Increasing evidence has underscored the significance of post-stroke alterations along gut-brain axis, while its role in pathogenesis and treatment of ischemic stroke (IS) remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to elucidate the therapeutic effects and action targets of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) on IS and explore a novel pathogenesis and treatment strategy of IS via profiling the microbial community and metabolic characteristics along gut-brain axis. Our findings revealed for the first time that the therapeutic effect of PNS on IS was microbiota-dependent. Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) modeling significantly down-regulated Lactobacilli in rats, and PNS markedly recovered Lactobacilli, particularly Lactobacillus reuteri (L.Reu). Metabolomics showed a significant reduction in serum histidine (HIS) in clinical obsolete IS patients and rehabilitation period I/R rats. Meanwhile, the L.Reu colonization in I/R rats exhibited significant neuroprotective activity and greatly increased HIS in serum, gut microbiota, and brain. Moreover, exogenous HIS demonstrated indirect neuroprotective effects through metabolizing to histamine. Notably, vagus nerve severance in I/R rats was performed to investigate HIS's neuroprotective mechanism. The results innovatively revealed that PNS could promote HIS synthesis in gut by enhancing L.Reu proportion, thereby increasing intracerebral HIS through peripheral pathway. Consequently, our data provided novel insights into HIS metabolism mediated by L.Reu in the pathogenesis and treatment of IS.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 8%-15% of the population globally and can cause renal failure, partly due to lack of effective treatments and drug targets. Three novel cembrane diterpenoids papyifurans A‒C (1-3), in particular of 1 with an unprecedented trioxatetracyclo[10.2.1.1^2,5.1^6,9]heptadecane polyether scaffold, derived from Boswellia papyrifera resin, were found to effectively protect against renal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Their structures were fully characterized using a combination of spectroscopic, computational, modified Mosher's, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. In particular, we performed chemical proteomic analyses and found that Elongation factor 2 (EEF2) is the key target of compound 1 for anti-renal fibrosis in vitro. Moreover, previous studies have linked EEF2 with lung fibrosis, while compound 1 was found to inhibit the hallmarks of organ fibrosis in vitro. Such effects were observed to decrease with the knock down of EEF2 in vitro, suggesting that EEF2 might be a universal drug target of organ fibrosis. Collectively, the present study demonstrated an example of identifying drug targets by using structurally novel natural products, which will be beneficial for developing therapeutic agents against organ fibrosis.

Background::Although overnight fasting is recommended prior to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), the benefits and safety of high-carbohydrate fluid diet (CFD) intake 2 h before ERCP remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze whether high-CFD intake 2 h before ERCP can be safe and accelerate patients’ recovery.Methods::This prospective, multicenter, randomized controlled trial involved 15 tertiary ERCP centers. A total of 1330 patients were randomized into CFD group ( n = 665) and fasting group ( n = 665). The CFD group received 400 mL of maltodextrin orally 2 h before ERCP, while the control group abstained from food/water overnight (>6 h) before ERCP. All ERCP procedures were performed using deep sedation with intravenous propofol. The investigators were blinded but not the patients. The primary outcomes included postoperative fatigue and abdominal pain score, and the secondary outcomes included complications and changes in metabolic indicators. The outcomes were analyzed according to a modified intention-to-treat principle. Results::The post-ERCP fatigue scores were significantly lower at 4 h (4.1 ± 2.6 vs. 4.8 ± 2.8, t = 4.23, P <0.001) and 20 h (2.4 ± 2.1 vs. 3.4 ± 2.4, t= 7.94, P <0.001) in the CFD group, with least-squares mean differences of 0.48 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.26–0.71, P <0.001) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.57–0.95, P <0.001), respectively. The 4-h pain scores (2.1 ± 1.7 vs. 2.2 ± 1.7, t = 2.60, P = 0.009, with a least-squares mean difference of 0.21 [95% CI: 0.05–0.37]) and positive urine ketone levels (7.7% [39/509] vs. 15.4% [82/533], χ2 = 15.13, P <0.001) were lower in the CFD group. The CFD group had significantly less cholangitis (2.1% [13/634] vs. 4.0% [26/658], χ2 = 3.99, P = 0.046) but not pancreatitis (5.5% [35/634] vs. 6.5% [43/658], χ2 = 0.59, P = 0.444). Subgroup analysis revealed that CFD reduced the incidence of complications in patients with native papilla (odds ratio [OR]: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.39–0.95, P = 0.028) in the multivariable models. Conclusion::Ingesting 400 mL of CFD 2 h before ERCP is safe, with a reduction in post-ERCP fatigue, abdominal pain, and cholangitis during recovery.Trail Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT03075280.

Objective:To discuss the medication, prescription law and academic thoughts of doctors in the Ming and Qing Dynasties for the treatment of abdominal tympanites based on the Yi An Lei Ju. Methods:The medical records of doctors in the Ming and Qing Dynasties for the treatment of tympanites contained in Yi An Lei Ju were retrieved, and the prescription information was extracted. Based on R4.2.1 and the TCM inheritance calculation platform V3.0, the frequency, property and taste, and meridian tropism, and efficacy categories of drugs were counted, and association rules analysis and clustering analysis were performed. Results:A total of 214 prescriptions were included, involving 239 kinds of Chinese materia medica, with a total frequency of 2 080 times. The high-frequency drugs (frequency≥30) were Poria, Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium, Alismatis Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata, etc. The medicinal properties of the drugs were mainly warm, neutral and cold. The flavors were mainly pungent, sweet and bitter. The meridians were mainly spleen, liver and kidney meridians. The efficacy categories were mainly tonic drugs, diuresis and dampness drugs, and qi-regulating drugs. Association rule analysis found that the most frequently used drug pair was Poria-Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium. Clustering analysis showed that drugs (frequency≥20) could be divided into 4 clusters.Conclusions:Doctors in the Ming and Qing Dynasties treated abdominal tympanites with the basic treatment methods of invigorating the spleen and promoting diuresis, soothing the liver and regulating qi, warming the kidney and resolving fluid retention. The medication took into account the ascending and descending of qi, the combination of attack and supplement, the combination of cold and heat, and the harmony of qi and blood.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of choledocholithiasis com-bined with periampullary diverticulum and influencing factor for difficult cannulation of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinical data of 1 920 patients who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis in 15 medical centers, including the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, et al, from July 2015 to December 2017 were collected. There were 915 males and 1 005 females, aged (63±16)years. Of 1 920 patients, there were 228 cases with periampullary diverticulum and 1 692 cases without periampullary diverticulum. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with choledocholithiasis; (2) intraoperative and postoperative situations of patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis; (3) influencing factor analysis for difficult cannulation in patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range) or M( Q1, Q3), and com-parison between groups was conducted using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. The Logistic regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with choledocholithiasis. Age, body mass index, cases with complications as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diameter of common bile duct, cases with diameter of common bile duct as <8 mm, 8?12 mm, >12 mm, diameter of stone, cases with number of stones as single and multiple were (69±12)years, (23.3±3.0)kg/m 2, 16, (14±4)mm, 11, 95, 122, (12±4)mm, 89, 139 in patients with choledocholithiasis combined with periampullary diverticulum, versus (62±16)years, (23.8±2.8)kg/m 2, 67, (12±4)mm, 159, 892, 641, (10±4)mm, 817, 875 in patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diver-ticulum, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( t=?7.55, 2.45, χ2=4.54, t=?4.92, Z=4.66, t=?7.31, χ2=6.90, P<0.05). (2) Intraoperative and postoperative situations of patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. The balloon expansion diameter, cases with intraoperative bleeding, cases with hemorrhage management of submucosal injection, hemostatic clip, spray hemostasis, electrocoagulation hemostasis and other treatment, cases with endoscopic plastic stent placement, cases with endoscopic nasal bile duct drainage, cases with mechanical lithotripsy, cases with stone complete clearing, cases with difficult cannulation, cases with delayed intubation, cases undergoing >5 times of cannulation attempts, cannulation time, X-ray exposure time, operation time were 10.0(range, 8.5?12.0)mm, 56, 6, 5, 43, 1, 1, 52, 177, 67, 201, 74, 38, 74, (7.4±3.1)minutes, (6±3)minutes, (46±19)minutes in patients with choledocholithiasis combined with periampullary diverticulum, versus 9.0(range, 8.0?11.0)mm, 243, 35, 14, 109, 73, 12, 230, 1 457, 167, 1 565, 395, 171, 395, (6.6±2.9)minutes, (6±5)minutes, (41±17)minutes in patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diverticulum, showing significant differences in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=6.31, χ2=15.90, 26.02, 13.61, 11.40, 71.51, 5.12, 9.04, 8.92, 9.04, t=?3.89, 2.67, ?3.61, P<0.05). (3) Influencing factor analysis for difficult cannulation in patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis. Results of multivariate analysis showed total bilirubin >30 umol/L, number of stones >1, combined with periampullary diverticulum were indepen-dent risk factors for difficult cannulation in patients with periampullary diverticulum who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis ( odds ratio=1.31, 1.48, 1.44, 95% confidence interval as 1.06?1.61, 1.20?1.84, 1.06?1.95, P<0.05). Results of further analysis showed that, of 1 920 patients undergoing ERCP for choledocholithiasis, the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 17.271%(81/469) and 8.132%(118/1 451) in the 469 cases with difficult cannulation and 1 451 cases without difficult cannula-tion, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=31.86, P<0.05). In the 1 692 patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary diverticulum, the incidence of postopera-tive pancreatitis was 17.722%(70/395) and 8.250%(107/1 297) in 395 cases with difficult cannula-tion and 1 297 cases without difficult cannulation, respectively, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=29.00, P<0.05). In the 228 patients with choledocholithiasis combined with peri-ampullary diverticulum, the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis was 14.865%(11/74) and 7.143%(11/154) in 74 cases with difficult cannulation and 154 cases without difficult cannulation, respectively, showing no significant difference between them ( χ2=3.42, P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with patients with choledocholithiasis not combined with periampullary divertioulum, periampullary divertioulum often occurs in choledocholithiasis patients of elderly and low body mass index. The proportion of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is high in choledocholithiasis patients with periampullary diverticulum, and the diameter of stone is large, the number of stone is more in these patients. Combined with periampullary diverticulum will increase the difficult of cannulation and the ratio of patient with mechanical lithotripsy, and reduce the ratio of patient with stone complete clearing without increasing postoperative complications of choledocholithiasis patients undergoing ERCP. Total bilirubin >30 μmol/L, number of stones >1, combined with periampullary diverticulum are independent risk factors for difficult cannulation in patients of periampullary diverticulum who underwent ERCP for choledocholithiasis.

Objective : To investigate the effects of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on birth outcome and umbilical artery (UA) blood flow parameters in the third trimester, and to analyze the role of UA blood flow parameters in GDM and birth outcome. Methods : Based on the birth cohort from Wuhu , Anhui , China , 189 pregnant women with GDM were collected as the case group. The non⁃GDM pregnant women were matched 1 ∶ 1 according to age and pre⁃pregnancy body mass index , and 189 normal pregnant women were selected as the control group. Pregnant women with GDM were divided into poorly controlled group and well controlled group according to fasting blood glucose in the third trimester. The UA blood flow parameters and fetal birth outcomes in the third trimester were tracked. Results : Compared with the control group , UA parameters in poorly controlled and well controlled groups significantly increased (F = 6. 63 , P < 0. 05 ; F = 4. 43 , P < 0. 05 ; F = 5. 57 , P < 0. 05) . Poor glycemic control of GDM was associated with increased birth weight and risk of larger than gestational age. The multi⁃factor linear regression model showed that the Z score of the peak systolic velocity/end diastolic velocity (S/D) in the poorly controlled group was negatively correlated with birth weight (β = - 209. 78 , 95% CI: - 301. 48 - 118. 07) . S/D index Z score mediated the relationship between poor blood glucose control and birth weight. The intermediate effect value was - 58. 41 (95% CI: - 106. 40 ~ - 19. 65) , accounting for 25. 98% of the total effect. Conclusion Poor glycemic control in GDM is a risk factor for fetal weight gain , and UA function plays a partial mediating role in influencing neonatal birth weight. GDM pregnant women should strictly control blood glucose level to better protect maternal and infant health.

Objective To compare the effects of bone transport versus induced membrane technique for large segmental tibial defects.Methods The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively of 89 patients with large segmental tibial defect who had been treated at Department of Orthopaedics,Wuxi No.9 People's Hospital from June 2005 to February 2017 using bone transport or induced membrane technique.They were 58males and 31 females,aged from 13 to 74 years (average,38.0 years).The bone transport group had 59cases and the induced membrane technique group 30 cases.The 2 groups were compared in terms of preoperative general data and postoperative bone nonunion,bone healing time,complications and functional recovery of the adjacent joint.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the 2groups in terms of age,gender,cause or type of defects,associated injury,course of disease,functionary scores of the adjacent joint or number of operations,showing compatibility between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).All the patients were followed up for 12 to 48 months (average,20 months).The bone transport group had significandy longer clinical healing time (14.7 ± 5.4 months) and significantly higher incidences of major complications (50.8％),minor complications (57.6％) and overall complications (83.1％) than the induced membrane technique group (11.2 ± 2.8 months,16.7％,26.7％ and 30.0％,respectively) (P ＜ O.05),but significantly lower functionary scores of the adjacent joint (86.4 ± 5.0 points) than the induced membrane technique group (88.8 ± 4.9 points) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Both bone transport and induced membrane technique are effective repairs for large segmental tibial defects.However,induced membrane technique may be superior to bone transport in terms of bone healing,complications and functional recovery.

Objective To investigate the corneal permeability of cyclosprin A (CsA) loaded on polymeric vector after topical application.Methods The grafted copolymer chitosan-graft-cyclodextrin (CS-g-CD) was synthesized,and the physicochemical structures of the polymer were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR).A novel CsA eye drop was prepared using the grafted copolymer as carrier material.The physicochemical properties of eye drop,including drug-loading content,osmotic pressure and viscosity were investigated by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS),osmotic pressure gauge and viscometer,respectively.New Zealand albino rabbits were randomly divided into intact cornea CsA group,epithelium debrided CsA group and epithelium debrided control group.The corneal epithelia of the left eyes was debrided in the cornea epithelium debrided group.Cornea irritation test was performed on New Zealand albino rabbits.The aqueous humor was taken and the corneas were collected at 0.5 hour and 1 hour after instilled.The concentration of CsA was measured by HPLC-MS.Cy5 labeled vector loaded with Coumarin 6 served as model copolymers system,the penetration capabilities of the double fluorescent labeling copolymers system were monitored in vivo using two-photon scanning fluorescence microscopy on murine corneas after topical application.The use and care of the animals complied with Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The polymer of CS-g-CD was successfully synthesized and confirmed using NMR and FT-IR.The drug loading of CsA in eye drop solution was 0.06 ％;the osmotic pressure was 305 mOsmol/kg and the viscosity was 36.5 cP.The CsA drug delivery system had a reversible temperature-sensitive drug release behavior and had no obvious irritation on the eyes of New Zealand rabbits.One hour after treatment,the concentration of CsA in the cornea and aqueous humor of epithelium debrided CsA group was (5.88 ± 1.46) μg/g and (149.19 ± 3.93) ng/ml,respectively,which was significantly higher than (3.98 ±0.95) μg/g and (30.25± 11.43) ng/ml in epithelium debrided control group (both at P＜0.05);the concentration of CsA in the aqueous humor of intact cornea CsA group was (7.23 ± 1.31)ng/ml,which was significantly lower than that in epithelium debrided CsA group (P＜0.05).Polymer vectors were mainly retained in the corneal epithelium,and coumarin 6 gradually diffused into the deep corneal stroma with time.Conclusions The grafted copolymer can load CsA,and the eye drop can effectively overcome the corneal barrier and increase the corneal permeability of CsA.

To establish an injectable hydrogel containing Prussian blue (PB) nanospheres for photothermal therapy against cancer, PB nanospheres were prepared by one-pot synthesis and the thermosensitive Pluronic F127 was used as the hydrogel matrix. The PB nanospheres and the hydrogel were characterized by shape, particle size, serum stability, photothermal performance upon repeated 808 nm laser irradiation, as well as the rheological features. The effect of the PB nanospheres and the hydrogel were evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively in 4T1 mouse breast cancer cells. The retention, photothermal efficacy, therapeutic effects and systemic toxicity of the hydrogel were assessed in a tumor-bearing mouse model. The PB nanospheres had a diameter of about 150 nm and exhibited satisfactory serum stability, photo-heat convert ability and repeated laser exposure stability. The hydrogel encapsulation did not negatively influence the above features of the photothermal agent. The nanosphere-containing hydrogel showed a phase transition at body temperature and, as a result, a long retention time . The photothermal agent-embedded hydrogel displayed promising photothermal therapeutic effects in the tumor-bearing mouse model with little-to-no systemic toxicity after peritumoral administration.

Objective To investigate the corneal permeability of cyclosprin A (CsA) loaded on polymeric vector after topical application. Methods The grafted copolymer chitosan.graft.cyclodextrin ( CS.g.CD ) was synthesized, and the physicochemical structures of the polymer were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy ( NMR) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy ( FT.IR) . A novel CsA eye drop was prepared using the grafted copolymer as carrier material. The physicochemical properties of eye drop,including drug.loading content, osmotic pressure and viscosity were investigated by high performance liquid chromatography.mass spectrometry ( HPLC.MS) ,osmotic pressure gauge and viscometer,respectively. New Zealand albino rabbits were randomly divided into intact cornea CsA group, epithelium debrided CsA group and epithelium debrided control group. The corneal epithelia of the left eyes was debrided in the cornea epithelium debrided group. Cornea irritation test was performed on New Zealand albino rabbits. The aqueous humor was taken and the corneas were collected at 0. 5 hour and 1 hour after instilled. The concentration of CsA was measured by HPLC.MS. Cy5 labeled vector loaded with Coumarin 6 served as model copolymers system, the penetration capabilities of the double fluorescent labeling copolymers system were monitored in vivo using two.photon scanning fluorescence microscopy on murine corneas after topical application. The use and care of the animals complied with Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission. Results The polymer of CS.g.CD was successfully synthesized and confirmed using NMR and FT.IR. The drug loading of CsA in eye drop solution was 0. 06 ％;the osmotic pressure was 305 mOsmol/kg and the viscosity was 36. 5 cP. The CsA drug delivery system had a reversible temperature.sensitive drug release behavior and had no obvious irritation on the eyes of New Zealand rabbits. One hour after treatment,the concentration of CsA in the cornea and aqueous humor of epithelium debrided CsA group was (5. 88±1. 46)μg/g and (149. 19±3. 93)ng/ml,respectively,which was significantly higher than (3. 98±0. 95)μg/g and (30. 25±11. 43)ng/ml in epithelium debrided control group (both at P<0. 05);the concentration of CsA in the aqueous humor of intact cornea CsA group was ( 7. 23 ± 1. 31 ) ng/ml, which was significantly lower than that in epithelium debrided CsA group ( P<0. 05 ) . Polymer vectors were mainly retained in the corneal epithelium, and coumarin 6 gradually diffused into the deep corneal stroma with time. Conclusions The grafted copolymer can load CsA,and the eye drop can effectively overcome the corneal barrier and increase the corneal permeability of CsA.