Remediation of hexavalent chromium contaminated soils by stimulating indigenous microorganisms: Optimization, community succession and applicability.

Microbial remediation has become an environmental-friendly and promising remediation method for Hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] contaminated soils. However, it is hard for exogenous microorganisms to adapt to different contaminated soils. In this study, Cr(VI) contaminated soils were remediated by the indigenous iron reducing bacteria and Cr(VI) reducing bacteria under the stimulation of sodium lactate, ferrihydrite and humic acid.

Population pharmacokinetic analysis and dosing optimization of colistin sulphate in lung transplant recipients with pneumonia: A prospective study.

Objective: Currently, there is a lack of information on the clinical pharmacokinetics (PK), effectiveness, and safety of colistin sulphate (CS) in lung transplant recipients. This study aims to improve CS dosing regimens and evaluate its population PK in lung transplant recipients.

Methods: This study evaluated the clinical efficacy, microbiological efficacy, and adverse events of CS in lung transplant recipients.

Fluorescence sensing of water in various organic solvents based on a novel cyclic polymer.

A sensor capable of sensing of water in various organic solvents ranging from water-soluble to water-miscible solvents is still a challenging task. In this research, a cyclic polymer fluorescence chemosensor (CPFC) has been developed for sensing of water by turn-on model in 9 organic solvents and turn-off model in DMA, where the broadest concentration range and the lowest detection limit was obtained for water in DMA (10 %-90 %) and dioxane (0.011 %), respectively.

Ratiometric luminescent simultaneous sensing of aristolochic acids (I-IV) by a novel metal-organic framework and its nanowire.

Aristolochic acids (AAs), which are a group of nitrophenanthrene carboxylic acids formed by Aristolochia plant, have become an increasing serious threat to humans due to their nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Fast and accurate approaches capable of simultaneous sensing of aristolochic acids (I-IV) are vital to avoid intake of such compounds. In this research, the novel ratiometric fluorescence zinc metal-organic framework and its nanowire have been prepared.

Polyphenols functionalized MOF encapsulated BPQDs for synergistic photothermal/photodynamic antibacterial properties and multifunctional food preservation.

Active antibacterial materials play an important role in solving food safety problems caused by pathogen contamination. In this study, a composite active antibacterial material with the synergistic antibacterial effectiveness of photothermal, photodynamic and the surface charge of polyphenols was developed, where the multi-porous polyphenol functionalized metal-organic frameworks (ZIF-8-TA) were used as the framework carrier, and black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) were used as the photosensitive source. The resulted ZIF-8-TA/PBQDs possesses excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (27.

Comparison of Endoscopic and Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Lumbar Degenerative Diseases: A Meta-analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the results of endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.

Summary Of Background Data: The MIS-TLIF has been widely used in lumbar degenerative diseases and achieved favorable clinical effects.

Enhancement of inhibition rate of antibiotic against bacteria by molecularly imprinted nanoparticles targeting alarmone nucleotides as antibiotic adjuvants.

Antibiotic tolerance and resistance in bacteria have caused a great threat to humankind. Bacteria can rapidly accumulate alarmone nucleotides (guanosine tetra- and pentaphosphate, usually denoted as (p)ppGpp) to repair damaged DNA under adverse conditions. The inhibition synthetase enzyme activity of (p)ppGpp, indirectly preventing synthesis, or promoting degradation, has been reported; however, transferring these strategies to practical applications is still a challenging task due to the lack of highly effective molecules for these purposes.

The effect of early tracheal extubation combined with physical training on pulmonary rehabilitation of patients after lung transplantation: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: This study aimed to explore the effect of early extubation combined with physical training on pulmonary rehabilitation of patients after lung transplantation.

Methods: This is an open parallel randomized controlled trial. A total of 96 lung transplant patients admitted to Wuxi People's Hospital (July 2018 to June 2019) were included.

Bright and Efficient Sensitized Near-Infrared Photoluminescence from an Organic Neodymium-Containing Composite Material System.

Intense organic neodymium (Nd) emission is obtained with near-infrared (NIR) emission equivalent in intensity to that of an organic semiconductor emitting material. The advantage of Nd emission is its narrow line width and NIR emission, which is enhanced by ∼3000 times at low excitation power through an efficient sensitization effect from a composite organic sensitizer. This performance is optimized at high concentrations of Nd ions, and the organic perfluorinated system provides the ion excitations with a quantum efficiency of ∼40%.

Knockdown of SNHG14 Alleviates MPP-Induced Injury in the Cell Model of Parkinson's Disease by Targeting the miR-214-3p/KLF4 Axis.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) small nucleolar RNA host gene 14 (SNHG14) has been demonstrated as an important regulator in PD pathology. However, the functional mechanisms played by SNHG14 in PD remain largely unclear.

Deficiency of NEAT1 prevented MPP-induced inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis in dopaminergic SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells via miR-1277-5p/ARHGAP26 axis.

Noncoding RNAs including long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been documented to play prominent role in neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson's disease (PD). This study intended to investigate the role of lncRNA nuclear enriched assembly transcript 1 (NEAT1) in MPP-induced PD model in dopaminergic neuronblastoma SK-N-SH cells, as well as its mechanism through sponging miRNA (miR)-1277-5p. Real-time PCR and western blotting revealed that NEAT1 and ARHGAP26 were upregulated, and miR-1277-5p was downregulated in MPP-treated SK-N-SH cells in a certain of concentration- and time- dependent manner.

A dual-functional MOF for high proton conduction and sensitive detection of ascorbic acid.

A new metal-organic framework (MOF), [Eu2(HBDPP)2(H2O)2(DMF)2](H2O)2 (H4BDPP = 3,5-bis(3,5-dicarboxylphenyl) pyridine; DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) (Eu-MOF), has been successfully synthesized under solvothermal conditions. A 1D chain was formed by the adjacent Eu2(COO)24+ dinuclear cluster and HBDPP3-, and further connected by HBDPP3- to form an infinitely extended 3D structure. In order to further improve the proton conductivity of the Eu-MOF, imidazole was encapsulated in its pores to form a composite material named Im@Eu-MOF.

Long non-coding RNA NORAD functions as a microRNA-204-5p sponge to repress the progression of Parkinson's disease in vitro by increasing the solute carrier family 5 member 3 expression.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common neurodegenerative disorders. Long non-coding RNAs have important regulatory values in various human diseases. Non-coding RNA Activated by DNA Damage (NORAD) was reported to regulate PD progression in vitro, but its functional mechanism is fully unknown.

Proximity ligation assays for precise quantification of femtomolar proteins in single cells using self-priming microfluidic dPCR chip.

The quantification of low concentration proteins can facilitate the discovery of some significant biomarkers, and provide us a more profound understanding of cell heterogeneity when applied to single cell analysis. However, most state-of- art single cell protein detection platforms are bulky, expensive and complicated. Here we report a simple and low cost microfluidic dPCR (digital polymerase chain reaction) chip-based proximity ligation assay (PLA) for the quantification of low concentration proteins.

A new method using machine learning for automated image analysis applied to chip-based digital assays.

Chip-based digital assays such as the digital polymerase chain reaction (digital PCR), digital loop-mediated amplification (digital LAMP), digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (digital ELISA) and digital proximity ligation assay (digital PLA) need high-throughput quantification of the captured fluorescence image data. However, traditional methods that are mainly based on image segmentation using either a fixed threshold or an automated hard threshold failed to extract valid signals over a broad range of image characteristics. In this study, we introduce a new method for automated image analysis to extract signals applied to chip-based digital assays.

A highly integrated real-time digital PCR device for accurate DNA quantitative analysis.

Misclassification of positive partitions in microfluidic digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) can cause the false positives and false negatives, which significantly alter the resulting estimate of target DNA molecules. To address this issue, establishing real-time fluorescence interrogation of each partition in microfluidic arrays is an effective way in which false positive and false negative partitions can be eliminated. However, currently available devices for real-time fluorescence interrogation are either not competent for microfluidic digital array, or they are bulky, expensive and entail peripheral equipment due to low integration.

High throughput single cell separation and identification using a self-priming isometric and Equant screw valve-based (SIES) microfluidic chip.

The emergence of various single cell separation and identification platforms has greatly promoted the development of single cell research. Among these platforms, microfluidic chip-based strategies occupy a significant position in single cell separation and identification. Here, we proposed a self-priming isometric and Equant screw valve-based microfluidic chip (SIES chip) for high throughput single cell isolation and identification.

Smartphone-based mobile digital PCR device for DNA quantitative analysis with high accuracy.

Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) circumventing the external calibration and potentially providing absolute quantification of nucleic acids has become an increasingly popular manifestation of PCR in biological researches. However, currently reported or commercial dPCR devices are not suitable for applications in laboratories or zones with limited infrastructures, due to low function integration, cost-inefficiency, or weak mobility. Herein, in order to enable accurate DNA quantitative analysis in such situations, we have developed a smartphone-based mobile dPCR device integrated with thermal cycling control, on-chip dPCR, data acquisition, and result analysis.

[Effects of sodium tanshinone II A sulfonate on proliferation of fibroblasts in scar and the mRNA and protein expressions of transforming growth factor beta 1 and alpha smooth muscle actin].

Objective: To study the effects of sodium tanshinone II A sulfonate (STS) on proliferation of fibroblasts (Fbs) in human hypertrophic scar (HS), the mRNA and protein expressions of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and to investigate the scar inhibition mechanism of STS.

Methods: Fbs were isolated from HS tissues that were removed from eight patients after burn injury, and they were cultured in vitro. Cells from the 3rd to the 6th passages were used in the experiment.

Effects of trichlorfon on maternal estrous cycle, oocyte maturation, and near-term fetal developmental outcome in mice.

Trichlorfon (TCF) is a widely used broad-spectrum agricultural organophosphate (OP) pesticide. Few studies have evaluated the effects of TCF on reproductive toxicity after low-level exposure, especially after long-term exposure. This study assessed the direct effects of TCF on estrous cycle, oocyte maturation in female mice, and developmental outcome in near-term fetuses after 30 consecutive days of maternal exposure to 2, 10, or 50 mg/kg body weight/d TCF via drinking water.

Effects of repeated maternal oral exposure to low levels of trichlorfon on development and cytogenetic toxicity in 3-day mouse embryos.

Trichlorfon is a widely used broad-spectrum agricultural insecticide. Few studies have evaluated the effects of trichlorfon on developing fetuses, especially at early stages of development after low-level maternal exposures. In this study, we evaluated the direct effects of trichlorfon on preimplantation mouse embryos after 30days of maternal exposure (2, 10 and 50mg/kg/day) via drinking water.

The endogenous hydrogen sulfide producing enzyme cystathionine-beta synthase contributes to visceral hypersensitivity in a rat model of irritable bowel syndrome.

Background: The pathogenesis of visceral hypersensitivity, a characteristic pathophysiological feature of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), remains elusive. Recent studies suggest a role for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in pain signaling but this has not been well studied in visceral models of hyperalgesia. We therefore determined the role for the endogenous H2S producing enzyme cystathionine-beta-synthetase (CBS) in a validated rat model of IBS-like chronic visceral hyperalgesia (CVH).

[Relationship between fibrinogen level and pathogenesis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss].

Objective: To study the relationship between fibrinogen level and pathogenesis of sudden sensorineural hearing loss(SSHI.).

Method: Fifty patients (55 ears) with SSHL within 7 days of the onset were studied: a control group was consist of 50 normal-hearing people who were individually matched on a pairwise basis according to the same gender and age.