OBJECTIVE:To compare the quality control index between Jinzhen Suanzao teabag and decoction,and explore the alternative supplement of teabag to decoction. METHODS:The test sample solutions of Jinzhen Suanzao teabag and decoction were prepared by hot-maceration method and water-decoction method. The contents of water soluble extract and total flavonoids were de-termined and compared between 2 kinds of preparation. The leaching rates of teabag were investigated at different soak time(0,5, 10,15,20,25,30 min) to optimize soaking time. RESULTS:The average content of water soluble extract were 50.56% and 44.45%(P<0.05) respectively for the teabag and decoction. The total flavonoids content were 0.64 mg/g and 0.69 mg/g (P<0.05). The dissolution amount of teabag were increasing and leaching rate increased within first 20 min,and reached balance gradu-ally 25 min later. CONCLUSIONS:According to the convenience of use and results of each index,the difference in quality control index is not great between 2 kinds of preparation. Teabag can be as the supplement of decoction.

Objective:To investigate the expression of fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) and related inflammatory factors in the serum of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A case control study was conducted. The patients with AECOPD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from November 2016 to January 2020 were enrolled. The patients were divided into mild group [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio (FEV1/FVC) < 0.70, FEV1 percentage in predicted value (FEV1%) ≥ 80%], moderate group (FEV1/FVC < 0.70, 50% ≤ FEV1% < 80%), and severe group (FEV1/FVC < 0.70, 30% ≤ FEV1% < 50%) based on their lung function test results, with 20 patients in each group, and 20 patients with normal pulmonary function who underwent elective non-thoracic surgery such as gastrointestinal surgery and orthopedics surgery in the same period were selected as controls. The demographic data, FEV1/FVC, FEV1%, FVC, maximum mid-expiratory flow percentage in predicted value (MMEF%), 6-minute walking test (6MWT), and St George Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score were recorded respectively. Serum levels of FGF7, interleukins (IL-6, IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between TNF-α and lung function.Results:Compared with the normal pulmonary function group, the levels of FEV1/FVC, FEV1%, MMEF% and 6MWT in the mild, moderate and severe groups were significantly decreased, and the SGRQ scores were increased, the indicators continued to deteriorate with the aggravation of the disease, the statistical differences were found between severe group and normal pulmonary function group [FEV1/FVC: 0.39±0.09 vs. 0.81±0.04, FEV1%: (38.80±6.28)% vs. (109.58±13.80)%, MMEF%: (0.34±0.14)% vs. (2.69±0.99)%, 6MWT (m): 279.00±41.61 vs. 402.85±53.97, SGRQ scores: 34.95±6.71 vs. 2.60±2.06, all P < 0.05]. Compared with the normal pulmonary function group, the levels of FGF7 in the mild, moderate and severe groups were significantly lowered (ng/L: 6.31±2.65, 6.10±1.39, 6.64±1.77 vs. 8.29±3.51, all P < 0.05), but no significant difference was found among the mild, moderate and severe groups (all P > 0.05). Compared with the normal pulmonary function group, IL-6 and TNF-α levels were significantly increased in the mild, moderate and severe groups, and TNF-α increased with the aggravation of the disease, the statistical difference was found between severe group and normal pulmonary function group (ng/L: 7.42±2.28 vs. 3.83±0.92, P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in IL-1β level between the normal pulmonary function group and the mild, moderate, severe groups. Correlation analysis showed that TNF-α was negatively correlated with FEV1/FVC and FEV1% ( r values were -0.350 and -0.527, respectively, both P < 0.01). Conclusion:In AECOPD patients, serum FGF7 was decreased, while IL-6 and TNF-α were increased; however, with the aggravation of the disease, there was no significant change in the level of FGF7 in the peripheral blood, but the TNF-α level might be increased, accompanied by severe damage of small airway function.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effect and mechanism of Poly I:C in inducing growth inhibition and apoptosis of human hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells.

METHODSSMMC-7721 cells were treated with different doses of Poly I:C for 24, 48, and 72 h, and the cell growth inhibition rate was analyzed with CCK-8 assay. The cell cycle and the apoptosis were analyzed using flow cytometry with Annexin-V and PI staining, and quantitative RT-PCR analysis were used to detect the expression of TLR3, TRIF, and IFN-beta mRNA in cells.

RESULTSIn the cells exposed to Poly I:C at low, moderate, and high doses, the inhibitory rates was the highest in high-dose Poly I:C group, and at a given Poly I:C dose, prolonged exposure resulted in significantly increased cell growth inhibition rate (P<0.05). Flow cytometry showed that Poly I:C induced cell apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner and significantly increased the percentage of G1-phase cells as compared with that in the control group. The mRNA level of TLR3, TRIF, and IFN-beta were also increased following Poly I:C treatment in comparison with the control group.

CONCLUSIONPoly I:C can induce significant growth inhibition and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner possibly by causing cell cycle arrest and TLR3 signaling pathway activation that leads to IFN-beta production and cell apoptosis.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Humans ; Interferon-beta ; genetics ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Poly I-C ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Receptors, Cholecystokinin ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 3 ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the method for culturing corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMs) derived from diabetic rats with erectile dysfunction (ED) for the study of ED caused by diabetes.

METHODSCCSMs were isolated from the corpus cavernosum of diabetic rats with ED and cultured using a modified method of adherent tissue culture. The cultured cells were identified by immunohistochemistry and the cell morphology and proliferation were observed.

RESULTSThe primary culture of CCSM was performed successfully, and the cells were seen to migrate from the small tissue pieces 3 days later, reaching nearly confluence in 16-18 days. A typical "hill-valley" growth pattern was noted in the cell passaging. Immunohistochemical staining for alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SM-actin) and desmin yielded positive results in the cells.

CONCLUSIONThe modified method for adherent tissue culture is convenient and reliable in establishing the in vitro cell culture model of CCSMs from diabetic rats with ED, and the cultured CCSMs display a faster proliferation than normal CCSMs. No obvious differences in the cell morphology can be found between diabetic and normal CCSMs under light microscope.

Animals ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; physiology ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo observe effects of syndrome-differentiation acupuncture on life quality in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) in order to evaluate its clinical efficacy.

METHODSOne hundred and five cases of FD were randomly divided into a syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group, a regular acupuncture group and a non-acupoint group, 35 cases in each one. Zhongwan (CV 12), Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36) were selected as main acupoints in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group. After syndrome differentiation, Danzhong (CV 17) and Zhangmen (LR 13) were added for those with stagnation of liver qi; Pishu (BL 20) and Weishu (BL 21) were added for those with deficiency of spleen-stomach qi; Qimen (LR 14) and Taichong (LR 3) were added for liver-qi invading stomach and Yinlingquan (SP 9) and Neiting (ST 44) were added for dampness-heat blocking stomach. The selection of acupoints in the regular acupuncture group was the same as main acupoints in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group. The points 10 mm lateral to the main acupoints were selected in the non-acupoint group. The treatment was given once a day, six days as a treatment course and totally two courses were required. The symptom total score, health-related quality of life survey (SF-36) and Nepean dyspepsia index (NDI) were evaluated before and after the treatment as well as one month after the treatment (follow-up visit), respectively. The efficacy was also assessed.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the total effective rate was 87.5% (28/32) in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group, which was superior to 74.2% (23/31) in the regular acupuncture group and 20.7% (6/29) in the non-acupoint group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Compared before the treatment, the SF-36, NDI and symptom total score after the treatment and in the follow-up visit were all obviously improved in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group and regular acupuncture group (all P < 0.05), which was the most obvious in the syndrome-differentiation acupuncture group [after the treatment, SF-36: 84.54 +/- 5.93 vs 81.44 +/- 6.22, 63.46 +/- 6.59; NDSI: 18.94 +/- 9.30 vs 21.23 +/- 8.39, 43.93 +/- 11.26; NDLQI: 71.42 +/- 7.23 vs 63.11 +/- 7.06, 54.87 +/- 6.00; symptom total score: 22.06 +/- 15.80 vs 32.52 +/- 16.88, 47.97 +/- 10.92]; the improvement in the regular acupuncture group was more obvious than that in the non-acupoint group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared before the treatment, only NDSI score was improved in the non-acupoint group after the treatment (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe syndrome-differentiation acupuncture could obviously improve patient's life quality in the treatment of FD, which is an effective therapy for FD.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Dyspepsia ; physiopathology ; psychology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Quality of Life ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo culture rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in vitro using a modified tissue culture method.

METHODSFifteen male rats were randomized into 3 equal groups, namely enzyme digestion group, tissue culture group, and modified tissue culture group. The penis of the rats was separated carefully and cut into small pieces, and seeded onto culture flasks and cultured in complete medium consisting of DMEM containing 20% fetal calf serum at 37 degrees C; in a humidified atmosphere with 5% carbon dioxide. The cells growth was observed under phase contrast microscope and the smooth muscle cell specific proteins alpha-SM-actin and desmin were identified immunohistochemically.

RESULTSThe alpha-SM-actin-positive cell rate was 96.3% in rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle and 23.8% in the fibroblasts, and the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle contained 74.4% desmin-positive cells while the fibroblasts showed no desmin positivity. Significant difference was found in the positive cell rate for desmin among the 3 groups, with the highest positive cell rate occurred in modified tissue culture group.

CONCLUSIONDesmin may serve as a marker for identifying corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells. The modified tissue culture method can result in highly purified corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells with intact structure and functions.

