ObjectiveTo observe the effects ofYushen Zhuyun Prescription on ovarian morphology and sex hormone of rats with decreased ovarian reservation (DOR) induced by tripterygium glycosides; To explore its mechanism of action.Methods Tripterygium glycosides solution was used to establish DOR model rats by gastric gavage. 48 female SD rats were randomly divided into blank group, model group, positive medicine group andYushen Zhuyun Prescription low-, medium- and high-dose groups.Yushen ZhuyunPrescription groups were given the low, medium, high dosagesYushen Zhuyun Prescription liquid; positive medicine group were given estradiol valerate liquid; model group and blank control group were given normal saline with the same amount, by gavage 2 times per day for 14 consecutive days. The general condition of the rats was observed; ovarian was weighed and the viscera index was calculated; ovarian morphology was observed by HE staining; the levels of serum estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and testosterone (T) were detected by radioimmunoassay; the levels of inhibin B (INHB) and anti Mullerian hormone (AMH) were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the blank group, ovarian tissue atrophied; the number of follicles was reduced; ovarian index and the level of E2, INHB and AMH decreased; the levels of FSH and LH increased in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, ovarian tissue morphology improved significantly; the number of follicle and corpus luteum increased; follicular atresia was reduced; ovarian index and the levels of E2, INHB, and AMH increased; the levels of FSH and LH decreased in Yushen Zhuyun Prescription high-dose group (P<0.01). INHB and AMH had significant correlation (P<0.01). ConclusionYushen Zhuyun Prescription can regulate hormone levels, promote the growth and secretion of follicle, and inhibit follicular atresia, thereby improve ovarian reserve function.

AIM: To study the expression and its kinetics of rice phenylalanine ammonia-lyase gene encoding into E. coli as the basis of treatment for phenylketouria. METHODS: The phenylalanine ammonia-lyase-1-cDNA(rPAL-1-cDNA) from rice was recombined into E. coli high expression vector pET-28c and transformed into E. coli host strain BL21DE3. Engineering bacteria was then inducted by isopropyl-?-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) for 1, 3, 5, 7 hours, in order to obtain high level expression. RESULTS: After induction, the expression level of fusion protein was 21.40%, 30.60%, 35.40%, 35.43% respectively. The fusion protein exhibited a band of 78 6 kD on SDS-PAGE analysis,but was not found in controls.The target protein was mainly existed in the form of inclusion body. CONCLUSION:Rice PAL gene expressing E. coli was established by gentic engineering technique.

Objective To investigate the mechanical prosperity and degradation rate of the scaffolds with compounding collagen and the nano sol-gel derived bioactive glass were studied,and provide the theoretical basis for the further application of collagen based scaffolds.Method The scaffold with compounding collagen and the nano sol-gel derived bioactive glass(58S)were prepared using the freeze-drying techniques with the bioactive glass as phase addition.By affecting the aggregation state of the collagen fibers with adjusting the supplementation of bioactive glass to change the microstructures of the compound scaffolds and finatly the compound scaffolds with different mechanical properties were prepared.Results (1)As the aggregation state of the collagen fibers changes,the scaffolds with the coarser collagen fibers is prepared with the diameters 400-600 nm approximately.The coarser collagen fibers will play an important role in improving the mechanical property and slowing down the degradation rate of the collagen based scaffolds.(2)The interactions between bioactive glass and collagen are studied by FTIR and Raman technologies.When the quality of content of collagen in the compound scaffolds is lower than 20%,the secondary structure of collagen is damaged severely.Conclusion The composite scaffolds with the mass ratio of collagen to bioactive glass 40:60 has the best performance in mechanical property and degradation,which will be helpful for further applications.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the protective effects and mechanism of action of oxymatrine (OM) on the experimental fulminant hepatitis (FH) and early hepatocyte apoptosis in murine liver tissue.

METHODSFulminant hepatitis mice were induced by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneally (ip) in galactosamine (GalN) sensitized mice. Two separate experiments were designed, including saline control group, fulminant hepatitis group and oxymatrine pretreated group (50 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, bid x 3 days). The levels of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFa) in mice from two experiments were determined at 5-hour and 7.5-hour after injecting galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide. Mouse liver samples at 5-hour time point were obtained for in situ end labeling (ISEL) staining and ultrastructural observation of apoptotic cells under transmission electron microscope (TEM). Liver samples at 7.5-hour time point were taken for hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical staining of Fas and its ligand (FasL).

RESULTSAs compared with the fulminant hepatitis group, the levels of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha in mice from the OM pretreated group at 5-hour and 7.5-hour time point were all significantly decreased (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01 respectively). Hepatocyte apoptosis in mice at 5-hour time point was significantly inhibited (P < 0.01). Both the degree of liver injury and the degree of Fas and Fas ligand expression in the OM pretreated group were reduced remarkably (P < 0.01 and 0.05 respectively) when compared with the saline control group.

CONCLUSIONSOxymatrine protects mice from fulminant hepatitis induced by GalN/LPS and may block hepatocyte apoptosis and subsequent necrosis through downregulating the production of serum tumor necrosis factor alpha and the expression of Fas and Fas ligand in liver tissue.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Fas Ligand Protein ; Hepatitis, Animal ; blood ; drug therapy ; mortality ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; biosynthesis ; drug effects ; Mice ; Microscopy, Electron ; Quinolizines ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; drug effects ; metabolism ; fas Receptor ; biosynthesis ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of atorvastatin on cardiac remodeling and function after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in rats and whether this effect is mediated by transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) signaling pathway.

METHODSAMI was induced by left coronary artery ligation in 64 male Sprague-Dawley rats, and 45 surviving rats were randomized into control group (n=15), low-dose atorvastatin group (10 mg/kg, n=15) and high-dose atorvastatin group (20 mg/kg, n=15). Similar surgical procedure was performed in sham-operated rats (n=15) without coronary ligation. Atorvastatin was given daily by gavage from the first day after AMI. Eight weeks later, the cardiac function, left ventricular weight/body mass index (LVMI), collagen volume fraction (CVF), and the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad2 were compared between the groups.

RESULTSAMI caused significantly reduced cardiac function, increased LVMI and CVF, and upregulated expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad2 mRNA and proteins in the control group (P<0.05). The cardiac function, LVMI, and CVF were improved by atorvastatin, which also down-regulated the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad2 (P<0.05), and the effects were more prominent in high-dose atorvastatin group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONAtorvastatin can dose-dependently improve cardiac remodeling and function after AMI in rats, which is mediated by regulating the activity of TGF-β1/Smad2 signaling pathway.

Animals ; Atorvastatin Calcium ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; Heptanoic Acids ; pharmacology ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; physiopathology ; Pyrroles ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Smad2 Protein ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Ventricular Remodeling ; drug effects

Adenosine, as an endogenous purine nucleoside, is widely distributed in various tissues and organs of the body. It binds to adenosine receptors to regulate a variety of important biological processes. Adenosine 2A receptors have a close relationship with the occurrence and development of various clinical diseases. This article reviews the research progress of adenosine 2A receptors in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, acute immune hepatitis, liver ischemia-reperfusion injury, liver fibrosis, etc., in order to provide new research strategies for the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

Background and Objectives: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), consisting of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is highly prevalent in in-hospital HF patients and contributes to worse prognoses. However, the risk of VTE in out-patients with HF in long-term period is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between HF and the risk of VTE in a long-term follow-up duration. Methods: We searched for studies investigating the risk of VTE, PE, and DVT in patients with HF before April 15, 2020, in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases. Cohort studies and post hoc analysis of RCTs were eligible for inclusion if they reported relative risk of VTE, DVT or PE in patients with HF in more than 3-month follow-up period. Results: We identified 31 studies that enrolled over 530,641 HF patients. Overall, patients with HF were associated with an increased risk of VTE (risk ratio [RR]=1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.34–1.84) and PE (RR=2.00, 95% CI=1.38–2.89). However, the risk of DVT was not significantly increased in HF patients (RR=1.33, 95% CI=0.67–2.63). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with chronic HF (RR=1.54, 95% CI=1.32–1.80) had a higher risk of VTE than those with acute HF (RR=0.95, 95% CI=0.68–1.32). Conclusions In conclusion, HF was an independent risk for VTE and PE but not DVT in a longterm follow-up period. Patients with chronic HF were prone to suffer from VTE than acute HF.

Background and Objectives: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), consisting of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), is highly prevalent in in-hospital HF patients and contributes to worse prognoses. However, the risk of VTE in out-patients with HF in long-term period is controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the associations between HF and the risk of VTE in a long-term follow-up duration. Methods: We searched for studies investigating the risk of VTE, PE, and DVT in patients with HF before April 15, 2020, in PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases. Cohort studies and post hoc analysis of RCTs were eligible for inclusion if they reported relative risk of VTE, DVT or PE in patients with HF in more than 3-month follow-up period. Results: We identified 31 studies that enrolled over 530,641 HF patients. Overall, patients with HF were associated with an increased risk of VTE (risk ratio [RR]=1.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.34–1.84) and PE (RR=2.00, 95% CI=1.38–2.89). However, the risk of DVT was not significantly increased in HF patients (RR=1.33, 95% CI=0.67–2.63). Subgroup analysis showed that patients with chronic HF (RR=1.54, 95% CI=1.32–1.80) had a higher risk of VTE than those with acute HF (RR=0.95, 95% CI=0.68–1.32). Conclusions In conclusion, HF was an independent risk for VTE and PE but not DVT in a longterm follow-up period. Patients with chronic HF were prone to suffer from VTE than acute HF.

Objective Directly excited the denervated orbicularis oculi muscle (OOM) by electric current on rabbits,to induce efficient eyelid closure,and seek the optimal sites for such excitation that can produce efficient eyelid closure with the minimal excitating current in the least channel.Methods Bilateral peripheral facial paralysis model on 20 healthy NewZealand rabbits (40 sides)were prepared.Exciting current was designed for two-way rectangular pulse,35 Hz frequency and 0.2ms pulse width.The current intensity could be adjusted between 0 and 2.5 mA.Middle of upper-orbit (A),outer orbital rim (B),and middle of lower-orbit (C) sites were located around the OOM.Each site underwent parallel muscle fiber excitation by 2.5 and 5 mm distance dual-electrode respectively,additional dual-electrodes were also placed in A-B and A-C positions.All resulted in a total of 8 different exciting methods,and were labeled A2.5,A5.0,B2.5,B5.0,C2.5,C5.0,AB and AC.Then the current was adjusted to achieve efficient eyelid closure.The minimal current intensity needed was regarded as threshold value.Results All efficient eyelid closure occurrence rates of 8 methods were compared with combined x2 test and showed significant difference.A crossed x2 test showed the rates of C2.5,C5.0,and AC was significant lower than the highest methods.Except 3 methods above,the mean threshold values of remain 5 methods were compared with ANOVA test and showed significant difference.Further Fisher's LSD test showed B2.5 had the lowest mean value,was significant lower than A2.5 and AB,P ＜ 0.001,and had no significant difference with A5.0 and B5.0,P ＞ 0.05.A5.0's mean value was significant lower than A2.5 's,P ＜ 0.05.Methods B2.5,B5.0 and A5.0 were more likely to achieve a perfect closure.Conclusions Middle of supraorbital margin (A) and outer orbital rim (B) are the ideal sites for electric excitation.Exciting the two sites can sufficiently induce the contraction of denervated OOM,leading to high efficient eyelid closure occurrence rates,more perfect closure meanwhile with lower threshold current value,which are priority options.

Jiegengtang is a basic formula for treating sore throat and cough. By means of bibliometrics， this study conducted a textual research and analysis on the key information such as formula origin， decocting methods， and clinical application of Jiegengtang. After the research， it can be seen that Jiegengtang is firstly contained in Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Disease， which is also known as Ganjietang， and it has been inherited and innovated by medical practitioners of various dynasties in later times. The origins of Chinese medicines in this formula is basically clear， Jiegeng is the dried roots of Platycodon grandiflorum， Gancao is the dried roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis， the two medicines are selected raw products. The dosage is 27.60 g of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and 13.80 g of Platycodonis Radix， decocted with 600 mL of water to 200 mL， taken warmly after meals， twice a day， 100 mL for each time. In ancient times， Jiegengtang was mainly used for treating Shaoyin-heat invasion syndrome， with cough and sore throat as its core symptoms. In modern clinical practice， Jiegengtang is mainly used for respiratory diseases such as pharyngitis， esophagitis， tonsillitis and lung abscess， especially for pharyngitis and lung abscess with remarkable efficacy. This paper can provide literature reference basis for the modern clinical application and new drug development of Jiegengtang.