Objective Since the discovery of multiple bioactivities of agarobiose oligomers, the establishment of quantitative analysis of agarobiose oligomers obtained under different hydrolysis modes would be of much importance. Methods Agarobiose oligomers ranged from biose, tetraose, hexaose, octaose, to decaose were isolated and purified by gel chromatography on Sephadex column. The agarobiose oligomers were separated in RP-HPLC after introducing ?-naphthylamine into compounds. Results Each oligomer could be quantified with good linearity and the lowest detection limit reached 0.1～2 ?g?mL -1. The chromatograms profiles under different hydrolysis modes(HCl, citric acid, solid acid, and hydroxyl radical degradation)showed that the content of agarobiose could reach more than 57.8 % using solid acid hydrolysis with best yield of 33.2 % . While HCl could degrade agar into a series of agaro-oligosaccharides from biose to decaose. The yield of oligosaccharides was low if hydrated by citric acid. The method of Fenton degradation could increase the speed of hydrolysis, but the products were more complex. Conclusion The method established here could be useful for analysis of hydrolysates of oligomers under different hydrolysis modes.

The effect of astaxanthin on N(Ω)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced preeclampsia disease rats was investigated. Thirty pregnant Spraque-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 10): blank group, L-NAME group and astaxanthin group. From day 5 to 20, astaxanthin group rats were treated with astaxanthin (25 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) x bw(-1)) from pregnancy (day 5). To establish the preeclamptic rat model, L-NAME group and astaxanthin group rats were injected with L-NAME (125 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) x bw(-1)) from days 10-20 of pregnancy. The blood pressure and urine protein were recorded. Serum of each group was collected and malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities were analyzed. Pathological changes were observed with HE stain. The expression of NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B), ROCK II (Rho-associated protein kinase II), HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) and Caspase 3 were analyzed with immunohistochemistry. L-NAME induced typical preeclampsia symptoms, such as the increased blood pressure, urinary protein, the content of MDA, etc. Astaxanthin significantly reduced the blood pressure (P < 0.01), the content of MDA (P < 0.05), and increased the activity of SOD (P < 0.05) of preeclampsia rats. The urinary protein, NO, and NOS were also decreased. HE stain revealed that after treated with astaxanthin, the thickness of basilal membrane was improved and the content of trophoblast cells and spiral arteries was reduced. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that the expressions of NF-κB, ROCK II and Caspase 3 in placenta tissue were effectively decreased, and HO-1 was increased. Results indicated that astaxanthin can improve the preeclampsia symptoms by effectively reducing the oxidative stress and inflammatory damages of preeclampsia. It revealed that astaxanthin may be benefit for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia disease.

BACKGROUND: CpG oligonucleotide has been shown to strengthen the function of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but its effects on type 1 diabetes mellitus has been rarely reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of CpG oligonucleotide on the expression of interferon γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL) -12 and IL-10 in PBMCs in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus versus healthy controls. METHODS: PBMCs were isolated from patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and healthy controls and then cultured in RPMI-1640 with non-stimulator (control group) and CpG oligonucleotide (CpG oligonucleotide group), respectively. The mRNA expression of IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-12 in PBMCs was detected by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: mRNA expression of IFN-γ and IL-10 was significantly lower in patients with type 1 diametes mellitus than in healthy controls (P < 0.01). In the CpG oligonucleotide group, the mRNA expression of IFN-γand IL-12 was significantly higher than in the healthy control group (P < 0.01), but the mRNA expression of IL-10 was similar to that in the healthy control group (P > 0.05). These findings demonstrated that CpG oligonucleotide can promote the production of IFN-γ and IL-12 in PBMCs of type 1 diametes mellitus.

Objective To study a fingerprint of raw material of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati from(various) habitats by RP-HPLC. Methods Kromasil C_(18) column(150 mm?4.6 mm,5 ?m) was used,with mixtures of acetonitrile and water as mobile phase in a gradient mode.The flow rate was 1 mL/min and wavelength was 303 nm.Results According to the optimum chromatographic conditions,a good fingerprint of Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati has been described.Conclusion The method is simple and accurate with good reproducibility.It may be practical value for the quality control of sample for Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati from various habitats.

Objective To investigate the secondary metabolites of the South China Sea spine body sponge Acanthella cavernosa.Methods The acetone extract of A.cavernosa was isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography on sili-ca gel,sephadex LH-20,and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).Structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and comparison with reported data.Results Nine compounds were isolated.Their structures were determined as kali-hinol E (1),kalihinol A (2),10-epi-kalihinol X (3),10-epi-kalihinol I (4),1 H-indole-3-carboxylic acid methyl ester (5), 1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid (6),3-buten-2-one,4-(2,3,6-trimethylphenyl)-(3E)(7),aristolone (8),and 5α,8α-epidioxy-(22E,24R)-erost-6,22-dien-3β-ol (9).Conclusion Compounds 5 to 8 were isolated from the sponge of genus Acanthalla for the first time.

Objective: To explore the clinical features and prognostic factors of elderly MM patients. Methods: A retrospectively analysis of clinical characteristics in 93 newly diagnosed MM patients with more than 70 years of old between August 2011 and August 2016. Based on age, basic activities of daily living scale, instrumental activities of daily living scale, Charlson comorbidity index at diagnosis, patients were divided into three groups: Fit (score=0, n=15) , Intermediate fitness (score=1, n=31) , Frail (score≥2, n=47) according to a geriatric assessment system proposed by Antonio Palumbo et al. The treatment response rate, progression free survival time (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the three groups were analyzed. Results: Complete remission was 60.0% in Fit, 22.6% in Intermediate fitness and 12.8% in Frail (Fisher χ²=12.398, P=0.002) . The median PFS for the three groups were 31 months, 24 months and 13 months (χ²=17.832, P<0.001) . The median OS was not reached for Fit, 58 months for Intermediate fitness and 25 months for Frail (χ²=40.678, P<0.001) . In 47 Frail cases, patients who received chemotherapy containing new drugs (proteasome inhibitor or immune-modulator) had a longer PFS (17 months vs 9 months, χ²=6.454, P=0.011) and patients who achieved CR had prolonged PFS and OS than non-CR (PFS: 24 months vs 12 months, χ²=4.117, P=0.042; OS: 37 months vs 25 months, χ²= 6.507, P=0.011) . Conclusion The health status of the elderly MM patients was associated with better response and longer PFS and OS. Given on those with poor health status, new drugs may have better PFS and prolonged OS.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of combining MRI with full-length X-ray of both lower extremities in grading varus knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 176 patients diagnosed with varus KOA.All patients underwent X-ray K-L grading.Correlation analysis was performed between K-L grading and variables such as gen-der,age,side,meniscus grading,hip knee ankle(HKA)angle,meniscus peripheral displacement,medial osteochondral injury grad-ing,and medial bone marrow edema(BME)score.Varus KOA was converted into a binary classification variable of mild and severe osteoarthritis.Statistically significant variables were introduced into univariate and multivariate logistic regression models for analysis to screen out predictive factors for varus KOA grading.Diagnostic efficacy evaluation of predictive factors was further conducted using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves and other statistical methods.Results K-L grading was correlated with age,HKA angle,meniscus grading,meniscus peripheral displacement,medial osteochondral injury grading,and medial BME score,with r of 0.344,-0.584,0.369,0.443,0.586,and 0.616,respectively.Through univariate and multivariate logistic regression models,three predictive factors were finally selected:meniscus peripheral displacement,medial BME score,and HKA angle,with odds ratio(OR)values of 1.374,1.258,and 0.772,respectively.The area under the curve(AUC)of ROC curves were 0.736,0.804,and 0.799,with 95％confidence interval(CI)of 0.662-0.810,0.740-0.867,and 0.731-0.868,respectively.At cut-off values of 3.5 mm,5.5 and 174.5°,the sensitivity were 64.0％,62.3％,and 80.7％,the specificity were 80.6％,83.9％,and 66.1％,and the accuracy were 70.0％,70.0％,and 75.6％,respectively.Conclusion The three imaging indications of medial BME score,HKA angle,and meniscus periph-eral displacement can provide preliminary predictions for mild and severe grading of varus KO A,offering valuable references for clini-cal treatment selection.

Objective To investigate the value of serum aquaporin 1(AQP1)level combined with extra-vascular lung water index(EVLWI)in assessing the severity and prognosis of sepsis causing acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS).Methods 268 patients with sepsis-induced ARDS(ARDS group)and 55 patients with sepsis alone(sepsis alone group)admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to December 2023 were selected.Patients with sepsis-induced ARDS were divided into 89 mild,109 moderate,and 70 severe groups according to the oxygenation index(OI),and 104 deaths and 164 survivors according to the 28 d prognosis.Detection of serum AQP1 levels and calculation of EVLWI.Using Spearman's method,the correlation between serum AQP1 level,EVLWI and OI in patients with sepsis-induced ARDS;the establishment of a logistic regression model to determine the factors of sepsis-induced mortality in patients with ARDS;and the plotting of ROC curves to evaluate the value of serum AQP1 level in combination with EVLWI for its assessment.Results Compared with the simple sepsis group,serum AQP1 level was reduced and EVLWI was increased in the ARDS group(P<0.05).AQP1 levels were sequentially lower and EVLWI sequentially higher in the mild,moderate,and severe groups(P<0.05).Serum AQP1 levels were positively correlated with OI in patients with sepsis-induced ARDS,and EVLWI was negatively correlated with OI in patients with sepsis-induced ARDS(P<0.05).The 28 d mortality rate in 268 patients with ARDS due to sepsis was 38.81%(104/268).The independent protective factors for death in ARDS patients with sepsis were elevated OI(OR=0.984,95%CI:0.976～0.992)and elevated AQP1(OR=0.761,95%CI:0.677～0.854),and the independent risk factors were increased SOFA score(OR=1.367,95%CI:1.142～1.636)and elevated blood lactate(OR=2.515,95%CI:1.689～3.745),and elevated EVLWI(OR=1.559,95%CI:1.290～1.885)(P<0.05).The AUC predicted by serum AQP1 level combined with EVLWI was 0.887(95%CI:0.843～0.923),which was greater than the AUC predicted by serum AQP1 level,and EVLWI alone,which was 0.792(95%CI:0.738～0.839),and 0.807(95%CI:0.754～0.852)(P<0.05).Conclusion Decreased serum AQP1 levels and elevated EVLWI were associated with increased severity and poor prognosis in patients with sepsis-induced ARDS,and serum AQP1 levels in combination with EVLWI were of high value in assessing the prognosis of patients with sepsis-induced ARDS.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect and possible mechanism of Tangshenbao on renal damage in diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats.Methods:Totally 36 SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group ( n=6) and model group ( n=30). The DN rat model was prepared by single high-dose intraperitoneal injection of STZ. According to the random number table method, the rats were divided into model group, irbesartan group and Tangshenbao low-, medium- and high-dosage groups, with 6 rats in each group. Drug intervention lasted for 8 weeks. The general condition and body weight of rats in each group were recorded. The blood glucose, kidney index, 24 h urine protein (24 h UTP), SCr and BUN levels were detected. The pathological morphology of renal tissue was observed by PAS staining and transmission electron microscopy. The mRNA and protein expressions of Ets-1, TGF-β1, Smad2 and Smad3 in renal tissue were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot. Results:Compared with model group, the body weight of Tangshenbao low, medium and high dose groups and irbesartan group significantly increased ( P<0.01). The kidney index decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). The contents of 24 hUTP, BUN and SCr significantly decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Glomerular volume was significantly reduced ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), the mRNA expressions of Ets-1 (1.59 ± 0.06, 1.47 ± 0.04, 1.31 ± 0.03, 1.39 ± 0.03 vs. 1.64 ± 0.04), TGF-β1 (1.65 ± 0.05, 1.59 ± 0.03, 1.38 ± 0.05, 1.49 ± 0.04 vs. 1.77 ± 0.08), Smad2 (1.48 ± 0.05,1.39 ± 0.05, 1.22 ± 0.03, 1.31 ± 0.04 vs. 1.54 ± 0.05), Smad3 (1.57 ± 0.04, 1.48 ± 0.03, 1.28 ± 0.03, 1.39 ± 0.02 vs. 1.64 ± 0.05) in renal tissue of rats significantly decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01), the protein expressions of Ets-1 (1.33 ± 0.32, 1.16 ± 0.38, 0.77 ± 0.06, 0.84 ± 0.06 vs. 1.97 ± 0.43), TGF-β1 ( 1.35 ± 0.14, 1.24 ± 0.22, 0.94 ± 0.13, 1.07 ± 0.06 vs. 1.63 ± 0.20), Smad2 (1.24 ± 0.26, 1.14 ± 0.31, 0.77 ± 0.28, 0.85 ± 0.19 vs. 1.72 ± 0.34) and Smad3 (1.29 ± 0.14, 1.19 ± 0.21, 0.85 ± 0.39, 0.90 ± 0.37 vs. 1.76 ± 0.21) decreased ( P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion:Tangshenbao can improve renal damage in DN rats, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Ets-1 expression and TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the effect of early continuous renal replacement therapy on the prognosis of urinary sepsis after surgery for upper urinary tract calculi.Methods The clinical data of 59 patients with urinary sepsis after surgery for upper urinary tract calculi were retrospectively analyzed.In 59 patients with urinary sepsis,9 patients with early persistent renal replacement therapy were selected as the experimental group and 50 patients without early continuous renal replacement therapy as the control group. The age,sex ratio,diabetes,hypertension,the average operation time were no significant difference(P>0.05).Preoperative urinary tract infection,the experimental group preoperative urinary tract infection was significantly higher than the control group(77.8% vs.32.0%,P<0.05).In the results of preoperative urine culture positive ratio,the experimental group was also significantly higher than the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The changes of prognostic factors in patients with or without continuous renal replacement therapy were analyzed.Results In terms of the changes of postoperative laboratory results,the decrease of procalcitonin(PCT),C-reactive protein,white blood cell count and neutrophil ratio in the experimental group was significantly larger than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant;on the increase of hemoglobin,platelet count,fibrinogen,the standard bicarbonate level from blood gas analysis in the experimental group increased significantly more than the control group,the difference between the two groups were statistically significant.Conclusions Early renal replacement therapy in patients with urinary sepsis after upper urinary tract calculi surgeries can improve the prognosis of patients.