Matrine,oxymatrine, and compound Kushen injection from the roots of Sophora flavescens: an overview of their anticancer activities

In the present review, we updated current information on the chemistry, contents, and anticancer properties of matrine (MT), oxymatrine (OMT), and compound Kushen injection (CKI). The anticancer properties were focused on lung, breast, and liver cancer cells because they are most susceptible. Sources of information were from Google, Google Scholar, PubMed, PubMed Central, Science Direct, PubChem, J-Stage, Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Reference was also made on botanical websites, such as Flora of China and World Flora Online. MT and OMT are dominant quinolizidine alkaloids from the roots of Sophora flavescens (Kushen) of the family Fabaceae. Against lung, breast, and liver cancer cells, MT and OMT inhibit cell proliferation; induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and autophagy; restrict angiogenesis; and inhibit cell metastasis, invasion, and migration. The processes involve various molecular targets and signaling pathways. CKI is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) composed of root extracts of S. flavescens and Smilax glabra (Baituling) of the family Smilacaceae. With MT and OMT as major components, CKI has been approved for the treatment of cancer in China more than 20 years ago. In recent years, systematic reviews and meta-analysis have been undertaken to evaluate the anticancer effects of CKI. When CKI is used alone and in combination with chemotherapy of western medicine, there is much to be learned concerning their interactions besides their individual and integrated efficacy. Some perspectives of MT, OMT, and CKI are discussed, and their suggestions for future research are provided.     

轴向载荷分担比指导外固定器动力化的临床应用

目的:探讨轴向载荷分担比用于胫腓骨骨干骨折术后指导外固定器轴向动力化促进骨折愈合的有效性。方法:选取外固定器治疗的胫腓骨骨干骨折患者100例,随机分为观察组50例,对照组50例。观察组在轴向载荷分担比指导下行外固定器轴向动力化治疗,对照组未行动力化,随访比较两组的治疗效果。结果:所有患者均获随访,随访时间4～12个月,平均6.5个月,治疗期间所有患者均未出现外固定针断裂、松动及再骨折等并发症,观察组1例骨搬移患者轴向载荷分担比5%,X线片显示骨折断端有连续性骨痂通过,拆除外固定器连接杆后发生移位,恢复原数值行轴向加压再动力化,现已愈合。观察组除外1例骨搬移患者,其余49例患者外固定器固定时间为[(24.4±4.7)周],骨折临床愈合时间为[(22.4±4.7)周],与对照组50例患者外固定器固定时间[(29.3±5.6)周],骨折临床愈合时间[(27.3±5.6)周]比较,显著减少(P0.05)。结论:外固定器轴向载荷分担比指导胫腓骨骨干骨折外固定术后轴向动力化可以加速骨折愈合,但不适合骨搬移截骨端已硬化患者。     

Identification of key genes and pathways in discoid lupus skin via bioinformatics analysis

Discoid lupus erythematosus (DLE) is the most common skin manifestation of lupus; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying DLE remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to identify key differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in discoid lupus skin and investigate their potential pathways.To identify candidate genes involved in the occurrence and development of the disease, we downloaded the microarray datasets {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE52471","term_id":"52471"}}GSE52471 and {"type":"entrez-geo","attrs":{"text":"GSE72535","term_id":"72535"}}GSE72535 from the Gene Expression Database (GEO). DEGs between discoid lupus skin and normal controls were selected using the GEO2R tool and Venn diagram software (http://bioinformatics.psb.ugent.be/webtools/Venn/). The Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID), Enrichr, and Cytoscape ClueGo were used to analyze the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome pathways and gene ontology. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) of these DEGs were further assessed using the Search Tool for the Retrieval Interacting Genes version 10.0.Seventy three DEGs were co-expressed in both datasets. DEGs were predominantly upregulated in receptor signaling pathways of the immune response. In the PPI network, 69 upregulated genes were selected. Furthermore, 4 genes (CXCL10, ISG15, IFIH1, and IRF7) were found to be significantly upregulated in the RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathway, from analysis of Enrichr and Cytoscape ClueGo.The results of this study may provide new insights into the potential molecular mechanisms of DLE. However, further experimentation is required to confirm these findings.     

