ObjectiveTo observe the protective effect of Didang Xianxiong decoction on the kidneys of diabetic rats， its regulation on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway， and its influence on podocyte apoptosis and explore the mechanism of Didang Xianxiong decoction in improving diabetic nephropathy. MethodThe diabetic model was established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ） solution of 55 mg·kg^-1. The successfully replicated model rats were randomly divided into the model group， Didang Xianxiong decoction group （8.10 g·kg^-1）， Xiao Xianxiongtang group （4.05 g·kg^-1）， Didangtang group （4.05 g·kg^-1）， and alagebrium （ALT-711） group （3 mg·kg^-1）， with six rats in each group. In addition， six rats were included in the blank group. After continuous administration for eight weeks， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in rats' kidney tissue. Masson staining was used to observe the degree of collagen deposition. Periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining was used to observe basement membrane lesions， and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of phosphorylation （p）-PI3K and p-Akt proteins in rats' kidney tissue. The terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling （TUNEL） method was used to detect podocyte apoptosis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of PI3K and Akt in rats' kidney tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of PI3K， p-PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， phosphorylation glycogen synthase kinase-3β （p-GSK-3β）， and Caspase-3 in the kidney tissue. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group had compensatory expansion of glomeruli， proliferation of mesangial cells， a large amount of collagen deposition in the mesangial stroma， thickening of the basement membrane， decreased mRNA expression of PI3K and Akt， and inhibition of PI3K and Akt protein phosphorylation （P<0.01）. It also underwent enhanced apoptotic signaling， decreased expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 （P<0.01）， and increased expression of Bax， p-GSK-3β， and Caspase-3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Didang Xianxiong decoction significantly improved kidney tissue pathology， increased mRNA expression of PI3K and Akt （P<0.01）， significantly up-regulated phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins （P<0.01） and Bcl-2 expression （P<0.01）， downregulated the expression of Bax， p-GSK-3β， and Caspase-3 （P<0.01）， and weakened podocyte apoptotic signaling. ConclusionDidang Xianxiong decoction may promote the activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway， inhibit podocyte apoptosis， and thus slow down the progression of diabetic nephropathy.

This paper was aimed to observe the anti-atheroslerosis effect of paeonol (Pae) on the activation of PI3K/AKT-NF-κB and the proliferation activity of rat vasular endothelial cells induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and co-cultured with smooth muscle cells. Primary rat vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and rat vascular smooth cells (VSMCs) were cultured by predigesting and adhering tissue blocks. The VEC-VSMC co-culture model was established by Transwell chamber. LPS (100 μg•L ⁻¹, 7 h) was used to induce VEC injury. MTT assay were used to determine the VEC proliferation activity. Western blot was used to detect PI3K/AKT and NF-κB's signaling pathways related protein expressions. The concentration of LPS-induced VECs injury was 100 μg•L ⁻¹, and the time was 7 h. After the intervention on the above cell model for 24 h, paeonol (15, 30, 60 μmol•L ⁻¹) could effectively inhibit LPS-induced VECs injury, block PI3K/AKT-NF-κB signal transduction pathway thereby significantly affecting the proliferation of LPS-induced VECs co-cultured with SMCs. The anti-atherosclerosis mechanism of paeonol may be related to the reducing the inhibitory effect of the signaling pathway associated proteins of VEC PI3K/AKT and NF-κB, thereby increasing the VEC livability under co-culture.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application of a three-dimensional (3D) printing personalized guide for medial open wedge high tibial osteotomy(MOWHTO) in the treatment of knee varus osteoarthritis.Methods A retrospective study was conducted of the 16 patients with knee varus osteoarthritis who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics,Zhengzhou Central Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2016 to January 2017.They were 6 men and 10 women,aged from 49 to 65 years (mean,55.8 years).Bilateral knees were involved in 2 cases and a unilateral knee was involved in 14 cases.Their disease duration ranged from one to 12 years (mean,5.3 years).A personalized guide for MOWHTO was designed and manufactured by 3D printing for every patient preoperatively.All the patients underwent knee arthroscopy before osteotomy which was assisted by the personalized guide.The femorotibial angle (FTA),medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA),weight bearing line (WBL),posterior tibial slope (PTSA) and the patellofemoral height Insall-Salvati index (IS index) were measured on their X-ray radiographs preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.The Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the outcomes at the final follow-ups.Results All surgeries were successful.The 16 patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months (mean,9.1 months).The FTA,MPTA,WBL and IS index at postoperative 6 months were significantly improved than the preoperative values (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference between postoperative PTSA and preoperative PTSA (P =0.990).The mean VAS scores for the 16 patients at the final follow-ups were 0.8 ± 0.7 peints,significantly better than the preoperative ones (4.2 ± 0.9 points) (P ＜ 0.05);their mean postoperative HSS scores (89.3 ± 6.7 points) were also significantly improved than the preoperative ones (61.9 ± 10.5 points) (P ＜ 0.05).According to the HSS scores at the final follow-ups,the surgical outcomes were excellent in 14 knees,good in 3 and fair in one.Conclusion A 3D printed osteotomy guide can be used to perform precise osteotomy in MOWHTO for knee varus osteoarthritis,leading to effective correction of the alignment of the lower limb and good short-term surgical outcomes.

Objective To discuss our drug clinical trial institution's experience and findings during the process of establishing drug clinical trial central pharmacy.Methods Analyze the previous key issues identified during the drug management under different modes,discuss the necessity and feasibility of establishing drug clinical trial central pharmacy.Meanwhile,discuss the planning and construction of hardware including location site of the central pharmacy,equipment and facilities,staff,as well as software such as electronic management system and standard operation procedures.Results After the adoption of central trial pharmacy,space and energy are saved,manpower and material resources are saved,the quality of clinical trials also improved.Conclusions Standardized and unified management of investigational drugs through establishing drug clinical trial central pharmacy,is the strong guarantee for the drug safety of human subject,as well as the accuracy and scientificity of trial results.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of a medial support plate and a row of screws in the treatment of Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fracture involving the postero-lateral condyle.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed of the data of 26 patients who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedic Trauma, Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Xi'an Jiaotong University for Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fracture involving the postero-lateral condyle from December 2015 to December 2020. There were 17 males and 9 females, aged from 19 to 51 years (average, 36.1 years). All their fracture lines involved the postero-lateral condyle and all fractures were fixated with a medial support plate and a row of screws via one medial and one lateral incisions. Recorded were the operation time, hospital stay, blood loss, incision length, fracture healing, complications, quality of knee joint reduction and knee joint function at the last follow-up.Results:The length of hospital stay ranged from 8 to 16 days, averaging 10.4 days. The 26 patients were followed up for 8 to 18 months, with an average of 14.3 months. All the fractures got united after 11 to 17 weeks (average, 13.7 weeks). During the follow-up, no reduction loss, internal fixation failure or surgical complications were observed. Rasmussen radiographic scores at the last follow-up ranged from 11 to 18 points, averaging 16.1 points. The range of motion of the knee joint ranged from 0° to 140°, averaging 120.8°. The Rasmussen scores of the knee function ranged from 14 to 28 points, averaging 24.4 points.Conclusion:In the treatment of Schatzker type Ⅳ tibial plateau fracture involving the postero-lateral condyle, the use of a medial support plate and a row of screws can achieve satisfactory clinical results.

Objective To establish high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin Granules(composed of Taraxaci Herba,Lonicerae Japonicae Flos,Chrysanthemi Indici Flos,etc.)and content determination of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid,and to optimize the preparation process of Xinqingduyin Granules.Methods Using the characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingduyin and the retention rate of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid as indexes,we carried out orthogonal experiment to optimize the extraction process of Xinqingduyin,and studied the concentration process.The molding process of Xinqingduyin Granules was conducted by screening the types and dosage of auxiliary materials,then three batches of pilot experiments were carried out.Results HPLC characteristic chromatograms of Xinqingshuyin Granules and the determination methods of chicory acid and glycyrrhizic acid were established.The optimal preparation technology was as follows:8 times amount of water was added,the drug was decocted for 3 times,with 1 hour per time.After the extract was concentrated under reduced pressure at 80℃,the appropriate amount of steviol glycoside and lactose was added into the extract and mixed.One-step granulation and packaging were adopted.The retention rates of chicoric acid and glycyrrhizic acid in the 3 batches of Xinqingduyin Granules,which were prepared on the pilot scale,were(54.56±1.63)%and(54.96±1.08)%,and the rate of finished product was(87.47±0.49)%,respectively.The quality is uniform,and the characteristic map of Xinqingduyin Granules showed high similarity with that of decoction prepared from the same batch of slices.Conclusion The optimized preparation technology is reasonable,feasible and reproducible.This preparation can be used to obtain the granule with similar materials of Xinqingduyin decoction.

To study the effect of Huangqin Qingre Chubi Capsules containing serum on the protein expressions of AMPK and FoxO3 a in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA), in order to explore the mechanism of anti-oxidation. Peripheral anticoagulant was collected from patients and normal people. Monocytes(PBMC) were isolated through density gradient centrifugation, and the logarithmic phase cells were cultured. Drug containing serum was prepared through intragastric admini-stration to SD rats. The rats were divided into five groups, namely normal group, model group, AMPK blocker group(compound C 10 μmol·L~(-1)), medium-dose HQC+AMPK blocker group, and middle-dose HQC group. The cell inhibition rate was calculated by MTT method. The levels of IL-1β, IL-4, LPO, MDA, SOD and TAOC were detected by ELISA. The expressions of AMPK, p-AMPK, p-FoxO3 a and FoxO3 a were detected by Western blot. The HQC containing serum had an inhibitory effect on human monocytes in peripheral blood. The best concentration was observed in middle-dose HQC, and the best time was 24 hours. Middle-dose HQC group was better than model group, AMPK blocker group and middle-dose HQC + AMPK blocker group in terms of increase of SOD, p-AMPK, p-FoxO3 a and decrease of LPO. It was better than model group and AMPK blocker group in terms of increase of IL-4, TAOC, AMPK, FoxO3 a and decrease of IL-1β, MDA. The differences were statistically significant(P<0.05 or P<0.01). The HQC containing serum may increase the levels of TAOC and SOD, decrease the level of MDA and LPO, activate AMPK, directly phosphorylate FOXO3 a, enhance its transcriptional activity, and improve the state of oxidative stress in RA patients.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; Animals ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; Capsules ; Forkhead Box Protein O3 ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Scutellaria baicalensis

To explore whether paeonol can play an anti-atherosclerotic role by regulating the expression of aortic caveolin-1 and affecting NF-κB pathway, so as to inhibit the inflammatory response of vascular endothelium in atherosclerotic rats. The atherosclerotic model of rats was induced by high-fat diet and vitamin D_2. The primary culture of vascular endothelial cells(VECs) was carried out by tissue block pre-digestion and adherent method. The injury model of VECs was induced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS), and filipin, a small concave protein inhibitor, was added for control. HE staining was used to observe pathological changes of aorta. TNF-α, IL-6 and VCAM-1 were detected by ELISA. Western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression levels of caveolin-1 and p65 in aorta and VECs. The results showed that as compared with model group, paeonol significantly reduced aortic plaque area and lesion degree in rats, decreased the level of serum TNF-α, IL-6 and VCAM-1 in the rats and enhanced the relative expression level of caveolin-1, decreased p65 expression conversely(P<0.05 or P<0.01). In vitro, as compared to model group, paeonol obviously improved cell morphology, decreased the secretion of TNF-α, IL-6 and VCAM-1 in VECs, increased caveolin-1 expression, and decreased p65 protein expression(P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, filipin could reverse the effect of paeonol on expression of inflammatory factors and proteins(P<0.05 or P<0.01). According to the results, it was found that paeonol could play the role of anti-atherosclerosis by up-regulating the expression of caveolin-1 and inhibiting the activation of NF-κB pathway to reduce vascular inflammation in atherosclerotic rats.
Acetophenones ; Animals ; Caveolin 1 ; Endothelial Cells ; Endothelium, Vascular ; Inflammation ; NF-kappa B ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Up-Regulation

Agkistrodon acutus is a traditional Chinese herb medicine which has immunological regulation,anti-tumor,anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects,which is mainly used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis,ankylosing spondylitis,sjogren's syndrome and tumors. In order to excavate more important functional genes from A. acutus,the transcriptome of the venom gland was sequenced by the Illumina Hi Seq 4000,and 32 862 unigenes were assembled. Among them,26 589 unigenes were mapped to least one public database. 2 695 unigenes were annotated and assigned to 62 TF families,and 5 920 SSR loci were identified. The majority of mapped unigenes was from Protobothrops mucrosquamatus in the NR database,which revealed their closest homology. Three secretory phospholipase A_2 with different amino acid sequences showed similar spatial structures and all had well-conserved active sites. The 3 D structural models of C-type lectin showed conserved glycosylation binding sites( Asn45). This study will lay the foundation for the further study of the function of snake venom protein,and promoting the development and utilization of genome resources from A. acutus.
Agkistrodon/genetics* ; Animals ; Crotalid Venoms ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Snake Venoms/genetics* ; Snakes ; Transcriptome

Eight compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate extraction of Prunus mume by column chromatography. On the basis of physicochemical properties and spectrum analysis, these compounds were identified as isoquercitrin-6″-O-benzoate(1), pinoresinol(2), naringin(3), ethyl-β-D-glucopyranoside(4), astragalin(5), quercetin(6), hypericin(7), and rutin(8). Among them, compound 1 was a new natural product, and compounds 2-5 were isolated from this plant for the first time. In vitro study, compounds 1, 3, 5-8 could significantly increase the cell survival ratio.
Acetates ; Phytochemicals/analysis* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry* ; Prunus/chemistry* ; Solvents