Risk assessment of rare earth elements in fruits and vegetables from mining areas in China.

Assessment of contaminated food through the dietary intake is essential for human health. To investigate the health risk of rare earth element (REE) exposure to fruits and vegetables in mining areas in China, we collected 288 fruit samples and 942 vegetable samples from four representative mining points (Bayan Obo in Inner Mongolia, Weishan in Shandong, Maoming in Guangdong, Longnan in Jiangxi) and their control areas. The content of REEs was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Isoalantolactone Enhances the Antitumor Activity of Doxorubicin by Inducing Reactive Oxygen Species and DNA Damage.

Colon cancer is one of the most common cancer in the world. Doxorubicin (DOX) is a classical anti-tumor drug which widely used in treatment of cancers, however, high toxicity limited its further clinical application. Thus, it is urgent to find new drugs with low toxicity and high efficiency to treat colon cancer.

Integrating Cultural Humility Into Infant Safe Sleep Counseling: A Pediatric Resident Simulation.

Introduction: Co-sleeping with infants is a common practice across cultures, but pediatricians may struggle to engage in patient-centered conversations about infant sleep practices with non-native English- speaking families. Cultural humility is a critical skill to utilize when engaging in cross-cultural conversations. We designed a simulation for pediatric residents to counsel on safe sleep and enhance skills in self-perceived cultural humility and preparedness when caring for diverse patient populations.

Dihydroartemisinin enhances the anti-tumor activity of oxaliplatin in colorectal cancer cells by altering PRDX2-reactive oxygen species-mediated multiple signaling pathways.

Background: Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Oxaliplatin based treatments are frequently used as chemotherapeutic methods for CRC, however, associated side effects and drug resistance often limit their clinical application. Dihydroartemisinin (DHA) induces apoptosis in various cancer cells by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Intragenic recombination within the p allele of the pink-eyed dilution locus in pre-melanocytes and primordial germ cells of embryonic mice treated with N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea.

The forward or reverse processes of intragenic recombination (IGR), which occur through the addition or deletion of duplicated homologous exons of the p allele in Pun mice, was observed in vivo, after introducing an homozygous p allele in a C57BL/6 background. We assessed the frequency of IGR upon N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) treatment of pre-melanocytes (PMCs: somatic cells) and primordial germ cells (PGCs: germ cells) of embryonic mice at 10.5 days of development (E10.

YYFZBJS inhibits colorectal tumorigenesis by enhancing Tregs-induced immunosuppression through HIF-1α mediated hypoxia in vivo and in vitro.

Background And Purpose: The occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with a variety of factors. Accumulating evidence shows that peripheral differentiation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) is critical in controlling tumorigenesis. Our previous studies demonstrated that the Yi-Yi-Fu-Zi-Bai-Jiang-San (YYFZBJS) extract exerted potent anticancer activities by significantly enhancing immunosuppression in Apc mice.

Random-Forest-Algorithm-Based Applications of the Basic Characteristics and Serum and Imaging Biomarkers to Diagnose Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered the early stage of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The purpose of our study was to analyze the basic characteristics and serum and imaging biomarkers for the diagnosis of MCI patients as a more objective and accurate approach.

Methods: The Montreal Cognitive Test was used to test 119 patients aged ≥65.

Effects of M/G Ratios of Sodium Alginate on Physicochemical Stability and Calcium Release Behavior of Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by Calcium Carbonate.

The gel properties of sodium alginate (SA) have been revealed to be strongly correlated with its ratio of D-mannuronate to L-guluronate (M/G ratio). Herein, we focused on SA with different M/G ratios to conduct an in-depth study on the effect of the M/G ratio difference on physicochemical stability and calcium release behavior of the Pickering emulsion stabilized by calcium carbonate (CaCO). The oil phase was added to the aqueous phase, prepared by SA with different M/G ratios (2.

Phenotypic and genetic changes associated with the seesaw effect in MRSA strain N315 in a bioreactor model.

Objectives: Over the past decade, daptomycin treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections has led to the emergence of daptomycin nonsusceptible (DAP-NS) MRSA strains and a subsequent interest in combinatorial antibiotic therapies. We investigated the phenotypic and genetic changes associated with the seesaw effect, which describes the correlation between daptomycin resistance and increased β-lactam susceptibility in DAP-NS MRSA and the reverse phenomenon of DAP-NS strains acquiring renewed susceptibility to daptomycin after β-lactam exposure.

Methods: A continuous bioreactor model was used to study the effects of incremental doses of daptomycin followed by oxacillin on MRSA strain N315.

Identification of hub genes associated with COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), emerged in late 2019, was caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The risk factors for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and COVID-19 are reported to be common. This study aimed to determine the potential role of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) common in IPF and COVID-19.

High Prevalence and Low Awareness of Mild Cognitive Impairment in a Suburban Community in Shanghai.

Background: The prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), herein China, was without involving the suburban communities, where the awareness of MCI still remains extremely weak.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of MCI in the Chinese residents aged ≥65 in the suburban communities of Shanghai, China, and study the awareness of MCI in terms of its symptom, prevention, and intervention.

Methods: A total of 925 suburban community residents aged ≥65 were evaluated with a series of clinical examinations and scale questionnaire, and 600 participated in a five-dimension questionnaire survey pertaining to the awareness of MCI.

Expert consensus on the use of omalizumab in chronic urticaria in China.

Chronic urticaria (CU) is a debilitating skin disease that lasts for more than 6 weeks with wheals and/or angioedema, including chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) and chronic inducible urticaria (CIndU). In China, the prevalence of this disease is high, more than 1%, and on the rise. CU has a major impact on the quality of life (QoL) of patients who frequently experience sleep disturbance, depression, and anxiety.

Synergistic interaction of renewable nipagin and eugenol for aromatic copoly(ether ester) materials with desired performance.

Naturally occurring nipagin and eugenol were used as the collaborative starting materials for poly(ether ester) polymers. In this study, two series of nipagin and eugenol-derived copoly(ether ester)s, PHN1E1 and PHN1E2 (x = 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%), were prepared with renewable 1,6-hexanediol as a comonomer. The nipagin-derived component acts as the renewable surrogate of petroleum-based dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), while the eugenol-derived component acts as the cooperative property modifier of parent homopoly(ether ester) PHN1.

YYFZBJS inhibits colorectal tumorigenesis by remodeling gut microbiota and influence on M2 macrophage polarization and .

Our previous studies indicated that the extract of Yi-Yi-Fu-Zi-Bai-Jiang-San (YYFZBJS) had potent anticancer activities by significantly inhibiting intestinal tumor development in mice. However, knowledge regarding the mechanism and effect of YYFZBJS in the prevention of colorectal cancer is limited. In this study, we aim to investigate the preventive effects of YYFZBJS in (ETBF)-colonized mice with azoxymethane (AOM)/dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced tumorigenesis.

Protective effects of sodium selenite on insulin secretion and diabetic retinopathy in rats with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of sodium selenite on pancreatic β cells and diabetic retinopathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) rats. Diabetes was induced by administration of streptozotocin (STZ) and both diabetic and control animals were treated with sodium selenite to measure body weight, food and water intake as well as blood glucose level. Additionally, immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the levels of insulin secretion in pancreatic β cells.

Follicular development in livestock: Influencing factors and underlying mechanisms.

Livestock farming development has become increasingly important in recent years. It not only provides us with meat nutrition and pet feeding but also increases the economic value by providing numerous employment opportunities, which improves our life quality. The livestock farming development depends on successful animal reproduction.

Genome-Guided Discovery of Highly Oxygenated Aromatic Polyketides, Saccharothrixins D-M, from the Rare Marine Actinomycete sp. D09.

Angucyclines and angucyclinones are aromatic polyketides with intriguing structures and therapeutic value. Genome mining of the rare marine actinomycete sp. D09 led to the identification of a type II polyketide synthase biosynthetic gene cluster, , which encodes several distinct subclasses of oxidoreductases, implying that this strain has the potential to produce novel polycyclic aromatic polyketides with unusual redox modifications.

The Impact of Inflammatory Immune Reactions of the Vascular Niche on Organ Fibrosis.

Inflammation is a type of defense response against tissue damage, and can be mediated by lymphocytes and macrophages. Fibrosis is induced by tissue injury and inflammation, which leads to an increase in fibrous connective tissue in organs and a decrease in organ parenchyma cells, finally leading to organ dysfunction or even failure. The vascular niche is composed of endothelial cells, pericytes, macrophages, and hematopoietic stem cells.

Exploring the Role of Health Expenditure and Maternal Mortality in South Asian Countries: An Approach towards Shaping Better Health Policy.

Accomplishing unremitting favorable health outcomes, especially reducing maternal mortality, remains a challenge for South Asian countries. This study explores the relationship between health expenditure and maternal mortality by using data set consisting of 18 years from 2000 to 2017. Fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS) models were employed for the empirical analysis.

Plastination of a sperm whale.

In 2016, two adult male sperm whales beached off of Yangkou Port in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province, China. The local government planned to preserve them as specimens, one was entrusted to Dalian Hoffen Biological Co., Ltd.

The Role of Ku70 as a Cytosolic DNA Sensor in Innate Immunity and Beyond.

Human Ku70 is a well-known endogenous nuclear protein involved in the non-homologous end joining pathway to repair double-stranded breaks in DNA. However, Ku70 has been studied in multiple contexts and grown into a multifunctional protein. In addition to the extensive functional study of Ku70 in DNA repair process, many studies have emphasized the role of Ku70 in various other cellular processes, including apoptosis, aging, and HIV replication.

Low temperature thermal desorption-chemical oxidation hybrid process for the remediation of organic contaminated model soil: A case study.

The efficiencies of thermal desorption and oxidation process in engineering soil remediation are to some extent limited due to the huge loss of heat to the soil or underground water or mass transfer resistance in the soil. To enhance the oxidation and improve the energy utilization. Herein, the thermal desorption process and the oxidation process (by ozone) are combined together to remediate the organic contaminated model soil (take the 2,4-dimethylaniline (2,4-DMA) as pollutant).

Architecture of the cancellous bone in human proximal tibia based on P45 sectional plastinated specimens.

Purpose: To reveal differences in the pattern of trabecular architecture in the epiphysis and metaphysis of the proximal tibia.

Methods: The trabecular architecture of the proximal tibia was observed in 27 P45 plastinated knee specimens.

Results: In the medial and lateral condyles, under the articular cartilage surrounded by the medial or lateral meniscus, the cancellous bone is formed by thick and dense trabecular bands, which run longitudinally in the epiphysis and then pass through the epiphyseal line to terminate on the slanted cortex of the metaphysis.

Comparing the Traditional Versus Conservative Endodontic Access Cavities Design of the Maxillary First Molar: Using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography.

BACKGROUND This study aimed to compare the size and location of the traditional and conservative endodontic access cavities of the right maxillary first molar teeth, projected on the occlusal surface using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), to obtain an ideal access cavity. MATERIAL AND METHODS Five hundred CBCT images of the right maxillary first molars, including 198 males and 302 females, were retrospectively evaluated using KaVo eXam Vision software. First, a rectangular coordinate system was established.

The Discovery and Biosynthesis of Nicotinic Myxochelins from an sp. SDU34.

Myxobacteria are a prolific source of structurally diverse natural products, and one of the best-studied myxobacterial products is the siderophore myxochelin. Herein, we report two new compounds, myxochelins N () and O (), that are nicotinic paralogs of myxochelin A, from the terrestrial myxobacterium sp. SDU34; is functionalized with a rare 2-oxazolidinone.