Abstract Gallstones disease is classified as cholesterol, pigment and mixed gallstones. Pigment gallstones is a common disease, and some patients experienced complications such as biliary pain and cholecystitis. Defatted walnut powder extract (DWPE) is extracted from the main by-product after oil extraction of the functional food walnut and can treat cholesterol gallstones. However, the effect of DWPE on pigment gallstones has not been reported. Thus, this paper aimed at exploring the potential mechanism of alleviating pigment gallstones and the metabolism of DWPE in vitro by UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS to elucidate potential pharmacodynamic substances. It was found that DWPE significantly reduced the incidence of gallstones, the contents of unconjugated bilirubin and calcium, the inflammation of gallbladder tissue, the edema and congestion of gallbladder tissue, and the infiltration of inflammatory cells. In metabolism, a total of 35 metabolites of DWPE, including its main compounds ellagic acid and glansreginin A, were characterized in the intestine with various metabolic reactions. Presumably, the small molecular compounds generated after the metabolism by intestinal bacteria may be the pharmacodynamic substances of DWPE on pigment gallstones. This study revealed the effect of DWPE in treating pigment gallstones and their metabolism in vitro.

Abstract Introduction Prior studies have found inconsistent results regarding the relationship between vitamin D status and Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty (ICPP). Objective To assess the role of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 [OH]D) levels in ICPP development. Method The authors retrospectively collected data from 221 girls with ICPP and 144 healthy girls between January 2017 and December 2019. The participants’ serum 25(OH)D levels were measured using an automatic chemiluminescence method, and the association between serum 25(OH)D levels and the risk of ICPP was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Odds Ratios (OR) with 95% Confidence Intervals (95% CI) were calculated as effect estimates. Results Serum 25(OH)D levels in the ICPP group were significantly lower than those in healthy controls (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that girls with insufficient vitamin D levels (OR = 0.201; 95% CI 0.094-0.428; p < 0.001) and sufficient vitamin D levels (OR = 0.141; 95% CI 0.053-0.375; p < 0.001) both had a lower risk of ICPP than girls with vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, the authors found that the height (p = 0.014), weight (p = 0.014), breast stage (p = 0.010), mother's height (p < 0.001), and luteinizing hormone/follicle-stimulating hormone ratio (p = 0.010) in girls with ICPP could be associated with levels of vitamin D. Conclusion This study found that a low serum 25(OH)D level is an independent risk factor for ICPP, and several characteristics of girls with ICPP could be affected by their vitamin D status.

Abstract The present study aimed to determine whether oleanolic acid (Ole) could be used to treat psoriasis and its related underlying mechanism of action via in vitro analysis. HaCaT cells were stimulated with IL-22 to established an in vitro psoriasis cell model. MTT, flow cytometry and TUNEL assays, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the cell ultrastructure. LC3B protein expression levels were analyzed using immunofluorescence, other protein expression levels were determined using western blotting. Cell viability was significantly increased, while the apoptotic rate was significantly decreased in the model group (P < 0.001). In addition, Notch1, Hes1, beclin 1 and LC3B protein expression levels were significantly downregulated, while P62 protein expression levels were significantly upregulated in the model group compared with the control group (P < 0.001). Supplementation of Ole, the increased levels of proliferation were significantly suppressed, while cell apoptosis was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in a dose-dependent manner, which was discovered to occur via Notch1 upregulation. Notably, the transfection with small interfering RNA-Notch1 significantly reversed the effect of Ole treatment (P < 0.001) and the levels of autophagy were also decreased. In conclusion, the findings of the current study suggested that Ole may relieve psoriasis via upregulating Notch1, which subsequently regulates cell autophagy.

Abstract The dispersion performance of drilling fluids at high temperatures has always been a bottleneck in the research. To improve the dispersion of drilling fluid at high temperature and pressure, the natural Ca-based bentonite was modified with Na2CO3 and SDBS (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate: C12H25SO4Na) by microwave semi-dry method. The effects of the ratio of Na2CO3 to SDBS, radiation time, initial temperature and microwave power on the modification were investigated. In addition, the microstructure of the samples was obtained using infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the results showed that Na2CO3/SDBS was successfully inserted into the bentonite. In addition, the dispersion performance of the modified bentonite was evaluated in this paper, and the gelling value of the modified bentonite was 525 ml/15 g with an apparent viscosity of 22.5 mPa·s. The modified bentonite was compared with drilling-grade Na-based bentonite. The fluid loss (FLHTHP) of modified bentonite at high temperature and pressure is only 8 mL, the mud productivity is up to 25.71 m3/t, and the kinetic plastic ratio of modified bentonite is 1.5. The modified bentonite has better dispersion performance at high temperature and pressure.

Abstract Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disease with a high disability rate. Modern molecular biology techniques have identified a number of key genes and diagnostic markers to MS, but the etiology and pathogenesis of MS remain unknown. Results: In this study, the integration of three peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) microarray datasets and one peripheral blood T cells microarray dataset allowed comprehensive network and pathway analyses of the biological functions of MS-related genes. Differential expression analysis identified 78 significantly aberrantly expressed genes in MS, and further functional enrichment analysis showed that these genes were associated with innate immune response-activating signal transduction (p = 0.0017), neutrophil mediated immunity (p = 0.002), positive regulation of innate immune response (p = 0.004), IL-17 signaling pathway (p < 0.035) and other immune-related signaling pathways. In addition, a network of MS-specific protein–protein interactions (PPI) was constructed based on differential genes. Subsequent analysis of network topology properties identified the up-regulated CXCR4, ITGAM, ACTB, RHOA, RPS27A, UBA52, and RPL8 genes as the hub genes of the network, and they were also potential biomarkers of MS through Rap1 signaling pathway or leukocyte transendothelial migration. RT-qPCR results demonstrated that CXCR4 was obviously up-regulated, while ACTB, RHOA, and ITGAM were down-regulated in MS patient PBMC in comparison with normal samples. Finally, support vector machine was employed to establish a diagnostic model of MS with a high prediction performance in internal and external datasets (mean AUC = 0.97) and in different chip platform datasets (AUC = (0.93). Conclusion: This study provides new understanding for the etiology/pathogenesis of MS, facilitating an early identification and prediction of MS.

OBJECTIVES: This study investigated whether tissue Doppler imaging parameters, especially the peak systolic velocity of the left ventricular lead-implanted segment (Ss), affect cardiac resynchronization therapy response. METHODS: In this case-control study, 110 enrolled patients were divided into cases (responder group, n=65) and controls (nonresponder group, n=45) based on whether their left ventricular end-systolic volume was reduced by ≥15% at 6 months after surgery. Preoperative clinical and echocardiographic data were collected. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the factors affecting the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy, and receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to evaluate their diagnostic values. RESULTS: The proportion of patients with left bundle branch block in the case group was higher than that in the control group. The control group showed a higher left atrial volume index, E/A ratio and E/Em ratio but lower Ss than that of the case group. A multivariate regression analysis showed that left bundle branch block, Ss, and an E/Em ratio>14 were independent risk factors affecting the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Ss=4.1 cm/s was the best diagnostic threshold according to the receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSIONS: Ss is an important factor affecting the response to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Patients with heart failure associated with Ss<4.1 cm/s have a higher risk of nonresponse.

Abstract Purpose: To investigated the effects of ginsenoside Rb1 on diabetic retinopathy in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (80 mg/kg) in male Wistar rats. Ginsenoside Rb1 (20, 40 mg/kg) was injected (i.p.) once a day for 4 weeks. Then, using fundus photography, the diameter and vascular permeability of retinal vessels were investigated. Retinal histopathology was undertaken. Contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) in retinas were assayed. Levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione cysteine ligase catalytic subunit (GCLC), and glutathione cysteine ligase modulatory subunit (GCLM) were measured. Results: Treatment with ginsenoside Rb1 attenuated the diabetes-induced increase in the diameter of retinal blood vessels. Ginsenoside Rb1 reduced extravasation of Evans Blue dye from retinal blood vessels. Ginsenoside Rb1 partially inhibited the increase in MDA content and decrease in GSH level in rat retinas. Nrf2 levels in the nuclei of retinal cells and expression of GCLC and GCLM were increased significantly in rats treated with ginsenoside Rb1. Conclusion: These findings suggest that ginsenoside Rb1 can attenuate diabetic retinopathy by regulating the antioxidative function in rat retinas.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the association between diastolic function and the different beneficial effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy in patients with heart failure due to different causes. METHODS: The 104 enrolled patients were divided into an ischemic cardiomyopathy group (n=27) and a non-ischemic cardiomyopathy group (n=77) according to the cause of heart failure. Before implantation, left ventricular diastolic function was evaluated in all patients using echocardiography. After six months of follow-up, the beneficial effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy were evaluated using a combination of clinical symptoms and echocardiography parameters. RESULTS: The ischemic cardiomyopathy group included significantly more patients with restrictive filling than the non-ischemic cardiomyopathy group. The response rate after the implantation procedure was significantly higher in the non-ischemic cardiomyopathy group than in the ischemic cardiomyopathy group. Degrees of improvement in echocardiography parameters were significantly greater in the non-ischemic cardiomyopathy group than in the ischemic cardiomyopathy group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that a restrictive filling pattern was an independent factor that influenced responses to cardiac resynchronization therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study again confirmed that the etiology of heart failure affects the beneficial effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy and a lower degree of improvement in ventricular systolic function and remodelling was observed in ischemic cardiomyopathy patients than in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients. In addition, systolic heart failure patients with severe diastolic dysfunction had poor responses to cardiac resynchronization therapy. Ischemic cardiomyopathy patients exhibited more severe diastolic dysfunction than non-ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, which may be a reason for the reduced beneficial effect of cardiac resynchronization therapy.

INTRODUÇÃO: Os sistemas auditivo e vestibular estão localizados no mesmo receptor periférico, porém adentram ao SNC e percorrem caminhos distintos, estabelecendo uma série de conexões e abrangendo uma vasta região do encéfalo. Mesmo percorrendo caminhos diferentes, algumas alterações podem comprometer ambos os sistemas. Testes como os Potenciais Evocados Auditivos podem auxiliar no diagnóstico com alterações vestibulares. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar os resultados dos Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de indivíduos com queixa de tontura ou vertigem com Síndromes Vestibulares Periféricas e com indivíduos normais, com a mesma queixa. MÉTODO: Foram realizados os Potenciais Evocados Auditivos de curta, média e longa latência, sendo um estudo prospectivo transversal. CONCLUSÃO: Indivíduos com queixa de tontura ou vertigem podem apresentar alterações no PEATE, PEAML e P300.

INTRODUCTION: The auditory and vestibular systems are located in the same peripheral receptor, however they enter the CNS and go through different ways, thus creating a number of connections and reaching a wide area of the encephalon. Despite going through different ways, some changes can impair both systems. Such tests as Auditory Evoked Potentials can help find a diagnosis when vestibular alterations are seen. OBJECTIVE: describe the Auditory Evoked Potential results in individuals complaining about dizziness or vertigo with Peripheral Vestibular Disorders and in normal individuals having the same complaint. METHODS: Short, middle and long latency Auditory Evoked Potentials were performed as a transversal prospective study. CONCLUSION: individuals complaining about dizziness or vertigo can show some changes in BAEP (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potential), MLAEP (Medium Latency Auditory Evoked Potential) and P300.

This study was conducted to reveal genetic diversity among 100 Osmanthus fragrans cultivars using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Eight AFLP primer combinations produced a total of 443 polymorphic fragments with an average of 64 per primer combination. The percentage of polymorphic bands (86.81%), the resolving power (Rp) (32.71) and the PIC values (0.331) showed the efficiency of used primer combinations. The revealed AFLP makers were effective in distinguishing all the cultivars considered. Cluster analysis were performed to assess patterns of diversity among cultivars and showed the abundant genetic diversity. The overall distribution pattern of molecular variation suggested that 93.33% of the total genetic variance was within the identified groups and 6.67% of the genetic variation was among the identified groups. Our results showed that AFLP markers are useful for Osmanthus fragrans germplasm discrimination as well as for investigation of genetic diversity and variation. The information will facilitate germplasm identification, conservation and new cultivar development.

The treatment of calcium chloride with sodium carbonate under solvent-free conditions with a supersonic airflow and at a low heating temperature leads to the synthesis of ultra-fine calcium carbonate. The reaction not only involves mild conditions, a simple operation, and high yields but also gives a high conversion rate.

O novo ecdisteróide 7,8beta-di-hidroponasterona A e a ponasterona A, foram isolados a partir do extrato metanólico das agulhas do teixo japonês Taxus cuspidata. As estruturas foram elucidadas por meios espectroscópicos, nomeadamente, RMN 13C e ¹H, COSY ¹H-¹H, NOESY, HMQC e HMBC, e confirmadas por HR-FABMS.

A new plant ecdysteroid 7,8beta-dihydroponasterone A, together with ponasterone A, were isolated from the methanol extract of the needles of the Japanese yew, Taxus cuspidata. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis including ¹H NMR, 13C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, NOESY, HMQC and HMBC and confirmed by high-resolution FABMS data.