OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the anti-aging effect of β-sitosterol (BS), an important component in the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq., in C. elegans and its regulatory effect on ETS-5 gene to modulate ferroptosis. METHODS: C. elegans treated with 10 µg/mL BS were monitored for survival time and changes in body length, motility, and reproductive function. The effect of ETS-5 gene knockdown on survival time of C. elegans was observed, and the changes in fat accumulation and lipid redox homeostasis in the transfected C. elegans were assessed using Oil Red O staining and by detecting MDA levels and the GSH/GSSG ratio. The mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes (FTN-1, GPX-1 and AAT-9) were detected using qPCR. The effects of BS treatment and ETS-5 knockdown on AAT-9 enzyme activity in C. elegans were examined. The effect of BS on nuclear localization of FEV (the human homolog of ETS-5) was validated in cultured human umbilical venous endothelial cells (HUVECs). RESULTS: Both BS treatment and ETS-5 knockdown significantly prolonged the lifespan, promoted lipid accumulation and reduced lipid peroxidation in C. elegans. ETS-5 knockdown resulted in upregulated expressions of the ferroptosis repressors GPX-1, AAT-9 and FTN-1 and increased the GSH/GSSG ratio in C. elegans. CONCLUSIONS BS inhibits ferroptosis in C. elegans by suppressing the expression of ETS-5 transcription factor and hence the activity of AAT-9 enzyme, a key gene for ferroptosis, which in turn prolongs the lifespan of C. elegans.
Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans/physiology* ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Alpinia/chemistry* ; Sitosterols/pharmacology* ; Longevity/drug effects* ; Fruit/chemistry* ; Humans

Objective To elucidate the anti-aging effect of β-sitosterol(BS),an important component in the fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla Miq.,in C.elegans and its regulatory effect on ETS-5 gene to modulate ferroptosis.Methods C.elegans treated with 10 μg/mL BS were monitored for survival time and changes in body length,motility,and reproductive function.The effect of ETS-5 gene knockdown on survival time of C.elegans was observed,and the changes in fat accumulation and lipid redox homeostasis in the transfected C.elegans were assessed using Oil Red O staining and by detecting MDA levels and the GSH/GSSG ratio.The mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related genes(FTN-1,GPX-1 and AAT-9)were detected using qPCR.The effects of BS treatment and ETS-5 knockdown on AAT-9 enzyme activity in C.elegans were examined.The effect of BS on nuclear localization of FEV(the human homolog of ETS-5)was validated in cultured human umbilical venous endothelial cells(HUVECs).Results Both BS treatment and ETS-5 knockdown significantly prolonged the lifespan,promoted lipid accumulation and reduced lipid peroxidation in C.elegans.ETS-5 knockdown resulted in upregulated expressions of the ferroptosis repressors GPX-1,AAT-9 and FTN-1 and increased the GSH/GSSG ratio in C.elegans.Conclusion BS inhibits ferroptosis in C.elegans by suppressing the expression of ETS-5 transcription factor and hence the activity of AAT-9 enzyme,a key gene for ferroptosis,which in turn prolongs the lifespan of C.elegans.

AIM:This study is aimed to investigate the impact of 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-heptamethoxyflavone(HMF)on the proliferation,invasion,and migration of human colorectal cancer(CRC)cell lines(SW480 and HCT116)and preliminarily explore the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS:Human colorectal cancer cells(SW480 and HCT116)cultured in vitro were subjected to various concentrations of HMF(0,12.5,25 and 50 μmol/L)for 48 h.Proliferation levels were assessed using the CCK-8 assay,invasion abilities were examined via the Transwell assay,migra-tion rates were measured using the scratch assay,and oxidative stress levels were determined by the DCF-DA reactive oxy-genation assay.The mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)mRNA and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreduc-tase-1(NQO-1)were quantified using RT-qPCR.RESULTS:Treatment with varying concentrations of HMF resulted in a significant reduction in the proliferative capacity of SW480 and HCT116 cancer cells,as was indicated by CCK-8 experi-ments(P<0.05).Transwell assays demonstrated a pronounced attenuation in the invasive potential of SW480 and HCT116 following HMF treatment(P<0.05).Scratch assays highlighted a notable constraint on the migratory capabilities of SW480 and HCT116 after HMF treatment(P<0.05).DCF-DA staining revealed a substantial increase in reactive oxy-gen species(ROS)levels within SW480 and HCT116 cells after HMF treatment(P<0.05).Furthermore,RT-qPCR ex-periments elucidated that HMF markedly suppressed the mRNA expression of antioxidant genes HO-1 and NQO-1.CON-CLUSION:HMF induces oxidative stress response in SW480 and HCT116 cells,consequently inhibiting their prolifera-tion,invasion and migration.

The main function of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is to maintain stability of the knee joint and prevent anterior displacement of the tibial plateau. ACL injury accounts for more than 50% of the knee joint injuries. If not timely handled, it will increase the risk of secondary injuries to structures such as the meniscus and cartilage, causing chronic pain and degeneration of the knee joint. Although most ACL injuries can be determined by their direct signs on MRI, the identification of complex situations and partial tears of ACL are still not satisfactory, which subsequently affects treatment strategies. After ACL injury, changes in anatomical relationship of the knee joint can also lead to morphological changes in other structures such as the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) on MRI, and these indirect signs can assist in the diagnosis of ACL injury. The authors reviewed the application of MRI-related indicators of PCL in diagnosing ACL injury, hoping to provide references and new ideas for clinical decision-making.

Objective To understand the epidemical patterns of schistosomiasis in Guichi District of Chizhou City，Anhui Province，in order to provide the reference for schistosomiasis control. Methods The annual data of schistosomiasis endemic situation in Guichi District from 1991 to 2011 were collected. The descriptive analysis was first conducted to describe the changes of schistosomiasis in local residents and the status of Oncomelania hupensis. An autoregressive integrated moving average （ARIMA）model was applied to fit and predict the tendency of schistosomiasis incidence in this region. Results The humanmorbidity increased with the increasing of the areas with snail habitats（P < 0.05），and four peaks（in 1992，1995，2005，2008）were detected. The difference of the area with snails among different types of snail habitats was statistically significant（F = 256.79，P < 0.05）. ARIMA（1，1，1）was determined to be the optimal model for analyzing the morbidity of schistosomiasis，and the short⁃term forecast of the morbidity in Guichi District from 2012 to 2015 showed that the predicted values were 0.017%，0.007%，0.012%，and 0.010%，respectively. Conclusions The endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Guichi District is controlled relatively well in the past two decades. However，the surveillance in the lake and marshland regions should be strengthened continuously to prevent the rebounding of the schistosomiasis endemic situation.

Objective To observe the morphology changes in articular cartilage of knee osteoarthritis ( KOA) model rats after intervention with Shudi Jisheng Zhuanggu Decoction (SJZD). Methods SD rats were randomized into 7 groups, namely blank control group, model group, Paracetamol group ( 0.270 g/kg) , Zhuangu Guanjie Pills group ( 1.08 g/kg) , and high-, middle- and low-dosage SJZD groups ( 27.450, 13.725, 6.863 g/kg, respectively). Rats were injected with papain solution into the right knee joint to build models of KOA before administration of drugs. Thickness of right knee joint was measured to evaluate the effect of SJZD on the swelling degree of knee joint. Histological changes of knee cartilage were evaluated by Mankin scoring method after the cartilage sections being stained with hematoxylin-eosin (HE). Results Swelling degree of knee joint and Mankin scores were significantly increased in the model group compared to the blank control group ( P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the swelling degree of knee joint and Mankin scores of SJZD groups were significantly decreased (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the pathological changes were relieved. Conclusion SJZD can ameliorate the pathological changes of knee articular cartilage in rats with KOA, so as to delay cartilage degeneration and protect the cartilage.

Acute Disease ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Ethylene Dichlorides ; poisoning ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; methods ; Young Adult

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of external application of sihuang-honey for aseptic inflammation after total knee arthroplasty.Methods 30 cases of total knee arthroplasty patients were recruited into two groups,of 15 cases in each group.The treatment group was treated with sihuang-honey (made of rhubarb,scutellaria,phellodendron,coptis according to the same proportion of powder with honey ),which was placed on a sterile plastic sheet,0.5 cm thickness.The sheet was applied on the knee of the highest skin temperature for 6 hours,removed it for 2 hours interval,and reapplied on it,for altogether 24 hours before changing another sheet.The control group were treated by continued covering ice on the knee every day,with the ice completely surrounded the knee.Both groups were treated for 2 weeks.Clinical efficacy was observed before the treatment,and 3 d,7 d,14 d after the treatment.ResultsAfter the treatment,compared with the control group,the treatment group was effective in terms of VAS score (4.12± 1.08) points in 3d,(3.34±0.61)points in the first 7 days; skin temperature (37.56±0.40) ℃,activity (98.56±3.24) ° in 3d,and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05).The degree of swelling in 3 d (5.80±2.00) ％,7 d (9.33±2.55)％,14 d (12.13 ± 2.70)％ in the treatment group were better than the control group (P＜0.05); The rate of pain relief of treatment group was 93.33％ and satisfaction was 66.67％,although better than 86.67％ and 46.67％ of the control group,the difference was not statistically significant (x2 were 1.33,3.04,P＞0.05).Conclusion Sihuang-honey was effective for the treatment of aseptic inflammation after the surgery of total knee arthroplasty.

【Objective】 To establish preliminary diagnostic criteria of spleen-stomach damp-heat syndrome (SDS) in chronic superficial gastritis (CSG) by disease-syndrome combined differentiation method and modern epidemiological method. 【Methods】 A clinical questionnaire of SDS in CSG was drafted out based on literatures study and experts' survey. Questionnaire investigation was performed in 146 cases of CSG, which consisted of 81 SDS cases and 65 nonSDS cases. Mter the investigation, discriminant analysis was adopted to set up the discriminant functional equations and to perform frequency analysis. According to the results, the diagnostic criteria and the simplified diagnostic criteria of SDS in CSG were established. 【Results】 The preliminary diagnostic criteria of SDS in CSG were as follows: (1) the major symptoms were characterized as yellow and greasy tongue fur, fullness or distension or pain in the stomach, loose stool and poor appetite; (2) the secondary symptoms were characterized as bitter taste and sticky mouth, chest depression, thirst but unwilling to drink, fatigue and nausea; (3) diagnosis could be confirmed by the existence of yellow and greasy tongue fur accompanied by either 2 of the other major symptoms, or by either 1 of the other major and 2 of the secondary symptoms, or by more than 3 of the secondary symptoms. The simplified diagnostic criteria were characterized the co-existence of yellow and greasy tongue fur and fullness or distension or pain in the stomach. 【Conclusion】 The preliminary diagnostic criteria of SDS in CSG are scientific, objective and practicable to some extent.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution and clonality of T cell receptor (TCR) V beta repertoire in patients with acute monoblastic leukemia (AML-M5).

METHODSExpression of the TCR V beta repertoire was analyzed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), which amplified the complementarity determining region 3 of 24 TCR V beta genes in peripheral blood from 9 cases with acute myclogenous leukemia subtype 5 or acute monoblastic leukemia (AML-M5). PCR products were further studied by genescan analysis to identify T cell clonality.

RESULTSExpression of 1-10 V beta subfamilies was found in samples from 9 patients. Genescan analysis showed that some V beta subfamily products from 8 of 9 cases contained an oligoclonal peak. Oligoclonal T cells of the V beta 2 subfamily could be found in 6 patients with AML-M5.

CONCLUSIONST cell clonality expansion was found in AML-M5 cases and were tendentious in the V beta 2 subfamily, suggesting a the specific immune response for leukemia cell (M5) associated antigen and may display antileukemia activity.