AIM:To investigate the effect of icari-in on renal fibrosis and injury in hypertension through Cx32-Nox4 signaling pathway.METHODS:Models of hypertensive nephropathy(HN)were es-tablished in spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs).The experiment was divided into 4 groups:normal control group(WKY rats),model group(SHR),icariin 10 mg·kg-1·d-1 group(icariin once dai-ly),icariin 30 mg·kg-1·d-1 group(icariin once daily),n=10.The expression of fibrosis-related proteins was detected in vivo.NRK-52E cells exposed to An-gⅡ were selected to observe the effects of icariin on kidney injury.Extracellular matrix(ECM)levels,including α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),collagenⅠ(Col-Ⅰ)and fibronectin(FN)expression were mea-sured by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.The expressions of oxidative stress markers includ-ing superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialde-hyde(MDA)were determined by the test kit.RE-SULTS:Icariin reduced renal fibrosis in SHR rats in vivo.Icariin down-regulated the expression of α-SMA,FN,and Col-Ⅰ and protected hypertension-damaged kidney tissue from progressive fibrosis(P＜0.05).Icariin increased the total SOD activity and decrease the MDA level in kidney and serum of SHR rats(P＜0.05).In addition,icariin increased the expression of Cx32 and decreased the expression of Nox4 in the kidneys of SHR rats(P＜0.05).Icariin had a protective effect on AngⅡ-mediated NRK-52E cell damage and fibrosis.CONCLUSION:Icariin can improve renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and delay the progression of HN.Renal protection may be at-tributed to the regulation of oxidative stress medi-ated by the Cx32-Nox4 signaling pathway.

Antipsychotics, lithium preparations can cause a variety of renal side effects, most of which occur insidiously. The paper reports a 46-year-old female patient developing fatigue and soft paresis after taking lithium carbonate for 17 years. Laboratory tests showed hypokalemia, distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA), and renal calculus. After discontinuation of lithium carbonate, partial remission of hypokalemia and dRTA were observed. Combined with literature review, in addition to dRTA, the renal side effects of lithium preparations also include acute toxic kidney injury, nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and various glomerulopathy.

Objective:To develop a recombinase-aided amplification (RAA)-clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus with high specificity and sensitivity.Methods:RAA primers and CRISPR RNA (crRNA) were designed based on the known conserved regions of the monkeypox virus gene and synthesized, and specific crRNAs were screened using fluorescence detection. The sensitivity and specificity of the detection system were evaluated.Results:An RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus was developed with a sensitivity of 2.5 copies/reaction and high specificity without cross-reactivity with ectromelia virus and vaccinia virus.Conclusions:An RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a-based nucleic acid assay for monkeypox virus was established, which would provide a powerful tool for efficient, rapid and specific detection of monkeypox virus.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the effect of Buyang Huanwu Decoction (BHD) in ameliorating erectile dysfunction (ED) after radical prostatectomy (RP). METHODS: The composition of BHD was verified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) analysis. Bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury (BCNI) in rats was used to mimic the neurovascular injury occurring after RP. By the envelope method, forty rats were randomly divided into 4 groups as follows: sham (cavernous nerves exposed only), model (BCNI), low-dosage BHD [LBHD, 12.8 g/(kg·d)], and high-dosage BHD [HBHD, 51.2 g/(kg·d)] groups, 10 rats in each group, feeding for 3 weeks respectively. Erectile function was evaluated by measuring intracavernosal pressure (ICP). Changes in the histopathology of corpus cavernosum (CC) were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Meanwhile, the fibrosis of CC was measured by Masson's trichrome staining and Western blot was used to detect the expressions of collagen I, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF- β 1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Apoptosis index was detected by terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) and Western blot for determining the expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X (Bax). The oxidative stress in the CC were assessed by the superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The proteins expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and c-Jun were detected by Western blot. In addition, the expression of α-SMA and p-c-Jun in the CC was observed by double immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS: The UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS analysis showed that BHD contained calycosin-7-O- β -D-glucoside, ononin, calycosin and formononetin. Compared with the model group, LBHD and HBHD treatment improved the ICP and the circumference, area, and weight of CC (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Furthermore, LBHD and HBHD treatments increased CC smooth muscle content and decreased apoptosis index (P<0.05 or P<0.01). LBHD and HBHD also elevated SOD and expression level of α -SMA and Bcl-2, and reduced MDA and ROS levels, as well as expression of TGF- β 1, collagen I, Bax, p-c-JNK, p-JNK in the CC compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The double immunofluorescence staining showed that the fluorescence degree of p-c-Jun in both LBHD and HBHD treatment groups was significantly reduced, whereas the α -SMA expression increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS BHD can improve ED of rats with BCNI, which is related to inhibiting fibrosis, apoptosis, and oxidative stress of CC. The ROS/JNK/c-Jun signaling pathway may play an important role in the process.
Male ; Humans ; Rats ; Animals ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Erectile Dysfunction/drug therapy* ; Collagen ; Fibrosis ; Disease Models, Animal

Objective:To improve the consistency of test results through reducing inter-laboratory variation in SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection with WHO SARS-CoV-2 antibody candidate international standard (IS, sample G) and antibody reference panel (samples E, F, H, I, J).Methods:Ten WHO samples (A-J) including the candidate IS and reference panel were evaluated using different methods, such as microneutralization tests based on live SARS-CoV-2, pseudovirus neutralization assay and commercial ELISA kits. The test results were compared using statistical analysis.Results:Using IS (sample G) as a reference, the relative concentrations of other samples could be determined with less variation. ELISA and pseudovirus neutralization assay had consistent results with those obtained with the microneutralization test based on SARS-COV-2 strain HB02. Weakly positive samples could be detected only by a certain kit.Conclusions:The availability of an IS for antibodies would facilitate the standardization of SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection methods. The reference panel fitted all the assays based on the SARS-CoV-2 prototype Wuhan strain. Pseudovirus neutralization assay and ELISA could be used as alternatives to live SARS-CoV-2-based neutralization test to some extent.

Objective:To analyze the clinical and pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of renal changes in patients with Kimura disease and improve the clinicians′ understanding on renal manifestations of Kimura disease.Methods:The clinical data of Kimura disease patients with definite diagnosis and detailed data in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 1980 to August 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into renal impairment group and non-renal impairment group according to whether the kidney was involved or not and the related clinical data between the two groups were compared. The patients presenting with nephrotic syndrome were followed up.Results:There were 60 patients with Kimura disease confirmed by pathological diagnosis with 48 males. The median age was 33(3, 62) years old, and the median duration was 36(12, 111) months. There were 18 cases complicated with renal injury in 49 patients with complete routine urine and renal function examination and the main manifestations of renal injury were proteinuria and/or microscopic hematuria. There was no significant difference at age, sex and absolute value of eosinophils between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the renal inpairment group, patients in non-renal inpairment group had longer course of disease, higher levels of hypersensitive C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and lower median values of total eosinophils and total IgE, but there was no statistically significant difference (all P>0.05). Among the patients with renal involvement, 6 patients met the diagnostic criteria for nephrotic syndrome, and 5 of them completed renal biopsies. The renal pathological diagnosis was membranous nephropathy in 2 cases and minimal change disease in 3 cases, and no interstitial eosinophil infiltration was found in renal biopsy tissues. These patients had a good response to glucocorticoids and/or immunosuppressive therapy, and achieved complete remission of nephrotic syndrome; at the same time, lymphadenopathy caused by Kimura disease could be well controlled. Conclusions:Kimura disease can combine with various renal lesions, and the pathology of nephrotic syndrome can be membranous nephropathy or minimal change nephropathy. After energetic treatment of glucocorticoids and/or immunosuppressive therapy, nephrotic syndrome can be completely relieved, and lymphadenopathy can be well controlled. The relationship between Kimura disease and renal disease needs further study.

Objective:To determine the epidemiology of hyperkalemia and influencing factors in a general population in Pinggu district of Beijing city.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional survey. The subjects were from the epidemiological survey population of chronic diseases in Pinggu district of Beijing city from March to May 2014. All participants completed a questionnaire, anthropological measurement, and venous blood samples collection to detect serum creatinine and potassium and so on. First void morning urine was collected to detect the albumin-creatinine ratio. Hyperkalemia and hypokalemia were defined as serum potassium level>5.0 mmol/L and≤3.5 mmol/L, respectively. Logistic regression analysis method was used to analyze the influencing factors of hyperkalemia.Results:Of the 10 252 people in this study, the prevalence of hyperkalemia was 6.17%(95% CI 5.70%-6.67%), the prevalence of hypokalemia was 0.61%(95% CI 0.47%-0.79%), and the prevalence of participants with serum potassium>5.5 mmol/L was 0.53%(95% CI 0.40%-0.69%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis results showed that males ( OR=1.269, 95% CI 1.074-1.498, P=0.005), diabetes ( OR=1.226, 95% CI 1.008-1.490, P=0.041), increased total cholesterol ( OR=1.219, 95% CI 1.119-1.329, P<0.001), and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate ( OR=0.971, 95% CI 0.965-0.977, P<0.001) were significantly correlated with the increased risk of hyperkalemia. Usage of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors and diuretics were not found to be significantly associated with the risk of hyperkalemia ( OR=1.018, 95% CI 0.751-1.380, P=0.908; OR=0.638, 95% CI 0.229-1.781, P=0.391). Conclusions:The prevalence of HK in the general population is 6.17%. The male, decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate, diabetes, and increased total cholesterol are influencing factors of hyperkalemia.

