Fine particular matter and its constituents in air pollution and gestational diabetes mellitus.

Background: Ambient air pollution has been linked to the development of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, previous studies provided inconsistent findings and no study has examined the effects of complex chemical constituents of the particular matter on GDM, especially in developing countries. Therefore, we aim to investigate the associations of exposure to PM (particular matter ≤ 2.

Radiotherapy Induces Intestinal Barrier Dysfunction by Inhibiting Autophagy.

Radiation enteritis is a common complication of abdominal irradiation (IR) therapy. However, the molecular mechanism of radiation enteritis accompanied by impaired intestinal barrier function is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate the important role of autophagy in radiation-induced intestinal barrier function impairment.

Osteoimmune Modulation and Guided Osteogenesis Promoted by Barrier Membranes Incorporated with S-Nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) and Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Derived Exosomes.

Background: The use of polycaprolactone (PCL) for bone defects in a clinical setting is limited due to a lack of bioactivity. Exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have an important immunoregulatory potential and together with S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) they possess therapeutic potential for bone regeneration.

Materials And Methods: In this study, PCL was modified with GSNO and MSC-derived exosomes and the impact on macrophages and osteogenes is evaluated.

Stereoselective Construction of the Highly Congested Tricyclic Core Structure in Leucosceptroid H.

Leucosceptroids are sesterterpenoids with potent antifeedant and antifungal activities. An efficient stereoselective construction of the highly congested [5,6,5] tricyclic framework of leucosceptroid H is presented. This framework bearing eight contiguous stereogenic centers, including three tetrasubstituted ones, could serve as a common intermediate for the collective total synthesis of the leucosceptroid family of natural products.

Passively synchronized mode-locked fiber lasers for coherent anti-Stokes Raman imaging.

We have proposed and implemented a polarization-maintaining passively synchronized fiber laser system, which could deliver tunable dual-color picosecond pulses by including a frequency-doubling module and a spectral broadening module. Specifically, the output from the involved Er-doped fiber laser were used to generate second-harmonic pulses at 790 nm with a quadratic nonlinear crystal. In parallel, the amplified pulses from the synchronized Yb-doped fiber laser were launched into a 150-m single mode fiber, which resulted in not only substantial spectral bandwidth broadening from 0.

Role of miR92a3p/PTEN axis in regulation of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation and metastasis.

Objectives: To explore the effect of miR-92a-3p on the proliferation and metastasis of pancreatic cancer cells via targeting phosphatase and tension homolog deleted on chromosome ten (PTEN).

Methods: MiR-92a-3p expression and PTEN protein levels were quantified in a normal pancreatic cells (HPDE6-C7) and 5 pancreatic cancer cell lines (Panc-1, BxPC-3, AsPC-1,MIA Paca-2, and Capan-2) by real-time PCR and Western blotting, respectively. BxPC-3 and Panc-1 cells were selected for further experiment.

A Novel Metal Precursor Structure for Electrodepositing Ultrathin CIGSe Thin-Film Solar Cell with High Efficiency.

The two-step process of electrodeposition and selenization is one of the most effective methods for producing CIGSe and CZTSe solar cells at a low cost. However, it is difficult to prepare the ultrathin CIGSe absorber by electrodeposition due to the nonuniform deposition of Cu on the Mo substrate. In this study, Cu was deposited on a Sb film instead of a Mo film, and the 3D growth mode of Cu was changed.

Perfluoroalkyl substances in early pregnancy and risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) were reported to be associated with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) but the results were inconsistent and prospective data are scarce. We aimed to examine these associations in a large prospective birth cohort study in Shanghai, China.

Methods: A total of 10 PFASs were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS-MS) in the plasma samples from 3220 women who were enrolled during early pregnancy and gave birth to a singleton live birth between 2013 and 2016.

Transcriptional suppression of AMPKα1 promotes breast cancer metastasis upon oncogene activation.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) functions as an energy sensor and is pivotal in maintaining cellular metabolic homeostasis. Numerous studies have shown that down-regulation of AMPK kinase activity or protein stability not only lead to abnormality of metabolism but also contribute to tumor development. However, whether transcription regulation of AMPK plays a critical role in cancer metastasis remains unknown.

Screening and verification of microRNA promoter methylation sites in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The promoter methylation mode of microribonucleic acid (miRNA) plays a crucial role in the process of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to screen and verify the miRNA methylation sites associated with the overall survival (OS) and clinical characteristics of HCC patients. Methylation-related data were from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).

A novel genomic-clinicopathologic nomogram to improve prognosis prediction of hepatocellular carcinoma.

There is a lack of precise and clinical accessible model to predict the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in clinic practice currently. Here, an inclusive nomogram was developed by integrating genomic markers and clinicopathologic factors for predicting the outcome of patients with HCC. A total of 365 samples of HCC were obtained from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database.

Multiple myeloma with CD138 changed from positive to negative: A case report.

Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a common malignant disease of the blood system, caused by the neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells that accumulate in bone marrow (BM). Here, we report a case of MM patient with CD138 marker changed from positive to negative.

Methods: BM and peripheral blood samples from a 48-year-old patient with MM were examined and analyzed by conventional morphology, flow cytometry, and immunodetection.

Physical-Based Simulation of the GaN-Based Grooved-Anode Planar Gunn Diode.

In this paper, a novel gallium nitride (GaN)-based heterostructure Gunn diode is proposed for the first time to enhance the output characteristics of Gunn oscillation waveforms. A well-designed grooved anode contact is adopted to separate the long-channel diode into two short-channel diodes in parallel. If the grooved anode contact is positioned in the middle of the device, the output power nearly doubles in the grooved-anode diode compared with the single-channel ones, as does the output frequency.

Associations between organophosphate esters and sex hormones among 6-19-year old children and adolescents in NHANES 2013-2014.

Background: Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are a class of alternative replacements for polybrominated diphenyl ethers. In vitro and in vivo studies suggested that OPEs may disrupt the homeostasis of sex steroid hormones. However, human evidence in children and adolescents is limited.

Identification and bioactivity of a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor a homologue from large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GCSF) is a growth factor that drives the proliferation and differentiation of granulocytes and monocytes/macrophages. Currently, two copies of GCSF, named GCSFa and GCSFb, have been identified in teleost fish, but data on the functions and signal pathways of these fish GCSFs are still limited. In the present study, a GCSFa homologue (LcGCSFa) was identified from large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

Fabrication of ultra-sensitive photoelectrochemical aptamer biosensor: Based on semiconductor/DNA interfacial multifunctional reconciliation via 2D-CN.

In this work, we fabricate a novel bismuth vanadate/two dimensional-carbon nitride/deoxyribonucleic acid (BiVO/2D-CN/DNA) aptamer photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor, and this sensor provides a record detection sensitivity area (5 × 10 μg/L - 10 μg/L) for Microcystin-LR (MC-LR). Meanwhile, except for MC-LR detection, this sensor presents highly sensitivity for tumor marker, heavy metal ion, antibiotic also by changing the DNA aptamer. Photo charge dynamic and theory calculation results reveal that 2D-CN is a key material for multifunctional interface reconciliation of this PEC aptamer sensor.

Serum fibroblast growth factor 19 serves as a potential novel biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Abnormal autocrine fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) production has been observed in several types of cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we investigated the potential of serum FGF19 as a novel tumor marker of HCC based on a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Methods: The serum FGF19 levels of 304 patients with HCC was measured by ELISA.

Posterior Percutaneous Endoscopic Technique Through Bilateral Translaminar Osseous Channels for Thoracic Spinal Stenosis Caused by Ossification of the Ligamentum Flavum Combined with Disk Herniation at the T10-11 Level: A Technical Note.

Background: The occurrence rate of thoracic spinal stenosis caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum combined with disk herniation is lower than that of ossified ligamentum flavum in the thoracic spine, and the treatment method has rarely been reported. In this paper, we applied an endoscopic technique to a patient with thoracic spinal stenosis caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum combined with disk herniation at the T10-11 level.

Methods: We performed surgical decompression of the thoracic spinal cord for a patient diagnosed with thoracic spinal stenosis at the T10-11 level caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum combined with disk herniation using percutaneous endoscopic surgery via the bilateral translaminar osseous channel approach.

A novel ion-imprinted amidoxime-functionalized UHMWPE fiber based on radiation-induced crosslinking for selective adsorption of uranium.

A novel uranium-imprinted adsorbent (AO-Imp fiber) was prepared by radiation-induced crosslinking of amidoxime-functionalized ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber (AO fiber). The porous structure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and positron annihilation lifetime (PAL) spectroscopy after ion imprinting. This ion-imprinted fiber exhibited enhanced adsorption selectivity for uranium in the form of both UO and [UO(CO)] in batch experiments.

Spatio-temporal characterization of S- and M/L-cone degeneration in the Rd1 mouse model of retinitis pigmentosa.

Background: The Pde6brd1 (Rd1) mouse is widely used as a murine model for human retinitis pigmentosa. Understanding the spatio-temporal patterns of cone degeneration is important for evaluating potential treatments. In the present study we performed a systematic characterization of the spatio-temporal patterns of S- and M/L-opsin cone outer segment and cell body degeneration in Rd1 mice, described the distribution and proportion of dual cones in Rd1 retinas, and examined the kinetics of microglial activation during the period of cone degeneration.

Percutaneous Full-Endoscopic Anterior Transcorporeal Diskectomy for Massive Migrated Cervical Disk Herniation Treatment: Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Background: With the continuous advancement of the spinal endoscopic technique in recent years, full-endoscopic operations provide a new approach for the treatment of migrated cervical disk herniation.

Case Description: A 42-year-old man presented with nuchal pain and limb numbness for 2 months, with recently developed symptoms of unstable walking. Physical examination revealed a diminished skin sensitivity to pain and temperature, beginning at the C4 dermatome.

Characteristic and human exposure risk assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances: A study based on indoor dust and drinking water in China.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) are ubiquitous in the environmental matrix, and their eco-toxicity on wide life and health risks on humans arising concerns. Due to the information gap, current risk assessments of PFAS ignore the indoor exposure pathway such as indoor dust and the different sources of drinking water. We collected and analyzed 168 indoor dust and 27 drinking water samples (including tap water, filtered water and bottled water).

Effectiveness of endoscopic versus external surgical approaches in the treatment of orbital complications of rhinosinusitis: a systematic review protocol.

Objective: This review aims to investigate and compare the effectiveness of endoscopic drainage techniques against external drainage techniques for the treatment of orbital and subperiosteal abscesses as a complication of rhinosinusitis.

Introduction: Transnasal endoscopic drainage and external drainage techniques have been used in the management of subperiosteal orbital abscesses secondary to rhinosinusitis. Each of these approaches has its own advantages and disadvantages, with extensive literature describing each technique separately.

[Percutaneous full-endoscopic bilateral decompression via unilateral posterior approach for lumbar spinal stenosis].

Objective: To design the surgical strategy of percutaneous full-endoscopic bilateral decompression via unilateral posterior approach for bilateral lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and to evaluate the effectiveness.

Methods: The percutaneous full-endoscopic bilateral decompression via unilateral posterior approach for bilateral LSS was designed according to the pathological features of LSS. The technique was used to treat 42 patients with LSS between January 2016 and January 2018.