OBJECTIVETo study the effect of ginsenoside on apoptosis of human leukemia-60 (HL-60) cells and its mechanism.

METHODSMTT cytotoxicity assay was used to determine the growth inhibition activity of ginsenoside (100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25, 3.125 and 1.5625 μmol/L) on HL-60 cells. The apoptosis of HL-60 cells after treatment with ginsenoside (0,5,10 and 20 μmol/L) was determined by Annexin V-FITC/PI staining and flow cytometry. The cleavage of total proteins by caspase-8, caspase-9 and caspase-3 was evaluated by Western blot. The cleavage of caspase-3 protein was detected by Western blot after treatment with 10 μmol/L ginsenoside and caspase-8 and 9 inhibitors.

RESULTSGinsenoside had potent cytotoxicity on HL-60 cells, with an IC50 value of 7.3±1.2 μmol/L. After treatment with ginsenoside (0, 5, 10 and 20 μmol/L) for 48 hours, the apoptotic rate displayed a dose dependency, as shown by flow cytometry, with significant differences between the groups (F=12.67, P<0.01). Western blot showed that there were caspase-9 and caspase-3 cleavage bands, but without caspase-8 cleavage band. The specific inhibitor of caspase-9 Z-LEHD-FMK could block the caspase-3 cleavage induced by 10 μmol/L ginsenoside, but the specific inhibitor of caspase-8 Z-IETD-FMK did not have this effect.

CONCLUSIONSGinsenoside can induce apoptosis of HL-60 cells, which may be related to a mitochondria-dependent pathway.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Caspase 9 ; physiology ; Caspase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) is an immune complex-mediated disease predominantly characterized by the deposition of circulating immune complexes containing immunoglobulin A (IgA) on the walls of small vessels. Although the pathogenesis of HSP is not yet fully understood, some researchers proposed that B-cell activation might play a critical role in the development of this disease. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum levels of visfatin (pre-B-cell colony-enhancing factor), B-cell-activating factor (BAFF), and CXCL13, and to analyze their association with disease severity. METHODS: The serum levels of visfatin, BAFF, and CXCL13 were measured by using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 43 patients with HSP and 45 controls. The serum levels of IgA anticardiolipin antibodies (ACA) were detected by using a double-antigen sandwich ELISA. RESULTS: Levels of visfatin but not BAFF and CXCL13 were significantly elevated in the sera of patients with HSP in the acute stage, and restored to normal levels in the convalescent stage. Furthermore, serum levels of visfatin were significantly higher in patients with HSP having renal involvement than in those without renal involvement. Serum levels of visfatin were correlated with the severity of HSP and serum concentration of ACA-IgA. CONCLUSION: We show for the first time that the serum levels of visfatin are abnormally elevated in patients with HSP. Visfatin may be associated with the pathogenesis of HSP.
Antibodies, Anticardiolipin ; Antigen-Antibody Complex ; B-Cell Activating Factor ; B-Lymphocytes ; Chemokine CXCL13 ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin A ; Nicotinamide Phosphoribosyltransferase* ; Purpura, Schoenlein-Henoch*

