Targeted isolation of lignans from the roots of Anthriscus sylvestris (L.) Hoffm. by small molecule accurate recognition technology.

Five undescribed lignans (1-5), along with sixteen known lignans (6-21), were isolated from the roots of Anthriscus sylvestris using small molecule accurate recognition technology (SMART). The structures of the isolated compounds were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses, and the absolute configurations of compounds 3-5 were elucidated by comparison of their calculated and experimental ECD spectra. Compounds 5, 14-15, 19, and 21 exhibited significantly inhibitory effects against hypoxia-stimulated abnormal proliferation of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs). Moreover, compounds 5, 14-15, 19, and 21 can significantly restore expression of expression of PASMCs proliferation-related protein, including α-SMA, PCNA, P27, and CyclinD3, which are closely related to cell proliferation.

Synergistic Degradation of Methylene Blue by Hydrodynamic Cavitation Combined with Hydrogen Peroxide/Vitamin C System.

In this study, a new combined process of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) and a hydrogen peroxide/vitamin C (H2O2/Vc) system was proposed for the degradation of methylene blue (MB) in wastewater. An impact-jet hydraulic cavitator was used as the cavitation generation equipment, and H2O2/Vc was selected as a homogeneous oxidation system. The degradation characteristics of MB were investigated. The results showed that the degradation effect of HC in combination with the H2O2/Vc system was more effective than that of the individual HC or H2O2/Vc system. A maximum degradation rate of 87.8% was achieved under the following conditions: H2O2 concentration of 0.03 mol/L, Vc concentration of 0.021 mol/L, inlet pressure of 0.3 MPa, initial solution concentration of 4 µmol/L, solution volume of 150 mL, and reaction time of 10 min. The synergy index was 1.615, indicating a synergistic effect between the HC and H2O2/Vc system. The data of the hydroxyl radical (·OH) yield under the conditions of HC, the H2O2/Vc system, and the HC + H2O2/Vc system were fitted and analyzed. A correlation equation for ·OH yield was established, further revealing the synergistic mechanism of the HC and H2O2/Vc system. The intermediate products of MB degradation were detected based on LC-MS, and three possible degradation pathways of MB degradation were proposed. The combined process of HC and H2O2/Vc systems exhibited relatively low energy efficiency and operating cost, indicating that it was in line with the development direction of wastewater treatment.

Identification of target genes co-regulated by four key histone modifications of five key regions in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a cancer with high morbidity and mortality. Studies have shown that histone modification plays an important regulatory role in the occurrence and development of HCC. However, the specific regulatory effects of histone modifications on gene expression in HCC are still unclear. This study focuses on HepG2 cell lines and hepatocyte cell lines. First, the distribution of histone modification signals in the two cell lines was calculated and analyzed. Then, using the random forest algorithm, we analyzed the effects of different histone modifications and their modified regions on gene expression in the two cell lines, four key histone modifications (H3K36me3, H3K4me3, H3K79me2, and H3K9ac) and five key regions that co-regulate gene expression were obtained. Subsequently, target genes regulated by key histone modifications in key regions were screened. Combined with clinical data, Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis were performed on the target genes, and four key target genes (CBX2, CEBPZOS, LDHA, and UMPS) related to prognosis were identified. Finally, through immune infiltration analysis and drug sensitivity analysis of key target genes, the potential role of key target genes in HCC was confirmed. Our results provide a theoretical basis for exploring the occurrence of HCC and propose potential biomarkers associated with histone modifications, which may be potential drug targets for the clinical treatment of HCC.

Nursing Work Engagement, Professional Quality of Life, and Intent to Leave: A Structural Equation Modeling Pathway Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Work engagement, professional quality of life (ProQOL), and intent to leave (ITL) significantly impact organizational behaviors and outcomes. Understanding the complex interrelationships among nurse work engagement, ProQOL, and ITL is essential for improving nurse retention, job satisfaction, and patient outcomes. In previous investigations, work engagement, ProQOL, and ITL relationships have primarily been analyzed individually. A more integrated approach is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of these factors in the nursing profession. PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the interrelationships among work engagement, ProQOL (compassion satisfaction [CS], burnout, and secondary traumatic stress [STS]), and ITL in nurses using structural equation modeling path analysis. METHODS: This was a quantitative descriptive study. Data were collected from registered nurses in the United States (n = 900) using the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the ProQOL-5 (CS, burnout, and STS), and a demographics datasheet (including a one-item ITL question). The proposed theoretical model, incorporating major constructs, was tested using structural equation modeling. RESULTS: Level of work engagement in nurses impacts ITL through ProQOL. Among the mediating variables, burnout (0.31) had the largest total effect on ITL, followed by STS (0.12) and CS (-0.12). Burnout and STS were found to correlate with ITL directly, whereas CS was found to correlate with ITL indirectly. CONCLUSIONS: Promoting work engagement, addressing burnout and STS, and fostering CS can positively influence nurse retention and job satisfaction, ultimately improving patient care quality. Healthcare leaders and policymakers should implement strategies to enhance nurse engagement, reduce burnout, and cultivate compassion satisfaction to increase nurse retention and improve organizational outcomes.

Causal relationship between serum metabolites and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: Insights from a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an irreversible lung disease with unclear pathological mechanisms. In this study, we utilized bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) to analyze the relationship between serum metabolites and IPF, and conducted metabolic pathway analysis. Aim: To determine the causal relationship between serum metabolites and IPF using MR analysis. Methods: A two-sample MR analysis was conducted to evaluate the causal relationship between 824 serum metabolites and IPF. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used to estimate the causal relationship between exposure and results. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using MR Egger, weighted median, and maximum likelihood to eliminate pleiotropy. Additionally, metabolic pathway analysis was conducted to identify potential metabolic pathways. Results: We identified 12 serum metabolites (6 risks and 6 protective) associated with IPF from 824 metabolites. Among them, 11 were known and 1 was unknown. 1-Eicosatrienoylglycophorophospholine and 1-myristoylglycophorophospholine were bidirectional MR positive factors, with 1-myristoylglycophorophospholine being a risk factor (1.0013, 1.0097) and 1-eicosatrienoylglycophorine being a protective factor (0.9914, 0.9990). The four lipids (1-linoleoylglycerophoethanolamine*, total cholesterol in large high-density lipoprotein [HDL], cholesterol esters in very large HDL, and phospholipids in very large HDL) and one NA metabolite (degree of unsaturation) were included in the known hazardous metabolites. The known protective metabolites included three types of lipids (carnitine, 1-linoleoylglycerophoethanolamine*, and 1-eicosatrienoylglycerophophophorine), one amino acid (hypoxanthine), and two unknown metabolites (the ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids, and the ratio of photoshopids to total lipids ratio in chylomicrons and extremely large very low-density lipoprotein [VLDL]). Moreover, sn-Glycerol 3-phosphate and 1-Acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocline were found to be involved in the pathogenesis of IPF through metabolic pathways such as Glycerolide metabolism and Glycerophospholipid metabolism. Conclusion: Our study identified 6 causal risks and 6 protective serum metabolites associated with IPF. Additionally, 2 metabolites were found to be involved in the pathogenesis of IPF through metabolic pathways, providing a new perspective for further understanding the metabolic pathway and the pathogenesis of IPF.

