Objective To investigate the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) on biological properties of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in low-oxidation stress. Methods The experimental groups were as follows: normox, normox control plasmid, normox-TNF-α, 3% O

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Chaishao Liujuntang on Hedgehog signaling pathway in rats with chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） of liver depression and spleen deficiency. MethodWistar rats were randomized into normal group and modeling group. CAG with the liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome was induced in rats in the modeling group with a compound method. After modeling， they were classified into the model group， vitacoenzyme group， Chaishao Liujuntang group， GDC-0449 （blocker） group， and Chaishao Liujuntang + GDC-0449 group. Normal group and model group were given （ig） normal saline. Vitacoenzyme and Chaishao Liujuntang group received （ig） corresponding drugs at 240 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and 5.1 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively， and GDC-0449 group was treated （ip） with GDC-0449 at 50 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. For the Chaishao Liujuntang + GDC-0449 group， rats received GDC-0449 （ip） at 50 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and Chaishao Liujuntang （ig） at 5.1 g·kg^-1·d^-1. The administration lasted 4 weeks. The pathological morphology of rat gastric mucosa was observed based on hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. mRNA and protein expression of sonic hedgehog （Shh）， 12th transmembrane receptor Patched1 （Ptch1）， and glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 （Gli1） in gastric mucosa tissues was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. Content of serum interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. ResultCompared with normal group， the model group demonstrated decrease in gland cells， glandular atrophy， large lumen volume， plasma cell infiltration， intestinal metaplasia， decrease in the mRNA and protein expression of Shh， Ptch1， and Gli1 in gastric mucosa （P<0.01）， and rise of serum IL-1β and TNF-α content （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， vitacoenzyme group and Chaishao Liujuntang group showed ordered cells， alleviation of gland atrophy， and no obvious inflammatory infiltration， and GDC-0499 group and Chaishao Liujuntang + GDC-0449 showed no significant improvement. Significant rise in the mRNA and protein expression of Shh， Ptch1， and Gli1 in gastric mucosa tissues of vitacoenzyme group and Chaishao Liujuntang group （P<0.01）， no significant difference in serum IL-1β content and significant decrease in TNF-α content in vitacoenzyme group （P<0.01）， significant reduction in content of serum IL-1β and TNF-α in Chaishao Liujuntang group （P<0.05， P<0.01） were observed compared with those in the model group. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh， Ptch1， and Gli1 in gastric mucosa and the content of serum IL-1β and TNF-α were insignificantly different between the GDC-0449 group and Chaishao Liujuntang + GDC-0449 group. ConclusionChaishao Liujuntang can effectively improve the pathological state of gastric mucosa in CAG rats with liver depression and spleen deficiency， which may be related to the activation of Hedgehog signaling pathway and the decrease of IL-1β and TNF-α content.

The extract rates, multicomponent content and fingerprint were determined in this study to investigate the quality diffe-rence between standard decoction of raw Paeoniae Radix Alba and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba. UPLC fingerprint was established for 17 batches of standard decoction of raw and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba, and the contents of gallic acid, catechin, albiflorin, paeoniflorin and benzoyl paeoniflorin were determined. The peak areas of standard decoction were analyzed by the independent t-test and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. There was no significant difference in extract rates between the standard decoction of raw and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba. After fried processing, the content of albiflorin increased by 0.26%, while the contents of gallic acid, catechin, paeoniflorin and benzoyl paeoniflorin decreased by 13.04%, 27.97%, 10.30% and 18.79% respectively. There were 14 common peaks in the fingerprint of standard decoction of raw Paeoniae Radix Alba, and 16 common peaks in the fried Paeoniae Radix Alba. Peak 1 and peak 3 were new ones after processing, among which the peak 3 was 5-hydroxymethylfurfural. The results showed that peak 1, peak 3, peak 11 and peak 15 were the key compounds to distinguish standard decoction of raw and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba. In conclusion, this method is stable and can be used for the study of quantity transfer and quality control in the preparation process of standard decoction, granules and other dosage forms for raw and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba, providing reference for the identification of raw and fried Paeoniae Radix Alba and related preparations.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Paeonia ; Quality Control ; Reference Standards

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of pertussis vaccination on the clinical manifestations of infants and young children with pertussis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed to investigate the differences in clinical manifestations and peripheral blood cell levels between pertussis children with different pertussis vaccination status. RESULTS: A total of 1 083 children with pertussisat at age of < 3 years were enrolled, with 551 children in the unvaccinated group and 532 in the vaccinated group. Of all the children, 392 had an age of onset of < 3 months (372 were unvaccinated and 20 were vaccinated) and 691 children had an age of onset of ≥ 3 months (179 were unvaccinated and 512 were vaccinated). Compared with the vaccinated group, the unvaccinated group had a longer length of hospital stay and a higher incidence rate of respiratory failure ( CONCLUSIONS Pertussis vaccination can reduce the incidence of severe pneumonia and respiratory failure and alleviate the severity of respiratory complications in infants and young children with pertussis.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Pneumonia ; Retrospective Studies ; Vaccination ; Whooping Cough/prevention & control*

Aim To investigate the protective effect of 1, 8-Cineole on the injury of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) induced by high glucose (HG) via regulating autophagy. Methods Cells were incubated with different doses of 1, 8-Cineole followed by exposing to HG for 60 h, and MTT assay was used to analyse cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was used to detect cytotoxicity, and Western blot was used to detect Beclin1, LC3-II/I, p62, caspase-3 and caspase-9 expressions. Autophagy inhibitor (chloroquine, CQ) was treated on HAECs, and the expressions of Beclinl, LC3-II/I, p62, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were measured by Western blot. Results 1, 8-Cineole increased cell viability, reduced the content of LDH, activated autophagy and inhibited apoptosis. Compared with control group, the expression of Beclinl, LC3-II/I, p62, caspase-3 and caspase-9 in CQ group increased. Simultaneously, the expression of above-mentioned between CQ + HG group and CQ + HG + CH group. Conclusions 1, 8-Cineole has protective effect on the injury of HAECs induced by high glucose, and its effect is related to improving autophagy flux.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Oryz-Aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets (Combizym^®) in the treatment of postprandial distress syndrome (PDS) in the elderly, compared with gastrointestinal motility drugs. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled trial was designed and registered in the China Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR-IPR-16008185). The elderly patients with PDS were randomly divided into three groups, including Mosapride group with Mosapride citrate tablets 5 mg 3 times per day for 2 weeks; Combizym^® group with Combizym tablets 244 mg 3 times per day for 2 weeks; combined treatment group with both drugs and same doses for 2 weeks. The modified Nepean dyspepsia index (NDSI) score, discomfort intensity score and PDS score were calculated on patients before treatment, at the end of first and second week of treatment, as well as 4 weeks after treatment finished, respectively. Adverse effects were evaluated. Results: A total of 323 patients from 16 tertiary hospitals in China were enrolled in this study. Among them, 105 patients were in Mosapride group, 109 in Combizym^® group and 109 in combined treatment group. There were 148 males (45.8%) and 175 females (54.2%) with median age 71.4±9.0 years (60-100 years). Baseline characteristics of three groups were comparable. After treatment, the NDSI scores in three groups all decreased significantly (P<0.001), while they were similar between groups (P>0.05). The discomfort intensity score and PDS score in three groups showed a significant reduction after treatment (P<0.001), especially in the combined treatment group. Compared with Mosapride group, the scores in Combizym^® group decreased significantly after one or two weeks [discomfort intensity score: after one week, 4.0(2.5, 8.0) vs. 6.0(3.0, 10.0); after two weeks, 3.0(0.0, 5.0) vs. 4.0(2.0, 6.0); all P<0.05. PDS score: after one week, 6.0(3.0, 9.0) vs. 7.0(3.5, 10.5); after two weeks, 3.0(0.0, 5.0) vs. 4.0(2.0, 7.0); all P<0.05]. The efficacy rate in all patients after first week of treatment was over 15.0%. The efficacy rates after two weeks were 55.2%, 68.8% and 73.4% in Mosapride group, Combizym^® group and combined treatment group, respectively. After two week treatment, the efficacy rates in Combizym^® group (P=0.041) and combined group (P=0.006) were higher than that of Mosapride group. The recurrence rate of Mosapride group was 9.5%, which was significantly higher than that of Combizym^® group (1.8%, P<0.05) and combined treatment group (1.8%, P<0.05). There were no serious adverse effects in the three groups. Conclusions The efficacy of Oryz-Aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets is comparable with that of Mosapride in elderly PDS patients, with fewer adverse effects and low recurrence rate. Combination regimen indicates better efficacy than that of Oryz-Aspergillus enzyme and pancreatin tablets or Mosapride alone.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of peripheral introvascular central catheters (PICC) on the catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CRBSI) and the formations of catheter-related bloodstream infections. METHODS: Total of 483 patients with hematologic malignancies admitted in our hospital from January 2013 to December 2016 were enrolled in this study, and 612 PICC catheterization were conducted. The median time of catheterization was 101 d (48 ∼ 184 d) . The incidence rates of CRBSI and CRTC were observed, and the CRBSI and CRTC associated variables were also analyzed. RESULTS: There were 47 cases of CRBSI (7.7%), and the incidence was 0.59‰ PICC days, and there were 16 cases of CRTC (2.6%), with the incidence of 0.20‰ PICC days. Meanwhile, no other related serious complications found. The Cox regression analysis of CRBSI and CRTC-associated variables showed that the acute leukemia was significantly related with a higher incidence of CRBSI as compared with the other type of disease, however, which was not significantly related with the CRTC. CONCLUSION Compared with the traditional CVAD catheterization, the PICC is more safe and effective for the patients with malignant tumors, thus which may become a alternative method for CVAD.
Catheter-Related Infections ; etiology ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; adverse effects ; Hematologic Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Risk Factors ; Thrombosis ; etiology

A total of ten compounds were isolated from the 90% Et OH extract of Cassia siamea by using various chormatographic techniques,and their structures were established as( 2' S)-2-( propan-2'-ol)-5,7-dihydroxy-benzopyran-4-one( 1),chrobisiamone( 2), 2-( 2'-hydroxypropyl)-5-methyl-7-hydroxychromone( 3), 2,5-dimethyl-7-hydroxychromone( 4), 2-methyl-5-acetonyl-7-hydroxychromone( 5),3-O-methylquercetin( 6),3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavonone( 7),luteolin-5,3'-dimethylether( 8),4-( trans)-acetul-3,6,8-trihydroxy-3-methyl-dihydronapht halenone( 9) and 6-hydroxymellein( 10) based on the spectroscopic data.Compound 1 was a new compound,and 3,4,6,8 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Cassia ; Luteolin ; Senna Plant ; Spectrum Analysis

AIM To observe the effects of Tangzhi Kangping Granules (Astragali Radix,Ligustri lucidi Fructus,Schisandrae chinensis Fructus,etc.) on regulating blood sugar and lipid of rats with glucose and lipid metabolism disorders.METHODS Among the seventy rats for the trial,ten rats were randomly assigned to normal control group,the other 60 rats were injected with STZ citric acid-sodium citrate solution (60 mg/kg) combined with high-fat emulsion (10 mL/kg) for 4 weeks to be the models of glucose and lipid metabolism disorders.The model rats were divided into model control group,mefformin + fenofibrate group,Xiaoke Pills + Xuezhikang group,and high,medium and low dose Tangzhi Kangping Granules groups.After 4-week intragastric administration,the rats had their levels of fasting serum glucose (GLU),triglyceride (TG),total cholesterol (TC),high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),low density lipids (LDL-C),insulin (INS),adiponectin (ADP),leptin (Leptin),interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) measured.RESULTS Compared with the model control group,the rats in high,medium and low dose Tangzhi Kangping Granules groups displayed significantly decreased serum contents of GLU,TG and TC,lowered levels of LDL-C,ADP,Leptin,IL-6,TNF-α,and yet significantly increased levels of HDL-C and INS.CONCLUSION Tangzhi Kangping Granules,a blood sugar andlipid regulator may adjust the levels of insulin,adiponectin and leptin,and therefore improves the body's inflammatory environment to alleviate insulin resistance.

OBJECTIVETo prepare internalized RGD (iRGD) modified echogenic liposomes containing methotrexate (MTX) and indocyanine green (ICG) (iRGD MTX ICG ELIP) and evaluate its targeting efficiency and inhibitory effect combined with ultrasound on synovial cells.

METHODSiRGD MTX ICG ELIP was prepared by the thin film rehydration and freeze-lyophilization method and its general characteristics and acoustic responsiveness were assessed. The targeting effect of the prepared liposome was observed by assessing its cell uptake in vitro. In a mouse model of rheumatiod arthritis, the targeting effect of the prepared liposome was determined by detecting the fluorescence intensity of the drug in arthrosis. The inhibitory effect of iRGD MTX ICG ELIP combined with ultrasound on synovial MH7A cells in vitro were investigated using CCK8 test.

RESULTSThe average diameter and zeta potential of iRGD MTX ICG ELIP was 134.4∓17.61 nm and 10.07∓4.28 mV, and the entrapment efficiency of MTX and ICG was (62.56∓0.77)% and (95.13∓0.82)%, respectively. With ultrasound exposure, the release of MTX and ICG from iRGD MTX ICG ELIP increased with the ultrasound intensity and with the exposure time. In HUVECs, the uptake efficiency of iRGD MTX ICG ELIP was 1.89 times higher than that of non targeted MTX ICG ELIP (P<0.05). In vivo imaging of mouse joint with rheumatiod arthritis showed that the fluorescence intensity of iRGD MTX ICG ELIP was significantly stronger than that of the non targeted liposome. CCK8 assay showed that iRGD MTX ICG ELIP combined with ultrasound resulted in a survival rate of MH7A cells of (32.49∓3.04)%, significantly lower than the rate of cells treated with iRGD MTX ICG ELIP but without ultrasound (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSiRGD MTX ICG ELIP has a suitable particle size and can effectively target HUVECs and the joints with rheumatiod arthritis. With a good drug entrapment efficiency and acoustic responsiveness, the drug loaded liposome shows enhanced inhibitory effect on MH7A cells combined with ultrasound in vitro, suggesting its potential in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.