Objective:To explore the application of magnetic resonance(MR)quantitative analysis technique of fat in analyzing the relationships between liver fat fraction(LFF)and pancreatic fat fraction(PFF)and the severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD),and between them and liver function.Methods:A total of 185 patients who received MR whole-liver mDIXON sequence scan were selected,and their LFF and PFF were measured.They were divided into NAFLD group(160 cases)and control group(25 cases)according to the fat fraction(FF)of liver.The body mass index(BMI),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),triglycerides(TG),fasting blood glucose(FBG),low-density lipoprotein(LDL-c),high-density lipoprotein(HDL-c),LFF and PFF between two groups were compared.Spearman analysis method was adopted to analyze the correlation between LFF and various indicators,and between PFF and various indicators.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of NAFLD severity.Results:In 160 patients of NAFLD group,72 cases were mild degree(LFF WAS 5.1%-14.0%),and 76 cases were moderate degree(LFF was 14.1%-28.0%),and 12 cases were severe degree(LFF>28.0%).There were significant differences in LFF,PFF and BMI between NAFLD group and control group(tLFF=17.259,tPFF=9.058,tBMI=7.430,P<0.05),and the differences of ALT,TG,FBG,LDL-c and HDL-c between two groups also were significant(t=6.591,t=3.957,t=3.267,t=2.112,t=-3.727,P<0.05),respectively.There were significant differences in LFF,PFF,BMI,ALT,TG,FBG,LDL-c and HDL-c among mild group,moderate group and severe group of patients(F=21.944,F=16.391,F=5.872,F=30.240,F=3.984,F=3.863,F=3.398,F=1.214,P<0.05),respectively.BMI,ALT,TG and FBG appeared positive correlation with LFF and PFF of NAFLD patients(r=0.31,r=0.52,r=0.33,r=0.35,r=0.30,r=0.36,r=0.27,r=0.29,P<0.05),and HDL-c appeared negative correlation with them(r=-0.16,r=-0.3,P<0.05),respectively.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that HDL-c was an independent protective factor of the severity of NAFLD(OR=0.004,P<0.05),and LFF,PFF,BMI,ALT,TG,LDL were independent risk factors of the severity of NAFLD(OR=2.252,OR=1.988,OR=1.404,OR=1.196,OR=1.025,OR=5.150,P<0.05),respectively.Conclusion:LFF and PFF are closely related to the severity of NAFLD and the indicators of liver function,and the increases of LFF and PFF are independent risk factors of the aggravation of NAFLD.The MR quantitative analyses of LFF and PFF values have a certain guiding significance in clinical monitoring for NAFLD severity and liver function.

Objective To design an adjustable and removable nursing support for dressing patients with lower extremity injuries.Methods The adjustable nursing support was composed of a supporting plate,a cylinder,an upper adjustment mechanism and a lower fixation mechanism.The supporting plate was used to hold the leg of the patient,which had a curved st ruc t u re with a length from 40 to 80 cm;the cylinder was internally snap-fitted with a second slip sleeve to facilitate the adjustment of the support plate;the upper adjustment mechanism mainly consisted of a second sliding bar,a second cross bar and an adjustment plate;the lower fixation mechanism was mainly composed of a first clamping plate and a second clamping plate.Results The adjustable nursing support could be firmly fixed on the sickbed,and its height and angle could be adjusted according to the patient's wound position and subjective comfort.Conclusion The adjustable nursing support gains advantages in safety and patient comfort,and can be used for the dressing of patients with lower extremity injuries.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(8):110-112]

Background: Pseudorabies, also known as Aujeszky's disease, is caused by the pseudorabies virus (PRV) and has been recognized as a critical disease affecting the pig industry and a wide range of animals around the world, resulting in great economic losses each year. Shandong province, one of the most vital food animal-breeding regions in China, has a very dense pig population, within which pseudorabies infections were detected in recent years. The data, however, on PRV epidemiology and coinfection rates of PRV with other major swine diseases is sparse. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the PRV epidemiology in Shandong and analyze the current control measures. Methods: In this study, a total number of 16,457 serum samples and 1,638 tissue samples, which were collected from 362 intensive pig farms (≥ 300 sows/farm) covered all cities in Shandong, were tested by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Overall, 52.7% and 91.5% of the serum samples were positive for PRV-gE and -gB, respectively, based on ELISA results. In addition, 15.7% of the tissue samples were PCR positive for PRV. The coinfection rates of PRV with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus, and classical swine fever virus were measured; coinfection with PCV2 was 35.0%, higher than those of the other two viruses. Macroscopic and microscopic lesions were observed in various tissues during histopathological examination. Conclusions The results demonstrate the PRV prevalence and its coinfection rates in Shandong province and indicate that pseudorabies is endemic in pig farms in this region. This study provides epidemiological data that can be useful in the prevention and control of pseudorabies in Shandong, China.

Objective: To investigate the role of long non-coding RNA double homeobox A pseudogene 9 (DUXAP9) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to evaluate the expression level, molecular function and mechanism of DUXAP9 in HNSCC cells. Methods: Differential expression of lncRNAs between normal and tumor tissues in HNSCC tissues were screened using lncRNA microarray, the expression level of DUXAP9 in HNSCC tissues and its relationship with prognosis were analyzed in the TCGA database. The expression levels of DUXAP9 in HNSCC tissues and cell lines were detected using qRT-PCR. The function in HNSCC cells after DUXAP9 silencing was evaluated using the CCK-8 assay, wound healing assay, Transwell migration assay and subcutaneous xenograft assay in nude mice. Changes in the transcription and translation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells after DUXAP9 silencing were detected using qRT-PCR and Western blot. Results: lncRNA microarray results showed that, compared to adjacent normal tissues, DUXAP9 was abnormally upregulated in HNSCC tissues. Analysis from TCGA database showed that, compared to HNSCC patients with low DUXAP9 expression, HNSCC patients with high DUXAP9 expression had poorer survival. The relative expression of DUXAP9 in HNSCC tissues and 4 HNSCC cell lines increased compared to paired adjacent normal tissues as detected using qRT-PCR. Silencing DUXAP9 significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration and expression of EMT-related genes in HNSCC cells. The silencing of DUXAP9 significantly inhibited subcutaneous tumorigenesis of the HNSCC cell line CAL27 in nude mice. Conclusion Silencing DUXAP9 significantly inhibited the proliferation of HNSCC cells and subcutaneous xenografts in nude mice. DUXAP9 may mediate the migration of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells via the EMT pathway.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether the onset of the plateau phase of slow hepatitis B surface antigen decline in patients with chronic hepatitis B treated with intermittent interferon therapy is related to the frequency of dendritic cell subsets and expression of the costimulatory molecules CD40,CD80,CD83,and CD86. Method This was a cross-sectional study in which patients were divided into a natural history group(namely NH group),a long-term oral nucleoside analogs treatment group(namely NA group),and a plateau-arriving group(namely P group).The percentage of plasmacytoid dendritic cell and myeloid dendritic cell subsets in peripheral blood lymphocytes and monocytes and the mean fluorescence intensity of their surface costimulatory molecules were detected using a flow cytometer. Results In total,143 patients were enrolled(NH group,n = 49;NA group,n = 47;P group,n = 47).The results demonstrated that CD141/CD1c double negative myeloid dendritic cell(DNmDC)/lymphocytes and monocytes(%)in P group(0.041[0.024,0.069])was significantly lower than that in NH group(0.270[0.135,0.407])and NA group(0.273[0.150,0.443]),and CD86 mean fluorescence intensity of DNmDCs in P group(1832.0[1484.0,2793.0])was significantly lower than that in NH group(4316.0[2958.0,5169.0])and NA group(3299.0[2534.0,4371.0]),Adjusted P all<0.001. Conclusion Reduced DNmDCs and impaired maturation may be associated with the onset of the plateau phase during intermittent interferon therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Objective To explore characteristics of clinical parameters and cytokines in patients with drug-induced liver injury(DILI)caused by different drugs and their correlation with clinical indicators. Method The study was conducted on patients who were up to Review of Uncertainties in Confidence Assessment for Medical Tests(RUCAM)scoring criteria and clinically diagnosed with DILI.Based on Chinese herbal medicine,cardiovascular drugs,non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs),anti-infective drugs,and other drugs,patients were divided into five groups.Cytokines were measured by Luminex technology.Baseline characteristics of clinical biochemical indicators and cytokines in DILI patients and their correlation were analyzed. Results 73 patients were enrolled.Age among five groups was statistically different(P=0.032).Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)(P=0.033)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)(P=0.007)in NSAIDs group were higher than those in chinese herbal medicine group.Interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)in patients with Chinese herbal medicine(IL-6:P<0.001;TNF-α:P<0.001)and cardiovascular medicine(IL-6:P=0.020;TNF-α:P=0.001)were lower than those in NSAIDs group.There was a positive correlation between ALT(r=0.697,P=0.025),AST(r=0.721,P=0.019),and IL-6 in NSAIDs group. Conclusion Older age may be more prone to DILI.Patients with NSAIDs have more severe liver damage in early stages of DILI,TNF-α and IL-6 may partake the inflammatory process of DILI.

