OBJECTIVETo demonstrate the effects and mechanisms of Qifu decoction( QFD) on renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) in model rats with yang-deficiency syndrome.

METHODThe rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, the Sham group (Group A), the Model group (Group B), the Qifu decoction group (Group C) and the Enalapril group (Group D). The RIF model was established by adenine administrated and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) of the left ureter. After the model was successfully established, the rats in Group C and D were administrated with QFD or the Enalapril suspension,while the rats in Group A and B were administrated with distilled water. All rats were administrated for 3 weeks. Before administration and at the end of week 1, 2 and 3, the rats were weighted, and 24 h urinary protein excretion (Upro), urinary β2-microglobulin (Uβ2-MG) and urinary N-acetyl-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) were examined, respectively. All rats were killed after administration for 3 weeks. Blood and renal tissues were collected, renal morphology and tubulointerstitial morphology were evaluated, respectively. Serum cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and uric acid (UA) were detected, respectively. The protein expressions of E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), onnective tissue growth factor (CTGF) extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1/2(ERK1/2) and phosphorylated-ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) in kidney were evaluated, respectively.

RESULTQFD ameliorated serum cAMP level and the rate of cAMP/cGMP, attenuated urinary β2-MG level, NAG level and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis, increased E-cadherin protein expression, and reduced α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions in the kidney. However, QFD had no influence on renal function in vivo. In addition, these effects were better than those of the model rats treated by Enalapril.

CONCLUSIONQFD could alleviate yang-deficiency parameters, as well as urinary β2-MG level and NAG level in model rats induced by adenine administration and UUO. Moreover, QFD could improve EMT and RIF by up-regulating E-cadherin protein expression, and down-regulating α-SMA, TGF-β1, CTGF and p-ERK1/2 protein expressions, the key molecular in ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Signaling System ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; complications ; Yang Deficiency ; complications

Theaflavins are a class of natural products extracted from black tea or green tea, with significant anti-tumor effects on gastric cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer and other tumors. Theaflavins were once considered as the new products for anticancer therapy. However, the anti-tumor mechanism of theaflavins involves a variety of biological processes, and the regulation is complex. Therefore, this article summarizes the role of theaflavins in promoting tumor cell apoptosis, inducing tumor cell mitotic arrest and regulating tumor immunity, and reviews the inhibition of tumorigenesis and growth through MAPK, PI3K/AKT, Hedgehog, NF-κB, JAK/STAT and Wnt/β-Catenin signal pathways, in order to provide new ideas for cancer treatment and anti-cancer drug development.

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been proposed as a key role leading to the progressive tubulo-interstitial fibrosis (TIF). The tubular EMT is an highly regulated process involving four key steps including: loss of epithelial cell adhesion, de novo smooth muscle actin expression and actin reorganization, disruption of tubular basement membrane,and enhanced cell migration and invasion. These crucial processes are closely connected to the relative actions on many signaling pathways in EMT. Additionally, increasing evidences suggest that some Chinese herbal medicines and their extracts, such as Astragali Radix, Cordyceps, Salvia miltiorrhiza, as well as Chinese. herbal prescriptions including Astragalus Angelica mixture and Supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation decoction, could intervene the related events controlling EMT both in vitro and in vivo. Chinese herbal medicines could ameliorate TIF by intervening the course of EMT.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

This study was purposed to investigate the effect of ABO-incompatible allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) on erythroid lineage hematopoiesis. The changes of ABO group, IgM and IgG antibody in 16 patients received ABO-incompatible allo-HSCT were detected. The results showed that ABO-incompatible allo-HSCT were successfully engrafted in 16 patients, and there was no difference in reconstitution of platelets and neutrophils between ABO-incompatible and ABO-compatible transplantation (p > 0.05). The time of erythroid lineage reconstitution was prolonged (p < 0.05), the disappearance time of isoagglutinins against donor-type RBC in major and bidirectional ABO-incompatible recipients was correlated with the time of erythroid lineage reconstitution. It is concluded that ABO-incompatible allo-HSCT may lead to prolong recovery of erythroid lineage hematopoiesis. Before transplantation, the removal of anti-donor isoagglutinins by plasmapheresis or transfusion of donor's erythrocytes for neutralizing the isoagglutinins against donor's erythrocytes in the recipients may facilitate RBC engraftment and reduce erythrocyte transfusion.
ABO Blood-Group System ; immunology ; Adult ; Blood Group Incompatibility ; blood ; immunology ; Erythrocytes ; immunology ; Female ; Hematopoiesis ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo study the physiopathologic basis of Weikangfu Granule (WKFG) in treating precancerosis of gastric mucosa in patients of chronic gastritis with Pi-deficiency syndrome (CG-PDS).

