Clinical, Microbiological, and Molecular Characterization of Candia (Starmera) stellimalicola, a Rare Fungal Pathogen Causing Human Infections.

Candia (Starmera) stellimalicola is a yeast species spread worldwide and recovered from varieties of ecological reservoirs, but human infections are rarely reported. In this study, we reported an intra-abdominal infection case caused by C. stellimalicola and described its microbiological and molecular characteristics.

Collective outbreak of severe acute histoplasmosis in immunocompetent Chinese in South America: the clinical characteristics and continuous monitoring of serum cytokines/chemokines.

Background: Acute histoplasmosis is a rare fungal disease in China. This study is aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics of the first large-scale outbreak of imported acute histoplasmosis in Chinese, so as to provide suggestions for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: We collected the symptoms, signs, laboratory examination and imaging data of 10 patients in so far the biggest outbreak of imported acute histoplasmosis in immunocompetent Chinese.

Two new supramolecular Ag(I) coordination polymers: luminescent properties and treatment activity on glioblastoma.

Two new Ag(I) coordination polymers, namely [Ag(bpp)]·0.5 n(1,5-NDSA)·n(HO) () and [Ag(bpp)]·n(2,7-NDSA)·2 n(HO)·n(CHCN) () (Na(1,5-NDSA) = sodium 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate dibasic, Na(2,7-NDSA) = sodium 1,5-naphthalenedisulfonate dibasic, bpp is 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane), were generated the solution evaporation method under room temperature. Moreover, the solids of these two compounds display strong luminescence emission at RT.

The Study of Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang Preventing and Treating Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease through PPAR Signaling Pathway Based on Network Pharmacology and RNA-Seq Transcriptomics.

Background: Alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD) is the first stage of the alcoholic liver disease course. Yin-Chen-Hao-Tang (YCHT) has a good clinical effect on the treatment of AFLD, but its molecular mechanism has not been elucidated. In this study, we tried to explore the molecular mechanism of YCHT in improving hepatocyte steatosis in AFLD mice through network pharmacology and RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) transcriptomics.

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis presenting as high fever with diffuse alveolar hemorrhage and otitis media: A case report.

Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis is a necrotizing inflammation of small and medium-sized vessels accompanied by formation of granuloma, involvement of primary granulomatous upper and lower respiratory tracts, glomerulonephritis, and vasculitis of small vessels.

Case Summary: Herein, we described a case of a 52-year-old man admitted with pulmonary nodules and high fever. Autoantibody workup revealed that the patient was positive for c-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies and proteinase-3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies.

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.

Analyzing the potential therapeutic mechanism of Huashi Baidu Decoction on severe COVID-19 through integrating network pharmacological methods.

Background And Aim: Huashi Baidu Decoction (HSBD) is a novel complex prescription which has positive effects on severe COVID-19. This study was aimed to discover key Chinese materia medica, main active compounds, hub therapeutic target proteins and core signal pathways in the potential therapeutic mechanism of HSBD on severe COVID-19 through integrating network pharmacological methods.

Experimental Procedure: TCMSP, TCMID and STITCH databases were used to screen out active compounds and target proteins of HSBD.

Predictive factors of progression to severe COVID-19.

Aim: Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for the survival of severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, but data with regard to risk factors for disease progression from milder COVID-19 to severe COVID-19 remain scarce.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis on 116 patients.

Results: Three factors were observed to be independently associated with progression to severe COVID-19 during 14 days after admission: (a) age 65 years or older (hazard ratio [HR] = 8.

Improvement cues of lesion absorption using the adjuvant therapy of traditional Chinese medicine Qinbudan tablet for retreatment pulmonary tuberculosis with standard anti-tuberculosis regimen.

Background: China is the second highest pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) burden country worldwide. However, retreatment of PTB has often developed resistance to at least one of the four first-line anti-TB drugs. The cure rate (approximately 50.

ZDHXB-101 (3',5-Diallyl-2, 4'-dihydroxy-[1,1'-biphen-yl]-3,5'-dicarbaldehyde) protects against airway remodeling and hyperresponsiveness via inhibiting both the activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase and the signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 signaling pathways.

Airway remodeling consists of the structural changes of airway walls, which is often considered the result of longstanding airway inflammation, but it may be present to an equivalent degree in the airways of children with asthma, raising the need for early and specific therapeutic interventions. The arachidonic acid cytochrome P-450 (CYP) pathway has thus far received relatively little attention in its relation to asthma. In this study, we studied the inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) on airway remodeling and hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in a chronic asthmatic model which long-term exposure to antigen over a period of 12 weeks.

Total extract of Xin Jia Xuan Bai Cheng Qi decoction inhibits pulmonary fibrosis via the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways in vivo and in vitro.

Purpose: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a common clinical disease, which results in serious respiratory impairment. Xin Jia Xuan Bai Cheng Qi Decoction (XJXBCQ) is a traditional prescription commonly used in treating lung diseases. We investigate the effect of XJXBCQ against PF and its mechanism via the regulation of TGF-β1/Smad in vitro and in vivo.

High mobility group box-1 release from HO-injured hepatocytes due to sirt1 functional inhibition.

Background: High mobility group box-1 (HMGB1), recognized as a representative of damage-associated molecular patterns, is released during cell injury/death, triggering the inflammatory response and ultimately resulting in tissue damage. Dozens of studies have shown that HMGB1 is involved in certain diseases, but the details on how injured hepatocytes release HMGB1 need to be elicited.

Aim: To reveal HMGB1 release mechanism in hepatocytes undergoing oxidative stress.

CTGF Triggers Rat Astrocyte Activation and Astrocyte-Mediated Inflammatory Response in Culture Conditions.

To improve clinical outcomes for patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), it is necessary to explore the mechanism of traumatic brain injury (TBI)-induced neuroinflammation. Connective tissue growth factors (CTGF) have been reported to be involved in the process of inflammatory response or tissue repair, whereas whether and how CTGF participates in the astrocyte-mediated inflammation after TBI remains unclear. In the present study, the TBI-induced activation of astrocytes and augmentation of inflammatory response were simulated by stimulating rat astrocytes with TGF-β1 or CTGF in cultured conditions.

Salvianolic acid B protects hepatocytes from HO injury by stabilizing the lysosomal membrane.

Aim: To investigate the capability of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) to protect hepatocytes from hydrogen peroxide (HO)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-induced lysosomal membrane permeabilization.

Methods: Cell Counting Kit-8 assay was used to measure cell viability. Apoptosis and death were assayed through flow cytometry.

Rac1 signaling regulates cigarette smoke-induced inflammation in the lung via the Erk1/2 MAPK and STAT3 pathways.

Cigarette smoke (CS) is a major risk factor for the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Our previous studies have indicated that Rac1 is involved in lipopolysaccharide-induced pulmonary injury and CS-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. However, the contribution of Rac1 activity to CS-induced lung inflammation remains not fully clear.

Predictive value of serum caspase-cleaved cytokeratin-18 concentrations after acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: Caspase-cleaved Cytokeratin-18 (CCCK-18) is released during apoptosis. Serum CCCK-18 concentrations are associated with prognosis of some critical illness. We investigated the potential relationships between serum CCCK-18 concentrations and disease severity and long-term clinical outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Panax Notoginseng flower saponins (PNFS) inhibit LPS-stimulated NO overproduction and iNOS gene overexpression via the suppression of TLR4-mediated MAPK/NF-kappa B signaling pathways in RAW264.7 macrophages.

Background: Panax Notoginseng flower saponins (PNFS) are the main active component of Panax notoginseng (Burk) F. H. Chen flower bud (PNF) and possess significant anti-inflammatory efficacy.

EETs Attenuate Ox-LDL-Induced LTB4 Production and Activity by Inhibiting p38 MAPK Phosphorylation and 5-LO/BLT1 Receptor Expression in Rat Pulmonary Arterial Endothelial Cells.

Cytochrome P-450 epoxygenase (EPOX)-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO), and leukotriene B4 (LTB4), the product of 5-LO, all play a pivotal role in the vascular inflammatory process. We have previously shown that EETs can alleviate oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL)-induced endothelial inflammation in primary rat pulmonary artery endothelial cells (RPAECs). Here, we investigated whether ox-LDL can promote LTB4 production through the 5-LO pathway.

[Changes of total flavonoids and rutin contents in different parts of wild and cultivated Hypericum attenuatum ].

Objective: To determine the content of total flavonoids and rutin in different parts of wild and cultivated Hypericum attenuatum.

Methods: Ethanol ultrasonic extraction method was used to extract total flavonoids and rutin in different parts of Hypericum attenuatum. With rutin as reference substance, UV spectrophotometry and high performance liquid chromatography were applied to deter- mine the total flavonoids and rutin content in Hypericum attenuatum samples (leaves, stems and flowers).

Cigarette smoke-induced alveolar epithelial-mesenchymal transition is mediated by Rac1 activation.

Background: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is the major pathophysiological process in lung fibrosis observed in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. Smoking is a risk factor for developing EMT, yet the mechanism remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the role of Rac1 in cigarette smoke (CS) induced EMT.

EETs alleviate ox-LDL-induced inflammation by inhibiting LOX-1 receptor expression in rat pulmonary arterial endothelial cells.

Oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL) is associated with atherosclerotic events through the modulation of arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and activation of inflammatory signaling. Cytochrome P450 (CYP) epoxygenase-derived epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) mitigate inflammation through nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). In this study, we explored the effects and mechanisms of exogenous EETs on the ox-LDL-induced inflammation of pulmonary artery endothelial cells (PAECs), which were cultured from rat pulmonary arteries.

Use of evidence-based pharmacotherapy for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease: a Chinese medicine hospital versus a general hospital.

Objective: To determine differences in adherence to secondary prevention guidelines (pharmacological interventions) among coronary heart disease (CHD) patients between a Chinese medicine (CM) hospital and a general hospital in a Chinese city.

Methods: Medical records of 200 patients consecutively discharged from the CM hospital and the general hospital for CHD were reviewed to determine the proportions of eligible patients who received antiplatelet agents, β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and statins at discharge. The effects of patient characteristics and hospital type on the use of these medicines were estimated using logistic regression models.

Admission plasma visfatin level strongly correlates with hematoma growth and early neurologic deterioration in patients with acute spontaneous basal ganglia hemorrhage.

Background: Visfatin, a proinflammatory mediator, has been associated with poor clinical outcomes after acute brain injury. The present study is designed to investigate the potential association between plasma visfatin levels and the risk of hematoma growth (HG) and early neurologic deterioration (END) after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Methods: There were 85 patients as cases who presented with first-time hemorrhagic stroke that were assessed within 6h after the incident.

AD-1, a novel ginsenoside derivative, shows anti-lung cancer activity via activation of p38 MAPK pathway and generation of reactive oxygen species.

Background: Ginseng is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used for thousands of years. In the present study, effects and mechanisms of AD-1 were evaluated for its development as a novel anti-lung cancer drug.

Methods: The cytotoxic activity was evaluated by MTT assay.