Deep Learning Assisted Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) for Rapid and Direct Nucleic Acid Amplification and Detection: Toward Enhanced Molecular Diagnostics.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has evolved into a robust analytical technique capable of detecting a variety of biomolecules despite challenges in securing a reliable Raman signal. Conventional SERS-based nucleic acid detection relies on hybridization assays, but reproducibility and signal strength issues have hindered research on directly amplifying nucleic acids on SERS surfaces. This study introduces a deep learning assisted ZnO-Au-SERS-based direct amplification (ZADA) system for rapid, sensitive molecular diagnostics. The system employs a SERS substrate fabricated by depositing gold on uniformly grown ZnO nanorods. These nanorods create hot spots for the amplification of the target nucleic acids directly on the SERS surface, eliminating the need for postamplification hybridization and Raman reporters. The limit of detection of the ZADA system was superior to those of the conventional amplification methods. Clinical validation of the ZADA system with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) samples from human patients yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 92.31% and 81.25%, respectively. The integration of a deep learning program further enhanced sensitivity and specificity to 100% and reduced SERS analysis time, showcasing the potential of the ZADA system for rapid, label-free disease diagnosis via direct nucleic acid amplification and detection within 20 min.

Added forearm weights for gait pattern normalization in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Patients with Parkinson's Disease presented gait impairment. Applying additional weights to enhancing sensory input may improve gait impairment. We assumed that gait impairment could be improved when patients walked with additional forearm weights, and the gait improvement was associated with clinical characteristic of Parkinson's Disease. Thirty patients with Parkinson's Disease and 30 age-sex matched controls were recruited. Spatiotemporal and joint kinematics parameters were evaluated by a three-dimensional motion capture system in normal walking and walking with sandbags, respectively. The comparisons of spatiotemporal parameters were analyzed using t-test or nonparametric tests. The comparison of joint kinematic data was analyzed using statistical parametric mapping. The correlation between motor symptom and gait parameters changes was analyzed using Pearson's correlation analysis. During normal walking, patients showed deteriorated gait compared with controls. After applying weights to forearms patients increased cadence (p = 0.004), speed (p < 0.001) and step length (p = 0.048), and decreased stride time (p = 0.003). The hip angles significantly increased during 5%-23% and 87%-100% of gait cycle, while knee angles during 9%-25% and 88%-98% of the gait cycle, and ankle angles in 92%-100% of gait cycle. The gait parameters of patients with forearm-loading showed no significant difference compared with healthy subjects walking normally. The change of gait parameters correlated positively with the axial and tremor severity while correlated negatively with the rigidity sub-score. Patients with tremor dominant subtype also showed greater improvement of speed and step time compared with patients with postural instability/gait difficulty subtype. Applying added weights bilaterally to the forearms of patients can normalize gait patterns. Notably, patients with higher scores on axial and tremor and lower rigidity scores gained more benefits.

C-Gait for Detecting Freezing of Gait in the Early to Middle Stages of Parkinson's Disease: A Model Prediction Study.

OBJECTIVE: Efficient methods for assessing walking adaptability in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD) are urgently needed. Therefore, this study aimed to assess C-Gait for detecting freezing of gait (FOG) in patients with early- to middle-stage PD. METHOD: People with PD (PWP) diagnosis (Hoehn and Yahr stages 1-3) were recruited from April 2019 to November 2019 in Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital. The participants performed six items of walking adaptability on an instrumented treadmill augmented with visual targets and obstacles (C-Mill). The patient's walking adaptability was evaluated by C-Gait assessment and traditional walking tests, and FOG-related indexes were collected as outcome measures. Two discriminant models were established by stepwise discriminant analysis; area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) was used to validate the models. RESULT: In total, 53 patients were included in this study. Most C-Gait assessment items had no or low correlations with traditional walking tests. The obstacle avoidance (r = -0.639, P = 0.003) and speed of adaptation (r = -0.486, P = 0.035) items could lead to FOG with high sensitivity. In addition, the C-Gait assessment model (AUC = 0.755) had slightly better discrimination of freezers from non-freezers compared with traditional walking test models (AUC = 0.672); specifically, obstacle avoidance and speed of adaptation have uniquely discriminant potential. CONCLUSION: C-gait assessment could provide additional value to the traditional walking tests for PD. Gait adaptability assessment, as measured by C-Gait, may be able to help identify freezers in a PD population.

