Fungal communities in sediments of subtropical Chinese seas as estimated by DNA metabarcoding.

Ribosomal RNA internal transcribed spacer-1 (ITS1) metabarcoding was used to investigate the distribution patterns of fungal communities and the factors influencing these patterns in subtropical Chinese seas, including the southern and northern Yellow Sea and the Bohai Sea. These seas were found to harbor high levels of fungal diversity, with 816 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) that span 130 known genera, 36 orders, 14 classes and 5 phyla. Ascomycota was the most abundant phylum, containing 72.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity and complementary and alternative medicines: progress and perspective.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a severe and dose-limiting side effect of antineoplastic drugs. It can cause sensory, motor and autonomic system dysfunction, and ultimately force patients to discontinue chemotherapy. Until now, little is understood about CIPN and no consistent caring standard is available.

Association between glycemic indices and beta cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To identify the relationship between glycemic indices and β cell function in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Methods: The cross-sectional analysis included 61 patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes who received continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) for 72 hours. The association between β cell function and glycemic indices including A1C and glycemic variability was investigated.

GRP78 mediates radiation resistance of a stem cell-like subpopulation within the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.

Emerging evidence indicates that breast cancer-initiating cells (CICs) are relatively resistant to radiotherapy; however, the critical mechanisms determining breast CIC resistance to radiation remain elusive. In the present study, a subpopulation of cells displaying characteristics generally attributed to stem cells was identified within the breast cancer cell line MCF-7. This subpopulation displays cancer stem cell features characterized by overexpression of embryonic stem cell markers, high tumorigenic potential following transplantation into BALB/c-nu mice, self-renewal capacity and resistance to ionizing radiation (IR).

Anti-fungal efficacy of polybutylcyanoacrylate nanoparticles of allicin and comparison with pure allicin.

Although garlic has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for its medical properties for thousands of years, investigations into its mode of action are relatively recent. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the in vitro anti-fungal efficacy of the active principle of garlic, pure allicin and polybutylcyanoacrylate (PBCA) nanoparticles (NPs) loaded with allicin. Pure allicin was prepared by reacting synthetic alliin with a stabilized process of the garlic enzyme alliinase.