Abstract This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism of Picrasma quassioides Benn against inflammation by means of network pharmacology. The paper will provide a reference for multi-target and multi-channel treatment of inflammation with traditional Chinese medicine. Through screening and analysis, 11 active ingredients and 109 anti-inflammation prediction targets were obtained and constructed a compound-target network. The targets such as VEGFA, TLR4 and STAT3 may play a crucial role. Network enrichment analysis showed that the 109 potential targets constitute a number of pathways or inflammatory reactions closely related to inflammation, including NF-κB signaling pathway and MAPK signaling pathway. The docking results indicated that the binding energy of Picrasidine Y and the inflammatory factors VEGFA is the highest. This study predicted the role of multiple active compounds in the alkaloids of Picrasma in the inflammatory response, and provided a theoretical basis for the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Picrasma.

ABSTRACT The need for clarity regarding the sieving characteristics of the potato-soil mixture, as provided by the swing separating sieve of a potato digger, as well as the derived problems of low potato transportation efficiency, a high potato damage rate and low potato unearthing rate, are the main reasons for this study. Dynamic tracking technology is proposed to collect the motion state of potatoes, during the process of potato and soil separation. Considering the potato conveying speed, potato unearthing rate and potato damage rate as indicators, while the sieving parameters (crank rotational speed, sieve inclination, crank radius and swing direction angle) are the influencing factors, an orthogonal regression test is carried out, where the response surface is used to analyze each factor, its influence on the screening index, and to optimize it accordingly. The test results show that there is a linear relationship between the screening parameters and indexes, with each parameter showing different contribution rates to the screening indexes. The best parameter combination is the crank rotational speed of 190 r /min, sieve inclination of 9.7°, crank radius of 40 mm and swing direction angle of 18.8°. The corresponding potato conveying speed, unearthing rate and damage rate is 0.713 m/s, 98.7% and 3.224%, respectively. After optimization, the potato conveying speed is 1.43 times higher, the unearthing rate is increased by 2.5% and the damage rate is reduced by 60%. The research results can provide theoretical support to the structural design of potato diggers.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop and validate a practical nomogram to predict the occurrence of post-traumatic hydrocephalus in patients who have undergone decompressive craniectomy for traumatic brain injury. METHODS: A total of 516 cases were enrolled and divided into the training (n=364) and validation (n=152) cohorts. Optimal predictors were selected through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis of the training cohort then used to develop a nomogram. Receiver operating characteristic, calibration plot, and decision curve analysis, respectively, were used to evaluate the discrimination, fitting performance, and clinical utility of the resulting nomogram in the validation cohort. RESULTS: Preoperative subarachnoid hemorrhage Fisher grade, type of decompressive craniectomy, transcalvarial herniation volume, subdural hygroma, and functional outcome were all identified as predictors and included in the predicting model. The nomogram exhibited good discrimination in the validation cohort and had an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.80 (95%CI 0.72–0.88). The calibration plot demonstrated goodness-of-fit between the nomogram’s prediction and actual observation in the validation cohort. Finally, decision curve analysis indicated significant clinical adaptability. CONCLUSION: The present study developed and validated a model to predict post-traumatic hydrocephalus. The nomogram that had good discrimination, calibration, and clinical practicality can be useful for screening patients at a high risk of post-traumatic hydrocephalus. The nomogram can also be used in clinical practice to develop better therapeutic strategies.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Investigar a eficácia clínica do cefazolin penta-hidrato de sódio combinado com drenagem por vedação a vácuo (VSD) no tratamento da fratura exposta complicada com lesão nos tecidos moles. MÉTODOS Sessenta e três doentes com fratura exposta complicada com lesões nos tecidos moles foram divididos em grupos de observação (n=33) e controle (n=30). Após redução cirúrgica, fixação e reparação da fratura, o grupo de controle foi tratado com VSD durante dez dias e o grupo de observação foi tratado com cefazolina penta-hidrato de sódio com base no VSD durante dez dias. O tempo de controle de infecção foi gravado. Após o tratamento, a dor dos doentes foi avaliada. Antes e após o tratamento, foram detectados os níveis séricos de proteína C-reativa (CRP), interleucina (IL)-6, IL -8, fator de necrose tumoral alfa (TNF-α), cortisol, epinefrina, norepinefrina e glicose. Após seis meses de tratamento, a taxa efetiva total de tratamento foi avaliada. RESULTADOS O tempo de controle da infecção e a pontuação da Escala Visual Analógica após o tratamento no grupo de observação foram significativamente inferiores ao do grupo de controle, respectivamente (P<0,05). Após o tratamento, os níveis séricos de CRP, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, cortisol, epinefrina, norepinefrina e glicose em cada grupo foram significativamente menores do que antes do tratamento, respectivamente (P<0,05), e cada índice de observação foi significativamente inferior ao do grupo de controle (P<0,05). CONCLUSÃO No tratamento da fratura exposta complicada com lesões nos tecidos moles, o cefazolin penta-hidrato de sódio combinado com VSD pode efetivamente reduzir a inflamação e o estresse, melhorando assim a eficácia do tratamento.

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy of cefazolin sodium pentahydrate combined with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment of open fracture complicated with soft tissue injury. METHODS Sixty-three patients with open fracture complicated with soft tissue injury were divided into observation (n = 33) and control (n = 30) groups. After surgical reduction, fixation, and repair of the fractures, the control group was treated with VSD for 10 days, and the observation group was treated with cefazolin sodium pentahydrate based on VSD for 10 days. The infection control time was recorded. After treatment, the pain of patients was evaluated. Before and after treatment, the serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucose were detected. After 6 months of treatment, the total effective rate of the treatment was evaluated. RESULTS The infection control time and Visual Analogue Scale score after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than in the control group, respectively (P < 0.05). After the treatment, the serum levels of CRP, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, cortisol, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and glucose in each group were significantly lower than before the treatment (P < 0.05), and each index in observation was significantly lower than in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In the treatment of open fractures complicated with soft tissue injury, cefazolin sodium pentahydrate combined with VSD can effectively reduce inflammation and stress, thus improving the treatment efficacy.

Abstract Introduction: Preoperative renal insufficiency is an independent predictor of mortality after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. However, there are few reports aimed to evaluate the impact of mild preoperative renal insufficiency on long-term follow-up outcomes after isolated CABG surgery. This study investigates the effect of mild preoperative renal insufficiency on long-term follow-up outcomes of patients after CABG. Methods: Five hundred eighty-four patients' data that underwent CABG between 1 January 2009 and 1 December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into two groups: normal group [Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2, n=304] and mild group (eGFR ranges from 60 to 89 ml/min/1.73 m2, n=280). Clinical material and long follow-up outcomes were compared inthe two groups. Results: Two groups had similar baseline and intraoperative data except eGFR. Six (0.01%) patients died in hospital, 15 in normal group and 28 in mild group during the long-term follow-up, which had statistical significance (P<0.05). Univariate factor analysis displayed that the two groups had similar in-hospital outcomes. Kaplan-Meier curves showed a better long-term survival in patients with normal preoperative renal function compared to mild preoperative renal insufficiency (x 2=4.255, P=0.039). Cox proportional model presented the hazard ratio of long-term mortality in patients with mild preoperative renal insufficiency compared to normal preoperative renal function was 1.79 (95% CI 1.17-2.88, P=0.027). Conclusions: Patients with mild preoperative renal insufficiency had a higher mortality rate than normal patients in long-term survival, whereas no evidence of worse in-hospital mortality rate was found. Patients with mild preoperative renal insufficiency showed a higher mortality rate than other studies.

Abstract: Chuju, the flower of Chrysanthemum morifolim cv. Chuju, is a traditional medicine-food material used in China. Bioassay-guided chemical investigation on Chuju led the isolation of 16 flavonoids (1-16) characterized as quercetin (1), isorhamnetin 3-O-b-D-glucoside (2), eriodictyol (3), pyracanthoside (4), apigenin (5), apigetrin (6), acacetin (7), acacipetalin (8), luteolin (9), diosmetin (10), spinacetin (11), axillarin (12), bonanzin (13), cirsiliol (14), chrysosplenol D (15) and artemetin (16). Among them, compounds (11-16) were first reported from the Chrsanthemum species. Chuju flavonoids displayed strong antioxidant in DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2- picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, and high anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting NO production in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. These findings suggests that Chuju is an ideal source of natural flavonoids with significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and is worthy of further development as health-promoting food or supplement.

Resumen: La flor de Chrysanthemum morifolim cv. Chuju, conocida popularmente como Chuju, se utiliza tradicionalmente como alimento y medicina en China. Un estudio químico biodirigido de un extracto de las flores condujo al aislamiento de 16 flavonoides, los cuales se caracterizaron como quercetina (1), isoramnetina 3-O-b-D-glucosido (2), eriodictiol (3), piracantosido (4), apigenina (5), apigetrina (6), acacetina (7), acacipetalina (8), luteolina (9), diosmetina (10), espinacetina (11), axilarina (12), bonanzina (13), cirsiliol (14), crisosplenol D (15) and artemetina (16). Los productos 11-16 se describen por primera vez en la especie. Los flavonoides de Chuju demostraron una notable actividad antioxidante en el ensayo de captación del radical 2,2- difenil-1-picrilhidrazilo (DPPH); asimismo presentaron un fuerte efecto antiinflamatorio in vitro, valorado a través de la inhibición de la producción de NO en macrófagos RAW 264.7 estimulados con LPS. Estos resultados indican que Chuju es una fuente importante de flavonoides antiinflamatorios y antioxidantes con un potencial importante para su desarrollo como agente nutracéutico.

This paper looks into the influences of martensitic transformations on the cavitation-erosion (CE) damage initiation mechanism and pitting corrosion resistance of a lean austenitic stainless steel. The ε and α' martensites are prime sites of CE damage initiation for this steel, whereas grain boundaries are more favourable damage initiation sites for other similar steels. The profusion of ε and α' results in fast surface roughening during the CE process, which may cause a compromise in performance when this steel (or similar steels that have the same CE damage mechanism) is used for such applications as hydro-machinery or piping. ε and α' also detrimentally affect the pitting resistance of this steel and so they are expected to affect CE resistance adversely due to the synergism between CE and corrosion.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy of metronidazole and vancomycin for the treatment of Clostridium difficileinfection, especially to investigate which agent was superior for treating either mild or severe C. difficileinfection. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies identified in Pubmed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted. Four randomized controlled trials and two cohort studies involving 1218 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Metronidazole was inferior to vancomycin for treating C. difficileinfection in terms of both initial clinical cure rates (risk ratio, RR = 0.91, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.84-0.98, p= 0.02) and sustained cure rates (RR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.82-0.96, p= 0.003). For mild C. difficileinfection, the efficacy of metronidazole and vancomycin resulted in similar clinical cure rates (RR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.84-1.04, p= 0.21) and sustained cure rates (RR = 0.93, 95% CI = 0.83-1.05, p= 0.26). For severe C. difficileinfection the efficacy of vancomycin was superior to metronidazole in terms of clinical cure rates (RR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.69-0.95, p= 0.009), whereas sustained cure rates were similar (RR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.72-1.02, p= 0.08). Regarding microbiological cure metronidazole therapy was as effective as vancomycin therapy (RR = 0.88, 95% CI = 0.64-1.21, p= 0.43). Recurrence rates with metronidazole and vancomycin for both mild C. difficileinfection (RR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.56-1.60, p= 0.85) and severe C. difficileinfection (RR = 1.27, 95% CI = 0.85-1.91, p= 0.25) were not different. Likewise, no difference in all-cause mortality was found as well (RR = 0.87, 95% CI = 0.56-1.35, p= 0.53). In conclusion, vancomycin provides improved initial clinical and sustained cure rates in patients with C. difficileinfection compared with metronidazole, especially in patients with severe C. difficileinfection. In view of these data, vancomycin may be considered first line therapy for severe C. difficileinfection.

Três porfirinas, monômero Por I, dímero Por II e trímero Por III, foram sintetizadas através da reação de cloreto cianúrico, 5-(4-hidroxofenil)-10,15,20-trifenil porfirina e 1-fenilpiperazina. As propriedades destas porfirinas inéditas, no que diz respeito à proteção na ressonância magnética, aos acoplamentos e desdobramentos dos hidrogênios beta foram estudadas por espectroscopia de RMN de ¹H. Os resultados mostram que os hidrogênios beta no dímero e no trímero encontram-se fortemente protegidos pelo anel porfirínico e exibem sinais com desdobramentos complicados.

Three porphyrin compounds, monomer Por I, dimer Por II and trimer Por III have been synthesized from the reaction of cyanuric chloride, 5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrin and 1-phenylpiperazine. The properties of these novel porphyrins in nuclear magnetic shielding, the shift, coupling and splitting of beta hydrogens, were studied by ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The results shown that beta hydrogens in dimer and trimer were shielded by porphyrin ring greatly and displayed the complicated signal peaks.