. The water extracts prepared in regular decoction time showed better anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive effects. Both the 95% ethanol and 50% ethanol extracts showed similarly anti-inflammatory effects. The anti-inflammatory effect of water extracts related to adrenal gland. The anti-nociceptive effect of water extracts was involved in activating opioid receptor.

Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Asarum ; chemistry ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Water ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo observe calf thymus DNA damage induced by potassium dichromate in combination with glutathione (GSH).

METHODSAtomic force microscope and ultraviolet spectrum (UV) were used to observe the alterations of the DNA ultrastructure and absorption spectrum.

RESULTSAtomic force microscopy revealed no breaks of the DNA strand in response to treatment with potassium dichromate alone, but when coupled with GSH at proper concentrations, potassium dichromate induced alterations in the DNA structure and DNA fragmentation. UV examination also confirmed these findings by showing increased absorption intensity of the maximum UV peak following combined treatment of the DNA with potassium dichromate and GSH.

CONCLUSIONThese morphological and spectrographic evidences verified the important role of GSH in mediating the generation of various tumor-inducing intermediate products of potassium dichromate.

Animals ; Cattle ; DNA ; chemistry ; genetics ; DNA Damage ; DNA Fragmentation ; drug effects ; Glutathione ; toxicity ; Microscopy, Atomic Force ; methods ; Nucleic Acid Conformation ; drug effects ; Potassium Dichromate ; toxicity ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet