Mucin1 N-domain variant contributes to dry eye syndrome in diabetes by increasing immature mucus secretory granules.

Background: Diabetes-associated dry eye syndrome (DMDES) affects 20-54 % of diabetes, leading to ocular irritation and blurry vision. Decreased conjunctival goblet cell mucus secretion is one of the major pathological processes of DMDES. This study aims to investigate the mechanism of mucus granule maturation and secretion disturbance in DMDES.

Whether mindfulness-guided therapy can be a new direction for the rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson's disease: a network meta-analysis of non-pharmacological alternative motor-/sensory-based interventions.

Background: The treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) consumes a lot of manpower and financial resources. Non-pharmacological alternative motor-/sensory-based interventions are optimized for the rehabilitation of PD patients. Mindfulness-based therapy shows ideal efficacy, but the diversity of the therapy brings difficulties to the selection of clinicians and patients.

Therapeutic strategies targeting AMPK-dependent autophagy in cancer cells.

Macroautophagy is a health-modifying process of engulfing misfolded or aggregated proteins or damaged organelles, coating these proteins or organelles into vesicles, fusion of vesicles with lysosomes to form autophagic lysosomes, and degradation of the encapsulated contents. It is also a self-rescue strategy in response to harsh environments and plays an essential role in cancer cells. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the central pathway that regulates autophagy initiation and autophagosome formation by phosphorylating targets such as mTORC1 and unc-51 like activating kinase 1 (ULK1).

Adsorption of metolachlor by a novel magnetic illite-biochar and recovery from soil.

In this study, we investigated a highly efficient adsorbent that can be recycled from the soil. Walnut shells were used as raw materials to prepare original ecological biochar (OBC), illite modified biochar (IBC), FeCl modified biochar (magnetic biochar; MBC), and illite and FeCl modified biochar (IMBC), which were tested as low-cost adsorbents. The agents were used to remove metolachlor (MET) from soil.

The role of NO in COVID-19 and potential therapeutic strategies.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical playing an important pathophysiological role in cardiovascular and immune systems. Recent studies reported that NO levels were significantly lower in patients with COVID-19, which was suggested to be closely related to vascular dysfunction and immune inflammation among them. In this review, we examine the potential role of NO during SARS-CoV-2 infection from the perspective of the unique physical, chemical and biological properties and potential mechanisms of NO in COVID-19, as well as possible therapeutic strategies using inhaled NO.

The effects of Japanese encephalitis virus antibodies on Zika virus infection.

Recently, Zika virus (ZIKV) has become more widespread, thus attracting global attention. The vaccine against Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is currently used in China, being included in planned immunisation regimes. Although ZIKV and JEV are closely related mosquito-borne Flaviviruses, and a complex cross-immune response within flaviviruses has been demonstrated, the effect of JEV vaccination on ZIKV infection has not been well described.