[HBeAg-positive patients hepatic tissue inflammatory activity and influencing factors during normal ALT and indeterminate phases]

Objective: To analyze the hepatic tissue inflammatory activity and influencing factors in HBeAg-positive patients during normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and indeterminate phases so as to provide a basis for evaluating the disease condition. Methods: Patients with HBeAg-positive with normal ALT and HBV DNA levels below 2 × 10(7) IU/ml from January 2017 to December 2021 were selected as the study subjects. A histopathologic liver test was performed on these patients. Age, gender, time of HBV infection, liver function, HBsAg level, HBV DNA load, genotype, portal vein inner diameter, splenic vein inner diameter, splenic thickness, and others of the patients were collected. Significant influencing factors of inflammation were analyzed in patients using logistic regression analysis, and its effectiveness was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Of the 178 cases, there were 0 cases of inflammation in G0, 52 cases in G1, 101 cases in G2, 24 cases in G3, and one case in G4. 126 cases (70.8%) had inflammatory activity ≥ G2. Infection time (Z=-7.138, P<0.001), γ-glutamyltransferase (t =-2.940, P=0.004), aspartate aminotransferase (t =-2.749, P=0.007), ALT (t =-2.153, P=0.033), HBV DNA level (t =-4.771, P=0.010) and portal vein inner diameter (t =-4.771, P<0.001) between the ≥G2 group and < G2 group were statistically significantly different. A logistic regression analysis showed that significant inflammation in liver tissue was independently correlated with infection time [odds ratio (OR)=1.437, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.267-1.630; P<0.001)] and portal vein inner diameter (OR=2.738, 95% CI: 1.641, 4.570; P<0.001). The area under the curve (AUROC), specificity, and sensitivity for infection time and portal vein inner diameter were 0.84, 0.71, 0.87, 0.72, 0.40, and 0.95, respectively. Conclusion: A considerable proportion of HBeAg-positive patients have inflammation grade ≥G2 during normal ALT and indeterminate phases, pointing to the need for antiviral therapy. Additionally, inflammatory activity has a close association with the time of infection and portal vein inner diameter.

Wuzhi capsule increased systemic exposure to methotrexate by inhibiting the expression of OAT1/3 and P-gp

Background

Methotrexate (MTX) is an important anticancer agent and immunosuppressant with a narrow therapeutic window. Wuzhi capsule (WZC) is an extract of Schisandra which is widely used to treat liver diseases. Co-administration of MTX and WZC is common in the clinical setting, but research on the interaction between WZC and MTX is limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of WZC on the pharmacokinetics of MTX in rats and to explore the role of membrane transport proteins OAT1/3 and P-gp in the interaction of these drugs.

Methods

Plasma MTX concentration was detected by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC-MS/MS), and the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of OAT1/3 and P-gp was evaluated by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting analyses, respectively.

Results

The study results revealed that co-administration of WZC decreased the CL_z/F and V_z/F of MTX, increased the C_max and area under the curve [(AUC)_{0–24 h}] of MTX, and inhibited OAT1/3 expression in the kidney and P-gp expression in the small intestine.

Conclusions

The findings suggested that there is a drug interaction between WZC and MTX and that OAT1/3 in the kidney and P-gp in the small intestine may be the main targets mediating the drug interaction, and attention should be paid when they are used in combination.

Evaluation of influence of telmisartan on the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of canagliflozin in rats and mice

BACKGROUND

Canagliflozin, a sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, is widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, drug interactions with canagliflozin can affect its glucoselowering therapeutic effects or exacerbate its adverse effects. Telmisartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), has been approved for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease. This study aimed to investigate the effects of telmisartan on the pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of canagliflozin.

METHODS

An ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was successfully validated to determine the levels of canagliflozin in the plasma and tissues. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using the non-compartmental model.

RESULTS

Compared with animals administered canagliflozin alone, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of animals co-administered telmisartan and canagliflozin was significantly increased after a single-day administration, but significantly decreased after a seven-day treatment regimen (both P<0.05). The highest concentrations of canagliflozin were detected in the kidneys, followed by the intestine, liver, heart, lung, spleen, and brain tissues. Furthermore, the concentration of canagliflozin in the heart, liver, lung, and kidney tissues at 2 hours post-administration was significantly higher in the telmisartan and canagliflozin group compared to the group treated with canagliflozin alone (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

A pharmacokinetic drug-drug interaction between telmisartan and canagliflozin might occur during drug co-administration.

The synergistic anti-tumor effect of schisandrin B and apatinib

The synergistic anti-tumor effect of schisandrin B (Sch.B) and apatinib was investigated in vitro. The CCK-8 assay revealed that Sch.B enhanced the inhibition of apatinib on cell proliferation by arresting cell cycle in G0/G1 phase. Sch.B also potentiated the suppression of apatinib on cell migration and invasion, by means of wound-healing and transwell invasion assay. Flow cytometry results showed that Sch.B enhanced apoptosis induced by apatinib. The results were confirmed by western blot analysis of the proteins MMP-9, and Bax caspase-9, and -12. These results suggest that combining apatinib and Sch.B is an effective therapeutic strategy for preventing GC progression. [Formula: see text].

[Genetic characterization of influenza A virus and assessment of vaccine efficacy in Yantai from 2014 to 2017]

In this study, the swabs were collected among patients with an influenza-like illness (ILI) admitted to 2 sentinel surveillance hospitals of Yantai from April 2014 to August 2017. All specimen were cultured and identified by hemagglutination inhibition assay. Complete sequences of Hemagglutinin (HA) of influenza A were amplified, sequenced and analyzed using molecular and phylogenetic methods. The potential vaccine efficacy were calculated using Pepitope model. The results showed that the antigenicity of A (H3N2) had changed greatly. 8 strains of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 belonged to subclade 6B.1 and 14 strains clustered in 6B.2. 12 strains of influenza A (H3N2) fell into subgroup 3C.3a and 33 strains clustered in 3C.2a. Several residues at antigen sites and potential glycosylation sites had changed in influenza A strains. Vaccine efficacy of influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 in 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 seasons were 77.29% and 79.11% of that of a perfect match with vaccine strain, meanwhile vaccine efficacy of influenza A (H3N2) in 2014/2015, 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 were-5.18%, 16.97% and 42.05% separately. In conclusion, the influenza A virus circulated in Yantai from 2014 to 2017 presented continual genetic variation. The recommended vaccine strains still afforded protection against influenza A (H1N1) pdm09 strains and provided suboptimal protection against influenza A (H3N2) strains.

Effects of Silymarin on the In Vivo Pharmacokinetics of Simvastatin and Its Active Metabolite in Rats

Herein, the effect of silymarin pretreatment on the pharmacokinetics of simvastatin in rats was evaluated. To ensure the accuracy of the results, a rapid and sensitive UPLC-MS/MS method was established for simultaneous quantification of simvastatin (SV) and its active metabolite simvastatin acid (SVA). This method was applied for studying the pharmacokinetic interactions in rats after oral co-administration of silymarin (45 mg/kg) and different concentrations of SV. The major pharmacokinetic parameters, including Cmax, tmax, t_1/2, mean residence time (MRT), elimination rate constant (λz) and area under the concentration-time curve (AUC_0-12h), were calculated using the non-compartmental model. The results showed that the co-administration of silymarin and SV significantly increased the Cmax and AUC_0-12h of SVA compared with SV alone, while there was no significant difference with regards to Tmax and t_1/2. However, SV pharmacokinetic parameters were not significantly affected by silymarin pretreatment. Therefore, these changes indicated that drug-drug interactions may occur after co-administration of silymarin and SV.

Hybrid biofilm-membrane bioreactor (Bf-MBR) for minimization of bulk liquid-phase organic substances and its positive effect on membrane permeability

Four biofilm membrane bioreactors (Bf-MBRs) with various fixed carrier volumes (C:M) were operated in parallel to investigate the effect of attached-growth mode biomass involvement to the change of liquid-phase organics characteristics and membrane permeability, by comparing with conventional MBR. The experiments displayed that C:M and co-existence of biofilm with suspended solids in Bf-MBRs resulted in slight difference in pollutants removal effectiveness, and in rather distinct biomass properties and bacterial activities. The membrane permeability and specific resistance of bulk suspension of Bf-MBRs related closely with the liquid-phase organic substance, including soluble microbial products (SMP) and biopolymer cluster (BPC). Compared with conventional MBR, Bf-MBR with proper C:M had a low total biomass content and food-chain, where biofilm formation and its dominance affected liquid-phase organics, especially through reducing their content and minimizing strongly and weakly hydrophobic components with small molecular weight, and thus to mitigate membrane fouling significantly.

