Emulsifying Properties of an Homologous Series of Medium- and Long-Chain d-Maltotriose Esters and their Impacts on the Viabilities of Selected Cell Lines

The development of functional as well as nutritional surfactants for the food industry remains a matter of great interest. In the present study, a series of 6″-O-acylmaltotriose monoesters bearing alkyl side chains of 10-18 carbons was prepared by enzymatic means. The emulsions derived from those monoesters incorporating palmitoyl, stearoyl, and oleoyl side chains generally displayed advantageous shelf-lives, superior resistance to environmental variations, and more favorable droplet size distributions as well as stronger cytotoxic effects against various cancer cell lines. Ester 6 was shown to significantly inhibit the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by inducing G1 phase arrest. Specifically, the levels of the G1 phase-related markers cyclin D1 and cyclin E as well as the cycle-dependent kinase 4 were suppressed by this particular ester. This study thus reveals that maltotriose esters can not only serve as novel functional food emulsifiers but also act, in vitro, as notable cytotoxic agents through a well-defined mechanism-of-action.

[Analysis of sugammadex for antagonistic neuromuscular block in patients with radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope]

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of sugammadex for antagonistic neuromuscular block in patients with radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope. Methods: One hundred patients undergoing radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope in Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March to September in 2019, were randomly divided into control group (group C) and sugammadex group (group S). All patients were anaesthetized (induced and maintained) with intravenous target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil, and intermittent intravenous injection of the neuromuscular block of rocuronium. During the operation, the bispectral index (BIS) was used to monitor the depth of anesthesia, and the neuromuscular block was assessed with TOF. Single-lung mechanical ventilation and double-lumen endotracheal intubation were carried out, and patient-controlled analgesia after operation were enforced. Patients in group C received neostigmine (2 mg) combined with atropine (0.5-1.0 mg) after thoracic closure, while patients in group S received sugammadex (2 mg/kg) at TOF count (≥2) after thoracic closure, and then double-lumen endotracheal tubes were extubated according to extubation indications. At these time points: T(0) (immediate before anesthesia induction), T(1) (immediate before tracheal intubation), T(2) (immediately after thoracic closure), T(3) (1 h after operation), T(4) (6 h after operation), T(5) (24 h after operation), T(6)(48 h after operation), the heart rate(HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded, QT interval (V3 ECG) were measured and calculated, indicators of liver function [alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase(AST)], renal function [blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cre)] and clotting function [thrombin time (TT), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and fibrinogen (FIB)] were detected. The duration of operation, postoperative conditions within 48 hours after operation(the time of tracheal tube extubation, respiratory suppression/dysfunction, allergy, nausea and vomiting, itching of skin, abnormal sensation), pathological types and the postoperative hospital stay were recorded. Results: There were no significant differences of the age, sex ratio, body mass index (BMI), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grading ratio, duration of operation, pathological types and the postoperative hospital stay, HR, MAP and QT interval between two groups (all P>0.05). There were no remarkable differences of the levels of serum histamine, ALT, AST, BUN, Cre, TT, PT, APTT and FIB before and after administration of neuromuscular blockade antagonists (neostigmine or Sugammadex) in the same group patients (all P>0.05), also no significant differences between group C and group S at the same time points (all P>0.05). Average time of tracheal tube extubation in group S [(3.7±1.3) min] was sharply shorter than that in group C [(14.5±4.4) min, t=2.266, P<0.05)]. There were no patients with allergy, skin itching, sensory abnormality in these two groups. There were no significant difference of the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting between these two groups. There were 5 patients with respiratory depression in group C and no respiratory depression patient in group S, the difference was statistically significant between these two groups (χ(2)=5.263, P<0.05). Conclusion: Sugammadex is effective for antagonizing the neuromuscular blockade of rocuronium in patients with radical resection of lung cancer under thoracoscope, and can shorten the time of tracheal tube extubation after surgery.

[Textual research on the terms of "Ointment" in traditional Chinese medicine]

Ointment in traditional Chinese medicine appeared very early, as early as in the Shan Hai Jing(, The Classic of Mountains and Seas) has been recorded, Wushier Bing Fang(, Prescriptions for Fifty-two Diseases), unearthed in the Mawangdui Han Tomb, there were many cases of ointment in it.The earliest paste named after "plaster" with complete formulation and application method can be found in Wuwei Han Dynasty Medical Slips.In the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Tao Hongjing's Shennong Bencao Jing Jizhu(, Collected Commentaries to the Materia Medica) presented a detailed description of the production process of ointment.The production and use of ointment in Sui and Tang Dynasties were more standardized. And ointment was widely used in Tang Dynasty. The term "yougao" (, grease) appeared in the book Beiji Qianjin Yaofang(, Essential Recipes for Emergent Use Worth A Thousand Gold), and "yaogao" (, unguent) was used earlier in the book Ishimpo(), which was used to refer to ointment.The word "ruangao" (, unguentum) was used earlier in the Yuji Weiyi(), a book from Ming Dynasty, and its connotation is basically the same as that of modern ointment.The term "rugao" (, cream) appeared again in Puji Fang(, Prescriptions for Universal Relief), referring to the ointment having a milk base.The term "ointment" was first recorded in Liangyao Yu Duyao (, Good medicine and Poisons), which published in 1932. Since then, the name "ointment" has been used in all traditional Chinese medical works.

[Effects of anteriolateral thigh perforator flap and fascia lata transplantation in combination with computed tomography angiography on repair of electrical burn wounds of head with skull exposure and necrosis]

Objective: To explore the effects of anteriolateral thigh perforator flap and fascia lata transplantation in combination with computed tomography angiography (CTA) on repair of electrical burn wounds of head with skull exposure and necrosis. Methods: Seven patients with head electrical burns accompanied by skull exposure and necrosis were admitted to our burn center from March 2016 to December 2017. Head CTA was performed before the operation. The diameters of the facial artery and vein or the superficial temporal artery and vein were measured, and their locations were marked on the body surface. Preoperative CTA for flap donor sites in lower extremities were also performed to track the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery with the similar diameter as the recipient vessels on the head, and their locations were marked on the body surface. Routine wound debridement and skull drilling were performed successively. The size of the wounds after debridement ranged from 12 cm×8 cm to 20 cm×12 cm, and the areas of skull exposure ranged from 8 cm×6 cm to 15 cm×10 cm. Anteriolateral thigh perforator flaps with areas from 13 cm×9 cm to 21 cm×13 cm containing 5-10 cm long vascular pedicles were designed and dissected accordingly. The fascia lata under the flap with area from 5 cm×2 cm to 10 cm×3 cm was dissected according to the length of vascular pedicle. The fascia lata was transplanted to cover the exposed skull, and the anteriolateral thigh perforator flap was transplanted afterwards. The descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and its accompanying vein of the flap were anastomosed with superficial temporal artery and vein or facial artery and vein before the suture of flap. The flap donor sites were covered by intermediate split-thickness skin graft collected from contralateral thigh or abdomen. Results: The descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and its accompanying vein were anastomosed with superficial temporal artery and vein in six patients, while those with facial artery and vein in one patient. All the flaps survived after the operation, and no vascular crisis was observed. Wound healing was satisfactory. One patient was lost to follow up. Six patients were followed up for 6 to 10 months. The patients were bald in the head operation area with acceptable appearance. No psychiatric symptom such as headache or epileptic seizure was reported. The flap donor sites were normal in appearance. The muscle strength of the lower extremities all reached grade V. The sensation and movement of the lower extremities were normal. Conclusions: Anterolateral thigh perforator flap with fascia lata transplantation can effectively repair electrical burn wounds of head with skull exposure and necrosis. The fascia lata can be used to protect the vascular pedicle of flaps, which is beneficial to the survival of the flap. Preoperative head and lower extremities CTA can provide reference for intraoperative vascular exploration in donor site and recipient area, so as to shorten operation time.

[Research on hallucinogenic drugs used in Shaman religious activities]

The development of medicine experienced a long history, and the origin of medicine is not appeared overnight. Due to the lack of historical data, the question of the origin of medicine has not been agreed upon. As an ancient primitive religion, Shamanism retains the use of hallucinogenic drugs in its early religious activities rather well, providing a guidance for exploring the cognition on drugs in early human. Through the review of the hallucinogenic plants used by shaman religious activities in different countries and areas, it was found that hallucinogenic drugs can be classified into two categories: single and mixed, which came mainly from plants and fungi, and the origin of hallucinogenic drugs has a high fitting degree with Shaman location. The study result suggests that, based on the worldwide research literature on the application of such hallucinogens with local characteristics in the shamanistic religious activities, it is very likely that important clues can be found to understand the facts of discovery and application of natural drugs, thus providing a new approach for the studies on the origin of drugs.

[Efficacy and tolerance of Memantine monotherapy and combination therapy with Reinhartdt And Sea Cucumber Capsule on agitation in moderate to severe Alzheimer disease]

Objective: To explore the efficacy and tolerance of Memantine combined Reinhartdt And Sea Cucumber Capsule (R.S.C) on treating agitation in patients with moderate-severe Alzheimer disease (AD). Methods: One hundred and fifty-eight moderate-sever AD patients from Sep.2013 to Sep.2014 in Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital were randomly divided into two groups: group of Memantine combined R. S.C and group of single Memantine. Then Mini-Mental Sate Examination (MMSE) and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were used to evaluate cognition symptom, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and agitation symptom at the baseline and the end of 24 weeks.The Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale (TESS) was used to assess adverse reaction and tolerance.At last, the data was analyzed by chi-square test, t-test and covariance test. Result: At the terminal of experience, the total NPI scores and agitation factor decreased markedly in both of the two groups (P<0.05). Among the patients who had agitation symptom at the baseline, the total NPI scores and agitation factor (18±5, 3.7±2.6) in group of Memantine combined R. S.C were notably lower than those in the group of single Memantine (21±6, 5.3±2.5) (P<0.05). The incidence of adverse reaction between the two groups had no significant difference (combined treatment group was 27.7%, single treatment group was 23.2%). One patient dropped out because of skin allergy, and most adverse reactions were tolerant. Conclusions: Both two groups are effective in agitation and BPSD, and Memantine combined R. S.C is better than single treatment.R.S.C dose not aggravate adverse reaction and can be well tolerated.

[Textual research on the fire needle and the fire needle therapy]

There are different names of the fire needle therapy in the Huang di nei jing (Inner Canon of Huangdi) such as Zu-zhen (), Cui-zhen (,), Fan-zhen (), Huo-cui (), Cui (,,), Cuici ,), Fan zhen jie ci (). It is claimed that the lance needle, the round sharp needle and the long needle recorded in this Classic are puncturing tools for the fire needle therapy. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, Zhang Zhongjing expanded the indications for the fire needle therapy and Huo-zhen () firstly appeared in the Jin kui yu han jing(Classic of the Jade Box and Golden Chamber). The application of the fire needle therapy had been further expanded to a lot of internal and external disorders form the Wei-Jin-Southern and Northern Dynasties to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. There are more detailed records on the manipulation and the tools of the fire needle therapy during this period. In the 1970s, Huo zhen liao fa () was proposed and still in use today. However the Bai-zhen (plain needle) in ancient literature is equal to the filiform needle and should not be regarded as the former name of the fire needle.

[A brief history of traditional Chinese medicinal pills]

Traditional Chinese medicine pill, an archaic medicinal preparation form, is a kind of spherical or spherical-like preparation form produced by medicinal powders or extracts mixed with appropriate excipient or other accessories. It was originated in the Pre-Qin Dynasty, developed and enriched from the Han Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. With the improvement of preparing process, honeyed pill, waxed pill, coating pill and wax-coating pill etc. appeared in succession. In modern times, with the progress of pharmaceutical machine, the medicinal pill is innovated constantly, and at present, it becomes the main form of Chinese patent medicine with batch production.

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic studies of antibacterial polypeptide LCI expressed in Escherichia coli

LCI is a type of novel antibacterial polypeptide secreted by a Bacillus subtilis strain. It consists of 47 residues with a molecular weight of 5468 Da. Using bioengineering, LCI was expressed in Escherichia coli DH5alpha with recombinant plasmid pBVAB16. It was crystallized using PEG 4000 as a precipitant. The crystal belongs to space group P6(2)22 or P6(4)22, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 29.30, c = 187.09 A, and diffracts to 2.44 A. A set of diffraction data to 2.8 A was collected.

Evidence for lactate uptake after rat fluid percussion brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) places enormous early energy demand on brain tissue to reinstate normal ionic balance. Glucose declines and lactate increases after TBI as demonstrated in clinical and lab studies, suggesting increased glycolysis. This led us to hypothesize that high extracellular fluid (ECF) lactate may be beneficial after TBI. We measured cerebral dialysate lactate and glucose, and arterial lactate and glucose, before & after rat Fluid Percussion Injury (FPI) (2.06 +/- 0.13 atm) with and without i.v. lactate infusion (100 mM x 4.5 hours) to test the hypotheses that arterial lactate determines ECF lactate. 14C-lactate autoradiography was also performed, to demonstrate whether lactate is taken up by traumatized brain.

RESULTS

Dialysate lactate was always significantly higher than arterial. After lactate infusion, both the dialysate and the arterial lactate were significantly increased (P < 0.0001). Dialysate lactate increased within 10 min. following FPI, with significantly higher values in the lactate infusion group (82% higher with lactate infusion after FPI). Dialysate glucose fell following FPI, with a more severe decline in the saline group (129% lower), suggesting lactate infusion preserves or "spares" glucose in ECF. In our autoradiographic study, i.v. 14C-lactate accumulated at the injury site, with levels 2-4 times higher than in contralateral cortex. In conclusion, arterial lactate augmentation thus increases brain dialysate lactate and results in less reduction in ECF glucose, after FPI. Infused lactate accumulates at the injury site, where metabolism is probably the greatest.

Comparison of models for describing measured VOC emissions from wood-based panels under dynamic chamber test condition

Measured emission factors are the experimental data used to represent emission characteristics of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from testing materials under dynamic chamber test conditions. A simple empirical model that describes the measured emission factors will be very useful for practical purposes. In this study, a power law model was compared with a widely used first-order exponential decay model in their ability to describe measured emission factors of wood-based panel materials. It was demonstrated that the power law model is a better choice than the first-order model for describing emission characteristics for short-term (less than 100 h) experimental data. The power law model was also more superior in predicting long-term (up to 900 h) emission factors.

Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic studies of bar-headed goose fluoromethaemoglobin with inositol hexaphosphate

Bar-headed goose fluoromethaemoglobin (fluoromet-Hb) complexed with inositol hexaphosphate (IHP) has been crystallized using PEG 6000 as precipitant. The crystal belongs to space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 59.8, b = 72.0, c = 79.8 A, beta = 102.1 degrees, and diffracts to 2.5 A resolution. To prove the presence of IHP, the structure was determined by the molecular-replacement method. IHP was observed at the entrance to the central cavity between the N and C termini of two beta subunits.

Brain lactate uptake increases at the site of impact after traumatic brain injury

Although glucose is the main carbohydrate energy substrate for the normal brain, several studies published over the last 10 years now challenge this assumption. The activated brain increases its metabolism to meet increased energy demands by glycolysis after injury. In vitro studies now show that lactate alone can serve as an energy source to maintain synaptic function. In this study, we used 14C-lactate to test the hypothesis that blood lactate is acutely taken up by the injured brain, after fluid percussion injury (FPI) in the rat. 50 microCi radioactive lactate was injected i.v. immediately after FPI, in injured and sham rats. After 30 min, the brain was removed, frozen, and cut into 20 microm sections for autoradiography. Uptake of 14C-label was mainly concentrated at the injury site (2.5 times greater) although uninjured brain also took up the 14C-label. This increased concentration of radioactive lactate at the injury site suggests that the injured brain may use the lactate as an energy source.

Lactate/glucose dynamics after rat fluid percussion brain injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) places enormous early energy demand on brain tissue to reinstate normal ionic balance. Clinical studies have demonstrated a decline in extracellular fluid (ECF) glucose and an increase in lactate after TBI. In vitro studies suggest that this increase in lactate is mediated by increased glutamate and may provide a metabolic substrate for neurons, to aid in ionic restoration. This led us to hypothesize that high ECF lactate may be beneficial in recovery following TBI, where major ionic flux has been shown to occur. In this study, we measured cerebral dialysate lactate and glucose, and arterial lactate and glucose, before and after rat lateral fluid percussion brain injury (FPI; 2.06 +/- 0.13 atm) with and without IV lactate infusion (100 mM X 0.65 mL/h X 5 h) to test the hypothesis that arterial lactate can influence ECF lactate. Dialysate lactate increased within 10 min following FPI, with higher values in the lactate infusion group. Following FPI, the dialysate lactate increase was 238% with lactate infusion versus 171% increase with saline infusion. Dialysate glucose fell immediately following FPI, with a more severe decline in the saline group. The glucose decrease was 231% greater in the IV saline group. Furthermore, in the lactate infusion group, the dialysate glucose levels recovered to baseline levels by 4 h after injury, whereas they remained depressed through out the experiment, in the saline infusion group. We conclude that arterial lactate augmentation can increase brain dialysate lactate, and result in more rapid recovery of dialysate glucose after FPI. This may indicate a beneficial role for lactate, that may be potentially useful in the clinical situation, after TBI.

Aspirin, a silent risk factor in urology

Aspirin is a widely used drug for its analgetic, antiinflamatory and antipyretic effects as well as for prophylactic effect in cardiovascular diseases. However, an increased number of operative hemorrhagic complications in patients on daily aspirin have been reported, an adverse effect highly relevant in urology. In this review the normal hemostatic mechanism and the chief pharmacological effect of aspirin on hemostasis is described. The literature is reviewed for hemorrhagic complications to aspirin in urology. Few reports indicate that aspirin increases bleeding and need for transfusion following prostatectomy, but no placebo-controlled clinical trials with large patient groups have been carried out. Following prostate biopsy and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy aspirin-induced hemorrhagic complications have been reported. Cessation of aspirin ingestion one week prior to invasive urologic procedures and correction of bleeding complications with desmopressin, platelet concentration or fresh whole blood is described.

Prostatic cyst. An unusual but important finding in male urogenital dysfunction

Prostatic cysts are one of the uncommon congenital disorders, and only a few cases have been reported. This lesion actually includes two different entities on the embryological development basis, the enlarged prostatic utricle and the cystic remnants of the müllerian ducts. We report two patients with prostatic cysts, probably two prostatic utricle cysts. In both cases the cyst caused significant urogenital dysfunction. The patients were cured by endoscopic unroofing of the cysts. We discuss the embryogenesis, diagnosis and treatment by reviewing the literature.

Indole Alkaloids from Alstonia angustifolia

From the stem bark of ALSTONIA ANGUSTIFOLIA, eleven alkaloids were isolated. Seven of them are known ones: echitamine ( 1), N(b)-demethylechitamine ( 2), pseudoakuammigine ( 3), tubotaiwine ( 5), akuammicine ( 6), N(b)-beta-methylantirhine ( 12), and N(b)-methylakuammidine ( 13). The four others, pseudoakuammigine N-oxide ( 4), akuammicine N-oxide ( 7), N(b)-demethylalstogustine ( 8), and N(b)-demethylalstogustine N-oxide ( 11), are new alkaloids. Their structures were determined by means of spectroscopic analysis and chemical correlation with known alkaloids.