New global dynamical results and application of several SVEIS epidemic models with temporary immunity.

This work applies a novel geometric criterion for global stability of nonlinear autonomous differential equations generalized by Lu and Lu (2017) to establish global threshold dynamics for several SVEIS epidemic models with temporary immunity, incorporating saturated incidence and nonmonotone incidence with psychological effect, and an SVEIS model with saturated incidence and partial temporary immunity. Incidentally, global stability for the SVEIS models with saturated incidence in Cai and Li (2009), Sahu and Dhar (2012) is completely solved. Furthermore, employing the DEDiscover simulation tool, the parameters in Sahu and Dhar'model are estimated with the 2009-2010 pandemic H1N1 case data in Hong Kong China, and it is validated that the vaccination programme indeed avoided subsequent potential outbreak waves of the pandemic. Finally, global sensitivity analysis reveals that multiple control measures should be utilized jointly to cut down the peak of the waves dramatically and delay the arrival of the second wave, thereinto timely vaccination is particularly effective.

An application of a novel geometric criterion to global-stability problems of a nonlinear SEIVS epidemic model.

This work applies a novel geometric criterion for nonlinear autonomous differential equations developed by Lu and Lu (NARWA 36:20-43, 2017) to a nonlinear SEIVS epidemic model with temporary immunity and achieves its threshold dynamics. Specifically, global-stability problems for the SEIVS model of Cai and Li (AMM 33:2919-2926, 2009) are effectively solved. The corresponding optimal control system with vaccination, awareness campaigns and treatment is further established and four different control strategies are compared by numerical simulations to contain hepatitis B. It is concluded that joint implementation of these measures can minimize the numbers of exposed and infectious individuals in the shortest time, so it is the most efficient strategy to curb the hepatitis B epidemic. Moreover, vaccination for newborns plays the core role and maintains the high level of population immunity.

LncRNA ATB promotes proliferation and metastasis in A549 cells by down-regulation of microRNA-494.

Lung cancer is a commonly diagnosed disease with poor prognosis. Novel therapeutic targets and deep understanding of the regulatory mechanisms in lung cancer are of great importance. We aimed to figure out the functional roles of lncRNA-activated by transforming growth factor-ß (ATB) in A549 cells as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms. ATB was non-physiologically expressed in A549 cells after cell transfection. Then, cell proliferation, expressions of proteins related to proliferation and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration, and invasion were measured by BrdU incorporation assay, Western blot analysis, and Transwell assay, respectively. Afterwards, miR-494 expression in transfected A549 cells was determined by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Meanwhile, effects of miR-494 overexpression on ATB-overexpressed cells were assessed. Finally, the phosphorylation levels of AKT and key kinases in the Janus-activated kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) pathway were detected by Western blot analysis. ATB overexpression promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of A549 cells. Meanwhile, EMT of A549 cells was also enhanced. ATB silence showed the opposite influence. Expression of miR-494 was negatively regulated by ATB. Following experiments showed ATB-induced alterations of proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT were all reversed by miR-494 overexpression. Finally, we proved that ATB increased phosphorylated levels of AKT, JAK1, and STAT3, and those increases were all reversed by miR-494 overexpression. We interestingly figured out that ATB promoted proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT through down-regulating miR-494 in A549 cells. Moreover, ATB might activate AKT and the JAK/STAT3 pathway via down-regulating miR-494.

A new class of cuprous bromide cluster-based hybrid materials: direct observation of the stepwise replacement of hydrogen bonds by coordination bonds.

