Aim To investigate the mechanism of achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides on degranulation of mast cells. Methods The experiment of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis was used to determine the effect of achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides on degranulation of mast cells in vivo. For in vitro study, various doses of achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides were added to the culture medium of sensitized RBL-2H3 cells. The antigen-induced release of degranulation was measured by enzymatic assay, histamine by EIA and cytokines by ELISA. In addition, the activation of Akt and p38 were measured by Western blot. Results Treatment with achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides was followed by a decrease in PCA of rats and ?-hexosaminidase, histamine, TNF-?,IL-4,Akt and p38 of RBL-2H3 cells induced by antigen. Conclusions Achyranthes bidentata polysaccharides might suppress the anaphylactic reaction through inhibition of action of mast cells. Akt and p38 contributed at least in part to this event.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of Maxing Shigan Decoction(Herba ephedrae,Semen armeniacae amarum,Radix er Rhizoma glycyrrhizae,Gypsum fibrosum) against type Ⅰ hypersenstivity reaction. METHODS: The experiment of passive cutaneous anaphylaxis(PCA) was used to determine the effect of Maxing Shigan Decoction on degranulation of mast cells in vivo.For in vitro study,the drug serum of Maxing Shigan Decoction was added to the culture medium of sensitized RBL-2H3 cells.The antigen-induced release of degranulation was measured by enzymatic assay,histamine by enzyme immunoassay(EIA) and cytokines by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). RESULTS: The results showed that treatment with drug serum of Maxing Shigan Decoction was followed by a decrease in PCA of rats and in degranulation,histamine,TNF-? and IL-4 from RBL-2H3 cells induced by antigen. CONCLUSION: Maxing Shigan Decoction may suppress the type Ⅰ hypersensitivity reaction by inhibiting the action of mast cells.

[Objective]To explore the application of the pathogenesis of"weak yang and stringy yin"in the treatment of atherosclerosis. [Methods] Analyze the symptoms and prescriptions of atherosclerosis in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber, and refer to the literatures on the prescriptions. To describe the concept of atherosclerosis from the "virtual" and "real" two aspects of the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis; access to the literature on the anti-cut Guibao White Liquor Soup, Gualou Xiebai Pinellia Decoction, Guizhi Tang, Guizhi Decoction, Ginseng Decoction, Jizhi Amethyst Decoction, Aconitum Red Stone Pills, Rhubarb Pills and Dazhuai Decoction, and other classic prescriptions of the Golden Chamber. [Results] Although there was no disease of atherosclerosis in Chinese medicine, there were many descriptions of its symptoms and etiology and pathogenesis. "The virtual", "standard" were its main pathogenesis,"Golden Chamber"in the proposed"weak yang and stringy yin" theory, and created a large number of prescriptions, such as Gualou Xiebai white liquor soup, Gualou Xiebai Pinellia Soup, Citrus aurantium Decoction Guizhi Decoction, Guizhi Decoction, Ginseng Decoction, Jizhi Feizhi Decoction, Aconitum Red Stone Pills, Rhubarb Pills and Da Chai Hu Tang. According to the literature, "Golden Chamber" in these prescriptions can be used to treat atherosclerosis. [Conclusion] The general theory of the pathogenesis of"chest palsy"and"weak yang and stringy yin"in the Synopsis of the Golden Chamber is the same as the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. According to this pathogenesis Zhongjing created a large number of prescriptions, modern pharmacological studies have shown that they can treat atherosclerosis. Therefore, we can extend "weak yang and stringy yin" of the pathogenesis theory to the treatment of atherosclerosis. This treatment is worthy of our further exploration, for the present use, to be effective.

