Abstract Background: The accuracy of diagnosis and the safety of treatment in colonoscopy depends largely on the quality of bowel cleansing. This study aimed to compare the efficacy and adverse reactions of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) combined with lactulose with that of PEG alone in bowel preparation before colonoscopy. Methods: The authors searched a number of databases including EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and China Academic Journals Full-text Database. The authors screened according to literature inclusion and exclusion criteria, assessed the quality of the included literature, and extracted the data. The meta-analysis of included literature used RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0 software. Results: A total of 18 studies, including 2274 patients, were enrolled. The meta-analysis showed that PEG combined with lactulose had a better efficacy (OR = 3.87, 95% CI 3.07‒4.87, p = 0.000, and I2 = 36.2% in the efficiency group; WMD = 0.86, 95% CI 0.69‒1.03, p = 0.032 and I2 = 0% in the BBPS score group) in bowel preparation for patients with or without constipation. Moreover, PEG combined with lactulose had fewer adverse reactions, including abdominal pain (OR = 1.42, 95% CI 0.94‒2.14, p = 0.094), nausea (OR = 1.60, 95% CI 1.13‒2.28, p = 0.009) and vomiting (OR = 1.77, 95% CI 1.14‒2.74, p = 0.011), than PEG alone. No significant reduction in the incidence of abdominal distention was observed. Conclusion: PEG combined with lactulose may be a better choice for bowel preparation before colonoscopy compared with PEG alone.

Abstract Study on the effects and mechanisms of different oils on spatial learning and memory in developing rats. Fifty-six Sprague Dawley (SD) rats with primary weaning were randomly divided into the 7 groups, DHA, walnut oil, perilla oil, safflower seed oil, α-linoleic acid, and Essential fatty acid (EFA)-deficient and negative control. Morris water maze behavioral test was performed after 8 weeks of continuous feeding. Real-time fluorescence quantification and immunoblotting were performed to evaluate changes in the expression of NR1, CREB and c-Fos in rat hippocampus, qPCR detected the expression in hippocampal cells. The results showed that the rats fed various oils significant improvement in the Morris water maze test. The mRNA expression of NR1, CREB and c-Fos in the hippocampus of rats fed with various oils were significantly up-regulated (P<0.05 and P<0.01), and CREB and c-Fos proteins expression were up-regulated (P<0.05). The expression of genes and proteins in hippocampus of EFA-deficient control was not significantly different from negative control. It is suggested that polyunsaturated fatty acids could significantly improve the learning and memory ability of rats, which may be through regulating the mRNA expression of cfos, CREB and NR1 in rat hippocampus and the synthesis of CREB and c-Fos proteins.

Abstract Objective The aim of this review was to assess the benefits and harms of Chinese medicinal herbs for the treatment of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) in adult patients. Methods Our study included only randomized controlled trials (RCTs). We designed a strategy for searching the EMBASE, CENTRAL, PubMed, CBM, CNKI, and VIP. All studies were analyzed using the criteria of the Cochrane Handbook. All studies included were assessed the risk of bias. Review Manager ver. 5.3.5 was used for the data analysis. GRADE profiler was used to evaluate quality. Results Two studies were studied (74 Chinese participants were included). We found that compared with supportive therapies combined with specific therapies, Chinese medicinal formulae plus supportive therapies combined with specific therapies significantly reduced the serum creatinine levels (SCr; two studies, 62 participants: mean difference (MD), -145.93 μmol/L; 95% confidence interval (CI), -236.75 to –55.11; I2=0%) and utilization number of methylprednisolone and prednisone (two studies, 74 participants: MD, -1.64 g; 95% CI, -1.87 to -1.40; I2=0%). Conclusion Our study suggested that there were insufficient evidences to confirm that the use of Chinese medicinal formulae for adults with RPGN was beneficial and safe.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of adjunctive medical expulsive therapy (MET) with tamsulosin for the promotion of stone fragments clearance for repeated extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). Materials and Methods: This meta-analysis was conducted by systematic search for randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science databases in January 2020, which compared tamsulosin with either placebo or non-placebo control for repeated ESWL. The primary endpoint was stone-free rate (SFR), the second endpoints were stone clearance time and complications. The quality assessment of included studies was performed by using the Cochrane System and Jadad score. Results: 7 RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. Tamsulosin provided higher SFR (for stones larger than 1cm, OR: 5.56, p=0.0003), except for patients with stones less than 1cm. For patients with renal stones (OR: 2.97, p=0.0005) or upper ureteral stones (OR: 3.10, p=0.004), tamsulosin can also provide a higher SFR. In addition, tamsulosin provided a shorter stone clearance time (WMD: −9.40, p=0.03) and lower pain intensity (WMD=-17.01, p <0.0001) and incidences of steinstrasse (OR: 0.37, p=0.0002). Conclusion: Adjunctive MET with tamsulosin is effective in patients with specific stone size or location that received repeated ESWL. However, no well-designed RCT that used computed tomography for the detection and assessment of residual stone fragments was found. More studies with high quality and the comparison between tamsulosin and secondary ESWL are needed in the future.

