[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2019.01.013.].

In recent decades, the prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout has increased dramatically due to lifestyle changes. The drugs currently recommended for hyperuricemia are associated with adverse reactions that limit their clinical use. In this study, we report that berberine (BBR) is an effective drug candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia, with its mechanism potentially involving the modulation of gut microbiota and its metabolite, succinic acid. BBR has demonstrated good therapeutic effects in both acute and chronic animal models of hyperuricemia. In a clinical trial, oral administration of BBR for 6 months reduced blood uric acid levels in 22 participants by modulating the gut microbiota, which led to an increase in the abundance of Bacteroides and a decrease in Clostridium sensu stricto_1. Furthermore, Bacteroides fragilis was transplanted into ICR mice, and the results showed that Bacteroides fragilis exerted a therapeutic effect on uric acid similar to that of BBR. Notably, succinic acid, a metabolite of Bacteroides, significantly reduced uric acid levels. Subsequent cell and animal experiments revealed that the intestinal metabolite, succinic acid, regulated the upstream uric acid synthesis pathway in the liver by inhibiting adenosine monophosphate deaminase 2 (AMPD2), an enzyme responsible for converting adenosine monophosphate (AMP) to inosine monophosphate (IMP). This inhibition resulted in a decrease in IMP levels and an increase in phosphate levels. The reduction in IMP led to a decreased downstream production of hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid. BBR also demonstrated excellent renoprotective effects, improving nephropathy associated with hyperuricemia. In summary, BBR has the potential to be an effective treatment for hyperuricemia through the gut-liver axis.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy between liposuction combined with circumareolar small incision and three-port endoscopic surgery for the treatment of Simon Ⅱ gynecomastia (GYN). Methods Comparative case data of 120 patients with GYN were retrospectively analyzed, 61 patients in the open group underwent circumareolar small incision mastectomy after liposuction, and 59 patients in the endoscopic group underwent three-port endoscopic mastectomy after liposuction. The two groups were compared in terms of surgery-related indexes, occurrence of postoperative complications and patient satisfaction. Results The unilateral operation time of the open group was shorter than that of the endoscopic group, the unilateral gland resection weight in the open group was more than that in the endoscopic group, the hospitalization cost of the open group was less than that of the endoscopic group (all P<0.01). There was no significant difference in unilateral liposuction volume, drainage volume on the first postoperative day, and time to drain removal between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence of complications in the open group and the endoscopic group were 8.2% and 13.6% respectively, and there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The difference in the overall satisfaction scores between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusions Liposuction combined with circumareolar small incision or three-port endoscopic surgery both has good cosmetic effects in the treatment of Simon Ⅱ GYN. The operation with circumareolar small incision is simple, has a shorter operation time, costs less, and does not require special equipment, which is suitable for promotion and application in medical institutions.

Objective To compare the application effect of platelet rich fibrin(PRF)prepared at different centrifugal speeds in tooth extraction wounds using network meta-analysis statistical method.Methods PubMed,Co-chrane Library,Embase,Web of Science,CNKI,Wanfang,VIP and China Biology Medicine disc(CBM)databases were searched to collect the randomized controlled trials on the effect of PRF in tooth extraction from January 1,2024.Note-Express software was used to select literatures,RevMan5.3 was used to evaluate the quality of the included literatures,and Stata14.0 software was used to perform mesh meta-analysis on outcome indicators such as bone mineral density,bone height loss,visual analog scale of pain(VAS),dry groove,and bleeding after tooth extraction.Results A total of 31 randomized controlled trials were included,including 2 824 extraction sites,involving 7 rotational speeds for PRF preparation(3 000,2 800,2 700,2 300,1 500,1 400,1 300 r/min).The results of cu-mulative sequencing showed that PRF prepared by 2 700 r/min centrifugation had the best effect in improving bone mineral density.In terms of improving the buccal bone height,the PRF prepared by 2 700 r/min centrifu-gation had the best effect.In terms of pain improvement,PRF prepared by 1 500 r/min centrifugation had the best effect;PRF prepared by 2 500 r/min centrifugation had the best effect in reducing the incidence of dry trough.PRF prepared by 2 500 r/min centrifugation was the most effective in reducing bleeding.Conclusion Based on the available evidence,PRF prepared with 2 700 r/min has the best effect on improving bone density and bone height after tooth extraction.In terms of pain improvement,1 500 r/min was the most effective;2 500 r/min was the most effective in improving the incidence of dry trough and bleeding.

Objective:To investigate the application of 3-D ultrasonography enabled by a wide band linear matrix array volume transducer in the localisation of perforating vessels of a free anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) before surgery, and to guide microsurgeons in precise design and harvest of a ALTPF.Methods:From May 2020 to October 2022, a retrospective study was carried out on 35 patients who had soft tissue defects and undertaken free ALTPF surgery in Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Wuxi No.9 People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University. ALTPFs were transfered for reconstruction of soft tissue defects of foot in 25 patients and of ankle in 10 patients. The age of patients were 20 to 66 years old. The defects were 11.0 cm×8.0 cm-28.0 cm×9.0 cm in size. The sizes of ALTPFs were at 12.0 cm×9.0 cm-29.0 cm×10.0 cm. Before surgery, ultrasound scans with a wide band linear matrix array volume transducer were performed to locate the perforating vessels. The 3-D ultrasound images showing the perforating vessels of ALTPFs were acquired and the number, location and classification of the perforating vessels were saved. After the appropriate perforating vessels had been determined, ALTPFs were designed for precisely intraoperative incision. The accuracy of preoperative location of perforating vessels by the linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer was investigated in surgery. All patients received the scheduled postoperative follow-up at outpatient clinics.Results:Of the 72 perforating vessels discovered in surgery, 70 matched with those being located by ultrasound before surgery. It was found that a total of 67 perforating vessels located before surgery by ultrasonography were consistently mapped with the perforators discovered in surgery. Of the 67 consistently mapped perforating vessels, 19 were Kimura type I, 27 of Kimura type II and 21 of Kimura type III perforators. The rate of sensitivity and positive prediction were 95.7% and 93.1%, respectively, in the preoperative localisation of perforating vessels of ALTPFs with a wide band linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer. Twenty-five ALTPFs were harvested subfascially and 10 superfascially. Average size of ALTPFs was 17.7 cm × 8.6 cm. The perforating vessels revealed during the harvest of all ALTPFs were basically consistent with the preoperative 3-D ultrasound. All flaps survived after surgery without any incident. The postoperative follow-up lasted 8 to 20 months, with 12.7 months in average.Conclusion:The 3-D ultrasonography with a wide band linear matrix array volume ultrasound transducer can accurately locate the perforating vessels of ALTPF before surgery. This technique has many advantages in the design and harvest of super-thin ALTPFs.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the compositional differences between Fructus Tritici Levis and Triticum aestivum， and to provide reference for identification and quality control of both. METHODS Twenty batches of Fructus Tritici Levis and three batches of T. aestivum were collected， and their fingerprints were acquired by high-performance liquid chromatography and the similarities were evaluated by the Evaluation System of Similarity of Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2012 version）. Cluster analysis （CA）， principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were performed to analyze the difference of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum from different regions， and the differential components were screened. The contents of the six identified components in Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum were determined. RESULTS The similarities of the fingerprints of Fructus Tritici Levis ranged from 0.928 to 0.996， and the relative similarities of T. aestivum with Fructus Tritici Levis ranged from 0.761 to 0.773. A total of 19 common peaks were calibrated， and six components including linolenic acid， linoleic acid， 5-heptadecylresorcinol， 5-nonadodecylresorcinol， 5- heneicosylresorcinol， and 5-tricosylresorcinol were identified. The results of CA and PCA showed that Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum could be clearly distinguished； the distribution of Fructus Tritici Levis from Anhui province was relatively concentrated. The results of OPLS-DA showed that linolenic acid， linoleic acid， and other six unknown compounds were the differential components between Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum. The average contents of the six identified components in Fructus Tritici Levis were 0.100 9， 1.094 0， 0.005 1， 0.030 9， 0.098 2，and 0.024 8 mg/g， respectively； the contents of linolenic acid and linoleic acid in Fructus Tritici Levis were significantly higher than those in T. aestivum （P＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS The established qualitative and quantitative methods are simple and reliable， and can be used for the identification and quality evaluation of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum. The identified differential components， such as linolenic acid and linoleic acid， can also provide clues for the differentiation and pharmacological study of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the compositional differences between Fructus Tritici Levis and Triticum aestivum， and to provide reference for identification and quality control of both. METHODS Twenty batches of Fructus Tritici Levis and three batches of T. aestivum were collected， and their fingerprints were acquired by high-performance liquid chromatography and the similarities were evaluated by the Evaluation System of Similarity of Chromatographic Fingerprints of Traditional Chinese Medicine （2012 version）. Cluster analysis （CA）， principal component analysis （PCA） and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） were performed to analyze the difference of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum from different regions， and the differential components were screened. The contents of the six identified components in Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum were determined. RESULTS The similarities of the fingerprints of Fructus Tritici Levis ranged from 0.928 to 0.996， and the relative similarities of T. aestivum with Fructus Tritici Levis ranged from 0.761 to 0.773. A total of 19 common peaks were calibrated， and six components including linolenic acid， linoleic acid， 5-heptadecylresorcinol， 5-nonadodecylresorcinol， 5- heneicosylresorcinol， and 5-tricosylresorcinol were identified. The results of CA and PCA showed that Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum could be clearly distinguished； the distribution of Fructus Tritici Levis from Anhui province was relatively concentrated. The results of OPLS-DA showed that linolenic acid， linoleic acid， and other six unknown compounds were the differential components between Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum. The average contents of the six identified components in Fructus Tritici Levis were 0.100 9， 1.094 0， 0.005 1， 0.030 9， 0.098 2，and 0.024 8 mg/g， respectively； the contents of linolenic acid and linoleic acid in Fructus Tritici Levis were significantly higher than those in T. aestivum （P＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS The established qualitative and quantitative methods are simple and reliable， and can be used for the identification and quality evaluation of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum. The identified differential components， such as linolenic acid and linoleic acid， can also provide clues for the differentiation and pharmacological study of Fructus Tritici Levis and T. aestivum.

At present, clinical interventions for chronic kidney disease are very limited, and most patients rely on dialysis to sustain their lives for a long time. However, studies on the gut-kidney axis have shown that the gut microbiota is a potentially effective target for correcting or controlling chronic kidney disease. This study showed that berberine, a natural drug with low oral availability, significantly ameliorated chronic kidney disease by altering the composition of the gut microbiota and inhibiting the production of gut-derived uremic toxins, including p-cresol. Furthermore, berberine reduced the content of p-cresol sulfate in plasma mainly by lowering the abundance of g_Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and inhibiting the tyrosine-p-cresol pathway of the intestinal flora. Meanwhile, berberine increased the butyric acid producing bacteria and the butyric acid content in feces, while decreased the renal toxic trimethylamine N-oxide. These findings suggest that berberine may be a therapeutic drug with significant potential to ameliorate chronic kidney disease through the gut-kidney axis.

Polymyxin B and polymyxin E (colistin) are presently considered the last line of defense against human infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms such as carbapenemase-producer Enterobacterales, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Yet resistance to this last-line drugs is a major public health threat and is rapidly increasing. Polymyxin S₂ (S₂) is a polymyxin B analogue previously synthesized in our institute with obviously high antibacterial activity and lower toxicity than polymyxin B and colistin. To predict the possible resistant mechanism of S₂ for wide clinical application, we experimentally induced bacterial resistant mutants and studied the preliminary resistance mechanisms. Mut-S, a resistant mutant of K. pneumoniae ATCC BAA-2146 (Kpn2146) induced by S₂, was analyzed by whole genome sequencing, transcriptomics, mass spectrometry and complementation experiment. Surprisingly, large-scale genomic inversion (LSGI) of approximately 1.1 Mbp in the chromosome caused by IS26 mediated intramolecular transposition was found in Mut-S, which led to mgrB truncation, lipid A modification and hence S₂ resistance. The resistance can be complemented by plasmid carrying intact mgrB. The same mechanism was also found in polymyxin B and colistin induced drug-resistant mutants of Kpn2146 (Mut-B and Mut-E, respectively). This is the first report of polymyxin resistance caused by IS26 intramolecular transposition mediated mgrB truncation in chromosome in K. pneumoniae. The findings broaden our scope of knowledge for polymyxin resistance and enriched our understanding of how bacteria can manage to survive in the presence of antibiotics.

Specnuezhenide(SNZ)is among the main components of Fructus Ligustri Lucidi,which has anti-inflammation,anti-oxidation,and anti-tumor effect.The low bioavailability makes it difficult to explain the mechanism of pharmacological effect of SNZ.In this study,the role of the gut microbiota in the metabolism and pharmacokinetics characteristics of SNZ as well as the pharmacological meaning were explored.SNZ can be rapidly metabolized by the gut microbiome,and two intestinal bacterial metabolites of SNZ,salidroside and tyrosol,were discovered.In addition,carboxylesterase may be the main intestinal bacterial enzyme that mediates its metabolism.At the same time,no metabolism was found in the incubation system of SNZ with liver microsomes or liver homogenate,indicating that the gut microbiota is the main part involved in the metabolism of SNZ.In addition,pharmacokinetic studies showed that salidroside and tyrosol can be detected in plasma in the presence of gut microbiota.Interestingly,tumor development was inhibited in a colorectal tumor mice model administered orally with SNZ,which indicated that SNZ exhibited potential to inhibit tumor growth,and tissue distribution studies showed that salidroside and tyrosol could be distributed in tumor tissues.At the same time,SNZ modulated the structure of gut microbiota and fungal group,which may be the mechanism governing the antitumoral activity of SNZ.Furthermore,SNZ stimulates the secretion of short-chain fatty acids by intestinal flora in vitro and in vivo.In the future,targeting gut microbes and the interaction between natural products and gut microbes could lead to the discovery and development of new drugs.