Chinese Medicine as Supporting Therapy for Psoriasis: Past, Present, and Future.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease and an important health concern. Western medicine and therapies are the main treatment strategies for psoriasis vulgaris (PV); however, the overall prognosis of patients with PV is still poor. Therefore, PV prevention is especially crucial.

Knockdown of CD146 promotes endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition via Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

Purpose: Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and leads to the maladaptive changes in myocardium. Endothelial cells (ECs) undergoing mesenchymal transition contributes to the occurrence and development of cardiac fibrosis. CD146 is an adhesion molecule highly expressed in ECs.

Safety, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of single ascending dose and continuous infusion of remimazolam besylate in healthy Chinese volunteers.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety, pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) properties of remimazolam besylate following single ascending dose (SAD) and continuous infusion in healthy Chinese volunteers.

Methods: This was a randomized phase I study conducted in two parts. Part I was a double-blind, placebo- and midazolam-controlled, SAD study among healthy Chinese participants with a remimazolam dose of 0.

Insights into the interactions between triclosan (TCS) and extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) of activated sludge.

Triclosan (TCS) contaminant has aroused wide concerns due to the high risk of converting into toxic dioxin in aquatic environments. During the wastewater treatment process, considerable amounts of TCS are accumulated in activated sludge but the mechanisms are still unclear. Especially, roles of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), the main components of activated sludge, in TCS removal have never been addressed.

Bioactive terpenoids from Silybum marianum and their suppression on NO release in LPS-induced BV-2 cells and interaction with iNOS.

Three new (1-3) and one known (4) bioactive terpenoids were isolated from the seeds of Silybum marianum based on the investigation to get new NO inhibitors. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR (1D and 2D NMR) and MS spectroscopic data, and the absolute configurations were identified by experimental and calculated ECD spectra. The NO inhibitory activities in murine microglial BV-2 cells and interactions with iNOS protein by molecular docking were evaluated for all compounds.

Acquired latent tuberculosis infection in psoriasis patients treated with etanercept in the People's Republic of China.

Background: TNF-α plays a key role in host defense against mycobacterial infection, and patients receiving TNF-α blocker treatment have increased susceptibility to tuberculosis disease. In the People's Republic of China, an intermediate tuberculosis-burden country, the latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) risk in patients with psoriasis who are treated with etanercept, the safest kind of TNF-α blocker, is unknown.

Objectives: This study reports the LTBI risk in patients with psoriasis after etanercept treatment and aims to answer the question of how often rescreening for LTBI should be done in order to reduce active tuberculosis infection of patients and further reduce the incidence of active tuberculosis disease.

In vitro enzymatic degradation of poly (glycerol sebacate)-based materials.

Enzymatic degradation is a major feature of polyester implants in vivo. An in vitro experimental protocol that can simulate and predict the in vivo enzymatic degradation kinetics of implants is of importance not only to our understanding of the scientific issue, but also to the well-being of animals. In this study, we explored the enzymatic degradation of PGS-based materials in vitro, in tissue culture medium or a buffer solution at the pH optima and under static or cyclic mechanical-loading conditions, in the presence of defined concentrations of an esterase.

[A comparison of remifentanil versus sufentanil with target-controlled infusion in combined inhalation anesthesia for surgical patients: effects on hemodynamics and postoperative recovery].

Objective: To compare the effect of remifentanil versus sufentanil with target-controlled infusion in combination with inhalation anesthesia for surgical patients on the parameters of hemodynamics and postoperative recovery.

Methods: Forty ASA I-II patients aged 18 - 65 years old with BMI (body mass index) < 30, undergoing colectomy or pedical screw interfix were enrolled. Upon the approval of institutional Ethics Committee, they were randomized to receive remifentanil or sufentanil at a target plasma concentration of 3 ng/ml and 0.

[Effects of metoprolol on perioperative cardiovascular events in patients with risk or at high risk for coronary artery disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery].

Objective: To assess the effects of metoprolol on perioperative cardiovascular events in patients with risk or at high risk for coronary artery disease (CAD) who were to undergo non-cardiac surgery.

Methods: 102 patients with definite CAD or at high risk for CAD who were to undergo selective non-cardiac surgery were randomized to 2 equal groups: Group A (blank control group) and Group B given metoprolol orally or intravenously from 2 h before surgery to 30 days after surgery. The dosage of metoprolol was adjusted according to the blood pressure and heart rate.

[Effect of target-controlled infusion sufentanil in different doses combined with nitrogen monoxide inhalation on hemodynamics and postoperative recovery].

Objective: To investigate the effect of target-controlled infusion sufentanil in different doses combined with inhalation anesthesia at 0.9 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) on the intraoperative hemodynamics and postoperative recovery of spontaneous breathing.

Methods: Sixty patients aged 18-65, weighing 45-80 kg, undergoing colectomy or pedical screw intermix were randomized into 3 groups: Groups S3, S4, and S5 to receive sufentanil at the fixed target plasma concentrations of 0.