Piroxicam has polymorphism. Different crystalline forms can exhibit different physicochemical properties and biological activities. Analysis of the intermolecular interactions is essential to reveal the formation mechanism and differences of polymorphs. In this paper, Hirshfeld surface analysis and semi-empirical methods were used to calculate and analyze the intermolecular interactions in seven polymorphic forms of piroxicam. The results show that the Hirshfeld surface analysis method can clearly and intuitively reveal the intermolecular interactions, among which H…H, O…H/H…O and N…H/H…N interactions account for 95% of the total energy. There are differences in the proportion and distribution of the forces of different crystal forms. The energy calculation shows that the lattice energy of the hydrate is significantly lower than that of the anhydrous forms, and in the specific energy distribution, the contribution of the dispersion force is the most prominent. Further interaction energy analysis was found that within the distance of 3.8 Å from the center of the piroxicam molecule, different crystalline forms of piroxicam molecule have different interaction energies with surrounding molecules.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a chronic disease but causes the highest mortality and morbidity among the cardiovascular diseases worldwide. Correlations between CAD and gut microbiota have been observed. This suggests that the gut microbiota could become a vital diagnostic marker of CAD, and restoring the gut habitat may become a promising strategy for CAD therapy. The elevated level of trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite, was found to be associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and the all-cause mortality. Preclinical studies have shown that it has pro-arteriosclerosis properties. It is likely that regulating the production of TMAO by gut microbiota may become a promising strategy for anti-atherosclerosis therapy. This review summarizes the clinical and preclinical researches on the intervention of CAD by regulating the gut microbiota and the microbiota-derived metabolite TMAO, with the aim to provide new target for the therapy of CAD.
Coronary Artery Disease ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Humans ; Methylamines ; Oxides

Glutamate decarboxylase, a unique pyridoxal 5'-phosphate-dependent enzyme, catalyzes α-decarboxylation of L-glutamate to γ-aminobutyrate. However, glutamate decarboxylase from different sources has the common problem of poor thermostability that affects its application in industry. In this study, proline was introduced at 13 different positions in glutamate decarboxylase by using the design strategy of homologous sequence alignment between Thermococcus kodakarensis and Lactobacillus brevis CGMCC No.1306. A mutant enzyme G364P with higher thermostability was obtained. Compared to the wild type, thermostability of the mutant G364P was significantly improved, the half-life time (t1/2) at 55 °C and the semi-inactivation temperature (T₅₀ ¹⁵) of the mutant G364P increased 19.4 min and 5.3 °C, respectively, while kcat/Km of the mutant enzyme remained nearly unchanged. Further analysis of their thermostability by molecular dynamics simulations were performed. The root mean square deviation of G364P and root mean square fluctuation in the loop region including G364 were lower than the wild type at 313 K for 10 ns, and G364P increased one hydrophobic interaction in the loop region. It proves that mutation of flexible 364-Gly to rigid proline endows glutamate decarboxylase with enhanced thermostability.
Glutamate Decarboxylase ; Glutamic Acid ; Lactobacillus brevis ; Molecular Dynamics Simulation ; Proline

Objective Quantitative analysis and comparison of the expression of ribonucleic acid （RNA） from frozen organs and formaldehyde-fixed and paraffin-embedded （FFPE） tissues. Methods Frozen specimens of human brain, myocardium and liver tissues as well as FFPE samples at different postmortem intervals were collected and mass concentration of RNA was extracted and detected. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR） technology was used to analyze the amplification efficiency and relative expression of each RNA marker. Results The mass concentration and integrity of RNA extracted from FFPE samples were relatively low compared with frozen specimens. The amplification efficiency of RNA markers was related with RNA species and the length of amplification products. Among them, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase （GAPDH） and β-actin （ACTB） with relatively long amplification products failed to achieve optimal amplification efficiency, whereas 5S ribosomal RNA （5S rRNA） achieved ideal amplification efficiency and showed quite stable expression across various tissues, therefore it was chosen as internal reference marker. The expression quantity of GAPDH and ACTB in frozen specimens with longer postmortem intervals and in FFPE samples with relatively long amplification products was decreased. The expressions of tissue-specific microRNAs （miRNAs）, GAPDH and ACTB with relatively short amplification products had consistency in the same tissues and FFPE samples. Conclusion Through standardizing the RT-qPCR experiment, selecting the appropriate RNA marker and designing primers of appropriate product length, RNA expression levels of FFPE samples can be accurately quantified.
DNA Primers ; Formaldehyde ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/analysis* ; Myocardium ; Paraffin Embedding ; RNA/analysis* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction/standards*

Objective To analyze the status quo of patients with severe mental illness in Jinshan district, Shanghai, and provide sci-entific evidence for strengthening the prevention and treatment of them. Methods The data of severe mental illness until March 1st, 2016 were derived from the national database and analysis system, and were used for statistical analysis. Results A total of 4778 patients with severe mental illness were registered. Among them, 54.40% suffered from schizo-phrenia, patients aged 18 to 59 years old (67.73%) accounted for the vast majority, 86.44% only got junior high school education or below, 40.46% were unmarried or divorced, 76.50% patients choose outpatient department as a way to see doctor, and 15.11% patients did not take any treatment. Conclusion The prevention of severe mental illness has become the important gambit for this district. The proportion of patients choosing appropriate way to visit doctor is relatively low. The management of patients with severe men-tal diseases needs to be strengthened to promote the recovery of patients and social stability.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the correlation between the expression levels of several RNA markers in human brain tissue and early postmortem interval （PMI）. METHODS: Twelve individuals with known PMI （range from 4.3 to 22.5 h） were selected and total RNA was extracted from brain tissue. Eight commonly used RNA markers were chosen including β-actin, GAPDH, RPS29, 18S rRNA, 5S rRNA, U6 snRNA, miRNA-9 and miRNA-125b, and the expression levels were detected in brain tissue by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. The internal reference markers with stable expression in early PMI were screened using geNorm software and the relationship between its expression level and some relevant factors such as age, gender and cause of death were analyzed. RNA markers normalized by internal reference were inserted into the mathematic model established by previous research for PMI estimation using R software. Model quality was judged by the error rate calculated with estimated PMI. RESULTS: 5S rRNA, miRNA-9 and miRNA-125b showed quite stable expression and their expression levels had no relation with age, gender and cause of death. The error rate of estimated PMI using β-actin was 24.6%, while GAPDH was 41.0%. CONCLUSIONS 5S rRNA, miRNA-9 and miRNA-125b are suitable as internal reference markers of human brain tissue owing to their stable expression in early PMI. The expression level of β-actin correlates well with PMI, which can be used as an additional index for early PMI estimation.
Actins/analysis* ; Autopsy ; Brain/metabolism* ; Humans ; MicroRNAs/analysis* ; Models, Theoretical ; Postmortem Changes ; RNA Stability ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/analysis* ; RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/analysis* ; RNA, Small Nuclear/analysis* ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Software

Objective To explore method for determination of calycosin contents in Wujin capsule by HPLC .Methods The sample was studied on ZORBA Bonus‐RP (4 .6 mm × 260 mm ,5 μm) column ,the mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile and H2O‐0.1% HCOOH (gradient elution) ,the temperature of column was 25 ℃ ,the UV detection wavelength was set at 260 nm , flow speed was 1 .0 ml/min and injection volume was 10 μl .Results The calycosin calibration curve was at the range of 7 .4‐117 .6 μg/ml (r=1 .000) ,with their regression function being Y=34 .002 X-3 .451 2 .The recovery of calycosin was 95 .24%(RSD=2 .10% ) .6 batches of Wujin capsule calycosin contents were 9 .26‐23 .14μg/g .Conclusion HPLC was an accuracy and simple method for determining the content of calycosin in Wujin capsule .

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cost effectiveness of HIV testing strategy in hospitals from 2006 to 2010 in Guangzhou.

METHODSAccording to the HIV test strategy costs and the number of HIV patients found in Guangzhou, following aspects were calculated as the total cost of HIV testing strategy in hospitals from 2006 to 2010 of Guangzhou, the cost of finding each HIV patient, and the cost of obtaining one quality adjusted life year (QALY) using Markov model.

RESULTSThe total HIV test strategy costs increased from 11 106.98 thousand Yuan to 25 105.58 thousand Yuan, and 4599 HIV positive patients were found due to this strategy. The cost-effectiveness of HIV testing were different in hospitals from 2006 to 2010 in Guangzhou. The lowest cost-effectiveness ratio of HIV testing strategy was 11 810 Yuan per HIV positive patient, the highest was 23 510 Yuan, and the average was 16 070 Yuan. According to the Markov model result, 7.2855 QALYs could be gained per HIV patient on average via HIV testing strategy in 113 hospitals in Guangzhou, and the cost of obtaining one QALY was 2210 Yuan.

CONCLUSIONThe cost effectiveness ratio of HIV testing strategy in hospitals in Guangzhou was significantly lower than the standard of WHO recommended, and it was cost-effective to carry out the HIV testing strategy in Guangzhou.

Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures ; economics ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; economics ; Hospitals ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo study the inhibitory effect of Typhonium gigantewm Engl. (AEoTGE) on the proliferation and apoptosis of KFB in vitro and to survey the death rate.

METHODSSamples of hypertrophic scars were collected and cultured. Only 4-8 passage cells were selected for experiment. Inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope were used to observe the morphogenesis and ultrastructure of KFB. The KFB cells were treated with AEoTGE in different concentrations(3. 125,6.250, 12.500, 25.000, 50. 000,100.000 g/L) for 24 hours. The effect of AEoTGE on the proliferation and the IC50 of KFB was observed with MTT assay and EdU. The effect of AEoTGE on apoptosis of KFB was detected by flow cytometry.

RESULTSIt showed that AEoTGE could inhibit the proliferation of KFB in an concentration-dependent style within the range of 3. 125-100.000 g/L. The AEoTGE could obviously increase the apoptosis rate of the KFB compared with blank control group(P <0.05). The IC50 of AEoTGE was 35 g/L. FITC-Annexin V/PI showed that apoptosis rate of KFB in the AEoTGE group was (72. 07 +/- 0. 70)% , while it was 23. 5% in blank control group (P < 0. 05).

CONCLUSIONSAEoTGE could significantly inhibit the proliferating activity and induce apoptosis of KFB after co-culture for 24 hours. The IC50 is 35 g/L and the rate of apoptosis is (72.07 +/- 0.70)%.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; pathology ; Humans ; Keloid

BACKGROUNDMultidrug resistance (MDR) is a main reason for paclitaxel (TAX) treatment failure. Indirubin-3'-monoxime (IRO) and Matrine are traditional Chinese medicines, which may reverse the resistance of tumor cells to some chemotherapy drugs, but the relationship between paclitaxel resistance and Matrine is still unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the potential molecular mechanism of IRO and Matrine in reversal of TAX resistance.

METHODSIn this study, MTT assay was used to measure the non-cytotoxic dosage of IRO and Matrine on NCI-H520/TAX25 cells and determine the reversal extent of TAX resistance under non-toxic doses. In addition, RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to evaluate the mRNA expression and the protein level of survivin, Oct-4, and Sox-2 in NCI-H520/TAX25 cells using semi-quantitative methods.

RESULTSThere was no obvious inhibition on sensitive cell strains and drug-resistant strains, when the final concentration was at lest 4 µmol/L for IRO and 100 µmol/L for Matrine. So 4 µmol/L of IRO and 100 µmol/L of Matrine were considered as the reversal dosage. When 4 µmol/L of IRO or 100 µmol/L of Matrine were used together with TAX, the sensitivity to TAX increased evidently in NCI-H520/TAX2 cells; the reversal rate of IRO and Matrine was about 1.92 (43.56/22.6 nmol/L) and 1.74 (43.56/25.0 nmol/L), respectively. The mRNA expression and the protein level of survivin, Oct-4, and Sox-2 in NCI-H520/TAX25 decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after addition of IRO or Matrine in TAX treatment, compared to that of TAX treatment alone.

CONCLUSIONThe decrease in both mRNA expression and protein level of survivin, Oct-4, and Sox-2 might be the molecular mechanism, by which IRO and Matrine mediate the reversal of TAX resistance.

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Humans ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Octamer Transcription Factor-3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oximes ; pharmacology ; Paclitaxel ; pharmacology ; Quinolizines ; pharmacology ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism