Clinical, radiological, pathological and prognostic features of general paresis: a cohort study.

General paresis is a rare type of syphilis characterized by progressive cognitive impairment and psychiatric syndromes. It is often misdiagnosed because of its rarity and similarity with other diseases. We aimed to comprehensively investigate the clinical, radiological, pathological, and prognostic features of general paresis, and compare it with other dementias.

The complete chloroplast genome sequences of three lilies: genome structure, comparative genomic and phylogenetic analyses.

We sequenced and analyzed the complete chloroplast genomes of Lilium amoenum, Lilium souliei, and Nomocharis forrestii in detail, including the first sequence and structural comparison of Nomocharis forrestii. We found that the lengths and nucleotide composition of the three chloroplast genes showed little variation. The chloroplast genomes of the three Lilium species contain 87 protein coding genes (PCGs), 38 tRNAs, and 8 rRNA genes.

[Spatial distribution characteristics of metabolities in rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis: based on MALDI-MSI].

In this study, a method was established for in-situ visualization of metabolite distribution in the rhizome of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis. To be specific, through matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry imaging(MALDI-MSI), the spatial locations of steroidal saponins, amino acids, organic acids, phytosterols, phytoecdysones, nucleosides, and esters in rhizome of the medicinal plant were directly analyzed, and six unknown compounds with differential distribution in rhizome tissues were identified.

[Segmental Zoster Paresis:Report of One Case and Literature Review].

Segmental zoster paresis(SZP)is a rare complication in herpes zoster infection,with its symptoms often neglected due to the co-existence of pain.Here we reported a case of SZP.Also,we analyzed 42 Chinese SZP cases in literature,which revealed that the male to female ratio of SZP patients was 13∶8,and the median age of disease onset was 65 years.

Dual-Metal -Heterocyclic Carbene Complex (M = Au and Pd)-Functionalized UiO-67 MOF for Alkyne Hydration-Suzuki Coupling Tandem Reaction.

Metal -heterocyclic carbene complexes (NHC-M) have been recognized as an important class of organometallic catalysts. Herein, we demonstrate that different NHC-M (M = Au and Pd) species can be simultaneously introduced into a single metal organic framework (MOF) by direct assembly of NHC-M-decorated ligands and metal ions under solvothermal conditions. The obtained MOF with different organometallic NHC-M species can be a highly reusable dual catalyst to sequentially promote alkyne hydration-Suzuki coupling reaction.

Electrical and Structural Dual Function of Oxygen Vacancies for Promoting Electrochemical Capacitance in Tungsten Oxide.

Intrinsic defects, including oxygen vacancies, can efficiently modify the electrochemical performance of metal oxides. There is, however, a limited understanding of how vacancies influence charge storage properties. Here, using tungsten oxide as a model system, an extensive study of the effects of structure, electrical properties, and charge storage properties of oxygen vacancies is carried out using both experimental and computational techniques.

RP11-81H3.2 Acts as an Oncogene via microRNA-490-3p Inhibition and Consequential Tankyrase 2 Up-Regulation in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious threat to human lives and is usually diagnosed at the late stages. Recently, there has been a rapid advancement in the treatment options for HCC, but novel therapeutic targets are still needed, especially for precision medicine.

Aims: We aimed to investigate the involvement of non-coding RNA RP11-81H3.

Porous organic polymer with generated palladium nanoparticles as a phase-transfer catalyst for Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction in water.

A new Pd nanoparticle loaded and imidazolium-ionic liquid decorated organic polymer of Pd@PTC-POP was readily fabricated a Pd(PPh) catalysed one-pot Suzuki cross-coupling reaction between imidazolium attached dibromobenzene and 1,3,5-tri(4-pinacholatoborolanephenyl)benzene. Besides the high thermal and chemical stability, the obtained Pd@PTC-POP can be used as a highly active and reusable phase-transfer solid catalyst to promote the Sonogashira coupling reaction in water. The obtained results indicate that the Pd@PTC-POP herein could create a versatile family of solid phase transfer catalysts for promoting a broad scope of reactions carried out in water.

Nickel-metalated porous organic polymer for Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction.

A new Ni(ii)-α-diimine-based porous organic polymer, namely Ni(ii)-α-diimine-POP, was constructed in high yield the Sonogashira coupling reaction between the metallo-building block of Ni(ii)-α-diimine and 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene. Besides the high thermal and chemical stability, the obtained Ni(ii)-α-diimine-POP can be a highly active reusable heterogeneous catalyst to promote the Suzuki-Miyaura coupling reaction. The obtained results indicate that the Ni(ii)-α-diimine-POP herein is a promising sustainable alternative to the Pd-based catalysts for catalysing the C-C formation in a heterogeneous way.

Upregulated expression of serum exosomal miR-375 and miR-1307 enhance the diagnostic power of CA125 for ovarian cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is associated with high mortality in gynecological oncology; this is mainly due to the low diagnosis rate. Exosomal miRNA has demonstrated potential as a tumor biomarker. We aimed to explore the diagnostic potential of serum exosomal miR-1307 and miR-375 for OC.

Kinetics and removal formula of methyl mercaptan by ethanol absorption without neglecting solute accumulation.

The wet scrubbing process is commonly adopted for organic odor treatment. In this study, methyl mercaptan (CHSH) was selected as a representative hydrophobic organic odorant which was treated using an ethanol solution in a scrubbing tower. Results showed that the ethanol solution can retain the ideal CHSH removal effect for 2.

Computer-aided identification of protein targets of four polyphenols in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and validation in a mouse AD model.

Natural polyphenols are a large class of phytochemicals with neuroprotective effects. Four polyphenolic compounds: hesperidin, icariin, dihydromyricetin and baicalin were selected to evaluate their effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD). We analyzed by an inverse docking procedure (INVDOCK) the potential protein targets of these polyphenols within the KEGG AD pathway.

Tumor-associated autoantibodies are useful biomarkers in immunodiagnosis of α-fetoprotein-negative hepatocellular carcinoma.

Aim: To determine the prevalence and diagnostic value of autoantibodies in α-fetoprotein (AFP)-negative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods: Fifty-six serum samples from AFP-negative HCC cases, 86 from AFP-positive HCC cases, 168 from chronic liver disease cases, and 59 from normal human controls were included in this study. Autoantibodies to nucleophosmin (NPM)1, 14-3-3zeta and mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2) proteins in AFP-negative HCC serum were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Evaluation of a New IFN-γ Release Assay for Rapid Diagnosis of Active Tuberculosis in a High-Incidence Setting.

Blood-based interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) have been proven to be useful in the diagnosis of () infection. However, IGRAs have not been recommended for clinical practice in most low-income settings due to cost-intensive limitations and shortage of clinical data available. The established T-SPOT.

Sendai Virus Mucosal Vaccination Establishes Lung-Resident Memory CD8 T Cell Immunity and Boosts BCG-Primed Protection against TB in Mice.

Accumulating evidence has shown the protective role of CD8 T cells in vaccine-induced immunity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) despite controversy over their role in natural immunity. However, the current vaccine BCG is unable to induce sufficient CD8 T cell responses, especially in the lung. Sendai virus, a respiratory RNA virus, is here engineered firstly as a novel recombinant anti-TB vaccine (SeV85AB) that encodes Mtb immuno-dominant antigens, Ag85A and Ag85B.

Decreased Expression of Hsa_circ_00001649 in Gastric Cancer and Its Clinical Significance.

. It has been reported that circRNAs are differentially expressed in a wide range of cancers and could be used as a new biomarker for diagnosis. However, the correlation between circRNAs and gastric cancer (GC) it is still unclear.

Detection of OSR2, VAV3, and PPFIA3 Methylation in the Serum of Patients with Gastric Cancer.

Aim: This study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of OSR2, VAV3, and PPFIA3 hypermethylation in gastric cancer (GC) patients.

Patients And Methods: By using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP), we detected the methylation status in tissue and serum samples from 48 gastric cancer (GC) patients and 25 normal individuals.

Results: We found that OSR2, VAV3, and PPFIA3 were methylated in 70.

Adenylate kinase: a novel antigen for immunodiagnosis and subunit vaccine against tuberculosis.

Unlabelled: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb)-derived antigens capable of inducing strong cellular and/or humoral responses are potential targets for both immunodiagnosis and vaccine development against tuberculosis (TB). In the present study, we identified adenylate kinase (ADK, Rv0733) as an antigen that induces high cellular and antibody responses in active TB patients.

Boosting BCG-primed mice with chimeric DNA vaccine HG856A induces potent multifunctional T cell responses and enhanced protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

The tuberculosis pandemic continues to rampage despite widespread use of the current Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. Because DNA vaccines can elicit effective antigen-specific immune responses, including potent T cell-mediated immunity, they are promising vehicles for antigen delivery. In a prime-boost approach, they can supplement the inadequate anti-TB immunological memory induced by BCG.

Detection of SNCA and FBN1 methylation in the stool as a biomarker for colorectal cancer.

Aim: We examined the methylation status of SNCA and FBN1 genes in patients' paired tissue and stool samples for detection of colorectal cancer (CRC).

Patients And Methods: 89 DNA tissue samples (normal/cancer) and corresponding stool samples were analyzed in our study. In addition, 30 stool samples were collected as healthy controls.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 upregulates the expression of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in human breast cancer MCF-7 cells.

Aim: To investigate whether rhTGF-beta1 or a recombinant vector encoding a fusion protein comprising an extracellular domain of TGF-beta receptor II and an IgG Fc fragment) affects the regulation of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) expression in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells.

Methods: MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with rhTGF-beta1 or transfected with a recombinant vector, pIRES2-EGFP-TbetaRII-Fc. Expression of CXCR4 in these cells was then analyzed at the mRNA and protein levels by quantitative RT-PCR and flow cytometry assay, respectively.

Downregulation of transferrin receptor surface expression by intracellular antibody.

To deplete cellular iron uptake, and consequently inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells, we attempt to block surface expression of transferrin receptor (TfR) by intracellular antibody technology. We constructed two expression plasmids (scFv-HAK and scFv-HA) coding for intracellular single-chain antibody against TfR with or without endoplasmic reticulum (ER) retention signal, respectively. Then they were transfected tumor cells MCF-7 by liposome.

Human scFv antibody fragments specific for hepatocellular carcinoma selected from a phage display library.

Aim: To identify the scFv antibody fragments specific for hepatocellular carcinoma by biopanning from a large human naive scFv phage display library.

Methods: A large human naive scFv phage library was used to search for the specific targets by biopanning with the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 for the positive-selecting and the normal liver cell line L02 for the counter-selecting. After three rounds of biopanning, individual scFv phages binding selectively to HepG2 cells were picked out.

Construction and co-expression of bicistronic plasmid encoding human WEE1 and stem cell factor.

To protect the hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) from apoptosis induced by chemotherapy and promote HSC proliferation, bi-functional gene delivery systems are increasingly investigated in gene therapy. In the present study, we constructed a bicistronic vector, pWISG, expressing the anti-apoptotic protein human WEE1 (WEE1Hu) and the fusion protein of the proliferation-stimulating stem cell factor (SCF) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) separately with internal ribosome entry site (IRES). We first examined the expression and location of WEE1Hu in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells and showed that WEE1Hu was located in the nucleus, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.

Effects of artemisinin on action potentials from C-type nodose ganglion neurons.

Aim: To investigate the effects of artemisinin (Art) on the action potentials (AP) recorded from identified C-type nodose neurons and study its anti-arrhythmic and anesthetic mechanisms.

Methods: Neonatal and adult rats were selected for the preparation of isolated nodose ganglia neurons (NGN) and nodose ganglion-vagus slice preparation. Somatic AP were recorded from both isolated and slice NGN using whole-cell patch technique.