LECT2, a Ligand for Tie1, Plays a Crucial Role in Liver Fibrogenesis.

Liver fibrosis is a very common condition seen in millions of patients with various liver diseases, and yet no effective treatments are available owing to poorly characterized molecular pathogenesis. Here, we show that leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) is a functional ligand of Tie1, a poorly characterized endothelial cell (EC)-specific orphan receptor. Upon binding to Tie1, LECT2 interrupts Tie1/Tie2 heterodimerization, facilitates Tie2/Tie2 homodimerization, activates PPAR signaling, and inhibits the migration and tube formations of EC. In vivo studies showed that LECT2 overexpression inhibits portal angiogenesis, promotes sinusoid capillarization, and worsens fibrosis, whereas these changes were reversed in Lect2-KO mice. Adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 (AAV9)-LECT2 small hairpin RNA (shRNA) treatment significantly attenuates fibrosis. Upregulation of LECT2 is associated with advanced human liver fibrosis staging. We concluded that targeting LECT2/Tie1 signaling may represent a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis, and serum LECT2 level may be a potential biomarker for the screening and diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

Small-Intensity Rainfall Triggers Greater Contamination of Rubber-Derived Chemicals in Road Stormwater Runoff from Various Functional Areas in Megalopolis Cities.

Rubber-derived chemicals (RDCs) originating from tire and road wear particles are transported into road stormwater runoff, potentially threatening organisms in receiving watersheds. However, there is a lack of knowledge on time variation of novel RDCs in runoff, limiting initial rainwater treatment and subsequent rainwater resource utilization. In this study, we investigated the levels and time-concentration profiles of 35 target RDCs in road stormwater runoff from eight functional areas in the Greater Bay Area, South China. The results showed that the total concentrations of RDCs were the highest on the expressway compared with other seven functional areas. N-(1,3-Dimethylbutyl)-N'-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine (6PPD), 6PPD-quinone, benzothiazole, and 1,3-diphenylguanidine were the top four highlighted RDCs (ND-228840 ng/L). Seasonal and spatial differences revealed higher RDC concentrations in the dry season as well as in less-developed regions. A lag effect of reaching RDC peak concentrations in road stormwater runoff was revealed, with a lag time of 10-90 min on expressways. Small-intensity rainfall triggers greater contamination of rubber-derived chemicals in road stormwater runoff. Environmental risk assessment indicated that 35% of the RDCs posed a high risk, especially PPD-quinones (risk quotient up to 2663). Our findings contribute to a better understanding of managing road stormwater runoff for RDC pollution.

Effect of cardiac function in patients with gastrointestinal cancer with or without acute kidney injury assessed using a non-invasive impedance cardiography: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the possible causes of changes in cardiac function and investigate the feasibility of clinical assessment of gastrointestinal cancer in patients with or without acute kidney injury (AKI) assessed using a non-invasive impedance cardiography (ICG, Bioz. Cardio Dynamics, USA) to identify independent risk factors. METHODS: Patients admitted to the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University, China, between May 1, 2019, and February 15, 2022, were included in this study. A total of 51 patients with gastrointestinal cancer (31 men and 20 women, mean age 61.1 ± 10.9 years) with or without AKI were evaluated for ICG. A total of 19 patients underwent ultrasound cardiography (UCG) and ICG evaluations. RESULT: There was a significant positive correlation between cardiac output (CO), cardiac index (CI), stroke volume (SV), left cardiac work index (LCWI), and ejection fraction (EF) measured using UCG and ICG. The relationship was observed between COICG and COUCG (r = 0.707, P = 0.001), CIICG and CIUCG (r = 0.718, P = 0.001), SVICG and SVUCG (r = 0.837, P < 0.001), and LCWIICG and EFUCG (r = 0.540, P = 0.017). Cardiac function parameters measured using ICG were statistically different between patients with gastrointestinal cancer with or without AKI (P ≤ 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that AKI independently affects cardiac function in patients with gastrointestinal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: UCG and ICG methods are significantly associated with cardiac function in patients with or without AKI, and patients with gastrointestinal cancer with AKI are worse than those without AKI. AKI is an independent risk factor for cardiac function in patients with gastrointestinal cancer.

Mena as a key enhancer factor of EMT to promote metastasis of human tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of mammalian-enabled (Mena) on tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) metastasis and its mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Immunochemistry was performed to investigate the Mena and tumor-related markers expression, and its clinicopathological characteristics in 46 TSCC specimens. TSCC cell SCC9 and Cal27 untransfected or stable transfected with Mena overexpression and small interfering RNA were used to determine the role of Mena in cell proliferation, cell migration, invasion and metastasis, and EMT-related markers in vitro, and the effect of Mena on TSCC growth and metastasis through tumor-bearing and tumor metastasis immunodeficient mice models in vivo. RESULTS: Immunochemistry showed that the expression of Mena was significantly correlated with lymphatic metastasis and TNM stage, E-cadherin, Vimentin, and MMP2. Mena did not affect cell proliferation and colony formation in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo. However, it promoted cell migration and invasion in vitro, and TSCC metastasis in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: Mena expression is associated with lymphatic metastasis and tumor stage and promotes TSCC invasion and metastasis by inducing the EMT process. Thus, Mena may be a biomarker for prognosis and targeted therapy in TSCC patients.

Tailoring Topological Transitions of Anisotropic Polaritons by Interface Engineering in Biaxial Crystals.

Polaritons in polar biaxial crystals with extreme anisotropy offer a promising route to manipulate nanoscale light-matter interactions. The dynamic modulation of their dispersion is of great significance for future integrated nano-optics but remains challenging. Here, we report tunable topological transitions in biaxial crystals enabled by interface engineering. We theoretically demonstrate such tailored polaritons at the interface of heterostructures between graphene and α-phase molybdenum trioxide (α-MoO3). The interlayer coupling can be modulated by both the stack of graphene and α-MoO3 and the magnitude of the Fermi level in graphene enabling a dynamic topological transition. More interestingly, we found that the wavefront transition occurs at a constant Fermi level when the thickness of α-MoO3 is tuned. Furthermore, we also experimentally verify the hybrid polaritons in the graphene/α-MoO3 heterostructure with different thicknesses of α-MoO3. The interface engineering offers new insights into optical topological transitions, which may shed new light on programmable polaritonics, energy transfer, and neuromorphic photonics.

Pyruvate Upregulates Hepatic FGF21 Expression by Activating PDE and Inhibiting cAMP-Epac-CREB Signaling Pathway.

Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) functions as a polypeptide hormone to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, and its expression is regulated by cellular metabolic stress. Pyruvate is an important intermediate metabolite that acts as a key hub for cellular fuel metabolism. However, the effect of pyruvate on hepatic FGF21 expression and secretion remains unknown. Herein, we examined the gene expression and protein levels of FGF21 in human hepatoma HepG2 cells and mouse AML12 hepatocytes in vitro, as well as in mice in vivo. In HepG2 and AML12 cells, pyruvate at concentrations above 0.1 mM significantly increased FGF21 expression and secretion. The increase in cellular cAMP levels by adenylyl cyclase activation, phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibition and 8-Bromo-cAMP administration significantly restrained pyruvate-stimulated FGF21 expression. Pyruvate significantly increased PDE activities, reduced cAMP levels and decreased CREB phosphorylation. The inhibition of exchange protein directed activated by cAMP (Epac) and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) upregulated FGF21 expression, upon which pyruvate no longer increased FGF21 expression. The increase in plasma pyruvate levels in mice induced by the intraperitoneal injection of pyruvate significantly increased FGF21 gene expression and PDE activity with a reduction in cAMP levels and CREB phosphorylation in the mouse liver compared with the control. In conclusion, pyruvate activates PDEs to reduce cAMP and then inhibits the cAMP-Epac-CREB signaling pathway to upregulate FGF21 expression in hepatocytes.

The self-assembled zein hydrolysate-curcumin nanocomplex: improvement on the stability and sustainable release of curcumin.

BACKGROUND: The bioavailability of curcumin (Cur) is generally limited by its poor stability. However, it is beneficial to improve the stability of Cur by using self-assembled zein hydrolysate (ZH) as delivery carrier. This paper aimed to explore the formation mechanism of zein hydrolysate-curcumin nanocomplexes as a function of critical micelle concentration (CMC). RESULTS: In this work, The CMC of ZH (0.535 mg mL-1 ) was obtained by the pyrene fluorescent probe method. ZH-Cur nanocomplexes undergo hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions, and the fluorescence quenching effect was concentration dependent with the process of static quenching. Moreover, the differences of colloidal properties on ZH and ZH-Cur nanocomplexes were systematically compared by dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy near CMC. ZH presented irregular spherical shapes and would aggregate to form micelles at the CMC and above. The tight micellar structure promoted more uniform size distribution (double peaks reduced) and higher potentials (over -30 mV) within 10 days. In addition, the nanocomplexes demonstrated an obvious core-shell structure. Within 10 days of storage, the particle size distributions were uniform and the potentials increased significantly, indicating that the micellar nanostructure made the Cur stably embedded in the hydrophobic core of ZH. Finally, ZH-Cur nanocomplexes effectively improved the water solubility and encapsulation rate (over 70%) of Cur. Moreover, over 90% of Cur was released steadily within 91 h. CONCLUSION: This work provided a theoretical basis for the application of amphiphilic peptide micellar nanostructure as novel food-grade nanocarriers to transport hydrophobic bioactive substances. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effect of concentrated growth factor (CGF) on postoperative sequel of completely impacted lower third molar extraction: a randomized controlled clinical study.

BACKGROUND: The surgical extraction of impacted third molars is one of the most common procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery, which associated with several postoperative complications. The aim of this clinical trial was to estimate the implication of concentrated growth factor (CGF) on postoperative sequelae after the completely impacted lower third molar extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 74 sides of 37 participants who had completely bilateral impacted lower third molars were enrolled in this split-mouth, randomized single­blind, clinical trial. Surgical extraction was undertaken on both sides of the mandible. Randomization was achieved by opaque, sealed envelopes. The postoperative outcomes including wound healing, swelling and pain were clinically assessed at different-time intervals(1st, 3rd and 7th days). A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The wound healing index was significantly better in the test sides (P = 0.001). Regarding the facial swelling, the test sides had significantly less values than the control sides, particularly on the 1st (1.01 ± .57 vs. 1.55 ± .56) and 3rd days (1.42 ± 0.8 vs. 2.63 ± 1.2) postoperatively. Nonetheless, the swelling was disappeared within the 7th day in both sides. The pain scores of visual analog scale were no a statistically significant difference between both sides on the 1st day, meanwhile, the pain scores were significantly lower in the test sides compared with the control sides, especially on the 3rd (P = 0.001) and 7th days (P < 0.001) postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The application of CGF following the surgical extraction of lower third molar has accelerated the healing of soft tissues as well as reduced postoperative sequelae such as swelling and pain. Therefore, the CGF could be promoted among clinicians during the lower third molar surgical extraction. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was registered with the TCTR identification number TCTR20210325002 on 25/03/2021 at Thai Clinical Trials Register-Medical Research Foundation of Thailand (MRF). Also it was ethically approved from the institutional ethics committee at the Hospital of Stomatology, Xian Jiaotong University, Xian, China (No: 032), and has been conducted in accordance to the guidelines of the declaration of Helsinki. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants in the study.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the different developmental stages of ovary in red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii.

BACKGROUND: The red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii is a freshwater species that possesses high adaptability, environmental tolerance, and fecundity. P. clarkii is artificially farmed on a large scale in China. However, the molecular mechanisms of ovarian development in P. clarkii remain largely unknown. In this study, we identified four stages of P. clarkii ovary development, the previtellogenic stage (stage I), early vitellogenic stage (stage II), middle vitellogenic stage (stage III), and mature stage (stage IV) and compared the transcriptomics among these four stages through next-generation sequencing (NGS). RESULTS: The total numbers of clean reads of the four stages ranged from 42,013,648 to 62,220,956. A total of 216,444 unigenes were obtained, and the GC content of most unigenes was slightly less than the AT content. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Anosim analysis demonstrated that the grouping of these four stages was feasible, and each stage could be distinguished from the others. In the expression pattern analysis, 2301 genes were continuously increase from stage I to stage IV, and 2660 genes were sharply decrease at stage IV compared to stages I-III. By comparing each of the stages at the same time, four clusters of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found to be uniquely highly expressed in stage I (136 genes), stage II (43 genes), stage III-IV (49 genes), and stage IV (22 genes), thus exhibiting developmental stage specificity. Moreover, in comparisons between adjacent stages, the number of DEGs between stage III and IV was the highest. GO enrichment analysis demonstrated that nutrient reservoir activity was highest at stage II and that this played a foreshadowing role in ovarian development, and the GO terms of cell, intracellular and organelle participated in the ovary maturation during later stages. In addition, KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the early development of the ovary was mainly associated with the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway and focal adhesion; the middle developmental period was related to apoptosis, lysine biosynthesis, and the NF-kappa B signaling pathway; the late developmental period was involved with the cell cycle and the p53 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: These transcriptomic data provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of ovarian development in P. clarkii. The results will be helpful for improving the reproduction and development of this aquatic species.

The fabrication of LiNbO3 memristors for electronic synapses using oxygen annealing.

Based on the LiNbO3 (LN) single crystal thin film prepared using Ar+ etching, an LN thin film memristor was fabricated by oxygen annealing. Atomic force microscope, scanning electron microscope and electron paramagnetic resonance test results show that the method uniformly reduces the amount of oxygen vacancies on the surface of the material. The current-voltage scanning (I-V scanning), retention and endurance test results show that this method effectively reduces the possibility of breakdown and increases the retention and endurance performance of the device. By adjusting the parameters of the electric pulse, the annealed sample successfully emulated spike-rate dependent plasticity, pulse-paired facilitation, post-tetanic potentiation, Ebbinghaus forgetting curve and the spike-time dependent plasticity. These results indicate that the device prepared herein could be used as an electronic synapse in the field of brain-like neuromorphic computing systems.

Hydroxyl/amino and Fe(III) co-grafted graphite carbon nitride for photocatalytic removal of volatile organic compounds.

Hydroxyl/amino and Fe(III) co-grafted graphite carbon nitride (CN) is fabricated via alkaline hydrothermal treatment and followed by an impregnation adsorption process. In this unique fabrication, hydroxyl and amino groups enriched on the surface play a vital role in improving the adsorption capacity for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), while the grafted amorphous Fe(III) clusters could dominantly regulate the path of molecular oxygen activation via photo-Fenton reaction, and change the selectivity of intermediate reactive oxygen species (ROS) with the assistant of the rich surficial hydroxyl groups. Meanwhile, both the grafted functional groups and Fe(III) clusters can serve as photogenerated charge acceptors for collaboratively accelerating carriers' separation. Besides, the Fe(III)-mediated interfacial charge transfer effect (IFCT) also could extend visible light absorption and boost carriers' generation. Benefiting from the virtues of the complementary and synergy of the grafted hydroxyl/amino and Fe(III), the dual-functionalized CN is qualified as an efficient photocatalyst for removal of VOCs, which exhibits 22 and 18 times isopropanol (IPA) adsorption capacity and CO2 production than of pristine CN during photocatalytic IPA removal, respectively. Moreover, this work provides a new strategy of surficial group-cluster bifunctionalization for systematically improving sustainable solar-to-chemical energy conversion towards VOCs mineralization.

Effects of different nutritional conditions on accumulation and distribution of Cr in Coix lacryma-jobi L. in Cr6+-contaminated constructed wetland.

In this research, micro Coix lacryma-jobi L. vertical flow constructed wetlands (VFCWs) were set up using domestic sewage (DWS) and 1/2 Hoagland nutrient solution (HNS) as VFCWs water sources. 0, 20 mg L-1 and 40 mg L-1 of Cr6+ (in the form of K2Cr7O2) were added into the water sources separately in order to study the response of Coix lacryma-jobi L. under Cr6+ stress. The results showed that the inhibition rates of Cr6 + on plant height, stem diameter, shoot and root dry weight treated with HNS were 2.88~10.16%, 5.12~11.86%, 3.53~6.51% and 2.89~6.34% higher than those in DWS treatment. SEM analysis showed that the nuclear bilayer membrane was slightly damaged, the chromatin decreased and the number of mitochondrial cristae decreased when treated with 20 mg L-1 of Cr6+, however, organelle damage was more severe under 40 mg L-1 of Cr6+exposure. The X-ray energy spectrum analysis results indicated that the accumulation of chromium in epidermis and endodermis were higher than those in stele. The contents of total Cr in roots, stems and leaves treated with HNS were higher than those of DWS treatment. The highest content of Cr was observed in cell wall (32.12-188.1 mg kg-1), followed by vacuole (5.0-38.14 mg kg-1). The contents of Cr in each subcellular component in roots, stems, and leaves treated with HNS were higher than those of DWS, except for organelle components in the 14th week. DWS was used as water influent, the contents of easily migrated combined Cr (ETM) in roots, stems and leaves were significantly lower than those in HNS treatment. Improving the nutritional conditions of constructed wetlands might be beneficial to the improvement of their ability to purify chrome-containing waste water.

Engagement of Robo1 by Slit2 induces formation of a trimeric complex consisting of Src-Robo1-E-cadherin for E-cadherin phosphorylation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Loss of E-cadherin elicits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). While both the Src family of membrane-associated non-receptor tyrosine kinases (SFKs) and Slit2 binding to Roundabout 1 (Robo1) have been shown to induce E-cadherin repression and EMT, whether these two signaling pathways are mechanistically coupled remains unknown in epithelial cells. Here we found that Slit2 and Robo1 overexpression activated Src kinases for tyrosine phosphorylation, degradation of E-cadherin and induction of EMT. Specific blockade of Slit2 binding to Robo1 inactivated Src, prevented E-cadherin phosphorylation and EMT induction. Biochemically, the cytoplasmic CC3 motif of Robo1 (CC3) bound directly to the SH2 and 3 domains of c-Src and the cytoplasmic domains of E-cadherin. Slit2 induced Robo1 association with endogenous c-Src and E-cadherin, whereas ectopic expression of CC3 dissociated this protein complex in colorectal epithelial cells. These results indicate that Slit2 not only induces Robo1 binding to Src, but also recruits Src to E-cadherin for tyrosine phosphorylation of E-cadherin, leading to E-cadherin degradation and EMT induction in colorectal epithelial cells.

Lipopolysaccharide inhibits GPR120 expression in macrophages via Toll-like receptor 4 and p38 MAPK activation.

Free fatty acid receptor G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120) is highly expressed in macrophages and was reported to inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytokine expression. Under inflammation, macrophages exhibit striking functional changes, but changes in GPR120 expression and signaling are not known. In this study, the effects of LPS treatment on macrophage GPR120 expression and activation were investigated. The results showed that LPS inhibited GPR120 expression in mouse macrophage cell line Ana-1 cells. Moreover, LPS treatment inhibited GPR120 expression in mouse alveolar macrophages both in vitro and in vivo. The inhibitory effect of LPS on GPR120 expression was blocked by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) inhibitor TAK242 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor LY222820, but not by ERK1/2 inhibitor U0126 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase inhibitor SP600125. LPS-induced inhibition of GPR120 expression was not attenuated by GPR120 agonists TUG891 and GW9508. TUG891 inhibited the phagocytosis of alveolar macrophages, and LPS treatment counteracted the effects of TUG891 on phagocytosis. These results indicate that pretreatment with LPS inhibits GPR120 expression and activation in macrophages. It is suggested that LPS-induced inhibition of GPR120 expression is a reaction enhancing the LPS-induced pro-inflammatory response of macrophages.

A Retrospective Cohort Study of Risk Factors for Descending Necrotizing Mediastinitis Caused by Multispace Infection in the Maxillofacial Region.

PURPOSE: Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) has been the most common life-threatening complication of multispace infection (MSI) in the maxillofacial region owing to the lack of a timely diagnosis and treatment. We assessed the clinical characteristics and diagnosis of odontogenic MSI and evaluated the risk factors for DNM caused by MSI. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of inpatients with MSI in the maxillofacial region from January 2012 to October 2016. The patients were classified into a non-DNM group and a secondary DNM group. The information collected included gender, age, systemic comorbidities, source of maxillofacial infection, computed tomography imaging data, and laboratory test results. Univariate analysis (t test and χ2 test, or the Fisher exact test) and logistic regression analysis were applied. RESULTS: A total of 296 patients were included. The mortality was 6.3%. On univariate analysis, the following factors were statistically significant: gender (P = .001); age (P = .003); source of infection (P = .004); number of affected spaces (P < .001); involvement of the parotid space (P < .001), submandibular space (P < .001), subgingival space (P < .001), pterygomandibular space (P < .001), parapharyngeal space (P < .001), and retropharyngeal space (P < .001); and percentage of neutrophils (P < .001). On multivariate analysis, the parapharyngeal space (P = .008), source of infection (P = .037), and number of affected spaces (P < .001) were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Glandular infection, parapharyngeal space involvement, and the presence of multiple affected spaces were risk factors for DNM. Clinicians should vigilantly watch for these factors during clinical treatment and effective measures taken to prevent the occurrence of DNM as soon as possible.

[The molecular mechanism of fibroblast growth factor 21-inhibited leptin expression in adipocytes].

The present study was aimed to clarify the signaling molecular mechanism by which fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) regulates leptin gene expression in adipocytes. Differentiated 3T3-F442A adipocytes were used as study object. The mRNA expression level of leptin was detected by fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. The phosphorylation levels of proteins of signal transduction pathways were detected by Western blot. The results showed that FGF21 significantly down-regulated the mRNA expression level of leptin in adipocytes, and FGF21 receptor inhibitor BGJ-398 could completely block this effect. FGF21 up-regulated the phosphorylation levels of ERK1/2 and AMPK in adipocytes. Either ERK1/2 inhibitor SCH772984 or AMPK inhibitor Compound C could partially block the inhibitory effect of FGF21, and the combined application of these two inhibitors completely blocked the effect of FGF21. Neither PI3K inhibitor LY294002 nor Akt inhibitor AZD5363 affected the inhibitory effect of FGF21 on leptin gene expression. These results suggest that FGF21 may inhibit leptin gene expression by activating ERK1/2 and AMPK signaling pathways in adipocytes.

Functional materials with self-healing properties: a review.

Self-healing materials (SHMs) have been a research hot topic in recent years owing to their greatly improved longevity and safety in practical applications. Recently, research on SHMs has gradually expanded from structural materials to functional materials. Functional materials with self-healing properties (FMSH) require simultaneous repairing not only of the mechanical properties but of the functionalities from damaged cracks or wounds. It is more challenging to introduce both self-healing properties and a particular functionality to materials owing to the difficulties of preparing the materials and their more complex healing mechanism. Herein, we summarize the recent progress that has been made in FMSH, put forward insights from the perspectives of material preparation and healing mechanisms and highlight future developments for FMSH.

A porous carbon nitride modified with cobalt phosphide as an efficient visible-light harvesting nanocomposite for photoelectrochemical enzymatic sensing of glucose.

A porous carbon nitride (PCN) modified with cobalt phosphides (CoP) was synthesized. In this nanocomposite, the CoP (in different weight fractions) serves (a) as the electron acceptor to accelerate the photoinduced charge separation, and (b) as the photosensitizer to increase the photoelectrochemical (PEC) response to visible light. Dissolved oxygen acts as the electron acceptor to generate PEC current. If glucose oxidase (GOx) catalyzes the oxidation of glucose, dissolved oxygen is consumed. This leads to the suppression of photocurrent. The photocathode biosensor has a linear response in the 0.05 to 0.7 mM glucose concentration range and a 1.1 µM limit of detection. Graphical abstractSchematic of a photoelectrochemical glucose biosensor based on the use of cobalt phosphide-modified porous carbon nitrides. PCN: porous carbon nitride; CoP: cobalt phosphide.

Internal Jugular Vein Thrombosis With Serious Cervical Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis (IJVT) is a rare complication of cervical necrotizing fasciitis (CNF) which may lead to life threat. This article reports a patient with severe CNF complicated with IJVT, and combined with the literature to analyze the diagnosis and treatment of CNF and IJVT.

Sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: The poorly differentiated renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with rhabdomyosarcomatous sarcomatoid differentiation shows a severely aggressive biological behavior characterized by rapid disease progression. Preoperative identification of the subtype with the prognostic factors and imaging features of sarcomatoid renal cell carcinoma (SRCC) would be of great clinical significance. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old male patient presented a nine day history of gross hematuria without any other symptoms. A computed tomography (CT) and a full-body fluorine-18 fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) - computed tomography (CT) scan urogram were performed. An initial diagnosis identified a space-occupying lesion of the right kidney, retroperitoneal and right renal hulum lymph node metastases, as well as a space-occupying lesion of the third thoracic vertebra (T3). A right radical nephrectomy was performed. Pathologic analysis revealed poorly differentiated RCC with rhabdomyosarcomatous sarcomatoid differentiation that extends into the renal sinus and the ureteral (T3N1M1). Five days later, the Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) evidenced a diffused osseous metastatic disease in the thoracic and lumbar vertebra and multiple retroperitoneal lymph node metastases. The disease progressed quickly to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) in half a month and the patient died of respiratory failure two days later. The patient refused any chemoradiotherapy in the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Our case presents a SRCC with severe, aggressive, and rapid disease progression. Classifying SRCC imaging features by CT, MRI as well as PET-CT techniques could potentially be helpful for preoperative identification of the subtype. The prognostic factors of SRCC would be of great clinical interest.