Gelidocalamusalbozonatus (Poaceae, Bambusoideae), a new species from the southeast of Chongqing, China, and analysis of the morphological diversity in the core group of Gelidocalamus.

Gelidocalamusalbozonatus W. G. Zhang, S. R. Yi & Y. L. Li, a new species of Gelidocalamus, collected from Pengshui County of Chongqing City in China, was described and illustrated herein. In this study, key morphological characters were compared between the new species and other eight "gelido-" members of Gelidocalamus. By using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), its leaf epidermal characters were observed in comparison with those of another three Gelidocalamus representatives. Our results show that the new taxon has the typical characteristics of the genus Gelidocalamus, both macromorphologically and micromorphologically. Moreover, it was most similar to G.tessellatus, but differed by a ring of white tomenta below per node, culm sheath base with densely purple verrucous setae and foliage leaf blades mesophyll.

A Cu-functionalized MOF and multi-walled carbon nanotube composite modified electrode for the simultaneous determination of hydroquinone and catechol.

Designing MOF-based materials with desired electrochemical activity and high electron conductivity may yield a novel electrochemical sensor that effectively detects various organic pollutants and conducts health monitoring. This study developed a facile and versatile electrochemical sensor for simultaneously monitoring the environmental pollutants hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CT). The electrodes are fabricated by modifying a GCE with a Cu-functionalized MOF (UiO-bpydc-Cu) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The Cu-functionalized MOF effectively improved the electronic conductivity by metalating the 2,2'-bipyridyl-derived UiO-bpydc with Cu2+ ions. Moreover, due to the synergic effect, the composite electrode exhibits a significant voltammetric response to HQ's and CT's electro-redox. A rapid and sensitive method of synchronously detecting HQ and CT has been established by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The experiments reveal that the linear response ranges were 0.5-565 µM and 1-1350 µM for HQ and CT, respectively, with low detection limits of 0.361 µM and 0.245 µM. The proposed UiO-bpydc-Cu/MWCNTs/GCE electrochemical sensor shows high sensitivity, good anti-interference, reproducibility, and stability. It can also be applied for detecting HQ and CT in actual samples.

Two cationic iron-based crystalline porous materials for encapsulation and sustained release of 5-fluorouracil.

Iron-based crystalline porous materials (CPMs) emerged as a new class of biodegradable and non-toxic materials of high interest for drug delivery systems (DDSs) due to their high loading capacity and controllable structures. This work constructed two kinds of Fe-CPM coordination polymers (CPM-83 and CPM-85) from typical oxo-centered trimers of the iron octahedra cluster [Fe3O(RCOO)3(TPT)] with two functional modules. The tri-topic pyridine ligand (TPT) occupied the open metal sites of the trinuclear cluster, precluding the attachment of neutralizing anions, leading to three-dimensional frameworks with a positive charge and higher stability. Moreover, the triazine ligand TPT divides the original columnar channel into small domains, improving the adsorption efficiency and maximizing the host-guest interaction. Hence, the suitable pore size and electrostatic force make the materials highly adsorption selective for the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu). We show that Fe-CPM-83 and Fe-CPM-85 loaded with 5-Fu are efficient drug delivery vehicles with loading content as high as 60.5 (wt%) and 32.8 (wt%) within 2-5 h of loading time. Simultaneously, their sustained release kinetics can be up to 96 hours with a completely different pH-responsive controlled release. The released content is 77% or 85% for each complex, significantly prolonging the release process and decreasing the plasma concentration. The MTT assay was performed on mouse fibroblasts (L929) to demonstrate the satisfactory biocompatibility of the matrix. This work has momentous research significance and application value for developing novel drug-delivery materials.

Lysimachiacoriacea (Primulaceae, Myrsinoideae), a new species from Chongqing, China.

A new species, Lysimachiacoriacea, from Chongqing, China, is described and illustrated. It is assigned to subgen. Lysimachiasect.Nummulariaser.Paridiformes and resembles L.paridiformisvar.stenophylla, but is characterised by smaller leathery leaves with black glandular striations near the margin. It is also similar to L.nanpingensis in its two to three pairs of leaves sub-whorled at the stem apices, but differs by smaller leathery leaves and densely glandular stem, petiole and pedicel, and calyx lobes with sparse black glandular stripes.

Dual functions of pH-sensitive cation Zr-MOF for 5-Fu: large drug-loading capacity and high-sensitivity fluorescence detection.

Nanomaterials, as carriers of small molecular drugs, have been a focal point in recent years. In this work, a carbazolyl functionalized metal-organic framework, UiO-67-CDC, was successfully synthesized employing the ligand 9H-carbazole-2,7-dicarboxylic acid (9H-2,7-CDC). Postsynthetic approaches targeted the cationization and replacement of the Lewis base carbazole site with two methyl groups, resulting in the positively charged skeleton, which has proven to be a promising carrier for the anticancer drug 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu). The prepared cationic framework UiO-67-CDC-(CH3)2 showed moderately high surface area, hierarchical pore structures, and positive surface characteristics, which effectively and selectivity encapsulated the electron-rich 5-Fu molecules through electrostatic attraction, with a relatively high loading of up to 56.5% (wt%). The drug delivery in simulated blood environment (pH = 7.4) exhibited a more effective release, demonstrating a physiological pH-responsive sustained release. Significantly, the electron-deficient Zr-MOF itself, as a kind of high-sensitivity fluorescence detector, has a unique fluorescence "turn-on" effect with 5-Fu. These results pave the way towards designing surface-engineered MOF materials of interest in drug delivery and fluorescent sensing applications.

Three cases report of idiopathic angiosarcoma of the head and neck and literature review.

Herein, we reported 3 cases of angiosarcoma (AS) of the head and neck in old patients, and the etiology, pathogenesis, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, diagnosis, differential diagnosis and prognosis were discussion. Case 1, a male patient aged 86 years old was admitted due to purplish erythema on the head and face and progressive purplish edema in the orbit of the eye for 3 years. He was misdiagnosed with connective tissue disease in another hospital, and a second biopsy and histopathological examination confirmed the AS of the head and neck. Case 2, a male patient aged 85 years were admitted due to erythemalike hyperplasia in the left anterior head with necrosis and scar formation at the center for 2 months. He was misdiagnosed with folliculitis in another hospital, and histopathological examination confirmed the AS of the head and neck. Case 3, a male patient aged 87 years were admitted due to large erythema in the right scalp with ulcer and scar formation for 1 month, and histopathological examination confirmed the AS of the head and neck. One of them was lost to follow, one died 5 months after confirmed diagnosis, and one achieved favorable outcome after radiotherapy and received further follow up. The early clinical manifestations of the three patients were different and lacked characteristics. The disease progressed rapidly and the prognosis was poor. At present, surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy is the preferred treatment. Through this article, the following conclusions can be obtained: erythema in the head and face of the elderly, rapid progresses and painful, pathological examinations must be performed, and changes in blood vessels and vascular endothelial cells with or without crack formation and red blood cell extravasation should be carefully observed during pathological examinations in case of misdiagnosis. It is hoped that these three cases can serve as a reminder for clinicians, for reducing misdiagnosis and miss diagnosis, choosing appropriate treatment methods, and judging their prognosis. Therefore, early diagnosis and surgical treatment are extremely important to improve the prognosis of AS patients.

Serum 14-3-3η Could Improve the Diagnostic Rate of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Correlates to Disease Activity.

OBJECTIVES: Serum 14-3-3η is a novel joint-derived proinflammatory mediator associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic capacity of serum 14-3-3η and its correlation with clinical variables in patients with RA. METHODS: A total of 94 patients with RA and 80 age- and sex-matched controls, including 40 healthy subjects, were included. Serum 14-3-3η levels were assessed by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of 14-3-3η. Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to assess the relationship between 14-3-3η and other clinical measures in patients with RA. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range) of serum 14-3-3η concentration (ng/ml) in RA patients (2.34 [1.56-3.39]) was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects (0.17[0.11-0.30]) and disease controls (1.66[1.21-2.74]; P<0.05). ROC curve analysis comparing patients with RA with all controls demonstrated a significant (P<0.001) area under the curve (AUC) of 0.81 (95% confidence interval: 0.74-0.88). At a cutoff of 1.44 ng/mL, the ROC curve yielded a sensitivity of 78.7% and specificity of 73.8%. The sensitivity of anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA) and rheumatoid factor (RF) were 84.0% and 72.3%, respectively. Adding 14-3-3η to ACPA and/or RF discriminated more than 96% of patients with RA. The positive rate of at least one of the three markers was up to 99%, with a specificity of about 70%. The results of correlation analyses revealed that serum levels of 14-3-3η protein positively correlated with C-reactive protein (r=0.250, P<0.05), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (r=0.294, P<0.01), and 28-joint disease activity score (r=0.275, P<0.05) in patients with RA. CONCLUSIONS: 14-3-3η protein is a novel marker that can apparently enhance the detection rate of patients with RA. The level of serum 14-3-3η protein correlates to some degree with disease activity.

[Huanshao Capsules combined with levocarnitine for the treatment of asthenospermia, oligospermia and teratozoospermia].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effects of Huanshao Capsules (HSC) combined with levocarnitine (LC) on asthenospermia, oligospermia, teratozoospermia, and the semen parameters of the patients. METHODS: This randomized controlled clinical study included 186 infertility patients with spleen and kidney asthenia. We randomly divided them into three groups of equal number and treated them orally with HSC at the dose of 3 capsules tid, LC at 10 ml tid, and HSC+LC, respectively, all for 12 weeks. At 4, 8, and 12 weeks after treatment, we obtained the semen parameters from the patients and compared them among the three groups. RESULTS: Totally, 180 of the patients completed the study, 61 in the HSC, 59 in the LC and 60 in the HSC+LC group. After 12 weeks of medication, the patients of the HSC+LC group showed an increase of 42.77% in the semen volume, 142.37% in sperm concentration, 28.61% in sperm motility, and 24.39% in the percentage of grade a+b sperm and a decrease of 6.27% in the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm as compared with the baseline (P <0.05). The patients treated with HSC+LC showed significantly more improvement in all the above parameters than those treated with LC alone (P <0.05) as well as in sperm motility and the percentage of progressively motile sperm than those treated with HSC alone (P <0.05). The HSC group exhibited remarkable improvement in the above parameters after treatment as compared with the baseline (P <0.05) and higher semen volume and sperm concentration than the LC group (P <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Huanshao Capsulescombined with levocarnitinedeserves a wide clinical application as a safe and efficacious therapy forasthenospermia, oligospermia,and teratozoospermia.

[Advances on transgene containment technologies].

The biosecurity of transgenic organism has been widely concerned and extremely restricted its application. Recently, many technological strategies have been developed to ensure its biosecurity. Thus, transgene containment technologies have become one of the hotspots in current transgenic research. In this paper, several transgene containment technologies, such as marker-free transgenic technology, safety marker transgenic technology, chloroplast transgenic technologies, terminator technology, male sterility technology, and 'GM-gene-deletor'technology were reviewed and evaluated. 'GM-gene-deletor' technology, as one of these technologies, demonstrated a prosperous future for safe application of transgenic organisms. Finally, the strategies for developing new transgene containment technologies have been suggested.

[Neuroprotection of sevoflurane against the ischemia injury in hippocampal slices of rat].

AIM: To study the protective effects and the mechanisms of sevoflurane on ischemic cerebral neurons. METHODS: With electrophysiological microelectrode recoding technique, the OPS of hippocampal slices deprived with oxygen and glucose (OGD) and injured from toxicity of glutamate (Glu) in the control group, 2% sevoflurane group and 4% sevoflurane group were observed. The changes of ultrastructure in the three groups were also observed respectively. RESULTS: In the control group and 2% sevoflurane group it didn't show the improvement of recovery in OPS of hippocampal slices injured from OGD and Glu. In 4% sevoflurane group the recovery degree and the recovery rate of OPS were obversely. With electricmicroscope, it was founded that in the control group and 2% sevoflurane group, the pyramidal neurons in CA1 regions deprived with glucose and oxygen and exposured by Glu were damaged. Intercellular edema were severe, the nucleus membranes were not complete, the chromatin formed mass, the endoplasmic reticulum in the cytoplasm were degenerate, mitochondrion swelled. In 4% sevoflurane group, the pyramidal neurons in CA1 regions did not swell obviously, the nucleus was clear, the nucleus membranes were complete and the mitochondria swelled lightly. CONCLUSION: 4% sevoflurane could protect hippocampal neurons deprived with glucose and oxygen from the damage. The probable mechanism is 4% sevoflurane reduced the excitatory of Glu.

HSP70 expression in the hippocampal CA3 subfield in different chronic stress models.

This study examined the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) expression in hippocampal CA3 subfield of rats in different chronic stress models. The chronic restraint stress (CRS) and the chronic mild stress (CMS) models were used in this study. Observation of exploratory behavior in an open field test indicated stress level. The expression of HSP70 in hippocampal CA3 subfield was measured by immunohistochemical methods. The results showed that the number of quadrant crossing in both CRS and CMS groups decreased more than that of the control (P < 0.01). CRS group crossing decreased more than CMS group. Damage in the hippocampus of the CMS group occurred later and to a less extent than that of the CRS group. Compared with CMS group, the expression of HSP70 was greater in the CRS group. Moreover, increased stress duration enhanced these effects. These results show that the CRS model affects both exploratory behavior and HSP70 expression in the hippocampus more dramatically than the CMS model.

[The study of psychological factors and SIgA content in saliva of patients with temporomandibular disorders].

OBJECTIVE: To study the personality, stress, harmful emotions, coping styles and oral immune change of patients with TMD. METHODS: Using MMPI, LES, Trait coping inventory, SDS, and SAS to test patients and normal control, and using radiate-immune method to determine SIgA content in saliva. RESULTS: The scores of TMD patients in MMPI were significantly higher than those of the normal control (P<0.05, P<0.01), and 10 patients' MMPI results were abnormal. The scores of TMD patients in negative life event and work event were significantly higher than those of the normal control (P<0.05, P<0.01). The scores of TMD patients in PC were significantly lower than those of the normal control, but which in NC were significantly higher than those of the normal control (P