Impact of maternal diabetes mellitus on fetal atrial strain.

While Maternal Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is well known to affect the size and function of multiple fetal organ systems, effects on developing heart chamber function remain difficult to assess. We sought to determine the independent impact of maternal DM on fetal cardiac function in middle pregnancy. We prospectively recruited mothers with all categories of DM and non-diabetic healthy controls (NDC). Echocardiograms were optimized for chamber quantification and strain analysis. Left atrial area (LAA), LA strain (LAS), right atrial strain (RAS), global longitudinal ventricular strain (GLS) and Right ventricular free wall strain (RV FWS) were evaluated by 2 blinded operators. After excluding 9 mothers with poor fetal image quality, images from 104 mothers with DM and 47 NDC were analyzed. Mothers with DM and NDCs were well matched for age, blood pressure, smoking prevalence, and gestational age. Fetal heart rate (FHR) was significantly higher in fetuses of mothers with DM compared to NDC (147 ± 10 bpm vs. 144 ± 8, p = 0.04). LAA in fetuses of mothers with DM trended towards being larger in size (1.68 ± 0.4cm2 vs. 1.56 ± 0.4cm2, p = 0.08). Fetal septal diameters were larger in maternal DM compared to NDC (2.7 ± 0.5 cm vs. 2.5 ± 0.5 cm, p = 0.001). GLS was similar between the groups. Fetal LAS was lower in maternal DM (28.8 ± 8.8% vs. 33.3 ± 10.4%, p = 0.007) and was independently associated with maternal DM after adjusting for GLS and FHR. Fetal RAS was lower in maternal DM (27.7 ± 10.4% vs. 31.8 ± 10.3%, p = 0.007), however only determinates were estimated fetal weight and RV FWS. Maternal DM independently impairs fetal LA function in mid pregnancy. These early functional changes in the developing heart warrant future studies investigating impact on cardiovascular health.

Pathogenicity and Genomic Characteristics Analysis of Pasteurella multocida Serotype A Isolated from Argali Hybrid Sheep.

Respiratory diseases arising from co-infections involving Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) and Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae (Mo) pose a substantial threat to the sheep industry. This study focuses on the isolation and identification of the P. multocida strain extracted from the lung tissue of an argali hybrid sheep infected with Mo. Kunming mice were used as a model to assess the pathogenicity of P. multocida. Subsequently, whole genome sequencing (WGS) of P. multocida was conducted using the Illumina NovaSeq PE150 platform. The whole genome sequencing analysis involved the construction of an evolutionary tree to depict conserved genes and the generation of a genome circle diagram. P. multocida, identified as serotype A, was named P. multocida SHZ01. Our findings reveal that P. multocida SHZ01 infection induces pathological manifestations, including hemorrhage and edema, in mice. The phylogenetic tree of conserved genes analyzing P. multocida from different countries and different host sources indicates close relatedness between the P. multocida SHZ01 strain and the P. multocida 40540 strain (A:12), originating from turkeys in Denmark. The genome of P. multocida SHZ01 comprises 2,378,508 base pairs (bp) with a GC content of 40.89%. Notably, this strain, designated P. multocida, exhibits two distinct gene islands and harbors a total of 80 effector proteins associated with the Type III Secretion System (T3SS). The P. multocida SHZ01 strain harbors 82 virulence genes and 54 resistance genes. In the P. multocida SHZ01 strain, the proteins, genes, and related GO and KEGG pathways have been annotated. Exploring the relationship between these annotations and the pathogenicity of the P. multocida SHZ01 strain would be valuable. This study holds great significance in further understanding the pathogenesis and genetic characteristics of the sheep-derived P. multocida SHZ01 strain. Additionally, it contributes to our understanding of respiratory diseases in the context of co-infection.

Custom-tailored hole transport layer using oxalic acid for high-quality tin-lead perovskites and efficient all-perovskite tandems.

All-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs) have exhibited higher efficiencies than single-junction perovskite solar cells (PSCs) but still suffer from the unsatisfactory performance of low-bandgap (LBG) tin-lead (Sn-Pb) subcells. The inherent properties of PEDOT:PSS are crucial to high-performance Sn-Pb perovskite films and devices; however, the underlying mechanism has not been fully explored and revealed. Here, we report a facile oxalic acid treatment of PEDOT:PSS (OA-PEDOT:PSS) to precisely regulate its work function and surface morphology. OA-PEDOT:PSS shows a larger work function and an ordered reorientation and fiber-shaped film morphology with efficient hole transport pathways, leading to the formation of more ideal hole-selective contact with Sn-Pb perovskite for suppressing interfacial nonradiative recombination losses. Moreover, OA-PEDOT:PSS induces (100) preferred orientation growth of perovskite for higher-quality Sn-Pb films. Last, the OA-PEDOT:PSS-tailored LBG PSC yields an impressive efficiency of up to 22.56% (certified 21.88%), enabling 27.81% efficient all-perovskite TSC with enhanced operational stability.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Scillascillin-Type Homoisoflavonoid.

The first asymmetric synthesis of a scillascillin-type homoisoflavonoid was reported. Key reactions for the asymmetric synthesis of benzocyclobutene include catalytic reductive desymmetrization of malonic ester and an intramolecular C-H activation of the methyl group.

Double-pivot proper digital artery perforator flap for fingertip reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Dorsal flap based on proper digital artery perforator has been commonly used in wound coverage of fingertip; yet a small diameter and short length poses a risk of pedicle kinking or occlusion. The present study aims to present our preliminary results of using a double-pivot perforator flap based on the end dorsal branch of proper digital artery to repair finger pulp defect. METHODS: We designed a double-pivot flap based on the end-dorsal perforator branch of proper digital artery, raised from the dorsal aspect of the middle phalanx, with inclusion of both the perforator and a section of the trunk of the artery. This modified procedure forms a pedicle with a larger diameter and length than traditional designs. Twelve patients (12 fingers) each with a soft-tissue defect of the fingertip were successfully treated and followed up in this retrospective study. RESULTS: All the flaps survived without showing any signs of necrosis; three cases presented with transient venous flow disorder, these self-resolving without requiring any additional treatment. At final follow-up (12-33 months, mean 20 months), mean static two-point discrimination on the flap was 7.0 mm (range, 6-9). CONCLUSION: The double-pivot proper digital artery flap serves as a reliable option in fingertip reconstruction offering added benefits of having greater rotation flexibility, a lower risk of vessel kinking or occlusion, and good recovery of cutaneous sensation.

Improved Carrier Management via a Multifunctional Modifier for High-Quality Low-Bandgap Sn-Pb Perovskites and Efficient All-Perovskite Tandem Solar Cells.

All-perovskite tandem solar cells (TSCs) hold great promise in terms of ultrahigh efficiency, low manufacturing cost, and flexibility, stepping forward to the next-generation photovoltaics. However, their further development is hampered by the relatively low performance of low-bandgap (LBG) tin (Sn)-lead (Pb) perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Improving the carrier management, including suppressing trap-assisted non-radiative recombination and promoting carrier transfer, is of great significance to enhance the performance of Sn-Pb PSCs. Herein, a carrier management strategy is reported for using cysteine hydrochloride (CysHCl) simultaneously as a bulky passivator and a surface anchoring agent for Sn-Pb perovskite. CysHCl processing effectively reduces trap density and suppresses non-radiative recombination, enabling the growth of high-quality Sn-Pb perovskite with greatly improved carrier diffusion length of >8 µm. Furthermore, the electron transfer at the perovskite/C60 interface is accelerated due to the formation of surface dipoles and favorable energy band bending. As a result, these advances enable the demonstration of champion efficiency of 22.15% for CysHCl-processed LBG Sn-Pb PSCs with remarkable enhancement in both open-circuit voltage and fill factor. When paired with a wide-bandgap (WBG) perovskite subcell, a certified 25.7%-efficient all-perovskite monolithic tandem device is further demonstrated.

Synthetic study toward the diterpenoid aberrarone.

