A bibliometric analysis of coconut sap research

@#Introduction: Coconut sap is a sweet, fragrant liquid obtained from the inflorescence of coconut tree. In this study, a literature search was conducted using the Scopus database to study the trends of coconut sap research. Methods: Data extracted from the Scopus database were analysed and visualised using VOSviewer to determine top authors, papers, countries, collaborations, and research areas. A total of 76 publications up to year 2021 were identified and refined using keywords of “coconut sap”, “coconut sugar”, “coconut inflorescence”, “coconut inflorescence sap”, “coconut neera”, and “Cocos nucifera”. Results: Based on the analysis, research on coconut sap started in 1984, with a total of 53 authors, nine countries, and 12 sources that had published more than two documents. The analysis of countries and sources revealed that India and IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (EES) were the most prolific country and sources, respectively. The most influential document was on the chemical compositions and bacteriology of coconut sap. The results also showed that research on coconut sap was in the field of food processing during the early years, followed by fermentation, agriculture, and bacteriology of coconut sap. Research on coconut sap’s bacteriology started in 1986 and became a major interest, especially among high impact journals. Conclusion: Overall, coconut sap is a potential target for the development of nutraceutical products, especially in the food and beverage industry.

Bilateral Superficial Serratus Anterior Plane Block in a Pediatric Patient for Post?operative Analgesia Undergoing ASD Repair Via Median Sternotomy- A Case Report

Serratus Anterior fascial plane (SAP) block is a high-volume interfascial plane block that has been used in adult patients in cardiac surgery with good postoperative pain relief. We report a case of a 9 year old female child who underwent ostium secundum atrial septum defect closure and was given bilateral SAP block. The patient was extubated within 4 hours of surgery and was pain free in the postoperative period without the use of any opioids.

Meta-analysis of Tanreqing Injection in adjuvant treatment of stroke-associated pneumonia / 中国中药杂志

To systematically evaluate the efficiency and safety of Tanreqing Injection in the treatment of stroke-associated pneumonia(SAP). Seven domestic and foreign databases(CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, CBM, PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMbase) were retrieved from the establishment to July 2020. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, randomized controlled trial of the effect of Tanreqing Injection in the treatment of SAP was selected. NoteExpress software was used to screen out literatures. RevMan 5.4 software was used for data analysis. GRADE system was used to evaluate the evidence quality of the outcome indicators. A total of 1 755 cases in 21 studies were retrieved, including 879 cases in experimental group and 876 cases in control group. In general, the quality of stu-dies received was not high. According to Meta-analysis,(1) in terms of shortening the length of hospital stay, Tanreqing Injection combined with conventional western medicine was better than conventional western medicine(MD=-4.04, 95%CI[-4.43,-3.65], P<0.000 01);(2) in terms of increasing effective rate, Tanreqing Injection combined with conventional western medicine was better than conventional western medicine(RR=1.22, 95%CI[1.17, 1.27], P<0.000 01);(3) in terms of reducing inflammation indicators, Tanreqing Injection combined with conventional western medicine was better than conventional western medicine(MD_(CRP)=-10.75, 95%CI[-15.61,-5.88], P<0.000 01; MD_(WBC count)=-1.62, 95%CI[-2.55,-0.69], P=0.000 6; MD_(PCT)=-0.58, 95%CI[-0.89,-0.26], P=0.000 3];(4) in terms of improving symptoms and signs, Tanreqing Injection combined with conventional wes-tern medicine was better than conventional western medicine(MD_(cough)=-2.73, 95%CI[-4.93,-0.53], P=0.02; MD_(antipyretic)=-1.07, 95%CI[-1.17,-0.98), P<0.000 01];(5) in terms of decreasing the NIHSS scores, Tanreqing Injection combined with conventional western medicine was better than conventional western medicine(MD=-3.02, 95%CI[-4.91,-1.13], P=0.002);(6) in terms of adverse reactions, there was no statistically significant difference between Tanreqing Injection combined with conventio-nal western medicine compared with conventional western medicine treatment(RR=1.19, 95%CI[0.61,2.29], P=0.61). GRADE system showed that the evidence levels of above outcome indicators were low and extremely low. The results proved that Tanreqing Injection combined with conventional western medicine had a good advantage in the treatment of SAP, with better observation indicators better than western medicine conventional treatment, and no increase in the incidence of adverse reactions. However, this study had certain limitations. The overall quality of the included studies was low, which affected the reliability of the results. Therefore, the conclusions of this study shall be used cautiously.

Long non-coding RNA SAP30-2:1 is downregulated in congenital heart disease and regulates cell proliferation by targeting HAND2 / 医学前沿

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect worldwide. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been implicated in many diseases. However, their involvement in CHD is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the role of dysregulated lncRNAs in CHD. We used Gene Expression Omnibus data mining, bioinformatics analysis, and analysis of clinical tissue samples and observed that the novel lncRNA SAP30-2:1 with unknown function was significantly downregulated in damaged cardiac tissues from patients with CHD. Knockdown of lncRNA SAP30-2:1 inhibited the proliferation of human embryonic kidney and AC16 cells and decreased the expression of heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2 (HAND2). Moreover, lncRNA SAP30-2:1 was associated with HAND2 by RNA immunoprecipitation. Overall, these results suggest that lncRNA SAP30-2:1 may be involved in heart development through affecting cell proliferation via targeting HAND2 and may thus represent a novel therapeutic target for CHD.

Expression of Pinellia ternata leaf agglutinin under rolC promoter confers resistance against a phytophagous sap sucking aphid, Myzus persicae

BACKGROUND: Piercing/sucking insect pests in the order Hemiptera causes substantial crop losses by removing photoassimilates and transmitting viruses to their host plants. Cloning and heterologous expression of plantderived insect resistance genes is a promising approach to control aphids and other sap-sucking insect pests. While expression from the constitutive 35S promoter provides broad protection, the phloem-specific rolC promoter provides better defense against sap sucking insects. The selection of plant-derived insect resistance genes for expression in crop species will minimize bio-safety concerns. RESULTS: Pinellia ternata leaf agglutinin gene (pta), encodes an insecticidal lectin, was isolated and cloned under the 35S and rolC promoters in the pGA482 plant transformation vector for Agrobacterium-mediated tobacco transformation. Integration and expression of the transgene was validated by Southern blotting and qRT-PCR, respectively. Insect bioassays data of transgenic tobacco plants showed that expression of pta under rolC promoter caused 100% aphid mortality and reduced aphid fecundity up to 70% in transgenic tobacco line LRP9. These results highlight the better effectivity of pta under rolC promoter to control phloem feeders, aphids. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggested the potential of PTA against aphids and other sap sucking insect pests. Evaluation of gene in tobacco under two different promoters; 35S constitutive promoter and rolC phloemspecific promoter could be successfully use for other crop plants particularly in cotton. Development of transgenic cotton plants using plant-derived insecticidal, PTA, would be key step towards commercialization of environmentally safe insect-resistant crops.

Targeting the Secreted Aspartic Proteinase (SAP-1) Associated with Virulence in C. albicans by C. cassia Bio-compounds: A Computational Approach

Evaluation of the drug ligand interactions between the C. cassia bio-compounds with the SAP-1 in C. albicans to explore the inhibitory medicinal potential of C. cassia bio-compounds by a computational approach is performed in the present investigation. Antimicrobial assay was done using agar well diffusion method with the crude aqueous and ethanolic extracts of the dried barks of C. cassia against C. albicans. 2D & 3D structures of the active bio-compounds of C. cassia were optimized and the 3D structure of SAP-1 was retrieved from the PDB data bank. In-silico inhibitory potential of the selected C. cassia biocompounds against SAP-1 was done by Auto Dock 2.0 and was visualized with Accelrys discovery studio visualizing tool with the assessment of the molecular properties of the ligands against SAP-1 by molinspiration calculations and further assessment for their drug likeliness. In-vitro analysis showed a promising anti-fungal activity of C. cassia extracts against C. albicans. Cinnamoyl E-acetate and Eugenyl acetate seem to possess promising inhibitory effect to target SAP-1 with a least binding energy of –5.33 and -5.21 Kcal/mol with four hydrogen bonds respectively. Molinspiration assessments showed zero violations for all the C. cassia compounds with the TPSA scores of <140 Å towards the best oral bioavailability. The findings of the study emphasize that cinnamaldehyde, cinnamoyal acetate and eugenol from C. cassia seem to possess a promising inhibitory effect against SAP-1 of C. albicans suggesting the medicinal value of the spice against SAP-1

Toxic Keratouveitis Secondary to Euphorbia lactea Sap: A Case Report

@#A 42-year-old gentleman presented with left eye pain after accidental contact with Euphorbia lactea sap while gardening. At presentation, left eye best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/30. Ocular examination revealed left eye conjunctiva congestion and cornea abrasion. Eye symptoms and BCVA deteriorated over 12 hours. Cornea showed diffuse stromal oedema with presence of anterior uveitis. A diagnosis of toxic keratouveitis was made. He was treated with intensive topical steroids, cycloplegics, lubricants, prophylactic antibiotics and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic. Patient achieved complete resolution two weeks later. We aim to raise awareness among the ophthalmologists to detect and manage these injuries.

Central visual function and inner retinal structure in primary open-angle glaucoma / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

To investigate associations between central visual function and inner retinal structure in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This study enrolled 78 POAG patients and 58 healthy controls. POAG was classified into early glaucoma and moderate to advanced glaucoma. The following tests were performed on all participants: isolated-check visual evoked potential (icVEP) testing, 24–2 standard automated perimetry (SAP), and Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measures obtained from icVEP responses to isolated checks presented at four depths of modulation (DOMs; 8%, 14%, 22%, and 32%) were explored. Mean macular sensitivity (mMS) was assessed by calculating the mean sensitivities of central 12 SAP points. Ganglion cell layer+ inner plexiform layer thickness (GCL+IPLT) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFLT) were measured by OCT scanning. For each group of subjects, linear relationships among the following measures were analyzed: SNR, mMS, GCL+IPLT, and pRNFLT. SNR, mMS, GCL+IPLT, and pRNFLT were all more significantly decreased in glaucoma than in controls (P<0.001). A significant positive association was found between SNR at 14% DOM and GCL+IPLT at the inferior sector in early glaucoma (r=0.465, P=0.004). In moderate to advanced glaucoma, significant correlations were found between SNR at 32% DOM and mean GCL+IPLT (r=0.364, P=0.023), superior GCL+IPLT (r=0.358, P=0.025), and mean pRNFLT (r=0.396, P=0.025). In addition, in moderate to advanced glaucoma, there were significant correlations between mMS and all relevant measures of retinal thickness (r=0.330−0.663, P<0.010). In early glaucoma, significant correlations were found between mean mMS and minimum GCL+IPLT (r=0.373, P=0.023), and between inferior mMS and superior GCL+IPLT (r=0.470, P=0.003). Linear models provided a good explanation for the relationship between SNR and inner retinal thickness (IRT), whereas nonlinear models better explained the relationship between mMS and IRT. In early glaucoma, both SNR and mMS were related moderately and significantly to IRT, whereas in moderate to advanced glaucoma, mMS was more strongly correlated with IRT than SNR.

Design, synthesis and biological activity of novel triazine inhibitors of Candida albicans secreted aspartic protease 2 / 药学学报

In recent years, the incidence and mortality of invasive fungal infections has increased. It is highly desirable to develop novel antifungal agents with new modes of action. Targeting virulence factors represents a new strategy for antifungal drug discovery. Secreted aspartic protease 2 (SAP2), a kind of virulence factor, is an emerging antifungal target. However, discovery of small-molecule SAP2 inhibitors remains a significant challenge. Based on the structure-activity relationship of our previously identified triazine small-molecule SAP2 inhibitor, we were able to identify two potent inhibitors, 8a and 8c, which showed excellent in vivo antifungal activity for the treatment of C. albicans infection. Moreover, compounds 8a and 8b effectively inhibited fungal biofilm. Taken together, triazine SAP2 inhibitors represent promising lead compounds for the discovery of novel antifungal agents.

New record of Microtechnites bractatus (Say) (Hemiptera: Miridae) infesting Crotalaria spp. and injuries of Miridae in cultivated plants in the State of Paraná, Brazil

Abstract This study reports for the first time the plant bug Microtechnites bractatus (Say) in Crotalaria juncea and Crotalaria spectabilis, in the state of Paraná, Brazil. We characterized the injuries caused by M. bractatus and Collaria scenica Stal in cultivated plants and in Crotalaria spp. Considering that M. bractatus damage has been incorrectly attributed to C. scenica, we present here a contribution to the correct characterization of these insect pests and their damage over some agricultural crops.

Central visual function and inner retinal structure in primary open-angle glaucoma / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

To investigate associations between central visual function and inner retinal structure in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). This study enrolled 78 POAG patients and 58 healthy controls. POAG was classified into early glaucoma and moderate to advanced glaucoma. The following tests were performed on all participants: isolated-check visual evoked potential (icVEP) testing, 24-2 standard automated perimetry (SAP), and Cirrus optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) measures obtained from icVEP responses to isolated checks presented at four depths of modulation (DOMs; 8%, 14%, 22%, and 32%) were explored. Mean macular sensitivity (mMS) was assessed by calculating the mean sensitivities of central 12 SAP points. Ganglion cell layer+ inner plexiform layer thickness (GCL+IPLT) and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (pRNFLT) were measured by OCT scanning. For each group of subjects, linear relationships among the following measures were analyzed: SNR, mMS, GCL+IPLT, and pRNFLT. SNR, mMS, GCL+IPLT, and pRNFLT were all more significantly decreased in glaucoma than in controls (P<0.001). A significant positive association was found between SNR at 14% DOM and GCL+IPLT at the inferior sector in early glaucoma (r=0.465, P=0.004). In moderate to advanced glaucoma, significant correlations were found between SNR at 32% DOM and mean GCL+IPLT (r=0.364, P=0.023), superior GCL+IPLT (r=0.358, P=0.025), and mean pRNFLT (r=0.396, P=0.025). In addition, in moderate to advanced glaucoma, there were significant correlations between mMS and all relevant measures of retinal thickness (r=0.330-0.663, P< 0.010). In early glaucoma, significant correlations were found between mean mMS and minimum GCL+IPLT (r=0.373, P=0.023), and between inferior mMS and superior GCL+IPLT (r=0.470, P=0.003). Linear models provided a good explanation for the relationship between SNR and inner retinal thickness (IRT), whereas nonlinear models better explained the relationship between mMS and IRT. In early glaucoma, both SNR and mMS were related moderately and significantly to IRT, whereas in moderate to advanced glaucoma, mMS was more strongly correlated with IRT than SNR.

Dexamethasone protects the glycocalyx on the kidney microvascular endothelium during severe acute pancreatitis / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

Objective: This study demonstrated that dexamethasone (DEX) protects the endothelial glycocalyx from damage induced by the inflammatory stimulus tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) during severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and improves the renal microcirculation. Methods: Ninety mice were evenly divided into 3 groups (Sham, SAP, and SAP+DEX). The SAP mice model was established by ligature of pancreatic duct and intraperitoneal injection of cerulein. Renal perfusion and function, and morphological changes of the glycocalyx were evaluated by laser Doppler velocimetry, electron microscopy, and histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining), respectively. Serum levels of syndecan-1 and TNF-α were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protective effects of dexamethasone on the glycocalyx and renal microcirculation were evaluated. Results: Significantly high levels of serum TNF-α were detected 3 h after the onset of SAP. These levels might induce degradation of the glycocalyx and kidney hypoperfusion, resulting in kidney microcirculation dysfunction. The application of dexamethasone reduced the degradation of the glycocalyx and improved perfusion of kidney. Conclusions: Dexamethasone protects the endothelial glycocalyx from inflammatory degradation possibly initiated by TNF-α during SAP. This is might be a significant discovery that helps to prevent tissue edema and hypoperfusion in the future.

Dexamethasone protects the glycocalyx on the kidney microvascular endothelium during severe acute pancreatitis / 浙江大学学报（英文版）（B辑：生物医学和生物技术）

OBJECTIVE@#This study demonstrated that dexamethasone (DEX) protects the endothelial glycocalyx from damage induced by the inflammatory stimulus tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) during severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and improves the renal microcirculation.@*METHODS@#Ninety mice were evenly divided into 3 groups (Sham, SAP, and SAP+DEX). The SAP mice model was established by ligature of pancreatic duct and intraperitoneal injection of cerulein. Renal perfusion and function, and morphological changes of the glycocalyx were evaluated by laser Doppler velocimetry, electron microscopy, and histopathology (hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining), respectively. Serum levels of syndecan-1 and TNF-α were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protective effects of dexamethasone on the glycocalyx and renal microcirculation were evaluated.@*RESULTS@#Significantly high levels of serum TNF-α were detected 3 h after the onset of SAP. These levels might induce degradation of the glycocalyx and kidney hypoperfusion, resulting in kidney microcirculation dysfunction. The application of dexamethasone reduced the degradation of the glycocalyx and improved perfusion of kidney.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Dexamethasone protects the endothelial glycocalyx from inflammatory degradation possibly initiated by TNF-α during SAP. This is might be a significant discovery that helps to prevent tissue edema and hypoperfusion in the future.

Association between HLA-DR Expression and Multidrug-resistant Infection in Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection is a common complication of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).This study aimed to explore the association between human leukocyte antigen-antigen D-related (HLA-DR) expression and multidrug-resistant infection in patients with SAP.A total of 24 SAP patients who were admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between May 2015 and December 2016 were enrolled in the study.The percentages of CD4+,CD8+,natural killer (NK),and HLA-DR (CD14+) cells and the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio on days 1,7,14,and 28 after admission were determined by flow cytometry.Eighteen patients presented with the symptoms of infection.Among them,55.6％ patients (10/18) developed MDR infection.The most common causative MDR organisms were Enterobacter cloacae and Acinetobacter baumannii.The CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio and the percentage of NK cells were similar between patients with non-MDR and patients with MDR infections.In patients without infection,the HLA-DR percentage was maintained at a high level throughout the 28 days.Compared to the patients without any infection,the HLA-DR percentage in patients with non-MDR infection was reduced on day 1 but increased and reached similar levels on day 28.In patients with MDR infection,the HLA-DR percentage remained below normal levels at all-time points.It was concluded that persistent down-regulation of HLA-DR expression is associated with MDR bacterial infection in patients with SAP.

Association between HLA-DR Expression and Multidrug-resistant Infection in Patients with Severe Acute Pancreatitis / 华中科技大学学报（医学）（英德文版）

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infection is a common complication of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).This study aimed to explore the association between human leukocyte antigen-antigen D-related (HLA-DR) expression and multidrug-resistant infection in patients with SAP.A total of 24 SAP patients who were admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between May 2015 and December 2016 were enrolled in the study.The percentages of CD4+,CD8+,natural killer (NK),and HLA-DR (CD14+) cells and the CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio on days 1,7,14,and 28 after admission were determined by flow cytometry.Eighteen patients presented with the symptoms of infection.Among them,55.6％ patients (10/18) developed MDR infection.The most common causative MDR organisms were Enterobacter cloacae and Acinetobacter baumannii.The CD4+/CD8+ cell ratio and the percentage of NK cells were similar between patients with non-MDR and patients with MDR infections.In patients without infection,the HLA-DR percentage was maintained at a high level throughout the 28 days.Compared to the patients without any infection,the HLA-DR percentage in patients with non-MDR infection was reduced on day 1 but increased and reached similar levels on day 28.In patients with MDR infection,the HLA-DR percentage remained below normal levels at all-time points.It was concluded that persistent down-regulation of HLA-DR expression is associated with MDR bacterial infection in patients with SAP.

Antifungal activity of carvacrol in combination with fluconazole or amphotericin B against Candida albicans

Aims@#The aim of this study was to attempt to evaluate the antifungal activity of carvacrol in combination with fluconazole or amphotericin B against Candida albicans.@*Methodology and results@#Antifungal susceptibilities to carvacrol alone and in combination with fluconazole or amphotericin B were performed using the CLSI standard reference method against clinical isolates of C. albicans isolated from the immuno-compromised patients. Proteinase production assay and the expression of genes associated with secreted aspartyl proteinases synthesis (SAP1 and SAP2) were carried out to evaluate the antifungal activity of carvacrol in combination with fluconazole or amphotericin B against C. albicans. The carvacrol alone and in combination with fluconazole and amphotericin B exhibited strong inhibitory activity. The carvacrol, exhibited significant synergy and bpartial synergy with fluconazole or amphotericin B against the test isolates. The data indicated that combination of carvacrol with fluconazole or amphotericin B exerted antifungal effects through reducing SAP enzyme activity. The expression levels of SAP1 and SAP2 genes were down-regulated by carvacrol, fluconazole and amphotericin B alone. After carvacrol was employed in combination with fluconazole or amphotericin B, the expression levels of SAP1 and SAP2 genes demonstrated the lower expression in comparison to carvacrol alone.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#These results provide proof of concept for the implementation of carvacrol alone or in combination with fluconazole or amphotericin B inhibitors of C. albicans.

Impact of timing of abdominal paracentesis drainage on treatment outcomes in patients with severe acute pancreatitis / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To study the impact of early abdominal paracentesis drainage (APD) on the clinical course in patients with severe acute pancreatitis and massive peritoneal effusion.Methods From January 2012 to January 2017,107 patients with severe acute pancreatitis treated at the Chengdu Military General Hospital were retrospective studied.According to whether the patients underwent abdominal paracentesis drainage within a week of hospital admission,they were divided into the APD group (n=66) and the Non-APD group (n=41).The APD group was further subgrouped into the 0-2 d (within 48 h),3-5 d and 6 -7 d subgroups.The mortality rates,progression rates,length of stay,cost of stay,organ failure rates and inflammatory state of each subgroup of the APD were statistically analyzed and compared.Results 22 patients in the Non-APD group progressed in four weeks to require percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD).The rate of progression was 53.7％,and the mortality rate was 22％.In the APD group,21 patients underwent PCD treatment within 4 weeks.The rate of progression was 31.8％ and the mortality rate was 9.1％.In the APD group,the progression rate for the patients in the 0-2 d subgroup was 6.9％,and the in-hospital mortality rate was O.When compared with the other subgroups,the 0 to 2 d subgroup of patients had significantly lower progression and in-hospital mortality rates,lower hospitalization duration and hospitalization costs.These patients at 1 week after hospitalization also had significantly better inflammatory indexes,less incidence of organ failure and better disease severity scores (P＜0.05).Conclusions The results confirmed the effectiveness of APD in treating patients with severe acute pancreatitis with significant peritoneal effusion.Puncture treatment within 48 hours significantly improved prognosis of patients.The best time window of APD treatment for patients with severe acute pancreatitis with massive abdominal fluid is within 48 hours of hospitalization.

Efficacy and safety of continuous regional arterial infusion to treat patients with severe acute pancreatitis / 中华肝胆外科杂志

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of continuous regional arterial infusion (CRAI) in patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP).Methods One hundred SAP patients (including 41 gallstone,26 alcoholism,13 hypertriglyceridemia,11 after heavy meals,and 9 unknown) who were admitted into our hospital from January 2013 to October 2017 were assigned to the CRAI group (n =58) and the control group (n =42).The levels of laboratory measurements,hospitalization time and costs,complications and outcomes were compared between the two groups.Results On the sixth and tenth day of treatment,the levels of white blood cell,hemodiastase,urine amylase,blood glucose,blood calcium and APACHE-Ⅱ score improved in both the 2 groups.The degrees of improvement in the CRAI group were better than that in the control group.The abdominal pain relief time [(3.3± 1.2)d vs.(5.9±2.3)d],hemodiastase recovery time [(7.9±1.8)d vs.(13.3±2.5)d],and hospitalization stay [(21.3±3.6)d vs.(32.4±4.3)d] were shorter in the CRAI group.The costs were similar in the two groups.Retroperitoneal infection,pancreatic pseudocyst,and pancreatic drainage were less in the CRAI group.The improved and cure rates were 94.8％ and 70.7％ in the CRAI group,which were higher than those in the control group (71.4％ and 47.6％,respectively).Moreover,the ineffective treatment and mortality rates were 5.2％ and 1.7％ in the CRAI group,which were lower than those in the control group (28.6％ and 14.3％,respectively).Conclusions CRAI was an efficacious and safe treatment for patients with SAP.It can be used as an alternative to other effective treatments.

