The enhancement of nonlinear optical properties of azulene-based nanographene by N atoms: a finishing touch.

Nonlinear optical (NLO) materials play an increasingly important role in optoelectronic devices, biomedicine, micro-nano processing, and other fields. The development of organic materials with strong second or (and) third NLO properties and a high stability is still challenging due to the unknown strategies for obtaining enhanced high order NLO properties. In the present work, π-conjugated systems are constructed by doping boron or (and) nitrogen atoms in the azulene moiety of azulene-based nanographenes (formed with an azulene chain with two bridging HCCHs at the two sides of the connecting CC bonds between azulenes, A1A2A3), and the NLO properties are predicted with time-dependent density functional theory based methods and a sum-over-states model.

Role of heat shock protein 90 as an antiviral target for swine enteric coronaviruses.

A variety of swine enteric coronaviruses (SECoVs) have emerged and are prevalent in pig populations, including porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV), and swine acute diarrhea syndrome (SADS)-CoV, a newly identified bat-origin CoV with zoonotic potential. Unfortunately, available traditional, inactivated and attenuated SECoV vaccines are of limited efficacy against the variants currently circulating in most pig populations. In this study, we evaluated the role of host factor heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) as an antiviral target against SECoVs, exemplified by SADS-CoV.

Effects of Chronic Hypoxic Environment on Cognitive Function and Neuroimaging Measures in a High-Altitude Population.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of long-term hypoxic environment exposure on cognitive ability and neuroimaging characteristics in a highland population in China.

Methods: Health system workers in Maduo County (4,300 m above sea level) and Minhe County (1,700 m above sea level) were selected as research participants and divided into a high-altitude (HA) group and low-altitude (LA) group, respectively. Cognitive ability was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Verbal Fluency Test (VFT), Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Trail Making Test A and B (TMT), Digit Span Test (DST), and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT).

Development of the ICF-CY Set for Cardiac Rehabilitation After Pediatric Congenital Heart Surgery.

Background: Most children with congenital heart disease (CHD) require surgical repair, and postoperative rehabilitation is an essential step to restore the quality of life. The present study constructs and confirms the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health for Children and Youth core set for children with congenital heart disease 1 year after surgery (ICF-CY-CHDS).

Methods: From February 2021 to August 2021, 340 children aged 3-6 years after CHD surgery were evaluated using the ICF-CY-CHDS and analyzed using the Rasch model.

Black blooms-induced adaptive responses of sulfate reduction bacteria in a shallow freshwater lake.

Decomposing cyanobacterial bloom-induced black blooms been seen as an issue in the management of freshwater ecosystems, but its effect on sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in shallow freshwater lakes is not clear. The objective of this study is to present an in-depth investigation of black bloom effects on the activities and composition of SRB, as well as the interactions between SRB and other bacteria. Water and surface sediments samples were collected from a shallow freshwater lake during black and non-black blooms.

Management in the paediatric wards facing novel coronavirus infection: a rapid review of guidelines and consensuses.

Objectives: Relevant guidelines and consensuses for COVID-19 contain recommendations aimed at optimising the management in paediatric wards. The goal of this study was to determine the quality of those recommendations and provide suggestions to hospital managers for the adjustment of existing hospital prevention and control strategies, and also to offer recommendations for further research.

Design: A rapid review of the guidelines and consensuses for the management in paediatric wards facing COVID-19.

The Nutritional Status of Pediatric Patients with Single Ventricle Undergoing a Bidirectional Glenn Procedure.

Single ventricle (SV) physiology is associated with growth retardation in children. The nutritional status of pediatric patients with SV undergoing a bidirectional Glenn (BDG) procedure vitally affects the feasibility of the next operation stages. To explore the nutritional status and to identify specific anthropometric parameters relevant to short-term surgical outcomes in children with SV after the BDG procedure, this study included 151 patients who underwent the BDG procedure.

Association Between Plasma Homocysteine Levels and Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Adult Subjects: A Meta-Analysis.

Increased plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been widely documented in patients with overt hypothyroidism; however, the significance of Hcy level changes in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) remains controversial. The aim of this meta-analysis was to determine the Hcy status in patients with SCH compared with euthyroid subjects We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases prior to December 2019 to identify eligible studies and assessed the quality of selected studies using the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Publication bias was evaluated by Begg's test and Egger's test.

EP4 activation ameliorates liver ischemia/reperfusion injury via ERK1/2‑GSK3β‑dependent MPTP inhibition.

Prostaglandin E receptor subtype 4 (EP4) is widely distributed in the heart, but its role in hepatic ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), particularly in mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) modulation, is yet to be elucidated. In the present study, an EP4 agonist (CAY10598) was used in a rat model to evaluate the effects of EP4 activation on liver I/R and the mechanisms underlying this. I/R insult upregulated hepatic EP4 expression during early reperfusion.

The induction of apoptosis and autophagy in human hepatoma SMMC-7721 cells by combined treatment with vitamin C and polysaccharides extracted from Grifola frondosa.

Polysaccharides extracted from the mushroom Grifola frondosa (GFP) are a potential anticancer agent. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of GFP and vitamin C (VC) alone and in combination on the viability of human hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 and HepG2 cells. Studies designed to detect cell apoptosis and autophagy were also conducted to investigate the mechanism.

Synergistic Apoptotic Effect of D-Fraction From Grifola frondosa and Vitamin C on Hepatocellular Carcinoma SMMC-7721 Cells.

The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer effect of a combination of D-fraction polysaccharide from Grifola frondosa (DFP) and vitamin C (VC) on hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro. DFP is a bioactive extract from the maitake mushroom. Anticancer activity was demonstrated using various concentrations of DFP alone or in combination with VC against the human hepatocarcinoma SMMC-7721 cell line.

[Expression and clinical significances of c-myb and Bax proteins in endometrial carcinoma].

Objective: To study the expressions of c-myb and Bax proteins and their relationships with clinic-pathological characteristics in endometrial carcinoma.

Methods: The expressions of c-myb and Bax protein were detected by immunohistochemistry in 42 normal endometrial tissues and 68 endometrial carcinoma tissues. Apoptosis index was detected by TUNEL technique.

Effect of different calcium contents on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-5Al-1Bi-0.3Mn magnesium alloy.

The effect of different Ca contents on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg-5Al-1Bi-0.3Mn (AMB501) magnesium alloys was investigated by conventional melting and casting technique using different Ca contents (1.0, 2.

Association between DNA repair genes (XPD and XRCC1) polymorphisms and susceptibility to age-related cataract (ARC): a meta-analysis.

Background: DNA repair gene (XPD and XRCC1) polymorphisms have been considered as risk factors for the development of age-related cataract (ARC). To confirm the association between DNA repair gene (XPD and XRCC1) polymorphisms and the risk of ARC, a meta-analysis was conducted.

Methods: A search was made of published literature from Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) Web of Knowledge, PubMed, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang Data.

[Identification of a rare allele FGA-13 in Guangdong Han population].

Objective: To report on a rare allele FGA-13 identified in Guangdong Han population.

Methods: The rare allele was detected by PCR-STR and DNA sequencing.

Results: The core repeat sequence of rare allele FGA-OL is [TTTC]₃[TTTT][TTCT][CTTT]₅ [CTCC][TTCC]₂, which has been determined as FGA-13.

[Calculation of the avuncular index].

Objective: To introduce the method of avuncular index (AI) calculation.

Methods: Identity by decent coefficient, coancestry coefficient and AI law were employed in identification of uncle-niece relationship, when autosomal STR loci were detected to determine controversial uncle-niece relationship.

Results: The results of AI calculation were coincidental using identity by descent coefficien, coancestry coefficient and AI law.

ASIC1a polymorphism is associated with temporal lobe epilepsy.

Recent in vitro and in vivo data show that acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) activation enhances neuronal excitability in the hippocampus and neocortex, indicating that ASIC1a might play a role in the generation and maintenance of epileptic seizures. The aim of this study was to investigate association of the ASIC1a gene with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) for the first time. Six tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the ASIC1a gene were selected and genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism in 560 TLE patients and 401 healthy controls.

[Adenovirus mediated expression of recombinant human single chain interleukin-27(rhscIL-27) fusion gene in hepatoma cells].

Aim: To explore the adenovirus mediated expression of recombinant human single chain interleukin-27(rhscIL-27) fusion gene in hepatoma cells.

Methods: The rhscIL-27 fusion gene was subcloned into the shuttle plasmid pAdTrack-CMV and then clone the homologous recombinant adenovirus genomic plasmid pAdEasy in bacteria. The identified recombinant plasmid AdIL-27 was tranfected into 293 cells, and then the adenovirus did the package and amplification.

[Fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by composting of municipal sewage sludge and rapeseed meal].

The goal of these studies was to determine the fate of 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during the 94 days of composting of municipal sewage sludge with rapeseed meal. The total PAHs calculated from the sum of the amounts of the 16 PAHs in the initial mixture of municipal sewage sludge was about 1.792 mg x kg(-1).

Abnormal expression of NRF-2α in hepatocellular carcinoma identified with a newly prepared monoclonal antibody against human NRF-2α protein.

Human nuclear respiratory factor 2 alpha subunit (NRF-2α) is fundamentally important to cell function and the development. We aimed to establish the monoclonal antibody (MAb) against the human NRF-2α protein and to investigate its distribution in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and tumor-adjacent tissues. The 6× His-NRF-2α fusion protein was successfully induced and purified.