Two-dimensional dysprosium(III) coordination polymer: Structure, single-molecule magnetic behavior, proton conduction, and luminescence.

A new dysprosium (III) coordination polymer [Dy(Hm-dobdc) (H2O)2]·H2O (Dy-CP), was hydrothermal synthesized based on 4,6-dioxido-1,3-benzenedicarboxylate (H4m-dobdc) ligand containing carboxyl and phenolic hydroxyl groups. The Dy(III) center adopts an octa-coordinated [DyO8] geometry, which can be described as a twisted square antiprism (D 4d symmetry). Neighboring Dy(III) ions are interconnected by deprotonated Hm-dobdc3- ligand to form the two-dimensional infinite layers, which are further linked to generate three-dimensional structure through abundant hydrogen bonds mediated primarily by coordinated and lattice H2O molecules. Magnetic studies demonstrates that Dy-CP shows the field-induced slow relaxation of magnetization and the energy barrier U eff/k B and relaxation time τ 0 are 35.3 K and 1.31 × 10-6 s, respectively. Following the vehicular mechanism, Dy-CP displays proton conductivity with σ equal to 7.77 × 10-8 S cm-1 at 353 K and 30%RH. Moreover, luminescence spectra reveal that H4m-dobdc can sensitize characteristic luminescence of Dy(III) ion. Herein, good magnetism, proton conduction, and luminescence are simultaneously achieved, and thus, Dy-CP is a potential multifunctional coordination polymer material.

Preclinical studies of licorice in ulcerative colitis: A systematic review with meta-analysis and network pharmacology.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Licorice, as a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, possessing the efficacies of invigorating spleen and replenishing qi, heat-clearing and detoxicating, phlegm-resolving and cough suppressant, relieving spasm and pain, and hamonizing actions of various medicines. AIM OF THE STUDY: The goal of this systematic review, which includes meta-analysis and network pharmacology in preclinical studies, is to investigate the multiple efficacies of licorice on ulcerative colitis (UC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We searched several databases, e.g., Web of Science, Elsevier ScienceDirect and PubMed until Januanry 2022 for literature collection, and the Review Manager 5.3 was used to analyze the data. To synthesize the retrieved data, the fixed and random-effects models were utilized, respectively, and network pharmacology was applied to confirm the mechanisms. RESULTS: Based on the result of meta-analysis, it suggested that the treatments of licorice extract and its active compounds showed strong therpeutic effects, which not only reflected the declining histological score, a index of the colitis severity [SMD = -2.86, 95% CI (-3.65, -2.08); P < 0.00001], but also reversed colonic shortness [WMD = 1.67, 95% CI (1.16, 2.19); P < 0.00001] between experimental UC model and licorice-treatment groups. In addition, it suggested the significant reduction of TNF-α level [SMD = -2.70, 95% CI (-3.23, -2.16); P < 0.00001], which acted as a crucial role in inflammatory response. Furthermore, from the results of network pharmacology, it indicated that anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, immunomodulatory effect and microbiota homeostasis were the predominant therapeutic mechanisms of licorice extract and its active compounds treating UC. CONCLUSION: This systematic review with meta-analysis and network pharmacology demonstrates an efficient role of licorice extract and its active compounds in preclinical studies of UC, which provides supporting evidence for clinical trial implementation. However, there exist some limitations, such as technique quality decificency, missed reports due to negative outcome, failure to calculate sample size, and the risk of bias.

Corrigendum: The Extract of Sonneratia apetala Leaves and Branches Ameliorates Hyperuricemia in Mice by Regulating Renal Uric Acid Transporters and Suppressing the Activation of the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2021.698219.].

The Extract of Sonneratia apetala Leaves and Branches Ameliorates Hyperuricemia in Mice by Regulating Renal Uric Acid Transporters and Suppressing the Activation of the JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway.

Sonneratia apetala Buch-Ham., an exotic mangrove species with antidiabetic, antibacterial, and antioxidant capacities, mainly distributes in the southeast coastal areas in China. The present work investigated the protective effects of Sonneratia apetala leaves and branches extraction (SAL) on hyperuricemia (HUA) in mice. Potassium oxonate (PO) and hypoxanthine (HX) were used to establish the HUA model by challenge for consecutive 7 days. Results revealed that SAL inhibited the increases in kidney weight and index compared to the vehicle group. Meanwhile, SAL significantly decreased the levels of uric acid (UA), creatinine (CRE), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in serum. Additionally, SAL inhibited the activity of xanthine oxidase (XOD) in the liver. SAL ameliorated PO- and HX-induced histopathological changes. Moreover, it regulated oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and glutathione (GSH) content. Also, SAL inhibited the increases in renal levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-18 (IL-18), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß). SAL remarkably reduced suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and subsequent phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) expression. In addition, SAL inhibited the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) in the kidney. Furthermore, SAL protected against HUA by regulating renal UA transporters of organic anion transporter (OAT1), urate reabsorption transporter 1 (URAT1), and glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9). These findings suggested that SAL ameliorated HUA by inhibiting the production of uric acid and enhancing renal urate excretion, which are related to oxidative stress and inflammation, and the possible molecular mechanisms include its ability to inhibit the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Thus, SAL might be developed into a promising agent for HUA treatments.

Aqueous extract of Bruguiera gymnorrhiza leaves protects against dextran sulfate sodium induced ulcerative colitis in mice via suppressing NF-κB activation and modulating intestinal microbiota.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is tightly associated with inflammation response and oxidative stress. As a folk medicine applied in treatment of diarrhea, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza also possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities, which indicated that B. gymnorrhiza may exert anti-colitis effect. AIM OF THE STUDY: To investigate effect and mechanism of B. gymnorrhiza on experimental UC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aqueous extract of B. gymnorrhiza leaves (ABL) was used for investigation in the present study. Murine UC was established through access to 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 7 days. Meanwhile, mice accepted treatment with ABL (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) or sulfasalazine (200 mg/kg) once daily. On the last day, disease activity index (DAI) including body weight loss, fecal character and degree of bloody diarrhea was evaluated, colon segments were obtained for length measurement and further analysis and feces were collected for intestinal microbiota analysis. RESULTS: ABL ameliorated DAI scores, colon length shortening and histopathological damage in DSS-induced colitis mice obviously. SOD activity, levels of MDA and GSH altered by colitis were restored remarkably after ABL treatment. ABL inhibited increases in levels of colonic COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-11 in colitis mice. Moreover, ABL prominently suppressed NF-κB p65 and IκB phosphorylation and down-regulated mRNA levels of COX-2, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1ß elevated by colitis. As shown in microbiota analysis, ABL modulated composition of intestinal microbiota of colitis mice. CONCLUSION: ABL exhibited protective effect against DSS-induced ulcerative colitis through suppressing NF-κB activation and modulating intestinal microbiota.

Comparation of Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidantactivities of Curcumin, Tetrahydrocurcuminand Octahydrocurcuminin LPS-Stimulated RAW264.7 Macrophages.

Curcumin (CUR) possesses pronounced anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Generally, the clinical application of CUR is restricted due to its apparent unstability and poor absorption, and the biological activities of CUR may be closely associated with its metabolites. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and octahydrocurcumin (OHC) are two major hydrogenated metabolites of CUR with appreciable biological potentials. Here, we comparatively explored the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of CUR, THC, and OHC in lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced RAW264.7 macrophages. The results revealed that CUR, THC, and OHC dose-dependently inhibited the generation of NO and MCP-1 as well as the gene expression of MCP-1 and iNOS. Additionally, CUR, THC, and OHC significantly inhibited NF-κB activation and p38MAPK and ERK phosphorylation, while substantially upregulated the Nrf2 target gene expression (HO-1, NQO-1, GCLC, and GCLM). Nevertheless, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a typical HO-1 inhibitor, significantly reversed the alleviative effect of CUR, THC, and OHC on LPS-stimulated ROS generation. These results demonstrated that CUR, THC, and OHC exerted beneficial effect on LPS-stimulated inflammatory and oxidative responses, at least partially, through inhibiting the NF-κB and MAPKs pathways and activating Nrf2-regulated antioxidant gene expression. Particularly, THC and OHC might exert superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities to CUR in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells, which can be further explored to be a promising novel effective agent for inflammatory treatment.

Tetrahydrocurcumin and octahydrocurcumin, the primary and final hydrogenated metabolites of curcumin, possess superior hepatic-protective effect against acetaminophen-induced liver injury: Role of CYP2E1 and Keap1-Nrf2 pathway.

Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose-induced hepatotoxicity is tightly associated with oxidative stress. Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC) and octahydrocurcumin (OHC), the primary and final hydrogenated metabolites of curcumin (CUR), possess stronger antioxidant activity in vitro. The present study was performed to investigate the potential and mechanism of OHC and THC against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity in parallel to CUR. Our results showed that OHC and THC dose-dependently enhanced liver function (ALT and AST levels) and alleviated histopathological deterioration. Besides, OHC and THC significantly restored the hepatic antioxidant status by miring level of MDA and ROS, and elevated levels of GSH, SOD, CAT and T-AOC. In addition, OHC and THC markedly suppressed the activity and expressions of CYP2E1, and bound to the active sites of CYP2E1. Moreover, OHC and THC activated the Keap1-Nrf2 pathway and enormously enhanced the translational activation of Nrf2-targeted gene (GCLC, GCLM, NQO1 and HO-1) against oxidative stress, via inhibiting the expression of Keap1 and blocking the interaction between Keap1 and Nrf2. Particularly, OHC and THC exerted superior hepato-protective and antioxidant activities to CUR. In conclusion, OHC and THC possess favorable hepato-protective effect through restoring antioxidant status, inhibiting CYP2E1 and activating Keap1-Nrf2 pathway, which might represent promising antioxidants for the treatment of APAP-induced hepatotoxicity.

[Practical strategies to improve communications with school-aged children in the PICU].

BACKGROUND & PROBLEMS: Children in the PICU who are treated for illnesses using intubation are often unable to express their needs effectively. This project first used a self-designed survey to record the researcher's observations and interview data. Results indicated that even with clinical staffs trying their best to understand PICU patient needs, 50% of the patients had unmet demands due to inadequate communication. This unmet demand was a source of negative patient behavior. PURPOSE: This project developed an appropriate communication system to improve communication efficacy between children and clinical staffs in order to meet patient demands and improve PICU patient outcomes. RESOLUTION: Various types of auxiliary school-aged-children-appropriate communication tools such as picture cards, hand-held communication boards, and magnetic spelling board were used. Using these communication tools together with education and training greatly improved communication efficacy and patient needs provision. RESULTS: Percentage of patient needs met increased from 50% to 98% and the average time clinical staffs needed to spend to understand a patient's needs decreased from 15 to 4 minutes per instance. CONCLUSIONS: This project improved relationships and interactions between clinical nurses and school-aged children. The developed auxiliary communication tools may be introduced in the PICU based on the results of this project as an effective approach to improving patient-staff communication and reducing patient-perceived hospitalization stress.