Characteristics of Cyclin B and its potential role in regulating oogenesis in the red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus)

Cyclin B is a regulatory subunit of maturation-promoting factor (MPF), which has a key role in the induction of meiotic maturation of oocytes. MPF has been studied in a wide variety of animal species; however, its expression in crustaceans is poorly characterized. In this study, the complete cDNA sequence of Cyclin B was cloned from the red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, and its spatiotemporal expression profiles were analyzed. Cyclin B cDNA (1779 bp) encoded a 401 amino acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 45.1 kDa. Quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated that Cyclin B mRNA was expressed mainly in the ovarian tissue and that the expression decreased as the ovaries developed. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the Cyclin B protein relocated from the cytoplasm to the nucleus during oogenesis. These findings suggest that Cyclin B plays an important role in gametogenesis and gonad development in C. quadricarinatus.

Polymorphism analysis of the intron one of insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor gene (IGF2R) in FFRC strain common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) and its relationship with growth performance

The insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor gene (IGF2R) encodes a transmembrane protein receptor and acts to sequester and degrade excess circulating insulin-like growth factor 2, which is critical for normal mammalian growth and development. Thus, IGF2R may serve as a candidate gene underlying growth trait in the common carp. In this study, we isolated the intron one of common carp IGF2R and detected the diversity in 3 continuous generations of FFRC strain common carp. A total of 8 loci were detected within this region, which were named in accordance with their location (i.e., Loc84, Loc106, Loc119, Loc130, Loc145, Loc163, Loc167, and Loc265). Loc106, Loc119, and Loc145 were moderately polymorphic; while Loc84, Loc130, Loc163, Loc167, and Loc265 exhibited slight level of polymorphism. However, significant differences between polymorphism information content values were not observed among the different generations. For Loc145, all generations deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The total number of significant linkage disequilibria for all generations equaled 40. Among them, 4 pairs were detected in each population, while 8 pairs were found in the 2nd and 3rd generations. For Loc130, the G/T genotype exhibited higher body weight when compared to that of the G/G genotype. The frequency of the homozygous G/G genotype reached 87.96%; thus, we can improve FFRC strain common carp growth performance by increasing the percentage of the G/T genotype within a breeding population. Therefore, the G/T genotype could be used as a molecular marker for superior growth traits.

Molecular cloning and single nucleotide polymorphism analysis of IGF2a genes in the common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

We studied whether two IGF2 transcripts in common carp are similar to those found in zebrafish. The full-length IGF2a cDNA contains a 5'-terminal untranslated region (UTR) of 105 bp, a 3'-terminal UTR of 1358 bp and an open reading frame of 612 bp, which encodes a 206-amino acid protein. A 6614-bp full-length IGF2a DNA molecule, including the 5'-flanking region, was isolated. Genomic DNA structure analysis revealed that the IGF2a gene contains four exons and three introns. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that the proteins encoded by IGF2a genes in common carp have one signal peptide and one apparent transmembrane region. Bootstrapping was performed 1000 times to obtain support values for each branch. The common carp IGF2a were clustered in one group, while the outgroup (common carp IGF1) clustered in another group. We identified two new single nucleotide polymorphisms in intron 2 of the gene. One polymorphism, A/N, can be found only in the Huanghe carp. The other polymorphism, C/N, can be found in both male Huanghe carp × female Heilongjiang carp and male Huanghe carp × female Jian carp. The second polymorphism, C/N, is primarily transferred from the male and may be related to heterosis.

Effect of processing parameters on the formation of spherical multinuclear microcapsules encapsulating peppermint oil by coacervation

The gelatin/gum arabic multinuclear microcapsules encapsulating peppermint oil were prepared by coacervation. The effect of various processing parameters, including the core/wall ratio, wall material concentration, pH value, as well as stirring speed on the morphology, particle size distribution, yield and loading was investigated. When the wall material concentration or the core/wall ratio increased, the morphology of multinuclear microcapsules changed from spherical to irregular and the average particle size increased, the optimal wall material concentration and the core/wall ratio were 1% and 2:1, respectively. The multinuclear spherical microcapsules with desired mean particle size can be manufactured by modulating the pH value and stirring speed. The ideal preparation conditions were pH 3.7 at 400 rpm of stirring speed. The yield of multinuclear microcapsules encapsulating peppermint oil by coacervation was approximately 90% and the processing parameters had very slight influence on the yield. When transglutaminase was used as the cross-linker instead of formaldehyde, morphology, mean particle size, yield and loading remained the same as that hardening with formaldehyde, but the particle size distribution became narrower.

