Simultaneous Determination of Thirteen Iridoid Glycosides in Crude and Processed Fructus Corni from Different Areas by UPLC-MS/MS Method.

Fructus Corni (F. Corni) is the dried mature pulp of Cornus officinalis Sieb. et Zucc.(Cornaceae), which is rich in iridoids. In this study, a simple, sensitive and rapid UPLC-MS/MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of 13 iridoid glycosides of F. Corni from different areas. Specifically, we included five new compounds (cornusdiridoid C, cornusdiridoid E, cornusdiridoid F, 3'',5''-dehydroxycornuside and 2'-O-p-coumaroyl-kingiside) and isomers (2'-O-p-E-coumaroylloganin and 2'-O-p-Z-coumaroylloganin) for the first time in the quality markers of F. Corni. A total of 13 compounds and two pairs of isomers were well isolated and tested within just 14 min. All calibration curves showed good linear regression (r2 ≥ 0.99) within the tested concentration ranges. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were in the range of 0.19-1.90 and 0.38-3.76 ng/mL, respectively. The intra-day and inter-day precision were <3.21% and 12.49%, the RSD values of repeatability did not exceed 6.81% and the average recoveries were 90.95-113.59% for the analytes. All iridoid glycosides stabilized within 12 h (RSD < 10.99%). This method has been successfully applied to the quality evaluation of crude and processed F. Corni from different areas. The determination of characteristic iridoid glycosides and isomers will provide a more reliable and comprehensive method for the evaluation of F. Corni.

Pharmacological activities and therapeutic potential of galangin, a promising natural flavone, in age-related diseases.

BACKGROUND: The extension of average life expectancy and the aggravation of population aging have become the inevitable trend of human development. In an aging society, various problems related to medical care for the elderly have become increasingly prominent. However, most of the age-related diseases have the characteristics of multiple diseases at the same time, prone to complications, and atypical clinical manifestations, which bring great difficulties to its treatment. Galangin (3,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) is a natural active compound extracted from the root of Alpinia officinarum Hance (Zingiberaceae). Recently, many studies have shown that galangin has potential advantages in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which are common in the elderly. In addition, it also showed that galangin had prospective activities in the treatment of tumor, diabetes, liver injury, asthma and arthritis. PURPOSE: This review aims to systematically summarize and discuss the effects and the underlying mechanism of galangin in the treatment of age-related diseases. METHODS: We searched PubMed, SciFinder, Web of Science and CNKI literature database resources, combined with the keywords "galangin", "neurodegenerative disease", "tumor", "diabetes", "pharmacological activity", "drug combination", "pharmacokinetics", "drug delivery system" and "safety", and comprehensively reviewed the pharmacological activities and mechanism of galangin in treating age-related diseases. RESULTS: According to the previous studies on galangin, the anti-neurodegenerative activity, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular protective activity, anti-tumor activity, anti-diabetes activity, anti-arthritis activity, hepatoprotective activity and antiasthmatic activity of galangin were discussed, and the related mechanisms were classified and summarized in detail. In addition, the drug combination, pharmacokinetics, drug delivery system and safety of galangin were furtherly discussed. CONCLUSIONS: This review will provide reference for galangin in the treatment of age-related diseases. Meanwhile, further experimental research and long-term clinical trials are needed to determine the therapeutic safety and efficacy of galangin.

X-ray photochromism of chalcogenide frameworks linked with metal-amine chelates.

Reported here are two X-ray photochromic metal chalcogenide frameworks, which consist of tetrahedral clusters that are linked by transition-metal amine chelates. They have similar structures, but with different organic amine species, and they exhibit different coloration behavior. The photoinduced electron transfer from the metal chalcogenide clusters to the zinc amine chelates is a key point in accounting for their photochromism. Interestingly, a high-contrast (up to 12.4 times) enhancement of the optoelectronic response is obtained for the title compounds after they are treated by X-ray irradiation.

[Effects of addition of organic carbon with different chemical structure on the fate and accumulation of exogenous carbon in red and sandy soils]. / çº¢å£¤å’Œé£Žæ²™åœŸæ·»åŠ ä¸åŒåŒ–å­¦ç»“æž„æœ‰æœºç¢³å¯¹å¤–æºç¢³åŽ»å‘åŠç´¯ç§¯è´¡çŒ®çš„å½±å“.

Plant litter input has important influences on soil CO2 emission and soil organic carbon (SOC) formation in terrestrial ecosystem. However, it is not well known for the fate of carbon when exogenous organic matters with different chemical structures are added to soil with different textures. In this study, we added the uniformly 13C-labelled substrates of glucose, starch, and cellulose to red soil and sandy soil, and compared the net 13C accumulation and recovery and its proportions in soil releasing CO2, SOC, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) pools. The results showed that δ13C values increased after exogenous substrate additions in CO2, SOC, DOC, and MBC, and that the peaks of δ13C in CO2 pool appeared delay with increasing chemical structure complexity. The fate of exogenous C and its contributions of different C pools were significantly influenced by exogenous C types, soil types, and incubation times. In sandy soil, the added exogenous C was more mineralized as CO2, with the net accumulation and recovery of 13C in CO2 pool decreasing in the order of glucose>starch>cellulose. In red soil, more exogenous C was transferred to SOC pool, with the net accumulation and recovery of 13C in SOC pool decreasing in the order of glucose>starch>cellulose. Our results implied that the chemical structure of exogenous substrates and soil texture together controlled the fate and accumulation of exogenous organic carbon.

[Effects of addition of leaf litter with different chemical properties on soil organic carbon mineralization and priming effect]. / ä¸åŒåŒ–å­¦æ€§è´¨å¶å‡‹è½ç‰©æ·»åŠ å¯¹åœŸå£¤æœ‰æœºç¢³çŸ¿åŒ–åŠæ¿€å‘æ•ˆåº”çš„å½±å“.

Litter inputs can affect the mineralization of soil organic carbon (SOC). However, it is yet unknown how the input of leaf litter with different chemical properties drives SOC mineralization and priming effect. In this study, 13C-labeled leaf litter of six tree species were added to soil cores (10 cm depth) collected from a natural secondary forest in subtropical region. We examined the effects of different leaf litters on total soil CO2, litter-derived and soil-derived CO2 emission rates and accumulation and priming effect. We further examined the relationships between litter chemical properties and CO2 accumulation and priming effect. Our results showed that leaf litter addition increased total soil CO2 and soil-derived CO2 emission rates and accumulations, and that there were positive priming effects ranging from 68% to 128%. Soil organic carbon mineralization and priming effects varied among tree species. The Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple linear regression analysis showed that the litter-derived CO2 accumulation had negative correlation with leaf litter C, P and cellulose concentrations, whereas the soil-derived CO2 accumulation were positively correlated to litter C:N and lignin:N. The results implied that tree species could influence SOC mineralization and litter-induced priming effect. Thus it could mitigate soil C loss when we afforested plantation with high quality leaf litter in subtropical region.

Ultrastable Anti-Acid "Shield" in Layered Silver Coordination Polymers.

Surface passivation technology provides noble-metal materials with limited chemical stability, especially under highly acidic condition. To design effective strategy to enhance stability of noble-metal particles, an understanding of their surface anticorrosion mechanism at the atomic level is desirable by using two-dimensional (2D) noble-metal coordination polymer (CP) as an ideal model for their interfacial region. With the protection of 2-thiobenzimidazole (TBI), we isolated two Ag-based 2D CPs, {Ag14 (TBI)12 X2 }n (S-X, where S denotes sheet and X=Cl or Br). These compounds exhibited excellent chemical stability upon immersion in various common solvents, boiling water, boiling ethanol, 10 % hydrogen peroxide, concentrated acid (12 M HCl), and concentrated alkali (19 M NaOH). Systematic characterization and DFT analyses demonstrate that the superior stability of S-X was attributed to the hydrophobic organic shell and dynamic proton buffer layer acting as a double protective "shield".

A Pathogenic Missense Variant (c.1617G>A, p.Met539Ile) in UBA1 Causing Infantile X-Linked Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMAX2).

Background: Infantile X-linked spinal muscular atrophy (SMAX2) is a rare type of spinal muscular atrophy associated with UBA1 variants. Methods: Clinical imaging and neurophysiological tests were performed on a Chinese patient with SMAX2. Further, focused panel sequencing of UBA1 was carried out on samples of both the proband and his maternal relatives. Results: The proband, a 4-year-old boy with the SMAX2 phenotype, suffered from reduced exercise capacity since infancy. His other symptoms included speech difficulties, severe nasal tone, reduced distal muscle strength, areflexia, and inadequate sucking ability. The brain MRI of the proband's showed normal results but the electromyography results showed multiple peripheral neurogenic lesions. Five male members of the proband's family were affected with the SMAX2 phenotype. They presented similar symptoms and had experienced a long and autonomous life. Molecular analysis revealed a novel missense variant (c.1617G>A, p.Met539Ile) in the exon 15 of UBA1. The proband's mother, as well as grandmother, carried the heterozygous missense UBA1 variant; whereas, the male patients from the family carried the hemizygotic variant. Conclusions: The affected members in this Chinese family showed unique features such as extended life span, no fractures, and cramps as compared with previously reported SMAX2 cases. The novel missense variant (c.1617G>A (p.Met539Ile) in UBA1 highlights the critical role of this gene in causing SMAX2 phenotype.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Pediatric Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis: An Analysis of 30 Cases in China.

Background: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) in children is rare in a clinical setting. The aim of this study was to summarize the etiological, clinical, and imaging characteristics of CVST in children. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of 30 patients with a diagnosis of CVST who were admitted to Children's Hospital of Fudan University from 2008 to 2018. The medical records, including clinical manifestations, laboratory data, neurological findings, treatment, and short-term prognosis were analyzed. Results: Etiologically, the causes of CVST were infection (7/30), tumor (3/30), nephritis or nephrotic syndrome (8/30), traumatic brain injury (1/30), and undefined disease (11/30). All 30 cases were diagnosed with CVST after a neuroimaging examination using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with magnetic angiography venography (MRV). With regard to short-term prognosis, all the patients were treated with anticoagulants, after which 26 cases improved. Conclusions: CVST patients do not typically present with specific clinical manifestations, which leads to a high rate of misdiagnosis and delayed therapy. Increased consideration and prompt MRV checkup plays a key role in achieving an accurate diagnosis. Overall, anticoagulation is a safe and effective treatment for CVST.

[Optimal design by customized plate on reconstruction of maxillary unilateral defect via free fibula flap].

PURPOSE: To optimize reconstruction of maxillary unilateral defect by free fibula flap rapidly through 3D printing technique. METHODS: 3D models of reconstruction of unilateral maxillary defect by free fibula flap was established via CAD/CAM, metal customized plates and resin osteotomy guides were designed and manufactured via 3D printing technique, simulating operation was performed on models in vitro, and reconstructive accuracy after surgical simulation was analyzed using SPSS 18.0 software package. RESULTS: Digital models involving reconstructive bone and affiliated devices (plates and guides) were established and fabricated rapidly. There was no significant difference between simulating point on computer and surgical simulating point in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: The optimized design and customized plate can increase the accuracy of reconstruction of maxillary defects with free fibula in vitro, which is helpful for accurate surgical reconstruction.

Quality of Life in Patients After Maxillectomy and Placement of Prosthetic Obturator.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess quality of life (QoL) and obturator functioning in patients having undergone a maxillectomy as a tumor ablative resection and rehabilitation with a prosthetic obturator. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The University of Washington Quality of Life scale version 4 (UW-QoLv4) and the Obturator Functioning Scale (OFS) were used to evaluate the self-reported QoL and obturator functioning. The effects of demographic and treatment variables on QoL were assessed using age, defect size, postoperative radiotherapy (RT), neck dissection, and dentition. RESULTS: The study included 16 men and 13 women with a mean age of 48.8 years. Of the 29 patients, 16 had a Brown Class 2a or smaller defect and 13 had a Brown Class 2b or larger defect. The mean OFS score (P = .004) and the physical (P = .001) and social-emotional function scores (P = .001) of the patients who received postoperative RT were significantly lower than those who did not receive postoperative RT. The subscales for swallowing (P = .008), saliva (P = .001), pain (P = .001), and shoulder function (P = .002) correlated strongly with postoperative RT on the UW-QoL. The subscales for pronunciation (P = .007) and saliva (P = .002) correlated significantly with RT on the OFS. The mean OFS scores were significantly lower for the patients with a Brown Class 2a or smaller defect than for Brown Class 2b or larger (P = .005). CONCLUSION: Postoperative RT was the strongest variable affecting QoL in patients with maxillectomy and prosthetic obturator reconstruction. The size of the defect slightly influenced the obturator function; however, it did not influence the overall QoL.

[Treatments of stage-Is testicular mixed germ cell tumors: A report of 3 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate different treatment methods for stage-Is testicular mixed germ cell tumors (TMGCTs). METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 3'cases of stage-Is TMGCTs (aged 26-39 years) treated in the 175th Hospital of PLA, reviewed relevant literature, and explored the clinical characteristics of TMGCTs. RESULTS: Of the 3 patients, 1 was treated by radical orchiectomy, 1 by radical orchiectomy + retroperitoneal lymph node dissection + BEP chemotherapy scheme, and the other by radical orchiectomy + radiotherapy. The pathological components of TMGCTs were immature teratoma, seminoma, spermatocytoma, chorioepithelioma, embryonal carcinoma, and yolk sac tumor. No recurrence or distant metastasis was found during the 24-month follow-up after surgery. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis of TMGCTs primarily depends on physical examination, ultrasonography, MRI, and measurement of serum tumor markers, while its confirmation necessitates pathological examination, and its treatment is basically radical orchiectomy.

Six-month efficacy of the Ketogenic diet is predicted after 3 months and is unrelated to clinical variables.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the 6-month efficacy of a Ketogenic diet (KD) in children with drug-resistant epilepsy and to analyze the associated factors that affect the efficacy of a KD. METHODS: Eighty-seven pediatric patients with drug-resistant epilepsy who followed a KD for at least 6 months were included in this study. The efficacy of a KD was assessed based upon the seizure frequency, as recorded by parents and caregivers. The number of cases and the degree of efficacy in different age ranges were also considered. The effects of gender, age, seizure type, etiology, blood glucose and ketone levels, seizure frequency before the diet, and cognition on the length of time on a KD were analyzed. RESULTS: (1) There was no significant correlation between the length of time on a KD and efficacy (χ(2)=2.31, P=0.51). The 3-month efficacy of a KD was 51%, which did not further increase when the course was extended to 6 months. (2) There was a positive correlation between increased cognition and the efficacy of a KD after 3 months (γ=0.31, P=0.003). (3) The efficacy analysis of 3-month treatment with a KD revealed, with respect to seizure types, that there were 37 patients with multiple seizure phenotypes and 50 patients with a single seizure phenotype. The overall efficacy of a KD in the group with multiple seizure phenotypes was 61%. The efficacy of a KD was not statistically associated with a coexisting syndrome or a type of syndrome; however, the efficacy of a KD had a tendency to be increased in certain types of syndromes. The overall efficacy in the group with a single seizure phenotype was 87%, and the efficacy was not associated with seizure type. (4) The 3-month efficacy of a KD was not correlated with age, gender, etiology, blood glucose or ketone levels, or the seizure frequency before treatment. CONCLUSION: An observation time of 3 months is appropriate for assessing the efficacy of a KD in treating children with drug-resistant epilepsy. The factors that likely influence the efficacy of a KD are unclear, but our study suggests that incorporating more patient samples will help determine whether patients with certain syndromes can benefit from a KD.

CHD2 myoclonic encephalopathy is frequently associated with self-induced seizures.

OBJECTIVE: To delineate the phenotype of early childhood epileptic encephalopathy due to de novo mutations of CHD2, which encodes the chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 2. METHODS: We analyzed the medical history, MRI, and video-EEG recordings of 9 individuals with de novo CHD2 mutations and one with a de novo 15q26 deletion encompassing CHD2. RESULTS: Seizures began at a mean of 26 months (12-42) with myoclonic seizures in all 10 cases. Seven exhibited exquisite clinical photosensitivity; 6 self-induced with the television. Absence seizures occurred in 9 patients including typical (4), atypical (2), and absence seizures with eyelid myoclonias (4). Generalized tonic-clonic seizures occurred in 9 of 10 cases with a mean onset of 5.8 years. Convulsive and nonconvulsive status epilepticus were later features (6/10, mean onset 9 years). Tonic (40%) and atonic (30%) seizures also occurred. In 3 cases, an unusual seizure type, the atonic-myoclonic-absence was captured on video. A phenotypic spectrum was identified with 7 cases having moderate to severe intellectual disability and refractory seizures including tonic attacks. Their mean age at onset was 23 months. Three cases had a later age at onset (34 months) with relative preservation of intellect and an initial response to antiepileptic medication. CONCLUSION: The phenotypic spectrum of CHD2 encephalopathy has distinctive features of myoclonic epilepsy, marked clinical photosensitivity, atonic-myoclonic-absence, and intellectual disability ranging from mild to severe. Recognition of this genetic entity will permit earlier diagnosis and enable the development of targeted therapies.

Circulating microRNA-21 (MIR-21) and phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) are promising novel biomarkers for detection of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of the blood levels of MIR-21 and PTEN as novel biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). We initially detected MIR-21 and PTEN using real-time RT-PCR from 90 blood samples and then compared their results with expression in cancer tissues from 10 OSCC patients. Finally, we examined the relationship between these markers and clinical parameters. Blood MIR-21 and PTEN had significant diagnostic value for OSCC and, to an extent, correlated with the expression level of tumour MIR-21 and PTEN. In addition, they were associated with differentiation and nodal status. Thus circulating MIR-21 and PTEN might represent new complementary tumour markers for OSCC.

Protein overexpression of CIRP and TLR4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical and clinical correlation analysis.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck malignancy. Here, we evaluated the expression of cold-inducible RNA-binding protein (CIRP) and toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) in OSCC tissues with immunohistochemistry. Using biostatistical methods designed to assess the impact of the expression of CIRP and TLR4 on the prognosis of patients with OSCC and relate that expression to the clinicopathological characteristics of these patients. For the first time, we demonstrated that the expression of CIRP and TLR4 was increased in OSCC and that high levels of CIRP or TLR4 expression were associated with a short survival rate. In addition, we were surprised to find that the levels of expression of CIRP and TLR4 were very similar. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether these two genes may provide clues as to the regulatory mechanisms of OSCC, serve as prognostic markers and establish a new direction for further studies of these biological mechanisms.

Bcl-2 increases stroke-induced striatal neurogenesis in adult brains by inhibiting BMP-4 function via activation of ß-catenin signaling.

Our previous experiments suggest that treatment with Bcl-2 increases proliferation and differentiation of neuronal progenitors induced by ischemic injury and ameliorates neurological functional deficits after stroke. However, in addition to its traditional anti-apoptotic effect, little is known about the concrete molecular modulation mechanism. In this study, Bcl-2-expressing plasmids were injected into the lateral ventricle of rat brains immediately following a 30-min occlusion of the middle cerebral artery to determine the role of Bcl-2 in adult neurogenesis. Bcl-2 overexpression reduced ischemic infarct and astrogenesis, and enhanced ischemia-induced striatal neurogenesis. We further found that Bcl-2 increased ß-catenin, a key mediator of canonical Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, and reduced bone morphogenetic proteins-4 (BMP-4) expression in the ipsilateral striatum following ischemia. Treatment of stroke with ß-catenin siRNA (i.c.v.) showed that ß-catenin siRNA antagonized Bcl-2 neuroprotection against ischemic brain injury. More interestingly, ß-catenin siRNA simultaneously abolished Bcl-2-mediated reduction of BMP-4 expression and enhancement of neurogenesis in the ipsilateral striatum. This effect is independent of Noggin, the known BMP antagonist. These findings highlight a new regulatory mechanism that Bcl-2 elevates ischemia-induced striatal neurogenesis by down-regulating expression of BMP-4 via activation of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway in adult rat brains.

Caspase inhibition attenuates accumulation of beta-amyloid by reducing beta-secretase production and activity in rat brains after stroke.

In this study, we tested if caspase-3 inhibition decreased ischemia-induced Abeta elevation by reducing beta-secretase (BACE1) activity. Changes in caspase-3, Abeta and BACE1 levels were detected in rat striatum on different days after middle cerebral artery occlusion using immunostaining. We found that the positive labeled cells of activated caspase-3, Abeta, and BACE1 were significantly and time-dependently increased in the ipsilateral striatum. The results of Western blotting and RT-PCR showed that caspase-3 inhibitor Z-DEVD-FMK reduced BACE1 mRNA and protein levels, and inhibited its protease activity, thereby decreasing the amount of APP C99 and Abeta in ischemic brains. Moreover, Z-DEVD-FMK reduced BACE1 and GFAP double-labeled cells, but not GFAP protein levels or GFAP-labeled cells, in the ipsilateral striatum. Thus, we demonstrated that caspase-3 inhibition attenuated ischemia-induced Abeta formation by reducing BACE1 production and activity. This finding provides a therapeutic strategy for preventing Abeta accumulation and reducing the risk of neurodegeneration after stroke.

Beta-catenin siRNA inhibits ischemia-induced striatal neurogenesis in adult rat brain following a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Beta-catenin, a protein that functions in both cell adhesion and Wnt signaling, plays vital roles in mammalian neural development. To investigate the roles of beta-catenin in stroke-induced neurogenesis, we injected beta-catenin siRNA into ipsilateral ischemic lateral ventricle. We found that inactivation of beta-catenin by siRNA caused the decline of beta-catenin in the ischemic striatum, enlarged stroke-induced infarct volume, reduced SVZ expansion, and inhibited striatal neurogenesis in adult rat brain following a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). These results show that beta-catenin-mediated transcriptional activation functions in the decision of subventricular zone precursors to proliferate or differentiate during stroke-induced striatal neurogenesis, and suggest that the signaling activity of beta-catenin may control the production of newborn neurons and thus regulate the autonomous repair in the striatum after ischemia.

[Prevalence of chronic headache in Shanghai children and adolescents: a questionnaire-based study].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the prevalence and characteristics of chronic headache in children and adolescents in Shanghai and to collect messages concerning the impact and compliance of medication for migraine. METHODS: A population-based questionnaire study was conducted among subjects 6 - 15 years of age sampled from primary and junior high schools in Shanghai and the subjects were followed up. RESULTS: (1) The prevalence: 8701 (88.6%) out of 9857 pupils responded to the questionnaire; 17% of the respondents had headache and in 86.4% of them the reason of headache was unknown. The prevalence of chronic headache in Shanghai children and adolescents was 7.8%, there was no significant difference between both genders (chi(2) = 0.010, P > 0.05). (2) The prevalence of chronic headache increased with age, the incidence was higher in boys before 12 years of age, while higher in girls after 12 years of age. (3) Characteristics of chronic headache: the proportion of unilateral, bilateral and headache of unknown site was similar; in most of the cases headache was localized in the temple (35.2%) and forehead region (25.6%), the duration of headache was short, always accompanied by gastrointestinal symptoms. Half of the patients reported that the headache had affected their study and daily life. (4) The status of using health care facilities: 24% of the students sought medical assistance during their headache episodes and among them only 30.9% took medicine. (5) Over-fatigue (51.4%), followed by insufficient sleep (40.4%), emotional changes (38.5%) were the main aggravating factors. The headache was also associated with positive family history and stress in studying. CONCLUSIONS: Headache is a common complaints of children, affecting the patients' study and daily life. But many patients with headache were not treated properly, therefore, the medical and educational sectors and the society should pay more attention to this problem.