Discovery and Bioinspired Synthesis of Salpratone A.

Salpratone A (), a novel abietane diterpenoid containing a unique -fused A/B ring, was isolated from . Bioactivity studies showed that has potent activity in inhibiting platelet aggregation induced by multiple agonists as well as antithrombotic efficacy in the FeCl-induced rat thrombosis model. Furthermore, a bioinspired synthesis of from the abundant natural product ferruginol was achieved in 6 steps with a 22% overall yield.

11,12-seco-Abietane-type diterpene lactones with potential antiplatelet activity from Salvia prattii.

Eleven new abietane-type diterpene lactones, salpratlactones D-N (1-11), including five 11,12-seco-11-nor-abietane diterpenes (1-5), four 11,12-seco-abietane diterpenes (6-9), two 20(10 → 5)-abeo-4,5;11,12-bis-seco-abietane diterpenes (10-11), and two known analogues (12-13), were characterized from Salvia prattii. Notably, compounds 1-3 were characterized by a unique linear 6/6/6 tricyclic skeleton. The structures were established by spectroscopic data interpretation, calculated NMR-DP4+ and electronic circular dichroism analysis, as well as single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

[Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of F-FDG PET/CT in Bone Marrow Infiltration of Newly Diagnosed Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma].

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of F-FDG PET/CT in bone marrow infiltration (BMI) of newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), compared with the results of bone marrow biopsy (BMB) and investigate whether the BMI diagnosed by F-FDG PET/CT and other factors have independent prognostic values.

Methods: Ninety-four newly diagnosed DLBCL patients who underwent PET/CT in Clinical Medical College of Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included. BMB was performed within 2 weeks before or after PET/CT, and standardized treatment was performed after PET/CT.

Tax1 banding protein 1 exacerbates heart failure in mice by activating ITCH-P73-BNIP3-mediated cardiomyocyte apoptosis.

Tax1 banding protein 1 (Tax1bp1) was originally identified as an NF-κB regulatory protein that participated in inflammatory, antiviral and innate immune processes. Tax1bp1 also functions as an autophagy receptor that plays a role in autophagy. Our previous study shows that Tax1bp1 protects against cardiomyopathy in STZ-induced diabetic mice.

Indirect influence in social networks as an induced percolation phenomenon.

Percolation theory has been widely used to study phase transitions in network systems. It has also successfully explained various macroscopic spreading phenomena across different fields. Yet, the theoretical frameworks have been focusing on direct interactions among nodes, while recent empirical observations have shown that indirect interactions are common in many network systems like social and ecological networks, among others.

[Prognostic Value of Interim F-FDG PET/CT in Extranodal NK/T-Cell Lymphoma, Nasal Type].

Objective: To explore the value of interim F-FDG PET/CT in the prognosis of patients with extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma, nasal type (ENKTL).

Methods: Twenty-one patients with ENKTL who were pathologically diagnosed at Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University (Shanghai General Hospital) from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively collected, and F-FDG PET/CT imaging was performed before and during treatment (3 weeks after 2-4 chemotherapy courses or 6 weeks after radiotherapy). The complete clinical data of the patients were followed up.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients with and without hypertension: a retrospective study.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has spread all over the world in a short time. Information about the differences between COVID-19 patients with and without hypertension is limited. To explore the characteristics and outcomes differences between COVID-19 patients with and without hypertension, the medical records and cardiac biomarkers of 414 patients were analyzed.

Usnic acid derivatives as tau-aggregation and neuroinflammation inhibitors.

Accumulation of tau protein aggregation plays a crucial role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Uncontrollable neuroinflammation and tau pathology form a vicious circle that further aggravates AD progression. Herein, we reported the synthesis of usnic acid derivatives and evaluation of their inhibitory activities against tau-aggregation and neuroinflammation.

Clinical outcomes and prognostic factors in patients with no less than three distant organ system metastases from differentiated thyroid carcinoma.

Objectives: For patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC), distant metastases are commonly identified in the lungs and bones. However, they are relatively rare in other distant organs, such as the liver, kidneys, or brain. The aim of the current study was to describe the clinical outcomes and evaluate the prognostic factors of patients with no less than three different distant organ system metastases from DTC.

A hemicyanine derivative for near-infrared imaging of β-amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease.

The formation of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in the brain is one of the main pathological features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The imaging probes, capable of detecting Aβ deposition, are important tools for early diagnosis of AD. In this article, we designed, synthesized and evaluated a cyanine-based near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) probe ZT-1 for the detection of Aβ deposits in the brain.

Synthesis of trisaccharide repeating unit of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate.

We described the chemical synthesis of a sulfated trisaccharide repeating unit of fucosylated chondroitin sulfate (FCS), which has significant anticoagulant activity. Well-functionalized monosaccharides were readily prepared, and highly efficient glycosylations using a common activator (NIS/TfOH) were also presented. The synthesized trisaccharide 4 could be used to extend oligosaccharide sequences.

Controllability and maximum matchings of complex networks.

Previously, the controllability problem of a linear time-invariant dynamical system was mapped to the maximum matching (MM) problem on the bipartite representation of the underlying directed graph, and the sizes of MMs on random bipartite graphs were calculated analytically with the cavity method at zero temperature limit. Here we present an alternative theory to estimate MM sizes based on the core percolation theory and the perfect matching of cores. Our theory is much more simplified and easily interpreted, and can estimate MM sizes on random graphs with or without symmetry between out- and in-degree distributions.

Anti-metastatic effect of 131I-labeled Buthus martensii Karsch chlorotoxin in gliomas.

The present study investigated the underlying molecular mechanism by which Buthus martensii Karsch chlorotoxin (BmK CT) inhibits the invasion and metastasis of glioma cells and the possibility of 131I‑labeled BmK CT (131I‑BmK CT) as a novel targeted agent for the treatment of glioma. The impact of BmK CT with and without 131I radiolabeling on the invasion and metastasis of glioma cells in vitro was studied. Cell viability was assessed using Cell Counting Kit‑8 and plate colony formation assays in order to confirm the cytotoxicity of BmK CT and 131I‑BmK CT at different concentrations.

A new abietane diterpenoid from the roots of Tripterygium regelii.

A new abietane diterpenoid, tripterregeline A (1), together with six known diterpenoids (2-7), were isolated from the roots of Tripterygium regelii. The structure of 1 was elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods and the known compounds were identified by comparison with data reported in the literature. All isolated compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicities against five human cancer cell lines: HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7 and SW480 in vitro.

Association analyses identify two susceptibility loci 5q31 and 5q22.1 for atopic dermatitis in Chinese Han population.

Background: Atopic dermatitis (AD) and other atopic diseases often share some common genetic and pathogenic bases. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several loci associated with atopic diseases, allergic sensitization and asthma in different populations. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these susceptibility loci were related to AD in Chinese Han population.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Schisandrin B on LPS-Stimulated BV2 Microglia via Activating PPAR-γ.

Schisandrin B (Sch B), a dibenzocyclooctadiene lignan isolated from Schisandra chinensis (Turcz.) Baill, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effect. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of Sch B on LPS-induced inflammation in microglia and to investigate the molecular targets of Sch B.

[(18)F-FDG PET/CT for extranodular natural killer/T-cell lymphoma nasal type: imaging findings and clinical value].

Objective: To explore the value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the diagnosis and treatment evaluation in patients with pretreatment or recurrent extranodular natural killer/T-cell lymphoma nasal type (ENTCL).

Methods: (18)F-FDG PET/CT images and clinical records of 35 cases (67 scans) of pathologically confirmed ENTCL treated in our hospital within the last 9 years were analyzed. The imaging characteristics of the upper aerodigestive tract (UAT) and the non-aerodigestive tract (NUAT) lesions were analyzed.

Association of the chromosome 11p13.5 variant and atopic dermatitis with a family history of atopy in the Chinese Han population.

Background: Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and a meta-analysis of GWAS for atopic dermatitis (AD) have identified some AD genetic loci in European and Japanese populations.

Objective: To investigate whether some novel susceptibility loci are associated with AD in the Chinese Han population.

Methods: We first selected eight novel susceptibility loci to replicate in 2,205 AD patients and 2,116 healthy controls using the Sequenom platform.

[Investigation of psychological state and its influencing factors in children with epilepsy].

Objective: To evaluate the psychological state of children with epilepsy and analyze its influencing factors.

Methods: The Mental Health Scale for Child and Adolescent was used to survey 113 children with epilepsy and 114 normal children to evaluate and compare their psychological state. Questionnaires were used to investigate the general status of all subjects and the disease condition and treatment of children with epilepsy.

Chemical constituents from Piper wallichii.

Fifteen known compounds including four triterpenoids (1-4), one sterol (5), one diketopiperazine alkaloid (6) and nine phenolics (7-15) were isolated from the stems of Piper wallichii. Their structures were elucidated by means of spectroscopic analysis, and acidic hydrolysis in case of the 2-oxo-3β,19α,23-trihydroxyurs-12-en-28-oic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (1). The structure of compound 1 was fully assigned by 1D and 2D NMR experiments for the first time.

Lignans and aromatic glycosides from Piper wallichii and their antithrombotic activities.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Piper wallichii (Miq.) Hand.-Mazz.

Steroidal saponins with induced platelet aggregation activity from the aerial parts of Paris verticillata.

In order to utilize and protect the resources of Rhizoma Paridis rationally, we carried out a phytochemical investigation on the non-medicinal (aerial) parts of Paris verticillata that led to the isolation of fifteen steroidal saponins. Among them, three are new spirostanol saponins, named parisverticosides A–C (1–3), as well as one new cholestane glycoside, named parisverticoside D (4). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis and acid hydrolysis.

Comparison of waveguide properties and Raman spectroscopic visualization of C and O ion implantation on LaAlO(3) crystals.

LaAlO crystals were implanted by C ions and O ions at an energy of 6.0 MeV with a fluence of 1.5×10  ions/cm.

Visible and near-infrared optical properties of a proton-implanted KTP waveguide.

In this work, the optical properties of potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) waveguides in the visible and near-infrared region are reported. The KTP waveguides were fabricated using 550 keV proton implantation at room temperature, and the refractive index profiles of the implanted region in the visible and near-infrared region were reconstructed. The profiles of the guided modes were measured through the end-face coupling method with both 632.