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The advancement of cutting-edge energy conversion technologies offers significant potential for addressing environmental challenges, enhancing energy security, improving economic competitiveness, and promoting resource conservation. This progress necessitates the development of advanced electrocatalysts. WO x demonstrates high intrinsic catalytic activity, excellent conductivity, an abundance of active sites, and remarkable stability, positioning it as a promising candidate for electrocatalytic reactions. Recently, there has been swift advancement in the development of WO x -based catalysts for various energy-conversion reactions. This review provides a thorough summary of recent developments in WO x -based catalysts for electrocatalytic reactions, emphasizing their multifunctional roles as active species, electron-transfer carriers, hydrogen spillover carriers, and microenvironment regulators. Moreover, it highlights the applications of WO x -based catalysts across different electrocatalytic reactions, with particular focus on the structure-activity relationship. Finally, the review discusses the challenges and future directions of these technologies, as well as key research areas necessary for achieving large-scale applications.

Upconversion (UC) materials are renowned for their ability to convert low-energy photons into high-energy ones. The manipulation of parameters allows for the observation of multicolored UC luminescence (UCL) within a single material system. While modulation of multicolored UCL commonly relies on excitation at approximately 980 nm, investigation into multicolored UC materials activated by a 1532 nm excitation source remains comparatively scarce. In this work, we introduce NaLnF 4 :Er 3+ as a novel class of smart luminescent materials. When the power density of a 1532 nm laser increases from 0.5 to 20.0 W/cm 2 , the emission peak positions remain unchanged, but the red-to-green (R/G) ratio decreases significantly from 18.82 to 1.48, inducing a color shift from red to yellow and ultimately to green. In contrast, no color variation is observed when NaLnF 4 :Er 3+ is excited with a 980 nm laser at different power densities. This power-dependent multicolored UCL of NaLnF 4 :Er 3+ excited at 1532 nm can be attributed to the competitive processes of upward pumping and downward relaxation of electrons on the 4 I 9/2 level of Er 3+ . By utilizing the unique UC characteristics of NaLnF 4 :Er 3+ , its potential utility in anti-counterfeiting applications is demonstrated. Our research highlights the distinctive optical properties of NaLnF 4 :Er 3+ and provides novel insights into the use of luminescent materials in optical anti-counterfeiting technologies.

Thermal ablation is a crucial therapeutic modality for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its efficacy is often hindered by the high recurrence rate attributed to insufficient ablation. Furthermore, the residual tumors following insufficient ablation exhibit a more pronounced immunosuppressive state, which accelerates the disease progression and leads to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) resistance. Herein, evidence is presented that heightened intratumoral lactate accumulation, stemming from the augmented glycolytic activity of postablative residual HCC cells, may serve as a crucial driving force in exacerbating the immunosuppressive state of the tumor microenvironment (TME). To address this, an injectable nanoparticles-hydrogel composite system (LOX-MnO 2 @Gel) is designed that gradually releases lactate oxidase (LOX)-loaded hollow mesoporous MnO 2 nanoparticles at the tumor site to continuously deplete intratumoral lactate via a cascade catalytic reaction. Using subcutaneous and orthotopic HCC tumor-bearing mouse models, it is confirmed that LOX-MnO 2 @Gel-mediated local lactate depletion can transform the immunosuppressive postablative TME into an immunocompetent one and synergizes with ICB therapy to significantly inhibit residual HCC growth and lung metastasis, thereby prolonging the survival of mice postablation. The work proposes an appealing strategy for synergistically combining antitumor metabolic therapy with immunotherapy to combat postablative HCC recurrence., (© 2023 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Poyang Lake National Nature Reserve (PLNNR) is an important resting place for wintering migratory birds on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF). In recent years, due to human activities and climate change, the area of wetlands has shown a downward trend, and the number and habitat of wintering migratory birds have been threatened. It is urgent to evaluate the habitat quality of wintering migratory birds in PLNNR. Therefore, the InVEST model and landscape index were used to evaluate the habitat quality of wintering migratory birds, and the grey correlation theory was used to reveal the response of typical wintering migratory bird population to habitat quality. The results showed that the habitat quality of the PLNNR was still at a high level, but showed a downward trend, with the average index of habitat quality decreasing from 0.872 to 0.817. The area of the highest quality habitat decreased by 3394.92 hm 2 , the area of the lowest, low, and medium quality habitats increased by 3112.11 hm 2 , and the area of the high quality habitat remained stable. The lowest, low, and medium quality habitat expanded from the middle to the south of the PLNNR mainly because of the expansion of construction land and cultivated land. The area with deterioration in habitat quality was 10,477.53 hm 2 , mainly concentrated in the center and south of the PLNNR. The area with restoration in habitat quality was 6148.26 hm 2 , mainly concentrated in the Bang Lake and Dacha Lake. The area with no change in habitat quality remained stable. The fragmentation degree and shape complexity of highest and high quality habitats increased, dominance degree and connectivity decreased, and the landscape pattern of habitat quality showed a downward trend. Typical wintering migratory birds have a strong correlation with highest, high, and low habitat quality, and there is a downward trend with the deterioration of habitat quality. Finally, this paper puts forward constructive suggestions on the degradation of habitat quality caused by land-use change., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The actions and mechanisms of dehydrodiisoeugenol (DEH) on releasing clinical symptoms such as diarrhea caused by inflammatory bowel diseases or colorectal cancer is still unclear. The main purpose is to reveal the mechanism and describe the impacts of DEH on enteritis and accompanying intestinal dysmotility in murine model. The animal model of diarrhea was established through being given acetic acid by intracolonic instillation and restraint stress and the weight of the diarrhea mouse, diarrhea index (the product of stool rate and stool grade) evaluation and then, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity were determined after administrated with DEH. Meanwhile, the expression of myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) was research by WB method. Moreover, the isolated jejunal segment (IJS) of rats was separated from the intact jejunum and the contractility was measured through BL-420F physiological recording system. DEH could significantly inhibit the intestinal transit in normal mice or diarrhea-predominated mice and reduce the diarrhea index and the level of MPO in mice. DEH concentration-dependently inhibited motility of IJS in different states. DEH significantly markedly ameliorated the histopathology condition and reduce the MLCK expression in acetic acid induced diarrhea mice. DEH simultaneously improved enteritis and co-occurring dysmotility in diarrhea mice characterized by reducing the contractility and MLCK contents in acetic acid induced diarrhea mice.

