An efficient high-speed counter-current chromatography method for the preparative separation of sesquiterpenoids from the rhizomes of Cyperus rotundus L. combined with evaluation of the anti-inflammation activity in vitro and molecular docking.

Cyperus rotundus L. has been extensively used in ancient medication for the treatment of different disorders worldwide, in which sesquiterpenes are the most representative components. In this study, sesquiterpenes were effectively purified by two-dimensional counter-current chromatography in combination with continuous injection and inner-recycling mode with a solvent system of n-hexane/ethyl acetate/methanol/water (1:0.2:1:0.2, v/v/v/v). For one-dimension separation, continuous injection mode was used with three times injection and the inner-recycling mode was adopted for the separation of two mixtures for two-dimensional separation. Finally, four sesquiterpenoids, including scariodione (1), cyperenoic acid (2), scariodione (3), and α-cyperone (4), were obtained with purities over 98%. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were applied to identify their structures. The results from the anti-inflammation effect with zebrafish demonstrated that cyperenoic acid exhibited stronger anti-inflammation activity. Molecular docking results suggested that cyperenoic acid possessed lower binding energies -9.4545 kcal/mol with 1CX2 to form formed hydrogen bond interaction with ARG120. In general, all the obtained findings proved that the strong anti-inflammation capacity of cyperenoic acid can have the potential of being adopted for treating diseases resulting from inflammation.

R2R3-MYB transcription factor MYB6 promotes anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin biosynthesis but inhibits secondary cell wall formation in Populus tomentosa.

The secondary cell wall is an important carbon sink in higher plants and its biosynthesis requires coordination of metabolic fluxes in the phenylpropanoid pathway. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), MYB75 and the KNOX transcription factor KNAT7 form functional complexes to regulate secondary cell wall formation in the inflorescence stem. However, the molecular mechanism by which these transcription factors control different branches of the phenylpropanoid pathway remains poorly understood in woody species. We isolated an R2R3-MYB transcription factor MYB6 from Populus tomentosa and determined that it was expressed predominately in young leaves. Overexpression of MYB6 in transgenic poplar upregulated flavonoid biosynthetic gene expression, resulting in significantly increased accumulation of anthocyanin and proanthocyanidins. MYB6-overexpression plants showed reduced secondary cell wall deposition, accompanied by repressed expression of secondary cell wall biosynthetic genes. We further showed that MYB6 interacted physically with KNAT7 and formed functional complexes that acted to repress secondary cell wall development in poplar and Arabidopsis. The results provide an insight into the transcriptional mechanisms involved in the regulation of the metabolic fluxes between the flavonoid and lignin biosynthetic pathways in poplar.

Development and implementation of a high-fidelity simulation training course for medical and nursing collaboration based on the Fink integrated course design model.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to examine the design and implementation of a high-fidelity simulation training course for medical and nursing collaboration, based on the Fink integrated course design model. Additionally, the study aims to validate the teaching effectiveness of the course. Background: Previous empirical studies have highlighted the effectiveness of collaborative healthcare education in institutional teaching and hospital training. However, the development of healthcare collaborative education in China has been slow to develop in China. In recent years, Chinese nursing educators and researchers have shown interest in utilizing high-fidelity simulators for healthcare collaborative education. These simulators help address the limitations of traditional nursing teaching and healthcare separation simulation. Nevertheless, a standardized simulation interprofessional education curriculum is still lacking. Therefore, nursing educators need to develop a standardized high-fidelity simulation training curriculum for healthcare collaboration, guided by established science curriculum development theories. Methods: A high-fidelity simulation training course on healthcare collaboration was designed based on the Fink integrated curriculum design model. The course was taught to 14 nursing students and 8 clinical medicine students from March to July 2022. To comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of the healthcare collaboration high-fidelity simulation training course, several assessment tools were used. These included course grades, satisfaction and self-confidence scales, simulation teaching practice scales, healthcare collaboration attitude scales, critical thinking skills scales, and semi-structured interviews. Results: After the course was implemented, students demonstrated high overall scores (79.19 ± 5.12) and reported high satisfaction ratings (4.44 ± 0.37). They also exhibited increased self-confidence (4.16 ± 0.33). Additionally, students evaluated all four dimensions of the course teaching practice scale positively. Furthermore, the study demonstrated significant improvements in various aspects, such as attitudes toward medical and nursing collaboration (t = -7.135, P < 0.01), shared education and teamwork (t = -3.247, P = 0.002), job autonomy for nurses (t = -1.782, P = 0.000), and reduced physician dominance (t = -6.768, P = 0.000). The critical thinking skills of the students showed significant improvement, with higher scores in truth-seeking (t = -3.052, P = 0.004), analytical ability (t = -2.561, P = 0.014), systematic ability (t = -3.491, P = 0.001), self-confidence in critical thinking (t = -4.024, P = 0.000), and curiosity (t = -5.318, P = 0.000) compared to their scores before the course (all P < 0.05). The interviews showed that the course's student-centered approach enabled active learning. Students suggested enhancing teaching cases and allocating more time for reflection and summarization. Conclusion: The study successfully designed a high-fidelity simulation training course for healthcare collaboration by utilizing the Fink integrated curriculum design model. The findings provide valuable insights for the development of standardized curricula and healthcare collaboration education in China. Moreover, the course adheres to best practice principles, fostering improved attitudes toward healthcare collaboration and enhancing students' healthcare collaboration and clinical thinking skills.

Changes and significance of serum troponin in trauma patients: A retrospective study in a level I trauma center.

BACKGROUND: Elevated troponin I (TnI) is common among trauma patients. TnI is an indicator of myocardial injury, but clinical diagnosis of blunt cardiac injury cannot be based solely on an increase in TnI. Therefore, this study aims to explore the changes and clinical significance of serum TnI in trauma patients. METHODS: The clinical data of consecutive trauma patients admitted to our trauma center between July 1, 2017 and July 31, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to TnI levels within 24 hours of admission, patients were divided into the elevated and normal TnI groups. According to the TnI levels after 7 days of admission, a graph depicting a change in trend was drawn and then analyzed whether TnI was related to in-hospital mortality. RESULTS: A total of 166 patients (69 and 97 cases with elevated and normal TnI, respectively) were included in this study. The average hospital stay, intensive care time, mechanical ventilation time, and in-hospital mortality were higher in the elevated TnI group than in the normal TnI group (P<0.05). The TnI level of trauma patients gradually increased after admission and peaked at 48 hours (7.804±1.537 ng/mL). Subsequently, it decreased, and then recovered to normal within 7 days. However, 13 patients did not recover. Logistic regression analysis revealed that abnormal TnI at 7 days was independently related to in-hospital mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Trauma patients with elevated TnI levels may have a worse prognosis. Monitoring the changes in serum TnI is important, which can reflect the prognosis better than the TnI measured immediately after admission.

Mutualist- and antagonist-mediated selection contribute to trait diversification of flowers.

Flowers are generally short-lived, and they all face a multidimensional challenge because they have to attract mutualists, compel them to vector pollen with minimal investment in rewards, and repel floral enemies during this short time window. Their displays are under complex selection, either consistent or conflicting, to maximize reproductive fitness under heterogeneous environments. The phenological or morphological mismatches between flowers and visitors will influence interspecific competition, resource access, mating success and, ultimately, population and community dynamics. To better understand the effects of the plant visitors on floral traits, it is necessary to determine the functional significance of specific floral traits for the visitors; how plants respond to both mutualists and antagonists through adaptive changes; and to evaluate the net fitness effects of biological mutualisms and antagonism on plants. In this review, we bring together insights from fields as diverse as floral biology, insect behavioral responses, and evolutionary biology to explain the processes and patterns of floral diversity evolution. Then, we discuss the ecological significance of plant responses to mutualists and antagonists from a community perspective, and propose a set of research questions that can guide the research field to integrate studies of plant defense and reproduction.

Animal Models and Pathogenesis of Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a kind of inflammatory bowel disease which is needed to be predicted. Objective: To analyze various animal models of UC conditions and summarizes the animal selection, model progression, and pathogenic mechanisms of UC animal models. Methods: We surveyed the research papers published in PubMed, Google Scholar, Baidu Scholar, CNKI, SciFinder, and Web of Science in the past 5 years and discussed the experimental animals, modeling methods, and pathogenic mechanisms. Results: In the selection of experimental animals, rats are considered the best experimental animals. The mainstream modeling methods can be categorized into the chemical stimulation method, immune stimulation method, and compound method, among which the compound method is the most successful. In the study of the pathogenesis of UC, the pathogenesis of UC is due to various pathogenic factors, such as nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins (PG), proinflammatory factors (IL, TNF-α), and intestinal flora. Conclusion: The method of building an animal model of UC is well-established, providing a more targeted selection of animal models for future related experiments.

Reversible congestive heart failure associated with hypocalcemia: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Hypoparathyroidism is a rare disease that may occur due to primary or secondary etiologies. The estimated incidence in the United States is 24-37/100000 person-years. Congestive heart failure associated with hypocalcemia due to hypoparathyroidism is an even rarer presentation. CASE SUMMARY: Here, we present a 64-year-old woman with congestive heart failure following hypocalcemia. The patient was transferred to our emergency department with complaints of rapidly progressive dyspnea, shortness of breath and heaviness of the chest for 4 d. She had a history of undergoing thyroidectomy and partial tracheotomy 2 years prior due to a malignant thyroid tumor. Muscle spasms had been present 1 year ago, and cataracts were treated with intraocular lens replacement in both eyes. Most tests were within normal ranges, except serum calcium at 1.33 mmol/L (2.20-2.65 mmol/L), ionized calcium at 0.69 mmol/L (1.15-1.29 mmol/L), and parathyroid hormone at < 1.0 pg/mL (12-88 pg/mL). Echocardiography revealed an ejection fraction of 28.48%. Cardiac function was quickly reversed by restoring the serum calcium concentration. Significant improvements were noted with an ejection fraction of up to 48.50% at follow-up. CONCLUSION: For patients with potential hypocalcemia, monitoring calcium levels and dealing with hypocalcemia in time to avoid serious complications are important.

Shenling Baizhu Powder Inhibits RV-SA11-Induced Inflammation and Rotavirus Enteritis via TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Rotavirus enteritis (RVE) is a common acute intestinal infectious disease caused by rotavirus infection. It is an important cause of death in children younger than 5 years worldwide. Shenling baizhu powder (SBP), a classic traditional Chinese formulation, is one of the most popularly prescribed medicines for digestive diseases. Clinical studies have revealed the protective effects of SBP on RVE. However, the potential mechanism is still unclear. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-rotavirus effect of SBP and its mechanism, focusing on the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway. Our results demonstrated that, based on the inhibition of the virus-induced cytopathic effect in Caco-2 cells, the concentration for 50% of maximal effect (EC50) and selectivity index (SI) of SBP for RV-SA11 in the serum were 5.911% and 11.63, respectively. A total of 219 active compounds with oral bioavailability ≥30% and drug-likeness ≥ 0.18 were selected from the 10 ingredients present in the formulation of SBP, which acted on 471 potential targets. A total of 226 target genes of RVE were obtained from the GeneCards database. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network showed that there was a close interaction between 44 common targets of SBP and RVE. The results of Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis showed that SBP acted on RVE through various inflammatory pathways and the intestinal immune network. Subsequently, we investigated the effect of SBP on TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway in vitro. After infection with RV- SA11, the expression of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB mRNA and protein increased significantly, which could be abolished by SBP treatment. In addition, the IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-6, and IFN-ß levels increased markedly in Caco-2 cells infected with RV-SV11. Treatment with SBP partly reversed the changes of IL-1ß, TNF-α, and IL-6, while further increased the level of IFN-ß. In conclusion, our study revealed that SBP can significantly inhibit rotavirus replication and proliferation in vitro. The antiviral effect may be related to the regulation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway, followed by the down regulation of inflammatory cytokines and up regulation of IFN-ß induced by rotavirus.

Hemophagocytic syndrome and neurological involvement in a case of intravascular large B-cell lymphoma.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma (IVLBCL) is a rare form of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and is divided into Western and Asian variants. The latter is rarely found to have neurological system involvement. In China, there have only been a few diagnosed cases of IVLBCL. Here, we present a Chinese case of Asian-variant IVLBCL with neurological symptoms. A 32-year-old Chinese man presented with bilateral lower limb numbness and persistent fever. He also complained of difficulties in urination and defecation. In addition, splenomegaly and pancytopenia were observed. We identified 3% dysplastic lymphocytes in his peripheral blood film, and his bone marrow biopsy led to a diagnosis of Asian-variant IVLBCL. Lumbar spine magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed an edematous spinal cord, further confirmed neurological involvement. The patient refused treatment from the time of diagnosis, and died 2 months after being discharged. IVLBCL is a highly aggressive but nonspecific clinical manifestation that is difficult to diagnose; therefore, a greater understanding of the disease is needed. The current first-line therapy involves R-CHOP combination therapy (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone, and rituximab); however, the overall prognosis of IVLBCL remains poor.

Sacubitril/valsartan inhibits ox­LDL­induced MALAT1 expression, inflammation and apoptosis by suppressing the TLR4/NF­κB signaling pathway in HUVECs.

The therapeutic effect of sacubitril/valsartan (S/V) on heart failure has been confirmed, while its role in atherosclerosis remains largely unexplored. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of S/V on the expression of metastasis­associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), inflammation and apoptosis in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) induced by oxidized low­density lipoprotein (ox­LDL) and to elucidate its possible mechanism. Cell Counting Kit­8 assay was used to detect cell viability. Reverse transcription­quantitative PCR was performed to detect the MALAT1 expression. ELISA was performed to detect the levels of IL­1ß, IL­6 and TNF­α. Flow cytometry was conducted to detect the apoptotic rate of cells. A nitric oxide (NO) detection kit was used to determine the concentration of NO. Western blotting analysis was performed to determine the levels of intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM)­1, vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)­1, endothelin­1, caspase­3, Bax, Bcl­2, Toll­like receptor 4 (TLR4), p65 and p­p65. Compared with the ox­LDL group, S/V treatment significantly increased the cell viability, NO concentration and Bcl­2 expression, decreased the levels of IL­1ß, IL­6 and TNF­α and reduced the expressions of MALAT1, ICAM­1, VCAM­1, cleaved­caspase­3, Bax, TLR4 and p­p65. Overall, the findings suggested that S/V could downregulate the expression of MALAT1, inhibit inflammation and apoptosis and improve endothelial function in ox­LDL­induced HUVECs via inactivating the TLR4/NF­κB signaling pathway. Therefore, S/V might be utilized as a promising therapeutic strategy for the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.