Combination of Shengmai San and Radix puerariae ameliorates depression-like symptoms in diabetic rats at the nexus of PI3K/BDNF/SYN protein expression

Background:Hyperglycemia is a characteristic feature of diabetes that often results in neuropsychological complications such as depression.Diabetic individuals are more vulnerable to experience depression compared to the normal population.Thus,novel treatment approaches are required to reduce depressive symptoms among diabetic individuals.Traditional Chinese medicines(TCMs)such as Shengmai San(SMS)and Radix puerariae(R)are usually widely used to treat ailments such as neurological com-plications since ancient time.Methods:In this study,SMS was combined with R to prepare an R-SMS formulation and screened for their antidepressant activity in diabetic rats.The antidepressant po-tential of the prepared combination was evaluated behaviorally using open field test,novelty-induced hypophagia,and forced swim test in diabetic rats with biochemical and protein expression(PI3K,BDNF[brain-derived neurotrophic factor],and SYN[pr-esynaptic vesicle protein])analysis.Results:Diabetic rats(streptozotocin,45 mg/kg)showed elevated fasting blood glu-cose(FBG)>12 mM with depressive symptoms throughout the study.Treatment with R-SMS(0.5,1.5,and 4.5 g/kg)significantly reverted depressive symptoms in diabetic rats as evinced by significantly(p<0.05)reduced immobility time with an increased tendency to eat food in a novel environment.Treatment with R-SMS also significantly increased the protein expression of PI3K,BDNF,and SYN protein,which play a crucial role in depression.Conclusion:This study showed that R-SMS formulation antagonized depressive symptoms in diabetic rats;thus,this formulation might be studied further to develop as an antidepressant.

Advances in Researches on Chemical Composition and Functions of Hemerocallis Plants

The genus Hemerocallis is a kind of perennial herbaceous plants of Liliaceae and consists of about 15 species in the world,11 of which can be found in China. Some species of Hemerocallis are widely cultivated for medicinal,edible and ornamental application. Considerable progress had been made in researches on chemical composition and functions of Hemerocallis plants. Previous phytochemical studies on Hemerocallis plants have demonstrated the presence of flavonoids,anthraquinones,alkaloids,terpenoids,triterpenes and triterpenoid saponins,caffeoylquinic acid derivatives,naphthalene glycosides,steroid and steroidal saponins,phenylethanoid glycosides,and lignans. Functional activities of Hemerocallis plants are mainly manifested in sedative hypnotic,antidepressant,antioxidant,anti-tumor,hepatoprotective,antibacterial and insecticidal activities. Chemical composition of Hemerocallis plants is various,and structural type is rich,and has a variety of significant functional activities,so it is worth further study.

Duchesnea Phenolic Fraction Inhibits Tumor Growth through Restoring the Th1/Th2 Balance in U14 Cervical Cancer Bearing Mice

Duchesnea indica (Andr.) Focke has been traditionally used to treat cancer in Asian countries for centuries. In the present study, transplanted U14 cervical cancer mouse model was used to evaluate the antitumor and immunomodulatory activity of Duchesnea phenolic fraction (DPF). ELISA and RIA assay were employed to measured the serum concentration of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ and TNF-α). Administration with 0.25 g/kg, 0.5 g/kg and 1 g/kg DPF significantly reduced the tumor weight by 34.37%, 43.89% and 56.28%, respectively, as compared to the tumor control group. Furthermore, the serum level of IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α increased and IL-4 level decreased in a dose-dependent manner during DPF treatment, indicating that the antitumor activity of DPF may be associated with the decrease of TNF-α level and restoration of the balance of Th1/Th2 cell responses. These data suggested that DPF, a mixture of plant polyphenols, had potent anticancer activity which was in part accomplished by its immunomodulatory ability.

Linear systems toolkit in Matlab :structural decompositions and their applications

This paper presents a brief description of the software toolbox, linear systems toolkit, developed in Matlab environment. The toolkit contains 66 m-functious, including structural decompositions of linear autonomous systems, unforced/uuseused systems, proper systems, and singular systems, along with their applications to system factorizations, sensor/actuator selection, H-two and H-infinity control, and disturbance decoupling problems.

