In order to solve the problem of resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to multiple antibiotics, it is an effective way to find inhibitors of P. aeruginosa efflux pump. In this study, 15 new ornithine peptidomimetic derivatives were designed and synthesized by changing the side chain structure of natural amino acids with PAβN, a dipeptide efflux pump inhibitor, and their synergic activity with aztreonam, a monocyclic β-lactam antibiotic, against P. aeruginosa was evaluated. Among them, the representative compound 12b not only enhanced the antibacterial activity of β-lactam antibiotics aztreonam, ceftazidime and meropenem, but also significantly enhanced the antibacterial action of macrolide antibiotics clarithromycin, showing a broad-spectrum synergic sensitization effect. In addition, compound 12b also has a good safety. Preliminary mechanisms suggest that 12b works by directly targeting the efflux transporter MexB. These results provide a new lead compound for the development of a new class of efflux pump inhibitors against P. aeruginosa.

Objective To explore the molecular epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP),and reveal its mechanism of resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam(CZA).Methods CZA-re-sistant CRKP strains initially isolated from the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2021 to September 2023 were collected.The carriage of 5 carbapenemase genes(blaKPC,blaNDM,blaOXA,blaVIM,blaIMp)were detected with gene amplification method and colloidal gold method.The relative copy number and expression level of Klebsiella pneumoniae(KP)carbapenemase-producing KP(KPC-KP)was detected with real-time quantita-tive polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),mutation sites of KPC mutation strains were analyzed with whole-ge-nome sequencing,and epidemic characteristics of CRKP and resistance mechanism to CZA were analyzed.Results A total of 73 CZA-resistant CRKP strains were isolated,with 37(50.68％)being KPC and NDM co-producing strains,33(45.21％)NDM-producing alone(23 strains producing NDM-5 and 10 strains producing NDM-1),and 3 KPC-producing alone.KP-2842 strain was identified as ST11-type KPC-33 variant,KP-2127 and KP-2189 strains produced KPC-2.Compared with KP ATCC BAA-1705,the copy number of blaKPC in these strains up-regulated by 1.04-3.86 fold,and the expression increased by 6.66-12.93 fold,respectively.Colloidal gold and PCR methods demonstrated good consistency and the ability to detect the enzyme co-producing and KPC-33 variant.Conclusion In this hospital,the resistance of CRKP to CZA is primarily mediated by the metalloenzyme NDM,with co-produc-tion of NDM and KPC being a characteristic of CRKP.High copy number and expression level of blaKPC-2 also con-tribute to CZA resistance.This study identified the KPC-33 variant for the first time in ST11-type CRKP in Jiangsu Province.

Objective To observe the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of Gushi Zaizao Pills for steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head(SONFH).Methods Male SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,Xianling Gubao Capsules group and Gushi Zaizao Pills group.Except for the normal group,the rats in all other groups were replicated the SONFH model.After successful modeling,the continuous drug administration was carried out for six weeks.The thymus and spleen of the rats were taken to calculate the immune organ indices,the contents of interleukin 1β(IL-1β)and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α)in rat synovial fluid were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA),the percentage of empty lacunae and area ratio of trabecular bone was detected by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,and the femoral head parameters[reduction of bone volume fraction(BV/TV),trabecular number(Tb.N),trabecular thickness(Tb.Th)and trabecular separation(Tb.Sp)]were analyzed by Micro-CT,and bone strength of femoral head was detected by small animal bone strength tester.Results Compared with the normal group,the spleen and thymus indicators were significantly decreased in the model group,the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in rat synovial fluid were significantly increased,the percentage of empty lacunae was increased,the area ratio of trabecular bone was decreased,the BV/TV,Tb.N and Tb.Th were decreased,the Tb.Sp was increased,the bone strength of femoral head was significantly decreased,the differences being all statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the spleen and thymus indicators were significantly increased in Xianling Gubao Capsules group and Gushi Zaizao Pills group,the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in rat synovial fluid were decreased,the percentage of empty lacunae was significantly decreased,the area ratio of trabecular bone was significantly increased,the BV/TV,Tb.N and Tb.Th were increased,the Tb.Sp was decreased,and the bone strength of femoral head was significantly increased,the differences being all statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Gushi Zaizao Pills can effectively prevent the further development of SONFH by regulating cellular immunity and reducing the secretion of inflammatory factors,thereby reducing the pathological damage of the femoral head and enhancing the bone strength.

Peptide is a compound consisting of 2-50 amino acids, which is intermediate between small molecule and protein. It is characterized by a variety of biological activities, easy absorption, strong specific targeting, and few side effects and has become one of the hotspots in biomedical research in recent years. Chinese medicine contains a large number of peptides. The traditional processing methods such as decocting and boiling can effectively boost peptides to exert their due biological activities. At present, however, the research on Chinese medicinal components in laboratory generally employs high-concentration alcohol extraction method, which may cause the peptides to be ignored in many natural Chinese medicines. Substantial studies have revealed that the peptides in Chinese medicine are important material basis responsible for the traditional efficacy. Based on years of research and literature retrieval, this study put forward the concept of "traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)-peptides", referring to the components consisting of two or more amino acids with molecular weight between small molecules and proteins that can express the efficacy of Chinese medicine. Furthermore, this study also summarized the extraction and separation of TCM-peptides, and structure determination methods and routes, predicted the research prospect of modern research methods of TCM-peptides based on "holistic view" and big data. The artificial intelligence prediction was combined with high-throughput screening technology to improve the discovery efficiency and accuracy of TCM-peptides, and holographic images between TCM-peptides and biological targets were established to provide references for the innovative drug design and related health product development of TCM-peptides based on TCM theories.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Artificial Intelligence ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Research Design ; Peptides ; Proteins ; Amino Acids

Lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) induced by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of hospitalization for infants. Compared with adults, infants are more likely to cause serious respiratory diseases after RSV infection due to the specific immature airway structure and immune system. The balance of immune resistance and immune tolerance of the host is critical to effective virus clearance and disease control. This paper reviews the relationship between RSV infection and respiratory diseases in infancy, the influence factors of the high pathogenicity of RSV infection in early life, as well as the research progress of anti-RSV therapy, and expands the specific molecular events regulating immune resistance and immune tolerance. We expect to present new ideas for the prevention and treatment of RSV-related respiratory diseases in clinical practice.
Humans ; Infant ; Respiration Disorders ; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Respiratory Tract Infections

Objective To investigate the effect of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domaincontaining protein 1 (NOD1) on pyroptosis in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods An animal model of ischemia-reperfusion injury was established.Thirty healthy,male,and clean C57 BL mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (sham group) and ischemia-reperfusion group (IR,including 2 h,6 h,12 h,24 h subgroups),6 per group.Serum ALT and AST levels in each group were measured by blood biochemistry.HE staining and TUNEL were used to observe the pathological changes of liver and hepatocyte apoptosis.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression and distribution of NOD1 in each group.Western blotting was used to detect NOD1,MM2,pro-Caspase-1 and active-Caspase-1 expression.NOD1 siRNA and empty control siRNA were transfected into AML12 cells,then the hypoxia/reoxygenation model was established and cells were collected to detect the expression of NOD1,AIM2 and active-Caspase-1.Results The ALT and AST levels in IR group were significantly higher than those in sham group,and peaked at IR 12-h subgroup (P＜0.05).HE staining showed that hepatic injury was the most severe at 12 h after reperfusion.TUNEL results showed that the number of apoptotic cells was the greated at 12 h after reperfusion.Western blotting showed that NOD1 protein expression was highest at 12 h after reperfusion.With the prolongation of reperfusion time,the expression of AIM2 and active-Caspase-1 gradually increased,and that of pro-Caspase-1 gradually decreased.The expression of NOD1,AIM2 and activeCaspase-1 decreased after transfection of NOD1 siRNA into AML12 cells.Conclusions NOD1 promotes liver ischemia-reperfusion injury,which may be related to NOD1 promoting liver injury by activating pyroptosis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of STAT3 gene in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and its correlation with clinical characteristics. METHODS: The real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the level of STAT3 mRNA in bone marrow samples from 38 newly diagnosed patients with acute myeloid leukemia(AML), and its relevance with clinical characteristics and prognosis were statistically analyzed. Western blot was employed to detect the STAT3 protein level in AML patients. The bone marrow cells from 15 healthy subjects were used as control. RESULTS: At the mRNA level, the expression level of STAT3 in the AML group was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The level of STAT3 in AML group correlated positively with the risk factors of patients (P<0.01，r=0.592）. The STAT3 expression level in the high-risk group was statistically higher than that in the standard-risk group and the control group (P<0.01，P<0.01). Furthermor, there was no statistical difference between the sub-groups of AML (P>0.05). The median survival time of patients in STAT3 low expression group was logner than that in high expression group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.005). The level of STAT3 protein in AML patients was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05）. CONCLUSION The STAT3 gene is highly expressed in AML patients, which may be used as a predictor for high-risk of AML.
Bone Marrow ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Prognosis ; RNA, Messenger ; STAT3 Transcription Factor ; genetics

A pair of new tirucallane triterpenoid epimers, picraquassins M and N (1> and 2), were isolated from the stems of Picrasma quassioides (D. Don) Benn. Their structures were determined based on comprehensive spectroscopic and X-ray crystallographic analyses. In addition, their AChE inhibitory activity, cytotoxicity against five human tumour cell lines (SW480, MCF-7, HepG2, Hela, and PANC-1), and antimicrobial activity against two bacteria (Staphylococcus. aureus 209P and Escherichia coli ATCC0111) and two fungi (Candida albicans FIM709 and Aspergillus niger R330) were evaluated.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the change of G6PD activity in children with acute leukemia（AL）and its correlation with the clinical characteristics. METHODS: The G6PD activity in peripheral blood samples from 74 children disagnosed as AL (50 cases of ALL, and 24 cases of AML) was detected by Zinkham method recommended by WHO in 1967, and its relevance with clinical indicators was statistically analyzed. The peripheral blood samples of 70 healthy children were used as the controls. RESULTS: The G6PD activity in ALL and AML groups was significantly lower than that in the control group (P=0.000, P=0.000) and there was no statistical difference between ALL and AML groups. The G6PD activity in bacterial, fungal infection and non-infection groups (no bacterial and fungal infection) were statistically different from control group (P=0.02, P=0.001, P=0.001), respectively. The G6PD activity in bacterial infection group and non-infection group was statistically different from with fungal infection group (P=0.004, P=0.019), respectively. The G6PD activity linearly correlated with leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage in AL children (P=0.000, P=0.001, r=0.465, r=0.434), respectively. The median survival time of G6PD activity deficiency group was higher than that in the normal group, but without statistically significant difference (P=0.4149). CONCLUSION The G6PD activity in AL children is significantly lower than that in healthy children, and the G6PD activity linearly relates with leukocyte count and neutrophil percentage of AL children. The patients with G6PD activity deficiency is more susceptible to fungal infection, moreover the infection is more serious.
Acute Disease ; Bacterial Infections ; Child ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Neutrophils

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy and tolerability of China-made sildenafil citrate (Jinge) in the treatment of ED. METHODS: We conducted a multi-center, randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trial among 222 ED patients in five urological or andrological clinics of China. The patients were randomly assigned to receive sildenafil citrate (SC, n = 111) or placebo (n = 111) for 8 weeks. We obtained and analyzed the demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients, the scores of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), the success rate of sexual intercourse, and the incidence of adverse events. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the patients of the SC and those of the placebo group in the mean age (［47.2±11.32］ yr vs ［46.67±13.08］ yr, P>0.05), psychological etiology (27.93% vs 23.42%, P>0.05), organic etiology (21.62% vs 29.73%, P>0.05) or mixed etiology (50.45% vs 46.85%, P>0.05), nor in height, weight, nationality, or history of smoking, drinking or allergy. Compared with the placebo controls, the SC-treated patients showed significant increases in the excellence rate of effectiveness (29.91% vs 78.90%, P<0.01), success rate of sexual intercourse (29.16% vs 63.87%, P<0.01), and total effectiveness rate (34.58% vs 77.98%, P<0.01). The effectiveness rates on organic, psychogenic and mixed types ED were remarkably higher in the SC group (64.52%, 83.33%, and 82.14%) than in the placebo control (46.15%, 21.21%, and 25.00%) (P<0.01). Mild or temporary adverse events were observed in 32 cases in the SC group as compared with 13 in the placebo control. CONCLUSIONS China-made sildenafil citrate is an effective, safe and well-tolerated drug for ED of different etiologies in the Chinese population.
Aged ; China ; Coitus ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Compounding ; Erectile Dysfunction ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; therapeutic use ; Sildenafil Citrate ; therapeutic use ; Smoking ; Treatment Outcome