Development of an Integrated Disposable Device for SARS-CoV-2 Nucleic Acid Extraction and Detection.

Objective: To develop a highly sensitive and rapid nucleic acid detection method for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Methods: We designed, developed, and manufactured an integrated disposable device for SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid extraction and detection. The precision of the liquid transfer and temperature control was tested.

4'--MethylbavachalconeB Targeted 14-3-3ζ Blocking the Integrin β3 Early Outside-In Signal to Inhibit Platelet Aggregation and Thrombosis.

14-3-3ζ protein, the key target in the regulation and control of integrin β3 outside-in signaling, is an attractive new strategy to inhibit thrombosis without affecting hemostasis. In this study, 4'--methylbavachalconeB (4--MB) in Psoraleae Fructus was identified as a 14-3-3ζ ligand with antithrombosis activity by target fishing combined with ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS) analysis. The competitive inhibition analysis showed that 4--MB targeted 14-3-3ζ and blocked the 14-3-3ζ/integrin β3 interaction with inhibition constant () values of 9.

Blockade of spinal dopamine D1/D2 receptor heteromers by -Corydalmine suppressed calcium signaling cascade in spinal neurons to alleviate bone cancer pain in rats.

Dopamine receptors have been reported to be involved in pain, while the exact effects and mechanism in bone cancer pain have not been fully explored. Bone cancer pain model was created by implanting walker 256 mammary gland carcinoma into right tibia bone cavity. Primary cultured spinal neurons were used for evaluation.

Based on spinal central sensitization creating analgesic screening approach to excavate anti-neuropathic pain ingredients of Corydalis yanhusuo W.T.Wang.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Corydalis Rhizome (RC) as a traditional analgesic Chinese medicine is the dried tuber of Corydalis yanhusuo W.T.Wang.

Hybrid Cell Membrane-Functionalized Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Targeted Therapy of Osteosarcoma.

Purpose: In order to prepare a biomimetic nano-carrier which has inflammatory chemotaxis, homologous targeting and reduce immune clearance, for targeted chemotherapy of osteosarcoma, we fabricated the paclitaxel-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) nanoparticles coated with 143B-RAW hybrid membrane (PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs) and evaluate its anti-cancer efficacy in vitro and vivo.

Methods: PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs were prepared by the ultrasonic method and were characterized by size, zeta potential, polymer dispersion index (PDI), Coomassie bright blue staining, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Cellular uptake, cell viability assay, flow cytometry and chemotactic effect of PTX-PLGA@[143B-RAW] NPs were evaluated in vitro.

The dopamine D1-D2DR complex in the rat spinal cord promotes neuropathic pain by increasing neuronal excitability after chronic constriction injury.

Dopamine D1 receptor (D1DR) and D2 receptor (D2DR) are closely associated with pain modulation, but their exact effects on neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanisms remain to be identified. Our research revealed that intrathecal administration of D1DR and D2DR antagonists inhibited D1-D2DR complex formation and ameliorated mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity in chronic constriction injury (CCI) rats. The D1-D2DR complex was formed in the rat spinal cord, and the antinociceptive effects of D1DR and D2DR antagonists could be reversed by D1DR, D2DR, and D1-D2DR agonists.

Blockade of spinal dopamine D1/D2 receptor suppresses activation of NMDA receptor through Gαq and Src kinase to attenuate chronic bone cancer pain.

Introduction: Spinal N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is vital in chronic pain, while NMDAR antagonists have severe side effects. NMDAR has been reported to be controlled by G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which might present new therapeutic targets to attenuate chronic pain. Dopamine receptors which belong to GPCRs have been reported could modulate the NMDA-mediated currents, while their exact effects on NMDAR in chronic bone cancer pain have not been elucidated.

The Value of Enhanced MR Radiomics in Estimating the IDH1 Genotype in High-Grade Gliomas.

Background: The prognosis of IDH1-mutant glioma is significantly better than that of wild-type glioma, and the preoperative identification of IDH mutations in glioma is essential for the formulation of surgical procedures and prognostic assessment.

Purpose: To explore the value of a radiomic model based on preoperative-enhanced MR images in the assessment of the IDH1 genotype in high-grade glioma.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 182 patients with high-grade glioma confirmed by surgical pathology between December 2012 and January 2019 in our hospital with complete preoperative brain-enhanced MR images, including 79 patients with an IDH1 mutation (45 patients with WHO grade III and 34 patients with WHO grade IV) and 103 patients with wild-type IDH1 (33 patients with WHO grade III and 70 patients with WHO grade IV).

Regulation of the K-JNK gap junction signaling pathway by immunomodulator astragaloside IV attenuates neuropathic pain.

Background And Objectives: Gap junctions play a pivotal role in contributing to the formation of astroglial networks and in chronic pain. However, the mechanisms underlying the dysfunction of astroglial gap junctions in chronic pain have not been fully elucidated.

Methods: Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the sciatic nerve was used to establish rat neuropathic pain model.

A rapid strategy for screening high-efficiency PCSK9 inhibitors from Ginkgo biloba leaves by ligand fishing, HPLC-Q-TOF-MS and interdisciplinary assay.

Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is an attractive target for new cholesterol-lowering drug development. Here, we developed a method integrating ligand fishing, HPLC-Q-TOF-MS and interdisciplinary assay, aiming to explore potential PCSK9 inhibitors from mixtures rapidly and accurately. PCSK9 was expressed and purified firstly, and then the recombined PCSK9 was coated on the surface of magnetic beads (MBs).

Rapid and sensitive detection of NGAL for the prediction of acute kidney injury via a polydopamine nanosphere/aptamer nanocomplex coupled with DNase I-assisted recycling amplification.

Early detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) is important, as early intervention and treatment can prevent further kidney injury and improve kidney health. Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) has emerged as the earliest and promising non-invasive biomarker of AKI in urine, and has been used as a new predictive biomarker of AKI in the bench-to-bedside journey. In this work, a nanocomplex composed of a polydopamine nanosphere (PDANS) and a fluorophore-labelled aptamer has been constructed for the detection of NGAL using a DNase I-assisted recycling amplification strategy.

Suppression of peripheral NGF attenuates neuropathic pain induced by chronic constriction injury through the TAK1-MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Background: Anti-nerve growth factor (NGF) monoclonal antibodies (anti-NGF mAbs) have been reported to significantly attenuate pain, but the mechanism involved has not been fully elucidated, and the serious adverse events associated with mAbs seriously limit their clinical use. This study further investigated the mechanism by which peripheral NGF is involved in neuropathic pain and found safe, natural compounds that target NGF to attenuate neuropathic pain.

Methods: Nociception was assessed by the Von Frey hair and Hargreaves' methods.

Dual signal amplification for microRNA-21 detection based on duplex-specific nuclease and invertase.

MicroRNA-21 (miRNA-21) is a significant biomarker which is closely related to some kinds of diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. Therefore, the detection of miRNA-21 is of great importance and can provide essential information for disease diagnosis. In this study, we report a facile, sensitive assay for miRNA-21 detection using personal glucose meters (PGM).

Levocorydalmine attenuates microglia activation and neuropathic pain by suppressing ASK1-p38 MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathways in rat spinal cord.

Background And Objectives: Neuropathic pain is partially refractory to currently available treatments. Although some studies have reported that apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) may inhibit chronic pain, the mechanisms underlying this process have not been fully elucidated.

Methods: Chronic constriction injury (CCI) of the rat sciatic nerve was used to establish a neuropathic pain model.

Dihydroartemisinin derivative DC32 inhibits inflammatory response in osteoarthritic synovium through regulating Nrf2/NF-κB pathway.

Synovitis is an aseptic inflammation that leads to joint effusion, pain and swelling. As one of the main drivers of pathogenesis in osteoarthritis (OA), the presence of synovitis contributes to pain, incidence and progression of OA. In our previous study, DC32 [(9α,12α-dihydroartemisinyl) bis(2'-chlorocinnmate)], a dihydroartemisinin derivative, was found to have an antirheumatic ability via immunosuppression, but the effect of DC32 on synovitis has not been fully illuminated.

Selective blockade of spinal D2DR by levo-corydalmine attenuates morphine tolerance via suppressing PI3K/Akt-MAPK signaling in a MOR-dependent manner.

Morphine tolerance remains a challenge in the management of chronic pain in the clinic. As shown in our previous study, the dopamine D2 receptor (D2DR) expressed in spinal cord neurons might be involved in morphine tolerance, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the present study, selective spinal D2DR blockade attenuated morphine tolerance in mice by inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase (Akt)-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in a μ opioid receptor (MOR)-dependent manner.

Rapid identification of urokinase plasminogen activator inhibitors from Traditional Chinese Medicines based on ultrafiltration, LC-MS and in silico docking.

The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is regarded as the crucial trigger for plasmin generation, which is involved in several diseases especially for neoplasm metastasis. In this study, an efficient approach integrating ultrafiltration, LC/MS, bioassay and in silico docking, was proposed for rapidly detecting uPA ligands from Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs). Forty-two TCMs were initially assessed, and as illustrative case studies, Galla Chinensis and Sanguisorbae Radix, which appeared significant inhibitory activities on uPA, were chosen to develpe and verify the strategy.

Novel dihydroartemisinin derivative DHA-37 induces autophagic cell death through upregulation of HMGB1 in A549 cells.

Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) and its analogs are reported to possess selective anticancer activity. Here, we reported a novel DHA derivative DHA-37 that exhibited more potent anticancer activity on the cells tested. Distinct from DHA-induced apoptosis, DHA-37 triggered excessive autophagic cell death, and became the main contributor to DHA-37-induced A549 cell death.

A New Strategy for Rapidly Screening Natural Inhibitors Targeting the PCSK9/LDLR Interaction In Vitro.

The interaction between proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) and the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) is a promising target for the treatment of hyperc-holesterolemia. In this study, a new method based on competitive affinity and tag detection was developed, which aimed to evaluate potent natural inhibitors preventing the interaction of PCSK9/LDLR directly. Herein, natural compounds with efficacy in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia were chosen to investigate their inhibitory activities on the PCSK9/LDLR interaction.

[Sedimentary Phosphorus Speciation in the Coastal Hypoxic Area of Changjiang Estuary and Its Environmental Significance].

Phosphorus (P) is a potential limiting nutrient in Changjiang Estuary. Sedimentary P preservation and regeneration play an important role in indicating regional environmental changes and buffering P limitation in the water column. A series of coring experiments was implemented in the hypoxic area of Changjiang Estuary to explore sedimentary P speciation and distribution and their environmental significance.

Morphological and chemical studies of artificial Andrographis paniculata polyploids.

Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Nees (AP) is commonly used for the treatment of many infectious diseases and has been cultivated widely in Asian countries, and has been included in United States Pharmacopoeia as a dietary supplement, but the cultivars of A.

Clinicopathologic features and outcomes of primary cardiac tumors: a 16-year-experience with 212 patients at a Chinese medical center.

Primary cardiac tumors are uncommon, and the majority of them are benign which are curable but can cause significant morbidity if not diagnosed and treated in a timely fashion. The objective of this study was to review the clinicopathologic features and surgical outcomes of patients with primary cardiac tumors in a single medical center in China. We have retrospectively reviewed 212 consecutive adult patients who underwent surgical resection of primary cardiac tumors at our center from January of 2001 to June of 2017.