Based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-electrostatic field Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) technology and molecular docking, the bitter-tasting substances(hereafter referred to as "bitter substances") in Cistanche deserticola extract were investigated, and the bitter taste and efficacy relationship was explored to lay the foundation for future research on de-bittering and taste correction. Firstly, UPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS was used for the qualitative analysis of the constituents of C. deserticola, and 69 chemical components were identified. These chemical components were then subjected to molecular docking with the bitter taste receptor, leading to the screening of 20 bitter substances, including 6 phenylethanol glycosides, 5 flavonoids, 3 phenolic acids, 2 cycloalkenyl ether terpenes, 2 alkaloids, and 2 other components. Nine batches of fresh C. deserticola samples were collected from the same origin but harvested at different months. These samples were divided into groups based on harvest month and plant part. The bitterness was quantified using an electronic tongue, and the content of six potential bitter-active compounds(pineconotyloside, trichothecene glycoside, tubulin A, iso-trichothecene glycoside, jinshihuaoside, and jingnipinoside) was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The total content of phenylethanol glycosides, polysaccharides, alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic acids was determined using UV-visible spectrophotometry. Chemometric analyses were then conducted, including Pearson's correlation analysis, gray correlation analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA), to identify the bitter components in C. deserticola. The results were consistent with the molecular docking findings, and the two methods mutually supported each other. Finally, network pharmacological predictions and analyses were performed to explore the relationship between the targets of bitter substances and their efficacy. The results indicated that key targets of the bitter substances included EGFR, PIK3CB, and PTK2. These substances may exert their bitter effects by acting on relevant disease targets, confirming that the bitter substances in C. deserticola are the material basis of its bitter taste efficacy. In conclusion, this study suggests that the phenylethanol glycosides, primarily pineconotyloside, mauritiana glycoside, and gibberellin, are the material basis for the "bitter taste" of C. deserticola. The molecular docking technique plays a guiding role in the screening of bitter substances in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). The bitter substances in C. deserticola not only contribute to its bitter taste but also support the concept of the "taste-efficacy" relationship in TCM, providing valuable insights and references for future research in this area.
Molecular Docking Simulation ; Taste ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Cistanche/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry

Objective:To evaluate the predictive effect of the loss of signal (LOS) on the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury.Methods:The literatures on PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang Medical Network database were published before 30 April 2023. English search terms included "thyroid gland surgery" "thyroidectomy" "intraoperative neuromonitoring" "intraoperative nerve monitoring" and "recurrent laryngeal nerve". Chinese search terms included "thyroidectomy", "thyroid surgery" "recurrent laryngeal nerve" "intraoperative nerve monitoring". Two evaluators screened the literature, extracted the materials and evaluated the risk of bias of the study independently. If there were different opinions, researchers should resolve which through consultation and ask the third-party researcher when necessary. The Meta-analysis was performed with the Review Manager 5.4 software.Results:A total of thirty-three studies were included and were all analyzed for primary outcome measures while only twenty-six of which were analyzed for secondary outcome measures. Meta-analysis showed that the positive predictive value of LOS in intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) was 65% [ OR=1.88, 95% CI: 1.36-2.60]. Then these thirty-three articles included in IONM were divided into I-IONM, C-IONM and mixed groups. Subgroup analysis showed that the positive predictive value of LOS in I-IONM, C-IONM and mixed groups were 62% [ OR=1.63, 95% CI: 1.05-2.52], 75% [ OR=2.93, 95% CI: 1.64-5.22] and 70% [ OR=2.38, 95% CI: 1.77-3.12] respectively. When these thirty-three included articles were divided into Asian, European, North American and Oceania, subgroup analysis showed that the positive predictive value of LOS was 50% [ OR=1.01, 95% CI: 0.44-2.31], 70% [ OR=2.29, 95% CI: 1.60-3.28], 82% [ OR=4.68, 95% CI: 3.79-5.78] and 83% [ OR=4.81, 95% CI: 3.10-7.46] respectively. Meta-analysis of secondary outcome measures in twenty-six articles showed that the negative predictive value of LOS was 99.6% [ RD=1.51, 95% CI: 1.48-1.53], with the sensitivity of 89% [ RD=1.24, 95% CI: 1.11-1.37] and specificity of 98%[ RD=1.43, 95% CI: 1.40-1.47]. Conclusion:The occurrence of LOS during IONM in thyroidectomy has a positive prediction effect and a higher negative prediction effect, sensitivity and specificity on RLN injury.

Objective To determine the radiation dose of sensitive organs under different protective methods in lung CT scanning environment, and to explore the best protective scheme of corresponding organs. Methods Annealed thermoluminescence dose elements were placed in the stomach, liver, colon, and thyroid gland of a simulated human body model. The dose effect experiment of protective methods included non-protective group, half lead apron group, and full lead apron group. The dose effect experiment of protective thickness included 0.50 mmpb full lead apron group and 0.35 mmpb full lead apron group. The same exposure conditions of lung CT scan were used in the above experiments. Results Compared with the non-protective group, the exposure dose of the stomach, liver, colon, and thyroid gland increased significantly in the half lead apron group (P < 0.05), and the exposure dose of the thyroid gland and colon decreased significantly in the full lead apron group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the exposure dose of the liver, stomach, and colon in the simulated human body model between the 0.35 mmpb full lead apron group and the 0.50 mmpb full lead apron group. Conclusion For lung CT scan, the protective measure of lead apron may not reduce the exposure dose of subjects. The protective thickness of lead apron does not necessarily have a substantial influence on the exposure dose of human body.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change of blood pressure in patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy after delivery and the risk factors. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort study, we collected subjects from villages and towns in Liuyang by cluster sampling method. Before enrolling in this cohort, all had established health records from January 2010 to December 2011. We collected the medical records and maternal health care manuals of this cohort as our data materials, focusing on the blood pressure records as well as related features. We compared the differences of recovery rate of postpartum blood pressure in different kinds of antenatal blood pressure groups with χ2 test. In order to explore the main factors influencing the recovery rate of blood pressure of patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, we conducted univariate and multivariate analysis by χ2 test and unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among the 460 women with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in our analysis, the recovery rate of postpartum blood pressure reached 88.7%. Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors influencing the recovery rate of postpartum blood pressure included advanced age (OR=0.436), higher degree of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (OR=0.436), and hypertension with simultaneously high systolic and diastolic blood pressures (OR=0.192). CONCLUSION For most patients with hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, the blood pressure may decrease to normal level 42 days after delivery. Women with advanced age, higher degree of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy and hypertension with simultaneously high systolic and diastolic blood pressures should be given more attention.
Blood Pressure ; Diastole ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced ; epidemiology ; physiopathology ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Systole

OBJECTIVE: To describe the incidence and to discuss the risk factors of premature birth in rural areas of Liuyang. METHODS: We collected subjects from villages and towns in Liuyang through cluster sampling method. Before enrolling in this cohort, all of them had established health records from January 2010 to December 2011. We followed up the early, middle and late stages of pregnancy until delivery, and collected medical records and maternal health care manual of this cohort as our data materials. We explored the main influence factors of premature delivery by χ2 test and unconditional logistic regression analysis for single factor and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Among 6270 women who enrolled in our cohort, 259 were diagnosed as premature birth. The incidence (4.13%) was lower than the national average level. Non-conditional logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of premature birth were as follows: OR of placental abruption was 7.678 (95% CI: 2.249-26.215), that of premature rupture of fetal membranes (PROM) was 5.177 (95% CI: 3.945-6.793), that of uterine abnormal and deformity was 2.675 (95% CI: 1.007-7.107), that of placenta anomaly was 2.633 (95% CI: 1.666-4.162), that of hypertension in pregnancy was 2.172 (95% CI: 1.044-4.521), that of pregnancy complications was 1.806 (95% CI: 1.033-3.157), that of male fetus was 1.429 (95% CI: 1.086-1.881). Protective factors of preterm birth were too frequent prenatal examination (OR=0.502, 95% CI: 1.033-3.157) and single pregnancy (OR=0.155, 95% CI: 0.075-0.319). CONCLUSION Preterm delivery is caused by complicated factors, such as placental abruption, PROM and male fetus. Comprehensive measures should be taken to reduce preterm birth.
Abruptio Placentae ; etiology ; Adult ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture ; etiology ; Humans ; Incidence ; Logistic Models ; Pregnancy ; Premature Birth ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Sampling Studies ; Young Adult

AIMTo determine if robot-assisted varicocelectomy can be safely and effectively performed when compared to microscopic inguinal varicocelectomy.

METHODSEight patients aged 29.1+/-12.5 years underwent microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomies: seven patients with left-sided repair, and one patient with bilateral repair. Eight patients aged 22.0+/-8.0 years underwent robot-assisted varicocelectomies: seven patients with left-sided repair and one patient with bilateral repair.

RESULTSThe average operative time for microscopic inguinal varicocelectomy was 73.9+/-12.2 min, whereas the robot-assisted technique took 71.1+/-21.1 min. There were no difficulties in identifying and isolating vessels and the vas deferens with robot-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy. Hand tremor was eliminated using the robotic procedure. Patients who underwent either microscopic or robot-assisted varicocelectomies were able to resume daily activities on the day of surgery and full activities within 2 weeks. There were no complications or recurrences of varicocele.

CONCLUSIONFrom our experience, compared to microscopic surgery, robot-assisted varicocelectomy can be safely and effectively performed, with the added benefit of eliminating hand tremor.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Humans ; Male ; Robotics ; Suture Techniques ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Urogenital Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Varicocele ; surgery ; Vas Deferens ; blood supply