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The matrix plays a prominent role in expanding the ability of matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). However, on account of the unclarity of necessary properties of the matrix in MALDI MS, development of a new matrix is still in the exploratory stage and lacks systematic theoretical guidance. Meanwhile, most of the existing matrices are unable to simultaneously detect various high-molecular-weight (high-MW) lipids including (poly-)­phosphoinositides, cardiolipins, and gangliosides. In this study, we have successfully screened and optimized the application of commercially available IR-780 as a novel matrix for simultaneously profiling and imaging high-MW lipids in brain tissues by MALDI MS for the first time. The properties of IR-780 related to the matrix of MALDI MS, mainly including the optical properties (UV absorption, fluorescence emission, and photothermal efficiency), proton affinity, collision cross-sections (CCSs), salt-tolerance ability, and homogeneity, were comprehensively characterized, which demonstrated that high photothermal ability and large CCSs might guarantee the superior performance of IR-780 as matrix for the analysis of high-MW lipids in biological samples. This work provided some references for the development of a novel matrix, and especially, the concept of CCS was first introduced as a parameter for the development of a matrix. In addition, the simultaneous identification and imaging of endogenous high-MW lipids in rat brain tissues subjected to traumatic brain injury were successfully performed.

This study investigates the preparation of ligustrazine hydrochloride carboxymethyl chitosan and collagen microspheres. This experiment investigates effects of the ratio of carboxymethyl chitosan and collagen blend, water to oil ratio, stirring speed, and other factors on the microsphere properties. The experiment had the following conditions: a 1:2 proportion of carboxymethyl chitosan and collagen, a 1:2 proportion of drugs and materials, a 5:1 proportion of oil phase and water phase, 0.5% of span80, a 600r/min stirring speed, 3 ml of a cross-linking agent, 3 h of crosslinking curing, 1.25 § 0.05 mm diameter LTH microcapsules, a 54.08% envelop rate, and a 14.16% carrier rate. The microspheres release rate reached 66% within 1 h, then steadily released within 5 h in vitro. The experimental results showed that the ligustrazine hydrochloride microsphere production process was stable and exhibited a good release effect compared with other ligustrazine hydrochloride tablets and pills.

A novel ribonuclease (RNase) A superfamily gene (Rdronc) has been cloned from the frog Rana dybowskii. The deduced amino acid sequence shows that it belongs to the ribonuclease A superfamily, with the highest identity, 73%, to Rana pipiens onconase. Adaptive evolution analysis based on maximum likelihood models of codon substitution has been conducted on 10 members of the Rana RNases of subcluster B. Rapid adaptive evolution and multiple positive selection sites have been detected, which indicates that these genes may be evolving under positive selection pressure. Functional assay demonstrates that the recombinant Rdronc protein possesses antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and weaker antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and yeast Candida albicans. Our findings support the hypothesis that ribonuclease A superfamily members may function in host defense of early-diversified vertebrates.

The disposal of residues while manufacturing Chinese medicine has always been an issue that concerns pharmaceutical factories. Phanerochaete chrysosporium was inoculated into the residues of Magnolia officinalis for solid-phase fermentation to enzymatically hydrolyze the lignin in the residues and thus to improve the efficiency of removal of the copper ions from residues for the utilization of residues from Chinese medicine. With the increase in activities of lignin-degrading enzymes, especially during the fermentation days 6 to 9, the removal rate of copper ions using M. officinalis residues increased dramatically. The rate of removal reached the maximum on the 14th day and was 3.15 times higher than the initial value. The rate of adsorption of copper ions on the fermentation-modified M. officinalis residues followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption isotherms were consistent with the Freundlich models. The adsorption enthalpy was positive, indicating that it was endothermic and elevation in temperature was favorable to this adsorption process. The adsorption free energy was negative, implying the spontaneity of the process. The copper ions adsorbed could be effectively recovered using 0.2 M hydrochloric acid solution. After five successive cycles of adsorption-regeneration, the fermentation-modified M. officinalis residues exhibited a stable adsorption capacity and greater reusability. The M. officinalis residues fermented with P. chrysosporium are low-cost and environmentally friendly copper ions adsorbent, and this preparation technique realizes the optimum utilization of Chinese medicine residues.

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Stereotaxic biopsy was performed in 17 pts (71%); 9 (53%) had grade II diffuse astrocytoma, and 3 (18%) pilocytic astrocytoma; glioblastoma (GBM) was found in 1 patient at diagnosis and in another at a late recurrence of a glial proliferation. Pons and bulb were the main sites of the tumor (N¼10/10). Among the 21 treated pts, all underwent radiotherapy (RT); 7 received sequential radiotherapy and chemotherapy (RT+CT). Median OS was 45.2 months and 5-y OS was 48.7% (95% CI 24.5-69.2%). No statistically significant association was found between OS and age, tmt modality, or MRI contrast enhancement. ECOG-PS 3-4 was identified as negative PF; although no statistically significant, there was a numerical difference of outcomes regarding histological grade (Table ).Conclusions: Diagnosis of BG using stereotaxic biopsy may be more feasible than historically assumed and diverse histologies were identified. ECOG-PS 3-4 was a negative prognostic factor. Multicenter collaborative efforts are warranted for a better evaluation of PFs, including molecular profile.Legal entity responsible for the study: The authors.

In this study, we introduce a method to formulate Ginkgolide B lipid microemulsion (GB-LM). We have assessed its general characteristics and pharmacokinetics in animals. Soybean oil (10.0%) and oleic acid (2.4%) were chosen as the oil phase, refined egg yolk lecithin (PC98T) (1.8%) as the surfactant, and glycerol (2.25%) as the co-surfactant. The optimized formulation process resulted in particles with average diameter of 185.9 ± 52.5 nm and the zeta potential of −19.8 ± 1.3 mV. The GB-LM remained steady for three months at room temperature. Giving each dose of 4 mg/kg to rats through the vein, a clearance rate of CL (L/h): 2.594 and C max (ng/mL) was achieved: 353.8 through pharmacokinetic analysis and statistical analysis. The AUC of GB-LM was about 1.57-fold higher than that of the products available in the market. In addition, brain tissue distribution studies show that after 0.5 h administration of GB, the concentration of GB in brain tissue can reach its maximum, and then significantly decrease after 2 hours. Therefore, the improved formulation of GB-LM shows encouraging results compared with present products in several features.