OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of Dendrobium officinale (Tiepi Shihu) extract (DOE) on insomnia. METHODS: Forty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=7 per group): normal control, model control, melatonin (MT, 40 mg/kg), and 3-dose DOE (0.25, 0.50, and 1.00 g/kg) groups. Rats were raised in a strong-light (10,000 LUX) and -noise (>80 db) environment (12 h/d) for 16 weeks to induce insomnia, and from week 10 to week 16, MT and DOE were correspondingly administered to rats. The behavior tests including sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep experiment, sucrose preference test, and autonomous activity test were used to evaluate changes in sleep and emotions of rats. The metabolic-related indicators such as blood pressure, blood viscosity, blood glucose, and uric acid in rats were measured. The pathological changes in the cornu ammonis 1 (CA1) region of rat brain were evaluated using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining. Additionally, the sleep-related factors gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (GA), 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Finally, we screened potential sleep-improving receptors of DOE using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array and validated the results with quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: DOE significantly improved rats' sleep and mood, increased the sodium pentobarbital-induced sleep time and sucrose preference index, and reduced autonomic activity times (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE also had a good effect on metabolic abnormalities, significantly reducing triglyceride, blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood viscosity indicators (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DOE significantly increased the GABA content in hippocampus and reduced the GA/GABA ratio and IL-6 level (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, DOE improved the pathological changes such as the disorder of cell arrangement in the hippocampus and the decrease of Nissel bodies. Seven differential genes were screened by PCR array, and the GABA_A receptors (Gabra5, Gabra6, Gabrq) were selected for verification. The results showed that DOE could up-regulate their expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION DOE demonstrated remarkable potential for improving insomnia, which may be through regulating GABA_A receptors expressions and GA/GABA ratio.
Animals ; Dendrobium/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/blood* ; Plant Extracts/therapeutic use* ; Receptors, GABA-A/metabolism* ; Noise/adverse effects* ; Light/adverse effects* ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolism* ; Sleep/drug effects* ; Rats ; Receptors, GABA/metabolism*

Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical risk factors and prognosis of perioperative myocardial injury(MINS)in non-cardiac surgery patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU).Methods A total of 478 postoperative patients admitted to the Department of Intensive Medicine,Minhang Hospital,Fudan University from Jan 2020 to Dec 2023 were selected.They were divided into MINS group(n=302)and normal group(n=176)based on whether myocardial injury occurred within 7 days after surgery.The differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared,and risk factors for perioperative myocardial injury were identified.Risk factors for mortality in the MINS group were analyzed with 30-day mortality as the clinical endpoint.Results The prevalence of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(Apache Ⅱ)score,coronary artery disease,and chronic kidney disease were all higher in the MINS group than those in the normal group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The proportion of emergency surgeries,co-infection,and perioperative hypotension were significantly different between the MINS group and the normal group(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that chronic kidney disease,emergency surgery,co-infection,and intraoperative and postoperative hypotension were risk factors for MINS occurrence.Prognostic analysis indicated that perioperative hypotension was a risk factor for 30-day mortality in MINS patients.Conclusion MINS is closely associated with patients'underlying conditions,timing of surgery,and perioperative hypotension status,and especially perioperative hypotension affects the final outcomes.

Objective To retrospectively analyze the clinical risk factors and prognosis of perioperative myocardial injury(MINS)in non-cardiac surgery patients admitted to the intensive care unit(ICU).Methods A total of 478 postoperative patients admitted to the Department of Intensive Medicine,Minhang Hospital,Fudan University from Jan 2020 to Dec 2023 were selected.They were divided into MINS group(n=302)and normal group(n=176)based on whether myocardial injury occurred within 7 days after surgery.The differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared,and risk factors for perioperative myocardial injury were identified.Risk factors for mortality in the MINS group were analyzed with 30-day mortality as the clinical endpoint.Results The prevalence of acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(Apache Ⅱ)score,coronary artery disease,and chronic kidney disease were all higher in the MINS group than those in the normal group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The proportion of emergency surgeries,co-infection,and perioperative hypotension were significantly different between the MINS group and the normal group(P<0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that chronic kidney disease,emergency surgery,co-infection,and intraoperative and postoperative hypotension were risk factors for MINS occurrence.Prognostic analysis indicated that perioperative hypotension was a risk factor for 30-day mortality in MINS patients.Conclusion MINS is closely associated with patients'underlying conditions,timing of surgery,and perioperative hypotension status,and especially perioperative hypotension affects the final outcomes.

