Application of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy in curative surgery for esophageal cancer: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of neoadjuvant therapy in esophageal cancer (EC) treatment is still a subject of debate. AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy and toxic side effects between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) and neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCT) for locally advanced EC (LAEC). METHODS: A comprehensive search was conducted using multiple databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Science Direct, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Database, Chinese Science and Technology Journal Database, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database Article. Studies up to December 2022 comparing nCRT and nCT in patients with EC were selected. RESULTS: The analysis revealed significant differences between nCRT and nCT in terms of disease-free survival. The results indicated that nCRT provided better outcomes in terms of the 3-year overall survival rate (OSR) [odds ratio (OR) = 0.95], complete response rate (OR = 3.15), and R0 clearance rate (CR) (OR = 2.25). However, nCT demonstrated a better 5-year OSR (OR = 1.02) than nCRT. Moreover, when compared to nCRT, nCT showed reduced risks of cardiac complications (OR = 1.15) and pulmonary complications (OR = 1.30). CONCLUSION: Overall, both nCRT and nCT were effective in terms of survival outcomes for LAEC. However, nCT exhibited better performance in terms of postoperative complications.

Goodyschle A, a new butenolide with significant BchE inhibitory activity from Goodyera schlechtendaliana.

Goodyschle A (1), a new butenolide, was isolated from the whole grass of Goodyera schlechtendaliana, an orchidaceous edible medicinal plant. The structure of the new compound was elucidated by 1 D and 2 D NMR experiments in addition to HRESIMS analyses. Compound 1 was evaluated for its bioactivities including cytotoxic activity against human gastric cancer (SGC-7901) and human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines, inhibitory activity on acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and DPPH radical scavenging activity. As a result, compound 1 showed potent BChE inhibitory activity (IC50 value = 6.88 ± 1.63 µM), moderate DPPH radical scavenging activity (IC50 value = 16.25 ± 0.21 µM), and slight AChE inhibitory and cytotoxic activities. These findings suggest that compound 1 is worthy for further investigations in terms of its selective BChE inhibitory activity.

Protein adsorption on citrate modified magnetic nanoparticles.

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were prepared by chemical co-precipitation method and then modified with sodium citrate. These iron oxide nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). BSA was adsorbed on these citrate modified nanoparticles using two types of buffers (acetate buffer, pH 4.0, 4.7 and phosphate buffer, pH 7.4). The results showed that the maximum adsorption of BSA was 83 mg/g at its isoelectric point (pH 4.7). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the attachment of citrate groups and BSA on the prepared magnetic nanoparticles. BSA was desorbed from nanoparticles under alkaline conditions, which was confirmed by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis, UV-vis and fluorescence spectra. The desorbed BSA showed small changes in its structure. The adsorption results indicated that BSA adsorption on citrate modified iron oxide nanoparticles occurred mainly by electrostatic mechanism.

Preparation of guanidine group functionalized magnetic nanoparticles and the application in preconcentration and separation of acidic protein.

Guanidine group (Gnd) functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4@SiO2@NH2-Gnd) were synthesized and characterized in this work for the first time. The characterization of Fe3O4@SiO2@ NH2-Gnd nanoparticles was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, vibration sample magnetometer, and zeta potential analyzer. The novel multifunctional nanoparticles were served as a solid-phase extraction sorbent for easy isolation and preconcentration of acidic protein from aqueous solution only using a magnet. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was selected as a model protein and the main experimental parameters influencing the adsorption and desorption efficiency were investigated and optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the particles reached saturated adsorption within 20 min and exhibited significant specific recognition for the acidic proteins. Fifteen fold enrichment efficiency was achieved and the detection limits was 45 ng x mL(-1) for BSA by capillary electrophoresis (CE). The practical application of the novel nanoparticles as a sorbent for the isolation and preconcentration of acidic proteins from basic proteins was demonstrated by effective separation and enrichment of bovine serum albumin from lysozyme and cytochrome C mixture, which was assayed by CE.

Aqueous synthesis of CdTe/CdSe core/shell quantum dots as pH-sensitive fluorescence probe for the determination of ascorbic acid.

By controlling the reflux time and the quantity of the shell materials, different sizes of thioglycollic acid (TGA) modified CdTe/CdSe core/shell quantum dots were synthesized in aqueous solution. This type of QDs was used for sensitive and selective determination of ascorbic acid in commercial tablets. Under optimal conditions, a good linearity was observed between the relative fluorescence (FL) intensity and the concentration of ascorbic acid in the range of 4.0 to 64.0 µg/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9968. The limit of detection was 2.4 µg/mL. This method was applied to the determination of the ascorbic acid in Vitamin C tablets and Vitamin C Yinqiao pills, and satisfactory results were obtained.