An approach to aberrarone, an antimalarial diterpenoid natural product with tetracyclic skeleton is reported. Key to the stereoselective preparation of the 6-5-5 tricyclic skeleton includes the mediation of Nagata reagent for constructing the C1 all-carbon quaternary centers and gold-catalyzed cyclopentenone synthesis through C-H insertion.

Total Synthesis of (±)-Codonopiloneolignanin A.

An intramolecular formal [3 + 2] cationic cycloaddition between benzylic carbocation and styrene was developed for the total synthesis of codonopiloneolignanin A. Further study shows benzocycloheptene as a good substrate for 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, and a model study toward cephalocyclidine A skeleton was reported.

Bismuth activated full spectral double perovskite luminescence materials by excitation and valence control for future intelligent LED lighting.

A novel La2Mg1.14Zr0.86O6:Bi3+ double perovskite phosphor with excitation-induced blue/green photoluminescence tuning is reported. By designing Bi3+→ Eu3+ energy transfer, single-composition white light with wide-scale adjustable corrected color temperatures (CCTs) is successfully achieved. This work initiates a new insight to explore phosphors with excitation-induced photoluminescence tuning and wide CCT control for future intelligent LED lighting.

Strategies for Designing Antithermal-Quenching Red Phosphors.

Nowadays, red phosphor plays a key role in improving the lighting quality and color rendering index of phosphor-converted white light emitting diodes (w-LEDs). However, the development of thermally stable and highly efficient red phosphor is still a pivotal challenge. Herein, a new strategy to design antithermal-quenching red emission in Eu3+, Mn4+-codoped phosphors is proposed. The photoluminescence intensity of Mg3Y2(1- y )Ge3O12:yEu3+, Mn4+ (0 ≤ y ≤ 1) phosphors continuously enhances with rising temperature from 298 to 523 K based on Eu3+ → Mn4+ energy transfer. For Mg3Eu2Ge3O12:Mn4+ sample, the integrated intensity at 523 K remarkably reaches 120% of that at 298 K. Interestingly, through codoping Eu3+ and Mn4+ in Mg3Y2Ge3O12, the photoluminescence color is controllably tuned from orangish-red (610 nm) to deep-red (660 nm) light by changing Eu3+ concentration. The fabricated w-LEDs exhibit superior warm white light with low corrected color temperature (CCT = 4848 K) and high color rendering index (R a = 96.2), indicating the promising red component for w-LED applications. Based on the abnormal increase in antistokes peaks of Mn4+ with temperatures, Mg3Eu2Ge3O12:Mn4+ phosphor also presents a potential application in optical thermometry sensors. This work initiates a new insight to construct thermally stable and spectra-tunable red phosphors for various optical applications.

Effects of an irinotecan derivative, ZBH­1208, on the immune system in a mouse model of brain tumor and its antitumor mechanism.

The present study aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effects of an irinotecan derivative, ZBH­1208, on brain tumors, and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. To determine the effects of ZBH­1208, a brain tumor mouse model was established by transplanting B22 cells. Subsequently, the visceral indices of immune organs and white blood cell counts were determined, and the effects of ZBH­1208 on the expression levels of cell cycle­related proteins were assessed by western blotting. The tumor inhibition rates of 20 and 40 mg/kg ZBH­1208 were 11.7 and 54.1%, respectively. Compared with the negative control group, ZBH­1208 barely affected visceral indices or white blood cell count. Furthermore, the expression levels of p53, p21, cyclin­dependent kinase 7 (CDK7), Wee1, phosphorylated (p)­cell division cycle 2 (CDC2) (Tyr15), p­CDC2 (Thr161) and cyclin B1 proteins were upregulated, whereas the expression levels of cyclin E were downregulated, and those of CDC2, CDK2 and CDC25C were barely altered. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that ZBH­1208 suppressed the growth of B22 mouse brain tumor xenografts, but did not affect their visceral indices or white blood cell counts. It was suggested that ZBH­1208 exerted its effects by regulating the expression of p53, p21, Wee1, p­CDC2 (Tyr15) and cyclin E proteins.

