A novel HBI-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for rapid detection of trifluoroborate.

A 2-(2'-hydroxyphenyl)benzimidazole (HBI)-based ratiometric fluorescent probe, known as BTEP, was synthesized using 5-bromosalicylaldehyde as the raw material via Sonogashira coupling and condensation reaction. This probe was designed for rapid detection of boron trifluoride solutions and gases. The N and O coordination atoms in the probe undergo a boron difluoride addition with BF3, which affects the process of excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) leading to a blue shift of fluorescence emission. Obvious changes in the fluorescence signal can be observed within 60 seconds. The introduction of an acetylene trimethylsilane fragment increases the conjugate plane and is beneficial to improving the selectivity of the probe. The I408/I479 fluorescence ratio of the probe displays a linear relationship with the concentration of BF3 in the range of 5-50 µM, with a detection of limit as low as 69.5 nM. Furthermore, the probe demonstrates specific and selective recognition of BF3 among eight common interference substances. Test strips prepared using BTEP have the capability of real-time naked-eye detection of trace BF3 gas.

Rapid Identification of Characteristic Chemical Constituents of Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolius, and Panax japonicus Using UPLC-Q-TOF/MS.

Saponins are the main active components in Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. (PG), Panax quinquefolius L. (PQ), and Panax japonicus C. A. Mey. (PJ), which belong to the genus Panax in the Araliaceae family. Because the chemical components in the three species are similar, they are often mixed and misused in functional foods and pharmaceuticals applications. Therefore, it is urgent to establish a method to quickly distinguish among PG, PQ, and PJ. Ultraperformance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS) was combined with data postprocessing to identify the main characteristic fragments (CFs) and the related neutral losses (NLs) of protopanaxadiol (PPD), protopanaxatriol (PPT), oleanolic acid (OLE), and ocotillol- (OCO-) type saponins. By comparing the mass spectral data, it was possible to rapidly classify and identify saponins in PG, PQ, and PJ. A total of twenty-three chemical components were identified in the PG samples, twenty-three components were identified in the PQ samples, and twenty-seven components were identified in the PJ samples. Among them, OCO-type saponins were characteristic of PQ and PJ. Ginsenoside Rf, which was absent from PQ, allowed for differentiation between PQ and PJ. The CFs and NLs in the mass spectra of the characteristic components of PG, PQ, and PJ allowed for the rapid classification and identification of these species. Additionally, these results provide technical support for the quality evaluation of Chinese herbal medicine and for constructing a scientific regulatory system.

Correlation of vaccine-elicited antibody levels and neutralizing activities against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants

Both Pfizer-BNT162b2 and Moderna-mRNA-1273 vaccines can elicit an effective immune response against SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the elicited serum antibody levels vary substantially and longitudinally decrease after vaccination. We examined the correlation of vaccination-induced IgG levels and neutralization titers against newly emerged variants remains and demonstrate a significant reduction of neutralization activities against the variants (B.1.1.7, B.1.525, and B.1.351) in Pfizer or Moderna vaccined sera. There was a significant and positive correlation between serum IgG levels and ID50 titers for not only SARS-CoV-2 WT but also the variants. These findings indicate that a high level of anti-spike IgG may offer better protection against infection from SARS-CoV-2 and its variants. Therefore, it is necessary to longitudinally monitor specific serum IgG level for evaluating the protective efficacy of the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 and its new variants.

Epigallocatechin Gallate from Green Tea Effectively Blocks Infection of SARS-CoV-2 and New Variants by Inhibiting Spike Binding to ACE2 Receptor

As the COVID-19 pandemic rages on, the new SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged in the different regions of the world. These newly emerged variants have mutations in their spike (S) protein that may confer resistance to vaccine-elicited immunity and existing neutralizing antibody therapeutics. Therefore, there is still an urgent need of safe, effective, and affordable agents for prevention/treatment of SARS-CoV-2 and its variant infection. Here, we demonstrated that green tea beverage (GTB) or its major ingredient, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), were highly effective in inhibiting infection of live SARS-CoV-2 and human coronavirus (HCoV OC43). In addition, infection of the pseudoviruses with spikes of the new variants (UK-B.1.1.7, SA-B.1.351, and CA-B.1.429) was efficiently blocked by GTB or EGCG. Among the 4 active green tea catechins at noncytotoxic doses, EGCG was the most potent in the action against the viruses. The highest inhibitory activity was observed when the viruses or the cells were pre-incubated with EGCG prior to the infection. Mechanistic studies revealed that EGCG blocked infection at the entry step through interfering with the engagement of the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the viral spikes to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor of the host cells. These data support further clinical evaluation and development of EGCG as a novel, safe, and cost-effective natural product for prevention/treatment of SARS-CoV-2 transmission and infection.

Logistic regression analysis for factors affecting the successful rate of nano-carbon in sentinel lymph node biopsy / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the factors affecting the successful rate of nano-carbon in sentinel lymph node biopsy.
@*METHODS@#A total of 270 patients with breast cancer, who were treated in First Affilitated Hospital of Henan University of Science and Technology from January 2013 to March 2015, were chosen and given sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLN) with nano-carbon, and the influencial factors were examined by logistic analysis.
@*RESULTS@#Successful rate of biopsy, accuracy, sensitivity and false negative rate was 92.2%, 97.6%, 93.1% and 6.8%, respectively. Age, primary tumor lesions, body mass index, axillary lymph node status, number of SLN and pathological grade were the factors affetcing successful biopsy (all P 0.05).
@*CONCLUSION@#Nano-carbon tracer method is a reliable method in sentinel lymph node biopsy. The body mass index, age, and number of lymph node metastasis greatly impact the successful rate of biopsy.

Acutrak headless compression screws for treatment of fifth metatarsal base fracture / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate the methods and effects in repairing fracture of the fifth metatarsal base bone with Acutrak headless compression screws.Methods From May 2006 to October 2012,75 patients with fracture of the fifth metatarsal base bone were reduced and fixed using Acutrak headless compression screws.There were 38 males and 37 females with a mean age of 36 years (range,21-65 years).Injury arose from fall from height (35 cases),road traffic accidents (23 cases),and fall of heavy objects (17 cases).Fracture of the left foot occurred in 29 cases and the right foot in 46 cases.Results were evaluated using American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and midfoot score.Results Seventy-two patients were followed up for mean 15 months (range,13 months5 years).Operative incision obtained primary healing without any complications.Mean AOFAS ankle and midfoot score increased to (93.0 ± 6.5) points (range,79-100 points) at postoperative 1 year,compared with the preoperative (28.0 ± 3.9) points (range,0-42 points) (t =7.650,P ＜ 0.05).Muscle force and valgus or abduction of mid-forefoot of the affected and unaffected sides demonstrated no significant difference after operation.Conclusion Acutrak headless compression screw system shows advantages of rigid fixation,few complications,and early healing in treatment of the fifth metatarsal base fracture.

Techniques for improving the quality of the model of orthotopic liver transplantation in rats / 中华器官移植杂志

Objective To provide a reliable model of orthotopic liver transplantation in rats and study surgical techniques for improving the quality of the operation. Methods The model was established by modified Kamada’s cuff technique. The time of cold preservation was 60 min. The successful rate of the method and one-week survival rate were observed. Results In 135 cases undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation, one-week survival rate was 89.2% . The successful rate of the model was 95.6% . Conclusions The key for success in rat liver transplantation is the shortened anhepatic period and delicate and skillful surgical manipulation. Also some detailed modified techniques should be used.

Improvement of dermal needle and body acupuncture on pain due to lumbar strain and hyperplastic spondylitis / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Pain is the extremely common disease in clinic. At present, acupuncture provides good therapeutic effect on it. But, there are many methods in acupuncture with various advantages individually.To understand the differences in therapeutic effects on pain with various needling techniques is significant in clinic. In 1999, the relevant observation was carried on in the demand of Ecuadorian Medical Pain Association.OBJECTIVE: To observe the differences in therapeutic effects on pain with various needling techniques.DESIGN: Randomized controlled observation was designed.SETTING: Department of Pain, Hospital General de las FF. AA. Quito, Ecuador, Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and 1st Department of Surgery, General Hospital of Chengdu MilitaryArea Command of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS: Totally 360 cases of lumber strain and hyperplastic spondylitis were selected in Department of Pain, Clinic of Ecuadorian 3rd Military General Hospital from May 1999 to November 2000, in which,179 cases were lumber strain and 181 cases were hyperplastic spondylitis.The groups were randomized in two kinds of diseases, named for lumber strain, dermal-needling group (88 cases) and body-acupuncture group (91cases); for hyperplastic spondylitis, dermal-needling group (92 cases) and body-acupuncture group (89 cases).METHODS: Dermal needling and body acupuncture were used to treat the diseases respectively and the symptom changes were observed before and after treatment simultaneously. The treatment was given once every two days. 5 treatments made one basic course for lumber strain and 7 treatments for hyperplastic spondylitis. The treating results were evaluated according to Budzynski grading criteria on pain. MEPS statistical software was used for statistical management of data.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pain relieving before and after treatment with dermal needling and body acupuncture for lumber strain and hyperplastic spondylitis was evaluated. Correlative analysis on therapeutic effects and course of treatment for different diseases with same therapy and on same disease with different therapies were carried on.RFSULTS: Altogether 366 cases were observed and 6 of them were excluded. Totally, 360 cases finished the experiment. ① The severity was alleviated in pain grading after treatment with dermal needling and body acupuncture compared with that before the treatment (P ＜ 0.01). ② In treatment of lumber strain and hyperplastic spondylitis with dermal needling, the therapeutic effects on lumber strain were more remarkable (P ＜ 0.01). The therapeutic effects of dermal needling on lumber strain were superior to that of body acupuncture (P ＞ 0.05). ③ The therapeutic effects of body acupuncture group on pain of Ⅰ grade in hyperplastic spondylitis were remarkably better than that of dermal needling group,but the significant difference in the total therapeutic effects of two techniques did not present (P ＞ 0.05). ④ When pain grading was reduced by 1 level in two groups, the average times of treatment in dermal needling group were less than that in body-acupuncture group (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION: Good therapeutic effects of dermal needling and body acupuncture are achieved for both hyperplastic spondylitis and lumber strain,in which, the therapeutic effects of dermal needling are remarkable on injury of soft tissue and achieved swiftly; body acupuncture improves pain in hyperplastic spondylitis more radically compared with dermal needling.

Protective Effects of Aescin on Rat Liver in Acute Pancreatitis / 中国普外基础与临床杂志

Objective To study the liver injury and effects of aescin on liver in rats with acute pancreatitis. Methods The rats were divided into 3 groups (control group, AP group and aescin group). The serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), hepatic cellular energy charge (EC) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were detected. The pathologic changes in pancreas and liver were also observed. Results The serum levels of ALT and LDH in aescin group were significantly lower than those of the AP group. The EC and ATP levels were significantly higher in aescin group than that of the AP group. Conclusion Introvenous injection of aescin can alleviate the liver injury in rats with acute pancreatitis.