The psychological impact of COVID-19 outbreak on medical staff and the general public.

To assess the psychological effects of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on medical staff and the general public. During the outbreak of COVID-19, an internet-based questionnaire included The Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to assess the impact of the pandemic situation on the mental health of medical staff and general population in Wuhan and its surrounding areas. Among the 1493 questionnaires completed, 827 (55.

Selective and effective targeting of chronic myeloid leukemia stem cells by topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide in combination with imatinib mesylate in vitro.

Imatinib mesylate (IM) and other BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have improved chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patient survival markedly but fail to eradicate quiescent CML leukemia stem cells (LSCs). Thus, strategies targeting LSCs are required to induce long-term remission and achieve cure. Here, we investigated the ability of topoisomerase II (Top II) inhibitor etoposide (Eto) to target CML LSCs.

[Metabolism Changes of Main Active Ingredients During Liquid Fermentation of Cordyceps militaris].

Objective: To study the accumulation and changes of main active ingredients during liquid fermentation of Cordyceps militaris.

Methods: The militaris varity GIM5. 270 was selected to extended fermentation time to 20 days on the basic fermentation condition.

Silencing of miR-21 sensitizes CML CD34+ stem/progenitor cells to imatinib-induced apoptosis by blocking PI3K/AKT pathway.

BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib fails to eradicate leukemia stem cells (LSCs), the underlying mechanisms maintaining CML LSCs remain poorly understood. Here, we showed that transient inhibition of miR-21 by antagomiR-21 markedly increased imatinib-induced apoptosis in CML, but not normal CD34+ stem/progenitor cells. Furthermore, PI3K inhibitors also significantly sensitized CML CD34+ cells to imatinib-induced apoptosis.

Targeting miR-21 sensitizes Ph+ ALL Sup-b15 cells to imatinib-induced apoptosis through upregulation of PTEN.

Philadelphia chromosome positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells are insensitive to BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Here, we showed that imatinib treatment induced significant upregulation of miR-21 and downregulation of PTEN in Ph+ ALL cell line Sup-b15. Transient inhibition of miR-21 resulted in increased apoptosis, PTEN upregulation and AKT dephosphorylation, whereas ectopic overexpression of miR-21 further conferred imatinib resistance.

Cecropin suppresses human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL- 7402 cell growth and survival in vivo without side-toxicity.

Conventional chemotherapy against hepatocellular carcinoma typically causes various side effects. Our previous study showed that cecropin of Musca domestica can induce apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells in vitro. However, whether cecropin inhibits BEL-7402 cell in vivo and the question of possible side effects remained undentified.

[Comparison of the effects of traditional and modern processing methods on antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of Musca domestica].

Objective: To investigate the different effects of traditional and modern processing methods onantibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of Musca domestica.

Methods: Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects of traditional and modem processing products were carried out on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and macrophage RAW264.7 which activated by LPS.

Hepatitis B or C viral infection and risk of pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Aim: To investigate if there is an association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) or hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and the risk of pancreatic cancer.

Methods: All relevant studies published before 11 October, 2012 were identified by a systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS Previews and the Cochrane Library databases and with cross-referencing. The observational studies that reported RR or OR estimates with 95%CIs for the association between HBV or HCV and pancreatic cancer were included.

Scientific evaluation of the subchronic toxicity of Musca domestica larvae extracts in Sprague Dawley rats.

Musca domestica larvae extracts (MDLE) is a potential drug used to treat lipopolysaccharide-induced atherosclerosis pro-inflammatory responses. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the safety of MDLE via a 13-week repeated dose subchronic toxicity test in rats. Both male and female Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups, eight animals each from the control and high-dose group (33.

Inflammatory Regulation Effect and Action Mechanism of Anti-Inflammatory Effective Parts of Housefly (Musca domestica) Larvae on Atherosclerosis.

The protein-enriched extracts of housefly larvae were segregated by gel-filtration chromatography (GFC) and then anti-inflammatory activity screening in RAW264.7 (induced by LPS) was carried out. After acquire the anti-inflammatory effective parts, its anti-atherosclerotic properties in vivo were then evaluated.

Effect of lipopolysaccharide mediating early- and late- activated THP-1 macrophages on ECV304 endothelial cell dysfunction: dysregulation of secretion of VEGF and proliferation and migration of ECV304.

Objective: To investigate the different effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediating early and late activated THP-1 macrophages (Mφ) on ECV304 endothelial cell dysfunction: dysregulation of secretion of VEGF and proliferation, and migration of ECV304.

Methods: The inflammatory Mφ was divided into early phase (2 h) group and late phase (24 h) group according the different exposure time to LPS. Then the inflammatory Mφ and ECV304 were co-cultured via transwell chambers in both non-contacting and contacting systems.

Effects of Musca domestica cecropin on the adhesion and migration of human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells.

This study was designed to explore the effects of Musca domestica antimicrobial peptides cecropin on the adhesion and migration of human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells. The adhesive and migratory capacities were determined by adhesion assay and transwell assay, respectively. The changes in microvilli of tumor cells were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Curcumin induces FasL-related apoptosis through p38 activation in human hepatocellular carcinoma Huh7 cells.

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of curcumin-induced apoptosis in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) Huh7 cells.

Main Methods: Fas and FasL mRNA expression was analyzed by reverse transcription PCR. Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of Bcl-2 family members, MAPK family members, c-Jun, c-Fos, ATF-2, caspase-3, PARP, TNF receptor family members and the respective ligands.

[Research advances on circumsporozoite protein of Plasmodium].

Circumsporozoite protein (CSP) is found in all the mature malaria parasites, which forms a dense coat on the sporozoite's surface. CSPs contain approximately 400 amino acids and are organized into three domains: an N-terminal domain containing a conserved pentapeptide called region I, a highly repetitive species-specific central domain, and a C-terminal domain containing another conserved sequence called region II. It has been reported that the CSP fulfills vital roles in invading to the mosquito's salivary glands, binding sporozoite to liver cells, and inactivating host cell protein synthesis machinery.

β-defensin 2 as an adjuvant promotes anti-melanoma immune responses and inhibits the growth of implanted murine melanoma in vivo.

β-defensin 2 is a small antimicrobial peptide of the innate immune system and has been thought to regulate anti-tumor immunity. However, little is known on whether β-defensin 2 could modulate melanoma-specific NK and T cell responses. In this study, we first cloned the murine β-defensin 2 gene by RT-PCR and generated the β-defensin 2 stably expressing B16 cells (B16-mBD2).

[The target of Musca domestica cecropin on human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells].

Human hepatocellular carcinoma BEL-7402 cells were treated with 50 micromol/L Musca domestica cecropin for 12 h, and observed under scanning electron microscope. The effect of Musca domestica cecropin labeled with FITC (FITC-cecropin) on BEL-7402 cells was detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy. The scanning electron microscopy showed that most microvilli on the surface of BEL-7402 cells disappeared at 12 h after cecropin treatment.

Expression of a novel dual-functional protein--the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 fused with human acidic fibroblast growth factor in Escherichia coli.

Human acidic fibroblast growth factor (haFGF) stimulates repair of delayed healing which still remains a tremendously world-wide issue. However, most of the patients with delayed healings have to face another creeping problem - microbial infection, which is one of the most frequent complications that still lead to wound healing failure. LL-37/hCAP-18 is the only cathelicidin-derived antimicrobial peptide found in human with a wide range of antimicrobial activities.

[Heterologous expression of attacin gene from Musca domestica in Pichia pastoris].

Objective: To construct recombinant expression plasmid with an antibacterial peptide (attacin) mature peptide gene from Musca domestica and express an antibacterial peptide attacin in Pichia pastoris.

Methods: The coding region of attacin mature peptide was cloned into the expression vector pPIC9K. The recombinant plasmid was linearized by digestion with Sac I and transformed into P.

Housefly maggots (Musca domestica) protein-enriched fraction/extracts (PE) inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced atherosclerosis pro-inflammatory responses.

Aim: To investigate the effects of housefly maggot (Musca domestica) protein-enriched fraction/extracts (PE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced atherosclerosis (AS) pro-inflammatory responses in mice and macrophages.

Methods: The mouse model of AS was established by feeding a cholesterol-enriched diet and inducing by LPS. Changes in the levels of blood lipids (total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL)) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferon-gamma (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and interleukin-1alpha (IL-1α)) were determined.

Expression of the antimicrobial peptide cecropin fused with human lysozyme in Escherichia coli.

Lysozyme is an abundant, cationic antimicrobial protein that plays an important role in host defense. It targets the beta (1-4) glycosidic bond between N-acetylglucosamine and N-acetylmuramic residues that make up peptidoglycan, making lysozyme highly active against Gram-positive bacteria. However, lysozyme alone is inactive against Gram-negative bacteria because it cannot reach the peptidoglycan layer.

IL-33 prolongs murine cardiac allograft survival through induction of TH2-type immune deviation.

Background: In Th (T helper) 1/Th2 balance in response to signals given during donor antigen presentation, induction of allograft prolongation is more often related to Th2-type than with Th1-type immunity. Here, we examined the effect of interleukin (IL)-33, a novel member of the IL-1 family, on cardiac allograft survival in mice.

Methods: Mice heterotopic cardiac transplants were performed with sequential recipient sacrifice at anticipated time points to examine the immunoregulatory action of IL-33 in recipient mice.

Expression pattern of antibacterial genes in the Musca domestica.

This work studied the transcriptional patterns of three antibacterial genes, attacin, defensin and cecropin, during the development of Musca domestica. Quantitative analysis by real-time PCR was performed on mRNA levels in different development stages and challenged 3rd-instar larva at different time points after challenge of Musca domestica. The results revealed a predominance of the transcripts of all three genes during the 3rd-instar larvae and the adults.

[Expression analysis of antibacterial peptide genes at different development stages of Musca domestica].

Objective: To explore the expression level of antibacterial peptide genes at the different development stages of Musca domestica.

Methods: Total RNA was extracted from eggs, 1st instar larvae, 2nd instar larvae, 3rd instar larvae, pupae and adults of M. domestica.

Fructose-1,6-diphosphate attenuates acute lung injury induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice.

Fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP), a high-energy glycolytic pathway intermediate, is reported to have a salutary effect in endotoxic shock and sepsis, but its underlying mechanism of action in inflammation is incompletely understood. In this study, our aim was to examine the function of FDP on acute lung injury (ALI) induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). We found that in vitro pretreatment with FDP remarkably repressed the production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in murine alveolar macrophages MH-S exposed to LPS.