Forging the Tetracyclic Core Framework of Rhodomolleins XIV and XLII: A Ring-Distortion Approach.

A ring distortion approach for the synthesis of an advanced intermediate en route to rhodomolleins XIV and XLII was described, which led to successful construction of the 5/8/5/5 tetracyclic core framework of the kalmane diterpenoids. Key steps of the strategy include an oxidative dearomatization-induced (ODI)-Diels-Alder cycloaddition, a Dowd-Beckwith rearrangement, and a bioinspired Wagner-Meerwein rearrangement.

Effect of Postoperative Prolonged sedation with Dexmedetomidine after successful reperfusion with Endovascular Thrombectomy on long-term prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (PPDET): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is a standard treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion. Hypertension and increased blood pressure variability within the first 24 h after successful reperfusion are related to a higher risk of symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage and higher mortality. AIS patients might suffer from ischemia-reperfusion injury following reperfusion, especially within 24 h. Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a sedative commonly used in EVT, can stabilize hemodynamics by inhibiting the sympathetic nervous system and alleviate ischemia-reperfusion injury through anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties. Postoperative prolonged sedation for 24 h with DEX might be a potential pharmacological approach to improve long-term prognosis after EVT. METHODS: This single-center, open-label, prospective, randomized controlled trial will include 368 patients. The ethics committee has approved the protocol. After successful reperfusion (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction scores 2b-3, indicating reperfusion of at least 50% of the affected vascular territory), participants are randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. In the intervention group, participants will receive 0.1~1.0 µg/kg/h DEX for 24 h. In the control group, participants will receive an equal dose of saline for 24 h. The primary outcome is the functional outcome at 90 days, measured with the categorical scale of the modified Rankin Scale, ranging from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (death). The secondary outcome includes (1) the changes in stroke severity between admission and 24 h and 7 days after EVT, measured by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (ranging from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating greater severity); (2) the changes in ischemic penumbra volume/infarct volume between admission and 7 days after EVT, measured by neuroimaging scan; (3) the length of ICU/hospital stay; and (4) adverse events and the all-cause mortality rate at 90 days. DISCUSSION: This randomized clinical trial is expected to verify the hypothesis that postoperative prolonged sedation with DEX after successful reperfusion may promote the long-term prognosis of patients with AIS and may reduce the related socio-economic burden. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04916197. Prospectively registered on 7 June 2021.

Divergent Total Syntheses of (+)-Vulgarisins†A-E.

The asymmetric total syntheses of (+)-vulgarisins A-E, which share a rare and highly oxygenated [5-6-4-5] tetracyclic core structure that were isolated from P. vulgaris Linn., have been described for the first time in a divergent manner. Key transformations include: 1) a catalytic asymmetric intramolecular cyclopropanation to forge the A ring bearing desired stereochemistry at C14; 2) a one-pot borylation/conjugate addition process for creation of the C1-C11 bond; 3) a Wolff ring contraction to assemble the bicyclo[3.2.0]heptane subunit (CD rings); and 4) a stereocontrolled pinacol cyclization for construction of the central B ring of the natural products.

The efficacy of cryogenic plasma tonsillectomy in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) refers to the apnea and hypopnea caused by partial or complete obstruction of the upper airway collapse during sleep. The cryogenic plasma tonsillectomy is mostly used for the clinical treatment of children with OSAHS. AIMS: The objective of this meta-analysis is to investigate the clinical efficacy of cryogenic plasma tonsillectomy for OSAHS in children. MATERIALS & METHODS: The literature search was conducted through China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang Database, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. The search was from the establishment of each database to June 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) meeting the criteria for partial/total cryo-plasma tonsillectomy for treating patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome in children were included, with data extracted. The meta-analysis was performed using the Stata 16.0 and Review Manager 5.4. Seven RCTs were included in this study. RESULTS: The results showed that the partial/complete cryo-plasma tonsillectomy in the experimental group had a better therapeutical effective rate than the control group of patients treated with conventional surgery [Odds ratio (OR) = 2.181, 95% CI: 1.306-3.645, P < 0.05]. Also, in terms of postoperative adverse reactions, the number of adverse reactions in the experimental group was significantly lower than in the control group (OR = 0.445, 95% CI: 0.287-0.689, P = 0.001). The analysis of surgical efficacy showed that the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative pain score were all significantly lower than those of the control group. Furthermore, further analysis of the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the lowest oxygen saturation (LSaO2) of the two groups showed that the cryo-plasma tonsillectomy treatment had higher LSaO2 levels than conventional treatment [Standardized mean difference (SMD) = 0.380, 95% CI: 0.094-0.667, P = 0.009]. CONCLUSION: The application of cryo-plasma tonsillectomy can significantly improve the treatment effect of OSAHS, reducing adverse reactions.

Hedyotis diffusae Herba-Andrographis Herba inhibits the cellular proliferation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and triggers DNA damage through activation of p53 and p21.

Dysregulation of the cell cycle and the resulting aberrant cellular proliferation has been highlighted as a hallmark of cancer. Certain traditional Chinese medicines can inhibit cancer growth by inducing cell cycle arrest. In this study we explore the effect of Hedyotis diffusae Herba-Andrographis Herba on the cell cycle of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Hedyotis diffusae Herba-Andrographis Herba-containing serum was prepared and then added to the cell culture medium. BrdU, comet, and FUCCI assays, western blot analysis and flow cytometry analysis revealed that Hedyotis diffusae Herba-Andrographis Herba treatment significantly alters cell proliferation, DNA damage, and cell cycle distribution. Xenograft mouse model experiments were performed, confirming these in vitro findings in vivo. Treatment with Hedyotis diffusae Herba-Andrographis Herba inhibited cell proliferation, promoted DNA damage, and arrested NPC cells progression from G1 to S phase. Further examination of the underlying molecular mechanisms revealed that treatment with Hedyotis diffusae Herba-Andrographis Herba increased the expression of p53 and p21, while reducing that of CCND1, Phospho-Rb, E2F1, γH2AX, and Ki-67 both in vivo and in vitro. Conversely, the inhibition of p53 and p21 could abolish the promoting effect of Hedyotis diffusae Herba-Andrographis Herba on the NPC cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, contributing to the proliferation of NPC cells. Hedyotis diffusae Herba-Andrographis Herba suppressed the tumor growth in vivo. Overall, these findings suggest that Hedyotis Diffusae Herba-Andrographis prevent the progression of NPC by inducing NPC cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase through a p53/p21-dependent mechanism, providing a novel potential therapeutic treatment against NPC.

Pancreas transplant with enteric drainage at a single institute in Asia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study is to assess immunological and graft survival outcomes after pancreas transplant at a single institute in Asia. METHODS: Patients undergoing pancreas transplant with enteric drainage were included. Clinical data and outcomes were evaluated and compared between each subgroup. RESULTS: There were 165 cases of pancreas transplant, including 38 (23 %) simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant (SPK), 24 (15 %) pancreas after kidney transplant (PAK), 75 (46 %) pancreas transplant alone (PTA), and 28 (17 %) pancreas before kidney transplant (PBK). The overall surgical complication rate was 46.1 %, with highest (62.5 %) in PAK and lowest (32.0 %) in PTA, P = 0.008. The late complications included 32.7 % infection and 3.6 % malignancy. Overall rejection of pancreas graft was 24.8 % including 18.2 % acute and 9.7 % chronic rejection. Rejection was highest in PTA group (36.0 %) and lowest in PBK (3.6 %). There were 56 cases (33.9 %) with graft loss in total, with highest graft loss rate in PTA (38.7 %). The 1-year, 5-year and 10-year pancreas graft survivals for total patients were 98.0 %, 87.7 % and 70.9 % respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Enteric drainage in pancreas transplant could be applied safely not only in SPK but also in other subgroups. Enteric drainage itself would not compromise the immunological and graft survival outcomes.

Glycomyces dulcitolivorans sp. nov., isolated from rhizosphere soil of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain SJ-25T, was isolated from rhizosphere soil of wheat (Triticumaestivum L.) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain SJ-25T belonged to the genus Glycomyces and was closely related to Glycomyces scopariae YIM 56256T (99.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity), Glycomyces artemisiae IXS4T (98.8 %), Glycomyces sambucus E71T (98.7 %) and Glycomyces mayteni YIM 61331T (98.4 %). Moreover, key morphological and chemotaxonomic properties also confirmed the affiliation of strain SJ-25T to the genus Glycomyces. The cell wall contained meso-diaminopimelic acid and the whole-cell hydrolysates contained galactose, glucose and xylose. The phospholipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, glycolipid and two unidentified polar lipids. The menaquinones were MK-11, MK-10(H4) and MK-10(H2). Major fatty acids were iso-C16 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C17 : 0 and iso-C14 : 0. The DNA G+C content was 72.2 mol%. The combination of DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic characteristics demonstrated that strain SJ-25T could be distinguished from its closely related strains. Therefore, it is proposed that strain SJ-25T represents a novel species of the genus Glycomyces, for which the name Glycomycesdulcitolivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SJ-25T (=CGMCC 4.7414T=DSM 105121T).

Sphaerisporangium rhizosphaerae sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-mq3T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) collected from Xianglu Mountain in Heilongjiang Province, north-east China, and characterized by using a polyphasic approach. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence indicated that the organism should be assigned to the genus Sphaerisporangium and that it forms a monophyletic clade with its closest relatives 'Sphaerisporangium dianthi' NEAU-CY18T (99.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Sphaerisporangium cinnabarinum JCM 3291T (98.8 %). Morphological and chemotaxonomic properties of strain NEAU-mq3T were also consistent with the description of the genus Sphaerisporangium. The whole-cell sugars were madurose, mannose, ribose and glucose. The menaquinones were MK-9(H2), MK-9(H4), MK-9(H0) and MK-9(H6). The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. The phospholipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, an unidentified polar lipid and an unidentified phospholipid. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C16 : 0, 10-methyl C17 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and C17 : 1ω7c. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments and phenotypic tests were carried out between strain NEAU-mq3T and its most closely related strains, which further clarified their relatedness and demonstrated that NEAU-mq3T could be distinguished from these strains. Therefore, it is concluded that strain NEAU-mq3T represents a novel species of the genus Sphaerisporangium, for which the name Sphaerisporangium rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-mq3T (=CGMCC 4.7429T=JCM 32389T).

Streptomyces lutosisoli sp. nov., a novel actinomycete isolated from muddy soil.

A novel Gram-stain positive, spore-forming, aerobic actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-QTH3-11T, was isolated from muddy soil collected from a stream in Qitaihe, Heilongjiang Province, northeast China and characterised using a polyphasic approach. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain NEAU-QTH3-11T belongs to the genus Streptomyces and is closely related to Streptomyces rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807T (99.38%) and Streptomyces mirabilis JCM 4791T (99.03%). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain formed a cluster with S. rhizosphaerihabitans NBRC 109807T and Streptomyces siamensis NBRC 108799T (98.62%). The menaquinones were identified as MK-9(H8), MK-9(H6) and MK-9(H4). The phospholipid profile was found to consist of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, an unidentified phospholipid and an unidentified lipid. The major fatty acids were identified as anteiso-C15:0, iso-C16:0, C16:0 and C15:0. However, multilocus sequence analysis based on five house-keeping genes (atpD, gyrB, rpoB, recA and trpB), low DNA-DNA hybridization results and some phenotypic, physiological and biochemical properties could differentiate the strain from its close relatives in the genus Streptomyces. Therefore, strain NEAU-QTH3-11T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces lutosisoli sp. nov. is proposed, with NEAU-QTH3-11T (=DSM 42165T=CGMCC 4.7198T) as the type strain.

Nonomuraea rhizosphaerae sp. nov., an actinomycete isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain NEAU-mq18T, was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of a rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg) collected from Xianglu Mountain in Heilongjiang Province, northeast China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that the isolate belongs to the genus Nonomuraea with high sequence similarity to Nonomuraea guangzhouensis NEAU-ZJ3T (98.5%). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strain clusters phylogenetically with N. guangzhouensis NEAU-ZJ3T and Nonomuraea glycinis NEAU-BB2C19T. Moreover, key chemotaxonomic properties including the major menaquinones, fatty acid composition and phospholipid profile also confirmed the affiliation of the strain to the genus Nonomuraea. However, some physiological, morphological and biochemical properties, and low DNA-DNA relatedness values, enabled the strain to be differentiated from closely related species of the genus Nonomuraea. Thus, strain NEAU-mq18T is concluded to represent a novel species of the genus Nonomuraea, for which the name Nonomuraea rhizosphaerae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is NEAU-mq18T (=CGMCC 4.7431T=DSM 105761T).

Streptomyces amphotericinicus sp. nov., an amphotericin-producing actinomycete isolated from the head of an ant (Camponotus japonicus Mayr).

A novel actinomycete, designated strain 1H-SSA8T, was isolated from the head of an ant (Camponotus japonicus Mayr) and was found to produce amphotericin. A polyphasic approach was employed to determine the status of strain 1H-SSA8T. Morphological and chemotaxonomic characteristics were consistent with those of members of the genus Streptomyces. The menaquinones detected were MK-9(H6), MK-9(H8) and MK-9(H4). The phospholipid profile consisted of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylinositol mannoside. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C16 : 0, C16 : 0, C15 : 0 and anteiso-C15 : 0. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain 1H-SSA8T belongs to the genus Streptomyces with high sequence similarity to Streptomyces ramulosus NRRL B-2714T (99.2 %). Two tree-making algorithms based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate formed a phyletic line with Streptomyces himastatinicus ATCC 53653T (98.7 %). The MLSA utilizing partial sequences of the housekeeping genes (atpD, gyrB, recA, rpoB and trpB) also supported the position. However, evolutionary distances were higher than the 0.007 MLSA evolutionary distance threshold proposed for species-level relatedness. Moreover, the low level of DNA-DNA relatedness and phenotypic differences allowed the novel isolate to be differentiated from its most closely related strain S. ramulosus NRRL B-2714T and strain S. himastatinicus ATCC 53653T. It is concluded that the organism can be classified as representing a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces amphotericinicus sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1H-SSA8T (=CGMCC 4.7350T=DSM 103128T).

[Digital Identification Based on Image Processing for Mountain Cultivated Ginseng].

Objective: To identify mountain cultivated ginseng using a digital method. Methods: Image information of mountain cultivated ginseng was processed using the Matlab 2014 a software box. Based on the shape, color and texture features,18 image information from ginseng rhizome, body, grain, peel, fibrous root, were extracted and a digital mountain cultivated ginseng database model was established. Results: Digital identification based on image processing could be met by the features obtained from mountain cultivated ginseng. The recognition rate of ginseng was 96%. Conclusion: A lot of information from ginseng were extracted based on image processing. A fast and accurate digital identification of mountain cultivated ginseng is achieved successfully undamaged.

[Simultaneous determination of four flavonoids in Wikstroemia indica by HPLC].

The HPLC method was established to simultaneously determine the contents of myricetin, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol in Wikstroemia indica ( L. ) C. A. Mey. The method was carried out on a Diamonsil C18 column (4. 6 mm x 250 mm, 5 µm) eluted with the mobile phases of water containing 0.15% phosphoric acid and acetonitrile in gradient mode. The UV detection wavelength was 365 nm. The flow rate was 1.0 mL · min(-1) and the column temperature was set at 30 °C. All the standard compounds showed a good linearity in the range of 0.100 8-1.008 (r = 0.999 2), 0.484 8-4.848 (r = 0.999 0) , 1. 354-13. 54 (r = 0.999 6), 0.316 8-3.168 mg · L(-1) (r = 0.999 0) for myricetin, luteolin, apigenin and kaempferol, respectively. The average recoveries of these four flavonoids were 98.5%, 100.9%, 99.7% and 98.9% with RSD 1.2%, 1.7%, 0.81% and 1.6%, respectively. In conclusion, the method is simple, rapid and accurate. It can be applied for the quality control of Wikstroemia indica.

Effectiveness of strengthened stimulation during acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The traditional Chinese theory of acupuncture emphasizes that the intensity of acupuncture must reach a threshold to generate de qi (a specific and compound sensation during the acupuncture), which is necessary to achieve the best therapeutic effect. However, the notion that de qi must be achieved for maximum benefit has not been confirmed by modern scientific evidence. This study aims to compare the efficacy of acupuncture with either strong (intended to elicit de qi) or weak stimulation among patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS/DESIGN: This study compares real versus sham acupuncture in 140 patients with a history of persistent allergic rhinitis (PER) or intermittent allergic rhinitis (IAR) and with a positive skin prick test (SPT). The trial will be conducted in the Teaching Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (China). In the study, patients will be randomly assigned into two groups by computer-generated randomization and assessed prior to treatment. They will then receive 12 sessions of treatments for 4 consecutive weeks and have a follow-up phase lasting 12 weeks. The main outcome measures include the primary and secondary indicators. Primary indicators are subjective symptoms scores as evaluated by visual analogue scales (VAS), rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaires (RQLQ), and the Modified Massachusetts General Hospital acupuncture sensation scale, Chinese version (C-MMASS). The secondary indicators are the results of laboratory examinations, such as serum allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) nasal inflammatory cells counts (mast cells, eosinophils, and T cells), and nitric oxide concentration in nasal excretion. The use of anti-allergic medication will also be recorded as one of the secondary indicators. Furthermore, adverse events will be recorded and analyzed. Intention-to-treat analysis (ITT) and per-protocol (PP) analysis will be performed to test and verify the results in this trial. DISCUSSION: The results of this trial will demonstrate the efficacy of using acupuncture to treat allergic rhinitis and verify whether the effectiveness of acupuncture is related to the needle sensation de qi. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-TRC-13003594 (registered on 16 August 2013, and the first patient was randomized on 27 September 2013).

[Fingerprint comparison of mountain cultivated ginseng and wild ginseng by HPLC].

OBJECTIVE: To establish the fingerprint of mountain cultivated ginseng by HPLC and compare the fingerprint with that of wild ginseng for the quality control. METHODS: The analysis was carried out on a ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18 column (150 mm x 4.6 mm, 5 microm) with a mobile phase consisting of water-acetonitrile with gradient elution, and the flow rate was 1 mL/min. The column temperature was set at (30 +/- 0.15) degrees C and UV detection wavelength was set at 203 nm. RESULTS: There were 15 common peaks in the fingerprint of mountain cultivated ginseng. The similarities of 10 batches ginseng were between 0.90 and 1.00. CONCLUSION: This method has good characteristics and specificity, and could be used for quality control of mountain cultivated ginseng. The type and content of components in wild ginseng were slightly higher than those in mountain cultivation ones.

[Cholesterol granuloma media: 8 cases report].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the etiology, pathogenesis diagnosis and therapy of cholesterol granuloma media. METHOD: Eight cases (9 ears) of middle ear cholesterol granuloma were retrospectively reviewed. Nine ears all have a speciality of conductive deafness with a light to middle level, blue eardrum and tympanogram all showing B type (except one case of eardrum perforation in the tension part). Seven cases (8 ears) were cured by tympanic cavity exploration opening epitympanum, tympanic antrum, mastoid cells and thoroughly eliminating granulation tissue. Grommet insertion and modified radical mastoidectomy were performed on 5 cases and 2 cases, respectively. The other one case was only carried out with eardrum puncture. RESULT: Seven cases (8 ears) after operation were followed up for six monthes to six years. Six cases (7 ears) were cured out without recurring; one case (1 ear) recurred. One case was not followed up. CONCLUSION: Otoblennorrhea of blood without obvious reason and blue eardrum should be coupled with CT to enhance the diagnosis rate before operation. CG should be treated by operation to clean disease location, air and drainage tympanicus cavity and mastoid.

Oxidized cellulose (Surgicel) granuloma mimicking a primary ovarian tumor.

A 37-year-old woman presented with left lower quadrant pain and vaginal spotting 1 month after hysterectomy and right salpingo-oophorectomy, which were performed for hemoperitoneum related to a ruptured corpus luteum. An 8-cm left ovarian mass was removed that had a microcystic, mucoid sectioned surface. Histological examination revealed that the mass consisted of a massive foreign-body granulomatous reaction to oxidized cellulose (Surgicel). To our knowledge, this is only the second report of an ovarian Surgicel granuloma.