Although a variety of functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been synthesized, post-modified, and applied in various areas, there is little knowledge about how molecular cluster building units are stepwise evolved into MOFs via intermediates. Coordination bonds are generally stronger than hydrogen bonds, and thus equivalent replacement of X-H···Y hydrogen bonds by X-M-Y coordination bonds can transform hydrogen bond networks into MOFs. In this work, solvothermal in situ reduction reactions of CuBr2 and 1,4-diazoniabicyclo[2,2,2]octane (DABCO) generated a myriad of tunable photoluminescent cuprous body-centered cubic bromide cluster-based networks with the general formula [Cu4+xH4-xBr6(DABCO)4](HCO2)2·S (x = 0, 0.56, 0.81, 1.27, 1.39, 2.56, 2.78, and 4 for compounds 1-8, respectively). All of these compounds crystallize in the cubic space group with the largest volume difference being only 5.2%, but they belong to three remarkably different kinds of crystals. Complex 1 is a molecular crystal and consists of tetrahedral [Cu4Br6(HDABCO)4](2+) clusters with monodentate HDABCO groups that are supported via N-H···Br synthons in the hydrogen bond network. Compound 8 is a [Cu8Br6](2+) cube cluster-based MOF with bridged DABCO ligands. Complexes 2-7 are seemingly impossible Cu/H-substituted solid solutions of 1 and 8. The CuBr framework components in 1-8 are Cu4Br6, Cu4.56Br6, Cu4.81Br6, Cu5.27Br6, Cu5.39Br6, Cu6.56Br6, Cu6.78Br6, and Cu8Br6, respectively. Crystallization kinetics studies revealed that the [Cu4Br6(HDABCO)4](2+) cluster-based hydrogen bond network (1) was initially formed such that N-H···Br hydrogen bonds could be stepwise replaced by N-Cu-Br coordination bonds to form the [Cu8Br6](2+) cube cluster-based MOF (8) via solid solutions. These observations directly reveal the equivalence and transformation between the N-H···Br hydrogen bond and the N-Cu-Br coordination bond and the evolutionary mechanism of a molecular crystal to a MOF via solid solutions, which is of fundamental importance in materials but has never before been revealed. DFT calculations suggest that equivalent replacement of a N-H···Br hydrogen bond by a N-Cu-Br coordination bond is exothermic and exergonic, which also supports the transformation from molecule 1 to MOF 8.

High prevalence and transmission of blaNDM-positive Escherichia coli between farmed ducks and slaughtered meats: An increasing threat to food safety.

The emergence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria especially carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) in food animals poses a serious threat to food safety and public health. Reports about the dissemination of carbapenem-resistant bacteria along the food animal production chain are scattered and mainly focus on swine and chicken. Abuse of antibiotics in duck farms is common especially in China which has the largest duck production industry, however, the CREC transmission between farmed ducks and slaughtered meats remains unclear and the role of slaughterhouse in disseminating CREC among duck meats remains largely unknown. Herein, we collected 251 fecal samples from five typical duck farms along with 125 slaughtered meat samples (25 from each farm) in the corresponding slaughterhouse in Anhui Province, China, in December 2018. All samples were screened for CREC isolates which were analyzed for the presence of carbapenemase genes and colistin resistance gene mcr. The resistance profiles, transferability, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the CREC isolates from both ducks and meats were further characterized. This is the first report presenting the high prevalence of blaNDM-positive CREC isolates in ducks from duck farms (57.8 %) and slaughtered meats (33.6 %) in the corresponding slaughterhouse. Among the 203 blaNDM-positive CREC isolates obtained in this study, 19.2 % harbored mcr-1 and all CREC isolates showed resistance to nearly all currently available antibiotics (except tigecycline). Of note, mcr-1 was found in 17.8 % of the meat-derived CREC carrying blaNDM. Based on the PFGE analysis, clonal spread of blaNDM-positive CREC including some also carrying mcr-1 was found between farmed ducks and slaughtered duck meats even from different farms. Special attention should be paid to the clonal dissemination of meat-derived CREC within the slaughterhouse, which contributed to the high prevalence of blaNDM in slaughtered meats. Additionally, horizontal transmission mainly mediated by transferable blaNDM-5-bearing IncX3 plasmids, untypable blaNDM-1-bearing plasmids and mcr-1-bearing IncHI2 plasmids further facilitated the rapid spread of such multidrug-resistant strains. Notably, the blaNDM-bearing plasmids and mcr-1-bearing plasmids in CREC from meats were highly similar to those from animals and humans. More worryingly, the phylogenomic analysis showed that CREC isolates from both ducks and corresponding meats clustered with previously reported human CREC isolates carrying mcr-1 in different geographical areas including China. These findings further prove that the CREC and resistance plasmids in farmed ducks could transmit to meats even from different farms via the slaughterhouse and then trigger infections in humans. The high prevalence and clonal transmission of CREC isolates including those also carrying mcr-1 between ducks and meats are alarming, and urgent control measures are required to reduce the dissemination of such organisms.

Amine-directed synthesis, valence state control, and optical properties of two new organic-inorganic tin chlorides.

Two organic-inorganic tin chlorides, namely (C9H26N3Cl)SnCl4 (1) and (C9H26N3Cl)SnCl6 (2), were prepared via valence state control using N,N,N',N'',N''-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine as a structure-directing agent. The two compounds have zero-dimensional structures crystallized in non-centrosymmetric orthorhombic space group Cmc21 and P212121, respectively. In compound 1, the divalent tin ion forms a seesaw coordination configuration with four chloride ions, whereas in compound 2, the tetravalent tin ion forms an octahedral coordination configuration with six chloride ions. The two compounds show a moderate second-harmonic generation response under 1064 nm laser irradiation. Notably, compound 2 displays a bright orange luminescence with a photoluminescence quantum yield of 19.67%. Theoretical calculations were performed to gain insights into the optical properties of the two compounds.

Tailoring Surface Engineering with Expanded Precursor Libraries via Rapid Mussel-Inspired Chemistry.

Mussel-inspired coating is a substrate-independent surface modification technology. However, its application is limited by time-consuming, tailoring specific functions require tedious secondary reaction. To overcome those drawbacks, a strategy for the rapid fabrication of diverse coatings by expanding the library of precursors using oxidation coupled with polyamine was proposed. Based on DFT simulations of the reaction pathways, a method was developed to achieve rapid deposition of coatings by coupling oxidation and polyamines, which simultaneously accelerated the oxidation of precursors and polymer chain growth. The feasibility and generalizability of the strategy was validated by the rapid coating of 10 catechol derivatives and polyamines on various substrates. The surface properties of the substrates such as functional group densities, Zeta potential and contact angles can be easily tuned. The tailored surface engineering application of the strategy was demonstrated by the heavy metal adsorbents and superwetting materials prepared through the delicate combination of different building blocks. Our strategy was flexible in terms of diverse surface engineering design which greatly enriched the connotation of mussel-inspired technique.

Impact and effect of preoperative short-term preoperative pulmonary-related training on patients with gastric cancer: a randomized controlled single center trial.

PURPOSE: This study aimed is to evaluate the impact of pre- and postoperative pulmonary-related training, including respiratory and aerobic training, on postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) after radical resection of gastric cancer (GC). METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of 121 participants who received a systematic, comprehensive, high-intensity pulmonary exercise regimen for 5 days preoperatively and at least 5 days postoperatively. The control group received standard preoperative care. We analyzed the occurrence of PPCs in both groups as the primary outcome RESULTS: A total of 43 of 121 participants (35.5%) were diagnosed as having PPCs, and the incidence of PPCs was markedly lower in the training group than in the control group (26.2% [16 of 61] vs 45.0% [27 of 60]; P = .031). Moreover, the duration of the postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the training group (8.69 ± 1.92 days) than the control group (9.57 ± 2.16 days; P = .020) and reduced hospitalization costs, amounting to €9605.1 ± €2556.26 in the training group and €10,594.6 ± €2560.7 in the control group (P = .035). CONCLUSION: Our study established that a perioperative pulmonary-related training notably diminishes the incidence of PPCs, curtails the duration of hospitalization, and mitigates hospitalization expenses for patients undergoing GC surgery.

Strain-free [N]ferrocenylenes and cyclo[10]ferrocenylene.

Calculated attraction: Trans-linear and cis-angular [N]ferrocenylenes, as well as cyclo[10]ferrocenylene, higher homologues of biferrocenylene, and analogues of [N]phenylenes, are demonstrated as strain-free.

Electro-optical characteristics of holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal gratings doped with nanosilver.

