Central and peripheral analgesic active components of triterpenoid saponins from Stauntonia chinensis and their action mechanism.

Triterpenoid saponins from Stauntonia chinensis have been proven to be a potential candidate for inflammatory pain relief. Our pharmacological studies confirmed that the analgesic role of triterpenoid saponins from S. chinensis occurred via a particular increase in the inhibitory synaptic response in the cortex at resting state and the modulation of the capsaicin receptor. However, its analgesic active components and whether its analgesic mechanism are limited to this are not clear. In order to further determine its active components and analgesic mechanism, we used the patch clamp technique to screen the chemical components that can increase inhibitory synaptic response and antagonize transient receptor potential vanilloid 1, and then used in vivo animal experiments to evaluate the analgesic effect of the selected chemical components. Finally, we used the patch clamp technique and molecular biology technology to study the analgesic mechanism of the selected chemical components. The results showed that triterpenoid saponins from S. chinensis could enhance the inhibitory synaptic effect and antagonize the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 through different chemical components, and produce central and peripheral analgesic effects. The above results fully reflect that "traditional Chinese medicine has multi-component, multi-target, and multi-channel synergistic regulation".

Effect of the Timing of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy on the Prognosis of Patients with Idiopathic Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on the hearing recovery of patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSNHL). The clinical data of 79 patients diagnosed with ISSNHL and treated with HBOT between January 2017 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The pure tone audiometry (PTA) scores before and after HBOT were recorded. The associations of HBOT efficacy with demographic and clinical characteristics and the duration from disease onset to HBOT administration were determined. The average PTA score was 80.06 ± 25.94 dB before and 60.75 ± 21.26 dB after HBOT; the difference was significant. HBOT improved the hearing of 55.7% of the patients with ISSNHL (defined as an average PTA ≥ 11dB or a final average PTA score below 29 dB). There was a significant inverse relationship between the duration from symptom onset to HBOT administration and PTA score reduction after HBOT, which was adjusted for factors including age, sex, laterality of hearing loss, initial PTA score, reception of intratympanic steroid injections, tinnitus, dizziness, vertigo, diabetes, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. Commencing HBOT at an earlier stage is closely linked to greater improvements in hearing for patients with ISSNHL.

Effects of Panax notoginseng Water Extract on Immune Responses and Digestive Enzymes in White Shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei.

Panax notoginseng (Burk) F. H. Chen is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine commonly used in clinical applications. This study examined the effects of the Panax notoginseng water extract (PNWE) on the immune responses and digestive enzyme activity of Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei). The PNWE (50, 100, and 200 µg (g shrimp)-1) was injected into L. vannamei to analyze the immune response parameters, including the total haemocyte count (THC), granular haemocytes (GC), semi-granular haemocytes (SGC), hialin haemocyte (HC), the respiratory burst (RB), the phagocytic ratio (PR), the phagocytic index (PI), and phenoloxidase (PO). We evaluated the activity of the intestinal digestive enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase), the histopathology, and the intestine Vibrio numbers. The results showed that different concentrations of the PNWE significantly increased THC, GC, SGC, PO and RB activity, the PR, and the PI of L. vannamei while reducing the HC. In addition, the PNWE also significantly increased the chymotrypsin, trypsin, and amylase activity of L. vannamei. Furthermore, 50 µg (g shrimp)-1 of PNWE regulated the lipase activity. Additionally, different concentrations of the PNWE significantly reduced the Vibrio numbers in the intestine without damaging the hepatopancreas and intestine tissues. These results indicate that the PNWE improves the immune responses of L. vannamei by increasing the haemocyte count and regulating intestinal digestive enzymes.

The Ultrasound-guided Anteromedial Joint Line Approach: A Targeted Corticosteroid Injection Technique for Patients With Medial Knee Pain.

BACKGROUND: Medial knee pain is a common complaint in the adult population. When conservative measures fail, intraarticular knee corticosteroid injections are often offered through the superolateral approach into the suprapatellar recess to provide short-term relief. However, some patients fail to respond and require alternative approaches. The anteromedial joint line (AMJL) approach, which targets the medial compartment, may be more effective when pain-generating pathologies such as synovitis are located in the medial compartment. To date, there have been no dedicated studies evaluating ultrasound-guided (USg) corticosteroid injections through the AMJL approach to reduce medial knee pain. OBJECTIVES: The current study aims to assess the clinical characteristics, ultrasound findings, and clinical outcomes for patients with medial knee pain who received USg corticosteroid injections via the AMJL approach. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: This study took place at one academic musculoskeletal ultrasound clinic at an urban tertiary care center. METHODS: Sixty-five patients (76 knees; 11 patients with bilateral injections) with medial knee pain who had received USg-AMJL corticosteroid injections from January 2016 through  March 2020 were reviewed for inclusion. Baseline demographic information and clinical characteristics from one year prior to 6 months following USg-AMJL injection were analyzed for each patient. Responders were defined as those who reported pain relief, decreased usage of analgesic medications, or increased physical activity. Nonresponders  were defined as those not meeting any of the responder endpoints. RESULTS: Within one year prior to receiving a USg-AMJL injection, 51.3% (39/76 knees) had attempted superolateral knee injections without relief. Immediately following a USg-AMJL injection, 98.7% (75/76) experienced symptomatic relief. Follow-up visits took place on average at 11 weeks postinjection with 92.3% (60/65 patients) responding positively. In comparison to the responder group, the nonresponder group had a significantly older mean age (P = 0.009), lower mean body mass index (P = 0.007), and higher burden of morbidities as measured by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (P = 0.044). One patient reported a steroid flare within one week of injection. The most common diagnoses contributing to medial knee pain for these patients were osteoarthritis, medial meniscal injury, crystal arthropathy, and medial collateral ligament injury, which were supported by point-of-care ultrasound findings. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by its sample size and retrospective observational design. CONCLUSIONS: USg AMJL injection is a safe and effective procedure for targeting medial knee pain, particularly in the settings of obesity and prior failed superolateral and suprapatellar knee injections. Further investigation is required to assess long-term clinical outcomes of this injection approach.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Nostoc commune Ethanol Extract In Vitro and In Vivo.

Nostoc commune is an edible terrestrial blue-green alga. It has shown many beneficial effects on human health. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical assay of N. commune ethanol extract (NEE) and its anti-obesity effects. The effect of a high-calorie diet on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes is investigated, and a Wistar rat model is used to demonstrate the anti-obesity effect of NEE and its mechanism. The results showed that the NEE has phytochemical compounds, such as total polyphenol, total flavonoids, and total terpenoids. NEE was also shown to suppress cell proliferation and lipid accumulation (26.9%) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Furthermore, NEE reduced the body weight (13.5%), fat tissue weight (13.3%), and the serum FFA (19.4%), TG (14.2%), TC (11.8%), and LDL-C (16.4%) of rats. In histopathology, NEE was shown to diminish the size of adipocytes and hepatic lipid droplets. The NEE downregulated the mRNA expression of adipogenesis (PPAR-γ, SREBP-1c) and lipid lysis-related genes (ATGL, HSL) in epididymal adipose tissue. The NEE also upregulated the mRNA expression of ß-oxidation related genes (AMPK, CPT-1, PPAR-α) in the liver. Overall, this study suggests NEE has the potential to be developed as a functional food for anti-obesity.

Evaluation of Chemical Compositions, Antioxidant Capacity and Intracellular Antioxidant Action in Fish Bone Fermented with Monascus purpureus.

Fish bones (FBs) are aquatic by-products that are sources of antioxidant-active peptides, calcium dietary supplements, and biomedical materials. Usually, fermentation of these by-products via microorganisms brings desirable changes, enhancing their value. This study investigates the value addition of FB when fermented with Monascus purpureus (MP) for different time intervals, such as 3 days (F3) and 6 days (F6). The results indicate that the soluble protein, peptide, amino acid and total phenol content, as well as the antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS+ radical scavenging activity, and relative reducing power), of F3 and F6 were significantly increased after fermentation. Furthermore, the ROS contents of F3 and F6 were reduced to a greater extent than that of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in Clone-9 cells. The MMP integrity, as well as the SOD, CAT, and GPx activity, of F3 and F6 were also increased significantly compared to the H2O2 in Clone-9 cells. Notably, F3 and F6 displayed significant reductions in ROS content, as well as elevate, SOD activity and MMP integrity in Clone-9 cells, when compared with the native FB. These results indicate that the FBs fermented with MP for 3 days (F3), and 6 days (F6) have antioxidant capacity, with possible applications as natural food supplements.

The Anti-Obesity Effects of Lemon Fermented Products in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and in a Rat Model with High-Calorie Diet-Induced Obesity.

Lemon (Citrus limon) has antioxidant, immunoregulatory, and blood lipid-lowering properties. This study aimed to determine the effect of the lemon fermented product (LFP) which is lemon fermented with Lactobacillus OPC1 to prevent obesity. The inhibition of lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes is examined using a Wistar rat model fed a high-fat diet to verify the anti-obesity efficacy and mechanism of LFP. Here, it was observed that LFP reduced cell proliferation and inhibited the lipid accumulation (8.3%) of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Additionally, LFP reduced body weight (9.7%) and fat tissue weight (25.7%) of rats; reduced serum TG (17.0%), FFA (17.9%), glucose (29.3%) and ketone body (6.8%); and increased serum HDL-C (17.6%) and lipase activity (17.8%). LFP regulated the mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism (PPARγ, C/EBPα, SREBP-1c, HSL, ATGL, FAS, and AMPK). Therefore, LFP reduces body weight and lipid accumulation by regulating the mRNA expression of genes related to lipid metabolism. Overall, our results implicate LFP as a potential dietary supplement for the prevention of obesity.

Functional but Inefficient Kinesthetic Motor Imagery in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Whether action representation in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is deficient remains controversial, as previous studies of action observation or imitation report conflicting results. Here we investigated the characteristics of action representation in adolescents with ASD through motor imagery (MI) using a hand rotation and an object rotation task. Comparable with the typically-developing group, the individuals with ASD were able to spontaneously use kinesthetic MI to perform the hand rotation task, as manifested by the significant biomechanical effects. However, the ASD group performed significantly slower only in the hand rotation task, but not in the object rotation task. The findings suggest that the adolescents with ASD showed inefficient but functional kinesthetic MI, implicating that their action representation might be preserved.

A study on the effects of lead, cadmium and phosphorus on the lead and cadmium uptake efficacy of Viola baoshanensis inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.

The effect of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi on lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) uptake by the hyperaccumulator plant Viola baoshanensis was studied in greenhouse pot experiments. Seedlings of V. baoshanensis inoculated without or with indigenous AM fungi were grown in paddy soil with the addition of Pb at 0, 500, 1000 and 1500 mg kg(-1), or of Cd at 0, 50,100, 200 mg kg(-1), or in mine soil with the addition of phosphorus at 0, 50, 250, 500 mg kg(-1). AM colonization increased shoot biomass at low phosphorus levels, and this beneficial effect was diminished or reversed by high phosphorus availability. AM colonization decreased shoot Cd concentrations regardless of the availability of Cd and phosphorus, but the mechanisms involved varied with Cd availability. At low Cd bioavailability, reduced Cd uptake was due to decreased Cd translocation from the roots to the shoots, whereas that was attributed to reduced root uptake at high Cd bioavailability. In contrast, the effect of AM colonization on shoot Pb varied with the availability of phosphorous and Pb. Our results show that the interactions between V. baoshanensis and indigenous AM fungi were modified by the availability of Pb, Cd and phosphorus.

Prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in a minimal trauma fracture population.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this analysis was to report the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in a population of adults with minimal trauma fractures. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: 82 adults (ages 52-97 with 63% age 80+) consecutively hospitalized with hip and extremity fractures between August 2001 and January 2002 were recruited from two St. Paul, MN hospitals. Patients came from independent living and assisted living facilities. Demographics, medical history and vitamin D supplementation were obtained by the medical record and self-report. Blood specimens were collected during hospitalization within 48 hours of admission. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations were assessed using Diasorin 25-hydroxyvitamin D radioimmunoassay kit (RIA) at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Results were available for 78 patients and are included in the current analysis. RESULTS: Patients were 99% Caucasian, 63% >/=80 years and 78% female. 97% were admitted due to hip fracture. On admission, 50% reported using at least 400 IU per day of vitamin D through supplements (including multivitamins) and 13% of all patients were taking osteoporosis medication (3 estrogen, 5 alendronate, 1 etidronate, 1 raloxifene). The mean 25(OH)D concentration was 14.2 (SD 6.6) with a range of 5-39 ng/mL (8-38 ng/mL wintertime vales in Rochester, MN). All but two of the 78 patients (97.4%) had 25(OH)D concentrations < 30 ng/mL and the majority (81%) of the patients had 25(OH)D concentrations < 20 ng/mL, including 21% < 9 ng/mL. Mean 25(OH)D concentrations were not substantially different by gender, age, or osteoporosis medication use. Patients who reported vitamin D supplementation >/= 400 IU/day had significantly greater mean 25(OH)D concentrations, albeit suboptimal, compared to those who did not (16.4 vs. 13.7 ng/mL; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Nearly all patients in this study hospitalized for fracture had vitamin D inadequacy. Significant opportunity exists to ensure adequate and persistent vitamin D intake in a high risk fracture patient population.