Disrupting stroke-induced GAT-1-syntaxin1A interaction promotes functional recovery after stroke.

Although stroke is a frequent cause of permanent disability, our ability to promote stroke recovery is limited. Here, we design a small-molecule stroke recovery promoting agent that works by dissociating γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transporter 1 (GAT-1) from syntaxin1A (Synt1A), a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) protein. Stroke induces an increase in GAT-1-Synt1A interaction in the subacute phase, a critical period for functional recovery.

[Effects of urogenital mycoplasma and chlamydial infections on male fertility].

Objective： This study aimed to assess the impact of urogenital ureaplasma urealyticum (Uu), Mycoplasma hominis (Mh), and Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) infections on semen quality in men.Methods： In this study, 1022 males were enrolled at the Department of Reproductive Medicine, Rizhao People's Hospital, Shandong Province from October 2014 to January 2023. The participants included 393 in the infertility group, 139 in the recurrent miscarriage group, and 490 in the control group.

Ketone bodies promote stroke recovery via GAT-1-dependent cortical network remodeling.

Stroke is a leading cause of adult disability worldwide, and better drugs are needed to promote functional recovery after stroke. Growing evidence suggests the critical role of network excitability during the repair phase for stroke recovery. Here, we show that β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), an essential ketone body (KB) component, is positively correlated with improved outcomes in patients with stroke and promotes functional recovery in rodents with stroke during the repair phase.

[Clinical effects of matrix acupuncture on cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with nuchal ligament calcification].

Objective: To observe the effects of matrix acupuncture on the neck disability index (NDI) score, clinical efficacy, and the calcification size of the nuchal ligament in patients of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy with nuchal ligament calcification.

Methods: A total of 120 cases were randomly divided into a matrix acupuncture group and a routine acupuncture group, with 60 cases in each group. In the matrix acupuncture group, Ashi-point, bilateral Tianzhu (BL10), bilateral Fengchi (GB20), bilateral Dazhu (BL11), bilateral Jianzhongshu (SI15), and Jianjing (GB21), Tianzong (SI11), Quchi (LI11), Shousanli (LI10), Waiguan (TE5), and Hegu (LI4) at the affected side were selected.

Preventing the Capillary-Induced Collapse of Vertical Nanostructures.

Robust processes to fabricate densely packed high-aspect-ratio (HAR) vertical semiconductor nanostructures are important for applications in microelectronics, energy storage and conversion. One of the main challenges in manufacturing these nanostructures is pattern collapse, which is the damage induced by capillary forces from numerous solution-based processes used during their fabrication. Here, using an array of vertical silicon (Si) nanopillars as test structures, we demonstrate that pattern collapse can be greatly reduced by a solution-phase deposition method to coat the nanopillars with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs).

Dynamics of thin precursor film in wetting of nanopatterned surfaces.

The spreading of a liquid droplet on flat surfaces is a well-understood phenomenon, but little is known about how liquids spread on a rough surface. When the surface roughness is of the nanoscopic length scale, the capillary forces dominate and the liquid droplet spreads by wetting the nanoscale textures that act as capillaries. Here, using a combination of advanced nanofabrication and liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy, we image the wetting of a surface patterned with a dense array of nanopillars of varying heights.

[Effects of electroacupuncture "Shuigou" on expression of soluble guanylate cyclase(sGC) and protein kinase G (PKG)in vascular smooth muscle of cerebral artery in rats with cerebral infarction].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on the expression of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC), cyclic guanosine phosphate (cGMP) and protein kinase G (PKG) of cerebral vascular smooth muscle in cerebral infarction (CI) rats, so as to study its dynamic regulation mechanism.

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control (=10), sham operation (=40), model (=40), and EA (=40) groups, and the latter three groups were further di-vided into 3, 6, 12 and 24 h subgroups (=10 in each subgroup). The CI model was established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery (MCAO).

The multi-faceted mechano-bactericidal mechanism of nanostructured surfaces.

The mechano-bactericidal activity of nanostructured surfaces has become the focus of intensive research toward the development of a new generation of antibacterial surfaces, particularly in the current era of emerging antibiotic resistance. This work demonstrates the effects of an incremental increase of nanopillar height on nanostructure-induced bacterial cell death. We propose that the mechanical lysis of bacterial cells can be influenced by the degree of elasticity and clustering of highly ordered silicon nanopillar arrays.

Nanoscale Elastocapillary Effect Induced by Thin-Liquid-Film Instability.

Dense arrays of high-aspect-ratio (HAR) vertical nanostructures are essential elements of microelectronic components, photovoltaics, nanoelectromechanical, and energy storage devices. One of the critical challenges in manufacturing the HAR nanostructures is to prevent their capillary-induced aggregation during solution-based nanofabrication processes. Despite the importance of controlling capillary effects, the detailed mechanisms of how a solution interacts with nanostructures are not well understood.

[Clinical Value of Peripheral Blood Circulating Tumor Cells Detection in Early Cervical Infiltrating Carcinoma Screening].

Objective: To observe the difference of circulating tumor cells (CTC) in peripheral blood of patients with different degrees of cervical lesions, and to evaluate the effectiveness of CTC detection in screening early invasive cervical cancer.

Methods: From December 2015 to October 2017, 63 cases of cervicitis, low-grade and high-grade intraepithelial lesions (LSIL, HSIL) and early invasive cervical cancer were confirmed by histopathological and clinical stages in Zhongshan Boai Hospital and Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Zhongshan University. The immunomagnetic bead negative enrichment technique combined with immunofluorescence was used.

The idiosyncratic self-cleaning cycle of bacteria on regularly arrayed mechano-bactericidal nanostructures.

Nanostructured mechano-bactericidal surfaces represent a promising technology to prevent the incidence of microbial contamination on a variety of surfaces and to avoid bacterial infection, particularly with antibiotic resistant strains. In this work, a regular array of silicon nanopillars of 380 nm height and 35 nm diameter was used to study the release of bacterial cell debris off the surface, following inactivation of the cell due to nanostructure-induced rupture. It was confirmed that substantial bactericidal activity was achieved against Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (85% non-viable cells) and only modest antibacterial activity towards Staphylococcus aureus (8% non-viable cells), as estimated by measuring the proportions of viable and non-viable cells via fluorescence imaging.

Imaging the air-water interface: Characterising biomimetic and natural hydrophobic surfaces using in situ atomic force microscopy.

The interface between water and a textured hydrophobic surface can exist in two regimes; either the Wenzel (surface-engulfed) or Cassie-Baxter (water-suspended) state. Better understanding of the influence of pattern geometry and spacing is crucial for the design of functional (super)hydrophobic surfaces, as inspired by numerous examples in nature. In this work, we have employed amplitude modulated - atomic force microscopy to visualize the air-water interface with an unprecedented degree of clarity on a superhydrophobic and a highly hydrophobic nanostructured surface.

In-situ ATR-FTIR for dynamic analysis of superhydrophobic breakdown on nanostructured silicon surfaces.

Superhydrophobic surfaces are highly promising for self-cleaning, anti-fouling and anti-corrosion applications. However, accurate assessment of the lifetime and sustainability of super-hydrophobic materials is hindered by the lack of large area characterization of superhydrophobic breakdown. In this work, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) is explored for a dynamic study of wetting transitions on immersed superhydrophobic arrays of silicon nanopillars.

Hybrid of dehydroergosterol and nitrogenous alternariol derivative from the fungus Pestalotiopsis uvicola.

A new hybrid of dehydroergosterol and nitrogenous alternariol derivative, pestauvicomorpholine A (1), and three alternariol analogues (2-4) including a new aminated one, pestauvicolactone A (2), were isolated from the fermentation product of the fungus Pestalotiopsis uvicola on rice media. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first example of aza-alternariol and aza-alternariol-steroid derived from transamination followed by intermolecular hetero-Diels-Alder reaction.

Polyketides from Pestalotiopsis zonata and structure revision of pestalrones A and B.

The structures of pestalrones A-B were revised via reinterpretation of the NMR data and a brief chemical transformation from the co-occurring polyketides, in our investigation on the secondary metabolites of Pestalotiopsis zonata, which also afforded a new α-pyrone derivative, pestazonatic acid, and four known analogs.

Transient Clustering of Reaction Intermediates during Wet Etching of Silicon Nanostructures.

Wet chemical etching is a key process in fabricating silicon (Si) nanostructures. Currently, wet etching of Si is proposed to occur through the reaction of surface Si atoms with etchant molecules, forming etch intermediates that dissolve directly into the bulk etchant solution. Here, using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM), we follow the nanoscale wet etch dynamics of amorphous Si (a-Si) nanopillars in real-time and show that intermediates generated during alkaline wet etching first aggregate as nanoclusters on the Si surface and then detach from the surface before dissolving in the etchant solution.

Superhydrophobic Breakdown of Nanostructured Surfaces Characterized in Situ Using ATR-FTIR.

In situ characterization of the underwater stability of superhydrophobic micro- and nanostructured surfaces is important for the development of self-cleaning and antifouling materials. In this work, we demonstrate a novel attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy-based method for large-area wetting characterization of silicon nanopillars. When air is present in between the structures, as is characteristic of the Cassie-Baxter state, the relative intensities of the water bands in the absorption spectrum change because of the wavelength-dependent attenuation of the evanescent wave.

Two new threitol orsellinates from a sea mud-derived fungus, Ascotricha sp. ZJ-M-5.

Two new d-threitol orsellinates (1-2) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of a sea mud-derived fungus, Ascotricha sp. ZJ-M-5, cultured in Czapek Dox broth. These two compounds featured in the symmetrical substitution of orsellinic acid or acetic acid, which was established on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR experiments.

Full wetting of plasmonic nanopores through two-component droplets.

Benefiting from the prospect of extreme light localization, plasmonic metallic nanostructures are bringing advantages in many applications. However, for use in liquids, the hydrophobic nature of the metallic surface inhibits full wetting, which is related to contact line pinning in the nanostructures. In this work, we use a two-component droplet to overcome this problem.

[Observation on the clinical efficacy of spasmodic torticollis treated with matrix needling technique and acupuncture at "Wuxin points" mainly].

Objective: To compare the difference in the efficacy on spasmodic torticollis between matrix needling technique combined with puncturing "Wuxin points" and the local injection of botox type A.

Methods: Forty-two cases were randomized into an acupuncture group and a botox group, 21 cases in each one. In the acupuncture group, the matrix needling technique was used and acupuncture was adopted at Fengchi (GB 20), "Wuxin points" [Shuigou (GV 26), bilateral Laogong (PC 8) and bilateral Yongquan (KI 1)] and local Ashi points.

[Classification basis and train of thought of functional dyspepsia in disease menu of acupuncture].

Objective: To explore the classification basis of functional dyspepsia in disease menu of acupuncture, and to provide regular analyzing process for classification of other diseases.

Methods: Taking the control group as the classification basis, and the 5-level literature classification of evidence based medicine as the estimation basis, literatures which complied with the inclusion criteria were examined according to the sequence from high level to low. Evidences of low levels were given up if support can be acquired from documents of high level.

[Observation on therapeutic effect of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion for treatment of chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis].

Objective: To compare therapeutic effects of herb-partitioned spread moxibustion and western medicine on chronic nonspecific ulcerative colitis.

Methods: Sixty cases were randomly divided into a spread moxibustion group (n = 28) and a western medicine group (n = 32). The spread moxibustion group was treated with herb-partitioned spread moxibustion at lower limb around stomach meridian, abdomen region around Guanyuan (CV 4) and lower Jiaji (EX B 2) points; and the western medicine group was treated with oral administration of Sulfasalazine.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Schisandra pubescens].

Objective: To study the chemical constituents of Schisandra pubescens.

Methods: The chemical constituents were isolated by silica gel, Prep-HPLC and Prep-TLC methods. And their structures were elucidated by physical-chemical and spectroscopic methods.