Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal compound modified Huanglian Wendan Decoction in the treatment of hypertension complicated with sleep disorders of phlegm-heat harassing the interior type.Methods A total of 70 patients with hypertension complicated with sleep disorders of phlegm-heat harassing the interior type were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,35 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were treated with conventional western medicine,and the patients in the observation group were treated with modified Huanglian Wendan Decoction on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment covered four weeks.The Clinical Global Impression(CGI)score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score,blood pressure,and serum levels of homocysteine(Hey),interleukin 6(IL-6),interleukin 10(IL-10)and interleukin 8(IL-8)levels in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.Moreover,the safety of medication was evaluated in the two groups.Results(1)After four weeks of treatment,the CGI score of the observation group was(1.63±0.60)points,which was significantly lower than that of the control group[(2.74±0.82)points],and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome score,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and PSQI score of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the decrease of TCM syndrome score,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and PSQI score in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of serum Hcy,IL-6 and IL-8 in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the serum IL-10 level was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01).The decrease of serum Hcy,IL-6 and IL-8 levels and the increase of serum IL-10 level in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)During the treatment,no treatment-related adverse reactions or complications occurred in the two groups.Conclusion Modified Huanglian Wendan Decoction has certain efficacy on patients with hypertension complicated with sleep disorders of phlegm-heat harassing the interior type.The decoction can not only reduce the blood pressure and serum Hcy level of the patients,but also regulate the level of inflammatory factors with high safety.

Background::Findings on the association of genetic factors and colorectal cancer (CRC) survival are limited and inconsistent, and revealing the mechanism underlying their prognostic roles is of great importance. This study aimed to explore the relationship between functional genetic variations and the prognosis of CRC and further reveal the possible mechanism.Methods::We first systematically performed expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Then, the Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to filter out the survival-related eQTL target genes of CRC patients in two public datasets (TCGA and GSE39582 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus database). The seven most potentially functional eQTL single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with six survival-related eQTL target genes were genotyped in 907 Chinese CRC patients with clinical prognosis data. The regulatory mechanism of the survival-related SNP was further confirmed by functional experiments.Results::The rs71630754 regulating the expression of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 ( ERAP1) was significantly associated with the prognosis of CRC (additive model, hazard ratio [HR]: 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08-1.88, P = 0.012). The results of dual-luciferase reporter assay and electrophoretic mobility shift assay showed that the A allele of the rs71630754 could increase the binding of transcription factor 3 (TCF3) and subsequently reduce the expression of ERAP1. The results of bioinformatic analysis showed that lower expression of ERAP1 could affect the tumor immune microenvironment and was significantly associated with severe survival outcomes. Conclusion::The rs71630754 could influence the prognosis of CRC patients by regulating the expression of the immune-related gene ERAP1. Trial Registration::No. NCT00454519 (https://clinicaltrials.gov/)

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, etiological composition, imaging features, and prognosis of adrenal metastases.Methods:This study is a retrospective case series that included 96 patients with pathologically confirmed adrenal metastases who were treated at West China Hospital, Sichuan University, from 2007 to 2017. Clinical features such as sex, age, tumor size, biochemical tests, imaging characteristics, postoperative pathology, treatment methods, and prognosis were collected and analyzed. The prognosis of patients and its influencing factors were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curve and single-factor Cox risk proportional model.Results:Among the 96 included patients, 64 were male and 32 were female, with a median age of 60 years. There were 89 cases of unilateral adrenal metastases, five cases of bilateral metastases, and two cases with unspecified laterality. The median diameter of the metastases was 3.5 cm×2.9 cm, with an average CT value of 31 HU. Thirty-four cases of adrenal hormones were evaluated, and no abnormality was found.The primary tumor sites were as follows: lung ( n=36), kidney ( n=19), liver ( n=12), pancreas ( n=7), rectum ( n=3), stomach ( n=2), and one case each of tumor in the esophagus, skin, thyroid, left maxillary muscle, breast, bladder, cervix, chest wall, and gastrointestinal tract. There were three cases with unknown primary tumors. The most common pathological type was lung adenocarcinoma (20.8%, 20/96), followed by hepatocellular carcinoma (9.4%, 9/96) and high-grade invasive urothelial carcinoma of the kidney (8.3%, 8/96). Thirty-nine cases were diagnosed concurrently with the primary tumor, while 37 cases were diagnosed after the primary tumor, with a median interval of 15 months (range: 2-144 months). There was no significant correlation between the death risk of adrenal metastatic tumor patients and gender, age, and the size of the metastatic tumor (all P>0.05). There were 4 patients with radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone, 19 patients with surgery alone, and 6 patients with combined radiotherapy and chemotherapy. The median overall survival was 1, 3, and 7 years, respectively. Conclusions:Adrenal metastases were mostly diagnosed at the same time as the primary tumor or within 15 months after the diagnosis of the primary tumor. Unilateral metastasis is common. The lungs are the most common primary lesion, followed by the kidney and liver. CT is the preferred method for the diagnosis of adrenal metastases, and the plain CT value is more than 30 HU. The overall prognosis of adrenal metastases is poor. The prognosis was better for patients who underwent surgery combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy than those who received only surgery or radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of CO₂ laser moxibustion on endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis. METHODS: A total of 76 patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis were randomized into a laser moxibustion group and a sham laser moxibustion group, 38 cases in each group. In the laser moxibustion group, moxibustion was applied at bilateral Zigong (EX-CA 1) using CO₂ laser moxibustion instrument. In the sham laser moxibustion group, the manipulation of moxibustion was same as the laser moxibustion group, without laser output. The treatment was given once every other day, 30 min each time, 3 times a week for 4 weeks in both groups. Before and after treatment and follow-up of 3 months after treatment, the scores of Gracely box scale (GBS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) were observed, the usage of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for the duration of the treatment and the average days of taking drugs were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up in the laser moxibustion group (P<0.05), while those in the sham moxibustion group had no significant differences (P>0.05). Compared with the sham moxibustion group, the GBS and VAS scores were decreased after treatment and during follow-up (P<0.05), the cases and average days of taking drugs were less in the laser moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION CO₂ laser moxibustion can improve the pain symptom in patients with endometriosis related pelvic pain of cold coagulation and blood stasis, and reduce the use of analgesic drugs.
Acupuncture Points ; Carbon Dioxide ; Endometriosis/complications* ; Female ; Humans ; Moxibustion ; Pelvic Pain/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the incidence rate of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among the elderly which transferred to Alzheimer disease (AD) and to analyze the related influencing factors. Methods 10 urban communities were selected through stratified cluster sampling as the research sites where 361 patients with MCI were screened from 1 942 residents aged over 60 years old. Questionnaires and laboratory assays were used to collect data from subjects, including characteristics of demographic, life style, medical history, Alzheimer-associated neuronal thread protein,(AD7C-(NTP)), amyloid β-protein 42(Aβ42) and amyloid β-protein 40(Aβ40), etc. Patients with MCI were followed up for three years to determine whether they progressed to AD. Results 121 of 361 patients of MCI converted to AD, and the incidence rate of MCI to AD was 9.49% person-years. According to the results of Logistic regression analysis model, elder (80-89 years) (OR=3.651,95% CI:1.295-10.297, P<0.001),female (OR=2.603,95% CI:1.136-5.966, P<0.001), heavy drinking(OR=1.479,95% CI:1.343-1.627, P<0.001), increased ADL score (OR=1.790, 95% CI:1.443-2.220, P=0.031) and smoking (OR=1.157,95% CI:1.091-1.224, P<0.001) were the risky factors of the transition of MCI to AD. The increase of Moca score (OR=0.766,95% CI:0.681-0.861, P<0.001) was the protective factor of the transition. Conclusions We should strengthen our monitor on elder female MCI patients, and promote healthy lifestyles among the elders, encouraging them to actively participate in physical exercises and reading, in order to delay patients' transition of MCI to AD.

Objective: To explore the effects of noscapine (Nos) on the expression of cadherin 17 (CDH17) in colon cancer SW480 cells and the mechanism of Nos on cell migration. Methods: SW480 cells were divided into the control group, empty vector (si-EV) group, CDH17 interference (si-CDH17) group, Nos treatment group, and CDH17 interference+Nos treatment (si-CDH17+Nos) group. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) was used to knockdown CDH17, and the selected concentration of Nos was (55.30±2.21) µg/ml (IC50). The mRNA expression of CDH17 was detected by qPCR; the apoptosis and migration abilities of SW480 cells were observed by Hoechst33258 staining and Transwell assay; the contents of VEGF, MMP2 and MMP9 in SW480 cells were measured by ELISA, and the protein expressions of CDH17, Wnt3a and β-catenin were determined by WB. Results: Compared with the control group, mRNA and protein expressions of CDH17 obviously decreased, cell apoptosis and migration significantly reduced, while the contents of VEGF, MMP2 and MMP9 as well as the protein expressions of Wnt3a and β-catenin significantly decreased in Nos treatment group, siCDH17 group and si-CDH17+Nos treatment group (all P<0.01).The effect of si-CDH17+Nos treatment was more significant than that of si-CDH17 (P<0.01). Conclusion: Nos induces apoptosis and inhibits the migration of human colon cancer SW480 cells, which may be related to the down-regulation of CDH17 expression and inhibition of the Wnt3a/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) on mucus hypersecretion in the airway of asthmatic mice and explore the mechanism. Methods Female C57bl/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomized into wild-type control group, wild-type asthma group, Brg1-/-group with Brg1 gene knockdown in type II alveolar epithelial cells, and Brg1-/-+asthma group (n=10). The mice in asthma group and Brg1-/-+asthma group were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) to establish asthmatic models. PAS staining was used to determine the number of goblet cells and mucus secretion in the airway. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of MUC5AC mRNA in the lung tissues. The levels of mucin MUC5AC and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected with ELISA and immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of STAT6 and p-STAT6 in the lung tissue were detected using Western blotting. Results Compared with the control mice, wild-type asthmatic mice showed obvious mucus hypersecretion and increased MUC5AC mRNA in the airway with significantly increased IL-13 and MUC5AC levels in the BALF and activation of p-STAT6 in the lung tissues (P<0.05). In the transgenic mice with Brg1 gene knockdown, airway mucus secretion and MUC5AC mRNA expression was significantly reduced following OVA challenge compared with those in the wild-type asthmatic mice; IL-13 and MUC5AC levels in the BALF and p-STAT6 expression in the lung tissues were also significantly decreased in the transgenic mice (P<0.05). Conclusion Brg1 gene knockdown in type II alveolar epithelial cells alleviates OVA-induced airway mucus hypersecretion and reduces the expression of MUC5AC in C57bl/6 mice possibly by inhibiting STAT6 activation, suggesting the role of Brg1 in promoting asthmatic airway mucus hypersecretion.

Objective To investigate the effect of Brahma-related gene 1 (Brg1) on mucus hypersecretion in the airway of asthmatic mice and explore the mechanism. Methods Female C57bl/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomized into wild-type control group, wild-type asthma group, Brg1-/-group with Brg1 gene knockdown in type II alveolar epithelial cells, and Brg1-/-+asthma group (n=10). The mice in asthma group and Brg1-/-+asthma group were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) to establish asthmatic models. PAS staining was used to determine the number of goblet cells and mucus secretion in the airway. Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of MUC5AC mRNA in the lung tissues. The levels of mucin MUC5AC and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were detected with ELISA and immunohistochemistry, and the expressions of STAT6 and p-STAT6 in the lung tissue were detected using Western blotting. Results Compared with the control mice, wild-type asthmatic mice showed obvious mucus hypersecretion and increased MUC5AC mRNA in the airway with significantly increased IL-13 and MUC5AC levels in the BALF and activation of p-STAT6 in the lung tissues (P<0.05). In the transgenic mice with Brg1 gene knockdown, airway mucus secretion and MUC5AC mRNA expression was significantly reduced following OVA challenge compared with those in the wild-type asthmatic mice; IL-13 and MUC5AC levels in the BALF and p-STAT6 expression in the lung tissues were also significantly decreased in the transgenic mice (P<0.05). Conclusion Brg1 gene knockdown in type II alveolar epithelial cells alleviates OVA-induced airway mucus hypersecretion and reduces the expression of MUC5AC in C57bl/6 mice possibly by inhibiting STAT6 activation, suggesting the role of Brg1 in promoting asthmatic airway mucus hypersecretion.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; therapeutic use ; Gene Ontology ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Panax ; chemistry ; Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective To study the mediated neuroprotective effect of B-cell lymphoma/Ieukemia -2 ( Bcl -2 ) and hairy enhancer of split homologues 1 ( Hes -1 ) after cerebral ischemic preconditioning.Methods The model A of cerebral ischemia was set up by the way of middle cerebral artery occlusion.The right internal carotid artery of rat was blocked transiently 10 minutes at a time, then after 3 days the model B was established by the way of model A.The sham operation group was only isolated carotid artery.The time 2, 3, 7, 14 days after the proce-dure , the neurobehavioral function in rat was evaluated by the way of Zea-Longa.The volume of cerebral infarction was measured by 2 , 3 , 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride ( TTC) stain.The mRNA expression of Bcl-2 and Hes1 were assessed by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction ( qRT -PCR ) .Results Compared with model A group, the neurologic impairment scores and cerebral infarction volume[ A:( 40.00 ±4.47 )%, B:( 19.00 ±2.75 )%, respectively ] of rats in model B group had obvious discrepancy( P<0.05).Hes1 mRNA expression in model A and model B were higher than sham operation group, model B were higher than model A, the difference had significantly (P<0.05).Bcl-2 mRNA expression, model B were significantly higher than sham group and model A at 2 days, the difference had significantly( P<0.05).Conclusion The Bcl-2 and Hes1 mRNA ex-pression increased after cerebral ischemia precondition, may be associated with nerve protective effect.