Recent progress in the applications of presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography imaging in parkinsonism.

Nowadays, presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography, which assesses deficiencies in dopamine synthesis, storage, and transport, is widely utilized for early diagnosis and differential diagnosis of parkinsonism. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the latest developments in the application of presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography imaging in disorders that manifest parkinsonism. We conducted a thorough literature search using reputable databases such as PubMed and Web of Science. Selection criteria involved identifying peer-reviewed articles published within the last 5 years, with emphasis on their relevance to clinical applications. The findings from these studies highlight that presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has demonstrated potential not only in diagnosing and differentiating various Parkinsonian conditions but also in assessing disease severity and predicting prognosis. Moreover, when employed in conjunction with other imaging modalities and advanced analytical methods, presynaptic dopaminergic positron emission tomography has been validated as a reliable in vivo biomarker. This validation extends to screening and exploring potential neuropathological mechanisms associated with dopaminergic depletion. In summary, the insights gained from interpreting these studies are crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of preclinical investigations and clinical trials, ultimately advancing toward the goals of neuroregeneration in parkinsonian disorders.

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Hypertension Belief Assessment Tool.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is prevalent in China. Hypertensive patients suffer from many health problems in life. Hypertension is a common chronic disease with long-term and lifelong characteristics. In the long run, the existence of chronic diseases will affect the patient's own health beliefs. However, people's health beliefs about Hypertension are not explicit. Therefore, it is vital to find a suitable instrument to comprehend and improve the health beliefs of hypertensive patients, thus, better control of blood pressure and improvement of patient's quality of life are now crucial issues. This study aimed to translate the Hypertension Belief Assessment Tool (HBAT) into Chinese and examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Hypertension Belief Assessment Tool in hypertensive patients. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study. We translated the HBAT into Chinese and tested the reliability and validity of the Chinese version among 325 hypertensive patients. RESULTS: The Chinese version of the scale contains 21 items. The Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) revealed six factors and explained 77.898% of the total variation. A six-factor model eventually showed acceptable fit indices in the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). With modified Confirmatory Factor Analysis, the fit indices were Chi-square/Degree of Freedom (CMIN/DF) = 2.491, Comparative Fit Index (CFI) = 0.952, Incremental Fit Index (IFI) = 0.952, Root-mean-square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) = 0.068, Tucker Lewis Index (TLI) = 0.941. The HBAT exhibits high internal consistency reliability (0.803), and the scale has good discriminant validity. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the HBAT is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing the beliefs of Chinese hypertensive patients.

Physically based simulation of focusing schlieren imaging for a hypersonic boundary layer flow.

Focusing schlieren systems are more advantageous than conventional schlieren systems in providing a schlieren image with certain spatial discrimination along the light path. The present work employed a hybrid of the optical-transfer matrix and ray-tracing method to faithfully replicate complete physical imaging processes throughout a focusing schlieren optic system. A direct numerical simulation of a hypersonic boundary layer flow was employed to synthesize focusing schlieren images. The influence of various configuration parameters on the properties of focusing schlieren image such as local schlieren structure, brightness, sensitivity, and depth of field were systematically explored. In addition, an approximation method was proposed as a simplified means to facilitate the simulation of a focusing schlieren image.

The relationship between psychological resilience and quality of life among the Chinese diabetes patients: the mediating role of stigma and the moderating role of empowerment.

BACKGROUND: Although some factors, such as stigma and empowerment, influence the complex relationship between psychological resilience and quality of life, few studies have explored similar psychological mechanisms among patients with diabetes. Therefore, this study explored the mediating role of stigma and the moderating role of empowerment in the psychological mechanisms by which psychological resilience affects quality of life. METHODS: From June to September 2022, data were collected by multi-stage stratified sampling and random number table method. Firstly, six tertiary hospitals in Wuhu were numbered and then selected using the random number table method, resulting in the First Affiliated Hospital of Wannan Medical College being selected. Secondly, two departments were randomly selected from this hospital: endocrinology and geriatrics. Thirdly, survey points were set up in each department, and T2DM patients were randomly selected for questionnaire surveys. In addition, we used the Connor-Davidson Elasticity Scale (CD-RISC) to measure the psychological resilience of patients, and used the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness (SSCI) to measure stigma. Empowerment was measured by the Diabetes Empowerment Scale (DES). Quality of Life was assessed by the Diabetes Quality of Life Scale (DQoL). We used SPSS (version 21) and PROCESS (version 4.1) for data analysis. RESULTS: (1) Psychological resilience was negatively correlated with stigma and quality of life, and positively correlated with empowerment. Stigma was positively associated with empowerment and quality of life. Empowerment was negatively correlated with quality of life. (2) The mediation analysis showed that psychological resilience had a direct predictive effect on the quality of life, and stigma partially mediated the relationship; Empowerment moderates the first half of "PR → stigma → quality of life"; Empowerment moderates the latter part of "PR → stigma → quality of life." CONCLUSIONS: Under the mediating effect of stigma, psychological resilience can improve quality of life. Empowerment has a moderating effect on the relationship between psychological resilience and stigma, and it also has a moderating effect on the relationship between stigma and quality of life. These results facilitate the understanding of the relationship mechanisms between psychological resilience and quality of life.

The relationship between psychological resilience and depression among the diabetes patients under the background of "dynamic zero COVID-19": the mediating role of stigma and the moderating role of medication burden.

Objective: Depression in diabetes patients is caused by their own disease or the surrounding social environment. How to cope with changes in mentality and adjust psychological stress responses, especially under China's dynamic zero COVID-19 policy, is worth further discussion. The researchers constructed a moderated mediation model to test the effect of psychological resilience during dynamic zero COVID-19 on depression in diabetes patients and the mediating role of stigma and the moderating effect of medication burden. Method: From June to September, 2022, data were collected in Jinghu District, Wuhu City, Anhui Province, by multi-stage stratified sampling. Firstly, we selected a tertiary hospital randomly in Jinghu District. Secondly, departments are randomly chosen from the hospital. Finally, we set up survey points in each department and randomly select diabetes patients. In addition, we used the Connor-Davidson Elasticity Scale (CD-RISC) to measure psychological resilience of patients, and used the Stigma Scale for Chronic Illness (SSCI) to measure stigma, medication burden was measured by the Diabetes Treatment Burden Scale (DTBQ), and depression was assessed by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). We used SPSS (version 23.0) and PROCESS (version 4.1) for data analysis. Results: (1) Psychological resilience was negatively correlated with stigma, medication burden, and depression. Stigma was positively associated with medication burden and depression. Medication burden and depression are positively correlated, (2) The mediation analysis showed that psychological resilience had a direct predictive effect on depression, and stigma partially mediated the relationship, and (3) Medication burden moderates the direct pathway by which psychological resilience predicts depression; Medication burden moderates the first half of "psychological resilience → stigma → depression." Conclusion: Under the mediating effect of stigma, psychological resilience can improve depression. Medication burden has a moderating effect on the relationship between psychological resilience and depression, and it also has a moderating effect on the relationship between psychological resilience and stigma. These results facilitate the understanding of the relationship mechanisms between psychological resilience and depression.

Pyrimidine catabolism is required to prevent the accumulation of 5-methyluridine in RNA.

5-Methylated cytosine is a frequent modification in eukaryotic RNA and DNA influencing mRNA stability and gene expression. Here we show that free 5-methylcytidine (5mC) and 5-methyl-2'-deoxycytidine are generated from nucleic acid turnover in Arabidopsis thaliana, and elucidate how these cytidines are degraded, which is unclear in eukaryotes. First CYTIDINE DEAMINASE produces 5-methyluridine (5mU) and thymidine which are subsequently hydrolyzed by NUCLEOSIDE HYDROLASE 1 (NSH1) to thymine and ribose or deoxyribose. Interestingly, far more thymine is generated from RNA than from DNA turnover, and most 5mU is directly released from RNA without a 5mC intermediate, since 5-methylated uridine (m5U) is an abundant RNA modification (m5U/U ∼1%) in Arabidopsis. We show that m5U is introduced mainly by tRNA-SPECIFIC METHYLTRANSFERASE 2A and 2B. Genetic disruption of 5mU degradation in the NSH1 mutant causes m5U to occur in mRNA and results in reduced seedling growth, which is aggravated by external 5mU supplementation, also leading to more m5U in all RNA species. Given the similarities between pyrimidine catabolism in plants, mammals and other eukaryotes, we hypothesize that the removal of 5mU is an important function of pyrimidine degradation in many organisms, which in plants serves to protect RNA from stochastic m5U modification.

N4-acetylation of cytidine in mRNA plays essential roles in plants.

The biological function of RNA can be modulated by base modifications. Here, we unveiled the occurrence of N4-acetylation of cytidine in plant RNA, including mRNA, by employing LC-MS/MS and acRIP-seq. We identified 325 acetylated transcripts from the leaves of 4-week-old Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) plants and determined that 2 partially redundant N-ACETYLTRANSFERASEs FOR CYTIDINE IN RNA (ACYR1 and ACYR2), which are homologous to mammalian NAT10, are required for acetylating RNA in vivo. A double-null mutant was embryo lethal, while eliminating 3 of the 4 ACYR alleles led to defects in leaf development. These phenotypes could be traced back to the reduced acetylation and concomitant destabilization of the transcript of TOUGH, which is required for miRNA processing. These findings indicate that N4-acetylation of cytidine is a modulator of RNA function with a critical role in plant development and likely many other processes.

Validity and Reliability of the Chinese Version of the Diabetes Treatment Burden Questionnaire (DTBQ) Among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Background: In China, diabetes has become a serious healthcare problem that plagues individuals and the government because of its high mortality rate and social burden, with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) accounting for the vast majority (about 90%) of cases. T2DM patients face a huge medication burden and it is imperative to find appropriate tools to assess the medication burden for patients. This study aimed to translate the original Diabetes Treatment Burden Questionnaire (DTBQ) into Chinese and assessed the reliability and validity of the DTBQ concerning the burden of medication treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: A total of 329 T2DM patients were recruited to participate in the survey. The original version scale was first translated into Chinese using the backward and forward translation procedures. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was measured by the Cronbach alpha coefficient, the test-retest reliability, and the item-total correlation. The validity of the scale was assessed by the content validity index, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Results: The content validity index of the scale was 0.920. Cronbach alpha coefficient for the scale was 0.831. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) supported a 15-item and 3-factor structure of the translated questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed in the model fitness index, the chi-square degree of freedom was 3.575, the incremental fit index (IFI) was 0.917, the comparative fit index(CFI) was 0.916, the Tucker Lewis Index(TLI) was 0.900, all within acceptable limits. The retest reliability was 0.892, and the corrected item-total correlations for the items ranged from 0.293 to 0.729. Conclusion: Verification results showed that the Chinese version of the 15-item DTBQ had reliable reliability and validity. Therefore, it can be considered as an appropriate tool to assess the burden of drug treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes in China.

18 F-Florzolotau Positron Emission Tomography Imaging of Tau Pathology in the Living Brains of Patients with Corticobasal Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Recent development in tau-sensitive tracers has sparkled significant interest in tracking tauopathies using positron emission tomography (PET) biomarkers. However, the ability of 18 F-florzolotau PET imaging to topographically characterize tau pathology in corticobasal syndrome (CBS) remains unclear. Further, the question as to whether disease-level differences exist with other neurodegenerative tauopathies is still unanswered. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the topographical patterns of tau pathology in the living brains of patients with CBS using 18 F-florzolotau PET imaging and to examine whether differences with other tauopathies exist. METHODS: 18 F-florzolotau PET imaging was performed in 20 consecutive patients with CBS, 20 cognitively healthy controls (HCs), 20 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 16 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy-Richardson's syndrome (PSP-RS). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of ß-amyloid biomarkers were quantified in all patients with CBS. 18 F-florzolotau uptake was quantitatively assessed using standardized uptake value ratios. RESULTS: Of the 20 patients with CBS, 19 (95%) were negative for CSF biomarkers of amyloid pathology; of them, three had negative 18 F-florzolotau PET findings. Compared with HCs, patients with CBS showed increased 18 F-florzolotau signals in both cortical and subcortical regions. In addition, patients with CBS were characterized by higher tracer retentions in subcortical regions compared with those with AD and showed a trend toward higher signals in cortical areas compared with PSP-RS. An asymmetric pattern of 18 F-florzolotau uptake was associated with an asymmetry of motor severity in patients with CBS. CONCLUSIONS: In vivo 18 F-florzolotau PET imaging holds promise for distinguishing CBS in the spectrum of neurodegenerative tauopathies. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

PDQ-8: A Simplified and Effective Tool Measuring Life Quality in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

BACKGROUND: The self-reported quality of life (QoL) should be carefully listened to in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) from the patient-centered perspective. However, there was still a lack of short QoL measurement tool in atypical parkinsonism. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to test whether the short Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-8 (PDQ-8) was effective in assessing QoL in PSP, comparing with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Quality of Life Scale (PSP-QoL) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 (PDQ-39). METHODS: 132 patients with clinical diagnosed PSP, including PSP-Richardson syndrome (RS) subtype (n = 71) and PSP-non-RS subtype (n = 61) were recruited for clinical evaluation including QoL assessment. The detailed QoL profiles and possibility of using PDQ-8 were systemically analyzed. The determinants to the QoL were then calculated by multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The PSP-QoL total score summary index (SI) was 22.8 (10.1, 41.1), while the PDQ-8 and PDQ-39 total SI score were 28.1 (12.5, 46.9) and 29.5 (15.4, 49.4). Mobility, activities of daily life, cognition and communication were the main affected QoL subdomains (median SI: 40.0, 31.3, 25.0 and 25.0 respectively). PSP-RS subtype showed more severe damage physically (p<0.001) and mentally (p = 0.002) compared to other subtypes. More importantly, the strong relevance of PDQ-8 and recommended PSP QoL tools were confirmed (p<0.001). In addition, disease severity, depression and daytime sleepiness were proved to be critical determinants for QoL in PSP. CONCLUSIONS: PDQ-8 could be an easy, reliable, and valid tool to evaluate QoL in patients with PSP. Besides motor symptoms, more attention should be paid to non-motor impairment such as depression in PSP.

Striatal dopaminergic lesions contributed to the disease severity in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Background: Reduced dopamine transporter (DAT) binding in the striatum has been reported in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). However, the relationship between striatal dopaminergic lesions and the disease severity of PSP remains to be explored. Objective: To investigate the contributions of striatal dopaminergic lesions to the disease severity of PSP. Methods: One hundred patients with clinically diagnosed PSP were consecutively enrolled in this study. The disease severity was systemically assessed using the PSP rating scale (PSPrs), and the dopaminergic lesions were assessed using the 11C-N-2-carbomethoxy-3-(4-fluorophenyl)-tropane positron emission tomography (11C-CFT PET) imaging. To explore the correlations between striatal DAT bindings and the disease severity, both the region-wise and voxel-wise analysis were adopted. Partial correlations and multiple linear regressions were performed to investigate the contribution of striatal dopaminergic lesions to the disease severity in PSP. Results: Sixty-three patients of PSP with Richardson's syndrome (PSP-RS) and 37 patients with PSP-non-RS were finally included. The disease severity in PSP-RS was much heavier than that in the PSP-non-RS. The DAT bindings in the caudate and anterior putamen correlated significantly with the PSPrs total scores, mainly in the domains of history, mentation, bulbar, and ocular motor symptoms. The striatal DAT bindings (caudate) contributed significantly to the disease severity of PSP, independent of the motor, cognition, emotion and behavioral dysfunctions. Conclusion: Our study highlighted the independent contribution of striatal dopaminergic lesions to the disease severity in PSP.

18 F-Florzolotau Tau Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Patients with Multiple System Atrophy-Parkinsonian Subtype.

BACKGROUND: Anecdotal evidence suggests that patients diagnosed with the parkinsonian subtype of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) may show uptake of the second-generation tau positron emission tomography (PET) tracer 18 F-Florzolotau (previously known as 18 F-APN-1607) in the putamen. OBJECTIVES: This study systematically investigated the localization and magnitude of 18 F-Florzolotau uptake in a relatively large cohort of patients with MSA-P. METHODS: 18 F-Florzolotau PET imaging was performed in 31 patients with MSA-P, 24 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and 20 age-matched healthy controls. 18 F-Florzolotau signal in the striatum was analyzed by visual inspection and classified as either positive or negative. Regional 18 F-Florzolotau binding was also expressed as standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) to assess whether it was associated with core symptoms of MSA-P after adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: By visual inspection and semiquantitative SUVR comparisons, patients with MSA-P showed elevated 18 F-Florzolotau uptake in the putamen, globus pallidus, and dentate-a finding that was not observed in PD. This increased signal was significantly associated with the core symptoms of MSA-P. In addition, patients with MSA-P with cerebellar ataxia showed an elevated 18 F-Florzolotau uptake in the cerebellar dentate. CONCLUSIONS: 18 F-Florzolotau tau PET imaging findings may reflect the clinical severity of MSA-P and can potentially discriminate between this condition and PD. © 2022 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Red-Light-Responsive Metallopolymer Nanocarriers with Conjugated and Encapsulated Drugs for Phototherapy Against Multidrug-Resistant Tumors.

It is challenging to treat multidrug-resistant tumors because such tumors are resistant to a broad spectrum of structurally and functionally unrelated drugs. Herein, treatment of multidrug-resistant tumors using red-light-responsive metallopolymer nanocarriers that are conjugated with the anticancer drug chlorambucil (CHL) and encapsulated with the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) is reported. An amphiphilic metallopolymer PolyRuCHL that contains a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) block and a red-light-responsive ruthenium (Ru)-containing block is synthesized. Chlorambucil is covalently conjugated to the Ru moieties of PolyRuCHL. Encapsulation of DOX into PolyRuCHL in an aqueous solution results in DOX@PolyRuCHL micelles. The DOX@PolyRuCHL micelles are efficiently taken up by the multidrug-resistant breast cancer cell line MCF-7R and which carries DOX into the cells. Free DOX, without the nanocarriers, is not taken up by MCF-7R or pumped out of MCF-7R via P-glycoproteins. Red light irradiation of DOX@PolyRuCHL micelles triggers the release of chlorambucil-conjugated Ru moieties and DOX. Both act synergistically to inhibit the growth of multidrug-resistant cancer cells. Furthermore, the inhibition of the growth of multidrug-resistant tumors in a mouse model using DOX@PolyRuCHL micelles is demonstrated. The design of red-light-responsive metallopolymer nanocarriers with both conjugated and encapsulated drugs opens up an avenue for photoactivated chemotherapy against multidrug-resistant tumors.

Optimal Dose of Erenumab for Preventive Treatment of Episodic Migraine: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Erenumab is a novel monoclonal calcitonin gene-related peptide receptor antibody that is used for the preventive treatment of migraine. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the overall safety, efficacy, and dose-response relationship of erenumab in patients with episodic migraine and patients with prior migraine treatment failures. METHODS: We searched randomized clinical trials on PUBMED, EMBASE database, and Cochrane Library database. A pair-wise meta-analysis and Bayesian network analysis were performed. RESULTS: For efficacy outcomes, the network meta-analysis suggests that in comparison to erenumab 70 mg, participants who received erenumab 140 mg reported a significant decrease in monthly acute Migraine-Specific Medication Days (MSMD) and 50% increase in response rate, and erenumab was most likely to be ranked first for Monthly Migraine Days (MMD), MSMD, and 50% response rate. For safety outcomes, the network meta-analysis has found no significant difference between the 70 mg group and the 140 mg group measured by adverse events and serious adverse events. In the 140 mg erenumab group, a significant decreased in MMD and MSMD and 50% and 75% increased in response rate were reported in patients with ≥ 2 treatment failures compared to placebo. For safety outcomes, no significant difference was found between the 140 mg erenumab group and the placebo group. CONCLUSION: Erenumab was effective in patients with episodic migraine. A total of 140 mg erenumab was associated with better efficacy outcomes without any increased risk for developing adverse events compared to 70 mg erenumab. Furthermore, 140 mg erenumab was effective in patients with prior migraine treatment failures.

Etiological distribution of pertussis-like syndrome in 756 children in Chengdu.

BACKGROUND: To analyze and summarize the etiological distribution of pertussis-like syndrome in children and to provide a basis for clinical treatment. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted of 756 children with pertussis-like syndrome hospitalized at the Department of Pediatric Respiratory Medicine of Chengdu Women's and Children's Central Hospital, 2015 to 2019. The etiological features were classified and reviewed. RESULTS: Among 756 children with pertussis-like syndrome, 439 cases were positive for etiological agents Among the 439 cases, 268 cases were positive for bacterial agents (positive rate 35.45%), including 174 cases (65.25%) positive for Haemophilus influenza (H. influenza). There were 75 cases (9.92%) positive for viral antibodies, including 29 cases (accounting for 38.67% of all cases positive for viral infection) positive for the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). There were 243 cases (32.14%) positive for Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) antibodies. As to the general distribution of infections, cases with infections caused by a single type of bacteria accounted for 20.63%; cases with M. pneumoniae infection accounted for 18.78%; and cases with bacterial infection combined with M. pneumoniae infection accounted for 8.73%. CONCLUSIONS: H. influenza, RSV, and M. pneumoniae were important pathogens causing pertussis-like syndrome in children. Bacterial infection, M. pneumoniae infection, and mixed infection caused by the two pathogens were the primary causes of pertussis-like syndrome in children.

The mechanism of antigen-presentation of avian bone marrowed dendritic cells suppressed by infectious bronchitis virus.

Dendritic cells are first guard to defend avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) infection and invasion. While IBV always suppress dendritic cells and escape the degradation and presentation, which might help viruses to transfer and migrant. Initially, we compared two IBV's function in activating avian bone marrow dendritic cells (BMDCs) and found that both IBV (QX and M41) did not significantly increase surface marker of avian BMDCs. Moreover, a significant decrease of m6A modification level in mRNA, but an increased in the ut RNA were observed in avian BMDCs upon the prevalent IBV (QX) infection. Further study found that both non-structural protein 7 (NSP7) and NSP16 inhibited the maturation and cytokines secretion of BMDCs, as well as their antigen-presentation ability. Lastly, we found that gga-miR21, induced by both NSP7 and NSP16, inhibited the antigen presentation of avian BMDCs. Taken together, our results illustrated how IBV inhibited the antigen-presentation of avian DCs.

Plant Sample Preparation for Nucleoside/Nucleotide Content Measurement with An HPLC-MS/MS.

Nucleosides/nucleotides are building blocks of nucleic acids, parts of cosubstrates and coenzymes, cell signaling molecules, and energy carriers, which are involved in many cell activities. Here, we describe a rapid and reliable method for the absolute qualification of nucleoside/nucleotide contents in plants. Briefly, 100 mg of homogenized plant material was extracted with 1 mL of extraction buffer (methanol, acetonitrile, and water at a ratio of 2:2:1). Later, the sample was concentrated five times in a freeze dryer and then injected into an HPLC-MS/MS. Nucleotides were separated on a porous graphitic carbon (PGC) column and nucleosides were separated on a C18 column. The mass transitions of each nucleoside and nucleotide were monitored by mass spectrometry. The contents of the nucleosides and nucleotides were quantified against their external standards (ESTDs). Using this method, therefore, researchers can easily quantify nucleosides/nucleotides in different plants.

Safety and Efficacy of Fremanezumab for the Prevention of Migraine: A Meta-Analysis From Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: Fremanezumab (TEV-48125) is a fully-humanized immunoglobulin G isotype 2a selective monoclonal antibody that potently binds to calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). It is one of the novel therapeutic drugs for the prevention of migraine, which is one of the most common neurological diseases worldwide. Several controlled trials have been conducted to investigate the safety and efficacy of fremanezumab, however, there is no systematic review of the existing literature has been performed. Hence, in our study, we performed a meta-analysis to investigate the safety and efficacy of fremanezumab for the prevention of migraine. Method: Pubmed (MEDLINE), Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from January 2001 to August 2019 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Five RCTs with 3,379 patients were finally included in our study. Result: We pooled 3,379 patients from 5 RCTs; the primary endpoints were mean monthly migraine and headache days, baseline to week 12. We found that fremanezumab led to a significant reduction in migraine days (P < 0.0001) and headache days (P < 0.0001) during 12 weeks compared with placebo. Moreover, after using fremanezumab, the risk of at least one adverse event (AE) (P = 0.001) and AE related to the trial regimen (P = 0.0005) significantly increased compared with the placebo. Conclusions: Fremanezumab showed good efficacy for the prevention of migraine. The administration of fremanezumab can cause some mild adverse events but no serious adverse events.