Excitation-Dependent Theranostic Nanosheet for Cancer Treatment

In this work, a novel ruthenium complex loaded monolayer layered double hydroxide (LDH) (denoted as Ru(C-bpy)₂ /mLDH) as supramolecular nanosensor is synthesized, which is greatly exclusive to the hypoxic tumor microenvironment. The Ru(C-bpy)₂ /mLDH ultrathin sheet displays not only enhanced luminescence lifetime compared to the parent Ru(C-bpy)₂ alone, but also improved oxygen responsibility under an excitation of 488 or 800 nm. Moreover, the Ru(C-bpy)₂ /mLDH is possessed of two-photon fluorescence imaging ability under the 800 nm irradiation. In addition, the Ru(C-bpy)₂ /mLDH can generate singlet oxygen with a high yield (φ_∆ ) of 0.28 under the 520 nm irradiation, while the φ_∆ of Ru(C-bpy)₂ is 0.19. Therefore, the Ru(C-bpy)₂ /mLDH can be applied as a supramolecular theranostic agent with light-switchable cancer imaging and photodynamic therapy properties.

Structure, sensing and photocatalytic properties of two multifunctional 3D luminescent coordination polymers based on an N-heterocyclic carboxylic acid

Two novel luminescent coordination polymers, {[Zn(tmlb)(H₂tmlb)]·H₂O}_n (1) and [Zn(tmlb)(bbibp)]_n (2) ((bbibp = bis(benzoimidazo-1-ly)biphenyl), H₂tmlb = (1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)methylenebis(benzoic acid)), have been rationally designed and successfully solvothermally synthesized.

Rational assembly of functional Co-MOFs via a mixed-ligand strategy: synthesis, structure, topological variation, photodegradation properties and dye adsorption

Four novel Co(ii) metal–organic frameworks were synthesized employing a rational design approach under solvothermal conditions.

Physical Exercise for Muscle Atrophy

The most direct characteristic of muscle atrophy is reduction in muscle mass, which is due to increased protein degradation or reduced protein synthesis in skeletal muscle. The loss of muscle mass can directly affect the quality of daily life, prolong the recovery period, and become the main risk factor for chronic diseases. However, there is currently no effective way to prevent and treat this disease, and therefore it is imperative to explore effective therapeutic approaches for muscle atrophy. It is well known that physical exercise is important for maintaining good health and long-term adherence to exercise can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes. It is also well established that exercise training can promote the synthesis of muscle protein and activate signaling pathways that regulate the metabolism and function of muscle fibers. Therefore, exercise can be used as a method to treat muscle atrophy in many of these conditions. Mitochondria play an important role in skeletal muscle homeostasis and bioenergy metabolism. Mitochondria are sensitive to contractile signals, and hence exercise can improve mitochondrial function and promote biosynthesis, which ultimately maintains the healthy state of cells and the whole body. On the other hand, frequent unaccustomed exercise will change the structure and function of skeletal muscle fibers, which is called exercise-induced muscle damage. When the exercise-induced muscle damage happens, it can cause temporary muscle damage and soreness, giving a negative effect on the muscle function.

Noncoding RNAs in Muscle Atrophy

Denervation, disuse, fasting, and various diseases could induce skeletal muscle atrophy, which results in the decline of life quality and increase of the mortality risk for patients. Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are implicated important in regulating gene expression. Thus, ncRNAs, especially microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), have gained widespread attention as crucial players in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including skeletal muscle atrophy. In this review, we comprehensively described the potential of circulating microRNAs as biomarkers, summarized the profiling of microRNAs and lncRNAs in atrophying muscles, as well as discussed the effects and underlying mechanisms of microRNA machinery proteins, microRNAs, and lncRNAs in skeletal muscle atrophy. Considering the large quantity and variety of ncRNAs, the understanding of ncRNAs in muscle atrophy is still very limited. Future studies are needed to elucidate the possibility of ncRNAs as diagnosis biomarkers and therapeutic targets in muscle atrophy.

[Study on spatial - temporal characteristics of Schistosoma japonicum infections among human in Hunan Province, 2004-2011]

Objective To explore the spatial-temporal characteristics and changing regularities of Schistosoma japonicum infections among human from 2004 to 2011. Methods The township level spatial databases of schistosomiasis in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2011 were established, and the related spatial analysis was performed by SPSS 17.0, ArcGIS 10.1 and SaTScan 7.03. Results The schistosome infection rate among human in Hunan Province sharply decreased from 3.0% in 2004 to 0.8% in 2011. However, the rate among residents in parts of some townships in 2011 was still hovering at a higher level (P₉₀ = 2.12%), and the higher rate was distributed along the Oncomelania hupensis snail ridden areas outside embankment. The autocorrelation analysis showed that the global Moran's I for schistosome infection rate among human was 0.34 to 0.53 from 2004 to 2011, and was higher than the expected value (Z > 8.71, P < 0.05). The local G statistics indicated that the positive hotspot high-high clustering areas were mainly near the coast of Dongting Lake from 2004 to 2011, and the number of townships with schistosomiasis endemic in the clustering areas reached 30 to 70. The spatial scan analysis showed that the number of townships in the clustering areas ran up to 145 to 183 from 2004 to 2011. Conclusions The schistosome infection rate among human decreased significantly in Hunan Province from 2004 to 2011. However, the rate in parts of some townships still remains at a comparatively high level, and there are positive spatial correlation and spatial agglomerations in the schistosome infection rate among human, suggesting that the prevention and control work on schistosomiasis in these areas should be strengthened in the future.

Detection of drug-responsive B lymphocytes and antidrug IgG in patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity

BACKGROUND

Delayed-type β-lactam hypersensitivity develops in subset of patients. The cellular immunological processes that underlie the drug-specific response have been described; however, little is known about involvement of the humoral immune system. Thus, the aim of this study was to utilize piperacillin hypersensitivity as an exemplar to (i) develop cell culture methods for the detection of drug-specific B-cell responses, (ii) characterize drug-specific IgG subtypes and (iii) assess reactivity of IgG antibodies against proteins modified to different levels with piperacillin haptens.

METHODS

IgG secretion and CD19⁺ CD27⁺ expression on B cells were measured using ELISPOT and flow cytometry, respectively. A piperacillin-BSA adduct was used as an antigen in ELISA antibody binding studies. Adducts generated using different ratios of drug to protein were used to determine the degree of conjugation required to detect IgG binding.

RESULTS

B cells from hypersensitive patients, but not controls, were stimulated to secrete IgG and increase CD27 expression when cultured with soluble piperacillin. A piperacillin-BSA adduct with cyclized and hydrolysed forms of the hapten bound to eight lysine residues was used to detect hapten-specific IgG 1-4 subclasses in patient plasma. Hapten inhibition and the use of structurally unrelated hapten-BSA adducts confirmed antigen specificity. Antibody binding was detected with antigens generated at piperacillin/BSA ratios of 10:1 and above, which corresponded to a minimum epitope density of 1 for antibody binding.

CONCLUSION

These data show that antigen-specific B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes are activated in piperacillin-hypersensitive patients. Further work is needed to define the role different IgG subtypes play in regulating the iatrogenic disease.

NONCLASSICAL 21-HYDROXYLASE DEFICIENCY PRESENTED AS ADDISON'S DISEASE AND BILATERAL ADRENAL INCIDENTALOMAS

Background

21-hydroxylase deficiency (21 OHD) is the most common form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) and it has been widely described in the literature. Adrenocortical incidentalomas are unfrequently the presenting manifestations of CAH, especially in nonclassical form of 21 OHD (NC 21 OHD). Myelolipoma has previously been reported more frequently than other adrenal adenomas associated with CAH.

Case

We report a 40-year old male case of NC 21 OHD with hypoadrenocorticism after unilateral adrenalectomy of the right side because of a large solid incidentaloma (5×4×4cm³) at the age of 31. This patient began to suffer from obvious symptoms of adrenal insufficiency after 9 years from the surgery. He was reviewed and a very low-density adrenal mass (4.1×3.9cm) was found on computed tomography of the abdomen. After he was admitted to our hospital, this patient was confirmed with NC 21 OHD and presented low level cortisol, striking elevated ACTH, aldosterone insufficiency, increased 17-hydroxyprogesterone, progesterone, decreasing androgens and azoospermatism.

Conclusion

Patients with 21 OHD could be on risk not only for adrenal hyperplasia, but also to develop adrenal adenomas, particularly if the disease was poorly controlled.

Rapid in-focus corrections on quantitative amplitude and phase imaging using transport of intensity equation method

Transport of intensity equation (TIE) method can acquire sample phase distributions with high speed and accuracy, offering another perspective for cellular observations and measurements. However, caused by incorrect focal plane determination, blurs and halos are induced, decreasing resolution and accuracy in both retrieved amplitude and phase information. In order to obtain high-accurate sample details, we propose TIE based in-focus correction technique for quantitative amplitude and phase imaging, which can locate focal plane and then retrieve both in-focus intensity and phase distributions combining with numerical wavefront extraction and propagation as well as physical image recorder translation. Certified by both numerical simulations and practical measurements, it is believed the proposed method not only captures high-accurate in-focus sample information, but also provides a potential way for fast autofocusing in microscopic system.

Hydroxyapatite/N-doped carbon dots/Ag3PO4 composite for improved visible-light photocatalytic performance

A new ternary hydroxyapatite/N-doped carbon dots/Ag₃PO₄ (HA/N-CDs/Ag₃PO₄) composite with remarkable photocatalytic performance and stability was developed via a cost-effective route.

Polarization loss in the organic ferroelectric trialkylbenzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA)

The depolarization mechanism for the archetypical molecular ferroelectric BTA is quantitatively understood as an activated collective reversal of molecular dipoles.

[The effect of occupational exposure to coal tar pitch workers' health]

Objective: To investigate the effect of occupational exposure to coal tar pitch on workers' health and metabolism. Methods: 805 workers exposed to coal tar pitch were selected as exposure group from the produce and em-ploy factory. Other people handle administrative and logistical affairs who not exposed to coal tar pitch were selected as control group. Fix-point sample of air were collected to detect the concentration of coal tar pitch. Do physical examination and questionnaire to collect workers' basic and healthy information. To detect the metabolic product of urine samples in laboratory. Results: Anomaly detection rate of the skin in exposure group is 10.61. The lung function indices (FEV_1.0%) in exposure group were significantly lower than control group (P<0.05) . The monocyte count and monocyte rate in expo-sure group were significantly higher than control group (P<0.05) . The metabolic product content of PAHS in urine sam-ples is significantly higher in exposed group than control group (P<0.05) . Conclusion: The metabolic product content of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon is higher in exposed workers. Coal tar pitch damage workers' skin and lung function. It can cause pruritus chromatodermatosis and so on.

ZNF750 is a lineage-specific tumour suppressor in squamous cell carcinoma

ZNF750 controls epithelial homeostasis by regulating epidermal-differentiation genes, a role underscored by its pathogenic mutations in esophageal squamous cell cancers (SCCs). However, the precise role of ZNF750 in SCC cell biology remains unclear. In this study, we report that ZNF750 is exclusively deleted, mutated and underexpressed in human SCCs, and low ZNF750 expression is associated with poor survival. Restoration of wildtype, but not mutant ZNF750 protein uniquely inhibited the malignant phenotypes of SCC cells both in vitro and in vivo. Notably, ZNF750 promoted the expression of a long non-coding RNA (TINCR), which mediated both cancer-inhibition and differentiation-induction effects of ZNF750. In addition, ZNF750 potently suppressed cell migration by directly inhibiting the transactivation of LAMC2. Together, our findings characterize ZNF750 as a crucial SCC-specific suppressor and uncover its novel anticancer-associated functions.

Coping strategies and distress reduction in psychological well-being? A structural equation modelling analysis using a national population sample

BACKGROUND

Little is understood about of the role of coping strategies in psychological well-being (PWB) and distress for the general population and different physical and psychiatric disease groups. A thorough examination of these relationships may provide evidence for the implementation of public mental health promotion and psychiatric disease prevention strategies aimed at improving the use of positive coping approaches or addressing the causes and maintainers of distress. The present study using a structural equation modelling (SEM) approach and nationally representative data on the Canadian population investigates the relationships among PWB, distress and coping strategies and identifies major factors related to PWB for both the general population and diverse-specific disease groups.

METHODS

Data examined were from the Canadian Community Health Survey of Mental Health and Well-being (CCHS 1.2), a large national survey (n = 36 984). We applied exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis and SEM to build structural relationships among PWB, distress and coping strategies in the general population.

RESULTS

Both SEM measurement and structure models provided a good fit. Distress was positively related to negative coping and negatively related to positive coping. Positive coping indicated a higher level of PWB, whereas negative coping was associated with a lower level of PWB. PWB was negatively related to distress. These same relationships were also found in the population subgroups. For the population with diseases (both physical and psychiatric diseases, except agoraphobia), distress was the more important factor determining subjective PWB than the person's coping strategies, whereas, negative coping had a major impact on distress in the general population. Strengths and limitations were also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings have practical implications for public psychiatric disease intervention and mental health promotion. As previously noted positive/adaptive coping increased the level of PWB, whereas negative/maladaptive coping was positively related to distress and negatively related to PWB. Distress decreased the level of PWB. Our findings identified major correlates of PWB in both the general population and population subgroups. Our results provide evidence for the differential use of intervention tactics among different target audiences. In order to improve the mental health of the general population public mental health promotion should focus on strategies that reduce negative coping at a population level, whereas clinicians treating individual clients should make the reduction of distress their primary target to maintain or improve patients' PWB.

[Clinical treatment of infective endocarditis with vegetations in pregnant women and the outcomes of gestation]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical treatment of infective endocarditis with vegetations in pregnant women and the outcomes of the gestation.

METHODS

Nine cases of pregnant women diagnosed as infective endocarditis with vegetations in Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University from January 2001 to October 2015 were enrolled in retrospective analysis. Consultations were held by doctors from department of obstetrics, anesthesiology, cardiology, cardial surgery and extracorporeal circulation to decide the individualized treatment plan for the 9 cases of pregnant women after admissions. Clinical treatments including general treatment, anti-infection treatment, cardiac surgery, and termination of pregnancy surgery were completed through collaboration among related departments. The clinical characters, therapeutic regimens, maternal and neonatal outcomes of the 9 cases were analyzed.

RESULTS

(1) Clinical characters: the ages of the 9 cases of pregnant women were from 25 to 36 years old. The onset gestational ages were from 19 to 36 weeks.

CLINICAL SYMPTOMS

fever, cough, sputum and progressive anemia were the main symptoms. Patients had cyanosis of lips, could not lie on the back or even be orthopnea, when heart failure happened. Heart murmur was audible and splenomegaly was touched in physical examination. Blood cultures were positive. Basic heart disease types: 7 cases of congenital heart diseases included 2 cases of aortic insufficiency, 1 case of mitral insufficiency, 1 case of patent ductus arteriosus, 1 case of right ventricular outflow tract stenosis and 2 cases of ventricular septal defect.Two cases of rheumatic heart diseases included 1 case of mitral stenosis, 1 case of mitral stenosis after artificial disc changed and jammed. According to endocardial vegetations attached position there were 3 cases of mitral valve vegetations, 2 cases of pulmonary valve vegetations, 3 cases of aortic vegetations and 1 case of right ventricular outflow tract neoplasm. Preoperative heart function classification: 1 case of level Ⅱ, 3 cases of level Ⅲ, 5 cases of level Ⅳ. (2) TREATMENTS: general treatment included oxygen uptake, rest in bed, cardiac strengthen and diuretic therapy, etc. Combined and adequate antibiotics were applied in anti-infection treatment according to drug sensitive test. Nine cases of pregnant women were all performed surgical treatment of heart diseases and removal of the endocardial vegetations. Caesarean sections were performed for 2 cases in second trimester and for 7 cases in last trimester. Cardiac surgery and caesarean section were operated in 6 cases at the same time among 22-34 weeks of pregnancy. Cardiac surgery were respectively operated in 2 cases 11 days and 32 days after the caesarean section at 33, 37 weeks of pregnancy. While Cardiac surgery was operated (at 26 weeks of pregnancy) before the caesarean section (at 37 weeks of pregnancy) in another 1 case. (3) Maternal and neonatal outcomes: 7 cases of pregnant women were rescued successfully, while 2 cases of pregnant women were death. Postoperative heart function classification: 1 case of level Ⅰ, 2 cases of level Ⅱ, 4 cases of level Ⅲ and 2 cases of level Ⅵ. Neonatal survivals were 6 cases including 2case of full-term infants, 4 cases of preterm infants. Stillbirth or neonatal death were 3 cases, which included 2 cases performed caesarean section in second trimester and 1 case of very low weight infant who was given up treatment by family because of severe asphyxia. Followed up periods were from 1 to 7 years with an average time of (2.0±1.6) years. Infants and young children grew and developed well during the period of follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk is extremely high of pregnancy with infective endocarditis with vegetations. But there is still a way to save the maternal and neonatal life by using a multidisciplinary collaboration formulation and implementation of individualized treatment plan and selecting the appropriate time for heart surgery and the termination of pregnancy.

Maltreatment in childhood substantially increases the risk of adult depression and anxiety in prospective cohort studies: systematic review, meta-analysis, and proportional attributable fractions

BACKGROUND

Literature supports a strong relationship between childhood maltreatment and mental illness but most studies reviewed are cross-sectional and/or use recall to assess maltreatment and are thus prone to temporality and recall bias. Research on the potential prospective impact of maltreatment reduction on the incidence of psychiatric disorders is scarce.

METHOD

Electronic databases and grey literature from 1990 to 2014 were searched for English-language cohort studies with criteria for depression and/or anxiety and non-recall measurement of childhood maltreatment. Systematic review with meta-analysis synthesized the results. Study quality, heterogeneity, and publication bias were examined. Initial screening of titles and abstracts resulted in 199 papers being reviewed. Eight high-quality articles met eligibility criteria. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) estimated potential preventive impact.

RESULTS

The pooled odds ratio (OR) between any type of maltreatment and depression was 2.03 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37-3.01] and 2.70 (95% CI 2.10-3.47) for anxiety. For specific types of maltreatment and depression or anxiety disorders, the ORs were: physical abuse (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.25-3.19), sexual abuse (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.88-3.75), and neglect (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.35-2.23). PAFs suggest that over one-half of global depression and anxiety cases are potentially attributable to self-reported childhood maltreatment. A 10-25% reduction in maltreatment could potentially prevent 31.4-80.3 million depression and anxiety cases worldwide.

CONCLUSION

This review provides robust evidence of childhood maltreatment increasing the risk for depression and anxiety, and reinforces the need for effective programs and policies to reduce its occurrence.

Carbon Dots with Intrinsic Theranostic Properties for Bioimaging, Red-Light-Triggered Photodynamic/Photothermal Simultaneous Therapy In Vitro and In Vivo

Cancer nanotheranostics combining therapeutic and imaging functions within a single nanoplatform are extremely important for nanomedicine. In this study, carbon dots (C-dots) with intrinsic theranostic properties are prepared by using polythiophene benzoic acid as carbon source. The obtained C-dots absorb light in the range of 400-700 nm and emit bright fluorescence in the red region (peaking from 640 to 680 nm at different excitations). More importantly, the obtained C-dots exhibit dual photodynamic and photothermal effects under 635 nm laser irradiation with a singlet oxygen ((1)O2) generating efficiency of 27% and high photothermal conversion efficiency of 36.2%. These unique properties enable C-dots to act as a red-light-triggered theranostic agent for imaging-guided photodynamic-photothermal simultaneous therapy in vitro and in vivo within the therapeutic window (600-1000 nm).

pH- and light-regulated ion transport in hourglass shaped Al2O3 nanochannels patterned with N719 and APTES

An investigation of the pH- and light-regulated ion rectification properties of symmetric and asymmetric Al₂O₃ nanochannels patterned with N719 and APTES at designated positions.