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Purpose: To explore the effects of kiwifruit peel polyphenols (KPP) on the antioxidant capacity of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stressed Caco-2 cells. Methods: The viability of Caco-2 cells in different treatment groups was determined by the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential by fluorescence spectrophotometry, the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the contents of glutathione (GSH) and malonaldehyde (MDA) by spectrophotometry, the gene expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and SOD2 by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the protein expression levels of Nrf2, Keap1, and NQO1 by Western blot. Results: Compared with the LPS group, cell viability was elevated after 50 µg/mL KPP intervention (P < 0.05); the levels of ROS and MDA were decreased to 1.82 ± 0.28 and 5.08 nmol/mg (P < 0.05), respectively; mitochondrial membrane potential, SOD activity and GSH content were increased to 1.84 ± 0.10, 52.57 U/mg and 69.46 µmol/g (P < 0.05), respectively. Meanwhile, KPP intervention increased the gene and protein expression of Nrf2 and NQO1 (P < 0.05) and decreased Keap1 gene and protein expression (P < 0.05). Conclusion: KPP can enhance the antioxidant capacity of Caco-2 cells through the Keap1/Nrf2/NQO1 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating the cellular damage caused by LPS stress.

To explore independent influencing factors for clinical efficacy of roxadustat in hemodialysis patients. Hemodialysis patients treated with roxadustat were enrolled. The plasma trough concentrations of roxadustat were measured using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). A multiple logistic regression model was established to determine the factors that affect clinical efficacy of roxadustat in patients undergoing hemodialysis. A total of 67 hemodialysis patients were enrolled in the study. The results showed that age, blood trough concentration of roxadustat, and baseline hemoglobin (Hb) level were independent factors of clinical efficacy of roxadustat (OR = 1.06, p =.025 for age; OR = 1.001, p =.037 for plasma concentration; and OR = 0.941, p =.003 for baseline Hb), with an AUC score of 0.859. Age, blood trough concentration of roxadustat, and baseline Hb level were independent influencing factors of the response to roxadustat in hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenotype of SCA patients are diversities, make prenatal counseling and parental decision‐making following the prenatal diagnosis of SCA more complicated and challenging. NIPT has higher sensitivity and specificity in screening trisomy 21 syndrome, but the effectiveness of NIPT in detecting SCA is still controversial. This study is a large‐scale retrospective cohort of positive SCA screened from unselected singleton pregnancies by non‐invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) from a single prenatal center of a tertiary hospital. Clinical information, indications, diagnostic results, ultrasound findings, pregnancy determinations, and follow‐up were reviewed and analyzed. 596 cases of SCA positive were screened out of 122 453, giving a positive detection rate of 0.49%. 510 cases (85.6%) conducted with amniocentesis to detect fetal chromosome, of which 236 were confirmed as true positive of SCA with PPV of 46.3% (236/510). Of the 236 cases confirmed as true positive SCA, 114 cases (48.3%)chose to terminate the pregnancy (93.0%, 65.3%, 15.4% and 10.9% for 45,X, 47,XXY, 47,XXX and 47,XYY, respectively), 122 cases (51.7%) elected to continue the pregnancy. In conclusions, NIPT as a first‐tier routine method for screening autosomal aneuploidies, also could play an important role in screening SCA. Low‐risk pregnant women are the main indication for the detection of SCA as NIPT test provides to non‐selective population. For 47,XXX and 47,XYY with mild phenotype, couples would like to continue the pregnancy. But for 45,X and 47,XXY, parents apt to terminate pregnancy no matter ultrasound abnormalities were found or not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Chronic systemic inflammation was proposed as a critical factor in the development of osteoporosis. We aim to investigate the effect of the DII on bone mineral density (BMD) in CKD patients. Methods: 2276 participants from NHANES were enrolled. The DII score was calculated based on a single 24‐h dietary recall. Total BMD was measured using Dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry. A multiple‐stepwise linear regression model was used to determine associations between BMD and DII in CKD patients. Results: When DII >0.35, a negative correlation was obtained between DII and BMD (all β = −0.008 and p < 0.05). In subgroup analysis, BMD levels decreased across increasing tertiles of the DII for patients with non‐osteoporosis, postmenopause, and low eGFR (p for trend ≤0.01). Conclusion: Higher consumption of pro‐inflammatory diet correlates negatively with the BMD levels in CKD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper puts forward the necessity of establishing flexible organization for enterprises to cope with external challenges, analyzes the characteristics and main problems of flexible organization, and probes into some suggestions on the establishment and operation management of flexible organization. In order to realize the flexible management of the project organization, it is necessary to explore the continuous improvement in practice, so as to achieve its role in effectively invigorating the stock and efficiently integrating resources.

Liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) are unique smart polymer materials which have attracted many research investigations. They exhibited exceptional physical properties due to the combination of rubber elasticity and liquid crystalline anisotropy, such as the reversible and controllable shape change and mechanical actuation under the external stimuli, and soft elasticity, etc. They have high potential of application in the field of actuators, soft robots, artificial muscles and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), etc. The formation of composites is an effective way to improve the performances of polymers and expand their application scope. Due to the unique structure and remarkable mechanical, electrical, thermal, and surface properties, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are often studied as a second phase to produce polymer nanocomposites with high performance. The studies on polymer nanocomposites based on LCEs and CNTs also have been strongly developed in recent years. The relevant research work aimed at different aspects including the preparation of CNT-LCE nanocomposites, the control of nanocomposite structure, the interaction between the CNTs and LCE matrices, the instillation of new physical properties into LCEs and the application of CNT-LCE nanocomposites, etc. This article reviews the exciting research work on these aspects, and some general and effective strategies for the development of CNT-LCE nanocomposites are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The ubiquilin‐like protein ubiquilin 2 (UBQLN2) is associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal degeneration (ALS/FTD). The biological function of UBQLN2 has previously been shown to be related to stress granules (SGs). In this study, we aimed to clarify the regulatory relationship between UBQLN2 and SGs. Methods: In this study, we transfected UBQLN2‐WT or UBQLN2‐P497H plasmids into cell lines (HEK293T, HeLa), and observed the process of SG dynamics by immunofluorescence. Meanwhile, immunoblot analyses the protein changes of stress granules related components. Results: We observed that ubiquilin 2 colocalizes with the SG component proteins G3BP1, TIA‐1, ATXN2, and PABPC1. In cells expressing WT UBQLN2 or P497H mutants, in the early stages of SG formation under oxidative stress, the percentage of cells with SGs and the number of SGs per cell decreased to varying degrees. Between WT and mutant, there was no significant difference in eIF2α activity after stress treatment. Interestingly, the UBQLN2 P497H mutant downregulates the level of TIA‐1. In addition, the overexpression of the UBQLN2 P497H mutant inhibited the phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 and affected the nucleoplasmic distribution of TDP‐43. Conclusions: Ubiquilin 2 colocalizes with the SG component proteins G3BP1, TIA‐1, ATXN2, and PABPC1. It participates in regulating SG dynamics. And UBQLN2 mutation affects the assembly of stress granules by regulating TIA‐1. In addition, the overexpression of the UBQLN2 P497H mutant inhibited the phosphorylation of 4E‐BP1 and affected the nuclear and cytoplasmic distribution of TDP‐43. These provide new insights into the role of UBQLN2 in oxidative stress and the pathogenesis of ALS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]