Discovery of novel amide derivatives as potent quorum sensing inhibitors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

With the increasing reports of antibiotic resistance in this species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common human pathogen with important implications for public health. Bacterial quorum sensing (QS) systems are potentially broad and versatile targets for developing new antimicrobial compounds. While previous reports have demonstrated that certain amide compounds can inhibit bacterial growth, there are few reports on the specific inhibitory effects of these compounds on bacterial quorum sensing systems. In this study, thirty-one amide derivatives were synthesized. The results of the biological activity assessment indicated that A9 and B6 could significantly inhibit the expression of lasB, rhlA, and pqsA, effectively reducing several virulence factors regulated by the QS systems of PAO1. Additionally, compound A9 attenuated the pathogenicity of PAO1 to Galleria mellonella larvae. Meanwhile, RT-qPCR, SPR, and molecular docking studies were conducted to explore the mechanism of these compounds, which suggests that compound A9 inhibited the QS systems by binding with LasR and PqsR, especially PqsR. In conclusion, amide derivatives A9 and B6 exhibit promising potential for further development as novel QS inhibitors in P. aeruginosa.

Bromine Atoms Decorated Pyene-based Covalent Organic Frameworks for Accelerated Photocatalytic H2 Production

Designing materials with low exciton binding energy is an efficient way of improving the hydrogen production performance of COFs（Covalent Organic Frameworks. Here, it is demonstrated that the strategy of decorating bromine atoms on Pyene-based COFs can achieve elevated photocatalytic H2 evolution rates (HER = 13.61 mmol g-1 h-1 ). Low-temperature fluorescence and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy (TRPL) indicate that the introduction of bromine atoms can significantly suppress charge recombination. DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculation clarified that the C atoms adjacent to Br are the active sites with a reduced energy barrier in the process of formatting H intermediate species (H*). The modification strategy of Br atoms in COF furnishes a new medium for exploiting exquisite photocatalysts.

A pH-responsive MOF-functionalized hollow mesoporous silica controlled herbicide delivery system exhibits enhanced activity against ACCase-herbicide-resistant weeds

BACKGROUND

Weeds grow aggressively in agricultural fields, leading to reduced crop yields and an inability to meet the growing demand for food. Herbicides are currently the most effective method for weed control. However, the overuse of herbicides has resulted in the evolution of resistance mutants and has caused environmental pollution. Therefore, new technologies are urgently required to address this global challenge.

RESULTS

We report a copper-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate metal organic framework (Cu-BDC MOF)-functionalized carboxyl hollow mesoporous silica (HMS-COOH) delivery system for the pH-controlled release of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase)-inhibiting herbicide quizalofop-p-ethyl (QE). The delivery system (QE@HMS@Cu-BDC) enabled the efficient control of barnyard grasses that are susceptible and resistant to ACCase-inhibiting herbicides, which showed 93.33% and 88.33% FW control efficacy at 67.5 g ha-1 , respectively. With the lowest pH value (3), QE and copper ion were released slowly to total 70.30% and 78.55% levels (respectively) from QE@HMS@Cu-BDC after 89 h. QE@HMS@Cu-BDC showed better absorption, conduction, transportation and ACCase activity inhibition performance than that of QE emulsifiable concentrate (EC) in both susceptible and ACCase-herbicide resistant barnyard grasses. In addition, with the safener effect of carrier HMS@Cu-BDC and the aid of the safener fenchlorazole-ethyl (FE), the application of QE@HMS@Cu-BDC was shown to mitigate the damage caused by QE to rice plants.

CONCLUSION

This work found that the new material HMS-COOH@Cu-BDC can be used to mitigate herbicide-induced oxidative stress and improve rice plant safety. Futhermore, the QE@HMS-COOH@Cu-BDC constructed in this research might be used as an efficient nanopesticide formulation for weed controls in paddy rice fields. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Formulation and Characterization of Matrine Oil Dispersion to Improve Droplet Wetting and Deposition

The unreasonable use of chemical pesticides has caused serious damage to crops and the ecological environment. The botanical pesticide matrine has attracted attention as an environmentally friendly pesticide. Compared with traditional spraying methods, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) spraying has the advantages of safety, rapidity, uniform droplets, low dosages, and no terrain or crop restrictions. In this study, matrine OD was prepared according to the application requirements of flight prevention preparations using three different emulsifiers. The stability, wettability, particle size and distribution, and spraying performance of matrine OD were studied. The results indicated that when the amount of emulsifier was 8%, the three types of matrine OD had good stability. The stability, wettability, particle size and distribution, and spray performance of the suspension prepared using emulsifier VO/03 were better than the other two emulsifiers. Therefore, matrine OD prepared using 8% VO/03 could be used for ultra-low-volume sprays and aerial applications. In this study, we provide a theoretical basis and technical guidance to develop pesticide formulations for aerial applications.

Preparation of Thifluzamide Polylactic Acid Glycolic Acid Copolymer Microspheres and Its Effect on the Growth of Cucumber Seedlings

The polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) has been proven to be applicable in medicine, but there is limited research on its application and safety in the agricultural field. In this paper, thifluzamide PLGA microspheres were prepared via phacoemulsification and solvent volatilization, using the PLGA copolymer as the carrier and thifluzamide as the active component. It was found that the microspheres had good slow-release performance and fungicidal activity against Rhizoctonia solani. A comparative study was conducted to show the effect of thifluzamide PLGA microspheres on cucumber seedlings. Physiological and biochemical indexes of cucumber seedlings, including dry weight, root length, chlorophyll, protein, flavonoids, and total phenol content, indicated that the negative effect of thifluzamide on plant growth could be mitigated when it was wrapped in PLGA microspheres. This work explores the feasibility of PLGA as carriers in fungicide applications.

Self-Assembled Sphere Covalent Organic Framework with Enhanced Herbicidal Activity by Loading Cyhalofop-butyl

Nanopesticides are considered to be a novel and efficient kind of tool for controlling pests in modern agriculture. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), with high surface areas, ordered structures, and rich functional groups for loading pesticides, are a class of promising carrier materials that can be used to develop efficient nanopesticide delivery systems. However, until now, only a strong ionic interaction between the pesticide and COF can be utilized to achieve the combination between the pesticide and COF. On the basis of this method, charged pesticide molecules are the only choice for COF-based nanopesticides, which limits the exploitation. The way to load the uncharged pesticide molecules into COF still needs to be explored. Herein, in this research, we provided a commonly mild and high-efficacy strategy for loading an uncharged pesticide molecule into COF. The herbicide cyhalofop-butyl (CB), as a neutral model pesticide molecule, was loaded into the sphere COF (SCOF, a model COF synthesized at room temperature) without any ionic interaction via the host-guest strategy. The loading capacity of CB into SCOF (CB@SCOF) was determined at 57% (w/w). Smaller CB@SCOF particles (150-200 nm) can efficiently enter the weed leaves and stems, enhancing the accumulation of the effective concentration in weeds, thus increasing herbicidal activity, in comparison to CB emulsifiable (EC, micrometer scale). Furthermore, CB@SCOF had a solubilization effect for CB in water and can improve the photostability of CB. Thus, the CB-loaded COF nanosphere showed excellent herbicidal activities against the target weeds Echinochloa crus-galli and Leptochloa chinensis compared to commercial CB EC. In conclusion, this study also provides a mild and high-efficacy pesticide loading strategy for COFs. The constructed efficient delivery system and pesticide formulation containing herbicidal COF nanospheres exhibit great potential applications for controlling weeds in sustainable agriculture.

A Mini Review on Natural Safeners: Chemistry, Uses, Modes of Action, and Limitations

Herbicide injury is a common problem during the application of herbicides in practice. However, applying herbicide safeners can avoid herbicide damage. Safeners selectively protect crops against herbicide injury without affecting the biological activity of herbicides against the target weeds. However, after long-term application, commercial safeners were found to pose risks to the agricultural ecological environment. Natural safeners are endogenous compounds from animals, plants, and microbes, with unique structures and are relatively environment-friendly, and thus can address the potential risks of commercial safeners. This paper summarizes the current progress of the discovery methods, structures, uses, and modes of action of natural safeners. This study also concludes the limitations of natural safeners and prospects the future research directions, offering guidance for the practical application of natural safeners to prevent herbicide injury. This study will also guide the research and development of corresponding products.

[Correlation analysis between lactic, procalcitonin and disease severity in patients with imported malaria from Africa]

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics, the correlation between lactate, procalcitonin and disease severity of imported malaria from Africa. Methods: The clinical data of 186 patients with imported malaria were collected from January 1, 2018 to April 30, 2021 in the Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University. The general conditions, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, treatment, and prognosis of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to evaluate the value of relevant indicators in predicting severe malaria. Results: A total of 186 patients were divided into severe cases (n=48) and non-severe cases (n=138) in this study, of which the mean age was (38.3±10.3) years, 169(90.9%) cases were male, 17(9.1%) cases were female. The main infection species was Plasmodium falciparum, in a total of 166 cases (89.2%). The severe cases were all falciparum malarias. Compared with the non-severe group, the lactic, procalcitonin, white blood cell count and neutrophil count of the severe group were all increased, the differences were all statistically significant (all P<0.01); the percentage of monocytes, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count were all decreased, the difference were all statistically significant (all P<0.01). The areas under the ROC curves (AUC)(95%CI) of lactate, procalcitonin, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit and platelet count for predicting severe malaria was 0.753(0.663-0.844), 0.755(0.670-0.841), 0.782(0.700-0.864), 0.738(0.652-0.823), 0.760(0.676-0.844), 0.778(0.699-0.857), respectively (all P<0.01). When the Youden indexes were at their maximum, the best cut-off value of lactic was 2.29 mmol/L, with sensitivity in predicting of severe malaria was 56.3%, and the specificity was 93.5%; the best cut-off value of procalcitonin was 2.12 μg/L, with sensitivity in predicting of severe malaria was 77.1%, and the specificity was 68.1%. The fatality rate of severe malaria was 4.2% (2/48). Conclusions: Anemia and thrombocytopenia are common indicators for predicting the severity of malaria. Lactic and procalcitonin also have higher predictive value for severe malaria, which could help to identify severe malaria as early as possible, improve the cure rate and reduce the risk of death.

[Consensus of experts on the oral health management and medical risk prevention for the patients with chronic airway diseases (2022 edition)]

Today, there is greater awareness on the association between oral diseases and respiration diseases after the outbreak of COVID-19. However, confusion regarding the oral health management and medical risk prevention for patients with chronic airway diseases has been remained among dental clinicians. Therefore, the dental experts of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association, combined with the experts of respiratory and critical care medicine, undertook the formation of consensus on the oral health management of patients with chronic airway diseases in order to help dental clinicians to evaluate medical risks and make better treatment decision in clinical practice. In the present consensus report, the relationship of oral diseases and chronic airway diseases, the oral health management and the treatment recommendations of patients with chronic airway diseases are provided.

[Consensus of experts on the medical risk prevention for the patients with cardiovascular diseases during dental treatment (2022 edition)]

With the aging process of population in the society, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in China is increasing continuously and the number of dental patients with CVD is increasing gradually too. Due to the lack of guidelines for dental patients with CVD in our country, how to implement standardized preoperative evaluation and perioperative risk prevention remains a problem to be solved for dentists at present. The present expert consensus was reached by combining the clinical experiences of the expert group of the Fifth General Dentistry Special Committee, Chinese Stomatological Association and respiratory and cardiology experts in diagnosis and treatment for CVD patients, and by systematically summarizing the relevant international guidelines and literature regarding the relationship between CVD and oral diseases and the diagnosis and treatment of dental patients with heart failure, hypertension and antithrombotic therapy. The consensus aims to provide, for the dental clinicians, the criteria on diagnosis and treatment of CVD in dental patients in China so as to reduce the risk and complications, and finally to improve the treatment levels of dental patients with CVD in China.

[Clinical effect and influencing factors of focused ultrasound ablation surgery combined with suction curettage for the treatment of mass-type cesarean scar pregnancy]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of focused ultrasound ablation surgery (FUAS) combined with suction curettage for mass-type cesarean scar pregnancy (CSP) and to analyze the influencing factors of vaginal bleeding and readmission. Methods: From January 2014 to December 2020, 88 patients with mass-type CSP were treated by FUAS combined with suction curettage in the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. The clinical results and the influencing factors of bleeding and readmission for mass-type CSP were analyzed. Results: All the patients underwent one time FUAS treatment successfully. Immediately after FUAS treatment, color Doppler ultrasound showed obvious necrosis and no perfusion area in all lesions, and the blood flow in the mass-type CSP tissue significantly decreased. The median volume of blood loss in the procedure was 20 ml (range: 5-950 ml). Thirteen patients (15%, 13/88) had vaginal bleeding≥200 ml, and 15 patients (17%, 15/88) were hospitalized again. The average time for menstruation recovery was (28±8) days (range: 18-66 days). The average time needed for serum human chorionic gonadotropin-beta subunit to return to normal levels was (22±6) days (range: 7-59 days). The risk of large vaginal bleeding of patients were related to the blood supply of the mass (OR=5.280, 95%CI: 1.335-20.858, P=0.018) and the largest diameter of the mass (OR=1.060, 95%CI: 1.010-1.120, P=0.030). The risk of readmission were related to the largest diameter of the mass (OR=1.055, 95%CI: 1.005-1.108, P=0.030) and the depth of the uterus cavity (OR=1.583, 95%CI: 1.015-2.471, P=0.043). No serious complications such as intestinal and nerve injury occurred during and after FUAS treatment. Conclusions: FUAS combined with suction curettage is safe and effective in treating patients with mass-type CSP through this preliminary study. The volume of vaginal bleeding are associated with the blood supply of the mass and the largest diameter of the mass, the risk of readmission are related to the largest diameter of the mass and the depth of the uterus cavity.

Phenyl imidazolidin-2-ones antagonize a β-adrenergic-like octopamine receptor in diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella)

BACKGROUND

The diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) is one of the most destructive lepidopteran pests on cruciferous vegetables. However, resistance has emerged to current chemical and biological insecticides used for P. xylostella control, indicating the necessity of screening new targets on P. xylostella, and finding new insecticides against P. xylostella. In particular, octopamine receptors are representative G protein-coupled receptors found only in invertebrates and are potential targets for identifying novel insecticides.

RESULTS

A β-adrenergic-like octopamine receptor gene (PxOA2B1) was cloned, and its pharmacological characteristics in P. xylostella were studied. The results demonstrated that octopamine could activate the PxOA2B1 receptor, with a half-maximal effective concentration (EC₅₀ ) of 49.5 nm. Amitraz, an insecticide and acaricide, and its metabolite (N-2,4-dimethylphenyl-N'-methylformamidine; DPMF) were also found to act as PxOAB1R agonists. We synthesized phenyl imidazolidin-2-one derivatives 3a-h using DPMF as the lead compound, and compounds 3a-h showed similar antagonist activities as phentolamine, mianserin and chlorpromazine. In particular, 3d, with an EC₅₀ of 25.2 nm, showed very similar antagonist activity to mianserin.

CONCLUSION

This research found that PxOAB1R might be a potential target for P. xylostella control. Phenyl imidazolidin-2-ones could be novel potential antagonists targeted at octopamine receptors and would be useful tools for the design and development of novel insecticides. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Developmental toxicity and transcriptome analysis of zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos following exposure to chiral herbicide safener benoxacor

Benoxacor, a chiral herbicide safener for S-metolachlor, has been detected in streams. However, the potential risk this poses to aquatic ecosystems is not clear. This study used zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos as a model to assess the enantioselective toxicity of benoxacor and its effects on biological activity and development from 2 h to 96 h post-fertilization (hpf). Results showed that benoxacor had negative effects on hatchability, malformations, and mortality. Compared to either individual enantiomer, embryos exposed to Rac-benoxacor had higher acute and developmental toxicities, glutathione S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzyme activities, and nrf 2 expression levels. They also had lower superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione reductase (GR) enzyme activity and krt 17, tbx 16, osx, cat, bcl 2, bax, and ifn expression levels. High-throughput RNA sequencing revealed that Rac-benoxacor had a greater effect on gene regulation than either enantiomer. Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses demonstrated that changes in oxidoreductase activity, cellular lipid metabolic process, and catalytic activity related genes may be due to the enantioselective effects of benoxacor isomers. These results suggest that the ecotoxicology data and safety knowledge about the effects of chiral benoxacor on zebrafish should be considered in future environmental risk evaluation.

Novel phenylpyrimidine derivatives containing a hydrazone moiety protect rice seedlings from injury by metolachlor

One strategy for solving the phytotoxicity of herbicides is to apply herbicide safeners that can efficiently alleviate the injuries of agricultural crops caused by herbicides. When metolachlor, a chloroacetamide herbicide, is applied with paddy rice, for example, the mechanisms associated with metolachlor and its residue negatively impact on the growth and yields of rice. To identify novel high-activity herbicide safener candidates for metolachlor, a series of (E)-4-(2-substituted hydrazinyl)-6-chloro-2-phenyl pyrimidines were synthesized and their structures were confirmed using IR (infrared radiation), ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS (high resolution mass spectrometry). The herbicide safener activities were then evaluated via primary tests. Compounds 3i and 3t were found to have the best herbicide activity on plant height. These compounds were then further screened for their activities at lower concentrations and showed better or similar activities compared to the positive control fenclorim, a commercial herbicide safener. The compounds 3i and 3t significantly enhanced glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity related with the herbicide safener activity in both shoots and roots tissues. Moreover, a qPCR (Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction) analysis found that the 3i and 3t treatments enhanced the expressions of OsGSTU3, OsGsTU39, and OsGSTF5. Finally, the results of an acute toxicity assessment with zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos using treatments 3i and 3t indicated they are relatively safe to aquatic organisms.

Assessing the toxicity of three "inert" herbicide safeners toward Danio rerio: Effects on embryos development

Recent studies indicated that 'inert ingredients' exert negative effects on the environment. Herbicide safeners are classed as 'inert ingredients', which increase the selectivity and detoxification of herbicides. However, little attention has been focused on the environmental behavior of herbicide safeners. AD-67 (AD), fenclorim (FM), and flurazole (FZ) are three commercially available herbicide safeners. In this study, zebrafish embryos were used as a model to investigate the potential developmental toxicity of these three safeners. The results showed that AD, FM, and FZ 96 h-LC₅₀ values were 2.52, 1.26, and 2.01 mg/L, respectively. Significant decreased body lengths were observed in embryos after 96 h of exposure to 0.2 mg/L FM and FZ. Hatching rates significantly increased at 24 h and decreased at 96 h in all treatment groups (0.02 mg/L AD, 0.2 mg/L AD, 0.02 mg/L AD, 0.2 mg/L FZ, as well as 0.01 and 0.1 mg/L FM). No significant (p > 0.05) changes in heartbeat numbers (60 s), but clearly increased malformation rates were observed in response to safeners exposure. Furthermore, embryos showed signs of oxidative stress, such as decreased activities of superoxide dismutase, altered activities of glutathione reductase and catalase and cell apoptosis. The gene transcription related to body malformation (egf, krt 17, and tbx 16) and cell apoptosis (bcl 2 and bax) changed in treated groups. These genes have been connected to potential toxicological mechanisms. These results indicate that the herbicide safeners AD, FM, and FZ induced developmental toxicities in zebrafish embryos. This study is the first report of the toxicity of safeners in the development of zebrafish embryos. The results may be useful for assessing the risk of herbicides safeners in the aquatic ecosystem.

[FibroTouch diagnostic efficiency and influencing factors for liver fibrosis in autoimmune liver diseases]

FibroTouch (FT) has been used widely in clinic. Studies of the FT diagnostic efficiency and influencing factors of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) of liver fibrosis in autoimmune liver diseases (AILD) have shown that FT has a good diagnostic efficiency and accuracy, especially in AIH. However, for patients with primary biliary cholangitis and overlap syndrome of autoimmune hepatitis, FT results should be vigilant. In addition, the diagnostic efficiency of FT. Notably, when using FT to diagnose AILD, the value of elastic stiffness depends on five influencing factors, such as, age, total bile acid, international standardized ratio, FIB-4 index, and prothrombin time.

New Lead Discovery of Herbicide Safener for Metolachlor Based on a Scaffold-Hopping Strategy

The use of herbicide safeners can significantly alleviate herbicide injury to protect crop plants and expand the application scope of the existing herbicides in the field. Sanshools, which are well known as spices, are N-alkyl substituted compounds extracted from the Zanthoxylum species and have several essential physiological and pharmacological functions. Sanshools display excellent safener activity for the herbicide metolachlor in rice seedlings. However, the high cost of sanshools extraction and difficulties in the synthesis of their complicated chemical structures limit their utilization in agricultural fields. Thus, the present study designed and synthesized various N-alkyl amide derivatives via the scaffold-hopping strategy to solve the challenge of complicated structures and find novel potential safeners for the herbicide metolachlor. In total, 33 N-alkyl amide derivatives (2a–k, 3a–k, and 4a–k) were synthesized using amines and saturated and unsaturated fatty acids as starting materials through acylation and condensation. The identity of all the target compounds was well confirmed by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). The primary evaluation of safener activities for the compounds by the agar method indicated that most of the target compounds could protect rice seedlings from injury caused by metolachlor. Notably, compounds 2k and 4k displayed excellent herbicide safener activities on plant height and demonstrated relatively similar activities to the commercialized compound dichlormid. Moreover, we showed that compounds 2k and 4k had higher glutathione S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in rice seedlings, compared to the metolachlor treatment. In particular, 2k and 4k are safer for aquatic organisms than dichlormid. Results from the current work exhibit that compounds 2k and 4k have excellent crop safener activities toward rice and can, thus, be promising candidates for further structural optimization in rice protection.

Synthesis of Novel 6-Aryloxy-4-chloro-2-phenylpyrimidines as Fungicides and Herbicide Safeners

Fenclorim is a commercial herbicide safener with fungicidal activity used for chloroacetanilide herbicides, which might be suitable as a lead compound for screening novel fungicides. However, little has been reported so far on the structure-activity relationship of fungicidal activities of fenclorim or its analogues. Here, a series of 4-chloro-6-substituted phenoxy-2-phenylpyrimidine derivatives was synthesized by a substructure splicing route using fenclorim as a lead compound. The structures of synthesized derivatives were characterized by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, and HRMS. Their fungicidal and herbicide safening activities were then evaluated. The results revealed that compound 11 had the best fungicidal activity against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Thanatephorus cucumeris, which was better than that of the control pyrimethanil. Moreover, compounds 3, 5, and 25 exhibited excellent safening activities against fresh weight, plant height, and root length, respectively. Such activities were significantly improved when compared to fenclorim. In summary, these findings look promising for the preparation of new fungicides and herbicide safeners based on the structure of fenclorim.

[Epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment in 278 patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Guangzhou]

Objective: To retrospective analyze the epidemiology, clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods: A total of 278 patients with COVID-19 admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital from January 20 to February 10, 2020 were selected. The general demographic data, epidemiological data, clinical symptoms, laboratory examinations, lung CT imaging, treatment and prognosis were analyzed. Results: There were 130 male patients (46.8%) and 148 females (53.2%) with age (48.1±17.0) years and 88.8% patients between 20-69 years. Two hundred and thirty-six (84.9%) patients had comorbidities. Two hundred and eleven cases (75.9%) were common type. The in-hospital mortality was 0.4% (1/278). The majority (201, 72.3%) were imported cases mainly from Wuhan (89, 44.3%). The most common clinical manifestations were fever (70.9%) and dry cough (61.5%). In some patients, hemoglobin (10.4%), platelets (12.6%) and albumin (55.4%) were lower than the normal range. Other biochemical tests according to liver and function were normal, while lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) was elevated in 61 patients (21.9%), creatine kinase increased in 26 patients (9.4%). Prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was seen in 52 patients (18.7%), D-dimer higher than normal in 140 patients (50.4%), while 117 patients (42.1%) had elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Typical CT manifestations included single or multiple ground glass shadows especially in lung periphery in early disease which infiltrated and enlarged during progressive stage. Diffuse consolidation with multiple patchy density in severe/critical cases and even "white lung" presented in a few patients. Two hundred and forty-two patients (87.1%) received one or more antiviral agents, 242 (87.1%) combined with antibacterials, 191 (68.7%) with oxygen therapy. There were 198 patients (71.2%) treated with traditional Chinese medicine. Conclusions: COVID-19 could attack patients in all ages with majority of common type and low mortality rate. Clinical manifestations involve multiple organs or systems. Progression of the disease results in critical status which should be paid much attention.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of Novel Heptacyclic Pyrazolamide Derivatives: A New Candidate of Dual-Target Insect Growth Regulators

Insect growth regulators (IGRs) can cause abnormal growth and development in insects, resulting in incomplete metamorphosis or even death of the larvae. Ecdysone receptor (EcR) and chitinase in insects play indispensable roles in the molting process. Ecdysone analogues and chitinase inhibitors are considered as potential IGRs. In order to find new and highly effective IGR candidates, based on the structure-activity relationship and molecular docking results of the active compound 6i (3-(tert-butyl)-N-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-5-carboxamide) discovered in our previous work, we changed the t-butyl group on the pyrazole ring into heptacycle to enhance the hydrophobicity. Consequently, a series of novel heptacyclic pyrazolamide derivatives were designed and synthesized. The bioassay results demonstrated that some compounds showed obvious insecticidal activity. Especially, D-27 (N-(4-(tert-butyl)phenyl)-2-phenyl-2,4,5,6,7,8-hexahydrocyclohepta[c]pyrazole-5-carboxamide) showed good activities against Plutella xylostella (LC₅₀, 51.50 mg·L^-1) and Mythimna separata (100% mortality at 2.5 mg·L^-1). Furthermore, protein validation indicated that D-27 acts not only on the EcR but also on chitinase Of ChtI. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation explained the vital factors in the interaction between D-27 and receptors. D-27 may be a new lead candidate with a dual target in which Of ChtI shall be the main one. This work created a new starting point for discovering a novel type of IGRs.

Direct Enantiomeric Separation and Determination of Hexythiazox Enantiomers in Environment and Vegetable by Reverse-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

In the present study, the direct enantiomeric separation of hexythiazox enantiomers on Lux cellulose-1, Lux cellulose-2, Lux cellulose-3, Lux cellulose-4, Lux amylose-1 and Chirapak IC chiral columns were carefully investigated by reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Acetonitrile/water and methanol/water were used as mobile phase at a flow rate of 0.8 mL·min-1. The effects of chiral stationary phase, temperature, thermodynamic parameters, mobile phase component and mobile phase ratio on hexythiazox enantiomers separation were fully evaluated. Hexythiazox enantiomers received a baseline separation on the Lux cellulose-3 column with a maximum resolution of Rs = 2.09 (methanol/water) and Rs = 2.74 (acetonitrile/water), respectively. Partial separations were achieved on other five chiral columns. Furthermore, Lux amylose-1 and Chirapak IC had no separation ability for hexythiazox enantiomers when methanol/water was used as mobile phase. Temperature study indicated that the capacity factor (k) and resolution factor (Rs) decreased with column temperature increasing from 10 °C to 40 °C. The enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) involved in hexythiazox separation were also calculated and demonstrated the lower temperature contributed to better separation resolution. Moreover, the residue analytical method for hexythiazox enantiomers in the environment (soil and water) and vegetable (cucumber, cabbage and tomato) were also established with reliable accuracy and precision under reverse-phase HPLC condition. Such results provided a baseline separation method for hexythiazox enantiomers under reverse-phase conditions and contributed to an environmental and health risk assessment of hexythiazox at enantiomer level.

[Real-world efficacy and safety of lopinavir/ritonavir and arbidol in treating with COVID-19 : an observational cohort study]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) and arbidol in the treatment of COVID-19 in the real world. Methods: The clinical data of 178 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 admitted to Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital were retrospectively analyzed from January 21 to February 9, 2020. According to the patient's antiviral treatment regimen, 178 patients were divided into 4 groups including LPV/r group (59 patients), arbidol group (36 patients), combination therapy with LPV/r plus arbidol group (25 patients) and the conventional treatment group without any antiviral drugs (58 patients). The main observation end points of the study was the negative conversion time of nucleic acid of the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) in pharyngeal swab. Results: The baseline of 4 groups before treatment was consistent and comparable. The negative conversion time of nucleic acid of the 2019-nCoV in pharyngeal swab was (10.20 ± 3.49), (10.11 ± 4.68), (10.86 ± 4.74), (8.44 ± 3.51) days separately in the LPV/r group, the arbidol group, the combination therapy group, and the conventional treatment group without significant difference (F = 2.556, P = 0.058). There was also no significant difference in the rate of negative conversion rate of 2019-nCoV nucleic acid, the improvement ration in clinical symptoms, and the improvement ration of pulmonary infection in the lung CT imaging (P> 0.05). However, a statistically significant difference was found in the proportion of deterioration changing from mild/moderate to severe/critical type at day 7 (χ(2) = 9.311, P = 0.017) as follows: the combination therapy group (24.0%, 6/25), the arbidol group ( 16.7%, 6/36), LPV/r group (5.4%, 3/56) and conventional treatment group (5.2%, 3/58). Moreover, the frequency of adverse reactions in the three groups receiving antiviral drugs was significantly higher than that in the conventional treatment group (χ(2) = 14.875, P = 0.002). Conclusions: No evidences could prove that LPV/r and arbidol could shorten the negative conversion time of novel coronavirus nucleic acid in pharyngeal swab nor improve the symptoms of patients. Furthermore, the combination usage of LPV/r and arbidol may not benefit for improving the disease. Noteworthy, the adverse reactions of the antiviral drugs should be paid careful attention during the treatment.

[Application value of sedation in colonoscopy]

Objective: To investigate the value of sedation in colonoscopy. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of colonoscopy procedures was performed in our institution. Inclusion criteria: (1) colonoscopy procedures were performed by well-trained gastrointestinal surgeons our institution; (2) medical records were complete and colonoscopy was documented properly by notes, videos, photographs, and traceable pathological reports. Those with incomplete records or performed in other institution were excluded. According to above criteria, clinical data of 49 057 cases of clinic and hospitalization receiving diagnostic or therapeutic colonoscopyat Department of Gastric and Colorectal Surgery, Daping Hospital from July 2007 to February 2017 were collected. Among them, there were 24 638 (50.2%) males and 24 419 females, with mean age of (50.6±14.1) (4 to 98) years. Based on the application of sedation during colonoscopy, patients were divided into the sedation group (39 412 cases, 80.3%) and the non-sedation group (9 645 cases, 19.7%). Clinical characteristics of two groups were compared. Results: The sedation rate increased from 45.6% (369/810) to 94.8% (917/967) from 2007 to 2017. As compared to non-sedation group, a higher proportion of females [51.0% (20 095/39 412) vs. 44.8% (4 324/9 645), χ(2)=117.422, P<0.001] and younger median age (50.0 years vs. 51.0 years, Z=-4.774, P<0.001) were found in the sedation group, whose differences were statistically significant. In all the 9645 cases in the non-sedation group, about 5.5% (534) of them terminated the examination because of unbearable discomfort, including 244 (4.6%) males and 290 (6.7%) females (χ(2)=20.522, P<0.001). Among all the screening population who were ≥50 years old, there was no significant difference in the polyp detection rate (PDR) between the sedation group and the non-sedation group [26.7% (4 737/17 753) vs. 27.4% (1 093/3 984), χ(2)=0.937, P=0.330]. The cecal intubation rate (CIR) in the sedation group was significantly higher than that in the non-sedation group [(85.2% (14 422/16 933) vs. 76.1% (2 803/3 682), χ(2)=180.032, P<0.001]. Five cases in the sedation group developed iatrogenic colonic perforation (ICP), with none in the non-sedation group. Conclusions: The application of sedation in colonoscopy is increasingly popular. Sedation can significantly improve CIR in colonoscopy, while it has no positive influence on PDR. Meanwhile, sedation increases the medical expense and may result in higher ICP rate.

ABCC2 participates in the resistance of Plutella xylostella to chemical insecticides

The ABCC2 protein of Plutella xylostella is an important target of Cry1A toxins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), but whether this protein is involved in the resistance of P. xylostella to other insecticides remains unclear. In this study, the abcc2 gene of P. xylostella was cloned and the expression levels of Pxabcc2 in susceptible and resistant strains were investigated. ABCC2 was found to be expressed 3.2-6.7-fold higher in the resistant strain than in the susceptible strain; in the surviving P. xylostella, ABCC2 levels were significantly higher when treated with indoxacarb, avermectin, and beta-cypermethrin. We constructed a stable ABCC2-expressing HEK-293 cell line to reveal the contribution of ABCC2 to insecticide resistance. The avermectin and chlorfenapyr sensitivities of the stably-transfected cell line were significantly lower than those of the control cells. The intracellular avermectin concentration was significantly lower in the stably-transfected cell line than in the control cells after four hours of exposure. This study shows that up-regulated ABCC2 expression is related to insecticide resistance in P. xylostella. Moreover, we used RNA interference technology to reduce ABCC2 levels in P. xylostella. Down-regulating ABCC2 expression did not significantly affect avermectin or chlorfenapyr resistance in P. xylostella. We speculate that increased ABCC2 expression can enhance metabolic resistance in P. xylostella. This study also provides new insights into cross-resistance between B. thuringiensis toxins and chemical insecticides.

Pharmacological Properties of the Type 1 Tyramine Receptor in the Diamondback Moth, Plutella xylostella

Tyramine receptors (TARs) can be activated by tyramine (TA) or octopamine (OA) and have been shown to be related to physiological regulation (e.g., gustatory responsiveness, social organization, and learning behavior) in a range of insect species. A tyramine receptor gene in Plutella xylostella, Pxtar1, was cloned and stably expressed in the HEK-293 cell line. Pharmacological properties and expression profile of Pxtar1 were also analyzed. Tyramine could activate the PxTAR1 receptor, increasing the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ((Ca²⁺)i) at an EC50 of 13.1 nM and reducing forskolin (10 μM)-stimulated intracellular cAMP concentration ((cAMP)i) at an IC₅₀ of 446 nM. DPMF (a metabolite of amitraz) and L(-)-carvone (an essential oil) were found to act as PxTAR1 receptor agonists. Conversely, yohimbine and mianserin had significant antagonistic effects on PxTAR1. In both larvae and adults, Pxtar1 had the highest expression in the head capsule and expression of Pxtar1 was higher in male than in female reproductive organs. This study reveals the temporal and spatial differences and pharmacological properties of Pxtar1 in P. xylostella and provides a strategy for screening insecticidal compounds that target PxTAR1.

[ORAI1 variation induced combined immunodeficiency: a case report and literature review]

Objective: To summarize the clinical manifestations and gene variations of combined immunodeficiency caused by ORAI1 variation with a case report and literature review. Methods: The clinical data of the patient who was diagnosed with ORAI1 variation caused combined immunodeficiency in the Department of Pediatrics in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University in February 2018 were extracted and analyzed. The literature till August 2018 was searched with key words of 'ORAI1', and 'immunodeficiency' in both English and Chinese in the database of China national knowledge infrast ructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Pubmed. Results: The patient was a 15 months old girl with acute onset of bilateral ptosis after upper respiratory tract infection, which was rapidly progressed to systemic myasthenia and accompanied with recurrent respiratory tract infection during the treatment. The patient poorly to responded immunomodulatory therapy and anti-infection therapy. Laboratory tests demonstrated decreased complement C3 and NK cell (CD3(-)CD56(+)), increased anti-thyroglobulin, thyroid peroxidase antibody and B lymphocyte (CD3(-)CD19(+)), and slightly increased anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody. Genetic analysis showed the homozygous variation of ORAI1 gene exon l c.12 G>T (p.E4D), with heterozygostty of both parents. There were only 4 papers reporting this disease in the literature review. A total of 7 patients with ORAI1 gene variation were reported, including 3 homozygous variations, 2 heterozygous variations and 2 complex heterozygous variations. The clinical manifestations included early onset recurrent infection, congenital hypotonia, elevated serum IgA and IgM, decreased NK cells, and family history of hereditary diseases. Four of the 7 reported cases died of pulmonary infection and sepsis, and the other 3 survived with low muscular tone and poor self-care ability. Conclusions: The most common clinical manifestations of ORAI1 variation caused combined immunodeficiency are recurrent infection and congenital hypotonia. Myasthenia induced recurrent respiratory tract infection is an important factor of poor prognosis in severe patients. There is a lack of effective treatment for this disease, and the prognosis is poor.

[Multidisciplinary classification of magnetic resonance imaging features of neuropsychiatric lupus]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical correlation between the manifestations of neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 65 neuropsychiatric lupus patients with brain MRI and clinical data from Peking University Third Hospital from January 2006 to October 2016, which was classified by rheumatologist, neurologists, and radiologists based on their brain MRI findings. The correlation between brain MRI findings and clinical manifestations was analyzed.

RESULTS

The characteristics of the brain MRI of the 65 patients were divided into 6 categories: 16 cases (25%) with demyelination in the white matter, 15 cases (23%) with cerebrovascular disease, including 4 cases (6%) with large vascular disease and 11 cases (17%) with small vessel disease, 4 cases (6%) with inflammation, 4 cases (6%) with edema, 13 cases (20%) with multiple manifestation coexistence, and 13 cases (20%) without any abnormality. Except for 4 cases of brain MRI with edema, the clinical manifestations were only epileptic seizures, other patients had complex and diverse clinical manifestations, including epileptic seizures, lupus-like headaches, mental symptoms, blurred vision, peripheral neuropathy and disturbance of consciousness. The incidence of epileptic seizures in patients with edema of MRI is significantly higher than that of other patients, and the therapeutic response time is the shortest.

CONCLUSION

Multidisciplinary collaboration divides the MRI findings of neuropsychiatric lupus patients into six categories. This classification method helps clinicians to predict and intervene early possible neuropsychiatric symptoms to guide clinical treatment.

Dissipation Dynamic and Final Residues of Oxadiargyl in Paddy Fields Using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Modified QuEChERS Method

Oxadiargyl, which binds to the protoporphyrinogen oxidase IX to exhibit herbicide activity, is mainly used in the prevention of certain perennial broadleaved and grass weeds during the preemergence of rice in paddy fields. However, oxadiargyl affects the germination and seedling growth of rice, causing damage to the plant and reducing rice yield. Hence, monitoring fate and behaviour of oxadiargyl in rice paddy fields is of great significance. A modified quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) sample preparation method coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was established in paddy water, paddy soil, rice straw, paddy hull, and brown rice. We validated this method for the first time in the analysis of the dissipation dynamic and residues of oxadiargyl over two years (2015⁻2016) at three sites in China. The average recoveries of oxadiargyl ranged from 76.0 to 98.8%, with relative standard deviations of 3.5⁻14.0%. The dissipation curves for paddy soil fit to a first-order kinetic equation, revealing that oxadiargyl degraded rapidly in paddy soil with half-lives (t_1/2) of 4.5⁻7.6 days. The final oxadiargyl residues in all samples remained below the detection limit and the maximum residue limit in China (0.02 mg kg^-1) and Japan (0.05 mg kg^-1) during the harvesting dates and were not detected in rice straw.

[Salivary microbiome in people with obesity: a pilot study]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characterization of the salivary microbiome in people with obesity and the differences in microbial composition, gene function and metabolic pathways of salivary microbiome between people with obesity and normal weight controls.

METHODS

The study was carried out in people with obesity and age- and sex-matched normal weight controls. None of these selected participants had the systemic disease, oral mucosal disease or periodontal disease. Unstimulated saliva samples were collected and oral examination was conducted. DNAs from saliva samples were extracted and sequenced in an Illumina NextSeq 500 platform. Community composition, linear discriminant analysis of taxonomic differences,gene prediction, gene set construction and annotation of gene function were performed.

RESULTS

The classified bacterial reads of the samples were 2 630 428 for each sample. A total of 11 phyla, 19 classes, 26 orders, 41 families, 62 genera and 164 species were detected ultimately. All samples had the same predominant phyla (Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Actinobacteria and Fusobacteria). There were statistical differences between the groups at the class, order, family, genus and species levels. At the class level, Negativicutes and Erysipelotrichia were more abundant in the obesity group, while Flavobacteriia and Bateroidetes dominated in normal weight group (P<0.05). At the species level, 16 showed significant differences in relative abundance among the groups, in which Prevotella melaninogenica,Prevotella salivae,Solobacterium moorei and Atopobium parvulum ware more abundant in the obesity group, whereas Streptococcus sanguinis dominated in normal weight group (P<0.05). The people with obesity had a higher number of salivary microbial genes (P<0.05). We produced statistics on gene prediction and found salivary microbiome of obesity group had a higher number of genes (P < 0.05). Genes associated with the pathways of metabolism and environmental information processing and human diseases were significantly enriched in the saliva samples of people with obesity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Significant differences were seen in composition, gene function and metabolic pathways of salivary microbiome between people with obesity and normal weight people. We hope to go on further study with larger sample size in the near future.

[Dynamin-1-related infantile spasms: a case report and review of literature]

Objective: To analyze the clinical and gene mutation characteristics of dynamin-1 (DNM1)-related infantile spasms. Method: Clinical, laboratory and genetic data of one case of DNM1-related infantile spasms diagnosed by Xiangya Hospital in September 2015 were analyzed.Through taking "Dynamin-1" "DNM1" as key words to search at CNKI, Wanfang, PubMed and OMIM to date (April 2016), the clinical characteristics of 9 reported cases of DNM1-related epileptic encephalopathy in international literature with our case were reviewed. Result: The boy is the second child of healthy and nonconsanguineous parents.At 7 months, he started to have seizures with head dropping, and he was brought for the first time to our hospital at the age of 17 months.The patient presented with severe psychomotor retardation, epilepsy, muscular hypotonia, and electroencephalography showed hypsarhythmia.He received 28 days of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) therapy.After that, his seizures were improved with valproic acid and levetiracetam, and disappeared between 3 years and 5 months to 5 years and 5 months of age on treatment with valproic acid only.Exome-sequencing study (trios) identified novel heterozygous mutation c. 443A>G (p.Glu148Arg) in DNM1. Up to now, 9 cases of epileptic encephalopathy (infantile spasms or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome) associated with de novo DNM1 gene mutations have been reported. Conclusion: The main clinical features of DNM1 mutations include intractable seizures, intellectual disability, developmental delay, hypotonia, and developmental delay before the onset of seizures.

[Role of different scale structures of titanium implant in the biological behaviors of human umbilical vein endothelial cells]

OBJECTIVE

To study the role of different scale structure of Ti implants on the biological behaviors of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVECs) and to reveal the role of material surface topographical features on peri-implant angiogenesis.

METHODS

Titanium (Ti) discs with different surface structures (Ti discs with smooth surface, Ti discs with nano scale structure, Ti discs with micro scale structure and Ti discs with micro/nano scale structure, named as SM-Ti, Nano-Ti, Micro-Ti and Micro/Nano-Ti, respectively) were prepared and their surface topographical features were confirmed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation. HUVECs were cultured on these Ti discs. Biological outcomes of HUVECs on different surfaces were carried out, including cell adhesive capacity, proliferation, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production and intracellular expression of Ca(2+).

RESULTS

The results of SEM images and immunofluorescence double staining of rhodamine-phalloidin and DAPI showed that compared with the SM-Ti and Nano-Ti group, the adhesive capacity and proliferation behavior of HUVECs on the surfaces of Micro-Ti and Micro/Nano-Ti was decreased. The results of culturing HUVECs on different groups of Ti discs after 24 hours showed that the cells number grew from (18±4) to (42±6)/ vision on SM-Ti, (28±6) to (52±10)/vision on Nano-Ti, (20±4) to (21±6)/vision on Micro-Ti and (16±4) to (18±6)/vision on Micro/Nano-Ti. Moreover, compared with the adhesion and proliferation of HUVECs on SM-Ti group and Nano-Ti, the adhesion and proliferation of HUVECs on Micro-Ti group and Micro/Nano-Ti group was significantly reduced (P<0.05).The results of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the VEGF productions of SM-Ti, Nano-Ti, Micro-Ti and Micro/Nano-Ti were (690±35) ng/L, (560±20) ng/L, (474±43) ng/L and (517±29) ng/L, respectively. Moreover, compared with the VEGF production of HUVECs on SM-Ti group, the VEGF production of HUVECs on Micro-Ti group and Micro/Nano-Ti group was significantly reduced (P<0.05). The results of Ca(2+) ion detection showed that the Ca(2+) expression of HUVECs on Micro-Ti and Micro/Nano-Ti was significantly higher than that on the surface of SM-Ti and Nano-Ti. These results implied that the over expressed Ca(2+) might contributed to the impaired biological function of HUVECs on Micro-Ti and Micro/Nano-Ti.

CONCLUSION

Different topographical features on titanium influenced the biological behaviors of the HUVECs, which may illustrate how topographical features of Ti implant affect peri-implant angiogenesis. These results also suggest that the biological behaviors of HUVECs might be relative to the changed expression of intracellular Ca(2+).

[Diagnostic significance of anti-collectin 11 in systemic lupus erythematosus]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the role of anti-collectin 11 in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and in the evaluation of disease activity.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study. Five groups of patients were enrolled: SLE active (SLE disease activity index-2000,SLEDAI-2000≥9), SLE remission (SLEDAI-2000≤4 and there was no organ involvement), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), primary Sjogren Syndrome (SS) and healthy control (HC). Serum anti-collectin 11 was detected in all the groups by ELISA. One-way ANOVA analysis and LSD-t-test as post-hoc analysis were used to compare the levels of anti-collectin 11 among all the groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under curve (AUC) were used to analyze the value of anti-collectin 11 in the diagnosis of SLE.

RESULTS

In the study, 30 patients were enrolled in each group, including 13 males and 137 females with an average age of (34±14) years (18-77 years). The age and gender of the other three groups were comparable to the two SLE groups. The difference of serum anti-collectin 11 between the SLE active group and SLE remission group was not statistically significant (88.8±16.8 vs. 89.7±24.7, P=0.896). The level of serum anti-collectin 11 was significantly higher in SLE group (as a whole) (89.1±19.4) than in RA group (49.1±22.0), SS group (56.9±30.1) and HC group (72.7±24.6) (P<0.001, P<0.001, P=0.007, respectively). The AUC was 0.806 for the diagnosis of SLE by serum anti-collectin 11. Further descriptive analysis showed that the positive rate of anti-collectin 11 was very high in the patients of SLE in whom both anti-double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and Sm antibody were negative. The nervous system and gastrointestinal system involvement were the most common in the patients with positive anti-collectin 11.

CONCLUSION

The level of serum anti-collectin 11 was significantly higher in SLE than in RA, SS and HC. anti-collectin 11 antibody had a relatively high value in the diagnosis of SLE and it might have some complementary function in the diagnosis of SLE. It might be a relatively specific autoantibody for SLE.

The discovery of a novel antagonist - Manduca sexta allatotropin analogue - as an insect midgut active ion transport inhibitor

BACKGROUND

The midgut is an important site for both nutrient absorption and ionic regulation in lepidopteran larvae, major pests in agriculture. The larval lepidopteran midgut has become a potent insecticide target over the past few decades. Recent studies have shown that an insect neuropeptide, Manduca sexta allatotropin (Manse-AT), exhibits inhibition of active ion transport (AIT) across the larval midgut epithelium. The full characteristic of the AIT inhibition capacity of Manse-AT is essential to assay. In this study, AIT inhibition across the M. sexta midgut by Manse-AT and its analogues in a range of concentrations was assayed. The structure-activity relationship of Manse-AT was also studied by truncated and alanine-replacement strategies.

RESULTS

Our results identified three residues, Thr4, Arg6 and Phe8, as the most important components for activity on the midgut. Replacement of Glu1, Met2 and Met3 reduced the potency of the analogues. The conservative substitution of Gly7 with alanine had little effect on the potency of the analogues. We demonstrated for the first time that Manse-AT (10-13) behaves as a potent antagonist in vitro on active ion transport across the epithelium of the posterior midgut in M. sexta.

CONCLUSION

Structure-activity studies of Manse-AT are useful in developing lead compounds for the design and testing of synthetic antagonists, ultimately to develop potent and specific pest control strategies. Manse-AT (10-13) has been discovered as the first Manse-AT antagonist, with a significant effect and a short sequence compared with other insect neuropeptides. It may be a new potential pest control agent in the future. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry.

[Clinical study of high intensity focused ultrasound ablation combined with GnRH-a and LNG-IUS for the treatment of adenomyosis]

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of dysmenorrhea in patients with adenomyosis treated by high intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)ablation combined with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist(GnRH-a)and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system(LNG-IUS). Methods: From April 2012 to December 2015, 477 cases of adenomyosis patients with dysmenorrhea were treated by HIFU in the Third Xiangya Hospital. Among them, some patients were treated with HIFU alone, some of them were treated with HIFU combined with GnRH-a and(or)LNG-IUS, thus were classified as H group, H+G group, H+M group and H+G+M group. The improvements of clinical results were compared among the four groups and the influencing factors of HIFU treatment for adenomyosis were also analyzed. Results: During the follow-up period, the overall effective rates of the treatment decreased with time, 3 months 89.4%(345/386), 12 months 84.0%(221/263), 24 months 74.2%(98/132), and the overall recurrence rate was 12.9%(39/303). The significant difference in the curative at 3 months[H group 83.7%(170/203), H+M group 95.0%(95/100), H+G group 100.0%(43/43), H+G+M group 96.8%(30/31)], 12 months[H group 79.4%(123/155), H+M group 93.2%(69/74), H+G group 11/12, H+G+M group 15/17], and 24 months[H group 68.0%(51/75), H+M group 96.4%(27/28), H+G group 6/12, H+G+M group 15/15]after HIFU treatment and recurrence rate[H group 19.0%(29/153), H+M group 3.3%(3/90), H+G group 19.4%(6/31), H+G+M group 4.5%(1/22)]were observed among the four groups(P<0.05). Pairwise comparison further showed that, in 3 months after the treatment, the effect of H group was significantly lower than those of H+M group and H+G group(P= 0.003, P=0.005); in 12 months after the treatment, the effect of H group was significantly lower than that of H+M group(P=0.006); while in 24 months after treatment, the effect of H group was significantly lower than that of H+G+M group(P=0.005), and the effect of H+G group was lower than that of H+G+M group(P= 0.001); and the recurrence rate of H group was significantly higher than that of H+M group(P<0.008). In patients of group H, the effect of HIFU was related to uterine size, the effect of patients with large uterine volume was significantly higher than that of small volume of uterine of patients(P=0.017, OR=2.739, 95%CI: 1.200- 6.251); with increasing of age, the improvement of dysmenorrhea had a increasing trend(P<0.05). Conclusions: HIFU combined with GnRH-a and(or)LNG-IUS could improve the treatment effect in relief of dysmenorrhea. Based on our results, individual treatment protocol should be selected for different patients.

Active vitamin D3, 1,25-(OH)2D3, protects against macrovasculopathy in a rat model of type 2 diabetes mellitus

To investigate the protective effect of the active form of vitamin D3, 1,25-(OH)2D3, on macrovasculopathy in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, T2DM group, and treatment group. The T2DM model was established after 6 weeks by administering an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30 mg/kg). 1,25-(OH)2D3 was administered by gavage to rats in the treatment group, and an equal volume of peanut oil was administered to rats in the T2DM group. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) cholesterols were measured in all rats. The morphology of the thoracic aorta was examined, and the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), endothelin (ET), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), CD54, and CD106 in the thoracic aorta was determined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of FPG, TG, TC, and LDL-C in rats from the T2DM and treatment groups was significantly elevated compared with rats from the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with that in control group, the expression of TNF-α, ET, eNOS, and CD106 was significantly upregulated in the T2DM group and the treatment group, while the expression of CD54 was increased only in the T2DM group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the levels of TNF-α, CD54, and CD106 in rats from the treatment group were lower than those in the T2DM group (P < 0.05). These data suggest that 1,25-(OH)2D3 may protect the macrovessels from injury in T2DM rats by inhibiting the expression of TNF-α, CD54, and CD106.

Synthesis, biological activity, and conformational study of N-methylated allatostatin analogues inhibiting juvenile hormone biosynthesis

An allatostatin (AST) neuropeptide mimic (H17) is a potential insect growth regulator, which inhibits the production of juvenile hormone (JH) by the corpora allata. To determine the effect of conformation of novel AST analogues and their ability to inhibit JH biosynthesis, eight insect AST analogues were synthesized using H17 as the lead compound by N-methylation scanning, which is a common strategy for improving the biological properties of peptides. A bioassay using JH production by corpora allata of the cockroach Diploptera punctata indicated that single N-methylation mimics (analogues 1-4) showed more activity than double N-methylation mimics (analogues 5-8). Especially, analogues 1 and 4 showed roughly equivalent activity to that of H17, with IC50 values of 5.17 × 10(-8) and 6.44 × 10(-8) M, respectively. Molecular modeling based on nuclear magnetic resonance data showed that the conformation of analogues 1 and 4 seems to be flexible, whereas analogues 2 and 3 showed a type IV β-turn. This flexible linear conformation was hypothesized to be a new important and indispensable structural element beneficial to the activity of AST mimics.

Methylation status of CpG sites in the MCP-1 promoter is correlated to serum MCP-1 in Type 2 diabetes

AIM

Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is a potent chemokine and plays an important role in atherosclerosis of Type 2 diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the methylation status of CpG sites in the MCP-1 promoter in Type 2 diabetic patients and its correlation to serum MCP- 1 level, and blood glucose level.

METHODS

The 32 patients with Type 2 diabetes and 15 healthy controls were enrolled into the study. Bodymass index, blood pressure, blood lipid, blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and serum MCP-1 were measured. Genomic DNA was isolated fromthe peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Methylation status of CpG sites in theMCP-1 promoter was determined using methylation specific polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

The promoter region (2890-3050 bp) was predominantly methylated in PBMC from controls.Methylation of CpGmotifs were less methylated in the patients than in the controls (25% vs 80%; p<0.001), while the level of MCP-1 in serum was higher in patients with Type 2 diabetes (193.95±74.96 vs 88.46±55.10; p<0.001). MCP-1 promoter methylation was significantly correlated to serum MCP-1, HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, and triglyceride.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that hypomethylation of CpG sites in the MCP-1 promoter region may be affected by blood glucose and TG, which then increase the serum MCP-1 level and may play a role in the vascular complications of Type 2 diabetes.

A dual-cathode electro-Fenton oxidation coupled with anodic oxidation system used for 4-nitrophenol degradation

The degradation of 4-nitrophenol was investigated using a novel electrochemical oxidation system, in which the anodic oxidation at Ti/SnO(2)-Sb(2)O(5)-IrO(2) electrode and the electro-Fenton oxidation with two cathodes were involved. In this system, gas diffusion electrode (GDE) was used to generate H(2)O(2) by O(2) reduction and graphite electrode was employed for the reduction of Fe(3+) regenerating Fe(2+). When the potential values of GDE and graphite cathode were controlled at -0.80 and -0.10 V/SCE respectively, the optimum Fe(2+) concentration for 4-nitrophenol degradation was about 0.10mM, much lower than the concentration of 0.25 mM obtained in the single-cathode system. Due to the combination of electro-Fenton oxidation and anodic oxidation, an effective degradation and a high mineralization current efficiency (MCE) were achieved. After 600 min treatment, 74.5% of the original TOC was removed by the dual-cathode oxidation system. Moreover, it was confirmed that 57.0% of the original nitrogen could be removed in gaseous form from the simulated wastewater. These results indicate that this electrochemical oxidation process might provide an alternative for the degradation of organic pollutants.

Cell cycle-dependent expression of potassium channels and cell proliferation in rat mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow

OBJECTIVE

Recently, our team has demonstrated that voltage-gated delayed rectifier K(+) current (IK(DR)) and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) current (I(KCa)) are present in rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells; however, little is known of their physiological roles. The present study was designed to investigate whether functional expression of IK(DR) and I(KCa) would change with cell cycle progression, and whether they could regulate proliferation in undifferentiated rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Membrane potentials and ionic currents were recorded using whole-cell patch clamp technique, cell cycling was analysed by flow cytometry, cell proliferation was assayed with DNA incorporation method and the related genes were down-regulated by RNA interference (RNAi) and examined using RT-PCR.

RESULTS

It was found that membrane potential hyperpolarized, and cell size increased during the cell cycle. In addition, IK(DR) decreased, while I(KCa) increased during progress from G(1) to S phase. RT-PCR revealed that the mRNA levels of Kv1.2 and Kv2.1 (likely responsible for IK(DR)) reduced, whereas the mRNA level of KCa3.1 (responsible for intermediate-conductance I(KCa)) increased with the cell cycle progression. Down-regulation of Kv1.2, Kv2.1 or KCa3.1 with the specific RNAi, targeted to corresponding gene inhibited proliferation of rat MSCs.

CONCLUSION

These results demonstrate that membrane potential, IK(DR) and I(KCa) channels change with cell cycle progression and corresponding alteration of gene expression. IK(DR) and intermediate-conductance I(KCa) play an important role in maintaining membrane potential and they participate in modulation of proliferation in rat MSCs.

Spatial periodic synchronization of chaos in coupled ring and linear arrays of chaotic systems

Dynamic behaviors of coupled ring and linear arrays of unidirectionally coupled Lorenz oscillators are studied numerically. It is found that the chaotic rotating waves generated from the ring propagate with spatial periodic synchronization along the linear array, that is to say, two chaotic oscillators in the linear array are synchronized if the number of oscillators (spatial distance) between them is a multiple of oscillator number in the ring. Numerically it is shown that the stabilities of the synchronized states are enhanced by chaos, and degraded when the oscillators are far from the ring.

In vitro evaluation of secoiridoid glucosides from the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum as antiviral agents

Six secoiridoid glucosides, lucidumoside C (1), oleoside dimethylester (2), neonuezhenide (3), oleuropein (4), ligustroside (5) and lucidumoside A (6), isolated from the fruits of Ligustrum lucidum (Oleaceae), were examined in vitro for their activities against four strains of pathogenic viruses, namely herpes simplex type I virus (HSV-1), influenza type A virus (Flu A), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and parainfluenza type 3 virus (Para 3). Antiviral activities were evaluated by the cytopathic effect (CPE) inhibitory assay. The purpose was to check if the antioxidative potency of these glucosides correlated with their antiviral potency. Results showed that none of the glucosides had any significant activity against HSV-1 and Flu A. Oleuropein, however, showed significant antiviral activities against RSV and Para 3 with IC50 value of 23.4 and 11.7 microg/ml, respectively. Lucidumoside C, oleoside dimethylester and ligustroside showed potent or moderate antiviral activities against Para 3 with IC50 values of 15.6-20.8 microg/ml. These results also documented that the anti-oxidative potency of these secoiriodoid glucosides was not directly related to their antiviral effects.

Antagonistic effect of 3,6-dimethamidodibenzopyriodonium gluconate on lipid peroxidation in cerebral cortical neuronal cultures and rat brains during focal cerebral ischemia reperfusion

AIM

To study 3,6-dimethamidodibenzopyriodonium gluconate (I-93) antagonistic effects on lipid peroxidation in cerebral cortical neuronal cultures and rat brains during focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.

METHODS

Cerebral cortical neurons were cultured and rat focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion model was established by reversible middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) without craniectomy. The efflux of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from neurons, content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in neurons and brain homogenate, activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in brain homogenate, and index of cerebral edema as well as brain morphology were investigated.

RESULTS

I-93 10-40 mumol.L-1 concentration-dependently inhibited efflux of LDH and elevated levels of MDA induced by addition of H2O2(10 mumol.L-1) in vitro. I-93 0.5 mg.kg-1 improved the cerebral morphology, reduced brain edema, decreased MDA content, and enhanced SOD activity in brain homogenate.

CONCLUSION

I-93 protects neurons from H2O2-induced neurotoxicity and ischemia-reperfusion mediated damage by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and suppressing the generation of lipid peroxides.

[Protective effects of 3, 6-dimethamidodibenzopyriodinium citrate on myocardial injury induced by ischemia and reperfusion in rats]

3, 6-Dimethamidodibenzopyriodonium citrate (I-65) 0.5 and 1 mg.kg-1 pretreatment reduced the size of myocardial infarct after ischemia for 40 min and reperfusion for 120 min. I-65 0.5 mg.kg-1 decreased myocardial creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase release, and Ca2+ accumulation after ischemia for 40 min and reperfusion for 120 min. The results show that I-65 prevents cardiac ischemia and reperfusion injury and the effect is considered to be related to inhibition of myocardial Ca2+ accumulation.