Non-KREEP origin for Chang'e-5 basalts in the Procellarum KREEP Terrane.

Mare volcanics on the Moon are the key record of thermo-chemical evolution throughout most of lunar history1-3. Young mare basalts-mainly distributed in a region rich in potassium, rare-earth elements and phosphorus (KREEP) in Oceanus Procellarum, called the Procellarum KREEP Terrane (PKT)4-were thought to be formed from KREEP-rich sources at depth5-7. However, this hypothesis has not been tested with young basalts from the PKT. Here we present a petrological and geochemical study of the basalt clasts from the PKT returned by the Chang'e-5 mission8. These two-billion-year-old basalts are the youngest lunar samples reported so far9. Bulk rock compositions have moderate titanium and high iron contents  with KREEP-like rare-earth-element and high thorium concentrations. However, strontium-neodymium isotopes indicate that these basalts were derived from a non-KREEP mantle source. To produce the high abundances of rare-earth elements and thorium, low-degree partial melting and extensive fractional crystallization are required. Our results indicate that the KREEP association may not be a prerequisite for young mare volcanism. Absolving the need to invoke heat-producing elements in their source implies a more sustained cooling history of the lunar interior to generate the Moon's youngest melts.

High abundance of solar wind-derived water in lunar soils from the middle latitude.

Remote sensing data revealed that the presence of water (OH/H2O) on the Moon is latitude-dependent and probably time-of-day variation, suggesting a solar wind (SW)-originated water with a high degassing loss rate on the lunar surface. However, it is unknown whether or not the SW-derived water in lunar soil grains can be preserved beneath the surface. We report ion microprobe analyses of hydrogen abundances, and deuterium/hydrogen ratios of the lunar soil grains returned by the Chang'e-5 mission from a higher latitude than previous missions. Most of the grain rims (topmost ~100 nm) show high abundances of hydrogen (1,116 to 2,516 ppm) with extremely low δD values (-908 to -992‰), implying nearly exclusively a SW origin. The hydrogen-content depth distribution in the grain rims is phase-dependent, either bell-shaped for glass or monotonic decrease for mineral grains. This reveals the dynamic equilibrium between implantation and outgassing of SW-hydrogen in soil grains on the lunar surface. Heating experiments on a subset of the grains further demonstrate that the SW-implanted hydrogen could be preserved after burial. By comparing with the Apollo data, both observations and simulations provide constraints on the governing role of temperature (latitude) on hydrogen implantation/migration in lunar soils. We predict an even higher abundance of hydrogen in the grain rims in the lunar polar regions (average ~9,500 ppm), which corresponds to an estimation of the bulk water content of ~560 ppm in the polar soils assuming the same grain size distribution as Apollo soils, consistent with the orbit remote sensing result.

Actomonas aquatica gen. nov., sp. nov., a marine lineage in the phylum Verrucomicrobiota with genetic potential for carbon and nitrogen fixation.

A novel bacterial strain, designated WL0086T, was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected in Lianyungang city, Jiangsu province, PR China. This strain showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Geminisphaera colitermitum TAV2T (92.7 %) of the family Opitutaceae, and all the unclassified cultured and uncultured isolates with similarities >95 % were from marine environments. Cells were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile cocci with a size of 0.6-0.8 µm in diameter. Strain WL0086T was positive for both oxidase and catalase, and grew at 20-37 °C (optimum, 28 °C), with 1.5-11.0 % NaCl (w/v; optimum, 2.5-4.0 %) and at pH 5.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0). The major polar lipid profile of strain WL0086T consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and phosphatidylcholine. The major isoprenoid quinone was menaquinone-7 and the predominant fatty acids were iso-C14 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and C16 : 1 ω9c. The complete genome consisted of a chromosome with 6 109 182 bp. The G+C content of genomic DNA was 64.0%. Results of phylogenomic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and the whole genome suggested that strain WL0086T formed a distinct clade closely neighbouring the members of the family Opitutaceae. On the basis of phylogenetic, phenotypic, and chemotaxonomic evidences, strain WL0086T should represent a novel genus of the family Opitutaceae, for which the name Actomonas aquatica gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is WL0086T (=MCCC 1K05844T=JCM 34677T=GDMCC 1.2411T).

Traceability Research on Geographic Erigeron breviscapus Based on High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry and Chemometric Analysis.

