Bioactive Xenicane Diterpenoids from the Taiwanese Soft Coral Asterospicularia laurae

Chemical investigation of the Taiwanese soft coral Asterospicularia laurae has led to the isolation of three new xenicane diterpenoids, named asterolaurins K–M ( 1 – 3 , resp.). Their chemical structures were determined through extensive spectroscopic analyses (¹H‐ and ¹³C‐NMR, ¹H,¹H‐COSY, HMBC, and NOESY). Compound 2 exhibited cytotoxic activity against HEp‐2, Daoy, MCF‐7, and WiDr tumor cells.     

The Effect of Perfusion on Soft Tissue Mechanical Properties: A Computational Model

Some simple finite element models were constructed to investigate the magnitude and character of changes in mechanical properties of very soft tissues due to the loss of perfusion. Changes in the apparent stress-strain curve were used to characterise the effect of simulated blood perfusion pressure on the engineering stress-strain curve. The results indicated that the blood to tissue volume ratio and the perfusion pressure have the strongest effect on the effective stress-strain response of a representative tissue cell. Tissue viscoelasticity increased the sensitivity of the system to perfusion pressure changes.     

A finite nonlinear hyper-viscoelastic model for soft biological tissues

Soft tissues exhibit highly nonlinear rate and time-dependent stress-strain behaviour. Strain and strain rate dependencies are often modelled using a hyperelastic model and a discrete (standard linear solid) or continuous spectrum (quasi-linear) viscoelastic model, respectively. However, these models are unable to properly capture the materials characteristics because hyperelastic models are unsuited for time-dependent events, whereas the common viscoelastic models are insufficient for the nonlinear and finite strain viscoelastic tissue responses. The convolution integral based models can demonstrate a finite viscoelastic response; however, their derivations are not consistent with the laws of thermodynamics. The aim of this work was to develop a three-dimensional finite hyper-viscoelastic model for soft tissues using a thermodynamically consistent approach. In addition, a nonlinear function, dependent on strain and strain rate, was adopted to capture the nonlinear variation of viscosity during a loading process. To demonstrate the efficacy and versatility of this approach, the model was used to recreate the experimental results performed on different types of soft tissues. In all the cases, the simulation results were well matched ($R^2⩾0.99$) with the experimental data.     

Design,Characterization and Optimization of Multi-directional Bending Pneumatic Artificial Muscles

Bending Pneumatic Artificial Muscles(PAMs)are particularly attractive and extensively applied to the soft grasper,snake-like robot,etc.To extend the application of PAMs,we fabricate a Multi-directional Bending Pneumatic Artificial Muscle(MBPAM)that can bend in eight directions by changing the pressurized chambers.The maximum bending angle and output force are 151° and 0.643 N under the pressure of 100 kPa,respectively.Additionally,the Finite Element Model(FEM)is established to further investigate the performance.The experimental and numerical results demonstrate the nonlinear relation-ship between the pressure and the bending angle and output force.Moreover,the effects of parameters on the performance are studied with the validated FEM.The results reveal that the amplitude of waves and the thickness of the base layer can be optimized.Thus,multi-objective optimization is performed to improve the bending performance of the MBPAM.The optimization results indicate that the output force can be increased by 7.8％with the identical bending angle of the initial design,while the bending angle can be improved by 8.6％with the same output force.Finally,the grasp tests demonstrate the grip capability of the soft four-finger gripper and display the application prospect of the MBPAM in soft robots.     

Terpenes from the Soft Corals of the Genus Sarcophyton: Chemistry and Biological Activities

This review covers structural diversity and biological activities of terpenes from soft corals of the genus of Sarcophyton, reported from 1995 to July, 2011. During this period, besides undefined species, 16 species of the genus Sarcophyton, from different geographical areas, had been chemically examined. Two hundred and five terpenes had been isolated from this genus, including eleven sesquiterpenes, 165 diterpenes, 29 biscembranoids, some of which had novel skeletons. They exhibited various biological features, such as antifeedant, anti‐inflammatory, antiviral, and antifouling activities.     

The reactivity of cytochrome c with soft ligands.

The spectral changes caused by binding soft ligands to the cytochrome c iron and their correlation to ligand affinities support the hypothesis that the iron—methionine sulfur bond of this heme protein is enhanced by delocalization of the metal l₂, electrons into the empty 3d orbitals of the ligand atom. These findings also explain the unique spectrum of cytochrome c in the far red.     

Identification of novel candidate circulating biomarkers for malignant soft tissue sarcomas: Correlation with metastatic progression

Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a heterogeneous group of rare tumors for which identification and validation of biological markers may improve clinical management. The fraction of low‐molecular‐weight (LMW) circulating proteins and fragments of proteins is a rich source of new potential biomarkers. To identify circulating biomarkers useful for STS early diagnosis and prognosis, we analyzed 53 high‐grade STS sera using hydrogel core‐shell nanoparticles that selectively entrap LMW proteins by size exclusion and affinity chromatography, protect them from degradation and amplify their concentration for mass spectrometry detection. Twenty‐two analytes mostly involved in inflammatory and immunological response, showed a progressive increase from benign to malignant STS with a relative difference in abundance, more than 50% when compared to healthy control. 16 of these were higher in metastatic compared to non‐metastatic tumors. Cox‘s regression analysis revealed a statistical significant association between the abundance of lactotransferrin (LTF) and complement factor H‐related 5 (CFHR5) and risk of metastasis. In particular, CFHR5 was associated with the risk of metastasis. The role of circulating proteins involved in metastatic progression will be crucial for a better understanding of STS biology and patient management.     

带腓肠腱膜的腓肠神经营养皮瓣修复KuwadeⅣ型跟腱缺损

目的:回顾性分析带腓肠肌腱膜的腓肠神经营养皮瓣修复KuwadeⅣ型跟腱缺损的临床病例,探讨其手术注意事项及治疗经验。方法:总结2008年5月-2013年8月收治的KuwadeⅣ型跟腱缺损19例,应用带腓肠肌腱膜的腓肠神经营养皮瓣进行一期修复。7例为新鲜损伤,12例为陈旧性缺损。19例跟腱缺损均伴有皮肤及软组织坏死,皮肤缺损范围为4.0 cm×6.0 cm-6.0cm×12.0 cm,跟腱缺损长度为5-9 cm,术中皮瓣切取范围为6.0 cm×5.5 cm-12.0 cm×8.0cm,腓肠腱膜切取范围5.5 cm×6.0cm-10.0 cm×6.0 cm;供区游离植皮修复。客观性评价指标包括关节跖屈、背伸动度及形态学,主观性评价采用AOFAS评分。结果:术后17例跟腱功能重建良好,2例感染控制不良,跟腱移植体部分坏死。皮瓣完全成活13例,创面Ⅰ期愈合。2例术后6天皮瓣远端表皮坏死,经换药后愈合。2例术后10天皮瓣远端部分坏死,经局部皮瓣移位修复愈合,2例感染控制不良者,皮瓣未愈合,移植跟腱部分坏死,经再次清创后,行阔筋膜条修复术,局部皮瓣移位修复。术后19例均获随访,随访时间6~24个月,平均18个月。术后皮瓣略臃肿,但不影响穿鞋,行走功能恢复良好,术后1年AOFAS评分平均80.31分。结论:带腓肠肌腱膜的腓肠神经营养皮瓣用于治疗KuwadeⅣ型跟腱缺损,可以同时修复皮肤及跟腱缺损,是一种较为理想的一期修复方法。     

长江口窄脊江豚东亚亚种体内几种微量元素的含量及分布

为了弄清长江口窄脊江豚东亚亚种(Neophocaena asiaeorientalis sunameri)体内微量元素的积累和分布情况,采用电感耦合等离子体质谱仪(ICP-MS)对2014年春季收集的3头雌性和3头雄性个体的心、肾、肝、肌肉、肺、胃和肠7种器官组织样品,进行了锌(Zn)、硒(Se)、铜(Cu)、钼(Mo)、钴(Co)、铬(Cr)、锰(Mn)、钒(V)和镍(Ni)9种元素含量测定。结果显示,按干重计算江豚体内Zn、Cu和Se的平均含量最高,分别为(59.15±33.87)μg/g、(15.85±15.07)μg/g和(7.31±5.49)μg/g;Cr和Mn平均含量次之,分别为(3.16±2.70)μg/g和(2.35±2.94)μg/g;Co、Mo、Ni、V平均含量较少,分别为(0.30±0.48)μg/g、(0.19±0.30)μg/g、(0.12±0.18)μg/g和(0.04±0.12)μg/g。研究发现,肠道、肝和肾的微量元素含量普遍高于其他组织器官,除Cr以外的其他微量元素在一些组织之间均存在显著性差异(P0.05),如Zn(P0.05)和Mn(P0.05)在肠道中的含量显著高于肌肉和心,Se在肝(P0.05)和肾(P0.05)中的含量显著高于其余6种组织,Cu(P0.05)和Mo(P0.05)在肝中的含量显著高于其余6种组织,Co(P0.05)在肾中的含量显著高于肌肉,Ni在胃壁(P0.05)和肠道(P0.05)中含量显著高于肌肉和肝。同时发现,Mn和Cr的总体平均含量在雌雄性别间也存在一定差异,其中Mn雄性显著大于雌性(P0.05),Cr则雌性显著大于雄性(P0.05)。此外,这9种元素在同一组织器官的不同江豚个体间也并不稳定,个体间的平均变异系数达121.08%。长江口水域窄脊江豚东亚亚种体内各组织器官内的元素含量总体上明显低于黄海、渤海的东亚亚种江豚和北部湾海域的印度洋江豚(N.phocaenoides)。与人体相比,长江口东亚亚种江豚体内Zn、Se和Mo的含量低于人体,Cu和Co含量高于人体。