The efficacy and safety of methylprednisolone in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure: a prospective multi-center clinical trial.

Background: Hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) is a severe condition with high mortality due to lack of efficient therapy. Until now, the use of methylprednisolone (MP) in HBV-ACLF is still controversial. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MP in HBV-ACLF.

The modulatory properties of Si Jun Zi Tang enhancing anticancer of gefitinib by an integrating approach.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and the current therapy seems to have reached a plateau due to toxicities and acquired resistance. Therefore, exploration of novel therapeutic avenues may be useful. Si Jun Zi Tang (SJZ), a four-herb Chinese medicine formula first described approximately one thousand years, is often prescribed for cancer patients as a complementary therapy.

Paeonia lactiflora Pall. regulates the NF-κB-NLRP3 inflammasome pathway to alleviate cholestasis in rats.

Objectives: Cholestasis is a critical risk factor for severe hepatic disease or cirrhosis. The anti-inflammatory effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. (PLP), named Chishao in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced cholestasis model was tried to be elucidated in this research.

Multiclass mycotoxins in lotus seeds analysed by an isotope-labelled internal standard-based UPLC-MS/MS.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the residue levels of multiclass mycotoxins in medicinal and edible lotus seeds.

Methods: A rapid and reliable isotope-labelled internal standard-based UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for sensitive and accurate analysis of multiclass mycotoxins including aflatoxins (AFB , AFB , AFG and AFG ), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEN), deoxynivalenol (DON), fumonisins (FB and FB ), T-2 and HT-2 toxins in lotus seeds. Some critical conditions such as extract solution with the addition of isotope-labelled internal standard, type of mobile phase and the elution condition were scientifically optimized.

Protective effects of Liuweiwuling tablets on carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats.

Background: Liuweiwuling tablets (LWWL) are an herbal product that exerts remarkable effects on liver protection and aminotransferase levels, and they have been approved by the Chinese State Food and Drug Administration (CFDA). Clinical studies have found that LWWL can inhibit collagen production and reduce the levels of liver fibrosis markers in the serum. Thus, LWWL is expected to have beneficial effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis.

The Modulatory Properties of Li-Ru-Kang Treatment on Hyperplasia of Mammary Glands Using an Integrated Approach.

Li-Ru-Kang (LRK) has been used in the treatment of hyperplasia of mammary glands (HMG) for several decades and can effectively improve clinical symptoms. This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which LRK intervenes in HMG based on an integrated approach that combines metabolomics and network pharmacology analyses. : The effects of LRK on HMG induced by estrogen-progesterone in rats were evaluated by analyzing the morphological and pathological characteristics of breast tissues.

MEIS-1 level in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma can predict the post-treatment outcomes of radiofrequency ablation.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a local-ablative therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). At present, there is no predictive marker for RFA treatment outcomes. This work aimed to valuate myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1 (MEIS-1) in predicting post-RFA treatment outcomes of unresectable HCC patients.

The Cytochrome P450-Mediated Metabolism Alternation of Four Effective Lignans From in Carbon Tetrachloride-Intoxicated Rats and Patients With Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

It is highly valuable to study the pharmacokinetics of herbal components under the pathological condition of liver dysfunction for safe and rational use of herbal medicines. In this study, the pharmacokinetic profiles of four effective lignans from , schisandrin, schisantherin A, deoxyshisandrin and γ-schisandrin, were investigated in carbon tetrachloride (CCl)-intoxicated rats. The metabolism of the four lignans was also studied using microsomes from patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma.

Multi-parameter gene expression profiling of peripheral blood for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: In our previous study, we have built a nine-gene (, , , , , , , , and ) expression detection system based on the GeXP system. Based on peripheral blood and GeXP, we aimed to analyze the results of genes expression by different multi-parameter analysis methods and build a diagnostic model to classify hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients and healthy people.

Methods: Logistic regression analysis, discriminant analysis, classification tree analysis, and artificial neural network were used for the multi-parameter gene expression analysis method.

Prognostic values of long non-coding RNA MIR22HG for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most frequently diagnosed cancer worldwide and the second most frequent cause of cancer death. The aim of this study is to identify the association between the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MIR22HG and the clinical and tumor characteristics of patients with HCC, and to explore the prognostic significance of lncRNA MIR22HG on patients with HCC. We retrospectively reviewed 127 patients with HCC(42 female, 85 male) who were managed in our hospital between May 1 2010 and June 30 2016.

What is the best combination treatment with transarterial chemoembolization of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma? a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the comparative efficacy and safety of combination treatment with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) for patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) through a systematic review and network meta-analysis and to identify what is the best combination treatment with TACE.

Materials And Methods: A network meta-analysis was used to identify evidence from relevant randomized controlled trials. We searched databases for publications up to June 2017.

Liuweiwuling tablets attenuate BDL-induced hepatic fibrosis via modulation of TGF-β/Smad and NF-κB signaling pathways.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Liuweiwuling (LWWL) tablets contain a six-herb Chinese formula and are commonly prescribed to facilitate nourishment of the liver and kidneys, clear away toxic materials and activate blood circulation. Administration of LWWL is well known for its protective effects on the liver and its capacity to confer long-term stability in patients exhibiting reduced transaminase levels. Clinical studies have reported that LWWL can also be used for the treatment of liver fibrosis with associated treatment regimens resulting in a concomitant reduction in transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) levels in the serum of patients with hepatic fibrosis.

Combination of chemical fingerprint and bioactivity evaluation to explore the antibacterial components of Salvia miltiorrhizae.

The aim of this study was to explore the possible antibacterial components of Salvia miltiorrhizae on Pseudomonas aeruginosa using a combination of chemical fingerprint and bioactivity evaluation. The chemical fingerprints of 32 batches of S. miltiorrhizae samples from different sources were developed using high-performance liquid chromatography with diode array detection, and then were evaluated by similarity analysis and hierarchical clustering analysis.

Magnetic microspheres-based cytometric bead array assay for highly sensitive detection of ochratoxin A.

Accurate and sensitive quantification of a specific class of mycotoxins at trace levels in complex matrices with greener approaches is of significant importance. In this study, a green and economical protocol of magnetic microspheres-based cytometric bead array (CBA) assay on indirect competitive principle was developed for sensitive and rapid detection of ochratoxin A (OTA) in malts with a small number of standard and sample solutions. The protocol included the competition of OTA in malt samples and that covalently coupled on the surface of microspheres with its monoclonal antibodies, the separation and aggregation of the magnetic microspheres, and the fluorescence detection of fluorescein isothiocyanate labeled goat anti-mouse immunoglobulin G probes.

Paeoniflorin ameliorates cholestasis via regulating hepatic transporters and suppressing inflammation in ANIT-fed rats.

Paeoniflorin has shown the obvious effect on cholestasis according to our previous research. However, its mechanism has not been absolutely explored yet. This study aims at evaluating the potential effect of paeoniflorin on alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT) -induced cholestasis by inhibiting nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and simultaneously regulating hepatocyte transporters.

Metabolomic Study on Idiosyncratic Liver Injury Induced by Different Extracts of in Rats Integrated with Pattern Recognition and Enriched Pathways Analysis.

Currently, numerous liver injury cases related to a famous Chinese herb- (Heshouwu in Chinese) have attracted great attention in many countries. Our previous work showed that Heshouwu-induced hepatotoxicity belonged to idiosyncratic drug-induced liver injury (IDILI). Unfortunately, the components and mechanisms attributed to IDILI of Heshouwu are difficult to determine and thus remain unknown.

Long-term persistence in protection and response to a hepatitis B vaccine booster among adolescents immunized in infancy in the western region of China.

Objectives: To evaluate the persistence of protection from hepatitis B (HB) vaccination among adolescents immunized with a primary series of HB vaccine as infants, and the immune response to booster doses.

Methods: Healthy adolescents aged 15-17 y vaccinated with HB vaccine only at birth were enrolled. Baseline serum hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), antibody against hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) and antibody against hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) were detected by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and anti-HBs level was measured using Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay (CMIA).

Differentiation of essential oils in Atractylodes lancea and Atractylodes koreana by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry.

Atractylodes rhizome is a valuable traditional Chinese medicinal herb that comprises complex several species whose essential oils are the primary pharmacologically active component. Essential oils of Atractylodes lancea and Atractylodes koreana were extracted by hydrodistillation, and the yield was determined. The average yield of essential oil obtained from A.

Lignans-rich extract from Herpetospermum caudigerum alleviate physical fatigue in mice.

Objective: To ascertain anti-fatigue constituents and mechanisms of Herpetospermum caudigerum.

Methods: The 80% ethanol extracts of Herpetospermum caudigerum were partitioned with chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol, respectively. Male Kunming mice were divided into 13 groups with 16 mice in each group: a control group fed with water, 9 groups treated with 3 fractions of Herpetospermum caudigerum (chloroform fraction, ethyl acetate fraction and n-butanol fraction) at dose of 80, 160 and 320 mg/kg for the low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group, 3 herpetrione (HPE) treated groups fed with HPE at dose of 15, 30, and 60 mg/kg for the low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group.

Continuous Low-dose-rate Irradiation of Iodine-125 Seeds Inhibiting Perineural Invasion in Pancreatic Cancer.

Background: Perineural invasion (PNI) is a histopathological characteristic of pancreatic cancer (PanCa). The aim of this study was to observe the treatment effect of continuous low-dose-rate (CLDR) irradiation to PNI and assess the PNI-related pain relief caused by iodine-125 ( 125 I) seed implantation.

Methods: The in vitro PNI model established by co-culture with dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and cancer cells was interfered under 2 and 4 Gy of 125 I seeds CLDR irradiation.

Inhibition of Sophocarpine on Poly I: C/D-GalN-Induced Immunological Liver Injury in Mice.

Increasing evidence has suggested that natural killer (NK) cells contribute to the pathogenesis of human immunological liver injury (ILI). Previous studies have demonstrated that Sophocarpine exerts activity in immune modulation. It also has a therapeutic effect on liver protection in that it can alleviate liver fibrosis by suppressing both the activation of hepatic stellate cells and the proliferation of the activated hepatic stellate cells.

[A retrospective study on the liver pathological characteristics and the effect of antiviral treatment for 1 to 7 years old children with heptitis B e antigen negative chronic hepatitis B].

Objective: To investigate the liver pathological characteristics and the clearance rate of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) with antiviral treatment for 1 to 7 years old children with heptitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B.

Method: A total of 49 cases with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B were treated with interferon (IFN) or IFN treatment for 6 months added with lamivudine, and were followed up for at least 6 months.Retrospective analysis was performed on the liver pathological characteristics, the efficacy of antivirus treatment and its influencing factors of the HBsAg clearance rate in the cases from June 2006 to December 2013 in the 302 Hospital of People's Liberation Army.

Toxic Constituents Index: A Toxicity-Calibrated Quantitative Evaluation Approach for the Precise Toxicity Prediction of the Hypertoxic Phytomedicine-Aconite.

Complex chemical composition is an important reason for restricting herbal quality evaluation. Despite the multi-components determination method significantly promoted the progress of herbal quality evaluation, however, which mainly concerned the total amount of multiple components and ignored the activity variation between each one, and did not accurately reflect the biological activity of botanical medicines. In this manuscript, we proposed a toxicity calibrated contents determination method for hyper toxic aconite, called toxic constituents index (TCI).

N-ethylmaleimide‑sensitive factor siRNA inhibits the release of Weibel-Palade bodies in endothelial cells.

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) methods on the expression of N‑ethylmaleimide sensitive factor (NSF) and Weibel‑Palade body (WPB) release in endothelial cells. A small hairpin RNA (shRNA), mediated with an adenovirus vector, was designed to target the N‑terminal functional area of NSF. Subsequently, viruses were transfected into human aortic endothelial cells.

Therapeutic Efficacy and Safety of Paeoniae Radix Rubra Formulae in Relieving Hyperbilirubinemia Induced by Viral Hepatitis: A Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Hyperbilirubinemia is one of the most devastating pathologies induced by various liver diseases. Formulae related to Paeoniae Radix Rubra (PRR) at high doses have been applied to treat hyperbilirubinemia in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis is to assess the efficacy and safety of formulae relevant to high-dose PRR in patients suffering from hyperbilirubinemia induced by viral hepatitis.