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Yupingfeng granules (YPFG) is commonly used in the treatment of immunological diseases, inflammations, and pulmonary diseases. Several studies have found that chromones, flavones, and saponins were the major bioactive compounds of YPFG. However, few studies have reported accurate quantification methods of these compounds. This study aimed to establish a simple and rapid method by using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) to determine 15 bioactive compounds in YPFG. The experimental parameters including extraction methods, extraction solvents, extraction time, solid–liquid ratio, and LC–MS/MS condition were optimized. The linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery of the established method were evaluated. The contents of 15 bioactive compounds in seven batches of YPFG samples were analyzed by the established method and the results were compared with the values determined by HPLC. The optimal extraction condition was to extract 0.1 g of YPFG by ultrasound with 50 mL 50% ethanol for 30 min. A Waters ACQUITY UPLCBEH C18 column using the 0.1% formic acid water solution and acetonitrile as mobile phase with a gradient elution was applied to the chromatographic separation. The linearity, precision, repeatability, stability, and recovery of the method were within acceptable ranges. Compared with HPLC analysis methods in Chinese Pharmacopoeia and literature, the established method was faster, simpler, more accurate, and more reliable. The method of simultaneous determination of 15 components in YPFG by LC–MS might provide a basis for the study of the bioactive compounds and the improvement of the quality standard of YPFG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) causes severe wheat viral disease in Asia. However, the viral suppressor of RNA silencing (VSR) encoded by WYMV has not been identified. Here, the P1 protein encoded by WYMV RNA2 was shown to suppress RNA silencing in Nicotiana benthamiana. Mutagenesis assays revealed that the alanine substitution mutant G175A of P1 abolished VSR activity and mutant Y10A VSR activity remained only in younger leaves. P1, but not G175A, interacted with gene silencing‐related protein, N. benthamiana calmodulin‐like protein (NbCaM), and calmodulin‐binding transcription activator 3 (NbCAMTA3), and Y10A interacted with NbCAMTA3 only. Competitive Bimolecular fluorescence complementation and co‐immunoprecipitation assays showed that the ability of P1 disturbing the interaction between NbCaM and NbCAMTA3 was stronger than Y10A, Y10A was stronger than G175A. In vitro transcript inoculation of infectious WYMV clones further demonstrated that VSR‐defective mutants G175A and Y10A reduced WYMV infection in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), G175A had a more significant effect on virus accumulation in upper leaves of wheat than Y10A. Moreover, RNA silencing, temperature, and autophagy have significant effects on the accumulation of P1 in N. benthamiana. Taken together, WYMV P1 acts as VSR by interfering with calmodulin‐associated antiviral RNAi defense to facilitate virus infection in wheat, which has provided clear insights into the function of P1 in the process of WYMV infection. Significance Statement: This study reveals that the wheat yellow mosaic virus (WYMV) P1 acts as VSR by interfering with calmodulin‐associated antiviral RNAi defense and facilitates virus infection in wheat. Results of our research provide clear insights and solutions for further understanding the role of P1 in process of WYMV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new isoflavones (1 and 2), as well as eight known ones were isolated from the roots of Sophora tonkinensis Gagnep. Compound 1 represents an unprecedented polymerization pattern constructed by isoflavone and cytisine. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis, combined with ECD calculations. Compound 1 displayed significant anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activity compared with the positive control ningnanmycin. Moreover, compound 6 exhibited potent α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC50 value of 47.4 mg/L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rongliflozin L -pyroglutamic acid, a highly active SGLT-2 inhibitor cocrystal discovered and developed by our group, is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of diabetes. Here, we report and design a simple and robust process to obtain a single and pure crystalline form I (1) of the cocrystal, containing Rongliflozin (2) with L -pyroglutamic acid (L -PA), based on coformer-induced purification (CoIP). Extensive experiments showed that the addition of L -pyroglutamic acid in the eluent was key to suppression of the dissociation equilibrium of the cocrystal during lessivation, with high efficiency. Importantly, based in this profile, this process exhibited strong robustness and margin of safety at multigram and multikilogram scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While the epidemiologic association between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is established, little is known about the pathological characteristics and outcome of DLBCL arising in patients with HBV infection. Methods: We retrospectively studied a cohort of 420 patients with DLBCL for the incidence of HBV infection, and the clinicopathologic features and prognostic factors in HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients in China, a hepatitis B endemic area. Results: In our study, 127 (30.2%) patients were HBsAg-positive. HBsAg-positive DLBCL displayed a younger median onset age (50 vs. 54 years, P = 0.002), more frequent involvement of the spleen (19.7% vs. 6.1%, P < 0.001), less frequent involvement of the small and large intestine (2.3% vs. 11.2%, P = 0.003), more advanced disease (stage III/IV: 56.7% vs. 45.1%, P = 0.028), and lower expression rate of MYC (49.1% vs. 66.7%, P = 0.026). The median follow-up time was 61.9 months. Univariate analysis showed that there was no significant difference in overall survival (OS) between HBsAg-negative and -positive DLBCL (P = 0.577). In the HBsAg-positive DLBCL subgroup, age older than 60 years, advanced disease, elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), spleen involvement, B symptoms (fever, night sweats, weight loss), and double expressers of MYC and BCL2 had a significantly worse outcome, and patients treated with R-CHOP (rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) had a better prognosis. Multivariate analysis further confirmed that spleen involvement and rituximab use were independent prognostic factors in HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients. Conclusions: Our study indicates that HBsAg-positive DLBCL has unique clinicopathological features and independent prognostic factors. Moreover, under antiviral prophylaxis, the survival of DLBCL patients with HBV infections was comparable to that of HBV-negative patients, and the use of rituximab significantly improved OS in HBsAg-positive DLBCL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effects of the density of folic acid (FA) on the hypoglycemic ability of FA-targeted polymersomes as oral insulin carriers. Also to study the change of the hypoglycemic effect of FA-targeted mixed polymersomes added with various mass ratio of d -α-tocopherol polyethylene glycol 1000 succinate (TPGS). The FA-targeted polymersomes with different FA molar contents were prepared. The in vitro insulin release experiments in different media for FA-targeted polymersomes with various FA contents were studied. Their quantitative cellular uptake in Caco-2 cells was examined. The in vivo hypoglycemic activity of FA-targeted polymersomes was also studied with diabetic rats. The polymersomes with the optimal FA molar content was chosen to prepare mixed polymersomes with various TPGS contents. Among insulin-loaded FA-targeted polymersomes with four different FA molar contents, insulin-loaded polymersomes with 10% FA molar content (insulin-loaded 10%FA-Ps) showed the hightest cellular uptake and the best hypoglycemic response. In addition, the insulin-loaded FA-Ps/TPGS5:1 mixed polymersomes exhibited higher cellular uptake and better hypoglycemic response than the other two insulin-loaded mixed polymersomes adding TPGS did. FA-Ps/TPGS5:1 could be a promising formulation for the oral administration of insulin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To compare the impact of two different types of mitral valve surgery on health-related quality of life, we conducted a retrospective study comparing modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery with median sternotomy mitral valve surgery.Methods: A total of 163 patients who underwent mitral valve surgery at our institution between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 were enrolled. For these 163 patients, mitral valve surgery was performed using either a modified totally endoscopic approach or median sternotomy approach. We used the numerical rating scale and the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating Scale to measure pain intensity and the aesthetic appearance of the surgical incision and used the MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey to assess health-related quality of life.Results: Seventy-eight patients underwent the modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery, and eighty-five patients underwent the median sternotomy mitral valve surgery. The two groups of patients were similar in terms of demographics and echocardiography findings. The number of bioprosthetic valve replacements performed was significantly higher in the totally endoscopic group than in the median sternotomy group (p = 0.04), whereas the subvalvular apparatus was less preserved in only 33 cases in the totally endoscopic group (p = 0.01). The rate of postoperative adverse events was similar between the two groups. The pain was mild and aesthetic appearance was significantly better in the totally endoscopic approach group than in the sternotomy approach group. Significant differences in the scores for the bodily pain and mental health subscales of the MOS 36-item Short-Form Health Survey were found between the two groups.Conclusions: Compared with median sternotomy mitral valve surgery, totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery has an equally good treatment effect, improving patient's health-related quality of life with a better cosmetic appearance and a lower pain intensity. Our study suggested that the totally endoscopic approach is superior to the median sternotomy approach in terms of pain intensity, aesthetic appearance and health-related quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cytorhabdovirus, tentatively named "strawberry-associated virus 1" (SaV1), was identified in strawberry (Fragaria ananassa Duch.), and its complete genome sequence was determined. Its negative-sense single-stranded RNA genome is composed of 14,159 nucleotides and contains eight open reading frames (ORFs) in the canonical order 3′-N-P-P3-M-G-P6-P7-L-5. The ORFs are separated by conserved intergenic sequences, and the genome coding region is flanked by 3ʹ and 5ʹ untranslated regions of 179 and 856 nt, respectively. SaV1 N and L genes shares 32–57% and 38–64% amino acid sequence identity with those of nine reported cytorhabdoviruses, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SaV1 clustered with high confidence with representative cytorhabdoviruses and is most closely related to tomato yellow mottle-associated virus. There are two additional small genes of unknown function between the G and L genes. We propose that SaV1 should be considered a member of a novel species in the genus Cytorhabdovirus, family Rhabdoviridae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interconversion relations for viscoelastic functions are derived with the consideration of the time-dependent bulk modulus, K(t), for both traditional and fractional Prony series representations of viscoelasticity. The application of these relations is to replace the fitting parameters of Young’s relaxation modulus, E(t), by the unknown parameters of K(t) and the known parameters of the shear relaxation modulus, G(t), and to fit the E(t) to the experimental data for obtaining the parameters of K(t). The fitting results show that only two experiments for measuring the viscoelastic functions of an isotropic material are not enough to determine the other viscoelastic functions. However, if we consider the relaxation rates of K(t) and G(t), we may conclude that the constant bulk modulus is a more reasonable assumption, and the corresponding Poisson’s ratio, ν(t), is a monotonic-increasing function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A region-specific method, NTR (non-threshold rare) variant detection method, was developed—it does not use the threshold for defining rare variants and accounts for directions of effects. NTR also considers linkage disequilibrium within the region and accommodates common and rare variants simultaneously. NTR weighs variants according to minor allele frequency and odds ratio to combine the effects of common and rare variants on disease occurrence into a single score and provides a test statistic to assess the significance of the score. In the simulations, under different effect sizes, the power of NTR increased as the effect size increased, and the type I error of our method was controlled well. Moreover, NTR was compared with several other existing methods, including the combined multivariate and collapsing method (CMC), weighted sum statistic method (WSS), sequence kernel association test (SKAT), and its modification, SKAT-O. NTR yields comparable or better power in simulations, especially when the effects of linkage disequilibrium between variants were at least moderate. In an analysis of diabetic nephropathy data, NTR detected more confirmed disease-related genes than the other aforementioned methods. NTR can thus be used as a complementary tool to help in dissecting the etiology of complex diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A one-pot synthesis of tetrasubstituted acrylaldehydes via difunctionalization of aryl propynyl ethers has been achieved, which involves a trifluoromethylthiolation process and a radical 1,4-aryl migration from oxygen to carbon. The reaction shows excellent conversion of aryl propynyl ethers into trifluoromethyl-containing α,β-unsaturated aldehydes through a radical pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A photoredox-/copper-catalyzed decarboxylative difluoroacetylation reaction of α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acids has been developed. This reaction produces a variety of difluoroalkylated alkenes in moderate to excellent yields and exhibits satisfactory stereoselectivity and a broad substrate scope at ambient temperature. Furthermore, this decarboxylative difluoroacetylation protocol provides efficient and environment friendly access to the difluoroalkylated alkenes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the possible oscillation of linear and non-aging viscoelastic functions of viscoelastic models whose governing differential equations representing the constitutive relation between stresses and strains are of second order. We have found that the Stieltjes inverse of the time-dependent Poisson ratio could be oscillatory for engineering materials whose bulk and shear relaxation moduli are monotonically decreasing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A remote OH group-directed metal-free transformation of alkynes to carbonyl compounds has been developed. Using only HOAc and EtOH solvent, this reaction elegantly converts alkynes into valuable ketones by remote hydroxyl group activation. Through comparison and isotope labeling experiments, it was confirmed that the process operates via a hydration reaction involving an acetic acid molecule, instead of a water molecule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new representation for viscoelastic functions, the tensor relaxation-creep duality representation, is introduced. The derivation of a tensor time-differential constitutive equation for anisotropic viscoelastic materials using this new presentation is presented. The relaxation-creep duality characteristic ingrained in the new representation enables the interconversion of viscoelastic functions, which is not possible with the conventional Prony series representation of viscoelastic functions. The new representation therefore offers a better representation of the physics of viscoelasticity leading to a reduced number of viscoelastic parameters required to describe a viscoelastic function. The new representation has been demonstrated on two anisotropic viscoelastic crystallographic systems: (i) the symmetric systems with material- and time-independent eigenvectors and (ii) the symmetric systems with material-dependent but time-independent eigenvectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The monotonicity of the linear viscoelastic functions, namely, the shear creep compliance, the Young’s relaxation modulus, the stretch creep compliance, the P-wave relaxation modulus, the Lamé’s first function, and the time-dependent Poisson’s ratio, were examined analytically and numerically. It was shown that both the Lamé’s first function and time-dependent Poisson’s ratio can be non-monotonic. Furthermore, in contrast to the reports by other researchers, the values of the time-dependent Poisson’s ratio were found to be bounded by the limits between −1 and 0.5 after the physical constraints of the bulk and shear relaxation moduli are taken into account. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to explore the association between follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms and susceptibility to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A comprehensive literature search for relevant studies was conducted on Google Scholar, PubMed, the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and the Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM). This meta-analysis was performed using the STATA 11.0 software and the pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Ten case-control studies were included in this meta-analysis. However, meta-analysis results showed no association between both FSHR Thr307Ala polymorphism and Asn680Ser polymorphism and susceptibility to PCOS. Stratified analysis of ethnicities also showed no association. In conclusion, the present study suggested that the FSHR polymorphisms were not associated with an increased risk of PCOS and larger-scale studies of populations are needed to explore the roles played by FSHR polymorphisms during the pathogenesis of PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folk drug Gynostemma pentaphyllum (Thunb.) Makino contains many biologically active phytochemicals which have been demonstrated to be effective against chronic diseases. As in vivo anti-tumor experiments of G. pentaphyllum extract (GP) show much stronger antitumor activities than in vitro, it is important and necessary to understand the metabolic study of GP. A sensitive and specific U-HPLC–MS method was utilized for the first time to rapidly identify gypenosides and its possible metabolites in rat serum, urine, and faeces after oral administration. Solid phase extraction was utilized in the sample preparation. Negative Electrospray ionisation (ESI) mass spectrometry was used to discern gypenosides and its possible metabolites in rat samples. As a result, after oral administration, a total of seven metabolites of G. pentaphyllum extract were assigned, two from the rat serum and seven both from the rat urine and faeces. As metabolites of G. pentaphyllum extract, all of them have never been reported before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The activity of gypenosides and gynogenin of Gynostemma pentaphyllum against non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) A549 cells was investigated to identify the structural characteristics of gypenosides and gynogenin to have anti-NSCLC activity. Of the tested dammarane-type compounds, 20S-dammar-24-en-2α,3β,12β,20-tetrol showed the strongest activity against A549 cells. Based on the structure and cytotoxic activity relationships of gypenosides and gynogenin, the OH group in C-2, the connected sugar number and the configuration in C-20 were important for cytotoxic activity against A549 cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The interconversions between relaxation moduli and creep compliances, including stretch, shear, bulk parts, and the time-dependent Poisson’s ratio, are derived by using the relaxation-creep duality representation. The relaxation-creep duality representation for the viscoelastic functions introduced in this paper is composed of an exponential function that characterizes the relaxation behavior and a complementary one that characterizes the creep behavior. All viscoelastic functions can be represented as the same form. The new sets of coefficients, called the modulating constants, between viscoelastic functions obey the elastic-like interconversions, and do not involve the characteristic times. The relationships of characteristic times between those functions are also derived. These interconversion formulas can then be calculated easily. Three literatures are referenced to calculate the consistency of the viscoelastic functions via the new interconversions introduced in this work. The Young’s relaxation modulus in one literature is not consistent to the shear one in another literature. By assuming a constant bulk modulus, the modified Young’s relaxation modulus and time-dependent Poisson’s ratio that was derived by the new interconversions can meet the measured curves and can be consistent to the shear creep compliance in the literatures. The fitted data from experiments can then be checked via the new mathematical interconversions for the consistency. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

OBJECTIVES Conventional surgical closure has been considered the gold standard for the treatment of perimembranous ventricular septal defects (PVSDs) in infants for many years, but it requires a cardiopulmonary bypass and midline sternotomy which can lead to both physical and psychological trauma in the future. An intraoperative device closure can be performed with the advantages of reduced invasion, faster recovery and so on. We evaluate the safety and feasibility of intraoperative device closure of PVSDs in infants in comparison with surgical closure. METHODS One hundred eighty-six infants with a PVSD were enrolled in our study. Among them, 97 patients were treated by surgical closure and 89 were treated by intraoperative device closure. The success rates, complications, length of hospital stay and costs were measured. RESULTS The success rate was similar (P = 0.228) in the two groups: 87/89 patients (97.8%) in the device group versus 97/97 patients (100%) in the surgical group. Complication needs management was required in one patient of the device group (1.1%) and in two patients of the surgical group (2.0%) (P = 1.000). Minor complications were observed in 7/87 patients (8.0%) of the device group versus 15/99 patients (15.2%) of the surgical group (P < 0.001). Both groups were similarly effective in reducing the left ventricular end-diastolic dimension, pulmonary arterial pressure and cardiothoracic rate. The procedure time, inpatient stay and intensive care unit stay are shorter in the device group; the total cost was similar for both groups. CONCLUSIONS Intraoperative device closure of PVSDs under real-time transoesophageal echocardiography guidance is safe and feasible without CPB. Under the right conditions, intraoperative device closure can be a good alternative to surgical closure for the treatment of PVSDs in infants. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: This work reviewed different three-dimensional viscoelastic models, including Hooke, Newton, Maxwell, Voigt, Boltzmann, Zener, Tsay, Burgers, Weichert, and Kelvin models. The relaxation moduli and creep compliances are derived and related via the viscoelastic parameters. Physical meanings of viscoelastic parameters are also explained for each model. The formulae of relaxation test, creep test, and dynamic loading test for each viscoelastic models are formulated. Relaxation moduli and creep compliances are drawn for visualizing and comparing. The less discussed time-dependent Poisson’s ratios are also emphasized and compared in this work. All viscoelastic functions can be represented as the relaxation-creep duality representation. The instantaneous and permanent moduli and compliances as well as the fractions of exponential and complementary exponential pairs with different characteristic times can be immediately understood via the relaxation-creep duality representation. The three-dimensional Burgers model is selected to describe the viscoelastic behavior of PMMA with nanoindentation test. The two-step curve fitting method is introduced to fit the P–t curve and h–t curve separately. The fitting results are better than the direct fitting of P–h curve in the literature. The relaxation moduli and creep compliances can then be used to understand the viscoelastic behavior of PMMA. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this study, a multi-component (AlCrTaTiZr)N/(AlCrTaTiZr)N0.7 bilayer structure of about 15nm thick was developed as a diffusion barrier material for Cu interconnects. The as-deposited (AlCrTaTiZr)N0.7 layer was characterized to be an amorphous structure, and the (AlCrTaTiZr)N layer was a nanocomposite structure. After annealing at a high temperature of 900°C, the Si/(AlCrTaTiZr)N/(AlCrTaTiZr)N0.7/Cu film stack structure with the bilayer diffusion barrier remained stable. Only a slight amount of Cu penetrated into the top (AlCrTaTiZr)N0.7 layer. However, neither interdiffusion of Cu and Si through the (AlCrTaTiZr)N layer occurred, nor did any silicides form, indicating the excellent diffusion resistance of the bilayer structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The polysaccharide B3-PS1 was extracted and purified from Herba Scutellariae Barbatae ( Scutellaria barbata D. Don), through bioactivity-guided fractionation. Average molecular weight of B3-PS1 was about 1,700,000 Da with a composition of Gal, Glc, Man and Ara in the ratio of 4.3:1.6:1.1:1.0, and trace of Rha, Fuc and Xyl. Preliminary data showed that 1) B3-PS1 inhibited complement activation of the classic pathway with CH50 value of 0.12 ± 0.02 mg/ml and of the alternative pathways with AP50 value of 0.36 ± 0.05 mg/ml; 2) B3-PS1 interacts with C1q, C1r, C1s, C2, C3, C4, C5 and C9 through a hemolytic assay. These results strongly suggested that B3-PS1 could be a potential candidate in treating those complement-associated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Wuweizi (Fructus Schisandrae) is classified in traditional Chinese medicine as a superior drug, and has been used for thousands of years. Modern pharmacological research has demonstrated that most of the biological actions and pharmacological effects of Wuweizi can be attributed to its lignan constituents, particularly the dibenzocyclooctadiene-type lignans, which can lower the serum glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) level, inhibit platelet aggregation, and show antioxidative, calcium antagonism, antitumor-promoting, and anti-HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) effects. The dried ripe fruits of both Schisandra chinensis and Schisandra sphenanthera have long been used as Wuweizi, although their chemical constituents and contents of the bioactive components are quite different. Since 2000, they have been accepted as two different crude drugs, Bei-Wuweizi and Nan-Wuweizi, respectively, by the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. In order to provide a useful reference for good quality control of Wuweizi, many studies on the chemical constituents, pharmacological effects, identification and quality control methods of the two drugs have been reported in the literature and are summarized herein. Particular attention was given to the different methodologies developed for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major bioactive lignans. In our opinion, thin-layer chromatography (TLC) is the most simple and convenient method for identification of these two crude drugs, and high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection (HPLC–UV) is the preferred method for quantitative analysis based on the bioactive lignans. Some newly developed methods, particularly hyphenated chromatographic-analytical techniques, are effective in determination of the lignans that occur in low content and those difficult to be fully separated with HPLC. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease. Cytokine-mediated immunity plays an important role in the pathogenesis of SLE. TNF-like ligand 1A (TL1A) belongs to the TNF superfamily of cytokines and has been found to perform significantly in autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. To date, no study has discussed the expression levels of TL1A in SLE. We found that plasma levels of TL1A were significantly higher in newly diagnosed SLE patients compared with controls. Correlation analysis showed that plasma levels of TL1A were positively associated with SLE disease activity index. These data indicated that TL1A may play a role in SLE and may reflect the disease activity for SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Two new steroidal saponins with a new aglycone moiety, aspafiliosides E (1) and F (2), were isolated from the roots of Asparagus filicinus Buch.–Ham. Their structures were fully elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic study and chemical analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A revised linear model is presented to explain the waves from the collisions of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 with Jupiter, in which the Jovian atmosphere is taken as a rotating stratified, compressible and inviscid fluid layer. It is shown that the effect of compressibility can not be ignored, although most of the impacting energy is still converted into the energy of internal waves. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: As a relatively isolated and unique freshwater population, the Yangtze finless porpoise (Neophocaena phocaenoides asiaeorientalis) is the most endangered subpopulation of this species. The objective of this study was to improve our understanding of their reproductive endocrinology by measuring (radioimmunoassay) serum concentrations of FSH, LH, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and testosterone (T2) in free-ranging animals. Blood samples were collected from 66 Yangtze finless porpoises (41 males and 25 females) captured in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Based on significant variation of serum T2 concentrations in males with body length (BL) >138cm, we inferred that they were mature; in these animals, there were significant seasonal variations in serum T2 concentrations, with the highest concentrations in March and April (502.0±319.8ng/dL, mean±S.D.) and the lowest in December (79.4±83.2ng/dL). Serum T2 concentrations positively correlated with serum concentrations of LH and weakly correlated with serum concentrations of E2, whereas there was a significant negative correlation between serum LH and FSH concentrations in males >138cm. The smallest apparently pregnant female porpoise had a BL of 130cm. Serum P4 concentrations ranged from 13.2 to 112.4ng/mL (43.9±28.3ng/mL) in pregnant females, and fluctuated under 1.0ng/mL in non-pregnant females with BL>130cm. Serum LH concentrations were significantly higher in non-pregnant females >130cm versus those females <130cm. To our knowledge, this is the first study of endocrine-related maturity and seasonal breeding characteristics of the Yangtze finless porpoise. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

By the aid of the penalty function method, the equilibrium restriction conditions were introduced to the isoparametric hybrid finite element analysis, and the concrete application course of the penalty function method in three-dimensional isoparametric hybrid finite element was discussed. The separated penalty parameters method and the optimal hybrid element model with penalty balance were also presented. The penalty balance method can effectively refrain the parasitical stress on the premise of no additional degrees of freedom. The numeric experiment shows that the presented element not only is effective in improving greatly the numeric calculation precision of distorted grids but also has the universality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: After the collision of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 (SL9) with Jupiter, some ring structures were observed propagating outwards at a constant speed (∼450 m/s) on the Jovian surface. These are thought to be linear waves caused by the collision. A linear model of the collision is presented, in which the Jovian atmosphere is considered as an irrotational, inviscid, stratified and incompressible fluid layer moving at a speed of U = b + az. We take an initial impulsive pressure p(r; 0) as the initial condition and solve the fluid dynamics equations for inertia-gravity waves. It is found that most part of the perturbation energy is used to produce internal waves when Jovian atmosphere moves at a constant speed (U = U o (∼170 m/s)). A relation between the impact depth H and the horizontal phase speed vp is deduced. Finally, the inertia-gravity waves are discussed for the case U = b + az and it is found that the perturbation energy is then not divided equally between kinetic energy and potential energy because of the effect of a shear. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, the significance, instrumentality, and the status in the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence, and, in addition, the SETI program and its development, are introduced. Especial emphasis is on the discovery of extrasolar planets, its purpose, ways and means, achievement, and future.Finding extrasolar planets is one of the most popular issues at present. It will be one of the most fruitful research fields in astronomy in the 21st century. Since the first affirmation of an extrasolar planetary system in the pulsar PSR1257+12, and the first discovery in 1995 of a planet in a main-sequence star, 51 Peg, some fifty extrasolar planets have been discovered. The discovery cannot be detached from the search for extra-terrestrial intelligence, and it also opens up new problems. During the past 10 years the research has been developing rapidly. Not only in astronomy, but also in other sciences, like spaceflight, astrochemistry, astrobiology, even in philosophy, it plays an advancing function. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Exciton is a bosonic quasiparticle consisting of a pair of electron and hole, with promising potentials for optoelectronic device applications, such as exciton transistors, photodetectors and light emitting devices. However, the charge-neutral nature of excitons renders them challenging to manipulate using electronics. Here we present the generation of trions, a form of charged excitons, together with enhanced exciton resonance in monolayer WSe2. The excitation of the trion quasiparticles is achieved by the hot carrier transport from the integrated gold plasmonic nanocavity, formed by embedding monolayer WSe2 between gold nanoparticles and a gold film. The nanocavity-induced negatively charged trions provide a promising route for the manipulation of excitons, essential for the construction of all-exciton information processing circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A facile access to 4-((trifluoromethyl)thio)-2,3-dihydrofurans from unprotected homopropargylic alcohols in high regioselectivity is reported. This method is the first example of using a free hydroxy group as a nucleophile to complete a trifluoromethylthiolation/cyclization protocol with an alkyne in moderate to excellent yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Conventional median sternotomy is widely used in cardiac surgery, while thoracoscopic cardiac surgery, which is considered to have aesthetic advantages, is being performed increasingly more often in China because patients' requests for minimally invasive procedures yielding aesthetically pleasing results have significantly increased. Few studies have been conducted to assess surgical scars after cardiac surgery. Compared to the median sternotomy approach, multiple-incision totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery requires smaller but numerous and scattered incisions. In addition to two working ports on the upper and lower margins of the right breast, an inguinal incision and an axillary incision are made. Therefore, does totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery truly have aesthetic advantages? This study has the following objectives: (a) to compare median sternotomy cardiac surgery and total thoracoscopic cardiac surgery in terms of the long-term cosmetic outcomes of post-operative scars and (b) to evaluate the effectiveness of the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale in combination with the numeric rating scale in the assessment of surgical scars after cardiac surgery.Methods: Consecutive patients who visited our institution from January 2019 to May 2019 for cardiac surgery via median sternotomy or the totally thoracoscopic approach and followed up for at least one year were included. Inter-rater reliability, internal consistency and convergent validity were evaluated for the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale and the numeric rating scale. Clinical characteristics and the scores of the two scales were compared between the two groups using Student's t test or the Mann-Whitney U test.Results: Thirty-one patients underwent cardiac surgery via the totally thoracoscopic approach, and 42 patients underwent cardiac surgery via the median sternotomy approach. No significant differences were found in the demographic or clinical data between the two groups. The validity and reliability of the two scales were satisfactory. For the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale, the median sternotomy group scored statistically significantly higher than did the totally thoracoscopic group on the "overall impression" and "patient question" subscales (P < 0.05). The overall scores of the Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale and numeric rating scale were statistically significantly different (P < 0.05).Conclusions: The Scar Cosmesis Assessment and Rating scale in combination with the numeric rating scale is an effective tool for the assessment of scar aesthetics after cardiac surgery. Surgical scars of totally thoracoscopic cardiac surgery can yield desirable cosmetic outcomes in Chinese individuals, especially in susceptible individuals with a high risk of keloid and hypertrophic scars. Patients with appropriate indications can undergo cardiac surgery with the totally thoracoscopic approach and exhibit a satisfactory scar appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the latent Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) infection status of patients with newly diagnosed Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and to discuss the relationship between tumor cell EBV status and the prognosis of HL patients. A total of 134 previously untreated HL patients were analyzed in the study. Epstein–Barr virus encoded RNAs (EBERs) in situ hybridization was performed to detect the EBV status of tumor cells. EBV positive status correlated with sex (p=0.046) and the proportion of extranodal lesions(p=0.037). There was no obvious correlation between EBV status and overall survival (OS) or failure-free survival (FFS) in all cases, but in cases over 50 years old, EBV positive group had an inferior 5-year FFS compared with EBV negative group (38.5%±13.5% vs 90.9%±8.7%, p=0.012). In FFS multivariate analysis of this age subgroup, EBV positive status was associated with significantly inferior survival (HR, 10.10; 95% CI, 1.26–81.08; p=0.030). This study demonstrates positive tumor cell EBV status is an unfavorable prognostic factor in elder HL patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Totally endoscopic technique has been widely used in cardiac surgery, and minimally invasive totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery has been developed as an alternative to median sternotomy for many patients with mitral valve disease. In this study, we describe our experience about a modified minimally invasive totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery and reported the preliminary results of totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery. The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the results of totally endoscopic technique in mitral valve surgery.Material and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the profiles of 188 patients who were treated for mitral valve disease by modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery at our institution between January 2019 and December 2020. The procedure was performed under endoscopic right minithoracotomy and with femoro-femoral cannulation using the single two-stage venous cannula.Results: A total of 188 patients underwent total endoscopic mitral valve surgery. Fifty-six patients had concomitant tricuspid valvuloplasty, 11 patients underwent concomitant ablation of atrial fibrillation and atrial septal defect repair was performed in three patients. Only one patient postoperatively died of multi-organ failure. Two patients were converted to median sternotomy. Except for one patient underwent operation to stop the bleeding from the incision site, no other serious complications nor reintervention occurred during the follow-up period.Conclusions: The modified totally endoscopic mitral valve surgery performed at our institution is technically feasible and safe with the same efficacy as reported studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical application of minimally invasive cardiac surgery has increased annually. Cardiopulmonary bypass is established by peripheral cannulation during minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The methodology of peripheral cannulation has unique characteristics, which have associated risks and complications. Few studies have been conducted on this topic. In this study, we focused on complications of peripheral cannulation in totally endoscopic cardiac surgery.Methods: Patients who underwent totally endoscopic cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass established by peripheral cannulation at our institution between January 2019 and June 2020 were reviewed. Specific cannulation strategies and related cannulation complications were noted.Results: One hundred forty-eight patients underwent totally endoscopic cardiac surgery. One hundred forty-eight cannulations were performed in the femoral artery and vein, and eleven were performed in the internal jugular vein (combined with the femoral vein). The median size of the femoral artery cannula was 22Fr, and that of the venous canula was 24Fr. One patient died of retroperitoneal haematoma due to femoral artery injury. Three patients had postoperative lower limb oedema. One patient had a postoperative diagnosis of femoral vein thrombosis.Conclusions: Different from cannulation in patients with aortic dissection and aneurysms, femoral artery cannulation is safe in totally endoscopic cardiac surgery. Venous cannulation is characterized by a large-bore venous cannula and a short period of use. There are few reports about complications of venous cannulation. The main complication in this study was mechanical injury, and the key to preventing this injury is meticulous manipulation during surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential interaction of apatinib and buspirone and underlying mechanism. Methods: UPLC‐MS/MS assay was applied to determine the concentrations of buspirone and its main metabolites (1‐PP and 6‐OH buspirone) after incubated with liver microsomes. Moreover, the connection of in vitro and in vivo was further determined. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups: group A (20 mg/kg buspirone) and group B (buspirone vs 40 mg/kg apatinib). Tail vein blood was collected and subjected to the UPLC‐MS/MS detection. Key findings: Apatinib inhibited the generations of 1‐PP and 6‐OH buspirone dose‐dependently with IC50 of 1.76 and 2.23 μm in RLMs, and 1.51 and 1.48 μm in HLMs, respectively. There was a mixed mechanism underlying such an inhibition effect. In rat, AUC(0–t), AUC(0–∞), Tmax and Cmax of buspirone and 6‐OH buspirone increased significantly while co‐administering with apatinib, but Vz/F and CLz/F decreased obviously while comparing group A with group B. Conclusions: Apatinib suppresses the CYP450 based metabolism of buspirone in a mixed mechanism and boosted the blood exposure of prototype drug and 6‐OH buspirone dramatically. Therefore, extra caution should be taken when combining apatinib with buspirone in clinic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some specific experimental methods to simultaneously determine the thermal expansion coefficients αF and biaxial elastic modulus EF/(1-vF) of thin film materials have been reported recently. In these methods, the deflections or the curvature change of the thin films, deposited on two different types of circular disks with known material properties, generally can be measured with a variety of optical techniques. The temperature-dependent deflection behaviors of thin films are then obtained by heating the samples in the range from room temperature to a slightly higher temperature level at which the physical properties and microstructures of thin film materials still remain unchanged. By using the relations between stress, deflection, and temperature, the physical properties of thin films can be finally calculated by using the slopes of two lines in the stress versus temperature plot. These relations, however, are formulated under the condition of uniform temperature rise. If the heating processes of samples are conducted in the condition that there exists a small steady-state temperature gradient along the thickness of samples due to the effect of natural heat convection on the upper surface of thin film, the formulation mentioned above shall be modified. It is found that the deflection of sample induced by the small temperature gradient along the thickness due to natural heat convection is very significant and comparable to that induced by uniform temperature rise. Consequently, if the effect of this temperature gradient is carelessly disregarded in physical modeling, a significantly different value of elastic modulus may be misleadingly obtained. Some cases are exemplified and illustrated to show the influence of temperature gradient on the evaluation of material properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents chemical equations related to the article "A Metal-Free Transformation of Alkynes to Carbonyls Directed by Remote OH Group" by D.Q. Chen and colleagues, published in the Applied Organometallic Chemistry journal in 2016.

The title compounds are obtained from unprotected homopropargylic alcohols with high regioselectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new compounds including two phenyldilactones ( 1 , 2 ), two coumarins ( 3 , 4 ) and a dimer of N-E -feruloyl tyramine ( 5 ) together with twenty-three known compounds ( 6 – 28 ) were isolated from a medicinal plant Polygonum chinense. The structures of the new compounds were established by detailed spectral analysis. The absolute configurations of 1 and 5 were elucidated by Mosher’s method, Mo 2 (OAc) 4 -induced electronic circular dichroism (ECD) data, and ECD calculation. All the compounds were found to show potent anticomplement activity with CH 50 and AP 50 values ranging from 0.18 to 1.45 mM, and 0.26 to 2.80 mM, respectively. Phenyldilactones and phenylpropionic tyramines were firstly reported as anticomplement agents. The targets of compounds 1 , 3 , 5 and 10 in complement activation cascade were identified as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have drawn significant attention for their potential applications in electronics and optoelectronics. To achieve consistent electronic properties and high device yield, uniform large monolayer crystals are crucial. In this report, we describe the growth of high-quality and uniform monolayer WSe2 film using chemical vapor deposition on polycrystalline Au substrates. This method allows for the fabrication of continuous large-area WSe2 film with large-size domains. Additionally, a novel transfer-free method is used to fabricate field-effect transistors (FETs) based on the as-grown WSe2. The exceptional metal/semiconductor interfaces achieved through this fabrication method result in monolayer WSe2 FETs with extraordinary electrical performance comparable to those with thermal deposition electrodes, with a high mobility of up to ≈62.95 cm2 V−1 s−1 at room temperature. In addition, the as-fabricated transfer-free devices can maintain their original performance after weeks without obvious device decay. The transfer-free WSe2-based photodetectors exhibit prominent photoresponse with a high photoresponsivity of ~1.7 × 104 A W−1 at Vds = 1 V and Vg = −60 V and a maximum detectivity value of ~1.2 × 1013 Jones. Our study presents a robust pathway for the growth of high-quality monolayer TMDs thin films and large-scale device fabrication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new dibenzocyclooctane lignans, schisanwilsonins H (1) and I (2), together with eight known compounds gomisin J (3), wulignan A1 (4), gomisin S (5), tigloylgomisin P (6), gomisin O (7), (-)-gomisin K1 (8), rubschisantherin (9) and wuweizisu C (10) were isolated from the 95% ethanol extract of the fruits of Schisandra wilsoniana. 7 exhibited anti-HBV activity with potency against HBsAg and HBeAg secretion by 37.1% and 32.6%, respectively, at 50 μg/ml. 10 exhibited anti-HIV activity with EC50 and therapeutic index (TI) values of 2.10 μg/ml and 11.98, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring of potential bearing faults in operation is of critical importance to safe operation of high speed trains. One of the major challenges is how to differentiate relevant signals to operational conditions of bearings from noises emitted from the surrounding environment. In this work, we report a procedure for analyzing acoustic emission signals collected from rolling bearings for diagnosis of bearing health conditions by examining their morphological pattern spectrum (MPS) through a multi-scale morphology analysis procedure. The results show that acoustic emission signals resulted from a given type of bearing faults share rather similar MPS curves. Further examinations in terms of sample entropy and Lempel-Ziv complexity of MPS curves suggest that these two parameters can be utilized to determine damage modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]