Publications by authors named "ZQ Huang"

Objective: The role of crescent formation in primary membranous nephropathy (PMN) and its potential impact on prognosis remain an area of ongoing investigation. This study stratifies patients with PMN into two cohorts: one with crescents and one without. It then compares these groups to investigate the influence of crescents on the prognosis of PMN.

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  • Acute aortic dissection (AAD) is a serious cardiovascular emergency linked to changes in vascular smooth muscle cells and the breakdown of the extracellular matrix, with Follistatin-like 1 (FSTL1) found to play a protective role in related cardiovascular issues.
  • The study showed that FSTL1 levels were significantly lower in both human and mouse AAD models, and adding FSTL1 back helped improve VSMC function and reduce damage in the aorta.
  • Mechanistically, the research revealed that FSTL1 can enhance the phosphorylation of AMPK, suggesting that targeting FSTL1 could be a novel approach for preventing and treating AAD.
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  • Extragenital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections are common among men who have sex with men (MSM), and self-sampling may provide easier access to testing for those hesitant to visit health clinics.
  • A study conducted in China compared the diagnostic accuracy of self-collected specimens to clinician-taken specimens, analyzing samples from 325 participants at six STI clinics.
  • The findings demonstrated high agreement and sensitivity of self-sampling for both CT and NG infections, with 62% of MSM showing a preference for self-sampling, indicating it’s an acceptable alternative to traditional clinician-based testing.
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Esophageal cancer (EC) is associated with high mortality rates and widespread resistance to chemotherapeutic agents, like paclitaxel (PTX), posing a significant global public health challenge. ANP32E is a member of the acidic nuclear phosphoprotein 32 family, its specific biological functions and mechanisms in EC remain unclear. Through bioinformatics analysis and clinical tissue sample studies, we observed a marked upregulation of ANP32E expression in EC tissues.

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Organophosphate pesticides, particularly glyphosate, persist in aquatic environments due to widespread agricultural usage, posing substantial environmental and health risks. This study explores the bioremediation potential of genetically engineered Chlorella sorokiniana, expressing purple acid phosphatase (PAP) from Phaeodactylum tricornutum, for glyphosate biodegradation. The engineered strain (OE line) demonstrated complete glyphosate biodegradation at concentrations below 10 ppm within 4-6 days, surpassing the wild type (WT).

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Electrochemical methods for nitrogen reduction have received extensive attention due to the mild reaction conditions. In order to gain an insight into the mechanism of the electrochemical nitrogen reduction process, theoretical simulations are necessary. However, current simulation studies contain many imprecise approximations that may hinder the real recognition of the reaction process.

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  • The text discusses a new strategy for improving small-molecule activation and conversion in chemical processes using reusable and separable surface frustrated Lewis pairs (SFLPs).
  • It highlights the challenges in designing and synthesizing SFLPs and suggests looking for natural SFLPs on various solid materials, such as wurtzite crystal surfaces and reduced oxides.
  • The authors propose research directions and potential applications for these natural SFLPs in heterogeneous catalysis, aiming to address current limitations in the field.
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  • - Y chromosome microdeletions, particularly involving the sY1192 gene, are connected to male infertility, and this study examined the effects of losing this specific region in sperm quality among 116 patients.
  • - About 41.4% of cases involved sY1192-independent deletions, which showed that men losing only the sY1192 gene had a better chance of sperm detection compared to those with multiple deletions.
  • - Although the fertilization and cleavage rates after ICSI were higher for men with sY1192-independent deletions, the overall pregnancy outcomes were similar to those with other types of Y chromosome microdeletions.
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Soil stoichiometric ratios serve as valuable indicators for the composition and quality of soil organic matter. While available studies predominantly examine the soil stoichiometric ratios of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P), limited attention has been paid on the influence of forest restoration on soil stoichiometric ratios of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg). We analyzed soil K, Ca, and Mg content, as well as elemental stoichiometric ratios, in secondary forests with varying restoration periods (5, 8, 21, 27 and 40 years) and a natural forest, in order to examine the impact of forest restoration on soil stoichiometry.

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Sluggish interfacial water dissociation and the O evolution reaction (OER) kinetics are the main obstacles that limit the photocatalytic overall water-splitting performance. A molten salt modulation of potassium-nitrogen-carbon is herein demonstrated as the formation of highly crystalline potassium-doped poly(triazine imide) (KPTI). The in situ X-ray diffraction patterns and theoretical calculation show that the KCl melt can significantly reduce the free energy for the polycondensation of triazine building blocks owing to the formation of a kinetically stable KPTI.

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The contribution of litterfall nutrient return to the maintenance of soil carbon pool and nutrient cycling is a crucial aspect of forest ecosystem functioning. Taking 21 tree species in subtropical young plantations as subjects, we investigated the correlation between litterfall nutrient return characteristics and functional traits of leaf and root and. The results showed notable variations in litterfall production, standing crop, and nutrient return across all the examined tree species.

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  • Researchers extensively study dihydrogen complexes in molecular science, particularly in homogeneous and enzymatic catalysis, but there's limited experimental evidence for their counterparts in heterogeneous catalysis due to complex material surfaces and characterization challenges.
  • Using advanced high-pressure operando solid-state NMR technology, this study presents the first clear observation of activated dihydrogen binding on a reduced ceria catalyst linked to surface oxygen vacancies.
  • The findings indicate a direct relationship between ceria surface reduction and dihydrogen binding, with NMR analysis showing that bound dihydrogen plays a crucial role in a room-temperature ethylene hydrogenation reaction, which could enhance understanding of hydrogenation mechanisms in solid catalysts.
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  • When the good bacteria in our gut are out of balance, it can lead to inflammation, which is not good for our health.
  • Inflammation can be triggered by allergies, injuries, or infections, making the gut environment worse and allowing harmful bacteria to grow.
  • Some natural substances and the good bacteria can help reduce inflammation, but scientists still need to learn more about how they work together to protect our gut.
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To explore the spatial distribution characteristics, trend changes, and spatial clustering of esophageal cancer among residents in China at the county (city, district) scale, a spatial epidemiological approach was used, with the aim of providing localized evidence for the prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer in China. The data source was the incidence (crude rate) and mortality (crude rate) of esophageal cancer from 2005 to 2016 in the 2008-2019 edition of China Cancer Registration Annual Report published by the National Cancer Center. The Joinpoint model was used for time trend analysis.

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Purpose: Acupoint autohemotherapy (A-AHT) has been proposed as an alternative and complementary treatment for atopic dermatitis (AD), yet the exact role of its blood component in terms of therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of action is still largely unknown.

Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic efficacies and action mechanisms of intramuscular injections of autologous whole blood (AWB) and mouse immunoglobulin G (IgG) (autologous or heterologous) at acupoints on 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD mouse models. Serum levels of total immunoglobulin E (IgE), IgG, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were measured, as well as mRNA expression levels of Forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), IL-10 and IFN-γ in dorsal skin lesions, and IL-10, IFN-γ and FoxP3CD4T cells in murine spleen.

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The excellent reactivity of frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) to activate small molecules has gained increasing attention in recent decades. Though the development of surface FLP (SFLP) is prompting the application of FLP in the chemical industry, the design of SFLP with superior activity, high density, and excellent stability for small-molecule activation is still challenging. Herein, we review the progress of designing SFLP by surface engineering, screening natural SFLP, and the dynamic formation of SFLP from theoretical perspectives.

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Introduction: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) constitutes a life-threatening condition, and identifying the ruptured aneurysm is essential for further therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of hypo-attenuating berry sign (HBS) observed on computed tomography (CT) scan in distinguishing ruptured aneurysms.

Methods: In this diagnostic accuracy study, patients who had SAH and underwent non-enhanced brain CT scan were recruited.

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The surface frustrated Lewis pairs (SFLPs) open up new opportunities for substituting noble metals in the activation and conversion of stable molecules. However, the applications of SFLPs on a larger scale are impeded by the complex construction process, low surface density, and sensitivity to the reaction environment. Herein, wurtzite-structured crystals such as GaN, ZnO, and AlP are found for developing natural, dense, and stable SFLPs.

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  • - Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) shows potential for treating spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3), though its effectiveness and underlying mechanisms are not fully understood.
  • - In a study, 22 SCA3 patients received either actual rTMS or a sham treatment for 15 days, with the real rTMS group showing a greater improvement in motor function as measured by ICARS scores.
  • - Results from resting-state fMRI indicated that rTMS led to increased brain activity in specific regions, suggesting it may enhance motor functions in SCA3 patients by affecting brain excitability and function.
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Background And Aims: The incidence and mortality of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are increasing. It is urgent to develop more effective HCC biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment. This project intends to verify the expression of enhancer of zeste 1 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH1) and its mechanism in HCC.

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Forest type and stand age are important biological factors affecting soil enzyme activities. However, the changes in soil enzyme activities across stand ages and underlying mechanisms under the two forest restoration strate-gies of plantations and natural secondary forests remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the variations of four soil enzyme activities including cello-biohydrolase (CBH), β-1,4-glucosidase (βG), acid phosphatase (AP) and β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), which were closely associated with soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling, across plantations and natural secondary forests (5, 8, 21, 27 and 40 years old).

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  • IgA nephropathy (IgAN) involves kidney damage caused by immune complexes formed from a specific type of IgA that has unusual glycan structures, leading to complications like kidney failure in many patients.
  • To study this condition, researchers created a model using engineered immune complexes in mice to mimic IgAN and examined the effects of sparsentan, a drug that targets certain receptors in the body.
  • The results showed that sparsentan reduced kidney cell overgrowth and inflammation, suggesting it could help protect against kidney damage from IgAN, indicating potential for human treatment insights.
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Rhodopsin-mediated autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RHO-adRP) causes progressive vision loss and is potentially incurable, accounting for 25% of adRP cases. Studies on RHO-adRP mechanism were at large based on the biochemical and cellular properties, especially class-3. Nonetheless, the absence of an appropriate model for class-3 RHO-adRP has impeded comprehensive exploration.

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Direct methane conversion (DMC) to oxygenates at low temperature is of great value but remains challenging due to the high energy barrier for C-H bond activation. Here, we report that in situ decoration of Pd-ZSM-5 single atom catalyst (SAC) by CO molecules significantly promoted the DMC reaction, giving the highest turnover frequency of 207 h ever reported at room temperature and ~100 % oxygenates selectivity with HO as oxidant. Combined characterizations and DFT calculations illustrate that the C-atom of CO prefers to coordinate with Pd, which donates electrons to the Pd-O active center (L-Pd-O, L=CO) generated by HO oxidation.

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Tight junction (TJ) proteins establish a physical barrier between epithelial cells, playing a crucial role in maintaining tissue homeostasis by safeguarding host tissues against pathogens, allergens, antigens, irritants, etc. Recently, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that abnormal expression of TJs plays an essential role in the development and progression of inflammatory airway diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with or without nasal polyps. Among them, CRS with nasal polyps is a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease that affects the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses, leading to a poor prognosis and significantly impacting patients' quality of life.

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