Construction of a gE-Deleted Pseudorabies Virus and Its Efficacy to the New-Emerging Variant PRV Challenge in the Form of Killed Vaccine.

The new-emerging PRV variants plague the vaccinated pigs and caused huge economic loss to local pig industry in China since 2011. The current commercial PRV vaccines cannot provide complete protection as the new-emerging PRV variants are antigenically different from the classical viruses. It is urgent to develop more safe and effective PRV vaccines based on the current circulating field isolates. In this study, a gE gene-deleted PRV based on the PRV HN1201, a representative PRV variant, was generated and the efficacy was tested on 3-week-old pigs in the form of killed vaccine. After fatal PRV HN1201 challenge, all vaccinated pigs survived without showing any clinical symptoms, but all unvaccinated pigs exhibited pseudorabies-specific respiratory and neurological signs with 100% mortality rate within 6 days after infection. The vaccinated pigs developed high level of gB and neutralizing antibodies after vaccination which may correlate to the protection provided by vaccine. Therefore, this gE gene-deleted PRV could be a promising vaccine candidate for the control of currently epidemic pseudorabies in China.

In vitro studies of phenethyl isothiocyanate against the growth of LN229 human glioma cells.

Phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) is one of the best studied members of isothiocyanates (ITC), a variety of edible cruciferous vegetables including broccoli, watercress, and cabbage, and have generated particular interest because of its remarkable chemopreventive activity. Many literature reports proved that phenethyl isothiocyanate exhibited significant anti-cancer chemopreventive effects including lung, glioma and leukemia cancer. In this study, we explored the inhibitory effects as well as mechanisms of PEITC on human glioma LN229 cells. Results demonstrated that PEITC possesses the potential ability to inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and arrest cell cycling against LN229 human glioma cells. Moreover, investigated results showed that PEITC inhibited the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH), and caused oxidative stress to tumor cells. Collective results suggested us to believe that PEITC can inhibit the growth of LN229 cells and its mechanism can be related to the fact that PEITC can cause oxidative stress to tumor cells.

Osthole suppresses the proliferation and accelerates the apoptosis of human glioma cells via the upregulation of microRNA-16 and downregulation of MMP-9.

Osthole (7-methoxy-8-isoamyl alkenyl coumarin) has been reported to exhibit marked anticancer effects on several types of cancer. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) are closely associated with the pathogenesis of glioma. Furthermore, it is reported that the upregulation of microRNA­16 (miR­16) by the MMP­9 signaling pathway can restrain the proliferation of cancer cells. To examine whether osthole increases the anticancer effect on human glioma cells in the present study, the common glioma cell line, U87, was treated with osthole at concentrations of 0, 50, 100 and 200 µΜ. The effects of osthole on cell viability were determined using a 3­(4,5­dimethylthiazol­2­thiazolyl)­2,5­diphenyl­tetrazolium bromide assay. The rate of cellular apoptosis was analyzed by measuring the activity of caspase­3 and using flow cytometry. The expression of MMP­9 was determined using gelatin zymography assays and the expression of miR­16 was determined using reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The results demonstrated that osthole significantly suppressed the proliferation and accelerated the apoptosis of the U87 cells. Furthermore, increased expression levels of miR­16 and reduced protein expression levels of MMP­9 were found in the U87 cells. In addition, miR­16 was found to regulate the expression of MMP­9 in the U87 cells through transfection of miR­16 precursor and anti­miR­16 into the U87 cells. In conclusion, these observations indicated that osthole suppressed the proliferation and accelerated the apoptosis of human glioma cells through upregulation of the expression of miR­16 and downregulation of the expression of MMP-9.

Application and performance of two stroke outcome prediction models in a chinese population.

