Identification and bioactivity evaluation of twelve previously undescribed depsidone derivatives from Garcinia oligantha.

Phytochemical studies on the leaves and twigs of Garcinia oligantha Merr. led to the isolation of twelve previously undescribed depsidone derivatives (oliganthdepsidones A-L, 1-12). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis including H and C NMR, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY along with HRESIMS.

Ultralow-Frequency Tip-Enhanced Raman Scattering Discovers Nanoscale Radial Breathing Mode on Strained 2D Semiconductors.

Collective excitations including plasmons, magnons, and layer-breathing vibration modes emerge at an ultralow frequency (<1 THz) and are crucial for understanding van der Waals materials. Strain at the nanoscale can drastically change the property of van der Waals materials and create localized states like quantum emitters. However, it remains unclear how nanoscale strain changes collective excitations.

Volume-Corrected Free Energy as a New Criterion for Structural Elucidation in Chemical-Tagging-Based Metabolomics.

Chemical tagging via possible derivatization reagents alters metabolites' retention times, leading to different retention behavior during liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis. Incorporation of the retention time dimension can dramatically reduce false-positive structural elucidation in chemical-tagging-based metabolomics. However, few studies predict the retention times of chemically labeled metabolites, especially requiring a simple, easy-to-access, accurate, and universal predictor or descriptor.

Correlation coefficient-directed label-free characterization of native proteins by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy.

Investigation of proteins in their native state is the core of proteomics towards better understanding of their structures and functions. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has shown its unique advantages in protein characterization with fingerprint information and high sensitivity, which makes it a promising tool for proteomics. It is still challenging to obtain SERS spectra of proteins in the native state and evaluate the native degree.

Anti-tumor alkaloids from Peganum harmala.

Six alkaloids peharmalines F-K, along with 14 known ones, were isolated from the aerial part of Peganum harmala L.. The structures of the isolated compounds were determined based on their HR-ESI-MS data, extensive NMR spectroscopic analyses, and ECD calculations.

Reference ranges and Z-scores of atrioventricular and ventriculoatrial time intervals in normal fetuses.

Objective: To establish a reference range and compare differences among three methods, and then to construct Z-score reference ranges in normal fetuses from the three methods to provide an extra tool for fetal conduction time assessment.

Methods: A total of 227 echocardiographic examinations were finally included. Fetal atrioventricular (AV) time and ventriculoatrial (VA) time intervals were measured by three methods: superior vena cava/ascending aorta (SVC/AAO), pulmonary artery/pulmonary vein (PA/PV) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).

Polyprenylated xanthones from the twigs and leaves of Garcinia nujiangensis and their cytotoxic evaluation.

Inspired by the intriguing structures and bioactivities of polyprenylated xanthones, ten previously undescribed polyprenylated xanthones, nujiangxanthones G-P (1-10), and fifteen known ones (11-25) were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Garcinia nujiangensis. The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of spectroscopic data as well as comparison with the literature. Most of the isolates showed potent cytotoxicity against selected cancer cells.

Is Fetal Intelligent Navigation Echocardiography Helpful in Screening for d-Transposition of the Great Arteries?

Objectives: To evaluate the performance of fetal intelligent navigation echocardiography (FINE) applied to spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) volumes in generating 3 specific abnormal cardiac views (left ventricular outflow tract, right ventricular outflow tract, and 3-vessel and trachea) used to screen for d-transposition of the great arteries (d-TGA).

Methods: In this prospective study, 1 or more STIC volumes were obtained from the 4-chamber view in 34 second- and third-trimester fetuses with d-TGA. Each appropriate STIC volume was evaluated by STICLoop (Samsung Medison, Seoul, Korea) before applying the FINE method.

Fetal Right Aortic Arch: A Quantitative Method of Outcome Prediction.

Objective: To investigate right aortic arches (RAA) quantitatively and risk-stratify fetuses with RAA prenatally.

Method: A total of 143 singleton fetuses were enrolled. Four measurements were studied, including the angle and distance between the aortic arch (AO) and ductal arch (DA), the diameters of the AO and DA, and the distance growth rate (DGR).

Clinical Observation of the Efficacy of Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography on Elder Choledocholithiasis and Its Effects on the Levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6.

Objective: We conducted this study to investigate the clinical efficacy of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) on elder choledocholithiasis and its effects on the levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6.

Methods: Elder patients with choledocholithiasis were enrolled in this study, and according to the surgical methods, they were divided into the ERCP group and the surgical group. After treatment, we compared the efficacy of these two methods on patients, inflammatory responses indicated by the levels of TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6, and the complications.

Z-scores of early diastolic blood flow widths of mitral and tricuspid valves in normal fetuses and fetuses with dilated coronary sinus.

To establish Z-score models for early diastolic blood flow widths of mitral and tricuspid valves in normal fetuses and compare Z-scores and other blood flow dynamic parameters between normal fetuses and fetuses with dilated coronary sinus (CS). This study seeks to assess whether dilated CS affects cardiac structure or hemodynamics. One hundred twenty-nine normal fetuses (Group I) and 15 fetuses with dilated CS connected to persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) (Group II) were included in this study.

New application of phthalocyanine molecules: from photodynamic therapy to photothermal therapy by means of structural regulation rather than formation of aggregates.

Phthalocyanine (Pc) molecules exhibit high extinction coefficients in near-infrared region, rendering them well-suited for phototherapies, but most of their applications are limited to the field of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Herein, for the first time, we illustrate that Pc molecules can be endowed with excellent photothermal properties by means of structural regulation rather than formation of aggregates. Three representative Pc derivatives show efficient activities of photothermal therapy (PTT) against human hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

Z-scores for fetal left atrial size and left atrium-descending aorta distance in fetuses with isolated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection.

Objectives: To construct Z-score reference ranges for fetal left atrial (LA) size and left atrium-descending aorta distance (LDD or 'post-LA distance') at 20 to 40 weeks' gestation and to compare these parameters between fetuses with isolated total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) and normal fetuses.

Methods: Three hundred thirty-three normal singleton fetuses from 20 to 40 weeks' gestation were enrolled in a prospective cross-sectional study. Six cardiovascular dimensions were obtained by two-dimensional echocardiography.

A tumor-targeted activatable phthalocyanine-tetrapeptide-doxorubicin conjugate for synergistic chemo-photodynamic therapy.

Chemo-photodynamic therapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatments. However, it remains a challenge to develop a chemo-photodynamic therapeutic agent with little side effect, high tumor-targeting, and efficient synergistic effect simultaneously. Herein, we report a zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc)-doxorubicin (DOX) prodrug linked with a fibroblast activation protein (FAP)-responsive short peptide with the sequence of Thr-Ser-Gly-Pro for chemo-photodynamic therapy.

Protective effect of pioglitazone on kidney injury in diabetic rats.

Objectives: To investigate the protective effect of pioglitazone on kidney injury in diabetic rat model and its mechanisms.

Methods: Forty healthy Sprague Dawley rats were selected and randomly divided into five groups, with 8 rats in each group. Group A served as control group and were administered with sterile citrate buffer (i.

Overexpression of immunoglobulin G prompts cell proliferation and inhibits cell apoptosis in human urothelial carcinoma.

Only B lymphocytes can express immunoglobulins according to the traditional immunological theories, and the expression of immunoglobulin G (IgG) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein was found in certain human cancer cells recently. However, the expression pattern of IgG and its possible role in human urothelial carcinoma are still elusive. In this study, we investigated the expression of IgG in two human urothelial carcinoma cell lines, T24 and BIU-87, and in 56 cases of clinical urothelial carcinoma tissues.

Recent progress in protein imprinting technology.

Protein-imprinted materials have drawn great attention nowadays for their promising application in biotechnology and biomedical engineering. Despite the success of molecular imprinting technique of small molecules in chemical and biomedical industry, imprinting of large molecules especially biomacromolecules remains a challenge. In recent years, however, a number of significant protein imprints have been reported, some of which may have great potential in applications for chromatography and biosensors.

[Clinical significance of electrophysiological tests of BCR, ICR and PSEP for ED patients].

Objective: To assess the clinical significance of electrophysiological tests of bulbocavernosus reflex (BCR), ischiocavernosus reflex (ICR) and pudenda somatosensory evoked potential (PSEP) for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED).

Methods: Electrophysiological tests of BCR, ICR and PSEP were performed for 232 ED patients with IIEF-5 scores of 2-20 (10.39 +/- 5.

Diabetes mellitus: is it protective against aortic root dilatation?

Objectives: There is evidence of a negative association between diabetes and both abdominal aortic aneurysm and aortic diameter. However, little information is available on the relation between diabetes and aortic root diameter.

Methods: We studied 109 patients with type 2 diabetes.

[Urethroplasty with oblique preputial island flap for the treating of hypospadia].

Objective: To Explore the effect of oblique preputial island flap for the treating of hypospadias.

Methods: Fifty-one patients were performed one-stage urethroplasty with oblique preputial island flap to repair hypospadias.

Results: All cases resulted in a good contour of the penis without any redundancy and a normal anatomic position of slit-shaped urethral meatus.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating-peptide and its receptor antagonists in development of acute pancreatitis in rats.

Aim: Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating-peptide (PACAP) is a late member of the secretin/glucagon/vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) family of brain-gut peptides. It is unknown whether PACAP takes part in the development of acute pancreatitis and whether PACAP or its antagonists can be used to suppress the progression of acute pancreatitis. We investigated the actions of PACAP and its receptor antagonists in acute pancreatitis on rats.

Distinct homeostatic requirements of CD4+ and CD4- subsets of Valpha24-invariant natural killer T cells in humans.

CD1d-restricted Valpha24-invariant natural killer T cells (iNKTs) are important in immunoregulation. CD4(+) and CD4(-) iNKTs develop with similar frequencies in murine thymus and depend on interleukin-15 (IL-15) in periphery. However, homeostatic requirements of iNKTs have not been analyzed in humans.

Effect of inducible cyclooxygenase expression on local microvessel blood flow in acute interstitial pancreatitis.

Objective: To investigate the role of inducible cyclooxygenase (COX-2) mRNA expression in local microvessels in rats with acute interstitial pancreatitis (AIP) induced by caerulein injection.

Methods: The reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect COX-2 gene expression in pancreatic tissue. Parameters of acute pancreatitis, such as serum amylase (AMS) and plasma myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities, were assayed using spectrophotometry.