[Subacute toxicity and chemical analysis of Tibetan medicine Oxytropis falcata].

Four different extracts of Oxytropis falcata, including the aerial aqueous extract, and the underground aqueous extract, the aerial lipophilic extract, and the underground lipophilic extract were prepared and then administrated orally to mice at the maximum dose (50 g x kg(-1) x d(-1) calculated by raw material) for fifteen days respectively. Compared with the control group, which was administrated of 1.0% tween-80, the treatment groups did not show significant differences in appearance and behavior. However, the organcoefficient, blood biochemical indicator and pathological section results showed that the lipophilic extracts of the aerial and underground parts of O. flacata showed mild injury to the liver of mice, while the aerial and underground aqueous extracts and the underground lipophilic extract showed mild toxicity to the kidney of male mice. Chemical analysis showed that the lipophilic extracts of the aerial and underground parts, especially aerial lipophilic extract, consisted of large amount of flavonoid aglycones with little amount of polysaccharides and proteins, while the aqueous extracts contained much polysaccharides and proteins with almost no flavonoid aglycones detected.

Two new glycosides from Carduus acanthoides.

Two new glycosides, syringic acid-4-O-ß-L-arabinopyranoside and kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-7-O-ß-D-glucuronopyranoside, were isolated from whole plants of Carduus acanthoides (Asteraceae), and their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.

[Chemical constituents from whole plants of Carduus acanthoides].

Fourteen compounds were isolated from wholeplants of Carduus acanthoides by various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over HP-20 macroporous resin, MCI gel, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20 and ODS and reversed-phase HPLC. Their structures were identified as salidroside (1), 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), 3,5-di-hydroxyphenethyl alcohol-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), p-coumaric acid (4), 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propan-1-one (5), 3-hydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl) propan-1-one (6), syringin (7), p-hydroxybenzaldehyde (8), salicylic acid (9), tachioside (10), vanillic acid-4-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (11), syringic aldehyde (12), 2,6-dimethoxy-4-hydroxyphenol-1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (13), and 2, 6-dimethoxy-p-hydroquinone-4-0-P-D-glucopyranoside (14) on the basis of spectroscopic data analysiS. All compounds were isolated from the genus Carduus for the first time except for compounds 4 and 7.

3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl flavonol glycosides from Oxytropis falcata.

Five new 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG) flavonol 3-O-glycosides, named oxytroflavosides A-E (1-5), and two new rhamnocitrin 3-O-glycosides, oxytroflavosides F and G (6 and 7) were isolated from the n-BuOH-soluble fraction of an EtOH extract of Oxytropis falcata together with seven known kaempferol glycosides (8-14), of which six were isolated from the genus Oxytropis for the first time. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques and chemical methods. The absolute configuration of HMG in compounds 1-5 was determined to be S through spectroscopic analysis of the mevalonamide obtained by amidation and reduction of the HMG moiety. Compounds 1-10 were evaluated for anti-inflammatory activities using lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW 264.7 cells, but none of them showed inhibitory effects on NO production.

Characteristic and expression of Hsp70 and Hsp90 genes from Tyrophagus putrescentiae and their response to thermal stress.

The development of insects is critically affected by temperature, which therefore plays an important role in the control of stored grain pests. Extreme temperature stress conditions lead to biological responses in mites, such as the synthesis of heat shock proteins. Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Tp) is a pest mite in stored grain that has negative effects on both economy and health. Since T. putrescentiae population dynamics are strongly influenced by temperature, in the present study we have cloned the cDNA of HSP70 and HSP90 (referred to as TpHSP70-1, TpHSP70-2 and TpHSP90) and determined their expression by fluorescence real time quantitative PCR. TpHSP70 and TpHSP90 showed high homology with similar genes in other species and the open reading frames of TpHSP70-1, TpHSP70-2 and TpHSP90 encoded proteins of 665, 661 and 718 amino acid residues, respectively. Under thermal stress, expression of TpHsp70-1 and TpHsp90 was up-regulated at higher temperatures, suggesting their role in the defense against thermal stress.

Hydrogel sunscreen based on yeast /gelatin demonstrates excellent UV-shielding and skin protection performance.

Traditional organic and inorganic sunscreens suffer from the disadvantages of low stability and poor biocompatibility. In the study, we developed a novel hydrogel sunscreen based on the yeast and gelatin, which demonstrated excellent UV protection property and broad absorption of UV across UVA and UVB region. Yeast was used as effective component and gelatin as matrix to fabricate the hydrogel, which is high hydrated and reasonable to simulate natural living tissue. As a common probiotic, yeast shows safety and satisfactory UV protection capability. Furthermore, the hydrogel sunscreen shows excellent biocompatibility and UV protection performance both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, they can be prepared conveniently and provide an eco-friendly strategy, which provides experience and inspiration of probiotics in the cosmetics application.

Copper Peroxide-Loaded Gelatin Sponges for Wound Dressings with Antimicrobial and Accelerating Healing Properties.

Catalytic conversion of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to more toxic hydroxyl radicals (•OH) is a good choice for sterilization and anti-infection, but endogenous H2O2 is insufficient to achieve satisfactory sterilization efficacy. Despite great efforts, designing and developing antimicrobial materials that specifically and effectively self-supply H2O2 at the wound site remain as tremendous challenges. Here, we report a pH-responsive copper peroxide-loaded wound dressing made from copper hydroxide and gelatin sponge and then reacted with H2O2. In vitro experiments show that the prepared wound dressing has good bactericidal properties against Escherichia coli (E. coli), Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa). Moreover, the as-prepared wound dressing can release •OH specifically in the bacterial-infected skin wound, rather than in normal tissues, and in vivo skin wound-healing experiments proved that the synthesized copper peroxide-loaded gelatin sponge could combat E. coli effectively; in addition, Cu2+ released from the gelatin sponge could stimulate angiogenesis and collagen deposition simultaneously. The study provides a strategy to improve antibacterial efficacy and reduce the toxic side effects through the release of •OH by bacterial self-activation.

Delivery room resuscitation and short-term outcomes of extremely preterm and extremely low birth weight infants: a multicenter survey in North China.

BACKGROUND: Delivery room resuscitation assists preterm infants, especially extremely preterm infants (EPI) and extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWI), in breathing support, while it potentially exerts a negative impact on the lungs and outcomes of preterm infants. This study aimed to assess delivery room resuscitation and discharge outcomes of EPI and ELBWI in China. METHODS: The clinical data of EPI (gestational age [GA] <28 weeks) and ELBWI (birth weight [BW] <1000 g), admitted within 72 h of birth in 33 neonatal intensive care units from five provinces and cities in North China between 2017 and 2018, were analyzed. The primary outcomes were delivery room resuscitation and risk factors for delivery room intubation (DRI). The secondary outcomes were survival rates, incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and risk factors for BPD. RESULTS: A cohort of 952 preterm infants were enrolled. The incidence of DRI, chest compressions, and administration of epinephrine was 55.9% (532/952), 12.5% (119/952), and 7.0% (67/952), respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that the risk factors for DRI were GA <28 weeks (odds ratio [OR], 3.147; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.082-4.755), BW <1000 g (OR, 2.240; 95% CI, 1.606-3.125), and antepartum infection (OR, 1.429; 95% CI, 1.044-1.956). The survival rate was 65.9% (627/952) and was dependent on GA. The rate of BPD was 29.3% (181/627). Multivariate analysis showed that the risk factors for BPD were male (OR, 1.603; 95% CI, 1.061-2.424), DRI (OR, 2.094; 95% CI, 1.328-3.303), respiratory distress syndrome exposed to ≥2 doses of pulmonary surfactants (PS; OR, 2.700; 95% CI, 1.679-4.343), and mechanical ventilation ≥7 days (OR, 4.358; 95% CI, 2.777-6.837). However, a larger BW (OR, 0.998; 95% CI, 0.996-0.999), antenatal steroid (OR, 0.577; 95% CI, 0.379-0.880), and PS use in the delivery room (OR, 0.273; 95% CI, 0.160-0.467) were preventive factors for BPD (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Improving delivery room resuscitation and management of respiratory complications are imperative during early management of the health of EPI and ELBWI.

[Two en-kaurene diterpenoids from Tibetan medicine Caryopteris toroetii].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Tibetan medicine Caryopteris toroetii. METHOD: The crude drug was extracted with 95% EtOH and isolated by repeated chromatographic methods. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis. RESULT: Two en-kaurene diterpenoid compounds: oridonin (1) and nodosin (2), were obtained from C. toroetii and their 1H and 13C-NMR data in CD3OD were reported for the first time. CONCLUSION: The en-kaurene diterpenoid compounds were obtained from genus Caryopteris for the first time.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Tibetan medicine Caryopteris toroetii].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of the Tibetan medicine Caryopteris toroetii. METHOD: The crude drug was extracted with 95% EtOH and isolated by repeatedly chromatographic methods. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated by spectral analysis. RESULT: Six compounds were yielded and identified as: phenethyl cinnamide (1), 1-hydroxy-2, 3, 4, 5-tetramethoxy-xanthone (2), 1-hydroxy-2, 3, 5-trimethoxy-xanthone (3), (2S)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxyflavanone (4), 2', 4'-dihydroxydihydrochalcone (5) and rutin (6). CONCLUSION: All the above compounds were obtained from C. toroetii for the first time.

[Studies on glycosides from Gentiana veitchiorum].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Gentiana veitchiorum. METHOD: The chemical constituents were isolated by chromatography and identified by spectral data. RESULT: Five glycosides, loganic acid (1), gentiopicroside (2), isoorientin 3'-methyl ether (3), isovitexin (4), isoorientin (5) were isolated and identified. CONCLUSION: Compounds 1-5 were isolated from this plant for the first time.

Prognosis of psychomotor and mental development in premature infants by early cranial ultrasound.

BACKGROUND: It is of high incidence of brain injuries in premature infants, so it is necessary to diagnose and treat the brain injury early for neonatal clinical practice. We are aimed to investigate the relationship between early postnatal cranial ultrasonography and psychomotor and mental development in prematrue infants at the age of 12 months. METHODS: Two-hundred and eight premature infants were selected and underwent follow-up from January, 2007 to November, 2012. Cranial ultrasonography was performed on them. The developmental outcomes of these premature infants at the age of 12 months were assessed by the psychomotor developmental index (PDI) scale and mental development index (MDI). The relationship between ultrasonic gray-scale value and PDI and MDI was analyzed. RESULTS: The worse prognosis for psychomotor and mental development was associated with the gestational age, Apgar score(1 min), gender, chorioamnionitis, duration of mechanical ventilation and duration of mechanic ventilation. The differences between the prognosis of psychomotor and mental development, and peri-intraventricular hemorrhage (PIVH) and periventricular white matter damage (PWMD), were statistically significant (P<0.05). There were also significant differences between the early postnatal ultrasonic gray-scale value and prognoses of both psychomotor development and mental development (P<0.05). There were negative correlations between ultrasonic gray-scale and both PDI and MDI (r=-0.753, P<0.05; r=-0.764, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The early postnatal cranial ultrasonography can assist to predict the prognosis of psychomotor and mental development for premature infants. The higher grade of PIVH and PWMD was associated with the worse prognosis of psychomotor and mental development.

Isolation and identification of metabolites from dihydromyricetin.

Dihydromyricetin (DHM) is the major bioactive constituent of Rattan Tea, which is the tender stems and leaves of Ampelopsis grossendentata. Seven metabolites (2-8) of DHM (1) were obtained by the chromatographic method. The metabolites 2-5 were obtained from the urine of rats administered orally with DHM; and metabolites 6-8 were detected in the fecal specimens of rats, which were also produced by human intestinal bacteria (HIB) in vitro, and were separated from the cultured media of HIB containing DHM. Their structures were elucidated as 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxyflavanonol (2); 5,7,3',5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanonol (3); 5,7,4',5'-tetrahydroxy-3'-methoxyflavanonol (4); and dihydromyricetin-O-5-beta-D-glucuronide (5); (2R,3S)-5,7,3',4',5'-pentahydroxyflavanonol (6); 3,4,5,7,3',4',5'-hepthydroxyflavan (7) and 5,7,3',4',5'-pentahydroxyflavanone (8) on the basis of UV, NMR and LC-MS/MS data. These seven metabolites were formed through familiar metabolic reactions. Dihydromyricetin-O-5-beta-D-glucuronide (5) is a new compound. The (13)C-NMR data of (2) and (4) are reported for the first time.