OBJECTIVES: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of compound Centella asiatica formula (CCA) for alleviating Schistosoma japonicum (Sj)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. METHODS: The active components and targets of CCA were identified using the TCMSP database with cross-analysis of Sj-related liver fibrosis targets. A "drug-component-target-pathway-disease" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Functional enrichment analysis (GO/KEGG) was performed using DAVID. Molecular docking study was carried out to validate interactions between the core targets and the key compounds. For experimental validation of the results, 36 mice were divided into control group, Sj-infected model group, and CCA-treated groups. In the latter two groups, liver fibrosis was induced via abdominal infection with Sj cercariae for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of daily treatment with CCA decoction or saline. Hepatic pathology of the mice was assessedwith HE and Masson staining, and hepatic expressions of collagen-I and collagen-III were detected using immunohistochemistry; serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined with ELISA. Hepatic expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 proteins were analyzed with Western blotting. RESULTS: We identified a total of 107 bioactive CCA components and 791 targets, including 37 intersection targets linked to Sj-induced fibrosis. The core targets included TNF, TP53, JUN, MMP9, and CXCL8, involving the IL-17 signaling, lipid metabolism, TLR4/MyD88 axis, and cancer pathways. Molecular docking study confirmed strong binding affinity between quercetin (a primary CCA component) and TNF/TP53/JUN/MMP9. In Sj-infected mouse models, CCA treatment significantly attenuated hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced collagen-I and collagen-III deposition, improved tissue architecture, reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and downregulated TLR4 and MyD88 expressions in the liver. CONCLUSIONS CCA mitigates Sj-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TNF, TP53, JUN, and MMP9 to modulate the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, reducing collagen deposition, and preventing granuloma formation in the liver.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Mice ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Schistosoma japonicum ; Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology* ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; Signal Transduction ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Inflammation ; Centella/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

Andrographolide sulfonate (AS) is a sulfonated derivative of andrographolide extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Nees, and has been approved for several decades in China. The present study aimed to investigate the novel therapeutic application and possible mechanisms of AS in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Results indicated that administration of AS by injection or gavage significantly reduced the paw swelling, improved body weights, and attenuated pathological changes in joints of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis. Additionally, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-1β in the serum and ankle joints were reduced. Bioinformatics analysis, along with the spleen index and measurements of IL-17 and IL-10 levels, suggested a potential relationship between AS and Th17 cells under arthritic conditions. In vitro, AS was shown to block Th17 cell differentiation, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of CD4⁺ IL-17A⁺ T cells and decreased expression levels of RORγt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IL-22, without affecting the cell viability and apoptosis. This effect was attributed to the limited glycolysis, as indicated by metabolomics analysis, reduced glucose uptake, and pH measurements. Further investigation revealed that AS might bind to hexokinase2 (HK2) to down-regulate the protein levels of HK2 but not glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) or pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), and overexpression of HK2 reversed the inhibition of AS on Th17 cell differentiation. Furthermore, AS impaired the activation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT) signals in vivo and in vitro, which was abolished by the addition of lactate. In conclusion, AS significantly improved adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats by inhibiting glycolysis-mediated activation of PI3K/AKT to restrain Th17 cell differentiation.
Animals ; Th17 Cells/immunology* ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Humans ; Andrographis paniculata/chemistry* ; Arthritis, Experimental/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-17/immunology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Objective:To explore the pathogenesis of flunarizine-induced parkinsonism from gut-brain axis perspective.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and flunarizine group ( n=15). Mice in the control group were given 0.1 mL 50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage once/d for 2 weeks, while mice in the flunarizine group were given 6 mg/mL flunarizine+50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage at a daily dose of 30 mg/kg for 2 weeks. Body mass was recorded 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration, and motor function was assessed by rotarod test 14 d after drug administration; 16s RNA sequencing was performed in the feces to observe the intestinal flora; intestinal transit function was detected by Evans blue by gavage; and then, the mice were sacrificed and homogenate or frozen sections (brain and intestinal tissues) were prepared; dopamine-ergic neuron expression was detected by Western blotting; RT-qPCR was applied to detect the expressions of inflammatory factors in the substantia nigra, and immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in the intestinal epithelial tissues. Results:Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had lower body mass ratio 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration (ratio to body mass before drug administration). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly shortened residence time in rod rotating and lower rotational speed when falling ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had decreased tyrosine hydroxylase protein in the substantia nigra without significant difference ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly increased interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the substantia nigra (1.00±0.00 vs. 2.79±0.83; 1.00±0.00 vs. 3.39±1.37), significantly lower intestinal Evans blue propulsion rate (80.67%±4.51% vs. 50.67%±6.03%), and statistically decreased ZO-1 and Claudin-5 expressions in the colonic epithelial tissues (27.01±1.41 vs. 16.32±2.83; 37.00±2.80 vs. 24.52±2.12, P<0.05). Totally, 576 microorganisms were noted in both control group and flunarizine group, 744 in the control group alone, and 634 in the flunarizine group alone. The intestinal flora β diversity indices in the 2 groups were significantly different based on weighted Unifrac-principle coordinates analysis (PCoA, PCoA1: 39.88%; PCoA2: 30.69%). Compared with the control group, the microbial colony structure of mice in flunarizine group was dominated by phylum thick-walled bacteria and phylum warty microbacteria, and by families Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Akkermansiaceae. Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly decreased relative abundance of Ackermannia spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in the intestinal flora ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Flunarizine may contribute to the pathogenesis of DIP by causing structural disturbances in the intestinal flora and inducing neuroinflammation based on the gut-brain axis.

Objective:To study the effects of radiotherapy and the prognostic factors in hepatocellular cancer (HCC) patients with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes metastasis (LNM).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed 56 HCC patients with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM who were treated with or without external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) in Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from Jan 2010 to Aug 2020. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they received radiotherapy, EBRT group and non-EBRT group, and each group had 28 patients. Radiation fields included or excluded primary tumor in EBRT group, and the cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM did not receive any local treatment in non-EBRT group. The response rate, survival rate, local control rate, prognostic risk factors of the two groups were studied.Results:After EBRT, the partial response rate and complete response rate were 32.1%(9/28) and 32.1%(9/28). The median survival rate of EBRT group was 16.1 months (95% CI 9.00-23.21, RR=3.63) vs. 6.9 months (95% CI 4.63-8.77, RR=1.06) for the non-EBRT group, with statistically significant difference ( χ2=15.53, P<0.05). Cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic lymph nodes 1-year local control rate for EBRT group and non-EBRT group were 37.0% vs. 10.7%, with statistically significant difference ( χ2=5.28, P<0.05). Since diagnosis of cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM, 4 patients (14.3%) in the EBRT group vs. 13 patients (46.4%) in the non-EBRT group had higher alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level after 3 months compared with the AFP before EBRT ( χ2=6.84, P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that multiple intrahepatic tumors, maximal diameter of intrahepatic tumors >5 cm, AFP≥400 μg/L, no EBRT were poor prognostic factors. Conclusions:EBRT can prolong overall survival and improve the control rate of lymph node of HCC patients with cardiophrenic angle or superior diaphragmatic LNM. Patients with multiple intrahepatic tumors, maximal diameter of intrahepatic tumors >5 cm, AFP≥400 μg/L and no EBRT have poor prognosis.

Objective: To investigate the levels of the Twist and Vimentin proteins in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and analyze the clinical significance of Twist and Vimentin. Methods: Eighty-five samples of OSCC and fifteen samples of normal oral mucosa were collected. Immunohistochemistry (SP method) was used to detect the expression of proteins, including Twist and vimentin. The relationship among these proteins and clinical pathological parameters was analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results : In the normal group, 13.3% (2/15) of samples were positive for the Twist protein; this value was significantly lower than that in OSCC group (80.0%, 66/85) (χ2=26.98, P < 0.001). The expression of Twist was associated with clinical stage (χ2=5.40, P=0.02) and lymph node metastasis (χ2=8.35, P=0.006), while no correlations were found between the expression of Twist and sex (χ2=0.23, P=0.63), age (χ2= 0.31, P=0.58), location (χ2=1.46, P=0.235) or degree of differentiation (χ2=1.52, P=0.47). Additionally, 6.7% of samples (1/15) were positive for vimentin; this value was significantly lower than that in OSCC group (74.1%, 63/85) (χ2=20.71, P < 0.001). The expression of vimentin was associated with clinical stage (χ2=4.51, P=0.034) and lymph node metastasis (χ2=6.75, P=0.009), while no correlations were found between the expression of vimentin and sex (χ2=0.40, P=0.53), age (χ2=0.17, P=0.68), location (χ2=0.74,P=0.39) or degree of differentiation (χ2=4.58, P=0.10). Spearman correlation analyses showed that Twist protein expression was positively correlated with vimentin (r=0.578, P＜0.05). Conclusion Our data demonstrate that in OSCC, Twist and vimentin levels were upregulated, and Twist protein expression was positively correlated with vimentin, which indicates that both Twist and vimentin may be involved in the occurrence of OSCC.

Objective To understand the changes of cardiac systolic and diastolic function in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients without evidence of cardiac disease in China.Methods Forty-two HIV-infected patients who were followed up in the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking Union Medical College Hospital without cardiac involvement were recruited.All the HIV-infected patients had received highly active antiroviral therapy (HAART) for more than 12 months with viral suppression.And 30 age and sex matched healthy subjects without cardiac disease manifestations were enrolled as controls.Every group members underwent transthoracic echocardiography evaluation.The indexes of cardiac systolic and diastolic function between HIV-infected patients and healthy controls were compared.Results Diastolic abnormality occurred in 20 cases in HIV-infected group and 6 cases in control group, with statistically significant difference (χ2=5.79, P=0.007).The E wave deceleration time (EDT) in HIV-infected patients were significantly decreased than healthy controls ([161.87±21.64] ms vs.[190.34±37.22], t=-3.20, P=0.002).There were no significant differences of E/A ratio ([1.16±0.35] vs.[1.19±0.26]), E/Ea ratio ([5.43±1.99] vs.[5.78±0.91]), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), ([93.18±20.34] ms vs.[93.57±18.55]ms), Ea ([10.18±2.80] cm/s vs.[11.45±2.75] cm/s) between HIV-infected patients and controls (t=1.13,1.53,0.67 and 0.29, respectively, all P>0.05).Among cardiac systolic function markers, left ventricular ejection fractions in HIV-infected patients and control group were (66.7±6.4)% and (68.7±4.2)%, respectively.And left ventricular shortening rates were (37.08±4.79)% and (38.17±3.96)%, respectively.Both showed no significant difference between the two groups (t=-1.51 and-1.00, respectively, both P>0.05).Conclusions Compared with control group, subclinical cardiac diastolic dysfunction is more frequently observed in HIV-infected patients.However, there are no significant differences of cardiac systolic function markers between HIV-infected patients and controls.

Objective To assess the value of preoperative MRI in predicting the incidence of cement leakage into adjacent discs during percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF).Methods Clinical and radiological characteristics of 127 patients who were treated with PVA for OVCF were analyzed retrospec tively.The following clinical data of these patients were analyzed,including gender,age,location of treated vertebral body and surgical approach.The image features of endplate injury,fracture line extended to the endplate,adjacent intervertebral dick injury and intravertebral cleft were evaluated on the preoperative MRI.The incidence of cement leakage into the adjacent disc were compared for the above factors with statistical methods.Results Totally 127 patients were enrolled in our study,including 179 treated vertebral bodies,358 endplates and 341 adjacent intervertebral discs.The incidence of intradiscal cement leakage was 57.73％ (56/97) in endplate injury sign,60.98％ (25/41) in fracture line extended to endplate sign,35.91％(51/142) in adjacent discs injury sign and 55.56％(20/36) inintravertebral cleft sign.The differences were statistically significant on preoperative MRI in patients with the above signs compared to those who had not (P＜0.05).The incidence of intradiscal cement leakage in percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) and percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) were 26.67％(16/60) and 42.86％(51/119),respectively,which was significant different (P=0.035).For bone cement volume ≤ 5 ml vertebral bodies,the incidence of intradiscal cement leakage was 31.19 ％ (34/109),lower than bone cement volume ＞ 5 ml vertebral bodies (47.14％ [33/70],P=0.031).There was no statistically significant association between intradiscal cement leakage and age,gender and location of treated vertebral body (P＞0.05).Conclusion Preoperative MRI can predict the leakage of bone cement into adjacent discs effectively during PVA.The PKP and the lower volume of bone cement injection can reduce the risk of intradiscal cement leakage.

