High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine the content of three major components in Citri Reticulatae Semen(CRS), including limonin, nomilin, and obacunone. The chromaticity of the CRS sample during salt processing and stir-frying was measured using a color difference meter. Next, the relationship between the color and content of the salt-processed CRS sample was investigated through correlation analysis. By integrating the oil bath technique for processing simulation with HPLC, the changes in the relative content of nomilin and its transformation products were analyzed, with its structural transformation pattern during processing identified. Additionally, RAW264.7 cells were induced with lipopolysaccharides(LPSs) to establish an inflammatory model, and the anti-inflammatory activity of nomilin and its transformation product, namely obacunone was evaluated. The results indicated that as processing progressed, E~*ab and L~* values showed a downward trend; a~* values exhibited a slow increase over a certain period, followed by no significant changes, and b~* values remained stable with no significant changes over a certain period and then started to decrease. The limonin content remained barely unchanged; the nomilin content decreased, and the obacunone increased significantly. The changing trends in content and color parameters during salt-processing and stir-frying were basically consistent. The content of nomilin and obacunone was significantly correlated with the colorimetric values(L~*, a~*, b~*, and E~*ab), while limonin content showed no significant correlation with these values. By analyzing HPLC patterns of nomylin at different heating temperatures and time, it was found that under conditions of 200-250 ℃ for heating of 5-60 min, the content of nomilin significantly decreased, while the obacunone content increased pronouncedly. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity results indicated that compared to the model group, the group with a high concentration of nomilin and the groups with varying concentrations of obacunone showed significantly reduced release of nitric oxide(NO)(P<0.01). When both were at the same concentration, obacunone showed better performance in inhibiting NO release. In this study, the obvious correlation between the color and content of major components during the processing of CRS samples was identified, and the dynamic patterns of quality change in CRS samples during processing were revealed. Additionally, the study revealed and confirmed the transformation of nomilin into obacunone during processing, with the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of obacunone significantly greater than that of nomilin. These findings provided a scientific basis for CRS processing optimization, tablet quality control, and its clinical application.
Mice ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Limonins/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Citrus/chemistry* ; Color ; Benzoxepins/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry*

Objective:To identify species type and analyze the homology of Brucella in a family cluster infection. Methods:Two patients with brucellosis from the same family who were treated at the First People's Hospital of Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province in May 2022 were selected as the research subjects. Brucella strains (H4LYG01 and H2LYG02) were isolated through blood culture. The isolated strains were identified for species type and homology analysis using a fully automated microbial mass spectrometry detection system. Molecular typing of the isolated strains was performed using multiple locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Results:H4LYG01 and H2LYG02 were both Brucella Maltese, and the credibility scores were 9.745 and 9.627, respectively, and the homology was 100%. The MLVA results showed that the gene loci of H4LYG01 and H2LYG02 were completely identical, with the same genotype. The MLST results showed that the sequence type (ST) of H4LYG01 and H2LYG02 were both ST8 types. Conclusion:The two isolated strains of Brucella from a family with clustered infections are both Brucella Maltese and from the same source.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) and its risk factors in very preterm infants (VPIs) during hospitalization in China. METHODS: A prospective multicenter study was performed on the medical data of 2 514 VPIs who were hospitalized in the department of neonatology in 28 hospitals from 7 areas of China between September 2019 and December 2020. According to the presence or absence of EUGR based on the evaluation of body weight at the corrected gestational age of 36 weeks or at discharge, the VPIs were classified to two groups: EUGR group (n=1 189) and non-EUGR (n=1 325). The clinical features were compared between the two groups, and the incidence of EUGR and risk factors for EUGR were examined. RESULTS: The incidence of EUGR was 47.30% (1 189/2 514) evaluated by weight. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that higher weight growth velocity after regaining birth weight and higher cumulative calorie intake during the first week of hospitalization were protective factors against EUGR (P<0.05), while small-for-gestational-age birth, prolonged time to the initiation of total enteral feeding, prolonged cumulative fasting time, lower breast milk intake before starting human milk fortifiers, prolonged time to the initiation of full fortified feeding, and moderate-to-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia were risk factors for EUGR (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is crucial to reduce the incidence of EUGR by achieving total enteral feeding as early as possible, strengthening breastfeeding, increasing calorie intake in the first week after birth, improving the velocity of weight gain, and preventing moderate-severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia in VPIs.
Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Very Low Birth Weight ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

