Cultured Chinese Giant Salamander Skin and Skin Secretions as a Source of Bioactive Peptides for Food and Medicine.

Amphibians are enjoyable globally for their culinary value and are increasingly considered alternative protein sources. However, the skin of edible amphibians, especially giant salamanders, is often discarded without much thought. However, this underutilized resource holds significant potential for yielding valuable proteins and bioactive peptides (BPs).

Bismuth oxychloride nanosheets anchored aramid separator with sponge-like structure for improved lithium-ion battery performance.

Functional modification of inorganic particles is an effective approach to tackle the issue of Li transport and the lithium dendrites formation in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this study, PMIA/BiOCl composite separators are prepared by nonsolvent induce phase separation (NIPS) method using P-type semiconductor bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) functionalized poly (m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA) separators. Compared with the polypropylene (PP) separator, PMIA has superior thermal stability and the addition of BiOCl further enhances its flame retardancy.

Development and application of emotion recognition technology - a systematic literature review.

Background: There is a mutual influence between emotions and diseases. Thus, the subject of emotions has gained increasing attention.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review of the developments in emotion recognition technology over the past decade.

Overexpression of lncRNA A2M-AS1 inhibits cell growth and aggressiveness regulating the miR-587/bone morphogenetic protein 3 axis in lung adenocarcinoma.

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a malignant tumor that occurs in the lungs. Numerous reports have substantiated the participation of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the tumorigenesis of LUAD. Previously, lncRNA alpha-2-macroglobulin antisense RNA 1 (A2M-AS1) was confirmed to be an important regulator in the biological processes of LUAD and dysregulation of A2M-AS1 was associated with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) progression.

MicroRNA-21 Mediates the Inhibiting Effect of Praziquantel on NLRP3 Inflammasome in Infection.

Praziquantel (PZQ), a traditional helminthicide drug, has been shown to exert an anti-inflammatory effect on splenomegaly induced by schistosomiasis via regulating macrophage polarization. Meanwhile, miR-21 has been demonstrated to control macrophage polarization. However, the role of miR-21 in the regulation of macrophage polarization by PZQ in schistosomiasis is still unclear.

Rationale and design for AMPLATZER Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder IDE randomized controlled trial (Amulet IDE Trial).

The Amulet IDE Trial is an ongoing, prospective, randomized, multi-national trial, designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the AMPLATZER Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder for stroke prevention in comparison to the WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Device in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. METHODS: Non-valvular atrial fibrillation patients at high risk of stroke (CHADS score ≥2 or a CHADS-VASc score of ≥3) who are suitable candidates for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) will be fully informed and requested to participate in the trial. A total of 1878 patients at up to 150 sites worldwide will be randomized in a 1:1 ratio between the AMPLATZER Amulet device (investigational) and the Boston Scientific WATCHMAN device (control).

Depressive symptoms and adipokines in women: Study of women's health across the nation.

Small clinical studies suggest depression is associated with alterations in adiponectin and leptin, adipocyte-derived secretory proteins involved in metabolic regulation; however, longitudinal data on these association are lacking. This study examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of depressive symptoms and major depressive disorder (MDD) with adiponectin and leptin in healthy middle-aged women (mean (SD) age, 45.6 (2.

Praziquantel Targets M1 Macrophages and Ameliorates Splenomegaly in Chronic Schistosomiasis.

Splenomegaly is a common feature of many infectious diseases, including schistosomiasis japonica. However, the immunopathogenesis and the treatment of splenomegaly due to schistosomiasis have been largely neglected. Praziquantel (PZQ), a classical schistosomicide, has been demonstrated by us and others to have antifibrotic and anti-inflammatory activities against schistosomiasis.

Natural history of subclinical leaflet thrombosis affecting motion in bioprosthetic aortic valves.

Aims: Four-dimensional volume-rendered computed tomography (4DCT) has demonstrated instances of hypo-attenuating leaflet thickening (HALT) with or without hypo-attenuation affecting motion (HAM) after transcatheter and surgical aortic valve implantation (TAVI, SAVR). The temporal pattern of evolution of these phenomena is uncertain.

Methods And Results: The SAVORY registry enrolled patients treated by TAVI (n = 75) or SAVR (n = 30) with two 4DCT scans fully interpretable for HALT and HAM as well as unchanged anti-thrombotic medication between the scans.

MHC II, but not MHC II, hepatic Stellate cells contribute to liver fibrosis of mice in infection with Schistosoma japonicum.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are considered as the main effector cells in vitamin A metabolism and liver fibrosis, as well as in hepatic immune regulation. Recently, researches have revealed that HSCs have plasticity and heterogeneity, which depend on their lobular location and whether liver is normal or injured. This research aimed to explore the biological characteristics and heterogeneity of HSCs in mice with Schistosoma japonicum (S.

Identification of a TNF-α inducer MIC3 originating from the microneme of non-cystogenic, virulent Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii is an opportunistic parasite with avirulent cystogenic and highly virulent non-cystogenic isolates. Although non-cystogenic strains are considered the most virulent, there are also marked genetic and virulence differences among these strains. Excretory-secretory antigens (ESAs) of T.

Possible Subclinical Leaflet Thrombosis in Bioprosthetic Aortic Valves.

Background: A finding of reduced aortic-valve leaflet motion was noted on computed tomography (CT) in a patient who had a stroke after transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) during an ongoing clinical trial. This finding raised a concern about possible subclinical leaflet thrombosis and prompted further investigation.

Methods: We analyzed data obtained from 55 patients in a clinical trial of TAVR and from two single-center registries that included 132 patients who were undergoing either TAVR or surgical aortic-valve bioprosthesis implantation.

Smoking dependence across the levels of cigarette smoking in a multiethnic sample.

Objectives: The Brief Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives (WISDM) is a multi-dimensional smoking dependence measure that assesses primary dependence motives (PDM; e.g., core dependence marked by tolerance, craving) and secondary dependence motives (SDM; e.

Retention of Homeless Smokers in the Power to Quit Study.

Introduction: Concerns about retention are a major barrier to conducting studies enrolling homeless individuals. Since smoking is a major problem in homeless communities and research on effective methods of promoting smoking cessation is needed, we describe strategies used to increase retention and participant characteristics associated with retention in smoking cessation study enrolling homeless adults.

Methods: The parent study was a 2-group randomized controlled trial with 26-week follow-up enrolling 430 homeless smokers from emergency shelters and transitional housing units in Minneapolis/Saint Paul, MN, USA.

Effect of Caffeinated Soft Drinks on Salivary Flow.

Background: Soft drinks containing caffeine have been associated with more aggressive forms of dental decay. Cariogenicity of caffeinated soft drinks may be attributed to the effect of caffeine on salivary flow. This study assessed whether caffeinated soft drinks produced short-term oral dryness in healthy adults.

Cotinine and tobacco-specific carcinogen exposure among nondaily smokers in a multiethnic sample.

Background: Nondaily smoking has increased among current U.S. smokers during the past decade and is practiced by a significant percentage of smokers.

BMI-based norms for a culturally relevant body image scale among African Americans.

The present study provides body mass index (BMI) standards for interpreting culturally relevant body image figure scores among African American men and women. Concordance between participants' and independent raters' figure selection is evaluated and the sensitivity and specificity of the figures for predicting overweight status are reported. African American adults (n = 498, 71% female) selected the figure most closely resembling them currently, and had their height and weight measured to calculate BMI.

Smoking cessation in homeless populations: who participates and who does not.

Introduction: Although homeless individuals smoke at an alarmingly high rate, few smoking cessation clinical trials have focused on this vulnerable population. Little is known about recruitment efforts and suitable eligibility criteria for tobacco control research in homeless populations.

Methods: The aim of this article is to describe the recruitment, eligibility, and enrollment of homeless smokers who participated in the Power to Quit smoking study, a randomized smoking cessation clinical trial funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Knowing quitters predicts smoking cessation in a homeless population.

Objectives: To examine the impact of knowing quitters on cessation among homeless smokers.

Methods: Secondary analysis of data derived from a community-based randomized controlled trial of 430 homeless smokers. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analysis to determine whether knowing quitters impacted the likelihood of cessation (salivary cotinine ≤ 20 ng/ml) at 26-week follow-up.

Evaluation of dose modulation software through the assessment of body mass index, radiation dose and image noise.

Purpose: This study attempts to establish a quantitative link between a patient's body mass index (BMI), the delivered radiation dose, and the image noise.

Methods: The CARE Dose4D computed tomography (CT) acquisitions from 206 patients undergoing "eyes-to-thighs" contrast-enhanced positron emission tomography/CT studies were retrospectively examined. Computed tomography dose index volume (CTDIVOL), mAs, and dose-length product were recorded from the dose report card.

Motivational interviewing to enhance nicotine patch treatment for smoking cessation among homeless smokers: a randomized controlled trial.

Aims: To assess the effects of adding motivational interviewing (MI) counseling to nicotine patch for smoking cessation among homeless smokers.

Design: Two-group randomized controlled trial with 26-week follow-up.

Participants And Setting: A total of 430 homeless smokers from emergency shelters and transitional housing units in Minneapolis/St Paul, Minnesota, USA.

Psychosocial distress and stroke risk in older adults.

Background And Purpose: To investigate the association of psychosocial distress with risk of stroke mortality and incident stroke in older adults.

Methods: Data were from the Chicago Health and Aging Project, a longitudinal population-based study conducted in 3 contiguous neighborhoods on the south side of Chicago, IL. Participants were community-dwelling black and non-Hispanic white adults, aged 65 years and older (n=4120 for stroke mortality; n=2649 for incident stroke).

Homeless former smokers' interest in helping homeless current smokers quit.

Purpose: To describe the factors associated with interest of homeless former smokers in helping homeless smokers quit.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey administered to an optimized convenience sample of homeless persons (n  =  4570) at emergency shelters, transitional housing units, and open encampments in 80 cities across Minnesota. The in-person survey response rate was 90%.