Modified Killian Method for Flexible Nasopharyngoscopic Observation of the Hypopharynx: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Flexible nasopharyngoscopy is a common procedure for evaluating the hypopharynx. The modified Killian method has been reported to enhance visualization during this examination. The aim of this study was to compare the visibility of the hypopharynx using conventional and modified Killian methods.

Multifunctional Nanoparticles Loaded with Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Inhibitors and MED1 siRNA to Inhibit Breast Cancer Progression by Targeting Tumor-Associated Macrophages and Breast Cancer Cells.

Breast cancer is still threatening many people' lives, hence novel targeted therapies are urgently required to improve the poor outcome of breast cancer patients. Herein, our study aimed to explore the potential of nanoparticles (NPs)-loaded with VEGF inhibitors and MED1 siRNA for treatment of the disorder. PEG and MTC conjugates were synthesized by ion gelation, and equipped with VEGF inhibitor (siV) and MED1 (siD) siRNA (MT/PC/siV-D NPs).

Biosensor-assisted evolution for high-level production of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid in Escherichia coli.

4-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4HPAA) is an important building block for synthesizing drugs, agrochemicals, and biochemicals, and requires sustainable production to meet increasing demand. Here, we use a 4HPAA biosensor to overcome the difficulty of conventional library screening in identification of preferred mutants. Strains with higher 4HPAA production and tolerance are successfully obtained by atmospheric and room temperature plasma (ARTP) mutagenesis coupled with adaptive laboratory evolution using this biosensor.

Icariin inhibits the expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α induced by OGD/R through the IRE1/XBP1s pathway in microglia.

Context: Icariin (ICA), a flavonol glycoside extracted from Maxim (Berberidaceae), has been proven to inhibit inflammatory response in ischaemic rats in our laboratory's previous work. However, its underlying mechanism is still unclear.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of ICA on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress mediated inflammation induced by cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury .

ATP and NADPH engineering of Escherichia coli to improve the production of 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid using CRISPRi.

Background: 4-Hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4HPAA) is an important raw material for the synthesis of drugs, pesticides and biochemicals. Microbial biotechnology would be an attractive approach for 4HPAA production, and cofactors play an important role in biosynthesis.

Results: We developed a novel strategy called cofactor engineering based on clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat interference (CRISPRi) screening (CECRiS) for improving NADPH and/or ATP availability, enhancing the production of 4HPAA.

Icariin protects neurons from endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis after OGD/R injury via suppressing IRE1α-XBP1 signaling pathway.

Icariin (ICA), a flavonol glycoside isolated from Epimedium, has been considered as a potential alternative therapy for ischemic stroke. However, the protective mechanisms of ICA on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) are not fully illuminated yet. The effects of ICA on ER stress and inflammatory response which were involved in the pathological process of cerebral I/R were investigated in vitro.

Characterization of 3-Oxacyl-Acyl Carrier Protein Reductase Homolog Genes in PAO1.

Unlabelled: Bacterial 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase (OAR) catalyzes the 3-oxoacyl-ACP reduction step in the fatty acid synthesis pathway. At least 12 genes in the genome are annotated as OAR-encoding genes. In this study, we characterized the functions of these genes with biochemical and genetic techniques.

Characterization of a thermophilic cellulase from Geobacillus sp. HTA426, an efficient cellulase-producer on alkali pretreated of lignocellulosic biomass.

A themophilic cellulase-producing bacterium was isolated from a hot spring district and identified as Geobacillus sp. HTA426. The cellulase enzyme produced by the Geobacillus sp.

The effect of surfactant-assisted ultrasound-ionic liquid pretreatment on the structure and fermentable sugar production of a water hyacinth.

This study investigated the possibility of enhancing the disruption of water hyacinth (WH) in an ultrasound-ionic liquid (US-IL) pretreatment assisted by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) was used to dissolve the WH. The optimum concentration of SDS for the highest production of reducing sugar was also determined.

Impact of surfactant type for ionic liquid pretreatment on enhancing delignification of rice straw.

This work describes an environmentally friendly method for pretreating rice straw by using 1-Allyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([AMIM]Cl) as an ionic liquid (IL) assisted by surfactants. The impacts of surfactant type (including nonionic-, anionic-, cationic- and bio-surfactant) on the ionic liquid pretreatment were investigated. The bio-surfactant+IL-pretreated rice straw showed significant lignin removal (26.