Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Fermented Cabbage Extract Containing Nitric Oxide Metabolites with Silica.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory effect of fermented cabbage extract (FC) containing nitric oxide metabolites with silica (FCS) on 1-fluoro-2,4-dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) in BALB/c mice. Atopic dermatitis-like allergic contact dermatitis was induced by DNFB challenge in the ear after DNFB sensitization on the dorsal skin of mice. FCS alleviated the severity of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions. In addition, epidermis thickness of the ear and penetration of inflammatory cells in atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions were decreased after topical application of FCS. The serum levels of TNF-α and IL-4 were measured in atopic dermatitis mice using ELISA kits, which were observed to be significantly decreased after topical application of FCS. This study demonstrates that the FCS can be used as a potential therapeutic for the treatment and prevention of AD.

Study protocol for artificial intelligence-assisted sponge cytology as pre-endoscopy screening for early esophegeal squmaous epithelial lesions in China.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic screening is the widely accepted screening strategy for esophageal squmaous cell carcinoma (ESCC). However, massive endoscopic screening is expensive and not cost-efficient, and novel pre-endoscopy detection used as a preliminary screening method arouses new concerns. We are planning to launch an artificial intelligence (AI) assisted sponge cytology for detecting esophageal squmaous high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGIN) and above lesions. The aim of this trail is to investigate the efficiency of AI-assisted sponge cytology in population-based screening of early esophageal squmaous epithelial lesions. METHODS: The study will be prospectively conducted in five regions with a high prevalence of ESCC. AI-assisted sponge cytology and endoscopic examination will be sequentially performed. Based on our previous data, at least 864 patients with esophageal HGIN and above lesions are needed to achieve enough statistical power. And, a calculated 112,500 individuals with high risks of ESCC will be recruited. In the first stage, each 24,000 participants who meet the inclusion criteria will be recruited on a voluntary basis. Setting pathological results as standard reference, diagnostic threshold and according performance of AI-assisted detection will be evaluated. A prediction model will be constructed by co-analyzing cytological results and relevant risk factors. Then, an external validation cohort will be used for validation of the model efficiency. Also, cost-efficiency analysis will be performed. This study protocol was registered on chineseclinicaltrial.gov (ChiCTR1900028524). DISCUSSION: Our study will determine whether this AI-assisted sponge cytology can be used as an effective pre-endoscopy detection tool for large-scale screening for ESCC in high-risk areas.

Comparison of mesoporous fractal characteristics of silica-supported organocatalysts derived from bipyridine-proline and resultant effects on the catalytic asymmetric aldol performances.

Three kinds of the bipyridine-proline chiral ligands as highly active species were successfully introduced on Zn-modified mesoporous silica nanomaterials (BMMs, MCM-41, and SBA-15) via the covalent attachment and coordination methods. Their microstructural features and physicochemical properties were extensively characterized via XRD patterns, SEM/TEM images, TGA profiles, FT-IR and UV-Vis spectra. In particular, their fractal features, the pair distance distribution function, and the Porod plots were evaluated thoroughly on the basis of the SAXS data. Meanwhile, their catalytic performances for asymmetric aldol reactions between p-nitrobenzaldehyde and cyclohexanone were evaluated. The results indicated that the bimodal mesoporous BMMs-based samples with short worm-like mesoporous channels possessed both mass and surface fractal features, whereas the MCM-41- and SBA-15-based samples with long-range ordered structures only showed surface fractal features. The influences of various reaction parameters, including the textures of the mesoporous silicas, the structures of the used chiral ligands, and the molecular volumes of aldehydes, on the catalytic activities (yield) and stereoselectivities (dr and ee) were investigated thoroughly. The results showed satisfactory activities (yields) and better stereoselectivity (dr and ee) in comparison with the homogeneous catalytic system using Z as the catalysts. In particular, the 3rd recycle catalytic performances of the Z-immobilized heterogeneous catalysts retained high catalytic yields (around 80%) and ee values of 28%. These phenomena were well interpreted by the essential relationships between the fractal characteristics of these heterogeneous catalysts and their catalytic activities.

A Rapid Cytological Screening as pre-Endoscopy Screening for Early Esophageal Squamous Cell Lesions: A Prospective Pilot Study from a Chinese Academic Center.

Background: Cytological detection of early esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains challenging. Therefore, we introduced a rapid cytological screening method and evaluated its efficacy as a pre-endoscopy screening for early ESCC and precursor lesions. Methods: This method consisted of a sponge sample retrieval, automatic liquid-based cytological treatment and slides preparation, computer-assisted screening and manual diagnosis. Efficacy for detection of early ESCC and precursor lesions was evaluated. Also, diagnostic efficiency was compared with manual diagnosis. Results: Eighty-three patients with early ESCC and precursor lesions and 2,090 asymptomatic participants with high risks of ESCC were enrolled. Whole procedure was accomplished within two working days. Abnormal cells were detected in all 83 patients, and in 272 (13.01%) subjects among 2,090 asymptomatic participants. Early ESCC, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia and reflux esophagitis and normal endoscopic findings were detected in 8, 13, 11, 187 and 53 participants with abnormal cells, respectively. The calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for detection of early ESCC and precursor lesions were 100%, 88.34%, 11.76%, and 100%, respectively. Compared with manual diagnosis, this method was accomplished in a shorter time duration (5.4 ± 0.45 min vs 320.2 ± 132.4 min, p < 0.001), a higher diagnostic accuracy (96.7% vs74.4%, p = 0.015) and a better inter-observer agreement (93.3% vs66.7%, K = 0.286, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study provides a promising methodology as pre-endoscopy screening for early ESCC and precursor lesions.

Total Synthesis of (-)-Daphnezomines A and B.

Daphnezomines A and B are structurally unusual Daphniphyllum alkaloids that contain a unique aza-adamantane core skeleton. Herein, a modular approach to these alkaloids is presented that exploits a diverse array of reaction strategies. Commencing from a chiral pool terpene-(S)-carvone, the azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane backbone, which occurs widely in Daphniphyllum alkaloids, was easily accessed through a Sharpless allylic amination and a palladium-catalyzed oxidative cyclization. A protecting group enabled a stereoselective B-alkyl Suzuki-Miyaura coupling sequence and an Fe-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)-based radical cyclization were then applied to construct C6 and C8 stereocenters. A final epimer locking strategy enabled the assembly of the highly congested aza-adamantane core, thereby achieving the first total synthesis of (-)-daphnezomines A and B in 14 steps.