A randomized double-blind clinical trial: Comparison of oclacitinib with a traditional Chinese herbal medicine product (Dihuang Guiqin capsule) in the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis

Canine atopic dermatitis (cAD) is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease, which seriously affects the quality of life for both dogs and their owners. Currently, the common therapeutic drugs in the clinic have disadvantages such as obvious adverse effects and high prices. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) has great potential for the treatment of cAD. The aim of this study is to compare the effects of different doses of the TCHM product (Dihuang Guiqin capsule) and oclacitinib in the treatment of cAD through a randomized, double-blind trial. Sixty dogs diagnosed with AD were randomly and evenly divided into four groups (n = 15). The TCHM treatment group consisted of three subgroups that received three different oral doses (20, 40, and 60 mg/kg BW), while the control group received 0.5 mg/kg BW of oclacitinib. Each group was administered twice daily for 14 consecutive days. The results showed that both TCHM and oclacitinib significantly improved cAD-induced itching (evaluated by pVAS) and skin lesions (evaluated by CADESI-04), while interleukin 31 (IL-31) concentrations decreased significantly (P < 0.05) and serum biochemical indicators returned to normal. In particular, The therapeutic effects of TCHM medium- and high-dose groups were similar to those of oclacitinib (P > 0.05). The preliminary recommended dose of Dihuang Guiqin capsule for the treatment of cAD has been determined to be 40-60 mg/kg BW twice daily for 14 consecutive days, which can be reduced to once daily as appropriate. Dihuang Guiqin capsule was safe and well tolerated, which may be a new option for the treatment of cAD.

Treatment for Covid-19 with SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody BRII-196(Ambavirumab) plus BRII-198(Lomisivir): a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Monoclonal antibody therapy for Covid-19 springs up all over the world and get some efficiency. This research aims to explore the treating effect of BRII-196(Ambavirumab) plus BRII-198(Lomisivir) on Covid-19.

METHODS

In this retrospective cohort research, patients received standard care or plus BRII-196 /BRII-198 monoclonal antibodies. General comparison of clinical indexes and prognosis between Antibody Group and Control Group was made. Further, according to the antibody using time and patients' condition, subgroups included Early antibody group, Late antibody group, Mild Antibody Group, Mild Control Group, Severe Antibody Group and Severe Control Group.

RESULTS

Length of stay(LOS) and interval of Covid-19 nucleic acid from positive to negative of Antibody Group were 12.0(IQR 9.0-15.0) and 14.0(IQR 10.0-16.0) days, less than those(13.0 (IQR 11.0-18.0) and 15.0 (IQR 12.8-17.0) days) of Control Group(p = 0.004, p = 0.004). LOS(median 10days) of Early Antibody Group was the shortest, significantly shorter than that of Control Group (median 13days)(p < 0.001). Interval(median 12days) of Covid-19 nucleic acid from positive to negative of Early Antibody Group also was significantly shorter than that of Control Group(median 15days) and Late Antibody Group(median 14days)(p = 0.001, p = 0.042). LOS(median 12days) and interval(median 13days) of Covid-19 nucleic acid from positive to negative of Mild Antibody Group was shorter than that of Mild Control Group(median 13days; median 14.5days)(p = 0.018, p = 0.033).

CONCLUSION

The neutralizing antibody therapy, BRII-196 plus BRII-198 could shorten LOS and interval of Covid-19 nucleic acid from positive to negative. However, it didn't show efficacy for improving clinical outcomes among severe or critical cases.

Age and mean platelet volume-based nomogram for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of metoprolol in Chinese pediatric patients with vasovagal syncope

BACKGROUND

Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most common type of orthostatic intolerance in children. We investigated whether platelet-related factors related to treatment efficacy in children suffering from VVS treated with metoprolol.

METHODS

Metoprolol-treated VVS patients were recruited. The median duration of therapy was three months. Patients were followed and divided into two groups, treament-effective group and treatment-ineffective group. Logistic and least absolute shrinkage selection operator regressions were used to examine treatment outcome variables. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves, precision-recall (PR) curves, calibration plots, and decision curve analyses were used to evaluate the nomogram model.

RESULTS

Among the 72 patients who complete the follow-up, treatment-effective group and treatment-ineffective group included 42 (58.3%) and 30 (41.7%) cases, respectively. The patients in the treatment-effective group exhibited higher mean platelet volume (MPV) [(11.0 ± 1.0) fl vs. (9.8 ± 1.0) fl, P < 0.01] and platelet distribution width [12.7% (12.3%, 14.3%) vs. 11.3% (10.2%, 12.2%), P < 0.01] than those in the treatment-ineffective group. The sex ratio was significantly different (P = 0.046). A fit model comprising age [odds ratio (OR) = 0.766, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.594-0.987] and MPV (OR = 5.613, 95% CI = 2.297-13.711) might predict therapeutic efficacy. The area under the curve of the ROC and PR curves was computed to be 0.85 and 0.9, respectively. The P value of the Hosmer-Lemeshow test was 0.27. The decision curve analysis confirmed that managing children with VVS based on the predictive model led to a net advantage ranging from 0.01 to 0.58. The nomogram is convenient for clinical applications.

CONCLUSION

A novel nomogram based on age and MPV can predict the therapeutic benefits of metoprolol in children with VVS.

Kombucha as a Health-Beneficial Drink for Human Health

Kombucha is a unique fermented beverage made from a symbiotic culture of yeast and bacteria. Kombucha is normally based on black tea added to water, then sugar is added as a substrate for fermentation in this beverage. This unique beverage is composed of amino acids, flavonoids, vitamins, and some active enzymes. Several beneficial health effects such as antioxidant, antimicrobial effects have been reported as a result of probiotics and prebiotics presence. These health effects of kombucha are attributed to its bioactive chemical and biological agents of probiotics bacteria e.g., Gluconobacter, Acetobacter and yeasts like Saccharomyces sps., along with glucuronic acid as the main sources of the health protection. This review focuses on the beneficial effects of Kombucha including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-cancer antidiabetic properties, as well as liver protection, treat of gastrointestinal problems, AIDS, gastric ulcers, obesity (and energy production), detoxification, and skin health.

Bioactives and metabolites of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum root extract alleviate DSS-induced ulcerative colitis by targeting the SYK protein in the B cell receptor signaling pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tetrastigma hemsleyanum is an endemic Chinese herb with a wide range of pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, antitumor, and immunomodulatory activities. However, the effect and mechanisms of the anti-inflammatory activity of T. hemsleyanum root extract against dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) have not yet been fully investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect and molecular mechanisms of T. hemsleyanum root extract in DSS-induced UC mice and knockdown cells.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

T. hemsleyanum root extract was obtained and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The therapeutic effects of T. hemsleyanum root extract on DSS-induced UC mice were evaluated by the disease activity index (DAI) score, colon length, serum inflammatory cytokines and oxidant/antioxidant levels, and histopathological features of the ileum and colon. Genome-wide gene expression profiles of ileal and colonic tissues were collected by transcriptomics, and signaling pathways were analyzed by the KEGG database. UC-related pathways were uploaded to the STRING database, then the protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were determined by Cytoscape, and the enriched genes were evaluated by real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR). The protein-ligand complexes were docked by AutoDock, and the genes were knocked down in Caco-2 cells by shRNA. The non-targeted metabolomic profiling of ileal contents was analyzed by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), and gut microflora were sequenced by an Illumina MiSeq System.

RESULTS

Ten components that alleviated UC symptoms in mice by decreasing the DAI and serum inflammatory cytokines and oxidant levels, promoting intestinal development, and increasing serum antioxidant levels were identified in T. hemsleyanum root extract. T. hemsleyanum root extract activated the B cell receptor signaling pathway in the colon tissue of UC mice, in which two components, rutin and astragaline, bound to the spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) protein but also restored gut microflora diversity and increased the proportion of probiotics. Furthermore, metabolites of T. hemsleyanum root extract were involved in vitamin metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and ferroptosis.

CONCLUSIONS

The rutin and astragaline components of T. hemsleyanum root extract, by binding to SYK protein, activated the B cell receptor signaling pathway and restored gut microflora diversity to alleviate UC symptoms in mice.

Revolutionizing cellular energy: The convergence of mitochondrial dynamics and delivery technologies

The intersection of mitochondrial dynamics and delivery technologies heralds a paradigm shift in cellular biology and therapeutic intervention. Mitochondrial dynamics, encompassing fusion, fission, transport, and mitophagy, are critical for cellular energy production, signaling, and homeostasis. Dysregulation of these processes is implicated in a myriad of diseases, including neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Concurrently, advances in delivery technologies, such as nanocarriers, targeted delivery systems, and gene editing tools, offer unprecedented opportunities to manipulate mitochondrial function directly. This review synthesizes current knowledge on mitochondrial dynamics, examines recent breakthroughs in targeted delivery methods, and explores their potential convergence to modulate cellular energetics for therapeutic purposes. By integrating insights from biology, chemistry, and bioengineering, this review highlights the innovative approaches being developed to enhance mitochondrial function, underscoring the potential of this convergence to address complex diseases. This interdisciplinary perspective not only broadens our understanding of cellular processes but also paves the way for novel therapeutic strategies, marking a significant step forward in the quest for precision medicine and targeted interventions in mitochondrial-related diseases.

Therapeutic Effect and Adverse Event Rate of Different Treatment Methods in Patients with Multiple Myeloma and Renal Insufficiency

INTRODUCTION

This study involves the collation and analysis of clinical characteristics and laboratory findings in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) combined with renal insufficiency. The objective was to assess the impact of various treatment methods on patient outcomes and the incidence of adverse events in individuals with MM and renal insufficiency.

METHODS

We analyzed the correlation between clinical characteristics, gene loci, fluorescence in situ hybridization, treatment methods, and prognosis in patients with MM and renal insufficiency. The differences in hematological and therapeutic efficacy indexes between two groups subjected to different treatments were evaluated. The assessment of treatment effectiveness was based on the total effective rate, calculated as the sum of stringent CR rate, complete remission rate, very good partial remission rate, and partial remission rate.

RESULTS

(1) The renal insufficiency group exhibited higher percentages of bone marrow abnormal plasma cells, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood calcium, white blood cell count, percentage of neutrophils, and blood β2-microglobulin (β2-MG) levels compared to the normal renal function group. Conversely, hemoglobin levels and lymphocyte percentage were lower in the renal insufficiency group. Binary logistic regression analysis identified hemoglobin, blood calcium values, blood β2-MG, and LDH as independent risk factors for the development of renal insufficiency in patients with MM (p < 0.05). (2) Based on the Durie-Salmon staging criteria, the proportion of Stage III patients was the highest (up to 81.8%), indicating that patients with MM usually suffer from insidious disease, often with high tumor load and late-disease stage at the time of consultation. International Staging System (ISS) and Revised ISS staging also revealed a higher proportion of Stage III patients in the renal insufficiency group (p < 0.05), indicating a worse long-term prognosis in patients with MM and renal insufficiency. (3) Before treatment, there was no significant difference between the two groups in the analysis of various indices. Complications such as sepsis, herpes zoster, peripheral neuropathy, thrombosis, secondary pulmonary infection, and cardiac complications were significantly lower in the BCD group (Bortezomib + Cyclophosphamide + Dexamethasone) compared to the BD group (Bortezomib + Dexamethasone) (χ2 = 6.333, p < 0.05), suggesting fewer complications with the BCD regimen. (4) The clinical treatment effects analysis indicated that the BCD group demonstrated a more significant impact than the BD group in the treatment of MM.

CONCLUSION

The application of the BCD regimen in the treatment of MM has shown significant efficiency, effectively alleviating clinical symptoms with fewer adverse reactions and high safety.

Dietary tannic acid attenuates elastase-induced pulmonary inflammation and emphysema in mice

Emphysema is one of the major components of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterised by the destruction and enlargement of air spaces, leading to airflow limitation and dyspnoea, finally progressing to oxygen dependency. The alveolar wall destruction is due to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and proteinase/anti-proteinase imbalance. So far, there has been no effective therapy for patients with COPD. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of tannic acid (TA), a naturally occurring plant-derived polyphenol in the murine emphysema model. In C57BL/6 J mice, we established emphysema by intratracheal instillation of elastase (EL). Then, mice were treated with TA and evaluated 1 and 21 days post-EL instillation. After 24 h, TA treatment significantly reduced EL-induced histopathological alterations, infiltrating leukocytes, and gene expression of markers of inflammation and apoptosis. Similarly, after 21 days, TA treatment suppressed the mean linear intercept, gene expression of proteinases, and increased elastic fiber contents in the lungs when compared to the EL-alone group. Furthermore, EL induced the activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa light chain enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) p65 pathways in the lungs was suppressed by TA treatment. In summary, TA has the potential to mitigate EL-induced inflammation, apoptosis, proteinase/anti-proteinase imbalance, and subsequent emphysema in mice.

Lipid alterations play a role in the integration of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and anlotinib for the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND

Studies have shown that integrating anlotinib with programmed death 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitors enhances survival rates among progressive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients lacking driver mutations. However, not all individuals experience clinical benefits from this therapy. As a result, it is critical to investigate the factors that contribute to the inconsistent response of patients. Recent investigations have emphasized the importance of lipid metabolic reprogramming in the development and progression of NSCLC.

METHODS

The objective of this investigation was to examine the correlation between lipid variations and observed treatment outcomes in advanced NSCLC patients who were administered PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors alongside anlotinib. A cohort composed of 30 individuals diagnosed with advanced NSCLC without any driver mutations was divided into three distinct groups based on the clinical response to the combination treatment, namely, a group exhibiting partial responses, a group manifesting progressive disease, and a group demonstrating stable disease. The lipid composition of patients in these groups was assessed both before and after treatment.

RESULTS

Significant differences in lipid composition among the three groups were observed. Further analysis revealed 19 differential lipids, including 2 phosphatidylglycerols and 17 phosphoinositides.

CONCLUSION

This preliminary study aimed to explore the specific impact of anlotinib in combination with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors on lipid metabolism in patients with advanced NSCLC. By investigating the effects of using both anlotinib and PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors, this study enhances our understanding of lipid metabolism in lung cancer treatment. The findings from this research provide valuable insights into potential therapeutic approaches and the identification of new therapeutic biomarkers.

Serum uric acid predicts therapeutic response to midodrine hydrochloride in children with vasovagal syncope: a pilot study

Serum uric acid (UA) level has been proven to be related to several cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In the present study, we examined if baseline serum UA level could predict the therapeutic efficacy of midodrine hydrochloride on vasovagal syncope (VVS) in children. The pediatric VVS patients who received midodrine hydrochloride from November 2008 to October 2022 were enrolled. After a median treatment duration of 3 months, the therapeutic effect was evaluated. According to the patients' responses to midodrine hydrochloride, which was determined by the recurrence of syncope, they were divided into effective and ineffective groups. The baseline variables were explored using univariable and multivariate logistic analysis. The predictive efficacy was assessed by receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), precision-recall curve (PR), Hosmer-Lemeshow test, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Totally, 53 participants were included in the study. Among the 51 patients who were successfully followed up, 29 (56.9%) responded to midodrine hydrochloride (effective group), and the other 22 (43.1%) failed to respond to midodrine hydrochloride (ineffective group). The participants in effective group had lower baseline serum UA level than those in ineffective group (276.5 ± 73 μmol/L vs. 332.7 ± 56 μmol/L, p = 0.004). Multivariable logistic analysis showed that serum UA was associated with the therapeutic response (odds ratio (OR): 0.985, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.974-0.997, p = 0.01). ROC analysis indicated that using baseline serum UA < 299 μmol/L as a threshold value yielded a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 79.3% in predicting the treatment response to midodrine hydrochloride. The area under the PR curve was 0.833. Hosmer-Lemeshow test yielded a p value of 0.58, and calibration plot indicated that the model was well-fitted. DCA demonstrated that treatment decision depending on the baseline serum UA level resulted in a favorable net benefit.   Conclusion: This pilot study suggested that the baseline serum UA level could be taken as a predictor of therapeutic effect of midodrine hydrochloride on VVS in children. What is Known: • Empirical and unselected use of midodrine hydrochloride has an unfavorable therapeutic effect on VVS in children. Serum uric acid (UA) is closely linked to cardiovascular events. What is New: • A low baseline serum UA level successfully predicts the therapeutic effectiveness of midodrine hydrochloride on VVS in children.

Tou Nong powder obstructs ulcerative colitis through the regulation of NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD inflammasome pyroptotic pathway

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tou Nong Powder (TNP), a classical Chinese medicinal formula originated from the Chinese Ming Dynasty, has been applied to treat skin ulcers in patients with deficient constitutions. According to theory of traditional Chinese medicine, colonic ulcers share similar pathological conditions with skin ulcers, and consequently, TNP has been applied to ulcerative colitis (UC) safely and effectively.

AIM OF STUDY

To investigate whether TNP obstructs 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) induced enteric inflammation through regulation of NLRP3 inflammasome and attenuating enteric pyroptosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Network pharmacology and UPLC-Q-TOF/MS were operated to identify compounds and pharmacological potential targets. The therapeutic effects of TNP were assessed on TNBS induced colitis via general symptoms (disease activity index, colonic weight and length) and histopathological observation. The NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway regulation was investigated by Western blot and real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).

RESULTS

TNP ameliorates the disease activity index, reverses the increase of colonic weight increase, alleviates colonic shortening and colonic histopathological injury. A decrease in tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), diamine oxidase (DAO), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and endo-toxin (ET) were investigated in peripheral circulation. Moreover, TNP significantly obstructed the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway.

CONCLUSION

TNP displays a promising therapeutic effect on UC via suppressing NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway and reducing the expression of IL-1β and IL-18.

The role of microglial activation on ischemic stroke: Modulation by fibroblast growth factors

Stroke is one of the devastating clinical conditions that causes death and permanent disability. Its occurrence causes the reduction of oxygen and glucose supply, resulting in events such as inflammatory response, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the brain. Microglia are brain-resident immune cells in the central nervous system (CNS) that exert diverse roles and respond to pathological process after an ischemic insult. The discovery of fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) in mammals, resulted to the findings that they can treat experimental models of stroke in animals effectively. FGFs function as homeostatic factors that control cells and hormones involved in metabolism, and they also regulate the secretion of proinflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) cytokines after stroke. In this review, we outline current evidence of microglia activation in experimental models of stroke focusing on its ability to exacerbate damage or repair tissue. Also, our review sheds light on the pharmacological actions of FGFs on multiple targets to regulate microglial modulation and highlighted their theoretical molecular mechanisms to provide possible therapeutic targets, as well as their limitations for the treatment of stroke. DATA AVAILABILITY: Not applicable.

