Objective To examine the possible role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in transdifferentiation induced by TGF ? 1 in cultured human renal tubular epithelial cell lines(HKC). Methods The HKC cells were divided into negative control, positive control, HGF group, HGF inhibition group, HGF delayed administration group. Then the expression of E cadherin and alpha smooth muscle actin(? SMA)of HKC cells were assessed by indirect immunofluorescence ,the expression of ? SMA mRNA of HKC cells were assessed by reverse transcriptase ploymerase chain reaction(RT PCR). Results HKC cells treated with TGF ? 1 present a clear fibroblast like morphology, loss of epithelial marker E cadehrin and de novo expression of ? SMA. Simultaneous incubation of HGF or delayed administration of HGF abrogated the ? SMA expression and E cadherin depression triggered by TGF ? 1 in HKC cells in a dose dependent manner. HGF also blocked morphologic transformation of tubular epithelial cells. Conclusion TGF ? 1 is a key mediator that regulates the transdifferentiation of tubular epithelial cells into ? SMA (+) myofibroblast, HGF can inhibit transdifferentiation of HKC cells induced by TGF ? 1 , Delayed administration of HGF effectively suppresses, and partially reverses myofibroblastic transition of tubular epithelial cells

ObjectiveTo explore the clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of tachycardia induced cardiomy-opathy (TIC) in children.MethodsThe clinical data of 20 children with TIC hospitalized from January 2007 to October 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsIn 20 patients with TIC, there were 11 infants, one toddler, 5 pre-school age children, and 3 adolescent patients were as follows: 15 cases of atrial tachycardia (distributed in each age group), 3 cases of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (2 in infancy and one in adolescence), and 2 cases of ventricular tachycardia (2 in infancy). After the treatment of anti-arrhythmic drugs, sinus rhythm was restored in 11 patients and ventricular rate was controlled in 5 patients while poor effect of drug was found in one patient who received radiofrequency ablation eventually and got cured. Three patients received radiofrequency ablation after admission immediately. Compared with those before treatment, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular diastolic diameter (LVDD) measured by cardiac ultrasonography were signiifcantly improved after treatment (P<0.01).ConclusionsTIC is common in infancy. Atrial tachycardia is the main type of arrhythmia. Generally drug therapy is the ifrst choice in the treatment of TIC but in older children and those refractory to drug therapy the radiofrequen-cy ablation is chosen.

Objective To study the influence of the distance of displaced fragment on the union of diaphysis fracture. Methods A wedge-shaped bone fragment was taken from central radial of the right forelimb of 120 New Zealand white rabbits for estabhshment of experimental animal model. The bone fragment was fixed to the main bone with two Kirschner wires, with certain space between bone fragment and the main bone. Then, the rabbits were divided into five groups, ie, Group A (in situ fixation),Group B (the space was 1/5 diameter of the radial shaft), Group C (the space was 2/5 diameter of the radial shaft), Group D (the space was 3/5 diameter of the radial shaft), Group E (the space was 4/5 diameter of the radial shaft). The animals were killed at 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks after operation. X-ray photos were taken to observe the fracture healing and the improved Gary X-ray used for scoring. HE staining after tissue section was employed to observe the histomorphological changes of fracture healing. Immunohistochemical method was used to determine expression of BMP-2. Results X-ray findings showed insignificant statistical difference between Group A and Group B, delayed union in Groups C and D and nonunion of bone absorption in Group E. Morphological observation showed same change in fracture site in Groups A and B lout significant late in emergence, formation and remodeling of the callus in the other groups compared with Group A, mainly with delayed fracture union or nonunion. There was no statistical difference in expression of BMP-2 between Group B and Group A (P ＞ 0. 05), but there was statistical significance in Groups C, D and E compared with Group A at 2 weeks (P ＜0.01). There was statistical difference between Group E and Group A at 4 weeks (P ＜0. 01) but no statistical difference at 6 and 8 weeks between either two groups (P ＞ 0. 05). Conclusions The distance of displaced fragment will influence fracture healing. The larger distance of the displaced fragment will beget more obvious influence on fracture healing. When the distance is more than 2/5 diameter of the bone shaft, the fracture will present union disorder.

Objective To explore the imaging findings and diagnostic values of X-ray, CT, MR,and ultrasonography in traumatic knee joints hemarthrosis and lipohemarthrosis. Methods Traumatic knee joints hemarthrosis (12 knees) and lipohemarthrosis (18 knees) proved by operation (27 knees) or puncturation (3 knees) were included in the study. Horizontal-beam plain radiographs (16 knees), CT (30 knees), MRI (30 knees) and ultrasonography (24 knees) in supine position were investigated. Results (1)supine position horizontal-beam plain radiographs: Fat-liquid layer was found in 8 cases of lipohemarthrosis. Dense supragenual bursa was found in 1 case of lipohemarthrosis and 7 cases of hemarthrosis. Fracture (13 knees) was diagnosed correctly. (2) CT findings: double fluid-fluid layer was found in 11 of all 18 cases, and single fluid-fluid layer was found in 7 of 11 cases of lipohemarthrosis. Single fluid-fluid layer was found in 3 of 12 cases of hemarthrosis. Isodensity was detected in 9 cases, and high-density blood clot was found in 4 cases. Fracture (30 knees) was diagnosed correctly. (3) MRI findings: in 12 of 18 cases of lipohemarthrosis, double fluid-fluid layer was shown including supernatant layer as short T1, long T2signal and low signal after fat-suppression, middle layer as long T1, long T2 signal and high signal after fat-suppression, and dependent layer as iso-T1, iso-T2 and slight high signal after fat-suppression. Single fluid-fluid layer was seen in 6 cases, only had aforementioned upper and under layer.Only aforementioned supernatant layer and dependent layer were seen in 12 cases of hemarthrosis. 4 cases showed entire blood clot in fluid, T1WI showed middle signal or center iso-signal accompanied with peripheral high signal ring, and fat-suppression imaging showed high signal. T2WI and fat-suppressionimaging showed middling or high signal accompanied with peripheral low signal ring. Fracture (30 knees) was diagnosed correctly. (4) Ultrasound findings: In 10 of 14 cases of lipohemarthrosis, double fluid-fluid level was shown, supernatant layer as equal echo, middle layer as echoless, and dependent layer as cloudy echo. Four cases with single fluid-fluid level only showed aforementioned upper and under layer. Three of 10 cases of hemarthrosis showed single fluid-fluid level, only showing aforementioned upper and under layer,and 7 cases showed cloudy echo and float. In 3 cases the fluid blood clot showed irregular shape low-equal echo bolus. No fracture hne was found. Conclusions CT can clearly detect fracture line, hemarthrosis and lipohemarthresis, and can substitute plain radiography. MRI is the best way to diagnose hemarthresis and lipohemarthrosis. Ultrasonography can be used in diagnosing hemarthresis and lipohemarthrosis but not helpful in the diagnosis of fracture.

OBJECTIVE: Early bolting of Saposhnikovia divaricata has seriously hindered its medicinal value and sustainable development of resources. The molecular mechanism of bolting and flowering of S. divaricata is still unclear and worth of research. In our study, we explored the transcriptome of the genes related to the bolting and flowering of S. divaricata. METHODS: The transcriptome library was constructed, sequenced, assembled and annotated from the bolting and unbolting leaves of S. divaricata by high-throughput sequencing at the bud and flowering stage. Focus on the pathways related to bolting and flowering in plants, and exploring genes. The expression of seven candidate genes was verified by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: Transcriptome results showed that 249 889 422 high-quality clean reads were obtained. A total of 67 866 unigenes were assembled with an average length of 948.1 bp. Trinity de Novo assembly produced 67 866 unigenes with an average length of 948.1 bp. Among 993 differentially expressed genes, 484 genes were significantly up-regulated and 509 genes were down-regulated in the SdM group. A total of 79 GO terms were significantly enriched for differentially expressed genes. KEGG results showed that 11 154 unigenes were enriched in 89 pathways. And 21 candidate genes related to bolting and flowering of S. divaricata were excavated. The qRT-PCR results showed that expression trends of HDA9, PHYB, AP2, TIR1, Hsp90, CaM, and IAA7 were consistent with transcriptomic sequencing results. In addition, RNA-seq had identified 10 740 transcription factors and classified them into 58 families by their conserved domains. Further studies showed that the transcription factors regulating the flowering of S. divaricata were mainly distributed in the NAC, MYB_related, HB-other, ARF, and AP2 families. CONCLUSION Based on the results of this study, it was found that the plant hormone signal transduction pathway was one of the decisive factors to control bolting and flowering. Among them, auxin related genes IAA and TIR1 are the key genes in the bolting and flowering process of S. divaricata.

Objective: Saposhnikoviae Radix (Fangfeng in Chinese), the roots of Saposhnikovia divaricata, lacks commodity specification and grade standardization in the current market. This study investigated the existing specifications and grades of Saposhnikoviae Radix to provide a standardized scientific reference for its market use. Methods: Based on a textual research of Chinese herbal medicine from the Han Dynasty to the present, medicinal materials of different specifications and grades obtained from Saposhnikoviae Radix in the main producing areas of China were collected and the markets for these materials were investigated. Field investigations were performed in the major producing areas such as Northeast China, Hebei Province, and Inner Mongolia. Four major Chinese herbal medicine markets in China were investigated. Sensory indices were used to categorize the two specifications (wild and cultivated) according to the shape, color, texture, and cross-section. High-performance liquid chromatography was performed to determine the active components. Vernier calipers and measuring tape were used to measure the diameter and length, respectively, of 41 samples. Using Excel and the R Language software, cluster analysis and descriptive statistical analysis were performed to assist in the application of new specifications and grades based on physical characteristics, pharmacological activity, and chemical composition. Results: The two specifications (wild and cultivated) of Saposhnikoviae Radix were divided into three grades each based on the length and diameter. Prim-O-glucosylcimifugin, 5-O-methylvisamminoside, and the length of Saposhnikoviae Radix can be used as a basis for classifying the commodity specifications and grades. The specifications and grade standards of Saposhnikoviae Radix were established based on the following eight aspects: shape, surface characteristics, texture, cross section, taste, prim-O-glucosylcimifugin content, 5-O-methylvisamminoside content and length. Conclusion: The formulation of this standard stipulates the commodity specification level of Saposhnikoviae Radix. It is also suitable for the evaluation of commodity specifications in the process of production, circulation and use of Saposhnikoviae Radix.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a pathological change caused by repeated injuries and repair dysfunction of the alveolar epithelium. Our previous study revealed that the residues Asn3 and Asn4 of peptide DR8 (DHNNPQIR-NH₂) could be modified to improve stability and antifibrotic activity, and the unnatural hydrophobic amino acids α-(4-pentenyl)-Ala and d-Ala were considered in this study. DR3penA (DHα-(4-pentenyl)-ANPQIR-NH₂) was verified to have a longer half-life in serum and to significantly inhibit oxidative damage, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrogenesis in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, DR3penA has a dosage advantage over pirfenidone through the conversion of drug bioavailability under different routes of administration. A mechanistic study revealed that DR3penA increased the expression of aquaporin 5 (AQP5) by inhibiting the upregulation of miR-23b-5p and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, indicating that DR3penA may alleviate PF by regulating MAPK/miR-23b-5p/AQP5. Safety evaluation showed that DR3penA is a peptide drug without obvious toxicity or acute side effects and has significantly improved safety compared to DR8. Thus, our findings suggest that DR3penA, as a novel and low-toxic peptide, has the potential to be a leading compound for PF therapy, which provides a foundation for the development of peptide drugs for fibrosis-related diseases.

The antimicrobial peptide APKGVQGPNG (named YD), a natural peptide originating from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CBSYD1, exhibited excellent antibacterial and antioxidant properties in vitro. These characteristics are closely related to inflammatory responses which is the central trigger for liver fibrosis. However, the therapeutic effects of YD against hepatic fibrosis and the underlying mechanisms are rarely studied. In this study, we show that YD improved liver function and inhibited the progression of liver fibrosis by measuring the serum transaminase activity and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and collagen I in carbon tetrachloride-induced mice. Then we found that YD inhibited the level of miR-155, which plays an important role in inflammation and liver fibrosis. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay indicate that Casp12 is a new target of miR-155. We demonstrate that YD significantly decreases the contents of inflammatory cytokines and suppresses the NF-κB signaling pathway. Further studies show that transfection of the miR-155 mimic in RAW264.7 cells partially reversed the YD-mediated CASP12 upregulation, the downregulated levels of inflammatory cytokines, and the inactivation of the NF-κB pathways. Collectively, our study indicates that YD reduces inflammation through the miR-155–Casp12–NF-κB axis during liver fibrosis and provides a promising therapeutic candidate for hepatic fibrosis.