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Hydrogel serve as bone tissue engineering have lately received great attention for their good biocompatibility and structures similar to natural extracellular matrices. However, a single component polymer hydrogel is generally detrimental to cell adhesion due to the weaker mechanical properties, which limits their application considerably. In an effort to overcome this disadvantage, we adopt an unconventional dual network hydrogels consisting of the polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) covalent network, a thiolated chitosan (TCS) ion crosslinking network and thiolated halloysites (T-HNTs) as reinforcing filler. In addition, bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) was loaded into the prepared dual network (DN) hydrogel to improve the bone regeneration function of the DN hydrogel. The resulting PEGDA/TCS/T-HNTs hydrogels showed favourable mechanical property, higher crosslinking density, the lower swelling degree, excellent biocompatibility and cell adhesion ability. The histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analyses revealed the excellent bone regeneration ability for composite hydrogel after implant into rat skull defect. Thus, our results indicated that composite scaffold can be applied as a new bone regeneration biomaterial to be applied as a local drug delivery system with good bone induction performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Antibody-LGI1 limbic encephalitis (LGI1-Ab LE) is an anti-neuronal surface antigen-related autoimmune encephalitis. we report three cases of LGI1-Ab LE, describe the characteristics of clinical manifestation, course of evolution, imaging manifestation and treatment outcomes. Methods: Data from patients diagnosed with LGI1-Ab LE in the Second Hospital, Hebei Medical University, from June 2016 to July 2017, were retrospectively collected and analyzed. We followed up the patients for 90 days. Results: Two of the three patients were females, the average age of onset is 53 years old. Epilepsy is the most common clinical manifestations, and one of patients developed faciobrachial dystonic seizures (FBDS), which was recently described as a characteristic feature of LGI1-Ab LE. All patients had cognitive impairment in different degrees and abnormal signal of hippocampus in cranial MRI. All serum LGI1 antibodies were positive, whereas one LGI1 antibodies of CSF were negative. All patients accepted first-line immune therapy and had a good outcome. Conclusion: LGI1-Ab LE, which is an autoimmune disease, is rare clinically and mostly nonparaneoplastic. We suggest that LGI1-Ab LE be considered in any patient with acute or subacute onset, cognitive dysfunction , various types of seizures, accompanied by mental disorders and hyponatremia, MR showed the involvement of the limbic system. It is necessary to have LE-related antibodies tested. Early immunotherapy can significantly improve the patient's overall prognosis. At the same time, we should also pay attention to the possibility of potential tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores adaptive strategies of epiphytic bryophytes in the understorey by investigating the photosynthetic characteristics, pigment concentrations and nutrient stoichiometry, as well as other functional traits of three trunk-dwelling bryophytes in a subtropical montane cloud forest in SW China. The results showed that their light-saturated net photosynthetic rate (Anmax−L), light saturation point (Isat), light compensation point (Ic) and dark respiration rate (Rd) wereca0.55, 106.72, 4.17 and 0.25 μmol m−2 s−1, respectively. Furthermore, the samples demonstrated photosynthetic down-regulation under high irradiance. These photosynthetic characteristics can be explained by higher total chlorophyll concentrations, specific leaf area, chlorophyll per unit leaf N (Chl/N), lower ratio of chlorophyllato chlorophyllb(Chla/b) and photosynthetic nitrogen-use efficiency. We suggest that the bryophytes adapted to the shaded understorey microhabitats through a series of correlations and trade-offs between functional traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crateva unilocularis is naturally distributed in Southern China, which is an elite natural tree with high edible and medicinal value. In this study, whole chloroplast (cp) genome of Crateva unilocularis was assembled and characterized on the basis of Illumina pair-end sequencing data. The complete cp genome was 156,417 bp in length, containing a large single-copy region (LSC) of 85,607 bp and a small single-copy region (SSC) of 18,164 bp, which were separated by a pair of 26,323 bp inverted repeat regions (IRs). The genome contained 128 genes, including 85 protein-coding genes, 35 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. The overall GC content is 36.32%, while the corresponding values of the LSC, SSC, and IR regions were 33.98, 29.45, and 42.48%, respectively. The maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis showed a strong sister relationship with Crateva tapia. These findings provide a foundation for further investigation of cp genome evolution in Crateva unilocularis and other higher plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fraxinus malacophylla is one of the commonly used ecological restoration tree species in rocky desertification areas. It has high medicinal and timber value. And has high marketization prospects. The complete chloroplast genome sequence of F. malacophylla was generated by de novo assembly using whole-genome next generation sequencing. The complete chloroplast genome of F. malacophylla was 155621 bp in total sequence length and divided into four distinct regions: large single copy region (86404 bp), small single copy region (17821 bp), and a pair of inverted repeat regions (25698 bp). The F. malacophylla chloroplast genome annotation predicted a total of 131 genes, consisting of 35 tRNA genes, 8 rRNA genes, and 88 protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic analysis with the reported chloroplast genomes revealed that F. malacophylla has most closely related to F. excelsior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethyl 2-amino-5-ethylthiophene-3- carboxylate 1, obtained from the reaction of butyraldehyde, ethyl cyanoacetate, sulfur, and triethylamine, reacted with benzoylisothiocyanate to give the corresponding ureido derivatives 2 in a high yield. Further reactions of the compound 2 with an aqueous-alcohol solution of potassium hydroxide and then with hydrochloric acid gave the 2-thio-thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine-4-ones 3, which were reacted with RX to give novel compounds 4a-4i. Treating the compound 3 with dibromoalkane led to the formation of triacylic compounds 5j-5m. Their structures were clearly verified by IR, 1H NMR, EI-MS spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The results of a preliminary bioassay indicated that some compounds possess excellent inhibitory activities against the root and the stalk of Brassica napus (rape) and Echinochloa crusgalli (barnyard grass) at a dosage of 100 mg/L. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, many patients suffer from acute liver failure and hepatoma. This is an area of high unmet clinical need as these conditions are associated with very high mortality. There is an urgent need to develop techniques that will enable liver tissue engineering or generate a bioartificial liver, which will maintain or improve liver function or offer the possibility of liver replacement. Liver tissue engineering is an innovative way of constructing an implantable liver and has the potential to alleviate the shortage of organ donors for orthotopic liver transplantation. In this review we describe, from an engineering perspective, progress in the field of liver tissue engineering, including three main aspects involving cell sources, scaffolds and vascularization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erosion control is one of the most important functions of forest ecosystems, and its accurate assessment is useful to illuminate the importance of forest ecosystem services for humans so as to rationally conserve forest resources. This paper examines Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, the first national forest park in China, to seek practical methods for assessment of the forest erosion control function using a geographical information system (GIS). The results show that the potential and actual amounts of soil erosion are 2.92 million ton and 0.14 million ton per year, respectively, in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The total reduction in soil loss reaches 2.77 million ton per year with the existence of a forest ecosystem. The erosion control function of near mature, mature and over mature broadleaf forest is excellent, and natural forest conservation and natural restoration of the degraded forest ecosystem can provide the largest benefits in soil erosion control. Nearly all the near mature, mature and over-mature forest in the park is at the top and in steep mountain areas, and could be rationally cut and utilized by local communities, but extensive timber felling should be strictly prohibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocyte transplantation is an alternative to transplantation of the whole liver. Compared with xenogeneic hepatocytes, primary hepatocytes have some advantages, such as a more powerful function and a smaller frequency of rejection caused by the host. Cell microencapsulation prevents direct access of host cells to the graft but cannot impede transfer of transplant-derived peptides, which can cross the physical barrier. Sertoli cells are central to the immune privilege demonstrated in the testis, and their actions have been utilized to protect cell transplants. Co-microencapsulating Sertoli cells with HepG2 cells has proved to be a valuable strategy in hepatocyte transplantation. Thus mixed microcapsules of primary rat hepatocytes and primary Sertoli cells may improve metabolic function in a d-galactosamine and lipopolysaccharide-induced rat model of acute liver failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aβ2,β3-homoproline derivative, (2S, 2′S)-3-phenyl-2-(pyrrolidin-2′-yl)propionic acid, was synthesized starting from l-proline. After preparation of the (4S, 4aS)-4-benzyl-4a,5,6,7-tetrahydro-pyrrolo-[1,2-c]pyrimidine-1,3-dione under a mild condition, the absolute configuration of target compound was assigned using 2D H-H COSY and H-H NOESY technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platycodon grandiflorum cell suspension cultures were employed to biotransform the taxane diterpenoids 2α,5α, 10β,14β-tetraacetoxy-4(20),11-taxadiene (1) and 9α-hydroxy-2α,5α,10β,14β-tetraacetoxy-4(20),11-taxadiene (2). One product, 10b-hydroxy-2α,5α,14β-triacetoxy-4(20),11-taxadiene (3) was obtained from 1 and two products, 9α,10β-dihydroxy-2α,5α,14β-triacetoxy-4(20),11-taxadiene (4) and 10β-hydroxy-2α,5α,9α,14β-tetraacetoxy-4( 20),11-taxadiene (5) were obtained from 2 incubated with Platycodon cultured cells respectively, among which 5 is characterized as a new taxoid compound. The effects of the addition stage for 1 and 2 on the biotransformation were investigated and the results revealed that: (1) the optimal addition stage for 1 was in the early logarithmic phase (6th day) of the cell growth period, in which 78% of 1 was converted and the yield for 3 reached 75%; (2) the optimal addition stage for 2 was on the mid-logarithmic phase (12th day) of the cell growth period, in which 25.3% of 2 was converted and the yields for 4 and 5 reached 18.9 and 14.5%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Callus cultures of Annona squamosa were induced using different explants including petals, seed contents (megagametophyte and embryo) and fruits (mesocarp). Growth of the calli induced from the explants was found to be influenced by the type, concentration and ratio of auxin vs. cytokinin. The content of squamocin (67.8 μg g -1 dry weight) in calli cultured on Gamborg B-5 medium containing 5.0 mg l -1 naphthalene acetic acid and 4.0 mg l -1 zeatin was nearly seven times higher than that in intact fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]