Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a fasting or stress inducible metabolic hormone produced mainly in the liver. It plays important roles in regulating both glucose and lipid homeostasis via interacting with a heterodimeric receptor complex comprising FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and β-klotho (KLB). For the past decade, great effort has been made on developing FGF21 derivatives or specific FGF21 receptor agonists into therapeutic agents for various metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and more importantly, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here we have reviewed FGF21 gene and protein structures, its expression pattern, cellular signaling cascades that mediate FGF21 production and function. We have then summarized the six clinical trials utilizing four FGF21 analogues. Finally, two recent literatures on the development of GLP-1 and FGF21 dual agonists were presented briefly.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a fasting or stress inducible metabolic hormone produced mainly in the liver. It plays important roles in regulating both glucose and lipid homeostasis via interacting with a heterodimeric receptor complex comprising FGF receptor 1 (FGFR1) and β-klotho (KLB). For the past decade, great effort has been made on developing FGF21 derivatives or specific FGF21 receptor agonists into therapeutic agents for various metabolic disorders including type 2 diabetes (T2D), obesity, and more importantly, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Here we have reviewed FGF21 gene and protein structures, its expression pattern, cellular signaling cascades that mediate FGF21 production and function. We have then summarized the six clinical trials utilizing four FGF21 analogues. Finally, two recent literatures on the development of GLP-1 and FGF21 dual agonists were presented briefly.

Objective To explore and analyze the influencing factors of family caregiving behavior and protective strategies in children with recurrent lower respiratory tract infection. Methods By reviewing the literature, a self-designed questionnaire for family caregiving behavior related to recurrent lower respiratory tract infection were adopted, including feeding behavior, hand hygiene, environmental factors, time of outdoor activities and family health-seeking behavior. Totally 206 cases with recurrent lower respiratory tract infection (the study group) and 206 cases with acute lower respiratory tract infection (the control group) were included and all cases were investigated by family caregiving behavior questionnaire. The influencing factors of family caregiving behavior of two groups were analyzed and compared. Results The feeding behavior in the study group was worse than that in the control group(χ2=5.14-14.76, P<0.05). There were significant differences in family health-seeking behavior (χ2=4.76, P=0.03), 49.50%(102/206) in the control group,38.8%(80/206)in the study group and passive smoking (χ2=5.70, P=0.02) between two groups. There was no significant difference between two groups in hand hygiene, time of outdoor activities, history of contacting with patients with respiratory tract infection, cold history (χ2=0.48-2.63, P>0.05). Conclusions We should guide parents to establish the right and reasonable family care behavior to effectively enhance children's physical fitness and disease resistance and to avoid exposure to infectious agents and harmful substances, reduce the occurrence of Recurrent Lower Respiratory Tract Infections.

Objective To study the curative effect of nasal irrigation combined with backslapping for sputum suctioning on respiratory tract infections in infants . Methods Two hundred and forty-seven infants with respiratory tract infections were enrolled in the study and divided into the control group and the experiment group by the medical record number . On the basis of routine care , the experiment group was treated with nasal irrigation to clear secretions . Result The time for rales and cough disappearing in the experiment group was shorter than that in the control group , and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0 . 05 ) . Conclusions Nasal irrigation combined with backslapping for sputum suctioning can effectively ease the main symptoms and signs , enhance the ventilation function , enhance sleep quality and promote the rehabilitation of the disease .

Aim To observe the effects of effective fraction of Epimedium,Astragalus,Radix Puerariae on behavioral and pathological changes in a transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.Methods Six-month-old APPswe /PS1 ΔE9 transgenic mice were ran-domly divided into 2 groups:model group and effective fraction group,1 0 mice each group.The mice in the effective fraction group were treated with the effective fraction of Astragalus,Radix Puerariae,Epimedium compound for 8 weeks.The C57BL/6J mice were used as negative control group.After 8 weeks,the learning and memory function were measured by Morris water maze,the pathological changes in brain tissue were ob-served by Modified Bielschowsky staining and Nissl 's staining.Results During place navigation trial,the escape latency in the APPswe /PS1 ΔE9 double transgenic model mice was longer than those of the mice of C57 (P <0.05),the escape latency in the mice of effec-tive fraction group was significantly reduced than those of the mice in model group (P <0.05).During spatial probe trail,the platform-crossing times in the APPswe /PS1 ΔE9 double transgenic mice were different from the mice of C57 (P <0.05),the platform-crossing times in the mice of effective fraction group were significantly increased than those of the mice in model group (P <0.05).The average swimming velocity in the APPswe /PS1 ΔE9 double transgenic model mice was increased than that of mice of C57 (P <0.05 ),there was no significant difference between effective fraction group and model group (P > 0.05 ). The Modified Bielschowsky staining shows that the neuron fibers of the cerebral cortex of APPswe /PS1 ΔE9 double transgenic mice were enlarged,swelling,and dense.There were senile plaques and nerve fiber tangles in the cerebral cortex of APPswe /PS1 ΔE9 double transgenic mice.The neuron fibers of mice in the effective fraction group were relieved;there was a small amount of senile plaque.The Nissl’s staining shows that the neurons of the cerebral cortex of APPswe /PS1 ΔE9 mice were edema, the number of cells were decreased.The mice in the effective fraction group were free of the disease.Con-clusion The double transgenic APPswe /PS1 ΔE9 mice of AD can simulate the specific pathogenesis of AD, which may be the efficient experimental animal model. The effective fraction of epimedium,astragalus and ra-dix puerariae may have a neuroprotective effect against AD via improving the learning and memory ability,and reduce the cerebral cortex nerve fiber tangles,senile plaques and neurons edema changes.

The study is to investigate the effect of angiotensin II (Ang II) and its receptor blockers on migration and endothelin-1 (ET-1) expression of rat vascular adventitial fibroblast subpopulations. Vascular adventitial fibroblasts were individually expanded by using cloning rings, and the effects of Ang II on the migration of adventitial fibroblast subpopulations were evaluated by Transwell. Fluorescence quantitative-PCR detected the expression of preproET-1 mRNA induced by Ang II, and its receptor antagonists losartan and PD-123319. The concentration of ET-1 was determined by ELISA. It showed that spindle shaped and epithelioid shaped cells were isolated by using cloning rings, named as spindle cells and round cells. RT-PCR showed that fibroblast subpopulations did not have leukocytes, endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells, namely pure cell lines. Compared with respective control cells, two subpopulations had transferring ability. Ang II significantly improved round cells migration in a concentration-dependent manner, and had no obvious influence on spindle cells migration. Ang II (1 x 10(-8) - 1 x 10(-6) mol x L(-1)) significantly increased the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in round cells (P < 0.01), and had no significant effect on the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in spindle cells. Losartan blocked the expression of preproET-1 mRNA induced by Ang II in round cells, and had no significant effect on the expression of preproET-1 mRNA in spindle cells. The effects of Ang II and ET-1 receptor inhibitors on the release of ET-1 were similar to the expression of preproET-1 mRNA. The results indicate that there are two cell subpopulations: round cells and spindle cells in rat vascular adventitial fibroblasts. Ang II significantly improved cells migration, and increased the expression of ET-1 in round cell subpopulation. It suggested that there may be different migratory mechanisms in two cell subpopulations, and the two subpopulations may play a different role in vascular remodeling and reparative process.