This study was designed to validate the correlation between integrated pharmacokinetic and therapeutic effects of alkaloids using bile processed Rhizoma Coptidis (BRC). Rats were divided into three groups: normal, disease model, model+BRC. Rats were induced to have an excessive heat syndrome. Rectal temperatures were collected at 0, 3, 6 and 9 h after single oral administration of the drugs. The plasma concentrations of three alkaloids were quantified at different times by UPLC-MS/MS after the administration of BRC. An approach of self-defined weighting coefficiency was created to the holistic pharmacokinetic profiles of alkaloids in BRC. The classified and integrated synthetic concentrations were obtained, and then the pharmacokinetic parameters of alkaloids were calculated from non-compartmental model analysis. The potential relationship between the integrated mean concentration of alkaloids and the antifebrile efficacy was investigated. The holistic t(max) of alkaloids was 1.11 h, the antifebrile effect of BRC at 3 h was improved over the model group. Double peaking appeared in the integrated blood concentration-time curve, the second t(max) of alkaloids was 4.82 h. The antifebrile effects of BRC at 3-6 h were significant, and the antifebrile effects at 6-9 h was decreased significantly. Dynamic variation of alkaloids of BRC in the body exhibited the similarity to the pattern of its antifebrile effect.
Administration, Oral ; Alkaloids ; pharmacokinetics ; Animals ; Bile ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rhizome ; chemistry ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

Patients with early cataract may have normal visual acuity ( VA ) but complain that they have problems in driving at night, like seeing things through a veil. This phenomenon is defined as disability glare which maybe caused by growing stray light. Patients with intraocular lens following cataract surgery may complain about glare, halos and shadows in visual field, which are also resulted from dysphotopia. Disability glare is the VA loss due to disturbing luminance in visual field. ln other words, it's the retinal contrast sensitivity reduction because of the straylight. This article contains the consensus and new progress of disability glare. lt provides solutions according to its effect factors and offers clues for further study.

Abstract?AlM:To investigate the influence of lOL refractive index ( Rl ) on measurement of straylight following cataract surgery.?METHODS:ln this case-control study, 77 eyes of 77 age-related cataract patients who underwent cataract phacoemulsification with posterior chamber aspherical arylic lOL implantation surgery in the Eye Hospital of China Medical University from Aug 2013 to Mar 2014, with a best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA) of 0. 5 or better, were classified into 3 groups randomly using 3 types of lOL: Tecnis ZCB00 Group ( Rl = 1. 47, 22 eyes of 22 subjects); Hoya PY60AD Group ( Rl=1. 52, 24 eyes of 24 subjects);Alcon SN60WF or lQ Group ( Rl=1. 55, 31 eyes of 31 subjects ) . BCVA, pupil size, astigmatism, axial length, intraocular straylight were measured respectively.? RESULTS: Age, axial length, BCVA, pupil size, astigmatism of the three groups were not significant difference (P>0. 05). The straylight of Tecnis, Hoya, lQ group were 1.04±0. 15, 1. 19±0. 14, 1. 14±0. 18. Straylight levels had significant differences among three groups ( F=5. 352, P = 0. 007 < 0. 05 ). There was no significant correlation between BCVA and straylight value (r=-0. 133,P=0. 124>0. 05).?CONCLUSlON:Patients chosen the higher Rl lOL may have a higher straylight level after the surgery.

OBJECTIVETo amplify the full-length cDNA and characterize the structure and biological function of a novel expression sequence tag ST55 (GenBank Accession No. BM121646).

METHODSRapid amplification of cDNA ends was used to clone the full-length of cDNA of ST55 in this study. Then, its tissue distribution was checked by Northern blots, and the associated protein was screened by GAL 4-based yeast two-hybrid. The effect of stable transfection of the cDNA on cell proliferation was evaluated in ECV304 cells.

RESULTSA full-length 1404 bp cDNA was cloned, and it was accepted as a novel human mRNA by GenBank (No. AY074889), named endothelial-overexpressed lipopolysaccharide-associated factor 1 (EOLA1). Bioinformatic analysis found that the EOLA1 encoded 158 amino acids, 17.89 kDa protein, and mapped to chromosome Xq27.4 with 5 exons. EOLA1 expressed in different human normal tissues and cancer cell lines. Using the EOLA1 cDNA as bait, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screening of a human liver cDNA library and identified metallothionein 2A (MT2A) as associated protein. The interaction between EOLA1 and MT2A was confirmed by co-immunoprecipitation experiments. Stable transfection of EOLA1 was noted to stimulate ECV304 cell proliferation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe findings suggest that EOLA1 is a novel gene and the interaction of EOLA1 and MT2A may play an important role in cell protection in inflammation reaction.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Base Sequence ; Blotting, Northern ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Chromosomes, Human, X ; genetics ; Exons ; genetics ; Humans ; Immunoprecipitation ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Metallothionein ; genetics ; metabolism ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Protein Binding ; Sequence Alignment ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the molluscicidal activities of methanol extract of Jatropha curcas leaves against Ampullaria gigas.

METHODSYoung snails, adult snails and eggs of Ampullaria gigas were treated with the methanol extract of J. curcas leaves at different doses for different time lengths and the molluscicidal effects of the extract were evaluated.

RESULTSThe methanol extract showed a significant molluscicidal effect on the young snails at a low concentration, and treatment with 75 mg/L extract for more than 3 days resulted in a 100% mortality rate of the young snails. The Jatropha leaf methanol extract also showed toxicity to adult snails and eggs.

CONCLUSIONJatropha leaves have a great potential for developing green pesticides to control Ampullaria gigas, but its biochemical mechanism needs further research.

Animals ; Jatropha ; chemistry ; Methanol ; chemistry ; Molluscacides ; pharmacology ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Snails ; classification ; drug effects

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new infectious disease rapidly spreading around the world, raising global public health concerns. Radiological examinations play a crucial role in the early diagnosis and follow-up of COVID-19. Cross infection among patients and radiographers can occur in radiology departments due to the close and frequent contact of radiographers with confirmed or potentially infected patients in a relatively confined room during radiological workflow. This article outlines our experience in the emergency management procedure and infection control of the radiology department during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Objective: To collect, compare and analyze the changes in the strength and stability of the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation before and after the training in Shaolin Neigong (internal Qigong). Methods: Ninety first-year undergraduates were randomized into three groups using the random number table method, with 30 people in each group. The Gongfa (Qigong method) group received training in both Shaolin Neigong and forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation. The manipulation group only received training in forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation. The control group only received training in forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation for one week. The ZTC-1 intelligent Tuina (Chinese therapeutic massage) manipulation parameter detection system was used to collect the wave crest, wave trough, and crest-trough difference of the strength and frequency of the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation on the Z-axis (up and down), X-axis (left and right) and Y-axis (backward and forward) at weeks one, five and ten from the three groups. The collected data were then processed and analyzed. Results: The intra-group comparisons showed statistical significance in the Gongfa group and manipulation group (P<0.05). The strength and stability shown on the axes Z, X, and Y constantly grew with the increase of training time in the Gongfa group. The wave crest on the axes Z and Y steadily rose in the manipulation group, as well as the frequency on the axes Z, X and Y. The control group failed to show statistical significance in any of the three times of intra-group comparisons (P>0.05). The between-group comparisons showed statistical significance among the three groups at weeks five and ten (P<0.05). At week five, the wave crest on the axes Z, X, and Y, and the crest-trough difference on the axes X and Y were more prominent in the Gongfa group than in the manipulation group, showing statistical significance (P<0.05). At week ten, the wave crest, wave trough, and crest-trough differences on the axes Z, X, and Y were more prominent in the Gongfa group than in the manipulation group, presenting statistical significance (P<0.05). Conclusion: Practicing Shaolin Neigong can help the trainees reach the level of strength and frequency of Tuina clinicians in a shorter time in the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation training. It can advance the efficiency in studying the forearm Rou-Kneading manipulation and promote the quality of the manipulation.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect and compatibility mechanism of Wumei Wan on diabetic gastroparesis(DGP)mice.Methods Sixty-nine C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal group(12 mice)and model group(57 mice).The DGP model was constructed by 60％high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).After successful modeling,the mice in the model group were randomly divided into model group,Wumei Wan whole prescription group,Wumei Wan sour medicine group,Wumei Wan bitter medicine group,Wumei Wan sweet medicine group and Wumei Wan pungent medicine group,with nine mice in each group.After 28 days of treatment,the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate of mice were measured.The pathological changes of gastric antrum were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The fasting blood glucose(FBS)of mice was detected by blood glucose meter.The levels of triglyceride(TG),total cholesterol(TC)and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were detected by colorimetry.The contents of gastrin(GAS),motilin(MTL)and vasoactive intestinal peptide(VIP)in gastric antrum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Western Blot was used to detect the expression of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(Keap-1),nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf-2),NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1(Nqo-1)and superoxide dismutase 1(Sod-1)in gastric antrum tissue.Results(1)Compared with the normal group,the levels of serum FBS,TG,TC and LDL-C in the model group were significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001);compared with the model group,the blood glucose level of the whole prescription group,the sour medicine group and the bitter medicine group was decreased significantly at the end of the third and fourth week(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001),the serum TG,TC and LDL-C levels of the whole prescription group were significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the serum TC level of the sour medicine group,the bitter medicine group,the sweet medicine group and the pungent medicine group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and only the LDL-C level of the sour medicine group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).(2)Compared with the normal group,the glandular cells in the gastric antrum mucosa and submucosa of the model group were disordered;compared with the model group,the pathological damage of gastric antrum tissue in Wumei Wan whole prescription group was significantly improved,the recovery effect of gastric antrum tissue damage in DGP mice in the sour medicine group and the bitter medicine group was superior to that in the sweet medicine group and the pungent medicine group.(3)Compared with the normal group,the gastric emptying rate and small intestinal propulsion rate of the model group were decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001);compared with the model group,the gastric emptying rate of the whole prescription group,the sour medicine group and the bitter medicine group was significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001),and the intestinal propulsion rate of the whole prescription group,the sour medicine group,the bitter medicine group,the sweet medicine group and the pungent medicine group was significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).(4)Compared with the normal group,the content of VIP in the gastric antrum tissue of the model group was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the contents of GAS and MTL were significantly decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).Compared with the model group,the content of GAS in Wumei Wan whole prescription group,the sour medicine group,the bitter medicine group and the sweet medicine group was significantly increased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.001),the content of MTL in the whole prescription group and the bitter medicine group was significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the content of VIP in gastric antrum tissue of mice in Wumei Wan whole prescription group,sour medicine group,bitter medicine group and sweet medicine group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).(5)Compared with the normal group,the expression level of Keap-1 in the gastric antrum tissue of the model group was increased(P＜0.05),and the expressions of Nrf-2,Nqo-1 and Sod-1 were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001).Compared with the model group,the expression level of Keap-1 protein in the whole prescription group and the bitter medicine group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001),and the expression levels of Nrf-2,Nqo-1 and Sod-1 in the whole prescription group,the sour medicine group and the bitter medicine group were significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.001).Conclusion Wumei Wan can effectively regulate glucose and lipid metabolism,improve gastric antrum injury and promote gastrointestinal motility in DGP mice.The efficacy of the whole prescription is superior to that of each disassembled prescription.The mechanism may be related to the synergistic compatibility of sour medicine,bitter medicine,sweet medicine and pungent medicine,and mainly through sour medicine and bitter medicine regulating Nrf-2/Keap-1 pathway further to improve oxidative stress injury.

Objective Mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)plays a central role in controlling cell proliferation.survival and growth.We investigated the role of mTOR signal transduction on viral myocarditis by observing the effect of mTOR inhibitor rapamycin on Smad 3 and collagen type Ⅰ expression in rat myocardial fibroblasts infeeted with coxsaekievirus B 3(CVB 3).Methods Primary cultured myocardial fibroblasts of SD rats infected with CVB 3 were treated with or without rapamycin.The Smad 3 and collagen type Ⅰ expression of the cells were determined by RT-PCR and Western blot.Results (1) mTOR/β-actin ratio was dose-dependenfly reduced(1 nmol/L,0.38 ±0.022:10 nmol/L,0.282±0.014;100 nmol/L,0.263±0.012 vs.control 1.45±0.04．all P＜0.05 vs.control)after 48 hours rapamycin treatments and time-dependendy reduced after 10 nmol/L rapamycin treatment(24 h,0.203±0.021;48 h,0.163±0.022;72 h,0.144±0.013 vs.0 h,0.341±0.022,allP＜0.05 vs.0 h)in CVB 3 infected myocardial fibroblasts.(2)Smad 3/β-actin ratio of myocardiol fibroblasts was significantly increased in CVB 3 infected cardial fibroblasts and this increase could be significantly attenuated by rapamycin(control,0.63±0.06;CVB 3,1.18±0.03;CVB 3+Rapamycin,0.77±0.08 by RT-PCR and 0.89±0.07,2.27±0.13 and 0.131±0.013 by Western blot).Collagen type Ⅰ/β-actin ratio was also significantly increased by CVB 3 and this increase could be reversed by rapamycin(1.13±0.06,1.303±0.012,0.82±0.03 by RT-PCR).Conclusion Rapamyein can inhibit the Smad 3 and collagen type Ⅰ expressions in CVB 3 infected myocardial fibroblasts suggesting that the mTOR signal pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CVB 3 induced myocardial fibrosis.

OBJECTIVETo design and construct the inducible expression vector of endothelial-overexpressed lipopolysaccharide-associated factor 1 (EOLA1), in order to establish EOLA1 compelling expression model, and to observe the effects of EOLA1 compelling expression on the proliferation of ECV304 cells.

METHODSInducible overexpression vector pOPRSV I-EOLA1 was constructed by amplifying the open reading fragment of EOLA1 and subcloning it into the Not I site and Xho I site of pOPRSV I vector. After sequencing, the pOPRSV I-EOLA1 recombinant vector and pCMVLac I vector were co-transfected into ECV304 cells. The cells resistant to G418 and hygromycin were screened by G418 and hygromycin, so that stable transfected cell strain was obtained. The growth curve of cells with or without isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactoside (IPTG) induction were graphed with cell counting.

RESULTSThe inducible overexpressed EOLA1 vector was constructed successfully. The proliferation of the cells with EOLA1 compelling expression after induction of IPTG (44 +/- 17) x 10(4) was significantly higher than that without IPTG induction (27 +/- 11) x 10(4), (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCompelling expression of EOLA1 protein can enhance the proliferation of ECV304 cell.

Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Transfection ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology