This study aimed to investigate the correlation between changes in intestinal toxicity and compositional alterations of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix(commonly known as Langdu) before and after milk processing, and to explore the detoxification mechanism of milk processing. Mice were intragastrically administered the 95% ethanol extract of raw Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix, milk-decocted(milk-processed), and water-decocted(water-processed) Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. Fecal morphology, fecal water content, and the release levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in different intestinal segments were used as indicators to evaluate the effects of different processing methods on the cathartic effect and intestinal inflammatory toxicity of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. LC-MS/MS was employed to analyze the small-molecule components in the raw product, the 95% ethanol extract of the milk-processed product, and the milky waste(precipitate) formed during milk processing, to assess the impact of milk processing on the chemical composition of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. The results showed that compared with the blank group, both the raw and water-processed Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix significantly increased the fecal morphology score, fecal water content, and the release levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in various intestinal segments(P<0.05). Compared with the raw group, all indicators in the milk-processed group significantly decreased(P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in the water-processed group, indicating that milk, as an adjuvant in processing, plays a key role in reducing the intestinal toxicity of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix. Mass spectrometry results revealed that 29 components were identified in the raw product, including 28 terpenoids and 1 acetophenone. The content of these components decreased to varying extents after milk processing. A total of 28 components derived from Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix were identified in the milky precipitate, of which 27 were terpenoids, suggesting that milk processing promotes the transfer of toxic components from Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix into milk. To further investigate the effect of milk adjuvant processing on the toxic terpenoid components of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix, transmission electron microscopy(TEM) was used to observe the morphology of self-assembled casein micelles(the main protein in milk) in the milky precipitate. The micelles formed in casein-terpenoid solutions were characterized using particle size analysis, fluorescence spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy. TEM observations confirmed the presence of casein micelles in the milky precipitate. Characterization results showed that with increasing concentrations of toxic terpenoids, the average particle size of casein micelles increased, fluorescence intensity of the solution decreased, the maximum absorption wavelength in the UV spectrum shifted, and significant changes occurred in the infrared spectrum, indicating that interactions occurred between casein micelles and toxic terpenoid components. These findings indicate that the cathartic effect of Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix becomes milder and its intestinal inflammatory toxicity is reduced after milk processing. The detoxification mechanism is that terpenoid components in Euphorbiae Ebracteolatae Radix reassemble with casein in milk to form micelles, promoting the transfer of some terpenoids into the milky precipitate.
Animals ; Mice ; Milk/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Male ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/immunology* ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/immunology* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Female

Objective:To investigate the attention level of oral medicine residents in standardized training (referred to as residency training) to oral aesthetic information and its influencing factors.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study, which included 262 residents undergoing standardized training at Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University in January 2020. Among them, there were 73 males and 189 females, with an age range of 23-33 (26±2) years. A questionnaire survey method was used, and the questionnaire included the basic characteristics of the subjects (gender, grade, major, identity, and having training experience in prosthodontic base or not) as well as their attention to oral aesthetic information (facial proportions, facial midline, smile line, facial contour, E-line, nasolabial angle, tooth shape and contour, and tooth proportions). Differences in the attention to oral aesthetic information among residents with different basic characteristics were compared, and a multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the influencing factors.Results:Among the 262 oral medicine residents, 256 (97.7%) believed that it was necessary to pay attention to oral aesthetic information. The differences in attention to facial proportions between residents of different genders and between those with and without training experience in the prosthodontic base were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The results of the multivariate logistic regression showed that male residents were less likely to pay attention to facial proportions compared with female residents ( OR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.23-0.88). Compared with residents specializing in orthodontics, non-orthodontic residents were less likely to pay attention to the E-line ( OR=0.14-0.27, 95% CI: 0.04-0.68) and nasolabial angle ( OR=0.14-0.31, 95% CI: 0.04-0.81). Residents who were graduate students with integrated four certificates were more likely to pay attention to the E-line compared with industry-based personnel ( OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.01-3.49). Residents without training experience in the prosthodontic base were less likely to pay attention to the facial proportion ( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.20-0.97) and tooth shape and contour ( OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.11-0.98) compared with those with such training experience in prosthodontic base. Conclusions:Oral medicine residents have a high level of attention to oral aesthetic information. Gender, major, identity, and having training experience in the prosthodontic base or not are factors that influence their attention to oral aesthetic information.

Objective:To investigate the attention level of oral medicine residents in standardized training (referred to as residency training) to oral aesthetic information and its influencing factors.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study, which included 262 residents undergoing standardized training at Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University in January 2020. Among them, there were 73 males and 189 females, with an age range of 23-33 (26±2) years. A questionnaire survey method was used, and the questionnaire included the basic characteristics of the subjects (gender, grade, major, identity, and having training experience in prosthodontic base or not) as well as their attention to oral aesthetic information (facial proportions, facial midline, smile line, facial contour, E-line, nasolabial angle, tooth shape and contour, and tooth proportions). Differences in the attention to oral aesthetic information among residents with different basic characteristics were compared, and a multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the influencing factors.Results:Among the 262 oral medicine residents, 256 (97.7%) believed that it was necessary to pay attention to oral aesthetic information. The differences in attention to facial proportions between residents of different genders and between those with and without training experience in the prosthodontic base were statistically significant (both P<0.05). The results of the multivariate logistic regression showed that male residents were less likely to pay attention to facial proportions compared with female residents ( OR=0.45, 95% CI: 0.23-0.88). Compared with residents specializing in orthodontics, non-orthodontic residents were less likely to pay attention to the E-line ( OR=0.14-0.27, 95% CI: 0.04-0.68) and nasolabial angle ( OR=0.14-0.31, 95% CI: 0.04-0.81). Residents who were graduate students with integrated four certificates were more likely to pay attention to the E-line compared with industry-based personnel ( OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.01-3.49). Residents without training experience in the prosthodontic base were less likely to pay attention to the facial proportion ( OR=0.44, 95% CI: 0.20-0.97) and tooth shape and contour ( OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.11-0.98) compared with those with such training experience in prosthodontic base. Conclusions:Oral medicine residents have a high level of attention to oral aesthetic information. Gender, major, identity, and having training experience in the prosthodontic base or not are factors that influence their attention to oral aesthetic information.

Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Simendan/therapeutic use* ; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction ; Heart Failure/drug therapy* ; Peptide Fragments ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Biomarkers ; Prognosis

Objective:To investigate the pathological characteristics and the clinical significance of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)-infected pneumonia (termed by WHO as coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19).Methods:Minimally invasive autopsies from lung, heart, kidney, spleen, bone marrow, liver, pancreas, stomach, intestine, thyroid and skin were performed on three patients died of novel coronavirus pneumonia in Chongqing, China. Hematoxylin and eosin staining (HE), transmission electron microcopy, and histochemical staining were performed to investigate the pathological changes of indicated organs or tissues. Immunohistochemical staining was conducted to evaluate the infiltration of immune cells as well as the expression of 2019-nCoV proteins. Real time PCR was carried out to detect the RNA of 2019-nCoV.Results:Various damages were observed in the alveolar structure, with minor serous exudation and fibrin exudation. Hyaline membrane formation was observed in some alveoli. The infiltrated immune cells in alveoli were majorly macrophages and monocytes. Moderate multinucleated giant cells, minimal lymphocytes, eosinophils and neutrophils were also observed. Most of infiltrated lymphocytes were CD4-positive T cells. Significant proliferation of type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia and focal desquamation of alveolar epithelia were also indicated. The blood vessels of alveolar septum were congested, edematous and widened, with modest infiltration of monocytes and lymphocytes. Hyaline thrombi were found in a minority of microvessels. Focal hemorrhage in lung tissue, organization of exudates in some alveolar cavities, and pulmonary interstitial fibrosis were observed. Part of the bronchial epithelia were exfoliated. Coronavirus particles in bronchial mucosal epithelia and type Ⅱ alveolar epithelia were observed under electron microscope. Immunohistochemical staining showed that part of the alveolar epithelia and macrophages were positive for 2019-nCoV antigen. Real time PCR analyses identified positive signals for 2019-nCoV nucleic acid. Decreased numbers of lymphocyte, cell degeneration and necrosis were observed in spleen. Furthermore, degeneration and necrosis of parenchymal cells, formation of hyaline thrombus in small vessels, and pathological changes of chronic diseases were observed in other organs and tissues, while no evidence of coronavirus infection was observed in these organs.Conclusions:The lungs from novel coronavirus pneumonia patients manifest significant pathological lesions, including the alveolar exudative inflammation and interstitial inflammation, alveolar epithelium proliferation and hyaline membrane formation. While the 2019-nCoV is mainly distributed in lung, the infection also involves in the damages of heart, vessels, liver, kidney and other organs. Further studies are warranted to investigate the mechanism underlying pathological changes of this disease.

Objective To analyze interspecies cross-contamination of 160 non-human cell lines.Methods One hundred and sixty common non-human cell lines were collected and their species were identified by PCR.For the suspicious cells,chromosome analysis was further used to confirm their species.Results Six in 160 non-human cell lines were cross-contaminated.A rat cell line was mixed by a human cell line,and 5 were totally cross-con-taminated,and were indentified as wrong species.Conclusions Species identification is an indispensable part of cell quality control.Each cell line should undergo a full QA(Quality Assurance)assessment before it is used for research.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) and carotid atherosclerosis and its related indicators in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods A total of 101 T2DM patients were divided into T2DM group (A group, n=52) and T2DM with carotid artery atherosclerosis group (B group, n=49) according to whether complicated with carotid artery atherosclerosis, and 50 normal healthy persons were used as the normal group (C group , n=50). The TSP-1 and other clinical indicators were detected including fasting blood sugar (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), fibrinogen (Fib) and homocysteine (homocysteine). The differences between TSP-1 and other related indicators were analyzed. Results There were no significant differences in diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and body mass index (BMI) between the 3 groups (P>0.05). The level of systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly higher in group B than that of group A and group C (P<0.01), but there was no significant difference between group A and group C (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in TC, TG and HDL-C between three groups (P>0.05). The values of TSP-1 and Hcy were increased sequentially in group B, group A and group C (P <0.05). There were significant differences in FPG, HbA1c, Fib, FINS and LDL-C between three groups (P<0.05). TSP-1 was positively correlated with FPG, FINS, HbA1c, Fib and Hcy (r= 0.585, 0.341, 0.701, 0.409 and 0.351, P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis showed that TSP-1 was affected by FINS, HbA1c and Fib, and HbA1c was more important. Conclusion TSP-1 is associated with the occurrence and development of diabetic macrovascular complications. It has good clinical value for early detection, early treatment and delaying the progress of diabetic macrovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of the selective PI3K inhibitor and MEK inhibitor on KRAS and PTEN co-mutated non-small cell lung cancer cell line NCI-H157 and the relevant mechanisms.

METHODSNCI-H157 was cultured routinely and treated with different concentrations of the two inhibitors. Cell proliferation was detected by MTT cell cycle assay. Based on the MTT results the cells were divided into four groups: the control group, PI3K inhibitor group (GDC-0941, 0.5 and 5.0 µmol/L), combination group I (0.5 µmol/L AZD6244 + 0.5 µmol/L GDC-0941) and combination group II (5.0 µmol/L AZD6244 + 5.0 µmol/L GDC-0941). Colony formation assay was performed to detect colony formation efficiency. The cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry. The expression of protein related to apoptosis was tested with Western blot.

RESULTSCell growth was inhibited by the two inhibitors. Combination groups led to stronger cell proliferation inhibition: combination group Ishowed synergistic effect of their actions and combination group II showed an additive effect; in both groups, there were decreased colony number [(77.2 ± 1.54)/well vs (61.50 ± 2.12)/well, P < 0.01] and [(51.00 ± 4.00)/ well vs (22.50 ± 3.53)/well, P < 0.01]; and enhanced apoptotic ratios [(18.30 ± 0.82)% vs (21.32 ± 0.56)%, P < 0.01] and [(27.14 ± 1.58)% vs (42.45 ± 4.42)%, P < 0.01]. In addition, compared to the PI3K inhibitor alone group, the NCI-H157 cells in the combination groups showed increased G0/G1 phase and decreased S phase (P < 0.01). Western blotting showed that the combination groups demonstrated significantly decreased expression of cyclin D1 and cyclin B1, increased p21 and cleaved PARP and decreased bcl-2/bax ratio, compared to the PI3K inhibitor only group.

CONCLUSIONThe combined inhibition of PI3K (AZD6244) and MEK (GDC-0941) has synergistic effects on the proliferation of NCI-H157 cells, but such effects appear to be in a dose-dependent manner.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Benzimidazoles ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; genetics ; pathology ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cyclin B1 ; metabolism ; Cyclin D1 ; metabolism ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; Indazoles ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Lung Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Mutation ; PTEN Phosphohydrolase ; genetics ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerases ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins p21(ras) ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Sulfonamides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism ; ras Proteins ; genetics

To investigate the effects of lanosterol (1), inotodiol (2) and trametenolic acid (3) from Inonotus obliquus against oxidative damage induced by CCl4 in mice, 1, 2 and 3 (20, 10 and 5 mg x kg(-1)) were respectively administered to mice, once a day for 3 days. Then the mice were induced to oxidative damage by CCl4 on the third day 30 min after the administration. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reductive glutathione (GSH) in serum and liver homogenate were determined. And the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration in serum were detected. The results showed that treatment with compound 1, 2 and 3 could significantly increase the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-PX in serum and liver homogenate. Furthermore, the content of GSH in serum and liver homogenate increased and MDA content decreased markedly. In addition, compound 1, 2 and 3 could significantly inhibit the activities of ALT and AST in serum, and decrease the IL-6 concentration in serum remarkably. So, compound 1, 2 and 3 can protect mice against oxidative stress injury induced by CCl4. Furthermore, compound 1, 2 and 3 can protect cells from damage through inhibition on ALT, AST and the expression of IL-6.
Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; blood ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Catalase ; blood ; metabolism ; Female ; Glutathione ; blood ; metabolism ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; blood ; metabolism ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Lanosterol ; analogs & derivatives ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; metabolism ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Polyporaceae ; chemistry ; Protective Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo analyze and summarize the clinical characteristics, experience of diagnosis and treatment of cases infected by new bunyavirus, which occurred in Henan province in 2010.

METHODSThe clinical characteristics and effect of diagnosis and treatment of 5 cases were analyzed using descriptive epidemiological method. Blood specimens were detected by RT-PCR and pathogen separation.

RESULTSPCR testing was positive for all 5 cases. New bunyavirus were isolated from 2 cases. In 5 cases, fever (5/5), the whole body aches (5/5), fatigue (5/5), anorexia (5/5), nausea (5/5), the chills (4/5), cough (4/5), expectoration (4/5), vomiting (3/5), conjunctival hyperemia (3/5); Leukocyte reduction (5/5), thrombocytopenia (5/5), elevated alanine aminotransferase (4/5), elevated aspartate aminotransferase (4/5), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (5/5), creatine kinase elevations (4/5), urinary protein (3/5). By symptomatic and supportive treatment and prophylactic antibiotics, the first case died and the other 4 cases were cured. The average course of disease was 15.4 days.

CONCLUSIONCases infected by new bunyavirus have complicated clinical feature and multiple organ damage. If symptomatic treatment is in time, prognosis will be good.

Adult ; Bunyaviridae Infections ; diagnosis ; therapy ; virology ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Orthobunyavirus ; Prognosis ; Young Adult