Vascular endothelial cells and oxidation reduction system play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). If these conditions are disordered, it will inevitably lead to plaque formation and even rupture. Astragaloside IV (AsIV) and salvianolic acid B (Sal B) are the main active ingredients of Astragalus membranaceus and Salvia miltiorrhiza, respectively, and found to ameliorate vascular endothelial dysfunction and protect against oxidative stress in recent studies. However, it is still unknown if the combination of AsIV and Sal B (AsIV + Sal B) can inhibit the development of plaque through amplifying the protective effect of vascular endothelial cells and anti-oxidative stress effect. To clarify the role of AsIV + Sal B in AS, we observed the efficacy of each group (Control, Model, AsIV, Sal B, and AsIV + Sal B) by biomolecular assays, such as observing the pathological morphology of the aorta by oil red O staining, evaluating the level of oxidative stress and endothelial cells in the serum by the Elisa test, and analyzing the changes of all small molecule metabolites in liver tissue by UPLC-QTOF-MS. Results showed that AsIV, Sal B and AsIV + Sal B decreased the deposition of lipid in the arterial wall, so as to exert the effect of anti-oxidant stress and vascular endothelial protection, where the inhibitory effect of AsIV + Sal B was the most obvious. Metabonomics analysis showed that Sal B regulated the metabolic pathways of arginine and proline. AsIV regulated glycerol metabolism and saturated fatty acid biosynthesis metabolism. AsIV + Sal B is mainly related to the regulation of the citrate cycle (TCA cycle), alanine, aspartic acid, and glutamate metabolism, cysteine, and methionine metabolism. Succinic acid and methionine are synergistic metabolites that exert an enhancing effect when AsIV and Sal B were used in combination. In conclusion, we demonstrated that AsIV acompanied with Sal B can be successfully used for anti-oxidative stress and vascular endothelial protection of AS, and succinic acid and methionine are the synergistic metabolites.
Antioxidants ; Atherosclerosis ; Benzofurans ; Endothelial Cells ; Humans ; Methionine ; Saponins ; Succinic Acid ; Triterpenes

On February 2022, WHO released the evidence-based guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis, with aims to guide the elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem in disease-endemic countries by 2030 and promote the interruption of schistosomiasis transmission across the world. Based on the One Health concept, six evidence-based recommendations were proposed in this guideline. This article aims to analyze the feasibility of key aspects of this guideline in Chinese national schistosomiasis control program and illustrate the significance to guide the future actions for Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Currently, the One Health concept has been embodied in the Chinese national schistosomiasis control program. Based on this new WHO guideline, the following recommendations are proposed for the national schistosomiasis control program of China: (1) improving the systematic framework building, facilitating the agreement of the cross-sectoral consensus, and building a high-level leadership group; (2) optimizing the current human and livestock treatments in the national schistosomiasis control program of China; (3) developing highly sensitive and specific diagnostics and the framework for verifying elimination of schistosomiasis; (4) accelerating the progress towards elimination of schistosomiasis and other parasitic diseases through integrating the national control programs for other parasitic diseases.
China/epidemiology* ; Disease Eradication ; Humans ; Public Health ; Schistosomiasis/prevention & control* ; World Health Organization

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease that seriously hinders socioeconomic developments and threatens public health security. To achieve the global elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem by 2030, WHO released the guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis on February, 2022, with aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for schistosomiasis morbidity control, elimination of schistosomiasis as a public health problem, and ultimate interruption of schistosomiasis transmission in disease-endemic countries. Following concerted efforts for decades, great achievements have been obtained for schistosomiasis control in China where the disease was historically highly prevalent, and the country is moving towards schistosomiasis elimination. This article reviews the successful experiences from the national schistosmiasis control program in China, and summarizes their contributions to the formulation and implementation of the WHO guideline on control and elimination of human schistosomiasis. With the progress of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the world is looking forward to more China's solutions on schistosomiasis control.
China/epidemiology* ; Disease Eradication ; Humans ; Public Health ; Schistosomiasis/prevention & control* ; World Health Organization

Astragalus membranaceus has the effect of tonifying Qi and solid surface， diuretic support poison， discharging pus and astringent sores to produce muscle. It is not only used for syndromes such as deficiency of lung and temper， deficiency of spleen and diarrhea， but also for stroke， chest obstruction and other diseases. Due to the complex chemical composition and diverse pharmacological effect of Astragalus membranaceus， and the main role in invigorating qi and activating blood circulation has not been clarified. Astragaloside Ⅳ is one of its main active ingredients. In recent years， more and more studies on Astragaloside Ⅳ have been conducted at home and abroad. It has been reported that it has the medicinal value of enhancing immune function， strengthening heart and lowerin blood glucose， diuresis， anti-aging and anti-fatigue， et al， and has extensive pharmacological activity. Among them， the role of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in particular has attracted increasing attention. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are ischemic or hemorrhagic diseases occurring in the heart， brain and systemic tissues due to blood viscosity， atherosclerosis， hypertension， hyperlipidemia， etc.， including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Such diseases are a serious threat to mankind and are the leading cause of death worldwide. At present， western medicine is the main treatment， with many adverse reactions and poor long-term prognosis. TCM believes that the imbalance of qi and blood is the basic pathogenesis of this kind of disease. Qi deficiency and blood stasis are more common.At present， Astragaloside Ⅳ in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in a number of studies， and achieved some results， but this review in recent years， Astragaloside Ⅳ in the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases play the pharmacological activity， in order to explore whether Astragaloside Ⅳ is the main role of astragalus qi to find a theoretical basis for material basis， but also for the innovation of traditional Chinese medicine drug research and development of theoretical basis and practical guidance.

OBJECTIVETo explore the in vitro anti-tumor effect and mechanism of dendritic cell (DC) tumor vaccine induced by astragalus polysacharin (APS).

METHODSPeripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolated from human peripheral blood. DCs obtained from human peripheral blood were cultivated and added with culture solution for in vitro inducing them to immature DCs. On the 5th day of culture, 100 microg/mL (as the final concentration) APS was added to cells in the APS group. DCs were induced to mature in the cytokine groups by adding 20 ng/mL rhTNF-alpha (as the final concentration). Changes of morphology and phenotype of DCs were observed. Mature DCs were sensitized with tumor antigen SGC-7901 and co-cultured with allogeneic T cells. The proliferative function of T lymphocytes was detected by MTT assay. Levels of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in co-cultured supernatant were detected by ELISA. Cytotoxic lymphocytes (CTL) activated by DC were co-cultured with tumor cell SGC-7901. The specific killing capacity of CTL to target cells was detected by LDH release assay.

RESULTSThe morphological observation and phenotypic identification of APS induced DCs were in accordance with the characteristics of mature DCs. APS induced mature DCs could stimulate the proliferation of allogeneic T lymphocytes. The proliferation index of T cells increased with increased ratio of stimulator cells to effector cells (P < 0.05). Levels of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in co-culture supernatant significantly increased in a time-dependent manner (P < 0.05). CTL cells activated by sensitization of DCs could significantly kill tumor cells, and the killing effect increased along with increased effector-to-target ratio.

CONCLUSIONAPS could in vitro induce DCs to mature, promote its antigen-presenting capacity, effectively activate CTLs, and enhance anti-tumor function of the organism.

Antigen-Presenting Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Cancer Vaccines ; immunology ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Coculture Techniques ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; immunology ; Interleukin-12 ; immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Activation ; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic ; cytology ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo construct and identify lentiviral vector containing human ILK-shRNA and mda7 gene.

METHODSBased on the human ILK gene sequences, RNAi target sequences were designed and cloned into the lentiviral vector pSicoR-eGFP by restriction endonuclease HpaI and XhoI double digestion and T4 DNA ligase ligation. Based on the human mda7 gene sequences, PCR primers were designed to clone the full-length mda7, and were cloned into the lentiviral vector pLVX-Puro. After the candidate clones were identified by DNA sequencing, the recombinant plasmid and the three packaging plasmids were co-transfected into the human embryonic kidney 293T cells by lipofectamine 2000 to produce the lentiviral particles. Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were infected with the constructed lentiviral vector. The ILK and mda7 expression levels in PC-3 cells were quantified by qPCR and Western blot, respectively. The effect of ILK and mda7 on proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells were assessed by MTT method and Transwell assay, respectively.

