ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-paracrine substance on fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) rat, and to study the effect on liver function and hepatocyte proliferation. MethodsMesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)were separated from human umbilical cord, and surface makers of cells were detected by flow cytometry. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium(MSC-CM) was prepared. FHF rat model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine and they were randomly diveded into three groups: MSC-CM group, NS group, PHGF group. 24 h later, 1 ml MSC-CM, 1 ml 0. 9% NaCl solution and lml PHGF solution was injected into the tail vein of MSC-CM, NS, and PHGF rats, respectively. In each group (n=8 per group), blood samples were collected at 12, 24, 36, and 60 h after treatment from inner canthus for analysis of blood ALT and TBIL levels. We used five rats per group for tissue collection after sacrifice at 36 h after treatment and 10 animals per group for survival analysis. PCNA immunohistochemical staining was used in the sections of liver tissue to detect hepatocyte proliferation. Results24 h after treatment, the levels of ALT and TBIL in the MSC-CM and PHGF groups were lower than those in the NS group(P＜0. 05), but there was no significant difference between the MSC-CM and PHGF groups. There were more PCNA-positive hepatocytes in the MSC-CM and PHGF groups than in the NS group(P＜0.01), but there was no significant difference between MSC-CM and PHGF group. Survival analysis found that the survival rate of rats in the MSC-CM and PHGF groups was higher than that of rats in the NS group (P=0. 049), but there was no significant difference between the MSC-CM and PHGF group. ConclusionsThe paracrine substance of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can stimulate hepatocyte proliferation and improve liver function of FHF rats, potentially creating a new avenue for the treatment of FHF.

Objective To investigate the aerodynamic characteristics of vocal polyps and vocal nodules.Methods Aerodynamic parameters of 58 patients with vocal polyps or vocal nodules and 30 normal adults were measured by Aerophone Ⅱ Voice Function Analyzer.The mean airflow rate,intraoral pressure,glottal resistance,glottal efficiency were compared among different group.Results The mean airflow rate,glottal resistance and glottal efficiency of vocal polyps,vocal nodules and normal adult were 254.50±36.02 ml/s,33.55±4.63 cmH_2O/(L·S),2.46±1.49,177.45±25.93 ml/s,38.83±8.88 cmH_2O/(L·S),7.75±3.71,118.44±29.98 ml/s,53.04±8.64 cmH_2O/(L·S),9.17±3.87,respectively.The difference between them was significant(P＜0.01).The difference of intraoral pressure between vocal polyps (8.97±1.36 cmH_2O) and normal adult (6.24±0.99 cmH_2O) was significant (P＜0.01).The mean airflow rate,glottal resistance,glottal efficiency were significantly different between vocal polyps and vocal nodules(P＜0.01).Conclusion The degree of vocal fold adduct and the effciency of voice production in vocal polyps is worse than that of vocal nodules.The aerodynamic parameters can make quantifiable,objective assessment in voice function of vocal polyps and vocal nodules.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of nitric oxide (NO) on the survival of a random pattern skin flap.

METHODSCaudal based random skin flaps (9 cm x 3 cm) were raised on the back of Wistar rats. Six methods were used in the experiment to observe the effect of NO synthase inhibitor L-NAME and NO synthase substrate L-arginine on flaps: image analysis technology; light and electron microscopic studies; enzyme histochemistry of NOS in flaps; concentration of NO2-/NO3- in plasma and wet/dry ratio of the flap tissue.

RESULTSSurvival area of flap in the L-arginine-treated group significantly increased (67.06 +/- 5.65)% (p < 0.01) whereas the area in the L-NAME-treated group significantly decreased (35.17 +/- 1.87)% (p < 0.01) compared with the control group (53.25 +/- 3.24)% at seven days after the operation. General and microscopic observations showed that pathological changes in the L-arginine-treated group were fewer. Abundant capillaries and fewer inflammatory cells were noticed in the L-arginine-treated group. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) studies find endothelial swelling, thrombosis-formation and endothelial loss of contact with the basement membrane in the L-NAME treated group. Before operation, the serum NO concentrations were not significantly different in three groups (p > 0.05). After operation, NO concentration of the control group began to increase and reached to the top at the third day. L-Arg kept serum NO concentration in a higher level than the control. Enzyme histochemistry of NOS in flaps: microvessel intima in dermis, hair follicles, sweat glands and inflammatory cells showed oxford blue, more positive in flaps of the L-Arg treated group than the control group at the third day after operation. The flaps of L-NAME-treated group demonstrated negative or weak positive. Wet/dry ratio: twenty-four hours after flap elevation wet/dry weight ratios increased significantly in all regions of the flap of the L-arginine-treated rats compared with saline-treated rats. The ratios of the flaps of L-NAME-treated rats were reduced compared with saline-treated rats.

CONCLUSIONNO could improve microcirculation of the flap and increase its survival rates. The mechanism might be that NO could accelerate flap vascularization and protect flaps from ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Arginine ; pharmacology ; Dermatologic Surgical Procedures ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Female ; Graft Survival ; drug effects ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; pharmacology ; Nitrates ; blood ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Nitrites ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Skin ; enzymology ; ultrastructure ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; physiology

Objective To compare the relationship between the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) reagent and West‐ern blot(WB) confirmation reagent for analyzing the quality lever of human T‐cell lymphotropic virus(HTLV) detection reagent . Methods The WB confirmation reagent was used to detect anti‐HTLV antibody in 156 human serum samples of ELISA prelimina‐ry screening positive .The ELISA cut‐off value(optimal value) was selected by using the two‐graph receiver operating characteristics (TG‐ROC) analytical method .The two‐by‐two table analysis was constructed to analyze the consistency of results detected by the two methods ,moreover the McNemar test was used to evaluate the consistency of detection results .The quality level of HTLV de‐tection reagent was comprehensively evaluated .Results Among 156 serum samples of ELISA preliminary screening positive ,only 40 samples were positive by the WB confirmation ,and other 116 samples were negative .The sensitivity and specificity of ELISA de‐tection reagent obtained by TG‐ROC analysis were 97 .5% and 45 .7% respectively ,the TG‐ROC test also indicated that the detec‐tion results had significant difference between ELISA and WB(P<0 .05) .By adjusting the cut‐off value ,the sensitivity and specific‐ity of ELISA were increased to 88 .8% (parametric method) .In the comparison of the parametric method and the non‐parametric method ,the obtained areas under the curve(AUC) was 0 .923 5(parametric method) ,their results were basically consistent .Conclu‐sion Although above results indicate that the detection results of ELISA reagent are different from those of WB ,but adjusting the cut off value can increase its sensitivity and specificity ,thus increases the reliability of diagnosis result .

Objective:To screen the neutralizing epitope of enterovirus 71 (EV71) and determine the specific minimum amino acid sequence that triggers immunity for providing a theoretical basis for the development of synthetic peptide vaccines.Methods:EV71 neutralizing antibody-specific binding clones were panned and sequenced using a phage display random 12-peptide library to obtain the key sequences of neutralizing epitopes. A series of peptides containing the key sequences with N-terminal acetylation (AC) and C-terminal linking to Keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) were synthesized. Serum samples were collected after immunizing mice with the modified peptides. Then the immunogenicity of the peptides and the neutralizing activity of serum samples were analyzed by Western blot, ELISA and neutralization test.Results:After three rounds of panning, cloning and sequencing, KQEKDL was identified as the key motif. The serum samples collected from the mice immunized with the modified series of peptides containing key motifs had different degrees of binding ability to EV71 and VP1 protein. The serum samples of mice immunized the synthetic peptide containing only the minimum key motif (AC-KQEKDL-KLH) had the strongest response to the other three peptides and EV71 and the highest neutralizing titer.Conclusions:The EV71 neutralizing epitope was successfully screened using the phage display random peptide library. The key motif of KQEKDL might be the specific minimum amino acid sequence that triggered the immune system. This study provides a theoretical basis for better understanding the immune response mechanism, evaluating the immunogenicity of the antigens and further research and development of polypeptide vaccines.

Objective: To evaluate whether simultaneous vaccination with live attenuated polio vaccine affects the immunogenicity of live attenuated rotavirus (RV) vaccine. Methods: Rotarix produced by GlaxoSmithKline was used as the research object. Two doses of Rotarix were orally administered on day 0 and month 1, and oral live attenuated polio vaccine (OPV) was administered on day 0, month 1 and month 2 according to the national vaccination plan. Healthy infants aged 6 to 16 weeks were randomly divided into two groups: interval vaccination group (Rotarix and OPV were vaccinated on different days) and simultaneous vaccination group (Rotarix and OPV were vaccinated on the same day). Serum samples were collected on day 0, month 2 and month 12, and serum RV-IgA was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate whether there were statistical differences in the seroconversion rate and level distribution of RV-IgA between the two groups. Results: The seroconversion rate of serum RV-IgA in month 2 was 73.84% in the interval vaccination and 63.95% in the simultaneous vaccination group, and the difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.05). The geometric mean concentrations (GMC) of RV-IgA were 97 EU/ml and 90 EU/ml, respectively (P>0.05). Compared with the simultaneous vaccination group, the seroconversion rate and GMC of serum RV-IgA in month 12 were higher in the interval vaccination group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions Simultaneous vaccination with live attenuated polio vaccine would affect the immune response of live attenuated rotavirus vaccine, especially the maintenance of RV-IgA antibody level.

Objective To isolate endophytic fungi from Angelica sinensis and evaluate the bioactivity of their secondary metabolites.Methods Angelica sinensis and rhizosphere soil were utilized as materials.The tissue homogenization method was employed with six diverse culture media to isolate endophytic fungi.The antibacterial activity of secondary metabolites was gauged using a 96-well plate assay,while UV spectrophotometry was used to evaluate the inhibitory activity of four enzymes.Results A total of 153 fungal strains were isolated and purified from Angelica sinensis roots,stems,leaves,and soil.The samples exhibited specific inhibitory activities against adenosine deaminase(ADA),β-lactamase,xanthine oxidase(XO),and tyrosinase(TYR),with rates of 45.83%,52.78%,51.39%and 55.56%,respectively.Furthermore,1.39%of the samples displayed wide-ranging inhibitory effects against four indicator bacteria.Strain 6B also showcased the lowest inhibitory concentration values of 62.5 and 7.81 μg/mL against Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and ATCC35218,respectively,signifying its potential research significance.Conclusion Angelica sinensis has abundant endophytic fungal resources and is a good source for discovering active compounds,demonstrating certain research value.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of water extract of Mori Folium （MLE） on oxidative stress in adipose tissue of type 2 diabetes mellitus （T2DM） mice and explore its mechanism. MethodTwenty-four male db/db mice were randomly divided into model group， metformin group， low-dose MLE （MLE-L） group， and high-dose MLE （MLE-H） group according to their body weight and blood glucose， with six mice in each group， and other six C57BLKS/JGpt wild littermate mice were selected as normal group. The mice in the metformin group were given 200 mg·kg^-1 metformin suspension， and the mice in the MLE-L and MLE-H groups were respectively given 2 g·kg^-1 and 4 g·kg^-1 MLE， while the mice in the normal group and model group were given the same dose of deionized water by daily gavage for eight weeks. Body weight， subcutaneous fat index， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， and oral glucose tolerance level （OGTT） of the mice were detected， and serum superoxide dismutase （SOD）， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） were measured. The expression levels of silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1） and NADPH oxidase type 4 （NOX4） protein in subcutaneous adipose tissue of the mice were detected by Western blot. ResultThe FBG level， OGTT， and subcutaneous fat index of T2DM mice were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01） after administration of MLE compared with the blank group. The contents of serum SOD and GSH were significantly increased， while the level of oxidative stress damage marker MDA was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of SIRT1 protein in adipose tissue was significantly increased， while the expression of NOX4 protein was significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLE can ameliorate T2DM by alleviating oxidative stress in adipose tissue of T2DM mice and reducing blood glucose.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effects of Mori Folium extract （MLE） on the kidney of db/db diabetic mice and its mechanism. MethodTwenty-four male C57BLKS/JGpt-Leprdb/Leprdb （db/db） mice were randomly divided into model group， metformin group， low-dose group of MLE （MLE-L）， and high-dose group of MLE （MLE-H） according to their fasting blood glucose （FBG）， with six mice in each group， and other six C57BLKS/JGpt wild littermate （m/m） mice were selected as normal group. The mice in the drug administration groups were given corresponding drugs by gavage， and the mice in the normal group and model group were given the same dose of deionized water by gavage once a day for continuous eight weeks. Body weight， bilateral kidney weight， and FBG were measured， and an oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was performed. The pathological changes in the kidney tissue of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and periodic acid-silver （PAS） staining， and serum creatinine （SCr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN） levels were detected. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in serum and urinary microalbumin （U-mAlb） of mice. The expression levels of toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， myeloid differentiation factor 88 （MyD88）， and nuclear factor-kappa B p65 （NF-κB p65） protein in kidney tissue of mice were tested by Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the body weight， absolute renal weight， FBG， and the area under the curve （AUC） of OGTT of mice in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the levels of SCr， BUN， and U-mAlb， as well as TNF-α and IL-6 in serum were significantly increased （P<0.01）. The glomerular basement membrane in the kidney tissue of mice was thicker， with obvious inflammatory cell infiltration. The protein expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in the kidney tissue of mice were increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， there was no statistical difference in the body weight of mice in each drug administration group. The absolute renal weight of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups was significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The FBG levels of mice in the metformin， MLE-L， and MLE-H groups started to decrease after treatment for four to eight weeks （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The AUC of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of SCr， BUN， and U-mAlb of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and those of SCr and U-mAlb of mice in the MLE-L group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum of mice in the MLE-H and metformin groups were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The renal tissue pathology of mice in each drug administration group was improved to varying degrees， and the protein expression levels of TLR4， MyD88， and NF-κB p65 in the MLE-H group were decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionMLE can improve the renal structure and function of db/db diabetic mice， and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Mori Folium， the dried leaves of Morus alba， is widely used in clinical practice for dispersing wind and heat， clearing the lung and moistening dryness， soothing the liver and improving vision， and cooling blood and stopping bleeding. It has been used to regulate blood glucose since ancient times， and modern studies have shown that the active components of Mori Folium for lowering blood glucose mainly include flavonoids， alkaloids， polysaccharides， and phenols. These components are mainly extracted by solvents such as water and alcohols with the assistance of ultrasound and microwave. In addition， new extraction methods are emerging， such as CO₂ supercritical fluid extraction， enzymatic hydrolysis， and cloud point extraction. Mori Folium lowers blood glucose via multiple components， pathways， and targets. Specifically， it can improve glucose and lipid metabolism， protect pancreatic β cells， and alleviate insulin resistance to reduce the damage caused by hyperglycemia and restore normal physiological functions. Although a large number of studies have been carried out on diabetes， the causes and radical treatment methods remain to be explored， and diabetes is still a major disease that endangers human health and needs to be solved urgently. The articles about extraction process and mechanism of active components in Mori Folium for lowering blood glucose were retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI）， Web of Science， and PubMed. We analyzed the applicable extraction methods for the blood glucose-lowering components such as flavonoids， polysaccharides， and alkaloids in Mori Folium， and compared the conventional and emerging methods. Furthermore， we summarized our research achievements in the extraction of active components from Mori Folium and the blood glucose-lowering effect and mechanisms. This review aims to provide theoretical support for the optimization of the extraction process， the research on the blood glucose-lowering components and mechanism， and the development of new drugs and clinical application of Mori Folium.