Objective To study the clinical effect of Self-made Sanjin-Weiwei decoction for patinets with upper urinary tract calculi after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Methods A total of 200 patients with upper urinary tract calculi after ESWL in our hospital from January 2015 to Octomber 2016 were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into the control group (n=100) and the treatment group (n=100) randomly. The control group were treated with conventional treatment after ESWL, and the treatment group were treated with conventional treatment plus the Self-made Sanjin-Weiwei decoction after ESWL,and the two groups were treated for 45 days. The clinical effects of both groups were compared. The first time average row stone time and renal colic average frequency of both groups after treatment was compared. The stone platoon net rate of both groups after 1 month, 2 months, 3 months were compared. The incidence of adverse reactions, like dry mouth, nausea, painful urination, blood in urine, of both groups during the treatment were compared. Results The total effect rate of the treatment group was 86.0%, significantly higher than 62.0% of the control group(χ 2=14.969,P<0.001).The first time average row stone time(4.18 ± 1.30 d vs.7.52 ± 2.08 d,t=13.617)and renal colic average frequency(0.67 ±0.21 vs.1.55 ±0.87,t=9.833)of the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). The stone platoon net rate of the treatment group after 1 month (93.0% vs.74.0%,χ 2=13.101),2 months(98.0% vs.82.0%,χ 2=14.222),3 months(100.0% vs.84.0%,χ 2=17.391)were significantly higher than the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions (7.0% vs. 15.0%, χ2=4.735)of the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group(P<0.05).Conclusions The Self-made Sanjin-Weiwei decoction for patinets with upper urinary tract calculi after ESWL has a good effect and low incidence of adverse reactions, can reduce the renal colic and improve the stone platoon net rate.

BACKGROUND:Finite element method is widely used in the femoral neck fracture, but the study concerning different fixation methods of femoral neck fracture is not much. OBJECTIVE:To analyze biomechanical properties of different fixation methods for femoral neck fracture using finite element analysis. METHODS:The femur of voluntters was scanned with CT, at thickness 0.6 mm, from the site above the greater trochanter of the femur. Scanning data were saved in .DICOM format. Data of right proximal femur were imported into Mimics software. Osteotomy was performed according to Pauwels I type fracture. Models of two tensile force screws, ful y threaded hol ow screw and proximal femoral locking plate were established. Three-dimensional finite element method was used to analyze stress distribution, stress concentration position, displacement distribution and maximum displacement in different models of femoral neck fracture with different internal fixation methods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The maximum stress value of two lag screws model was biggest. The maximum stress value of ful y threaded hol ow screw model was minimized. The maximum stresses of two lag screws model, ful y threaded hol ow screw model and proximal femoral locking plate model al were concentrated in the fixed end of fractures. (2) The femoral maximum stress of two lag screws model was biggest. The femoral maximum stress value of proximal femoral locking plate model was minimized. The femoral maximum stresses of two lag screws model, ful y threaded hol ow screw model and proximal femoral locking plate model al were concentrated in the medial femoral smal rotor near and medial femoral and fixation contact points. (3) The maximum displacement of two lag screws model was biggest. The maximum displacement of ful y threaded hol ow screw model was minimized. The maximum displacement of two lag screws model, ful y threaded hol ow screw model and proximal femoral locking plate model al was in the femoral head. (4) The maximum displacement value of two lag screws model fixed place was biggest. The maximum displacement value of ful y threaded hol ow screw model fixed place was minimized. The maximum displacement value of two lag screws model was biggest at femoral head. The maximum displacement value of ful y threaded hol ow screw model was minimized at femoral head. (5) Results showed that the treatment effect of ful y threaded hol ow screw on Pauwels I fractures was better than other two fixation methods.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of 64‐slice spiral CT for in‐stent restenosis (ISR) after percuta‐neous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) .Methods :A total of 120 CHD patients after PCI received 64‐slice spiral CT angiography and routine coronary angiography (CAG ) respectively . Then coronary ISR was assessed .Results:With CAG as the gold standard ,sensitivity ,specificity ,positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 87.5% ,95.3% ,80.0% and 97.3% respectively for 64‐slice spiral CT cor‐onary angiography in diagnosis of ISR .Conclusion :The 64‐slice spiral CT coronary angiography possesses high sensitivity and accuracy diagnosing coronary in‐stent restenosis ,which can be used as one of noninvasive measures for postoperative follow‐up after percutaneous coronary intervention .