Downregulation of GPX8 in hepatocellular carcinoma: impact on tumor stemness and migration.

Purpose: GPX8, which is found in the endoplasmic reticulum lumen, is a member of the Glutathione Peroxidases (GPXs) family. Its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is unknown.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the protein levels of GPX8 in HCC tissue microarrays.

Myofascial acupuncture versus routine acupuncture for mechanical neck pain: a protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Mechanical neck pain (MNP) is defined as pain in the area of the neck and/or neck-shoulder provoked by body mechanics and which adversely affects physical, psychological and social function. The treatments for MNP are limited. Previous studies and clinical experience have indicated that myofascial acupuncture might be a better treatment option for MNP, but the efficacy is controversial.

1,4-α-Glucosidase from for Controllable Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles and Their Multifunctional Applications.

In the study, monodispersed silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with an average diameter of 9.57 nm were efficiently and controllably biosynthesized by a reductase from DO7 only in the presence of β-NADPH and polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP). The reductase responsible for AgNP formation in DO7 was further confirmed as 1,4-α-glucosidase.

CD36 cancer-associated fibroblasts provide immunosuppressive microenvironment for hepatocellular carcinoma via secretion of macrophage migration inhibitory factor.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an immunotherapy-resistant malignancy characterized by high cellular heterogeneity. The diversity of cell types and the interplay between tumor and non-tumor cells remain to be clarified. Single cell RNA sequencing of human and mouse HCC tumors revealed heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF).

Construction of cyclopenta[]dihydronaphthofurans TsOH-catalyzed consecutive biscyclization of dithioallylic alcohols and 1-styrylnaphthols.

An efficient TsOH-catalyzed consecutive biscyclization cascade reaction of dithioallylic alcohols with 1-styrylnaphthols is demonstrated for the concise construction of pharmaceutically important cyclopenta[]dihydrobenzofuran scaffolds. This process involved an acid-catalyzed (3+2) cycloaddition followed by an intramolecular nucleophilic addition, providing cyclopenta[]dihydronaphthofurans bearing a tetra- or fully substituted cyclopentane core in good yields with exclusive diastereoselectivities (>20 : 1 d.r.

Polyneuropathy organomegaly endocrinopathy M-protein and skin changes syndrome with ascites as an early-stage manifestation: A case report.

Background: Polyneuropathy organomegaly endocrinopathy M-protein and skin changes (POEMS) syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic syndrome caused by a potential plasma cell tumor. The clinical manifestations of POEMS syndrome are diverse. Due to the insidious onset and lack of specific early-stage manifestations, POEMS syndrome is easily misdiagnosed or never diagnosed, leading to delayed treatment.

Effect of electroacupuncture on cyclic adenosine monophosphate-protein kinase A-vanillic acid receptor subtype 1 of the transient receptor potential/PLK-protein kinase C-vanillic acid receptor subtype 1 of the transient receptor potential pathway based on RNA-seq analysis in prostate tissue in rats with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Objective: To investigate the analgesic mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in rats with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).

Methods: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham group, model group and EA group, with ten rats in each group. The CP/CPPS model was prepared by injecting 50 μL of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the ventral lobes of the prostate tissue, and the sham group was injected with the same dose of saline.

Expression Profiling of L5-S2 Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn in a Rat Model of Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Uncovers Potential Mechanism of Electroacupuncture Mediated Inflammation and Pain Responses.

Purpose: We aim to explore expression profiles of genes in SCDH of CPPS model rat relevant to pain and inflammation by RNA-Seq and to investigate the mechanism of anti-inflammatory and analgesic of EA.

Methods: Thirty-six SD male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 12): sham operation, model, and EA. The rat CPPS model was established by injecting CFA into the ventral lobes of the prostate.

Development of Millettia speciosa champ polysaccharide conjugate stabilized oil-in-water emulsion for oral delivery of β-carotene: Protection effect and in vitro digestion fate.

In this study, a natural antioxidant emulsifier, Millettia speciosa Champ polysaccharide conjugates (MSC-PC), was used for fabricating oil-in-water emulsion, and the influences of MSC-PC on β-carotene stability and bioaccessibility were studied. Results suggested that MSC-PC stabilized emulsion exhibited excellent resistance to a wide range of salt levels (0-500 mM of Na), thermal treatments (50-90 °C) and pH values (3.0-11.

[Effect of electroacupuncture on pain threshold and expression of pain-related factors cyclooxygenase-2, prostaglandin E2 and β-endorphin in rats with chronic pelvic pain syndrome].

Objective: To explore the possible mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) underlying improvement of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).

Methods: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, sham operation, EA and sham EA groups (=10 rats in each group). The CPPS model was established by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA, 50 μL) into the ventral lobes of the prostate.

Construction of Zn-heptapeptide bionanozymes with intrinsic hydrolase-like activity for degradation of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate.

Nanozyme with intrinsic enzyme-like activity has emerged as favorite artificial catalyst during recent years. However, current nanozymes are mainly limited to inorganic-derived nanomaterials, while biomolecule-sourced nanozyme (bionanozyme) are rarely reported. Herein, inspired by the basic structure of natural hydrolase family, we constructed 3 oligopeptide-based bionanozymes with intrinsic hydrolase-like activity by implementing zinc induced self-assembly of histidine-rich heptapeptides.

Synthesis of luminescent thorium-based metal-organic frameworks with 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene.

Three new thorium-based MOFs based on 1,2,4,5-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)benzene (H4TCPB) were obtained under a similar reaction system (metal salt, ligand, solvent, and acid are the same). Th(iv) forms the central unit of the MOFs in mononuclear and binuclear clusters, respectively. All the MOFs show blue ligand-based luminescence under an ultraviolet environment.

Diffraction gratings based on a multilayer silicon nitride waveguide with high upward efficiency and large effective length.

Diffraction gratings with high upward diffraction efficiency and large effective length are required for chip-scale light detection and ranging. We propose a diffraction grating based on a multilayer silicon nitride waveguide, which theoretically achieves an upward diffraction efficiency of 92%, a near-field effective length of 376 µm, and a far-field divergence angle of 0.105° at a wavelength of 850 nm.

Novel Antioxidative Wall Materials for Microencapsulation via the Maillard Reaction between the Soy Protein Isolate and Prebiotic Oligosaccharides.

In this study, three kinds of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) have been, for the first time, successfully prepared by conjugating soy protein isolate (SPI) with isomaltooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide, or galactooligosaccharide at 80 °C for 30 or 60 min and applied for the construction of () microcapsules. The results showed that MRPs exhibited enhanced antioxidative activities compared with their physically mixed counterparts. The digested MRPs displayed excellent resistance to pathogenic bacteria and promoted the growth of .

A Meta-Analysis on Evaluation of Nosocomial Infections Amongst Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

Background: Hospital-acquired infections, also known as nosocomial infections, are one of the many severe outcomes amongst patients in tertiary care hospitals. Hospital-acquired influenza is amongst the most common infection which has affected huge population.

Objective: We have performed a meta-analysis in order to summarize the effects of epidemiology and clinical characteristics in HAI.

Interpenetration Control in Thorium Metal-Organic Frameworks: Structural Complexity toward Iodine Adsorption.

The rational design and synthesis of metal-organic frameworks with well-controlled interpenetration have been active research areas of inquiry, particularly for porosity-related applications. Herein, we extend the use of the ligand steric modulation strategy to initiate the first study of the interpenetration control of thorium-based MOFs. The approximate "hardness" of the Th cation, which was conjugated with aromatic substitutions and delicately modified synthetic conditions, allows for the crystallization of single crystals of seven new Th-MOFs with five distinct topologies.

Differences in the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients in the epicenter and peripheral areas of the pandemic from China: a retrospective, large-sample, comparative analysis.

Background: There is limited information on the difference in epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of the initial outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Wuhan (the epicenter) and Sichuan (the peripheral area) in the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted to investigate the differences in the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with COVID-19 between the epicenter and peripheral areas of pandemic and thereby generate information that would be potentially helpful in formulating clinical practice recommendations to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: The Sichuan & Wuhan Collaboration Research Group for COVID-19 established two retrospective cohorts that separately reflect the epicenter and peripheral area during the early pandemic.

Enhanced Adsorption and Separation of Xenon over Krypton via an Unsaturated Calcium Center in a Metal-Organic Framework.

Krypton (Kr) and xenon (Xe) are nowadays widely applied in technical and industrial fields. Separating and collecting highly pure Xe from nuclear facilities are necessary and urgent. However, the technology is limited due to the inert nature of Xe and other interferential factors.

Influence of ultrasound on juvenile hormone titers in Monochamus alternatus Hope (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae).

Abiotic stress factors can significantly affect insects. In particular, the stressful effects of exposure to ultrasound on insects are considered important. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ultrasound on the important global pest Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), which is the main vector of the pinewood nematode.