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Introduction: Patients with underlying diseases do not respond adequately to vaccines. Thus, continued research on the effects of vaccination in patients with comorbidities is crucial to evaluate the necessity of vaccination in this population. This study assessed the protective effects of inactivated vaccines on the severity and prognosis of COVID-19 in patients with comorbidities. Methodology: A real-world retrospective cohort study was conducted from April 7, 2022, to June 6, 2022, at the Fudan University Pudong Medical Center. The collected data included demographic characteristics, symptoms, clinical severity, and outcomes of the COVID-19 patients. Results: A total of 3,996 indigenous confirmed cases and asymptomatic infections with the Omicron variant were enrolled. Of these, 1322 (33.1%) patients had chronic comorbidities. Compared to others, COVID-19 patients with comorbidities were older, had lower vaccination rates, longer days of nucleic acid conversion and hospitalization, and a higher incidence of severe-critical illness and composite endpoint. Multivariable analyses suggested that in the comorbidity group, two-dose-(odds ratio [OR] 0.38, 95% CI 0.24-0.60; OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.51) and three-dose vaccinated patients (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.14-0.47; OR 0.21, 95% CI 0.08-0.58) had a lower risk of aggravation and the composite endpoint; similar results were observed in the non-comorbidity group. Conclusions: Two or more doses of inactivated vaccines could prevent deterioration and poor prognosis in Omicron-infected patients, regardless of the presence of an underlying disease. Our findings support maximizing coverage with inactivated vaccines in highly vaccinated populations, such as those in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory signals from immunological cells may cause damage to intestinal epithelial cells (IECs), resulting in intestinal inflammation and tissue impairment. Interferon‐γ‐inducible protein 16 (IFI16) was reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of Behçet's syndrome (BS). This study aimed to investigate how inflammatory cytokines released by immunological cells and IFI16 participate in the pathogenesis of intestinal BS. RNA sequencing and real‐time quantitative PCR (qPCR) showed that the positive regulation of tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) production in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of intestinal BS patients may be related to the upregulation of polo like kinase 1 (PLK1) in PBMCs (P = 0.012). The plasma TNF‐α protein level in intestinal BS was significantly higher than in healthy controls (HCs; P = 0.009). PBMCs of intestinal BS patients and HCs were co‐cultured with human normal IECs (NCM460) to explore the interaction between immunological cells and IECs. Using IFI16 knockdown, PBMC‐NCM460 co‐culture, TNF‐α neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb), stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonist 2′3′‐cGAMP, and the PLK1 inhibitor SBE 13 HCL, we found that PLK1 promotes the secretion of TNF‐α from PBMCs of intestinal BS patients, which causes overexpression of IFI16 and induces apoptosis of IECs via the STING–TBK1 pathway. The expressions of IFI16, TNF‐α, cleaved caspase 3, phosphorylated STING (pSTING) and phosphorylated tank binding kinase 1 (pTBK1) in the intestinal ulcer tissue of BS patients were significantly higher than that of HCs (all P < 0.05). PLK1 in PBMCs of intestinal BS patients increased TNF‐α secretion, inducing IEC apoptosis via activation of the IFI16–STING–TBK1 pathway. PLK1 and the IFI16–STING–TBK1 pathway may be new therapeutic targets for intestinal BS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study were to investigate whether the ferroptosis is involved in intestinal Behçet's syndrome (IBS), and to identify if miR-141-3p could attenuate RAS-selective lethal 3 (RSL3)-induced ferroptosis and intestinal epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) via directly inhabits zinc fnger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1). The expressions of ferroptosis-related proteins in the intestinal tissues of patients with IBS were investigated by immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Malondialdehyde (MDA) contents of the intestinal tissues and cells were detected. Serum from IBS patients and RSL3 were co-cultured with intestinal epithelial cells in vitro. In order to investigate whether RSL3-induced ferroptosis can be ameliorated by miR-141-3p, the intestinal epithelial cells were firstly stimulated with RSL3 and then incubated with miR-141-3p mimics. Western blot was used to measure the expression of EMT and ferroptosis-related proteins. Expression of GPX4 (22.51% ± 2.05%, 51.75% ± 3.47%, t = − 7.77, p = 0.000) and xCT (17.49% ± 1.57%, 28.73% ± 1.75%, t = − 4.38, p = 0.003) were significantly lower in intestinal mucosal tissues of patients with IBS compared with HC group. Compared with the HC samples, the IBS specimens had significantly higher MDA (t = 4.32, p = 0.01). Moreover, the relative mRNA levels of ferritin light chain (FTL) (t = 4.07, p = 0.02) and ferritin heavy chain (FTH) (t = 8.82, p = 0.001) in the intestinal tissues were significant higher in IBS patients than in HC group. Serum from IBS patients could induce intestinal epithelial cell ferroptosis in vitro. Moreover, miR-141-3p could attenuate intestinal epithelial cell ferroptosis-induced by RSL3 and intestinal EMT via targeting ZEB1 in vitro. Ferroptosis were induced in patients with IBS. Moreover, the serum from IBS patients could induce ferroptosis in vitro. miR-141-3p could attenuate intestinal epithelial cell ferroptosis and intestinal EMT via targeting ZEB1. Therefore, miR-141-3p may open new avenues for the treatment of IBS in the future. Key Points • Ferroptosis in IBS is first reported in this study. • In this study, we explored that the serum from IBS patients could induce ferroptosis in vitro and miR-141-3p could attenuate intestinal epithelial cell ferroptosis and intestinal EMT via targeting ZEB1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate caries risk assessment (CRA)-related knowledge, attitudes, and practices among dentists in China, to describe their subjective ratings of the significance of specific caries risk factors and to identify factors associated with the level of knowledge, attitudes, and use of CRA in routine clinical practice. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional anonymous online questionnaire survey was performed. The questionnaire was distributed via WeChat (Tencent, Shenzhen, China) to practicing dentists between November 25 and December 25, 2021. For participant recruitment, we employed purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected using a specialized web-based survey tool (www.wjx.cn) and analyzed with descriptive statistics and regression analyses. Results: A total of 826 valid questionnaires were collected. Only 292 (35.4%) respondents used CRA in routine practice, among whom a majority (243, 83.2%) did not use a specific CRA tool. The routine use of CRA was associated with the type of practicing office, attendance of caries-related lectures, the habit of reading caries-related literature, geographic location, and the total knowledge score. The mean total knowledge score was 3.13 (score range: 0 to 6). Knowledge levels were related to several sociodemographic characteristics, including geographic location, the type of practicing office, attendance of caries-related lectures and the habit of reading caries-related literature. The risk factor deemed most important was "current oral hygiene." Conclusions: Caries risk assessment has not widely entered clinical practice in China. The level of CRA-related knowledge among dentists was generally suboptimal. Clinical relevance: Strengthening CRA-related education may allow practitioners to develop a better understanding of caries risk assessment and hence promote its implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This retrospective cohort study aimed to find out predictors and early biomarkers of Infliximab (IFX) refractory intestinal Behçet’s syndrome (intestinal BS). Methods: We collected the baseline clinical characteristics, laboratory parameters, and concomitant therapies of intestinal BS patients treated by IFX from the Shanghai Behçet’s syndrome database. After 1 year IFX therapy, intestinal BS patients with non-mucosal healing (NMH, intestinal ulcers detected by colonoscopy) and/or no clinical remission [NCR, scores of the disease activity index for intestinal Behçet’s disease (DAIBD) ≥20] were defined as IFX refractory intestinal BS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the predictors for NMH and NCR in IFX refractory intestinal BS. Results: In 85 intestinal BS patients, NMH was identified in 29 (34.12%) patients, and NCR was confirmed in 20 (23.53%) patients. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR; ≥24 mm/h) and free triiodothyronine (fT3; ≤3.3pmol/L) were the independent risk factors of NMH in IFX refractory intestinal BS. Drinking alcohol and the fT3/free thyroxine ratio (fT3/fT4; ≤0.24) were independent risk factors, and thalidomide was an independent protective factor, for NCR in intestinal BS patients treated by IFX. Conclusion: This study may be applicable for adjusting the therapeutic strategy and sidestepping unnecessary exposure to IFX in intestinal BS patients. Routine assessments of ESR, fT3, and fT3/fT4 ratio are helpful to identify high-risk individuals of IFX refractory intestinal BS. Thalidomide is suggested to be a concomitant therapy with IFX for intestinal BS patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report shows the contribution of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) as an alternative to challenging diagnostic infection in immunosuppressed individuals. Herein, we report two leukemia patients who developed severe infections due to carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CrKP). The mNGS can be strongly recommended as an alternative investigation for patients who are at high risk of infection without positivity on body fluid culture. This can provide the opportunity for adequate therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study is to assess the reporting and methodological quality of split‐mouth trials (SMTs) in oral implantology published during the past 10 years, and to investigate whether there was any improvement over time. Materials and Methods: We searched PubMed for SMTs in oral implantology published during 2011–20. We used CONSORT 2010, its extension for within‐person trial (WPT), and an SMT‐specific methodological checklist to assess trial reporting quality (TRQ), WPT‐specific reporting quality (WRQ), and SMT‐specific methodological quality (SMQ), respectively. Binary scores were given to each item, and total scores of TRQ (range 0–32), WRQ (0–15), and SMQ (0–3) were calculated for each study. Multivariable regression analyses were performed to compare the quality of SMTs published before (2011–17) and after (2018–20) the release of CONSORT for WPT. Results: Seventy‐nine SMTs were included. The mean TRQ, WRQ, and SMQ were 16.4, 6.7, and 1.3, respectively. Less than one‐third (n = 25, 31.6%) reported the rationale for using split‐mouth designs. Only 4 (5.1%) trials adequately conducted sample size calculation, and 40 (50.6%) used appropriate statistical methods that considered dependency and clustering of data. In multivariable analyses, compared with 2011–17, studies published in 2018–20 had significantly higher TRQ (p =.044), while WRQ and SMQ did not show improvement. Conclusions: The reporting and methodological quality of SMTs in oral implantology need to be improved. Joint efforts are needed to improve the reporting and methodology of SMTs in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a multifunctional orthodontic adhesive (QDA) using ZnO quantum-dots (ZnQDs) as modifier and investigate the antibacterial capability, fluorescence property as well as biocompatibility and bonding property. ZnQDs were synthesized using sol-gel method. XPS, XRD, FT-IR, HRTEM, SAED, DLS and spectrofluorimetry were used to characterize ZnQDs. ZnQDs were incorporated into Transbond XT adhesive paste with 20 %, 30 %, 40 % mass fraction, respectively, to form the multifunctional adhesives (QDAs). Antibacterial capability was evaluated with MTT kit, CFU count and Live/Dead Bacterial Staining Kit. Ultraviolet photography and spectrofluorimetry were used to confirm the fluorescence property of QDAs. Biocompatibility assay was performed on gingival fibroblasts and subcutaneous tissue of rats. Softening in solvent rate, shear bond strength and degree of conversion (DC) were measured. The synthesized ZnQDs presented excellent crystallinity and fluorescence properties. MTT assay, CFU count and CLSM analysis indicated that QDAs had significant antibacterial activity compared with Transbond XT adhesive paste. CCK-8 assay and Live/Dead cell staining analysis denied the cytotoxicity of QDAs and histological analysis proved that QDAs all had no inflammatory irritation to subcutaneous tissue. Softening in solvent, shear bond strength and DC evaluations indicated that 20 % mixing ratio of ZnQDs could enhance the resistance to degradation without influencing the bond strength and DC. Ultraviolet photography and spectrofluorimetry analysis proved the fluorescence capability of QDAs. ZnQDs can impart antibacterial and fluorescence properties to orthodontic adhesives without affecting biocompatibility and bonding performance. QDAs can be multifunctional orthodontic adhesives to reduce bacterial adhesion around brackets and help orthodontists remove residual adhesives precisely when needed. [Display omitted] ● ZnO quantum dots (ZnQDs) with excellent crystallinity and fluorescence properties were synthesized, it can serve as modifier to form the multifunctional orthodontic adhesives (QDAs). ● QDAs possessed acceptable biocompatibility, showed obvious antibacterial effect to Streptococcus mutans , and emitted yellow fluorescence under ultraviolet light. ● 20 % ZnQDs-modified adhesive achieved balance between unaffected immediate bonding strength, and well-preserved bonds against 5000 runs of thermalcycling. ● The present study provides orthodontists a new strategy to reduce bacterial adhesion around brackets and precisely remove residual adhesives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ventricular remodeling (VR) after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is the main pathogenesis of chronic heart failure (CHF). Kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside (KR) is the flavonoid glycoside with the highest content in Lu'an GuaPian tea, which has good pharmacological activities. However, the mechanism of KR against VR after AMI remains unclear. Molecular docking was used to predict the targets of KR on the NLRP3/Caspase‐1 signaling pathway. Histological changes in the myocardium were visualized using HE staining, Masson staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis was detected using TUNEL. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine NLRP3, Caspase‐1 p20, and GSDMD. IL‐1β level in serum was detected using ELISA. Finally, the expressions of NF‐κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase‐1 p20, GSDMD, and IL‐1β were measured using RT‐PCR and Western blotting. Our results showed that KR had a good binding activity with NLRP3, Caspase‐1, and GSDMD, significantly improved cardiac function, alleviated cardiac pathological changes, reduced the excessive deposition of myocardial interstitial collagen, and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis in AMI rats. Furthermore, KR could decrease the IL‐1β level and inhibit the expressions of NF‐κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase‐1 p20, GSDMD, and IL‐1β. Our study suggests that KR can prevent and treat VR after AMI, and the protective effect is related to its regulatory NF‐κB/NLRP3/Caspase‐1 signaling pathway. Practical applications: Kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside is present in Carthamus tinctorius L., Nymphaea candida, Afgekia mahidoliae and green tea, which has good pharmacological activities against liver injury, cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, dementia, hyperglycemia, and myocardial infarction. Our previous study found that kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside had an obvious anti‐inflammatory effect, and could significantly improve the cell survival rate of H9c2 myocardium inflammatory injury induced by LPS. In this study, kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside significantly improved cardiac function, alleviated cardiac pathological changes, reduced the excessive deposition of myocardial interstitial collagen, and inhibited cardiomyocyte apoptosis in AMI rats. Furthermore, kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside could decrease the IL‐1β level and inhibit the expressions of NF‐κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase‐1, GSDMD and IL‐1β, suggesting that kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside could regulate NF‐κB/NLRP3/Caspase‐1 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current studies have shown that plasma trimethylamine N‐oxide (TMAO) level is closely related to the risk of acute myocardial infarction (AMI), that is, the possibility of AMI occurrence is positively correlated with TMAO level. The production of TMAO is mainly due to the transformation of trimethylamine (TMA) through the hepatic flavin‐containing monooxygenase. Hence, inhibition of TMA production is essential. Flavonoids are considered to be mainly responsible for the health‐promoting effects, and tea is rich in a variety of flavonoids. However, it is not clear that flavonoids from Lu'an GuaPian tea regulate gut microflora by inhibiting TMA‐lyase activity to prevent AMI. Sixteen flavonoids from Lu'an GuaPian tea for the treatment of AMI based on the inhibition of TMA‐lyase were summarized and screened. Docking results showed kaempferol 3‐O‐rutinoside had the highest Vina score, which means that it is the most active and can be used as lead compounds for structural modification. Practical applications: TMAO can be used as a marker of CHD and thus as a potential research object. Lu'an GuaPian tea is one of the top 10 famous teas in China and has the aroma of chestnuts and orchids. The flavonoids in Lu'an GuaPian tea are mainly composed of flavonoid aglycones and flavonoid glycosides. Since flavonoids have cardiovascular protection and can regulate gut microbiota, and gut microbiota is directly related to TMAO, reduction of TMAO level is to inhibit the transformation from TMA to TMAO. Kaempferol 3‐O‐rutinoside, quercetin 3‐O‐rhamnosylgalactoside, kaempferol 3‐O‐rhamnosylgalactoside, and myricetin 3‐O‐galactoside in Lu'an GuaPian tea have good binding affinities with TMA‐lyase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammatory infiltration has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in the development of several types of CVDs, including myocardial infarction, myocardial ischemia–reperfusion damage, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and hypertension. Inhibiting the activity of NLRP3 inflammasome can inhibit the progress of CVDs. However, there is no NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor in clinic, and it is very important to find a safe and effective NLRP3 inhibitor. Phenols and terpenoids are naturally natural products that have many anti-inflammatory effects in CVDs by modulating the NLRP3 inflammatory pathway. Thus, 20 natural products from phenols and terpenoids for the treatment of cardiovascular disease based on the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome were summarized and screened. Docking results showed salvianolic acid B and ellagic acid in phenols, and oridonin and triptolide in terpenoids had a better binding activity with NLRP3, which can provide theoretical support for finding novel NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitors or lead compounds in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastery motivation involves a child's attempts, even if unsuccessful, to master challenging tasks; thus, it is different from competence. The purpose of this article is to describe the construct and measures of mastery motivation and motivation-enhancing strategies in early intervention for young children with delays. Mastery motivation predicts children's school performance and executive function. Caregivers of young children with delays tended to view their children as having lower mastery motivation; however, children did not show lower motivation when given tasks that were moderately challenging. The quality of caregiver-child interaction and mastery motivation are highly correlated. We propose a 5-Step Enhancing Mastery Motivation model (5-SEMM) in early intervention services. Based on the model, practitioners collaborate with children's caregivers to evaluate children's mastery motivation and related factors, and to set motivation-related goals. Under practitioners' support, caregivers build capacities and can use motivation-enhancing strategies for enhancing children's engagement in daily activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism and quality of the welding of single-crystal (SC) and amorphous gold nanowires (NWs) with head-to-head contact are studied using molecular dynamics simulations based on the second-moment approximation of the many-body tight-binding potential. The results are discussed in terms of atomic trajectories, slip vectors, stress, and radial distribution function. Simulation results show that the alignment for the amorphous NWs during welding is easier than that for the SC NWs due to the former's relatively stable geometry. A few dislocations nucleate and propagate on the (111) close-packed plane (slip plane) inside the SC NWs during the welding and stretching processes. During welding, an incomplete jointing area first forms through the interactions of the van der Waals attractive force, and the jointing area increases with increasing extent of contact between the two NWs. A crystallization transition region forms in the jointing area for the welding of SC-amorphous or amorphous-SC NWs. With increasing interference, an amorphous gold NW shortens more than does a SC gold NW due to the former's relatively poor strength. The pressure required for welding decreases with increasing temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous study found a high content of kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside (KR) in Lu'an GuaPian tea, however, the rat plasma protein binding and mechanism of KR for cardiovascular protection are unclear. Thus, we studied plasma protein binding using ultrafiltration followed by UPLC, and screened its inhibition against LPS‐induced inflammation injury in vitro as well as the underlying mechanism by molecular docking and western blot. KR showed over 74% plasma protein binding ratio. Furthermore, KR may act on the toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). In vitro experiments showed that KR decreases the overexpression of TLR4, MyD88, and nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), which further validates the molecular docking results, suggesting that KR could block TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB signaling. These results indicate that KR could be a potential active agent in the protection of myocardial injury. Practical applications: Health benefits of tea are largely dependent on the intake of flavonoids. Flavonoids are a group of compounds beneficial to cardiovascular disease and an important part of "functional foods." Lu'an GuaPian tea is mainly produced in Lu'an City, Anhui Province and is one of the top 10 famous teas in China. Kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside in Lu'an GuaPian has good hypoglycemic effect, mainly manifested in a strong inhibition of α‐glucosidase and α‐amylase activities. Present study showed that kaempferol‐3‐O‐rutinoside could block TLR4/MyD88/NF‐κB signaling, suggesting that it could be a potential active agent in the protection of myocardial injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing children's daily participation is the optimal goal of early childhood intervention. This study aimed to identify child and family predictors of participation for toddlers with global developmental delay. Fifty-nine toddlers with global developmental delay (aged 24–43 months) and their mothers participated in a 6-month longitudinal study. Predictors for participation were child factors [age, gender, delay severity, mastery motivation (perceived persistence and task persistence), and withdrawal behavior], and family factors (socioeconomic status, family income, maternal education, stress, and maternal teaching behavior). Dependent variables were participation diversity and intensity of four activity types measured 6-month later using the Assessment of Preschool Children's Participation (Chinese version). Correlation and hierarchical regression statistical methods were used. Older children with higher persistence had higher overall participation. Different factors predicted different participation dimensions and different activity types. Older age, higher perceived persistence, and being less withdrawn predicted higher diversity and intensity for play participation. For skill development participation, older age, less severity, higher mastery motivation, and better maternal teaching behaviors predicted higher diversity; and age, mastery motivation and maternal teaching predicted intensity. Different factors predict participation attendance differently. Supporting parents to enhance toddlers' mastery motivation may optimize children's participation in daily activities. Based on the child and their caregiver preferences, applicability and/or engagement for different activity types, interventionists could collaborate further with caregivers to find strategies to increase children's participation attendance in daily life. Interventionists could consult with caregivers: (a) to observe the persistence and positive affect (mastery motivation) of children during different activities, (b) to figure out the possible barriers to participation in those activities, and (c) to demonstrate appropriate caregiver-child interactions. Interventionists are encouraged to support children's mastery motivation and quality of maternal teaching behaviors to enhance participation in daily activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the impact of citywide Covid-19 testing on people's behavior in seeking for dental services in Wuhan, China. It mentions that routine dental practices have been suspended or seriously affected in Wuhan during the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic. It discusses that how patient attendances have significantly increased after citywide Covid-19 testing in 2020.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the value of SMI compared with conventional ultrasonography for assessing hepatic arterial blood flow after pediatric liver transplantation. Methods: From March 2018 to November 2018, a total of 105 pediatric recipients with biliary atresia underwent liver transplantation in our hospital. Ultrasound examinations were performed at the bedside in the intensive care unit to check the patency of the blood flow in the hepatic allograft. CDI, PDI, cSMI, and mSMI were performed to assess the display, orientation, and distribution of the graft hepatic artery. Ultrasound examinations were performed by one radiologist, and the images were judged by two observers. Results: The median age, weight, and height of the recipients were 6.97 (5.92, 9.58) months, 6.50 (6.00, 7.80) kg, and 64.00 (62.00, 68.00) cm, respectively. The measure of kappa agreement was 0.902, 0.889, 0.882, and 0.882 for CDI, PDI, cSMI, and mSMI, respectively. HAT occurred in 7 pediatric recipients and was confirmed by CTA (computed tomography angiography) and surgery. The diagnostic performance of sensitivity, specificity, PPV (positive predictive value), NPV (negative predictive value), and accuracy were 100%, 92.86%, 50%, 100%, and 93.33% for CDI and 100%, 98.98%, 87.50%, 100%, and 99.05% for SMI. Conclusions: As an additional method to CDI, SMI can clearly show the distribution of hepatic arterial blood flow and provide more details, thereby markedly improving the diagnostic performance of postoperative HAT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Caregiver engagement and collaborative team early childhood intervention (ECI) services are international trends; however, relevant evidence of collaborative home-visiting ECI in rural areas is as yet undetermined. Objective The study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a collaborative ECI program in a rural area of Taiwan. Design The study was a pilot randomized control led trial. Methods Children aged 6 to 33 months experiencing motor delays and their caregivers were enrolled in Taitung, Taiwan. Using stratified randomization, 24 participants were allocated to either experimental or control groups, and both received 5 home visits within 3 months. The experimental group received ECI services based on the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework and family-centered approaches. The control group received regular home visits by local social workers. Child outcomes included Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory Chinese Version and Peabody Developmental Motor Scale, 2nd edition. Family outcomes included the Disability-Adapted Infant–Toddler version of Home Observation for Measurement, and Chinese versions of the Knowledge of Infant Development Inventory and Parental Stress Index-Short Form. A tester blinded to the study conducted assessments at baseline, postintervention, and 3-month follow-up. Two-way mixed analysis of variance was used with α = .05 (2-tailed). Results The experimental group improved scores on the Disability-Adapted Infant–Toddler version of Home Observation for Measurement significantly more than the control group with an effect size of 0.64 at follow-up. In other outcomes, both groups showed no significant differences. The follow-up rate was 69%, and adherence to the ECI program was acceptable. Limitations A limitation of the study was the heterogeneity of the sample. Conclusions This pilot study revealed possible effectiveness in implementing collaborative ECI programs based on family-centered approaches and the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health in rural areas. Larger field studies are needed to confirm our findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To achieve in vitro remineralization of enamel white spot lesions (WSLs) via a mesoporous delivery system of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) precursors. Materials and methods: Amine-functionalized expanded pore mesoporous silica (aMSN) was loaded with polyacrylic acid–stabilized amorphous calcium phosphate (PAA-ACP) to develop a carrier-based delivery system (PAA-ACP@aMSN). Thirty-six artificial WSLs samples were created and randomly assigned to three treatments: artificial saliva solution (negative control, n = 12), casein phosphopeptide-amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP-ACP) slurry (n = 12), and PAA-ACP@aMSN slurry (n = 12). Surface microhardness, Raman intensity, and color were measured before/after artificial demineralization and after remineralization treatments to evaluate the remineralization level of each sample. SEM images were taken on the surface and cross-section of samples to observe microstructure changes. Results: The surface microhardness recovery ratio (%SMHRR), Raman intensity change ratio (%ICR), and color recovery ratio (%CRR) were not significantly different between CPP-ACP and PAA-ACP@aMSN groups (P > 0.05), but both of them had significantly higher %SMHRR, %ICR, and %CRR values than negative control (P < 0.01). SEM images showed that apparent enamel prism imprints and inter-prism gaps in negative control were masked by mineral deposition in the PAA-ACP@aMSN and CPP-ACP groups. Conclusions: PAA-ACP@aMSN has an ability to remineralize enamel WSLs. Clinical relevance: The carrier-based amorphous calcium phosphate delivery system has great potential to serve as a remineralizing agent for the treatment of WSLs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To study whether specific recommendations aimed at reducing avoidable research waste were included in the author instructions of leading dental journals. Method: We identified 109 peer‐reviewed and original research‐oriented dental journals that were indexed in the MEDLINE and/or SCIE database in 2018. Two authors extracted independently information regarding the endorsement of reporting guidelines (RGs), ICMJE recommendations, trial or systematic review registration, and open access (OA) and data sharing policies. Result: All 109 journals provided online "instructions to authors," among which 64 journals (58.7%) mentioned RGs. The ICMJE recommendations were endorsed by 74 journals (67.9%), and trial and systematic review registration were mentioned by 48 (44.0%) and 6 (5.5%) of the journals, respectively. In terms of OA, most journals stated they were hybrid OA (82.0%) and direct OA (15.4%), while data sharing policy was recommended by 32 (29.4%) journals. Statistical analyses suggest that these policies were more frequently mentioned by SCIE‐indexed journals, higher‐impact journals, and journals that endorsed the ICMJE recommendations. Conclusion: Reporting guidelines, OA and data sharing are important tools for enhancing research communication, translation and the reduction of avoidable research waste. However, currently they are not widely endorsed by dental journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To validate the activities and participation (d) codes of two age-specific brief International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) core sets for school-aged children with cerebral palsy (CP), using national dataset of the child version of the Functioning Scale of the Disability Evaluation System (FUNDES) in Taiwan. Methods: Students with CP aged 6–17.9 years (n = 546) in the national dataset were analyzed. Items of the child version of the FUNDES were linked to the ICF d-codes and matched to two brief ICF core sets for CP. The restriction rate of the linked d-codes were calculated. Random Forest regression was applied to select the important linked d-codes for predicting school participation frequency. Results: The vast majority of the content of the Taiwanese dataset was covered by two core sets. The matched d-codes represent high restriction rates (80%) and most were important for predicting school participation. One important code, d740 (formal relationships, such as relationship with teachers), identified in this study were not included in two ICF core sets. Conclusions: Two brief ICF core sets for CP capture the majority of relevant functional information collected by the child version of the FUNDES. Some additional codes not covered in the international ICF core sets should be considered for inclusion in the revised Taiwanese version. Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most common cause of severe physical disability in childhood. ICF core sets for CP promote a comprehensive assessment and service provision. To ensure applicability, ICF core sets for CP were validated in Taiwan using the child and youth national dataset of the child version of the Functioning Scale of the Disability Evaluation System. This study shows content validity and proposes new ICF codes additions for the Taiwanese version. Among top five ICF-based predictors for school participation frequency, four of them were consistent in both children and youth groups as d310–d350 (basic communication), d750 (informal social relationships), d820 (school education), and d710–d720, d880 and d920 (social play), which could be taken into consideration in clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiovascular disease (CVDs) is a chronic disease with the highest morbidity and mortality in the world. Previous studies have suggested that preventing inflammation serves an efficient role in protection against cardiovascular diseases. Modulation of IKK-β activity can be used to treat and control CVDs associated with chronic inflammation, which targets the phosphorylation of IκB following the release of the RelA complex, and then translocates to the nucleus, eventually triggering the transcription of several genes that induce chemokines, cytokines, and adhesion molecules. Most importantly, the IκB kinase (IKK) complex is involved in transcriptional activation by phosphorylating the inhibitory molecule IkBα, enabling activation of NF-κB. Phenolic compounds possess cardioprotective potential that may be related to modulating inflammatory responses involved in CVDs. The SystemsDock analysis was used to explore whether 38 active compounds inhibit IKK-β activity based on literature. Docking results showed that the top docking score of three chemical compounds were icariin, salvianolic acid B, and plantainoside D in all compounds. Icariin, salvianolic acid B, and plantainoside D are the most promising IKKβ inhibitors. These phytochemicals could be helpful to find the lead compounds on designing and developing novel cardioprotective agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modulation of inhibitor kappa B kinase-beta (IKK-β) kinase activity could be useful for preventing inflammation that serves an efficient role in protection against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). IKK-β induces inflammation by activating transcription factor NF-kappa B (NF-κB) through phosphorylation of IκB. Therefore, IKK-β is considered an interesting target for protecting and treating CVDs. The cardioprotective potential of terpenoids, alkaloids and quinines may be related to modulating inflammatory responses. In this study, the interactions between different classes of inhibitors and IKK-β were investigated, through the application of SystemsDock. Molecular docking results showed that Diosgenin and Ginsenoside Re were the top docking score compounds. Diosgenin and Ginsenoside Re are the most promising IKK-β inhibitors in terpenoids, alkaloids, and quinones. Diosgenin and Ginsenoside Re could be helpful to find the lead compounds on designing and developing novel cardioprotective agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a viscoelastic analysis of the thermal stress in multilayer thin-film structures. In this analysis the viscoelastic field was calculated utilizing the Laplace transform. The thermal stress equation in the Laplace transform space can be numerically inverted to obtain the time domain. In the case of a single-layer film the stress of the thin film at any time can be obtained analytically. In a bilayer system, the normalized viscoelastic stress of the thin film is affected by the relaxation times, the biaxial moduli ratio, and the ratio of thickness between the film layer and the substrate. The effects of different ratio values of thickness on the normalized viscoelastic stress were analyzed. Viscoelastic stress can also be calculated if the elastic behavior in either the film or the substrate is considered. Furthermore, when both the substrate and film's relaxation times approach infinity, they begin to exhibit elastic behavior, and then the residual stress in the film can be determined. The residual stress results were shown to be identical to those results obtained by the elastic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a method for calculating the applied force during the nanoindentation process using atomic force microscope (AFM). The determination of the applied force in the nanoindentation system is regarded as an inverse vibration problem. The conjugate gradient method is applied to treat the inverse problem using available displacement measurements. Initially, the nanoindentation force should be applied and then the nanomechanical properties of the thin film, including the elastic modulus and the hardness, can be obtained using the geometric relationships between the indenter, the applied force, and the penetration depth. Without using the inverse methodology the nanomechanical properties of ultrathin coatings or films are very difficult to be obtained with precision using the nanoindentation equipment or solely using AFM. This proposed method is useful for designing a surface measurement system for nanostructured materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effectiveness of a16-week therapeutic horseback riding (THR) program on the gross motor function measures (GMFM) and the muscle tone of hip adductors in 14 children with spastic cerebral palsy (age: 3 years, one month to 11 years, 5 months). In the first phase of 16 weeks, nine of the children received the THR in addition to their regular treatment, while the rest received their regular treatment only. In the second phase (also 16 weeks), the arrangements were reversed. After THR, some of the children improved significantly in the GMFM E (walk/run/jump) score and the total score. The effect appears to be sustained for at least 16 weeks. No effect of THR on muscle tone was noted. We conclude that THR may be beneficial for some children with spastic cerebral palsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate the railway passenger pricing problem in which a railway company adjusts its ticket prices to affect passengers' choices so that system's performance can be optimized. Passengers in the railway system make their traveling choices selfishly to minimize their generalized costs. To capture passengers' choices, a space-time expense network is generated according to published timetables, and a model based on the user equilibrium principle widely used in roadway traffic is developed. A descent direction-based heuristic is proposed to determine the optimal pricing scheme in an efficient manner. Numerical results demonstrate that the resulting pricing strategy can drive the system to its best performance by changing passengers' choices. Empirical results also show that a railway company only needs to modestly adjust its pricing structure to achieve optimal system performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mechanical densification treatments make it possible to increase the density of low- or moderate-density woods, and thus a high mechanical strength of densified wood and high-value products can be obtained. The authors' previous treatments showed that the diffusion and distribution of steam and the release of vapor inside densified wood were prevented to some extent during thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) densification, causing the occurrence of protrusions, carbonization, blisters, and blows. This study aimed to overcome these problems. Based on the authors' previous THM densification, different materials, such as fabric, metal mesh, metal foam, and sintered metal mesh laminate (SMML), were used to improve the process. Densification was tested on different wood species. The results showed that SMML was the preferable material for THM densification through enhancing diffusion and distribution of steam, and evaporation of moisture inside wood. No protrusion, carbonization, blisters, or blows were found after densification with SMMLs. The densified wood specimens showed uniform color and a neat surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The reporting of randomised controlled trial (RCT) abstracts is of vital importance. The primary objective of this study was to investigate the association between structure format and RCT abstracts' quality of methodology reporting, informed by the current requirement and usage of structure formats by leading general medical/internal medicine journals (secondary objective).Methods: A two-part cross-sectional study. First, through hand searches, we identified all RCTs published in the top-50 high-impact general medical/internal medicine journals during July-December 2015 (n = 370), and retrieved the 'instructions to authors' of these journals. From these, we extracted the actual usage of structure formats and headings, as well as relevant journal policies. Then, after a pilot study and sample size calculation, we assessed the methodology reporting quality of 176 IMRaD (Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion) and 165 HS (Highly Structured) RCT abstracts sampled from 33 of the 50 selected journals, using a 9-item checklist developed based on the CONSORT for Abstracts guidelines (primary outcome: overall quality score, OQS; score range 0 to 9).Results: 88% (324/370) of all identified RCT abstracts were structured, among which 66% (215/324) used the IMRaD format and 34% (109/324) used HS. According to journals' 'instructions to authors', 48% (24/50) journals required IMRaD, 32% (16/50) required HS, 8% (4/50) required unstructured, while the rest did not state any requirement on structure format. According to generalised estimation equation analysis adjusting for potential confounders and clustering effects, the OQS of HS abstracts was 0.5 (95% CI 0.1 to 1.0, p = 0.028) higher than IMRaD abstracts. More HS abstracts reported study setting (adjusted odds ratio, 4.2; 95% CI: 1.7 to 10.0; p = 0.001), definition of the main outcome measure (2.5; 1.3 to 4.9; p = 0.006) and the time point for main outcome assessment (3.0; 1.5 to 6.2; p = 0.002), whereas more IMRaD abstracts described the unit of randomisation (0.4; 0.3 to 0.8; p = 0.004).Conclusions: For RCT abstracts, the IMRaD format is more frequently used and required by leading general medical/internal medicine journals than the HS format. Abstracts in the HS format report trial methodology more completely than those in the IMRaD format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fermentation and isolation of metabolites produced by an endophytic fungus, which was identified as Phomopsis sp. FJBR-11, based on phylogenetic analysis, led to the identification of six compounds, including dothiorelones A-C, and H, and cytosporones C and U. Among these compounds, cytosporone U exhibited potent inhibitory activity against Tobacco mosaic virus (TMV). Moreover, the crude and a purified exopolysaccharide were proved to possess strong inhibitory effects against the virus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ground-state triple proton transfer (GSTPT) reactions in HCOOH complexing with H2O, CH3OH, C2H5OH and mixed water-alcohol molecules were studied by quantum mechanical methods in the gas phase and in heptane. The triple proton transfer in HCOOH-S1-S2 (S1, S2 = H2O, CH3OH, C2H5OH) systems all occurred in an asynchronous but concerted protolysis mechanism. The formation pattern of the hydrogen-bonded chain was important to reduce the barrier height of the proton transfer process. When the hydrogen-bonded chain consisted of two identical CH3OH or C2H5OH molecules in the HCOOH-S1-S2 complexes, the GSTPT barrier height of HCOOH-S1-S2 decreased by more than 2 kcal mol-1 compared to that of HCOOH-H2O-H2O both in the gas phase and in heptane, because CH3OH and C2H5OH had larger proton-accepting abilities than had H2O. When the two solvent molecules in the hydrogen-bonded chain in the HCOOH-S1-S2 complexes were different, the barrier height of the proton transfer process varied depending on the proton-accepting ability (basicity) of the hydrogen-bonded chain. The bigger the proton-accepting ability (basicity) of the hydrogenbonded chain, the lower the barrier height of the proton transfer process. Mixed bridging solvent molecules could accumulate their proton-accepting abilities and thus speeded up proton transfer. The solvent effect evidently decreased the zero point energy-corrected barrier heights of HCOOH clusters and increased the asynchronicity of the proton transfer, while the proton transfer mechanisms did not change in heptane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup is an herbal preparation from a lifetime professor, famous old Chinese doctor, and postgraduate supervisor of medical doctor of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. This herbal preparation promotes lung health, relieves cough, reduces phlegm, and benefits pharynx. To verify the clinical efficacy and safety of Zibei Xuanfei syrup for children in treatment of acute trachea bronchitis with wind-heat invading lung syndrome. This was an age-stratified, block randomized, double-blind, extremely low dose parallel control, multi-center clinical trial. A total of 453 pediatric patients diagnosed with acute tracheal bronchitis in Western medicine and cough due to exogenous factors with wind-heat invading lung syndrome in Chinese medicine were enrolled. They were divided into three subgroups based on age 1∼3, 4–7, and 8–14 years old, and randomly assigned to children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup and extremely low doses of children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup (control) in a 3:1 ratio. The primary outcome was the decreased values of cough Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score after 7 days of administration. Secondary outcomes included a decrease in cough VAS score after 3 and 5 days of the administration, and the total score of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) syndrome after 3, 5, and 7 days of treatment. The chest X-ray and blood C-reactive protein were examined during screening. The safety assessment included blood urine, and stool routine, liver and kidney function of laboratory tests, and an electrocardiogram at the screening and the last visit. The subjects of two groups had high administration adherence (completion over 80%) (299/323, 92.6% in children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup group vs 103/107, 96.3% in the control group; p > 0.05). The children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup group was significantly better than the control group in the decreased values of cough VAS score after 7 days of administration(6.35 ± 3.45 vs 3.73 ± 3.98, p < 0.001). The subgroup analysis of the decreased value of cough VAS scores aged 1–3 years old were 5.80 ± 3.43 vs 3.75 ± 4.38 (P = 0.003), 4–7 years old was 6.30 ± 3.69 vs 2.73 ± 3.65 (P < 0.001), and 8–14 years old were 6.91 ± 3.12 vs 4.69 ± 3.75(P = 0.001)respectively. The secondary outcomes decrease values of cough VAS score of children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup group vs control group after 5 days of administration were 5.88 ± 2.90 vs 3.55 ± 3.41(P < 0.001), after 3 days of administration were 3.61 ± 2.53 vs 2.43 ± 2.56 (P < 0.001). The effective rate of the TCM symptom total score of children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup group vs control group was 91.38% vs 54.95%after 7 days of the administration, 86.93% vs 50.94% after 5 days of the administration, and 64.78% vs 40.19% after 3 days administration(each p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in Adverse Event between the two groups (59/331, 17.82% vs 15/111, 13.51%, P > 0.05). The children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup group had 5 Serious Adverse Events (incidence rate 1.21%), all of which were unrelated to the trial drug. Children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup appears to be extremely effective and safe in the treatment of acute trachea bronchitis with wind-heat invading lung syndrome. Future studies with large sample sizes will need to collect more safety data use for children. [Display omitted] • Side effects in antiviral drug treating Children acute trachea-bronchitis. • Subjects were assigned to Children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup (n = 332) and control drug (n = 111) group. • The results were observed after 7,5,3 days of randomly double-blind administration. • Children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup was better than the control group in decrease values of cough VAS score. • Children's Zibei Xuanfei syrup had good effect and safety in treating acute trachea-bronchitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the probable antihypertensive effects of Gastrodia elata Bl. extract (GEBE) in renovascular hypertensive rats as well as the mechanism involved in blood pressure reduction. Methods: The two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) Goldblatt model of renovascular hypertension was used in Wistar rats. The 2K1C group rats were treated with captopril (40 mg/kg/day), low-dose GEBE (150 mg/kg/day) and high-dose of GEBE (300 mg/kg/day) for 6 weeks by intragastric administration. Systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured by the tail-cuff method. Urine creatinine and urea levels of the rats were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also evaluated. Results: In the captopril- and GEBE-treated groups, blood pressure decreased progressively over the course of the 6-week treatment period compared with that of the untreated (control) rats (p < 0.01). High-dose GEBE also significantly increased plasma SOD activity but decreased plasma MDA concentration (p < 0.05). Renal function improved following captopril and GEBE (300 mg/kg/day) treatment (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The results suggest that GEBE probably exerts an antihypertensive effect by inhibiting endothelin (ET)-converting enzyme and via its antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Korean Americans are known for a high smoking prevalence within the Asian American population. This study examined the effects of acculturation and depression on Korean Americans' smoking cessation and abstinence. Methods: This is a secondary data analysis of a smoking cessation study that implemented eight weekly individualized counseling sessions of a culturally adapted cessation intervention for the treatment arm and a standard cognitive behavioral therapy for the comparison arm. Both arms also received nicotine patches for 8 weeks. A newly developed non-parametric trajectory pattern recognition model (MI-Fuzzy) was used to identify cognitive and behavioral response patterns to a smoking cessation intervention among 97 Korean American smokers (81 men and 16 women). Results: Three distinctive response patterns were revealed: (a) Culturally Adapted (CA), since all identified members received the culturally adapted intervention; (b) More Bicultural (MB), for having higher scores of bicultural acculturation; and (c) Less Bicultural (LB), for having lower scores of bicultural acculturation. The CA smokers were those from the treatment arm, while MB and LB groups were from the comparison arm. The LB group differed in depression from the CA and MB groups and no difference was found between the CA and MB groups. Although depression did not directly affect 12-month prolonged abstinence, the LB group was most depressed and achieved the lowest rate of abstinence (LB: 1.03%; MB: 5.15%; CA: 21.65%). Conclusion: A culturally adaptive intervention should target Korean American smokers with a high level of depression and a low level of biculturalism to assist in their smoking cessation. Trial registration: NCT01091363. Registered 21 March 2010. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurotrophic factor (NF) and Trk signaling mechanisms underlying the promotion of motor recovery following acute spinal cord injury (SCI) in rats were investigated. Thirty-six adult Sprague-Dawley rats of both genders were randomly divided into three groups: Sham-operated, model, and NF/Trk. Each group consisted of 12 rats, with four subgroups in each group: 1, 3, 5 and 7 days. Sham-operated rats received a laminectomy without SCI, while in model group rats, SCI was induced using an improved version of the Allen's method. After analepsia, sham-operated and model group rats were given normal saline via gavage, while the NF/Trk group received NFs and Trk. Lower limb function was measured using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale 1, 3, 5 and 7 days before and after surgery. Results were analyzed statistically. Six rats from each group were randomly selected for sacrifice at 1, 3, 5 and 7 days after the operation. Morphological changes in motor neurons in the anterior gray column were observed by hematoxylin and eosin, and Nissl staining. Brain-derived expression of NF (BNDF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3) was detected by immunofluorescence, and the number of positive cells was counted. Expression of Trk B and Trk protein C receptor was measured by western blotting. In the NF/Trk group, the expression of NF/Trk pathway components remarkably increased. In addition, the morphology of motor neurons in the anterior gray column was improved. Expression of BNDF and NT-3 was significantly increased in motor neurons of the anterior gray column in NF/Trk rats compared with those of sham-operated and model rats (P<0.05). NFs promote motor recovery following acute SCI in rats and may have valuable clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

FK506 binding protein (FBBP) 14 belongs to the family of FKBPs. Altered expression of FKBPs are observed in several malignancies. The present study aimed to explore the expression and biological function of FKBP14 in gastric cancer. FKBP14 expression levels in 40 gastric cancer samples and matched control samples were evaluated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation was evaluated using Cell Counting kit-8 assay. A cell adhesion and a Transwell assay were performed to detect cell adhesion and invasion. Protein expression was determined using western blot analysis. It was found that FKBP14 expression in gastric cancer tissues was elevated compared with normal tissues. Silencing of FKBP14 expression in the gastric cancer MKN-45 and AGS cell lines, which have a higher expression level of FKBP14 compared with four other gastric cancer cell lines, significantly inhibited cellular proliferation, adhesion and invasion. In addition, the protein levels of proliferating cell nuclear antigen, matrix metalloproteinase 2 and the epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) markers β-catenin, Snail1 and Twist were repressed in gastric cancer cells with FKBP14 silenced. In conclusion, FKBP14 may act as an oncogene by suppressing cellular proliferation, adhesion and invasion and EMT in gastric carcinogenesis. FKBP14 may be a diagnosis marker and potential therapeutic target in gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural products are an important original source of many widely used drugs, including anti-cancer drugs. Early research efforts for seeking anti-cancer therapy from the natural products are mainly focused on the compounds with cytotoxicity capability. The good examples include vinblastine, vincristine, the camptothecin derivatives; topotecan, irinotecan, epipodophyllotoxin derivatives and paclitaxel. In a recent decade, the fundamental progression has been made in the understanding of molecular and cellular mechanisms regarding tumor initiation, metastasis, therapeutic resistance, immune escape, and relapse, which provide a great opportunity for the development of new mechanism-based anticancer drugs, especially drugs against new molecular and cellular targets. Autophagy, a critical cell homeostasis mechanism and promising drug target involved in a verity of human diseases including cancer, can be modulated by many compounds derived from natural products. In this review, we’ll give a short introduction of autophagy and discuss the roles of autophagy in the tumorigenesis and progression. And then, we summarize the accumulated evidences to show the anti-tumor effects of several compounds derived from natural products through modulation of autophagy activity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We studied the self-organization of Cd clusters on Si(111)-7×7 surface with an ultrahigh vacuum scanning tunneling microcopy (STM). Highly-ordered arrays of Cd nanoclusters have been fabricated by elevating the substrate temperature. The Cd clusters occupy equally the faulted and unfaulted half-unit cells of Si(111)-7×7 without obvious preference to either of them, forming Cd cluster pairs or hexamers. Furthermore, high-resolution STM images demonstrate that the charge transfer between Cd and Si atoms is responsible for cluster-cluster attractions, which in turn drive the self-organization of Cd nanoclusters into highly ordered arrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste plastics have emerged as a global environmental issue. Polyethylene, accounting for about 25% of global plastic production, has been acknowledged as the major cause of "white pollution". In this paper, a generalized molecular-level kinetic model was proposed to understand the pyrolysis of polyethylene applying structure-oriented lumping, Poisson distribution, and genetic algorithm. The number of ordinary differential equations derived from the reaction kinetics were dramatically reduced by this simplified network with 14-rule design. The generalizability was confirmed by case studies without any change in the rule design. Under most conditions, the mean relative error between experimental and model data could be controlled within 5%, while abnormal deviations indicate the obstacle of heat transfer. The simulation curve could provide guidance for the experiments by locating the peak value of products. From 400–470 °C in Case 2, the increase in the reaction proportion of producing light oil explains the experimental results from the perspective of molecular-level reaction network. The comparison between PE and PS pyrolysis elaborates different pyrolysis mechanisms based on the different molecular structures. • Established a generalized molecular-level model for polyethylene pyrolysis. • Offered an efficient tool avoiding repeated work in pyrolysis simulation. • Confirmed the generalizability by case studies without changing the rule design. • Provided guidance for the experiments by locating the peak value of products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accumulation of waste plastics has been one of the most urgent and difficult environmental challenges. In this work, the pyrolysis of polyethylene (PE) has been studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), pyrolysis/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (PyGC-MS), and a two-stage tube reactor. The pyrolysis behavior of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is compared, and there are almost no differences in the thermogravimetric curves obtained by TGA and the yield of gaseous products obtained in a two-stage process. The evolution of light olefins (C 2 –C 4) during the pyrolysis of PE is investigated in a two-stage process with a constant condition in the first stage (500 °C) and various conditions in the second stage (700–1000 °C, 0.2–0.4 s). The temperature in the second stage has a more significant effect on the yield and selectivity of light olefins than the residence time, and the ethylene, propylene, and butene yields do not increase monotonously as the temperature rises. The highest yield of light olefins of 76.1 wt% is obtained at 800 °C with a selectivity of 91.7%. The maximum yields of ethylene, propylene, and butene are 45.1 wt%, 17.3 wt%, and 24.3 wt%, respectively. The scission mechanisms are proposed to provide insight into the process during which PE molecules transform into light olefins. • There are almost no differences between the pyrolysis characteristics of high-density and low-density polyethylene. • The evolution of light olefins during the polyethylene pyrolysis is investigated by PyGC-MS and a two-stage tube reactor. • A high yield of light olefins of 76.1 wt% with a high selectivity of 91.7% is obtained at 800 °C. • Probable mechanisms for two-stage pyrolysis of PE are proposed to reveal the interplay of reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Established a simplified and effective molecular-level kinetic model for polystyrene pyrolysis. • Realized well correspondence to the experimental data by the concept of intermediate monomer. • Visualized partially the automatic generated network with 3,008 substances and 15,025 reactions. • Gave an insight into the pyrolysis of polystyrene through the evaluation, validation, and application of the model. Industrialization and development of the global economy have boosted the production of plastics, leading to an explosive growth in the generation of plastic wastes. This work aims to establish a molecular-level kinetics model to understand the pyrolysis of polystyrene as a representative case for waste plastic. As a huge number of molecules in waste plastics make models extreme complex with stiff equations, the conception of intermediate monomer is proposed to construct the simplified model. The automatically generated network containing 3,008 substances and 15,025 reactions is partially visualized. The simulation results correspond well to the experimental data at different conditions. Through the evaluation, validation, and application of the model, it is clear that the molecular-level model behaves exquisite and requires low computation power but can give an insight into the pyrolysis of polystyrene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objectives of this study were to assess the reporting quality of randomized controlled trial (RCT) abstracts published in leading laser medicine journals and investigate the association between potential predictors and reporting quality. The official online archives of four leading laser medicine journals were hand-searched to identify RCTs published in 2014 and 2015. A reporting quality assessment was carried out using the original 16-item CONsolidated Standards Of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) for Abstracts checklist. For each abstract, an overall CONSORT score (OCS) was calculated (score range, 0 to 16). Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify significant predictors of reporting quality. Chi-square (or Fisher's exact) tests were used to analyze the adequate reporting rate of each quality item by specialty area. A total of 129 RCT abstracts were included and assessed. The mean OCS was 4.5 (standard deviation, 1.3). Only three quality items (interventions, objective, conclusions) were reported adequately in most abstracts (>80 %). No abstract adequately reported results for the primary outcome, source of funding, and status of the trial. In addition, sufficient reporting of participants, outcome in the methods section, randomization, and trial registration was rare (<5 %). According to multivariable linear regression analysis, the specialty area of RCT abstracts was significantly associated with their reporting quality (P = 0.008). The reporting quality of RCT abstracts published in leading laser medicine journals is suboptimal. Joint efforts by authors, editors, and other stakeholders in the field to improve trial abstract reporting are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of novel compounds phosphoryl-containing polyunsaturated fatty acid derivativesn-(diisopropoxy-phosphonamide)-alkyl ester (2a–2o) have been synthesized and evaluated for lowering hypolipidemia activities. Amongst all the synthesized compounds, compound2d, 2h, and2mshowed significant lowering of triglyceride (TG) by 47.37%, 45.88%, and 45.69%, respectively, in triton induced hyperlipidemic in mice. Furthermore, compound2dshowed potent antihyperlipidemic activity and was found to decrease the plasma total cholesterol levels (TC) by 53.3%, TG by 29.3%, in high-fat diet induced hyperlipidemic in mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use a layered solution crystal growth technique to synthesize high-quality single crystals of phenylalkylammonium lead iodide organic/inorganic hybrid compounds. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction reveals low-dimensional structures consisting of inorganic sheets separated by bilayers of the organic cations. The shortest alkyls yield two-dimensional structures consisting of inorganic sheets of corner-sharing PbI6-octahedra. However, the longer alkyls induce both corner- and face-sharing of the PbI6-octahedra, and form new compounds. Density functional theory calculations including spin-orbit coupling show quantum confinement in two dimensions for the shorter alkyls, and in one dimension for the longer alkyls, respectively. The face-sharing PbI6-octahedra create a confinement leading to effectively one-dimensional behavior. These confinement effects are responsible for the observed peak shifts in photoluminescence for the different phenylalkylammonium lead iodide hybrids. Our results show how the connectivity of the octahedra leads to confinement effects that directly tune the optical band gap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties of silicene nanostructures subject to tensile loading were studied via a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The effects of temperature on Young's modulus and the fracture strain of silicene with armchair and zigzag types were examined. The maximum in-plane stress and the corresponding critical strain of the armchair and the zigzag silicene sheets at 300 K were 8.85 and 10.62, and 0.187 and 0.244 N/m, respectively. The in-plane stresses of the silicene sheet in the armchair direction at the temperatures of 300, 400, 500, and 600 K were 8.85, 8.50, 8.26, and 7.79 N/m, respectively. The in-plane stresses of the silicene sheet in the zigzag direction at the temperatures of 300, 400, 500, and 600 K were 10.62, 9.92, 9.64, and 9.27 N/m, respectively. The improved mechanical properties can be calculated in a silicene sheet yielded in the zigzag direction compared with the tensile loading in the armchair direction. The wrinklons and waves were observed at the shear band across the center zone of the silicene sheet. These results provide useful information about the mechanical and fracture behaviors of silicene for engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus is a serious and growing health problem worldwide and is associated with severe acute and chronic complications. Accruing epidemiological and clinical evidence have suggested that an increased cancer incidence is associated with diabetes as well as certain diabetes risk factors and diabetes medications. Several pathophysiological mechanisms for this relationship have been postulated, including insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, enhanced inflammation, aberrant metabolic state, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and deregulation of autophagy. In addition to these potential mechanisms, a number of common risk factors, including obesity, may be behind the association between diabetes and cancer. Furthermore, different anti-diabetic medications may modify cancer risk and mortality in patients with diabetes. This Review discusses evidence to support the relationship between diabetes and cancer development as well as the underlying mechanisms. We also discuss the relationship of current diabetes treatments and cancer risk or prognosis. Understanding the mechanisms that connect type 2 diabetes or diabetes treatments to cancer are crucial for establishing the fundamental strategies concerning about primary prevention, early detection and effective therapy against these diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the current prevalence of open access (OA) in the field of dentistry, the means used to provide OA, as well as the association between OA and citation counts.Methods: PubMed was searched for dental articles published in 2013. The OA status of each article was determined by manually checking Google, Google Scholar, PubMed and ResearchGate. Citation data were extracted from Google Scholar, Scopus and Web of Science. Chi-square tests were used to compare the OA prevalence by different subjects, study types, and continents of origin. The association between OA and citation count was studied with multivariable logistic regression analyses.Results: A random sample of 908 articles was deemed eligible and therefore included. Among these, 416 were found freely available online, indicating an overall OA rate of 45.8%. Significant difference in OA rate was detected among articles in different subjects (P<0.001) and among those from different continents (P<0.001). Of articles that were OA, 74.2% were available via self-archiving ('Green road' OA), 53.3% were available from publishers ('Gold road' OA). According to multivariable logistic regression analyses, OA status was not significantly associated with either the existence of citation (P=0.37) or the level of citation (P=0.52).Conclusions/clinical Significance: In the field of dentistry, 54% of recent journal articles are behind the paywall (non-OA) one year after their publication dates. The 'Green road' of providing OA was more common than the 'Gold road'. No evidence suggested that OA articles received significantly more citations than non-OA articles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel paper-based Nanoceria Reducing Antioxidant Capacity (NanoCerac) assay for antioxidant detection (Sharpe, Frasco, Andreescu, & Andreescu, 2012), has been adapted for the first time as a high-throughput method, in order to measure the effect of brewing conditions and re-infusion on the antioxidant capacity of twenty-four commercial green teas. The oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, frequently applied to complex foods and beverages, was used as a comparator measure of antioxidant capacity. A novel measure of sustained antioxidant capacity, the total inherent antioxidant capacity (TI-NanoCerac and TI-ORAC) was measured by infusing each tea six times. Effects of brewing conditions (temperature, brew time, etc.) were assessed using one popular tea as a standard. Both NanoCerac and ORAC assays correlated moderately ( R 2 0.80 ± 0.19). The average first-brew NanoCerac, TI-NanoCerac, first-brew ORAC and TI-ORAC were: 0.73 ± 0.1 GAE/g tea; 2.4 ± 0.70 mmol GAE/g tea; 1.0 ± 0.3 mmol TE/g tea and 2.1 ± 0.71 mmol TE/g tea respectively. Brewing conditions including water temperature and infusion time significantly affected antioxidant capacity. The high-throughput adaptation of the original NanoCerac assay tested here offered advantages over ORAC, including portability and rapid analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular dynamics simulation is used to investigate the properties of the curved and planar monolayer graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) under boundary confinement. The wrinkles are formed in curved-armchair GNRs not in curved-zigzag GNRs. With temperatures of 300-900 K and curvature radii of 3-6 nm, the wavelength of wrinkles did not change obviously. In nanoindentation tests, the zigzag graphene comparing to the armchair graphene had the larger contact stiffness about 50%. Further the concave graphene comparing to the convex graphene showed the higher contact stiffness due to its higher Young's modulus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrating micro-/nanosized cantilever beams under an applied axial force are the key components of various devices used in nanotechnology. In this study, we perform a complete theoretical investigation of the cantilever beams under an arbitrary value of the axial force vibrating in a specific environment such as vacuum, air or viscous fluid. Based on the results easy accessible expressions enabling one the fast and highly accurate estimations of changes in the Q-factor and resonant frequencies of beam oscillating in viscous fluid caused by the applied axial force are derived and analyzed. It has been also shown that for beam-to-string and string vibrational regimes the mode shape starts to significantly deviate from the one known for a beam without axial force. Moreover, a linear dependency of the vibrational amplitude in resonance on the dimensionless tension parameter has been found. We revealed that only a large axial force, i.e. the string vibrational regime, significantly improves the Q-factor of beams submerged in fluid, while an increase of the axial force in beam and beam-to-string transition regimes has a negligibly small impact on the Q-factor enhancement. Experiments carried out on the carbon nanotubes and nanowires are in a good agreement with present theoretical predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]