Search

Background: It remains unclear whether conservative oxygen therapy (COT) or liberal oxygen therapy (LOT) is more beneficial to the clinical outcomes of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. We systematically reviewed the efficacy and safety of conservative versus liberal oxygen therapy for ICU patients. Methods: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, ClinicalTrials.gov, MedRxiv, and BioRxiv for reports on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared the effects of COT versus LOT on the clinical outcomes of ICU patients published in English before April 2024. The primary outcome was the mortality rate, secondary outcomes included ICU and hospital length of stay, days free from mechanical ventilation support (MVF), vasopressor-free time (VFT), and adverse events. Results: In all, 13 RCTs involving 10,632 patients were included in analyses. Meta-analysis showed COT did not reduce mortality at 30-day (risk ratio [RR] = 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94 to 1.09, I2 = 42%, P = 0.78), 90-day (RR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.08, I2 = 9%, P = 0.69), or longest follow-up (RR = 1.00, 95% CI 0.95 to 1.06, I2 = 22%, P = 0.95) compared to LOT in ICU patients. In subgroup analyses, no significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of the different ICU, baseline P/F, and actual PaO2. In addition, COT did not affect ICU length of stay, hospital length of stay, or VFT, it only affected MVF days. Conclusions: COT did not reduce all-cause mortality in ICU patients. Further RCTs are urgently needed to confirm the impact of COT strategy on specific populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In recent years, headache disorders have garnered significant attention as a pressing global health issue. This concern is especially pronounced in low- to middle-income countries and exhibits a notable increase in prevalence among adolescents and young adults. Such a surge in these disorders has invariably diminished the quality of life for affected individuals. Despite its global impact, comprehensive studies exploring the ramifications of headache disorders in the younger population remain scant. Our study endeavored to quantify the global prevalence of headache disorders in individuals between the ages of 15 and 39, over a three-decade span from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Our study, conducted from 1990 to 2019, evaluated the impact of headache disorders, specifically migraines and tension-type headaches (TTH), in 204 different countries and territories. This comprehensive assessment included a detailed analysis of incidence rates, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) across various demographics such as age, gender, year, geographical location, and Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Results: In 2019, there were an estimated 581,761,847.2 migraine cases globally (95% UI: 488,309,998.1 to 696,291,713.7), marking a 16% increase from 1990. Concurrently, TTH cases numbered at 964,808,567.1 (95% UI: 809,582,531.8 to 1,155,235,337.2), reflecting a 37% rise since 1990. South Asia reported the highest migraine prevalence with 154,490,169.8 cases (95% UI: 130,296,054.6 to 182,464,065.6). High SDI regions exhibited the most substantial migraine prevalence rates both in 1990 (22,429 per 100,000 population) and 2019 (22,606 per 100,000 population). Among the five SDI classifications, the middle SDI region recorded the highest tally of TTH cases in both 1990 (210,136,691.6 cases) and 2019 (287,577,250 cases). Over the past 30 years, East Asia experienced the most pronounced surge in the number of migraine cases. On the whole, there was a discernible positive correlation between the disease burden of migraine and TTH and the SDI. Conclusion: Migraine and TTH represent formidable challenges in global health. The intensity of their impact exhibits marked disparities across nations and is distinctly elevated among women, individuals within the 30–39 age bracket, and populations characterized by a high SDI. The results of our research emphasize the imperative of assimilating migraine and TTH management into contemporary healthcare paradigms. Such strategic integration holds the potential to amplify public cognizance regarding pertinent risk factors and the spectrum of therapeutic interventions at hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Black soldier fly (BSF), Hermetia illucens (Diptera: Stratiomyidae), is a prominent insect for the bioconversion of various organic wastes. As a saprotrophic insect, the BSF inhabits microbe‐rich environments. However, the influences of the intestinal microorganisms on BSF growth and development are not very clear. In this study, the dynamics of the intestinal bacterial community of BSF larvae (BSFL) were analyzed using pyrosequencing. Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria were the most prevalent bacterial phyla in the intestines of all larval instars. The dynamic changes in bacterial community compositions among different larval instars were striking at the genus level. Klebsiella, Clostridium, Providencia, and Dysgonomonas were the relatively most abundant bacteria in the 1st‐ to 4th‐instar BSFL, respectively. Dysgonomonas and Providencia also dominated the 5th‐ and 6th‐instar larvae, at ratios of 31.1% and 47.2%, respectively. In total, 148 bacterial strains affiliated with 20 genera were isolated on different media under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Among them, 6 bacteria, BSF1–BSF6, were selected for further study. The inoculation of the 6 isolates independently into germ‐free BSFL feeding on an artificial diet showed that all the bacteria, except BSF4, significantly promoted BSF growth and development compared with the germ‐free control. Citrobacter, Dysgonomonas, Klebsiella, Ochrobactrum, and Providencia promoted BSF development significantly by increasing the weight gains of larvae and pupae, as well as increasing the prepupae and eclosion rates. In addition, Citrobacter, Klebsiella and Providencia shortened the BSF life cycle significantly. The results illustrate the promotive effects of intestinal bacteria on BSF growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As one of the adult stem cells, SSCs can transmit genetic information to offspring and play a crucial role in the spermatogenesis of male animals. According to the biological characteristics of SSCs and effective cell separation methods, SSCs in testis can be separated and further purified and cultured in vitro, so as to further study their related mechanisms. With the development and maturity of sequencing technology and gene editing technology, the research means and application range of SSCs are also expanding. Therefore, the paper mainly summarizes the biological characteristics, identification, isolation, purification, and in vitro culture of SSCs, as well as the new technologies used in combination with SSCs research, in order to provide references for the selection of in vitro culture methods of SSCs and related studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biliary tract cancers (BTCs) are aggressive tumors of the biliary system, which are often diagnosed at the advanced stage with a dismal prognosis. Among BTC patients, germline or somatic breast cancer‐related gene 1/2 (BRCA1/2) mutation has been reported and the use of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerase inhibitor (PARPi) has achieved a certain effect, with no obvious severe side effects. The frequencies and mutated types of BRCA1/2 in advanced BTCs vary among studies. BRCA1 and BRCA2 play distinct roles in the development of BTC regardless of age or gender difference. Surprisingly, some BTC patients with germline BRCA mutation can achieve better therapeutic effects than those with a somatic mutation, and patients who carry BRCA mutation are more likely to benefit from immunotherapy alone or in combination. Herein, we provide an overview of the targeted therapies in BRCA‐mutant BTCs, with a particular focus on the differences between germline and somatic BRCA1/2 mutations, as well as review the current status and perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trigonal planar units with large polarizability anisotropy and high physicochemical stability are ideal structural units for exploring nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Integrating the merits of two types of triangular‐like moieties, a family of second‐order NLO‐active hybrid halides, MATX (X = Cl (1), Br (2), and I (3)), are achieved. MATX crystallizes in a nonpolar space group of P6¯$P\overline 6 $2c but exhibits the optimal spatial arrangement and superior NLO performance. The low coordination planar trigonal AgX3 units enable segregation in layers of the three‐winged propeller‐like Me3TPA units. All of the layers are packed in a perfect parallel fashion, making the functional materials exhibit superior NLO performances, including the phase matchable behavior with strong SHG responses (6.2/1, 6.5/2, and 7.6/3 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate), large birefringence (0.232/1, 0.252/2 and 0.260/3 at 1064 nm), high laser damage threshold, wide transparent window, and easiness of crystal growth. The first‐principles calculations reveal that the coexistence of strong linear and nonlinear optical properties are ascribed to the synergistic effect of the trigonal moieties. This study points out a useful path for the rational design of excellent NLO materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trigonal planar units with large polarizability anisotropy and high physicochemical stability are ideal structural units for exploring nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Integrating the merits of two types of triangular‐like moieties, a family of second‐order NLO‐active hybrid halides, MATX (X = Cl (1), Br (2), and I (3)), are achieved. MATX crystallizes in a nonpolar space group of P6¯$P\overline 6 $2c but exhibits the optimal spatial arrangement and superior NLO performance. The low coordination planar trigonal AgX3 units enable segregation in layers of the three‐winged propeller‐like Me3TPA units. All of the layers are packed in a perfect parallel fashion, making the functional materials exhibit superior NLO performances, including the phase matchable behavior with strong SHG responses (6.2/1, 6.5/2, and 7.6/3 times that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate), large birefringence (0.232/1, 0.252/2 and 0.260/3 at 1064 nm), high laser damage threshold, wide transparent window, and easiness of crystal growth. The first‐principles calculations reveal that the coexistence of strong linear and nonlinear optical properties are ascribed to the synergistic effect of the trigonal moieties. This study points out a useful path for the rational design of excellent NLO materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the possible link between dietary theobromine intake and symptoms of depression. Materials and methods: These results are based on the responses of 3637 people who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2017–2018. Participants' daily theobromine intake was determined using a 24-h food questionnaire from the 2017–2018 cycle. Presence of depression was defined as a score of 5 or above on the Patient Health Questionnaire. Association between theobromine intake and depression was examined using a multivariate logistic regression adjusting for several relevant sociodemographic, lifestyle and health-related factors. Results: A total of 6903 participants were included in the study. The results of multivariate logistic regression showed a correlation between depressive symptoms and theobromine intake (OR:1.17, 95%CI:1.02–1.34). Conclusions: Our cross-sectional population based study suggests that increased theobromine intake is associated with increased risk for depression. Nevertheless, more investigations are needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fruits of Alpinia oxyphylla (Alpiniae Oxyphyllae Fructus, AOF) are one of the "Four Famous South Medicines" in China. In this study, beta-site amyloid protein precursor cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) was applied to explore the active components in AOF responsible for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)-related cognitive disorder. As a result, 24 compounds including three unreported ones (1 , 3 , 4) were isolated from AOF. Compound 1 is an unusual carbon‑carbon linked diarylheptanoid dimer, and compound 4 is the first case of 3,4- seco -eudesmane sesquiterpenoid with a 5/6-bicyclic skeleton. Four diarylheptanoids (3 , 5 – 7), one flavonoid (9) and two sesquiterpenoids (14 and 20) showed BACE1 inhibitory activity, of which the most active 6 was revealed to be a non-competitive and anti-competitive mixed inhibitor. Docking simulation suggested that OH-4′ of 6 played important roles in maintaining activity by forming hydrogen bonds with Ser36 and Ile126 residues. Compounds 3 , 5 , 9 and 20 displayed neuroprotective effects against amyloid β (A β) - induced damage in BV2 cells. Mechanism study revealed that compounds 5 and 20 downregulated the expression of BACE1 and upregulated the expression of Lamp2 to exert effects. Thus, the characteristic diarylheptanoids and sesquiterpenoids in AOF had the efficacy to alleviate T2DM-related cognitive disorder by inhibiting BACE1 activity and reversing A β -induced neuronal damage. [Display omitted] • 24 compounds including 3 unreported ones were isolated from AOF. • 7 diarylheptanoids, 1 flavonoid and 2 sesquiterpenoids had BACE1 inhibitory activity. • Compound 6 was a non-competitive and anti-competitive mixed inhibitor against BACE1. • Compounds 3 , 5 , 9 and 20 showed neuroprotective effects on Aβ-damaged BV2 cells. • Compounds 5 and 20 influenced the expression of BACE1 and Lamp2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, we report the related transport properties of (La1-yPry)0.5Sr0.5MnO3 (y = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 and 0.5) films prepared by pulsed laser deposition. The transport properties of the films with different fields applied, such as optical field, magnetic field and strain field, were investigated. The results show that the resistance increases and the metal–insulator transition temperature shifts to lower temperature with the increasing of Pr doping. However, the film with the doping amount of 0.5 exhibits an insulation characteristic, and showed transient photoconductivity effect, with a relative change of photo-resistance of 7.2% at low temperature. Otherwise, a negative magneto-resistance of 54% was observed at 80 K and 1 T magnetic field. Further, by using an external electric field to modulate the films grown on the PbMg1/3Nb2/3O3-PbTiO3 substrate, it was found that the electric field reduced the resistance and had a faking effect on the relative change of the photo-resistance. It is mainly attributed to the influence of the external field on lattice distortion and charge carrier delocalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arteriovenous malformation (AVM)-derived ophthalmic artery (OphA) branches are not common, and their management is very challenging. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of Trans OphA ethanol embolotherapy for these lesions. We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients with AVMs fed by OphA, who underwent transOphA embolization using ethanol from February, 2015 to December, 2019. Sixty-six transOphA embolotherapy procedures (range, 1–4 procedures; mean, 2.5 procedures) were performed. Devascularization degree, visual field, visual acuity, and quality-of-life outcomes were compared and analyzed at follow up (mean, 32.6 months; month range 10–60). Complications were recorded. Twenty-five of the 26 patients (96%) reported complete or > 90% AVM devascularization while one patient (4%) showed > 70% devascularization. Eleven patients (42%) presented with visual acuity impairments; among them, 6 had improvements while 4 were completely relieved. Eight patients (30.7%) presented visual field defects, 3 had improvements while 4 were completely relieved. Ten patients (38.4%) presented with diplopia and exophthalmos with 2 being completely relieved while 6 had major improvements. Bleeding was controlled in all cases (100%). All patients (100%) exhibited cosmetic deformities with 17 being completely relieved. Moreover, all patients (100%) exhibited impaired daily life, which was resolved in 21 patients with 5 patients reporting major improvements. After endovascular treatment, there was no vision loss, death, or permanent disability in any patient. TransOphA ethanol embolotherapy is efficacious and safe for symptomatic resolution or improvement of AVMs fed by OphA with acceptable complications without the risk of visual impairment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of endovascular embolization of ruptured intracranial aneurysms within 72 hours of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Materials and Methods Patients with intracranial aneurysms treated with embolization were divided into group A (n = 277), patients with ruptured aneurysms treated within 72 hours of SAH; group B (n = 138), patients with ruptured aneurysms treated beyond 72 hours; and group C (n = 93), patients with unruptured aneurysms. Results Embolization was successful in all but four patients (99.2%). The periprocedural complication rate was 36.2% in group B, significantly (p < 0.05) greater than that in group A (24.5%) or group C (11.8%). The rebleeding rate was 9.7% (6/62 patients) in groups A and B after embolization and only 0.3% (1/346 patients) in aneurysms with total or subtotal occlusion. Of these three groups of patients, 69.7% in group A, 58.7% in group B, and 76.3% in group C achieved Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) score of 5 or modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0– to 1 at discharge. A significant difference (p < 0.05) existed in the clinical outcome between the three groups. The percentages of patients without deficits (GOS 5 or mRS 0–1) and slight disability (mRS 2) were 80.2% in group A, 81.2% in group B, and 96.7% in group C. The mortality rate was 4.3% (12/277 patients) in group A and 7.2% (10/138 patients) in group B with no significant (p = 0.21) difference. Follow-up was performed at 3 to 54 months (mean 23.2), and the recanalization rate was 28.6% (32/112 patients) in group A, 22.4% (11/49 patients) in group B, and 28.6% (16/56 patients) in group C, with no significant differences (p = 0.15). Hydrocephalus occurred in 30.5% (39/128 patients) in group B, which was significantly (p < 0.01) greater than that in group A (9.4%) or group C (2.2%). Conclusion Early embolization of ruptured cerebral aneurysms within 72 hours of rupture is safe and effective and can significantly decrease periprocedural complications compared with management beyond 72 hours. Timely management of cisternal and ventricular blood can reduce hydrocephalus incidence and improve prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on investigating the effect of typical melting temperatures (To, Tp, and Tc from DSC) on the dynamic changes of physicochemical properties, functionalities, and gel properties of starch-konjac gum mixture (PS/KGM). The typical melting treatments (HTo, HTp, and HTc) significantly enhanced the PS/KGM synergism, as indicated by the increased thermal stability, and the improved pasting and gel properties. The work suggested that the typical melting effectively stabilized the aqueous mixture system of PS/KGM, showing no phase separation in the water phase system, even after storage for 12 h. The PLM and SEM show that melting at HTo, HTp, and HTc causes partial melting with the loss of birefringence of starch granules, and the granules conglomerate into large clusters with rough surfaces, surrounded by smaller matrices. DSC demonstrated that typical melting significantly raised the To of composite to approximately 77 from 59.10 °C for native. RVA suggested that the melting significantly increased the FV of PS/KGM from 3363 to approximately 8000 mPa s, while the BD decreased from 5009 to approximately 400 mPa·s. Especially in which there is no BD recorded when melted by HTp and HT. The PS/KGM melted by HTo and HTp had more acidic, salty, and shear stability during the thermal process with improved gel texture and freeze-thaw stability than HTc. Partial melting of starch and chain rearrangement is critical for enhancing PS/KGM synergism. As RC% and DM% controlling at approximately 30–35% are the most effective for promoting PS/KGM interaction (HTp > HTo > HTc). [Display omitted] • HTo, HTp, and HTc melting dynamically changed potato starch/konjac gum (PS/KGM) synergism. • Melting significantly improved the thermal stability, pasting, and gelling properties of PS/KGM. • Partial melting of starch and chain rearrangement is critical for enhancing PS/KGM synergism. • HTp melting is the most effective in promoting PS/KGM synergism. • Melting degree and relative crystallinity loss in a range of 30–35%% is the most effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Many citrus orchards of south China suffer from soil acidification, which induces aluminum (Al) toxicity. The Al-immobilization in vivo is crucial for Al detoxification. However, the distribution and translocation of excess Al in citrus species are not well understood. Results: The seedlings of 'Xuegan' [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] and 'Shatianyou' [Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck], that differ in Al tolerance, were hydroponically treated with a nutrient solution (Control) or supplemented by 1.0 mM Al3+ (Al toxicity) for 21 days after three months of pre-culture. The Al distribution at the tissue level of citrus species followed the order: lateral roots > primary roots > leaves > stems. The concentration of Al extracted from the cell wall (CW) of lateral roots was found to be about 8 to 10 times higher than in the lateral roots under Al toxicity, suggesting that the CW was the primary Al-binding site at the subcellular level. Furthermore, the Al distribution in CW components of the lateral roots showed that pectin had the highest affinity for binding Al. The relative expression level of genes directly relevant to Al transport indicated a dominant role of Cs6g03670.1 and Cg1g021320.1 in the Al distribution of two citrus species. Compared to C. grandis, C. sinensis had a significantly higher Al concentration on the CW of lateral roots, whereas remarkably lower Al levels in the leaves and stems. Furthermore, Al translocation revealed by the absorption kinetics of the CW demonstrated that C. sinensis had a higher Al retention and stronger Al affinity on the root CW than C. grandis. According to the FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) analysis, the Al distribution and translocation might be affected by a modification in the structure and components of the citrus lateral root CW. Conclusions: A higher Al-retention, mainly attributable to pectin of the root CW, and a lower Al translocation efficiency from roots to shoots contributed to a higher Al tolerance of C. sinensis than C. grandis. The aluminum distribution and translocation of two citrus species differing in aluminum tolerance were associated with the transcriptional regulation of genes related to Al transport and the structural modification of root CW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We aimed to verify the effectiveness of electroacupuncture on postoperative ileus prevention after abdominal surgery by meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA). Methods: From inception to May 14, 2024, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases were searched. TSA was used to determine an optimal sample size and control false‐positive findings. The primary outcome was the time to first defecation (hours). Results: Fourteen studies were included, with 1105 participants. Meta‐analysis and TSA revealed firm evidence for benefits that electroacupuncture shorted the time to first defecation (mean difference [MD] −12.73 h, I2 = 22%, P < 0.01), the time to first flatus (MD −7.03 h, I2 = 25%, P < 0.01), the time to start of sips of water (MD −12.02 h, I2 = 0%, P < 0.01), and the time to start of liquid diet (MD −12.97 h, I2 = 0%, P < 0.01) compared with usual care. While compared with sham electroacupuncture, meta‐analysis and TSA also confirmed that electroacupuncture shortened the time to first defecation (MD −10.81 h, I2 = 31%, P = 0.02) and the time to first flatus (MD −10.81 h, I2 = 0%, P < 0.01). However, TSA revealed that firm evidence for benefit or futility was not reached for the length of hospital stay and the rates of postoperative prolonged ileus. Conclusions: Electroacupuncture shortened the duration of postoperative ileus in patients undergoing abdominal surgery, and the adverse events related to electroacupuncture were minor. Further investigation of the effect of electroacupuncture on the risk of prolonged postoperative ileus is warranted in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larval characters are of importance in systematic and evolutionary studies of Diptera but lag behind characters of adults due to difficulties in obtaining relevant information. Larvae of stomach bot flies are obligate parasites completing development exclusively in the alimentary tract of equids and rhinoceroses. They possess diversified morphological adaptations, providing remarkable examples to further our understanding of larval evolution. Herein, three-dimensional structures of first instar Gasterophilus pecorum and Gyrostigma rhinocerontis are compared using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). We suggest CLSM has a large potential for exploiting cryptic character systems of micro fly larvae, as spectral range and intensity of autofluorescence emitted by sclerotized structures and soft tissues are distinct, presenting a high-contrast mechanism for multistructural visualization with non-destructive sample preparation. Five new potential synapomorphies are proposed to corroborate the sister-group Gasterophilus and Gyrostigma. The upward curving mouth-hooks of first instar Gasterophilus and Gyrostigma are distinctive in Cyclorrhapha and possibly serve to facilitate the larval subcutaneous migration within the host. Three types of mouthhooks are recognized in first instar Oestridae, with the gently curved and gradually tapered type optimized as the ancestral state, from which the gasterophiline and hypodermatine types evolved independently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Endothelial glycocalyx loss is integral to increased pulmonary vascular permeability in sepsis-related acute lung injury. Protectin conjugates in tissue regeneration 1 (PCTR1) is a novel macrophage-derived lipid mediator exhibiting potential anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving benefits.Methods: PCTR1 was administrated intraperitoneally with 100 ng/mouse after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenged. Survival rate and lung function were used to evaluate the protective effects of PCTR1. Lung inflammation response was observed by morphology and inflammatory cytokines level. Endothelial glycocalyx and its related key enzymes were measured by immunofluorescence, ELISA, and Western blot. Afterward, related-pathways inhibitors were used to identify the mechanism of endothelial glycocalyx response to PCTR1 in mice and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) after LPS administration.Results: In vivo, we show that PCTR1 protects mice against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis, as shown by enhanced the survival and pulmonary function, decreased the inflammatory response in lungs and peripheral levels of inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, and interleukin-1β. Moreover, PCTR1 restored lung vascular glycocalyx and reduced serum heparin sulphate (HS), syndecan-1 (SDC-1), and hyaluronic acid (HA) levels. Furthermore, we found that PCTR1 downregulated heparanase (HPA) expression to inhibit glycocalyx degradation and upregulated exostosin-1 (EXT-1) protein expression to promote glycocalyx reconstitution. Besides, we observed that BAY11-7082 blocked glycocalyx loss induced by LPS in vivo and in vitro, and BOC-2 (ALX antagonist) or EX527 (SIRT1 inhibitor) abolished the restoration of HS in response to PCTR1.Conclusion: PCTR1 protects endothelial glycocalyx via ALX receptor by regulating SIRT1/NF-κB pathway, suggesting PCTR1 may be a significant therapeutic target for sepsis-related acute lung injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the relationship between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and gut microbiota has attracted much interest. Dendrobium officinale is a valuable traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with anti-T2D potential, while its action mechanism remains to be further studied. This study was designed to investigate the modulation effects of D. officinale on gut microbiota of T2D model mice to provide clues to its pharmacology by high-throughput sequencing techniques. It was found that D. officinale supplement could significantly reduce the fasting blood glucose levels of T2D mice. Dendrobium officinale supplement could modulate the composition of gut microbiota and increase the relative abundances of key bacterial taxa associated with T2D development, including Akkermansia and Parabacteroides. Compared with placebo group mice, several Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genomes pathways associated with T2D altered in the D. officinale treated group. These findings indicated the modulation of D. officinale on gut microbiota of T2D mice, which provide potential pharmacological implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal ions are essential micronutrients for all living organisms and exert a wide range of effects on human health. The uptake of transition metal ions occurs primarily in the gastrointestinal tract, which is colonized by trillions of bacterial cells. In recent years, increasing studies have indicated that transition metals have regulatory effects on the gut microbiota. In view of the significant effect of the gut microbiota on human health and involvement in the pathogenesis of a wide range of diseases, in this paper, we provide a comprehensive discussion on the regulatory effects of four kinds of transition metal ions on the gut microbiota. A total of 20 animal model and human studies concerning the regulatory effects of four types of transition metal ions (i.e., iron, copper, zinc, and manganese) on gut microbiota were summarized. Both the deficiency and supplementation of these transition metal ions on the gut microbiota were considered. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms governing the regulatory effects of transition metal ions on the gut microbiota were also discussed. Key points: • Regulatory effects of iron, copper, zinc, and manganese on gut microbiota were reviewed. • Both deficiency and supplementation of metal ions on gut microbiota were considered. • Mechanisms governing effects of metal ions on gut microbiota were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The growing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in younger populations, particularly those of working age (15–64 years), has become a public health concern. Being diagnosed at a younger age implies a greater likelihood of accruing disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) later in life due to potential progression to conditions such as cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. This study aims to analyze NAFLD prevalence trends over three decades globally, regionally, and nationally, with a focus on age, period, and birth cohort associations. Methods: Global, regional, and country time trends in the prevalence of NAFLD among working-age people from 1990 to 2019: Age-period-cohort analysis based on Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 estimates and 95% uncertainty interval (UI) of NAFLD prevalence in the working age population was extracted from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries and Risk Factors Study 2019. Age-period-cohort models were used to estimate the prevalence within each age group from 1990 to 2019 (local drift, % per year), fitted longitudinal age-specific rates adjusted for period bias (age effect), and period/cohort relative risk (period/cohort effect). Results: The global age-standardized prevalence (ASPR) of NAFLD increased significantly from 1990 (14,477.6 per 100 000) to 2019 (19,837.6 per 100 000). In the Western Pacific, there were 42,903.8 NAFLD cases in 2019, 54.15% higher than in 1990. The ASPR also increased significantly in the region over the past three decades. At the national level, Palau had the highest ASPR while Brunei Darussalam had the lowest. Age-period-cohort analysis showed that in the Western Pacific, unlike globally, the risk of NAFLD declined after age 60–64 years. Relative to 1980–1989, incidence and DALY risks decreased but prevalence increased in subsequent birth cohorts. Future predictions indicate an upward trend in NAFLD burden, especially among women and medium (SDI) regions like China. Conclusion: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease imparts an immense health burden that continues to grow globally and in the Asia Pacific region. Our work highlights working age adults as an at-risk group and calls attention to socioeconomic gradients within Western Pacific countries. Upward future projections demonstrate that NAFLD prevention is an urgent priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The prognosis of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is optimistic with a 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate of 70-85%. However, the major causes of mortality are chemotherapy toxicity, infection and relapse. The Guangdong (GD)-2008-ALL collaborative protocol was carried out to study the effect of reduced intensity on treatment related mortality (TRM) based on Berlin-Frankfurt-Münster (BFM) 2002 backbone treatment. The study was designed to elucidate whether the reduced intensity is effective and safe for children with ALL.Methods: The clinical data were obtained from February 28, 2008 to June 30, 2016. A total of 1765 childhood ALL cases from 9 medical centers were collected and data were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were stratified into 3 groups according to bone marrow morphology, prednisone response, age, genotype, and karyotype information: standard risk (SR), intermediate risk (IR) and high risk (HR). For SR group, daunorubicin was decreased in induction IA while duration was reduced in Induction Ib (2 weeks in place of 4 weeks). Doses for CAM were same in all risk groups - SR patients received one CAM, others got two CAMs.Results: The 5-year and 8-year overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) were 83.5±0.9% and 83.1±1.0%, 71.9±1.1% and 70.9±1.2%, and 19.5±1.0% and 20.5±1.1%, respectively. The 2-year treatment-related mortality (TRM) was 5.2±0.5%. The 5-year and 8-year OS were 90.7±1.4% and 89.6±1.6% in the SR group, while the 5-year and 8-year EFS were 81.5±1.8% and 80.0±2.0%. In the SR group, 74 (15.2%) patients measured minimal residual disease (MRD) on Day 15 and Day 33 of induction therapy. Among them, 7 patients (9.46%) were MRD positive (≥ 0.01%) on Day 33. The incidence of relapse in the MRD Day 33 positive group (n=7) was 28.6%, while in the MRD Day 33 negative group (n=67) was 7.5% (p=0.129).Conclusions: The results of GD-2008-ALL protocol are outstanding for reducing TRM in childhood ALL in China with excellent long term EFS. This protocol provided the evidence for further reducing intensity of induction therapy in the SR group according to the risk stratification. MRD levels on Day 15 and Day 33 are appropriate indexes for stratification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By employing a triazole–pyridine-containing ligand, two novel coordination polymers with Ag(I) clusters exhibiting different architectures have been successfully constructed. Structural analysis indicates that diverse coordination modes of the N-donor linker are responsible for the network difference for these two compounds, affording an isolated cluster for 1 and a 2D framework for 2, respectively. Compound 1 features a butterfly-shaped [Ag8(bptp)4(H2O)2] cluster wherein strong argentophilic interactions could be observed. The linkage of Ag(I) with N and I centers gives rise to a tetranuclear building unit [Ag4(bptp)3I] in 2, which is further extended to a 2D network with the assistance of the N-donor linkers. The syntheses and crystal structures have been investigated. Solid-state photoluminescence emissions as well as luminescence lifetimes of 1 and 2 have also been studied. Moreover, temperature-dependent luminescence tests show that an excellent linear relationship between temperature and emission intensity in the ranges of 77–298 K and 77–200 K could be observed for compounds 1 and 2, respectively. The wide temperature sensing range especially for 1 implies that they could act as promising ratiometric fluorescence molecular thermometers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early‐onset mixed chimerism (MC) with a high proportion of residual host cells is considered a signal of graft rejection in patients undergoing allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for transfusion‐dependent thalassemia. In order to prevent graft rejection and minimize the risk of treatment‐related graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD), we established a hierarchical management system based on chimerism analysis. Method: This retrospective study provides a comprehensive review of the characteristics, interventions, and outcomes of the 38 patients who developed MC after transplantation among the 144 pediatric thalassemia patients between July 2007 and January 2019 at our center. Results: A sibling donor, a blood type‐matched donor, conditioning regimens without fludarabine, and transplants containing <10 × 108 total nucleated cells/kg were identified to be associated with the development of MC. Among the 38 patients developing MC, only four patients rejected the grafts. The response rate to donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI, only for patients receiving sibling donor transplantation) and cytokine immunomodulation without DLI was 70.6% and 42.9%, respectively. Patients that developed GVHD after DLI or cytokine therapy had a more significant increase in donor cell chimerism (16%, range 0%‐35%) than those without (8.5%, range −21% to 40%, P =.049). However, even when treatment‐related GVHD was included, patients with MC had a lower cumulative incidence of total acute GVHD than patients with complete donor chimerism (29.2% vs 48.0%, P =.030). Conclusions: Interventions based on chimerism analysis were effective in preventing graft rejection and did not increase treatment‐related GVHD in thalassemia patients with MC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first phylogenetic study of Portschinskia is presented based on 42 adult morphological characters scored for all 11 species, including four new species Portschinskia burmensis sp. nov. , Portschinskia sichuanensis sp. nov. , Portschinskia xizangensis sp. nov. and Portschinskia yunnanensis sp. nov. Portschinskia luliangensis is established as a junior synonym of Portschinskia magnifica. Monophyly of Portschinskia is strongly supported by nine non-homoplasious synapomorphies. All cladograms resolve P. yunnanensis as a basal taxon and a well-resolved Portschinskia gigas clade { P. gigas + ((Portschinskia bombiformis + (P. burmensis + (P. magnifica + P. xizangensis))) + (Portschinskia himalayana + (Portschinskia przewalskyi + P. sichuanensis)))}. The only topological difference is Portschinskia loewii and Portschinskia neugebaueri either being sister taxa or branching off successively at the base of the P. gigas clade. Three colour-pattern types are recognized, with the yellow-tailed pattern optimized as the ancestral state. Our data show that the modal colour pattern of Portschinskia species is the same as in bumblebees, and a regional correlation in species diversity and colour patterns can be detected between sympatric Portschinskia and Bombus species. As a result, we suggest that colour patterns of Portschinskia can be explained as Batesian mimicry tracking locally dominant bumblebees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze the essential oil of I P. zeylanica i and to evaluate its antibacterial and cytotoxic activities. The essential oil of I P. zeylanica i was characterized by the presence of oxygenated monoterpenes (5.5%), sesquiterpenes (26.2%), and oxygenated sesquiterpenes (53.4%). The EO exhibited a significant antibacterial activity against I Escherichia coli i (MIC 20 g/mL) and moderate antibacterial activities against I Staphylococcus aureus i , I Bacillus subtilis i , and I Pseudomonas aeruginosa i (MICs 80-320 g/mL). [Extracted from the article]

Summary: Given the important roles that seed‐borne endophytes can play on their plant hosts, comprehensive studies of the bacterial and fungal communities of seeds are of great importance. In this study, we assessed the seed endophytes of three gramineous (Avena sativa, Elymus sibiricus and Elymus dahuricus) and four leguminous (Vicia villosa, Trifolium repens, Trifolium pretense and Medicago sativa) forages using high‐throughput sequencing. In total, 1013 distinct bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) and 922 fungal OTUs were detected, with bacteria and fungi per sample ranging from 240 to 425 and 261 to 463 respectively. These seven forages shared a high number of potentially beneficial taxa, including Bacillus, Pantoea, Candida and Helotiales, but the relative proportion of these taxa was different in each seed. Fungal communities were clustered more distinctively by host genotypes than bacterial. Some bacterial taxa may be involved in the recruitment of genera from the same phylum. Three Pantoea sp. and five Bacillus sp. were isolated from seeds, and all showed positive effects on Medicago sativa germination rate under salt stress, and of these, Bacillus subtilis Es‐1 and Pantoea agglomerans Ed‐3 performed best, but their influence was affected by the seed's microbiome. Rather than simply promoting host plant growth directly, some taxa may also participate in organizing the assembly of plant microbiomes which will influence seed response to biological factors. This study uses a new, high‐throughput sequencing based strategy to identify beneficial strains and analyse the interactions between microorganisms and plants to maximize microbial functions in long‐term agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represent two major health burdens with steadily increasing prevalence and accumulating evidence indicates a close relationship between the two disorders. In view of their similar pathogenesis, the potential of T2DM drugs for the treatment of AD has attracted considerable attention in recent years, with inspiring outcomes. Here, we provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of a total of 14 individual drugs (among which are seven T2DM drug types) against AD. Further, we discuss the potential action mechanisms of these T2DM drugs against AD. We argue that these findings may open novel avenues for AD drug discovery, drug target identification, and cotreatment of the two disorders. In view of the close relationships and similar pathogenesis between AD and T2DM, the therapeutic potential of T2DM drugs for AD has attracted considerable attention, with inspiring outcomes. Currently available studies reported the insulin signal dysregulation in both AD and T2DM patients. In particular, the most compelling data support a therapeutic role for the PI3K/Akt/GSK3β signaling pathway in AD. In addition, inflammation and Aβ clearance are also involved. Many challenges remain, such as the different performances of T2DM drugs for AD due to the variances in species, sex, gene, and other characteristics of the participants; further well-designed research and analyses need to be developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bot flies (Oestridae) are obligate endoparasites of mammals, and their extraordinary diversification is of great importance in understanding the evolution of parasitism. However, evolutionary analysis of Oestridae has long been impeded by lack of information. Here, the first three mitochondrial genomes of nasal bot flies (Cephalopina titillator , Cephenemyia trompe and Rhinoestrus usbekistanicus) and a comparative mitochondrial genomic analysis between subfamilies of Oestridae are presented. Contrasting to many other parasites, mitochondrial genomes of oestrids are conserved in structure, and genes have retained the same order and direction as the ancestral insect mitochondrial genome. Nucleotide composition is highly heterogenous, with Gasterophilinae possessing highest GC content and smallest genomic size. Mitochondrial evolutionary rates vary considerably, with Hypodermatinae and Oestrinae exhibiting a faster average rate than Cuterebrinae and Gasterophilinae. In addition, the first phylogenomic analysis covering all four bot fly subfamilies was conducted, supporting monophyly of Oestridae and a sister-group relationship of Hypodermatinae and Oestrinae. The only topological ambiguity is Cuterebrinae being a sister-group of either (Hypodermatinae + Oestridae) or Gasterophilinae. Thus, we suggest that mitochondrial genomes carry a great potential for phylogenetic analysis of Oestridae, and more information of Cuterebrinae is needed to illuminate the early evolutionary radiation and parasite-host coevolution of bot flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with increasing prevalence worldwide, while there are no effective drugs at present. Curcumin, a natural polyphenolic substance isolated from turmeric, is a promising natural compound to combat AD, but its pharmacology remains to be fully understood for its poor in vivo bioavalibility. Inspired by the recently reported associations between gut microbiota and AD development, the present study investigated the interactions of curcumin with gut microbiota of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice from two directions: (i) curcumin influences gut microbiota, and (ii) gut microbiota biotransform curcumin. It was found that curcumin administration tended to improve the spatial learning and memory abilities and reduce the amyloid plaque burden in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice. On the one hand, curcumin administration altered significantly the relative abundances of bacterial taxa such as Bacteroidaceae, Prevotellaceae, Lactobacillaceae, and Rikenellaceae at family level, and Prevotella, Bacteroides, and Parabacteroides at genus level, several of which have been reported to be key bacterial species associated with AD development. On the other hand, a total of 8 metabolites of curcumin biotransformed by gut microbiota of AD mice through reduction, demethoxylation, demethylation and hydroxylation were identified by HPLC-Q-TOF/MS, and many of these metabolites have been reported to exhibit neuroprotective ability. The findings provided useful clues to understand the pharmacology of curcumin and microbiome-targeting therapies for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new xanthyletin-type coumarin, neopeucedalactone (1), was isolated from the roots of Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn. Its chemical structure was elucidated based on extensive spectroscopic interpretation. The absolute configurations of xanthyletin-type coumarin were determined by comparing experimental and calculated ECD spectra for the first time. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cell growth inhibitory activities in vitro against human leukemic HL-60, THP-1 cell lines, and human prostate cancer PC-3 cell lines, with IC50 values of 9.97, 27.80, and 48.68 µM, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea is one of the most popular beverages in the world and possesses a wide range of beneficial effects for human health. The modulation of tea on gut microbiota has gained much interest in recent years. The present study discussed the modulation effect of various types of tea on gut microbiota, which plays crucial roles in human health, as investigated by in vitro animal and human studies. The currently available findings from a total of 23 studies support the modulation effects of tea liquid, tea extract, and its major active components, including polyphenols, polysaccharides, and teasaponin, on gut microbiota. Overall, tea possesses prebiotic-like effect and can alleviate the gut microbiota dysbiosis induced by high-fat diet in gut microbiota, despite the detailed bacterial taxa may alter depending on the types of tea supplemented. Current evidence implies that the modulation effect on gut microbiota may be an important action mechanism underlying the beneficial effect of tea consumption in daily life and also the great potential of strategically chosen tea extract to develop functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction to the article "Global, regional, and national epidemiology of migraine and tension-type headache in youths and young adults aged 15–39 years from 1990 to 2019: findings from the global burden of disease study 2019" that was published in a previous issue is presented.

A radical 1,4-aryl migration enabling a cross-electrophile coupling reaction toward remote transalkylation of N-benzyl alanine has been developed. In this strategy, with the occurrence of a radical-mediated Turce-Smiles rearrangement, key α-aminoalkyl radicals are generated. The as-formed α-aminoalkyl radical serves as a robust coupling partner for cross-electrophilic coupling with vinyl triflates, affording a series of olefin-tethered amino acid motifs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species of Gasterophilus Leach are obligate parasites in domestic and wild equids and responsible for cosmopolitan gasterophilosis. Although with only eight species known so far, they have received considerable attention because of their significant veterinary and economic importance. Surprisingly, we found that G. flavipes (Olivier) is a valid species based on morphological characters from male, female and the egg, after spending half a century as a synonym of G. haemorrhoidalis (Linnaeus). In the present study, G. flavipes, G. haemorrhoidalis and G. inermis (Brauer), which are the three closely related species possessing a remarkable mixture of shared morphological characters, are diagnosed and comparatively redescribed; the key to separate adults and eggs are provided, together with a series of high-resolution photographs from all the body parts. COI barcodes do not allow for a separation of G. flavipes, G. haemorrhoidalis and G. inermis, but showed a closer relationship between G. flavipes and G. haemorrhoidalis than the other two combinations, which is consistent with the morphological evidence. Geographically, G. flavipes seems to be common and widespread in the warmer parts of the Palaearctic region. Thus, the epidemiology of gasterophilosis where G. flavipes is known or supposed to occur calls for a more careful veterinarian re-assessment. A decline in the populations of Gasterophilus spp. has been noticed in Europe, but all seven Palaearctic species of Gasterophilus appear to maintain stable populations in Xinjiang (China), which may be explained by a higher biodiversity of equids and less use of anti-parasitic treatments in Xinjiang than in Europe. Our study shows that morphological characters still provide the solid backbone in classification of Gasterophilus at species-level, and updated diagnoses and a key is provided to distinguish G. flavipes, G. haemorrhoidalis and G. inermis, and to facilitate studies of epidemiology, phylogeny and host-parasite co-evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract BAG3 is a member of the cochaperone BAG family and often highly expressed in various cancers. Recently, evidences show that BAG3 promotes stemness of human cancer cells. IFN-stimulated genes 15 (ISG15) is an ubiquitin-like molecule, which is covalently conjugated with substrates to form ISGylated proteins. Global screening BAG3 interacting partners demonstrated that ISG15 might be a potential binding partner. The current study revealed that BAG3 did not interact with ISG15, but positively regulated ISG15 expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma cancer (PDAC). It was further found that BAG3 deletion stabilized ISG15 mRNAs, while suppressed its translation via increasing Serine phosphorylation of Ago2 at position 387 (S387). Both BAG3 deletion and ISG15 knockdown suppressed stem cell-like phenotypes of PDAC cells, including clonogenicity, invasiveness and spheroid formation. In addition, ectopic ISG15 expression rescued the suppressive role of BAG3 deletion in cancer stem cell (CSC)-like phenotypes of PDAC cells, and this effect of ISG15 was independent of its ISGylation function. The current study implies that BAG3 and ISG15 may provide a therapeutic advantage for PDAC. Highlights • The positive correlation is revealed between BAG3 and ISG15 in pancreatic cancer tissues. • Ectopic ISG15 expression rescues BAG3 deletion-mediated suppression of stem cell-like phenotypes in PDAC. • The effect of ISG15 in PDAC is independent of its ISGylation function. • BAG3 deletion stabilized ISG15 mRNAs, while suppressed its translation via increasing phosphorylation of Ago2 at S387. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Molecular identification system of Palaearctic Gasterophilus was established. • Barcoding identified all the species except for G. haemorrhoidalis and G. inermis. • A series of morphological characters of third instar larvae were updated. • Two morphological keys are provided for quick and ultrastructural identification. • A new term 'oral plate' instead of 'mandible' was proposed due to uncertain homology. Abstract Species of Gasterophilus are obligate parasites of equids and may induce severe, even lethal myiasis. However, identification of the third instar Gasterophilus larva at the species level is still problematic predominantly due to a shortage of diagnostic morphological features and incomplete molecular libraries. Testing the suitability of three different molecular markers showed that the traditional 650 bp barcode region near the 5′ terminus of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) served as a better tool for species-level identification than a 663 bp region near the 3′ terminus of COI and a 554 bp region near the 5′ terminus of the large subunit ribosomal RNA. We found that barcoding discriminates G. intestinalis , G. nasalis , G. nigricornis and G. pecorum but not G. haemorrhoidalis and G. inermis. A comparative morphological study using scanning electron microscopy was conducted to promote the identification of the third instar larvae. Photographs of fresh mature third instar larvae are provided for all species, and the remarkable green body colour of third instar G. nigricornis is fully documented for the first time. Two morphological keys are provided, one is suitable for quick identification, and the other based on ultrastructural details is provided for further comparative morphological investigation. A new term 'oral plate' instead of 'mandible' was proposed for a pair of sclerites of uncertain homology emerging from the secondary mouth opening. Our data shows that DNA barcodes cannot replace morphology for identification of third instars of Gasterophilus species, and a scaffold is provided for an integrated taxonomic reference system, which will contribute to monitoring gasterophilosis for equid welfare and protection, and also facilitate further studies in functional anatomy, phylogenetic analyses and host-parasite co-evolutionary investigations of Gasterophilus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: New molecular signatures are needed to improve the diagnosis of thyroid cancer (TC) and avoid unnecessary surgeries. In this study, we aimed to develop a robust and individualized diagnostic signature in TC. Gene expression profiles of tumor and nontumor samples were from 13 microarray datasets of Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and one RNA‐sequencing dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). A total of 1246 samples were divided into a training set (N = 435), a test set (N = 247), and one independent validation set (N = 564). In the training set, 115 most frequent differentially expressed genes (DEGs) among the included datasets were used to construct 6555 gene pairs, and 19 significant pairs were detected to further construct the diagnostic signature by a penalized generalized linear model. The signature showed a good diagnostic ability for TC in the training set (area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) = 0.976), test set (AUC = 0.960), and TCGA dataset (AUC = 0.979). Subgroup analyses showed consistent results when considering the type of nontumor samples and microarray platforms. When compared with two existing molecular signatures in the diagnosis of thyroid nodules, the signature (AUC = 0.933) also showed a higher diagnostic ability (AUC = 0.886 for a 7‐gene signature and AUC = 0.892 for a 10‐gene signature). In conclusion, our study developed and validated an individualized diagnostic signature in TC. Large‐scale prospective studies were needed to further validate its diagnostic ability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant research has been focused on the synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with controllable compositions and structures, while much fewer works have been devoted to the construction of large micro-sized MOFs with uniform sizes and morphologies, which could be beneficial for practical applications. In this paper, a unique microfluidic jet spray drying technology has been adopted to reassemble nano-sized MIL-101 building blocks into hierarchical microparticles with uniform and large particle sizes. Specifically, suspension precursors of nano-sized MIL-101 building blocks are atomized into uniform droplets and then converted to microparticles on a one-to-one basis through a fast and scalable spray drying process. The particle size and morphology can be controlled by adjusting the solid concentration of the suspension and the drying temperature. The particle formation process with evolution of different morphologies are discussed. The resultant uniform MIL-101 microparticles possess hierarchical porosities and maintain the intrinsic crystal structure, microporosity and thermal stability of the nano-sized building blocks. They demonstrate a high efficiency toward benzene adsorption from n -octane solutions with high adsorption rates and very high adsorption capacities under batch conditions. Moreover, the large particle size and hierarchical structure make them applicable as filler of a fixed bed for dynamic flow separation of benzene from n -octane solutions with promising performance. The microfluidic jet spray drying technology can also be extended for the reassembly of other uniform MOF microparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulatory effects of vitamin C, vitamin E and β-carotene on the gut microbiota may contribute to their health benefits. [Display omitted] • This article reviews the effects of vitamin C, vitamin E and β-carotene on the gut microbiota. • Overall, vitamin C, vitamin E and β-carotene may regulate the composition of gut microbiota. • Vitamin C, vitamin E and β-carotene can improve intestinal barrier function and maintain normal immune system function. • Prospects for future studies on the regulatory effects of vitamin C, vitamin E and β-carotene on gut microbiota are raised. Vitamin C (VC), vitamin E (VE) and β-carotene (βC) are representative dietary antioxidants, which exist in daily diet and can increase the antioxidant capacity of body fluids, cells and tissues. The health benefits of vitamins like VC, VE and βC are widely demonstrated. Given that the strong associations between the gut microbiota and host health or a range of diseases has been extensively reported, it is important to explore the modulatory effects of known vitamins on the gut microbiota. Herein, this article reviews the effects of VC, VE and βC on the gut microbiota. Totally, 19 studies were included, of which eight were related to VC, nine to VE, and six to βC. Overall, VC, VE and βC can provide health benefits to the host by modulating the composition and metabolic activity of the gut microbiota, improving intestinal barrier function and maintaining the normal function of the immune system. Two perspectives are proposed for future studies: i) roles of known antioxidant activity of vitamins in regulating the gut microbiota and its molecular mechanism need to be further studied; ii) causal relationships between the regulatory effects of vitamins on gut microbiota and host health still remains to be further verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive subtype of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) with poor prognosis. Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) has been reported as a bi-regulator in malignancies, but little is known about its role in MCL. Here, we showed that KLF4 was downregulated in three MCL cell lines and lymph nodes from MCL patients, which resulted in a negative prognosis. We also found that the regulation of KLF4 could inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of Jeko-1 cells. The lentivirally over-expressed KLF4 protein was found bind to β-catenin and could inhibit downstream molecules such as cyclinD1 and c-Myc. Furthermore, 5-azacytidine could decrease the expression of methyltransferase-1 (DNMT-1) and restore the KLF4 expression in MCL cell lines, indicating that methylation might play an important role in the downregulation of KLF4. KLF4 may be a potential therapeutic target as a tumor suppressor in MCL. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A morphological phylogenetic analysis of the tribe Tropiduchini (Hemiptera: Tropiduchidae) is provided for 21 genera among the 26 recognized, including the new genus Oechalinella Wang gen.n., with a new species Oechalinella bifasciata Wang sp.n. Monophyly of the tribe is well supported by synapomorphies derived from the male genitalia. The strict consensus supports two subclades: (( Montrouzierana + Thymbra) + Thaumantia+) as sister to the clade ( Leptovanua + ( Vanua + Varma+) + Daradacella+). In the first subclade, the clade ( Montrouzierana + Thymbra), distributed in New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea, is well supported by three synapomorphies based on the tegmina, while the Thaumantia+ group is characterized by the conformation of the anal tube and male gonostyli, and distributed from Malesia to Papuasia and in Central Africa. The second subclade is largely distributed from China to Malesia, Papuasia, Southwestern and the Northwestern Pacific islands. The position of the genus Leptovanua remains uncertain. The Varma+ clade is recovered in all analyses. Implied weighting analysis placed the Varma+ lineage as sister to all other genera forming a new group ( Leptovanua+ + (( Montrouzierana + Thymbra) + Thaumantia+)). Fennah's definition of Tropiduchini is reviewed according to the phylogenetic results and an identification key to all genera is provided with a referenced synopsis of their distribution. Globally, Tropiduchini exhibits an inter-tropical latitudinal distribution and a paradoxical bimodal longitudinal distribution pattern in continental Africa, South-east Asia and the Pacific islands. Distribution data concern nearly 80% of insular taxa. The phylogenetical results suggest that: (i) the tribe originates from continental China; (ii) it evolved mainly from Papuasia by stepping-stone colonization events, promoting subsequent insular speciation; and (iii) its evolution has mainly been directed by dispersion versus vicariance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large amounts of microplastics (MPs) enter the soil along with the amendment of sludge to soil. However, it is still unclear about the response of MPs occurrence and the adsorption behaviors of cadmium (Cd)on MPs to typical agricultural environmental scenarios. In present work, three kinds of MPs (polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene) were chosen to investigate that response in three agricultural environmental scenarios with sludge-amended soil, including dry-wet alteration (7 d, five cycles), microbial addition (Bacillus subtilis , 0.05 g/g soil), and Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation (340 nm, 4 × 15 W, 4 d). The results showed that there was the highest adsorption capacity of Cd on MPs (36.21, 45.15, 12.43 μg/g for PE, PP, PS, respectively) after UV irradiation exceeding those from MPs triggered by other two scenarios). UV irradiation caused an increase in the abundance of Streptomyces , an expansion in specific surface area, a significant change in surface morphologies, an improvement in crystallinity or the formation of new crystals, and an enhancement in C–O and C O content, and then resulted in the incremental adsorption capacity of Cd on MPs. The findings are important of significance for controlling the environmental risks from sludge MPs via carrying heavy metals in the soil-plant systems. • Response of MPs occurrence to agricultural environmental scenarios was investigated. • All scenarios treatments increased MPs oxidation and surface irregularities. • UV enhanced Cd adsorption capacity of MPs with highest of 45.15 μg/g. • Streptomyces in soil plays a positive role in the adsorption of Cd by MPs. • Incremental crystallinity of MPs correlates well with Cd adsorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glycyrrhizic acid is a natural anti-non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) compound isolated from licorice, while its action mechanism deserves to be fully elucidated. Enlightened by the widely discovered associations between the NAFLD and gut microbiota, this study aimed to explore whether glycyrrhizic acid, licorice flavonoids, and licorice extract can regulate the gut microbiota of rats fed a high-fat diet. It was found that glycyrrhizic acid, licorice flavonoids, and licorice extract could significantly reduce the level of triglycerides in the liver of NAFLD model rats, and the effect of glycyrrhizic acid was stronger than licorice flavonoids and licorice extract. Moreover, they caused significant changes in the structural composition of the gut microbiota. Correlation analysis showed that the regulation of hepatic total cholesterol and triglyceride levels by glycyrrhizic acid treatment was closely related to the decrease of the relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae , Coriobacteriaceae, Blautia, and Collinsella and the increase of the relative abundances of Romboutsia and Turicibacter on the gut microbiota. Meanwhile, the functional predictive analysis of the gut microbiota indicated that the function of carbohydrate transport and metabolism was significantly decreased by drugs treatment, which might contribute to the decrease of fat accumulation in the liver of rats. In conclusion, this study revealed the ameliorating effects of glycyrrhizic acid, licorice flavonoids, and licorice extract on NAFLD, and suggested that the effect of glycyrrhizic acid on NAFLD may be related to the improvement of the dysbiosis of gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Umbilical cord blood transplantation (UCBT) from unrelated donors is one of the successful treatments for acute leukemia in childhood. The most frequent side effect of UCBT is peri-engraftment syndrome (PES), which is directly associated with the greater prevalence of acute and chronic graft-versus-host-disease (aGvHD and cGvHD). In haploidentical stem cell transplantation, posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) has been demonstrated to be an effective method against GvHD. However, the effects of PTCY as a GvHD prophylactic in UCBT had not been investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of PTCY on the outcomes of UCBT for pediatric acute leukemia.Methods: This retrospective study included 52 children with acute leukemia who underwent unrelated single-unit UCBT after myeloablative conditioning regimens. The results from the PTCY and non-PTCY groups were compared.Results: The incidence of transplantation-related mortality in non-PTCY and PTCY were 5% and 10% (p = 0.525), respectively. The incidence of relapse in non-PTCY and PTCY were 5% and 23% (p = 0.095), respectively. Second complete remission status (CR2) was an independent risk factor for relapse-free survival (hazard ratio = 9.782, p = 0.001). The odds ratio for sepsis or bacteremia incidence was significantly greater in the PTCY group (9.524, p = 0.017). PTCY group had increased rates of cytomegalovirus activity and fungal infection. The incidence of PES, aGvHD, cGvHD, and hemorrhagic cystitis in the PTCY group was lower than that in the non-PTCY group, although it was not significantly different. Additionally, higher doses of PTCY (29 mg/kg and 40 mg/kg) were associated with lower incidences of aGvHD and severe GvHD (65% and 29%, respectively) than lower doses (93% and 57%, respectively). Engraftment time and graft failure incidence were similar across groups.Conclusion: The results support the safety and efficiency of PTCY as part of PES controlling and GvHD prophylaxis in single-unit UCBT for children with acute leukemia. A PTCY dosage of 29 mg/kg to 40 mg/kg appears to be more effective in GvHD prophylaxis for UCBT patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six experimental diets were designed with two phospholipid ( PL; 0% and 1.5%) and three fish oil levels (0%, 1% and 3%) to evaluate the effects of dietary fish oil and PL levels on growth, survival and fatty acid composition of juvenile swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus. Diets were iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous and each diet was fed to triplicate groups (initially weight, 24.88 ± 0.04 g per crab) for 59 days. Weight gain ( WG) and specific growth rate ( SGR) increased with dietary PL addition to 0% fish oil-supplemented diets ( P < 0.05). On the other hand, WG and SGR decreased with dietary PL addition to 3% fish oil diets ( P < 0.05). Crabs fed PL supplemented diets had higher haemolymph low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations and muscle crude lipid levels ( P < 0.05) than crabs fed a none PL supplemented diet. The percentage of highly unsaturated fatty acids ( HUFA; % total FA) in both polar and neutral lipids fractions of muscle tissue only increased in case of PL addition to 0% and 1% fish oil-supplemented diets ( P < 0.05). HUFA levels in the neutral lipids fraction of the hepatopancreas increased by dietary PL addition at each dietary fish oil level ( P < 0.05 ). In this study, both dietary fish oil and PL addition contributed to a high n-3/n-6 ratio in muscle and hepatopancreas of P. trituberculatus. In conclusion, PL addition is only meaningful with fish oil-deficient diets, in which case it enhanced lipid transport and HUFA absorption efficiency, hence improving the nutritional value of the diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-week feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary carbohydrate level on the growth performance, body composition of giant croaker, Nibea japonica. The six diets were designated as carbohydrate level from 0% to 30%. Each diet was fed to triplicate groups of 18 giant croaker (initially weighing, 7.40 ± 0.15 g fish−1) in flow-through sea water system. The weight gain ( WG) and special growth ratio ( SGR) had tendency to increase with carbohydrate level from 0% to 12% after that decreased, and significantly lower in fish fed diet with 30% carbohydrate level than in other groups. Moreover, fish fed diet with 30% dietary carbohydrate has significantly higher feed conversion ratio (1.48 ± 0.18) and lower protein efficiency ratio (1.69 ± 0.21) than other groups ( P < 0.05). The intraperitoneal fat ratio and condition factor had no significant difference in different groups ( P > 0.05), hepatosomatic index value increased with dietary carbohydrate increased ( P < 0.05). The result of this study also suggested that excess carbohydrate level (30%) led to lower lipid content in whole body. Based on the second-order polynomial regression analysis of WG and SGR, 12.2-12.7% dietary carbohydrate provided maximum growth of N. japonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Two new C 20 -diterpenoid alkaloids, named gyalanunines A–B (1 – 2), were isolated from the whole plant of Delphinium gyalanum C. Marquand & Airy Shaw. Gyalanunine A was a rare C 20 -type diterpenoid alkaloid, which possess a hemiacetal ring linking C-2 to C-19. Structures were identified by multiple spectroscopic analyses including 1D and 2D NMR, IR, HR-ESI-MS, single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. All compounds were tested for cardiotonic activity by isolated frog's hearts perfusion, and 1 exhibited appreciable cardiotonic activity. Preliminary mechanism of action studies indicated that the cardiotonic effect of 1 should be related to the β receptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ropivacaine is a commonly used local anesthetic in the clinic due to its low toxicity to the cardiovascular system or central nervous system, good tolerance and high clearance rate. The present study intended to investigate the effect of ropivacaine on PM2.5-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and reveal the underlying mechanism. After ropivacaine exposure, cell viability, oxidative stress and inflammation in PM2.5-induced BEAS-2B cells were assessed by Cell Counting Kit-8 and DCFH-DA staining, corresponding commercial kits and ELISA, respectively. The effects of ropivacaine on the expression of MMP9 and MMP12 and the proteins related to NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling were then determined by western blot and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analyses. In addition, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) agonist monosodium urate (MSU) was used to treat BEAS-2B cells followed by ropivacaine treatment and the effects on the above-mentioned cellular behaviors were determined again. The results indicated that the viability of BEAS-2B cells was decreased after PM2.5 induction, accompanied by aggravated oxidative stress and inflammation. However, ropivacaine alleviated oxidative stress and inflammation in PM2.5-induced BEAS-2B cells in a dose-dependent manner. Ropivacaine was also indicated to decrease the expression levels of NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling-related proteins in PM2.5-induced BEAS-2B cells. Furthermore, cell viability was decreased, while oxidative stress and inflammatory response were aggravated, in PM2.5-induced BEAS-2B cells treated with MSU. In summary, the present results implied that ropivacaine exerted protective effects on PM2.5-induced ALI, and this effect may be related to NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]