Anti-inflammatory discovery of sesquiterpenoids and a jasmonic acid derivative from Artemisia stolonifera

Eleven previously undescribed sesquiterpenoids (8-18), one undescribed jasmonic acid derivative (35) and 28 known compounds were isolated from the leaves of Artemisia stolonifera. Undescribed compounds with their absolute configurations were determined by extensive spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and ECD calculation. Compound 8 was identified as a rare sesquiterpenoid featuring a rearranged 5/8 bicyclic ring systems, whereas compound 17 was found to be a unprecedented monocyclic sesquiterpenoid with methyl rearrangement. Evaluation of biological activity showed that compounds 1-5 and 7 displayed cytotoxicity against six tumor cells. In the meantime, compounds 11, 12, 18 and 35 exhibited inhibitory effects against LPS-stimulated NO production in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells and reduced the transcription of IL-6 and IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner at 25, 50 and 100 μM. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory-based network pharmacology and molecular docking analyses revealed potential target proteins of 11, 12, 18 and 35.

Simulating short-term light responses of photosynthesis and water use efficiency in sweet sorghum under varying temperature and CO2 conditions

Climate change, characterized by rising atmospheric CO2 levels and temperatures, poses significant challenges to global crop production. Sweet sorghum, a prominent C4 cereal extensively grown in arid areas, emerges as a promising candidate for sustainable bioenergy production. This study investigated the responses of photosynthesis and leaf-scale water use efficiency (WUE) to varying light intensity (I) in sweet sorghum under different temperature and CO2 conditions. Comparative analyses were conducted between the A n-I, g s-I, T r-I, WUEi-I, and WUEinst-I models proposed by Ye et al. and the widely utilized the non-rectangular hyperbolic (NRH) model for fitting light response curves. The Ye's models effectively replicated the light response curves of sweet sorghum, accurately capturing the diminishing intrinsic WUE (WUEi) and instantaneous WUE (WUEinst) trends with increasing I. The fitted maximum values of A n, g s, T r, WUEi, and WUEinst and their saturation light intensities closely matched observations, unlike the NRH model. Despite the NRH model demonstrating high R 2 values for A n-I, g s-I, and T r-I modelling, it returned the maximum values significantly deviating from observed values and failed to generate saturation light intensities. It also inadequately represented WUE responses to I, overestimating WUE. Across different leaf temperatures, A n, g s, and T r of sweet sorghum displayed comparable light response patterns. Elevated temperatures increased maximum A n, g s, and T r but consistently declined maximum WUEi and WUEinst. However, WUEinst declined more sharply due to the disproportionate transpiration increase over carbon assimilation. Critically, sweet sorghum A n saturated at current atmospheric CO2 levels, with no significant gains under 550 μmol mol-1. Instead, stomatal closure enhanced WUE under elevated CO2 by coordinated g s and T r reductions rather than improved carbon assimilation. Nonetheless, this response diminished under simultaneously high temperature, suggesting intricate interplay between CO2 and temperature in modulating plant responses. These findings provide valuable insights into photosynthetic dynamics of sweet sorghum, aiding predictions of yield and optimization of cultivation practices. Moreover, our methodology serves as a valuable reference for evaluating leaf photosynthesis and WUE dynamics in diverse plant species.

The evaluation of cystatin protein vaccines based on the stress response of ticks triggered by low-temperature and toxin stress in Haemaphysalis doenitzi

BACKGROUND

Ticks, which are obligate blood-feeding parasites, transmit a wide range of pathogens during their hematophagic process. Certain enzymes and macromolecules play a crucial role in inhibition of several tick physiological processes, including digestion and reproduction. In the present study, genes encoding type 2 cystatin were cloned and characterized from Haemaphysalis doenitzi, and the potential role of cystatin in tick control was further assessed.

RESULTS

Two cystatin genes, HDcyst-1 and HDcyst-2, were successfully cloned from the tick H. doenitzi. Their open reading frames are 390 and 426 base pairs, and the number of coding amino acids are 129 and 141, respectively. In the midgut, salivary glands, Malpighian tubules and ovaries of ticks, the relative expression of HDcyst-1 was higher in the midgut and Malpighian tubules, and HDcyst-2 was higher in the salivary glands of H. doenitzi, respectively. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection and low-temperature stress elevated cystatin expression in ticks. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that both rHDcyst-1 and rHDcyst-2 protein vaccines increased antibody levels in immunized rabbits. A vaccination trial in rabbits infected with H. doenitzi showed that both recombinant cystatin proteins significantly reduced tick engorgement weights and egg mass weight, in particular, rHDcyst-1 significantly prolonged tick engorgement time by 1 day and reduced egg hatching rates by 16.9%. In total, rHDcyst-1 and rHDcyst-2 protein vaccinations provided 64.1% and 51.8% protection to adult female ticks, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report on the immunological characterization of the cystatin protein and sequencing of the cystatin gene in H. doenitzi. Cystatin proteins are promising antigens that have the potential to be used as vaccines for infestation of H. doenitzi control. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Two new quinazoline alkaloids produced by Aspergillus versicolor and their antimicrobial activities

Two new quinazoline alkaloids versicomides G-H (1 and 2), together with seven known compounds, were isolated from Aspergillus versicolor HYQZ-215 obtained from the sediment of Qarhan Salt Lake. Their structures were elucidated by NMR, HRESIMS, and quantum chemical ECD calculations data. The antimicrobial activities of these compounds were evaluated against seven agricultural pathogenic fungi and eight clinically drug-resistant bacteria.

Addressing the long-standing limitations of double exponential and non-rectangular hyperbolic models in quantifying light-response of electron transport rates in different photosynthetic organisms under various conditions

The models used to describe the light response of electron transport rate in photosynthesis play a crucial role in determining two key parameters i.e., the maximum electron transport rate (J max) and the saturation light intensity (I sat). However, not all models accurately fit J-I curves, and determine the values of J max and I sat. Here, three models, namely the double exponential (DE) model, the non-rectangular hyperbolic (NRH) model, and a mechanistic model developed by one of the coauthors (Z-P Ye) and his coworkers (referred to as the mechanistic model), were compared in terms of their ability to fit J-I curves and estimate J max and I sat. Here, we apply these three models to a series of previously collected Chl a fluorescence data from seven photosynthetic organisms, grown under different conditions. Our results show that the mechanistic model performed well in describing the J-I curves, regardless of whether photoinhibition/dynamic down-regulation of photosystem II (PSII) occurs. Moreover, both J max and I sat estimated by this model are in very good agreement with the measured data. On the contrary, although the DE model simulates quite well the J-I curve for the species studied, it significantly overestimates both the J max of Amaranthus hypochondriacus and the I sat of Microcystis aeruginosa grown under NH4 +-N supply. More importantly, the light intensity required to achieve the potential maximum of J (J s) estimated by this model exceeds the unexpected high value of 105 μmol photons m-2 s-1 for Triticum aestivum and A. hypochondriacus. The NRH model fails to characterize the J-I curves with dynamic down-regulation/photoinhibition for Abies alba, Oryza sativa and M. aeruginosa. In addition, this model also significantly overestimates the values of J max for T. aestivum at 21% O2 and A. hypochondriacus grown under normal condition, and significantly underestimates the values of J max for M. aeruginosa grown under NO3 -N supply. Our study provides evidence that the 'mechanistic model' is much more suitable than both the DE and NRH models in fitting the J-I curves and in estimating the photosynthetic parameters. This is a powerful tool for studying light harvesting properties and the dynamic down-regulation of PSII/photoinhibition.

Elucidating the interaction between equisetin and human serum albumin: A comprehensive study using spectroscopy, microcalorimetry and molecular docking approaches

Equisetin, a bioactive compound of marine origin, offers compelling inhibitory properties against HIV-1 transcriptase. To gain comprehensive insights into the interaction of Equisetin with human serum albumin (HSA), we utilized a multipronged approach involving spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and molecular docking. Our fluorescence analyses confirmed that the interaction between Equisetin and HSA results in a significant quenching of HSA's fluorescence, primarily achieved through a dynamic mechanism aided by hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces. Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) measurements revealed an impressive binding affinity of Equisetin for HSA, quantified to be 4.3 × 107 mol L-1. Molecular docking studies illustrated that Equisetin binds at site III of HSA, with specific amino acid residues, GLN-104 and LYS-106, playing a pivotal role. Further, our study discovered that the interaction induces slight unfolding of HSA's polypeptide chain and significant alterations in its secondary structure, thereby triggering the exposure of previously concealed hydrophobic regions. This comprehensive study enhances our understanding of Equisetin's interaction with serum proteins, potentially influencing its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, and opening avenues for future research and therapeutic applications.

[A follow-up study of the severe occlusal surface wear of implant-supported full-arch prostheses]

Objective: To evaluate the severe occlusal surface wear of implant-supported full-arch prostheses, and to explore the risk factors affecting the severe occlusal surface wear of implant-supported full-arch prostheses. Methods: Five hundred and thirty-five patients who received implant-supported fixed complete dental prostheses or implant-overdentures and completed at least one follow-up 3 months after the delivery of definitive prostheses were enrolled from October 1994 to October 2021 in this retrospective cohort study. The information on demographics, implants, definitive prostheses, and related outcomes was collected. Cox proportional hazard regression model was adopted to analyze the risk factors of the severe wear of occlusal surfaces in implant-supported full-arch prostheses. Univariate analysis was performed on the factors that may affect the severe wear of occlusal surfaces, and the parameters of P<0.10 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate analysis to explore the risk factors affecting the severe wear of occlusal surfaces in implant-supported full-arch prostheses. Results: Severe wear of the posterior occlusal surfaces was detected in 114 prostheses with a duration of 61.4 (33.3, 89.4) months. 13 cases occurred≤2 years after the delivery of definitive prostheses, 44 cases>2 years and≤5 years, 44 cases>5 years and≤10 years, and the other 13 cases>10 years. There was no significant difference in the average time of severe occlusal surface wear between implant-supported fixed complete dental prostheses and implant-overdentures in the maxilla (Z=-1.03, P=0.303). However, in the mandible, it was 48.2 (31.2, 80.2) and 79.2 (51.3, 119.1) months respectively, which was statistically significant (Z=-2.93, P=0.003). Cox proportional hazard regression model showed opposed fixed dentition, bruxism, and posterior resin occlusal surfaces were risk factors (P<0.05) affecting the severe wear of the occlusal surfaces. Conclusions: Severe occlusal surface wear was clinically common with the prolonged application of implant-supported full-arch prostheses. Prostheses opposed to fixed dentition, in patients with bruxism, and made of posterior resin materials were at higher risk of severe occlusal surface wear on the posterior artificial teeth. Regular follow-up, patients' behavior guidance, and clinicians' appropriate intervention were necessary to manage this complication.

Investigation on absorption cross-section of photosynthetic pigment molecules based on a mechanistic model of the photosynthetic electron flow-light response in C3, C4 species and cyanobacteria grown under various conditions

Investigation on intrinsic properties of photosynthetic pigment molecules participating in solar energy absorption and excitation, especially their eigen-absorption cross-section (σ ik) and effective absorption cross-section (σ ' ik), is important to understand photosynthesis. Here, we present the development and application of a new method to determine these parameters, based on a mechanistic model of the photosynthetic electron flow-light response. The analysis with our method of a series of previously collected chlorophyll a fluorescence data shows that the absorption cross-section of photosynthetic pigment molecules has different values of approximately 10-21 m2, for several photosynthetic organisms grown under various conditions: (1) the conifer Abies alba Mill., grown under high light or low light; (2) Taxus baccata L., grown under fertilization or non-fertilization conditions; (3) Glycine max L. (Merr.), grown under a CO2 concentration of 400 or 600 μmol CO2 mol-1 in a leaf chamber under shaded conditions; (4) Zea mays L., at temperatures of 30°C or 35°C in a leaf chamber; (5) Osmanthus fragrans Loureiro, with shaded-leaf or sun-leaf; and (6) the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa FACHB905, grown under two different nitrogen supplies. Our results show that σ ik has the same order of magnitude (approximately 10-21 m2), and σ ' ik for these species decreases with increasing light intensity, demonstrating the operation of a key regulatory mechanism to reduce solar absorption and avoid high light damage. Moreover, compared with other approaches, both σ ik and σ ' ik can be more easily estimated by our method, even under various growth conditions (e.g., different light environment; different CO2, NO2, O2, and O3 concentrations; air temperatures; or water stress), regardless of the type of the sample (e.g., dilute or concentrated cell suspensions or leaves). Our results also show that CO2 concentration and temperature have little effect on σ ik values for G. max and Z. mays. Consequently, our approach provides a powerful tool to investigate light energy absorption of photosynthetic pigment molecules and gives us new information on how plants and cyanobacteria modify their light-harvesting properties under different stress conditions.

A review on light response model of photosynthesis under different environmental conditions

Light response curve of photosynthesis (An-I curve) is a useful modeling tool to investigate how photosynthesis reacts with different abiotic factors, which would help quantify the response of photosynthetic rate to photosynthetically active radiation. Based on the mathematical characteristics of photosynthesis An-I models, we reviewed the advantages of using these model in practice and the potential caveats. We proposed the development of new mechanistic photosynthesis An-I models based on the primary light response and discussed its advantages in the field of plant ecology and physiology. Photosynthesis has three main steps, including the primary reaction, the assimilatory power forms, and the carbon assimilation. Changes in each step could directly affect the photochemical efficiency and carbon assimilation in photosynthesis. The primary reaction consists of a series of physical processes that are related to light energy absorption and utilization, including the absorption of light energy, the change of quantum state, and the transfer and de-excitation of exciton resonance of light-trapping pigment molecules. How-ever, the empirical photosynthesis An-I models can not explain some scenarios. For example, the non-photochemical quenching in plants increases with increasing light intensity in a non-linear manner. Further, the life-time of singlet chlorophyll molecules can be extended when plant light-harvesting pigment molecules absorb excessive light energy but would not be immediately used for the photochemical reaction. Meanwhile, the parameters obtained by fitting the mechanistic An-I curve model can not only reflect the primary photochemical reaction characteristics of plants, but also describe the physical characteristics of plant light harvesting pigment molecules, such as the number of light harvesting pigment molecules in the excited state (Nk) and effective light energy absorption cross-section (σik'). This can be used to further investigate the physical characteristics of light harvesting pigment molecules, including the light-response of Nk and σik' and the average life time of light harvesting pigment molecules in the lowest exciting state (τmin). In addition, it would be necessary to determine how to incorporate abiotic factors, such as temperature and CO2 concentration, into the mechanistic An-I curve model, as well as to determine the association between the abiotic factors and light harvesting pigment molecules, such as Nk, σik', and τmin.

[Effect of oral contraceptives pretreatment on cumulative clinical pregnancy of oocyte retrieval cycle in polycystic ovary syndrome women with gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist protocol]

Objective: To investigate the effect of pretreatment with oral contraceptives (OC) on cumulative clinical pregnancy of oocyte retrieval cycle in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze PCOS women who underwent in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment with GnRH antagonist in the Reproductive Medical Center of Peking University First Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020. A total of 225 patients were divided into OC pretreatment group (119 patients) and non-pretreatment group (106 patients), according to whether they received OC before GnRH antagonist protocol. The baseline information, IVF, and pregnancy outcomes of the two groups were compared. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the effect of OC pretreatment on cumulative clinical pregnancy of the oocyte retrieval cycle. Results: The age of 225 patients was (31.1±3.3) years old. The ages of patients in the OC pretreatment group and non-pretreatment group were (31.0±3.3) and (31.2±3.3) years old (P>0.05), respectively. The cumulative clinical pregnancy rate of oocyte retrieval cycle was significantly higher in the OC pretreatment group than that in the non-pretreatment group (79.8%, 95 patients; 67.0%, 71 patients; P=0.029). Age <35 years old (OR=3.199, 95%CI: 1.200-8.531, P=0.020), OC pretreatment (OR=3.129, 95%CI: 1.305-7.506, P=0.011), number of oocytes retrieved (OR=1.102, 95%CI: 1.007-1.206, P=0.035) and number of high-quality embryos (OR=1.536, 95%CI: 1.205-1.957, P=0.001) were related factors for the cumulative clinical pregnancy of oocyte retrieval cycle. Conclusions: OC pretreatment before GnRH antagonist protocol can significantly increase the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate of oocyte retrieval cycle in women with PCOS. Age <35 years old, OC pretreatment, the number of oocytes retrieved, and the number of high-quality embryos were related factors for the cumulative clinical pregnancy of oocyte retrieval cycle.

