Case report: Successful treatment of an anti-D2R and DPPX antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis patient with high-dose methylprednisolone and intravenous immunoglobulin.

Background: Autoimmune encephalitis is a neurological condition caused by abnormal immune responses, manifesting as cognitive impairments, behavioral abnormalities, and seizures. Its diagnosis depends on the detecting neuronal surface antibodies in serum or cerebrospinal fluid. Despite recent advances in understanding, clinical recognition remains challenging, especially with rare antibodies such as anti-dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) and anti-dipeptidyl-peptidase-like protein 6 (DPPX) antibodies. Delayed diagnosis can lead to severe complications. This case presentation emphasizes the diagnostic intricacies and effective treatment of the anti-D2R and DPPX antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis. Case description: The patient presented with a 3-day history of fatigue and limb soreness followed by a 3-h episode of confusion and limb convulsions. Upon admission to our facility, the initial diagnosis included status epilepticus, aspiration pneumonia, metabolic acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, and suspected encephalitis. Despite receiving antiepileptic, anti-infection, and antivirus therapy, the patient's condition deteriorated. Both computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed no significant abnormalities. No pathogen was identified in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). However, further CSF and serum examination revealed positive results of anti-D2R and anti-DPPX antibodies, confirming a diagnosis of anti-D2R and DPPX antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis. The patient underwent a comprehensive treatment regimen, including high-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy combined with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), antiviral and anti-infection treatments, and antiepileptic medications. Significant clinical improvement was observed, and by the 18th day of admission, the patient was stable and coherent. Conclusions: The current patient represents the first reported case of double-positive autoimmune encephalitis for anti-D2R and DPPX antibodies, with epilepsy as a prominent feature. High-dose methylprednisolone pulse therapy combined with IVIG has shown significant safety and efficacy in treating anti-D2R and DPPX antibody-positive autoimmune encephalitis-associated epilepsy.

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration on nonstructural carbohydrates and grain quality of maize.

We used open-top chambers (OTCs) to simulate the conditions of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration at the Changwu State Key Agro-Ecological Experimental Station of the Loess Plateau. There were three treatments, CK (maize grown under field conditions with natural atmospheric CO2 concentration), OTC (maize grown in the open-top chamber under natural atmospheric CO2 concentration), and OTCe (maize grown in the open-top chamber under elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration of 700 µmol·mol-1).We explored the responses of non-structural carbohydrate (NSC) and grain quality (soluble sugar, starch and crude protein) of spring maize to elevated CO2 at different growth stages, aiming to provide scientific basis for revealing the adaptation mechanism of maize to elevated CO2. The results showed that the effects of elevated CO2 on NSC content and accumulation in maize varied across organs and growth periods. Elevated CO2 promoted the activation and redistribution of NSC in leaves, stems and roots during reproductive growth period, and significantly increased the amount of NSC conversion to the grains (ATMNSC), as well as the conversion rate to the grains (ARNSC) and the contribution to the grains (ACNSC) in leaves, stems and roots. Compared with CK, the warming effect of OTC inhibited the activation and redistribution of NSC in stems and roots, but promoted the activation and redistribution of NSC in leaves, significantly increased the ATMNSC, ARNSC, and ACNSC of maize leaves. Elevated CO2 did not affect the contents of soluble sugar, starch, and crude protein in maize grains.

A chromosome-level genome of Brachymystax tsinlingensis provides resources and insights into salmonids evolution.

Brachymystax tsinlingensis Li, 1966 is an endangered freshwater fish with economic, ecological, and scientific values. Study of the genome of B. tsinlingensis might be particularly insightful given that this is the only Brachymystax species with genome. We present a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly and protein-coding gene annotation for B. tsinlingensis with Illumina short reads, Nanopore long reads, Hi-C sequencing reads, and RNA-seq reads from 5 tissues/organs. The final chromosome-level genome size is 2,031,709,341 bp with 40 chromosomes. We found that the salmonids have a unique GC content and codon usage, have a slower evolutionary rate, and possess specific positively selected genes. We also confirmed the salmonids have undergone a whole-genome duplication event and a burst of transposon-mediated repeat expansion, and lost HoxAbß Hox cluster, highly expressed genes in muscle may partially explain the migratory habits of B. tsinlingensis. The high-quality B. tsinlingensis assembled genome could provide a valuable reference for the study of other salmonids as well as aid the conservation of this endangered species.

The phylogeographical pattern of the Amur minnow Rhynchocypris lagowskii (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) in the Qinling Mountains.

In this study, the phylogeographical pattern of the Amur minnow (Rhynchocypris lagowskii) widely distributed in the cold freshwaters of the Qinling Mountains was examined. A total of 464 specimens from 48 localities were sequenced at a 540-bp region of the mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) gene, and 69 haplotypes were obtained. The mean ratio of the number of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitutions per site (dN/dS) was 0.028 and indicated purifying selection. Haplotype diversity (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) of natural populations of R. lagowskii varied widely between distinct localities. Phylogenetic trees based on Bayesian inference (BI), maximum likelihood (ML), and maximum parsimony (MP) methods, and network analysis showed five well-differentiated lineages, but these did not completely correspond to localities and geographic distribution. Meanwhile, analysis of molecular variances (AMOVA) indicated the highest proportion of genetic variation was attributed to the differentiation between populations rather than by our defined lineages. In addition, there was no significant correlation between the pairwise Fst values and geographic distance (p > .05). Based on the molecular clock calibration, the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) was estimated to have emerged from the Late Miocene to the Early Pleistocene. Finally, the results of demographic history based on the neutrality test, mismatch distribution, and Bayesian skyline plot (BSP) analyses showed that collectively, the populations were stable during the Pleistocene while one lineage (lineage E) probably underwent a slight contraction during the Middle Pleistocene and a rapid expansion from the Middle to the Late Pleistocene. Therefore, the study suggests the current phylogeographical pattern of R. lagowskii was likely shaped by geological events that led to vicariance followed by dispersal and secondary contact, river capture, and climatic oscillation during the Late Miocene to the Early Pleistocene in the Qinling Mountains.

The effectiveness of different down-regulating protocols on in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer in endometriosis: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effectiveness of the GnRH-a ultra-long protocol, GnRH-a long protocol, and GnRH-a short protocol used in in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in infertile women with endometriosis. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Elsevier Science Direct, OA Library, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform, China Science and Technology Journal database, and the China Biology Medicine disc for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (non-RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy of the GnRH-a ultra-long protocol, GnRH-a long protocol, and GnRH-a short protocol in IVF-ET in infertile patients with endometriosis. RESULTS: A total of 21 studies in compliance with the standard literature were included, and RCT and non-RCT studies were analyzed separately. This meta-analysis showed that the GnRH-a ultra-long protocol could improve the clinical pregnancy rate of infertile patients in RCT studies, especially in patients with stages III-IV endometriosis (RR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.37~3.04, P < 0.05). However, subgroup analysis found the different down-regulation protocols provided no significant difference in improving clinical outcomes in patients with endometriosis in the non-RCT studies. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the GnRH-a ultra-long protocol can improve the clinical pregnancy rate of the patients with stages III-IV endometriosis in RCT studies. Although it is generally believed that the results of RCT are more reliable, the conclusions of the non-RCT studies cannot be easily neglect, which let us draw conclusions more cautious.

Multiple roles of FOXJ3 in spermatogenesis: A lesson from Foxj3 conditional knockout mouse models.

The transcription factor FOXJ3 (Forkhead box J3) is highly expressed in spermatogonia and meiotic spermatocytes within mouse testes. Here, we addressed how FOXJ3 might participate in spermatogenesis using two conditional knockout mouse models in which Foxj3 was deleted from either spermatogonia or meiotic spermatocytes. Both models exhibited complete male sterility, but distinct etiologies: Deleting FOXJ3 from spermatogonia using Foxj3flox/flox , Mvh-Cre mice caused Sertoli-cell-only syndrome in males. Foxj3-deficient spermatogonia were lost as early as postnatal Day 4, partially due to the accumulation of DNA double-stranded breaks. In contrast, loss of FOXJ3 in spermatocytes using Foxj3flox/flox , Stra8-Cre mice led to meiotic arrest. Indeed, the mRNA abundance of meiotic arrest-related proteins (Rad51, Dmc1, Brca1, Brca2, Brit1, Eif4g3, Hop2, Hormad1, and Rnf212) was significantly reduced in Foxj3flox/flox , Stra8-Cre spermatocytes. Thus, we conclude that FOXJ3 is required for the survival of spermatogonia and participates in spermatocyte meiosis. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 83: 1060-1069, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

[Synthesis and anti-proliferative activity of fluoroquinolone (rhodanine unsaturated ketone) amide derivatives].

To discover novel antitumor rhodanine unsaturated ketones, a series of fluoroquinolone (rhodanine α, ß-unsaturated ketone) amine derivatives (5a-5r) were designed and synthesized with fluoroquinolone amide scaffold as a carrier. The structures of eighteen title compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR and MS. The in vitro anti-proliferative activity against Hep-3B, Capan-1 and HL60 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. The results showed that the title compounds not only had more significant anti-proliferative activity against three tested cancer cell lines than that of the parent ciprofloxacin 1, but also exhibited the highest activity against Capan-1 cells. The SAR revealed that some compounds carrying aromatic heterocyclic rings or phenyl attached to an electron-withdrawing carboxyl or sulfonamide substituent were comparable to or better than comparison doxorubicin against Capan-1 cells. As such, it suggests that fluoroquinolone (rhodanine α, ß-unsaturated ketone) amines are promising leads for the development of novel antitumor fluoroquinolones or rhodanine analogues.

[Synthesis and anti-proliferative activity of fluoroquinolone C-3 fused heterocyclic α,ß-unsaturated ketones derived from ciprofloxacin].

To discover novel antitumor fluoroquinolone lead compounds from a rational modification for antibacterial fluoroquinolones, a fused heterocyclic ketone corresponding to thiazolo[2,3- b][1,2,4]triazolone used as a bioisosteric replacement of the C-3 carboxylic acid group of ciprofloxacin 1, and further modification by a Claisen condensation reaction with substituted benzaldehydes formed novel fluoroquinolone C-3 fuse heterocyclic α, ß-unsaturated ketones as the title compounds (6a-6r), separately. The structures of eighteen title compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H NMR and MS, and the in vitro anti-proliferative activity against human hepatoma Hep-3B cells, pancreatic Capan-1 cells and leukemia HL60 cells was evaluated by a MTT assay. The preliminary results showed that the title compounds not only had more significant anti-proliferative activity against three tested cancer cell lines than that of the parent ciprofloxacin 1, but also exhibited the highest activity against Capan-1 cells. In particular, compounds carrying an electron-withdrawing carboxyl (6k, 6m) or sulfonamide substituent (6q, 6r) attached to benzene ring were comparable to or better than constractive drug doxorubicin against Capan-1 cells. As such, it suggests that it is favorable for a fused heterocyclic α, ß-unsaturated ketone scaffold instead of the C-3 carboxylic acid group to improve the antitumor activity of fluoroquinolones.

[Synthesis and antitumor activity of fluoroquinolon-3-yl-s-triazole sulfide ketones and their derivatives from ciprofloxacin].

To discover an efficient strategy for the conversion of the antibacterial activity of fluoroquinolones into the antitumor activity, the three series of C-3 s-triazole-based derivatives including sulfide ketones (6a-6g), thiosemicarbazones (7a-7g) and fused heterocyclic thiazolotriazoles (8a-8g) were synthesized from ciprofloxacin (1), respectively. The structures were characterized by elemental analysis and spectral data. The antitumor activity was tested against three tumor cell lines (Hep-3B, Capan-1 and HL60) using the MTT assay. The three types of compounds all exhibited stronger anti-proliferative activities than ciprofloxacin in the test. The order of their activities was in compounds 7>8>6, and the order of selectivity against cancer cell lines was Capan-1, Hep-3B and HL60. Meanwhile, the SAR revealed that some compounds with electron-drawing group substituted such as fluoro- and nitro-phenyl compounds (6f, 7f, 8f) and (6g, 7g, 8g) displayed more significant activity than the control compounds, especially the IC50 values of thiosemicarbazone compounds 7f and 7g against Capan-1 was comparable to doxorubicin. Thus, a five-membered triazole as the C-3 bioisostere modified with the functionalized side-chain of sulfide-ketone thiosemicarbazone warrants special attention and further investigation.

Preparation of gold nanoparticles-agarose gel composite and its application in SERS detection.

Agarose gel/gold nanoparticles hybrid was prepared by adding gold nanoparticles to preformed agarose gel. Nanocomposite structures and properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy. Based on the swelling-contraction characteristics of agarose gel and the adjustable localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the gold nanoparticles, the nanocomposites were used as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate to detect the Raman signal molecules (NBA, MBA, 1NAT). Results revealed that the porous structure of the agarose gel provided a good carrier for the enrichment of the gold nanoparticles. The gold nanoparticles dynamic hot-spot effect arising from the agarose gel contraction loss of water in the air greatly enhanced the Raman signal. Furthermore, the gel could be cleaned with washing solution and recycling could be achieved for Raman detection.

Influence of various tubal surgeries to serum antimullerian hormone level and outcome of the subsequent IVF-ET treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the influence of various tubal surgeries to ovarian reserve via serum level of antimullerian hormone (AMH) and the subsequent in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation (IVF-ET) outcome in patients with simple tubal infertility. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective cohort study was conducted on 134 IVF cycles undegone by 26 and 34 cases with bilateral and unilateral salpingectomy, respectively, 23 cases with bilateral oviducts interrupted in the proximal and 51 cases with bilateral oviducts obstruction without intervention as controls. RESULTS: Serum AMH displayed its great superiority to traditional markers of ovarian reserve in correspondence with antral follicles count and decisive effect for the number of oocytes retrieved after stimulation in each group. No significant differences on ovarian reserve and responsiveness or IVF-ET outcome existed among four groups comparable on essential characteristics, except for numerically higher clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate after various tubal surgeries versus no intervention for bilateral oviducts obstruction. Especially, bilateral salpingectomy precursed the statistically highest implantation rate (51.0% versus 28.0%, 39.1%, 30.4%) and numerically best IVF outcome. CONCLUSION: Tubal surgical procedures have some beneficial effect for improving IVF outcome without significant impact on ovarian reserve or responsiveness. Bilateral salpingectomy appears to be an appropriate procedure before IVF treatment for bilateral salpingitis, especially hydrosalpinx.

Dibromido{2-morpholino-N-[1-(2-pyrid-yl)ethyl-idene]ethanamine-κN,N',N''}zinc(II).

In the title complex, [ZnBr(2)(C(13)H(19)N(3)O)], the Zn(II) atom is five-coordinated by the three N-donor atoms of the Schiff base ligand and by two Br atoms in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. The morpholine ring adopts a chair conformation.

Synthesis, structures, and urease inhibitory activities of three copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes with 2-{[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethylimino]methyl}-4-nitrophenol.

In order to explore novel urease inhibitors, three new mononuclear complexes of Cu(II) and Zn(II) with Schiff base 2-{[2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)ethylimino]methyl}-4-nitrophenol have been prepared and structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. Among the three complexes, two Cu(II) complexes show strong urease inhibitory activities with the IC(50) values being much lower than that of the acetohydroxamic acid, while the Zn(II) complex shows no activity at the concentration of 100 microM.

4-Dimethyl-amino-N'-(3-pyridyl-methyl-idene)benzohydrazide.

The title compound, C(15)H(16)N(4)O, was prepared by the reaction of pyridine-3-carbaldehyde with 4-dimethyl-amino-benzo-hydrazide in methanol. The dihedral angle between the pyridine and the benzene rings is 5.1 (3)°. In the crystal structure, the hydrazone mol-ecules are linked through inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along the b axis.

Design of a cardiac monitor in terms of parameters of QRS complex.

Objective. To design a portable cardiac monitor system based on the available ordinary ECG machine and works on the basis of QRS parameters. Method. The 80196 single chip microcomputer was used as the central microprocessor and real time electrocardiac signal was collected and analyzed [correction of analysized] in the system. Result. Apart from the performance of an ordinary monitor, this machine possesses also the following functions: arrhythmia analysis, HRV analysis, alarm, freeze, and record of automatic papering. Convenient in carrying, the system is powered by AC or DC sources. Stability, low power and low cost are emphasized in the hardware design; and modularization method is applied in software design. Conclusion. Popular in usage and low cost made the portable monitor system suitable for use under simple conditions.

[Extension of cardiac monitoring function by used of ordinary ECG machine].

This paper deals with a portable monitor system on liquid crystal display (LCD) based on this available ordinary ECG machine, which is low power and suitable for China's specific condition. Apart from developing the overall scheme of the system, this paper also has completed the design of the hardware and the software. The 80c196 single chip microcomputer is taken as the central microprocessor and real time electrocardiac single is data treated and analyzed in the system. With the performance of ordinary monitor, this machine also possesses the following functions: five types of arrhythmia analysis, alarm, freeze, and record of automatic pappering, convenient in carrying, with alternate-current (AC) or direct-current (DC) powered. The hardware circuit is simplified and the software structure is optimized in this paper. Multiple low power designs and LCD unit design are adopted and completed in it. Popular in usage, low in cost price, the portable monitor system will have a valuable influence on China's monitor system field.

[The design of a cardiac monitoring and analysing system with low power consumption].

The paper deals with a portable analyzing monitor system with liquid crystal display (LCD), which is low in power consumption and suitable for China's specific conditions. Apart from the development of the overall scheme of the system, the paper introduces the design of the hardware and the software. The 80196 single chip microcomputer is used as the central microprocessor to process and real-time electrocardiac signal data. The system have the following functions: five types of arrhythmia analysis, alarm, freeze, and record of automatic paperfeeding. The portable system can be operated by alternate-current (AC) or direct-current (DC). Its hardware circuit is simplified and its software structure is optimized. Multiple low power consumption and LCD unit are adopted in its modular designs.