Jinwujiangu Capsule Treats Fibroblast-Like Synoviocytes of Rheumatoid Arthritis by Inhibiting Pyroptosis via the NLRP3/CAPSES/GSDMD Pathway

Jinwujiangu capsule (JWJGC) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether its mechanism is associated with pyroptosis remains unclear. In this study, the ability of JWJGC to inhibit the growth of fibroblast-like synoviocytes of RA (RA-FLS) through pyroptosis was evaluated. The cells isolated from patients with RA were identified by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry. After RA-FLS were treated with different concentrations of JWJGC-containing serum, the cell proliferation inhibition rate, expression of caspase-1/3/4/5, NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), gasdermin-D (GSDMD), and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-18 (IL-18), the activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), and pyroptosis were evaluated. The results showed that JWJGC increased the proliferative inhibition rate, decreased the expression of caspase-1/3/4/5, GSDMD, NLRP3, and ASC, suppressed the expression of IL-1β and IL-18, induced the activity of LDH, and downregulated the number of double-positive FITC anti-caspase-1 and PI. Generally, our findings suggest that JWJGC can regulate NLRP3/CAPSES/GSDMD in treating RA-FLS through pyroptosis.

Crystal structure of 2-methyl-1H-perimidine, C12H10N2

C12H10N2, triclinic, P1̄ (no. 2), a = 9.0431(18) Å, b = 9.9770(19) Å, c = 11.623(2) Å, α = 102.375(3)°, β = 109.641(3)°, γ = 99.834(2)°, V = 930.5(3) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0395, wRref(F2) = 0.1105, T = 128.15 K.

Efficacy of fully covered self-expandable metal stents for the management of pancreatic duct strictures in chronic pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Recently, there has been burgeoning interest in the utilization of fully covered self-expandable metal stents (FCSEMSs) for managing main pancreatic duct strictures (MPDS) in chronic pancreatitis (CP). The primary aim was to investigate stricture resolution and recurrence rates of FCSEMS placement in patients with symptomatic CP complicated with MPDS.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and ISI Web of Science and Cochrane Library (up to December 2019) were searched to identify eligible studies. A meta-analysis of stricture resolution and recurrence rates was carried out using R. The crude rate of adverse events related to stent therapy was also calculated.

RESULTS

Ten studies involving 163 patients were included. The weighted pooled rate of MPDS resolution was 93% (95% confidence interval [95%CI] 84-99%) with substantial heterogeneity (I²  = 63%). Duration of stent placement more than 3 months did not result in a significantly higher resolution rate than that of 3 months or less (93% vs 93%, P = 0.91). The weighted pooled rate of stricture recurrence was 5% (95%CI: 0-12%). The stricture recurrence rate for patients with duration of stent placement more than 3 months (3%; 95%CI: 0-10%) was lower than that in patients with 3 months or less of stent placement (7%; 95%CI: 0-23%), but not significantly (P = 0.45). The overall rate of adverse events related to stent therapy was 34.9%, and spontaneous stent migration occurred in 14.1% of patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of FCSEMSs appears to be effective and safe in the management of MPDS caused by symptomatic CP.

The crystal structure of (2,3-dioxo-5,6:13,14-dibenzo-9,10-benzo-1,4,8,11-7, 11-diene-κ4 N,N′,N′′,N′′′)-nickel(II), Ni(C22H14N4O2)

C22H14N4NiO2, monoclinic, P21 (no. 4), a = 4.2387(5) Å, b = 18.724(2) Å, c = 10.7345(13) Å, β = 97.751(4)°, V = 844.17(17) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0435, wRref(F2) = 0.1255, T = 150 K.

Crystal structure of bis(2-propyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-3-ium) tetrachloridozincate(II), C10H13Cl4N2Zn

C10H13Cl4N2Zn, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 13.370(2) Å, b = 10.0304(14) Å, c = 17.913(2) Å, β = 93.950(4)°, V = 2396.5(6) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0461, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1038, T = 150(2) K.

The crystal structure of (E)-4-(1-(2-aminophenylimino)ethyl)benzene-1,3-diol, C14H14N2O2

C14H14N2O2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 8.5030(9) Å, b = 7.6199(8) Å, c = 18.738(2) Å, β = 92.852(2)°, V = 1212.6(2) Å3, Z = 4, R gt(F) = 0.0413, wR ref(F 2) = 0.1247, T = 296.15 K.

Three new compounds based on similar molybdenum–vanadium clusters and several types of copper complexes

A series of new organic–inorganic hybrid compounds based on Mo–V clusters and several types of transition metal complexes have been synthesized and characterized.

[DNA marker-assisted selection of medicinal plants (Ⅲ)Evaluation of disease resistance of "Miaoxiang Kangqi 1" --a new cultivar of Panax notoginseng]

DNA marked-assisted selection of medicinal plants accelerated the breeding and promotion of new cultivars, and guaranteed the healthy development of Chinese medicinal materials industry. The first disease-resistant cultivar of notoginseng, namely "Miaoxiang Kangqi 1", served as the object of study. We evaluated the Kangqi's resistance of seeds, seedlings and root against the pathological bacteria (Fusarum oxysporum) of root rot. Compared to the traditional cultivars, the disease index of notoginseng seeds declined by 52.0% after inoculation for seven days; the death rate of seedlings and disease index of root respectively decreased by 72.1% and 62.4% after inoculation for 25 days. Additionally, the growth inhibition ratio of notoginseng seeds and seedlings declined after inoculation. The seeds, seedlings and roots of "Miaoxiang Kangqi 1" showed significantly resistant to root rot. The evaluation of disease-resistance of Kangqi provided the basis for the popularization of new cultivar and guaranteed the favoring conduct of notoginseng pollution-free cultivation.

New organic–inorganic hybrid compounds based on [SiNb12V2O42]12− with high catalytic activity for styrene epoxidation

A series of new organic–inorganic hybrid compounds based on [SiNb₁₂V₂O₄₂]¹²⁻ have been obtained under hydrothermal conditions and characterized by IR, XRD, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

A series of organic–inorganic hybrid compounds formed by [P2W18O62]6−and several types of transition metal complexes

A series of new organic–inorganic hybrid compounds based on [P₂W₁₈O₆₂]⁶⁻and several types of transition metal complexes have been synthesized and characterized.

An unprecedented antimonato-polyoxovanadate (SbPOV) based on both α-[V14Sb8O42]4− and β-[V14Sb8O42]4− isomers

An unprecedented antimonato-polyoxovanadate (SbPOV) based on both α-[V₁₄Sb₈O₄₂]⁴⁻ and β-[V₁₄Sb₈O₄₂]⁴⁻ isomers has been synthesized.

Two novel structures based on an organic ligand with two different coordination modes

Two novel 3-D POMMOF structures containing both metal–organic frameworks and pure inorganic frameworks have been synthesized.

Secondary organic moiety templated organic–inorganic polyoxometalate-based frameworks

Four secondary organic moiety templated organic–inorganic polyoxometalate-based framework compounds have been synthesized and characterized.

The synthesis and characterization of three organic–inorganic hybrids based on different transition metal complexes and {As8V14O42(H2O)} clusters

Three new arsenic–vanadium compounds have been prepared and the influence of structures on their catalytic properties has been discussed.

[P53 expression in liver tissue of patients with chronic hepatitis B and its influencing factors]

OBJECTIVE

To observe p53 expression in liver tissue of patients with chronic hepatitis B and its influencing factors.

METHODS

17 cases HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients and 31 cases HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients were divided into 2 groups.

RESULTS

(1) HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients were older, mostly male and HBV DNA lower. These three indicators between two groups patients appeared statistical difference. Serum markers were no statistical difference between two groups patients except Glo. (2) Pathological inflammation and fibrosis Staging were no statistical difference between two groups patients. p53 expression positive rate and p53 expression semi-quantitative scoring in liver tissue were no statistical difference between the two groups. (3) Logistic regression analysis showed that only liver fibrosis staging (S) is a risk factor for p53 expression. Compared with the S0-1, p53 expression increased by 3.9 times the rate of positive in S > or = 2.

CONCLUSION

Liver fibrosis staging in patients with chronic hepatitis B is a risk factor for p53 positive expression in liver.

[The effect of extract of ginkgo biloba leaf during the formation of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of extract of ginkgo biloba leaf (EGb) during the formation of HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

METHODS

99 HBV transgenic mice were randomly divided into control group, high-dose group, low-dose group. High-dose group and low-dose group were intraperitoneal injected 35mg/(kg x d) and 17.5 mg/(kg x d) of the shuxuening injection. Control group without special treatment. The serological markers and immunohistochemical markers in liver tissue will be done at the first 12 months and 18 months.

RESULTS

(1) HBV transgenic mice can be found HCC at the 18 months. The incidence of HCC was lower in high-dose group and low-dose group, there was statistically different among the three groups. (2) The semi-quantitative scoring of liver HBx expression was highest in the control group at the 12 months. The semi-quantitative scoring of liver HBx, p53 and Bcl-2 expression was highest in the control group at the 18 months. They all appeared statistically different among the three groups. (3) Spearman correlation analysis showed that HCC incidence and liver tissue HBx, p53, Bcl-2 expression was a certain degree of positive correlation, r was 0.536, 0.487 and 0.403, P < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

EGb can reduced the incidence of the HCC with HBV transgenic mice. The reason may be that the EGb can reduce liver HBx, p53, Bcl-2 protein expression in the HBV transgenic mice.

[Prognostic analysis of 336 patients with chronic severe hepatitis B]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the risk factors related to outcome of chronic severe hepatitis B.

METHODS

A total of 336 consecutive patients with chronic severe hepatitis B (CSHB) were analysed retrospectively. According to the outcome, objects were divided into survival group (n = 137) and death group(n = 199), then to observe the differences between them in respect to age, sex, family history, prothrombin activity (PTA), complications including ascites, infection, electrolyte disturbance, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, hepatic encephalopathy, hepatorenal syndrome and the corresponding quantity of complications in each individual, antivirus therapy, artificial liver support system (ALSS) therapy, and alprostadil therapy. Finally, risk factors related to prognosis were selected by stepwise Logistic regression analyse.

RESULTS

In univariate analyse, significant differences between the two groups were found related to age, PTA, complications and its quantity (P < 0.01 for all), and antivirus therapy (P < 0.05) rather than sex, family history and treatment of ALSS or alprostadil. Logistic regression revealed that risk factors comprised of PTA and quantity of complications, antivirus therapy was the only protective factor.

CONCLUSION

A numbers of factors including age, PTA, complications and its quantity, and antivirus therapy affect the prognosis of CSHB, among which, antivirus therapy can reduce the death rate.

Comparison between sonodynamic effect with protoporphyrin IX and hematoporphyrin on sarcoma 180

PURPOSE

The comparison between sonodynamic antitumor effect with protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) and hematoporphyrin (Hp) at a concentration of 5 mg/kg on Sarcoma 180 (S180) cells was studied in vivo, and the potential cell damage mechanism was also investigated.

METHODS

The sonodynamically induced anti-tumor effect of PPIX was studied in mice bearing S180 solid tumors. In order to determine the optimum timing of ultrasound exposure after administration of PPIX, the PPIX concentrations in plasma, skin, muscle and tumor were determined by the fluorescence intensity of tissue extractions with a fluorescence spectrophotometer based on the standard curve. Anti-tumor effects were estimated by measuring the tumor size and the tumor weight. Additionally, the morphological changes of S180 cells were evaluated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation immediately after sonodynamic therapy (SDT) treatment.

RESULTS

A time of 24 h after the intravenous administration of PPIX was chosen as the best time for ultrasound exposure. The antitumor effect induced by PPIX mediated sonodynamic therapy (PPIX-SDT) was in a dose dependent manner when ultrasound intensity was at or above the inertial cavitation threshold (5 W/cm(2)). A significant tumor growth delay was observed both in PPIX mediated sonodynamic therapy and in Hp mediated sonodynamic therapy treatments (Hp-SDT), and the tumor weight inhibition ratios after the synergistic treatments were 42.82 +/- 0.03 and 35.22 +/- 0.03%, respectively, this difference was significant at P < 0.05. While ultrasound alone (5 W/cm(2)) showed a slight tumor growth inhibitory effect compared with the control group, and PPIX or Hp alone showed almost no significant effect. Furthermore, TEM observation indicated cell damage was more serious in PPIX-SDT treatment group than in Hp-SDT treatment group. After sonication, the cell ultra-structure such as cell membrane destruction, mitochondria swelling, chromatin condensation might be important factors that inhibited the tumor growth and even induced cell death.

CONCLUSIONS

The comparative results suggested that PPIX as a sonosensitizer might have more potential cytotoxicity than Hp when irradiated with ultrasound, and the ultra-structural changes may account for cell destruction induced by sonodynamic therapy in our experiment mode.