Objective: To evaluate the bidirectional association between periodontitis and Sjögren's syndrome using the Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data of periodontitis (N = 45 563) and Sjögren's syndrome (N = 214 435) were selected to meet the requirements of the same ethnicity and different regions. Inverse variance-weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, and weighted median (WM) tests were used to evaluate the causal effect. Cochran's Q statistics, MR-Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO and leave-one-out analysis were used as sensitivity analyses to assess the stability and reliability of the results. Results: After screening, the GWAS data of Sjögren's syndrome were based on the Finnish region, and the periodontitis GWAS data were based on the UK region, both of which originated from European ancestry. Using IVW (OR = 1.017, 95% CI = 0.956-1.082), MR-Egger (OR = 0.985, 95% CI= 0.956-1.082), and WM (OR =1.021, 95% CI = 0.948-1.099), no causal effect of Sjögren's syndrome on periodontitis was found using any of the three methods. Conversely, no causal effect of periodontitis on Sjögren's syndrome was found (IVW, OR = 1.024, 95% CI = 0.852-1.230; MR-Egger, OR = 0.978, 95% CI = 0.789-1.212; WM, OR = 1.024, 95% CI = 0.846-1.260). The sensitivity analyses indicated that the results were stable and reliable. Cochran's Q test and MR-PRESSO revealed that there was no significant heterogeneity among the instrumental variables, which included single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). The intercept of MR-Egger regression indicated no pleiotropy in the included SNPs. No individual SNP was found that significantly affected the results using the leave-one-out method. Conclusion This study does not support a bidirectional causal effect between periodontitis and Sjögren's syndrome.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of silymarin extract(SME)and its complex preparation on ethanol liver injury.Methods An ethanol liver injury model was established by gavage of 12 mL·kg-1 50％ethanol.Male mice were divided into blank group(distilled water),model group(ethanol liver injury model),SME-L,-H groups(6,20 mg·mL-1 SME),SME+Ganoderma lucidum extract(GLE)-L,-H groups(10,30 mg·mL-1 SME+GLE,SME∶GLE=1∶1),Jian An Shi Silymarin Pueraria Mirifica and Tansy tablets(JAS)-L,-H groups(68,204 mg·mL-1 JAS),there were 12 mice in each group.The serum levels of glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(GOT)in mice were measured by fully automated biochemical analyzer assay;the serum levels of interleukin-6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α)in mice were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELASA);the hepatic tissue of oxidative stress indexes[catalase(CAT)and total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD)]were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometer.Results The T-SOD activity in the blank group,model group,SME-L,SME-H,SME+GLE-L,SME+GLE-H,JAS-L and JAS-H groups were(192.54±49.00),(141.65±34.72),(205.83±32.77),(191.68±25.83),(192.31±28.79),(177.82±32.61),(218.58±74.80)and(210.24±31.65)U·mg·prot-1;CAT activity were(37.78±5.73),(28.92±8.44),(44.12±11.52),(41.41±9.15),(47.01±10.48),(41.63±8.95),(47.14±8.91)and(48.29±10.06)U·mg-1;GPT levels were(47.61±13.00),(97.84±26.00),(62.33±18.92),(51.84±17.91),(70.77±28.00),(58.00±21.27),(52.28±18.78)and(45.55±9.27)U·L-1;IL-6 levels were(21.03±1.52),(28.43±5.75),(21.90±3.24),(21.23±1.55),(22.26±2.58),(21.24±2.91),(22.17±4.14)and(21.14±3.02)pg·mL-1.Comparing the above indexes in the model group with the blank group,and comparing the above indexes in the SME-L,SME-H,SME+GLE-L,SME+GLE-H,JAS-L,JAS-H groups with the model group,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).The TNF-α levels in blank,model,SME-L,SME-H,SME+GLE-L,SME+GLE-H,JAS-L and JAS-H groups were were(28.07±7.72),(69.02±16.34),(40.29±8.94),(48.84±10.17),(41.91±14.96),(40.07±12.75),(50.72±11.44)and(45.05±11.34)pg·mL-1.Comparing the model group with the blank group,the SME,SME+GLE-L,-M and JAS,-M groups with the model group,the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.01).Conclusion Silybum marianum extract and its compound preparation can increase the antioxidant level and reduce the inflammation of mouse liver,and have a certain improvement effect on liver injury caused by acute ethanol poisoning.

