Intensive blood pressure control in patients with acute type B aortic dissection (RAID): study protocol for randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Blood pressure control is an essential therapy for patients with acute type B aortic dissection (ABAD) and should be maintained throughout the entire treatment. Thus, vast majority current guidelines recommend control the blood pressure to lower than 140/90 mmHg. Theoretically, a much lower target may further decrease the risk of propagation of dissection. However, some argued that too lower blood pressure would compromise the organ perfusion. Thus, there is no unanimous optimal target for blood pressure in patients with ABAD so far. The present study aimed to investigate the optimal blood pressure target for patients with ABAD, in the hope that the result would optimize the treatment of aortic dissection (AD).

METHODS

The study is a multi-center randomized controlled clinical trial. Study population will include patients with new diagnosed ABAD and hypertension. Blocked randomization was performed where intensive blood pressure control (<120 mmHg) with conventional blood pressure control (<140 mmHg) were allocated at random in a ratio of 1:1 in blocks of sizes 4, 6, 8, and 10 to 360 subjects. Interim analysis will be performed. The primary outcome is a composite in-hospital adverse outcome, including death, permanent paraplegia or semi- paralysis during the hospitalization, and renal failure requiring hemodialysis at discharge. While the secondary outcomes include the aortic size, lower extremity or visceral ischemia, retrograde propagation into aortic arch or ascending aorta, mortality in 6 months and 1 year, intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, total length of hospital stay, creatinine level, and surgical or endovascular intervention.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study was approved by the institutional review board of Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (approval number: 20160920-9). Informed consent will be obtained from participants or their next-of-kin. The results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and shared with the worldwide medical community.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03001739 (https://register.clinicaltrials.gov/).

Robust regression and its application in absolute gravimeters

Maximum-likelihood estimation of robust regression is employed to process absolute gravimeter data because this method is insensitive to outliers. Gravity values obtained by both ordinary least squares and different approaches for robust regression are compared with the results obtained by the g9 processing software for the FG5 gravimeter. The results show that the accuracy of gravity data can be improved by rejecting certain outliers via adjustments to a suitable weighting function of time-distance pairs. A convenient method of identifying those outliers by their weight is also presented.

Quercetin, Hyperin, and Chlorogenic Acid Improve Endothelial Function by Antioxidant, Antiinflammatory, and ACE Inhibitory Effects

In recent years, the blueberry cultivation and processing industry developed quickly because blueberries are super-fruit with healthy function. Blueberry leaves are byproducts of the blueberry industry, which are rich in bioactive phenolics, such as quercetin (Q), hyperin (H), and chlorogenic acid (C). This study investigated protective effects of 3 phenolics (Q, H, and C) from leaves of rabbiteye blueberry Vaccinium ashei on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The results showed that all these 3 phenolics could improve endothelial function by inhibiting oxidative damage and proinflammatory cytokines caused by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The cell vitalities of endothelial cells pretreated with Q, H, and C were higher than those stimulated with TNF-α only. These phenolics could decrease reactive oxygen species and xanthine oxidase-1 levels and increase superoxide dismutase and heme oxygenase-1 levels in endothelial cells. They also could decrease the protein expressions of intercellular adhesion molecule-1, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 induced by TNF-α. In addition, Q, H, and C also exhibited vasodilatory effect by reducing the angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) protein levels in endothelial cells. Mostly 3 phenolics exhibited bioactivities as a function of concentration, but the effects not always depended on the concentration. The antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects of Q seemed to be more pronounced than H; however, H exhibited higher cell vitalities. The results indicated that phenolics from rabbiteye blueberry leaves could be potential antioxidants, inflammation and ACE inhibitors, and rabbiteye blueberry leaves provide a new resources of phytochemicals beneficial for cardiovascular health.

A rare case of biventricular myxoma

Background

Cardiac myxoma is the most common primary cardiac tumor. Approximately 75–80% of myxomas are located in the left atrium. Occurrence of multiple myxomas is extremely rare.

Case presentation

We describe a rare case of biventricular myxomas resulting in right ventricular inflow and tricuspid valve obstruction. The lesions were detected by echocardiography and thoracic computerized tomography (CT) and confirmed on positron emission tomography–computed tomography.

Conclusion

The patient underwent successful surgical resection of the multiple cardiac myxomas. This kind of biventricular case has not been previously reported. The patient is asymptomatic as of the 10-month follow-up.

Erratum: General Non-Markovian Dynamics of Open Quantum Systems [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 170402 (2012)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.170402.

Monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes from the marine sediment-derived fungus Eutypella scoparia FS46

Eutypellol A (1), the first norsesquiterpenoid of sequicarene family, as well as eutypellol B (2), a rare 7-methyl oxidized 2-carene derivative, and one new natural product 2-(2-hydroxy-4-methylcyclohex-3-enyl)propanoic acid (3), along with eight known terpenoids, were isolated from the marine sediment-derived fungus Eutypella scoparia FS46 collected from the South China Sea. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. Compounds 1-3 were evaluated for their antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus and cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, and SF-268 tumor cell lines.

[CD8 and FOXP3 expression in stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes of triple-negative breast carcinomas: a clinicopathologic study]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and CD8 or FOXP3 positive lymphocytes in triple-negative breast carcinoma.

METHODS

A total of 160 triple-negative breast carcinomas were collected from the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University during 2012 to 2014. All were surgical excision or biopsy specimens from patients without prior chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Histopathologic analysis of stromal TIL was performed on hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, and MaxVision immunohistochemical method was used for detection of CD8 and FOXP3 protein expression.

RESULTS

Stromal TILs were positively correlated with Ki-67 labeling index (P=0.002). The density of CD8(+) cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) was negatively correlated with tumor size (P=0.009), and positively correlated with Ki-67 index (P=0.021). The density of FOXP3(+) regulatory T-lymphocyte (Treg) was inversely correlated with the patient age (P=0.030), and positively correlated with histological grade (P=0.026). Stromal TILs were positively correlated with the density of CD8(+) CTL (P=0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

The percentage of stromal TILs and density of CD8(+) CTL are associated with tumor cell proliferation of triple-negative breast cancers. The density of FOXP3(+) Treg is significantly associated with poor prognosis. Stromal TIL is positively correlated with the density of CD8(+) CTL. Stromal TIL may provide a potential marker for pathological diagnosis and a target for guiding adjuvant therapy in patients with triple-negative breast cancers.

Synthesis of a Ni2P/Ni12P5 bi-phase nanocomposite for the efficient catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol based on the unique n–n heterojunction effects

The excellent catalytic performance of a Ni₂P/Ni₁₂P₅ bi-phase heterojunction with KBH₄ is ascribed to the unique n–n series effects of Ni₂P and Ni₁₂P₅.

Three new highly-oxygenated metabolites from the endophytic fungus Cytospora rhizophorae A761

Cytosporaphenones A-C, one new polyhydric benzophenone and two new naphtopyrone derivatives, along with eight known ones, were isolated from Cytospora rhizophorae, an endophytic fungus from Morinda officinalis. Their structures were fully characterized by means of detailed spectroscopic analysis and X-ray single crystal diffraction. To our knowledge, the three new compounds were the most highly oxygenated metabolites of their families discovered in nature. Moreover, all of the compounds were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, HepG-2 and SF-268 tumor cell lines, and the new compound 1 exhibited weak growth inhibitory activity against the tumor cell lines MCF-7 and HepG-2 with IC₅₀ values of 70 and 60μM, respectively.

Two new xyloketals from the endophytic fungus Endomelanconiopsis endophytica derived from medicinal plant Ficus hirta

Chemical examination of the liquid culture of Endomelanconiopsis endophytica A326 isolated from the Chinese folk medicine Ficus hirta resulted in the isolation of two new xyloketals named xyloketals K and L (1-2) and three known analogs (3-5) including a new natural product (5). Their structures were determined on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. All compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and HepG-2 tumor cell lines. Nonetheless, no significant activity was observed.

Perangustols A and B, a pair of new azaphilone epimers from a marine sediment-derived fungus Cladosporium perangustm FS62

A pair of new azaphilone epimers, perangustols A-B (1-2), and two new natural products (3-4), together with two known metabolites (5-6) were isolated from the culture of the marine sediment-derived fungus Cladosporium perangustum FS62. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The isolated compounds (1-6) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and HepG-2 tumor cell lines. Nonetheless, no significant activity was observed.

Implication of epithelial-mesenchymal transition in IGF1R-induced resistance to EGFR-TKIs in advanced non-small cell lung cancer

The underlying mechanisms for acquired resistance to epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in about 30%-40% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients remain elusive. Recent studies have suggested that activation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and type 1 insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF1R) is associated with acquired EGFR-TKIs resistance in NSCLC. Our study aims to further explore the mechanism of EMT and IGF1R in acquired EGFR-TKIs resistance in NSCLC cell lines with mutant (PC-9) or wild-type EGFR (H460). Compared to parental cells, EGFR-TKIs-resistant PC-9/GR and H460/ER cells displayed an EMT phenotype and showed overexpression of IGF1R. SiIGF1R in PC-9/GR and H460/ER cells reversed EMT-related morphologies and reversed their resistance to EGFR-TKIs. Exogenous IGF-1 alone induced EMT in EGFR-TKIs-naïve PC-9 and H460 cells and increased their resistance against EGFR-TKIs. Inducing EMT by TGF-β1 in PC-9 and H460 cells decreased their sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs, whereas reversing EMT by E-cadherin overexpression in PC-9/GR and H460/ER cells restored their sensitivity to EGFR-TKIs. These data suggest that IGF1R plays an important role in acquired drug resistance against EGFR-TKIs by inducing EMT. Targeting IGF1R and EMT may be a potential therapeutic strategy for advanced NSCLC with acquired EGFR-TKIs resistance.

Non-equilibrium quantum phase transition via entanglement decoherence dynamics

We investigate the decoherence dynamics of continuous variable entanglement as the system-environment coupling strength varies from the weak-coupling to the strong-coupling regimes. Due to the existence of localized modes in the strong-coupling regime, the system cannot approach equilibrium with its environment, which induces a nonequilibrium quantum phase transition. We analytically solve the entanglement decoherence dynamics for an arbitrary spectral density. The nonequilibrium quantum phase transition is demonstrated as the system-environment coupling strength varies for all the Ohmic-type spectral densities. The 3-D entanglement quantum phase diagram is obtained.

Dichotocejpins A-C: New Diketopiperazines from a Deep-Sea-Derived Fungus Dichotomomyces cejpii FS110

Three new diketopiperazines, dichotocejpins A–C (1–3), together with eight known analogues (4–11), were isolated from the culture of the deep-sea sediment derived fungus Dichotomomyces cejpii FS110. Their structures, including absolute configurations, were elucidated by a combination of HRESIMS, NMR, X-ray crystallography, and ECD calculations. Compounds 4–6, 10–11 showed significant cytotoxic activities against MCF-7, NCI-H460, HepG-2, and SF-268 tumor cell lines. Compound 1 exhibited excellent inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase with an IC₅₀ of 138 μM.

Neural Stem Cell-based Intraocular Administration of Pigment Epithelium-derived Factor Promotes Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival and Axon Regeneration after Optic Nerve Crush Injury in Rat: An Experimental Study

BACKGROUND

Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is regarded as a multifunctional protein possessing neurotrophic and neuroprotective properties. PEDF has a very short half-life, and it would require multiple injections to maintain a therapeutically relevant level without a delivery system. However, multiple injections are prone to cause local damage or infection. To overcome this, we chose a cell-based system that provided sustained delivery of PEDF and compared the effect of weekly injections of PEDF and neural stem cell (NSC)-based intraocular administration of PEDF on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival and axon regeneration after optic nerve injury.

METHODS

Seventy-two rats were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group with injections of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) (n=24), group with weekly injections of PEDF (n=24), and group with NSC-based administration of PEDF (n=24). Western blot was used to analyze the PEDF protein level 2 weeks after injection. Retinal flat mounts and immunohistochemistry were employed to analyze RGC survival and axon regeneration 2 weeks and 4 weeks after injection. The data were analyzed with one-way ANOVA in SPSS (version 19.0). A P<0.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The PEDF protein level in the group with NSC-based administration of PEDF increased compared with that in the groups with injections of PEDF and PBS (P<0.05). The PEDF-modified NSCs differentiated into GFAP-positive astrocytes andβ-tubulin-III-positive neurons. NSC-based administration of PEDF effectively increased RGC survival and improved the axon regeneration of the optic nerve compared with weekly injections of PEDF.

CONCLUSION

Subretinal space transplantation of PEDF-secreting NSCs sustained high concentrations of PEDF, differentiated into neurons and astrocytes, and significantly promoted RGC survival and axon regeneration after optic nerve injury.

Cytotoxic trichothecene macrolides from the endophyte fungus Myrothecium roridum

A new cytotoxic roridin-type trichothecene macrolide named epiroridin acid (1) and two known compounds epiroridin E (2) and mytoxin B (3) were isolated from the liquid culture of Myrothecium roridum A553, which was isolated from the medicinal plant Pogostemon cablin. The structure of the new macrolide (1) was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic measurements (UV, IR, MS, and 1D and 2D NMR) analyses. All isolated compounds (1-3) were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against SF-268, MCF-7, NCI-H460, and HepG-2 tumor cell lines. The new compound (1) exhibited well cytotoxicity against the four selected tumor cell lines.