ObjectiveExcessive oxidative stress can promote platelet oxidative damage and plays an important role in the occurrence and development of cardiovascular diseases. Fruitflow， a water-soluble tomato extract， can inhibit platelet aggregation and activation， but it has not been reported whether Fruitflow can reduce platelet oxidative damage through autophagy. Therefore， we conducted this study to investigate the effect of Fruitflow on oxidative damage in H₂O₂-treated platelets as well as the underlying mechanism in vitro. MethodsGel-filtered platelets from healthy people were pre-incubated with different concentrations （0， 20， 40， 80 mg/L） of Fruitflow for 30 minutes， and then treated with H₂O₂ （1 mmol/L） for another 60 minutes. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential（ΔΨm）depolarization was determined by flow cytometry. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect reactive oxygen species （ROS） level. The expression of p53， phospho-p53， LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ， and p62 was detected by Western blot. ResultsFruitflow significantly inhibited the ΔΨm depolarization， ROS production and p53 phosphorylation in H₂O₂-treated platelets （P<0.05）. The autophagy inhibiter （3-MA） significantly reversed the effect of Fruitflow on reduction of platelet ROS generation （P<0.05）. In addition， Fruitflow reduced p62 and increased the expression level of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ in resting platelets （P<0.05）， and increased the expression level of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ in H₂O₂-treated platelets （P<0.05）. Furthermore， the effect of Fruitflow on decreasing ΔΨm depolarization in H₂O₂-treated platelet was reversed by 3-MA （P<0.05）. ConclusionFruitflow can significantly reduce the H₂O₂-induced platelet oxidative damage by promoting autophagy in vitro.

The chigger mite Leptotrombidium sialkotense is one of the 6 main vectors of scrub typhus in China. Before present study, L. sialkotense was found in some parts of Hunan province, China with a narrow geographical distribution. During field investigation 2016-2017, we found L. sialkotense in Jingha, southern Yunnan, China. Of 15 small mammal host species, L. sialkotense were collected from 6 species of the hosts. Rattus brunneusculus was a dominant host of L. sialkotense, from which 98.3% of the mites were collected. The chigger mite showed a relatively high infestation prevalence (PM=11.7%) and mean abundance (MA=0.5) in comparison with the rest 5 host species. These results reveal a certain host specificity of L. sialkotense to a rat R. brunneusculus. The mite L. sialkotense showed an aggregated distribution on the host (P<0.05). A positive correlation observed between L. sialkotense and the body length of hosts. There was a positive interspecific association between L. sialkotense and 2 other dominant vectors, L. deliense and L. scutellare.

【Objective】 To study the therapeutic effects of tetrahydrocurcumin(THC) via intraperitoneal(i.p.) injection on the respiratory symptoms and inflammatory responses in asthmatic mice. 【Methods】 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including normal control group, ovalbumin(OVA) -induced model group, positive group and THC administration group. The latter two groups were treated with 2.5 mg/kg of dexamethasone(DEX) or 20 mg/kg of THC via i.p. injection from Day 21 to Day25. The weight changes and nasal symptoms were recorded before and after OVA challenge. The mice were sacrificed at the end of the experiment and the lung tissue and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid(BALF) were collected for assessment of histopathological alterations, Th cell subsets and related cytokine level. 【Results】 After THC treatment via i.p. injection, the asthmatic mice’s rubbing frequencies were reduced(P < 0.05) with a difference of 5.2 between the two means(95% CI = 0.66 to 9.74), lungs’pathological scores were reduced(P < 0.05) with a difference between the two means being 1.6(95% CI = 0.32 to 2.88), mucus production induced by hyperplasia of goblet cells was alleviated(P < 0.0001) with a difference between the two means being 9.56(95% CI = 5.05 to 14.07). Besides, compared with OVA group, the percentages of Th2 and Th17 cells were reduced(P < 0.01) with a difference between the two means being 1.49 and 2.15(95% CI = 0.50 to 2.49 and 0.72 to 3.58), respectively. The levels of interleukin(IL) -4, IL-5, IL-13 and IL-17A in BALF were decreased(P < 0.05) with a difference between the two means being 5.45, 4.13, 5.17 and 2.44 (95% CI = 1.95 to 8.94, 1.08 to 7.19, 0.80 to 9.54 and -0.30 to 5.17), respectively. The further comparison between THC and DEX groups showed no significant difference(P > 0.05) in the lung pathological change, Th17 cells, IL-13, and IL-17A levels. 【Conclusions】 It is concluded that i.p. injection of THC could effectively alleviate the respiratory symptoms and inhibit inflammatory reaction in asthmatic mice in short time with high safety. Therefore, i.p. injection of THC has the potential value to be the alternative therapeutic strategy for asthma.

AIM:To investigate the role of SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis in pancreatic cancer cell migration and invasion.METHODS:The mRNA expression of CXCR4 in 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines was detected by RT-qPCR.The migration and invasion abilities of PANC-1 cells with the axis activated by exogenous SDF-1αor inhibited by CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100 were detected by Transwell assays.The cell viability was measured by MTS assay.The protein expression of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) -related molecules in the cells treated with exogenous SDF-1αor AMD3100 was determined by Western blot.RESULTS:All of the 4 pancreatic cancer cell lines expressed CXCR4 mRNA, while the PANC-1 cell line expressed the most.Exogenous SDF-1αpromoted the migration and invasion abilities of PANC-1 cells, which was inhibited by AMD3100.The PANC-1 cells treated with exogenous SDF-1αfor 72 h grew faster, while SDF-1αcombined with AMD3100 made little significance to the viability of PANC-1 cells.Exogenous SDF-1αinduced EMT of PANC-1 cells by up-regulating the expression of SNAIL and TWIST, and AMD3100 reversed this effect.CONCLUSION:SDF-1α/CXCR4 axis enhances the migration and invasion abilities of pancreatic cancer cells through inducing EMT.

