Rigid and Strong Thermoresponsive Shape Memory Hydrogels Transformed from Poly(vinylpyrrolidone- co-acryloxy acetophenone) Organogels.

Shape memory hydrogels (SMHs) have a wide range of potential practical applications. However, the mechanically weak and soft nature of most SMHs strongly impedes their applications. Here, we report a novel kind of thermal-responsive SMH with high tensile strength and high elastic moduli.

Free Flap Transfer for Pediatric Head and Neck Reconstruction: What Factors Influence Flap Survival?

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the factors that influence free flap survival after head and neck reconstructive surgery in pediatric patients.

Methods: One hundred thirty consecutive cases of head and neck reconstruction with free flaps in pediatric patients at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology, Beijing, People's Republic of China, between 1999 and 2017 were reviewed. A single head and neck surgical team performed all the included surgeries.

Algicidal properties of extracts from Cinnamomum camphora fresh leaves and their main compounds.

Plant allelochemicals are considered as the source of effective, economic and friendly-environmental algaecides. To uncover the anti-algal activities of Cinnamomum camphora fresh leaves and their main algicidal agents, we investigated the inhibitory effects of water and methanol extracts from C. camphora fresh leaves on Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cell growth, analyzed the composition of the water and methanol extracts, and determined the main compounds in extracts on the growth of the two algae and their anti-algal mechanism from photosynthetic abilities.

Simple and Efficient Chromophoric-Fluorogenic Probes for Diethylchlorophosphate Vapor.

In this work, we developed two small-molecule probes for real-time and onsite detecting of diethylchlorophosphate (DCP) vapor by incorporating amine groups into Schiff base skeletons. Both probes can be easily synthesized with high yield through one-step and low-cost synthesis. They can detect DCP vapor in the chromophoric-fluorogenic dual mode, which combines both the advantages of the visualization of color sensing and the high sensitivity of the fluorescence sensing.

Rapid Airplane Detection in Remote Sensing Images Based on Multilayer Feature Fusion in Fully Convolutional Neural Networks.

To address the issues encountered when using traditional airplane detection methods, including the low accuracy rate, high false alarm rate, and low detection speed due to small object sizes in aerial remote sensing images, we propose a remote sensing image airplane detection method that uses multilayer feature fusion in fully convolutional neural networks. The shallow layer and deep layer features are fused at the same scale after sampling to overcome the problems of low dimensionality in the deep layer and the inadequate expression of small objects. The sizes of candidate regions are modified to fit the size of the actual airplanes in the remote sensing images.

The effect of resistance training on cognitive function in the older adults: a systematic review of randomized clinical trials.

Background: Aging is often accompanied by decline in aspects of cognitive function. Cognitive decline has harmful effects on living independence and general health. Resistance training is seen as a promising intervention to prevent or delay cognitive deterioration, yet the evidence from reviews is less consistent.

Recharging Schedule for Mitigating Data Loss in Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Network.

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) technology is considered as a promising approach to make Wireless Rechargeable Sensor Network (WRSN) work perpetually. In WRSN, a vehicle exists, termed a mobile charger, which can move close to sensor nodes and charge them wirelessly. Due to the mobile charger's limited traveling distance and speed, not every node that needs to be charged may be serviced in time.

Inhibitory effects of extracts from Cinnamomum camphora fallen leaves on algae.

Natural allelochemicals are considered as a source of algaecides. To uncover the anti-algal activity of Cinnamomum camphora fallen leaves and promote their usage as algaecides, the composition of their water and methanol extracts was analyzed, and the inhibitory effects of extracts on the growth of Microcystis aeruginosa and Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, and chlorophyll (Chl) content and photosynthetic abilities in C. reinhardtii were investigated.

Clinical features and the molecular biomarkers of olfactory neuroblastoma.

Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a kind of rare and complex head and neck tumor. The reports on this field are very scarce due to the low morbidity. Here, we summarized the clinical features and prognosis of ONB through analysis of 10 cases, and determined the phosphorylation status of some molecules known to be involved in carcinogesis such as Akt, Erk, Stat3 and Stat5 in ONB tissue.

Ultrasensitive Fluorescent Assay Based on a Rolling-Circle-Amplification-Assisted Multisite-Strand-Displacement-Reaction Signal-Amplification Strategy.

Heavy metal ions are persistent environmental contaminants and pose a great threat to human health, which has prompted demand for new methods to selectively identify and detect these metal ions. Herein, a novel fluorescent assay based on a rolling-circle-amplification (RCA)-assisted multisite-strand-displacement-reaction (SDR) signal-amplification strategy was proposed for the ultrasensitive detection of heavy metal ions with lead ions (Pb) as a model. The proposed strategy not only achieved the target recycling but also introduced RCA induced by released DNAzyme.

Oxyfadichalcone C inhibits melanoma A375 cell proliferation and metastasis via suppressing PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways.

Aims: Melanoma remains to be one of the most incurable cancers. Discovery of novel antitumor agent for melanoma therapy is expected. We recently isolated Oxyfadichalcone C from Oxytropis falcate and investigated the anti-proliferative and anti-metastatic activity on human melanoma A375 cells in vitro.

Binding studies of triclocarban with bovine serum albumin: Insights from multi-spectroscopy and molecular modeling methods.

The antimicrobial triclocarban (TCC) is frequently found in various personal care products (PCPs), and recent studies have demonstrated that it shows a high unintended biological activity on humans and wildlife. To evaluate the toxicity of TCC at the protein level, the effect of TCC on bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been investigated using various spectroscopic methods in combination with molecular modeling. Analysis of fluorescence quenching data of BSA revealed the formation of a ground state BSA-TCC complex with a binding constant of 2.

[Water sources of dominant sand-binding plants in dry season in southern Horqin Sandy Land, China].

It's important to explore the water sources of sand-binding plants and their relationship to reveal the mechanism underling species coexistence and vegetation stability. In the present study, 12 sand-binding species in two typical habitats (fixed dune and dune slack) in southern Horqin Sandy Land were selected. The δD and δO values of plant water, rain water, ground water and soil water were determined, and the percentages of soil water at different depths used by plants were calculated with the IsoSource model.

[Distribution of Larimichthys polyactis and its relationship with environmental factors in offshore water of southern Zhejiang].

Based on data collected from four trips of trawl surveys in offshore water of southern Zhejiang in 2015-2016, a generalized additive model was used to analyze the distribution of small yellow croaker (Larimichthys polyactis) and its relationship with environmental factors. The results showed that the highest resource abundance occurred in the summer trip, primarily in Yushan fishing ground with an average density of 500.74 kg·h·km.

RING finger protein 10 prevents neointimal hyperplasia by promoting apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

Aims: Vascular restenosis and neointimal hyperplasia are enhanced in metabolic syndrome (MetS). Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation is a key step during restenosis and is suppressed by RING finger protein 10 (RNF10). However, the effect of RNF10 on neointimal hyperplasia is unknown.

Glyphosate application increased catabolic activity of gram-negative bacteria but impaired soil fungal community.

Glyphosate is a non-selective organophosphate herbicide that is widely used in agriculture, but its effects on soil microbial communities are highly variable and often contradictory, especially for high dose applications. We applied glyphosate at two rates: the recommended rate of 50 mg active ingredient kg soil and 10-fold this rate to simulate multiple glyphosate applications during a growing season. After 6 months, we investigated the effects on the composition of soil microbial community, the catabolic activity and the genetic diversity of the bacterial community using phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), community level catabolic profiles (CLCPs), and 16S rRNA denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE).

Robotic-assisted left renal vein transposition as a novel surgical technique for the treatment of renal nutcracker syndrome.

Renal nutcracker syndrome is an anatomic anomaly characterized by the compression of the left renal vein between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta or between the aorta and the vertebral body. Diagnosis is often challenging. Common presenting symptoms include hematuria, abdominal pain, and pelvic congestion.

Hydrogen-Bonded Polymer-Small Molecule Complexes with Tunable Mechanical Properties.

A novel type of polymeric material with tunable mechanical properties is fabricated from polymers and small molecules that can form hydrogen-bonded intermolecular complexes (IMCs). In this work, poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)-glycerol hydrogels are first prepared, and then they are dried to form IMCs. The tensile strengths and moduli of IMCs decrease dramatically with increasing glycerol content, while the elongations increase gradually.

Melatonin suppresses thyroid cancer growth and overcomes radioresistance via inhibition of p65 phosphorylation and induction of ROS.

Thyroid cancer is the most common endocrine carcinoma with increasing incidence worldwide and anaplastic subtypes are frequently associated with cancer related death. Radioresistance of thyroid cancer often leads to therapy failure and cancer-related death. In this study, we found that melatonin showed potent suppressive roles on NF-κB signaling via inhibition of p65 phosphorylation and generated redox stress in thyroid cancer including the anaplastic subtypes.

Proteomic analysis reveals the distinct energy and protein metabolism characteristics involved in myofiber type conversion and resistance of atrophy in the extensor digitorum longus muscle of hibernating Daurian ground squirrels.

Previous hibernation studies demonstrated that such a natural model of skeletal muscle disuse causes limited muscle atrophy and a significant fast-to-slow fiber type shift. However, the underlying mechanism as defined in a large-scale analysis remains unclarified. Isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) based quantitative analysis were used to examine proteomic changes in the fast extensor digitorum longus muscles (EDL) of Daurian ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus).

Impact of childhood wheezing on lung function in adulthood: A meta-analysis.

Background: A growing body of evidence shows that childhood wheezing may lead to recurrent or persistent symptoms in adulthood, such that persistent wheezing associated with lung function deficits often have their roots in the first few years of life.

Objectives: We summarized information from several prospective cohort studies following children with or without wheezing into adulthood, to estimate the effect of childhood wheezing on adulthood lung function.

Methods: Medical literatures were searched in the Medline, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science and Embase databases up to October 31, 2016.

Treatment of immunoglobulin G4-related sialadenitis: outcomes of glucocorticoid therapy combined with steroid-sparing agents.

Background: Immunoglobulin G4-related sialadenitis (IgG4-RS) is a newly recognized immune-mediated systemic disease. Despite its good response to steroid therapy, its treatment protocol is not standardized and the long-term outcome is controversial. The study was conducted to determine the short-term and long-term outcomes of IgG4-RS patients treated with glucocorticoids and steroid-sparing immunosuppressive agents, to analyze secretory function, serological and radiological changes in salivary glands and to assess the usefulness of serum IgG4 level as an indicator of disease activity.

Enhanced bioremediation of 4-nonylphenol and cadmium co-contaminated sediment by composting with Phanerochaete chrysosporium inocula.

Composting is identified as an effective approach for solid waste disposal. The bioremediation of 4-nonylphenol (4NP) and cadmium (Cd) co-contaminated sediment was investigated by composting with Phanerochaete chrysosporium (P. chrysosporium) inocula.

Status of tuberculosis-related stigma and associated factors: a cross-sectional study in central China.

Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) poses a significant challenge to public health worldwide. Stigma is a major obstacle to TB control by leading to delay in diagnosis and treatment non-adherence. This study aimed to evaluate the status of TB-related stigma and its associated factors among TB patients in China.