Chuanhao Jiang

It has been observed that many phytochemicals, frequently present in foods or beverages, show potent chemopreventive or therapeutic properties that selectively affect cancer cells. Numerous studies have demonstrated the anticancer activity of xanthohumol (Xn), a prenylated flavonoid isolated from hops (Humulus lupulus L.), with a concentration up to 0.96 mg/L in beer. This review aims to summarize the existing studies focusing on the anticancer activity of Xn and its effects on key signaling molecules. Furthermore, the limitations of current studies and challenges for the clinical use of Xn are discussed.

BACKGROUND: L.), and exhibits a range of pharmacological activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Xn on TGF-β1-induced cardiac fibroblasts activation and elucidate the underlying mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: AQueous one solution cell proliferation assay kit was adopted to determine the cell viability of cardiac fibroblasts, and the proliferation was detected through 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay. The α-SMA protein expression was measured by using immunofluorescence and Western blotting. Western blotting was conducted to test the protein expressions of collagen I and III, PTEN, p-Akt, Akt, p-mTOR, mTOR, p-Smad3, Smad3 and GAPDH. The mRNA levels of α-SMA, collagen I and III were determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Xn inhibited the TGF-β1-induced proliferation, differentiation and collagen overproduction of cardiac fibroblasts. TGF-β1 induced the down-regulated PTEN expression, Akt and mTOR phosphorylation. These effects of TGF-β1 were suppressed by Xn, while blocking of PTEN reduced Xn-mediated inhibitory effect on cardiac fibroblasts activation induced by TGF-β1. CONCLUSION: Xn inhibits TGF-β1-induced cardiac fibroblasts activation via mediating PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.

Abstract Objectives Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients may transmit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), but their clinical features and immune responses remain largely unclear. We aimed to characterise the clinical features and immune responses of asymptomatic and symptomatic patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. Methods We collected clinical, laboratory and epidemiological records of patients hospitalised in a coronavirus field hospital in Wuhan. We performed qualitative detection of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG) using archived blood samples. Results Of 214 patients with SARS‐CoV‐2, 26 (12%) were asymptomatic at hospital admission and during hospitalisation. Most asymptomatic patients were ≤ 60 years (96%) and females (65%) and had few comorbidities (< 16%). Serum levels of white and red blood cells were higher in asymptomatic than in symptomatic patients ( P ‐values < 0.05). During hospitalisation, IgG seroconversion was commonly observed in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients (85% versus 94%, P ‐value = 0.07); in contrast, IgM seroconversion was less common in asymptomatic than in symptomatic patients (31% versus 74%, P ‐value < 0.001). The median time from the first virus‐positive screening to IgG or IgM seroconversion was significantly shorter in asymptomatic than in symptomatic patients (median: 7 versus 14 days, P ‐value < 0.01). Furthermore, IgG/IgM seroconversion rates increased concomitantly with the clearance of SARS‐CoV‐2 in both asymptomatic and symptomatic patients. At the time of virus clearance, IgG/IgM titres and plasma neutralisation capacity were significantly lower in recovered asymptomatic than in recovered symptomatic patients ( P ‐values < 0.01). Conclusion Asymptomatic and symptomatic patients exhibited different kinetics of IgG/IgM responses to SARS‐CoV‐2. Asymptomatic patients may transmit SARS‐CoV‐2, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.

The growing multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a serious global threat to gonococcal therapy. During 2017–2018, we identified a rare multidrug-resistant (ceftriaxone and azithromycin) strain (GC250) and four strains (GC185, GC195, GC196 and GC249) with both resistance to ceftriaxone and decreased susceptibility to azithromycin. All strains belonged to NG-STAR ST1143, including the mosaic penA-60.001, which is closely related to ceftriaxone resistance. The characterization of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants and phylogenetic analysis showed these five strains were closely related to internationally spreading ceftriaxone-resistant N. gonorrhoeae FC428, but with higher azithromycin MIC. Findings here demonstrated that this clone not only initiated clonal expansion in China, but acquired azithromycin resistance.