Associations Between Heavy Metal Exposure from Milk and Steroid Hormones in Mothers.

Environmental exposure to heavy metals is ubiquitous. However, its relationship with steroid hormone levels is not well understood, particularly in pregnant women. This study investigated the association between prenatal heavy metal exposure and steroid hormone levels in an e-waste disposal area in China.

Formulation and Characterization of Triamcinolone Acetonide Acetate-Loaded Microspheres Prepared by a Static Mixing Technique.

Purpose: Reproducibility and scale-up production of microspheres through spray drying present significant challenges. In this study, biodegradable microspheres of Triamcinolone Acetonide Acetate (TAA) were prepared using a novel static mixing method by employing poly( lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) as the sustained-release carrier.

Methods: TAA-loaded microspheres (TAA-MSs) were prepared using a static mixing technique.

Crafting Docetaxel-Loaded Albumin Nanoparticles Through a Novel Thermal-Driven Self-Assembly/Microfluidic Combination Technology: Formulation, Process Optimization, Stability, and Bioavailability.

Background: The commercial docetaxel (DTX) formulation causes severe side effects due to polysorbate 80 and ethanol. Novel surfactant-free nanoparticle (NP) systems are needed to improve bioavailability and reduce side effects. However, controlling the particle size and stability of NPs and improving the batch-to-batch variation are the major challenges.

Microwave Ablation versus Surgical Resection for US-detected Multifocal T1N0M0 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A 10-Center Study.

Background Microwave ablation (MWA) is currently under preliminary investigation for the treatment of multifocal papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and has shown promising treatment efficacy. Compared with surgical resection (SR), MWA is minimally invasive and could preserve thyroid function. However, a comparative analysis between MWA and SR is warranted to draw definitive conclusions.

Serum tumor markers expression (CA199, CA242, and CEA) and its clinical implications in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: Glucose and lipid metabolic disorder in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with the levels of serum tumor markers of the digestive tract, such as cancer antigen (CA)199. Therefore, tumor markers in T2DM are important.

Aim: To evaluate the expression of serum tumor markers [CA199, CA242, and car-cinoembryonic antigen (CEA)] and the clinical implications of the expression in T2DM.

A level IV fugacity-based multimedia model based on steady-state particle/gas partitioning theory and its application to study the spatio-temporal trends of PBDEs in atmosphere of northeast China.

Particle/gas (P/G) partitioning can significantly affect the environmental behavior of atmospheric pollutants. In this study, we established a large-scale level IV fugacity-based multimedia model (the S-L4MF Model) based on the steady-state P/G partitioning theory. The spatial and temporal trends with the atmospheric contamination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in northeastern China under various climate conditions were simulated by the model.

Calcium-dependent activation of CPK12 facilitates its cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation to potentiate plant hypoxia sensing by phosphorylating ERF-VII transcription factors.

Calcium-dependent protein kinases (CDPKs/CPKs) are key regulators of plant stress signaling that translate calcium signals into cellular responses by phosphorylating diverse substrate proteins. However, the molecular mechanism by which plant cells relay calcium signals in response to hypoxia remains elusive. Here, we show that one member of the CDPK family in Arabidopsis thaliana, CPK12, is rapidly activated during hypoxia through calcium-dependent phosphorylation of its Ser-186 residue.

Poaceae-specific β-1,3;1,4-d-glucans link jasmonate signalling to OsLecRK1-mediated defence response during rice-brown planthopper interactions.

Brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens), a highly destructive insect pest, poses a serious threat to rice (Oryza sativa) production worldwide. Jasmonates are key phytohormones that regulate plant defences against BPH; however, the molecular link between jasmonates and BPH responses in rice remains largely unknown. Here, we discovered a Poaceae-specific metabolite, mixed-linkage β-1,3;1,4-d-glucan (MLG), which contributes to jasmonate-mediated BPH resistance.

Analysis of Graphic Language Expression in Visual Communication Design.

With the continuous development of society, only relying on words can no longer satisfy the mutual communication between people and countries. In the background of the data era, graphics language also meets more opportunities and challenges, so it is of great significance to transform data into the graphics language. This paper mainly designs a set of a data-based intelligent system.

A Public Health-Oriented New Energy Industry Competitiveness Evaluation.

This paper develops a regional new energy industry (NEI) competitiveness evaluation index system based on the theoretical framework of the "diamond model" and the unique characteristics of the new energy industry and made an empirical analysis of Jilin province with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) and fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method. The analysis results show that the new energy industry in Jilin Province has a good foundation, and the government's role, talent support, technological innovation, and market factors are acceptable. However, due to location factors and resource endowments, regional GDP and per capita consumption expenditure are low.

Felbamate add-on therapy for drug-resistant focal epilepsy.

Background: This is an updated version of the Cochrane Review first published in 2011, and most recently updated in 2019. Epilepsy is a chronic and disabling neurological disorder, affecting approximately 1% of the population. Up to 30% of people with epilepsy have seizures that are resistant to currently available antiepileptic drugs and require treatment with multiple antiepileptic drugs in combination.

Management Strategies of Fibrous Dysplasia Involving the Paranasal Sinus and the Adjacent Skull Base.

Objective: Current management of fibrous dysplasia (FD) involving the paranasal sinuses and the adjacent skull base is currently controversial. This study aims to present our experience in the management strategy of FD that involves the paranasal sinuses and the adjacent skull base.

Methods: Twenty three patients from 2006 to 2019 with monostotic fibrous dysplasia (MFD), polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD), or McCune-Albright syndrome (MAS) involving the paranasal sinuses and the adjacent skull base were retrospectively reviewed.

[Different Subtypes Caused by c.721C>T Substitution in the Exon 7 of ABO Gene].

Objective: To analyze the different subtypes caused by c.721C>T substitution in the exon 7 of the ABO gene, and to investigate the related molecular mechanism of different antigens expression.

Methods: ABO subtypes in 7 samples were identified by standard serological methods.

Phosphatidic acid modulates MPK3- and MPK6-mediated hypoxia signaling in Arabidopsis.

Phosphatidic acid (PA) is an important lipid essential for several aspects of plant development and biotic and abiotic stress responses. We previously suggested that submergence induces PA accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana; however, the molecular mechanism underlying PA-mediated regulation of submergence-induced hypoxia signaling remains unknown. Here, we showed that in Arabidopsis, loss of the phospholipase D (PLD) proteins PLDα1 and PLDδ leads to hypersensitivity to hypoxia, but increased tolerance to submergence.

Prediction of central compartment nodal metastases in papillary thyroid cancer using TI-RADS score, blood flow, and multifocality.

Background: The relationship between the American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS) and the risk of lymph node metastases in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) could improve the detection rate of lymph node metastases in thyroid cancer and provide a scientific basis for clinical diagnosis.

Purpose: To evaluate the risk of lymph node metastases of PTC associated with the score from ACR TI-RADS adjusted for other correlative factors.

Material And Methods: A total of 560 patients with pathologically confirmed PTC were included in the study and classified into a metastases group and a non-metastases group.

Recent advances in blood-based and artificial intelligence-enhanced approaches for gastrointestinal cancer diagnosis.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most common cancer types and leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. There is a tremendous clinical need for effective early diagnosis for better healthcare of GI cancer patients. In this article, we provide a short overview of the recent advances in GI cancer diagnosis.

[Clinical Characteristics of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients with RUNX1 Gene Mutation].

Objective: To investigate the incidence of Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) gene and its associated gene mutations in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and analyze its clinical characteristics and prognosis.

Methods: The genomic DNA-PCR method was used to detect the exon of RUNX1 gene, and the gene mutations were analyzed by genetic sequencing. NPM1, DNMT3A, FLT3-ITD, IDH1/2, K/N-RAS, CEPBA, TET2, and WT1 co-mutations were also detected.