Objective: To analyze the occurrence of recompensation conditions in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis after entecavir antiviral therapy. Methods: Patients with hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis with ascites as the initial manifestation were prospectively enrolled. Patients who received entecavir treatment for 120 weeks and were followed up every 24 weeks (including clinical endpoint events, hematological and imaging indicators, and others) were calculated for recompensation rates according to the Baveno VII criteria. Measurement data were compared using the Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test between groups. Categorical data were compared by the χ (2) test or Fisher's exact probability method between groups. Results: 283 of the 320 enrolled cases completed the 120-week follow-up, and 92.2% (261/283) achieved a virological response (HBV DNA 20 IU/ml). Child-Pugh and MELD scores were significantly improved after treatment (8.33 ± 1.90 vs. 5.77 ± 1.37, t = 12.70, P < 0.001; 13.37 ± 4.44 vs. 10.45 ± 4.58, t = 5.963, P < 0.001). During the 120-week follow-up period, 14 cases died, two received liver transplants, 19 developed hepatocellular cancer, 11 developed gastroesophageal variceal bleeding, and four developed hepatic encephalopathy. 60.4% (171/283) (no decompensation events occurred for 12 months) and 56.2% (159/283) (no decompensation events occurred for 12 months and improved liver function) of the patients had achieved clinical recompensation within 120 weeks. Patients with baseline MELD scores > 15 after active antiviral therapy achieved higher recompensation than patients with baseline MELD scores ≤15 [50/74 (67.6%) vs. 109/209 (52.2%), χ (2) = 5.275, P = 0.029]. Conclusion: Antiviral therapy can significantly improve the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis. The majority of patients (56.2%) had achieved recompensation. Patients with severe disease did not have a lower probability of recompensation at baseline than other patients.
Humans ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Antiviral Agents/adverse effects* ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/complications* ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications* ; Treatment Outcome ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/complications* ; Hepatitis B/drug therapy*

Ligustrum lucidum is a woody perennial plant of genus Ligustrum in family Oleaceae. Its dried fruit has high medicinal value. In this study, the authors evaluated the variability and species identification efficiency of three specific DAN barcodes(rbcL-accD, ycf1a, ycf1b) and four general DAN barcodes(matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2) for a rapid and accurate molecular identification of Ligustrum species. The results revealed that matK, rbcL, trnH-psbA, ITS2 and ycf1a were inefficient for identifying the Ligustrum species, and a large number of insertions and deletions were observed in rbcL-accD sequence, which was thus unsuitable for development as specific barcode. The ycf1b-2 barcode had DNA barcoding gap and high success rate of PCR amplification and DNA sequencing, which was the most suitable DNA barcode for L. lucidum identification and achieved an accurate result. In addition, to optimize the DNA extraction experiment, the authors extracted and analyzed the DNA of the exocarp, mesocarp, endocarp and seed of L. lucidum fruit. It was found that seed was the most effective part for DNA extraction, where DNAs of high concentration and quality were obtained, meeting the needs of species identification. In this study, the experimental method for DNA extraction of L. lucidum was optimized, and the seed was determined as the optimal part for DNA extraction and ycf1b-2 was the specific DNA barcode for L. lucidum identification. This study laid a foundation for the market regulation of L. lucidum.
Ligustrum/genetics* ; Seeds ; Fruit ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Research Design

The rapid and accurate authentication of traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)has always been a key scientific and technical problem in the field of pharmaceutical analysis.Herein,a novel heating online extraction electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(H-oEESI-MS)was developed for the rapid and direct analysis of extremely complex substances without the requirement for any sample pretreatment or pre-separation steps.The overall molecular profile and fragment structure features of various herbal medicines could be completely captured within 10-15 s,with minimal sample(＜0.5 mg)and solvent consumption(＜20 μL for one sample).Furthermore,a rapid differentiation and authentication strategy for TCMs based on H-oEESI-MS was proposed,including metabolic profile characterization,characteristic marker screening and identification,and multivariate statistical analysis model validation.In an analysis of 52 batches of seven types of Aconitum medicinal materials,20 and 21 key compounds were screened out as the characteristic markers of raw and processed Aconitum herbal medicines,respectively,and the possible structures of all the characteristic markers were comprehensively identified based on Com-pound Discoverer databases.Finally,multivariate statistical analysis showed that all the different types of herbal medicines were well differentiated and identified(R2X＞0.87,R2Y＞0.91,and Q2＞0.72),which further verified the feasibility and reliability of this comprehensive strategy for the rapid authentication of different TCMs based on H-oEESI-MS.In summary,this rapid authentication strategy realized the ultra-high-throughput,low-cost,and standardized detection of various complex TCMs for the first time,thereby demonstrating wide applicability and value for the development of quality standards for TCMs.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the characteristics and objective assessment method of visual field defects caused by optic chiasm and its posterior visual pathway injury. METHODS: Typical cases of visual field defects caused by injuries to the optic chiasm, optic tracts, optic radiations, and visual cortex were selected. Visual field examinations, visual evoked potential (VEP) and multifocal visual evolved potential (mfVEP) measurements, craniocerebral CT/MRI, and retinal optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed, respectively, and the aforementioned visual electrophysiological and neuroimaging indicators were analyzed comprehensively. RESULTS: The electrophysiological manifestations of visual field defects caused by optic chiasm injuries were bitemporal hemianopsia mfVEP abnormalities. The visual field defects caused by optic tract, optic radiation, and visual cortex injuries were all manifested homonymous hemianopsia mfVEP abnormalities contralateral to the lesion. Mild relative afferent pupil disorder (RAPD) and characteristic optic nerve atrophy were observed in hemianopsia patients with optic tract injuries, but not in patients with optic radiation or visual cortex injuries. Neuroimaging could provide morphological evidence of damages to the optic chiasm and its posterior visual pathway. CONCLUSIONS Visual field defects caused by optic chiasm, optic tract, optic radiation, and visual cortex injuries have their respective characteristics. The combined application of mfVEP and static visual field measurements, in combination with neuroimaging, can maximize the assessment of the location and degree of visual pathway damage, providing an effective scheme for the identification of such injuries.
Humans ; Optic Chiasm/pathology* ; Visual Pathways/pathology* ; Visual Fields ; Evoked Potentials, Visual ; Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Technique ; Hemianopsia/complications* ; Vision Disorders/pathology* ; Optic Nerve Injuries/diagnostic imaging* ; Brain Injuries, Traumatic/diagnostic imaging*

