Abstract Objective MicroRNA-29a-3p has been reported in a variety of cancers, but its role in hypopharyngeal cancer remains unclear. This study was to determine the role of microRNA-29a-3p in the occurrence and development of hypopharyngeal cancer. Methods 40 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer who underwent surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from April 2013 to November 2017 were selected for this study. The cancer tissue samples of the patients were collected, and the patients were followed up for three years. The expression of microRNA-29a-3p in tissue samples was detected by in situ hybridization with fluorescent probe, and the relationships among microRNA-29a-3p and clinicopathological factors, postoperative recurrent-metastasis, survival time were studied. Immunohistochemical was used to detect the expression of Ki67 and E-cadherin in tissue samples. Results Combined with HE staining results showed that microRNA-29a-3p expression was relatively high in non-cancer tissue cells (red blood cells and fibroblasts in tumor interstitial vessels), but was relatively low in cancer tissue and cells. According to the follow-up data of 40 patients with hypopharyngeal cancer, tumor size, T-stage, tumor differentiation, postoperative recurrent-metastasis of hypopharyngeal cancer patients were significantly negatively correlated with microRNA-29a-3p (p< 0.05). Immunohistochemica results further confirmed that microRNA-29a-3p was negatively correlated with the expression of Ki67 and E-cadherin. The survival time of patients positively related with microRNA-29a-3p expression (p< 0.05). Moreover, ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of the combined detection of miRNA-29a-3p+Ki67+E-cadherin was larger than that of the single detection of the three indexes. Conclusions The expression of microRNA-29a-3p is closely related to the occurrence, development and prognosis of hypopharyngeal cancer, and it affects the proliferation and invasion. This indicates that microRNA-29a-3p serves as a therapeutic target for the occurrence and development of hypopharyngeal cancer. The evidence of study designs of this study is IV using “Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine 2011 Levels of Evidence”.

RESUMO Introdução: O treinamento de força do core concentra-se principalmente no grupo muscular e no sistema neuromuscular da área central do corpo humano, com o propósito de ganho de força e estabilidade para movimentos complexos. Estudos relatam o efeito do treinamento do core em atletas de alta capacidade, porém ainda há uma lacuna quanto aos impactos sobre a capacidade física em atletas de corrida. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos resultantes do treinamento de força no core dos atletas e os impactos diretos na qualidade da corrida. Métodos: Os atletas da equipe masculina de corrida, no centro de treinamento de atletismo do Instituto de Educação Física, foram treinados com força fundamental por 10 a 12 semanas. Após o período, testes físicos, segundo protocolos pré-determinados, foram executados. Os dados foram comparados antes e após a intervenção, após o tratamento estatístico, os achados foram discutidos segundo a literatura cientifica. Resultados: Após 12 semanas de treinamento, entre as cinco habilidades esportivas, houve apenas diferença significativa antes e depois do treinamento de flexão lateral corporal (lado direito) (P<0,05), e não houve diferença significativa antes e depois do treinamento das outras quatro habilidades esportivas (P > 0,05). Conclusão: Através dos exercícios estáticos e dinâmicos do treinamento de força do core, podemos melhorar efetivamente a intervenção da propriocepção no movimento corporal, para que os corredores possam controlar com mais precisão as articulações e músculos, garantindo a precisão do movimento e postural. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Core strength training focuses mainly on the muscle group and neuromuscular system of the central area of the human body to gain strength and stability for complex movements. Studies have reported the effect of core training on high-capacity athletes, but there is still a gap regarding the impacts on physical capacity in running athletes. Objective: To study the effects of strength training on athletes’ core and the direct impacts on running quality. Methods: Athletes of the men’s running team at the athletic training center of the Institute of Physical Education were core strength trained for 10 to 12 weeks. After the period, physical tests, according to predetermined protocols. The data were compared before, after the intervention, and after statistical treatment, and the findings were discussed according to the scientific literature. Results: After 12 weeks of training, among the five sports skills, there was only a significant difference before and after training of body lateral flexion (right side) (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference before and after training of the other four sport skills (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Through the static and dynamic exercises of core strength training, we can effectively improve the proprioception intervention in body movement so that runners can more accurately control their joints and muscles, ensuring movement and postural accuracy. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: El entrenamiento de la fuerza del core se concentra principalmente en el grupo muscular y en el sistema neuromuscular de la zona central del cuerpo humano, con el fin de ganar fuerza y estabilidad para los movimientos complejos. Los estudios han informado sobre el efecto del entrenamiento del tronco en los atletas de alta capacidad, pero todavía hay un vacío en cuanto a los impactos en la capacidad física en los atletas que corren. Objetivo: Estudiar los efectos resultantes del entrenamiento de fuerza en el core de los atletas y los impactos directos en la calidad de la carrera. Métodos: Los atletas del equipo masculino de atletismo, en el centro de entrenamiento de atletismo del Instituto de Educación Física, fueron entrenados con fuerza central durante 10 a 12 semanas. Tras el periodo, se ejecutaron pruebas físicas, según protocolos predeterminados. Los datos se compararon antes y después de la intervención, tras el tratamiento estadístico, los resultados se discutieron de acuerdo con la literatura científica. Resultados: Después de 12 semanas de entrenamiento, entre las cinco habilidades deportivas, sólo hubo diferencia significativa antes y después del entrenamiento de la flexión lateral del cuerpo (lado derecho) (P<0,05), y no hubo diferencia significativa antes y después del entrenamiento de las otras cuatro habilidades deportivas (P > 0,05). Conclusiones: A través de ejercicios estáticos y dinámicos de entrenamiento de la fuerza del core, podemos mejorar eficazmente la intervención de la propiocepción en el movimiento del cuerpo, de modo que los corredores puedan controlar con mayor precisión las articulaciones y los músculos, asegurando la precisión del movimiento y la postura. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

ABSTRACT Introduction: With the promotion of rock climbing in the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020 and the China National Games in 2017, the sport has been spread to the general public, and the country has paid more attention to its development. Objective: Study the effects of rock-climbing exercise on athletes' performance in physical training. Methods: A comparative study was conducted on the physical training of rock climbers through literary consultation, experience, and mathematical statistics aiming to explore the impact of the sport on physical training in rock climbers. Fifteen professional rock-climbing team athletes participated in this research. Results: A significant difference was found in strength quality between the experimental group and the control group (p<0.05), there were very significant differences in the fixed bar, push-ups, and 1min abdominal exercises (p<0.01) after the experiment, there were significant differences in speed, agility, and endurance between the experimental group and the control group (p<0.05), with emphasis on motor coordination and speed quality (p<0.01). Conclusion: Integrating physical training with rock climbing training has a remarkable effect on improving athletes' physical performance. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: Con la promoción de la escalada en roca en los Juegos Olímpicos de Tokio en 2020 y los Juegos Nacionales de China en 2017, este deporte se ha extendido al público en general y el país ha prestado más atención a su desarrollo. Objetivo: Estudiar los efectos del ejercicio de escalada en roca sobre el rendimiento del entrenamiento físico en atletas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio comparativo sobre la preparación física de los escaladores mediante la consulta literaria, la experiencia y la estadística matemática con el objetivo de explorar el impacto del deporte en la preparación física de los escaladores. Quince atletas profesionales de equipos de escalada en roca participaron en esta investigación. Resultados: Se encontró una diferencia significativa en la calidad de la fuerza entre el grupo experimental y el grupo de control (p<0,05), hubo diferencias muy significativas en los ejercicios de barra fija, flexiones y abdominales de 1min (p<0,01), después del experimento, hubo diferencias significativas en la velocidad, agilidad y resistencia entre el grupo experimental y el grupo de control (p<0,05), con énfasis en la coordinación motora y la calidad de la velocidad (p<0,01). Conclusión: La integración del entrenamiento físico con el de escalada en roca tiene un efecto notable en la mejora del rendimiento físico de los deportistas. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: Com a promoção da escalada em rocha nos Jogos Olímpicos de Tóquio em 2020 e nos Jogos Nacionais da China em 2017, o esporte foi difundido pelo público em geral e o país tem dado mais atenção ao seu desenvolvimento. Objetivo: Estudar os efeitos do exercício de escalada em rocha sobre o desempenho do treinamento físico nos atletas. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo comparativo sobre o treinamento físico de escaladores em rocha através de consulta literária, experiência e estatísticas matemáticas visando explorar o impacto do esporte no treinamento físico em escaladores. Participaram dessa pesquisa 15 atletas profissionais da equipe de escalada em rocha. Resultados: Foi encontrada uma diferença significativa na qualidade da força entre o grupo experimental e o grupo controle (p<0,05), houve diferenças muito significativas nos exercícios de barra fixa, flexões e abdominais de 1min (p<0,01), após o experimento, houve diferenças significativas na velocidade, agilidade e resistência entre o grupo experimental e o grupo controle (p<0,05), com destaque entre a coordenação motora e a qualidade da velocidade (p<0,01). Conclusão: A integração do treinamento físico com o treinamento de escalada em rocha tem um efeito notável sobre a melhoria do desempenho físico dos atletas. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

Although metastasis is the major cause of death in cervical cancer, the mechanism of metastasis is still unclear. The mRNA expression and protein level of latent transforming growth factor beta binding protein 1 (LTBP1) were detected in tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues from in-house samples. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, migration, and in vivo metastasis were determined after LTBP1 was knocked down. Then, 13 drugs were screened, and the changes in cell apoptosis and proliferation and tumor metastasis were detected after drug treatment in shRNA cells. In our in-house samples, LTBP1 was lowly expressed in cervical cancer tissues. After LTBP1 knockdown, cell proliferation was increased, and the ability of in vitro migration and in vivo metastasis was enhanced. At the same time, the proportion of myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in situ increased, the proportion of T cells decreased, and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGFβ1) signaling was activated. After carboplatin treatment, LTBP1 shRNA cell line apoptosis increased, metastasis in vivo was limited, and the proportion of MDSC in situ decreased. LTBP1 was lowly expressed in cervical cancer, and the inhibition of LTBP1 can improve the malignant degree of the tumor, and this process can be blocked by carboplatin.

Abstract Objective China launched an innovative program of catastrophic medical insurance (CMI) to protect households from catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and impoverishment. This article assesses the effect of CMI on relieving CHE and impoverishment from catastrophic illnesses in urban and rural China. Method In total, 8378 cases are included in the analysis. We employed descriptive statistical analysis to compare the incidence and intensity of CHE at five health expenditure levels, from 1 June 2014 to 31 May 2015. To illustrate the different protection of the policy, we analyzed the data in two lines, the covered medical expenses and the total medical expenses. Results CMI drop down CHE incidence from 4.8% to 0.1% and the mean catastrophic payment gap from 7.9% to zero when only considering covered medical expenses. CMI drop down CHE incidence from 15.5% to 7.9% and the mean catastrophic payment gap from 31.2% to 14.7% when considering total medical expenses. If CMI reimburse uncovered medical expenses at 30%, the mean catastrophic payment gap could be 7.9% and insured person's annual premium will increase US$2.19. Conclusions China CMI perfectly meet the pursued policy objectives when only considering the covered medical expenses. However, when considering the total medical expenses, the CMI is only partially effective in protecting households from CHE. The considerable gap is the result of the limitation of CMI list.

Resumen Objetivo China lanzó un innovador programa de Seguro Catastrófico de Salud (SCS) para proteger a los hogares del gasto sanitario catastrófico (GSC) y el empobrecimiento. Este artículo evalúa el efecto del SCS para aliviar el GSC y el empobrecimiento a causa de las enfermedades catastróficas en zonas urbanas y rurales de China. Método En total, se incluyen 8378 casos en el análisis. Se emplearon análisis estadísticos descriptivos para comparar la incidencia y la intensidad del GSC en cinco niveles de gastos de salud, del 1 de junio de 2014 al 31 de mayo de 2015. Para ilustrar la diferente protección de la política se analizaron los datos en dos líneas: los gastos sanitarios cubiertos por el seguro y los gastos sanitarios totales. Resultados Considerando los gastos cubiertos por el seguro, se redujeron los hogares con gastos catastróficos del 4,8% al 0,1%, y la brecha de pago catastrófico media cayó del 7,9% al 0,0% en promedio. Cuando consideramos el gasto sanitario total, los hogares con gasto catastrófico se redujeron del 15,5% al 7,9%, y la brecha de pago catastrófico media cayó del 31,2% al 14,7% en promedio. Esta cantidad podría reducirse al 7,9% si se reembolsara el 30% a los gastos no cubiertos por el SCS, lo que supondría un aumento de la prima del seguro por persona de US$ 2,19. Conclusiones El SCS de China cumple perfectamente los objetivos de la política perseguida cuando solo se consideran los gastos cubiertos por el seguro. Si se consideran los gastos totales, el SCS solo es parcialmente efectivo para proteger a los hogares del gasto sanitario catastrófico. El motivo de este desfase es la limitación existente en la lista de servicios cubiertos por el SCS.

Abstract Objective China launched an innovative program of catastrophic medical insurance (CMI) to protect households from catastrophic health expenditure (CHE) and impoverishment. This article assesses the effect of CMI on relieving CHE and impoverishment from catastrophic illnesses in urban and rural China. Method In total, 8378 cases are included in the analysis. We employed descriptive statistical analysis to compare the incidence and intensity of CHE at five health expenditure levels, from 1 June 2014 to 31 May 2015. To illustrate the different protection of the policy, we analyzed the data in two lines, the covered medical expenses and the total medical expenses. Results CMI drop down CHE incidence from 4.8% to 0.1% and the mean catastrophic payment gap from 7.9% to zero when only considering covered medical expenses. CMI drop down CHE incidence from 15.5% to 7.9% and the mean catastrophic payment gap from 31.2% to 14.7% when considering total medical expenses. If CMI reimburse uncovered medical expenses at 30%, the mean catastrophic payment gap could be 7.9% and insured person's annual premium will increase US$2.19. Conclusions China CMI perfectly meet the pursued policy objectives when only considering the covered medical expenses. However, when considering the total medical expenses, the CMI is only partially effective in protecting households from CHE. The considerable gap is the result of the limitation of CMI list.

Resumen Objetivo China lanzó un innovador programa de Seguro Catastrófico de Salud (SCS) para proteger a los hogares del gasto sanitario catastrófico (GSC) y el empobrecimiento. Este artículo evalúa el efecto del SCS para aliviar el GSC y el empobrecimiento a causa de las enfermedades catastróficas en zonas urbanas y rurales de China. Método En total, se incluyen 8378 casos en el análisis. Se emplearon análisis estadísticos descriptivos para comparar la incidencia y la intensidad del GSC en cinco niveles de gastos de salud, del 1 de junio de 2014 al 31 de mayo de 2015. Para ilustrar la diferente protección de la política se analizaron los datos en dos líneas: los gastos sanitarios cubiertos por el seguro y los gastos sanitarios totales. Resultados Considerando los gastos cubiertos por el seguro, se redujeron los hogares con gastos catastróficos del 4,8% al 0,1%, y la brecha de pago catastrófico media cayó del 7,9% al 0,0% en promedio. Cuando consideramos el gasto sanitario total, los hogares con gasto catastrófico se redujeron del 15,5% al 7,9%, y la brecha de pago catastrófico media cayó del 31,2% al 14,7% en promedio. Esta cantidad podría reducirse al 7,9% si se reembolsara el 30% a los gastos no cubiertos por el SCS, lo que supondría un aumento de la prima del seguro por persona de US$ 2,19. Conclusiones El SCS de China cumple perfectamente los objetivos de la política perseguida cuando solo se consideran los gastos cubiertos por el seguro. Si se consideran los gastos totales, el SCS solo es parcialmente efectivo para proteger a los hogares del gasto sanitario catastrófico. El motivo de este desfase es la limitación existente en la lista de servicios cubiertos por el SCS.

Abstract The study was designed to investigate the effects of cryopreservation on bovine, ovine, and goat sperm motility, acrosome structure, enzyme activity, and fertilization ability. Percentage of sperm with hyaluronidase enzyme (HYD) activity was detected by a modified sodium hyaluronate-gelatin membrane. The N-α-benzoyl-DL-arginine-p-nitroanilide (BNPNA) method was used to assess the sperm acrosome enzyme (ACE). The mean percentage of sperm acrosome integrity dropped significantly (P < 0.01) after cryopreservation. The ACE activity of bovine sperm (100.48) was higher (P < 0.01) than that of ovine (57.88) or goat sperm (50.30), while the percentage of sperm with HYD activity of bovine (71.10%) and ovine (67.60%) sperm was higher than that of goat sperm (58.52%) after cryopreservation (P < 0.01). Sperm motility was positively correlated with the activity of the two acrosome enzymes before and after cryopreservation (P < 0.01). Cryopreservation had a negative effect on acrosomal morphology, motility, and acrosomal enzyme activity in their sperm. The fertilization ability of ovine and goat sperm decreased significantly after cryopreservation, but that of frozen bovine sperm did not differ significantly when compared with fresh sperm. There was no significant difference between ovine and goat sperm indices, except for percentage of sperm with HYD activity.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to explore the effects of diet on the inflammatory response in middle-aged and elderly people with hypertension. METHODS: Thirty overweight or obese patients with stage one hypertension (age range, 45-75 years) were allocated to either the intervention or control group (n=15 per group; age- and sex-matched). Patients in the intervention group consumed a food powder supplement (100 g) instead of a regular meal. The control group maintained their normal dietary habits. This study lasted for six weeks. Blood pressure, inflammatory marker levels, and energy intake were measured before and after the study. RESULTS: After 6 weeks, the diet composition of the intervention group changed significantly (p<0.05). The intake of proteins, dietary fibre, monounsaturated fat, and polyunsaturated fat increased significantly (p<0.05), while the total energy intake trended towards an increase (p>0.05). In the control group, the total energy intake decreased significantly (p<0.05). The levels of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) decreased, and adiponectin increased significantly in the intervention group (p<0.05); however, no significant changes were observed in the inflammatory marker levels of the control group. In the intervention group, systolic blood pressure decreased significantly (p<0.05), and diastolic blood pressure also exhibited a decreasing trend. No significant change in blood pressure was observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: The consumption of a food powder supplement can improve diet composition, decrease blood pressure and reduce inflammation in middle-aged and elderly overweight or obese hypertensive patients. The food powder supplement may also have an anti-atherosclerotic effect in hypertensive patients.

Abstract: The use of ulinastatin for pancreatitis and sepsis have been described. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of ulinastatin on vascular endothelial cell damage and coagulation in pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia (PE).From October 2015 to November 2017 at Tianjin Central Hospital of gynecology and obstetrics in China. Eighty pregnant women with severe PE, who elected to deliver by cesarean section, were randomly assigned to a control group or an ulinastatin group. The plasma concentration of von Willebrand factor (vWF) and platelet granule membrane protein (GMP-140), platelet count, fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time (PT), and partial prothrombin activation time (APTT) were recorded before combined spinal-epidural anesthesia and 40 min after administration in both groups.Ulinastatin attenuates vascular endothelial cell damage in pregnant women with PE as indicated by decreased plasma concentrations of vWF and prolonged APTT.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the concise effects of a traditional herb pair, Curcumae rhizoma-Sparganii rhizoma (CRSR), on uterine leiomyoma (UL) by analyzing transcriptional profiling. The UL rat model was made by intramuscular injection of progesterone and gavage administration of diethylstilbestrol. From 11 weeks of the establishment of the model, rats of the UL+CRSR group were gavaged daily with CRSR (6.67 g/kg). The serum concentrations of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) were determined by radioimmunoassay, the uterine index was measured by caliper measurement, and the pathological status was observed by hematoxylin and eosin stain. Gene expression profiling was checked by NimbleGen Rat Gene Expression Microarrays. The results indicated that the uterine mass of UL+CRSR rats was significantly shrunk and serum P and E2 levels significantly reduced compared to UL animals and nearly to the level of normal rats. Results of microarrays displayed the extensive inhibition of CRSR upon the expression of proliferation and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes, and significantly regulated a wide range of metabolism disorders. Furthermore, CRSR extensively regulated key pathways of the UL process, such as MAPK, PPAR, Notch, and TGF-β/Smad. Regulation of the crucial pathways for the UL process and ECM metabolism may be the underlying mechanisms of CRSR treatment. Further studies will provide clear clues for effectively treating UL with CRSR.

Abstract Cellulosimicrobium cellulans CWS2, a novel strain capable of utilizing benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) as the sole carbon and energy source under nitrate-reducing conditions, was isolated from PAH-contaminated soil. Temperature and pH significantly affected BaP biodegradation, and the strain exhibited enhanced biodegradation ability at temperatures above 30 °C and between pH 7 and 10. The highest BaP removal rate (78.8%) was observed in 13 days when the initial BaP concentration was 10 mg/L, and the strain degraded BaP at constant rate even at a higher concentration (50 mg/L). Metal exposure experimental results illustrated that Cd(II) was the only metal ion that significantly inhibited biodegradation of BaP. The addition of 0.5 and 1.0 g/L glucose enhanced BaP biodegradation, while the addition of low-molecular-weight organic acids with stronger acidity reduced BaP removal rates during co-metabolic biodegradation. The addition of phenanthrene and pyrene, which were degraded to some extent by the strain, showed no distinct effect on BaP biodegradation. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the five rings of BaP opened, producing compounds with one to four rings which were more bioavailable. Thus, the strain exhibited strong BaP degradation capability and has great potential in the remediation of BaP-/PAH-contaminated environments.

Abstract This study aimed to determine the association between the polymorphisms and haplotypes in the xeroderma pigmentosum group D (XPD) gene and the risk of pancreatic cancer in the Chinese Han population. SNaPshot was used for genotyping six SNP sites of the XPD gene. Comparisons of the correlations between different genotypes in combination with smoking and the susceptibility to pancreatic cancer were performed. Individual pancreatic cancer risk in patients who carry mutant C alleles (AC, CC, and AC+CC) at rs13181 increased (p < 0.05). Taking non-smoking individuals who carry the AA genotype as a reference, and non-smoking individuals who carry mutant allele C (AC+CC), the risk of pancreatic cancer increased by 3.343 times in individuals who smoked ≥ 20 cigarettes daily, 3.309 times in individuals who smoked ≥ 14 packs per year, 5.011 times in individuals who smoked ≥ 24 packs per year, and 4.013 times in the individuals who smoked ≥ 37 packs per year (P < 0.05). In addition, haplotype analysis revealed that haplotype AGG, which comprised rs13181, rs3916874 and rs238415, was associated with a 1.401-fold increase in pancreatic cancer risk (p < 0.05). We conclude that the polymorphism of XPD Lys751Gln (rs13181) in combination with smoking contributes to increased risk of pancreatic cancer in the Chinese Han population. Haplotype AGG might be a susceptibility haplotype for pancreatic cancer.

Abstract: Introduction and aim. Hyponatremia is common in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and is associated with increased mortality. Tolvaptan, a vasopressor V2 receptor antagonist, can increase free wáter excretion, but its efficacy and safety in cirrhotic patients remain unclear. Material and methods. We studied the usage and safety of tolvaptan in cirrhotic patients in a real-life, non-randomized, multicenter prospective cohort study. Forty-nine cirrhotic patients with hyponatremia were treated with tolvaptan 15 mg daily, and 48 patients not treated with tolvaptan in the same period served as controls. Improvement in serum sodium level was defined as an increase in serum sodium from < 125 to ≥ 125 mmol/L or from 125-134 to ≥ 135 mmol/L on day 7. Results. Twenty-three (47%) patients in the tolvaptan group and 17 (35%) in the control group had normal serum sodium on day 7 (p = 0.25). Serum sodium improved in 30 (61%) patients in the tolvaptan group and 17 (35%) patients in the control group (p = 0.011). Adverse events occurred in 46-47% of patients in both groups, and tolvaptan was not associated with worsened liver function. No patient with normal serum sodium on day 7 died within 30 days of treatment, whereas 16% of those with persistent hyponatremia died (p = 0.0019). Conclusion. In conclusion, short-term tolvaptan treatment is safe and can improve serum sodium level in cirrhotic patients with hyponatremia. Normalization of serum sodium level is associated with better survival.

Abstract: A new sesquilignan effususin E (1) and a new long chain fatty enamide effususin F (2), together with eight known compounds were isolated from the medullae of Juncus effusus. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis including 1H and 13C NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and HRMS, while the structures of the known compounds were deduced from comparison of their spectral data with those in the literature. The new compounds 1 and 2 were evaluated against five human cancer cell lines (SHSY-5Y, SMMC-7721, HepG-2, Hela, and MCF-7) by CCK-8 assay, but only 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against SMMC-7721 with IC50 value of 57.5 μm. Inhibitory effects of 1 and 2 on nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophages were also evaluated, and they were found to exhibit good inhibitory activities with IC50 values of 8.59 and 13.73 μm, respectively.

Resumen: Se elucidaron las estructuras de 1 y 2 mediante análisis espectrocópicos de RMN de 1H y 13C, COSY, HSQC, HMBC, y HRMS, mientras que las estructuras de los compuestos conocidos se dedujeron por comparación de sus datos espectrales con los de la literatura. Los nuevos compuestos 1 y 2 fueron evaluados contra cinco líneas celulares cancerígenas humanas (SHSY-5Y, SMMC-7721, HepG-2, Hela, and MCF-7) mediante el ensayo CCK-8. Solamente el compuesto 1 mostró una débil actividad citotóxica contra la línea SMMC-7721 con un valor de IC50 de 57.5 μM. También se evaluó el efecto inhibitorio de los compuestos 1 y 2 en la producción de óxido nítrico (NO) en macrófagos RAW264.7 inducidos por lipopolisacáridos. Ambos compuestos mostraron buena actividad inhibitoria con valores de IC50 de 8.59 y 13.73 μM, respectivamente.

Two centrosymmetric mononuclear nickel(II) and zinc(II) complexes, [NiL2]-2NO3 (1) and [ZnL2(dca)2] (2), where L is the zwitterionic form of 2-bromo-6-[(3-cyclohexylaminopropylimino)methyl]phenol, and dca is the dicyanamide anion, have been synthesized. The complexes have been characterized by physico-chemical methods and single crystal X-ray determination. Complex (1) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2Jn with unit cell dimensions a = 7.0091(7) Å, b = 11.137(1) Å, c = 23.997(2) Å, β = 97.390(3)°, V = 1857.7(3) ų, Z = 2, R1 = 0.0617, and wR2 = 0.1632. Complex (2) crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1 with unit cell dimensions a = 8.762(1) Å, b = 10.386(1) Å, c = 10.687(2) Å, α = 85.209(2)°, β = 83.931(2)°, g = 88.734(2)°, V = 963.6(2) ų, Z = 1, R1 = 0.0374, and wR2 = 0.0873. The Ni atom in (1) is in a square planar geometry, and the Zn atom in (2) is in an octahedral geometry. The preliminary antibacterial activities of the complexes were assayed.