Patchouli essential oil extends the lifespan and healthspan of Caenorhabditis elegans through JNK-1/DAF-16.

Aims: Patchouli essential oil (PEO) is the major active ingredient of a famous medicinal plant Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. This study aims to investigate the anti-aging activities of PEO and its major component, and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Main Methods: The anti-aging activities of PEO and its main component patchouli alcohol (PA) were investigated by examining the lifespan, senescence associated indicators as well as stress resistance of Caenorhabditis elegans.

Anti-inflammatory oxazole-, nitro- and hexahydropyrrolo[2,1-b]oxazole-containing abietane diterpenoid alkaloids from Salvia miltiorrhiza.

Nine undescibed abietane diterpenoid alkaloids (DAs), salviamines G‒H (1-2), isosalviamines G‒J (3-6), and miltiorramines A‒C (7-9) were isolated from the roots of Salvia miltiorrhiza. Their chemical structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (including 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS), combined with the calculated ECD method and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Among them, compounds 1-6 are unusual 20-nor- or 19,20-bisnor-abietane DAs with an oxazole ring.

Megastigmane glycosides from the traditional Uighur medicine Cydonia oblonga Mill.

Phytochemical investigation on the fruits of Cydonia oblonga Mill., a traditional Uighur medicine, led to the isolation of seven undescribed and nine known megastigmane glycosides. Their structures including absolute configurations were characterized by an extensive analysis of spectroscopic data including HRESIMS and NMR, combined with ECD calculations.

Icariin, astragaloside a and puerarin mixture attenuates cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice via inhibition of ferroptosis-lipid peroxidation.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that seriously threatens the quality of life of the elderly. Its pathogenesis has not yet been fully elucidated. Ferroptosis, a cell death caused by excessive accumulation of iron-dependent lipid peroxides, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AD.

Dual-energy computed tomography in the early evaluation of acute radiation pneumonia.

Objective: To investigate the value of dual-energy dual-source computed tomography (DSCT) in evaluating pulmonary perfusion changes before and after radiotherapy for esophageal cancer, and its clinical use in the early diagnosis of acute radiation pneumonia (ARP).

Methods: We selected 45 patients with pathologically confirmed esophageal cancer who received radiotherapy (total irradiation dose of 60 Gy). Dual-energy DSCT scans were performed before and after radiotherapy and the normalized iodine concentrations (NIC) in the lung fields of the areas irradiated with doses of > 20 Gy, 10-20 Gy, 5-10 Gy, and < 5 Gy were measured.

Clerodane diterpenoids from the Uygur medicine Salvia deserta with immunosuppressive activity.

Six undescribed clerodane diterpenoids along with five known ones were isolated from the aerial parts of Salvia deserta, a traditional Uygur medicine. Their chemical structures including absolute configurations were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (including 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, and IR), combined with calculated ECD method and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. All the compounds possessed a terminal α,β-unsaturated-γ-lactone moiety, and were assayed for their immunosuppressive activity via inhibiting the secretion of cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 in macrophages RAW264.

Secoiridoids from the traditional Chinese medicine Swertia pseudochinensis.

Detailed phytochemical investigation on the traditional Chinese medicine Swertia pseudochinensis Hara led to the isolation of ten undescribed secoiridoids and fifteen known analogs. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis (including 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS). Selected isolates were assayed for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities, and moderate anti-inflammatory activity via inhibiting the secretion of cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in macrophages RAW264.

[Effect of active component compound of Epimedii Folium,Astragali Radix,and Puerariae Lobatae Radix on expression of ADAM17 in HT22 cells by mediating hepcidin].

Alzheimer's disease(AD) patients in China have been surging, and the resultant medical burden and care demand have a huge impact on the development of individuals, families, and the society. The active component compound of Epimedii Folium, Astragali Radix, and Puerariae Lobatae Radix(YHG) can regulate the expression of iron metabolism-related proteins to inhibit brain iron overload and relieve hypofunction of central nervous system in AD patients. Hepcidin is an important target regulating iron metabolism.

The Effect of TCM-Induced HAMP on Key Enzymes in the Hydrolysis of AD Model Cells.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) process is characterized classically by two hallmark pathologies: β-amyloid (Aβ) plaque deposition and neurofibrillary tangles of hyperphosphorylated tau. Aβ peptides play an important role in AD, but despite much effort the molecular mechanisms of how Aβ contributes to AD remain unclear. The present study evaluated the effects of the active components of Epimedium, Astragalus and Radix Puerariae induced HAMP on key enzymes in the hydrolysis of APP in HT22 cells.

The Analysis of Anxiety and Depression in Different Stages of in vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer in Couples in China.

Background: This study aimed to examine the differences in anxiety and depression between infertile Chinese couples in diverse stages of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and their relationship with the IVF-ET outcomes.

Methods: From February 2016 to December 2018, a total of 247 couples that were undergoing IVF-ET were randomly selected for this study. On the day they started their treatment (T1), the day human chorionic gonadotropin was administered (T2), and 4 days after the embryo transfer (T3), self-designed questionnaires, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale, and the Self-Rating Depression Scale were completed to investigate anxiety and depression in different stages.

A coaxial film capacitor with a novel structure to enhance its flashover performance.

As one of the key components of an electromagnetic pulse simulator, the peaking capacitor is coaxially constructed with a laminate structure utilizing alternative thin metal rings and polymer film dielectrics, which is designed as a part of the antenna. This paper presents a coaxial film capacitor with a novel structure to improve its flashover performance. First, the relationship between the capacitance and the capacitor's structural parameters are deduced, and a theoretical basis of lengthening the polymer film dielectrics to enhance the flashover performance is discussed.

TrkB-Shc Signaling Protects against Hippocampal Injury Following Status Epilepticus.

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common and commonly devastating form of human epilepsy for which only symptomatic therapy is available. One cause of TLE is an episode of prolonged seizures [status epilepticus (SE)]. Understanding the molecular signaling mechanisms by which SE transforms a brain from normal to epileptic may reveal novel targets for preventive and disease-modifying therapies.

Gallaecimonas mangrovi sp. nov., a novel bacterium isolated from mangrove sediment.

A Gram-stain negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, strictly aerobic bacterium HK-28 was isolated from a mangrove sediment sample in Haikou city, Hainan Province, China. Strain HK-28 was able to grow at 10-45 °C (optimum 25-30 °C), pH 5.0-8.

[Research advance in metabolism of effective ingredients from traditional Chinese medicines by probiotics].

The pharmacological activity of active ingredients from Chinese medicine depends greatly on the microecological environment of probiotics in the human body. After effective ingredients from traditional Chinese medicines are metabolized or biotransformed by probiotics, their metabolites can increase pharmacological activity, and can be absorbed more easily to improve the bioavailability. Therefore, the combination of Chinese medicines with probiotics is the innovation point in R&D of functional food and Chinese medicines, and also a new thinking for the modernization of Chinese medicine.

Vagal nerve stimulation modifies neuronal activity and the proteome of excitatory synapses of amygdala/piriform cortex.

Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Therapy is a United States Food and Drug Administration approved neurotherapeutic for medically refractory partial epilepsy and treatment-resistant depression. The molecular mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects are unclear. We hypothesized that one mechanism involves neuronal activity-dependent modifications of central nervous system excitatory synapses.

A Peptide Uncoupling BDNF Receptor TrkB from Phospholipase Cγ1 Prevents Epilepsy Induced by Status Epilepticus.

The BDNF receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkB, underlies nervous system function in both health and disease. Excessive activation of TrkB caused by status epilepticus promotes development of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), revealing TrkB as a therapeutic target for prevention of TLE. To circumvent undesirable consequences of global inhibition of TrkB signaling, we implemented a novel strategy aimed at selective inhibition of the TrkB-activated signaling pathway responsible for TLE.

Effective components of Chinese herbs reduce central nervous system function decline induced by iron overload.

Abnormally increased levels of iron in the brain trigger cascade amplification in Alzheimer's disease patients, resulting in neuronal death. This study investigated whether components extracted from the Chinese herbs epimedium herb, milkvetch root and kudzuvine root could relieve the abnormal expression of iron metabolism-related protein in Alzheimer's disease patients. An APPswe /PS1ΔE9 double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease was used.

Disruption of Fgf13 causes synaptic excitatory-inhibitory imbalance and genetic epilepsy and febrile seizures plus.

We identified a family in which a translocation between chromosomes X and 14 was associated with cognitive impairment and a complex genetic disorder termed "Genetic Epilepsy and Febrile Seizures Plus" (GEFS(+)). We demonstrate that the breakpoint on the X chromosome disrupted a gene that encodes an auxiliary protein of voltage-gated Na(+) channels, fibroblast growth factor 13 (Fgf13). Female mice in which one Fgf13 allele was deleted exhibited hyperthermia-induced seizures and epilepsy.

Neuroprotective effects of the Buyang Huanwu decoction on functional recovery in rats following spinal cord injury.

Background: The Buyang Huanwu decoction (BYHWD) is a traditional Chinese herbal prescription and has been used in China to treat spinal cord injury (SCI) for hundreds of years. Clinical trials have shown that BYHWD improves the outcome of SCI in clinical trials, but the mechanisms are not known. This study observed the neuroprotective effects of BYHWD on spinal nerve cells after SCI and investigated possible mechanisms.

Impairment of kindling development in phospholipase Cγ1 heterozygous mice.

Objective: Elucidating molecular mechanisms underlying limbic epileptogenesis may reveal novel targets for preventive therapy. Studies of TrkB mutant mice led us to hypothesize that signaling through a specific phospholipase (PLC), PLCγ1, promoted development of kindling.

Methods: To test this hypothesis, we examined the development of kindling in PLCγ1 heterozygous mice.

Deficiency of asparagine synthetase causes congenital microcephaly and a progressive form of encephalopathy.

We analyzed four families that presented with a similar condition characterized by congenital microcephaly, intellectual disability, progressive cerebral atrophy, and intractable seizures. We show that recessive mutations in the ASNS gene are responsible for this syndrome. Two of the identified missense mutations dramatically reduce ASNS protein abundance, suggesting that the mutations cause loss of function.

Transient inhibition of TrkB kinase after status epilepticus prevents development of temporal lobe epilepsy.

Temporal lobe epilepsy is the most common and often devastating form of human epilepsy. The molecular mechanism underlying the development of temporal lobe epilepsy remains largely unknown. Emerging evidence suggests that activation of the BDNF receptor TrkB promotes epileptogenesis caused by status epilepticus.

The auxiliary subunit KChIP2 is an essential regulator of homeostatic excitability.

Background: The necessity for, or redundancy of, distinctive KChIP proteins is not known.

Results: Deletion of KChIP2 leads to increased susceptibility to epilepsy and to a reduction in IA and increased excitability in pyramidal hippocampal neurons.

Conclusion: KChIP2 is essential for homeostasis in hippocampal neurons.

A survey of high risk factors affecting retinopathy in full-term infants in China.

Aim: To investigate the possible relationship between the influencing factors occurring before and during birth in full-term infants and the outcome of retinopathy.

Methods: Totally 816 full-term infants admitted in the neonate intensive unit of Boai Hospital of Zhongshan between 1 May, 2008 and 30 June, 2011 were included in the study. Fundus examination was performed and evaluated individually on them at the age of 48 hours after delivery, 2 weeks and 1 month.

Antifungal efficacy of natamycin in experimental fusarium solani keratitis.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of topical administration Natamycin, which is produced by China, in an experimental rabbit model of Fusarium solani keratitis, to provide experimental basis for the application of clinical safety.

Methods: Fusarium solani was induced in the right eye of 30 New Zealand rabbits. Forty-eight hours after inoculation, the animals were divided into 3 different treatment groups, 10 rabbit eyes of each group: Group 1 (Natamycin) treated with topical Natamycin, group 2 (Natacyn) treated with topical Natacyn, group 3 (control) treated with topical saline solution.