Mechanism of action of Orthosiphon stamineus against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Insights from systems pharmacology and molecular docking approaches

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common complications of a metabolic syndrome caused by excessive accumulation of fat in the liver. Orthosiphon stamineus also known as Orthosiphon aristatus is a medicinal plant with possible potential beneficial effects on various metabolic disorders. This study aims to investigate the in vitro inhibitory effects of O. stamineus on hepatic fat accumulation and to further use the computational systems pharmacology approach to identify the pharmacokinetic properties of the bioactive compounds of O. stamineus and to predict their molecular mechanisms against NAFLD. Methods: The effects of an ethanolic extract of O. stamineus leaves on cytotoxicity, fat accumulation and antioxidant activity were assessed using HepG2 cells. The bioactive compounds of O. stamineus were identified using LC/MS and two bioinformatics databases, namely the Traditional Chinese Medicine Integrated Database (TCMID) and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for the Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM). Pathway enrichment analysis was performed on the predicted targets of the bioactive compounds to provide a systematic overview of the molecular mechanism of action, while molecular docking was used to validate the predicted targets. Results: A total of 27 bioactive compounds corresponding to 50 potential NAFLD-related targets were identified. O. stamineus exerts its anti-NAFLD effects by modulating a variety of cellular processes, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial β-oxidation, inflammatory signalling pathways, insulin signalling, and fatty acid homeostasis pathways. O. stamineus is significantly targeting many oxidative stress regulators, including JNK, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), NFKB1, PPAR, and AKT1. Molecular docking analysis confirmed the expected high affinity for the potential targets, while the in vitro assay indicates the ability of O. stamineus to inhibit hepatic fat accumulation. Conclusion: Using the computational systems pharmacology approach, the potentially beneficial effect of O. stamineus in NAFLD was indicated through the combination of multiple compounds, multiple targets, and multicellular components.     

Antigenic cartography using sera from sequence-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern infections reveals antigenic divergence of Omicron

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Cribado de cáncer de pulmón: Supervivencia en un amplio programa de detección precoz en España (I-ELCAP)

IntroductionLung cancer (LC) is usually diagnosed at advanced stages with only a 12% 5-year survival. Trials as NLST and NELSON show a mortality decrease, which justifies implementation of lung cancer screening in risk population. Our objective was to show survival results of the largest LC screening program in Spain with low dosage computed tomography (LDCT).MethodsClinical records from International Early Lung Cancer Detection Program (IELCAP) at Valencia, Spain were analysed. This program recruited volunteers, ever-smokers aged 40-80 years, since 2008. Results are compared to those from other similar sizeable programs.ResultsA total of 8278 participants were screened with at least two-rounds until November 2020. A mean of 6 annual screening rounds were performed. We detected 239 tumours along 12-year follow-up. Adenocarcinoma was the most common histology, being 61.3% at stage I. The lung cancer prevalence and incidence proportion was 1.5% and 1.4%, respectively with an annual detection rate of 0.17. One-year survival and 10-year survival were 90% and 80.1%, respectively. Adherence was 96.84%.ConclusionLargest lung cancer screening in Spain shows that survival is improved when is performed in multidisciplinary team experienced in management of LC, and is comparable to similar screening programs.     

Silver Diamine Fluoride Protocol for Reducing Preventable Dental Hospitalisations in Victorian Children

IntroductionThis study was designed to assess whether a dental caries management protocol combining a single application of 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) with comprehensive oral health education will successfully divert high-risk children from dental treatment under dental general anaesthesia (DGA), arrest active caries in primary teeth, and improve parent-reported child oral health–related quality of life (OHRQoL).MethodsChildren aged 2 to 10 years, who attended two public dental agencies in Victoria, Australia, and were unable to tolerate restorative treatments in the clinic setting, elected to participate in either a 38% SDF intervention protocol or, alternatively, referral for DGA. Follow-up examinations were completed at 6 months to assess caries progression, decayed missing filled tooth index, PUFA index (pulpal involvement, ulceration, fistula, abscess), DGA referral rates, and OHRQoL (Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale [ECOHIS]).ResultsOf the total sample, 89.5% of children (n = 102) [mean (SD) age, 4.1 (1.0) years] with 401 active carious lesions elected to participate in the 38% SDF protocol; 10.5% (n = 12) of parents opted for referral for treatment under DGA. The proportion of active caries subsequently arrested at follow-up (number of arrested lesions/number of lesions treated) was 0.78 (95% CI, 0.69 to 0.87). There was an 88% reduction in referrals for DGA in eligible children over the 6-month period. The 38% SDF intervention group showed a significant improvement in ECOHIS scores at follow-up (P < .001).DiscussionAdoption of the 38% SDF intervention protocol resulted in a significant reduction in the rate of preventable dental hospitalisations. Most parents opted against referral for DGA. Parent-reported OHRQoL for children improved significantly.     

Outcomes of Prostatectomy versus Radiation Therapy in the Management of Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer Patients Within the PLCO Trial

Background

The objective of the study was to evaluate the outcomes of clinically localized prostate cancer treated with prostatectomy versus radiation therapy within the context of a prospective prostate cancer screening study.

妊娠早期阴道微环境变化及与阴道炎症的关系分析

目的分析妊娠早期阴道微环境变化及与阴道炎症的关系。方法回顾性分析2017年3月-2018年12月韶关市曲江区妇幼保健计划生育服务中心104例妊娠早期孕产妇临床资料。记录其非妊娠期及妊娠早期阴道微环境变化情况,包括酸碱度(pH)、菌群密集度、菌群多样性、阴道微生物功能正常率、乳杆菌阳性率、阴道微生态正常率,并比较妊娠早期阴道炎症发生情况及其阴道微环境。结果孕产妇非妊娠期pH、阴道微生物功能正常率、乳杆菌阳性率及阴道微生态正常率明显高于妊娠早期,菌群密集度、菌群多样性则低于妊娠早期,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。孕产妇妊娠早期阴道炎症组pH、菌群密集度、菌群多样性明显高于无阴道炎症组,阴道微生物功能正常率及乳杆菌阳性率则低于无阴道炎症组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论妊娠早期阴道微环境出现一系列变化,造成阴道炎症发生率升高,对此临床应给予重视。     

miR-149与肿瘤关系的研究进展

miRNAs是一类长度约为20~25个核苷酸，参与基因调控表达的内源性非编码RNA。miR-149作为miRNAs的重要成员，在多种肿瘤中表达异常，其表达水平与肿瘤细胞增殖、转移、凋亡、耐药、患者的早期诊断及预后密切相关。因此，miR-149有望成为新一类抗肿瘤治疗的靶点。     

生命早期抗生素使用与儿童哮喘:因果关系还是混杂效应?

儿童哮喘的发病率逐年上升.基于卫生假说,抗生素使用可能减少了微生物暴露,从而增加了过敏性疾病发生的风险.近十年来,就早期抗生素暴露与儿童哮喘的关系进行的大量的流行病学调查的结果并不一致.大多数回顾性研究发现正相关联系,但前瞻性研究未发现联系或联系强度较弱.逆向因果和指示混淆可部分解释两者的关系,但也难以否定因果关系的存在.     

齐拉西酮与奥氮平治疗早期精神分裂症的临床效果比较

目的 探讨齐拉西酮和奥氮平对于治疗早期精神分裂症的临床疗效及比较两者的安全性。方法 选取我院2017年9月～2019年2月收治的60例早期精神分裂症患者作为研究对象,采用数字随机法将所有患者分成对照组30例和观察组30例,对照组给予奥氮平治疗,观察组给予齐拉西酮治疗。2周为1个疗程,两组均进行8周4个疗程治疗。比较两组患者于治疗前和治疗后2、4、8周进行阳性和阴性症状量表(PANNS)评分,病情严重程度(SI)、疗效总评(GI)评分和不良反应。结果 治疗2周、4周后,两组患者的PANSS评分和SI、GI评分均较低于治疗前,但两组的PANSS评分和SI、GI评分比较,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);疗程结束后,观察组的患者PANSS评分和SI、GI评分均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);治疗期间,对照组的不良反应发生率高于观察组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 对于治疗早期分裂症患者,齐拉西酮的长期治疗效果明显优于奥氮平,且安全可靠,值得临床上进一步推广。     

后外侧结构重建在新鲜股骨颈骨折人工股骨头置换术中的应用

目的探讨后外侧结构重建对后外侧入路人工股骨头置换术术后早期关节脱位的影响。方法选取2016年9月至2017年8月于我院行后外侧入路初次人工股骨头置换术的股骨颈骨折患者60例,根据术中是否修补关节囊及外旋肌群分为重建组(33例:舌形切开关节囊,术中将关节囊及外旋肌群原位缝合在大转子后方及臀中肌肌腱附着处)和对照组(27例:切除关节囊后,术中未进行外旋肌群修复重建)。比较两组的手术情况及术后近期关节功能情况。结果重建组的手术时间为(45.0±15.3) min,长于对照组的(35.0±12.4) min (P <0.05)。重建组术腔引流量为(200.0±80.0) m L,少于对照组的(420.0±120.6) m L (P <0.05)。重建组的早期脱位率为0.000%(0例),与对照组的7.407%(2例)比较无统计学差异(P>0.05)。重建组术后Harris评分为(92.0±3.4)分,高于对照组的(88.2±5.0)分(P <0.05)。结论在后外侧入路人工股骨头置换过程中行后外侧结构重建能够有效减少术腔引流量,提高髋关节Harris评分,对维持髋关节软组织平衡具有重要意义。