[Study on changes of Styrax varieties].

Styrax is a commonly used imported traditional Chinese medicinal material in China. It was introduced to China in the Han Dynasty and was first described as a traditional Chinese medicine in Miscellaneous Records of Famous Physicians(Ming Yi Bie Lu). In this paper, by combing ancient and modern Chinese and foreign herbal medicine books and modern literature, combined with the results of field investigations on the origin of Styrax, the changes of Styrax involving the name, quality evaluation, origin, place of origin, and harvesting and processing were systematically verified. The results show that since ancient times, the origin and place of origin of Styrax have been unclear. The medical scientists of all dynasties in China have evaluated the quality of Styrax from four aspects: texture, viscosity, odor concentration, and color. The varieties of Styrax changed twice. The first change may have occurred during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, and the base changed from Styrax officinalis to Liquidambar orientalis. The second change was in modern times, and the base changed from L. orientalis to L. styraciflua. At the same time, the place of origin changed for the first time, from Turkey, Syria, and other countries in southern Asia Minor to Honduras, Guatemala, and other countries in Central America and southern North America. This paper studied the historical evolution of Styrax in terms of quality evaluation, origin, place of origin, character, and harvesting and processing. At the same time, it summarized the application of Styrax in the western countries, which can provide a historical basis for the further development and utilization of Styrax.

High-grade transformation of head and neck adenoid cystic carcinoma demonstrates distinctive clinicopathological features and an unfavorable prognosis: a matched case-control study of the largest series in China.

PURPOSE: Amidst the rarity of High-grade transformation (HGT) in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC), this study offers unprecedented insights into its aggressive nature and clinical implications. METHODS: A 1:1 match comparison between 23 HGT patients and non-HGT counterparts was extracted from 412 ACC cases, focusing on dissecting distinctive clinicopathological features and prognostic outcomes. RESULTS: The predominant sites of HGT were the sinonasal and lacrimal glands (30.4% each). Notably, the solid subtype was the most prevalent pattern within HGT, accounting for 69.6% of cases. Compared to non-HGT, the HGT cohort exhibited significantly higher rates of lymph node metastasis (39.1% vs. 8.7%; P < 0.05), perineural invasion (60.9% vs. 26.1%; P < 0.05), and increased Ki-67 proliferation index (35.0% vs. 10.0%; P < 0.05). Moreover, HGT regions typically showed reduced or absent p63 expression, along with high-grade pathomorphology. HGT was associated with increased recurrence (55.0%) and distant metastasis (78.3%), leading to an average survival of 35.9 months and a 3-years mortality rate of 35.0%. Overall and progression-free survival rates were significantly decreased in the HGT group. CONCLUSION: This study represents the largest single-center cohort of HGT cases to our knowledge, highlighting its frequent occurrence in the sinonasal and lacrimal glands and association with poorer outcomes. The findings support classifying HGT in ACC as Grade 4, reflecting its severity.

Surface and Interface Engineering Strategies for MoS2 Towards Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution.

Water splitting driven by renewable energy sources is an environmentally friendly and sustainable way to produce hydrogen as an ideal energy source in the future. Electrocatalysts can promote the water splitting performance at the both ends. Therefore, the design of cost-effective, high-performance electrocatalysis is a key factor in promoting water decomposition and renewable energy conversion. Among candidates, layered molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ) is considered as a most promising electrocatalyst to replace Pt for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Surface atomic engineering and interface engineering can induce new physicochemical properties for MoS2 to greatly enhance HER activity. In this report, we summarize the latest improvement strategies and research progress to improve the catalytic activity of MoS2 -based material catalysts through the surface and interface atomic and molecular engineering, thus effectively improving HER process. In addition, some unsolved problems in the large-scale application of modified MoS2 catalyst are also discussed.

Gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Gastric adenocarcinoma of the fundic gland type (GA-FG) is a newly described entity that is characterized by well-differentiated neoplasm with unclear etiopathogenesis. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 60-year-old Chinese man was referred to our hospital for abdominal distension. DIAGNOSIS: Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) showed a depressed lesion found using in the greater curvature of the stomach. The pathological diagnosis of the biopsy specimens indicated that the tumor was GA-FG (chief cell predominant type, GA-FG-CCP). INTERVENTIONS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) was performed. The histopathological examination of the ESD specimen revealed gastric hyperplasia of the fundic gland type around the adenocarcinoma cells. OUTCOMES: The surgical outcomes were good. The EGD showed a scar with no recurrence, and no symptoms were observed 1 year postoperatively during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: We present a rare case of a depressed lesion with a pathogenic expression suggesting gastric hyperplasia of the fundic gland type around the adenocarcinoma cells. Considering the origin of oxyntic mucosa, we consider that it may develop into GA-FG. To understand this issue better, similar cases should be monitored in the future.

Prognosis of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma treated with molecularly targeted drugs combined with radiotherapy vs temozolomide monotherapy: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Glioblastoma (GB) is one of the most common malignancies with limited standard therapies such as surgery, radiotherapy (RT) plus temozolomide (TMZ). Molecularly targeted drugs have been investigated among various clinical trials and are expected to develop in the field of tumor therapy, while the efficacy remains uncertain due to limited previous results. Thus, we focus on the evaluation of molecularly targeted drugs to clarify its overall effectiveness in terms of treating newly diagnosed GB. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched for eligible literatures updated to April 2018. Randomized-controlled trials were included to assess the efficacy and safety of molecularly targeted drugs in patients with newly diagnosed GB. The main outcomes were further calculated including the following parameters: PFS (progression-free survival), OS (overall survival) as well as AEs (adverse events). All data were pooled along with their 95% confidence interval using RevMan software. Sensitivity analyses and heterogeneity were evaluated quantitatively. RESULTS: The combination of molecularly targeted drugs with TMZ + RT had no significant effects on OS (OR = 0.96, 95%CI = 0.89-1.04, P = .36). Meanwhile, the combination regimen significantly improved the PFS of patients with newly diagnosed GB (OR = 0.86 ,95% CI 0.75-0.98, P = .02). The rate of AEs (OR = 1.68,95%CI = 1.44-1.97, P < .00001) was higher in patients receiving molecularly targeted drugs, which was comparable to the contemporary group. CONCLUSION: Longer PFS and a higher rate of AEs were observed with the addition of molecularly targeted drugs to standard chemoradiation in patients harboring newly diagnosed GB. Nevertheless, compared with the control arm, the regimen did not significantly prolong OS.

Clinical significance and influencing factors of linked color imaging technique in real-time diagnosis of active Helicobacter pylori infection.

BACKGROUND: Determining the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection state during the gastroscopic process is important but still challenging. The linked color imaging (LCI) technique might emphasize the mucosal color change after H. pylori infection, which might help the diagnosis. In the present study, we aimed to compare the LCI technique with traditional white light imaging (WLI) endoscopy for diagnosing active H. pylori infection. METHODS: We collected and analyzed gastroscopic images from 103 patients in our hospital from November 2017 to March 2018, including both LCI and WLI modes. All images were randomly disordered and independently evaluated by four endoscopists who were blinded to the H. pylori status of patients. In addition, the H. pylori state was determined by both rapid urease test and pathology staining. The sensitivity, specificity, positive prediction value (PPV), and negative prediction value (NPV) were calculated for the detection of H. pylori infection. Moreover, the kappa value and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate the inter-observer variety by SPSS 24.0 software. RESULTS: Of the 103 enrolled patients, 27 of them were positive for H. pylori infection, while the 76 patients were negative. In total, 388 endoscopic images were selected, including 197 WLI and 191 LCI. The accuracy rate for H. pylori evaluation in the corpus LCI group was significantly higher than other groups (81.2% vs. 64.3%-76.5%, χ = 34.852, P < 0.001). Moreover, the corpus LCI group had the optimal diagnostic power with the sensitivity of 85.41% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 76.40%-91.51%), the specificity of 79.71% (95% CI: 74.38%-84.19%), the PPV of 59.42% (95% CI: 50.72%-67.59%), and the NPV of 94.02% (95% CI: 89.95%-96.56%), respectively. The kappa values between different endoscopists were higher with LCI than with WLI (0.433-0.554 vs. 0.331-0.554). Consistently, the ICC value was also higher with LCI than with WLI (0.501 [95% CI: 0.429-0.574] vs. 0.397 [95% CI: 0.323-0.474]). We further analyzed the factors that might lead to misjudgment, revealing that active inflammation might disturb WLI judgment (accuracy rate: 58.70% vs. 76.16%, χ = 21.373, P < 0.001). Atrophy and intestinal metaplasia might affect the accuracy of the LCI results (accuracy rate: 66.96% vs. 73.47%, χ = 2.027; 68.42% vs. 73.53%, χ = 1.594, respectively); however, without statistical significance (P = 0.154 and 0.207, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The application of LCI at the corpus to identify H. pylori infection is reliable and superior to WLI. The inter-observer variability is lower with LCI than with WLI. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1800016730; http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=28400.

The functional verification of EGFR-CAR T-cells targeted to hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to validate the antitumor function of EGFR-chimeric antigen T-cells (CART) targeted to FaDu cells, a hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma cell line, and to provide a preclinical basis for the application of CART cell technology in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Detection of cytokine secretions of EGFR-CAR T and CART-controls in the presence of target cells and nontarget cells as an indicator of CART cell activation. Detection of the cytotoxic effects of EGFR-CAR T on specific tumors in the presence of target cells was evaluated by LDH release and CART cell proliferation. RESULTS: The results showed that cytokine secretion increased significantly after EGFR-CAR T-cells were incubated with target cells, and EGFR-CAR T-cells has higher cytotoxic effect on target cells than the CART-control group. The target cell lysis rate was 52.66%. The proliferation of EGFR-CAR T-cells in the presence of target cells was not distinctly observed. CONCLUSION: In this study, we validated the antitumor function of EGFR-CAR T-cells targeted to the FaDu cell line and provided the foundation for application of the CART technique in the treatment of hypopharyngeal carcinoma.

[Genotype, environment and their interactions of functional components in Rheum tanguticum].

Six kinds of provenance of Rheum tanguticum collected from Qinghai province as the test materials, which were transplanted under 3 different environments by using complete randomized block design with three replicates. The contents of the chemical components was determined by HPLC. This study aimed at analyzing the effect of genotype, environment and their interactions on the 4 kinds of functional components (phenolic acids, bianthrone, free anthraquinones and combined anthraquinones) in 14 kinds of active components of Rh. tanguticum, in order to provide a theoretical basis for the selection of cultivated Rh. tanguticum in high quality producing area and excellent provenance. The provenance trial showed that the genotype and environment influence on the effect of all kinds of functional components in Rh. tanguticum were significant (P<0.05). The content of phenolic acids was mainly influenced by environment, and the other three kinds of functional components were affected by environment and their interactions. The proportion of environment was larger. The cultivation quality of Rh. tanguticum should give priority to environment, then choose a provenance. Sichuan may be beneficial in accumulation of combined anthraquinones in Rh. tanguticum, Gansu may facilitate the binding of free anthraquinone, phenolic acids and bianthrone content. Preliminary inference based on the content and proportion of efficacy components, T4 could be potential special medicinal germplasm that have function of heat-clearing and detoxifying drugs and activate blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis; T3 and T6 could all be potential specialmedicinal germplasms that exist diarrhea attack characters. The results of this study have certain guiding significance for the production of rhubarb precision medicinal materials.

Preparation, characterization, and in vitro cytotoxicity of COM and COD crystals with various sizes.

Calcium oxalate crystals in urine often differ in size and crystal phase between healthy humans and patients with kidney stones. In this work, calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) and dihydrate (COD) with sizes of about 50 nm, 100 nm, 1 µm, 3 µm, and 10 µm were prepared by varying reactant concentration, reaction temperature, solvent, mixing manner, and stirring speed. These crystals mainly had a smooth surface and no obvious pore structure, except COM-1 µm. In cell culture medium, the zeta potential of crystals became increasingly negative with increasing size, and the absolute value of zeta potential of COD was greater than the same-sized COM. Results of cell viability and PI staining assays showed that the order of injury degree in African green monkey renal epithelial (Vero) cells caused by different sizes of COD was COD-50 nm>COD-100 nm>COD-1 µm>COD-3 µm>COD-10 µm, and that of different sizes of COM was COM-1 µm>COM-50~COM-100 nm>COM-3 µm>COM-10 µm. COM-1 µm presented the highest cytotoxicity in Vero cells, which was associated with its rougher surface, larger specific surface area (SBET), and larger pore volume. Overall, these findings indicated that the physical properties of crystals play an important role in their cytotoxicity.

Diagnostic significance of intraoperative ultrasound contrast in evaluating the resection degree of brain glioma by transmission electron microscopic examination.

BACKGROUND: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is a dynamic and continuous modality providing real-time view of vascularization and flow distribution patterns of different organs and tumors. In order to evaluate the diagnostic significance of intraoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasound in assessing the resection degree of brain glioma by transmission electron microscopic (TEM) examination, it is important to have specific knowledge about contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Methods : Ultrasound contrast was applied in operations of 120 cases of brain glioma, to evaluate the degree of tumor resection. Biopsy tissues were obtained the suspicious residual tumors surrounding the tumor cavity. The sensitivity and specificity of the residual tumors were determined by the intraoperative ultrasound contrast according to TEM examination results. RESULTS: There were 44 cases of low-grade gliomas and 76 cases of high-grade gliomas. Three hundred and sixty biopsy tissues were obtained. The sensitivity of intraoperative ultrasound contrast in diagnosing the residual tumor was 62.2%, while the specificity degree of it was 92.8%. The consistency coefficient of the ultrasound contrast diagnosis and TEM examination results was 0.584 (Kappa = 0.584), which was between 0.4 and 0.6, therefore it was of medium consistency. Conclusions : Intraoperative ultrasound contrast was of a high sensitivity and specificity in evaluating the excision degree of tumor. The consistency of the residual tumor rate detected, respectively, by ultrasound contrast and TEM examination was of medium consistency. The application of intraoperative ultrasound contrast can improve the resection rate of brain glioma.

Visualizing an ultra-weak protein-protein interaction in phosphorylation signaling.

Proteins interact with each other to fulfill their functions. The importance of weak protein-protein interactions has been increasingly recognized. However, owing to technical difficulties, ultra-weak interactions remain to be characterized. Phosphorylation can take place via a K(D)≈25 mM interaction between two bacterial enzymes. Using paramagnetic NMR spectroscopy and with the introduction of a novel Gd(III)-based probe, we determined the structure of the resulting complex to atomic resolution. The structure accounts for the mechanism of phosphoryl transfer between the two enzymes and demonstrates the physical basis for their ultra-weak interaction. Further, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations suggest that the complex has a lifetime in the micro- to millisecond regimen. Hence such interaction is termed a fleeting interaction. From mathematical modeling, we propose that an ultra-weak fleeting interaction enables rapid flux of phosphoryl signal, providing a high effective protein concentration.