The Effectiveness of a Self-Efficacy-Focused Structured Education Program (SSEP) in Improving Metabolic Control and Psychological Outcomes of Type 2 Diabetes Patients: A 12-Month Follow-Up of a Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background And Objective: The 12-month follow-up effect of the self-efficacy-focused structured education program (SSEP) requires in-depth confirmation. This study aims to verify whether the benefits of SSEP can be maintained in 12 months.

Materials And Methods: A multicenter randomized controlled trial with 12-month follow-up conducted among 265 type 2 diabetes patients not on insulin from 4 hospitals in mainland China.

Piezo1 regulates migration and invasion of breast cancer cells via modulating cell mechanobiological properties.

Cell migration and invasion are two essential processes during cancer metastasis. Increasing evidence has shown that the Piezo1 channel is involved in mediating cell migration and invasion in some types of cancers. However, the role of Piezo1 in the breast cancer and its underlying mechanisms have not been clarified yet.

Microniche geometry modulates the mechanical properties and calcium signaling of chondrocytes.

In articular cartilage, the function of chondrocytes is strongly related to their zone-specific microniche geometry defined by pericellular matrix. Microniche geometry is critical for regulating the phenotype and function of the chondrocyte in native cartilage and tissue engineering constructs. However the role of microniche geometry in the mechanical properties and calcium signaling of chondrocytes remains unknown.

Carbon monoxide augments electrical signaling in cultured neural networks of hippocampal neurons partly through activation of BKCa channels.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is often viewed as a lethal gas in light of its capacity to prevent oxygen uptake in hemoglobin; however, it also functions to regulate a variety of proteins and physiological processes. Here we show that CO is an important chemical cue, to which neurons respond strongly, and this response is then integrated into neural network activity. In cultured mouse hippocampal neurons, CO enhanced synchronized spontaneous cytosolic Ca(2+) oscillations which arose from periodic action potentials through synaptic transmission.

Stiff substrates enhance cultured neuronal network activity.

The mechanical property of extracellular matrix and cell-supporting substrates is known to modulate neuronal growth, differentiation, extension and branching. Here we show that substrate stiffness is an important microenvironmental cue, to which mouse hippocampal neurons respond and integrate into synapse formation and transmission in cultured neuronal network. Hippocampal neurons were cultured on polydimethylsiloxane substrates fabricated to have similar surface properties but a 10-fold difference in Young's modulus.

[A randomized controlled trail of taxol-based combination regimens for advanced gastric cancer].

Background & Objective: Standard chemotherapy for advanced gastric cancer remains undefined. Phase II trials show that taxol is effective in treating advanced gastric cancer. This multi-center prospective open randomized controlled study was to compare the efficacy of Taxol plus calcium folinate (CF)/5-fluorouracil (5-FU), Taxol plus oxaliplatin (OXA), and CF/5-FU plus cisplatin (DDP) on advanced gastric cancer, and analyze their toxicities.

[The development of a dispensing cabinet of total nutrient admixture].

A dispensing cabinet of total nutrient admixture is introduced in this paper. Which can be used for nutrient solution dispensing. The clinical application shows that it can provide a practical, simple, safe and satisfactory sterile environment.