Objective:To observe the effect of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion on the expressions of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MEK1/2) and extracellular regulatory protein kinase (ERK1/2) in gastric tissues of rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, and to explore the possible mechanisms of herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion in treating spleen deficiency syndrome. Methods:Sixty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into a blank control group (group A), a model group (group B), a ranitidine group (group C), and a herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion group (group D) by random digit, 15 rats in each group. Rat models of spleen deficiency syndrome were made by intragastric administration of 4℃ 200% concentrated Da Huang (Radix et Rhizoma Rhei). After successful modeling, the rats in group C were treated with 25 mg/(kg·bw) ranitidine by intragastric adminstration and rats in group D were treated with herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36) and Zhongwan (CV 12), for 8 d. Excepted for rats in group A, all the other rats were treated with indomethacin at 5 mg/(kg·bw) at 8:00 a.m. on the second day after finishing all the intervention and sacrificed 7 h later to isolate the stomach. Histopathological changes of the gastric tissues were observed under light microscope after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in the gastric tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results:After intervention, the gastric mucosal injury in group B was significantly severer than that in group A, with large breakage and ablating; the damage of gastric mucosa was decreased in group C compared with group B; the gastric mucosal surface remained relatively complete, and the status of breakage and ablating was significantly improved. After intervention, compared with group A, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in gastric tissues of the other groups were significantly higher (P<0.01). Compared with group B, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in group C and D were significantly higher (allP<0.01). Compared with group C, the protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in group D were significantly higher (P<0.01). Conclusion: Herbal cake-partitioned moxibustion promotes the repair of gastric mucosa in rats with spleen deficiency syndrome, via improving protein expressions of MEK1/2 and ERK1/2 in gastric tissues, as well as activating MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between the proliferation, differentiation of rat hepatic stem like cell line WB-F344 and cytokines in vitro.

METHODS(3)H thymidine labelling of new synthesized DNA was used to examine the mitogenic responsiveness of WB-F344 cells to cytokines, western blot was used to study the expression of cytokines receptors on hepatic stem cells, and apoptotic cells were detected by Flow cytometry.

RESULTSWB-F344 cells showed a proliferative response to the cytokines of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), Insulin at the dose of 80 ng/ml, and the relative cpm values are 982.95, 906.32, 863.98 and 968.67 respectively, while non response to interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) at the same dose, and an inhibition or apoptosis response to transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) at 80 ng/ml with a 26.89% apoptotic rate. Western blot showed that there were HGF, EGF, FGF, TGF-beta receptors expressed on WB-F344 cells. When WB-F344 cells were cultured in the differential system (DMEM, 10% Fcs, HGF 10 to approximately 50 ng/ml, EGF 20 ng/ml, Insulin 1 microg/ml, Dex 1 micromol/L), the cells could differentiated into hepatocytes. In addition, HGF could scattered WB-F344 cells.

CONCLUSIONThe proliferation and differentiation of liver stem cells are regulated by various cytokines which may play an important role when liver is damaged seriously.

Animals ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Hepatocyte Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Insulin ; pharmacology ; Liver ; cytology ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344 ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVEThis study examined the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on the serum levels of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), S-100β protein and myelin basic protein (MBP) in young rats 24 hrs after lithium-pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) in order to study the potential role of r-HuEPO in epileptic brain damage.

METHODSForty 19-21-day-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into four groups (n=10): normal control group, SE, r-HuEPO pretreated-SE and r-HuEPO. SE was induced by lithium-pilocarpine. R-HuEPO (500 IU/kg) was intraperitoneally injected in the r-HuEPO pretreated-SE and r-HuEPO groups 4 hrs before SE. Serum levels of NSE, S-100β and MBP were determined 24 hrs after the SE event.

RESULTSSerum levels of NSE, S-100β and MBP in the SE group increased significantly compared with those in the normal control and the r-HuEPO groups (P＜0.05). The r-HuEPO pretreated-SE group showed significantly decreased serum levels of NSE, S-100β and MBP compared with the SE group (P＜0.05).

CONCLUSIONSr-HuEPO may reduce the expression of NSE, S-100β and MBP and thus might provide an early protective effect against epileptic brain injury.

Animals ; Erythropoietin ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Myelin Basic Protein ; blood ; Nerve Growth Factors ; blood ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Recombinant Proteins ; S100 Calcium Binding Protein beta Subunit ; S100 Proteins ; blood ; Status Epilepticus ; blood ; drug therapy

Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)at Baihui(GV20)and Siguan(Hegu/LI4 and Taichong/LR3)of affected side on expression of Tax1-binding protein 1(TAX1BP1)in cerebral cortex in focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion rats,so as to in-vestigate its protective mechanism in inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling pathway and promoting neurobehavioral recovery. Methods A total of 105 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into sham group,model group and EA group.Each group was ran-domly assigned into reperfusion six hours,twelve hours,24 hours,48 hours,72 hours groups after two hours of ischemia.The model was es-tablished by right middle cerebral artery occlusion and reperfusion.EA group received electroacupuncture at Baihui and left Siguan(Hegu and Taichong)acupoints.Neurobehavioral evaluation,TAX1BP1 protein expression,TAX1BP1 positive cell count,zink finger protein A20 expression, and nuclear NF-κB p65 protein expression were tested in each group. Results There was no neurological deficit in the sham group. Compared with the model group, the neurological scores at 48 hours, 72 hours after reperfusion decreased in EA group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group,the TAX1BP1 expression at twelve hours,24 hours and 48 hours after reperfusion increased in the model group(P<0.05),and further increased at twelve hours,24 hours,48 hours and 72 hours after reperfusion in EA group(P<0.05),and peaked at 24 hours after reperfusion.Compared with the sham group,the expression of A20 and NF-κB p65,and the number of TAX1BP1 positive cells increased in the model group(P<0.05),and the expression of A20 and the number of TAX1BP1 positive cells further increased,(P<0.05)and the expression of NF-κB p65 decreased in EA group(P<0.05)at 24 hours after reperfusion.Immunofluorescence labeling indicat-ed that TAX1BP1 protein primarily expressed in the cytoplasm,TAX1BP1 protein and A20 protein co-expressed in the cytoplasm.Immuno-histochemistry showed indicated that NF-κB p65 mainly expressed in the nucleus in the model groupr,and mainly expressed in the cyto-plasm in the EA group.Conclusion Electroacupuncture could significantly inhibit neuronal NF-κB signaling pathway and promote neurobe-havioral recovery in focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,which may related with up-regulating TAX1BP1 protein expression.

To study and analyze prevalence condition of hypertension and complicated cardiovascular risk factors in north Fujian rural area .Methods : By cluster sampling , an epidemiological questionnaire and physical ex‐amination were performed among 1784 residents using standardized survey method , who were ≥35 years from six towns and eight villages in north Fujian rural area from Jun 2013 to Mar 2014. Hypertension was diagnosed accord‐ing to The 2010 Chinese Guideline for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension , multivariate Logistic regres‐sion was used to analyze independent risk factors for hypertension in these subjects .Results : Prevalence rate of hy‐ pertension was 17.43% (31／1784 ) in north Fujian rural area .After population standardization , it＇s 23. 21%(18.66% in men and 16. 13% in women) , there was no significant difference in prevalence rate of hypertension be‐tween men and women in any age layer , P＞0. 05 all.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that age , overweight (BMI≥24 kg／m2 ) , high triglyceride and fasting blood glucose were independent risk factors for hyper‐tension in north Fujian rural area (OR＝1.107－2.096 , P＜0. 05 or ＜0. 01).Conclusion : Prevalence rate of hyper‐tension is high in north Fujian rural area , age , overweight , smoking , high triglyceride and fasting blood glucose are the main risk factors .

Objective To explore and analyze the expression and prognostic value of serum vitamin D(VitD),fer-ritin(FRT)and heparin-binding epidermal growth factor(HB-EGF)in sepsis patients.Methods 86 sepsis patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU)of a hospital from January 2021 to January 2022 were selected as the case group,and 60 non-sepsis patients in the ICU were selected as the control group.According to the prognosis of sepsis patients one month later,patients were divided into survival group and death group.Patient's serum upon admission was taken,levels of serum VitD,FRT and HB-EGF were detected,the correlation with the prognosis of sepsis patients was analyzed,and the prognostic value was evaluated by area under curve(AUC)of receiver opera-ting characteristic curve.Results Levels of white blood cell count(WBC),C-reactive protein(CRP),procalcitonin(PCT),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-6,IL-1β and FRT of case group were all higher than those of non-sepsis patients in the control group,while the VitD and HB-EGF levels were lower than those of non-sepsis patients in the control group,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).One month follow-up on the prognosis of sepsis patients showed that 55 patients survived and 31 died.Acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHE IⅡ)score,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score,PCT,TNF-α,L-1βand FRT score in patients in the death group were all higher than those in patients in the survival group,while VitD and HB-EGF were lower than patients in the survival group,differences were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The Pearson correlation analysis results showed that VitD were negatively correlated with APACHE Ⅱ score,SOFA score,WBC,CRP,PCT and TNF-α(all P＜0.05),HB-EGF was negatively correlected with APACHE Ⅱ,score,CRP,PCT,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β(all P＜0.05);while FRT was positively correlated with APACHE Ⅱscores,CRP,PCT,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-1β(all P＜0.05).The AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of combined de-tection of serum VitD,FRT and HB-EGF in predicting the prognosis of sepsis patients were 0.82(95％CI:0.72-0.86),84.39％,and 69.35％,respectively.Conclusion Serum levels of VitD and HB-EGF are lower and FRT is higher in sepsis patients,their expression levels are closely related to patient prognosis,and have good predictive value for predicting the prognosis of sepsis patients.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of diacerein in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

METHODSA total of 223 patients satisfying the American College of Rheumatology criteria for knee OA were chosen for this 17-week, randomized, double-dummy, diclofenac sodium-controlled trial, with diacerein dosage of 100 mg/d and diclofenac sodium of 75mg/d. Efficacy and safety of both drugs were evaluated.

RESULTSTotally 106 patients in the diacerein group and 107 patients in the diclofenac group were considered qualified for the evaluation. After 12 weeks of treatment, the total effective rates of patients/physicians' overall assessment in diacerein and diclofenac groups were 65.4%/61.6% and 61.2%/61.2%, respectively (P > 0.05). The primary efficacy parameter [visual analog scale (VAS) assessment of pain on 20 metres walking] and the secondary efficacy parameters [tenderness on palpation, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), and 36-item Short-Form (SF-36) Health Survey] significantly improved compared with baseline in both groups (P < 0.05). In the follow-up period, there were no obvious changes in above parameters in diacerein group. However, in diclofenac group, pain on 20 metres walking, tenderness on palpation, and WOMAC became aggravated after withdrawing the drug for 4 weeks (P < 0.05). Moreover, the consumption of paracetamol was significantly lower in diacerein group than in diclofenac group during follow-up (P < 0. 001). The incidences of related adverse events were 35.7% in diacerein and 45.1% in diclofenac group, respectively. Mild-to-moderate gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequent adverse events.

CONCLUSIONSDiacerein is as effective as diclofenac sodium in treating patients with knee OA. Furthermore, it has better extended effect and a good safety profile. It is generally well tolerated and has no severe adverse effect.

Adult ; Aged ; Anthraquinones ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Diclofenac ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Safety

Objective:To investigate the differential expression and gene functions of up-regulated genes in rats with spinal cord injury. Methods:Female Sprague-Dawley rats' model of spinal cord injury was established with the modified Allen's method. Gene chip technology was used to detect the variation of differentially expressed genes in the spinal cord after spinal cord injury in rats. The differences in genes, functional localization and pathways were analyzed with gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway database. Results:The results of total RNA quality in spinal cord segment were qualified. Gene chip results showed that there were 1874 differentially up-regulated genes and 2348 differentially down-regulated genes. Bioinformatics was used to analyze differentially up-regulated genes in terms of biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions. The differentially up-regulated genes were involving apoptosis, immune response, inflammation, etc., pathway analysis mainly showed the differentially up-regulated genes involved phosphoinositide 3-kinase protein kinase B signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathways. Conclusion:Differentially up-regulated genes may be involved in secondary reactions following spinal cord injury, such as inflammation, immune response and hypoxia, and then further affect motor function and sensory function.

Background: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) strategies in COVID-19 patients differ from those in patients suffering from cardiogenic cardiac arrest. During CPR, both healthcare and non-healthcare workers who provide resuscitation are at risk of infection. The Working Group for Expert Consensus on Prevention and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation for Cardiac Arrest in COVID-19 has developed this Chinese Expert Consensus to guide clinical practice of CPR in COVID-19 patients. Main recommendations: 1) A medical team should be assigned to evaluate severe and critical COVID-19 for early monitoring of cardiac-arrest warning signs. 2) Psychological counseling and treatment are highly recommended, since sympathetic and vagal abnormalities induced by psychological stress from the COVID-19 pandemic can induce cardiac arrest. 3) Healthcare workers should wear personal protective equipment (PPE). 4) Mouth-to-mouth ventilation should be avoided on patients suspected of having or diagnosed with COVID-19. 5) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression are recommended. 6) Tracheal-intubation procedures should be optimized and tracheal-intubation strategies should be implemented early. 7) CPR should be provided for 20-30 min. 8) Various factors should be taken into consideration such as the interests of patients and family members, ethics, transmission risks, and laws and regulations governing infectious disease control. Changes in management: The following changes or modifications to CPR strategy in COVID-19 patients are proposed: 1) Healthcare workers should wear PPE. 2) Hands-only chest compression and mechanical chest compression can be implemented to reduce or avoid the spread of viruses by aerosols. 3) Both the benefits to patients and the risk of infection should be considered. 4) Hhealthcare workers should be fully aware of and trained in CPR strategies and procedures specifically for patients with COVID-19.