New glycosphingolipid containing an unusual sphingoid base from the basidiomycete Polyporus ellisii

A new 9-methyl-sphinga-4,8-dienine-containing glucocerebroside (1), together with two additional known analogs, cerebrosides B and D, was isolated from the chloroform-soluble lipid fraction of the ethanol and chloroform/methanol extract of the fruiting bodies of the basidiomycete Polyporus ellisii Berk. and characterized. The structure and relative stereochemistry of the new compound were identified as (2S,3R,4E,8E-1-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-3-hydroxy-2-[(R)-2'-hydroxyheptadecanoyl]amino-9-methyl-4,8-octadecadiene by means of spectroscopic (1H,13C, and two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance; mass spectrometry) and chemical methods.

Comparison of 12-chloroscoulerine enantiomers on animal behavior to dopamine receptors

AIM

To compare the pharmacological characteristics of 12-chloroscoulerine (CSL) enantiomers to dopamine (DA) receptors.

METHODS

Radioligand receptor binding assay with calf striatum and behavioral tests of mice or rats were used.

RESULTS

In the competitive binding assay, the affinities (Ki) of l-CSL to D1 and D2 receptors were 5.7 nmol.L-1, while those of d-CSL for D1 and D2 receptors were 135 and 9150 nmol.L-1, respectively. The Ki of dl-CSL to D1 and D2 receptors were 8.9 and 9.6 nmol.L-1, respectively, which were slightly weaker than that of l-CSL. In the behavioral experiments, CSL enantiomers 5-60 mg.kg-1 antagonized the stereotypy induced by apomorphine in rats, and 5-150 mg.kg-1 produced catalepsy. The enantiomers 10-60 mg.kg-1 reduced the mice jumping behavior induced by amphetamine + levodopa. l-CSL 10-80 mg.kg-1 antagonized the spontaneous locomotor activity of normal or amphetamine-treated mice.

CONCLUSION

CSL enantiomers are antagonists to DA receptors: l-CSL > dl-CSL >> d-CSL.

GTP regulation of (-)-stepholidine binding to R(H) of D1 dopamine receptors in calf striatum

(-)-Stepholidine (SPD) exhibits antagonist effects on normosensitive dopamine (DA) receptors, but it has an agonist action on rotation in unilaterally 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats. The present work endeavors to further elucidate the mechanism of its agonist action on D1 receptors. [3H]R(+)-7-chloro-8-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-be nzazepine ([3H]SCH-23390) and [3H]spiperone were used, respectively, as radioligands in D1 and D2 DA receptor binding assays in calf striatal membranes. Experimental data were analyzed by a non-linear regression computer program, GraphPAD InPlot 3.15. The competition curves were fitted first by a single-site equation and then by a two-site equation. The results showed that both apomorphine (APO) and SPD competitively inhibited [3H]SCH-23390 binding. Their competition curves fitted best to the two-site equation (P < 0.05) with a high-affinity site (R(H)) and a low-affinity site (R(L)) to DA receptors. The K(H) and K(L) values (nM) were 2.7 +/- 0.45 and 378 +/- 62 for APO, and 3.9 +/- 2.2 and 126 +/- 25 for SPD, respectively. In contrast, the competition curve of SCH-23390, a selective D1 DA receptor antagonist, fitted best to a single-site model with a Ki value of 1.7 +/- 0.5 nM. The R(H) of APO or SPD could be decreased by the addition of 450 microM GTP. In the [3H]spiperone binding test, the APO curve was modeled best by the two-site equation, while the SPD curve fitted best to a single-site model. In the rotational behavior test, APO induced 441 +/- 20 turns/30 min in the 6-OHDA-lesioned rats, and SPD induced 310 +/- 42 turns/30 min, while SCH-23390 antagonized the SPD-induced rotation but did not induce rotational behavior. These results suggest that SPD possesses agonist actions on D1 but antagonist effects on D2 DA receptors.

Dual actions of (-)-stepholidine on the dopamine receptor-mediated adenylate cyclase activity in rat corpus striatum

(-)-Stepholidine (SPD) is an antagonist of normosensitive dopamine (DA) receptors, but it exhibits D1 agonistic action on rotational behaviour in rats with unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNC). In the present study, agonistic and antagonistic effects of SPD on the DA receptor-mediated synaptosomal adenylate cyclase (AC) activity in rat striatum were investigated. After blockade of D2 receptors, SPD augmented AC activity dose-dependently. The EC50 value was 41.1 +/- 8.6 micromol/L. At the concentration of 10 micromol/L, SPD increased cAMP formation from a basal level (50.8 +/- 10.3 pmol/mg protein/min) to 133.7 +/- 31.8 pmol/mg protein/min. The SPD-induced stimulation of AC activity was almost completely reversed by 10 micromol/L Sch23390. These results indicate that SPD possesses an agonistic action on the D1 receptor. Forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase (FSAC) activity was used as a model to elucidate the effect of SPD on D2 receptors. The results indicate that DA inhibited FSAC activity dose-dependently, while SPD partially restored FSAC activity. Taken together, these results support the conclusion that SPD has dual actions on DA receptors that mediate AC activity, i.e., an agonistic action on D1 receptors and an antagonistic action on D2 receptors.

Augmentation of dopamine release by (-)-stepholidine from rabbit and rat caudate slices

AIM

To study the effect of (-)-stepholidine (SPD) on dopamine (DA) release evoked by electric stimulation on slices of rabbit caudate nucleus.

METHODS

Slices of rabbit caudate nucleus were preincubated with [3H]DA and then perfused and stimulated electrically.

RESULTS

Quinpirole (Qui), a selective DA D2 receptor agonist, reduced [3H]DA overflow elicited by 24 mA electric stimulation (IC50 = 0.12, 95% confidence limits 0.09-0.17 mumol . L-1). SPD markedly increased the potential of the stimulation-evoked [3H]DA overflow in a dose-dependent manner and reversed Qui (1 mumol . L-1)-induced attenuation of [3H]DA release. The pA2 value calculated from the data of [3H]DA overflow for SPD was 7.495. In the experiments with rat caudate nucleus slices, SPD (0.1 mmol . L-1) increased the [3H]DA outflow from 3.3 +/- 0.2% to 6.5 +/- 0.5% of the tissue [3H]DA content, which was further enhanced by the protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PDB, 1 mumol . L-1) to 10.1 +/- 1.0% of the total [3H]DA in the tissue.

CONCLUSION

SPD is a presynaptic D2 autoreceptor antagonist and induces a synergic effect on [3H]DA release process with PKC.

[The nickel titanium alloy esophageal stent]

Eight cases of benign esophageal stricture were treated with nickel titanium alloy stent, which was designed by the author since March 1992. The results were good except the three cases of long segment stenosis caused by chemical burn. The design of the stent and method of stent insertion was introduced in the paper. Also discussing the specialties of the nickel titanium alloy esophageal stent, especially it is easy to insert and easy to remove. The stent has no irritation to the esophageal mucosa. The stent could be used for the short segment of esophageal stricture safely, simply and effectively.

[Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of subclavian arteries]

12 cases of subclavian arterial stenosis or obstruction were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Atherosclerosis was considered as the cause of the arterial lesion in 7 cases. In 6 of them the lesion was located near the orifice of the subclavian artery. The lesion was 10.8 +/- 5.4 mm in length and 1.67 +/- 0.8 mm in diameter. After PTA the lumen was 6.58 +/- 1.11 mm in diameter. The clinical result was satisfactory. Arteries was found in 5 cases. Most of them had long segment obstructed lesion (46 +/- 36.6 mm in length, and 0.5 +/- 0.5 mm in diameter). The result of PTA was not satisfactory. The technique of PTA has been discussed.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty for renovascular hypertension in arteritis: experience in China

Forty-two patients with renovascular hypertension were treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. In 32, arteritis was the cause of the renovascular disease. Thirty of the 42 patients were followed for more than 6 months after angioplasty. Twenty-two of these 30 patients had arteritis; 19 of the 22 (86.4%) benefited from the angioplasty, compared with six of eight patients (75%) with atherosclerosis or fibromuscular dysplasia.