Protective Effects of Aspirin Supplemented With Quercetin in L-NAME-Induced Preeclampsia-Like Rats.

Aspirin supplemented with quercetin was reported to enhance the therapeutic effects of aspirin in a rat model of preeclampsia. In this study, the underlying mechanisms were further explored. Preeclampsia was induced by L-NAME (50 mg/kg/day) via oral gavage from gestation day (GD)14 to GD19. Aspirin (1.5 mg/kg/day) administration was performed using aspirin mixed with rodent dough from GD0 to GD19. The administration of quercetin (2 mg/kg/day) was performed by intraperitoneal infusion from GD0 to GD19. Protein levels were evaluated using ELISA or Western blot, and microRNA (miRNA) level was evaluated by RT-PCR. Aspirin supplemented with quercetin ameliorated the increase of systolic blood pressure (SBP), proteinuria, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and improved the pregnancy outcomes in preeclampsia rats. Aspirin supplemented with quercetin inhibited miR-155 expression in preeclampsia rats. The decreased miR-155 level in placenta further increased the protein level of SOCS1 and inhibited the phosphorylation of p65. In this study, we demonstrated that aspirin supplemented with quercetin enhanced the effects of aspirin for the treatment of preeclampsia.

Deep learning for the early identification of periodontitis: a retrospective, multicentre study.

AIM: To develop a deep-learning model to help general dental practitioners diagnose periodontitis accurately and at an early stage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: First, the panoramic radiographs (PARs) from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were input into the convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture to establish the PAR-CNN model for healthy controls and periodontitis patients. Then, the PARs from the Affiliated Hospital of Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine were included in the second testing set to validate the effectiveness of the model with data from two centres. Heat maps were produced using a gradient-weighted class activation mapping method to visualise the regions of interest of the model. The accuracy and time required to read the PARs were compared between the model, periodontal experts, and general dental practitioners. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) were used to evaluate the performance of the model. RESULTS: The AUC of the PAR-CNN model was 0.843, and the AUC of the second test set was 0.793. The heat map showed that the regions of interest predicted by the model were periodontitis bone lesions. The accuracy of the model, periodontal experts, and general dental practitioners was 0.800, 0.813, and 0.693, respectively. The time required to read each PAR by periodontal experts (6.042 ± 1.148 seconds) and general dental practitioners (13.105 ± 3.153 seconds), which was significantly longer than the time required by the model (0.027 ± 0.002 seconds). CONCLUSION: The ability of the CNN model to diagnose periodontitis approached the level of periodontal experts. Deep-learning methods can assist general dental practitioners to diagnose periodontitis quickly and accurately.

[Influencing factors of iron metabolism assessment in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome: A retrospective study].

Objective: To analyze the influencing factors of iron metabolism assessment in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome. Methods: MRI and/or DECT were used to detect liver and cardiac iron content in 181 patients with MDS, among whom, 41 received regular iron chelation therapy during two examinations. The adjusted ferritin (ASF) , erythropoietin (EPO) , cardiac function, liver transaminase, hepatitis antibody, and peripheral blood T cell polarization were detected and the results of myelofibrosis, splenomegaly, and cyclosporine were collected and comparative analyzed in patients. Results: We observed a positive correlation between liver iron concentration and ASF both in the MRI group and DECT groups (r=0.512 and 0.606, respectively, P<0.001) , only a weak correlation between the heart iron concentration and ASF in the MRI group (r=0.303, P<0.001) , and no significant correlation between cardiac iron concentration and ASF in the DECT group (r=0.231, P=0.053) . Moreover, transfusion dependence in liver and cardiac [MRI group was significantly associated with the concentration of iron in: LIC: (28.370±10.706) mg/g vs (7.593±3.508) mg/g, t=24.30, P<0.001; MIC: 1.81 vs 0.95, z=2.625, P<0.05; DECT group: liver VIC: (4.269±1.258) g/L vs (1.078±0.383) g/L, t=23.14, P<0.001: cardiac VIC: 1.69 vs 0.68, z=3.142, P<0.05]. The concentration of EPO in the severe iron overload group was significantly higher than that in the mild to moderate iron overload group and normal group (P<0.001) . Compared to the low-risk MDS group, the liver iron concentration in patients with MDS with cyclic sideroblasts (MDS-RS) was significantly elevated [DECT group: 3.80 (1.97, 5.51) g/L vs 1.66 (0.67, 2.94) g/L, P=0.004; MRI group: 13.7 (8.1,29.1) mg/g vs 11.6 (7.1,21.1) mg/g, P=0.032]. Factors including age, bone marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly, T cell polarization, use of cyclosporine A, liver aminotransferase, and hepatitis antibody positive had no obvious effect on iron metabolism. Conclusion: There was a positive correlation between liver iron concentration and ASF in patients with MDS, whereas there was no significant correlation between cardiac iron concentration and ASF. Iron metabolism was affected by transfusion dependence, EPO concentration, and RS.

Mechanistic Study of Macranthoside B Effects on Apoptotic Cell Death in Human Cervical Adenocarcinoma Cells.

Macranthoside B (MB) is a triterpenoid saponin extracted from Lonicera macranthoides, a traditional Chinese medicine. In the current study, we investigated the anticancer potential of MB in various cancer cells and elucidated its underlying mechanisms. MB exposure inhibited cell proliferation, induced mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) loss, increased sub-G1 accumulation, and resulted in cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP, which are reflective of apoptosis. In HeLa cells, MB induced down-regulation of SOD2 and GPx1, phosphorylation of Akt and PDK1, and thus promoted ROS-mediated apoptosis. This was further supported by the protection of sub-G1 accumulation, MMP loss, cleavage of caspase-3 and PARP in the presence of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). Additionally, MB induced cell death via down-regulation of ubiquitin-like with PHD and ringfinger domains 1 (UHRF1) and Bcl-xL. Taken together, this study provides a new insight into the apoptosis- inducing potential of MB, and its molecular mechanisms are associated with an increase in oxidative stress and inhibition of the PDK1/Akt pathway.

[Quality evaluation of Gastrodiae Rhizoma standard decoction based on UPLC fingerprint and quantitative analysis multi-components method].

To establish the quantitative analysis multi-components with a single-marker(QAMS) method for six components and fingerprint of standard decoction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, verify the accuracy and feasibility of the method, and evaluate the quality of standard decoction. Based on UPLC with gastrodin as the internal standard, relative correction factors of p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin E, parishin B, parishin C, parishin A and gastrodin were determined by investigating the column temperature, flow rate, chromatographic columns and multi-point concentration correction. The total contents in 18 batches of standard decoction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma and the similarity were determined to calculate the similarity. The results of standard curve method, external standard one-point method and quantitative analysis multi-components with a single-marker(QAMS) were compared, and the results showed that there was no significant difference among these three methods. By analyzing the results of standard decoctions from different origins, it can be seen that the quality of Gastrodia standard decoctions derived from Anhui and Yunnan was better, followed by Shaanxi and Hubei, and relatively poor in Gansu, with similarities all above 0.90 in the fingerprints. Therefore, the QAMS method that can measure the contents of gastrodin, p-hydroxybenzyl alcohol, parishin E, parishin B, parishin C and parishin A in standard decoction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma combined with fingerprint is accurate, feasible and fast, which can be used to evaluate the quality of standard decoction of Gastrodiae Rhizoma, and also provide a reference for the research on the quality standards of raw materials for Gastrodiae Rhizoma prepared slices and alike.

Antibacterial Effects of Schisandra chinensis Extract on Escherichia coli and its Applications in Cosmetic.

Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill (S. chinensis), an edible traditional medicine herb, has a strong constitution, which extract has good antibacterial activity. The study investigated its antibacterial properties on E. coli, to find a candidate for the development as new preservative. In vitro antibacterial assay showed that S. chinensis extract (SCE) effectively inhibited the growth of test bacteria with MBC of 18 mg/mL. In model cosmetic system of O/W emulsions, SCE possessed a great antibacterial capacity. The growth curves of E. coli treated with SCE exhibited an extended lag phase and restricted log phase. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the treated E. coli cells exhibited wrinkled and withered surfaces, and disappearing outmost layer, suggesting S. chinensis extract can damage S. aureus cell member and wall, in addition, the leakage of periplasm enzyme AKPase and the increased activities of Na+/K+-ATPase and Ca++-ATPase in cell membrane were also consistent with the microscopy results. Moreover, the S. chinensis extract can decrease the activities of dehydrogenase and total ATPase and the content of intracellular proteins, and bind with S. aureus DNA by electrostatic and groove binding. The results indicated that SCE might be a candidate cosmetic preservative for its good antibacterial activity and multiple targets on E. coli.

[Outline of Song's works on the gynecology of traditional Chinese medicine].

Because of long history and excellent medical skills, the Song gynecology is regarded as one of the "four great masters" of the gynecology in Zhejiang province. The monographs survived of Song gynecology are at least four, besides the earliest one Songshi Nüke Cuoyao(, Synopsis of Song's Gynecology)(1612), there is Songshi Bochuan Chanke Quanshu(, Complete Treatise on Gynecology of Song Bochuan), Songshi Nüke Chanhou Pian(, Chapter of Puerperal Disease from Song's Gynecology), which are formed in Qing dynasty, and Linzheng Lu(, Clinical Records) formed in the Republic of China era.And Jingli Songshi Nüke(, Meticulously Sort Out Song's Gynecology), which might belong to School of Song's gynecology, and Nüke Milu(, Secretive Records of Gynecology) were found in records. This paper excavates and sorts these 6 Song's gynecological monographs, carries out in-depth research on the changes of editions, spread and origins, and clarify the general situation of song's gynecological monographs.

[Study of iron overload assessment by T2* magnetic resonance imaging in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes].

Objectives: To analyze the cardiac T2* value, liver iron concentration (LIC) , and related laboratory parameters in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with iron overload and evaluate the changes of organ functions after iron chelation therapy. To explore the value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2* in making early diagnosis and assessing organs iron overload. Methods: Retrospective investigation was used to observe the cardiac T2* value, LIC, iron metabolism parameters and related laboratory parameters of 85 MDS patients from Nov 2014 to Jan 2018. Among them, 7 MDS patients with Low/Int-1 have received iron chelation therapy for 6 months during two MRI examinations. The above parameters were collected before and after iron chelation therapy for comparison. Results: Correlations were found between heart T2* value and age (rs=-0.290, P=0.007) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (rs=0.265, P=0.009) . There was a significant negative correlation between heart T2* value and blood transfusion units (rs=-0.701, P<0.001) . There was a significant positive correlation between LIC and serum ferritin (SF) (rs=0.577, P<0.001) . There was also a correlation between LIC and ALT (rs=0.268, P=0.014) and blood transfusion units (rs=0.244, P=0.034) . There was no correlation between heart T2* and pro-BNP, SF (all P>0.05) , and no correlation between LIC and age (P>0.05) . The increase of heart T2* between the normal and abnormal groups was statistically significant (P=0.005) , but the iron overload ratio of the heart T2*<20 ms was not significant between the two groups. There was statistical significance in the proportion of severe liver iron overload (LIC>15 mg/g DW) (P=0.045) . After iron chelation therapy, the values of SF, transferrin saturation, ALT, AST, pro-BNP and LIC of 7 patients were decreased compared with values before iron chelation therapy, and the peripheral blood cell level was increased. However, the changes of LVEF and T2* values after iron chelation were not obvious. Conclusion: MRI T2* may be a predictor of iron overload in patients with MDS in early stage, and may be more valuable compare with LVEF, SF and other laboratory indicators. The safety and repeatability of MRI cardiac T2* examination are recognized, and it can be used as an ideal detection for patients with iron overload.

Total flavonoids of Epimedium reduce ageing-related oxidative DNA damage in testis of rats via p53-dependent pathway.

Increased DNA damage in testis is considered as a major factor for ageing-related dysfunction. Total flavonoids of Epimedium (TFE), the main active compositions of Epimedium, have been used to treat sexual dysfunction and delay ageing. However, whether TFE could improve ageing-related testicular dysfunction remains unknown. Therefore, we investigated the protection effects of TFE and its mechanisms of action in a naturally ageing rat model. Eighteen-month-old SD rats were randomised to receive either vehicle or TFE (10 and 20 mg/kg). Nine-month-old SD rats were used as adult controls. Morphology, protein expression and immunohistochemistry were determined. Compared with adult control group, intragastric administration of TFE for 6 months significantly improved testicular morphology, increased the activities of SOD and decreased the levels of MDA of testis. In addition, TFE decreased γH2AX expression levels and γH2AX focal formation in spermatogonia and primary spermatocyte with concomitant downregulation of 8-OHdG levels. Furthermore, TFE inhibited p-P53/p21 and chk1/chk2 expression levels. Collectively, TFE effectively reduce oxidative DNA damage in testis of ageing rats via a p53-dependent pathway. Thus, inhibition of oxidative DNA damage is likely to represent a promising strategy for restoration of ageing-related testicular dysfunction.

The effect of Astragalus polysaccharide on the Epstein-Barr virus lytic cycle.

Effects of a polysacharide from Chinese herbal plant Astragalus membranaceus (APS) on the expression of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) immediate early proteins Zta, Rta and EA-D in Raji cells were examined. EBV switch from latent to lytic cycle in Raji cells was induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and sorbol butyrate (SB) and the effects of APS were examined by immunofluorescence, western blotting and flow cytometry. APS in a non-cytotoxic concentration of 30 µg/ml significantly suppressed the expression of Zta, Rta and EA-D during the EBV lytic cycle. Our observations indicate that APS is potentially useful as an anti-EBV drug.

The molecular characterization of a catalase from Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis.

Catalase (CAT) is an antioxidant enzyme and plays a significant role in the protection against oxidative stress by reducing hydrogen peroxide. The CAT cDNA of Eriocheir sinensis (EsCAT) was cloned via RACE technique. The complete sequence of EsCAT cDNA consisted of a 5' untranslated regions (UTR) of 224 bp, a 3' UTR of 1287 bp with a poly (A) tail and an open reading frame (ORF) of 1542 bp, which encoded a polypeptide of 513 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular mass of approximately 58.86 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.880. The deduced amino acid sequence of EsCAT contained a highly conserved proximal active-site signature motif ((60)FDRERIPERVVHAKGAL(76)) and a proximal heme-ligand signature motif ((350)RLFSYNDTH(358)) and exhibited high similarity with other reported CATs. In the phylogenetic tree, EsCAT was clustered with the CATs from Scylla serrata and Portunus trituberculatus. The EsCAT transcripts were constitutively expressed in haepatopancreas, haemocytes, gill, gonad, muscle and heart, with highest expression level in haepatopancreas. The relative expression level of EsCAT mRNA in haemocytes was continuously up-regulated and reached the peak level at 48 h post-Vibrio anguillarum challenge. The purified recombinant EsCAT protein displayed antioxidant activity against hydrogen peroxide with high thermal stability and broad spectrum of pH values. All these results demonstrated that EsCAT was an efficient antioxidant enzyme and potentially involved in the regulation of redox and innate immune response of crabs.

Insertion depth of oral stomach tubes may affect the fermentation parameters of ruminal fluid collected in dairy cows.

Six rumen-fistulated dairy cows were used in 2 trials to validate the technique for the collection of ruminal fluid by an oral stomach tube (OST). Trial 1 was conducted to compare the differences of ruminal fermentation parameters among rumen sites (cranial dorsal, cranial ventral, central, ventral, caudal dorsal, and caudal ventral). The ruminal fluid was collected once per day for 3 consecutive days through rumen cannula (RC). The samples were analyzed for pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), ammonia N, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and phosphorus concentrations. The ruminal fermentation parameters varied significantly among rumen sites. Compared with the central or ventral rumen, the cranial dorsal rumen had significantly higher pH, ammonia, and sodium concentrations and lower acetate, propionate, and butyrate concentrations, indicating that the sampling site may be one of the main factors contributing to the difference in ruminal fermentation parameters between the samples collected via the OST and RC. In trial 2, the fermentation parameters of ruminal fluid collected via OST at 2 insertion depths (180 or 200 cm) were compared with those of ruminal fluid collected via RC (ventral sac). Ruminal fluid was collected once per week at 5 to 6h after morning feeding. When the OST was inserted to a depth of 180 cm, the OST head was located in the cranial dorsal (atrium) of the rumen. The ruminal fluid collected via the OST had higher pH and sodium concentrations but lower VFA, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus concentrations than that collected via RC. However, when the OST was inserted to a depth of 200 cm, the OST head could pass through the front rumen pillar and reach the central rumen for sampling. No differences were found in pH, VFA, ammonia N, and ion concentrations between the samples collected via the 2 sampling methods. These results indicated that the OST should be inserted to reach the central rumen to obtain representative rumen fluid samples.

An in vitro screening method to evaluate chemicals as potential chemotherapeutants to control Aeromonas hydrophila infection in channel catfish.

AIMS: To develop an in vitro screening method to be used for identifying potential effective chemotherapeutants to control Aeromonas hydrophila infections. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using catfish gill cells G1B and four chemicals (hydrogen peroxide, sodium chloride, potassium permanganate and D-mannose), the feasibility of using an in vitro screening method to identify potential effective chemotherapeutants was evaluated in this study. In vitro screening results revealed that, at concentration of 100 mg l⁻¹, H2O2 was the only chemical tested that was able to completely abolish the attachment and invasion of Aer. hydrophila to catfish gill cells. In vivo virulence studies using live channel catfish through bath immersion confirmed that H2O2 was the only chemical tested that was able to significantly (P < 0·001) reduce the mortality (from 90 or 100% to 0 or 20%) caused by Aer. hydrophila infections. CONCLUSIONS: The in vitro screening method using catfish gill cells G1B could be used to initially identify potential effective chemotherapeutants to control Aer. hydrophila. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: An in vitro screening method using catfish gill cells to identify potential effective chemotherapeutants described here will cut cost in research compared with the method of using live fish to screen lead compounds for fish disease control.

Inclusion phenomena of clove oil with alpha-, beta-, gamma- and heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin.

Inclusion interactions of alpha-, beta-, gamma- and heptakis (2,6-di-O-methyl)-beta-cyclodextrin (DMbeta-CD) as hosts with clove oil (an impure eugenol, I-Eug) as guest in aqueous solution were investigated by fluorescence emission spectra. The binding constants of different hosts to I-Eug in aqueous solution decreased in the order: gamma- > beta- > DMbeta- > alpha-CD. Two solid supramolecular inclusion complexes, I-Eug-beta-CD and I-Eug-gamma-CD, were prepared and characterised by nuclear magnetic resonance, powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. All the results proved the formation of I-Eug-CD. The inclusion differences between I-Eug and pure eugenol were discussed. The relative contents of the main component eugenol (Eug), second component (eugenol acetate, Eua) and others in I-Eug were found to be fairly different before and after being included by beta-CD, according to the data obtained from high performance liquid chromatography. This could be a practical method to extract the effective components (Eug and Eua) from I-Eug.

Effects of the polysaccharide fraction of Urtica fissa on castrated rat prostate hyperplasia induced by testosterone propionate.

A crude polysaccharide fraction of Urtica fissa roots and stems (UFP) was obtained by water extraction and ultrafiltration, and its effect on castrated rat prostate hyperplasia induced by testosterone propionate was evaluated by the volume index, wet and dry weight index and histopathological tests. Results showed that the crude polysaccharide fraction significantly inhibited prostatic hyperplasia in animal models at doses of 62.5, 125, 250 mg/kg body wt. (administered orally). Treatment with UFP at 62.5 mg/kg body wt. decreased the volume index by 32%, the wet weight index by 17% and the dry weight index by 23%, respectively. In the high-dose group (UFP at 250 mg/kg body wt.), the indexes of volume, wet weight and dry weight decreased further by 37%, 25% and 33%, respectively. Histopathological examination showed that proliferation of prostatic epithelial cells and fibrotic tissues were significantly inhibited.

Annual dynamics and origins of the odorous compounds in the pilot experimental area of Lake Dianchi, China.

Lake Dianchi is the sixth largest freshwater lake in China. The pilot experimental area (6 km2) in Lake Dianchi is one of the most severely polluted areas in the lake with heavy cyanobacteria blooms. During June 2002 to May 2003, the algal composition and number, and odorous compounds were identified monthly and monitored in the area. Meanwhile, physicochemical parameters such as total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), chemical oxygen demand (COD(Mn)), dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, transparency, temperature and chlorophyll a (chla) were determined. Four odorous compounds: 2-methylisoborneol (MIB), geosmin, beta-cyclocitral and beta-ionone were found in the lake water. Both the concentration of particulate beta-cyclocitral and that of beta-ionone correlated significantly with the annual variation of Chla, biomass of total phytoplankton, cyanobacteria and Microcystis. The concentration of particulate MIB correlated significantly with the biomass of Oscillatoria, while the concentration of particulate geosmin correlated significantly with the biomass of Anabaena. Off-flavour in the pilot area was found to be caused by a combination of beta-cyclocitral- and beta-ionone-producing Microcystis, MIB-producing Oscillatoria and geosmin-producing Anabaena. beta-ionone, MIB and geosmin contributed collectively to the odour intensity in the lake water.

A study on occupational exposure to petrochemicals and smoking on seminal quality.

A cross-sectional study of 68 petrochemical workers (23 had never smoked [E/NS], 45 were current smokers [E/S]) and 130 subjects with no known history of exposure to petrochemicals (49 had never smoked [NE/NS], 81 were current smokers [NE/S]) was conducted to assess the effect of occupational exposure to petrochemicals and smoking on semen quality. In-person interviews revealed occupational history, smoking habit, and lifestyle. Semen parameters such as volume, viability, sperm forward progression rate, sperm density, and total sperm count were determined for all subjects. The results show that the E/NS workers had a lower sperm forward progression rate (P < .05) compared with controls (NE/NS). Individuals in the NE/S group showed a significant inverse relationship between years smoked and sperm density (r = -.24, P < .05). The data also revealed that cigarette smokers who had worked in a petrochemical plant had significantly poorer quality semen, including sperm density, total sperm count, and forward progression rate, compared with the control (NE/NS) group (P < .01). Furthermore, there was a significant inverse correlation between combined exposure and smoking years, and sperm density (r = -.28, P < .05). These findings suggest that occupational exposure to petrochemical compounds may aggravate the adverse effect that smoking has on semen quality.

Absolute configuration of novel bioactive flavonoids from Tephrosia purpurea.

[structure: see text] Three novel flavonoids, (+)-tephrorins A (1) and B (2) and (+)-tephrosone (3), were isolated from Tephrosia purpurea. Their structures were elucidated by NMR spectral analysis, and their absolute configurations were determined by Mosher ester methodology. Compounds 1 and 2 are flavanones containing an unusual tetrahydrofuran moiety. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their potential cancer chemopreventive properties using a cell-based quinone reductase induction assay.