OBJECTIVES: To compare the anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effects of Yinqiao Powder (YQS) formulated granules and decoction. METHODS: We first evaluated the anti-inflammatory effects of the two dosage forms of YQS in a LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cell model using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. We further constructed zebrafish models of inflammation by copper sulfate exposure, caudal fin transection, or LPS and Poly (I:C) microinjection, and evaluated anti-inflammatory effects of YQS granules and decoction by examining neutrophil aggregation and HE staining findings. In a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI) induced by intratracheal LPS instillation, the effects of YQS gavage at 10, 15, and 20 g/kg on lung pathologies were evaluated by calculating lung wet-dry weight ratio and using HE staining, ELISA and Western blotting. The microbroth dilution method was used to evaluate the antibacterial effect of YQS. Mouse pain models established by hot plate and intraperitoneal injection of glacial acetic acid were used to evaluate the analgesic effects of YQS at 10, 15, and 20 g/kg. RESULTS: Both YQS granules and decoction significantly reduced TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β expressions and p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) phosphorylation level in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells, and obviously inhibited neutrophil aggregation in the zebrafish models. In ALI mice, YQS granules and decoction effectively ameliorated lung injury, lowered lung wet-dry weight ratio, and reduced p-STAT3 (Tyr 705) expression and TNF-α and IL-6 levels. YQS produced obvious antibacterial effect at the doses of 15.63 and 31.25 mg/mL, and significantly reduced body torsion and increased pain threshold in the mouse pain models. CONCLUSIONS The two dosage forms of TQS have similar anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic effects with only differences in their inhibitory effect on TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β mRNA expressions in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells.
Animals ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Analgesics/pharmacology* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Zebrafish ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Powders ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Acute Lung Injury/drug therapy* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors in men and posing a serious threat to men's health. Detection methods such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA), prostate biopsy, and magnetic resonance imaging are widely used for prostate cancer screening, but they have low specificity, high cost, and significant risks. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop highly specific, low-cost, easily obtained, stable, and reliable biomarkers, and use them as the basis to establish non-invasive screening and diagnostic methods for prostate cancer. This paper reviewed the recent advances in the use of prostate cancer biomarkers and combined detection methods for prostate cancer diagnosis and prognosis assessment and provides an in-depth analysis and comparison of different biomarkers and combined detection methods, as well as points out the directions and challenges for future research. The paper emphasizes the importance of developing efficient, cost-effective and easy-to-implement biomarkers to increase the early diagnosis rate of prostate cancer, improve patient prognosis, and reduce the waste of healthcare resources. This paper provides an important theoretical basis and technical guidance for early diagnosis, precise treatment and prognostic evaluation of prostate cancer, and has important reference value for promoting clinical research and practice of prostate cancer.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/blood* ; Early Detection of Cancer/methods* ; Prognosis ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Glutamate Carboxypeptidase II/metabolism* ; Antigens, Neoplasm/blood* ; Antigens, Surface ; Serine Endopeptidases

Acute lung injury (ALI), as a common clinical emergency, is pulmonary edema and diffuse lung infiltration caused by inflammation. The lack of non-invasive alert strategy, resulting in failure to carry out preventive treatment, means high mortality and poor prognosis. Stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a key molecular biomarker of innate immunity in response to inflammation, but there is still a lack of STING-targeted strategy. In this study, a novel STING-targeted PET tracer, [¹⁸F]FBTA, was labeled with high radiochemical yield (79.7 ± 4.3%) and molar activity (32.5 ± 2.9 GBq/μmol). We confirmed that [¹⁸F]FBTA has a strong STING binding affinity (K_d = 26.86 ± 6.79 nmol/L) and can be used for PET imaging in ALI mice to alert early lung inflammation and to assess the efficacy of drug therapy. Our STING-targeted strategy also reveals that [¹⁸F]FBTA can trace ALI before reaching the computed tomography (CT) diagnostic criteria, and demonstrates its better specificity and distribution than [¹⁸F]fluorodeoxyglucose ([¹⁸F]FDG).

Objective To evaluate the clinical application value of serum high sensitive α-fetoprotein variant ratio (hs-AFP-L3％) in the diagnosis and treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods From October 2016 to March 2018,at Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University,160 patients diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma,32 patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC),52 patients with post-hepatitis B liver cirrhosis,53 patients with chronic hepatitis B and 50 healthy controls were enrolled.The serum levels of hs-AFP-L3％ and α-fetoprotein were measured.Mann-Whitney U test,Spearman correlation analysis,Wilcoxon signed rank test and chi-square test were performed for statistical analysis.Results The serum levels of hs-AFP-L3％ and α-fetoprotein in hepatocellular carcinoma group were 24.90％ (4.68％ to 61.85％) and 113.45 μg/L (11.18 μg/L to 1 803.48 μg/L),respectively,which were higher than those in ICC group (0.50％,0.50％ to 0.50％;and 2.79 μg/L,1.72 μg/L to 4.04 μg/L),cirrhosis group (0.50％,0.50％ to 5.25％;and 18.35 μg/L,3.95 μg/L to 31.93 μg/L),chronic hepatitis group (0.50％,0.50％ to 4.25％;and 2.70 μg/L,1.80 μg/L to 17.00 μg/L),and healthy control group (0.50％,0.50％ to 0.50％;and 1.94 μg/L,1.46 μg/L to 2.63 μg/L),and the differences were statistically significant (U =461.00,1 485.50,1 141.00,625.00;401.50,2 207.00,1 254.00,266.00;all P ＜0.01).The sensitivity of hs-AFP-L3％ and α-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma was 66.3％ and 70.0％,respectively;and the difference was not statistically significant (x2 =0.54,P ＞ 0.05).The sensitivity of the combined detection was 82.5％,which was higher than that of the separate detection,and the differences were statistically significant (x2 =24.04 and 18.05,both P ＜0.01).The specificity of hs-AFP-L3％ was 95.2％,which was higher than that of α-fetoprotein (68.6％),and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =26.04,P ＜ 0.01).The specificity of the combined detection of these two markers was 68.6％,which was lower than that of hs-AFP-L3％ alone (95.2％),and the difference was statistically significant (x2 =26.04,P ＜ 0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the specificity between the combined detection and α-fetoprotein detection alone (68.6％,P ＞ 0.05).The sensitivity of hs-AFP-L3％ in the diagnosis of patients with α-fetoprotein-negative (α-fetoprotein ＜ 20 μg/L) hepatocellular carcinoma was 41.7％.The serum levels of hs-AFP-L3％ and α-fetoprotein were both positively correlated with tumor size and clinical stage (hs-AFP-L3％ r =0.272 and 0.436;α-fetoprotein r =0.375 and 0.458;all P ＜ 0.01).The reduction of serum hs-AFP-L3％ in 38 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after operation was 82.2％,which was higher than that of oα-fetoprotein (69.2％),and the difference was statistically significant (U =532.50,P =0.049).There was no correlation between serum level of hs-AFP-L3％ and α-fetoprotein level (r =0.077,P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The sensitivity of hs-AFP-L3％ is similar to that of α-fetoprotein in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma,while the specificity of hs-AFP-L3％ is higher than that of α-fetoprotein.The combined detection of the two markers can improve the diagnostic rate of hepatocellular carcinoma.The hs-AFP-L3％ has a high diagnostic value in α-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma.

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate the effect of pseudolaric acid B (PAB) on proliferation, invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer cells and to explore the possible mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pancreatic cancer cell line SW1990 was cultured and treated with PAB dose- and time-dependent manners. Cell proliferation and invasion ability were measured by MTT assay and Matrigel/Transwell test, respectively. Semi-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were conducted to detect the expression of EMT markers and the key molecules. Finally, nude mice subcutaneous transplantation tumor model was used to confirm the therapy efficacy of PAB. RESULTS: PAB could inhibit SW1990 cell proliferation and invasion in time- and dose-dependent manners. Vimentin, fibronectin, N-cadherin, Snail, Slug, YAP, TEAD1, and Survivin were down-regulated (p < 0.01), while E-cadherin, caspase-9, MST1, and pYAP were up-regulated (p < 0.05). Combined PAB and gemcitabine treatment markedly restricted the tumor growth compared with gencitabin or PAB alone groups. CONCLUSION: PAB could inhibit the proliferation and invasion ability of pancreatic cancer cells through activating Hippo-YAP pathway and inhibiting the process of EMT.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents/therapeutic use ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism ; Cadherins ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects ; Cytokines ; Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives ; Deoxycytidine/pharmacology ; Deoxycytidine/therapeutic use ; Diterpenes/pharmacology ; Diterpenes/therapeutic use ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/diet therapy ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Signal Transduction/drug effects ; Vimentin/metabolism

OBJECTIVE:To observe clinical efficacy and safety of mesalazine combined with Kangfuxin solution retention en-ema in the treatment of active ulcerative colitis(UC). METHODS:A total of 120 patients diagnosed as active UC selected from gastroenterology department of our hospital during Mar. 2012 to Aug. 2014 were divided into observation group and control group according to random number table,with 60 cases in each group. Both groups received conventional treatment of active UC. Control group was additionally given Mesalazine enteric coated tablets 1 g,tid,on the basis of routine treatment.Observation group was ad-ditionally given Kangfuxin solution 30 mL diluted with normal saline 150 mL for enema,qd,on the basis of control group. Both groups were treated for 30 d. The serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1,IL-8,IL-10,SOD,NO and LPO were observed in 2 groups be-fore and after treatment;clinical efficacies,recurrence rates,colonoscopy efficacies and the occurrence of ADR were compared be-tween 2 groups. RESULTS:Before treatment,there was no statistical significance in the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1,IL-8, IL-10,SOD,NO or LPO between 2 groups(P>0.05).After treatment,the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1,IL-8,NO and LPO in 2 groups were decreased significantly,while the serum levels of IL-10 and SOD were increased significantly;the serum levels of TNF-α,IL-1,IL-8,NO and LPO in observation group were significantly lower than control group,while the serum levels of IL-10 and SOD were significantly higher than control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). Clinical response rate,recur-rence rate and colonoscopy response rate of observation group were 83.3%,11.7% and 88.3%,which were significantly better than 66.7%,30.0%,70.0%of control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).There was no statistical significance in the in-cidence of ADR between 2 groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Mesalazine combined with Kangfuxin solution can effectively alle-viate inflammatory reaction in patients with active UC,and reduce oxygen free radical damage with good safety.

Background:Accumulating evidence links colorectal cancer (CRC) with the gut microbiota.Fusobacterium nucleatum (F.nucleatum) has been revealed to be involved in the development of CRC, however, the mechanism of F.nucleatum in mediating colorectal tumorigenesis is still poorly understood.Aims:To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of F.nucleatum on CRC.Methods:Wild type C57BL/6 mice and APC(Min/+) mice characterized by multiple intestinal neoplasia were used in this animal study.After administered with F.nucleatum intragastrically and/or 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH, a carcinogen) subcutaneously, the aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and colonic tumor were counted at 8th and 20th week, respectively.Structural alteration of intestinal microbiota and mucosal immune factors were detected in wild type C57BL/6 mice receiving different interventions by using Roche 454 GS FLX pyrosequencing and Bio-Plex ProTM cytokine assay, respectively.Results:In DMH-treated wild type C57BL/6 mice or APC(Min/+) mice, number of ACF and colonic tumor in those administered with F.nucleatum were significantly higher than those without (P<0.05).F.nucleatum colonization significantly altered the lumen microbial structure, with decreased Cyanobacterium and increased Tenericutes and Verrucomicrobia (P all <0.05).Furthermore, F.nucleatum up-regulated expressions of tumor-related immune factors in colonic mucosa, such as IL-21, IL-22, IL-31 and CD40L (P<0.05).Conclusions:F.nucleatum colonization in intestine may prompt colonic tumorigenesis in mice via inducing intestinal dysbiosis and modulating tumor-related immune factors expression.

