Formation Mechanism of Environmentally Persistent Free Radicals on Alkaline Earth Oxide Surfaces.

The formation of environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) is usually related to transition-metal oxides in particulate matter (PM). However, recent studies suggest that alkaline-earth-metal oxides (AEMOs) in PM also influence EPFRs formation, but the exact mechanism remains unclear. Here, density functional theory calculations were performed to investigate the formation mechanism of EPFRs by C6H5OH on AEMO (MgO, CaO, and BaO) surfaces and compare it with that on transition-metal oxide (ZnO and CuO) surfaces. Results indicate that EPFRs can be rapidly formed on AEMOs by dissociative adsorption of C6H5OH, accompanied by electrons transfer. As the alkalinity of AEMOs increases, both adsorption energy and the number of electron transfers gradually increase. Also, the stability of the formed EPFRs is mainly attributed to the electrostatic and van der Waals interactions between the phenoxy radical and surfaces. Notably, the formation mechanism of EPFRs on AEMOs is similar to that on ZnO but differs from that on CuO, as suggested through geometric structure and charge distribution analyses. This study not only elucidates the formation mechanisms of EPFRs on AEMOs but also provides theoretical insights into addressing EPFRs pollution.

Aptamer-Linked Photonic Crystal Assay for High-Throughput Screening of HIV and SARS-CoV-2.

We present a microplate assay for the detection of HIV and SARS-CoV-2 which involves the preadsorption of carboxy-modified polystyrene microspheres to the microplate wells and their self-assembly leading to the formation of a photonic crystal colloidal array (PCCA). PCCA is then cross-linked with amino-modified aptamers selected for viral cell surface glycoproteins, i.e., S1-protein of SARS-CoV-2 and gp120 of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), to develop an aptamer-linked photonic crystal assay (ALPA). ALPA is then utilized as a proof-of-concept method for the detection of S1-protein, gp120, and two whole viruses, i.e., SARS-CoV-2 and HIV, as well. The aptamers are stable at room temperature and can bind with the viruses' proteins via hydrogen bonding. This binding leads to color generation from PCCA, and the signal can easily be measured and quantified by a UV/vis spectrometer. The assay carries the advantage of a two-step detection process by the addition of the virus sample directly to a 96-well microplate and incubation of 5 min followed by convenient detection through a UV/vis-spectrometer. The assay does not require any additional reagents and can be customized for similar viruses utilizing specific aptamers targeting their cell surface receptors.

CRHR1 antagonist alleviates LPS-induced depression-like behaviour in mice.

BACKGROUND: Maladaptation of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis plays an important role in depression-like behaviour, but the specific molecular mechanisms are unknown. Here, we determined the roles of CRHR1 (corticotrophin releasing hormone receptor 1) and nectin3 in LPS (lipopolysaccharide)-induced depression-like behaviour in mice. METHODS: C57BL/6 male mice were intraperitoneally injected with LPS (0.83 g/kg), and the open field, novelty-suppressed feeding, forced swimming, and tail suspension tests were performed after intraperitoneal injections of saline or antalarmin (20 mg/kg). The hippocampal mRNA levels of CRHR1 and nectin3 were determined by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. The hippocampal protein levels of CRHR1, nectin3, and calbindin were measured by western blotting. The CORT (corticosterone) levels in the blood were measured by ELISA kits. RESULTS: Antalarmin alleviated LPS-induced depression-like behaviour in male mice. Furthermore, antalarmin significantly inhibited changes in CRHR1, nectin3 and calbindin levels in the hippocampus and reduced the increase in CORT levels in LPS-treated mice. CONCLUSION: CRHR1antagonist showed antidepressant effects in LPS-induced depressive mice, and CRHR1/nectin3 signalling may play a crucial role in this process.

Comprehensive Metabolite Identification of Genipin in Rats Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Coupled with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

Genipin, an aglycone of geniposide, is a rich iridoid component in the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis and has numerous biological activities. However, its metabolic profiles in vivo and vitro remain unclear. In this study, an effective analytical strategy based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS) in positive and negative ion modes was developed to analyze and identify genipin metabolites in rat urine, blood, feces, and fecal fermentation in combination with many methods including post-collection data mining methods, high-resolution extracted ion chromatography (HREIC), and multiple mass defect filtering (MMDF). Simultaneously, the metabolites of genipin in vivo were verified by fecal fermentation of SD rats at different times. Finally, based on information such as reference substances, chromatographic retention behavior, and accurate mass determination, a total of 50 metabolites (including prototypes) were identified in vivo. Among them, 7, 31 and 28 metabolites in vivo were identified in blood, urine, and feces, respectively. Our results showed that genipin could generate different metabolites that underwent multiple metabolic reactions in vivo including methylation, hydroxylation, dehydroxylation, hydrogenation, sulfonation, glucuronidation, demethylation, and their superimposed reactions. Forty-six metabolites were verified in vitro. Meanwhile, 2 and 19 metabolites identified in blood and urine were also verified in fecal fermentation at different times. These results demonstrated that metabolites were produced in feces and reabsorbed into the body. In conclusion, the newly discovered metabolites of genipin can provide a new perspective for understanding its pharmacological effects and build the foundation for thee toxicity and safety evaluations of genipin.

Stepwise Targeted Matching Strategy for Comprehensive Profiling of Xanthohumol Metabolites In Vivo and In Vitro Using UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer.

Xanthohumol (XN), a natural prenylated flavonoid extracted and isolated from the hop plant (Humulus lupulus), possesses diverse pharmacological activities. Although the metabolites of XN have been investigated in the previous study, a comprehensive metabolic profile has been insufficient in vivo or in vitro until now. The current study was aimed at systematically elucidating the metabolic pathways of XN after oral administration to rats. Herein, a UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS was adopted for the potential metabolites detection. A stepwise targeted matching strategy for the overall identification of XN metabolites was proposed. A metabolic net (53 metabolites included) on XN in vivo and in vitro, as well as the metabolic profile investigation, were designed, preferably characterizing XN metabolites in rat plasma, urine, liver, liver microsomes, and feces. On the basis of a stepwise targeted matching strategy, the net showed that major in vivo metabolic pathways of XN in rats include glucuronidation, sulfation, methylation, demethylation, hydrogenation, dehydrogenation, hydroxylation, and so on. The proposed metabolic pathways in this research will provide essential data for further pharmaceutical studies of prenylated flavonoids and lay the foundation for further toxicity and safety studies.

Strong External Electric Fields Reduce Explosive Sensitivity: A Theoretical Investigation into the Reaction Selectivity in NH2NO2∙∙∙NH3.

Controlling the selectivity of a detonation initiation reaction of explosive is essential to reduce sensitivity, and it seems impossible to reduce it by strengthening the external electric field. To verify this, the effects of external electric fields on the initiation reactions in NH2NO2∙∙∙NH3, a model system of the nitroamine explosive with alkaline additive, were investigated at the MP2/6-311++G(2d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-311++G(2d,p) levels. The concerted effect in the intermolecular hydrogen exchange is characterized by an index of the imaginary vibrations. Due to the weakened concerted effects by the electric field along the -x-direction opposite to the "reaction axis", the dominant reaction changes from the intermolecular hydrogen exchange to 1,3-intramolecular hydrogen transference with the increase in the field strengths. Furthermore, the stronger the field strengths, the higher the barrier heights become, indicating the lower sensitivities. Therefore, by increasing the field strength and adjusting the orientation between the field and "reaction axis", not only can the reaction selectivity be controlled, but the sensitivity can also be reduced, in particular under a super-strong field. Thus, a traditional concept, in which the explosive is dangerous under the super-strong external electric field, is theoretically broken. Compared to the neutral medium, a low sensitivity of the explosive with alkaline can be achieved under the stronger field. Employing atoms in molecules, reduced density gradient, and surface electrostatic potentials, the origin of the reaction selectivity and sensitivity change is revealed. This work provides a new idea for the technical improvement regarding adding the external electric field into the explosive system.

Consensus Receptor-Binding Domain-Targeted Aptamer Selection and Designing of a Photonic Crystal-Decorated Aptasensor for SARS-CoV-2.

The frequent emergence of variants of concern (VOC) of SARS-CoV-2 necessitates a sensitive and all-inclusive detection platform that remains viable despite the virus mutations. In this context, we targeted the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of glycoprotein (S-protein) of all VOC and constructed a consensus RBD (cRBD) based on the conserved amino acids. Then, we selected a high-affinity ssDNA novel aptamer specific for the cRBD by an in silico approach. The selected aptamer is utilized to fabricate a photonic crystal (PC)-decorated aptasensor (APC-sensor), which consists of polystyrene nanoparticles polymerized within a polyacrylamide hydrogel. cRBD-responsive ssDNA aptamers are crosslinked in the hydrogel network, which selectively bind to the cRBD and SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples. The binding response can be visually monitored by swelling of the hydrogel and color generation by diffraction of light from PCs and can be quantified by the diffraction ring diameter or a spectrometer. The sensor delivers a LOD of 12.7 ± 0.55 ng mL-1 for the cRBD and 3 ± 18.8 cells mL-1 for SARS-CoV-2 in saliva samples, with a rapid response of 5 min. The sensor can be stored and regenerated without loss of activity. It can be utilized as a point-of-care testing (POCT) for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis.

Comparative Thermal Research on Energetic Molecular Perovskite Structures.

Molecular perovskites are promising practicable energetic materials with easy access and outstanding performances. Herein, we reported the first comparative thermal research on energetic molecular perovskite structures of (C6H14N2)[NH4(ClO4)3], (C6H14N2)[Na(ClO4)3], and (C6H14ON2)[NH4(ClO4)3] through both calculation and experimental methods with different heating rates such as 2, 5, 10, and 20 °C/min. The peak temperature of thermal decompositions of (C6H14ON2)[NH4(ClO4)3] and (C6H14N2) [Na(ClO4)3] were 384 and 354 °C at the heating rate of 10 °C/min, which are lower than that of (C6H14N2)[NH4(ClO4)3] (401 °C). The choice of organic component with larger molecular volume, as well as the replacement of ammonium cation by alkali cation weakened the cubic cage skeletons; meanwhile, corresponding kinetic parameters were calculated with thermokinetics software. The synergistic catalysis thermal decomposition mechanisms of the molecular perovskites were also investigated based on condensed-phase thermolysis/Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy method and DSC-TG-FTIR-MS quadruple technology at different temperatures.

Inhibitory effect of ficin on Candida albicans biofilm formation and pre-formed biofilms.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of ficin, a type of proteases, on Candida albicans (C. albicans) biofilm, including forming and pre-formed biofilms. METHODS: Crystal violet tests together with colony forming unit (CFU) counts were used to detect fungal biofilm biomass. Live/dead staining of biofilms observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to monitor fungal activity. Finally, gene expression of C. albicans within biofilms was assessed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS: According to our results, biofilm biomass was dramatically reduced by ficin in both biofilm formation and pre-formed biofilms, as revealed by the crystal violet assay and CFU count (p < 0.05). Fungal activity in biofilm formation and pre-formed biofilms was not significantly influenced by ficin according to live/dead staining. Fungal polymorphism and biofilm associated gene expression were influenced by ficin, especially in groups with prominent antibiofilm effects. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, ficin effectively inhibited C. albicans biofilm formation and detached its preformed biofilm, and it might be used to treat C. albicans biofilm associated problems.

Comparative Studies on Thermal Decompositions of Dinitropyrazole-Based Energetic Materials.

Dinitropyrazole is an important structure for the design and synthesis of energetic materials. In this work, we reported the first comparative thermal studies of two representative dinitropyrazole-based energetic materials, 4-amino-3,5-dinitropyrazole (LLM-116) and its novel trimer derivative (LLM-226). Both the experimental and theoretical results proved the active aromatic N-H moiety would cause incredible variations in the physicochemical characteristics of the obtained energetic materials. Thermal behaviors and kinetic studies of the two related dinitropyrazole-based energetic structures showed that impressive thermal stabilization could be achieved after the trimerization, but also would result in a less concentrated heat-release process. Detailed analysis of condensed-phase systems and the gaseous products during the thermal decomposition processes, and simulation studies based on ReaxFF force field, indicated that the ring opening of LLM-116 was triggered by hydrogen transfer of the active aromatic N-H moiety. In contrast, the initial decomposition of LLM-226 was caused by the rupture of carbon-nitrogen bonds at the diazo moiety.

Dysregulation of BDNF/TrkB signaling mediated by NMDAR/Ca2+/calpain might contribute to postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aging mice.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative cognitive decline (POCD) is a recognized clinical phenomenon characterized by cognitive impairments in patients following anesthesia and surgery, yet its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in neuronal plasticity, learning, and memory via activation of TrkB-full length (TrkB-FL) receptors. It has been reported that an abnormal truncation of TrkB mediated by calpain results in dysregulation of BDNF/TrkB signaling and is associated with cognitive impairments in several neurodegenerative disorders. Calpains are Ca2+-dependent proteases, and overactivation of calpain is linked to neuronal death. Since one source of intracellular Ca2+ is N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) related and the function of NMDARs can be regulated by neuroinflammation, we therefore hypothesized that dysregulation of BDNF/TrkB signaling mediated by NMDAR/Ca2+/calpain might be involved in the pathogenesis of POCD. METHODS: In the present study, 16-month-old C57BL/6 mice were subjected to exploratory laparotomy with isoflurane anesthesia to establish the POCD animal model. For the interventional study, mice were treated with either NMDAR antagonist memantine or calpain inhibitor MDL-28170. Behavioral tests were performed by open field, Y maze, and fear conditioning tests from 5 to 8 days post-surgery. The levels of Iba-1, GFAP, interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), NMDARs, calpain, BDNF, TrkB, bax, bcl-2, caspase-3, and dendritic spine density were determined in the hippocampus. RESULTS: Anesthesia and surgery-induced neuroinflammation overactivated NMDARs and then triggered overactivation of calpain, which subsequently led to the truncation of TrkB-FL, BDNF/TrkB signaling dysregulation, dendritic spine loss, and cell apoptosis, contributing to cognitive impairments in aging mice. These abnormities were prevented by memantine or MDL-28170 treatment. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our study supports the notion that NMDAR/Ca2+/calpain is mechanistically involved in anesthesia and surgery-induced BDNF/TrkB signaling disruption and cognitive impairments in aging mice, which provides one possible therapeutic target for POCD.

An enhanced gas sensor based on SiO2@mesoporous MCM-41 core-shell nanocomposites for SO2 visual detection.

A colorimetric sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas sensor based on a core-shell composite was developed. The composite was fabricated with a silicon dioxide core and a mesoporous MCM-41 shell (SiO2@MCM-41), and further loaded with a mixture of zinc chloride (ZnCl2), sodium nitroprusside (SNP) and hexamine as an SO2 indicator. The sensing properties of SiO2@MCM-41 toward SO2 were measured in solid powder, discs and a gas detection tube (GDT), respectively. Each of these sensing configurations showed a distinct color change from pale yellow to red, which indicates good potential for naked-eye detection of SO2. The limit of detection (LOD) is 2 ppm for SiO2@MCM-41 discs, which indicates high sensitivity to SO2. The performance of GDT suggested a linear relationship between the SO2 concentration and the response length of the red portions in a range of 100-1000 ppm. This work shows promising potential of SiO2@MCM-41 as an easy, effective and rapid response sensing material for the in situ detection of SO2.

A novel heterozygous intron mutation in SEMA7A causing kallmann syndrome in a female.

Kallmann syndrome (KS) is a rare inherited disorder, which has significantly genotypic and phenotypic heterogeneity. KS is clinically characterized by the combination of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and hypo/anosmia. At present, there is no relevant report that intron mutation in SEMA7A gene helps induce KS. A 17-year-old Chinese female (46, XX) came to our department due to primary amenorrhea, who actually had hyposmia since her childhood. Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was then detected. Luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were remarkably low. And estradiol level was extremely low. The laboratory test results were consistent with KS. A heterozygous point mutation of intron 13 in SEMA7A (NM_003612.3:c.1640-3C > A) was identified. The patient received the treatment of pulsatile gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pump, which could imitate physiological ovarian stimulation, thus resulting in mature follicle and a peak of LH. The patient was injected subcutaneously every 90 min with a dose of 10 µg per pulse, which had bona efficacy. She acquired menarche at about 43 days after the treatment. We firstly report a case of KS caused by a novel mutation site in the intron of SEMA7A gene. We mainly provide insight into the clinical manifestations, genetic diagnosis and treatment of KS.

Effectiveness of group visits for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in an urban community in China.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a group visit intervention in comparison with the usual care for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes in a community. We randomized 109 community elderly patients with type 2 diabetes to the intervention group (n = 55) of monthly group visits sessions or to a control group (n = 54) of usual care. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare the changes in HbA1C, diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy, and self-management behavior in both groups. At the 6-month follow-up, although no significant difference was observed between the groups regarding HbA1C (p = 0.272). Diabetes knowledge, self-efficacy and self-management scores were higher in patients in the intervention group than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The group visits model increased diabetes knowledge and self-efficacy and improved patients' self-management behavior. The model was found suitable for helping these elderly patients with type 2 diabetes achieve effective self-management.

Finite-Temperature Dimer Method for Finding Saddle Points on Free Energy Surfaces.

The dimer method and its variants have been shown to be efficient in finding saddle points on potential surfaces. In the dimer method, the most unstable direction is approximately obtained by minimizing the total potential energy of the dimer. Then, the force in this direction is reversed to move the dimer toward saddle points. When the finite-temperature effect is important for a high-dimensional system, one usually needs to describe the dynamics in a low-dimensional space of reaction coordinates. In this case, transition states are collected as saddle points on the free energy surface. The traditional dimer method cannot be directly employed to find saddle points on a free energy surface since the surface is not known a priori. Here, we develop a finite-temperature dimer method for searching saddle points on the free energy surface. In this method, a constrained rotation dynamics of the dimer system is used to sample dimer directions and an efficient average method is used to obtain a good approximation of the most unstable direction. This approximated direction is then used in reversing the force component and evolving the dimer toward saddle points. Our numerical results suggest that the new method is efficient in finding saddle points on free energy surfaces. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Flexible construction of cellulose photonic crystal optical sensing nano-materials detecting organic solvents.

We developed a simple and efficient method to construct 3D and 2D opal and inverse opal cellulose photonic crystal films (CPCF) by embedding 3D or 2D polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) colloidal arrays into carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), respectively. The morphology and optical performance of CPCFs were characterized by SEM, diffraction spectra, Debye rings, and structural color. The brilliant structural colors of CPCFs are visible to the eye in the entire visible spectrum, and can be tuned by changing the particle diameters or the pore sizes. Attributed to decreased particle spacing and lower average refractive index caused by air spheres instead of polymer spheres, the stopbands of the inverse opal CPCFs blue-shifted. To the contrary, the particle spacing of 2D inverse opal CPCFs increased due to the losing of the connection force of 2D arrays, along with decreasing of Debye ring diameters. By alternately being exposed to organic solvents of methanol, acetonitrile, butanol, dioxane, and carbon tetrachloride, the 3D inverse opal CPCFs displayed an excellent sensing performance with instantaneously reversible color changes from violet to red. Their high stability and flexibility, efficient visual detection, and wide range of analytes promises a new opportunity for optical switching and sensing applications.

GluA1 signal peptide determines the spatial assembly of heteromeric AMPA receptors.

AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission and predominantly assemble as heterotetramers in the brain. Recently, the crystal structures of homotetrameric GluA2 demonstrated that AMPARs are assembled with two pairs of conformationally distinct subunits, in a dimer of dimers formation. However, the structure of heteromeric AMPARs remains unclear. Guided by the GluA2 structure, we performed cysteine mutant cross-linking experiments in full-length GluA1/A2, aiming to draw the heteromeric AMPAR architecture. We found that the amino-terminal domains determine the first level of heterodimer formation. When the dimers further assemble into tetramers, GluA1 and GluA2 subunits have preferred positions, possessing a 1-2-1-2 spatial assembly. By swapping the critical sequences, we surprisingly found that the spatial assembly pattern is controlled by the excisable signal peptides. Replacements with an unrelated GluK2 signal peptide demonstrated that GluA1 signal peptide plays a critical role in determining the spatial priority. Our study thus uncovers the spatial assembly of an important type of glutamate receptors in the brain and reveals a novel function of signal peptides.

Mechanochemistry in [6]Cycloparaphenylene: A Combined Raman Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Study.

