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BackgroundAccurately predicting the survival period of patients with advanced cancer can not only lay the foundation for palliative care centers to regulate the admission of patients and provide standardized services, but also help reduce "meaningless" over-treatment in the process of palliative care.However, there is still a lack of comparative study on the common survival prediction scales in China.ObjectiveTo compare the accuracy of the End-of-life Assessment Form and common survival prediction scale〔Palliative Prognostic Index (PPI) 、Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) 、Karnofsky Score (KPS) 〕in predicting the survival of patients with advanced malignant tumors, in order to provide a basis for the selection of survival prediction tools for advanced cancer patients.MethodsPatients with advanced malignant tumors admitted to the hospice ward of Linfen Road Community Health Service Center of Jing'an Distirct of Shanghai from April 1, 2018 to February 1, 2020 were retrospectively selected as researchsubjects. At the time of admission, the general information questionnaire, End-of-life Assessment Form, PPI, PPS, KPS were used to evaluate the patient, and the survival time of the patient was observed and recorded (from admission to the date of death) . The survival time of all patients was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival curve was drawn. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median survival of patients in different groups of each scale, the log-rank test was used to compare the differences in survival among patients in different groups of each scale, and the survival curves were drawn. Finally, by comparing the predicted survival time and the actual survival time of patients with different score segments of each scale, the accuracy rate of the End-of-life Assessment Form, PPI, PPS and KPS in predicting the survival time of patients with advanced malignant tumors were calculated.ResultsA total of 315 patients with advanced malignant tumors were included in this study, of which 266 (84.4%) patients died during hospitalization and 49 (15.6%) patients were censored (right censored, type Ⅲ censored) . The median survival time of 315 patients was 10.00〔95%CI (8.10, 11.90) 〕d. The median survival time of patients in groups of 20.0~35.0 points, 35.5~45.0 points, 45.5~50.0 points, 50.5~60.0 points and 60.0~100.0 points of the End-of-life Assessment Form were 1.00〔95%CI (0.79, 1.22) 〕d, 5.00〔95%CI (3.92, 6.08) 〕d, 10.00〔95%CI (7.83, 12.17) 〕d, 22.00〔95%CI (18.42, 25.58〕d and 45.00〔95%CI (26.23, 63.77〕d (χ2=360.561, P

Background: DNA damage induced by chemotherapy has duality. It affects the efficacy of chemotherapy and constrains its application. An increasing number of studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is highly effective in reducing side-effects induced by chemotherapy due to its natural, non-toxic and many sourced from food. Recent advancements have demonstrated survival rates are improved attributable to effective chemotherapy. DNA damage is the principal mechanism underlying chemotherapy. However, not all instances of DNA damage are beneficial. Chemotherapy induces DNA damage in normal cells, leading to side effects. It affects the efficacy of chemotherapy and constrains its application. Objectives: This review aims to summarize the dual nature of DNA damage induced by chemotherapy and explore how TCM can mitigate chemotherapy-induced side effects. Results: The review summarized the latest research progress in DNA damage caused by chemotherapy and the effect of alleviating side effects by TCM. It focused on advantages and disadvantages of chemotherapy, the mechanism of drugs and providing insights for rational and effective clinical treatment and serving as a basis for experiment. In this review, we described the mechanisms of DNA damage, associated chemotherapeutics, and their toxicity. Furthermore, we explored Chinese herb that can alleviate chemotherapy-induced side-effects. Conclusion: We highlight key mechanisms of DNA damage caused by chemotherapeutics and discuss specific TCM herbs that have shown potential in reducing these side effects. It can provide reference for clinical and basic research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In mines where the natural caving method is used, the frequent occurrence of underground debris flows and the complex mine environments make it difficult to prevent and control underground debris flows. The source is one of the critical conditions for the formation of debris flows, and studying the impact of source material gradation on underground debris-flow disasters can effectively help prevent and control these occurrences. This paper describes a multiscale study of underground debris flows using physical model experiments and the discrete-element method (PFC3D) to understand the impact of the source material gradation on the disaster mechanism of underground debris flows from macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. Macroscopically, an increase in content of medium and large particles in the gradation will enhance the instantaneous destructive force. Large particles can more easily cause disasters than medium and fine particles with the same content, but the disaster-causing ability is minimized when the contents of medium and large particles exceed 50% and 60%, respectively. With increasing fine particle content, the long-distance disaster-causing ability and duration is increased. On the microscopic level, the source-level pairs affect the initial flow mode, concentration area of the force chain, average velocity, average runout distance, and change in energy of the underground debris flow. Among them, the proportion of large particles in the gradation significantly affects the change in kinetic energy, change in dissipative energy, time to reach the peak kinetic energy, and time of coincidence of dissipative energy and gravitational potential energy. The process of underground debris flow can be divided into a "sudden stage", a "continuous impact stage", and a "convergence and accumulation stage". This work reveals the close relationship between source material gradation and the disaster mechanism of underground debris flows and highlights the necessity of considering the source material gradation in the prevention and control of underground debris flows. It can provide an important basic theory for the study of environmental and urban sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To establish an inflammation grading system for radioactive iodine‐induced sialadenitis (RAIS) based on spiral computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography and sialography. Methods: In all, 120 RAIS patients (18 males and 102 females) were retrospectively included. Spiral CT, ultrasonography and sialography appearances were analysed and categorized as follows: grade I, approximately normal or mild sialadenitis; grade II, moderate sialadenitis; and grade III, severe sialadenitis. Adenitis severity was analysed relative to sex, age, RAI treatment sessions and cumulative doses. Results: Spiral CT showed heterogeneous (78.9%) and atrophic changes (36.8%) in the parotid glands (PGs) and duct ectasia (24.8%) in the submandibular glands (SMGs). Ultrasonography showed heterogeneous echogenicity (54.3%) and diminished gland size (30.2%) in PGs and duct ectasia in SMGs (34.7%). Sialography showed duct obliteration in 25.3% PGs and 3.2% SMGs. Statistical analysis showed good consistency among the three imaging grading results. The incidence and severity of PG lesions were significantly higher than that of SMGs (p < 0.001). As for PGs, adenitis severity was associated with both treatment sessions and cumulative doses; but in SMGs, disease severity was only related to treatment sessions. Conclusions: A grading system for severity of RAIS was established based on spiral CT, ultrasonography and sialography appearances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new Ru-catalyzed C–H activation/cyclization reaction for the synthesis of 3-C-glycosyl isocoumarins and 2-glycosyl-4H-chromen-4-ones with carbonyl sulfoxonium ylide glycogen are reported. In this catalytic system, benzoic acid and its derivatives react with carbonyl sulfoxonium ylide glycogen to yield isocoumarin C-glycosides, while 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde substrates react to produce chromone C-glycosides. These reactions were characterized by mild reaction conditions, broad substrate scope, high functional-group compatibility, and high stereoselectivity to yield several high-value isocoumarins and chromone skeleton-containing C-glycosides. The methods were successfully implemented in the context of large-scale reactions and the late-stage modification of complex natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shenqi Fuzheng Injection (SQFZ) is a traditional Chinese medicine injection consists of extracts of Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus mongholicus. Combining SQFZ with conventional chemotherapy may improve the therapeutic efficacy and reduce side-effects of chemotherapy. However, the mechanisms of SQFZ reducing cisplatin-induced kidney injury are still unclear. Methods: The main compounds of SQFZ were identified via UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technique. Using multiple databases to predict potential targets for SQFZ. We established a breast cancer model by injecting 4T1 cells into mice. Tumor growth and body weight were observed. Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine (CRE), and glutathione (GSH) levels were measured. The extent of their kidney injury was measured by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE). Cell apoptosis was identified using Hoechst33258 staining, flow cytometry and TUNEL. We evaluated H2AX and stimulator of interferon genes (STING) expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and assessed apoptosis-associated proteins by Western blotting analysis. We also evaluated mitochondrial function. The secretion of the inflammatory cytokines in serum was observed using ELISA assay. The effect of the STING pathway in HK-2 renal tubular epithelial cells exposed to cisplatin alone or combined with SQFZ. Results: The potential targets of SQFZ on kidney injury mainly related to inflammatory responses, oxidation and antioxidant, apoptosis as well as IFN signaling pathway. Cisplatin significantly reduced animal weight, while there were no changes in the combination SQFZ and cisplatin. SQFZ counteracted cisplatin-induced BUN and CRE elevation. SQFZ ameliorated the oxidative stress induced by cisplatin. It diminished cisplatin-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial DNA damage and reversed cisplatin-induced cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)/STING signaling pathway activation. It also improved the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by cisplatin. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggested that SQFZ effectively reduced cisplatin-induced kidney injury by inhibiting cGAS/STING signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyse the histopathological features of eosinophilic sialodochitis by using terminal duct biopsy. Methods: Sixty‐five patients with suspected eosinophilic sialodochitis and four with chronic obstructive sialadenitis were prospectively enrolled. Clinical features, laboratory tests and sialograms were comparatively analysed. Terminal duct biopsy of the parotid or submandibular glands was performed concomitantly with endoscopy‐assisted duct dilatation to determine the histopathological features of eosinophilic sialodochitis. Results: Based on eosinophil quantification, the samples of suspected patients were scored as 'definite', 'highly suspected' and 'negative' in 26 (40%), 15 (23.1%) and 24 (36.9%) cases, respectively. Gland types and peripheral blood eosinophil counts were significantly different among these three groups. The proportions of itching glands, mucus plug exudations and elevated immunoglobulin E levels were higher in the 'definite' group than in the other two groups; however, the intergroup differences were insignificant. The primary pathological features of eosinophilic sialodochitis were abundant eosinophils and lymphocytes infiltrated around the duct, degranulation of eosinophils, extensive fibrosis and scattered mastocytes. Periductal eosinophils were not found in cases of chronic obstructive sialadenitis. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that terminal duct biopsy is safe and valuable for the pathological confirmation of eosinophilic sialodochitis, and can be used simultaneously with endoscopy‐assisted duct dilatation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this investigation, a series of WO3 samples were achieved by a ball milling treatment under variable synthetic parameters (milling time from 0.5 to 8 h, grinding speed from 100 to 500 rpm, and several solvents as dispersants). These samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection spectra, scanning electron microscope, and photoluminescence spectra. It was found that the extension of milling time, increase in grinding speed, and suitable dispersant favored the reduced particles size and crystallinity, and enlarged band gap energies, thus benefiting the separation of charge carriers and photocatalytic removal of NO under visible light. Under the suitable condition, the best prepared candidate could removal NO molecules about 45% upon visible light irradiation. Eventually, the good conservation of photocatalytic performance and structural stability identified the robust nature of prepared samples, and a possible photocatalysis mechanism was proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work is to improve the solubility and bioavailability of chlortetracycline and the function of the immune response. Chlortetracycline bisulfate and chlortetracycline mesylate were successfully synthesized and characterized with several techniques, including spectroscopy, chromatography and mass spectrometry, which demonstrated that the C4-dimethylamino group of chlortetracycline can accept a proton from sulfuric acid and methanesulfonic acid to form the corresponding salts. In addition, chlortetracycline bisulfate and chlortetracycline mesylate were more soluble in water than chlortetracycline hydrochloride, but the antibacterial activity was not enhanced. The influences of chlortetracycline hydrochloride, chlortetracycline bisulfate and chlortetracycline mesylate on chlortetracycline and immunoglobulin concentrations in mouse serum were also investigated. These results suggested that the chlortetracycline bisulfate and chlortetracycline mesylate have good bioavailability and strong immune response and have potential applications in animal breeding and formulation technologies.

Objective To prepare targeted ultrasonic nanobubbles carrying small-molecule CXCR4 antagonist AMD070, which can be used in integrated diagnosis and treatment, and investigate the binding ability to breast cancer cells in vitro, in order to investigate the inhibitory effect of ultrasound targeted nanobubble destruction (UTMD) on the growth of breast cancer cells. Methods Targeted nanobubbles carrying AMD070 were prepared using the carbodiimide method and mechanical oscillation. Their particle size and zeta potential were assessed. The specific binding ability of targeted nanobubbles to breast cancer cells in vitro was evaluated. CCK-8 assay was used to optimize the parameters of UTMD and evaluate the inhibitory effect of targeted nanobubbles combined with UTMD on growth of breast cancer cells. Result The average particle size and zeta potential of ultrasonic targeted nanobubbles carrying AMD070 was 481.72±26.17 nm and -7.14±0.31 mV, respectively. AMD070 was efficiently bound to the nanobubbles. In vitro experiment showed that the targeted nanobubbles displayed stronger affinity to CXCR4 positive breast cancer cells when compared with the blank nanobubbles. When combined with UTMD, targeted nanobubbles exerted a remarkable inhibitory effect on the proliferation in CXCR4 positive breast cancer cells. Conclusion Targeted nanobubbles can specifically bind to CXCR4 positive breast cancer cells, and when combined with optimized UTMD, and the targeted nanobubbles can significantly inhibit the growth of CXCR4 positive breast cancer cells in vitro.

In the flames during low-pressure combustion, not only a rich variety of fullerenes but also many reactive intermediates can be produced (e.g., carbene, CH2) that are short-lived and cannot be stabilized directly under normal circumstances. These intermediates can be captured by fullerene carbon cages for stabilization. In this paper, three C71H2 isomers were synthesized in situ in low-pressure benzene-acetylene-oxygen diffusion flame combustion. The results, which were unambiguously characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, show that the three isomers are carbene addition products of D5h-C70 on different sites. The relative energies and stability of different C71H2 isomers are revealed by Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, in combination with theoretical calculations, in this work. Both the in situ capture and theoretical study of these C71H2 isomers in low-pressure combustion will provide more information regarding carbene additions to other fullerenes or other carbon clusters at high temperatures.

In the production of small-seed peanut cultivars in South China, landraces with high plants and bred cultivars with dwarf plants were both planted. Thus a differential fertilization strategy had to be figured out according to their nitrogen requirements. In this study, the main landrace with high plants Anhua Xiaozi and improved dwarf cultivar Xianghei Xiaoguo were used as materials. Four compound fertilization rates were set including 0, 450, 600, and 750 kg/hm², representing soil background (CK), low (F30), medium (F40), and high (F50) fertilizer levels. Nitrogen content, accumulation, and distribution were recorded at 4 growth stages. Results showed that, in high landrace Anhua Xiaozi, N content were in the order of pod> leaf> root> stem, while those of dwarf cultivar Xianghei Xiaoguo were in leaf> pod> root> stem. N content in leaves and roots of Anhua Xiaozi was less than dwarf cultivar Xianghei Xiaoguo. The opposite trend was found in stems and pods. The influence degree of increasing fertilizer on N content was in the order of stem> leaf> root> pod, which was beneficial to N assimilation and absorption in vegetative organs. N accumulation in different organs of the 2 materials was leaf> pod> stem> root. Except the seedling stage, N accumulations of the whole plant, leaf and stem in other stages were larger in Anhua Xiaozi stem. N accumulations were both higher in Anhua Xiaozi pods and roots, but only in roots during seedling and podding stages. Fertilization was beneficial to N accumulation in early stages. N distribution rate of both varieties was the highest in leaves, and then in pods and stems. N distribution rate in higher variety were larger in aboveground parts, while the underground parts was the opposite. It indicated that N absorbed by dwarf variety was more conducive to transport to pods. N production efficiency was higher in dwarf Xianghei Xiaoguo. N production efficiency and N partial factor productivity of F40 and F30 treatments were both high, indicated that excessive fertilization decreased N use efficiency. In conclusion, lower response of N accumulation to fertilizer increase was found in dwarf cultivar Xianghei Xiaoguo, with less total accumulation but more distribution in pods. Therefore, in barren and acidic red soil regions in South China, peanut plant architecture should be considered during fertilizer determination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structures of fullerenes, or buckyballs, are often very difficult to resolve. Here, the authors describe a decapyrrylcorannulene host with ten flexible pyrryl groups that can efficiently co-crystallize with diverse fullerene derivatives in a ‘hand-ball-hand’ fashion, allowing crystallographic identification of commonly known types of fullerenes.