Subsequent maternal sleep deprivation aggravates cognitive impairment by modulating hippocampal neuroinflammatory responses and synaptic function in maternal isoflurane-exposed offspring mice.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women may need to undergo non-obstetric surgery under general anesthesia owing to medical needs, and pregnant women frequently experience sleep disturbances during late gestation. Preclinical studies demonstrated that maternal isoflurane exposure (MISO) or maternal sleep deprivation (MSD) contributed to cognitive impairments in offspring. Research studies in mice have revealed that SD can aggravate isoflurane-induced cognitive deficits. However, it remains unclear whether MSD aggravates MISO-induced cognitive deficits in offspring. The purpose of this research was to explore the combined effects of MSD and MISO on offspring cognitive function and the role of neuroinflammation and synaptic function in the process of MSD + MISO. METHODS: Pregnant mice were exposed to 1.4% isoflurane by inhalation for 4 h on gestational day (GD) 14. Dams were then subjected to SD for 6 h (12:00-18:00 h) during GD15-21. At 3 months of age, the offspring mice were subjected to the Morris water maze test to assess cognitive function. Then the levels of inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers and synaptic function-related proteins were assessed using molecular biology methods. RESULTS: The results of this study demonstrated that MISO led to cognitive dysfunction, an effect that was aggravated by MSD. In addition, MSD exacerbated the maternal isoflurane inhalation, leading to an enhancement in the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha and a reduction in the hippocampal levels of IL-10, synaptophysin, post-synaptic density-95, growth-associated protein-43, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. CONCLUSION: Our findings revealed that MSD aggravated the cognitive deficits induced by MISO in male offspring mice, and these results were associated with neuroinflammation and alternations in synaptic function.

Progression of Gastrointestinal Injury During Antiplatelet Therapy After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention: A Secondary Analysis of the OPT-PEACE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Gastrointestinal injury progression induced by antiplatelet therapy in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has not been well studied. Objective: To assess the association of aspirin, clopidogrel, and their combination with gastrointestinal injury progression among patients without high bleeding risk after PCI. Design, Setting, and Participants: This secondary analysis assessed data from the Optimal Antiplatelet Therapy for Prevention of Gastrointestinal Injury Evaluated by ANKON Magnetically Controlled Capsule Endoscopy (OPT-PEACE) double-masked, placebo-controlled, multicenter randomized clinical trial. The OPT-PEACE trial was conducted at 28 centers in China, and recruitment took place from July 13, 2017, to July 13, 2019. The trial included patients with stable coronary artery disease or acute coronary syndromes without ST-segment elevation after PCI. Statistical analysis was conducted from September 13, 2022, to January 23, 2023. Interventions: Patients underwent magnetically controlled capsule endoscopy (MCE) at baseline and after 6 months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin (100 mg/d) plus clopidogrel (75 mg/d). Those with no evidence of gastrointestinal ulcers or bleeding (ie, the intention-to-treat [ITT] cohort) were randomized (1:1:1) to aspirin (100 mg/d) plus matching placebo (aspirin alone), clopidogrel (75 mg/d) plus matching placebo (clopidogrel alone), or DAPT for an additional 6 months. A third MCE was performed 12 months after PCI. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the rate of gastric injury progression as assessed with the results of the 3 MCEs (at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months) in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population. The key secondary outcome was the rate of small-intestinal injury progression. Gastric or small-intestinal injury progression was defined as a quantitative increase in erosions or ulcers between the second and third MCEs (at 6 and 12 months, respectively). Results: This study included the 394 patients in the mITT cohort. Their mean (SD) age was 56.9 (8.7) years, and most were men (296 [75.1%]). A total of 132 patients were randomized to aspirin alone, 132 to clopidogrel alone, and 130 to DAPT. Gastric injury progression occurred in 49 aspirin users (37.1%), 64 clopidogrel users (48.5%), and 69 DAPT users (53.1%) (P = .02), reflecting a lower rate of gastric injury progression among aspirin users vs DAPT users (risk ratio [RR], 0.70 [95% CI, 0.49-0.99]; P = .009). No significant difference was observed between clopidogrel alone and DAPT (48.5% vs 53.1%; P = .46) or between aspirin alone and clopidogrel alone (37.1% vs 48.5%; P = .06). A total of 51 aspirin users (38.6%), 65 clopidogrel users (49.2%), and 71 DAPT users (54.6%) (P = .03) developed progressive small-intestinal injury, reflecting a lower rate of small-intestinal injury among aspirin users vs DAPT users (RR, 0.71 [95% CI, 0.50-0.99]; P = .01). No difference was observed between patients treated with clopidogrel vs DAPT (49.2% vs 54.6%; P = .38) or with aspirin vs clopidogrel (38.6% vs 49.2%; P = .08). Conclusions and Relevance: In this secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial, ongoing use of aspirin, clopidogrel, or their combination between 6 and 12 months after PCI was associated with progressive gastric and small-intestinal injury in a substantial proportion of patients, more so with DAPT than with monotherapy. Clopidogrel was at least as likely as aspirin to induce gastrointestinal injury progression. Future research is warranted to determine what impact the findings from MCEs would have on decision-making of antiplatelet therapy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03198741.

[Occurrence Characteristics of Microplastics and Metal Elements in the Surface Water of Huangpu River and Their Associations with Metal Resistance Genes].

Urban rivers have been regarded as the "hotspots" for microplastic (MPs) and metal contamination as they play important roles in pollution migration. However, as important sinks and sources of resistance genes, there has been little to no research investigating the associations between MPs, metal contaminations, and metal resistance genes (MRGs). Ten water samples were collected from the Huangpu River in situ; along with metal elements, MPs characteristics analyzed. Metal resistance genes and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in waters and MPs were detected using metagenomic technology. As a result, the highest metal concentration was that of Sb in surface water (3.16±0.419) µg·L-1. The average abundance of MPs was (1.78±0.84) n·L-1, and the peak levels located in industrial and densely populated areas, which was significantly higher than those in agricultural and low population density areas. Fibrous, small-size (<0.5 mm), and transparent polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were the largest contributors of MPs. Eighteen MRGs were detected in all the samples. The relative abundance of MRGs in water was 1.68±0.21. The most dominant MRGs subtypes were merR and ruvB, which are subtypes resistant to mercury and Multi_metals. Correlation analysis showed that chromium and nickel in waters were significantly positively associated with MRG-Cr, MRG-Ni, and Multi_metals resistance genes. For MPs particles, the relative abundance of MRGs was 1.63±0.53. The most dominant MRGs subtypes were merT-P and copB, which also belong to mercury-resistant and Multi_metals. The Multi_metals resistance gene, ctpC, cueA, czrA, kmtR, etc., had significant positive associations with Ni, Cr, and Sb in waters. Compared with water samples, MPs selectively enriched merT-P, copB, ziaA, sodA, and dmeF. Additionally, the co-occurrence patterns of MRGs and MGEs were explored based on network analysis. In water samples, the transposases (tnpA_1 and tnpA_2), integrase (qacEdelta), and insertion sequence (IS91) were the major contributors of the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of specific MRGs. Multiple subtypes resistant to copper and Multi_metals resistance genes on MPs were positively associated with IncFIC(FII), Rep7, rep7, and rep13, which were subtypes of plasmids. The presence of MPs exerted a significant impact on HGT of specific MRGs mediated by plasmids.

His-Purkinje conduction system pacing combined with atrioventricular node ablation improves quality of life in older patients with persistent atrial fibrillation refractory to multiple ablation procedures.

