Sequential release of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) was proposed to enhance therapeutic angiogenesis, however, it remains a challenge to accomplish distinct sequential release of the two proteins. More importantly, the appropriate timing of PDGF release remains an open question. Herein to solve these problems, a new time-controlled release system was designed in which tannic acid/Pluronic F127 (TA/F127) layer-by-layer (LBL) films were used as erodible coatings.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEquilibrioception (sensing of balance) is essential for mammals to perceive and navigate the three-dimensional world. A rapid mechanoelectrical transduction (MET) response in vestibular hair cells is crucial for detecting position and motion. Here, we identify the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) LPHN2/ADGRL2, expressed on the apical membrane of utricular hair cells, as essential for maintaining normal balance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFR Soc Open Sci
February 2025
Cold atomic absorption spectrophotometry and atomic fluorescence methods were employed to ascertain the total mercury concentration in soil samples. A systematic comparison and analysis were conducted on the operational procedures, precision and detection limits of these methodologies. The standard curve for total mercury determination in soil using the atomic fluorescence method is = 851.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAltitude has a significant impact on the power and emissions of diesel engines. This paper combines neural network prediction models with artificial intelligence-based multi-objective optimization algorithms to analyze the performance of internal combustion engines for plateau dual-source locomotives operating at different altitudes. The study focuses on the altitude range based on the Laji Line and selects decision variables and output objectives that significantly affect diesel engine performance for joint optimization.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiomacromolecules
February 2025
Antioxidant hydrogels that can provide a moist environment and scavenge reactive oxygen species have emerged as highly potential wound dressing materials. In situ-forming and good tissue adhesiveness will make them more desirable, as they can fill the irregular wound defect, stick to the wound, and offer intimate contact with the wound. Herein, a hydrogel dressing combining in situ-forming, good tissue adhesiveness, and excellent antioxidant capabilities was developed by simply conjugating dopamine onto carboxymethyl chitosan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEpidemiologic study suggests that nicotine reduces the risk of Parkinson's disease (PD) and thus could serve as a potential treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of nicotine on the behavioral phenotypes and pathological characteristics of mice induced by human alpha-synuclein preformed fibers (α-syn-PFF). Mice were injected with 5 µg of human α-syn-PFF in the hippocampus while administering nicotine-containing drinking water (200 µg/mL).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicrocystin-LR (MC-LR) a cyclic toxin produced by cyanobacterial species is known to exert detrimental effects on various organs, including lung. Several investigators demonstrated that MC-LR exerts pulmonary toxicity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether exposure to MC-LR-induced lung inflammation and examine the underlying mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe association between cigarette smoking and the gut microbiota remains unclear, and there is no agreement on how smoking affects the composition of gut microorganisms. In this study, the relationship between smoking status and gut microbial composition was investigated by performing 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing analysis of stool samples from 80 healthy Chinese adults. The results showed that smoking did not cause significant changes to the composition and microbial functional pathways of the gut microbiota.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiodegradable and renewable biomass aerogel has attracted significant attention because of its excellent characteristics. However, most aerogels were limited by poor mechanical strength and complex fabrication process. Herein, two delignified Tetrapanax papyriferus (TP) lignocellulosic samples (TP-SC, TP-FA/HAC) served as renewable porous skeletons with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) modification to prepare high performance aerogels.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: To observe the effect of simulated repeated transcranial acupuncture (rTAS) on learning and memory abilities and cerebral microvascular flow in vascular dementia (VD) model rats, so as to explore the potential mechanism of rTAS in treating VD.
Methods: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal, model, acupuncture and rTAS groups (=8 rats in each group). The VD model was established by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries.
CRISPR-dCas9 (dead Cas9 protein) technology, combined with chemical molecules and light-triggered genetic switches, offers customizable control over gene perturbation. However, these simple ON/OFF switches cannot precisely determine the sophisticated perturbation process. Here, we developed a resveratrol and protocatechuic acid-programmed CRISPR-mediated gene remodeling biocomputer (REPA) for conditional endogenous transcriptional regulation of genes in vitro and in vivo.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFProphylactic human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines against cervical cancer were successfully developed; however, challenges such as high cost and low compliance still remain to be overcome. In addition, because many HPV types can cause cervical cancer, antigens of multiple HPV types are needed to achieve broad protection. In this study, a bivalent single-injection HPV vaccine was designed in which virus-like particles (VLPs) of HPV 16 L1 and HPV 18 L1 were used as antigens.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAirway foreign bodies are a common clinical emergency, predominantly occurring in children, with adults less frequently affected. Airway foreign bodies can cause a variety of symptoms, with adults more commonly presenting with cough, a factor that often leads to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. Due to anatomical features, most foreign bodies are more likely to be aspirated into the right bronchus, especially the right lower and middle bronchi, with the right upper lung less commonly involved.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInvasive lobular breast carcinoma (ILC) is one potential subset that "clinicopathologic features" can conflict with "long-term outcome" and the optimal management strategy is unknown in such discordant situations. The present study aims to predict the long-term, overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of ILC. The clinical information of patients with non-metastatic ILC was retrieved from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database between 2004 and 2020.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Smoking (nicotine) has been reported to possibly be neuroprotective and conducive to patients with early Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the causal effect of smoking on PD and the molecular mechanisms of smoking-related genes (SRGs) are vague.
Methods: First, genome-wide association study summary data on smoking (ukb-b-6244) and PD (ieu-b-7) were retrieved from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit OpenGWAS database for Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.
Purpose: To address this evidence gap and validate short-term OS at less than 5 years as a reliable surrogate endpoint for 5-year OS.
Methods: We analyzed data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, focusing on non-metastatic NPC patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2015. Patients were categorized into radiotherapy and chemoradiotherapy groups.
Unlabelled: Microorganisms interact with plant roots through colonization of the root surface, i.e., the rhizoplane or the surrounding soil, i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIt remains a great challenge to achieve strong and reversible hydrogel adhesion. Hydrogel adhesives also suffer from poor environmental stability due to dehydration. To overcome these problems, here reversible adhesive gels are designed using a new switching mechanism and new solvent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To investigate the clinical impact of plan complexity on the local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT).
Methods: Data from 123 treatment plans for 113 NSCLC patients were analyzed. Plan-averaged beam modulation (PM), plan beam irregularity (PI), monitor unit/Gy (MU/Gy) and spherical disproportion (SD) were calculated.
Despite numerous studies demonstrate that genetics and epigenetics factors play important roles on smoking behavior, our understanding of their functional relevance and coordinated regulation remains largely unknown. Here we present a multiomics study on smoking behavior for Chinese smoker population with the goal of not only identifying smoking-associated functional variants but also deciphering the pathogenesis and mechanism underlying smoking behavior in this under-studied ethnic population. After whole-genome sequencing analysis of 1329 Chinese Han male samples in discovery phase and OpenArray analysis of 3744 samples in replication phase, we discovered that three novel variants located near FOXP1 (rs7635815), and between DGCR6 and PRODH (rs796774020), and in ARVCF (rs148582811) were significantly associated with smoking behavior.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLignin in biomass plays significant role in substitution of synthetic polymer and reduction of energy expenditure, and the lignin content was usually determined by wet chemical methods. However, the methods' heavy workload, low efficiency, huge consumption of chemicals and use of toxic reagents render them unsuitable for sustainable development and environmental protection. Chinese fir, a prevalent angiosperm tree, holds immense importance for various industries.
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