Aim To investigate the mechanism by which formononetin (FN) inhibits mitochondrial dynamic-related protein 1 (DRP1) -NLRP3 axis via intervening the generation of ROS to reduce allergic airway inflammation. Methods In order to establish allergic asthma mouse model, 50 BALB/c mice aged 8 weeks were divided into the control group, model group, FN treatment group and dexamethasone group after ovalbumin (OVA) induction. Airway inflammation and collagen deposition were detected by HampE and Masson staining. Th2 cytokines and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA), and IgE levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured by ELISA, ROS in BEAS-2B cells was assessed by DCFH-DA staining, DRP1 expression in lung tissue and BEAS-2B cells was detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, and the DRP1-NLRP3 pathway was analyzed by immunoblotting. Results FN treatment could effectively ameliorate the symptoms of asthmatic mouse model, including reducing eosinophil accumulation, airway collagen deposition, decreasing Th2 cytokine and IgE levels, reducing ROS and MDA production, increasing SOD and CAT activities, and regulating DRP1-NLRP3 pathway-related protein expression, thereby relieving inflammation. Conclusion FN ameliorates airway inflammation in asthma by regulating DRP1-NLRP3 pathway.

Objective To investigate the effects of palmatine on migration,invasion and epithelial mesenchymal transformation(EMT)in human oral cancer KB cells.Methods KB cells were divided into control group and palmatine-L,-M,-H groups,cultured with 0,4,8 and 16 μmol·L-1 palmatine.After incubation for 48 h,scratch assay was used to detect migration;Traswell assay was used to detect invasion;matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2),MMP-9 and fibronectin(FN)contents were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay;the expression of Vimentin,N-cadherin and E-cadherin mRNA were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction;the expression of Vimentin,N-cadherin,E-cadherin,Wnt3 and β-catenin protein were detected by Western blot.Results Cell mobility in control group and palmatine-L,-M,-H groups were(69.27±8.62)％,(52.94±4.49)％,(45.22±5.05)％and(37.63±4.88)％;the number of transmembrane cells were 197.33±20.26,125.33±12.01,97.00±9.17 and 62.67±7.51;the content of MMP-2 were(2.93±0.21),(1.49±0.13),(1.16±0.15)and(0.95±0.09)ng·mL-1;the content of MMP-9 were(3.51±0.36),(2.37±0.23),(2.06±0.35)and(1.72±0.16)ng·mL-1;the content of FN were(41.28±4.02),(24.03±3.17),(20.67±2.63)and(13.82±2.19)ng·mL-1;the above indexes in palmatine-L,-M,-H groups were compared with the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The mRNA and protein expressions of Vimentin,N-cadherin and E-cadherin,and the expressions of Wnt3 and β-catenin protein in palmatine-L,-M,-H groups were statistically significant compared with those in control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Conclusion Palmatine can inhibit the migration,invasion and EMT of human oral cancer KB cells,and its mechanism is related to the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the central mechanism of moxibustion in treating chronic inflammatory visceral pain(CIVP)and its analgesic effect from the perspective of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)/Ets-like transcription factor 1(ELK1)signaling pathway in the spinal cord. Methods:Clean-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a normal group,a model group,a herb-partitioned moxibustion(HPM)group,a sham-HPM group,a p38 MAPK inhibitor group,and a dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)group.CIVP rat models were prepared using an enema mixture of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid solution and 50%ethanol.The HPM group was treated with HPM;the sham-HPM group was treated the same as the HPM group,but the moxa cones were not ignited;rats in the p38 MAPK inhibitor group received L5-L6 intrathecal injection of p38 MAPK inhibitor(SB203580);rats in the DMSO group received L5-L6 intrathecal injection of 2%DMSO.Abdominal withdrawal reflex(AWR),mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT),and thermal withdrawal latency(TWL)were used to observe pain-related behaviors in each group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphological changes in rat colon tissue.Western blotting and real-time quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the phosphorylated protein and mRNA expression of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1(ASK1),MAPK kinase(MKK)3/6,p38 MAPK,ELK1,and mitogen and stress-activated protein kinase 1(MSK1)in the spinal cord. Results:Compared with the normal group,CIVP rats had severe colonic inflammatory injuries,and the pathological injury scores increased significantly,along with increased AWR scores under different colorectal distension(CRD)stimulation pressures and decreased MWT and TWL;the mRNA and phosphorylated protein expression of p38 MAPK,ELK1,MSK1,ASK1,MKK3,and MKK6 all increased in the spinal cord(P<0.01).After HPM treatment,the colon injuries were repaired,and the pathological injury scores decreased;under different CRD stimulation pressures,the AWR scores decreased,and the MWT and TWL increased;the mRNA and phosphorylated protein expression of p38 MAPK,ELK1,ASK1,and MKK3 in the spinal cord also decreased,with statistically significant differences compared with the model group and the sham-HPM group(P<0.01).There were no significant differences in the above indicators between the HPM group and the p38 MAPK inhibitor group(P>0.05),and the same was true regarding the comparisons between the model group and the DMSO group. Conclusion:HPM exerted analgesic effects via downregulating the mRNA and phosphorylated protein expression of ASK1,MKK3,p38 MAPK,and ELK1 in the spinal cord of CIVP rats.The inhibition of spinal p38 MAPK/ELK1 signaling pathway activation may be one of the mechanisms by which HPM relieves pain in CIVP.

Humans ; Hearing Loss/etiology* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications* ; Prognosis

PURPOSE: High explosives are used to produce blast waves to study their biological effects. The lungs are considered as the critical target organ in blast-effect studies. The degree of lung hemorrhaging is related to both the explosive power and the increased lung weight. We studied the characteristics of the biological effects from an air explosion of a thermobaric bomb in a high-altitude environment and the lethality and lung injury severity of goats in different orientations and distances. METHODS: Goats were placed at 2.5, 3, 4, and 5 m from the explosion center and exposed them to an air blast at an altitude of 4700-meter. A group of them standing oriented to the right side and the other group seated facing the explosion center vertically. The lung injuries were quantified according to the percentage of surface area contused, and using the pathologic severity scale of lung blast injury (PSSLBI) to score the 4 injury categories (slight, moderate, serious and severe) as 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. The lung coefficient (lung weight [g]/body weight [kg]) was the indicator of pulmonary edema and was related to lung injury severity. Blast overpressure data were collected using blast test devices placed at matching locations to represent loadings to goats. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS, version 26.0, statistical software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: In total, 127 goats were involved in this study. Right-side-standing goats had a significantly higher mortality rate than those seated vertical-facing (p < 0.05). At the 2.5 m distance, the goat mortality was nearly 100%, whereas at 5 m, all the goats survived. Lung injuries of the right-side-standing goats were 1 - 2 grades more serious than those of seated goats at the same distances, the scores of PSSLBI were significantly higher than the seated vertical-facing goats (p < 0.05). The lung coefficient of the right-side-standing goats were significantly higher than those of seated vertical-facing (p < 0.05). Mortality, PSSLBI, and the lung coefficient results indicated that the right-side-standing goats experienced severer injuries than the seated vertical-facing goats, and the injuries were lessened as the distance increased. The blast overpressure was consistent with these results. CONCLUSION The main killing factors of the thermobaric bomb in the high-altitude environment were blast overpressure, blast wind propulsions and burn. The orientation and distances of the goats significantly affected the blast injury severity. These results may provide a research basis for diagnosing, treating and protecting against injuries from thermobaric explosions.
Animals ; Lung Injury/etiology* ; Blast Injuries ; Goats ; Explosions ; Lung/pathology*

The purpose of this study was to explore transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) findings of prostate cancer (PCa) guided by multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and to improve the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) system for avoiding unnecessary mpMRI-guided targeted biopsy (TB). From January 2018 to October 2019, fusion mpMRI and TRUS-guided biopsies were performed in 162 consecutive patients. The study included 188 suspicious lesions on mpMRI in 156 patients, all of whom underwent mpMRI-TRUS fusion imaging-guided TB and 12-core transperineal systematic biopsy (SB). Univariate analyses were performed to investigate the relationship between TRUS features and PCa. Then, logistic regression analysis with generalized estimating equations was performed to determine the independent predictors of PCa and obtain the fitted probability of PCa. The detection rates of PCa based on TB alone, SB alone, and combined SB and TB were 55.9% (105 of 188), 52.6% (82 of 156), and 62.8% (98 of 156), respectively. The significant predictors of PCa on TRUS were hypoechogenicity (odds ratio [OR]: 9.595, P = 0.002), taller-than-wide shape (OR: 3.539, P = 0.022), asymmetric vascular structures (OR: 3.728, P = 0.031), close proximity to capsule (OR: 3.473, P = 0.040), and irregular margins (OR: 3.843, P = 0.041). We propose subgrouping PI-RADS score 3 into categories 3a, 3b, 3c, and 3d based on different numbers of TRUS predictors, as the creation of PI-RADS 3a (no suspicious ultrasound features) could avoid 16.7% of mpMRI-guided TBs. Risk stratification of PCa with mpMRI-TRUS fusion imaging-directed ultrasound features could avoid unnecessary mpMRI-TBs.
Male ; Humans ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Prostate/pathology* ; Image-Guided Biopsy/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To derive the Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome classification and subgroup syndrome characteristics of ischemic stroke patients. METHODS: By extracting the CM clinical electronic medical records (EMRs) of 7,170 hospitalized patients with ischemic stroke from 2016 to 2018 at Weifang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Province, China, a patient similarity network (PSN) was constructed based on the symptomatic phenotype of the patients. Thereafter the efficient community detection method BGLL was used to identify subgroups of patients. Finally, subgroups with a large number of cases were selected to analyze the specific manifestations of clinical symptoms and CM syndromes in each subgroup. RESULTS: Seven main subgroups of patients with specific symptom characteristics were identified, including M3, M2, M1, M5, M0, M29 and M4. M3 and M0 subgroups had prominent posterior circulatory symptoms, while M3 was associated with autonomic disorders, and M4 manifested as anxiety; M2 and M4 had motor and motor coordination disorders; M1 had sensory disorders; M5 had more obvious lung infections; M29 had a disorder of consciousness. The specificity of CM syndromes of each subgroup was as follows. M3, M2, M1, M0, M29 and M4 all had the same syndrome as wind phlegm pattern; M3 and M0 both showed hyperactivity of Gan (Liver) yang pattern; M2 and M29 had similar syndromes, which corresponded to intertwined phlegm and blood stasis pattern and phlegm-stasis obstructing meridians pattern, respectively. The manifestations of CM syndromes often appeared in a combination of 2 or more syndrome elements. The most common combination of these 7 subgroups was wind-phlegm. The 7 subgroups of CM syndrome elements were specifically manifested as pathogenic wind, pathogenic phlegm, and deficiency pathogens. CONCLUSIONS There were 7 main symptom similarity-based subgroups in ischemic stroke patients, and their specific characteristics were obvious. The main syndromes were wind phlegm pattern and hyperactivity of Gan yang pattern.
Humans ; Syndrome ; Ischemic Stroke ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Liver ; Phenotype

Objective: To analyze the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of seasonal A(H3N2) influenza [influenza A(H3N2)] in China and to provide a reference for scientific prevention and control. Methods: The influenza A(H3N2) surveillance data in 2014-2019 was derived from China Influenza Surveillance Information System. A line chart described the epidemic trend analyzed and plotted. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was conducted using ArcGIS 10.7, and spatiotemporal scanning analysis was conducted using SaTScan 10.1. Results: A total of 2 603 209 influenza-like case sample specimens were detected from March 31, 2014, to March 31, 2019, and the influenza A(H3N2) positive rate was 5.96%(155 259/2 603 209). The positive rate of influenza A(H3N2) was statistically significant in the north and southern provinces in each surveillance year (all P<0.05). The high incidence seasons of influenza A (H3N2) were in winter in northern provinces and summer or winter in southern provinces. Influenza A (H3N2) clustered in 31 provinces in 2014-2015 and 2016-2017. High-high clusters were distributed in eight provinces, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Shandong, Shanxi, Henan, Shaanxi, and Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in 2014-2015, and high-high clusters were distributed in five provinces including Shanxi, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, and Shanghai in 2016-2017. Spatiotemporal scanning analysis from 2014 to 2019 showed that Shandong and its surrounding twelve provinces clustered from November 2016 to February 2017 (RR=3.59, LLR=9 875.74, P<0.001). Conclusion: Influenza A (H3N2) has high incidence seasons with northern provinces in winter and southern provinces in summer or winter and obvious spatial and temporal clustering characteristics in China from 2014-2019.
Humans ; Influenza, Human/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; Seasons ; Cluster Analysis

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center phase Ⅱ clinical trial design was used in this study to recruit subjects who were in line with the syndrome of excess heat and fire toxin, and were diagnosed as recurrent oral ulcers, gingivitis, and acute pharyngitis. A total of 240 cases were included and randomly divided into a placebo group and a Huanglian Jiedu Pills group. The clinical efficacy of Huanglian Jiedu Pills in treating the syndrome of excess heat and fire toxin was evaluated by using the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome scale. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to determine and evaluate the levels of adenosine triphosphate(ATP), 4-hydroxynonenal(4-HNE), and adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH) in plasma of the two groups before and after administration and to predict their application value as clinical biomarkers. The results showed that the disappearance rate of main symptoms in the Huanglian Jiedu Pills group was 69.17%, and that in the placebo group was 50.83%. The comparison between the Huanglian Jiedu Pills group and the placebo group showed that 4-HNE before and after administration was statistically significant(P<0.05). The content of 4-HNE in the Huanglian Jiedu Pills group decreased significantly after administration(P<0.05), but that in the placebo group had no statistical significance and showed an upward trend. After administration, the content of ATP in both Huanglian Jiedu Pills group and placebo group decreased significantly(P<0.05), indicating that the energy metabolism disorder was significantly improved after administration of Huanglian Jiedu Pills and the body's self-healing ability also alleviated the increase in ATP level caused by the syndrome of excess heat and fire toxin to a certain extent. ACTH in both Huanglian Jiedu Pills group and placebo group decreased significantly after administration(P<0.05). It is concluded that Huanglian Jiedu Pills has a significant clinical effect, and can significantly improve the abnormal levels of ATP and 4-HNE in plasma caused by the syndrome of excess heat and fire toxin, which are speculated to be the effective clinical biomarkers for Huanglian Jiedu Pills to treat the syndrome of excess heat and fire toxin.
Humans ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; Hot Temperature ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Adenosine Triphosphate

COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.