Analysis of the effect of Qizhuyigan on liver function in a mouse model of immunological liver injury

Purpose: To assess the protective effect of Qizhuyigan capsules containing an  herbal mixture on liver function in a mouse model of immunological liver injury and to explore the mechanism of action.Methods: One hundred and twenty mice were randomly divided into four groups: control, test, bifendate, and Qizhuyigan. Immunological liver injury was induced in all groups except the control group. Mice in the control group and the test group were gavaged with 2.5 g/kg tap water, mice in the bifendate group were gavaged with 12 mg/kg bifendate in water, and mice in the Qizhuyigan group were gavaged with 1,000 mg/kg of an aqueous solution containing the contents of a Qizhuyigan capsule. The gavage continued for 10 days. Changes in liver function-related indices, such as the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate  aminotransferase (AST), malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were assessed.Results: Compared with the test and bifendate groups, the Qizhuyigan group exhibited lower serum ALT (98.3 U/L ± 8.7 U/L vs. 224.7 U/L ± 18.4 U/L vs. 132.8 U/L ± 9.4 U/L); AST (165.5 U/L ± 12.1 U/L vs. 362.6 U/L ± 16.6 U/L vs. 224.6 U/L ± 12.2 U/L); and MDA levels (12.7 ± 2 μmol/L vs. 31.3 ± 6.60 μmol/L vs. 14.4 ± 2.3 μmol/L); a higher SOD level; and reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels. The differences of the above indices had statistical significance (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Qizhuyigan exerted a protective effect in a mouse model of immunological liver injury.Keywords: Qizhuyigan capsule, Immunological liver injury, Biochemical parameter

Phenylboronic acid-diol crosslinked 6-<i>O</i>-vinylazeloyl-d-galactose nanocarriers for insulin delivery

A new block polymer named poly 3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid-b-6-O–vinylazeloyl-d-galactose (p(AAPBA-b-OVZG)) was prepared using 3-acrylamidophenylboronic acid (AAPBA) and 6-O-vinylazeloyl-D-galactose (OVZG) via a two-step procedure involving S-1-dodecyl-S-(α', α'-dimethyl-α″-acetic acid) trithiocarbonate (DDATC) as chain transfer agent, 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as initiator and dimethyl formamide (DMF) as solvent. The structures of the polymer were examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and 1H NMR and the thermal stability was determined by thermal gravimetric analysis (TG/DTG). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were utilized to evaluate the morphology and properties of the p(AAPBA-b-OVZG) nanoparticles. The cell toxicity, animal toxicity and therapeutic efficacy were also investigated. The results indicate the p(AAPBA-b-OVZG) was successfully synthesized and had excellent thermal stability. Moreover, the p(AAPBA-b-OVZG) nanoparticles were submicron in size and glucose-sensitive in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). In addition, insulin as a model drug had a high encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity and the release of insulin was increased at higher glucose levels. Furthermore, the nanoparticles showed a low-toxicity in cell and animal studies and they were effective at decreasing blood glucose levels of mice over 96 h. These p(AAPBA-b-OVZG) nanoparticles show promise for applications in diabetes treatment using insulin or other hypoglycemic proteins

Coexistence of splenic marginal zone lymphoma with hepatocellular carcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND: Coexistence of splenic marginal zone lymphoma with hepatocellular carcinoma is rare. Although some reports have suggested the possible pathogenic role of HBV, HCV, chronic and persistent antigenic stimulation in lymphoma, their role in causing lymphomas is still unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a hepatocellular carcinoma with concomitant splenic marginal zone lymphoma in a 64-year-old Chinese man with cirrhosis. Serum hepatitis B virus surface antigen was positive and antihepatitis C virus antibody was negative. The resected liver mass measuring 4 × 3 × 3 cm was grey and soft with a small area of bleeding, necrosis and intact capsule. Cut surface of the spleen was red-purple and had a diffuse reticulonodular appearance indicative of prominent white pulp. On histologic sections, the liver mass was well and moderately differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma, and the splenic tumor was a specific low-grade small B-cell lymphoma. Immunohistochemical staining and gene rearrangement studies supported that the splenic tumor represents a clonal B-cell lymphoma. Therefore, the diagnosis of SMZL was made from the splenic specimen. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the second case report describing coexistence of hepatocellular carcinoma and splenic marginal zone lymphoma in the course of chronic HBV infection. However, we cannot assert at present that hepatitis B virus is directly involved in splenic lymphomagenesis until more information is collected from more cases in the future

Relationships among Life quality, Social Support and Organizational Justice of White-collar Worker

Objective: To explore the relationship of white-collar workers’ life quality, social support and organizational justice. Methods: We used convenient sampling and questionnaire survey in the study. Totally 476 white-collar workers were from Chongqing Yongchuan by convenient sampling, they completed the whoqol-bref scale, perceived social support scale and organizational justice scale. Results: (1) The average score of white-collar workers’ life quality was (87.92±10.87), almost 90% white-collar workers’ felling of life quality and health was in the general level and above; marriage status、children status and monthly income could influence their life quality. (2)There is a significant correlation among white-collar workers’ life quality, social support and organizational justice. (3) Organizational justice has partial mediating effects on the relation of social support and life quality. Conclusion: White-collar workers’ life quality is in medium level, we should improve their life quality through increasing social support and organizational justice

Variability of the giant X-ray bump in GRB 121027A and possible origin

The particular giant X-ray bump of GRB 121027A triggered by \emph{Swift} is quite different from the typical X-ray flares in gamma-ray bursts. There exhibit four parts of the observed structural variabilities in the rise and decay phase of the bump. Considering the quality of four parts of the data, we can only analyze the data from about 5300 s to about 6100 s in the bump using the stepwise filter correlation method (Gao et al. 2012), and find that the $86^{+5.9}_{-9.4}~\rm s$ periodic oscillation may exist, which is confirmed by the Lomb-Scargle method (Scargle 1982). Furthermore, a jet precession model (Liu et al. 2010) is proposed to account for such a variability.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA