Effectiveness and safety of combined use of tranexamic acid and Xiyu dressing in chloasma therapy, and its effect on recurrence in patients

Purpose: To determine the effectiveness and safety of combined use of tranexamic acid (TA) and Xiyu dressing in chloasma patients. Methods: Ninety female patients with moderate-to-severe melasma who were admitted to the Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (February 2020 - February 2021), were equally divided into 3 groups: A, B and C. Patients in group A were orally treated with TA, those in group B received oral TA and Xiyu dressing, while those in group C received Xiyu dressing only. Treatment effectiveness, Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) score, whole blood viscosity (WBV) and disease recurrence rate were assessed. Results: General patient profile was comparable amongst the 3 groups (p > 0.05). Objective treatment effectiveness was higher in group B than in group A, and higher in group A than in group C (p < 0.05). At weeks 8, 16 and 20, the order of Melasma Area and Severity Index (MASI) scores was: C > A > B, with lower scores in group B than in group A, and lower in group A than in group C (p < 0.05). The whole blood viscosity (WBV) was highest in group B, while group C had the lowest WBV (p < 0.05). No notable differences occurred in disease recurrence rate amongst the 3 groups. Onset time of cure was shorter in group A than in group C, but was longer in group A than in group B (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Treatment with TA and Xiyu dressing is more effective when combined than when using either of them alone; furthermore, disease recurrence rate is lowest with the combination therapy. Therefore, the combined therapy has potentials for use in the management of chloasma, but further clinical trials are required prior to application in clinical practic

Inhibitory Kinetics of Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside against α-Amylase and α-Glucosidase

The inhibitory mechanism of α-amylase and α-glucosidase by cyanidin-3-O-glucoside was investigated by ultrafiltration, high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), enzyme kinetics, and molecular docking. The results indicated that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside inhibited α-amylase and α-glucosidase in a reversible and non-competitive manner. Besides, the fluorescence quenching analysis indicated that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside combined with the two enzymes by hydrogen bonds to form a complex. Molecular docking analysis showed that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside interacted with the key amino acid residues of α-amylase and α-glucosidase through hydrogen bonds and hydrophobic forces, and the binding energies were −7.8 and −9.8 kcal/mol, respectively. Our research suggests that cyanidin-3-O-glucoside has the potential to be used as an inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase in the development of functional foods

Removal of artifacts in knee joint vibroarthrographic signals using ensemble empirical mode decomposition and detrended fluctuation analysis

National Natural Science Foundation of China [81101115, 31200769]; Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province of China [2011J01371]; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities of China [2010121061]; Program for New Century Excellent Talents in Fujian Province UniversityHigh-resolution knee joint vibroarthrographic (VAG) signals can help physicians accurately evaluate the pathological condition of a degenerative knee joint, in order to prevent unnecessary exploratory surgery. Artifact cancellation is vital to preserve the quality of VAG signals prior to further computer-aided analysis. This paper describes a novel method that effectively utilizes ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) and detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA) algorithms for the removal of baseline wander and white noise in VAG signal processing. The EEMD method first successively decomposes the raw VAG signal into a set of intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) with fast and low oscillations, until the monotonic baseline wander remains in the last residue. Then, the DFA algorithm is applied to compute the fractal scaling index parameter for each IMF, in order to identify the anti-correlation and the long-range correlation components. Next, the DFA algorithm can be used to identify the anti-correlated and the long-range correlated IMFs, which assists in reconstructing the artifact-reduced VAG signals. Our experimental results showed that the combination of EEMD and DFA algorithms was able to provide averaged signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) values of 20.52 dB (standard deviation: 1.14 dB) and 20.87 dB (standard deviation: 1.89 dB) for 45 normal signals in healthy subjects and 20 pathological signals in symptomatic patients, respectively. The combination of EEMD and DFA algorithms can ameliorate the quality of VAG signals with great SNR improvements over the raw signal, and the results were also superior to those achieved by wavelet matching pursuit decomposition and time-delay neural filter

The prevalence of cervical insufficiency in Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergone ART treatment accompanied with negative prognosis: a retrospective study

The objective of this study was to explore the correlation between cervical insufficiency (CI) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in Chinese women undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment. The retrospective study enrolled 2978 women including 1489 with PCOS and 1489 without PCOS, among which 34 women were diagnosed with CI (1.14%). The prevalence of CI in PCOS women was statistically higher than that in women without PCOS. Among those women with CI, 23 cases exhibited PCOS, and those cases had an average gestational age of 26.09 ± 5.91 weeks at the end of pregnancy, which was earlier than that of women without PCOS, and the pregnancy outcomes were worse than in the non-PCOS group though not statistically significant. Multivariable logistic regression showed that PCOS status (odds ratio: 2.050, 95% confidence interval: 1.009–4.206) were associated with increased risk of CI. Our study revealed that among those Chinese women who conceived by ART treatment, the prevalence of CI in women with PCOS was higher than that in women without PCOS. Co-morbidity of CI with polycystic ovarian syndrome negatively impacts prognosis.Impact statement What is already known on this subject? Women with PCOS have a higher rate of adverse obstetrical outcomes than women without PCOS. What the results of this study add? Women with PCOS were more likely to have pregnancies complicated with CI. Co-morbidity of cervical incompetence with PCOS negatively impacts prognosis. What the implications are of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Given these results, close surveillance of cervical changes during the second trimester in women with PCOS is necessary for reducing the risk of miscarriage related to CI

Influence of multiple freezing/thawing cycles on a structural, rheological, and textural profile of fermented and unfermented corn dough

In the current study, the impact of fermentation and freezing/thawing treatment on corn flour was studied. Fermentation revealed an increase (12%) in amylose content, while freezing reflected a loss of amylose. The results of scanning electron microscope (SEM) revealed more grooves, indentations, and the irregular shape of particles. Rapid Visco Analyzer (RVA) exhibited different pasting behavior on the dough. The molecular structure had similar profiles but showed several discernible absorbance at the different wavelengths. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed an increase in melting temperature range due to fermentation and freezing/thawing treatment attributed to more heterogeneous morphology. Overall, the results of this research showed the insight alterations that induce the changes in corn flour leading to improvement in some properties and it may enhance the acquaintance about the upright revolution in the profile of corn dough and its potential usage in industry and homes

The role of mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species in hyperthermia-induced platelet apoptosis.

A combination of hyperthermia with radiotherapy and chemotherapy for various solid tumors has been practiced clinically. However, hyperthermic therapy has side effects, such as thrombocytopenia. Up to now, the pathogenesis of hyperthermia-induced thrombocytopenia remains unclear. Previous studies have shown that hyperthermia induces platelet apoptosis. However, the signaling pathways and molecular mechanisms involved in hyperthermia-induced platelet apoptosis have not been determined. Here we show that hyperthermia induced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and mitochondrial ROS generation in a time-dependent manner in platelets. The mitochondria-targeted ROS scavenger Mito-TEMPO blocked intracellular ROS and mitochondrial ROS generation. By contrast, inhibitors of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase did not. Furthermore, Mito-TEMPO inhibited hyperthermia-induced malonyldialdehyde production and cardiolipin peroxidation. We also showed that hyperthermia-triggered platelet apoptosis was inhibited by Mito-TEMPO. Furthermore, Mito-TEMPO ameliorated hyperthermia-impaired platelet aggregation and adhesion function. Lastly, hyperthermia decreased platelet manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) protein levels and enzyme activity. These data indicate that mitochondrial ROS play a pivotal role in hyperthermia-induced platelet apoptosis, and decreased of MnSOD activity might, at least partially account for the enhanced ROS levels in hyperthermia-treated platelets. Therefore, determining the role of mitochondrial ROS as contributory factors in platelet apoptosis, is critical in providing a rational design of novel drugs aimed at targeting mitochondrial ROS. Such therapeutic approaches would have potential clinical utility in platelet-associated disorders involving oxidative damage