A method was developed to identify and trace the geographic sources of Erigeron breviscapus using high-resolution mass spectrometry and chemometrics. The representative samples were collected from the geographic area of Honghe Dengzhanhua and other areas in Yunnan province and Guizhou province. The data points could be determined well using the PCA and PLS-DA diagram. A total of 46 characteristic compounds were identified from Honghe Dengzhanhua and within Guizhou province, but 37 compounds were different from Honghe Dengzhanhua and other counties in Yunnan province. Two biomarkers were found from three regions. Their structures were inferred as 8-amino-7-oxononanoic acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline, and they had the same molecular composition. This may suggest that a possible synthesis pathway can be proven in the future.

Organocatalytic Aza-Michael/Mannich Cascade Reaction: Synthesis of Enantioenriched 3,3'-Spirooxindole γ-Lactams.

Highly enantioselective synthesis of 3,3'-spirooxindole γ-lactams with three contiguous stereocenters (two quaternary) was achieved. The aza-Michael/Mannich cascade reaction of α-imine-ß-oxobutanamides and methyleneindolinones catalyzed by a bifunctional diaminocyclohexane-derived thiourea catalyst gave the desired products in moderate to good yields (up to 78%), moderate to good diastereoselectivities (up to 10:1 dr), and good to excellent enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee). A gram-scale synthesis and some transformations of 3,3'-spirooxindole γ-lactams were also carried out.

Classification, risk factors, and outcomes of patients with progressive hemorrhagic injury after traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: According to the pathoanatomic classification system, progressive hemorrhagic injury (PHI) can be categorized into progressive intraparenchymal contusion or hematoma (pIPCH), epidural hematoma (pEDH), subdural hematoma (pSDH), and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage (ptSAH). The clinical features of each type differ greatly. The objective of this study was to determine the predictors, clinical management, and outcomes of PHI according to this classification. METHODS: Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for PHI and each subgroup. Patients with IPCH or EDH were selected for subgroup propensity score matching (PSM) to exclude confounding factors before evaluating the association of hematoma progression with the outcomes by classification. RESULTS: In the present cohort of 419 patients, 123 (29.4%) demonstrated PHI by serial CT scan. Of them, progressive ICPH (58.5%) was the most common type, followed by pEDH (28.5%), pSDH (9.8%), and ptSAH (3.2%). Old age (≥ 60 years), lower motor Glasgow Coma Scale score, larger primary lesion volume, and higher level of D-dimer were independent risk factors related to PHI. These factors were also independent predictors for pIPCH, but not for pEDH. The time to first CT scan and presence of skull linear fracture were robust risk factors for pEDH. After PSM, the 6-month mortality and unfavorable survival rates were significantly higher in the pIPCH group than the non-pIPCH group (24.2% vs. 1.8% and 12.1% vs. 7.3%, respectively, p < 0.001), but not significantly different between the pEDH group and the non-pEDH group. CONCLUSIONS: Understanding the specific patterns of PHI according to its classification can help early recognition and suggest targeted prevention or treatment strategies to improve patients' neurological outcomes.

Description of Limnobaculum eriocheiris sp. nov., an intestinal bacterium of Eriocheir sinensis, and reclassification of the genera Jinshanibacter and Insectihabitans as Limnobaculum.

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped strain, designated LJY008T, was isolated from the intestinal of Eriocheir sinensis in Pukou base of Jiangsu Institute of Freshwater Fisheries. Strain LJY008T could grow at 4-37 â„ƒ (optimum, 30 â„ƒ), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), and with 1.0-6.0% NaCl (w/v; optimum, 1.0%). Strain LJY008T shared highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Jinshanibacter zhutongyuii CF-458T (99.3%), followed by J. allomyrinae BWR-B9T (99.2%), Insectihabitans xujianqingii CF-1111T (97.3%), and Limnobaculum parvum HYN0051T (96.7%). The major polar lipids include phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, and diphosphatidylglycerol. The only respiratory quinone was Q8, and the main fatty acids (> 10%) were C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c), and C14:0. The genome-based phylogenies showed that strain LJY008T was closely associated with members of the genus Jinshanibacter, Insectihabitans, and Limnobaculum. The average nucleotide identities and average amino acid identities (AAI) among strain LJY008T and closely related neighbours were all below 95%, and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization values among them were all below 36%. The genomic DNA G + C content of strain LJY008T was 46.1%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic, biochemical and chemotaxonomic analysis, strain LJY008T represents a novel species of the genus Limnobaculum, for which the name Limnobaculum eriocheiris sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is LJY008T (= JCM 34675T = GDMCC 1.2436T = MCCC 1K06016T). In addition, the genera Jinshanibacter and Insectihabitans were reclassified as Limnobaculum, because there was no significant genome-scale divergence or diagnosable difference on phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits, such as strains of Jinshanibacter and Insectihabitans sharing AAI values of 93.88-94.96%.

Effects of berberine hydrochloride on immune response in the crab Charybdis japonica.

Berberine hydrochloride is the main effective component of Coptis spp. used in Chinese herbal medicine and its underlying molecular mechanisms, responsible for inducing effects in crustacean species, are not fully understood. In this study, the molecular response of the crab Charybdis japonica to berberine hydrochloride exposure was studied using transcriptome sequencing. The survival rate, gene expression and activities of several immune enzymes were measured after berberine hydrochloride treatments, with or without injection of the pathogenic bacterium Aeromonas hydrophila. A total of 962 differentially expressed genes (464 up-regulated and 498 down-regulated) were observed during exposure to 100 mg/L of berberine hydrochloride and in the control group after 48 h. Enrichment analysis revealed that these genes are involved in metabolism, cellular processes, signal transduction and immune functions, indicating that exposure to berberine hydrochloride activated the immune complement system. This bioactive compound simultaneously activated fibrinogen beta (FGB), fibrinogen alpha (FGA), alpha-2-macroglobulin (A2M), kininogen (KNG), fibrinogen gamma chain (FGB), alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG), caspase-8 (CASP8), cathepsin L (CTSL), adenylate cyclase 3 (Adcy3) and MMP1. Its action could significantly increase the survival rate of the crabs injected with A. hydrophila and promote the activity of LZM, Caspas8, FGA, ACP and AKP in the hepatopancreas. When A. hydrophila was added, the neutralization of 300 mg/L berberine hydrochloride maximized the activities of Caspas8, LZM, ACP and AKP. Our results provide a new understanding of the potential effects of berberine hydrochloride on the immune system mechanisms in crustaceans.

Base-controlled dearomative [3 + 2] cycloadditions between 3-nitro-indoles and fumaric acid amide esters.

The base-controlled dearomative [3 + 2] cycloaddition reaction between 3-nitroindoles and fumaric acid amide esters has been disclosed by using the dearomatization and aromatization strategy. Three kinds of diverse functionalized pyrrolo[2,3-b]indole derivatives were obtained respectively with excellent chemoselectivities and good diastereoselectivities using different bases.

The Influence of Host Specificity and Temperature on Bacterial Communities Associated with Sargassum (Phaeophyceae) Species.

Host-related microbiota are critically important for the adaptation/acclimation of hosts to changing environments, but how environmental factors and host characteristics shape the microbial communities remains largely unknown. We investigated the effects of temperature on habitat-forming macroalgae and their associated bacterial communities. Three Sargassum species (S. horneri, S. fusiforme, and S. thunbergii) and seawater samples were sampled in Gouqi Island, China, and these macroalgal samples were incubated at different temperatures (10, 20, and 27°C) for 7 d. Bacterial communities were identified from the 16S rRNA gene V3-V4 regions. The algae-associated bacterial communities of the field samples were significantly different from seawater, implying host specificity. During laboratory incubation, decreased physiological status (photosynthetic rate and oxidative stress response) was detected for all the species at 10°C, especially with regard to S. horneri and S. fusiforme. For each host, associated bacterial communities at 20 and 27°C clustered closely, and these were separated from samples at 10°C based on constrained PCoA analyses. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance revealed that algae-associated bacterial communities were more affected by host species (23.3%) than by temperature (2.48%) during laboratory incubation. The changes in bacterial community composition may be influenced by algae metabolites, which should be tested in a future study. These results further contribute to our understanding of algal microbiome changes in response to environmental changes.

Morphology genetic 3D hierarchical SnO2microstructures constructed by Sub 5 nm nanocrystals for highly sensitive ethanol-sensor.

SnO2is widely used for ethanol-sensing applications due to its excellent physicochemical properties, low toxicity and high sensitivity. However it is a challenge to construct 3D-hierarchical structures with sub 5 nm primary grain particle, which is the optimized size for ethanol sensor. Herein, genetic tri-level hierarchical SnO2microstructures are synthesised by the genetic conversion of 3D hierarchical SnS2flowers assembled by ultrathin nanosheets. The SnS2nanosheets are morphology genetic converted to porous nanosheets with sub 5 nm SnO2nanoparticles during the calcination process. When used for the detection of ethanol, the sensor exhibits a high sensitivity of 0.5 ppm (Ra/Rg = 6.8) and excellent gas-sensing response (Ra/Rg= 183 to 100 ppm) with short response/recovery time (12 s/11 s). The excellent gas sensing performance is much better than that of the previous reported SnO2-based sensors. The highly sensitivity is attributed to the large surface area derived from the recrystallization and volume changes, which offers more active sites during the morphology genetic conversion from SnS2to SnO2. Furthermore, the flower-like 3D structure enhances the stability of the materials and is beneficial for the mass diffusion dynamics of ethanol.

Treatment of volar defects of the finger using dorsal digital-metacarpal flap versus free medial plantar artery flap: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of defects on the volar surface of the finger has been scarcely reported, and its utility for digital resurfacing remains unclear. This study compared the outcomes of free medial plantar artery flap (MPAF) and dorsal digital-metacarpal flap (DDMF) in finger reconstruction. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included 24 patients with soft-tissue defects on the volar surface of the finger from March 2014 to March 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: the MPAF group and the DDMF group. The operation time, complications, such as flap necrosis, graft loss, infection, paresthesia, and donor-site morbidity, as well as two-point discrimination (2-PD) were carefully recorded. The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire was used for conduct follow-up assessment. RESULTS: After more than 12 months of follow-up, the MPAF group had a longer operative time compared with DDMF group, but there was no significant difference between postoperative complications and 2-PD test result in patients without nerve injury. And in terms of overall function, Modified VSS score and 2-PD test (the patients with nerve injury), There were relatively obvious statistical differences, MPAF was superior to DDMF (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION: MPAF and DDMF are reliable for reconstruction of the volar surface of the finger; however, MPAF offers better functional outcomes and is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative complications.

MicroRNA-126-3p/-5p Overexpression Attenuates Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption in a Mouse Model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.

Background and Purpose- Blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption is a critical pathological feature after stroke. MicroRNA-126 (miR-126) maintains BBB integrity by regulating endothelial cell function during development. However, the role of miR-126-3p and -5p in BBB integrity after stroke is unclear. Here, we investigated whether miR-126-3p and -5p overexpression regulates BBB integrity after cerebral ischemia. Methods- A lentivirus carrying genes encoding miR-126-3p or -5p was stereotactically injected into adult male Institute of Cancer Research mouse brains (n=36). Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion was performed 2 weeks after virus injection. Brain infarct volume, edema volume, and modified neurological severity score were assessed at 1 and 3 days after ischemia. Immunostaining of ZO-1 (zonula occludens-1) and occludin was used to evaluate BBB integrity. IL-1ß (interleukin-1ß), TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-α), VCAM-1 (vascular cell adhesion molecule-1), and E-selectin expression levels were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Results- The expression of miR-126-3p and -5p decreased at 1 and 3 days after ischemia (P<0.05). Injection of lentiviral miR-126-3p or -5p reduced brain infarct volume and edema volume (P<0.05) and attenuated the decrease in ZO-1/occludin protein levels and IgG leakage at 3 days after stroke (P<0.05). Injection of lentiviral miR-126-5p improved behavioral outcomes at 3 days after stroke (P<0.05). miR-126-3p and -5p overexpression downregulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1ß and TNF-α and adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and E-selectin, as well as decreased MPO+ (myeloperoxidase positive) cell numbers at 3 days after ischemia (P<0.05). Conclusions- miR-126-3p and -5p overexpression reduced the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules, and attenuated BBB disruption after ischemic stroke, suggesting that miR-126-3p and -5p are new therapeutic targets in the acute stage of stroke.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1-(benzofuran-3-yl)-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives as tubulin polymerization inhibitors.

The key functions of microtubules and the mitotic spindle in cell division make them attractive targets for cancer therapy. In this study, a series of 1-(benzofuran-3-yl)-4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole derivatives was synthesized, and their antiproliferative activities against HCT116, HeLa, HepG2, and A549 cells were evaluated. 6-Methoxy-N-phenyl-3-(4-(3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl)benzofuran-2-carboxamide (17g) exhibited the strongest antiproliferative activities, with IC50 values ranging from 0.57 to 5.7 µM. Mechanistic studies showed that 17g inhibited tubulin polymerization, leading to the disruption of mitotic spindle formation, cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and apoptosis of A549 cells. A docking study indicated that 17g was a good molecular fit at the colchicine binding site of tubulin. These results showed that 17g is a potential anticancer compound that is worthy of further development as a tubulin polymerization inhibitor.

B52 promotes alternative splicing of Dscam in Chinese mitten crab, Eriocheir sinensis.

B52 is a member of the classical serine/arginine (SR)-rich proteins, which are phylogenetically conserved and play significant roles in mRNA maturation, including alternative splicing. In the present study, the docking site, selector sequences and locus control region of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (EsDscam) were identified. Alternative splicing of Dscam is essential to generate different isoforms. We also isolated and characterised the B52 gene from E. sinensis (EsB52). The 876 bp open reading frame of EsB52 encodes a 291 amino acid residue polypeptide, and EsB52 has two RNA recognition motifs (RRMs) at the N-terminus and an arginine/serine-rich domain at the C-terminus. Each RRM contains two degenerate short submotifs, RNP-1 and RNP2. Analysis of tissue distribution revealed that EsB52 mRNA expression was widespread in all tested tissues, and especially high in brain and hemocytes. In hemocytes, EsB52 was upregulated significantly after stimulation with pathogen-associated molecular patterns and bacteria. Furthermore, EsB52 RNAi decreased the number of Ig7 inclusion in mRNA rather than Ig2 or Ig3. Taken together, these findings suggest that EsB52 acts as an alternative splicing activator of EsDscam.

Experimental study on the sensitive depth of backwards detected light in turbid media.

In the recent past, optical spectroscopy and imaging methods for biomedical diagnosis and target enhancing have been widely researched. The challenge to improve the performance of these methods is to know the sensitive depth of the backwards detected light well. Former research mainly employed a Monte Carlo method to run simulations to statistically describe the light sensitive depth. An experimental method for investigating the sensitive depth was developed and is presented here. An absorption plate was employed to remove all the light that may have travelled deeper than the plate, leaving only the light which cannot reach the plate. By measuring the received backwards light intensity and the depth between the probe and the plate, the light intensity distribution along the depth dimension can be achieved. The depth with the maximum light intensity was recorded as the sensitive depth. The experimental results showed that the maximum light intensity was nearly the same in a short depth range. It could be deduced that the sensitive depth was a range, rather than a single depth. This sensitive depth range as well as its central depth increased consistently with the increasing source-detection distance. Relationships between sensitive depth and optical properties were also investigated. It also showed that the reduced scattering coefficient affects the central sensitive depth and the range of the sensitive depth more than the absorption coefficient, so they cannot be simply added as reduced distinct coefficients to describe the sensitive depth. This study provides an efficient method for investigation of sensitive depth. It may facilitate the development of spectroscopy and imaging techniques for biomedical diagnosis and underwater imaging.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 4ß-(thiazol-2-yl)amino-4'-O-demethyl-4-deoxypodophyllotoxins as topoisomerase-II inhibitors.

A series of 4ß-(thiazol-2-yl)amino-4'-O-demethyl-4-deoxypodophyllotoxins were synthesized, and their cytotoxicities were evaluated against four human cancer cell lines (A549, HepG2, HeLa, and LOVO cells) and normal human diploid fibroblast line WI-38. Some of the compounds exhibited promising antitumor activity and less toxicity than the anticancer drug etoposide. Among them, compounds 15 and 17 were found to be the most potent synthetic derivatives as topo-II inhibitors, and induced DNA double-strand breaks via the p73/ATM pathway as well as the H2AX phosphorylation in A549 cells. These compounds also arrested A549 cells cycle in G2/M phase by regulating cyclinB1/cdc2(p34). Taken together, these results show that a series of compounds are potential anticancer agents.

Fractionalized excitations in the spin-liquid state of a kagome-lattice antiferromagnet.