We report on the synthesis and characteristics of a holographic polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) switchable grating based on nano-Ag particles. The influence of doping different concentrations of nano-Ag on the diffraction efficiency, driving voltage, and response time of the H-PDLC grating is investigated. The best grating characteristics were achieved with 0.05% nano-Ag doping. Calculated and experimental results reveal that the improvement of the characteristics is likely due to the surface plasmon effect of nano-Ag.

A rare case of pulmonary artery embolism with choriocarcinoma: A case report and literature review.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) caused by malignant tumor is not uncommon, but pulmonary artery with choriocarcinoma is rare and difficult to timely diagnose and effectively treat. To the best of our knowledge, there are only 15 cases reported at present in the literature that present variable clinical characteristics and prognosis. In the current study reports a 21-year-old female with a history of chest pain and slight fever for 4 months who was treated as a case of pneumonia. Owing to the recurrence of the symptoms, a contrast-enhanced chest computer tomography scan was performed on the patient, which revealed complete occlusion of the right pulmonary artery. The patient was diagnosed to have pulmonary embolism (PE). However, no abnormalities were observed in D-dimer value, tumor antigen testing or ultrasonography. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was performed, which revealed the abnormal hypermetabolic lesion of the right pulmonary artery. Following the laboratory report of a significantly elevated human chorionic gonadotropin ß-subunit level combined with characteristic appearance of PET-CT, the diagnosis of primary pulmonary artery with choriocarcinoma was established based on guidelines of the European Society for Medical Oncology and the criteria formulated by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. The patient underwent chemotherapy and responded well to the treatment. Although rare, choriocarcinoma should be considered for any fertile women who presents with a massive PE. These findings emphasize the importance of the early diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Whole-Genome Analysis of blaNDM-Bearing Proteus mirabilis Isolates and mcr-1-Positive Escherichia coli Isolates Carrying blaNDM from the Same Fresh Vegetables in China.

The global spread of colistin or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been a pressing threat to public health. Members of Enterobacteriaceae, especially Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli, have been prevalent foodborne pathogens and such pathogens from fresh vegetables have triggered foodborne illness in China. However, reports about CRE, especially P. mirabilis from fresh vegetables, are still lacking. In this study, we identified five blaNDM-positive P. mirabilis and five blaNDM-positive generic E. coli concurrently from five fresh vegetables in two markets from China, and four of the five E. coli also carried mcr-1. The 10 isolates were characterized with methods including antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation, whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. All 10 isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). blaNDM-5 in five E. coli isolates and one P. mirabilis carrying blaNDM-5 was located on similarly transferable IncX3 plasmids, while transferably untypable plasmids were the carriers of blaNDM-1 in four P. mirabilis isolates from different types of vegetables/markets. mcr-1 in the four blaNDM-5-positive E. coli was located on similarly non-conjugative IncHI2 MDR plasmids lacking transfer region. Notably, ISCR1 complex class 1 integron capable of capturing blaNDM-1 was found on all untypable plasmids from P. mirabilis, and five copies of ISCR1 complex class 1 integron containing blaNDM-1 even occurred in one P. mirabilis, which showed high-level carbapenem resistance. Plasmid and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the blaNDM-positive P. mirabilis and E. coli from fresh vegetables might be derived from animals and transmitted to humans via the food chain. The concurrence of blaNDM-positive P. mirabilis and E. coli carrying both mcr-1 and blaNDM in different types of fresh vegetables eaten raw is alarming and threatens food safety. Sustained surveillance of these foodborne pathogens among fresh vegetables is urgent to ensure the health of food consumers. We report for the first time the concurrence of blaNDM-positive P. mirabilis and mcr-1-bearing E. coli carrying blaNDM from the same fresh vegetables.

High prevalence and genomic characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae from large-scale rivers in China.

The widespread presence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and mcr-positive Escherichia coli (MCREC) poses a huge threat to both animal and human health. River water environments are vital reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes, however, the prevalence and characteristics of CRE and MCREC from large-scale rivers in China have not been reported. In the current study, we sampled 86 rivers from four cities in Shandong Province, China in 2021 and analyzed the prevalence of CRE and MCREC. The blaNDM/blaKPC-2/mcr-positive isolates were characterized with methods including PCR, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation, replicon typing, whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. We found that the prevalence of CRE and MCREC in 86 rivers was 16.3% (14/86) and 27.9% (24/86), respectively and eight rivers carried both mcr-1 and blaNDM/blaKPC-2. A total of 48 Enterobacteriaceae isolates (10 ST11 Klebsiella pneumoniae with blaKPC-2, 12 blaNDM-positive E. coli and 26 MCREC carrying only mcr-1) were obtained in this study and 47 displayed multidrug resistance (MDR). Notably, 10 of the 12 blaNDM-positive E. coli isolates also harbored the mcr-1 gene. The blaKPC-2 gene was located within mobile element ISKpn27-blaKPC-2-ISKpn6 on novel F33:A-:B- non-conjugative MDR plasmids in ST11 K. pneumoniae. The dissemination of blaNDM was mediated by transferable MDR IncB/O plasmids or IncX3 plasmids while mcr-1 was primarily disseminated by highly similar IncI2 plasmids. Notably, these waterborne IncB/O, IncX3 and IncI2 plasmids were all highly similar to previously identified plasmids from animal and human isolates. A phylogenomic analysis revealed that the CRE and MCREC isolates from water environments might be derived from animals and trigger infections in humans. The high prevalence of CRE and MCREC in large-scale environmental rivers is alarming and needs sustained surveillance due to the potential risk for transmission to humans via the food chain (irrigation) or direct contact.

A computational study on the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide with epoxide catalyzed by LiBr salt.

The chemical fixation of carbon dioxide with 2,3-epoxypropyl phenyl ether catalyzed by LiBr salt to produce a five-membered cyclic carbonate, 4-(phenoxymethyl)-1,3-dioxolan-2-one, has been extensively investigated at the B3LYP density functional level of theory. The solvent effects have been studied by means of a PCM model. All possible pathways are examined, and their corresponding energetics are demonstrated. Our results reveal that the overall reaction comprises three main steps: epoxide ring-opening, carbon dioxide insertion, and ring-closure of cyclic carbonate, none of which contains significantly large barriers. On the basis of the computed free energies of activation, the rate-determining step can be the ring-opening of epoxide or the ring-closure of cyclic carbonate with variation in the reaction conditions in N-methylpyrrolidinone (NMP) solvent. Our calculations indicate that path 2 is more favorable than path 1 in the gas phase, while both of them exist possibly in NMP solvent. The overall reaction is exothermic. Furthermore, the free energy profiles of all reaction pathways along the minima energy path in the gas phase and in NMP solvent were obtained and compared. It is shown that NMP solvent does not change the general trends for the reaction potential energy surfaces.

The liver X receptor agonist T0901317 reduces the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells induced by polyhexamethylene guanidine through inhibition of the NFκB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: As a kind of disinfectant, polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) can cause pulmonary inflammation. In addition to liver X receptors (LXRs) playing an important role in cholesterol and lipid metabolism, it has also been found to be involved in inflammation in recent years. This article explores the role of LXRs agonist T0901317 in the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells induced by PHMG. METHODS: The A549 human alveolar basal epithelial cell line was exposed to PHMG, T0901317, or the nuclear factor (NF)κB inhibitor BAY11-7082. The cell survival rate was used to determine the cytotoxicity of PHMG and T0901317 to A549 cells. Western blot analysis was used to determine the expression of proteins related to the LXRs and the NFκB signaling pathway. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted to examine the expression of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-8 and interleukin (IL)-6. RESULTS: Incubation of A549 cells with PHMG decreased the expression of LXRs-related proteins, reduced the expression of cellular IκB, increased the expression of nuclear NFκB, and increased the levels of the inflammatory cytokineIL-8 and IL-6. However, pretreatment with the LXR agonist T0901317 partially reversed the effects of PHMG. The effects of T0901317on NFκB signaling pathway was similar to that observed with the NFκB inhibitor BAY11-7082. CONCLUSIONS: The LXRs agonist T0901317 may reduce the inflammation of alveolar epithelial cells induced by PHMG by inhibiting the NFκB signaling pathway.

