A novel quantification method of lung fibrosis based on Micro-CT images developed with the optimized pulmonary fibrosis mice model induced by bleomycin.

Background And Aims: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fibrosing lung disease with unknown etiology, leading to cough and dyspnoea, which is also one of the most common sequelae affecting the quality of life of COVID-19 survivors. There is no cure for IPF patients. We aim to develop a reliable IPF animal model with quantification of fibrosis based on Micro-Computer Tomography (micro-CT) images for the new drug discovery, because different bleomycin administration routes, doses, and intervals are reported in the literature, and there is no quantitative assessment of pulmonary fibrosis based on micro-CT images in animal studies.

Corrigendum to "Selection of quality markers of based on its anti-diarrheal and anti-inflammatory activities: Effect-target affiliation-traceability-pharmacokinetics strategy" [Chinese Herbal Medicines 11 (2019) 379-386].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.chmed.

Circular RNA circRNA_101996 promoted cervical cancer development by regulating miR-1236-3p/TRIM37 axis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) appear to be significant modulators in various physiological processes. Recently, it is found that circRNA_101996 exerts important roles in various cancers. Our previous studies showed that circRNA_101996 promoted cervical cancer growth and metastasis by regulating miR-8075/TPX2.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines in the paraventricular nucleus mediate the adipose afferent reflex in rats.

Our previous study showed that the adipose afferent reflex (AAR) induced by chemical stimulation of white adipose tissue (WAT) increased sympathetic outflow and blood pressure. We also found that pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) potentiate the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in rats. However, the role of PICs in the PVN in regulating the AAR is still not clear.

[The protective effects of lycium barbarum polysaccharides on retinal neurons in diabetic rats and its mechanism].

Objective: To clarify whether lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) have protective effects on retina neuronal cells in diabetic rats and to identify the related mechanism involved in this process.

Methods: Eighteen SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups ( n= 6): normal control group (NC), diabetes mellitus group (DM) and LBP-treatment group (DM+LBP). The diabetic rat model was induced by single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ).

Short hairpin RNA interference targeting interleukin 1 receptor type I in the paraventricular nucleus attenuates hypertension in rats.

Blood pressure is controlled by tonic sympathetic activities, excessive activation of which contributes to the pathogenesis and progression of hypertension. Interleukin (IL)-1β in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is involved in sympathetic overdrive and hypertension. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of IL-1 receptor type I (IL-1R1) gene silencing in the PVN on hypertension.

Neuroprotective effects of total flavonoid fraction of the Epimedium koreanum Nakai extract on dopaminergic neurons: In vivo and in vitro.

Flavonoids, the active components of Epimedii Genus, have been demonstrated to protect against osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases and rheumatoid arthritis. The present study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of total flavonoid (TF) fraction of Epimedium koreanum Nakai on dopaminergic neurons in the cellular and mice models of Parkinson's disease (PD). TF pretreatment could ameliorate the decrease of striatal dopamine (DA) content and the loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-immunoreactive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) induced by 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP).

Neuroprotective properties of icariin in MPTP-induced mouse model of Parkinson's disease: Involvement of PI3K/Akt and MEK/ERK signaling pathways.

Background: Epimedium sagittatum is a traditional Chinese herb normally which is used to treat the osteoporosis, cardiovascular dysfunction, and to improve neurological and sexual function in China, Korea and Japan. Icariin is the major active ingredient in Epimedium sagittatum. In the present research, we examined the neuroprotective effects of icariin on dopaminergic neurons and the possible mechanisms in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease (PD).

Icariin protects against MPP-induced neurotoxicity in MES23.5 cells.

Icariin is the major bioactive component of Epimedium and has been demonstrated to be a potential drug for age-related diseases. The present study was aimed to investigate the neuroprotective properties of icariin against 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP)-induced neurotoxicity in MES23.5 cells and the possible mechanisms.

[Chemical Constituents from Jasminum elongatum].

Objective: To investigate the chemical constituents of Jasminum elongatum.

Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated and purified by various column chromatographic methods and preparative HPLC. Their structures were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral analysis.

[Rapid Identification of Chemical Components in Polygonum multiflorum Formula Granules by UPLC/Q-TOF MS].

Objective: To establish a simple and reliable method for rapid separation and identification of chemical components in Polygonum multiflorum Formula Granules.

Methods: An ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometric method( UPLC/Q-TOF MS) was used. The separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 RRHD(100 mm x 2.

Pro-inflammatory cytokines in paraventricular nucleus mediate the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex in hypertension.

Our previous studies showed that pro-inflammatory cytokines (PIC) in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVH) potentiated the cardiac sympathetic afferent reflex (CSAR) in normotensive rats. This study determined whether PIC in the PVH mediate enhanced CSAR and over-excited sympathetic activity in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). CSAR was evaluated by renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) response to epicardial application of bradykinin (BK).

Maged1 co-interacting with CREB through a hexapeptide repeat domain regulates learning and memory in mice.

Maged1 is a member of the type II melanoma antigen (MAGE) family of proteins, which is highly conserved in the brain between mouse and human. Recently, Maged1 has been reported to be involved in depression and impaired sexual behavior. However, the role of Maged1 in learning and memory remains unknown.

Effect of Rac1 downregulation mediated by shRNA on the biological behaviour of human cervical cancer cells.

Objective: The function of Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate1 (Rac1) in the progression of cervical cancer is unclear. This study used RNA interference technology to explore the involvement of Rac1 in the regulation of cervical cancer cells.

Methods: A short hairpin (sh) RNA plasmid targeting Rac1 was constructed and transfected into HeLa cells.

Resveratrol improves learning and memory in normally aged mice through microRNA-CREB pathway.

Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural compound found in grapes and red wine. It has been well known for its beneficial effects as a dietary supplement in prevention of cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Recently, in vitro studies have reported the neuroprotective role of RSV in neurodegenerative process in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

[Nasal carriage of community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus and drug sensitivity tests in healthy children in Chengdu].

Objective: To investigate nasal carriage of community-acquired Staphylococcus aureus and its drug sensitivities in healthy children in Chengdu.

Methods: Nasal swabs were collected from healthy children from primary schools and kindergartens in Chengdu in two stages (2005-2007 and 2008-2010). All specimens were cultivated.

[Expression of Sema3A and NP-1 in spinal cord and spared dorsal root ganglion after partial dorsal root rhizotomy of cat].

Objective: To investigate the expression of semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) and neuropilin 1 (NP-1) in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion after partial dorsal root rhizotomy.

Methods: 15 adult cats were used for this study and divided into 3 groups: normal control group, 7 d and 14 d postoperative groups (7Th day and 14th day groups) undergoing unilateral partial dorsal root rhizotomy. The L3, L5 and L6 segments of spinal cord and L6 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in operated side were made into frozen sections.