Lifestyle-based nomogram for identifying the Chaoshan inhabitants of China at high risk of Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is associated with various diseases. Early detection can prevent the onset of illness. We constructed a nomogram to predict groups at high risk of HP infection. METHODS: Patients who underwent regular medical check-ups at hospital in Chaoshan, China from March to September 2022 were randomly allocated to the training and validation cohorts. Risk factors including basic characteristics and lifestyle habits associated with HP infection were analyzed by logistic regression analyses. The independent varieties were calculated and plotted into a nomogram. The nomogram was internally validated by receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration, and decision curve analyses (DCAs). RESULTS: Of the 945 patients, 680 were included in the training cohort and 265 in the validation cohort. 356 patients in training cohort with positive 13 C-UBT results served as the infected group, and 324 without infection were the control group. The multivariate regression analyses showed that the risk factors for HP infection included alcohol consumption (OR = 1.29, 95%CI = 0.78-2.13, P = 0.03), family history of gastric disease (OR = 4.35, 95%CI = 1.47-12.84, P = 0.01), living with an HP-positive individual (OR = 18.09, 95%CI = 10.29-31.82, P < 0.0001), drinking hot tea (OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 1.05-2.48, P = 0.04), and infection status of co-drinkers unknown (OR = 2.29, 95%CI = 1.04-5.06, P = 0.04). However, drinking tea > 3 times per day (OR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.33-0.95, P = 0.03), using serving chopsticks (OR = 0.30, 95%CI = 0.12-0.49, P < 0.0001) were protective factors for HP infection. The nomogram had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 in the training cohort. The DCA was above the reference line within a large threshold range, indicating that the model was better. The calibration analyses showed the actual occurrence rate was basically consistent with the predicted occurrence rate. The model was validated in the validation cohort, and had a good AUC (0.80), DCA and calibration curve results. CONCLUSIONS: This nomogram, which incorporates basic characteristics and lifestyle habits, is an efficient model for predicting those at high risk of HP infection in the Chaoshan region.

[Therapeutic Effect of Spleen Low Molecular Weight Extracts on Leukopenia Caused by Epirubicin in Mice and Its Mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of spleen low molecular weight extracts on epileptics hydrochloride-induced leukopenia in mice and explore its mechanism. METHODS: The model of leukopenia in mice was established by the injection of epirubicin hydrochloride (10 mg/kg). After the injection of chemotherapeutic drugs, leukocytopenia mice were treated with different doses of spleen low molecular weight extract, Ganoderma oral solution and recombinant granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF). The general survival status indicators such as body weight, coat color and athletic ability of mice in each group were recorded; the tail vein blood of mice in each group was collected and the white blood cell count in them was calculated; bone marrow of mice was taken and bone marrow smears were observed. RESULTS: In the model group, the weight of the mice gradually decreased in the later period, their coat became dark and rough, and the ability to exercise decreased, while the mice in the treatment groups showed different degrees of improvement in their survival status except for the mice treated by rhG-CSF. There was no significant fluctuation in the white blood cell count of the blank control mice. After injection of epirubicin, the white blood cell count of peripheral blood in the model mice and treated mice were decreased. The white blood cell count was lower in the mice treated with high-dose low molecular weight extract and rhG-CSF than that in other experimental groups. Bone marrow smear showed that the proportion of bone marrow nucleated cells in the mice treated with the low molecular weight extract of the spleen was significantly higher than that of model mice (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The low molecular weight spleen extracts can significantly improve the hematopoietic state of mouse bone marrow, promote the proliferation of inhibited bone marrow cells, and thus has the effect of treating leukopenia in mice.

Mismatch negativity to different deviant changes in autism spectrum disorders: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Mismatch negativity (MMN) has been continuously used to evaluate the functional integrity of central auditory processing. However, it still remains inconclusive whether patients with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate reduced MMN responses in all deviant types. METHODS: To reconcile the previous controversial findings, we performed a meta-analysis of peer-reviewed MMN articles concerning ASD. The potential moderators regarding different deviant types, diagnosis, and age on the effect sizes (Hedges' g) were also assessed. RESULTS: Compared to the controls, ASD patients showed reduced MMN amplitudes (g = -0.37, p = 0.001) and prolonged latencies (g = -0.33, p = 0.041) in response to speech-sound deviants. Children/adolescents with ASD manifested reduced MMN amplitudes in response to tone-duration deviants (g = -0.46, p = 0.014). Furthermore, the results showed significantly shortened MMN latencies to tone-frequency deviants in patients with autism (g = 0.29, p = 0.038) and, in contrast, prolonged MMN latencies (g = -0.74, p = 0.001) in patients with Asperger syndrome. CONCLUSION: MMN deficits are robust in ASD patients, suggesting an altered central ability in auditory discrimination. SIGNIFICANCE: MMN alterations were displayed in different profiles with respect to frequency, duration and phoneme changes.

Dihydromyricetin-rich herbal mixture extracts as a potential prescription for treatment of metabolic syndrome in rats fed a high-fat diet and subacute toxicity assessment in rats.

Dihydromyricetin (DHM)-rich herbal mixture extracts, also called APF complex, comprised of Ampelopsis grossedentata, Pericarpium citri reticulatae, and Fructus crataegi. The content of DHM in APF complex was 362.7 ±â€¯12.5 mg/g. The aims of this study were to investigate the therapeutic effects of APF complex on metabolic syndrome in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD) and evaluate the subacute toxicity of APF complex in rats. HFD significantly increased body weight gain, fat tissue (epididymal fat, mesenteric fat, and perirenal fat) deposition, body fat index, and hepatic triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC) accumulation as well as caused abnormal blood biochemical parameters, including TC, TG, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), free fatty acid (FFA), and glucose. APF complex has a tendency but not significance to limit HFD-induced body weight gain. APF complex also significantly improved HFD-induced body fat accumulation, as evidenced by decreasing fat tissue deposition and body fat index. In addition, APF complex significantly ameliorated HFD-induced hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia, as evidenced by reducing levels of blood TG and TC as well as blood glucose and FFA, respectively. Furthermore, APF complex significantly decreased HFD-induced hepatic TG and TC accumulation. In subacute toxicity assessment, APF complex exhibited no toxicological signs, as evidenced by without affecting mortality, food and water consumption, body weight changes, absolute organ weights, hematological system, blood lipids and nutritional status, and electrolyte balance as well as non-toxic to liver and renal function. Overall, APF complex was considered as a non-toxic herbal prescription and could act as adjuvant therapy for metabolic syndrome.

Dual Targeting of 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl Coenzyme A Reductase and Histone Deacetylase as a Therapy for Colorectal Cancer.

Statins are 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase (HMGR) inhibitors decreasing serum cholesterol and have shown promise in cancer prevention. In this study, we demonstrated the oncogenic role of HMGR in colorectal cancer (CRC) by disclosing increased HMGR activity in CRC patients and its enhancement of anti-apoptosis and stemness. Our previous studies showed that statins containing carboxylic acid chains possessed activity against histone deacetylases (HDACs), and strengthened their anti-HDAC activity through designing HMGR-HDAC dual inhibitors, JMF compounds. These compounds exerted anti-cancer effect in CRC cells as well as in AOM-DSS and Apc(Min/+) CRC mouse models. JMF mostly regulated the genes related to apoptosis and inflammation through genome-wide ChIP-on-chip analysis, and Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) predicted their respective regulation by NR3C1 and NF-κB. Furthermore, JMF inhibited metastasis, angiogenesis and cancer stemness, and potentiated the effect of oxaliplatin in CRC mouse models. Dual HMGR-HDAC inhibitor could be a potential treatment for CRC.

Programming a nonvolatile memory-like sensor for KRAS gene sensing and signal enhancement.

A programmable field effect-based electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) sensor constructed with a nonvolatile memory-like structure is proposed for KRAS gene DNA hybridization detection. This programmable EIS structure was fabricated with silicon oxide (SiO2)/silicon nitride (Si3N4)/silicon oxide on a p-type silicon wafer, namely electrolyte-oxide-nitride-oxide-Si (EONOS). In this research, voltage stress programming from 4 to 20V was applied to trigger holes confinement in the nitride-trapping layer that, consequently, enhances the DNA attachment onto the sensing surface due to additional electrostatic interaction. Not solely resulting from the higher DNA load, the programming may affect the orientation of the DNA that finally contributes to the change in capacitance. Findings have shown that a higher voltage program is able to increase the total capacitance and results in ~3.5- and ~5.5-times higher sensitivities for a series of concentrations for complementary DNA and wild type versus mutant DNA hybridization detection, respectively. Overall, it has been proven that the voltage program on the nonvolatile memory-like structure of EONOS is a notable candidate for genosensor development, scoping the diagnosis of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-related disease.

The repair of full-thickness articular cartilage defect using intra-articular administration of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine in the rabbit knee: randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Although various alterative models of therapy are used for cartilage repair, no definite conclusion has been reached. Glucosamine (GlcN) is widely used as a nutritional supplement. However, the clinical- evidence-based outcome of GlcN administration remains controversial. N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (GlcNAc), a derivative of GlcN, shows chondroprotective activity and mediates the activation of articular chondrocytes. Therefore, we investigated the effect of intra-articular administration of GlcNAc in rabbits' knee joints with experimental full-thickness articular cartilage (FTAC) defects. METHODS: Twelve male adult New Zealand white rabbits, providing 24 knees, were used in this study. FTAC defects were created in the high-weight-bearing area of the medial femoral condyles of bilateral knees. All rabbits were randomly allocated to analysis at postsurgical week 4 or postsurgical week 12. In the week 4 group, rabbits' knees (six per group) were intra-articularly injected with normal saline or with GlcNAc twice per week for 3 weeks, beginning 1 week postoperatively. In the week 12 group, the rabbits' knees (six in each group) were intra-articularly injected with normal saline or with GlcNAc twice per week for 4 weeks, beginning 1 week postoperatively. Rabbits were sacrificed at 4 or 12 weeks after surgery for macroscopic, histological and radiological examinations of the knee joints. RESULTS: All rabbits had no systemic or local adverse effects. The saline and GlcNAc groups showed visible differences in healing of the FTAC defect at the end of testing. At week 4, the GlcNAc group had a higher level of collagen type II (COL II) and showed up-regulated production of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß2 and TGF-ß3, suggesting the involvement of endogenous growth factors. At week 12, the GlcNAc group displayed formation of hyaline-like cartilage regeneration with mature chondrocytes (SOX9+), robust glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content, and positive COL II content in both the adjacent cartilage and reparative sites. However, the saline group demonstrated mainly fibrocartilage scar tissue, indicating COL I expression. Furthermore, the GlcNAc group had significantly higher bone volume per tissue volume and higher trabecular thickness than the saline group. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular GlcNAc may promote the repair of experimental FTAC defects in the rabbit knee joint model.

Gastroprotective potential against indomethacin and safety assessment of the homology of medicine and food formula cuttlebone complex.

Cuttlebone complex (CBC), a homology of medicine and food formula, is comprised of five herbal medicines (Endoconcha Sepiae, Radix Paeoniae Rubra, fresh ginger, Fructus Amomi, and Radix Glycyrrhizae) and two food ingredients (Zingiber zerumbet and chitosan). Herein, the gastroprotective potential against indomethacin and a safety assessment of CBC were investigated. In a gastroprotective model, CBC effectively decreased the indomethacin-increased gastric ulcerous lesions, and increased the indomethacin-decreased prostaglandin E2 levels in the gastric mucosa. In genotoxicity tests, CBC treatment did not increase the numbers of revertant colonies in five Salmonella typhimurium strains and chromosome aberrations in Chinese hamster ovary CHO-K1 cells, with or without S9 metabolic activation. The oral supplementation of CBC did not increase micronucleus formation in the peripheral blood of mice. In a subacute toxicity study, the body weight and blood biochemical parameters observed in CBC-treated rats were normal. In conclusion, CBC was considered as a non-toxic formula and could be used to remedy indomethacin-induced gastric damage.

Antrodan, a ß-glucan obtained from Antrodia cinnamomea mycelia, is beneficial to benign prostate hyperplasia.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), one of the most common disease usually occurring in men in their 50s, has now become an atypical direct cause of mortality. Currently, phytotherapeutic agents are emerging and are frequently used as a complementary alternative treatment of BPH. ß-glucan has shown a diversity of bioactivities involving anticancer, immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects. Antrodia cinnamomea exhibits a diversity of biological activities. Only a few literature references have cited the biomedicinal effects of antrodan, which is a unique ß-glucan present in A. cinnamomea mycelia. We hypothesized that antrodan could be beneficial to BPH. Using the Sprague-Dawley rat model, we performed this present experiment. Results indicated that antrodan alleviated most of the pathophysiological manifestations that can be elicited by BPH, by alleviating the prostatic epithelial hyperplasia and collagen deposition, increasing the total cholesterol biosynthesis and conversion into HDL, and suppressing the production of LDL and ROS and the upregulation of IL-1, COX-2 and CD68. Antrodan also effectively suppressed the serum level testosterone and DHT and downregulated aromatase, estradiol and the expression of the androgen receptor. More importantly, antrodan downregulated N-cadherin and vimentin and upregulated E-cadherin, underlying the effective inhibition on the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conclusively, the ß-glucan antrodan present in the A. cinamomea mycelia is beneficial to the BPH therapy.

Chicken essence improves exercise performance and ameliorates physical fatigue.

Chicken essence (CE) is a liquid nutritional supplement made from cooking whole chickens. In traditional Chinese medicine, CE is used to support health, promote healing, increase metabolism, and relieve fatigue. However, few studies have examined the effect of CE on exercise performance and physical fatigue. We aimed to evaluate the potential beneficial effects of CE on fatigue and ergogenic functions following physical challenge in mice. Male ICR mice were divided into four groups to receive vehicle or CE by oral gavage at 0, 845, 1690, or 4225 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks. Exercise performance and anti-fatigue function were evaluated by forelimb grip strength, exhaustive swimming time, and levels of physical fatigue-related biomarkers serum lactate, ammonia, glucose, and creatine kinase (CK) after physical challenge. CE supplementation dose-dependently elevated endurance and grip strength. CE supplementation significantly decreased lactate, ammonia, and CK levels after physical challenge. Tissue glycogen content, an important energy source for exercise, was significantly increased with CE supplementation. In addition, CE supplementation had few subchronic toxic effects. The supplementation with CE can have a wide spectrum of bioactivities on health promotion, performance improvement and anti-fatigue.

Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human osteosarcoma U-2 OS cells by Solanum lyratum extracts.

This research focused on a Chinese herb medicine, Solanum lyratum Thunb (Solanaceae) by ethanol extracts (SLE) for investigating the molecular anticancer mechanism in vitro for exploring the means of cell death through the effects on mitochondrial function. We found that SLE induced cytotoxic effects in human osteosacroma U-2 OS cells, and these effects include cell morphological changes, a decrease of the percentage of viable cells and induction of apoptosis. The results suggest that cell death induced by SLE is closely related to apoptosis based on the observations of DAPI staining and sub-G1 phase in U-2 OS cells. Flow cytometric assays also showed that SLE promoted the production of reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide but decreased the levels of mitochondrial membrane potential and promoted the activations of caspase-8 and -9 in U-2 OS cells. SLE inhibited the level of Bcl-2 but promoted the Bax level, and both proteins led to the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol and activation of caspase-9 and -3, resulting in the apoptotic death which is mediated through the mitochondrial pathway. Taken together, SLE was demonstrated to be effective in killing U-2 OS osteosacroma cells via the ROS-promoted and mitochondria- and caspase-dependent apoptotic pathways.

Kiwifruit improves bowel function in patients with irritable bowel syndrome with constipation.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional disorder of the gastrointestinal system, and is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea (IBS/D), constipation (IBS/C), and alternating diarrhea and constipation (IBSC/A). The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a four week kiwifruit intervention on bowel function in patients diagnosed with IBS/C. Fifty-four patients with IBS/C and 16 healthy adults participated in this study. All subjects participated in the 6 week, three phase study, which included a baseline phase (1 week), a dietary intervention period (4 weeks), and a post-intervention phase (1 week). Forty-one IBS/C patients and all healthy adults consumed two Hayward green (Actinida deliciosa var) kiwifruits per day for 4 weeks. Thirteen IBS/C patients in the control group took two placebo capsules per day for 4 weeks. Colon transit time was measured immediately prior to and following the intervention period. All subjects completed daily defecation records. After the 4-week intervention, weekly defecation frequency significantly increased in the IBS/C group of participants who consumed kiwifruit (p<0.05). Colon transit time significantly decreased (p=0.026) in the IBS/C group that consumed kiwi fruit. These findings suggest that kiwifruit consumption for 4 weeks shortens colon transit time, increases defecation frequency, and improves bowel function in adults diagnosed with IBS/C.

Ganoderma lucidum extracts inhibited leukemia WEHI-3 cells in BALB/c mice and promoted an immune response in vivo.

Ganoderma lucidum (G. lucidum) is a medicinal mushroom having biological effects such as immunomodulation and anti-tumor actions. In China and many other Asian countries, G. lucidum is used as a folk remedy to promote health and longevity. Although many studies have shown that G. lucidum modulates the immune system, including, for example, antigen-presenting cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and the T and B lymphocytes, the effects of G. lucidum on the WEHI-3 leukemic BALB/c mice are unclear. We attempted to determine whether G. lucidum would promote immune responses in BALB/c mice injected with WEHI-3 leukemia cells. The effects of G. lucidum on the survival rate of WEHI-3 leukemia cells injected into BALB/c mice were examined. It increased the percentages of CD3 and CD19, but decreased the percentages of Mac-3 and CD11b markers, suggesting that differentiation of the precursor of T and B cells was promoted but macrophages were inhibited. It decreased the weight of spleens as compared with control mice. It also promoted phagocytosis by macrophage from peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) and it also promoted natural killer cell activity. It decreased the percentage of leukemia cells in the spleens of mice before they were injected with WEHI-3 cells. Apparently, G. lucidum affects murine leukemia WEHI-3 cells in vivo.

An extract of green tea, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, reduces periapical lesions by inhibiting cysteine-rich 61 expression in osteoblasts.

Recent investigations indicate that epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major polyphenol of green tea, has anti-inflammatory properties. This study assessed the effect of EGCG on oncostatin M (OSM)-induced synthesis of cysteine-rich 61 (Cyr61), a potential osteolytic mediator, in MG-63 human osteoblastic cells. The therapeutic effect of EGCG in apical periodontitis in rats was also examined. Western blot analysis showed that OSM stimulated Cyr61 synthesis in MG-63 in a time-dependent manner, whereas EGCG readily attenuated this effect. On the other hand, Cyr61 treatment of MG-63 cells induced the release of CCL2, a chemokine responsible for macrophage chemotaxis. In a rat model of induced apical periodontitis, radiography and histopathology revealed that administration of EGCG markedly diminished the severity of periapical lesions. The numbers of Cyr61-synthesizing osteoblasts and infiltrating macrophages were also decreased. Thus, EGCG suppresses the progression of apical periodontitis, possibly by diminishing Cyr61 expression in osteoblasts and, subsequently, macrophage chemotaxis into the lesions.

Manganous ion supplementation accelerates wild type development, enhances stress resistance, and rescues the life span of a short-lived Caenorhabditis elegans mutant.

Relative to iron and copper we know very little about the cellular roles of manganese. Some studies claim that manganese acts as a radical scavenger in unicellular organisms, while there have been other reports that manganese causes Parkinson's disease-like syndrome, DNA fragmentation, and interferes with cellular energy production. The goal of this study was to uncover if manganese has any free radical scavenging properties in the complex multicellular organism, Caenorhabditis elegans. We measured internal manganese in supplemented worms using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and the data obtained suggest that manganese supplemented to the growth medium is taken up by the worms. We found that manganese did not appear to be toxic as supplementation did not negatively effect development or fertility. In fact, supplementation at higher levels accelerated development and increased total fertility of wild type worms by 16%. Manganese-supplemented wild type worms were found to be thermotolerant and, under certain conditions, long-lived. In addition, the oxidatively challenged C. elegans strain mev-1's short life span was significantly increased after manganese supplementation. Although manganese appears to be beneficial to C. elegans, the mode of action remains unclear. Manganese may work directly as a free radical scavenger, as it has been postulated to do so in unicellular organisms, or may work indirectly by up regulating several protective factors.