Abstract Objective: This study aimed to develop and internally validate a prediction model for estimating the risk of spontaneous abortion in early pregnancy. Methods: This prospective cohort study included 9,895 pregnant women who received prenatal care at a maternal health facility in China from January 2021 to December 2022. Data on demographics, medical history, lifestyle factors, and mental health were collected. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to develop the prediction model with spontaneous abortion as the outcome. The model was internally validated using bootstrapping techniques, and its discrimination and calibration were assessed. Results: The spontaneous abortion rate was 5.95% (589/9,895) 1. The final prediction model included nine variables: maternal age, history of embryonic arrest, thyroid dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, assisted reproduction, exposure to pollution, recent home renovation, depression score, and stress score 1. The model showed good discrimination with a C-statistic of 0.88 (95% CI 0.87‒0.90) 1, and its calibration was adequate based on the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (p = 0.27). Conclusions: The prediction model demonstrated good performance in estimating spontaneous abortion risk in early pregnancy based on demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. Further external validation is recommended before clinical application.

Abstract In this study, the effects of degradation on ascorbic acid (AA) in asparagus-lemon juice with different blending ratios were investigated during storage. The R2 values of the first-order kinetic model for predicting AA loss were 0.8216-0.9990, indicating that the model described well the degradation of AA in asparagus-lemon juice with different blending ratios. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the blending ratio of asparagus-lemon juice during storage. The optimum blending ratios that selected by the RSM were: 23%, 26%, 27%, 28% and 29% of diluted asparagus juice blended with 85% of diluted lemon juice, and the desirability were 0.820. The RSM correlation coefficients (R2) between experimental and model predicted values ranged from 0.6394 to 0.9975. Therefore, RSM and the first-order model may be effective tools to optimize the blending ratio of blended juice and AA degradation in juices.

SUMMARY Here, we report the clinical observations of two Chinese fraternal twins who presented with severe dehydration, poor feeding, and absence of stimuli responses within a few days of birth. Trio clinical exome sequencing of the family identified compound heterozygous intronic variants (c.1439+1G>C and c.875+1G>A) in SCNN1A gene in these two patients. Sanger sequencing results showed that the c.1439+1G>C variant was inherited from the mother, and c.875+1G>A from the father, rarely reported in pseudohypoaldosteronism type 1 with sodium epithelial channel destruction (PHA1b) patients. Case 2 received timely symptomatic treatment and management after obtaining these results, which improved the clinical crisis. Our results suggest that the compound heterozygous splicing variants in SCNN1A were responsible for PHA1b in these Chinese fraternal twins. This finding extends the knowledge of the variant spectrum in PHA1b patients and highlights the application of exome sequencing in critically ill newborns. Finally, we discuss supportive case management, particularly in maintaining blood potassium concentration.

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Idesia polycarpa fruit blackening on fruit and seed morphological characteristics, oil content, fatty acid content, seed germination rate and physiological properties. Germination tests were conducted under dry and wet storage at 5 °C for 0 d, 20 d, 40 d, 60 d and 80 d. The fruit mass, the 100-grain weight, the moisture content, the oil content of seeds and oleic acid in unsaturated fatty acids of black fruit are significantly lower than red fruit (P < 0.05). The germination rate of black fruit seeds was higher than red under wet storage and the malondialdehyde content of black fruits decreased with increasing storage time. Our results demonstrated that black fruits of I. polycarpa should not be discarded indiscriminately and that the color of the fruits can be chosen according to the purpose of use. Black fruits are picked for species propagation, while red fruits are mainly harvested for oil extraction.

Resumo: O objetivo do trabalho foi investigar os efeitos do escurecimento dos frutos de Idesia polycarpa nas características morfológicas dos frutos e sementes, teor de óleo, teor de ácidos graxos, taxa de germinação das sementes e propriedades fisiológicas. Os testes de germinação foram realizados sob armazenamento seco e úmido a 5 ° C por 0 d, 20 d, 40 d, 60 d e 80 d. A massa dos frutos, o peso de 100 sementes, o teor de umidade, o teor de óleo das sementes e ácido oleico nos ácidos graxos insaturados dos frutos pretos são significativamente inferiores aos dos frutos vermelhos (P < 0,05). A taxa de germinação das sementes de frutos pretos foi maior que dos frutos vermelhos sob armazenamento úmido e o teor de malonaldeído dos frutos pretos diminuiu com o aumento do tempo de armazenamento. Nossos resultados demonstraram que os frutos pretos de I. polycarpa não devem ser descartados indiscriminadamente e que a cor dos frutos pode ser escolhida de acordo com a finalidade de uso. Os frutos pretos são colhidos para propagação de espécies, enquanto os frutos vermelhos são colhidos principalmente para extração de óleo.

Abstract Objectives The deposition of monosodium urate (MSU) crystals within synovial joints and tissues is the initiating factor for gout arthritis. Thus, MSU crystals are a vital tool for studying gout's molecular mechanism in animal and cellular models. This study mainly compared the excellence and worseness of MSU crystals prepared by different processes and the degree of inflammation induced by MSU crystals. Methods MSU crystals were prepared using neutralization, alkali titration, and acid titration methods. The crystals' shape, length, quality, and uniformity were observed by polarized light microscopy and calculated by the software Image J. The foot pad and air pouch models were used to assess the different degrees of inflammation induced by the MSU crystals prepared by the three different methods at different time points. Paw swelling was evaluated by caliper. In air pouch lavage fluid, inflammatory cell recruitment was measured by hemocytometer, and the level of IL-1β TNF- α, and IL-18 by ELISA. Inflammatory cell infiltration was assayed by immunohistochemistry of air pouch synovial slices. Results For the preparation of MSU crystals with the same uric acid, the quantity acquired by the alkalization method was highest, followed by neutralization, with the acid titration method being the lowest. The crystals prepared by neutralization were the longest. The swelling index of the foot pad induced by MSU crystals prepared by acid titration was significantly lower than that of the other methods at 24 h. The inflammatory cell recruitment and level of 1-1β, TNF-α, and IL-18 in air pouch lavage fluid were lowest in animals with crystals prepared by acid titration. IL-1β secretion induced by MSU crystals prepared by acid titration was significantly lower than that of the other two groups, but there was no significant difference in IL-18 secretion between the three groups in THP-1 macrophages and BMDMs. Conclusions All three methods can successfully prepare MSU crystals, but the levels of inflammation induced by the crystals prepared by the three methods were not identical. The degree of inflammation induced by MSU crystals prepared by neutralization and alkalization is greater than by acid titration, but the quantity of MSU crystals obtained by the alkalization method is higher and less time-consuming. Apparently, the window of inflammation triggered by acid titration preparation is shorter compared to other forms of crystal preparation. Overall, MSU crystals prepared by the alkaline method should be recommended for studying the molecular mechanisms of gout in animal and cellular models.

Abstract This study aimed to compare the effects of diet and exercise of different intensities on antioxidant function, aortic endothelial cell function and serum lipids in NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) rats. Fifty Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (180-220g) were randomly divided into two experimental groups and fed either a standard rodent chow diet (CON; n=10) or a high-fat diet (HFD; n=40). After 16 weeks, the animals that received the HFD were randomly separated into a high-fat control group (HFC; n=10) or three exercise training groups: HFD and low-intensity exercise (LE; n=10), HFD and moderate-intensity exercise (ME; n=10), and HFD and incremental intensity exercise (IE; n=10). These experimental rats keep sedentary or trained for the next six weeks. A detection kit was used to detect nitric oxide synthase (NOs), nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and other markers of aortic oxidative stress. The expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (e-NOS) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were detected by immunohistochemistry. TC, TG, and other lipid metabolism parameters were detected by an automatic analyzer. Exercise with different intensities could improve lipid metabolism, enhance antioxidant function, reduce MDA (P<0.01), increase NO (P<0.01), and improve the expression of e-NOS and ET-1 (P<0.01) protein levels in NAFLD rats. Decreased blood lipids were exhibited in all exercise groups. Notably, the moderate-intensity exercise demonstrated more effect on increasing glutathione (GSH) contents (P<0.01) and decreased the expression of ET-1 protein levels (P<0.01). The results showed that exercise at different intensities improved lipid metabolism and enhanced anti-oxidation function. Moderate exercise could improve the function of aortic endothelial cells.

Resumen Este estudio tuvo como objetivo comparar los efectos de la dieta y el ejercicio a diferentes intensidades sobre la función antioxidante, la función de las células endoteliales aórticas y los lípidos séricos en ratas NAFLD (con enfermedad del hígado graso no alcohólico) y alimentados con una dieta estándar para roedores (CON; n = 10) o con una dieta alta en grasas (HFD; n = 40). Después de 16 semanas, los animales que recibieron HFD se separaron aleatoriamente en un grupo de control alto en grasas (HFC; n=10) o tres grupos de entrenamiento físico: HFD y ejercicio de baja intensidad (LE; n=10), HFD y ejercicio de intensidad moderada (ME; n=10), y HFD y ejercicio de intensidad incremental (IE; n=10). Estas ratas experimentales se mantuvieron sedentarias o entrenadas durante las próximas seis semanas. Se utilizó un kit de detección para determinar óxido nítrico sintetasa (NO), óxido nítrico (NO), malondialdehído (MDA) y otros marcadores de estrés oxidativo aórtico. Los niveles de expresión de la óxido nítrico sintetasa endotelial (e-NOS) y endotelina-1 (ET-1) se detectaron mediante inmunohistoquímica. El analizador automático detectó TC, TG y otros parámetros del metabolismo de los lípidos. El ejercicio con diferente intensidad mejoró el metabolismo de los lípidos, mejoró la función antioxidante, redujo la MDA (P <0,01), aumentó el NO (P <0,01) y mejoró la expresión de los niveles de proteína e-NOS y ET-1 (P <0,01) en ratas NAFLD. Se observó una disminución de los lípidos en sangre en todos los grupos de ejercicio. En particular, el ejercicio de intensidad moderada demostró un mayor efecto en el aumento del contenido de glutatión (GSH) (P<0,01) y disminuyó la expresión de los niveles de proteína ET-1 (P<0,01). Los resultados mostraron que el ejercicio a diferentes intensidades mejoró el metabolismo de los lípidos y mejoró función antioxidante. El ejercicio moderado podría mejorar la función de las células endoteliales aórticas.

Abstract Swertia L. is a large genus in Swertiinae (Gentianaceae). In China, many Swertia species are used as traditional Tibetan medicines, known as “Zangyinchen” or “Dida”. However, the phylogenetic relationships among Swertia medicinal plants and their wild relatives have remained unclear. In this study, we sequenced and assembled 16 complete chloroplast (cp) genomes of 10 Swertia species, mainly distributed in Qinghai Province, China. The results showed that these species have typical structures and characteristics of plant cp genomes. The sizes of Swertia cp genomes are ranging from 149,488 bp to 154,097 bp. Most Swertia cp genomes presented 134 genes, including 85 protein coding genes, eight rRNA genes, 37 tRNA genes, and four pseudogenes. Furthermore, the GC contents and boundaries of cp genomes are similar among Swertia species. The phylogenetic analyses indicated that Swertia is a complex polyphyletic group. In addition, positive selection was found in psaI and petL genes, indicating the possible adaptation of Qinghai Swertia species to the light environment of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. These new cp genome data could be further investigated to develop DNA barcodes for Swertia medicinal plants and for additional systematic studies of Swertia and Swertiinae species.

Abstract The present study was designed to examine the effects of atorvastatin on vascular inflammatory responses in human coronary artery endothelial cells(HCAECs), when challenged by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) ligand. HCAECs were pretreated with atorvastatin and induced by LPS. The expression of TLR4, interleukin -6(IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein 1(MCP-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecular-1(ICAM-1), nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and p38 mitogen activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK) were evaluated using Real-time polymerase chain reaction, cytokine ELISA assay and Western blotting. The results showed that pretreatment with atorvastatin down-regulated the expression of TLR4 in LPS-activated HCAECs. Atorvastatin also attenuated the LPS-induced expression of interleukin IL-6 and MCP-1, at both the transcription and translation level in HCAECs. LPS-induced endothelial cell adhesion molecules, ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 expression were also reduced by pretreatment with atorvastatin. Furthermore, atorvastatin efficiently suppressed LPS-induced phosphorylation of NF-κB and p38 MAPK in HCAECs. These findings show that atorvastatin suppresses endothelial cell inflammation, suggesting that atorvastatin may be suitable for development as a therapeutic agent for inflammatory cardiovascular disease.

Abstract Spices play an important role in the formation of stewed meat flavor, and it is necessary to establish a rapid detection technology for flavor in stewed meat production. The aim of this work was to discover the variation of volatiles from Cinnamomum cassia Presl in different processing processes and to establish a real-time detection method during processing. The relative content of volatile components of Cinnamomum cassia Presl from powder to extract and from extract to beef was compared in different processes. The volatile compounds were analyzed by headspace sampling and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-GC-MS). A total of 20 components were detected in the cinnamon powder. In the marinade processing, the most volatile components was detected in marinade when marinating for 1 hour, such as cinnamic acid(4.39%), cinnamaldehyde (46.57%), anethole(8.05%), α-pinene(7.38%), naphthalene,1,2,4a,5,6,8a-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-(0.93%), α-muurolene(8.99%), naphthalene,1,2,3,5,6,8a-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-,(1S-cis)-(20.31%), naphthalene,1,2,3,4,4a,7-hexahydro-1,6-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-(3.03%) and α-calacorene(0.35%). In the bittern processing, the flavor components in the bittern when cooking for 15 minutes were the most and 7 components were detected which were cinnnamic acid(3.69%), cinnamaldehyde(70.67%), anethole(4.37%), α-pinene(1.62%), α-muurolene(3.69%), naphthalene,1,2,3,5,6,8a-hexahydro-4,7-dimethyl-1-(1-methylethyl)-, (1S-cis)-(14.17%) and naphthalene,1,2,3,4,4a,7-hexahydro-1,6-dimethyl-4-(1-methylethyl)-(1.79%). The relative content of the volatile components in two bittern were slightly different. In two processes, only cinnamaldehyde was detected in the stewed beef, where a small amount of α-pinene was detected when marinating for 1 hour and bitterning for 45 minutes. Cinnamaldehyde can be used as the main indicator for the detection of processing. HS-GC-MS can be used as a real-time detection method in the marinade and bittern processing.

ABSTRACT Background: Dragon′s blood is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, isolated mainly from the trunks of Dracaena trees. Overexploitation of the Dracaena resource has resulted in this plant becoming endangered. This work aimed to assess the potential to use various tissues of the Dracaena cochinchinensis tree, such as leaves and roots, to produce dragon′s blood. Results: We found that many dragon′s blood components accumulated in the bark of trunk and roots of D. cochinchinensis under natural conditions. In addition, small amounts of loureirin A were detected in leaves, suggesting that the leaves could be a potential source of dragon′s blood. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis showed that most of the genes tested in this study, which encoded enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of dragon′s blood flavonoids, were highly expressed in the bark of roots and trunk. Conclusion: We confirmed that the bark of roots and trunk of D. cochinchinensis tree were the main tissues for the synthesis and storage of dragon′s blood under natural conditions. This study demonstrated the potential to extract dragon′s blood from the roots that have been abandoned due to mining difficulties without destroying the tree, a process which would be beneficial to the protection of the endangered wild D. cochinchinensis tree populations.

The prognosis of COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is usually poor when it occurs in aged adults or in patients with chronic diseases, which brought a great challenge to clinical practice. Furthermore, widespread depression, anxiety, and panic related to SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2) infection affected treatment compliance and recovery. Here we report the successful treatment of a 57-year-old male with severe COVID-19, schizophrenia, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes. The patient's negative emotions (such as tension, panic, and anxiety), particularly his aggression and paranoia, seriously hindered treatment, leading to a deteriorating condition. Psychological counseling and supportive psychotherapy were given but the effect was weak. To improve adherence, risperidone and quetiapine fumarate were replaced by olanzapine for anti-schizophrenic treatment to reduce insomnia and anxiety side effects, associated with sedative-hypnotic drugs as well as psychological counseling. The treatment compliance of the patient improved significantly. The patient's serum alanine aminotransferase increased abnormally in the late stage of hospitalization, suggesting potential liver damage after complex medication strategies. We also monitored the changes of lymphocyte subsets and retrospectively analyzed the virus-specific antibody response. The results suggested that dynamic monitoring of lymphocyte subsets and virus-specific antibody response could facilitate disease progression evaluation and timely treatment plan adjustments. An effective psychotropic drug intervention associated with psychological counselling and psychotherapy are essential for the successful adherence, treatment, and rehabilitation of psychiatric disorders in COVID-19 patients.

ABSTRACT In 2009, a new citrus viral disease caused by Citrus yellow vein clearing virus (CYVCV) was first discovered in Yunnan province of China. In this study, a survey was conducted in 27 orchards from Yunnan province from April 2017 to September 2018. In all, 45 of a total of 513 citrus samples were tested positive for CYVCV by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Furthermore, the complete genome sequences of six CYVCV isolates from different hosts were sequenced. Comparisons of the whole genome sequences of these six CYVCV isolates as well as 34 isolates previously reported from around the world revealed the sequence identity ranged from 96.9% to 99.8% at nucleotide level, indicating that there is a very low level of sequence heterogeneity among CYVCV isolates of different hosts in Yunnan province.

Abstract Background: Recent studies have confirmed that RASAL1 has an antitumor effect in many cancers, but its functional role and the molecular mechanism underlying in colon cancer has not been investigated. Results: We collected human colon cancer tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues, human colon cancer cell lines LoVo, CaCo2, SW1116, SW480 and HCT-116, and normal colonic mucosa cell line NCM460. RT-qPCR was used to detect the RASAL1 level in the clinical tissues and cell lines. In LoVo and HCT-116, RASAL1 was artificially overexpressed. Cell viability and proliferation were measured using CCK-8 assays, and cell cycle was detected via PI staining and flow cytometry analysis. RASAL1 significantly inhibited the cell proliferation via inducing cell cycle arrest, suppressed cell cycle associated protein expression, and decreased the lipid content and inhibited the SCD1 expression. Moreover, SCD1 overexpression induced and downregulation repressed cell proliferation by causing cell cycle arrest. Additionally, luciferase reporter assays were performed to confirm the direct binding between SREBP1c, LXRα and SCD1 promoter, we also demonstrated that RASAL1 inhibit SCD1 3’-UTR activity. RASAL1 inhibited tumor growth in xenograft nude mice models and shows inhibitory effect of SCD1 expression in vivo. Conclusion: Taken together, we concluded that RASAL1 inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation via modulating SCD1 activity through LXRα/SREBP1c pathway.

Abstract Rabbit with hypercholesterolaemia is an important model for studying cholesterol metabolism disease. This study aimed to evaluate the expression stability of nine reference genes for quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis in adrenal gland, liver, spleen, and kidney tissue from rabbits with hypercholesterolaemia. In total, 30 male Harbin Large White (HLW) rabbits were fed a normal feed (n = 15) or a high cholesterol feed (n = 15) for 8 weeks to induce hypercholesterolaemia. Nine reference genes were verified by qPCR using cDNA extracted from rabbit tissue samples. For qPCR analysis, reference genes were evaluated using the RefFinder and GeNorm algorithms. Overall, seven rabbits with hypercholesterolaemia were identified based on body weight and total cholesterol measurements. Combining the results of the RefFinder and GeNorm algorithms, the most stable reference genes were hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 (Hprt1) and eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1 (Eef1a1) in the adrenal gland, β-2-microglobulin (B2m) and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh) in the liver, tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein zeta (Ywhaz) and Gapdh in the spleen, and peptidylprolyl isomerase (Ppia), β-actin (Actb), succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A flavoprotein (Sdha), and B2m in the kidney. Taken together, our results confirmed that Hprt1 and Eef1a1, B2m and Gapdh, Ywhaz and Gapdh, and Ppia, Actb, Sdha, and B2m were the best reference genes for qPCR analyses in adrenal gland, liver, spleen, and kidney tissue, respectively, of rabbits with hypercholesterolaemia.

Duplex Ni-P-TiO2/Ni-P coatings were electrodeposited onto brass substrates. High phosphorus Ni-P coatings were plated as the inner layer to improve the corrosion resistance, while low phosphorus sol-enhanced Ni-P-TiO2 coatings were deposited on the top to strengthen the mechanical property. The microstructure, morphology, mechanical property and corrosion resistance of coatings were investigated systematically. The results show that duplex coatings exhibit both excellent mechanical property and good corrosion resistance. The hardness was further improved from ~545 HV50 of duplex Ni-P/Ni-P coating to ~622 HV50 of duplex Ni-P-12.5mL/L TiO2/Ni-P coating, while the hardness of single Ni-P coating was only ~387 HV50. The corrosion resistance of duplex coatings improved significantly by adding a suitable amount of TiO2 sol. Duplex Ni-P-12.5mL/L TiO2/Ni-P coating presented the highest corrosion resistance. However, adding excessive quantities of sol (more than 12.5mL/L) caused nanoparticle agglomeration and created a porous structure in the outer layer, deteriorating the properties of coatings.