Objective:To evaluate the immunogenicity of a novel influenza virus mRNA vaccine based on conserved antigens delivered by lipopolyplex (LPP) platform in a mouse model.Methods:Four copies of genes coding for extracellular domain of matrix 2 protein (M2e) and nucleoprotein (NP) of influenza A virus were synthetized after codon optimization. The fusion antigens were transcribed in vitro and delivered by LPP platform, named as LPP-4M2eNP. Expression of M2e and NP in eukaryotic cells was detected by immunofluorescence assay (IFA). BALB/c mice were inoculated intramuscularly twice with 10 μg or 30 μg LPP-4M2eNP vaccine at an interval of four weeks. Antibody response was detected by ELISA and cellular-mediated immunity (CMI) was detected by enzyme-linked immunospot assay (ELISPOT). Results:IFA showed that NP and M2e were expressed correctly in eukaryotic cells. Single dose immunization could induce significant antigen (NP, M2e)-specific CMI and antigen (NP, M2e)-specific antibody response was induced in mice with Th1 type bias after boost immunization. Moreover, NP-specific CMI was increased significantly after the second immunization, while no significant change in M2e-specific CMI was observed.Conclusions:Stronger CMI was triggered in mice by single dose of LPP-4M2eNP vaccine. Furthermore, robust humoral and cellular immune responses were induced after boost immunization. This study suggested that LPP-4M2eNP vaccine, which based on conserved antigen of influenza A and delivered by LPP platform, had great potential for development and application.

This study aims to explore the molecular mechanism of Ganoderma against gastric cancer based on network pharmacology, molecular docking, and cell experiment. The active components and targets of Ganoderma were retrieved from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP), and gastric cancer-related targets from GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man(OMIM). The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of the common targets was constructed with STRING, followed by Gene Ontology(GO) term enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the common genes based on Bioconductor and R language. The medicinal-disease-component-target network and medicinal-disease-component-target-pathway network were established by Cytoscape. Molecular docking was performed between β-sitosterol(the key component in Ganoderma) and the top 15 targets in the PPI network. Cell experiment was performed to verify the findings. A total of 14 active components and 28 targets of Ganoderma were retrieved, and the medicinal and the disease shared 25 targets, including caspase-3(CASP3), caspase-8(CASP8), caspase-9(CASP9), and B-cell lymphoma-2(BCL2). The common targets involved 72 signaling pathways and apoptosis and p53 signaling pathway may play a crucial role in the effect of Ganoderma against gastric cancer. β-sitosterol had strong binding activity to the top 15 targets in the PPI network. The in vitro cell experiment demonstrated that β-sitosterol inhibited gastric cancer AGS cell proliferation by inducing cell apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in the S phase, which might be related to the regulation of the p53 pathway. This study shows the multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics of Ganoderma against gastric cancer, which lays a scientific basis for further research on the molecular mechanism.
Ganoderma ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Network Pharmacology ; Stomach Neoplasms/genetics*

A 64-year-old female patient received postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and capecitabine after radical resection of rectal cancer for rectal adenocarcinoma with multiple lung metastases. Due to poor therapeutic effect, the patient was switched to anlotinib treatment at a dose of 12 mg/d orally for 2 weeks with a 1-week break and 3 weeks was one cycle. During the second cycle of anlotinib treatment, the patient developed edema, proteinuria, hypertension, and hypoalbuminemia, with normal serum creatinine. The renal pathology suggested renal thrombotic microangiopathy, which was in line with the clinical and pathological manifestations of drug-related renal injury due to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor. After discontinuation of anlotinib and receiving symptomatic treatment such as blood pressure control, the edema gradually subsided along with remission of proteinuria. Three months later, the patient had no proteinuria and the serum albumin was normal.