[Effect of PCSK9 inhibitors on early neurological deterioration in patients with branch atheromatous disease]

Objective: To investigate the effect of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors on the incidence of early neurological deterioration during the treatment of branch atheromatous disease (BAD). Methods: A retrospective analysis of 297 BAD patients admitted to the Department of Neurology in Zhengzhou People's Hospital from January 2020 to April 2023 was made. According to whether to use PCSK9 inhibitor treatment, they were divided into PCSK9 inhibitor group (81 cases) and control group (216 cases). Propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to eliminate the general situation difference between PCSK9 inhibitor group and control group. Seventy-two cases were successfully matched in each group. The early neurological deterioration (END) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) were compared. END was defined as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score increase≥2 points within 72 hours after stroke. Suspicious influencing factors leading to END were screened for multivariate logistic regression model analysis. Results: After PSM matching, among the 144 patients, 90 were male and 54 were female, aged (61.2±9.6) years. After matching, The hospital stay[M(Q1, Q3)] [9(7, 11)d vs 10(8, 13)d] in PCSK9 and NIHSS score at discharge [2(1, 3) vs 3(1, 4) points] were significantly different from those in the control group (all P<0.05). In addition, the incidence of END was reduced in the PCSK9 inhibitor group [12.5%(9/72) vs 31.9%(23/72),P<0.05]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that C-reactive protein (CRP)(OR=1.119,95%CI: 1.010-1.240, P<0.05) and PCSK9 inhibitor (OR=0.298, 95%CI: 0.117-0.755, P<0.05) were factors associated with the development of END. Conclusion: The use of PCSK9 inhibitors in the treatment of patients with BAD can reduce the incidence of END.

[Efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase in treating the branch atheromatous disease]

Objective: To explore the efficacy of intravenous thrombolysis with tenecteplase (TNK) in the treatment of branch atheromatous disease (BAD). Methods: A total of 148 BAD patients hospitalized in the stroke center of Zhengzhou People's Hospital from January 2020 to March 2023 were retrospectively included. According to whether TNK was used for treatment, the patients were divided into the TNK group (52 cases) and the control group (96 cases). The propensity score matching (PSM) method was used to eliminate baseline differences between the two groups, and 46 pairs were successfully matched. Early neurological deterioration (END) was defined as an increase in the national Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores within 7 days of stroke≥2. The 90-day modified Rankin Scale (mRS) was used to compare the long-term efficacy between the two groups. A binary logistic regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of clinical outcomes in patients with BAD. Results: Among the 92 patients, 62 were males and 30 were females, with an average age of (61.0±9.5) years. After PSM, there were statistically significant differences in NIHSS score at discharge [2 (0, 4) vs 4 (3, 8)] and length of hospital stay [9 (6, 13) d vs 11 (9, 14) d] (both P<0.05) between the two groups. The proportion of mRS 0-2 in TNK group was higher than that in the control group [82.6%(38/46) vs 60.8%(28/46)], while the proportion of END and mRS≥4 was lower than that in the control group [10.8%(5/46) vs 30.4%(14/46); 8.7%(4/46) vs 26.0%(12/46)], with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). The 90-day mortality in the control group was 2.2% (1/46), while no death was detected in the TNK group. Conclusion: Intravenous thrombolysis therapy with TNK can not only increase the proportion of 90-day mRS 0-2 in BAD patients, but also reduce the incidence of END.

Oxidation of N-Alkyl(iso)quinolinium Salts Over TEMPO@Metal-Organic Framework Heterogeneous Photocatalyst†

Quinolones and isoquinolones are of particular importance to pharmaceutical industry due to their diverse biological activities. However, their synthetic protocols were limited by high toxicity, high energy consumption, poor functional group tolerance and noble metal catalyst. This study concerns the development of a series of TEMPO@PCN-222 (TEMPO: 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinyl-1-oxy; PCN: porous coordination network) composite photocatalysts by coordinating different amount of 4-carboxy-TEMPO with the secondary building units of PCN-222. Upon visible-light irradiation, photogenerated holes in the highest occupied molecular orbital of PCN-222 can smoothly transfer to TEMPO, which can significantly boost the photosynthesis of bioactive (iso)quinolones from readily available N-alkyl(iso)quinolinium salts. TEMPO@PCN-222 exhibits an outstanding catalytic stability and substrate tolerance with a 1-methyl-2-quinolinone yield of 86.7 %, over four times that with PCN-222 (21.4 %). This work provides a new route to construct composite photocatalysts from abundant starting materials for efficient photosynthesis of high value-added chemicals.

Co-Dissolved Isostructural Polyoxovanadates to Construct Single-Atom-Site Catalysts for Efficient CO2 Photoreduction

We explored a co-dissolved strategy to embed mono-dispersed Pt center into V₂ O₅ support via dissolving [PtV₉ O₂₈ ]^7- into [V₁₀ O₂₈ ]^6- aqueous solution. The uniform dispersion of [PtV₉ O₂₈ ]^7- in [V₁₀ O₂₈ ]^6- solution allows [PtV₉ O₂₈ ]^7- to be surrounded by [V₁₀ O₂₈ ]^6- clusters via a freeze-drying process. The V centers in both [PtV₉ O₂₈ ]^7- and [V₁₀ O₂₈ ]^6- were converted into V₂ O₅ via a calcination process to stabilize Pt center. These double separations can effectively prevent the Pt center agglomeration during the high-temperature conversion process, and achieve 100 % utilization of Pt in [PtV₉ O₂₈ ]^7- . The resulting Pt-V₂ O₅ single-atom-site catalysts exhibit a CH₄ yield of 247.6 μmol g^-1  h^-1 , 25 times higher than that of Pt nanoparticle on the V₂ O₅ support, which was accompanied by the lactic acid photooxidation to form pyruvic acid. Systematical investigations on this unambiguous structure demonstrate an important role of Pt-O atomic pair synergy for highly efficient CO₂ photoreduction.

Synergistic Effect over Sub-nm Pt Nanocluster@MOFs Significantly Boosts Photo-oxidation of N-alkyl(iso)quinolinium Salts

Quinolones and isoquinolones are of interest to pharmaceutical industry owing to their potent biological activities. Herein, we first encapsulated sub-nm Pt nanoclusters into Zr-porphyrin frameworks to afford an efficient photocatalyst Pt_0.9@PCN-221. This catalyst can dramatically promote electron-hole separation and ¹O₂ generation to achieve synergistic effect first in the metal-organic framework (MOF) system, leading to the highest activity in photosynthesis of (iso)quinolones in >90.0% yields without any electronic sacrificial agents. Impressively, Pt_0.9@PCN-221 was reused 10 times without loss of activity and can catalyze gram-scale synthesis of 1-methyl-5-nitroisoquinolinone at an activity of 175.8 g·g_cat⁻¹, 22 times higher than that of PCN-221. Systematic investigations reveal the contribution of synergistic effect of photogenerated electron, photogenerated hole, and ¹O₂ generation for efficient photo-oxidation, thus highlighting a new strategy to integrate multiple functional components into MOFs to synergistically catalyze complex photoreactions for exploring biologically active heterocyclic molecules.

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A state-of-the-art photocatalyst for preparation of bioactive (iso)quinolones

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Synergistic catalysis of photogenerated e⁻/h⁺ and ¹O₂

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Sub-nm Pt_0.9@PCN-221 with a high efficiency of e⁻-h⁺ separation and ¹O₂ generation

[Analysis on the gender-specific risk factors of new-onset cerebral hemorrhage]

Objective: To explore the gender-specific risk factors of new-onset cerebral hemorrhage. Methods: In this prospective cohort study,a total of 98 961 participants((51.1±12.6)years old), who underwent the 2006 to 2007 physical examination and met the inclusion criteria, were enrolled from the Kailuanstudy cohort. There were 78 908 (79.7%) male,and 20 053 (20.3%) female.The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage was observed once per year until December 31, 2016.The difference on the incidence of cerebral hemorrhage between male and female was compared. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was applied to analyze therisk factors of cerebral hemorrhage events among different genders. Results: The participants were followed up for(10.00±0.73) years,and 860 cerebral hemorrhage events were recorded during follow up. The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage in the population was 86.90/10 million person years (standardized incidence rate of 47.85/10 million person years). The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage was significantly higher in male (49.61/10 million person years) than in female (34.07/10 million person years, P<0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that 45-59 years old, ≥ 60 years old, diabetes,and waist-hip ratio were more strongly related to new-onset of cerebral hemorrhage events in female than in male, and the hazard ratios(95%CI) were 2.33 (1.23-4.43) ,2.71 (1.30-5.66) ,2.16 (1.24-3.74) and 8.79 (1.42-54.32) in female versus 1.55 (1.21-1.97) ,2.16 (1.68-2.78) ,1.19 (0.93-1.53) and 3.21 (1.09-9.41) in male, respectively. The risk of male cerebral hemorrhage increased by 29% (HR=1.29, 95%CI 1.19-1.40) in male and 24% (HR=1.24, 95%CI 1.20-1.28) in female,when the systolic blood pressure increased 10 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). Conclusions: The incidence of cerebral hemorrhage is higher in male than in female in this cohort.The association between systolic blood pressure and cerebral hemorrhage is stronger in male than that in female.The associations between age, waist-hip ratio, diabetes and cerebral hemorrhage are stronger in female than in male. Trial Registration: Chinese Clinical Trail Registry, ChiCTR-TNC-11001489.

Changes of pharmacokinetics of 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin in a rat model of alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate-induced experimental hepatic injury after Yinchenhao Decoction () treatment

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes of pharmacokinetics of 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin in a rat model of alpha-naphthylisothiocyanate (ANIT)-induced experimental hepatic injury after oral administration of Yinchenhao Decoction (, YCHD) using an ultra pressure liquid chromatography (UPLC) method.

METHODS

Rats were divided into a normal group and a model group, after modeled by 4% ANIT (75 mg/kg) for 48 h, they were orally administrated with YCHD extract at the dose of 0.324 g/kg, and then blood was collected from their orbital sinus after different intervals. Changes in liver function were monitored by the levels of liver enzymes [alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)] and bilirubins [total bilirubin (TBIL), direct bilirubin (DBIL)], the concentration of 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin in plasma were measured by UPLC, and the pharmaceutical parameters were calculated with DAS2.1.1 software.

RESULTS

The concentration-time curve of both normal and modeled rats after oral administration of YCHD was obtained. Their time to maximum plasma concentration (t(max)) were both 0.25 h, the maximum concentration (C(max)) were 4.533 μg/mL and 6.885 μg/mL, and their area under concentration-time curve (AUC)(0→24h) were 16.272 and 32.981, respectively. There was a 51.88% and 100.46% increase in C(max) and AUC(0-t) (P<0.05), but there showed a 45.52% and 92.93% reduction in clearance of drug and volum of distribution (P<0.05), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Hepatic injury could significantly influence the pharmacokinetics of 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin after oral administration of YCHD, the absorption and distribution process was accelerated in liver injured rats, but the metabolism and elimination process was slowed. And this may lead to a significant accumulation of 6,7-dimethoxycoumarin in the body.

Influence of dietary folic acid on the developmental toxicity of methanol and the frequency of chromosomal breakage in the CD-1 mouse

The proposed increased use of methanol (MeOH)-based fuels raises the concern for an increased risk for MeOH toxicity. MeOH, which is detoxified in part via a folate-dependent pathway, is known to be teratogenic in rodents. Previous observations have implicated maternal folate status as a critical modulator for the developmental toxicity of MeOH. The current study extends these findings, examining the effect of maternal dietary folate intake on fetal folate stores, as well as identifying a possible marker for the prediction of the developmental toxicity of MeOH. Virgin female CD-1 mice were assigned to diets containing either 400 (marginal) or 1200 (control) nmol folic acid (FA)/kg, and and 1% succinylsulfathiazole for 5 weeks prior to mating and throughout breeding and gestation. From gestation day (GD) 6 through 10 dams were given by gavage deionized, distilled water (dH2O) or MeOH at 2.5 g/kg body weight, twice daily. On GD 18, mice were weighed and killed and the liver, kidneys, and gravid uteri removed and weighed. Implantation sites, live and dead fetuses, and resorptions were counted; fetuses were weighed individually and examined for cleft palate and exencephaly. The marginal FA dietary treatment resulted in low maternal liver (50% reduction) and red cell folate (30% reduction) concentrations, as well as low fetal tissue folate concentrations (60 to 70% reduction) relative to the adequate FA dietary groups. Marginal FA treatment alone resulted in cleft palate in 13% of the litters; there were no litters affected with cleft palate in the adequate FA-control group. Marginal FA-MeOH treatment resulted in a further increase in the litters affected by cleft palate (72% of litters affected). The percent of litters affected by exencephaly was highest in the marginal FA-MeOH group. The frequency of micronuclei in maternal and fetal reticulocytes, a marker for chromosomal abnormalities, was not influenced by either the marginal FA diet or by MeOH treatment. These results show that marginal folate deficiency in pregnant dams significantly increases the teratogenicity of MeOH.

Influence of maternal folate status on the developmental toxicity of methanol in the CD-1 mouse

Methanol, which is detoxified via a folic acid-dependent pathway, has been shown to be teratogenic in mice. Given recent observations that the level of dietary folic acid intake may be inversely related to the occurrence of select birth defects in humans, we tested the hypothesis that dietary folic acid intake would influence the developmental toxicity of methanol. Virgin female mice were fed one of three diets containing 400 (low), 600 (marginal), or 1,200 (adequate) nmol folic acid/kg diet for 5 weeks prior to and following mating. On gestation days (GD) 6-15, dams were administered by gavage either vehicle (distilled, deionized water) or methanol at 2.0 or 2.5 g/kg body weight, twice daily. On GD 18, mice were weighed and killed and the liver, kidneys, and gravid uteri removed and weighed. Implantation sites, live and dead fetuses, and resorptions were counted; fetuses were weighed individually and examined for cleft palate and exencephaly. One third of the fetuses in each litter were examined for skeletal morphology. Maternal liver folate concentrations were approximately 40-50% lower in the low dietary folic acid groups than in the marginal and adequate groups; methanol did not affect maternal liver folate concentration at term. Maternal net gestational weight gain was lowest at the lowest dietary folate level but was not affected by methanol. Gravid uterus weights were lowest in the low dietary folic acid groups exposed to the high methanol dose and the number of live fetuses per litter was lowest in the low folic acid groups. Fetal body weights were lowest in the low folic acid groups and significantly lower in the methanol groups relative to vehicle-treated animals. Fetal crown-rump lengths were shorter in the methanol-treated groups; this parameter was not affected by folic acid treatment. Both methanol and low dietary folic acid increased the incidence of cleft palate, with the highest number of affected litters in the low dietary folic acid group. These results support the concept that maternal folate status can modulate the developmental toxicity of methanol.

Purification and characterization of the bcl-2 protein

The oncogene product bcl-2 functions as a repressor of programmed cell death and is a 26-kDa protein with a single predicted transmembrane segment located at the carboxyl terminus. The bcl-2 protein seems to function in different subcellular compartments, as evidenced by several biochemical and ultrastructural studies. The present study was performed to purify bcl-2 protein in significant quantities necessary for structural and functional studies. For this purpose, the bcl-2 gene was over-expressed in either baculovirus system or lymphocytes. Initially, attempts were undertaken to purify bcl-2 protein using conventional methods such as ion exchange or gel filtration chromatography. During these purification attempts we determined that bcl-2 protein is highly hydrophobic and prone to aggregation as might be expected for an integral membrane protein. By ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography, this protein could be partially purified. In order to purify bcl-2 to apparent homogeneity and avoid the aggregation problem, we prepared immunoaffinity columns using a monoclonal antibody developed against a synthetic peptide chosen from residues 61-76 of the amino acid sequence of human bcl-2. The antibody was either coupled to CNBr-activated Sepharose 4B or cross-linked into protein A-Sepharose by dimethylpimelimidate dihydrochloride. Cellular extract equivalent to 10(8) bcl-2-overexpressing insect cells or lymphocytes was applied to immunoaffinity columns. Approximately 500 micrograms purified bcl-2 protein could be recovered as estimated by silver staining and immunoblotting. Furthermore, purified bcl-2 protein was electroporated into Pre-B lymphocytes which do not express this protein in sufficient quantity to delay the onset of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)