Three Undescribed Protoilludane-type Sesquiterpene Aryl Esters from Armillaria gallica.

Three previously undescribed protoilludane-type sesquiterpene aryl esters, armillanals A-C (1-3), along with seven known ones (4-10) were obtained from Armillaria gallica Marxm. & Romagn. Compounds 1 and 2 were a rare class of sesquiterpenes featuring the Δ2(3) and Δ12(13)-protoilludane skeleton. Their structures were established by extensive spectroscopic methods. Based on electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations, the absolute configurations of three new compounds (1-3) were determined. The anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 1-10 was screened and compound 3 could dose-dependently decrease the level of lactate dehydrogenase, showing IC50 value of 4.525 µM.

Ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block enhances postoperative analgesia and recovery in thoracoscopic surgery.

BACKGROUND: The serratus anterior muscle, located in the lateral aspect of the thorax, plays a crucial role in shoulder movement and stability. Thoracoscopic surgery, while minimally invasive, often results in significant postoperative pain, complicating patient recovery and potentially extending hospital stays. Traditional anesthesia methods may not adequately address this pain, leading to increased complications such as agitation due to inadequate pain management. AIM: To evaluate the application value of ultrasound-guided serratus anterior plane block (SAPB) in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery, focusing on its effects on postoperative analgesia and rehabilitation. METHODS: Eighty patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery between August 2021 and December 2022 were randomly divided into two groups: An observation group receiving ultrasound-guided SAPB and a control group receiving standard care without SAPB. Both groups underwent general anesthesia and were monitored for blood pressure, heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation, and pulse. The primary outcomes measured included mean arterial pressure (MAP), HR, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain, supplemental analgesic use, and incidence of agitation. RESULTS: The observation group showed significantly lower cortisol and glucose concentrations at various time points post-operation compared to the control group, indicating reduced stress responses. Moreover, MAP and HR levels were lower in the observation group during and after surgery. VAS scores were significantly lower in the observation group at 1 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 12 h post-surgery, and the rates of analgesic supplementation and agitation were significantly reduced compared to the control group. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound-guided SAPB significantly improves postoperative analgesia and reduces agitation in patients undergoing thoracoscopic surgery. This technique stabilizes perioperative vital signs, decreases the need for supplemental analgesics, and minimizes postoperative pain and stress responses, underscoring its high application value in enhancing patient recovery and rehabilitation post-thoracoscopy.

Prediction and analysis of albumin-bilirubin score combined with liver function index and carcinoembryonic antigen on liver metastasis of colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common malignant tumor, and liver metastasis is one of the main recurrence and metastasis modes that seriously affect patients' survival rate and quality of life. Indicators such as albumin bilirubin (ALBI) score, liver function index, and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) have shown some potential in the prediction of liver metastasis but have not been fully explored. AIM: To evaluate its predictive value for liver metastasis of CRC by conducting the combined analysis of ALBI, liver function index, and CEA, and to provide a more accurate liver metastasis risk assessment tool for clinical treatment guidance. METHODS: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with CRC who received surgical treatment in our hospital from January 2018 to July 2023 and were followed up for 24 months. According to the follow-up results, the enrolled patients were divided into a liver metastasis group and a nonliver metastasis group and randomly divided into a modeling group and a verification group at a ratio of 2:1. The risk factors for liver metastasis in patients with CRC were analyzed, a prediction model was constructed by least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression, internal validation was performed by the bootstrap method, the reliability of the prediction model was evaluated by subject-work characteristic curves, calibration curves, and clinical decision curves, and a column graph was drawn to show the prediction results. RESULTS: Of 130 patients were enrolled in the modeling group and 65 patients were enrolled in the verification group out of the 195 patients with CRC who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Through LASSO regression variable screening and logistic regression analysis. The ALBI score, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and CEA were found to be independent predictors of liver metastases in CRC patients [odds ratio (OR) = 8.062, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.545-25.540], (OR = 1.037, 95%CI: 1.004-1.071) and (OR = 1.025, 95%CI: 1.008-1.043). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) for the combined prediction of CRLM in the modeling group was 0.921, with a sensitivity of 78.0% and a specificity of 95.0%. The H-index was 0.921, and the H-L fit curve had χ2 = 0.851, a P value of 0.654, and a slope of the calibration curve approaching 1. This indicates that the model is extremely accurate, and the clinical decision curve demonstrates that it can be applied effectively in the real world. We conducted internal verification of one thousand resamplings of the modeling group data using the bootstrap method. The AUC was 0.913, while the accuracy was 0.869 and the kappa consistency was 0.709. The combination prediction of liver metastasis in patients with CRC in the verification group had an AUC of 0.918, sensitivity of 85.0%, specificity of 95.6%, C-index of 0.918, and an H-L fitting curve with χ 2 = 0.586, P = 0.746. CONCLUSION: The ALBI score, ALT level, and CEA level have a certain value in predicting liver metastasis in patients with CRC. These three criteria exhibit a high level of efficacy in forecasting liver metastases in patients diagnosed with CRC. The risk prediction model developed in this work shows great potential for practical application.

Problem-solving model guided by stimulus-organism-response theory: State of mind and coping styles of depressed mothers after cesarean delivery.

BACKGROUND: The use of a problem-solving model guided by stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory for women with postpartum depression after cesarean delivery may inform nursing interventions for women with postpartum depression. AIM: To explore the state of mind and coping style of women with depression after cesarean delivery guided by SOR theory. METHODS: Eighty postpartum depressed women with cesarean delivery admitted to the hospital between January 2022 and October 2023 were selected and divided into two groups of 40 cases each, according to the random number table method. In the control group, the observation group adopted the problem-solving nursing model under SOR theory. The two groups were consecutively intervened for 12 weeks, and the state of mind, coping styles, and degree of post-partum depression were analyzed at the end of the intervention. RESULTS: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Hamilton Depression Scale-24-item scores of the observation group were lower than in the control group after care, and the level of improvement in the state of mind was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The level of coping with illness in the observation group after care (26.48 ± 3.35) was higher than that in the control group (21.73 ± 3.20), and the level of avoidance (12.04 ± 2.68) and submission (8.14 ± 1.15) was lower than that in the control group (15.75 ± 2.69 and 9.95 ± 1.20), with significant differences (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Adopting the problem-solving nursing model using SOR theory for postpartum depressed mothers after cesarean delivery reduced maternal depression, improved their state of mind, and coping level with illness.

[Effect of Exogenous Chitosan on Physiological Properties, Antioxidant Activity, and Cadmium Uptake of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seedlings Under Cadmium Stress].

This research aimed to clarify the effects of exogenously applied chitosan on the physiological characteristics, antioxidant activities, and Cd accumulation of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings under cadmium (Cd) stress and to identify the key indicators based on the partial least squares model. The wheat variety studied was Bainong207 (BN207), and Cd-stress was achieved by growing seedlings in a hydroponic culture experiment with 10 and 25 µmol·L-1 Cd2+ added to the culture solution. It was found that both Cd-stress at 10 and 25 µmol·L-1 significantly inhibited the chlorophyll content, photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation of wheat seedlings. Seedling roots became shorter and thicker, and the lateral roots decreased under Cd-stress. The Cd-stress also increased H2O2 and MDA accumulation and the degree of cell membrane lipid peroxidation and affected the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD). Under Cd stress, exogenous chitosan decreased the Cd content in the aboveground and underground parts of wheat by 13.22 %-21.63 % and 7.92 %-28.32 % and reduced Cd accumulation in the aboveground and underground parts by 5.37 %-6.71 % and 1.91 %-4.09 %, respectively. Whereas exogenous chitosan application significantly reduced the content of H2O2 in roots and aboveground parts of wheat by 38.21 %-47.46 % and 45.81 %-55.73 % and MDA content by 37.65 %-48.12 % and 29.87 %-32.51 %, it increased the activities of SOD and POD in roots by 2.78 %-5.61 % and 13.81 %-18.33 %, respectively. In summary, exogenous chitosan can improve the photosynthetic characteristics and antioxidant enzyme activities of wheat seedlings under Cd stress, reduce the content and accumulation of Cd in the root and aboveground parts of wheat, and alleviate the damage of lipid peroxidation to the cell membrane. All of these results provide the basal data for the application of exogenous chitosan to alleviate Cd toxicity to wheat seedlings.

Organo-photoredox catalyzed gem-difluoroallylation of ketone-derived dihydroquinazolinones via C(sp3)-C bond and C(sp3)-F bond cleavage.

An organo-photoredox catalyzed gem-difluoroallylation of both acyclic and cyclic ketone derivatives with α-trifluoromethyl alkenes has been demonstrated, thus giving access to a diverse set of gem-difluoroalkenes in moderate to high yields. Pro-aromatic dihydroquinazolinones can be either pre-formed or in situ generated for ketone activation. This reaction is characterized by readily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, and broad substrate scope. The feasibility of this reaction has been highlighted by the late-stage modification of several natural products and drug-like molecules as well as the in vitro antifungal activity.

[Anti-aging effect and molecular mechanism of Xiyangshen Sanqi Danshen Granules based on metabolomics and bioinformatics].

This study investigated the anti-aging mechanism of Xiyangshen Sanqi Danshen Granules based on metabonomics, network pharmacology, and molecular docking. The aging mice model was induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose(D-gal). Mice were randomly divided into a control group, model group, melatonin group(MT group), and low, medium, and high dose groups of Xiyangshen Sanqi Danshen Granules(XSD-L, XSD-M, and XSD-H). An open-field experiment was conducted, and the expression of cell cycle arrest proteins(p16) and phosphorylated histone family 2A variant(γH2AX) in the brain tissue was detected by immunofluorescence. The expression of interleukin-1ß(IL-1ß) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the brain tissue was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Metabolomics analysis was performed on the serum of mice in control, model, and XSD-H groups to obtain metabolic processes and metabolites. The effective chemical components and potential targets of Xiyangshen Sanqi Danshen Granules were predicted through network pharmacology, and the network diagram of "drug-effective chemical components-key targets" was constructed. Gene Ontology(GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) analysis were carried out, and a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was constructed to clarify the anti-aging mechanism of Xiyangshen Sanqi Danshen Granules. The results showed that the Xiyangshen Sanqi Danshen Granules could significantly improve the aging degree of D-gal mice, significantly improve the total motion distance and the mean motion speed of D-gal mice, and reduce the rest time. In addition, Xiyangshen Sanqi Danshen Granules could significantly reduce the protein levels of IL-6 and IL-1ß and the expression of p16 and γH2AX in D-gal mice. Compared with the model group, 66 differential metabolites(DMs) were significantly up-regulated, and 91 DMs were down-regulated in the XSD-H group. Moreover, four key metabolic pathways(tryptophan metabolism, glycerophospholipid metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and lysine degradation) and 16 biomarkers(lysine, tryptophan, indoleacetaldehyde, PCs, LysoPCs, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, melatonin, etc) were screened out. 58 main active components and 62 key targets of Xiyangshen Sanqi Danshen Granules were screened by network pharmacology. The GO functional enrichment analysis found the positive regulation of gene expression, drug response, etc. KEGG pathway enrichment screening involved diabetic complications-related AGE-RAGE signaling pathway, hypoxia inducible factor-1 signaling pathway, etc. Through the PPI network and molecular docking, six potential core targets of STAT3, MAPK1, MAPK14, EGFR, FOS, and STAT1 were screened.

Toxicity of Beauveria bassiana to Bactrocera dorsalis and effects on its natural predators.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are economical and environmentally friendly, forming an essential part of integrated pest management strategies. We screened six strains of Beauveria bassiana (B1-B6) (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae), of which B4 was the most virulent to Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) (Diptera: Tephritidae). We further assessed the biological characteristics of strain B4 and the environmental factors influencing its ability to infect B. dorsalis. We also evaluated the effects of B4 on two of the natural predators of B. dorsalis. We found that strain B4 was the most virulent to 3rd instar larvae, pupae, and adult B. dorsalis, causing mortality rates of 52.67, 61.33, and 90.67%, respectively. B4 was not toxic to B. dorsalis eggs. The optimum B4 effects on B. dorsalis were achieved at a relative humidity of 91-100% and a temperature of 25°C. Among the six insecticides commonly used for B. dorsalis control, 1.8% abamectin emulsifiable concentrate had the strongest inhibitory effect on B4 strain germination. B4 spraying affected both natural enemies (Amblyseius cucumeris and Anastatus japonicus), reducing the number of A. cucumeris and killing A. japonicus adults. We found a valuable strain of EPF (B4) that is virulent against many life stages of B. dorsalis and has great potential for the biological control of B. dorsalis. We also provide an important theoretical and practical base for developing a potential fungicide to control B. dorsalis.

Monoaxial Screws Versus Polyaxial Screws Osteosynthesis for Unstable Atlas Fractures: A Retrospective, Comparative Study With a Minimum Follow-Up of 3 years.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to compare the radiological parameters, clinical outcomes, and long-term effects of the posterior osteosynthesis with polyaxial screw-rod system and the monoaxial screw-rod system in the treatment of unstable atlas fractures. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 33 patients with posterior ORIF for unstable atlas fractures in our hospital from August 2013 to June 2020, with a minimum of 3 years of follow-up. Polyaxial screws (group A) were used in 12 patients and monoaxial screws (group B) in 21 patients. Perioperative data, radiological parameters, and clinical outcomes were collected and compared between the 2 surgical approaches. RESULTS: The operative time, blood loss, time of screw-rod system placement, and hospital stay were significantly lower in group A than in group B. At the last follow-up, the visual analog scale (VAS) score and anterior arch reduction rate of the atlas in group A were lower than those in group B, while the lateral mass displacement (LMD) in group A was higher than that in group B. There was no significant difference between Group A and Group B in terms of the anterior atlantodental interval (AADI), posterior arch reduction rate of the atlas, range of motion (ROM), and neck disability index (NDI). CONCLUSIONS: Monoaxial screws can achieve better reduction results for unstable atlas fractures, especially for the anterior arch of atlas. However, the surgical operation of monoaxial screws is more complicated than that of polyaxial screws and has more complications. Appropriate implants should be selected for the treatment of unstable atlas fractures based on the type of atlas fracture, the experience of surgeons, and the demands of patients.

Effective Management of Polycythemia Vera With Ropeginterferon Alfa-2b Treatment.

Background: Polycythemia vera (PV) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm. Ropeginterferon alfa-2b is a new-generation polyethylene glycol-conjugated proline-interferon. It is approved for the treatment of PV at a starting dose of 100 µg (50 µg for patients receiving hydroxyurea (HU)) and dose titrations up to 500 µg by 50 µg increments. The study was aimed at assessing its efficacy and safety at a higher starting dose and simpler intra-patient dose escalation. Methods: Forty-nine patients with PV having HU intolerance from major hospitals in China were treated biweekly with an initial dose of 250 µg, followed by 350 µg and 500 µg thereafter if tolerated. Complete hematological response (CHR) was assessed every 12 weeks based on the European LeukemiaNet criteria. The primary endpoint was the CHR rate at week 24. The secondary endpoints included CHR rates at weeks 12, 36 and 52, changes of JAK2V617F allelic burden, time to first CHR, and safety assessments. Results: The CHR rates were 61.2%, 69.4% and 71.4% at weeks 24, 36, and 52, respectively. Mean allele burden of the driver mutation JAK2V617F declined from 58.5% at baseline to 30.1% at 52 weeks. Both CHR and JAK2V617F allele burden reduction showed consistent increases over the 52 weeks of the treatment. Twenty-nine patients (63.0%) achieved partial molecular response (PMR) and two achieved complete molecular response (CMR). The time to CHR was rapid and median time was 5.6 months according to central lab results. The CHRs were durable and median CHR duration time was not reached at week 52. Mean spleen index reduced from 55.6 cm2 at baseline to 50.2 cm2 at week 52. Adverse events (AEs) were mostly mild or moderate. Most common AEs were reversible alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase increases, which were not associated with significant elevations in bilirubin levels or jaundice. There were no grade 4 or 5 AEs. Grade 3 AEs were reversible and manageable. Only one AE led to discontinuation. No incidence of thromboembolic events was observed. Conclusion: The 250-350-500 µg dosing regimen was well tolerated and effectively induced CHR and MR and managed spleen size increase. Our findings demonstrate that ropeginterferon alfa-2b at this dosing regimen can provide an effective management of PV and support using this dosing regimen as a treatment option.

[Identification and expression of genome of uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase (UGT) gene family from Chrysanthemum indicum].

Uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase(UGT) is involved in the glycosylation of a variety of secondary metabolites in plants and plays an important role in plant growth and development and regulation of secondary metabolism. Based on the genome of a diploid Chrysanthemum indicum, the UGT gene family from Ch. indicum was identified by bioinformatics methods, and the physical and chemical properties, subcellular localization prediction, conserved motif, phylogeny, chromosome location, gene structure, and gene replication events of UGT protein were analyzed. Transcriptome and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(PCR) were used to analyze the expression pattern of the UGT gene in flowers and leaves of Ch. indicum. Quasi-targeted metabolomics was used to analyze the differential metabolites in flowers and leaves. The results showed that a total of 279 UGT genes were identified in the Ch. indicum genome. Phylogenetic analysis showed that these UGT genes were divided into 8 subfamilies. Members of the same subfamily were distributed in clusters on the chromosomes. Tandem duplications were the main driver of the expansion of the UGT gene family from Ch. indicum. Structural domain analysis showed that 262 UGT genes had complete plant secondary metabolism signal sequences(PSPG box). The analysis of cis-acting elements indicated that light-responsive elements were the most ubiquitous elements in the promoter regions of UGT gene family members. Quasi-targeted metabolome analysis of floral and leaf tissue revealed that most of the flavonoid metabolites, including luteolin-7-O-glucoside and kaempferol-7-O-glucoside, had higher accumulation in flowers. Comparative transcriptome analysis of flower and leaf tissue showed that there were 72 differentially expressed UGT genes, of which 29 genes were up-regulated in flowers, and 43 genes were up-regulated in leaves. Correlation network and phylogenetic analysis showed that CindChr9G00614970.1, CindChr2G00092510.1, and CindChr2G00092490.1 may be involved in the synthesis of 7-O-flavonoid glycosides in Ch. indicum, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR analysis further confirmed the reliability of transcriptome data. The results of this study are helpful to understand the function of the UGT gene family from Ch. indicum and provide data reference and theoretical basis for further study on the molecular regulation mechanism of flavonoid glycosides synthesis in Ch. indicum.

[Mitigative Effect of Rare Earth Element Cerium on the Growth of Zinc-stressed Wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）Seedlings].

This research aimed to clarify the mitigative effect of exogenously applied rare earth element cerium （Ce） on the growth， zinc （Zn） accumulation， and physiological characteristics of wheat （Triticum aestivum L.） seedlings under Zn stress. The wheat variety studied was Bainong307 （BN307）， and Zn stress was achieved by growing seedlings in a hydroponic culture experiment with 500 µmol·L-1 Zn2 + added to the culture solution. It was found that Zn stress at 500 µmol·L-1 significantly inhibited the chlorophyll content， photosynthesis， and biomass accumulation of wheat seedlings. Seedling roots became shorter and thicker， and the lateral roots decreased under Zn stress. The Zn stress also increased MDA accumulation and the degree of cell membrane lipid peroxidation and reduced soluble protein contents and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase （SOD）， catalase （CAT）， and ascorbate peroxidase （APX）. On the contrary， exogenous Ce decreased the adsorption and transport of Zn by the root system and alleviated the damage of Zn stress to wheat seedlings. Specifically， the increase in chlorophyll content （chlorophyll a， chlorophyll b， and total chlorophyll） and photosynthetic parameters， the enhancement of antioxidant enzymes activities and soluble protein levels， and the reduction in MDA content and the damage of lipid peroxidation to the cell membrane were all driven by exogenous Ce， which ultimately led to the increase in dry matter biomass of the root system and shoot. In summary， these results provide basic data for the application of exogenous Ce to alleviate Zn toxicity to plants.

[Effects of Exogenous Zinc on Growth and Root Architecture Classification of Maize Seedlings Under Cadmium Stress].

To explore the effects of different concentrations of zinc （Zn） on the growth and root architecture classification of maize seedlings under cadmium （Cd） stress， a hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the effects of different concentrations of Zn （0， 10， 25， 50， 100， 200， and 400 µmol·L-1） on the growth， root architecture and classification characteristics， Cd content， root Cd uptake capacity， and photosynthetic system of maize seedlings under Cd stress （50 µmol·L-1） by using Zhengdan 958 as the experimental material. Principal component analysis and the membership function method were used for comprehensive evaluation. The results showed that the 50 µmol·L-1 Cd stress had a significant toxic effect on maize seedlings， which significantly reduced chlorophyll content and photosynthetic parameters. The main root length， plant height， biomass， root forks， and root tips， including the root length and root surface area of the grade Ⅰ-Ⅲ diameter range and the root volume of the grade Ⅰ-Ⅱ diameter range， decreased significantly， which hindered the normal growth and development of maize seedlings. Compared with that under no Zn application， 100 µmol·L-1 and 200 µmol·L-1 Zn application reduced the uptake of Cd by maize seedlings， significantly reduced the Cd content in shoots and roots and the Cd uptake efficiency. The toxic effect on maize seedlings was alleviated， and the fresh weight， dry weight， tolerance index， and root forks of shoots and roots were significantly increased. The photosynthesis of maize seedlings was significantly enhanced， and the photosynthetic rate and the total chlorophyll content was significantly increased. The RL， SA， and RV in the Ⅰ-Ⅱ diameter range reached the maximum at 100 µmol·L-1 Zn， and the RL， SA， and RV in the Ⅲ diameter range reached the maximum at 200 µmol·L-1 Zn， which were significantly higher than those without Zn treatment. The comprehensive evaluation of the growth tolerance of maize seedlings showed that 100 µmol·L-1 and 200 µmol·L-1 Zn had better effects on alleviating Cd toxicity. Comprehensive analysis showed that the application of appropriate concentration of Zn could reduce the Cd content in maize seedlings， the Cd uptake capacity， and Cd uptake efficiency of roots； increase the biomass accumulation of maize seedlings； reduce the effect of Cd toxicity on root architecture； reduce the effect on the light and system； and improve the tolerance of maize seedlings to Cd.

Association Between Long-Term Exposure to Ambient Air Pollution and the Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Chinese Urban Area: A Case-Control Study.

Background: As a prodromal stage of dementia, significant emphasis has been placed on the identification of modifiable risks of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Research has indicated a correlation between exposure to air pollution and cognitive function in older adults. However, few studies have examined such an association among the MCI population inChina. Objective: We aimed to explore the association between air pollution exposure and MCI risk from the Hubei Memory and Aging Cohort Study. Methods: We measured four pollutants from 2015 to 2018, 3 years before the cognitive assessment of the participants. Logistic regression models were employed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) to assess the relationship between air pollutants and MCI risk. Results: Among 4,205 older participants, the adjusted ORs of MCI risk for the highest quartile of PM2.5, PM10, O3, and SO2 were 1.90 (1.39, 2.62), 1.77 (1.28, 2.47), 0.56 (0.42, 0.75), and 1.18 (0.87, 1.61) respectively, compared with the lowest quartile. Stratified analyses indicated that such associations were found in both males and females, but were more significant in older participants. Conclusions: Our findings are consistent with the growing evidence suggesting that air pollution increases the risk of mild cognitive decline, which has considerable guiding significance for early intervention of dementia in the older population. Further studies in other populations and broader geographical areas are warranted to validate these findings.

Organo-Photoredox Catalyzed gem-Difluoroallylation of Glycine and Glycine Residue in Peptides.

An organo-photoredox catalyzed gem-difluoroallylation of glycine with α-trifluoromethyl alkenes via direct C(sp3)-H functionalization of glycine and C-F bond activation of α-trifluoromethyl alkenes has been described. As a consequence, a broad range of gem-difluoroalkene-containing unnatural amino acids are afforded in moderate to excellent yields. This reaction exhibits multiple merits such as readily available starting materials, broad substrate scope, and mild reaction conditions. The feasibility of this reaction has been highlighted by the late-stage modification of several peptides as well as the improved in vitro antifungal activity of compound 3v toward Valsa mali compared to that with commercial azoxystrobin.

Elevating sensing capability via dual-atom catalysts boosted luminol cathodic electrochemiluminescence.

BACKGROUND: The advancement of highly sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) biosensors has garnered escalating interest over time. Owing to the distinctive physicochemical attributes, the signal amplification strategy facilitated by functional nanomaterials has achieved notable milestones. Single-atom catalysts (SACs), featuring atomically dispersed metal active sites, have garnered significant attention. SACs offer unprecedented control over active sites and surface structures at the atomic level. However, to fully harness their potential, ongoing efforts focus on strategies to enhance the catalytic performance of SACs, profoundly influencing both the sensitivity and selectivity of SACs-based sensing platforms. RESULTS: In this study, we focused on the synthesis and application of Fe-Co-PNC dual-atom catalysts (DACs) with the incorporation of phosphorus, aiming to enhance catalytic efficiency, particularly in the context of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) correlated cathodic luminol ECL. The synergistic effects arising from the combination of Fe and Co in DACs were explored by ECL emission. Comparative studies with Fe-PNC SACs highlighted the superior catalytic performance of Fe-Co-PNC DACs. The ECL sensing platform exhibited excellent sensitivity, which provided a fast detection of Trolox with a wide linear range (0.1 µM-1.0 mM) and a low detection limit (LOD) of 0.03 µM. The platform demonstrated remarkable reproducibility and long-term stability, showcasing its potential for practical biosensing applications. SIGNIFICANCE: This study introduced the novel concept of Fe-Co-PNC DACs. The demonstrated synergistic effects and enhanced catalytic efficiency of DACs offer new avenues for the rational design of advanced catalysts. The successful application in the sensitive detection of Trolox emphasizes their potential significance in biosensing. It not only expands our understanding of SACs but also opens doors for the development of efficient and stable catalysts with broader applications.

Protoilludane-Type and Related Nor-Sesquiterpenes from Phellinus hartigii and Their Anti-Hypertrophic Activities in Rat Cardiomyocytes.

Three nor-sesquiterpenes, phellinharts A-C (1-3), isolated from Phellinus hartigii, exhibited unprecedented protoilludane and cerapicane-type structures. The structures of compounds 1-3 were elucidated via spectroscopic analysis, quantum chemical calculations, and X-ray diffraction. Potential biogenic pathways involving demethylation, ring cleavage, and rearrangement were proposed. Compounds 1-3 displayed potent anti-hypertrophic activities with low cytotoxicity (CC50 > 50 µM) in rat cardiomyocytes, underscoring their therapeutic potential.

Direct osteosynthesis in the treatment of atlas burst fractures: a systematic review.

PURPOSE: The treatment of unstable atlas fractures remains a controversial topic. The study aims at assessing the prognosis and efficacy of osteosynthesis for unstable atlas fractures through a review of the current literature and additionally aims to compare outcomes between the transoral and posterior approaches. METHODS: A systematic review of databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang was conducted. Titles and abstracts were screened by two reviewers to identify studies meeting pre-defined inclusion criteria for comprehensive analysis. RESULTS: The systematic review included 28 articles, 19 employing the posterior approach and 9 utilizing the transoral approach. It covered osteosynthesis in 297 patients with unstable atlas fractures, comprising 169 treated via the posterior approach and 128 via the transoral approach. Analysis revealed high healing rates and clinical improvement in both approaches, evidenced by improvements in the visual analog scale, range of motion, atlantodens interval, and lateral displacement distance post-surgery. CONCLUSION: Osteosynthesis offers effective treatment for unstable atlas fractures. Both transoral and posterior approaches can achieve good clinical outcomes for fracture, and biomechanical studies have confirmed that osteosynthesis can maintain the stability of the occipitocervical region, preserve the motor function of the atlantoaxial and occipito-atlantoaxial joints, and greatly improve the quality of life of patients. However, variations exist in the indications and surgical risks associated with each method, necessitating their selection based on a thorough clinical evaluation of the patient's condition.

Design of a novel lateral mass screw-plate system for the treatment of unstable atlas fractures: a finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: Osteosynthesis of unstable atlas fractures preserves joint motion and therefore has a distinct advantage over a range of treatment procedures. To prevent the potential disadvantages associated with osteosynthesis, a new atlas lateral mass screw-plate (LMSP) system has been designed. However, the biomechanical role of using the LMSP system in atlas internal fixation is not known. The aim of this study was to compare the biomechanical stability of a new LMSP with traditional posterior screw and rod (PSR) fixation techniques on the occipitocervical junction (C0-C2) through finite element analysis. METHODS: A nonlinear C0-C2 finite element model of the intact upper cervical spine was developed and validated. The unstable model using the PSR system was then compared with the model using the LMSP system for fixation. A vertical load of 40 N was applied to the C0 to simulate head weight, while a torque of 1.5 Nm was applied to the C0 to simulate flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation. RESULTS: The range of motion of both systems was close to the intact model. Compared with the LMSP system model, the PSR system model increased flexion, extension, lateral bending, and axial rotation by 4.9%, 3.0%, 5.0%, and 29.5% in the C0-C1 segments, and 4.9%, 2.7%, 2.4%, and 22.6% in the C1-C2, respectively. In flexion, extension, and lateral bending motion, the LMSP system model exhibited similar stress to the PSR system model, while in axial rotation, the PSR system model exhibited higher stress. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study indicate that the two tested system models provide comparable stability. However, better stability was achieved during axial rotation with the LMSP system, and in this system, the maximum von Mises stress was less than that of the PSR one. As the atlantoaxial joint functions primarily as a rotational joint, the use of the LMSP system may provide a more stable environment for the joint that has become unstable due to fracture.

Recent advances in Rh(I)-catalyzed enantioselective C-H functionalization.

Chiral carbon-carbon (C-C) and carbon-heteroatom (C-X) bonds are pervasive and very essential in natural products, bioactive molecules, and functional materials, and their catalytic construction has emerged as one of the hottest research fields in synthetic organic chemistry. The last decade has witnessed vigorous progress in Rh(I)-catalyzed asymmetric C-H functionalization as a complement to Rh(II) and Rh(III) catalysis. This review aims to provide the most comprehensive and up-to-date summary covering the recent advances in Rh(I)-catalyzed C-H activation for asymmetric functionalization. In addition to the development of diverse reactions, chiral ligand design and mechanistic investigation (inner-sphere mechanism, outer-sphere mechanism, and 1,4-Rh migration) will also be highlighted.