RESULTSILK-pSicoR-eGFP and mda7-pLVX-Puro lentiviral vectors were successfully constructed. Strong green fluorescence was observed in the 293T cells under the fluorescent microscope after co-transfection of 293T cells with 4 plasmids of lentiviral vector. The transfection efficiency of the collected virus exceeded 90% in the 293T cells and the PC-3 cells were infected with the lentiviral particles with high efficiency. The A and B lentiviral vector inhibited the expression of ILK at both the mRNA and protein levels in PC-3 cells significantly. The mda7-pLVX-Puro lentiviral vector increased the expression of mda7 in PC-3 cells, and the ability was maintained for one month. Within 96 h, ILK and mad7 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells (Ps<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe lentiviral vectors of ILK knockdown and mda7 over-expression have been successfully constructed and identified. The recombinant lentivirus can efficiently infect human prostate cancer PC-3 cells, in which ILK expression is inhibited and mda7 is over-expressed.

Cell Line ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interleukins ; genetics ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

Objective To compare the clinical choosing principles of sedated colonoscopy with con-ventional colonoscopy. Methods Outpatients who were willing to accept colonoscopy with or without seda-tion were prospectively recruited,which were assigned to sedated colonoscopy group(n=362)and conven-tional colonoscopy group(n=323). All patients and endoscopists were asked to answer a self-administered questionnaire. The colonoscopy completion,operation time,procedure-related discomfort,and questionnaire results of the two groups were compared and statistically analyzed. Results The completion rate was 98. 9%in the sedated colonoscopy group(358/362)and 89. 8% in the conventional colonoscopy group(290/323) ( P=0. 337 ). The operation time of sedated and conventional group were( 5. 60 ± 3. 25 ) minutes and (7. 71 ± 5. 70)minutes respectively(P<0. 001). And the average cost was CNY 886. 54 per patient in se-dated group and CNY 386. 00 per patient in the conventional group. Patient satisfaction score of conventional group and sedated group were 4(3-4)and 3(2-3)points(P<0. 001),while endoscopist satisfaction score was 4(3-4)and 4(4-4)(P<0. 001). A total of 354 patients(97. 79%)in the sedated group and 225 pa-tients(69. 66%)in the conventional group showed willingness to repeat the identical colonoscopy( P <0. 001). Patients who were male(P=0. 035),having no past abdominal operations(P<0. 001),or no ab-dominal pain during colonoscopy( P =0. 015 )in the conventional group preferred to repeat conventional colonoscopy. Conclusion Although the examination time of conventional colonoscopy is longer than sedated colonoscopy,it could reduce anesthesia risk and the cost. Conventional colonoscopy remains an irreplaceable examination of colorectal diseases in developing countries. Physicians should not only focus on patients'com-fort during endoscopy,but also help patients make a decision based on their actual situation and endoscopic indications to make the best of medical resources.

Objective: To construct and identify lentiviral vector containing human ILK-shRNA and mda7 gene.Methods:Based on the human ILK gene sequences , RNAi target sequences were designed and cloned into the lentiviral vector pSicoR -eGFP by restriction endonuclease HpaⅠand XhoⅠdouble digestion and T 4 DNA ligase ligation . Based on the human mda7 gene sequences , PCR primers were designed to clone the full-length mda7, and were cloned into the lentiviral vector pLVX-Puro.After the candidate clones were identified by DNA sequencing , the recombinant plasmid and the three packaging plasmids were co-transfected into the human embryonic kidney 293T cells by lipofectamine 2000 to produce the lentiviral particles .Human prostate cancer PC-3 cells were infected with the constructed lentiviral vector .The ILK and mda7 expression levels in PC-3 cells were quantified by qPCR and Western blot , respectively .The effect of ILK and mda7 on proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells were assessed by MTT method and Transwell assay, respectively.Results: ILK-pSicoR-eGFP and mda7-pLVX-Puro lentiviral vectors were successfully constructed .Strong green fluorescence was observed in the 293T cells under the fluorescent microscope after co-transfection of 293T cells with 4 plasmids of lentiviral vector .The transfection efficiency of the collected virus exceeded 90%in the 293T cells and the PC-3 cells were infected with the lentiviral particles with high efficiency .The A and B lentiviral vector inhibited the expression of ILK at both the mRNA and protein levels in PC-3 cells significantly .The mda7-pLVX-Puro lentiviral vector increased the expression of mda 7 in PC-3 cells, and the ability was maintained for one month.Within 96 h, ILK and mad7 significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells ( Ps <0.05 ) . Conclusion: The lentiviral vectors of ILK knockdown and mda 7 over-expression have been successfully constructed and identified . The recombinant lentivirus can efficiently infect human prostate cancer PC -3 cells, in which ILK expression is inhibited and mda 7 is over-expressed .

