Autophagy is a widespread biological process that controls cellular growth,survival,development,and death.Circadian rhythm is a recurring reaction of living organisms and behaviors to variations in surrounding brightn...Autophagy is a widespread biological process that controls cellular growth,survival,development,and death.Circadian rhythm is a recurring reaction of living organisms and behaviors to variations in surrounding brightness and obscurity.Most of the fundamental physiological processes in mammals,such as the sleep-wake pattern and the rhythm of nutrition and energy metabolism,are governed by circadian rhythms.Research has indicated that autophagy exhibits a specific circadian pattern in both normal and abnormal conditions.Autophagy can modulate circadian rhythms by breaking down proteins that regulate the circadian clock.The potential regulatory connection between the two has been a popular subject of clinical and fundamental research.Understanding the interaction between circadian rhythm and autophagy could potentially lead to the development of novel approaches for disease treatment in the future.The present analysis presented a summary of the molecular processes implicated in the interplay between autophagy and circadian rhythm,as well as the pathological importance of the disrupted regulatory association between these two phenomena.展开更多
LiBH_(4) has been considered as one of the most promising energy storage materials with its ultrahigh hydrogen capacity,which can supply hydrogen through hydrolysis process or realize hydrogen-to-electricity conversio...LiBH_(4) has been considered as one of the most promising energy storage materials with its ultrahigh hydrogen capacity,which can supply hydrogen through hydrolysis process or realize hydrogen-to-electricity conversion via anodic oxidation reaction of direct borohydride fuel cells(DBFCs).However,the realization of practical hydrogen applications heavily depends on the effective synthesis of high-purity LiBH_(4) and recycling of the spent fuels(LiBO_(2)·xH_(2)O).The present work demonstrates a convenient and high-efficiency solvent-free strategy for regenerating LiBH_(4) with a maximum yield close to 80%,by retrieving its by-products with MgH_(2) as a reducing agent under ambient conditions.Besides,the hydrogen released from the regeneration course can completely compensate the demand for consumed MgH_(2).The isotopic tracer method reveals that the hydrogen stored in LiBH_(4) comes from both MgH_(2) and coordinated water bound to LiBO_(2).Here,the expensive MgH_(2) can be substituted with the readily available and cost-effective MgH_(2)-Mg mixtures to simplify the regeneration route.Notably,LiBH_(4) catalyzed by CoCl_(2) can stably supply hydrogen to proton exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC),thus powering a portable prototype vehicle.By combining hydrogen storage,production and utilization in a closed cycle,this work offers new insights into deploying boron-based hydrides for energy applications.展开更多
AIM:To investigate the role of the overexpression of B7-H3 in apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines and the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS:SW620 cells that highly overexpressed B7-H3(SW620-B7-H3-EGFP)and ...AIM:To investigate the role of the overexpression of B7-H3 in apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines and the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS:SW620 cells that highly overexpressed B7-H3(SW620-B7-H3-EGFP)and HCT8 cells stably transfected with B7-H3 sh RNA(HCT8-sh B7-H3)were previously constructed in our laboratory.Cells transfected with p IRES2-EGFP were used as negative controls(SW620-NC and HCT8-NC).Real-time PCR and western blotting analysis were used to detect the m RNA and protein expressions of the apoptosis regulator proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-xl and Bax.A cell proliferation assay was used to evaluate the survival rate and drug sensitivity of the cells.The effect of drug resistance was detected by a cell cycle assay.Active caspase-3western blotting was used to reflect the anti-apoptotic ability of cells.Western blotting was also performed to determine the expression of proteins associated with the Jak2-STAT3 signaling pathway and the apoptosis regulator proteins after the treatment with AG490,a Jak2 specific inhibitor,in B7-H3 overexpressing cells.The data were analyzed by Graph Pad Prism 6 using a non-paired t-test.RESULTS:Whether by overexpression in SW620cells or downregulation in HCT8,B7-H3 significantly affected the expression of anti-and pro-apoptotic proteins,at both the transcriptional and translational levels,compared with the negative control(P<0.05).A cell proliferation assay revealed that B7-H3overexpression increased the drug resistance of cells and resulted in a higher survival rate(P<0.05).In addition,the results of cell cycle and active caspase-3western blotting proved that B7-H3 overexpression inhibited apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines(P<0.05).B7-H3 overexpression improved Jak2 and STAT3phosphorylation and,in turn,increased the expression of the downstream anti-apoptotic proteins B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-xl,based on western blotting(P<0.05).After treating B7-H3 overexpressing cells with the Jak2-specific inhibitor AG490,the phosphorylation of Jak2 and STAT3,and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl,decreased accordingly(P<0.05).This finding suggested that the Jak2-STAT3 pathway is involved in the mechanism mediating the anti-apoptotic ability of B7-H3.CONCLUSION:The overexpression of B7-H3 induces resistance to apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines by upregulating the Jak2-STAT3 signaling pathway,potentially providing new approaches to the treatment of colorectal cancer.展开更多
AIM: To clarify this controversy and to provide evidence for application of lipid lowering agents in treatment of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS: We searched the databases of Pub Med, Embase and Cochrane Library Cen...AIM: To clarify this controversy and to provide evidence for application of lipid lowering agents in treatment of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS: We searched the databases of Pub Med, Embase and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL) and abstracts from main annual meetings up to January 1, 2017. Google scholar and ClinicalT rials.gov were also searched for unpublished relevant studies. We included randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that studied lipid-lowering agents in type 1 or type 2 diabetes in this Meta-analysis. The primary endpoint was the progression of DR, and the secondary endpoints included vision loss, development of diabetic macular edema(DME) and aggravation of hard exudates. The pooled odds ratios(OR)with corresponding 95% confidence intervals(95%CIs) were calculated.RESULTS: After systemic and manual literature search by two independent investigators, we included 8 RCTs from 7 published articles with 13 454 participants in this Meta-analysis. The results revealed that lipid-lowering drugs were associated with reduced risk in DR progression [OR=0.77(95%CI: 0.62, 0.96), P=0.02]. Lipid-lowering agents might have protective effect on DME compared to placebo, although the difference was not statistically significant [OR=0.60(95%CI: 0.34, 1.08), P=0.09]. However, no significant differences in the worsening of vision acuity [OR=0.96(95%CI: 0.81,1.14), P=0.64] and hard exudates [OR=0.50(95%CI:0.15, 1.74), P=0.28] were found between the lipidlowering drugs and the placebo groups.CONCLUSION: In DR patients, lipid-lowering agents show a protective effect on DR progression and might be associated with reduced risk in the development of DME. However, lipid-lowering agents have no effects on vision loss and hard exudates aggravation. Further clinical trials in larger scale are required to confirm the conclusion of this study and thus justify the use of intensive control lipids with anti-lipid agents at the early stages of DR.展开更多
AIM To investigate the expression and clinical significance of B7 homolog 3(B7-H3) and β-1,3-galactosyltransferase-4(B3 GALT4) in colorectal cancer(CRC) patients.METHODS Using tissue microarray, we identified the exp...AIM To investigate the expression and clinical significance of B7 homolog 3(B7-H3) and β-1,3-galactosyltransferase-4(B3 GALT4) in colorectal cancer(CRC) patients.METHODS Using tissue microarray, we identified the expression of B7-H3 and B3 GALT4 in 223 CRC patient samples by immunohistochemistry and evaluated the possible correlation between B7-H3 and B3 GALT4 and clinicaloutcomes. Further, the m RNA and protein expression were identified to establish the regulatory relationship of B7-H3 with B3 GALT4 in vitro.RESULTS A significant positive correlation between B7-H3 and B3 GALT4 was observed in CRC specimens(r = 0.219, P = 0.001). High expression of B7-H3 was identified as a significant independent predictor of poor overall survival(OS) [hazard ratio(HR) = 1.781; 95%CI: 1.027-3.089; P = 0.040]. Moreover, high expression of B3 GALT4 was also recognized as an independent predictor of inferior OS(HR = 1.597; 95%CI: 1.007-2.533; P = 0.047). Additionally, CRC patients expressing both high B7-H3 and high B3 GALT4 contributed to a significant decrease in OS(HR = 2.283; 95%CI: 1.289-4.042; P = 0.005). In CRC cell lines with stable expression of high B7-H3, the m RNA and protein expressions of B3 GALT4 were significantly upregulated. Similarly, the expression of B3 GALT4 was significantly reduced when expression of B7-H3 was knocked down.CONCLUSION The expression of B3 GALT4 in CRC is positively correlated with B7-H3 expression in vitro. B7-H3/B3 GLAT4 may be used as dual prognostic biomarkers for CRC.展开更多
Periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs) are a key cell type for restoring/regenerating lost/damaged periodontal tissues, including alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and root cementum, the latter of which is importan...Periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs) are a key cell type for restoring/regenerating lost/damaged periodontal tissues, including alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and root cementum, the latter of which is important for regaining tooth function. However,PDLSCs residing in an inflammatory environment generally exhibit compromised functions, as demonstrated by an impaired ability to differentiate into cementoblasts, which are responsible for regrowing the cementum. This study investigated the role of mitochondrial function and downstream long noncoding RNAs(lnc RNAs) in regulating inflammation-induced changes in the cementogenesis of PDLSCs. We found that the inflammatory cytokine-induced impairment of the cementogenesis of PDLSCs was closely correlated with their mitochondrial function, and lnc RNA microarray analysis and gain/loss-of-function studies identified GACAT2 as a regulator of the cellular events involved in inflammation-mediated mitochondrial function and cementogenesis.Subsequently, a comprehensive identification of RNA-binding proteins by mass spectrometry(Ch IRP-MS) and parallel reaction monitoring(PRM) assays revealed that GACAT2 could directly bind to pyruvate kinase M1/2(PKM1/2), a protein correlated with mitochondrial function. Further functional studies demonstrated that GACAT2 overexpression increased the cellular protein expression of PKM1/2, the PKM2 tetramer and phosphorylated PKM2, which led to enhanced pyruvate kinase(PK) activity and increased translocation of PKM2 into mitochondria. We then found that GACAT2 overexpression could reverse the damage to mitochondrial function and cementoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs induced by inflammation and that this effect could be abolished by PKM1/2 knockdown. Our data indicated that by binding to PKM1/2 proteins, the lnc RNA GACAT2 plays a critical role in regulating mitochondrial function and cementogenesis in an inflammatory environment.展开更多
Adsorption and desorption mechanisms of methylene blue (MB) removal with iron-oxide coated porous ce-ramics filter (IOCPCF) were investigated in batch and column mode. The results revealed that MB removal mechanisms i...Adsorption and desorption mechanisms of methylene blue (MB) removal with iron-oxide coated porous ce-ramics filter (IOCPCF) were investigated in batch and column mode. The results revealed that MB removal mechanisms included physical adsorption and chemical adsorption, of which chemical adsorption by surface ligand complex reaction played a dominant role after infrared spectrum analysis. Recycling agents were se-lected from dilute nitric acid (pH=3), sodium hydroxide solution (pH=12) and distilled water. Among three agents, dilute metric acid (pH=3) was the best recycling agent. Regeneration rate of IOCPCF arrived at 82.56% at batch adsorption and regeneration was finished in 75min at column adsorption. Adsorp-tion-desorption cycles of IOCPCF after batch and column adsorption were four and three times, respectively. Further, compared with fresh IOCPCF, MB removal rate with these desorbed IOCPCF adsorption only slightly decreased, which suggested that IOCPCF should be used repeatedly.展开更多
BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)development in chronic hepatitis B(CHB). Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer(M2 BPGi) is a novel serological marker for f...BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)development in chronic hepatitis B(CHB). Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer(M2 BPGi) is a novel serological marker for fibrosis. The role of M2 BPGi in prediction of HCC is unknown.AIM To examine the role of serum M2 BPGi in predicting HCC development in hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-negative patients.METHODS Treatment-naive CHB patients with documented spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion were recruited. Serum M2 BPGi was measured at baseline(within3 years from HBeAg seroconversion), at 5 years and 10 years after HBeAg seroconversion and expressed as cut-off index(COI). Multivariate cox regression was performed to identify predictors for HCC development. ROC analysis was used to determine the cut-off value of M2 BPGi.RESULTS Among 207 patients(57% male, median age at HBeAg seroconversion 40 years old) with median follow-up of 13.1(11.8-15.5) years, the cumulative incidence of HCC at 15 years was 7%. Median M2 BPGi levels were significantly higher in patients with HCC compared to those without HCC(baseline: 1.39 COI vs 0.38 COI, P < 0.001; 5-year: 1.45 COI vs 0.47 COI, P < 0.001; 10-year: 1.20 COI vs 0.55 COI, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed age at HBeAg seroconversion[odds ratio(OR) = 1.196, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.034-1.382, P = 0.016] and baseline M2 BPGi(OR = 4.666, 95%CI: 1.296-16.802, P = 0.018) were significant factors predictive of HCC. Using a cut-off value of 0.68 COI, baseline M2 BPGi yielded AUROC of 0.883 with 91.7% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity.CONCLUSION High serum M2 BPGi within 3 years after HBeAg seroconversion was a strong predictor for subsequent HCC development in treatment-naive HBeAg-negative CHB patients.展开更多
Membrane fouling is often considered as a hindrance for the application of microfiltration/ultrafiltration(MF/UF) for drinking water production. A novel process of photocatalytic membrane reactor/dynamic membrane(PMR/...Membrane fouling is often considered as a hindrance for the application of microfiltration/ultrafiltration(MF/UF) for drinking water production. A novel process of photocatalytic membrane reactor/dynamic membrane(PMR/DM), operating in a continuous mode under sub-critical flux, was proposed for the mitigation of membrane fouling caused by humic acids(HAs) in water. The mechanism of membrane fouling alleviation with synergistic photocatalytic oxidation and dynamic layer isolating effect was comprehensively investigated from the characterization of foulant evolution responsible for the reversible and irreversible fouling. The results showed that the PMR/DM utilized photocatalytic oxidation to enhance the porosity and hydrophilicity of the fouling layer by converting the high molecular weight(MW) and hydrophobic HA molecules with carboxylic functional groups and aromatic structures into low-MW hydrophilic or transphilic fractions, including tryptophan-like or fulvic-like substances. The fouling layer formed in the PMR/DM by combination of photocatalytic oxidation and DM running at a sub-critical flux of 100 L·h^-1·m^-2, was more hydrophilic and more porous, resulting in the lowest trans-membrane pressure(TMP) growth rates, as compared to the processes of ceramic membrane(CM), DM and PMR/CM.Meanwhile, the dynamic layer prevented the foulants, particularly the high-MW hydrophobic fractions,from contacting the primary membrane, which enabled the membrane permeability to be restored easily.展开更多
In early 2020,the COVID-19 outbreak complicated the diagnosis,treatm ent and rehabilitation of patients with substance use disorders and increased the risks of substance abuse and addictive behaviours,such as online g...In early 2020,the COVID-19 outbreak complicated the diagnosis,treatm ent and rehabilitation of patients with substance use disorders and increased the risks of substance abuse and addictive behaviours,such as online gaming disorders,in the general public.Substance use disorder is a chronic recurrent brain disease characterised by strong cravings,high recurrence rates,and a high proportion of comorbidity of mental and physical disorders.1 Therefore,regular long-term therapeutic interventions are critical to preventing dm g relapses while maintaining withdrawal.展开更多
Objective According to literature,cancer patients have the highest incidence of malnutrition among hospital patients(40%-80%).Despite this high prevalence,this condition is still under-diagnosed.The aim of this study ...Objective According to literature,cancer patients have the highest incidence of malnutrition among hospital patients(40%-80%).Despite this high prevalence,this condition is still under-diagnosed.The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic performance of the Malnutrition Screening Tool(MST),a simple tool that can be applied in a busy setting where a comprehensive assessment at screening would be impractical.Methods PubMed,EMBASE and Cochrane central register of controlled trials were systematically searched to identify records relevant to the research question.The QUADAS-2 was used to assess the quality of each included study and the meta-analysis was conducted using the hierarchical bivariate model in STATA.Results Seven records were included in this study and the overall sensitivity specificity,diagnostic odds ratio(DOR).The pooled sensitivity and specificity generated after the meta-analysis in STATA were 0.78(95%CI:0.64-0.88)and 0.82(95%CI:0.76-0.87),respectively.The corresponding DOR was 16.33(95%CI:7.08-37.67).The positive likelihood ratio(LR+)was+4.39(95%CI:3.02-6.38),and the negative likelihood ratio(LR-)were 0.27(95%CI:0.16-0.47)and the 1/LR-3.72(2.14-6.46).Conclusion These results showed that the MST provides weak diagnostic evidence when used to screen for malnutrition in adult cancer patients.展开更多
BACKGROUND There is no research on quantitative pleural line movement.In this study,we assume that tissue Doppler and its quantitative technology can quantify the pleural line movement and can be used to diagnose pneu...BACKGROUND There is no research on quantitative pleural line movement.In this study,we assume that tissue Doppler and its quantitative technology can quantify the pleural line movement and can be used to diagnose pneumothorax.AIM To evaluate the quantitative assessment of pleural line movement measured by tissue Doppler imaging(TDI)for pneumothorax diagnosis.METHODS Adult patients(n=45)diagnosed with unilateral pneumothorax were included in this study.Each patient underwent TDI of both lungs.The pneumothorax side and contralateral normal lung side were compared using several indices obtained from TDI:peak pleural line velocity(PV_(max)),peak chest wall tissue velocity(CV_(max)),peak pleural line strain value(PS_(max)),peak chest wall tissue strain value(CSmax),PV_(max)/CV_(max)and PS_(max)/CSmax.The receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the performance of these quantitative assessments for pneumothorax diagnosis.RESULTS Various quantitative variables of the pneumothorax side were all lower than that of the non-pneumothorax side and included the PV_(max)(0.36 cm/s vs 0.59 cm/s,P<0.001),PS_(max)(1.14%vs 1.90%,P=0.001),PV_(max)/CV_(max)(1.06 vs 4.93,P<0.001),and PS_(max)/CSmax(0.76 vs 1.74,P<0.001).For the discrimination of pneumothorax,the cut-off values of the PV_(max),PS_(max),PV_(max)/CV_(max),and PS_(max)/CSmax were calculated as 0.50 cm/s,0.94%,1.96,and 1.12,respectively.Similarly,the sensitivities and specificities of PV_(max),PS_(max),PV_(max)/CV_(max),and PS_(max)/CSmax were 96%and 62%,47%and 91%,93%and 96%,and 82%and 93%,respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.84,0.72,0.99,and 0.91,respectively,for PV_(max),PS_(max),PV_(max)/CV_(max),and PS_(max)/CSmax.CONCLUSION Quantification analysis of pleural line movement using TDI is a useful tool for the diagnosis of pneumothorax.展开更多
Environmental fate and ecological impacts of fipronil and its transformation products(FIPs)in aquatic environment have caused worldwide attention,however,the influence of dissolved organic carbon(DOC)on multimedia dis...Environmental fate and ecological impacts of fipronil and its transformation products(FIPs)in aquatic environment have caused worldwide attention,however,the influence of dissolved organic carbon(DOC)on multimedia distribution,bioavailability,and toxicity of FIPs in field waterways was largely unknown.Here,we collected 11 companion water and sediment samples along a lotic stream in Guangzhou,South China.FIPs were ubiquitous with total water concentrations ranging from 1.22 to 43.2 ng/L(14.8±12.9 ng/L)and fipronil sulfone was predominant in both water and sediment.More than 70%of FIPs in aqueous phase were bound to DOC and the KDOC values of FIPs were approximately 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than K_(d-s)/K_(OC),emphasizing the significance of DOC in phase partitioning and transport of FIPs in aquatic environment.Water and sediment samples were more toxic to Chironomus dilutus than Hyallela azteca,and FIPs(especially fipronil sulfone)pronouncedly contributed toxicity to C.dilutus.Toxic units(TU)based on freely dissolved concentrations in water determined by solid phase microextraction significantly improved toxicity estimation of FIPs to the invertebrates compared to TUs based on aqueous concentrations.The present study highlights the significance of DOC association on fate and ecological risk of hydrophobic insecticides in lotic ecosystem.展开更多
In this work, a liquid-gas heterogeneous microreactor was developed for investigating continuous crystallization of dolutegravir sodium(DTG), as well as revealing reaction kinetics and mixing mechanism with 3-min data...In this work, a liquid-gas heterogeneous microreactor was developed for investigating continuous crystallization of dolutegravir sodium(DTG), as well as revealing reaction kinetics and mixing mechanism with 3-min data acquisition. The reaction kinetics models were established by visually recording the concentration variation of reactants over time in the microchannel via adding pH-sensitive fluorescent dye. The mixing intensification mechanism of liquid-gas flow was quantified through the fluorescent signal to indicate mixing process, demonstrating an outstanding mixing performance with a mixing time less than 0.1 s. Compared with batch crystallization, continuous synthesis of dolutegravir sodium using liquid-gas heterogenous microreactor optimizes crystal distribution size, and successfully modifies the crystal morphology in needle-like habit instead of rod-like habit. The microreactor continuous crystallization can run for 5 h without crystal blockage and achieve D90 of DTG less than 30 μm. This work provides a feasible approach for continuously synthesizing dolutegravir sodium, and can optimize the existing pharmaceutical crystallization.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Code No.82100954/81800924)Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(Code No.2023QN08026)+3 种基金Key Research and Development Projects of Shaanxi Province(Code No.2022KW-12)The Basic and Natural Science Research Program of Shaanxi Province(Code No.2022JQ-915)Key Research and Development Program of Tibet Autonomous Region(XZ202001ZY0059G)New Technology and New Business Project of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University(Code No.LX2021-416).
文摘Autophagy is a widespread biological process that controls cellular growth,survival,development,and death.Circadian rhythm is a recurring reaction of living organisms and behaviors to variations in surrounding brightness and obscurity.Most of the fundamental physiological processes in mammals,such as the sleep-wake pattern and the rhythm of nutrition and energy metabolism,are governed by circadian rhythms.Research has indicated that autophagy exhibits a specific circadian pattern in both normal and abnormal conditions.Autophagy can modulate circadian rhythms by breaking down proteins that regulate the circadian clock.The potential regulatory connection between the two has been a popular subject of clinical and fundamental research.Understanding the interaction between circadian rhythm and autophagy could potentially lead to the development of novel approaches for disease treatment in the future.The present analysis presented a summary of the molecular processes implicated in the interplay between autophagy and circadian rhythm,as well as the pathological importance of the disrupted regulatory association between these two phenomena.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Projects(Nos.51771075)the National Key R&D Program of China(No.2018YFB1502101)+2 种基金the Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.NSFC51621001)by the Project Supported by Nat-ural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province of China(2016A030312011)Shao acknowledges support from Macao Science and Technology Development Fund(FDCT)(Project No.:0062/2018/A2 and 0019/2019/AGJ).
文摘LiBH_(4) has been considered as one of the most promising energy storage materials with its ultrahigh hydrogen capacity,which can supply hydrogen through hydrolysis process or realize hydrogen-to-electricity conversion via anodic oxidation reaction of direct borohydride fuel cells(DBFCs).However,the realization of practical hydrogen applications heavily depends on the effective synthesis of high-purity LiBH_(4) and recycling of the spent fuels(LiBO_(2)·xH_(2)O).The present work demonstrates a convenient and high-efficiency solvent-free strategy for regenerating LiBH_(4) with a maximum yield close to 80%,by retrieving its by-products with MgH_(2) as a reducing agent under ambient conditions.Besides,the hydrogen released from the regeneration course can completely compensate the demand for consumed MgH_(2).The isotopic tracer method reveals that the hydrogen stored in LiBH_(4) comes from both MgH_(2) and coordinated water bound to LiBO_(2).Here,the expensive MgH_(2) can be substituted with the readily available and cost-effective MgH_(2)-Mg mixtures to simplify the regeneration route.Notably,LiBH_(4) catalyzed by CoCl_(2) can stably supply hydrogen to proton exchange membrane fuel cell(PEMFC),thus powering a portable prototype vehicle.By combining hydrogen storage,production and utilization in a closed cycle,this work offers new insights into deploying boron-based hydrides for energy applications.
基金Supported by Project of Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,No.BK2012542the Project of Hospital Management Center of Wuxi City,No.YGZ1108
文摘AIM:To investigate the role of the overexpression of B7-H3 in apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines and the underlying molecular mechanisms.METHODS:SW620 cells that highly overexpressed B7-H3(SW620-B7-H3-EGFP)and HCT8 cells stably transfected with B7-H3 sh RNA(HCT8-sh B7-H3)were previously constructed in our laboratory.Cells transfected with p IRES2-EGFP were used as negative controls(SW620-NC and HCT8-NC).Real-time PCR and western blotting analysis were used to detect the m RNA and protein expressions of the apoptosis regulator proteins Bcl-2,Bcl-xl and Bax.A cell proliferation assay was used to evaluate the survival rate and drug sensitivity of the cells.The effect of drug resistance was detected by a cell cycle assay.Active caspase-3western blotting was used to reflect the anti-apoptotic ability of cells.Western blotting was also performed to determine the expression of proteins associated with the Jak2-STAT3 signaling pathway and the apoptosis regulator proteins after the treatment with AG490,a Jak2 specific inhibitor,in B7-H3 overexpressing cells.The data were analyzed by Graph Pad Prism 6 using a non-paired t-test.RESULTS:Whether by overexpression in SW620cells or downregulation in HCT8,B7-H3 significantly affected the expression of anti-and pro-apoptotic proteins,at both the transcriptional and translational levels,compared with the negative control(P<0.05).A cell proliferation assay revealed that B7-H3overexpression increased the drug resistance of cells and resulted in a higher survival rate(P<0.05).In addition,the results of cell cycle and active caspase-3western blotting proved that B7-H3 overexpression inhibited apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines(P<0.05).B7-H3 overexpression improved Jak2 and STAT3phosphorylation and,in turn,increased the expression of the downstream anti-apoptotic proteins B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2(Bcl-2)and Bcl-xl,based on western blotting(P<0.05).After treating B7-H3 overexpressing cells with the Jak2-specific inhibitor AG490,the phosphorylation of Jak2 and STAT3,and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xl,decreased accordingly(P<0.05).This finding suggested that the Jak2-STAT3 pathway is involved in the mechanism mediating the anti-apoptotic ability of B7-H3.CONCLUSION:The overexpression of B7-H3 induces resistance to apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines by upregulating the Jak2-STAT3 signaling pathway,potentially providing new approaches to the treatment of colorectal cancer.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.81500726)Science&Technology project for Social development of Shaanxi Province in China(No.2017SF-249)
文摘AIM: To clarify this controversy and to provide evidence for application of lipid lowering agents in treatment of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS: We searched the databases of Pub Med, Embase and Cochrane Library Central Register of Controlled Trials(CENTRAL) and abstracts from main annual meetings up to January 1, 2017. Google scholar and ClinicalT rials.gov were also searched for unpublished relevant studies. We included randomized controlled trials(RCTs) that studied lipid-lowering agents in type 1 or type 2 diabetes in this Meta-analysis. The primary endpoint was the progression of DR, and the secondary endpoints included vision loss, development of diabetic macular edema(DME) and aggravation of hard exudates. The pooled odds ratios(OR)with corresponding 95% confidence intervals(95%CIs) were calculated.RESULTS: After systemic and manual literature search by two independent investigators, we included 8 RCTs from 7 published articles with 13 454 participants in this Meta-analysis. The results revealed that lipid-lowering drugs were associated with reduced risk in DR progression [OR=0.77(95%CI: 0.62, 0.96), P=0.02]. Lipid-lowering agents might have protective effect on DME compared to placebo, although the difference was not statistically significant [OR=0.60(95%CI: 0.34, 1.08), P=0.09]. However, no significant differences in the worsening of vision acuity [OR=0.96(95%CI: 0.81,1.14), P=0.64] and hard exudates [OR=0.50(95%CI:0.15, 1.74), P=0.28] were found between the lipidlowering drugs and the placebo groups.CONCLUSION: In DR patients, lipid-lowering agents show a protective effect on DR progression and might be associated with reduced risk in the development of DME. However, lipid-lowering agents have no effects on vision loss and hard exudates aggravation. Further clinical trials in larger scale are required to confirm the conclusion of this study and thus justify the use of intensive control lipids with anti-lipid agents at the early stages of DR.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province,No.BK20171150the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81502042
文摘AIM To investigate the expression and clinical significance of B7 homolog 3(B7-H3) and β-1,3-galactosyltransferase-4(B3 GALT4) in colorectal cancer(CRC) patients.METHODS Using tissue microarray, we identified the expression of B7-H3 and B3 GALT4 in 223 CRC patient samples by immunohistochemistry and evaluated the possible correlation between B7-H3 and B3 GALT4 and clinicaloutcomes. Further, the m RNA and protein expression were identified to establish the regulatory relationship of B7-H3 with B3 GALT4 in vitro.RESULTS A significant positive correlation between B7-H3 and B3 GALT4 was observed in CRC specimens(r = 0.219, P = 0.001). High expression of B7-H3 was identified as a significant independent predictor of poor overall survival(OS) [hazard ratio(HR) = 1.781; 95%CI: 1.027-3.089; P = 0.040]. Moreover, high expression of B3 GALT4 was also recognized as an independent predictor of inferior OS(HR = 1.597; 95%CI: 1.007-2.533; P = 0.047). Additionally, CRC patients expressing both high B7-H3 and high B3 GALT4 contributed to a significant decrease in OS(HR = 2.283; 95%CI: 1.289-4.042; P = 0.005). In CRC cell lines with stable expression of high B7-H3, the m RNA and protein expressions of B3 GALT4 were significantly upregulated. Similarly, the expression of B3 GALT4 was significantly reduced when expression of B7-H3 was knocked down.CONCLUSION The expression of B3 GALT4 in CRC is positively correlated with B7-H3 expression in vitro. B7-H3/B3 GLAT4 may be used as dual prognostic biomarkers for CRC.
基金the funding support provided by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC,Grant Nos.81970947,82001102 and 81800971)the Natural Science Basic Research Program of Shaanxi(Program Nos.2020JQ-447 and 2020JQ-444)。
文摘Periodontal ligament stem cells(PDLSCs) are a key cell type for restoring/regenerating lost/damaged periodontal tissues, including alveolar bone, periodontal ligament and root cementum, the latter of which is important for regaining tooth function. However,PDLSCs residing in an inflammatory environment generally exhibit compromised functions, as demonstrated by an impaired ability to differentiate into cementoblasts, which are responsible for regrowing the cementum. This study investigated the role of mitochondrial function and downstream long noncoding RNAs(lnc RNAs) in regulating inflammation-induced changes in the cementogenesis of PDLSCs. We found that the inflammatory cytokine-induced impairment of the cementogenesis of PDLSCs was closely correlated with their mitochondrial function, and lnc RNA microarray analysis and gain/loss-of-function studies identified GACAT2 as a regulator of the cellular events involved in inflammation-mediated mitochondrial function and cementogenesis.Subsequently, a comprehensive identification of RNA-binding proteins by mass spectrometry(Ch IRP-MS) and parallel reaction monitoring(PRM) assays revealed that GACAT2 could directly bind to pyruvate kinase M1/2(PKM1/2), a protein correlated with mitochondrial function. Further functional studies demonstrated that GACAT2 overexpression increased the cellular protein expression of PKM1/2, the PKM2 tetramer and phosphorylated PKM2, which led to enhanced pyruvate kinase(PK) activity and increased translocation of PKM2 into mitochondria. We then found that GACAT2 overexpression could reverse the damage to mitochondrial function and cementoblastic differentiation of PDLSCs induced by inflammation and that this effect could be abolished by PKM1/2 knockdown. Our data indicated that by binding to PKM1/2 proteins, the lnc RNA GACAT2 plays a critical role in regulating mitochondrial function and cementogenesis in an inflammatory environment.
文摘Adsorption and desorption mechanisms of methylene blue (MB) removal with iron-oxide coated porous ce-ramics filter (IOCPCF) were investigated in batch and column mode. The results revealed that MB removal mechanisms included physical adsorption and chemical adsorption, of which chemical adsorption by surface ligand complex reaction played a dominant role after infrared spectrum analysis. Recycling agents were se-lected from dilute nitric acid (pH=3), sodium hydroxide solution (pH=12) and distilled water. Among three agents, dilute metric acid (pH=3) was the best recycling agent. Regeneration rate of IOCPCF arrived at 82.56% at batch adsorption and regeneration was finished in 75min at column adsorption. Adsorp-tion-desorption cycles of IOCPCF after batch and column adsorption were four and three times, respectively. Further, compared with fresh IOCPCF, MB removal rate with these desorbed IOCPCF adsorption only slightly decreased, which suggested that IOCPCF should be used repeatedly.
文摘BACKGROUND Liver cirrhosis is a major risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)development in chronic hepatitis B(CHB). Serum Mac-2 binding protein glycosylation isomer(M2 BPGi) is a novel serological marker for fibrosis. The role of M2 BPGi in prediction of HCC is unknown.AIM To examine the role of serum M2 BPGi in predicting HCC development in hepatitis B e antigen(HBeAg)-negative patients.METHODS Treatment-naive CHB patients with documented spontaneous HBeAg seroconversion were recruited. Serum M2 BPGi was measured at baseline(within3 years from HBeAg seroconversion), at 5 years and 10 years after HBeAg seroconversion and expressed as cut-off index(COI). Multivariate cox regression was performed to identify predictors for HCC development. ROC analysis was used to determine the cut-off value of M2 BPGi.RESULTS Among 207 patients(57% male, median age at HBeAg seroconversion 40 years old) with median follow-up of 13.1(11.8-15.5) years, the cumulative incidence of HCC at 15 years was 7%. Median M2 BPGi levels were significantly higher in patients with HCC compared to those without HCC(baseline: 1.39 COI vs 0.38 COI, P < 0.001; 5-year: 1.45 COI vs 0.47 COI, P < 0.001; 10-year: 1.20 COI vs 0.55 COI, P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed age at HBeAg seroconversion[odds ratio(OR) = 1.196, 95% confidence interval(CI): 1.034-1.382, P = 0.016] and baseline M2 BPGi(OR = 4.666, 95%CI: 1.296-16.802, P = 0.018) were significant factors predictive of HCC. Using a cut-off value of 0.68 COI, baseline M2 BPGi yielded AUROC of 0.883 with 91.7% sensitivity and 80.8% specificity.CONCLUSION High serum M2 BPGi within 3 years after HBeAg seroconversion was a strong predictor for subsequent HCC development in treatment-naive HBeAg-negative CHB patients.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21566013,51562016)Youth Science Foundation of Jiangxi Provincial Department of Education,China(GJJ170970)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province(20171BAB206015)
文摘Membrane fouling is often considered as a hindrance for the application of microfiltration/ultrafiltration(MF/UF) for drinking water production. A novel process of photocatalytic membrane reactor/dynamic membrane(PMR/DM), operating in a continuous mode under sub-critical flux, was proposed for the mitigation of membrane fouling caused by humic acids(HAs) in water. The mechanism of membrane fouling alleviation with synergistic photocatalytic oxidation and dynamic layer isolating effect was comprehensively investigated from the characterization of foulant evolution responsible for the reversible and irreversible fouling. The results showed that the PMR/DM utilized photocatalytic oxidation to enhance the porosity and hydrophilicity of the fouling layer by converting the high molecular weight(MW) and hydrophobic HA molecules with carboxylic functional groups and aromatic structures into low-MW hydrophilic or transphilic fractions, including tryptophan-like or fulvic-like substances. The fouling layer formed in the PMR/DM by combination of photocatalytic oxidation and DM running at a sub-critical flux of 100 L·h^-1·m^-2, was more hydrophilic and more porous, resulting in the lowest trans-membrane pressure(TMP) growth rates, as compared to the processes of ceramic membrane(CM), DM and PMR/CM.Meanwhile, the dynamic layer prevented the foulants, particularly the high-MW hydrophobic fractions,from contacting the primary membrane, which enabled the membrane permeability to be restored easily.
基金This work was supported by the Program of Shanghai Academic Research Leader(17XD1403300)the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Psychotic Disorders(13DZ2260500)+1 种基金the Shanghai Intelligent Engineering Technology Research Center for Addiction and Rehabilitation(19DZ2255200)and the Shanghai Clinical Research Center for Mental Health(19MC1911100).
文摘In early 2020,the COVID-19 outbreak complicated the diagnosis,treatm ent and rehabilitation of patients with substance use disorders and increased the risks of substance abuse and addictive behaviours,such as online gaming disorders,in the general public.Substance use disorder is a chronic recurrent brain disease characterised by strong cravings,high recurrence rates,and a high proportion of comorbidity of mental and physical disorders.1 Therefore,regular long-term therapeutic interventions are critical to preventing dm g relapses while maintaining withdrawal.
文摘Objective According to literature,cancer patients have the highest incidence of malnutrition among hospital patients(40%-80%).Despite this high prevalence,this condition is still under-diagnosed.The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to assess the diagnostic performance of the Malnutrition Screening Tool(MST),a simple tool that can be applied in a busy setting where a comprehensive assessment at screening would be impractical.Methods PubMed,EMBASE and Cochrane central register of controlled trials were systematically searched to identify records relevant to the research question.The QUADAS-2 was used to assess the quality of each included study and the meta-analysis was conducted using the hierarchical bivariate model in STATA.Results Seven records were included in this study and the overall sensitivity specificity,diagnostic odds ratio(DOR).The pooled sensitivity and specificity generated after the meta-analysis in STATA were 0.78(95%CI:0.64-0.88)and 0.82(95%CI:0.76-0.87),respectively.The corresponding DOR was 16.33(95%CI:7.08-37.67).The positive likelihood ratio(LR+)was+4.39(95%CI:3.02-6.38),and the negative likelihood ratio(LR-)were 0.27(95%CI:0.16-0.47)and the 1/LR-3.72(2.14-6.46).Conclusion These results showed that the MST provides weak diagnostic evidence when used to screen for malnutrition in adult cancer patients.
文摘BACKGROUND There is no research on quantitative pleural line movement.In this study,we assume that tissue Doppler and its quantitative technology can quantify the pleural line movement and can be used to diagnose pneumothorax.AIM To evaluate the quantitative assessment of pleural line movement measured by tissue Doppler imaging(TDI)for pneumothorax diagnosis.METHODS Adult patients(n=45)diagnosed with unilateral pneumothorax were included in this study.Each patient underwent TDI of both lungs.The pneumothorax side and contralateral normal lung side were compared using several indices obtained from TDI:peak pleural line velocity(PV_(max)),peak chest wall tissue velocity(CV_(max)),peak pleural line strain value(PS_(max)),peak chest wall tissue strain value(CSmax),PV_(max)/CV_(max)and PS_(max)/CSmax.The receiver operating characteristic analysis was used to evaluate the performance of these quantitative assessments for pneumothorax diagnosis.RESULTS Various quantitative variables of the pneumothorax side were all lower than that of the non-pneumothorax side and included the PV_(max)(0.36 cm/s vs 0.59 cm/s,P<0.001),PS_(max)(1.14%vs 1.90%,P=0.001),PV_(max)/CV_(max)(1.06 vs 4.93,P<0.001),and PS_(max)/CSmax(0.76 vs 1.74,P<0.001).For the discrimination of pneumothorax,the cut-off values of the PV_(max),PS_(max),PV_(max)/CV_(max),and PS_(max)/CSmax were calculated as 0.50 cm/s,0.94%,1.96,and 1.12,respectively.Similarly,the sensitivities and specificities of PV_(max),PS_(max),PV_(max)/CV_(max),and PS_(max)/CSmax were 96%and 62%,47%and 91%,93%and 96%,and 82%and 93%,respectively.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.84,0.72,0.99,and 0.91,respectively,for PV_(max),PS_(max),PV_(max)/CV_(max),and PS_(max)/CSmax.CONCLUSION Quantification analysis of pleural line movement using TDI is a useful tool for the diagnosis of pneumothorax.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.U1901220,41977343 and 42007365)Guangzhou Municipal Science and Technology Bureau(No.202103000046)Innovative Research Team of Department of Education of Guangdong Province(No.2020KCXTD005).
文摘Environmental fate and ecological impacts of fipronil and its transformation products(FIPs)in aquatic environment have caused worldwide attention,however,the influence of dissolved organic carbon(DOC)on multimedia distribution,bioavailability,and toxicity of FIPs in field waterways was largely unknown.Here,we collected 11 companion water and sediment samples along a lotic stream in Guangzhou,South China.FIPs were ubiquitous with total water concentrations ranging from 1.22 to 43.2 ng/L(14.8±12.9 ng/L)and fipronil sulfone was predominant in both water and sediment.More than 70%of FIPs in aqueous phase were bound to DOC and the KDOC values of FIPs were approximately 1–2 orders of magnitude higher than K_(d-s)/K_(OC),emphasizing the significance of DOC in phase partitioning and transport of FIPs in aquatic environment.Water and sediment samples were more toxic to Chironomus dilutus than Hyallela azteca,and FIPs(especially fipronil sulfone)pronouncedly contributed toxicity to C.dilutus.Toxic units(TU)based on freely dissolved concentrations in water determined by solid phase microextraction significantly improved toxicity estimation of FIPs to the invertebrates compared to TUs based on aqueous concentrations.The present study highlights the significance of DOC association on fate and ecological risk of hydrophobic insecticides in lotic ecosystem.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of the Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality(No.19ZR1472200)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.22178072)。
文摘In this work, a liquid-gas heterogeneous microreactor was developed for investigating continuous crystallization of dolutegravir sodium(DTG), as well as revealing reaction kinetics and mixing mechanism with 3-min data acquisition. The reaction kinetics models were established by visually recording the concentration variation of reactants over time in the microchannel via adding pH-sensitive fluorescent dye. The mixing intensification mechanism of liquid-gas flow was quantified through the fluorescent signal to indicate mixing process, demonstrating an outstanding mixing performance with a mixing time less than 0.1 s. Compared with batch crystallization, continuous synthesis of dolutegravir sodium using liquid-gas heterogenous microreactor optimizes crystal distribution size, and successfully modifies the crystal morphology in needle-like habit instead of rod-like habit. The microreactor continuous crystallization can run for 5 h without crystal blockage and achieve D90 of DTG less than 30 μm. This work provides a feasible approach for continuously synthesizing dolutegravir sodium, and can optimize the existing pharmaceutical crystallization.
