Objective： To investigate treatment efficacy for persistent chlamydial infection in the urogenital tract. Methods： 207 patients with persistent chlamydial urogenital infection were treated with tetracycline,azithrom...Objective： To investigate treatment efficacy for persistent chlamydial infection in the urogenital tract. Methods： 207 patients with persistent chlamydial urogenital infection were treated with tetracycline,azithromycin, ofloxacin or a combination of these.Result： 47.92%-68.60% of patients with persistent chlamydial urogenital infection were cured depending on the drug used. Ofloxacin had better results than tetracycline and azithromycin.Conclusion： Many patients were resistant to treatment with tetracycline and azithromycin. Ofloxacin proved effective.展开更多
The response of Kousa dogwood （Cornus kousa Buerg.） to extreme stresses was investigated by RGB image analysis in the hot, dry and windy summer in 2007 in Yamaguch, Japan. Results show that tip and margin leaf scorc...The response of Kousa dogwood （Cornus kousa Buerg.） to extreme stresses was investigated by RGB image analysis in the hot, dry and windy summer in 2007 in Yamaguch, Japan. Results show that tip and margin leaf scorch was observed on many Kousa dogwood trees and clearly dark brown defense barrier appeared on scorched leaves. The defense barrier withdrew back from distal to proximal gradually until successful control of scorching, and left a series of unsuccessful defense traces. By responsive analysis of leaf color homogeneity with RGB image analysis method, a sharp logistic equation was obtained for the relative green/luminance （RGL） value of scorched leaves. By the meteorological analysis, the occurrence of dogwood leaf scorch-back was almost synchronous with the aridity peak period. It sug- gested that during the sudden aridity increment the extreme water stresses induce the defense response of Kousa dogwood tree to shear the excessive transpiration leaf area, and prevent the rest of the trees from further water loss. Image pixet analysis showed that 40.2% leaf area of sampled dogwood trees was reduced through the partial leaf scorch-back by the end of August in 2007. In contrast, only 13.2% leaf area was reduced from the same trees in 2008, for the reason of sufficient precipitation during first half year. In any case, the Kousa dogwood trees indeed reduced their transpiration surface area and appeared a surface reduction pattern differing from those shedding leaves or withering all the aboveground. Based on desiccation process analysis, it is considered that the interaction of the leaf dried back and the self-defense response was the key of the transpiration surface reduction （TSR） of Kousa dogwood during sudden hot and droughty stresses.展开更多
AIM： To study the effects of extract from Ginkgo biloba （EGb） containing 22% flavonoid and 5% terpenoid on chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis of rats induced by carbon tetrachloride （CCh）. METHODS： All rats...AIM： To study the effects of extract from Ginkgo biloba （EGb） containing 22% flavonoid and 5% terpenoid on chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis of rats induced by carbon tetrachloride （CCh）. METHODS： All rats were randomly divided into control group, CCl4-treated group, colchicine-treated group and EGb-protected group. Chronic liver injury was induced in experimental groups by subcutaneous injection of CCh and fed with chows premixed with 79.5% corn powder, 20% lard and 0.5% cholesterol （v/v）. EGb-protected group was treated with EGb （0.5 g/kg body weight per day） for 7 wk. At the end of wk 8, all the rats were killed. Liver function, liver fibrosis, oxidative stress and expression of transforming growth factor β1 （TGF-β1） a-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） and type I collagens in liver were determined. In addition, pathology changes of liver tissue were observed under light microscope. RESULTS： The levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and albumin （AIb） in EGb-protected group were notably improved as compared with the CCL4-treated group （P 〈 0.01）. The contents of serum hyaluronic acid （HA）, type III procollagen （PCⅢ）, type IV collagen （CIV） and the expression of hepatic tissue TGF-β1, α-SMA and type I collagen in EGb-protected group were significantly lower than those in CCL4-treated groups （P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）. The degrees of liver fibrosis in EGb-protected groups were lower than those in CCL4-treated groups （6.58 ±1.25 vs 9.52 ± 2.06, P 〈 0.05）. Compared to the CCL4-treated group, the levels of plasma glutathoine peroxidase （Se-GSH-Px）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were strikingly improved also in EGb-protected group （P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： EGb resists oxidative stress and thereby reduces chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis in rats with liver injury induced by CCl4.展开更多
Objective:To find out the potential mechanisms of Si-Jun-Zi(SJZ)decoction in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions(GPL).Methods:A network pharmacology approach was used to analyze the active compounds,drug tar...Objective:To find out the potential mechanisms of Si-Jun-Zi(SJZ)decoction in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions(GPL).Methods:A network pharmacology approach was used to analyze the active compounds,drug targets and interacting pathways of SJZ decoction in treating GPL.The compounds and predicted targets of SJZ decoction were screened from TCMSP,and the disease targets were obtained from GeneCards.The therapeutic mechanisms of action of the SJZ decoction were analyzed by gene ontology(GO)enrichment,Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analyses.Results:The results show that 111 compounds and 90 targets were obtained in this work.These targets were further mapped to 654 GO biological process terms and 21 remarkably pathways.Active compounds,targets,and pathways were used to construct a compound-target network,a target-pathways network,and an integrated GPL pathway.These results indicated that SJZ decoction may treat the dysfunctions of GPL mainly from intervening in the mucosal inflammation,cell apoptosis process,and cell proliferation.Conclusions:This work provided a novel approach to understand the pathogenesis of GPL and revealed the therapeutic mechanisms of SJZ decoction,which facilitate the modernization of herbal medicine for complex diseases in the future.展开更多
Little information is available on the prevalence of drug-resistance mutations in patients harboring the human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) circulating recombinant form(CRF)07_BC variant in Sichuan, China. Thi...Little information is available on the prevalence of drug-resistance mutations in patients harboring the human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) circulating recombinant form(CRF)07_BC variant in Sichuan, China. This study examined 375 plasma samples from patients with HIV-1 who were infected with the CRF07_BC strain, including 104 drug-naive participants and 271 in whom antiretroviral therapy(ART) had failed. Only one participant in the drug-naive group had a drug-resistance mutation(M46L), compared with 31.73% of those in whom ART had failed. Further analysis showed that 19.56% of strains contained mutations conferring resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTIs) alone, 0.74% were resistant to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTIs) alone, and 11.44% were dual-resistant to both NRTIs and NNRTIs. The most common mutation in the ART-failure group was M184V(35.88%), K103N(45.01%), Y181C(17.33%), and G190S/A(15.88%). The percentages of HIV-1 strains resistant to lamivudine, emtricitabine, efavirenz, etravirine, and nevirapine were 10.70%, 10.70%, 28.04%, 7.75%, and 26.20%, respectively. To explore site variants possibly related to drug resistance, variations in the ancestor/consensus CRF07_BC sequences from the therapy-naive and ART-failure groups were compared, and seven mutations at six positions were identified as being significantly differently distributed between the two groups(p<0.05). Detailed sequence data will provide information on CRF07_BC genetic characterizations, and improve our understanding of antiretroviral susceptibility and the evolution of drug-resistance mutations. This will be valuable in developing and implementing local public-health approaches for HIV drug-resistance prevention and treatment.展开更多
AIM： To investigate the precise roles of CAR in CCI4- induced acute hepatotoxicity. METHODS： To prepare an acute liver injury model, CCI4 was intraperitoneally injected in CAR＋/＋ and CAR-/- mice. RESULTS： Elevati...AIM： To investigate the precise roles of CAR in CCI4- induced acute hepatotoxicity. METHODS： To prepare an acute liver injury model, CCI4 was intraperitoneally injected in CAR＋/＋ and CAR-/- mice. RESULTS： Elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase and extension of centrilobular necrosis were slightly inhibited in CAR-/- mice compared to CAR＋/＋ mice without PB. Administration of a CAR inducer, PB, revealed that CCl4-induced liver toxicity was partially inhibited in CAR-/- mice compared with CAR＋/＋ mice. On the other hand, androstanol, an inverse agonist ligand, inhibited hepatotoxicity in CAR＋/＋ but not in CAR./. mice. Thus, CAR activation caused CCl4 hepatotoxicity while CAR inhibition resulted in partial protection against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.There were no differences in the expression of CYP2E1, the main metabolizing enzyme for CCl4, between CAR＋/＋ and CAR./. mice. However, the expression of other CCI4-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2B10 and 3All, was induced by PB in CAR＋/＋ but not in CAR-/- mice. Although the main pathway of CCl4-induced acute liver injury is mediated by CYP2E1, CAR modulates its pathway via induction of CYP2B10 and 3All in the presence of activator or inhibitor. CONCLUSION： The nuclear receptor CAR modulates CCl4- induced liver injury via induction of CCl4-metabolizing enzymes in the presence of an activator. Our results suggest that drugs interacting with nuclear receptors such as PB might play critical roles in drug-induced liver injury or drug- drug interaction even though such drugs themselves are not hepatotoxic.展开更多
Hepatitis B virus X protein （HBx） plays a crucial role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we sought to identify the mechanisms by which HBx mediates liver cell proliferation. We found that HBx upr...Hepatitis B virus X protein （HBx） plays a crucial role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we sought to identify the mechanisms by which HBx mediates liver cell proliferation. We found that HBx upregulated the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）, 5-1ipoxygenase （5-LOX） and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 （p-ERK1/2） in liver cells. HBx-induced p-ERK1/2 was abolished by inhibition of Gi/o proteins, COX or LOX. In addition, HBx increased the amounts of prostaglandin E2 （PGE2） and leukotriene B4 （LTB4） released from cell lines derived from hepatocytes. Moreover, these released arachidonic acid metabolites were able to activate ERK1/2. Interestingly, activated ERK1/2 could upregulate the expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX in a positive feedback manner. In conclusion, HBx enhances and maintains liver cell proliferation via a positive feedback loop involving COX-2, 5-LOX, released arachidonic acid metabolites, Gi/o proteins and p-ERK1/2.展开更多
AIM： To study the effect of WeiJia on chronic liver injury using carbon tetrachloride （CCh） induced liver injury animal model. METHODS： Wistar rats weighing 180-220g were randomly divided into three groups： norma...AIM： To study the effect of WeiJia on chronic liver injury using carbon tetrachloride （CCh） induced liver injury animal model. METHODS： Wistar rats weighing 180-220g were randomly divided into three groups： normal control group （Group A）, CCh induced liver injury control group （Group B） and CCI4 induction with WeiJia treatment group （Group C）. Each group consisted of 14 rats. Liver damage and fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection with 40% CCh in olive oil at 3 mL/kg body weight twice a week for eight weeks for Groups B and C rats whereas olive oil was used for Group A rats. Starting from the third week, Group C rats also received daily intraperitoneal injection of Wei.lia at a dose of 1.25 μg/kg body weight. Animals were sacrificed at the fifth week （4 male, 3 female）, and eighth week （4 male, 3 female） respectively. Degree of fibrosis were measured and serological markers for liver fibrosis and function including hyaluronic acid （HA）, type Ⅳ collagen （CIV）, γ-glutamyl transferase （γ-GT）, alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were determined. Alpha smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） immunohistochemistry were also performed. RESULTS： CCl4 induction led to the damage of liver and development of fibrosis in Group B and Group C rats when compared to Group A rats. The treatment of WeiJia in Group C rats could reduce the fibrosis condition significantly compared to Group B rats. The effect could be observed after three weeks of treatment and was more obvious after eight weeks of treatment. Serum HA, CIV,ALT, AST and γ-GT levels after eight weeks of treatment for Group C rats were 58±22 μg/L （P〈0.01）, 57±21 μg/L （P〈0.01）, 47±10 U/L （P〈0.01）, 139±13 U/L （P〈0.05） and 52±21 U/L （P〉0.05） respectively, similar to normal control group （Group A）, but significantly different from CCh induced liver injury control group （Group B）. An increase in PCNA and decrease in α-SMA expression level was also observed. CONCLUSION： WeiJia could improve liver function and reduce liver fibrosis which might be through the inhibition of stellate cell activity.展开更多
The occurrence of massive CD4+ T cell depletion is one of the most prominent characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection during acute phase, resulting in unrestorable destruction to the im...The occurrence of massive CD4+ T cell depletion is one of the most prominent characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection during acute phase, resulting in unrestorable destruction to the immune system. The infected host undergoes an asymptomatic period lasting several years with low viral load and ostensibly healthy status, which is presumably due to virus-specific adaptive immune responses. In the absence of therapy, an overwhelming majority of cases develop to AIDS within 8-10 years of latent infection. In this review, we discuss the roles in AIDS pathogenesis played by massive CD4+ T lymphocytes depletion in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) during acute infection and abnormal immune activation emerging in the later part of chronic phase.展开更多
AIM: To investigate the effect of vitamin supplements on homocysteine levels in patients with celiac disease. METHODS: Vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, and fasting plasma homocysteine levels were measured in 51 consec...AIM: To investigate the effect of vitamin supplements on homocysteine levels in patients with celiac disease. METHODS: Vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, and fasting plasma homocysteine levels were measured in 51 consecutive adults with celiac disease [median (range) age 56 (18-63) years; 40% men, 26 (51%) had villous atrophy, and 25 (49%) used B-vitamin supplements] and 50 healthy control individuals matched for age and sex. Finally, the C677T polymorphism of 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) was evaluated in 46 patients with celiac disease and all control individuals. RESULTS: Patients with celiac disease and using vitamin supplements had higher serum vitamin B6 (P = 0.003),folate (P < 0.001), and vitamin B12 (P = 0.012) levels than patients who did not or healthy controls (P = 0.035, P < 0.001, P = 0.007, for vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12, respectively). Lower plasma homocysteine levels were found in patients using vitamin supplements than in patients who did not (P = 0.001) or healthy controls (P = 0.003). However, vitamin B6 and folate, not vitamin B12, were significantly and independently associated with homocysteine levels. Twenty-four (48%) of 50 controls and 23 (50%) of 46 patients with celiac disease carried the MTHFR thermolabile variant T-allele (P = 0.89). CONCLUSION: Homocysteine levels are dependent on Marsh classification and the regular use of B-vitamin supplements is effective in reduction of homocysteine levels in patients with celiac disease and should be considered in disease management.展开更多
AIM： TO describe the socio-demographic features, etiology, and risk factors for Budd-Chiari syndrome （BCS） in Egyptian patients. METHODS： Ninety-four Egyptian patients with confirmed primary Budd-Chiari syndrome w...AIM： TO describe the socio-demographic features, etiology, and risk factors for Budd-Chiari syndrome （BCS） in Egyptian patients. METHODS： Ninety-four Egyptian patients with confirmed primary Budd-Chiari syndrome were presented to the Budd-Chiari Study Group （BCSG） and admitted to the Tropical Medicine Department of Ain Shams University Hospital （Cairo, Egypt）. Complete clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations, including a thrombophilia workup and full radiological assessment, were performed to determine underlying disease etiologies.RESULTS： BCS was chronic in 79.8% of patients, acute or subacute in 19.1%, and fulminant in 1.1%. Factor V Leiden mutation （FVLM） was the most common etiological cause of disease （53.1%）, followed by mutation of the gene encoding methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase （MTHFR） （51.6%）. Current or recent hormonal treatment was documented in 15.5% of females, and BCS associated with pregnancy was present in 17.2% of females. Etiology could not be determined in 8.5% of patients. Males had significantly higher rates of MTHFR gene mutation and Behcet＇ s disease, and females had significantly higher rates of secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. A highly significant positive relationship was evident between the presence of Behcet＇s disease and inferior vena caval occlusion, either alone or combined with occlusion of the hepatic veins （,0 〈 0.0001）. CONCLUSION： FVLM is the most common disease etiology and MTHFR the second most common in Egyptian BCS patients. BCS etiology tends to vary with geographic region.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the feasibility of a 4D-CT reconstruction method based on the similarity principle of spatial adjacent images and mutual information measure. Methods:A motor driven sinusoidal motion platform ...Objective:To investigate the feasibility of a 4D-CT reconstruction method based on the similarity principle of spatial adjacent images and mutual information measure. Methods:A motor driven sinusoidal motion platform made in house was used to create one-dimensional periodical motion that was along the longitudinal axis of the CT couch. The amplitude of sinusoidal motion was set to an amplitude of ±1 cm. The period of the motion was adjustable and set to 3.5 s. Phantom objects of two eggs were placed in a Styrofoam block, which in turn were placed on the motion platform. These objects were used to simulate volumes of interest undergoing ideal periodic motion. CT data of static phantom were acquired using a multi-slice general electric (GE) LightSpeed 16-slice CT scanner in an axial mode. And the CT data of periodical motion phantom were acquired in an axial and cine-mode scan. A software program was developed by using VC++ and VTK software tools to resort the CT data and reconstruct the 4D-CT. Then all of the CT data with same phase were sorted by the program into the same series based on the similarity principle of spatial adjacent images and mutual information measure among them, and 3D reconstruction of different phase CT data were completed by using the software. Results:All of the CT data were sorted accurately into different series based on the similarity principle of spatial adjacent images and mutual information measures among them. Compared with the unsorted CT data, the motion artifacts in the 3D reconstruction of sorted CT data were reduced significantly, and all of the sorted CT series result in a 4D-CT that reflected the characteristic of the periodical motion phantom. Conclusion:Time-resolved 4D-CT reconstruction can be implemented with any general multi-slice CT scanners based on the similarity principle of spatial adjacent images and mutual information measure.The process of the 4D-CT data acquisition and reconstruction were not restricted to the hardware or software of the CT scanner and has the feasibility ,which extensive applicability.展开更多
AIM:To investigate any protective effect of early propranolol administration in the development of portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic rats. METHODS:For the development of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertens...AIM:To investigate any protective effect of early propranolol administration in the development of portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic rats. METHODS:For the development of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertensive gastropathy,60 rats underwent ligation of the left adrenal vein and complete devascularization of the left renal vein,followed by phenobarbital and carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) administration.After two weeks of CCl4 administration, the rats were randomly separated into two groups.In group A,propranolol was continuously administered intragastrically throughout the study,whereas in group B normal saline(placebo)was administered instead. Hemodynamic studies and vascular morphometric analysis of gastric sections were performed after complete induction of cirrhosis. RESULTS:Vascular morphometric studies showed higher numbers of vessels in all mucosal layers in the control group.Statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher total vascular surface in the control group compared to the propranolol group,but with no statistically significant difference between the mean vascular surfaces between the groups.Our study clearly shows that the increased mucosal blood flow is manifested by a marked increase of vessel count. CONCLUSION:Early propranolol's administration in portal hypertensive cirrhotic rats seems to prevent intense gastric vascular congestion that characterizes portal hypertensive gastropathy.展开更多
文摘Objective： To investigate treatment efficacy for persistent chlamydial infection in the urogenital tract. Methods： 207 patients with persistent chlamydial urogenital infection were treated with tetracycline,azithromycin, ofloxacin or a combination of these.Result： 47.92%-68.60% of patients with persistent chlamydial urogenital infection were cured depending on the drug used. Ofloxacin had better results than tetracycline and azithromycin.Conclusion： Many patients were resistant to treatment with tetracycline and azithromycin. Ofloxacin proved effective.
文摘The response of Kousa dogwood （Cornus kousa Buerg.） to extreme stresses was investigated by RGB image analysis in the hot, dry and windy summer in 2007 in Yamaguch, Japan. Results show that tip and margin leaf scorch was observed on many Kousa dogwood trees and clearly dark brown defense barrier appeared on scorched leaves. The defense barrier withdrew back from distal to proximal gradually until successful control of scorching, and left a series of unsuccessful defense traces. By responsive analysis of leaf color homogeneity with RGB image analysis method, a sharp logistic equation was obtained for the relative green/luminance （RGL） value of scorched leaves. By the meteorological analysis, the occurrence of dogwood leaf scorch-back was almost synchronous with the aridity peak period. It sug- gested that during the sudden aridity increment the extreme water stresses induce the defense response of Kousa dogwood tree to shear the excessive transpiration leaf area, and prevent the rest of the trees from further water loss. Image pixet analysis showed that 40.2% leaf area of sampled dogwood trees was reduced through the partial leaf scorch-back by the end of August in 2007. In contrast, only 13.2% leaf area was reduced from the same trees in 2008, for the reason of sufficient precipitation during first half year. In any case, the Kousa dogwood trees indeed reduced their transpiration surface area and appeared a surface reduction pattern differing from those shedding leaves or withering all the aboveground. Based on desiccation process analysis, it is considered that the interaction of the leaf dried back and the self-defense response was the key of the transpiration surface reduction （TSR） of Kousa dogwood during sudden hot and droughty stresses.
文摘AIM： To study the effects of extract from Ginkgo biloba （EGb） containing 22% flavonoid and 5% terpenoid on chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis of rats induced by carbon tetrachloride （CCh）. METHODS： All rats were randomly divided into control group, CCl4-treated group, colchicine-treated group and EGb-protected group. Chronic liver injury was induced in experimental groups by subcutaneous injection of CCh and fed with chows premixed with 79.5% corn powder, 20% lard and 0.5% cholesterol （v/v）. EGb-protected group was treated with EGb （0.5 g/kg body weight per day） for 7 wk. At the end of wk 8, all the rats were killed. Liver function, liver fibrosis, oxidative stress and expression of transforming growth factor β1 （TGF-β1） a-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） and type I collagens in liver were determined. In addition, pathology changes of liver tissue were observed under light microscope. RESULTS： The levels of alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and albumin （AIb） in EGb-protected group were notably improved as compared with the CCL4-treated group （P 〈 0.01）. The contents of serum hyaluronic acid （HA）, type III procollagen （PCⅢ）, type IV collagen （CIV） and the expression of hepatic tissue TGF-β1, α-SMA and type I collagen in EGb-protected group were significantly lower than those in CCL4-treated groups （P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）. The degrees of liver fibrosis in EGb-protected groups were lower than those in CCL4-treated groups （6.58 ±1.25 vs 9.52 ± 2.06, P 〈 0.05）. Compared to the CCL4-treated group, the levels of plasma glutathoine peroxidase （Se-GSH-Px）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and malondialdehyde （MDA） were strikingly improved also in EGb-protected group （P 〈 0.05, P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： EGb resists oxidative stress and thereby reduces chronic liver injury and liver fibrosis in rats with liver injury induced by CCl4.
