维生素A对糖基化终末产物诱导的角膜上皮细胞损伤的作用及机制研究

目的糖基化终末产物(AGEs)在糖尿病患者在角膜外伤或接受角膜手术时极易出现角膜上皮愈合延迟甚至不愈的过程中起着关键作用,本文研究维生素A(VA)对以糖基化终末产物AGE-BSA诱导角膜上皮细胞损伤的影响及可能的作用机制。方法以HCE-2细胞为研究对象,AGE-BSA为诱导剂,试剂盒检测VA对细胞凋亡率及线粒体膜电位的影响,荧光显微镜检测细胞内凋亡小体,Western blot检测相关的蛋白表达量。结果VA抑制AGE-BSA诱导的HCE细胞凋亡,调节AGEBSA引起的凋亡相关蛋白的变化。同时,VA与JNK的抑制剂同等程度的减少AGE-BSA诱导的JNK和NF-κB的磷酸化。结论VA可能通过抑制JNK介导的NF-κB炎症通路而起到减少AGE-BSA诱导的角膜上皮细胞凋亡的作用,可以作为糖尿病患者角膜上皮损伤的保护剂。     

Firefighters' and instructors’ absorption of PAHs and benzene during training exercises

IntroductionTraining fires may constitute a major portion of some firefighters’ occupational exposures to smoke. However, the magnitude and composition of those exposures are not well understood and may vary by the type of training scenario and fuels.ObjectivesTo understand how structure fire training contributes to firefighters' and instructors’ select chemical exposures, we conducted biological monitoring during exercises involving combustion of pallet and straw and oriented strand board (OSB) or the use of simulated smoke.MethodsUrine was analyzed for metabolites of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and breath was analyzed for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including benzene.ResultsMedian concentrations of nearly all PAH metabolites in urine increased from pre-to 3-hr post-training for each scenario and were highest for OSB, followed by pallet and straw, and then simulated smoke. For instructors who supervised three trainings per day, median concentrations increased at each collection. A single day of OSB exercises led to a 30-fold increase in 1-hydroxypyrene for instructors, culminating in a median end-of-shift concentration 3.5-fold greater than median levels measured from firefighters in a previous controlled-residential fire study. Breath concentrations of benzene increased 2 to 7-fold immediately after the training exercises (with the exception of simulated smoke training). Exposures were highest for the OSB scenario and instructors accumulated PAHs with repeated daily exercises.ConclusionsDermal absorption likely contributed to the biological levels as the respiratory route was well protected. Training academies should consider exposure risks as well as instructional objectives when selecting training exercises.     

Antioxidants Properties,Physicochemical, and Sensory Quality Attributes of a New Soy-Based Beverage with Lemongrass and Lime Juice

This work aimed at developing a new soy-based beverage and studying the influence of formulation ingredients on its antioxidants, physicochemical, and sensory properties. For this purpose, mixed beverages with lemongrass, lime juice, and soymilk were formulated. Soy-based beverages showed differences in pH, ratio, and color as compared to mixed beverages without soy. Soymilk increased the phenolics content and the ABTS antioxidant capacity, while lemongrass aqueous extract increased the DPPH antioxidant capacity of soy-based beverages. The new soy-based beverage had good acceptance for all attributes and can be considered a viable alternative source of nutrients and bioactive compounds to consumers.     

翻转课堂教学法在天然药物化学实验中的应用

目的利用翻转课堂教学法改进传统的天然药物化学实验课教学模式,提高该课程的教学效果。方法从实验教学的课程设计与开发,课前自主学习、课中内化及课后评估和讨论等环节进行了一系列的探讨与改革。结果翻转课堂教学模式为解决学生长期以来在天然药物化学实验课中缺乏主动参与性、探索性等问题提供一剂良方。结论在天然药物化学实验课教学中引入翻转课堂教学模式的初步探索为天然药物化学实验课的改革提供了依据和思路。     

B cell and B cell-related pathways for novel cancer treatments

B cells are recognized as the main effector cells of humoral immunity which suppress tumor progression by secreting immunoglobulins, promoting T cell response, and killing cancer cells directly. Given these properties, their anti-tumor immune response in the tumor micro-environment (TME) is of great interest. Although T cell-related immune responses have become a therapeutic target with the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors, not all patients benefit from these treatments. B cell and B cell-related pathways (CCL19, −21/CCR7 axis and CXCL13/CXCR5 axis) play key roles in activating immune response through humoral immunity and local immune activation via tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) formation. However they have some protumorigenic works in the TME. Thus, a better understanding of B cell and B cell-related pathways is necessary to develop effective cancer control. In this review, we summarize recent evidences regarding the roles of B cell and B cell-related pathways in the TME and immune response and discuss their potential roles for novel cancer treatment strategies.     

欧盟草药药品监管模式对中国中药注册管理的启示＊

对药品实行注册管理制度是确保公众健康的全球通用的监管措施。中药作为承载中医药理论与用药实践的主要载体，对中药产品的注册管理又具有其特殊性。2017年正式实施的《中医药法》提出了建立符合中医药特点管理制度的发展方针，研究制定配套文件或修订现行规章以适应衔接其立法精神是当前重要的现实问题之一。欧盟在植物药监管领域取得了良好成效，本文旨在系统分析欧盟对其注册管理的法规体系，深入剖析其监管特点和对中国中药注册管理的启示，以期为当前《中医药法》背景下中药监管制度的改革提供参考。     

The Natural Course of Serum D-Dimer,C-Reactive Protein,and Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate Levels After Uneventful Primary Total Joint Arthroplasty

BackgroundThis study aimed to assess the baseline levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein (CRP), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and monitor the natural course of these serum markers after uneventful primary total joint arthroplasty.MethodsThis prospective study enrolled 81 patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty or total hip arthroplasty. The level of serum D-dimer, CRP, and ESR was measured preoperatively and on postoperative days 1, 3, 5, 15, and 45. Mean peak values, peak times, and distribution were compared between D-Dimer, CRP, and ESR.ResultsThe mean preoperative serum D-dimer, CRP, and ESR level was 412 ± 260 (range 200-980) ng/mL, 2.93 ± 2.1 (range 1-18) mg/L, and 22.88 ± 17.5 (range 3-102) mm/h, respectively. The highest mean peak for D-dimer, CRP, and ESR was at postoperative day 1, 3, and 5, respectively.ConclusionD-dimer levels reached peak levels on postoperative day 1 and then declined rapidly to a plateau level by postoperative day 3. A second, albeit small, peak in the level of D-dimer occurred on postoperative day 15. The level of CRP and ESR remained elevated for much longer with CRP returning to baseline on postoperative day 45 and the level of ESR had not returned back to normal on postoperative day 45.     

On the origin of schizophrenia: Testing evolutionary theories in the post‐genomic era

Considering the relatively high heritability of schizophrenia and the fact that it significantly reduces the reproductive fitness of affected individuals, it is not clear how the disorder is still maintained in human populations at a disproportionally high prevalence. Many theories propose that the disorder is a result of a trade‐off between costs and benefits of the evolution of exclusively human adaptations. There have also been suggestions that schizophrenia risk alleles are accompanied with increase in fitness of affected persons or their relatives in both past and current social contexts. The discoveries of novel schizophrenia‐related genes and the advancements in comparative genomics (especially comparisons of the human genome and the genomes of related species, such as chimpanzees and extinct hominids) have finally made certain evolutionary theories testable. In this paper, we review the current understanding of the genetics of schizophrenia, the basic principles of evolution that complement our understanding of the subject, and the latest genetic studies that examine long‐standing evolutionary theories of schizophrenia using novel methodologies and data. We find that the origin of schizophrenia is complex and likely governed by different evolutionary mechanisms that are not mutually exclusive. Furthermore, the most recent evidence implies that schizophrenia cannot be comprehended as a trait that has elevated fitness in human evolutionary lineage, but has been a mildly deleterious by‐product of specific patterns of the evolution of the human brain. In other words, novel findings do not support previous hypotheses stating that schizophrenia risk genes have an evolutionary advantage.