The twenty-first century has already recorded more than ten major epidemics or pandemics of viral disease, including the devastating COVID-19. Novel effective antivirals with broad-spectrum coverage are urgently needed. Herein, we reported a novel broad-spectrum antiviral compound PAC5. Oral administration of PAC5 eliminated HBV cccDNA and reduced the large antigen load in distinct mouse models of HBV infection. Strikingly, oral administration of PAC5 in a hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 omicron (BA.1) infection significantly decreases viral loads and attenuates lung inflammation. Mechanistically, PAC5 binds to a pocket near Asp49 in the RNA recognition motif of hnRNPA2B1. PAC5-bound hnRNPA2B1 is extensively activated and translocated to the cytoplasm where it initiates the TBK1-IRF3 pathway, leading to the production of type I IFNs with antiviral activity. Our results indicate that PAC5 is a novel small-molecule agonist of hnRNPA2B1, which may have a role in dealing with emerging infectious diseases now and in the future.
Animals ; Mice ; Antiviral Agents/pharmacology* ; COVID-19 ; Hepatitis B virus ; Interferon Type I/metabolism* ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; Heterogeneous-Nuclear Ribonucleoprotein Group A-B/antagonists & inhibitors*

Aim To investigate the effect of T40 on malignant biological behavior of glioma U87 and U251 cells and its mechanism. Methods U87 and U251 cells were treated with T40 at different concentrations (0,1,2 and 4 p,mol • L"1). Changes of cell proliferation, clonal formation, apoptosis, migration and invasion in each group were detected by CCK-8, cloning plate, flow cytometry, scratch and transwell experi-ments. Bioinformatics was used to explore T40 targets and analyze the relationship between targets and glioma progression. The protein expression levels of PTPN1, PTPN2, Bcl-2, Bax, pro-caspase-3 , cleaved caspase- 3, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in each group were detected by Western blot. Results T40 significantly inhibited U87 and U251 proliferation, clone formation, migration and invasion and promoted apoptosis ( P < 0. 05 ) ; T40 had 37 targets, among which the expression levels of PTPN1 and PTPN2 were negatively correlated with the overall survival rate of glioma patients; T40 signifi cantly reduced the expression of PTPN1, PTPN2, Bcl- 2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in U87 and U251 cells, and increased the expression of Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (P < 0. 05). Conclusions T40 inhibits the proliferation , migration and invasion of glioma U87 and U251 cells and promotes their apoptosis, and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of PTPN1 and PTPN2 expression.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhoids are one of the most common conditions that lead to surgery, and until now surgical hemorrhoidectomy has been the major effective treatment. Post-operative pain from hemorrhoidectomy has been experienced by thousands of patients and remains a major inconvenience of the operation. OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the clinical efficacy of the pestle needle therapy, an acupoint stimulation method, for relief of post-hemorrhoidectomy pain. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This was a single-center, patient-assessor-blinded and randomized controlled trial with 154 patients receiving Milligan hemorrhoidectomy surgery. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to either a treatment group or a control group at a ratio of 1:1. The treatment group received the pestle needle therapy, with manual stimulation at Yaoshu (DU2), Mingmen (DU4), Changqiang (DU1), Chengshan (BL57), Erbai (EX-UE2) and the perianal points (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11o'clock around the lesion); while the control group received a sham treatment with very light pressure. Three sessions of treatment were performed at 30 min, 4 h and 12 h after the surgery, and each lasted for 15 min. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was post-operative pain measured with the visual analogue scale (VAS) at 12 h after surgery. The secondary outcomes included the VAS scores measured at 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 8, 24 and 48 h after surgery, the analgesic dose, the time and the VAS score of the patients' first defecation after surgery, as well as the Hamilton Rating Scale for Anxiety (HAMA) evaluated before discharge. RESULTS: The mean pain score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group (3.10 ± 1.27 vs 4.82 ± 1.29; P < 0.001) at 12 h after surgery. Compared with the control group, patients in the treatment group needed a smaller dose of analgesic within the first 24 hours after surgery (P = 0.002); and their HAMA scores before discharge were lower (4.07 ± 2.40 vs 5.10 ± 2.45, P = 0.009). Compared to the treatment group, patients in the control group had a greater time to the first defecation after surgery ([52.34 ± 15.72] h vs [27.08 ± 13.68] h; P < 0.001), but there was no difference in their VAS scores at the first defecation (P = 0.092). CONCLUSION The pestle needle therapy was effective for relieving pain, reducing anxiety and improving bowel function after hemorrhoidectomy, and it is worthy of clinical application.

