Divergent syntheses of complex Veratrum alkaloids.

The Veratrum alkaloids are a class of highly intricate natural products renowned for their complex structural and stereochemical characteristics, which underlie a diverse array of pharmacological activities ranging from anti-hypertensive properties to antimicrobial effects. These properties have generated substantial interest among both synthetic chemists and biologists. While numerous advancements have been made in the synthesis of jervanine and veratramine subtypes over the past 50 years, the total synthesis of highly oxidized cevanine subtypes has remained relatively scarce. Building on the efficiency of our previously developed strategy for constructing the hexacyclic carbon skeleton of the Veratrum alkaloid family via a stereoselective intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction and radical cyclization, here we show the development of a unified synthetic approach to access highly oxidized Veratrum alkaloids. This includes the total synthesis of (-)-zygadenine, (-)-germine, (-)-protoverine and the alkamine of veramadine A, by capitalizing on a meticulously designed sequence of redox manipulations and a late-stage neighboring-group participation strategy.

Exploring efficient strategies for air quality improvement in China based on its regional characteristics and interannual evolution of PM2.5 pollution.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) harms human health and hinders normal human life. Considering the serious complexity and obvious regional characteristics of PM2.5 pollution, it is urgent to fill in the comprehensive overview of regional characteristics and interannual evolution of PM2.5. This review studied the PM2.5 pollution in six typical areas between 2014 and 2022 based on the data published by the Chinese government and nearly 120 relevant literature. We analyzed and compared the characteristics of interannual and quarterly changes of PM2.5 concentration. The Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region (BTH), Yangtze River Delta (YRD) and Pearl River Delta (PRD) made remarkable progress in improving PM2.5 pollution, while Fenwei Plain (FWP), Sichuan Basin (SCB) and Northeast Plain (NEP) were slightly inferior mainly due to the relatively lower level of economic development. It was found that the annual average PM2.5 concentration change versus year curves in the three areas with better pollution control conditions can be merged into a smooth curve. Importantly, this can be fitted for the accurate evaluation of each area and provide reliable prediction of its future evolution. In addition, we analyzed the factors affecting the PM2.5 in each area and summarize the causes of air pollution in China. They included primary emission, secondary generation, regional transmission, as well as unfavorable air dispersion conditions. We also suggested that the PM2.5 pollution control should target specific industries and periods, and further research need to be carried out on the process of secondary production. The results provided useful assistance such as effect prediction and strategy guidance for PM2.5 pollution control in Chinese backward areas.

Conductive nanofiltration membranes via in situ PEDOT-polymerization for electro-assisted membrane fouling mitigation.

Nanofiltration (NF) membranes play a pivotal role in water treatment; however, the persistent challenge of membrane fouling hampers their stable application. This study introduces a novel approach to address this issue through the creation of a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT)-based conductive membrane, achieved by synergistically coupling interfacial polymerization (IP) with in situ self-polymerization of EDOT. During the IP reaction, the concurrent generation of HCl triggers the protonation of EDOT, activating its self-polymerization into PEDOT. This interwoven structure integrates with the polyamide network to establish a stable selective layer, yielding a remarkable 90 % increase in permeability to 20.4 L m-2 h-1 bar-1. Leveraging the conductivity conferred by PEDOT doping, an electro-assisted cleaning strategy is devised, rapidly restoring the flux to 98.3 % within 5 min, outperforming the 30-minute pure water cleaning approach. Through simulations in an 8040 spiral-wound module and the utilization of the permeated salt solution for cleaning, the electro-assisted cleaning strategy emerges as an eco-friendly solution, significantly reducing water consumption and incurring only a marginal electricity cost of 0.055 $ per day. This work presents an innovative avenue for constructing conductive membranes and introduces an efficient and cost-effective electro-assisted cleaning strategy to effectively combat membrane fouling.

Alkaloid uptake pathways in renal tubular epithelial cells from different processed products of Phellodendri chinensis Cortex.

This study aimed to investigate the absorption of alkaloids from Phellodendri chinensis Cortex (PC) by human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2). Cellular uptake and affinity ultrafiltration assays were employed to determine the alkaloid uptake pathway in HK-2 cells. Stemming from the hypothesis that salt-water processed PC introduces these alkaloids into the kidney at a cellular level, this research focused on different processed products of PC that are tailored for renal targeting. Utilizing the UPLC-QqQ-MS method, we quantified variations in the uptake capacity of phellodendrine, magnoflorine, jatrorrhizine, berberrubine, and berberine from raw Phellodendri chinensis Cortex (RPC), salt-water processed Phellodendri chinensis Cortex (SPC), and wine processed Phellodendri chinensis Cortex (WPC) in HK-2 cells. This study also tracked the concentration changes of these five alkaloids in HK-2 cells during the administration phase. Further, we evaluated the influence of two inhibitors on the absorption of these five alkaloids from PC and its processed products into HK-2 cells: the organic anion transporters (OATs) inhibitor-probenecid (PRO), and the organic cationic transporters (OCTs) inhibitor-tetraethylammonium chloride (TEAC). A pivotal component of this research was an investigation into the effects of PC and its processed products on the expression levels of OCT2, OAT1, and OAT3 proteins in HK-2 cells, facilitated by Western blot analysis. Finally, we appraised the binding affinity of PC's alkaloids to OCT2, OAT1, and OAT3 proteins using an ultrafiltration centrifugation technique. The uptake of different processed products of PC by HK-2 cells showed the following trend: SPC group > RPC group > WPC group. When considering inhibitor uptake in HK-2 cells, the group treated with PRO (an OATs inhibitor) demonstrated a higher uptake than the group treated with TEAC (an OCTs inhibitor). It was observed that different processed products of PC elevated the expression of OCT2 and OAT1 proteins in HK-2 cells. Specifically, both the SPC and berberrubine groups displayed enhanced expression of these proteins, with a marked increase noted for OCT2. Through affinity ultrafiltration assays, it was determined that the binding affinity of alkaloids from different processed products of PC to OCT2 and OAT1 significantly exceeded that to OAT3. These results indicate that PC-derived alkaloids are absorbed by HK-2 cells, predominantly through transport mechanisms mediated by OCT2 and OAT1, with OCT2 serving as the dominant transporter. The higher intake of alkaloids in SPC group can likely be linked to the amplified activity of kidney uptake transporters.

Detection of immune-related cytokines of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in postmenopausal osteoporosis mice by antibody chip and analysis of key differential genes / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:In recent years,research on the interaction mechanism between the immune system and the skeleton in postmenopausal osteoporosis has become a hot topic.However,the impact of changes in key immune-related cytokine expression on postmenopausal osteoporosis remains unclear and requires further exploration. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differential expression of immune-related cytokines in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of mice with postmenopausal osteoporosis by bioinformatics methods. METHODS:Postmenopausal osteoporosis mouse model was established through ovariectomy.Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were obtained by the whole bone marrow adherence method and passaged to passage 2.RayBio L-Series Mouse Antibody Array 308 Glass Slide Kit immune-related factor antibody chip was used to detect the differentially expressed proteins in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from ovariectomy and sham-operation mice.Gene ontology,Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis,and protein-protein interaction network analysis were performed to screen common Hub genes by MCC,EPC,and MNC algorithms. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:This study identified a total of 68 differentially expressed genes.Gene ontology analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were enriched in terms including"immune system processes","extracellular regions",and"signal receptor binding".Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in"cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions","tumor necrosis factor signaling pathways",and"chemokine signaling pathways".Further screening was performed by constructing a protein-protein interaction network analysis of these 68 differentially expressed genes to identify 8 Hub genes.The violin plot and correlation matrix showed that the expression levels of these 8 Hub genes were significantly down-regulated in the ovariectomy group compared to the sham-operation group.These results demonstrated that there was differential expression of immune-related factors in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of postmenopausal osteoporosis mice,and key genes involved in cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions,immune system-related processes,and potential targeted signaling pathways and cellular biological processes were identified,providing new promising targets for the diagnosis,treatment,and prevention of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Enantioselective Total Synthesis of (-)-Zygadenine.

The Veratrum alkaloids are highly complex steroidal alkaloids characterized by their intricate structural and stereochemical features and exhibit a diverse range of pharmacological activities. A new synthetic pathway has been developed to access this family of natural products, which enabled the first total synthesis of (-)-zygadenine. This synthetic route entails the construction of a hexacyclic carbon skeleton through a stereoselective intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction, followed by a radical cyclization. Subsequently, a meticulously designed sequence of redox manipulations was optimized to achieve the de novo synthesis of this highly oxidized Veratrum alkaloid.

Total Synthesis of (+)-Isolysergol.

The enantioselective synthesis of (+)-isolysergol was completed in 18 steps, and an overall yield of 11% was obtained from (2R)-(+)-phenyloxirane as a chiral pool. Key features of the synthesis include a stereoselective intramolecular 1,3-dipolar addition of nitrone with terminal olefin and a Cope elimination to furnish the D ring. A rhodium-catalyzed intramolecular [3 + 2] annulation of a benzene ring with α-imino carbenoid was designed to afford the 3,4-fused indole scaffold at the late stage of the synthesis.

[Slicing specifications in general rule of processing in Chinese Pharmacopoeia from slicing development of Chinese materia medica processed product and thinking and suggestion on slicing techniques].

Slicing is critical in the processing of Chinese materia medica(CMM) processed product and the specification(thickness) is closely related to the quality of the decoction. On the basis of clarifying the concept and evolution of slicing of CMM processed product by reviewing the Chinese herbal classics of the past dynasties and general rules of local processing standards, this study discussed the development history of slicing specifications in general rules of Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition), analyzed the current situation and key problems, and proposed the thinking and suggestion on promoting the sound development of slicing of CMM processed product. Since 2000, the slicing thickness of CMM processed product in the general rules of local CMM processed product processing specifications newly revised and issued by 27 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities has been consistent with that in the general rules of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia(2020 edition). The standard that the thickness of extremely thin pieces is less than 0.5 mm is rarely retained, and the pieces in 0.5-1 mm thickness have not been found on the market, which is consistent with the provisions of the general rules of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. This study can provide a historical and modern basis for the rationality of slicing of CMM processed product.

Using pooled urogenital, anorectal and oropharyngeal specimens to detect Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae among men who have sex with men in China: a multisite diagnostic accuracy study.

OBJECTIVES: Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) at both urogenital and extragenital sites has been recommended in many countries. Testing of the infections using pooled specimens from urogenital and extragenital sites offer the opportunity to shorten the testing time and reduce the testing cost. Ex-ante pooling is placing the original single-site specimens in a tube with transport media, while ex-post pooling is making a pool of the transport media from both anorectal and oropharyngeal specimens and the urine. This study aimed to conduct a multisite performance evaluation of two pool-specimen approaches (ex-ante and ex-post) in detection of CT and NG using the Cobas 4800 platform among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. DESIGN: Diagnostic accuracy study. SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND OUTCOME MEASURES: Participants were recruited from MSM communities at six cities in China. Two oropharyngeal and anorectal swabs collected by clinical staff and 20 mL first-void urine collected by the participant himself were used for evaluating sensitivity and specificity. RESULTS: A total of 1311 specimens were collected from 437 participants in six cities. The sensitivities of ex-ante pooling approach as compared with single-specimen approach (reference standard) were 98.7% (95% CI, 92.7% to 100.0%) for detection of CT and 89.7% (95% CI, 75.8% to 97.1%) for NG, and the specificities were 99.5% (95% CI, 98.0% to 99.9%) and 98.7% (95% CI, 97.1% to 99.6%), respectively. The sensitivities of ex-post pooling approach were 98.7% (95% CI, 92.7% to 100.0%) for CT and 100.0% (95% CI, 91.0% to 100.0%) for NG, and the specificities were 100.0% (95% CI, 99.0% to 100.0%) and 100.0% (95% CI, 99.1% to 100.0%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The ex-ante and ex-post pooling approaches show good sensitivity and specificity in detecting urogenital and extragenital CT and/or NG, indicating that these approaches can be used in epidemiological surveillance and clinical management of CT and NG infections, particularly among MSM population.

Analysis of Etiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategy and Efficacy of Pulsatile Tinnitus Caused by Abnormal Vascular Anatomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiology, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment strategies and efficacy of pulsatile tinnitus (PT) caused by vascular anatomy abnormality. METHODS: The clinical data of 45 patients with PT in our hospital from 2012 to 2019 were collected and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All 45 patients had vascular anatomical abnormalities. The patients were divided into 10 categories according to the different locations of vascular abnormalities: sigmoid sinus diverticulum (SSD), sigmoid sinus wall dehiscence (SSWD), SSWD with high jugular bulb, pure dilated mastoid emissary vein, aberrant internal carotid artery (ICA) in the middle ear, transverse-sigmoid sinus (TSS) transition stenosis, TSS transition stenosis with SSD, persistent occipital sinus stenosis, petrous segment stenosis of ICA, and dural arteriovenous fistula. All patients complained of PT synchronous with heartbeat rhythm. Endovascular interventional therapy and extravascular open surgery were used according to the location of the vascular lesions. Tinnitus disappeared in 41 patients, was significantly relieved in 3 patients, and was unchanged in 1 patient postoperatively. Except for one patient with transient headache postoperatively, no obvious complications occurred. CONCLUSION: PT caused by vascular anatomy abnormalities can be identified by detailed medical history and physical and imaging examination. PT can be relieved or even completely alleviated after appropriate surgical treatments.

Anlotinib in patients with relapsed or refractory thymic epithelial tumors: a study of 50 cases.

The optimal pharmaceutical regimen for advanced thymic epithelial tumors (TETs) remains controversial when first-line chemotherapy fails. This retrospective study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib treatment for patients with relapsed and refractory TETs. Patients with progressive disease after failure of platinum-based chemotherapy were enrolled in this study. Anlotinib was orally taken once a day at an initial dose of 12 mg (10 mg when body weight <60 kg). The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks (2 weeks of treatment followed by 1-week rest). Objective response rate (ORR) and progression-free survival (PFS) were recorded as primary endpoints. There were 50 patients enrolled in this study from October 2018 to June 2021 at a median age of 50 (range 23-79) years old. Patients with thymoma and thymic carcinoma were 33 (66%) and 17 (34%), respectively. The ORR in thymoma and thymic carcinoma patients were 33% (11/33) and 41% (7/17), respectively. The median PFS (mPFS) was 7 (95% CI, 5.9-10.2) months in thymoma patients and 6 (95% CI, 4.6-9.3) months in the thymic carcinoma group. Eleven patients experienced dose reduction due to toxicities, among whom, eight patients discontinued treatment even after dose reduction. Six patients with thymoma showed myasthenia gravis deterioration during treatment, and two of them died of myasthenia gravis crisis. Anlotinib is active in patients with advanced TETs refractory to routine chemotherapy. Prescription of anlotinib to patients with myasthenia gravis should be made cautiously.

UXT attenuates the CGAS-STING1 signaling by targeting STING1 for autophagic degradation.

STING1 (stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1), the pivotal adaptor protein of CGAS (cyclic GMP-AMP synthase)-STING1 signaling, is critical for type I IFN production of innate immunity. However, excessive or prolonged activation of STING1 is associated with autoinflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Thus, preventing STING1 from over-activation is important to maintain immune homeostasis. Here, we reported that UXT (ubiquitously expressed prefoldin like chaperone), a small chaperone-like protein, was essential to prevent the excessive activation of STING1-mediated type I IFN signaling through autophagic degradation of STING1 via SQSTM1 (sequestosome 1). Upon DNA mimics or cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP) stimulation, UXT specifically interacted with STING1 and promoted STING1 degradation through selective macroautophagy/autophagy. Moreover, UXT was required for more efficient autophagic degradation of STING1 by facilitating the interaction of SQSTM1 and STING1. The in vivo role of UXT in attenuating the CGAS-STING1 signaling was further confirmed in the mouse model of DNA-virus infection and the TMPD (2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane)-induced murine lupus model. Intriguingly, the expression of UXT was consistently impaired and exhibited a remarkable inverse correlation with type I IFN signature in the leukocytes and PBMCs (peripheral blood mononuclear cells) of several large SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus) cohorts. Importantly, the replenishment of UXT effectively suppressed the production of IFNs and ISGs in the PBMCs of SLE patients. Taken together, our study reveals a novel regulatory role of UXT in autophagic degradation of STING1 to maintain immune homeostasis. UXT might be a potential therapeutic target for alleviating aberrant type I IFNs in autoimmune diseasesAbbreviations: 3-MA: 3-methyladenine; BMDMs: bone marrow-derived macrophages; cGAMP: cyclic GMP-AMP; CGAS: cyclic gmp-amp synthase; cKO: conditional knockout; CXCL10: C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10; GAPDH: glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase; HSV-1: herpes simplex virus type 1; HTDNA: herring testes DNA; IFIT1: interferon induced protein with tetratricopeptide repeats 1; IFNA4: interferon alpha 4; IFNB: interferon beta; IRF3: interferon regulatory factor 3; ISD: interferon stimulatory DNA; ISGs: IFN-stimulated genes; MAP1LC3B/LC3B: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MEFs: mouse embryonic fibroblasts; RNA-seq: RNA sequencing; PBMCs: peripheral blood mononuclear cells; RSAD2: radical S-adenosyl methionine domain containing 2; SLE: systemic lupus erythematosus; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; STING1: stimulator of interferon response cGAMP interactor 1; TBK1: TANK binding kinase 1; TMPD: 2,6,10,14-tetramethylpentadecane; UXT: ubiquitously expressed prefoldin like chaperone.

A New Technique for Chondrolaryngoplasty in Patients Assigned Female at Birth.

BACKGROUND: Chondrolaryngoplasty is a classical facial feminization surgery for transgender women. In recent years, however, an increasing number of patients assigned female at birth are seeking chondrolaryngoplasty for esthetic purposes. Traditional chondrolaryngoplasty can no longer cope with problems of the growing group whose leading cause of laryngeal prominence differs from the transgender population. METHODS: A modified technique is designed as a supplement to the classical procedure. After the cartilage reduction process, paired platysma flaps are raised and advanced successively, resulting in an overlapped area over the thyroid notch, to further camouflage the thyroid prominence. To evaluate the efficiency of the new technique, a retrospective survey of 34 patients (5 men and 29 women) who underwent the surgery from 2016 to 2021 was performed, via a 5-point Likert scale including 7 questions. Physician assessment was also accomplished to provide an extra estimation. Complications were followed up and analyzed to evaluate the safety of modified surgery as well. RESULTS: Although only half of the patients graded prominence changes more than "moderately changed," as many as 75.0% of them still expressed "completely satisfied" or "satisfied very much" with the outcome. Similarly, physician assessment indicated a satisfactory result in appearance improvement. No severe and irreversible complications occurred after surgery, but lasting scar-related issues were reported by 4 patients and should be paid more attention to. CONCLUSIONS: Generally speaking, the new technique is both safe, efficient, and satisfying for most patients, especially ones assigned females at birth with esthetic demand.

Asymmetric Divergent Synthesis of ent-Kaurane-, ent-Atisane-, ent-Beyerane-, ent-Trachylobane-, and ent-Gibberellane-type Diterpenoids.

A unified strategy toward asymmetric divergent syntheses of nine C8-ethano-bridged diterpenoids A1-A9 (candol A, powerol, sicanadiol, epi-candol A, atisirene, ent-atisan-16α-ol, 4-decarboxy-4-methyl-GA12, trachinol, and ent-beyerane) has been developed based on late-stage transformations of common synthons having ent-kaurane and ent-trachylobane cores. The expeditious assembly of crucial advanced ent-kaurane- and ent-trachylobane-type building blocks is strategically explored through a regioselective and diastereoselective Fe-mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) 6-exo-trig cyclization of the alkene/enone and 3-exo-trig cyclization of the alkene/ketone, showing the multi-reactivity of densely functionalized polycyclic substrates with πC═C and πC═O systems in HAT-initiated reactions. Following the rapid construction of five major structural skeletons (ent-kaurane-, ent-atisane-, ent-beyerane-, ent-trachylobane-, and ent-gibberellane-type), nine C8-ethano-bridged diterpenoids A1-A9 could be accessed in the longest linear 8 to 11 steps starting from readily available chiral γ-cyclogeraniol 1 and known chiral γ-substituted cyclohexenone 2, in which enantioselective total syntheses of candol A (A1, 8 steps), powerol (A2, 9 steps), sicanadiol (A3, 10 steps), epi-candol A (A4, 8 steps), ent-atisan-16α-ol (A6, 11 steps), and trachinol (A8, 10 steps) are achieved for the first time.

Expert consensus on antiviral therapy of COVID-19 / 中华临床感染病杂志

COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which has being spreading around the world, posing a serious threat to human health and lives. Neutralizing antibodies and small molecule inhibitors for virus replication cycle are the main antiviral treatment for novel coronavirus recommended in China. To further promote the rational use of antiviral therapy in clinical practice, the National Center for Infectious Diseases (Beijing Ditan Hospital Capital Medical University and the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine) invited experts in fields of infectious diseases, respiratory and intensive care to develop an Expert Consensus on Antiviral Therapy of COVID-19 based on the Diagnosis and Treatment Guideline for COVID-19 ( trial version 10) and experiences in the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 in China. The consensus is concise, practical and highly operable, hopefully it would improve the understanding of antiviral therapy for clinicians and provide suggestions for standardized medication in treatment of COVID-19.

Eating self-regulatory skill, diet quantity, and diet quality of Malaysian healthcare university students: A cross-sectional study

@#Introduction: The ability to self-regulate eating can improve health. This study aimed to determine the relationship between eating self-regulatory skills, diet quantity, and diet quality among Malaysian university students. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 132 university students. Eating self-regulatory skill was assessed using the Self-Regulation of Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (SREBQ). Dietary intakes from two 24-hour dietary recalls were used to assess diet quantity and quality. Diet quantity was measured as energy and macronutrient intakes, analysed using NutritionistPro. Diet quality was measured using the Malaysian Healthy Eating Index (M-HEI). The relationship between eating self-regulatory skills, diet quantity, and diet quality were evaluated using tests for differences between means and multiple linear regression. Results: Male participants (n=47) consumed more energy than female participants (n=85) (Male: 1850±570 kcal/day, Female: 1596±567 kcal/day, p=0.015). Participants from the Nutrition and Dietetics (N&D) course (n=49) had better M-HEI scores than participants from other health courses (n=83) (N&D course: 52.7±10.5, non-N&D course: 47.2±10.7, p=0.005). The predictors of energy intake were gender (β=-0.193, p=0.023) and SREBQ score (β=- 0.223, p=0.009). Being female and having higher eating self-regulatory skills were associated with lower energy intake. The predictors of diet quality were university course (β=0.240, p=0.005) and SREBQ score (β=0.181, p=0.033). Studying N&D and having higher eating self-regulatory skills were associated with higher M-HEI scores. Conclusion: Higher self-regulation of eating behaviour score is a factor that contributes to lower daily energy intake and higher diet quality score.

Simulator of Heart Rate and Respiratory Rate for Monitoring Accuracy of Intelligent Sleep Monitoring Devices / 中国医疗器械杂志

OBJECTIVE@#Invent a simulator which provides a simulation of heart rate and respiratory rate to the intelligent sleep monitoring devices based on precision pressure sensors.@*METHODS@#The simulator was composed of control part and simulated silicone doll. The simulated silicone doll contains heartbeat simulator and breathing simulation airbag. Heartbeat and breathing combination pressure signal can be produced according to frequency set values. Frequencies of pressure signal of the simulator were compared with the monitoring results of intelligent sleep monitoring devices with known accuracy to verify the frequency accuracy of pressure signal of the simulator. Verified the repeatability and stability of the simulator with a stopwatch.@*RESULTS@#The heart rate of the simulator was with in ±2 beats per minute of the monitoring results of intelligent sleep monitoring devices and the respiratory rate of the simulator was with in ±2 times per minute of the monitoring results. The repeatability and stability of the simulator was better than ±5% according to results with a stopwatch.@*CONCLUSIONS@#It's practicable to use the simulator which provides a simulation of heart rate and respiratory rate to the accuracy test of the intelligent sleep monitoring devices based on precision pressure sensor.

Germplasm resources and genetic improvement of Akebia: A new fruit crop in China.

Akebia species, belonging to Lardizabalaceae, are widespread from subtropical to temperate environments of China, Japan, and Korea. All known Akebia species have medicinal and dietary value and have been widely cultivated as a new fruit crop in many areas of China. However, compared with other crop species, the breeding improvement and commercial cultivation of Akebia remain in their infancy. This review systematically introduces the present germplasm resources, geographical distribution, biological characteristics, interspecific and intraspecific cross compatibility, molecular biology, and breeding progress in Akebia species. Akebia plants are widely distributed in Shanxi, Henan, Sichuan, Chongqing, Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Fujian provinces of China, and wild Akebia plants exhibit abundant phenotypic and genetic diversity due to their wide range of geographical distribution and high adaptability in different habitats. Interspecific artificial hybridization experiments have been conducted in our Akebia germplasm resources nursery. The results showed that there was no reproductive isolation between Akebia species, and fertile progeny could be produced. The synthesis of knowledge on these species provides insights for the rational development and utilization of these germplasm resources, and can facilitate the development of new breeding lines or varieties for commercial cultivation or production. Finally, perspectives on Akebia breeding research are discussed and conclusions are provided. This review provided breeders with new insights into Akebia domestication and breeding, and we also proposed five basic steps in the domestication of new fruit crops.

