Comparison of Different Adjuvant Therapies for Hypothermia in Neonates with Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a major cause of perinatal death and neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI). Hypothermia (HT) is the standard of care; however, additional neuroprotective agents are required to improve prognosis. The authors searched for all drugs in combination with HT and compared their effects using a network meta-analysis. METHODS: The authors searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library until September 24, 2022 for articles assessing mortality, NDI, seizures, and abnormal brain imaging findings in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Direct pairwise comparisons and a network meta-analysis was performed under random effects. RESULTS: Thirteen randomized clinical trials enroled 902 newborns treated with six combination therapies: erythropoietin magnesium sulfate, melatonin (MT), topiramate, xenon, and darbepoetin alfa. The results of all comparisons were not statistically significant, except for NDI, HT vs. MT+HT: odds ratio = 6.67, 95% confidence interval = 1.14-38.83; however, the overall evidence quality was low for the small sample size. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, no combination therapy can reduce mortality, seizures, or abnormal brain imaging findings in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. According to low quality evidence, HT combined with MT may reduce NDI.

Tyrosine-Reactive Cross-Linker for Probing Protein Three-Dimensional Structures.

Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) has made significant progress in understanding the structure of protein and elucidating architectures of larger protein complexes. Current XL-MS applications are limited to targeting lysine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, and cysteine residues. There remains a need for the development of novel cross-linkers enabling selective targeting of other amino acid residues in proteins. Here, a novel simple cross-linker, namely, [4,4'-(disulfanediylbis(ethane-2,1-diyl)) bis(1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione)] (DBB), has been designed, synthesized, and characterized. This cross-linker can react selectively with tyrosine residues in protein through the electrochemical click reaction. The DBB cross-links produced the characteristic peptides before and after electrochemical reduction, thus permitting the simplified data analysis and accurate identification for the cross-linked products. This is the first time a cross-linker is developed for targeting tyrosine residues on protein without using photoirradiation or a metal catalyst. This strategy might potentially be used as a complementary tool for XL-MS to probe protein 3D structures, protein complexes, and protein-protein interaction.

Isolation of an acidic polysaccharide from the flowers of Leucosceptrum canum Smith and its immunomodulatory activity evaluation.

A water-soluble polysaccharide (LCP-05) was isolated from the flowers of Leucosceptrum canum Smith. LCP-05 was an acidic polysaccharide with a molecular weight of approximately 8.9 kDa. Monosaccharide composition analysis indicated that LCP-05 was composed of Man, Rha, GlcA, GalA, Glc, Gal and Ara in a molar ratio of 0.83:1.68:0.33:2.15:1.00:1.45:1.22. The framework of LCP-05 was speculated to be a branched rhamnogalacturonan with the backbone consisting of α-1,2,4-linked Rhap and α-1,4-linked GalAp, and bearing branches at the O-4 position of the Rha residues. The side chains are terminated primarily with the Araf and Glcp residues. LCP-05 was found to be able to significantly induce the production of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α in RAW 264.7 cells, and to induce RAW 264.7 cell's suppressive effect on both cell growth and cell migration of 4 T1 mammary breast cancer cells.

[Alterations of regional homogeneity in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: A study by resting-state functional MRI].

OBJECTIVE: To study the correlation between the brain regional homogeneity (ReHo) features and the clinical characteristics of the patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED). METHODS: Using IIEF-5 and the Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) questionnaire, we evaluated the erectile function and psychosocial status of 32 pED patients and 28 healthy male subjects. Then, we compared the regional brain activity between the patients and healthy controls by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) and the ReHo method, analyzed the correlation of the ReHo value of the altered brain regions with the results of IIEF-5 and SEAR questionnaire investigation, and explored the relationship between the ReHo features and the symptoms of the pED patients. RESULTS: Compared with the healthy male subjects, the pED patients obtained significantly lower IIEF-5 scores (22.21 ± 0.98 vs 13.97 ± 3.60, P < 0.01) and SEAR scores (61.92 ± 3.73 vs 37.58 ± 7.96, P < 0.01), a higher ReHo value of the left lateral cerebellum, and a lower ReHo value of the right precentral gyrus. The ReHo value of the left lateral cerebellum was correlated negatively with the IIEF-5 scores (r= －0.51, P < 0.01) and SEAR scores (r = －0.54, P < 0.01), while that of the right precentral gyrus positively with the IIEF-5 scores (r = 0.57, P < 0.01) and SEAR scores (r = 0.66, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pED had lateral cerebellum-mediated abnormal sensory integration and precentral gyrus-related dysfunction of motor imagery and motor execution.

[Qilin Pills for obstructive azoospermia after ejaculatory duct reconstruction].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Qilin Pills in the treatment of severe oligozoospermia after microsurgical ejaculatory duct reconstruction for obstructive azoospermia. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 75 cases of obstructive azoospermia treated by ejaculatory duct reconstruction followed by administration of Qilin Pills. The patients were divided into a Qilin group (n=42) and a control group (n=33) postoperatively, treated with Qilin Pills and placebo, respectively. After 3 months of medication, we compared the sperm quality between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: After 3 months' treatment, all the patients experienced remarkable improvement in sperm quality (P<0.05). Compared with the controls, the patients in the Qilin group showed dramatic increases in sperm concentration, from (0.57±0.25) and (0.60±0.18) ×106/ml before medication to (2.83±0.59) and (1.72 ±0.52) ×106/ml after medication, significantly higher in the Qilin than in the control group (P<0.05). The percentage of grade a sperm was increased from (5.52±5.97) and (5.30±6.26)% to (11.56±9.96) and (10.27±6.52)%, that of grade a+b sperm from (9.68±8.63) and (8.64±10.10)% to (23.42 ±14.10) and (20.81±14.70)%, and that of morphologically normal sperm from (2.00±1.27) and (2.31±0.94)% to (3.54±2.47) and (3.47±1.33)%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in sperm motility and normal sperm morphology between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05). The total effectiveness rate was higher in the Qilin group than in the controls (88.1% vs 72.7%), but with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Qilin Pills are fairly effective in improving the quantity of sperm in obstructive azoospermia patients after ejaculatory duct reconstruction.

Qilin Pills for obstructive azoospermia after ejaculatory duct reconstruction / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>Objective</b>To observe the clinical effect of Qilin Pills in the treatment of severe oligozoospermia after microsurgical ejaculatory duct reconstruction for obstructive azoospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We retrospectively analyzed 75 cases of obstructive azoospermia treated by ejaculatory duct reconstruction followed by administration of Qilin Pills. The patients were divided into a Qilin group (n=42) and a control group (n=33) postoperatively, treated with Qilin Pills and placebo, respectively. After 3 months of medication, we compared the sperm quality between the two groups of patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After 3 months' treatment, all the patients experienced remarkable improvement in sperm quality (P<0.05). Compared with the controls, the patients in the Qilin group showed dramatic increases in sperm concentration, from (0.57±0.25) and (0.60±0.18) ×10⁶/ml before medication to (2.83±0.59) and (1.72 ±0.52) ×10⁶/ml after medication, significantly higher in the Qilin than in the control group (P<0.05). The percentage of grade a sperm was increased from (5.52±5.97) and (5.30±6.26)% to (11.56±9.96) and (10.27±6.52)%, that of grade a+b sperm from (9.68±8.63) and (8.64±10.10)% to (23.42 ±14.10) and (20.81±14.70)%, and that of morphologically normal sperm from (2.00±1.27) and (2.31±0.94)% to (3.54±2.47) and (3.47±1.33)%, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in sperm motility and normal sperm morphology between the two groups after treatment (P>0.05). The total effectiveness rate was higher in the Qilin group than in the controls (88.1% vs 72.7%), but with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Qilin Pills are fairly effective in improving the quantity of sperm in obstructive azoospermia patients after ejaculatory duct reconstruction.</p>

Förster Resonance Energy Transfer Switchable Self-Assembled Micellar Nanoprobe: Ratiometric Fluorescent Trapping of Endogenous H2S Generation via Fluvastatin-Stimulated Upregulation.

H2S produced in small amounts by mammalian cells has been identified in mediating biological signaling functions. However, the in situ trapping of endogenous H2S generation is still handicapped by a lack of straightforward methods with high selectivity and fast response. Here, we encapsulate a semi-cyanine-BODIPY hybrid dye (BODInD-Cl) and its complementary energy donor (BODIPY1) into the hydrophobic interior of an amphiphilic copolymer (mPEG-DSPE), especially for building up a ratiometric fluorescent H2S nanoprobe with extraordinarily fast response. A remarkable red-shift in the absorption band with a gap of 200 nm in the H2S response can efficiently switch off the Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from BODIPY1 to BODInD-Cl, subsequently recovering the donor fluorescence. Impressively, both the interior hydrophobicity of supramolecular micelles and electron-withdrawing nature of indolium unit in BODInD-Cl can sharply increase aromatic nucleophilic substitution with H2S. The ratiometric strategy based on the unique self-assembled micellar aggregate NanoBODIPY achieves an extremely fast response, enabling in situ imaging of endogenous H2S production and mapping its physiological and pathological consequences. Moreover, the amphiphilic copolymer renders the micellar assembly biocompatible and soluble in aqueous solution. The established FRET-switchable macromolecular envelope around BODInD-Cl and BODIPY1 enables cellular uptake, and makes a breakthrough in the trapping of endogenous H2S generation within raw264.7 macrophages upon stimulation with fluvastatin. This study manifests that cystathione γ-lyase (CSE) upregulation contributes to endogenous H2S generation in fluvastatin-stimulated macrophages, along with a correlation between CSE/H2S and activating Akt signaling pathway.

A novel 2-(2-Formyl-4-methyl-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-acetamide-based fluorescence turn-on chemosensor for selenium determination with high selectivity and sensitivity.

A novel turn-on fluorescent chemosensor, 2-(2-Formyl-4-methyl-phenoxy)-N-phenyl-acetamide (FMPPA) was designed and synthesized, and its photophysical properties were characterized. Upon coordination with Se (IV), the chemosensor showed incredible fluorescence enhancement (turn-on), other alkali, alkaline earth, transitional metal ions, and common anions including Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Rb(+), Cs(+), Be(2+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Sr(2+), Ba(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+), As(3+), Pt(4+), V(5+), Fe(3+), Mo(6+), Al(3+), CO3(2-), Cl(-), SCN(-), AC(-), NO3(-), F(-), SO4(2-) had no significant interference on Se (IV) determination. The chemosensor exhibits a dynamic response range for Se (IV) from 3.32 × 10(-7) to 2.63 × 10(-6)M, with a detection limit of 9.38 × 10(-9)M (3σ).

[Optimization of supercritical fluid extraction of ursolic acid from follum eriobotryae by response surface methodology].

OBJECTIVE: To optimize the conditions for extracting ursolic acid from Follum eriobotryae with supercritical fluid extration (SFE). METHODS: The contents of ursolic acid in the extracts were determined by HPLC. Based on single factor experiment and response surface methodology, a mathematical model for SFE of ursolic acid was built. RESULTS: The result showed that the optimum condition paremeters were as follows: temperature 61.6 degrees C, extraction pressure 25.8 MPa, dynamic extraction time 40 min. Under these conditions, theoretical extraction rate of ursolic acid was 3.96 mg/g. CONCLUSION: The eptimal process is reliable.