Objective: To establish the quality standard for Shangtongning capsules. Methods: Microscopic identification was used for the qualitative identification of Bombyx batryticatus, Scorpio, Eupolyphaga steleophada, Pheretima, Notoginseng radix et rhizo-ma and Gastrodiae rhizoma. A TLC method was used for the qualitative identification of Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Ra-dix, Notoginseng Radix ET Rhizoma, Dipsaci Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix ET Rhizoma. HPLC was used to determine the content of liquiriti. The determination was performed on an Agilent TC C18 (250 mm × 4. 6 mm,5μm) column with the mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile-water(15:85)at the flow rate of 1. 0 ml·min-1. The detection wavelength was set at 276 nm. Results: The features of the microscopic identification were significantly visible. The TLC spots were clear and well-separated without any negative interference. The linear range of liquiriti was 0. 341-1. 193 μg (r=0. 999 9)with the average recovery of 98. 97%(RSD=0. 77%, n=6). Con-clusion:The method is simple, accurate and reproducible, which is effective in controlling the quality of Shangtongning capsules and provides the basis for improving the quality standard for Shangtongning capsules.

Objective To explore the pathogenesis of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) and its potential molecular targets.Methods Gene microarray data about JIA was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) in NCBI.Different expressed genes were identified through bioconductor packages in R programing.The causal genes from the different expressed genes were optimized and replenished by GLAD4U and ToppGene.Functional annotation information of causal genes was carried out by DAVID.Results List of causal genes was obtained as well as their enriched function.Some potential pathways such as Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,Jak-STAT signaling pathway,which may be important in the progression of JIA were screened.Conclusions The pathogenesis of JIA,as well as its potential causal genes,can be captured through bioinformatics methods,so it may be used as time and cost saving method in experimental study and clinical application.

Adult ; Chronic Periodontitis ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Dental Implantation ; Dental Scaling ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Guided Tissue Regeneration, Periodontal ; Humans ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; Radiography, Panoramic ; Tooth Loss ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Toothbrushing

In 2012, a new SARS-like coronavirus emerged in the Middle East, namely the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). It has caused outbreaks with high mortality. During infection of target cell, MERS-CoV S protein S1 subunit binds to the cellular receptor (DPP4), and its S2 subunit HR1 and HR2 regions intact with each other to form a stable six-helix bundle to mediate the fusion between virus and target cell membranes. Hence, blocking the process of six-helix bundle formation can effectively inhibit MERS-CoV entry into the target cells. This review focuses on the recent advance in the development of peptidic entry inhibitors targeting the MERS-CoV S2 subunit.
Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 ; metabolism ; Drug Design ; Humans ; Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus ; drug effects ; physiology ; Peptides ; pharmacology ; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus ; metabolism ; Virus Internalization ; drug effects

Objective To investigate the effects of structured triglyceride on hepatic function,nutritional status,inflammatory reaction and immunologic function of patients with primary liver cancer after hepatectomy.Methods A prospective,double-blind,randomized,controlled clinical trial was conducted based on the clinical data of 80 patients with primary liver cancer who underwent hepatectomy at the Drum Tower Hospital from January 2011 to December 2012.All the 80 patients were allocated into the testing group (40 patients) and the control group (40 patients) based on a random number table,and received isometrical nitrogen and isocaloric parenteral nutritional support therapy for 7 days after operation.Structured triglyceride (STG) and physical mixed medium chain/long chain triglycerides (MCT/LCT) were applied to the patients in the testing group and the control group,respectively.The hepatic function,nutritional status,inflammatory reaction,immunologic function and prognosis of patients were compared between the 2 groups.The measurement data with normal distribution were presented as (x) ± s.The comparision between groups was evaluated with an independent sample t test.The trend analyses for variables were done using the repeated measures ANOVA.The measurement data with skew distribution were described as M(P25,P75) and analyzed by the analysis of variance.The count data were analyzed using the chi-square test.Results All the 80 patients who were screened for eligibility were randomly divided into the testing group (40 patients) and the control group (40 patients).The alanine transaminase (ALT),aspartate transaminase (AST),prealbumin,choline esterase,C-reactive protein,IgG,IgM,IgA,CD3 +,CD4 +,CD8 + and CD4 +/CD8 + in the 2 groups showed a range of variations before operation and at postoperative day 5 and 7.The ALT,AST,prealbumin,choline esterase,C-reactive protein,IgG,IgM,IgA,CD3 +,CD4 +,CD8 + and CD4+/CD8 + from preoperation to postoperative day 7 were from (36 ± 10)U/L,(37 ± 13)U/L,(233 ±42)mg/L,(154±32)U/L,(8.1 ±1.6)mg/L,(14±5)g/L,(3.2±1.3)g/L,(2.1 ±1.3)g/L,55.6％±6.8％,37.5％±2.0％,25.9％±2.9％ and 1.5 ±0.5 to (83 ±33)U/L,(63 ±42)U/L,(208 ±37)mg/L,(145 ±26)U/L,(30.3 ±8.6)mg/L,(12 ±3)g/L,(2.8 ±1.6)g/L,(2.0 ±1.2)g/L,46.2％±3.9％,33.4％±3.1％,27.9％±3.0％ and 1.2 ±0.4 in the control group,and from (36 ± 12)U/L,(36 ± 14)U/L,(231 ±45)mg/L,(149 ±25)U/L,(7.6 ± 1.8)mg/L,(13 ±5)g/L,(3.3 ±0.7)g/L,(2.1 ± 1.1)g/L,54.2％±6.3％,37.6％±3.5％,24.8％±3.4％ and 1.5 ±0.4 to (43 ±30)U/L,(40 ±33)U/L,(255 ±44)mg/L,(153 ±27)U/L,(21.7 ±11.2)mg/L,(17 ±4)g/L,(4.1 ± 1.7)g/L,(2.4 ± 1.9)g/L,57.9％±3.2％,39.2％ ± 2.9％ 22.7％ ± 3.4％ and 1.7 ± 0.4 in the testing group,respectively,showing significant differences between the 2 groups (F =94.71,86.40,64.22,16.77,8.18,37.23,11.52,22.58,50.30,26.44,13.16,44.84,P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in the level of ALT,AST,prealbumin,choline esterase,C-reactive protein,IgA,CD8 + and CD4 +/CD8 + at postoperative day 5 between the 2 groups (t =1.24,1.03,0.91,1.02,0.53,0.68,1.61,0.98,P＞0.05).There were significant differences in the IgG,IgM,CD3+and CD4 + at postoperative day 5 between the 2 groups (t =2.58,3.15,3.87,2.46,P ＜ 0.05).There were significant differences in the levels of ALT,AST,prealbumin,choline esterase,C-reactive protein,IgG,IgM,IgA,CD3 +,CD4 +,CD8 + and CD4 +/CD8 + at postoperative day 7 between the 2 groups (t =4.83,2.79,5.58,2.12,3.10,2.53,4.17,2.35,3.45,2.98,3.12,3.75,P ＜0.05).The body weight of patients at postoperative day 7 and duration of hospital stay in the control group were (57 ± 6) kg and (9.9 ± 1.5) days,which were significantly different from (61 ± 8) kg and (8.8 ± 1.3) days in the testing group (t =3.67,2.71,P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Structured triglyceride can effectively improve the recovery of hepatic function,nutrition status and immunologic function and reduce inflammatory reaction for the patients with primary liver cancer after hepatectomy.

Objective To explore the interaction between polymorphisms of rs17222919 which located in the 5-1ipoxygenase-activating protein(ALOX5AP) gene promoter and environmental risk factors in ischemic stroke(IS).Methods We conducted a case-control study involving a total of 622 cases and 631 unrelated healthy controls which were selected from Henan Han populations,and the environment risk factors were recorded.Genotyping aimed at detecting both genetic and environmental factors in relation to IS was performed by TaqMan-polymerase chain reaction technology while interaction indexes (Υ) were calculated to determine interactions and their role models.Results The rs17222919 TG (189/622,30.4％),GG (18/622,2.9％)genotype frequencies and G (225/1244,18.1％)allele frequencies in IS subjects were significantly lower than those in controls (221/631,35.0％ ; 31/631,4.9％ ; 283/1262,22.4％ ; x2 =4.117,P =0.042 ; x2 =4.457,P =0.035 ; x2 =7.294,P =0.007).Negative interactions between TG + GG genotype and hypertension,diabetes or cigarette smoking in the occurrence of IS (Υ =0.943,0.922,0.830) were observed,whose role models were all super-multiplicative models.Conclusions According to our study,ischemic stroke is the result of the interaction of genetic and environmental factors and G allele of rs17222919 may have weakened the role of environmental factors for hypertension,diabetes and cigarette smoking in IS incidence.

Objective To establish a Chinese hamster model of babesia infection, to find the changing pattern of organs and biochemical parameters in Chinese hamster infected with Babesia, and to promote the detection and treatment of babesiosis.Methods Healthy 5-week old Chinese hamsters were infected by intraperitoneal injection of blood containing Babesia.Blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 23, 30, and 37 days after infection from 5 hamsters at each time point.Blood smears were prepared to detect the parasites using Giemsa staining.ELISA assay was employed to test the IL-2 concentration.The blood biochemical indexes were detected using an automatic biochemical analyzer.DNA was extracted from the whole blood and REAL-TIME RCR was performed to determine the reproduction of Babesia.Aftert the animals were sacrificed, the heart, lung, spleen, liver, and kidney were taken to analyze the changes of organ coefficients.Results The highest level of Babesia in the hamsters occurred on day 4 after the Babesia injection, and then showing a decreasing tendency.However, there was a transient increase on the 12th day after infection.The liver and spleen displayed most extensive response to the infection showing hepatomegaly and splenomegaly, but the variation of heart and kidneys coefficients was within the norm.There were prominent changes of blood cells, especially leucocytes, with two peaks at day 10 and 23 after the Babesia infection.The peak changes of blood biochemical indexes occurred at day 12 after infection.The concentration of serum IL-2 reached a peak on the 10th day after infection.Conclusions The Chinese hamsters display typical characteristics of tick-borne diseases such as hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.The immunological system is activated along with the infection and reaches a highest stage in the second week.Afterwards the Babesia can live in the hamster body for a long period of time.The results of this study provide useful information supporting further studies on the detection, treatment and prevention of Babesiosis.

OBJECTIVEThe study was aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of astragaloside IV (ASI) on the activation of microglial cells.

METHODAfter pre-incubated with ASI for 2 h, microglial cells BV-2 were stimulated with interferon-γ (IFN-γ) for 1. 5 h and 24 h, respectively. Secretion of nitric oxide (NO) in the medium was measured by Griess method. Production of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) was detected by ELISA approach. Cellular gene expressions of CD11b, TNF-α, interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) were examined by quantitative-PCR analysis. Total and phosphorylation of STAT1, IκB and NF-κB was analyzed by Western blot method.

RESULTASI could significantly inhibit the increased secretion of TNF-α and NO from BV-2 cells upon IFN-γ stimulation (P < 0.001). Further study showed that ASI significantly down-regulated gene expression of IL-1β and TNF-α (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) and exhibited a trend to reduce that of iNOS. IFN-γ and ASI have no obvious effect on gene expression of CD11b. Moreover, ASI inhibited the phosphorylation of STAT1, IκB and NF-κB elicited by IFN-γ stimulation.

CONCLUSIONASI could restrain microglial activation through interfering STAT1/IκB/NF-κB signaling pathway, reducing gene expres- sion of IL-1β and TNF-α, and thus inhibiting the production of proinflammatory mediators such as NO and TNF-α.

Animals ; Astragalus Plant ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; I-kappa B Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Interferon-gamma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; metabolism ; STAT1 Transcription Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Saponins ; pharmacology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Triterpenes ; pharmacology

Objective To express the gene encoding mature protease of Schistosoma japonicum asparaginyl endopeptidase (Sj32) and evaluate the potential of the recombinant protein rSj32 in diagnosis of domestic animal schistosomiasis. Methods The DNA fragment encoding mature protease of Schistosoma japonicum asparaginyl endopeptidase was cloned with PCR from pET-28(a)/Sj32, and a recombinant plasmid was previously constructed in the laboratory, which contained the ORF of the gene encoding the pro-enzyme Sj32. The amplified DNA fragment was subcloned into pET-28a( + ) and the recombinant plasmid was transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) to express the mature protease of Sj32. Then the recombinant antigen (rSj32) was used in ELISA assay to diagnose schistosomiasis of mice, rabbits and water buffalo artificially infected. The detection effects of soluble Schistosoma japonicum egg antigen (SEA) , rSj32 and the recombinant 23 KDa membrane protein were compared. Results The recombinant antigen rSj32 with a molecular weight 41 KDa was successfully produced in E. coli BL21 ( DE3) and was purified with His Column with a yield of 25 mg/L E. coli culture. By using rSj32 as coating antigen in ELISA assay to detect the specific antibody in artificially infected mice, rabbits and buffalo, the sensitivities were 88.9% , 85.0% and 71.8% , respectively, the specificities were 100% , 96.7% and 96. 9% , respectively. There were no significant differences among the detection results of rSj32, SEA and rSj23. Conclusion rSj32 is a promising antigen for serological diagnosis of domestic animal schistosomiasis.

Objective To investigate the clinical,neuroimaging and pathological features of patients with corticobasal syndrome (CBS).Methods Three CBS patients underwent neuropsychological assessment,MRI scan,18F-FDG PET scan,and 11C-PiB PET scan,and the test results were analyzed.Results All three patients showed poor response to levodopa treatment and asymmetric dyskinesia including rigidity,tremor,dystonia and abnormalities in posture and gait.One patient showed apraxia and three patients presented with cognitive impairment.The crania MRI demonstrated mild cerebral atrophy which was slightly more severe in the contralateral side of the initially affected limb.The (18)F-FDG PET/CT scan revealed asymmetric decreased metabolism in the frontal,parietal,temporal,and insular lobe,as well as in basal ganglia.The results of (11)C-PiB PET showed that amyloid beta-peptide (A Beta) deposition in the cortex was positive in one patient,and negative in the other two patients.Conclusions Corticobasal syndrome is characterized by asymmetric dyskinesia and cognitive impairment,and often associated with apraxia,cortical sensory deficits,and alien limb phenomena.The MRI and FDG PET are helpful for CBS diagnosis,and the PiB PET facilitates the pathological diagnosis.