Nine compounds were isolated and purified from 90% ethanol extract of Alstonia mairei Lévl by using various chromatographic methods, including silica gel, SephadexLH-20, MCI Gel and ODS column chromatography, combined with semi-preparative liquid phase separation methods. Modern spectroscopic methods (1D and 2D NMR, UV, IR, MS, etc.) were used to identify the structures of the isolated compounds. They were identified as mairoside A (1), 3′,6-di-O-sinaloylsucrose (2), myristic acid (3), methyl myristate (4), ethyl myristate (5), 3,4,5-trimethoxycinnamic acid (6), 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzoic acid (7), vinoline (8), kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside (9), among which compound 1 is a new glycoside, compounds 4 and 5 are new natural products, and the nuclear magnetic data of compound 4 were reported for the first time.

ObjectiveGastric cancer (GC) seriously affects human health and life, and research has shown that it is closely related to the serine/glycine metabolism. The proliferation ability of tumor cells is greatly influenced by the metabolism of serine and glycine. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanism of serine/glycine metabolism can affect the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. MethodsIn this work, a stable metabolic dynamic model of gastric cancer cells was established via a large-scale metabolic network dynamic modeling method in terms of a potential landscape description of stochastic and non-gradient systems. Based on the regulation of the model, a quantitative analysis was conducted to investigate the dynamic mechanism of serine/glycine metabolism affecting the proliferation of gastric cancer cells. We introduced random noise to the kinetic equations of the general metabolic network, and applied stochastic kinetic decomposition to obtain the Lyapunov function of the metabolic network parameter space. A stable metabolic network was achieved by further reducing the change in the Lyapunov function tied to the stochastic fluctuations. ResultsDespite the unavailability of a large number of dynamic parameters, we were able to successfully construct a dynamic model for the metabolic network in gastric cancer cells. When extracellular serine is available, the model preferentially consumes serine. In addition, when the conversion rate of glycine to serine increases, the model significantly upregulates the steady-state fluxes of S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and S-adenosyl homocysteine (SAH). ConclusionIn this paper, we provide evidence supporting the preferential uptake of serine by gastric cancer cells and the important role of serine/glycine conversion rate in SAM generation, which may affect the proliferation ability of gastric cancer cells by regulating the cellular methylation process. This provides a new idea and direction for targeted cancer therapy based on serine/glycine metabolism.

Objective:To investigate the application value of ultrasound technology in transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate(TUERP).Methods:This study included 78 BPH patients admitted in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2023,aged 70.68±8.63 years and with the indication of surgery.We randomly divided them into two groups to receive TUERP(the control group,n=39)and ultrasound-assisted TUERP(the US-TUERP group,n=39).We statistically analyzed and compared the rele-vant parameters obtained before and after operation between the two groups.Results:No statistically significant differences were ob-served in the operation time and bladder irrigation time between the two groups(P>0.05).More glandular tissues were removed but less intraoperative bleeding and fewer perioperative complications occurred in the US-TUERP group than in the control.Compared with the baseline,IPSS,postvoid residual urine volume(PVR),quality of life score(QOL)and maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax)were significantly improved in both groups at 1 and 3 months after surgery,even more significantly in the US-TUERP than in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:US-TUERP helps achieve complete resection of the hyperplastic prostatic tissue along the surgical capsule at the anatomical level,with a higher safety,fewer perioperative complications,and better therapeutic effects.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficiency of China-made Toumai Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prosta-tectomy(LRP).Methods:This study included 40 cases of PCa treated from January 2023 to May 2023 by robot-assisted LRP with preservation of the bladder neck and maximal functional urethral length,15 cases with the assistance of Toumai Robot(the TMR group)and the other 25 with the assistance of da Vinci Robot as controls(the DVR group).We recorded the docking time,laparo-scopic surgery time,vesico-urethral anastomosis time,intraoperative blood loss and postoperative urinary continence,and compared them between the two groups.Results:Operations were successfully completed in all the cases.No statistically significant differ-ences were observed between the TMR and DVR groups in the docking time(6 min vs 5 min,P＞0.05)or intraoperative blood loss(200 ml vs 150 ml,P＞0.05).The TMR group,compared with the DVR group,showed a significantly longer median laparoscopic surgery time(146 min vs 130 min,P＜0.05)and median vesico-urethral anastomosis time(19 min vs 16 min,P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences between the TMR and DVR groups in the rates of urinary continence recovery immediately af-ter surgery(60.0％[9/15]vs 64.0％[16/25],P＞0.05)or at 1 month(80.0％[12/15])vs(76.0％[19/25],P＞0.05),3 months(93.3％[14/15])vs(92.0％[23/25],P＞0.05)and 6 months postoperatively(100％[15/15])vs(96％[24/25],P＞0.05).Conclusion:China-made Toumai? Robot surgical system is safe and reliable for laparoscopic radical prosta-tectomy,with satisfactory postoperative recovery of urinary continence.

Objective:To explore the application of modified scrotoscopic surgery(MSS)in the treatment of testicular hydro-cele.Methods:We selected 45 cases of testicular hydrocele for this study,22 treated by traditional scrotoscopic surgery(TSS)and the other 23 by MSS,which was performed with a pin-shaped electrode bent inward at an angle of 60° instead of a circular electrode used in TSS.We recorded the general clinical data,operation time,incision length,intraoperative injury,incision infection,scrotal e-dema,postoperative hospital stay and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores of the patients and compared them between the two groups.Results:There was no statistically significant difference in the general clinical data between the two groups(P＞0.05).Compared with the patients of the TSS group,those of the MSS group showed significantly shorter operative time([32.86±3.80]vs[26.13±2.81]min,P＜0.05),incision length([14.09±2.23]vs[8.73±1.48]mm,P＜0.05)and postopera-tive hospital stay([4.36±1.05]vs[2.00±0.90]d,P＜0.05),and achieved remarkably lower VAS scores on postoperative days 1(4.41±1.05 vs 3.09±0.79,P＜0.05),2(3.36±1.05 vs 2.78±1.13,P＜0.05),3(2.65±0.72 vs 1.74±0.86,P＜0.05)and 7(1.91±0.81 vs 1.04±0.82,P＜0.05).At 3 and 7 days after surgery,scrotal edema was markedly mil-der in the MSS than in the TSS group(P＜0.05).No testicular or epididymal damage,or wound infection occurred in either of the two groups.Conclusion:MSS is safe and effective in the treatment of testicular hydrocele,superior to TSS for its advantages of shorter operation time,smaller surgical incision,less postoperative pain and milder scrotal edema.

AIM To investigate the renal protective effects of Shiwei Ruxiang Powder on gouty nephritis in rats based on mitophagy.METHODS Rats were randomly divided into the blank group,the model group,the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Shiwei Ruxiang Powder groups(200,400,800 mg/kg)and allopurinol group(10 mg/kg).The rat model of gouty nephropathy was established by gavage of potassium oxyzinate(750 mg/kg)and uric acid(300 mg/kg).The rats had their levels of UA,SCr,BUN,XOD,SOD,MDA,ROS measured by automatic biochemical analyzer,ELISA and chemical fluorescence method;their renal pathological changes observed by HE staining;their apoptosis of renal tissue cells observed by TUNEL staining;and their mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β,TNF-α,Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3,caspase-9,PINK1,Parkin and LC3-Ⅱ detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the model group,Shiwei Ruxiang Powder groups displayed dose-dependently decreased serum levels of UA,BUN and SCr,renal deposition of urate crystal and apoptosis(P<0.05);decreased renal levels of ROS and inflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α(P<0.05);and increased renal expressions of mitochondrial autophagy-related proteins PINK1,Parkin and LC3-Ⅱ(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Shiwei Ruxiang Powder may relieve gouty kidney injury in rats by reducing the uric acid level,the renal oxidative stress and inflammatory response,and activating mitophagy pathway as well.

Objective:To construct recombinant lentivirus and adenovirus which regulate the expression of c-Cbl gene and evaluate their efficacy.Methods:The interference lentivirus and overexpressed adenovirus targeting human c-Cbl gene were constructed by gene recombination technology.Quantitative PCR and western blotting were used to detect the expression changes in c-Cbl gene and its transcription after leukemia cells(HL60,THP1)were infected by virus.Results:Three recombinant interfering lentiviral vectors targeting human c-Cbl genes to successfully constructed and were identified by DNA sequencing,and the titers of the packaged viruses were all greater than 1 x 108 TU/ml.Among them,shRNA-2 lentivirus had the highest interference efficiency,and the expression of c-Cbl gene and CBL protein were decreased about 95％and 60％respectively after leukemia cells were infected with shRNA-2;In addition,the recombinant overexpression adenovirus targeting human c-Cbl gene was packaged successfully with the virus titer greater than 1 x 109 TU/ml.When leukemia cells were infected with adenovirus,the expression of c-Cbl gene and CBL protein were up-regulated about 10 times and 1.5 times respectively.Conclusion:Both recombinant interfering lentivirus and overexpression adenovirus can efficiently infect leukemia cells and affect the expressions of c-Cbl gene and CBL protein.It will lay a preliminary foundation for the subsequent study on the function of c-Cbl gene in tumor cells.

In recent years, continuous manufacturing technology has attracted considerable attention in the pharmaceutical industry. This technology is highly sought after for its significant advantages in cost reduction, increased efficiency, and improved productivity, making it a growing trend in the future of the pharmaceutical industry. Compared to traditional batch production methods, continuous manufacturing technology features real-time control and environmentally friendly intelligence, enabling pharmaceutical companies to produce drugs more efficiently. However, the adoption of continuous manufacturing technology has been slow in the field of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) pharmaceuticals. On the one hand, there is insufficient research on continuous manufacturing equipment and technology that align with the characteristics of TCM preparations. On the other hand, the scarcity of talent with diverse expertise hampers its development. Therefore, in order to promote the modernization and upgrading of the TCM pharmaceutical industry, this article combined the current development status of the TCM industry to outline the development status and regulatory requirements of continuous manufacturing technology. At the same time, it analyzed the problems with existing TCM manufacturing models and explored the prospects and challenges of applying continuous manufacturing technology in the field of TCM pharmaceuticals. The analysis focused on continuous manufacturing control strategies, technical tools, and pharmaceutical equipment, aiming to provide targeted recommendations to drive the development of the TCM pharmaceutical industry.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Quality Control ; Drug Industry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Pharmaceutical Preparations

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Humans ; Otitis Media, Suppurative ; Chronic Disease ; Biofilms ; Otitis Media