ObjectiveTo improve the efficacy of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge (A. membranaceus, Huang Qi), and to further develop and utilize it, fermentation technology was applied to the stem and leaf of A. membranaceus to enhance its immune function.MethodsIn this study, we fermented A. membranaceus stem and leaf (ASL) with probiotics and investigated its immune function. Firstly, we screened suitable strains for ASL fermentation and optimized the fermentation process. Secondly, we determined the antioxidant capacity of fermented ASL and its effect on inflammation in mouse monocyte-macrophage cell. Finally, the immunocompromised mice were treated with fermented ASL to investigate the changes in their immune ability.ResultsAmong the 10 selected probiotics, Lactobacillus plantarum was the most suitable strain for ASL fermentation. After optimization of the fermentation process, the content of saponins in fermented ASL was significantly increased. The fermented ASL exhibited strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities in vitro. The in vivo immune efficacy improved by promoting the development of the spleen and thymus, as well as raising the immunoglobulin M, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-1β levels of in the serum.ConclusionThis study contributes to developing the non-medicinal parts of A. membranaceus, expands its medicinal resources, highlights the potential of fermentation technology to enhance these parts, and provides a reference for further development. Based on this approach, we can promote using non-medicinal parts of herbal medicines, minimize drug waste, and offer a reference for developing non-medicinal components in Chinese herbal medicines.

The aim of this study is to investigate the immune effect of H9 subtype avian influenza virus(AIV)NP protein on mice and lay the foundation for the development of avian influenza vi-rus(AIV)vaccine.The H9N2 virus NP gene amplification product was cloned into the pET-32a expression vector,and the protein expression was verified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot,and the immune effect was evaluated by measuring the secretion of supernatant multicytokines in mouse splenocytes culture.The results showed that the total length of the coding region sequence of NP gene was 1 497 bp,NP recombinant proteins exist in both soluble and insoluble protein forms,and the specific bands were visible in Western blot.After immunizing mice,serum produces IgG-bind-ing antibodies with antibody titers of 1∶40 000.Compared with the control group,IL-2,IL-5 and IL-13 were significantly increased(P＜0.001),and the secretion of IL-6 was significantly increased compared with the control group.IL-4 and IL-12 p70 secretions were elevated compared with con-trols,but there was no significant difference.Compared with the control group,the secretions of IL-1β,IL-18,GM-CMF,TNF-α and IFN-γ were inhibited,but the difference was not significant(P＞0.05).The results showed that NP recombinant protein is a good immunogen,laying a foundation for in-depth research on influenza vaccine.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) is a highly contagious disease caused by porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), which causes great economic losses. At the moment, no effective neutralizing antibody is available for scientific research and treatment. Therefore, developing a method for screening the neutralizing monoclonal antibodies is of great significance for the prevention and treatment of PRRSV and the screening of antigen sites. Monoclonal antibodies have been widely used in the treatment and diagnosis of many human and animal diseases. Therefore, screening effective neutralizing antibodies for different pathogens is an urgent task. Among the methods for monoclonal antibody screening, B cell immortalization is an effective method to obtain neutralizing monoclonal antibody. Specifically, in this study, the bcl-6 and bcl-xl genes were connected by f2a and then the yielded product was ligated to a vector for retrovirus packaging. The swine lymphocytes immunized with PRRSV were infected the yielded mature viruses and cultured in the complete medium containing CD40L and IL21 cytokines. Then, CD21 was used as the marker to screen B cells with the magnetic bead method. Finally, monoclonal B cells were obtained and the secretion of antibodies was tested. The results showed that the plasmid, either being transfected alone or with the packaged plasmids, could be expressed, and that the packaged retrovirus could infect the cells. Moreover, the infected lymphocytes secreted antibodies, so did the screened B cells. Therefore, the method for screening monoclonal antibody against PRRSV was successfully established.
Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Antibodies, Neutralizing ; Antibodies, Viral ; Humans ; Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome/prevention & control* ; Porcine respiratory and reproductive syndrome virus/genetics* ; Swine

OBJECTIVE: To investigate high-salt exposure-induced polarization of mononuclear macrophages and the changes in proliferation and phenotypic transformation of renal fibroblasts in a co-culture system. METHODS: Cultured mononuclear macrophages were exposed to high salt (161 mmol/L Na +) for 2 h and the surface markers of M0, M1 and M2-type macrophages were detected with RT-qPCR. The culture medium of the macrophages in normal and high-salt groups was collected for detection of the mRNA and protein levels of IL-6 and TGF-β1 using RT-qPCR and ELISA. A co-culture system of high salt-exposed macrophages and renal fibroblasts (NRK-49F) was established using a Transwell chamber, and the changes in proliferation and migration of NRK-49F cells were examined using EdU assay and Transwell assay, respectively. Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of collagen I, collagen III and collagen α-SMA in NRK-49F cells. RESULTS: The high salt-exposed macrophages showed significantly increased mRNA levels of M2-type macrophage surface markers mannose receptor and arginase ( CONCLUSIONS High-salt exposure induces polarization of mononuclear macrophages into M2-type macrophages and promotes secretion of IL-6 and TGF-β1 by the macrophages to induce the proliferation and phenotypic transformation of NRK-49F cells.
Cell Proliferation ; Coculture Techniques ; Fibroblasts ; Kidney ; Macrophages ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics*

Objective: To characterize the clinical epidemiological features of primary lung cancer patients based on massive clinical data. Methods: The demographic and histological information of 8 081 primary lung cancer patients who were initially identified from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 in 16 hospitals from 6 provinces were retrospectively analyzed to determine the characteristics of different histological subtypes among different gender, age-group and birth cohort. Results: Among the 8 081 lung cancer patients, 5 422 (67.10%) were male and 2 659 (32.90%) were female, the average age was (60.96±10.14) years. The most common histological subtypes of lung cancer successively were adenocarcinoma (ADC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), small cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma, and the proportions of these subtypes were 53.13%, 24.51%, 14.59% and 0.66%, respectively, which collectively accounted for 92.89%. The current highest smoking rate was observed in SCC patients, which was 62.45%, while lowest in ADC, which was 29.68%. The incidence of lung cancer in male was significantly higher that that of female, with a sex ratio of 2.04∶1. The highest sex ratio was observed in SCC, which was 9.14∶1, while lowest in ADC, which was 1.14∶1. The distribution of histological subtypes in male lung cancer patients was consistent with the general situation.While among the female lung cancer patients, the proportion of ADC was the highest (75.42%), followed by SCC (10.08%), squamous cell carcinoma (7.34%) and large cell carcinoma (0.39%). Analyzed by the birth cohort, the proportion of ADC gradually increased with the age, while the reduced tendency was observed in SCC (P<0.000 1). Conclusion Adenocarcinoma is the most important histological subtype of lung cancer, and the distribution characteristics of histological subtypes of lung cancer differs among genders, age and birth cohort.

BACKGROUND: There is no report on the treatment of suppurative discitis with posterior microendoscopic discectomy, antibiotic artificial bone implantation and one-stage percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of posterior microendoscopic debridement, antibiotic artificial bone implantation and one-stage percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for pyogenic spondylodiscitis. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with suppurative discitis admitted at the Department of Spinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2014 to December 2017, including 17 males and 14 females, aged 28-78 years, were included. All the patients underwent posterior microendoscopic lesion clearance and antibiotic artificial bone grafting and one-stage percutaneous pedicle screw fixation. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels were detected at postoperative follow-up. The Visual Analog Scale and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were used for detection. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) All the surgical operations of the 31 patients were successfully completed and all patients had immediate relief of low back pain and lower extremity radiation pain. They were able to move ground wearing a waistband at 1-4 days postoperatively. (2) Thirty-one patients were followed up for 9-18 months. All patients had a significant decrease in C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate at 1 week after surgery, and C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were in the normal range at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. (3) The Visual Analog Scale scores of all patients at 1 week of follow-up were significantly lower than those before surgery (P < 0.05) , and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores were significantly higher than those before surgery (P < 0.05) . (4) In the follow-up examination of CT and MRI, there was no recurrence, pseudoarticular formation or internal fixation loosening. (5) These results suggest that posterior microendoscopic discectomy, antibiotic artificial bone implantation combined with one-stage percutaneous pedicle screw fixation for treating suppurative discitis can result in little trauma, few bleeding and rapid pain relief, and patients can move to the ground early. The operation method has a good clinical effect.

Objective To characterize the clinical epidemiological features of primary lung cancer patients based on massive clinical data. Methods The demographic and histological information of 8 081 primary lung cancer patients who were initially identified from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 in 16 hospitals from 6 provinces were retrospectively analyzed to determine the characteristics of different histological subtypes among different gender, age?group and birth cohort. Results Among the 8 081 lung cancer patients, 5 422 (67.10%) were male and 2 659 (32.90%) were female, the average age was (60.96± 10.14) years. The most common histological subtypes of lung cancer successively were adenocarcinoma ( ADC ), squamous cell carcinoma ( SCC ), small cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma, and the proportions of these subtypes were 53.13%, 24.51%, 14.59% and 0.66%, respectively, which collectively accounted for 92.89%. The current highest smoking rate was observed in SCC patients, which was 62.45%, while lowest in ADC, which was 29.68%. The incidence of lung cancer in male was significantly higher that that of female, with a sex ratio of 2.04 ∶ 1. The highest sex ratio was observed in SCC, which was 9.14 ∶ 1, while lowest in ADC, which was 1.14 ∶ 1. The distribution of histological subtypes in male lung cancer patients was consistent with the general situation.While among the female lung cancer patients, the proportion of ADC was the highest (75.42%), followed by SCC (10.08%), squamous cell carcinoma ( 7.34%) and large cell carcinoma (0.39%). Analyzed by the birth cohort, the proportion of ADC gradually increased with the age, while the reduced tendency was observed in SCC ( P＜0.000 1). Conclusion Adenocarcinoma is the most important histological subtype of lung cancer, and the distribution characteristics of histological subtypes of lung cancer differs among genders, age and birth cohort.

Objective To characterize the clinical epidemiological features of primary lung cancer patients based on massive clinical data. Methods The demographic and histological information of 8 081 primary lung cancer patients who were initially identified from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2013 in 16 hospitals from 6 provinces were retrospectively analyzed to determine the characteristics of different histological subtypes among different gender, age?group and birth cohort. Results Among the 8 081 lung cancer patients, 5 422 (67.10%) were male and 2 659 (32.90%) were female, the average age was (60.96± 10.14) years. The most common histological subtypes of lung cancer successively were adenocarcinoma ( ADC ), squamous cell carcinoma ( SCC ), small cell carcinoma and large cell carcinoma, and the proportions of these subtypes were 53.13%, 24.51%, 14.59% and 0.66%, respectively, which collectively accounted for 92.89%. The current highest smoking rate was observed in SCC patients, which was 62.45%, while lowest in ADC, which was 29.68%. The incidence of lung cancer in male was significantly higher that that of female, with a sex ratio of 2.04 ∶ 1. The highest sex ratio was observed in SCC, which was 9.14 ∶ 1, while lowest in ADC, which was 1.14 ∶ 1. The distribution of histological subtypes in male lung cancer patients was consistent with the general situation.While among the female lung cancer patients, the proportion of ADC was the highest (75.42%), followed by SCC (10.08%), squamous cell carcinoma ( 7.34%) and large cell carcinoma (0.39%). Analyzed by the birth cohort, the proportion of ADC gradually increased with the age, while the reduced tendency was observed in SCC ( P＜0.000 1). Conclusion Adenocarcinoma is the most important histological subtype of lung cancer, and the distribution characteristics of histological subtypes of lung cancer differs among genders, age and birth cohort.

Objective: To estimate the incidence and mortality of female breast cancer in China based on the cancer registration data in 2014, collected by the National Central Cancer Registry (NCCR), and to provide support data for breast cancer prevention and control in China. Methods: There were 449 cancer registries submitting female breast cancer incidence and deaths data occurred in 2014 to NCCR. After evaluating the data quality, 339 registries′ data were accepted for analysis and stratified by areas (urban/rural) and age group. Combined with data on national population in 2014, the nationwide incidence and mortality of female breast cancer were estimated. Chinese population census in 2000 and Segi′s population were used for age-standardized incidence/mortality rates. Results: Qualified 339 cancer registries covered a total of 288 243 347 populations (144 061 915 in urban and 144 181 432 in rural areas) in 2014. The morphology verified cases (MV%) accounted for 87.42% and 0.59% of incident cases were identified through death certifications only (DCO%), with mortality to incidence ratio of 0.24. The estimates of new breast cancer cases were about 278 900 in China in 2014, accounting for 16.51% of all new cases in female. The crude incidence rate, age-standardized rate of incidence by Chinese standard population (ASRIC), and age-standardized rate of incidence by world standard population (ASRIW) of breast cancer were 41.82/100 000, 30.69/100 000, and 28.77/100 000, respectively, with a cumulative incidence rate (0-74 age years old) of 3.12%. The crude incidence rates and ASRIC in urban areas were 49.94 per 100 000 and 34.85 per 100 000, respectively, whereas those were 31.72 per 100 000 and 24.89 per 100 000 in rural areas. The estimates of breast cancer deaths were about 66 000 in China in 2014, accounting for 7.82% of all the cancer-related deaths in female. The crude mortality rate, age-standardized rate of mortality by Chinese standard population(ASRMC) and age-standardized rate of mortality by world standard population (ASRMW) of breast cancer were 9.90/100 000, 6.53/100 000, and 6.35/100 000, respectively, with a cumulative mortality rate of 0.69%. The crude mortality rates and ASRMC in urban areas were 11.48 per 100 000 and 7.04 per 100 000, respectively, whereas those were 7.93 per 100 000 and 5.79 per 100 000 in rural areas. The incidence and mortality rates of breast cancer were higher in areas than those in rural areas. The age-specific incidence rates of breast cancer increased greatly after 20 years old and peaked at the age group of 55-60. The age-specific mortality rates increased rapidly with age, particularly after 25 years old. They remained at a relative stable level from 55 to 65 years of age, and then increased dramatically and peaked in the age group of 85 and above. Conclusions Breast cancer is still one of the most common malignant tumor threatening to famale health in China. The disease is more prevalent in urban areas at the age group of 55-60. Comprehensive prevention and control strategies referring to local status and age groups should be carried out to reduce the burden of breast cancer.

Objective: To estimate the incidence trend and change in the age distribution of female breast cancer in cancer registry areas in China from 2000 to 2014. Methods: 22 cancer registries in China with continuous monitoring data from 2000 to 2014 were selected. All datasets were checked and evaluated based on data quality control criteria and were included in the analysis. The cancer registries covered 675 954 193 person-years, including 342 010 930 person-years of male and 333 943 263 person-years of female. Female breast cancer cases (International Classification of Diseases-10^th Revision: C50) were extracted. Crude incidence rate (CR), age-standardized incidence rate by Chinese standard population(ASIRC), annual percent change (APC), crude and adjusted mean age at onset were calculated. Incidence rates stratified by regions and age groups were calculated. Results: Female breast cancer incidence rate significantly increased from 31.90/100 000 in 2000 to 63.30/100 000 in 2014. Incidence rate increased rapidly from 2000 to 2008 (CR: APC=6.5%, 95%CI: 5.3%-7.8%; ASIRC: APC=4.6%, 95%CI: 3.6%-5.7%). Its increment slowed down from 2008-2014 (CR: APC=3.2%, 95%CI: 1.4%-5.1%; ASIRC: APC=1.4%, 95%CI:-0.1%-2.9%). The crude mean age at onset increased from 54.4 in 2000 to 57.0 in 2014. Adjusted mean age at onset remained around 54.3 in 2014. Crude mean age at onset increased significantly over time in all registry areas (β=0.192, P<0.001), urban (β=0.205, P<0.001) and rural (β=0.092, P=0.014) areas, while adjusted mean age at onset remained stable in all registry areas (β=0.009, P=0.289), urban (β=0.017, P=0.139) and rural (β=-0.054, P=0.109) areas. Conclusion Female breast cancer incidence rate in China increased from 2000 to 2014. Aging of the population resulted in a significant increase in crude mean age at onset. After age adjustment, no significant changes in age distribution were found.