In this study， an endophytic bacteria strain BZJN1 was isolated from Atractylodes macrocephala， and identified as Bacillus subtilis by physiological and biochemical tests and molecular identification. Strain BZJN1 could inhibit the growth of mycelia of Ceratobasidium sp. significantly， and the inhibition rate was more than 70%. The mycelium growth deformity with bulge as spherical and partially exhaustible in apex or central with microscopic observation. The inhibitory rates under 3% and 6% concentrations of the cell free fermentation were 22.7% and 38.7% expectively. The field test proved that the control efficacy of treatment of 1×10⁸ cfu·mL⁻¹ is 75.27% and 72.37% after 10 and 20 days. All the treatments of strain BZJN1 was able to promote the growth of A. macrocephala， the treatment of 1×10⁸ cfu·mL⁻¹ could able to increase the yield to 14.1%.
Atractylodes ; microbiology ; Bacillus subtilis ; physiology ; Basidiomycota ; pathogenicity ; Biological Control Agents ; Endophytes ; classification ; isolation & purification ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; prevention & control

Objectives To detect the expression of serum high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) and explore its changes in rats with acute necrotizing pancreatitis (ANP).Methods Intraperitoneal injection of 20％ L-arginine in the dosage of 250 mg/100 g twice every 1 hour was used to establish ANP rat model.Intraperitoneal injection of normal saline solution in equal volume was performed in control rats.Rats were sacrificed at 6 h,18 h,24 h,36 h,48 h,72 h and 96 h after injection.Blood samples were collected to detect serum amylase and HMGB1 level.Pancreatic tissue was collected for pathological examination.Realtime PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expression of HMGB1 in pancreatic tissue.Werstem blot was used to determine HMGB1 protein expression in pancreatic tissue.Results Serum amylase level began to increase at 6 h after modeling,reached the peak at 18 h [(5 070 ± 603) U/L] and returned to normal level after 48 h.Serum amylase activity at 6 h and 18 h in ANP group was much higher than that in control group (1 844 ± 181)U/L(P＜0.05).The expression of HMGB1 began to increase at 6 h,reached to the peak at 36 h [(288.5 ±42.1)μg/L],and then decreased gradually.HMGB1 expressions at each time point in ANP group were significantly higher than those in control group (31.6 ± 10.1) μg/L],and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).Pathological scores in pancreatic tissues in ANP group were higher than those in control group 0.38 ± 0.52,and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).HMGB1 mRNA expressions at t 6 h,18 h,24 h,36 h,48 h,72 h and 96 h in ANP group were 1.23 ±0.25,2.60 ± 0.46,3.23 ± 0.34,4.77 ± 0.66,2.88 ± 0.56,2.05 ± 0.20,1.33 ± 0.28,which were significantly higher than those in control group 0.44 ± 0.09,and the relative expression of HMGB1 in ANP group at 36 h was significantly higher than those at other time points (all P ＜ 0.05).HMGB1 protein expression in pancreatic tissue in ANP group at 6 h,18 h,36 h,72 h were 1.14 ±0.02,1.15 ±0.01,1.22 ±0.01,1.22 ±0.04,which obviously higher than those in control group(1.0),and HMGB1 expression in ANP group at 36 h was higher than those at other time points (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions HMGB1 may participate in systematic inflammation as one of the late inflammatory mediators during ANP.

BACKGROUNDMolecular hydrogen, as a novel antioxidant, has been proven effective in treating many diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of hydrogen saturated saline in treatment of a rat model of diabetes mellitus and a rat model of insulin resistant.

METHODSA rat diabetes mellitus model was established by feeding a high fat/high carbohydrate diet followed by injection of a small dose of streptozotocin, and an insulin resistant model was induced with a high glucose and high fat diet. Hydrogen saturated saline was administered to rats with both models conditions on a daily basis for eight weeks. A pioglitazone-treated group and normal saline-treated group served as positive and negative controls. The general condition, body weight, blood glucose, blood lipids, and serum insulin levels of rats were examined at the 8th week after treatment. The oxidative stress indices, including serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were also evaluated after eight weeks of treatment using the commercial kits.

RESULTSHydrogen saturated saline showed great efficiency in improving the insulin sensitivity and lowering blood glucose and lipids. Meanwhile, the therapeutic effects of hydrogen saturated saline were superior to those of pioglitazone. Hydrogen saturated saline markedly attenuated the MDA level and elevated the levels of antioxidants SOD and GSH.

CONCLUSIONHydrogen saturated saline may improve the insulin resistance and alleviate the symptoms of diabetes mellitus by reducing the oxidative stress and enhancing the anti-oxidant system.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; drug therapy ; Hydrogen ; therapeutic use ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; therapeutic use ; Insulin Resistance ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Rats ; Sodium Chloride ; chemistry ; Thiazolidinediones ; therapeutic use