Identifying subtypes of longitudinal motor symptom severity trajectories in early Parkinson's disease patients.

Background: Motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients affect their ability of daily activities. Identifying distinct trajectories of motor symptom progression in PD patients can facilitate long-term management.

Methods: A total of 155 PD patients were acquired from the Parkinson's Disease Progression Marker Initiative (PPMI).

Simulation of adipose tissue restructured by cyclodextrin-gellan gum based emulsion gel.

Plant-based meats have emerged as a promising alternative to reduce consumption of traditional animal-based foods. However, it is still a challenge to substitute animal adipose tissue by plant-based ingredients nowadays. The existing emulsion gel systems are difficult to mimic the distinctive cookability of animal adipose tissue.

Effects of glycemic indicators on early neurological outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis.

Background: Stress hyperglycemia (SH) is a common phenomenon that is present in about 50% of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). It is thought to be a main risk factor for poor functional outcome among patients with AIS undergoing intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).

Aim: To investigate the predictive value of glycemic indicators for early neurological outcomes (ENOs) in patients with AIS treated with IVT.

Aberrant cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity in patients with vestibular migraine: a resting-state ASL and fMRI study.

Background: Prior neuroimaging studies on vestibular migraine (VM) have extensively certified the functional and structural alterations in multiple brain regions and networks. However, few studies have assessed the cerebral blood flow (CBF) in VM patients using arterial spin labeling (ASL). The present study aimed to investigate CBF and functional connectivity (FC) alterations in VM patients during interictal periods.

Metabolomic analysis reveals the changing trend and differential markers of volatile and nonvolatile components of Artemisiae argyi with different aging years.

Introduction: Artemisia argyi Folium (AAF) is a traditional medicinal herb and edible plant. Analyzing the differential metabolites that affect the efficacy of AAF with different aging years is necessary.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the changing trend and differential markers of volatile and nonvolatile metabolites of AAF from different aging years, which are necessary for application in clinical medicine.

Characteristic volatile components analysis of by GC-MS and their antibacterial and antioxidant activities.

(L.) Crantz is an oilseed plant common in Europe and Asia. This study used the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to examine the differences in the aroma on the basis of extraction method such as water distillation extraction (CSPW), Solid-phase microextraction (CSPM) and subcritical extraction (CSPS).

Quality Evaluation of Peony Petals Based on the Chromatographic Fingerprints and Simultaneous Determination of Sixteen Bioactive Constituents Using UPLC-DAD-MS/MS.

In this study, a validated quality evaluation method with peony flower fingerprint chromatogram combined with simultaneous determination of sixteen bioactive constituents was established using UPLC-DAD-MS/MS. The results demonstrated that the method was stable, reliable, and accurate. The UPLC chemical fingerprints of 12 different varieties of peonies were established and comprehensively evaluated by similarity evaluation (SE), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and quantification analysis.

Astrocyte-specific knockout of YKL-40/Chi3l1 reduces Aβ burden and restores memory functions in 5xFAD mice.

Glial cell-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal attrition are highly correlated with cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease. YKL-40 is a secreted astrocytic glycoprotein that serves as a diagnostic biomarker of Alzheimer's disease. High levels of YKL-40 are associated with either advanced Alzheimer's disease or the normal aging process.

Near-infrared laser-irradiated upconversion nanoparticles with dexamethasone precise released for alleviating lung ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Dexamethasone (DEX), as an important enduring-effect glucocorticoid (GC), holds great promise in the field of lung ischemia-reperfusion injury (LIRI) comprehensive therapy owing to its immunomodulatory properties, such as inducing apoptosis and cell cycle distribution. However, its potent anti-inflammatory application is still restricted because of multiple internal physiologic barriers. Herein, we developed upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) coated with photosensitizer/capping agent/fluorescent probe-modified mesoporous silica (UCNPs@mSiO[DEX]-Py/β-CD/FITC, USDPFs) for precise DEX release synergistic LIRI comprehensive therapy.

Oligosaccharides isolated from protect LPS-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier injury in mice.

Objectives: We investigated the protective effect of oligosaccharides (RGO) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal inflammation and barrier injury among mice.

Methods: RGO is prepared from fresh by water extraction, active carbon decolorization, ion exchange resin impurity removal, macroporous adsorption resin purification, and decompression drying. LPS could establish the model for intestinal inflammation and barrier injury in mice.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Sterically Hindered 1-Substituted Tetrahydro-β-carbolines Enabled by Imine Reductase: Enzyme Discovery, Protein Engineering, and Reaction Development.

We report the discovery of a new imine reductase (IRED), named IRED, by genome mining. Site-saturation mutagenesis on IRED generated two single mutants M118'L and P120'G and the double mutant M118'L/P120'G with improved specific activity toward sterically hindered 1-substituted dihydro-β-carbolines. The synthetic potential of these engineered IREDs was showcased by the preparative-scale synthesis of nine chiral 1-substituted tetrahydro-β-carbolines (THβCs), including ()-1--butyl-THβC and ()-1--pentyl-THβC, in 30-87% isolated yields with excellent optical purities (98-99% ee).

Quantitative fingerprint and antioxidative properties of Artemisia argyi leaves combined with chemometrics.

Quantitative fingerprint and differences of Artemisia argyi from different varieties, picking time, aging year, and origins were analyzed combing with chemometrics. The antioxidant activity was determined and antioxidant markers of Artemisia argyi were screened. Variety WA3 was significantly different from that of the other varieties.

Identification of Novel Artemisinin Hybrids Induce Apoptosis and Ferroptosis in MCF-7 Cells.

A series of novel 1,3,4-oxadiazole-artemisinin hybrids have been designed and synthesized. An MTT assay revealed that most of tested hybrids showed more enhanced anti-proliferative activities than artemisinin, among which A8 had the superior potency with IC values ranging from 4.07 μM to 9.

A Three-Dimensional Inversion Method for Small-Scale Magnetic Objects Based on Normalized Magnetic Source Strength.

The exploration of some dangerous or important small-scale magnetic objects requires accurate three-dimensional inversion results. In this paper, a three-dimensional inversion method for small-scale magnetic objects is proposed. Normalized magnetic source strength, which is weakly sensitive to the magnetization direction, is used for inversion, which avoids the influence of the remanence of magnetic objects.

A Small Target Localization Method Based on the Magnetic Gradient Tensor.

Currently, many small target localization methods based on a magnetic gradient tensor have problems, such as complex solution processes, poor stability, and multiple solutions. This paper proposes an optimization method based on the Euler deconvolution localization method to solve these problems. In a simulation, the Euler deconvolution method, an improved method of the Euler deconvolution method and our proposed method are analyzed under noise conditions.

The mitotic regulator RCC2 promotes glucose metabolism through BACH1-dependent transcriptional upregulation of hexokinase II in glioma.

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified a cell-cycle module that is associated with poor prognosis and aggressiveness of glioma. One of the core members, Regulator of chromatin condensation 2 (RCC2) is a component of the chromosome passenger complex. Accumulating evidence suggests that RCC2 plays a vital role in the mitotic process and that abnormal RCC2 expression is involved in cancer development.

Analysis of Diagnostic Value of Electrogastrography for Parkinson's Disease and its Predictive Value for the Disease Progression.

The study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of indexes detected by electrogastrography in Parkinson's disease patients. One hundred twenty early Parkinson's disease patients and 120 healthy controls were recruited, and underwent electrogastrography to detect dominant frequency (DF), instability coefficient of DF (ICDF), low frequency range (LFR), high frequency range (HFR), and normal frequency range (NFR). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn for the diagnostic value analysis.

Butylphthalide soft capsules combined with modified tonic exercise therapy on neurological function and ability of daily living of patients with stroke hemiplegia.

Objective: To explore the effect of butylphthalide soft capsules combined with modified tonic exercise therapy on neurologic function and the abilities of daily living in patients with stroke hemiplegia.

Methods: In this retrospective trial, a total of 90 patients with stroke hemiplegia admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to January 2020 were enrolled and divided into a control group and an experimental group according to different treatment methods. The two groups were both treated with butylphthalide soft capsules, and the experimental group was additionally treated by modified tonic exercise therapy.

Application of Ketoreductase in Asymmetric Synthesis of Pharmaceuticals and Bioactive Molecules: An Update (2018-2020).

With the rapid development of genomic DNA sequencing, recombinant DNA expression, and protein engineering, biocatalysis has been increasingly and widely adopted in the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, bioactive molecules, fine chemicals, and agrochemicals. In this review, we have summarized the most recent advances achieved (2018-2020) in the research area of ketoreductase (KRED)-catalyzed asymmetric synthesis of chiral secondary alcohol intermediates to pharmaceuticals and bioactive molecules. In the first part, synthesis of chiral alcohols with one stereocenter through the bioreduction of four different ketone classes, namely acyclic aliphatic ketones, benzyl or phenylethyl ketones, cyclic aliphatic ketones, and aryl ketones, is discussed.

Asymmetric Synthesis of a Key Dextromethorphan Intermediate and Its Analogues Enabled by a New Cyclohexylamine Oxidase: Enzyme Discovery, Reaction Development, and Mechanistic Insight.

()-1-(4-Methoxybenzyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydroisoquinoline [()-1-(4-methoxybenzyl)-OHIQ, ()-] is a key synthetic intermediate in the industrial production of dextromethorphan, one of the most widely used over-the-counter antitussives. We report here that a new cyclohexylamine oxidase discovered by genome mining, named CHAO, was able to completely deracemize 100 mM under Turner's deracemization conditions to afford ()- in 80% isolated yield and 99% ee at a semipreparative scale (0.4 mmol).

Ketoreductase catalyzed stereoselective bioreduction of α-nitro ketones.

We report here the stereoselective bioreduction of α-nitro ketones catalyzed by ketoreductases (KREDs) with publicly known sequences. YGL039w and RasADH/SyADH were able to reduce 23 class I substrates (1-aryl-2-nitro-1-ethanone (1)) and ten class II substrates (1-aryloxy-3-nitro-2-propanone (4)) to furnish both enantiomers of the corresponding β-nitro alcohols, with good-to-excellent conversions (up to >99%) and enantioselectivities (up to >99% ee) being achieved in most cases. To the best of our knowledge, KRED-mediated reduction of class II α-nitro ketones (1-aryloxy-3-nitro-2-propanone (4)) is unprecedented.

Artificial Vector Calibration Method for Differencing Magnetic Gradient Tensor Systems.

The measurement error of the differencing (i.e., using two homogenous field sensors at a known baseline distance) magnetic gradient tensor system includes the biases, scale factors, nonorthogonality of the single magnetic sensor, and the misalignment error between the sensor arrays, all of which can severely affect the measurement accuracy.