Optical transmission of microwave control signal towards large-scale superconducting quantum computing.

With the rapid development of superconducting quantum computing and the implementation of surface code, large-scale quantum computing is emerging as an urgent demand. In a superconducting computing system, the qubit is maintained in a cryogenic environment to avoid thermal excitation. Thus, the transmission of control signals, which are generated at room temperature, is needed. Typically, the transmission of these signals to the qubit relies on a coaxial cable wiring approach. However, in a large-scale computing system with hundreds or even thousands of qubits, the coaxial cables will pose great space and heat load to the dilution refrigerator. Here, to tackle this problem, we propose and demonstrate a direct-modulation-based optical transmission line. In our experiment, the average single-qubit XEB error and control error are measured as 0.139% and 0.014% separately, demonstrating the feasibility of the optical wiring approach and paving the way for large-scale superconducting quantum computing.

{SeO2(OH)} Bridging Lanthanide-Containing Antimono-Seleno-Tungstates.

A series of new trigonal pyramidal {SeO2(OH)} bridging lanthanide-containing antimono-seleno-tungstates [H2N(CH3)2]8Na8Cs4H9[Ln2SeW4O11(OH)(H2O)4(SbW9O33)(SeW9O33)(Se1/2Sb1/2W9O33)]2·32H2O [Ln = Tb (1), Dy (2), Ho (3), Er (4)] have been prepared by the synthetic strategy of simultaneously using the antimonotungstate precursor and simple material in an acidic aqueous solution and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction, IR spectrometry, and thermogravimetric analysis. Their molecular structures contain an unprecedented hexameric polyoxoanion [Ln2SeW4O11(OH)(H2O)4(SbW9O33)(SeW9O33)(Se1/2Sb1/2W9O33)]229- constituted by two equivalent trimeric subunits Ln2W4O9(H2O)4(SbW9O33)(SeW9O33)(Se1/2Sb1/2W9O33) bridged via two µ2-{SeO2(OH)} linkers. Furthermore, the catalytic oxidation of various aromatic sulfides and sulfur mustard simulant 2-chloroethyl ethyl sulfide (CEES) by compound 3 as the heterogeneous catalyst has been investigated, exhibiting high conversion and selectivity as well as good stability and recyclability.

Three Double-Layered {Ni8}@{Bn}2 (n = 3, 4, 6) Cluster Sandwiched Polyoxometalates.

The reaction of [A-α-GeW9O34]10- with Ni2+ in the presence of inorganic boron sources yielded three unprecedented sandwiched Ni-added polyoxometalates (NiAPs): K6Na7H7[({Ni8(µ6-O)(OH)2}@{B3O6(OH)3}2)@(B-α-GeW9O34)2]·16H2O (1), K4Na4H12[({Ni8(µ6-O)}@{B4O8(OH)3}2)@(B-α-GeW9O34)2]·16H2O (2), and K10Na6[({Ni8(µ6-O)}@ {B6O9(OH)5}2)@(B-α-GeW9O34)2]·12H2O (3). The common feature of 1-3 is that a rare double-layered {Ni8}@{Bn}2 (n = 3,4,6) cluster is inlaid in their sandwich belts. The {Ni8} cluster is composed of two cubane {Ni4} clusters by six bridging oxygen atoms and sharing a µ6-O atom. The numbers of boron atoms in the {Ni8}@{Bn}2 (n = 3,4,6) clusters of 1-3 are different, namely, {Ni8}@{B3}2, {Ni8}@{B4}2, and {Ni8}@{B6}2 clusters. To the best of our knowledge, such architectures containing a double-layered {Ni8}@{Bn}2 (n = 3,4,6) cluster in the sandwich belts are the first observed in POM chemistry. Furthermore, 2 was investigated as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation of various aldehydes with malononitrile at room temperature.

{Ti12} Cluster-Added Poly(polyoxometalate) Containing Mixed Trivacant Keggin and Dawson Fragments.

A new high-nuclear Ti-oxo-cluster-added poly(polyoxometalate) Cs2Na19H12[(Cs@Ti12O18)@{(A-α-SiW9O34) (P2W15O56)3}]·29H2O (1) has been made by reacting two types of trivacant precursors with TiOSO4 under hydrothermal conditions. The polyoxoanion of 1 contains one Keggin-type [A-α-SiW9O34]10- and three Dawson-type [P2W15O56]12- fragments that synergistically induce the Ti4+ ions to aggregate at vacant sites, resulting in a large {Ti12}-oxo-cluster cavity sealing a Cs+ ion. It is worth noting that the {Ti12} cluster is built by three edge-shared Ti3O13 ({Ti3}1) cores and one corner-shared Ti3O15 ({Ti3}2) core bridged via 6 µ2-O, which has never been seen before in polyoxometalate chemistry. Significantly, 1 represents the first example of [A-α-SiW9O34]10- and [P2W15O56]12- simultaneously participating in making poly(polyoxometalate).

Residual plasma Epstein-Barr virus DNA after intensity-modulated radiation therapy is associated with poor outcomes in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Aim: To investigate the effects of residual plasma Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA levels after 3 months of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) (postIMRT-EBV DNA) on prognosis in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: Data from 300 patients were retrospectively collected for analysis. Results: Of these patients, 25 (8.3%) and 275 (91.7%) had positive and negative postIMRT-EBV DNA, respectively. Multivariate survival analysis showed that EBV DNA >688 IU/ml was independently associated with inferior distant metastasis-free survival (p = 0.003) and progression-free survival (p = 0.002). Moreover, postIMRT-EBV DNA was independently associated with inferior locoregional recurrence-free survival (hazard ratio: 4.325; p = 0.018), distant metastasis-free survival (hazard ratio: 10.226; p < 0.001) and progression-free survival (hazard ratio: 10.520; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Positive postIMRT-EBV DNA is a prognostic biomarker for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

[Research progress on anti-inflammatory effects of plant-derived cannabinoid type 2 receptor modulators].

Excessive and persistent inflammatory responses are a potential pathological condition that can lead to diseases of various systems, including nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and endocrine systems. Cannabinoid type 2 receptor(CB2R) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family and is widely distributed in immune cells, peripheral tissues, and the central nervous system. It plays a role in inflammatory responses under various pathological conditions. The down-regulation of CB2R activity is an important marker of inflammation and and CB2R modulators have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study explored the relationship between CB2R and inflammatory responses, delved into its regulatory mechanisms in inflammatory diseases, and summarized the research progress on CB2R modulators from plants other than cannabis, including plant extracts and monomeric compounds, in exerting anti-inflammatory effects. The aim is to provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Synaptic loss and progression in mice infected with Angiostrongylus cantonensis in the early stage.

BACKGROUND: Angiostrongylus cantonensis is also known as rat lungworm. Infection with this parasite is a zoonosis that can cause eosinophilic meningitis and/or eosinophilic meningoencephalitis in humans and may lead to fatal outcomes in severe cases. In this study, we explored the mechanisms of the impairments in the cognitive functions of mice infected with A. cantonensis. METHODS: In infected mice with different infective intensities at different timepoint postinfection, loss and recovery of cognitive functions such as learning and memory abilities were determined. Neuronal death and damage to synaptic structures were analyzed by Western blotting and IHC in infected mice with different infection intensities at different timepoint postinfection. RESULTS: The results of behavioral tests, pathological examinations, and Golgi staining showed that nerve damage caused by infection in mice occurred earlier than pathological changes of the brain. BDNF was expressed on 14 day post-infection. Cleaved caspase-3 increased significantly in the late stage of infection. However, IHC on NeuN indicated that no significant changes in the number of neurons were found between the infected and uninfected groups. CONCLUSIONS: The synaptic loss caused by the infection of A. cantonensis provides a possible explanation for the impairment of cognitive functions in mice. The loss of cognitive functions may occur before severe immunological and pathological changes in the infected host.

High-Nuclear Ni-Substituted Poly(polyoxometalate) Containing an Anderson-like {Cs7} Cluster.

A novel high-nuclear Ni-substituted poly(polyoxometalate) [poly(POM)], [H2N(CH3)2]2Na18Cs2H13[(Cs7(H2O)6)@{(PO4)-@(Ni4(OH)3(WO4))3@(B-α-PW9O34)3}2]·30H2O (1), has been successfully developed and structurally characterized. The polyoxoanion of 1 can be viewed as a unique huge sandwich structure made of an unprecedented Cs7(H2O)6 ({Cs7}) cluster core encapsulated by two trimeric [(PO4)@(Ni4(OH)3(WO4))3@(B-α-PW9O34)3]21- subunits, in which the {Cs7} cluster presents an interesting Anderson-like arrangement and is the first example of a classical POM configuration based on the alkali metal cluster in the POM chemistry. The polyoxoanion can also be described as an unusual [(Cs7(H2O)6)@{(PO4)@(Ni4(OH)3(WO4))3}2]19+ cluster packaged by six {PW9} fragments. Furthermore, investigations on the Knoevenagel condensation reaction reveal that 1 has good catalytic activity for the condensation of various aldehydes and malononitrile into corresponding products with excellent yields.

Identification of Novel Cannabinoid CB2 Receptor Agonists from Botanical Compounds and Preliminary Evaluation of Their Anti-Osteoporotic Effects.

As cannabinoid CB2 receptors (CB2R) possess various pharmacological effects-including anti-epilepsy, analgesia, anti-inflammation, anti-fibrosis, and regulation of bone metabolism-without the psychoactive side effects induced by cannabinoid CB1R activation, they have become the focus of research and development of new target drugs in recent years. The present study was intended to (1) establish a double luciferase screening system for a CB2R modulator; (2) validate the agonistic activities of the screened compounds on CB2R by determining cAMP accumulation using HEK293 cells that are stably expressing CB2R; (3) predict the binding affinity between ligands and CB2 receptors and characterize the binding modes using molecular docking; (4) analyze the CB2 receptors-ligand complex stability, conformational behavior, and interaction using molecular dynamics; and (5) evaluate the regulatory effects of the screened compounds on bone metabolism in osteoblasts and osteoclasts. The results demonstrated that the screening system had good stability and was able to screen cannabinoid CB2R modulators from botanical compounds. Altogether, nine CB2R agonists were identified by screening from 69 botanical compounds, and these CB2R agonists exhibited remarkable inhibitory effects on cAMP accumulation and good affinity to CB2R, as evidenced by the molecular docking and molecular dynamics. Five of the nine CB2R agonists could stimulate osteoblastic bone formation and inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption. All these findings may provide useful clues for the development of novel anti-osteoporotic drugs and help elucidate the mechanism underlying the biological activities of CB2R agonists identified from the botanical materials.

circ-PTK2 (hsa_circ_0008305) regulates the pathogenic processes of ovarian cancer via miR-639 and FOXC1 regulatory cascade.

BACKGROUND: Precise quantification of microRNA is challenging since circulating mRNA and rRNA in the blood are usually degraded. Therefore, it is necessary to identify specific biomarkers for ovarian cancer. This study aimed to investigate candidate circular RNAs (circRNAs) involved in the pathogenic process of ovarian cancer after inhibition of chromodomain helicase DNA binding protein 1-like (CHD1L) and the corresponding mechanism. METHODS: CHD1L mRNA-targeted siRNA was designed and induced a decreased level of CHD1L function in SK-OV-3 and OVCAR-3 cells observed via transwell and wound healing assays and assessment of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related protein expression by immunofluorescence (IF) and western blotting (WB). After decreasing the level of CHD1L, RNA-seq was conducted, and the circRNA expression profiles were obtained. cirRNAs were then selected and validated by PCR together with Sanger sequencing, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), and reverse transcriptase-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Selected circRNA function in vitro was adjusted via interference and overexpression and assessed via transwell assay, tube formation, and EMT-related protein assay by IF and WB; tumor formation in vivo was followed via hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry of EMT-related proteins. Based on the competing endogenous RNA prediction of circRNA targets, candidate miRNAs were found, and their downstream mRNAs targeted by the selected miRNA were identified and validated by luciferase assay. The functions of these selected miRNA and mRNA were then further investigated through transwell and WB assay of EMT-related proteins. RESULTS: CHD1L was significantly upregulated in ovarian cancer tissues and patients with higher expression of CHD1L had a shorter relapse-free survival (P < 0.001) and overall survival (P < 0.001). Inhibiting the level of CHD1L significantly decreased cell migration and invasion (P < 0.05), increased the expression of epithelial markers, and decreased the expression of mesenchymal markers. Following inhibition of CHD1L expression, RNA-seq was conducted and 82 circRNAs had significantly upregulated expression, while 247 had significantly downregulated expression. The circRNAs were validated by PCR, and hsa_circ_0008305 (circ-PTK2) was selected and further validated by Sanger sequencing, FISH, and RT-qPCR. Circ-PTK2 expression was significantly higher in the ovarian cancer tissues compared with normal ovary tissues (P < 0.001). By regulating the level of circ-PTK2 with siRNA and an overexpression vector, expression of circ-PTK2 was found to be positively correlated to cell migration and invasion. Overexpression of circ-PTK2 enhanced tumor formation and was correlated to expression of EMT pathway markers. Prediction of the target of circ-PTK2 was validated with dual luciferase assay and identified miR-639 and FOXC1 as the valid target of circ-PTK2 and miR-639, respectively. The RNA level of miR-639 was negatively correlated to cell proliferation and migration, whereas the mRNA level of FOXC1 was positively correlated to those processes. miR-639 mimics reversed the function of circ-PTK2 overexpression; however, interference of FOXC1 mRNA also reversed the function of circ-PTK2. CONCLUSIONS: circ-PTK2 is an important molecule in regulating the pathogenic processes of ovarian cancer via the miR-639 and FOXC1 regulatory cascade.

{Ti6}/{Ti10} Wheel Cluster Substituted Silicotungstate Aggregates.

Two novel Ti-oxo wheel cluster substituted silicotungstates (STs) [H2N(CH3)2]9H9[Ti6O6(SiW10O37)3]·11H2O (1) and [H2N(CH3)2]16H10[Ti10O11(SiW10O37)2(SiW9O35)2]·14H2O (2) have been made by hydrothermal reactions. The polyoxoanion of 1 is a ring-shaped trimer where a Ti6O6 ({Ti6}) wheel cluster is encapsulated by three divacant [SiW10O37]10- (SiW10O37) fragments. However, 2 is built by two divacant SiW10O37 units and two rare trivacant [SiW9O35]12- (SiW9O35) fragments and further installs an unprecedented Ti10O11 ({Ti10}) double-wheel cluster. To the best of our knowledge, 2 is rare in POM chemistry. Studies on the catalytic oxidation properties reveal that 1 exhibits high catalytic activity toward the oxidation of various sulfides using H2O2 as an oxidant. Furthermore, 1 can be facilely recycled and reused for at least five cycles without obvious loss of catalytic activity.

A {Ti6W4}-Cluster-Substituted Polyoxotungstate: Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Oxidation Properties.

A novel Ti-W-O-cluster-substituted tungstoantimonate (TA), [H2N(CH3)2]3Na4H9[{Ti6W4O18(OH)(H2O)3}(B-α-SbW9O33)3]·20H2O (1), has been made by hydrothermal reactions of trivacant [B-α-SbW9O33]9- units, Ti4+ cations, and WO42- anions in the presence of [H2N(CH3)2]·Cl and structurally characterized. Intriguingly, the polyoxoanion of 1 is constructed from three [B-α-SbW9O33]9- units and a previously unobserved decanuclear heterometallic Ti-W-O cluster [Ti6W4O18(OH)(H2O)3]11+ ({Ti6W4}) that is comprised of an octahedral [Ti6WO6(H2O)3]18+ cluster and an edge-sharing [W3O12(OH)]7- fragment via six W-O-Ti/W linkers. Furthermore, studies on the catalytic oxidation properties reveal that 1 possesses good catalytic activity toward the oxidation reactions of various sulfides and cyclooctene based on the environmentally friendly oxidant H2O2.

A µ-AsO4-Bridging Hexadecanuclear Ni-Substituted Polyoxotungstate.

A novel tetrahedral µ-AsO4-bridging hexadecanuclear Ni-substituted silicotungstate (ST) Na21H10[(AsO4){Ni8(OH)6(H2O)2(CO3)2(A-α-SiW9O34)2}2]·60H2O (1) was made by the reactions of trivacant [A-α-SiW9O34]10- ({SiW9}) units with Ni2+ cations and Na3AsO4·12H2O and characterized by IR spectrometry, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD). 1 contains a novel polyoxoanion [(AsO4){Ni8(OH)6(H2O)2(CO3)2(A-α-SiW9O34)2}2]31- built by four trivacant Keggin [A-α-SiW9O34]10- fragments linked through an unprecedented [(AsO4){Ni8(OH)6(H2O)2(CO3)2}2]9+ cluster, where the tetrahedral AsO4 acts as an exclusively µ2-bridging unit to link multiple Ni centers; such a connection mode appears for the first time in polyoxometalate chemistry. Furthermore, the electrochemical and catalytic oxidation properties of compound 1 have been investigated.

Adjuvant chemotherapy and survival outcome in node-negative breast cancer with a 21-gene recurrence score of 26-30.

Aim: To investigate the benefit of chemotherapy among early-stage breast cancer patients with 21-gene recurrence scores of 26-30. Methods: We identified 3754 patients in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Results: 57.6% of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Patients with higher tumor grade, larger tumors and younger age were more likely to receive chemotherapy. The receipt of chemotherapy was independently associated with better breast cancer-specific survival than in patients without chemotherapy before (p = 0.016) and after (p = 0.043) propensity score matching. The sensitivity analyses showed that survival gain was pronounced in patients with poorly differentiated or undifferentiated disease. Conclusions: Adjuvant chemotherapy improves the outcome for early-stage breast cancer with 21-gene recurrence score of 26-30, especially for patients with high-grade tumors.

Lay abstract In current clinical practice, the 21-gene recurrence score has been developed for chemotherapy decision-making based on prognostic risk stratification, especially for patients with tumor size ≤5 cm, node-negative, hormone receptor-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer. However, the chemotherapy benefit in breast cancer patients with a 21-gene recurrence score (RS) of 26­30 is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the survival benefit of additional chemotherapy for early-stage breast cancer patients with RS 26­30 using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data. Our study suggests that the RS 26­30 group is regarded as a uniform entity by clinicians. Adjuvant chemotherapy improves the outcome for early-stage breast cancer patients with RS 26­30, especially for patients with high-grade tumors.

[Research progress on natural cannabinoid receptor type 2( CB2R)regulators and their effects on bone metabolism].

Cannabinoid receptor type 2( CB2 R),a member of the G protein-coupled receptor( GPCR) superfamily,has a variety of biological activities,such as regulating pain response,resisting inflammation and fibrosis,and mediating bone metabolism. Some CB2 R regulators exhibit a good regulatory effect on bone metabolism. Cannabinoids in Cannabis sativa can cause psychoactive effects despite various pharmacological actions they exerted by targeting CB2 R. Therefore,it is of great significance to discover CB2 R regulators in non-Cannabis plants for finding new lead compounds without psychoactive effects and elucidating the action mechanism of plant drugs. The present study clarifies the discovery,structure,and physiological functions of CB2 R,especially its regulatory effects on bone metabolism,summarized CB2 R regulators extracted from non-Cannabis plants,and systematically analyzes the regulatory effects of CB2 R regulators on bone metabolism in animals,osteoblasts,and osteoclasts,to provide a scientific basis for the discovery of new CB2 R regulators and the development of anti-osteoporotic drugs.

Three Zr(IV)-Substituted Polyoxotungstate Aggregates: Structural Transformation from Tungstoantimonate to Tungstophosphate Induced by pH.

Three novel Zr-substituted polyoxotungstate aggregates [H2N(CH3)2]7NaH2[Zr2Sb2O3(A-α-PW9O34)2]·16H2O (1), [H2N(CH3)2]6H12[ZrSb4(OH)O2(A-α-PW8O32)(A-α-PW9O34)]2·33H2O (2), and [H2N(CH3)2]4Na11.5H4.5[Zr4W8Sb4P5O49(OH)5(B-α-SbW9O33)2]·53H2O (3) have been made in hydrothermal reactions of the [B-α-SbW9O33]9- precursor with Zr4+ cations and PO43- anions in the presence of dimethylamine hydrochloride and sodium acetate buffer (pH = 4.8) and structurally characterized. Different pH values induce structural transformation from tungstoantimonate (TA) to tungstophosphate (TP). 1 is a di-Zr-substituted sandwich-type TP, the tetranuclear heterometallic [Zr2Sb2O3]8+ entity sandwiched by two [A-α-PW9O34]9- moieties. 2 is a double sandwich-type structure, which can be perceived as two equivalent sandwiched [Sb3(PW8O32)(PW9O34)]11- further sandwiching one [Sb2Zr2(OH)2O4]4+ core to form a novel large-size sandwich-type architecture. Different from 1 and 2, 3 is a tetra-Zr-substituted sandwiched configuration, in which two [B-α-SbW9O33]9- fragments sandwich a unique 21-core Sb-P-W-Zr oxo cluster ({Zr4W8Sb4P5}). Furthermore, the catalytic oxidation of aromatic thioethers by 3 as the heterogeneous catalyst has been investigated, showing high conversion and remarkable selectivity as well as excellent recyclability.

Nonanuclear Heterometal Five-Layer Sandwich-Type Polyoxometalate.