RESUMO: A aplicação de herbicidas é um método eficaz de controle de ervas daninhas para mitigar a perda de produtividade das culturas. No entanto, o uso excessivo de herbicidas pode causar toxicidade em plantas não alvo. O presente estudo avaliou os efeitos da dose recomendada para aplicação agrícola (0.45 kg ha-1) e dose excessiva (0.90 kg ha-1) de glufosinato no desempenho fotossintético e assimilação de nitrogênio das variedades de colza D148 e Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11). Ambas as concentrações de glutamato diminuíram significativamente o teor de clorofila e compostos azotados, exceto a prolina livre, e a atividade de síntese da glutamina e de síntese de glutamato, e aumentaram a atividade de desidrogenase do ácido glutâmico em ambas as variedades. Quando a concentração de glifosato foi 0.45 kg ha-1, a assimilação de azoto das duas variedades diminuiu, o que indicou que a dosagem recomendada de glifosato inibiu a assimilação de azoto das duas variedades de colza. Entretanto, a taxa fotosintética líquida do D148 aumentou enquanto o do ZS11 diminuiu, o que significa que o D148 é mais tolerante a dose recomendada de glifosato do que o ZS11. A dose de 0.90 kg ha-1 de glifosato foi prejudicial para as mudas de duas variedades de colza. Em geral, os nossos resultados indicam que o uso excessivo de glufosinato inibe a taxa fotossintética e a assimilação de nitrogênio em mudas de colza, sendo essencial aplicar uma dose adequada deste herbicida com base na variedade cultivada para minimizar os efeitos adversos nas culturas e no meio ambiente.

ABSTRACT: Herbicide application is an effective weed control method for mitigating crop yield loss; however, herbicide overuse can cause toxicity in non-target plants. The present study evaluated the effects of glufosinate at recommended dose for agricultural application (0.45 kg ha-1) and at overuse dose (0.90 kg ha-1) glufosinate application on photosynthetic performance and nitrogen assimilation of the rapeseed varieties D148 and Zhongshuang 11 (ZS11). Both glufosinate concentrations significantly decreased the content of chlorophyll and nitrogenous compounds, except free proline, and the activity of glutamine synthetase and glutamate synthase, and increased the activity of glutamic acid dehydrogenase in both varieties. When the concentration of glyphosate was 0.45kg ha-1, the nitrogen assimilation of the two varieties decreased, which indicated that the recommended dosage inhibited the nitrogen assimilation of the two varieties; however, the increase of net photosynthetic rate of D148 and the decrease of that of ZS11 mean that D148 is more tolerant to the recommended dose of glyphosate than ZS11. The 0.90 kg ha-1 dosage was toxic to both rapeseed varieties. Overall, our results indicated that herbicide overuse inhibited the photosynthetic rate and nitrogen assimilation in rapeseed seedlings, and it is essential to apply a suitable glufosinate dose based on the variety grown to minimize adverse effects on crops and environment.

