Effects of degradable and non-degradable microplastics on SPNEDPR-AGS system: Sludge characteristics, nutrient transformation, key enzyme, and microbial community.

The environmental risk of microplastics (MPs) in aerobic granular sludge (AGS) system is unclear. This study evaluates the effects of non-biodegradable polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) and biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics (PLA-MPs) on AGS systems. The results showed that both destroyed the performance of AGS systems, with PVC-MPs achieving this by disrupting the AGS structure, while PLA-MPs mainly by causing the expansion of filamentous bacteria induced through the stimulation by lactic acid metabolite (R0: 5.

Purity control of simulated moving bed based on advanced fuzzy controller.

Simulated moving bed (SMB) technology is considered one of the most successful techniques in chromatographic separation. However, due to the nonlinearity caused by discrete events and sensitivity to numerous separation performance parameters, purity control in SMB systems has been a challenging issue. Fuzzy controllers are increasingly popular in industrial environments due to their simplicity and effectiveness in handling nonlinearity.

Bioaugmentation with an aerobic denitrifying bacterium with quorum quenching activity for improved nitrogen removal and reduced membrane fouling in anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor.

In this study, an aerobic denitrifying bacterium with quorum quenching activity, sp. WZL728, was inoculated into the anoxic/oxic membrane bioreactor (A/O-MBR) to study its effects on A/O-MBR performance. The pollutant removal and membrane fouling between A/O-MBR with WZL728 (EMBR) and A/O-MBR without WZL728 (CMBR) were compared.

Circular RNA circ_0000423 regulates cartilage ECM synthesis via circ_0000423/miRNA-27b-3p/MMP-13 axis in osteoarthritis.

Circular RNA (circRNA) is related to many human diseases including osteoarthritis (OA). Our research purpose was to show that functional circRNAs have a role in the pathogenesis of OA, while also identifying potential circRNA that bind to miRNA-27b-3p. Microarray analysis was used to evaluate the expression of CircRNA in OA and normal cartilage.

GTSE1 is possibly involved in the DNA damage repair and cisplatin resistance in osteosarcoma.

Background: G2 and S phase-expressed-1 (GTSE1) negatively regulates the tumor-suppressive protein p53 and is potentially correlated with chemoresistance of cancer cells. This study aims to explore the effect of GTSE1 on the DNA damage repair and cisplatin (CDDP) resistance in osteosarcoma (OS).

Materials And Methods: Expression of GTSE1 in OS was predicted in bioinformatics system GEPIA and then validated in clinically obtained tissues and acquired cell lines using RT-qPCR, immunohistochemical staining, and western blot assays.

Applicant hierarchical fuzzy controller for concentration control of simulated moving bed.

Simulated moving bed (SMB) is a kind of continuous process which can increase the efficiency of adsorbents in the adsorbent bed. It contains several sectors of flow rate, the switching time of valves and many other possible influencing variables, moreover, these parameters are highly sensitive, so it is very difficult to achieve precise prediction and control. Model predictive control and PID controller are often used in industrial system.

Effect of Salvage Radiotherapy and Endocrine Therapy on Patients with Biochemical Recurrence After Prostate Cancer Operation- a Meta‑Analysis.

Context: Several studies reported the application of androgen deprivation therapy and radiotherapy in patients with biochemical recurrence after prostate cancer operation.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating of endocrine therapy and radiotherapy in patients with biochemical recurrence after prostate cancer surgery. The primary end point was biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS).

Adjuvant Chemotherapy in High-Risk Prostate Cancer Patients after Primary Local Therapy: Recurrence, Metastasis, and Survival - A Meta-Analysis.

Context: Several randomized clinical trials (RCTs) have recently tested adjuvant chemotherapy to high-risk prostate cancer patients (PCA) after primary local therapy.

Objective: The aim of the study was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs evaluating the adjuvant chemotherapy in high-risk prostate cancer patients after primary local therapy. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS).

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0003496 Contributes to Tumorigenesis and Chemoresistance in Osteosarcoma Through Targeting (microRNA) miR-370/Krüppel-Like Factor 12 Axis.

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary malignancy of bone with a high incidence in children. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial roles in the carcinogenesis and chemoresistance of OS. In the current work, we focused on the function and mechanism of hsa_circ_0003496 (circ_0003496) in OS progression and chemoresistance.

CircEIF4G2 Promotes Tumorigenesis and Progression of Osteosarcoma by Sponging miR-218.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play a key role in regulating the tumorigenesis and development of human cancers, including osteosarcoma (OS). Of note, the molecular mechanism underlying the progression of OS has remained largely unclear. The present study identified that a novel circRNA circEIF4G2 was upregulated in OS tissues and cells.

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and sedative/hypnotic effects of Icaritin, and its effect on chloride influx in mouse brain cortical cells.

Inflammation and insomnia are medical problems that may severely affect work and health, thereby necessitating strategies for their effective treatment. Icartin (ICT) is a major active monomeric component of icariin  . Studies have revealed that ICT possesses several pharmacological properties such anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-fibrotic, anti-osteoporotic and neuroprotective effects.

Risk of Colorectal Cancer in Ulcerative Colitis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) patients have an increased risk for the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our aim was to assess the risk of CRC in UC patients compared with disease extent, disease duration, and geographic variation.

Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, scientific meetings, and the bibliographies of identified articles, with English language restrictions for studies published from 1988 to 2018, and assessed the risk of CRC in UC patients.

Efficacy and Safety of Microsurgical Subinguinal Varicocelectomy with and without Testicular Delivery for Varicocele Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Purpose: This study reviewed the efficacy and safety of the microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) with and without testicular delivery (TD) for varicocele patients.

Materials And Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in EMBASE, PubMed, MEDLINE, Cochrane databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies that reported MSV with and without TD for varicocele patients published in English or Chinese up to October 2018. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Jadad scores were used to evaluate the methodological quality of all the included studies.

The effects of statins on benign prostatic hyperplasia and the lower urinary tract symptoms: A Meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of this meta-analysis was to understand the relationship between statin with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Chinese Medical and Biological Literature Database, China HowNet, Vip, and Wanfang. We calculated pooled odds ratios (OR) and 95% CI and standardized mean difference (SMD).

Clinical implications of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and caveolin-1 overexpression in isocitrate dehydrogenase-wild type glioblastoma multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common type of primary brain tumour in adults, and presents a very low survival rate. Isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)1/2 mutations have been found in ~12% of glioblastomas and are associated with long-term GBM survival. However, the risk factors that influence the prognosis of IDH-wild type GBM remain unclear.

Spot14/Spot14R expression may be involved in MSC adipogenic differentiation in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the different expression levels of thyroid hormone responsive (THRSP; Spot14)/S14 related, Mig12 (S14R) during bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) adipogenesis in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. MSCs were retrospectively isolated from AIS patients and controls, and adipogenic differentiation was induced. Total RNA was extracted for Affymetrix 3'‑IVT expression profiling microarrays and compared with the results from healthy controls.

[Biomechanical effects of iliac screw plates on stability of lumbo-iliac fixation construct].

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical effect of a self-made iliac screw plate on the stability of lumbo-iliac fixation construct before and after fatigue loading.

Methods: Twelve fresh lumbo-pelvic specimens from donated adult cadavers with formalin embalm were used in the study. According to whether use the iliac screw plate or not, the specimens were randomly assigned into group A (with iliac screw plate, n=6) and group B (without iliac screw plate, n=6).

Improving successful rate of transcranial electrical motor-evoked potentials monitoring during spinal surgery in young children.

Introduction: This prospective study was to investigate the successful rate of intraoperative motor evoked potentials (MEP) monitoring for children (<12 years old) with congenital scoliosis.

Materials And Methods: A consecutive series of 27 young children (7 girls and 20 boys; from 1 to 11 years old) between September 2007 and November 2009, were enrolled to this study. 12 patients received general anesthesia based on TIVA, induced with propofol 2-4 mg/kg and fentanyl 3-5 µg/kg followed by a continuous infusion of propofol (20-150 µg/kg/min, at mean of 71.