Background: Varieties of systemic treatments in second-line treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) patients have showed an improvement on survival. In this study, we performed a systematic review with a pairwise and bayesian network meta-analysis to rank the best strategy for mCRC patients in second-line treatment., Methods: A systematic literature search through 2007 was performed to evaluate the association between several treatment combinations and overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and disease control rate (DCR) in mCRC patients. Data were carried out and pooled into a statistical indirect comparison with Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA)., Results: 10 trials totally comprised 4183 patients were included in our study. In NMA, For PFS, Doublet+Bev showed benefits in comparing with Doublet, Doulblet+placebo and Doublet+Ramucirumab. Also, Doublet+Aflibercept demonstrated its superiority in comparing with Doulblet+placebo. For OS, Doublet+Bev represented its superiority when comparing with Double and Doublet+placebo. Doublet+Aflibercept and Doublet+Ramucirumab also done well when opposed to Doublet+placebo. For DCR, Doublet+bev showed unique superiority when compared with Doublet, And Doublet+targeted agent did not represent benefits to each other in DCR. Doublet+bev ranked highest in terms of PFS, OS and DCR followed by Doublet+panitumumab, Doublet+placebo was the lowest in terms of PFS and OS., Conclusions: Our study shows that Doublet+Bev has the major probability to provide an improvement of survival in patients with mCRC., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: Activation of cannabinoid CB 1 receptors suppresses pathological pain but also produces unwanted central side effects. We hypothesized that a positive allosteric modulator of CB 1 signaling would suppress inflammatory and neuropathic pain without producing cannabimimetic effects or physical dependence. We also asked whether a CB 1 positive allosteric modulator would synergize with inhibitors of endocannabinoid deactivation and/or an orthosteric cannabinoid agonist., Methods: GAT211, a novel CB 1 positive allosteric modulator, was evaluated for antinociceptive efficacy and tolerance in models of neuropathic and/or inflammatory pain. Cardinal signs of direct CB 1 -receptor activation were evaluated together with the propensity to induce reward or aversion and physical dependence. Comparisons were made with inhibitors of endocannabinoid deactivation (JZL184, URB597) or an orthosteric cannabinoid agonist (WIN55,212-2). All studies used 4 to 11 subjects per group., Results: GAT211 suppressed allodynia induced by complete Freund's adjuvant and the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel in wild-type but not CB 1 knockout mice. GAT211 did not impede paclitaxel-induced tumor cell line toxicity. GAT211 did not produce cardinal signs of direct CB 1 -receptor activation in the presence or absence of pathological pain. GAT211 produced synergistic antiallodynic effects with fatty acid amide hydrolase and monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitors in paclitaxel-treated mice. Therapeutic efficacy was preserved over 19 days of chronic dosing with GAT211, but it was not preserved with the monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor JZL184. The CB 1 antagonist rimonabant precipitated withdrawal in mice treated chronically with WIN55,212-2 but not in mice treated with GAT211. GAT211 did not induce conditioned place preference or aversion., Conclusions: Positive allosteric modulation of CB 1 -receptor signaling shows promise as a safe and effective analgesic strategy that lacks tolerance, dependence, and abuse liability., (Copyright © 2017 Society of Biological Psychiatry. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The immune microenvironment plays an important role in the occurrence and development of breast cancer. The infiltrating immune cells and the produced inflammatory cytokines in the tumor microenvironment regulate the growth, proliferation and metastasis of breast cancer. In this article, the roles and related mechanisms of nonspecific immune microenvironment in breast cancer are summarized, focusing on the natural killer cells, dendritic cells, myeloid derived suppressor cells, tumor associated macrophages, interleukins, chemokines, tumor necrosis factor-α, transforming growth factor-β and so on.

Background: Berberine is a natural isoquinoline alkaloid possessing various pharmacological effects, particularly apparent in the treatment of diarrhea, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Smooth muscle myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) plays a crucial role in the smooth muscle relaxation-contraction events, and it is well known that berberine can effectively depress the contraction of smooth muscle. Hence, whether berberine could inhibit MLCK and then depress the smooth muscle contractility might be researched., Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of berberine on MLCK. Based on this, the contractility of gastro-intestine, catalysis activity of MLCK, and molecular docking are going to be evaluated., Materials and Methods: The experiment of smooth muscle contraction was directly monitored the contractions of the isolated gastrointestine by frequency and amplitude at different concentration of berberine. The effects of berberine on MLCK were measured in the presence of Ca 2+ -calmodulin, using the activities of 20 kDa myosin light chain (MLC 20 ) phosphorylation, and myosin Mg 2+ -ATPase induced by MLCK. The docking study was conducted with expert software in the meantime., Results: The phosphorylation of myosin and the Mg 2+ -ATPase activity is reduced in the presence of berberine. Moreover, berberine could inhibit the contractibility of isolated gastric intestine smooth muscle. Berberine could bind to the ATP binding site of MLCK through hydrophobic effect and hydrogen bonding according to the docking study., Conclusion: The present work gives a deep insight into the molecular mechanism for the treatment of diarrhea with berberine, i.e., berberine could suppress the contractility of smooth muscle through binding to MLCK and depressing the catalysis activity of MLCK., Summary: Berberine significantly reduced the amplitude of contraction in isolated duodenum and gastric strips in ratsBerberine inhibited the phosphorylated extents of MLC20 and Mg2+-ATPase activity of phosphorylated myosin induced by MLCKBerberine binds to the ATP binding site of MLCK by hydrophobic effect and hydrogen bondingBerberine may modulate contraction of smooth muscle by inhibiting MLCK. Abbreviations used: MLCK: Myosin light chain kinase; MLC 20 : 20 KDa regulating myosin light chain; CaM: Calmodulin., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Multidisciplinary team (MDT) model is a diagnostic and treatment model characterized by interdisciplinarity, integration, centralism, individualization, and precision and is becoming more common in the management of complex malignancies. MDT emphasizes team spirit and a personalized treatment strategy according to the actual condition of each patient. A cooperative and effective multidisciplinary team is an important guarantee for delivering high-quality services to patients. Under the guidance of a medical humanistic concept, MDT provides reasonable, effective, convenient, and a full range of excellent quality medical service to patients. The MDT maximizes patient benefits, and it is the developmental direction for large-scale general hospitals. At the same time, the MDT is also an important measure to strengthen the core competitiveness of hospitals. Here, we introduce the clinical application of the model in tumor therapy as well as the current state and development in our hospital., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Brome mosaic virus (BMV) is a model positive-strand RNA virus whose replication has been studied in a number of surrogate hosts. In transiently transfected human cells, the BMV polymerase 2a activated signaling by the innate immune receptor RIG-I, which recognizes de novo-initiated non-self-RNAs. Active-site mutations in 2a abolished RIG-I activation, and coexpression of the BMV 1a protein stimulated 2a activity. Mutations previously shown to abolish 1a and 2a interaction prevented the 1a-dependent enhancement of 2a activity. New insights into 1a-2a interaction include the findings that helicase active site of 1a is required to enhance 2a polymerase activity and that negatively charged amino acid residues between positions 110 and 120 of 2a contribute to interaction with the 1a helicase-like domain but not to the intrinsic polymerase activity. Confocal fluorescence microscopy revealed that the BMV 1a and 2a colocalized to perinuclear region in human cells. However, no perinuclear spherule-like structures were detected in human cells by immunoelectron microscopy. Sequencing of the RNAs coimmunoprecipitated with RIG-I revealed that the 2a-synthesized short RNAs are derived from the message used to translate 2a. That is, 2a exhibits a strong cis preference for BMV RNA2. Strikingly, the 2a RNA products had initiation sequences (5'-GUAAA-3') identical to those from the 5' sequence of the BMV genomic RNA2 and RNA3. These results show that the BMV 2a polymerase does not require other BMV proteins to initiate RNA synthesis but that the 1a helicase domain, and likely helicase activity, can affect RNA synthesis by 2a.

Chemical probing is widely used as a rapid approach for assessing RNA structure, folding, and function. In this chapter, we outline procedures for handling and using chemicals commonly used to probe nucleic acids. Detailed experimental conditions and design for footprinting and modification interference are presented herein. Protocols for RNA extraction, normalization, primer extension, and data evaluation are also provided. The methods described are designed to aid in the study of large RNAs, but with slight modifications are applicable to smaller RNAs., (Copyright © 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)