Background White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are commonly observed in older adults and are associated with cognitive impairment. Although resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging studies have explored the mechanisms of cognitive impairment in patients with WMHs, knowledge about the role of dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) is limited in such patients. Our aim is to explore whether the dFC consists in such patients and associates with cognitive impairment. Methods We included 36 healthy controls (HCs) and 104 patients with mild (n = 39), moderate n = 37), and severe (n = 28) WMHs. Comprehensive neuropsychological scales were used to assess the cognitive functions. The sliding window approach was used to generate dFC matrices, and graph theory methods were applied to calculate the variability of the network topological properties. Relationships between cognitive functions and abnormal dFC were evaluated by Pearson’s correlation. Results Patients with WMHs and HCs showed no significant difference in small-world properties. However, there were significant differences in variability of nodal properties between the four groups, which were located within the default mode network (DMN) and cognitive control network (CCN). Correlation analysis revealed that, as the temporal variability of the nodal cluster coefficient increased in the left SMG, the TMT-A time and the AVLT-study score decreased in patients with WMHs. Moreover, as the nodal efficiency of the left Rolandic operculum increased, the MoCA score, the TMT-A and the TMT-B time increased in patients with WMHs. Conclusions Our results indicate that dynamic functional connectivity consists in patients with WMHs and associate with executive and memory function.

Previous studies on Ranunculus sceleratus L. have shown the existence of coumarins and their anti-inflammatory effect. Phytochemical work was conducted to investigate the bioactive compounds, leading to the isolation of two undescribed benzopyran derivatives, namely ranunsceleroside A (1) and B (3), together with two known coumarins (2, 4) from the whole plant of R. sceleratus L. All compounds were structurally identified by extensive spectroscopic analysis and then investigated for their inhibitory effect on nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α),

Ranunculus sceleratus L.(RS) has shown various pharmacological effects in traditional Chinese medicine. In our previous study, the positive therapeutic effect on α-naphthylisothiocyanate induced intrahepatic cholestasis in rats was obtained using TianJiu treatment with fresh RS. However, the chemical profile of RS has not been clearly clarified, which impedes the research progress on the therapeutic effect of RS. Herein, an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS) method was developed to rapidly separate and identify multiple constituents in the 80% methanol extract of RS. A total of sixty-nine compounds (19 flavonoids, 22 organic acids, 6 coumarins, 4 lignans, 14 nitrogenous compounds, and 4 anthraquinones) were successfully characterized. A total of 12 of these compounds were unambiguously identified by standard samples. Their mass spectrometric fragmentation pathways were investigated. It is worth noting that flavonoids and lignans were identified for the first time in RS. In this study, we successfully provide the first comprehensive report on identifying major chemical constituents in RS by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap HRMS. The obtained results enrich the RS chemical profile, paving the way for further phytochemical study, quality control, and pharmacological investigation of RS.