Psoralea corylifolia L. and its active component isobavachalcone demonstrate antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium abscessus.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fabaceae) is a traditional medicinal herb used to treat various diseases, including kidney disease, asthma, psoriasis and vitiligo. AIM OF THE STUDY: To explore the antibacterial activity of Psoralea corylifolia L. and its bioactive components against Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ultra high performance liquid chromatography was utilized to analyze the bioactive fractions and compounds present in 30%, 60%, and 90% ethanol extracts of Psoralea corylifolia L.. The antibacterial effects of Psoralea corylifolia L. and potential active ingredients were determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The bactericidal activity of the active ingredient isobavachalcone was evaluated and then scanning electron microscopy was used to explore the bactericidal mechanism of isobavachalcone. RESULTS: The 90% ethanol extracts of Psoralea corylifolia L. showed significant antibacterial activity against M. abscessus, with an MIC of 156 µg/mL. Isobavachalcone was identified as the bioactive ingredient, and testing of 118 clinical isolates of M. abscessus indicated their MICs ranged from 2 to 16 µg/mL, with an average MIC of 8 µg/mL. Furthermore, the minimum bactericidal concentration/MIC ratio and the time-kill test indicated rapid bactericidal activity of isobavachalcone against M. abscessus. Finally, we found that the bactericidal mechanism of isobavachalcone involved damage to the bacterial cell membrane, causing wrinkled and sunken cell surface and a noticeable reduction in bacterial length. CONCLUSION: Psoralea corylifolia L. ethanol extracts as well as its active component isobavachalcone show promising antimicrobial activity against M. abscessus.

Characterization of the Fatty Acyl-CoA Reductase (FAR) Gene Family and Its Response to Abiotic Stress in Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) is an important NADPH-dependent enzyme that can produce primary alcohol from fatty acyl-CoA or fatty acyl-carrier proteins as substrates. It plays a pivotal role in plant growth, development, and stress resistance. Herein, we performed genome-wide identification and expression analysis of FAR members in rice using bioinformatics methods. A total of eight OsFAR genes were identified, and the OsFARs were comprehensively analyzed in terms of phylogenetic relationships, duplication events, protein motifs, etc. The cis-elements of the OsFARs were predicted to respond to growth and development, light, hormones, and abiotic stresses. Gene ontology annotation analysis revealed that OsFAR proteins participate in biological processes as fatty acyl-CoA reductase during lipid metabolism. Numerous microRNA target sites were present in OsFARs mRNAs. The expression analysis showed that OsFARs were expressed at different levels during different developmental periods and in various tissues. Furthermore, the expression levels of OsFARs were altered under abiotic stresses, suggesting that FARs may be involved in abiotic stress tolerance in rice. The findings presented here serve as a solid basis for further exploring the functions of OsFARs.

Genome-wide identification and comparative analysis of YABBY transcription factors in oil tea and tea tree.

The plant-specific transcription factor gene family, YABBY, plays an important role in plant development and stress response. Although YABBY genes have been identified in numerous species, a comprehensive characterization of YABBYs in tea tree and oil tea has been lacking. In this study, ten and three YABBY genes were identified in Camellia sinensis and C. oleifera, respectively. YABBY proteins could be divided into five subfamilies. Most YABBY genes in the same clade had similar structures and conserved motifs. Protein evolutionary analysis revealed that FIL/YAB3 displayed high conservation in all positions, followed by INO, YAB2, YAB5, and CRC. Specific site analysis suggested that the YABBY family was polyphyletic during the evolution. Compared to C. oleifera, two segmentally duplicated gene pairs were formed in C. sinensis during recent WGD events generated 30.69 and 45.08 Mya, respectively. Cis-acting element indicated that most YABBY genes contain box4, ARE, and MYB elements. A total of 120 SSR loci were found within CsYABBYs, consisting of six types, while 48 SSR loci were identified within CoYABBY, consisting of three types. Transcriptome results revealed that CRC and INO clades were specifically expressed in floral organs. The expression of CsYABBY10 and CsYABBY5 was significantly up-regulated under drought and salt treatments, respectively, as confirmed by qRT-PCR. CoYABBY genes were more susceptible to salt stress, as CoYABBY3 increased by about 15-fold. Furthermore, functional differentiation may have occurred in duplicated genes. These discoveries provide important information for further research on YABBYs in tea tree and oil tea. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-024-03940-9.

Glioblastoma: An Update in Pathology, Molecular Mechanisms and Biomarkers.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and malignant type of primary brain tumor in adults. Despite important advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis and biology of this tumor in the past decade, the prognosis for GBM patients remains poor. GBM is characterized by aggressive biological behavior and high degrees of inter-tumor and intra-tumor heterogeneity. Increased understanding of the molecular and cellular heterogeneity of GBM may not only help more accurately define specific subgroups for precise diagnosis but also lay the groundwork for the successful implementation of targeted therapy. Herein, we systematically review the key achievements in the understanding of GBM molecular pathogenesis, mechanisms, and biomarkers in the past decade. We discuss the advances in the molecular pathology of GBM, including genetics, epigenetics, transcriptomics, and signaling pathways. We also review the molecular biomarkers that have potential clinical roles. Finally, new strategies, current challenges, and future directions for discovering new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for GBM will be discussed.

[DNA barcode screening, identification of germplasm resources, and analysis of genetic diversity of Anemarrhena asphodeloides].

Anemarrhena asphodeloides is a common medicinal material used in clinical prescriptions and Chinese patent medicine. In this study, the Illumina platform was used to obtain the chloroplast genome sequences of seven kinds of A. asphodeloides from different areas. The specific DNA barcodes were screened by comparative genomics analysis, and the DNA barcodes were used to identify the germplasm resources and analyze the genetic diversity of A. asphodeloides samples from different areas in China. All the seven chloroplast genomes had a ring structure. The total length was 156 801-156 930 bp, and 113 genes were annotated, including 79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, and four rRNA genes. The comparative genomics analysis showed that rps16, trnG-GCC, atpF, rpoB, ycf3, rpl16, ndhF, trnS-GCU＿trnG-GCC, petN-psbM, and ndhF-rpl32 were potential candidates for specific DNA barcodes of A. asphodeloides. In this study, the second intron of ycf3 and atpF intron sequences with a sequence length of 700-800 bp and easy amplification were selected for polymerase chain reaction(PCR) amplification and sequencing of 594 samples from 26 areas. The sequence analysis showed that six and eight haplotypes of ycf3 and atpF sequences could be identified, respectively, and 17 haplotypes could be identified by combined analysis of the two sequences, which were named Hap1-Hap17. The haplotype diversity(H_d), nucleotide diversity(P_i), and genetic distance of A. asphodeloides in 26 populations were 0.68, 0.93×10~(-3), and 0-0.003 1, respectively, indicating that the genetic diversity within the species of A. asphodeloides is rich. The intermediary adjacent network analysis showed that Hap5 was the oldest haplotype, which was mainly distributed in Yixian county of Baoding, Hebei province, Hequ county of Xinzhou, Shanxi province, and Xiangfen county of Linfen, Shanxi province. This study has important guiding significance for the identification of A. asphodeloides species, the protection and development of germplasm resources, and the identification of production areas, and it provides a research basis for further revealing the genetic evolution law of A. asphodeloides.

Synthesis of Biobased Poly(butylene Furandicarboxylate) Containing Polysulfone with Excellent Thermal Resistance Properties.

A synthetic biopolymer derived from furandicarboxylic acid monomer and hydroxyethyl-terminated poly(ether sulfone) is presented. The synthesis involves 4,4'-dichlorodiphenyl sulfone and 4,4-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone, resulting in poly(butylene furandicarboxylate)-poly(ether sulfone) copolyesters (PBFES) through melt polycondensation with titanium-catalyzed polymerization. This facile method yields segmented polyesters incorporating polysulfone, creating a versatile group of high-temperature thermoplastics with adjustable thermomechanical properties. The PBFES copolyesters demonstrate an impressive tensile modulus of 2830 MPa and a tensile strength of 84 MPa for PBFES55. Additionally, the poly(ether sulfone) unit imparts a relatively high glass transition temperature (Tg), ranging from 36.6 °C for poly(butylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate) to 112.3 °C for PBFES62. Moreover, the complete amorphous film of PBFES exhibits excellent transparency and solvent resistance, making it suitable for applications, such as food packaging materials.

