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Litchi chinensis Sonn (Litchi) has been listed in the Chinese Pharmacopeia, and is an economically and medicinally valuable species within the family Sapindaceae. However, the material basis of its pharmacological action and the pharmacodynamic substances associated with its hypoglycemic effect are still unclear. The predominant objective of this study was to establish the fingerprint profile of litchi leaves and to evaluate the relationship between the components of the high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) fingerprint of litchi leaves, assess its hypoglycemic effect by measuring α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase inhibition, and find the spectrum–effect relationship of litchi leaves by bivariate correlation analysis, Grey relational analysis and partial least squares regression analysis. In this study, the fingerprint of litchi leaves was established by HPLC, and a total of 15 common peaks were identified that clearly calibrated eight components, with P1 being gallic acid, P2 being protocatechuic acid, P3 being catechin, P6 being epicatechin, P12 being rutin, P13 being astragalin, P14 being quercetin and P15 being kaempferol. The similarities between the fingerprints of 11 batches of litchi leaves were 0.766–0.979. Simultaneously, the results of the spectrum–effect relationship showed that the chemical constituents represented by peaks P8, P3, P12, P14, P2, P13, and P11 were relevant to the hypoglycemic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the utility of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and ultrasound in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with hepatocellular liver cancer (HCC). Methods: Using retrospective convenience sampling, 401 patients with HCC who underwent transarterial chemoembolisation at the Department of Oncology of The Affiliated Huaian No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between June 2015 and January 2020 were recruited and assigned to the case group. Simultaneously, patients matched to the case group in terms of gender and age but excluded for HCC were enrolled at a 1:1 ratio and classified as the control group. Relevant parameters were collected from both groups for comparison. Results: Both AFP levels and ultrasound results demonstrated diagnostic value for patients with HCC (P < 0.05). Their combined use exhibited the highest diagnostic accuracy for the cancer, with an area under the curve of 0.896 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.876, 0.923), a sensitivity of 67.65% and a specificity of 91.22%. In terms of overall survival (OS), statistically significant differences in the OS rates were observed between the low-AFP (L-AFP) group and high-AFP (H-AFP) group as well as between the low-tumour-diameter (LTD) group and high-tumour-diameter (HTD) group (81.31% vs 52.22% and 85.11% vs 63.41%, respectively; P < 0.05). Regarding the progression-free survival (PFS), significant differences in the PFS rates were also noted between the L-AFP and H-AFP groups and between the LTD and HTD groups (81.31% vs 52.22% and 85.11% vs 63.41%, respectively; P < 0.05). Conclusion: Ultrasound and AFP display notable distinctions when used in the diagnosis of HCC. The sensitivity of ultrasound as a standalone diagnostic tool surpasses that of AFP alone. However, their combined use results in much higher specificity than the use of either test individually. In addition, both techniques hold predictive value for patients' OS and PFS, enabling timely prognostic assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Separation among rubidium and potassium ions from salt lake brines remains challenging. In this work, a typical room temperature ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-metyhlimidazaolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C2mim+][NTf2–]) was used as diluent and synergistic extractant, dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 (DCH18C6) was used as extractant to extract rubidium ions from brine solutions which contain high concentrations of potassium ions was investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the single extraction efficiency of rubidium ions was up 93.63%. The thermodynamic parameters of the rubidium ion extraction were obtained. Based on the slope analysis method, the extracted species in the organic phase were ascertained as 1:1 complex. UV-visible has been performed to investigate the ion concentration of ionic liquid before and after the interaction of metal ions and ligands. Rubidium ions in [Rb · DCH18C6]+ complex were stripped by 2.5 mol · L–1 NH4NO3. The extraction system offers high efficiency, simplicity and environmentally friendly application prospect to separate rubidium from brine solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical constituents from Zhideke granules were rapidly isolated and identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) coupled with hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap mass spectrometry (MS) in positive and negative ion modes using both full scan and two-stage threshold-triggered mass modes. The secondary fragment ion information of the target compound was selected and compared with the compound reported in databases and related literatures to further confirm the possible compounds. A total of 47 chemical constituents were identified from the ethyl acetate extract of Zhideke granules, including 21 flavonoids and glycosides, 9 organic acids, 4 volatile components, 3 nitrogen-containing compounds, and 10 other compounds according to the fragmentation patterns, relevant literature, and MS data. The result provides a new method for the analysis of chemical constituents of Zhideke granules which laid the foundation for quality control and the study of pharmacodynamic materials of Zhideke granules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is one of the most common malignancies in women. Neoadjuvant trastuzumab therapy improves the prognosis of certain Her-2-positive breast cancer patients, however around two-thirds of patients with Her-2-positive breast cancer do not benefit from Her-2-targeted therapy. To investigate the key mechanisms in trastuzumab resistance, potential biomarkers for neoadjuvant trastuzumab sensitivity were investigated using the gene expression omnibus (GEO) database for mRNA microarray data of Her-2-positive breast cancer patients who received neoadjuvant trastuzumab therapy. GEO profiles of 22 patients with a complete response and 48 patients with a partial response were identified in the GSE22358, GSE62327 and GSE66305 datasets. A total of 2,376, 1,000 and 1,152 differentially expressed genes in GSE22358, GSE62327 and GSE66305 datasets were demonstrated, respectively, utilizing GEO2R software. Furthermore, enriched gene ontology terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways were analyzed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery software. Subsequently, a protein-protein interaction network was established using STRING software. The results demonstrated that low sex-determining region Y-box 11 and high Bcl-2 expression may be employed as markers for neoadjuvant trastuzumab therapy for Her-2-positive breast cancer. More importantly, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/Akt and angiogenesis pathways, which are known to be the key targets of trastuzumab, were activated at a lower level in the partial response patients, while the Wnt and estrogen receptor signaling pathways were activated in these patients. Therefore, combination therapy of trastuzumab and anti-Wnt or hormone therapy may be a promising treatment modality and should be tested in further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Application of 1-butyl-3-metyhlimidazaolium hexafluorophosphate ([C4mim][PF6]), in the extraction of rubidium and cesium from brine solutions using 1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane (18C6) as extractant was investigated. Parameters that affect the extraction including pH of aqueous phase, equilibration time, dosage of the ionic liquid, phase ratio, concentration of 18C6 were studied. Under the optimal conditions, the single extraction efficiency of rubidium ions and cesium ions were up 84.11% and 94.99%, respectively. The stripping of alkali metal ions from the loaded organic phase with different stripping agents and concentrations were also investigated. The initial value of the K/Cs and K/Rb ratios were 93.0 and 104.3, respectively, which have dropped 91.21% and 88.01%, respectively, after the extraction and stripping experiments. It was taken a big step in the separation and enrichment of cesium (rubidium) ion and potassium ion. The extraction mechanism was revealed most likely to be a cation exchange mode in this system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, a novel composite adsorbent of sodium tetraphenylborate – polyacrylonitrile (TPB–PAN) was prepared for investigating adsorption behaviors of rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) ions from their aqueous solutions. Several experimental parameters such as pH, shaking time, initial concentration, and interference ions were routinely evaluated. The experimental results showed that the Rb(I) and Cs(I) were both adsorbed by the adsorbent of TPB‐PAN at pH 7.0, and the adsorption equilibriums were achieved within 2 h. The presence of co‐existing ions did not get involved with Rb(I) and Cs(I) adsorption, indicating the high selectivity of TPB‐PAN adsorbent toward Rb(I) and Cs(I) ions. Under optimum conditions, the maximum adsorption capacities for Rb(I) and Cs(I) ions by the adsorbent of TPB‐PAN were 44.64 mg g−1 and 118.48 mg g−1 based on the langmuir sorption isotherm study. In addition, the adsorption processes of rubidium and cesium both are exothermic spontaneous process. Therefore, the proposed adsorbent of TPB‐PAN allowed the selective, sensitive, easy to use, cost‐effective, high efficiency, fast kinetics of preconcentration and separation (removal) Rb(I) and Cs(I) ions even in the presence of competing ions. As a consequence, the TPB‐PAN adsorbent can be used potentially for preconcentration and separation Rb(I) and Cs(I) ions from water samples in a wide range of practical applications for removal Rb(I) and Cs(I) ions in environmental aqueous resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this study, a novel composite adsorbent of ammonium phosphomolybdate – polyacrylonitrile (AMP–PAN) was prepared for sensitive and selective preconcentration and separation of rubidium (Rb(I)) ion from salt lake brine. Several experimental parameters, such as pH value, shaking time, concentration, interference ions, regeneration, stability and reusability were systematically investigated. The experimental results clarified that the Rb(I) ion was adsorbed by the adsorbent of AMP‐PAN at pH 7. Under optimum condition, the maximum sorption capacity for Rb(I) ion by the adsorbent was 500 mg g−1 based on the Langmuir adsorption isotherm study. The adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 2 h. The presence of co‐existing ions did not interfere with Rb(I) adsorption, indicating the high selectivity toward Rb(I) ion. The desorption results demonstrated that Rb(I) ion adsorbed the composite adsorbent of AMP‐PAN could be effectively desorbed by 0.5 mol L−1 NH4Cl and regenerated into the initial form without significant deterioration in its original functionality at the same time, which exhibited good stability of the adsorbent. Therefore, the proposed adsorbent of AMP‐PAN allowed the sensitive, selective, easy to use, cost‐effective, high efficiency, fast kinetics, stable and reusability preconcentation and separation of Rb(I) ion even in the presence of competing ions. As a consequence, the AMP‐PAN adsorbent can be used potentially to preconcentration and separation of Rb(I) ion from water samples in a wide range of practical applications for extracting Rb(I) ion in environmental aqueous resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method using xylenol orange-modified halloysite nanotubes as a solid-phase sorbent has been developed for the simultaneous preconcentration and separation of trace Au( III) and Pd( II) prior to their determination by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry ( ICP-AES). The experimental effects of pH, the amount of adsorbent, sample flow rate, sample volume, interfering ions, and the elution condition were investigated in detail. Au( III) and Pd( II) were retained on the column at pH 3, and eluted with 2.0 mL of 1.0 mol/L HCl + 2% CS( NH2)2 solution. Common interfering ions did not have any impact on the adsorption, separation, and determination. An enrichment factor of 150 was obtained. The maximum adsorption capacities of the adsorbent were 41.63 and 47.82 mg/g for Au( III) and Pd( II), respectively, under the optimum conditions. By the definition of IUPAC, the detection limits (3 σ) of this method for Au( III) and Pd( II) were 0.31 and 0.27 ng/ mL, and the relative standard deviations ( RSDs) were 2.7 and 3.2%, respectively ( n = 8). This newly developed method was verified by certified reference materials, and has been successfully applied to the determination of trace Au( III) and Pd( II) in mine samples with satisfactory results. It can be confidently predicted that the method can be used for the determination trace Au( III) and Pd( II) in other real samples because of its high selectivity, sensitivity, and reproducibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traces of non-magnetic atoms at the grain boundaries can effectively increase the coercivity of sintered Nd-Fe-B magnets. These atoms also have chance to occupy crystallographic Fe sites in Nd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of our study was to retrospectively analyze 15 patients' clinical materials with laparoscopic resection of liver neoplasms. Methods: From December 2007, a total of 15 patients with liver neoplasms were performed with laparoscopic hepatectomy, and their clinical materials, perioperative dates, postoperative complications, postoperative recovery and short-term curative effects were analyzed and summarized respectively. Results: Laparoscopic hepatectomy (LH) were performed in 15 patients, including 1 case underwent laparoscopic hepatic left lobectomy, 1 case of left lateral hepatectomy, 13 cases of partial liver resection. Fourteen cases of total laparoscopic liver resections for liver neoplasms, 1 case of hand-assisted laparoscopic liver resection of the tumor, there was no conversion to open approach. Of the 15 patients with liver neoplasms, 13 cases of hepatic neoplasms with the maximum diameter was 8 cm × 8 cm × 9 cm, 9 cases of the borderline micro hepatocellular carcinoma (MHCC) with the diameter not more than 2 cm, 3 cases of hepatic benign tumor. The mean operation time was (120 ± 30) min, and the intraoperative average hemorrhage was 100 mL, beginning to eat and get out of bed following 1-2 days of operation. The average postoperative hospitalization was 8 days, WBC, ALT, AST, albumin, bilirubin returned to normal after one week of operation. There were no postoperative complications such as hemorrhage, bile leakage or air embolism etc. Twelve patients with HCC were confirmed by postoperative pathology, 1 case of liver smooth muscle lipoma, 2 case of hepatic hemangioma. By one year of followed-up in 12 cases of HCC, the longest survival was 38 months, and no recurrence or death, 1 year survival rate was 100%. Conclusion: Among the choice of cases, the advantages of LH for liver neoplasms compared with open surgery were less trauma, faster recovery and less blood loss. it is safe and effective for choosing a reasonable surgical indication, especially for peripheral micro hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]