Objective To investigate the role of complement in radiation-induced lung injury in mice after chest irradiation with ⁶⁰Co γ-rays at a single dose of 20 Gy. Methods C57BL/6 mice underwent chest irradiation with ⁶⁰Co γ-rays at a single dose of 20 Gy, followed by observation for the inflammatory reaction of the lung tissue in the early stage (within 15 d) and pulmonary fibrosis in the later stage (30 and 180 d). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of C2, C3a, C4, and C5b-9 in the lung tissues at 1, 3, 7, 15, 30, and 180 d after irradiation. The expression of complement mRNA in BEAS-2B cells after irradiation was determined using RT-PCR. Results Radiation-induced lung injury in micepresented as inflammatory response in the early stage and fibrosis in the late stage. Complement C2, C4, and C5b-9 complexes were increased in the early period (3 or 7 d) after irradiation (P < 0.05), which might be associated with the inflammatory response induced by irradiation. During 3 to 180 d, complement C3a was significantly higher in the irradiated mice than in the control mice, suggesting a close relationship between C3a and radiation-induced lung injury. The irradiated cells showed increased mRNA expression of C2 and C3, with no changes in the mRNA levels of C4 and C5. Conclusion Different complement proteins have varying responses to radiation-induced lung injury, among which C3a is closely related to radiation-induced lung injury, suggesting that regulating C3a and its receptors may be a new way to prevent and treat radiation-induced lung injury.

To investigate the associations between gene polymorphisms of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and liver cirrhosis (LC) after hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A case-control study was conducted in 243 patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis (HBV-LC, case group) and 486 HBV-infected subjects without LC (non-LC, control group) collected from January 2018 to September 2020 at the Changsha Central Hospital Affiliated to Nanhua University. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of STAT3 gene, including rs4796793C>G, rs2293152C>G, and rs1053004T>C were selected through literature and biological information database, and the genotypes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (RFQ-PCR). The distribution differences of STAT3 SNPs genotypes between the two groups were compared using Chi-square test and haplotype analysis was conducted by Shesis online. The proportion of HBV C genotype in HBV-LC patients was significantly higher than that in the control group (80.91% vs. 70.79%, χ²=7.109, P=0.008), while the logarithm of ALT was significantly lower than that of the control group (1.78±0.43 vs. 1.95±0.54, t=3.801, P=0.000). The genotypes distributions of rs4796793, rs2293152, and rs1053004 were not significantly different between HBV-LC and non-LC in overall analysis and stratified analysis by gender (χ²=2.610, 1.505, 0.586, 2.653, 2.685, 1.583, 0.351, 5.388, 0.339, respectively, P>0.05 for each). Among the subjects infected with HBV genotype C, rs1053004 CC (vs. TT) significantly increased the risk of HBV-LC [odds ratio (OR) = 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-1.91]. Among the HBV-infected subjects with HBeAg negative, rs4796793 GG genotype (vs. CC) and G allele (vs. C) significantly increased the risks of HBV-LC (OR = 2.17, 95%CI: 1.11-4.23; OR = 1.45, 95%CI: 1.06-1.97, respectively). Haplotypes analysis showed that the frequency of haplotype C-G-T composed of rs4796793, rs2293152, and rs1053004 was significantly lower in HBV-LC than that in the control group (non-LC) (27.3% vs. 35.6%, χ²=9.949, P = 0.001). The correlation between STAT3 and HBV-LC is different in HBV-infected subjects with different infection status. The HBV-infected subjects carrying haplotype rs4796793C-rs2293152G-rs1053004T of STAT3 gene have significantly decreased risk of LC.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/genetics* ; Case-Control Studies ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/genetics* ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of polysaccharide from atractylodes atractylodes(PAMK) on rheumatoid arthritis(RA) rats and its effect on Toll like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa-B(TLR4/NF-κB) signaling pathway. Methods: RA rat model was induced by type Ⅱ collagen, after successful modeling, the rats were divided into model group, positive drug group(Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablet), PAMK low-dose and high-dose groups, normal control group was also set, with 12 rats in each group. Tripterygium wilfordii polyglycoside tablets or Atractylodes macrocephala polysaccharide were administered intragastric administration, once a day for 4 weeks. The body weight, paw swelling rate and arthritis index of rats were measured; the thymus index and spleen index were calculated; HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of synovial membrane of ankle joint; The levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in serum and synovial tissue of ankle were determined by ELISA; The expression levels of total protein TLR4, MyD88, phosphorylated NF-κB p65(Ser536) and nuclear protein NF-κB p65 in synovial tissue of ankle were detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with the normal control group, synovial hyperplasia and unclear layers were observed in the model group, body weight decreased(P<0.05), paw swelling rate, arthritis index, thymus index and spleen index increased(P<0.05), the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and synovial tissue of ankle, and the protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 in synovial tissue of ankle increased(P<0.05). Compared with model group, the histomathological changes of synovial of ankle joint in positive drug group and PAMK high-dose group were significantly improved, body weight increased(P<0.05), paw swelling rate, arthritis index, thymus index and spleen index decreased(P<0.05), the levels of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and synovial tissue of ankle, and the protein expressions of TLR4, MyD88, p-NF-κB p65 and NF-κB p65 in synovial tissue of ankle decreased(P<0.05), however, there were no significant differences in the above indexes between PAMK low-dose group and model group(P>0.05). Conclusion PAMK can reduce the inflammatory response and improve RA, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway activation.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic non-specific inflammatory bowel disease, listed as a modern refractory disease by the World Health Organization, which is difficult to recover, whereas it is easy to be attacked repeatedly. UC pathogenesis is closely related to gut microbiota dysbiosis. The gut microbiota interacts with bile acids (BAs), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), tryptophan, and other metabolism, immune system, intestinal barrier, etc., which regulate each other and affect the occurrence and development of UC. The active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), single herb and its extracts, and formulae can effectively alleviate UC symptoms by regulating the diversity, structure, composition, and metabolites of gut microbiota. In this review, the TCM based on the regulation of gut microbiota in the treatment of UC and its related mechanism for nearly three years was summarized.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features of a Chinese pedigree affected with tuberculosis sclerosis and explore its molecular pathogenesis. METHODS: Clinical data of the proband and members of his pedigree were collected. Whole exome sequencing was carried out to detect variants of the TSC1 and TSC2 genes. Candidate variants was verified by Sanger sequencing and bioinformatic analysis. RESULTS: The proband and his mother, who also had mild features of tuberous sclerosis, were found to harbor a novel heterozygous c.4183C>T (p.Q1395X) variant of the TSC2 gene, which was absent in the 4 healthy relatives. Bioinformatic analysis suggested the variant to be likely pathogenic. CONCLUSION The heterozygous c.4183C>T (p.Q1395X) variant of the TSC2 gene probably underlay the disease in this pedigree. Above finding has expanded the spectrum of TSC2 gene variants. The more severe symptoms in the proband may be attributed to phenotypic heterogeneity of this disease.
China ; Humans ; Mutation ; Pedigree ; Tuberous Sclerosis/genetics* ; Tuberous Sclerosis Complex 2 Protein/genetics*

N6-methyladenosine(m

Chloroquine is a quinine derivative which is synthesized by German scholars in 1934. In addition to its anti-malaria, treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus and immunomodulatory effects, chloroquine is also found valuable in broad-spectrum antiviral treatment. Clinical trials have confirmed that chloroquine has a good effect on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. In 2019, there were many patients infected with novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2). Preliminary clinical trials showed that chloroquine had obvious curative effect on patients with SARS-CoV-2. We summarize the effects of chloroquine to different viruses, explain its mechanism, and compare the results of its experiments in vitro and in vivo. The antiviral effect of chloroquine in vivo and in vitro are not consistent, which may be related to the model of animal, dosage and distribution of chloroquine in vivo, and the design of clinical research.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 in Wuhan City, China. The SARS-CoV-2 is genetically similar to the coronavirus derived from bat. The SARS-CoV-2, the SARS-CoV and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) all belong to beta coronavirus. Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019, effective antiviral drugs have become a hot issue in the world. Very little about SARS-CoV-2 is known and there is no precedent for treatment. The National Health Commission has repeatedly revised the diagnosis and treatment guide for the coronavirus disease 2019. The latest guide is "New Coronary Virus-Infected Pneumonia Diagnosis and Treatment Plan (Seventh Trial Version)"(short for Seventh Version of Diagnosis and Treatment Plan). But the use of antiviral drugs is still on trial and no rigorous clinical trials data is available. Hot anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs include interferon α, ribavirin, lopinavir/ritonavir, chloroquine phosphate, abidol, as well as hydroxychloroquine sulfate and remdesivir. But the later 2 drugs aren't mentioned in the Seventh Version of Diagnosis and Treatment Plan.
Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; Betacoronavirus ; China ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; Practice Guidelines as Topic

