Carbazole alkaloids with potential cytotoxic activities targeted on PCK2 protein from Murraya microphylla.

From the 95% aqueous ethanol extract of Murraya microphylla, five pairs of new carbazole alkaloid enantiomers, (+/-)-microphylines N-R (1a/1b-5a/5b), were isolated, together with 20 known carbazole alkaloids. The structures of the new compounds were determined by the HRMS and NMR spectroscopic data, along with the calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and Mo2(AcO)4-induced CD data. The known compound (+)-mahanine (21) showed significant cytotoxicities against Du145, HepG2, HeLa, and HCT-116 cell lines, and its possible mechanism was deduced to target on phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PCK2) protein via surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and molecular docking.

Efficacy of Serum Total Bilirubin in Predicting the Severity of Ulcerative Colitis: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVE: Several serum parameters can be used to assess ulcerative colitis (UC) disease activity. However, the value of these parameters for predicting UC severity has not been studied in depth. Therefore, we sought to investigate the value of serum total bilirubin (TB) as a predictor of UC severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 448 UC patients and 308 healthy participants. Data regarding the serum levels of TB, hemoglobin (Hb), albumin (Alb), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were collected. UC severity was evaluated according to the Truelove and Witts criteria. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to compare data between groups, while Spearman correlation analyses between TB and the levels of Hb, Alb, ESR and CRP were performed. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the odds ratios (ORs) for severe UC in UC patients. RESULTS: UC patients had lower Hb, Alb, and TB levels than healthy participants (p<0.001). The Hb, Alb, and TB levels were lower in severe UC patients than in mild-to-moderate UC patients (p<0.001). TB was positively correlated with Hb and Alb, but negatively correlated with ESR and CRP (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the ORs for severe UC were 2.35 and 2.04 at TB concentrations of ≤8.00 µmol/L and 8.01-10.90 µmol/L, respectively (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum TB level is an effective predictor of the severity of UC.

Fecal microbiota transplantation treatment for refractory ulcerative colitis with allergy to 5-aminosalicylic acid: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is currently being explored as a potential therapy for ulcerative colitis (UC). Here, we report the first case of a UC patient with allergy to 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) who underwent FMT and achieved clinical remission. CASE PRESENTATION: This patient had a 9-year history of UC and was allergic to 5-ASA. He suffered from gradually aggravated abdominal pain and frequent bloody diarrhea. There was a continuous distribution of superficial erosion and ulceration by colonoscopy. After steroid therapy failed, he underwent FMT. The donated fecal microbes were purified in laboratory and then transplanted into the terminal ileum and right colon of the patient by colonoscopy. During the 9 months' follow-up, FMT has proved its efficacy in inducing and maintaining clinical and endoscopic remission of the patient. CONCLUSION: The choice of treatment for refractory UC patients who are allergic to 5-ASA is relatively limited. In our case, we highlight the specific role of FMT for refractory UC with absence of 5-ASA through intestinal microbiota reconstruction.

[Feature extraction and pupil size detection of pupillary light reflex in opiate addicts].

An effective algorithm for detecting pupil size based on image processing was established. Three features reflecting differences between opiate addicts and normal subjects in pupillary light reflex were extracted by applying this algorithm, including absolute amplitude of contraction (AAC), relative amplitude of contraction (RAC) and slope of contraction velocity (SCV). Effects of addiction, sex, myopia, aging, sleep deprivation on the three features were studied. None of three features was found significant differences between sexes, myopia, sleep deprived and normal subjects. Only RAC increased significantly in aging subjects in comparison to opiate addicts, The features of pupillary light reflex in opiate addicts decreased significantly not only comparing with normal subjects, but the subjects with potential facts that may alter their pattern of pupil light reflex as well. Our study provided basic data for future establishment of a rapid, non-contact method in distinguishing opiate addicts from other subjects based on pupillary light reflex.