CVD diamond processing tools: A review.

Background: Since its development in the 1980 s, chemical vapor deposition (CVD) diamond has found wide application in addressing various engineering challenges, owing to its outstanding characteristics, including exceptionally high hardness, excellent thermal conductivity, and remarkable stability. Notably, processing tools utilizing CVD diamond as the working material exhibit substantial potential for application in the field of mechanical manufacturing. Serving as a viable substitute for natural diamond, CVD diamond processing tools not only offer advantages in production costs but also ensure processing performance on par with natural diamonds.

An Internal-State-Variable-Based Continuous Dynamic Recrystallization Model for Thermally Deformed TC18 Alloy.

Continuous dynamic recrystallization (CDRX) is widely acknowledged to occur during hot forming and plays a significant role in microstructure development in alloys with moderate to high stacking fault energy. In this work, the flow stress and CDRX behaviors of the TC18 alloy subjected to hot deformation across a wide range of processing conditions are studied. It is observed that deformation leads to the formation of new low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs).

Preparation of Root-Derived Exosome-Like Nanovesicles and Evaluation of Their Effects on Mitigating Alcoholic Intoxication and Promoting Alcohol Metabolism in Mice.

Purpose: , a dual-purpose food and medicine, displays limited efficacy in alcohol detoxification and liver protection, with previous research primarily focused on puerarin in its dried roots. In this study, we investigated the potential effects and mechanisms of fresh root-derived exosome-like nanovesicles (P-ELNs) for mitigating alcoholic intoxication, promoting alcohol metabolism effects and protecting the liver in C57BL/6J mice.

Methods: We isolated P-ELNs from fresh root using differential centrifugation and characterized them via transmission electron microscopy, nanoscale particle sizing, ζ potential analysis, and biochemical assays.

Universal cell membrane camouflaged nano-prodrugs with right-side-out orientation adapting for positive pathological vascular remodeling in atherosclerosis.

A right-side-out orientated self-assembly of cell membrane-camouflaged nanotherapeutics is crucial for ensuring their biological functionality inherited from the source cells. In this study, a universal and spontaneous right-side-out coupling-driven ROS-responsive nanotherapeutic approach, based on the intrinsic affinity between phosphatidylserine (PS) on the inner leaflet and PS-targeted peptide modified nanoparticles, has been developed to target foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques. Considering the increased osteopontin (OPN) secretion from foam cells in plaques, a bioengineered cell membrane (OEM) with an overexpression of integrin α9β1 is integrated with ROS-cleavable prodrugs, OEM-coated ETBNPs (OEM-ETBNPs), to enhance targeted drug delivery and on-demand drug release in the local lesion of atherosclerosis.

Serum β-klotho is a potential biomarker for the progression of hepatitis B virus-related liver diseases.

Introduction: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a global epidemic that can lead to several liver diseases, seriously affecting people's health. This study aimed to investigate the clinical potential of serum β-klotho (KLB) as a promising biomarker in HBV-related liver diseases.

Methodology: This study enrolled 30 patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB), 35 with HBV-related cirrhosis, 66 with HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and 48 healthy individuals.

A Macrophage Membrane-Functionalized, Reactive Oxygen Species-Activatable Nanoprodrug to Alleviate Inflammation and Improve the Lipid Metabolism for Atherosclerosis Management.

Atherosclerosis (AS) management typically relies on therapeutic drug interventions, but these strategies typically have drawbacks, including poor site specificity, high systemic intake, and undesired side effects. The field of cell membrane camouflaged biomimetic nanomedicine offers the potential to address these challenges thanks to its ability to mimic the natural properties of cell membranes that enable enhanced biocompatibility, prolonged blood circulation, targeted drug delivery, and evasion of immune recognition, ultimately leading to improved therapeutic outcomes and reduced side effects. In this study, a novel biomimetic approach is developed to construct the M1 macrophage membrane-coated nanoprodrug (MM@CD-PBA-RVT) for AS management.

Endogenous FGF1 Deficiency Aggravates Doxorubicin-Induced Hepatotoxicity.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a broad-spectrum antineoplastic agent that widely used in clinic. However, its application is largely limited by its toxicity in multiple organs. Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) showed protective potential in various liver diseases, but the role of endogenous FGF1 in DOX-induced liver damage is currently unknown.

96-Week Treatment of Tenofovir Amibufenamide and Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients.

Background And Aims: Tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) is a novel phosphoramidated prodrug of tenofovir with noninferior efficacy and better bone and renal safety to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in 48 weeks of treatment. Here, we update 96-week comparison results.

Methods: Patients with chronic hepatitis B were assigned (2:1) to receive either 25 mg TMF or 300 mg TDF with matching placebo for 96 weeks.

Spontaneously Right-Side-Out-Orientated Coupling-Driven ROS-Sensitive Nanoparticles on Cell Membrane Inner Leaflet for Efficient Renovation in Vascular Endothelial Injury.

Biomimetic cell membrane camouflaged technology has drawn extensive attention as a feasible and efficient way to realize the biological functions of nanoparticles from the parent cells. As the burgeoning nanotherapeutic, the right-side-out orientation self-assembly and pathological dependent "on-demand" cargo release of cell membrane camouflaged nanocarriers remarkably limit further development for practical applications. In the present study, a spontaneously right-side-out-orientated coupling-driven ROS-sensitive nanotherapeutic has been constructed for target endothelial cells (ECs) repair through the synergistic effects of spontaneously right-side-out-orientated camouflaging.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in vascular endothelial cells and its role in atherosclerosis.

The mitochondria are essential organelles that generate large amounts of ATP the electron transport chain (ECT). Mitochondrial dysfunction causes reactive oxygen species accumulation, energy stress, and cell death. Endothelial mitochondrial dysfunction is an important factor causing abnormal function of the endothelium, which plays a central role during atherosclerosis development.

Emerging roles of fibroblast growth factor 21 in critical disease.

In spite of the great progress in the management of critical diseases in recent years, its associated prevalence and mortality of multiple organ failure still remain high. As an endocrine hormone, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) functions to maintain homeostasis in the whole body. Recent studies have proved that FGF21 has promising potential effects in critical diseases.

Intestinal epithelial β Klotho is a critical protective factor in alcohol-induced intestinal barrier dysfunction and liver injury.

Background: Intestinal barrier dysfunction is crucial in alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD). The decreased beta-Klotho (KLB) expression caused by gene variation is associated with hyperpermeability in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. Here we investigated the roles of intestinal KLB in maintaining the intestinal epithelial barrier in ALD and the underlying mechanisms.

Randomised clinical trial: 48 weeks of treatment with tenofovir amibufenamide versus tenofovir disoproxil fumarate for patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Background: Tenofovir amibufenamide (TMF) can provide more efficient delivery than tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF).

Aim: To compare the efficacy and safety of TMF and TDF for 48 weeks in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB).

Methods: We performed a randomised, double-blind, non-inferiority study at 49 sites in China.

Clinical characteristics and potential factors for recurrence of positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA in convalescent patients: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: The recurrence of positive SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR is frequently found in discharged COVID-19 patients but its clinical significance remains unclear. The potential cause, clinical characteristics and infectiousness of the recurrent positive RT-PCR patients need to be answered.

Methods: A single-centered, retrospective study of 51 discharged COVID-19 patients was carried out at a designated hospital for COVID-19.

Seraprevir and sofosbuvir for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection: A single-arm, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background And Aim: This single-arm, open-label, multicenter, phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of seraprevir, an hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural protein 3/4A (NS3/4A) inhibitor, combined with sofosbuvir for treating Chinese patients with chronic HCV infection without cirrhosis.

Methods: Treatment-naive or interferon-experienced adult patients without cirrhosis were treated with a universal, combinational regimen of seraprevir 100 mg, twice daily and sofosbuvir 400 mg, once daily, for 12 or 24 weeks. The primary efficacy endpoint was sustained virologic response at week 12 after treatment (SVR12).

Coblopasvir and sofosbuvir for treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection in China: A single-arm, open-label, phase 3 trial.

Background & Aim: An affordable, pangenotypic regimen remains as an unmet medical need for chronic hepatitis C patients in China. This single-arm, open-label, multicenter, phase 3 trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of coblopasvir, a pangenotypic non-structural protein 5A (NS5A) inhibitor, combined with sofosbuvir for treating Chinese patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

Methods: Treatment-naïve and interferon-experienced adult patients, including those with advanced fibrosis (F3) or compensated cirrhosis (F4), were treated with a universal, combinational regimen of coblopasvir 60 mg and sofosbuvir 400 mg, once daily, for 12 weeks.

Hypoxia-Induced Adipose Lipolysis Requires Fibroblast Growth Factor 21.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a recently discovered hepatokine that regulates lipid and glucose metabolism and is upregulated in response to numerous physiological and pathological stimuli. Herein, we demonstrate that both physical and chemical hypoxia increase the systemic and hepatic expression of FGF21 in mice; by contrast, hypoxia induces a reduction of FGF21 expression in hepatocytes, indicating that hypoxia-induced FGF21 expression is differentially regulated in intact animals and in hepatocytes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that hypoxia treatment increases hormone-sensitive lipase-mediated adipose tissue lipolysis in mice, which is reduced in knockout mice, thereby implying that FGF21 plays a critical role in hypoxia-related adipose lipolysis.

Chalcone Derivative L6H21 Reduces EtOH + LPS-Induced Liver Injury Through Inhibition of NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation.

Background: Chronic alcohol intake increases circulating endotoxin levels causing excessive inflammation that aggravates the liver injury. (E)-2,3-dimethoxy-4'-methoxychalcone (L6H21), a derivative of chalcone, has been found to inhibit inflammation in cardiac diseases and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. However, the use of L6H21 in alcoholic liver disease to inhibit exotoxin-associated inflammation has not been explored.

FGF 21 deficiency slows gastric emptying and reduces initial blood alcohol concentration in mice exposed to acute alcohol in fasting state.

Excess alcohol consumption can lead to alcoholic liver disease. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a metabolic regulator with multiple physiologic functions. Previous study demonstrated that FGF21 deficiency exacerbated alcohol-induced liver injury and exogenous FGF21 administration protected liver from chronic alcohol-induced injury.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 deficiency exacerbates chronic alcohol-induced hepatic steatosis and injury.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is a hepatokine that regulates glucose and lipid metabolism in the liver. We sought to determine the role of FGF21 in hepatic steatosis in mice exposed to chronic alcohol treatment and to discern underlying mechanisms. Male FGF21 knockout (FGF21 KO) and control (WT) mice were divided into groups that were fed either the Lieber DeCarli diet containing 5% alcohol or an isocaloric (control) diet for 4 weeks.