OBJECTIVETo study the prevalence of occupational musculoskeletal disorders (OMSD) of male steelworkers and explore its occupational and individual risk factors.

METHODS1620 male workers from a steel mill were selected as subjects through random cluster sampling in 2010. A revised Nordic Musculoskeletal disorder standard questionnaire and a questionnaire from National Institute for Occupational and Health of the Netherlands were used to ask and record the OMSD and its risk factors. The questionnaires were filled in by the workers. Annual prevalence of OMSD in different parts of the body were counted according to different age, working years and educational level, logistic regression was used to analyze its influence factors.

RESULTSOMSD in these workers primarily located in waist, neck and shoulders, annual prevalence were 51.0% (825), 48.5% (785) and 37.7% (610) respectively. Annual prevalence of other body parts were 28.0% (454) for back, 23.6% (383) for knee, 21.0% (341) for wrist, 17.9% (290) for ankle/foot, 14.1% (229) for elbow and 12.7% (205) for coxa. The annual prevalence of OMSD for each part tended to increase with age, mainly in waist and neck. Of the different age groups ≤ 24, 25 - 29, 30 - 34, 35 - 39, 40 - 44, 45 - 49, ≥ 50, the annual prevalence in waist was 26.4% (43/163), 37.8% (71/188), 52.8% (162/307), 55.6% (160/288), 53.8% (99/184), 55.9% (80/143), 61.6% (204/331) respectively (χ(2) = 72.5, P < 0.05); correspondingly, the annual prevalence in neck was 22.7% (37/163), 40.4% (76/188), 50.2% (154/307), 48.6% (140/288), 56.0% (103/184), 53.1% (76/143), 57.7% (191/331) respectively (χ(2) = 65.3, P < 0.05). The annual prevalence of OMSD increased with the working years. Of the different working years groups ≤ 4, 5 - 9, 10 - 14, 15 - 19, 20 - 24, 25 - 29, ≥ 30, the annual prevalence in waist was 30.2% (85/281), 46.2% (66/143), 56.4% (162/287), 56.8% (137/241), 50.6% (78/154), 59.2% (90/152), 60.7% (173/285) respectively (χ(2) = 71.3, P < 0.05);correspondingly, the annual prevalence in neck was 28.8% (81/281), 49.0% (70/143), 52.6% (151/287), 50.2% (121/241), 51.9% (80/154), 53.9% (82/152), 59.3% (169/285) respectively (χ(2) = 61.5, P < 0.05). The annual prevalence of OMSD decreased with education level. Of the different groups of education level (junior high school level and below, senior high school level, university level or above), the OMSD prevalence in waist was 61.5% (176/286), 61.9% (359/692), 44.2% (272/615) respectively (χ(2) = 26.0, P < 0.05);correspondingly, the annual prevalence in neck was 56.3% (161/286), 50.0% (346/692), 42.3% (260/615)respectively (χ(2) = 21.2, P < 0.05). Univariate logistic regression showed that the work load factors such as the working years ≥ 30 (OR = 3.562, 95%CI: 2.514 - 5.046), maintain substantial stoop for a long time (OR = 2.003, 95%CI: 1.612 - 2.488), often stooping with vast scale (OR = 1.897, 95%CI: 1.557 - 2.312), and torso repeating same action many times per minute (OR = 1.870, 95%CI: 1.529 - 2.288) could increase the annual prevalence of OMSD in waist most likely (P < 0.05). The working years ≥ 30 (OR = 3.597, 95%CI: 2.535 - 5.105), neck leaning forward (OR = 2.455, 95%CI: 2.010-2.99), neck leaning back (OR = 1.999, 95%CI: 1.569 - 2.546), and neck rotation (OR = 2.381, 95%CI: 1.907 - 2.972) were main risk factors causing OMSD in neck (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe most serious musculoskeletal disorders of male steelworkers were waist and neck pain. Personal factors such as age, working years, work load factors such as harmful working postures, manual heavy lifting, and labour organizational factors such as work overtime were the main risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders to the male steelworkers.

Adult ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; epidemiology ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workload

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Polysaccharides ; pharmacology