The molecular mechanism of verbascoside(OC1) in promoting acetylcholine(ACh) release in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD) was studied. Adrenal pheochromocytoma cells(PC12) of rats induced by β-amyloid protein(1-42)(Aβ_(1-42)) were used as AD models in vitro and were divided into control group, model group(Aβ_(1-42) 10 μmol·L~(-1)), OC1 treatment group(2 and 10 μg·mL~(-1)). The effect of OC1 on phosphorylated proteins in AD models was analyzed by whole protein phosphorylation quantitative omics, and the selectivity of OC1 for calcium channel subtypes was virtually screened in combination with computer-aided drug design. The fluorescence probe Fluo-3/AM was used to detect Ca~(2+) concentration in cells. Western blot analysis was performed to detect the effects of OC1 on the expression of phosphorylated calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ(p-CaMKⅡ, Thr286) and synaptic vesicle-related proteins, and UPLC/Q Exactive MS was used to detect the effects of OC1 on ACh release in AD models. The effects of OC1 on acetylcholine esterase(AChE) activity in AD models were detected. The results showed that the differentially modified proteins in the model group and the OC1 treatment group were related to calcium channel activation at three levels: GO classification, KEGG pathway, and protein domain. The results of molecular docking revealed the dominant role of L-type calcium channels. Fluo-3/AM fluorescence intensity decreased under the presence of Ca~(2+) chelating agent ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid(EGTA), L-type calcium channel blocker verapamil, and N-type calcium channel blocker conotoxin, and the effect of verapamil was stronger than that of conotoxin. This confirmed that OC1 promoted extracellular Ca~(2+) influx mainly through its interaction with L-type calcium channel protein. In addition, proteomic analysis and Western blot results showed that the expression of p-CaMKⅡ and downstream vesicle-related proteins was up-regulated after OC1 treatment, indicating that OC1 acted on vesicle-related proteins by activating CaMKⅡ and participated in synaptic remodeling and transmitter release, thus affecting learning and memory. OC1 also decreased the activity of AChE and prolonged the action time of ACh in synaptic gaps.
Animals ; Rats ; Glucosides/administration & dosage* ; Acetylcholine/metabolism* ; Alzheimer Disease/genetics* ; PC12 Cells ; Phenols/chemistry* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/genetics* ; Humans ; Phosphorylation/drug effects* ; Calcium/metabolism* ; Polyphenols

Y chromosome microdeletions are an important cause of male infertility. At present, research on the Y chromosome is mainly focused on analyzing the loss of large segments of the azoospermia factor a/b/c (AZFa/b/c) gene, and few studies have reported the impact of unit point deletion in the AZF band on fertility. This study analyzed the effect of sperm quality after sY1192 loss in 116 patients. The sY1192-independent deletion accounted for 41.4% (48/116). Eight patterns were found in the deletions associated with sY1192. The rate of sperm detection was similar in the semen of patients with the independent sY1192 deletion and the combined sY1192 deletions (52.1% vs 50.0%). The patients with only sY1192 gene loss had a higher probability of sperm detection than the patients whose sY1192 gene locus existed, but other gene loci were lost (52.1% vs 32.0%). The hormone levels were similar in patients with sY1192 deletion alone and in those with sY1192 deletion and other types of microdeletions in the presence of the sY1192 locus. After multiple intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) attempts, the pregnancy rate of spouses of men with sY1192-independent deletions was similar to that of other types of microdeletions, but the fertilization and cleavage rates were higher. We observed that eight deletion patterns were observed for sY1192 microdeletions of AZFb/c, dominated by the independent deletion of sY1192. After ICSI, the fertilization rate and cleavage rate of the sY1192-independent microdeletion were higher than those of other Y chromosome microdeletion types, but there was no significant difference in pregnancy outcomes.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Male ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; Adult ; Chromosome Deletion ; Pregnancy Outcome/genetics* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Semen Analysis ; Sex Chromosome Disorders of Sex Development/genetics* ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of zedoarondiol on neovascularization of atherosclerotic (AS) plaque by exosomes experiment. METHODS: ApoE^-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish AS model and treated with high- and low-dose (10, 5 mg/kg daily) of zedoarondiol, respectively. After 14 weeks, the expressions of anti-angiogenic protein thrombospondin 1 (THBS-1) and its receptor CD36 in plaques, as well as platelet activation rate and exosome-derived miR-let-7a were detected. Then, zedoarondiol was used to intervene in platelets in vitro, and miR-let-7a was detected in platelet-derived exosomes (Pexo). Finally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with miR-let-7a mimics and treated with Pexo to observe the effect of miR-let-7a in Pexo on tube formation. RESULTS: Animal experiments showed that after treating with zedoarondiol, the neovascularization density in plaques of AS mice was significantly reduced, THBS-1 and CD36 increased, the platelet activation rate was markedly reduced, and the miR-let-7a level in Pexo was reduced (P<0.01). In vitro experiments, the platelet activation rate and miR-let-7a levels in Pexo were significantly reduced after zedoarondiol's intervention. Cell experiments showed that after Pexo's intervention, the tube length increased, and the transfection of miR-let-7a minics further increased the tube length of cells, while reducing the expressions of THBS-1 and CD36. CONCLUSION Zedoarondiol has the effect of inhibiting neovascularization within plaque in AS mice, and its mechanism may be potentially related to inhibiting platelet activation and reducing the Pexo-derived miRNA-let-7a level.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Exosomes/drug effects* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics* ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Humans ; Blood Platelets/drug effects* ; Apolipoproteins E/deficiency* ; Thrombospondin 1/metabolism* ; CD36 Antigens/metabolism* ; Platelet Activation/drug effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.

Objective To establish the method for content determination of three lignans of Dendrobium Fimbriatum Hook..Methods The lignans in Dendrobium tasselii were identified by high-performance liquid chromatography/multi-stage mass spectrometry(HPLC-ESI/MSn)coupled with ultraviolet absorption spectrometry(UV)coupled with retention time localization of high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC).The separation was carried out on a Kromasil 100-5 C18 column(4.6 mm×250 mm,5 μm)using a gradient elution of acetonitrile-0.1%formic acid solution as the mobile phase,the volume flow rate was 0.8 mL·min-1 and the column temperature was 35℃,and the mass spectrometry was performed using an ESI ion source with the data collected in the negative ion mode.The HPLC content was determined on the same column as that of MS analysis,with the mobile phase methanol + acetonitrile(V/V=1∶1)-0.01 mol/L ammonium acetate solution,gradient elution,flow rate of 0.8 mL·min-1,column temperature of 40℃,and detection wavelength of 215 nm.Results Syringaresinol di-O-glucoside and(-)-Syringaresinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and DL-Syringaresinol were identified from Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook.,and the results of content determination showed that the linear ranges of above three components were respectively 0.1701-3.4020,0.1020-2.0400,0.0403-0.8060 μg(r≥0.9995),the average recoveries were in the range of 97.71%-101.67%,and the relative standard deviations(RSDs)were all less than 3.0%.The contents of Syringaresinol di-O-glucoside and(-)-Syringaresinol 4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside and DL-Syringaresinol in the 10 batches of samples were 0.7779-1.3852,0.0734-0.1966,0.0295-0.1882 mg·g-1.Conclusion This research method can provide a reference basis for the quality evaluation method of Dendrobium fimbriatum Hook..

Tuberous sclerosis complex(TSC)is a rare genetic disease that can lead to benign dysplasia in multiple organs such as the skin, brain, eyes, oral cavity, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and bones. Its main symptoms include epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, skin depigmentation, and facial angiofibromas, whilst incidence is approximately 1 in 10 000 to 1 in 6000 newborns. This case presents a middle-aged woman who initially manifested with epilepsy and nodular depigmentation. Later, she developed a lower abdominal mass, elevated creatinine, and severe anemia. Based on clinical features and whole exome sequencing, the primary diagnosis was confirmed as TSC. Laboratory and imaging examinations revealed that the lower abdominal mass originated from the uterus. CT-guided biopsy pathology and surgical pathology suggested a combination of leiomyoma and abscess. With the involvement of multiple organs and various complications beyond the main diagnosis, the diagnostic and therapeutic process for this patient highlights the importance of rigorous clinical thinking and multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of rare and challenging diseases.

BACKGROUND:The treatment of distal tibial comminuted fractures with soft tissue injury has always been challenging.The new retrograde tibial nailing and supercutaneous locking plate are important treatment methods,but their strain and stress shielding at the fracture end during different periods of fracture healing and different load conditions have not been reported. OBJECTIVE:To explore the biomechanical stability of retrograde tibial nailing and supercutaneous locking plate in different periods of fracture healing by finite element analysis to offer a scientific foundation for clinical application and rehabilitation exercise. METHODS:The finite element model of distal tibial comminuted fracture was established by utilizing the CT data of the tibia from a 40-year-old healthy male.Retrograde tibial nailing,supercutaneous locking plate,and callus models were assembled in accordance with the principle of fracture fixation.The finite element analysis was performed using ANSYS software to compare the displacement of the fracture end,the stress shielding of the tibia,the stress of the callus,and the stress distribution of the tibia and the fixation device during different periods of fracture healing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The relative displacement of the tibial fracture decreased gradually with the healing of the fracture,and the displacement decreased significantly after 3 months.At 0 and 1 months after operation,the vertical displacement and total displacement of the supercutaneous locking plate group were higher than those in the retrograde intramedullary nail group.The Z-axis displacement(horizontal medial and lateral displacement)of the two fixation methods was more obvious than the X-axis and Y-axis,and the Z-axis displacement of supercutaneous locking plate group was the most obvious.The maximum Z-axis displacement of the two fixation methods was located on the outside of the tibia,and the minimum displacement was located on the inside of the tibia.(2)The stress shielding rate at different periods of fracture healing gradually decreased with time.The stress shielding rate of the retrograde intramedullary nail was higher than that of the supercutaneous locking plate at different stages of fracture healing.After 3 months,the stress shielding rate of the supercutaneous locking plate was reduced to about 4%,and the stress shielding rate of the retrograde intramedullary nail was reduced to about 40%.(3)The stress of the stress concentration site of the callus in the two fixation methods increased with the increase of the load,and the stress of the callus in the supercutaneous locking plate group was always greater than that in the retrograde intramedullary nail group.The maximum stress distribution of the callus was approximately equally distributed among the two modes of fixation,both in the lateral portion of the tibia.(4)As the fracture healed,the maximum stress of the tibia in the two groups decreased gradually,and the stress in the supercutaneous locking plate group was always greater than that in the retrograde intramedullary nail group.The average stress of the maximum stress area of the tibia in the supercutaneous locking plate group under 1 500 N load was 285 MPa,while that in the retrograde intramedullary nail group was 26 MPa.(5)As the fracture healed,the stress of the fixation device in the two groups decreased gradually,and the stress in the supercutaneous locking plate group was significantly higher than that in the retrograde intramedullary nail group.After 3 months,the stress of the two fixation devices decreased significantly.(6)It is indicated that in the early stage of fracture healing,the strain on the fracture end in the retrograde intramedullary nail group is small,and the maximum stress of the tibia is moderate,allowing early loaded.The fractured ends in the supercutaneous locking plate group had too large strain and too large maximum stress of the tibia,which needed to be partially loaded under protection and could not be fully loaded.In the middle and late stages of fracture healing,the tibial retrograde intramedullary nail and the supercutaneous locking plate could be completely loaded,and the stress shielding rate of the supercutaneous locking plate was significantly lower than the tibial retrograde intramedullary nail.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of serum homocysteine(Hcy),soluble stromelysin 2(sST2)and cystatin C(CysC)for chronic heart failure(CHF).Methods:A total of 86 CHF patients admitted in our hospital were se-lected as CHF group,and 86 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination simultaneously were selected as healthy control group.Serum levels of Hcy,sST2 and CysC,plasma level of N terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)and cardiac function indexes[left atrial diameter(LAD),left ventricular end diastolic diameter(LVEDd),left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)]were measured between two groups.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation among serum Hcy,sST2,CysC,plasma NT-proBNP and cardiac function indexes.Receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum Hcy,sST2 and CysC and their combined detection for CHF.Results:Compared with healthy control group,there were significant rise in scrum levels of Hcy,sST2 and CysC,plasma NT-proBNP level,LAD and LVEDd,and significant reduction in LVEF in CHF group,P=0.001 all.Pearson correlation analysis indicated that serum Hcy,sST2 and CysC levels were significant positively correlated with plas-ma NT-proBNP level,LAD and LVEDd(r=0.385～0.511,P＜0.05 or＜0.01),and significant inversely correlated with LVEF(r=-0.424～-0.402,P＜0.05 all).AUC of single detection of serum Hcy,sST2 and CysC diagnosing CHF was 0.624,0.720 and 0.870 respectively,and AUC of their combination was 0.865,which was significantly higher than any single detection,P＜0.05 or＜0.01.Conclusion:Serum levels of Hcy,sST2 and CysC abnormally increase in CHF patients,which can be used as auxiliary diagnostic indexes for CHF.The triple combined detection is of great signifi-cance for the diagnosis of CHF.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from flower buds of Magnolia biondii Pamp.and their in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities.METHODS The 50% acetone extract from the flower buds of M.biondii was isolated and purified by Diaion HP-20,Toyopearl HW-40C,ODS and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The in vitro acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities of these compounds were determined according to previous method established by research group.RESULTS Seventeen compounds were isolated and identified as crassifolioside(1),magnoloside B(2),rutin(3),isoquercitrin(4),quercetin(5),northalifoline(6),cordysinin B(7),thymidine(8),indazole(9),dihydrodehydrodiconiferyl alcohol(10),aesculetin(11),C-veratroylglycol(12),3,4-dihydroxyphenylethanol(13),3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethanol(14),3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid(15),2,4,6-trimethoxyphenol(16),syringic acid(17).CONCLUSION Compounds 1-17 are isolated from this plant for the first time,none of which show acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities at the concentration of 20 μmol/L.