Objective:To investigate the effects of Buyang Huanwutang on the expression of microtubule-associated protein-2（MAP-2）， neurofilament-M（NF-M）， and growth associated protein-43（GAP-43）in rat sciatic nerve after sciatic nerve transection and anastomosis. To explore the mechanism of Buyang Huanwutang promoting peripheral nerve regeneration. Method:SD rats were selected as the experimental subjects， and sciatic nerve transection model was selected as the experimental model. They were randomly divided into model group， sham operation group， Buyang Huanwutang group high， medium and low dose （29.6， 14.8， 7.4 g·kg^-1）group， and mecobalamin （0.156 mg·kg^-1）group， the model group and the sham operation group were given distilled water intragastric administration. After successful modeling， each group was treated with relevant drugs for 4 weeks. After 4 weeks， sciatic nerve function index（SFI）， degree of inclined plate test and hematoxylin-eosin（HE）of sciatic nerve in each group were tested. The expression levels of MAP-2， NF-M， and GAP-43 at the sciatic nerve anastomosis site were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Result:Compared with sham operation group， the expression levels of SFI， inclined plate test， MAP-2， NF-M and GAP-43 in model group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， the expression levels of SFI， inclined plate test， MAP-2， NF-M and GAP-43 in Buyang Huanwutang high， medium and low-dose groups were significantly increased （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Conclusion:Buyang Huanwutang has a positive effect on nerve regeneration after sciatic nerve transection and anastomosis in rats.

Objective: Several COVID-19 patients have overlapping comorbidities. The independent role of each component contributing to the risk of COVID-19 is unknown, and how some non-cardiometabolic comorbidities affect the risk of COVID-19 remains unclear. Methods: A retrospective follow-up design was adopted. A total of 1,160 laboratory-confirmed patients were enrolled from nine provinces in China. Data on comorbidities were obtained from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio ( Results: Overall, 158 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with severe illness and 32 (2.7%) had unfavorable outcomes. Hypertension (2.87, 1.30-6.32), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (3.57, 2.32-5.49), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (3.78, 1.81-7.89), fatty liver disease (7.53, 1.96-28.96), hyperlipidemia (2.15, 1.26-3.67), other lung diseases (6.00, 3.01-11.96), and electrolyte imbalance (10.40, 3.00-26.10) were independently linked to increased odds of being severely ill. T2DM (6.07, 2.89-12.75), CVD (8.47, 6.03-11.89), and electrolyte imbalance (19.44, 11.47-32.96) were also strong predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease on admission (5.46, 3.25-9.19), while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes (6.58, 1.46-29.64) within two weeks. Conclusion Besides hypertension, diabetes, and CVD, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, other lung diseases, and electrolyte imbalance were independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity and poor treatment outcome. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease, while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes.
Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists ; Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 ; Betacoronavirus ; COVID-19 ; Cardiovascular Agents/pharmacology* ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Coronavirus Infections/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A/physiology* ; Pneumonia, Viral/physiopathology* ; SARS-CoV-2

The study aims at developing a convenient and specific method for the identification of Fel Serpentis DNA. The methods of Fel Serpentis genomic DNA purification were tested and optimized, four pairs of specific primers for the amplification of COⅠ, Cyt b and 16S were designed. Then the best pair of primers were selected according to the specificity and efficiency. The DNA fragment about 400 bp was amplified from 20 kinds of Fel Serpentis, whereas no DNA fragment was amplified from other animal samples under the same condition. This method is specific,accurate and reproducible, which provides a useful tool for the quality control of Fel Serpentis.

We report a case of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF?ET) with oocyte donation in a woman with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) complicated by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during pregnancy. The patient had a diagnosis of POI 4 years earlier and 11 weeks after successful pregnancy by IVF?ET with oocyte donation in 2003, she presented with facial edema, and further examinations confirmed the diagnosis of lupus nephritis. She received treatment with prednisone to control the activity of SLE and aspirin and low?molecular?weight heparin to improve placental blood flow with close monitoring of gravida and fetus throughout pregnancy. The condition of the patient remained unstable during pregnancy, and liver damage and placental circulation disorder occurred in late gestational weeks with suspected intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) of the fetus. For maternal and fetal safety, the patient received elective caesarean section and delivered a premature boy at 31 weeks of gestation. She subsequently received further medications for SLE and showed good recovery of the immunological parameters and absence of SLE symptoms during the follow?up for 14 years, indicating a clinical cure of SLE. Her son shows normal growth and development. Based on the experience with this case and literature review, we believe that immunological factor is an important cause of POI and thus recommend full immunological examinations in cases of idiopathic POI.

To study the effect of Siwu decoction on the function and expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) in Caco-2 cells. The Real-time quantitative poly-merase chain reaction (Q-PCR) was used to analyze the mRNA expression of MDR1 gene in Caco-2 cells. Flow cytometer was used to study the effect of Siwu decoction on the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells, in order to evaluate the efflux function of P-gp. Western blotting method was used to detect the effect of Siwu decoction on the P-gp protein expression of Caco-2 cells. Compared with the blank control group, after Caco-2 incubation with Siwu decoction at concentrations of 3.3, 5.0, 10.0 g x L(-1) for 24, 48, 72 h, the mRNA expression of MDR1 was up-regulated, suggesting the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the expression of MDR1. After the administration with Siwu decoction in Caco-2 cells for 48 h, the uptake of Rhodamine 123 in Caco-2 cells decreased by respectively 16.6%, 22.1% (P < 0.05) and 45.4% (P < 0.01), indicating that the long-term administration of Siwu decoction can enhance the P-gp efflux function of Caco-2 cells. After the incubation of Caco-2 cells with Siwu decoction for 48 h, the P-gp protein expression on Caco-2 cell emebranes, demonstrating the effect of Siwu decoction in inducing the protein expression of P-gp.
ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Sub-Family B ; genetics ; metabolism ; ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Caco-2 Cells ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

Pregnane X receptor (PXR) is key transcription factors which mainly regulate the expression of CYP3A genes. At the molecular level, PXR has been revealed the protection mechanism of the body against xenochemicals and a major mode of the drug-drug interactions. Besides playing an important role in drug metabolism and interactions, PXR and its target genes also play an important role in maintaining normal physiological function and homeostasis. Therefore, it is necessary to study the regulation of PXR and its related pharmacological effects of TCM and natural products, and to provide new clues for the new pharmacological pathway.
Animals ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Humans ; Receptors, Steroid ; antagonists & inhibitors ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo screen active components in Compound Danshen (CD) based on pregnane X receptor-cytochrome P450 3A4 (PXR-CYP3A4).

METHODSBy using PXR-CYP3A stable transfection human hepatoblastoma G2 (HepG2) cell lines engineering cell strain combined reporter genes technology, active components that induce or inhibit PXR-CYP3A4 paths in CD were screened, and confirmed at the level of enzymic activities. The experiment was divided into the positive control group (RIF 10 micro mol/L), the DMSO group (DMSO 0.1%), each dose of treatment groups (ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, Rg2, F2, F1, tanshinone I , isoborneol 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, and 200 micro mol/L; each with six duplicates). Cells medium was removed 36, 48, and 60 h after treatment. The activity of CYP3A4 was then determined in the supernant and the fold induction was calculated.

RESULTSCompared with the DMSO group, the fold induction increased when ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, Rg2, F2, F1, tanshinone I , and isoborneol 50 and 100 micro mol/L was respectively intervened for 36, 48, and 60 h (P <0.05). When cells were treated with isoborneol 200 micro mol/L for 48 and 60 h,the fold induction of ginsenoside Rb2, Rg2, and F1 was significantly higher than that of the RIF group (P <0.05). Enzymic activity results showed that ginsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, F2, and F1 could increase the enzyme activity of CYP3A4 at 48 h (P <0.05).

CONCLUSIONGinsenoside Rc, Rf, Rb2, F2, F1, tanshinone I, and isoborneol in DC could induce CYP3A4 enzymes.

Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; metabolism ; Diterpenes, Abietane ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Genes, Reporter ; Ginsenosides ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Receptors, Steroid ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effect of Taohong Siwu Decoction (TSD) in regulating functions of endothelial cells and treating arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO).

METHODSThe ASO model was prepared by using high-fat diet plus intimal injury. They were randomly divided into the model group (n = 10), the normal control group (n = 9), the low dose TSD group (group A, n = 12), the middle dose TSD group (group B, n = 10), and the high dose TSD group (group C, n = 9). Eight weeks after modeling, the limb blood perfusion was observed using laser Doppler flowmetry. The arterial morphology was observed using light microscope and transmission electron microscope. The number of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) was determined using Percoll density gradient centrifugation method. Serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1, ET-1, and NO were detected using double antibody sandwich assay of enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSThe ASO rat model was successfully established. Blood lipids levels significantly increased, the blood perfusion of left hind limbs significantly decreased, the number of CECs in the peripheral blood significantly increased, the arterial lumen was irregularly narrowed, the ultra-structure of vessel walls was damaged, serum levels of TNF-alpha, IL-1, and ET-1 significantly increased, and the serum level of NO significantly decreased in the model group, showing statistical difference when compared with the normal control group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, significant improvement in the aforesaid indices was shown in group B and C (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe injury and abnormal functions of endothelial cells is an important pathological process of ASO. As an effective recipe for treating ASO, TSD could protect vascular endothelial cells and improve the secretion function of vascular endothelial cells.

Animals ; Arteriosclerosis Obliterans ; blood ; drug therapy ; Diet, High-Fat ; adverse effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; Endothelin-1 ; blood ; Endothelium, Vascular ; cytology ; Interleukin-1 ; blood ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between renal clear cell carcinoma and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODSTwo hundreds and sixty-four patients with renal clear cell carcinoma and four hundred controls who suffered from non-urinary system, non-neoplastic or non-hormone-related disorders, were enrolled from January 2008 to December 2012. The incidence of diabetes between the 2 groups and the relationship between renal clear cell carcinoma and duration of diabetes were compared, moreover, renal clear cell carcinoma patients with DM were compared with patients without DM for their clinical features, laboratory examinations and histological characteristics.

RESULTSThe comparison of renal clear cell carcinoma group and control group: the incidence of DM in the two groups were 19.7% and 12.8% respectively, and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 5.86, P < 0.05, OR = 1.68). In the renal clear cell carcinoma group, the proportion of patients with DM diagnosed within 2-4 years was 4.92%, which were significant higher than those in the control group 1.70% (χ(2) = 5.49, P < 0.05, OR = 2.91). And men with diabetes had high occurrence risk 86% of renal clear cell carcinoma (OR = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.09-3.15). The comparison of diabetes patients subgroup and non-diabetic patients subgroup in renal clear cell carcinoma group: in respect of clinical features, greatest tumor diameter in the two subgroups were (4.9 ± 2.3) cm and (4.2 ± 2.1) cm respectively, and the difference was significant (t = 1.96, P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference in terms of age, gender and cancer location between the two subgroups (P > 0.05). In respect of laboratory examinations, serum creatinine in the two subgroups were (72 ± 20) µmol/L and (65 ± 17) µmol/L, and the difference was significant (t = 2.34, P < 0.05); serum urea nitrogen in the 2 subgroups were (7.1 ± 2.1) mmol/L and (6.0 ± 1.5) mmol/L respectively, and the difference was significant too (t = 1.47, P < 0.05). In respect of histological characteristics, the proportion of well differentiated clear cell carcinoma were 80.8% and 81.1% respectively, and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 4.23, P < 0.05). The proportion of stage II were 25.0% and 27.8% respectively and the difference was significant (χ(2) = 4.08, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDM is closely related with renal clear cell carcinoma and DM may be a possible risk factor for the tumor. And for elderly patients with diabetes who appear waist discomfort or hematuria, a careful examination of kidney is important to make early diagnosis, give timely treatment and improve survival prognosis.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; complications ; Case-Control Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Kidney Neoplasms ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis