Quantitative tissue velocity imaging evaluation of ventricular function in obstructive sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome in children

This study aimed to evaluate the changes in left and right ventricular functions of children with obstructive sleep apnoea–hypopnoea syndrome (OSAHS) and to determine the efficacy of surgical treatment for OSAHS in children. The subjects included 20 normal controls and 55 children of OSAHS with adenoid and/or tonsil hypertrophy diagnosed by polysomnography (PSG). We divided the children with OSAHS into the mild group, moderate group and severe group of OSAHS according to the condition of apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) and the lowest of oxygen saturation (LSaO₂). In mitral annulus,the Va values were increased in moderate and severe OSAHS (P > 0.05), and the Ve/Va values were decreased in the severe group (P > 0.05), while the Vs values were not changed (P > 0.05). In tricuspid annulus, the Vs values were decreased in moderate and severe OSAHS (P < 0.05), while the Ve, Va and Ve/Va values were not changed (P > 0.05). Six months after adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy, mitral Va values were decreased and tricuspid Vs values were increased significantly (P < 0.05), and AHI was decreased and LSaO₂ was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, no difference was found in the above parameters (P > 0.05). The left ventricular diastolic function and the right ventricular systolic function of children with moderate to severe OSAHS are decreased to varying degrees at an early stage. Mitral annular and tricuspid annular velocity detected by quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI) could sensitively reflect the early changes of left and right ventricular function. Adenoidectomy and/or tonsillectomy were effective methods to treat childhood OSAHS, which could reverse myocardial dysfunction.     

Heronamides G–L,polyene macrolactams from Streptomyces niveus

Six new polyene macrolactams, heronamides G–L (1–6), one new polyenoic acid derivative, niveamide B (10), together with four known compounds, BE-14106-6 (7), BE-14106 (8), GT32-B (9), and niveamide (11), were isolated from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces niveus. Their planar structures were elucidated by detailed analysis of spectroscopic data. The absolute configurations of compounds 1–6 were determined by calculated ECD spectra and analysis of the possible biosynthetic pathways. Compounds 1–6 and 8–11 did not exhibit any significant antimicrobial activities, cytotoxicities, or inhibitory effects on lipopolysaccharide-induced NO production in BV2 microglial cells.

New polyene macrolactams, heronamides G–L (1–6) from the fermentation broth of Streptomyces niveus.     

Seedless preparation of Au nanorods by hydroquinone assistant and red blood cell membrane camouflage

Au nanorods (AuNRs) have attracted extensive attention in diagnosis and therapy, because of their excellent photothermal effects. Although many of attempts have been employed to prepare AuNRs with a good-size monodispersity, facile and feasible preparation methods are still welcomed in consideration of theranostics-related photothermal applications. In this work, AuNRs are prepared through a seedless method using hydroquinone as the reductant. The longitudinal located surface plasmon resonance peak of the as-prepared AuNRs can be tuned from 650 to 840 nm and the AuNRs indicate a good photothermal conversion efficiency. To lower the toxicity, natural red blood cell membranes are employed to coat the AuNRs. In the primary experiment in vitro, red blood cell membrane-coated AuNRs exhibit good biocompatibility and photothermal treatment effect.

Natural red blood cell membranes camouflaged Au nanorod composites that exhibited an excellent biocompatibility and photothermal ablation effect.