Retrospective analysis and preliminary laboratory validation of treatment efficacy and blood lipid levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE

Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic disease characterized by progressive chronic inflammation resulting in destruction of synovial joints. In addition to joint involvement, abnormal blood lipid indexes have also been found in RA patients. The correlation between various blood lipid indexes and the treatment effects were assessed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, for the purposes to find a better medication strategy for RA.

METHODS

One hundred nineteen rheumatoid arthritis patients were recruited and divided into two groups, 45 patients with significant drug treatment effect and 45 patients with insignificant drug treatment effect through the nearest neighbor matching method in propensity score. The correlation between various blood lipid indexes and drug treatment effect of rheumatoid arthritis patients was analyzed. A mouse model of rheumatoid arthritis was constructed in the laboratory; methotrexate was treated as a positive drug. We observe and record the onset of rheumatoid arthritis in mice, as well as the proportion of immune cells, the expression of inflammatory factors, and the changes in blood lipid profiles was done.

RESULTS

The levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in rheumatoid arthritis patients were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in other indexes between the two groups (P > 0.05). Methotrexate had a good therapeutic effect on CIA model mice, and the levels of TC and HDL-C in the treatment group were higher than those in the model group.

CONCLUSION

There is a high correlation between the levels of TC and HDL-C in rheumatoid arthritis patients and the effect of drug treatment. In the clinical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, we should focus on improving the blood lipid indexes such as TC and HDL-C, and explore more targeted individualized administration, so as to achieve better and faster treatment effect in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Key Points • In this research, we found that the TC and HDL-C level in RA patients' blood is highly related with the therapeutic effect, and a lower level of TC and HDL-C is better for therapeutic effect of RA.

The potential of traditional herbal active ingredients in the treatment of sarcopenia animal models: focus on therapeutic effects and mechanisms

Sarcopenia is a major global public health problem that harms individual physical function. In 2018, the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in the Elderly 2 classified sarcopenia into primary and secondary sarcopenia. However, information on the pathogenesis and effective treatment of primary and secondary sarcopenia is limited. Traditional herbal active ingredients have biological activities that promote skeletal muscle health, showing potential preventive and therapeutic effects on sarcopenia. Therefore, this narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of global traditional herbal active ingredients' beneficial therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms on sarcopenia-related animal models. For this purpose, we conducted a literature search in three databases, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase, consistent with the review objectives. After the screening, 12 animal studies met the review themes. The review results showed that the pathological mechanisms in sarcopenia-related animal models include imbalanced protein metabolism, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, insulin resistance, endoplasmic reticulum stress, impaired mitochondrial biogenesis, and autophagy-lysosome system aggravation. Eleven traditional herbal active ingredients exerted positive anti-sarcopenic effects by ameliorating these pathological mechanisms. This narrative review will provide meaningful insight into future studies regarding traditional herbal active ingredients for treating sarcopenia.

Hepcidin from Onychostoma macrolepis: Response to Aeromonas hydrophila infection by down-regulating expression of inflammatory factor genes and regulating iron homeostasis potentially

Hepcidin, as an antimicrobial peptide, is associated with innate immunity and is considered a potential antibiotic substitute. In the present study, the hepcidin gene from the cavefish - Onychostoma macrolepis was identified and analyzed. The recombinant hepcidin protein (rOmhepc) was obtained by prokaryotic expression, evaluating the inhibitory effect of 5 pathogenic bacteria in vitro. Sixty O. macrolepis injected with 100 μL A. hydrophila (1.5 × 108 CFU/mL) were randomly divided into the therapeutic group and infection group, and therapeutic group was injected with 100 μL rOmhepc (100 μg/mL) at 6 and 18 h. The survival rates of O. macrolepis and bacterial load in liver were measured at 24 h. The liver tissues were collected at 0, 6, 12, and 24 h after A. hydrophila injection for investigating expression levels of immune-related, inflammatory factor genes and FPN1 gene. The results demonstrated that the hepcidin CDS contained 279 bp and encoded 93 aa. Hepcidin protein has a hydrophobic surface formed by multiple hydrophobic residues (CCGCCYC), and the theoretical pI was 7.53. Omhepc gene was expressed at varying levels in tested tissues, with the liver showing the highest expression, followed by the spleen. The expression of hepcidin gene following A. hydrophila infection was up-regulated and then down-regulated in liver, and the highest expression level was found at 12 h with a 10.93-fold. The rOmhepc remarkably inhibited the growth of A. hydrophila, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus agalactiae, with inhibition rates reaching 69.67 %, 42.97 %, and 65.74 % at 100 μg/mL. The mortality rates of O. macrolepis and bacterial load in liver were significantly decreased in the therapeutic group than that of infection group (p < 0.05). After the rOmhepc therapeutic, interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were significantly down-regulated with 14.4-fold and 106.07-fold at 24 h. Furthermore, the expression of immune-related genes (C3, TNF-α, IFN-γ) and Ferroportin gene (FPN1) significantly decreased (p < 0.05). The integrated analyses indicated that the rOmhepc could significantly inhibit the growth of A. hydrophila both in vitro and in vivo, attenuating the over-expression of inflammatory factor, FPN1 and immune-related genes.

Ertapenem combined with metronidazole for treatment of complex abdominal infections: Efficacy and impact on serum inflammatory indicators and T lymphocyte subsets

BACKGROUND

Complex intra-abdominal infections (cIAIs), often associated with abdominal trauma, have a complex etiology, are acute and severe, and have a high risk. They are an important cause of death in patients with abdominal trauma. Safe and effective treatment strategies are the factors affecting the prognosis of such patients.

AIM

To investigate the efficacy and safey of ertapenem combined with metronidazole in the treatment of cIAIs as well as the impact on serum inflammatory markers and T lymphocyte subsets, recovery status, and treatment costs.

METHODS

A total of 92 patients with cIAIs treated at our hospital from June 2021 to January 2023 were randomly divided into a control group and a study group, with 46 cases in each group. After admission, both groups received puncture drainage, continuous double-cannula irrigation, anti-infection therapy, organ function support, nutritional support, and other treatments. On this basis, the control group was treated with piperacillin/tazobactam combined with metronidazole, while the study group was treated with ertapenem combined with metronidazole. The therapeutic effects, recovery conditions, treatment costs, serum inflammatory indicators [procalcitonin (PCT), Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR-4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and C-reactive protein (CRP)], T lymphocyte subsets (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio), acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, adverse reactions, and bacterial culture results were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The total effective rate of the study group was 93.48%, significantly higher than that of the control group (78.26%; P < 0.05). After 3 d and 7 d of treatment, the levels of serum PCT, TLR-4, TNF-α, and CRP in the study group were significantly lower and the levels of serum CD3⁺ and CD4⁺ T lymphocytes and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ ratio were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The APACHEⅡ score and SOFA score of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group after 3 d and 7 d of treatment (P < 0.05). The time to fever resolution, ICU stay duration, and hospital stay in the study group were significantly shorter than those of the control group, and the costs of drugs and other resources were less than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the study group was 4.35%, significantly lower than that of the control group (17.39%; P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the distribution of pathogenic bacteria between the two groups before and after treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ertapenem combined with metronidazole is effective in the treatment of cIAIs, which can reduce inflammation, improve immune function, control disease progression, reduce the risk of organ failure, reduce the economic burden of patients, and improve treatment safety.

Influence of ganglioside combined with methylprednisolone sodium succinate on efficacy and neurological function in patients with acute myelitis

BACKGROUND

Acute myelitis (AM) can lead to sudden sensory, motor and autonomic nervous dysfunction, which negatively affects their daily activities and quality of life, so it is necessary to explore optimization from a therapeutic perspective to curb the progression of the disease.

AIM

To investigate the effect of ganglioside (GM) combined with methylprednisolone sodium succinate (MPSS) on the curative effect and neurological function of patients with AM.

METHODS

First, we selected 108 AM patients visited between September 2019 and September 2022 and grouped them based on treatment modality, with 52 patients receiving gamma globulin (GG) + MPSS and 56 patients receiving GM + MPSS, assigned to the control group (Con) and observation group (Obs), respectively. The therapeutic effect, neurological function (sensory and motor function scores), adverse events (AEs), recovery (time to sphincter function recovery, time to limb muscle strength recovery above grade 2, and time to ambulation), inflammatory factors (IFs) [interleukin (IL)-6, C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α] and other data of the two groups were collected for evaluation and comparison.

RESULTS

The Obs had: (1) A significantly higher response rate of treatment than the Con; (2) Higher scores of sensory and motor functions after treatment that were higher than the baseline (before treatment) and higher than the Con levels; (3) Lower incidence rates of skin rash, gastrointestinal discomfort, dyslipidemia, osteoporosis and other AEs; (4) Faster posttreatment recovery of sphincter function, limb muscle strength and ambulation; and (5) Markedly lower posttreatment IL-6, CRP and TNF-α levels than the baseline and the Con levels.

CONCLUSION

From the above, it can be seen that GM + MPSS is highly effective in treating AM, with a favorable safety profile comparable to that of GG + MPSS. It can significantly improve patients’ neurological function, speed up their recovery and inhibit serum IFs.

1470 nm laser is better for prostate hyperplasia treatment with different volume size via transurethral enucleation

INTRODUCTION

The large amount of intraoperative bleeding and the high incidence of postoperative hematuria are still common factors affecting the prostate surgery treatment effect. Our research aimed to observe the effect of prostatic enucleation using 1,470 nm semiconductor laser on the amount of bleeding in patients with different sizes of prostate hyperplasia.

METHODS

According to the size of the prostate, forty eligible patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were enrolled and divided into low and high volume group in this study. Hemoglobin decline, urinating condition, complications and erectile function were collected and compared before and after surgery.

RESULTS

Our data showed that hemoglobin decline was (10.0 ± 6.2) g/L and (12.1 ± 7.8) g/L, respectively for two group after surgery (P = 0.363). Urination was significantly improved following surgery in both groups of patients (P < 0.05), and no permanent urinary incontinence and sexual dysfunction and so no serious complications occurred.

CONCLUSION

The above results suggested that prostatic enucleation using 1,470 nm semiconductor laser can be safe and effective for prostatic hyperplasia, and this surgery produced no significant effect on the amount of bleeding in whatever size of the prostate.

Sex Differences in the Preventive Effect of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Therapeutics on Dementia

Dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by progressive impairment of cognitive and functional abilities. As currently applied treatments for dementia can only delay the progression of dementia and cannot fundamentally cure it, much attention is being paid to reducing its incidence by preventing the associated risk factors. Cardiovascular and metabolic diseases are well-known risk factors for dementia, and many studies have attempted to prevent dementia by treating these risk factors. Growing evidence suggests that sex-based factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of dementia. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the differences in the effects of drugs based on sex may help improve their effectiveness. In this study, we reviewed sex differences in the impact of therapeutics targeting risk factors for dementia, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, to prevent the incidence and/or progression of dementia.

A randomized controlled trial with a combination of low frequency electroacupuncture and cognitive behavioral therapy for short-term insomnia

OBJECTIVE

To explore the therapeutic effects of low frequency electroacupuncture (EA) combined with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for short-term insomnia.

METHODS

Patients with "short-term insomnia" were randomly divided into the treatment and control groups. Patients in the treatment group were treated with low-frequency EA combined with CBT, while those in the control group were only treated with low-frequency EA. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Dysfunctional Beliefs and Attitudes about Sleep Scale (DBAS) scores in the two groups were compared before and after treatment within the same group, as well as between the two groups. After four weeks of treatment, the comprehensive therapeutic effects of both treatment modalities and the number of people who developed chronic insomnia were compared.

RESULTS

The differences in PSQI score, PSQI sleep rate, ISI score, and DBAS score band after treatment, within the same group and between groups were statistically significant. There was significant difference in DBAS score between the two groups before and after treatment, and in the composition ratio of comprehensive therapeutic effects between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

Low-frequency EA combined with CBT and low-frequency EA alone can significantly improve sleep cycles in patients with insomnia, reduce the sleep severity index, prevent daytime sleepiness symptoms in patients, and improve cognition in patients. Low-frequency EA combined with CBT had better therapeutic effects and improved cognition in patients, and hence can be recommended.

Effectiveness and safety of traditional Chinese medicine for diabetic retinopathy: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is currently recognized as one of the most serious diabetic microangiopathies and a major cause of adult blindness. Commonly used clinical approaches include etiological control, microvascular improvement, and surgical intervention, but they are ineffective and have many side effects. Oral Chinese medicine (OCM) has been used for thousands of years to treat DR and is still widely used today, but it is unclear which OCM is more effective for DR.

AIM

To estimate relative effectiveness and safety profiles for different classes of OCMs for DR, and provide rankings of the available OCMs.

METHODS

The search time frame was from the creation of the database to January 2023. RevMan 5.3 and Stata 14.0 software were used to perform the systematic review and Network meta-analyses (NMA).

RESULTS

A total of 107 studies and 9710 patients were included, including 4767 cases in the test group and 4973 cases in the control group. Based on previous studies and clinical reports, and combined with the recommendations of Chinese guidelines for the prevention and treatment of DR, 9 OCMs were finally included in this study, namely Compound Xueshuantong Capsules, Qiming Granules, Compound Danshen Dripping Pills, Hexue Mingmu Tablets (HXMM), Qiju Dihuang Pills (QJDH), Shuangdan Mingmu Capsules (SDMM), Danggui Buxue Decoction (DGBX), Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction and Buyang Huanwu Decoction. When these nine OCMs were analyzed in combination with conventional western medicine treatment (CT) compared with CT alone, the NMA results showed that HXMM + CT has better intervention effect on the overall efficacy of DR patients, HXMM + CT has better effect on improving patients' visual acuity, SDMM + CT has better effect on inhibiting vascular endothelial growth factor, DGBX + CT has better effect on reducing fundus hemorrhage area, HXMM + CT has better effect on reducing fasting blood glucose, and QJDH + CT has better effect on reducing glycated hemoglobin. When there are not enough clinical indicators for reference, SDMM + CT or HXMM + CT treatments can be chosen because they are effective for more indicators and demonstrate multidimensional efficacy.

CONCLUSION

This study provides evidence that combining OCMs with CT leads to better outcomes in all aspects of DR compared to using CT alone. Based on the findings, we highly recommend the use of SDMM or HXMM for the treatment of DR. These two OCMs have demonstrated outstanding efficacy across multiple indicators.

Multi-functional chitosan-based nanoparticles for drug delivery: Recent advanced insight into cancer therapy

Cancer therapy continues to be a major global concern, with conventional treatments suffering from low efficacy, untargeted drug delivery, and severe side effects. Recent research in nanomedicine suggests that nanoparticles' unique physicochemical properties can be leveraged to surmount the limitations of conventional cancer treatment. Chitosan-based nanoparticles have gained significant attention due to their high drug-carrying capacity, non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and long circulation time. Chitosan is utilized in cancer therapies as a carrier to accurately deliver active ingredients to tumor sites. This review focuses on clinical studies and current market offerings of anticancer drugs. The unique nature of tumor microenvironments presents new opportunities for the development of smart drug delivery systems, and this review explores the design and preparation of chitosan-based smart nanoparticles. Further, we discuss the therapeutic efficacies of these nanoparticles based on various in vitro and in vivo findings. Finally, we present a forward-looking perspective on the challenges and prospects of chitosan-based nanoparticles in cancer therapy, intending to provide fresh ideas for advancing cancer treatment strategies.

Application effect of phloroglucinol injection in elderly patients with spastic abdominal pain in emergency department

BACKGROUND

Although norepinephrine injection is commonly used in emergency situations, it is associated with risks for elderly patients with spasmodic liver pain. This study explores the safety and effectiveness of mebendazole injection, an alternative treatment option, for the emergency management of spasmodic abdominal pain, while minimizing adverse reactions, in elderly patients.

AIM

To explore the development of norepinephrine injection and the adverse reactions of this drug in emergency elderly patients with spasmodic liver pain.

METHODS

The control group consisted of 56 elderly patients visiting our hospital from January 2021 to December 2021. After hospital admission, the control group was intravenously administered tolopin. The experimental group consisted of 56 emergency patients with spasmodic abdominal pain who visited our hospital until June 2022. After hospital admission, the experimental group was intravenously administered toloxazole. The two groups were treated for 3 d. The disappearance of clinical symptoms was observed before and after the treatment, and the difference in adverse reactions between the two groups was compared.

RESULTS

The pain of the wife, fire, diarrhea, drowning, and surrounding time disappeared in the experimental group. No statistical difference was observed between the experimental and control groups in visual pain analog scale (VAS) scores before and after the treatment (P > 0.05). The VAS scores of abdominal pain severity after 0.5 h, 1.0 h, and after 6.0 h of treatment were significantly lower for the experimental group than for the control group. After the treatment, the therapeutic effect in the experimental group was higher and statistically significant than that in the control group (P < 0.05). The probability of adverse reactions before the treatment was lower in the experimental group than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

During emergency, mebendazole injection exhibited a good therapeutic value when used for the clinical treatment of elderly patients with spasmodic stomach pain. It accelerated the disappearance of clinical symptoms such as stomach pain, reduced the stomach weight, and improved clinical activity. Reducing and promoting the frequency of high treatment safety with mebendazole injection is worthwhile.

Fibula allograft with cannulated screw fixation versus ordinary cannulated screw fixation for femoral neck fractures: a 10-year retrospective comparative study

BACKGROUND

For femoral neck fractures in young and middle-aged patients, both fibula allograft with cannulated screw fixation and ordinary cannulated screw fixation are clinically effective treatments. However, for unstable femoral neck fractures, ordinary cannulated screw fixation is characterized by a high risk of postoperative complications and a high rate of mechanical failure after internal fixation. For this study, we systematically compared the long-term efficacy and postoperative complications of these two procedures.

METHODS

A total of 156 subjects diagnosed as femoral neck fractures participated in our study. Subjects in the combination group underwent fibula allograft with cannulated screw fixation (n = 76), and those in the control group were treated with ordinary cannulated screw fixation (n = 80). Baseline characteristics, perioperative outcomes, Harris hip score (HHS) and EuroQoL five-dimension questionnaire (EQ-5D); and the incidence of postoperative and bone healing complications in the two groups were recorded and compared.

RESULTS

The average follow-up time was more than 10 years. Intra-operative blood loss significantly increased in the combination group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). There were significantly improved performances in healing time, the time course of recovery of full-weight-bearing stepping, HHS and EQ-5D scores in the combination group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Besides, the incidence rates of femoral head necrosis, nonunion, femoral neck shortening and total hip replacement were significantly lower in the combination group than those in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Fibula allograft with cannulated screw fixation shows a better long-term therapeutic effect than ordinary cannulated screw fixation for femoral neck fractures in young and middle-aged patients. Patients receiving the combination strategy have faster and high-quality functional recovery after femoral neck fractures and a lower incidence rate of postoperative complications.

Efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with thalidomide and S-1 for esophageal carcinoma and its influence on serum tumor markers

BACKGROUND

Although the current conventional treatment strategies for esophageal carcinoma (EC) have been proven effective, they are often accompanied by serious adverse events. Therefore, it is still necessary to continue to explore new therapeutic strategies for EC to improve the clinical outcome of patients.

AIM

To elucidate the clinical efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with thalidomide (THAL) and S-1 (tegafur, gimeracil, and oteracil potassium capsules) in the treatment of EC as well as its influence on serum tumor markers (STMs).

METHODS

First, 62 patients with EC treated at the Zibo 148 Hospital between November 2019 and November 2022 were selected and grouped according to the received treatment. Among these, 30 patients undergoing CCRT with cis-platinum and 5-fluorouracil were assigned to the control group (Con), and 32 patients receiving CCRT with THAL and S-1 were assigned to the research group (Res). Second, inter-group comparisons were carried out with respect to curative efficacy, incidence of drug toxicities, STMs [carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and macrophage inflammatory protein-3α (MIP-3α)], angiogenesis-related indicators [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF); VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1); basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF); angiogenin-2 (Ang-2)], and quality of life (QoL) [QoL core 30 (QLQ-C30)] after one month of treatment.

RESULTS

The analysis showed no statistical difference in the overall response rate and disease control rate between the two patient cohorts; however, the incidences of grade I–II myelosuppression and gastrointestinal reactions were significantly lower in the Res than in the Con. Besides, the post-treatment CA125, MIP-3α, VEGF, VEGFR-1, bFGF, and Ang-2 Levels in the Res were markedly lower compared with the pre-treatment levels and the corresponding post-treatment levels in the Con. Furthermore, more evident improvements in QLQ-C30 scores from the dimensions of physical, role, emotional, and social functions were determined in the Res.

CONCLUSION

The above results demonstrate the effectiveness of THAL + S-1 CCRT for EC, which contributes to mild side effects and significant reduction of CA125, MIP-3α, VEGF, VEGFR-1, bFGF, and Ang-2 Levels, thus inhibiting tumors from malignant progression and enhancing patients’ QoL.

Ultra-weak photon emission as a potential tool for evaluating the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine in patients with type 2 diabetes

Background

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to prevent and treat type 2 diabetes (T2DM) for thousands of years. The holistic view of TCM and the "multitarget" characteristics of Chinese medicine have unique advantages in the prevention and treatment of T2DM. TCM syndrome differentiation and treatment are effective for T2DM; however, currently, the therapeutic effect of TCM is generally evaluated by asking for patients' subjective feelings, or by checking the changes in relevant indicators. The main problems are that the patient's descriptions are unclear and subjective, and although the self-reported symptoms may have improved significantly, the relevant indicators are sometimes not obvious, which cannot truly reflect the therapeutic effect of TCM. Therefore, it is urgent to develop a novel, sensitive, and noninvasive method to quantitatively evaluate the therapeutic effect of TCM.

Methods

In this study, ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) was measured at four sites of hands of T2DM patients with Qi-Yin deficiency before treatment and after 1 and 2 weeks of treatment with TCM. The UPE intensity and spectral distribution were calculated and analyzed using the results measured at these four sites. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to quantify the correlation between the UPE parameters and the syndrome scores of TCM.

Results

The UPE intensity of T2DM patients with Qi-Yin deficiency decreased gradually with the course of the treatment and was significantly lower than that before the treatment. The ratio of photon counts between the wavelength ranges of 495-550 nm and 550-610 nm after the treatment was higher than that before the treatment and negatively correlated with the corresponding syndrome scores so that the degree of symptoms improvement could be characterized by the ratio (495-550 nm/550-610 nm).

Conclusions

The therapeutic effect of TCM in T2DM patients with Qi-Yin deficiency can be shown at the level of UPE. UPE is a potential and noninvasive tool for evaluating the therapeutic effect of TCM in patients with T2DM.

Pulsed frequency modulated ultrasound promotes therapeutic effects of osteoporosis induced by ovarian failure in mice

Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been proved to be an effective technique for the treatment of osteoporosis. To better activate the bone formation-related markers, promote the different stages of osteogenesis, and further enhance the therapeutic effects of ultrasound, this study employed pulsed frequency modulated ultrasound (pFMUS) to treat mice with osteoporosis, which was caused by ovarian failure due to 4-vinylcyclohexene dioxide (VCD) injection. Healthy 8-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: Sham (S), VCD-control (V), VCD + LIPUS (VU), and VCD + pFMUS (VFU). VU and VFU groups were treated by LIPUS and pFMUS, respectively. Serum analysis, micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), mechanical testing and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were performed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of ultrasound. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot analysis were used to explore the mechanism of ultrasound on osteoporosis. Results showed that pFMUS might have better therapeutic effects than traditional LIPUS in terms of bone microstructure and bone strength. In addition, pFMUS could promote bone formation by activating phosphoinositide-3 kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway, and slow down bone resorption by increasing osteoprotegerin/receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (OPG/RANKL) ratio. This study is of positive prognostic significance when understanding the mechanism of ultrasound regulation on osteoporosis and establishing novel treatment plan of osteoporosis by multi-frequency ultrasound.

Wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with pain nursing for the treatment of urinary calculi with acute pain

BACKGROUND

Urological calculi often cause renal colic, which is characterized by paroxysmal or persistent severe pain in the upper abdomen or lumbar region. Development of methods to quickly relieve these pain symptoms has garnered clinical attention. Wrist-ankle acupuncture is a type of floating acupuncture therapy administered at selected points in the carpal and ankle areas, and it has good pain-relieving effects. We used wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with pain nursing for pain intervention in patients with renal calculi to confirm its application and safety.

AIM

To study the effect of wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with pain nursing in the treatment of urinary calculi with acute pain.

METHODS

Eighty-two patients with urinary calculi with acute pain as the first symptom followed at our hospital from November 2019 to June 2021 were enrolled in the study and classified into two groups according to the odd and even numbers of the visit sequences, each with 41 cases. The control group received a routine nursing intervention and intramuscular injection of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, whereas the observation group received pain management nursing and wrist-ankle acupuncture. Subsequently, the pain-relieving effect was compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

The score on the visual analog scale (VAS) at 24, 48, and 72 h postintervention was decreased in both groups compared with the baseline data; moreover, the observation group scored significantly lower than the control group on the VAS at each time point after the intervention (P < 0.05). The clinical efficacy at 24 h postintervention was not significantly different between the two groups (P > 0.05). In turn, the pain recurrence rate at 72 h postintervention was lower in the observation group compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Finally, the nursing satisfaction rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that observed in the control group (P < 0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred during the treatment and the safety of treatment was high in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Wrist-ankle acupuncture combined with pain nursing for treating urolithiasis with acute pain effectively alleviated the degree of pain and reduced the recurrence rate, which was worthy of clinical application.

Gigantol restores the sensitivity of mcr carrying multidrug-resistant bacteria to colistin

BACKGROUND

The emergence and wide spread of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene (mcr-1) and its mutants have immensely limited the efficacy of colistin in treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacterial infections. The development of synergistic combinations of antibiotics with a natural product that coped with the resistance of MDR bacteria was an economic strategy to restore antibiotics activity. Herein, we investigated gigantol, a bibenzyl phytocompound, for restoring in vitro and in vivo, the sensitivity of mcr-positive bacteria to colistin.

METHODS

The synergistic activity of gigantol and colistin against multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales was studied via checkerboard assay and time-killing curve. Subsequently, the transcription and protein expression levels of mcr-1 gene were determined by RT-PCR and Western blots. The interaction of gigantol and MCR-1 was simulated via molecular docking and verified via site-directed mutagenesis of MCR-1. Hemolytic activity and cytotoxicity assay were used to evaluate the safety of gigantol. Finally, the in vivo synergistic effect was evaluated via two animal infection models.

