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.

Resumo Fundamento: A disfunção hepática é uma variável postulada de prognóstico desfavorável na cardiomiopatia dilatada (CMD). Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o valor prognóstico do escore albumina-bilirrubina (ALBI), um modelo relativamente novo para a avaliação da função hepática, em pacientes com CMD idiopática. Métodos: Um total de 1.025 pacientes com CMD idiopática foram incluídos retrospectivamente e divididos em três grupos com base nos escores de ALBI: grau 1 (≤ −2,60, n = 113), grau 2 (−2,60 a −1,39, n = 835) e grau 3 (> −1,39, n = 77). Foi analisada a associação do escore ALBI com eventos clínicos adversos maiores (ECAM) intra-hospitalares e mortalidade a longo prazo. Valor de p inferior a 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: A taxa de ECAM intra-hospitalares foi significativamente maior nos pacientes com grau 3 (2,7% versus 7,1% versus 24,7%, p < 0,001). A análise multivariada mostrou que o escore ALBI foi um preditor independente para ECAM intra-hospitalares (odds ratio ajustada = 2,80, IC 95%: 1,63 – 4,80, p < 0,001). Após seguimento mediano de 27 meses, 146 (14,2%) pacientes morreram. A curva de Kaplan-Meier indicou que a taxa cumulativa de sobrevida a longo prazo foi significativamente menor em pacientes com grau mais alto de ALBI (log-rank = 45,50, p < 0,001). O escore ALBI foi independentemente associado à mortalidade a longo prazo (hazard ratio ajustada = 2,84, IC 95%: 1,95 – 4,13, p < 0,001). Conclusão: O escore ALBI, como modelo de risco simples, pode ser considerado uma ferramenta de estratificação de risco para pacientes com CMD idiopática.

Abstract Background: Liver dysfunction is a postulated variable for poor prognosis in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score, a relatively new model for evaluating liver function, in patients with idiopathic DCM. Methods: A total of 1025 patients with idiopathic DCM were retrospectively included and divided into three groups based on ALBI scores: grade 1 (≤ −2.60, n = 113), grade 2 (−2.60 to −1.39, n = 835), and grade 3 (> −1.39, n = 77). The association of ALBI score with in-hospital major adverse clinical events (MACEs) and long-term mortality was analyzed. P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The in-hospital MACEs rate was significantly higher in the grade 3 patients (2.7% versus 7.1% versus 24.7%, p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that ALBI score was an independent predictor for in-hospital MACEs (adjusted odds ratio = 2.80, 95%CI: 1.63 – 4.80, p < 0.001). After a median 27-month follow-up, 146 (14.2%) patients died. The Kaplan–Meier curve indicated that the cumulative rate of long-term survival was significantly lower in patients with higher ALBI grade (log-rank = 45.50, p < 0.001). ALBI score was independently associated with long-term mortality (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.84, 95%CI: 1.95 – 4.13, p < 0.001). Conclusion: ALBI score as a simple risk model could be considered a risk-stratifying tool for patients with idiopathic DCM.

Abstract Diosgenin is a steroidal saponin isolated from dioscorea opposita, which has been proven to have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and immune system modulating effects in a large number of pharmacological tests. Diosgenin is also one of the important raw materials for the synthesis of steroidal drugs, and structural modification of diosgenin to obtain diosgenin derivatives can not only improve the solubility and dissolution, but also enhance their pharmacological effects. This paper reviews the synthetic reactions, pharmacological effects of diosgenin and its derivatives, aiming to provide detailed information for the further development and application of diosgenin, which is important to improve the utilization value of diosgenin.

Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) occurring in immature brains stimulates the expression of tissue-type plasminogen activator (tPA). Neuroserpin is a selected inhibitor of tPA in the central nerves system. However, the role that neuroserpin plays and the possible mechanisms involved during neonatal HI are poorly defined. In this study, an oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R) model was generated with cultured rat cortical neurons mimicking neonatal HI injury ex vivo, and an acute neuronal excitatory injury was induced by exposure to a high concentration of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA). Cells received either neuroserpin or MK-801, an antagonist of the NMDA receptor, during OGD/R, and were incubated with or without neuroserpin after NMDA exposure. Cell viability and morphology were detected by a Cell Counting Kit-8 and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. TPA expression and activity were also assessed. We found that MK-801 alleviated injuries induced by OGD/R, suggesting an excitatory damage involvement. Neuroserpin provided a dose-dependent neuroprotective effect in both OGD/R and acute excitatory injuries by inhibiting the activity of tPA, without affecting neuronal tPA expression. Neuroserpin protected neurons against OGD/R even after a delayed administration of 3h. Collectively, our data indicate that neuroserpin protects neurons against OGD/R. mainly by inhibiting tPA-mediated acute neuronal excitotoxicity.