It has become an industry consensus that self-assembled nanoparticles (SAN) are formed by molecular recognition of chemical components in traditional Chinese medicine during the decoction process. The insoluble components in the decoction are mostly in the form of nanoparticles, which can improve the problem of poor water solubility. However, the transfer rate of these insoluble components in the decoction is still very low, which limits the efficacy of the drug. This study aimed to refine the traditional decoction self-assembly phenomenon. The self-assembled nanoparticles were constructed by micro-precipitation method (MP-SAN), and characterized by particle size, zeta potential, stability index and morphology. The formation of MP-SAN and alterations in related physicochemical properties were evaluated using modern spectroscopic and thermal analysis techniques. The quality value transmitting pattern of lignan components within the MP-SAN was assessed via high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The MP-SAN showed sphere-like structure with uniform morphology, particle size of (245.3 ± 3.2) nm, polydispersity index (PDI) of (0.13 ± 0.03), zeta potential of (-48.9 ± 5.9) mV and stability index (SI) of (86.05% ± 2.27%). Comprehensive analyses using ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and other techniques confirmed molecular recognition between the decoction and ethanol extraction, leading to electron rearrangement under the influence of non-covalent bonding. This resulted in the formation of nanoparticles possessing superior thermal stability. As determined by HPLC, the encapsulation rates of the index components in the MP-SAN were all greater than 75% (dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol: 77.00%; herpetolide A: 78.57%; herpetrione: 94.53%), and the transfer rates were all higher than 65% (dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol: 96.01%; herpetolide A: 67.86%; herpetrione: 65.55%), which were 1.34, 1.38 and 4.81 times compared with those of the traditional decoction. In summary, this study successfully constructed the MP-SAN based on micro-precipitation method to achieve high transfer rate and high encapsulation rate of insoluble components in docoction, which provides a pharmaceutics idea for the efficient utilization of pharmacodynamic substance basis of traditional Chinese medicine.

A new Schiff base fluorescence probe (E)-3-(4-(E)-((4-hydroxyphenyl) imino) methyl) phenyl)-1-(6-methoxynaphthal-2-yl) isopropyl-2-en-1-one (DFFH) was synthesized by using 6-methoxy-2-acetylnaphthalene as raw material. The probe was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR,13C NMR) and high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS),etc. In the EtOH-H2O (1:4,V/V) system,the 4-hydroxyaniline portion of probe DFFH complexed with Fe3+to form a 1:1 metal complex,resulting in a significant decrease in fluorescence at 386 nm. In the DMSO-H2O (9:1,V/V,pH=5) system,N2H4 reacted with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group and underwent cyclization addition reaction,and at the same time,the cleavage of the imine bond released aldehyde group from the probe,showing a ratio type fluorescence recognition characteristices. The luminescence intensity of the probe solution decreased slightly upon the additon of Fe3+,and the probe solution changed from colourless to yellowish-brown with the addition of different concentrations of N2H4. Whereas the detection of Fe3+and N2H4 did not interfere with each other. The experimental results showed that probe DFFH had high sensitivity and selectivity toward Fe3+and N2H4,with detection limit of 34.0 nmol/L for Fe3+and 30.0 nmol/L for N2H4,respectively. Moreover,probe DFFH was applied to detection of the contents of Fe3+and N2H4 in actual water samples with satisfactory results,and the spiking recoveries were 96.5％～102.3％and 98.1％～103.0％,respectively.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of propofol used for painless gastroscopy and colonoscopy on psychomotility recovery. METHODS: One hundred adult patients undergoing painless gastroscopy and colonoscopy were recruited, aged 18-72 years, with American Society of Anesthesiologist (ASA) physical status Ⅰ-Ⅱ. According to age, the patients were divided into youth group (20-39 years old, 27 cases), middle age group (40-54 years old, 37 cases), and elder group (55-64 years old, 36 cases). Propofol was continuously infused according to the patients' condition to mantain the bispectal index (BIS) score 55-64. All the patients received psychomotility assesment 30 min before the operations when the discharge criteria were met including number cancellation test, number connection test and board test. The heart rate, blood pressure, saturation of pulse oximetry, electrocardiograph and BIS were monitored during the operation. The operating time, recovery time, total volume of propofol and discharge time were recorded. If the results obtained were inferior to those before operation, a third assessment was taken 30 minutes later until the results recovered or being superior to the baseline levels. RESULTS: All the patients completed the first and second assessments, and 25 patients had taken the third assessment. There was no statistically significant difference in the results of psychomotility assessment when the patients met the discharge standard. Furthermore, the results were analyzed by grouping with age, and there was no statistical difference in the test results of the youth and middle age groups compared with the preoperative group, among which, the efficiency of the number cancellation test was significantly better than that before operation in the youth group (P < 0.05). However, in the elderly patients the number cancellation efficiency, number connection test and board test were significantly inferior to that before operation (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the accuracy of number cancellation compared with that before operation. The patients who needed the third test in the elder group were significantly more than in the other groups (P < 0.05). Compared with the preoperative results, there was no statistical difference in the test results of those who completed the third test. CONCLUSION The psychomotility function of the patients who underwent painless gastroscopy and colonoscopy was recovered when they met discharge criteria. The elderly patients had a prolonged recovery period.
Adult ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Humans ; Young Adult ; Propofol ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Gastroscopy/methods* ; Conscious Sedation/methods* ; Colonoscopy/methods*

Today, there is greater awareness on the association between oral diseases and respiration diseases after the outbreak of COVID-19. However, confusion regarding the oral health management and medical risk prevention for patients with chronic airway diseases has been remained among dental clinicians. Therefore, the dental experts of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association, combined with the experts of respiratory and critical care medicine, undertook the formation of consensus on the oral health management of patients with chronic airway diseases in order to help dental clinicians to evaluate medical risks and make better treatment decision in clinical practice. In the present consensus report, the relationship of oral diseases and chronic airway diseases, the oral health management and the treatment recommendations of patients with chronic airway diseases are provided.
COVID-19 ; Consensus ; Humans ; Oral Health ; Oral Medicine

Objectives: To explore the impact of strength sport on heart structure by echocardiography (ECHO) and cardiac resonance imaging (CMR). Methods: This is a case control study. A total of 14 male weightlifter athletes who underwent physical examination in Peking University Third Hospital from January 16, 2019 to November 1, 2019 were included in this study. Fourteen age-matched healthy Chinese men served as the control group. ECHO and CMR were used to detect the heart structure and function of the participants. Results: The age of athlete group was (21±3) years, and the training time was (9±4) years. The weekly exercise time of athlete group was more than 15 hours, while that of control group was less than 3 hours. ECHO-derived interventricular septal (IVS) thickness value ((9.3±1.3) mm vs. (8.1±0.5) mm, P=0.006) and CMR-derived IVS value ((11.0±1.5) mm vs. (10.0±0.5) mm, P=0.003) was both significantly higher in the athlete group than in the control group. For the athlete group, the indicators of left ventricular volume measured by ECHO (left ventricular end diastolic volume (LVEDV), left ventricular end diastolic volume index (LVEDVI), left ventricular end systolic volume, left ventricular end systolic volume index) and IVS thickness were significantly lower than those measured by CMR (all P<0.05). Left ventricular ejection fraction ((67.0±3.8)% vs. (59.0±3.9)%, P<0.001) and left ventricular global longitudinal strain ((19.3±2.9)% vs. (11.2±1.2)%, P<0.001) values measured by ECHO were significantly higher than those measured by CMR. There was no significant difference in the proportion of subjects with the left ventricular end diastolic diameter, LVEDV and LVEDVI above the upper limit of normal as measured by ECHOs and CMR (all P>0.05). IVS values measured by ECHO were all within the normal range, and CMR showed that 9 (9/14) weightlifter athletes had IVS>11 mm with a maximum thickness of 13.8 mm, which occurred in the inferoseptum. Conclusion: Weightlifter sport could result in thickening of the left ventricular inferoseptum, and CMR is superior to ECHO in detecting the thickening of the left ventricular wall, which serves as a helpful tool for sports medicine supervision.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Athletes ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Left ; Ventricular Septum ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of heart structure and function in elite Chinese weightlifters by spot tracking technique. METHODS: Chinese elite male weightlifters (weightlifter group, n=16) and age-matched healthy men (control group, n=16) were included as subjects. Transthoracic echocardiography and speckle-tracking automatic functional imaging were used for two-dimensional myocardial strain measurements. RESULTS: The thickness of septum and left ventricular (LV) posterior wall and the myocardial mass index of LV were all higher than those of the control group [(9.3±1.3) mm vs. (8.0±0.4) mm, (9.2±0.8) mm vs. (8.0±0.8) mm, (77.8±12.8) g/m² vs. (67.8±11.2) g/m², all P < 0.05]. Although the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and global long axis strain value (LVGLS) were not significantly different from those in the control group, the LV mean Sm and Em reflecting the systolic and diastolic functions of the LV were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Further myocardial strain analysis showed that the absolute value of the long axial strain of the basal anteroseptal and mid-inferoseptal segments of the weightlifters were significantly lower than those of the control group [|(-15.1±4.2)%|vs.|(-18.7±3.0)%|, |(-18.8±2.6)%|vs.|(-21.3±2.8)%|, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in other segments. The athletes were divided into two groups according to their best performance in the National Youth Games. The athletes were divided into two sub-groups according to their performance in the National Youth Games. The thickness of the septum in the sub-group with better performance (who ranked the 1^st to 8^th) was larger [(10.2±1.1) mm vs. (8.5±1.0) mm, P < 0.05], and the absolute value of the long-axis strain in the mid-inferoseptal segment was lower [|(-17.1±2.1)%|vs.|(-20.4±2.1)%|, P < 0.05]. CONCLUSION The thickening of septum is more obvious in the excellent weightlifters, accompanied by the decrease of myocardial systolic function. The speckle-tracking technique of echocardiography can identify the changes of the heart structure and function of elite athletes at an early stage, which may provide a basis for sports medicine supervision and the selection of excellent talents.
Adolescent ; China ; Echocardiography ; Humans ; Male ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUND: Shenyankangfu Tablet (SYKFT) is a Chinese patent medicine that has been used widely to decrease proteinuria and the progression of chronic kidney disease. OBJECTIVE: This trial compared the efficacy and safety of SYKFT, for the control of proteinuria in primary glomerulonephritis patients, against the standard drug, losartan potassium. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTION: This was a multicenter, double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial. Primary glomerulonephritis patients, aged 18-70 years, with blood pressure ≤ 140/90 mmHg, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 45 mL/min per 1.73 m MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was change in the 24-hour proteinuria level, after 48 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: A total of 735 participants were enrolled. The percent decline of urine protein quantification in the SYKFT group after 48 weeks was 8.78% ± 2.56% (P = 0.006) more than that in the losartan 50 mg group, which was 0.51% ± 2.54% (P = 1.000) less than that in the losartan 100 mg group. Compared with the losartan potassium 50 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 50 mg group had a 13.39% ± 2.49% (P < 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein level. Compared with the losartan potassium 100 mg group, the SYKFT plus losartan potassium 100 mg group had a 9.77% ± 2.52% (P = 0.001) greater reduction in urine protein. With a superiority threshold of 15%, neither was statistically significant. eGFR, serum creatinine and serum albumin from the baseline did not change statistically significant. The average change in TCM syndrome score between the patients who took SYKFT (-3.00 [-6.00, -2.00]) and who did not take SYKFT (-2.00 [-5.00, 0]) was statistically significant (P = 0.003). No obvious adverse reactions were observed in any group. CONCLUSION: SYKFT decreased the proteinuria and improved the TCM syndrome scores of primary glomerulonephritis patients, with no change in the rate of decrease in the eGFR. SYKFT plus losartan potassium therapy decreased proteinuria more than losartan potassium therapy alone. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT02063100 on ClinicalTrials.gov.

BACKGROUND: Benvitimod cream, a novel synthetic small molecule, was effective in treating mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. We conducted a phase III clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of benvitimod cream in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. METHODS: We randomly assigned 686 patients (2:1:1) to receive 1% benvitimod cream, 0.005% calcipotriol ointment or placebo twice a day for 12 weeks. The primary efficacy end points were the percentage of patients with a 75% or greater reduction from baseline in the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI 75) score and with a score of 0 or 1 in static physician's global assessment (sPGA) at week 12. RESULTS: The results showed that 50.4% of patients in the benvitimod group achieved PASI 75, which was significantly higher than that in the calcipotriol (38.5%, P < 0.05) and placebo (13.9%, P < 0.05) groups. The proportion of patients achieving an sPGA score 0 or 1 was 66.3% in the benvitimod group and 63.9% in the calcipotriol group, which were both significantly higher than that in the placebo group (34%, P < 0.05). In the long-term follow-up study, 50.8% of patients experienced recurrence. After retreatment with 1% benvitimod, 73.3% of patients achieved an sPGA score of 0 or 1 again at week 52. Adverse events included application site irritation, follicular papules, and contact dermatitis. No systemic adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSION: During this 12-week study, benvitimod cream was demonstrated with high effectiveness and safety in patients with mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR), ChiCTR-TRC-13003259; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=6300.
Double-Blind Method ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ointments ; Psoriasis/drug therapy* ; Resorcinols ; Severity of Illness Index ; Stilbenes ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the role of the pyrin domain-containing 3 ( NLRP3) inflammasome in advanced glycation end products ( AGEs )-induced mice pancreatic β-cell damage. Methods AGEs were administered intraperitoneally for 6 weeks in NLRP3 knockout mice or C57BL/6J mice. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and insulin releasing test were performed. Pancreatic sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin, or with F4/80 and NLRP3 antibodies. Insulin and pancreatic tissue monocyte chemotactic protein 1 ( MCP-1) as well as interleukin-1β( IL-1β) levels were measured with ELISA kits. Expression of MCP-1 protein was determined by western blot. MIN6 cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages cells were treated with AGEs and different interventions (antioxidant NAC, adenovirus NLRP3 shRNA or NLRP3 knockout). Reactive oxygen species production, NLRP3 mRNA expression, IL-1β secretion, caspase 1 activity, apoptosis and glucose stimulated insulin release were determined. Results Injection of AGEs induced an abnormal response to glucose, enhanced the insulitis score, and increased the levels of pancreatic tissue MCP-1 and IL-1β, as well as raised the expression of NLRP3 and F4/80 in pancreatic islet. Remarkably, co-localization of NLRP3 and macrophage marker F4/80 was observed in islet. The damages were improved in NLRP3 knockout mice. After incubation with AGEs, reactive oxygen species production and cell apoptosis was enhanced, NLRP3 inflammasome activated, with glucose-stimulated insulin release impaired in MIN6 cells. NAC treatment alliviated the above damages, but NLRP3 gene silencing had no effect on ROS level, apoptosis, and insulin secretion. Finally NAC treatment and NLRP3 gene knockout inhibited activation of NLRP3 inflammasome induced by AGEs in mouse peritoneal macrophages cells. Conclusion NLRP3 knockout ameliorates the islet β-cell damage induced by AGEs. These effects were associated with AGEs-induced islets macrophage infiltrating by up-regulation of MCP-1 expression, and AGEs-induced activation of NLRP3 inflammasome in macrophage through ROS pathway, which results in the release of active IL-1βand leads to the lesions of β-cell.

Background:Core fucosylation (CF), catalyzed by α-1,6 fucosyltransferase (Fut8) in mammals, plays an important role in pathological processes through posttranslational modification of key signaling receptor proteins, including transforming growth factor (TGF)-β receptors and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors. However, its effect on peritoneal fibrosis is unknown. Here, we investigated its influence on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (PMCs) in vitro induced by a high-glucose (HG) culture solution.

Methods:Rat PMCs were first cultured in a HG (2.5%) culture solution to observe the CF expression level (fluorescein isothiocyanate-lens culinaris agglutinin), we next established a knockdown model of rat PMCs in vitro with Fut8 small interfering RNA (siRNA) to observe whether inhibiting CF decreases the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and protein expression of Fut8 and reverses EMT status. Rat PMCs were randomly divided into control group, mock group (transfected with scrambled siRNA), Fut8 siRNA group, HG group, HG + mock group, and HG + Fut8 siRNA group. Finally, we examined the activation of TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling and PDGF/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling to observe the influence of CF on them.

Results:CF, Fut8 mRNA, and protein expression were all significantly upregulated in HG- induced EMT model than those in the control rat PMCs (P < 0.05). Fut8 siRNA successfully blocked CF of TGF-β receptors and PDGF receptors and attenuated the EMT status (E-cadherin and α-SMA and phenotypic changes) in HG-induced rat PMCs. In TGF-β/Smad2/3 signaling, Fut8 siRNA did not suppress the protein expression of TGF-β receptors and Smad2/3; however, it significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of Smad2/3 (relative expression folds of HG + Fut8 group vs. HG group: 7.6 ± 0.4 vs. 15.1 ± 0.6, respectively, P < 0.05). In PDGF/ERK signaling, Fut8 siRNA did not suppress the protein expression of PDGF receptors and ERK, but it significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK (relative expression folds of HG + Fut8 group vs. HG group: 8.7 ± 0.9 vs. 15.6 ± 1.2, respectively, P < 0.05). Blocking CF inactivated the activities of TGF-β and PDGF signaling pathways, and subsequently blocked EMT.

Conclusions:These results demonstrate that CF contributes to rat PMC EMT, and that blocking it attenuates EMT. CF regulation is a potential therapeutic target of peritoneal fibrosis.