ABSTRACT Introduction: Taekwondo athletes' knee flexor and extensor muscle groups reveal the joint's biomechanical characteristics when tested and may suggest a direction for individual strength training in Tae Kwon Do athletes. Objective: Evaluate the impact of muscle strengthening on joint strength in Tae Kwon Do athletes. Methods: The study was conducted through a literature review, experimental test, and logical analysis. Results: The strength of the flexion muscle group in Taekwondo athletes was significantly higher than that of extension. The flexion-extension ratio is high. This characteristic may be related to the athletes' habit of supporting body weight with the left leg and attacking with the right leg. Conclusion: Strength training of the knee flexors is indicated for Tae Kwon Do athletes, balancing the muscular balance by raising the flexor fatigue index close to that of the extensors, improving the strength and endurance of the knee flexor muscles. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMEN Introducción: Los grupos musculares flexores y extensores de la rodilla de los atletas de Taekwondo revelan las características biomecánicas de la articulación cuando se someten a prueba, y pueden sugerir una dirección para el entrenamiento de fuerza individual en los atletas de Tae Kwon Do. Objetivo: Evaluar el impacto del fortalecimiento muscular sobre la fuerza articular en atletas de Tae Kwon Do. Métodos: El estudio se llevó a cabo mediante los métodos de análisis bibliográfico, prueba experimental y análisis lógico. Resultados: La fuerza del grupo muscular de la flexión en los atletas de taekwondo fue significativamente mayor que la de la extensión, la relación flexión-extensión es alta. Esta característica puede estar relacionada con el hábito de los atletas de apoyar el peso del cuerpo con la pierna izquierda y atacar con la pierna derecha. Conclusión: El entrenamiento de fuerza de los flexores de la rodilla está indicado para los atletas de Tae Kwon Do, equilibrando el balance muscular al elevar el índice de fatiga de los flexores cerca del de los extensores, mejorando la fuerza y la resistencia de los músculos flexores de la rodilla. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

RESUMO Introdução: Os grupos musculares flexores e extensores do joelho dos atletas de taekwondo revelam as características biomecânicas da articulação ao serem testados, podendo sugerir um direcionamento para o treinamento de força individual nos atletas de Tae Kwon Do. Objetivo: Avaliar os impactos do fortalecimento muscular sobre a força articular nos atletas de Tae Kwon Do. Métodos: O estudo foi conduzido pelos métodos de análise literária, teste experimental e análise lógica. Resultados: A força do grupo muscular da flexão em atletas de Taekwondo foi significativamente maior do que a da extensão, a relação flexão-extensão é elevada. Esta característica pode estar relacionada ao hábito dos atletas suportarem o peso corporal com a perna esquerda e atacar com a perna direita. Conclusão: O reforço com o treinamento de força nos flexores do joelho é indicado aos atletas de Tae Kwon Do, equilibrando o balanço muscular ao elevar o índice de fadiga dos flexores próximo ao dos extensores, aprimorando a força e a resistência dos músculos flexores do joelho. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

ABSTRACT Purpose: Chronic inflammation in the liver is a key trigger for liver injury and fibrosis in various liver diseases. Given the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Saffron, this study aimed to investigate the pharmacological effects of Saffron on hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. Methods: The mice model of hepatic fibrosis was constructed using CCl4, and Saffron was administered at low (10 mg/kg) and high (20 mg/kg) doses by gavage. Then, the changes in liver function, liver inflammation and fibrosis markers were evaluated. The effects and mechanisms of Saffron on hepatic stellate cells were further investigated in in-vitro experiments. Results: Saffron improved liver function, reduced liver inflammation and attenuated liver fibrosis in a dose-dependent manner in hepatic fibrosis mice. Furthermore, Western blotting showed that Saffron significantly inhibited JAK/STAT3 phosphorylation in fibrotic livers. Conclusions: Saffron can attenuate liver fibrosis by inhibiting the JAK/STAT3 pathway and the activation of hepatic stellate cell, providing a theoretical basis for the development of new anti-fibrotic drugs.

Resumo Introdução Novas evidências sugerem que a relação neutrófilo-linfócito está associada ao prognóstico de vários carcinomas, mas a relação neutrófilo-linfócito no carcinoma espinocelular da laringe ainda permanece controversa. Objetivo Esclarecer a eficácia prognóstica da relação neutrófilo-linfócito no carcinoma espinocelular de laringe. Método De acordo com as diretrizes de metanálise, conduzimos uma busca nas bases de dados Embase, PubMed, e Cochrane Library. A relação neutrófilo-linfócito de pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular de laringe foi avaliado com a diferença de médias padronizadas e intervalo de confiança. A sobrevida global, sobrevida livre de doença e sobrevida livre de progressão de pacientes com carcinomaespinocelular de laringe foram expressas pelo método da diferença de médias padronizadas e intervalo de confiança. A razão de risco do intervalo de confiança 95% foi usada como um índice de avaliação para pacientes com carcinoma espinocelular de laringe. Resultados Oito estudos, que incluíram 1.780 pacientes, usaram uma variedade de valores finais diferentes para classificar a relação neutrófilo-linfócito (intervalo de 1,78-4,0). Entre os oito estudos que relataram a razão de risco de sobrevida global, o maior valor médio foi de 2,72 e 2 de 4 estudos relataram resultados com sobrevida livre de doença. O valor crítico de relação neutrófilo-linfócito e deterioração da sobrevida global (razão de risco = 1,68, intervalo de confiança 95% 1,43-1,99, p ˂ 0,001), sobrevida livre de doença (razão de risco = 2,09, intervalo de confiança 95% 1,62-2,6, p ˂ 0,001) e sobrevida livre de progressão (razão de risco = 1,92, intervalo de confiança 95% 1,75-2,10, p ˂ 0,001) foi associado com carcinoma espinocelular de laringe. A relação neutrófilo-linfócito tem valor prognóstico para carcinoma espinocelular de laringe. Conclusão Os resultados da metanálise mostraram que o aumento da relação neutrófilo-linfócito estava relacionado ao mau prognóstico do carcinoma espinocelular de laringe. A relação neutrófilo-linfócito pode servir como um biomarcador custo-efetivo de prognóstico do carcinoma espinocelular de laringe. Entretanto, mais estudos prospectivos de alta qualidade são necessários para avaliar a sua praticabilidade.

Abstract Introduction New evidence suggests that the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes is associated with the prognosis of other carcinoma, but the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma remains controversial. Objective The objective of this meta-analysis was to clarify the prognostic effectiveness of the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Methods According to the meta-analysis of the free guide, we searched EMBASE, Pubmed, the Cochrane Library databases. The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients was evaluated using mean standard vehicle and confidence interval. The overall survival, disease-free survival and progression free survival of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were expressed by standard mean carrier method and confidence interval. The risk ratio of 95% confidence interval was used as an evaluation index for patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Results Eight studies, including 1780 patients, used a variety of different end values to classify the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes (range 1.78-4.0). Among the eight studies that reported risk ratio of the overall survival, the higher median value was 2.72, and 2 of 4 studies reported disease-free survival results. The critical value of ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes and overall survival deterioration (risk ratio = 1.68, 95% confidence interval 1.43-1.99, p< 0.001), disease-free survival (risk ratio = 2.09, 95% confidence interval 1.62-2.6, p< 0.001) and progression free survival (risk ratio = 1.92, 95% confidence interval 1.75-2.10, p< 0.001) was associated with with laryngeal aquamous cell carcinoma. The ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes had prognostic value for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion The results of this meta-analysis showed that the increase of neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio was related to poor prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. The neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio may serve as a cost-effective prognostic biomarker of poor prognosis of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. More high-quality prospective trials are needed to assess the practicability of evaluating the ratio of neutrophils to lymphocytes in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract The present study was aimed to investigate the clinical significance of methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) in patients with postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). This prospective case control study enrolled 319 cases of PHN patients from April 2017~December 2019. The patients’ sleep quality and quality of life were evaluated using the Pittsburgh sleep quality score and the SF- 36 scale, respectively. The serum levels of MECP2, CRP, IL -6 and TNF-α were tested using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The pain condition of the patients was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS). The levels of MECP2 were significantly increased in PHN patients compared with the patients without PHN. Serum MECP2 levels were the highest in patients with severe pain, and were the lowest in patients with mild pain. Similarly, the frequency of severe pain in patients with low expression of MECP2 was significantly lower than the patients with higher MECP2 expression. Besides, serum levels of inflammatory factors CRP, IL -6 and TNF-α were markedly increased in PHN patients, which were also increased with the increase of the severity of pain. CRP, IL -6 and TNF-α were positively correlated with serum levels of MECP2 in PHN patients. Before the study, patients with lower MECP2 levels showed a significantly higher SF-36 score and lower Pittsburgh and VAS scores than patients with higher levels of MECP2. However, after one month, no significant difference was found between the patients. ROC curve showed MECP2 had the potential as a diagnostic biomarker for PHN. In conclusion, higher serum MECP2 levels are associated with a more severe pain condition and increased release of inflammatory factors.

Resumen El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la importancia clínica de la MECP2 en pacientes con neuralgia posherpética (NPH). Este estudio observacional prospectivo incluyó 319 pacientes con NPH entre abril de 2017 y diciembre de 2019. La calidad del sueño y la calidad de vida de los pacientes se evaluaron con la escala de calidad del sueño de Pittsburgh y la escala SF - 36, respectivamente. Los niveles séricos de MECP2, PCR, IL -6 y TNF-α fueron determinados por ELISA. Se utilizó la escala visual analógica (EVA) para evaluar la intensidad del dolor. Los niveles de MECP2 en pacientes con NPH aumentaron significativamente en comparación con los pacientes sin NPH. El nivel sérico de MECP2 fue más alto en pacientes con dolor grave y el más bajo en pacientes con dolor leve. Además, la incidencia de dolor grave en pacientes con baja expresión de MECP2 fue significativamente menor que en pacientes con alta expresión de MECP2. Además, los niveles séricos de PCR, IL -6 y TNF-α aumentaron significativamente en pacientes con NPH, y se incrementaron con el aumento del grado de dolor. Los niveles séricos de PCR, IL -6 y TNF-α en pacientes con NPH se correlacionaron positivamente con los niveles séricos de MECP2. Antes del estudio, los pacientes con niveles más bajos de MECP2 tenían puntuaciones significativamente más altas de SF - 36, y puntuaciones más bajas de Pittsburgh y EVA que los pacientes con niveles más altos de MECP2. Sin embargo, no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los pacientes un mes después. Las curvas ROC mostraron que la MECP2 podría ser un biomarcador de diagnóstico para la NPH. En general, los niveles séricos más altos de la MECP2 se asociaron con condiciones de dolor más graves y un aumento de la liberación de factores inflamatorios.

The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) H19 is involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis by modulating the proliferation and invasion of ectopic endometrial cells in vitro, but related in vivo studies are rare. This study aimed to investigate the role of lncRNA H19 in a nude mouse model of endometriosis. Ectopic endometrial stromal cells (ecESCs) were isolated from ectopic endometrium of patients with endometriosis and infected with lentiviruses expressing short hairpin RNA (shRNA) negative control (LV-NC-shRNA) or lncRNA-H19 shRNA (LV-H19-shRNA). The ecESCs infected with LV-NC-shRNA and LV-H19-shRNA were subcutaneously implanted into forty 6- to 8-week-old female nude mice. The size and weight of the endometriotic implants were measured at 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after implantation and compared, and lncRNA H19 levels in endometriotic implants were evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). All nude mice survived the experimental period, and no significant differences in body weight were observed between the experimental group and the control group. All nude mice developed histologically confirmed subcutaneous endometriotic lesions with glandular structures and stroma after 1 week of implantation. The subcutaneous lesions in the LV-NC-shRNA group after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks of implantation were larger than those in the LV-H19-shRNA group, and lncRNA H19 levels in subcutaneous lesions in the LV-NC-shRNA group were significantly higher than those in the LV-H19-shRNA group. Knockdown of lncRNA H19 suppresses endometriosis in vivo. Further study is required to explore the underlying mechanism in the future.

Abstract Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the main diseases of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum). Recent studies indicated that the Va gene (Ntab0942120) determines the susceptibility of the crop to PVY, and that the Va gene product interacts with the PVY genome-linked protein (VPg) to initiate the PVY genome translation process, which ultimately leads to the systemic infection of tobacco by the virus. In this research, tobacco cultivar LJ911 was used as receptor material for gene editing. Gene Va was knocked out through CRISPR/Cas9 technology, and transgene-free homozygous edited plants in the T1 generation were established. Pathology tests indicated that the edited plants had gained PVY resistance. Therefore, the edited materials generated in this study represent potentially useful genetic resources for breeding of PVY- resistant tobacco.

Stereotactic biopsies for lesions in the brainstem and deep brain are rare. This study aimed to summarize our 6-year experience in the accurate diagnosis of lesions in the brain stem and deep brain and to discuss the technical note and strategies. From December 2011 to January 2018, 72 cases of intracranial lesions in the brainstem or deep in the lobes undergoing stereotactic biopsy were retrospectively reviewed. An individualized puncture path was designed based on the lesion's location and the image characteristics. The most common biopsy targets were deep in the lobes (43 cases, 59.7%), including frontal lobe (33 cases, 45.8%), temporal lobe (4 cases, 5.6%), parietal lobe (3 cases, 4.2%), and occipital lobe (3 cases, 4.2 %). There were 12 cases (16.7%) of the brainstem, including 8 cases (11.1%) of midbrain, and 4 cases (5.6%) of pons or brachium pontis. Other targets included internal capsule (2 cases, 2.8%), thalamus (3 cases, 4.2%), and basal ganglion (12 cases, 16.7%). As for complications, one patient developed acute intracerebral hemorrhage in the biopsy area at 2 h post-operation, and one patient had delayed intracerebral hemorrhage at 7 days post-operation. The remaining patients recovered well after surgery. There was no surgery-related death. The CT-MRI-guided stereotactic biopsy of lesions in the brainstem or deep in the brain has the advantages of high safety, accurate diagnosis, and low incidence of complications. It plays a crucial role in the diagnosis of atypical, microscopic, diffuse, multiple, and refractory lesions.

RESUMO: Com a redução de transferências temporais intergeracionais, as transferências financeiras da prole adulta a seus pais idosos estão prevalecendo em China rural. Embora muito tenha sido feito, pouco se sabe sobre a associação entre a expansão das transferências intergeracionais e a saúde física dos idosos rurais na China. O objetivo deste artigo é examinar o efeito das transferências financeiras intergeracionais sobre a saúde física dos anciãos na China rural. Usando dados coletados do estudo longitudinal de saúde e aposentadoria da China (CHARLS), o modelo de efeito fixo de dados do painel e o modelo de limiar são empregados para estimar o impacto das transferências financeiras intergeracionais na saúde física dos idosos em áreas rurais. Os resultados mostram que, embora as transferências financeiras intergeracionais tenham um efeito positivo na saúde física dos idosos, não existe relação linear entre eles. As transferências financeiras intergeracionais são claramente menos eficazes para a saúde física de idosos de baixa renda do que as de renda média, enquanto o efeito sobre a saúde de idosos de alta renda é o mais insignificante. Os estudos sobre o efeito das transferências financeiras intergeracionais sobre a saúde dos anciãos nos países em desenvolvimento permanecem limitados. Os achados deste artigo fornecem grandes insights sobre como as transferências intergeracionais, e as transferências financeiras intergeracionais podem afetar o bem-estar de idosos residentes em áreas rurais. Além disso, este estudo pode oferecer inspiração para os decisores políticos sobre as medidas que devem tomar para melhorar o bem-estar dos residentes rurais.

ABSTRACT: With the reduction of intergenerational temporal transfers, financial transfers from adult offspring to their elderly parents are prevailing in rural China. Although much has been done, little is known about the association between the expansion of intergenerational transfers and rural old people’s physical health in China. The purpose of this paper was to examine the effect of intergenerational financial transfers on the elders’ physical health in rural China. Using data collected from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), panel data fixed effect model and threshold model are employed to estimate the impact of intergenerational financial transfers on the old people’s physical health in rural areas. Results showed that; although, the intergenerational financial transfers have a positive effect on the old people’s physical health, no linear relationship exists between them. Intergenerational financial transfers are clearly less effective for low-income old people’s physical health than those of middle-income, while the effect on high-income old people’s health is the most insignificant. Studies concerning the effect of intergenerational financial transfers on the elders’ health in developing countries remain limited. Findings of this paper provided great insights into how intergenerational transfers, such as intergenerational financial transfers, may affect the well-beings of old residents in rural areas. Additionally, this study can offer inspiration to policy makers regarding what measures they should take to enhance rural old residents’ well-beings.

RESUMO: O estudo dos fatores e intervenções de saúde mental na China rural tem um significado prático importante para promover o desenvolvimento pessoal e o progresso social. Usando dados de 2016 provenientes do China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), este artigo estudou o efeito do “aperto do casamento” de um filho adulto, na saúde mental dos pais, na zona rural da China e seus mecanismos correspondentes. O termo aperto do casamento refere-se a um desequilíbrio entre o número de homens e mulheres disponíveis para se casar em uma determinada sociedade. Nesse estudo evidencia-se uma associação significativamente negativa entre o “aperto no casamento” do filho adulto e o estado de saúde mental dos pais rurais. Além disso, a associação negativa do “aperto do casamento” de um filho adulto com a saúde mental é maior para mães, pais com menos de 60 anos e pais que vivem com filhos. Além disso, investigamos possíveis efeitos, incluindo apoio intergeracional, relacionamento intergeracional e relacionamento de vizinhança, e descobrimos que o aperto do casamento do filho adulto prejudica principalmente a saúde mental dos pais rurais, aumentando o apoio intergeracional e piorando relações intergeracionais e de vizinhança.

ABSTRACT: Studying the influencing factors and interventions of mental health in rural China has important practical significance for promoting personal development and social progress. Using the 2016 waves of the China Family Panel Studies data, this paper examined the effect of adult sons’ marriage squeeze on parents’ mental health in rural China and its corresponding mechanisms. Our study showed a significant negative association between adult sons’ marriage squeeze and the mental health status of rural parents. Moreover, the negative association of adult sons’ marriage squeeze with mental health is larger for female parents, parents who are less than 60 years old and parents living with children. In addition, we investigated possible mechanisms of the effect, including intergenerational support, intergenerational relationship and neighborhood relationship, and that adult sons’ marriage squeeze mainly damages the mental health of rural parents by increasing the downstream intergenerational support of rural parents and worsening intergenerational and neighborhood relationships.

Abstract Purpose To explore the potential role and unclear molecular mechanisms of vaccarin in wound healing. Methods Rats’ skin excision model to study the effects of vaccarin on wound healing in vivo . Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to evaluate Histopathologic characteristics. Immunohistochemistry was employed to assess the effects of vaccarin in accelerating angiogenesis. Western blot was used to evaluate relative protein expressed levels. Results Vaccarin could significantly promote wound healing and endothelial cells and fibroblasts proliferation in the wound site. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot studies showed that the nodal proteins and receptor (bFGFR) related to angiogenesis signaling pathway were activated, and the microvascular density in the wound site was markedly higher than that in the control group. Conclusions The present study was the first to demonstrate that vaccarin is able to induce angiogenesis and accelerate wound healing in vivo by increasing expressions of p-Akt, p-Erk and p-bFGFR. This process is mediated by MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways.

The aim of this study was to elucidate the concise effects of a traditional herb pair, Curcumae rhizoma-Sparganii rhizoma (CRSR), on uterine leiomyoma (UL) by analyzing transcriptional profiling. The UL rat model was made by intramuscular injection of progesterone and gavage administration of diethylstilbestrol. From 11 weeks of the establishment of the model, rats of the UL+CRSR group were gavaged daily with CRSR (6.67 g/kg). The serum concentrations of progesterone (P) and estradiol (E2) were determined by radioimmunoassay, the uterine index was measured by caliper measurement, and the pathological status was observed by hematoxylin and eosin stain. Gene expression profiling was checked by NimbleGen Rat Gene Expression Microarrays. The results indicated that the uterine mass of UL+CRSR rats was significantly shrunk and serum P and E2 levels significantly reduced compared to UL animals and nearly to the level of normal rats. Results of microarrays displayed the extensive inhibition of CRSR upon the expression of proliferation and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM)-related genes, and significantly regulated a wide range of metabolism disorders. Furthermore, CRSR extensively regulated key pathways of the UL process, such as MAPK, PPAR, Notch, and TGF-β/Smad. Regulation of the crucial pathways for the UL process and ECM metabolism may be the underlying mechanisms of CRSR treatment. Further studies will provide clear clues for effectively treating UL with CRSR.

