Objective To observe the effect of paeoniflorin on insulin resistance in rats fed with high-fat diet and to investigate the possible mechanisms.Methods Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into 4 groups:normal control,high-fat diet,high-dosage paeoniflorin (HDP group),and lowdosage paeoniflorin (LDP group).The control group was fed with ordinary diet,while the others with highfat diet,paeoniflorin intervention groups were given low-or high-dosage paeoniflorin by intraperitoneal injection.After 6 weeks,fasting serum triacylglycerol (TG),total cholesterol (TC),free fatty acids (FFA),fasting blood glucose (FBG),and insulin were determined.Insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were calculated and then the animals were sacrificed to acquire epididymal fat mass.The tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and glucose transporter 4 (Glut4) expressions in adipose tissue were detected by quantitative realtime polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Results Compared with high-fat fed group,HDP group had lower epididymal fat pad weight,reduced level of FBG,insulin and FFA (P ＜0.05) and improved ISI(-5.84 ± 0.24 vs-6.44 ± 0.25,P ＜ 0.05).LDP group had similar trends.In adipose tissue,the TNFα expression in LDP and HDP group was lower,Glut4 expression in HDP group was higher than that of high-fat fed group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Paeoniflorin can reduce visceral adipose content,inhibit TNFα expression and increase Glut4 expression in adipose tissue,eventually lower glucose,and improve insulin resistance caused by high-fat diet.

Objective To explore the effect of vaginal pressure feedback combined with pelvic floor muscle resistant training on stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Methods 125 women with SUI in our hospital from February, 2014 to May, 2015 were randomized into control group (n=65) and experimental group (n=60). The control group took Kegel exercise, which asked for patients to contract their pelvic floor muscles, while the experimental group first received biofeedback electrical stimulation for 20 minutes with XFT-2002 pelvic floor stimula-tor, then instructed the patients to contract their pelvic floor muscles and pressed the pneumatic probe which placed in vagina according to the voice navigation of XFT-0010 pelvic floor muscle stimulator after they learnt the contraction skill. Both groups received training with 10 seconds' contraction and 10 seconds' rest 30 minutes per day for 30 days in total. They were assessed by GRRUG and International Consulta-tion Incontinence Questionnaire-UI Short Form (ICIQ-SF). Results After treatment, the muscle strength of the pelvic floor (t=-3.570) and the scores of ICIQ (t=4.198) improved significantly in both groups (P<0.01), and was higher in the experimental group than in the control group (t=6.833, t=-2.445, P<0.01), as well as the therapeutic efficiency (Z=63.954, P<0.001). Conclusion Vaginal pressure feedback com-bined with pelvic floor muscle resistant training can further improve stress urinary incontinence in women.