Abstract The fruits of Xanthium strumarium L., Asteraceae, have been used for various diseases in Chinese folk medicine, including allergic rhinitis, tympanitis, arthritis, ozena etc. The current study was aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects of caffeoylquinic acids from fruits of X. strumarium on allergic rhinitis in animals. The toxicity test indicated that the caffeoylquinic acids have no obvious toxicity. By using HPLC assays combined with reference standards, ten caffeoylquinic acids were identified as the predominant constituents. Anti-allergic activities of the caffeoylquinic acids were evaluated using passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test and Schultz-Dale test; dimethylbenzene induced ear edema test was performed to evaluate its anti-inflammatory effect. Then, the allergic rhinitis model in rats was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the caffeoylquinic acids against allergic rhinitis with the following indexes: allergic rhinitis symptom scores, serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, histopathological examination, and histamine release. Our study revealed that the caffeoylquinic acids showed obvious anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties, and its treatments were beneficial for ameliorating the nasal symptoms, decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, and inhibiting the releases of histamine. Collectively, the caffeoylquinic acids might be utilized as effective and safe disease therapeutic agents for allergic rhinitis.

Icariin, a prenylated flavonol glycoside isolated from Epimedium, has been considered as a potential alternative therapy for osteoporosis. The present study aimed to clarify the detailed molecular mechanisms of action of icariin on osteoblast function, using bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). BM-MSCs were first stimulated by icariin. Then, gene and protein expression of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling molecules were analyzed by RT-PCR and western blotting (WB), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was analyzed in cell lysates by ELISA. MTT assays indicated that icariin did not have significant effects on cell viability up to 1 µM. Icariin showed a dose-dependent effect on the alkaline phosphatase activity of BM-MSCs. WB analysis showed that icariin treatment of BM-MSCs significantly enhanced the protein expression of protein kinase A (PKA) and cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB), while RT-PCR results showed that icariin dose-dependently increased the mRNA levels of PKA and CREB. Icariin induced BM-MSC differentiation by BMP2, Smad1, and Runx2. RT-PCR and WB results indicated that icariin significantly increased the expression of BMP2, Smad1, and Runx2 in BM-MSCs. These results suggest that icariin is an agonist of the cAMP/PKA/CREB pathway in BM-MSC differentiation, raising the possibility that it could be used in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Abstract Purpose: To evaluate the toxicity of Erbitux as well as its biosimilar APZ001 antibody (APZ001) in pre-clinical animal models including mice, rabbits and cynomolgus monkeys. Methods: We performed analysis of normal behavior activity, autonomic and non-autonomic nervous functions, nervous-muscle functions, nervous excitability and sensorimotor functions on CD-1 mice. Subsequently, we studied that effects of APZ001 and Erbitux on respiratory system, cardiovascular system and kidney in Cynomolgus monkey models and performed local tolerance experiments on New Zealand rabbits. Results: The comparisons between APZ001 and Erbitux showed no significant differences in mice autonomic nervous system, nervous muscle functions, non-autonomic nervous functions, nervous excitability and sensorimotor functions between treated and untreated group (p>0.05). APZ001 and Erbitux showed negative effect on CD-1 mice in the present of pentobarbital sodium anesthesia (p>0.05). Single administrations of high, medium or low doses of APZ001 did not lead to monkey urine volume alterations (p>0.05). In human tissues, APZ001 and Erbitux showed positive signals in endocardium, lung type II alveolar epithelial cell and surrounding vessels, but showed negative results in kidney and liver tissues. No hemolysis phenomenon and serious side-effects in vessels and muscles were observed in rabbits when administrated with APZ001 and Erbitux respectively. Conclusion: The safety comparisons between APZ001 antibody and Erbitux showed that these two antibodies showed highly similarities in mice, rabbits and cynomolgus monkey animal models in consideration of pharmaceutical effects, indicating APZ001 might be a suitable substitute for Erbitux.