PURPOSE: Little is known about combination of the circulating Epstein-Barr viral (EBV) DNA and tumor volume in prognosis of stage II nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients in the intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) era. We conducted this cohort study to evaluate the prognostic values of combining these two factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By Kaplan-Meier, we compare the differences of survival curves between 385 patients with different EBV DNA or tumor volume levels, or with the combination of two biomarkers mentioned above. RESULTS: Gross tumor volume of cervical lymph nodes (GTVnd, p < 0.001) and total tumor volume (GTVtotal, p < 0.001) were both closely related to pretreatment EBV DNA, while gross tumor volume of nasopharynx (GTVnx, p=0.047) was weakly related to EBV DNA. EBV DNA was significantly correlated with progress-free survival (PFS, p=0.005), locoregional-free survival (LRFS, p=0.039), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, p=0.017), while GTVtotal, regardless of GTVnx and GTVnd, had a significant correlation with PFS and LRFS. The p-values of GTVtotal for PFS and LRFS were 0.008 and 0.001, respectively. According to GTVtotal and pretreatment EBV DNA level, patients were divided into a low-risk group (EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm³; EBV DNA 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal ≥ 30 cm³; or EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal < 30 cm³) and a high-risk group (EBV DNA > 0 copy/mL, GTVtotal ≥ 30 cm³). When patients in the low-risk group were compared with those in the high-risk group, 3-year PFS (p=0.003), LRFS (p=0.010), and DMFS (p=0.031) rates were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment plasma EBV DNA and tumor volume were both closely correlated with prognosis of stage II NPC patients in the IMRT era. Combination of EBV DNA and tumor volume can refine prognosis and indicate for clinical therapy.
Biomarkers ; Cohort Studies* ; DNA* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Nasopharynx ; Plasma ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy* ; Tumor Burden*

Liver injury remains a significant global health problem and has a variety of causes, including oxidative stress (OS), inflammation, and apoptosis of liver cells. There is currently no curative therapy for this disorder. Sanwei Ganjiang Prescription (SWGJP), derived from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has shown its effectiveness in long-term liver damage therapy, although the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. To explore the underlining mechanisms of action for SWGJP in liver injury from a holistic view, in the present study, a systems pharmacology approach was developed, which involved drug target identification and multilevel data integration analysis. Using a comprehensive systems approach, we identified 43 candidate compounds in SWGJP and 408 corresponding potential targets. We further deciphered the mechanisms of SWGJP in treating liver injury, including compound-target network analysis, target-function network analysis, and integrated pathways analysis. We deduced that SWGJP may protect hepatocytes through several functional modules involved in liver injury integrated-pathway, such as Nrf2-dependent anti-oxidative stress module. Notably, systems pharmacology provides an alternative way to investigate the complex action mode of TCM.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Hepatocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Liver ; drug effects ; injuries ; metabolism ; Liver Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of ROG, GATA3 and T-bet in the progression of chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

METHODSThe mRNA levels of ROG, GATA3 and T-bet in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 135 patients with CHB (including 45 mild cases, 42 moderate cases, and 48 severe cases) and 15 healthy control subjects were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.

RESULTSThe levels of T-bet mRNA in the PBMCs were significantly higher in CHB patients than in the healthy controls (P<0.05), and also differed significantly between the 3 groups of CHB patients (P<0.05). ROG mRNA levels were significantly higher in severe cases of CHB than in the healthy controls and mild and moderate CHB cases (P<0.05), but were similar among the latter 3 groups (P>0.05). The mRNA level of GATA3 in the PBMCs were significantly higher in moderate and severe CHB cases than in the healthy controls and mild CHB cases (P<0.05). The T-bet/GATA3 ratio was significantly greater in the 3 CHB groups than in the control group (P<0.05) but comparable between the 3 CHB groups (P>0.05). ROG levels were not correlated with GATA3 levels or T-bet/GATA3 ratio in the CHB cases.

CONCLUSIONSThe mRNA levels of ROG, GATA3 and T-bet in the PBMCs are obviously up-regulated in CHB patients and these 3 genes may participate in the progression of CHB. ROG plays an important role in correcting and maintaining the new balance of Th1/Th2.

Case-Control Studies ; GATA3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; metabolism ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Repressor Proteins ; metabolism ; T-Box Domain Proteins ; metabolism ; Up-Regulation

Objective To explore the application of central venous catheter(CVT) in hemodialysis.Methods The clinical data of 2 206 cases of CVT patients were analyzed retrospectively,and the catheter puncture site,the catheter indwelling time,4 weeks of blood flow rate and the incidence of catheter related infections,and so on were observed.Results Internal jugular vein in 2 033 cases,the femoral vein in 173 cases.Internal jugular vein indwelling catheter time was (40.6 ±32.7) d,the femoral vein catheter indwelling time was (22.4 ± 16.3) d,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜ 0.05).Blood flow patency rate in four weeks was of 96.4％ (1 959/2 033) indwelling catheter in internal jugular vein,which was significantly higher than that of the femoral vein in 83.2％ (144/173),and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Femoral vein catheter related infection rate was 11.0％ (19/173),significantly higher than that of internal jugular vein in 3.6％ (73/2 033),the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Application of CVT for hemodialysis is convenient and reliable,with low infection rate,fewer complications,operation technology level is the key to success.

Objective The aim of this study was to compare the biochemical and virological characteristics among patients infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) according to pathologic inflammation grade.Methods 428 patients with chronic HBV infection accept liver biopsy,liver function test,HBeAg detection and HBV DNA levels detection.They were studied and subdivided into four groups according to pathologic inflammation grade.The biochemical and virological characteristics were studied.Univariate analysis was performed with the SPSS 16.0.Results In different inflammation grading group,mean age and sex composition were no difference.Serum levels of ALT was highest in group G3 and lowet in group G0-1,there was statistically significant among groups (P =0.005) ;AST and TBil were all highest in group G4 and lowest in group G0-1,statistically significant also found among groups (P =0.000&0.004).Serum levels of ALB and PTA were all highest in group G0-1 and lowest in group G4,had statistically significant among groups (P =0.000&0.000).There was no difference of HBV DNA level and percentage of HBeAg (+) among four groups (P =0.565&0.065).Conclusions The serum AST,TBil,ALB and PTA were different and can partly reflect the inflammation degree of liver damage in patients with HBV infection.ALT and PTA can reflect the inflammation degree of G0-1,G2 and G3 ;AST,TBil,ALB and PTA reflect the G3 and G4.HBV DNA level and HBeAg status can not indicate the inflammation degree in HBV infection patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of cAMP-response element binding protein-1 (CREB-1) on transforming growth factor-b3 (TGF b3) mRNA expression and promoter activity in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

METHODSFreshly isolated HSCs from rats were divided into six groups: CREB-1 expression plasmid transfected group (C), siRNA-CREB-1 plasmid transfected group (S), negative control group (N), forskolin treated group (F), H-89 treated group (H), and blank group (B). Rats in each group were further sub-divided according to whether (+) or not (-) they were exposed to exogenous TGF b3. TGF b3 mRNA expression was measured by real time quantitative PCR. HSCs of the C, S, N, F, H and B groups were transfected with the TGF b3 promoter luciferase reporter plasmid (PGL3-TGF b3-P; W group), the TGF b3 promoter luciferase reporter plasmid with CRE mutation (PGL3-basic-TGF b3P-mCRE; M group) and the renilla luciferase control plasmid (pRL-SV40; control group). TGF b3 promoter activity was assessed by luciferase reporter assays.

RESULTSCompared to N(-), the TGF b3 mRNA expression was reduced to 0.69+/-0.15 in S(-) (P less than 0.05) and increased to 4.68+/-2.76 in C(-) (P more than 0.05). Compared to B(-), the TGF b3 mRNA expression was reduced to 0.57+/-0.08 in H(-) (P less than 0.05). The differences between N(+) and N(-), S(+) and S(-), B(+) and B(-), and H(+) and H(-) were all significant (P less than 0.05). The values of TGF b3 promoter activity in S(W), N(W), and C(W) were 0.062+/-0.013, 0.122+/-0.011, and 0.165+/-0.016 (P less than 0.05), but the changes of TGF b3 promoter activity in S(M), N(M), and C(M) were not significant (P more than 0.05). The values of TGF b3 promoter activity in H(W), B(W), and F(W) were 0.154+/-0.010, 0.188+/-0.016, and 0.276+/-0.031 (P less than 0.05), but the changes of TGF b3 promoter activity in H(M), B(M), and F(M) were not significant (P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONIncreased levels of CREB-1 mRNA or p-CREB-1 up-regulate the TGF b3 mRNA expression and promoter activity in rat HSCs. The CRE site in the TGF b3 promoter is critical for this effect, and the gene's activity becomes significantly decreased when the site is missing. Exogenous TGF b3 enhances expression of endogenous TGF b3 in rat HSCs.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; metabolism ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; metabolism ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta3 ; genetics

Objective To investigate the level of the serum IL-21 and its correlation with serum biochemical indices of liver function test in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure.Methods Sixty patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (severe hepatitis group) and 18 normal cases (control group) were enrolled in the study.Peripheral blood lymphocytes were isolated and total RNA of lymphocytes was extracted by using Trizol.Real-time PCR was used to assay IL-21 mRNA level.The serum IL-21 expression level was detected by ELISA method.The correlation between IL-21 and ALT,AST,TBil,ALB was analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis,respectively.Results Serum IL-21 expression level in severe hepatitis group was higher than that of control group.Moreover,the difference between them was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Serum IL-21 level was positively correlated with serum ALT,AST,TBil,respectively (P ＜ 0.05),but was negatively correlated with ALB,respectively (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Serum IL-21 expression level was increased in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure and was associated with the severe of inflammation.We,therefore,believe that IL-21 might be involved in the pathogenesis of acute-on-chronic liver failure and might be an index of the severity of liver inflammation.