The chemical constituents were systematically separated from the roots of Berberis polyantha by various chromatographic methods, including silica gel column chromatography, HP20 column chromatography, polyamide column chromatography, reversed-phase C_(18) column chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic techniques(1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, MS, and CD). Four phenylpropanoids were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of B. polyantha, and they were identified as(2R)-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(1), methyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate(2),(+)-syringaresinol(3), and syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(4). Compound 1 was a new compound, and other compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated based on the release of nitric oxide(NO) in the culture of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. At a concentration of 10 μmol·L~(-1), all the four compounds inhibited the LPS-induced release of NO in RAW264.7 cells, demonstrating potential anti-inflammatory properties.
Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Animals ; Mice ; Berberis/chemistry* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Molecular Structure ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification*

The aim of this study was to investigate the trend in testicular volume changes after orchiopexy in children with cryptorchidism. The clinical data of 854 children with cryptorchidism who underwent orchiopexy between January 2013 and December 2016 in Shenzhen Children's Hospital (Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 2.8 (2.5) years, and the duration of follow-up ranged from 1 year to 5 years. Ultrasonography was conducted preoperatively and postoperatively. The variables analyzed included age at the time of surgery, type of surgical procedure, laterality, preoperative testicular position, preoperative and postoperative testicular volumes, and the testicular volume ratio of them. The average testicular volumes preoperatively and at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years postoperatively were 0.27 ml, 0.38 ml, 0.53 ml, 0.87 ml, and 1.00 ml, respectively ( P < 0.001). The corresponding testicular volume ratios were 0.67, 0.76, 0.80, 0.83, and 0.84 ( P < 0.001). The mean volume of the undescended testes was significantly smaller than the mean normative value ( P < 0.001, lower than the 10 th percentile). The postoperative testicular volumes in children with cryptorchidism were generally lower than those in healthy boys but were still greater than the 10 th percentile and exhibited an increasing trend. The older the child is at the time of surgery, the larger the gap in volume between the affected and normal testes. Although testicular volume tends to gradually increase after orchiopexy for cryptorchidism, it could not normalizes. Earlier surgery results in affected testicular volumes closer to those of healthy boys.
Humans ; Male ; Cryptorchidism/diagnostic imaging* ; Orchiopexy ; Child, Preschool ; Testis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Organ Size ; Ultrasonography ; Infant ; Child ; Postoperative Period ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between the polygenic risks for various psychiatric disorders and clinical and neuropsychological characteristics in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design, 285 children with ADHD and 107 healthy controls were assessed using the Child Behavior Checklist, the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function for parents, the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition, and the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery. Blood samples were collected for genetic data. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for various psychiatric disorders were calculated using the PRSice-2 software. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy controls, the children with ADHD displayed significantly higher PRSs for ADHD, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (P<0.05). In terms of daily-life executive function, ADHD-related PRS was significantly correlated with the working memory factor; panic disorder-related PRS was significantly correlated with the initiation factor; bipolar disorder-related PRS was significantly correlated with the shift factor; schizophrenia-related PRS was significantly correlated with the inhibition, emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, organization, and monitoring factors (P<0.05). The PRS related to anxiety disorders was negatively correlated with total IQ and processing speed index (P<0.05). The PRS related to obsessive-compulsive disorder was negatively correlated with the processing speed index and positively correlated with the stop-signal reaction time index of the stop-signal task (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS PRSs for various psychiatric disorders are closely correlated with the behavioral and cognitive characteristics in children with ADHD, which provides more insights into the heterogeneity of ADHD.
Humans ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/genetics* ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Adolescent ; Mental Disorders/etiology* ; Executive Function ; Genetic Risk Score

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Lipids,including fats(triglycerides)and lipoids(phospholipids and sterols),not only serve as an energy source for the body but also play a pivotal role throughout the reproductive process,particularly in the establishment and maintenance of early pregnancy.This encompasses the regulate of early embryonic development and uterine tolerance,and the facilitation of embryo implantation.Given the diversity of lipids,this review focuses on extensively studied lipid mediators such as polyunsaturated fatty acids,endocannabinoids,prostaglandins,lysophosphatidic acid,sphingolipids and steroid hormones.It systematically elaborates on the regulatory effects of fatty acid,phospholipid,and cholesterol metabolism on the formation of endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation,as well as the potential underlying mechanisms.The review aims to provide new insights and feasible intervention approaches for predicting and improving the outcomes of natural pregnancy and/or assisted reproductive technology.

Objective To investigate the correlation between gene polymorphisms of coagulation factor Ⅻ(FⅫ)rs1801020 and resistin rs1862513 and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion(URSA).Methods A total of 189 patients diagnosed with URSA and 191 healthy postpartum women during the same period were selected from the obstetric clinic of Changning Maternity and Infant Health Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022.The probe PCR was used to detect gene polymorphisms of rs1801020 and rs1862513 in peripheral blood,and the differences in genotype distribution between the groups were observed.Results The frequencies of geno-types and alleles for F Ⅻ rs1801020 in the URSA-A group were 4.9％(CC),35.7％(CT),59.5％(TT),22.7％(C),and 77.3％(T),respectively.In the control A group,the frequencies were 8.0％(CC),47.1％(CT),44.9％(TT),31.5％(C)and 68.5％(T).The frequencies of genotypes and alleles for resistin rs1862513 in the URSA-B group were 11.3％(CC),47.3％(CG),41.4％(GG),34.9％(C)and 65.1％(G).In the control B group,the frequencies were 10.2％(CC),34.1％(CG),55.7％(GG),27.3％(C)and 72.7％(G).There was no significant difference in genotype frequency of the two loci(P＞0.05),but there was a sig-nificant difference in allele frequency(P＜0.05).The distribution frequency of F Ⅻ rs1801020 T allele in the URSA group was higher than that in the control group(X2=6.32,OR=1.567,95％CI:1.100-2.238,P=0.012).The distribution frequency of resistin rs1862513 G allele in URSA group was lower than that in con-trol group(X2=4.96,OR=1.433,95％CI:1.050-1.969,P=0.026).The mutation of F Ⅻ rs1801020 C to T was a risk factor for the occurrence of URSA,while the mutation of rs1862513 C to G was a protective factor for the occurrence of URSA(P＜0.05).The combined genotype analysis showed that compared to the popu-lation carrying the rs1801020 CC+rs1862513 CC genotype combination,the population carrying the rs1801020 TT+rs1862513 CG genotype had a significantly higher risk of URSA(OR=5.684,95％CI:1.210-30.920,P=0.035).Conclusion FⅫ rs1801020 T allele may increase the risk of URSA and resistin rs1862513 G al-lele may the risk of URSA.People with rs1801020 TT+rs1862513 CG genotype combination is more likely to develop URSA than those with rs1801020 CC+rs1862513 CC genotype combination.

Objective To investigate the environmental contamination related to first patient with carbapenem-re-sistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB)infection and the infection status of relevant patients in a newly established intensive care unit(ICU)of a hospital in Tibetan area,and analyze the transmission risk.Methods From the ad-mission in ICU of a patients who was first detected CRAB on November 15,2021 to the 60th day of hospitalization,all patients who stayed in ICU for＞48 hours were performed active screening on CRAB.On the 30th day and 60th day of the admission to the ICU of the first CRAB-infected patient,environment specimens were taken respectively 2 hours after high-frequency diagnostic and therapeutic activities but before disinfection,and after disinfection but before medical activities.CRAB was cultured with chromogenic culture medium.Results Among the 13 patients who were actively screened,1 case was CRAB positive,he was transferred from the ICU of a tertiary hospital to the ICU of this hospital on November 19th.On the 40th day of admission to the ICU,he had fever,increased frequency for sputum suction,and CRAB was detected.The drug sensitivity spectrum was similar to that of the first case,and he also stayed in the adjacent bed of the first case.64 environmental specimens were taken,and 9 were positive for CRAB,with a positive rate of 14.06％,8 sampling points such as the washbasin,door handle and bed rail were positive for CRAB after high-frequency diagnostic and therapeutic activities.After routine disinfection,CRAB was detected from the sink of the washbasin.Conclusion For the prevention and control of CRAB in the basic-level ICU in ethnic areas,it is feasible to conduct risk assessment on admitted patients and adopt bundled prevention and con-trol measures for high-risk patients upon admission.Attention should be paid to the contaminated areas(such as washbasin,door handle,and bed rail)as well as the effectiveness of disinfection of sink of washbasin.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are major outer membrane components of Gram-negative bacteria. Unlike most Gram-negative bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii can still survive and acquire polymyxin resistance after complete loss of LPS. Previous studies of LPS-deficient Acinetobacter baumannii mostly focused on LPS-deficient strains induced by polymyxin, whose background was complex and unstable. To investigate LPS loss-mediated polymyxin resistant-Acinetobacter baumannii, this study constructed a stable and clear background LPS-deficient strain by knocking out lpxC gene in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 with CIRSPR/Cas9, and then studied the phenotypic changes of the lpxC-deficient strain including morphology, growth rate, antibiotic susceptibility, virulence, membrane permeability, and membrane potential. Animal experiments were approved by the Animal Care and Welfare Committee Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, CAMS and PUMC (approval number: IMB-20240119D₉). The results indicated that the lpxC gene of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 was successfully knocked out. After losing the lpxC, the strain underwent the morphological change from rod-shaped to spherical. Furthermore, it leads to reduced growth rate, enhanced membrane permeability, decreased membrane potential, lower virulence, and increased antibiotic susceptibility to β-lactams, quinolones, aminoglycosides, macrolides, glycopeptides. The lpxC deletion results in significant changes in membrane homeostasis and adaptability of Acinetobacter baumannii. Understanding the phenotypic changes of colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii mediated by LPS loss is useful for exploring the resistance mechanism of Acinetobacter baumannii and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Objective To investigate the effects of different concentrations of adapalene on the morphology and functions of neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y,as well as its role in inducing cell differentiation and apoptosis.Methods SH-SY5Y cells were divided into control group,low concentration(0.1 pM and 1 pM)adapalene groups,and high concentration(10 μM)adapalene group.Time-lapse microscopy was used to observe the morphological changes of SH-SY5Y cells.Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the expression of neuronal specific marker βⅢ-tubulin and mature neuronal marker neurofilament heavy polypeptide(NFH).Multi-electrode array was used to record the electrophysiological features of SH-SY5Y cells.Cell apoptosis was evaluated using a cell apoptosis detection kit.Results Low concentrations of adapalene promoted the formation of neurite outgrowth in SH-SY5Y cells,with the neurites interconnected to form a network.Spontaneous discharge activity was observed in SH-SY5Y cells treated with low concentrations of adapalene.Compared to the control group,the expression of βⅢ-tubulin and NFH increased in the 1 μM adapalene group,while the level of cell apoptosis increased in the high concentration adapalene group(P＜0.05).Conclusions Low concentrations of adapalene can induce differentiation of SH-SY5Y cells into mature functional neurons,while high concentrations of adapalene can induce apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(3):282-288]

AIM To investigate the clinical effects of Lingxian Tongluo Capsules combined with Wentong Acupuncture Method on patients with lumbar disc herniation.METHODS One hundred and four patients were randomly assigned into control group(52 cases)for 30-day intervention of both Wentong Acupuncture Method and conventional treatment,and observation group(52 cases)for 30-day intervention of Lingxian Tongluo Capsules,Wentong Acupuncture Method and conventional treatment.The changes in clinical effects,TCM syndrome scores,lumbar function indices(ODI index score,JOA score),VAS score,inflammatory factors(TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6),hemorheological indices(plasma viscosity,whole blood high-shear viscosity,whole blood low-shear viscosity)and incidence of adverse reactions were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the two groups displayed decreased TCM syndrome scores,ODI index score,VAS score,inflammatory factors and hemorheological indices(P＜0.05),and increased JOA score(P＜0.05),especially for the observation group(P＜0.05).No significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with lumbar disc herniation,Lingxian Tongluo Capsules combined with Wentong Acupuncture Method can safely and effectively relieve clinical symptoms,promote lumbar function recovery,reduce pain degree,alleviate inflammatory responses,and improve hemorheology.