To establish a method for determining 26 inorganic elements in earthworm polypeptide and determine the elemental content in different batches of earthworm polypeptide, microwave digestion method was used to pre-treat the samples, and ICP-MS method was used to determine the content of 26 elements in different batches of earthworm polypeptide. The linear relationships of 26 elements were good in the range of 0-1 000 μg·L^-1, with R² greater than 0.999, precision RSD 0.21%-2.71%, repeatability RSD 0.19%-4.69%, stability RSD 0.11%-4.24%, and recovery rates of 82.41%-116.16%. The data was plotted using Origin 2022 software to characterize the distribution of elements content. SPSS 27.0 was used for principal component analysis, and SIMCA 14.1 software was used for OPLS-DA analysis. The results showed that among the 26 elements, the higher content of earthworm polypeptide was K, Na, and Ca, followed by Zn, Fe, Al, B and other trace elements, In, Sc, Co, Pb, Bi and other elements had little or no detectable content, and there were differences in the content of polypeptide in different batches. This study provides a theoretical basis for the production quality control, quality evaluation and drug efficacy application of earthworm polypeptide through the determination and analysis of the elements and content of earthworm polypeptide.

As a rapidly developing frontier discipline, structural biology has penetrated into every field of life science research. The course of “Structural Biology” plays an important role in expanding the knowledge system of undergraduate students and promoting students’ scientific spirit and innovation. For the high-quality training of highly skilled talents, we aimed to promote the original innovation of students, the ability of thinking, and the ability of engineering practice. The trinity education concept, including shape of the value, passing on knowledge, and ability cultivation, was applied. During the reform, we explored a step-by-step course content and searched for factors involved in ideological and political education. Based on the problem-based learning (PBL) method, a hybrid teaching model was designed to cultivate the problem-thinking and problem-solving skills of students. Meanwhile, a number of evaluation systems for students and teachers were established, which may be generally adopted for the course of “Structural Biology”. The survey data suggested that the exploration has a good effect on teaching and training and is conducive to the cultivation of research-oriented, comprehensive, innovative talents under the background of “New Engineering”.

Analyze the changes in phenolic components and gene expression profiles of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum leaves with supplemental blue light, and screen differentially expressed genes related to phenolic metabolism, providing a basis for improving the quality of T. hemsleyanum leaves. Using the leaves of T. hemsleyanum under supplemental blue light and visible light as research materials, the content of phenolic components such as neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, and 3-O-coumaroyl quinic acid was significantly increased by supplemental blue light. A total of 102 949 unigenes were obtained from the transcriptome, including 14 564 differentially expressed unigenes. They can be divided into 52 subclasses by gene ontology (GO) function, kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that these differentially expressed unigenes were significantly enriched in phenolic metabolic pathways such as phenylpropane biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis and isoflavone biosynthesis. A total of 63 differentially expressed unigenes were identified in the pathways related to the biosynthesis of phenolic cpmponents, including 19 key enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cinnamyl-alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD), flavonol synthase (FLS), and so on. This study greatly enriched the genetic data information of T. hemsleyanum and laid a foundation for analyzing the mechanism of blue light promoting the biosynthesis of phenols and molecular breeding of T. hemsleyanum.

Pharmaceutical cocrystals are one of the effective strategies to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, the phase transformation of cocrystals during dissolution can lead to the recrystallization of the parent drugs, and thus negating the solubility advantage of cocrystals. The introduction of suitable excipients into the cocrystal formulation may inhibit the phase transformation during dissolution, resulting in the enhanced dissolution and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. In addition, the complex gastrointestinal environment and absorption behavior of drugs can have significant impacts on the oral bioavailability of cocrystals. This review summarizes the recent studies of the dissolution and absorption of pharmaceutical cocrystals, and aims to provide guidance for the rational design of pharmaceutical cocrystal formulations.

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)combined with pars plana vitrectomy(PPV)treatment for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR)of different traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome types in the real world.Methods A prospective real-world study was performed in the 36 patients(involving 42 eyes)with PDR treated by anti-VEGF combined with PPV in the Department of Ophthalmology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine from March 2019 to December 2019.According to the TCM syndrome manifestations,the patients were differentiated as qi-yin deficiency complicated with blood stasis obstructing collaterals type(15 cases,involving 18 eyes;shorten as qi-yin deficiency type),liver-kidney deficiency and ocular collaterals failing in the nourishment type(14 cases,involving 17 eyes;shorten as liver-kidney deficiency type),and yin-yang deficiency complicated with blood stasis and phlegm coagulation type(7 cases,involving 7 eyes;shorten as yin-yang deficiency type).The patients were treated with anti-VEGF therapy first and then received PPV after 5-7 days.Aqueous humor was sampled during anti-VEGF therapy and PPV.After treatment,the efficacy of PDR patients with different TCM syndromes was compared.Moreover,the patients were observed in the best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)of the affected eyes before surgery and 3 months after surgery,levels of cytokines in the aqueous humor before and after anti-VEGF treatment,macular central retinal thickness(CRT),area of the foveal avascular zone(FAZ),the blood density of macular center,inner ring,outer ring and intact macula 3 months after surgery,and the postoperative complications.Results(1)The difference of the therapeutic efficacy of PDR patients with various TCM syndrome types was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Among 3 syndrome types,the best efficacy was found in the qi-yin deficiency type,followed by liver-kidney deficiency type,and then yin-yang deficiency type,with the total efficacy rate being 88.89%(16/18),52.94%(9/17),and 42.86%(3/7),respectively.(2)Three months after surgery,the logarithmic value of minimum angle of resolution(LogMAR)for BCVA of patients with qi-yin deficiency type was significantly superior to that of patients with yin-yang deficiency type,with the difference being statistically significant(P＜0.05).After the anti-VEGF treatment,the levels of cytokines in the aqueous humor of the patients varied in the 3 syndrome types:vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGF-A)level in the patients with the 3 syndrome types was significantly lower,placental growth factor(PLGF)and angiopoietin-like protein 4(ANGPTL4)levels in the patients with qi-yin deficiency type were higher,and interleukin 8(IL-8)level in the patients with liver-kidney deficiency type was higher than those before treatment,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The blood density of macular outer ring and intact macula in the patients with qi-yin deficiency type and liver-kidney deficiency type was larger than that in the patients with yin-yang deficiency type,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).However,the differences of CRT,FAZ area,and blood density of macular center and inner ring among the 3 syndrome types were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(3)The incidence of postoperative complications in the patients with yin-yang deficiency type was relatively high,but the difference among the 3 syndrome types was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion In the real world,the best efficacy of anti-VEGF combined with PPV treatment in PDR patients with different TCM syndrome types can be achieved in the patients differentiated as qi-yin deficiency type,followed by liver-kidney deficiency type,and then yin-yang deficiency type.After anti-VEGF treatment,the levels of cytokines in the aqueous humor of the patients vary in the 3 syndrome types.Three months after the operation,the patients with qi-yin deficiency type and liver-kidney deficiency type have larger blood density of macular outer ring and intact macula,and exert good prognosis.

Objective To explore the eradication rate of human papillomavirus(HPV)and gestational outcome of patients with high-grade squamous intraepithelial disease of the cervix(HSIL)after loop electrosurgical excision procedure(LEEP)by transvaginal dissection of the vesicorectal form the cervix.Methods A total of 53 patients treated with LEEP by transvaginal dissection of the vesicorectal form the cervix in Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University from Jan to Dec,2019 were investigated.Clinical information of cervical cytological examination,HPV test and cervical biopsy under colposcopy were followed up for 6,12 and 24 months post-LEEP were collected.HPV infection in these 53 patients were compared before and after LEEP surgery.The rate of successful fertility of the cohort,the HPV conversion rate of patients with hysterectomy and LEEP done were compared.The association between the pathological type and positive surgical margin and the association between HPV infection type and positive surgical margin were analyzed.Results HPV infection rate of was 94.3%(50/53)and the proportion of HPV16 and/or 18 infection was 75.5%(40/53).Mono-HPV infection rate(69.8%,37/53)was significantly higher than mixed HPV infection rate(22.7%,13/53).Thirty-eight patients(71.7%)were found with positive surgical margin in previous LEEP operation.Fifteen patients had recurrence(28.3%)and 40 patients(75.5%)successfully delivered baby after surgery.Postoperative pathology was mainly HSIL,accounting for 66%(30/53),and 28.3%patients(15/53)had no pathological change.Forty cases had satisfying fertility-conservative operation outcome with negative surgical margin,and 38 patients eradicated HPV infection after LEEP,which took up 95%of patients with satisfying fertility-conservative operation.There was no significant difference of positive resection margin rate in between groups of HPV16/18 infection and other types.Five cases had successful delivery(12.5%,5/40)with 1 case of vaginal delivery and 4 cases of cesarean section.Among these 5 cases,3 cases undertook preventive cervical cerclage,with 1 case of vaginal delivery and 2 cases of cesarean sections.Conclusion HPV eradication rate and surgical outcome could be significantly improved by LEEP with transvaginal dissection of the vesicorectal from the cervix,which satisfied the fertility preservation of females at reproductive age.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease and the most common type of arthritis. It involves almost any joint and can lead to chronic pain and disability. In the late 19th century, Roentgen discovered X-rays, and then began to use radiotherapy to treat tumors. In the 1980s, Luckey thought that low-level radiation (LDRT) might be beneficial to biology, and it was gradually applied to the treatment of some diseases. This paper introduces the epidemiology, risk factors, clinical manifestations and treatment methods of OA, points out that the cartilage injury and the important effect of synovial inflammation in the pathogenesis of OA, namely when the homeostasis of articular cartilage are destroyed, synthetic metabolism and catabolism imbalances, cartilage cells damaged their breakdown products consumed by synovial cells. Synovial cells and synovial macrophages secrete proinflammatory cytokines, metalloproteinases and proteolytic enzymes, leading to cartilage matrix degradation and chondrocyte damage, which aggravates synovial inflammation and cartilage damage, forming a vicious cycle. The possible mechanism and clinical research progress of LDRT in alleviating OA are discussed. LDRT can regulate inflammatory response, inhibit the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and promote the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines, thereby achieving anti-inflammatory effect. Studies have shown that after irradiation, the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was decreased, the release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the production of superoxide were inhibited, the anti-inflammatory phenotype of macrophages was differentiated from M1 to M2, the inflammatory CD8⁺ T cells were transformed into CD4⁺ T cells, and the number of dendritic cells (DC) was significantly reduced. LDRT inhibit the production of proinflammatory factors in leukocytes, reduce their recruitment and adhesion, and down-regulate the expression levels of cell adhesion molecules such as selectin, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecule (VCAM). LDRT can regulate endothelial cells, stimulate endothelial cells to produce a large amount of TGF-β1, reduce the adhesion of endothelial cells to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), and contribute to the anti-inflammatory effect of LDRT. It also exerted anti-inflammatory effects by regulating mitochondrial growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15). After low-level radiation, the MMP-13 (matrix metalloproteinases-13) and the ADAMTS5 (recombinant a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin-5) decreased, the Col2a1 (collagen type 2) increased in chondrocytes. In the existing clinical studies, most patients can achieve relief of joint pain and recovery of joint mobility after irradiation, and the patients have good feedback on the efficacy. The adverse reactions (acute reactions and carcinogenic risks) caused by LDRT in the treatment of OA are also discussed. During the treatment of OA, a few patients have symptoms such as redness, dryness or itching at the joint skin, and the symptoms are mild and do not require further treatment. Patients are thus able to tolerate more frequent and longer doses of radiotherapy. In general, LDRT itself has the advantages of non-invasive, less adverse reactions, and shows the effect of pain relief and movement improvement in the treatment of OA. Therefore, LDRT has a broad application prospect in the treatment of OA.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from the leaves of Cyanocarya paliurus(Batalin)Iljinskaja and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities.METHODS The 95%ethanol extract from the leaves of C.paliurus was isolated and purified by macroporous resin,silica gel,Sephadex LH-20,polyamide,C18 reversed-phase silica gel and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.Their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were evaluated by PNPG.RESULTS Fifteen compounds were isolated and identified as cyclopaloside C(1),cyclopaloside A(2),juglanosides E(3),vaccinin A(4),ent-murin A(5),kaempferol 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside(6),kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(7),kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide methyl ester(8),kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide ethyl ester(9),kaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucuronide butyl ester(10),quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside(11)quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(12),quercetin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside(13),quercetin-3-O-β-D-glucuronide butyl ester(14),dihydrokaempferol(15).The IC50 value of total extracts ihibited α-glucosidase was(1.83±0.04)μg/mL,and the IC50 values of compounds 1,4-5 were(29.48±1.86),(0.50±0.07),(0.71±0.07)μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Compound 1 is a new tetrahydronaphthalene glycoside.Compounds 4-5,8-10 and 14 are isolated from the leaves of C.paliurus for the first time.Compounds 4-5 are relatively rare flavonoid lignans with potential inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase.