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Background: Cirrhosis is a common clinical chronic progressive liver disease and has become one of the main causes of death worldwide. The condition of liver cirrhosis is complex and there is also clinical heterogeneity. Identifying liver cirrhosis based on molecular characteristics has become a challenge.Methods: To reveal the potential molecular characteristics of different types of cirrhosis, we divided 79 patients with cirrhosis into 4 subgroups based on gene expression profiles. These gene expression profiles were retrieved from the mprehensive gene expression database. In addition, these subgroups showed different expression patterns. To reveal the differences between subgroups, we used weighted gene co-expression analysis and identified six subgroup-specific gene co-expression analysis modules.Results: The characteristics ofWCGNAmodules indicate that TGF - β signaling pathway,viral protein interaction with cytokines and cytokine receptors, including a variety of chemokines and inflammatory factors, are upregulated in subgroup I, indicating that subjects in subgroup I may show inflammatory characteristics; fatty acid metabolism, biosynthesis of cofactors, carbon metabolism and protein processing pathway in endoplasmic reticulum were significantly enriched in subgroup II, which indicated that the subjects in subgroup II might have the characteristics of active metabolism; arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and Neuroactive ligand−receptor interaction are significantly enriched in subgroup IV; we did not find a significant upregulation pathway in the third subgroup.Conclusion: The subgroups classification of liver cirrhosis cases shows that patients from different subgroups may have unique gene expression patterns, which indicates that patients in each subgroup should receive more personalized treatment.

Chinese medicine Di-Long, the dried body of Pheretima vulgaris (Chen) has been used for the treatment of joint inflammation, arthralgia and numbness of limbs for many years. This study was to investigate the anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA) effects of Di-Long and to explore its possible mechanisms. The identification and quantification of representative components in Di-Long extracts (DL) were carried out by HPLC analysis. The anti-RA effects and mechanisms of DL were studied in CIA mice, RAW 264.7 macrophages and spleen T lymphocytes. The Th1/Th2 cell ratio in CIA mice spleens were determined by Flow cytometry. The cytokine levels were determined by ELISA method. The expressions of p-NF-κB p65 in ankle joints of CIA mice were detected by Immunohistochemistry analysis. The phosphorylation of NF-κB signaling pathway in RAW 264.7 macrophages and expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 in CIA mice spleens were determined by Western blots. The treatment with DL significantly decreased the paw thickness, arthritis scores and inflammatory cells infiltration in CIA mice. The TNF-α, IL-6 concentrations in both mice serum and macrophages secretion were markedly reduced with the treatment of DL, as well as the phosphorylation of NF-κB pathway. DL inhibited the expressions of T-bet and GATA-3 and decreased Th1/Th2 cells ratio in CIA mice spleens. DL reduced IFN-γ, IL-2 levels in mice serum and spleen T lymphocytes, and increased IL-4 levels in CIA mice serum. Chinese medicine Di-Long have significant anti-RA effects. The mechanisms might be inhibiting the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and regulating the balance of Th1/Th2 cells.

Studies on buckling of steel tubular truss arches are lacking in contrast to steel arches with solid web sections, although they have been widely applied in long-span structures. This paper deals with the in-plane elasto-plastic buckling and strength design of circular steel tubular truss arches with triangular sections by using finite element analyses (FEA). Firstly, the in-plane buckling failure modes are explored to reveal the buckling mechanics of truss arches. By introducing the normalized slenderness of the entire arch and the chord tube, as well as the interactive coefficient that accounts for the effect of chord tube buckling, the unified buckling curve for truss arches in uniform compression are obtained. Lastly, an interactive equation is proposed for in-plane buckling resistance of steel tubular truss arches under combined compressive and bending actions. It is found that, the buckling of diagonal web tubes greatly reduces the load-carrying capacity and deformation ability of truss arches hence should be prevented in design. The chord tube deformation always exists during the buckling failure of the truss arch and its effect on the buckling resistance is inevitable. The buckling curve b in the codes can used for truss arches in uniform compression, and the interactive equation can provide satisfactory lower bound predictions for truss arches under general loading.

The present study investigated acute and subchronic toxicity and safety pharmacology of modified pulsatilla granules (MPG) to provide a basis for a comprehensive understanding of MPG toxicity. The results of acute toxicity testing showed that the median lethal dose of MPG was more than 5000 mg kg−1, suggesting that MPG was considered as practically non-toxic. The subchronic toxicity study for 30 days was conducted by daily oral administration at doses of 375, 750 and 1 500 mg kg−1 in Sprague-Dawley rats. The results of subchronic toxicity study showed that the body weight and relative organ weight were not significantly changed by administration of MPG. The clinical chemistry study showed that MPG could induce kidney and liver damages. In histopathological, mild lesions in liver and kidney were also observed, suggesting that the liver and kidney might be potential target organs of MPG. In the safety pharmacology study, MPG did not exhibited any side effects to rats in cardiovascular system, respiratory system and central nervous system. These results suggested that MPG could be considered safe for veterinary use.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy and partial action mechanism of mild moxibustion combined with salt-separated moxibustion for gastrointestinal discomfort caused by chemotherapy for breast cancer.A total of 48 patients were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 24 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with intravenous infusion of tropisetron hydrochloride (5 mg), once a day for three days; the patients in the observation group were additionally treated with mild moxibustion at Zusanli (ST 36), Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6) and salt-separated moxibustion at Shenque (CV 8), 15 min per treatment, once a day for 7 days. Before treatment and on the 7th day of chemotherapy, the levels of pepsinogenⅠ(PGⅠ), pepsinogenⅡ (PGⅡ), the ratio of PGⅠto PGⅡ (PGR) and gastrin 17 (G-17) in serum were measured. Before treatment and on the 3rd, 5th, 7th day of chemotherapy, the gastrointestinal reactions (nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea) were compared between the two groups.On the 7th day of chemotherapy, the serum levels of PGⅠ, PGⅡand G-17 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (The mild moxibustion combined with salt-separated moxibustion could effectively improve the symptoms of nausea, vomiting and constipation caused by chemotherapy in patients with breast cancer, and its mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of the levels of PGⅠ, PGⅡ and G-17 in serum.

Intestinal absorption liquid was prepared by using everted intestinal sac method; meanwhile, its recipes were decomposed or restructured. Platelet aggregation activity was examined by biochemical tests and a microplate reader. One or more kinds of Chinese medicines which displayed inhibiting activity in Naoxintong Capsules were screened through separation and combination of prescription. The results showed that Naoxintong Capsules could inhibit ADP-induced platelet aggregation. Recipe decomposition and restructuring results showed that Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Cinnamomi Ramulus and Hirudo were the main effective medicines in inhibiting platelet aggregation. Furthermore, Cinnamomi Ramulus played a vital role in inhibiting activity among those four kinds of Chinese medicines. Coumarin derived from intestinal absorption liquid of Cinnamomi Ramulus had inhibiting activity in the range of 50-200 μmol·L⁻¹, and other ingredients such as cinnamyl alcohol and cinnamaldehyde also had inhibiting activities. In conclusion, Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Paeoniae Radix Rubra, Cinnamomi Ramulus and Hirudo are the main components for inhibiting ADP-induced platelet aggregation, and Cinnamomi Ramulus has the most strongest inhibiting activity in Naoxintong Capsules.

The paper analyzes the optimal market structure and pricing strategy of regional logistics information platform based on bilateral market theory and network externality. Taking Zhejiang logistics information platform as an example, it establishes a two-stage (users gather stage, stable operation stage) regional logistics information platform pricing model. In the end, it draws a conclusion that the pricing strategy is mainly affected by platform service, network externality factor and user scale of both sides.

To analyze the composition regularity of Carthami Flos-containing prescriptions of the Drug Standards of Ministry of Health of People's Republic of China-Traditional Chinese Medicine Preparations (the ministerial standards for Traditional Chinese Medicine) based on the traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TCMISS, RZDZ No. 0389952). Efforts were made to identify 331 prescriptions containing Carthami Flos and summarize 16 attending functions and 10 commonly used drug combinations. Three commonly used drug combinations were selected for an in-depth analysis on Carthami Flos's combined administration regularity. Based on Carthami Flos's attending functions, its effects in paralysis, traumatic injuries and dysmenorrheal were compared to analyze Carthami Flos's core drug combinations for treating different diseases. The regularity of clinical administration and the characteristics of commonly used drug combinations were summarized to provide reference for Carthami Flos's clinical application and new ideas for new drug RD. Carthami Flos prescriptions was mainly used to treat blood stasis and pain and mostly combined with drugs that could activate blood, promote the circulation of qi and dispel pathogenic wind to treat Qi-stagnation and blood stasis caused by various pathogenic factors such as wind, cold and dampness.

To study the absorption characteristics of four components from Naoxintong capsule in intestines.In vitro everted gut sac method was adopted for preparing the intestinal absorption solution of Naoxintong capsule. UPLC was used to detect the content of chemical components in different intestinal segments, and comparing the results with the absorption of chemical components of Naoxintong capsule in each intestinal segment. The time-accumulative absorption curve was drawn to observe the changes in the accumulative absorption concentration with time.Four ingredients of Naoxintong capsule can be detected in intestinal absorption solution, they are ferulic acid, paeoniflorin, salvianolic acid B and hydroxysafflor yellow A. Specifically, the accumulative absorption concentrations of ferulic acid, salvianolic acid B and paeoniflorin in ileum and rear jejunum segments were higher than that in front and middle jejunum segments; the absorption of ferulic acid, paeoniflorin, salvianolic acid B and hydroxysafflor yellow A did not reach saturated conditions in 3 hours.Ferulic acid, paeoniflorin, salvianolic acid B and hydroxysafflor yellow A are absorbed in the whole intestine. Ferulic acid, paeoniflorin and salvianolic acid B may be absorbed in specific segments.

The propagation characteristics of virulent duck plague virus (DPV) in duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) were studied by the method of light microscopy observation of DEF cell culture monolayer, electron microscopy observation of infected DEF cell culture, real-time PCR detecting virus propagation. The results demonstrated that on duck embryo fibroblast a number of plaques were formed by DPV 42 h postinfection. Electron microscopy of the ultrathin section of infected duck embryo fibroblasts demonstrated that the nucleic acid of DPV was round in shape with diameter of 35-45 nm and was often in a cluster in the nucleus of DEF. The nucleocapsid of DPV was round in shape with diameter of 90-100 nm and could be observed both in nucleus and cytoplasm of DEF. The mature DPV which had the structures of envelop and tegument was spherical in shape with diameter of 150-300 nm and was located in cytoplasmic vacuoles. DPV penetrated the DEF cell membrane by direct fusion between the viral envelop and the plasma membrane. Progeny viral nucleic acid was produced in the nucleus and the assembled nucleocapsids obtained the structure of tegument in the cytoplasm and obtained the structure of envelop by budding into the cytoplasmic vesicles. The mature DPV particles were released out of the cell through exocytosis of the cytoplasmic vesicles. Detection of DPV by real-time PCR demonstrated that virus in DEF began its obvious propagation 10 h postinfection and virus amount tended to increase until 30 h postinfection. DPV began to be released into the supernatant 22 h postinfection and the DPV amount peaked 50 h postinfection, when the virus content in DEF and supernatant both underwent approximately 10(3) fold increase. DPV mainly existed in the DEF and the virus content in DEF was 10(2)-10(3) fold than the supernatant.

Electron microscopy was employed for ultrastructural observation of Marc-145 cells infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) SC1 strain and studied the virus morphogenesis in infected cells. The results demonstrated that PRRSV was spherical and enveloped. The virion is 45-65 nm in diameter and its nucleocapsid was approximately 25-30 nm. PRRSV entered Marc-145 cells by endocytosis, and replicated in the cytoplasm. The mature viruses were released from infected cells by budding or exocytosis. The main ultrastructural changes of the infected cells were as follows: increased number of cytoplasmic vacuoles, dilated endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria underwent hyperplasia with its ridges swollen, sloughed, and eventually vacuolated. Typical apoptosis was also observed in the infected Marc-145 cells, which included microvilli sloughing off the cell, appearance of apoptotic bodies and cell fragmentation.