[The effects of different herbal compound and extracts from different extraction methods on hypoxia tolerance in mice].

Objective: To investigate the effects of different prescription compositions of traditional Chinese medicine and its different extraction methods of compound formula extracts on hypoxia tolerance in mice, in order to preferably select their prescription compositions and preparation extraction methods. Methods: Male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank control group, compound danshen group, compound Rhodiola Rosea alcohol-water extract group (Rhodiola rosea, Astragali Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus), compound Rhodiola Rosea water extract group, compound Astragalus alcohol-water extract group (Astragali Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus) and compound Astragalus water extract group, 30 mice in each group. Each group was administered continuously by gavage for 10 d. The blank group was gavaged with sterilized injection water. The mice in the other groups were treated with 0.15 g/kg of compound danshen, 3 g/kg of compound Rhodiola Rosea alcohol-water extract or water extract, and 1.7 g/kg of compound Astragalus alcohol-water extract or water extract, respectively. Each group was subjected to normobaric hypoxia tolerance test, sodium nitrite toxicity survival test and acute cerebral ischemia-hypoxia test 1 h after the last gavage, and the mice brain tissues were used to determine the activity of antioxidant enzymes and metabolites related to oxidative stress. Results: Compared with the blank control group, in normobaric hypoxia tolerance test, the survival time of mice in the compound danshen group and the compound Astragalus alcohol-water extract group and water extraction group was prolonged significantly (P＜0.01), and the number of open-mouth gasping after cerebral ischemia and hypoxia was increased significantly (P＜0.05). There was no statistical difference in survival time after sodium nitrite injection in each group. Compared with the blank control group, the activities of T-AOC, SOD, GSH and CAT were increased significantly (P＜0.05, P＜0.01) and the content of MDA was decreased significantly (P＜0.01) in the compound Astragalus water extract group. Compared with the compound danshen group, the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH were increased significantly (P＜0.01, P＜0.05) and the content of MDA was decreased significantly (P＜0.05). Conclusion: Compound Astragalus water extraction has the best effect of hypoxia tolerance, compound Rhodiola Rosea can eliminate Rhodiola rosea and consists of Astragali Radix, Polygonati Rhizoma, Lycii Fructus and its extraction method is water extraction.

Hepatic artery reconstruction in pediatric liver transplantation: Experience from a single group.

BACKGROUND: The reconstruction of hepatic artery is a challenging part of the pediatric liver transplantation procedure. Hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) and stenosis are complications which may result in ischemic biliary injury, causing early graft lost and even death. METHODS: Two hundred and fifty-nine patients underwent liver transplantation in 2017 in a single liver transplantation group. Among them, 225 patients were living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and 34 deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). RESULTS: In LDLT all reconstructions of hepatic artery were microsurgical, while in DDLT either microsurgical reconstruction or traditional continuous suture technique was done depending on different conditions. There were five (1.9%) HATs: four (4/34, 11.8%) in DDLT (all whole liver grafts) and one (1/225, 0.4%) in LDLT (P = 0.001). Four HATs were managed conservatively using anticoagulation, and 1 accepted salvage surgery with re-anastomosis. Until now, 3 HAT patients remain in good condition, whereas two developed biliary complications. One of them needed to be re-transplanted, and the other patient died due to biliary complications. CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical technique significantly improves the reconstruction of hepatic artery in pediatric liver transplantation. The risk for arterial complications is higher in DDLT. Conservative therapy can achieve good outcome in selected HAT cases.

Mindfulness-based stress reduction for chronic insomnia in adults older than 75 years: a randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for chronic insomnia and combined depressive or anxiety symptoms of older adults aged 75 years and over. DESIGN: A randomized, controlled, single-blind clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants included 60 adults aged 75 years and over with chronic insomnia. Participants were randomly assigned to the eight-week MBSR group or the wait-list control group. Assessments using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Self-rating Anxiety Sale (SAS), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were taken at baseline and post-treatment. For each outcome measure, a repeated measures analysis of variance was used to detect changes across assessments. RESULTS: There was a significant time × group interaction for the PSQI global score (P = .006); the MBSR group had a decrease in the PSQI global score (Cohen׳s d = 1.12), while the control group did not (Cohen׳s d = -0.06). Among the PSQI components, there was a significant time × group interaction for daytime dysfunction (P = .048); Cohen׳s d of the MBSR group was 0.76, while Cohen׳s d of control group was -0.04. There was no significant time × group interaction for the SAS score (P = .116), while for the GDS there was a significant time × group interaction (P = .039); the Cohen׳s d value for the MBSR group was 1.20, and it was 0.12 for the control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that the MBSR program could be a beneficial treatment for chronic insomnia in adults aged 75 years and older.

Role of ROS/RhoA/PI3K/PKB signaling in NS1619-mediated blood-tumor barrier permeability increase.

The calcium-activated potassium channel (K (Ca) channel) activator, NS1619, has been shown to selectively and time-dependently increase the permeability of the blood-tumor barrier (BTB) by downregulating the expression of tight junction (TJ) protein. However, the role of signaling cascades in this process has not been precisely elucidated. This study was performed to determine the role of signaling cascades involving reactive oxygen species (ROS)/RhoA/PI3K/PKB in increasing the permeability of the BTB induced by NS1619. Using an in vitro BTB model and selective inhibitors of signaling pathways, we investigated whether ROS/RhoA/PI3K/PKB pathway plays a key role in the process of the increase in BTB permeability induced by NS1619. The results revealed that the BTB permeability was increased and the expression of TJ proteins were significantly decreased by NS1619, and selective inhibitors of identified signaling pathways reversed the observed alterations. Moreover, the significant increases in ROS, RhoA activity, and PKB phosphorylation after NS1619 administration were observed, which were partly inhibited by N-2-mercaptopropionyl glycine or C3 exoenzyme or LY294002 pretreatment. The present study demonstrates that the activation of signaling cascades involving ROS/RhoA/PI3K/PKB in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells was required for the increase in BTB permeability induced by NS1619.

Theoretical study on the mechanism of the CH2F + NO2 reaction.

Despite the importance of the Fluoromethyl radicals in combustion chemistry, very little experimental information on their reactions toward stable molecules is available in the literature. Motivated by recent laboratory characterization about the reaction kinetics of Chloromethyl radicals with NO2, we carried out a detailed potential energy survey on the CH2F + NO2 reaction at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and MC-QCISD (single-point) levels as an attempt toward understanding the CH2F + NO2 reaction mechanism. It is shown that the CH2F radical can react with NO2 to barrierlessly generate adduct a (H2FCNO2), followed by isomerization to b1 (H2FCONO-trans) which can easily interconvert to b2 (H2FCONO-cis). Subsequently, Starting from b (b1, b2), the most feasible pathway is the C--F and N--O1 bonds cleavage along with N--F bond formation of b (b1, b2) leading to P1 (CH2O + FNO), or the direct N--O1 weak-bond fission of b (b1, b2) to give P2 (CH2FO + NO), or the 1,3-H-shift associated with N--O1 bond rupture of b1 to form P3 (CHFO + HNO), all of which may have comparable contribution to the reaction CH2F + NO2. Much less competitively, b2 either take the 1,4-H-shift and O1--N bond cleavage to form product P4 (CHFO + HON) or undergo a concerted H-shift to isomer c2 (HFCONOH), followed by dissociation to P4. Because the rate-determining transition state (TSab1) in the most competitive channels is only 0.3 kcal/mol higher than the reactants in energy, the CH2F + NO2 reaction is expected to be rapid, and may thus be expected to significantly contribute to elimination of nitrogen dioxide pollutants. The similarities and discrepancies among the CH2X + NO2 (X = H, F, and Cl) reactions are discussed in terms of the electronegativity of halogen atom. The present article may assist in future experimental identification of the product distributions for the title reaction, and may be helpful for understanding the halogenated methyl chemistry.

Theoretical mechanistic study on the radical-molecule reaction of CHCl2/CCl3 with NO2.

The radical-molecule reaction mechanism of CHCl(2) and CCl(3) with NO(2) have been explored theoretically at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and MC-QCISD (single-point) levels. For the singlet potential energy surface (PES) of CHCl(2) + NO(2) reaction, the association of CHCl(2) with NO(2) was found to be a barrierless carbon-to-nitrogen approach forming an energy-rich adduct a (HCl(2)CNO(2)) followed by isomerization to b(1) (trans-cis-HCl(2)CONO), which can easily interconvert to b(2), b(3), and b(4). Subsequently, the most feasible pathway is the 1,3-chlorine migration associated with N-O1 bond cleavage of b(1) leading to P(1) (CHClO + ClNO). The second competitive pathway is the 1,4-chlorine migration along with N-O1 bond rupture of b(4) giving rise to P(2) (CHClO + ClON). Moreover, some of P(1) and P(2) can further dissociate to give P(6) (CHClO + Cl + NO). The lesser followed competitive channel is the 1,3-H-shift from C to N atom along with N-O1 bond rupture of b(1) to form P(3) (CCl(2)O + HNO). The concerted 1,4-H-shift accompanied by N-O1 bond fission of b(3) to product P(4) (CCl(2)O + HON) is even much less feasible. For the singlet PES of CCl(3) + NO(2) reaction, the only primary product is found to be P(1) (CCl(2)O + ClNO), which can lead to P(2) (CCl(2)O + Cl + NO) via dissociation of ClNO. The obtained major products CHClO and CCl(2)O for CHCl(2) + NO(2) and CCl(3) + NO(2) reactions, respectively, are in good agreement with kinetic detection in experiment. Compared with the singlet pathways, the triplet pathways may have less contributions to both reactions. Because the rate-determining transition state involved in the feasible pathways lie above the reactants R, the title reactions may be important in high-temperature processes. The similarities and discrepancies among the CH(n)Cl(3-n) + NO(2) (n == 0-2) reactions are discussed in terms of the substitution effect. The present study may be helpful for further experimental investigation of the title reactions.

Theoretical mechanistic study on the radical-molecule reaction of CH2OH with NO2.

The complex singlet potential energy surface for the reaction of CH2OH with NO2, including 14 minimum isomers and 28 transition states, is explored theoretically at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and Gaussian-3 (single-point) levels. The initial association between CH2OH and NO2 is found to be the carbon-to-nitrogen approach forming an adduct HOCH2NO2 (1) with no barrier, followed by C-N bond rupture along with a concerted H-shift leading to product P1 (CH2O + trans-HONO), which is the most abundant. Much less competitively, 1 can undergo the C-O bond formation along with C-N bond rupture to isomer HOCH2ONO (2), which will take subsequent cis-trans conversion and dissociation to P2 (HOCHO + HNO), P3 (CH2O + HNO2), and P4 (CH2O + cis-HONO) with comparable yields. The obtained species CH2O in primary product P1 is in good agreement with kinetic detection in experiment. Because the intermediate and transition state involved in the most favorable pathway all lie blow the reactants, the CH2OH + NO2 reaction is expected to be rapid, as is confirmed by experiment. These calculations indicate that the title reaction proceeds mostly through singlet pathways; less go through triplet pathways. In addition, a mechanistic comparison is made with the reactions CH3 + NO2 and CH3O + NO2. The present results can lead us to deeply understand the mechanism of the title reaction and may be helpful for understanding NO2-combustion chemistry.

Theoretical mechanistic study on the radical-radical reaction of ketenyl with nitrogen dioxide.

The radical-radical reaction between the ketenyl radical (HCCO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO(2)) played a very important role in atmospheric and combustion chemistry. Motivated by recent laboratory characterization about the reaction kinetics of ketenyl radical with nitrogen dioxide, in this contribution, we applied the coupled cluster and density functional theory to explore the mechanism of the title reaction. These calculations indicate that the title reaction proceeds mostly through singlet pathways, less go through triplet pathways. It is found that the HCCO + NO(2) reaction initially favors formation of adduct OCCHNO(2) (1) with no barrier. Subsequently, starting from isomer 1, the most feasible pathway is ring closure of 1 to isomer O-cCCHN(O)O (2) followed by CO(2) extrusion to product HCNO + CO(2) (P(1)), which is the major product with predominant yields. Much less competitively, 1 can take the successive 1,3-H- and 1,3-OH-shift interconversion to isomer OCCNOHO (3(a), 3(b), 3(c)) and then to isomer OCOHCNO (4(a), 4(b)), which can finally take a concerted H-shift and C-C bond fission to give HCNO + CO(2) (P(1)). The least competitive pathway is the ring-closure of isomer 3(a) to form isomer O-cCCN(OH)O (5(a), 5(b)) followed by dissociation to HONC + CO(2) (P(2)) through the direct side CO(2) elimination. Because the intermediates and transition states involved in the most favorable channel all lie below the reactants, the title reaction is expected to be rapid, as is confirmed by experiment. Therefore, it can be significant for elimination of nitrogen dioxide pollutants. The present results can lead us to a deep understanding of the mechanism of the title reaction and can be helpful for understanding NO(x)-combustion chemistry.

Theoretical study on the reaction mechanism of the methyl radical with nitrogen oxides.

The radical-molecule reaction mechanism of CH3 with NOx (x = 1, 2) has been explored theoretically at the B3LYP/6-311Gd,p and MC-QCISD (single-point) levels of theory. For the singlet potential energy surface (PES) of the CH3 + NO2 reaction, it is found that the carbon to middle nitrogen attack between CH3 and NO2 can form energy-rich adduct a (H3CNO2) with no barrier followed by isomerization to b1 (CH3ONO-trans), which can easily convert to b2 (CH3ONO-cis). Subsequently, starting from b (b1, b2), the most feasible pathway is the direct N-O bond cleavage of b (b1, b2) leading to P1 (CH3O + NO) or the 1,3-H-shift and N-O bond rupture of b1 to form P2 (CH2O + HNO), both of which may have comparable contribution to the reaction CH3 + NO2. Much less competitively, b2 can take a concerted H-shift and N-O bond cleavage to form product P3 (CH2O + HON). Because the intermediates and transition states involved in the above three channels are all lower than the reactants in energy, the CH3 + NO2 reaction is expected to be rapid, as is consistent with the experimental measurement in quality. For the singlet PES of the CH3 + NO reaction, the major product is found to be P1 (HCN + H2O), whereas the minor products are P2 (HNCO + H2) and P3 (HNC +H2O). The CH3 + NO reaction is predicted to be only of significance at high temperatures because the transition states involved in the most feasible pathways lie almost above the reactants. Compared with the singlet pathways, the triplet pathways may have less contributions to both reactions. The present study may be helpful for further experimental investigation of the title reactions.

Theoretical study on reaction mechanism of the cyanogen radical with nitrogen dioxide.

The complex singlet potential energy surface for the reaction of CN with NO2, including 9 minimum isomers and 10 transition states, is explored computationally using a coupled cluster method and a density functional method. The most favorable association of CN with NO2 was found to be a barrierless carbon-to-nitrogen approach process forming an energy-rich adduct a (NCNO2) followed by C-N bond rupture along with C-O bond formation to give b1 (trans-NCONO), which can easily convert to b2 (cis-NCONO). Our results show that the product P1 (NCO + NO) is the major product, while the product P2 (CNO + NO) is a minor product. The other products may be of significance only at high temperatures. Product P1 (NCO + NO) can be obtained through path 1 P1: R --> a --> b1 (b2) --> P1 (NCO + NO), whereas the product P2 (CNO + NO) can be formed through path P2: R --> a --> b1 --> b2 --> c1 (c2) --> P2 (CNO + NO). Because the intermediates and transition states involved in the above two channels are all lower than the reactants in energy, the CN + NO2 reaction is expected to be rapid, as is confirmed by experiment. Therefore, it may be suggested as an efficient NO2-reduction strategy. These calculations indicate that the title reaction proceeds mostly through singlet pathways and less go through triplet pathways. The present results can lead us to understand deeply the mechanism of the title reaction and can be helpful for understanding NO2-combustion chemistry.

Theoretical study on reaction mechanism of the ketenylidene radical with nitrogen dioxide.

The complex doublet potential-energy surface for the reaction of CCO with NO2, including 8 minimum isomers and 17 transition states, is explored theoretically using the coupled cluster and density functional theory. The association of CCO with NO2 was found to be a barrierless process forming an energy-rich adduct a (OCCNO2) followed by oxygen shift to give b (O2CCNO). Our results show that the product P1 (CO2 + CNO) is the major product with absolute yield, while the product P4 (2CO + NO) is the minor product with less abundance. The other products may be undetectable. The product P1 (CO2 + CNO) can be obtained through R --> a --> b --> P1 (CO2 + CNO), whereas the product P4 (2CO + NO) can be obtained through two channels R --> a--> b --> c --> (d, g) --> P2 (OCNO + CO) --> P4 (2CO + NO) and R --> a --> b --> f --> P3 (c-OCC-O + NO) --> P4 (2CO + NO). Because the intermediates and transition states involved in the above three channels are all lower than the reactants in energy, the CCO + NO2 reaction is expected to be rapid, which is consistent with the experimental measurement in quality. The present study may be helpful for further experimental investigation of the title reaction.

Theoretical study on reaction mechanism of the fluoromethylene radical with nitrogen dioxide.

The complex doublet potential energy surface for the reaction of 1CHF with NO2, including 14 minimum isomers and 30 transition states, is explored theoretically at the B3LYP/6-311G(d,p) and CCSD(T)/6-311G(d,p) (single-point) levels of theory. The initial association between 1CHF and NO2 is found to be the carbon-to-middle-nitrogen attack forming an energy-rich adduct a (HFCNO2) with no barrier, followed by concerted O-shift and C--N bond rupture leading to product P2 (NO + HFCO), which is the most abundant. In addition, a can take a 1,3-H-shift to isomer b (FCN(O)OH) followed by the dissociation to form the second feasible product P4 (OH + FCNO). The least favorable pathway is that b undergoes a concerted OH-shift to form d (HO(F)CNO), which will dissociate to product P5 (HF+OCNO) via side HF-elimination. The secondary dissociation of P5 may form product P7 (HF+NO+CO) easily. Furthermore, the 1CHF attack at the end-O of NO2 is a barrier-consumed process, and thus may only be of significance at high temperatures. The comparison with the analogous reactions 1CHCl + NO2 is discussed. The present study may be helpful for probing the mechanism of the title reaction and understanding the halogenated carbine chemistry.

Theoretical study on the mechanism of the 1CHCl + NO2 reactions.

The radical-molecule reaction mechanism of (1)CHCl with NO(2) has been explored theoretically at the B3LYP/6-311G(d, p) and CCSD(T)/6-311G(d, p) (single-point) levels of theory. Thirteen minimum isomers and 29 transition states are located. The initial association between (1)CHCl and NO(2) proceeds most likely through the carbon-to-middle-nitrogen attack leading to an energy-rich adduct a (HClCNO(2)), which is found to be a barrierless process. Staring from a, the most feasible channel is to undergo a concerted O-shift and C--N bond rupture leading to product P(2) (NO + HClCO). The minor product pathways are the direct O-extrusion of a to P(3) (O + HClCNO-cis) as well as the 1,3-H-shift of a to isomer b (ClCNOOH) followed by a concerted OH-shift leading to d (HOClCNO), which will dissociate to product P(8) (NO + ClCOH) via C--N cleavage. Because the transition states and isomers involved in the most feasible channel all lie below the reactants, the title reaction is expected to be rapid, as is consistent with the measured rate constant at 296 K. The comparison with the analogous reactions (3)CH(2) + NO(2) are discussed. The present study may be useful for further experimental investigation of the title reaction.