Lung squamous cell carcinoma with rare epidermal growth factor receptor mutation G719X: a case report and literature review.

Asians who develop non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have a chance of approximately 50% of harboring the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation. The G719X mutation in EGFR has 3 subtypes (i.e., G719A, G719C, or G719S), all of them being classified as uncommon EGFR mutations. The EGFR mutation G719X is most often associated with lung adenocarcinoma. Conversely, its occurrence in lung squamous cell carcinoma is rare. Its response to tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment remains unknown. A 50-year-old Asian male with no smoking history was admitted to our hospital (Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University) with an irritating dry cough and 1 month of progressive dyspnea. The patient was diagnosed with lung squamous cell carcinoma (cT4N3M0, stage IIIC). Lung biopsy revealed the presence of EFGR G719X mutation. The patient received a tracheobronchial stent, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, seed implantation and radiotherapy, and survived for 25.4 months following diagnosis. It is crucial that gene mutation analysis is performed in non-smoking male squamous cell carcinoma patients. Compared to lung adenocarcinoma patients with rare G719X mutation, this lung squamous cell carcinoma patient with G719X-mutant tumor had a higher sensitivity to 2nd-generation EGFR-TKI treatment, but similar progression-free survival. Importantly, the patient clearly benefited from the used comprehensive treatment plan. This article seeks to shed light on the treatment of lung squamous cell carcinoma patients with the uncommon EGFR G719X mutation.

Clinical characteristics of patients with ROS1 gene rearrangement in non-small cell lung cancer: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: ROS1 gene rearrangement has been reported in several types of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). It is reported that tyrosine kinase inhibitors are effective in the treatment of ROS1-rearranged NSCLC. Therefore, the identification of ROS1 rearrangement can be used as potential therapeutic target in lung cancer. Epidemiological data indicates that ROS1 gene rearrangement occurs in approximately 1-2% of NSCLC patients. The small sample sizes of the existing associated studies only represent the characteristics of patients in specific regions or countries, and there is still no latest statistical analysis on ROS1 gene rearrangement anywhere in the world. METHODS: We conducted a systematic search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), CBM, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases to identify studies on ROS1 gene rearrangement in NSCLC patients from January 1, 2015 to October 27, 2019. We conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the relationship between ROS1 gene rearrangement and clinical characteristics of NSCLC patients. The four clinical features are as follows: gender, smoking status, pathological type, and lung cancer stage. RESULTS: Thirty-nine studies constituting of 25,055 NSCLC patients were eligible for inclusion in this meta-analysis. A prominently higher rate of ROS1 gene rearrangement was observed in female NSCLC patients (OR =1.94, 95% CI: 1.62-2.32%, P<0.05), patients with no smoking history (OR =2.82, 95% CI: 2.24-3.55%, P<0.05), patients with adenocarcinoma (OR =1.55, 95% CI: 1.14-2.11%, P<0.05), and patients with stage III-IV disease (OR =1.50, 95% CI: 1.15-1.94%, P<0.05). Our meta-analysis also showed that the prevalence of ROS1 rearrangement in adenocarcinoma was 2.49% (95% CI: 1.92-3.11%), while it was lower in non-adenocarcinoma patients (1.37%). CONCLUSIONS: ROS1 gene rearrangement was more predominant in female patients, patients without smoking history, patients with adenocarcinoma and patients with advanced-stage disease (stages III to IV).

