Effect of volatile oil of amomum on expressions of platelet activating factor and mastocarcinoma-related peptide in the gastric membrane of chronic gastritis patients with helicobacter-pylori infection

OBJECTIVE

To observe the effect of volatile oil of amomum (VOA) on the expressions of mastocarcinoma-related peptide (PS2) and platelet activating factor (PAF) in helicobacter pyloriassociated gastritis (HPG) and to analyze its potential mechanism.

METHODS

Eighty patients with HPG were randomly assigned to two groups, 42 patients in the treated group treated with 0.5 mL VOA, thrice per day; and the 38 patients in the control group receiving Western tertiary medicinal treatment. Gastroscopic picture and helicobacter pylori (HP) infection (by quick urease and Warthin-Starry stain) of the gastro-membrane, expressions of PS2 and PAF (by immunohistochemical assay and Western blotting) as well as the contents of aminohexose and phospholipid (by Neuhaus method) in the gastric membrane of all patients were detected before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment. The clinical efficacy in the two groups was compared.

RESULTS

The total effective rate in the treated group was 88.1%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (78.9%, P<0.05). After treatment, in the treated group, gastric membranous contents of aminohexose and phospholipid was increased, expression of PS2 elevated but that of PAF lowered, all showing significant difference as compared with those in the control group (P<0.01). In the control group, the expressions of PS2 and PAF changed insignificantly. The radical eliminating rate of HP in the treated group and the control group was insignificantly different between them (76.1% vs. 65.8%, P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

The mechanism of VOA for anti-gastritis might be related with its action in increasing the expression of PS2 and decreasing the expression of PAF, and thus regulating the hydrophobicity of the gastric membrane.

Analyzing past and future trends in Pakistan's groundwater irrigation development: implications for environmental sustainability and food security

Since the last four decades, groundwater irrigation has played a critical role in improving crop production and rural livelihoods. However, the flawed policies have allowed farmers to install private tube wells relentlessly, resulting in a slew of water quality and environmental issues. This study aims to investigate the key trends in temporal development of groundwater irrigation and its consequences in Pakistan. The dataset, which spanned 38 years (1981 to 2018), included variables such as the number of tube wells, wheat area and production, farm size, total cultivated area, and total irrigated area in Punjab province. Our results show that, while the number of government-installed tube wells has decreased over time, the number of private tube wells has increased by 579% since 1981. About 85% of these privately owned tube wells are diesel tube wells, while the remaining 15% are electric tube wells. The ARDL regression results show that groundwater development, as a result of growth in private tube wells, has significantly aided wheat production in both the short and long run. However, the results of ARIMA model show that, in the absence of any regulatory mechanism to limit private tube well growth, the number of private tube wells in Punjab will increase by 43% over the next two decades, potentially jeopardizing the country's groundwater sustainability and food security. To ensure the sustainability of groundwater use, farmers' incomes, and the food security of the population, there is an urgent need to devise policy options to limit the growth of probate tube wells in the province. In addition, the new regulations should consider the equity implications and the economic shock to poor farms and households.

[Observation on the expression of PS2 and platelet activating factor affected by Jianwei Yuyang granules and study its potential mechanisim against peptic ulcer]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the influences of Jianwei Yuyang (JWYY) granules on expressions of PS2 and platelet activating factor (PAF), and analyze its potential mechanism.

METHODS

76 gastric ulcer patients were final diagnosed by gastroscope. They were randomly devided into 3 groups, including JWYY group (36 cases), Ranitidine group (36 cases) and Normal group (12 cases). Detection on Biospy Specimens of gastric mucosa to obseve the change of PAF, PS2 and the contents of aninohexose and phosphatide in ulcerated gastric mucosa for Immunohischemical and Western blotting.

RESULTS

The contents of aninohexose, phosphatide of PU patients increased in JWYY group. There was significant difference between JWYY group and Ranitidine group (P < 0.01). The Immunohischemical and Western blotting methods showed that there was a linear correlation between the the contents of phosphatide, anino-hexose and the expression of PAF, PS2 in PU patients (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

JWYY granule can prevent the occurrence and relaps of ulcer and affect the hydrophobicity of gastic mucosa and strengthen the stability of myxo-gellayer by reducing the expression of PAF, elevating the expression of PS2 and effecting the contents of phosphatide and aninohexose, that may be one of the mechanisms of JWYY to heal ulcer quickly.

