Peganum harmala L. (P. harmala) is a significant economic and medicinal plant. The seeds of P. harmala have been extensively utilized in traditional Chinese medicine, Uighur medicine, and Mongolian medicine, as documented in the Drug Standard of the Ministry of Health of China. Twelve novel tryptamine-derived alkaloids (1-12) and eight known compounds (13-20) were isolated from P. harmala seeds. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first reported instances of tryptamine-derived heteromers, comprising tryptamine and aniline fragments with previously undocumented C-3-N-1' linkage and C-3-C-4' connection, respectively. Compounds 3-5 were identified as indole-quinazoline heteromers, exhibiting a novel C-3 and NH-1' linkage between indole and quinazoline-derived fragments. Compound 6 demonstrates the dimerization pattern of C-C linked tryptamine-quinazoline dimer. Compound 8 represents a tryptamine-derived heterodimer with a distinctive carbon skeleton, featuring an unusual spiro-tricyclic ring (7) and conventional bicyclic tryptamine. Compounds 9-11 constitute novel 6/5/5/5 spiro-tetracyclic tryptamine-derived alkaloids presenting a unique ring system of tryptamine-spiro-pyrrolizine. Compounds 1-3 and 6-11 were identified as racemates. Compounds 2, 7, 9, 10, and 12 were confirmed via X-ray crystallographic analysis. All isolated compounds (1-20) exhibited varying degrees of antiviral efficacy against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Notably, the anti-RSV activity of compound 12 (IC₅₀ 5.01 ± 0.14 μmol·L^-1) surpassed that of the positive control (ribavirin, IC₅₀ 6.23 ± 0.95 μmol·L^-1), as validated through plaque reduction and immunofluorescence assays. The identification of anti-RSV compounds from P. harmala seeds may enhance the development and application of this plant in antiviral therapeutic products.
Antiviral Agents/isolation & purification* ; Tryptamines/isolation & purification* ; Peganum/chemistry* ; Seeds/chemistry* ; Alkaloids/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Humans ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses/drug effects* ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

Objective To develop and evaluate dietary and exercise intervention program for over-weight/obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods Seventy patients with over-weight/obese PCOS were prospectively selected as research subjects and divided into intervention group(n=35)and control group(n=35)according to random number table method.According to the completion of the intervention plan,29 cases were finally included in the intervention group and 28 cases in the control group.The control group was given conventional nursing intervention,while the intervention group was applied with the diet and exercise intervention program for overweight/obese patients with PCOS.Both groups were intervened for 3 months.The physical indicators,PCOS sign scores,natural pregnancy rate,degree of self-body image distress(Multidimensional Self-body Im-age Relationship Questionnaire-Appearance Subscale)and self-efficacy level(Self-efficacy Scale)before and after the intervention were compared between the two groups.The occurrence of adverse reactions during the intervention period between the two groups were compared.Results After 1 month and 3 months of intervention,the body mass index(BMI)and PC OS sign score of the pa-tients in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The natural conception rate of the intervention group was 34.48％(10/29),which was significantly higher than 10.71％(3/28)of the control group(P＜0.05).After 1 month and 3 months of inter-vention,the scores of the self-body image relationship-appearance subscale of the patients in the inter-vention group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.001).After 3 months of intervention,the score of the Self-efficacy Scale of patients in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.001).During the intervention period,no adverse reac-tions caused by diet and exercise intervention occurred in either group.Conclusion Implementing a diet and exercise intervention program for overweight/obese patients with PCOS is beneficial for re-ducing patients' BMI,increasing the natural pregnancy rate,improving self-body image disorders,and enhancing self-efficacy.

Objective To explore the expression level of visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor(Vaspin)and secreted frizzled-related protein5(SFRP5)in the serum of children with idiopathic short stature(ISS)and its diagnostic value.Methods 70 children with ISS diagnosed in the First Hospital of Zhangjiakou from December 2021 to February 2023 were selected as the disease group,while 72 healthy volunteer children who underwent physical examination were collected as the control group.Immunoluminescence was applied to detect the expression level of VASPIN,Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was applied to detect the expression level of SFRP5 the clinical data of children in two groups were analyzed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of serum Vaspin and SFRP5 for ISS,multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of ISS.Results Compared with the control group,the serum Vaspin level in the disease group was obviously increased(2.89±0.92 ng/ml vs 1.81±0.42 ng/ml),while the SFRP5 level was obviously reduced(10.22±2.84 pg/ml vs 13.21±3.53 pg/ml),the differences were statistically significant(t=9.040,5.552,all P＜0.05).The weight,height,body mass index(BMI)and proportion of sexual development stage II～V of children in the disease group were obviously lower than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(t=7.687,6.330,5.559,7.024,all P＜0.05).The area under ROC curve showed that the AUC of Vaspin and SFRP5 and their combined detection in the diagnosis of ISS were 0.768,0.849 and 0.925,respectively,the combined diagnosis efficacy of Vaspin and SFRP5 was better than that of serum Vaspin and SFRP5 alone(Z =3.829,P＜0.001;Z =2.141,P=0.032).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that BMI(OR=0.508,95%CI:0.260～0.991),Vaspin(OR=3.458,95%CI:1.125～10.631)and SFRP5(OR=0.378,95%CI:0.153～0.935)were the influencing factors for ISS(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The expression level of Vaspin in the serum of children with ISS is obviously increased,while the expression level of SFRP5 is obviously reduced.The two are influencing factors of ISS,and the combined detection of their expression levels has certain value in the diagnosis of ISS.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the clinical value of myostatin(MST) and follistatin(FST) as biological biomarkers in evaluating sarcopenia in elderly women.Methods:This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that enrolled 350 females aged 20-89 years who underwent physical examinations in Shanghai Huadong Hospital in 2021. Demographic characteristics, muscle mass, fat mass, bone mineral density, hand grip strength, gait speed, and serum indices of MST and FST were collected.Results:The serum levels of MST did not change significantly with age. However, the serum levels of FST increased with age. In women aged≥60 years, MST was positively correlated with total lean mass and appendicular skeletal muscle index(ASMI; r=0.236, P=0.041; r=0.289, P=0.014), while FST was negatively correlated with ASMI( r=-0.265, P=0.030). In multivariate stepwise regression analysis, after adjusting for age, body mass index, hip bone mineral density, and total fat mass, only FST was independently correlated with ASMI( β=-0.238, P=0.006), while MST was not correlated with ASMI. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted using muscle mass reduction as the state variable and serum FST level as the test variable. The area under the curve was 0.753. And when the FST cutoff value was 17.49 ng/mL, the maximum Jordan index was 0.46, with a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 68.7%. Women aged ≥60 years were divided into three groups based on serum FST levels. Compared to the upper third of the serum FST level group, the low third of the FST level group had a significantly reduced risk of suffering from sarcopenia( OR=0.098, P =0.036). Conclusions:Serum FST lever has a better correlation with muscle mass among elderly women, making it a promising biomarker for evaluating muscle mass.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between intracerebral high-density foci and progressive stroke (PS) morbidity by using dual-energy CT, which can quantify the intracerebral high-density foci of patients with acute ischemic stroke after endovascular treatment.Methods:Ninety-two patients with acute ischemic stroke who received interventional treatment in Gaozhou People′s Hospital from May 2019 to August 2020, and underwent dual-energy CT scan immediately after intervention, were analyzed. The patients were divided into PS group ( n=35) and non-PS group ( n=57) according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and the patients whose NIHSS score increased≥4 points within 72 hours of stroke were included in the PS group, while the patients whose NIHSS score increased<4 points were included in the non-PS group. The clinical data, volume of high-density foci and CT values were compared between the 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for confounding factors and screen for risk factors. The correlations of the admission NIHSS score, presence and volume of high-density lesions, maximum CT (CTmax) value and average CT (CTave) value with the onset of PS were analyzed, and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to screen predictive indicators of PS. Results:In the PS group, the NIHSS score (18.80±8.50 vs 14.40±9.58, t=2.229, P=0.028), proportion of high-density foci [29/35(82.9%) vs 32/57 (56.1%), χ 2=6.928, P=0.008], high-density focal volume [13.23 (39.33) cm 3vs 0.76 (9.82) cm 3, U=1 440.000, P<0.001], CTmax value [80.00 (92.00) HU vs 65.00 (87.50) HU, U=1 337.000, P=0.005] and CTave value [53.48 (23.79) HU vs 45.94 (55.11) HU, U=1 345.000, P=0.004] were higher than those in the non-PS group. The NIHSS score ( OR=1.054, 95% CI 1.004-1.106, P=0.033; rs=0.255, 95% CI 0.051-0.447, P=0.014), presence of high-density foci ( OR=3.776, 95% CI 1.358-10.503, P=0.011; rs=0.274, 95% CI 0.093-0.460, P=0.008), high-density focal volume ( OR=1.026, 95% CI 1.003-1.049, P=0.027; rs=0.381, 95% CI 0.183-0.560, P<0.001), CTmax value ( OR=1.006, 95% CI 1.001-1.011, P=0.014; rs=0.292, 95% CI 0.088-0.475, P=0.005) and CTave value ( OR=1.021, 95% CI 1.007-1.035, P=0.004; rs=0.299, 95% CI 0.092-0.484, P=0.004) were all risk factors affecting PS morbidity and were positively correlated with PS morbidity. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of NIHSS score, high-density lesion volume, CTmax value, and CTave value to predict the onset of PS was 0.652, 0.722, 0.670 and 0.674, respectively. The volume of high-density lesions had moderate predictive value for the onset of PS. Conclusions:For AIS patients, CT examination should be performed immediately after interventional operation. The volume, CTmax value and CTave value of high-density lesions newly appeared in the ischemic area are positively correlated with the onset of PS. Quantifying the volume of high-density lesions can help to predict the onset of PS.

Objective To explore the short-term efficacy of endovascular isolation treatment for type A aortic intramural hematoma(AIH)with pericardial effusion,and to discuss the endovascular isolation treatment strategy for type A AIH with pericardial effusion.Methods A total of 12 patients with type A AIH complicated by pericardial effusion,who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China between February 2018 and November 2021,were enrolled in this study.Before surgery,the intima of the ascending aorta was intact in all patients,but a rupture at the proximal intima of the aortic arch or the thoracic descending aorta was detected.All patients received endovascular isolation treatment.Among them,4 patients received endovascular isolation treatment within one week after the onset of disease,and 8 patients received selective operation after receiving conservative treatment for one week.The patients were followed up for one year.Results Among the patients who received endovascular isolation treatment within one week after the onset of disease,one patient recovered smoothly,two patients developed type A dissection within 3 months after surgery,and one died early after surgery.All the 8 patients,who received selective operation after receiving conservative treatment for one week,recovered smoothly.Conclusion For patients with type A AIH complicated by mild to moderate pericardial effusion,selective endovascular isolation treatment after receiving the conservative treatment to alleviate the ascending aortic hematoma can achieve ideal therapeutic effect.

Spinal cord injury is one of the most serious neurological disorders. Revascularization after spinal cord injury can provide nutritional support to maintain the homeostasis of the neuronal networks and facilitate the recovery of neurological function. Promoting angiogenesis is a key repair strategy for spinal cord injury. However, since the ability of blood vessels to repair themselves is limited, external interventions are often needed to promote angiogenesis after spinal cord injury, among which medications and physical therapy are common ways, but their therapeutic effects are very limited. Stem cell therapy is an important way to promote the repair of the injured vessels in the spinal cord, with multiple sources of cells such as neural stem cell (NSC) and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC). The stem cell paracrine cytokines and extracellular vesicles (EVs) are often used to promote angiogenesis in the injured spinal cord. In addition, stem cells are capable of multiple differentiation and can effectively differentiate into endothelial cells, thus promoting angiogenesis. Currently, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding of the pro-angiogenetic effects of the stem cells after spinal cord injury. For this purpose, the authors reviewed the researches in the pro-angiogenetic pathways of the stem cells and the pro-angiogenetic effects of stem cell therapy after spinal cord injury, aimed at providing references for relevant basic research on the pro-angiogenetic effects of stem cells after spinal cord injury and its clinical treatment.

Spinal cord injury is a severe central nervous system injury that may result in partial or complete loss of sensory and motor function. Its treatment methods include laminotomy decompression, high-dose intravenous injection of methylprednisolone, etc., but their efficacy is not satisfactory. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are promising in treating spinal cord injury due to their plasticity, low immunogenicity, strong paracrine ability and multi-directional differentiation ability, but problems still exist such as low survival rate, low directional migration ability and unpredictable cell differentiation after transplantation. The strategies for preconditioning MSCs in vitro to enhance their efficacy through gene overexpression, stimulation by physicochemical factors, three-dimensional culture, and cell pre-differentiation have been applied in several studies upon repair of spinal cord injury, but there is no complete summary at present. The authors reviewed these preconditioning strategies for MSCs and the related research progress in spinal cord injury repair so as to provide a reference for the basic research and clinical treatment.

Spinal cord injury is a serious injury of the central nervous system that can result in partial or complete loss of sensory and motor function. The clinical treatments for spinal cord injury include laminotomy and decompression and high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone, etc. Both treatments fail to stimulate neuronal and axonal regeneration and are associated with serious complications. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUC-MSCs) have advantages of high activity, low immunogenicity and strong immunomodulatory effects, etc, which can target immune cells and immune organs, improve the local microenvironment in the injured area and create favorable conditions for spinal cord injury repair. Nonetheless, the immunomodulatory effects of HUC-MSCs transplantation following spinal cord injury remains under-recognized. For this, the authors reviewed the advances of researches on the immunomodulatory effects of HUC-MSCs in the inflammatory response after spinal cord injury so as to provide a reference for the selection of therapeutic targets for spinal cord injury.

Objective:To investigate the distribution and molecular characteristics of Yersinia isolated from diarrhea patients in Jiangsu Province. Methods:From 2017 to 2021, the stool samples of diarrhea patients were collected in Tongshan District of Xuzhou City and Dongtai City of Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, where the national active monitoring sites of Yersinia enterocolitica, then Yersinia was isolated; meanwhile, suspected Yersinia strains were collected from sentinel hospitals in the province. The DNA of isolated strains was extracted for whole genome resequencing, and the data were uploaded to the EnteroBase database for Yersinia species identification; the original data were cleaned and processed for 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene polymorphism analysis. Five virulence genes (ail, ystA, ystB, yadA, virF) were scanned through the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and Pathogen Virulence Factor Database (VFDB), and K-mer Tree was constructed and genomic characteristics were analyzed. Results:From 2017 to 2021, a total of 2 058 stool samples from diarrhea patients were collected, and 57 strains of Yersinia were isolated and identified; meanwhile, two Yersinia strains were collected from the sentinel hospital. Compared with EnteroBase database, 51 strains were identified as Yersinia enterocolitica, 4 strains as Yersinia proxima, 1 strain each as Yersinia aleksiciae, Yersinia massiliensis, Yersinia intermedia and Yersinia canariae. The 16S rRNA gene polymorphism analysis showed that all strains were clustered into 3 groups, which could distinguish Yersinia enterocolitica from other Yersinia. Among the 51 strains of Yersinia enterocolitica, 49 strains were virulence genotype Ⅲ(ail-, ystA-, ystB+, yadA-, virF-), two strains were virulence genotype Ⅱ(ail+, ystA+, ystB-, yadA-, virF-); and 8 other Yersinia strains were virulence genotype Ⅳ (ail-, ystA-, ystB-, yadA-, virF-). K-mer analysis could distinguish Yersinia enterocolitica from other Yersinia, JS-XZ-2020001 strain was far away from other Yersinia enterocolitica isolates, and serotype O8 strains were more concentrated. Conclusions:The clinical isolates of Yersinia enterocolitica from diarrhea patients are mainly Yersinia and other Yersinia co-exist in a small amount in Jiangsu Province, two new Yersinia species ( Yersinia proxima and Yersinia canariae) are discovered. The virulence genotype of Yersinia enterocolitica is mainly type Ⅲ. The 16S rRNA gene polymorphism analysis and K-mer analysis can effectively distinguish Yersinia enterocolitica from other Yersinia.