Historical record of trace elements since MIS 2 in a sediment core of Laizhou Bay, China.

The concentration of trace elements in sediments is a critical element in the quality of nearshore environments. Geochemical background values are the normal concentrations of trace elements in the natural environment, and the use of different background values has resulted in different evaluations. Trace element (Cu, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cd, As, and Hg) concentration profiles along a sediment core were investigated to obtain background values and to assess the depositional processes and contamination levels in Laizhou Bay.

Response to nivolumab combining radiotherapy and nimotuzumab in metastatic oral squamous cell carcinoma patient with strong PD-L1 expression: a case report.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been approved for the treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, not all patients would benefit from ICIs. Thus, in order to improve the response rate, the efficacy and safety of combination immunotherapy is still under evaluation.

Protective effects of hawthorn (Crataegus pinnatifida) polyphenol extract against UVB-induced skin damage by modulating the p53 mitochondrial pathway in vitro and in vivo.

This study investigated the effect of a hawthorn polyphenol extract (HPE) on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced damage in HaCaT cells and mice. High-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze the phenolic composition of HPE. The protective effects of HPE and its main components were compared in HaCaT cells.

Lonicera caerulea Berry Polyphenols Activate SIRT1, Enhancing Inhibition of Raw264.7 Macrophage Foam Cell Formation and Promoting Cholesterol Efflux.

Lonicera caerulea berry polyphenols (LCBP) are known to reduce cholesterol accumulation. Currently, it is unknown whether LCBP can activate Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) to regulate the formation of RAW264.7 macrophage foam cells.

Expression of P2X1 receptors in somatostatin-containing cells in mouse gastrointestinal tract and pancreatic islets of both mouse and human.

With immunohistochemical and Western blot techniques, P2X1 receptors were detected in the whole mouse gastrointestinal tract and pancreatic islets of mouse and human. (1) δ Cells containing somatostatin (SOM) in the stomach corpus, small intestines, distal colon, pancreatic islets of both mouse and human express P2X1 receptors; (2) strong immunofluorescence of P2X1 receptors was detected in smooth muscle fibers and capillary networks of the villus core of mouse intestine; and (3) P2X1 receptor-immunoreactive neurons were also detected widely in both mouse myenteric and submucosal plexuses, all of which express SOM. The present data implies that ATP via P2X1 receptors is involved in SOM release from pancreatic δ cells, enteric neurons, and capillary networks in villi.

Inhibition of P2X7 receptors improves outcomes after traumatic brain injury in rats.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability for people under the age of 45 years worldwide. Neuropathology after TBI is the result of both the immediate impact injury and secondary injury mechanisms. Secondary injury is the result of cascade events, including glutamate excitotoxicity, calcium overloading, free radical generation, and neuroinflammation, ultimately leading to brain cell death.

A modified protocol for the detection of three different mRNAs with a new-generation in situ hybridization chain reaction on frozen sections.

A new multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization method based on hybridization chain reaction was recently reported, enabling simultaneous mapping of multiple target mRNAs within intact zebrafish and mouse embryos. With this approach, DNA probes complementary to target mRNAs trigger chain reactions in which metastable fluorophore-labeled DNA hairpins self-assemble into fluorescent amplification polymers. The formation of the specific polymers enhances greatly the sensitivity of multiple fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Co-localization of Pirt protein and P2X2 receptors in the mouse enteric nervous system.

P2X2 receptors, with other P2X receptor subtypes, have an important role mediating synaptic transmission in regulating the functions of the gastrointestinal tract. Our recent work has found a new regulator of P2X receptor function, called phosphoinositide-interacting regulator of transient receptor potential channels (Pirt). In the present work, we have shown that Pirt immunoreactivity was localized in nerve cell bodies and nerve fibers in the myenteric plexus of the stomach, ileum, proximal, and distal colon and in the submucosal plexus of the jejunum, ileum, proximal, and distal colon.