Application of prostate resectoscope in the treatment of massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate puncture.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy is a reliable diagnostic procedure for prostate cancer diagnosis with minimal procedure-related trauma. However, complications, such as massive rectal bleeding may occur after the puncture. We hypothesized that using a transrectal resectoscope could help treat massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate punctures. AIM: To identify a simple and effective treatment for massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate punctures. METHODS: Patients requiring treatment for massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate punctures were included. A SIMAI resectoscope was inserted through the anus. Direct electrocoagulation was performed for superficial bleeding points. Part of the rectal mucosa or surface muscle layer was removed to expose deep bleeding points, followed by electrocoagulation. An electric cutting ring was used to compress and stop the bleeding for jet-like points before electrocoagulation. The fluid color in the drainage tube was monitored postoperatively for continuous bleeding. RESULTS: Eight patients were included from 2012 to 2022. None of the patients with massive rectal bleeding after the transrectal prostate punctures improved with conventional conservative and blood transfusion treatments. Two patients had an inferior artery embolism, and digital subtraction angiography was ineffective. All patients received emergency transanal prostate resection, which immediately stopped the bleeding. Four days after the procedure, the patients had recovered and were discharged. CONCLUSION: Using a transanal prostate resection instrument is a simple, safe, and effective method for treating massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate punctures.

Correlation between cerebral neurotransmitters levels by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy and HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive dysfunction is the main manifestation of central neuropathy. Although cognitive impairments tend to be overlooked in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), there is a growing body of evidence linking DM to cognitive dysfunction. Hyperglycemia is closely related to neurological abnormalities, while often disregarded in clinical practice. Changes in cerebral neurotransmitter levels are associated with a variety of neurological abnormalities and may be closely related to blood glucose control in patients with type 2 DM (T2DM). AIM: To evaluate the concentrations of cerebral neurotransmitters in T2DM patients exhibiting different hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels. METHODS: A total of 130 T2DM patients were enrolled at the Department of Endocrinology of Shanghai East Hospital. The participants were divided into four groups according to their HbA1c levels using the interquartile method, namely Q1 (< 7.875%), Q2 (7.875%-9.050%), Q3 (9.050%-11.200%) and Q4 (≥ 11.200%). Clinical data were collected and measured, including age, height, weight, neck/waist/hip circumferences, blood pressure, comorbidities, duration of DM, and biochemical indicators. Meanwhile, neurotransmitters in the left hippocampus and left brainstem area were detected by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS: The HbA1c level was significantly associated with urinary microalbumin (mALB), triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and beta cell function (HOMA-ß), N-acetylaspartate/creatine (NAA/Cr), and NAA/choline (NAA/Cho). Spearman correlation analysis showed that mALB, LDL-C, HOMA-IR and NAA/Cr in the left brainstem area were positively correlated with the level of HbA1c (P < 0.05), whereas HOMA-ß was negatively correlated with the HbA1c level (P < 0.05). Ordered multiple logistic regression analysis showed that NAA/Cho [Odds ratio (OR): 1.608, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 1.004-2.578, P < 0.05], LDL-C (OR: 1.627, 95%CI: 1.119-2.370, P < 0.05), and HOMA-IR (OR: 1.107, 95%CI: 1.031-1.188, P < 0.01) were independent predictors of poor glycemic control. CONCLUSION: The cerebral neurotransmitter concentrations in the left brainstem area in patients with T2DM are closely related to glycemic control, which may be the basis for the changes in cognitive function in diabetic patients.

The growth-promoting and disease-suppressing mechanisms of Trichoderma inoculation on peanut seedlings.

Trichoderma spp. is known for its ability to enhance plant growth and suppress disease, but the mechanisms for its interaction with host plants and pathogens remain unclear. This study investigated the transcriptomics and metabolomics of peanut plants (Arachis hypogaea L.) inoculated with Trichoderma harzianum QT20045, in the absence and presence of the stem rot pathogen Sclerotium rolfsii JN3011. Under the condition without pathogen stress, the peanut seedlings inoculated with QT20045 showed improved root length and plant weight, increased indole acetic acid (IAA) production, and reduced ethylene level, with more active 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate acid (ACC) synthase (ACS) and ACC oxidase (ACO), compared with the non-inoculated control. Under the pathogen stress, the biocontrol efficacy of QT20045 against S. rolfsii was 78.51%, with a similar effect on plant growth, and IAA and ethylene metabolisms to the condition with no biotic stress. Transcriptomic analysis of peanut root revealed that Trichoderma inoculation upregulated the expression of certain genes in the IAA family but downregulated the genes in the ACO family (AhACO1 and AhACO) and ACS family (AhACS3 and AhACS1) consistently in the absence and presence of pathogens. During pathogen stress, QT20045 inoculation leads to the downregulation of the genes in the pectinesterase family to keep the host plant's cell wall stable, along with upregulation of the AhSUMM2 gene to activate plant defense responses. In vitro antagonistic test confirmed that QT20045 suppressed S. rolfsii growth through mechanisms of mycelial entanglement, papillary protrusions, and decomposition. Our findings highlight that Trichoderma inoculation is a promising tool for sustainable agriculture, offering multiple benefits from pathogen control to enhanced plant growth and soil health.

Determination of multi-residue pesticides in dairy products using single-step emulsification/demulsification clean-up strategy combined with low-pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

In this study, a simple, sensitive, and rapid method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 99 kinds of pesticides in fatty milk samples. This novel emulsification-demulsification clean-up approach, coupled with an automatic demulsification-dehydration cartridge, allowed rapid single-step clean-up operation and high throughput. It also achieved effective and selective removal of lipids. The analysis was performed using low-pressure gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LPGC-MS/MS). Based on the optimal conditions, the targeted pesticides showed good linearity in the range of 5-250 µg/kg, with recoveries of 70-120% at spiking levels of 5, 10, and 20 µg/kg in cow milk, goat milk, and almond milk, respectively. The limit of quantification for most pesticides was 5 µg/kg, and the RSDs were lower than 20%. Analysis of real dairy products obtained from local markets revealed a potential risk in plant-derived almond milk, but no significant risks were found for cow and goat milk.

IGF2 promotes the differentiation of chicken embryonic myoblast by regulating mitochondrial remodeling.

Skeletal muscle is crucial for animal movement and posture maintenance, and it serves as a significant source of meat in the livestock and poultry industry. The number of muscle fibers differentiated from myoblast in the embryonic stage is one of the factors determining the content of skeletal muscle. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2), a well-known growth-promoting hormone, is crucial for embryonic and skeletal muscle growth and development. However, the specific molecular mechanism underlying its impact on chicken embryonic myoblast differentiation remains unclear. To elucidate the molecular mechanism by which IGF2 regulates chicken myoblast differentiation, we manipulated IGF2 expression in chicken embryonic myoblast. The results demonstrated that IGF2 was upregulated during chicken skeletal muscle development and myoblast differentiation. On the one hand, we found that IGF2 promotes mitochondrial biogenesis through the PGC1/NRF1/TFAM pathway, thereby enhancing mitochondrial membrane potential, oxidative phosphorylation, and ATP synthesis during myoblast differentiation. This process is mediated by the PI3K/AKT pathway. On the other hand, IGF2 regulates BNIP3-mediated mitophagy, clearing dysfunctional mitochondria. Collectively, our findings confirmed that IGF2 cooperatively regulates mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy to remodel the mitochondrial network and enhance mitochondrial function, ultimately promoting myoblast differentiation.

Ultrasound assessment of diaphragmatic dysfunction in non-critically ill patients: relevant indicators and update.

Diaphragm dysfunction (DD) can be classified as mild, resulting in diaphragmatic weakness, or severe, resulting in diaphragmatic paralysis. Various factors such as prolonged mechanical ventilation, surgical trauma, and inflammation can cause diaphragmatic injury, leading to negative outcomes for patients, including extended bed rest and increased risk of pulmonary complications. Therefore, it is crucial to protect and monitor diaphragmatic function. Impaired diaphragmatic function directly impacts ventilation, as the diaphragm is the primary muscle involved in inhalation. Even unilateral DD can cause ventilation abnormalities, which in turn lead to impaired gas exchange, this makes weaning from mechanical ventilation challenging and contributes to a higher incidence of ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction and prolonged ICU stays. However, there is insufficient research on DD in non-ICU patients, and DD can occur in all phases of the perioperative period. Furthermore, the current literature lacks standardized ultrasound indicators and diagnostic criteria for assessing diaphragmatic dysfunction. As a result, the full potential of diaphragmatic ultrasound parameters in quickly and accurately assessing diaphragmatic function and guiding diagnostic and therapeutic decisions has not been realized.

High-Throughput Metabolite Analysis of Unicellular Microalgae by Orthogonal Hybrid Ionization Label-Free Mass Cytometry.

Microalgae metabolite analysis is fundamental for the rational design of metabolic engineering strategies for the biosynthesis of high-value products. Mass spectrometry (MS) has been utilized for single-cell microalgae analysis. However, limitations in the detection throughput and polarities of detectable substances make it difficult to realize high-throughput screening of high-performance microalgae. Herein, a plasma-assisted label-free mass cytometry, named as PACyESI-MS, was proposed combining the advantages of orthogonal hybrid ionization and high-throughput MS analysis, which realized rapid metabolite detection of single microalgae. The cell detection throughput of PACyESI-MS was up to 52 cells/min. Dozens of the critical primary and secondary metabolites within single microalgae were detected simultaneously, including pigments, lipids, and energy metabolites. Furthermore, metabolite changes of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii and Haematococcus pluvialis under nitrogen deficiency stress were studied. Discrimination of Chlamydomonas under different nutrient conditions was realized using single-cell metabolite profiles obtained by PACyESI-MS. The relationships between the accumulation of bioactive astaxanthin and changes in functional primary metabolites of Haematococcus were investigated. It was demonstrated that PACyESI-MS can detect the flexible change of metabolites in single microalgae cells under different nutritional conditions and during the synthesis of high-value products, which is expected to become an important tool for the design of metabolic engineering-based high-performance microalgae factories.

Podophyllotoxin derivatives-tubulin complex reveals a potential binding site of tubulin polymerization inhibitors in α-tubulin adjacent to colchicine site.

The colchicine site of ß-tubulin has been proven to be essential binding sites of microtubule polymerization inhibitors. Recent studies implied that GTP pocket of α-tubulin adjacent to colchicine sites is a potential binding site for developing tubulin polymerization inhibitors. However, the structural basis for which type of structural fragments was more beneficial for enhancing the affinity of α-tubulin is still unclear. Here, podophyllotoxin derivatives-tubulin complex crystals indicated that heterocyclic with the highly electronegative and small steric hindrance was conducive to change configuration and enhance the affinity of the residues in GTP pocket of α-tubulin. Triazole with lone-pairs electrons and small steric hindrance exhibited the strongest affinity for enhancing affinity of podophyllotoxin derivatives by forming two hydrogen bonds with αT5 Ser178. Pyrimidine with the secondary strong affinity could bind C:Asn101 to make the αH7 configuration deflection, which reduces the stability of tubulin result in its depolymerization. Conversely, 4ß-quinoline-podophyllotoxin with the weakest affinity did not interact with α-tubulin. The molecular dynamics simulation and protein thermal shift results showed that 4ß-triazole-podophyllotoxin-tubulin was the most stable mainly due to two hydrogen bonds and the higher van der Waals force. This work provided a structural basis of the potential binding sites for extending the α/ß-tubulin dual-binding sites inhibitors design strategy.

Evaluating the Efficacy of Chinese Patent Medicine Paiteling in Treating Vaginal Stump Disease VaIN: An Analysis of 67 Clinical Cases.

Background: Vaginal Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VaIN) is a prevalent condition that can progress to invasive carcinoma if left untreated. Despite its significance, effective treatments for VaIN remain limited. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the efficacy of Paiteling in treating VaIN among patients who have undergone total hysterectomy due to high cervical lesions or invasive cervical cancer. Design: This study employed a retrospective design. Settings: The study was conducted at Ningxia General Hospital of Medical University from January 2019 to January 2023. Participants: A total of 67 cases diagnosed with VaIN were included in the study. Inclusion criteria comprised patients who had undergone total hysterectomy for high cervical lesions or invasive cervical cancer and had confirmed VaIN diagnosis through abnormal ThinPrep Cytology Test (TCT) and/or High-risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) results with colposcopy biopsy. Intervention: Patients were treated with Chinese patent medicines Paiteling and patulin according to their specific VaIN classification: VaIN1, VaIN2, and VaIN3. Primary Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures included complete negative conversion rates for VaIN1, VaIN2, and VaIN3, as well as overall effective rate and complete negative rate across all VaIN cases. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 24.0, with significance set at P < .05. Results: Patients with VaIN1, VaIN2, and VaIN3 were treated with Chinese patent medicines Paiteling, and patulin, respectively. Complete negative conversion rates were 100% for VaIN1, 72.73% for VaIN2, and 75.67% for VaIN3, resulting in an overall effective rate of 88.89% and a complete negative rate of 72.22% across all VaIN cases. Conclusion: This study underscores the efficacy of Chinese patent medicine Paiteling in managing post-total hysterectomy VaIN. It presents a conservative treatment option for vaginal stump diseases, addressing a crucial gap in therapeutic strategies. The findings advocate for further exploration of Paiteling's potential in VaIN management.

Evaluation of the flavor profiles of Yanbian-style sauced beef from differently treated raw beef samples.

In this study, we investigated the volatile flavor compounds and sensory perceptions of Yanbian-style sauced beef prepared from raw meats subjected to different treatments (hot fresh, chilled, and frozen beef). The results indicated that the treatment of raw beef significantly impacted the quality and flavor of sauced beef. Sauced chilled beef (CRSB) exhibited the highest content of fatty acids and total amino acids. A total of 48 volatile compounds were identified. Moreover, a relative odor activity value analysis identified hexanal, nonanal, heptanal, 1-octen-3-ol, and 2,3-octanedione as the characteristic flavor compounds in Yanbian-style sauced beef. The sensory evaluation demonstrated that CRSB was the most palatable and flavorful. Additionally, correlation loading plot analysis indicated strong correlations between sensory evaluation, fatty acids, amino acids, and volatile flavor compounds. These results suggest that chilled beef meat is the best raw material for the production of Yanbian-style sauced beef.

Efficacy and Safety of Ganyushu Granule in Treatment of Premenstrual Syndrome with Gan (Liver) Depression and Qi Stagnation Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Multi-Center, Phase-II Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the efficacy and safety of Ganyushu Granule (GYSG) in treating premenstrual syndrome (PMS) in patients with Gan (Liver) depression and qi stagnation syndrome (GDQSS) and determine its effective dosage. METHODS: From June 2018 to March 2021, a total of 240 PMS women with GDQSS were included and randomly divided into 3 groups in a 1:1:1 ratio using central block randomization: high-dose GYSG group (n=78, GYSG 2 packs/time), low-dose GYSG group (n=82, GYSG and its simulant 1 pack/time), and placebo group (n=80, GYSG simulant 2 packs/time). Treatment with GYSG or placebo was given thrice daily and for up to 3 menstrual cycles. Primary outcomes were PMS diary (PMSD) score and premenstrual tension syndrome self-rating scale (PMTS). Secondary outcomes were Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome efficacy. PMSD, PMTS, and efficacy of CM were evaluated with menstrual cycles during the treatment period. Outcome indicators were analyzed after each menstrual cycle. All analyses were performed using an intention-to-treat method, and clinical safety was assessed. RESULTS: Of the 216 patients included in the effectiveness analysis, 70, 75, and 71 patients were in the high-, low-dose GYSG, and placebo groups, respectively. From the 2nd treatment cycle, the change in PMSD scores in the high- and low-dose groups was lower than that in the placebo group (P<0.05). PMTS scores in the high-dose GYSG group after the 1st treatment cycle was lower than that in the placebo group (P<0.05), while after the 3rd treatment cycle, that in the low-dose group was lower than that in the placebo group (P<0.05). After the 2nd treatment cycle, the high-dose GYSG group had the best CM syndrome efficacy (P<0.05). No serious adverse reactions were reported. CONCLUSIONS: GYSG was safe and well-tolerated at both doses for treating PMS patients with GDQSS. High-dose GYSG might be the optimal dose for a phase III trial. (Registration No. ChiCTR1800016595).

Comparative mitochondrial genomics in Nematoda reveal astonishing variation in compositional biases and substitution rates indicative of multi-level selection.

BACKGROUND: Nematodes are the most abundant and diverse metazoans on Earth, and are known to significantly affect ecosystem functioning. A better understanding of their biology and ecology, including potential adaptations to diverse habitats and lifestyles, is key to understanding their response to global change scenarios. Mitochondrial genomes offer high species level characterization, low cost of sequencing, and an ease of data handling that can provide insights into nematode evolutionary pressures. RESULTS: Generally, nematode mitochondrial genomes exhibited similar structural characteristics (e.g., gene size and GC content), but displayed remarkable variability around these general patterns. Compositional strand biases showed strong codon position specific G skews and relationships with nematode life traits (especially parasitic feeding habits) equal to or greater than with predicted phylogeny. On average, nematode mitochondrial genomes showed low non-synonymous substitution rates, but also high clade specific deviations from these means. Despite the presence of significant mutational saturation, non-synonymous (dN) and synonymous (dS) substitution rates could still be significantly explained by feeding habit and/or habitat. Low ratios of dN:dS rates, particularly associated with the parasitic lifestyles, suggested the presence of strong purifying selection. CONCLUSIONS: Nematode mitochondrial genomes demonstrated a capacity to accumulate diversity in composition, structure, and content while still maintaining functional genes. Moreover, they demonstrated a capacity for rapid evolutionary change pointing to a potential interaction between multi-level selection pressures and rapid evolution. In conclusion, this study helps establish a background for our understanding of the potential evolutionary pressures shaping nematode mitochondrial genomes, while outlining likely routes of future inquiry.

Comprehensive performance domain tolerance analysis methodology for freeform imaging spectrometers.

In recent years, attention has been directed towards cost-effective and compact freeform Schwarzschild imaging spectrometers with plane gratings. The utilization of tolerance analysis serves as a potent approach to facilitate the development of prototypes. Conventional tolerance analysis methods often rely solely on the modulation transfer function (MTF) criterion. However, for a spectrometer system, factors such as the keystone/smile distortion and spectral resolution performance also require consideration. In this study, a tailored comprehensive performance domain tolerance analysis methodology for freeform imaging spectrometers was developed, considering vital aspects such as the MTF, keystone/smile distortion, and spectral resolution. Through this approach, meticulous tolerance analysis was conducted for a freeform Schwarzschild imaging spectrometer, providing valuable insights for the prototype machining and assembly processes. Emphasis was placed on the necessity of precise control over the tilt and decenter between the first and third mirrors, whereas the other fabrication and assembly tolerances adhered to the standard requirements. Finally, an alignment computer-generated hologram (CGH) was employed for the preassembly of the first and third mirrors, enabling successful prototype development. The congruence observed between the measured results and tolerance analysis outcomes demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.

Overview of the current procedures in synthesis of heparin saccharides.

Natural heparin, a glycosaminoglycan consisting of repeating hexuronic acid and glucosamine linked by 1 â†’ 4 glycosidic bonds, is the most widely used anticoagulant. To subvert the dependence on animal sourced heparin, alternative methods to produce heparin saccharides, i.e., either heterogenous sugar chains similar to natural heparin, or structurally defined oligosaccharides, are becoming hot subjects. Although the success by chemical synthesis of the pentasaccharide, fondaparinux, encourages to proceed through a chemical approach generating homogenous product, synthesizing larger oligos is still cumbersome and beyond reach so far. Alternatively, the chemoenzymatic pathway exhibited exquisite stereoselectivity of glycosylation and regioselectivity of modification, with the advantage to skip the tedious protection steps unavoidable in chemical synthesis. However, to a scale of drug production needed today is still not in sight. In comparison, a procedure of de novo biosynthesis in an organism could be an ultimate goal. The main purpose of this review is to summarize the current available/developing strategies and techniques, which is expected to provide a comprehensive picture for production of heparin saccharides to replenish or eventually to replace the animal derived products. In chemical and chemoenzymatic approaches, the methodologies are discussed according to the synthesis procedures: building block preparation, chain elongation, and backbone modification.

Exploring the use of metabarcoding to reveal eukaryotic associations with mononchids nematodes.

Nematodes play a vital ecological role in soil and marine ecosystems, but there is limited information about their dietary diversity and feeding habits. Due to methodological challenges, the available information is based on inference rather than confirmed observations. The lack of correct dietary requirements also hampers rearing experiments. To achieve insight into the prey of mononchid nematodes, this study employed high-throughput Illumina paired-end sequencing using universal eukaryotic species 18S primers on 10 pooled mononchid nematode species, namely Mylonchulus brachyuris, M. brevicaudatus, Mylonchulus sp., Clarkus parvus, Prionchulus sp. M. hawaiiensis, M. sigmaturellus, M. vulvapapillatus, Anatonchus sp. and Miconchus sp. The results indicate that mononchids are associated with a remarkable diversity of eukaryotes, including fungi, algae, and protists. While the metabarcoding approach, first introduced here for mononchids, proved to be a simple and rapid method, it has several limitations and crucial methodological challenges that should be addressed in future studies. Ultimately, such methods should be able to evaluate the dietary complexity of nematodes and provide a valuable avenue for unraveling the dietary requirements of previously unculturable nematodes. This can contribute to the methodology of understanding their feeding habits and contributions to ecosystem dynamics.

[Evaluation of efficacy of Dihuang Baoyuan Granules for diabetes mellitus and composition and in vivo distribution analysis based on UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS].

Dihuang Baoyuan Granules is a prescription endorsed by HU Tianbao, a renowned and elderly Chinese medicine practitioner from Beijing, and has demonstrated definite clinical efficacy. The composition of this prescription is intricate as it includes 7 distinct herbal medicines. This study aims to analyze the chemical composition of Dihuang Baoyuan Granules, evaluate its efficacy in the treatment of diabetes and analyze the distribution of the drug components in the plasma, liver, and kidney after administration. The findings will serve as a reference for future research on pharmacodynamic substances of this prescription. UHPLC-LTQ-Orbitrap MS was employed to analyze the main chemical components of Dihuang Baoyuan Granules. A Waters ACQUITY Premier HSS T3 column(2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.8 µm) was used for chromatographic separation with 0.1% formic acid(A)-acetonitrile(B) as the mobile phases in a gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.3 mL·min~(-1). Electrospray ionization(ESI) source was used to acquire data in positive and negative ion modes. Furthermore, a rat model of diabetes mellitus was established by feeding with a high-sugar high-fat diet, and injection with streptozocin at a dose of 35 mg·kg~(-1), and the modeled rats were then administrated with Dihuang Baoyuan Granules. The fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and other relevant indicators were measured, and the substances present in the plasma, liver, and kidney were identified. By reference to quasi-molecular ions, MS/MS fragment ions, MS spectra of reference substances, and compound information in available reports, 191 components were identified in Dihuang Baoyuan Granules, including 29 alkaloids, 24 flavonoids, 22 organic acids, 16 amino acids, 12 terpenes, 11 steroid saponins, 9 sugars, 8 phenylethanoid glycosides, 8 nucleosides, 2 phenylpropanoids, and 49 others compounds. Eighty-three chemical components were identified in rat plasma, 109 in the liver, and 98 in the kidney. Component identification and characterization of Dihuang Baoyuan Granules in vitro and in vivo provide efficacy information and guidance for the basic research on the pharmacodynamic substances and further clinical application of this prescription.

Development and characterization of a novel specific monoclonal antibody against mink enteritis virus and its antigen epitope analysis.

This study prepared a novel monoclonal antibody (MAb) against mink enteritis parvovirus (MEV) and identified its antigen epitope. The antibody subclass is identified as IgG1, the titers of the MAb is up to 1:1 × 106 and keeps stably after low-temperature storage for 9 months or 11 passages of the MAb cells. The MAb can specifically recognize MEV in the cells in IFA, but not Aleutian disease virus (ADV) or canine distemper virus (CDV). Its antigen epitope was identified as a polypeptide containing 5 key amino acids (378YAFGR382) and the homology in 20 MEV strains, 4 canine parvovirus strains, and 4 feline panleukopenia virus strains was 100%. This study supplies a biological material for developing new methods to detect MEV.

Efficacy of post-surgery family-based participatory cluster pain care in children with developmental dislocation of hip.

BACKGROUND: Developmental dislocation of the hip (DDH) is a common congenital deformity of the skeletal system in children. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of post-surgery cluster nursing in children with DDH. METHODS: A total of 60 children with DDH who underwent hip joint orthopedic surgery in our hospital from September 2021 to September 2022 were enrolled as the research participants in this prospective study, and divided into the control group and the observation group according to the numerical table method, with 30 patients in each group. The control group was given routine pain care, and the observation group was given cluster pain care. The hip joint function scores, pain scores, self-rating anxiety score (SAS) were compared between the two groups and between before intervention and after intervention in the two groups. RESULTS: The pain score of the children and the SAS of the primary caregivers after the intervention in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P< 0.05), and the hip joint function score and family satisfaction degree were higher than those in the control group (P< 0.05). CONCLUSION: Family-based cluster pain care can reduce pain in children with DDH after surgery, promote hip joint functional recovery, reduce the negative emotions of caregivers, and improve family satisfaction, and has clinical popularization value.

Discovery of novel biphenyl derivatives as androgen receptor degraders for the treatment of enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer.

Second-generation AR antagonists, such as enzalutamide, are the primary therapeutic agents for advanced prostate cancer. However, the development of both primary and secondary drug resistance leads to treatment failures and patient mortality. Bifunctional agents that simultaneously antagonize and degrade AR block the AR signaling pathway more completely and exhibit excellent antiproliferative activity against wild-type and drug-resistant prostate cancer cells. Here, we reported the discovery and optimization of a series of biphenyl derivatives as androgen receptor antagonists and degraders. These biphenyl derivatives exhibited potent antiproliferative activity against LNCaP and 22Rv1 cells. Our discoveries enrich the diversity of small molecule AR degraders and offer insights for the development of novel AR degraders for the treatment of enzalutamide-resistant prostate cancer.

Supplementation of Crataegi fructus alleviates functional dyspepsia and restores gut microbiota in mice.

Introduction: Functional dyspepsia (FD), also known as non-ulcerative dyspepsia, is a common digestive system disorder. Methods: In this study, an FD model was established using hunger and satiety disorders combined with an intraperitoneal injection of L-arginine. Indices used to evaluate the efficacy of hawthorn in FD mice include small intestinal propulsion rate, gastric residual rate, general condition, food intake, amount of drinking water, gastric histopathological examination, and serum nitric oxide (NO) and gastrin levels. Based on the intestinal flora and their metabolites, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), the mechanism of action of Crataegi Fructus (hawthorn) on FD was studied. The fecal microbiota transplantation test was used to verify whether hawthorn altered the structure of the intestinal flora. Results: The results showed that hawthorn improved FD by significantly reducing the gastric residual rate, increasing the intestinal propulsion rate, the intake of food and drinking water, and the levels of gastrointestinal hormones. Simultaneously, hawthorn elevated substance P and 5-hydroxytryptamine expression in the duodenum, reduced serum NO levels, and increased vasoactive intestinal peptide expression in the duodenum. Notably, hawthorn increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria and SCFA-producing bacteria in the intestines of FD mice, decreased the abundance of conditional pathogenic bacteria, and significantly increased the SCFA content in feces. Discussion: The mechanism by which hawthorn improves FD may be related to the regulation of intestinal flora structure and the production of SCFAs.