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BACKGROUND: The unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) technique has been widely used in spine surgery. At present, a traditional rigid working channel is available for the UBE system. A metal semicircular canal is located in the working channel. However, due to the metal material of the working channel, arthroscopy and instruments are constrained from moving in UBE surgery. Additionally, an assistant is needed during the procedure to hold the traditional working channel. OBJECTIVE: For simplicity of operation and convenient movement of the arthroscopy and instrument, we describe a new method for establishing operative channels in UBE surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 50 patients who underwent unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy (UBED) from February 2020 to August 2020 via our new method. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were measured preoperatively and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months postoperatively. Statistical comparisons were made using analysis of covariance and paired t tests. RESULTS: The VAS scores for back pain at the five time points were 5.20 ± 2.57, 1.96 ± 0.95, 1.50 ± 0.84, 1.64 ± 1.08 and 1.18 ± 0.39. The leg pain VAS scores were 7.02 ± 2.25, 2.02 ± 1.27, 1.48 ± 0.89, 1.32 ± 0.79 and 0.88 ± 0.52. The ODI values were 51.08 ± 19.97, 19.62 ± 15.51, 8.26 ± 7.40, and 7.54 ± 6.42 to 3.24 ± 1.10. The postoperative ODIs and VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain were significantly lower than those before surgery, and differences were statistically significant (all p< 0.05). The pressure of the closed outflow was significantly higher than that of the open outflow (37.35 ± 13.11 mm Hg vs. 24.55 ± 12.64 mm Hg p= 0.003). After we tightened the infusion strap to open the outflow, the pressure decreased significantly (26.4 ± 14.08 mm Hg vs. 37.35 ± 13.11 mm Hg p= 0.015). There were 2 cases of complications, including 1 case of postoperative recurrence and 1 case of dural tears. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of modified channel establishment in UBE surgery.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is a common and serious complication of diabetes. Bone morphogenetic protein 5 (BMP5) is a multifunctional protein involved in the nervous system. Nevertheless, its effect on diabetic peripheral neuropathy remained uncharacterized. In this study, diabetic neuropathy in mice was induced by a single dose of 150 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) via intraperitoneal injection. Lentivirus expressing BMP5 (LV-BMP5) administration improved pain sensitivity, nerve conduction velocities and morphological alterations of the sciatic nerve of diabetic mice. Elevated BMP5 by LV-BMP5 suppressed cell apoptosis in the sciatic nerve, as evidenced by declined TUNEL-positive cells and down-regulated cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9 levels. BMP5 enhanced mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP level. BMP5 also increased the phosphorylation of Smad1/5/9. Besides, the role of BMP5 in high glucose (HG)-stimulated Schwann cells was determined. Results of in vitro studies were in line with the in vivo findings. These experimental data seem to imply that BMP5 prevents the development of diabetic neuropathy via the maintenance of Smad1/5/9-mediated mitochondrial function.

Small extracellular vesicle (sEV, or exosome) communication among cells in the tumor microenvironment has been modeled mainly in cell culture, whereas their relevance in cancer pathogenesis and progression in vivo is less characterized. Here we investigated cancer–microenvironment interactions in vivo using mouse models of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). sEVs isolated directly from CLL tissue were enriched in specific miRNA and immune-checkpoint ligands. Distinct molecular components of tumor-derived sEVs altered CD8+ T-cell transcriptome, proteome, and metabolome, leading to decreased functions and cell exhaustion ex vivo and in vivo. Using antagomiRs and blocking antibodies, we defined specific cargo-mediated alterations on CD8+ T cells. Abrogating sEV biogenesis by Rab27a/b knockout dramatically delayed CLL pathogenesis. This phenotype was rescued by exogenous leukemic sEV or CD8+ T-cell depletion. Finally, high expression of sEV-related genes correlated with poor outcomes in CLL patients, suggesting sEV profiling as a prognostic tool. In conclusion, sEVs shape the immune microenvironment during CLL progression. Significance: sEVs produced in the leukemia microenvironment impair CD8+ T-cell mediated antitumor immune response and are indispensable for leukemia progression in vivo in murine preclinical models. In addition, high expression of sEV-related genes correlated with poor survival and unfavorable clinical parameters in CLL patients. See related commentary by Zhong and Guo, p. 5. This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 1

