The Association of Serum Complement C1q with Coronary Artery Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death in middle-aged and elderly people, and its incidence has been increasing in recent years. An in-depth understanding of the pathogenesis of CAD is important to ensure the health of CAD patients. Objective: To analyze the association of serum complement C1q with CAD," you could say something like "The objective of this meta-analysis is to investigate the relationship between serum complement C1q levels and the presence of CAD, aiming to provide insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: Relevant studies on C1q and CAD were searched in PubMed, Web of Science and other literature databases. Two research team members independently cross-screened the literature according to the inclusion-exclusion criteria and assessed the literature quality. RevMan5.3 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Three references were finally included, all of which had a Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) score ≥6, indicating high quality. A total of 2065 subjects were studied, including 1249 in the experimental group (CAD patients) and 816 in the control group (healthy population). Through the meta-analysis, it was found that the experimental group (CAD patients) had higher serum C1q than the control group (healthy controls) (P < .05). According to subgroup analysis, age, sex, sample size, diabetes mellitus (with/without), and serum complement C1q detection methods were not factors affecting the heterogeneity of the literature, and more data are needed for verification. Validation analysis with the fixed-effect model also showed higher C1q expression in the experimental group (P < .05). The graph of the funnel plot was basically symmetrical, suggesting low publication bias. Conclusions: Serum complement C1q is elevated in CAD patients, but its mechanism of action may have a dual effect, but further research is needed to understand its precise role and clinical implications.

Effects of flaxseed oil supplementation on metaphase II oocyte rates in IVF cycles with decreased ovarian reserve: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: This study was designed to explore the effects of flaxseed oil on the metaphase II (MII) oocyte rates in women with decreased ovarian reserve (DOR). Methods: The women with DOR were divided into a study group (n = 108, flaxseed oil treatment) and a control group (n = 110, no treatment). All patients were treated with assisted reproductive technology (ART). Subsequently, the ART stimulation cycle parameters, embryo transfer (ET) results, and clinical reproductive outcomes were recorded. The influencing factors affecting the MII oocyte rate were analyzed using univariate analysis and multivariate analysis. Results: Flaxseed oil reduced the recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) dosage and stimulation time and increased the peak estradiol (E2) concentration in DOR women during ART treatment. The MII oocyte rate, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, high-quality embryo rate, and blastocyst formation rate were increased after flaxseed oil intervention. The embryo implantation rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group (p = 0.05). Additionally, the female age [odds ratio (OR): 0.609, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.52-0.72, p < 0.01] was the hindering factor of MII oocyte rate, while anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH; OR: 100, 95% CI: 20.31-495, p < 0.01), peak E2 concentration (OR: 1.00, 95% CI: 1.00-1.00, p = 0.01), and the intake of flaxseed oil (OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 1.06-5.93, p = 0.04) were the promoting factors for MII oocyte rate. Conclusion: Flaxseed oil improved ovarian response and the quality of oocytes and embryos, thereby increasing the fertilization rate and high-quality embryo rate in DOR patients. The use of flaxseed oil was positively correlated with MII oocyte rate in women with DOR. Clinical trial number: https://www.chictr.org.cn/, identifier ChiCTR2300073785.

Novel Flavonol Alkaloids in Green Tea: Synthesis, Detection, and Anti-Alzheimer's Disease Effect in a Transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans CL4176 Model.

Novel N-ethy-2-pyrrolidinone-substituted flavonols, myricetin alkaloids A-C (1-3), quercetin alkaloids A-C (4a, 4b, and 5), and kaempferol alkaloids A and B (6 and 7), were prepared from thermal reaction products of myricetin, quercetin, kaempferol─l-theanine, respectively. We used HPLC-ESI-HRMS/MS to detect 1-7 in 14 cultivars of green tea and found that they were all present in "Shuchazao," "Longjing 43", "Fudingdabai", and "Zhongcha 108" green teas. The structures of 1-4 and 6 were determined by extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopies. These flavonol alkaloids along with their skeletal flavonols were assessed for anti-Alzheimer's disease effect based on molecular docking, acetylcholinesterase inhibition, and the transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans CL4176 model. Compound 7 strongly binds to the protein amyloid ß (Aß1-42) through hydrogen bonds (BE: -9.5 kcal/mol, Ki: 114.3 nM). Compound 3 (100 µM) is the strongest one in significantly extending the mean lifespan (13.4 ± 0.5 d, 43.0% promotion), delaying the Aß1-42-induced paralysis (PT50: 40.7 ± 1.9 h, 17.1% promotion), enhancing the locomotion (140.0% promotion at 48 h), and alleviating glutamic acid (Glu)-induced neurotoxicity (153.5% promotion at 48 h) of CL4176 worms (p < 0.0001).

Clinical Study on Xingnao Kaiqiao Acupuncture Combined with Acupuncture at Pericardium Meridian Points for the Treatment of Post-stroke Sleep Reversal / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Xingnao Kaiqiao Acupuncture(with the functions of awakening the brain and opening the orifices)combined with acupuncture at pericardium meridian points in the treatment of post-stroke sleep reversal(PSSR).Methods Sixty patients with PSSR were randomly divided into observation group and control group,30 patients in each group.Both groups were given conventional treatment,the control group was given oral use of Alprazolam,and the observation group was given the combination of acupuncture a at pericardial meridian points,and 10 days of treatment was one course of treatment.After 10 days of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.The changes in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)and Ascens Insomnia Scale(AIS)scores,as well as the Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD)scores were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.The changes in cortisol levels at 0,8,and 16 o'clock were compared before and after treatment between the two groups.Results(1)After treatment,the PSQI scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving PSQI scores,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the AIS and HAMD scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the AIS and HAMD scores,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the cortisol level of patients in the two groups at 0,8,and 16 o'clock was significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving the cortisol level at 0,8,and 16 o'clock was significantly superior to the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(4)The total effective rate was 86.67%(26/30)in the observation group and 80.00%(24/30)in the control group.The efficacy of the observation group was slightly superior to that of the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Xingnao Kaiqiao Acupuncture combined with acupuncture at pericardium meridian points for the treatment of PSSR can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of the patients,so as to improve the quality of life of the patients,and the therapeutic efficacy is remarkable.

[Research progress on natural guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids and their biological activities].

Guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids are a class of terpenoids with [5,7] ring-fused system as the basic skeletal structure composed of three isoprene units, which are substituted by 4,10-dimethyl-7-isopropyl. According to the difference in functional groups and degree of polymerization, they can be divided into simple guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids, sesquiterpene lactones, sesquiterpene dimers, and sesquiterpene trimers. Natural guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids are widely distributed in plants, fungi, and marine organisms, especially in families such as Compositae, Zingiberaceae, Thymelaeaceae, Lamiaceae, and Alismataceae. Guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids have good antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and neuroprotective effects. In this paper, the novel guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids isolated and identified in recent 10 years(2013-2022) and their biological activities were reviewed in order to provide refe-rences for the research and development of guaiane-type sesquiterpenoids.

Effects of maize and soybean intercropping on soil phosphorus bioavailability and microbial community structure in rhizosphere.

To investigate the effect of maize/soybean intercropping on rhizosphere soil microbial communities and phosphorus (P) bioavailability, we examined the changes of soil bioavailable P fractions and microbial community characteristics in the monoculture and intercropping systems based on high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that maize/soybean intercropping increased the contents of rhizosphere soil organic matter (SOM), available phosphorus (AP), microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP), and aboveground biomass. The increase of AP was mainly related to the increasing enzyme extracted phosphorus (Enzyme-P) and hydrochloric acid extracted phosphorus (HCl-P) contents. The dominant bacterial phyla under each treatment were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Acidobacteria and Chloroflexi, while the dominant bacterial genera were Nocardioides, Solirubacter, Sphingomonas and Arthrobacter, with Proteobacteria and Sphingomonas having the highest relative abundance. The relative abundance of Proteobacteria and Sphingomonas in intercropping maize rhizosphere soil was significantly higher than that in monoculture, and that of Proteobacteria in intercropping soybean rhizosphere soil was significantly higher than monoculture. Soil properties and P fractions were closely related to the rhizosphere soil microbial composition. In all, maize/soybean intercropping could affect the rhizosphere soil P bioavailability by altering the structure of rhizosphere microbial communities.

Monoterpenoid Glycosides from the Leaves of Ligustrum robustum and Their Bioactivities (II).

Ligustrum robustum has been not only used as a heat-clearing and detoxicating functional tea (Ku-Ding-Cha) but also consumed as a hypotensive, anti-diabetic, and weight-reducing folk medicine. From the leaves of L. robustum, ten new monoterpenoid glycosides named ligurobustosides T10 (1a), T11 (1b), T12 (2a), T13 (2b), T14 (3a), T15 (3b), F1 (4b), T16 (5a), T17 (5b), and E1 (6b), together with five known ones (4a, 6a, 7, 8a, 8b), were separated and identified using the spectroscopic method and chemical method in this research. The results of biological tests exhibited that the fatty acid synthase (FAS) inhibitory action of compound 5 (IC50: 4.38 ± 0.11 µM) was as strong as orlistat (IC50: 4.46 ± 0.13 µM), a positive control; the α-glucosidase inhibitory actions of compounds 1-4 and 7-8, and the α-amylase inhibitory actions of compounds 1-8 were medium; the ABTS radical scavenging capacities of compounds 1-3 and 5-8 (IC50: 6.27 ± 0.23 ~ 8.59 ± 0.09 µM) were stronger than l-(+)-ascorbic acid (IC50: 10.06 ± 0.19 µM) served as a positive control. This research offered a theoretical foundation for the leaves of L. robustum to prevent diabetes and its complications.

Citrus peel extract protects against diesel exhaust particle-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-like lung lesions and oxidative stress.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death worldwide and characterized by emphysema, small airway remodeling and mucus hypersecretion. Citrus peels have been widely used as food spices and in traditional Chinese medicine for chronic lung disease. Given that citrus peels are known for containing antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, we hypothesize that citrus peel intake can suppress oxidative stress and inflammatory response to air pollution exposure, thereby alleviating COPD-like pathologies. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of citrus peel extract, namely Guang Chenpi (GC), in preventing the development of COPD induced by diesel exhaust particles (DEPs) and its potential mechanism. DEP-induced COPD-like lung pathologies, inflammatory responses and oxidative stress with or without GC treatment were examined in vivo and in vitro. Our in vivo study showed that GC was effective in decreasing inflammatory cell counts and inflammatory mediator (IL-17A and TNF-α) concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Pretreatment with GC extract also significantly decreased oxidative stress in the serum and lung tissue of DEP-induced COPD rats. Furthermore, GC pretreatment effectively reduced goblet cell hyperplasia (PAS positive cells) and fibrosis of the small airways, decreased macrophage infiltration as well as carbon loading in the peripheral lungs, and facilitated the resolution of emphysema and small airway remodeling in DEP-induced COPD rats. An in vitro free radical scavenging assay revealed robust antioxidant potential of GC in scavenging DPPH free radicals. Moreover, GC demonstrated potent capacities in reducing ROS production and enhancing SOD activity in BEAS-2B cells stimulated by DEPs. GC treatment significantly attenuated the increased level of IL-8 and MUC5AC from DEP-treated BEAS-2B cells. Mechanistically, GC treatment upregulated the protein level of Nrf-2 and could function via MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways by suppressing the phosphorylation of p38, JNK and p65. Citrus peel extract is effective in decreasing oxidative stress and inflammatory responses of the peripheral lungs to DEP exposure. These protective effects further contributed to the resolution of COPD-like pathologies.

[Hot water washing processing technology of Euodiae Fructus based on change laws of active components and tastes].

In order to establish the standardized processing technology of the hot water washing of Euodiae Fructus, this study, based on the traditional processing method of hot water washing of Euodiae Fructus recorded in ancient works and modern processing specifications of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces, took the yield of decoction pieces and the content of main components as the indicators and optimized the processing conditions by orthogonal test based on the results of single factor investigation. At the same time, electronic tongue technology was used to analyze the change law of the taste index of Euodiae Fructus during the hot water washing. The results of the single factor investigation showed that the content of the main components in Euodiae Fructus showed some regular changes during the processing. Specifically, the content of chlorogenic acid, hyperin, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside, and dehydroevodiamine decreased significantly, with average decreases of-23.75%,-27.80%,-14.04%,-14.03%, and-13.11%, respectively. The content of limonin increased significantly with an average increase of 19.83%. The content of evodiamine, rutaecarpine, evocarpine, and dihydroevocarpine showed fluctuating changes and generally increased, with average variation amplitudes of 0.54%,-3.78%, 2.69%, and 5.13%, respectively. The orthogonal test results showed that the optimum processing parameters for the hot water washing of Euodiae Fructus were as follows: washing time of 2 min, the solid-to-liquid ratio of 1∶10 g·mL~(-1), washing temperature of 80 ℃, washing once, and drying at 50 ℃. After the hot water washing processing, the average yield of Euodiae Fructus pieces was 94.80%. The content of limonin, evodiamine, and rutaecarpine was higher than those of raw pro-ducts, and the average transfer rates were 102.56%, 103.15%, and 105.16%, respectively. The content of dehydroevodiamine was lower than that of the raw products, and the average transfer rate was 83.04%. The results of taste analysis showed that the hot water washing could significantly reduce the salty, astringent, and bitter tastes of Euodiae Fructus. This study revealed the influence of the hot water washing on the content of main components and taste of Euodiae Fructus, and the processing technology of the hot water was-hing of Euodiae Fructus established in this study was stable, feasible, and suitable for industrial production, which laid a foundation for clarifying its processing principle and improving the quality standard and clinical application value of decoction pieces.

[Effect of multi-glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii on renal injury in diabetic kidney disease rats through NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway].

This study investigated the effect of multi-glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii(GTW) on renal injury in diabetic kidney disease(DKD) rats through Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)/cysteine-aspartic acid protease-1(caspase-1)/gsdermin D(GSDMD) pyroptosis pathway and the mechanism. To be specific, a total of 40 male SD rats were randomized into the normal group(n=8) and modeling group(n=34). In the modeling group, a high-sugar and high-fat diet and one-time intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ) were used to induce DKD in rats. After successful modeling, they were randomly classified into model group, valsartan(Diovan) group, and GTW group. Normal group and model group were given normal saline, and the valsartan group and GTW group received(ig) valsartan and GTW, respectively, for 6 weeks. Blood urea nitrogen(BUN), serum creatinine(Scr), alanine ami-notransferase(ALT), albumin(ALB), and 24 hours urinary total protein(24 h-UTP) were determined by biochemical tests. The pathological changes of renal tissue were observed based on hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. Serum levels of interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß) and interleukin-18(IL-18) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Western blot was used to detect the expression of pyroptosis pathway-related proteins in renal tissue, and RT-PCR to determine the expression of pyroptosis pathway-related genes in renal tissue. Compared with the normal group, the model group showed high levels of BUN, Scr, ALT, and 24 h-UTP and serum levels of IL-1ß and IL-18(P<0.01), low level of ALB(P<0.01), severe pathological damage to kidney, and high protein and mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD in renal tissue(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, valsartan group and GTW group had low levels of BUN, Scr, ALT, and 24 h-UTP and serum levels of IL-1ß and IL-18(P<0.01), high level of ALB(P<0.01), alleviation of the pathological damage to the kidney, and low protein and mRNA levels of NLRP3, caspase-1, and GSDMD in renal tissue(P<0.01 or P<0.05). GTW may inhibit pyroptosis by decreasing the expression of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD in renal tissue, thereby relieving the inflammatory response of DKD rats and the pathological injury of kidney.

Study on non-point source pollution characteristics under different spatial scales: a case study of Hanjiang River Basin, China.

In recent years, the research on non-point source (NPS) pollution has been deepening, but it is focused on the large-scale watershed or region. There are a few studies on the scales of small watershed and runoff plot, and it is even less to analyze the characteristics and mechanism of non-point source pollution in certain watershed by combining three different scales. Based on the combination of natural rainfall monitoring and MIKE model simulation, the Shaanxi section of Hanjiang River Basin in China was taken as an example to study the characteristics of NPS pollution at different spatial scales. The results showed that there was an obvious correlation between rainfall and runoff/sediment yield. The order of runoff yield/sediment yield per unit area was as follows: woodland > forested and grassy land > arable land. There was a significant relationship between the loss of total phosphorus and the sediment yield in the runoff plots. The total nitrogen pollution was serious, with an average concentration of 3.8 mg/L. The nutrient loss was in the form of nitrate nitrogen, with an average proportion of 63.06%. For small watershed scale, the characteristics of rainfall runoff pollution generation were like runoff plot scale, both have obvious initial scour phenomenon. However, compared with runoff plot scale, the pollutant loss concentration increases with a strong lag. The MIKE model based on the coupling of hydrology, hydrodynamics, and pollution load had a strong applicability in the basin. The critical source areas of NPS pollution were identified, and five scenarios were laid out in the areas for the control of NPS pollution. Centralized livestock and poultry farming had the best reduction effect.

Novel methylated flavoalkaloids from Echa 1 green tea inhibit fat accumulation and enhance stress resistance in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Methylation is a common structural modification of catechins in tea, which can improve the bioavailability of catechins. Flavoalkaloids are catechin derivatives with a nitrogen containing five-membered ring at the C-6 or C-8 position. Here we isolated three new methylated flavoalkaloids from Echa 1 green tea (Camellia sinensis cv. Echa 1) and synthesized another four new methylated flavoalkaloids. The structures of the new ester-type methylated catechins (etmc)-pyrrolidinone A-G (1-7) were elucidated by various spectroscopic techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), optical rotation, infrared, UV-vis, experimental and calculated circular dichroism (CD) spectra, and high-resolution mass. Among them, 6 and 7 showed the strongest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity and significantly lowered lipid content of Caenorhabditis elegans with 73.50 and 67.39% inhibition rate, respectively. Meanwhile, 6 and 7 also exhibited strong antioxidant activity in vitro and stress resistance to heat, oxidative stress, and UV irradiation in nematodes.

Structural characteristics of a low molecular weight velvet antler protein and the anti-tumor activity on S180 tumor-bearing mice.

Velvet antler is a traditional Chinese medicine with various pharmacological values, which is an important raw material for traditional Chinese medicinal wine. Nevertheless, the chemical compositions and bioactivities of velvet antler residue used for making medicinal wine are rarely reported, leading to a waste of resources. In this study, a velvet antler protein (VA-pro) was extracted from velvet antler residue by simulating the gastrointestinal digestion, and its composition, structural characteristics and in vivo anti-tumor activities were determined and investigated. VA-pro possessed high purity with a relatively low molecular weight as 22.589 kDa under HPLC, one- and two-dimensional electrophoresis, and it contained high contents of Pro, Gly, Glu and Ala. Besides, the secondary structure of VA-pro was dominated by ß-turn and ß-sheet, and VA-pro possessed similar protein sequence, isoelectric point and amino acid compositions to hypothetical protein G4228_020061. The in vivo results substantiated that VA-pro could improve the body weights and immune organ indices, increase the expressions of sera cytokines and regulate the distributions of T and B lymphocytes subsets in peripheral blood of S180 tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, VA-pro could effectively inhibit solid S180 tumors growth by inducing S phase cell cycle arrest mediated through mitochondria. To summarize, our study provided theoretical support that VA-pro had the potential to be used as an immunopotentiator in immunocompromised or cancer-bearing hosts.

Novel biocompatible and sensitive visual sensor based on aggregation-induced emission for on-site detection of radioactive uranium in water and live cell imaging.

In consideration of the severe hazards of radioactive uranium pollution, the rapid assessment of uranium in field and in vivo are urgently needed. In this work a novel biocompatible and sensitive visual fluorescent sensor based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) was designed for onsite detection of UO22+ in complex environmental samples, including wastewater from Uranium Plant, river water and living cell. The AIE-active sensor (named as TPA-SP) was prepared with a "bottom-up" strategy by introducing a trianiline group (TPA) with a single-bond rotatable helix structure into the salicylaldehyde Schiff-base molecule. The photophysical properties, cytotoxicity test, recognition mechanism and the analytical performance for the detection of UO22+ in actual water samples and cell imaging were systematically investigated. TPA-SP exhibited high sensitivity and selectivity toward UO22+ as well as outstanding anti-interference ability against large equivalent of different ions in a wide effective pH range. A good linear relationship in the UO22+ concentration range of 0.05-1 µM was obtained with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 39.4 nM (9.38 ppb) for uranium detection. The prepared visual sensor showed great potential for fast risk assessment of uranium pollution in environmental systems. In addition, our results also indicated that the TPA-SP exhibited very low cytotoxicity in cells and demonstrated great potential for uranium detection in vivo.

Hot water washing processing technology of Euodiae Fructus based on change laws of active components and tastes / 中国中药杂志

In order to establish the standardized processing technology of the hot water washing of Euodiae Fructus, this study, based on the traditional processing method of hot water washing of Euodiae Fructus recorded in ancient works and modern processing specifications of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces, took the yield of decoction pieces and the content of main components as the indicators and optimized the processing conditions by orthogonal test based on the results of single factor investigation. At the same time, electronic tongue technology was used to analyze the change law of the taste index of Euodiae Fructus during the hot water washing. The results of the single factor investigation showed that the content of the main components in Euodiae Fructus showed some regular changes during the processing. Specifically, the content of chlorogenic acid, hyperin, isorhamnetin-3-O-rutinoside, isorhamnetin-3-O-galactoside, and dehydroevodiamine decreased significantly, with average decreases of-23.75%,-27.80%,-14.04%,-14.03%, and-13.11%, respectively. The content of limonin increased significantly with an average increase of 19.83%. The content of evodiamine, rutaecarpine, evocarpine, and dihydroevocarpine showed fluctuating changes and generally increased, with average variation amplitudes of 0.54%,-3.78%, 2.69%, and 5.13%, respectively. The orthogonal test results showed that the optimum processing parameters for the hot water washing of Euodiae Fructus were as follows: washing time of 2 min, the solid-to-liquid ratio of 1∶10 g·mL~(-1), washing temperature of 80 ℃, washing once, and drying at 50 ℃. After the hot water washing processing, the average yield of Euodiae Fructus pieces was 94.80%. The content of limonin, evodiamine, and rutaecarpine was higher than those of raw pro-ducts, and the average transfer rates were 102.56%, 103.15%, and 105.16%, respectively. The content of dehydroevodiamine was lower than that of the raw products, and the average transfer rate was 83.04%. The results of taste analysis showed that the hot water washing could significantly reduce the salty, astringent, and bitter tastes of Euodiae Fructus. This study revealed the influence of the hot water washing on the content of main components and taste of Euodiae Fructus, and the processing technology of the hot water was-hing of Euodiae Fructus established in this study was stable, feasible, and suitable for industrial production, which laid a foundation for clarifying its processing principle and improving the quality standard and clinical application value of decoction pieces.

Extracellular matrix modulating enzyme functionalized biomimetic Au nanoplatform-mediated enhanced tumor penetration and synergistic antitumor therapy for pancreatic cancer.

BACKGROUND: Excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) severely limits therapeutic drug penetration into tumors and is associated with poor prognosis. Collagen is the most abundant matrix protein in the tumor ECM, which is the main obstacle that severely hinders the diffusion of chemotherapeutic drugs or nanomedicines. METHODS: We designed a collagenase-functionalized biomimetic drug-loaded Au nanoplatform that combined ECM degradation, active targeting, immune evasion, near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered drug release, and synergistic antitumor therapy and diagnosis into one nanoplatform. PDAC tumor cell membranes were extracted and coated onto doxorubicin (Dox)-loaded Au nanocages, and then collagenase was added to functionalize the cell membrane through lipid insertion. We evaluated the physicochemical properties, in vitro and in vivo targeting, penetration and therapeutic efficacy of the nanoplatform. RESULTS: Upon intravenous injection, this nanoplatform efficiently targeted the tumor through the homologous targeting properties of the coated cell membrane. During penetration into the tumor tissue, the dense ECM in the PDAC tissues was gradually degraded by collagenase, leading to a looser ECM structure and deep penetration within the tumor parenchyma. Under NIR irradiation, both photothermal and photodynamic effects were produced and the encapsulated chemotherapeutic drugs were released effectively, exerting a strong synergistic antitumor effect. Moreover, this nanoplatform has X-ray attenuation properties that could serve to guide and monitor treatment by CT imaging. CONCLUSION: This work presented a unique and facile yet effective strategy to modulate ECM components in PDAC, enhance tumor penetration and tumor-killing effects and provide therapeutic guidance and monitoring.

Phenylethanoid and Phenylmethanoid Glycosides from the Leaves of Ligustrum robustum and Their Bioactivities.

The phytochemical study on the leaves of Ligustrum robustum, which have been used as Ku-Ding-Cha, led to the isolation and identification of three new phenylethanoid glycosides and three new phenylmethanoid glycosides, named ligurobustosides R1 (1b), R2-3 (2), R4 (3), S1 (4b), S2 (5), and S3 (6), and five reported phenylethanoid glycosides (7-11). In the bioactivity test, (Z)-osmanthuside B6 (11) displayed strong fatty acid synthase (FAS) inhibitory activity (IC50: 4.55 ± 0.35 µM) as the positive control orlistat (IC50: 4.46 ± 0.13 µM), while ligurobustosides R4 (3) and S2 (5), ligupurpuroside B (7), cis-ligupurpuroside B (8), ligurobustoside N (9), osmanthuside D (10), and (Z)-osmanthuside B6 (11) showed stronger ABTS radical scavenging activity (IC50: 2.68 ± 0.05~4.86 ± 0.06 µM) than the positive control L-(+)-ascorbic acid (IC50: 10.06 ± 0.19 µM). This research provided a theoretical basis for the leaves of L. robustum as a tea with function in treating obesity and diabetes.

Two new catechins from Zijuan green tea enhance the fitness and lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans via insulin-like signaling pathways.

Green tea polyphenols show positive effects on human health and longevity. However, knowledge of the antiaging properties of green tea is limited to the major catechin epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The search for new ingredients in tea with strong antiaging activity deserves further study. Here we isolated and identified two new catechins from Zijuan green tea, named zijuanin E (1) and zijuanin F (2). Their structures were identified by extensive high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HR-MS), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), ultraviolet-vis (UV), infrared (IR) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic analyses, and their 13C NMR and CD data were calculated. We used the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to analyze the health benefits and longevity effects of 1 and 2. Compounds 1 and 2 (100 µM) remarkably prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans by 67.2% and 56.0%, respectively, delaying the age-related decline of phenotypes, enhancing stress resistance, and reducing ROS and lipid accumulation. Furthermore, 1 and 2 did not affect the lifespan of daf-16, daf-2, sir-2.1, and skn-1 mutant worms, suggesting that they might work via the insulin/IGF and SKN-1/Nrf2 signaling pathways. Meanwhile, 1 and 2 also exhibited strong antioxidant activity in vitro. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) evidence suggests that zijuanins E and F have strong human serum albumin (HSA) binding ability. Together, zijuanins E and F represent a new valuable class of tea components that promote healthspan and could be developed as potential dietary therapies against aging.

The Application of the Nurse-Led Sedation and Analgesia Management in ICU after Heart Surgeries.

Aim: Traditional sedation management consists of doctors adjusting the dosage of sedative drugs or adding other drugs in combination according to the evaluation of nurses; the nurses then execute the orders. The nurses' passive execution in the process is not the ideal model for continuous evaluation and observation of sedation. This study aims to investigate the application and effects of nurse-provided procedural sedation and analgesia for patients in intensive care unit. Methods: The experimental group consisted of 354 heart surgery patients who received procedural sedation and analgesia from nurses from November 2020 to August 2021. The control group consisted of 301 patients who had had heart surgery and received the traditional sedation management program from January to October 2020. The differences in levels of the sedative effect, delirium, and unplanned extubation of patients between these two groups were compared. Results: There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was found that both insufficient sedation and excessive sedation decreased in the experimental group when compared to the control group, while the appropriate proportion of sedation increased (72.41% versus 37.98%); the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The incidence of delirium was lower for patients in the experimental group than for patients in the control group (37.01% versus 66.45%); the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The incidence of unplanned extubation caused by patient factors was lower for the experimental group than for the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The programmed sedation scheme led by nurses can improve the sedation effect and reduce the incidence of delirium. Implications for Practice. The management team gives the sedative goal and establishes the standard flowchart. The sedation management led by the nurse according to the goal and flowchart is better than the traditional sedation management.

[Anti-photoaging effects and mechanisms of active ingredients of Chinese medicine: a review].

Skin photoaging is exogenous aging caused by long-term ultraviolet radiation, which not only affects skin appearance, but also has a close relationship with the development of skin cancer. Saponins, flavonoids, polyphenols, polysaccharides, and extracts of Chinese medicine have been found to have anti-skin photoaging effects in recent studies. Various mechanisms such as anti-oxidative stress damage, inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase expression, promotion of collagen synthesis, inhibition of inflammatory response, DNA damage repair, enhancement of cell autophagy, and inhibition of melanin synthesis can improve the symptoms of skin photoaging and delay the photoaging process. With the active ingredients of Chinese medicine for anti-skin photoaging as the entry point, the study systematically discussed the research progress of the mechanisms underlying the anti-photoaging effects of active ingredients of Chinese medicine in recent years, in order to provide theoretical reference for the development of new anti-photoaging drugs and methods.