To investigate the effects of TGF-beta1 on the two gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), and their roles in lung remodeling after irradiation-induced lung injury. Expressions of TGF-beta1 were measured with western blot, and expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were analyzed with zymography in a -TGF-beta1 transgenic mouse model after thoracic irradiation with 12 Gy. We found expressions of TGF-beta1 in the lung from the transgenic mice were three folds as compared to those from control mice. With densitometrical analysis, we found a significant decrease in MMP-9 activity in lung homogenates from the transgenic mice as compared with those from non-transgenic control mice 8 weeks after sham-irradiation (relative MMP-9 activity: C: 1.000 0.1091; TG: 0.4772 +/- 0.470 (n = 8, P < 0.05). But MMP-2 was constitutively expressed in the lung homogenates from the transgenic mice as compared to those from control mice 8 weeks after sham-irradiation (relative MMP-2 activity 8 weeks after sham-irradiation: C: 1.000 +/- 0.1556, TG: 1.0075 +/- 0.1472). Eight weeks after thoracic irradiation with 12 Gy, we observed a significant increase of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in lung homogenates from both transgenic and normal mice. In TGF-beta1 transgenic mice relative MMP-9 activity was increased to 1.5321 +/- 0.2217 folds 8 weeks after thoracic irradiation with 12 Gy as compared to those after sham-irradiation (1.000 +/- 0.2153), and relative MMP-2 activity was increased to 1.7142 +/- 0.4231 folds. Our results show that TGF-beta1 itself down-regulates activity of MMP-9, thereby decreases ECM degradation in lungs of TGF-beta1 transgenic mice. Also we find that ionizing irradiation upregulates both MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Over-expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-2 after lung irradiation are involved in the inflammatory response associated with radiation-induced lung injury, and maybe further in radiation-induced lung fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the metabolic profile of chrysin in SULT1A3 and human small intestine S9.Methods After incubation of chrysin using in vitro SULT1A3 and human small intestine S9 system, high-performance liquid chromatography was utilized to determine the sulfates of chrysin.Mass spectrum(MS) were employed to elucidate the structures of metabolite.Results In the SULT1A3 with PAPS, Km were (3.06 ±1.04) and (0.41±0.06) μM, Vmax were (12.13 ±1.30) and (6.72 ±1.61) nmol/(min· mg), Vmax/Km were 3.96 and 16.39 mL/(min· mg), respectively.In the human small intestine S9 with PAPS, Km were (1.92 ±0.35) and (0.01 ±0.00) μM, Vmax were (0.52 ±0.02) and (0.08 ± 0.02) nmol/(min· mg), Vmax/Km were 0.27 and 8.00 mL/(min· mg).The metabolic behavior of chrysin in SULT1A3 and human small intestine S9 both were followed biphasic kinetics.The sulfation of chrysin in SULT1A3 showed a significant correlation with that in human small intestine S9(R2 =0.985).Conclusion The result indicates that SULT1A3 is the major enzyme to the metabolism of chrysin, human small intestine may be the main metabolic organs of chrysin.

Although the diagnosis of glioma is constantly changing with the update of WHO diagnostic guidelines, the current treatment methods are still mainly surgical treatment, supplemented by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It is a pity that the treatment effect of high-grade glioma is still unsatisfactory. How to improve the prognosis of patients is the key problem in the field of medical exploration of glioma. It is gratifying that many new ideas and methods have emerged in the diagnosis and treatment of glioma, in which some trials represented by tumor treating fields have achieved good results in clinical research, moreover, the fields of immunotherapy and targeted therapy have developed too. This paper aims to share and explore these new methods and summarize the progress of diagnosis and treatment of glioma.

Konjac glucomannan-collagen-chitosan blend films were prepared successfully by the solvent-casting method and were characterized by FT-IR,X-ray diffraction, SEM and optical transmittance. Moreover, tensile strength, breaking extension, water absorption, water vapor permeation coefficients, adsorbability and penetrating rates were measured. The results indicated that some strong interaction and good compatibility existed among Konjac glucomannan /collagen and chitosan in the blend films. Some properties of the KCCS films were improved markedly in comparison with binary blend films or Konjac glucomannan, collagen and chitosan film. The results of culturing vessel endothelial cells on CKCS-5 film showed that the blend films have good cell compatibility which indicates the potential for a scalfold material in tissue engineering.
Biocompatible Materials ; chemistry ; Cells, Cultured ; Chitosan ; chemistry ; Collagen ; chemistry ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Humans ; Mannans ; chemistry ; Materials Testing ; Membranes, Artificial ; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared ; Tensile Strength ; Tissue Engineering ; methods ; X-Ray Diffraction

Objective　To determine the origin of human influenza A (H9N2) virus and the relationship among H9N2 strains isolated from different hosts, on the basis of molecular biology. Methods　Viruses were passed in embryonated hen eggs, and virion RNA was extracted from allantoic fluid and reverse transcribed to synthesize cDNA. cDNA was amplified by PCR and the PCR product was purified with a purification kit. Afterwards RNA sequence analysis was performed by dideoxynucleotide chain termination and a cloning method. Finally, phylogenetic analysis of the sequencing data was performed with MegAlign (version 1.03) and Editseg (version 3.69) softwares. Results　The amino acid sequences at the cleavage site between HA1 and HA2 domains of H9N2 viruses isolated in China are R-S-S-R. One pigeon strain contains seven potential glycosylation sites on the HA protein molecule, while all others have eight. There are 2 to 15 differences of amino acid sequences distributed at 24 different positions on the HA protein molecules among six H9N2 viruses. The H9N2 viruses with multiple lineages of HA genes were co-circulating in China recently. Conclusion　The highest possibility is that human influenza A (H9N2) virus was derived from Chicken H9N2 virus, and not derived from pigeon H9N2 virus. However, it is still unknown whether the H9N2 virus could transmit from person to person. The H9N2 viruses with multiple lineages of HA genes are co-circulating in China.

Objective: To investigate the molecular mechanism and identify potential drugs for subthreshold depression (SD), and elucidate the detalied mechanism of Danzhi Xiaoyao powder (DZXY) in SD. Methods: Using RNA-sequencing, we identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in leukocytes of SD compared to healthy controls, deciphered their functions and pathways, and identified the hub genes of SD. We also assessed changes in leukocyte transcription factor activity in patients with SD using the TELiS platform. The Connectivity Map database was retrieved to screen candidate drugs for SD. Based on network pharmacology, we elucidated the “multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway” mechanism of DZXY in the treatment of SD. Results: We identified 1080 DEGs (padj <0.05 and |log2 (fold change)| ≥ 1 & protein coding) in the leukocytes of patients with SD. These DEGs, including hub genes, were primarily involved in immune and inflammatory response-related processes. Transcription factor activity analysis revealed similarities between the leukocyte transcriptome profile in SD and the conserved transcriptional response to adversities in immune cells. Connectivity Map analysis identified 28 potential drugs for SD treatment, particularly SB-202190 and TWS-119. Constructing the “Direct Compounds-Direct Targets-Pathways” network for DZXY and SD revealed the curative mechanisms of DZXY in SD, primarily including inflammatory response, lipid metabolism, immune response, and other processes. Conclusion These results provide new insights into the characteristics and functional changes of leukocytes in SD, partially illustrate the pathogenesis of SD, and suggest potential drugs for SD. The curative mechanisms of DZXY in SD are also partially elucidated.

The mitochondrial quality control system maintains mitochondrial homeostasis mainly through protein degradation, vesicle transport, and mitophagy. Mitochondrial biosynthesis, dynamics, and calcium ion play key regulative roles in mitochondrial quality control. Under normal conditions, the mitochondrial quality control system can work well. In recent years, studies have found that mitochondrial dysfunction is closely associated with the occurrence of heart failure. In order to understand mitochondrial function, this paper reviews mitochondrial quality control methods, regulatory factors and their potential therapeutic applications in heart failure.

To investigate the effects of TGF-β1 on the two gelatinases (MMP-2 and MMP-9), and their roles in lung remodeling after irradiation-induced lung injury. Expressions of TGF-β1 were measured with western blot, and expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were analyzed with zymography in a TGF-β1 transgenic mouse model after thoracic irradiation with 12 Gy. We found expressions of TGF-β1 in the lung from the transgenic mice were three folds as compared to those from control mice. With densitometrical analysis, we found a significant decrease in MMP-9 activity in lung homogenates from the transgenic mice as compared with those from non-transgenic control mice 8 weeks after sham-irradiation (relative MMP-9 activity: C: 1.000±0.1091; TG: 0.4772± 0.470 (n=8, P＜0.05). But MMP-2 was constitutively expressed in the lung homogenates from the transgenic mice as compared to those from control mice 8 weeks aftersham-irradiation (relative MMP-2 activity 8 weeks after sham-irradiation: C: 1.000±0.1556, TG: 1.0075±0.1472). Eight weeks after thoracic irradiation with 12 Gy, we observed a significant increase of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in lung homogenates from both transgenic and normal mice. In TGF-β1 transgenic mice relative MMP-9 activity was increased to 1.5321±0. 2217 folds 8 weeks after thoracic irradiation with 12 Gy as compared to those after sham-irradiation (1.000±0.2153), and relative MMP-2 activity was increased to 1. 7142±0. 4231 folds. Our results show that TGF-β1 itself down-regulates activity of MMP-9, thereby decreases ECM degradation in lungs of TGF-β1 transgenic mice.Also we find that ionizing irradiation upregulates both MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. Over-expressions of MMP-9 and MMP-2 after lung irradiation are involved in the inflammatory response associated with radiation-induced lung injury, and maybe further in radiation-induced lung fibrosis.