文摘Objective:To find out the potential mechanisms of Si-Jun-Zi(SJZ)decoction in the treatment of gastric precancerous lesions(GPL).Methods:A network pharmacology approach was used to analyze the active compounds,drug targets and interacting pathways of SJZ decoction in treating GPL.The compounds and predicted targets of SJZ decoction were screened from TCMSP,and the disease targets were obtained from GeneCards.The therapeutic mechanisms of action of the SJZ decoction were analyzed by gene ontology(GO)enrichment,Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analyses.Results:The results show that 111 compounds and 90 targets were obtained in this work.These targets were further mapped to 654 GO biological process terms and 21 remarkably pathways.Active compounds,targets,and pathways were used to construct a compound-target network,a target-pathways network,and an integrated GPL pathway.These results indicated that SJZ decoction may treat the dysfunctions of GPL mainly from intervening in the mucosal inflammation,cell apoptosis process,and cell proliferation.Conclusions:This work provided a novel approach to understand the pathogenesis of GPL and revealed the therapeutic mechanisms of SJZ decoction,which facilitate the modernization of herbal medicine for complex diseases in the future.
基金supported by the Chinese Government AIDS Program (grant number 2008ZX001-016)the China 4th Global Fund AIDS Program (grant number CHN-405-G05-H)a Sichuan Provincial Health Department research project (number 120154)
文摘Little information is available on the prevalence of drug-resistance mutations in patients harboring the human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1) circulating recombinant form(CRF)07_BC variant in Sichuan, China. This study examined 375 plasma samples from patients with HIV-1 who were infected with the CRF07_BC strain, including 104 drug-naive participants and 271 in whom antiretroviral therapy(ART) had failed. Only one participant in the drug-naive group had a drug-resistance mutation(M46L), compared with 31.73% of those in whom ART had failed. Further analysis showed that 19.56% of strains contained mutations conferring resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NNRTIs) alone, 0.74% were resistant to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTIs) alone, and 11.44% were dual-resistant to both NRTIs and NNRTIs. The most common mutation in the ART-failure group was M184V(35.88%), K103N(45.01%), Y181C(17.33%), and G190S/A(15.88%). The percentages of HIV-1 strains resistant to lamivudine, emtricitabine, efavirenz, etravirine, and nevirapine were 10.70%, 10.70%, 28.04%, 7.75%, and 26.20%, respectively. To explore site variants possibly related to drug resistance, variations in the ancestor/consensus CRF07_BC sequences from the therapy-naive and ART-failure groups were compared, and seven mutations at six positions were identified as being significantly differently distributed between the two groups(p<0.05). Detailed sequence data will provide information on CRF07_BC genetic characterizations, and improve our understanding of antiretroviral susceptibility and the evolution of drug-resistance mutations. This will be valuable in developing and implementing local public-health approaches for HIV drug-resistance prevention and treatment.
基金Supported by a Grant-in Aid for Scientific Research, No. 15790337from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture of the Japanese Government
文摘AIM： To investigate the precise roles of CAR in CCI4- induced acute hepatotoxicity. METHODS： To prepare an acute liver injury model, CCI4 was intraperitoneally injected in CAR＋/＋ and CAR-/- mice. RESULTS： Elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase and extension of centrilobular necrosis were slightly inhibited in CAR-/- mice compared to CAR＋/＋ mice without PB. Administration of a CAR inducer, PB, revealed that CCl4-induced liver toxicity was partially inhibited in CAR-/- mice compared with CAR＋/＋ mice. On the other hand, androstanol, an inverse agonist ligand, inhibited hepatotoxicity in CAR＋/＋ but not in CAR./. mice. Thus, CAR activation caused CCl4 hepatotoxicity while CAR inhibition resulted in partial protection against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity.There were no differences in the expression of CYP2E1, the main metabolizing enzyme for CCl4, between CAR＋/＋ and CAR./. mice. However, the expression of other CCI4-metabolizing enzymes, such as CYP2B10 and 3All, was induced by PB in CAR＋/＋ but not in CAR-/- mice. Although the main pathway of CCl4-induced acute liver injury is mediated by CYP2E1, CAR modulates its pathway via induction of CYP2B10 and 3All in the presence of activator or inhibitor. CONCLUSION： The nuclear receptor CAR modulates CCl4- induced liver injury via induction of CCl4-metabolizing enzymes in the presence of an activator. Our results suggest that drugs interacting with nuclear receptors such as PB might play critical roles in drug-induced liver injury or drug- drug interaction even though such drugs themselves are not hepatotoxic.
文摘Hepatitis B virus X protein （HBx） plays a crucial role in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma. Here, we sought to identify the mechanisms by which HBx mediates liver cell proliferation. We found that HBx upregulated the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）, 5-1ipoxygenase （5-LOX） and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases 1/2 （p-ERK1/2） in liver cells. HBx-induced p-ERK1/2 was abolished by inhibition of Gi/o proteins, COX or LOX. In addition, HBx increased the amounts of prostaglandin E2 （PGE2） and leukotriene B4 （LTB4） released from cell lines derived from hepatocytes. Moreover, these released arachidonic acid metabolites were able to activate ERK1/2. Interestingly, activated ERK1/2 could upregulate the expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX in a positive feedback manner. In conclusion, HBx enhances and maintains liver cell proliferation via a positive feedback loop involving COX-2, 5-LOX, released arachidonic acid metabolites, Gi/o proteins and p-ERK1/2.
基金Supported by Innovation and Technology Fund of the Hong Kong SAR Government(UIM/101)the National Hi-Tech 863 Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China,2003AA2Z2052
文摘AIM： To study the effect of WeiJia on chronic liver injury using carbon tetrachloride （CCh） induced liver injury animal model. METHODS： Wistar rats weighing 180-220g were randomly divided into three groups： normal control group （Group A）, CCh induced liver injury control group （Group B） and CCI4 induction with WeiJia treatment group （Group C）. Each group consisted of 14 rats. Liver damage and fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection with 40% CCh in olive oil at 3 mL/kg body weight twice a week for eight weeks for Groups B and C rats whereas olive oil was used for Group A rats. Starting from the third week, Group C rats also received daily intraperitoneal injection of Wei.lia at a dose of 1.25 μg/kg body weight. Animals were sacrificed at the fifth week （4 male, 3 female）, and eighth week （4 male, 3 female） respectively. Degree of fibrosis were measured and serological markers for liver fibrosis and function including hyaluronic acid （HA）, type Ⅳ collagen （CIV）, γ-glutamyl transferase （γ-GT）, alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） were determined. Alpha smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） and proliferating cell nuclear antigen （PCNA） immunohistochemistry were also performed. RESULTS： CCl4 induction led to the damage of liver and development of fibrosis in Group B and Group C rats when compared to Group A rats. The treatment of WeiJia in Group C rats could reduce the fibrosis condition significantly compared to Group B rats. The effect could be observed after three weeks of treatment and was more obvious after eight weeks of treatment. Serum HA, CIV,ALT, AST and γ-GT levels after eight weeks of treatment for Group C rats were 58±22 μg/L （P〈0.01）, 57±21 μg/L （P〈0.01）, 47±10 U/L （P〈0.01）, 139±13 U/L （P〈0.05） and 52±21 U/L （P〉0.05） respectively, similar to normal control group （Group A）, but significantly different from CCh induced liver injury control group （Group B）. An increase in PCNA and decrease in α-SMA expression level was also observed. CONCLUSION： WeiJia could improve liver function and reduce liver fibrosis which might be through the inhibition of stellate cell activity.
文摘The occurrence of massive CD4+ T cell depletion is one of the most prominent characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection during acute phase, resulting in unrestorable destruction to the immune system. The infected host undergoes an asymptomatic period lasting several years with low viral load and ostensibly healthy status, which is presumably due to virus-specific adaptive immune responses. In the absence of therapy, an overwhelming majority of cases develop to AIDS within 8-10 years of latent infection. In this review, we discuss the roles in AIDS pathogenesis played by massive CD4+ T lymphocytes depletion in gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) during acute infection and abnormal immune activation emerging in the later part of chronic phase.
文摘AIM: To investigate the effect of vitamin supplements on homocysteine levels in patients with celiac disease. METHODS: Vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12, and fasting plasma homocysteine levels were measured in 51 consecutive adults with celiac disease [median (range) age 56 (18-63) years; 40% men, 26 (51%) had villous atrophy, and 25 (49%) used B-vitamin supplements] and 50 healthy control individuals matched for age and sex. Finally, the C677T polymorphism of 5,10-methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) was evaluated in 46 patients with celiac disease and all control individuals. RESULTS: Patients with celiac disease and using vitamin supplements had higher serum vitamin B6 (P = 0.003),folate (P < 0.001), and vitamin B12 (P = 0.012) levels than patients who did not or healthy controls (P = 0.035, P < 0.001, P = 0.007, for vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12, respectively). Lower plasma homocysteine levels were found in patients using vitamin supplements than in patients who did not (P = 0.001) or healthy controls (P = 0.003). However, vitamin B6 and folate, not vitamin B12, were significantly and independently associated with homocysteine levels. Twenty-four (48%) of 50 controls and 23 (50%) of 46 patients with celiac disease carried the MTHFR thermolabile variant T-allele (P = 0.89). CONCLUSION: Homocysteine levels are dependent on Marsh classification and the regular use of B-vitamin supplements is effective in reduction of homocysteine levels in patients with celiac disease and should be considered in disease management.
文摘AIM： TO describe the socio-demographic features, etiology, and risk factors for Budd-Chiari syndrome （BCS） in Egyptian patients. METHODS： Ninety-four Egyptian patients with confirmed primary Budd-Chiari syndrome were presented to the Budd-Chiari Study Group （BCSG） and admitted to the Tropical Medicine Department of Ain Shams University Hospital （Cairo, Egypt）. Complete clinical evaluation and laboratory investigations, including a thrombophilia workup and full radiological assessment, were performed to determine underlying disease etiologies.RESULTS： BCS was chronic in 79.8% of patients, acute or subacute in 19.1%, and fulminant in 1.1%. Factor V Leiden mutation （FVLM） was the most common etiological cause of disease （53.1%）, followed by mutation of the gene encoding methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase （MTHFR） （51.6%）. Current or recent hormonal treatment was documented in 15.5% of females, and BCS associated with pregnancy was present in 17.2% of females. Etiology could not be determined in 8.5% of patients. Males had significantly higher rates of MTHFR gene mutation and Behcet＇ s disease, and females had significantly higher rates of secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome. A highly significant positive relationship was evident between the presence of Behcet＇s disease and inferior vena caval occlusion, either alone or combined with occlusion of the hepatic veins （,0 〈 0.0001）. CONCLUSION： FVLM is the most common disease etiology and MTHFR the second most common in Egyptian BCS patients. BCS etiology tends to vary with geographic region.
基金Guangzhou Municipal Medicine &Health ProgramGrant number:2006-YB-177+1 种基金Guangdong Province Medicine Scientific Research ProgramGrant number:A2007290
文摘Objective:To investigate the feasibility of a 4D-CT reconstruction method based on the similarity principle of spatial adjacent images and mutual information measure. Methods:A motor driven sinusoidal motion platform made in house was used to create one-dimensional periodical motion that was along the longitudinal axis of the CT couch. The amplitude of sinusoidal motion was set to an amplitude of ±1 cm. The period of the motion was adjustable and set to 3.5 s. Phantom objects of two eggs were placed in a Styrofoam block, which in turn were placed on the motion platform. These objects were used to simulate volumes of interest undergoing ideal periodic motion. CT data of static phantom were acquired using a multi-slice general electric (GE) LightSpeed 16-slice CT scanner in an axial mode. And the CT data of periodical motion phantom were acquired in an axial and cine-mode scan. A software program was developed by using VC++ and VTK software tools to resort the CT data and reconstruct the 4D-CT. Then all of the CT data with same phase were sorted by the program into the same series based on the similarity principle of spatial adjacent images and mutual information measure among them, and 3D reconstruction of different phase CT data were completed by using the software. Results:All of the CT data were sorted accurately into different series based on the similarity principle of spatial adjacent images and mutual information measures among them. Compared with the unsorted CT data, the motion artifacts in the 3D reconstruction of sorted CT data were reduced significantly, and all of the sorted CT series result in a 4D-CT that reflected the characteristic of the periodical motion phantom. Conclusion:Time-resolved 4D-CT reconstruction can be implemented with any general multi-slice CT scanners based on the similarity principle of spatial adjacent images and mutual information measure.The process of the 4D-CT data acquisition and reconstruction were not restricted to the hardware or software of the CT scanner and has the feasibility ,which extensive applicability.
文摘AIM:To investigate any protective effect of early propranolol administration in the development of portal hypertensive gastropathy in cirrhotic rats. METHODS:For the development of liver cirrhosis and portal hypertensive gastropathy,60 rats underwent ligation of the left adrenal vein and complete devascularization of the left renal vein,followed by phenobarbital and carbon tetrachloride(CCl4) administration.After two weeks of CCl4 administration, the rats were randomly separated into two groups.In group A,propranolol was continuously administered intragastrically throughout the study,whereas in group B normal saline(placebo)was administered instead. Hemodynamic studies and vascular morphometric analysis of gastric sections were performed after complete induction of cirrhosis. RESULTS:Vascular morphometric studies showed higher numbers of vessels in all mucosal layers in the control group.Statistical analysis revealed a significantly higher total vascular surface in the control group compared to the propranolol group,but with no statistically significant difference between the mean vascular surfaces between the groups.Our study clearly shows that the increased mucosal blood flow is manifested by a marked increase of vessel count. CONCLUSION:Early propranolol's administration in portal hypertensive cirrhotic rats seems to prevent intense gastric vascular congestion that characterizes portal hypertensive gastropathy.
