Effect of Delayed Remote Ischemic Preconditioning on Acute Kidney Injury and Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has 2 time windows for organ protection: acute and delayed. Previous studies have mainly focused on the organoprotective effects of acute RIPC. We aimed to determine whether delayed RIPC can reduce the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and postoperative complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Evaluation of Quantitative Dual-Energy Computed Tomography Parameters for Differentiation of Parotid Gland Tumors.

Rationale And Objectives: To assess the diagnostic performance of quantitative parameters from dual-energy CT (DECT) in differentiating parotid gland tumors (PGTs).

Materials And Methods: 101 patients with 108 pathologically proved PGTs were enrolled and classified into four groups: pleomorphic adenomas (PAs), warthin tumors (WTs), other benign tumors (OBTs), and malignant tumors (MTs). Conventional CT attenuation and DECT quantitative parameters, including iodine concentration (IC), normalized iodine concentration (NIC), effective atomic number (Z), electron density (Rho), double energy index (DEI), and the slope of the spectral Hounsfield unit curve (λ), were obtained and compared between benign tumors (BTs) and MTs, and further compared among the four subgroups.

Aptamer-based nanointerferometer enables amplification-free ultrasensitive detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

The state-of-the-art SARS-CoV-2 detection methods include qRT-PCR and antibody-based lateral flow assay (LFA) point-of-care tests. Despite the high sensitivity and selectivity, qRT-PCR is slow, expensive and needs well-trained operators. On the other extreme, LFA suffers from low sensitivity albeit its fast detection speed, low detection cost and ease of use.

Soluble CTLA-4 mutants ameliorate immune-related adverse events but preserve efficacy of CTLA-4- and PD-1-targeted immunotherapy.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as nivolumab and ipilimumab, not only elicit antitumor responses in a wide range of human cancers but also cause severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs), including death. A largely unmet medical need is to treat irAEs without abrogating the immunotherapeutic effect of ICIs. Although abatacept has been used to treat irAEs, it risks neutralizing the anti-cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) monoclonal antibodies administered for cancer therapy, thereby reducing the efficacy of anti-CTLA-4 immunotherapy.

Targeting FTO Suppresses Cancer Stem Cell Maintenance and Immune Evasion.

Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), an RNA N-methyladenosine (mA) demethylase, plays oncogenic roles in various cancers, presenting an opportunity for the development of effective targeted therapeutics. Here, we report two potent small-molecule FTO inhibitors that exhibit strong anti-tumor effects in multiple types of cancers. We show that genetic depletion and pharmacological inhibition of FTO dramatically attenuate leukemia stem/initiating cell self-renewal and reprogram immune response by suppressing expression of immune checkpoint genes, especially LILRB4.

Large-scale Two-dimensional MoS Catalyst Prepared under Mild Conditions for Enhancing Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

As an electrocatalyst with abundant resources and great potential, molybdenum disulfide is regarded as one of the most likely alternatives to expensive noble-metals catalysts. However, it is still a challenge to achieve large scale production of few-layer MoS with enhancing activity of electrocatalytic hydrogen reaction at ambient conditions. Herein, we developed a simple environmentally friendly two-step method, which included intercalation reaction and a subsequent electrochemical reduction reaction for mass preparation of defect-rich desulfurized MoS (D-MoS ) nanosheets with plentiful sulfur vacancies.

Gemcitabine and Cisplatin Induction Chemotherapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

Background: Platinum-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard of care for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Additional gemcitabine and cisplatin induction chemotherapy has shown promising efficacy in phase 2 trials.

Methods: In a parallel-group, multicenter, randomized, controlled, phase 3 trial, we compared gemcitabine and cisplatin as induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy with concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone.

Molecular Mechanisms and New Treatment Paradigm for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation represents the most common arrhythmia leading to increased morbidity and mortality, yet, current treatment strategies have proven inadequate. Conventional treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs carries a high risk for proarrhythmias. The soluble epoxide hydrolase enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of anti-inflammatory epoxy fatty acids, including epoxyeicosatrienoic acids from arachidonic acid to the corresponding proinflammatory diols.

[Effect of Benzo [α]pryene and Butylated Hydroxylanisole on Learning and Memory in Rats].

Objective: To investigate the neurotoxic effect of benzo[α]pryene (B[α]P) and protective effect of butylated hydroxyl anisole (BHA) on learning and memory in hippocampus of rats.

Methods: Ninety male, SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, solvent control group, B[α]P exposed group [(2 mg/(kg x d)], BRA group [50 mg/(kg x d)] and B[α]P + BHA combined group. Rats were given the appropriate dose oral treatment according to body mass and group (the same volume of saline and peanut oil were given to blank and solvent control group, respectively) for 90 d.

[Effects of citalopram on the expression of PCNA and C-fos and cell apoptosis in rat frontal cortical neurons after stress].

Objective: To study the effects of citalopram on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and proto-oncogene protein (C-fos) and cell apoptosis in frontal cortical neurons of rat after stress.

Methods: Twenty four healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 8): control group, stress group (treated with saline, ig) , experimental group (treated with Citalopram 4 mg/kg x d for 28 days, ig). Rats were forced to swim to establish chronic stress model.

Effect of zibushenjing fang on skeletal development and brain tissue antioxidation in mice with kidney essence insufficiency: a mechanistic study.

Objective: To investigate the effects of Zibushenjing Fang (formula for tonifying the kidney essence) on skeletal development and brain tissue antioxidation in mice with kidney essence insufficiency.

Methods: Fifty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, model group, Jinkuishenqi Wan group, Zibushenjing Fang high dose group, and Zibushenjing Fang low dose group, with 10 mice in each group. The model of kidney essence insufficiency syndrome was established in all the mice except the normal group by using a cat to threaten the mice and by swimming until exhaustion daily which lasted about 21 days.

[Clinical diagnosis and treatment in an outbreak of Fasciola gigantica infection in Yunnan Province].

Objective: To carry out clinical diagnosis and treatment of Fasciola gigantica infection during an outbreak in Yunnan Province.

Methods: Data on epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment were collected from 27 patients. A questionnaire survey to the patients and partial villagers was carried out including history of raw food-eating and pet-raising.

Precision measurement of the B → Xs γ photon energy spectrum, branching fraction, and direct CP asymmetry A(CP)((B → X(s+d)γ).

The photon spectrum in the inclusive electromagnetic radiative decays of the B meson, B → X(s)γ plus B → X(d)γ, is studied using a data sample of (382.8 ± 4.2) × 10(6)Υ(4S) → BB decays collected by the BABAR experiment at SLAC.

[Protective effects and anticoagulation effect of polysaccharides from the sea cucumber on acute incomplete cerebral ischemia in rats].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect and anticoagulation effect of polysaccharides from the sea cucumber (PSU) on acute incomplete cerebral ischemia (AICI).

Methods: Adult SD rats were randomly divided into 5 group (n = 12): sham operation group, model group, low-dose (30 mg/(kg x d)), middle-dose (60 mg/(kg x d)) and high-dose (120 mg/(kg x d)) groups. The cerebral ischemia rat model was established by permanently ligating the common carotid arteries on both sides of rats.

Effect of zibu shenjing fang (see text) on growth and development of the mouse with kidney-essence insufficiency and study on the mechanism.

Objective: To investigate effects of Zibu Shenjing Fang (see text) on growth and development of the mouse with insufficiency ofkidney-essence and the mechanism.

Methods: Total 50 mice were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a Jingui Shenqi Wan (see text) group, a Zibu Shenjing Fang high dose group and a Zibu Shenjing Fang low dose group, 10 mice in each group. The kidney-essence insufficiency mouse model was established by use of threat-injuring the kidney combined with over-fatigue.

Immunostimulatory activities of a low molecular weight antitumoral polysaccharide isolated from Agaricus blazei Murill (LMPAB) in Sarcoma 180 ascitic tumor-bearing mice.

LMPAB is a linear beta-(1-3)-glucan we isolated from polysaccharide extract of Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM). Effects of LMPAB on splenic natural killer (NK) cell activity, splenocyte proliferation, index of spleen and thymus, IFN-gamma expression in spleen and the concentration of IL-12, IL-18 and TNF-alpha in serum of S180 ascitic tumor-bearing mice were detected. The results showed that intraperitoneal injection of LMPAB (100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) significantly increased the thymus index.

Measurement of B-->Xgamma decays and determination of |Vtd/Vts|.

Using a sample of 383 x 10;{6} BB[over ] events collected by the BABAR experiment, we measure sums of seven exclusive final states B-->X_{d(s)}gamma, where X_{d}(X_{s}) is a nonstrange (strange) charmless hadronic system in the mass range 0.6-1.8 GeV/c;{2}.

[Effect of astragalus on calcium accumulation and SERCA2a gene expression in myocardial tissues in rats with pressure overload-induced left ventricular hypertrophy].

Objective: To investigate the effect of astragalus (As) on calcium accumulation and SERCA2a gene expression in left ventricular tissues in rats with pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy.

Method: cardiac hypertrophy was induced by clipping the abdominal aorta in rats. Male SD rats were allocated to six groups: sham-operrated (Sham), aortic stenosis (Model), model +As-L (5 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), model+As-M (10 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)), model+As-H (20 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and model + captopril (0.

Estimation of autotrophic maximum specific growth rate constant--experience from the long-term operation of a laboratory-scale sequencing batch reactor system.

The autotrophic maximum specific growth rate constant, muA,max, is the critical parameter for design and performance of nitrifying activated sludge systems. In literature reviews (i.e.

[Aerobic denitrification of nitrate wastewater and changes of microbial community structure in a bio-ceramic reactor].

Biological treatment of nitrate wastewater with aerobic denitrifiers in a bio-ceramic reactor was investigated. And denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) method was used for analyzing the stability of microbial community structure. At the condition of the influent with hydraulic loading 0.

[Variation of alkalinity and its regulation of ABR].

Variation of alkalinity and its relationship with the pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and COD along with the different compartments of the ABR were investigated. The experimental results showed that there was a close relationship between variation of alkalinity and VFA concentration along with the ABR compartments. The lowest point of alkalinity and pH value occurred where VFA concentration reached maximum.

Experimental study on denitrification using coated electrode of immobilized denitrifying bacteria.

Objective: To develop a coated electrode of immobilized denitrificants and to evaluate the performance of a bioelectrochemical reactor to enhance and control denitrification.

Methods: Denitrifying bacteria were developed by batch incubation and immobilized with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) on the surface of activated carbon fiber (ACF) to make a coated electrode. Then the coated electrode (cathode) and graphite electrode (anode) were transferred to the reactor to reduce nitrate.

[The change of mast cells and macrophages in the lung of rat with pulmonary hypertension].

Objective: To investigate the change of mast cells and macrophages in lung tissue of rats with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and the effect of simvastatin on it.

Methods: Pulmonary hypertension was established as follow, a shunt between abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava was created in rats, 8 days later, the rats were injected with monocrotaline (60 mg/kg). Moreover, a subgroup of rats were given simvastatin 2 mg/ (kg x d).

[Effects of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae on Ca2+ in hepatic stellate cells].

Objective: To investigate the effects of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae (RSM) on intracellular free calcium in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

Methods: After the model of hepatic fibrosis was established in SD rats, RSM [20 ml/(kg x d)] was given via gastrogavage to the rats of treatment groups while the same volume of 0.9% NaCl was given to the rats of control groups twice a day for 6 consecutive days.