OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of a modified Wuzi Yanzong Pill (, WZYZP) on the male rats' testis after microwave radiation, as well as its potential mechanism. METHODS: Forty-five male rats were randomly assigned to three groups: the control group, the radiation group, and the WZYZP group. The rats in the radiation group and WZYZP group were exposed to microwave radiation for 15 min once, while the rats in the control group were not exposed to any radiation. The rats in the WZYZP group were given a modified of WZYZP by gavage daily for 7 days. Apoptosis in the testis was evaluated using terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Histopathological alterations of the testis were observed by haematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Tat-interactive protein, 60kD (Tip60) and p53 expressions were determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: The apoptosis index (AI) in the radiation group was higher than that of the WZYZP group and control group on day 1 (D1), day 7 (D7) day 14 (D14) after radiation (P<0.05). The seminiferous tubules were of normal morphology in the control group. In the radiation group, the partial seminiferous tubules were collapsed, basement membranes of the seminiferous epithelia became detached. WZYZP could restore the morphological changes. There was no expression of Tip60 among the three groups on D7 and D14. The expression of p53 was higher in the radiation group than in the control group (P<0.05). WZYZP could down-regulate the rising p53 induced by radiation on D7 and D14 (P<0.05). CONCLUSION A modified WZYZP may affect germ cells, and its protective effects may partly result from its ability to intervene in Tip60 mediated apoptosis.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Microwaves ; Rats, Wistar ; Testis ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; radiation effects ; Trans-Activators ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism

Objective:To evaluate the effect of Kinesio taping on chronic nonspecific low back pain (CNLBP). Methods:The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, CBM, VIP, and Wanfang Data were searched for the randomized controlled trials (RCT) about the effect of Kinesio taping on CNLBP from establishment to January, 2019. The included studies were evaluated according to the method recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration. RevMan 5.3 software was used to analyze the extracted data. Results:Finally, nine RCTs involving 545 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that the effect of Kinesio taping was significantly different in the improvement of pain compared with the non-stimulated group (MD = -0.76, 95%CI: -1.43 to -0.08, P = 0.03), the difference might be significant compared with the sham stimulation group (MD = -1.10, 95%CI: -2.22 to 0.02, P = 0.05); For improving dysfunction, the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were better in the Kinesio taping group than in the non-stimulation group (MD = -6.02, 95%CI: -8.63 to -3.41, P < 0.001) and the sham stimulation group (MD = -4.11, 95%CI: -5.82 to -2.41, P < 0.001), however, their was no significant difference in Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) score between the Kinesio taping group and the non-stimulated group (MD = 0.69, 95%CI: -2.35 to 3.74, P = 0.66), and between the Kinesio taping group and the sham stimulation group (MD = -0.17, 95%CI: -1.43 to 1.08, P = 0.78). Conclusion:For the patients with CNLBP, the intervention of Kinesio taping could alleviate pain and improve function.

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 whether vitamin Bphotochemical pathogen reduction technology(PRT) treatment may lead to increase white cell- and platelet- derived cytokines release from platelets during storage.

METHODSSixty milliliters of leukodepleted apheresis platelets were collected from 20 healthy donors, then were divided into 2 parts: one part (30 ml) remained untreated to serve as control, while the other part was treated with vitamin B-UVB photo-chemical technology as experimental group. During 7 d of storage under standard blood bank conditions, platelet coun-ting (PC), platelet distribution width (PDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), white cell-derived cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and IFN-γ) and platelet-derived cytokines (CCL3, CCL5, TGF-β-1 and PF4), P-selectin and phosphatidyl serine (PS) were analyzed on day 1, 3, 5 and 7 of storage, respectively.

RESULTSNo signi-ficant differences were observed on PC, PDW and MPV between the experimental and control groups, respectively. The higher levels of platelet-derived cytokines were detected and reached a plateau after 5-7 days of storage, and the cyto-kines showed significant increase in experimental group compared with the control group. PS expression increased signi-ficantly in experimental group as compared with control group on day 3, 5 and 7 of storage, respectively. The accumula-tion of P-selectin was significant higher in experimental group than that in control group on day 5 and 7 of storage (P<0.05). The white cell-derived cytokines were not elevated by PRT treatment during 7 days of storage.

CONCLUSIONThe PRT-treated platelets are the main source of released cytokines during storage of PRT treatment. The levels of platelet-derived cytokines reach a plateau after 5-7 days of storage, most likely due to accelerated platelet activation and apoptosis.

INTRODUCTIONThe current metastatic category (M) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a "catch-all" classification, covering a heterogeneous group of tumors ranging from potentially curable to incurable. The aim of this study was to design an M categorization system that could be applied in planning the treatment of NPC with synchronous metastasis.

