This study compared the differences in intestinal absorption characteristics of eleven active components in Rubus multibracteatus(RM) extract(protocatechuic acid, tiliroside, scutellarin, luteoloside, astragalin, epicatechin, catechin, xanthotoxin, p-coumaric acid, caffeic acid, and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide) between normal rats and inflammatory pain model rats using the in-vitro everted intestinal sac model. The RM extract was administered at absorption concentrations of 25.0, 50.0, and 100.0 mg·mL~(-1). The contents of the eleven components in intestinal absorption solution samples were quantified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS), and their cumulative absorption(Q) and absorption rate constant(K_a) were calculated to evaluate the absorption characteristics of these components in normal rats and inflammatory pain model rats. The results show that except for catechin, epicatechin, and caffeic acid, the cumulative absorption-time curves of the other eight components(protocatechuic acid, tiliroside, scutellarin, luteoloside, astragalin, xanthotoxin, p-coumaric acid, and apigenin-7-O-glucuronide) exhibit an upward trend without saturation, with correlation coefficients(R~2) all > 0.9, indicating linear absorption. However, the overall absorption of all components is not dose-dependent with increasing concentration, suggesting that their absorption mechanisms are not solely passive diffusion. In both normal and model rats, the jejunum shows the highest absorption for all components except xanthotoxin. The overall absorption of seven components(excluding protocatechuic acid, caffeic acid, apigenin-7-O-glucuronide, and luteoloside) in normal rats is better than that in model rats across all intestinal segments. These findings indicate that the pathological state of inflammatory pain alters the intestinal absorption of RM extract, and its mechanism needs further investigation.
Animals ; Rats ; Intestinal Absorption/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Pain/metabolism* ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Intestinal Mucosa/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Investigating the clinical efficacy of treating dorsally displaced distal radial double-column Die-punch fractures using a dorsal approach external fixator combined with Kirschner wires. METHODS: Retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 15 patients with distal radial double-column Die-punch fractures treated with an external fixator combined with Kirschner wire between July 2020 and January 2023. There were 10 males and 5 females;6 cases on the left side and 9 on the right;age ranged from 22 to 76 years old. Recorded the preoperative and the final follow-up Cooney wrist function scores for the patients. The fracture healing time, and occurrence of complications were recorded. RESULTS: All 15 patients were followed up ranged from 12 to 16 months post-operation. All fractures achieved bony union, healing time ranging form 8 to 16 weeks. Not a single patient exhibited complications such as surgical site infection, fracture redislocation, or tendon injury. All individuals had their Kirschner wires and external fixation devices removed six weeks post-operatively and commenced rehabilitative therapy for wrist articulation. The Cooney wrist function scores at preoperative and ranged from 5 to 45 scores, at the latest follow-up ranged from 65 to 100 scores. At the final follow-up, the results were assessed as excellent in 10 patients, good in 4 patients, and fair in 1 patient. CONCLUSION The clinical efficacy of treating distal radial double-column Die-punch fractures using a dorsal approach external fixator combined with Kirschner wires is satisfactory.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; External Fixators ; Bone Wires ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Radius Fractures/physiopathology* ; Young Adult ; Fracture Fixation/methods*

Cordycepin (Cpn), a natural active compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Cordyceps sinensis, has antifibrotic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, but the impact of Cpn on pulmonary fibrosis and the downstream molecular mechanism remain unclear. In this study, A549 cells were induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) in vitro, the viability of A549 cells was evaluated by CCK-8 assay; and migration of A549 cells were detected by wound healing assay, invasion of A549 cells were detected by transwell assay. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were used to predict the interaction of histone deacetylase 7 (HDAC7) with vimentin and the association of Cpn with HDAC7. The pulmonary fibrosis model of mice was established by bleomycin in vivo to investigate the effect of Cpn on pathological changes of lung tissue. The impact of Cpn and molecular mechanism on pulmonary fibrosis were studied by Western blot assay, cell transfection assay, immunoprecipitation assay, immunofluorescence assay, immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). All animal experiments were approved by the Shanghai Children's Medical Center Experimental Animal Ethics Committee (grant No. SCMC-LAWEC-2022-017). Results showed that Cpn had no toxic effect on A549 cells even at the concentration of 100 μmol·L^-1. Cpn inhibited migration and invasion of A549 cells and reduced deposition of collagen, the degree of lung inflammation and fibrosis in mice; in vivo and in vitro models, Cpn significantly reversed mRNA and protein expressions of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lung fibrosis markers collagen I, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), N-cadherin, vimentin and E-cadherin and HDAC7. Deficiency of HDAC7 suppressed TGFβ1-induced EMT and expression of collagen I; vimentin interacted with HDAC7; and molecular docking experiment revealed that Cpn was interrelated with HDAC7. In conclusion, Cpn can target HDAC7 to mediate EMT and exert its anti-fibrotic effect, the inhibition of EMT and the improvement of pulmonary fibrosis provide a new idea and choice for the development of anti-pulmonary fibrosis drug.

Objective To elucidate the molecular genetic etiology of patients with disorders of sex development(DSD)using whole exome sequencing(WES),thereby enhancing our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of sexual development abnormalities.Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 60 DSD patients diagnosed in the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province between March 2008 and August 2021,with an additional family study for one proband.Genomic DNA was extracted from patients for WES analysis.Single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)and insertions/deletion(InDel)tests were identified using SAMtools software in conjunction with established SNP and InDel databases.Copy number variations(CNVs)at the exon level were detected using ExomeDepth,while the potential pathogenicity of mutations was predicted with PolyPhen-2,Mutation taster and PyMol software,with Sanger sequencing employed for confirmation.Results The study included 22 patients with 46,XX DSD and 38 with 46,XY DSD.Among the 46,XX DSD patients,the SRY gene was detected in 14 patients.In the remaining 8 patients and a proband's families,single nucleotide site variations(SNVs)of NR5A1,PROKR2 and ANOS1 genes were identified in 2 patients,and CNVs in CYP21A2 gene were found in 4 patients.The pathogenicity of CYP21A2 EX1 Dup has been previously reported,while the remaining 3 CNVs were of uncertain significance,and no DSD-related mutations were detected in 2 patients.In the WES analysis of 46,XY DSD patients,10 pathogenic or likely pathogenic SNVs across 5 genes(SRY,AR,SRD5A2,CYP17A1,and NR5A1)were identified in 14 patients.Additionally,5 likely pathogenic CNVs involving the CYP21A2,AKR1C2,CBX2,and NR5A1 genes were detected in 5 patients,comprising 3 deletions and 2 duplications.Novel SNVs in NR5A1(c.722G>T,c.48C>G)and ANOS1 c.564A>T were identified,with no prior reports in relevant databases.The pathogenicity of CYP21A2 EX1 Dup is documented in related databases,while the remaining CNVs have not been previously reported.Conclusion The utilization of WES technology has enhanced the diagnostic potential for DSD,broadened the spectrum of known DSD-related gene mutations,and deepened our comprehension of DSD pathogenesis,offering valuable support for genetic counseling.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of orthopedic robot combined with Starr pelvic reduction frame in the treatment of Tile type C pelvic ring fracture.Methods From October 2019 to May 2021,14 patients with type C pelvic ring fracture were treated with robotic combined with Starr pelvic reduction frame,including 9 males and 5 females.The age ranged from 33 to 69 years.All the 14 patients had fresh closed fractures without femur,tibia and fibula fracture.Surgery was complet-ed from 4 to 7 d after hospital admission.During the operation,the X-ray carbon bed was used,the pelvic ring was reduced by Starr pelvis reduction frame,and pelvic ring fracture was treated by orthopedic robot.Operation time,bleeding volume,fluo-roscopy times of single screw placement,fracture reduction quality,affected limb function and complications were observed.Radiological reduction was evaluated using Matta scoring standard,and clinical efficacy was evaluated by Majeed pelvic func-tion scoring system at the final follow-up.Results All of 14 patients successfully completed the operation,the operation time was 84 to 141 min,the bleeding volume was 20 to 50 ml,and the fluoroscopy times of single screw insertion was 4 to 9 times.All of 14 patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months.The healing time was 3 to 7 months.No complications such as fracture of internal fixation,screw loosening,infection and nerve injury were found.According to the evaluation criteria of Matta imag-ing reduction,9 cases were excellent,4 cases were good,and 1 case was fair.At the final follow-up,Majeed pelvic function scoring system was used:10 cases were excellent,4 cases were good.Conclusion The treatment of type C pelvic ring fracture with robotic combined Starr pelvis reduction frame is simple,time-saving,less trauma,less complications and effective.