Objective: To construct 3β-HSD gene shRNA lentivirus interference vecto, then transfect into human MCF-7 cells, and construct cell line with 3β-HSD gene silencing, finally to study the effects of 3β-HSD on apoptosis induced by di- (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) . Methods: According to the mRNA sequence of 3β-HSD gene provided by GenBank, three interference sequences were designed and connected to PLVX-shRNA2-puro after annealing. The recombinant lentivirus vector was transfected into 293FT cells, the virus supernatants were collected and infected with MCF-7 cells. After puromycin screening, MCF-7 cells with 3β-HSD gene silencing were constructed. The cells with 3β-HSD gene silencing were identified by real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. Then the 3β-HSD gene silencing cells and MCF-7 cells were treated at various doses of DEHP for 24 hours to detect the gene expression and protein expression of apoptosis genes including Bax, Caspase-3 and Caspase-8. Results: The interference sequence of 3β-HSD gene inserted into lentivirus vector PLVX-shRNA2-puro is consistent with the designed sequence. 3β-HSD gene expression level in MCF-7 cells with 3β-HSD gene silencing was 77% lower than than that of control MCF-7 cells. 3β-HSD protein level in MCF-7 cells with 3β-HSD gene silencing was 74% lower than that of control MCF-7 cells. After DEHP treatment in MCF-7 cells with 3β-HSD gene silencing and control MCF-7 cells, qRT-PCR results showed that Bax gene expression levels increased by 28%-54%, Caspase-3 gene increased by 13%-49%, Caspase-8 gene increased by 21%-70% in MCF-7 cells when compared with the control group. Additionally, in the 3β-HSD gene silencing cells, Bax gene expression level decreased by 11%-28%, Caspase-3 gene expression decreased by 12%-23%, Caspase-8 gene expression decreased by 11%-34%, compared with the same treatment group of MCF-7 cells. Western blot results showed that Bax protein expression level increased by 28%-61%, Caspase-3 protein expression level increased by 40%-48%, Caspase-8 protein increased by 31%-84% in MCF-7 cells when compared with the control group. In 3β-HSD gene silencing cells, Bax protein expression level increased by 11%-27%, Caspase-3 protein increased by 21%-40%, Caspase-8 protein increased by 12%-25%, compared with the same treatment group of MCF-7 cells. Conclusion The stable 3β-HSD gene silencing cell line are successfully constructed in this study. DEHP can induce increased expression of apoptotic gene and protein. Silencing of 3β-HSD gene can inhibit the activation of apoptotic gene by DEHP in a certain degree.

OBJECTIVETo explore the safety and efficacy of pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (PEG-rhG-CSF) in preventing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in patients with breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and to provide the basis for clinical application.

METHODSAccording to the principle of open-label, randomized, parallel-group controlled clinical trial, all patients were randomized by 1∶1∶1 into three groups to receive PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg, PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg, or rhG-CSF 5 μg/kg, respectively. The patients with breast cancer received two chemotherapy cycles, and the NSCLC patients received 1-2 cycles of chemotherapy according to their condition. All patients were treated with the combination chemotherapy of TAC (docetaxel+ epirubicin+ cyclophosphamide) or TA (docetaxel+ epirubicin), or the chemotherapy of docetaxel combined with carboplatin, with a 21 day cycle.

RESULTSThe duration of grade 3-4 neutropenia in the PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg and PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg groups were similar with that in the rhG-CSF 5 μg/kg group (P>0.05 for all). The incidence rate of grade 3-4 neutropenia in the PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg group, PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg group, and G-CSF 5 μg/kg group were 69.7%, 68.4%, and 69.5%, respectively, with a non-significant difference among the three groups (P=0.963). The incidence rate of febrile neutropenia in the PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg group, PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg group and G-CSF 5 μg/kg group were 6.1%, 6.4%, and 5.5%, respectively, showing no significant difference among them (P=0.935). The incidence rate of adverse events in the PEG-rhG-CSF 100 μg/kg group, PEG-rhG-CSF 6 mg group and G-CSF 5 μg / kg group were 6.7%, 4.1%, and 5.5%, respectively, showing a non-significant difference among them (P=0.581).

CONCLUSIONSIn patients with breast cancer and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) undergoing TAC/TA chemotherapy, a single 100 μg/kg injection or a single fixed 6 mg dose of PEG-rhG-CSF at 48 hours after chemotherapy show definite therapeutic effect with a low incidence of adverse events and mild adverse reactions. Compared with the continuous daily injection of rhG-CSF 5 μg/kg/d, a single 100 μg/kg injection or a single fixed 6 mg dose of PEG-rhG-CSF has similar effect and is more advantageous in preventing chemotherapy-induced neutropenia.

Antineoplastic Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Breast Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Carboplatin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Cyclophosphamide ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Epirubicin ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Incidence ; Induction Chemotherapy ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Neutropenia ; chemically induced ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Polyethylene Glycols ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Taxoids ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects