ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Sizi Powder （四子散， SP） orientation osmotherapy in the treatment of stroke patients with hemiplegia. MethodsIn this study， 94 patients with post-stroke hemiplegia were randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group with 47 patients in each group. The control group received conventional treatment， nursing and rehabilitation training， while the treatment group was treated with SP orientation osmotherapy in addition to the treatments in the control group. The treatment consisted of 20 minutes per session， once daily， 5 times a week， 2 weeks per course， with a total of 2 courses. Before the intervention， after 2 weeks intervention and after 4 weeks intervention， the upper limb motor function was evaluated by using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment （U-FMA）. The modified Ashworth Scale （MAS） was used to assess upper limb spasticity， and joint range of motion was measured for shoulder flexion， extension， abduction， internal rotation， external rotation， elbow flexion， wrist palmar flexion， dorsiflexion， ulnar deviation， and radial deviation. Clinical efficacy for spasticity was evaluated after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. Skin conditions， including burns， allergic reactions， and blisters， were monitored during the treatment process. ResultsA total of 44 patients in the treatment group and 45 patients in the control group completed the study. The results showed that after 2 and 4 weeks of intervention， the U-FMA scores of both groups increased， with the treatment group showing higher scores than the control group （P＜0.05）. After 4 weeks of treatment， the MAS score distribution improved significantly in both groups （P＜0.05）， although no significant difference was found between the groups after 2 and 4 weeks treatment（P＞0.05）. The total effective rate of spasticity clinical efficacy in the treatment group after 2 and 4 weeks was 15.91% （7/44） and 40.91% （18/44）， respectively， while in the control group， it was 11.11% （5/45） and 22.22% （10/45）. There was no significant difference after 2 weeks treatment （P＞0.05）， but the treatment group showed a significantly higher total effective rate after 4 weeks treatment （P＜0.05）. After 2 and 4 weeks of treatment， the joint range of motion in the upper limbs was greater in both groups （P＜0.05）. After 2 weeks of intervention， the treatment group showed greater range of motion in shoulder flexion， extension， and abduction than the control group， and after 4 weeks of intervention， the treatment group demonstrated greater range of motion in shoulder flexion， extension， abduction， internal rotation， external rotation， and elbow flexion compared to the control group （P＜0.05）. During the treatment， one patient in the treatment group experienced mild skin allergy， while no other severe adverse reactions， such as intense pain， itching， blisters， or infection， were observed in any patients. ConclusionSP orientation osmotherapy can effectively improve upper limb motor function and joint range of motion in stroke patients with hemiplegia. After 4 weeks of treatment， it can reduce upper limb spasticity and improve clinical efficacy， with good safety.

ObjectiveThe antitumor activity of sesquiterpenoid M36 isolated from Myrrha against human hepatoma HepG2 cells was investigated in this study. MethodHepG2 cells were treated with M36 at different concentrations （0， 2， 4， 6， 8， 10 μmol·L^-1）. Firstly， the effects of M36 on the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells were detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT）， colony formation assay， and EdU proliferation assay. Hoechst staining， flow cytometry analysis， and Western blot were used to explore the effect of M36 on the apoptosis of human hepatoma HepG2 cells. Acridine orange staining and western blotting were used to examine the effect of M36 on autophagy in HepG2 cells. Finally， Western blot was used to detect protein expression of cancer-related signaling pathways. ResultCompared with the blank group， M36 treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells （P<0.01）， and the half inhibitory concentration （IC₅₀） value of M36 for 48 h was 5.03 μmol·L^-1， in a dose- and time-dependent manner. M36 was also able to induce apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. After treatment with 8 μmol·L^-1 M36 for 48 hours， the apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells was （42.03±9.65）% （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， HepG2 cells treated with 4 and 8 μmol·L^-1 M36 for 48 h had a significant increase in cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase （cleaved-PARP） protein levels （P<0.01）. Acridine orange staining showed that autophagy was significantly activated in HepG2 cells treated with 4 and 8 μmol·L^-1 M36 for 48 h compared with the blank group （P<0.01）， which was further verified by the up-regulation of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 Ⅱ （LC3 Ⅱ）. Western blot results showed that compared with the blank group， the levels of phosphorylated extracellular regulated protein kinase （p-ERK）， phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p-p38 MAPK）， phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase （p-JNK）， and its downstream nuclear transcription factors c-Jun and p-c-Jun protein were significantly increased in M36 group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of MAPK signaling pathway. ConclusionThe sesquiterpenoid M36 isolated from Myrrha inhibits the proliferation of human hepatoma HepG2 cells and promotes apoptosis and autophagy， which may be related to the activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the level of deltamethrin resistance and mutation sites in the sodium iron channel gene in Rhipicephalus microplus in Huaihua City, Hunan Province, and to examine the correlation between deltamethrin resistance and mutation sites in the sodium iron channel gene in Rh. microplus. Methods Rh. microplus was sampled from multiple yellow cattle farms in Huaihua City, Hunan Province from June to September 2022, and the level of resistance to deltamethrin was determined in ticks using the adult immersion test. The sodium iron channel domain III gene was amplified in deltamethrin-resistant and wild-type Rh. microplus using PCR assay. Following sequencing and sequence alignment, mutation sites were detected in bases. The sodium iron channel domain III gene in Rh. microplus was translated, and the signal peptide, transmembrane domain, and phosphorylation and glycosylation sites were detected in amino acid sequences. The tertiary structures of the sodium iron channel domain III protein of deltamethrin-resistant and wild-type Rh. microplus were deduced and compared, and the association be tween mutation sites in bases and resistance to deltamethrin was examined in Rh. microplus according the level of deltamethrin resistance, sequence alignment and protein tertiary structure. Results The median (LC₅₀) and 95% lethal concentrations (LC₉₅) of deltamethrin were 121.39 mg/L and 952.61 mg/L against Rh. microplus, with a resistance factor of 9.24 and level II resistance. The sequence of the sodium ion channel domain III gene was 1 010 bp in size, and mutation sites were detected in two neighboring bases in the sequence of the sodium ion channel domain III gene in deltamethrin-resistant Rh. microplus. Although no signal peptides were found in the sodium iron channel domain III protein of deltamethrin-resistant or wild-type Rh. microplus, 6 trans-membrane domains, 42 phosphorylation sites and 8 glycosylation sites were identified, with a significant difference in the tertiary structure of the sodium iron channel domain III protein between deltamethrin-resistant and wild-type Rh. microplus. Conclusions Level II resistance to deltamethrin is detected in Rh. microplus in Huaihua City, Hunan Province, and two mutation sites that correlate with the emergence of deltamethrin resistance are identified in the sequence of the sodium iron channel domain III gene in deltamethrin-resistant Rh. microplus.

Objective:Inflammation in the central nervous system plays a crucial role in the occurrence and development of sepsis-associated encephalopathy.This study aims to explore the effects of maresin 1(MaR1),an anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving lipid mediator,on sepsis-induced neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment. Methods:Mice were randomly assigned to 4 groups:A sham group(sham operation+vehicle),a cecal ligation and puncture(CLP)group(CLP operation+vehicle),a MaR1-LD group(CLP operation+1 ng MaR1),and a MaR1-HD group(CLP operation+10 ng MaR1).MaR1 or vehicle was intraperitoneally administered starting 1 h before CLP operation,then every other day for 7 days.Survival rates were monitored,and serum inflammatory cytokines[tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6]were measured 24 h after operation using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Cognitive function was assessed 7 days after operation using the Morris water maze(MWM)test and novel object recognition(NOR)task.The mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),IL-4,IL-10,and arginase 1(Arg1)in cortical and hippocampal tissues was determined by real-time reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR).Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression of iNOS,Arg1,signal transducer and activator of transcription 6(STAT6),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARγ),and phosphorylated STAT6(p-STAT6)in hippocampal tissue.Microglia activation was visualized via immunofluorescence.Mice were also treated with the PPARγ antagonist GW9662 to confirm the involvement of this pathway in MaR1's effects. Results:CLP increased serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6,and reduced body weight and survival rates(all P＜0.05).Both 1 ng and 10 ng doses of MaR1 significantly reduced serum TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 levels,improved body weight,and increased survival rates(all P＜0.05).No significant difference in efficacy was observed between the 2 doses(all P＞0.05).MWM test and NOR task indicated that CLP impaired spatial learning,which MaR1 mitigated.However,GW9662 partially reversed MaR1's protective effects.Real-time RT-PCR results demonstrated that,compared to the sham group,mRNA expression of TNF-α,IL-1β,and iNOS significantly increased in hippocampal tissues following CLP(all P＜0.05),while IL-4,IL-10,and Arg1 showed a slight decrease,though the differences were not statistically significant(all P＞0.05).Compared to the CLP group,both 1 ng and 10 ng MaR1 decreased TNF-α,IL-1β,and iNOS mRNA expression in hippocampal tissues and increased IL-4,IL-10,and Arg1 mRNA expression(all P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence results indicated a significant increase in Iba1-positive microglia in the hippocampus after CLP compared to the sham group(P＜0.05).Administration of 1 ng and 10 ng MaR1 reduced the percentage area of Iba1-positive cells in the hippocampus compared to the CLP group(both P＜0.05).Western blotting results showed that,compared to the CLP group,both 1 ng and 10 ng MaR1 down-regulated the iNOS expression,while up-regulated the expression of Arg1,PPARγ,and p-STAT6(all P＜0.05).However,the inclusion of GW9662 counteracted the MaR1-induced upregulation of Arg1 and PPARγ compared to the MaR1-LD group(all P＜0.05). Conclusion:MaR1 inhibits the classical activation of hippocampal microglia,promotes alternative activation,reduces sepsis-induced neuroinflammation,and improves cognitive decline.

This work aims to explore the effect of glycolysis on the replication of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs). The changes of glucose metabolism, PRRSV protein levels, PRRSV titers, and the relative expression levels of genes and proteins in PAMs were analyzed by ELISA, qPCR, virus titration, and Western blotting after PRRSV infection. The effect of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) on PRRSV replication was subsequently assessed by specific siRNAs targeting to HIF-1α. The results showed that PRRSV infection enhanced glycolysis, elevated the levels of glucose uptake and lactate in the supernatant (P<0.05 and 0.01, respectively), reduced ATP production (P<0.05), and up-regulated the expression of hexokinase 2 (HK2), 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2, 6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), and pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) in PAMs (P<0.05 and 0.01, respectively). Glycolysis inhibitors down-regulated the expression of PRRSV proteins and reduced virus titers (P<0.01). The knockdown of HIF-1α by siRNAs inhibited glycolysis and lowered PRRSV titers (P<0.05). In addition, the interferon pathways inhibited by PRRSV infection were reversed by the inhibition of glycolysis. These findings may facilitate further investigation of the role of glycolysis in PRRSV replication.
Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus/physiology* ; Glycolysis ; Swine ; Animals ; Virus Replication ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/genetics* ; Macrophages, Alveolar/metabolism* ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/virology* ; Cells, Cultured ; RNA, Small Interfering/genetics*

Cross-Sectional Studies ; Urodynamics ; China

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine the effects of low-level laser (LLL) on the expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, osteoprotegerin (OPG), and receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) in human periodontal ligament cells (HPDLCs) stimulated by high glucose; and identify the molecular mechanism of LLL therapy in the regulation of periodontal inflammation and bone remodeling during orthodontic treatment in diabetic patients. METHODS: HPDLCs were cultured in vitro to simulate orthodontic after loading and irradiated with LLL therapy. The cultured cells were randomly divided into four groups: low glucose Dulbecco's modification of Eagle's medium (DMEM)+stress stimulation (group A), high glucose DMEM+stress stimulation (group B), hypoglycemic DMEM+LLL therapy+stress stimulation (group C), and hyperglycemic DMEM+LLL therapy+stress stimulation (group D). Groups C and D were further divided into C1 and D1 (energy density: 3.75 J/cm²) and C2 and D2 (energy density: 5.625 J/cm²). Cells in groups A, B, C, and D were irradiated by LLL before irradiation. At 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, the supernatants of the cell cultures were extracted at regular intervals, and the protein expression levels of IL-6, TNF-α, OPG, and RANKL were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: 1) The levels of IL-6 and TNF-α secreted by HPDLCs increased gradually with time under static pressure stimulation. After 12 h, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α secreted by HPDLCs in group A were significantly higher than those in groups B, C1, and C2 (P<0.05), which in group B were significantly higher than those in groups D1, and D2 (P<0.01). 2) The OPG protein concentration showed an upward trend before 24 h and a downward trend thereafter. The RANKL protein concentration increased, whereas the OPG/RANKL ratio decreased with time. Significant differen-ces in OPG, RANKL, and OPG/RANKL ratio were found among group A and groups B, C1, C2 as well as group B and groups D1, D2 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS 1) In the high glucose+stress stimulation environment, the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α secreted by HPDLCs increased with time, the expression of OPG decreased, the expression of RANKL increased, and the ratio of OPG/RANKL decreased. As such, high glucose environment can promote bone resorption. After LLL therapy, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α decreased, indicating that LLL therapy could antagonize the increase in the levels of inflammatory factors induced by high glucose environment and upregulate the expression of OPG in human HPDLCs, downregulation of RANKL expression in HPDLCs resulted in the upregulation of the ratio of OPG/RANKL and reversed the imbalance of bone metabolism induced by high glucose levels. 2) The decrease in inflammatory factors and the regulation of bone metabolism in HPDLCs were enhanced with increasing laser energy density within 3.75-5.625 J/cm². Hence, the ability of LLL therapy to modulate bone remodeling increases with increasing dose.
Humans ; Osteoprotegerin ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/pharmacology* ; RANK Ligand/pharmacology* ; Periodontal Ligament/metabolism* ; Lasers ; Glucose/pharmacology*

Objective To analyze the sequence characteristics of Rhipicephalus microplus Enolase gene, and to predict the secondary and tertiary structure and antigenic epitopes of the Enolase protein. Methods Sixty-two engorged female R. microplus were sampled from a yellow cattle breeding farm in Zhijiang County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province in June 25, 2022. Genomic DNA was isolated from R. microplus, and the Enolase gene was amplified using PCR assay, followed by cloning, sequencing and expression of the amplification product. The sequence characteristics of the Enolase gene were analyzed using the software Clustal X, and the gene sequence was translated into amino acid sequences. The secondary and tertiary structures of the Enolase protein were deduced using the software PRABI, and the physicochemical properties of the Enolase protein were analyzed using the software PRABI. In addition, the B- and T-cell epitopes of the Enolase protein were predicted using the software ABCpred Prediction, Scratch, IEDB and NetCTL. Results The R. microplus Enolase gene sequence was 1 323 bp in size, and the contents of A, T, G and C bases were 24.5%, 22.5%, 27.0% and 26.0%,with 47.0% of A + T content and 53.0% of G + C content. The R. microplus Enolase gene encoded 434 amino acids, and the Enolase protein had a molecular weight of 47.12 kDa. The secondary structure of the Enolase protein contained 186 α-helixes (42.86%), 32 β-turns (7.37%), 144 random coils (33.18%) and 72 extended strands (16.59%). The Enolase protein was most probably present in cytoplasm (76.7%), followed by in mitochondrion (39.1%) and nucleus (21.7%), and the Enolase protein had no signal peptide or transmembrane domain. In addition, the Enolase protein had 14 B-cell dominant epitopes and 8 T-cell dominant epitopes. Conclusions The R. microplus Enolase gene sequence exhibits a GC preference, and its encoding Enolase protein is an acidic and hydrophilic protein, with α-helixes and random coils as its primary structure, and presenting B- and T-cell dominant epitopes, which is a potential target for development of vaccines against R. microplus.

Humans ; Leg/pathology* ; Skin Neoplasms/pathology* ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology*

AIM: To investigate the effect of peripheral defocus spectacles and orthokeratology lenses on the control of axial length in children and adolescents with myopia.METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 71 cases(134 eyes)of children and adolescents with myopia who visited the Second Hospital of Longyan from June 2019 to June 2021 were selected. They were fitted with peripheral defocus spectacles for 12mo and then switched to orthokeratology lenses. The growth of axial length was observed at 3, 6, and 12mo after wearing peripheral defocus spectacles and orthokeratology lenses.RESULTS: The median axial length growth after wearing peripheral defocus spectacles and orthokeratology lenses for 12mo was 0.35 and 0.14mm, respectively. The axial growth at 3, 6, and 12mo after wearing orthokeratology lenses was lower than those after wearing peripheral defocus spectacles(P<0.001), and the growth rate of axial length was significantly reduced. The patients were divided into a rapid progression group(axial growth ≥0.4 mm, 29 cases, 54 eyes)and a non-rapid progression group(axial growth <0.4mm, 42 cases, 80 eyes)according to the axial growth of peripheral defocus spectacles for 12mo. The median axial growth after wearing peripheral defocus spectacles for 12mo in the two groups was 0.70 and 0.24mm, respectively, while the median axial growth after wearing orthokeratology lenses was 0.31 and 0.09mm, respectively. The growth rate was reduced by 56% and 63% respectively in the two groups after wearing orthokeratology lens. The axial growth of cases wearing orthokeratology lenses for 12mo in the non-rapid progression group was lower than that in the rapid progression group, and it did not change with age or diopter. There was no significant difference among different ages and different diopters in the rapid progression group(P>0.05). In the non-rapid progression group, axial growth of cases aged 7-12 years was higher than those aged 13-16 years(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among different diopters(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Orthokeratology lens is more effective than peripheral defocus spectacles in controlling axial growth in children and adolescents with myopia, and the control effect of orthokeratology lens on rapid-progressing myopia is remarkable.