Five saponins were isolated from the kernels of Momordica cochinchinensis, by macroporous resin, silica gel, ODS column chromatography, and semi preparative HPLC. Based on MS and NMR analysis, combining with alkaline hydrolysis and acid hydrolysis, their structures were identified as: gypsogenin-3-O-{β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonosyl}-28-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→3)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-fucopyranoside (1), quillaic acid-3-O-{β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonosyl}-28-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→3)-[β-D-xylopyranosyl (1→4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→2)-β-D-fucopyranoside (2), gypsogenin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonoside sodium (3), quillaic acid-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonoside sodium (4), 18α-quillaic acid-3-O-β-D-galactopyranosyl (1→2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1→3)]-β-D-glucuropyranonoside (5). Compounds 1-5 were new compounds, and named as mubezhisides A, B, C, D, E, respectively. They all could obviously inhibited the growth of Candida albicans, C. parapsilosis, and C. tropicalis.

ObjectiveThe study aims to investigate the intervention effect of modified Xiangsha Liujunzitang （M-XSLJZ） on intestinal-derived lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-activated Kupffer cell inflammation in rats with hyperlipidemia spleen deficiency syndrome. MethodsSeventy male SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups （n=10）： blank control （CON）， high-fat diet without spleen deficiency （HFD）， high-fat diet with spleen deficiency （SD-HFD）， M-XSLJZ low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （XS-L， XS-M， XS-H）， and western medicine control （R）. Spleen deficiency was induced in SD-HFD， XS-L， XS-M， XS-H， and R groups via irregular diet combined with exhaustive swimming for 15 days. The CON group received a standard diet， while other groups were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks to establish the hyperlipidemia model. After successful modeling， rats were treated for 8 weeks： M-XSLJZ was administered at 3.51， 7.02， 14.04 g·kg^-1 in XS-L， XS-M， and XS-H groups， respectively. The R group received 9×10^-4 g·kg^-1 of a reference drug. D-xylose excretion rate was measured by the phloroglucinol method. Blood lipids were assessed using an automated biochemical analyzer. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to evaluate the pathological conditions of the liver， and oil red O staining was used to observe the lipid deposition in the liver. The levels of LPS， portal vein serum LPS， LPS-binding protein （LBP）， serum interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunofluorescence was used to evaluate CD86 expression and CD68/TLR4 co-localization in the liver. Protein levels of TLR4， MyD88， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 in Kupffer cells were analyzed via Western blot automated protein analysis. Hepatic IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β mRNA and protein levels were measured using Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Western blot. ResultsCompared with the CON group， the SD-HFD group showed a decrease in D-xylose excretion （P<0.01）. TC， TG， HDL-C， and LDL-C increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. A large number of hepatic lipid vacuoles and orange-red lipid droplet deposition appeared in the liver. Ileal LPS， portal LPS， and LBP increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β increased （P<0.01）. The expression of CD86 was upregulated （P<0.01）， and the co-expression of CD68 and TLR4 was enhanced. The protein levels of TLR4， MyD88， and p-p65 in Kupffer cells increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein levels of IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the HFD group， the SD-HFD group exhibited decreased D-xylose excretion （P<0.01）， higher HDL-C， LDL-C （P<0.05）， increased portal LBP and LPS （P<0.05）， increased serum IL-6 and TNF-α （P<0.01）， upregulated CD86 （P<0.01）， enhanced CD68/TLR4 co-expression， and higher TNF-α mRNA/protein （P<0.05）. Compared with the SD-HFD group， all M-XSLJZ treatment groups showed reduced TC， TG， and LDL-C （P<0.05， P<0.01）. XS-H and R groups displayed improved hepatic lipid deposition. XS-H and R groups had lower ileal LPS， portal LPS， and LBP levels （P<0.05， P<0.01）. All M-XSLJZ treatment groups exhibited reduced serum IL-6， IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. The XS-H group showed downregulated CD86 （P<0.01） and weakened CD68/TLR4 co-expression. The XS-H group had reduced TLR4， MyD88， and p-NF-κB p65 in Kupffer cells （P<0.01）. XS-H and R groups showed lower IL-6， TNF-α， and IL-1β mRNA/protein （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionM-XSLJZ may exert its lipid-lowering effects by inhibiting intestinal-derived LPS and alleviating Kupffer cell inflammation in the liver.

ObjectiveMetabolomics was used to reveal the mechanism of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata（ALRP） in attenuating toxicity by processing from the aspects of amino acid metabolism， oxidative stress and energy metabolism by analyzing multiple metabolic pathways. MethodTwenty-four rats were randomly divided into control group， raw group and processed group， 8 rats in each group. The raw and processed group were given with 0.64 g·kg^-1 of raw ALRP and processed ALRP respectively every day， the control group was given with an equal amount of normal saline once a day. After continuous administration for 7 days， the urine， serum and heart tissue of rats were collected. Pathological examination of the heart was carried out using hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining， and the activities of lactate dehydrogenase（LDH） and creatine kinase-MB（CK-MB） in serum and cardiac tissues were detected by microplate assay and immunoinhibition assay. The effects of ALRP on rat heart before and after processing were compared and analyzed. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry（UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was used to perform urine metabolomics analysis， and multivariate statistical analysis was used to screen for differential metabolites related to ALRP in attenuating toxicity by processing， and pathway enrichment analysis was carried out to explore the processing mechanism. ResultHE staining showed that no obvious pathological changes were observed in the heart tissue of the control group， while obvious infiltration of inflammatory cells such as plasma cells and granulocytes was observed in the heart tissue of the raw group， indicating that the raw ALRP had strong cardiotoxicity. There was no significant difference in HE staining of heart tissue between the processed group and the control group， indicating that the toxicity of ALRP was significantly reduced after processing. Compared with the control group， the activities of LDH and CK-MB were significantly increased in serum and heart tissue of the raw group， and those were significantly decreased in serum and heart tissue of the processed group， suggesting that the myocardial toxicity of processed ALRP was reduced. A total of 108 endogenous differential metabolites associated with the raw ALRP were screened using multivariate statistical analysis in positive and negative modes， of which 51 differential metabolites were back-regulated by the processed ALRP. Biological analysis of the key regulatory pathways and associated network changes showed that the pathways related to toxicity of ALRP mainly included tryptophan metabolism， arginine and proline metabolism， phenylalanine metabolism， aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis， alanine， aspartate and glutamate metabolism， etc. The metabolic pathways related to the attenuation of processed ALRP mainly included aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis， tryptophan metabolism， phenylalanine， tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis， phenylalanine metabolism and caffeine metabolism. ConclusionThe processing technology of ALRP in Guilingji can significantly attenuate the cardiotoxicity of raw products， the mechanism mainly involves amino acid metabolism， oxidative stress and energy metabolism， which can provide experimental bases for the research related to the mechanism of toxicity reduction of ALRP by processing and its clinical safety applications.

Hearing loss has become increasingly prevalent and causes considerable disability, thus gravely burdening the global economy. Irreversible loss of hair cells is a main cause of sensorineural hearing loss, and currently, the only relatively effective clinical treatments are limited to digital hearing equipment like cochlear implants and hearing aids, but these are of limited benefit in patients. It is therefore urgent to understand the mechanisms of damage repair in order to develop new neuroprotective strategies. At present, how to promote the regeneration of functional hair cells is a key scientific question in the field of hearing research. Multiple signaling pathways and transcriptional factors trigger the activation of hair cell progenitors and ensure the maturation of newborn hair cells, and in this article, we first review the principal mechanisms underlying hair cell reproduction. We then further discuss therapeutic strategies involving the co-regulation of multiple signaling pathways in order to induce effective functional hair cell regeneration after degeneration, and we summarize current achievements in hair cell regeneration. Lastly, we discuss potential future approaches, such as small molecule drugs and gene therapy, which might be applied for regenerating functional hair cells in the clinic.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner/physiology* ; Ear, Inner/physiology* ; Hair Cells, Auditory/physiology* ; Regeneration/genetics* ; Stem Cells

Objective To explore the relationship and internal path between activities of daily living(ADL),sleep quality and mental health of community elderly people in Shanghai.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among community residents aged 60 years and older seeing doctors in community health care center of five streets in Shanghai during Sept to Dec,2021 using convenience sampling.Activities of Daily Living(ADL),Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale(K10)were adopted in the survey.Single factor analysis,correlation analysis and multiple linear regression were used to analyze the data.The effect relationship between the variables was tested using Bootstrap's mediated effects test.Results A total of 1 864 participants were included in the study.The average score was 15.53±4.47 for ADL,5.60±3.71 for PSQI and 15.50±6.28 for K10.The rate of ADL impairment,poor sleep quality,poor and very poor mental health of the elderly were 23.6%,27.3%,11.9%and 4.9%,respectively.ADL and sleep quality were all positively correlated with mental health(r=0.321,P＜0.001;r=0.466,P＜0.001);ADL was positively correlated with sleep quality(r=0.294,P＜0.001).Multiple linear results of factors influencing mental health showed that ADL(β= 0.457,95%CI:0.341-0.573),sleep quality(β =0.667,95%CI:0.598-0.737)and mental health were positively correlated(P＜0.001).Sleep quality partially mediated the relationship between ADL and mental health(95%CI:0.078-0.124)with an effect size of 33.0%.Conclusion Sleep quality is a mediator between ADL and mental health among community elderly people.Improving ADL and sleep quality may improve mental health in the population.

