OBJECTIVE To design and synthesize novel α-naphthylthiol amino acid ester lysine specific demethylase 1(LSD1) inhibitors, evaluate their inhibitory activity with selectivity against LSD1, and explore their binding mechanism through molecular docking and dynamics simulation. METHODS Based on the binding mode of hit compound 3a with LSD1, the α- naphthyl mercapto amino acid ethyl ester small molecule compound were designed by fixing the planar hydrophobic naphthyl ring in the structure, while introducing hydrophilic amino fragment, and they were prepared through a multi-component one-pot cascade reaction. All the compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory activity against LSD1 at concentrations of 5.0 and 1.0 μmol·L–1 using the LSD1 screening platform of research group. The most potent compound was tested for its IC50 value and enzyme selectivity over MAO-A and MAO-B, and its binding mode was investigated through molecular docking and dynamics simulation. RESULTS A total of 13 compounds were obtained, all of which exhibited significant inhibitory effects on LSD1. Among them, nine compounds showed an inhibitory rate of over 50.0% against LSD1 at a concentration of 1.0 μmol·L–1, while compound 3l displaying the best activity with an IC50 value of 0.17 μmol·L–1, 174 times higher than the positive control. It also showed excellent selectivity towards MAO-A and MAO-B. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations indicated that compound 3l inhibited the activity of LSD1 through multiple interactions. CONCLUSION The structures of α-naphthylthiol amino acid ester can serve as lead compounds or active fragments, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent design of LSD1 inhibitors based on structure-oriented drug design.

Objective This study investigated the protective effects of Corni Fructus ethanol extract on β-amyloid protein 25-35 (Aβ25-35)-induced Alzheimer's disease (AD) mice by regulating histone lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) / postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95) on synapses and neuroinflammation. Methods Specifically, according to the body weight, 40 C57BL/6N mice were randomized into four groups: the sham operation group, the model group, the low-dose (0.1mg/g) and the high-dose (0.3 mg/g) Corni Fructus ethanol extract groups. Aβ25-35 was injected into the hippocampus of mice in three groups except for the sham operation group to established AD model. All mice were orally administered with either Corni Fructus ethanol extract or vehicle by gavage for 7 days before molding and continued 5 days after surgery for a total of 60 days. Morris water maze, Y maze and open field tests were performed to evaluate the recognition memory and space exploration ability of mice. The expression of LSD1, PSD95, synaptophysin (SYN), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) and H3K9me2 level were measured by Western blotting. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (CHIP) combined with qPCR was used to detect H3K9me2 modification of PSD95 promoter region and mRNA levels of PSD95. The correlation between the expression of H3K9me2 and PSD95 and the expression of IBA1 in the hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescence assay.Results The result showed that Corni Fructus ethanol extract significantly reversed Aβ25-35-induced learning and memory impairment in AD mice. Compared with the model group, Corni Fructus ethanol extract demonstrated shorter escape latency, increased number and time of autonomous activities and the rate of autonomous alternation. Moreover, it increased the expression of LSD1 in hippocampus of AD mice(P<0.05), and reduced H3K9me2 modification level in the promoter region of PSD95 gene, and then promoted the mRNA transcription and protein expression of PSD95. Immunofluorescence staining indicated the reduction of H3K9me2 modification level in hippocampus was accompanied by the enhancement of PSD95 expression. Corni Fructus ethanol extract could also inhibit the activation of microglia and reduce the expression of proinflammatory factors IL-1β and TNF-α.Conclusion Corni Fructus ethanol extract may regulate PSD95 gene transcription by up-regulating the expression of LSD1 and reducing the H3K9me2 modification level in its promoter region, thereby increasing the expression of PSD95, a key protein in synaptic plasticity regulation, which alleviate neuroinflammatory response, improve learning and memory dysfunction in AD model mice, and thus play a protective role in Aβ25-35-induced nerve damage.

Objective:This study aimed to assess left atrial function in adults across various age groups using 4-dimensional automated left atrial quantification(4D Auto LAQ)technology.The study also aimed to compare the differences in two-dimensional(2D)and four-dimensional(4D)strains of the left atrium among different age groups, with the goal of enhancing the clinical utility of 4D Auto LAQ.Methods:A total of 409 healthy volunteers were recruited for the research.Two-dimensional and four-dimensional images were obtained using a GE Vivid E95 ultrasound system with a 4Vc four-dimensional probe.The study examined variations in 2D and 4D ultrasound parameters across various age groups.Furthermore, the relationship between left atrial reservoir strain(LASr), Left atrial conduit strain(LAScd), left atrial contraction strain(LASct), and age was explored.Results:The study involved 409 volunteers, with 217 males and 192 females, who were categorized into three age groups: young(18-45 years, n=56), middle-aged(46-65 years, n=202), and elderly(>65 years, n=151).Conventional ultrasound measurements indicated changes in left atrial anterior-posterior diameter with age progression: (31.70±3.65)mm for the young group, (34.02±3.91)mm for the middle-aged group, and(35.2±4.37)mm for the elderly group( P<0.01).The 2D and 4D left atrial parameters across the age groups were as follows: LASr(2D)(%): 37.48±7.51, 30.95±8.23, 26.9±7.56( P<0.01); LA VImax(ml/m 2): 23.54±5.79, 26.33±7.6, 28.99±8.15( P<0.01); LASr(%): 31.2±17.07, 22.5±8.59, 19.49±7.47( P<0.01).Both 2D and 4D left atrial parameters exhibited significant associations with age.Specifically, the correlations between LASr(2D)(%), LAScd(2D)(%), LASr(%), LAScd(%), and age were -0.429, 0.580, -0.354, 0.298, respectively( P<0.01). Conclusions:The 4D Auto LAQ technology is efficient in assessing left atrial function across various age groups, with age playing a significant role in influencing left atrial parameters.When compared to other ultrasound parameters, both 2D and 4D left atrial strain parameters have the ability to detect differences at an early stage, making them suitable for the early screening, evaluation, and monitoring of age-related left atrial dysfunction, especially in the elderly population.

Objective:To investigate the effect of quality improvement (QI) project on delayed cord clamping (DCC) implementation in very preterm infants.Methods:This study retrospectively collected the clinical data and assessed the QI indices of very preterm infants born in the Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and transferred to the Neonatology Department from January 2017 to January 2021. The indices for QI assessment included three types: (1) process indices: the implementation rate and timing of DCC; (2) outcome indices: hemoglobin level and hematocrit, etc; (3) balancing indices: the proportion of neonates requiring endotracheal intubation in the delivery room and chest compressions, Apgar score body temperature, and blood pH value on admission, etc. There were four phases for the implementation of QI, the pre-QI period (January to December of 2017), the QI period (January to December of 2018), the post-QI period (January to December of 2019), and the sustained-QI period (January 2020 to January 2021). The QI project was performed since August 2018. Control charts or statistical tests were used for statistical analysis.Results:(1) Process indices: After the implementation of the QI project, the practice of DCC increased from 0 to 82.2%, and the timing of umbilical cord clamping was from 0 s to a delay of 47.1 s. (2) Outcome indices: The levels of hemoglobin in the QI period, the post-QI period, and the sustained-QI period were significantly higher than those in the pre-QI period [(202.22±28.84), (210.10±33.52), (210.52±32.27) g/L vs. (187.94±35.29) g/L; F=8.61, P<0.001]. The hematocrit values in the post-QI period and the sustained-QI period were significantly higher than those in the pre-QI period [(58.99±8.71) %, (60.18±8.06)% vs. (55.41±9.17)%; χ2=5.13, P=0.002]. The other indices showed no statistical differences in different phases. (3) Balancing indices: The proportions of neonates receiving endotracheal intubation in the delivery room in the post-QI period and the sustained-QI period were significantly lower than those in the pre-QI period [16.0% (19/119), 13.2% (25/191) vs. 42.3% (30/71); χ2=29.08, P<0.001]. The body temperature on admission increased gradually through the four periods [pre-QI period: 35.3 ℃ (34.5-36.1 ℃); QI period: 36.0 ℃ (34.0-37.7 ℃); post-QI period: 36.0 ℃ (35.6-37.4 ℃); sustained-QI period: 37.0 ℃ (35.9-38.1 ℃); H=277.88, P<0.001]. The blood pH value on admission in the sustained-QI period [7.32 (6.85-7.50)] was significantly higher than those in the other three periods [7.26 (7.07-7.46), 7.26 (7.04-7.43), and 7.25 (6.91-7.49); H=34.46, P<0.001]. Conclusion:The interventions in this QI project significantly increase the practice of DCC and enable a longer DCC in very preterm infants.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in patients with wake-up ischemic stroke (WUIS) of anterior circulation non-major arteries.Methods:Sixty-seven patients with WUIS of anterior circulation non-major arteries (time from falling asleep/last use of bathroom at night to intravenous thrombolysis≤9 h and >4.5 h) admitted to Department of Neurology, Beijing Shijingshan Hospital and Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Muyangliu Hospital from January 1 st, 2017 to December 31 st, 2021 were chosen; these 35 patients accepted routine antiplatelet therapy after intravenous thrombolytic therapy were chosen as control group, and the other 32 patients accepted rt-PA arterial thrombolysis after intravenous thrombolytic therapy were chosen as study group. Vascular recanalization after arterial thrombolysis was observed in study group (cerebral infarction thrombolysis grading 2 and 3: good vascular recanalization). Neurological deficit improvement during treatment, clinical prognoses (modified Rankin scale scores of 0-2: good prognosis) and hemorrhagic transformation incidence 3 months after treatment were compared between the 2 groups. Results:The vascular thrombolytic recanalization rate of study group was 81.25% (26/32). Patients in study group had significantly decreased National Institute of Health stroke scale scores compared with those in control group 1, 7, and 14 d after thrombolytic therapy ( P<0.05). The good prognosis rate of study group (62.50%, 20/32) was significantly higher than that in control group (37.14%, 13/35, P<0.05). No significant difference in hemorrhagic transformation rate was noted between the 2 groups (15.6% [5/32] vs. 5.71% [2/35], P>0.05). Conclusion:Patients with WUIS of anterior circulation non-major arteries (time from falling asleep/last use of bathroom at night to intravenous thrombolysis≤9 h and >4.5 h) benefit from arterial thrombolysis with rt-PA, and risk of secondary intracerebral hemorrhage is not obviously increased.

Objective:To investigate the microstructural abnormalities of the white matter in first-episode medication-free patients with schizophrenia (FESZ) based on inter-voxel diffusivity metric local diffusion homogeneity (LDH) and traditional intra-voxel diffusivity metric.Methods:A total of 56 FESZ patients admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected as research subjects, and 64 healthy volunteers recruited during the same period were selected as healthy controls. All subjects accepted magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging, and the LDH, anisotropy fraction (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), axial diffusivity (AD) and radial diffusivity (RD) were obtained by FSL and PANDA software. Tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS) method was employed to analyze and compare the differences in the diffusivity metrics of white matter fibers between the two groups. For white matter fiber tracts with significant inter-group differences, receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of each diffusivity metric in FESZ, and Spearman partial correlation was used to analyze the relation between each diffusivity metric and positive and negative symptom scale (PANSS) scores.Results:As compared with that in the heathy control group, LDH in partial voxel clusters in bilateral anterior thalamic radiation of the FESZ group was statistically increased ( P<0.05, FWE correction). As compared with that in the heathy control group, the mean LDH in the tracts of interest (TOI) of the right inferior longitudinal fasciculus and the right uncinate fasciculus in the FESZ group was significantly increased ( P<0.05, FDR correction). In the above 4 fasciculi, ROC analysis showed that LDH had diagnostic efficacy ( P<0.05), and the diagnostic efficacy of LDH was the highest when the fasciculi structures were combined (AUC=0.733, P<0.001). LDH in white matter fiber tracts with significant inter-group differences had no statistical correlation with PANSS scores ( P>0.05). No voxel clusters or TOIs enjoyed statistical differences between groups were noted in the FA, MD, AD and RD parameter maps ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The inter-voxel diffusivity metric LDH can detect the compensatory changes of white matter microstructure in FESZ patients that could not be detected by traditional intra-voxel diffusivity metric.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on memory function of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 （SAMP8） mice by regulating autophagy through the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/forkhead box O3a （FoxO3a） pathway. MethodSix male senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1 （SAMR1） mice of SPF grade aging 6 months were assigned to a normal group， and 24 male SAMP8 mice of SPF grade aging 6 months were randomly divided into a model group， a donepezil group （0.747 mg·kg^-1）， and high- and low-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups （2.700 and 1.350 g·kg^-1）， with 6 mice in each group. The mice were treated with drugs by gavage for 2 months. Morris water maze was used to detect the learning and memory abilities of mice in each group. Nissl staining was used to observe the neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. The positive expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B） in the cortex and hippocampus was detected by immunohistochemistry （IHC）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of the mammalian ortholog of yeast ATG6 （Beclin-1）， B cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， autophagy-related gene 5 （ATG5）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 3 （Caspase-3）， Caspase-9， Akt， p-Akt， FoxO3a， and p-FoxO3a. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group showed prolonged escape latency （P<0.05，P<0.01）， reduced number of platform crossings and the residence time in the target quadrant （P<0.01）， decreased neurons with reduced volume and dispersed distribution in the cortex and hippocampus， increased positive expression of LC3B （P<0.01）， elevated expression of Beclin-1 and ATG5 in the cortex （P<0.01）， declined Bcl-2 expression （P<0.01）， up-regulated Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 expression （P<0.01）， and decreased expression levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-FoxO3a/FoxO3a （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the donepezil group and the Liuwei Dihuangwan groups showed shortened 3 d escape latency （P<0.05，P<0.01）， increased number of platform crossings （P<0.01）， and prolonged residence time in the target quadrant （P<0.01）. In the donepezil group， the number of neurons in the cortex and hippocampus was increased. In the Liuwei Dihuangwan groups， the number of neurons and Nissl bodies increased with denser distribution and lower degree of cell damage. The positive expression of LC3B in the cortex and hippocampus was decreased in the donepezil group and Liuwei Dihuangwan groups （P<0.01）. The expression of Beclin-1 was decreased in the Liuwei Dihuangwan groups （P<0.01）. The expression of ATG5 was decreased in the donepezil group and the low-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan group （P<0.01）. The donepezil group and the Liuwei Dihuangwan groups showed the increased expression level of Bcl-2 in the cortex （P<0.01）， decreased expression level of Caspase-3 （P<0.01）， reduced expression level of Caspase-9 （P<0.05，P<0.01）， and elevated expression levels of p-Akt/Akt and p-FoxO3a/FoxO3a （P<0.01）. ConclusionLiuwei Dihuangwan can effectively improve the learning and memory abilities of the SAMP8 mice and protect neurons. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signaling pathway， down-regulation of the expression of ATG5， Beclin-1， and LC3B， and the inhibition of apoptosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Liuwei Dihuangwan on neurovascular injury in SAMP8 mice. MethodThe Alzheimer's disease （AD） model with insufficiency of kidney essence was induced in 75 SAMP8 mice aging 6 months. The model mice were divided into model group， positive control group （donepezil hydrochloride， 0.747 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose Liuwei Dihuangwan groups （2.700， 1.350， 0.675 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， with 15 mice in each group. Fifteen SAMR1 mice were assigned to a normal control group. All mice were administered continuously for 2 months. The spatial memory of mice was tested by the Morris water maze. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the hippocampus and cortex of brain tissues. The immunohistochemical method （IHC） was used to detect the deposition of amyloid β-protein （Aβ） and the expression of von Willebrand factor （vWF） and CD34 in the hippocampus and cortex of brain tissues. Electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructural changes in cerebral microvessels. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of the receptor of advanced glycation endproduct （RAGE）， low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 （LRP1）， vascular endothelial growth factor A （VEGF-A）， and P-selection in the hippocampus and cortex of brain tissues. ResultCompared with the normal control group， the model group showed prolonged escape latency and swimming distance （P<0.01）， increased number of glial cells， decreased number of nerve cells， blurred tight junctions or enlarged gap of the brain microvascular endothelial cells， severely injured membrane structure， swollen mitochondria of endothelial cells， ruptured membrane， massive dissolution in cristae， increased protein expression of Aβ and vWF in the hippocampus and cortex （P<0.01）， reduced protein expression of CD34 （P<0.05）， elevated protein expression of RAGE and P-selection in the cortex （P<0.01）， and decreased protein expression level of LRP1 and VEGF-A （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Liuwei Dihuangwan groups showed shortened escape latency and swimming distance （P<0.05）， reduced number of glial cells in the cortex and hippocampus， increased number of microvessels in the cortex， clear double-layer membrane structure in tight junctions between the microvascular endothelial cells， increased number of mitochondria with intact membrane and recovered mitochondrial cristae， decreased protein expression of Aβ， vWF， RAGE， and P-selection in the hippocampus and cortex （P<0.05）， and increased protein expression of CD34， LRP1， and VEGF-A （P<0.05）. ConclusionLiuwei Dihuangwan can regulate Aβ metabolism through the RAGE/LRP1 receptor system and promote cerebral microvascular angiogenesis by inhibiting vWF expression and increasing VEGF-A and CD34， thereby improving cerebral microvascular injury in SAMP8 mice.

OBJECTIVE To qualitatively analyze the chemical constituents from Tianzhi granules and their constituents absorbed into blood， and to provide reference for elucidating pharmacodynamic material basis of Tianzhi granules. METHODS UPLC-ESI-Q-TOF-MS/MS was adopted. The analysis was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18 column with mobile phase consisted of 0.5% formic acid solution-acetonitrile （gradient elution） at the flow rate of 0.3 mL/min； the column temperature was 40 ℃ ；the injection volume was 10 μL. Mass spectrometry was applied for the qualitative analysis under positive ionization mode and ESI ion source. Data were collected with MS-DIAL4.60， and then chemical constituents of the extract from Tianzhi granule （by 0.5% methanol） were analyzed by comparing with relevant literature， SciFinder， PubChem， MassBank， TCMSP， TCM-ID and other databases. The blank serum， administered serum and Tianzhi granule extract were compared to analyze the constituents absorbed into the blood. RESULTS One hundred compounds were preliminarily identified from Tianzhi granules， including 46 flavonoids， 8 organic acids， 8 alkaloids， 6 terpenes， 6 coumarins， 2 quinones， 1 steroids， 7 glycosides and 16 others. Based on it， 10 prototype constituents absorbed into blood were identified preliminarily， including genistein， melatonin A， chrysin-7-O- β-glucuronide， apigenin-7-O-glucuronide， wogonin， 6-O-methylbaicalin are flavonoids， 2-hydroxyquinoline and isonacolline are alkaloids， 7-hydroxycoumarin is coumarins，1-indanol is others. CONCLUSIONS 2-hydroxyquinoline， 7-hydroxycoumarin， genistein， melatonin A， isonocolline， chrysin-7-O-β-glucuronide， apigenin-7-O-glucuronide， wogonin and 6-O-methylbaicalin may be the pharmacodynamic material basis of Tianzhi granules.

Objective:To document the clinical features of children with cerebral palsy (CP) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods:The gross motor functioning of 325 children diagnosed as having CP was graded using the gross motor function classification system (GMFCS). The GMFCS grades were correlated with MRI results in univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The significance of any relationship between the MRI results and co-morbidities was tested using chi-squared tests.Results:Cerebral dysplasia, cerebroventricular enlargement, periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), abnormal signals in the thalami, and morphological changes after hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy were all found to be significantly correlated with GMFCS grading. Moreover, the chi-squared tests indicated that PVL children, children with thinning of the corpus callosum and/or abnormal signals in the thalami were significantly more likely to have visual, auditory or speech impairment complications and/or mental retardation.Conclusions:The findings from MRI correlate well with types of CP, GMFCS grades and co-morbidities among CP children. MRI can be an effective tool for early diagnosis and prognosis of CP in children, indicating needs for clinical rehabilitation.