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of calycosin on microgravity-induced muscle atrophy by using real-time shear wave elastography (RT-SWE).Methods:The potential key active compound calycosin of anti-muscular atrophy in Astragali Radix was screened by systematic pharmacology. Eighteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group [0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose-Na (CMC-Na) gavage], the hind limb unloading (HLU)+CMC-Na group (HLU+0.5% CMC-Na gavage), and the HLU+calycosin group (HLU+calycosin gavage) according to the method of random number table, with 6 rats in each group. After 28 d of continuous administration, the organ index, the toxicity of liver and kidney, the wet weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight was measured, respectively. The non-invasive RT-SWE was used to evaluate the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris in each group and the one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences among groups.Results:There was no significant difference in organ index, liver and kidney toxicity among different groups of rats (all P>0.05). There were significant differences in the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight among different groups of rats ( F=60.66, 56.44, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight in the HLU+calycosin group increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). The thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris of rats in different groups were significantly different ( F=35.47, 14.68, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the muscle thickness and elastic modulus of rats in HLU+calycosin group were increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). Conclusions:The treatment of calycosin has no side effects on rats. It can improve the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris, and effectively prevent microgravity-induced muscle atrophy, which may provide a new candidate drug for astronaut muscular atrophy.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of calycosin on microgravity-induced muscle atrophy by using real-time shear wave elastography (RT-SWE).Methods:The potential key active compound calycosin of anti-muscular atrophy in Astragali Radix was screened by systematic pharmacology. Eighteen healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the control group [0.5% carboxymethyl cellulose-Na (CMC-Na) gavage], the hind limb unloading (HLU)+CMC-Na group (HLU+0.5% CMC-Na gavage), and the HLU+calycosin group (HLU+calycosin gavage) according to the method of random number table, with 6 rats in each group. After 28 d of continuous administration, the organ index, the toxicity of liver and kidney, the wet weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight was measured, respectively. The non-invasive RT-SWE was used to evaluate the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris in each group and the one-way analysis of variance was used to compare the differences among groups.Results:There was no significant difference in organ index, liver and kidney toxicity among different groups of rats (all P>0.05). There were significant differences in the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight among different groups of rats ( F=60.66, 56.44, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the weight of soleus muscle and the ratio of muscle weight to body weight in the HLU+calycosin group increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). The thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris of rats in different groups were significantly different ( F=35.47, 14.68, both P<0.001). Compared with the HLU+CMC-Na group, the muscle thickness and elastic modulus of rats in HLU+calycosin group were increased, and the differences were significant (both P<0.01). Conclusions:The treatment of calycosin has no side effects on rats. It can improve the thickness and elastic modulus of rectus femoris, and effectively prevent microgravity-induced muscle atrophy, which may provide a new candidate drug for astronaut muscular atrophy.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical treatment outcomes and the changes of the outcomes over time in extremely preterm twins in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 269 pairs of extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks who were admitted to the department of neonatology in 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 2008 to December 2017. According to the admission time, they were divided into two groups: 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. Besides, each pair of twins was divided into the heavier infant and the lighter infant subgroups according to birth weight. The perinatal data of mothers and hospitalization data of neonates were collected. The survival rate of twins and the incidence rate of complications were compared between the 2008-2012 and 2013-2017 groups. RESULTS: Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of severe asphyxia and smaller head circumference at birth (P<0.05). The mortality rates of both of the twins, the heavier infant of the twins, and the lighter infant of the twins were lower in the 2013-2017 group compared with the 2008-2012 group (P<0.05). Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (P-IVH), and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and a higher incidence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a significant increase in the survival rate over time in extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks in the 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province. The incidences of severe asphyxia, pulmonary hemorrhage, PDA, P-IVH, and NRDS decrease in both the heavier and lighter infants of the twins, but the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia increases. With the improvement of diagnosis and treatment, the multidisciplinary collaboration between different fields of fetal medicine including prenatal diagnosis, obstetrics, and neonatology is needed in the future to jointly develop management strategies for twin pregnancy.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome