First Report of Arg587Cys Mutation of Notch3 Gene in Two Chinese Families with CADASIL.

OBJECTIVE: To explore Notch3 mutation sites of Chinese patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL). METHODS: Direct sequencing of all exons in Notch3 gene was performed on 12 unrelated suspected CADASIL cases from mainland China. RESULT: A missense p.Arg587Cys (1759C>T) mutation in exon 11 was identified in 2 patients through genetic analysis. CONCLUSION: Chinese patients with CADASIL of R587C mutation in exon 11 was firstly reported.

Protection of erythropoietin against ischemic neurovascular unit injuries through the effects of connexin43.

Erythropoietin (EPO) has protective effects on many neurological diseases, including cerebral ischemia. Here, we aimed to test EPO's effects on ischemic neurovascular unit (NVU) injuries and examine whether the effects were dependent on connexin43 (Cx43) mediated gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC). We detected the expression of Cx43 and phosphorylation of Cx43 (p-Cx43) at 1 d, 3 d, and 7 d after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Meanwhile, we examined the effects of EPO on NVU injuries including neuronal survival, astrocyte activation and regeneration of endothelial cells as well as whether the effects were Cx43 dependent by using multiple inhibitors. We found EPO highly increased p-Cx43, but not total Cx43 at all chosen times. Importantly, EPO led to neurological and blood-brain barrier functions improvement by associating with promotion of angiogenesis as well as reduction of neuronal death, astrocyte activation and neurotoxic substances levels. Moreover, these effects were significantly weakened by the inhibitors blocking GJIC, Cx43 communicative function, phosphorylation and expression, only Cx43 redistribution inhibitor excluded. Our data suggest the protective effects of EPO on NUV injuries are highly associated with the increase of p-Cx43, which improves GJIC to reduce neurotoxic substances.

Design and evaluation of oseltamivir phosphate dual-phase extended-release tablets for the treatment of influenza.

In this study, once-daily extended-release tablets with dual-phase release of oseltamivir phosphate were developed for the treatment of influenza. The goal was to improve patient adherence and offer more therapeutic choices. The tablets were manufactured using wet granulation, bilayer tablet compression, and enteric membrane-controlled coating processes. Various polymers, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K100MCR, K15MCR, K4MCR, K100LV), enteric polymers (HPMC AS-LF, Eudragit L100-55) and membrane-controlled polymers (OPADRY® CA), were used either individually or in combination with other common excipients. The formulations include enteric-coated extended-release tablet (F1), hydrophilic matrix extended-release tablet (F2), semipermeable membrane-controlled release tablet (F3) and a combination extended-release tablet containing both enteric and hydrophilic matrix (F4). The in vitro drug release profile of each formulation was fitted to the first-order model, and the Ritger-Peppas model suggested that Fickian diffusion was the primary mechanism for drug release. Comparative bioequivalence studies with Tamiflu® (oseltamivir phosphate) capsules revealed that formulations F1, F2, and F3 did not achieve bioequivalence. However, under fed conditions, formulation F4 achieved bioequivalence with a relative bioavailability of 95.30% (90% CI, 88.83%-102.15%). This suggests that the formulation F4 tablet could potentially be a new treatment option for patients with influenza.

Subintimal recanalization for non-acute occlusion of intracranial vertebral artery in an emergency endovascular procedure: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular recanalization of non-acute intracranial artery occlusion is technically difficult, particularly when the microwire enters the subintima. Although the subintimal tracking and re-entry technique has been well established in the endovascular treatment of coronary artery occlusion, there is limited experience with its use in intracranial occlusion due to anatomical variations and a lack of dedicated devices. CASE SUMMARY: A 74-year-old man was admitted to the hospital two days after experiencing acute weakness in both lower extremities, poor speech, and dizziness. After admission, imaging revealed acute ischemic stroke and non-acute occlusion of bilateral intracranial vertebral arteries (ICVAs). On the fourth day of admission, the patient's condition deteriorated and an emergency endovascular recanalization of the left ICVA was performed. During this procedure, a microwire was advanced in the subintima of the vessel wall and successfully reentered the distal true lumen. Two stents were implanted in the subintima. The patient's Modified Rankin Scale was 1 at three months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: We present a technical case of subintimal recanalization for non-acute ICVA occlusion in an emergency endovascular procedure. However, we emphasize the necessity for caution when applying the subintimal tracking approach in intracranial occlusion due to the significant dangers involved.

N-Nitrosodimethylamine formation in metformin hydrochloride sustained-release tablets: Effects of metformin and hypromellose used in drug product formulation.

In recent years, nitrosamines have been discovered in some types of drug products that becomes a current regulatory hotspot, and have attracted a lot attention from both regulatory authorities and industry. This manuscript provided an industry perspective on the nitrosamines research. A liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry（LC-MS/MS）method was developed and applied for the quantification of N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) in metformin hydrochloride sustained-release tablets (MET). The key factors resulting in the NDMA formation in MET were identified through forced degradation and drug-excipient studies, which included high temperature, dimethylamine, strong alkali and oxidation conditions, peroxide and alkaline components contained in the formulation as well as the nitrite and nitrate impurities that might be presented in certain excipients. Further, API particle size and water content of the drug product would also affect the growth rate of NDMA. Therefore, the following mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of nitrosamines in the finished drug product are proposed in this manuscript: 1) avoid the use of excipients containing nitrite, nitrate and peroxide impurities; 2) avoid high temperature and strong alkaline environment in the production and storage condition; 3) maintain an appropriate water content level in the formulation. Based on the above principles, it was recommended to add antioxidant or incorporate excipient such as Na2CO3 to modify the formulation pH to weak basic environment in the formulation of MET, which can could effectively prevent formation of NDMA in the stability process.

"Ghost peaks" of olmesartan medoxomil: Two solution degradation products of olmesartan medoxomil via oxidation mediated by metal ions.

Two unknown solution degradants were found during the dissolution testing in 0.1-M HCl for olmesartan medoxomil (OLM) tablets. The structure of the degradants was identified and characterized by liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (LC-UV), liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and demonstrated to be cyclization of tetrazole and benzene in the olmesartan (OL) and OLM structures. A series of studies including stress studies, simulation studies, and mechanism-based studies were performed to reveal the potential mechanisms that lead to the formation of the unknown degradants. The study results demonstrated that the degradation was catalyzed with radicals that originated from the metal ions leached from the inner surface of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) glass vials with dissolved oxygen under acidic condition. Prerinsing the glass vials with acidic solution dissolved with EDTA can effectively avoid the generation of such oxidative impurities. The present work provides new insights into the understanding of degradation pathways of OLM, which might support the development of OLM tablets.

Characterization of two excipient interaction degradation products in oseltamivir phosphate powder for oral suspension by MS and NMR.

Oseltamivir phosphate is widely used to treat and prevent influenza, and is available in the form of capsules, powder for oral suspension, pediatric solutions, and granules. Because of the amino group, oseltamivir is easy to react with the excipients of the formulation to generate drug-excipient interaction impurities. In this research, two degradation products in a commercial oseltamivir phosphate powder for oral suspension due to interaction between API and citrate were investigated. They were characterized to be 3-((-6-acetamido-3-(ethoxycarbonyl)-5-(pentan-3-yloxy)cyclohex-3-en-1-yl)carbamoyl)-3-hydroxypentanedioic acid and 2-(2-((-6-acetamido-3-(ethoxycarbonyl)-5-(pentan-3-yloxy)cyclohex-3-en-1-yl)amino)-2-oxoethyl)-2-hydroxysuccinic acid by MS and NMR, respectively. Furthermore, the formation mechanisms of these impurities were verified, and the method of analysis of covariance was used to assess the rate of impurities' degradation. HIGHLIGHTS: Two excipient interaction degradation products in commercial oseltamivir phosphate powder for oral suspension were studied and elucidated in detail via LC-MS/MS and NMR. The incompatibility risk of pH conditioners such as citrate and citric acid with formulations that contain an amino group was disclosed in this article. Analysis of covariance was demonstrated to assess the impact of various formulations and preparation techniques on the rate of impurity degradation.

Azithromycin "ghost peak": A solution degradation product of azithromycin via leaching from borosilicate glass volumetric flasks and vials.

An interference peak was found while detecting related substances of azithromycin. It is impressive that the degradation peak occurred at about 70 min in the next injection of the test solution (4 mg/mL or higher). Once the degradation peak was observed, it would keep growing. By using a strategy that Q-TOF high resolution mass spectrometry with mechanism-based stress studies, followed by preparative subsequent structure characterization by 1D and 2D NMR, the unknown peak was identified as azithromycin hydrogen borate. It apparently results from azithromycin and residual boron leaching out of the inner surface of the glass volumetric flasks and vials used in the sample preparation. By simulating the above chemical process, boric acid and azithromycin were dissolved in the same extraction diluent and a big interference peak occurred. It was found that boron-free flasks and vials, such as PMP or PP flasks and PTFE or PP vials could be used for the detection of azithromycin related substances to avoid the production of azithromycin hydrogen borate.

Predictive value on diffusion weighted imaging scores for basilar artery occlusion after endovascular treatment.

PURPOSE: To assess the predictive value of three scoring systems based on diffusion weighted imaging in basilar artery occlusion patients after endovascular treatment. METHODS: We analyzed clinical and radiological data of patients with basilar artery occlusion from January 2010 to June 2019, with modified Rankin Scale of 0-2 and 3-6 defined as favorable outcome and unfavorable outcome at three months. Diffusion weighted imaging posterior circulation ASPECTS Score (DWI pc-ASPECT Score), Renard diffusion weighted imaging Score, and diffusion weighted imaging Brainstem Score were used to evaluate the early ischemic changes. RESULTS: There were a total of 88 basilar artery occlusion patients enrolled in the study after endovascular treatment, with 33 of them getting a favorable outcome. According to the analysis, the time from onset to puncture within 12 h (odds ratio: 4.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.55-12.16; P = 0.01), presence of collateral flow via PCoA (odds ratio: 0.31; 95%CI: 0.12-0.79; P = 0.01) or between PICA and SCA (odds ratio: 0.18; 95%CI: 0.07-0.47; P = 0.00), equal or less than 15 points on baseline NIHSS (area under the curve 0.79, 95% CI 0.69-0.89; sensitivity = 69.1%, specificity = 81.8%; P = 0.00), and equal or less than 1.5 points on diffusion weighted imaging Renard score (area under the curve 0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.75; sensitivity = 83.6%, specificity = 39.4%; P = 0.046) were independently associated with favorable outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Renard diffusion weighted imaging score may be an independent predictor of functional outcome in basilar artery occlusion patients after endovascular treatment.

Enhancement the oral bioavailability of praziquantel by incorporation into solid lipid nanoparticles.

The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) to enhance the oral bioavailability of praziquantel (PZQ). SLN loaded with PZQ were produced by ultrasound technique. The characteristics of PZQ-SLN were studied in detail. The concentration of PZQ in plasma was determined using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography after oral administration of PZQ-SLN and control PZQ tablets (PZQ-TAB) in rats respectively. The results showed that PZQ-SLN had an average diameter 110 nm with Zeta potential of -66.3 mV. The encapsulation efficiency of PZQ was about 80%. In vitro drug release fitted the Weibull distribution equation. There were two peaks in the PZQ concentration-time curves in plasma after oral administration of PZQ-SLN. The first peak might be caused by free drug and that adsorbed onto the surface of PZQ-SLN. The second peak was indicative of gut uptake of PZQ-SLN. The AUC(0-infinity) value of PZQ after oral administration of SLN was 4.1 fold higher than that obtained with the PZQ-TAB. The MRT of PZQ-SLN was also significantly enhanced, resulting in an about twofold increase compared with PZQ-TAB. Thus, the oral bioavailability of PZQ-SLN increased significantly compared to PZQ-TAB, and the results indicate that SLN can be a promising drug carrier for PZQ.

[Characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine syndromes in patients with acute ischemic stroke of yin or yang syndrome: a multicenter trial].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the composition characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in patients with acute ischemic stroke of yin or yang syndrome by investigating the characteristics of TCM syndromes at different periods after onset. METHODS: One thousand two hundred and forty-six patients with acute ischemic stroke were admitted in twenty hospitals. According to the "diagnostic criteria of syndrome differentiation of stroke", the characteristics of syndromes in the patients were investigated at the periods of 1-3 days, 4-10 days and 11-30 days after they had ischemic stroke. General distribution of six basic syndromes was compared between the patients with yin syndrome and the patients with yang syndrome at the three periods. The six basic syndromes were wind syndrome, pathogenic fire syndrome, phlegm syndrome, blood stasis syndrome, qi deficiency syndrome, and syndrome of yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity. RESULTS: The percentages of wind, pathogenic fire, and phlegm syndromes in the patients were decreased at the period of 11-30 days as compared with the period of 1-3 days (87.1% vs 79.3%, 52.1% vs 38.7% and 67.1% vs 57.4% respectively, P<0.01). However, the percentages of the syndromes of blood stasis, qi deficiency, and yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity were similar at the three periods (P>0.05). There were no differences in the distribution of yin and yang syndromes among the three periods (P>0.05). The percentages of syndromes of wind, pathogenic fire, phlegm, and yin deficiency and yang hyperactivity were higher (P<0.01), and the percentages of syndromes of blood stasis and qi deficiency were lower (P<0.05, P<0.01) in patients with yang syndrome than in patients with yin syndrome. The complex of three syndromes was the most frequent composition pattern in the patients at the three periods. The percentages of complex syndromes of four or five syndromes were higher, and the percentages of single-syndromes and complex syndromes of two syndromes were lower in patients with yang syndrome than in patients with yin syndrome (P<0.05, P<0.01). The most frequent complex syndromes in patients with yin syndrome were complex syndrome of wind, phlegm, blood stasis and qi deficiency, and complex syndrome of wind, phlegm and qi deficiency; while the most frequent complex syndromes in patients with yang syndrome were complex syndrome of wind, pathogenic fire, phlegm and qi deficiency, and complex syndrome of wind, pathogenic fire and phlegm. CONCLUSION: The main discrimination between the yin and yang syndromes is that the yang syndrome is characterized by pathogenic fire. The syndromes of phlegm, qi deficiency, and blood stasis are not associated with the diagnosis of yin or yang syndrome.

Evaluation of glyphosate resistance in Arabidopsis thaliana expressing an altered target site EPSPS.

BACKGROUND: Glyphosate-resistant goosegrass has recently evolved and is homozygous for the double mutant of EPSPS (T102 I, P106 S or TIPS). These same mutations combined with EPSPS overexpression, have been used to create transgenic glyphosate-resistant crops. Arabidopsis thaliana (Wt EPSPS Ki ∼ 0.5 µM) was engineered to express a variant AtEPSPS-T102 I, P106 A (TIPA Ki = 150 µM) to determine the resistance magnitude for a more potent variant EPSPS that might evolve in weeds. RESULTS: Transgenic A. thaliana plants, homozygous for one, two or four copies of AtEPSPS-TIPA, had resistance (IC50 values, R/S) as measured by seed production ranging from 4.3- to 16-fold. Plants treated in reproductive stage were male sterile with a range of R/S from 10.1- to 40.6-fold. A significant hormesis (∼ 63% gain in fresh weight) was observed for all genotypes when treated at the initiation of reproductive stage with 0.013 kg ha-1 . AtEPSPS-TIPA enzyme activity was proportional to copy number and correlated with resistance magnitude. CONCLUSIONS: A. thaliana, as a model weed expressing one copy of AtEPSPS-TIPA (300-fold more resistant), had only 4.3-fold resistance to glyphosate for seed production. Resistance behaved as a single dominant allele. Vegetative tissue resistance was 4.7-fold greater than reproductive tissue resistance and was linear with gene copy number. © 2017 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

[Randomized multicenter control clinical study on acute ischemic stroke treatment with traditional Chinese medicine].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of a comprehensive protocol of integrated Chinese and Western medicine (ICWM) in treating with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: A multi-center, prospective, random and control clinical trial was adopted with 606 patients of acute ischemic stroke. They were divided into the treatment group (274 cases) treated with ICWM protocol, and the control group (263 cases) treated with Western medicine plus placebe, and BI, mRS were assessed after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the 90th day assessment showed that the severe disability rate was lower (BI <75) (P <0.05), the complete reabilitation and mild disability rate (BI> or =95, P < 0.05), and the disability level (modified Rankin scale mRS) were improved (P <0.05) in the treatment group than those in the control group. CONCLUSION: The ICWM protocol used in this study may improve neural function and quality of life of acute ischemic stroke patients, and reduce the severe disability rate in those after 90 days treatment.

Serotonin transporter and tryptophan hydroxylase gene polymorphisms in Chinese patients with generalized anxiety disorder.

BACKGROUND: The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) and tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) gene are important candidate genes for the psychiatric disorders. Many studies of patients with anxiety disorders have found abnormalities of serotonin metabolism and dysfunction of regulation in the transporter itself. In this study, we hypothesize that genetic variation in the 5-HTT and TPH gene may have an effect on the etiology of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). METHODS: Using a polymerase chain reaction-based technique, the allele and genotype frequencies of three polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene (a deletion/insertion polymorphism in the transcriptional control region and a variable number of tandem repeats in intron 2) and TPH gene (A218C in intron 7) were analyzed in 138 patients with GAD and 90 healthy controls. These two groups were matched for ethnic and geographic origin. RESULTS: The frequencies of 5-HTT gene-linked functional polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) SS (short/short) genotype were significantly higher in GAD patients than in control subjects (68% versus 49%, chi = 12.274, df = 2, P = 0.002), and the frequencies of S (short) allele observed in the GAD patients were higher than those in healthy subjects (79 versus 71%, chi = 4.063, df = 1, P = 0.044). The odds ratio for the SS genotype versus the other two genotypes was 2.33 (95% confidence interval, 1.29-3.86). Similarly, the odds ratio for the S allele versus L allele was 1.56 (95% confidence interval, 1.01-2.41). The genotypic and allelic distribution of 5-HTT VNTR and TPH A218C polymorphisms did not show statistically significant differences between patients and controls. CONCLUSION: Our findings support that the presence of 5-HTTLPR-SS genotype may increase the risk of GAD.

The chinese (cantonese) montreal cognitive assessment in patients with subcortical ischemic vascular dementia.

BACKGROUND: Subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) has been proposed as the most frequent subtype of vascular cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Chinese (Cantonese) Montreal Cognitive Assessment (CC-MoCA) in patients with SIVD in the Guangdong Province of China. METHODS: 71 SIVD patients and 60 matched controls were recruited for the CC-MoCA, Mini Mental State Examination and executive clock drawing tasks. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to determine optimal sensitivity and specificity of the CC-MoCA total score in differentiating mild vascular dementia (VaD) patients from moderate VaD patients and controls. RESULTS: The mean CC-MoCA scores of the controls, and mild and moderate VaD patients were 25.2 ± 3.8, 16.4 ± 3.7, and 10.0 ± 5.1, respectively. In our study, the optimal cutoff value for the CC-MoCA to be able to differentiate patients with mild VaD from controls is 21/22, and 13/14 to differentiate mild VaD from moderate VaD. CONCLUSION: The CC-MoCA is a useful cognitive screening instrument in SIVD patients.

Synthesis of a new chiral bisphospholane ligand for the Rh(I)-catalyzed enantioselective hydrogenation of isomeric beta-acylamido acrylates.

The highly stereoselective synthesis of a chiral silylphospholane has been described, which can be advantageously used as a building block under base-free conditions for the construction of diphosphines related to DuPHOS. The utility of silylphospholane is shown in the synthesis of a new bisphospholane ligand 1 (MalPHOS), which is characterized by a maleic anhydride backbone. The ligand forms with Rh(I) a complex with a larger bite angle P-Rh-P than the analogue Me-DuPHOS complex. Both complexes have been tested in the asymmetric hydrogenation of unsaturated alpha- and beta-amino acid precursors of pharmaceutical relevance. In several cases, the new catalyst was superior in comparison to the Me-DuPHOS complex, in particular when (Z)-configured beta-acylamido acrylates were used as substrates.