The α4β2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) is a ligand-gated ion channel that is distributed throughout the nervous system. It is involved in the regulation of various neurotransmitters including acetylcholine, dopamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and norepinephrine. α4β2-nAChR plays an important role in learning, memory, cognition, attention, inflammation, and pain. A large number of studies have shown that α4β2-nAChR is an important therapeutic target for neurological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, depression, nicotine dependence, pain, etc. It is an important target in the early diagnosis and curative effect detection of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease. This review summarizes the role, mechanisms and related drug research advances on α4β2-nAChR ligand drugs in neurological diseases, as well as providing a theoretical basis for identifying and developing more suitable α4β2-nAChR-related compounds.

Objective:To determine the therapeutic effect of in vitro cultivation of bezoar on a mouse model adding disease with syndrome of coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome. Method:BALB/c mice were randomly divided into six groups according to their weight grade： normal group， HCoV-229E infection group， cold and damp group， a mouse model combining disease with syndrome of coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome， and high and low dose group of in vitro cultivation of bezoar. The combination model of human coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome mice was established by the method of cold dampness condition stimulation+coronavirus HCoV-229E infection. In vitro cultivation of bezoar （0.128，0.064 g·kg^-1） was administrated by gavage for 3 days from the day of infection. The observation indexes included： general state observation of mice， inhibition rate of lung index and lung index of mice. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the viral load in the lung tissues of mice. Serum levels of motilin（MTL）， gastrin （GAS）， and cytokines interleukin（IL）-10，IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）and interferon-γ（IFN-γ） in lung tissue of mice were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. The percentages of CD4⁺ T lymphocytes，CD8⁺ T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes in the blood of mice were determined by flow cytometry. Result:The high and low dose group of in vitro cultivation of bezoar can significantly improve the general condition of model mice. Compared with blank group， model group mice lung index increased significantly （P<0.01）， nucleic acids significantly increased expression of lung tissue in mice （P<0.01）， significantly higher serum MTL content in mice， GAS content significantly decreased （P<0.05，P<0.01）， lung tissue cells in the immune factor TNF-α， IL-10 and IL-6 were significantly increased （P<0.01）， peripheral blood lymphocyte CD4⁺ T cells in mice， The percentages of CD8⁺ T cells and B cells were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， in vitro cultivation bezoar mice lung index of high and low dose group were significantly lower （P<0.01）， the lung tissue of mice express nucleic acid decreased significantly （P<0.01）， MTL content decreased significantly （P<0.01）， the lung tissue of mice in the IL-6， IL-10， the TNF-α， IFN-γ levels were significantly lower （P<0.01）， in vitro cultivation bezoar high dose group can significantly increase the CD4⁺ T cell percentage （P<0.05）， in vitro cultivation bezoar can to a certain extent reduce model mice lung inflammatory exudation， pulmonary interstitial edema， as well as blood stasis symptoms. Conclusion:In vitro cultivation of bezoar has a significant therapeutic effect on a mice model adding disease with syndrome of coronavirus pneumonia with Yidu Xifei syndrome. It can be treated by reducing the lung index of the model mice， improving the pathological damage of the lung tissue， adjusting the immune effective and inhibiting the clearing of inflammatory factors， and to provide a laboratory basis for clinical medication.

The effects of alcohol extracts from roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of Scutellaria Baicalensis Georgi (SBG) on endogenous metabolism in D-gal-induced aging-model rats were investigated by ¹H NMR metabolomics. Results showed that 32 endogenous metabolites were identified in the urine. Combined with the VIP value and t-test, 14 different metabolites were found by multivariate statistical analysis of the spectrum. Compared with the control group, the content of α-ketoglutaric acid, hippuric acid and 3-hydroxybutyrate in the urine of rats in the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.05) and the content of trimethylamine oxide, glycine, alanine, lactic acid, dimethylglycine, acetate, pyruvate, taurine, allantoin, betaine, N-acetylated glycoprotein was significantly increased (P<0.05). The metabolites were mainly derived from taurine and hypo-taurine metabolism; glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; pyruvate metabolism; glycolysis/gluconeogenesis; glyoxylic acid and dicarboxylic acid metabolism; and the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The content of differential metabolites in urine samples was altered by the alcohol extracts from the different parts of SBG. Leaves extracts of SBG had the greatest effect on urine metabolites, and mainly affected taurine and hypo-taurine metabolism; glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; and pyruvate metabolism. This study provides a reliable experimental basis for the future development of SBG. This animal experiment was approved by the Committee on the Ethics of Animal Experiments of Shanxi University (SXULL2016036).

Objective: To screen the differentially expressed proteins of saponins in Pulsatillae Radix inhibiting the proliferation and induce apoptosis on NCI-H460 tumor cells based on proteome technology using nano LC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS, and preliminarily speculate the potential mechanism. Method: NCI-H460, SK-OV-3 and SGC-7901 tumor cells were cultured in vitro. Methylthiazoletetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to detect the inhibitory rate of saponins in Pulsatillae Radix on three tumor cell lines. Effect of saponins in Pulsatillae Radix on apoptosis was analyzed by Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)/propidium iodide (PI) staining flow cytometry and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining. Apoptosis was analyzed using flow cytometry and DAPI stain. Nano LC-LTQ-Orbitrap-MS/MS was used to investigate the changes in the protein profiles on NCI-H460 cells treated with saponins in Pulsatillae Radix. Proteins exhibiting differential expression were analyzed by DAVID Bioinformatics Resources 6.8 and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) database. The differentially expressed proteins were verified by Western blot. Result: Saponins in Pulsatillae Radix could inhibit the proliferation of NCI-H460, SK-OV-3 and SGC-7901 tumor cells and induce apoptosis of NCI-H460 tumor cells. Effect of Saponins in Pulsatillae Radix on the proliferation and apoptosis of NCI-H460 tumor cells was mainly related to the regulation of biological function of ribosome, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and other biological processes. It was possible to induce apoptosis of NCI-H460 tumor cells by interfering mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and regulating the Caspase pathway. Conclusion: Saponins in Pulsatillae Radix can inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of NCI-H460 tumor cells, the mechanism may be related to the intervention of MAPK signaling pathway and the regulation of Caspase pathway. These findings are helpful to elucidate the molecular mechanism of the anti-tumor effect of saponins in Pulsatillae Radix.

Aging is a normal physiological process involving coaction of many factors. The anti-aging effects of natural products have been studied by many domestic and international scholars, but not far enough, which still needed to be explored. Flavonoids, as natural products, have a variety of pharmacological activities and present in many traditional Chinese medicines. In recent years, research results indicate that flavonoids can delay the aging process of the nervous, immune, and reproductive systems, and the liver, skin and other tissues. The anti-aging effects of flavonoids have attracted more and more attention. Therefore, development of anti-aging drugs from flavonoids is of great significance to improve the quality of life for the elderly and slow the process of aging. However, the mechanism of the anti-aging effect of flavonoids remains unknown at present. This review will discuss the anti-aging effect and mechanisms of flavonoids in traditional Chinese medicine from the aspects of cellular signaling pathways and metabolic pathways based on the modern theories of aging.

Objective: To explore the association between the 21-gene recurrence score (RS) and clinicopathologic characteristics as well as prognosis in patients with axillary lymph node negative, hormone receptor (HR) positive breast cancer. Methods: The clinicopathologic data of 439 early breast cancer patients who underwent 21 gene RS testing was retrospectively analyzed. According to the 21 gene RS, the patients were divided into low risk (295 cases), intermediate risk (111 cases) and high-risk (33 cases) group. The relationship between the 21 gene RS and clinicopathological characteristics, treatment, recurrence and metastasis was analyzed. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses were used to analyze the risk factors for relapse free survival (RFS). Results: Tumor grade, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and Ki-67 index were significantly different among the 3 risk cohorts (P<0.001 for all). After a median follow-up of 32 months, the recurrence rate in low risk group (3.7%) was significantly lower than that in the intermediate-high risk group (9.0%), the locoregional recurrence (LRR) rate of low, intermediate and high risk group was 2.4%, 6.3% and 9.1%; and the distant metastasis (DM) rate in low risk group was 1.4% and 2.1% in the intermediate-high risk group. Univariate analysis showed RS, ER status and endocrine therapy were prognostic factors for RFS (P<0.05 for all). Multivariate analysis showed that RS was an independent significant predictor for RFS (P=0.04). Conclusions The 21-gene RS is related to tumor grade, ER, PR and Ki-67 index. RS is an independent risk factor for RFS in patients with hormone receptor positive early-stage breast cancer.

In this study, we cloned a monoterpene synthases, TwMS from Tripterygium wilfordii suspension cells. TwMS gene contained a 1 797 bp open reading frame (ORF), encoding a polypeptide of 579 amino acids, which deduced isoelectric point (pI) was 6.10 and the calculated molecular weight was 69.75 kDa. Bioinformation analysis showed that the sequence of TwMS was consistent with the feature of monoterpene synthases. Differential expression analysis revealed that the relative expression level of TwMS increased significantly after being induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA). The highest expression level occurred at 24 h. TwMS protein was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3), which laid the foundation for identifying the function of T. wilfordii monoterpene synthases.

Objective To analyse the cases of sudden death due to hyperthyroid heart disease,and explore the general information of deaths and the forensic pathological characteristics to provide reference evidence for forensic identification of such cases.Methods Six cases of sudden death due to hyperthyroid heart disease between 2001 and 2016 were selected from School of Forensic Medicine,China Medical University.The general information (gender and age),clinical manifestations,medical history,anatomical and histopathological findings,biochemical parameters and cause of death were analysed retrospectively.Results Most of the 6 patients had definite history of hyperthyroidism,and they all showed certain degrees of symptoms of cardiovascular disease;had obvious incentive factors of death;histopathological examination of thyroid conformed to the performances of diffuse toxic goiter;with increase of cardiac weight,dilatation of cardiac chambers,myocardial hypertrophy and focal necrosis;postmortem biochemical analyses of pericardial fluid could be used as an additional method for diagnostic of sudden death due to hyperthyroid heart disease.Conclusion The identification of death due to hyperthyroid heart disease should be based on the clinical history and the results of autopsy,histopathological examination,postmortem toxicology tests.The postmortem biochemical detection of thyroid and cardiac function should be performed if necessary.

Objective To explore the safety and cosmetic effect of nipple-sparing modified radical mas tectomy and immediate tissue expander implantation with single circumaereolar incision.Methods 30 patients were enrolled in Peking Union Medical College Hospital between Jan.2014 and Dec.2015.All the patients were categorized according to surgical incision (single circumaereolar incision group vs double incisions group).Data on clinicopathological parameters,average hospital stay,complications and overall cosmetic effect were retrospectively collected.Data was performed with Chi-square test,Fisher exact test and t-test.Statistical significance was defined as P＜0.05.Results 19 patients were enrolled in single circumaereolar incision group,and 11 patients in double incisions group.There was no significant difference for operation duration (P=0.093) and average hospital stay (P=0.339).After follow-up for 19.1 months,ranging from 8 to 31 months,no patients developed seroma or arm lymphedema.There was no statistical significance between the two groups in terms of sensation in nippleaereolar area (P=0.973),bilateral symmetry (P=0.650) and overall cosmesis (P=0.483).Conclusion single circumaereolar incision nipple-sparing modified radical mastectomy and immediate tissue expander implantation can be one of the preferable surgical procedures with benefits of minimal invasiveness,reliable oncological safety and decent cosmetic effect.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Zishen Huoxue Recipe (ZHR) on pathomorphology in coronary heart disease (CHD) rats with Shen deficiency blood stasis syndrome (SDBSS).

METHODSTotally 60 healthy Wistar rats were divided into the blank control group, the model group, high, middle, and low dose ZHR groups according to random digit table, 12 in each group. Myocardial ischemia SDBSS rat model was prepared by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery and injecting hydrocortisone. ZHR physic liquor was administered to rats in high, middle, and low dose ZHR groups at the daily dose of 21.6, 10.8, 5.4 g/kg by gastrogavage for 7 successive days, equal volume of pure water was administered to rats in the blank control group and the model group by gastrogavage for 7 successive days. Rat heart was collected for pathomorphological observation under light microscope.

RESULTSIn the model group the heart muscle fiber was swollen and deformed with widened space, loose and dropsy tissues. Blood vessels in myocardial mesenchymal were dilated, infiltrated with more inflammatory cells. Myocardial cells were markedly swollen, degenerated, or necrotic, with caryolysis or disappearance of partial nuclear. A large amount of collagen fibrous tissue became hyperplasia. Endocardial blood vessels were swollen and degenerated with infiltration of few inflammatory cells. Epicardium tissue and structure were destroyed and got hyperplasia. Swollen, degenerated, or necrotic vessels could be seen, with infiltration of more inflammatory cells and collagen deposition. Pathomorphological injuries were alleviated in each ZHR group. The higher ZHR concentration, the milder the injury degree of myocardial tissue, the more limited range of damage.

CONCLUSIONZHR could attenuate pathomorphological injuries of myocardial ischemia rats with SDBSS and regulate myocardial function, thus improving myocardial ischemia in CHD rats with SDBSS.

Animals ; Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Myocardium ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar