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In recent years, the role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in tumours has attracted widespread attention. Some circRNAs have been reported to play a role in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). However, circRNAs have rarely been reported in terms of TNBC resistance. This study aimed to clarify that circGFRA1 affects the sensitivity of TNBC cells to paclitaxel (PTX) by the miR-361-5p/TLR4 pathway. Compared with the non-PTX-resistant TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231, the expression of circGFRA1 in the PTX-resistant TNBC cell line MDA-MB-231.PR was significantly increased. The small hairpin RNA-mediated circGFRA1 knockdown inhibited the resistance of TNBC cells to PTX. RNA pull-down assay and luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the binding between circGFRA1 and miR-361-5p and between miR-361-5p and TLR4. It has been proven that circGFRA1 knockdown can inhibit the resistance of TNBC cells to PTX by promoting the expression of miR-361-5p, and subsequently reduce the expression of TLR4.

The development of cisplatin resistance is a common cause of cancer recurrence in colorectal cancer (CRC). Though many studies have reported the oncogenic function of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) KCNQ1OT1 in multiple cancers, few studies explored its role in cisplatin resistance of CRC. Curcumin is a natural phenolic compound extracted from turmeric, which can effectively suppress cisplatin resistance in CRC. This study aims to expound the role of KCNQ1OT1 in cisplatin resistance in CRC cells and whether KCNQ1OT1 participates in the reversal effect of curcumin on cisplatin resistance in CRC. The interplay between KCNQ1OT1 and miR-497 was determined using RNA pull-down assay and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. The combination of B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and miR-497 was confirmed using dual-luciferase reporter gene assay. Compared with CRC cell line HCT8, the cisplatin-resistant CRC cell line HCT8/DDP exhibited a higher expression level of KCNQ1OT1. Functionally, the silence of KCNQ1OT1 suppressed proliferation and boosted apoptosis in HCT8/DDP cells. Subsequently, we found that KCNQ1OT1 could act as a sponge of miR-497 and remove the suppressive effect of miR-497 on Bcl-2 expression. Curcumin treatment restrained proliferation and facilitated apoptosis in HCT8/DDP cells. While KCNQ1OT1 overexpression removed the effect of curcumin on HCT8/DDP cells via miR-497/ Bcl-2 axis. Finally, the in vivo experiments showed that the inhibitory effect of curcumin on the growth of cisplatin-resistant CRC cells was reserved by the ectopic expression of KCNQ1OT1. In conclusion, KCNQ1OT1 aggravated cisplatin resistance in CRC cells via the miR-497/Bcl-2 axis. Administration of curcumin could effectively downregulate KCNQ1OT1 expression, thus reversing cisplatin resistance in CRC cells.

The preparation and the structural characterization of two La(III)-based coordination polymers was described in this study, in which {[La(H2O)(BTCTB)]·2H2O}n (1, H3BTCTB = 3,3′,3′′-[1,3,5‐benzenetriyltris(carbonyl amino)] three benzoic acid) and [(La2(TATAB)2)·4DMF·4H2O]n (2, H3TATAB = 4,4,4″s-triazine-1,3,5-triethyl-m-aminobenzoic acid) were prepared by means of two flexible tricarboxylic acid ligands with different joints and functional backbones. Moreover, a sonochemical synthesis way has been carried out to produce the nanostructures of complexes 1 and 2. In addition, their anticancer activity was evaluated on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells. Firstly, Cell Counting Kit-8 test kit was used to test the cancer cells proliferation after treated with nano 1 or 2. Then, the Annexin V-FITC/PI test was performed and the percentage of the apoptotic cancer cells was determined after nano 1 and 2 treatment. Next, the ROS accumulation after nano 1 and 2 treatment was detected by DCFH-DA detection kit. Finally, the expression level of FHIT in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells treated with nano 1 and 2 was evaluated via western blot.

Background The global burden of pancreatic cancer (PCa) continues to grow. Detailed data on PCa epidemiology are essential for policy-making and appropriate healthcare resource allocation. Methods Estimates of incidence, death and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of PCa from 1990 to 2017 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Decomposition analysis was conducted to detect the contributing factors related to PCa incidence variation. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated to quantify the PCa epidemiology trends over a specified interval. Results Globally, the incidence of PCa cases increased by 129.1% to 447 664 664 (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 438 597–456 295), death increased by 125.2% to 441 082 082 (95% UI 448 960–432 833), and DALYs increased by 107.3% to 9 080 004 (95% UI 8 894 128–9 256 346) between 1990 and 2017. Relatively higher sociodemographic index (SDI) regions were observed with greater incidences, more deaths and a greater number of DALYs of PCa, but relatively lower SDI regions experienced a sharply increasing trend in these measures. Decomposition analysis indicated that the global increase in PCa incidence was driven by the aging population from 2007 to 2017, especially in higher SDI regions. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between EAPC and ASIR (in 1990) (r = −0.56, P Conclusions PCa remains a major public health burden globally. The unfavorable trend in PCa suggesting that further study for prevention should be conducted to forestall the increase in pancreatic cancer.

To observe the clinical efficacy and eligibility of thumb-tack needle therapy based on meridian differentiation in treating cervical radiculopathy. A total of 70 patients with cervical radiculopathy were randomized into an observation group and a control group, with 35 cases in each group. Patients in the control group received thumb-tack needle based on conventional point selection, while those in the observation group received thumb-tack needle according to meridian differentiation. The visual analog scale (VAS) and clinical symptom scores in the two groups were compared before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy of the two treatments was observed. After treatment, the VAS score in both groups dropped significantly (both P

Background The aim of this study was to determine whether circulating tumor cells (CTCs) have utility as a prognostic biomarker in stage II colorectal cancer (CRC), as well as a biomarker for the selection of patients for adjuvant chemotherapy. Methods CTCs were detected in peripheral blood samples obtained from 73 stage II CRC patients, using a negative enrichment and immune-fluorescence in situ hybridization (imFISH) staining method. The follow-up time ranged from 3.5 to 35.9 months, and the clinic-pathologic characteristics and recurrence free survival (RFS) were collected and analyzed. Results Seventy-three stage II CRC patients were included in this study. The positive rate of CTCs was 65.8% in all patients, 87.5% in recurrent patients and 59.6% in no recurrence patients. The mean RFS was 30.6 months for all patients, 28.7 months for CTC-positive patients and 34.0 months for CTC-negative patients (P=0.043). The mean RFS of CTC-positive and CTC-negative patients with adjuvant chemotherapy were not reached, and those without adjuvant chemotherapy were 27.7 and 33.4 months, respectively. Conclusions The level of CTCs may be an effective prognostic factor to predict RFS in stage II CRC patients, and has potential in selecting stage II CRC patients for adjuvant chemotherapy.

The avian embryo develops within a specialized biological container (eggshell) that contains crucial nutritional compartments (albumen, yolk). We analyzed the transcriptome of ovary and three segments of oviduct, including magnum, isthmus and uterus in the chicken during egg formation. RNA-Seq libraries (42 in total) for ovary and three different parts of the oviduct were sequenced for two different phases of egg formation. We obtained 8365 novel transcripts with an mRNA length longer than 200 bp; of these, 6832 were long intergenic non-coding RNA transcripts. We identified 547 differentially expressed genes in magnum (actively secreting albumen versus inactive) and 585 in uterus (active eggshell calcification versus quiescent). By combining QTL, transcriptome and proteome data, we obtained high quality gene lists for chicken egg formation. This is the first study to describe the ovary and oviduct transcriptomes by mRNA sequencing, and to elucidate the global repertoire of functional genes involved in egg formation.

A new globoscinic acid derivative, aspertubin A (1) along with four known compounds, were obtained from the co-culture of Aspergillus tubingensis S1120 with red ginseng. The chemical structures of compounds were characterized by using spectroscopic methods, the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism. Panaxytriol (2) from red ginseng, and asperic acid (4) showed significant antifeedant effect with the antifeedant rates of 75 % and 80 % at the concentrations of 50 µg/cm2. Monomeric carviolin (3) and asperazine (5) displayed weak attractant activity on silkworm. All compounds were assayed for antifungal activities against phytopathogens A. tubingensis, Nigrospora oryzae and Phoma herbarum and the results indicated that autotoxic aspertubin A (1) and panaxytriol (2) possessed selective inhibition against A. tubingensis with MIC values at 8 µg/mL. The co-culture extract showed higher antifeedant and antifungal activities against P. herbarum than those of monoculture of A. tubingensis in ordinary medium. So the medicinal plant and endophyte showed synergistic effect on the plant disease resistance by active compounds from the coculture of A. tubingensis S1120 and red ginseng.

In this study, the co-culture of Nigrospora oryzae and Beauveria bassiana, the pathogenic endophytes in the seeds of Dendrobium officinale, were examined for their antagonistic relationship by the production of metabolite. One new chlorotetralone (1) and five known compounds, murranoic acid A (2), 9,12,13-trihydroxy-10-octadecenoic acid (3), 3,3′-methylenebis(4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one) (4), sclerin (5), and (4S)-4,6,8-trihydroxy-3,4-dihydro-1(2H)-naphthalen-1-one (6), were isolated. Compounds 1–5 showed antifungal activity against B. bassiana with MICs of 256, 128, 2, 32, and 64 μg/mL, and N. oryzae with MICs of 64, 256, 256, 256, and 64 μg/mL. Compound 4 showed significant antifungal activity against co-culture of B. bassiana and N. oryzae with MIC at 1 μg/mL.

Cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common malignant tumor in the hepatobiliary system. Compared with data on hepatocellular carcinoma, fewer public data and prognostic-related studies on cholangiocarcinoma are available, and effective prognostic prediction methods for cholangiocarcinoma are lacking. In recent years, ferroptosis has become an important subject of tumor research. Some studies have indicated that ferroptosis plays an important role in hepatobiliary cancers. However, the prediction of the prognostic effect of ferroptosis in patients with cholangiocarcinoma has not been reported. In addition, many reports have described the ability of photodynamic therapy (PDT), a potential therapy for cholangiocarcinoma, to regulate ferroptosis by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). By constructing ferroptosis scores, the prognoses of patients with cholangiocarcinoma can be effectively predicted, and potential gene targets can be discovered to further enhance the efficacy of PDT. In this study, gene expression profiles and clinical information (TCGA, E-MTAB-6389, and GSE107943) of patients with cholangiocarcinoma were collected and divided into training sets and validation sets. Then, a model of the ferroptosis gene signature was constructed using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)-penalized Cox regression analysis. Furthermore, through the analysis of RNA-seq data after PDT treatment of cholangiocarcinoma, PDT-sensitive genes were obtained and verified by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot. The results of this study provide new insight for predicting the prognosis of cholangiocarcinoma and screening target genes that enhance the efficacy of PDT.

The investigation of the metabolites from Arthrinium arundinis DJ-13 grown in solid medium revealed six undescribed cytochalasans, arundisins A-F and twelve known compounds. Their structures were initially investigated in detail by spectroscopic analyses and were further confirmed by X-crystallography and ECD experiments. In the in vitro bioassays, arundisins A and B showed cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line with IC50 values of 18.82 ± 0.36 and 15.20 ± 0.42 μM, respectively. Arundisin F exhibited potent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli with MIC of 8.00 μg/mL (kanamycin, 2.00 μg/mL), and arundisin D displayed gently antibacterial activity against Candida albicans with MIC of 32.00 μg/mL (Nystatin, 1.00 μg/mL).

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), which is highly malignant, shows a relatively poor prognosis, due to the insensitivity of the tumour to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become a promising palliative therapeutic option for patients with unresectable cholangiocarcinoma (CCA), while the functional amount of ROS is limited by intracellular redox systemen. Sulfasalazine (SASP), a well-known anti-inflammatory agent, which also acts as an inhibitor of the amino acid transport system xc (xCT), decreases the intracellular glutathione (GSH) level, thus weakening the antioxidant defence of the cell by inhibition of the antiporter. However, the combination of SASP and PDT remains unexplored. We have reported that polyhematoporphyrin (PHP)-mediated PDT inhibits the cell viability of CCA cells and organoids. Furthermore, in PHP-enriched HCCC-9810 and TFK-1CCA cells, SASP enhances the sensitivity to PHP-mediated PDT through a GSH-dependent mechanism. We found that PHP-PDT can up-regulate xCT expression to promote cells against overloaded ROS, while SASP reduces GSH levels. After the combination of SASP and PHP-PDT, cell viability and GSH levels were significantly inhibited. xCT was also observed to be inhibited by SASP in human organoid samples. Our findings suggest that, in combination with PDT, SASP has potential as a promising approach against CCA.

The investigation of the metabolites from different cocultures of Nigrospora oryzae and Irpex lacteus in solid medium revealed two new squalenes (1 and 2); one new azaphilone (3); two new tremulane sesquiterpenes (4 and 5); and three known compounds, conocenol B (6), conocenol C (7), and 4-(4-dihydroxymethylphenoxy)benzaldehyde (8). The antagonistic relationship was examined by studying metabolite production. The production of compounds 6 and 8 by I. lacteus after the induction of coculture indicated significant selectivity for antifungal activity against phytopathogenic N. oryzae, with MICs of 16 μg/mL; compounds 6 and 8 also exhibited antifungal activities in vivo against Cerasus cerasoides infected by N. oryzae at concentrations of 100 μg/mL. New compounds 2 and 4 showed antifungal activities against Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, with MICs of 8 μg/mL, and compound 4 showed antifungal activity against Didymella glomerata with an MIC of 1 μg/mL. These results indicate that the mutually antagonistic relationship in the coculture of the phytopathogen and the endophyte can result in antibiotics that inhibit the phytopathogen and downregulate the production of phytotoxins by phytopathogenic N. oryzae. New compound 5 from I. lacteus showed weak activity against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with an inhibition ratio of 16% at a concentration of 50 μM.

Background Widespread concern of the side effects and the broad-spectrum anticancer property of podophyllotoxin as an antitumor agent highlight the need for the development of new podophyllotoxin derivatives. Although some per-butyrylated glucosides of podophyllotoxin and 4β-triazolyl-podophyllotoxin glycosides show good anticancer activity, the per-acetylated/free of podophyllotoxin glucosides and their per-acetylated are not well studied. Methods A few glucoside derivatives of PPT were synthesized and evaluated for their in vitro cytotoxic activities against five human cancer cell lines, HL-60 (leukemia), SMMC-7721 (hepatoma), A-549 (lung cancer), MCF-7 (breast cancer), and SW480 (colon cancer), as well as the normal human pulmonary epithelial cell line (BEAS-2B). In addition, we investigated the structure-activity relationship and the physicochemical property-anticancer activity relationship of these compounds. Results Compound 6b shows the highest cytotoxic potency against all five cancer cell lines tested, with IC50 values ranging from 3.27±0.21 to 11.37±0.52 μM. We have also found that 6b displays higher selectivity than the etoposide except in the case of HL-60 cell line. The active compounds possess similar physicochemical properties: MSA > 900, %PSA 2, MW > 700 Da, and RB > 10. Conclusion We synthesized several glucoside derivatives of PPT and tested their cytotoxicity. Among them, compound 6b showed the highest cytotoxicity. Further studies including selectivity of active compounds have shown that the selectivity indexes of 6b are much greater than the etoposide except in the case of HL-60 cell line. The active compounds possessed similar physicochemical properties. This study indicates that active glucoside analogs of podophyllotoxin have potential as lead compounds for developing novel anticancer agents.

The present study aims to evaluate the effect of the ethyl acetate extract of Cichorium (EAEC) as a novel photosensitizer in photodynamic therapy (PDT) of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) HCT116 and SW620 cells. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of EAEC were measured using a UV-vis spectrophotometer and fluorescence spectrophotometer, respectively. EAEC-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in HCT116 and SW620 cells was detected using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) and glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG). The photo- and dark toxicities of EAEC were estimated using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cellular uptake and localization of EAEC were detected by confocal laser fluorescence microscopy. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining, Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining were used to assess apoptosis and autophagy. The antitumor activity of EAEC was confirmed in a xenograft model. Finally, effects on the PERK pathway were verified using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. EAEC displayed absorption and fluorescence emission peaks at 660 nm and 678 nm, respectively. EAEC induced ROS production in CRC cells. Assessment of dark toxicity showed that treatment with EAEC alone induced little cytotoxicity in CRC or normal cells but that EAEC-PDT induced significant photocytotoxicity in CRC cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. After cellular uptake, EAEC was located in the mitochondria. Treatment with EAEC-PDT reduced xenograft tumor size. Further evaluation suggested that activation of the PERK pathway mediates these effects, as the apoptotic rate and autophagy flux increased markedly after EAEC-PDT. EAEC, a natural photosensitizer extracted from Cichorium, displays potential utility in PDT of CRC by targeting the PERK pathway.

Objective To determine the safety and effectiveness of a cross-linked sodium hyaluronate (CHA) scaffold in cartilage repair. Methods Physicochemical properties of the scaffold were determined. The safety and effectiveness of the scaffold for cartilage repair were evaluated in a minipig model of a full-thickness cartilage defect with microfracture surgery. Postoperative observation and hematological examination were used to evaluate the safety of the CHA scaffold implantation. Pathological examination as well as biomechanical testing, including Young's modulus, stress relaxation time, and creep time, were conducted at 6 and 12 months postsurgery to assess the effectiveness of the scaffold for cartilage repair. Furthermore, type II collagen and glycosaminoglycan content were determined to confirm the influence of the scaffold in the damaged cartilage tissue. Results The results showed that the routine hematological indexes of the experimental animals were within the normal physiological ranges, which confirmed the safety of CHA scaffold implantation. Based on macroscopic observation, it was evident that repair of the defective cartilage in the animal knee joint began during the 6 months postoperation and was gradually enhanced from the central to the surrounding region. The repair smoothness and color of the 12-month cartilage samples from the operation area were better than those of the 6-month samples, and the results for the CHA scaffold implantation group were better than the control group. Greater cell degeneration and degeneration of the adjacent cartilage was found in the implantation group compared with the control group at both 6 and 12 months postoperation, evaluated by O'Driscoll Articular Cartilage Histology Scoring. Implantation with the CHA scaffold matrix promoted cartilage repair and improved its compression capacity. The type II collagen level in the CHA scaffold implantation group tended to be higher than that in the control group at 6 months (2.33 ± 1.50 vs 1.68 ± 0.56) and 12 months postsurgery (3.37 ± 1.70 vs 2.06 ± 0.63). The GAG content in the cartilage of the control group was significantly lower than that of the experimental group (2.17 ± 0.43 vs 3.64 ± 1.17, P = 0.002 at 6 months and 2.27 ± 0.38 vs 4.12 ± 1.02, P = 0.002 at 12 months). Type II collagen and glycosaminoglycan content also demonstrated that CHA was beneficial for the accumulation of both these vital substances in the cartilage tissue. Conclusions The CHA scaffold displayed the ability to promote cartilage repair when applied in microfracture surgery, which makes it a promising material for application in the area of cartilage tissue engineering.

BACKGROUND This study evaluated the imaging features of ganglioneuroma (GN) and assessed the diagnostic value of the enhancement rate (ER) of CT for GN. MATERIAL AND METHODS We retrospectively reviewed records of 49 patients with histopathologically confirmed GN who underwent preoperative contrast-enhanced CT or MRI between 2010 and 2018. The independent samples t test and chi-square test were used. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to analyze the diagnostic sensitivity (SE) and specificity (SP). Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. RESULTS The CT values were 32.59±3.61 Hounsfield units (HU) for plain scans, 38.87±5.09 HU for the arterial phase, and 54.26±8.14 HU for the venous phase, and the incidence of calcification and cysts was 32.6% and 10.2%, respectively. There was no significant difference in CT results and clinical parameters between mediastinal ganglioneuroma (MGN) and retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma (RGN) (p>0.05). The area under the curves (AUCs) for the arterial enhancement rate (AER), venous enhancement rate (VER), and AER/VER combined index in diagnosing GN were 0.735, 0.980, and 0.990, respectively. The VER of 0.2819 exhibited the SE and SP at 92.9% and 92.9%, respectively, to characterize the GN, whereas the AER of 0.1779 had SE and SP of 52.4% and 90.5%, respectively. The SE and SP for the combined index were 88.1% and 100%, respectively. The GN showed hypointensity on T1WI, hyperintense, or slightly high signal on T2WI with the linear hypointensity, and hyperintense on DWI. CONCLUSIONS A hypodense mass was observed for GN on plain scan and presented delayed enhancement on contrast enhancement. VER or AER/VER combination is more accurate than AER for the diagnosis of paravertebral GN.

This contribution provides a systematic theoretical thermo-kinetic study of the initial reactions between Fe3O4(111) surface, as a representative model for metal oxides in electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) with HCl and selected chlorinated hydrocarbons, as major products from thermal degradation of PVC. Formation of the experimentally observed iron chloride occurs by subsequent dissociative addition of HCl molecules followed by H migration into a surface hydroxyl group. We provided Arrhenius parameters for reactions dictating the conversion of iron oxide into its chloride. In the course of the interaction of chlorinated alkanes and alkenes with the Fe3O4 surface, the opening channel in the dissociative addition route requires lower activation barriers in reference to the direct HCl elimination pathways. However, sizable activation barriers are encountered in the subsequent β C H bond elimination step. Estimated electronic charges confirm the nature of surface Fe Cl bonds as Lewis acid−base pair. The obtained accessible reaction barriers for reactions of chlorinated alkanes and alkenes with the title iron oxide demonstrate that the latter serve as active catalysts in producing clean olefins streams from chlorinated alkanes. Results from this study should be instrumental to understand, on a precise atomic scale, mechanisms operating in fixation of halogens on transitional metal oxides; a viable thermal recycling approach for polymeric materials laden with halogenated constituents.

Red ginseng (RG) is one of the most popular herbal medicines and used as a dietary supplement in recent years. The bioactive ingredient in RG can induce the production of novel microbial metabolite from fermented RG. Using the one strain-many compounds strategy, the reinvestigation of the metabolites from Daldinia eschscholzii JC-15 cultured in red ginseng medium led to the isolation of an unprecedented benzopyran-naphthalene hybrid, daldinsin (1) and a new lactone (2). In this research, a new lactone, 8-hydroxylhelicascolide A (2) instead of helicascolide A was produced by the D. eschscholzii JC-15 induced by the red ginseng medium. Compound 1 showed anti-acetylcholinesterase activity with the inhibition ratio of 38.8% at 50 μM. Compound 2 indicated antimicrobial activities against Fusarium Solani, F. oxysporum, and Escherichia coli with MICs at 128 μg/mL. RG is therefore a promising activator in production of novel microbial metabolite.

Vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) is an effective surgery to treat obesity and diabetes. However, the direct effect of VSG on metabolic functions is not fully understood. We aimed to investigate if alterations in hypothalamic neurons were linked with perturbations in liver metabolism after VSG in an energy intake-controlled obese mouse model. C57BL/6 and hrNPY-GFP reporter mice received HFD for 12 weeks and were then divided into three groups: Sham (ad lib), Sham (pair-fed) with VSG and VSG. Food intake was measured daily, and blood glucose levels were measured before and after the study. Energy expenditure and body composition were determined. Serum parameters, liver lipid and glycogen contents were measured and gene/protein expression were analyzed. Hypothalamic POMC, AgRP/NPY and tyrosine hydroxylase-expressing neurons were counted. The following results were obtained. VSG reduced body weight gain and adiposity induced by HFD, increased energy expenditure independent of energy intake. Fed and fasted blood glucose levels were reduced in the VSG group. While serum active GLP-1 level was increased, the active ghrelin and triglycerides levels were decreased along with improved insulin resistance in VSG group. Liver lipid accumulation, glycogen content and gluconeogenic gene expression were reduced in the VSG group. In the hypothalamus, TH-expressing neuron population was decreased, and the POMC-expressing neuron population was increased in the VSG group. In conclusion, our data suggest that VSG improves metabolic symptoms by increasing energy expenditure and lowering lipid and glycogen contents in the liver. These physiological alterations are possibly related to changes in hypothalamic neuron populations.

Co-culturing the endophytic fungus Phoma sp. YUD17001 from Gastrodia elata with Armillaria sp. in liquid nutrient medium resulted in the production of five new secondary metabolites, including two phenolic compounds, phexandiols A and B (1 and 2), three aliphatic ester derivatives, phomesters A-C (3-5), and a known fatty acid (6). The structures and absolute configurations of these compounds were elucidated by the interpretation of data from detailed spectroscopic analysis, Mosher's method, and electronic circular dichroism spectra, together with consideration of the biogenetic origins. None of the five new compounds were detected in single-strain cultures under identical fermentation conditions. The results of this work indicated that the production of 1-5 involved a complicated interaction process. None of the new compounds possessed significant cytotoxicity or antimicrobial activities.

Concrete-filled double-tube (CFDT) columns have the potential to be widely used in high-rise buildings due to their very high load-carrying capacity, excellent ductility and good fire resistance. This new type of composite construction has attracted increasing research attention in the last decade, but there is a need to develop practical design recommendations for this construction. This paper aims to study the ultimate strength, the ultimate strain corresponding to the ultimate strength (ductility), and the stiffness of CFDT stub columns under axial compression. An existing finite element model is directly used to study square CFDT stub columns and this model is further modified to simulate circular CFDT stub columns under axial compression. Numerical data are generated to cover a wide range of parameters for CFDT stub columns. Through regression analysis, simple equations are proposed to calculate the ultimate strength, the compressive stiffness and the ultimate strain of CFDT stub columns. These equations can assist engineers to conduct structural analysis and design of CFDT columns.

The present study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of Streptomyces (GLY-P2) in degradation of ferulic acid (FA) and p-hydroxybenzonic acid (PHBA) in the rhizosphere of cucumbers by assaying the alteration of antioxidant enzymes activities and rhizospheric microbial community. GLY-P2 was isolated, identified as Streptomyces canus, and applied to cucumber-planted soil containing FA and PHBA. Optimal conditions for FA and PHBA degradation by GLY-P2 were 40 °C, pH 7, and 0.2 g l−1 mixture of FA and PHBA. During the degradation, vanillin, vanillic acid, and protocatechoic acid were metabolites; and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and dehydroascorbate reductase in GLY-P2 were induced. When inoculated into cucumber-planted soil containing 220 μg g−1 mixture of FA and PHBA, GLY-P2 degraded FA and PHBA in soil, improved plant growth, and decreased malonaldehyde, superoxide radical, and hydrogen peroxide levels in leaves. GLY-P2 also enhanced activities of SOD, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, APX, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase, increased contents of ascorbate and glutathione, and elevated transcript levels of copper/zinc SOD, manganese SOD, catalase, and APX in leaves. Moreover, GLY-P2 changed soil bacterial richness, diversity, and community composition, and increased phosphatase, catalase, urease, and sucrase activities in rhizospheric soil. GLY-P2 mitigates FA and PHBA stress in cucumber by activating leaf antioxidant enzymes and affecting soil bacterial community.

Introduction: We present the case of an intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct (IPNB) accompanying a small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma. Patient concerns: A 73-year-old male Chinese patient presented with jaundice of unknown origin. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography scan revealed that the wall of the lower common bile duct was thickened and nodular, causing a narrowing in the lumen and upper common bile duct enlargement above the narrow segment. Diagnosis and interventions: The initial diagnosis based on clinical manifestations was IPNB and pancreatoduodenectomy was performed. Pathological examination of the resected bile duct revealed papillary proliferation of biliary-type cells with nuclear atypia, indicating IPNB. Immunohistochemistry was positive for neuroendocrine markers indicative of infiltration and small cell neuroendocrine cancer. Outcomes: The patient died on postoperative day 138. Conclusion: This is the first reported case of its kind, as none has been reported in any published literature so far.

Although percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is a minimally invasive treatment procedure for the painful osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture, cement leakage into the venous system can occur and early detection and immediate management should be initiated despite the absence of clinical symptoms. We experienced a case of accidental finding of cement fragment extending from paravertebral vein into inferior vena cava and pulmonary artery. We have to be aware of cement leakage through the paravertebral venous drain system under fluorescence. It provided a classic image for cement leakage through the venous circulatory system.

PurposeIndocyanine green (ICG) is an efficient tracer method used in sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). The application of single-port endoscopic-assisted technology in the field of breast cancer is widely accepted. In order to explore the surgical safety of single-port endoscopic-SLNB (SPE-SLNB) and the reliability of axillary staging, we combined it with ICG that was excited by near-infrared fluorescence endoscopy and carbon nanoparticles (CN) as a tracer and compared this method to conventional open SLNB (C-SLNB).MethodsSixty patients with early breast cancer were recruited and divided into three groups. Twenty patients who underwent SPE-SLNB combined with ICG and CNs were placed in group A. Twenty patients who underwent SPE-SLNB with CNs only were placed in group B. Twenty patients who underwent C-SLNB with ICG and CNs were placed in group C.ResultsThe detection rate of SLNs was 100% in group A, 100% in group B, and 95% in group C. In total, 97 SLNs were detected in group A, 65 SLNs were detected in group B, and 98 SLNs were detected in group C . ConclusionThe novel technique of combining ICG and CNs with SPE-SLNB and the utilization of the endoscopic fluorescence imaging system achieved the same detection rate and mean number of SLNs as C-SLNB. Therefore, for patients who meet the indications, SPE-SLNB is as safe and reliable as C-SLNB.

Objective We aimed to summarize the clinical characteristics of floating thrombus in the inferior vena cava (IVC). Methods From January 2014 to June 2019, four patients with floating thrombus in the IVC were admitted to our hospital and underwent intracavitary therapy. Diagnosis, therapy, and clinical characteristics of floating thrombus were summarized. Results Three patients presented with pulmonary embolism. Three of the patients had a floating thrombus discovered by inferior venacavography and one was found by contrast-enhanced computed tomography. Two patients had deep venous thrombosis in the lower extremities. One patient had a double IVC, one had left iliac vein compression syndrome, and one had right renal phlebothrombosis. The four patients underwent implantation of a temporary IVC filter and were treated with anti-coagulation, debulking, and thrombolysis. All four patients achieved satisfactory results. Conclusions Floating thrombus in the IVC is often caused by spread of branch vein thrombosis, and is more likely to lead to pulmonary embolism. Anti-coagulant therapy and debulking under the protection of filters can achieve satisfactory clinical results.

Novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is an ongoing public-health pandemic worldwide. Although SARS-CoV-2 has been known to spread primarily through respiratory droplets, recent evidence also supports fecal/oral as an additional route of transmission, raising concerns over gastrointestinal (GI) transmission of the infection. Herein, we, as the front-line Chinese GI surgeons, would like to share our experience and lessons in the combat against COVID-19. It is essential to create science-based, rational, and practical strategies during the outbreak of COVID-19. Here, we provide multi-institutional consensus on minimizing disease transmission while continuing to provide care from all aspects for patients in GI surgery, including outpatient clinics, inpatient units, gastrointestinal endoscopy centers, and adjustments in perioperative care. Our experiences and recommendations are worth sharing and may help to establish specific infection-control and outcome measures.

A microporous metal-organic framework containing Co(II) as nodes with a polar pore surface, {[Co(SDB)(bpdh)0.5]}n (1), was formed via reaction of a –SO2 functionalized organic connector (H2SDB = 4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoic acid) combined with (bpdh = 2,5-bis(3-pyridyl)-3,4-diaza-2,4-hexadiene), N-rich spacer under the solvothermal conditions. The diamond channels of the framework for 1 have a size of 6.1 Å along the b axis of the crystal, and the surface area of BET is 541 m2·g−1. FT-IR spectra demonstrated 5-Fu loading and ultraviolet–visible spectra showed the loading capacity of 5-Fu of 27.36%. Compared with normal tissue of pH = 7.4, the drug release in simulated cancer tissue of pH = 5.7 was gradual, showing a rational pH-responsive drug release. Clone formation experiments and CCK-8 assay confirmed the antitumor activity of 5-Fu@1a against EOMA hemangioma cells. Detection of apoptotic protein level and Annexin V-FITC/PI analysis showed that 5-Fu@1a could induce the apoptosis in caspase-dependent manner. Antitumor ability of the 5-Fu was verified by experimental data in vivo, which is consistent with the experimental data in vitro.

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) structures are technically advantageous for prefabrication because of the easy connection between steel tubes and other prefabricated components. For prefabricated CFST columns, reliable column-column connections are the key to structural integrity and a safe load transfer. Current engineering practice has limited examples regarding the design and detailing of prefabricated CFST column-column connections, and very few tests have been conducted on such connections in previous studies. This study attempts to propose three types of bolted prefabricated column-column connections (splices). A total of 19 specimens with the proposed splices were tested under either axial compression or flexural bending. Strength capacity, stiffness, strain distribution and ductility of these spliced members are investigated, and effects of different tube end conditions and loading scenarios on the member behavior are also discussed. Furthermore, the applicability of various design provisions in predicting the axial and flexural capacities of these spliced members is investigated. At last, suggestions on the selection and detailing of the proposed column splices are provided.

Five new metabolites belonging to two backbones of pulvilloric acid-type azaphilone and tremulane sesquiterpene were obtained and their structures were determined by spectral analysis. Based on the biogenesis analysis, tremulane sesquiterpenes were obtained from Irpex lacteus by the stimulation of mixed-culture. The antifungal selectivities of metabolites produced by fungus against their co-culture fungus and common pathogens, exhibited competitive interaction of this mix-culture. The tremulane sesquiterpene conocenol B produced by I. lacteus through the induction of Nigrospora oryzae showed selectivity of anti-fungal activity against its co-culture fungus, N. oryzae, with MICs at 16 μg/mL and 128 μg/mL against I. lacteus. The fungus can metabolize these new compounds to inhibit the growth of co-culture fungus while not inhibiting its own growth. Compound 5 was active against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) with a ratio of 35% at the concentration of 50 μM.

"Curcumae Radix", the dried rhizomes of Curcuma kwangsiensis documented in Chinese pharmacopoeia, has been traditionally used for the treatment of inflammatory and pain diseases, such as jaundice and red urine, cleaning the heart-fire and depression, arthralgia, and dysmenorrhea. However, according to literature surveys, anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive studies of C. kwangsiensis have been seldom reported so far.The current study focuses on the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of C. kwangsiensis and discovering the bioactive compounds for its traditional usages both in vivo and in vitro, which could provide scientific justification about its traditional use.The anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive assays of various layers (ME, EA, AQS) from C. kwangsiensis were achieved by carrageenan-induced paw edema and acetic acid-induced writhing animal models, respectively. The most bioactive part, EA layer was further phytochemically investigated by multiple step chromatography techniques. The structures of these isolates were unambiguously elucidated by means of extensive spectroscopic and chemical methods, and comparison with corresponding data of the reported literature. Four major sesquiterpenoids (4, 6, 14, and 15) were achieved for their anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive assays by the two aforementioned animal models in vivo. All the isolated compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory effects via detecting inflammatory mediator releases (COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in RAW 264.7 macrophage cells induced by LPS.The ME and EA layers significantly alleviated the paw edema caused by carrageenan and decreased the number of writhes induced by acetic acid at the dose of 200 and/or 100 mg/kg in comparison to the control group (p 0.01/0.05), and the EA layer exhibited better activity than that of ME layer. Subsequent phytochemical investigation on EA layer of C. kwangsiensis exhibited that three new terpenoid compounds (1-3), identified as (12Z,14R)-7β-hydroxylabda-8(17),12-diene-14,15,16-triol (1), (12Z,14S)- 7β-hydroxlabda-8(17),12-diene-14,15,16-triol (2), and (4S)-hydroxy-(8)-methoxy-(5S)-(H)-guaia1(10),7(11)-dien-12,8-olide (3), together with twenty-two known analogs were isolated. Furthermore, four major sesquiterpenoids (4, 6, 14, and 15) significantly relieved the paw edema and number of writhes at 100 and/or 50 mg/kg (p 0.05/0.01). Likewise, the majority of sesqui- and diterpenoids isolated could remarkably inhibited the secretion of inflammatory mediators (COX-2, IL-1β, and TNF-α) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages cells at the concentration of 20 μg/mL, comparable to DXM used as the positive control. All the results suggested that EA layer from C. kwangsiensis possessed the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, and these sesqui- and diterpenoids could be the effective constituents responsible for relieving inflammation.The present studies undoubtedly determined the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive material basis of C. kwangsiensis, including the EA layer and its precise components, which presented equivalent or better anti-inflammatory effects than that of positive control (ASP/DXM) in vivo and in vitro. These results not only would account for scientific knowledge for traditional use of C. kwangsiensis, but also provide credible theoretical foundation for the further development of anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive agents.

Drought and ferulic acid (FA) inhibit plant growth. Here, we investigated whether Bacillus methylotrophicus CSY-F1 alleviates drought stress in cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants grown in high-FA soil. Cucumber seedlings grown in high-FA soil were inoculated with CSY-F1 for 20 d, and then subjected to drought for 3 d. In rhizospheric soil of drought-stressed seedlings, CSY-F1 decreased FA levels and increased soil water contents, polysaccharide levels, and catalase, phosphatase, urease, and sucrase activities at low or high FA concentrations. In drought-stressed seedlings grown in FA-containing soil, CSY-F1 improved plant growth, and reduced leaf wilting; CSY-F1 decreased superoxide radical, hydrogen peroxide, and malonaldehyde levels. CSY-F1 increased superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, guaiacol peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, and glutathione reductase activities in these seedlings. In addition, CSY-F1 elevated plant relative water content and osmotic potential, and enhanced ascorbate and glutathione contents, proline and soluble sugar levels, and catalase, copper/zinc SOD, manganese SOD, CsPYL1, and CsPYL2 transcript levels. CSY-F1 increases the polysaccharide levels and enzyme activities in soil, and enhances antioxidant enzyme activities, proline and soluble sugar levels, and transcript levels of CsPYL1 and CsPYL2 in leaves, thus alleviating drought stress in cucumber under FA conditions.

Four new C19-diterpenoid alkaloids, named taronenines A-D (1-4), have been isolated from the roots of Aconitum taronense Fletcher et Lauener (Ranunculaceae), which has long been used as a folk medicine to treat rheumatism and arthritis in China. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses. The isolated compounds were evaluated for their potential anti-inflammatory effects using LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 showed certain inhibition activities of interleukin-6 in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells with IC50 values of 29.60 ± 0.08 μg/mL, 18.87 ± 0.14 μg/mL, and 25.39 ± 0.11 μg/mL, respectively.