Raman spectroscopy under high pressures up to 10 GPa and density functional computations up to 30 GPa are combined to obtain insights into the behavior of a prototypical nanohoop conjugated molecule, [6]cycloparaphenylene ([6]CPP). Upon increasing pressure, the nanohoop undergoes deformations, first reversible ovalization and then at even higher pressures aggregates are formed. This irreversible aggregation is caused by the formation of new intermolecular σ-bonds. Frequencies and derivatives of the Raman frequency shifts as a function of pressure are well reproduced by the computations. The frequency behavior is tied to changes in aromatic/quinonoid character of the nanohoop. The modeling at moderate high pressures reveals the deformation of the [6]CPP molecules into oval-like and peanut-like shapes. Surprisingly the pressure derivatives of the observed Raman mode shifts undergo a sudden change around a pressure value that is common to all Raman modes, indicating an underlying geometrical change extended over the whole molecule that is interpreted by the computational modeling. Simulations predict that under even larger deformations caused by higher pressures, oligomerization reactions would be triggered. Our simulations demonstrate that these transformations would occur regardless of the solvent, however pressures at which they happen are influenced by solvent molecules encapsulated in the interior of the [6]CPP.

Elevated Levels of Serum ß2-Glycoprotein I/Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Complexes Are Associated with Cerebral Infarction in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND To determine whether the levels of b2-glycoprotein I (b2-GPI)/oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) complexes are correlated with cerebral infarction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). MATERIAL AND METHODS The levels of ß2-GPI/oxLDL complexes, oxLDL, routine lipid/lipoprotein parameters, oxidative stress molecules, and inflammatory factors were measured in 78 healthy controls, 82 diabetics without cerebral infarction, and 79 diabetics with cerebral infarction. Correlation, multiple linear regression, and logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS Serum ß2-GPI/oxLDL complexes and oxLDL levels were significantly elevated in cerebral infarction in patients with T2DM (ß2-GPI/oxLDL: 1.09±0.16 U/mL; oxLDL: 47.83±8.17 mmol/L) compared with T2DM without cerebral infarction (b2-GPI/oxLDL: 0.95±0.13 U/mL; oxLDL: 41.24±7.12 mmol/L) and healthy controls (ß2-GPI/oxLDL: 0.81±0.12 U/mL; oxLDL: 27.97±4.57 mmol/L). The levels of ß2-GPI/oxLDL complex in lacunar infarction (1.16±0.15 U/ml) were significantly higher than atherothrombotic infarction (1.07±0.19 U/ml) and cardioembolic infarction (1.00±0.23 U/ml). In all patients with T2DM, the ß2-GPI/oxLDL levels were positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.474, p=0.001) and triglycerides (r=0.431, p=0.003). oxLDL levels were positively correlated with total cholesterol (r=0.445, p=0.002). The logistic regression analysis indicated that elevated b2-GPI/oxLDL and oxLDL levels were independently associated with diabetic cerebral infarction. CONCLUSIONS Elevated levels of serum b2-GPI/oxLDL complexes are associated with cerebral infarction in patients with T2DM, especially in those with lacunar infarction.

[Effects of different decocting methods on quality of Mahuang Xixin Fuzi decoction].

To compare the quality difference between Mahuang Xixin Fuzi decoction(MXF) prepared by traditional decocting method and that prepared by two commonly used decocting methods, and explore the scientific nature of the traditional decocting method. By taking effect-toxic components in MXF as the research object, this article investigated these three different decocting methods from the quantitative determination of effect-toxic components in MXF. By using multivariate statistical analysis methods, three characteristic constituents were identified as kakoul, mesaconitine (MA) and hypaconitine (HA) respectively. As compared with two commonly used decocting methods, MXF decoction prepared by traditional decocting method had the shortest boiling time, but with the lowest dissolution rates of MA and AC and the higher dissolution rates of mono-ester aconitum alkaloids. In addition, the traditional decocting method increased the dissolution of ephedra alkaloid and accelerated the hydrolysis of diester diterpenoid alkaloids. There were differences in the content of effect-toxic components in MXF decoctions prepared by three different decocting methods, which can provide a reference for use of the classical prescriptions.