Exploring the active components and potential mechanisms of Zhimu-Huangbai herb-pair in the treatment of depression.

Background: The Zhimu-Huangbai herb-pair (ZB) is commonly used to treat depression. Previous research has verified that ZB is effective as an antidepressant. Nevertheless, its active components and potential mechanism still require further elucidation.

Protein molecular structures of USP53, NPY2R, and DCTN1-AS1 and impact on tumors: Analysis of prognostic biomarkers for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

In the past few years, three protein molecules-USP53, NPY2R, and DCTN1-AS1-have garnered significant attention in scientific research due to their potential implications in tumor development. Mass spectrometry and proteomics techniques were used to analyze the three-dimensional structure of these protein molecules and predict their active sites and functional domains. The effects of USP53, NPY2R and DCTN1-AS1 on biological behavior of tumor cells were studied by constructing gene knockout and overexpression cell models.

Basic Considerations for the Consistency Evaluation Based on ICH E17 Guideline.

In the International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) guidance on General Principles for Planning and Design of Multi-Regional Clinical Trials (E17), it is important to evaluate the consistency of treatment effect across regions in a multi-regional clinical trial (MRCT). In this paper, we elaborated on some basic considerations to evaluate consistency. We first list the design considerations, and then provide consistency evaluation and interpretation on pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, efficacy, safety, and benefit-risk.

Evaluation of the safety, biodistribution, dosimetry of [F]AlF-NYM005 and initial experience in clear cell renal cell carcinoma: an interim analysis of a prospective trial.

Purpose: This first-in-human study aimed to evaluate the radiation dosimetry and whole-body biodistribution of [F]AlF-NYM005, a novel small-molecule carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX) targeting agent, and to investigate its ability to detect CAIX-positive tumors using PET scans in a cohort of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) patients.

Methods: [F]AlF-NYM005 was synthesized using a fully automatic cassette module Mortenon M1 (Nuoyu, China). Thirty-five patients with a suspicious lesion considered primary renal malignancy or a history of ccRCC were prospectively recruited and studied.

Tumor microenvironment-modulated nanoparticles with cascade energy transfer as internal light sources for photodynamic therapy of deep-seated tumors.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an appealing modality for cancer treatments. However, the limited tissue penetration depth of external-excitation light makes PDT impossible in treating deep-seated tumors. Meanwhile, tumor hypoxia and intracellular reductive microenvironment restrain the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Piezoelectrically-activated antibacterial catheter for prevention of urinary tract infections in an on-demand manner.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is a common clinical problem, especially during long-term catheterization, causing additional pain to patients. The development of novel antimicrobial coatings is needed to prolong the service life of catheters and reduce the incidence of CAUTIs. Herein, we designed an antimicrobial catheter coated with a piezoelectric zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs)-incorporated polyvinylidene difluoride-hexafluoropropylene (ZnO-PVDF-HFP) membrane.

A postpartum functional assessment tool for women based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health.

Background: Postpartum dysfunctions and complications can occur in women. However, functional assessment should be conducted to make treatment plans before any intervention is implemented. In this context, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) may be a useful tool for women postpartum to document functional data and set rehabilitation goals.

Effect of Graded Motor Imagery Combined With Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of graded motor imagery therapy (GMI) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on upper extremity function alone and in combination in patients with stroke.

Design: This was a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Setting: A rehabilitation hospital.

Laser Heterodyne Detection Based on Photon Time-Domain Differential Detection Avoiding the Effect of Decoherence Phase Noise.

Laser heterodyne detection (LHD) is a key velocimetry technique that provides better accuracy and sensitivity than direct laser detection. However, random phase noise can be introduced by the surface topography of the moving target undulation or atmospheric turbulence during transmission. The random phase noise causes the target echo to undergo decoherence, resulting in degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Same Wavelength Noise Filtering via Quantum Orbital Angular Momentum Emission.

In laser active detection, detection performance is affected by optical noise, laser interference, and environmental background interference. Conventional methods to filter optical noise take advantage of the differences between signal and noise in wavelength and polarization. Due to the limitations of traditional methods in the physical dimension, noise cannot be completely filtered out.

Tumor Radiomic Features on Pretreatment MRI to Predict Response to Lenvatinib plus an Anti-PD-1 Antibody in Advanced Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Study.

Introduction: Lenvatinib plus an anti-PD-1 antibody has shown promising antitumor effects in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but with clinical benefit limited to a subset of patients. We developed and validated a radiomic-based model to predict objective response to this combination therapy in advanced HCC patients.

Methods: Patients ( = 170) who received first-line combination therapy with lenvatinib plus an anti-PD-1 antibody were retrospectively enrolled from 9 Chinese centers; 124 and 46 into the training and validation cohorts, respectively.

Target Velocity Ghost Imaging Using Slice Difference Method.

Ghost imaging is a technique that uses the correlation between reference and signal arms to obtain intensity images of targets. Compared with the existing laser active imaging methods, ghost imaging can improve the signal-to-noise ratio and resolution. In this paper, through the use of the slice difference method, we propose a new scheme that allows a velocity image of moving targets to be obtained.

Pre-pregnancy body mass index and gut microbiota of mothers and children 5 years postpartum.

Background: Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) has been linked to altered gut microbiota in women shortly after delivery and in their offspring in the first few years of life. But little is known about how long these differences persist.

Methods: We followed 180 mothers and children from pregnancy until 5-year postpartum in the Gen3G cohort (Canada, enrolled 2010-2013).

Polycystic ovary syndrome and 25-hydroxyvitamin D: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Accumulating observational studies have indicated that vitamin D deficiency (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) < 50 nmol/L) is common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the direction and causal nature remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to investigate the causal association between PCOS and 25OHD.

Fluorescence-Amplified Origami Microneedle Device for Quantitatively Monitoring Blood Glucose.

Exploration of clinically acceptable blood glucose monitors has been engaging in the past decades, yet the ability to quantitatively detect blood glucose in a painless, accurate, and highly sensitive manner remains limited. Herein, a fluorescence-amplified origami microneedle (FAOM) device is described that integrates tubular DNA-origami nanostructures and glucose oxidase molecules into its inner network to quantitatively monitor blood glucose. The skin-attached FAOM device can collect glucose molecules in situ and transfer the input into a proton signal after the oxidase's catalysis.

Proper wiring of newborn neurons to control bladder function after complete spinal cord injury.

Activation of endogenous neurogenesis by bioactive materials enables restoration of sensory/motor function after complete spinal cord injury (SCI) via formation of new relay neural circuits. The underlying wiring logic of newborn neurons in adult central nervous system (CNS) is unknown. Here, we report neurotrophin3-loaded chitosan biomaterial substantially recovered bladder function after SCI.

Systemic Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Chinese Consensus-Based Interdisciplinary Expert Statements.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer and causes many cancer-related deaths worldwide; in China, it is the second most prevalent cause of cancer deaths. Most patients are diagnosed clinically with advanced stage disease.

Summary: For more than a decade, sorafenib, a small-molecular-weight tyrosine kinase inhibitor (SMW-TKI) was the only molecular targeted drug available with a survival benefit for the treatment of advanced HCC.

Modified Banxia Xiexin Decoction Ameliorates Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome With Insulin Resistance by Regulating Intestinal Microbiota.

Objective: To analyze the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota of polycystic ovarian syndrome with insulin resistance (PCOS-IR) and explore the possible mechanism of modified Banxia Xiexin Decoction in the treatment of PCOS-IR.

Methods: A total of 17 specific pathogen-free (SPF) female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, aged 21 days, were selected and randomly divided into the control group (group Z, n = 6), model group (group M, n = 6), and treatment group (group A, n = 5). Letrozole combined with a high-fat diet was used to induce the PCOS-IR model.

Mutation in ε-Sarcoglycan Induces a Myoclonus-Dystonia Syndrome-Like Movement Disorder in Mice.

Myoclonus dystonia syndrome (MDS) is an inherited movement disorder, and most MDS-related mutations have so far been found in the ε-sarcoglycan (SGCE) coding gene. By generating SGCE-knockout (KO) and human 237 C > T mutation knock-in (KI) mice, we showed here that both KO and KI mice exerted typical movement defects similar to those of MDS patients. SGCE promoted filopodia development in vitro and inhibited excitatory synapse formation both in vivo and in vitro.

Inhibition of furin by bone targeting superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles alleviated breast cancer bone metastasis.

Breast cancer bone metastasis poses significant challenge for therapeutic strategies. Inside the metastatic environment, osteoclasts and tumor cells interact synergistically to promote cancer progression. In this study, the proprotein convertase furin is targeted due to its critical roles in both tumor cell invasion and osteoclast function.

Japanese Encephalitis Virus NS1' Protein Antagonizes Interferon Beta Production.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a mosquito-borne virus and the major cause of viral encephalitis in Asia. NS1', a 52-amino acid C-terminal extension of NS1, is generated with a -1 programmed ribosomal frameshift and is only present in members of the Japanese encephalitis serogroup of flaviviruses. Previous studies demonstrated that NS1' plays a vital role in virulence, but the mechanism is unclear.