Publications by authors named "Zhi Zhang"

Benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) are priority pollutants known for their hematotoxicity and carcinogenic properties. Benzene is further metabolized to phenyl mercapturic acid (PMA), toluene and xylene also generate benzyl mercapturic acid (BMA) in human urine. To confirm whether the exposure to benzene series comes from the workplace or from the external environment such as smoking is a very meaningful work, so accurate measurement of their biomarkers in biological samples is crucial.

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Background And Objective: Prostate cancer is a major cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality in men globally. The pathogenesis involves complex interactions between genetic mutations and environmental factors, activating multiple signaling pathways, especially Wnt/β-catenin, PI3K/Akt, and NF-κB pathways. Tumor suppressor genes and are key inhibitors of these pathways, crucial in suppressing tumor growth and metastasis.

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Objective: The study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy of suspension exercise training (SET) in the treatment of lumbar intervertebral disk herniation and provide a scientific basis for clinical treatment.

Methods: Databases such as CNKI, Chinese Wanfang, PubMed, Cochrane, the Web of Science, and Embase were searched up to June 2024. A quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's risk-of-bias guidelines, and a meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan 5.

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The prognosis of non-distant metastatic early-onset esophageal cancer (EC) patients undergoing surgical treatment remains unclear, this study aims to compare the prognosis of early-onset and late-onset EC. Information on non-distant metastatic EC patients who underwent surgical treatment and were initially diagnosed between 2004 and 2015 was collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline differences between early-onset and late-onset EC patients.

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Comorbid anxiety in chronic pain is clinically common, with a comorbidity rate of over 50%. The main treatments are based on pharmacological, interventional, and implantable approaches, which have limited efficacy and carry a risk of side effects. Here, we report a terahertz (THz, 10 Hz) wave stimulation (THS) technique, which exerts nonthermal, long-term modulatory effects on neuronal activity by reducing the binding between nano-sized glutamate molecules and GluA2, leading to the relief of pain and comorbid anxiety-like behaviors in mice.

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Introduction: gastrointestinal (GI) colonization is crucial for the onset of invasive disease. This research encompassed 31 patients diagnosed with spp. bloodstream infections during their admission to a university hospital in China.

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Objectives: To develop robust variants of L-threonine aldolases (L-TAs), potent catalysts for synthesizing asymmetric β-hydroxy-α-amino acids, it is necessary to identify critical residues beyond the known active site residues.

Results: Through virtual screening, a neglected residue Asn305, was identified as critical for catalytic efficiency. Subsequent site-saturation mutagenesis led to a potent variant N305R which exhibited excellent conversions of 88% (87%) and 80% (94%) for the synthesis of L-threo-phenylserine and L-threo-4-fluorophenylserine respectively.

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Article Synopsis
  • High malignancy potential gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (HMP-gGISTs) typically require surgery, but the need for lymph node removal (LR) during the procedure is debated.
  • A study analyzed data from 840 patients with HMP-gGISTs, comparing those who had LR to those who did not, using statistical methods to ensure unbiased results.
  • The findings revealed that patients who had LR had worse overall survival and cancer-specific survival rates, suggesting that LR might not be beneficial or necessary for improving patient outcomes.
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This study comprehensively examines how combining γ-irradiation and enzymatic modification influences the microstructure and physicochemical properties of dietary fiber (DF) obtained from defatted rice bran. The resulting yields of soluble dietary fiber (SDF) and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) were measured at 13.38 ± 0.

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Background: Over the past few decades, fibular grafts have been widely utilized across 86 countries and regions globally for surgical reconstruction of various anatomical sites, including the mandible, upper extremities, lower extremities, spine, and in phalloplasty procedures. The present study aims to systematically investigate the developmental trajectory of fibular graft and identify research priorities for surgeons.

Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted by searching the Web of Science Core Collection on April 12, 2024, for articles published between 2004 and 2023 on fibular grafting, using the query TS = ("graft" OR "transfer" OR "flap") AND TS = ("fibular").

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Article Synopsis
  • * This study examines the effects of phlorizin, a natural compound, both alone and with the standard chemotherapy drug temozolomide (TMZ), finding that phlorizin significantly reduces cell growth and migration, especially when paired with TMZ.
  • * Research indicates that phlorizin targets the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, which is vital for GBM cell survival, suggesting that phlorizin combined with TMZ could be a promising new treatment approach for this aggressive cancer.*
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Ultrasound imaging technology plays a vital role in medical imaging. Ovarian ultrasound image segmentation is challenging due to the wide variation in lesion sizes caused by the cancer detection period and individual differences, as well as the noise from reflected wave interference. To address these challenges, we propose an innovative algorithm for ovarian ultrasound image segmentation that incorporates multi-scale features.

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Lung cancer is primarily classified as NSCLC, which is distinguished by a wide range of genetic variations. This study focused on , a relatively unexplored lncRNA, to explore the impact of its genetic polymorphisms on the susceptibility to NSCLC. We detected expression and its correlation with prognosis and clinical pathological features using bioinformatics analysis.

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Polymer thermoelectrics (TEs) have attracted increasing interest in recent years, owing to their great potential in intimate integration with wearable electronics for powering small electronics/sensors and personal temperature regulation. Over the past few decades, substantial progress has been made in enhancing polymer TE performance. However, the electrical conductivity and power factor of most n-doped polymers are about an order of magnitude lower than those of their p-type counterparts, impeding the development of highly efficient polymer TE devices.

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Article Synopsis
  • * The study utilized transcriptional data and a genome-scale metabolic model (GSMM) to identify potential new anti-targets for treating BB, focusing on changes in metabolic processes before and after a specific treatment.
  • * Glutathione oxidoreductase (GSR) was identified as a promising target, and the compound DB12411 showed potential as a new antibacterial agent, demonstrating the effectiveness of combining metabolic data with drug discovery.
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This study used forestry statistical data and field survey data from 2000 to 2018 to analyze the ecological restoration effect of the returning farmland to forest project in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, considering four perspectives, namely, project construction goals, ecosystem quality, ecosystem service functions, and ecological restoration driving factors. One-way ANOVA and logit regression analysis methods were used for comparison. The results show that the implementation of the Grain for Green Project has reduced the carrying capacity of rural land, effectively curbed the continuous deterioration of the ecological environment, and protected and benefited the forest ecosystem.

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Objective: To investigate the biomechanical effects of maxillary orthodontic treatment on different alveolar bone grafting positions loaded with occlusal forces in an unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) patient.

Methods: Finite element analysis was employed to simulate clinical scenarios more accurately by loading with occlusal forces on 8 bone-grafted models during maxillary orthodontic treatment. Displacement and von Mises stress pattern during maxillary protraction, expansion, and combined protraction and expansion were analyzed.

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In natural aquatic environments, the fate of arsenic (As) is significantly influenced by redox processes involving iron (Fe) species. Understanding the mechanisms governing As transformation in the presence of Fe species is crucial for comprehending its environmental impact and advancing remediation strategies. In this work, the oxidation of As(III) in oxygenated Fe(II) solutions was investigated.

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In this article, an article published in the , which focuses on whether the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) affects the effectiveness of chemotherapy regimens, including bevacizumab, in treating patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Through neutralization of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), bevacizumab inhibits tumor angiogenesis, impairing neovascularization and thereby depriving the tumor of essential nutrients and oxygen. Conversely, PD-L1 binding to VEGF receptor 2 promotes angiogenesis, supporting tumor vasculature.

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Indigenous rangers play a critical role in achieving global biodiversity goals by facilitating effective conservation and community development. However, there is limited knowledge about rangers' livelihoods and responses to conservation policies. This study examined indigenous rangers' perceptions of livelihood impacts and attitudes toward national park management in Three-River-Source National Park (TRSNP).

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Microorganisms are essential for the functioning of constructed wetlands (CWs), yet the role of rare bacterial taxa in CWs remains poorly understood. In this study, the community structure, metabolic activities, ecological functions, and assembly processes of abundant and rare bacterial taxa in CWs were examined using DNA and RNA high-throughput sequencing. Our results revealed that Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Bacteroidia, and Actinobacteria exhibited high diversity and sequence abundance.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study evaluates the effectiveness of a new testing method called Chips for Complicated Infection Detection (CCID) for identifying pneumonia-causing pathogens, compared to traditional microbiological tests (CMT).
  • Conducted across nine hospitals in China, the study analyzed respiratory samples from 245 pneumonia patients, revealing that CCID detected pathogens in 78% of patients, significantly higher than CMT's 57.1%.
  • The findings highlight CCID's superior performance, particularly in elderly patients and those who had previously used antibiotics, indicating its potential as a valuable tool in pneumonia management.
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With the depletion of shallow oil and gas resources, wells are being drilled to deeper and deeper depths to find new hydrocarbon reserves. This study presents the selection and optimization process of the cement slurries to be used for the deepest well ever drilled in China, with a planned vertical depth of 11,100 m. The bottomhole circulating and static temperatures of the well were estimated to be 210 °C and 220 °C, respectively, while the bottomhole pressure was estimated to be 130 MPa.

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Background: Anlotinib, a highly selective inhibitor of VEGFR2, has demonstrated significant anti-tumor effects in various cancers. However, its potential synergistic effects with DDP (cisplatin) in breast cancer (BRCA) remain to be fully elucidated. This study aims to discover the therapeutic efficacy of anlotinib on BRCA, specifically the synergistic effects with DDP, and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

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Retinal neovascularization (RNV) disease is one of the leading causes of blindness, yet the molecular underpinnings of this condition are not well understood. To delve into the critical aspects of cell-mediated angiogenesis, we analyzed our previously published single-cell data. Our analysis revealed that retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells serve a crucial promotional function in angiogenesis.

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