Efficacy of short-term multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation in patients with different Parkinson's disease motor subtypes: a prospective pilot study with 3-month follow-up.

Parkinson's disease (PD) can be classified into three motor-based subtypes: postural instability/gait difficulty (PIGD), tremor dominant (TD), and indeterminate. The neuropathophysiological mechanisms of the three motor subtypes are different, which may lead to different responses to therapy. Sixty-nine patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (Hoehn-Yahr stage ≤ 3) were screened from 436 patients with Parkinsonism recruited through outpatient services and the internet. According to the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) TD/PIGD ratio, the patients were divided into PIGD (TD/PIGD ≤ 0.09; n = 36), TD (TD/PIGD ≥1.15; n = 19), and indeterminate (TD/PIGD = 0.90-1.15; n = 14) groups. All patients received 2 weeks of multidisciplinary intensive rehabilitation treatment (MIRT) during hospitalization, as well as a remote home rehabilitation health education class. Compared with the scores at admission, all patients showed significant improvements in their MDS-UPDRS III score, walking ability, balance, and posture control at discharge. Moreover, the MDS-UPDRS III score improvement was greater in the PIGD group than in the TD group. The follow-up data, collected for 3 months after discharge, showed that overall symptom improvement in each group was maintained for 1-3 months. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in the duration or grade effects of symptom improvement among the three groups. These findings suggest that 2 weeks of MIRT is effective for improving motor performance in all three motor subtypes. Patients in the PIGD group had a better response after hospitalization than those in the TD group. This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Beijing Rehabilitation Hospital of Capital Medical University of China (approval No. 2018bkky022) on May 7, 2018 and registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration No. ChiCTR1900020771) on January 19, 2019.

Effect of medium frequency electrical stimulation on expression of neurotrophin-3 in rat masseter muscle / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

Objective • To investigate the effect of medium frequency electrical stimulation on the expression of neurotrophin-3(NT-3) in the mandibular protrusion of SD rats. Methods • Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=20): blank control group, conditioned control group (treated with functional appliance, but without medium frequency electrical stimulation) and experimental group (treated with functional appliance and medium frequency electrical stimulation). Five rats in each group were sacrificed on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st day to prepare the samples of masseter muscle. Immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR methods were used to detect the protein and mRNA expressions of NT-3 in the masseter muscle of rats. Results • The protein and mRNA expressions of NT-3 were increased firstly and then decreased in the conditioned control group and the experimental group, compared with those in the blank control group. Moreover, the protein and mRNA expressions of NT-3 in the conditioned control group were still higher than those in the blank control group on the 21st day (both P<0.05), while the protein and mRNA expressions of NT-3 in the experimental group almost returned to the normal level on the 21st day. Conclusion • Medium frequency electrical stimulation may accelerate the rate of neuromuscular reconstruction and shorten the time of functional orthopedic therapy in rats.

Multivariate study on central line-associated bloodstream infection in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate the incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), explore risk factors for the occurrence of CLABSI.Methods Basic information of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) who underwent HSCT in a hematology department from November 1, 2016 to October 31, 2017 was collected, incidences of original CLABSI (OCLABSI) and modified CLABSI (MCLABSI) were calculated, related risk factors were analyzed by multivariate Cox regression.Results A total of 218 patients with AML and MDS who underwent HSCT were enrolled, 19 of whom had OCLABSI and 10 had MCLABSI.Twenty-one strains of pathogens were isolated from 19 patients with OCLABSI, including 9 gram-positive bacteria, 11 gram-negative bacteria, 1 fungus;9 strains were multidrug-resistant organisms.The main risk factors for OCLABSI included the female (HR=0.088;95％CI:0.017-0.440;P=0.003), age (HR=1.560;95％CI:1.066-2.530;P=0.034), bone marrow cell transplantation only (HR=4.408;95％CI:1.860-22.593;P=0.043), ATG/CSA/MMF/MTXG for preventing graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) (HR=0.101;95％CI:0.015-0.686;P=0.019), and MTX for preventing GVHD (HR=0.097;95％CI:0.011-0.816;P=0.032).Conclusion Definition of MCLABSI can provide more accurate monitoring on deep central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection.Incidence of CLABSI in HSCT patients can be reduced by early detection of high-risk population according to high-risk factors, strict adherence to the prevention and control measures of bloodstream infection, and implementation of immune recombination after enhanced transplantation.

Diagnostic value of 11C-methionine PET/CT imaging for detecting the recurrence of supratentorial glioma / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective@#To assess the diagnostic values of 11C-methionine (MET) PET/CT semiquantitative parameters for detecting recurrence in patients who were diagnosed with suspicious recurrence by MRI after resection of supratentorial gliomas.@*Methods@#A total of 164 patients (107 males, 57 females, age 6-74 years; high-grade 94, low-grade 63, unclear 7) with supratentorial gliomas who underwent 11C-MET PET/CT between June 2015 and June 2017 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital were enrolled respectively. All patients were with suspicious recurrence after surgery showed by MRI and followed up for 6 months at least. The final diagnosis was determined with histopathological analysis or clinical follow-up. The maximum and mean standardized uptake value (SUVmax and SUVmean), tumor-to-background ratios (TBR) of SUVmax and SUVmean (TBRmax and TBRmean) were recorded and compared between patients with recurrence or without recurrence using independent-sample t test. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were drawn to determine the threshold, and the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of each parameter were calculated.@*Results@#According to the clinical diagnosis, there were 139 patients with recurrence and 25 without recurrence. SUVmax, SUVmean, TBRmax and TBRmean were significantly higher for patients with recurrence than those without recurrence (4.19±1.95 vs 2.59±1.18, 2.34±1.08 vs 1.46±0.72, 2.95±1.17 vs 1.83±0.79, 2.64±1.11 vs 1.59±0.71; t values: 5.126-6.183, all P<0.01), but there was no difference in the areas under the ROC curve (AUC) for diagnosis of recurrence with the 4 parameters (z values: 0.265-1.674, all P>0.05), for which the optimal cut-off values were 3.05, 1.65, 1.96 and 1.79, respectively, and the corresponding sensitivities/specificities for the diagnosis of recurrence were 67.6%(94/139)/100%(25/25), 67.6%(94/139)/100%(25/25), 79.9%(111/139)/100%(25/25), 74.8%(104/139)/100%(25/25), respectively. Patients with (n=81) or without (n=13) recurrence had different semiquantitative parameters in high-grade glioma group (t values: 5.137-5.871, all P<0.01), and the AUC for TBRmean was greater than that for SUVmean (0.858 vs 0.802; z=1.982, P<0.05). Patients with (n=54) or without (n=9) recurrence in low-grade glioma group showed significant difference in the 4 parameters (t values: 2.730-7.009, all P<0.01), while the AUCs of the 4 parameters were not significantly different (z values: 0.444-1.407, all P>0.05). Among 37 patients with recurrence confirmed by pathology, there were no significant differences in the semiquantitative parameters between the high-grade and low-grade glioma groups and AUCs were not different either (t values: 1.387-1.937, z values: 0.106-1.752, all P>0.05).@*Conclusions@#Semiquantitative parameters of 11C-MET PET/CT are equally accurate in the differentiation of recurrence from radiation injury in patients with gliomas, while TBRmean was superior than SUVmean in patients with the high-grade gliomas. Among the patients with recurrence confirmed by pathology, the value of the semiquantitative parameter is limited for the identification of high- and low- grade gliomas.

[Directing construction of CRISPR/Cas9 vector of SmPAL1 in Salvia miltiorrhiza by target efficiency detection in vitro].

To construct CRISPR/Cas9 vectors for the editing of SmPAL1 in the phenylpropane metabolic pathway of Salvia miltiorrhiza, CIRSPR/Cas9 target sites of SmPAL1 were designed by online software. Its target efficiencies were detected in vitro by enzyme digestion and sequences with highly efficiency were constructed into CRISPR/Cas9 vectors. Three possible CRISPR target sequences (SmPAL1-g1, SmPAL1-g2, SmPAL1-g3) were designed and the enzyme digestion efficiencies were 53.3%, 76.6% and 10.0%. SmPAL1-g1 and SmPAL1-g2 were constructed into vector VK005-03 named as VK005-03-g1 and VK005-03-g2. The results of sequencing showed that the two CRISPR/Cas target sequences were all constructed into VK005-03. Here we first laid the foundation for the study of SmPAL1 and provided an effective strategy for the screening of sgRNA.

[Advances in study of plant type â ¢ polyketide synthases].

Polyketides are a large class of natural products with notable structural diversity and different biological activities. They have essential pharmacological value for human health. In plants, the enzymes responsible for the formation of phenolic metabolites backbone structures are collectively known as type Ⅲ polyketide synthases (PKSs), which are the key enzymes for the polyketides biosynthesis. The PKSs catalyze a series of condensation reactions of two-carbon acetate units with an acyl starter. A brief overview of this group of enzymes, including their reaction mechanisms, function modification, expression regulation, molecular evolution, and recent interesting findings are presented here.

Status of hemodialysis and qualified status of dialysis water and dialysate in a city / 中国感染控制杂志

Objective To investigate current status of hemodialysis,and qualified status of dialysis water and dia-lysate in a city. Methods Status of hemodialysis in 36 medical institutions in a city which conducted blood purifica-tion programme was surveyed,dialysis water and dialysate were collected to perform microbial detection(including conventional and low temperature culture methods)and on-site ATP detection.Results 13.89% of equipments for water treatment were used less than 1 year,5.56% were used for more than 10 years. 77.78% of medical institu-tions didn't replace sand filtration which had been used for more than 1 year,the replacement time of 72.22% of fil-ter core was less than 3 months,2.78% of reverse water supply pipeline was used for more than 10 years.77.78%of medical institutions used finished A solution,72.22% used finished B solution,22.22% used centrally provided A solution,19.44% used centrally provided B solution,and 8.34% used self-made B solution. Routine microbial detection in 36 medical institutions were qualified,but 80.56% of detection results were"0" value for long period;ATP detection of on-site collected dialysis water and dialysate were all qualified. One specimen for microbial detec-tion under normal temperature exceeded the standard,2 reached the intervention value;4 specimens for microbial detection under low temperature exceeded the standard,6 reached the intervention value;qualified rates of 3 kinds of detection methods among different levels of medical institutions weren't significantly different(all P>0.05).Con-clusion The overall quality of hemodialysis water and dialysate in this city is good,the majority of medical institutions pay attention to the routine maintenance of water treatment equipment,detect the quality of hemodialysis water and dialysate regularly,but microbial detection technique needs to be improved,causes for abnormal results or intervention value of rou-tine detection needs to be analyzed and improved continuously.

Celastrol-loaded macrophage membrane camouflaged PEG-PLGA nano-particles for targeted therapy of severe acute pancreatitis in rats / 药学学报

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is characterized by both local and systemic inflammatory responses. This study was designed to develop a site-specific delivery strategy for SAP therapy using celastrol (CLT). First, murine RAW264.7 cells were used as a model of macrophage cell line, cell membranes were obtained by emptying intracellular contents via hypotonic lysing, mechanical membrane disruption, and differential centrifugation. Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether-block-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PEG-PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) were then prepared by sonication. With the collected membrane materials, macrophage membrane coated PEG-PLGA NPs (RNPs) were then prepared by extrusion through a 400 nm polycarbonate membrane. Biodistribution study in rats with SAP showed RNPs selectively accumulated in the inflamed pancreatic tissues. Compared with CLT loaded NPs, CLT loaded RNPs were proven to effectively attenuate local pancreatic inflammation and systemic inflammation in rats with SAP.

Directing construction of CRISPR/Cas9 vector of SmPAL1 in Salvia miltiorrhiza by target efficiency detection in vitro / 中国中药杂志

To construct CRISPR/Cas9 vectors for the editing of SmPAL1 in the phenylpropane metabolic pathway of Salvia miltiorrhiza, CIRSPR/Cas9 target sites of SmPAL1 were designed by online software. Its target efficiencies were detected in vitro by enzyme digestion and sequences with highly efficiency were constructed into CRISPR/Cas9 vectors. Three possible CRISPR target sequences (SmPAL1-g1, SmPAL1-g2, SmPAL1-g3) were designed and the enzyme digestion efficiencies were 53.3%, 76.6% and 10.0%. SmPAL1-g1 and SmPAL1-g2 were constructed into vector VK005-03 named as VK005-03-g1 and VK005-03-g2. The results of sequencing showed that the two CRISPR/Cas target sequences were all constructed into VK005-03. Here we first laid the foundation for the study of SmPAL1 and provided an effective strategy for the screening of sgRNA.

Advances in study of plant type Ⅲ polyketide synthases / 中国中药杂志

Polyketides are a large class of natural products with notable structural diversity and different biological activities. They have essential pharmacological value for human health. In plants, the enzymes responsible for the formation of phenolic metabolites backbone structures are collectively known as type Ⅲ polyketide synthases (PKSs), which are the key enzymes for the polyketides biosynthesis. The PKSs catalyze a series of condensation reactions of two-carbon acetate units with an acyl starter. A brief overview of this group of enzymes, including their reaction mechanisms, function modification, expression regulation, molecular evolution, and recent interesting findings are presented here.

A pilot study on the biodistribution pattern of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE in normal organs of adults / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To retrospectively study the biodistribution of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE as a SSTR imaging agent in human subjects.Methods A total of 106 patients with suspected disease were enrolled in this study.All patients were histologically proven for having either a single tumor ＜2 cm or without evidence of tumor during follow-up.Patients underwent PET/CT whole-body scan 17-100 min after intravenous injection of 55.2-220.0 MBq 68Ga-DOTA-TATE.ROI was drawn for measuring SUV of tracer-avid pathologies.One-way analysis of variance and two-sample t test were used for statistical analysis.Results High 68Ga-DOTA-TATE avidity was found in pituitary,with SUVmax of 4.00± 1.21.Tracer was excreted mainly through urinary system resulting in highest uptake in the urinary tracts.The SUVmax of kidney cortex was 19.01 ± 5.45.Mediastinal blood pool and liver SUVmax were 0.93±0.33 and 7.69±2.26,respectively.Mild uptake of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE was found in the brain,cerebellum,lung and muscle,all lower than that of mediastinal blood pool.Moderate accumulation of 68 Ga-DOTA-TATE (close to or slightly higher than liver) was found in adrenal gland and spleen,with SUVmax 7.61 ± 3.42 and 8.63± 2.31,respectively.Other organs (pituitary,salivary gland,thyroid,pancreas,small intestine,colon,uterus,prostate and bone) showed tracer uptake in the range between those of mediastinal blood pool and liver.68Ga-DOTA-TATE distribution in pancreas was not uniform.Nine patients had focal accumulation in the uncinate process of pancreas with highest SUVm~ up to 8.48.However,the SUVmax and SUV in the rest of pancreas (head,neck,body and tail) showed insignificant difference (F values:0.703,0.563,both P＞0.05).68Ga-DOTA-TATE uptake in each organ reached equilibrium quickly after injection but with slight increase over time.The changes in SUV,however,showed insignificant difference among organs,including different parts of pancreas (t values:from -0.09 to 1.75,from-1.70 to-0.42,respectively,all P＞0.05).Conclusions The biodistribution of 68Ga-DOTA-TATE reaches equilibrium shortly after intravenous administration and is stably maintained.The biodistribution activities are organ-specific,and characteristic to that of SSTR concentration.

Training the computational thinking of medical students in the process of data processing / 中华医学教育探索杂志

Basic Requirements of Teaching Basic Courses of Computer in Universities proposed pro-moting reforms to universities' computer basic education, whose core was to cultivate the students' computational thinking ability, infiltrating the essential thinking method of computational science in content and design of the course. Tianjin Medical University distinguished different levels of students according to a proficiency test, implemented graded teaching, introduced MATLAB in the course of program design, and performed modular teaching according to the students' specialties. All courses implemented small class teaching to strengthen the students' ability to apply computational thinking and computer technology to medical practice and introduced network-based test, in order to provide ideas for the teaching reform of computer basic courses in medical col-leges and universities.

Analysis and forecast of clinical decision support system for diabetes mellitus based on big data technique / 国际生物医学工程杂志

Diabetes is a chronic noncommunicable disease,which is can't be cured,and only can be suppressed by long-term treatment and self-management.The clinical decision support system can simulate the thinking process of diabetes specialists in disease diagnosis,and can provide the regular medical treatment plans and recommend the optimal plans to doctors.Most of the existing clinical decision support systems are based on clinical guidelines,rule-based and case-based reasoning as well as ontology-based systems.The big data technology can acquire and process multiple heterogeneous data,and provide a more scientific personalized treatment plan.In recent years,a variety of big date processing methods have been applied to the clinical diagnosis of diabetes based on decision tree,neural network,fuzzy logic,support vector machine,APRIORI association rules and multidimensional analysis,and timing mining.However,these methods are still in preliminary stage.The framework of diabetes clinical decision support system based on big data technology was analyzed,and the future diagnostic and treatment methods were forecast.

Characteristics of neuroendocrine neoplasm metastasis in somatostatin receptor PET/CT imaging: a retrospective analysis / 中华核医学与分子影像杂志

Objective To investigate the characteristics of NEN metastasis with SSTR PET/CT and to correlate the results with FDG-PET and pathology.Methods From November 2011 to August 2016,a total of 43 patients with NEN (18 males,25 females;age range:26-74 years) were recruited into this retrospective study;they underwent 68Ga-DOTA-TATE PET/CT (TATE-PET) imaging 40-60 min after 44.4-229.4 MBq 68Ga-DOTA-TATE administration.Metastases in 31 patients were confirmed by histopathology and in 12 patients by follow-up and other imaging modalities.Twenty-eight of 43 patients finished routine FDG-PET in a week after TATE-PET.PET/CT results were considered positive when the metastatic lesions were tracer-avid.ROI was drawn over each lesion for size and SUV measurement.x2 test and Pearson correlation analysis were used for statistical analysis.Results (1) Of 43 patients,TATE-PET detection rates of metastasis in the liver,lymph nodes,bones.and lungs were 85.7％(30/35),12/13,7/7,2/3,respectively,with their corresponding SUVmax of 18.1(11.3-23.3),10.8(5.4-15.6),7.7(4.2-9.9) and 1.8(1.3-2.3),respectively.Statistical correlation between size and SUVmax was found in metastatic bone lesions(r=0.233,P＜0.05).(2) In 31 patients with histopathologically proven metastasis,TATE-PET detected 23/24 (95.8％) G2,1/2 G1 and 5/5 G3 metastases.G1 metastases were only found in the liver.(3)Among 28 patients underwent both TATE-PET and FDG-PET,there was no significant difference between the detecting rate of metastasis:89.2％ (25/28) vs 71.4％ (20/28);x2 =2.389,P＞0.05.Compared with FDG-PET,TATE-PET was superior in demonstrating metastasis in the liver and bones (70.0％ (14/20) vs 65.0％ (13/20),3/3 vs 2/3),equal in detecting lung metastasis (both 2/3) but inferior in demonstrating metastasis in lymph nodes (9/10vs 10/10).Conclusions The capability of TATE-PET in revealing NEN metastasis varies depending on lesion localization and histologic grade.TATE-PET and FDG-PET are complementary to each other in detection of NEN metastasis,but without obvious relationship to histologic grade.

Anti-inflammatory constituents from the root of Litsea cubeba in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 macrophages.

Context Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. (Lauraceae) has long been used as a folk remedy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Previous studies from our laboratory indicated that L. cubeba extract showed anti-arthritic activity in rats. Objective To study L. cubeba chemically and biologically and to find the potential constituents responsible for its anti-arthritic effect. Materials and methods The compounds were isolated from the root of L. cubeba by column chromatography which eluted with PE:EtOAc gradient system, and the structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic data analysis; the anti-inflammatory activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW 264.7 cells and the TNF-α and NO level were measured by ELISA (commercial kit); The iNOS and COX-2 mRNA expression were measured by RT-PCR and the phosphorylation of IκBα, IKKß, P38 and Akt were determined by western blots. Results A novel 9-fluorenone, 1-ethoxy-3,7-dihydroxy-4,6-dimethoxy-9-fluorenone (1), together with 4 known compounds, namely pinoresinol (2), syringaresinol (3), 9,9'-O-di-(E)-feruloyl-meso-5,5'-dimethoxysecoisolariciresinol (4) and lyoniresinol (5) were isolated from the root of L. cubeba for the first time. The IC50 for NO inhibition on compounds 1 and 4 were 56.1 ± 1.2 and 32.8 ± 2.3 µM, respectively. The IC50 for TNF-α inhibition were 28.2 ± 0.9 and 15.0 ± 1.0 µM, respectively. Both 1 and 4 suppress mRNA expression of iNOS, COX-2 and protein phosphorylation of IκBα, IKKß in LPS-induced RAW 264.7 cells. Discussion and conclusion Compounds 1 and 4 isolated from L. cubeba exhibited potent anti-inflammatory activity through the NF-κB signal pathway.

[Construction of A Genetic Linkage Map in Salvia miltiorrhiza].

Objective: On the basis of previous studies, to construct a genetic map of Salvia miltiorrhiza by using EST-SSR primers, to build a platform for positioning important traits relating to genes, the cloning and molecular marker-assisted in breeding of new varieties of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Methods: A total of 411 EST-SSR primers were used for PCR amplification to screen polymorphic markers in F1 mapping population derived from a cross between Salvia miltiorrhiza, two parents of which were the cultivars of ZH74 and BH18. Combined with the molecular marker data of previous studies, Joinmap 4. 0 software was used for map integration. Results: 411EST-SSR primers were screened from two parents, a total of 328 pairs of primers were amplified stable products,164 pairs of polymorphic primers were obtained. Conclusion: A linkage map of Salvia miltiorrhiza with 150 marker high density genetic is constructed.

Clinical, neuroimaging and genetic profiles of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with frontotemporal lobe degeneration / 中华神经科杂志

Objective To describe the clinical, neuroimaging and genetic profiles of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with frontotemporal lobe degeneration ( ALS-FTLD).Methods From August 2011 to May 2015, patients with FTLD or other types of neurodegenerative dementia were physically examined in detail and electromyography was performed to those with suspected dysarthria, limb atrophy or weakness.Cognitive and behavioral screenings were performed to all ALS patients.Patients with ALS-FTLD entered further analysis of neuroimaging and genetics.Results Among the 8 patients diagnosed as ALS-FTLD, 4 patients began with personality change or amnesia, while diseases in the remaining 4 cases began with limb weakness or dysarthria.Dementia type of 7 cases was behavioral variant FTLD ( bvFTD) and 1 case was diagnosed as semantic dementia.Electromyography of all the 8 patients showed diffuse neurogenic changes.Constructional neuroimaging of 6 patients showed cerebral atrophy predominantly in frontal and temporal lobes.Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography was conducted in 5 patients, indicating hypometabolism mainly in frontal and ( or) temporal lobes.NeuroQ analysis revealed that bilateral frontal lobes were the most hypometabolic areas for ALS-FTLD.Among 4 patients who underwent genetic screening, 1 patient was C9ORF72 mutation carrier.Conclusions bvFTD is the major type of dementia in the context of ALS.Metabolic neuroimaging could assist accurate diagnosis, and it reveals that bilateral frontal lobes are the most hypometabolic areas for ALS-FTLD.C9ORF72 gene mutation is an important pathogenic mutation for ALS-FTLD, although it is rare in Chinese population.