Abstract The plant genes encoding ABCGs that have been identified to date play a role in suberin formation in response to abiotic and biotic stress. In the present study, 80 ABCG genes were identified in ‘Dangshansuli’ Chinese white pear and designated as PbABCGs. Based on the structural characteristics and phylogenetic analysis, the PbABCG family genes could be classified into seven main groups: classes A-G. Segmental and dispersed duplications were the primary forces underlying the PbABCG gene family expansion in ‘Dangshansuli’ pear. Most of the PbABCG duplicated gene pairs date to the recent whole-genome duplication that occurred 30~45 million years ago. Purifying selection has also played a critical role in the evolution of the ABCG genes. Ten PbABCG genes screened in the transcriptome of ‘Dangshansuli’ pear and its russet mutant ‘Xiusu’ were validated, and the expression levels of the PbABCG genes exhibited significant differences at different stages. The results presented here will undoubtedly be useful for better understanding of the complexity of the PbABCG gene family and will facilitate the functional characterization of suberin formation in the russet mutant.

Rapid solidification of the super high-temperature Al2O3/ZrO2 melt was studied by a novel method. The melt was prepared by explosion reaction using Al and Zr(NO3)4 as raw materials and then sprayed to Cu-plate. The heat transfer during the solidification process was analyzed by one-dimensional Finite Element Analysis. The cooling rate of the melt decreased with the increasing distance from the Cu-plate. According to the microstructure evolution, the coating can be divided into four areas: amorphous, nano-crystalline, cellular and dendrite crystal layer. The amorphous and nano-crystalline (50~100 nm) layers can be obtained at the cooling rate of about 1.68~7.76 × 105K/s and 0.48~1.68 × 105K/s, respectively, while the cooling rate of the cellular and dendrite crystal layers were about 0.26~0.48 × 105K/s and 0.14~0.26 × 105K/s, respectively. The microstructure of the hypoeutectic ceramics shows that the nano-crystalline, cellular and dendritic crystals of the Al2O3 phases were embedded in the Al2O3/ZrO2 eutectic matrix.

摘要 目的 评估抗逆转录病毒治疗（ART）早期进行磺胺甲基异恶唑预防疗法是否降低中国艾滋病病毒（HIV）感染成年人的死亡率。 方法 我们使用中国国家免费抗逆转录病毒数据库的数据进行回顾性观察性队列研究。对14岁以上在2010年1月1日至2012年12月31日之间开始ART治疗并且基...

Résumé Objectif Évaluer si la prophylaxie par le cotrimoxazole administrée précocement au cours de la thérapie antirétrovirale (TAR) réduit la mortalité chez les adultes infectés par le virus de l'immunodéficience humaine (VIH) en Chine. Méthodes Nous avons effectué une étude de cohorte par observation rétrospective en utilisant les données de la base de données antirétrovirale gratuite nationale chinoise. Les patients âgés de plus de 14 ans qui ont commencé une TAR entre le 1er janvier 2010 et le 31 décembre 2012 et qui avaient un nombre de lymphocytes T CD4+ (cellules CD4+) à la ligne de base inférieur à 200 cellules/µL, ont été suivis jusqu'à leur décès, jusqu'à ce qu'ils soient perdus de vue au suivi ou jusqu'au 31 ...

Резюме Цель Определить, приводит ли профилактика котримоксазолом на раннем этапе антиретровирусной терапии (АРТ) к снижению смертности среди ВИЧ-инфицирова...

Objective To assess if cotrimoxazole prophylaxis administered early during antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces mortality in Chinese adults who are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Methods We did a retrospective observational cohort study using data from the Chinese national free antiretroviral database. Patients older than 14 years who started ART between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012 and had baseline CD4+ T-lymphocyte (CD4+ cell) count less than 200 cells/µL were followed until death, loss to follow-up or 31 December 2013. Hazard ratios (HRs) for several variables were calculated using multivariate analyses. Findings The analysis involved 23 816 HIV-infected patients, 2706 of whom died during the follow-up. Mortality in patients who did and did not start cotrimoxazole during the first 6 months of ART was 5.3 and 7.0 per 100 person–years, respectively. Cotrimoxazole was associated with a 37% reduction in mortality (hazard ratio, HR: 0.63; 95% confidence interval, CI: 0.56–0.70). Cotrimoxazole in addition to ART reduced mortality significantly over follow-up lasting 6 months (HR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.59–0.73), 12 months (HR: 0.58; 95% CI: 0.49–0.70), 18 months (HR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.38–0.63) and 24 months (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.48–0.90). The mortality reduction was evident in patients with baseline CD4+ cell counts less than 50 cells/µL (HR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.54–0.67), 50–99 cells/µL (HR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.56–0.78) and 100–199 cells/µL (HR: 0.78; 95% CI: 0.62–0.98). Conclusion Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis started early during ART reduced mortality and should be offered to HIV-infected patients in low- and middle-income countries.

ملخص الغرض تقييم ما إذا كانت الوقاية باستخدام الكوتريموكسازول في مرحلة مبكرة خلال العلاج بمضادات الفيروسات القهقرية يقلل معدل الوفيات بين البالغين المصابين ب...

Resumen Objetivo Evaluar si la profilaxis con cotrimoxazol en una etapa temprana de la terapia antirretroviral (TAR) reduce la mortalidad en adultos de origen chino infectados por el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH). Métodos Se llevó a cabo un estudio de cohorte observacional retrospectivo utilizando los datos de la base de datos nacional de China de antirretrovirales de uso gratuito. Por otro lado, se realizó un seguimiento a pacientes mayores de 14 años que iniciaron el tratamiento con TAR entre el 1 de enero de 2010 y el 31 de diciembre de 2012 y con recuento basal de linfocitos T CD4+ (célula CD4+) inferior a 200 células/µl hasta su muerte, la pérdida de seguimiento o el 31 de diciembre de 2013. Se calcularon los cocientes de riesgos (CR) para diversas variables mediante análisis multivariados. Resultados En el análisis participaron 23 816 pacientes infectados por el VIH, 2706 de los cuales fallecieron durante el seguimiento. La mortalidad entre los pacientes que iniciaron y no iniciaron el tratamiento con cotrimoxazol durante los primeros 6 meses de la TAR fue de 5,3 y 7,0 por 100 personas/años, respectivamente. Cotrimoxazol se asoció a una reducción del 37 % en la mortalidad (cociente de riesgos, CR: 0,63, intervalo de confianza del 95 %, IC: 0,56 – 0,70). Además de la TAR, cotrimoxazol redujo la mortalidad considerablemente durante el seguimiento de 6 meses (CR: 0,65; IC del 95 %: 0,59 – 0,73), 12 meses (CR: 0,58; IC del 95 %: 0,49 – 0,70), 18 meses (CR: 0,49; IC del 95 %: 0,38 – 0,63) y 24 meses (CR: 0,66; IC del 95 %: 0,48 – 0,90). La reducción de la mortalidad resultó evidente en pacientes con recuento basal de células CD4+ inferior a 50 células/µl (CR: 0,60; IC del 95 %: 0,54 – 0,67), 50 – 99 células/µl (CR: 0,66; IC del 95 %: 0,56 – 0,78) y 100 – 199 células/µl (CR: 0,78; IC del 95 %: 0,62 – 0,98). Conclusión La profilaxis con cotrimoxazol iniciada en una etapa temprana de la TAR redujo la mortalidad y debe ofrecerse a los pacientes infectados por el VIH en países de ingresos bajos y medios.