The vitamin-mineral enriched flour (VMF) was a byproduct obtained from a new processing technique of flour milling, and rich in vitamin B group, minerals and dietary fibers.The addition of 10 or 20% VMF to the stock diet composed mainly of white flour failed to improve PER and growth rate of young rats. When the rats were fed the tested diet for 6 weeks, in which the VMF served as the only diet source ot riboflavin, blood glutathione reductase activity coefficient was 1.13 and 1.09 respectively. This indicated that the amount of riboflavin supplied by VMF could maintain an adequate level in the body of the rats.Adult rats were fed high cholesterol plus 10, 20 and 30% VMF, the contents of serum cholesterol, liver lipids and liver cholesterol were similar to those of the normal diet group, these contents, however, in control group were increased obviously. The results suggested that VMF could protect the rats from the increment of serum cholesterol, liver lipids and cholesterol.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of hepatocyte fatty degeneration induced by free fatty acid on macrophage polarization and the possible mechanism. MethodsPrimary hepatocytes of C57BL/6 mice were isolated by in situ collagenase perfusion, and then the hepatocytes were divided into control (NC) group and mixed free fatty acid (FFA) treatment group. A conditioned medium (CM) was prepared for hepatocytes and was used for the intervention of RAW264.7 macrophages. Oil red O staining was used to observe lipid deposition in hepatocytes; real-time PCR was used to measure the mRNA expression of lipid metabolism genes and macrophage M1/M2 polarization markers; ELISA was used to measure the levels of cytokines in supernatant; Western blot was used to measure the expression of proteins involved in the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in macrophages. The independent samples t-test was used for comparison between two groups; a one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison between multiple groups, and the Tukey test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the NC group, the FFA treatment group had the deposition of massive lipid droplets in hepatocytes and significant increases in triglyceride and total cholesterol (t=15.65 and 3.49, both P＜005). Besides, FFA significantly increased the mRNA expression of the lipid synthesis genes SREBP1C and FASN (t=2.89 and 2.82, both P＜0.05) and reduced the mRNA expression of the lipid decomposition genes ACOX1 and CPT1A (t=14.30 and 3.36, both P＜005) in hepatocytes. FFA also induced significant increases in the levels of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in supernatant (all P＜0.05). Compared with the CM-NC group, the CM-FFA group had significant increases in the mRNA expression of the M1 phenotype markers iNOS2, TNF-α, and IL-6 (all P＜0.05) and a significant reduction in the mRNA expression of the M2 phenotype marker interleukin-10 (P＜0.05). Moreover, Western blot showed that CM-FFA significantly upregulated the protein expression of TLR4, p-NF-κBp65, and p-IκBα in macrophages (t=2.88, 3.69, and 3.54, all P＜0.05). ConclusionFFA-induced hepatocyte fatty degeneration and inflammation can promote M1 macrophage polarization, thereby initiating and triggering the development and progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Hepatorenal syndrome (HRS) is a serious complication that occurs in patients with decompensated cirrhosis or acute/chronic liver failure. The main pathological features of HRS include marked peripheral vasodilation and strong renal vasoconstriction, with rapid progression, unsatisfactory treatment response, and poor prognosis. Vasoconstrictors are mainly used in the pharmacotherapy for HRS, and at present, terlipressin combined with albumin is the first-line treatment method for HRS. Some drugs with a renal vasodilatory effect also show a potential therapeutic effect. This article reviews the latest research advances in the role and clinical application of vasoactive drugs in the treatment of HRS.

In December, the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in Wuhan, China, has attracted extensive global attention. On January 20, 2020,the Chinese health authorities upgraded the coronavirus to a Class B infectious disease in the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, and considered it as Class A infectious diseases in disease control and prevention. On January 22, 2020, the 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection test was listed as the diagnostic criteria in the "guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia due to 2019-nCoV (Trial Version 2)" . Therefore, standardizing the operation process of the 2019-nCoV nucleic acid detection in clinical laboratories has become a top priority. It is of paramount importance to establish standard protocols for detection of the 2019-nCoV nucleic acids in clinical laboratories to improve the reliability of the results and ensure the biosafety of laboratory personnel.

Objective To prepare asenapine maleate microemulsion gel(ASPM-Emulgel)and evaluate its brain targeting by nasal administration.Methods The prescription composition and dosage of asenapine maleate microemulsion(ASPM-Emul)was determined according to the equilibrium solubility of asenapine maleate(ASPM)in different oils,emulsifiers,co-emulsifiers and the compatibility results of excipients,and ASPM-Emul was prepared into a gel with carbomer 940 as the gel matrix.The particle size distribution and microstructure of ASPM-Emul were investigated.The in vitro release rates and permeability in sheep nasal mucosa of ASPM-Emul and ASPM Emulgel were compared using the Franz diffusion cell method.The nasal ciliary toxicity of ASPM-Emulgel was investigated using the in vivo toad maxillary model method.Brain targeting of ASPM-Emulgel by nasal administration in rats was evaluated.Results According to the results of equilibrium solubility and compatibility,Maisine 35-1,Tween 80 and Transcutol P were selected as the oil phase,emulsifier and co-emulsifier of ASPM-Emul,respectively,with the ratio of 4 ∶ 4 ∶ 2.ASPM-Emul was a light blue semi-transparent microemulsion with a particle size of(73.6±7.4)nm.The microemulsion was regularly spherical and uniformly dispersed under transmission electron microscopy.The results of in vitro release and permeation showed that the release rate of ASPM-Emul was relatively fast,while the release rate of ASPM-Emulgel remained stable.However,the permeability of the two formulations in sheep nasal mucosa was basically similar.ASPM-Emul and ASPM-Emulgel showed no significant toxicity to nasal cilia of toad.Compared with the tail vein ASPM group,the drug content in the brain of ASPM-Emul and ASPM-Emulgel significantly increased after nasal administration,both exhibiting significant brain targeting,and the drug targeting efficiency(DTE)of ASPM-Emulgel was higher.Conclusion The preparation of ASPM into microemulsion gel can significantly improve the brain targeting after nasal administration,and is expected to improve the clinical therapeutic effect of ASPM.

As the routine clinical examination items, liver function tests can directly or indirectly reflect the physiological and biochemical function of the liver, and have important reference value for the diagnosis and evaluation of hepatobiliary diseases. Abnormal liver function means that when the liver is damaged by some pathogenic factors, its physiological and biochemical function changes, which leads to abnormal results of liver function tests. The characteristics and significance of several commonly used liver function tests in various liver diseases, as well as the evaluation and clinical management of the liver injury were briefly introduced and interpreted in this paper.