The effect of bisacodyl on the treatment of rats with slow transit constipation (STC) was studied. Forty-five female Wister rats were divided into control group, STC group, and STC bisacodyl group. The immunohistochemical method was used to determine interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) and the expression of c-Kit protein. Body mass and the number of defecations were significantly decreased in the STC group compared with the control group on the 100th day after diphenoxylate administration, while dry weight of feces was significantly increased and the intestinal transit time was prolonged. There were significant differences in the number of defecations, dry weight of feces, and intestinal transit time among the three groups. The number of defecations was higher, dry weight of feces was lower, and intestinal transit time was shorter in the STC bisacodyl group compared to the STC group. In addition, ICC basement membrane dissolution occurred in the colon wall of the STC group. The connection between ICC and surrounding cells was destroyed, and the nucleus shrunken to different degrees. Moreover, c-Kit expression in the STC group was significantly lower than the control group. The connection between ICC and surrounding cells in the STC bisacodyl group was significantly stronger than the STC group, and the number of ICC and the expression of c-Kit were increased. Bisacodyl could reduce the severity of STC in rats by increasing the number of ICC and the expression of c-Kit.

Bi2MoO6 nanosheets were synthesized by a hydrothermal method. Morphology and structure of the Bi2MoO6 nanosheets were analyzed by SEM, XRD, N2 adsorption techniques and XPS. Gas-sensing properties of the as-prepared Bi2MoO6 sensors were also systematically investigated. The results showed the reaction temperature greatly affected the morphology and structure of as-prepared Bi2MoO6 nanosheets. When the reaction temperature reached 170 ºC, the morphology of the Bi2MoO6 nanosheets tended to regular, and pure Bi2MoO6 nanosheets were obtained. The operating temperature determined the gas-sensing properties of the Bi2MoO6 sensor. At this optimal operating temperature of 300 ºC, the sensitivity of the Bi2MoO6 sensor towards 20 ppm nitrogen oxide (NO) reached a maximum of 3.13. With the increase of the nitrogen oxide (NO) concentration, the sensitivity of the Bi2MoO6 sensor also rapidly increased, and displayed an almost linear relationship between them. Additionally, the Bi2MoO6 sensor demonstrated excellent selectivity with respect to several typical interfering gases.

Abstract: Introduction and aim. Hyponatremia is common in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and is associated with increased mortality. Tolvaptan, a vasopressor V2 receptor antagonist, can increase free wáter excretion, but its efficacy and safety in cirrhotic patients remain unclear. Material and methods. We studied the usage and safety of tolvaptan in cirrhotic patients in a real-life, non-randomized, multicenter prospective cohort study. Forty-nine cirrhotic patients with hyponatremia were treated with tolvaptan 15 mg daily, and 48 patients not treated with tolvaptan in the same period served as controls. Improvement in serum sodium level was defined as an increase in serum sodium from < 125 to ≥ 125 mmol/L or from 125-134 to ≥ 135 mmol/L on day 7. Results. Twenty-three (47%) patients in the tolvaptan group and 17 (35%) in the control group had normal serum sodium on day 7 (p = 0.25). Serum sodium improved in 30 (61%) patients in the tolvaptan group and 17 (35%) patients in the control group (p = 0.011). Adverse events occurred in 46-47% of patients in both groups, and tolvaptan was not associated with worsened liver function. No patient with normal serum sodium on day 7 died within 30 days of treatment, whereas 16% of those with persistent hyponatremia died (p = 0.0019). Conclusion. In conclusion, short-term tolvaptan treatment is safe and can improve serum sodium level in cirrhotic patients with hyponatremia. Normalization of serum sodium level is associated with better survival.

New butyrolactones aspernolides C and D, along with two known butyrolactones (A and B) were isolated from the culture of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic ressonance techniques, and electronic circular dichroism. The butyrolactones aspernolides C and D were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity. The results showed that butyrolactones aspernolides C and D exhibited moderate anti-tobacco mosaic virus activity with IC50 values of 64.2 and 88.6 μM, respectively.