Efficacy of electroacupuncture therapy in patients with functional anorectal pain: study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Some Chinese scholars have initially explored the efficacy of electroacupuncture at Baliao acupoint in patients with functional anorectal pain (FAP). However, their studies are performed in a single center, or the sample size is small. Therefore, we aim to further explore the efficacy of electroacupuncture at Baliao acupoint on the treatment of FAP. METHODS: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, 136 eligible FAP patients will be randomly allocated into an electroacupuncture group or sham electroacupuncture group at a 1:1 ratio. This trial will last for 34 weeks, with 2 weeks of baseline, 4 weeks and 8 weeks of treatment, and 1, 3, and 6 months of follow-up. Outcome assessors and statisticians will be blind. The primary outcome will be clinical treatment efficacy, and secondary outcomes will be pain days per month, quality of life, psychological state assessment, anorectal manometry, pelvic floor electromyography, and patient satisfaction. DISCUSSION: Results of this trial will be contributed to further clarify the value of electroacupuncture at Baliao acupoint as a treatment for FAP in the clinic. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial has been registered in Chinese Clinical Trial Registry  https://www.chictr.org.cn/  (ChiCTR2300069757) on March 24, 2023.

Scalable, High-Yield Monolayer MXene Preparation from Multilayer MXene for Many Applications.

MXene (Ti3C2Tx) is renowned for its exceptional conductivity and hydrophilicity; however, the low yield of monolayers hinders its industrial scalability. Herein, we present a strategy to substantially enhance the monolayer yield by disrupting the hydrogen-bonding cage confinement of multilayer MXene using high-temperature ultrasound, challenging the conventional belief that monolayer MXene can only be prepared at lower temperatures. At approximately 70 °C, the weakened hydrogen bonding between the oxygen-containing terminal groups of multilayer MXene and surrounding water molecules weakens the hydrogen-bond cage confinement. This enables ultrasonic cavitation to generate more microbubbles that penetrate the interlayers of multilayer MXene, resulting in gentle and thorough delamination into larger monolayer nanosheets. Achieving up to a 95% yield in just tens of minutes, these nanosheets exhibit properties comparable to those produced by traditional ice-bath methods. Furthermore, the high-concentration MXene ink produced on a large scale using this high-yield approach exhibits excellent printing and processing capabilities, and the corresponding products showcase superior infrared stealth and Joule heating characteristics. This work addresses a key technical bottleneck in MXene production, paving the way for its extensive technological and industrial applications.

Enhancing Electrocatalytic Hydrodechlorination through Interfacial Microenvironment Modulation.

Electrochemical reduction (ER) is a promising approach to safely remove pollutants. However, sluggish reaction kinetics and significant side reactions considerably limit the applicability of this green process. Herein, we uncovered the previously ignored role of interfacial hydrophilicity in determining the ER performance through electron microscopy observations, contact angle (CA) analysis, and electrochemical measurements. A Pd/C electrocatalyst forms dense nanopores on the electrode surface, rendering it highly hydrophobic and achieving a CA of up to 145°. This imposes a large mass-transfer barrier for the diffusion of water and pollutants into Pd sites. Moreover, the release of H2 is suppressed, which changes the solid-liquid (Pd-polluted water) interface into a solid-gas (H2)-liquid interface. This further slows down mass transfer and the decontamination process. This dilemma can be easily alleviated by adding hydrophilic polymers like polyethylene glycol to increase hydrophilicity and improve mass transfer. By this way, the activity and Faraday efficiency of Pd/C in the electrochemical hydrodehalogenation of 2,4-dichlorophenol could be increased by 4-5 times. Moreover, this interfacial microenvironment modulation strategy is parallel to other approaches, such as Pd structural engineering, and therefore these strategies can be combined to further increase the electrochemical decontamination performance of electrocatalysts.

Pharmacokinetic Study of Triptolide Nanocarrier in Transdermal Drug Delivery System-Combination of Experiment and Mathematical Modeling.

Compared with traditional oral and injection administration, the transdermal administration of traditional Chinese medicine has distinctive characteristics and advantages, which can avoid the "first pass effect" of the liver and the destruction of the gastrointestinal tract, maintain a stable blood concentration, and prolong drug action time. However, the basic theory and technology research in transdermal drug delivery are relatively limited at present, especially regarding research on new carriers of transdermal drug delivery and pharmacokinetic studies of the skin, which has become a bottleneck of transdermal drug delivery development. Triptolide is one of the main active components of Tripterygium wilfordii, which displays activities against mouse models of polycystic kidney disease and pancreatic cancer but its physical properties and severe toxicity limit its therapeutic potential. Due to the previously mentioned advantages of transdermal administration, in this study, we performed a detail analysis of the pharmacokinetics of a new transdermal triptolide delivery system. Triptolide nanoemulsion gels were prepared and served as new delivery systems, and the ex vivo characteristics were described. The metabolic characteristics of the different triptolide transdermal drug delivery formulations were investigated via skin-blood synchronous microdialysis combined with LC/MS. A multiscale modeling framework, molecular dynamics and finite element modeling were adopted to simulate the transport process of triptolide in the skin and to explore the pharmacokinetics and mathematical patterns. This study shows that the three-layer model can be used for transdermal drug delivery system drug diffusion research. Therefore, it is profitable for transdermal drug delivery system design and the optimization of the dosage form. Based on the drug concentration of the in vivo microdialysis measurement technology, the diffusion coefficient of drugs in the skin can be more accurately measured, and the numerical results can be verified. Therefore, the microdialysis technique combined with mathematical modeling provides a very good platform for the further study of transdermal delivery systems. This research will provide a new technology and method for the study of the pharmacokinetics of traditional Chinese medicine transdermal drug delivery. It has important theoretical and practical significance in clarifying the metabolic transformation of percutaneous drug absorption and screening for appropriate drugs and dosage forms of transdermal drug delivery.

Self-Transportation of Superparamagnetic Droplets on a Magnetic Gradient Slippery Surface with On/Off Sliding Controllability.

Recently, research about droplet self-transportation on slippery surfaces has become a hotspot. However, to achieve on/off sliding control during the self-transportation process is still difficult. Herein, we report a magnetic slippery surface, and demonstrate on/off sliding control during the self-transportation of superparamagnetic droplets. The surface is prepared through integrating a substrate that has a gradient magnetic region with a layer of paraffin infused hydrophobic SiO2 nanoparticles. On the surface, a superparamagnetic droplet is pinned at room temperature (about 25 °C), while it can self-transport directionally as the temperature is increased to about 70 °C. When the temperature is cooled down again, the droplet would return to the pinned state, indicating that on/off sliding control during the self-transportation process can be achieved. Furthermore, based on the excellent controllability, controllable coalescence of two droplets from opposite direction is displayed, demonstrating its potential application in numerous areas.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of celastrol derivatives as potent antitumor agents with STAT3 inhibition.

Using STAT3 inhibitors as a potential strategy in cancer therapy have attracted much attention. Recently, celastrol has been reported that it could directly bind to and suppress the activity of STAT3 in the cardiac dysfunction model. To explore more effective STAT3 inhibiting anti-tumour drug candidates, we synthesised a series of celastrol derivatives and biologically evaluated them with several human cancer cell lines. The western blotting analysis showed that compound 4 m, the most active derivative, could suppress the STAT3's phosphorylation as well as its downstream genes. SPR analysis, molecular docking and dynamics simulations' results indicated that the 4m could bind with STAT3 protein more tightly than celastrol. Then we found that the 4m could block cell-cycle and induce apoptosis on HCT-116 cells. Furthermore, the anti-tumour effect of 4m was verified on colorectal cancer organoid. This is the first research that discovered effective STAT3 inhibitors as potent anti-tumour agents from celastrol derivatives.

circRNAs and their relationship with breast cancer: a review.

BACKGROUND: Recently, an increasing number of studies have been conducted on circular RNAs (circRNAs) that have demonstrated their different roles in a variety of biological processes. Moreover, a large number of circRNAs have been shown to be involved in the occurrence and development of breast cancer (BC). MAIN BODY: Both functional and mechanistic experiments have shown that circular RNAs (circRNAs) can act as competing endogenous RNAs by sponging miRNAs, encoding proteins, and regulating parental genes. In doing so, circRNAs modulate the proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and invasion of BC cells in vitro as well as tumor growth and metastasis in vivo. Moreover, scores of circRNAs have been demonstrated to be related to clinicopathological features, prognosis, and treatment sensitivity in patients with BC; many circRNAs have shown potential as biomarkers for diagnosis, drug sensitivity, and prognosis prediction. Furthermore, researchers have focused on circRNAs as potential therapeutic targets. CONCLUSION: In this review, we briefly summarize the functions and categories of circRNAs, their different roles in BC, and recent research and therapeutic progress related to circRNAs.

Cardamonin suppressed the migration, invasion, epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and lung metastasis of colorectal cancer cells by down-regulating ADRB2 expression.

CONTEXT: Cardamonin (CDN) can suppress cell growth in colorectal cancer (CRC), a common digestive malignancy. OBJECTIVE: We explored the effect and mechanism of CDN on metastatic CRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two cell lines (HT29 and HCT116) were initially treated with CDN at different concentrations (5, 10 and 20 µmol/L) or 50 µmol/L propranolol (positive control) for 24 or 48 h. Then, the two cell lines were separately transfected with siADRB2 and ADRB2 overexpression plasmids, and further treated with 10 µmol/L CDN for 24 h. The cell viability, migration and invasion were determined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), wound healing and transwell assays, respectively. The levels of ADRB2, matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-2, MMP-9, E-cadherin and N-cadherin were measured by Western blotting or/and RT-qPCR. A CRC metastasis model was established to evaluate the antimetastatic potential of CDN (25 mg/kg). RESULTS: ADRB2 (3.2-fold change; p < 0.001) was highly expressed in CRC tissues. CDN at 10 µmol/L suppressed viability (69% and 70%), migration (33% and 66%), invasion (43% and 72%) and ADRB2 expression (2.2- and 2.84-fold change) in HT29 and HCT116 cells (p < 0.001). CDN at 10 µmol/L inhibited MMP-2, MMP-9 and N-cadherin expression but promoted E-cadherin expression in CRC cells (p < 0.001). Importantly, the effect of CDN on CRC cells was impaired by ADRB2 overexpression, but further enhanced by ADRB2 down-regulation (p < 0.01). Additionally, ADRB2 overexpression reversed the inhibitory effect of CDN on metastatic lung nodules (p < 0.05). Discussion and conclusions: CDN is a potential candidate for the treatment of metastatic CRC in clinical practice.

Effect of local ozone treatment on rats with anterior rectal resection and the possible mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Anterior resection syndrome (ARS) is characterized by the diverse and interchangeable evacuatory symptoms that may occur following distal colorectal resection. We aimed to investigate the effect and potential mechanisms of ozone perfusion on rats with anterior rectal resection (ARR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: After establishment of rat ARR model, 20, 40 and 80 ug/ml ozone was used to treat rats by enema administration. The pathological examination of intestinal tissue was detected using hematoxylin-eosin staining. The rate of loose stools, minimum threshold volume of abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) and Bristol grade were used to evaluate the degree of abnormal defecation function. Subsequently, the levels of oxidative stress- and inflammation-related markers, 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nitric oxide (NO) in the serum and intestinal tissue were determined with the corresponding kits. Meanwhile, the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65, transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV)1, TRPV4, iNOS and 5-HT receptor 3A (5-HTR3A) was determined with RT-qPCR and western blotting. RESULTS: Ozone administration (20 and 40 ug/ml) significantly alleviated the pathological changes of intestinal tissue-induced by ARR, accompanied by the decreased loose stools rate, Bristol score and increased abdominal withdraw reflex. However, 80 ug/ml of ozone intervention played opposite roles in the aforementioned changes with 20 and 40 ug/ml of ozone. Additionally, remarkably elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS), malonaldehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), 5-HT, iNOS and NO levels were observed in the ozone-treated groups (20 and 40 ug/ml), while high dose of ozone drastically improved ROS, MDA, 5-HT, iNOS and NO levels but reduced the activity of SOD. Consistently, the contents of inflammatory factors were decreased after low and middle doses of ozone administration. However, high dose of ozone aggravated the inflammatory injury. Moreover, 20 and 40 ug/ml ozone upregulated TRPV1 and TRPV4 expression but downregulated 5-HTR3A expression, which was restored after 80 ug/ml of ozone intervention. Remarkably, the levels of NF-κB p65 and iNOS were dose-dependently enhanced following ozone treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, low concentration of ozone attenuated intestinal injury induced by ARR via balancing oxidative stress and inflammation, but high concentration of ozone exacerbated the intestinal injury, which might be related to the 5-HT and TRPV signaling.

Current Status and Factors Influencing Surgical Options for Breast Cancer in China: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey of 110 Hospitals.

BACKGROUND: There are limited nationwide data regarding breast cancer surgery in China. The Chinese Anti-Cancer Association's Committee of Breast Cancer Society and the Chinese Society of Breast Surgeons conducted a nationwide survey to examine the use of and barriers associated with surgical options among patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Surveys were sent via e-mail to the directors of 110 centers that performed at least 200 breast cancer operations in 2017. The electronic questionnaire contained 183 questions and covered six aspects, including demographic information about the hospitals and surgeons, surgical practice, and application of breast reconstruction. RESULTS: The selected hospitals were from 31 provinces or municipalities. The overall proportion of breast-conserving surgery (BCS) was 22%. Local gross domestic product was significantly related to the rate of BCS (p = .046). Sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed routinely in 76% of hospitals. Only 14.5% (16/110) of hospitals used the dual-tracer method, including radioisotopes. For patients with cN0 disease receiving BCS with one or two positive sentinel lymph nodes, 20% (22/110) of hospitals accepted omitting axillary lymph node dissection (ALND). For patients who underwent mastectomy, only 4% (4/110) of hospitals accepted omitting ALND. There was an obvious polarization trend in the proportion of oncoplastic breast-conserving surgery (OPS); 35/110 (32%) performed OPS in fewer than 10% of cases, whereas 36/110 (33%) performed OPS in more than 50% of cases. OPS was more likely to be performed in academic hospitals. Volume displacement was more commonly used than volume replacement (p < .001). Breast reconstruction was routinely performed in 96/110 (87%) of hospitals, 62% of which involved cooperation with the plastic surgery department. Factors influencing breast reconstruction after mastectomy included the establishment of a plastic surgery department, regional economy, and cooperation between the plastic and general surgery departments. Overall, the proportion of breast reconstruction procedures after mastectomy was 10.7%, with 70% being implant-based reconstruction, 17% autologous tissue reconstruction, and 13% a combination. Overall, 22% of the hospitals predominantly performed immediate breast reconstruction. For delayed reconstruction, two-stage implant-based breast reconstruction was the first choice for 46% of centers, whereas 20% of centers chose autologous reconstruction. Among the 96 centers that performed autologous-based reconstruction, 96% performed latissimus dorsi flap reconstruction, 65% performed transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap reconstruction, and 45% used deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps. CONCLUSION: The results are of great value for promoting the implementation of a consensus on diagnostic and treatment standards, development of guidelines for breast cancer, and training of breast specialists. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study aimed to establish comprehensive baseline data on the status of current breast cancer treatment in China by presenting the statistics on clinical treatments and surgeries, the distribution of clinical stages, and the demographic characteristics of patients. This report is based on a survey conducted by the Chinese Anti-Cancer Association's Committee of Breast Cancer Society and the Chinese Society of Breast Surgeons, which examined the use of breast cancer surgical options in hospitals all over the country and the factors hindering the adoption of procedures and techniques. This study makes a significant contribution to the literature because there are limited nationwide data regarding breast cancer surgery in China.

Highly Conductive MXene Film Actuator Based on Moisture Gradients.

MXene (Ti3 C2 Tx ) is a new 2D material with both hydrophilicity and high electrical conductivity, and it has shown promise in smart electronic devices. Reported herein is a homogeneous MXene film actuator with high electrical conductivity triggered by moisture gradients. The actuator is highly sensitive to moisture and undergoes deformation, with the maximum bending angle as high as 155° at a relative humidity difference of 65 %. Several analysis methods show that the humidity drive and large deformation of the MXene film occur in situ by asymmetric expansion of the bilayer structure. The combination of deformation and electrical conductivity makes this film applicable to flexible excavators, electrical switches, and other fields, applications that are difficult to achieve directly by using other 2D materials. More importantly, this work further expands the new application range of MXene materials and provides new opportunities for building the next generation of high-conductivity smart actuators.

Association of PTPN1 polymorphisms with breast cancer risk: A case-control study in Chinese females.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) risk, development, and prognosis were closely related to obesity, diabetes mellitus, and metabolic syndrome. Protein tyrosine phosphatase, non-receptor type 1 (PTPN1) located on chromosome 20q13, could negatively regulate insulin and leptin signaling. In this study, we determined the association of PTPN1 polymorphisms with BC risk. METHODS: We analyzed the distribution of 11 selected PTPN1 single nucleotide polymorphisms in Chinese female patients with BC (n = 953) and healthy controls (n = 963) based on a multicenter case-control study. The association of PTPN1 genotypes and haplotypes frequencies with BC risk were determined by logistic regression analysis. Analyses were further stratified by body mass index (BMI), waist-hip rate (WHR), diabetes mellitus history, and fasting plasma glucose level. The eQTL (expression Quantitative Trait Loci) analysis for PTPN1 was conducted by GTEx database. RESULTS: There were significant differences between BC cases and control groups in menopausal status, number of births, and BMI. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; rs3215684, rs3787345, rs718049, and rs718050) decreased overall BC risk, and other seven SNPs showed no significant association with BC risk. In multivariate analysis, BMI and rs3215684 DT + DD genotype were identified as independent risk factors for BC, and mutated genotypes of rs3215684 were correlated with increased PTPN1 expression. There are no haplotypes showed different frequencies between cases and controls. In the stratified analysis, rs2206656 showed a significant association with decreased BC risk in the subgroup of BMI ≤ 24 kg/m 2 , while rs3215684 and rs718049 showed lower BC risk in the subgroup of WHR > 0.85. Seven SNPs showed lower BC risk in the subgroup with diabetes mellitus history and/or fasting plasma glucose level ≥ 7 mM, while rs754118 decreased BC risk in the subgroup of fasting plasma glucose level < 7 mM. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that PTPN1 SNPs associated with BC susceptibility in Chinese females, which also suggested a novel mechanism between obesity, diabetes mellitus, and BC risk.

Integrative analysis of competing endogenous RNA networks reveals the functional lncRNAs in heart failure.

Heart failure has become one of the top causes of death worldwide. It is increasing evidence that lncRNAs play important roles in the pathology processes of multiple cardiovascular diseases. Additionally, lncRNAs can function as ceRNAs by sponging miRNAs to affect the expression level of mRNAs, implicating in numerous biological processes. However, the functional roles and regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs in heart failure are still unclear. In our study, we constructed a heart failure-related lncRNA-mRNA network by integrating probe re-annotation pipeline and miRNA-target interactions. Firstly, some lncRNAs that had the central topological features were found in the heart failure-related lncRNA-mRNA network. Then, the lncRNA-associated functional modules were identified from the network, using bidirectional hierarchical clustering. Some lncRNAs that involved in modules were demonstrated to be enriched in many heart failure-related pathways. To investigate the role of lncRNA-associated ceRNA crosstalks in certain disease or physiological status, we further identified the lncRNA-associated dysregulated ceRNA interactions. And we also performed a random walk algorithm to identify more heart failure-related lncRNAs. All these lncRNAs were verified to show a strong diagnosis power for heart failure. These results will help us to understand the mechanism of lncRNAs in heart failure and provide novel lncRNAs as candidate diagnostic biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets.

Nogo-B receptor increases the resistance to tamoxifen in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells.

BACKGROUNDS: Tamoxifen is typically used to treat patients with estrogen receptor alpha (ERα)-positive breast cancer. However, 30% of these patients gain acquired resistance to tamoxifen during or after tamoxifen treatment. As a Ras modulator, Nogo-B receptor (NgBR) is required for tumorigenesis through the signaling crosstalk with epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor (EGFR)-mediated pathways. NgBR is highly expressed in many types of cancer cells and regulates the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma to chemotherapy. In this study, we found the expression of NgBR is increased in tamoxifen-resistant ERα-positive breast cancer cells. METHODS: Tamoxifen-resistant ERα-positive MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer cell lines were established by culturing with gradually increased concentration of 4-hydroxytamoxifen (4-OHT). The effects of NgBR on tamoxifen resistance was determined by depleting NgBR in these cell lines using previously validated small interfering RNA (siRNA). The effects of 4-OHT on cell viability and apoptosis were determined using well-accepted methods such as clonogenic survival assay and Annexin V/propidium iodide staining. The alteration of EGF-stimulated signaling and gene expression was determined by western blot analysis and real-time PCR, respectively. RESULTS: NgBR knockdown with siRNA attenuates EGF-induced phosphorylation of ERα and restores the sensitivity to tamoxifen in ERα-positive breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, our data demonstrated that NgBR knockdown increases the protein levels of p53 and decreases survivin, which is an apoptosis inhibitor. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that NgBR is a potential therapeutic target for increasing the sensitivity of ERα-positive breast cancer to tamoxifen.

Inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 Signaling Pathway Suppresses Proliferation of Burkitt's Lymphoma Raji Cells via Cell Cycle Progression, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress by Modulating HSP70.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway on the proliferation, cell cycle distribution, apoptosis, and oxidative stress of Raji cells via regulating HSP70 expression. MATERIAL AND METHODS Raji cells were divided into Blank, HSP70 siRNA, NC siRNA, AG490 (a JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway inhibitor), and HSP70 siRNA + rh JAK2 (recombinant human JAK2) groups. HSP70 expression was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR); the expression levels of HSP70 and JAK2/STAT3 pathway-related proteins were evaluated by Western blotting; cell proliferation was assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays; cell cycle distribution was observed by flow cytometry; cell apoptosis was tested by Annexin V-FITC/PI and Hoechst 33342/PI staining; reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was measured by dichloro-dihydro-fluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assays; and MDA content and SOD and GSH-Px activities were determined using detection kits. RESULTS AG490 obviously down-regulated HSP70 expression, inhibited proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase, and promoted apoptosis in Raji cells; these effects were similar to the effects of HSP70 siRNA. Furthermore, ROS production and MDA content were increased in Raji cells treated with HSP70 siRNA or AG490, while SOD and GSH-Px activities were reduced. Raji cells in the HSP70 siRNA + rh JAK2 group did not significantly differ from those in the Blank group in regards to proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. CONCLUSIONS Blocking the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway may inhibit proliferation, induce cell cycle arrest, and promote oxidative stress and apoptosis in Raji cells via the down-regulation of HSP70.

Frictional Reduction with Partially Exfoliated Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes as Water-Based Lubricant Additives.

In this work, partially exfoliated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Px-CNTs) were prepared by oxidizing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and applied into water-based lubricant as a kind of new additives, resulting in an outstanding anti-friction effect. The Px-CNTs have the structures of both MWCNTs and graphene oxide nanoribbons (GONRs). The special structure could prevent aggregation in water-based lubricant and reduce friction effectively. At the same time, Px-CNTs generate both sliding and rolling friction like MWCNTs and GONRs simultaneously. The friction force of Px-CNTs tended to go up after declining with increasing its loading, suggesting the existence of optimum additive amount of additions. Compared with water, water with 0.5 wt% Px-CNTs further reduced the friction force up to 66.4%. Compared with CNTs-COOH and GONRs dispersed in water via a similar method, Px-CNTs in water displays remarkable friction characteristic, suggesting that the friction force of water with 0.5 wt% Px-CNTs is decreased by 19.82% and 13.82% compared with water with 0.3 wt% MWCNTs and GONRs.

Distinct Effects of Body Mass Index and Waist/Hip Ratio on Risk of Breast Cancer by Joint Estrogen and Progestogen Receptor Status: Results from a Case-Control Study in Northern and Eastern China and Implications for Chemoprevention.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a consideration in the pharmacologic intervention for estrogen receptor (ER) positive (ER+) breast cancer risk. Body mass index (BMI) and waist/hip ratio (WHR) have demonstrated different effects on breast cancer risk in relation to estrogen receptor (ER) status, but the results have been inconsistent. Furthermore, the situation in Chinese women remains unclear. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a case-control study including 1,439 breast cancer cases in Northern and Eastern China. Both ER and progesterone receptor (PR) statuses were available for 1,316 cases. Associations between body size-related factors and breast cancer risk defined by receptor status were assessed by multiple polytomous unconditional logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Body mass index and WHR were positively associated with overall breast cancer risk. Body mass index was positively associated with both ER+/PR positive (PR+) and ER negative (ER-)/PR negative(PR-) subtype risks, although only significantly for ER+/PR+ subtype. Waist-hip ratio was only positively correlated with ER-/PR- subtype risk, although independent of BMI. Body mass index was positively associated with risk of ER+/PR+ and ER-/PR- subtypes in premenopausal women, whereas WHR was inversely correlated with ER+/PR- and positively with ER-/PR- subtype risks. Among postmenopausal women, WHR >0.85 was associated with increased risk of ER-/PR- subtype. CONCLUSION: Both general and central obesity contribute to breast cancer risk, with different effects on specific subtypes. General obesity, indicated by BMI, is more strongly associated with ER+/PR+ subtype, especially among premenopausal women, whereas central obesity, indicated by WHR, is more specific for ER-/PR- subtype, independent of menopausal status. These results suggest that different chemoprevention strategies may be appropriate in selected individuals. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: The results of this study suggest that general and central obesity may play different roles in different breast cancer subtypes, supporting the hypothesis that obesity affects breast carcinogenesis via complex molecular interconnections, beyond the impact of estrogens. The results also imply that different chemoprevention strategies may be appropriate for selected individuals, highlighting the need to be particularly aware of women with a high waist/hip ratio but normal body mass index. Given the lack of any proven pharmacologic intervention for estrogen receptor negative breast cancer, stricter weight-control measures may be advised in these individuals.

A Randomized Multicenter Clinical Trial of RPH With the Simplified Milligan-Morgan Hemorrhoidectomy in the Treatment of Mixed Hemorrhoids.

PURPOSE: To explore the safety and efficacy of Ruiyun procedure for hemorrhoids (RPH) or RPH with the simplified Milligan-Morgan hemorrhoidectomy (sMMH) in the treatment of mixed hemorrhoids. METHODS: This is a randomized, controlled, balanced, multicenter study of 3000 patients with mixed hemorrhoids. The outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between 5 types of surgeries. RESULTS: The efficacy rate was the highest in patients who received RPH+sMMH and decreased in the following order: patients who received RPH alone, MMH alone, procedure for prolapse and hemorrhoids (PPH) alone, and PPH+sMMH ( P < .05). The operation time was the shortest in patients who received RPH alone and increased in the following order: patients who received RPH+sMMH, PPH alone, MMH alone, and PPH+sMMH ( P < .01). The duration of postoperative hospitalization stay was the shortest in patients who received RPH alone and increased in the following order: PPH alone, RPH+sMMH, PPH+sMMH, and MMH alone ( P < .01). The incidence of postoperative hemorrhage, uroschesis, anal fissure, crissum hematoma or thrombosis, and anorectal stenosis was significantly lower in patients who received RPH+sMMH than in patients who received the other 4 types of surgical treatments ( P < .05, P < .01). No significant differences in postoperative rectovaginal fistula and anal incontinence were observed between the 5 groups of patients. CONCLUSIONS: RPH with or without simplified MMH can reduce the incidence of postoperative complications and improve the curative efficacy in the treatment of patients with mixed hemorrhoids.

[Treatment of Mixed Hemorrhoids by RPH with the Simplified Milligan-Morgan Surgery: a Multi-center, Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial].

Objective To observe the safety and efficacy of RPH with the simplified. Milligan-Mor- gan(M-M) surgery on mixed hemorrhoids. Methods Totally 1 200 patients with mixed hemorrhoid were assigned to the control group(600 cases) and the treatment group(600 cases) according to randomized, parallel controlled,multi-center trial design. Patients in the control group received PPH with the simplified M-M surgery, and patients in the treatment group received RPH with the simplified M-M surgery. Postop- erative complications, operation time,the postoperative hospitalization days and the efficacy were ob- served. Results Compared with the control group, the numbers of postoperation hemorrhage, postop- erative uroschesis, anal fissure and anorectal stenosis in treatment group were decreased(P <0. 01 , P < 0. 05), operation time and the postoperative hospitalization days were decreased (P <0. 01 , P <0. 05 ), the cure rate for 3 and 12 months after operation were increased (P <0. 01, P <0. 05). Conclusions RPH with the simplified M-M surgery could reduce the incidence of postoperative complications,improve the clinical cure rate and the curative effect in treatment of mixed hemorrhoids.

Health-related quality of life of postmenopausal Chinese women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer during treatment with adjuvant aromatase inhibitors: a prospective, multicenter, non-interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Estimating quality of life (QoL) in patients with breast cancer is of importance in assessing treatment outcomes. Adjuvant endocrine therapy is widely used for hormone receptor-positive (HR+) early-stage breast cancer (EBC), and evidence suggests that aromatase inhibitors (AIs) may improve QoL for these patients. This study evaluated QoL in postmenopausal Chinese patients with HR+ EBC taking AIs. METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter, and observational study that had no intent to intervene in the current treatment of recruited patients. Eligible patients were recruited within 7 days of beginning adjuvant treatment with AIs. The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) scale was used to evaluate the patients' QoL. Data were collected at baseline and at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. RESULTS: From June 2010 to October 2013, a total of 494 patients with HR+ EBC were recruited from 21 centers. There was a 7.51-point increase in the patients' mean FACT-B trial outcome index (TOI), from 90.69 at baseline to 98.72 at 24 months (P < .0001). The mean TOI scores at baseline, 6, 12, and 18 months were 90.69, 94.36, 97.71, and 96.75, respectively (P < .0001, for all). The mean (FACT-B) emotional well-being subscale scores at baseline, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months were 16.32, 16.55, 17.34 (P < .0001), 17.47 (P < .0001), and 17.85 (P < .0001), respectively, and social well-being scores were 18.61, 19.14 (P < .04), 19.35 (P < .008), 18.32, and 18.40, respectively. In the mixed model, baseline TOI, clinical visits, prior chemotherapies, age group, and axillary lymph-node dissection presented statistically significant effects on the change of FACT-B TOI and FACT-B SWB, whereas only baseline TOI, clinical visits, and prior chemotherapies presented statistically significant effects on the change of FACT-B EWB. FACT-B TOI, being the most pertinent and precise indicator of patient-reported QoL, demonstrated significant changes reflecting clinical benefit of adjuvant AIs endocrine therapy in the QoL of HR + EBC patients. CONCLUSIONS: The study demonstrated significant improvements in the long-term QoL of postmenopausal Chinese patients with HR+ EBC at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after starting treatment with AIs. The current study indicates improved long-term QoL with AI adjuvant treatment, which will aid clinicians in optimizing treatment to yield effective healthcare outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT01144572.