MicroRNAs are the endogenous non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by mediating gene post-transcriptional silence.Among them,miR-21,miR-17-92,miR-214,miR-26a,miR-221,miR-222and so on mainly suppress the expression of PTEN phosphohydrolase through targeting PTEN mRNA 3'-UTR.PTEN plays an important role in cell proliferation,apoptosis,migration and invasion,and its low expression will induce tumorigenesis.

In this study, we investigated the effect of Cigu Xiaozhi formula on HSC-T6 activity in hypoxic microenvironment based on network pharmacology and computer-aided drug design, and predicted and verified its possible targets and related signaling pathways. The potential active components and targets of Cigu Xiaozhi formula were screened by searching Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Encyclopaedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) databases, and the liver fibrosis related targets retrieved from Gene Cards and Pharm GK database were integrated to obtain the potential targets of Cigu Xiaozhi formula in the treatment of liver fibrosis. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis were performed on Omic Share platform, and Cytoscape software was used to construct the "potential active ingredient-key target-pathway" network. The active components and target proteins were subjected to molecular docking analysis by Auto Dock software. According to the results of molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculation, the top 5 active components with degree were scored. The active components stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were subjected to molecular docking. CoCl₂ was used to induce HSC-T6 cells to construct hypoxia model in vitro. The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, and the optimal time and concentration of hypoxia model of HSC-T6 cells was determined to be 100 µmol·L^-1 CoCl₂ for 24 h. Under hypoxia condition, HSC-T6 cells were activated, the wound healing rate was significantly increased, and the fluorescence signal of activation marker protein α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was significantly enhanced. However, 6% drug-containing serum could inhibit the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and the wound healing rate was significantly decreased, and the fluorescence signal of α-SMA was significantly weakened. Further studies showed that the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), α-SMA and key proteins of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in HSC-T6 cells were up-regulated under hypoxia, while the expressions of HIF-1α, α-SMA, Patched-1 (Ptch-1) and glioma related oncogene homology-1 (Gli-1) were down-regulated in 6% drug-containing serum group, the YC-1 group and the cyclopamine group. These results indicated that HIF-1α and Hh signaling pathways were involved in the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and the traditional Chinese medicine Cigu Xiaozhi formula could inhibit the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HIF-1α expression and the blocking of Hh signaling pathway. In conclusion, Cigu Xiaozhi formula can inhibit the activation of HSC-T6 cells by directly acting on HIF-1α and Hh signaling pathway, and exert an anti-hepatic fibrosis effect. The animal experimental protocol has been reviewed and approved by Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, in compliance with the Institutional Animal Care Guidelines.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of baicalin on liver fatty acid binding protein in oxidative stress model in vitro.

METHODS(1) Cellular oxidative stress in vitro was induced by incubating cells with 400μmol/L hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for 20 minutes at 37 degrees C in the dark. After Chang liver cell line was treated with different dose of baicalin for 24, 48 and 72 hours. MTT assay was employed to detect cell viability, and then the hydrogen peroxide (TC50) of the different dose of baicalin was calculated. (2) Based on MTT assay, cells were treated with three different doses of baicalin (25, 50, 100 μmol/L) for 24 and 48 hours before being exposed to 400 μmol/L H₂O₂ for 20 minutes at 37 degrees C. Then, reactive oxygen species (ROS) assay and activity assays of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione hormone (GSH) were evaluated. (3) Realtime PCR and Western blotting were applied to explore the influence of baicalin on the expression level of L-FABP. (4) One-way ANOVA was used for results statistical analysis.

RESULT(1) MTT assay showed baicalin treatment at 25, 50, 100 μmol/L for 24 and 48 hours was feasible (83.60% ± 3.47%, 72.36% ± 2.18%, 70.16% ± 2.04% for 24 hours; 84.93% ± 3.11%, 76.16% ± 2.45%, 72.72% ± 2.31% for 48 hours, P > 0.05, F = 386.24, 475.92 respectively). Meanwhile, we found by the linear regression model that the median toxic concentration of baicalin for 48 hours was 170.6 μmol/L, and the median toxic concentration of baicalin for 24 hours was 153.2 μmol/L. (2) ROS assay showed dichlorofluorescin in all baicalin-treated cells after stress was significantly reduced (37.0 ± 3.30, 22.90 ± 3.84, 29.60 ± 2.52 for 24 hours respectively, P < 0.05, F = 70.06; 35.77 ± 2.35, 21.80 ± 3.10, 23.87 ± 1.98 for 48 hours respectively, P < 0.05, F = 110.92) as compared with the H₂O₂-treated cells. Moreover, 50 μmol/L baicalin treatment for 48 hours was the optimal condition against ROS generation (21.80 ± 3.10, P < 0.01, F = 110.92). Furthermore, the activities of intracellular SOD and GSH was increased significantly (51.53 ± 1.91 μg/mg for SOD, P < 0.05, F = 93.81; 49.85 ± 1.45 U/mg for GSH, P < 0.05, F = 92.51). (3) Although realtime PCR analysis indicated 50 μmol/L baicalin treatment for 48 hours could have no changes of the level of L-FABP expression under the oxidative stress condition, western blotting analysis indicated 50 μmol/L baicalin treatment for 48 hours could increase up to about 80% for the level of L-FABP expression.

CONCLUSIONBaicalin was suggested to be able to enhance both L-FABP expression and activity of intracellular SOD and GSH, and therefore protected hepatocytes from oxidative stress.

Catalase ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; metabolism ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Glutathione ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Hepatocytes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Manipulation, Orthopedic ; Middle Aged ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo develop a public health index related to the comprehensive assessment on the impact caused by floods.

METHODSA Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) theory was used to establish the initial evaluation system on the impact of floods. Modified-Delphi process was used to screen and determine the indicators and their weights while synthetical scored method was used to establish the comprehensive assessment model. Percentile was used to differentiate the degree of floods. Finally, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and correlation analysis were used to test the differentiability of the model for different degree of floods and the independence of these indicators.

RESULTSThe model of comprehensive assessment on the impact of floods was set up, including six first-ranking indicators and twenty-four sub-indicators. The values of comprehensive assessment were divided into five grades by the percentiles. Verified results indicated that there were significant difference among the five grades (F = 76.11, P < 0.01) and all indicators were independent.

CONCLUSIONAn index of comprehensive assessment on the impact of floods was established, which could be used to evaluate the impact of floods and to differentiate the degree of flood, which seemed to have the characteristic of reliability, comprehensiveness and practicability.

Analysis of Variance ; China ; Delphi Technique ; Disasters ; Health Status Indicators ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; Public Health ; standards ; statistics & numerical data ; Research ; statistics & numerical data ; Research Design

OBJECTIVETo find a good speech material in audiology routine tests and cochlear implant evaluation, the monosyllable lists which were a part of mandarin speech test materials (MSTM) were edited and recorded. The equivalence test was done for all the lists.

METHODSThe professional group was set up at first, which composed of specialists of Chinese, mandarin teaching, linguistics and statistics. The principles of word selection were established according to the coherence with international speech test materials and mandarin. Ten Monosyllable lists, each of which has 50 mandarin words according to phonemic balance and criteria of speech audiometry, were edited. The balance was 3-dimension: vowels, consonants and four Chinese tones. One cassette was recorded by a male speaker (radiobroadcaster). The 72 normal hearing subjects were tested monaurally with ten monosyllable lists and the materials were presented by the earphone. The equivalence evaluation was done at the level of about 50% correct scores.

RESULTSStatistic analysis shows that 7 lists were equivalent in difficulty. They were ready for future research and clinical trial.

CONCLUSIONSThe mandarin monosyllable lists were edited in terms of international standard and Chinese 3-dimension phonemic balance. Seven of them met the demands for research and clinical application.

Adult ; Audiometry, Speech ; Cochlear Implants ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Female ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Phonetics ; Speech Discrimination Tests ; methods

OBJECTIVETo edit the spondee (disyllable) word lists as a part of mandarin speech test materials (MSTM). These will be basic speech materials for routine tests in clinics and laboratories.

METHODSTwo groups of professionals (audiologists, Chinese and Mandarin scientists, linguistician and statistician) were set up at first. The editing principles were established after 3 round table meetings. Ten spondee lists, each with 50 words, were edited and recorded into cassettes. All lists were phonemically balanced (3-dimensions: vowels, consonants and Chinese tones). Seventy-three normal hearing college students were tested. The speech was presented by earphone monaurally. Three statistic methods were used for equivalent analysis.

RESULTSRelated analysis showed that all lists were much related, except List 5. Cluster analysis showed that all ten lists could be classified as two groups. But Kappa test showed that the lists' homogeneity were not well.

CONCLUSIONSSpondee lists are one of the most routine speech test materials. Their editing, recording and equivalent evaluation are affected by many factors. This also needs multi-discipline cooperation. All lists edited in present study need future modification in recording and testing in order to be used clinically and in research. The phonemic balance should be kept.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Audiometry, Speech ; Female ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Speech Discrimination Tests ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To determine the damage of different types of floods on the residents health. METHODS: The methods of standard mortality rate (SMR) and years of potential life lost (YPLL) were used to analyze the death of sample residents from flood areas in Dongting Lake in Hunan province. RESULTS: The order of death causes in the soaked area, the collapsed area and the non-flood area was the same. But the mortality rates of residents injury, poisoning and malignant neoplasm diseases in the soaked area and the collapsed area were higher than those of non-flood area. The resident standard rates of years of potential life lost (SYPLL) in the soaked area and the collapsed area were higher than that of the controls, especially in the age group of 30 to 45. The flood-attributed SYPLL in the male was higher than that of the female. CONCLUSION Flood actually affected the health of residents. The more serious the flood is, the worse the effect is. It is very important to decrease the resident mortality rate of the injury, poisoning and malignant neoplasm, and to pay attention to protect people of 30 to 45 years old in flood areas.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Disasters ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Life Tables ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mortality

OBJECTIVETo report on prenatal diagnosis and follow up of two patients with paternal uniparental disomy of chromosome 6 (pUPD6).

METHODSFetal cells were subjected to in situ culturing and G-banded chromosomal analysis. DNA samples of the fetuses and their parents were also analyzed with single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP array).

RESULTSBoth fetuses had a normal male karyotype. SNP array analysis showed both have carried pUPD6.

CONCLUSIONpUPD6 can lead to transient neonatal diabetes mellitus type 1. Homozygous status of recessive mutations, disorder of gene imprinting, and its influence on placental function are the main factors to be considered during prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling for pUPD6.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of health service and its influential factors in flood disaster areas. METHODS: Fifty-five towns were sampled randomly from Dongting Lake area suffering from flood in 1998. The health service level, effect, and its influence factors were investigated retrospectively. RESULTS: The incidence rate of notifiable infectious diseases was 11.7 per thousand, prevalence rate of chronic disease was 51.2 per thousand, infant mortality rate was 43.1 per thousand, neonatal mortality rate was 10.2 per thousand, and the total mortality rate was 554.3/100,000 in Dongting Lake area. The health investment level was significantly associated with the incidence rate of notifiable infectious diseases, the infant mortality rate, and total mortality rate. Duration of flood and income per capita were important factors for the effect of health investment. CONCLUSION Increasing health investment and residents' income in the flood disaster area, shortening the duration of flood would play positive role in residents' health in the flood disaster area.
China ; epidemiology ; Chronic Disease ; epidemiology ; Communicable Diseases ; epidemiology ; Floods ; Health Services ; supply & distribution ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prevalence