In recent years, liver fibrosis has become a hotspot in the field of liver diseases. MicroRNA(miRNA)-mediated Nod-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) inflammasome activation is pivotal in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. The present study mainly discussed the role of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis. Different miRNA molecules regulated liver fibrosis by mediating NLRP3 inflammasome activation, including miRNA-350-3 p(miR-350-3 p)/interleukin-6(IL-6)-mediated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)/c-myc signaling pathway, miR-148 a-induced autophagy and apoptosis of hepatic stellate cells via hedgehog signaling pathway, miR-155-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome by the negative feedback of the suppressor of cytokine signaling-1(SOCS-1), miR-181 a-mediated downstream NLRP3 inflammatory pathway activation through mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase(ERK)/nuclear transcription factor κB(NF-κB) inflammatory pathway, miR-21-promoted expression of NF-κB and NLRP3 of RAW264.7 cells in mice by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-α inducible protein 3(A20), and miR-20 b-promoted expression of IL-1β and IL-18 by activating NLRP3 signaling pathway. Additionally, the anti-liver fibrosis mechanism of different active components in Chinese medicines(such as Curcumae Rhizoma, Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Aurantii Fructus, Polygoni Cuspidati Rhizoma et Radix, Moutan Cortex, Paeoniae Radix Alba, Epimedii Folium, and Cinnamomi Cortex) was also explored based on the anti-liver fibrosis effect of miRNA-mediated NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Animals ; Hedgehog Proteins ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6 ; Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Mice ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-myc/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between postpartum depression (PPD) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) concentrations in human colostrum. METHODS: Participants were recruited from a maternal and infant cohort established in a tertiary general hospital in Guangdong Province between December, 2020 and September, 2021. In the afternoon of the second postpartum day, the women were evaluated with Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for screening PPD (defined as a score of 10 or higher). The women with PPD were matched at a 1:1 ratio with women without PPD with maternal age difference within 5 years and the same mode of delivery. Colostrum samples were collected in morning on the third postpartum day for measurement of TGF-β concentrations using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the association between EPDS scores and TGF-β concentrations was analyzed in the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 90 women were included in the final analysis. The mean concentrations of TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3 in the colostrum were 684.03 (321.22-859.25) pg/mL, 5116.50±1747.04 pg/mL and 147.84±48.68 pg/mL in women with PPD, respectively, as compared with 745.67 (596.00-964.22) pg/mL, 4912.40±1516.80 pg/mL, and 168.21±48.15 pg/mL in women without PPD, respectively. Compared with women without PPD, the women with PPD had significantly lower concentrations of TGF-β1 (P=0.026) and TGF-β3 (P=0.049) in the colostrum. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that the EPDS scores were negatively associated with the concentrations of TGF-β1 (r=-0.23, P=0.03) and TGF-β3 (r=-0.25, P=0.02) in the colostrum. CONCLUSION PPD is associated with decreased concentrations of TGF-β1 and TGF-β3 in human colostrum, suggesting the need of early PPD screening and interventions during pregnancy and the perinatal period to minimize the impact of PPD on human milk compositions.
Child, Preschool ; Cohort Studies ; Colostrum ; Depression, Postpartum/diagnosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Transforming Growth Factor beta2 ; Transforming Growth Factor beta3 ; Transforming Growth Factors

The phytochemical investigation of the stems of Homalium stenophyllum afforded seven new phenolic glycosides (1-5 and 8-9) and two known compounds (6 and 7). Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive analyses of NMR spectroscopic, mass spectrometric data and chemical hydrolysis. Additionally, their anti-inflammatory activities against the NO production in LPS-induced macrophages were evaluated.

With the deepening of microbial research in central nervous system diseases, the role of gut microbiota in spinal cord injury has also received extensive attention. At present, it is mainly focused on exploring the changes of gut microbiota after spinal cord injury and the potential effects of aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonists, short-chain fatty acids and lipopolysaccharides produced by bacterial metabolism on secondary inflammation after injury, and it is recognized that gut microbiota or supplemental flora metabolites may be a potential pathway for the treatment of spinal cord injury.

Background: Few studies have been published on new-onset geriatric epilepsy especially in older Chinese people. This study was to have a comprehensive understanding of new-onset geriatric epilepsy and find a more reasonable diagnosis and management of epilepsy in older people. Methods: One hundred and three patients with onset age 60 years and older were admitted between January 2008 and December 2016. Electronic medical records were reviewed to collect information. Results: There were 103 older patients with new-onset epilepsy. The mean age of the patients was 68.5 ± 6.4 years (range: 60-89 years), and there were 67 (65%) men and 36 (35%) women. The mean onset age was 67.9 ± 6.2 years (range: 60-89 years). The most common identifiable etiology of symptomatic seizures was autoimmune epilepsy in 43 (41.7%) patients. The second most common etiology was stroke in 15 (14.6%) patients. Seven (6.8%) older patients with acute seizures present with status epilepticus and 26 (25.2%) patients experienced clustered seizures (more than three events in 24 h) at seizure onset. Focal seizures (96.1%) were more common than generalized seizures (3.9%). Fifty-three (51.5%) patients had an abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Among them, video-electroencephalogram findings in 31 (30.1%) patients correlated with MRI abnormalities. Levetiracetam was the most used drugs before admission, in hospital, and during follow-up. Conclusions Autoimmune encephalitis is becoming an increasing risk factor of subsequent epilepsy in older people. Older patients with new epilepsy are more likely to respond to antiepileptic drugs, and drug-resistant epilepsy is uncommon.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; diagnostic imaging ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Levetiracetam ; therapeutic use ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis

Background:Chronic kidney disease (CKD) with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction usually exhibits an irreversible course,and available treatments for delaying the progression to end-stage renal disease are limited.This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the traditional Chinese medicine,Niaoduqing particles,for delaying renal dysfunction in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD.Methods:The present study was a prospective,randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial.From May 2013 to December 2013,300 CKD patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between 20 and 45 ml,min-1· 1.73 m-2,aged 18-70 years were recruited from 22 hospitals in 11 Chinese provinces.Patients were randomized in a 1∶1 ratio to either a test group,which was administered Niaoduqing particles 5 g thrice daily and 10 g before bedtime for 24 weeks,or a control group,which was administered a placebo using the same methods.The primary endpoints were changes in baseline serum creatinine (Scr) and eGFR after completion of treatment.The primary endpoints were analyzed using Student's t-test or Wilcoxon's rank-sum test.The present study reported results based on an intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis.Results:A total of 292 participants underwent the ITT analysis.At 24 weeks,the median (interquartile range) change in Scr was 1.1 (-13.0-24.1) and 11.7 (-2.6-42.9) μmol/L for the test and control groups,respectively (Z =2.642,P =0.008),and the median change in eGFR was-0.2 (-4.3-2.7) and-2.2 (-5.7-0.8) ml·min-1.1.73 m-2,respectively (Z =-2.408,P =0.016).There were no significant differences in adverse events between the groups.Conclusions:Niaoduqing particles safely and effectively delayed CKD progression in patients with stage 3b-4 CKD.This traditional Chinese medicine may be a promising alternative medication for patients with moderate-to-severe renal dysfunction.

To study the pharmacokinetics characteristic of loganin, ferulic acid and stilbene glucoside in rat plasma after oral administration of Bushen Tongluo formula. The plasma samples were treated by using liquid-liquid extraction technique, the concentrations were determined by HPLC-UV. Johnson spherigel C18 column (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 μm) was adopted and eluted with the of mobile phase of methanol-water containing 0.01% glacial acetic acid in a gradient mode, with the flow rate at 1.0 mL x min(-1), column temperature at 30 degrees C and injection volume of 10 μL. According to the findings, loganin was determined at 235 nm, ferulic acid and stilbene glucoside were determined at 320 nm, with the sample size of 10 μL. The pharmacokinetic parameters of loganin, ferulic acid and stilbene glucoside were calculated by DAS 2. 0 software as follows: C(max) was (0.369 ± 0.042), (0.387 ± 0.071), (0.233 ± 0.044) mg x L(-1); t(max) was (0.226 ± 0.022), (0.282 ± 0.031), (0.233 ± 0.044) h; t(½β) was (6.89 ± 0.20), (10.73 ± 0.11), (6.93 ± 0.09) h; AUC(0-∞) was (1.91 ± 0.36), (3.22 ± 0.52), (1.52 ± 0.33) mg x h x L(-1); AUCO(0-t) was (1.62 ± 0.33), (2.58 ± 0.43), (1.30 ± 0.30) mg x h x L(-1); CL was (20.2 ± 4.0), (1.39 ± 0.23), (31.7 ± 6.9) L x h(-1) x kg(-1), respectively. The results showed that after the oral administration with Bushen Tongluo formula, loganin, ferulic acid and stilbene glucoside showed concentration-time curves in conformity with the two compartment model, with a rapid absorption, loganin and stilbene glucoside was excreted at a moderate speed, and ferulic acid was excreted slowly (but with the highest bioavailability). Bushen Tongluo formula can main maintain plasma concentration with three administrations everyday and so is suitable to be made into common oral preparation.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Biological Availability ; Coumaric Acids ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Glucosides ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Iridoids ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stilbenes ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences of therapeutic effect of chronic fatigue syndrome treated with the combined therapy of coiling dragon needling and cupping on back and the western medicine therapy with Prednisone.

METHODSSeventy-two cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture and cupping group (37 cases) and a Prednisone group (35 cases). In acupuncture and cupping group, Jiaji (EX-B 2) points of T1--L5 were applied with coiling dragon needling (once a day), combined with moving cupping on back (once every two days); in Prednisone group, Prednisone tablets were orally taken for 10 mg at 8:00 am. Seven days made one course, and 2 courses were carried on totally. FS-14 scale and BELL's chronic fatigue syndrome integral table were applied to evaluate the fatigue degree of patients before and after treatment, and the therapeutic effects of both groups were compared.

RESULTSAfter one course of treatment, the BELL's scores of both groups were obviously improved (both P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05); after two courses of treatment, the BELL's score in acupuncture and cupping group improved more obviously than that in Prednisone group, and the total effective rate of 91.9% (34/37) in acupuncture and cupping group was superior to that of 71.4% (25/35) in Prednisone group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of chronic fatigue syndrome treated with coiling dragon needling and moving cupping on back is positive, superior to that of Prednisone with oral administration.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Fatigue Syndrome, Chronic ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDPrevious studies showed that anti MHC-II monoclone antibody (MAb) only had partial inhibiting effect of alloreactive mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) in vitro and it was unsteady and non-persistent. The aim of this research was to determine whether radioactive isotope (188)Re marked MHC-II antibody could benefit the allograft acceptance in transplantation as compared to normal MHC-II antibody.

METHODS188Re was incorporated to 2E9/13F (ab')(2) which is against swine MHC class II antigen (MAb-(188)Re). Porcine peripheral blood mononuclear (PBMC) cells were examined for proliferation and cytokine mRNA expression after stimulation with MHC-II MAb or MAb-(188)Re.

RESULTSThe proliferative response of recipient PBMCs in mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR) to donor alloantigen showed that the stimulation index of MAb-(188)Re group was significantly lower than the MHC-II MAb group and control (P < 0.05). mRNA expression of interleukin 2, interferon Υ and tumor necrosis factor α (type 1 cytokines) was lower in MAb-(188)Re group than the MHC-II MAb group, while interleukin 10 (type 2 cytokines) was higher in MAb-(188)Re group in the first 24 hours.

CONCLUSIONMAb-(188)Re could help the graft acceptance by inhibiting T cell proliferation, lowering the expression of type 1 cytokines and elevating the type 2 cytokines produced by PBMC.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; Interleukin-2 ; genetics ; Isoantigens ; immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; radiation effects ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Mitomycin ; pharmacology ; Radioisotopes ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhenium ; Swine ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo design ABC damage variable and positioning system for acetabular fracture and explore the feasibility and clinical practical value of the system through the multi-center analysis of 1122 acetabular fractures.

METHODSAccording to acetabular three-column conception, and pelvic ring lesions damage direction caused by acetabular fracture domino effect and injury degree of proximal femur joint, it defined class A as any column acetabular fracture; class B as any two-column acetabular fracture; class C as front, dome and posterior mixture acetabular fracture. Lower case English letters a, m, p represented front, dome, posterior fracture, respectively. Acetabular damage variables: 1 was simple displaced fractures; 2 was comminuted fractures; 3 was compression fractures. Pelvic ring lesions damage variables: alpha was sacroiliac joints or sacroiliac fracture horizontal separation deflection; beta was sacroiliac joints or sacroiliac fracture vertical separation deflection; gamma was pubic symphysis separation/superior and inferior ramus of pubis fracture deflection; alpha beta gamma delta was compound floating damage. Proximal humerus joint damage variables: I was femoral head fracture; II was femoral neck fracture; II was intertrochanteric fractures of femur; IV was I to III compound fracture. The ABC damage variable positioning system for acetabular fracture was made up by the above-mentioned variables. The statistics from March 1997 to February 2010 showed 1122 cases acetabular fractures with 18 cases of double side acetabular fracture and 1140 cases of acetabular fractures. The pelvics anterior-posterior view, ilium and obturator oblique view, and 2/3D-CT materials were analyzed and researched.

RESULTSEach damage variables distribution situation in 1140 cases of acetabular fracture involved A in 237 cases (20.8%), B in 605 cases (53.1%), C in 298 cases (26.1%);front column fracture in 808 cases(70.9%), dome fracture in 507 cases (44.5%), posterior fracture in 1026 cases (90%). Acetabular variables: variabe 1 in 203 cases of simple displaced fracture (17.8%); variabe 2 in 516 cases of comminuted fracture(45.3%); variabe 3 in 421 cases of compression fracture (36.9%); 249 cases of pelvic ring lesions damage (21.8%), 75 cases femoral head fracture (6.6%); 18 cases of double side acetabular fracture and relative pelvic ring and proximal humerus joint variables (1.58%). Key part and curative effect elements of 1140 cases acetabular fracture: 507 cases of dome or posterior acetabular fracture (44.5%); 421 cases of compression fracture (36.9%); 249 cases of pelvic ring variables (21.8%); 75 cases of proximal humerus joint variables (6.6%); 486 cases of simple Aa/pl/2,Bapl/2 acetabular fracture (42.6% ).

CONCLUSIONCompression fracture, especially defected compression fracture, takes important part in acetabular damage variables, and also presents that acetabular fracture with pelvic ring and proximal femoral damage variables are not rare at all. The relationship of the acetabular fracture damage variables, and its percentage shows the key points and elements in clinical treatment: weight-bearing to dome accounts for 44.5%; compression to defects account for 36.9%, pelvic ring to float accounts for 21.8%; dome fracture to double side fracture account for 6.6%. The system has significant guiding effects on clinic in terms of evaluation of injury severity, anatomic localization, difficulty index, alternative strategy, operative approach, effect of treatment,and prognosis. And the most important thing is that the system creates the comparison of damage variables in same type of fracture and the communication of homo-language and explores a new method.

Acetabulum ; injuries ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Fractures, Bone ; classification ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Informatics ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult