Copper Ion-Inspired Dual Controllable Drug Release Hydrogels for Wound Management: Driven by Hydrogen Bonds.

Bacterial infections and inflammation progression yield huge trouble for the management of serious skin wounds and burns. However, some hydrogel dressing exhibit poor wound-healing capabilities. Additionally, little information is given on the molecular theory of hydrogel gelation mechanisms and drug release performance from drug-polymer network in the water environment. Herein, cationic guar gum (CG) is first mixed with dipotassium glycyrrhizinate (DG), and then crosslinked Cu2+ to strengthen the mechanical strength followed by encapsulating mussel adhesive protein (MAP) as composite dressings. Intriguingly, CG-Cu2+ 0.5-DG10 possessed proper rheological properties and mechanical strength predominantly driven by strong CG-H2O-Cu2+ and Cu2+-CG hydrogen bonding interaction. Weak DG-CG hydrogen bonding only controlled DG release in the initial 4 h, while strong hydrogen bonding is the main force regulating the sustained release of Cu2+ within 48 h. The incorporation of MAP further loosened the tight crosslinking of CG-Cu2+ 0.5-DG10. The screened CG-Cu2+ 0.5-DG10/MAP possessed excellent self-healing, injectability, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, cell proliferation-promotion activities with high biocompatibility. Therefore, CG-Cu2+ 0.5-DG10/MAP hydrogel expedited wound closure on S. aureus-infected full-thickness skin wound model and lowered necrosis progression to the unburned interspaces on a rat burn model. The results highlight the promising translational potential of Cu2+-inspired hydrogels for the management of burns and infected wounds.

The 'Candidatus Phytoplasma ziziphi' effectors SJP1/2 negatively control leaf size by stabilizing the transcription factor ZjTCP2 in jujube.

Phytoplasmas manipulate host plant development to benefit insect vector colonization and their own invasion. However, the virulence factors and mechanisms underlying small-leaf formation caused by jujube witches' broom (JWB) phytoplasmas remain largely unknown. Here, effectors SJP1 and SJP2 from JWB phytoplasmas were identified to induce small-leaf formation in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba). In vivo interaction and expression assays showed that SJP1 and SJP2 interacted with and stabilized the transcription factor ZjTCP2. Overexpression of SJP1 and SJP2 in jujube induced ZjTCP2 accumulation. In addition, the abundance of miRNA319f_1 was significantly reduced in leaves of SJP1 and SJP2 transgenic jujube plants and showed the opposite pattern to the expression of its target, ZjTCP2, which was consistent with the pattern in diseased leaves. Overexpression of ZjTCP2 in Arabidopsis promoted ectopic leaves arising from the adaxial side of cotyledons and reduced leaf size. Constitutive expression of the miRNA319f_1 precursor in the 35S::ZjTCP2 background reduced the abundance of ZjTCP2 mRNA and reversed the cotyledon and leaf defects in Arabidopsis. Therefore, these observations suggest that effectors SJP1 and SJP2 induced small-leaf formation, at least partly, by interacting with and activating ZjTCP2 expression both at the transcriptional and the protein level, providing new insights into small-leaf formation caused by phytoplasmas in woody plants.

Venlafaxine-Associated Rhabdomyolysis: A Literature Review.

PURPOSE: This systematic review aimed to investigate the clinical manifestations and characteristics of venlafaxine-associated rhabdomyolysis. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Elsevier, Science Direct, Embase, Springer Link, Wiley Online Library, CNKI, and Wanfang databases from the date of database inception to January 2023. Previously reported cases of venlafaxine-associated rhabdomyolysis were identified, and relevant data from these cases were collected for descriptive statistical analysis. Cases that met the inclusion criteria were evaluated to determine the correlation between adverse reactions and venlafaxine. RESULTS: A total of 12 patients with venlafaxine-associated rhabdomyolysis were included. None of these patients had a history of muscle pain or discomfort. Of the 12 patients, 5 patients received venlafaxine at doses of ≤225 mg/d, whereas the remaining 7 patients received doses exceeding 225 mg/d. The main clinical symptoms included myalgia, muscle weakness, and renal injury. All 12 patients discontinued venlafaxine and received symptomatic care. CONCLUSIONS: Venlafaxine, used either as a monotherapy or in combination with other drugs, may be associated with rhabdomyolysis. Creatine kinase levels may normalize or significantly decrease after discontinuation of venlafaxine and symptomatic treatment.

Simultaneous determination of diquat, paraquat, glufosinate, and glyphosate in plasma by liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry: from method development to clinical application.

Diquat (DQ), paraquat (PQ), glufosinate (GLU), and glyphosate (GLYP) are commonly used herbicides that have been confirmed to be toxic to humans. Rapid and accurate measurements of these toxicants in clinical practice are beneficial for the correct diagnosis and timely treatment of herbicide-poisoned patients. The present study aimed to establish an efficient, convenient, and reliable method to achieve the simultaneous quantification of DQ, PQ, GLU, and GLYP in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) without using derivatization or ion-pairing reagents. DQ, PQ, GLU, and GLYP were extracted by the rapid protein precipitation and liquid-liquid extraction method and then separated and detected by LC-MS/MS. Subsequently, linearity, limit of detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, matrix effect, dilution integrity, and stability were evaluated to validate the method based on the FDA criteria. Finally, the validated method was applied to real plasma samples collected from 166 Chinese patients with herbicide poisoning. The results showed satisfactory linearity with low LOD (1 ng/mL for DQ and PQ, 5 ng/mL for GLU, and 10 ng/mL for GLYP, respectively) and low LOQ (5 ng/mL for DQ and PQ, 25 ng/mL for GLU and GLYP, respectively). In addition, the precision, accuracy, extraction recovery, and stability of the method were acceptable. The matrix effect was not observed in the analyzed samples. Moreover, the developed method was successfully applied to determine the target compounds in real plasma samples. These data provided reliable evidence for the application of this LC-MS/MS method for clinical poisoning detection.

Nicotinate-curcumin improves NASH by inhibiting the AKR1B10/ACCα-mediated triglyceride synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a prevalent chronic liver condition. However, the potential therapeutic benefits and underlying mechanism of nicotinate-curcumin (NC) in the treatment of NASH remain uncertain. METHODS: A rat model of NASH induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet was treated with nicotinate-curcumin (NC, 20, 40 mg·kg- 1), curcumin (Cur, 40 mg·kg- 1) and metformin (Met, 50 mg·kg- 1) for a duration of 4 weeks. The interaction between NASH, Cur and Aldo-Keto reductase family 1 member B10 (AKR1B10) was filter and analyzed using network pharmacology. The interaction of Cur, NC and AKR1B10 was analyzed using molecular docking techniques, and the binding energy of Cur and NC with AKR1B10 was compared. HepG2 cells were induced by Ox-LDL (25 µg·ml- 1, 24 h) in high glucose medium. NC (20µM, 40µM), Cur (40µM) Met (150µM) and epalrestat (Epa, 75µM) were administered individually. The activities of ALT, AST, ALP and the levels of LDL, HDL, TG, TC and FFA in serum were quantified using a chemiluminescence assay. Based on the changes in the above indicators, score according to NAS standards. The activities of Acetyl-CoA and Malonyl-CoA were measured using an ELISA assay. And the expression and cellular localization of AKR1B10 and Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCα) in HepG2 cells were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: The results of the animal experiments demonstrated that NASH rat model induced by a high-fat and high-fructose diet exhibited pronounced dysfunction in liver function and lipid metabolism. Additionally, there was a significant increase in serum levels of FFA and TG, as well as elevated expression of AKR1B10 and ACCα, and heightened activity of Acetyl-CoA and Malonyl-CoA in liver tissue. The administration of NC showed to enhance liver function in rats with NASH, leading to reductions in ALT, AST and ALP levels, and decrease in blood lipid and significant inhibition of FFA and TG synthesis in the liver. Network pharmacological analysis identified AKR1B10 and ACCα as potential targets for NASH treatment. Molecular docking studies revealed that both Cur and NC are capable of binding to AKR1B10, with NC exhibiting a stronger binding energy to AKR1B10. Western blot analysis demonstrated an upregulation in the expression of AKR1B10 and ACCα in the liver tissue of NASH rats, accompanied by elevated Acetyl-CoA and Malonyl-CoA activity, and increased levels of FFA and TG. The results of the HepG2 cell experiments induced by Ox-LDL suggest that NC significantly inhibited the expression and co-localization of AKR1B10 and ACCα, while also reduced levels of TC and LDL-C and increased level of HDL-C. These effects are accompanied by a decrease in the activities of ACCα and Malonyl-CoA, and levels of FFA and TG. Furthermore, the impact of NC appears to be more pronounced compared to Cur. CONCLUSION: NC could effectively treat NASH and improve liver function and lipid metabolism disorder. The mechanism of NC is related to the inhibition of AKR1B10/ACCα pathway and FFA/TG synthesis of liver.

Insights from the 2nd China intelligent sleep staging competition.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: Artificial intelligence (AI) is quickly advancing in the field of sleep medicine, which bodes well for the potential of actual clinical use. In this study, an analysis of the 2nd China Intelligent Sleep Staging Competition was conducted to gain insights into the general level and constraints of AI-assisted sleep staging in China. METHODS: The outcomes of 10 teams from the children's track and 13 teams from the adult track were investigated in this study. The analysis included overall performance, differences between five different sleep stages, variations across subjects, and performance during stage transitions. RESULTS: The adult track's accuracy peaked at 80.46%, while the children's track's accuracy peaked at 88.96%. On average, accuracy rates stood at 71.43% for children and 68.40% for adults. All results were produced within a mere 5-min timeframe. The N1 stage was prone to misclassification as W, N2, and R stages. In the adult track, significant differences were apparent among subjects (p < 0.05), whereas in the children's track, such differences were not observed. Nonetheless, both tracks experienced a performance decline during stage transitions. CONCLUSIONS: The computational speed of AI is remarkably fast, simultaneously holding the potential to surpass the accuracy of physicians. Improving the machine learning model's classification of the N1 stage and transitional periods between stages, along with bolstering its robustness to individual subject variations, is imperative for maximizing its ability in assisting clinical scoring.

Green and Efficient Extraction of Phenolic Components from Plants with Supramolecular Solvents: Experimental and Theoretical Studies.

The supramolecular solvent (SUPRAS) has garnered significant attention as an innovative, efficient, and environmentally friendly solvent for the effective extraction and separation of bioactive compounds from natural resources. However, research on the use of a SUPRAS for the extraction of phenolic compounds from plants, which are highly valued in food products due to their exceptional antioxidant properties, remains scarce. The present study developed a green, ultra-sound-assisted SUPRAS method for the simultaneous determination of three phenolic acids in Prunella vulgaris using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The experimental parameters were meticulously optimized. The efficiency and antioxidant properties of the phenolic compounds obtained using different extraction methods were also compared. Under optimal conditions, the extraction efficiency of the SUPRAS, prepared with octanoic acid reverse micelles dispersed in ethanol-water, significantly exceeded that of conventional organic solvents. Moreover, the SUPRAS method demonstrated greater antioxidant capacity. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) images revealed the spherical droplet structure of the SUPRAS, characterized by a well-defined circular fluorescence position, which coincided with the position of the phenolic acids. The phenolic acids were encapsulated within the SUPRAS droplets, indicating their efficient extraction capacity. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations combined with CLSM supported the proposed method's mechanism and theoretically demonstrated the superior extraction performance of the SUPRAS. In contrast to conventional methods, the higher extraction efficiency of the SUPRAS can be attributed to the larger solvent contact surface area, the formation of more types of hydrogen bonds between the extractants and the supramolecular solvents, and stronger, more stable interaction forces. The results of the theoretical studies corroborate the experimental outcomes.

[Quality control mode between Lonicera macranthoides and L. japonica based on multi-elemental difference through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry].

Numerous studies show that Lonicera macranthoides and L. japonica have significant differences in organic matter. However, there is still a lack of research on inorganic elements between them. In this study, a non-targeted elemental metabolomics method was established by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS), so as to compare the overall differences of inorganic elements between L. macranthoides and L. japonica. In addition, the differential markers were screened, and these differential markers were quantitatively analyzed by the targeted method. The non-targeted elemental metabolomics showed that the established mathematical model could reflect the difference in element content between L. macranthoides and L. japonica. Four inorganic elements such as ~(55)Mn, ~(209)Bi, ~(111)Cd, and ~(85)Rb were confirmed as the differential markers of L. macranthoides and L. japonica based on the screening principles of variable importance in the projection(VIP) value>2.0, P<0.01 and fold change(FC) value>1.2 or <0.80. The targeted quantitative results showed that the content of ~(209)Bi in L. japonica was significantly higher than that in L. macranthoides, while ~(55)Mn, ~(111)Cd, and ~(85)Rb in L. macranthoides were significantly higher than that in L. japonica. The non-targeted and targeted elemental metabolomics methods based on ICP-MS can significantly reflect the overall differences in inorganic elements between L. macranthoides and L. japonica. Exploring the differences between them from the perspective of elements can partly reflect the differences in their drug properties and lay a foundation for further study on the quality control mode of inorganic elements in L. macranthoides and L. japonica and their pharmacological effects.

Effect of Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Post-Stroke Comorbid Cognitive Impairment and Depression: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: There are currently no uniform treatments for post-stroke comorbid cognitive impairment and depression (PSCCID). Objective: To verify whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) can improve PSCCID symptoms and explore the underlying roles of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI). Methods: Thirty PSCCID patients were randomized in a 1 : 1 ratio to receive 4 weeks of rTMS (intervention group) or sham rTMS (control group) over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). rs-fMRI was acquired to analyze the functional plasticity of brain regions at baseline and immediately after the last intervention. Results: Cognition, depression status, and neural electrophysiology were improved in both intervention and control groups after treatment (p = 0.015-0.042), and the intervention group had more significant improvement than the control group. Analysis of functional connectivities (FCs) within the default mood network (DMN) showed that the connection strength of the left temporal pole/left parahippocampal cortex and right lateral temporal cortex/right retrosplenial cortex in the intervention group were enhanced compared with its pre-intervention and that in the control group after treatment (p < 0.05), and the both FC values were positively correlated with MMSE scores (p < 0.001). The intervention group had stronger FCs within the DMN compared with the control group after treatment, and some of the enhanced FCs were correlated with the P300 latency and amplitude. Conclusions: rTMS over the left DLPFC is an effective treatment for improving both cognitive impairment and depression among patients with PSCCID. The enhanced FCs within the DMN may serve as a compensatory functional recombination to promote clinical recovery.

Bioactivities and Structure-Activity Relationships of Usnic Acid Derivatives: A Review.

Usnic acid has a variety of biological activities, and has been widely studied in the fields of antibacterial, immune stimulation, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiparasitic. Based on this, usnic acid is used as the lead compound for structural modification. In order to enhance the biological activity and solubility of usnic acid, scholars have carried out a large number of structural modifications, and found some usnic acid derivatives to be of more potential research value. In this paper, the structural modification, biological activity and structure-activity relationship of usnic acid were reviewed to provide reference for the development of usnic acid derivatives.

Microfluidic-oriented green synthesis of pepsin-doped gold nanoparticles for colorimetric and photothermal dual-readout detection of food hazards.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-based immunochromatographic assay has gained popularity as a rapid detection method for food hazards. Synthesizing highly stable AuNPs in a rapid, simple and environmentally friendly manner is a key focus in this field. Here, we present a green microfluidic strategy for the rapid, automated, and size-controllable synthesis of pepsin-doped AuNPs (AuNPs@Pep) by employing glucose-pepsin as a versatile reducing agent and stabilizer. Through combining the colorimetric and photothermal (PoT) properties of AuNPs@Pep, both "signal-off" and "signal-on" formats of microfluidic paper analytical devices (PADs) were developed for detection of a small molecule antibiotic, florfenicol, and an egg allergen, ovalbumin. Compared to the colorimetric mode, a 4-fold and 3-fold improvement in limit of detection was observed in the "signal-off" detection of florfenicol and the "signal-on" detection of ovalbumin, respectively. The results demonstrated the practicality of AuNPs@Pep as a colorimetric/PoT dual-readout probe for immunochromatographic detection of food hazards at different molecular scales.

Research progress in the treatment of schistosomiasis with traditional Chinese medicine.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Schistosomiasis, caused by infection with organisms of the Schistoma genus, is a parasitic and infectious disease that poses a significant risk to human health. Schistosomiasis has been a widespread issue in China for at least 2000 years. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a rich history of treating this disease, and the significant theoretical and practical knowledge attained therein may be useful in modern practice. AIM OF THE STUDY: To comprehensively review TCM for the treatment of schistosomiasis, summarize the molecular basis, mechanism of action, active ingredients and formulas of TCM, and clarify the value of TCM for expanding drug options for the clinical treatment of schistosomiasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar and CNKI databases, "Schistosomiasis", "Schistosoma mansoni", "Schistosoma japonicum", "Liver fibrosis" and "Granuloma" were used as the key words. Information related to in vivo animal studies and clinical studies of TCM for the treatment of schistosomiasis in the past 25 years was retrieved, and the inclusion criteria focused on medicinal plants that had a history of use in China. RESULTS: In this study, we collected and organized a large amount of literature on the treatment of schistosomiasis by TCM. TCM exerts therapeutic effects through antischistosomal and immunomodulatory effects, suppresses HSC activation and proliferation, reduces ECM deposition, and inhibits oxidative stress and other activities. The treatment of schistosomiasis by TCM has a unique advantage, especially for the treatment of schistosomal liver fibrosis, and the treatment of schistosomiasis with TCM in combination with praziquantel is superior to monotherapy. CONCLUSION: Schistosomiasis remains a global public health problem, and TCM has made significant progress in the prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis and is a potential source of drugs for the treatment of schistosomiasis. However, research on drug screening and the mechanism of action of TCM for the treatment of schistosomiasis is lacking, and further studies and research are needed.

Etiological, sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of sexually transmitted infections and M. genitalium resistance in Shenzhen: a multicenter cross-sectional study in China.

Introduction: This study aims to determine the etiological, sociodemographic, and clinical characteristics of STIs, and the level of resistance in M. genitalium in Shenzhen, a representative first-tier city of southern China. Methods: A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted and 7886 sexually active participants attending STI-related departments were involved from 22 hospitals. Nine STI-related organisms including N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, T. vaginalis, M. genitalium, HSV-1, HSV-2, M. hominis, U. parvum, and U. urealyticum were screened. Results: Being single or divorced was associated with increased detection of N. gonorrhoeae, C. trachomatis, M. genitalium, HSV-1, HSV-2 and M. hominis. Lower education level was associated with increased detection of C. trachomatis, HSV-2 and M. hominis. No insurance coverage was an independent risk factor for T. vaginalis, M. hominis and U. parvum positivity. Three resistance-determining regions related to macrolide and fluoroquinolone were sequenced in 154 M. genitalium positive samples, among which 90.3% harbored mutations related to macrolide or fluroquinolone resistance and 67.5% were multidrug-resistant M. genitalium. A2072G in 23S rRNA and Ser83Ile in parC were the most common mutations. M. hominis was associated with manifestations of bacterial vaginosis in female and epididymitis in male. Conclusions: Single or divorced individuals, those with lower education level and individuals without insurance are higher-risk key populations for STIs. The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant M. genitalium in Shenzhen is high. Detection of M. hominis increased significantly with lower education level and no health insurance coverage, and it is associated with bacterial vaginosis or epididymitis, indicating that M. hominis deserves further attention.

Tumor-intrinsic P2RY6 drives immunosuppression by enhancing PGE2 production.

Despite the success of anti-programmed cell death-1 (anti-PD-1) immunotherapy, many cancer patients remain unresponsive, and reliable predictive biomarkers are lacking. Here, we show that aberrant expression of the pyrimidinergic receptor P2RY6 is frequent in human cancers and causes immune evasion. In mouse syngeneic and human xenograft tumor models, ectopic expression of P2RY6 shapes an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) to enhance tumor growth and resistance to immunotherapy, whereas deletion of P2RY6 from tumors with high P2RY6 expression inflames the TME to inhibit tumor growth. As a G protein-coupled receptor, P2RY6 activates Gq/phospholipase C-ß signaling and stimulates the synthesis of prostaglandin E2, which is a key mediator of immunosuppression in the TME. In contrast to the essential role of P2RY6 in tumors, global deletion of P2ry6 from mice does not compromise viability. Our study thus nominates P2RY6 as a precision immunotherapy target for patients with high tumor-intrinsic P2RY6 expression.

Elucidating cuproptosis in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

Emerging research into metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) up until January 2024 has highlighted the critical role of cuproptosis, a unique cell death mechanism triggered by copper overload, in the disease's development. This connection offers new insights into MASLD's complex pathogenesis, pointing to copper accumulation as a key factor that disrupts lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity. The identification of cuproptosis as a significant contributor to MASLD underscores the potential for targeting copper-mediated pathways for novel therapeutic approaches. This promising avenue suggests that managing copper levels could mitigate MASLD progression, offering a fresh perspective on treatment strategies. Further investigations into how cuproptosis influences MASLD are essential for unraveling the detailed mechanisms at play and for identifying effective interventions. The focus on copper's role in liver health opens up the possibility of developing targeted therapies that address the underlying causes of MASLD, moving beyond symptomatic treatment to tackle the root of the problem. The exploration of cuproptosis in the context of MASLD exemplifies the importance of understanding metal homeostasis in metabolic diseases and represents a significant step forward in the quest for more effective treatments. This research direction lights path for innovative MASLD management and reversal.

Comparative transcriptome analysis between rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta) and crab-eating macaques ( M. fascicularis).

Understanding gene expression variations between species is pivotal for deciphering the evolutionary diversity in phenotypes. Rhesus macaques ( Macaca mulatta, MMU) and crab-eating macaques ( M. fascicularis, MFA) serve as crucial nonhuman primate biomedical models with different phenotypes. To date, however, large-scale comparative transcriptome research between these two species has not yet been fully explored. Here, we conducted systematic comparisons utilizing newly sequenced RNA-seq data from 84 samples (41 MFA samples and 43 MMU samples) encompassing 14 common tissues. Our findings revealed a small fraction of genes (3.7%) with differential expression between the two species, as well as 36.5% of genes with tissue-specific expression in both macaques. Comparison of gene expression between macaques and humans indicated that 22.6% of orthologous genes displayed differential expression in at least two tissues. Moreover, 19.41% of genes that overlapped with macaque-specific structural variants showed differential expression between humans and macaques. Of these, the FAM220A gene exhibited elevated expression in humans compared to macaques due to lineage-specific duplication. In summary, this study presents a large-scale transcriptomic comparison between MMU and MFA and between macaques and humans. The discovery of gene expression variations not only enhances the biomedical utility of macaque models but also contributes to the wider field of primate genomics.

Ornidazole induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome without body surface involved: A case report.

RATIONALE: Ornidazole is a synthetic nitroimidazole derivative that is commonly prescribed for antiparasitic or anti-anaerobic infections. It is generally well tolerated, with known side effects including gastrointestinal tract, anaphylaxis, and central nervous system reactions. Ornidazole-induced binocular reactive keratitis and several mucocutaneous lesions have been rarely reported. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 52-year-old woman who suffered from vaginitis and received an ornidazole vaginal plug (0.5 g). Approximately 20 minutes after the suppository was inserted into the vagina, her lips were swollen and valva and labia were burning. Her eyes were red, sore, and watery. DIAGNOSIS: She was diagnosed as Steven-Johnson syndrome by the ophthalmologist. According to the Naranjo scale, the adverse drug reaction was evaluated to be probable and severe. INTERVENTIONS: Dexamethasone was intravenous administrated as anti-inflammatory therapy for 10 days. Eye drops were locally given to relieve edema and promote healing of the epithelium. The symptoms of her eyes, lips, vulva and crissum were soon relieved. OUTCOMES: The patient was discharge from hospital with improved symptoms. LESSONS: In order to avoid severe adverse effect, the patient should not use metronidazole ether orally or vaginally. The case emphasized the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis of Steven-Johnson syndrome induced by ornidazole vaginal plug, especially when the eye symptoms were the chief complaint without body skin involved.

Phenolic acids from medicinal and edible homologous plants: a potential anti-inflammatory agent for inflammatory diseases.

Inflammation has been shown to trigger a wide range of chronic diseases, particularly inflammatory diseases. As a result, the focus of research has been on anti-inflammatory drugs and foods. In recent years, the field of medicinal and edible homology (MEH) has developed rapidly in both medical and food sciences, with 95% of MEH being associated with plants. Phenolic acids are a crucial group of natural bioactive substances found in medicinal and edible homologous plants (MEHPs). Their anti-inflammatory activity is significant as they play a vital role in treating several inflammatory diseases. These compounds possess enormous potential for developing anti-inflammatory drugs and functional foods. However, their development is far from satisfactory due to their diverse structure and intricate anti-inflammatory mechanisms. In this review, we summarize the various types, structures, and distribution of MEHP phenolic acids that have been identified as of 2023. We also analyze their anti-inflammatory activity and molecular mechanisms in inflammatory diseases through NF-κB, MAPK, NLRP3, Nrf2, TLRs, and IL-17 pathways. Additionally, we investigate their impact on regulating the composition of the gut microbiota and immune responses. This analysis lays the groundwork for further exploration of the anti-inflammatory structure-activity relationship of MEHP phenolic acids, aiming to inspire structural optimization and deepen our understanding of their mechanism, and provides valuable insights for future research and development in this field.

Source and level of dietary iron influence semen quality by affecting inflammation, oxidative stress and iron utilization levels in boars.

BACKGROUND: Boars fed a mixed form of inorganic and organic iron in excess of the NRC recommended levels still develop anemia, which suggested that the current level and form of iron supplementation in boar diets may be inappropriate. Therefore, 56 healthy Topeka E line boars aged 15-21 months were randomly divided into 5 groups: basal diet supplemented with 96 mg/kg ferrous sulfate (FeSO4) and 54 mg/kg glycine chelated iron (Gly-Fe, control); 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe; 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg methionine hydroxyl analogue chelated iron (MHA-Fe, from Calimet-Fe) for 16 weeks. The effects of dietary iron supplementation with different sources and levels on semen quality in boars were investigated. RESULTS: 1) Serum Fe and hemoglobin concentrations were not affected by reduced dietary iron levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups compared with the control group (P > 0.05). 2) Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and sperm malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups were lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and higher serum superoxide dismutase levels and lower MDA levels in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group (P < 0.05). 3) Boars in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups had lower serum hepcidin (P < 0.01), ferritin (P < 0.05), and transferrin receptor (P < 0.01) concentrations, and boars in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group had higher seminal plasma Fe concentrations compared with the control group. 4) Boars in the 80 mg/kg and 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups had lower abnormal sperm rate and in situ oscillating sperm ratio compared to the control group at weeks 12 and/or 16 of the trial. However, the effect of Gly-Fe on improving semen quality in boars was not evident. 5) Serum IL-6 level was positively correlated with hepcidin concentration (P < 0.05), which in turn was significantly positively correlated with abnormal sperm rate (P < 0.05). Furthermore, significant correlations were also found between indicators of iron status and oxidative stress and semen quality parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Dietary supplementation with 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe did not induce iron deficiency, but rather reduced serum inflammatory levels and hepcidin concentration, alleviated oxidative stress, increased body iron utilization, and improved semen quality in adult boars.

In Vitro Propagation Technology for the Endangered Aquatic Species Nymphoides coronata.

Nymphoides coronata is an endangered aquatic plant species with significant medicinal and ecological importance. To preserve N. coronata from going extinct, we need to provide seedlings and efficient multiplication techniques so that it can be extensively studied. This study aimed to identify the most suitable sterilization treatment, growth medium, and substrate for the cultivation and propagation of N. coronata. Ethanol sterilization, fungicide treatment, and sterile water washing were the most important sterilization steps. A combination of 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) was the most suitable medium for bud induction and shoot proliferation. The use of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) increased the rooting rate and rooting time compared to indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Increasing the concentration of NAA from 0.5 to 1.0 mg/L increased the rooting rate from 78 to 100% and reduced the rooting time from 7 to 5 days. The survival rate of N. coronata seedlings was 100% in a mixture of red soil and sand (1:1, w/w). As a result, the procedure mentioned above could potentially be used to safely propagate this rare species on a large scale. These findings provide valuable insights into the optimal conditions for the successful cultivation and propagation of N. coronata, which can contribute to the conservation and sustainable use of this important rare plant species.