125I seeds irradiation inhibits tumor growth and induces apoptosis by Ki-67, P21, survivin, livin and caspase-9 expression in lung carcinoma xenografts.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is a fatal disease and a serious health problem worldwide. Patients are usually diagnosed at an advanced stage, and the effectiveness of chemotherapy for such patients is very limited. Iodine 125 seed (125I) irradiation can be used as an important adjuvant treatment for lung carcinoma. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of irradiation by 125I seeds in human lung cancer xenograft model and to determine the underlying mechanisms involved, with a focus on apoptosis. METHODS: 40 mice with A549 lung adenocarcinoma xenografts were randomly divided into 4 groups: control group (n = 10), sham seed (0 mCi) implant group (n = 10), 125I seed (0.6 mCi) implant group (n = 10) and 125I seed (0.8 mCi) implant group (n = 10), respectively. The body weight and tumor volume, were recorded every 4 days until the end of the study. Apoptotic cells were checked by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay and activities of caspase-3 and caspase-8 enzyme were tested. Expression of P21, survivin, livin, caspase-9 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki-67) was detected with immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The results of TUNEL staining assays showed that 125I seed irradiation suppresses the growth of lung cancer xenografts in nude mice and induced apoptosis. The activity of caspase-3 and caspase-8 was significantly higher. The expression levels Ki67, survivin and livin were substantially downregulated, while P21 and caspase-9 protein expression were significantly increased following 125I seed irradiation. This study revealed that 125I seed irradiation could significantly change apoptosis-related protein in human lung cancer xenografts. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study demonstrates that radiation exposure by 125I seeds could be a new treatment option for lung cancer.

A comprehensive theoretical study on the coupling reaction mechanism of propylene oxide with carbon dioxide catalyzed by copper(I) cyanomethyl.

The mechanistic details of the coupling reaction of propylene oxide with carbon dioxide catalyzed by copper(I) cyanomethyl to yield cyclic carbonate were elucidated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G** level. Our results reveal that the overall reaction is stepwise and considered to include two processes. In process 1, CO(2) insertion into the Cu(I)-C bond of copper(I) cyanomethyl affords activated carbon dioxide carriers. In process 2, O-coordination of propylene oxide molecule to the electrophilic copper center of carriers occurs. Herein, three possible pathways were investigated, and the calculated reaction free energy profiles were compared. It was found that carrier 8 reacting with propylene oxide is more favored than the other two carriers (6 and 7) both kinetically and thermodynamically. Several factors, such as the composition of catalyst, the coordinate environment of copper, and the symmetry of frontier molecular orbitals, affected the reaction mechanisms, and the outcomes were identified. The overall reaction is exothermic. In addition, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis has been performed to study the effects of charge transfer and understand the nature of different interactions between atoms and groups. The present theoretical study explains satisfactorily the early reported experimental observations well and provides a clear profile for the cycloaddition of carbon dioxide with propylene oxide promoted by NCCH(2)Cu.

Effect of rehabilitation therapy and nursing intervention on postoperative recovery of patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

Rehabilitation therapy combined with nursing intervention in postoperative recovery of patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage was investigated. Retrospective analysis was carried out in 78 patients with severe HICH hematoma evacuation after treatment in Xuzhou No. 1 People's Hospital, Xuzhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from March 2014 to July 2017. The 28 patients who received routine treatment and nursing care were regarded as the control group, the 27 patients who underwent rehabilitation training based with routine treatment and nursing care were the rehabilitation training group. Moreover, the 23 patients who underwent rehabilitation training and nursing intervention based on routine treatment were regarded as the nursing intervention group. Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and Fugl-Meyer scores were compared immediately after surgery (T1), 4 weeks after treatment (T2) and 12 weeks after treatment (T3). During the period of T3, the total effective rate and adverse reactions were compared among the three groups of patients. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure at T3 among the three groups were significantly lower than both T2 and T1, and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure of T2 was lower than T1 (P<0.05). Among the three groups of patients, the Fugl-Meyer score at T3 was significantly higher than both the T2 and T1, and the Fugl-Meyer score at T2 was higher than T1 (P<0.050). In the control group, the number of patients with shoulder-hand syndrome, hemorrhoids, and depression was significantly higher than both the rehabilitation training group and the nursing intervention group (P<0.050). The number of people with depression in the rehabilitation training group was significantly higher than the nursing intervention group (P<0.050). Rehabilitation therapy and nursing intervention are better than routine treatment and nursing for postoperative recovery of HICH patients, and has a lower adverse reaction rates after surgery, it is worthy of promotion clinically.