Biodegradable Tenebrio molitor antifreeze protein modified kinetic hydrate inhibitor: Insights into molecular interactions and structural flexibility.

The formation of natural gas hydrates presents significant economic and safety challenges to the petroleum and gas industry, necessitating the development of effective prevention strategies. This study investigates an environmentally sustainable Tenebrio molitor antifreeze protein (TmAFP) modified to be a potential kinetic hydrate inhibitor. The aim of this study was to enhance the inhibitory activity of TmAFP by systematically substituting threonine (Thr) residues with glycine (Gly), alanine (Ala), or serine (Ser) at positions 29, 39, and 53.

Synergistic Effect of Hyperactive Antifreeze Protein on Inhibition of Gas-Hydrate Growth by Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Groups.

Antifreeze proteins (AFPs) are biodegradable inhibitors that effectively prevent the formation of natural gas hydrates that block pipelines. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to establish a kinetic model of the hyperactive insect antifreeze protein (, AFP) and its mutants to inhibit the growth of sI natural methane hydrate. Simulations revealed that the hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups of threonine (Thr) residues at hydrate-binding sites played a synergistic role in binding hydrates.

Assessment of anti-PD-(L)1 for patients with coexisting malignant tumor and tuberculosis classified by active, latent, and obsolete stage.

Background: It is not a rare clinical scenario to have patients presenting with coexisting malignant tumor and tuberculosis. Whether it is feasible to conduct programmed death-(ligand) 1 [PD-(L)1] inhibitors to these patients, especially those with active tuberculosis treated with concurrent anti-tuberculosis, is still unknown.

Methods: This study enrolled patients with coexisting malignancy and tuberculosis and treated with anti-PD-(L)1 from Jan 2018 to July 2021 in 2 institutions.

Efficacy and safety of concurrent anti-tuberculosis treatment and chemotherapy in lung cancer patients with co-existent tuberculosis.

Background: This retrospective study evaluated the safety and efficacy of concurrent anti-tuberculosis (TB) and chemotherapy treatment in patients with advanced lung cancer and active TB.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who were first diagnosed with advanced lung cancer and received first-line chemotherapy in Guangzhou Chest Hospital from 2015 to 2017. Patients were categorized into two groups (2:1): lung cancer patients without active TB (Group A), and lung cancer patients with active TB (Group B).

Tumor Mutational Burden and Genomic Alterations in Chinese Small Cell Lung Cancer Measured by Whole-Exome Sequencing.

Purpose: Studies on genetic alterations of the heterogenous small cell lung cancer (SCLC) are rare. We carried out the present study to clarify the genomic alterations and TMB levels of Chinese SCLC patients by whole-exome sequencing.

Materials And Methods: Whole-exome sequencing by next-generation sequencing technique was implemented on twenty SCLC samples.

Effects of PS128 on Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Taiwan: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

This four-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study investigated the effects of PS128 (PS128) on boys with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) aged 7-15 in Taiwan. All subjects fulfilled the criteria for ASD diagnosis of DSM-V and the Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R). Questionnaires used for the primary outcome measure include the Autism Behavior Checklist-Taiwan version (ABC-T), the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS) and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).

Emergency Physician Compliance with Quality Indicators of Septic Shock and Severe Sepsis in Eastern Taiwanese Community Hospital.

Background: A retrospective review was conducted, examining patient charts at a community hospital in Eastern Taiwan during a 2-year period, from April 2013 to March 2015.

Aims: The goal was assessment of adherence to quality indicators (QIs) in septic shock and severe sepsis (4S status) by emergency physicians (EPs).

Methods: Based on the Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines, data was electronically retrieved from the Hospital Information System (HIS); and beginning in April 2014, our staff was regularly educated on this topic during monthly meetings.

Intrathecal ultra-low dose naloxone enhances the antihyperalgesic effects of morphine and attenuates tumor necrosis factor-α and tumor necrosis factor-α receptor 1 expression in the dorsal horn of rats with partial sciatic nerve transection.

Background: Glutamate homeostasis and microglia activation play an important role in the development and maintenance of neuropathic pain. We designed this investigation to examine whether ultra-low dose naloxone administered alone or in combination with morphine could alter the concentration of the excitatory amino acids (EAAs) glutamate and aspartate, as well as the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and its receptors (TNFR1 and TNFR2) in the spinal cord dorsal horn of rats with partial sciatic nerve transection (PST).

Methods: Male Wistar rats underwent intrathecal catheter implantation for drug delivery and were divided in 7 groups: sham-operated + saline (sham), PST + saline (S), PST + 15 ng naloxone (n), PST + 15 µg naloxone (N), PST + 10 µg morphine (M), PST + 15 ng naloxone + 10 µg morphine (Mn), PST + 15 µg naloxone + 10 µg morphine (MN).

Effects of autistic traits on social and school adjustment in children and adolescents: the moderating roles of age and gender.

This study examined the associations between children's and adolescents' autistic-like social deficits and school and social adjustment as well as the moderating roles of age and gender in these associations. The sample consisted of 1321 students (48.7% boys) in Grade 1 to Grade 8 from northern Taiwan.

Intrathecal ultra-low dose naloxone enhances the antinociceptive effect of morphine by enhancing the reuptake of excitatory amino acids from the synaptic cleft in the spinal cord of partial sciatic nerve-transected rats.

Background: In this study, we examined the effects of ultra-low dose naloxone on the antinociceptive effect of morphine and on spinal cord dorsal horn glutamate transporter expression in rats with neuropathic pain.

Methods: Neuropathic pain was induced in male Wistar rats by partial transection of the left sciatic nerve and an intrathecal catheter was implanted for drug administration; in some rats, an intrathecal microdialysis probe for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dialysate collection was also implanted. Nociception was assessed using the plantar test, a Hargreaves radiant heat apparatus, and by the von Frey test, using a dynamic plantar anesthesiometer.