Quadrivalent hemagglutinin and adhesion expressed on Saccharomyces cerevisiae induce protective immunity against Mycoplasma gallisepticum infection and improve gut microbiota

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) infection causes infectious respiratory diseases in poultry, causing economic losses to the poultry industry. Therefore, this study aims to develop a safe, convenient, and effective multivalent recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae vaccine candidate and to explore its potential for oral immunization as a subunit vaccine. Mycoplasma gallisepticum Cytadhesin (MGC) and variable lipoprotein and hemagglutinin (vlhA) are associated with the pathogenesis of MG. In this study, a quadrivalent recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ST1814G-MG) displaying on MGC2, MGC3, VLH5, and VLH3, proteins was innovatively constructed, and its protective efficiency was evaluated in birds. The results showed that oral immunization with ST1814G-MG stimulates specific antibodies in chickens, reshapes the composition of the gut microbiota, reduces the Mycoplasma loading and pulmonary disease injury in the lungs. In addition, we found that oral ST1814G-MG had better protection against MG infection than an inactivated vaccine, and co-administration with the inactivated vaccine was even more effective. The results suggest that ST1814G-MG is a potentially safer and effective agent for controlling MG infection.

Enhancing physical and chemical stability of hygroscopic hydroxytyrosol by cocrystal formation

Hydroxytyrosol (HT) is a natural phenolic compound with potent antioxidant activity extracted from olive trees. It is generally a slightly hydrated viscous liquid at ambient conditions, and it is highly susceptible to oxygen due to the presence of catechol moiety. Although encapsulation technique provides HT in powder form, it does not improve its chemical stability. Herein, we propose an efficient solution to the high hygroscopicity and poor stability of HT. Four cocrystals were first reported, and their intermolecular interactions were analyzed in detail. After cocrystallization, the melting point is increased and the hygroscopicity is significantly decreased. HT cocrystals are thus solid at room temperature. Moreover, hydroxytyrosol cocrystals with betaine (HT-BET) and nicotinamide (HT-NIC) demonstrate superior chemical stability than pure HT, olive extract, and HT encapsulation material. Therefore, cocrystallization can be considered as a promising approach to overcome the application obstacles of HT.

The Cocrystal of Ubiquinol: Improved Stability and Bioavailability

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) exists in two forms, an oxidized form and a reduced form. Ubiquinol is the fully reduced form of CoQ10. Compared to the oxidized form, ubiquinol has a much higher biological absorption and better therapeutic effect. However, ubiquinol has an important stability problem which hampers its storage and formulation. It can be easily transformed into its oxidized form-ubiquinone-even at low temperature. In this work, we designed, synthesized, and characterized a new cocrystal of ubiquinol with vitamin B3 nicotinamide (UQ-NC). Compared to the marketed ubiquinol form, the cocrystal exhibited an excellent stability, improved dissolution properties, and higher bioavailability. The cocrystal remained stable for a long period, even when stored under stressed conditions. In the dissolution experiments, the cocrystal generated 12.6 (in SIF) and 38.3 (in SGF) times greater maximum ubiquinol concentrations above that of the marketed form. In addition, in the PK studies, compared to the marketed form, the cocrystal exhibited a 2.2 times greater maximum total coenzyme Q10 concentration and a 4.5 times greater AUC than that of the marketed form.

[Bioinformatics analysis of the RNA binding protein DDX39 of Toxoplasma gondii]

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the RNA binding protein of Toxoplasma gondii (TgDDX39) using bioinformatics technology, and to evaluate the immunogenicity of TgDDX39, so as to provide insights into development of toxoplasmosis vaccines.

METHODS

The amino acid sequences of TgDDX39 were retrieved from the ToxoDB database, and the physicochemical properties, transmembrane structure domain, signal peptide sites, post-translational modification sites, coils, secondary and tertiary structures, hydrophobicity, and antigenic epitopes of the TgDDX39 protein were predicted using online bioinformatics tools, incluiding ProtParam, TMHMM 2.0, SignalP 5.0, NetPhos 3.1, COILS, SOPMA, Phyre2, ProtScale, ABCpred, SYFPEITHI and DNA-STAR.

RESULTS

TgDDX39 protein was predicted to be an unstable hydrophilic protein with the molecular formula of C2173H3458N598O661S18, which contained 434 amino acids and had an estimated molecular weight of 49.1 kDa and a theoretical isoelectric point of 5.55. The protein was predicted to have an extremely low possibility of signal peptides, without transmembrane regions, and contain 27 phosphorylation sites. The β turn and random coils accounted for 39.63% of the secondary structure of the TgDDX39 protein, and a coiled helix tended to produce in one site. In addition, the TgDDX39 protein contained multiple B and T cell antigenic epitopes.

CONCLUSIONS

Bioinformatics analyses predict that TgDDX39 protein has high immunogenicity and contains multiple antigenic epitopes. TgDDX39 protein is a potential candidate antigen for vaccine development.

Stereotactic Radiotherapy or Whole Brain Radiotherapy Combined with Pyrotinib and Capecitabine in HER2-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer Patients with Brain Metastases (BROPTIMA): A Prospective, Phase Ib/II Single-Arm Clinical Study

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Approximately half of patients with advanced HER2-positive breast cancer (BC) will develop brain metastases (BM) over time. Local therapy including stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) and whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) is the main initial treatment in malignant tumor patients with BM. However, more than 50% patients after radiotherapy in one year suffered intracranial recurrence. Pyrotinib, a small molecule, irreversible, pan-ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), has a high potency for controlling BM and reducing the occurrence of brain metastases in advanced HER2-positive BC patients. We hypothesized that SRT or WBRT combined with pyrotinib and capecitabine could decrease intracranial progression in HER2 positive BC with newly diagnosed BM.

MATERIALS/METHODS

In this prospective single-arm phase Ib/II trial (NCT04582968), eligible patients were assigned to either fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (FSRT) or whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), combined with pyrotinib and capecitabine. The primary endpoint was one-year CNS progression-free survival (PFS) rate. Secondary endpoints included intracranial objective response rate (IC-ORR) according to RANO-BM criteria, progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS) and evaluation of safety and neurocognitive function.

RESULTS

From January 2020 to August 2022, 40 patients were enrolled. Twenty-nine patients were treated with FSRT in 8 Gy per fraction with 3 to 5 fractions and 11 were treated with WBRT in 3 Gy per fraction with 10 fractions, and then received chemotherapy in a time frame starting from 0 to 7 days after radiotherapy. At a median follow-up of 17.3 months, 1-year CNS-PFS rate was 74.9% (95% CI 61.9-90.7%) and median CNS-PFS was 18 months (95% CI, 15.5 to NA months). One-year PFS rate was 66.9% (53.1-84.2%) and median PFS time was 17.6 months (95% CI 12.8-34.1 months). The best intracranial response rate (IC-ORR: complete response and partial response) was 92.5% (37/40). The most common grade 3 or worse toxicity was diarrhea (7.5%) and asymptomatic radiation necrosis was detected in 4 of 67(6.0%) lesions treated with FSRT. No differences of neurocognitive function evaluated by MMSE (Mini-Mental State Exam) were observed between different groups at any time point.

CONCLUSION

Radiotherapy combined with pyrotinib and capecitabine resulted in a promising efficacy that crossed the pre-specified boundary in patients with HER2-positive advanced breast cancer with brain metastases. This is the first prospective study showing the efficacy and safety of CNS radiotherapy concurrent with pyrotinib and capecitabine in patients with BM from HER2-positive breast cancer. Further investigation in a randomized controlled study is warranted.

[Clinical and endoscopic characteristics of adult celiac disease]

Objective: The study aimed to analyze the clinical and endoscopic characteristics of adult celiac disease (CD) to provide a scientific basis for more effective CD diagnosis and treatment. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the clinical and endoscopic data of 96 adult CD patients treated in the Department of Gastroenterology of the People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from March 2016 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 96 CD patients were diagnosed, including 33 men and 63 women. The average age was 47±14 years (range, 18-81 years). The disease occurred mainly in the age group of 31-60 years. The median course of the disease was 2.0 (0.2-40.0) years. There were 41 (42.7%) classical and 55 (57.3%) non-classical CD patients. All patients with classical CD showed chronic diarrhea, often accompanied by abdominal pain (46.3%, 19/41), abdominal distension (17.1%, 7/41), anemia (65.9%, 27/41), and chronic fatigue (48.8%, 20/41). The main manifestations of non-classical CD were chronic abdominal pain (58.2%, 32/55), abdominal distension (32.7%, 18/55), anemia (40.0%, 22/55), and osteopenia/osteoporosis (38.2%, 21/55). Compared with non-classical CD, anemia developed more frequently in classical CD, and the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.012). The incidence of complications in CD patients was 36.5% (35/96), and the main complications were thyroid disease (19.8%, 19/96), connective tissue disease (6.2%, 6/96), and kidney disease (6.2%, 6/96). There was no significant difference between classical and non-classical CD (P>0.05). The frequency of endoscopic manifestations in CD patients was 84.4% (81/96). Duodenal bulb endoscopy showed nodular changes (72.9%, 70/96), grooved changes (10.4%, 10/96), and focal villous atrophy (9.4%, 9/96). The main manifestations of descending endoscopy were the decrease, flattening, or disappearance of duodenal folds (43.8%, 42/96), scallop-like changes (38.5%, 37/96), and nodular changes (34.4%, 33/96). Conclusions: Adult CD patients are mostly female. CD occurred mainly in the age group of 31-60 years. The clinical manifestations were mainly those of non-classical CD. Some patients often had other autoimmune diseases. Patients with characteristic endoscopic manifestations should be warned about the possibility of developing CD. Clinicians should strengthen the understanding of CD and reduce the related rates of missed diagnosis.

Dehydroepiandrosterone Cocrystals with Improved Solubility and Bioavailability

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is an FDA-approved food supplement used as an assisted reproductive sex hormone. The bioavailability is severely limited by its poor solubility (23 µg/mL). Herein, we aimed to modulate its solubility through cocrystallization. Eight cocrystals of DHEA with pyrocatechol (CAT), hydroquinone (HQ), resorcinol (RES), phloroglucinol (PG), 1,5-dihydroxy naphthalene (DHN), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (PHBA), gallic acid (GA), and 5-hydroxyisophthalic acid (5HIPA) were designed and synthesized. Some basic characterization tools, including powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, were also applied in our work for basic analyses of cocrystals. It is indicated that DHEA-GA exhibits its superiority in dissolution and pharmacokinetic behaviors. While the area under the curve values of DHEA-GA is improved at the ratio of 2.2, the corresponding bioavailability of DHEA is expected to be accordingly increased.

[Study on the difference of curative effect of conventional mercury displacement treatment on mercury in brain and kidney]

Objective: To explore the expulsion effect of sodium dimercaptopropanesulfonate (DMPS) on mercury in different organs of mercury poisoning and the therapeutic effect of glutathione (GSH) combined with antioxidant therapy on mercury poisoning. Methods: In February 2019, 50 SPF male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, 10 rats in each group: A (saline negative control group) , B (HgCL2 positive control group) , treatment group (C: intramuscular injection of DMPS 15 mg/kg treatment, D: intramuscular injection of DMPS30 mg/kg treatment, E: intramuscular injection of DMPS 15 mg/kg and intraperitoneal injection of GSH200 mg/kg treatment) . Rats in group B, C, D and E were subcutaneously injected with mercury chloride solution (1 mg/kg) to establish a rat model of subacute mercury poisoning kidney injury. Rats in group A were subcutaneously injected with normal saline. After the establishment of the model, rats in the treatment group were injected with DMPS and GSH. Rats in group A and group B were injected with normal saline. At 21 d (treatment 7 d) and 28 d (treatment 14 d) after exposure, urine and blood samples of 5 rats in each group were collected. Blood biochemistry, urine mercury, urine microalbumin and mercury content in renal cortex, cerebral cortex and cerebellum were detected. Results: After exposure to mercury, the contents of mercury in renal cortex, cerebrum and cerebellum of rats in group B, C, D and E increased, and urine microalbumin increased. Pathology showed renal tubular injury and renal interstitial inflammation. Compared with group B, urinary mercury and renal cortex mercury in group C, D and E decreased rapidly after DMPS treatment, and there was no significant decrease in mercury levels in cerebellum and cerebral cortex of rats, accompanied by transient increase in urinary albumin after DMPS treatment (P<0.05) ; the renal interstitial inflammation in group E was improved after GSH treatment. There was a positive correlation between urinary mercury and the contents of mercury in renal cortex, cerebral cortex and cerebellum (r=0.61, 0.47, 0.48, P<0.05) . Conclusion: DMPS mercury expulsion treatment can significantly reduce the level of metal mercury in the kidney, and there is no significant change in the level of metal mercury in the cortex and cerebellum.

Improving the dissolution behaviors and bioavailability of abiraterone acetate via multicomponent crystal forms

Abiraterone acetate (ABA), the first-line drug for the treatment of metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), is administered at a high daily dosage of 1000 mg due to its poor solubility, and its fasted absolute oral bioavailability is estimated to be less than 10%. In this work we have focused on developing multicomponent forms with improved dissolution behaviors and bioavailability. Two salts of ABA with malonic acid (ABA-MA) and saccharin (ABA-SAC), and five cocrystals with trans-aconitic acid (ABA-TAA), 1-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (ABA-1HNA), pyrocatechol (ABA-PCA), resorcinol (ABA-RES) and hydroquinone (ABA-HDE) were successfully obtained. Their crystal structures were elucidated by single crystal X-ray diffraction, and these multicomponent forms were fully characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and Fourier Transform Infrared spectra. Among them, ABA-TAA cocrystal shows substantial enhancements both in the solubility and intrinsic dissolution rates in different buffer solutions. In the meantime, we unexpectedly found the gelation of ABA-MA salt and ABA-SAC salt in pH 2.0 buffer solution. The gel-like materials generated on the surface of drug will suppress the release of ABA. Moreover, in vivo pharmacokinetic study on beagle dogs was conducted for ABA-TAA cocrystal preparation and ABA commercial product, and ABA-TAA cocrystal preparation shows enhanced absorption. These advantages in dissolution behaviors and bioavailability demonstrate the potential of ABA-TAA cocrystal to be a better candidate for the treatment of mCRPC compared with ABA.

Enhancing the stability of active pharmaceutical ingredients by the cocrystal strategy

Cocrystal strategies to achieve excellent physiochemical performance under different environmental stress were highlighted here. The lattice energy and the energy barrier of degradation reactions are two pillars in a stable cocrystal construction.

Conformational polymorphs of isotretinoin and their impact on physicochemical and biological properties

Isotretinoin is the first-line drug for treatment of severe acne. Only one polymorph was reported even though it has been launched for nearly 40 years, and its clinic application was however limited by its stability and solubility challenges. In our study, two new polymorphs of isotretinoin were discovered and fully characterized. The transformation relationships between these solid forms were fully discussed, and a visible color change during single-crystal-to-single-crystal phase transition with the conformational change was investigated. Form II is determined to be thermodynamic stable form at room temperature, but metastable form at body temperature. The results show that form II is an ideal solid state possessing both superior thermal stability (60℃, open air) and higher absorption once delivered into body. The thermal stability can be associated with the crystal structure such as torsion angle. The relative bioavailability of form II is higher than form I as expected, and the bioavailability of form II formulation is about 2 times as that of the marketed form I capsule. Therefore, form II formulation could provide an alternative for better performing isotretinoin.

Systematic review and meta-analysis: α-adrenergic receptor blockers in chronic prostatitis

BACKGROUND

Prostatitis seriously endangers the health of men. While they have been widely used in recent years, there remains a lack of systematic evaluation of the clinical efficacy of α-receptor blockers (α-RBs)/α-adrenergic receptor blockers (α-ARBs) in its treatment. Based on this, this study was developed to systematically evaluate the clinical effect of α-ARB in the treatment of prostatitis.

METHODS

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) studying α-RBs or α-ARBs, placebos, or other measures to treat prostatitis were searched in Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and CBM databases from establishment to December 2020. The quality of included articles was evaluated using the Cochrane System Review Manual and Jadad tools, and a meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software.

RESULTS

A total of six articles meeting the requirements were found and included 450 patients. Meta-analysis showed that the National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) score [mean difference (MD) =-1.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): (-3.35 to -0.17), and P=0.03], pain score [MD =-2.24, 95% CI: (-3.65 to -0.83), and P=0.002], voiding symptom score [MD =-1.21, 95% CI: (-2.06 to -0.35), and P=0.006], and quality of life score [MD =-1.40, 95% CI: (-1.48 to -1.33), and P<0.00001] for patients in the experimental group were lower in contrast to those in the control group after the treatment.

DISCUSSION

The use of α-ARB could significantly improve the treatment effect of patients with prostatitis and improve their quality of life.

Circular RNA circSETD3 hampers cell growth, migration, and stem cell properties in bladder cancer through sponging miR-641 to upregulate PTEN

Bladder cancer (BLCA) is a common malignant urothelial cancer in the world. Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) involve in regulating BLCA progression, the role of a novel circular RNA circSETD3 in regulating BLCA pathogenesis has not been studied. The expression of circSETD3, miR-641, PTEN mRNA in BLCA tissues and cell lines were measured using RT-qPCR. The gain-of-function experiments were performed in vitro and in vivo to detect the effects of circSETD3 on cell proliferation, migration, EMT, and stemness maintenance. Besides, rescue experiments were performed to demonstrate the regulatory mechanism of circSETD3/miR-641/PTEN in BLCA cell malignant phenotypes in vitro. CircSETD3 was remarkably downregulated in the cancerous clinical tissues and cell lines, in contrast with their normal counterparts, and circSETD3 tended to be deficient in BLCA patients with larger tumor size, advanced clinical stages, positive lymph metastasis and worse prognosis. In addition, circular isoforms of circSETD3 were more resistant to RNase R+ and actinomycetes D treatment compared to their linear isoforms, and circSETD3 mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of the BLCA cells. Further gain-of-function experiments showed that circSETD3 acted as a tumor suppressor to suppress BLCA cell proliferation, migration, EMT and stemness, and the underlying mechanisms had also been elucidated. Mechanistically, circSETD3 sponged miR-641 to upregulate PTEN, resulting in the blockage of BLCA progression. Our findings indicated that circSETD3 acted as a vital tumor suppressor in BLCA via regulating the miR-641/PTEN axis.

Cocrystals to tune oily vitamin E into crystal vitamin E

d-α-tocopherol (d-αToc), the most biologically active form of natural Vitamin E, is oily in appearance and unstable to oxygen. Esterification and encapsulation are generally needed to stabilize and solidify d-αToc for the purpose of its expanding applications. In this study, we propose a more effective way to stabilize and solidify d-αToc oil in one step. By cocrystallization, the melting point of d-αToc is significantly increased, such that the oily d-αToc is successfully transformed into solid form at room temperature. The single crystal structure of d-αToc was firstly uncovered and the molecular interaction in cocrystals was revealed. Crystalline Vitamin E shows high stability to light and temperature. Its spherical crystallization affords good powder flowability, which is extremely important as food or feed additives. Moreover, cocrystal Vitamin E remains the original form of tocopherol without esterification and thus has a great advantage on higher bioavailability. Cocrystallization of oily d-αToc spares the use of acetic ester and a mass of excipients, which is of great environmental importance and greatly reduces the production cost.

Stabilizing photo-sensitive colchicine through rebalancing electron distribution of the reactive tropolone ring

Photo-sensitive tropolone was stabilized by rebalancing the electron distribution of the reactive system.

Tumor invasion front morphology: a novel prognostic factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

OBJECTIVE

To explore the prognostic value of the morphology of tumor invasion front (TIF) in Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Seventy-four ICC patients with complete clinicopathological data and follow-up information were enrolled in our study. The most typical morphology of TIF of each case will be classified as low-grade group or high-grade group after evaluation by two pathologists. The clinicopathological characteristics, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 26 (35.3%) patients were assigned to low-grade group, while 48 (64.7%) patients were assigned to high-grade group. High-grade group was associated with higher CA19-9 (p=0.032), poor differentiation (p=0.050), larger tumor diameter (p=0.016), advanced T staging (p=0.048), and higher incidence of lymph node (LN) metastasis (0.014). No significant associations were found in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups. On multivariable analysis, high-grade group was a significant independent predictor of worse DFS (HR=0.433, 95% CI=0.235-0.800, p=0.002) and OS (HR=0.363, 95% CI=0.187-0.704, p=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

High-grade morphology of TIF was an independent prognostic factor of ICC.

Effects of BAP1, Ki-67 index, and Id-1 in patients with clear cell renal carcinoma and their correlation with clinical features and prognosis

Background

Clear cell renal carcinoma (CCRCC) is a multigene-related tumor. The aim of the present study was to analyze the expression of breast cancer 1-associated protein 1 (BAP1), Ki-67, and inhibitor of differentiation-1 (Id-1) in CCRCC patients and their correlation with clinical features and prognosis.

Methods

A total of 45 CCRCC patients who were diagnosed and treated at our hospital from January 2016 to January 2018 were included in the present study. BAP1, Ki-67, and Id-1 protein expression in the CCRCC tissue group and adjacent mucosa group was compared. The correlation between BAP1, Ki-67, and Id-1 proteins, and the clinical characteristics and the prognosis of CCRCC patients, were analyzed. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors that affect the prognosis of CCRCC patients.

Results

The negative rate of BAP1 in the CCRCC group was higher than that in the adjacent mucosa group. There were more patients with a Ki-67 index >10 and a higher Id-1-positive rate in the CCRCC tissue group. BAP-1, Ki-67 index, and Id-1 protein expression were not correlated with age, sex, surgical method, microscopic necrosis, and degree of sarcomatoid characteristics of CCRCC patients (P>0.05), but were related to tumor diameter, pathological stage, TNM stage, and World Health Organization (WHO)/Internal Society of Urologic Pathology (ISUP) grade. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the average survival time of the BAP1-negative group, Ki-67 index >10 group, and Id-1 protein-positive group was shorter than that of the BAP1-positive group, Ki-67 index ≤10 group, and Id-1 protein-negative group, respectively. Pathological staging, WHO/ISUP classification, negative BAP1, Ki-67 index >10, and positive Id-1 protein were independent risk factors affecting CCRCC patients (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The expression of BAP1 in CCRCC patients decreased, and the expression of Ki-67 and Id-1 protein increased. Abnormal expression levels of BAP1, Ki-67, and Id-1 proteins were involved in the occurrence and development of CCRCC, and closely related to the prognosis of patients. These can be used as molecular markers for predicting the prognosis of CCRCC patients and as potential targets for tumor treatment.

Combination of Imaging Features and Clinical Biomarkers Predicts Positive Pathology and Microbiology Findings Suggestive of Spondylodiscitis in Patients Undergoing Image-Guided Percutaneous Biopsy

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Pathology and microbiology results for suspected spondylodiscitis on MR imaging are often negative in up to 70% of cases. We aimed to predict whether MR imaging features will add diagnostic value when combined with clinical biomarkers to predict positive findings of spondylodiscitis on pathology and/or microbiology from percutaneous biopsy.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this retrospective single-center institutional review board-approved study, patients with radiologically suspected spondylodiscitis and having undergone percutaneous biopsies were assessed. Demographic characteristics, laboratory values, and tissue and blood cultures were collected. Pathology and microbiology results were used as end points. Three independent observers provided MR imaging-based scoring for typical MR imaging features for spondylodiscitis. Multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic analysis were performed to determine an optimal combination of imaging and clinical biomarkers in predicting positive findings on pathology and/or microbiology from percutaneous biopsy suggestive of spondylodiscitis.

RESULTS

Our patient cohort consisted of 72 patients, of whom 33.3% (24/72) had spondylodiscitis. The mean age was 63 ± 16 years with a male/female ratio of 41:31. Logistic regression revealed a combination with an area under the curve of 0.72 for pathology and 0.68 for pathology and/or microbiology. Epidural enhancement on MR imaging improved predictive performance to 0.87 for pathology and 0.78 for pathology and/or microbiology.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that epidural enhancement on MR imaging added diagnostic value when combined with clinical biomarkers to help predict which patients undergoing percutaneous biopsy will have positive findings for spondylodiscitis on pathology and/or microbiology.

Expression of VEGF, CD73 and their relationship with clinical pathology, microvessel density, and prognosis in renal cell carcinoma

Background

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), a tumor originating from renal tubular epithelial cells, has the second highest incidence of all adult urogenital tumors. However, in most cases, patients show no obvious symptoms in the early or even the late stages of RCC, which seriously impacts the prognosis. This study aimed to analyze the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73) and their relationship with clinical pathology, microvessel density (MVD), and prognosis in RCC.

Methods

The clinical data of 76 patients with RCC who underwent radical nephrectomy in our hospital between October, 2011 and October, 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. The postoperative paraffin specimens were collected; the expression levels of VEGF and CD73 in the tumor tissues were detected, and the MVD was measured. T the expression of VEGF and CD73 and their relationship with clinical pathology, MVD, and prognosis in RCC.

Results

The positive expression rates of VEGF and CD73 in RCC patients with grades G3–G4 were higher than those in patients with grades G1–G2 (P<0.05). The rates in RCC patients with stages III~IV were higher than those in patients with stages I–II (P<0.05). The rates in RCC patients with lymph node metastasis were higher than those in patients without lymph node metastasis (P<0.05). The MVD count of patients with positive expressions of VEGF and CD73 was higher than that of patients with negative expressions (P<0.05). The expressions of VEGF and CD73 in RCC tissues were significantly positively correlated with MVD count (P<0.05). The five-year mortality rate of patients with positive expressions of VEGF and CD73 was higher than that of patients with negative expressions (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The expressions of VEGF and CD73 in RCC tissues can reflect the degree of tumor malignancy, invasion, and metastasis, and are closely related to the formation of microvessels in tumor tissues and the poor prognosis of patients.

Protective effect of renal ischemic postconditioning in renal ischemic-reperfusion injury

Background

Renal ischemic postconditioning (RIPo) can protect the kidney from renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (RIRI). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms for RIPo in renal protection remained elusive. This study aimed to investigate the renoprotective effects of RIPo in an RIR rat model.

Method

The Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into three groups respectively: sham group, the RIRI group and the RIPo group. The levels of proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (Cr), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), reactive oxidative species (ROS), interleukins (IL)-6, IL-1β, and IL-18 were measured by ELISA. Apoptotic cells and caspase-3 positive cells were detected by TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The protein expressive levels of caspase-3, caspase-9, ATG8, Beclin1, p62, LC3-II, P-P13K, P-AKT and P-mTOR were detected by western blot.

Results

Our results showed that pretreatment with RIPo significantly reduced ischemic pathological and morphological changes. The levels of proteinuria, BUN, and Cr were also significantly reduced by RIPo pretreatment. Besides, ATG8, LC3-II and Beclin-1 were upregulated in the RIPo group, but p62 was downregulated. Moreover, RIPo pretreatment resulted in higher levels of phosphorylated PI3K, Akt, and mTOR. These results showed that RIPo protects the kidneys of rats from IRI with suppressed apoptosis and activated autophagy. Mechanically, the activated PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were activated.

Conclusions

Collectively, our data demonstrated that RIPo could suppress Inflammatory response, oxidative stress, apoptosis and induce autophagy as well as activate the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, which may play an important role in renal protection against RIRI.

[Analysis of baseline liver biochemical parameters in 324 cases with novel coronavirus pneumonia in Shanghai area]

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics and liver biochemical parameters of 324 cases admitted with novel coronavirus pneumonia in Shanghai area. Methods: Clinical data and baseline liver biochemical parameters of 324 cases with novel coronavirus pneumonia admitted to the Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 20, 2020 to February 24, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the status of illness: mild type (mild and typical) and severe type (severe and critical).The differences in clinical data and baseline liver biochemical parameters of the two groups were described and compared. The t-test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used for measurement data. The enumeration data were expressed by frequency and rate, and chi-square test was used. Results: Of the 324 cases with novel coronavirus pneumonia, 26 were severe cases (8%), with median onset of 5 days, 20 cases were HBsAg positive (6.2%), and 70 cases (21.6%) with fatty liver, diagnosed with X-ray computed tomography. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (TBil), albumin(ALB) and international normalized ratio (INR) of 324 cases at baseline were 27.86 ± 20.02 U/L, 29.33 ± 21.02 U/L, 59.93 ± 18.96 U / L, 39.00 ± 54.44 U/L, 9.46 ± 4.58 μmol / L, 40.64 ± 4.13 g / L and 1.02 ± 0.10. Of which, ALT was > than the upper limit of normal (> ULN), accounting for 15.7% (51/324). ALT and AST > ULN, accounting for 10.5% (34/324). ALP > ULN, accounting for 1.2% (4/324). ALP and GGT > ULN, accounting for 0.9% (3/324). INR > ULN was lowest, accounting for 0.6% (2/324). There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) in ALT [(21.5 vs. 26) U / L, P = 0.093], ALP [(57 vs.59) U/L, P = 0.674], and GGT [(24 vs.28) U/L, P = 0.101] between the severe group and the mild group. There were statistically significant differences in AST (23 U/L vs. 34 U/L, P < 0.01), TBil (10.75 vs. 8.05 μmol / L, P < 0.01), ALB (35.79 ± 4.75 vs. 41.07 ± 3.80 g/L, P < 0.01), and INR (1.00 vs. 1.04, P < 0.01). Conclusion: The baseline liver biochemical parameters of 324 cases with novel coronavirus pneumonia in Shanghai area was comparatively lower and the liverinjury degree was mild, and the bile duct cell damage was rare.

The axial chirality hidden in vitamin D and its application in cocrystal prediction

An ECD titration method was developed to detect hydrogen-bonding interaction in solution and to predict cocrystal formation in the solid state.

Comparison of the crystal structures and physicochemical properties of novel resveratrol cocrystals

Resveratrol (RSV) is one of the most extensively investigated natural polyphenol with potential cardioprotective effects and various biological activities. However, the polymorphism and solvates of RSV cocrystals have not been studied comprehensively. In addition, the relationship between the crystal packing modes and their physicochemical properties of RSV cocrystals remains poorly understood. In this paper, seven novel RSV cocrystals were prepared and characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic vapor sorption, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Five RSV–4,4′-vinylenedipyridine (DPE) cocrystals were synthesized with polymorphs and solvates, such as RSV–DPE (1:2) in form (I) [RSV–2DPE form (I)], RSV–DPE (1:2) in form (II) [RSV–2DPE form (II)], RSV–DPE (1:1) (RSV–DPE), RSV–DPE (2:3)·acetone (RSV–1.5DPE·0.5ACE), RSV–DPE (1:1.5)·MeOH (RSV–1.5DPE·MeOH). However, RSV–4,4′-ethylenedipyridine (BPE) and RSV–4,4′-azobispyridine (AZPY) cocrystals were prepared as their single crystal forms, that is, RSV–BPE (1:1.5) (RSV–1.5BPE) and RSV–AZPY (1:2) (RSV–2AZPY). RSV–2DPE form (II) can be transformed from RSV–2DPE form (I) during the heating process from single crystal to single crystal. The physicochemical properties of RSV cocrystals are closely related to their crystal packing modes. Also, the conformation and molecular packing of RSV among different cocrystals is flexible. The solubility of RSV–1.5BPE and RSV–2DPE form (II) exhibit higher than RSV in the buffer solution of pH 4.6 and 2.0, respectively. This study may provide a valuable insight into the crystal packing modes of cocrystals which may affect their physicochemical properties.

Solvatochromism and mechanochromism observed in a triphenylamine derivative

A donor-π-acceptor fluorescent dye, 4-[N,N-di(4-phenyl)amino]benzaldehyde 4-chlorobenzoyl hydrazone (TPA-CBH), based on a triphenylamine derivative (TPA) and 4-chlorobenzoyl hydrazine (CBH) was designed and synthesized. The optical properties of this luminogen were investigated in solutions as well as in the solid states. In the intramolecular charge-transfer (CT) mechanism, TPA-CBH exhibits solvatochromism when dissolved in various polar solvents. Aggregation-induced emission was observed with the changes of tetrahydrofuran/water ratios. In the solid state, mechanochromic fluorescence is observed when the samples are stressed under different conditions. Based on structural analyses and theoretical calculations, it is found that intra- and intermolecular CT processes play a key role in the diversity of fluorescent properties.

[Clinical characteristics of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery in 91 children]

Objective: To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) . Methods: A retrospective study identified 91 patients diagnosed with ALCAPA at Shanghai Children's Medical Center from March 2010 to August 2017. According to the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the time of consultation, patients were divided into the cardiac insufficiency group (n=54) and the normal cardiac function group (n=37). Clinical features (age of onset, clinical performance, etc) and auxiliary examinations (electrocardiogram, echocardiography, etc) between the two groups were compared using a t-test and a Chi-square test. Prognostic factors were analyzed by an ordered logistic regression and a Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: (1) The age of diagnosis of patients in the cardiac insufficiency group who were usually misdiagnosed as cardiomyopathy was (10.0±2.6) months (20/54) , whereas the age of diagnosis of patients in the normal cardiac function group who were usually misdiagnosed as valvular diseases was (40.0±7.8) months (4/37). According to the pathophysiological mechanism, forty of the 54 (74%) patients in the cardiac insufficiency group were infantile type, and 78% patients (29/37) in the normal cardiac function group were adult type. (2) Preoperative electrocardiogram showed the deep Q wave in lead I occurred more frequently in the cardiac insufficiency group than in the normal cardiac function group (28/54 vs. 11/37, χ(2)=4.388, P=0.036). (3) Twenty patients died in the cardiac insufficiency group including 12 patients who died from postoperative cardiac pump failure and 8 children who did not undergo surgery due to poor prognosis and died from other reasons. There was no death in the normal cardiac function group. (4) Preoperative LVEF was the unique risk factor affecting prognosis (F=16.872, P=0.005). The preoperative LVEF was significantly lower than the postoperative LVEF ((37±11)% vs. (45±14)%, t=3.614, P=0.001) in the cardiac insufficiency group. During the follow-up period, 6 patients in the cardiac insufficiency group still presented with postoperative cardiac dysfunction, and the patients in the normal cardiac function group still had normal cardiac function. Conclusions: Preoperative LVEF was the unique risk factor affecting prognosis of ALCAPA. Patients with infantile type ALCAPA and preoperative cardiac insufficiency should receive long-term follow-up treatment.

Anisotropic elasticity and plasticity of an organic crystal

Organic crystals are generally considered to be brittle, inelastic materials, which pose challenges for application in flexible devices. Inspired by α helical proteins for their key structural role in flexible hair, here, we describe the construction of a spring-like hydrogen bonded network through the self-assembly of a-OH/e-OH cyclohexanol derivatives.

RQ3, A Natural Rebaudioside D Isomer, Was Obtained from Glucosylation of Rebaudioside A Catalyzed by the CGTase Toruzyme 3.0 L

In this study, a monoglucosyl rebaudioside A product was isolated from the mixture of glucosylated rebaudioside A obtained from the most reported and industrial used cyclodextrin glycosyl transferase, Toruzyme 3.0 L (CGTase, Toruzyme 3.0 L). The molecular structure of the monoglucosyl rebaudioside A was characterized using LC-MS/MS and methylation analysis combined with 1D and 2D NMR, indicating that it is 13-[(2-O-(3-α-O-D-glucopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranosyl-3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy] ent-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid β-D-glucopyranosyl ester (also known as RQ3, which naturally exists in Stevia extract as an isomer of rebaudioside D). This study may help to further understand the reaction mechanism of glucosylation of steviol glycoside assisted by Toruzyme 3.0 L in the aspect of molecule linkage pattern, and also benefit the application of the glucosylated rebaudiosides.

Identification of an Overlooked Halogen-Bond Synthon and Its Application in Designing Fluorescent Materials

Research on new supramolecular synthons facilitates the progress of materials design. Herein, the ability of sp² carbonyl oxygen atoms to act as halogen-bond acceptors was established through cocrystallization. Four sets of carbonyl compounds, including aldehydes, ketones, esters, and amides, were selected as halogen-bond acceptors. In the absence of strong hydrogen bonds, 14 out of 16 combinations of halogen-bond donors and acceptors could form cocrystals, whereby the supramolecular synthon C=O⋅⋅⋅X acts as the main interaction. Further, the geometric parameters of the C=O⋅⋅⋅X interaction were statistically revealed on the basis of the crystallographic database. The bifurcated interaction mode that has been observed in other halogen-bond synthons rarely occurs in the case of C=O⋅⋅⋅X. The robustness of C=O⋅⋅⋅X makes its application in crystal engineering possible and opens up new opportunities in designing multicomponent fluorescent materials, as indicated by multicolor emission of cocrystals D through C=O⋅⋅⋅X interactions.

Confocal Raman micro-spectral evidence and physicochemical evaluation of triamterene salts

Discrimination of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) existing as neutral molecules or salts is essential and complicated. However, the discrimination of pharmaceutical salts by confocal Raman micro-spectroscopy remains relatively poorly understood. In this paper, four new salts of triamterene (Tri) cocrystallized with nicotinic acid (NA), benzoic acid (BA), p-toluenesulfonic acid (TA), or isonicotinic acid (INA) were prepared and characterized comprehensively by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), polarized light microscopy (PLM), and dynamic vapor sorption (DVS). Ionized pteridine is identified by marker peaks in the confocal Raman micro-spectra that are characteristic of C[double bond, length as m-dash]N. The single crystal structures of Tri-NA·H2O and Tri-TA further demonstrate that a proton transfers from the carboxylic group of NA or TA to the pyrimidine N1 atom of Tri and their salts formation take place. The intrinsic dissolution rate (IDR) and apparent equilibrium solubility of these four salts are improved compared to the pure Tri component, especially for Tri-BA. This study provides a valuable insight into pharmaceutical salt discrimination by vibrational spectroscopy and presents that the combination of Tri with an acid can be a possible and promising alternative formulation of Tri.

Hydrochromism behaviors of solid forms of chelerythrine hydrochloride

Salt formation has the potential to produce smart stimulus–response fluorescent materials without modifying the main chemical structures, especially for unstable stem-nucleus structures, and this is investigated in this work.

γ-Aminobutyric Acid (GABA) Induced in Vitro Differentiation of Rat Pancreatic Ductal Stem Cells into Insulin-Secreting Islet-Like Cell Clusters

In vitro produced β-like cells can provide promising cell therapy for curing the epidemic of diabetes. In this context, we aimed to investigate the effects of different concentrations of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) on the differentiation of rat pancreatic ductal epithelial-like stem cells (PDESCs) into β-like cells. The PDESC line cells were cultured in the basal media (DMEM/F12 + 10% FBS + 1% penicillinstreptomycin) supplemented with 0 μM, 5 μM, 50 μM, 500 μM, and 5 mM of GABA for 28 days to induce their differentiation. The differentiated cells were detected by cell morphology, dithizone (DTZ) staining, immunofluorescence staining, real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) assay to validate their identity. At the end of 28 days, compared with the control group, enrichment of induced cells was high among the 5 μM, 50 μM, 500 μM, and 5 mM GABA induction groups. The formation of islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) began at 14 days, and the cell clusters showed a growth trend with the culture time. The induced ICCs were positive for DTZ staining, while the control group showed negative results for DTZ staining and the differentiated cells were also positive for β-cell-specific markers (Ins1 and Pdx1). GSIS assay of 50 μM induction group cells at 28 days showed significantly higher levels of C-peptide and insulin secretion than the control, 5 μM, 500 μM, and 5 mM GABA-treated groups (P < 0.01). At the same time, the 50 μM induction group cells also showed significantly higher levels of Ins1, Pdx1 and Nkx6.1 mRNA as compared to the 5 μM, 500 μM and 5 mM GABA groups (P < 0.01). Thus, the addition of GABA to the basal medium effectively induced differentiation of adult rat PDESCs into insulin-secreting β-like cells, and 50 μM was the most effective concentration for the induction.

EFFECT OF DORSOMEDIAL HYPOTHALAMUS NEUROPEPTIDE Y KNOCKDOWN ON HEPATIC INSULIN SENSITIVITY

Objective

In this study we investigated the effect of dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) neuropeptide Y (NPY) knock-down on hepatic insulin sensitivity in high-fat (HF) diet-fed rats.

Methods

Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive bilateral DMH injections of adeno-associated virus AAVshNPY or AAVshCTL and then accessed to regular chow. Five weeks after viral injection, half rats in each group were given access to the HF diet. At 16 weeks, rat livers were collected. Insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) mRNA expression was measured by qRT-PCR. Blood glucose levels were measured by the oxidase method, serum insulin, triglyceride, and TC levels were measured by Elisa. Pathological changes in the liver were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. AKT, p-AKT, and GSK-3 levels were measured by western blotting.

Results

Compared with AAVshCTL-injected rats, AAVshNPY-injected rats showed a significant decrease in blood glucose concentrations; serum insulin, triglyceride, and TC; HOMA-IR; and IRS-1 and PI3K mRNA levels (P<0.05). ISI, GSK-3, and p-AKT levels were significantly increased (P<0.05). HE staining showed that AAVshNPY-injected rats fed the HF diet had mild fatty degeneration.

Conclusion

These results suggest that DMH NPY knock-down improves hepatic insulin sensitivity in HF diet-fed rats by activating the hepatic PI3K/AKT insulin signalling pathway.

Triamterene–furosemide salt: structural aspects and physicochemical evaluation

Furosemide (Fur) is a BCS class IV diuretic drug with low bioavailability due to its poor solubility and poor membrane permeability. Triamterene (Tri) is a potassium-sparing diuretic with low bioavailability due to its poor solubility. Here, a novel drug–drug salt composed of Tri and Fur was successfully synthesized. Tri–Fur was comprehensively characterized with single-crystal X-ray and powder X-ray diffraction techniques, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic vapor sorption. The apparent equilibrium solubility (in pH 2.0 buffer) of Tri–Fur is improved compared with Fur and a physical mixture of Tri with equimolar Fur by 15.3-fold and 12.2-fold enhancements, respectively. Its intrinsic dissolution rate (in pH 2.0 buffer) is also higher than for a Fur component with an enhancement of 9.5-fold. This study provides a valuable insight into the formation of dual pharmaceutical salts and demonstrates that Tri–Fur can be a potential alternative formulation.

Probiotic Bacillus enhance the intestinal epithelial cell barrier and immune function of piglets

Bacillus is widely used in the livestock industry. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of probiotic Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SC06 (Ba), originally isolated from soil, in piglets diet as an alternative to antibiotics (aureomycin), mainly on intestinal epithelial barrier and immune function. Ninety piglets were divided into three groups: G1 (containing 150 mg/kg aureomycin in the diet); G2 (containing 75 mg/kg aureomycin and 1×108 cfu/kg Ba in the diet); G3 (containing 2×108 cfu/kg Ba in the diet without any antibiotics). The results showed that, compared with the antibiotic group (G1), villus length, crypt depth and villus length/crypt depth ratio of intestine significantly increased in the G2 and G3 groups. In addition, intestinal villi morphology, goblet-cell number, mitochondria structure and tight junction proteins of intestinal epithelial cells in G2 and G3 were better than in G1. The relative gene expression of intestinal mucosal defensin-1, claudin3, claudin4, and human mucin-1 in G3 was significantly lower, while the expression of villin was significantly higher than in the antibiotic group. Probiotic Ba could significantly decrease serum interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-4 levels, whereas increase tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 secretion. Ba could also significantly decrease cytokines TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, and IL-4 level in liver, whereas it significantly increased IFN-α. Furthermore, replacing antibiotics with Ba also significantly down-regulated gene expression of TNF and IL-1α in intestinal mucosa, but up-regulated IL-6 and IL-8 transcription. Dietary addition of Ba could significantly reduce the gene expression of nuclear factor kappa beta (NFκB)-p50 and Toll-like receptor (TLR)6, while there was no significant difference for that of myeloid differentiation primary response 88, TNF receptor-associated factor-6, nucleotide-binding oligomerisation domain-containing protein 1, TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9. Taken together, our findings demonstrated that probiotic Ba could increase the intestinal epithelial cell barrier and immune function by improving intestinal mucosa structure, tight junctions and by activating the TLRs signalling pathway.

[The impact of genetic variation of KDR on clinical outcomes of advanced colorectal cancer patients treated by first line bevacizumab based regimens]

Objective: To investigate the association between kinase insertion region receptor (KDR) gene genetic variation and the efficacy of bevacizumab in patients with advanced colorectal cancer(CRC) were investigated in this study. Methods: 118 patients with advanced colorectal cancer who were treated by bevacizumab based first line regimens were included in this study. Peripheral blood and the biopsy tissue specimens of the CRC patients were collected for the genotyping of genetic variation and KDR gene expression, respectively. The univariate analysis of genotypes and prognosis was carried out by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, and multivariate were adjusted by Cox regression analysis. Results: Located in the coding region, the prevalence of 889 C>T in KDR among the study population were as follows: CC genotype 86 cases (72.88%), CT genotype 30 cases (25.42%), TT genotype 2 cases (1.70%), minor allele frequency of 889 C>T is 0.14. The distribution of three genotypes in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium (P=0.737). There were no statistical differences in the distribution of the genotypes in baseline clinical data. TT and CT genotype patients were merged in the comparison of clinical outcomes. The clinical outcomes analysis of patients with different genotypes found that the objective response rates (ORR) of CT/TT genotypes were 34.38% and 43.02% (P=0.395), respectively. And the median progression free survival (PFS) of patients with CT/TT genotype and CC genotype were 7.5 and 9.7 months respectively, which was statistically significant (P=0.009). In terms of overall survival (OS), the median OS of the two genotypes were 19.3 and 20.1 (P=0.025), respectively. Adjusted in multivariate Cox regression analysis of PFS, CT/TT genotypes were an independent factor for PFS (OR=1.88, P=0.023). Additionally, of the 57 biopsy tissue specimens, gene expression analysis was conducted. And the results showed that the expression of KDR in cancer tissues of the patients with CT/TT genotypes were significantly higher than those of the CC genotype patients (P<0.001). Conclusion: Among advanced colorectal cancer patients treated by bevacizumab, the polymorphism 889 C>T of KDR may impact the clinical outcomes of bevacizumab first line treatment by influencing the mRNA expression of KDR.

Isostructural Solvates of Naturally Occurring Allocryptopine Exhibit Both Mechanochromic and Hydrochromic Luminescent Properties

We discovered four new solvates for naturally sourced allocryptopine. The new found crystalline forms are isostructural and have similar crystal structures and packing patterns. However, they exhibit obviously different fluorescence appearance. In addition, the acetone solvate SA, N,N-dimethylformamide solvate SD, and tetrahydrofuran solvate ST also present both luminescent mechanochromic and hydrochromic properties.

Improving Dissolution Properties by Polymers and Surfactants: A Case Study of Celastrol

Two polymorphs of celastrol were discovered and fully characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The single-crystal structures of form I and the isostructural solvate of form II were disclosed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The apparent solubility and wettability of both the crystalline forms were determined. It was found that surfactant can significantly improve the solubility of celastrol up to more than 10⁴ times. Tween 80 and sodium dodecyl sulfate largely improved the wettability of the 2 crystals. Form I shows better wettability than form II in all the buffer solutions with polymers and surfactants. Compared with form II, form I exhibits higher solubility in carboxymethylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidone media but much lower solubility in tween 80 and sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions. An investigation of wettability and solubility mechanisms was fully explored, and a hypothesis was proposed to understand the abnormal solubility differences.

Taming photo-induced oxidation degradation of dihydropyridine drugs through cocrystallization

Cocrystallization of nifedipine (NFD) and isonicotinamide (INA) resulted in two monotropic cocrystal polymorphs. The thermodynamically more stable polymorph presents superior photostability compared to the other. Cocrystallization can be an efficient approach to address the stability deficit of dihydropyridine drugs.

Solid-state characterization and solubility enhancement of apremilast drug–drug cocrystals

Three isostructural cocrystals of apremilast with nicotinamide, caffeine, and acetylsalicylic acid were successfully designed and synthesized on the basis of its solvated structures.

Self-assembled energetic 3D metal–organic framework [Na8(N5)8(H2O)3]n based on cyclo-N5–

A new 3D zeolite-like MOF [Na₈(N₅)₈(H₂O)₃]_n with an enhanced stability has been successfully synthesized by the self-assembly of Na⁺ with cyclo-N₅⁻ ligands.