Objectives Paeoniflorin, a representative pinane monoterpene glycoside in plants of Paeoniaceae family, possesses promising anticancer activities on diverse tumours. This paper summarized the advance of Paeoniflorin on cancers in vivo and in vitro, discussed the related molecular mechanisms, as well as suggested some perspectives of the future investigations. Key findings Anticancer activities of paeoniflorin have been comprehensively investigated, including liver cancer, gastric cancer, breast cancer, lung cancer, pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, glioma, bladder cancer and leukaemia. Furthermore, the potential molecular mechanisms corresponding to the antitumour effects of Paeoniflorin might be related to the following aspects: inhibition of tumour cell proliferation and neovascularization, induction apoptosis, and inhibition of tumour invasion and metastasis. Summary Paeoniflorin has wide spectrum antitumour activities; however, in vivo and clinical investigations on antitumour effect of Paeoniflorin are lacking which should be focused on further studies. Our present review on antitumour effects of Paeoniflorin would be beneficial for the further molecular mechanisms study, candidate antitumour drug development and clinical research of Paeoniflorin in the future.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal respiratory disease with a poor prognosis characterized by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β-induced proliferation, migration, and differentiation of fibroblasts, resulting in excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Whether Kangfuxin oral liquid (KFXOL) has a protective function in pulmonary fibrosis is largely unknown. The goal of this study was to investigate the potential efficacy of KFXOL, as well as the underlying mechanism by which KFXOL regulates pulmonary fibrosis in vivo and in vitro. We found that KFXOL dramatically attenuated intratracheal bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in terms of both severe alveolar architecture destruction and collagen deposition. KFXOL treatment significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of pulmonary fibroblasts following activation using BLM/TGF-β1 and normalized the expression of ECM deposition-related proteins, including matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1. These effects were mediated via the inhibition of TGF-β1 and phosphorylated Smad2/3 activation in vivo. Taken together, our data suggest that KFXOL attenuates the development of pulmonary fibrosis via the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway and thus has potential utility in the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Context Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction (GSZD) is commonly used to treat rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but its mechanism is unclear. Objective To investigate the effect of GSZD on bone erosion in type II collagen (CII)-induced arthritis (CIA) in rats and to identify the underlying mechanism. Materials and methods The CIA model was prepared in male Wistar rats by two subcutaneous injections of CII, 1 mg/mL. Fifty CIA rats were randomized equally into the control group given saline daily, the positive group given saline daily and methotrexate 0.75 mg/kg once a week, and three GSZD-treated groups gavaged daily with 800, 1600 and 3200 mg/kg of GSZD for 21 days. GSZD effects were assessed by paw volume, arthritic severity index and histopathology. Cytokine levels were determined by ELISA. The effects of GSZD on RAW264.7 cells were evaluated by receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption assay. Expression of IκB-α and p65 was measured by Western blotting. Major components of GSZD were identified by HPLC. Results Arthritis index score, paw volume and bone destruction score showed that GSZD improved inflammatory symptoms and reduced joint tissue erosion ( p < 0.01). GSZD decreased RANKL, and the number of osteoclasts (OCs) in joint tissues ( p < 0.01) and increased osteoprotegerin levels ( p < 0.01). GSZD inhibited RANKL-induced RAW264.7 differentiation and reduced bone resorption by OCs. GSZD upregulated IκB ( p < 0.01) and p65 ( p < 0.01) in the cytoplasm and downregulated p65 ( p < 0.01) in the cell nucleus. Conclusions Guizhi-Shaoyao-Zhimu decoction has an anti-RA effect, suggesting its possible use as a supplement and alternative drug therapy for RA.

A field study was conducted to evaluate the combined effect of nozzle orientation and vehicle travel speed on droplet dispersion and mosquito mortality of an adulticide applied from a truck mounted ULV sprayer in the City of Gainesville, Florida. Three multi-block areas with dense, medium, and sparse vegetation were selected for the study. Aqua-Reslin ® was applied in each area in the following treatment combinations: a) horizontal nozzle at 24 km/h travel speed, b) 45° upward orientation (standard) at 16 km/h, and c) 22.5° upward orientation at 24 km/h. Caged, three to five day old Aedes albopictus females were used in all evaluations. Spray deposition was determined at various locations inside each application area using Florida Latham Bonds droplet impingers. There was a significant difference in 24-h mortality among the 3 nozzle angle and speed treatment combinations, but not in the interaction between those combinations and application distance. The 22.5° nozzle combination resulted in the greatest mosquito mortality (88.3%) while the 45° combination resulted in the least mortality (63.1%). A significant difference in 24-h mortality among the 3 vegetation densities and application distances occurred with no significant interaction among these two parameters. The greatest Ae. albopictus mortality was recorded in the sparse (91.4%) and the lowest in the medium vegetation area (72.2%) at the maximum rate of 0.0015 lb./acre. Adulticide deposition was not significantly different among vegetation levels, but was significantly different among the distances and interactions of those parameters.

Objective: To investigate the interventional effects of stress psychological nursing method on patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods: 100 patients with ACS who were rescued in the emergency department and department of cardiology of our hospital between January 2017 and December 2017 were enrolled. According to the random number method, the patients were divided into control group and observation group. There were 50 patients in each group. The interventions were given as routine nursing and stress psychological nursing, and the results of the two interventions were compared. Results: Before the intervention, there was no difference in the general clinical data between the control group and the observation group, which was not statistically signifcant; after the intervention for anxiety and depression, average hospitalization time, and off-bed time, the difference in data between the control group and the observation group on anxiety and depression was statistically signifcant. Moreover, the values of all the observation groups were lower than those of the control group. Conclusion: Applying stress psychological nursing method to the nursing of the patients with ACS can signifcantly improve their anxiety and depression, which signifcantly improves their quality of life, and enables the patients to better grasp the relevant health knowledge, at the same time, it obtains good intervention effects, which is worth promoting in a wider clinical scope.