Enhanced Interface Charge Carrier Transport of SnO2/CeO2 via Oxygen Vacancy Synergized Heterojunction for Triethylamine Sensing Property.

Efficient charge carrier transport characteristics are critical to achieving the excellent performance of metal-oxide semiconductor gas sensors. Herein, SnO2/CeO2 heterojunction layered nanosheets with abundant oxygen vacancies were successfully synthesized through a simple solvothermal assisted high-temperature calcination method. The synergistic effect of oxygen vacancies and heterojunctions promoting the charge carrier transport properties at the SnO2/CeO2 interface for the enhanced sensing properties of triethylamine (TEA) was highlighted. As a result, the optimized SnO2/CeO2 exhibits improved gas sensing performance at 173 °C to 50 ppm of TEA. These include high response (205), excellent selectivity, low detection limit, and good long-term stability. This enhanced gas sensing property of SnO2/CeO2 is mainly attributed to the fact that the heterojunction and oxygen vacancies act as dual active sites synergistically inducing electron transfer, thereby effectively modulating the transport properties of the interfacial charge carriers, and thus facilitate the surface reactions efficiently. In this work, the dual-engineering strategy of synergistic interaction of heterojunction and oxygen vacancies can provide new perspectives for the design of advanced gas sensing materials.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Remimazolam and Midazolam in Goal-Guided Sedation in ICU.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the direct medication costs and clinical effectiveness of using remimazolam versus midazolam for goal-guided sedation therapy in the ICU patients. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted in the ICU of People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University. Eighty adult patients admitted to the ICU and requiring sedation were enrolled and randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either remimazolam-based sedation (study group, n=40) or midazolam-based sedation (control group, n=40). The inclusion criteria for patient selection were age 18-80 years, requirement for mechanical ventilation, and an expected ICU stay of at least 24 hours. Patients with significant liver or kidney dysfunction, neurological disorders, or contraindications to the study drugs were excluded. The target sedation depth for both groups was a Ramsay Sedation Scale score of 3-4, which was maintained by titrating the infusion rates of remimazolam or midazolam as needed. Vital signs, sedation scores, and respiratory parameters were closely monitored throughout the sedation period. Results: The time to onset of sedation, time to reach the target sedation depth, time to awakening, and length of ICU stay were all significantly shorter in the remimazolam group compared to the midazolam group (P < .05 for all). The remimazolam group had a mean time to onset of 5.2 ± 1.8 minutes versus 8.9 ± 2.4 minutes in the midazolam group. The mean time to reach the target Ramsay Sedation Scale score of 3-4 was 12.6 ± 3.1 minutes in the remimazolam group compared to 18.4 ± 4.2 minutes in the midazolam group. The mean time to awakening was 10.2 ± 2.7 minutes in the remimazolam group versus 16.5 ± 3.9 minutes in the midazolam group. The remimazolam group also had a significantly shorter mean ICU length of stay of 5.1 ± 1.3 days compared to 7.8 ± 2.1 days in the midazolam group (P < .01). The remimazolam group had a significantly higher metabolic clearance rate compared to the midazolam group (P < .001). The Ramsay sedation scores and Wong-Baker FACES pain scores were also significantly lower in the remimazolam group throughout the sedation period (P < .01). There were no significant differences in heart rate between the two groups at any timepoint. However, the overall incidence of adverse events was significantly lower in the remimazolam group compared to the midazolam group (P < .05). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the use of remimazolam-based goal-directed sedation in the ICU setting resulted in significantly faster onset of action, quicker achievement of the target sedation depth, shorter time to awakening, and shorter ICU length of stay compared to midazolam-based sedation. The remimazolam group also had a higher metabolic clearance rate, lower sedation and pain scores, and a lower incidence of adverse events.These findings suggest that remimazolam may provide advantages over midazolam for ICU sedation, potentially leading to improved patient comfort, more efficient utilization of ICU resources, and potentially better clinical outcomes. The rapid onset, titratability, and favorable safety profile of remimazolam make it a promising sedative agent that could help optimize sedation practices in the critical care setting. Further research is warranted to fully evaluate the impact of remimazolam on long-term patient-centered outcomes and overall healthcare costs in the ICU.

Rapamycin can alleviate the submandibular gland pathology of Sjögren's syndrome by limiting the activation of cGAS-STING signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Sjögren's Syndrome (SS) is also known as autoimmune exocrine gland disease. Previous studies have confirmed that adaptive immunity plays an important role in the development of this disease. But less is known about the role of the innate immune system. METHODS: To identify the core pathways, and local infiltrated immune cells in the local immune microenvironment of SS. We verified the activation of these core genes and core signaling pathways in SS model mice by in vivo experiment and transcriptome sequencing. RESULTS: Finally, we identified 6 core genes EPSTI1, IFI44L, MX1, CXCL10, IFIT3, and IFI44. All the 6 genes had good diagnostic value. Based on multi-omics sequencing results and experimental studies, we found that cGAS-STING signaling pathway is most relevant to the pathogenesis of SS. By in vivo experiments, we verified that autophagy is the key brake to limit the activation of cGAS-STING signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Maladaptive activation of autophagy and cGAS-STING signaling pathway are central contributors to the SG pathogenesis of pSS patient. Regulating autophagy by rapamycin may be a possible treatment for Sjögren's syndrome in the future.

Role of the chloride channel blocker in the formation of filtering tract scars after glaucoma surgery in rats.

Filtration surgery is commonly performed for glaucoma treatment to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP); however, scarring of the filtering bleb is the main cause of failure. In this study, we evaluated the effects of the chloride channel blocker 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid (NPPB) on scar formation in filtering blebs. A glaucoma filtering surgery model was generated using Sprague-Dawley rats, divided into the control and NPPB groups receiving injections of different NPPB concentrations. The IOP of all rats decreased 1-day post-surgery and gradually increased afterward. However, IOP in rats from the NPPB groups recovered more slowly than that of the control group rats. In addition, the area and survival times of filtering blebs in rats from the NPPB groups were substantially larger and longer than those in the control group. Twenty-eight days after surgery, the protein and mRNA expression of collagen I, fibronectin and α-smooth muscle actin in the filtering area of rats from the NPPB groups were significantly lower than that in the control group rats. Collectively, our study demonstrates that NPPB inhibits filtering bleb scar formation, maintains filtering bleb morphology and prolongs filtering bleb survival time by inhibiting the differentiation of conjunctival fibroblasts and extracellular matrix synthesis.

An overview of sucrose transporter (SUT) genes family in rice.

INTRODUCTION: Photosynthesis provides the energy basis for the life activities of plants by producing organic compounds, mainly sugar. As the main energy form of photosynthesis, sugar affects the growth and development of plants. During long-distance transportation, sucrose is the main form of transportation. The rate of sugar transport and the allocation of carbohydrates affect the biomass of crops and are closely related to the reproductive growth of crops. MAIN TEXT: The transportation of sugar is divided into active transportation and passive transportation. So how does the sucrose transporters (SUT) genes, which are the main carriers of sucrose in active transportation, affect the performance of rice agronomic traits is still to be explored. In this article, we describe the structure of inflorescence and review the transport forms and metabolic processes of sucrose in rice, such as how CO2 is fixed, carbohydrate assimilation, and transport of organic matter. Sucrose transporters exhibited remarkable effects on the development of reproductive organs in rice. CONCLUSIONS: Here, the effects of different factors, such as the effects of anthers morphology on starch enrichment of pollen, effects of biotic and abiotic factors on sucrose transporters, effects of changes in trace elements on sucrose transporters, were discussed. Moreover, the regulation of transcription or translation level provides ideas for future research on sucrose transporters.

Rayleigh-Wave Dispersion Analysis and Inversion Based on the Rotation.

Rotational observation is essential for a comprehensive description of the ground motion, and can provide additional wave-field information. With respect to the three typical layered models in shallow engineering geology, under the assumption of linear small deformation, we simulate the 2-dimensional radial, vertical, and rotational components of the wave fields and analyze the different characteristics of Rayleigh wave dispersion recorded for the rotational and translational components. Then, we compare the results of single-component inversion with the results of multi-component joint inversion. It is found that the rotational component has wider spectral bands and more higher modes than the translational components, especially at high frequencies; the rotational component has better anti-interference performance in the noisy data test, and it can improve the inversion accuracy of the shallow shear-wave velocity. The field examples also show the significant advantages of the joint utility of the translational and rotational components, especially when a low-velocity layer exists. Rotational observation shall be beneficial for shallow surface-wave exploration.

Changes in effective optical zone after small-incision lenticule extraction in high myopia.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the four measurement approaches on the determination of effective optical zone (EOZ) using Scheimpflug tomography after small-incision lenticule extraction surgery in eyes with high myopia. SETTING: Corneal refractive surgery conducted in an eye hospital in southern China. DESIGN: This is a retrospective cohort study. METHODS: In total, 74 subjects were recruited. EOZ was measured at 3 months postoperatively using vertex-based (EOZV), pupil-based (EOZP), 4 mm-ring-based total corneal refraction method (EOZ4) and tangential curvature difference map method (EOZD), and their consistencies were compared. EOZs and planned optical zone (POZ) were compared and analyzed with eccentricity, ablation degree (AD) and total corneal aberrations. RESULTS: At 3 months after surgery, the mean root mean square of ΔHOA, ΔComa, ΔTrefoil and ΔSA were 0.53 ± 0.27 µm, 0.36 ± 0.20 µm, 0.01 ± 0.84 µm and 0.16 ± 0.14 µm, respectively. EOZV, EOZP, EOZ4 and EOZD were 5.87 ± 0.44 mm, 5.85 ± 0.45 mm, 4.78 ± 0.40 mm and 5.29 ± 0.27 mm, respectively, which were significantly smaller than POZ 6.48 ± 0.16 mm. Bland-Altman plots showed a good consistency among the four EOZs. The difference between the EOZV and EOZP was 0.02 mm within the range of clinically acceptable difference. In addition, the eccentricity was positively correlated with ΔHOA, ΔComa and ΔSA. CONCLUSIONS: All 4 measurement approaches demonstrated the reduction of EOZs compared to POZ. The EOZV was the closest to POZ, followed by EOZP. The ΔEOZs showed no significant difference with eccentricity, AD and corneal aberrations.

The mechanism research on the anti-liver fibrosis of emodin based on network pharmacology.

AIMS: This study was designated to illustrate the underlying mechanisms of emodin anti-liver fibrosis via network pharmacology and experiment. METHODS: The TSMCP and Genecards database were applied to screen the relevant targets of emodin or liver fibrosis. The essential target was selected by using Cytoscape to analyze the topological network of potential targets. Furthermore, we constructed a preliminary molecule docking study to explore the binding site by Surflex-Dock suite SYBYL X 2.0. The DAVID database was selected for gene functional annotations and KEGG enrichment analysis. Moreover, we demonstrated the ameliorating effect of emodin on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4 )-induced liver injury in mice. We also verified the network predictions in vitro via various techniques. RESULTS: The collected results showed that 35 targets were related to emodin, and 6,198 targets were associated with liver fibrosis. The Venn analysis revealed that 17 intersection targets were correlated with emodin anti-liver fibrosis. The topological network analysis suggested that the p53 was the remarkable crucial target. Besides, the molecule docking results showed that emodin could directly interact with p53 by binding the active site residues ASN345, GLN331, and TYR347. Finally, KEGG pathway enrichment results indicated that essential genes were mainly enriched in mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Moreover, our study confirmed that emodin alleviated CCl4 -induced liver injury in mice, inducing hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) apoptosis via regulating the p53/ERK/p38 axis. CONCLUSIONS: This study partially verified the network pharmacological prediction of emodin inducing HSCs cell apoptosis through the p53/ERK/p38 axis.

Zi Qi Decoction Alleviates Liver Fibrosis by Inhibiting the Toll-Like Receptor 4 (TLR4)-Related Nuclear Factor kappa b (NF-κB) and Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) Signaling Pathways.

BACKGROUND Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a vital role in hepatic fibrogenesis. Our recent clinical study indicated that the Zi Qi decoction, a Traditional Chinese Medicine formula, exhibited good efficacy in alleviating liver fibrosis, but the underlying mechanism remains elusive. MATERIAL AND METHODS Rats repeatedly injected with CCl4 and cells stimulated with lipopolysaccharide were used as in vivo and in vitro models for liver fibrosis, respectively. The viability of LX-2 cells was evaluated with MTT assay. Relative messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of representative extracellular matrix (ECM) components was detected with real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Moreover, total and phosphorylation levels of ECM proteins and pathway-related proteins were detected with western blotting. Immunofluorescent staining was used to show the nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa b (NF-kappaB) p65. Hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) and Masson trichrome staining and immunohistochemistry were performed to evaluate the extent of liver fibrosis. The levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), Hyp, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were tested with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, 7.0T micro-magnetic resonance imaging (micro-MRI) was used to evaluate the severity of hepatic damage. RESULTS The Zi Qi decoction inhibited lipopolysaccharide-mediated upregulation of mRNA and protein levels of representative ECM proteins both in vivo and in vitro. The Zi Qi decoction also suppressed activation of the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-related NF-kappaB signaling pathway and subsequently inhibited the nuclear translocation of activated NF-kappaB. Moreover, another TLR4 downstream pathway, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), was simultaneously restrained. The results of liver pathology and MRI in rat models also suggested the efficacy of the Zi Qi decoction in attenuating liver damage. CONCLUSIONS The Zi Qi decoction inhibited liver fibrosis by inhibiting the TLR4-related NF-kB and MAPK signaling pathways and preventing activation of HSCs.

The predictive value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio at presentation for delayed neurological sequelae in carbon monoxide poisoning.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the predictive value of neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) at presentation for delayed neurological sequelae (DNS) in carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. METHODS: This single-center retrospective observational study included a total of 253 consecutive patients who visited the emergency department (ED) due to acute CO intoxication between 7 October 2015 and 31 December 2019. The included patients had a history of coma and their blood routine was measured within one hour of ED admission. They were divided into two groups according to the presence of DNS, including those who developed DNS (DNS group) and those who did not (non-DNS group). RESULTS: A total of 171 patients were included in this research, and 49 (28.7%) developed DNS. The median NLR at ED admission was obviously higher in the DNS group (10.60 [9.69-15.34]) than in the non-DNS group (7.53 [5.86-8.56]) (p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis indicated that a high NLR (adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.78, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.46-2.18) and the occurrence of acute brain lesions (AOR: 7.50, 95%CI: 2.86-19.68) on diffusion-weighted imaging were independent predictors of DNS. The NLR was more than 8.97. The prediction of occurrence of DNS had a sensitivity of 93.88% and a specificity of 84.43%. Kappa value was 0.713. The predicted results showed good authenticity and consistency. CONCLUSION: The level of NLR at presentation had good predictive value for the development of DNS, showing the superior value for clinical application.

Gene Suppression of the Chloride Channel 2 Suppressed TGF-ß1-Induced Proliferation, Collagen Synthesis, and Collagen Gel Contraction Mediated by Conjunctival Fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: Excessive scarring of filtering blebs is the main cause of surgical failure in glaucoma. Previous studies have highlighted the role of chloride channels (ClCs) in scar formation, whereas the role of ClCs in scarring of filtering blebs has not been studied. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the chloride channel 2 (ClC-2) on scar formation of filtering blebs after glaucoma filtering surgery. METHODS: ClC-2 siRNA-transfected human conjunctival fibroblasts (HConFs) were cultured in type 1 collagen gels in the presence of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1. Collagen gel contraction was evaluated based on the gel area. 3D-cultured HConFs were treated with the ClC blocker NPPB in the presence of TGF-ß1, and cell proliferation collagen synthesis and contractility were measured. The expression levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in HConFs were assessed by Western blotting and qPCR. RESULTS: TGF-ß1 induced cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, collagen synthesis, and collagen gel contraction in HConFs. TGF-ß1 increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels but inhibited the expression of TIMPs. NPPB and ClC-2 siRNA transfection inhibited TGF-ß2-induced cell proliferation, cell cycle progression, collagen synthesis, and collagen gel contraction, mediated by HConFs. TGF-ß2-induced increases in MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also inhibited by NPPB and ClC-2 siRNA transfection, but TIMP expression was increased by NPPB and ClC-2 siRNA transfection. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that ClC-2 ClCs modulate TGF-ß1-induced cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and collagen gel contraction of HConFs by attenuating MMP-2 and MMP-9 production and by stimulating TIMP1 production. NPPB may therefore prove to be of clinical value for the inhibition of scar formation of filtering blebs.

Affinity Purification of Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitory Peptides from Wakame (Undaria Pinnatifida) Using Immobilized ACE on Magnetic Metal Organic Frameworks.

Angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides derived from marine organism have shown a blood pressure lowering effect with no side effects. A new affinity medium of Fe3O4@ZIF-90 immobilized ACE (Fe3O4@ZIF-90-ACE) was prepared and used in the purification of ACE inhibitory peptides from Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) protein hydrolysate (<5 kDa). The Fe3O4@ZIF-90 nanoparticles were prepared by a one-pot synthesis and crude ACE extract from pig lung was immobilized onto it, which exhibited excellent stability and reusability. A novel ACE inhibitory peptide, KNFL (inhibitory concentration 50, IC50 = 225.87 µM) was identified by affinity purification using Fe3O4@ZIF-90-ACE combined with reverse phase-high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Lineweaver-Burk analysis confirmed the non-competitive inhibition pattern of KNFL, and molecular docking showed that it bound at a non-active site of ACE via hydrogen bonds. This demonstrates that affinity purification using Fe3O4@ZIF-90-ACE is a highly efficient method for separating ACE inhibitory peptides from complex protein mixtures and the purified peptide KNFL could be developed as a functional food ingredients against hypertension.

Comparison between aberration-free transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy and small incision lenticule extraction for correction of myopia and myopic astigmatism.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and aberration-free transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (AF t-PRK) in patients with low to moderate myopic astigmatism, including visual acuity, refractive outcomes, astigmatic vector analysis and corneal aberrometric changes. METHOD: This retrospective comparative case series study involved 110 right eyes of 110 patients who underwent either SMILE (55 eyes) or AF t-PRK (55 eyes). Visual acuity, manifest refractive error and corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) were measured and analyzed at baseline, 1 month and 3 months after operation. The safety and efficacy indices, and vector parameters were also compared. RESULT: 1 month postoperatively, the mean uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and spherical equivalent refraction (SE) were better after SMILE than AF t-PRK (logMAR UDVA, - 0.03 ± 0.07 and - 0.006 ± 0.07, P = 0.050; logMAR CDVA, - 0.06 ± 0.07 and - 0.03 ± 0.07, P = 0.043; SE, - 0.04 ± 0.25 and 0.15 ± 0.26, P < 0.001). However, these parameters were comparable between the groups at 3 months after surgery. Residual astigmatism ≤ 0.25 diopters was observed in 74.5% and 90.9% (P = 0.023) of the eyes at one month and in 87.3% and 85.5% (P = 0.781) of the eyes at 3 months after SMILE and AF t-PRK, respectively. There were no significant differences between the groups in any of the vector parameters at 1 month or 3 months after surgery. Coma and total HOAs after SMILE were significantly higher than AF t-PRK (1 month coma, 0.49 ± 0.23 and 0.29 ± 0.15, P < 0.001; 1 month total RMS HOAs, 0.65 ± 0.20 and 0.54 ± 0.14, P = 0.001; 3 months coma, 0.50 ± 0.22 and 0.30 ± 0.17, P < 0.001; 3 months total RMS HOAs, 0.68 ± 0.20 and 0.55 ± 0.17, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In this study, both SMILE and AF t-PRK were effective and comparable for correction of low to moderate myopic astigmatism. AF t-PRK group induced less coma and total HOAs than SMILE.

Comparison of corneal aberrations and refractive outcomes after small-incision lenticule extraction and femtosecond-assisted laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis.

PURPOSES: To retrospectively compare the short-term refractive outcomes and corneal aberrations after small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond-assisted laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) combined with smart pulse technology (SPT) in patients with compound myopic astigmatism. METHODS: A total of 91 eyes (91 patients) were included, 43eyes in FS-LASIK group and 48 eyes in the SMILE group. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive results and corneal topography were evaluated 1 and 3 months postoperatively. Corneal aberrations of anterior corneal surface were calculated from the topography data over 6 mm-diameter. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in UCVA, BCVA, and refractive results between the two groups. There were no statistical difference in TIA (target induced astigmatism), SIA (surgery induced astigmatism), DV (difference vector), ME (magnitude of error), AE (angle of error), AE (absolute value) and CI (correction index) between both groups at 1 and 3 months. Coma and spherical aberration improved in all the patients in both groups at 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The amount of induced spherical aberrations was higher in FS-LASIK group compared to SMILE group. CONCLUSIONS: Both FS-LASIK and SMILE achieved similar refractive outcomes in patients with myopia and compound myopic astigmatism. FS-LASIK combined with SPT resulted in higher spherical aberration than SMILE in early postoperative period.

Effect of miR-499a-5p on damage of cardiomyocyte induced by hypoxia-reoxygenation via downregulating CD38 protein.

The aim is to investigate the mechanism of miR-499a-5p on the damage of cardiomyocyte induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), apoptosis rate and the expression of miR-499a-5p and cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38) in hypoxia-reoxygenation model cells were detected by LDH Cytotoxicity Assay Kit, flow cytometry, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis, respectively. Apoptosis, the activity of LDH was detected after overexpression of miR-499a-5p or silencing of CD38 in H9c2 cells. The target relationship between miR-499a-5p and CD38 was verified by Targetscan online prediction and dual-luciferase assay. Apoptosis, the activity of LDH was detected after overexpression of miR-499a-5p and CD38. Apoptosis, the activity of LDH and the expression of CD38 were increased (P < .05) while expression of miR-499a-5p was decreased (P < .05) in hypoxia/reoxygenation model cells. Apoptosis and the activity of LDH in H9c2 cells after overexpression of miR-499a-5p or silence of CD38 were decreased (P < .05). The results of Targetscan online prediction and dual-luciferase assay indicated that CD38 was a potential target gene of miR-499a-5p. Overexpression of CD38 could reverse the inhibition of miR-499a-5p on LDH activity and apoptosis in H9c2 cells. miR-499a-5p could relief the injury of cardiomyocytes induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation via targeting CD38.

admetSAR 2.0: web-service for prediction and optimization of chemical ADMET properties.

SUMMARY: admetSAR was developed as a comprehensive source and free tool for the prediction of chemical ADMET properties. Since its first release in 2012 containing 27 predictive models, admetSAR has been widely used in chemical and pharmaceutical fields. This update, admetSAR 2.0, focuses on extension and optimization of existing models with significant quantity and quality improvement on training data. Now 47 models are available for either drug discovery or environmental risk assessment. In addition, we added a new module named ADMETopt for lead optimization based on predicted ADMET properties. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: Free available on the web at http://lmmd.ecust.edu.cn/admetsar2/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.

Fungal keratitis: Pathogenesis, diagnosis and prevention.

As a kind of serious, potentially sight-threatening corneal infections with poor prognosis, fungal keratitis can bring a heavy economic burden to patients and seriously affect the quality of life, especially those in developing countries where fungal keratitis is more prevalent. Typical clinical features include immune rings, satellite lesions, pseudopods, hypha moss, hypopyon and endothelial plaques. The ideal therapeutic effects could not be achieved by current treatments for many reasons. Therefore, under the current status, understanding the pathogenesis, early diagnosis and prevention strategies might be of great importance. Here, in this review, we discuss the recent progresses that may advance our understanding of pathogenesis, early diagnosis and prevention of fungal keratitis.

Effect of Ag-1031 on apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS cells and its effects on the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of Ag-1031 on apoptosis of gastric cancer AGS cells and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. METHODS: Gastric cancer cells were treated with different doses of Ag-1031. Cell viability was determined with MTT assay. Apoptosis was analyzed with Hoechst 33342 staining and Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining. The protein expression levels of p-PI3K, p-AKT, p-mTOR, PI3K, AKT and mTOR were assayed with western blotting method. RESULTS: Different doses of Ag-1031 significantly inhibited the proliferation of AGS cells. Moreover, Ag-1031 induced apoptosis,in gastric cancer cells. In addition, Ag-1031 significantly and dose-dependently inhibited the protein expressions of p-PI3K, p-AKT and p-mTOR. However, it had no effect on the protein expressions of PI3K, AKT and mTOR. CONCLUSION: In this study, it was found for the first time that Ag-1031 exerts an anti-tumor effect by induction apoptosis in gastric cancer AGS cells, through a mechanism related to inhibition of the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

The association between cumulative C-reactive protein and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the association between cumulative C-reactive protein (cumCPR) and arterial stiffness. METHODS: The cross-sectional study included 15,432 participants from the Kailuan Cohort. The participants were divided into four groups according to cumCRP quartiles. The average brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and detective rate of increased arterial stiffness were compared between exposure groups. Statistical analysis was performed with multiple logistic regression analysis to estimate the association between cumCRP and arterial stiffness by calculating the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The several sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of our findings. RESULTS: The average baPWV increased from 1425.70 cm/s of Q1 group to 1626.48 cm/s of Q4 group. And the detective rate of arterial stiffness increased from 44.7 to 70.1% (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting the confounding factors, compared to the Q1 group, the Q4 group had 42% (adjusted OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.24-1.63) higher arterial stiffness risk. In addition, 10% (adjusted OR 1.10; 95% CI 1.02-1.18) arterial stiffness risk was increased per 1 standard deviation (SD) of cumCRP after a fully adjusted regression model. CONCLUSION: Higher cumCRP exposure is associated with increased arterial stiffness.

Photothermal and adsorption effects of silver selenide nanoparticles modified by different surfactants in nursing care of cancer patients.

Silver selenide nanoparticles have advantages of low cytotoxicity, desirable near-infrared light response characteristics, and easy surface modification, which attract increasing attention in chemo-photothermal therapy and nursing care of cancer patients. In this contribution, we synthesized Ag2Se nanoparticles modified by the surfactant of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) using a ligand exchange strategy. Their microstructure and composition were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray Photo-electronic Spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The CTAB modified Ag2Se nanoparticles exhibited a uniform diameter distribution centered at ~12 nm. In order to investigate the photothermal and adsorption effects of CTAB-Ag2Se nanocomposites, we also prepared sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) modified Ag2Se nanoparticles to make a comparison. The CTAB-Ag2Se nanoparticles showed high photothermal properties, a photothermal conversion efficiency of 20.1% and a high drug adsorption performance of 48.2 µg/mg. Importantly, the CTAB-Ag2Se-DOX presented an MCF-7 cell activity of only 27.3% under near-infrared radiation. The results revealed that the surface-modified Ag2Se nanoparticles with CTAB had stronger antitumor ability.