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OBJECTIVES: To study the risk factors and prognostic characteristics of pediatric silent lupus nephritis (SLN) with class Ⅲ to V. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted to collect clinical data from 30 children diagnosed with SLN at the Department of Pediatrics, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, from May 2007 to April 2023. Based on renal pathological classification, the patients were divided into a class Ⅱ group (12 cases) and a class Ⅲ to Ⅴ group (18 cases). The risk factors for the occurrence of class Ⅲ to Ⅴ SLN were analyzed, and the prognostic characteristics were summarized. RESULTS: Among the 30 SLN patients, the median follow-up time was 61.50 months. There were no statistically significant differences in the proportions of patients who discontinued glucocorticoids or achieved low disease activity status, nor in the annual decline rate of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) between the class Ⅱ and class Ⅲ to V groups (P>0.05). However, three patients in the class Ⅱ group progressed to stage 1 chronic kidney disease (CKD), while eight patients in the class III to V group reached stage 1 CKD, and four patients reached stage 2 CKD. Among the 26 female SLN patients, serum complement C3 levels in the class III to V group were lower than those in the class Ⅱ group (P<0.05). Serum C3 levels in SLN patients, as well as in female SLN patients, were negatively correlated with the fluorescence intensity of IgA, IgG, and C3 immune complexes in the kidneys (P<0.05). Additionally, serum C3 levels in female SLN patients were negatively correlated with the renal pathological activity index (P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis indicated that being female and having low serum complement C3 levels were risk factors for the occurrence of class Ⅲ to V SLN in children (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Class Ⅲ to V SLN is not uncommon among SLN children, and there remains a risk of long-term renal function progression. Being female and having low serum complement C3 levels are identified as risk factors for class Ⅲ to V SLN in children.

Human ß-casein-derived peptide BCCY-1 improved the intestinal barrier integrity by regulating the TLR4/eNOS/3-Nitrotyrosine axis.

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a lethal gastrointestinal disease affecting premature infants. Although earlier studies have highlighted protective effects of milk-derived peptides against NEC, the role of the human ß-casein-derived peptide BCCY-1 in intestinal barrier protection has never been investigated. Here, we showed that BCCY-1 alleviated the phenotype of NEC, reduced intestinal expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and interleukin-6, and improved the intestinal barrier integrity. NEC-associated multi-organ injury and impaired bone marrow hematopoiesis were also attenuated by BCCY-1. Metabolic screening revealed significant changes in intestinal metabolites in the NEC and NEC + BCCY-1 groups. Further analysis disclosed inhibition of 3-Nitrotyrosine formation due to the preservation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, which was associated with the interactions between BCCY-1 and lipopolysaccharides, leading to disruption of TLR4 signaling. Our findings suggested that BCCY-1 improved intestinal barrier integrity through modulating the TLR4/eNOS/3-Nitrotyrosine axis, highlighting its potential role in the maintenance of intestinal health.

Interaction of diesel exhaust particulate matter with mucins in simulated saliva fluids: Bioaccessibility of heavy metals and potential health risks.

Air pollution is one of the major environmental risks threatening human health, diesel exhaust particulate matter (DEPM) is an important source of urban air pollution, and oral ingestion is the primary route of exposure to atmospheric particulate matter. This study examined the bioaccessibility of Cr, Fe, and Zn in DEPM within simulated saliva fluids through in vitro experiments, interactions between the particles and mucins, and the mechanisms underlying the oxidative damage they cause. The results indicated that the interaction between DEPM and mucins altered the dispersibility, surface charge, and wettability of the particles, leading to increased release of heavy metals. Protein adsorption experiments and characterizations revealed that the adsorption of mucin by the particles resulted in a complexation reaction between the metals in the DEPM and the mucins, accompanied by fluorescence quenching of the protein. In addition, free radical assays and correlation analyses revealed that environmentally persistent free radicals generated by DEPM induce the production of reactive oxygen species (O2·-, HOOH, and·OH), which damage the secondary structure of mucins and increase the risk of oral diseases. Our study is the first to reveal the interaction between DEPM and mucins in saliva, elucidating the mechanisms of DEPM-induced oxidative damage. This is significant for understanding the oral health risks posed by the ingestion of atmospheric particulate matter.

Three new flavonoid glycosides from the herbaceous stems of Ephedra intermedia.

Phytochemical investigation of the n-butanol extracts of the herbaceous stems of Epheda intermedia led to the isolation of eight flavonoids that included three new flavonoid glycosides (1-3) and five previously reported analogues (4-8). Their structures have been identified on the basis of various spectral data. Besides, all the flavonoids were tested in vitro for their ability to inhibit α-glucosidase under the positive control of acarbose, and the results indicated that none of them exhibited significant inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase at 100 µM.