Obesity is growing rapidly and becomes an important public health problem worldwide. Epidemiologic data revealed that obesity increased the risk of a variety of disease,including digestive system tumor. Therefore,investigating the molecular mechanism of carcinogenic effect of obesity may provide new clues for management of obesity-associated digestive system tumor. In this article,the progress in research on effect of obesity on digestive system tumorigenesis and its potential mechanism were summarized.

Objective To investigate the effects of Saccharomyces boulardii ( S. boulardii) on the col-onization of Helicobacter suis ( H. suis) in stomach and the formation of gastric mucosa associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) during H. suis infection. Methods Sixty C57BL/6 wild type mice were randomly divided into six groups. The mice in group A and group B were respectively given sterile distilled water and S. boulardii twice by gavage and then infected with H. suis for one week. The mice in group C and group E were given sterile phos-phate buffer saline by gavage for one week and then respectively given sterile distilled water and S. boulardii by gavage twice a week for 12 weeks. The mice in group D and group F were infected with H. suis for one week and then respectively given sterile distilled water and S. boulardii by gavage twice a week for 12 weeks. Serum and gastric tissue samples were collected from each mouse. Results The bacterial loads of H. suis in the stomachs of mice in group B were significantly lower than those in group A. No significant differences in the levels of se-creted IgA( sIgA) in serum and gastric tissue samples and the expression of IFN-γat mRNA level in gastric mu-cosa samples were found between the two groups. The expression of H. suis 16S RNA and the formation of gastric lymphoid follicles were detected in mice in groups D and F. The levels of sIgA in serum and gastric tissue sam-ples and the expression of IFN-γ and CXCL13 at mRNA level in gastric mucosa samples increased significantly in groups D and F as compared with groups C and E. Compared with the mice in group D, the bacterial loads of H. suis in stomachs, the numbers of MALT per unit length of gastric mucosa and the expression of IFN-γ and CXCL13 at mRNA level in gastric mucosa decreased significantly in mice from group F, but the levels of sIgA in serum and gastric tissue samples increased significantly. Conclusion S. boulardii could inhibit the colonization of H. suis in stomach and suppress the formation of gastric MALT during H. suis infection.

Objective To study the efficacy and safety of oral calcium carbonate suspension and proton pump inhibitors (PPI) in symptoms relief of acid related diseases.Methods The multi-center,randomized and controlled study was carried out.A total of 400 acid-related diseases patients from 14 to 70 years old with at least one of moderate or severe symptoms such as acid regurgitation,epigastric pain,epigastric discomfort,upper abdominal burning or distension were equally divided into two groups and treated with oral calcium carbonate suspension or omeprazole enteric-coated tablets.The onset of symptoms relief of all patients of the first time after taking medicine was observed.The relief of clinical symptoms at the third day and seventh day after taking medicine was also observed.The adverse events were recorded.Analysis of variance was performed for statistical analysis.Results The onset of symptoms relief of oral calcium carbonate suspension group in acid regurgitation,epigastric pain,epigastric discomfort,upper abdominal burning or distension of the first time after taking medicine were significantly faster than those of PPI group (F=4.866,8.142,41.366,6.955,35.252; all P＜0.05).At the third day after taking medicine,the treatment efficiency of oral calcium carbonate suspension group and PPI group were 69.50％ and 72.50％,and at the seventh day the treatment efficiency of oral calcium carbonate suspension group and PPI group were 92.00％ and 96.50％.There was no significant difference in treatment efficiency and comprehensive efficacy between two groups at day three and seven after taking medicine (both P＞ 0.05).There were 14 cases of mild adverse events and two cases of moderate adverse events in oral calcium carbonate suspension group.There were 10 cases of mild adverse events in PPI group.There was no significant difference between two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusion Oral calcium carbonate suspension provides faster symptom relief than PPI and can effectively improve the symptoms of acid-related diseases.