BACKGROUND: Recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with persistent AF even after multiple ablation procedures. His-Purkinje conduction system pacing (HPCSP) combined with atrioventricular node ablation (AVNA) is effective in managing patients with AF and heart failure. This study aimed to determine whether HPCSP combined with AVNA can improve quality of life and alleviate symptoms in older patients with symptomatic persistent AF refractory to multiple ablation procedures, as well as evaluate the feasibility and safety of this therapy. METHODS: Older patients (≥ 65 years) with symptomatic persistent AF refractory to at least two ablation procedures were treated with combined HPCSP and AVNA. The success rates and complications were recorded. Pacing parameters, European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) scores, and Atrial Fibrillation Effect on Quality-of-Life (AFEQT) scores obtained perioperatively were compared with those recorded at the 6-month follow-up examination. RESULTS: Thirty-one patients were enrolled; of those, only thirty patients were eventually treated with AVNA because one patient developed a complete atrioventricular block following the withdrawal of the His bundle pacing lead. The success rates were 100% for HPCSP (22 cases with His bundle pacing, and 9 cases with left bundle branch pacing) and 93.3% (28/30) for AVNA, respectively. By the 6-month follow-up examination, EHRA scores improved significantly (3.00 ± 0.73 vs. 2.44 ± 0.63, P = 0.014) and AFEQT scores increased markedly (49.6 ± 20.6 vs. 70.9 ± 14.0, P = 0.001). No severe complications developed. CONCLUSIONS: When used in older patients with symptomatic persistent AF refractory to multiple ablation procedures, HPCSP combined with AVNA significantly alleviated symptoms and improved quality of life during short-term follow-up. This therapy was proved to be safe and effective in this patient population.

Phytic acid is a new substitutable plant-derived antifungal agent for the seedling blight of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica caused by Fusarium oxysporum.

Phytic acid (PA) is a new substitutable plant-derived antifungal agent; however, few reports have been published regarding its antifungal effects on pathogenic fungi. The present study explored the in vitro antifungal activity of PA against four phytopathogenic fungi and found that PA was the most effective at inhibiting the growth of Fusarium oxysporum. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo and in vitro antifungal activities of PA against the seedling blight of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica caused by F. oxysporum and to determine its possible mechanism of action. The results showed that PA inhibited spore germination and mycelial growth of F. oxysporum in a concentration-dependent manner and exhibited strong inhibition when its concentration exceeded 1000 mg/L. It mainly destroyed the integrity of the cell membrane, increasing its cell membrane permeability, causing the cell contents to spill out, and impairing fungal growth. In addition, the leakage of intercellular electrolytes and soluble proteins indicated that PA used at its EC20 and EC50 increased the membrane permeability of F. oxysporum. The increase in malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide content confirmed that PA treatment at its EC20 and EC50 damaged the cell membrane of the pathogen. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that PA affected the morphology of mycelia, causing them to shrivel, distort, and break. Furthermore, PA significantly reduced the activities of the antioxidant-related enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, as well as that of the pathogenicity-related enzymes polygalacturonase, pectin lyase, and endoglucanase (EG) in F. oxysporum (P < 0.05). In particular, EG enzyme activity was maximally inhibited in F. oxysporum treated with PA at its EC50. Moreover, PA significantly inhibited the incidence of disease, and growth indices in Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seedling blight was determined. In summary, PA has a substantial inhibitory effect on F. oxysporum. Therefore, PA could serve as a new substitutable plant-derived antifungal agent for the seedling blight of P. sylvestris var. mongolica caused by F. oxysporum.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on the morphology of prostate and degranulation of mast cells in rats with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the morphology of prostate and degranulation of mast cells in prostate of rats with chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP). METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group, model group and EA group, with 8 rats in each group. CNP model was established by surgical castration combined with 17-ß estradiol injection once daily for 30 days. EA was applied to "Zhongji" (CV3), "Guanyuan" (CV4) and bilateral "Dahe" (KI12) for 20 min, once daily for 8 days. The mechanical pain threshold of scrotum skin area was tested before modeling, after modeling and after intervention. The pathological morphology of the prostate was observed by HE staining. Collagenous fiber was observed by Masson staining. The infiltration of mast cells was observed by toluidine blue staining. The contents of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in prostate were determined by ELISA. The protein expression levels of tryptase and transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) in prostate were detected by Western blot. RESULTS: A normal appearance with little inflammatory cell infiltration was observed in the prostate of the sham operation group. Gland atrophy, epithelial destruction, hyperemia and edema, diffuse inflammatory cell infiltration and visible collagen fiber deposition were observed in prostate of the model group. The degree of infiltration of inflammatory cells and collagen fiber deposition were reduced in the EA group. Compared with the sham operation group, mechanical pain threshold was decreased (P<0.01), while the collagen volu-me fraction (CVF) of prostate, the degranulated rate of mast cells, the protein expression levels of tryptase and TGF-ß1, and the contents of IL-6 and TNF-α were increased (P<0.01) in the model group. Following EA intervention, compared with the model group, the mechanical pain threshold was increased (P<0.01), CVF of the prostate, the degranulated rate of mast cells, the protein expression levels of tryptase and TGF-ß1, and the contents of IL-6 and TNF-α were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the EA group. CONCLUSION: EA can relieve pain and reduce inflammation and fibrosis of prostate in CNP rats, which may be related to inhibiting the degranulation of prostate mast cells and down-regulating the expression of inflammatory factors and TGF-ß1.

Sesquiterpenoids from the leaves of Chimonanthus nitens.

Two new sesquiterpenoids (1 and 3), one new natural product (2), and two known compounds (4 and 5) were isolated from the leaves of Chimonanthus nitens. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, and the absolute configuration of compound 3 was determined by the X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis. The cytotoxicity of compounds 1-5 was evaluated at three concentrations on two human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231) by MTT assay. As a result, we found that the cytotoxicity was weak even with a concentration of these compounds up to 100 µM.

Incontinentia pigmenti with intracranial arachnoid cyst: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Incontinentia pigmenti (IP) is a rare X-linked dominant genetic disorder that can be fatal in male infants. It is a disease that affects many systems of the human body. In addition to characteristic skin changes, patients may also have pathological features of the eyes, teeth, and central nervous system. Therefore, the lesions in these systems may be the first symptoms for which patients seek treatment. To date, no cases of IP complicated by intracranial arachnoid cyst (IAC) have been reported. This paper aims to report a case of IP with IAC in order to share the diagnosis and treatment experience of this rare case with other clinicians. CASE SUMMARY: An 11-year-old female patient suffered intermittent limb convulsions for five months and was sent to hospital. In the initial stage, the patient was considered to have primary epilepsy. Further investigation of the patient's medical history, physical examination and imaging examination led to the diagnosis of IP combined with intracranial space-occupying lesions, and secondary epilepsy. The patient was treated with craniotomy, and postoperative pathology revealed an IAC. The patient recovered well after craniotomy and had no obvious surgery-related complications. During the follow-up period, the patient did not have recurrent epilepsy symptoms. CONCLUSION: IP is a multi-system disease that presents with typical skin lesions at birth, but the long-term prognosis of this disease depends on the involvement of systems other than the skin, especially nervous system and ocular lesions.

New common bile duct morphological subtypes: Risk predictors of common bile duct stone recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the primary treatment for removing common bile duct (CBD) stones. The risk factors for CBD stone recurrence after ERCP have been discussed for many years. However, the influence of CBD morphology has never been noticed. AIM: To evaluate CBD morphology and other predictors affecting CBD stone recurrence in average patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 502 CBD stone patients who underwent successful therapeutic ERCP for stone extraction at our centre from February 2020 to January 2021 was conducted. CBD morphology and other predictors affecting CBD stone recurrence were examined by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: CBD morphology (P < 0.01), CBD diameter ≥ 1.5 cm [odds ratio (OR) = 2.20, 95%CI: 1.08-4.46, P = 0.03], and endoscopic biliary sphincterotomy with balloon dilation (ESBD) (OR = 0.35, 95%CI: 0.17-0.75, P < 0.01) are three independent risk factors for CBD stone recurrence. Furthermore, the recurrence rate of patients with the S type was 6.61-fold that of patients with the straight type (OR = 6.61, 95%CI: 2.61-16.77, P < 0.01). The recurrence rate of patients with the polyline type was 2.45-fold that of patients with the straight type (OR = 2.45, 95%CI: 1.14-5.26, P = 0.02). The recurrence rate of S type patients was 2.70-fold that of patients with the polyline type (OR = 2.70, 95%CI: 1.08-6.73, P = 0.03). Compared with no-ESBD, ESBD could decrease the risk of recurrence. CONCLUSION: CBD diameter ≥ 1.5 cm and CBD morphology, especially S type and polyline type, were associated with increased recurrence of CBD stones. In addition, ESBD was related to decreased recurrence. Patients with these risk factors should undergo periodic surveillance and standard prophylactic therapy.

Transcriptome analysis in the spleen of Northern Snakehead (Channa argus) challenged with Nocardia seriolae.

Northern snakehead (Channa argus) is an indigenous fish species and is one of popularly cultured snakeheads in China and other Asian countries. Unfortunately, Nocardia seriolae infections have caused considerable losses in the snakehead aquaculture industry. However, the infectivity and the immune response induced by N. seriolae in snakehead are unclear. In order to better understand the immune response of Northern snakehead in a series of time points after N. seriolae challenge, we conducted the transcriptomic comparison in snakehead spleen at 48, 96, and 144 h after the challenge of N. seriola against their control counterparts. Gene annotation and pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were carried out to understand the functions of the DEGs. Additionally, protein-protein interaction networks were conducted to obtain the interaction relationships of immune-related DEGs. These results revealed the expression changes of multiple DEGs and signaling pathways involved in immunity during N. seriolae infection, which will facilitate our comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms involved in the immune response to bacterial infection in the northern snakehead.

Reparative effects of chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia pre­treatment on intervertebral disc degeneration in rats.

Previous studies have indicated that chronic intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (CIHH) preconditioning can inhibit TNF­α and other related inflammatory cytokines and exerts protective effect on intervertebral disc degeneration disease (IDD) in rats; however, the mechanism is still unclear. The present study aimed to explore the repair mechanisms of CIHH on IDD in rats. In the experiment, 48 adult Sprague­Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into an experimental group (CIHH­IDD), a degenerative group (IDD) and a control group (CON). The CIHH­IDD group of rats (n=16) were treated with CIHH (simulated 3000 m altitude, 5 h per day, 28 days; PO2=108.8 mmHg) before disc degeneration surgery. The IDD group of rats (n=16) underwent tail­vertebral intervertebral disc surgery to establish a model of intervertebral disc degeneration. The CON group of rats (n=16) did not receive any treatments. After surgery, the disc height index was calculated using X­ray analysis of rat tail vertebrae, the degeneration process was observed and repair was evaluated by chemically staining degenerative intervertebral disc tissue slices. The expression levels of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), TGFß1, Collagen I and Collagen II were measured in the intervertebral disc tissue using western blotting; while the expression levels of bFGF, TGFß1 and hypoxia­inducible factor 1­α (HIF­1α) were measured in rat serum using ELISA. The results demonstrated that: i) The degree of intervertebral disc height degeneration in CIHH­IDD rats was significantly lower compared with that in IDD rats (P<0.05); ii) the expression levels of bFGF, TGFß1 and HIF­1α were higher in CIHH­IDD rat serum compared with those in IDD rat serum (P<0.05); iii) optical microscopy revealed that the degree of disc degeneration was relatively mild in CIHH­IDD rats; and iv) the protein expression levels of bFGF, TGFß1 and collagen II were increased in CIHH­IDD rat intervertebral disc tissues compared with those of IDD rats, while the overexpression of collagen I protein was inhibited. Overall, after CIHH pre­treatment, the expression levels of bFGF and TGFß1 were up­regulated, which play notable roles in repairing degenerative intervertebral discs in rats.

First Report of Black Spot Needle Blight of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv. Caused by Heterotruncatella spartii in China.

Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica Litv. (Pinales: Pinaceae) is an excellent tree for soil and water conservation in Northeast China. The Honghua'erji area in Inner Mongolia is the "hometown of P. sylvestris var. mongolica", however, in recent years, coniferous diseases of P. sylvestris var. mongolica have frequently occurred here. During the investigation, it was found that some black spot needle blight had been observed in addition to the common blight caused by Sphaeropsis sapinea. From May to September 2020, black spot needle blight was found on hundreds of P. sylvestris var. mongolica trees in four forest farms, and the infection rate among the forests was 24.58 % (n=240). This disease first appeared on the upper part of the needles, and the needles then became withered and gradually showed light black spots, although they remained green. As the disease progressed, the needles eventually died and turned gray with many dark black spots. Fungal isolate named YJ-1 was obtained from infected needles of symptomatic pine trees, and a voucher specimen was deposited in Heilongjiang Province Key Laboratory of Forest Protection. Microscopic observation showed the conidia were 3-septate (4 cells) clavate spindles that measured 23.9 µm (20.8-25.9) × 5.9 µm (4.5-8.2) (n=50). The middle two cells were dark brown, and the septa were darker than the cells. Both apical and basal cells were hyaline. The apical cell had 2-4 appendages (mostly 3), and the basal cell had a truncate base (n=50). The cultural characteristics on potato dextrose agar medium were flat off-white and dense in 3-5 d. At approximately 5-7 d, the reverse side of the colony turned pale to slightly luteous. Superficial black acervuli were distributed in the center of the mature colonies after 10 d. Morphological, cultural and microscopic characteristics observed were similar of Heterotruncatella spartii (basionym: Truncatella spartii) reported by Hlaiem et al (2019). To further identify, total DNA was extracted and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS-rDNA) was amplified by PCR using the primers ITS1/ITS4 and sequenced for BLASTn analysis and phylogenetic tree construction. The resulting 564 bp sequence (GenBank Accession No. OL662864) had 99.24% (521/525) to H. spartii MFLUCC 15-0537, with bootstrap support of at least 94% using the Neighbor-Joining algorithm by MEGA-X (Felsenstein, 1985). The fungus was identified as H. spartii based on morphology and molecular methods. A pathogenicity test was conducted by preparing a conidial suspension of 2.0 × 107 conidia/mL. The suspension was sprayed onto the needles of 20 pots of annual P. sylvestris ar. mongolica seedlings, and the control was sprayed with sterile water. Then the seedlings were placed in a constant temperature room at 25 °C. After 30 d, typical symptoms appeared on 11 inoculated needles, while the control needles remained symptomless. After 50 d, the re-isolation infection rate reached 66.7 %. The fungus present on the inoculated seedlings was morphologically identical to that originally observed on diseased pines, fulfilling Koch's postulates. The fungus was isolated from Spartium junceum for the first time and designated Truncatella spartii (Senanayake et al, 2015). It was then renamed H. spartii (Liu et al, 2019) and has been reported to infect P. pinea in Tunisia (Hlaiem et al, 2019). To our knowledge, this is the first report of H. spartii causing black spot needle blight on P. sylvestris var. mongolica in China and worldwide.

Three new cassane-type diterpenoids from Caesalpinia sinensis.

Three new cassane-type diterpenoids, namely, (4S)-6ß,12α,19-trihydroxy-cass-13(15)-en-16,12-olide (1), cass-13(15)-en-​16,12-olide (2), and 12α-hydroxy-cass-13(15)-en-16,12-olide (3), were isolated from the seeds of Caesalpinia sinensis. The structures of 1-3 were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, and their absolute configurations were assigned by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. The inhibitory activities against PTP1B of the isolated compounds were evaluated. The results showed that compound 2 possessed PTP1B inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 217.45 ± 36.4 µM.

Antifungal Activity of 6-Methylcoumarin against Valsa mali and Its Possible Mechanism of Action.

Valsa canker of apple (VCA) caused by Valsa mali severely affected apple production in east Asia. With the increase in drug resistance, there is an urgent need for efficient and environmentally friendly antifungal agents. Coumarins have attracted much attention due to their excellent antimicrobial activity against plant pathogens. In this study, the antifungal activity of several coumarins against phytopathogenic fungi was evaluated, and then the antifungal activity of the screened 6-MCM against V. mali and its underlying mechanism was further investigated. The results of the in vitro antifungal activity assay showed that some coumarins had significant inhibitory effects on V. mali. Notably, 400 mg/L of 6-MCM had the best antifungal activity of 94.6%. Further experiments showed that 6-MCM slowed down the growth of V. mali mycelia and the germination of spores in a concentration-dependent manner, with EC50 of 185.49 and 54.62 mg/L, respectively. In addition, 6-MCM treatment increased mycelial conductivity, extracellular protein leakage, and MDA content, resulting in damage to the cell membrane. Moreover, 6-MCM significantly reduced the cell wall degrading enzymes secreted by V. mali, including EG, PG and PL, thereby limiting its pathogenic capacity. SEM and TEM results showed that 6-MCM treatment had a significant effect on the morphology and ultrastructure of mycelial cells. Inoculation of isolated apple branches found that the application of 6-MCM effectively inhibited the development of VCA and significantly reduced the incidence. All these results suggest that 6-MCM has the potential as a green substitute for VCA control.

Common bile duct morphology is associated with recurrence of common bile duct stones in Billroth II anatomy patients.

BACKGROUND: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is the primary choice for removing common bile duct (CBD) stones in Billroth II anatomy patients. The recurrence of CBD stones is still a challenging problem. AIM: To evaluate CBD morphology and other predictors affecting CBD stone recurrence. METHODS: A retrospective case-control analysis was performed on 138 CBD stones patients with a history of Billroth II gastrectomy, who underwent therapeutic ERCP for stone extraction at our center from January 2011 to October 2020. CBD morphology and other predictors affecting CBD stone recurrence were examined by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: CBD morphology (P < 0.01) and CBD diameter ≥ 1.5 cm (odds ratio [OR] = 6.15, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.87-20.24, P < 0.01) were the two independent risk factors. In multivariate analysis, the recurrence rate of patients with S type was 16.79 times that of patients with straight type (OR = 16.79, 95%CI: 4.26-66.09, P < 0.01), the recurrence rate of patients with polyline type was 4.97 times that of patients with straight type (OR = 4.97, 95%CI: 1.42-17.38, P = 0.01), and the recurrence rate of S type patients was 3.38 times that of patients with polyline type (OR = 3.38, 95%CI: 1.07-10.72, P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: CBD morphology, especially S type and polyline type, is associated with increased recurrence of CBD stones in Billroth II anatomy patients.

Taxonomic notes on Cyperaceae of Nepal: new records of a genus, six species and other noteworthy species.

This paper reports on the presence of one generic and six specific new records of Cyperaceous species for the flora of Nepal. Amongst the new discoveries are the genus Machaerina, alongside species: Eleocharisochrostachys, Fimbristylisacuminata, F.ferruginea, F.nutans, F.thomsonii and Scleriarugosa. The taxonomy and distribution of Actinoscirpusgrossus, Fimbristylissalbundia and Fuirenaumbellata in Nepal are clarified through notes on nomenclature, description, distribution, specimen examination, identification keys and photographs.

3, 4-seco-Isopimarane and 3, 4-seco-pimarane diterpenoids from Callicarpa nudiflora.

A phytochemical investigation was carried out on the extract of a medicinal plant Callicarpa nudiflora, resulting in the characterization of five new 3, 4-seco-isopimarane (1-5) and one new 3, 4-seco-pimarane diterpenoid (6), together with four known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were fully elucidated by extensive analysis of MS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, and time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculation of electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectra, and DFT calculations for NMR chemical shifts and optical rotations.

Six new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids from the leaves of Chimonanthus nitens Oliv.

Six new cadinane-type sesquiterpenoids, named Chimnitensin A-F (1-6) were isolated from the leaves of Chimonanthus nitens Oliv. Their structures were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analyses and comparison with structurally related known analogues. In vitro MTT assay showed that all six compounds had cytotoxicity against two selected human breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231), which indicate their potential of developing into anticancer drugs.

Inhibitory effects and mechanisms of vanillin on gray mold and black rot of cherry tomatoes.

Vanillin is a natural antimicrobial agent; however, there are few reports on its antifungal effect on postharvest pathogenic fungi. This study aimed to investigate the in vivo and in vitro antifungal activities of vanillin against gray mold (caused by B. cinerea) and black rot (caused by A. alternata) of cherry tomato fruit and to explain its possible mechanism of action. Vanillin strongly inhibits Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata mycelial growth, spore germination, and germ tube elongation in a concentration-dependent manner (P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that 4000 mg L-1 vanillin treatment inhibited cherry tomato gray mold and black rot occurrence. Besides, intercellular electrolytes, soluble proteins, and soluble sugars leakage indicated that 50 or 100 mg L-1 vanillin treatment increased Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria alternata membrane permeability. The increase of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide contents confirmed that 50 or 100 mg L-1 vanillin treatment damages the pathogen membranes. Importantly, vanillin treatment inhibited the pathogenicity-related enzyme activities of the two pathogens to reduce their infection ability, among them PL enzyme activity in A. alternata was most inhibited, reducing by 94.7 % at 6 h treated with 100 mg L-1 vanillin. The hyphae morphology of the two pathogens changed, the mycelia were severely damaged, and the hyphae surface was deformed, shrunk, or even broken after 100 mg L-1 vanillin treatment. In summary, vanillin had a substantial inhibitory effect on postharvest gray mold and black rot in cherry tomato fruit. Therefore, vanillin can be an effective alternative to prevent and control cherry tomato postharvest diseases.

Perceptions associated with the public attitudes toward epilepsy (PATE) scale: A mixed-method study.

BACKGROUND: In epilepsy stigma, certain perceptions are culturally dependent and greatly influence a person's attitudes. Hence, we aimed to explore the perceptions associated with attitudes toward epilepsy in various urban subpopulations. METHOD: This is a mixed-method study employing the Public Attitude Toward Epilepsy (PATE) scale as the quantitative measure, followed by a semi-structured interview. The qualitative data were then counted and analyzed concurrently with the quantitative data. RESULT: A total of 410 respondents (104 people with epilepsy [PWE]; 104 family members [FM]; 100 medical students [MS]; 102 public [Pb]) aged 37 years (IQR 23-55) were recruited. They were mostly female (57.3%), Chinese (52.0%), and highly educated (63.7%). The attitudes toward epilepsy among medical students are the best, followed by the PWE and their family members, and the worst among the public. The qualitative results revealed 4 main themes, which were "general social values", "epilepsy severity and control", "PWE's abilities", and "harms and burdens to the respondents and others". A two-dimensional perception model was constructed based on these themes, which consisted of general-personal and universal-specific dimensions. Generally, the PWE/FM subgroup focused more on PWE's abilities, whereas the MS/Pb subgroup more on general social values, and harms and burden. In the education aspect, most attitudes were related to the epilepsy severity and PWE's abilities, whereas in employment, the main consideration was the PWE's abilities. Burden to life and concern about inheritance were major considerations in the marital relationship. Those with positive attitudes tend to highlight the importance of general social values, while negative attitudes associated more with epilepsy severity. In general domain, general social values were the main considering factor but in personal domain, most participants will consider epilepsy severity and control, harms and burden to themselves. CONCLUSION: The perceptions underlying attitudes toward epilepsy were complex and varied between subpopulations, attitude levels, domains, and aspects of life. (304 words).