Objective To identify flavonoid glycosides with quorum sensing inhibitory activity from Epimedium brevicornum and evaluate their bioactivity. Methods The minimum inhibitory concentrations （MICs） of five major flavonoid glycosides （baohuoside, icariin, epimedin A/B/C） and the extract of E. brevicornum were firstly determined. Subsequently, the inhibitory effects on the production of purple pigments in Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 were measured. Additionally, the biofilm formation and chitin quantification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 were assessed. Results The extract of E. brevicornum and its primary components exhibited significant quorum sensing inhibitory activity. Particularly, icariin and epimedin C demonstrated superior inhibitory activity. Conclusion E. brevicornum demonstrates the ability to inhibit the quorum sensing system of Chromobacterium violaceum CV026 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1. Furthermore, icariin and epimedin C （100 μg/ml） show promise for development into novel drugs for quorum sensing inhibitor.

Objective To compare the differences in alkaloids between Nelumbinis Semen and Nelumbinis Plumula and their inhibitory effects on the proliferation of HepG2 cells, and investigate the material basis for their anti-cancer activity differences. Methods Simultaneous Thermal Analysis was used to preliminarily compare the component differences between Nelumbinis Semen and Nelumbinis Plumula. Alkaloids were extracted from them by both using reflux extraction, and their contents were measured by UV and HPLC methods. The CCK-8 method was used to assess the in vitro inhibitory effects of the alkaloids on the HepG2 cells, and to verify pharmacological differences. Results Simultaneous thermal analysis revealed distinct peak shapes, positions, and sizes in the thermal analysis curves of Nelumbinis Semen and Nelumbinis Plumula at respective temperature stages. The contents of total alkaloids showed as follows: the total alkaloids in Nelumbinis Plumula > total extract of Nelumbinis Plumula > the total alkaloids in Nelumbinis Semen. The total alkaloids in Nelumbinis Plumula effectively inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation, while the total alkaloids in Nelumbinis Semen showed no impact. Conclusion Differences in the composition and content of alkaloids may be key factors underlying the biological activities differences between Nelumbinis Semen and Nelumbinis Plumula. This study provided a basis for exploring the material foundation of the differential efficacy and properties of Nelumbinis Semen and Nelumbinis Plumula, which could support their rational clinical application.

Thermal analysis technology has emerged as a pivotal tool for the identification and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） owing to its advantages of high sensitivity and capability for simultaneous multi-parameter detection. The application progress on thermogravimetric analysis （TGA）, differential thermal analysis （DTA）, and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） in four key areas: authenticity identification of herbal medicines, optimization of processing techniques, evaluation of extract thermal stability, and construction of quality evaluation systems were summarized. Thermal analysis technology enables rapid authentication of medicinal materials by establishing a thermal fingerprint. When integrated with hyphenated techniques （e.g., FTIR and GC-MS）, it facilitates in-depth analysis of compositional differences in complex matrices. In Future, the development of thermal analysis databases and multi-technology integration will be expected to further promote the standardization of TCM quality control.

ObjectiveTo investigate the attenuating effect of Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma（DBR） processed with Phaseoli Radiati Semen（PRS） juice， and explore the attenuating mechanism based on ferroptosis of the main toxic target organ. MethodSixty male ICR mice were randomly divided into blank group， DBR group， water roasted DBR group（hereinafter referred to as water group）， PRS juice-roasted DBR group 1（DBR-PRS 10∶1， stuffy moistening for 40 min， stir-fried at 130 ℃ for 18 min， hereinafter referred to as group 1）， PRS juice-roasted DBR group 2（DBR-PRS 10∶1， stuffy moistening for 80 min， stir-fried at 100 ℃ for 14 min， hereinafter referred to as group 2）， PRS juice-roasted DBR group 3（DBR-PRS=20∶3， stuffy moistening for 40 min， stir-fried at 160 ℃ for 14 min， hereinafter referred to as group 3）. The raw and processed groups of DBR were gavaged with their corresponding 95% ethanol extract at a dose of 3 g·kg^-1·d^-1， while the blank group was gavaged with an equal volume of 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose， once a day for 14 consecutive days. Hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the histopathological changes of mouse liver. Alanine aminotransferase（ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase（AST） levels in serum， as well as malondialdehyde（MDA）， ferrous ions（Fe²⁺）， reduced glutathione（GSH） and superoxide dismutase（SOD） levels in liver tissue were detected by the biochemical detection. Western blot was used to detect the expression of iron key proteins such as ferritin heavy chain 1（FTH1） and glutathione peroxidase 4（GPX4）. ResultHE staining results showed that the liver tissue structure of the blank group was clear， the morphology of hepatocytes was normal， the cytoplasms of hepatocytes in the DBR group and water group were loose and vacuolar， with obvious pathological damages， and the pathologic damages of mice in the group 1-3 were significantly improved. Compared with the blank group， the levels of ALT， AST， MDA and Fe²⁺ in mice from the DBR group were significantly increased（P<0.01）， while GSH and SOD levels were significantly reduced（P<0.01）， and the protein expression levels of FTH1 and GPX4 were significantly decreased（P<0.01）. Compared with the DBR group， the ALT， AST，MDA and Fe²⁺ levels of mice in the group 1-3 were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the GSH and SOD levels and the protein expression levels of FTH1 and GPX4 were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Compared with the water group， the AST and MDA levels of mice in the group 1-3 were significantly reduced（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the SOD level significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， the FTH1 protein expression significantly increased（P<0.01）， and the serum ALT level of mice in the group 2-3 significantly reduce（P<0.01）， Fe²⁺ level significantly reduced（P<0.01）， GSH level significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）， and GPX4 protein expression significantly increased（P<0.05， P<0.01）. Among the group 1-3， the group 3 had the best detoxification effect. ConclutionProcessing with PRS juice can reduce the liver injury induced by DBR， and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of ferroptosis in the liver.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1(LOX-1)regulates hyperglycemic-induced myocardial fibroblast(CFs)fibrosis through the glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)pathway.Methods CFs were isolated,cultured and identified.LOX-1 RNAi lentiviral vector was constructed and infected CFs.The experimental groups were as follows:Normal control(NC)group,High glucose(HG)group,LV-LOX-1,LV-Con group,Hypertonic(HPG)group.After LV-LOX-1 and LV-Con were infected with CFs,adding 25 mmol/L glucose to culture CFs for 24 h,they were denoted as HG+LV-LOX-1 group and HG+LV-Con group.Cells in HG+LV-LOX-1 group and HG+LV-Con group were treated with 10 μ mol/L SB216763 and 10 μ mol/L STATTIC for 24 h,respectively,and then they were recorded as HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 group,HG+LV-Con+SB216763 group,HG+LV-LOX-1+STATTIC group and HG+LV-Con+STATTIC group.CCK-8 was used to detect the activity of CFs,and the expression levels of mRAN and protein of LOX-1,collagen type I(COL-I),thioredoxin 5(TXNDC5),GSK-3β,STAT3,p-GSK-3β and p-STAT3 were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blot.Results CFs infected with LOX-1 RNAi lentiviral vector were obtained,which showed green under fluorescence microscopy.Compared with HG and HG+LV-Con groups,the mRNA expressions of LOX-1,COL-I and TXNDC5 were decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,mRNA expressions of COL-I and TXNDC5 were decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 and HG+LV-LOX-1+STATTIC groups(P<0.05).Compared with HG and HG+LV-Con groups,p-GSK-3β protein expression was increased in HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05),while LOX-1,p-STAT3,COL-I,TXNDC5 protein expression was decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1 group(P<0.05).Compared with HG+LV-LOX-1 group,p-GSK-3β protein expression was increased in HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 group(P<0.05),while the protein expressions of p-STAT3,COL-I and TXNDC5 were decreased in HG+LV-LOX-1+SB216763 and HG+LV-LOX-1+STATTIC groups(P<0.05).Conclusion LOX-1,GSK-3β,STAT3,TXNDC5,and COL-I are involved in high glucose induced CFs fibrosis.LOX-1 promotes the expression of TXNDC5 and COL-I through GSK-3β/STAT3 pathway,and inhibition of LOX-1 can inhibit high glucose induced CFs fibrosis.

Objective To investigate the protective effects of the total bakkenolides from P.tricholobus on improving hypoxia tolerance in mice. Methods Mice normobaric pressure hypoxia model and oxygen glucose deprivation model in PC12 cells were established, and the effects of PTB on survival time, serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content, brain and heart superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities, brain tissue pathological changes and cell survival were observed. Results The total bakkenolides from P.tricholobus had prolonged the survival time of mice in confined spaces, increased the activity of SOD and GSH, reduced the production of lipid peroxidation, decreased the degree of anaerobic glycolysis, protected the structure and function of neural cells, and improved the survival rate of OGD-treated cells. Conclusion The total bakkenolides from P.tricholobus could promote the hypoxia tolerance in mice which might be related to scavenging oxygen free radicals, inhibiting lipid peroxidation reaction and protecting the structures and functions of nerve cells.

Objective:To explore the effect of metformin during pregnancy on pregnancy outcomes of women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) complicated with euglycemia and hyperinsulinemia.Methods:One hundred and thirty PCOS pregnant patients complicated with euglycemia and hyperinsulinemia admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2017 to December 2019 were selected and divided into two groups, the treatment group was treated with metformin during pregnancy, and the control group was treated with lifestyle intervention. Pregnancy outcomes, pregnancy complications, delivery complications, first cesarean section rate, length, gestational age, weight, and blood glucose of the newborn were compared.Results:The incidence of early pregnancy loss (23.8% vs 6.0%, P=0.040), embryo damage(23.8% vs 4.5%, P=0.001), and premature rupture of membrane(21.3% vs 8.1%, P=0.047) in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group. There were no statistically significant differences in pregnancy complications, first cesarean section rate, length, weight, and blood glucose of the newborn and other adverse pregnancy outcomes ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Metformin therapy during pregnancy in PCOS patients can effectively reduce the incidence of early pregnancy loss, embryo damage , and premature rupture of membrane, improve pregnancy outcomes, and have no effect on the length, weight, and blood glucose of the newborn, with high safety and no obvious adverse events.

Objective: To observe the short-term changes of Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Circumference (WC) in junior high school students in Harbin, and to explore its association with the changes of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the same period. Furthermore, to analyze the value of hs-CRP to predict the BMI and WC changes in children and adolescents. Methods: Convenient sampling method was used,and the students in grades 6 and 7 in junior high school in Harbin were selected by stratified clicstering. Physical examination and serum hs-CRP were performed for two consecutive years. According to the results of the two surveys, the subjects were divided into control group (normal → normal), case group (abnormal → abnormal), improved group (abnormal → normal) and progression group (normal → abnormal). The multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the predictive value of hs-CRP changes for BMI and WC changes. Results: The rate of overweight and obesity among samples from junior high school was 30.6%. The increment of BMI in female was more obvious than that in male(U=17 358.0，P<0.05). Both increments in BMI and WC were positively correlated with increments in hs-CRP(P<0.05). The risk of occurrence of "BMI always abnormal" and "WC always abnormal" increased sequentially in hs-CRP "normal → abnormal", "abnormal → normal" and "abnormal → abnormal", were 3.45 times, 5.98 times and 38.84 times of "BMI is always normal", respectively; and were 3.45 times, 4.26 times and 28.50 times of "WC is always normal", respectively. The risk of "BMI improvement" was 7.70 times more than that of BMI "always normal" when hs-CRP "abnormal → normal". Conclusion The prevalence of overweight and obesity in junior high school students in Harbin is high. The BMI increases faster in female from junior high school. The trends of change of BMI and WC are consistent with the trend of change of hs-CRP. The “hs-CRP change” has a good predictive value for BMI and WC development.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a major agent of hand, foot and mouth disease that can cause a severe burden of disease to children. To identify an effective method for the control and prevention of EV71, we studied the effect of exposure to heat and ultraviolet (UV) light upon EV71 inactivation. We found that exposure to 50 degrees C could not inactivate the infectivity of EV71. However, exposure to 60 degrees C and 70 degrees C could inactivate EV71 effectively. EV71 could be inactivated after exposure to UV light at a distance between the sample and a lamp of 30 cm for 30 min or 60 min because viral genomic RNA was destroyed. However, fetal bovine serum (FBS) could attenuate the inactivation proffered by heat and UV light. Attenuation effects of FBS were correlated positively with FBS concentration. Hence, EV71 can be inactivated by exposure to heat and UV light, and our results could provide guidance on prevention of the spread of EV71.
Disinfection ; instrumentation ; methods ; Enterovirus A, Human ; genetics ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Enterovirus Infections ; virology ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Virus Inactivation ; radiation effects

Objective To explore the best way for clinical screening of primary aldosteronism (PA).Methods Three hundred and three suspected cases of PA were collected and divided into groups of primary aldosteronism group, essential hypertension group, and nonsecreting cortical adrenal tumor group.The plasma aldosterone concentration/plasma renin concentration ratio ( ARR) was used to draw the receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curve and obtain the best cut-off point.Furthermore, the current screening schemes for PA were compared.Results Upright ARR yield had larger areas under the ROC curve than plasma aldosterone concentration or plasma renin concentration under all conditions of testing. The best cut-off point of upright ARR[(pg/ml)/(μIU/ml)] for the diagnosis of PA was 43.45.During the two postural stimulation tests,the two upright ARR exceeded 43.45 with the highest diagnostic sensitivity of PA reaching 0.94.During the two upright tests ARR was less than 43.45, with a sensitivity of 0.74, and a specificity of 0.94.Conclusion To screen for PA in high-risk populations, twice postural stimulation test is recommended.As long as the upright ARR is above 43.45, PA may be considered and further confirmation is needed to prevent misdiagnosis.