METHODSA total of 505 NPC patients diagnosed with synchronous metastasis at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between 2000 and 2009 were involved. The associations of clinical variables, metastatic features, and a proposed M categorization system with overall survival (OS) were determined by using Cox regression model.

RESULTSMultivariate analysis showed that Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) N category (N1-3/N0), number of metastatic lesions (multiple/single), liver involvement (yes/no), radiotherapy to primary tumor (yes/no), and cycles of chemotherapy (>4/≤4) were independent prognostic factors for OS. We defined the following subcategories based on liver involvement and the number of metastatic lesions: M1a, single lesion confined to an isolated organ or location except the liver; M1b, single lesion in the liver and/or multiple lesions in any organs or locations except the liver; and M1c, multiple lesions in the liver. Of the 505 cases, 74 (14.7%) were classified as M1a, 296 (58.6%) as M1b, 134 (26.5%) as M1c, and 1 was not specified. The three M1 subcategories showed significant difference in OS [M1b vs. M1a, hazard ratio (HR) = 1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.16-2.48, P = 0.007; M1c vs. M1a, HR = 2.64, 95% CI = 1.75-3.98, P < 0.001].

CONCLUSIONSWe developed an M categorization system based on the independent factors related to the prognosis of patients with metastatic NPC. This system may be helpful to further optimize individualized care for NPC patients.

Carcinoma ; Humans ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of bear bile powder (BBP) on the STAT3 pathway and its downstream target genes of nude mice hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) xenograft, and to explore its mechanism for treating HCC.

METHODSThe subcutaneous xenograft model was established using HepG2 cells. When the subcutaneous transplanted tumor was formed, naked mice were randomly divided into two groups, the BBP group and the control group. Mice in the BBP group were administered with BBP by gastrogavage, once daily for 3 consecutive weeks, while mice in the control group were administered with normal saline by gastrogavage, once daily for 3 consecutive weeks. The body weight and the tumor volume were measured once per week. By the end of medication, the tumor weight was weighed and the tumor inhibition ratio calculated. The apoptosis of the tumor tissue was detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression of Bcl2-associated X protein (Bax), B cell lymphoma/eukemina-2 (Bcl-2), cyclin-dependent protein kinase (CDK4), cyclinD1 were detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The protein expression levels of signal transducers and transcription activators 3 (p-STAT3), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bax, Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1 were determined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSBBP could inhibit the tumor volume and tumor weight, showing statistical difference when compared with the control group (P < 0.01). Results of TUNEL showed that BBP could significantly induce the apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma cells. Results of RT-PCR showed that BBP could up-regulate the expression of Bax and down-regulate mRNA expression of Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1. Immunohistochemical results showed that BBP could up-regulate the expression of Bax and inhibit the protein expression of p-STAT3, PCNA, Bcl-2, CDK4, and cyclinD1.

CONCLUSIONBBP could induce the apoptosis of hepatoma carcinoma cells and inhibit their proliferation by regulating STAT3 pathway.

Animals ; Bile ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Ursidae ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic effects of Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization in treating ASD after lumbar spinal fusion.

METHODSTotally 40 patients (included 16 males and 24 females, aged 25 to 60 years old) with degenerative disc disease were treated with posterior interbody fusion. Among them, 20 cases (treatment group) were treated with posterior interbody fusion combined with Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization, while other 20 cases (control group) only treated with posterior interbody fusion. JOA score and VAS score were compared after inserted Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization at 1 month and 3 years, and changes of intervertebral disc height of adjacent segment and cross-sectional area of the canal were tested and compared.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 3 to 5 years with an average of 3.6 years. All injuries were healed at stage I and the pain were released after treatment. There were no significant meaning in JOA score and VAS score at 1 month after treatment between two groups (P>0.05), while had meaning at 3 years (P<0.05). There were no statistical significane in intervertebral disc height of adjacent segment and cross-sectional area of the canal at 1 month after treatment (P>0.05), while had statistical meaning at 3 years (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is no difference in immediate effects between two groups. Both of them can obtain good results for effective decompression. Medial-term effectiveness of treatment group is obviously better than control group, which depends on Wallis interspinous dynamic stabilization to plays good biology effects and effective accelerate adjacent degeneration caused by lumbar fusion.

