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Objective·To investigate the effect of ceria nanoparticles-polyethylene glycol (CeNP-PEG) on scavenging reactive oxygen species (ROS) and alleviating disease activity in dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mice.Methods·CeNP was synthesized with the hydrates of cerium acetate, oleamine, and xylene, which was modified with polyethylene glycol-stearyl phosphatidylethanolamine (mPEG-DPSE) to obtain CeNP-PEG. Then CeNP-PEG was purified. The particle size and zeta potential of CeNP-PEG were measured by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS). Mouse macrophages (Raw264.7) were cultured in vitro and induced to a pro-inflammatory phenotype (M1 phenotype). M1 macrophages were treated with 0.5 µg/mL and 1.0 µg/mL CeNP-PEG, respectively, and then Western blotting was used to detect the expression changes of the proteins related with nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway. DSS-induced colitis mice models were constructed, and CeNP-PEG (1.0 mg/mL) was intravenously administrated for 3 times via tail vein during the modeling period. Meanwhile, the body weight, fecal characteristics, and frequency of rectal bleeding in mice were monitored in the normal control group (Normal group), the model group (DSS group), and the CeNP-PEG treatment group. The disease activity index (DAI) was calculated to evaluate the intestinal inflammation. The level of ROS in mouse intestinal tissues was detected by dihydroethidine (DHE) staining and the mRNA expression levels of inflammatory cytokines interferon-γ (Ifn-γ), interleukin-6 (Il-6), Il-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α (Tnf-α) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR).Results·The hydrated particle size of synthesized CeNP-PEG was (6.96±0.27) nm, and the average zeta potential was (-6.02±1.31) mV. Western blotting results showed that the expression of p-P65 increased in the pro-inflammatory macrophages compared with the control group. The expression of NF-κB inhibitor-α (IκB-α) decreased, and their expressions tended to recover after the intervention of different concentrations of CeNP-PEG. In the DSS-induced colitis models, mice in the CeNP-PEG treatment group lost less weight than those in the DSS group (P=0.000) and had lower DAI scores (P=0.000). The RT-qPCR results of intestinal tissues showed that the mRNA levels of Ifn-γ, Il-1β, Il-6 and Tnf-α in the DSS group were significantly up-regulated compared with those in the Normal group (P=0.000), and all of them significantly decreased in the CeNP-PEG treatment group. The results of DHE staining showed that the fluorescence intensity of intestinal tissues in the DSS group was significantly enhanced than that in the Normal group, and the fluorescence intensity decreased in the CeNP-PEG treatment group.Conclusion·CeNP-PEG can inhibit the expression of intestinal inflammatory factors and the activation of NF-κB-related inflammatory pathway of pro-inflammatory macrophages, eliminate intestinal ROS, improve the intestinal inflammatory microenvironment, and alleviate the disease activity of DSS-induced colitis in mice.

Bonding is the key step in the fabrication of microfluidic devices. In the conventional approaches for the fabrication of polymer-based microfluidics, the substrate and cover plate were fabricated and then bonded to enclose the micro channels. Various methods have been invented for bonding polymer-based microfluidics, e.g. adhesive bonding, solvent bonding, thermal fusion, etc., materials with the same or different materials were bonded. The bonding quality of the polymer-based microfluidics is critical during use, leakage or even detachment is not allowed. The bonding quality of polymer-based microfluidic devices has been evaluated in different ways, some of the typical methods include the tensile test, shear test, and burst opening test, and each method has its own strengths and weaknesses. The standard procedure for bonding strength test hasn't been established yet. In this study, different evaluation methods for bonding quality were discussed and compared in detail, the application scenarios for each method are also discussed. An outlook for the future standardization trend of bonding test methods for microfluidic device is also provided in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and Objectives. This prospective study describes the pain relief, analgesic adherence, and constipation experienced by cancer outpatients with pain during the first three cycles of follow‐up support based on an information system. Methods. Outpatients with cancer pain who received at least three cycles of follow‐up support between 1 July 2020 and 31 March 2022 at our cancer centre were enrolled in this prospective, longitudinal study. Three cycles of follow‐up support were provided by trained nurses over the telephone. Pain relief, analgesic adherence, and constipation were reported by the patients and recorded in the information system by trained nurses during the telephone follow‐up. Results. A total of 386 cancer patients were enrolled in the study. Pain relief and analgesic adherence improved significantly during the three follow‐up cycles after they received support (P < 0.001). The rate of pain relief and analgesic adherence improved at the second cycle compared to the first cycle, but the rate decreased at the third cycle compared to the second cycle. Some patients who had no problems at the first follow‐up cycle experienced new problems during the second and third follow‐up cycles. There was no significant difference in the incidence of constipation between follow‐up cycles (P = 0.078). Conclusions. Cancer outpatients with pain reported increased pain relief and analgesic adherence during follow‐up support. Compared to rates at the first and third cycles, pain relief and analgesic adherence were best at the second cycle after follow‐up support according to the information system. Relevance to Clinical Practice. Changes in pain intensity, analgesic adherence, and constipation were noted over time, which highlights the need for continuous follow‐up to achieve prolonged pain relief in cancer patients after discharge from the hospital. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to develop a model that specifies the predictive effects of factors on death anxiety among Chinese patients with cancer using structural equation modeling. Using convenience sampling, data were collected from 353 cancer patients. Self-administered questionnaires included Social Support Rating Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, Templer's Death Anxiety Scale, and socio-demographic factors. The results showed that social support, self-esteem, and resilience significantly impacted death anxiety. The final model fitted the data acceptably (χ2 = 37.319, df =31, p = 0.201). Social support mediated death anxiety through self-esteem and resilience. Resilience mediated the buffer effect of self-esteem on death anxiety as an intermediary factor. Findings suggest the need for further studies to explore effective interventions to provide social support and improve self-esteem and resilience among patients with cancer to alleviate death anxiety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]