METHODSOne hundred and fifteen patients of CG-PDS who suffered from intestinal metaplasia (IM) and atypical hyperplasia (ATHP) of gastric mucosa, were divided into two groups. The treated group (n = 61) was treated by WKFG with its ingredients modified according to the syndrome type of patients. The control group (n = 54) was treated with Weishu granule. The histopathological and subcellular ultrastructural changes were detected by optical microscope, screening electronic microscope, transmission electronic microscope and histochemical staining; the nuclear and mitochondrial ultrastructure of gastric mucosa were analyzed with energy dispersion X-ray analyser and image analysis system. And the changes of cAMP, lipid peroxide (LPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD) before and after treatment in the treated group were measured and compared with those of the health control group consisting of 15 volunteers.

RESULTSThe symptomatic and pathological therapeutic effect in the treated group were significantly superior to those in the control group (P < 0.05). The contents of Zn, Cu, cAMP, SOD and (3)H-TdR LCT in gastric mucosa of the treated group before treatment were all lower than those of the healthy control group, yet all these indexes markedly increased after treatment, while serum LPO level, which increased before treatment was lowered after treatment. All the changes showed statistical significance (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONWKFG can reverse IM and ATHP in patients of CG-PDS, and the effect may be realized by way of increasing the level of Zn, Cu, cAMP and SOD in gastric mucosa, promoting cell differentiation, enhancing cellular immunity and reducing oxygen free radicals and lipid peroxidation.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Chronic Disease ; Copper ; analysis ; Cyclic AMP ; analysis ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Gastric Mucosa ; chemistry ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; pathology ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxides ; analysis ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Precancerous Conditions ; pathology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; pathology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; analysis ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; complications ; Zinc ; analysis

The aim of this paper is to compare the cytotoxicity and cellular uptake efficiency of three kinds of poly(b-benzyl-L-amino) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PXA-PEG-NPs) using Calu-3 cells, and select one as a nasal drug delivery vector for curcumin (Cur). Poly(gamma-benzyl-L-glutamate) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PBLG-PEG-NPs), poly(gamma-benzyl-L-lysine) block-poly(ethyleneglycol) nanoparticles (PZLL-PEG-NPs) and poly(gamma-benzyl-L-aspartate) block-poly(ethylene glycol) nanoparticles (PBLA-PEG-NPs) were prepared by emulsion-solvent evaporation method. MTT assays were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity of PXA-PEG-NPs against Calu-3 cells. The cellular uptake of nanoparticles was visualized by an inverted fluorescence microscope and quantified by a flow cytometer. The results indicated that even at high concentration of 2 mg x mL(-1) the three nanoparticles had no cytotoxicity on Calu-3 cells. Compared to the curcumin solution, the three curcumin-loaded PXA-PEG-NPs showed significantly higher cellular uptake efficiency on Calu-3 cells (at equal concentration of curcumin with 5 microg x mL(-1) Cur solution), PBLG-PEG-NPs group was the highest. The cellular uptake increased with incubation time, and has positive correlation with nanoparticle concentration. In brief, PXA-PEG-NPs are conducive to delivery Cur into cells, and PBLG-PEG-NPs might be provided as a good nasal drug delivery carrier.
Adenocarcinoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Administration, Intranasal ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Aspartic Acid ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; metabolism ; Drug Carriers ; Ethylene Glycol ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lysine ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Nanoparticles ; Particle Size ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; toxicity ; Polyglutamic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; toxicity

Objective To investigate the effect of coenzyme Q10 on the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-αt) and interleukin-10(IL-10) in gingival tissue of experimental periodontitis in rats.Methods A total of 48 healthy Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 16 randomly,normal group,coenzyme Q10 treatment group (Q10 group) and periodontitis group.Normal group was fed with normal diet and water.Periodontitis models were established in other two groups.Q10 group received coenzyme Q10 for 12 weeks and periodontitis group was fed with the same dose of normal saline.Four rats in each group were sacrified before administration and 4,8 and 12 weeks after administration.Gingival tissue samples from mandiblar first permanent molar were taken.The levels of TNF-α and IL-10 were detected by immunohistochemistry.Results The expression of TNF-α in periodontitis group [54.9％ (52.9％,57.3％)] was significantly higher than that in Q10 group [15.1％ (12.7％,17.5％)] at 12 weeks (P ＜0.0167).The expression of IL-10 in periodontitis group [8.9％ (7.9％,10.0％)] was significantly lower than that in the Q10 group [38.9％ (38.0％,40.4％)] (P ＜ 0.0167).The expression of TNF-α in periodontitis group was significantly higher than that in Q10 group at 12th weeks (P ＜ 0.0167).The expression of IL-10 in periodontitis group was significantly lower than that in the Q10 group(p ＜ 0.0167)Conclusions Coenzyme Q10 inhibits the expression of TNF-α and promotes the expression of IL-10 in periodontal tissues of experimental periodontitis rats.Coenzyme Q10 may play a role in treating periodontitis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the feasibility of surgical design for mandibular retrusion using three-dimensional software.

METHODSThree-dimensional reconstruction was performed by Mimics software based on the preoperative CT data. The model of the maxillofacial region was imported into Rapidform software for measuring the associated parameters and Geomagic software for simulation of osteotomy. The reliability of the virtual operation was validated during the surgery.

RESULTSThe model of mandibular retrusion was reconstructed and successfully used to simulate the surgery. The simulation result was applied in subsequent actual surgery and good surgical outcomes were achieved.

CONCLUSIONThe three-dimensional software can be used to simulate the surgery for mandibular retrusion and improve the predictability and accuracy of the surgery.

Computer Simulation ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; methods ; Male ; Malocclusion, Angle Class II ; surgery ; therapy ; Mandible ; abnormalities ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Maxilla ; diagnostic imaging ; Models, Anatomic ; Retrognathia ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Software ; Surgery, Computer-Assisted ; methods ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo examine the incidence and clinical significance of NPM1 mutations in childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients.

METHODSNPM1 mutations of 70 newly diagnosed childhood AML were detected by high resolution melting (HRM) analysis on the LightCycler 480. The incidence and clinical significance were analyzed.

RESULTSNPM1 mutations were identified in 32 (45.7%) of the 70 AML children. There was no significant difference in clinical characteristics between patients with or without NPM1 mutation, but patients with NPM1 mutation had a higher platelet count (P = 0.013). There was also no significant difference in NPM1 mutation between normal and abnormal karyotype groups. In AML-ETO or PML-RARα positive groups, the incidence of NPM1 mutations was significant lower (P = 0.048). There was no significant difference in response rates after induction therapy (P = 0.217), but the complete remission (CR) rate was higher in the NPM1-mutated group (81.3%). There was a trend toward higher event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) rates in the NPM1 mutated patients than that in wild NPM1 patients (EFS = 53.8% vs 41.4%, OS = 52.7% vs 39.2%), but the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.374 and 0.380).

CONCLUSIONNPM1 mutations were relatively common in our cohort of AML patients. There was no significant difference in clinical characteristics between patients with and without NPM1 mutation. The NPM1 mutation patients group seemed to have better therapy response, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Child ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; genetics ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Prognosis

Objective To construct a lentiviral vector for overexpression of bone morphogenetic protein 7(BMP7)in mice,and the effect of BMP7 overexpression on the expression of Jagged1 in mouse aortic endothelial cells and the calcification of the co-cultured vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)were analyzed.Methods According to the target gene information Mouse-BMP7(NM_007557.3)and plasmid information pLVX-zsGreen-C1,gene sequence synthesis was carried out to construct BMP7 overexpression lentivirus.The efficiency of BMP7 overexpression lentivirus infection was detected by qPCR;the expression of Jagged1 protein in aortic endothelial cells from infected mice was detected by Western blot.The endothelial cells with lentivirus overexpressing BMP7 were co-cultured with VSMCs,and the calcification of VSMCs was observed by alizarin red staining.Results BMP7 overexpression lentiviral vector was successfully constructed and transfected into aortic endothelial cells.qPCR test results showed that the expression level of BMP7 mRNA was significantly increased in the BMP7 overexpression group than that in the normal control group(P<0.01),while there was no significant difference in the expression of BMP7 mRNA between the empty vector control group and the normal control group(P>0.05).Western blot results showed that the expression level of Jagged1 protein in endothelial cells of mouse in the BMP7 overexpression group was significantly lower than that in the normal control group(P<0.01),while there was no significant difference in the expression level of Jagged1 protein in endothelial cells between the empty vector control group and the normal control group(P>0.05).The results of alizarin red staining showed that the calcification of VSMCs was significantly increased after co-cultured with endothelial cells infected with BMP7 lentivirus.Conclusion Mouse BMP7 overexpression lentiviral vector was successfully constructed,and overexpression of BMP7 can reduce the expression of Jagged1 in mouse aortic endothelial cells and promote the calcification of co-cultured VSMCs.