Objective To establish the quality control method of Yinqiao Chaihuang Granules.Methods Lonicerae Japonicae Flos, Bupleuri Radix, Scutellariae Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma in Yinqiao Chaihuang Granules were identified by TLC, and the content of forsythoside A was detected by HPLC. Results Under the selected chromatographic conditions, TLC spots were clear, the separating was good, and non-interference was found in negative control. Forsythoside A in calibration curve showed good linearity in the range of 0.029 6–0.474 μg, with average recovery of 99.73%, RSD=1.18%. Conclusion The method is accurate and simple, which can be used for the quality control of Yinqiao Chaihuang Granules.

Objective:To evaluate the image quality (IQ) of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET/CT imaging and identify its influenfial factors in diabetes mellitus (DM) and non-DM patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Methods:A total of 196 consecutive CAD patients (174 males, 22 females, 68 DM; age: (57±10) years) in Beijing Anzhen Hospital between June 2016 and February 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent 18F-FDG myocardial PET/CT imaging. The standardized fasting+ oral glucose loading (OGL) and intravenously injection of insulin protocol was performed. According to the FDG uptake by myocardium, background activity in blood and other visceral organ nearby the heart, the IQ was visually evaluated and scored by 0-4. Zero-two was considered as good IQ, 3-4 was regarded as poor IQ. Patients were divided into three groups: group 1 (non-DM+ good IQ), group 2 (DM+ good IQ), group 3 (DM+ poor IQ). Factors which may affect IQ were analyzed, which including OGL, the injection dose of insulin, fasting blood glucose (FBG), peak blood glucose (PBG), blood glucose (BG) level at 18F-FDG injection (BG injnection), BG increasing rate ((PBG-FBG)/FBG, %), and BG decreasing rate ((PBG-BG injection)/PBG, %). One-way analysis of variance, Spearman correlation analysis and logistic regression analysis were used for data analysis. Results:There were significant differences ( F values: 13.074-38.371, all P<0.05) of FBG, PBG, OGL, BG decreasing rate and the injection dose of insulin among group 1 ( n=132, 67.3%), group 2 ( n=53, 27.1%), group 3 ( n=11, 5.6%). All those parameters, except for OGL, were positively correlated with FDG PET/CT IQ ( r s values: 0.142-0.262, all P<0.05). OGL was negatively correlated with IQ ( r s=-0.324, P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that FBG (odds ratio ( OR)=0.687, 95% CI: 0.633-0.746), PBG( OR=0.786, 95% CI: 0.746~0.829), BG injection( OR=0.631, 95% CI: 0.595-0.716), OGL( OR=0.897, 95% CI: 0.873-0.922), the injection dose of insulin( OR=0.680, 95% CI: 0.618-0.748) were predictive factors (all P<0.01) for good IQ in all patients. For DM patients, OGL was the only predictive factor for good IQ( OR =0.940, 95% CI: 0.904-0.960; P<0.01). Conclusions:FBG, PBG, BG injection, OGL, the injection dose of insulin can predict IQ for all patients with CAD. For DM patients with CAD, OGL is the only predictive factor for good IQ. A good IQ of 18F-FDG PET/CT could be obtained in majority of CAD patients, with the standardized fasting + OGL and intravenously injection of insulin protocol and adjust according to the personal status, and prevent the hypoglycemia from happening.