刺果甘草全基因组Survey及叶绿体基因组特征分析＊

目的 基于基因组Survey分析对刺果甘草Glycyrrhiza pallidiflora Maxim.基因组大小和杂合率进行估计，并通过叶绿体基因组序列特征对其在甘草属Glycyrrhiza L.中的系统发育位置进行研究。方法 使用二代测序技术对刺果甘草进行测序，采用K-mer方法对测序reads进行分析，估算刺果甘草基因组大小和杂合率，使用生物信息学方法进行叶绿体基因组组装、注释和系统发育分析。结果 Survey分析结果显示其基因组大小约为577.82 Mb，杂合度约为0.31%，重复序列比例约为53.72%。叶绿体基因组长度为127，267 bp，不具有典型的四分体结构，总GC含量为34.32%，包含110个基因，其中76个蛋白质编码基因，30个tRNA基因和4个rRNA基因。系统发育分析表明，刺果甘草与圆果甘草G. squamulosa Franch.亲缘较接近。结论 刺果甘草存在低杂合和重复序列较多的特点，为了更好地对全基因组进行序列拼接和组装，可尝试采用三代测序结合二代测序的分析策略进行基因组组装；刺果甘草叶绿体全基因组比对和系统发育分析，为后续开展甘草属遗传多样性研究和分子鉴定标记筛选提供了重要依据。     

难治性胃食管反流病临证研究

难治性胃食管反流病是临床疑难病,症状反复,缠绵难愈,治疗棘手。中医药治疗“反酸”“吞酸”证历久源远,充分挖掘古籍,深研病机,提炼治法,发挥中医药特色,对治疗本病意义深远。     

Dorsal suspension for Morton’s neuroma: A comparison with neurectomy

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate and compare the clinical outcomes of dorsal suspension with those of neurectomy for the treatment of Morton’s neuroma.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study of dorsal suspension and neurectomy group. The dorsal suspension was performed by dorsal transposition of neuroma over the dorsal transverse ligament after neurolysis. The visual analog scale (VAS), the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), postoperative satisfaction, and complications were evaluated.ResultsBoth groups reported significant pain relief, and there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to postoperative pain. The postoperative FAAM outcomes showed no significant between-group differences. Satisfaction analysis showed ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ results in the dorsal suspension and neurectomy groups (95% and 77.7%, respectively). Complications of numbness and paresthesia reported in the dorsal suspension group (5% and 5%, respectively) were significantly fewer than those of neurectomy group (61.1% and 33.3%, respectively) (both, p < .05).ConclusionsWith its favorable results, dorsal suspension can be another operative option for the treatment of Morton’s neuroma.Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative case series.     

染料木黄酮对前列腺癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响及机制

本研究拟探讨染料木黄酮对前列腺癌细胞LNCaP和CWR22RV1的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力的影响。一、材料与方法1.材料:前列腺癌细胞株LNCaP和CWR22RV1(中国科学院上海生命科学研究院);Genistein(天津科瑞泰科技有限公司);RPMI 1640、胎牛血清(FBS)、胰蛋白酶(美国Gibco公司);E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、N-钙黏蛋白(N-cadherin)、波形蛋白(Vimentin,Abcam公司);聚氰基丙烯酸正丁酯(BCA)试剂盒、十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)上样缓冲液(×5)及蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)试剂盒(上海市碧云天生物公司);2.实验方法:采用噻唑蓝(MTT)实验、划痕实验和Transwell实验检测Genistein对细胞增殖、迁移及侵袭能力的影响。采用Western blot检测E-cadherin、N-cadherin、Vimentin、CD44和Oct-4的表达水平。