Effect of chloroform extracts from Longdan Xiegan decoction in inhibiting hydrolytic enzyme activity of Candida albicans isolated from VVC patients / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of chloroform extracts from Longdan Xiegan decoction(CELX) against hydrolytic enzymes activity of Candida albicans isolated from vulvovaginal candidiasis(VVC) patients. Secreted aspartyl proteinase(Sap), phospholipase(PL) and lipase(Lip) positive strains were identified from 15 strains of C. albicans with milk culture medium, egg yolk culture medium and tween-80 medium, respectively. Then, the activities of Sap, PL, and Lip were detected in the above media. qRT-PCR was used to detect the changes in gene expressions of aspartic protease(SAP1-7,10), phospholipase B(PLB1-2) and lipase(LIP3-6). Secreted aspartyl proteinase and phospholipase of 15 VVC clinical strains were positive, and lipase of 11 strains were positive. Compared with the blank control group, the drug CELX-containing medium(milk medium, egg yolk culture medium, tween-80 medium) experiment showed that the sedimentation of colonies decreased gradually in each culture medium with the increase of CELX dose. When the concentration of CELX was 256 mg•L⁻¹, the colony almost disappeared, which indicated the enzyme activity was significantly weakened. The results of qRT-PCR showed that SAP1, SAP2, SAP3, SAP4, SAP7, SAP9 and SAP10 were down-regulated by 62%, 55%, 62%, 84%, 61%, 51%, 68%, respectively, except for SAP5 and SAP6; and PLB1, LIP3, LIP4, LIP6 were down-regulated by 67%, 51%, 54%, 55%, respectively. The findings suggested that CELX may inhibit the activities of Sap, PL, and Lip, which are important virulence factors of C. albicans.

Free amino acids in the xylem sap of pear trees during dormancy / Aminoácidos livres na seiva do xilema de pereiras durante a dormência

ABSTRACT: Storage and remobilization are considered key processes for the effective use of nitrogen in temperate fruit trees. As dormancy begins, storage proteins are synthesized, coinciding with a reduction in the levels of free amino acids. Consequently, as dormancy breaks, these storage proteins are degraded, and an increase in the concentrations of amino acids occurs, in order to support new growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate water content of different vegetative tissues (buds, bark, and bole wood), volume of xylem sap, and free amino acid concentrations of xylem sap, during winter dormancy of Hosui Japanese pear trees (VL). Plant material was obtained from the Embrapa Temperate Climate experimental orchard at Pelotas, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Xylem sap was extracted from the branches with the aid of a vacuum pump, and the free amino acids were determined by gas chromatography, using the EZ kit: Faast GC/FID (Phenomenex). Water content of buds, as well as the volume of sap and concentrations of both aspartic acid and asparagine, substantially increased over time, reaching maximum values in the phase preceding sprouting.

RESUMO: A capacidade de armazenamento e a remobilização de nitrogênio são consideradas processos-chave para o uso eficiente desse macronutriente em plantas frutíferas de clima temperado. Na fase de indução à dormência, ocorre a síntese de proteínas de reserva, coincidindo com a redução nos teores de aminoácidos livres. Entretanto, na fase de superação da dormência, ocorre a degradação dessas proteínas e o aumento nas concentrações de aminoácidos para suprir um novo ciclo de crescimento. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o conteúdo de água em diferentes tecidos vegetativos (gemas, casca e lenho), o volume de seiva xilemática e suas respectivas concentrações de aminoácidos livres durante o período de dormência de pereiras japonesas cv. 'Hosui'. O material vegetal pertence ao pomar experimental da Embrapa Clima Temperado de Pelotas/RS. A seiva do xilema foi extraída dos ramos com auxílio de bomba de vácuo e os aminoácidos livres foram determinados por cromatografia gasosa, utilizando-se o kit EZ: Faast GC/FID (Phenomenex). O conteúdo de água, bem como o volume e as concentrações de ácido aspártico (Asp) e asparagina (Asn) da seiva do xilema aumentaram substancialmente, atingindo valores máximos na fase que antecede a brotação.