Physalins and neophysalins from the calyx of Physalis alkekengi: Structures and anti-inflammatory efficacy.

To explore potential anti-inflammatory lead compounds, ten new physalin steroids, including three neophysalins (1, 4, and 9) and seven physalins (2, 3, 5-8, and 10), along with eleven known analogs, were isolated from an ethanol extract of the calyx of Physalis alkekengi. The new structures were rigorously determined through comprehensive HRESIMS, 1D/2D-NMR, and X-ray diffraction analysis. Among these compounds, 1 was identified as a new 1,10-seco-neophysalin, and 2 was identified as a new 11,15-cyclo-9,10-seco-physalin characterized by an aromatic A-ring.

Combining prognostic value of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and tumor size reduction ratio in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a common cancer with increasing morbidity and mortality due to changes of social environment.

Aim: To evaluate the significance of serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) and tumor size changes pre- and post-neoadjuvant therapy (NAT).

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at the Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Research for Cancer Metastasis and Individualized Treatment, Chongqing University Cancer Hospital.

Dynamic evolution of brain structural patterns in liver transplantation recipients: a longitudinal study based on 3D convolutional neuronal network model.

Objectives: To evaluate the dynamic evolution process of overall brain health in liver transplantation (LT) recipients, we employed a deep learning-based neuroanatomic biomarker to measure longitudinal changes of brain structural patterns before and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery.

Methods: Because of the ability to capture patterns across all voxels from a brain scan, the brain age prediction method was adopted. We constructed a 3D-CNN model through T1-weighted MRI of 3609 healthy individuals from 8 public datasets and further applied it to a local dataset of 60 LT recipients and 134 controls.

Tailoring photoluminescence of WS-microcavity coupling devices in broad visible range.

Most of the previous TMDC-photon coupling devices were mainly based on A exciton due to its high oscillator strength and large exciton binding energy. Less effort has been focused on the modulation of the emission of B exciton and Rydberg states in TMDCs, especially in monolayer WS. Here, we demonstrate that the photoluminescence (PL) emission of WS-microcavity coupling devices can be tailored in a broad visible wavelength range (490 nm-720 nm).

Prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms, urinary incontinence and retention in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are common non-motor symptoms but are often overlooked in Parkinson's disease (PD). The prevalence of LUTS in PD is inconsistent among different studies.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of LUTS, urinary incontinence, and urinary retention in PD patients, then, investigate potential sources of inconsistency in prevalence estimation.

Modified orthodontic treatment of substitution of canines by first premolars: A case report.

Background: Canines are the most important teeth in the dentition. Usually, doctors choose to remove premolars rather than canines. Canine extraction is extremely rare in orthodontic treatment.

Association Between Time to Endovascular Therapy and Outcomes in Patients With Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion.

Objective: To characterize the association of onset to puncture time (OPT) with clinical outcomes among patients with acute basilar artery occlusion receiving endovascular therapy (EVT) in clinical practice.

Methods: Using the EVT for Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion (BASILAR) study, we identified consecutive patients with acute basilar artery occlusion receiving EVT in 47 comprehensive stroke centers in China from January 2014 to May 2019. The primary outcome was favorable functional outcome (defined as modified Rankin Scale score [mRS] 0-3) at 90 days.

Interparticle Spacing Effect among Quantum Dots with High-Pressure Regulation.

In this paper, we explore whether interparticle spacing affects steady-state and transient-state optical properties by comparing close-packed CdSe/ZnS-quantum dots (QDs) and CdSe/ZnS-QDs dispersed in polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). High-pressure is an effective physical means to adjust the interparticle spacing of QDs, which may artificially expand the application of QDs further. The results under high-pressure indicate that it is the reduced interparticle spacing rather than the enhanced quantum confinement effect with volume compression that has a stronger effect on exciton relaxation of CdSe/ZnS-QDs.

[Rapid Determination of Pinoresinol Diglucoside and Geniposidic Acid in Eucommia ulmoides with Near Infrared Spectroscopy Combined with Chemometrics Methods].

To develop a quantitative models for simultaneous determination of pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG) and geniposidic acid (GPA) in Eucommia ulmoides with near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometrics. The NIR spectra were collected in diffuse reflection mode and pretreated with various spectra preprocessing methods including first-order differentiator, multiplicative scatter correction and so on. The optimal wavelength variables were screened out by competition adaptive weighted sampling method.

A comparative study of the amount of α-synuclein in ischemic stroke and Parkinson's disease.

In the present study, we detected the level of oligomeric form of α-synuclein in the red blood cells of ischemic stroke, Parkinson's disease, and normal people and compared the differences to assess the diagnosis potential of α-synuclein in ischemic stroke patients. 86 ischemic stroke, 100 PD, and 102 healthy cases were enrolled in the present study. Total protein amount in the red blood cells were quantified by BCA assay using spectrophotometer.

[A gain-of-function mutation in FGFR2 influences mandibular condylar development on mice].

The development of the skeleton is regulated by numerous signaling molecules expressed in epiphyseal cartilage controlling both chondrogenesis and osteogenesis such as fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs). In order to explore the important effect of fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) in the process of mandibular condylar growth, we introduced gain-of-function Fgfr2(+/S252W) mice, and investigated mandibular condylar morphology by means of safranin-o/fast green staining at the stage of 1 week, 3 weeks and 6 weeks. The mutant mice displayed narrower width of the mandibular condylar growth plate, stronger stainings of trabecular bone at the stage of 1 week, 3 weeks and 6 weeks and faster degradation of the calcified cartilage cell layer at the stage of 6 weeks.

Heterogeneity of Monosymptomatic Resting Tremor in a Prospective Study: Clinical Features, Electrophysiological Test, and Dopamine Transporter Positron Emission Tomography.

Background: The relationship between monosymptomatic resting tremor (mRT) and Parkinson's disease (PD) remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to assess the function of presynaptic dopaminergic neurons in patients with mRT by dopamine transporter positron emission tomography (DAT-PET) and to evaluate the utility of clinical features or electrophysiological studies in differential diagnosis.

Methods: Thirty-three consecutive patients with mRT were enrolled prospectively.

Heterogeneity among patients with Parkinson's disease: cluster analysis and genetic association.

The clinical heterogeneity of Parkinson's disease (PD) reveals the presence of several PD subtypes. The objectives of this study were to identify PD subtypes using cluster analysis (CA) and to determine the association between the subtypes and the polymorphisms in LRRK2 (G2385R and R1628P) and GBA (L444P) genes. A k-means CA of demographics, disease progression, motor and non-motor symptoms was performed from 1,510 Chinese PD patients from the Chinese National Consortium on Neurodegenerative Diseases.

The predictive value of transcranial sonography in clinically diagnosed patients with early stage Parkinson's disease: comparison with DAT PET scans.

Early and correct diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is critical for patient counseling and therapeutic management. The diagnostic accuracy of transcranial sonography of substantia nigra (SN-TCS) for early stage PD patients remains controversial. Dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging is sensitive to detect presynaptic dopamine neuronal dysfunction, and has been studied as a diagnostic tool for degenerative Parkinsonism.