Search

AgTFA is disclosed as a bifunctional reagent, i.e. unprecedented in-situ CO source and oxidant in oxidative carbonylative annulation. The simple operation enables silver to be recovered easily and make AgTFA superior to other transition-metal carbonyl agents.

Objective. To compare the clinical efficacy of hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) plus intravenous chemotherapy of paclitaxel with or without sintilimab in peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer. Methods. A total of 120 patients assessed for eligibility with peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer treated in the oncology department of our hospital from January 2019 to June 2020 were recruited. They were concurrently randomly assigned in a 1 : 1 ratio to receive HIPEC plus sintilimab-paclitaxel intravenous chemotherapy (study group) or plus paclitaxel intravenous chemotherapy only (control group). Results. The objective remission rate (ORR) of ascites in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Subgroup analysis showed that an age ≤60 years or well-differentiated tumors were associated with better objective remission. After treatment, significantly higher Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scores were observed in the study group versus those of the control group. Adverse events reported were comparable between groups. The study group obtained longer 12-month progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) than those of the control group. Conclusion. On top of HIPEC, intravenous chemotherapy with sintilimab and paclitaxel constitute an effective alternative for patients with peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer to enhance ascites remission, ameliorate the quality of life, and prolong survival, versus with paclitaxel alone.

The mechanism of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) affecting magnetic field uniformity is studied in this work. The spatial distribution of MNPs in liquid is simulated based on Monte Carlo method. The induced field of the single MNP is combined with the magnetic field distribution of magnetofluid. In the simulation, magnetic field uniformity is described by a statistical distribution. As the chemical shift (CS) and full width at half maximum (FWHM) of magnetic resonance (MR) spectrum can reflect the uniformity of magnetic field, the simulation is verified by spectrum experiment. Simulation and measurement results prove that the CS and FWHM of the MR spectrum are basically positively correlated with the concentration of MNPs and negatively correlated with the temperature. The research results can explain how MNPs play a role in MR by affecting the uniform magnetic field, which is of great significance in improving the temperature measurement accuracy of magnetic nanothermometers and the spatial resolution of magnetic particle imaging.

In addition to significant antioxidant properties, melatonin exhibits neuroprotective effects against various neurological diseases including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and ischemic stroke. Several potential mechanisms have been reported in the neuroprotection of melatonin among patients with TBI. Notably, the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway is implicated in the development of a depressive state. Moreover, the activity of CREB in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) participates in reward and motivation, further contributing to depression induced by TBI. This study aims to explore whether melatonin could mitigate TBI-induced depression by activating of HO-1/CREB signal in a rodent model of weight-drop. As a consequence, melatonin (10 mg/kg) attenuated TBI-induced elevated immobility time in the force swim test, decreased time spent sniffing the novel rat in 3-chambered social test, and downregulated phosphorylated CERB in the NAc. However, a special inhibitor of HO-1 (SnPP) via intracerebroventricular injection partially reversed the neuroprotective effects of melatonin. Furthermore, melatonin decreased the number of summarized intersects in the astrocyte, A1-type astrocytes, IL-6-positive astrocytes in the NAc after TBI exposure, nevertheless, these changes could partially be restored by SnPP. Therefore, our findings demonstrate a novel neuroprotective mechanism for melatonin against TBI which can be a potential neuroprotective agent for the treatment of TBI-induced depression.

Alismatis Rhizoma decoction (ARD), comprised of Alisma plantago-aquatica subsp. orientale (Sam.) Sam and Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. at a ratio of 5 : 2, is a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula with successful clinical hypolipidemic effect. This paper aimed to explore the major bioactive compounds and potential mechanism of ARD in the treatment of hyperlipidemia on the basis of spectrum-effect analysis and molecular docking. Nine ARD samples with varying ratios of the constituent herbs were prepared and analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS to obtain the chemical spectra. Then, the lipid-lowering ability of the nine samples was tested in an oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation model in human hepatoma cells (HepG2). Grey relational analysis and partial least squares regression analysis were then performed to determine the correlation between the chemical spectrums and lipid-lowering efficacies of ARD. The potential mechanisms of the effective compounds were investigated by docking with the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) protein. The results indicated that alisol B 23-acetate, alisol C 23-acetate, and alisol B appeared to be the core effective components on hyperlipidemia in ARD. Molecular docking further demonstrated that all three compounds could bind to FXR and were potential FXR agonists for the treatment of hyperlipidemia. This study elucidated the effective components and potential molecular mechanism of action of ARD for treating hyperlipidemia from a perspective of different compatibility, providing a new and feasible reference for the research of TCM formulas such as ARD.

Photosynthesis is the largest organic synthesis on Earth, salinity limits crop yield and quality worldwide directly or indirectly related to the decrease in photosynthetic efficiency. The mechanism by which photosynthetic apparatus responds to salt stress is extremely complex and varies with plant genotype, developmental stage, the history of the plant cell and duration of stress imposed. Recent studies have partially revealed the mechanisms from different levels: molecular, physiological and biochemical, morphological; but there is currently no unified mechanism to explain the effect of stress on photosynthesis. This study comprehensively reviews the adaptive mechanism of photosynthetic apparatus under salt stress, summarises methods for increasing the resistance and provides a practical way to increase grain yield in saline soils.

Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland. Given its capabilities of neuroprotection and low neurotoxicity, melatonin could be a therapeutic strategy for traumatic brain injury (TBI). The present study was conducted to determine the neuroprotective effects of melatonin on TBI-induced anxiety and the possible molecular mechanism. Rats were randomly divided into seven groups. The rodent model of TBI was established using the weight-drop method. Melatonin was administered by intraperitoneal injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg after TBI. H89 (0.02 mg/kg), a special protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor, or dibutyryl-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP; 0.1 mg/kg), an activator of PKA, were administered by stereotactic injection of the brain to evaluate the roles of PKA and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) in melatonin-related mood regulation, respectively. At 30 days post-TBI, the changes in anxiety-like behaviors in rats were measured using the open field and elevated plus maze tests. At 24 h post-TBI, the number of activated astrocytes and neuronal apoptosis were evaluated using immunofluorescence assay. The expression levels of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in the amygdala were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of PKA, phosphorylated (p)-PKA, CREB, p-CREB, NF-κB and p-NF-κB in the amygdala were detected using western blotting. It was revealed that melatonin partially reversed TBI-induced anxiety-like behavior in rats, and decreased the number of activated astrocytes and neuronal apoptosis in the amygdala induced by TBI. H89 partially blocked the neuroprotective effects of melatonin; while dibutyryl-cAMP not only reduced the H89-induced emotional disturbance but also enhanced the protective effects of melatonin against TBI. Overall, melatonin can alleviate TBI-induced anxiety-like behaviors in rats. Moreover, the underlying mechanism may be associated with the activation of the PKA/CREB signaling pathway.

A simple, sensitive and selective high-performance liquid chromatography electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetic study of 15 active compounds (Saikosaponin A, Baicalin, Wogonin, Glycyrrhizic acid, Glycyrrhetinic acid, Albiflorin, Paeoniflorin, Liquiritin, Isoliquiritin, Liquiritigenin, Isoliquiritigenin, Cinnamic acid, Gallic acid, Wogonoside and Oroxylin A) in rat plasma. After a feasible protein precipitation using methanol for sample preparation, chromatographic separation was carried out with a Halo® C18 column (2.1 × 100 mm, 2.7 μm) at 35 °C, water containing 0.1% formic acid and acetonitrile were used as the mobile phase with a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min. Multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with positive and negative ion switching mode was performed for the quantification of the standards and internal standard in plasma. All the calibration curves showed good linear regression within the linear range (r2 > 0.9923). In particular, the results of the method validation including specificity, linearity, accuracy, precision, extraction recovery, matrix effect, and stability of compounds in bio-samples were all within the current acceptance criteria. The established method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic study of 15 compounds in rats after oral administration of CGD and laid the foundation for studying the active components and mechanism of CGD in vivo.

Exogenous calcium can enhance the resistance of certain plants to abiotic stress. Research have demonstrated that exogenous calcium could enhances the resistance of honeysuckle under salt stress by promoting the transmission of photosynthetic electrons.The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of exogenous calcium on the contents of Na~+,K~+,Ca~(2+),Mg~(2+)and the expression of photosynthetic related genes Cab and rbc L. In this study,we used ICP-OES to analysis ion contents and used qRT-PCR to analysis the expression patterns of Cab and rbc L. The results showed that CaCl_2 significantly enhanced the K~+-Na~+,Ca~(2+)-Na~+,Mg~(2+)-Na+ratio of honeysuckle treated with 50 and 100 mmol·L~(-1) NaCl. Meanwhile,Cab and rbc L were significantly up-regulated under short-term salt stress,and CaCl_2 promoted this trend. From the two gene expression patterns,rbc L rapidly up-regulated on the first day of stress and then decreased,and was more sensitive to environmental changes. In summary,exogenous calcium could alleviate salt stress and increase plant development by increasing intracellular K~+-Na~+,Ca~(2+)-Na~+,Mg~(2+)-Na+ratio,and the transient overexpression of Cab and rbc L.

Exogenous calcium can enhance the resistance of certain plants to abiotic stress. However,the role of calcium insaltstressed honeysuckle is unclear. The study is aimed to investigate the effects of exogenous calcium on the biomass,chlorophyll content,gas exchange parameters and chlorophyll fluorescence of honeysuckle under salt stress. The results showed that the calcium-treated honeysuckle had better photochemical properties than the salt-stressed honeysuckle,such as PIABS,PItotal,which represents the overall activity of photosystemⅡ(PSⅡ),and related parameters for characterizing electron transport efficiency φP0,ψE0,φE0,σR,and φR are significantly improved. At the same time,the gas exchange parameters Gs,Ci,Trare also maintained at a high level. In summary,exogenous calcium protects the activity of PSⅡ,promotes the transmission of photosynthetic electrons,and maintains a high Ci,therefore enhances the resistance of honeysuckle under salt stress.

Background Numerous publications have demonstrated that melatonin administration is associated with mortality reduction and improvement in neurological outcomes after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, there are significant sex differences in several diseases associated with melatonin. We aimed to determine whether androgen was responsible for enhanced susceptibility of melatonin against TBI in females, as well as potential molecular mechanisms. Methods Weight-drop was used to establish a rodent model of TBI. Melatonin (10 mg/kg) and testosterone (1 mg/kg) were administered three times every day for three days after TBI using subcutaneous injection, respectively. Seven days after TBI, an open field assay was used to evaluate locomotor and exploratory activities. Neuronal amount, neuronal apoptosis, and expression of phosphorylated extracellularly regulated protein kinases 1/2 (ERK1/2), c-jun N-terminal kinase 1/2 (JNK1/2), and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) in neurons were assessed using immunofluorescence assay seven days after TBI. The expression of caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 in the frontal cortex was detected using western blot. Results Compared with female rats, melatonin administration exhibited more neuroprotective effects (including improved locomotor and exploratory activities, elevated neuronal amount, and reduced neuronal apoptosis) in male rats exposed to TBI. Moreover, testosterone significantly improved locomotor and exploratory activities, elevated neuronal amount, decreased neuronal apoptosis, downregulated phosphorylation of JNK1/2- and p38MAPK-positive neurons, but upregulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2-positive neurons in the frontal cortex, and reduced the expressions of cleaved caspase-3, Bax, but increased Bcl-2 expressions in female rats exposed to TBI. Conclusions Androgen was responsible for the enhanced susceptibility to TBI under melatonin supplementation in females through a mechanism that may be associated with MAPK pathway regulation.

Transient electronics has attracted interest as an emerging technology to solve electronic-waste problem, due to its physically vanishing ability in solution. Here in this work, we demonstrate a flexible and degradable transient resistive switching (RS) memory device with simple structure of Cu/sodium alginate (SA)/ITO. The device presents excellent RS characteristics as well as high flexibility, including low operating voltage (< 1.5 V) and multilevel RS behavior. No performance degradation occurs after bending the device 50 times. Moreover, our device can be absolutely dissolved in deionized water. The proposed SA-based transient memory device has great potential for the development of green and security memory devices.

Campus Express is an important window to observe the city consumption logistics service "last kilometer".The research on Campus Express service is not only conducive to campus environment improvement and service quality promotion, but also provides all types of community, agglomeration areas such as urban terminal "last kilometer" logistics with reference.This article first proposed the main problems of campus express service,analyzed the mode of smart express station and finally built a smart express station.

In recent years, campus takeaway has developed rapidly, and all kinds of online ordering platforms are running. The problem of distribution in the campus can not only save the time cost of the businessmen, but also guarantee the effective management of the school, which is beneficial to the construction of the standard health system for the takeout. But distribution according to the existing mode will cause certain safety and health risks. The establishment of the University takeaway food traceability system can solve this problem. This paper first analyzes the sharing mode and distribution process of campus takeaway, and then designs the intelligent tracing system for the campus takeaway; the construction of the food distribution information platform and the problem of the recycling of the green environment of the dining box. Finally, the intelligent tracing system of the school takeout is analyzed with the braised chicken as an example.

A new coumarin, 4,6-dihydroxy-7-formyl-3-methylcoumarin (1), and an α-pyrone derivative, 6-[(7S,8R)-8-propyloxiran-1-yl]-4-methoxy-pyran-2-one (2), together with four known α-pyrone derivatives (3-6), were isolated from the broth extract of the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis versicolor. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of the chemical shift values with those of related known compounds.

(−)-(4S, 8S)-Foedanolide (1a) and (+)-(4R, 8R)-foedanolide (1b), a pair of new spiro-γ-lactone enantiomers, were isolated from the fermentation broth of the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis foedan by HPLC using a chiral column, achieving over 7% ee. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined on the basis of extensive analysis of NMR spectra combined with computational methods via calculation of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and optical rotation (OR). Compounds 1a and 1b showed moderate activities against HeLa, A-549, U-251, HepG2 and MCF-7 tumor cell lines.

(−)-(4S, 8S)-Foedanolide (1a) and (+)-(4R, 8R)-foedanolide (1b), a pair of new spiro-γ-lactone enantiomers, were isolated from the fermentation broth of the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis foedan by HPLC using a chiral column, achieving over 7% ee. Their structures and absolute configurations were determined on the basis of extensive analysis of NMR spectra combined with computational methods via calculation of the electronic circular dichroism (ECD) and optical rotation (OR). Compounds 1a and 1b showed moderate activities against HeLa, A-549, U-251, HepG2 and MCF-7 tumor cell lines.

This study aimed to analyze the endogenous metabolite changes in the serum of mice infected with H1N1 virus after intervention by Mahuang-Xixin-Fuzi decoction (MXF) based on metabolomics method, investigate potential biomarkers and related metabolic pathways, and explore the therapeutic mechanism of MXF through metabolomics technology. Thirty-six Kunming (KM) mice were randomly divided into three groups: normal group, model group and MXF group. Influenza virus H1N1 was used by nasal drip to establish influenza mice model. The mice in MXF group were orally administrated with MXF for 6 consecutive days after inoculation, and the other two groups were given with equal volume of saline solution in the same way. Body weight, rectal temperature, morbidity and mortality were recorded daily. Serum samples were collected 24 hours after the last administration for HPLC-TOF-MS analysis. The results showed that as compared with the normal group, the body weight and rectal temperature were decreased in model group, and their lung index and mortality rate were significantly increased (P0.05); MXF had good therapeutic effects on the abnormity of body weight, rectal temperature, lung index and high mortality rate of mice infected with H1N1 virus. The original data collected from the serum samples were analyzed with R language, MPP, SIMCA-P and other software, and significant changes were found in 14 kinds of endogenous substances from mice serum (P0.05). As compared with model group, the potential metabolic markers in MXF group recovered to normal levels to a certain degree after being intervened by MXF. Further analysis with MetPA data platform showed that, the pathways involved in 14 metabolites included glucose metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids metabolism etc. The metabolomics study and pharmacological experiment showed that MXF might play a role of efficacy by improving glucose metabolism, regulating arachidonic acid metabolism, glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid metabolic pathways.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of matrix metalloproteinase‑7 (MMP‑7) and apoptosis‑associated genes [TIMP metallopeptidase inhibitor 2(TIMP‑2), BCL2 associated X, apoptosis regulator (BAX) and BCL2, apoptosis regulator (BCL‑2)] in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a Beagle dog model. A total of 20 adult male Beagle dogs were randomly assigned into the AF group (n=10; Beagle dogs were treated by Burst stimulation to induce AF) and the control group (n=10; healthy Beagle dogs). Echocardiography and Mallory staining were used to determine cardiac function and degree of atrial fibrosis, respectively. Reverse transcription‑quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were performed to determine collagen type 1 (Col I), MMP‑7, TIMP‑2, BAX and BCL‑2 mRNA and protein expression levels. Compared with the control group, the AF group presented increased degree of atrial fibrosis and level of Col I expression, elevated MMP‑7 and BAX expression levels, but decreased TIMP‑2 and BCL‑2 expression levels. Correlation analysis demonstrated that MMP‑7 and BAX protein expression levels were negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), but positively correlated with the degree of atrial fibrosis. Negative correlation was observed between TIMP‑2 and BCL‑2 protein expression levels and degree of atrial fibrosis. In addition, a positive correlation between TIMP‑2 and BCL‑2 protein expression levels and LEVF was observed. These results demonstrate that MMP‑7 and BAX were highly expressed, while TIMP‑2 and BCL‑2 were downregulated in a Beagle dog model of AF, indicating that MMP‑7 and apoptosis‑associated genes (TIMP‑2, BAX and BCL‑2) may be associated with the pathogenesis of AF.

A new spirocyclic compound named (2S, 5S, 7S)-3α-hydroxyl-exogonic acid (1) was isolated from the liquid culture of entomogenous fungus Isaria cateniannulata. The structure and relative stereochemistry of 1 were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison of its NMR data with those of known compound. Compound 1 showed weak inhibitory activity against HeLa with IC(50) value of 80.5 μg ml(- 1).

Calcium (Ca2+) plays pivotal roles in modulating plant growth, development and stress responses. This work was conducted to study the effects of 20 mM calcium on the biomass, malondialdehyde content, chlorophyll content, ion ratio, chlorophyll a fluorescence and gas-exchange parameters, gene expression of annual honeysuckle under 50, 100 and 200 mM NaCl. At the end of treatment, Na+ concentration was increased with the mounting salinity, but a higher ratio of K+/Na2+, Ca2+/Na+, Mg2+/Na+ were obtained after calcium addition. Salinity exerted an adverse effect on the dry weights and chlorophyll content, whereas CaCl2 played a positive role. Consistent with biomass reduction, the photosynthetic rate and stomatal conductance declined in leaves of honeysuckle exposed to elevated salinity. However, the extent of reduction was much less under CaCl2 combination treatments than one caused by NaCl treatments. Exogenous calcium also protects the photochemical activity of PSII by protecting reaction centre from inactivation and maintaining electron transport from QA– to QB–. Further, exogenous calcium promoted the overexpression of LHCB coding gene Cab and Rubisco large subunit coding gene rbcL under short-term stress. In conclusion, exogenous calcium was effective in improving the salt tolerance of honeysuckle in the photosynthetic base, thereby improving the growth of plants.