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Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of intraoperative high⁃field MRI combined with fluorescence⁃guided glioma resection. Methods A total of 53 patients with glioma admitted to The Fisrt Bethune Hospital of Jilin University from June 2017 to June 2018 were enrolled, including 33 patients (62.26%) whose tumors were located in important brain functional areas (17 cases in motor area, 11 cases in language area, 5 cases in thalamus). Glioma resection was performed under fluorescence⁃guided (fluorescence guidance group, n=28) and intraoperative high⁃field MRI combined with fluorescence⁃guided glioma resection (combined group, n=25). Results Total tumor resection was performed in 42 cases (79.25%) and subtotal tumor resection in 11 cases (20.75%). Of the 33 patients whose tumors were located in important brain functional areas, total resection was performed in 25 cases (75.76%) and subtotal resection in 8 cases (24.24%). There were 12 cases (22.64%) of astrocytoma (WHO grade Ⅱ), 17 cases (32.08%) of anaplastic astrocytoma (WHO grade Ⅲ) and 24 cases (45.28%) of glioblastoma (WHO grade Ⅳ) were confirmed by postoperative pathology. There were 16 cases of speech disorder (30.19%), 21 cases of transient limb movement disorder (39.62%), 6 cases of mental disorder (11.32%), 8 cases of intracranial infection (15.09%), 2 cases of small epidural hemorrhage (3.77%), and no death after the operation. The operation time of combined group was longer than that of fluorescence guidance group [(3.79±1.14) h vs. (2.53±1.04) h; t=⁃4.718, P=0.000]. The tumor total resection rate in the combined group was higher than that in fluorescent guidance group [92% (23/25) vs. 67.86% (19/28); χ2=4.681, P=0.031], the WHO grade had significant difference between 2 groups (χ2=2.041, P=0.036), but the tumor total resection rate in important brain functional areas [88.89% (16/18) vs. 60% (9/15); Fisher's exact probability: P=0.101] and the incidence of postoperative complications [37.73% (20/53) vs. 62.26% (33/53); χ2=0.179, P=1.000] were no significant difference between 2 groups. In the mean follow⁃up of 9 months, 11 patients (20.75%) had tumor recurrence. There was no significant difference in the recurrence rate between combined group and fluorescence guidance group [12% (3/25) vs. 28.57% (8/28); χ2=2.205, P=0.138]. Conclusions Intraoperative high⁃field MRI combined with fluorescence guidance can significantly improve the total resection rate of glioma, while preserving important brain functional areas and neural structures as much as possible, improving the quality of life and prolonging the progression⁃free survival of patients.

Short-chain dehydrogenase/reductases (SDRs) belong to the NAD(P)(H)-dependent oxidoreductase superfamily, which have various functions of catalyzing oxidation/reduction reactions and have been generally used as powerful biocatalysts in the production of pharmaceuticals. In this study, ScSDR1 and ScSDR2, two new SDRs have been identified and characterized from Stachybotrys chartarum 3.5365. Substrate scope investigation revealed that both of the enzymes possessed the ability to oxidize β-OH to ketone specifically, and exhibited substrate promiscuity and high stereo-selectivity for efficiently catalyzing the structurally different prochiral ketones to chiral alcohols. These findings not only suggest that ScSDR1 and ScSDR2 might be potent synthetic tools in drug research and development, but also provide good examples for further engineered enzymes with higher efficiency and stereo-selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the experiment was to investigate the effect of GSE on the production performance, egg quality and serum biochemical indexes of laying hens in the late peak egg laying period. A total of five hundred and forty 53-week-old Jingfen No. 2 laying hens with similar weight, egg production rate and good health were randomly divided into three groups, with six replicates in each group and 30 laying hens in each replicate. The laying hens in group A were fed a basal diet, and GSE was added 200 and 300 mg/kg to the basal diet of group B and group C, respectively. The pre-test period was seven days and the positive trial period was 42 days. The results showed that compared with group A, the average egg weight of the group C was significantly increased (P<0.05), the egg qualification rate of the group B was significantly increased (P<0.05), the eggshell strength of the group B and group C was significantly increased (P<0.05), the protein height of the group C was significantly increased (P<0.05), the serum total protein content of the laying hens in the group B increased significantly (P<0.05), the serum high density lipoprotein content of the laying hens in the group C (P<0.05), and the serum IgA content of laying hens in the group C was significantly increased (P<0.05). The study indicates that adding GSE to the diet of laying hens in the late peak egg laying period can improve eggshell strength and egg qualification rate, reduce the feed to egg ratio, improve immune function, and increase the economic benefits of breeding, and the effect of adding 300 mg/kg GSE is obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anhydroicaritin (1a), baohuoside (1b) and icariin (1c) were recognized as major pharmacologically active ingredients of Epimedium plants. Their primary means of acquisition were chemical isolation from plants. However, it suffers from low yield, environmental pollution and shortage of plants. Herein, to remedy these problems, biosynthesis was explored to obtain the three active ingredients. Fortunately, with SfFPT as 8-prenyltransferase, EpPF3RT and Ep7GT as glycosyltransferases, kaempferide (1) was transferred to 1a, 1b and 1c enzymatically. Thus, we report the details of this method. This approach represents a promising environmental friendly alternative for the production of these compounds from an abundant analogue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]