Immunoparesis recovery 1 year after ASCT is independently associated with favorable survival in patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma who undergo autologous stem cell transplantation.

Immunoparesis is defined as a reduction in the levels of one, two, or three uninvolved immunoglobulins. However, there are very limited data on the incidence and prognostic significance of immunoparesis recovery 1 year after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in MM. We reviewed medical records of de novo MM patients who received ASCT at Beijing Chao Yang hospital.

gene variation is associated with the risk for conotruncal heart defects in Chinese population.

Conotruncal heart defects are considered to be one of the most common types of birth defect worldwide. Genetic disturbances in folate metabolism such as Thymidylate synthase may increase risk for conotruncal heart defects. We evaluated two common Thymidylate synthase polymorphisms, including the 28 bp tandem repeat in the promoter enhancer region of the 5'-untranslated region and the 6 bp deletion in the 3'-untranslated region, as risk factors of conotruncal heart defects including various subtypes of malformations, in a total of 193 mothers with conotruncal heart defect in offspring and 234 healthy controls in the Chinese population.

Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Versus Cryoballoon Ablation in the Treatment of Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation: A Cost-effectiveness Analysis in China.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) compared with cryoballoon (CB) ablation in the treatment of patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) from the payer's perspective in China.

Methods: We constructed a cohort model, combining a 12-month decision-tree model with a lifetime Markov state-transition model, in a hypothetical cohort of patients with drug-refractory PAF managed with either RFCA or CB ablation, to compare the cost-effectiveness of the 2 procedures. Data related to clinical outcomes and costs in this model were obtained from a retrospective 12-month follow-up study in patients in China and from related literature.

Genome-wide identification, characterization and expression analysis of the MITF gene in Yesso scallops (Patinopecten yessoensis) with different shell colors.

The microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is the center of the regulator network of melanin synthesis in vertebrates. However, the role of MITF in shell color formation is poorly studied in mollusks. In the present study, an MITF gene, PyMITF, was first identified at the whole-genome level in Yesso scallop (Patinopecten yessoensis), an evolutionarily and economically important species, the shell color of which shows polymorphism.

Reduction of Imidacloprid by Sponge Iron and Identification of its Degradation Products.

In this study, imidacloprid was degraded by sponge iron in aqueous solution via chemical reduction. The effects of initial pH, reaction time, and operating model were investigated. Lower of pH was advantageous to the reduction degradation reaction.

Sensitive, Real-Time, and In-Vivo Oxygen Monitoring for Photodynamic Therapy by Multifunctional Mesoporous Nanosensors.

Real-time monitoring of oxygen consumption is beneficial to predict treatment responses and optimize therapeutic protocols for photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this work, we first demonstrate that deformable hollow mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (HMONs) can be used to load [(Ru(dpp))]Cl for detecting oxygen (denoted as HMON-[(Ru(dpp))]Cl). This nanoprobe shows significantly improved biocompatibility and high cellular uptake.

Transcriptional changes in the Japanese scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) shellinfested by Polydora provide insights into the molecular mechanism of shell formation and immunomodulation.

The Japanese scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis) is one of the most important aquaculture species in Asian countries; however, it has suffered severe infection by Polydora in northern China in recent years, causing great economic losses. The Polydora parasitizes the shell of scallops, badly destroying the shell's structure. To investigate the molecular response mechanism of M.

Efficiency of maternal-fetal transfer of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can be transferred from a mother to her fetus during pregnancy and adversely affect fetal development. However, the efficiency and influencing factors of PFASs maternal-fetal transfer remain unclear. We measured the levels of six perfluoroalkylcarboxylates, three perfluoroalkylsulfonates, and one sulfonamide in 369 pairs of maternal and umbilical cord serum and examined the transplacental transfer efficiency (TTE) of PFASs by the functional group and carbon chain length in a prospective birth cohort in Shandong, China.

Fe-selective and sensitive "on-off" fluorescence probe based on the graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets.

An effective and facile "on-off" fluorescence sensing approach for the determination of Fe ion using a large area and relatively uniform size graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (GCNS) was developed. The prepared GCNS have blue and stable emission, as well as excellent water dispersion, and were applied as an effective fluorescent probe that based on the quenched fluorescence for selective and sensitive detection of Fe ion. Herein, we explain the ambiguous fluorescence quenching mechanism between the GCNS and Fe, which mainly springs from the redox potential and empty d orbital of Fe.

Chemical constituents, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of extract from the rhizomes of Thunb.

Thirty-three compounds (-) were isolated from the rhizomes of . Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectral analysis and identified as -kaurene terpenoids (1-3), anthraquinones (4-8), flavonoids (9-12), steroids (13-15), and other compounds (-). Compound -, - were isolated from the genus osmunda for the first time.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between cystotome-assisted prechop phacoemulsification surgery and conventional phacoemulsification surgery for hard nucleus cataracts: A CONSORT-compliant article.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the cystotome-assisted prechop phacoemulsification surgery (CAPPS) and conventional phacoemulsification surgery (CPS) in patients with IV degree nucleus cataract.

Methods: The prospective, randomized, consecutive, comparative cohort study consecutively recruited Chinese age-related cataract patients, CAPPS and CPS were performed by a seasoned surgeon. Postoperative follow-up was at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, and the outcome measures comprised ultrasound power, effective phacoemulsification time (EPT), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), endothelial cell density (ECD), corneal endothelium loss rate (ECL), central corneal thickness (CCT), and intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Core-shell like glass containing lanthanide doped nanocrystals for efficient luminescence.

We constructed a core-shell like nanoarchitecture in Yb/Er ion and Yb/Ho SrTiO3 nanocrystal-codoped tellurite-borate glass. We demonstrated that the adverse energy transfer between Er3+ ions in the glass region and Ho3+ ions in the crystal region was effectively prohibited, which permits independent and highly efficient emission from Er3+ and Ho3+ ions.

Guanxinjing capsule in the treatment of chronic stable angina: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Stable angina is a common cardiovascular disease with high mortality and a poor prognosis. Although there are various interventions against stable angina, none are able to significantly reduce the mortality rate. Guanxinjing capsule (GXJ) is made from the classical Chinese prescription Xuefuzhuyutang ().

PML/RARa blocks the differentiation and promotes the proliferation of acute promyelocytic leukemia through activating MYB expression by transcriptional and epigenetic regulation mechanisms.

The promyelocytic leukemia (PML)/retinoic acid receptor-alpha (RARα) onco-fusion protein that is generated from t(15;17) chromosome translocation is crucial for the leukemogenesis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and is well documented as a transcriptional repressor. To understand the relationship between PML/RARα and the oncogene in the development of APL, we investigate the regulation mechanism of PML/RARα to MYB proto-oncogene and the role of this regulation on the proliferation and differentiation of APL cells. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays show that MYB expression was significantly higher in PML/RARα positive cell lines.

Immunoparesis in symptomatic multiple myeloma at diagnosis affects PFS with bortezomib-containing induction therapy, but not ASCT consolidation.

In novel agent era, the impact of immunoparesis at diagnosis on outcomes in symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) remains unclear. We reviewed medical records of 147 MM patients at Beijing Chao Yang hospital. Most patients exhibited immunoparesis at diagnosis (84%).

Urinary concentration of personal care products and polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorder among females of reproductive age. Many emerging contaminants in personal care products have been confirmed with endocrine disruptive effects. We performed a case-control study to explore the association between the concentrations of certain emerging contaminants (organic UV filters, bisphenol A, and triclosan) and the risk of PCOS.

Photosensitizer-loaded biomimetic platform for multimodal imaging-guided synergistic phototherapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has attracted much attention as a strategy for tumor therapy. However, the insolubility and poor tumor-targeting ability of most photosensitizers (PSs) hinder PDT from further development. Therefore, it is necessary to explore new carriers with good water solubility and biocompatibility to deliver PSs to tumors.

Inhibiting eEF-2 kinase-mediated autophagy enhanced the cytocidal effect of AKT inhibitor on human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Aim: Our previous research showed that AKT inactivation via small molecule inhibitors did not induce significant apoptosis, but rather markedly increased autophagy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The purpose of the current study was to determine whether autophagy inhibition can enhance the anticancer efficacy of an AKT inhibitor (MK-2206).

Materials And Methods: NPC cell lines CNE-2 (Epstein-Barr virus negative) and C666-1 (Epstein-Barr virus positive) were used to conduct the research.

The fractional synthesis rates of plasma proteins as determined using deuterated water are sensitive to dietary intake of lysine in rats.

Traditionally, the effect of dietary lysine upon health is determined through the concentrations of plasma proteins, but sometimes they are not responsive to lysine intake. We hypothesized that the fractional synthesis rates (FSRs) of plasma proteins may be more sensitive to dietary intake of lysine than protein concentrations in plasma. Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into three groups based on their diets provided for 18 weeks: low lysine (LG), normal lysine (NG) and high lysine (HG).

FOXD1-dependent MICU1 expression regulates mitochondrial activity and cell differentiation.

Although many factors contribute to cellular differentiation, the role of mitochondria Ca dynamics during development remains unexplored. Because mammalian embryonic epiblasts reside in a hypoxic environment, we intended to understand whether Ca and its transport machineries are regulated during hypoxia. Tissues from multiple organs of developing mouse embryo evidenced a suppression of MICU1 expression with nominal changes on other MCU complex components.

High miR-718 Suppresses Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog (PTEN) Expression and Correlates to Unfavorable Prognosis in Gastric Cancer.

BACKGROUND Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) is a kind of phosphatase which has been demonstrated to suppress progression of gastric cancer. Many micro-RNAs (miRNAs), such as miR-106b, miR-93, and miR-200c, could inhibit expression of PTEN in cell lines; and many miRNAs including miR-21, miR-22, miR-18a, and miR-222 are related to the progression and prognosis of gastric cancer. However, among these miRNAs, the clinical significance of miR-718 has not yet been elucidated.

Carbon nanotube-based flexible electrothermal film heaters with a high heating rate.

High-performance, flexible film heaters with carbon nanotube transparent conducting films are easily fabricated by both a rod-coating method and a spraying method. The main conclusion we have reached is that the film demonstrates a heating rate of 6.1°C s at 35 V and sheet resistance as low as 94.

Genotoxic effects of imidacloprid in human lymphoblastoid TK6 cells.

Among neonicotinoid insecticides, the fastest growing class of insecticides worldwide over the past decade, imidacloprid (IMI) is the most widely used one. The effects of IMI on human health, especially on genetic toxicity have gradually aroused more attention. In this study, a combined in vitro approach employing the thymidine kinase () gene mutation assay, the comet assay and the micronucleus test was taken to assess the genotoxicity of IMI.