Quercetin protects islet β-cells from oxidation-induced apoptosis via Sirt3 in T2DM.

Objectives: Sirt3 may regulate ROS production and might be involved in β-cell apoptosis, which plays an important role in the progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Quercetin is a potent anti-oxidative bioflavonoid, but its effects on T2DM remain to be explored. This study aimed to investigate the effects of quercetin on β-cell apoptosis and explore its mechanisms.

Illustration of a number of atypical computed tomography manifestations of active pulmonary tuberculosis.

Tuberculosis is a serious public health challenge facing mankind and one of the top ten causes of death. Diagnostic imaging plays an important role, particularly for the diagnosis and treatment planning of tuberculosis patients with negative microbiology results. This article illustrates a number of atypical computed tomography (CT) appearances of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB), including (I) clustered micronodules (CMNs) sign; (II) reversed halo sign (RHS); (III) tuberculous pneumatocele; (IV) hematogenously disseminated PTB with predominantly diffuse ground glass opacity manifestation; (V) hematogenously disseminated PTB with randomly distributed non-miliary nodules; (VI) PTB changes occur on the background of emphysema or honeycomb changes of interstitial pneumonia; and (VII) PTB manifesting as organizing pneumonia.

Bedaquiline-containing regimens in patients with pulmonary multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in China: focus on the safety.

Background: World Health Organization recommends countries introducing new drug and short treatment regimen for drug resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) should develop and implement a system for active pharmacovigilance that allows for detection, reporting and management of adverse events. The aim of the study is to evaluate the frequency and severity of adverse events (AEs) of bedaquiline-containing regimen in a cohort of Chinese patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR)/extensively drug-resistant (XDR)-TB based on active drug safety monitoring (aDSM) system of New Drug Introduction and Protection Program (NDIP).

Methods: AEs were prospectively collected with demographic, bacteriological, radiological and clinical data from 54 sites throughout China at patient enrollment and during treatment between February, 2018 and December, 2019.

The Diagnostic Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Restaging of Rectal Cancer After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

Objective: To evaluate the overall diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in restaging of rectal cancer after preoperative chemoradiotherapy based on qualified studies.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and EMBASE database were searched by the index words to identify the qualified studies, and relevant literature sources were also searched. The latest research was done in April 2019.

Jak2/Stat1 pathway mediated tetrahydrobiopterin up-regulation contributes to nitric oxide overproduction in high-glucose cultured rat mesangial cells.

Nitric oxide (NO) is crucial for the progression of early diabetic nephropathy (DN). It is important to clarify the mechanism for the production of NO in mesangial cells (MCs). In this study, the amounts/activities of related factors such as reactive oxygen species (ROS), NO, 3 isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), GTP cyclohydrolase I (GTPCH I), Jak2, and Stat1 were determined using high-glucose cultured rat MCs.

Extracts of black bean peel and pomegranate peel ameliorate oxidative stress-induced hyperglycemia in mice.

Oxidative stress has a central role in the progression of diabetes mellitus (DM), which can directly result in the injury of islet β cells and consequent hyperglycemia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the possible protective effects of black bean peel extract (BBPE), pomegranate peel extract (PPE) and a combination of the two (PPE + BBPE) on streptozotocin-induced DM mice. Oxidative stress was assessed by the levels of total antioxidative capability and glutathione in the serum.

The association between pulmonary function impairment and colon inflammation in ulcerative colitis patients: A scientific basis for exterior-interior correlation between lung and large intestine.

Objective: To investigated the involvement of pulmonary function impairment in ulcerative colitis (UC), to explore a scientific basis for the Chinese medicine (CM) theory of exterior-interior correlation between Lung (Fei) and Large intestine (Dachang).

Methods: Totally 120 patients with a diagnosis of UC were recruited and the demographics, clinical data, and blood samples were collected. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) concentrations were measured.

[Correlation between pulmonary function impairment and levels of alpha1-antitrypsin in serum and colon of ulcerative colitis patients: a clinical research].

Objective: To explore the mechanism of pulmonary involvement in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients by observing the correlation between pulmonary functions and levels of alpha1-antitrypsin (A1AT) in serum and colon tissue in UC patients.

Methods: Totally 90 patients with confirmed UC were assigned to different groups according to the extent of disease, the disease activity, the staging of severity, and course of disease. The serum level of A1AT in UC patients with different extent of disease, the disease activity, the staging of severity, and course of disease were compared.

Efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae isolate MAX-2 from Shangri-la, China under desiccation stress.

Background: Metarhizium anisopliae, a soil-borne entomopathogen found worldwide, is an interesting fungus for biological control. However, its efficacy in the fields is significantly affected by environmental conditions, particularly moisture. To overcome the weakness of Metarhizium and determine its isolates with antistress capacity, the efficacies of four M.

SIRT5 desuccinylates and activates SOD1 to eliminate ROS.

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a key antioxidant enzyme. Deficiency of SOD1 is associated with various human diseases, including cancer. Here, we report that SOD1 is succinylated and that succinylation decreases its activity.

Up-regulation of glyoxalase 1 by mangiferin prevents diabetic nephropathy progression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) and its precursor methylglyoxal are associated with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Mangiferin has many beneficial biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and anti-diabetic effects. We investigated the effect of mangiferin on DN and its potential mechanism associated with glyoxalase 1 (Glo-1), a detoxifying enzyme of methylglyoxal, in streptozotocin-induced rat model of DN.

Suppression of methylglyoxal hyperactivity by mangiferin can prevent diabetes-associated cognitive decline in rats.

Rationale: Evidences indicate that methylglyoxal, a highly reactive metabolite of hyperglycemia, can enhance protein glycation, oxidative stress, or inflammation. Mangiferin, a polyphenol compound of C-glucoside, has many beneficial biological activities, including anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, neuroprotection, cognitive enhancement, etc. Whether mangiferin alleviates diabetes-associated cognitive impairment is still unclear.

Study of the retinal imaging and output in premature baby under a computer-assisted binocular indirect ophthalmoscope.

Purpose: To explore a clear retinal imaging and output and enhance the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening, which is safe and effective for ROP screening in premature infants.

Methods: A computer-assisted binocular indirect ophthalmoscope imaging and output system was equipped with camera and image processing hardware and connected to computers. The process of fundus examination was videotaped (photograph) and output.

[Study on the correlation between the pulmonary injury and the ET-1 serum level in ulcerative colitis patients].

Objective: To study the correlation between the pulmonary injury and the ET-1 serum level in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients, and to study the mechanism for UC induced pulmonary injury.

Methods: Recruited were 90 UC outpatients from the clinics of Gastroenterology Department, Dongzhimen Hospital Affiliated to Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from Nov. 2009 to Mar.

Ginsenoside Re attenuates diabetes-associated cognitive deficits in rats.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Re (Re) on cognitive functions, oxidative stress and inflammation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

Research Design And Method: Diabetic rats were treated with Re (40mg/kg) for 8weeks, blood glucose and body weight were measured monthly and weekly, respectively. Cognitive performances were evaluated with Morris water maze.

Total saponins from Rhizoma Anemarrhenae ameliorate diabetes-associated cognitive decline in rats: involvement of amyloid-beta decrease in brain.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: As a well-known Chinese Materia Medica Rhizoma Anemarrhenae has multiple pharmacological activities including antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic actions, etc. This study was designed to investigate effects of total saponins from Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (TS) on diabetes-associated cognitive decline in rats and influence on amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels in brain and inflammation.

Materials And Methods: Diabetic rats induced by intraperitoneal administration of streptozotocin, were randomized into two groups: diabetes and TS-treated diabetes.

[Effect of triangle drugs as ginseng, Trichosanthes kirilowii maxim and rhubarb on the level of blood lipids and related pro-inflammatory cytokines during the process of treating atherosclerosis].

Objective: To study the effect of triangle drugs as ginseng, Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim, and rhubarb on the levels of blood lipids as [total cholesterol (TC), triglyeride (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C)] and pro-inflammatory cytokines as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), and high sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP) during the process of treating atherosclerosis.

Methods: Twenty New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into three groups after one-week adaptive feeding, i.e.

In vitro suppression of quercetin on hypertrophy and extracellular matrix accumulation in rat glomerular mesangial cells cultured by high glucose.

Quercetin's protective effects on the glomerulosclerosis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rat mesangial cells were investigated. The cell cycles, type IV collagen and laminin, TGF-β(1) mRNA, Smad 2/3 and Smad 7, and activities of cell antioxidases were measured. Compared with the high glucose group, quercetin may decrease the cell percentages of G(0)/G(1) phase, Smad 2/3 expression, laminin and type IV collagen, and TGF-β(1) mRNA level significantly.

Ginkgo biloba extract prevents glucose-induced accumulation of ECM in rat mesangial cells.

Pathological remodeling characterized by extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation contributes to diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study evaluated the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on the metabolism of the ECM in rat mesangial cells cultured in hyperglycemic conditions. The cultured mesangial cells in high glucose conditions were allotted into six groups: normal control group, high glucose group, low concentration of GbE group, moderate concentration of GbE group, high concentration of GbE group, and captopril group.

Ginkgo biloba extract prevents against apoptosis induced by high glucose in human lens epithelial cells.

Aim: To investigate the protective effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GBE) on high glucose-induced apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells (HLEC) and the possible molecular mechanisms.

Methods: The cultured HLEC were allotted into 6 groups: normal group, high glucose group, low-, moderate-, and high-dose GBE group, and the bendazac lysine group. Cell viability, cell apoptosis, the activities of cell antioxidases, aldose reductase, caspase-3, the levels of cell antioxidants, and the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were assessed by different methods.

Microsurgical anatomy of dorsal root entry zone of brachial plexus.

The purpose of this study was to describe microsurgical anatomy of the dorsal root entry zone (DREZ) and provide an anatomic basis for the approach of DREZ lesion in treating radiculopathy of brachial plexus avulsion injuries. We studied 100 dorsal cervical roots and DREZ/posterior horn complexes in 20 adult cadavers. At each root level the following data were recorded: widths of laminectomy, numbers of posterior rootlets, angle of the inferior rootlets with the spinal cord, and distance from posterior median sulcus to posterolateral sulcus.

Effects of Ginkgo biloba on prevention of development of experimental diabetic nephropathy in rats.

Aim: To observe the preventive and therapeutic effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (GbE) on early experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN) in rats.

Methods: After an early DN model was induced by streptozotocin, rats were administered GbE at 3 doses for 12 weeks. Fasting blood glucose, creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), urine protein, kidney index, anti-oxidase, advanced glycosylation end products (AGE), collagen IV and laminin, matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) and the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2), connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) mRNA were measured by different methods.

Ginkgo biloba extract suppresses hypertrophy and extracellular matrix accumulation in rat mesangial cells.

Aim: To observe the effects of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb) on the hypertrophy of mesangial cells and the accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in mesangial cells.

Methods: Cultured mesangial cells were allotted into 7 groups: normal group, solvent control group, high glucose group, low dose of EGb group, moderate dose of EGb group, high dose of EGb group, and captopril group. Activities of cell antioxidases, S phase percentage and G(0)/G(1) phase percentage, collagen IV and laminin, Smad2/3 and Smad7, TGF-beta(1) mRNA were measured by different methods.

[Research on the identification of penis et testis cervi with molecular taxonomy].

Objective: To make the kit with witch to identify Penis et Testis Cervi with molecular taxonomy.

Method: The mtDNA of sika and red deer from different areas was amplified by PCR and sequenced. Compared with the mtDNA of bovine and horse from witch the false medicines were made, characteristic segments of deer were found.