Xinfeng capsule improves pulmonary function in ankylosing spondylitis patients via NF-κB-iNOS-NO signaling pathway

AbstractObjectiveTo study changes in the nuclear factor-κB p65 (NF-κB p65)-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway and the effects of Xinfeng capsules (XFC) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS)MethodsOne hundred twenty patients with AS were randomly divided into an XFC group and a Salazopyrin group. Sixty health subjects were included as a normal control group. In the two treatment groups, pulmonary functional parameters, forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory flow at 25% of forced vital capacity (FEF25), forced expiratory flow at 50% of forced vital capacity (FEF50), and forced expiratory flow at 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF75) were determined. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assays were used for detection of the serum oxidative stress indexes, NF-κB p65, iNOS, NO, reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidative capacity (TAOC) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) contents. Westergren's method was used for determination of erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) was detected with a 7060 full-automatic biochemical analyzer (Hitachi, Japan).ResultsThe clinical therapeutic effect in the XFC group was significantly superior to that in the Salazopyrin group (P<0.01). Compared with the normal control group, FEV1, MVV, PEF, FEF50, FEF75, SOD, CAT, TAOC, IL-4, IL-10 were significantly lower, and NF-κB p65, iNOS, NO, ROS, RNS, MDA, IL-1β, TNF-α, ESR, and Hs-CRP significantly higher in patients with AS (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, FEV1, MVV, PEF, FEF50, FEF75, SOD, CAT, TAOC, IL-4, and IL-10 were significantly increased, and NF-κB p65, iNOS, NO, ROS, RNS, MDA, IL-1β, TNF-α, ESR, CRP, visual analog scales (VAS), Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease active index, Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index, and Bath ankylosing spondylitis global index significantly decreased in the two treatment groups after treatment (P< 0.01 or P<0.05), with significant differences between the XFC and Salazopyrin groups (P<0.01 or P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis indicated that FEV1, MVV, PEF, FEF50, and FEF75 were positively correlated with SOD, CAT, TAOC, IL-4, and IL-10, and were negatively correlated with NF-κB p65, iNOS, NO, ROS, RNS, MDA, IL-1β, TNF-α, ESR, and CRP.ConclusionPatients with AS have local pathologic changes in the spinal cord and other joints. They also have decreased pulmonary function, which is negatively correlated with the NF-κB-iNOS-NO signaling pathway, oxidative indexes, and inflammatory factors. XFC improves rigidity and pain in spinal joints and other symptoms, laboratory indexes, and pulmonary function. The mechanism is possibly related to inhibition of the NF-κB-iNOS-NO signaling pathway

Use of Xinfeng capsule to treat abarticular pathologic changes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

AbstractObjectiveTo observe the influence of Xinfeng-capsule (XFC) on abarticular pathologic changes (APCs) and other indices of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and explore the mechanism of action of XFC in improving such changes.MethodsThree-hundred RA patients were divided randomly into a treatment group (n=150) and control group (n=150). A normal control (NC) group (n=90) was also created. Changes in cardiac function, pulmonary function, anemia indices and platelet parameters of RA patients were measured. Curative effects of the two groups were compared, and comparison carried out with the NC group.ResultsIn 300 RA patients, late diastolic peak flow velocity (A peak) was much higher (P<0.01) and early diastolic peak flow velocity (E peak), E/A, and left ventricular fraction shortening much lower (P<0.01) than those in the NC group. Vital capacity (VC), forced vital capacity in one second, forced vital capacity (FVC), maximal voluntary ventilation (MVV), maximal expiratory flow in 50% of VC (FEF50) and FEF75 were lowered remarkably (P< 0.05 or P<0.01). Platelet count (PLT), plateletcrit (PCT) and mean platelet volume (MPV) increased markedly (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and hemoglobin (Hb) level decreased significantly (P<0.05). After XFC treatment, the A peak and PLT and PCT were much lower (P<0.05), and E/A and the number of red blood cells as well as Hb level were much higher (P< 0.05), as were FVC, MVV and FEF50 (P<0.05 or P< 0.01), in the treatment group than those in the NC group. Total score of pain and swelling in joints, uric-acid level and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level were much lower, and superoxide dismutase level as well as the number of CD4 + CD25 + regulation T cells (Treg) and CD4 + CD25 + CD127-Treg were much higher (P<0.05 or P<0.01) in the treatment group than those in the NC group.ConclusionRA patients with pathologic changes in joints also suffer from lower cardiac and pulmonary functions and from parameters of anemia and platelet factors. XFC can improve the symptoms of RA patients, ameliorate their cardiac and pulmonary functions and reduce the parameters of anemia and platelet factors. XFC lowers the immune inflammatory reaction to improve APCs in RA patients

Analysis of Prognostic Risk Factors Determining Poor Functional Recovery After Comprehensive Rehabilitation Including Motor-Imagery Brain-Computer Interface Training in Stroke Patients: A Prospective Study

Objective: Upper limb (UL) motor function recovery, especially distal function, is one of the main goals of stroke rehabilitation as this function is important to perform activities of daily living (ADL). The efficacy of the motor-imagery brain-computer interface (MI-BCI) has been demonstrated in patients with stroke. Most patients with stroke receive comprehensive rehabilitation, including MI-BCI and routine training. However, most aspects of MI-BCI training for patients with subacute stroke are based on routine training. Risk factors for inadequate distal UL functional recovery in these patients remain unclear; therefore, it is more realistic to explore the prognostic factors of this comprehensive treatment based on clinical practice. The present study aims to investigate the independent risk factors that might lead to inadequate distal UL functional recovery in patients with stroke after comprehensive rehabilitation including MI-BCI (CRIMI-BCI).Methods: This prospective study recruited 82 patients with stroke who underwent CRIMI-BCI. Motor-imagery brain-computer interface training was performed for 60 min per day, 5 days per week for 4 weeks. The primary outcome was improvement of the wrist and hand dimensionality of Fugl-Meyer Assessment (δFMA-WH). According to the improvement score, the patients were classified into the efficient group (EG, δFMA-WH &gt; 2) and the inefficient group (IG, δFMA-WH ≤ 2). Binary logistic regression was used to analyze clinical and demographic data, including aphasia, spasticity of the affected hand [assessed by Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS-H)], initial UL function, age, gender, time since stroke (TSS), lesion hemisphere, and lesion location.Results: Seventy-three patients completed the study. After training, all patients showed significant improvement in FMA-UL (Z = 7.381, p = 0.000**), FMA-SE (Z = 7.336, p = 0.000**), and FMA-WH (Z = 6.568, p = 0.000**). There were 35 patients (47.9%) in the IG group and 38 patients (52.1%) in the EG group. Multivariate analysis revealed that presence of aphasia [odds ratio (OR) 4.617, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.435–14.860; p &lt; 0.05], initial FMA-UL score ≤ 30 (OR 5.158, 95% CI 1.150–23.132; p &lt; 0.05), and MAS-H ≥ level I+ (OR 3.810, 95% CI 1.231–11.790; p &lt; 0.05) were the risk factors for inadequate distal UL functional recovery in patients with stroke after CRIMI-BCI.Conclusion: We concluded that CRIMI-BCI improved UL function in stroke patients with varying effectiveness. Inferior initial UL function, significant hand spasticity, and presence of aphasia were identified as independent risk factors for inadequate distal UL functional recovery in stroke patients after CRIMI-BCI

Simulating a Measurement of the 2nd Knee in the Cosmic Ray Spectrum with an Atmospheric Fluorescence Telescope Tower Array

A fluorescence telescope tower array has been designed to measure cosmic rays in the energy range of 1017–1018 eV. A full Monte Carlo simulation, including air shower production, light generation and propagation, detector response, electronics, and trigger system, has been developed for that purpose. Using such a simulation tool, the detector configuration, which includes one main tower array and two side-trigger arrays, 24 telescopes in total, has been optimized. The aperture and the event rate have been estimated. Furthermore, the performance of the Xmax⁡ technique in measuring composition has also been studied

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Provides Insights into Response of Ulva compressa to Fluctuating Salinity Conditions

International audienceUlva compressa, a green tide-forming species, can adapt to hypo-salinity conditions, such as estuaries and brackish lakes. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms of hypo-salinity stress tolerance, transcriptome-wide gene expression profiles in U. compressa were created using digital gene expression profiles. The RNA-seq data were analyzed based on the comparison of differently expressed genes involved in specific pathways under hypo-salinity and recovery conditions. The up-regulation of genes in photosynthesis and glycolysis pathways may contribute to the recovery of photosynthesis and energy metabolism, which could provide sufficient energy for the tolerance under long-term hyposaline stress. Multiple strategies, such as ion transportation and osmolytes metabolism, were performed to maintain the osmotic homeostasis. Additionally, several long noncoding RNA were differently expressed during the stress, which could play important roles in the osmotolerance. Our work will serve as an essential foundation for the understanding of the tolerance mechanism of U. compressa under the fluctuating salinity conditions

Functional Characterization and Evolutionary Analysis of Glycine-Betaine Biosynthesis Pathway in Red Seaweed <i>Pyropia yezoensis</i>

The red seaweed Pyropia yezoensis is an ideal research model for dissecting the molecular mechanisms underlying its robust acclimation to abiotic stresses in intertidal zones. Glycine betaine (GB) was an important osmolyte in maintaining osmotic balance and stabilizing the quaternary structure of complex proteins under abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, etc.) in plants, animals, and bacteria. However, the existence and possible functions of GB in Pyropia remain elusive. In this study, we observed the rapid accumulation of GB in desiccated Pyropia blades, identifying its essential roles in protecting Pyropia cells against severe osmotic stress. Based on the available genomic and transcriptomic information of Pyropia, we computationally identified genes encoding the three key enzymes in the GB biosynthesis pathway: phosphoethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PEAMT), choline dehydrogenase (CDH), and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH). Pyropia had an extraordinarily expanded gene copy number of CDH (up to seven) compared to other red algae. Phylogeny analysis revealed that in addition to the one conservative CDH in red algae, the other six might have originated from early gene duplication events. In dehydration stress, multiple CDH paralogs and PEAMT genes were coordinating up-regulated and shunted metabolic flux into GB biosynthesis. An elaborate molecular mechanism might be involved in the transcriptional regulation of these genes

Comparing the diagnostic efficacy of [18F]FDG PET/CT and [18F]FDG PET/MRI for detecting bone metastases in breast cancer: a meta-analysis

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the comparative diagnostic efficacy of [18F]FDG PET/CT and [18F] FDG PET/MRI in detecting bone metastases in breast cancer patients