Optimizing Interplanar Spacing, Oxygen Vacancies and Micromorphology via Lithium-Ion Pre-Insertion into Ammonium Vanadate Nanosheets for Advanced Cathodes in Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Ammonium vanadates, featuring an N─H···O hydrogen bond network structure between NH4 + and V─O layers, have become popular cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Their appeal lies in their multi-electron transfer, high specific capacity, and facile synthesis. However, a major drawback arises as Zn2+ ions tend to form bonds with electronegative oxygen atoms between V─O layers during cycling, leading to irreversible structural collapse. Herein, Li+ pre-insertion into the intermediate layer of NH4 V4 O10 is proposed to enhance the electrochemical activity of ammonium vanadate cathodes for AZIBs, which extends the interlayer distance of NH4 V4 O10 to 9.8 Å and offers large interlaminar channels for Zn2+ (de)intercalation. Moreover, Li+ intercalation weakens the crystallinity, transforms the micromorphology from non-nanostructured strips to ultrathin nanosheets, and increases the level of oxygen defects, thus exposing more active sites for ion and electron transport, facilitating electrolyte penetration, and improving electrochemical kinetics of electrode. In addition, the introduction of Li+ significantly reduces the bandgap by 0.18 eV, enhancing electron transfer in redox reactions. Leveraging these unique advantages, the Li+ pre-intercalated NH4 V4 O10 cathode exhibits a high reversible capacity of 486.1 mAh g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 and an impressive capacity retention rate of 72% after 5,000 cycles at 5 A g-1 .

PnNAC2 promotes the biosynthesis of Panax notoginseng saponins and induces early flowering.

KEY MESSAGE: PnNAC2 positively regulates saponin biosynthesis by binding the promoters of key biosynthetic genes, including PnSS, PnSE, and PnDS. PnNAC2 accelerates flowering through directly associating with the promoters of FT genes. NAC transcription factors play an important regulatory role in both terpenoid biosynthesis and flowering. Saponins with multiple pharmacological activities are recognized as the major active components of Panax notoginseng. The P. notoginseng flower is crucial for growth and used for medicinal and food purposes. However, the precise function of the P. notoginseng NAC transcription factor in the regulation of saponin biosynthesis and flowering remains largely unknown. Here, we conducted a comprehensive characterization of a specific NAC transcription factor, designated as PnNAC2, from P. notoginseng. PnNAC2 was identified as a nuclear-localized protein with transcription activator activity. The expression profile of PnNAC2 across various tissues mirrored the accumulation pattern of total saponins. Knockdown experiments of PnNAC2 in P. notoginseng calli revealed a significant reduction in saponin content and the expression level of pivotal saponin biosynthetic genes, including PnSS, PnSE, and PnDS. Subsequently, Y1H assays, dual-LUC assays, and electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs) demonstrated that PnNAC2 exhibits binding affinity to the promoters of PnSS, PnSE and PnDS, thereby activating their transcription. Additionally, an overexpression assay of PnNAC2 in Arabidopsis thaliana witnessed the acceleration of flowering and the induction of the FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) gene expression. Furthermore, PnNAC2 demonstrated the ability to bind to the promoters of AtFT and PnFT genes, further activating their transcription. In summary, these results revealed that PnNAC2 acts as a multifunctional regulator, intricately involved in the modulation of triterpenoid saponin biosynthesis and flowering processes.

The oxidized phospholipid PGPC impairs endothelial function by promoting endothelial cell ferroptosis via FABP3.

Ferroptosis is a novel cell death mechanism that is mediated by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. It may be involved in atherosclerosis development. Products of phospholipid oxidation play a key role in atherosclerosis. 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PGPC) is a phospholipid oxidation product present in atherosclerotic lesions. It remains unclear whether PGPC causes atherosclerosis by inducing endothelial cell ferroptosis. In this study, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with PGPC. Intracellular levels of ferrous iron, lipid peroxidation, superoxide anions (O2•-), and glutathione were detected, and expression of fatty acid binding protein-3 (FABP3), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and CD36 were measured. Additionally, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was determined. Aortas from C57BL6 mice were isolated for vasodilation testing. Results showed that PGPC increased ferrous iron levels, the production of lipid peroxidation and O2•-, and FABP3 expression. However, PGPC inhibited the expression of GPX4 and glutathione production and destroyed normal MMP. These effects were also blocked by ferrostatin-1, an inhibitor of ferroptosis. FABP3 silencing significantly reversed the effect of PGPC. Furthermore, PGPC stimulated CD36 expression. Conversely, CD36 silencing reversed the effects of PGPC, including PGPC-induced FABP3 expression. Importantly, E06, a direct inhibitor of the oxidized 1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-phosphatidylcholine IgM natural antibody, inhibited the effects of PGPC. Finally, PGPC impaired endothelium-dependent vasodilation, ferrostatin-1 or FABP3 inhibitors inhibited this impairment. Our data demonstrate that PGPC impairs endothelial function by inducing endothelial cell ferroptosis through the CD36 receptor to increase FABP3 expression. Our findings provide new insights into the mechanisms of atherosclerosis and a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis.

Construction of key quality indicators for aged care facilities in China: A two-tier Delphi study: Key aged care quality indicators in ACF by Delphi method.

AIM: To construct key quality indicators for aged care facilities in China. BACKGROUND: Evaluating the care quality in aged care facilities is problematic. Evaluation of nursing care quality is important for improving nursing and self-supervision in aged care facilities. However, a few regulations and studies regarding care quality evaluation have been implemented in China. DESIGN AND METHOD: This two-tier Delphi study aimed to achieve consensus on key quality indicators for aged care facilities in China. The entry pool was determined by literature review and research team discussion, followed by a discussion by a panel of experts to establish the items of the Delphi study. Finally, key care quality indicators were established through a two-round Delphi study. This study followed the SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines. RESULTS: The initial 16 quality indicators of the entry pool was developed based on a literature review and a group discussion. Sixteen quality indicators were reduced to eight after the expert discussion. After two rounds of expert consultation, the eight quality indicators became nine, which were then evaluated for importance, formula rationality, and operability using Kendall's harmony coefficients (first round: 0.150, 0.143 and 0.169, respectively; second round: 0.209, 0.159 and 0.173, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Key quality indicators provide quantifiable evidence for evaluating the care quality in aged care facilities, but their applicability needs continuous improvement. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Nine key quality indicators were selected from numerous indicators for measuring the care quality in aged care facilities, supporting the evaluation of the care quality and self-supervision for aged care facilities. ELDERLY OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No elderly or public contribution.

Degradation of refractory organic matter in MBR effluent from treating landfill leachate by UV/PMS and UV/H2O2: a comparative study.

This study applied ultraviolet/peroxymonosulfate (UV/PMS) and UV/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2) processes to the advanced treatment of membrane bioreactor (MBR) effluent. The degradation efficiency of refractory organic matter and the reaction mechanisms of the two processes were systematically investigated. The results showed that the degradation efficiency of the UV/PMS processes was significantly lower than that of the UV/H2O2 process when the PMS concentration was significantly lower than the H2O2 concentration, e.g. the UV254 removals under optimal conditions were 72.92% and 82.21%, respectively. Additionally, the UV/PMS process could operate over a broader pH range. The degradation efficiency of the UV/PMS process was slightly increased by HCO3- and Cl- due to the activation of PMS, while in the UV/H2O2 process, HCO3- and Cl- depressed the degradation efficiency by competing with organic matter to react with reactive oxygen species (ROS). After the two processes, the aromaticity, humification, condensation degree, and molecular weight of refractory organic matter in the MBR effluent were considerably decreased. Fulvic- (HA) and humic-like substances (FA) were greatly degraded by the two processes. The UV/PMS had a superior degradation efficiency for macromolecular HA in the early stage of the reaction, and the UV/H2O2 could degrade HA to protein-like substances in the latter stage of the reaction. These differences between the two processes could be attributed to the dominance of different ROS, with SO4•- and HO• dominating in the UV/PMS, and HO• dominating in the UV/H2O2. The results of this study provide theoretical support for the application of MBR effluent treatment.Highlights Comparison on the MBR effluent treatment of UV/PMS and UV/H2O2 is studied.UV/PMS process can better destroy humic-like substances in the early reaction stage.Humic-like substances are transformed into protein-like compounds in UV/H2O2 process.UV/PMS and UV/PMS performs differently due to their different dominant ROS.

Intestinal stent implantation using a water injection device with carbon dioxide and transparent cap: A case report.

RATIONALE: Preoperative endoscopic intestinal stent placement can relieve the symptoms of malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) pending investigations, staging, and surgery, but it is a technically challenging procedure. This paper presents a woman with MBO who successfully underwent intestinal stent implantation using a water injection device with carbon dioxide and a transparent cap. PATIENT CONCERNS: We reported a technique for endoscopic intestinal stent placement. A 60-year-old female patient was admitted for abdominal pain and poor bowel movement for 10 days. Computed tomography at a local hospital suggested local stenosis. DIAGNOSES: A transparent cap was placed in front of a gastroscope and was used to cross part of the stenotic segment, with water being injected to fill the intestinal cavity continuously. An angiographic catheter was sent along the yellow zebra guidewire passing through the stenotic segment. After exchanging for a colonoscope, a 12-cm intestinal stent was placed along the guidewire. INTERVENTIONS: The physician used a single-person water injection-assisted colonoscopy technique in combination with a carbon dioxide gas pump to assist with the air insufflation for colonoscope insertion through the lumen and repeatedly injected water solution to ensure a transparent colonoscopic view. OUTCOMES: No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. One week after endoscopic intestinal stent placement, the patient underwent radical left hemicolectomy for colon cancer and release of bowel adhesion. The postoperative pathology revealed adenocarcinoma with perineural invasion. The patient recovered well after surgery. LESSONS: Single-person intestinal stent implantation using a water injection device with carbon dioxide and a transparent cap can achieve endoscopic intestinal stent placement for MBO.

D-serine reconstitutes synaptic and intrinsic inhibitory control of pyramidal neurons in a neurodevelopmental mouse model for schizophrenia.

The hypothesis of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction for cognitive impairment in schizophrenia constitutes the theoretical basis for the translational application of NMDAR co-agonist D-serine or its analogs. However, the cellular mechanism underlying the therapeutic effect of D-serine remains unclear. In this study, we utilize a mouse neurodevelopmental model for schizophrenia that mimics prenatal pathogenesis and exhibits hypoexcitability of parvalbumin-positive (PV) neurons, as well as PV-preferential NMDAR dysfunction. We find that D-serine restores excitation/inhibition balance by reconstituting both synaptic and intrinsic inhibitory control of cingulate pyramidal neurons through facilitating PV excitability and activating small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) channels in pyramidal neurons, respectively. Either amplifying inhibitory drive via directly strengthening PV neuron activity or inhibiting pyramidal excitability via activating SK channels is sufficient to improve cognitive function in this model. These findings unveil a dual mechanism for how D-serine improves cognitive function in this model.

Seroepidemiology study of rubella virus antibodies among neonates and pregnant women at hospitals in Henan province, China.

Rubella virus infection can cause vertical transmission to the fetus during pregnancy. In China's Henan province, rubella surveillance needs to be well-established. In this research, a total of 1933 neonates and 2502 pregnant women were enrolled, and their sera for IgG and IgM antibodies against rubella were tested by chemiluminescence assay. Of 1933 neonates' sera tested, the seropositive of rubella IgG was 68.7%. The seroprevalence of rubella IgM in neonates was 0.4%. 30.9% of neonates had negative results for IgG and IgM antibodies. Two thousand five hundred and two pregnant women participated in the serosurvey, and 79.3% were rubella IgG positive. Rubella IgG seropositivity in pregnant women differed by age and number of births. 0.8% of the pregnant women had positive results for IgM against the rubella virus. The seronegative of rubella IgG and IgM antibodies in pregnant women was 19.8%. Due to the negative rubella-specific IgG antibody, many neonates remain at risk of rubella virus infection. Rubella virus continues to spread since some neonates and pregnant women with rubella-specific IgM antibody positive have been detected. Rubella vaccination may be introduced for childbearing-age women to increase immunity levels against rubella with periodic sero-surveillance.

Screening of an FDA-approved compound library identifies apigenin for the treatment of myocardial injury.

Apigenin is the active ingredient in Ludangshen. Although previous studies reported the cardioprotective actions of apigenin against doxorubicin (Dox)-induced cardiomyopathy, the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Since apigenin beneficially regulates various aspects of mitochondrial function and dynamics, we asked whether apigenin improves heart function in mice with Dox-induced cardiomyopathy by regulating the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). Co-administration of apigenin significantly restored heart function, reduced myocardial swelling, inhibited cardiac inflammation, increased cardiac transcription of UPRmt-related genes, and promoted cardiomyocyte survival in Dox-treated mice. In turn, blockade of UPRmt abolished the mito- and cytoprotective effects of apigenin, evidenced by decreased ATP production, suppressed mitochondrial antioxidant capacity, and increased apoptosis, in Dox-treated, cultured HL-1 cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, apigenin treatment prevented Dox-induced downregulation of Sirt1 and Atf5 expression, and the beneficial effects of apigenin were completely nullified in Sirt1 knockout (KO) mice or after siRNA-mediated Sirt1 knockdown in vitro. We thus provide novel evidence for a promotive effect of apigenin on UPRmt via regulation of the Sirt1/Atf5 pathway. Our findings uncover that apigenin seems to be an effective therapeutic agent to alleviate Dox-mediated cardiotoxicity.

Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy for peripheral pulmonary lesions. A narrative review.

An increasing number of peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) requiring tissue verification to establish a definite diagnosis for further individualized management are detected due to the growing adoption of lung cancer screening by chest computed tomography (CT), especially low-dose CT. However, the morphological diagnosis of PPLs remains challenging. Transbronchial lung cryobiopsy (TBLC) that can retrieve larger specimens with more preserved cellular architecture and fewer crush artifacts in comparison with conventional transbronchial forceps biopsy (TBFB), as an emerging technology for diagnosing PPLs, has been demonstrated to have the potential to resolve the clinical dilemma pertaining to currently available sampling devices (e.g., forceps, needle and brush) and become a diagnostic cornerstone for PPLs. Of note, with the introduction of the 1.1 mm cryoprobe that will be more compatible with advanced bronchoscopic navigation techniques, such as radial endobronchial ultrasound (r-EBUS), virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) and electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB), the use of TBLC is expected to gain more popularity in the diagnosis of PPLs. While much remains for exploration using the TBLC technique for diagnosing PPLs, it can be envisaged that the emergence of additional studies with larger data accrual will hopefully add to the body of evidence in this field.

A model to predict delivery time following induction of labor at term with a dinoprostone vaginal insert: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Dinoprostone vaginal insert is the most common pharmacological method for induction of labor (IOL); however, studies on assessing the time to vaginal delivery (DT) following dinoprostone administration are limited. AIMS: We sought to identify the primary factors influencing DT in women from central China, at or beyond term, who underwent IOL with dinoprostone vaginal inserts. METHODS: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed the data of 1562 women at 37 weeks 0 days to 41 weeks 6 days of gestation who underwent dinoprostone-induced labor between January 1st, 2019, and December 31st, 2021. The outcomes of interest were vaginal or cesarean delivery and factors influencing DT, including maternal complications and neonatal characteristics. RESULTS: Among the enrolled women, 71% (1109/1562) delivered vaginally, with median DT of 740.50 min (interquartile range 443.25 to 1264.50 min). Of the remaining 29% (453/1562), who delivered by cesarean section, 11.9% (54/453) were multiparous. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that multiparity, advanced maternal age, fetal macrosomia, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), and daytime insertion of dinoprostone were the factors that significantly influenced DT. Time to vaginal delivery increased with advanced maternal age and fetal macrosomia and decreased with multiparity, PROM, and daytime insertion of dinoprostone. A mathematical model was developed to integrate these factors for predicting DT: Y = 804.478 - 125.284 × multiparity + 765.637 × advanced maternal age + 411.511 × fetal macrosomia-593.358 × daytime insertion of dinoprostone - 125.284 × PROM. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may help obstetricians estimate the DT before placing a dinoprostone insert, which may improve patient management in busy maternity wards and minimize potential risks.

Biobased Biodegradable Copolyesters from 2,5-Thiophenedicarboxylic Acid: Effect of Aliphatic Diols on Barrier Properties and Degradation.

The demand for sustainable development has led to increasing attention in biobased polyesters due to their adjustable thermal and mechanical properties and biodegradability. In this study, we used a novel bioderived aromatic diacid, 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid (TDCA) to synthesize a list of novel aromatic-aliphatic poly(alkylene adipate-co-thiophenedicarboxylate) (PAATh) copolyesters through a facile melt polycondensation method. PAAThs are random copolyesters with weight-average molecular weights of 58400 to 84200 g·mol-1 and intrinsic viscosities of 0.80 to 1.27 dL·g-1. All PAAThs exhibit sufficiently high thermal stability as well as the highest tensile strength of 6.2 MPa and the best gas barrier performances against CO2 and O2, 4.3- and 3.3-fold better than those of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT). The biodegradability of PAAThs was fully evaluated through a degradation experiment and various experimental parameters, including residue weights, surface morphology, and molecular compositions. The state-of-the-art molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were applied to elucidate the different enzymatic degradation behaviors of PAAThs due to the effect of diols with different chain structures. The sterically hindered carbonyl carbon of the PHATh-enzyme complex was more susceptible to nucleophilic attack and exhibited a higher tendency to enter a prereaction state. This study has introduced a group of novel biobased copolyesters with their structure-property relationships investigated thoroughly, and the effect of diol components on the enzymatic degradation was revealed by computational analysis. These findings may lay the foundation for the development of promising substitutes for commercial biodegradable polyesters and shed light on their complicated degradation mechanisms.

Environmental Enrichment Improves the Recognition Memory in Adult Mice Following Social Isolation via Downregulation of Kv4.2 Potassium Channels.

Recognition memory is a cognitive process that enables us to distinguish familiar objects and situations from new items, which is essential for mammalian survival and adaptation to a changing environment. Social isolation (SI) has been implicated as a detrimental factor for recognition memory. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) has been shown to carry information concerning the relative familiarity of individual stimuli, and modulating neuronal function in this region may contribute to recognition memory. The present study aimed to investigate the neuronal mechanisms in the mPFC of environmental enrichment (EE) on recognition memory in adult mice following SI. Mice were assigned into three groups: control, SI, and SI + EE groups. Novel location recognition (NLR) and novel object recognition (NOR) tests were performed to evaluate the recognition memory. The levels of Kv4 channels were assessed by qRT-PCR and western blotting. The effects of SI and SI + EE on the excitability of pyramidal neurons in the mPFC were measured using whole-cell recording. We found that SI led to a reduction in the excitability of pyramidal neurons. Specifically, we have identified that the reduction in the firing activity of pyramidal neurons resulted from alterations in the function and expression of Kv4.2 channels. Furthermore, EE regulated Kv4.2 channels, normalized the activity of pyramidal neurons, and restored the behavioral deficits following SI. Thus, the roles of Kv4.2 channels in excitability of pyramidal neurons suggest that the Kv4.2 channels present a promising therapeutic target for recognition memory impairment.

Kueishanamides A and B from the Hydrothermal Vent Sediment Derived Streptomyces sp. WU20.

Marine actinomycetes are known for their production of remarkable organic molecules, particularly those featuring polyoxygenated long-chain backbones. Determining the absolute configurations of these compounds remains a challenging task even today. In this study, we successfully established the planar structures and absolute configurations of two highly flexible amide alkaloids from Streptomyces sp. WU20: kueishanamides A (1) and B (2). These compounds possess a C13 linear backbone and each contains five stereogenic carbon centers. Our approach involved a combination of spectroscopic and computational methods, including J-based configurational analysis and VCD calculations, ensuring the unambiguous determination of their configurations. Kueishanamide A (1) and kueishanamide B (2) showed moderate antifungal activity against pathogenic fungus Crytococcus neoformans, with MIC values of 25 µg/mL each.