Actins ; analysis ; Animals ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Cell Proliferation ; Desmin ; analysis ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; cytology ; Penis ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Culture Techniques

Objective: To estimate the impact of lymph node dissection on survival in patients with apparent early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with clinical stage I–II EOC. All patients underwent primary surgery at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2003 and December 2015. Demographic features and clinicopathological information as well as perioperative adverse events were investigated, and survival analyses were performed. Results: A total of 400 ovarian cancer patients were enrolled, and patients were divided into 2 groups: 81 patients did not undergo lymph node resection (group A), and 319 patients underwent lymph node dissection (group B). In group B, the median number of removed nodes per patient was 25 (21 pelvic and 4 para-aortic nodes). In groups A and B, respectively, the 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 83.3% and 82.1% (p=0.305), and the 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 93.1% and 90.9% (p=0.645). The recurrence rate in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes was not associated with lymph node dissection (p=0.121).The median operating time was markedly longer in group B than in group A (220 minutes vs. 155 minutes, p<0.001), and group B had a significantly higher incidence of lymph cysts at discharge (32.9% vs. 0.0%, p<0.001). Conclusion In patients with early-stage ovarian cancer, lymph node dissection was not associated with a gain in OS or PFS and was associated with an increased incidence of perioperative adverse events.

BACKGROUNDInterferon-induced transmembrane protein 1 (IFITM1) has been identified as a molecular marker of the colorectal tumors; however its influences on the biological behaviors of the colorectal cancer cells are currently unknown. We aimed to study the influences of IFITM1 on the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of the colorectal cancer SW480 cell lines.

METHODSWe constructed IFITM1/pEGFP-C3 recombinant plasmids and transfected them into the colorectal cancer SW480 cell lines. IFITM1/pEGFP-C3 recombinant plasmids were identified by means of immunofluorescence, laser confocal scanning microscopy, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. IFITM1/SW480 cells with stable over-expression of IFITM1 were confirmed by G418 screening. The influences of IFITM1 on the proliferation of the SW480 cell lines were investigated by MTT assay and tumor transplantation experiments in nude mice. Cell invasion experiments were performed to determine the invasion capacity of the IFITM1/SW480 cells. Matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 activities were detected by the gelatin zymographic analysis, and MMP-9 expression by the Western blotting analysis.

RESULTSIFITM1/pEGFP-C3 recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed in this study, and the IFITM1/SW480 cells with stable IFITM1 gene over-expression were confirmed by G418 screening. MTT results showed that the proliferation of the IFITM1/SW480 cells was significantly enhanced (P < 0.01). Tumors were harvested from four weeks old mice. Tumor volumes were (1347.00 ± 60.94) mm(3), (1032.40 ± 111.38) mm(3) and (1018.78 ± 28.83) mm(3); and tumor weights were (1522.34 ± 62.76) mg, (1137.78 ± 97.22) mg and (1155.76 ± 133.31) mg for mice inoculated with the IFITM1/SW480 cells, pEGFP-C3/SW480 cells and SW480 cells, respectively. Tumor volumes and weights from mice inoculated with the IFITM1/SW480 cells were significantly increased (P < 0.01). In addition, the numbers of the SW480 cells and IFITM1/SW480 cells that migrated through Matrigel were 448.64 ± 38.09 and 540.45 ± 44.61, respectively; so the invasive ability of the SW480 cells transfected with IFITM1 gene was significantly greater than that of the SW480 cells (P < 0.01). Gelatin zymographic analysis showed that MMP-9 and MMP-2 protein activities in the IFITM1/SW480 cells were significantly enhanced, and Western blotting analysis showed that MMP-9 expression in the IFITM1/SW480 cells was also increased.

CONCLUSIONIFITM1 can enhance the proliferation, invasion, and metastasis of the colorectal cancer SW480 cell lines.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; Vesicular Transport Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective:To explore the timing of sequential noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) following endotracheal intubation mechanical ventilation (ETI-MV) in aged patients with severe community-acquired pneumonia (SCAP).Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. The SCAP patients aged ≥ 75 years old admitted to respiratory intensive care unit (RICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from July 2017 to August 2019 were enrolled. SCAP was diagnosed according to the criteria of Guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in adults in China (2016) published by Chinese Thoracic Society. ETI-MV was initially performed as respiratory support after RICU admission. Sequential NIPPV was performed immediately following extubation when the patients exhibited pulmonary infection abated (PIA) window. The gender, age, underlying diseases, and body temperature, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), oxygenation index (PaO 2/FiO 2) after RICU admission, as well as acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, improved pneumonia score of British Thoracic Society (confusion, uremia, respiratory, blood pressure, age 65 years, CURB-65), and pneumonia severity index (PSI) score within 24 hours after RICU admission were recorded. The duration and times of ETI, the incidences of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) and aspiration, the duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), the length of RICU and hospital stay and RICU prognosis were also recorded. The patients were divided into the ETI ≤ 7 days group and the ETI > 7 days group according to the duration of ETI, and the clinical data were compared between the two groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the risk factors of aged patients with SCAP whose ETI was more than 7 days, and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the predictive value of risk factors. Results:Fifty aged patients with SCAP were enrolled, with 24 patients in the ETI ≤ 7 days group and 26 in the ETI > 7 days group. Univariate analysis showed that compared with the patients with ETI ≤ 7 days, the incidences of concurrent cerebrovascular diseases [46.2% (12/26) vs. 16.7% (4/24)], VAP [61.5% (16/26) vs. 16.7% (4/24)] and aspiration [69.2% (18/26) vs. 25.0% (6/24)] were significantly increased in patients with ETI > 7 days (all P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that VAP and aspiration were independent risk factors of ETI > 7 days in the aged SCAP patients [VAP: odds ratio ( OR) = 4.852, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was 1.076-21.877, P = 0.040; aspiration: OR = 5.903, 95% CI was 1.474-23.635, P = 0.012]. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under ROC curve (AUC) of VAP for predicting ETI > 7 days in aged patients with SCAP was 0.724, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR) and Youden index were 61.54%, 83.33%, 80.00%, 66.67%, 3.69, 0.46 and 0.45, respectively. Similarly, the AUC of aspiration was 0.721, the sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, PLR, NLR and Youden index were 69.23%, 75.00%, 75.00%, 69.23%, 2.77, 0.41 and 0.44, respectively. Analysis of prognostic indicators showed that compared with patients with ETI ≤ 7 days, the reintubation rate and RICU mortality were significantly increased in patients with ETI > 7 days [53.8% (14/26) vs. 4.2% (1/24), 38.5% (10/26) vs. 12.5% (3/24), both P < 0.05]. Moreover, the patients with ETI > 7 days had significantly prolonged total duration of MV, the length of RICU stay and total hospital stay as compared with the patients with ETI ≤ 7 days [total duration of MV (days): 23.8±11.8 vs. 11.3±3.1, length of RICU stay (days): 30.6±14.1 vs. 16.0±5.1, total length of hospital stay (days): 33.0±14.9 vs. 20.2±6.1, all P < 0.01]. Conclusions:Sequential NIPPV performed immediately following extubation within 7 days in the aged SCAP patients might reduce the mortality and shorten the duration of MV. The prolonged ETI duration because of the VAP or aspiration would lead to a reduced function of sequential NIPPV and an increased mortality of the aged patients with SCAP.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the preventive effects and possible underlying mechanism of different extracts of Kanggushu () on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.

METHODSOne hundred and sixtyfive female SD rats were divided into 11 groups: control, sham, model, Xianling Gubao Capsule (), nilestriol, Kanggushu aqueous extract high-, medium-, and low-dose and suet extract high-, medium-, and low-dose groups. The osteoporosis model was made by ovariectomizing the rats. The latter 8 groups were administered intragastricly with Xianling Gubao Capsule, nilestriol, Kanggushu aqueous extract and suet extract for 12 weeks, respectively, while the other 3 groups were administered orally saline. The whole body bone mineral density, bone mineral content, organ coefficient of uterus, serum estradiol and alkaline phosphatase contents, blood calcium, phosphorus, interleukin 6 and bone Gla-protein levels after treatment were monitored. Additionally, three-point bending test of femur, HE staining, and scanning electron microscope were performed to explore the pharmacodynamics and underlying mechanisms.

RESULTSIn comparison with ovariectomized rats of model group, Kanggushu aqueous extract high-dose resulted in an increased bone mineral density, bone mineral content and organ coefficient of uterus, improved estradiol level, and improved maximum load and structural stiffness (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Two-dimensional and three-dimensional trabecular structure was also observed under HE staining and scanning electron microscopy, and the number and thickness of trabecular bone in Kanggushu aqueous extract high-dose group was significantly increased compared to the model group, while the lipid droplets in bone marrow cavity were significantly less. However, there were no significant differences in blood calcium, total serum alkaline phosphatase and bone Gla protein among different treatment groups. Overall, the osteoprotective effects of Kanggushu aqueous extract were comparable to those of nilestriol and were significantly more effective than those of Xianling Gubao Capsule.

CONCLUSIONThe preventive effects of Kanggushu aqueous extract might be partly due to the increased estradiol level, accelerated restoration of bone trabecular reticulate structure, and accordingly increased bone mineral density in osteoporosis rats.

Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Animals ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; drug effects ; Body Weight ; drug effects ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Femur ; drug effects ; pathology ; physiopathology ; ultrastructure ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; drug effects ; Osteocalcin ; metabolism ; Osteoporosis ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Ovariectomy ; Phosphorus ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Uterus ; drug effects ; pathology