Ganodermasides E-H, four new ergosterol derivatives from the endophytic fungus Epicoccum poae DJ-F associated with Euphorbia royleana.

Ganodermasides E-H (1-4), four new ergosterol derivatives and two known ones (5 and 6) were isolated from the fermentation of the endophytic fungus Epicoccum poae DJ-F in the stems of Euphorbia royleana Boiss. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, including extensive 1D NMR, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS techniques. All the isolated compounds were tested for their vitro antibacterial activity. Compounds 1-6 showed weak inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas syringae, and Ralstonia solanacearum with MIC values ranging from 0.4 to 3.6 mM.

Reduction in risk of contrast-induced nephropathy in patients with chronic kidney disease and diabetes mellitus by enhanced external counterpulsation.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) in the prevention of contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in patients with combined chronic kidney disease (CKD) and diabetes mellitus (DM) by comparing the changes in renal function-related indicators in patients before and after coronary angiography (CAG) or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: There were 230 subjects consecutively included in the study. Of these, 30 cases with DM underwent rehydration therapy, and 200 cases underwent EECP therapy in addition to rehydration therapy, comprising 53 patients with DM and 147 patients without. All the patients were tested to measure the renal function indicators before and after CAG/PCI. Results: The postoperative results of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), B2 microglobulin, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the three groups showed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). After EECP therapy, patients with DM showed a significant decrease in BUN (9.1 ± 4.2 vs. 7.2 ± 3.0, t = 3.899, P < 0.001) and a significant increase in eGFR (41.5 ± 12.7 vs. 44.0 ± 15.6, t = -2.031, P = 0.047), while the patients without DM showed a more significant difference (P < 0.001). Patients with DM showed a lower percentage of elevated Scr (66.7% vs. 43.4%, P = 0.042), a higher percentage of elevated eGFR (30.0% vs. 52.8%, P = 0.044), and a lower incidence of CIN (16.7% vs. 3.8%, P = 0.042) after EECP therapy. Conclusion: Treatment with EECP can reduce Scr in patients with combined CKD and DM post CAG/PCI, increase eGFR, and decrease the incidence of CIN.

Mandibular Reconstruction Using Iliac Flap Based on Occlusion-Driven Workflow Transferred by Digital Surgical Guides.

PURPOSE: The current standard for mandibular reconstruction is a contour-based approach using a fibular flap offering good cosmetic results but challenging to reconstruct using dental implants. An iliac flap is more amenable to implant placement and better suited for occlusion-driven reconstruction. We aimed to describe an occlusion-driven workflow that involves the use of digital surgical guides to perform mandibular reconstruction using an iliac flap; we also aimed to compare our results to those we achieved with conventional contour-based reconstruction. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study. All patients who underwent mandibular reconstruction with an iliac flap at our university hospital between September 2017 and December 2019 were considered eligible for the study. The inclusion criteria included mandibular defects after tumor ablation and stable preoperative occlusal relationship. The exclusion criteria were as follows: defects involving the condyle and ramus, temporomandibular joint disease, and obvious preoperative nontumor-related facial asymmetry. To evaluate surgical outcomes, patients were assigned to 2 groups based on the implemented surgical workflow: the occlusion-driven and traditional contour-driven groups. The intermaxillary distance, intermaxillary angle, surface deviation, and implantation rates were compared between the 2 groups. The operating time, length, and number of iliac bone segments were recorded. Intergroup differences were investigated using an independent samples t test and Fisher exact test. RESULTS: Overall, 24 patients were included (13 in the occlusion-driven group and 11 in the contour-driven group). Implantation rate was higher in the occlusion-driven group (61.5%) compared with the contour-driven group (18.2%; P = .047). The average acceptable intermaxillary distance was greater in the occlusion-driven group (92.3 ± 27.7%) than in the contour-driven group (47.0 ± 47.6%; P = .01). The average intermaxillary angle was 88.2 ± 8.4° in the occlusion-driven group and 76.4 ± 10.3° in the contour-driven group (P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Digital surgical guides can precisely transfer virtual surgical planning to real-world mandibular surgery. An occlusion-driven workflow might provide a better intermaxillary jaw relationship than traditional contour-driven surgical procedures, resulting in improved mastication.

Indole Alkaloids and Chromones from the Stem Bark of Cassia alata and Their Antiviral Activities.

The Cassia (Leguminosae) genus has attracted a lot of attention as a prolific source of alkaloids and chromones with diverse structures and biological properties. The aim of this study is to screen the antiviral compounds from Cassia alata. The extract of the stem bark of this plant was separated using silica gel, MCI, ODS C18, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, as well as semi-preparative HPLC. As a result, three new indole alkaloids, alataindoleins A-C (1-3); one new chromone, alatachromone A (4); and a new dimeric chromone-indole alkaloid, alataindolein D (5) were isolated. Their structures were determined by means of HRESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. Interestingly, alataindolein D (5) represents a new type of dimeric alkaloid with an unusual N-2-C-16' linkage, which is biogenetically derived from a chromone and an indole alkaloid via an intermolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction. Compounds 1-5 were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and anti-rotavirus activities, and the results showed that compounds 2-4 showed high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 44.4%, 66.5%, and 52.3%, respectively. These rates were higher than those of the positive control (with inhibition rate of 32.8%). Compounds 1 and 5 also showed potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 26.5% and 31.8%, respectively. In addition, compounds 1-5 exhibited potential anti-rotavirus activities with therapeutic index (TI) values in the range of 9.75~15.3. The successful isolation and structure identification of the above new compounds provided materials for the screening of antivirus drugs, and contributed to the development and utilization of C. alata.

Virtual Surgical Planning of Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery Flap for Midface Reconstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Midface reconstruction is challenging for functional and esthetic reasons. The present study analyzed the effect of virtual surgical planning (VSP) of the deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap for midface reconstruction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty-four patients who underwent midface reconstruction with the DCIA flap were included in this retrospective study. Of the 34 patients, 16 underwent preoperative VSP, which used a three-dimensionally printed surgical guide, computer-assisted navigation system, and pre-bent titanium implants to transfer VSP into real-world surgery. The other 18 patients underwent traditional midface reconstruction. The following were compared between the two groups: bony contact rate in the buttress region (BCR), dental arch reconstruction rate (DAR), surgical approach, position of vascular anastomosis, and dental implantation rate. The independent-samples t-test and Fisher's exact test were used for analysis. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: In total, 12 males and 22 females were included in this study. All patients underwent midface reconstruction using the DCIA flap at the same institution. The median age of patients was 33 years (range: 16-68 years). The average BCR and DAR values in the VSP group were 59.4% ± 27.9% and 87.5% ± 18.9%, respectively, which were significantly higher compared with the non-VSP group (P = 0.049 and P = 0.004, respectively). The dental implantation rate in the VSP group (50.0%) was significantly higher compared with the non-VSP group (11.1%; P = 0.023). The intraoral approach for tumor ablation and vascular anastomosis was the most frequent choice in both groups. There was no significant difference between the two groups. All patients were satisfied with facial symmetry postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: VSP could effectively augment the effect of midface reconstruction with the DCIA flap. Stronger bone contact in the buttress region and higher DAR provide more opportunity for dental implantation, which might be the best solution to improve masticatory function in patients with midface defects.