AIM To study the secondary metabolites from the endophytic fungi Candida sp.of Berberis atrocarpa Schneid.METHODS The ethyl acetate fraction and petroleum ether fraction from the secondary metabolites of Candida sp.fermentation extract were separated and purified by silica gel,Sephadex LH-20 and preparative liquid chromatography,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.RESULTS Eighteen compounds were isolated and identified as 1-phenyl-1,2-ethanediol(1),4-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol(2),4-hydroxybenzoic acid(3),4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid(4),3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid(5),3-methylsulfinyl propionic acid(6),phenylacetic acid(7),(S)-N-nitroso-1-amino-p-hydroxy phenylethanol(8),2-phenylacetamide(9),p-hydroxybenzaldehyde(10),ethyl 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)acetate(11),dibutyl phthalate(12),5,5'-dimethoxybiphenyl-2,2'-diol(13),3-indolealdehyde(14),N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine(15),9-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid(16),9-hydroxy-10E,12E-octadecadienoic acid(17),(6E)-5-methylene-6-tetradecenoic acid(18).CONCLUSION Compounds 1,3-8 and 10-18 are isolated from Candida sp for the first time.

Platelets are reprogrammed by cancer via a process called education, which favors cancer development. The transcriptional profile of tumor-educated platelets (TEPs) is skewed and therefore practicable for cancer detection. This intercontinental, hospital-based, diagnostic study included 761 treatment-naïve inpatients with histologically confirmed adnexal masses and 167 healthy controls from nine medical centers (China, n = 3; Netherlands, n = 5; Poland, n = 1) between September 2016 and May 2019. The main outcomes were the performance of TEPs and their combination with CA125 in two Chinese (VC1 and VC2) and the European (VC3) validation cohorts collectively and independently. Exploratory outcome was the value of TEPs in public pan-cancer platelet transcriptome datasets. The AUCs for TEPs in the combined validation cohort, VC1, VC2, and VC3 were 0.918 (95% CI 0.889-0.948), 0.923 (0.855-0.990), 0.918 (0.872-0.963), and 0.887 (0.813-0.960), respectively. Combination of TEPs and CA125 demonstrated an AUC of 0.922 (0.889-0.955) in the combined validation cohort; 0.955 (0.912-0.997) in VC1; 0.939 (0.901-0.977) in VC2; 0.917 (0.824-1.000) in VC3. For subgroup analysis, TEPs exhibited an AUC of 0.858, 0.859, and 0.920 to detect early-stage, borderline, non-epithelial diseases and 0.899 to discriminate ovarian cancer from endometriosis. TEPs had robustness, compatibility, and universality for preoperative diagnosis of ovarian cancer since it withstood validations in populations of different ethnicities, heterogeneous histological subtypes, and early-stage ovarian cancer. However, these observations warrant prospective validations in a larger population before clinical utilities.
Humans ; Female ; Blood Platelets/pathology* ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology* ; China

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reserve assessed by gated SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (SPECT G-MPI) for major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE) in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods: This is a retrospective cohort study. From January 2017 to December 2019, patients with coronary artery disease and confirmed myocardial ischemia by stress and rest SPECT G-MPI, and underwent coronary angiography within 3 months were enrolled. The sum stress score (SSS) and sum resting score (SRS) were analyzed by the standard 17-segment model, and the sum difference score (SDS, SDS=SSS-SRS) was calculated. The LVEF at stress and rest were analyzed by 4DM software. The LVEF reserve (ΔLVEF) was calculated (ΔLVEF=stress LVEF-rest LVEF). The primary endpoint was MACE, which was obtained by reviewing the medical record system or by telephone follow-up once every twelve months. Patients were divided into MACE-free and MACE groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between ΔLVEF and all MPI parameters. Cox regression analysis was used to analyze the independent factors of MACE, and the optimal SDS cutoff value for predicting MACE was determined by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted to compare the difference in the incidence of MACE between different SDS groups and different ΔLVEF groups. Results: A total of 164 patients with coronary artery disease [120 male; age (58.6±10.7) years] were included. The average follow-up time was (26.5±10.4) months, and a total of 30 MACE were recorded during follow-up. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that SDS (HR=1.069, 95%CI: 1.005-1.137, P=0.035) and ΔLVEF (HR=0.935, 95%CI: 0.878-0.995, P=0.034) were independent predictors of MACE. According to ROC curve analysis, the optimal cut-off to predict MACE was a SDS of 5.5 with an area under the curve of 0.63 (P=0.022). Survival analysis showed that the incidence of MACE was significantly higher in the SDS≥5.5 group than in the SDS<5.5 group (27.6% vs. 13.2%, P=0.019), but the incidence of MACE was significantly lower in the ΔLVEF≥0 group than in theΔLVEF<0 group (11.0% vs. 25.6%, P=0.022). Conclusions: LVEF reserve (ΔLVEF) assessed by SPECT G-MPI serves as an independent protective factor for MACE, while SDS is an independent risk predictor in patients with coronary artery disease. SPECT G-MPI is valuable for risk stratification by assessing myocardial ischemia and LVEF.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Coronary Artery Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; Stroke Volume ; Myocardial Perfusion Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Myocardial Ischemia

Objective: To analyze the short-term effect of individual atmospheric PM_2.5 exposure on the diversity, enterotype, and community structure of gut microbiome in healthy elderly people in Jinan, Shandong province. Methods: The present panel study recruited 76 healthy elderly people aged 60-69 years old in Dianliu Street, Lixia District, Jinan, Shandong Province, and followed them up five times from September 2018 to January 2019. The relevant information was collected by questionnaire, physical examination, precise monitoring of individual PM_2.5 exposure, fecal sample collection and gut microbiome 16S rDNA sequencing. The Dirichlet multinomial mixtures (DMM) model was used to analyze the enterotype. Linear mixed effect model and generalized linear mixed effect model were used to analyze the effect of PM_2.5 exposure on gut microbiome α diversity indices (Shannon, Simpson, Chao1, and ACE indices), enterotype and abundance of core species. Results: Each of the 76 subjects participated in at least two follow-up visits, resulting in a total of 352 person-visits. The age of 76 subjects was (65.0±2.8) years old with BMI (25.0±2.4) kg/m². There were 38 males accounting for 50% of the subjects. People with an educational level of primary school or below accounted for 10.5% of the 76 subjects, and those with secondary school and junior college or above accounting for 71.1% and 18.4%. The individual PM_2.5 exposure concentration of 76 subjects during the study period was (58.7±53.7) μg/m³. DMM model showed that the subjects could be divided into four enterotypes, which were mainly driven by Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, Lachnospiraceae, Prevotellaceae, and Ruminococcaceae. Linear mixed effects model showed that different lag periods of PM_2.5 exposure were significantly associated with a lower gut α diversity index (FDR<0.05 after correction). Further analysis showed that PM_2.5 exposure was significantly associated with changes in the abundances of Firmicutes (Megamonas, Blautia, Streptococcus, etc.) and Bacteroidetes (Alistipes) (FDR<0.05 after correction). Conclusion: Short-term PM_2.5 exposure is significantly associated with a decrease in gut microbiome diversity and changes in the abundance of several species of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in the elderly. It is necessary to further explore the underlying mechanisms between PM_2.5 exposure and the gut microbiome, so as to provide a scientific basis for promoting the intestinal health of the elderly.
Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Feces/microbiology* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Particulate Matter ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics* ; Female

Objectives: To investigated the safety and efficacy of treating patients with acute non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and elevated levels of N-terminal pro-hormone B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with levosimendan within 24 hours of first medical contact (FMC). Methods: This multicenter, open-label, block-randomized controlled trial (NCT03189901) investigated the safety and efficacy of levosimendan as an early management strategy of acute heart failure (EMS-AHF) for patients with NSTEMI and high NT-proBNP levels. This study included 255 patients with NSTEMI and elevated NT-proBNP levels, including 142 males and 113 females with a median age of 65 (58-70) years, and were admitted in the emergency or outpatient departments at 14 medical centers in China between October 2017 and October 2021. The patients were randomly divided into a levosimendan group (n=129) and a control group (n=126). The primary outcome measure was NT-proBNP levels on day 3 of treatment and changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline on day 5 after randomization. The secondary outcome measures included the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in NT-proBNP levels from baseline, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalization and at 6 months after hospitalization, safety during the treatment, and health economics indices. The measurement data parameters between groups were compared using the t-test or the non-parametric test. The count data parameters were compared between groups using the χ² test. Results: On day 3, the NT-proBNP levels in the levosimendan group were lower than the control group but were statistically insignificant [866 (455, 1 960) vs. 1 118 (459, 2 417) ng/L, Z=-1.25,P=0.21]. However, on day 5, changes in the NT-proBNP levels from baseline in the levosimendan group were significantly higher than the control group [67.6% (33.8%,82.5%)vs.54.8% (7.3%,77.9%), Z=-2.14, P=0.03]. There were no significant differences in the proportion of patients with more than 30% reduction in the NT-proBNP levels on day 5 between the levosimendan and the control groups [77.5% (100/129) vs. 69.0% (87/126), χ²=2.34, P=0.13]. Furthermore, incidences of MACE did not show any significant differences between the two groups during hospitalization [4.7% (6/129) vs. 7.1% (9/126), χ²=0.72, P=0.40] and at 6 months [14.7% (19/129) vs. 12.7% (16/126), χ²=0.22, P=0.64]. Four cardiac deaths were reported in the control group during hospitalization [0 (0/129) vs. 3.2% (4/126), P=0.06]. However, 6-month survival rates were comparable between the two groups (log-rank test, P=0.18). Moreover, adverse events or serious adverse events such as shock, ventricular fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia were not reported in both the groups during levosimendan treatment (days 0-1). The total cost of hospitalization [34 591.00(15 527.46,59 324.80) vs. 37 144.65(16 066.90,63 919.00)yuan, Z=-0.26, P=0.80] and the total length of hospitalization [9 (8, 12) vs. 10 (7, 13) days, Z=0.72, P=0.72] were lower for patients in the levosimendan group compared to those in the control group, but did not show statistically significant differences. Conclusions: Early administration of levosimendan reduced NT-proBNP levels in NSTEMI patients with elevated NT-proBNP and did not increase the total cost and length of hospitalization, but did not significantly improve MACE during hospitalization or at 6 months.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Simendan/therapeutic use* ; Non-ST Elevated Myocardial Infarction ; Heart Failure/drug therapy* ; Peptide Fragments ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Biomarkers ; Prognosis