Humans ; Botany/history* ; History, 20th Century ; China

Heart failure is the leading cause of death worldwide. Compound Danshen Dripping Pill (CDDP) or CDDP combined with simvastatin has been widely used to treat patients with myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular diseases in China. However, the effect of CDDP on hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure is unknown. We constructed a new model of heart failure induced by hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and LDL receptor (LDLR) dual deficient (ApoE^-/-LDLR^-/-) mice and investigated the effect of CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin on the heart failure. CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited heart injury by multiple actions including anti-myocardial dysfunction and anti-fibrosis. Mechanistically, both Wnt and lysine-specific demethylase 4A (KDM4A) pathways were significantly activated in mice with heart injury. Conversely, CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin inhibited Wnt pathway by markedly up-regulating expression of Wnt inhibitors. While the anti-inflammation and anti-oxidative stress by CDDP were achieved by inhibiting KDM4A expression and activity. In addition, CDDP attenuated simvastatin-induced myolysis in skeletal muscle. Taken together, our study suggests that CDDP or CDDP plus a low dose of simvastatin can be an effective therapy to reduce hypercholesterolemia/atherosclerosis-induced heart failure.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine before induction of anesthesia on concentrations of blood potassium and blood glucose in the patients with gastrointestinal tumors.Methods:One hundred and twenty patients, irrespective of gender, aged 18-75 yr, with body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ, scheduled for elective radical gastrointestinal tumor surgery, were divided into 3 groups ( n=40 each) using a random number table method: control group (group C), dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg group (group D 1), and dexmedetomidine 1.0 μg/kg group (group D 2). Dexmedetomidine 0.5 and 1.0 μg/kg were intravenously infused prior to anesthesia induction over 10 min in D 1 and D 2 groups, while the equal volume of normal saline 20 ml was intravenously infused instead in group C. Before intravenous infusion (T 0), at 15 min after intravenous infusion (T 1), and at 30 min after intravenous infusion (T 2), blood samples from the radial artery were collected for blood gas analysis, and concentrations of blood potassium and blood glucose were recorded. The occurrence of complications such as hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia and bradycardia was also recorded. Results:Compared with C group, the blood glucose concentrations were significantly increased at T 1 in D 1 and D 2 groups and at T 2 in D 2 group ( P<0.05). The blood glucose concentrations were significantly higher at T 1, 2 in D 2 group than in D 1 group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in blood potassium concentrations at T 0-T 2 among the three groups ( P>0.05). No patients presented with complications such as hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hyperkalemia, hypokalemia, hypotension, hypertension, tachycardia and bradycardia. Conclusions:Intravenous infusion of dexmedetomidine before induction of anesthesia exerts no marked effect on blood potassium concentrations and can increase glucose concentrations to a certain extent, but the elevation has no clinical significance in the patients with gastrointestinal tumors.

Unrestrained inflammation is harmful to tissue repair and regeneration. Immune cell membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles have been proven to show promise as inflammation targets and multitargeted inflammation controls in the treatment of severe inflammation. Prevention and early intervention of inflammation can reduce the risk of irreversible tissue damage and loss of function, but no cell membrane-camouflaged nanotechnology has been reported to achieve stage-specific treatment in these conditions. In this study, we investigated the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy of fibroblast membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles for topical treatment of early inflammation (early pulpitis as the model) with the help of in-depth bioinformatics and molecular biology investigations in vitro and in vivo. Nanoparticles have been proven to act as sentinels to detect and competitively neutralize invasive Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (E. coli LPS) with resident fibroblasts to effectively inhibit the activation of intricate signaling pathways. Moreover, nanoparticles can alleviate the secretion of multiple inflammatory cytokines to achieve multitargeted anti-inflammatory effects, attenuating inflammatory conditions in the early stage. Our work verified the feasibility of fibroblast membrane-camouflaged nanoparticles for inflammation treatment in the early stage, which widens the potential cell types for inflammation regulation.
Escherichia coli ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Nanoparticles

Objective To explore the factors affecting methylphenidate (MHP)efficacy in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Methods One hunadard eleven DSM-Ⅳ defined ADHD patients were enrolled for 6 weeks systemic MHP titration treatmnet. ADHD Rating Scale-Ⅳ Home Version (ADHD-RS-Ⅳ) were applied as index of clinical efficacy, and Continuous Performance Task (CPT) as index of cognition efficacy. Determining potential influential factors was analyzed on MPH efficacy including demographic,baseline clinical symptoms and cognitive factors. Results Sixty-five (59.1%) were defined as responders and 45 (40.9%) as non-reponders to MHP, respectively. CPT which were conducted in 87 patient showed that 35 (40.2%) were defined as responders on commission errors, 31 (35.6%) on omission errors and 10 (11.5%) on reaction time. Logistic analysis revealed two potential influential factors that predicted better clinical efficacy (P<0.05): better parental relationship (OR=3.516, 95% CI: 1.087~11.375) and baseline ADHD-RS-Ⅳ score above 35 points (OR=3.075, 95%CI: 1.131~8.359). Higher IQ score was the potential influential factor that predicted better commission errors efficacy (OR=1.085, 95%CI: 1.013~1.162) and omission errors efficacy (OR=1.078, 95%CI: 1.008~1.153). Conclusion MHP efficacy may result in better outcomes in children with ADHD who have higher baseline ADHD-RS-Ⅳ score, poorer baseline CPT result, younger onset age, higher IQ and better parental relationship.

Through the literature collection on Chinese marine materia medica,this study analyzed medication rules of Chinese marine materia medica prescription,understood general conditions of Chinese marine materia medica prescription,in order to conduct data mining on medication rules of Chinese marine materia medica prescription.The name of Chinese marine materia medica was used as the search term.Chinese marine materia medica prescriptions were searched in related literatures of Chinese Medicine Code,Chinese Marine Materia Medica,Chinese Materia Medica,Chinese Pharmacopoeia and Great Dictionary of Chinese Medicine.The information was extracted and standardized to construct database for the initial data mining of related information and medication rules of Chinese marine materia medica prescriptions.The results showed that 16715 Chinese marine materia medica prescriptions were screened,which contained 144014 items of data,involving 218 kinds of Chinese marine materia medica.Decoction was the most common dosage form.The amount of Chinese marine materia medica prescription in the Ming and Qing dynasties was the largest.The highest frequency of Chinese marine materia medica in one prescription was 1 to 3 types.The prescription composed all by Chinese marine materia medica occupied 8.065％.Other prescriptions contained the compatibility of Chinese terrestrial materia medica.The prescription containing materia medica half from the sea and half from the land,occupied 7.754％.The Chinese marine materia medica used with the highest frequency in all prescriptions was oyster.The frequently used Chinese terrestrial materia medica was licorice and angelica in Chinese marine materia medica prescriptions.It was concluded that the number of Chinese marine materia medica prescription was large.Its compatibility and clinical application had a certain characteristic,which provided data foundation for the further research and development of Chinese marine materia medica.

Objective To explore the difference of methylation status of CpG island in promoter re?gion of DAT1 and DRD4 genes between children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD) and normal controls,and further understand the pathogenesis of ADHD from a epigenetics point of view. Methods 111 ADHD patients and 118 normal controls were enrolled in the present study. The demographic data and peripheral venous blood were collected from both groups. Bisulfite genomic sequencing ( BGS) was used to confirm the methylation status of every CpG site in promoter region of DAT1 and DRD4 genes. Results No significant differences were found between ADHD patients and normal controls on percentage of methylated CpG sites in total CpG islands for both DAT1 and DRD4 (P>0.05) . However,the percentage of methylation in No. 17 CpG site for DAT1 and No. 8 CpG site for DRD4 was higher in ADHD patients ( 23. 42% and 64.86% respectively)compared with that in normal controls(11.86% and 47.46% respectively)(P<0.05).In all samples,the percentage of methylated CpG site in total CpG island for DAT1 was higher in males com?pared with that in females(P<0.05),whereas that for DRD4 was higher in females compared with that in males (P<0.05);the same gender difference on methylation level for DAT1 was also found in ADHD patients and for DRD4 in normal controls(P<0.05) . In all samples and in ADHD patients,percentage of methylated CpG site in total CpG island for DAT1 was higher in individuals over 7 years old compared with that in indi?viduals younger than or equal to 7 years old(P<0.05). Conclusions Methylation status of CpG island in DAT1 and DRD4 genes promoter region might correlate with ADHD susceptibility.Methylation status of CpG island in DAT1 and DRD4 genes show differences in different age span and sex.

Objective To investigate the correlation of methylation status in DA T1 and DRD4 genes and severity of clinical manifestations in ADHD patients.Methods One hundrd eleven DSM-Ⅳ defined ADHD patients were enrolled in this study and the demographic data were collected.Clinical symptoms were also assessed by Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-Ⅳ Home Version (ADHD-RS-Ⅳ) and self-developed Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) rating scale.Bisulfite genomic sequencing (BGS) was used to detect the methylation status of every CpG site in DA T1 and DRD4 promoter CpG island in peripheral venous blood.Results The DNA methylation level in total CpG island for DA T1 was higher in individuals without depression,anxiety or ADHD family history compared to individuals with above family histories (P＜0.05).The differences on methylation levels for DA T1 and DRD4 were not significant between high and low ADHD-RS-Ⅳ total score (≤30 vs.＞30),ADHD-RS-Ⅳ inattention score (≤ 17 vs.＞17),and ADHD-RS-Ⅳ hyperactivity/impulsivity score (≤13 vs.＞13) subgroups (all P＜0.05).The methylation levels in total CpG island in DA T1 was higher in individuals whose ODD score were ＜9 compared to those whose ODD score were ≥9 (P＜0.05).Conclusions Methylation status of CpG island in DAT1 may influence the severity of oppositional defiant symptom in ADHD patients,which is correlated with depression,anxiety and ADHD family histories.

Objective To investigate mRNA expression level changes of dopamine transporter gene (DAT1) and dopamine receptor gene(DRD4) in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) children's peripheral blood before and after methylphenidate treatment,and to explore associations between the mRNA expression level and symptom severity,as well as methylphenidate response.Methods Forty five ADHD children by DSM-Ⅳ diagnostic criteria,aged six to fifteen years old participated in a six-week drug titration treatment of metbylphenidate.ADHD-RS-Ⅳ Home Version, WCST and VCPT were used to evaluate the ADHD clinical symptoms and cognitive functions.RNA Simple Total RNA Kit was used to extract the total RNA.After reverse transcription, the obtained c-DNA was used in the following qRT-PCR to evaluate relative mRNA expression of the candidate genges before and after medication.Results The DRD4 mRNA relative expression level after taking methylphenidate was significantly higher than that before methylphenidate treatment (0.23 ± 0.23 vs 0.16± 0.18, P =0.041).There was no significant difference between DAT1 mRNA relative expression level before (0.43 ± 0.40) and after (0.43±0.40) methylphenidate treatment.No significant difference was found on eitber basal DAT1/DRD4 mRNA expression or fold change of DAT1/DRD4 mRNA expression before and after medication between methylphenidate treatment responders and non-responders groups.There was a positively significant correlation between baseline DRD4 mRNA relative expression level and erroneous T score of CPT(r=0.424, P=0.025) , however, no other statistically significant correlation was found between basal DRD4 mRNA relative expression level and ADHD-RS-Ⅳ total score,WCST conceptual level, CPT missing T score, and CPT reaction T sco~ (all P＞0.05).There was also no statistical significant correlation between basal DAT1 mRNA relative expression level and ADHD-RS-Ⅳ total score,WCST conceptual level,and CPT T scores(all P＞0.05).Conclusion DRD4 gene function may be increased after methylphenidate treatment and play an important role in impulsivity behavior of ADHD.Therefore, DRD4 mRNA expression level might be a biomarker for ADHD diagnosis and a predicting indicator of drug efficacy.

Objective To explore the effect of Shugan Lifei prescription on expression of Transforming Growth Factor-beta1(TGF-β1) and Smad3 in asthma rats under chronic stress condition. Method The 40 SD rats were randomly divided into four groups:control group, model group, dexamethasone group and Shugan Lifei group. Asthma model was established by inhaling atomized ovalbumin (OVA) passively and experiencing chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). From the 15th day of modeling, the treatment groups were intervened with dexamethasone drugs and Shugan Lifei prescription. Lung pathomorphology was observed via HE staining. The expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad3 in lung tissue were measured by immunohistochemical and RT-PCR. Results Compared with control group, the wall area and the smooth muscle area in the model group significantly increased. While compared with asthmatic model group,the wall area and the smooth muscle area in the dexamethasone group and Shugan Lifei group were significantly lower. Immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR showed that in comparison with control group , the expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 protein and mRNA in lung tissues in the model group significantly increased(P<0.05), while the TGF-β1/Smad3 protein and mRNA in lung tissues in the dexamethasone group and Shugan Lifei group were detected to be significantly lower than model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Shugan Lifei method could improve airway remodeling in asthma rats under chronic stress condition , and this result is possibly achieved by reducing TGF-β1 and Smad3 expression levels.