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Objective To investigate the predictive function of miR-200c level in peripheral blood on acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods Fifty-one patients who received allo-HSCT in hematology department of our hospital from January 2014 to October 2018 were selected as the research subjects. According to the principle of whether agVHD occurred after transplantation, 33 patients were in the experimental group (with aGVHD) and 18 patients were in the control group (without aGVHD). RT-qPCR was used to detect miR-200c in two groups and the differences in miR-200c expression between the two groups were analyzed. Results The transplantation was successful in both groups, and the hematopoietic function was restored. The recovery time was 18 days, among which 33 patients developed aGVHD and 18 patients did not develop aGVHD, with an incidence of 64.71%. The expression of miR-200c in experimental group was lower than that in control group before transplantation and 7, 14, and 72 d after transplantation (P＜0.05). MiR-200c in peripheral blood after the occurrence of aGVHD was significantly lower than that before the occurrence(P＜0.001). Compared with aGVHD Ⅱ, the expression of miR-200c in peripheral blood of aGVHD Ⅱ patients was down-regulated (P＜0.05); as compared with aGVHD Ⅲ patients, the expression of miR-200c in peripheral blood of aGVHD Ⅲ patients was down-regulated (P＜0.001); the 2-year survival rate in the high expression group of miR-200c was higher than that in the low expression group (P＜0.05). Conclusions The reduced level of miR-200c is associated with the occurrence of aGVHD after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. With the increase of the severity of aGVHD the expression level of miR-200c is decreased, and the survival rate of patients with low miR-200c expression is low, so the expression of miR-200 is a potential marker for early diagnosis and prediction of aGVHD.

Objective The objectives are to characterize the distinct clinical profiles of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza virus (PIV) infections and how these profiles shift with the addition of bacterial coinfections. Methods This retrospective study analyzed data from more than 1,000 hospitalized children to compare RSV monoinfection with PIV monoinfection, as well as RSV/PIV coinfection with bacteria with monoinfection. Results Significant differences in age distribution (p < 0.001), clinical presentation (p < 0.001), the proportion of pneumonia (p < 0.001), mechanical ventilation (p = 0.004), pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission (p = 0.001), and duration of hospitalization (p = 0.003) were observed between RSV and PIV monoinfections. Children with bacterial coinfections had a higher proportion of cough (p = 0.004), wheezing (p = 0.003), rales (p = 0.002), pneumonia (p = 0.002), and PICU admission (p = 0.021) than PIV monoinfection. Notably, the duration of hospitalization for children with bacterial coinfections was longer than that of those infected with a single PIV infection, with a statistically significant difference (p = 0.028). Conclusion Compared with PIV, RSV was more likely to cause severe respiratory tract infections. Coinfection of PIV with bacteria may have exacerbated the severity of acute respiratory tract infections and worsened the symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the molecular mechanisms of isoliquiritigenin in stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques by activating PPAR-γ signal pathway to regulate ox-LDL metabolism. Methods: The ApoE-/- mice AS carotid plaque model was prepared by using high fat diet and right perivascular carotid collar placement (PCCP). ApoE-/- mice were randomly divided into the model group and the isoliquiritigenin group after PCCP. C57BL/6J mice were used for the control group. High fat diet continued feeding for 8 weeks after PCCP to establish the AS model. Automatic biochemical analyzer was used to test levels of total cholesterol (TC), triacylglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). ELISA was used to measure oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) in serum. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological pattern of the carotid artery, and then calculated the carotid parameters. Oil red O staining was used for lipid determination, Masson staining was used to determine collagen content, MOMA-2 and a-SMA immunohistochemical staining were used to determine macrophages and smooth muscle cells, and to calculate the vulnerability index. Western blot was used to detected the expression of PPAR-γ, LXR-a, FABP-4, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in mice arteries. Results: Compared with the normal group, TC, TG, LDL-C, HDL-C and ox-LDL were increased in the model group. Compared with the model group, TC, TG, LDL-C and ox-LDL were reduced, and there was no significant change in HDL-C of the isoliquiritigenin group. Compared with the normal group, intima thickness (IT), intima/media thickness (IT/MT), plaque area (PA), and plaque area/lumen area (PA/LA) of carotid arteries were increased, the content of lipid and MOMA-2 in plaques was increased, collagen and a-SMA content decreased, and the vulnerability index was higher in the model group. The expression of PPAR-γ and LXR-α were reduced and the expression of FABP-4, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were increased in the model group. Compared with the model group, carotid IT, IT/MT, PA, and PA/LA were reduced, the content of lipid and MOMA-2 in plaques was decreased, collagen and a-SMA content were increased, and the vulnerability index was decreased in the isoliquiritigenin group. PPAR-γ and LXR-α expression were increased, FABP-4, MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression were decreased significantly in the isoliquiritigenin group. Conclusion: Isoliquiritigenin can exert anti-AS effects by activating PPAR-γ, up-regulating LXR-a, reducing FABP-4 expression, reducing ox-LDL, reducing the protein expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9, decreasing plaque vulnerability index, and increasing plaque stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Raw "Pinelliae Rhizoma" (RPR) is widely used in Chinese clinics to treat insomnia. This study investigated its underlying sedative and hypnotic mechanisms and main active components. Methods: A locomotor activity test was used to evaluate the sedative effects of RPR at three dosages (0.2 g/mL, 0.4 g/mL, and 0.8 g/mL) in mice. Polysomnography was used to assess its ability to improve sleep. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography/time of flight/mass spectrometry (UPLC-TOF–MS) analysis was used to identify the potential active components of RPR. Results: Mice in the RPR groups were less active than mice in the vehicle group; this difference was greatest in the 0.8 g/mL RPR group. Compared with the vehicle, 0.8 g/mL RPR increased the duration of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep in the dark phase. In addition, the duration of wakefulness in the 0.8 g/mL RPR group decreased with increasing durations of nonrapid eye movement (NREM) and REM sleep. Compared with diazepam, 0.8 g/mL RPR increased REM sleep duration in both the light and dark phases and increased the number of transitions both from NREM sleep to REM sleep and from REM sleep to wakefulness. A total of 33 RPR constituents, including 15 alkaloids, were identified. Conclusion: The results preliminarily indicated that RPR exerts sedative and hypnotic effects in mice, mainly leading to improvements in REM sleep. These effects are possibly due to the alkaloid constituents of RPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the regulatory effect of Qiliqiangxin Capsule on mitochondrial Ca2+ related genes in rats with myocardial infarction(MI). Methods: The rat model of MI was established by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. After operation, the rats were randomly assigned to the model group, the Qiliqiangxin group and the captopril group; a sham‑operated group was also available as a control. After four weeks of treatment, the extent of infarction in rats was observed by gross cardiac structure and the morphological changes of myocardial histopathology were observed by HE staining. Detection of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport‑related genes such as inositol‑1,4,5‑trisphosphate receptor 2 (IP3R2), glucose regulated protein 75 (GRP75), voltage‑dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1), and mitofusion 2 (Mfn2) and mitochondrial apoptosis‑related genes such as B‑cell lymphoma‑2 (Bcl‑2) and Bcl‑2 related X protein (Bax) mRNA expression changes was measured by RT‑PCR in the infarct margins of the heart; Western blot was used to detect changes in Bcl‑2, Bax protein expression in myocardial tissue. The rate of apoptosis in cardiac myocardial tissue was detected by TUNEL staining. Results: Compared with the sham group, the anterior left ventricular wall of the model group showed a large area of infarction, and the structure of myocardial tissue was disordered. The mRNA expression level of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport‑related genes such as IP3R2, GRP75, VDAC1, and Mfn2 were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01);The mRNA and protein expression of Bcl‑2, a molecule related to mitochondrial apoptosis, were significantly decreased (P<0.01), while the mRNA and protein expression of Bax were significantly increased (P<0.01); and apoptosis rate was significantly increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the infarct size of cardiac gross specimens in the Qiliqiangxin group and the captopril group was reduced and myocardial fibers were relatively well ordered; The mRNA expression of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport‑related genes such as IP3R2, GRP75, VDAC1, and Mfn2 were significantly reduced (P<0.01); the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl‑2, a molecule related to mitochondrial apoptosis, were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expression of Bax were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). and apoptosis rate was significantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion: Qiliqiangxin Capsule can improve the morphological structure of the heart of rats with MI, and its mechanism is related to regulation of the gene expression of mitochondrial Ca2+ transport complex IP3R2/GRP75/ VDAC1, thereby inhibiting apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect and possible mechanism of Qiliqiangxin capsule on myocardial fibrosis in rats with myocardial infarction(MI). Methods: The rat model of myocardial infarction was established by ligation of anterior descending branch of left coronary artery. The rats were randomly divided into model group, Qiliqiangxin capsule group, captopril group after operation. Rats that without ligation were set as parallel control group, namely, the sham group. Cardiac pathology was observed by hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining after 4 weeks of treatment. Masson staining was used to observe myocardial fibrosis and calculate collagen volume fraction (CVF). The miR-133a and expression levels of transforming growth factor pl (TGF-βl), Smad 2, Smad 3, type I collagen (col-I), typelll collagen (col-III) mRNA were examined by Real-time PCR. Results: Compared with the sham group, myocardial cells in model group were disordered, CVF was significantly increased(P<0.01), the expression levels of col-I, col-I mRNA were increased(P<0.01); besides, the expression level of miR-133a was significantly decreased (P<0.01), the expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad 2 and Smad 3 mRNA were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the arrangement of myocardial cells in Qiliqiangxin capsule group and captopril group were orderly and CVF was significantly decreased(P<0.05); the expression level of miR-133a was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the expression levels of TGF-β1, Smad 2 and Smad 3 mRNA were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion: Qiliqiangxin capsule can improve myocardial infarction rat myocardial tissue fibrosis, its mechanism may be in related with the regulation on miR-133a/TGF-β1/Smads signal pathway at the genetic level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experiment aimed to explore the effect of Chinese herbal medicine on growth performance, slaughter performance and antioxidant function of Hetian black chickens. A total of three hundred and fifty 35-day-old Hetian black chickens were selected, and randomly divided into five group, with five replicates in each group and 14 chickens in each replicate. The chickens in control group were fed with basic diet, chickens in antibiotics group were fed with basic diet supplement with 0.1% chlortetracycline premix, and chickens in group I, group II and group III were fed with basic diet supplement with 0.1%, 0.5% and 1.0% Chinese herbal medicine. The trial period was 77 d. The results showed that compared with control group and antibiotics group, the activity of SOD in serum of Hetian black chickens in group I was extremely increased (P<0.01), the activity of GSH-Px in serum of Hetian black chickens in group III was extremely increased (P<0.01). Compared with control group, T-AOC in serum of Hetian black chicken in group I was extremely increased (P<0.01). The study indicates that adding 1% Chinese herbal medicine to diet has better effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]