AIM To optimize the extraction process for uracil,hypoxanthine,xanthine,uridine,thymine,inosine,guanosine and 2'-deoxyguanosine from Pheretima guillelmi(Michaelsen),and to determine their contents.METHODS With solid-liquid ratio,ultrasonic time and ultrasonic temperature as influencing factors,contents of hypoxanthine and total nucleosides as evaluation indices,the extraction process was optimized by orthogonal test.HPLC was adopted in the content determination of varioud nucleosides,the analysis was performed on a 30℃thermostatic Agilent C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of methanol-water flowing at 1 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelength was set at 260 nm.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 1∶250 for solid-liquid ratio,60 min for ultrasonic time,and 60℃for ultrasonic temperature.Eight nucleosides showed good linear relationships within their own ranges(R2＞0.999 0),whose average recoveries were 99.11%-103.27%with the RSDs of 0.85%-2.89%.CONCLUSION This stable and reliable method can be used for the extraction and content determination of nucleosides from P.guillelmi.

Objective:To explore the role of NK cells in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell micro-transplantation(MST)in the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML).Methods:Data from 93 AML patients treated with MST at our center from 2013-2018 were retrospectively analyzed.The induction regimen was anthracycline and cytarabine combined with peripheral blood stem cells transplantation mobilization by granulocyte colony stimulating factor(GPBSC),followed by 2-4 courses of intensive treatment with medium to high doses of cytarabine combined with GPBSC after achieving complete remission(CR).The therapeutic effects of one and two courses of MST induction therapy on 42 patients who did not reach CR before transplantation were evaluated.Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to analyze the impact of donor NK cell dose and KIR genotype,including KIR ligand mismatch,2DS1,haplotype,and HLA-Cw ligands on survival prognosis of patients.Results:Forty-two patients received MST induction therapy,and the CR rate was 57.1％after 1 course and 73.7％after 2 courses.Multivariate analysis showed that,medium and high doses of NK cells was significantly associated with improved disease-free survival(DFS)of patients(HR=0.27,P=0.005;HR=0.21,P=0.001),and high doses of NK cells was significantly associated with improved overall survival(OS)of patients(HR=0.15,P=0.000).Donor 2DS1 positive significantly increases OS of patients(HR=0.25,P=0.011).For high-risk patients under 60 years old,patients of the donor-recipient KIR ligand mismatch group had longer DFS compared to the nonmismatch group(P=0.036);donor 2DS1 positive significantly prolonged OS of patients(P=0.009).Conclusion:NK cell dose,KIR ligand mismatch and 2DS1 influence the therapeutic effect of MST,improve the survival of AML patients.

OBJECTIVE: To provide useful information for selecting the most appropriate peripheral nerve injury model for different research purposes in nerve injury and repair studies, and to compare nerve regeneration capacity and characteristics between them. METHODS: Sixty adult SD rats were randomly divided into two groups and underwent crush injury alone (group A, n = 30) or transection injury followed by surgical repair (group B, n = 30) of the right hind paw. Each group was subjected to the CatWalk test, gastrocnemius muscle evaluation, pain threshold measurement, electrophysiological examination, retrograde neuronal labeling, and quantification of nerve regeneration before and 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after injury. RESULTS: Gait analysis showed that the recovery speed in group A was significantly faster than that in group B at 14 days. At 21 days, the compound muscle action potential of the gastrocnemius muscle in group A was significantly higher than that in group B, and the number of labeled motor neurons in group B was lower than that in group A. The number of new myelin sheaths and the g-ratio were higher in group A than in group B. There was a 7-day time difference in the regeneration rate between the two injury groups. CONCLUSION The regeneration of nerve fibers was rapid after crush nerve injury, whereas the transection injury was relatively slow, which provides some ideas for the selection of clinical research models.
Animals ; Rats ; Nerve Fibers ; Nerve Regeneration ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sciatic Nerve/injuries*

On the basis of establishing the prescription of Xinjianqu and clarifying the increase of the lipid-lowering active ingredients of Xinjianqu by fermentation, this paper further compared the differences in the lipid-lowering effects of Xinjianqu before and after fermentation, and studied the mechanism of Xinjianqu in the treatment of hyperlipidemia. Seventy SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups, including normal group, model group, positive drug simvastatin group(0.02 g·kg~(-1)), and low-dose and high-dose Xinjianqu groups before and after fermentation(1.6 g·kg~(-1) and 8 g·kg~(-1)), with ten rats in each group. Rats in each group were given high-fat diet continuously for six weeks to establish the model of hyperlipidemia(HLP). After successful modeling, the rats were given high-fat diet and gavaged by the corresponding drugs for six weeks, once a day, to compare the effects of Xinjianqu on the body mass, liver coefficient, and small intestine propulsion rate of rats with HLP before and after fermentation. The effects of Xinjianqu before and after fermentation on total cholesterol(TC), triacylglyceride(TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), aspartate aminotransferase(AST), blood urea nitrogen(BUN), creatinine(Cr), motilin(MTL), gastrin(GAS), and the Na~+-K~+-ATPase levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The effects of Xinjianqu on liver morphology of rats with HLP were investigated by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O fat staining. The effects of Xinjianqu on the protein expression of adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK), phosphorylated AMPK(p-AMPK), liver kinase B1(LKB1), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutarate monoacyl coenzyme A reductase(HMGCR) in liver tissues were investigated by immunohistochemistry. The effects of Xinjianqu on the regulation of intestinal flora structure of rats with HLP were studied based on 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing technology. The results showed that compared with those in the normal group, rats in the model group had significantly higher body mass and liver coefficient(P<0.01), significantly lower small intestine propulsion rate(P<0.01), significantly higher serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, AST, BUN, Cr, and AQP2(P<0.01), and significantly lower serum levels of HDL-C, MTL, GAS, Na~+-K~+-ATP levels(P<0.01). The protein expression of AMPK, p-AMPK, and LKB1 in the livers of rats in the model group was significantly decreased(P<0.01), and that of HMGCR was significantly increased(P<0.01). In addition, the observed＿otus, Shannon, and Chao1 indices were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01) in rat fecal flora in the model group. Besides, in the model group, the relative abundance of Firmicutes was reduced, while that of Verrucomicrobia and Proteobacteria was increased, and the relative abundance of beneficial genera such as Ligilactobacillus and Lachnospiraceae＿NK4A136＿group was reduced. Compared with the model group, all Xinjianqu groups regulated the body mass, liver coefficient, and small intestine index of rats with HLP(P<0.05 or P<0.01), reduced the serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, ALT, AST, BUN, Cr, and AQP2, increased the serum levels of HDL-C, MTL, GAS, and Na~+-K~+-ATP, improved the liver morphology, and increased the protein expression gray value of AMPK, p-AMPK, and LKB1 in the liver of rats with HLP and decreased that of LKB1. Xinjianqu groups could regulate the intestinal flora structure of rats with HLP, increased observed＿otus, Shannon, Chao1 indices, and increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Ligilactobacillus(genus), Lachnospiraceae＿NK4A136＿group(genus). Besides, the high-dose Xinjianqu-fermented group had significant effects on body mass, liver coefficient, small intestine propulsion rate, and serum index levels of rats with HLP(P<0.01), and the effects were better than those of Xinjianqu groups before fermentation. The above results show that Xinjianqu can improve the blood lipid level, liver and kidney function, and gastrointestinal motility of rats with HLP, and the improvement effect of Xinjianqu on hyperlipidemia is significantly enhanced by fermentation. The mechanism may be related to AMPK, p-AMPK, LKB1, and HMGCR protein in the LKB1-AMPK pathway and the regulation of intestinal flora structure.
Rats ; Animals ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Fermentation ; Aquaporin 2/metabolism* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Liver ; Lipids ; Hyperlipidemias/genetics* ; Adenosine Triphosphate/pharmacology* ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects*

COVID-19/genetics* ; Genome, Viral/genetics* ; Humans ; RNA, Viral/genetics* ; RNA-Seq ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; Whole Genome Sequencing

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety of hypomenthylating agents (HMA) combined with Venetoclax (VEN) and half dose priming regimen (CAG-like) in the treatment of elderly patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were not suitable for intensive chemotherapy. METHODS: The clinical data of 43 newly diagnosed elderly patients with AML who were not suitable for intensive chemotherapy in our hospital from April 2019 to October 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 16 cases received HMA-VEN regimen and 27 cases received HMA-CAG-like regimen. The remission rate, early mortality and survival were compared between the two groups. And, the patients were grouped according to HCT-CI score. The effects of two different regimens in different groups on the efficacy and survival of patients were compared, and the prognosis of patients was further analyzed. RESULTS: After one course of treatment, the total remission rate of HMA-VEN group and HMA-CAG-like group was 81.3% (13/16) and 51.9% (14/27), respectively, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ2=4.650, P=0.045). The median overall survival (OS) time of HMA-VEN group had not yet reached, while that of HMA-CAG-like group was 11.2 months, and the HMA-VEN group had a longer OS (P=0.055). There was no tumor lysis syndrome occurred in both groups. The main adverse reactions were digestive tract reaction, bone marrow suppression and infection. The amount of agranulocytosis infection, pulmonary infection and platelet infusion in HMA-VEN group were significantly lower than those in HMA-CAG-like group (P<0.05), while the time of agranulocytosis and amount of erythrocyte infusion were similar (P>0.05). In HMA-Ven group 1 case died early, while in HMA-CAG-like group 8 cases died early due to pulmonary infection, respiratory failure, cerebral hemorrhage, and alveolar hemorrhage, the mortality in HMA-CAG-like group was significantly higher than that in HMA-VEN group (P=0.043). Among 43 patients, there was a significant difference in OS between HCT score 0-2 group and ≥3 group (P=0.033). In HMA-CAG-like group, patients with HCT score ≥3 had a worse prognosis (P=0.01), while in HMA-VEN group patients showed no statistically significant difference in prognosis (P=0.681). In HCT score 0-2 group, 9 cases receiving HMA-VEN regimen and 22 cases receiving HMA-CAG-like regimen showed no statistical difference in OS (P=0.281). In HCT score ≥3 group, 7 cases receiving HMA-VEN regimen had a longer OS than 5 cases receiving HMA-CAG-like regimen (P=0.015). CONCLUSION Venetoclax combined with HMA can achieve higher response rate, lower early mortality, and longer OS, especially in those with more comorbidities and poor tolerability.
Humans ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy*

SARS-CoV-2 infection causes complicated clinical manifestations with variable multi-organ injuries, however, the underlying mechanism, in particular immune responses in different organs, remains elusive. In this study, comprehensive transcriptomic alterations of 14 tissues from rhesus macaque infected with SARS-CoV-2 were analyzed. Compared to normal controls, SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in dysregulation of genes involving diverse functions in various examined tissues/organs, with drastic transcriptomic changes in cerebral cortex and right ventricle. Intriguingly, cerebral cortex exhibited a hyperinflammatory state evidenced by significant upregulation of inflammation response-related genes. Meanwhile, expressions of coagulation, angiogenesis and fibrosis factors were also up-regulated in cerebral cortex. Based on our findings, neuropilin 1 (NRP1), a receptor of SARS-CoV-2, was significantly elevated in cerebral cortex post infection, accompanied by active immune response releasing inflammatory factors and signal transmission among tissues, which enhanced infection of the central nervous system (CNS) in a positive feedback way, leading to viral encephalitis. Overall, our study depicts a multi-tissue/organ transcriptomic landscapes of rhesus macaque with early infection of SARS-CoV-2, and provides important insights into the mechanistic basis for COVID-19-associated clinical complications.
Animals ; COVID-19/genetics* ; Macaca mulatta ; SARS-CoV-2/genetics* ; Transcriptome

ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of Xuebijing injection （XBJ） on sodium taurocholate （Na-Tc）-induced severe acute pancreatitis （SAP） in rats. MethodForty rats were randomly assigned into 5 groups： sham operation group， SAP model group， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （4， 8， 12 mL·kg·d^-1， respectively） XBJ groups. SAP model was established by retrograde injection of Na-Tc （1 mL·kg^-1） into the biliary and pancreatic ducts. XBJ was injected intraperitoneally 3 days before and 0.5 h after modeling. The ascitic fluid volume and the pancreas weight-to-body weight ratio were measured. The pathological changes of pancreatic tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The protein levels of formyl peptide receptor 1 （FPR1） and nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3 （NLRP3） in pancreatic tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase chains 1-6 （MT-ND1， MT-ND2， MT-ND3， MT-ND4， MT-ND5， and MT-ND6） in rat plasma. ResultCompared with sham operation group， the SAP model group showcased increased ascitic fluid volume and pancreas weight-to-body weight ratio （P<0.05）， serious lesions in pancreatic tissue， increased total pathological score （P<0.05）， and up-regulated protein levels of FPR1 and NLRP3 in pancreatic tissue （P<0.05）. The model group had lower MT-ND2 level （P<0.05） and higher MT-ND1， MT-ND3， and MT-ND6 levels in plasma （P<0.05） than the sham operation group， while MT-ND4 and MT-ND5 had no significant differences between the two groups. Compared with SAP model group， the XBJ treatment decreased ascitic fluid volume and pancreas weight-to-body weight ratio （P<0.01）， ameliorated pancreatic lesions， and down-regulated the protein levels of FPR1 and NLRP3 in pancreatic tissue （P<0.01）. The treatments， especially high-dose XBJ （P<0.01）， down-regulated the expression of MT-ND1 （P<0.01）， MT-ND3 （P<0.01）， MT-ND6 （P<0.01）， and MT-ND4 and did not change that of MT-ND5. ConclusionXBJ may antagonize partial mitochondrial N-formyl peptides and excessive inflammatory response mediated by FPR1/NLRP3 to treat SAP in rats.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of enterovirus (EV) VP1 gene from cases with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) in Songjiang district of Shanghai in 2019.Methods:Samples from suspected HFMD cases were detected using real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells were used for EV culture. VP1 genes of the isolated EV A species were sequenced. The sequences of nucleotide and amino acid of EV A species were used in phylogenetic and homology analysis by MEGA X software.Results:Totally 207 HFMD specimens were detected in 2019, of which 188 specimens were screened positive for EV. The positive rates of Coxsackievirus (CV)-A6, CV-A16, CV-A10 and CV-A4 were 47.34% (89/188), 41.49% (78/188), 3.72% (7/188) and 2.66% (5/188), respectively. Other EV species were 4.79% (9/188) positive and EV-A71 was not detected. During the summer epidemic peak of HFMD (May to July), B1 gene subtype of CV-A16 was detected more frequently, of which B1a and B1b evolutionary branches were prevalent together. The CV-A6 virus of D3a branch dominated in secondary peak of autumn and winter (September to December). CV-A10 and CV-A4 were sporadic and both respective strains belonged to subtypes of C2 gene. Compared with the prototype strains, the nucleotide (amino acid) sequence homologies of CV-A6, CV-A16, CV-A10 and CV-A4 VP1 genes were 79.22%-81.78% (95.97%~-97.19%), 62.70%-65.54% (90.10%-91.30%), 81.76%-82.65% (91.63% -92.03%) and 81.09%-81.79% (97.27%-97.67%), respectively.Conclusions:The diversity and complexity of HFMD pathogen epidemic increase the difficulty of HFMD prevention and control. The expansion of EV surveillance programs and the studies on the molecular epidemiology of EV are helpful for the prevention and control of HFMD.

BACKGROUND: Shenyankangfu Tablet (SYKFT) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been used widely to decrease proteinuria and the progression of chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: This trial compared the efficacy and safety of SYKFT, for the control of proteinuria in primary glomerulonephritis patients, against the standard drug, losartan potassium. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Primary glomerulonephritis patients, aged 18-70 years, with blood pressure ≤ 140/90 mmHg, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 45 mL/min per 1.73 m MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was change in the 24-hour proteinuria level, after 48 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 735 participants were enrolled. The percent decline of urine protein quantification in the SYKFT group after 48 weeks was 8.78% ± 2.56% (P = 0.006) more than that in the losartan 50 mg group, which was 0.51% ± 2.54% (P = 1.000) less than that in the losartan 100 mg group. Compared with the losartan potassium 50 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 50 mg group had a 13.39% ± 2.49% (P < 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein level. Compared with the losartan potassium 100 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 100 mg group had a 9.77% ± 2.52% (P = 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein. With a superiority threshold of 15%, neither was statistically significant. eGFR, serum creatinine and serum albumin from the baseline did not change statistically significant. The average change in TCM syndrome score between the patients who took SYKFT (-3.00 [-6.00, -2.00]) and who did not take SYKFT (-2.00 [-5.00, 0]) was statistically significant (P = 0.003). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any group. CONCLUSION: SYKFT decreased the proteinuria and improved the TCM syndrome scores of primary glomerulonephritis patients, with no change in the rate of decrease in the eGFR. SYKFT plus losartan potassium therapy decreased proteinuria more than losartan potassium therapy alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02063100 on ClinicalTrials.gov.