Dietary Nucleotides Supplementation and Liver Injury in Alcohol-Treated Rats: A Metabolomics Investigation

Background: Previous studies suggested that nucleotides were beneficial for liver function, lipid metabolism and so on. The present study aimed to investigate the metabolic response of dietary nucleotides supplementation in alcohol-induced liver injury rats. Methods: Five groups of male Wistar rats were used: normal control group (basal diet, equivalent distilled water), alcohol control group (basal diet, 50% alcohol (v/v)), dextrose control group (basal diet, isocaloric amount of dextrose), and 0.04% and 0.16% nucleotides groups (basal diet supplemented with 0.4 g and 1.6 g nucleotides kg−1 respectively, 50% alcohol (v/v)). The liver injury was measured through traditional liver enzymes, expression of oxidative stress markers and histopathological examination. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography quadrupole-time-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was applied to identify liver metabolite profiles. Results: Nucleotides supplementation prevented the progression of hepatocyte steatosis. The levels of total proteins, globulin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, total cholesterol triglyceride, as well as the oxidative stress markers altered by alcohol, were improved by nucleotides supplementation. Elevated levels of liver bile acids (glycocholic acid, chenodeoxyglycocholic acid, and taurodeoxycholic acid), as well as lipids (stearic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, phosphatidylcholine, and lysophosphatidylethanolamine) in alcohol-treated rats were reversed by nucleotides supplementation. In addition, supplementation with nucleotides could increase the levels of amino acids, including valyl-Leucine, l-leucine, alanyl-leucine and l-phenylalanine. Conclusion: These data indicate potential biomarkers and confirm the benefit of dietary nucleotides on alcoholic liver injury

Characterization of microstructure, physicochemical and functional properties of corn varieties using different analytical techniques

Recently, the role of corn and its properties is a field of active research with a view to improving the quality of products being produced from corn flour. In the current study, scanning electron micrographs and textural attributes of three commercially available corn varieties (Xianyu 335, Zhengdan 958, Jade 3) were measured. The present study clearly explored a significant variation in the nutritional and chemical profile of corn verities. The change in the chemical and molecular structure of different corn flours was recorded through scanning the flour pellet using FTIR. The results illustrated that the chemical attributes showed significant variation in corn flours, but Jade 3 ranked higher followed by Xianyu 335 and zhengdan 958, respectively. The results of SEM revealed more intense bonding and round to oval shape with soft and sharp edges results in more water absorption capacity. In the current study,variations in storage modulus and loss modulus were observed corresponding to quality and process-ability of dough. Water was determined on the basis of H and OH group in the range of 1637 cm−1 and 3000–3700 cm−1 while protein was measured on the basis of amides (I &II) in the range of 1550 cm−1 and 1600 cm−1 respectively. The study concludes that analytical techniques (FTIR, NIR) are more reliable to analyze physicochemical mapping and molecular structure

Oligopeptide of RDPEER from watermelon seeds prevents heat stress-induced liver injury by suppressing oxidative stress and inflammation responses

In this paper, the effect and potential mechanism of supplementary RDPEER (P1, 801 Da), an antioxidant oligopeptide derived from watermelon seeds, on heat stress-induced rat liver injury and HepG2 cell damage were studied. It was observed that supplementation with RDPEER attenuated heat stress-induced hepatocyte injury by increasing HepG2 cell viability, reducing ROS overproduction, improving antioxidant enzyme activity (T-SOD, GSH-Px and CAT) and decreasing MDA content. RDPEER also inhibited HPA axis hyperactivity, serum transaminase activity (AST, ALT) and inflammatory factor levels (INF-γ, IL-6 and TNF-α), activated the endogenous antioxidant pathway (Nrf2/Keap-1), and reduced inflammatory factor transcription (NFκB) and heat shock protein expression (HSP27/72/90). In conclusion, supplementation with RDPEER could enhance antioxidant capacity in vivo and in vitro, reduce the inflammatory and heat shock response to alleviate liver damage caused by heat stress. These findings may provide new insights to alleviate heat stress through nutritional interventions