Protective effect of borneol combined with safflower on neurovascular unit in rats with ischemic stroke

Background:Compatibility is a characteristic of the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine,often leading to enhanced therapeutic effects.In the treatment of cerebral ischemia,blood-activating and open orifices herbs are frequently used individually;however,their combination is not commonly practiced.This study aims to investigate the impact of combining safflower and borneol as examples of open orifices herbs and blood-activating herbs on the neurovascular unit in rats with ischemic stroke.The objective is to determine whether this combination exhibits superior therapeutic efficacy compared to using borneol or safflower alone while exploring its underlying mechanism.These findings may provide novel insights for clinical treatments.Methods:SD male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups:sham operation group,model group,borneol group(0.1 g/kg),safflower group(5 g/kg),borneol combined with safflower group(0.1 g/kg+5 g/kg)and nimodipine group(0.01 g/kg).The middle cerebral artery cerebral ischemia(MCAO)model were prepared after continuous intragastric administration for 7 days in each group,the neurological function of each group were scored 24h after operation,and water content in brain tissue were measured by weighing method.The activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and the contents of nitric oxide(NO)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in brain tissue and serum were determined by spectrophotometry,and the mRNA expressions of matrix metalloproteinase 2(MMP-2),tight junction protein 1(ZO-1),vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)were detected by Real time PCR.Result:Compared with the model group,the group treated with borneol combined with safflower exhibited a significant decrease in the neural function score of MCAO rats(P<0.01).Additionally,it led to a reduction in brain tissue water content(P<0.01),elevated SOD activity,and reduced levels of NO and MDA in both serum and brain tissue(P<0.01 or P<0.05).Moreover,this treatment resulted in a decrease in the mRNA expression of MMP-2 and an increase in ZO-1 in brain tissue,along with an increase in the mRNA expression of VEGF and BDNF(P<0.01).Conclusion:Borneol combined with safflower demonstrates a protective effect on the neurovascular unit in rats with ischemic stroke.This effect is likely associated with increased SOD activity,reduced MDA and NO content in both serum and brain tissue of MCAO rats,and a decrease in MMP-2 mRNA expression in brain tissue,coupled with an increase in ZO-1,VEGF,and BDNF mRNA expression.These effects were superior to those observed with borneol or safflower administered alone.

Low-grade fever during COVID-19 convalescence:A report of 3 cases

BACKGROUND Low-grade fever during convalescence is an atypical symptom of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).Reports of such cases are rare,and the mechanism and outcome of low-grade fever during COVID-19 convalescence are not completely clear.We report 3 cases with low-grade fever during COVID-19 convalescence and highlight the main clinical,radiographic,and laboratory characteristics,thereby increasing the level of expertise in the clinical management of COVID-19 during convalescence and facilitating individualized decision-making.CASE SUMMARY We describe 3 patients with COVID-19,two females aged 62 and 66 years and a male 55 years,who had low-grade fever during COVID-19 convalescence.All 3 patients had no other discomfort or comorbidities during low-grade process.Lesions on computed tomography in all 3 patients had resolved during this period.Two patients tested negative on two consecutive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 tests with an interval of at least 24 h between tests.Body temperature in all 3 patients returned to normal after several days without treatment,and fever recurrence was not observed.CONCLUSION Enhancing the knowledge of low-grade fever during COVID-19 convalescence may increase the expertise in the delivery of optimal healthcare services.

Competition assignment problem algorithm based on Hungarian method

Traditional Hungarian method can only solve standard assignment problems, while can not solve competition assignment problems. This article emphatically discussed the difference between standard assignment problems and competition assignment problems. The kinds of competition assignment problem algorithms based on Hungarian method and the solutions of them were studied.

Effects of ex situ conservation on diversity and function of the gut microbiota of the Tibetan wild ass(Equus kiang)

Ex situ conservation is the main method for the protection of endangered wildlife.To explore the effect of ex situ conservation on the gut microbiota of the kiang(Equus kiang),metagenomic sequencing combined with bioinformatics analysis was used to investigate the composition and function of the gut microbiota of the kiang.The results showed that ex situ conservation not only protected wildlife,but also affected the composition and function of gut microbiota,as well as the health of animals.In the zoo,the ratio of the relative abundance of Firmicutes to that of Bacteroidetes(F/B)is higher,clusters of potentially pathogenic bacteria(such as Catonella,Catonella,and Mycoplasma)are more numerous,the abundance of resistance genes is higher,and the abundance of metabolic functions is increased.The dynamic changes of the gut microbiota also played an important role in the nutritional absorption,energy metabolism,and environmental adaptation of the kiang.Improving the rearing environment and increasing food diversity play important roles for increasing the diversity of gut microbiota,reducing the spread of potentially pathogenic bacteria,and reducing diseases.In the wild,especially in winter and in food-deficient areas,food supplementation can enhance the gut microbial homeostasis of wild animals and reduce the impact of crises.In depth studies of the gut microbial function of wildlife have important implications for improving ex situ conservation.

Proximity-induced amino-yne reaction for selective MDM4 conjugation via propargylated sulfonium

Whilst most bioorthogonal reactions focus on targeting binding-site cysteine residues,proximity-induced reactivity effect ensures that reaction also occurs at nucleophilic lysine residues.We report one example here that the propargylated-sulfonium center undergoes a nucleophilic reaction with lysine residue via proximity-induced conjugation.This propargylated-sulfonium tethered peptide resulting from a facile propargylation of thiolethers,enables amino-yne reaction at the selected lysine on MDM4 protein.This strategy represents a viable approach of lysine-targeted covalent inhibition in proximity.