This study aims to explore the improvement and the mechanism of the Alisma plantago-aquatica Linn. (ApL) on chronic glomerulonephritis (CGN). All animal experiments were followed the regulation of the Experimental Animal Ethical Committee of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. CGN mouse model was established by a single tail-vein injection of doxorubicin (Dox) (20 mg·kg^-1). One week after Dox administration, the mice received water extract of ApL (85 and 255 mg·kg^-1) by gavage once a day for 14 days. At the end of experiment, the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), serum albumin (ALB), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr) were detected, kidney histopathological H&E staining was analyzed. Active ingredients and action targets of ApL were collected from TCMSP database, and CGN-related targets were obtained from Genecards database. STRING platform was employed to perform protein-protein interaction (PPI), and Metascape platform was used for KEGG pathway and GO enrichment analysis. The results of experiments demonstrated that ApL (85 and 255 mg·kg^-1) could reduce the ACR and the content of SCr and BUN, and increase the content of ALB in mice. Network pharmacology results predicted that nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB)-related pathway and biological process of oxidoreductase activity regulation may be involved in the ApL-provided amelioration on CGN. The verification results showed that ApL could inhibit the activation of NF-κB and the expression of inflammatory factors in mice, and reduce the activity of renal myeloperoxidase (MPO). Meanwhile, ApL promoted the activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and increased the expression of its downstream gene mRNA, and reduced the level of renal malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), and further elevated renal glutathione (GSH) level. Based on network pharmacology combined experiments, this study found that ApL may improve CGN in mice through multiple targets and multiple pathways, in which the inhibition of NF-κB signaling and the activation of Nrf2 signaling may be important mechanisms involved.

Objective To investigate the proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ regulatory T cells (CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr)in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA).Methods(1)Proportion measurement:the proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells in peripheral blood was measured by double-label flow cytometric analysis.The samples were taken from 15 URSA women,15 normal non-pregnancy women and 13 normal pregnancy women.(2)Function measurement:CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr ceils and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T ce]ls were extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes by the microbeads separation.The purity of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells and CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was measured by flow cytometry.The growth inhibitory effect of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells on CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ T cells was assessed in vitro.Results The proportion of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells was decreased significantly in URSA women(6.9?1.8)% than that in normal non-pregnancy women[(10.8?1.1)%] (P0.05).Conclusion The results suggest that decrease in proportion and function of CD_4~+ CD_(25)~+ Tr cells may be associated with URSA.

Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; CpG Islands ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p57 ; genetics ; metabolism ; DNA Methylation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism

Objective:To detect the genotyping of hepatitis C virus by PCR-fluorescent probe in Qingyang area,and to evaluate the performance of PCR-fluorescent probe. Methods:The clinical data and peripheral venous blood of patients with HCV were collected (n=289). PCR-fluorescent probe was used to detect the genotype and HCV RNA of hepatitis C virus,and compare with PCR reverse dot blot,RT nested-PCR. Results:Among 289 samples detected by PCR-fluorescent probe,the rate of genotyping of hepatitis C virus was 99. 3%(287/289),and 139 for 1b(48. 1%),136 for 2a(47. 1%),7 for 3a(2. 4%),5 for 3b(1. 7%),2 for unknow(0. 7%). The specificity and efficiency was 100%,better repeatability,consistent with PCR reverse dot blot and RT nested-PCR(98. 2%,P>0. 05). The ALT,AST,PLT and HCVRNA(lg)for 1b patients was higher than 2a(P<0. 05). Conclusion:Multi-genotype distribution of HCV was revealed in the hepatitis C patients of Qingyang,1b and 2a were the main genotypes,and the ratio was equal,2a was increased,1b was declined. The sensibility and specificity was higher for PCR-fluorescent probe,and could be used in clinic.

Objective To observe the immunohigical effects of three doses of H2 strain live attenuated hepatitis A vaccine 8 years after the administration and to compare with that of one dose of the vaccine. Methods In a country area, 110 children of 1 to 7 years old susceptible to HAV were screened and administered with one dose of the vaccine, as group B ; Group A were 42 children from one of the villages and administered with 3 doses of the vaccine according to 0, 2, 6 month schedule. Blood samples were taken for the children 1, 2, 6, 7, 8,12, 24, 36 and 96 months after the administrations respectively and detected for anti-HAV antibody. Results For group B, the sero conversion rate of anti-HAV and GMC reached peak at 92.2% and 126.2 mIU/ml respectively,and then, began to drop with time; For group A, after 2 dose of the vaccine, the sero-conversion rate reached 100%, and the GMC reached peak of 2 739 mIU/ml one month after the third dose at 7 months. So that, group A has a better short-term immunological effects than that of group B. During 36 through 96 months, the anti-HAV positive rate in group B was 75%-71% and 80-89 mIU/ml respectively, and comparatively in group A were 100% and 918.2-480.6 mIU/ml respectively. The differences between group A and B were significantly important. Conclusion A 3-dose schedule administration of H2 strain live attenuated hepatitis .A vaccine has better immunological effects than 1-dose schedule in 8years and further observations are needed.

To find novel antihepatitis drugs, a series of nitrate-oleanolic acid (OA) hybrids (10a, 10b, 11a-11e and 12a-12c) were designed and synthesized on the basis of previous studies using OA as lead compound, which is widely found in natural plants and liver-specific metabolism. In the present study, ten novel NO-releasing derivatives of OA were synthesized by connecting nitrate to the OA-3-OH through varying lengths of linkers containing antioxidants which were designed to increase the ability of these target compounds to scavenge free radicals. The structures of these objective compounds were determined by IR, MS, 1H NMR and elemental analysis. Their protective effects on anti-Fas mediated HepG2 cell apoptosis were in vitro evaluated by LDH assay. Compound 12a is the most potent inhibitor. Its effect on anti-Fas mediated HepG2 cell apoptosis and amount of NO-releasing in vitro are similar to those of positive control NCX-1000.
Antioxidants ; chemistry ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Nitrates ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Nitric Oxide Donors ; chemistry ; Oleanolic Acid ; chemical synthesis ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship ; Ursodeoxycholic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology

Translocating protein and translocating peptides have therapeutic potential against tumors by exposing the cytotoxic domains of toxic proteins to the cell cytosol. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of N-terminally fused PE translocating peptides on granzyme B (GrBa) activity. PE II-GrBa fusion protein genes were constructed by replacing N-terminal signal and acidic dipeptide sequence of human granzyme B gene with two truncated translocating sequences of Pseudomonas exotoxin A (PE II aa 280-364/358) by recombinant PCR, and then cloned into pIND inducible expression vector. The resulting pIND-PE II-GrBa expression vectors were co-transfected with assistant plasmid pVgRXR into HeLa cells through lipofectamine, followed by selection on G418 and zeocin. The resistant cells were collected and induced with ponasterone A. Western blot analysis demonstrated that ponasterone A induction caused the expression of PE II-GrBa fusion proteins, and indirect immunofluorescence detected giant sized multinucleated cells, suggesting cytoskeletal and mitotic abnormalities as reported in our previous studies. Western blot, enzymatic activity assay and cell counting analysis indicated that two types of PE II-GrBa fusion proteins were capable of cleaving both endogenous and exogenous substrates of granzyme B, and inhibiting the growth of cells. The PE II (aa 280-358)-GrBa was shown to have higher serine protease activity and stronger growth inhibitory effect. Such inhibition was presumably associated with G2 arrest as determined by cell cycle analysis. These data prove that PE II-GrBa fusion proteins have cell inhibitory effect similar to GrBa, and that the shorter PE-derived peptide exerts less influence on GrBa activity. This study helps to optimize the construction of recombinant protein comprising translocating peptides and cytotoxic molecules for tumor cell killing.
ADP Ribose Transferases ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Toxins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Exotoxins ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Granzymes ; genetics ; pharmacology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Recombinant Fusion Proteins ; pharmacology ; Virulence Factors ; genetics ; pharmacology

Objective To optimize antimicrobial use process,ensure the rational use of preoperative antimicrobial prophylaxis during consecutive operations.Methods Antimicrobial use process in a hospital in December 2015 was optimized,6 072 cases of consecutive operations in May-November 2015 were selected as control group,5 832 cases of consecutive operations in December 2015-May 2016 were as trial group,the qualified rate of rational use of antimicrobial agents was compared between two groups,causes for delayed/prior use was analyzed.Results Before and after the optimization of antimicrobial use process,rates of antimicrobial use were 77.16％ and 78.80％ respectively,there was significant difference between two groups(x2 =8.305,P =0.004).After the optimization of antimicrobial use process,rate of antimicrobial use within 0.5-1 hour was significantly higher than that before the optimization (82.36％ vs 41.11％);rate of antimicrobial use ＜0.5 hour before skin incision decreased from 57.11％ before optimization to 4.32％ after optimization;but rate of antimicrobial use ＞1 hour before skin incision increased from 1.78％ to 13.32％.Causes for delay/prior use of antimicrobial agents was due to the lack of effective communication between doctors and nurses,which resulted in circuit nurses' inaccurate assessment on interval of consecutive operations(62.13％),the duration of intubation or puncture was too long for anesthesiologists (13.57％).Conclusion Optimizing antimicrobial use process in consecutive operations can improve prophylactic antimicrobial use rate within 0.5-1 hour,and is helpful for ensuring the efficacy of antimicrobial prophylaxis.

Filamin A and 14-3-3-σ are closely associated with the development of breast cancer.However,the exact relationship between them is still unknown.The present study aimed to examine the interaction of filamin A with 14-3-3-σ in the invasion and migration of breast cancer.RNA interference technology was employed to silence filamin A in MDA-MB-231 cells.Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of filamin A and 14-3-3-σ at mRNA and protein levels,respectively.Double immunofluorescence was applied to show their colocalization morphologically.Wound healing assay and Trans-well assay were used to testify the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in filamin A-silenced cells.The results showed that silencing filamin A significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of 14-3-3σ.In addition,double immunofluorescence displayed that filamin A and 14-3-3σ were predominantly colocalized in the cytoplasm of MDA-MB-231 cells.Silencing filamin A led to the enhanced fluorescence of 14-3-3σ.Furthermore,cell functional experiments showed that silencing filamin A inhibited the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro.In conclusion,silencing filamin A may inhibit the invasion and migration of breast cancer cells by upregulating 14-3-3σ.

In order to investigate the sleep quality and influencing factors in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD),201 PD patients were enrolled and underwent extensive clinical evaluations.Subjective sleep evaluation was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI),and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).It was found that poor sleep quality (77.11％) and excessive daytime sleepiness (32.34％) were commonly seen in PD patients and positively correlated with disease severity.Then 70 out of the 201 PD patients and 70 age-and sex-matched controls underwent a polysomnographic recording.The parameters were compared between PD group and control group and the influencing factors of sleep in PD patients were analyzed.The results showed that sleep efficiency (SE) was significantly decreased (P＜0.01),and sleep latency (SL) and the arousal index (AI) were increased (P＜0.05) in the PD group as compared with those in the control group.SE and total sleep time (TST) were positively correlated with the Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) stage.There was significant difference in the extent of hypopnea and hypoxemia between the PD group and the control group (P＜0.05).Our results indicate that PD patients have an overall poor sleep quality and a high prevalence of sleep disorder,which may be correlated with the disease severity.Respiratory function and oxygen supply are also affected to a certain degree in PD patients.