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In this paper, the Verhulst GM is applied to forecast the trade creation effect of North America Free Trade Area (NAFTA) from Ihe perspective of US, which experienced a relatively short-term recession from 2001 to 2003. The forecasting results reveal that the trend of US foreign trade continues showing its distinct trade creation efFect which is distinguished from that of traditional Custom Union (CU) after the establishment of NAFTA in 1994 particularly due to its institution innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temozolomide (TMZ) serves as the principal chemotherapeutic agent for glioma; nonetheless, its therapeutic efficacy is compromised by the rapid emergence of drug resistance, the inadequate targeting of glioma cells, and significant systemic toxicity. ARV-825 may play a role in modulating drug resistance by degrading the BRD4 protein, thereby exerting anti-glioma effects. Therefore, to surmount TMZ resistance and achieve efficient and specific drug delivery, a dual-targeted glutathione (GSH)-responsive nanoparticle system (T+A@Glu-NP) is designed and synthesized for the co-delivery of ARV-825 and TMZ. As anticipated, T+A@Glu-NPs significantly enhanced penetration of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), facilitated drug uptake by glioma cells, and exhibited efficient accumulation in brain tissue. Additionally, T+A@Glu-NPs exhibited augmented efficacy against glioma both in vitro and in vivo through the induction of apoptosis, inhibition of proliferation, and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, mechanistic exploration revealed that T+A@Glu-NPs degraded the BRD4 protein, leading to the downregulation of Notch1 gene transcription and the inhibition of the Notch1 signaling pathway, thereby augmenting the therapeutic efficacy of glioma chemotherapy. Taken together, the findings suggest that T+A@Glu-NPs represents a novel and promising therapeutic strategy for glioma chemotherapy., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Introduction: Most adult smokers develop their addiction by trying smoking during adolescence. Elucidation of the psychosocial mechanisms underlying smoking initiation may be crucial for the prevention of adolescent tobacco use. The study aimed to identify key psychosocial factors in order to provide a scientific basis for preventing and reducing the occurrence of initial smoking behaviour among adolescents., Methods: A total of 2671 students from rural middle schools in western China were surveyed three times as part of a two-year longitudinal study. The adolescent health questionnaire included the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, the Mental Health Inventory of Middle-School Students, the Social Support Rating Scale and the Adolescent Life Satisfaction Scale. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the direct or indirect relationships between smoking initiation and psychosocial factors., Results: The prevalence of trying smoking among adolescents was 28.3%, with boys (38.3%) having a higher rate than girls (19.7%) (P<0.05). Mental health problems were positively associated with trying smoking (β=0.112, P<0.05). Greater life satisfaction had a negative direct effect on trying smoking (β=-0.125, P<0.05) and also played a mediating role in the relationship between mental health problems and trying smoking (β=0.016, 95%CI: 0.008 to 0.025), accounting for 20.7% of the total effect. Social support had a full mediating effect on smoking initiation through both mental health problems and life satisfaction (β=-0.022, 95%CI: -0.028 to -0.016)., Conclusions: The behaviour of young people who try smoking is associated with complex psychosocial factors. Interventions aimed at preventing adolescent tobacco use should prioritize the provision of social support and the promotion of life satisfaction., Implications: The study elucidated the direct and indirect relationships between psychosocial factors and trying smoking behaviour. In order to prevent adolescents from trying smoking, it is essential to intervene through external social support and internal development of mental health and well-being to improve adolescents' social support, increase their life satisfaction and maintain their mental health., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact reprints@oup.com for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Drug resistance has become an obstacle to successful cancer chemotherapies, with therapeutic agents effectively traversing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) remaining a great challenge. A microenvironment responsive and active targeting nanoparticle was constructed to enhance the penetration of drugs, leading to improved therapeutic effects. Dynamic light scattering demonstrated that the prepared nanoparticle had a uniform size. The cRGD modification renders the nanoparticle with active targeting capabilities to traverse the BBB for chemotherapy. The disulfide-bond-containing nanoparticle can be disintegrated in response to a high concentration of endogenous glutathione (GSH) within the tumor microenvironment (TME) for tumor-specific drug release, resulting in more effective accumulation. Notably, the released fisetin further increased the uptake of doxorubicin by glioma cells and exerted synergistic effects to promote apoptosis, induce cellular G2/M cycle arrest, and inhibit cell proliferation and migration in vitro . Moreover, the nanoparticle showed favorable anti-glioma effects in vivo . Our study provides a new strategy to overcome drug resistance by utilizing a natural product to sensitize conventional chemotherapeutics with well-designed targeted nanodelivery systems for cancer treatment.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the Chinese drugs for supplementing Qi and activating blood circulation in preventing DVT after big operations in orthopaedics and traumatology and observe the change of D-dimer before and after treatment., Method: Seventy patients ranging in age from 39 to 94 years who were treated by big operations in orthopaedics and traumatology were divided into two groups randomly. Traditional Chinese medinine (TCM) group (group A) and western medicine group (group B). On the 2rd day after operation d-dimer was tested from both groups and the patients in group A were given one dose of TCM every day and the patients in group B were subcutaneously injected low-molecular-weight heparins calcium (LMWH). On the 8th after operation d-dimer was tested again from both groups. The parameters, such as the incidence of DVT and pulmonary thromboembolism, bleeding condition, were evaluated respectively., Result: The D-dimer decreased in group A and had significant difference (P < 0.05), group B had no significant difference, there was also no significant difference between two groups. DVT was found in 1 patient in group B (1/35). Petechiae were found in 10 patients in group A (10/35) and in 26 patients in group A (26/35), which had significant difference (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: Both the Chinese drugs and anti-coagulation drug can prevent the incidence of DVT effectively, and Chinese herbs are feasible in the prevention of DVT.

Objective: To gain an understanding of the expression of beta-NGF in myoblasts transfected by PSVCEP NGF-CAT and the transfecting efficiency of Lipofect AMINE., Methods: PSVCEP NGF-CAT was delivered into cultured myoblasts by Lipofect AMINE. Expression of beta-NGF in the transfected myoblasts was detected by immunocytochemistry., Results: Lipofect AMINE was evidently engulfed by myoblasts at the 6th hour; about 40% myoblasts could be detected with the expression of beta-NGF by immunocytochemistry at the 48th hour., Conclusion: PSVCEP NGF-CAT can express beta-NGF in cultured myoblasts, and Lipofect AMINE is a convenient vector for gene transfection with simplicity and efficacy.