Adult ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Spinal Fusion ; Treatment Outcome

The expression profile in the mouse hepatitis B virus X (HBx)-transfected model was investigated in order to lay a foundation for further study on the implication of cytokines expression in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Hydrodynamic injection method via the tail vein was used to establish the animal HBx-transfected model. By using microassay, the differential expression of gene in each group was analyzed, which was further confirmed by using real-time PCR and semi-quantitative PCR. Most of chemokine genes such as Ccl2, Ccl5, Ccl9, MIG and IP-10 were up-regulated in the HBx-transfected mouse model versus the control mice, which was coincided with the microarray results. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were applied to detect the expression of MIG and IP-10 in the liver tissues. Simultaneously, ELISA was adopted to measure the content of IFN-γ in the liver tissues. DNA microassay revealed that the expression of 611 genes changed in HBx-transfected mice as compared with that in pCMV-tag2B-transfected mice, and most of the screened chemokines were up-regulated (including MIG and IP-10). Additionally, IFN-γ protein levels were increased by 20.7% (P<0.05) in pCMV-tag2B-HBx-transfected mice as compared with the untreated mice. IFN-γ protein levels were reduced by 53.9% (P<0.05) in pCMV-tag2B-transfected mice as compared with the untreated mice, which was consistent with the up-regulation of MIG and IP-10. It was suggested HBx transfection could induce the expression of MIG and IP-10 in the liver tissues, which might play the roles in HBV-related liver immunity and cytokines-mediated antiviral effect.
Animals ; Chemokine CXCL10 ; immunology ; Chemokine CXCL9 ; immunology ; Cytokines ; immunology ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Hepatitis B ; genetics ; immunology ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Transfection ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from Chinese children in seven cities.

METHODA total of 134 MRSA isolates were collected from nine hospitals. Multilocus sequence typing and spa typing were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and staphylococcal chromosomal cassette mec (SCCmec) type was analyzed by multiplex PCR. The Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) gene was also detected.

RESULTMost MRSA strains were isolated from pneumonia and skin and soft tissue infection (SSTIs) patients, accounting for 82.1%. Overall, 16 sequence types (STs) were obtained, and CC59 (51.7%) was found to be the most prevalent, which included ST 59 and ST 338, followed by ST239 (16.4%). SCCmec types II, III, IV, and V were also identified in the current study. SCCmec type IV was the most predominant type at 50.0%, followed by SCCmec type V at 23.9% and III at 23.9%. SCCmec subtypes IVa, IVc, and IVg were found among SCCmec type IV strains, whereas IVa was the main subtype at 77.6%. Twenty-six spa types were also identified, among which the predominant type was t437 (47.8%). The prevalence of pvl genes and the SCCmec type of strain was relevant, and the pvl gene positive rate was higher in SCCmec type IV and V-type strains than in SCCmec type II and III strains (58.6% vs. 14.3%, P < 0.05); there was a significant difference between them. In the strains isolated from pneumonia and SSTIs, ST59-MRSA-IVa(t437) was the predominant clone. There were five clones detected from the strains isolated from septicemia, with ST59-MRSA-IVa(t437) and ST59-MRSA-V(t437) as the main clones (57.1%). Various predominant clones existed in different regions. ST59-MRSA-IVa(t437) was the prevalent clone in the Guangzhou, Beijing, Chongqing, and Shenzhen areas, whereas ST239-MRSA-III(t037) was the prevalent clone in the Shanghai area. Fifty percent of the isolates from the Wenzhou area belonged to ST910-MRSA-V(t318), whereas three clinical strains isolated from the Shenyang region belonged to three different types.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that MRSA isolates from Chinese children are largely associated with the ST59-MRSA-IV(t437) and ST239-MRSA-III(t037) clones. These two may belong to community-acquired MRSA and hospital-acquired ones, respectively. Different prevalent clones were detected in different diseases and different regions. Therefore, there is a need to conduct further research on clinical isolates, which can guide the choice of antibiotic treatment and the examination of MRSA prevalence.

Adolescent ; Bacterial Typing Techniques ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; DNA, Bacterial ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Prevalence ; Staphylococcal Infections ; epidemiology ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo compare short-term postoperative outcomes between antecolic and retrocolic laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(LRYGB).

METHODSForty obesity patients were admitted into The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University from March 2008 to July 2010. All patients were randomly assigned to undergo antecolic (group A, 20 cases) and retrocolic (group B, 20 cases) gastroenteric anastomosis. Short-term outcomes were compared.

RESULTSLRYGB procedures were successfully performed in all the 40 patients. There were no significant differences between the two groups in estimated blood loss during surgery, time to flatus passage, time to resumption of oral intake, or length of postoperative hospital stay. The operation time was longer in group B than that in group A [(163.4±28.1) min vs.(131.8±22.7) min, P<0.05]. There were no patients developed internal hernia or anastomotic leakage in either group. Comparison of short-term gastrointestinal symptoms after surgery showed no statistical significance.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough retrocolic procedure may be closer to anatomical structure, antecolic and retrocolic anastomosis have comparable short-term outcomes after surgery. Further study is warranted to investigate long-term outcomes.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Gastric Bypass ; methods ; Gastroenterostomy ; methods ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Obesity, Morbid ; surgery ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult