OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of salvianolic acid B (SAB) on the proliferation of human embryonic lung fibroblast MRC-5, and the secretion of procollagen I and endogenous transforming growth factor-beta1, (TGF-beta1).

METHODSThe MRC-5 cells were randomly divided into four groups as follows: the control group: cells cultured with DMEM but with no TGF-beta1, or SAB; the TGF-beta1, group: cell cultured with 10 ng/mL TGF-beta1; the SAB1 group: cell cultured with medium with 10 ng/mL TGF-beta1 and 1 pmol/L SAB; the SAB2 group: cell cultured with medium with 10 ng/mL TGF-beta1, and 10 pmol/L SAB. The proliferation of cells was assayed by MTT incorporation. The concentration of amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), a marker of collagen synthesis, was measured by radioimmunoassay. The endogenous TGF-beta1, levels were measured using ELISA.

RESULTSThe optical density, procollagen I contents, and endogenous TGF-beta1, levels significantly increased when compared with those of the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the TGF-beta1, group, the optical density was obviously lowered, the procollagen I contents and endogenous TGF-beta1, levels significantly decreased in the SAB1 group and the SAB2 group, and better in the SAB2 group, showing statistical difference (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSAB could inhibit the proliferation of MRC-5 cells induced by TGF-beta1 and attenuate the roles of secreting collagen and endogenous TGF-beta1. It had the potential of postponing or delaying the progressive developing of pulmonary fibrosis.

Benzofurans ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; metabolism ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Lung ; cytology ; embryology ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of fine needle aspiration cytological biopsy(FNAB)under ultrasound-guided combined with the detection of point mutation of mutant B1 gene of carcinogenic homologue of murine sarcomatous virulent bacteria V600E for grade 4 nodule of thyroid imaging reporting and data system(TI-RADS)of thyroid.Methods:A total of 78 patients with TI-RADS grade 4 nodules who underwent surgery in General Hospital of Huainan Oriental Hospital Group during September 2019 and September 2021 were observed.All patients underwent ultrasound-guided FNAB examination and BRAF V600E gene testing before surgery.The postoperatively pathological results were used as gold standard to analyze the values of ultrasound-guided FNAB examination,BRAF V600E gene testing and the combined diagnosis of them.Results:Postoperatively pathological results showed 60 cases(76.92%)were malignant tumors,and all of which were papillary thyroid carcinoma.The results of Kappa consistency test between ultrasound-guided FNAB examination and pathological control,and between BRAF V600E gene testing and pathological control indicated that the Kappa values of them were respectively 0.430 and 0.583,and the Kappa value of the combined examination of them was 0.720.The sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value of the combined examination were respectively 98.33%,66.67%,90.77%and 92.31%in diagnosing thyroid nodule.Conclusion:For TI-RADS grade 4 thyroid nodule,the ultrasound-guided FNAB examination combined with BRAF V600E gene testing can significantly improve the diagnostic value.

To establish a quality constant evaluation system of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces,in order to provide reference for regulating the market circulation of this decoction pieces. A total of 18 batches of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces were collected from different pharmaceutical factories,and the morphological parameters of each sample were tested. The content of alisol B 23-acetate in Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces was determined by HPLC in the 2015 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia,and the parameters such as quality constant and relative quality constant were calculated. The quality constant range of 18 batches of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces was 0. 390-2. 076. If 18 batches of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces were divided into 3 grades,taking 80% of the maximum quality constant as first grade,50% to 80% as second grade,and the rest as third grade,then the quality constant of firstgrade samples was ≥1. 66,the quality constant of second-grade samples was ≥1. 04 and <1. 66,and the quality constant of third-grade samples was <1. 04. The established quality constant evaluation method is objective and feasible,which can be used to classify the grade of Alismatis Rhizoma decoction pieces and provide a reference method to control the quality of this decoction pieces.
Alisma ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; standards ; Quality Control ; Rhizome ; chemistry

Based on the androgen receptor(AR)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway, the effects of Xihuang Pills-medicated serum on the proliferation and apoptosis of prostate cancer LNCaP cells were investigated. The drug-containing serum of SD rats was prepared by intragastric administration of Xihuang Pills suspension. The effects of low-, medium-, and high-dose Xihuang Pills-containing serum on the in vitro proliferation of LNCaP cells were detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8). Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis level of LNCaP cells after intervention with different concentrations of Xihuang Pills. Protein expression of cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase caspase-3(cleaved caspase-3), B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), and AR as well as the phosphorylation level of mTOR protein were detected by Western blot. The results showed that compared with the blank serum, the drug-medicated serum could blunt the activity of LNCaP cells. Low-, medium-, and high-dose Xihuang Pills-containing serum could significantly increase the cell apoptosis rate, increase the expression of cleaved caspase-3 protein, decrease the expression of Bcl-2 protein, reduce the expression of AR protein, and down-regulate the level of phosphorylated mTOR(p-mTOR). To study the effect of Xihuang Pills on the growth of LNCaP cells in vivo, different doses of Xihuang Pills were used to intervene in the subcutaneous graft model in nude mice inoculated with LNCaP cells. The expression levels of AR, mTOR, p-mTOR, Bcl-2, and cleaved caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. The results showed that the volumes of subcutaneous graft tumor in the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose Xihuang Pills groups significantly decreased compared with that in the model group. The weight of subcutaneous transplanted tumor in each group with drug intervention was significantly lower than that in the model group. Compared with the model group, the low-dose, medium-dose, and high-dose Xihuang Pills groups showed increased cleaved caspase-3 protein expression, decreased Bcl-2 and AR protein expression, and reduced p-mTOR protein expression. Further experiments showed that AR agonist R1881 could block the anti-proliferation and pro-apoptotic effects of Xihuang Pills. The mechanism of Xihuang Pills against prostate cancer is related to the inhibition of the AR/mTOR signaling pathway, inhibition of LNCaP cell proliferation, and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.
Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Rats ; Animals ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Proliferation ; Apoptosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/metabolism* ; Mammals/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care could further reduce the recurrence of ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe bleeding. METHODS: A total of 23 Chinese medical centers participated in this trial. Adult patients with a history of ischemic stroke were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio using a block design to receive either Naoxintong Capsule (1.2 g orally, twice a day) or placebo in addition to standard care. The primary endpoint was recurrence of ischemic stroke within 2 years. Secondary outcomes included myocardial infarction, death due to recurrent ischemic stroke, and all-cause mortality. The safety of drugs was monitored. Results were analyzed using the intention-to-treat principle. RESULTS: A total of 2,200 patients were enrolled from March 2015 to March 2016, of whom 143 and 158 in the Naoxintong and placebo groups were lost to follow-up, respectively. Compared with the placebo group, the recurrence rate of ischemic stroke within 2 years was significantly lower in the Naoxintong group [6.5% vs. 9.5%, hazard ratio (HR): 0.665, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.492-0.899, P=0.008]. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary outcomes and safety, including rates of severe hemorrhage, cerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The combination of Naoxintong Capsule with standard care reduced the 2-year stroke recurrence rate in patients with ischemic stroke without increasing the risk of severe hemorrhage in high-risk patients. (Trial registration No. NCT02334969).
Adult ; Humans ; Secondary Prevention/methods* ; Ischemic Stroke ; Stroke/prevention & control* ; Cerebral Hemorrhage/complications* ; Double-Blind Method ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors

The dental operative microscope has been widely employed in the field of dentistry, particularly in endodontics and operative dentistry, resulting in significant advancements in the effectiveness of root canal therapy, endodontic surgery, and dental restoration. However, the improper use of this microscope continues to be common in clinical settings, primarily due to operators' insufficient understanding and proficiency in both the features and established operating procedures of this equipment. In October 2019, Professor Jingping Liang, Vice Chairman of the Society of Cariology and Endodontology, Chinese Stomatological Association, organized a consensus meeting with Chinese experts in endodontics and operative dentistry. The objective of this meeting was to establish a standard operation procedure for the dental operative microscope. Subsequently, a consensus was reached and officially issued. Over the span of about four years, the content of this consensus has been further developed and improved through practical experience.
Humans ; Dentistry, Operative ; Consensus ; Endodontics ; Root Canal Therapy ; Dental Care