A new nonanuclear heterometal five-layer sandwich silicotungstate [H2N(CH3)2]6H5NaK{[NaMn8O6(OAc)6][A-α-SiW9O34]2}·34H2O (1) has been made under hydrothermal reactions of MnCl2·4H2O, KMnO4, trivacant [A-α-SiW9O34]10- {SiW9} fragment, and [H2N(CH3)2]·Cl in NaOAc-HOAc buffer (pH = 4.8). The polyoxoanion of 1 is a sandwich architecture, in which the nonanuclear heterometal cluster [NaMn8O6(OAc)6]7+ made of two triangular pyramid clusters [Mn4O3(OAc)3]3+ {Mn4} via a hexacoordinate antitrigonal prism Na+ linkage is encapsulated by two trivacant fragments of {SiW9}. Furthermore, magnetic measurements of compound 1 reveal the existence of antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the metal centers.

Two Ce3+-Substituted Selenotungstates Regulated by N, N-Dimethylethanolamine and Dimethylamine Hydrochloride.

Two multi-Ce3+-substituted selenotungstates (STs), [HDMEA][H2N(CH3)2]4H3Na4[Ce2(H2O)6(DMEA)W4O9(α-SeW9O33)3]·26H2O (1) and [H2N(CH3)2]10H4Na10[Ce2W4O9(H2O)7(α-SeW9O33)3]2·63H2O (2), were prepared by the one-pot approach of sodium tungstate, sodium selenite, and lanthanide nitrate in an acidic water solution in the presence of N, N-dimethylethanolamine (DMEA) or dimethylamine hydrochloride (DMAHC). 1 was obained in the presence of DMEA, whereas 2 was synthesized in the presence of DMAHC. The trimeric polyoxoanion of 1 contains an unusual V-shaped [Se3W29O103]20- group embracing a prominent heterometal oxide fragment, [Ce2(H2O)6(DMEA)W2O5]8+, and the hexameric polyoxoanion of 2 is constructed from two equivalent trimeric [Ce2W4O9(H2O)7(SeW9O33)3]224- subunits through two -O-W-O-Ce-O- linkages. The most worthy of attention is that the polyoxoanion of 1 can be approximatively viewed as a half of the polyoxoanion of 2 because of the coordination and blocking effect of DMEA. The stability of 1 and 2 in different water pH values was studied by electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS), and the results manifest that 1 and 2 are stable in pH = 3.5-7.5 and 3.5-7.0, respectively. The oxidation reactions of aromatic sulfides catalyzed by H2O2 were studied when 1 or 2 worked as a catalyst, and experimental results reveal that 1 or 2 can serve as available catalysts for the oxidation of aromatic sulfides under mild conditions.

The 1-year mortality after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a population-based analysis.

Aim: To assess the incidence and predictors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)-specific mortality in the first year among NPC patients. Methods: We identified 2714 patients in the SEER program. Results: Of the patients, 151 (5.6%) patients who died as NPC-related disease within 1 year of diagnosis. Specifically, 67.5% of the NPC-related deaths were attributed to keratinizing tumors, while 67.6% were attributed to advanced T stage. Older age, keratinizing squamous tumors and stage T3-4 disease were independent predictors of 1-year NPC-related death. Conclusion: The 1-year mortality rate is low among NPC patients after radiotherapy. Older age, keratinizing tumor and advanced T stage are predictors of high-mortality risk within 1 year in NPC patients.

Proteomic analysis of excretory-secretory products from young adults of Angiostrongylus cantonensis.

BACKGROUND: Angiostrongyliasis is caused by the nematode Angiostrongylus cantonensis and can lead to eosinophilic meningitis and meningoencephalitis in humans. The young adult worms play central pathogenic roles in the central nervous system (CNS); however, the underlying mechanism is unclear. Excretory-secretory products (ESPs) are good investigation targets for studying the relationship between a host and its parasite. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to profile, identify, and characterise the proteins in the ESPs of A. cantonensis young adults. METHODS: The ESPs of young adult worms were collected from culture medium after incubation ranging from 24 to 96 h. Proteomic and bioinformatics analyses were performed to characterise the ESPs. FINDINGS: A total of 51 spots were identified, and the highly expressed proteins included two protein disulphide isomerases, one calreticulin, and three uncharacterised proteins. Subsequently, approximately 254 proteins were identified in the ESPs of A. cantonensis young adults via liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis, and these were further classified according to their characteristics and biological functions. Finally, we identified the immunoreactive proteins from a reference map of ESPs from A. cantonensis young adults. Approximately eight proteins were identified, including a protein disulphide isomerase, a putative aspartic protease, annexin, and five uncharacterised proteins. The study established and identified protein reference maps for the ESPs of A. cantonensis young adults. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: The identified proteins may be potential targets for the development of diagnostic or therapeutic agents for human angiostrongyliasis.