OBJECTIVE: To apply and examine the performance of 2 acute stroke outcome prediction models, the Six Simple Variable Model (SSV model) and the One-Year Mortality Model (OYM model), in patients in China who had either a cerebral infarction or a cerebral hemorrhage. DESIGN: An observational study that used both retrospective and prospective study methods. SETTING: A regional acute care facility in China. PARTICIPANTS: Two hundred and forty-eight consecutive patients who had an acute stroke who were admitted to the hospital between October 2007 and March 2009. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Survival and daily activity independence 6 months after a stroke and 1-year mortality. RESULTS: The study sample had a mean age of 68.6 years (standard deviation, 11.1); 52.8% of the subjects were men, 66.5% had a cerebral infarction, and 33.5% had a cerebral hemorrhage. In the cohort, 107 patients (43.1%) achieved daily activity independence at 6-month follow-up, and 52 patients (21.0%) had died within 1 year. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was 0.966 (0.935-0.998) for patients who had a cerebral infarction and 0.859 (0.766-0.952) for patients who had a cerebral hemorrhage in the prediction of 6-month survival and daily activity independence with use of the SSV model. The area under the ROC curve was 0.894 (0.846-0.965) for patients who had a cerebral infarction and 0.937 (0.904-0.988) for patients who had a cerebral hemorrhage in the prediction of 1-year mortality when the OYM model was used. CONCLUSIONS: Both the SSV and OYM prognostic models can be used for function and mortality outcome prediction for patients in China who have had a stroke. Variation existed in the precision of prediction between patients who had a cerebral infarction and those who had a cerebral hemorrhage. Other potential factors influencing functional recovery and mortality after stroke must be considered in outcome prediction.

Temporal changes in the level of neurotrophins in the spinal cord and associated precentral gyrus following spinal hemisection in adult Rhesus monkeys.

Neurotrophins (NTs) appear to be crucial for the survival and potential regeneration of injured neurons. However, their temporal changes and remote regulations following spinal cord injury (SCI) have been only partially determined, especially in primates. In this study, ELISA was performed on the extracts of injured spinal cord and the associated precentral gyrus contralateral to the site of spinal cord hemisection to investigate the temporal changes in the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) in adult rhesus monkeys subjected to T8 spinal hemisection. Animals were allowed to survive 3, 7, 14, 30 and 90 days post-operation (dpo). In the spinal cord, the levels of NGF, BDNF and NT-3 sharply decreased between 3 and 7dpo. Thereafter, the levels of NGF and BDNF were transiently elevated while NT-3 level continuously increased and recovered to normal level at 30dpo. In the contralateral precentral gyrus (cPG), only the NT-3 level was altered and in fact elevated above the normal value. No obvious changes were observed in NT-4 level in any of the regions studied. Taken together, the present findings indicated that intrinsic NGF, BDNF and NT-3 may play a local role in the responses to the SCI in primates. Especially, the increase of NT-3 level occurred continuously in both the cPG and the spinal cord pointed to a possible transportation of NT-3 to the cord following SCI.

[Distribution of Fas and FasL in the central nervous system of adult rhesus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the distribution of Fas and FasL in the CNS of adult rhesus. METHODS: Frozen sections were incubated in polyclonal anti-Fas and anti-FasL antibody by the immunohistochemical SP method. RESULTS: The Fas and FasL immunopositive neurons were observed in many areas. Fas immunoreactivity could be seen in the cytoplasm and processes of Purkinje cells and in the brain stem nuclei, including vestibular nucleus, dorsal nucleus of vagus and spinal nucleus of trigeminal nerve. FasL immunopositive neurons were observed in cerebral cortex, especially in pyramidal neurons of lamina I and V, cerebellar nuclei, diencephalon, and brain stem nuclei involving pontine nucleus, vestibular nucleus, cochlear nucleus, spinal nucleus of trigeminal nerve, hypoglossal nucleus, nucleus ambiguous and reticular formation. Fas and FasL immunoreactivity mainly distributed in motor neurons of spinal ventral horn and neural fibers and glia cells in white matter. They all took on brown staining in the cytoplasm and process. CONCLUSION: The distribution profiles of Fas and FasL in various areas of CNS indicate that they may fill some roles in the immune and physical function of the aforesaid anatomic