This study aimed to characterize and identify the non-volatile components in aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the stems and leaves of Rhododendron tomentosum by using sensitive and efficient ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry(UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) combined with a self-built information database. By comparing with reference compounds, analyzing fragment ion information, searching relevant literature, and using a self-built information database, 118 compounds were identified from the aqueous and ethanolic extracts of R. tomentosum, including 35 flavonoid glycosides, 15 phenolic glycosides, 12 flavonoids, 7 phenolic acids, 7 phenylethanol glycosides, 6 tannins, 6 phospholipids, 5 coumarins, 5 monoterpene glycosides, 6 triterpenes, 3 fatty acids, and 11 other types of compounds. Among them, 102 compounds were reported in R. tomentosum for the first time, and 36 compounds were identified by comparing them with reference compounds. The chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum leaves and stems showed slight differences, with 84 common chemical components accounting for 71.2% of the total 118 compounds. This study systematically characterized and identified the non-volatile chemical components in the ethanolic and aqueous extracts of R. tomentosum for the first time. The findings provide a reference for active ingredient research, quality control, and product development of R. tomentosum.
Rhododendron/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Mass Spectrometry/methods* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry*

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate the bacterial communities of biting midges and ticks collected from three sites in the Poyang Lake area,namely,Qunlu Practice Base,Peach Blossom Garden,and Huangtong Animal Husbandry,and whether vectors carry any bacterial pathogens that may cause diseases to humans,to provide scientific basis for prospective pathogen discovery and disease prevention and control. Methods Using a metataxonomics approach in concert with full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and operational phylogenetic unit(OPU)analysis,we characterized the species-level microbial community structure of two important vector species,biting midges and ticks,including 33 arthropod samples comprising 3,885 individuals,collected around Poyang Lake. Results A total of 662 OPUs were classified in biting midges,including 195 known species and 373 potentially new species,and 618 OPUs were classified in ticks,including 217 known species and 326 potentially new species.Surprisingly,OPUs with potentially pathogenicity were detected in both arthropod vectors,with 66 known species of biting midges reported to carry potential pathogens,including Asaia lannensis and Rickettsia bellii,compared to 50 in ticks,such as Acinetobacter lwoffii and Staphylococcus sciuri.We found that Proteobacteria was the most dominant group in both midges and ticks.Furthermore,the outcomes demonstrated that the microbiota of midges and ticks tend to be governed by a few highly abundant bacteria.Pantoea sp7 was predominant in biting midges,while Coxiella sp1 was enriched in ticks.Meanwhile,Coxiella spp.,which may be essential for the survival of Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann,were detected in all tick samples.The identification of dominant species and pathogens of biting midges and ticks in this study serves to broaden our knowledge associated to microbes of arthropod vectors. Conclusion Biting midges and ticks carry large numbers of known and potentially novel bacteria,and carry a wide range of potentially pathogenic bacteria,which may pose a risk of infection to humans and animals.The microbial communities of midges and ticks tend to be dominated by a few highly abundant bacteria.

BACKGROUND:Croton cream can activate ERK pathways and have anti-apoptotic effects on neuronal cells.It is not clear whether it synergistically exerts anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the activation of JNK and p38 pathways. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of croton cream on neuronal damage and apoptosis in the ischemic cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:(1)Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream low-dose group,croton cream medium-dose group,croton cream high-dose group and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Except for the sham operation group,animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared in rats by the thread method.Rats in the three croton cream groups were given 20,40,and 60 mg/kg croton cream,respectively.Rats in the sham operation and model groups were given the same amount of normal saline,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.The optimal concentration of croton cream,namely the high dose of croton cream,was selected based on neurological deficit score,TTC staining,brain tissue water content,hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining.(2)Another 120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream group,JNK inhibitor group,croton cream+JNK inhibitor group,p38 MAPK inhibitor group,croton cream+p38 MAPK inhibitor group,and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared using the thread method in all the groups except in the sham operation group.Thirty minutes before modeling,10 μL of SP600125(JNK inhibitor)and 10 μL of SB203580(p38 MAPK inhibitor)were injected into the lateral ventricle of the rats,respectively.Rats in croton cream groups were intragastrically given 60 mg/kg croton cream.Seven days later,the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway,apoptosis-related proteins and cell apoptosis were detected by western blot,TUNEL staining and flow cytometry,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham operation group,neurological deficit score,cerebral water content,cerebral infarction volume and apoptosis rate were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05),where nerve cells showed scattered distribution.Compared with the model group,neurological deficit score,water content of brain tissue and cerebral infarction volume were significantly decreased in the croton cream medium-dose group,high-dose group and nimodipine group(P<0.05),and the pathological morphology of nerve cells was significantly improved.(2)Compared with the JNK inhibitor group,p-JNK/JNK,p-p38/p38 and Bax expressions in rat brain tissue and the apoptotic rate were significantly decreased in the croton cream+inhibitor groups(P<0.05),while the expression of and Bcl-2 was significantly increased(P<0.05).To conclude,croton cream may inhibit the activation of JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway and reduce neuronal apoptosis to achieve neuroprotective effects in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy and cardiovascular protective effect of sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitor(SGLT-2i)on patients with type 2 diabetic nephropathy(T2DN).Methods:A total of 376 T2DN patients admitted in our Department of Endocrinology and Department of Cardiology from January 2018 to December 2021 were selected.According to therapeutic program,they were divided into control group(n=177,re-ceived routine treatment program)and SGLT-2i group(n=199,received SGLT-2i based on routine treatment program),both groups were continuously treated for 1 year.Blood glucose,blood pressure,blood lipids,uric acid,body mass index,renal function-related indexes and the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events were compared between the two groups after 12 months,as well as the adverse drug reactions.Results:After 12-month treatment,compared with control group,there were significant reductions in levels of blood pressure,fasting blood glucose(FBG),glycosylated hemoglobin A1e(HbA1c),urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR),creatinine(Cr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and uric acid(UA),and significant rise in estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),albumin(Alb)and alanine aminotransferase(ALT)in SGLT-2i group(P＜0.05 or＜0.01).Incidence rates of acute myocardial infarction(1.51％vs.6.21％)and heart failure caused-readmission(2.51％vs.6.78％)in SGLT-2i group were significantly lower than those of control group,and inci-dence rate of urinary system infection(8.54％vs.1.69％)was significantly higher than that of control group(P＜0.05 all).Conclusion:SGLT-2i can not only effectively control blood glucose,but also reduce body weight and blood pressure,improve blood lipids,reduce uric acid,improve renal hyperfiltration,reduce urinary protein and possess unique cardiovascular benefits,but risk of urinary system infection calls for attention.

Objective To explore the mitochondrial dysfunction in glaucoma-related optic nerve injury and its effect on the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs).Methods The RGC-5 cells were incubated under elevated pressure(70 mmHg,1 kPa=7.5 mmHg)on the basis of standard atmospheric pressure(100 kPa)for 12 h,24 h,and 48 h,respective-ly.The RGC-5 cells cultured under the standard atmospheric pressure were selected as the blank group.The apoptosis of RGC-5 cells was detected through Annexin V/PI staining.The mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)and reactive oxy-gen species(ROS)level were measured using the JC-1 staining and DCFH-DA fluorescent probe.The expression levels of B cell lymphoma-2(BCL-2)protein,BCL-2-associated X(BAX)protein,cleaved Caspase-3,and cytochrome C(CytC)pro-tein were detected using Western blot.Results Compared with the blank group,the MMP in the 12 h,24 h and 48 h groups significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Compared with the blank group,the cell apoptosis and ROS level in the 24 h and 48 h groups significantly increased(all P＜0.05),while there was no statistically significant difference in the cell apop-tosis and ROS level between the 12 h group and the blank group(both P＞0.05).Compared with the blank group,the rela-tive expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and BAX protein in the 24 h and 48 h groups significantly increased(all P＜0.05),while the relative expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3 and BAX protein in the 12 h group showed no significant difference(both P＞0.05).Compared with the blank group,the relative expression level of BCL-2 protein in the 12 h,24 h and 48 h groups decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Compared with the blank group,the relative expression level of Cyt C protein in the 48 h group significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the relative expression level of Cyt C protein in the 12 h and 24 h groups showed no significant difference(both P＞0.05).Conclu-sion After culture at 70 mmHg pressure,RGC-5 cells show increased apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction.The mito-chondrial damage at the early stage of stress injury may be closely related to exogenous apoptosis pathways.

Objective To explore the prediction of hospital indoor microbial concentration in air based on real-time indoor air environment monitoring data and machine learning algorithms.Methods Four locations in a hospital were selected as monitoring sampling points from May 23 to June 5,2022.The"internet of things"sensor was used to monitor a variety of real-time air environment data.Air microbial concentration data collected at each point were matched,and the gradient boosting decision tree(GBDT)was used to predict real-time indoor microbial concentra-tion in air.Five other common machine learning models were selected for comparison,including random forest(RF),decision tree(DT),k-nearest neighbor(KNN),linear regression(LR)and artificial neural network(ANN).The validity of the model was verified by the mean absolute error(MAE),root mean square error(RMSE)and mean absolute percentage error(MAPE).Results The MAPE value of GBDT model in the outpa-tient elevator room(point A),bronchoscopy room(point B),CT waiting area(point C),and nurses'station in the supply room(point D)were 22.49％,36.28％,29.34％,and 26.43％,respectively.The mean performance of the GBDT model was higher than that of other machine learning models at three sampling points and slightly lower than that of the ANN model at only one sampling point.The mean MAPE value of GBDT model at four sampling points was 28.64％,that is,the predicted value deviated from the actual value by 28.64％,indicating that GBDT model has good prediction results and the predicted value was within the available range.Conclusion The GBDT machine learning model based on real-time indoor air environment monitoring data can improve the prediction accuracy of in-door air microbial concentration in hospitals.

AIM To investigate the consistency of chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma.METHODS Eighteen batches of standard decoctions were prepared,after which the extraction rate and contents,transfer rates of magnolflorine,jatrorrhizine,columbamine,epiberberine,coptisine,palmatine,berberin were determined,HPLC characteristic chromatograms were established.RESULTS There were 11 common peaks in the characteristic chromatograms of 18 batches of standard decoctions and 24 batches of formula granules with the similarities of 0.861-1.000,which were clusterd into two categories.The formula granules and standard decoction demonstrated approximated extraction rate and contents,transfer rates of index constituents.CONCLUSION The chemical constituents between formula granules and standard decoction of Coptidis Rhizoma display good consistency,which can provide references for the quality control,process research and clinical application of the former.

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using the "All in One" single-artery/vessel technique. Methods: This is a retrospective study. A total of 30 consecutive patients underwent TAVR using the single artery/vascular technique in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from August to December 2021 were included. Baseline clinical data, operative situation, postoperative outcomes, and incidence of adverse events during hospitalization and at one month post TAVR were analyzed. Results: Mean age was (72.6±9.7) years, 16 were male patients, STS score was (4.73±3.12)%. Four patients were diagnosed as isolated aortic regurgitation (all with tricuspid aortic valves), and 26 patients were diagnosed as aortic stenosis (AS), 10 of whom with tricuspid aortic valves and 16 of whom with bicuspid aortic valves. The single-vessel technique was applied in 3 aortic stenosis cases; the single-artery technique was applied in 27 cases. Echocardiography was performed immediately after procedure and results showed no or trace perivalvular leak in 27 cases and small perivalvular leak in 3 cases; the mean aortic transvalvular gradient of 26 AS patients decreased from (50.4±16.0) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (9.4±3.2) mmHg (P<0.001). The procedure time was (64.8±18.9) min. There were no intraoperative death, valve displacement, conversion to surgery, coronary artery occlusion in all 30 patients. There were no major cardiac adverse events such as myocardial infarction or stroke occurred during hospitalization or at follow-up. One-month follow-up echocardiography indicated prosthesis works well. The symptoms were significantly alleviated, and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Score (KCCQ score) of all patients increased from 48.1±18.4 to 73.5±17.6 (P<0.001). Conclusions: TAVR using the single artery/vessel technique is safe and feasible. This technique is related to reduced access complications and worthy of wide application.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Retrospective Studies ; Arteries ; Aorta ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery*

Objective: To explore the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) using the "All in One" single-artery/vessel technique. Methods: This is a retrospective study. A total of 30 consecutive patients underwent TAVR using the single artery/vascular technique in Beijing Anzhen Hospital from August to December 2021 were included. Baseline clinical data, operative situation, postoperative outcomes, and incidence of adverse events during hospitalization and at one month post TAVR were analyzed. Results: Mean age was (72.6±9.7) years, 16 were male patients, STS score was (4.73±3.12)%. Four patients were diagnosed as isolated aortic regurgitation (all with tricuspid aortic valves), and 26 patients were diagnosed as aortic stenosis (AS), 10 of whom with tricuspid aortic valves and 16 of whom with bicuspid aortic valves. The single-vessel technique was applied in 3 aortic stenosis cases; the single-artery technique was applied in 27 cases. Echocardiography was performed immediately after procedure and results showed no or trace perivalvular leak in 27 cases and small perivalvular leak in 3 cases; the mean aortic transvalvular gradient of 26 AS patients decreased from (50.4±16.0) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (9.4±3.2) mmHg (P<0.001). The procedure time was (64.8±18.9) min. There were no intraoperative death, valve displacement, conversion to surgery, coronary artery occlusion in all 30 patients. There were no major cardiac adverse events such as myocardial infarction or stroke occurred during hospitalization or at follow-up. One-month follow-up echocardiography indicated prosthesis works well. The symptoms were significantly alleviated, and the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Score (KCCQ score) of all patients increased from 48.1±18.4 to 73.5±17.6 (P<0.001). Conclusions: TAVR using the single artery/vessel technique is safe and feasible. This technique is related to reduced access complications and worthy of wide application.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Retrospective Studies ; Arteries ; Aorta ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-inflammatory activity of Radix Panacis quinguefolii root extract (RPQE) and its therapeutic effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: The 72-hour post-fertilization zebrafish was used to generate the local and systematic inflammation models through tail-amputation and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induction (100 µ g/mL), respectively. The Tg(zlyz:EGFP) zebrafish was induced with 75 µ g/mL 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) for establishing the IBD model. The tail-amputated, LPS-, and TNBS-induced models were subjected to RPQE (ethanol fraction, 10-20 µ g/mL) administration for 12 and 24 h, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity of RPQE was evaluated by detecting migration and aggregation of leukocytes and expression of inflammation-related genes. Meanwhile, TNBS-induced fish were immersed in 0.2% (W/V) calcein for 1.5 h and RPQE for 12 h before photographing to analyze the intestinal efflux efficiency (IEE). Moreover, the expression of inflammation-related genes in these fish was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Subject to RPQE administration, the migration and aggregation of leukocytes were significantly alleviated in 3 zebrafish models (P<0.01). Herein, RPQE ameliorated TNBS-induced IBD with respect to a significantly reduced number of leukocytes, improved IEE, and inhibited gene expression of pro-inflammatory factors (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION RPQE exhibited therapeutic effects on IBD by inhibiting inflammation.
Animals ; Zebrafish ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Disease Models, Animal ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/metabolism* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid/adverse effects* ; Colitis/drug therapy*