Objective To investigate the effects of ?-aescin on nuclear factor-?B (NF-?B) activities and tumor necrosis factor-? (TNF-?) protein expression in the rat brain tissue following acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods A total of 62 SD rats were subjected to a lateral cortical impact injury caused by a free-falling object and divided randomly into four groups, ie, sham operation group (Group A), injury group (Group B), ?-aescin treatment group (Group C) and pyrrolidine dithocarbamate (PDTC) treatment group (Group D). Group C was administered with ?-aescin and Group D treated with PDTC immediately after injury. A series of brain samples were obtained directly 6, 24 hours and three days respectively after operation in four groups. The NF-?B activation of rat brain was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and the levels of TNF-? protein in rat brain measured by radio-immunoassay (RIA). In the meantime, the water content of rat brain was measured and pathomorphological observation carried out. Results Compared with Group A, NF-?B activities, the levels of TNF-? protein and the water content of the rat brain were significantly increased (P

Objective To detect characteristics and the pathogenesis of rhodopsin (RHO) gene mutation in an inbreeding family with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (ARRP). Methods Peripheral venous blood 5-8 ml was abstracted from 8 members in the inbreeding ARRP family and 10 control individuals. DNA gene group was picked. Extron 1-5 of RHO gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR),and the mutation of RHO gene was screened by direct DNA sequence measurement. Results The Gln-344-Arg mutation in the RHO gene was detected in 3 patients with ARRP and homozygotes of the mutation in 3 patients were found. Heterozygous of the mutation was detected in the parent of patients and 1 healthy family member. No mutation of RHO gene was found in 2 healthy family members and 10 control individuals. Conclusions The Gln-344-Arg mutation in the RHO gene may be the pathogenic factor of the ARRP family; the frequency of the mutation of RHO gene may increase in the inbreeding ARRP family.

Sphingolipids are structural components of cellular membranes.Their metabolites,such as ceramide,sphingosine,and sphingosine 1-phosphate are important bioactive molecules,which act as the first or second messengers regulating various cellular activities,including proliferation,survival,migration and neovascularization in vitro and in vivo tumor models.Sphingosine kinases 1(SPK1) is a critical regulator of the balance between ceramide and S1P.Recent studies show that ceramide,SPK1 and S1P can regulate many of the hallmarks of cancer.These studies suggest that these metabolites can serve as novel targets for cancer therapy.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of hospital admission cases with chemical poisoning in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2020. Methods Data of hospital admissions for chemical poisoning in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2020 were collected through Guangdong Province Health Statistics Network Reporting System，and descriptive analysis was conducted. The seasonal characteristics of the number of hospitalized poisoning cases were analyzed by the concentration method，the seasonal index（SI）was calculated by the weighted annual ratio averaging method，and the spatial auto-correlation of regional poisoning trend was analyzed by the global and local spatial autocorrelation. Results From 2016 to 2020，the number of hospital admissions for chemical poisoning in Guangdong Province was 54 656，showing a general decreasing trend. The sex ratio（male to female）was 0.90 ∶1.00. The top three types of hospitalization rates were carbon monoxide poisoning，alcohol poisoning and organic solvent poisoning. The main poisoning groups were students and children， farmers，workers and unemployed people，accounting for 31.74%，18.53%，13.91% and 10.39%，respectively. The 74.37% of poisoning cases were cured or improved and discharged，and the case fatality rate was 0.48%. The top three hospitalization rates in age group of 0-<5 years were organic solvent，metal and carbon monoxide poisoning. The hospitalization rate of carbon monoxide poisoning ranked the first among all age groups of ≥5 years. The top three regions with the highest average annual hospitalization rate were Shaoguan City （25.14/105 ），Qingyuan City （17.04/105 ） and Meizhou City （16.09/105 ）. Carbon monoxide poisoning had a strong seasonality（M=0.77），with high incidence months of January，February and December（SI were 3.60，3.08 and 2.48，respectively）. The inpatients with chemical poisoning showed non-random distribution and spatial correlation（all P<0.01），with a high-high clustering among 13 districts and counties in northern Guangdong（all P<0.05）. Conclusion The number of hospital admission cases of chemical poisoning showed an overall decreasing trend in Guangdong Province from 2016 to 2020. The main types of poisoning were carbon monoxide poisoning，alcohol poisoning and organic solvent poisoning. The spatial distribution of chemical poisoning types showed spatial correlation and there were high-high clustering areas.

