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In this work, we demonstrate that optical pulling forces (OPFs) can be induced by a hybrid dimer consisting of a Si nanoparticle (NP) and a coated nanoparticle with a gain core and Au shell under normal plane wave illumination. Analytical theory reveals that the underlying physical mechanism relies on interactions between the electric dipole (ED) modes excited in the NPs. As compared with the individual NP, it is found that the magnitude of optical force can be enlarged by almost three orders for the Si NP and one order for the coated gain NP in the coupled dimer. In addition, we find that the OPFs exerted on the NPs are heavily dependent on the gain level of the core materials, the incident polarization angle and the sizes of the NPs. More interestingly, we find that the OPF can also be exerted on a trimer system consisting of two identical Si NPs and a coated NP arranged in a line. The related results could be used to propose a versatile platform for manipulating NPs.

The present study is aimed at testing the antidepressant--like effects and probable mechanisms of action of low molecular mass chondroitin sulfate (LMMCS) on depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) in mice. Four weeks of CUMS exposure resulted in depressive-like behavior, expressed by a significant decrease in the locomotor activity and sucrose consumption and increased immobility time in the forced swim test. Further, there was a significant reduction of 5-HT level in the hippocampus region of depressed mice. Treatment of mice for four weeks with LMMCS ameliorated significantly both the behavioral and biochemical changes induced by CUMS. These novel results suggest that LMMCS produces an antidepressant-like effect in mice subjected to CUMS, which might be related, at least in part, to the increase of 5-HT concentration in the hippocampus.

Introduction: To investigate the effect of dose maintenance, reduction, or discontinuation of the etanercept biosimilar Yisaipu (YSP) on early axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients in remission with YSP 50 mg once weekly (QW).Material and Methods: Patients were enrolled in three groups: full dose (YSP50), half dose (YSP25), and discontinuation (YSP0). Patients were assessed by the same rheumatologist every 8 weeks for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of non-failure patients in each group. If a flare occurred during the study period, the patient resumed YSP 50 mg QW or was switched to another tumor necrosis factor inhibitor.Results: A total of 144 patients were included and each group included 48 patients. The proportion of non-failure patients was significantly greater in the YSP50 group than in the YSP0 group at 48 weeks (91.7% vs. 72.9%, p = 0.032). The difference in the other two comparisons was not statistically significant (YSP50 vs. YSP25 group, p = 0.522; YSP25 vs. YSP0 group, p = 0.132). The median time to flare did not differ significantly between the three groups (p > 0.05). Most patients who flared regained remission rapidly after resuming YSP 50 mg QW or starting adalimumab 40 mg every other week.Conclusions: For patients with early axSpA in remission on YSP for more than 12 weeks, continuation of YSP at full dose was superior to discontinuation of YSP, but not superior to halving the dose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAngoroside C (AgrC) is a compound with many pharmacological properties. However, its antitumour potential has not been well studied. The low bioavailability of AgrC suggests a strong link to gut bacteria. Therefore, we identified and quantified four AgrC metabolites in gut microbiota. Molecular docking and inhibitor-based experiments demonstrated that carboxylesterase played a key role in AgrC metabolism. Both AgrC and its metabolites inhibited the viability of CT-26 cells, and potential antitumour targets were further explored. Additionally, AgrC significantly increased the levels of propionic, butyric, valeric and isovaleric acids. This provides a new insight for the antitumour effects of AgrC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qin, Z.; Jin, J.-Y.; Zhao, R.; Chuan, M., and He, L.-S., 2019. Empirical study on the relationship between total factor financial input and coastline length in China's coastal regions. In: Gong, D.; Zhu, H., and Liu, R. (eds.), Selected Topics in Coastal Research: Engineering, Industry, Economy, and Sustainable Development. Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue No. 94, pp. 897–902. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. In terms of economic development, financial development is a priority. In particular, Finance is the driving force of blue marine economic development. In this paper, the continental coastline length and financial total factor input index of 10 coastal provinces/municipalities in China were selected. Factor correlation analysis and regression model establishment were performed in order to demonstrate the relationship between coastline length and financial total factor input. Through an empirical study of the national coastal areas, the Yangtze River Delta Economic Circle, the Bohai Rim Economic Circle and the Pearl River Delta Economic Circle, it was found that the length of the coastline is positively correlated to financial factor inputs. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and utilize coastline resources rationally in order to attract financial support from financial institutions, security markets and insurance markets to coastal areas. This will aid in the promotion of the economic contribution of regional marine industries, and the enhancement of the economic development capacity of coastal cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity is a complex disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation which is caused by genetic, environmental and other factors. In recent years, there has been an increase in the morbidity, disability rate,and mortality due to obesity, making it great threat to people's health and lives, and increasing public health care expenses. Evidence from previous studies show that weight loss can significantly reduce the risk of obesity-related complications and chronic diseases. Diet control, moderate exercise, behavior modification programs, bariatric surgery and prescription drug treatment are the major interventions used to help people lose weight. Among them, anti-obesity drugs have high compliance rates and cause noticeable short-term effects in reducing obese levels. However, given the safety or effectiveness concerns of anti-obesity drugs, many of the currently used drugs have limited clinical use. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are a group of drugs that targets incretin hormone action, and its receptors are widely distributed in nerves, islets, heart, lung, skin, and other organs. Several animal experiments and clinical trials have demonstrated that GLP-1R agonists are more effective in treating or preventing obesity. Therefore, GLP-1R agonists are promising agents for the treatment of obese individuals. This review describes evidence from previous research on the effects of GLP-1R agonists on obesity. We anticipate that this review will generate data that will help biomedical researchers or clinical workers develop obesity treatments based on GLP-1R agonists., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Wang, Wang, Yang, Yang, Li, Jin, Zhang and Zhang.)