EGFR-Targeted and NIR-Triggered Lipid-Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles for Chemo-Photothermal Colorectal Tumor Therapy.

Background: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a major target for the treatment of colorectal cancer. Thus, anti-EGFR antibody conjugated lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles can offer a potential means of enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapeutics in EGFR overexpressing cancers. In addition, the combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment.

Pre-cesarean prophylactic balloon placement in the internal iliac artery to prevent postpartum hemorrhage among women with pernicious placenta previa.

Objective: To evaluate pre-cesarean prophylactic balloon placement (PBP) in the internal iliac artery among women with pernicious placenta previa.

Methods: The present retrospective study included women with pernicious placenta previa who underwent cesarean delivery at Shanghai Renji Hospital, Shanghai, China, between March 1, 2011, and June 30, 2017. Data were compared between patients who did and did not undergo PBP.

Vascular complications following prophylactic balloon occlusion of the internal iliac arteries resolved by successful interventional thrombolysis in a patient with morbidly adherent placenta.

The increasing incidence of morbidly adherent placenta (MAP) is placing women at a higher risk of life-threatening massive hemorrhage. The involvement of interventional radiology to manage this complex condition by performing prophylactic iliac artery balloon occlusion has been reported recently. However, the effectiveness and safety of this technique have not been fully determined.

Qualitative Analysis of Diagnostic Value of 24-h Proteinuria for Preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious idiopathic disease posing a threat to both mothers and fetuses' lives during pregnancy, whose main diagnostic criteria include hypertension with proteinuria. However, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) updated the diagnostic criteria for PE and reduced the diagnostic value of proteinuria for patients with PE. Qualitative analysis of the diagnostic value of 24-h proteinuria for patients with PE in China was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic criteria value in the latest ACOG guideline.

Chromosomal evolution of Escherichia coli for the efficient production of lycopene.

Background: Plasmid-based overexpression of genes has been the principal strategy for metabolic engineering. However, for biotechnological applications, plasmid-based expression systems are not suitable because of genetic instability, and the requirement for constant selective pressure to ensure plasmid maintenance.

Results: To overcome these drawbacks, we constructed an Escherichia coli lycopene production strain that does not carry a plasmid or an antibiotic marker.

Two new dammarane monodesmosides from Centella asiatica.

Two new dammarane monodesmosides centellosides A (1) and B (2), and two new natural products ginsenosides Mc (10) and Y (11), together with 11 known compounds (3-9 and 12-15) reported for the first time from this genus, were isolated from the whole plants of Centella asiatica. All structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques and chemical methods, and compared with literature values. All the isolated compounds were evaluated in vitro for cytotoxicity.