In previous studies, several isoindolin-1-one analogs that exhibited significant anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities were isolated from Nicotiana tabacum. Since gene-editing mutants provide a new sample for the discovery of active metabolites, we focused on the stems of YN-18-23 (a mutant N. tabacum for gene editing with the alkaloid metabolic pathway cultivated by Yunnan Tobacco Company), which led to the isolation of four new (1-4) and four known (5-8) isoindolin-1-ones. To the best of our knowledge, nicindole C (3) is the first subclass of isoindolin-1-one bearing a pentacyclic ketone, while nicindole D (4) is the first example of isoindolin-1-one bearing a methyl-pyridin-2-(1H)-one moiety. Compounds 1-4 were tested for their anti-TMV activities, and the results revealed that compounds 1, 3, and 4 exhibited high anti-TMV activities at concentrations of 20 μM with inhibition rates of 48.6, 42.8, and 71.5%, respectively. These rates are higher than the inhibition rate of the positive control (33.2%). The mechanistic study of compound 4, which had the highest anti-TMV activity revealed that increased potentiation of defense-related enzyme activities and downregulation of expression of the NtHsp70 protein may induce resistance in tobacco against the viral pathogen TMV. Molecular docking studies also revealed that the isoindolin-1-one substructure is fundamental for anti-TMV activity. The methyl-pyridin-2-(1H)-one moiety in compound 4 and the 2-oxopropyl groups in compounds 1 and 3 at the N-2 position may increase inhibitory activities. This study of the structure-activity relationship is helpful for finding new anti-TMV activity inhibitors. To study whether the isoindolin-1-ones have broader antiviral activities, compounds 1-4 were also tested for their anti-rotavirus activities. Compound 4 exhibited high anti-rotavirus activity with a therapeutic index (TI) value of 20.7. This TI value is close to that of the positive control (20.2).

Three new isochromenes, (5-methoxy-7-prenyl-1H-isochromen-3-yl)methanol (1), 3-(3-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxy-1H-isochromen-7-yl)propan-1-ol (2), and (5-methoxy-7-methyl-1H-isochromen-3-yl)methanol (3), along with three known analogues (4–6) were isolated from the fermentation products of a Nicotiana tabacum-derived endophytic fungus Aspergillus versicolor. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1 D and 2 D NMR techniques. Compounds 1–3 and 6 were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (anti-TMV) activities. The results showed that compound 2 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rate of 46.4%, and this rate is higher than that of positive control. Compounds 1, 3, and 6 also showed potential anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates of 28.6, 30.5, and 26.2%, respectively. The IC50 of compounds 1–3 and 6 were also tested, and showed IC50 values of 49.3, 22.4, 42.2, and 54.1 µM, respectively.

Knowledge of the bio-macromolecules adsorption on polylactide (PLA) was essential to the application of PLA-based biomedical materials. This study presented the adsorption behavior of type I collagen on control (CH3-enriched) and modified (introduced COOH– and CONH2– respectively) PLA surfaces by quartz crystal microbalance with energy dissipation measurements (QCM-D) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results showed that the Langmuir adsorption isotherms were obtained, indicating a monomolecular layer adsorption of collagen on PLA coatings. Adsorption of collagen could reach equilibrium more quickly on the modified surfaces than on the control. Large amounts of collagen (1522.2 ng·cm−2) was assembled tightly on the COOH-enriched surface of PLA, owing to the electrostatic attracting. However it was inhibited on the CONH2-enriched surface because of its increasing hydrophilicity. A netlike structure was formed on the control and COOH-enriched surfaces, while only a few of braching fibril was found on the CONH2-enriched surface. The behaviour of protein adsorption on the surfaces with different groups might effect the next stage of cell adhesion on scaffold.

Actinomorphic flowers usually orient vertically (relative to the horizon) and possess symmetric nectar guides, while zygomorphic flowers often face horizontally and have asymmetric nectar guides, indicating that floral symmetry, floral orientation, and nectar guide patterning are correlated. The origin of floral zygomorphy is dependent on the dorsoventrally asymmetric expression of CYCLOIDEA (CYC)-like genes. However, how horizontal orientation and asymmetric nectar guides are achieved remains poorly understood. Here, we selected Chirita pumila (Gesneriaceae) as a model plant to explore the molecular bases for these traits. By analyzing gene expression patterns, protein–DNA and protein–protein interactions, and encoded protein functions, we identified multiple roles and functional divergence of 2 CYC-like genes, i.e. CpCYC1 and CpCYC2, in controlling floral symmetry, floral orientation, and nectar guide patterning. CpCYC1 positively regulates its own expression, whereas CpCYC2 does not regulate itself. In addition, CpCYC2 upregulates CpCYC1, while CpCYC1 downregulates CpCYC2. This asymmetric auto-regulation and cross-regulation mechanism might explain the high expression levels of only 1 of these genes. We show that CpCYC1 and CpCYC2 determine asymmetric nectar guide formation, likely by directly repressing the flavonoid synthesis-related gene CpF3′5′H. We further suggest that CYC-like genes play multiple conserved roles in Gesneriaceae. These findings shed light on the repeated origins of zygomorphic flowers in angiosperms.

Ionic liquids (ILs) have arisen as alternatives to organic solvents and been used in natural pigment extraction in recent decades. However, the solubility and stability of carotenoids in phosphonium- and ammonium-based ILs are insufficiently explored. In this work, the physicochemical properties of the ILs, and the dissolution behavior and storage stability of three carotenoids (astaxanthin, β-carotene, and lutein) in the IL aqueous solution were investigated. The results showed that the solubility of the carotenoids in the acidic IL solution is higher than that in the alkaline IL solution, and the optimal pH is about 6. The solubility of astaxanthin (40 mg/100 g), β-carotene (105 mg/100 g), and lutein (5250 mg/100 g) was the highest in tributyloctylphosphonium chloride ([P4448]Cl) due to the van der Waals forces with [P4448]+ and hydrogen bonding with Cl−. A high temperature was beneficial to improve the solubility, but it can reduce the storage stability. Water has no significant effect on the carotenoid stability, but a high water content decreases the carotenoid solubility. A IL water content of 10–20%, an extraction temperature of 338.15 K, and a storage temperature of less than 298.15 K are beneficial for reducing the IL viscosity, improving carotenoid solubility, and maintaining good stability. Moreover, a linear correlation was found between the color parameters and carotenoid contents. This study provides some guidance for screening suitable solvents for carotenoid extraction and storage.

BackgroundProgrammed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) is highly expressed in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) tissues. But there is still a dispute over the prognostic value of PD-L1 in patients with ICC. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression in patients with ICC.MethodsWe performed a meta-analysis based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Guidelines. We searched the literature from PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to December 5, 2022. Hazard ratios (HR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated to analyze the overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and time to relapse. The quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. Publication bias was assessed using a funnel plot and Egger’s test.ResultsTen trials with 1944 cases were included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that the low-PD-L1 group had a statistically significant advantage in OS (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.38–1.79, P ConclusionThis meta-analysis demonstrated that high PD-L1/PD1 expression is associated with poor survival in ICC. PD-L1/PD1 may be a valuable prognostic and predictive biomarker and potential therapeutic target in ICC.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, identifier CRD42022380093.

Whether there are links between geomagnetic field and Earth’s orbital parameters remains unclear. Synchronous reconstructions of parallel long-term quantitative geomagnetic field and climate change records are rare. Here, we present 10 Be-derived changes of both geomagnetic field and Asian monsoon (AM) rainfall over the last 870 kyr from the Xifeng loess–paleosol sequence on the central Chinese Loess Plateau. The 10 Be GM flux (a proxy for geomagnetic field-induced 10 Be production rate) reveals 13 consecutive geomagnetic excursions in the Brunhes chron, which are synchronized with the global records, providing key time markers for Chinese loess–paleosol sequences. The 10 Be-derived rainfall exhibits distinct ~100 kyr glacial–interglacial cycles, and superimposed precessional (~23 kyr) cycles that match with those in Chinese speleothem δ 18 O record. We find that changes in the geomagnetic field and AM rainfall share a common ~100 kyr cyclicity, implying a likely eccentricity modulation of both the geomagnetic field and climate.

Supplemental Table S3 - Patient clinical information

Supplementary Methods and Figures

Supplemental Table S4 - Flow cytometry antibody list

Supplemental Table S1 - Proteins detected in sEV preparations or cells treated with sEV

Supplemental Table S2 - Differential expression analysis of genes in leukemic or immune cells treated with sEV

Metaproteomics is gaining momentum in microbiome research due to the multi-dimensional information it provides. However, current approaches have reached their detection limits. We present a highly-sensitive metaproteomic workflow using the extra information captured by Parallel Accumulation-Serial Fragmentation (PASEF) technology. The comparison of different acquisition modes and data analysis software packages showed that DIA-PASEF and DIA-NN doubled protein identifications of mouse gut microbiota and, importantly, also of the host proteome. DIA-PASEF significantly improved peptide detection reproducibility and quantification accuracy, which resulted in more than twofold identified taxa, reaching depths comparable to metagenomic studies. Consequently, DIA-PASEF exhibited improved coverage of functional networks revealing 131 additional pathways compared to DDA-PASEF. We applied our optimized workflow to a pre-clinical mouse model of chronic pain, in which we deciphered novel host-microbiome interactions. In summary, we present here a metaproteomic approach that paves the way for increasing the functional characterization of microbiome ecosystems and is applicable to diverse fields of biological research.

The nuclear modification factors ( $$R_{AA}$$ R AA ) of d and $$\bar{d}$$ d ¯ have been studied using the parton and hadron cascade model plus the dynamically constrained phase space coalescence model in peripheral (40–60%) and central (0–5%) Pb–Pb collisions at $$\sqrt{s_{NN}}=2.76\,\hbox {TeV}$$ s NN = 2.76 TeV with $$|y

Many synthetic methods that use fluorinated alcohols as solvents have been reported, and the fluorinated alcohols have been found to be crucial to the success of these methods. In addition, there have been reports indicating that adding a weakly coordinated fluorine-containing anion, such as BF

Congenital Dacryocystocele is a rare disease of the eye and nose, which originates from congenital obstruction of lacrimal duct system, but accounts for a low proportion in congenital obstruction of lacrimal duct system. We present a case of congenital dacryocystocele to analyze the clinical features and to explore the clinical treatment effect of special congenital dacryocyst protrusion. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6819 How to cite this: Han L, Wang F, Zhang C. Special congenital dacryocystocele. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(2):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.2.6819 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Chamaecrista rotundifolia (C. rotundifolia) is a perennial herb of leguminosae, which increasingly being grown as a forage in China. In our search for original bioactive metabolites from Cassia plants, the phytochemical reinvestigation of the C. rotundifolia was carried out, which led to the isolation of three new (1–3) and six known (4–9) chromones. Their structures were confirmed by spectroscopic methods, including extensive 1D and 2D NMR techniques. Compounds 1–9 were evaluated for their anti-rotavirus activities, and the results revealed that compounds 1–9 exhibited potential anti-rotavirus activities with therapeutic index (TI) valves in the range of 12.0 ∼ 20.2, respectively.

Future economic activity always contains an element or elements of uncertainty. The notion of uncertainty in the competitive strategy of a united corporate structure (hereinafter referred to as UCS) in economics entails a new state of doing business when the results of economic activity (e.g., cost values) exceed the limits of given constraints. At the same time, the accounting side of business management of the UCS does not allow it to return to the previous constraints. This, therefore, emphasizes the task of creating a new branch of management for a particular process, where the result is innovative economic solutions. The paper proposes a scientific and methodological approach to finding cost management solutions in conditions of uncertainty. The approach follows principle of a closed-loop system with feedback, which, unlike others, entails a continuous comparison by subtracting the control criteria of the pre-determined and actual competitive advantages. The choice of counter-strategy is based on the obtained value and the sign of the subtraction. A set of factors contribute to determining the transition of cost changes under uncertainty and the formation of flexible management of UCS costs. These factors include production features, new types of integration, the law of learning, production and technological capacity, customer preferences, time factors for changes in storage and delivery costs, the production cycle, institutional factors of government policies for economic growth, outputs of a new product, scale of production and scale costs, interaction with suppliers, globalization of markets, and others. The paper develops a structural model of control and management of the total cost of 1t of production in the accounting and flexible areas of management, which is implemented in practice as a control software system.

Mercury cadmium telluride compounds exhibit large tunability of nontrivial electronic states by modifying chemical composition, temperature, or pressure. Despite the growing interest in Hg1–xCdxTe,...

The aim of this study was to clarify the role of nanoparticle for combined delivery of polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) and EGFR inhibitors in non-small cell lung cancer progress in vitro and its effect on radio sensibility. Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNP) that targeted EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) were established and loaded with PLK1 siRNA. Apoptosis and cell cycle with different treatments were analyzed by flow cytometry. Cell proliferation and cell viability were tested by cloning and CCK-8 assay. We employed PCR and Westernblot to detect PLK1 transcription and protein expression. Finally, a tumor metastasis model was established. EGFR+ NSCLC cell lines exhibited notable increase in C-siPLK1-NP phagocytosis and more powerful suppression in EFGR level. Further, C-siPLK1-NP exposure resulted in notable reduced PLK1 mRNA and protein level, accompanied by prominent limited cell vitality, blocked cell cycle at G2/M. With radiation, C-siPLK1-NP exposure induced enhanced radio sensibility, as proved by remarkable reduced cloning efficiency, fraction surviving and evident increase in γH2ax foci. Finally, mice that were administered with C-siPLK1-NP exerted more obvious tumor progression. Nanoparticles’ combined delivery of PLK1 and EGFR inhibitors inhibited NSLCC cell proliferation, induced apoptosis, and enhanced radiosensitivity in vitro and in vivo.

The CRISPR/Cas9 system has been successfully applied in dozens of diverse species; although the screening of successful CRISPR/Cas9 editing events remains particularly laborious, especially for those that occur at relatively low frequency. Recently, a co-CRISPR strategy was proved to enrich the desired CRISPR events. Here, the co-CRISPR strategy was developed in the Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, with kynurenine 3-monooxygenase gene (kmo) as a marker. The kmo mosaics induced by single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs)/Cas9 displayed the darker green color phenotype in larvae, compared with wild type (brown), and mosaic-eye adults were significantly acquired from the mosaic larvae group. In the kmo knockout strain, no significant difference was observed in larval development and adult reproduction. Acetylcholinesterase 2 (ace2) and Wnt1 were selected as target genes to construct the co-CRISPR strategy using kmo marker. By co-injection of kmo and ace2 sgRNAs, the mutant efficiency of ace2 was significantly increased in the kmo mosaic (larvae or adults) groups. Similarly, more malformed pupae with Wnt1 mutations were observed in the darker green larvae group. Taken together, these results demonstrated that kmo was a suitable visible marker gene for the application and extension of co-CRISPR strategy in Fall armyworm. Using darker green color in larvae or mosaic-eye in adults from kmo knockout as a marker, the mutant efficiency of a target gene could be enriched in a Fall armyworm group consisting of marked individuals. The co-CRISPR strategy is helpful for gene function studies by the knockout technique with no or lethal phenotypes.

Three new anthraquinones (1–3), together with four known analogues (4–7) were isolated from the twigs of Cassia auriculata Linn.. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and comparison of spectroscopic data with those reported in literatures. All compounds were tested for their anti-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (anti-MRSA) activity. Compounds 1, 2 and 7 showed modest antibacterial activity against MRSA with MIC values of 4.2, 5.0, 4.7 μg/mL, and compounds 3, 4, 5 and 6 showed weak antibacterial activity against MRSA with MIC valves of 9.2, 7.6, 7.1, 9.6 μg/mL, respectively.

Systematic review and meta-analysis.This study was performed to compare the fusion and subsidence rate of titanium-coated polyetheretherketone (Ti-PEEK) versus polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages after lumbar fusion and to investigate the clinical effect on patient-reported outcomes (PROMs).Ti-PEEK cages have been developed to combine the advantages of both titanium alloy and PEEK, but whether they are superior to uncoated PEEK cages in bone fusion is still inconclusive.PubMed, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, CENTRAL, and CNKI were searched to identify randomized controlled trials that compared the efficacy of Ti-PEEK and PEEK cages in lumbar fusion. Difference in fusion rate and subsidence rate was indicated by risk ratio and its associated 95% confidence interval (95% confidence interval). Mean difference was calculated for Oswestry Disability Index and visual analogue scale for low back pain. Subgroup analysis was performed by time course after the surgery. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach was used to evaluate the certainty of evidence.Four randomized controlled trials involving 325 patients (160 patients in Ti-PEEK group and 165 patients in PEEK group) that underwent lumbar fusion were included by our current study. Low to moderate evidence suggested that Ti-PEEK and PEEK cages exhibited equivalent fusion rate and subsidence rate at any follow-up time. Low to moderate evidence suggested that there was no difference in PROMs except for visual analogue scale measured at 6 months (mean difference: -0.57, 95% confidence interval -0.94, -0.21; P =0.002) but the difference was not clinically relevant according to the minimal clinically important difference.Low to moderate evidence showed that Ti-PEEK and PEEK had equivalent effect in bone fusion and cages subsidence at any follow-up time after lumbar fusion surgeries. Low to moderate evidence showed no clinically important difference in PROMs.

Background There has been increased development of robotic technologies for the accuracy of percutaneous pedicle screw placement. However, it remains unclear whether the robot really optimize the selection of screw sizes and enhance screw stability. The purpose of this study is to compare the sizes (diameter and length), placement accuracy and the loosening rate of pedicle screws using robotic-assisted versus conventional fluoroscopy approaches for thoracolumbar fractures. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate 70 consecutive patients [34 cases of robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (RAF) and 36 of conventional fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (FGF)]. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and radiological features were recorded. Pedicle screw length, diameter, and pedicle screw placement accuracy were assessed. The patients’ sagittal kyphosis Cobb angles (KCA), anterior vertebral height ratios (VHA), and screw loosening rate were evaluated by radiographic data 1 year after surgery. Results There was no significant difference in the mean computed tomography (CT) Hounsfield unit (HU) values, operation duration, or length of hospital stay between the groups. Compared with the FGF group, the RAF group had a lower fluoroscopy frequency [14 (12–18) vs. 21 (16–25), P P P P P > 0.05). Conclusion Compared with the fluoroscopy-guided technique, robotic-assisted spine surgery decreased radiation exposure and optimizes screw trajectories and dimensions intraoperatively. Although not statistically significant, the loosening rate of the RAF group was lower that of than the FGT group.

Background Since Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco) has important significance to humans for their medicinal uses, to find antivirus activities inhibitors from tobacco, increase its medicinal value, and comprehensive utilization of its by-products, our group had investigated the chemical constituents of the stems of Y-202, a cultivar of tobacco which high resistance to tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Results Four new isoindolinone-type alkaloids, nicoisoindoles A–D (1–4), along with four known isoindole derivatives (5–8) were isolated. Compounds 1–4 represent a new subclass of isoindolinone alkaloids with rare cyclopenta[f]isoindole-1-one frameworks. Among them, nicoisoindole C (3) possesses an unusual N-2-(5-methoxy-6-methylpyridin-2-yl) ethyl moiety, while nicoisoindole D (4) has a novel a N-(3-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridin-2-yl)methyl substituent. Interestingly, compounds 1, 3, and 4 showed high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 43.8%, 58.8%, and 67.8% at the concentration of 20 μM, and IC50 values of 23.6, 19.5 and 15.4 μM, respectively, even more potent than that of positive control. Conclusions The successful isolation and structure identification of new oxocyclopenta[f]isoindole-1-ones provide materials for the screening of antivirus activities inhibitors, and contribute to the development and utilization of the waste from tobacco cultivation. Graphical Abstract

To explore the risk factors of abdominal aortic enlargement (AAE) after thoracic endovascular aortic repair using two-stent graft implantation (TEVAR-TSI) for Stanford type B aortic dissection.The clinical and imaging data of patients who underwent TEVAR-TSI for Stanford type B aortic dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from January 2013 through September 2020 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. CT angiography (CTA) scans were performed before the procedure. Follow-up CTA scans were scheduled and performed in 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the procedure and annually thereafter. The primary outcome was AAE. The risk factors of AAE after TEVAR-TSI were selected and survival analysis and multivariate logistic regression were conducted accordingly.A total of 146 patients were regularly followed up at our hospital, with the median followup time of the entire cohort being 48 months (ranging from 12 to 84 months). During the followup period after TEVAR-TSI, the incidence of AAE was 19.9% (29/146). A total of 29 patients developed AAE (the AAE group), while 117 patients did not develop AAE (the non-AAE group). There were a total of 27 deaths, including 13 in the non-AAE group versus 14 in the AAE group. Distal aortic reoperation was performed on 10 patients, including 4 in the non-AAE group versus 6 in the AAE group. The cumulative long-term survival and freedom from distal aortic reoperation of the non-AAE group were both significantly better those of the AAE group (The prognosis of patients who developed AAE after TEVAR-TSI was not good. During followup visits, as precautions against the development of AAE, close attention should be paid to partial thrombosis of the false lumen, cumulative diameter of residual intimal tear above the level of the lowest renal arteries, and cumulative diameter of residual intimal tear below the level of the lowest renal arteries.

Three new isochromenes, (5-methoxy-7-prenyl-1

AIM: To analyze the anatomical characteristics of nasolacrimal duct development in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction by nasolacrimal duct CT scan combined with three-dimensional reconstruction technology.METHODS: Prospective case control study. Totally 84 children(84 eyes)with unilateral congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction were treated in the Department of Ophthalmology of Baoding Children's Hospital from September 2018 to September 2020. The nasolacrimal duct CT scan combined with three-dimensional reconstruction was performed. The transverse diameter and anterior posterior diameter of bilateral nasolacrimal duct were measured, and the anatomical characteristics of nasolacrimal duct development were observed and analyzed. Paired t-test was performed on the transverse diameter and anteroposterior diameter of bilateral nasolacrimal duct.RESULTS: Nasolacrimal duct CT scan combined with three-dimensional reconstruction can clearly show the anatomical characteristics of nasolacrimal duct development in children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The transverse diameter of bony nasolacrimal duct was 4.63±0.92mm, anterior posterior diameter was 6.03±1.08mm, the transverse diameter of middle bony nasolacrimal duct was 4.02±0.88mm, anterior posterior diameter was 5.42±1.10mm, the transverse diameter of final bony nasolacrimal duct was 4.26±0.93mm, anterior posterior diameter was 5.66±1.02mm. The transverse diameter of the bony nasolacrimal duct in the initial segment of the contralateral side was 4.12±0.78mm, the anteroposterior diameter was 5.60±1.02mm, the transverse diameter of the bony nasolacrimal duct in the middle segment was 3.92±0.86mm, the anteroposterior diameter was 5.24±1.04mm, the transverse diameter of the bony nasolacrimal duct in the final segment was 4.30±0.98mm, the anteroposterior diameter was 5.52±1.04mm. The transverse diameter and anteroposterior diameter of the affected side were larger than those of the healthy side and enlarged(P0.05).CONCLUSION:The development of bony nasolacrimal duct in the affected side of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction is different from that in the healthy side. The initial segment of the affected side expanded obviously.

BackgroundCell Division Cycle Protein 20(CDC20) is reported to promote cancer initiation, progression and drug resistance in many preclinical models and is demonstrated in human cancer tissues. However, the correlation between CDC20 and cancer patients’ prognosis has not yet been systematically evaluated. Therefore, this present meta-analysis was performed to determine the prognostic value of CDC20 expression in various malignancy tumors.MethodsA thorough database search was performed in EMBASE, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Web of Science from inception to May 2022. Stata14.0 Software was used for the statistical analysis. The pooled hazard ratios(HRs) and their 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to analysis of overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), distant-metastasis free survival (DMFS). Qualities of the included literature were assessed by JBI Critical appraisal checklist. Egger’s test was used to assess publication bias in the included studies.ResultsTen articles were selected, and 2342 cancer patients were enrolled. The cancer types include breast, colorectal, lung, gastric, oral, prostate, urothelial bladder cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The result showed strong significant associations between high expression of CDC20 and endpoints: OS (HR 2.52, 95%CI 2.13-2.99; HR 2.05, 95% CI 1.50-2.82, respectively) in the multivariate analysis and in the univariate analysis. Also, high expression of CDC20 was significantly connected with poor RFS (HR 2.08, 95%CI 1.46-2.98) and poor DMFS (HR 4.49, 95%CI 1.57-12.85). The subgroup analysis was also performed, which revealed that CDC20 upregulated expression was related to poor OS in non-small cell lung cancer (HR 2.40, 95% CI 1.91-3.02).ConclusionsThis meta-analysis demonstrated that highly expressing CDC20 was associated with poor survival in human malignancy tumors. CDC20 may be a valuable prognostic predictive biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in various cancer parents.

A phenazine-polyketide hybrid compound, nexphenazine A (