The 95% ethanol extract of Stephania hernandifolia was isolated and purified by column chromatography on silica gel and Sephadex LH-20, RP-18 medium-pressure liquid chromatography, and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography. The chemical structures of the compounds were identified by NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Four alkaloids were isolated and identified as(-)-8-oxo-2,3,4,10,11-pentamethoxyberberine(1),(-)-8-oxo-11-hydroxy-2,3,4,10-tetramethoxyberberine(2), N-trans-feruloyl tyramine(3), and N-cis-feruloyl tyramine(4). Compounds 1 and 2 were new protoberberine alkaloids, while compounds 3 and 4 were amide alkaloids. All the four compounds were separated from this plant for the first time. The inhibitory activities of compounds 1, 3, and 4 against α-glycosidase were measured by the enzymatic reaction in vitro with 4-nitrophenyl-α-D-glucopyranoside(PNPG) as the substrate. Compounds 3 and 4 showed inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase, with median inhibition concentration(IC_(50)) values of(7.09±0.42) and(31.25±1.14) μmol·L~(-1), respectively.
Berberine Alkaloids/isolation & purification* ; Stephania/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; alpha-Glucosidases/metabolism* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Alkaloids/isolation & purification*

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) that causes oral mucosal tissue sclerosis, and even cancer transformation, is a chronic, progressive fibrosis disease. However, despite some advancements in recent years, no targeted antifibrotic strategies for OSF have been approved; likely because the complicated mechanisms that initiate and drive fibrosis remain to be determined. In this review, we briefly introduce the epidemiology and etiology of OSF. Then, we highlight how cell-intrinsic changes in significant structural cells can drive fibrotic response by regulating biological behaviors, secretion function, and activation of ECM-producing myofibroblasts. In addition, we also discuss the role of innate and adaptive immune cells and how they contribute to the pathogenesis of OSF. Finally, we summarize strategies to interrupt key mechanisms that cause OSF, including modulation of the ECM, inhibition of inflammation, improvement of vascular disturbance. This review will provide potential routes for developing novel anti-OSF therapeutics.
Humans ; Oral Submucous Fibrosis/immunology* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Myofibroblasts

Objective·To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and malignant tumors based on the Shanghai community elderly cohort.Methods·The study subjects were selected from the Shanghai community elderly cohort established from February to August 2019,with a total of 17 948 people.The study subjects were divided into 4 groups according to self-reported presence or absence of tumors and/or cardiovascular diseases during the baseline survey:tumor-free and non-cardiovascular disease group,single cardiovascular disease group,single tumor group and tumor cardiovascular disease co-occurrence group.The differences among the four groups of subjects were collected and compared in terms of demographic characteristics and physiological indicators,daily living habits(smoking,drinking tea,drinking coffee,drinking carbonated drink,drinking alcohol,sedentary time,physical activity level and sleep quality),past medical history,psychological status(depression and anxiety)and dietary compliance.Results·Among the study subjects,60.1%of tumor patients were complicated with cardiovascular diseases.The differences among the four groups of subjects in age,gender,educational level,pre-retirement occupation,waist circumference,hip circumference and body mass index were statistically significant(all P<0.05).Compared with the tumor-free and non-cardiovascular disease group,the single cardiovascular disease group,single tumor group and tumor cardiovascular disease co-occurrence group all exhibited lower proportions of smoking and high physical activity levels(all P<0.05),and higher proportion of sedentary time exceeding 4 h/d and poor sleep quality(all P<0.05);the proportion of subjects with past medical histories including hyperlipidemia,peripheral vascular disease,endocrine system disease,respiratory system disease,urinary system disease and digestive system disease of the single cardiovascular disease group and the tumor cardiovascular disease co-occurrence group was higher(all P<0.05),and the proportion of subjects with depression and anxiety was also higher(all P<0.05).Furthermore,compared with the tumor-free and non-cardiovascular disease group,the single cardiovascular disease group had lower compliance rates of poultry,fish,fruit and liquid milk(all P<0.05).Among the four groups,only the compliance rate of vegetable intake exceeded 50%,while the compliance rates of poultry,fish,fruit,liquid milk and tubers were all below 20%.Conclusion·In the elderly population of Shanghai communities,over half of malignant tumor patients are concomitant with cardiovascular diseases.Unhealthy daily habits are prevalent among those with cardiovascular diseases,tumors and tumor-cardiovascular disease co-occurrence.The intake of many foods in the elderly of the community do not reach the levels recommended by Chinese Dietary Guidelines.

Objective To assess the prognostic significance of serum cystatin C(CysC)in combination with bedside renal ultrasound for patients diagnosed with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury(AKI).Methods The study cohort comprised 134 patients with sepsis-induced AKI who were admitted to our hospital between October 2019 and October 2023.Based on the 30 day prognosis,the patients were categorized into a survival group(n=93)and a death group(n=41).Collected clinical data included gender,age,heart rate,underlying diseases,treat-ment modalities,duration of hospital stay,basic biochemical indicators,and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ)scores.Renal function markers such as serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),and cystatin C levels were measured;renal blood flow resistance index(RI)was assessed using bedside routine ultrasound.Cox regression analysis was employed to evaluate factors influencing poor prognosis in patients with sepsis-induced AKI while analyzing the prognostic assessment value of combining cystatin C with bedside renal ultrasound through ROC curves.Results The death group exhibited significantly higher APACHEⅡ scores,SCr,BUN,CysC levels,and RI(all P<0.05)compared to the survival group.Cox regression analysis revealed that both CysC levels and RI were significant prognostic indicators(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that the combined assessment of CysC levels and RI yielded a high diagnostic accuracy of 97.5%in predicting outcomes for patients with sepsis-induced AKI.Conclusion CysC levels and bedside renal ultrasound can serve as prognostic indicators for patients with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury(AKI),thereby guiding clinical treatment.

Objective:Osteosarcoma is the most common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents,characterized by a high potential for proliferation and metastasis.Patients with osteosarcoma who have distant metastases generally have a poor prognosis.Challenges in treatment include incomplete resection of tumor and chemotherapy resistance,with no effective cure currently available.Recent studies suggest that β-1,4-N-acetyl-galactosaminyltransferase 1(B4GALNT1)plays a role in the progression of various malignant tumors.However,the function of B4GALNT1 in osteosarcoma cells has not been reported.This study aims to investigate the expression of B4GALNT1 in osteosarcoma tissues compared to normal tissues and to explore its effects on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of osteosarcoma cells,thereby providing new theoretical foundations and directions for the treatment of osteosarcoma patients. Methods:Tumor tissues and corresponding normal tissue samples were collected from 16 osteosarcoma patients who underwent tumor resection at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University.The patients'ages ranged from 8 to 17 years(median age 12 years).The expression of B4GALNT1 mRNA in osteosarcoma tissues,corresponding normal tissues,3 osteosarcoma cell lines(MG63,Saos-2,and U2OS),and human fetal osteoblastic cells(hFOB)was detected using real-time reverse transcription PCR(real-time RT-PCR).The effects of B4GALNT1 knockdown on the proliferation of osteosarcoma cells Saos-2 and U2OS were analyzed using cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assays and colony formation assays.The effects of B4GALNT1 knockdown on the migration and invasion abilities of Saos-2 and U2OS cells were evaluated using Transwell migration and invasion assays.Western blotting analysis was performed to assess the impact of B4GALNT1 knockdown on the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)and invasion-related proteins in Saos-2 and U2OS cells. Results:Real-time RT-PCR results showed that B4GALNT1 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in osteosarcoma tissues and the 3 osteosarcoma cell lines compared to normal tissues and hFOB cells(all P＜0.0 1).CCK-8 and colony formation assays indicated that B4GALNT1 knockdown significantly reduced the proliferation rate of osteosarcoma cells compared to the control group(all P＜0.05).Transwell migration and invasion assays demonstrated that B4GALNT1 knockdown significantly decreased the number of migrating and invading osteosarcoma cells(all P＜0.01).Western blotting analysis revealed that B4GALNT1 knockdown inhibited the expression of N-cadherin,Snail,Vimentin,and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9)compared to the control group(all P＜0.01). Conclusion:B4GALNT1 is upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines,and its knockdown suppresses the malignant phenotype of osteosarcoma cells.B4GALNT1 may function as an oncogene in the proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells.

Objective: To learn the status and influencing factors of development among infants at ages of 0 to 36 months in Xiaoshan District, Hangzhou City, so as to provide the reference for promoting healthy development of infants. Methods: Infants at ages of 0-36 months who underwent physical examination in Child Health Clinic of Xiaoshan District Community Health Service Center were selected in 2022. General data of infants and their mothers were collected through questionnaires, and the development status of infants was screened by Age and Stages Questionnaire (third edition). Factors affecting the development status were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 2 519 infants were investigated, including 1 339 males (53.16%) and 1 180 females (46.84%). There were 608 infants with abnormal development of at least one functional area of communication (CM), gross motor (GM), fine motor (FM), problems solving (CG) and personal-social (PS). The abnormal rate was 24.14%, and the abnormal rates of the above functional areas were 9.77%, 6.59%, 7.98%, 6.39% and 9.33%, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that gender (male, OR=1.563, 95%CI: 1.191-2.052), mother's childbearing age (≥35 years, OR=1.411, 95%CI: 1.001-1.988), mother's educational level (lower than junior college, OR=1.460, 95%CI: 1.116-1.912) were factors affecting abnormal development of CM; preterm birth (OR=2.323, 95%CI: 1.315-4.103) was factors affecting abnormal development of GM; gender (male, OR=1.654, 95%CI: 1.225-2.232) was factors affecting abnormal development of FM; gender (male, OR=1.511, 95%CI: 1.086-2.102) and mode of delivery (cesarean section, OR=1.460, 95%CI: 1.060-2.010) were factors affecting abnormal development of CG; gender (male, OR=1.340, 95%CI: 1.019-1.763) and birth weight (low birth weight, OR=1.985, 95%CI: 1.149-3.432) were factors affecting abnormal development of PS. Conclusions The rate of abnormal development among infants at ages of 0 to 36 months in Xiaoshan District is 24.14%. Gender, preterm birth, mode of delivery, birth weight, mother's childbearing age and mother's educational level could affect the development status of infants.

Objective To establish a weightlessness simulation animal model using miniature pigs, leveraging the characteristic of multiple systems’ tissue structures and functions similar to those of humans, and to observe pathophysiological changes, providing a new method for aerospace research. Methods Nine standard-grade miniature pigs were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (n=7) and a control group (n=2). The experimental group was fixed using customized metal cages, with canvas slings suspending their hind limbs off the ground, and the body positioned at a -20° angle relative to the ground to simulate unloading for 30 days (24 hours a day). Data on body weight, blood volume, and blood biochemistry indicators were collected at different time points for statistical analysis of basic physiological changes. After the experiment, the miniature pigs were euthanized and tissue samples were collected for histopathological observation of the cardiovascular, skeletal and muscle systems HE and Masson staining. Statistical analysis was also conducted on the thickness of arterial vessels and the diameter of skeletal muscle fibers. Additionally, western blotting was employed to detect the expression levels of skeletal muscle atrophy-related proteins, including muscle-specific RING finger protein 1 (MuRf-1) and muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx, as known as Atrogin-1), while immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an indicator of astrocyte activation in the brain, reflecting the pathophysiological functional changes across systems. Results After hindlimb unloading, the experimental group showed significant decreases in body weight (P<0.001) and blood volume (P<0.01). During the experiment, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell count levels significantly decreased (P<0.05) but gradually recovered. The expression levels of alanine aminotransferase and γ-glutamyltransferase initially decreased (P<0.05) before rebounding, while albumin significantly decreased (P<0.001) and globulin significantly increased (P<0.01). Creatinine significantly decreased (P<0.05). The average diameter of gastrocnemius muscle fibers in the experimental group significantly shortened (P<0.05), with a leftward shift in the distribution of muscle fiber diameters and an increase in small-diameter muscle fibers. Simultaneously, Atrogin-1 expression in the gastrocnemius and paravertebral muscles significantly increased (P<0.05). These changes are generally consistent with the effects of weightlessness on humans and animals in space. Furthermore, degenerative changes were observed in some neurons of the cortical parietal lobe, frontal lobe, and hippocampal regions of the experimental group, with a slight reduction in the number of Purkinje cells in the cerebellar region, and a significant enhancement of GFAP-positive signals in the hippocampal area (P<0.05). Conclusion Miniature pigs subjected to a -20° angle hind limb unloading for 30 days maybe serve as a new animal model for simulating weightlessness, applicable to related aerospace research.

The first supplement of the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China 2020 Edition will be imple-mented on March 12,2024.It plays an important role in connecting link between the preceding and the following.Among them,11 new pharmaceutical excipients monographs have been added and 46 monographs have been revised.This formulation and revision of pharmaceutical excipients standards are based on the concept of risk man-agement and the full lifecycle management and focuse on ensuring the clinical safety and effectiveness of drugs,the evaluation of critical quality attributes on pharmaceutical excipients is highlighted in the standard-making process,and functional-related characteristics(FRCs)and safety indicators are included.Moreover,the excipient standards have emphasized the concept of international pharmacopeia harmonization and green environmental protection and strengthened the standardization and operability.This article focuses on the general framework and the main charac-teristics of the standards of pharmaceutical excipients in the first supplement of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020,which can contribute to accurately understand and utilize the standards in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of distal pancreatectomy with celiac axis resection(DP-CAR).Methods:A total of 89 consecutive patients (50 males and 39 females) who were diagnosed with pancreatic body cancer and underwent DP-CAR in Pancreas Center,First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between September 2013 and June 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. There were 50 males and 39 females,with age( M(IQR)) of 63(12) years(range:43 to 81 years). Perioperative parameters,pathology results and follow-up data of these patients were analyzed, χ2 or Fisher′s test for categorical data while the Wilcoxon test for quantitative data. Survival results were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier survival method. Results:Among 89 cases,cases combined with portal vein-superior mesenteric vein or organ resection accounted for 22.5% (20/89) and 42.7% (38/89),respectively. The operative time,blood loss and postoperative hospital stay were 270 (110) minutes,300 (300) ml and 13 (10) days,respectively. The overall morbidity rate was 67.4% (60/89) while the major morbidity was 11.2% (10/89). The increase rate in transient liver enzymes was 42.7% (38/89),3.4% (3/89) for liver failure,53.9% (48/89) for clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula,1.1% (1/89) for bile leak,3.4% (3/89) for chylous leak of grade B and C,11.2% (10/89) for abdominal infection,9.0% (8/89) for postoperative hemorrhage of grade B and C,4.5% (4/89) for delayed gastric emptying,6.7% (6/89) for deep vein thrombosis,3.4% (3/89) for reoperation,4.5% (4/89)for hospital mortality,7.9% (7/89) for 90-day mortality. The pathological type was pancreatic cancer for all 89 cases and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma made up 92.1% (82/89). The tumor size was 4.8(2.0) cm, ranging from 1.5 to 12.0 cm. The number of lymph nodes harvested was 14 (13)(range:2 to 33),with a positive lymph node rate of 13.0% (24.0%). The resection R0 rate was 30.0% (24/80) and the R1 (<1 mm) rate was 58.8% (47/80). The median overall survival time was 21.3 months (95% CI: 15.6 to 24.3) and the median disease-free survival time was 19.1 months (95% CI: 11.7 to 25.1). The overall survival at 1-year and 2-year were 69.60% and 39.52%. The median survival time of 58 patients with adjuvant chemotherapy was 24.3 months (95% CI: 17.8 to 32.3) while that of 13 patients without any kind of adjuvant therapy was 8.4 months (95% CI: 7.3 to 22.3). Seven patients accepted neoadjuvant chemotherapy and there was no significant morbidity among them,with a resection rate of R0 of 5/7. Conclusion:DP-CAR is safe and feasible for selective cases,which could be more valuable in improving long-term survival when combined with (neo) adjuvant therapy.

The chemical constituents of the seeds of Moringa oleifera were isolated and purified by using Sephadex LH-20, Toyo-pearl HW-40F, silica gel, ODS, and MCI column chromatography. The structures of compounds were identified by high-resolution mass spectrometry, ~1H-NMR, ~(13)C-NMR, HMQC, HMBC, and ~1H-~1H COSY, as well as physicochemical properties of compounds and literature data. Twelve compounds were isolated from 30% ethanol fraction of the seeds of M. oleifera and identified as ethyl-4-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-α-L-rhamnoside(1), ethyl-3-O-α-L-rhamnosyl-α-L-rhamnoside(2),(4-hydroxybenzyl)ethyl carbamate(3),(4-aminophenyl)acetic acid(4), ethyl-α-L-rhamnoside(5), methyl-α-L-rhamnoside(6), moringapyranosyl(7), 2-[4-(α-L-rhamnosyl)phenyl]methyl acetate(8), niaziridin(9), 5-hydroxymethyl furfural(10), 4-hydroxybenzeneacetamide(11), and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid(12). Among them, compounds 1 and 2 are two new compounds, compound 3 is a new natural product, and compounds 4-5 were yielded from Moringa plant for the first time. All compounds were evaluated for α-glucosidase inhibitory activity in vitro. Compound 10 showed excellent inhibitory activity with IC_(50) of 210 μg·mL~(-1).
Moringa oleifera/chemistry* ; alpha-Glucosidases ; Moringa ; Seeds ; Plant Extracts/pharmacology*