Circulating cell-free nucleic acids are defined as extracellular DNAs or RNAs in blood with physiological or pathological origins. Previous studies showed that the concentration of cell-free nucleic acids in the blood of cancer patients is significantly higher than in healthy people. Further studies showed that the genetic and epigenetic alterations of circulating cell-free nucleic acids are relevant to cancer development and progression, including mutation, hypermethylation, loss of heterozygosity, change of integrity, and abnormal expression of microRNAs. Detection of circulating cell-free nucleic acids shows promising potential in cancer screening, diagnosis, personalized treatment, and prognosis.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the effects of different forms of traditional Chinese health-preservation exercises on osteoporosis (OP) using network meta-analysis.Methods: A systematic search on Excerpta Medica Database (EMBASE), Springer Link, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database (AMED), PubMed, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Academic Journal Full-text Database (Wanfang) and Chongqing VIP Database (CQVIP) targeted the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying traditional Chinese exercises for OP published up to January 2020. Cochrane handbook was adopted to estimate the publication bias in the included studies, and statistical analysis was performed using Stata 14.0 and GeMTC 0.14.3 when data were extracted. Results: Fifty RCTs were included in the network meta-analysis, comprising a total of 4505 OP patients. The network meta-analysis showed that in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, Tai Ji Quan (Tai Chi) was the most efficacious, followed by Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises), Ba Duan Jin (Eight-sectioned Exercise), Wu Qin Xi (Five-animal Exercises), sports training, drug and blank control; in terms of bone mineral density (BMD) of femoral neck, Yi Jin Jing was the most efficacious, followed by Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duan Jin, Tai Ji Quan, sports training, blank control and drug; regarding the lumbar BMD, it was Yi Jin Jing, Tai Ji Quan, Ba Duan Jin, Wu Qin Xi, sports training, blank control and drug in the descending order of efficacy; in terms of serum alkaline phosphatase, it was Yi Jin Jing, Tai Ji Quan, sports training, Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duan Jin, drug and blank control in the descending order of efficacy. Conclusion: The evidence to date suggests that the first choice for OP amongst the traditional Chinese exercises should be Yi Jin Jing, which can not only reduce the subjective pain, but also promote bone formation and increase BMD, though this conclusion requires more high-quality large-scale RCTs for further proof.

Dust ; analysis ; Laboratories ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards

Four compounds were isolated from the 70% EtOH extract of Ardisia crispa by using various chromatographic techniques, including silica gel, ODS and semi-preparative HPLC. The structures of 1-4 were elucidated based on physicochemical properties and spectroscopic data. These compounds were defined as crispalactone A (1), (+)-pinoresinol (2), 3,5-dimethoxy-4- hydroxyphenol-1-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3) and (+)-schizandriside (4). Compound 1 is a new γ-valerolactone derivative, and compounds 2-4 are firstly isolated from Ardisia crispa.

Objective To build a foundation for determination of C reaction protein,C reaction protein was expressed and purified,and the immune reactivity of the purified protein was identified.Methods The CRP cDNA was amplified by RT-PCR from human liver cDNA library and inserted into expression vector pCRTT/NT.The recombined plasmid CRP-pCRTT/NT which expressed the fusion protein of CRP was then transferred into lysogenic host strain E coli.BL21 (DE3).The target protein was identified using SDS- polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE).Affinity chromatography was used for protein purification.The immune reactivity of purified CRP was identified by Western blot using anti-CRP specific antibody.Results Recombiant human CRP was expressed in inclusion bodies of E.coli with a six histamine tag.The purify of recombinant protein was detected by SDS-PAGE as a single band at 30 000 and was identified by Western blot.Conclusions A plasmid expressed CRP protein is constructed and the purification system of CRP protein is established.The immune reactivity of the purified protein is identified by Western blot,which makes a good base for the preparation of CRP test kit.

ObjectiveTo investigate bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells(BMSC) express brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF) and nerve growth factor(NGF) and their protective effect for neural stem cells (NSCs).MethodsBMSC were obtained from rat tibiae and femurs and centrifuged with Ficoll. The passage 3 cells were chosen to make immunocytochemical stain for CD44, CD71 and CD45. The expression of BDNF and NGF was detected in BMSC with RT-PCR, as well as in the media with ELISA. The media that cultured BMSC were collected as BMSC condition media. NSCs were obtained from cerebral cortex of new-born rat and cultured in vitro. After different ratio of BMSC condition midia were added, NSCs were induced to apoptosis with heat-shock, then NSCs were dyed with Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis kit and apoptosis rates were tested with flow cytometry. ResultsBMSC were CD44(+), CD45(-), CD71(+) and expressed BDNF and NGF mRNA. BDNF and NGF could be tested in the media of cultured BMSC and increase with cultured time. BMSC condition media could reduce the ratio of heat-induced apoptosis of NSCs, and more BMSC condition media showed better effect. ConclusionBMSC can express neurotrophic factores and protect neural stem cells from heat-induced apoptosis.

The pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a serious impact on global public health and the economy. SARS-CoV-2 infiltrates host cells via its surface spike protein, which binds to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 on the host cell membrane. As a result, small molecules targeting spike protein have emerged as a hotspot in anti-SARS-CoV-2 drug research. Activity screening is an important step in seeking small molecule drugs. Therefore, this article aims to review the biological activity evaluation methods of small molecule inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein, with the goal of laying the foundation for the discovery of new anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs.

Objective To report our surgical experience in treating 19 cases of solitary iliac aneurysms (SIA). Methods The clinical data of 19 consecutive patients with SIA between January 1985 and January 2008 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 18 men and 1 woman, aging from 39 to 77 years ( mean 62 ± 7 years). Results There were 30 SIAs in the 19 patients, including 25 ( 83.3% ) common iliac aneurysms, 4 (13.3%) internal ihac aneurysms and 1 (3. 3% ) external iliac aneurysm. Eleven patients ( 57.9% ) had multiple ancurysms, with 9 patients ( 47.4% ) having bilateral SIA. Two patients had coexistent peripheral vascular occlusive disease. There were 2 patients suffering form ruptured SIA, one was saved by emergency operation and one died before an surgery could be attempted. Seventeen patients underwent successful open aneurysmectomy and artificial graft implantation leaving no ischemic complications of the pelvic organs. One patient with right common iliac aneurysm underwent endovascular repair without endoleak. There was no operative death during porioperative period. The surviving patients remained stable and had good patency of grafts during the follow-up period. Conclusions Early management of SIA is important, CT angiogarphy (CTA) is necessary not only to evaluate the SIAs, but also to detect multiple aneurysms or arterial occlusive disease. Close and long-term follow-up is mandatory for the early detection of the formation of new anearysms.

To develop a new small molecular probe for discovering an antitumor lead compound from the replacement of carboxylic group of two molecular antibacterial fluoroquinolones with a heterocyclic ring, a series of the C3/C3 bis-fluoroquinolones tethered with an 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole ring were synthesized as their respective HCl salts, and their structures were characterized by elemental analysis and spectral data. The in vitro antitumor activity against L1210, CHO and HL60 cell lines was also evaluated via the respective IC50 values by methylthiazole trazolium (MTT) assay.

OBJECTIVETo investigate effects of the variation of immune function in high humidity environment in different time, and lay a foundation for further study of the related mechanism.

METHODThirty SD rats were divided into 3 groups (n = 10): 20 day group, 40 day group in 90% relative humidity chamber and control group in normal relative humidity. Peripheral blood and spleens were collected to detect the levels of T lymphocyte subsets by Flow Cytometery.

RESULTSIn peripheral blood of the 20 day group rats, the CD3+ %, CD4+ %, CD8+ % and CD4+/CD8+ were 52.91 +/- 6.27, 37.80 +/- 4.11, 14.85 +/- 3.73 and 2.72 +/- 0.82 separately. Expect CD3+ %, they all had significant differences (P < 0.05). In addition, the data of the 40 day group rats showed no diversity in statistics. In spleen, CD8+ % of the 20 day group rats was 6.23 +/- 2.87 with significant differences (P < 0.05) and IgG, IgA and IgM did not change a lot in blood serum of the high humidity groups except C3 of the 20 days group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIn high humidity environment, the immune function of the rats increased in the initial stage. As time went on, the immune function gradually went to normal level through the self adjustment.