[Distribution and Source-specific Ecological Risk Analysis of Soil Heavy Metals in South Hunan Province].

To identify the spatial distribution patterns and assess the ecological risks associated with soil heavy metal pollution in the southern region of Hunan Province, a total of 362 surface soil samples were collected from the studied area. This study employed multivariate statistics and geographic information systems （GIS） to investigate the spatial distribution pattern of soil metals （Cd, Hg, As, Pb, Zn, Ni, Mn, Tl, and Sb）. Furthermore, the pollution sources and source-specific ecological risk of heavy metals were quantified by combining the positive matrix factorization （PMF） model and the comprehensive ecological risk index model.

Roles and inhibitors of FAK in cancer: current advances and future directions.

Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that exhibits high expression in various tumors and is associated with a poor prognosis. FAK activation promotes tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and angiogenesis via both kinase-dependent and kinase-independent pathways. Moreover, FAK is crucial for sustaining the tumor microenvironment.

ATG5 attenuates inflammatory signaling in mouse embryonic stem cells to control differentiation.

Attenuated inflammatory response is a property of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). However, the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Moreover, whether the attenuated inflammatory status is involved in ESC differentiation is also unknown.

Methylglyoxal accumulation contributes to accelerated brain aging in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

While it is well-acknowledged that neurovascular dysfunction in hypertension is tightly associated with accelerated brain aging, we contend that the deleterious effects of hypertension may extend beyond affecting only the arteries. Methylglyoxal (MG) derived from glycolysis, is involved in the accumulation of advanced glycated end products (AGEs), which are the hallmarks of neurodegenerative disorders. Therefore, the present study aims to firstly investigate the role of MG metabolism in the hypertension-accelerated brain aging process.

Calcium isotopic geochemistry of geothermal systems in the tectonically active southeastern Tibetan Plateau.

The global Calcium (Ca) cycle is closely coupled to the carbon cycle, and Ca isotopes have potential in tracing it. Even though groundwater is one of the main reservoirs of Ca at the Earth's surface, few data are available for groundwater, and the behavior of Ca and its isotopes in geothermal systems remains unknown. Here we analysed the stable Ca and radiogenic Sr isotope compositions of thermal waters distributed along the Jinsha and Yalong river valleys in the southeastern Tibetan Plateau.

Detecting residual brain networks in disorders of consciousness: A resting-state fNIRS study.

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an emerging non-invasive technique that allows bedside measurement of blood oxygenation level-dependent hemodynamic signals. We aimed to examine the efficacy of resting-state fNIRS in detecting the residual functional networks in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). We performed resting-state fNIRS in 23 DOC patients of whom 12 were in minimally conscious state (MCS) and 11 were in unresponsive wakefulness state (UWS).

Molecular subtypes based on Wnt-signaling gene expression predict prognosis and tumor microenvironment in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Based on increasing research evidence, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is heterogeneous, and genetic profiling has led to the identification of multiple subtypes of this disease. To advance our knowledge and the ability to use individualized medicine in the treatment of HCC, it is essential to perform a complete and methodical characterization of various molecular subtypes. The canonical Wnt/β-catenin pathway is an evolutionarily conserved complicated signaling mechanism that plays a role in carcinogenesis and progression of HCC.

Preclinical studies of the triazolo[1,5-]pyrimidine derivative WS-716 as a highly potent, specific and orally active P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor.

Multidrug resistance (MDR) is the main cause of clinical treatment failure and poor prognosis in cancer. Targeting P-glycoprotein (P-gp) has been regarded as an effective strategy to overcome MDR. In this work, we reported our preclinical studies of the triazolo[1,5-]pyrimidine-based compound as a highly potent, specific, and orally active P-gp inhibitor.

Calcium isotopes tracing secondary mineral formation in the high-relief Yalong River Basin, Southeast Tibetan Plateau.

Calcium is a critical element in the global carbon cycle due to its role in carbon sequestration via silicate weathering and carbonate formation. Here we apply calcium (δCa) and strontium (Sr/Sr) isotopes to explore such chemical weathering processes in a river system draining a diverse range of geologic and climatic environments: the Yalong River, China, and its tributaries. This river originates on the Tibetan Plateau and represents one of the upper reaches of the Changjiang River, China.

[Pollution Properties and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Farmland Soils and Crops Around a Typical Manganese Mining Area].

In order to assess the ecological risks of heavy metals and explore the pattern of heavy metal migration between farmland and corresponding crops in a typical and closed manganese mining area in Hunan province, farmland soils and crops surrounding the mining area (pollution area) and away from the mining area (control area) were collected, and then the contents of Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Cd, and Pb were analyzed. The sources and distribution of heavy metals in farmland soils were analyzed using Kriging spatial interpolation and principal component analysis, and the ecological risk was evaluated using the single factor index, comprehensive pollution index, and potential ecological risk index. The results showed that the surrounding farmland soils in the closed Manganese mining area presented serious pollution of Cd, Zn, As, and Mn, in which the average contents of the above heavy metals in the dry land soil in the polluted area were 6.

Latest therapeutic target for gastric cancer: Anthrax toxin receptor 1.

Anthrax toxin receptor 1 (ANTXR1), also known as tumor endothelial marker 8, is a highly conserved cell surface protein overexpressed in tumor-infiltrating vessels. It was first found in vascular endothelial cells of human colorectal cancer. Although our understanding of its physiological function is limited, it has been found that ANTXR1 binds collagen and promotes migration of endothelial cells .

Sinistral portal hypertension associated with pancreatic pseudocysts - ultrasonography findings: A case report.

Background: Sinistral portal hypertension associated with pancreatic pseudocysts is rare, often caused by extrinsic compression of splenic vein, the follow-up examinations by ultrasonography for early diagnosis are quietly necessary since haematemesis, a life-threatening condition. Few studies have reported the ultrasonography findings of sinistral portal hypertension.

Case Summary: A 52-year-old man presented with acute abdominal pain after drinking, steatorrhea, weight loss and accidentally melena in the past 2 mo.

eIF5B drives integrated stress response-dependent translation of PD-L1 in lung cancer.

Cancer cells express high levels of PD-L1, a ligand of the PD-1 receptor on T cells, allowing tumors to suppress T cell activity. Clinical trials utilizing antibodies that disrupt the PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint have yielded remarkable results, with anti-PD-1 immunotherapy approved as first-line therapy for lung cancer patients. We used CRISPR-based screening to identify regulators of PD-L1 in human lung cancer cells, revealing potent induction of PD-L1 upon disruption of heme biosynthesis.

Surgical outcomes and survival for T4 gastric cancer extending to the transverse colon.

Background: For the treatment of locally advanced (T4) gastric cancer, extended multi-organ resection remains controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the surgical outcomes and survival of patients with T4 gastric cancer extending to the transverse colon.

Methods: A total of 2,652 gastric cancer patients underwent surgery between December 2011 and December 2015.

Photosensitive epilepsy and photosensitivity of patients with possible epilepsy in Chinese Han race: A prospective multicenter study.

Photosensitive is probably caused by multiple factors including gender, familiar, etc. We aim to study the clinical and EEG features of Chinese Han patients with photosensitivity. A total of 5482 consecutive patients with possible epilepsy from 3 center in China.

Analysis of cyclin E co-expression genes reveals nuclear transcription factor Y subunit alpha is an oncogene in gastric cancer.

Objective: To explore genes potentially co-expressed with cyclin E in gastric cancer and discover possible targets for gastric cancer treatment.

Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) stomach adenocarcinoma sequencing data were used to predict genes co-expressed with cyclin E. Co-expression genes predicted by cBioPortal online analysis with Pearson correlation coefficient ≥0.

Antidepressants for the treatment of narcolepsy: A prospective study of 148 patients in northern China.

Narcolepsy is a life-long neurological disorder characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and cataplexy. At present, Sodium oxybate, modafinil, methylphenidate and other stimulants are recommended first-line therapies for narcolepsy but are difficult to obtain in China. One hundred forty-eight patients with narcolepsy were treated with antidepressants and administered the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and the Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT) before and after treatment from August 2012 to August 2017.

Circulating miR-146a/b correlates with inflammatory cytokines in COPD and could predict the risk of acute exacerbation COPD.

The aim of this study was to investigate the predicting value of miR-146a/b for acute exacerbation chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and COPD, and to explore their associations with inflammatory cytokines in AECOPD and stable COPD patients.One hundred six AECOPD, 122 stable COPD patients, and 110 health volunteers with age and sex matched to total COPD patients (AECOPD and stable COPD) were enrolled. Blood samples were collected from all participants.

Circulating miR-125b but not miR-125a correlates with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the expressions of inflammatory cytokines.

To investigate the correlation of miR-125a/b expression with acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) patients and inflammatory cytokines.Eighty-seven AECOPD patients, 93 stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients and 100 health volunteers (HCs) were recruited. Plasma samples were collected from AECOPD patients at the day 1, day 7, day 14, and day 28 of admission and from stable COPD patients as well as HCs.

Differential analysis of clinical efficacy on patients with serious infection in ICU by different meropenem regimens.

To investigate the difference in clinical efficacy and safety of different meropenem regimens on patients with serious infection in ICU. Then, 228 patients with serious infection in ICU were divided by random into control group (intermittent administration in 1000mg/30min single dose) and research group (continuous administration in 200mg/10min +800mg/180min), respectively. The blood concentration of meropenem were recorded in two groups at different time points, and difference in treatment effectiveness, iconographic effectiveness, bacterial eradication rate, 28-day survival rate and many other clinical scoring indices (SOFA, APACHEII, CPIS, and SIRS) were compared between two groups.

Highly Efficient Magnetic Nitrogen-Doped Porous Carbon Prepared by One-Step Carbonization Strategy for Hg Removal from Water.

Hydrophilic magnetic N-doped porous carbon composites (MNPCs) with high special surface areas and rich nitrogen content was prepared via simple one-step carbonization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), 2-methylimidazole (HmIm), and FeO@SiO magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) mixture directly. During the carbonization process, ZnO NPs directly reacts with HmIm to yield porous ZIF-8 while the MNPs are incorporated into the frameworks to generate magnetic metal-organic frameworks (MFCs), and the MFCs acts as a self-sacrificing template to prepare MNPC. The obtained MNPCs via simple one-step carbonization strategy display higher adsorption capacity (429 mg g) for Hg ions than MNPC-T700-M3-T (382 mg g) which was obtained by two-step synthesis strategy for comparison.

Electroclinical aspects and therapy of Han patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in northern China.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the electroclinical aspects and treatment of Han patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) in northern China.

Methods: One hundred fifty-six outpatients with JME from six epilepsy centers, between January 2011 and June 2012, were followed up for at least two years. They underwent twenty-four-hour video-EEG recording.

Two types of soybean diacylglycerol acyltransferases are differentially involved in triacylglycerol biosynthesis and response to environmental stresses and hormones.

Diacylglycerol acyltransferases (DGATs) play a key role in plant triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis. Two type 1 and 2 DGATs from soybean were characterized for their functions in TAG biosynthesis and physiological roles. GmDGAT1A is highly expressed in seeds while GmDGAT2D is mainly expressed in flower tissues.

Decreased expression of miR-542-3p exerts growth inhibitory functions in esophageal cancer.

Objective: Identification of novel biomarkers and related molecular pathways are critical for understanding the underlying biology of human malignancies, as well as to design effective cancer therapeutics. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are classified as a kind of short non-coding RNAs that interfere with specific target mRNAs and therefore regulate multiple biological processes. We characterized here the expression and function of miR-542-3p in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).