Aim To study the renal protective effect of balanophora polysaccharide(BPS)on diabetic nephrop-athy(DN)mice and explore the related mechanisms.Methods A DN mouse model was induced using a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ),which was indicated by fasting blood glucose higher than 11.1 mmol·L-1,accompa-nied by diabetic symptoms such as polydipsia,polydia-gia,polyuria and weight loss,then BPS intervention was performed.Body weight and fasting blood glucose of each group mice were detected;automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect blood creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),24 h urinary protein(24 h UP),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),alanine aminotransferase(ALT)content;ELISA was applied to determine serum inflammatory factor interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)level;HE and Masson staining were employed to observe renal his-topathological morphology;Western blot was used to de-tect Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)for pro-tein expression.Results Compared with the model group,after BPS,body weight and fasting blood glucose decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05);SCr,BUN,24 h UP,TC,TG and ALT significantly decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05);the levels of the proinflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly reduced(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05);renal tissue injury and fibrosis decreased;TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB protein expression significantly decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).Conclusion BPS has a protective effect on the kidneys of DN mice,re-ducing the blood glucose level,improving liver and kid-ney function,alleviating renal tissue damage and renal fibrosis,and reducing inflammation response.Its mecha-nism may be related to the regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Aim To study the renal protective effect of balanophora polysaccharide(BPS)on diabetic nephrop-athy(DN)mice and explore the related mechanisms.Methods A DN mouse model was induced using a high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ),which was indicated by fasting blood glucose higher than 11.1 mmol·L-1,accompa-nied by diabetic symptoms such as polydipsia,polydia-gia,polyuria and weight loss,then BPS intervention was performed.Body weight and fasting blood glucose of each group mice were detected;automatic biochemical analyzer was used to detect blood creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),24 h urinary protein(24 h UP),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC),alanine aminotransferase(ALT)content;ELISA was applied to determine serum inflammatory factor interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)level;HE and Masson staining were employed to observe renal his-topathological morphology;Western blot was used to de-tect Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),nuclear factor κB(NF-κB)for pro-tein expression.Results Compared with the model group,after BPS,body weight and fasting blood glucose decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05);SCr,BUN,24 h UP,TC,TG and ALT significantly decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05);the levels of the proinflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly reduced(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05);renal tissue injury and fibrosis decreased;TLR4,MyD88,NF-κB protein expression significantly decreased(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).Conclusion BPS has a protective effect on the kidneys of DN mice,re-ducing the blood glucose level,improving liver and kid-ney function,alleviating renal tissue damage and renal fibrosis,and reducing inflammation response.Its mecha-nism may be related to the regulation of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Aim To examine the neuroprotective im-pacts of total saponins from Trillium tschonoskii maxim(TST)on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIRI)in rats and delve into the mechanisms of ferroptosis.Methods The CIRI model was prepared by dividing male SD rats into the model group,TST(0.1 g·kg-1)group,Donepezil hydrochloride(0.45 mg·kg-1)group,and sham group.The cognitive functions of rats in each group were assessed through the Morris water maze test,the changes in neurological function were evaluated using the Zea-Longa method,the infarct area was observed via TTC staining,and the pathologi-cal alterations in brain tissue were analysed using HE and Nissl staining.To further investigate the underly-ing mechanism,the mitochondrial structural changes were examined using transmission electron microscopy,and the levels of GSH-PX,MDA,and SOD were ana-lyzed.Additionally,the expressions of GPX4 and Nrf2 proteins were evaluated through immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence.Furthermore,the protein lev-els of Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 and Nrf2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathways in rats were examined using Western blot-ting.Results The rats in the model group displayed diminished learning and memory capabilities in com-parison to those in the sham group,as well as a signifi-cantly increased cerebral infarction area and higher neurological function scores(P＜0.01),significantly increased cerebral infarct area,disordered and loosely arranged neurons,and reduced Nissl bodies.Addition-ally,mitochondria showed typical signs of ferroptosis.Changes related to ferroptosis included decreased activ-ities of SOD and GSH-PX(P＜0.01)and increased MDA levels(P＜0.01).The expression of GPX4 and Nrf2-positive cells was significantly reduced,along with decreased fluorescence intensity of GPX4.Further-more,the protein expression of Keap1,Nrf2,HO-1,GPX4,SLC7A11 in the hippocampus decreased(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Following the administration of TST,these effects showed improvement.Conclusions TST has neuroprotective effects,enhancing learning and memory abilities while reducing oxidative stress levels.The mechanism may involve the inhibition of ferroptosis through the Keap-1/Nrf2/HO-1 and Nrf2/SLC7 A11/GPX4 pathways.

AIM To study the secondary metabolites from endophytic fungi of Taxus wallichiana var.chinensis (Pilger) Florin and their biological activities.METHODS Endophytes were isolated and purified by tissue block and scribing method,the obtained strains were identified by molecular method.Macroporous resin column and silica gel column were used for separation and purification,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,phosphodiesterase and fusarium oxysporum activities were determined by chemiluminescence kinase assay kit method,resazurin cell viability assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS Eight endophytic fungi were isolated and identified as Trichoderma,Aspergillus,Gongronella,Phoma,Penicillium.Strain ZGG-5 had strong PI3K inhibitory activity with IC50 value of (0.17±0.05)μg/mL,and was identified as Gongronella butleri.Thirteen compounds were isolated from ZGG-5,and compound 13 had strong activities of inhibiting PI3K at concentration of 1 mg/mL,and the inhibitory rate was (97.8±0.51)％.CONCLUSION T.wallichiana var.chinensis contains endophytic fungi with strong activities of inhibiting PI3K.Compounds 1-12 are first isolated from G.butleri.

AIM To study the secondary metabolites from endophytic fungi of Taxus wallichiana var.chinensis (Pilger) Florin and their biological activities.METHODS Endophytes were isolated and purified by tissue block and scribing method,the obtained strains were identified by molecular method.Macroporous resin column and silica gel column were used for separation and purification,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase,phosphodiesterase and fusarium oxysporum activities were determined by chemiluminescence kinase assay kit method,resazurin cell viability assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS Eight endophytic fungi were isolated and identified as Trichoderma,Aspergillus,Gongronella,Phoma,Penicillium.Strain ZGG-5 had strong PI3K inhibitory activity with IC50 value of (0.17±0.05)μg/mL,and was identified as Gongronella butleri.Thirteen compounds were isolated from ZGG-5,and compound 13 had strong activities of inhibiting PI3K at concentration of 1 mg/mL,and the inhibitory rate was (97.8±0.51)％.CONCLUSION T.wallichiana var.chinensis contains endophytic fungi with strong activities of inhibiting PI3K.Compounds 1-12 are first isolated from G.butleri.

OBJECTIVES: To explore a new method for electroencephalography (EEG) background analysis in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and its relationship with clinical grading and head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) grading. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the video electroencephalography (vEEG) and amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) monitoring data within 24 hours after birth of neonates diagnosed with HIE from January 2016 to August 2022. All items of EEG background analysis were enrolled into an assessment system and were scored according to severity to obtain the total EEG score. The correlations of total EEG score with total MRI score and total Sarnat score (TSS, used to evaluate clinical gradings) were analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. The total EEG score was compared among the neonates with different clinical gradings and among the neonates with different head MRI gradings. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under thecurve (AUC) were used to evaluate the value of total EEG score in diagnosing moderate/severe head MRI abnormalities and clinical moderate/severe HIE, which was then compared with the aEEG grading method. RESULTS: A total of 50 neonates with HIE were included. The total EEG score was positively correlated with the total head MRI score and TSS (r_s=0.840 and 0.611 respectively, P<0.001). There were significant differences in the total EEG score between different clinical grading groups and different head MRI grading groups (P<0.05). The total EEG score and the aEEG grading method had an AUC of 0.936 and 0.617 respectively in judging moderate/severe head MRI abnormalities (P<0.01) and an AUC of 0.887 and 0.796 respectively in judging clinical moderate/severe HIE (P>0.05). The total EEG scores of ≤6 points, 7-13 points, and ≥14 points were defined as mild, moderate, and severe EEG abnormalities respectively, which had the best consistency with clinical grading and head MRI grading (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The new EEG background scoring method can quantitatively reflect the severity of brain injury and can be used for the judgment of brain function in neonates with HIE.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Retrospective Studies ; Brain Injuries ; Electroencephalography ; ROC Curve

Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde ; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic ; Common Bile Duct ; Humans ; Mirizzi Syndrome/surgery*

Objective: To determine the prevalence and determinants of folic acid (FA) supplementation in Chinese couples planning for pregnancy and in women during early pregnancy. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study based on the Shanghai PreConception Cohort (SPCC) study. Data on FA supplementation and socio-demographic features were collected using questionnaires. Couples visiting clinics for pre-pregnancy examination and pregnant women at < 14 gestational weeks were recruited in Shanghai, China, between March 2016 and September 2018. Results: Among the pregnancy planners, 42.4% (4,710/11,099) women and 17.1% (1,377/8,045) men used FA supplements, while 93.4% (14,585/15,615) of the pregnant women used FA supplements. FA supplement use was higher in female pregnancy planners who were older ( : 1.13, 95% : 1.08-1.18), had higher education ( : 1.71, 95% : 1.53-1.92), and were residing in urban districts ( : 1.06, 95% : 1.01-1.11) of FA supplementation; female pregnancy planners with alcohol consumption ( : 0.95, 95% : 0.90-0.99) had lower odds of FA supplementation. In early pregnancy, women with higher educational level ( : 1.04, 95% : 1.03-1.06), who underwent pre-pregnancy examination ( : 1.02, 95% : 1.01-1.03) had higher odds of using an FA supplement; older aged ( : 0.99, 95% : 0.98-0.99), and multigravida ( : 0.97, 95% : 0.96-0.98) had lower odds of FA supplementation. Conclusion Although the majority of pregnant women took FA supplements, more than half of the women planning for pregnancy did not. Urgent strategies are needed to improve pre-conception FA supplementation.
Adult ; China ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; analysis ; Female ; Folic Acid ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vitamin B Complex ; administration & dosage ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo improve the surgery results and living quality of patients following the operation of the combined approach of tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy with close technique.

METHODSThe clinical data and following-up results of 49 patients treated with combined approach of tympanoplasty and mastoidectomy with close technique and 82 patients treated with open mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty were retrospective analyzed.

RESULTSIn the group treated with combined approach tympanoplasty, all patients got dry ear in 20 days and 31 patients' hearing level enhanced over 15 dB after the operation; but in the group treated with open mastoidectomy with tympanoplasty, only 13 patients got dry ear in 20 days and no patients' hearing level enhance over 15 dB after the operation. Although the recurrence rates between two groups were not significant difference, the patients of former group not only took a shorter recovery time and got a better hearing recovery, but also kept a normal external auditory meatus, at the same time, they need not to clear scab at fixed period all life long.

CONCLUSIONSWhen performed on carefully selected patients, combined approach tympanoplasty was a feasible surgical method to improve the surgery results and living quality of patients following the operation, however, the advanced equipment and perfect operation skill are necessary.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cholesteatoma, Middle Ear ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mastoid ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Tympanoplasty ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo discuss the best surgical approach to the skull base neoplasms.

METHODSRetrospective analysis the 79 skull base neoplasms cases treated with surgical resection in Qilu hospital of Shandong university from 1992 to 2002. Eleven surgical approaches including midfacial degloving, frontal coronal discission, nasal eversion, maxillary swing, partial maxillary resection, total resection of orbit, mandibular swing, combination of front, temple, preauricular, post aureum, neck, and transoral approaches were used to resect the tumor which involved fossae pterygopalatine, paranasal sinuses, nasopharynx, antero, meso and posterobasilar region, lobi frontalis and lobi temporalis of cerebrum.

RESULTSSeventy-nine skull base neoplasms were totally removed and no one died from the operation. Although 5 cases complicated with cerebrospinal fluid leak and all recovered within 1 week, no serious cranium-cerebrum complication occurred. In 29 patients with benign tumor including 11 cases of meningioma, 3 cases of chondroma, 1 case of hemangio-meningioma, 1 case of cavernous hemangioma, 2 cases of osteodysplasia fibromas, 9 cases of neurofibroma, 1 case of glomus jugular tumor, 1 case of neurilemmoma, 19 have survived over 5 years and the longest one has survived over 8 years. For 50 patients with malignant tumor including 3 cases of well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, 17 cases of moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, 11 cases of poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, 1 case of undifferentiated carcinoma, 2 cases of chondrosarcoma, 5 cases of canceration of papilloma, 2 cases of adenocarcinoma, 1 case of esthesioneuroblastoma, 2 cases of malignant fibrohistiocytoma, 1 case of fibrosarcoma, 2 cases of malignant mixed tumour, 3 cases of sarcoma survival rates of 3 and 5 years were 59.2% (29/49), 38.5% (10/26) respectively.

CONCLUSIONIn order to resect the tumor completely and reduce the complication and malformation as far as possible, different surgical approaches must be designed according to the pathological changes characters and involved area,and the surgeon should select the shortest approach, avoid to damage the important neurovascular structure, and resect the tumor through the natural anatomy space by the shelter incision.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Skull Base Neoplasms ; surgery