Objective To evaluate the clinical application value of matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF MS)in analyzing the homology of Acinetobacter baumannii(AB).Methods After excluding repetitive strains from multiple specimens of the same patient or environment,a total of 46 AB strains isolated from patients'sputum and environmental specimens of neurological intensive care unit(ICU)in a tertiary first-class general hospital from May 2020 to February 2021 were collected.Strains were detected by VITEK-MS mass spectrometer.Cluster analysis was performed by SARAMIS Premium software,and verified by multilocus sequence typing(MLST).Results Cluster analysis and comparison of MALDI-TOF MS and MLST found that among the 46 AB strains,39 were the type MS-a of MALDI-TOF MS,of which 22 strains were the clus-ter MT-A of MLST,including ST208(n=3),ST540(n=3),ST195(n=8),ST369(n=5),ST136(n=1),ST436(n=1)and ST1893(n=1);16 strains were MT-B,including type ST381(n=4),type ST469(n=11),and type ST938(n=1);one strain was cluster MT-C(ST1821);one strain of type MS-b was ST381;two strains of type MS-c were ST369;one strain of type MS-d was ST195;two strains of type MS-e were ST540 and ST369,respectively;one strain of type MS-f was STN1.Conclusion As a homology analysis method,MALDI-TOF MS still has certain limitations such as low consistency with MLST results,low resolution and specificity,thus cannot replace MLST technology.

Objective To explore the correlations between image quality of prospective and retrospective electrocardiogram(ECG)-gated CT coronary angiogram and radiation dose in patients with different heart rates.Methods A total of 135 patients undergoing 256-slice spiral CT coronary angiography were enrolled in the study.Among them,66 cases received prospective ECG-gated scanning(prospective ECG-gated group)and further divided into two subgroups with heart rate≤80 beats/min(prospective ECG-gated+low heart rate subgroup,n=39)and>80 beats/min(prospective ECG-gated+high heart rate subgroup,n=27).The other 69 cases underwent retrospective ECG-gated scanning(retrospective ECG-gated group),including 45 cases with heart rate≤80 beats/min(retrospective ECG-gated+low heart rate subgroup)and 24 with heart rate>80 beats/min(retrospective ECG-gated+high heart rate subgroup).The baseline data,image quality[mean CT value,image noise,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR),subjective image quality score]and radiation dos[CT volume dose index(CTDIvol),dose length product(DLP),effective dose(ED)]were compared among 4 subgroups.The correlations of image quality with heart rate and radiation dose in prospective and retrospective ECG-gated groups were analyzed.Results The heart rates in prospective and retrospective ECG-gated+low heart rate subgroups were lower than those in prospective and retrospective ECG-gated+high heart rate subgroups(P<0.05).When comparing the mean CT value,image noise,SNR and subjective image quality score among 4 subgroups,no statistically significant differences were observed(P>0.05).The CTDIvol,DLP and ED in prospective ECG-gated+low heart rate subgroup were significantly lower than those in the other 3 subgroups(P<0.05),and the indicators in prospective ECG-gated+high heart rate subgroup were lower than those in retrospective ECG-gated group(including low and high heart rate subgroups)(P<0.05).Pearson correlation coefficient analysis revealed that the mean CT value,image noise,SNR,subjective image quality score had no significant correlation with heart rate,CTDIvol,DLP and ED in prospective and retrospective ECG-gated groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The subjective and objective image quality of 256-slice spiral CT coronary angiography is not correlated with radiation dose.Prospective ECG-gated scanning can reduce the radiation dose and ensure the image quality as compared with retrospective ECG-gated scanning.This holds true for eligible patients with high heart rate,and the former can effectively reduce radiation exposure.Therefore,prospective ECG-gated scanning is worthy to be promoted in clinic.

Objective:To analyze the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic transverse release of the iliotibial band through peritrochanteric space for the treatment of external snapping hip.Methods:A total of 30 patients (12 males and 18 females) with bilateral external snapping hip underwent arthroscopic transverse release of the iliotibial band through peritrochanteric space in Department of Sports Medicine, Senior Department of Orthopaedics, the Fourth Medical Center, Chinese PLA General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed from May 2021 and June 2022. The average age was 32.5±8.2 years (range, 17-51 years). At the same time, 30 patients who underwent arthroscopic external release of the iliotibial band through the external surface of the iliotibial band (external iliotibial band group) were selected as control group, including 13 males and 17 females, aged 29.5±6.8 years (range, 11-45 years). The visual analogue scale (VAS), modified Harris hip score (mHHS), and gluteal muscle contracture disability scale (GDS) were compared between the two groups at preoperative, 6 months postoperative, and final follow-up.Results:All patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for 17.5±3.3 months (range, 12-25 months). The VAS scores of the two groups at the last follow-up were lower than those before operation ( P<0.05). The mHHS scores before operation, 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up in the peritrochanteric space group were 76.5 (67.0, 85.5), 98.5 (94.8, 100.0) and 100.0 (97.0, 100.0), respectively, and those in the external iliotibial band group were 80.5 (70.0, 86.0), 100.0 (96.0, 100.0) and 100.0 (99.5, 100.0). The differences in mHHS scores between the two groups were statistically significant for intragroup comparisons ( P<0.05); of these, 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were greater than preoperatively, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); the differences at 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in mHHS scores between groups at different time points ( P>0.05). The GDS before operation, at 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up were 47.0 (35.8, 64.5), 90.0 (81.0, 94.0) and 93.5 (89.8, 98.0) in the peritrochanteric space group, and 51.0 (38.0, 64.5), 50.0 (81.0, 94.0) and 93.5 (89.8, 98.0) in the external iliotibial band group, respectively. The differences in GDS between the two groups were statistically significant for intragroup comparisons ( P< 0.05); of these, 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were greater than preoperatively, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05); the differences at 6 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in GDS between groups at different time points ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Arthroscopic transverse release of the iliotibial band through peritrochanteric space for the treatment of external snapping hip can effectively reduce hip pain and improve hip function, with satisfactory clinical results, and can be used as an alternative treatment to transverse release through the external surface of the iliotibial band.

Objective: To analyze the influencing factors of psychological flexibility for cancer-related pain patients, so as to provide insights for improving their psychological flexibility. Methods: Cancer-related pain patients hospitalized in the Oncology Department of Anhui Cancer Hospital were selected as the subjects of the survey. Demographic information and disease information were collected through questionnaires. Pain belief was assessed using the Pain Beliefs and Perceptions Inventory. Alexithymia was assessed using the Twenty-Item Toronto Alexithymia Scale-Ⅱ. Psychological flexibility was assessed using the Psychological Inflexibility in Pain Scale. The influencing factors of psychological flexibility among cancer-related pain patients was analyzed by using a multiple linear regression model. Results: A total of 202 cancer-related pain patients were surveyed, including 114 males (56.44%) and 88 females (43.56%). The mean age was (59.99±11.53) years. The primary tumor type was digestive system cancer, with 121 cases (59.90%). The average pain intensity in the past 24 hours was mainly mild, with 150 cases (74.26%). The median pain beliefs score was -0.19 (interquartile range, 0.39) points. The total score of alexithymia was (66.86±5.60) points. The total score of psychological flexibility in cancer-related pain patients was (66.35±7.23) points. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that pain belief (β'=0.321), alexithymia (β'=0.222), and average pain intensity in the past 24 hours (β'=-0.481) were influencing factors for psychological flexibility in cancer-related pain patients. Conclusion The psychological flexibility of cancer-related pain patients is related to pain beliefs, alexithymia and average pain intensity in the past 24 hours.

Eighteen compounds were isolated from the methanol extract of the fruits of Litsea cubeba by silica gel, ODS, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, semi-preparative RP-HPLC, chiral HPLC and recrystallization. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with reported spectroscopic data and physicochemical properties, and the absolute configurations of the enantiomers were established by experimental and calculated electronic circular dichroism spectra. These compounds were identified as (+)-(R)-4-hydroxypiperitenone (1a), (-)-(S)-4-hydroxypiperitenone (1b), (3S,4S,6R)-3,6-dihydroxy-1-menthene (2), (4S,5R)-4-hydroxy-5-isopropyl-2-methylcyclohex-2-en-1-one (3), (R)-6-hydroxy-3-(2-hydroxypropan-2-yl)-6-methylcyclohex-2-enone (4), (4S,6R)-4-hydroxy-6-isopropyl-3-methylcyclohex-2-enone (5), (1R,3S,4R)-3-hydroxy isopulegol (6), subamone (7), (6S)-3,7-dimethyl-7-hydroxy-2(Z)-octen-6-olide (8), (6S)-6,7-dihydroxy-3,7-dimethyloct-2(Z)-enoate (9), holostylactone (10), sesamin (11), dimethylmatairesinol (12), p-hydroxybenzoylcarbinol (13), syringaldehyde (14), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (15), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde (16), 5,4ʹ-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone (17). Among them, compounds 1a and 1b were a pair of new monoterpenoid enantiomers, 8 and 9 were new natural products, 2-7, 10, 11 and 17 were isolated from Litsea genus for the first time. The in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of compounds 1-17 were evaluated using lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, the results showed that compound 14 exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activity with NO inhibitory rate of 66.27% at a concentration of 40 μmol·L^-1.