[Value of High-Frequency Ultrasound in the Diagnosis of Pronator Teres Syndrome]

Objective To investigate the clinical value of high-frequency ultrasound in the diagnosis of pronator teres syndrome (PTS). Methods The high-frequency ultrasound was employed to examine and measure the median nerve of the pronator teres muscle in 30 patients with PTS and 30 healthy volunteers (control group).The long-axis diameter (LA),short-axis diameter (SA) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve were measured.The receiver operating characteristic curve of the median nerve ultrasonic measurement results was established,and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated.The diagnostic efficiency of each index for PTS was compared with the surgical results as a reference. Results The PTS group showed larger LA[(5.02±0.50) mm vs.(3.89±0.41) mm;t=4.38,P=0.013],SA[(2.55±0.46) mm vs.(1.70±0.41) mm;t=5.19,P=0.009],and CSA[(11.13±3.72) mm² vs.(6.88±2.68) mm²;t=8.42,P=0.008] of the median nerve than the control group.The AUC of CSA,SA,and LA was 94.3% (95%CI=0.912-0.972,Z=3.586,P=0.001),77.7% (95%CI=0.734-0.815,Z=2.855, P=0.006),and 78.8% (95%CI=0.752-0.821,Z=3.091,P=0.004),respectively.With 8.63 mm² as the cutoff value,the sensitivity and specificity of CSA in diagnosing PTS were 93.3% and 90.0%,respectively. Conclusion High-frequency ultrasound is a practical method for diagnosing PTS,and the CSA of median nerve has a high diagnostic value.

[Effects of three medical nutrition therapies for weight loss on metabolic parameters and androgen level in overweight/obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome]

Objective: To investigate the effects of calorie-restricted diet (CRD), high protein diet (HPD), high protein, and high dietary fiber diet (HPD+HDF) on metabolic parameters and androgen level in overweight/obese patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS). Methods: Ninety overweight/obese patients with PCOS from Peking University First Hospital from October 2018 to February 2020 were given medical nutrition weight loss therapy for 8 weeks and were randomly divided into CRD group, HPD group, and HPD+HDF group, with 30 patients in each group. Body composition, insulin resistance, and androgen level were detected before and after weight loss, and the efficacy of three weight loss therapies was compared through variance analysis and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results: Eight patients in CRD group quit because they could not strictly complete the follow-up, therefore at the end of weight loss, 22, 30, and 30 patients in CRD group, HPD group and HPD+HDF group, respectively, were included in the final analysis. The baseline ages of the three groups were (31±2) years, (32±5) years and (31±5) years, respectively (P=0.952). After weight loss, the relevant indicators in HPD group and HPD+HDF group decreased more than those in CRD group. The body weight of CRD group, HPD group and HPD+HDF group decreased by 4.20 (11.92, 1.80), 5.00 (5.10, 3.32) and 6.10 (8.10, 3.07) kg, respectively (P=0.038); BMI of the three groups decreased by 0.80 (1.70, 0.40), 0.90 (1.23, 0.50) and 2.20 (3.30, 1.12) kg/m², respectively (P=0.002); homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) index decreased by 0.48(1.93, 0.05), 1.21(2.91, 0.18) and 1.22(1.75, 0.89), respectively (P=0.196); and free androgen index(FAI) decreased by 0.23(0.67, -0.04), 0.41(0.64, 0.30) and 0.44(0.63, 0.24), respectively (P=0.357). Conclusions: The three medical nutrition therapies can effectively reduce the weight of overweight/obese patients with PCOS, and improve insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism. Compared with CRD group, HPD group, and HPD+HDF group have better fat-reducing effect, and can better preserve muscle and basal metabolic rate while losing weight.

[Genotypes and phenotypes of IQSEC2 gene variants related epilepsy]

Objective: To analyze the genotypes and clinical phenotypes of patients with epilepsy associated with IQSEC2 gene variants. Methods: The genotypes, seizure types, electroencephalogram, neuroimage of 6 patients with IQSEC2 gene variants in the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital from July 2019 to October 2021 were analyzed. Results: There were 5 males and 1 female. Six variants were de novo, including 2 frameshift variants (c.3801_3808dup/p.Q1270Rfs*130, c.1459_1460delAT/p.M487Vfs*2), 2 nonsense variants (c.3163C>T/p.R1055*, c.1417G>T/p.E473*), 1 in-frame deletion (c.2295_2297del/p.N765del) and 1 missense variant (c.2293A>G/p.N765D). Age at seizure onset ranged from 3 months to 2 years and 5 months. Multiple seizure types were observed, including epileptic spasms in 5 patients, focal seizures in 5 patients, tonic seizures in 3 patients, myoclonic seizures in 3 patients, atypical absence seizures in 2 patients and atonic seizures in 2 patients. All 6 patients showed global developmental delay before seizure onset. There were other clinical manifestations, including autistic features in 3 patients, microcephaly in 3 patients, dystonia in 2 patients and binocular esotropia in 1 patient. The electroencephalogram showed slow background activity and hypsarrhythmia in all 6 patients. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed abnormal in 5 patients and normal in 1 patient. Five patients were diagnosed with infantile spasms. Among them, 4 patients had late-onset infantile spasms. One patient was unclassified developmental epileptic encephalopathy. The age of last follow-up ranged from 3 years and 2 months to 7 years and 2 months. All 6 patients still had seizures after multiple anti-seizure medications. Conclusions: The seizure onset of patients with IQSEC2 gene variants usually begins after 1 year of age. The common seizure types include epileptic spasms and focal seizures. Patients usually have a global developmental delay before seizure onset. IQSEC2 variants could be related to developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, and most patients are diagnosed with late onset infantile spasms. Epilepsy associated with IQSEC2 gene variants is usually refractory.

[Metagenomic sequencing for diagnosis of sparganosis mansoni: a case report]

The patient was found to develop a migrating mass in the lower abdomen without any known cause in 2000, and the cause had not been identified following multiple diagnoses since then. The mass was found to migrate to the left anterior axillary regions on August 11, 2020. Then, three segments of incomplete white worms were resected through minimally invasive surgery, and metagenomic sequencing revealed sparganosis mansoni. After surgical resection of complete worms was performed on October 21, 2021, the case was cured and discharged from the hospital. Follow-up revealed satisfactory outcomes and no new mass was found throughout the body.

[Genetics and clinical phenotypes of epilepsy associated with chromosome 2q24.3 microdeletion]

Objective: To summarize the genetics and clinical phenotypes of epilepsy children with 2q24.3 microdeletion. Methods: All the patients with 2q24.3 microdeletion were retrospectively collected at the Pediatric Department of Peking University First Hospital from March 2017 to July 2022. The features of clinical manifestations, electroencephalogram (EEG), and neuroimaging were analyzed. Results: There were 13 patients with 2q24.3 microdeletion were included. All 13 patients had de novo copy number variation (CNV) with a deletion size ranged 0.18-7.31 Mb. The main pathogenic genes in the region were SCN3A, SCN2A, TTC21B, SCN1A and SCN9A genes. Among the 13 patients, 7 were boys, and 6 were girls. The onset age of epilepsy was 3.3(2.5, 6.0) months. Multiple seizure types were observed, including focal seizures in 13 patients, generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) in 6 patients, myoclonic seizures in 3 patients, epileptic spasm in 2 patients, and tonic seizures in 2 patients. Seizures were fever sensitivity in 9 patients. Status epilepticus was observed in 6 patients. One case had normal mental motor development and 12 cases had different degrees of developmental delay. Six patients had craniofacial abnormality, 1 had six-finger deformity of the right thumb, and 1 had multiple system abnormalities. EEG showed focal discharge in 3 cases, multifocal discharges in 5 cases, multifocal and generalized discharges in 1 case. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed enlargement of subarachnoid spaces in the frontal and temporal region in 4 patients, enlargement of lateral ventricle in 4 patients and delayed myelination of white matter in 1 patient. Dravet syndrome was diagnosed in 5 cases. The age at the last follow-up were 2.5(1.4,5.5) years, 1 patient was seizure free longer than 1 year, and 12 patients still had seizures. Conclusions: The epilepsy associated with 2q24.3 microdeletion is mainly induced by the deletion of SCN3A, SCN2A and SCN1A genes. The seizure onset age of 2q24.3 microdeletion related epilepsy was in infancy. Multiple seizure types are observed and the common seizure types include focal seizures and GTCS. Most patients have fever sensitivity and status epilepticus. Most patients have developmental delay. The phenotype of patients with deletion of SCN3A and SCN2A gene is more severe than that of patients with deletion of SCN1A gene only.

Thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine Alkaloid and Seven ar-Bisabol Sesquiterpenes Produced by the Endophytic Fungus Penicillium janthinellum

We investigated the secondary metabolites present in Penicillium janthinellum MPT-25, an endophytic fungus isolated from Taxus wallichiana var. chinensis (Pilger) Florin. Chemical characterization of the solid cultured extract resulted in the isolation of 11 compounds, including eight previously undescribed metabolites: a thiazolo[5,4-b]pyridine alkaloid, janthinedine A (1), and seven ar-bisabol sesquiterpenes, janthinepenes A-G (2-8). Their structures were elucidated by a combination of extensive spectroscopic methods, including single-crystal X-ray diffraction and ECD spectra. The antimicrobial activities of these compounds were evaluated against seven agricultural pathogenic fungi and eight clinically drug-resistant bacteria.

Undescribed specialised metabolites from the endophytic fungus Emericella sp. XL029 and their antimicrobial activities

The fungus Emericella sp. XL029 isolated from leaves of Panax notoginseng was investigated for agents with potential antibacterial and antifungal activities using a one strain-many compounds (OSMAC) strategy. Fifteen compounds, including seven undescribed structures, were obtained from this species. Their structures were confirmed by extensive spectroscopic data, single-crystal X-ray crystallography and quantum chemistry calculations. Emerlactam A exhibited better antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium and antifungal activity against Helminthosporium maydis, with an MIC value of 12.5 μg/mL. Quiannulatic acid displayed significant antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium and multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis with MIC values of 1.56 μg/mL and 3.13 μg/mL, respectively. 5-alkenylresorcinol exhibited significant antifungal activity against all tested phytopathogenic fungi with MIC values ranging from 6.25 to 12.5 μg/mL.

[Research advances on the role of hemoglobin spray in chronic wounds]

Oxygen plays an important role in the process of wound healing. Researches have shown that more than 97% of chronic wounds are in a state of hypoxia, which is one of the key factors resulting in refractory wounds. Local oxygen therapy is a treatment method that can directly provide oxygen to wounds without relying on the damaged vascular system. It can effectively promote chronic wounds healing by transmitting sufficient oxygen to wounds through specific devices or preparations. Hemoglobin spray is a new form of local oxygen therapy, which has the advantages of good effect, simple operation, and low cost. This article reviews the development, component, safety, oxygen supply principle, and application methods of hemoglobin spray and its effects in the treatment of chronic wounds, so as to provide a new direction for the treatment of chronic wounds.

Corneal perforation associated with ocular graft-versus-host disease

Corneal perforation is a rare and serious complication of ocular graft-versus-host disease (oGVHD) patients. This study was to retrospectively report seven corneal perforation patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Demographic, hematologic, and ophthalmological data of patients were clarified in detail. Nine eyes of seven corneal perforation patients were clarified (Cases 3 and 6 were bilateral and the others are unilateral). All the cases had other affected GVHD organs, especially skin involvement. The duration between HSCT and corneal perforation was usually long with 21 (17–145) months as median interval, whereas the duration between oGVHD diagnosis and corneal perforation was relatively shorter with 4 (2–81) months as median interval. Most patients presented to ophthalmology department with poor visual acuity, BUT and Schirmer’s test. Eyelid marginal hyperemia and irregularity were observed in most corneal perforation eyes. Keratoplasty or conjunctival flap covering (CFC) surgeries was performed after corneal perforation. After a long-term follow-up for most patients (median 21 months, range: 2–86 months), only two eyes of two patients (22.22%) had a final BCVA of 20/100 or better. Patients involved in both cutaneous GVHD and blepharitis indicate the aggressive development of oGVHD. Early diagnosis, long-term follow-up, and effective multi-disciplinary treatments for oGVHD patients are essential. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressor remain essential, whereas the use of topical corticosteroids should be carefully considered in corneal ulceration patients. In addition, appropriate surgeries should be performed to control oGVHD development in time.

[Research progress on cardiac developmental toxicity induced by environmental endocrine disruptors exposure]

Environmental endocrine disruptors (EDCs) are ubiquitous in the environment, and detectable amounts are found in humans worldwide. EDCs can interact with nuclear receptors such as estrogen receptor, which could interfere with the normal function of endocrine system, and further cause the pathological alterations in the tissues. This article summarizes several common types of EDCs in the environment, which caused cardiac function abnormalities, and morphological growth malformations in heart as well as its relevant mechanisms, including oxidative stress, inflammatory response, changes in signal transduction, expressions of transcriptional regulatory factors, which are related to cardiac development, receptor pathways and cell apoptosis etc., for the purpose of understanding the process of EDCs-induced cardiac developmental toxicity, and further providing scientific theoretical basis for figuring out the toxicity mechanism of EDCs and the prevention and treatment of cardiac diseases.

[Rare tumor of internal auditory canal]

Objective: To explore the clinical features and treatment strategy of rare tumor in the internal auditory canal(IAC). Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in 213 patients with lesion of ICA form January 2010 to December 2020. According to imaging features, surgical findings, and pathological diagnosis, there were 7 cases of non-sporadic acoustic neuroma, including 2 cases of cavernous hemangioma, 2 cases of aneurysm, 1 case of intralabyrinthical schwannoma, 1 case of meningioma, and 1 case of unilateral neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). The clinical manifestations, imaging data and intraoperative conditions as well as the formulation of individualized treatment strategies and prognosis were comprehensively analyzed. Results: In addition to hearing loss, cavernous hemangioma early appeared damage of facial nerve. CT showed expansion and calcification of IAC. Patients with aneurysm appeared tinnitus and vertigo early. CT showed enlargement of ampulla shape of IAC. DSA or MRA can help confirm the diagnosis. Patients with intralabyrinthine schwannoma early appeared refractory vertigo. High resolution MRI was helpful for diagnosis. "Dural tail sign" can be seen on enhanced MRI of meningeoma. Neurofibromatosis type 2 usually presented as bilateral vestibular schwannomas,but a few patients presented only with unilateral vestibular schwannomas.. All patients underwent labyrinth approach resection except one patient with NF2 for followed-up. Their postoperative symptoms were relieved. No tumor recurrence was observed during 6-3 years of follow-up. Conclusions: The clinical and imaging manifestations of rare tumors of the internal auditory canal are different. The principle of treatment is also different. It is helpful to avoid the serious consequences caused by blind operation to confirm diagnosis before operation.

New chromone analog and pyrrole alkaloid produced by Penicillium sclerotiorum and their antibacterial activity

A new chromone analog (1) and a new pyrrole alkaloid (2), together with four known compounds, were isolated from the endophytic fungus Penicillium sclerotiorum MPT-250 obtained from the stems of Taxus wallichiana var. chinensis (Pilger) Florin. The structural elucidation of these metabolites was performed by high-resolution mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy. Compounds 1 and 5 exhibited significant antibacterial activity against carbapenems-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium with an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 3.13 μg/ml respectively.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with chemometrics to identify the origin of Chinese medicinal materials

Geographical origin and authenticity are two core factors to promote the development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs perception in terms of quality and price. Therefore, they are important to both sellers and consumers. Herein, we propose an efficient, accurate method for discrimination of genuine and non-authentic producing areas of TCM by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Take Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz (AMK) of compositae as an example, the MALDI-TOF MS spectra data of 120 AMK samples aided by principal component analysis-linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and random forest (RF) successfully differentiated Zhejiang province, Anhui province and Hunan province AMK according to their geographical location of origin. The correct classification rates of test set were above 93.3%. Furthermore, 5 recollected AMK samples were used to verify the performance of the classification models. The outcome of this study can be a good resource in building a database for AMK. The combined utility of MALDI-TOF MS and chemometrics is expected to be expanded and applied to the origin traceability of other TCMs.

The flow chart for geographical origin traceability of AMK based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with chemometrics.

Application of Different Doses of Tranexamic Acid Plus Traditional Chinese Medicine in Hip Arthroplasty in Patients with Diabetes and Its Influence on Intraoperative Blood Loss and Postoperative Drainage

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of different doses of tranexamic acid plus traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in hip arthroplasty in diabetic patients and the effect on intraoperative hemorrhage and postoperative drainage.

Methods

One hundred patients admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to September 2021 were randomly divided into group B (n = 50) and group A (n = 50), and tranexamic acid was injected intravenously at a dose of 10 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg 30 min before skin incision, and then tranexamic acid 1.0 g was injected into the joint cavity through the drainage after incision closure, followed by 3 h of drainage clamping. The amount of blood loss, coagulation index, postoperative drainage, and incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) were compared between the groups.

Results

Group A had significantly less total blood loss, dominant blood loss, and hidden blood loss than group B (P < 0.05). No significant difference in postoperative coagulation indexes and postoperative drainage flow was found between the two groups (P > 0.05). Serological examination results demonstrated no statistical difference in D-dimer (D-D) levels between the two groups. The absence of VTE in both groups was determined by imaging.

Conclusion

Tranexamic acid is effective in reducing intraoperative hemorrhage in diabetic patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. The dose of 20 mg/kg outperforms 10 mg/kg in terms of clinical efficacy with a favorable safety profile, which can be applied according to the patient's actual condition.

Structure and Bioactivities of a Novel Polysaccharide Extracted From Dendrobium huoshanense by Subcritical Water

In this study, the polysaccharide was extracted by subcritical water from Dendrobium huoshanense. A novel polysaccharide (DHPs-1) was obtained through several purification steps and its structure and bioactivity were investigated. Structural analysis indicated that the weight-average molecular weight of DHPs-1 was 5.0 × 10⁴ Da and it was mainly composed of glucose (65.04%), mannose (14.23%), galactose (8.17%), galacturonic acid (6.41%), rhamnose (2.34%), and xylose (1.25%). 1,4-Glcp, and 1,4,6-Galp were existed in the backbone of DHPs-1. The residues of 1,3,4-Galp, 1,4-Manp, 1,4-Galp, and 1,3,4,6-Galp could be in the backbone or the side chains with the non-reducing terminal of α-Manp. Bioactivity tests indicated that DHPs-1 had immunomodulatory activity in that it significantly enhanced transcript levels of cytokines [Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and Interleukin-10 (IL-10)]. DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging tests showed that it had good antioxidant activity. These results reveal that DHPs-1 could be developed as a safe immunomodulatory agent and antioxidant for pharmacological or functional food applications.

[Clinical phenotypes and genetic features of epilepsy children with MBD5 gene variants]

Objective: To summarize the phenotypes of epilepsy in patients with MBD5 gene variants. Methods: A total of 9 epileptic patients, who were treated in the Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital from July 2016 to September 2021 and detected with MBD5 gene pathogenic variants, were enrolled. The features of clinical manifestations, electroencephalogram (EEG), and neuroimaging were analyzed retrospectively. Results: Among 9 patients, 6 were male and 3 were female. Age at seizure onset ranged from 5 to 89 months. Multiple seizure types were observed, including generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCS) in 7 patients, myoclonic seizures in 5 patients, focal seizures in 5 patients, atypical absence seizures in 3 patients, atonic seizures in 2 patients, myoclonus absence seizures in 1 patient, epileptic spasms in 1 patient, and tonic seizures in 1 patient. There were 8 patients with multiple seizure types, 2 patients with sensitivity to fever and 5 patients with clustering of seizures. Two patients had a history of status epilepticus. All patients had developmental delay before seizure onset. Nine patients had obvious language delay, and 6 patients had autism-like manifestations. Five patients had slow background activity in EEG. Interictal EEG showed abnormal discharges in 9 patients. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was normal in all patients. A total of 9 epileptic patients carried MBD5 gene variants, all of them were de novo variants. There were MBD5 gene overall heterozygous deletion in 1 patient, large fragment deletions including MBD5 gene in 3 patients and single nucleotide variations (c.300C>A/p.C100X, c.1775delA/p.N592Tfs*29, c.1759C>T/p.Q587X, c.150_151del/p.Lys51Asnfs*6, c.113+1G>C) in 5 patients. The age at last follow-up ranged from 2 years and 9 months to 11 years and 11 months. At the last follow-up, 2 patients were seizure-free for more than 11 months to 4 years 6 months, 7 patients still had seizures. Conclusions: The initial seizure onset in patients with MBD5 gene variants usually occurs in infancy. Most patients have multiple seizure types. The seizures may be fever sensitive and clustered. Developmental delays, language impairments, and autistic behaviors are common. MBD5 gene variants include single nucleotide variations and fragment deletions. Epilepsy associated with MBD5 gene variants is usually refractory.

Geographical origin traceability of traditional Chinese medicine Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. by using multi-way fluorescence fingerprint and chemometric methods

Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (AM) is an important plant of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), and its status can be comparable with ginseng in China. The efficacy and quality of AM are closely related to the place of origin. Hence, we proposed a simple and fast strategy to classify AM from different geographical origins by using multi-way fluorescence fingerprint combined with chemometric methods. AM samples with different dilution levels have different fluorescence characteristics, resulting from different content of fluorescence components and chemical microenvironment. Therefore, AM samples were diluted 5-fold, 10-fold, and 20-fold with 40% ethanol aqueous solution to obtain excitation-emission matrix data, and multi-way (three-way and four-way) data arrays were constructed. And then, the fluorescence fingerprints of AM samples were characterized by three-way and four-way parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC). In addition, four pattern recognition methods were used to classify AM from different provinces. The results show that the four-way data array can provide more abundant information than three-way data arrays, so it is more conducive to sample classification. According to the results obtained from the analysis of four-way data array, the correct classification rate (CCR) of the cross-validation and prediction set obtained by partial least squares-discrimination analysis (PLS-DA) were 90.5% and 100%, respectively. To sum up, the proposed method can be regarded as a powerful, feasible, convenient, reliable, and universal classification tool for the classification of AM samples from different provinces and can be used as a promising method to realize the geographical origin traceability of other TCMs.

[Analysis of clinical features and etiological diagnostic indices of reproductive age women with hyperandrogenism]

Objective: To investigate the clinical features and the value of different diagnostic indices for etiology in reproductive age women with hyperandrogenism. Methods: The medical records of 96 reproductive age women with hyperandrogenism in the multi-disciplinary team of Peking University First Hospital from January 2020 to April 2021 were collected. The patients were divided into four groups based on final diagnosis: congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) (n=8), polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (n=67), idiopathic hyperandrogenism (n=13) and other specific diseases (n=8), respectively. The indices related to androgens in different groups were compared, and then their efficiency for diagnosis of CAH and PCOS were analyzed with receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve). Results: A total of 96 patients with hyperandrogenism were recruited, with the age of 19-45 (29±6) years old. Overall, 4.2% (4/96) of the patients were with single clinical hyperandrogenism, 56.3% (54/96) were with single laboratory hyperandrogenaemia and 39.6% (38/96) were with both. The breakdown into laboratory hyperandrogenaemia subtypes was as follows: only T elevation 22.8% (21/92), only A2 elevation 7.6% (7/92), none DHEAS elevation, only FAI elevation 5.4% (5/92) and elevation of more than one of the androgen indices mentioned above accounted for 64.1% (59/92). In the reasons of consultation, simple irregular menstruation (36.0%, 32/89) or accompanied by clinical hyperandrogenism with or without infertility (36.0%, 32/89) were the most common. As for primary visiting departments, Obstetrics and Gynecology accounted for 53.2% (51/96), and then Endocrinology as 39.5% (38/96). The 17-OHP level of CAH, PCOS and idiopathic hyperandrogenism group was 20.0 (8.2, 33.1), 1.1 (0.8, 1.4), 0.9 (0.8, 1.3) ng/ml, respectively. The androstenedione level in these groups was 6.3 (4.6, 8.7), 3.8 (2.9, 4.8) and 3.2 (2.7, 3.7) ng/ml, respectively. The 17-OHP and androstenedione levels of CAH group were significantly higher than that in PCOS or idiopathic hyperandrogenism group (all P<0.05). The ratio of LH and FSH in these three groups was 0.8(0.5, 1.0), 1.3(0.6, 1.9) and 0.6(0.3, 0.7), respectively. The ratio of LH and FSH was significantly higher in PCOS than that in idiopathic hyperandrogenism group (P=0.024), but yet there was no significant difference compared with CAH group (P>0.05). The AUC of ROC curve of 17-OHP for CAH diagnosis was 0.94, followed by androstenedione 0.83, whereas LH/FSH for PCOS diagnosis was only 0.63. Conclusions: Among the reasons of consultation in reproductive age women who visited our multi-disciplinary team for female hyperandrogenism, simple irregular menstruation or accompanied by clinical hyperandrogenism with or without infertility are the most common. PCOS accounts for the majority of different androgen excess disorders. 17-OHP is the most valuable parameter for the diagnosis of CAH and secondly androstenedione.

Pb2+ Responsive Cu-In-Zn-S Quantum Dots With Low Cytotoxicity

Water-soluble Cu-In-Zn-S quantum dots (CIZS QDs) with orange fluorescence have been synthesized with a glutathione (GSH) as stabilizer via facile a one-step hydrothermal method. The optimal reaction conditions of CIZS QDs including temperature, time, pH, and the molar ratios of precursors were studied. TEM results indicate that the aqueous-dispersible CIZS QDs are quasi-spherical, and the average diameters are 3.76 nm with excellent fluorescent stability. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of CIZS QDs was investigated by the microcalorimetry combining with TEM and the IC50 was 10.2 μM. CIZS QDs showed a promising perspective in applications such as a fluorescent probe for bioimaging and biolabeling due to the low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility. Moreover, the CIZS QDs can distinguish Pb2+ ion from other ions, offering great potentials in lead ion determination in drinking water. According to the results of UV, XRD, FL, PL, and ITC methods, the mechanism of CIZS QDs-Pb2+ assay is due to hydrogen bonding or van der Waals forces in the formation of Pb2+ and CIZS QDs.

[Risk factors of pancreatitis after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage in patients with pancreatic cancer and obstructive jaundice]

Objective: To explore the risk factors and preventive strategies of pancreatitis after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) in patients with pancreatic cancer and obstructive jaundice. Methods: A total of 241 patients were retrospectively analyzed from May 2001 to October 2014 in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital. The possibly correlated 9 factors were analyzed, including gender, age, hemoglobin level, total bilirubin level, degree of pancreatic duct dilatation, degree of pancreatic atrophy, degree of biliary stenosis, the pancreatic duct visualization, and drainage mode. Results: Univariate analysis suggested that pancreatic duct dilatation, pancreatic atrophy, visualized pancreatic duct and drainage mode were associated with the incidence of pancreatitis after PTBD (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that visualization of pancreatic duct (OR=6.33) was a risk factor for pancreatitis, while pancreatic duct dilatation (OR=0.14), pancreatic atrophy (OR=0.12) and external drainage (OR=0.11) were protective factors for pancreatitis. Conclusion: In pateints with pancreatic cancer and obstructive jaundice, pancreatic duct dilatation and pancreatic atrophy predict low risk of pancreatitis after PTBD,while intraoperative pancreatic duct visualization and internal or external drainage may increase the incidence of postoperative pancreatitis.

[The predictive value of ureteral wall area for impacted ureteral stones]

Objective: To investigate the clinical indicators for preoperative prediction of impacted ureteral stones and analyze the predictive value of ureteral wall area(UWA). Methods: A total of 197 patients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy due to ureteral stones at our institution from January to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Preoperative patient age, gender, body mass index (BMI), history of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, side of stone, location of stone, maximum diameter of stone, CT value of stone, C-reactive protein (CRP), creatinine, renal pelvis diameter, ureteral wall thickness and UWA were collected. Patients were divided into impacted and non-impacted groups according to whether the stones were impacted intraoperatively. Univariate analysis was used to compare the differences in each clinical indicator between the two groups, and multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze the independent predictors of impacted stones for those with differences. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive power of each independent predictor, and the Delong test was used to analyze whether the difference in the area under the curve (AUC) of each independent predictor was statistically significant. Results: All 197 patients successfully completed the operation, aged 51 (36, 56) years; 137 males and 60 females. According to the results of ureteroscopy, they were divided into 82 cases of impacted ureteral stones and 115 cases of non-impacted ureteral stones. Univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences in maximum stone diameter, stone CT value, renal pelvis diameter, ureteral wall thickness and ureteral wall area between the two groups (P<0.05); There was no significant difference in age, gender, BMI, history of hypertension, diabetes, stone side, location of stone, CRP and creatinine (P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that stone CT value (P<0.01), ureteral wall thickness (P<0.001) and ureteral wall area were independent predictors of impacted ureteral stones (P<0.001). The ROC curve was used to compare the predictive efficacy of independent predictors of stone CT value, ureteral wall thickness and ureteral wall area. The area under the ureteral wall area curve was the largest (AUC = 0.901, 95%CI: 0.859-0.943, P<0.001), followed by ureteral wall thickness (AUC = 0.799, 95%CI: 0.736-0.862, P<0.001) and stone CT value (AUC = 0.700, 95%CI: 0.626-0.775, P<0.001). By Delong test, there were significant differences in AUC between ureteral wall area and stone CT value (Z=4.527, P<0.001) and ureteral wall thickness (Z=3.407, P<0.001). The best predictive value of ureteral wall area was 79.6 mm². The sensitivity and specificity of this critical value for predicting ureteral incarcerated calculi were 80.1% and 89.5%. Conclusions: The UWA, ureteral wall thickness as well as the CT value of stones were all independent predictors of impacted ureteral stones, and UWA had a better predictive value.

Three New Hydroxyphenylacetic Acid Derivatives and A New Alkaloid from Endophytic Fungus Mortierella sp. in Epimedium acuminatum Franch. and Their Antibacterial Activity

Three new hydroxyphenylacetic acid derivatives, stachylines E-G (1-3), and a new alkaloid, mortieridinone (4), along with six known compounds (5-10), were isolated from endophytic fungus Mortierella sp. in Epimedium acuminatum Franch. Their structures were determined by their spectroscopic analyses and by comparison with the literature data. Compounds 7 and 10 showed selective antibacterial activity against tested multidrug-resistant bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 25 to 3.13 μg/mL.

Capsulactone: a new 4-hydroxy-α-pyrone derivative from an endophytic fungus Penicillium capsulatum and its antimicrobial activity

A new 4-hydroxy-α-pyrone, namely capsulactone (1), was isolated from an endophytic fungus Penicillium capsulatum XL027 obtained from the leaves of Panax notoginseng. The structure and absolute configuration of 1 were elucidated through a combination of spectroscopic data and computed methods, as well as by comparison with literature data. Compound 1 exhibited weak activity against methicinllin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with an MIC value of 100 μg/ml.

[Genotypes and clinical features of neonatal-onset genetic epilepsy in 141 patients]

Objective: To summarize the genotypes and clinical features of neonatal-onset genetic epilepsy. Methods: Patients (114 cases) with identified gene variants were collected from May 2013 to May 2019 in Peking University First Hospital, retrospectively. The genotype, clinical, electroencephalographic and neuroimaging characteristics were analyzed. Results: A total of 141 neonatal-onset epilepsy patients with identified gene variants were enrolled, including 76 males and 65 females and involving 33 epilepsy genes. Top five genes were KCNQ2 (56 cases), SCN2A (25 cases), STXBP1 (9 cases), CDKL5 (8 cases) and KCNT1 (6 cases), accounting for 73.8% (104/141). The age of seizure onset was 3(1-28) days of age, 71.6% (101/141) were within 1 week of age. The age of genetic diagnosis was 4 months (1 month to 13 years) of age. A total of 130 patients presented focal seizures; 47 patients presented epileptic spasms. Other seizure types included generalized tonic-clonic seizures, clonic seizures, myoclonic seizures, tonic seizures and absence seizures. Fifty-eight patients experienced multiple seizure types. The results of video-electroencephlogram (VEEG) were abnormal in 127 patients and in 62 patients clinical seizures were captured. Global developmental delay was presented in 122 patients. Epilepsy syndromes were diagnosed in 59 patients. Thirteen patients were diagnosed as Ohtahara syndrome (OS), 9 as epilepsy of infancy with migrating focal seizures (EIMFS), 17 as West syndrome (WS), 4 as OS developed to WS, 9 as benign neonatal epilepsy (BNE), 2 as benign familiar neonatal-infantile epilepsy (BFNIE), 2 as benign infantile epilepsy (BIE) and 3 as benign familial infantile epilepsy (BFIE). Sixty-seven patients were diagnosed as unclassified early infantile epileptic encephalopathy (EIEE), 13 patients could not be diagnosed as any epilepsy syndrome, and 2 patients were diagnosed as pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy. Forty-six patients had abnormal neuroimaging including cortical atrophy, corpus callosum dysplasia and cerebellar atrophy, involving 19 genes. Conclusions: Neonatal-onset epilepsy is related to many different genes. Seizure onset age of most patients is within one week after birth. Focal seizures and epileptic spasms are more common. Some patients show abnormal neuroimaging.

[Research progress of osteoarthritis model]

The mechanism of osteoarthritis is still not completely clear,the current treatment can not effectively prevent the disease from progressing.In order to study osteoarthritis,researchers have developed various models,including in vitro models (two-dimension and three-dimension cell culture models and bioreactor culture models) and in vivo models (spontaneous,genetically modified,invasive and non-invasive models).These models are important tools for studying the mechanism of disease occurrence and development,which can simulate the whole process or a certain stage of pathological changes,as well as evaluating the effect of treatment.This paper reviews the osteoarthritis models and their characteristics in order to provide reference for osteoarthritis research.

[The clinical effects of oral contraceptive pretreatment on the outcome of gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist protocol in non-polycystic ovary syndrome patients]

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of oral contraceptive (OC) pretreatment on the outcome of gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist (GnRH-a) protocol in patients with non-polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods: From January 2017 to May 2019, a total of 436 patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer/Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ET/ICSI) treatment in Peking University First Hospital reproductive center clinic were included in this retrospective cohort study. A total of 144 patients (147 cycles) used OC pretreatment prior to GnRH-a protocol and 292 patients (306 cycles) used GnRH-a protocol without OC pretreatment. The drug usage as well as pregnant outcomes between groups were examined. The primary outcome was the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate of oocyte retrieval cycle and the secondary outcome included the number of oocytes, MⅡ oocytes, embryos and clinical pregnancy rate of fresh embryo transfer cycle. Results: The median ages (and Q₁, Q₃) of OC pretreatment group and non-OC group were 33 (30,36) and 34 (30,38) years old, respectively. The number of MⅡ oocytes was higher in OC pretreatment group (7/9) than in non-OC group (6/8) (P=0.002). The significant difference were not found in the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate of each oocyte retrieval cycle (61.7% vs 54.6%), the clinical pregnancy rate of fresh embryo transfer cycle (34.4% vs 35.6%), and the number of oocytes (9 vs 8) and embryos (6 vs 6) between groups. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that compared to non-OC pretreatment group, pretreatment with OC is associated with more MⅡ oocytes, and with an increasing trend of the cumulative clinical pregnancy rate in non-polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing fresh IVF-ET/ICSI.

[Diagnostic value of serum amyloid A and C-reactive protein for predicting acute aortic dissection]

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of serum amyloid A (SAA) and C-reactive protein (CRP) for predicting acute aortic dissection (AAD). Methods: One hundred and seventy-five AAD patients and 160 patients with acute coronary syndrome (disease control group) who were admitted to Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease Hospital of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University from January 2018 to June 2020 were retrospectively selected. Meanwhile, 148 healthy subjects (healthy control group) who underwent physical examination were also enrolled. The latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay and the latex immunoturbidimetric assay were used to determine the serum SAA and CRP levels of all subjects, and related clinical data were collected and analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the independent risk factors, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to calculate the diagnostic value of SAA and CRP for predicting AAD. Results: The levels of SAA and CRP in the AAD patient group ((165.7±7.4) mg/L and (76.0±4.0)mg/L) were significantly higher than those of the healthy control group ((6.5±0.4) mg/L and (3.9±0.2) mg/L) and the disease control group ((27.2±1.3) mg/L and (9.4±3.2) mg/L), with significant differences (all P<0.05). Compared with patients less than 60 years, levels of SAA and CRP in AAD patients over 60 years old decreased ((150.6±12.7) mg/L and (73.9±7.3) mg/L), and there were significant differences (both P<0.05). Likewise, SAA levels in AAD patients with high-risk pain characteristics over 6 h increased compared to those with pain less than 6 h, and there was a significant difference (P<0.05). SAA was positively correlated with CRP (r=0.053 4, P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that SAA and CRP levels were independently related to the risk of AAD (P=0.001), and the ROC curve of SAA for predicting AAD showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of type A aortic dissection (TAAD) and type B aortic dissection (TBAD) were 0.997 and 0.995, respectively (both P<0.001). And the ROC curve of CRP for predicting AAD demonstrated that the AUC of TAAD and TBAD were 0.998 and 0.991, respectively (both P<0.001). The best cut-off values of SAA and CRP for predicting AAD were 175.17 mg/L and 72.96 mg/L, respectively. Conclusion: Increased levels of SAA and CRP have high predictive value for AAD, and SAA combined with CRP is expected to serve as a laboratory marker to assist the diagnosis of AAD.

Improved light extraction efficiency of AlGaN deep-ultraviolet light emitting diodes combining Ag-nanodots/Al reflective electrode with highly transparent p-type layer

Enhancement of light extraction efficiency (LEE) of AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) has been attempted by adopting Ag-nanodots/Al reflective electrodes on a highly transparent complex p-type layer. By thinning the p-GaN to several nm, highly DUV transparent p-type layer is achieved, making it meaningful for the application of reflective electrodes composed of Ag-nanodots and Al film to allow most light emitted upward to be reflected back to the sapphire side. By this approach, the maximum light output power and external quantum efficiency of the DUV-LEDs with optimized Ag nanodots/Al electrodes are severally increased by 52% and 58%, respectively, compared to those with traditional Ni/Au electrodes when the current is below 200 mA.

Corneal epithelial thickness analysis of forme fruste keratoconus with optical coherence tomography

AIM

To explore the significance of corneal epithelial thickness analysis in diagnosing early keratoconus.

METHODS

There were 26 clinical keratoconus, 21 forme fruste keratoconus, 40 high corneal astigmatism (ΔK) and 40 low ΔK eyes involved in the study. Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography was used to measure the corneal epithelial thickness of four groups. The morphological features of topographic map and the thickness of corneal epithelial thinnest point were analyzed. The distribution curve of corneal epithelial thickness at 45°, 90°, and 135° axial directions that are through the pupil center was also analyzed. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare the data.

RESULTS

The topographic map of forme fruste keratoconus corneal epithelial thickness was uniformity shape; crater shape existed only in clinical keratoconus group; and central island shape mainly existed in high ΔK group. The thinnest point of corneal epithelial thickness of forme fruste keratoconus group was significantly lower than that of low ΔK group (P=0.022). The thickness of corneal epithelium in the forme fruste keratoconus at 90° was thinner than that in the low astigmatism group at -1, and -2 mm points (P _{-1 mm}=0.015, P _{-2 mm}=0.036).

CONCLUSION

The analysis of the thinnest point in forme fruste keratoconus corneal epithelium appears earlier than corneal epithelial remodeling. The topographic map of corneal epithelium in high ΔK eyes appears in central island shape, and can be used for the differential diagnosis of early keratoconus.

[Study of methylation of mitochondrial MT-COI of benzene poisoning]

Objective: To research the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (MT-COI) gene methylation levels in patients with occupational chronic benzene poisoning, and to explore effective molec μlar biomarkers in patients with occupational chronic benzene poisoning. Methods: 38 confirmed cases of occupational chronic benzene poisoning were selected in the case group. 46 healthy people who underwent physical in our hospital were selected in the control group. Pyrosequencing was used to detect the methylation sites of methylation sites, flow cytometry was used to detect peripheral blood cell count levels, and non-parametric statistical methods were used to analyze the differences in detection results between the two groups. Results: The methylation level of mitochondrial MT-COI site 1 (2.21±0.81) % in the case group was less than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The methylation level of mitochondrial MT-COI site 2 (2.31±0.96%) in the case group was less than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . The methylation average level of mitochondrial MT-COI (2.26±0.75) % in the case group was less than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05) . Analysis of the average level of methylation found that the methylation level of mitochondrial MT-COI was correlated with WBC (P<0.05) . Analysis of the average level of methylation found that the methylation level of mitochondrial MT-COI was correlated with platelets (r=0.254、0.280, P<0.05) . Conclusion: The level of mitochondrial MT-COI gene methylation in patients with occupational chronic benzene poisoning may be related to the sensitivity to benzene exposure. Mitochondrial MT-COI gene methylation may serve as a potential predictive biomarker for benzene poisoning.

Modeling Light Response of Electron Transport Rate and Its Allocation for Ribulose Biphosphate Carboxylation and Oxygenation

Accurately describing the light response curve of electron transport rate (J-I curve) and allocation of electron flow for ribulose biphosphate (RuBP) carboxylation (J _C-I curve) and that for oxygenation (J _O-I curve) is fundamental for modeling of light relations of electron flow at the whole-plant and ecosystem scales. The non-rectangular hyperbolic model (hereafter, NH model) has been widely used to characterize light response of net photosynthesis rate (A _n; A _n-I curve) and J-I curve. However, NH model has been reported to overestimate the maximum A _n (A _nmax) and the maximum J (J _max), largely due to its asymptotic function. Meanwhile, few efforts have been delivered for describing J _C-I and J _O-I curves. The long-standing challenge on describing A _n-I and J-I curves have been resolved by a recently developed A _n-I and J-I models (hereafter, Ye model), which adopt a nonasymptotic function. To test whether Ye model can resolve the challenge of NH model in reproducing J-I, J _C-I and J _O-I curves over light-limited, light-saturated, and photoinhibitory I levels, we compared the performances of Ye model and NH model against measurements on two C₃ crops (Triticum aestivum L. and Glycine max L.) grown in field. The results showed that NH model significantly overestimated the A _nmax and J _max for both species, which can be accurately obtained by Ye model. Furthermore, NH model significantly overestimated the maximum electron flow for carboxylation (J _C-max) but not the maximum electron flow for oxygenation (J _O-max) for both species, disclosing the reason underlying the long-standing problem of NH model-overestimation of J _max and A _nmax.

Carbonic Anhydrase 4 serves as a Clinicopathological Biomarker for Outcomes and Immune Infiltration in Renal Cell Carcinoma, Lower Grade Glioma, Lung Adenocarcinoma and Uveal Melanoma

Background: Carbonic anhydrase 4 (CA4) maintains homeostasis of carbon dioxide and bicarbonate. It is suggested to be a potential prognostic biomarker, while the correlations between CA4 and different cancers are indistinct.

Methods: Differential mRNA expression of CA4 among different cancers and corresponding normal tissues was compared based on datasets on the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) platforms. Then, survival analysis was performed using Tumor-immune system interactionsplatform and TCGA cohort on the basis of distinct comparison expression of CA4 in five kinds of tumors. In addition, molecular penal analysis and functional annotations of CA4-related genes was elaborated. The correlation between CA4 mRNA expression and tumor immune microenvironment were analyzed in detail.

Results: Compared with adjacent normal tissues, CA4 mRNA expressions were found significantly lower in various tumors. Moreover, decreased expression of CA4 was significantly related to worse overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC), brain lower grade glioma (LGG), lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and uveal melanoma (UVM), and worse OS of prostate adenocarcinoma (PRAD) (p<0.05). Cox regression analyses indicated that CA4 was a significant prognostic biomarker in KIRC, LGG, LUAD and UVM. Moreover, CA4 showed markedly relationship with tumor immune environment and diverse immune infiltration signatures in KIRC, LGG, LUAD and UVM.

Conclusions: Our study revealed that CA4 was a potential biomarker for aggressive progression and poor prognosis in KIRC, LGG, LUAD, PRAD and UVM, correlated with immune infiltration in various tumor environments. These results suggested that CA4 possibly served as a promising prognostic and immune infiltration biomarker in many cancers.

[Inhibition of Copper Transporter-1 by Ammonium Tetrathiocarbolybdate in the Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer]

OBJECTIVE

To examine copper transporter 1 (CTR1) expression in pancreatic carcinoma cells, orthotopic xenograft pancreatic tumor model and clinical samples, and verify the effect of copper chelating agent ammonium tetrathiomolybdate (TM) regulate the expression of CTR1 in pancreatic carcinoma cells and the inhibition of pancreatic carcinoma.

METHODS

The expressions of copper transporter CTR1 and antioxidant protein 1 (ATOX1) in 22 clinical pancreatic ductal carcinoma and paracancer tissues 0.5-1 cm away from the tumor were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). PANC-1 cells were used to construct 5 orthotopic xenograft pancreatic tumor of nude mice models. Pancreatic cancer tissues and corresponding normal pancreatic tissues were collected, and the expressions of CTR1 and ATOX1 were detected by IHC and compared with clinical tissues. The proliferation of pancreatic carcinoma cells PANC-1 treated with 10, 30, 50, 100 μmol/L TM for 24 h, 48 h, 72 h was measured by CCK8 assay. The migration abilities of PANC-1 cells treated with 50 μmol/L TM for 24 h, 48 h were detected by scratch test. The expressions of CTR1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and CyclinD1 proteins in PANC-1 cells treated with 10, 30, 50, 100 μmol/L TM for 48 h were measured by Western blot. Then the subcutaneous tumor-bearing model of nude mice were established with PANC-1 cells, and the growth of tumor was observed after oral administration of 0.3 mg/d and 1.0 mg/d of TM, respectively.

RESULTS

The immunohistochemical results indicated that 19 of the 22 clinical pancreatic ductal cancer tissues of carcinoma patients had high expression of CTR1, and the same high expression of CTR1 was found in the orthotopic transplanted tumor tissues of PANC-1 nude mice. The proliferation inhibition of PANC-1 cells increased with the concentration of TM increased and the treatment time prolonged. The expressions of intracellular CTR1, VEGF and CyclinD1 all decreased with the concentration of TM increased. The cell migration ability decreased after the PANC-1 cells treated with TM. The tumor growth of PANC-1 tumor-bearing nude mice was inhibited after different doses of TM were delivered. The reduction in tumor volume and weight was more pronounced in the high-dose TM group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The expression of CTR1 is abnormally elevated in pancreatic carcinoma, and treatment with copper chelating agent for this target may help to inhibit pancreatic carcinoma.

[Epidemiological investigation of a family clustering of COVID-19]

Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of a family clustering of COVID-19. Methods: Field epidemiological survey was conducted. Results: Case 1 of the long-term residents from Hubei province was the source of infection of this family clustering. There were 6 cases (from case 2 to case 7) infected in the whole incubation period. The incubation period was more than 14 days for 3 of the second-generation cases. Routes of transmission included respiratory droplets (from case 1 transmitted to case 6, from case 1 to her family members) and close contact (from case 1 to other cases in her family). All the age groups were generally susceptible, while elderly were easier to progress to critically ill. Besides respiratory symptoms, there were also gastrointestinal symptoms, of which diarrhea was the most common one. Conclusions: Family clustering had been an important part for COVID-19 cases.

[Effect of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids on myocardial lipid metabolism during cardiopulmonary bypass ischemia-reperfusion in dogs]

Objective: To explore the effects and mechanisms of Dendrobium nobile Lindl. alkaloids (DNLA) on myocardial lipid metabolism during ischemia-reperfusion in dogs undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Methods: Twenty-four healthy hybrid dogs, half male and half female, were randomly divided into sham group, model group, solvent control group and treatment group (DNLA, 6 mg/kg) (n=6), all of which were established with CPB. Except for the sham group, the aorta of the other groups was occluded for 60 min and then reopened. The uptake rate of free fatty acids, the concentration of long-chain acyl coenzyme A (LCACoA), mRNA and protein expression of fatty acid translocase enzyme/CD36 (FAT/CD36) in myocardial tissue and the cardiac function indexes were measured at 4 time points: before cardiopulmonary bypass (T1), 15 min (T2), 60 min (T3), and 90 min (T4) after reperfusion in each group. Results: Before CPB, there were no statistically significant differences in the uptake rate of free fatty acids, the concentration of LCACoA and mRNA expression of FAT/CD36 in myocardial tissue in each group (P>0.05). After the opening of the aorta, the above indexes in model group [(35.8±4.7)%, (8.55±1.51) nmol/g, 3.23±0.68] and treatment group [(27.4±2.7)%, (6.10±1.38) nmol/g, 2.20±0.56] were higher than those in sham group [(19.6±3.9)%, (4.16±0.81)nmol/g, 1.19±0.52], which were the highest at T2, and then gradually decreased (all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the increase of above indicators in the treatment group was significantly lower at T2 (all P<0.05). Before CPB, there was no statistically significant differences in cardiac function indexes [left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and±dp/dtmax] among the groups (P>0.05). After the aorta was opened, the above indexes in model group [(76.5±9.1) mmHg, (31.1±2.9) mmHg, (1.2±0.4) mmHg/ms, (-0.9±0.1) mmHg/ms] and treatment group [(92.9±8.7) mmHg, (25.3±3.6) mmHg, (1.8±0.4) mmHg/ms, (-1.3±0.1) mmHg/ms] were lower than those in sham group [(165.5±12.9) mmHg, (6.5±0.5) mmHg, (3.3±0.6) mmHg/ms, (-2.9±0.3) mmHg/ms] (all P<0.05), but the impairment degree of cardiac function indicators in treatment group was significantly lower than that those in model group (all P<0.05). Conclusion: During CPB in dogs, DNLA can inhibit the abnormal expression of FAT/CD36, decrease the uptake of free fatty acids, and reduce the abnormal accumulation of LCACoA in myocardium,thereby alleviating the myocardial injury after ischemia-reperfusion.