Five saponins were isolated from the kernels of Momordica cochinchinensis, by macroporous resin, silica gel, ODS column chromatography, and semi preparative HPLC. Based on MS and NMR analysis, combining with alkaline hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis, their structures were identified as: gypsogenin-3-O-{β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonosyl}-28-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→3)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-fucopyranoside (1), quillaic acid-3-O-{β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonosyl}-28-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→3)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-fucopyranoside (2), gypsogenin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonoside sodium (3), quillaic acid-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonoside sodium (4), 18α-quillaic acid-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonoside (5). Compounds 1-5 were new compounds, and named as mubezhisides A, B, C, D, E, respectively. They all could obviously inhibited the growth of Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the research on NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) inflammasome inhibitors in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. The NLRP3 inflammasome is integral to the innate immune response, and its abnormal activation can lead to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokine, consequently facilitating the progression of various pathological conditions. Therefore, investigating the pharmacological inhibition pathway of the NLRP3 inflammasome represents a promising strategy for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) has not approved drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome for clinical use due to concerns regarding liver toxicity and gastrointestinal side effects associated with chemical small molecule inhibitors in clinical trials. Natural small molecule compounds such as polyphenols, flavonoids, and alkaloids are ubiquitously found in animals, plants, and other natural substances exhibiting pharmacological activities. Their abundant sources, intricate and diverse structures, high biocompatibility, minimal adverse reactions, and superior biochemical potency in comparison to synthetic compounds have attracted the attention of extensive scholars. Currently, certain natural small molecule compounds have been demonstrated to impede the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via various action mechanisms, so they are viewed as the innovative, feasible, and minimally toxic therapeutic agents for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the treatment of both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Hence, this study systematically examined the effects and potential mechanisms of natural small molecule compounds derived from traditional Chinese medicine on the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes at their initiation, assembly, and activation stages. The objection is to furnish theoretical support and practical guidance for the effective clinical application of these natural small molecule inhibitors.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Biological Products/therapeutic use* ; Drug Discovery ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods*

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review examines recent pharmacoeconomic literature on denosumab' cost-effectiveness for bone metastasis treatment, providing evidence-based insights to guide healthcare policy decisions. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed across Cochrane, PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), CNKI, and Wanfang databases to identify original articles published between 2017 and 2023. Key words consisted of bone metastases, denosumab, and cost-effectiveness in the search strategy. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed utilizing the revised Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS 2022). Data was extracted regarding methodological characteristics and cost-effectiveness analyses. RESULTS: A total of 111 studies were retrieved, of which 6 met the inclusion criteria. All included studies were based on clinical trials and published literature data and exhibited high methodological quality. Up to 83% (5 out of 6) of comparisons demonstrated that denosumab was more cost-effective or dominant compared to zoledronic acid. The adjusted incremental cost-effectiveness ratios varied substantially by tumor type, ranging from CZK 436,339.09 to USD 136,234 per skeletal-related event avoided and from CZK 61,580.95 to USD 118,392.11 per quality-adjusted life year gained. CONCLUSIONS The majority of the included studies support denosumab as a more cost-effective treatment option for bone metastases in solid tumors compared to zoledronic acid. The application of CHEER (2022) enhances the reliability of pharmacoeconomic evaluations.
Denosumab/therapeutic use* ; Humans ; Bone Neoplasms/economics* ; Cost-Benefit Analysis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: Poxviruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, mammals, vertebrates, and arthropods. However, the specific role of ticks in transmission and evolution of these viruses remains unclear. METHODS: Transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic raw data from 329 sampling pools of seven tick species across five continents were mined to assess the diversity and abundance of poxviruses. Chordopoxviral sequences were assembled and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the unblasted fragments within these sequences. RESULTS: Fifty-eight poxvirus species, representing two subfamilies and 20 genera, were identified, with 212 poxviral sequences assembled. A substantial proportion of AT-rich fragments were detected in the assembled poxviral genomes. These genomic sequences contained fragments originating from rodents, archaea, and arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ticks play a significant role in the transmission and evolution of poxviruses. These viruses demonstrate the capacity to modulate virulence and adaptability through horizontal gene transfer, gene recombination, and gene mutations, thereby promoting co-existence and co-evolution with their hosts. This study advances understanding of the ecological dynamics of poxvirus transmission and evolution and highlights the potential role of ticks as vectors and vessels in these processes.
Animals ; Poxviridae/physiology* ; Ticks/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Transcriptome ; Evolution, Molecular ; Poxviridae Infections/virology* ; Genome, Viral

Objective To investigate the improvement effect and mechanism of marmesin on cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease(AD)mice.Methods Fifty mice were randomly divided into five groups:blank group,model group,low-and high-dose marmesin groups and donepezil(positive drug)group,with 10 mice in each group.After 21 days of continuous administration,except for the blank group,the mice in other groups were given intraperitoneal injection of scopolamine to establish the AD model.Network pharmacology was used to construct the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network of common targets of marmesin in the treatment of AD,and gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis were performed to provide further research direction.The cognitive function of AD model mice was evaluated by Morris water maze,open field test and new object recognition test.Nissl staining was used to observe the damage of hippocampal neurons.The levels of acetylcholine(Ach),acetylcholine transferase(ChAT),acetylcholinesterase(AChE),reactive oxygen species(ROS),malondialdehyde(MDA)and catalase(CAT)in hippocampus of mice were detected by kit.The protein expression levels of interleukin 6(IL-6),interleukin 1β(IL-1 β),tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(NRF2),silent information regulator homologous protein 3(SIRT3),Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1),quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1)and heme oxygenase 1(HO-1)in hippocampus were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the model group,the latency of Morris water maze test was significantly shortened in the high-dose marmesin group,the time of entering the target area in the open field new object test and the movement distance in the central area of the open field were prolonged,the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions was significantly increased,the levels of ChAT and Ach in the hippocampus were significantly increased,AChE level was significantly decreased,CAT level was significantly increased,ROS and MDA levels were significantly decreased,TNF-α expression level was decreased,SIRT3 and HO-1 expression levels were increased,and KE AP1 protein expression level was decreased,the differences being statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01 or P＜0.001).Conclusion Marmesin can effectively improve the learning and memory impairment of AD mice,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of NRF2/SIRT3 signaling pathway,thereby alleviating oxidative stress level and neuroinflammation,and repairing cholinergic neuron function.

Objective:To explore the role of NK cells in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell micro-transplantation(MST)in the treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML).Methods:Data from 93 AML patients treated with MST at our center from 2013-2018 were retrospectively analyzed.The induction regimen was anthracycline and cytarabine combined with peripheral blood stem cells transplantation mobilization by granulocyte colony stimulating factor(GPBSC),followed by 2-4 courses of intensive treatment with medium to high doses of cytarabine combined with GPBSC after achieving complete remission(CR).The therapeutic effects of one and two courses of MST induction therapy on 42 patients who did not reach CR before transplantation were evaluated.Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to analyze the impact of donor NK cell dose and KIR genotype,including KIR ligand mismatch,2DS1,haplotype,and HLA-Cw ligands on survival prognosis of patients.Results:Forty-two patients received MST induction therapy,and the CR rate was 57.1％after 1 course and 73.7％after 2 courses.Multivariate analysis showed that,medium and high doses of NK cells was significantly associated with improved disease-free survival(DFS)of patients(HR=0.27,P=0.005;HR=0.21,P=0.001),and high doses of NK cells was significantly associated with improved overall survival(OS)of patients(HR=0.15,P=0.000).Donor 2DS1 positive significantly increases OS of patients(HR=0.25,P=0.011).For high-risk patients under 60 years old,patients of the donor-recipient KIR ligand mismatch group had longer DFS compared to the nonmismatch group(P=0.036);donor 2DS1 positive significantly prolonged OS of patients(P=0.009).Conclusion:NK cell dose,KIR ligand mismatch and 2DS1 influence the therapeutic effect of MST,improve the survival of AML patients.

Objective:To investigate the effects of down-regulation of p21 activated kinase 1(PAK1)on the proliferation,differentiation,and apoptosis of myeloproliferative neoplasm(MPN)cells(6133/MPL)with thrombopoietin receptor MPL mutation at codon 515(MPLW515L)and survival of 6133/MPL mice.Methods:Interference with the protein level of PAK1 in 6133/MPL cells was assessed using lentivirus-mediated shRNA transfection technology.CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effect of down-regulation of PAK1 on the proliferation viability of 6133/MPL cells,and colony-forming ability was measured by cell counting.Flow cytometry was used to detect the PAK1 kinase activity on the ability of polyploid DNA formation and cell apoptosis in 6133/MPL cells.The expression of cyclin D1,cyclin D3 and apoptosis-related protein Bax was detected by Western blot.The infiltration of tumor cells in spleen and bone marrow of 6133/MPL mice were detected by HE staining.Results:Down-regulation of PAK1 inhibited the proliferation and reduced the ability of cell colony formation of 6133/MPL cells.After knocking down PAK1,the content of polyploid DNA in 6133/MPL cells increased from 31.8 to 57.5％and 48.0％,and the proportion of apoptosis increased approximately to 10.8％.Down-regulation of PAK1 led to a reduction of infiltration of tumor cells in liver and bone marrow of 6133/MPL mice,thereby prolonging survival time.Conclusion:Down-regulation of PAK1 can significantly inhibit the growth of 6133/MPL cells,promote the formation of polyploid DNA,induce 6133/MPL cell apoptosis,and prolong the survival time of 6133/MPL mice.

Objective:To study the clinical application and complications of umbilical arterial catheterization (UAC) in premature infants.Methods:From January 2021 to December 2022, premature infants with UAC successfully inserted in NICU of our hospital were enrolled. According to birth weight (BW), the infants were assigned into three groups: <1 000 g, 1 000~1 499 g and ≥1 500 g. The perinatal data, UAC usage, UAC-related complications and risk factors of UAC-related complications were retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 39 premature infants received UAC, with gestational age 29.3(27.3, 30.4) weeks and BW 1 100 (900, 1 310) g. The insertion length (IL) of UAC was calculated using the average value of two formulas: a, IL (cm) =4×BW (kg) +7; and b, IL(cm) =3×BW (kg)+9. The accuracy of tube end position was determined using chest/abdomen radiography. 30(76.9%) cases had accurate position, 6(15.4%) had higher position and 3(7.7%) had lower position. The proportion of appropriately positioned tube end in <1 000 g, 1 000~1 499 g and ≥1 500 g groups were 80.0%, 76.5% and 71.4%, respectively, without statistically significant differences ( P>0.05) .No significant differences existed among the three groups in UAC duration and UAC routinely removal rate ( P>0.05). 9 cases (23.1%) of UAC were removed for specific reasons, including 4 cases of arterial spasm, 2 cases of withdrawal of treatment, 1 case of tube end displacement, 1 case of abdominal distension and 1 case of death. 21 cases received 1 U/ml heparin (0.9%NaCl solution) 0.5~1 ml/h arterial infusion. 23.8% (5/21) had hypernatremia and the level of sodium became normal after reducing the concentration of NaCl solution. Arterial vasospasm occurred in 4 patients with skin color changes of one side of the lower extremities. After UAC removal, the skin color returned to normal. Conclusions:UAC is helpful and safe for preterm infants, however, its complications should be alerted to.