Cornus officinalis prior and post-processing: Regulatory effects on intestinal flora of diabetic nephropathy rats.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common and serious chronic complications in the clinic. Cornus officinalis has the effects of replenishing qi and nourishing yin, tonifying liver and kidney, and it is one of the main traditional Chinese medicines used clinically to treat diabetes and its complications. However, the effect and mechanism of Cornus officinalis before and after processing on intestinal flora of diabetic nephropathy need to be further elucidated. Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group (10 rats) and DN groups (70 rats). After 4 weeks of high-sugar and high-fat diet, the DN rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After successful modeling, the rats were randomly divided into DN model group, irbesartan group (1.35 mg·kg-1), Cornus officinalis group (281.25 mg·kg-1), wine Cornus officinalis group (281.25 mg·kg-1), wine honey Cornus officinalis group (281.25 mg·kg-1), auxiliary wine group (10 ml·kg-1), auxiliary wine honey group (10 ml·kg-1). During the observation of the rats' general state, after 6 weeks of continuous administration, the fasting blood glucose of rats in each group was detected, and the kidney index was calculated. The serum creatinine levels, urea nitrogen and 24 h urinary microalbumin were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of YKL-40, Wnt4, ß-catenin and TGF-ß 1 mRNA in renal tissue were detected by fluorescence quantitative PCR. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the changes in renal pathological injury in each group; GC-MS detected the changes of short chain fatty acid content. Feces were collected for 16 s high-throughput sequencing to analyze the effects of Cornus officinalis on the diversity of intestinal flora in DN before and after processing. Results: Compared with the blank group, the serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, 24 h urinary microalbumin, kidney index and fasting blood glucose in the DN model group were significantly increased (p < 0.05). The renal tissue morphology was disordered and a large number of inflammatory cells were infiltrated. The expression of YKL-40, Wnt4, ß-catenin and TGF-ß 1 mRNA was significantly increased (p < 0.05). Compared with the DN model group, the serum creatinine, urea. Nitrogen, 24 h urine microalbumin, kidney index and fasting blood glucose of rats in each administration group were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and the general condition and pathological renal damage of DN rats were improved. The effect of wine honey Cornus officinalis was the best, and the expression of YKL-40, Wnt4, ß-catenin and TGF-ß 1 mRNA was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In each administration group, the improvement of the above indicators in the wine honey Cornus officinalis group was significantly better than that in the raw Cornus officinalis group and wine Cornus officinalis group (p < 0.05), There was no significant difference compared with the irbesartan group (p > 0.05). Each administration group had a significant callback effect on the content of short-chain fatty acids in rat feces, with increased intestinal beneficial bacteria and decreased pathogenic bacteria. Compared with the blank group, the abundance of Firmicutes in the DN model group increased, the abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased, and the ratio showed an upward trend in the DN model group decreased. Each administration group could improve the relative abundance of the above intestinal flora in the model group to varying degrees. Conclusion: The processing of Cornus officinalis may improve the renal injury of DN rats by blocking the activation of Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, regulating the structural composition of intestinal microorganisms, and ultimately playing a role in renal protection.

Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Formal [2+1] and [4+1] Annulations of Diynes with Ketones via Carbonyl Ylides.

Carbonyl ylides have proven to be powerful synthons for the efficient construction of various valuable O-heterocycles, and the formation of carbonyl ylides by the reaction of metal carbenes with carbonyls has attracted increasing attention over the past decades. However, a catalyst-controlled highly enantioselective reaction of carbonyl ylides from metal carbenes is extremely challenging. Herein, we report a novel copper-catalyzed asymmetric formal [2+1] and [4+1] annulations of diynes with ketones via carbonyl ylides. Importantly, this protocol not only represents the first example of successful asymmetric epoxidation via carbonyl ylides, but also constitutes the first reaction of vinyl cations with carbonyl compounds. This method leads to the divergent, practical and atom-economical synthesis of a range of chiral oxiranes and dihydrofurans in moderate to excellent yields with generally excellent enantioselectivities and diastereoselectivities via remote-stereocontrol strategy.