Objective: To observe the difference in anti-inflammatory effect between living rhino horn and rhino horn by the method of comparative research to provide the experimental basis for the replacement of rhino horn by living rhino horn.Methods: The anti-inflammatory effects of living rhino horn and rhino horn were studied by the methods of paw edema in rats, cotton ball granuloma in mice, auricle swelling and peritoneal dye penetration.Results: Compared with that in the model control group, the foot metatarsus swelling degree at all time points in high (440 mg·kg-1) dose group and middle (220 mg·kg-1) dose group of living rhino horn and three doses groups of rhino horn showed statistical differences (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The high dose group (700 mg·kg-1) and middle dose group (350 mg·kg-1) of living rhino horn and rhino horn could significantly reduce the weight of cotton ball granuloma in mice (P＜0.05).Three doses groups (700, 350 and 175 mg·kg-1) of living rhino horn and rhino horn could significantly reduce auricle swelling in mice induced by xylene (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The absorbance of Evansan in the abdominal cavity in the middle dose group (350 mg·kg-1) of rhino horn and the high dose group (700 mg·kg-1) and middle (350 mg·kg-1) dose group of living rhino horn was significantly reduced (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the anti-inflammatory effect between living rhino horn and rhino horn at the same dose.Conclusion: Living rhino horn and rhino horn have a certain anti-inflammatory effect.The anti-inflammatory effect of living rhino horn is similar to those of the rhino horn, and living rhino horn can be used as a substitute of rhino horn.

Objective To understand the awareness status of knowledge on malaria control among residents and students,so as to evaluate the effectiveness of health education during the elimination phase of malaria in Jinshan District ,Shanghai City. Methods In 2010 and 2014,the stratified sampling and cluster sampling methods were taken to select the investigation sites, including 3 villages,1 middle schools,1 primary school,then the residents above 15 years old and the students in the above se?lected sites were investigated by questionnaires to understand their awareness status on malaria control. Results In 2010,the general awareness rates of malaria control knowledge of the study objects were 74.22%,and those of the residents,middle school students,and primary school students were 75.68%,61.86%and 72.20%,respectively. There was no significant differ?ence between the awareness rates of objects with different gender(χ2=1.755,P>0.05). The rate of the residents was higher than that of the students(χ2=59.838,P<0.01). From 2010 to 2014,a series of health education on malaria control was car?ried out. In 2014,the general awareness rate of knowledge on malaria control was 96.03%,and those of the residents,middle school student,and primary school students were 92.28%,98.59%and 99.49%,respectively. The awareness rate of the stu?dents was higher than that of the residents(χ2=275.794,P<0.01). Conclusion Through the health education and communi?ty advocacy,the awareness rates of knowledge on malaria control among residents and students have improved and met the quali?fication of malaria elimination in Jinshan District.

Objective To study the effect of astragaloside on TGF-β1,SMAD2/3,and α-SMA expression in the kidney tissue of diabetic KKAy mice,and evaluate its potential role in renal interstitial fibrosis.Methods 20 type 2 diabetic KKAy mice were randomly divided into model group and astragaloside group,while 10 male C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control.Astragaloside at 40 mg · kg-1 · d-1 was given when the KKAy mice fed with high-fat diet to 14 weeks old.The mice in the control and model group received normal saline at 40 mg · kg-1 · d-1.Blood glucose meter was used to detect the blood glucose value of each mice at 16th,20th and 24th week.The mice were killed at 24 weeks old and the kidney tissue samples were collected.Pathology morphological changes were observed.Results (1) blood glucose value:cmpared with the control group,the blood glucose value of KKAy mice at 14 week increased significantly,and that of model group also increased significantly at 16th,20th and 24th week (P＜0.05);the blood glucose value of astragaloside group decreased compared with control group (P＜0.05).(2) Morphology of kidney:in the control group,the glomerular and tubular had clear structure,there was no renal interstitial fibrosis;in the model group,the renal glomerular mesangial matrix had broaden,mesangial cell had increased,renal tubular epithelial cell cytoplasm showed vacuole degeneration,renal interstitial inflammatory cell had increaised.In astragaloside group,there were few renal tubular epithelial cell cytoplasm,and there was no obvious fibrosis.(3)TGF-β1,SMAD2/3,and α-SMA expression levels of the kidney issuse:compared with control group,mice in model group up-regulated TGF-β1,SMAD2/3 and α-SMA expression (P＜ 0.05).TGF-β1,SMAD2/3,and α-SMA expression levels in astragaloside group were significantly lower than those in the model group (P＜0.05).There was few phosphorylated SMAD2/3 expression in renal tubular and glomerular nuclei,while that of model group increased (P＜0.01),and compared with model group,that of the astragaloside group decreased (P＜0.05).Conclusion Astragaloside can delay the renal fibrosis process in diabetic mice by influencing the TGF-β/SMADS signaling pathway and down-regulating TGF-β1 and α-SMA expression,thus to relieve renal fibrosis in diabetic mice.

AIM: To investigate the effect of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathway after severe diffuse brain injury (DBI) in rats, and to provide base for treatment. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, traumatic group, low dose of inhibitor U0126 treatment group and high dose of inhibitor U0126 treatment group. DBI rat model was established according to the description of Marmarou's diffused brain injury. At 30 min and 1 h, 6 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after injury, morphological changes were observed under light and electronic microscopes. The ERK1/2 phosphorylation and c-Fos were measured by Western blotting. Apoptosis was measured with TUNEL method. Learning and memory function were performed with Morris water maze from 3 days to 7 days after injury. RESULTS: After trauma, some neurons displayed histopathologic changes of necrosis and apoptosis, axon myelin sheath internalization and disconnection. ERK1/2 phosphorylation protein was apparently increased at 30 min after injury, approached peak at 6 h and continued to 24 h. c-fos protein was markedly increased at 30 min after injury, approached peak at 6 h and returned to bottom at 24 h. The number of apoptotic nerve cells increased at 6 h after and approached peak at 72 h. Latencies of searching safety island prolonged. Rats treated with U0126 had reduction in ERK1/2 activity, c-Fos protein, neuronal apoptosis and searching safety island latencies. CONCLUSION: The activated ERK1/2 signaling pathway plays an important role in processing of nerve cell apoptosis after severe DBI.

Objective:To study the hemostasis effect of the ingredients in compound hemostasis patches .Methods:The effect of the ingredients in compound hemostasis patches on the clotting time was studied by the coagulation of rabbit whole blood in vitro.The models of femoral arterial injury in rats and perforation of femoral artery in pigs were established , and the effect of the ingredients in compound hemostasis patches on the bleeding time and the bleeding loss was studied .Results:The results of the whole blood coagula-tion in vitro showed that the clotting time of the three compound hemostasis patches at different concentrations and thrombin group was significantly shorter than that of the blank control group and the saline control group (P<0.01).Compared with to the blank control group, the results of rat femoral artery trauma model test showed that the three patch groups and thrombin group could significantly re -duce the bleeding loss and bleeding time (P<0.05 or P<0.01).The results of pig femoral artery perforation hemorrhage model test showed that the compound hemostasis patches could significantly reduce the bleeding time (P<0.05).Conclusion:Compound hemo-stasis patches can significantly shorten clotting time and decrease bleeding loss .

ObjectiveTo analyze the application value of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWMRI) in gross tumor volume (GTV) delineation of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).MethodsTwenty-nine patients with esophageal SCC treated with radical surgery were analyzed.Routine CT scan,MRI T2-weighted and DWMRI were employed before surgery;diffusion-sensitive gradient b-values were taken 400,600 and 800 s/mm2.GTVs were delineated using CT,MRI T2-weighted images and DWMRI under different b-value images.The length of GTVs measured under different images was compared with the pathological length and confirm the most accurate imaging condition.Use radiotherapy planning system to fuse DWMRI images and CT images to investigate the possibility of delineate GTVs on fused images.ResultsThe difference of GTV length value between CT,T2 WI images and specimen was 3.36 mm and 2.84 mm.When b =400,600 and 800 s/mm2,the difference between GTV length value on the DWMRI images and on specimen was 0.47 mm,-0.47 mm and - 1.53 mm;the correlation coefficient of the measuring esophageal lengths on DWMRI images and the pathological lengths was 0.928,0.927 and 0.938.DWMRI images and CT images could fuse accurately on radiotherapy planning system.GTV margin could.show clearly on fused images.ConclusionsDWMRI images can display the esophageal carcinoma lengths and margin accurately.When DWMRI images fused with CT images,GTV margin could show clearly,it can be used to delineate GTV accurately.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of astragalosides Ⅳ (ASI) on high glucose-induced renal proximal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E).Methods NRK-52E were cultured and divided randomly into three groups:control group,high glucose group (HG in short),ASI groups (with various doses).Cells were treated with increasing concentrations of ASI (20,40,80 and 100 μg/ml) for 24 h in high glucose and we also stimulated cells in ASI 100 μg/ml with high glucose for various lengths of time.The apoptosis rate was detected by flow cytometric analysis.The mRNA and protein expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1),a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),Smad2,Smad3 and their phosphorylated forms were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blot,respectively.Results Compared with the control group,apoptosis was increased in the high glucose group (P ＜ 0.01).However,ASI inhibited high glucose-induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner,with a maximal inhibitory effect achieved at 100 μg/ml (P ＜ 0.05).The significant inhibition caused by ASI was observed at 8h after the start of pretreatment (P ＜ 0.05) and increased in a time-dependent manner.ASI can inhibit the expression of TGF-β1,α-SMA,Smad2,Smad3 both at mRNA and protein level.Conclusions ASI inhibited NRK-52E cells apoptosis induced by high glucose and reduced expression of TGF-β1,α-SMA,Smad2,Smad3 both at the mRNA and protein level in NRK-52E cells,thus delayed epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition progress.

Objective The study was to investigate the activation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) mRNA transcription and protein expression in peripheral blood and activation of signal path PI3K/AKT in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods From February 2015 to April 2018, 244 patients with heart failure in the cardiovascular department of our hospital were selected as heart failure group, while 244 healthy cases were enrolled as the control group at the same time. The peripheral blood samples of two groups were collected. We detected the transcription and protein expression of TNF-α mRNA and the activation of PI3K, AKT in peripheral blood. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured in two groups. The correlations between influencing factors and LVEF were analyzed. Results The levels of PI3K, AKT in the heart failure group were higher than those in the control group. The differences were statistically significant respectively (P < 0.05). The mRNA relative content and protein content of TNF-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of heart failure group were higher compared with those of control group (P < 0.05). The LVEF of heart failure group was significantly lower than that of the control group (34.50 ± 6.33) ％ versus (55.60 ± 2.49) ％, P < 0.001). Among 244 patients with heart failure, Spearman correlation analysis showed that there were significant positive correlations between TNF-a mRNA and protein expression levels and the levels of PI3K, AKT respectively (P < 0.05). Multiple factors unconditional Logistic regression analysis showed that the TNF-α mRNA, protein expression and PI3K, AKT levels in peripheral blood were independent risk factors for LVEF (P < 0.05). Conclusion The expression levels of PI3K, AKT and TNF-α are all significantly increased in chronic heart failure patients, which could participate in the occurrence and development of heart failure.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus has caused havoc across the entire world. Even though several COVID-19 vaccines are currently in distribution worldwide, with others in the pipeline, treatment modalities lag behind. Accordingly, researchers have been working hard to understand the nature of the virus, its mutant strains, and the pathogenesis of the disease in order to uncover possible drug targets and effective therapeutic agents. As the research continues, we now know the genome structure, epidemiological and clinical features, and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we summarized the potential therapeutic targets involved in the life cycle of the virus. On the basis of these targets, small-molecule prophylactic and therapeutic agents have been or are being developed for prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection.

ObjectiveTo explore the protective effect of Xielitang on ulcerative colitis （UC） mice induced by dextran sodium sulfate （DSS） and its possible mechanism. MethodSixty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， sulfasalazine group and and low-， medium-， and high-dose Xielitang groups. Free drinking DSS solution to build the chronic UC model mice. Except for normal group， other groups were given 1.5% DSS for 3 cycles of drinking （days 1-7， days 22-28 and days 43-49） and distilled water for the rest of the time （days 8-21， days 29-42 and days 50-63）. After the first cycle， corresponding drugs were given for 42 days. The changes of general condition， body weight and disease activity index （DAI） score of mice were daily recorded during the experiment. At the end of the treatment， serum and colon tissue samples were collected， colon length was measured， intestinal weight index and colonic mucosal injury （CMDI） score were calculated. The pathological status of colon tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-10 （IL-10） and tumour necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The gene and protein expressions of Toll like receptor 4 （TLR4）， nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB） and hypoxia inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） in colon tissue was detected by Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. ResultCompared with the normal group， the body weight， colon length and IL-10 content in the model group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， DAI score， intestinal weight index， CMDI score， IL-6 and TNF-α contents， and mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4， NF-κB and HIF-1α in the model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Moreover， the structure of colonic mucosa was destroyed and inflammatory cells infiltrated in the model group. Compared with model group， body weight， colon length and IL-10 content in each dose group of Xielitang were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， DAI score， intestinal weight index and CMDI score， IL-6 and TNF-α contents， mRNA and protein expression levels of TLR4， NF-κB and HIF-1α were notably decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The pathological injury of colon was obviously alleviated. ConclusionXielitang can significantly improve the inflammatory response of UC mice induced by DSS， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of TLR4/NF-κB/HIF-1α signaling pathway.