内蒙古典型草原马粪分解过程中节肢动物群落的季节动态变化

地面节肢动物作为陆地生态系统的重要组成部分,在大型食草动物粪便分解中扮演着重要角色。当前动物粪便中节肢动物群落研究主要集中在粪便类型和微生境的作用,而季节或气候状况对粪便中节肢动物群落影响的研究较少。本研究在内蒙古典型草原区,采用野外人工堆置方法,研究不同季节马粪中节肢动物群落的组成和多样性特征,并分析了节肢动物各类群多度与环境因子的关系。结果表明:(1)春夏秋3个季节马粪的初始含水量不存在显著差异(P>0.05);夏季马粪初始有机质含量显著地低于春季和秋季(P<0.05);马粪初始pH在秋季显著地低于春季和夏季(P<0.05)。(2)在马粪分解第3 d和第360 d,秋季马粪中节肢动物群落多度和类群数显著高于春季(P<0.05);在粪块分解第3 d和第7 d,秋季马粪中粪金龟子群落多度和物种数显著高于夏季(P<0.05);在分解第3 d和第7 d,秋季马粪中隐翅虫群落多度和属数显著高于春季和夏季(P<0.05)。研究表明,分解早期粪的有机质含量和含水量对马粪中节肢动物群落组成影响较大,而分解后期节肢动物群落组成主要受土壤温度和湿度的调控。

First-in-human Results of the Novel Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair System for Severe Mitral Regurgitation

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility,safety,and effectiveness of a novel edge-to-edge mitral valve repair system(the NovoClasp system)in patients with severe mitral regurgitation.Methods:In this prospective,single-arm,first-in-human study conducted at Beijing Anzhen Hospital,data were collected from patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using the NovoClasp system.The study candidates were patients exhibiting a mitral regurgitation severity of 3+or more and were at high-risk or contraindicated for surgical intervention.Technical success and device success according to the Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium definitions were used as primary outcomes.Other safety and efficacy outcomes were prospectively assessed at device implantation,discharge,and 30 d,6 months,and 12 months post-procedure.Results:Between October 1,2021,and January 31,2022,11 patients were treated for moderate-to-severe(grade 3+)or severe(grade 4+)mitral regurgitation using the NovoClasp system.All patients had a baseline New York Heart Association functional class oflll-lIV,with 7/11 exhibiting complex mitral valve disease.All patients achieved the primary endpoints of technical and device success,with a post-operative 30-d mitral regurgitation grade reduction to 2+or lower,which was maintained at 12 months.One patient had minor bleeding and hematoma at the access site before discharge,and 2 patients were readmitted due to fast atrial fibrillation within 12 months post-discharge.No additional cases of death,adverse cerebral or cardiovascular events,or device-related complications was observed during the follow-up.Conclusion:This study suggested the potential feasibility and safety of the NovoClasp system,showing a promising technical and device success rate,along with a decrease in mitral regurgitation severity.A further pivotal study is needed to assess the procedural and long-term outcomes.

半干旱草原大中型土壤动物在畜粪分解中的作用

土壤动物是陆地生态系统的重要组分,在有机质分解过程中具有重要作用。目前有关土壤动物在生态系统分解中的作用研究主要聚焦于植物凋落物的分解,而对动物粪便分解的研究稀少。本研究在内蒙古典型草原设置了马粪和牛粪分解原位实验,使用不同孔径的金属隔离网排除不同体型大小的土壤动物,通过测定大中型土壤动物对畜粪分解过程中质量损失、碳氮含量和微生物呼吸以及土壤养分动态变化的影响,解析其在分解中的作用。设置5个处理,即CK,仅土壤,无粪;T0,粪添加+0.425 mm隔离网(排除了粪居型和掘洞型粪金龟和中型土壤动物);T1,粪添加+1 mm隔离网(排除了粪居型和掘洞型粪金龟);T2,粪添加+2 mm隔离网(排除了掘洞型粪金龟);T3,仅粪添加(不排除土壤动物)。结果表明:(1)在畜粪分解60天内,土壤动物对畜粪的干质量损失没有显著的促进作用(P>0.05);相反,在畜粪分解360天,不隔离土壤动物处理(T3)显著地提高了牛粪干质量损失(P<0.05),而降低了马粪干质量损失(P<0.05)。(2)在畜粪分解的60天内,畜粪中碳和氮含量下降速度在有土壤动物存在的情况下(T3)快于隔离土壤动物(T0和T1)。(3)两种畜粪添加增加了土壤微生物的呼吸,且这种增加趋势在实验的第15天和第30天在土壤动物存在时(T3)最明显。(4)与对照(CK)相比,马粪添加处理提高了土壤速效氮、有机碳的含量和土壤含水量,且这种增加趋势在排除掘洞型粪金龟(T2)和不排除土壤动物(T3)条件下表现更显著(P<0.05),而牛粪添加处理没有明显改变这些指标(P>0.05)。研究表明,分解初期粪金龟的取食和活动会改变畜粪的理化性质,进而影响分解后期土壤生物在畜粪分解中的作用。

Observation of specific ion effects in humus aggregation process

Specific ion effects play a vital role in a variety of colloidal and interfacial processes.However,few studies have reported the specific ion effects in the humus aggregation process,which strongly influence the transport and fate of environmental pollutants.In this study,soil humus colloids were prepared and characterized,and the specific ion effects on humus aggregation in electrolyte solutions were investigated at a variety of concentrations and pH values using dynamic light scattering methods.Activation energy(ΔE),which is known to reflect the dynamics and stability of a colloidal system,was used to quantitatively characterize the specific ion effects.The results showed that given ΔE value of 2.48×10^(3) J mol^(-1) at pH 3.0,the electrolyte concentrations were 91.6,58.2,3.8,and 0.8 mmol L^(-1) for Na^(+),K^(+),Mg^(2+),and Ca_(2+),respectively,thus indicating significant specific ion effects in the humus aggregation process.Most importantly,decreasing the electrolyte concentrations increased the differences in the ΔE value between two cation species with the same valence(i.e.,ΔE_(Na)-ΔE_(K) and ΔE_(Mg)-ΔE_(Ca)),while increasing the pH increased the magnitude of ΔE_(Mg)-ΔE_(Ca).However,the classic Derjaguin,Landau,Verwey,and Overbeek(DLVO)theory and the double layer theory,as well as the currently widely used ionic hydration and dispersion effects,failed to predict the experimentally observed increase in the specific ion effects with decreasing electrolyte concentrations in a quantitative sense.These results have implications for the necessity of involving specific ion effects for a better understanding of humus aggregation and interactions in aqueous and soil systems.

Urinary metabolomics analysis of the anti-depressive effects of Hemerocallis citrina extracts in a simulated microgravity-induced rat model of depression

We investigated the antidepressant-like activity of Hemerocallis citrine Baroni extract(HCE)in a simulated microgravity(SMG)-induced rat model of depression using a metabolomics method.A rat model,generated via 14 d of SMG induction,was validated from the reduced sucrose preference and the enhanced immobility time in the forced swimming test.HCE and paroxetine reversed certain metabolite profiles.Anti-depressant effects of HCE might involve the regulation of several metabolic pathways,such as phenylalanine,glutamic acid,and tryptophan metabolism and changes in energy metabolism.5-Hydroxytryptophan,hippuric acid,phenylacetylglycine,citric acid,3-hydroxykynurenine,cyclic AMP,and L-DOPA profiles were altered upon HCE and paroxetine administration.Furthermore,glutamic acid was only regulated in the HCE group,while xanthurenic acid and deoxyuridine were reversed in the positive group,suggesting differences in the mechanisms between the positive drugs and HCE in improving glutamic acid metabolism.This study provided a theoretical foundation for the application of HCE in depression therapy.

Body mass index and clinical outcomes in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage:results from the China Stroke Center Alliance

Background and aim Obesity paradox has aroused increasing concern in recent years.However,impact of obesity on outcomes in intracerebral haemorrhage(ICH)remains unclear.This study aimed to evaluate association of body mass index(BMI)with in-hospital mortality,complications and discharge disposition in ICH.Methods Data were from 85705 ICH enrolled in the China Stroke Center Alliance study.Patients were divided into four groups:underweight,normal weight,overweight and obese according to Asian-Pacific criteria.The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality.The secondary outcomes included non-routine discharge disposition and in-hospital complications.Discharge to graded II or III hospital,community hospital or rehabilitation facilities was considered non-routine disposition.Multivariable logistic regression analysed association of BMI with outcomes.Results 82789 patients with ICH were included in the final analysis.Underweight(OR=2.057,95%CI 1.193 to 3.550)patients had higher odds of in-hospital mortality than those with normal weight after adjusting for covariates,but no significant difference was observed for patients who were overweight or obese.No significant association was found between BMI and non-disposition.Underweight was associated with increased odds of several complications,including pneumonia(OR 1.343,95%CI 1.138 to 1.584),poor swallow function(OR 1.351,95%CI 1.122 to 1.628)and urinary tract infection(OR 1.532,95%CI 1.064 to 2.204).Moreover,obese patients had higher odds of haematoma expansion(OR 1.326,95%CI 1.168 to 1.504),deep vein thrombosis(OR 1.506,95%CI 1.165 to 1.947)and gastrointestinal bleeding(OR 1.257,95%CI 1.027 to 1.539).Conclusions In patients with ICH,being underweight was associated with increased in-hospital mortality.Being underweight and obese can both increased risk of in-hospital complications compared with having normal weight.

Unraveling the size distributions of surface properties for purple soil and yellow soil

Soils contain diverse colloidal particles whose properties are pertinent to ecological and human health, whereas few investigations systematically analyze the surface properties of these particles. The objective of this study was to elucidate the surface properties of particles within targeted size ranges（i.e. 〉 10, 1-10, 0.5-1, 0.2-0.5 and 〈 0.2 μm） for a purple soil（Entisol） and a yellow soil（Ultisol） using the combined determination method. The mineralogy of corresponding particle-size fractions was determined by X-ray diffraction.We found that up to 80% of the specific surface area and 85% of the surface charge of the entire soil came from colloidal-sized particles（〈 1 μm）, and almost half of the specific surface area and surface charge came from the smallest particles（〈 0.2 μm）. Vermiculite,illite, montmorillonite and mica dominated in the colloidal-sized particles, of which the smallest particles had the highest proportion of vermiculite and montmorillonite. For a given size fraction, the purple soil had a larger specific surface area, stronger electrostatic field, and higher surface charge than the yellow soil due to differences in mineralogy.Likewise, the differences in surface properties among the various particle-size fractions can also be ascribed to mineralogy. Our results indicated that soil surface properties were essentially determined by the colloidal-sized particles, and the 〈 0.2 μm nanoparticles made the largest contribution to soil properties. The composition of clay minerals within the diverse particle-size fractions could fully explain the size distributions of surface properties.

Anatomical morphology of the aortic valve in Chinese aortic stenosis patients and clinical results after downsize strategy of transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Background:The study aimed to describe the aortic valve morphology in Chinese patients underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)for symptomatic severe aortic stenosis(AS),and the impact of sizing strategies and related procedural outcomes.Methods:Patients with severe AS who underwent TAVR were consecutively enrolled from 2012 to 2019.The anatomy and morphology of the aortic root were assessed."Downsize"strategy was preformed when patients had complex morphology.The clinical outcomes of patients who performed downsize strategy were compared with those received annular sizing strategy.The primary outcome was device success rate,and secondary outcomes included Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 clinical outcomes variables based on 1-year follow-up.Results:A total of 293 patients were enrolled.Among them,95 patients(32.4%)had bicuspid aortic valve.The calcium volume(Hounsfield Unit-850)of aortic root was 449.90(243.15-782.15)mm3.Calcium is distributed mostly on the leaflet level.Downsize strategy was performed in 204 patients(69.6%).Compared with the patients who performed annular sizing strategy,those received downsize strategy achieved a similar device success rate(82.0%[73]vs.83.3%[170],P=0.79).Aortic valve gradients(downsize strategy group vs.annular sizing group,11.28 mmHg vs.11.88 mmHg,P=0.64)and percentages of patients with moderate or severe paravalvular regurgitation 2.0%(4/204)vs.4.5%(4/89),P=0.21were similar in the two groups at 30 days after TAVR.These echocardiographic results were sustainable for one year.Conclusions:Chinese TAVR patients have more prevalent bicuspid morphology and large calcium volume of aortic root.Calcium is distributed mostly on the leaflet level.Compare with annular sizing strategy,downsize strategy provided a non-inferior device success rate and transcatheter heart valve hemodynamic performance in self-expanding TAVR procedure.