RESULTS

Gigantol restored the activity of colistin against mcr-positive bacteria E.coli B2 (MIC from 4 μg/ml to 0.25 μg/ml), Salmonella 15E343 (MIC from 8 μg/ml to 1 μg/ml), K. pneumoniae 19-2-1 (MIC from 32 μg/ml to 2 μg/ml) carrying mcr-1, mcr-3, mcr-8, respectively. Mechanistic studies revealed that gigantol down-regulated the expression of genes involved in LPS-modification, reduced the MCR-1 products and inhibited the activity of MCR-1 by binding to amino acid residues Tyr287 and Pro481 in its D-glucose-binding pocket. Safety evaluation showed that the addition of gigantol relieves the hemolysis caused by colistin. Compared with monotherapy, the combination of gigantol and colistin significantly improved the survival rate of Gallgallella mellonella larvae and mice infected by E.coli B2. Moreover, there was a considerable decrease in the bacterial load present in the viscera of mice.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirmed that gigantol was a potential colistin adjuvant, and could be used to tackle multi-drug resistant Gram-negative pathogen infections combined with colistin.

Research progress on the therapeutic effects of nanoparticles loaded with drugs against atherosclerosis

Presently, there are many drugs for the treatment of atherosclerosis (AS), among which lipid-lowering, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative drugs have been the most studied. These drugs have been shown to have inhibitory effects on the development of AS. Nanoparticles are suitable for AS treatment research due to their fine-tunable and modifiable properties. Compared with drug monotherapy, experimental results have proven that the effects of nanoparticle-encapsulated drugs are significantly enhanced. In addition to nanoparticles containing a single drug, there have been many studies on collaborative drug treatment, collaborative physical treatment (ultrasound, near-infrared lasers, and external magnetic field), and the integration of diagnosis and treatment. This review provides an introduction to the therapeutic effects of nanoparticles loaded with drugs to treat AS and summarizes their advantages, including increased targeting ability, sustained drug release, improved bioavailability, reduced toxicity, and inhibition of plaque and vascular stenosis.

Therapeutic responses to chemotherapy or immunotherapy by molecular subtype in bladder cancer patients: A meta-analysis and systematic review

To systematically evaluate the differences in therapeutic response to chemotherapy or immunotherapy between different molecular subtypes of bladder cancer (BC). A comprehensive literature search was performed up to December 2021. Consensus clusters 1 (CC1), CC2 and CC3 molecular subtypes were used to perform meta-analysis. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the therapeutic response by fix-effect modeling. Eight studies involving 1,463 patients were included. For immunotherapy, CC3 showed the highest response rate (CC1 vs. CC3: OR=0.52, 95% CI=0.34-0.78, p=0.002; CC2 vs. CC3: OR=0.42, 95% CI=0.28-0.62, p<0.001), which was mainly reflected in the highest response rate to atezolizumab (CC1 vs. CC3: OR=0.47, 95% CI=0.29-0.75, p=0.002; CC2 vs. CC3: OR=0.38, 95% CI=0.24-0.59, p<0.001). For chemotherapy, CC3 had the lowest response rate to the overall chemotherapy (CC1 vs. CC3: OR=2.05, 95% CI=1.23-3.41, p=0.006; CC2 vs. CC3: OR=2.48, 95% CI=1.50-4.10, p<0.001). Compared with CC2, CC3 responded poorly to both neo-adjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) (OR=1.93, 95% CI=1.09-3.41, p=0.020) and chemoradiation therapy (CRT) (OR=6.07, 95% CI=1.87-19.71, p<0.001). Compared with CC1, CC3 only showed a poorer response to CRT (OR=4.53, 95% CI=1.26-16.27, p=0.020), and no difference in NAC. Our study suggested that molecular classifications are important predictors of cancer treatment outcomes of BC patients and could identify subgroup patients who are most likely to benefit from specific cancer treatments.

An in vitro nerve agent brain poisoning transwell model for convenient and accurate antidote evaluation

Nerve agent (NA) can inhibit acetylcholinesterase (AChE) causing seriously injury at extremely low doses. However, the cruel reality is that the lack of effective cerebral antidotes for treatment of NA poisoning. There is an urgent requirement for the large-scale evaluation and screening of antidotes. An effective NA antidote should include two characteristics: a) to permeate the blood-brain barrier (BBB); 2) to reactivate the inhibited AChE in brain. Existing methods for evaluating reactivators in vitro can only examine the reactivation effect, while the current Transwell model can only evaluate the drug penetration performance for crossing the barrier. In this work, brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMECs) were inoculated to establish a Transwell model. AChE, NAs and antidotes of reactivators were added into the different chambers to simulate central poisoning and peripheral drug administration. This method can evaluate the reactivation ability and brain penetration ability of compounds at same time, which is a rapidly and accurately way for drug preliminary screening. In addition to small-molecule drugs, a liposomal nanoantidote loaded with the reactivator Asoxime chloride (HI-6)was prepared. This nanoantidote show high reactivation rate against the NA (sarin), evaluated by both this modified model in vitro and animal test, gaining the consistence results.

Therapeutic effect of haploidentical peripheral blood stem cell treatment on relapsed/refractory ovarian cancer

The traditional immunotherapy is limited on relapsed/refractory metastatic ovarian cancer because tumors cause immunosuppression. Since new therapeutic strategies to improve clinical outcomes for patients with relapsed/refractory metastatic ovarian carcinoma are needed, the aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of haploidentical peripheral blood stem cells (haplo-PBSCs) adoptive treatment on relapsed/refractory ovarian cancer. Thirteen patients with advanced stage of ovarian cancer and refractory history after surgery and chemotherapy were treated with interleukin-2 activated haplo-PBSCs donated by their parents or children. Clinical outcomes including therapeutic response by measuring tumor size changes using CT scanning, CA-125 levels and survival times were evaluated. T and NK cell population in patients before and after treatment was detected by flow cytometry analysis. The median follow-up time after haplo-PBSCs adoptive treatment was 14 months. At the time of the last follow-up, the median overall survival after haplo-PBSCs adoptive treatment was 9.1 months. Ten patients (76.9%) achieved a relief of symptoms, including abdominal distention, ache, fatigue, and poor appetite. During the first 2 months after treatment, CA125 levels decreased in 10 patients (76.9%). Five patients (38.5%) had a stable disease and 1 patient (8%) had partial response. T cell population (CD3⁺CD4⁺ and CD3⁺CD8⁺) and CD3^-CD16⁺CD56⁺ NK cells were increased in patients after haplo-PBSCs adoptive treatment. Our study reveals that haplo-PBSCs adoptive treatment is associated with an anti-tumor effect and increasing immune responses in patients with relapsed/refractory ovarian cancer.

[Efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with PD-1 antibody for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in the real world]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined with programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibody in operable, borderline or potentially resectable locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC) in the real world. Methods: The study retrospectively analyzed 28 patients with operable or potentially resectable locally advanced ESCC patients treated with preoperative chemotherapy combined with PD-1 inhibitor in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from April 2020 to March 2021. According to the clinical TNM staging system of the 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer, there were 1, 15, 10, 1 and 1 case of stage Ⅱ, Ⅲ, ⅣA, ⅣB and unknown stage respectively. The treatment was two cycle of dual drug chemotherapy regimen including taxane plus platinum or fluorouracil combined with PD-1 antibody followed by tumor response assessment and surgery if the patient was eligible for resection. Results: Of the 28 patients, 1, 2, 3 and 4 cycles of chemotherapy combined with PD-1 antibody treatment completed in 1, 21, 5, and 1 patient, respectively. Objective response rate (ORR) was 71.4% (20/28), and disease control rate (DCR) was 100% (28/28). The incidence of adverse events exceeding grade 3 levels was 21.4% (6/28), including 3 neutropenia, 1 leukopenia, 1 thrombocytopenia and 1 immune hepatitis. There was no treatment-related death. Of the 23 patients underwent surgery, R0 resection rate was 87.0% (20/23), 13 patients had down staged to the T1-2N0M0 I stage, the pCR rate was 17.3% (4/23), and the pCR rate of primary tumor was 21.7% (5/23). Four patients received definitive chemoradiotherapy. One patient rejected surgery and other treatment after achieved PR response. Conclusion: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy combined PD-1 inhibitor is safe and has high efficacy in operable, borderline or potentially resectable locally advanced ESCC, and it is a promising regimen.

Superficial shaving combined with photodynamic therapy for treating verrucous epidermal nevi: A case report

Verrucous epidermal nevi is a refractory skin disease. Photodynamic therapy is considered a third-line treatment for verrucous epidermal nevi due to its unstable efficacy and high recurrence rate, mainly because of its limited depth of penetration. In this case, we conducted a successful treatment using superficial shaving combined with photodynamic therapy to treat verrucous epidermal nevi and gained a satisfactory efficacy. Before photodynamic therapy treatment, the epidermis in situ of each lesion in the tissue is removed with superficial shaving. Removal of the epidermal layer by intentional in situ injury improves the diffusion and absorption of topically applied photosensitizers and enhances the efficacy of photodynamic therapy. Our results show that photodynamic therapy combined with superficial shaving maybe is a safe and effective treatment for verrucous epidermal nevi.

The therapeutic potential of arctigenin against multiple human diseases: A mechanistic review

BACKGROUND

Arctigenin (ATG), a dibenzyl butyrolactone lignan compound, is one of the major bioactive components from the medicinal plant Arctium lappa. ATG possesses remarkable therapeutic potential against a wide range of human diseases, such as cancers, immune disorders and chronical diseases. The molecular mechanisms behind the biological effects of ATG have been intensively studied.

PURPOSE

This review aims to systematically summarize the updated knowledge of the proteins and signaling pathways behind the curative property of ATG, and further analyze the potential connections between them.

METHOD

SciFinder, Pubmed, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were queried for publications reporting the therapeutic properties of ATG. "Arctigenin", "disease", "cancer", "inflammation", "organ damage", "infection", "toxicity" and "pharmacokinetics" were used as the searching titles.

RESULT

625 publications were identified and 95 met the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria. 42 studies described the molecular mechanisms implicated in ATG treatments. Several proteins including phosphodiesterase subtype 4D (PDE4D), estrogen receptor (ER) β, protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) and transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) are targeted by ATG in different settings. The frequently described signaling pathways are TLR4/NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) signalings.

CONCLUSION

Inhibition of PI3K/AKT pathway and activation of AMPK signaling play the pivotal roles in the therapeutic effects of ATG. PI3K/AKT and AMPK signaling widely link to other signaling pathways, modulating various biological processes such as anti-inflammation, anti-oxidative stress, anti-fibrosis, anti-ER stress, anti-steatosis and pro-apoptosis, which constitute the curative mechanisms of ATG against multiple human diseases.

Nanoparticles-based phototherapy systems for cancer treatment: Current status and clinical potential

Remarkable progress in phototherapy has been made in recent decades, due to its non-invasiveness and instant therapeutic efficacy. In addition, with the rapid development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, phototherapy systems based on nanoparticles or nanocomposites also evolved as an emerging hotspot in nanomedicine research, especially in cancer. In this review, first we briefly introduce the history of phototherapy, and the mechanisms of phototherapy in cancer treatment. Then, we summarize the representative development over the past three to five years in nanoparticle-based phototherapy and highlight the design of the innovative nanoparticles thereof. Finally, we discuss the feasibility and the potential of the nanoparticle-based phototherapy systems in clinical anticancer therapeutic applications, aiming to predict future research directions in this field. Our review is a tutorial work, aiming at providing useful insights to researchers in the field of nanotechnology, nanoscience and cancer.

[Comparative Analysis of Clinical Efficacy of Negative Pressure Wound Therapy Plus Lavage System in the Treatment of Wagner Grade 3-5 Diabetic Foot Ulcers Combined with Infection]

Objective

To compare and analyze the clinical efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) combined with lavage system in the treatment of Wagner grade 3-5 diabetic foot ulcers combined with infections.

Methods

The clinical data of 100 patients with Wagner grade 3-5 diabetic foot ulcers combined with infections admitted to our department between January 2016 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the methods of surgical wound management, they were divided into two groups, a combination treatment group treated by NPWT plus a lavage system and a single treatment group receiving NPWT only. Patients were studied for the types of bacterial infection found in the wounds, the amount of time it took for the wound bacterial culture to turn negative, and the status of blood inflammatory indicators, including white blood cell count and C-reactive protein (CRP). Data concerning hospitalization were collected, including the waiting time before the first operation, the number of operations, length of hospital stay, NPWT usage time, and wound closure time. In addition, data concerning patient condition after discharge were also collected, including the duration of out-of-hospital antibiotic use, the final wound healing rate, the final wound healing time, and long-term wound complications, which include wound dehiscence, new ulcer, infection recurrence, readmission, reoperation, and amputation.

Results

There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, course of disease, lesion side, lesion size and combined diseases between the two groups. Likewise, there was no significant difference in the species and genus, or the composition of bacteria found in the wounds ( P>0.05). However, the combination treatment group showed better results than the single treatment group did in the amount of time it took for wound bacterial culture to turn negative ( P<0.05). As for the blood inflammatory indicators, there was no significant difference between the two groups except that the CRP of the combination group decreased more significantly than that of the single treatment group did at one week postop. The number of surgeries, length of hospital stay, NPWT use time, and wound closure time were lower in the combination treatment group than those in the single treatment group ( P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in long-term wound complications between the two groups.

Conclusion

When applying NPWT plus lavage system in the treatment of Wagner grade 3-5 diabetic foot ulcers combined with infection, wound infection can be controlled effectively at an early stage and the amount of time needed for wound bacterial culture to turn negative can also be reduced. In addition, the combination treatment stimulates granulation growth of the wounds to effectively cover the wound at an early stage.

Effect of transverse wrist crease perforator flap on repairing soft tissue defect of fingers and its influence on hand function

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of transverse wrist crease perforator flap repair on sensory nerve function, survival of flap, hand function, hand appearance and satisfaction rate in patients with soft tissue defect of fingers.

METHODS

This retrospective study was performed in 30 patients admitted to the Hand and Foot Microsurgery Department of our hospital between January 2018 and December 2020. These patients were divided into to the control group and the experimental group (15 patients for each group) according to the operative methods. Patients in the control group underwent abdominal flap repair, while patients in the experimental group received transverse wrist crease perforator flap repair. Intraoperative parameters, sensory nerve function, function of finger reconstruction, survival rate of skin flap, degree of scar contracture and flap bloatedness, DASH score, two-point discrimination and satisfaction rate were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the operative time in the experiment group was obviously decreased (P<0.05). There was no difference in amount of bleeding between the two groups. The proportion of sensory nerve function grade S3+ and S4 in the experimental group was significantly increased in contrast to the control group (P<0.05). The total excellent and good rate in function of finger reconstruction in the experiment group was significantly higher than that in the control group, while no difference was found in the survival rate of skin flap and scar contracture between the two groups. Compared with the control group, DASH score, two-point discrimination distance, and degree of flap bloatedness in the experiment group were significantly reduced and the patients' satisfaction rate in the experiment group was remarkably increased (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Transverse wrist crease perforator flap repair plays a critical role in reducing operative time, improving sensory nerve function and recovery of hand function, and alleviating flap bloatedness. It is an optimal treatment for soft tissues defect of fingers.

Clinical Application Value of Lactobacillus Plantarum PS128 in Patients with Anxiety Disorders

Objective

PS128 is a novel psycho biotic strain, it has been reported to play an important role in neuropsychiatric disorders. This study investigated the clinical effect of PS128 supplementation on patients with anxiety.

Methods

A total of 200 patients with anxiety were recruited, and divided into two groups (n = 100/group). The control group received oral treatment with citalopram, and the PS128 group received PS128 capsules based on citalopram treatment. Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) and Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) were used to evaluate the anxiety levels. After 2 months of continuous administration, clinical efficacy was evaluated according to HAMA score.

Results

There was no significant difference in HAMA and SAS scores between the two groups before treatment. With the treatment prolonged, the HAMA and SAS score decreased gradually in both control and PS128 groups, and the decrease rate of PS128 group was significantly greater than that of the control group. The clinical effective rates of PS128 group were higher than those in the control group, high levels of clinical cure rate were also detected in the PS128 group. Compared with the control group (22%), the incidence of adverse reactions was significantly reduced for patients in the PS128 group (4%).

Conclusion

The treatment effect of citalopram combined with PS128 against anxiety is satisfactory clinically. It can greatly improve the anxiety symptoms of patients, increase the cure rate, reduce adverse reactions.

Colchicine: Emerging therapeutic effects on atrial fibrillation by alleviating myocardial fibrosis in a rat model

Although many research have found that colchicine has general therapeutic effect in cardiovascular disease, the therapeutic mechanism in atrial fibrillation has not been clearly studied. To explore whether colchicine plays a role in the treatment of AF by reducing myocardial fibrosis, we performed a series of studies. Rat models of AF were induced by Ach-CaCl₂ to assess the therapeutic effect of colchicine at doses of 0.8 mg/kg on the duration of AF rhythm, degree of myocardial fibrosis, and secretion of inflammatory factors in the serum. RNA-Seq was also performed to elucidate the possible mechanisms by which colchicine might reduce the alleviation of myocardial fibrosis associated with AF. These studies showed that colchicine reduced the duration of AF and the degree of fibrosis in the left atrium and that it significantly reduced the secretion of TGFβ1, activin A, collagen I, and collagen III. These results suggest that colchicine may reduce myocardial fibrosis by (1) inhibiting the TGFβ1/ALK5 and activin A/ALK4 fibrosis pathways; (2) inhibiting the activation, phenotypic transformation, and apoptosis resistance of myocardial fibroblasts; and (3) reducing the synthesis of inflammatory factors and collagen.

Huang Bai Jian Pi decoction alleviates diarrhea and represses inflammatory injury via PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway: In vivo and in vitro studies

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Huang Bai Jian Pi (HBJP) decoction, a Chinese herbal formula based on the Pulsatilla decoction (PD) and Si Junzi decoction, is efficacy to treat clinical diarrhea in calves.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The mechanism of HBJP decoction to treat calf diarrhea remains unclear. This study was to investigate the therapeutic effect and anti-inflammatory mechanism of HBJP decoction on diarrhea in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, PD group and three treated groups with HBJP decoction. The diarrheal model in rats was established by multiple factors including high-sugar and fat diet, high temperature and dampness environment, biological pathogenic factors. The diarrheal animals were treated with HBJP decoction or PD for 5 days. The inflammatory model of the intestinal epithelioid cell line 6 (IEC-6) was induced by TNF-α. The clinical symptoms, blood routine and biochemistry parameters, histopathology of main organs were detected. The proteins associated with PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway and the expression levels of cytokines associated with inflammation were detected in vivo and in vitro by Western blot and ELISA.

RESULTS

The model rats showed obvious diarrheal symptoms, and the obvious systemic inflammatory response accompanied with abnormal change in blood routine, biochemistry parameters and histopathology. HBJP decoction alleviated obviously the clinical symptoms, and pathological changes of the liver, colon and lung, and abnormal blood routine and biochemistry indexes in rats. The expression of P-PI3K, P-Akt, P-NF-κB, IL-1β, IL-6 was significantly increased, and the expression of IL-10 was markedly decreased in diarrheal rats and IEC-6 with inflammation. HBJP decoction significantly inhibited the PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signal pathway and adjusted the expression of these inflammatory cytokines.

CONCLUSIONS

The finding suggested that HBJP decoction alleviate the inflammation in diarrhea through inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signal pathway, which provides scientific evidences for the clinical application of HBJP decoction in diarrhea.

A canine-derived chimeric antibody with high neutralizing activity against canine parvovirus-2

Canine parvovirus-2 (CPV-2) infection causes serious multisystemic disease in dogs and many animal species worldwide. Previously, a monoclonal antibody (MAb) of CPV-2, 10H4, showed high neutralizing activity and therapeutic effect against CPV-2 in dogs. However, the application of mouse MAb is limited in other animals due to immune rejection. Here, the variable regions of the heavy and light chains of 10H4 were cloned and ligated with constant canine antibody regions to produce a canine-derived chimeric MAb 11D9, in a CHO-S cell expression system. The cell supernatant of the CHO cell line 11D9 exhibited a HI titer of 1:2560 against all the variants of CPV-2 (new CPV-2a, new CPV-2b, and CPV-2c), and had the same average neutralization titer as the new CPV-2a (1:11,046.5) and new CPV-2b (1:11,046.5) variants, which was slightly higher than that of CPV-2c variants (1:10,615.7). In animal experiment, the treatment of chimeric MAb 11D9 had a high therapeutic effect in beagles infected with the new CPV-2a. Overall, the canine-derived chimeric MAb 11D9 produced by CHO-S cells showed a high HI and neutralization titer against CPV-2 and the therapeutic effects against the new CPV-2a in beagles, providing potential for the prevention or treatment of CPV-2 infections in dogs.

A canine-derived chimeric MAb 11D9 was produced by CHO cell lines.

The MAb 11D9 exhibited high HI and neutralization titers against new CPV-2 variants.

The MAb 11D9 had a high therapeutic effect in beagles infected with the new CPV-2a variant.

Progress of engineered bacteria for tumor therapy

Recently, with the rapid development of bioengineering technology and nanotechnology, natural bacteria were modified to change their physiological activities and therapeutic functions for improved therapeutic efficiency of diseases. These engineered bacteria were equipped to achieve directed genetic reprogramming, selective functional reorganization and precise spatio-temporal control. In this review, research progress in the basic modification methodologies of engineered bacteria were summarized, and representative researches about their therapeutic performances for tumor treatment were illustrated. Moreover, the strategies for the construction of engineered colonies based on engineering of individual bacteria were summarized, providing innovative ideas for complex functions and efficient anti-tumor treatment. Finally, current limitation and challenges of tumor therapy utilizing engineered bacteria were discussed.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in reproductive-related disease: Function, regulation and therapeutic effect

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is one of the cytokines which plays important roles in embryo implantation and normal pregnancy. At the maternal-fetal interface, G-CSF can be synthesized by multiple cells, and participates in regulation of trophoblast development, endometrial decidualization, placental metabolism and angiogenesis. Moreover, as an important medium of intercellular communication, G-CSF has also been shown to exert key roles in crosstalk between cellular components at the maternal-fetal interface. Recently, our study demonstrated that G-CSF derived from M2 macrophage could promote trophoblasts invasion and migration through activating PI3K/AKT/Erk1/2 pathway, thereby involving in normal pregnancy program. Herein, we will summarize the role and regulation of G-CSF in normal pregnancy and reproductive-related disease, and the clinical applications of G-CSF in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization with thin endometrium, repeated implantation failure, and women suffered with recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes for treating traumatic pancreatitis in rats

Background

The therapeutic and protective effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells-exosomes (hucMSC-Exs) on traumatic pancreatitis (TP) remain unknown. Here, we established a rat model of TP and evaluated and compared the therapeutic effects of hUC-MSCs and hucMSC-Exs.

Methods

HucMSC-Exs were obtained by ultracentrifugation and identified using transmission electron microscopy and western blot analysis. TP rats were treated by tail vein injection of hUC-MSCs and hucMSC-Exs. Their homing in rats was observed by performing fluorescence microscopy. The degree of pancreatic tissue damage was assessed by HE staining, the expression levels of amylase, lipase, and inflammatory cytokines were detected by ELISA, apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay, and the expression levels of various apoptosis-related proteins were detected by western-blot. The expression levels of apoptosis-related molecular markers were detected by RT-qPCR.

Results

The colonization of exosomes was observed in pancreatic tissue. Compared to TP group, the histopathological score of pancreas was significantly decreased in the TP + hUC-MSCs group and TP + hucMSC-Exs group (P < 0.05). Compared to TP group, the activity of serum amylase and lipase was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The expression levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly decreased, while those of IL-10 and TGF-β were significantly increased (P < 0.05). The apoptosis index of the TP group was significantly increased (P < 0.05), whereas that of the TP + hUC-MSCs and TP + hucMSC-Exs groups was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Compared to TP group, the expression levels of Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 were significantly decreased in the TP + hUC-MSCs group and TP + hucMSC-Exs group (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

HucMSC-Exs can colonize injured pancreatic tissue, inhibit the apoptosis of acinar cells, and control the systemic inflammatory response to facilitate the repair of pancreatic tissue.

Laccase-mediated functionalization of natamycin by gallic acids for the therapeutic effect on Aspergillus fumigatus keratitis

To improve the therapeutic effect of natamycin on fungal keratitis (FK), the grafted derivatives of natamycin and gallic acid were obtained, and the effects of the grafted derivatives on Aspergillus fumigatus (A. fumigatus) keratitis were investigated. The structure of natamycin grafted with gallic acid was identified by FT-IR and UV-Vis, and the successful synthesis of Gallic-Natamycin (GA-NAT) was proved. CCK-8 and the Draize eye test showed that GA-NAT had less cytotoxicity. Then, through in vitro antibacterial experiments such as minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), adhesion, biofilm formation, and calcium fluorescence staining and in vivo experiments such as clinical score and plate counting, the results showed that GA-NAT had similar antifungal activity to natamycin, but had a better therapeutic effect than natamycin. Myeloperoxidase assay and immunofluorescence staining also showed that GA-NAT significantly inhibited neutrophil recruitment and activity. Moreover, It was further found that GA-NAT could inhibit the mRNA and protein expressions of LOX-1, TNF-α, and IL-1β. These results indicated that GA-NAT inhibited the fungal growth, reduced the neutrophil infiltration into cornea, and down-regulated the expression of inflammatory factors in lesions, which provides a new choice for FK treatment.

Curcumin, a potent therapeutic nutraceutical and its enhanced delivery and bioaccessibility by pickering emulsions

Curcumin is a biomolecule with functional moieties, which contribute to its anti-inflammatory, anticancer, and antioxidant properties. It has shown several therapeutic effects on treating inflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases and contributes to the reduction of oxidative stress and damage to body tissues. However, its low solubility and fast metabolism limit its absorption in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and lead to its low bioavailability. Preparation of Pickering emulsions stabilized with mineral or biopolymer-based nanoparticles can be an effective strategy for enhancing the stability of curcumin against degradation, increasing its bioaccessibility in the GI tract, and achieving its controlled release at various locations based on changes in environmental conditions. Various nanoparticles prepared from minerals, proteins, and polysaccharides show potential for stabilizing the curcumin-loaded emulsions, and their wettability can be altered through complexation and formation of hybrid nanoparticles. Stabilization of Pickering emulsions with polysaccharide-based nanoparticles and their complexes can enhance the stability of the curcumin against degradation. Moreover, various protein-based nanoparticles and their conjugated forms with other proteins or polysaccharides can enable the preparation of high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPEs) with concomitant higher loading and bioaccessibility of the curcumin molecule. In light of the several therapeutic properties of curcumin, this review article aims to highlight recent studies and the strategies used for the preparation of curcumin Pickering emulsions stabilized by various nanoparticles for enhancing its bioaccessibility during metabolism. These may be useful in pharmaceutical and food industries for drug development and delivery and fortification of food products with this nutraceutical component.

Application of adipose-derived stem cells in treating fibrosis

Fibrosis is the hyperactivation of fibroblasts that results in excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix, which is involved in numerous pathological changes and diseases. Adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are promising seed cells for regenerative medicine due to their bountiful source, low immunogenicity and lack of ethical issues. Their anti-fibrosis, immunomodulation, angiogenesis and other therapeutic effects have made them suitable for treating fibrosis-related diseases. Here, we review the literature on ASCs treating fibrosis, elaborate and discuss their mechanisms of action, changes in disease environment, ways to enhance therapeutic effects, as well as current preclinical and clinical studies, in order to provide a general picture of ASCs treating fibrotic diseases.