The experimental realization of quantum spin liquids is a long-sought goal in physics, as they represent new states of matter. Quantum spin liquids cannot be described by the broken symmetries associated with conventional ground states. In fact, the interacting magnetic moments in these systems do not order, but are highly entangled with one another over long ranges. Spin liquids have a prominent role in theories describing high-transition-temperature superconductors, and the topological properties of these states may have applications in quantum information. A key feature of spin liquids is that they support exotic spin excitations carrying fractional quantum numbers. However, detailed measurements of these 'fractionalized excitations' have been lacking. Here we report neutron scattering measurements on single-crystal samples of the spin-1/2 kagome-lattice antiferromagnet ZnCu(3)(OD)(6)Cl(2) (also called herbertsmithite), which provide striking evidence for this characteristic feature of spin liquids. At low temperatures, we find that the spin excitations form a continuum, in contrast to the conventional spin waves expected in ordered antiferromagnets. The observation of such a continuum is noteworthy because, so far, this signature of fractional spin excitations has been observed only in one-dimensional systems. The results also serve as a hallmark of the quantum spin-liquid state in herbertsmithite.

Sesamin alleviates blood-brain barrier disruption in mice with experimental traumatic brain injury.

Sesamin, a major lignan of sesame oil, was reported to have neuroprotective effects in several brain injury models. However, its protective action in maintaining blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity has not been studied. In this study we investigated the effects of sesamin on the BBB in a mouse model of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and explored the underlying mechanisms. Adult male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to a controlled cortical impact (CCI) injury and then received sesamin (30 mg·kg-1·d-1, ip). The mice were euthanized on the 1st and 3rd days after CCI injury and samples were collected for analysis. Sesamin treatment significantly attenuated CCI-induced brain edema on the 1st and 3rd days after the injury, evidenced by the decreases in water content, tissue hemoglobin levels, Evans blue extravasation and AQP4 expression levels in the ipsilateral cortical tissue compared with the vehicle-treated group. Furthermore, sesamin treatment significantly alleviated CCI-induced loss of the tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin in the brain tissues. The neuroprotective mechanisms of sesamin were further explored in cultured mouse brain microvascular bEnd.3 cells subjected to biaxial stretch injury (SI). Pretreatment with sesamin (50 µmol/L) significantly alleviated SI-induced loss of ZO-1 in bEnd.3 cells. Furthermore, we revealed that pretreatment with sesamin significantly attenuated SI-induced oxidative stress and early-stage apoptosis in bEnd.3 cells by decreasing the activation of ERK, p-38 and caspase-3. In conclusion, sesamin alleviates BBB disruption at least partly through its anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic effects on endothelial cells in CCI injury. These findings suggest that sesamin may be a promising potential therapeutic intervention for preventing disruption of the BBB after TBI.

Predicting posttraumatic hydrocephalus: derivation and validation of a risk scoring system based on clinical characteristics.

Posttraumatic hydrocephalus (PTH) is a disorder of disturbed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics after traumatic brain injury (TBI). It can lead to brain metabolic impairment and dysfunction and has a high risk of clinical deterioration and worse outcomes. The incidence and risk factors for the development of PTH after decompressive craniectomy (DC) has been assessed in previous studies, but rare studies identify patients with higher risk for PTH among all TBI patients. This study aimed to develop and validate a risk scoring system to predict PTH after TBI. Demographics, injury severity, duration of coma, radiologic findings, and DC were evaluated to determine the independent predictors of PTH during hospitalization until 6 months following TBI through logistic regression analysis. A risk stratification system was created by assigning a number of points for each predictor and validated in an independent cohort. The model accuracy was assessed by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Of 526 patients in the derivation cohort, 57 (10.84%) developed PTH during 6 months follow up. Age > 50 yrs (Odd ratio [OR] = 1.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-3.75, 4 points), duration of coma ≥1 w (OR = 5.68, 95% CI 2.57-13.47, 9 points), Fisher grade III (OR = 2.19, 95% CI 1.24-4.36, 5 points) or IV (OR = 3.87, 95% CI 1.93-8.43, 7 points), bilateral DC (OR = 6.13, 95% CI 2.82-18.14, 9 points), and extra herniation after DC (OR = 2.36, 95% CI 1.46-4.92, 5 points) were independently associated with PTH. Rates of PTH for the low- (0-12 points), intermediate- (13-22 points) and high-risk (23-34 points) groups were 1.16%, 35.19% and 78.57% (p < 0.0001). The corresponding rates in the validation cohort, where 17/175 (9.71%) developed PTH, were 1.35%, 37.50% and 81.82% (p < 0.0001). The risk score model exhibited good-excellent discrimination in both cohorts, with AUC of 0.839 versus 0.894 (derivation versus validation) and good calibration (Hosmer-Lemshow p = 0.56 versus 0.68). This model will be useful to identify patients at high risk for PTH who may be candidates for preventive interventions, and to improve their outcomes.