Yunnan medicine Jiangzhi ointment alleviates hyperlipid-induced hepatocyte ferroptosis by activating AMPK and promoting autophagy

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a serious public health problem worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Yunnan medicine Jiangzhi ointment (YMJO) can relieve the progression of NAFLD and to elucidate the specific mechanism involved. A NAFLD model was established in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced SD rats and free fatty acid (FFA)-induced BRL 3A cells. The expression of autophagy-related proteins and ferroptosis-related proteins was detected using Western blotting. The histopathological features of the livers of NAFLD rats were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) and Oil Red O staining. The results revealed that in a successfully established HFD-induced NAFLD rat model, YMJO alleviated the progression of NAFLD, promoted autophagy, and inhibited ferroptosis. This regulatory mechanism is related to the activation of the AMPK pathway. Further study of the molecular mechanism via cell experiments revealed that YMJO activated FFA-induced liver cell autophagy through the AMPK signaling pathway and inhibited ferroptosis, thus alleviating the development of NAFLD. This study revealed that YMJO promotes phosphorylation by activating the AMPK pathway, enhances autophagy, ameliorates ferroptosis induced by high fat, and alleviates the occurrence and development of NAFLD.

Expression of amelogenins in developing embryonic and neonatal rat teeth

OBJECTIVE

Tooth enamel is formed by ameloblasts, which are derived from epitheliums and secrete an extracellular matrix containing a complex arrangement of protein components. The epithelial component, referred to as the enamel organ, contains a layer of cells that secrete an organic matrix that biomineralizes to become tooth enamel. Adjacent ectomesenchyme cells differentiate to become dentinproducing odontoblasts. These two mineralized matrices form the crown of the vertebrate tooth. Therefore, amelogenins play a critical role in tooth enamel formation. We have examined the expression patterns and tissue distribution of amelogenins in their developmental stages in order to build a foundation for further study.

METHODS

Amelogenin expression patterns and tissue distribution in developing teeth of embryonic (E17E19) and neonatal (1 to 9 days old) Wistar rats were examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Positive immunostaining for amelogenin was first observed in the late embryonic stage, E18. The highest level of amelogenin was noted in neonatal secretary ameloblasts, fully engaged in enamel matrix deposition (3 to 5 days old). After that, amelogenin expression continued at a lower level (6, 7, 8 days old). There was no amelogenin staining observed in the maturation stage of development (9 days old).

CONCLUSIONS

Amelogenin expression occurs as early as the polarization stage of pre-ameloblasts. Amelogenin was also expressed, but at a low level, in post-secretary stages of amelogenesis. Odontoblasts did not contain detectable amelogenin.

[Effects of Geranium sibirum extracts on liver metastases in nude mice with colonic cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To establish nude mice models with the liver metastases of colonic adenocarcinoma and study the effects of Geranium sibirum extracts on them.

METHODS

Nude mice liver metastases model of colonic cancer was established with human colonic cancer cells line( Ls 174t) inoculated into mice spleen. 36 nude mice were randomly divided into 3 groups, containing control group, Geranium sibirum extracts group and hydroxycamptothecine group. The weight and size of the mice and growth of the carcinoma were recorded. All specimens were examined histologically. pS2 in blood in nude mice with liver metastasis of colonic carcinoma was detected with nested RT-PCR.

RESULTS

The incidence of liver metastasis was 100% in this intrasplenic injection model. The pathological results showed that tumour cells of liver metastases were poorly differentiated human colonic adenocarcinoma. In Geranium sibirum extracts group, the tumor number and the weight of liver metastases were significantly lower than those in hydroxycamptothecine group (P < 0.05). Using semiquantitative examination,in Geranium sibirum extracts group,the relative value of pS2 expression in blood was significantly higher than that in hydroxycamptothecine group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Geranium sibirum extracts can effectively inhibit the occurrence of liver metastases carcinoma and decrease the positive expression of pS2, it also has better effect than hydroxycamptothecine so that Geranium sibirum extracts may become the potential therapeutic strategy for liver metatstases of colonic cancer.