Metastasis-associated gene 1 expression in human medulloblastoma and its association with invasion and metastasis in medulloblastoma Daoy cell lines

This study aims to investigate the expression of metastasis-associated gene 1 (MTA1) in human medulloblastoma, and its significance in the invasion and metastasis in a medulloblastoma cell line. Positive expression rate of MTA1 protein in medulloblastoma and adjacent normal tissues collected from 29 medulloblastoma patients was detected by immunohistochemistry assay in vivo. In in vitro experiments, Daoy cells were transfected with MTA1-targeted small interfering RNA (siRNA, MTA1-siRNA group), niRNA (MTA1-niRNA group), and plasmid vectors (control group). Transfection efficiency was evaluated by PT-PCR and western blot; cell adhesion, migration, and invasion capacity was assessed by adhesion assays, scratch assays, and transwell chamber invasion assays, respectively. Results indicated that the positive expression rate of MTA1 protein in the medulloblastoma tissues was higher as compared with that of the adjacent normal tissues (P < 0.05). In addition, mRNA and protein expression of MTA1 in the MTA1-siRNA group was lower than that in the control and MTA1- niRNA groups (P < 0.05). Adhesion, migration, and invasion capacity of Daoy cells in the MTA1-siRNA group was inhibited as compared with the control and MTA1-niRNA groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, MTA1 expression was increased in medulloblastoma cells, while MTA1 knockdown in medulloblastoma cells inhibited MTA1 expression. In addition, MTA1 knockdown inhibited the adhesion, migration, and invasive capabilities of medulloblastoma cells. It is possible that MTA1 can serve as a biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for medulloblastoma.

Isolation, synthesis, and biological activity of tomentosenol A from the leaves of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa

Tomentosenol A (1), along with a pair of epimers, 4S-focifolidione (2) and 4R-focifolidione (3), were isolated from the leaves of Rhodomyrtus tomentosa.

IL-12 induced CIK cells combined with chemotherapy improve immune function and efficacy in patients with esophageal carcinoma

AIM: To evaluate the clinical effects of interleukin-12 (IL-12) induced killer cytokine-induced (CIK) combined with chemotherapy in patients with esophageal carcinoma.

METHODS: Two hundred esophageal cancer patients treated at our hospital were randomly divided into a control group and a study group. All patients were treated with autologous CIK cell infusion and oxaliplatin. The CIK cells of the control group were induced with IFN-y, cd3mab, IL-2, and IL-1 in in vitro culture period, while those of the study group were induced with IL-12 IFN-y, CD3mAb, IL-2, and IL-1. After treatment, the clinical effects, the expression of T lymphocyte subsets, the CIK phenotype distribution and killing activity of CIK were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS: The numbers of patients who achieved complete remission, partial remission and improvement in the study group were significantly more than those of the control group (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference in the number of patients with stable disease (P>0.05); the number of patients with progressive disease was significantly more in the control group than in the study group (P < 0.05). After treatment, the percentages of peripheral blood CD3⁺, CD3⁺CD8⁺, CD3^-CD16⁺CD56⁺, and CD3⁺CD16⁺CD56⁺ T cells were significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05), while that of peripheral blood CD3⁺ CD4⁺ T cells and the CD3⁺CD4⁺/CD3⁺CD8⁺ ratio were significantly lower in the study group (P < 0.05). The percentages of CD3⁺CD4⁺ cells and CD3⁺CD16⁺CD56⁺ T cells and CD3⁺CD4⁺/CD3⁺CD8⁺ ratio in CIK cells were significantly lower, and the percentage of CD3⁺ CD8⁺ T cells was significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (P < 0.05). The cytotoxic activity of CIK cells in the study group was also significantly higher than that of the control group.

CONCLUSION: IL-12 induced CIK cells combined with chemotherapy improve immune function and efficacy in patients with esophageal cancer.

Terpenoid composition and the anticancer activity of Acanthopanax trifoliatus

The petroleum ether and ethyl acetate fractions of extract from an edible and medicinal plant Acanthopanax trifoliatus were found to show significant inhibitory effects against SF-268, MCF-7, HepG2 and NCI-H460 cancer cells. Two new ursane-type triterpenoids, acantrifoic acid C (1) and acantrifoic acid D (2), along with five known triterpenoids (3-7) and eight known diterpenoids (8-15) were obtained from these two fractions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report concerning the isolation of compounds (5-12, 14, 15) from A. trifoliatus. Among all the isolated compounds, 3, 5 and 8 from the ethyl acetate fraction showed the strongest inhibitory effects against cancer cells, while 12 and 13 from the petroleum ether fraction showed moderate activities. These terpenoid compounds may be responsible for the anticancer activities of A. trifoliatus. Our study provides the first evidence that terpenoids from A. trifoliatus exert anticancer activities and indicates that A. trifoliatus may be a useful edible plant for further development of anticancer health supplement.

Non-Markovian Complexity in the Quantum-to-Classical Transition

The quantum-to-classical transition is due to environment-induced decoherence, and it depicts how classical dynamics emerges from quantum systems. Previously, the quantum-to-classical transition has mainly been described with memory-less (Markovian) quantum processes. Here we study the complexity of the quantum-to-classical transition through general non-Markovian memory processes. That is, the influence of various reservoirs results in a given initial quantum state evolving into one of the following four scenarios: thermal state, thermal-like state, quantum steady state, or oscillating quantum nonstationary state. In the latter two scenarios, the system maintains partial or full quantum coherence due to the strong non-Markovian memory effect, so that in these cases, the quantum-to-classical transition never occurs. This unexpected new feature provides a new avenue for the development of future quantum technologies because the remaining quantum oscillations in steady states are decoherence-free.

Breakdown of Bose-Einstein distribution in photonic crystals

In the last two decades, considerable advances have been made in the investigation of nano-photonics in photonic crystals. Previous theoretical investigations of photon dynamics were carried out at zero temperature. Here, we investigate micro/nano cavity photonics in photonic crystals at finite temperature. Due to photonic-band-gap-induced localized long-lived photon dynamics, we discover that cavity photons in photonic crystals do not obey Bose-Einstein statistical distribution. Within the photonic band gap and in the vicinity of the band edge, cavity photons combine the long-lived non-Markovain dynamics with thermal fluctuations together to form photon states that memorize the initial cavity state information. As a result, Bose-Einstein distribution is completely broken down in these regimes, even if the thermal energy is larger or much larger than the cavity detuning energy. In this investigation, a crossover phenomenon from equilibrium to nonequilibrium steady states is also revealed.

Microwave-assisted Extraction of Alantolactone and Isoalantolactone from Inula helenium

Microwave-assisted extraction was used for the extraction of alantolactone and isoalantolactone from Inula helenium. Effects of various experimental factors including ethanol concentration, particle size, microwave radiation time, the ratio of material to liquid and extraction temperature on yield of alantolactone and isoalantolactone were evaluated. The optimal extracting process of the alantolactone and isoalantolactone from the root of the Inula helenium was 1 g plant sample (sifted through 140 mesh) mixed with 15 ml of 80% ethanol solution, microwave radiation 120 s at 50°. Under these optimal conditions, the yield of alantolactone and isoalantolactone was 31.83±2.08 mg/g and 21.25±1.37 mg/g, respectively. Compared with heat reflux extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave-assisted extraction was more efficient and timesaving for the extraction of alantolactone and isoalantolactone from Inula helenium.

[Effects of agarwood formation induced by Fusarium sp. A2 on distribution and community composition of endophytic fungi in leaves of Aquilaria sinensis]

The aim of the paper is to observe the distribution of the endophytic fungi in leaves of Aquilaria sinensis by using permanent paraffin-cut section, optical microscope photography and histochemistry. Total DNA was extracted with modified CTAB method and rDNA ITS regions of plant and endophytic fungi were amplified with eukaryotic universal primers. The rDNA ITS amplicon was characterized by RFLP analysis, sequencing of rDNA ITS library and phylogenetic analyses using PAUP by maximum parsimony. Fusarium sp. A2 was used to induce the formation of resinous in A. sinensis trees. As a result, endophytic fungi mainly distributed in spongy and phloem in leaf. Endophytic fungi distributed in the phloem in agarwood-producing tree and had a relatively high abundance. Phoma sp. and Collectrotrichum sp. were the absolute advantage species in the leaf tissues of non-resinous and agarwood-producing tree, respectively. Collectrotrichum sp. was the only fungal species detected both in the two types of A. sinensis with different levels of abundance. The culture-independent molecular method can be used to identify fungal species directly and rapidly from the plant tissues. Endophytic fungal communities in non-resinous and agarwood-producing A. sinensis leaf tissues were quite different.

Quantum-criticality-induced strong Kerr nonlinearities in optomechanical systems

We investigate a hybrid electro-optomechanical system that allows us to realize controllable strong Kerr nonlinearities even in the weak-coupling regime. We show that when the controllable electromechanical subsystem is close to its quantum critical point, strong photon-photon interactions can be generated by adjusting the intensity (or frequency) of the microwave driving field. Nonlinear optical phenomena, such as the appearance of the photon blockade and the generation of nonclassical states (e.g., Schrödinger cat states), are demonstrated in the weak-coupling regime, making the observation of strong Kerr nonlinearities feasible with currently available optomechanical technology.

Precision control of charge coherence in parallel double dot systems through spin-orbit interaction

In terms of the exact quantum master equation solution for open electronic systems, the coherent dynamics of two charge states described by two parallel quantum dots with one fully polarized electron on either dot is investigated in the presence of spin-orbit interaction. We demonstrate that the double dot system can stay in a dynamically decoherence free space. The coherence between two double dot charge states can be precisely manipulated through a spin-orbit coupling. The effects of the temperature, the finite bandwidth of lead, and the energy deviations during the coherence manipulation are also explored.

[High-quality total RNA extraction from medicinal plant Aquilaria sinensis]

OBJECTIVE

It is quite difficult to isolate total RNA from Aquilaria sinensis due to the complexity of its secondary metabolites. In order to obtain the high-quality RNA, we investigated sampling method and RNA extraction from both normal and agilawood tissues of the plant.

METHODS

Five methods such as modified CTAB-LiCl method, modified CTAB-LiCl method with no water-bath, SDS-acid phenol method, modified guanidinium thiocyanate-CTAB method and EASYspin RN09 RNA isolation kit were used to extract RNA from leaves, branches, white wood samples, agilawood samples of A. sinensis, respectively.

RESULTS

Total RNA was stable for 5 hours at room temperature after extracted from A. sinensis branches. EASYspin RN09 RNA isolation kit was the best extraction method for the leaf while modified guanidinium thiocyanate-CTAB method was the best for the other samples.

CONCLUSION

A great quantity of RNAs can be isolated from samples of white wood and agilawood wood, respectively. Their ratios of 28S : 18S are in the range of 1.2 - 1.4 and RINs are between 6.8 - 7.5. These RNAs can be applied in transcriptome sequencing.

High EGFR copy number predicts benefits from tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment for non-small cell lung cancer patients with wild-type EGFR

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to determine whether advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with high copy number of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) can benefit from treatment with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs).

METHODS

EGFR gene copy number was assessed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and EGFR mutations was tested using Luminex xTAG technology in 502 TKI-treated NSCLC patients. The association between both biomarkers and clinical benefit from EGFR-TKI were analyzed.

RESULTS

EGFR FISH+and EGFR mutations were significantly associated with higher response rates (37.2% and 43.7%, respectively), superior progression-free survival (PFS) (FISH+, 11.2 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.51; 95% CI, 0.42 to 0.62; p<0.001; mutation+, 11.7 months; HR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.45; p<0.001) and overall survival (OS) (FISH+, 30.2 months; HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.40 to 0.65; p<0.001; mutation+, 30.2 months; HR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.58; p<0.001). In patients with wild-type EGFR, EGFR FISH+correlated with longer PFS than EGFR FISH- status (4.4 months vs. 2.0 months; HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.75; p<0.001), so did amplification (5.0 months vs. 2.0 months; HR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.24 to 0.76; p=0.003). However, FISH+had no association with improved PFS in EGFR-mutated patients (HR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.57 to 1.03; p=0.076).

CONCLUSIONS

A combined analysis of EGFR FISH and mutation is an effective predictor of EGFR-TKI therapy. Specifically, a high EGFR copy number may predict benefit from TKIs treatment for NSCLC patients with wild-type EGFR.

Anti-Candida albicans activity and pharmacokinetics of pogostone isolated from Pogostemonis Herba

The present work was designed to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo anti-Candida activity of pogostone (PO), a natural product isolated from Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. PO showed potent in vitro activity against clinical Candida spp. isolates tested in this study. PO and the reference drug voriconazole (VRC) were equally effective against all the fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans strains, with MIC ranging from 3.1 μg/ml to 50 μg/ml. Besides, PO was fungicidal against all Candida isolates with MFC ranging from 50 μg/ml to 400 μg/ml. By contrast, VRC was fungistatic as it failed to elicit a fungicidal effect against the Candida spp. isolates at the highest tested concentration (400 μg/ml). Furthermore, oral and topical PO administration effectively reduced the fungal load in vagina of vulvovaginal candidiasis mouse models. Topical PO administration (1.0-4.0 mg/kg) demonstrated higher activity against the vulvovaginal candidiasis than VRC (4.0 mg/kg). The pharmacokinetics and safety profile of PO were also investigated. The pharmacokinetics assay revealed that PO was easily absorbed after oral administration in mice, which might account for its in vivo anti-Candida effect. The acute toxicity test showed that the median lethal dose of PO in mice was 355 mg/kg, which was much higher than the daily dose used for the therapeutic experiments. This study demonstrated the potential of PO as a promising candidate for the treatment of Candida infections, particularly for vulvovaginal candidiasis.

General non-Markovian dynamics of open quantum systems

We present a general theory of non-Markovian dynamics for open systems of noninteracting fermions (bosons) linearly coupled to thermal environments of noninteracting fermions (bosons). We explore the non-Markovian dynamics by connecting the exact master equations with the nonequilibirum Green's functions. Environmental backactions are fully taken into account. The non-Markovian dynamics consists of nonexponential decays and dissipationless oscillations. Nonexponential decays are induced by the discontinuity in the imaginary part of the self-energy corrections. Dissipationless oscillations arise from band gaps or the finite band structure of spectral densities. The exact analytic solutions for various non-Markovian thermal environments show that non-Markovian dynamics can be largely understood from the environmental-modified spectra of open systems.

Homoisoflavonoids from the medicinal plant Portulaca oleracea

Four homoisoflavonoids named portulacanones A-D, identified as 2'-hydroxy- 5,7-dimethoxy-3-benzyl-chroman-4-one, 2'-hydroxy-5,6,7-trimethoxy-3-benzyl-chroman-4-one, 5,2'-dihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-3-benzyl-chroman-4-one, and 5,2'-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-3-benzylidene-chroman-4-one, were isolated from aerial parts of the plant Portulaca oleracea along with nine other known metabolites. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. Portulacanones A-D is the first group of homoisoflavonoids so far reported from the family Portulacaceae. They represent a rare subclass of homoisoflavonoids in nature with a structural feature of a single hydroxyl group substituted at C-2' rather than at C-4' in ring B of the skeleton. Three homoisoflavonoids and the known compound 2,2'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone selectively showed in vitro cytotoxic activities towards four human cancer cell lines. Especially 2,2'-dihydroxy-4',6'-dimethoxychalcone showed cytotoxic activity against cell line SGC-7901 with an IC₅₀ value of 1.6 μg/ml, which was more potent than the reference compound mitomycin C (IC₅₀ 13.0 μg/ml).

[Study on secondary metabolites of marine fungus Penicillium sp. FS60 from the South China Sea]

OBJECTIVE

To study the secondary metabolites of the marine fungus Penicillium sp. FS60 from the South China Sea and their cytotoxicities.

METHODS

The compounds were isolated from the culture of strain FS60 by various chromatographic methods (silica gel, reverse silica gel, Sephadex-LH20, preparative TLC, HPLC and PTLC) and recrystallization. Their structures were identified by extensive analysis of their spectroscopic data. Compounds were tested for their cytotoxicities against SF-268, MCF-7, and NCI-H460 cell lines by SRB method. While, Compounds were tested for their antibacterial activities against S. aureus, E. coli and P. aeruginosa.

RESULTS

Seven compounds were isolated from the culture and identified as methyl 2,4-dihydroxy-3,5,6-trimethylbenzoate (1), 4-hydroxyacetophenone (2), 5-hydroxymethyl-furoic acid (3), isochromophilones VIII (4), ergosterol (5), ergosterol peroxide (6), and cerevisterol (7).

CONCLUSION

Compound 1 is isolated from the genus Penicillium for the first time. Compound 3 is demonstrated to have significant inhibition against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. Compound 4 is demonstrated to have significant inhibition against the three cell lines.

Directed flow of identified particles in Au+Au collisions at √[SNN]=200 GeV at RHIC

STAR's measurements of directed flow (v1) around midrapidity for π±, K±, KS0, p, and p[over ¯] in Au+Au collisions at √[sNN]=200  GeV are presented. A negative v1(y) slope is observed for most of produced particles (π±, K±, KS0, and p[over ¯]). In 5%-30% central collisions, a sizable difference is present between the v1(y) slope of protons and antiprotons, with the former being consistent with zero within errors. The v1 excitation function is presented. Comparisons to model calculations (RQMD, UrQMD, AMPT, QGSM with parton recombination, and a hydrodynamics model with a tilted source) are made. For those models which have calculations of v1 for both pions and protons, none of them can describe v1(y) for pions and protons simultaneously. The hydrodynamics model with a tilted source as currently implemented cannot explain the centrality dependence of the difference between the v1(y) slopes of protons and antiprotons.

Phytoecdysteroids from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata Blume

Two new phytoecdysteroids, (25S)-20,22-O-(R-ethylidene)inokosterone and 20,22-O-(R-3-methoxycarbonyl)propylidene-20-hydroxyecdysone, together with six known phytoecdysteroids 3-8 were isolated from the roots of Achyranthes bidentata Blume. The new structures were established on the basis of spectroscopic studies and chemical evidences. The absolute configuration at C-25 in the structure of known compound 3 was determined by chemical and spectroscopic means.

Identified hadron compositions in p+p and Au+Au collisions at high transverse momenta at √S(NN)=200 GeV

We report transverse momentum (p(T)≤15  GeV/c) spectra of π(±), K(±), p, p[over ¯], K(S)(0), and ρ(0) at midrapidity in p+p and Au+Au collisions at √S(NN)=200  GeV. Perturbative QCD calculations are consistent with π(±) spectra in p+p collisions but do not reproduce K and p(p[over ¯]) spectra. The observed decreasing antiparticle-to-particle ratios with increasing p(T) provide experimental evidence for varying quark and gluon jet contributions to high-p(T) hadron yields. The relative hadron abundances in Au+Au at p(T)≳8  GeV/c are measured to be similar to the p+p results, despite the expected Casimir effect for parton energy loss.

Strangeness enhancement in Cu-Cu and Au-Au collisions at √S(NN)=200 GeV

We report new STAR measurements of midrapidity yields for the Λ, Λ[over ¯], K(S)(0), Ξ(-), Ξ[over ¯](+), Ω(-), Ω[over ¯](+) particles in Cu+Cu collisions at √S(NN)==200  GeV, and midrapidity yields for the Λ, Λ[over ¯], K(S)(0) particles in Au+Au at √S(NN)==200  GeV. We show that, at a given number of participating nucleons, the production of strange hadrons is higher in Cu+Cu collisions than in Au+Au collisions at the same center-of-mass energy. We find that aspects of the enhancement factors for all particles can be described by a parametrization based on the fraction of participants that undergo multiple collisions.

Effect of CYP1A1 MSPI polymorphism on the relationship between TP53 mutation and CDKN2A hypermethylation in non-small cell lung cancer

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The molecular mechanisms of lung cancer susceptibility have not been fully understood. Although it has been described that germline polymorphisms are associated with either mutation or methylation of genes, the link between gene polymorphisms and gene-gene interactions has not been investigated. Therefore, we conducted this study to determine whether CYP1A1/GSTM1 polymorphisms can affect the relationship between TP53 mutation and CDKN2A hypermethylation in lung cancer.

METHODS

This study included 196 primary non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. CYP1A1 MSPI and GSTM1 polymorphisms were characterized through PCR-RFLP on DNA isolated from peripheral lymphocytes. TP53 mutations of exons 5 through 9 and CDKN2A promoter hypermethylation in both cancer tissues and corresponding normal tissues were analyzed by direct sequencing and methylation-specific PCR (MSP) respectively.

RESULTS

TP53 mutation in the tumor was associated with squamous cell histology and CDKN2A methylation was associated with older age (≥60 years), heavy smoking (>30 pack-years), squamous cell histology and advanced stage (stage II-IV). After adjusting for age, sex, smoking degree, histology type and TNM stage, the correlation between TP53 mutation and CDKN2A methylation was significant in patients with CYP1A1 risk genotype (p = 0.038), but not in those with CYP1A1 homogeneity wild genotype (p = 0.151).

CONCLUSIONS

This may suggest that TP53 mutation and CDKN2A methylation specifically interact to promote lung tumorigenesis in subjects with CYP1A1 risk genotype but not in those with CYP1A1 wild-type homozygotes, implying different pathways for the development of lung carcinoma with respect to CYP1A1 polymorphism.