Icariin ameliorates glycolytic dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease models by activating the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway.

It was reported that the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway is involved in the regulation of aerobic glycolysis and that brain glycolytic dysfunction results in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Icariin (ICA), an active component extracted from Epimedii Folium, has been reported to produce neuroprotective effects in multiple models of AD, but its underlying mechanism remains to be fully described. We aimed to investigate the protective effects of ICA on animal and cell models of AD and confirm whether the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway has functions in the neuroprotective function of ICA. The 3 × Tg-AD mice were treated with ICA. HT22 cells, the Aß25-35 peptide and Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) agent (a specific inhibitor of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway) were used to further explore the underlying mechanism of ICA that produces anti-AD effects. Behavioral examination, western blotting assay, staining analysis, biochemical test, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were applied. We first demonstrated that ICA significantly improved cognitive function and autonomous behavior, reduced neuronal damage, and reversed the protein levels and activities of glycolytic key enzymes, and expression of protein molecules of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, in 3 × Tg-AD mice back to wild-type levels. Next, we further found that ICA increased cell viability and effectively improved the dysfunctional glycolysis in HT22 cells injured by Aß25-35. However, when canonical Wnt signaling was inhibited by DKK1, the above effects of ICA on glycolysis were abolished. In summary, ICA exerts neuroprotective effects in 3 × Tg-AD animals and AD cellular models by enhancing the function of glycolysis through activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway.

Tannin-Derived Hard Carbon for Stable Lithium-Ion Anode.

Graphite anodes are well established for commercial use in lithium-ion battery systems. However, the limited capacity of graphite limits the further development of lithium-ion batteries. Hard carbon obtained from biomass is a highly promising anode material, with the advantage of enriched microcrystalline structure characteristics for better lithium storage. Tannin, a secondary product of metabolism during plant growth, has a rich source on earth. But the mechanism of hard carbon obtained from its derivation in lithium-ion batteries has been little studied. This paper successfully applied the hard carbon obtained from tannin as anode and illustrated the relationship between its structure and lithium storage performance. Meanwhile, to further enhance the performance, graphene oxide is skillfully compounded. The contact with the electrolyte and the charge transfer capability are effectively enhanced, then the capacity of PVP-HC is 255.5 mAh g-1 after 200 cycles at a current density of 400 mA g-1, with a capacity retention rate of 91.25%. The present work lays the foundation and opens up ideas for the application of biomass-derived hard carbon in lithium anodes.

[Imaging study on safety of deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25)].

OBJECTIVE: Based on magnetic resonance imaging technology, the dangerous depth of straight needling and the safety of deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) are discussed, and data support is provided for standardizing deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25). METHODS: The horizontal cross-sectional images of 148 healthy adult subjects under the spinous process of the 4th lumbar vertebra were collected by magnetic resonance instrument, the anatomical structure was analyzed, and the dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) was measured. RESULTS: The dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) was (11.2±1.3) cm and (11.0±1.2) cm on the left and right sides of males, and (9.8±1.3) cm and (9.7±1.3) cm on the left and right sides of females. There was a positive correlation between the dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) and body mass index (BMI). In the case of similar body size, the dangerous depth of straight needling at Dachangshu(BL 25) in males was greater than that in females (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: At present, the deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25) used in clinic is safe. In clinical application of the deep needling at Dachangshu (BL 25), the depth of needle insertion can be determined according to body size and gender.

Diagnosis and differentiation of mature cystic teratoma of pancreas from its mimics: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Mature cystic teratoma originating in the pancreas is very unusual, often observed as an incidental finding during routine examinations or recognized perioperatively as the patients present with very unspecific clinical symptoms. The confirmatory diagnosis of a pancreatic cystic teratoma is generally made by histopathology after surgical excision. So, the preoperative diagnosis is very challenging, especially differentiation from the other pancreatic pathologies. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 23-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of mild grade periumbilical abdominal pain. A pancreatic mass was revealed on a preliminary abdominal ultrasound examination. Her medical history was unremarkable with no long-standing illness or malignancy. DIAGNOSIS: Mature cystic teratoma in the head of the pancreas. INTERVENTIONS: Roux-enY choledochojejunostomy with gastrojejunostomy was performed, excising the tumor from the pancreatic head. OUTCOMES: The postoperative course was uneventful; the patient was asymptomatic and has no evidence of recurrence on a 2-year follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Pancreatic cystic teratoma is a benign, well-differentiated, and extremely rare congenital tumor. MRI is the choice of imaging modality and phase-GRE or fat suppression is the best technique for pre-operative diagnosis.

A Novel Reconstruction Using a Combined Anterior and Posterior Approach After Axis Tumor Spondylectomy.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective study. OBJECTIVE: To describe a novel reconstruction strategy using a T-shaped titanium mesh cage with posterior cervical screw-rod fixation after total spondylectomy of axis tumors. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Instability of the upper cervical spine because of tumors in axis (C2) often results in devastating complications. Surgical resection and reconstruction after spondylectomy of C2 remain a technical challenge because of the intricate anatomies, vital adjacent tissues, and the unique spinal biomechanics in this special region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The novel reconstruction mode included the construction of the anterior aspect conducted with a specially made titanium mesh cage and the posterior cervical fixation only. Patients who received total C2 tumors spondylectomy and reconstruction with this novel mode in our center between January 2009 and December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed to evaluate the efficacy of this novel reconstruction method. RESULTS: A total of 24 patients with C2 tumor received total spondylectomy and the new mode of local reconstruction. The neurological deficits recovered well and local pain relieved significantly (P<0.001) during the mean follow-up time of 22 months. Perioperative complications were rare and controllable. No internal fixation failure occurred. The mobility of the occipital-cervical junction was largely preserved in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: This novel reconstruction mode using an anterior "T-shaped" mesh cage with posterior screw-rod fixation provides satisfactory stability and motion of occipital-cervical junction with limited complications, and therefore may prove to be an ideal option for management of C2 tumors. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Evaluation of Anterior Decompression Surgical Outcomes of Proximal-Type Cervical Spondylotic Amyotrophy: A Retrospective Study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficiency of anterior decompression on the proximal-type cervical spondylotic amyotrophy patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis. From January 2014 to November 2017, 21 patients with proximal-type cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA) underwent anterior decompression. There were 15 males and 6 females, aged 35-73 years with an average of 51.62 years. All the patients underwent surgery of anterior decompression (ACDF or ACCF). Among them, 12 patients underwent C4/5 single level ACDF, eight patients underwent C4/5 and C5/6 double level ACDF, and one patient underwent C5 anterior cervical corpectomy decompression and fusion surgery. Preoperative and postoperative clinical and radiologic parameters were assessed. The clinical examinations were reviewed, including muscle strength, neck disability index (NDI) score, cervical Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and improvement rate of manual muscle test (MMT) at the last follow-up. Preoperative spinal cord or nerve impingement was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) myelography. Postoperative lateral X-ray radiographs were performed every 3 months after the surgery. RESULTS: Severe preoperative muscle atrophy of the deltoid or biceps muscles occurred in 21 patients included in the study. All of them involve impingements of the ventral nerve root and/or the anterior horn according to MRI and CT myelography. The preoperative duration of symptoms averaged 8.4 months. The average follow-up for all patients was 13.2 months. At the final follow-up, all patients showed statistically significant improvements in muscle strength and NDI scores (P < 0.05, P < 0.05). For the deltoid muscles force and C-JOA scores, the average improvement rates were 66.49% ± 10.04% and 62.23% ± 9.23%, respectively. With respect to MMT, 12 proximal-type patients were graded excellent, six were good, and three were fair, and the overall improvement rate was 85.7%. CONCLUSIONS: For proximal-type CSA patients with cervical radiculopathy, earlier anterior decompression surgery can achieve satisfactory results by significantly improving a patient's muscle strength and relieving compression symptoms.

Modulation of bone formation and resorption using a novel zoledronic acid loaded gelatin nanoparticles integrated porous titanium scaffold: an in vitro and in vivo study.

Osteoporotic bone defects are a major challenge in clinics for bone regeneration. With the condition of osteoporosis, excessive bone absorption and impaired osteogenesis result in unexpectedly long healing procedures for defects. In order to simultaneously enhance bone formation and reduce bone resorption, a polydopamine-coated porous titanium scaffold was designed, to be integrated with anti-catabolic drug zoledronic acid nanoparticles (ZOL loaded gelatin NPs), which was able to achieve a local sustained release of ZOL as expected. The in vitro study demonstrated that extracts of the composite scaffolds would stimulate osteoblast differentiation; they also inhibited osteoclastogenesis at a ZOL loading concentration of 50 µmol l-1. In the subsequent in vivo study, the composite scaffolds were implanted into ovariectomy-induced osteoporotic rabbits suffering from femoral condyles defects. The results indicated that the composite scaffolds without ZOL loaded gelatin NPs only induced callus formation, mainly at the interface margin between the implant and bone, whereas the composite scaffolds with ZOL loaded gelatin NPs were capable of further enhancing osteogenesis and bone growth into the scaffolds. Moreover, the research proved that the promoting effect was optimal at a ZOL loading concentration of 50 µmol l-1. In summary, the present research indicated that a new type of porous titanium scaffold integrated with ZOL loaded gelatin NPs inherited a superior biocompatibility and bone regeneration capability. It would be an optimal alternative for the reconstruction of osteoporosis-related defects compared to a traditional porous titanium implant; in other words, the new type of scaffold offers a new effective and practical procedure option for patients suffering from osteoporotic bone defects.

On the status of ß-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance of breast cancer patient without history of diabetes after systemic treatment.

To estimate the status of ß-cell dysfunction and insulin resistance of breast cancer (BC) patient without history of diabetes mellitus (DM) after systemic treatment through an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and insulin releasing test (IRT). All the 128 BC patients without history of DM after systemic treatment underwent OGTT and IRT test. Fasting and 2-h glucose levels were measured to confirm undiagnosed DM and prediabetes. Insulin sensitivity was estimated by homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and Matsuda index and disposition index (IGI/HOMA-IR). Insulin secretion was estimated by the insulinogenic index (IGI) [Δ insulin/Δ glucose (30-0 min)]. Insulin concentrations during the OGTT and IRT at baseline were used to derive the patterns of insulin secretion curve (pattern 1, pattern 2, pattern 3, pattern 4 and pattern 5), which were used to estimate the risk of developing DM. Of 128 BC patients without history of DM after systemic treatment, there were 46 cases (35.9%) of NGT, 60 cases (46.9%) of prediabetes and 22 cases (17.2%) of DM. The BMI of prediabetes and DM were higher than NGT groups with statistical significance. After adjusted for BMI, IGI was significantly lower in DM group but not significantly different between NGT group and prediabetes group. HOMA-IR, Matsuda index and disposition index were significantly different in DM group compared with NGT group and prediabetes and also significantly different between NGT and prediabetes groups. The total rates of patterns 4 and 5 in NGT and prediabetes groups were 15.3% (10.9 and 4.4%) and 48.3% (31.6 and 16.7%), respectively. ß-Cell dysfunction and insulin resistance may appear in BC patients after systemic treatment. BC patients have high risk in development of DM even in NGT and prediabetes groups confirmed by OGTT.

[Extraction, purification and identification of type II collagen from Agkistrodon acutus].

The object of the research was to extract, purify and identify the type II collagen of Agkistrodon acutus. Type II collagen of A. acutus was extracted by enzyme decomposition method, and purified by ion exchange column chromatography. It was characterized by SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis, ultraviolet spectrophotometry, infrared absorption spectroscopy and mass spectroscopy. The results showed that the size of C II was about 130 kDa. It absorbed at 223 nm. IR spectrum obtained showed that the triple helical domains of amino-acid sequences were characterized by the repetition of triplets Gly-X-Y. The MS spectrum graphically stated that C II extracted from cow and A. acutus have the similar peptides. The C II of A. acutus was obtained by extraction and purification. Appraisal analysis by SDS-PAGE, UV, IR and MS, C II of A. acutus was consistent with the standard C II of cow. It was proved that the extracted protein was C II.

[Study on intervention effect of Jieduquyuziyin prescription systemic lupus erythematosus by HPLC-Q-TOF/MS].

To establish a metabonomic method based on high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-Q-TOF/MS), in order to study the changes in serum metabolites of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) mice after treatment of Jieduquyuziyin prescription, the pathogenesis of SLE and mechanism of drug action. The orthogonal partial least squares (OPLS) was applied for the pattern recognition of experimental data, finding a significant difference in the control group, the SLE model group, the Jieduquyuziyin prescription-treated group and the prednisone acetate-treated group. According to the OPLS load diagram, 12 differential metabolites, including traumatic acid, PAF, 12 (S)-HEPE, 15(S)-HETrE and Hepoxilin B3 were identified by using accurate mass combined with MS/MS data After treatment with Jieduquyuziyin prescription, the relative contents of PAF, 12 (S)-HETE were close to the level of the control group. According to the analysis on metabolic pathway, SLE could cause significant changes in unsaturated fatty acid and amino acid metabolism pathway, while Jieduquyuziyin prescription has a effect in regulating disorder of unsaturated fatty acid metabolism pathway.

Phenolic constituents from Rhopalocnemis phalloides with DPPH radical scavenging activity.

The 80% aqueous acetone extract of the whole plant of Rhopalocnemis phalloides Jungh. (Balanophoraceae) showed obvious radical scavenging activity (SC(50) = 32.1 mug/mL) on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay. Further chemical investigation of the extract led to the isolation of 12 phenolic compounds (1-12). Among these, bis-6,8'-catechinylmethane (2), a flavan-3-ol dimer, was first isolated as a natural product from Rhopalocnemis phalloides. The full NMR assignments of bis-catechinylmethanes (1 and 2) are reported for the first time, on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis. The DPPH assay showed that flavan-3-ol dimers (1-3) had remarkable free radical scavenging activity, while flavonoid aglycones (4 and 9) presented stronger activities than those of their glycosides (5-8 and 10).

[Electrochemical behaviour of the adriamycin on the cobalt nanoparticles modified ITO electrode].

A cobalt nanoparticles modified ITO electrode (NpCo/ITO) was prepared by casting cobalt nanoparticles onto ITO electrode and the cobalt nanoparticles were synthesized by NaHB4 reduction. The electrochemical behaviors of adriamycin (ADM) on NpCo/ITO were studied. The modified ITO electrode was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). In a 0.01 mol L(-1) PBS (pH 8.0) buffer solution, a sensitive reduction peak of ADM was obtained. A linear relationship is held between the peak current and ADM concentration in the range of 1.0 x 10(-8) - 2.0 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) with detection of 5.0 x 10(-9) mol L(-1)- by cyclic voltammetry (CV) response. The reduction process was irreversible with adsorption at the NpCo/ITO electrode. The modified electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytic activity for the ADM electrochemical reduction.