Network pharmacology and the mouse model of viral pneumonia caused by influenza virus FM_1 were employed to explore the main active components and the mechanism of Pulsatilla chinensis against the inflammatory injury of influenza virus-induced pneumonia. The components and targets of P. chinensis were searched from TCMSP, and the targets associated with influenza virus-induced pneumonia were searched from GeneCards. The common targets between P. chinensis and influenza virus-induced pneumonia were identified with Venn diagram established in Venny 2.1. The herb-component-disease-target(H-C-D-T) network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.2. The above data were imported into STRING for PPI network analysis. Gene Ontology(GO) enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment were performed with DAVID. BALB/cAnN mice were infected with the influenza virus FM_1 by nasal drip to gene-rate the mouse model of pneumonia. Immunohistochemistry was adopted to the expression profiling of inflammatory cytokines in the lung tissues of mice in the blank group, model group, and P. chinensis group 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after infection. The pathological changes of lung and trachea of mice in blank group, model group, and P. chinensis group were observed with light microscope and scanning electron microscope at all the time points. The network pharmacological analysis indicated that 9 compounds of P. chinensis were screened out, with a total of 57 targets, 22 of which were overlapped with those of influenza virus-induced pneumonia. A total of 112 GO terms(P<0.05) were enriched, including 81 terms of biological processes, 11 terms of cell components, and 20 terms of molecular functions. A total of 53 KEGG signaling pathways(P<0.05) were enriched, including TNF signaling pathway, influenza A signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and other signaling pathways related to influenza/inflammation. In the P. chinensis group, the expression of TNF-α and IL-1 in the lung tissue was down-regulated on the 3 rd day after infection, and that of IL-6 in the lung tissue was down-regulated on the 5 th day after infection. Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy showed that P. chinensis significantly alleviated the pathological damage of lung and trachea compared with the model group. This study reflects the multi-components, multi-targets, and multi-pathways of P. chinensis against influenza virus-induced pneumonia. P. chinensis may reduce the production of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators and block the pro-inflammatory signaling pathways to alleviate viral pneumonia, which provides reference for future research.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Orthomyxoviridae ; Pneumonia/genetics* ; Pulsatilla

Objective: This study explored the thromboembolism risk of low-risk atrial fibrillation (AF) patients (CHA₂DS₂-VASc score of 0 or 1 for male and 1 or 2 for female) with different clinical characteristics to provide the basis for anticoagulation decision-making in these patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled consecutive 2 862 nonvalvular low-risk AF patients between August 2011 to December 2018 in China-AF (China Atrial Fibrillation Registry) Study, their CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was 0 or 1 for male and 1 or 2 for female. According to their age, sex, presence or absence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, and vascular disease at the time of enrolling, patients were divided into CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0 score group, 1 score group, and 2 score group. Patients were followed up every 6 months by outpatient clinic visit or telephone interview. The outcome was a thromboembolic event, including ischemic stroke and systemic embolism. Univariate Cox regression analysis was used to compare the thromboembolism risk between the patients with different risk factors and CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0 group. Results: A total of 2 862 low-risk atrial fibrillation patients were enrolled in this study. 915 patients (32.0%) were female, and age was (55.0±10.7) years old. There were 933 patients (32.6%) in CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0 group, 1 401 patients (49.0%) in score 1 group and 528 patients (18.5%) in score 2 group. During follow-up (median 1.5 years, 5 811.82 person-years), 33 cases of thromboembolic events were recorded, the annual rate of thromboembolism was 0.57% (95%CI 0.40%~0.80%). The number of thromboembolic events in patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0, 1 and 2 were 8, 11 and 14, respectively, and the annual thromboembolism event rates were 0.40% (95%CI 0.20%-0.81%), 0.39% (95%CI 0.22%-0.71%) and 1.34% (95%CI 0.80%-2.27%), respectively. The risk of thromboembolism of CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 2 group (HR=3.53, 95%CI 1.48-8.44; P=0.005), especially female patients aged 65-74 years in CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 2 group (HR=2.67, 95%CI 1.63-4.38; P<0.000) was significantly higher than that in patients of CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 0 group. Conclusion: Low-Risk Atrial Fibrillation patients with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 2, especially female patients aged 65-74 years old with CHA₂DS₂-VASc score 2 are at higher risk of thromboembolism in low-risk AF patients. For such patients, intensified oral anticoagulant therapy might be helpful to reduce the risk of thrombolism.
Adult ; Aged ; Anticoagulants ; Atrial Fibrillation ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Thromboembolism

Objective: Taking electronic-eye (visual analyzer) technique,based on the powder color of Andrographis Herba,to investigate the applicability of electronic-eye technique and evaluate the quality of Andrographis Herba with different commercial specifications. Method: HPLC was employed to determine contents of andrographolide,dehydroandrographolide,14-deoxyandrographolide,neoandrographolide in 50 batches of Andrographis Herba with different commercial specifications(stems,leaves and aerial parts).Color of these samples were measured by electronic-eye technique.The data were analyzed by principal component analysis(PCA) and Pearson correlation analysis.The ability of electronic-eye to distinguish the different commercial specifications of Andrographis Herba was investigated and the correlation of chroma space system parameters (L^*,a^*,b^*) with active components was investigated. Result: There was remarkable difference in contents of 4 diterpenoids in Andrographis Herba from different parts,their contents in leaves was the highest,followed by the aerial parts(mixture of stems and leaves),and their contents in stems was the lowest.The results of PCA was divided into two classes,namely the stem part,leaf and aerial parts,indicating that electronic-eye could be used to distinguish the quality of Andrographis Herba.The correlation results showed that there were significant negative correlation(P<0.01) between L^*(lightness value) and the contents of andrographolide,dehydroandrographolide,14-deoxyandrographolide,neoandrographolide and the total content of these 4 components.In addition,L^* of samples that did not conform to the lower limit of determination in the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopeia was ≥ 69.5,and the L^* of more than 90% of the samples in accordance with the requirements was <69.5. Conclusion: Electronic-eye technique provides a new method and idea for the quality evaluation of Andrographis Herba.

Background:Chronic kidney disease (CKD) with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction usually exhibits an irreversible course,and available treatments for delaying the progression to end-stage renal disease are limited.This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine,Niaoduqing particles,for delaying renal dysfunction in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD.Methods:The present study was a prospective,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial.From May 2013 to December 2013,300 CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 20 and 45 ml,min-1· 1.73 m-2,aged 18-70 years were recruited from 22 hospitals in 11 Chinese provinces.Patients were randomized in a 1∶1 ratio to either a test group,which was administered Niaoduqing particles 5 g thrice daily and 10 g before bedtime for 24 weeks,or a control group,which was administered a placebo using the same methods.The primary endpoints were changes in baseline serum creatinine (Scr) and eGFR after completion of treatment.The primary endpoints were analyzed using Student's t-test or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test.The present study reported results based on an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis.Results:A total of 292 participants underwent the ITT analysis.At 24 weeks,the median (interquartile range) change in Scr was 1.1 (-13.0-24.1) and 11.7 (-2.6-42.9) μmol/L for the test and control groups,respectively (Z =2.642,P =0.008),and the median change in eGFR was-0.2 (-4.3-2.7) and-2.2 (-5.7-0.8) ml·min-1.1.73 m-2,respectively (Z =-2.408,P =0.016).There were no significant differences in adverse events between the groups.Conclusions:Niaoduqing particles safely and effectively delayed CKD progression in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD.This traditional Chinese medicine may be a promising alternative medication for patients with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction.

OBJECTIVETo study the prevention effect of salidroside on contrast-induced-nephropathy (CIN) and its underlying mechanism.

METHODSA total of 24 Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 6 in each group. Rats were firstly administrated with normal saline (control and model groups), N-acetylcysteine (NAC, NAC group) and salidroside (salidroside group) for 7 days before model establishment in each group, respectively. Histopathological analysis was performed by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. Oxidative stress related parameters including superoxide dismutase (SOD) and methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), angiotensin II (Ang II), 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), mRNA and protein levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity were measured.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, the levels of MDA, Ang II and 8-OHdG were all significantly increased and levels of SOD, NO, and eNOS mRNA and protein were decreased significantly in the model group (P<0.05). Meanwhile, the NOS activity was also significantly decreased in the model group (P<0.05). In addition, the levels of these parameters were all improved in the NAC (P<0.05) and salidroside groups and no significant different was found between these two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSalidroside can be the potential substitute of NAC to prevent CIN. The underlying mechanism may be associated with oxidative stress damage caused by contrast agents.

Acetylcysteine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Contrast Media ; adverse effects ; Cytoprotection ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Kidney ; drug effects ; pathology ; Kidney Diseases ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of active components of Danshen and Shanzha of different matching proportions on atherosclerosis (AS), in the expectation of obtaining the optimum combination method.

METHODAtherosclerotic rats were fed with high fat diet, and injected with vitamin D3 and ovalbumin. Aqueous extracts of Danshen (DSA) and Shanzha (SZA) and lipophilic extracts of danshen (DSL) were adopted for a low, medium and high-dose orthogonal experiment, to observe the effect of their different matching proportions on lipid level, oxidative stress, endothelial function and inflammatory reaction. The principal component analysis and cluster analysis were adopted for the multi-objective optimization of experimental results.

RESULTCompared with the model group, all of samples with different proportions of DSA, DSL and SZA showed effect in lowering lipid level, scavenging free radicals, reducing endothelial dysfunction and inhibiting inflammation. According to the variance analysis, DSA2-SZA2-DSL1, DSA3-SZA2-DSL1, DSA3-SZA3 -DSL3 and DSA3-SZA1-DSL1 were the optimal proportions for lowering lipid level, scavenging free radicals, reducing endothelial dysfunction and inhibiting inflammation, respectively. According to the results of the multi-objective optimization, DSA2-SZA1-DSL2 was the optimal proportions of anti-AS.

CONCLUSIONAll of active components of Danshen and Shanzha of different matching proportions show the anti-AS effect in rats to varying degrees, but with different focus in different matching proportions.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; pharmacology ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endothelium, Vascular ; drug effects ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Phenanthrolines ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

Objective The choice of surgical approaches for salvage surgery based on the location and invasion of recurrent and residual lesions of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC),surgical results,complications,and survival were assessed.Methods Thirty-seven cases with recurrent and residual lesions of NPC underwent salvage surgery between March 1991 and January 2005 were analysed retrospectively.Of 37 patients,23 were men and 14 women,with a median age of 46.5 years (26 -57 years) ;4 were at stage Ⅰ,10 at stage Ⅱ,14 at stage Ⅲ,and 9 at stage Ⅳ; 5 cases were with cervical metastasis,including 3 cases of N1 and 2 cases N2.All recurrent and residual lesions of NPC were determined by biopsy.On the location and invasion of recurrent and residual lesions of NPC,8 cases underwent endoscopic resection of lesions,12 cases of the palate nasopharyngectomy,5 cases of maxillary swing,4 cases of maxillary swing plus preronal approach,2 cases of lateral rhinotomy plus coronalflap approach,and 6 cases transfacial plus nasal pyramid swing approach.Five cases with cervical metastasis received neck dissection in addition to the operations for recurrent and residual lesions of NPC. Postoperatively 31 cases received radiotherapy with dosage of 60 Gy,among them 15 cases with concurrent chemoradiation therapy,and 6 cases with clear surgical margin did not received radiotherapy or chemotherapy. The cases were followed up for 12 - 72 months,with a median of 45 months.Results Total resection for the recurrent and residual lesions of NPC acounted for 91.8% (34/37) and subtotal resection for 8.2% (3/37). The accidence of perioperative complications was 24.3% (9/37). The 3- and 5-year overall disease-free survival rates (DFSR) were 62.1% and 43.3%,respectively. The 3- and 5-year overall survival rates (OSR) were 72.9% and 51.3%,respectively.The 5 year DFSR of cases at stage Ⅰ - Ⅳ were 100%,40%,28% and 11% (χ2 =10.0,P ＜0.01＝,respectively.The 5 year OSR were 100%,70%,35% and 28% (χ2 = 11.5,P ＜0.01),respectively.Conclusions Salvage surgery is a justified treatment for the recurren and residual lesions of NPC,by which some patients with recurren and residual lesions of NPC can be salvaged.

Objective To investigate the dynamic changes of cardiomyocyte apoptosis and the role of death receptor apoptotic pathway in a rat model of coronary microembolization (CME).Methods Adult rats were randomized to coronary microembolization (CME group,n = 63) or sham-operated group (S group,n = 55).CME model was established by aortic injection of 0.1 ml microspheres(42 μm,3×10~4/ml)into the left ventricle when the ascending aorta was temporarily clamped.S group received 0.1 ml saline injection and survived rats were randomly examined at 0,3,6,12 and 24 hour post CME (n = 10 each).Heart function was evaluated by echocardiography.Myoeardium sample was stained with hematoxylin-eosin and hematoxylin-basic fuchsin-picric acid to detect infarct areas.Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected with TUNEL staining.The expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8 was measured by Western blot analysis.Results Compared with S group,the left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly decreased and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was significantly increased in CME group (all P＜0.05) except 0 hour CME group.The infarct sizes were similar in 3 hour,6 hour,12 hour,and 24 hour CME groups (P＞0.05).The apoptosis index (AI) in CME group were significantly higher at each time point compared to S group (P ＜0.05) except 0 hour CME group and peaked at 6 hours.Apoptotic cardiomyocytes were found mainly in the myocardial microinfarcted area and border zones.The relative expression of caspase-3 and caspase-8 in CME group were both significantly increased at 3 hours and peaked at 6 hour post CME (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Cardiomyocytes apoptosis was significantly increased after coronary microembolization via activating death receptor apoptotic pathway in this coronary microembolization model.

OBJECTIVETo determine actinoside C in the leaves of Actinidia kolomikta with different growth periods.

METHODThe separation was performed at 25 degrees C on ZORBAX Extend C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm), using amixture of methanol and water (51:49) as a mobile phase. The flow rate was 1.2 mL x min(-1), and the wavelength for measurement was 267 nm.

RESULTThe results showed that the contents of actinoside C in the leaves of A. kolomikta were variety in different growth periods. Actinoside C could reach its highest content in the middle ten days of June, then the content would decrease in the middle ten days of July slightly, it could reach their lowest content in the middle ten days of August.

CONCLUSIONThe optimal collective date for A. kolomikta are in the middle ten days of June.

Actinidia ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Flavones ; analysis ; chemistry ; Glycosides ; analysis ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; growth & development ; Seasons

In this paper, a method based on the convex hull algorithm is presented for extracting modelling data from the locations of catheter electrodes within a cardiac chamber, so as to create a 3-D model of the heart chamber during diastole and to obtain a good result in the 3-D reconstruction of the chamber based on VTK.
Algorithms ; Body Surface Potential Mapping ; methods ; Catheter Ablation ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted ; methods