Objective To understand the significance of upper eyelid swelling in early diagnosis and treat-ment of infectious mononucleosis(IM).Methods We early diagnosed these patients IMwith upper eyelid swelling, fever and lymph node enlargement under five days course of disease,and compared the coincidence rate with last diag-nosis,investigated the rate of upper eyelid swelling in non -early diagnosis cases with the course of disease above one week,and evaluated the effect of ganciclovir in treating IMin two groups.Results The coincidence rate was 97.14%in early and last diagnosis groups,and the rate of upper eyelid swelling was 60.2% in non -early diagnosis group. There were significant differences in disappear of upper eyelid swelling,fever and lymph node enlargement in the two groups.Conclusion Upper eyelid swelling has important significance in early diagnosis and treatment of IM.

AIM To evaluate the anti-angiogenesis action of Bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization(CNV) in rats induced by alkali burns.·METHODS: 20 Health Wistar rats, aging from 6 to 8 weeks and weighting from 170g to 190g from 170g to 190g were prepared for CNV animal models. Both corneas of each animal in experimental were cauterized with alkali, then all rats were randomly divided into four groups (each group have 5 rats and 10 corneas), the both corneas of each rats were received subconjunctival Bevacizumab in different dosage (group 2, 0.5rag; group 3, 1.0mg; group 4, 2.0mg)and the group 1 received carrier solution. The occurrence and development ofCNVwereobservedbyslit-lamp microscope, and length and area of CNV were calculated. All rats were followeded up 16 days after alkali burns. The 40 corneas were taken for histopathological examination. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected in all rat corneas by immunohistochemistry method. ·RESULTS: In the bevacizumabotreated eyes, the vascular area was lower than in the control eyes. The treated group was statistical differences compared with the control group; when vascular area were compared between the treated groups, no statistical differences were observed. The histopathological findings showed that the inflammation cells and the neovascularity in each treated group were significantly fewer than that in the control group. The expression of VEGF markedly increased in CNV control group compared with bevacizumab-injected group. ·CONCLUSION: Subconjunctival application of a certain concentrations Bevacizumab could inhibit angiogenesis in rats corneas induced by alkali burns.

Objective To investigate effect of paclitaxel on expression of programmed death ligand-1 ( PD-L1 ) in the surface of cervical cancer TC-1 cells and its mechanism. Methods ①The cells were divided into two groups: paclitaxel group, paclitaxel combined with PKD blocker (G? 6976) group. There were 4 concentration gradient and 5 holes for each group, and each hole has its corresponding concentration of drugs. Influence of paclitaxel on TC-1 cell viability and effect of PKD blocker G? 6976 on IC50 value of paclitaxel were evaluated by MTT method.②The cells were divided into 0. 9% sodium chloride solution ( NS) group and paclitaxel group, There were 5 holes of each group. Effect of paclitaxel on PD-L1 expression on the surface of TC-1 cells were measured by immunohistochemistry.③The cells were divided into 4 groups:NS+DMSO group, G? 6976 group, paclitaxel group and paclitaxel+G? 6976 group. There were 5 holes for each group. Effect of paclitaxel and G? 6976 on PD-L1 expression on the surface of TC-1 cells were measured by immunohistochemistry. The expressions of PD-L1 on the surface of cells were measured by immunofluorescence treated with different drugs. Results The IC50 value of paclitaxel was 40 μg·mL-1 in paclitaxel group, and 38. 9 μg·mL-1 in paclitaxel combined with PKD blocker G? 6976 group, without significant difference between the two groups (P>0. 05). The expression of PD-L1 in the surface of TC-1 cells were significantly higher in paclitaxel group than in negative control group [(88. 48±13. 44)% vs. (39. 59±5. 99)%, P<0. 05]. The expression of PD-L1 in the surface of TC-1 cells was (79. 7%±4. 7)% after treatment with paclitaxel combined with PKD blocker G? 6976 for 24 h, and it was significantly lower than that in paclitaxel group [(96. 8±2. 5)%, P<0. 05]. Conclusion Paclitaxel promotes the expression of PD-L1 in the surface of TC-1 cells, which could be significantly inhibited by blocking PKD pathway. Paclitaxel may exert its effect through PKD pathway.

Background Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most important microvascular complications of diabetes,which has become one of the leading causes of blindness.Neovascularization is the main pathological manifestations of DR,but its mechanism is unknown.There is a clear need to investigate its pathogenesis which can offer potential therapeutic targets.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the expression and distribution of visfatin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in diabetic model rats.Methods This study was approved by Animal Ethic Committee of Inner Mongolia Medical University.Sixty SPF 8-week-old male SpragueDawley rats were randomized into the diabetic group and control group.The rats were housed under a condition that alternated between 12 hours of light and darkness,with free access to rat food and water.Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg (0.60 ml/100 g) of streptozotocin (STZ) and control rats received equivalent volume of buffer.The models were regarded as successful when blood glucose was ≥ 16.7 mmol/L.Rats were sacrificed 12 weeks after the injection of STZ and retinal specimens were prepared to detect the expression of visfatin and VEGF.Total retinal protein was isolated from the retinas of experimental and control eyes,and the expression of visfatin and VEGF was assessed by Western blot.Frozen cross sections of retinas of 5 μm thickness were used to perform double immunofluorescence staining with anti-visfatin and anti-VEGF antibodies.Results Mean body weight of the diabetic rats was (189.02±11.34) g and that of the control rats was (489.57 ± 14.48) g at 12 weeks post-injection,showing a significant difference between them (t =5.236,P =0.003).Mean blood glucose level was (29.25±3.86) mmol/L in the diabetic group and (5.32±1.01) mmol/L in the control group,demonstrating a significant difference (t =11.778,P =0.000).Double immunofluorescence staining showed reduced expression of visfatin and VEGF in the retinal nerve fibrous layer and glial cells in the control rats.A stronger staining for visfatin and VEGF was found in the various layers of the retina in the diabetic rats,with an expression level of visfatin (A value) of 346.26±41.23,which was considerably higher than that of the control group (102.07±65.01) (t =8.291,P =0.000) in 12 weeks after injection.Furthermore,the expression of VEGF in the retina was elevated in the diabetic group compared with the control group (A value) (415.88±92.15 vs.113.06±32.06) (t=10.067,P=0.000).Conclusions Visfatin might contribute to the pathologic progression of diabetic retinal,neovascularization and it might play a synergistic role with VEGF in the pathophysiology of DR.

Autophagy is an active research area in the biomedical field as its role has been identified in many physiological and pathological processes. Accordingly, there is a growing demand to identify, quantify and manipulate the process accurately. Meanwhile, there is great interest in identifying compounds that modulate autophagy because they may have applications in the treatment of a variety of autophagy-related diseases. In this review, we summarize the current status of autophagy screening systems to facilitate identification of autophagy modulators.
Autophagy ; Humans

This study aims to optimize the most effective component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on lung cancer A549 using the orthogonal design method, and to investigate its effects of the component formula on cell proliferation, apoptosis and cytoskeleton in lung cancer A549 cells. The orthogonal design method was introduced to optimize the most effective component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on lung cancer A549 cells. CCK-8 assay and Real-time cell analysis were adapted to analyze the effect of component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma on A549 cells viability at different time and dose. Cell apoptosis was measured by Annexin V- FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry. Cell skeleton protein F-actin was detected by high content screening (HCS). The optimizing component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma for total salvianolic acid, total saponins of panax ginseng and ginseng polysaccharide doses were 5, 10, 5 mg L(-1). CCK-8 assay and real-time cell analysis demonstrated that the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma treatment could significantly decrease the A549 cell viability in both dose- and time-dependent manner compared with control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the increase of cell apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining and flow cytometry when cells treated with the component formula, which indicating that the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma could induce A549 cell apoptosis in a time-dependent manner compared with control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, compared with control group, a significant decrease in A549 cell skeleton area was found in the component formula-exposed cells in the dose-dependent manner (P < 0.01). In summary, the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma inhibits A549 cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis and decreasing cell microfilament formation. All of these results will be helpful to reveal antitumor mechanism of the component formula of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, which provides a basis for the exploration of antitumor mechanism of the component formula on lung cancer.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry