Enhancing intercropping sustainability: Manipulating soybean rhizosphere microbiome through cropping patterns.

Understanding the responses of soybean rhizosphere and functional microbiomes in intercropping scenarios holds promise for optimizing nitrogen utilization in legume-based intercropping systems. This study investigated three cropping layouts under film mulching: sole soybean (S), soybean-maize intercropping in one row (IS), and soybean-maize intercropping in two rows (IIS), each subjected to two nitrogen levels: 110 kg N ha-1 (N110) and 180 kg N ha-1 (N180). Our findings reveal that cropping patterns alter bacterial and nifh communities, with approximately 5 % of soybean rhizosphere bacterial amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) and 42 % of rhizosphere nifh ASVs exhibiting altered abundances (termed sensitive ASVs). Root traits and soil properties shape these communities, with root traits exerting greater influence. Sensitive ASVs drive microbial co-occurrence networks and deterministic processes, predicting 85 % of yield variance and 78 % of partial factor productivity of nitrogen, respectively. These alterations impact bacterial and nifh diversity, complexity, stability, and deterministic processes in legume-based intercropping systems, enhancing performance in terms of yield, nitrogen utilization efficiency, land equivalent ratio, root nodule count, and nodule dry weight under IIS patterns with N110 compared to other treatments. Our findings underscore the importance of field management practices in shaping rhizosphere-sensitive ASVs, thereby altering microbial functions and ultimately impacting the productivity of legume-based intercropping systems. This mechanistic understanding of soybean rhizosphere microbial responses to intercropping patterns offers insights for sustainable intercropping enhancements through microbial manipulation.

PSE-Net: Channel pruning for Convolutional Neural Networks with parallel-subnets estimator.

Channel Pruning is one of the most widespread techniques used to compress deep neural networks while maintaining their performances. Currently, a typical pruning algorithm leverages neural architecture search to directly find networks with a configurable width, the key step of which is to identify representative subnet for various pruning ratios by training a supernet. However, current methods mainly follow a serial training strategy to optimize supernet, which is very time-consuming. In this work, we introduce PSE-Net, a novel parallel-subnets estimator for efficient channel pruning. Specifically, we propose a parallel-subnets training algorithm that simulate the forward-backward pass of multiple subnets by droping extraneous features on batch dimension, thus various subnets could be trained in one round. Our proposed algorithm facilitates the efficiency of supernet training and equips the network with the ability to interpolate the accuracy of unsampled subnets, enabling PSE-Net to effectively evaluate and rank the subnets. Over the trained supernet, we develop a prior-distributed-based sampling algorithm to boost the performance of classical evolutionary search. Such algorithm utilizes the prior information of supernet training phase to assist in the search of optimal subnets while tackling the challenge of discovering samples that satisfy resource constraints due to the long-tail distribution of network configuration. Extensive experiments demonstrate PSE-Net outperforms previous state-of-the-art channel pruning methods on the ImageNet dataset while retaining superior supernet training efficiency. For example, under 300M FLOPs constraint, our pruned MobileNetV2 achieves 75.2% Top-1 accuracy on ImageNet dataset, exceeding the original MobileNetV2 by 2.6 units while only cost 30%/16% times than BCNet/AutoAlim.

[Effect of LINC00174 on the Malignant Proliferation of Multiple Myeloma Cells and Its Related Mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the biological function of LINC00174 in multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expressions of LINC00174 and miR-150 in peripheral blood of MM patients and MM cell lines. EdU staining and flow cytometry were used to detect the effects of LINC00174 and miR-150 on the proliferation and apoptosis of MM cells. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of proliferation marker nuclear-related antigen Ki67, apoptosis-related protein cleaved caspase-3 and transcription factor forkhead box protein P1 (FOXP1). Bioinformatics and dual-luciferase reporter assay were used to verify the targeting relationship between LINC00174 and miR-150 and the targeting relationship between miR-150 and FOXP1. RESULTS: The level of LINC00174 was significantly increased in peripheral blood of MM patients and MM cell lines (P <0.05). Compared with NC-siRNA group, the expression of LINC00174 was significantly reduced in LINC00174-siRNA group, the proliferation of U266 cells was reduced, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, the level of Ki67 protein was reduced, and the level of cleaved caspase-3 protein was increased (all P <0.05). LINC00174 targeted regulation of the expression of miR-150. Compared with LINC00174-siRNA+NC inhibitor group, the expression of miR-150 in U266 cells in LINC00174-siRNA+miR-150 inhibitor group was significantly reduced, the cell proliferation was enhanced, the apoptosis rate was reduced, the level of Ki67 protein was increased, and the level of cleaved caspase-3 was decreased (all P <0.05). FOXP1 is the target gene of miR-150. Compared with NC mimic group, the expression of FOXP1 protein in miR-150 mimic group was significantly reduced, the cell proliferation was reduced, the apoptosis rate was significantly increased, Ki67 protein level was decreased, and the level of cleaved caspase-3 was increased. Compared with miR-150 mimic + vector group, the expression of FOXP1 protein in miR-150 mimic + pcDNA-FOXP1 group was significantly increased, the cell proliferation was enhanced, the apoptosis rate was reduced, the level of Ki67 protein was increased, and the level of cleaved caspase-3 was decreased (all P <0.05). CONCLUSION: LINC00174 promotes the proliferation of MM cells and inhibits cell apoptosis by regulating the miR-150/ FOXP1 axis.

Combining Ability Analysis of Yield-Related Traits of Two Elite Rice Restorer Lines in Chinese Hybrid Rice.

Hybrid rice breeding is an important strategy for enhancing grain yield. Breeding high-performance parental lines and identifying combining abilities is a top priority for hybrid breeding. Yuenongsimiao (YNSM) and its derivative variety Yuehesimiao (YHSM) are elite restorer lines with a high ability of fertility restoration, from which 67 derived hybrid combinations have been authorized to different degrees in more than 110 instances in China. In this study, we found that YNSM and YHSM contained three candidate restorer-of-fertility (Rf) genes, Rf3, Rf4, and Rf5/Rf1a, that might confer their restoration ability. Subsequently, we investigated heterosis and combining ability of YNSM and YHSM using 50 F1 hybrids from a 5 × 10 incomplete diallelic mating design. Our results indicated that hybrid combinations exhibited significant genetic differences, and the additive effects of the parental genes played a preponderant role in the inheritance of observed traits. The metrics of plant height (PH), 1000-grain weight (TGW), panicle length (PL), and the number of spikelets per panicle (NSP) were mainly affected by genetic inheritance with higher heritability. Notably, the general combining ability (GCA) of YHSM exhibited the largest positive effect on the number of grains per panicle (NGP), NSP, PL, and TGW. Thus, YHSM had the largest GCA effect on yield per plant (YPP). In addition, the GCA of YNSM exhibited a positive impact on YPP, mainly due to the critical contribution of seed setting percentage (SSP). Moreover, YNSM and YHSM exhibited negative GCA effects on PH, implying that YNSM and YHSM could effectively enhance plant lodging resistance by reducing the plant height of the derived hybrids. Remarkably, among the hybrids, Yuanxiang A/YNSM (YXA/YNSM), Shen 08S/Yuemeizhan (S08S/YMZ), and Quan 9311A/YHSM (Q9311A/YHSM) represent promising new combinations with a higher specific combining ability (SCA) effect value on YPP with a value more than 3.50. Our research thus highlights the promising application for the rational utilization of YNSM and YHSM in hybrid rice breeding.

Grain quality characteristics analysis and application on breeding of Yuenongsimiao, a high-yielding and disease-resistant rice variety.

Rice quality is one of the main targets of rice breeding and is a complex trait that involves grain appearance, milling, cooking, eating and nutritional quality. For many years, rice breeding has contended with imbalances in rice yield, quality, and disease and lodging resistance. Here, the milling and appearance quality, cooking quality, starch rapid viscosity analyzer (RVA) profile, and nutritional quality of grains of Yuenongsimiao (YNSM), an indica rice variety with high yield, high quality and disease resistance, were determined. YNSM had excellent appearance and quality, with low amylose contents and high gel consistency, and these characteristics exhibited significant correlations with the RVA profile such as hot paste viscosity, cool paste viscosity, setback viscosity, and consistency. Moreover, 5 genes related to length-to-width ratio (LWR) as well as the Wx gene were used to detect the main quality genotype of YNSM. The results showed that YNSM is a semilong-grain rice with a relatively high brown rice rate, milled rice rate and head rice yield and low chalkiness. The results indicated that the LWR and food quality of YNSM might be related to gs3, gw7 and Wxb. This study also reports the quality characteristics of hybrid rice developed using YNSM as a restorer line. The quality characteristics and the genotype for grain quality determined through gene analysis in YNSM may facilitate the breeding of new rice varieties that achieve a balance of grain yield, resistance and quality.

Development of a family-community interaction programme in the treatment of women with postpartum depression: protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Postpartum depression has great harm and becomes a serious public health problem. Most women stay at home after childbirth, so the support from community and family is particularly important in the treatment of postpartum depression. The cooperation between family and community can effectively improve treatment effect of patients with postpartum depression. It is imperative to conduct a study on the collaboration and interaction among patients, family and community in the treatment of postpartum depression. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The aim of this study is to determine the experience and demands of patients with postpartum depression, family caregivers and community providers for the interaction, construct an interaction intervention programme bettween family and community and promote the rehabilitation of patients with postpartum depression. From September 2022 to October 2022, this study will select postpartum depression patient families from seven communities in Zhengzhou City, Henan Province in China. The researchers, after training, will conduct semi-structured interview to collect research data. According to the integration results of qualitative research and literature review, the interaction intervention programme will be constructed and revised using the Delphi expert consultation method. Then the participants will be selected to accept the intervention of the interaction programme and evaluated through questionnaires. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is approved by the Ethics Review Committee of Zhengzhou University (ZZUIRB2021-21). The results of this study will contribute to clarify the responsibilities of family subjects and community subjects in the treatment of postpartum depression, more effectively promote the rehabilitation of patients with postpartum depression and reduce the burden of family and society. Moreover, this research will be a profitable exploration at home and abroad. And the findings will be disseminated through conference presentations and peer-reviewed publications. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2100045900.

Wavelet-Based Multiscale Decomposition Algorithm for Trajectory Capture of Tennis Serves.

Tennis is a sport that is enjoyed by young and old alike. Participants can decide the style of play and control the speed and spin of the ball according to their ability, so the physical demands on participants are not high and the amount of exercise can be effectively controlled. With the increasing demand for quality of life, the population of tennis is growing rapidly. People have taken up tennis as a form of recreation. For professional players, the serve, as the foundation of the introduction to tennis, has been a challenge. A good serve can effectively control the situation on the court and even turn defeat into victory. Therefore, this paper focuses on capturing tennis trajectories using multidimensional wavelet segmentation in an attempt to provide an effective reference for tennis. The results show that our method has a good trajectory capturing effect and can correct and guide the tennis serving action well.

A new technique for performing interstitial implants for gynecologic malignancies using transvaginal ultrasound guidance.

Objectives: This study concerns a new technique that aims to achieve precise interstitial brachytherapy of pelvic recurrent tumors under transvaginal ultrasound (US) guidance, enhance the conformity index of the brachytherapy (BT), and improve the curative effect of radiotherapy for gynecological oncology patients with pelvic relapse. Methods: A real-time transvaginal US-guided interstitial implant device was developed to assist in implant BT. Prior to implant brachytherapy, the size and location of the tumor in the pelvis and the interrelationship with adjacent organs were first assessed with intracavitary ultrasound. The transvaginal US-guided interstitial implant device was then placed on the endoluminal ultrasound probe, the probe was oriented intravaginally to determine a safe needle path, the implant needle was placed into the needle passage of the device, and the implant needle was inserted into the tumor tissue in the direction guided by the ultrasound puncture guide line. After the implant needle was placed in place, the cover of the transvaginal US-guided interstitial implant device was opened perpendicular to the ultrasound probe, and the needle was separated from the ultrasound probe smoothly, and then the cover was re-covered for subsequent implantation. Results: In this study, 56 patients who underwent real-time transvaginal ultrasound-guided implantation for gynecologic oncology were enrolled, and insertion of 736 implant needles was completed. Among them, 13 patients had recurrent pelvic tumors after cervical cancer surgery and 6 patients had recurrent pelvic tumors after endometrial cancer surgery. Thirty-two patients who underwent radical radiation therapy for cervical cancer did not have adequate regression of parametrial invaded tissue after completion of standard EBRT treatment; and 5 patients had recurrent tumors in the radiation field after previous standard course of pelvic radiotherapy. The accuracy of the implant therapy was improved. The radiotherapy dose for recurrent pelvic masses was successfully increased, and the cumulative dose of external irradiation combined with BT was augmented to 80-100 Gy. The use of a new device for transvaginal implant for recurrent masses located in the lateral wall of the pelvic cavity was successful. Conclusion: This intravascular US-guided interstitial implant device can realize interstitial implant with the shortest path under transvaginal US guidance. With convenient operation, high precision, and good security, the device not only improves the accuracy of implant therapy, but it also reduces the risks of anesthesia and organ injury, so it is suitable for widespread promotion and use.

Loss of Gn1a/OsCKX2 confers heavy-panicle rice with excellent lodging resistance.

Significant achievements have been made in breeding programs for the heavy-panicle-type (HPT) rice (Oryza sativa) in Southwest China. The HPT varieties now exhibit excellent lodging resistance, allowing them to overcome the greater pressures caused by heavy panicles. However, the genetic mechanism of this lodging resistance remains elusive. Here, we isolated a major quantitative trait locus, Panicle Neck Diameter 1 (PND1), and identified the causal gene as GRAIN NUMBER 1A/CYTOKININ OXIDASE 2 (Gn1A/OsCKX2). The null gn1a allele from rice line R498 (gn1aR498 ) improved lodging resistance through increasing the culm diameter and promoting crown root development. Loss-of-function of Gn1a/OsCKX2 led to cytokinin accumulation in the crown root tip and accelerated the development of adventitious roots. Gene pyramiding between the null gn1aR498 allele with two gain-of-function alleles, STRONG CULM 2 (SCM2) and SCM3, further improved lodging resistance. Moreover, Gn1a/OsCKX2 had minimal influence on overall rice quality. Our research thus highlights the distinct genetic components of lodging resistance of HPT varieties and provides a strategy for tailor-made crop improvement of both yield and lodging resistance in rice.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis provides insight into the regulation of leaf senescence in rice.

Leaf senescence is one of the most precisely modulated developmental process and affects various agronomic traits of rice. Anti-senescence rice varieties are important for breeding application. However, little is known about the mechanisms underlying the metabolic regulatory process of leaf senescence in rice. In this study, we performed transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of the flag leaves in Yuenong Simiao (YN) and YB, two indica rice cultivars that differ in terms of their leaf senescence. We found 8524 genes/204 metabolites were differentially expressed/accumulated in YN at 30 days after flowering (DAF) compared to 0 DAF, and 8799 genes/205 metabolites were differentially expressed in YB at 30 DAF compared to 0 DAF. Integrative analyses showed that a set of genes and metabolites involved in flavonoid pathway were significantly enriched. We identified that relative accumulation of PHENYLALANINE AMMONIA-LYASE (PAL), CINNAMATE 4-HYDROXYLASE (C4H), 4-COUMAROYL-COA LIGASE (4CL), CHALCONE SYNTHASE (CHS) and CHALCONE ISOMERASE (CHI) in YN30/0 was higher than that in YB30/0. Three flavonoid derivatives, including phloretin, luteolin and eriodictyol, showed lower abundances in YB than in YN at 30 DAF. We further revealed a MYB transcription factor, which is encoded by OsR498G0101613100 gene, could suppress the expression of CHI and CHS. Our results suggested a comprehensive analysis of leaf senescence in a view of transcriptome and metabolome and would contribute to exploring the molecular mechanism of leaf senescence in rice.

[Effect of row-like puncture at sternocleidomastoid on peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of conventional acupuncture combined with row-like puncture at sternocleidomastoid on peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. Acupuncture was applied at affected Cuanzhu (BL 2), Yangbai (GB 14), Sibai (ST 2), Quanliao (SI 18), Jiache (ST 6), Dicang (ST 4), Hegu (LI 4), Taichong (LR 3) and Zusanli (ST 36) in the control group. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, row-like puncture was applied at sternocleidomastoid (1 needle was punctured at muscle origin and insertion respectively, 3 to 4 needles were row-like punctured at the connection line of muscle origin and insertion). The treatment was given once a day, 5 times were as one course, with 2-day interval, totally 4 courses were required in the both groups. The house-brackmann (H-B) facial nerve function grade, facial nerve function rating system-dynamic view rating scale score and facial disability index (FDI) scale score [including scores of FDI physical function (FDIp) and FDI social life function (FDIs)] before and after treatment were observed, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, the H-B facial nerve function grades were improved compared before treatment in the both groups (P<0.05), and that in the observation group was superior to the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the scores of dynamic view rating scale and FDIp were increased (P<0.05), FDIs scores were decreased compared before treatment in the both groups (P<0.05); compared with the control group, the scores of dynamic view rating scale and FDIp were increased (P<0.05), FDIs score was decreased in the observation group (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3% (28/30) in the observation group, which was superior to 73.3% (22/30) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional acupuncture, combination therapy with row-like puncture at sternocleidomastoid can improve the therapeutic effect of peripheral facial palsy at recovery stage.

The genetic arms race between plant and Xanthomonas: lessons learned from TALE biology.

The pathogenic bacterial genus Xanthomonas infects a wide variety of host plants and causes devastating diseases in many crops. Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) are important virulence factors secreted by Xanthomonas with the ability to directly bind to the promoters of target genes in plant hosts and activate their expression, which often facilitates the proliferation of pathogens. Understanding how plants cope with TALEs will provide mechanistic insights into crop breeding for Xanthomonas defense. Over the past 30 years, numerous studies have revealed the modes of action of TALEs in plant cells and plant defense strategies to overcome TALE attack. Based on these findings, new technologies were adopted for disease management to optimize crop production. In this article, we will review the most recent advances in the evolutionary arms race between plant resistance and TALEs from Xanthomonas, with a specific focus on TALE applications in the development of novel breeding strategies for durable and broad-spectrum resistance.

Distribution of Bacterial Blight Resistance Genes in the Main Cultivars and Application of Xa23 in Rice Breeding.

Bacterial blight (BB) is an important constraint on achieving a high and stable rice grain yield. An increasing number of BB resistance (R) genes have been identified and cloned to increase the available options for rice disease resistance breeding. However, it is necessary to understand the distribution of R genes in rice varieties for rational distribution and breeding. Here, we genotyped five R genes, i.e. Xa4, Xa7, Xa21, Xa23, and Xa27, in seventy main cultivars from Guangdong Province, South China using the corresponding specific markers. Our results showed that 61 varieties carried Xa4, only three varieties carried Xa27, and Xa7, Xa21, or Xa23 was not detected in all tested varieties. Notably, only 33 varieties exhibited resistance to pathotype IV Xoo strains. These results indicate that Xa4 is no longer suitable for widespread use in rice breeding, although Xa4 is widely present in tested varieties. Remarkably, the strongly virulent BB strains of pathotype IX evolved quickly in southern China, and Xa23 was found to effectively confer resistance against the pathotype IX strains. Subsequently, we successfully bred two novel inbred rice varieties as also being restorer lines and two photoperiod- and thermo-sensitive genic male sterility (P/TGMS) lines using the broad-spectrum resistance gene Xa23 through marker-assisted selection (MAS) combined with phenotypic selection. All of the developed lines and derived hybrids exhibited enhanced resistance to BB with excellent yield performance. Our research may potentially facilitate both of the inbred and hybrid rice disease resistance breeding.

The efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture against urinary incontinence after stroke: A protocol for systematic review and meta analysis.

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence (UI) is still a persistent challenge in many stroke survivors, affecting the quality of life and emotional being of these individuals. Numerous studies have demonstrated the curative effect of electroacupuncture on post-stroke incontinence, however they were mired with questionable quality and inconsistencies in safety and efficacy. Therefore, the main objective of this meta-analysis is to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture against urinary incontinence after stroke, with a view of providing more reliable evidence-based solutions for UI. METHODS: A systematic literature search will be conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, and 4 Chinese databases from inception to June 2020 to identify randomized control trials that report on electroacupuncture against urinary incontinence after stroke. Two reviewers will independently identify eligible studies and extract data. The risk of bias of the included randomized control trials will be evaluated according to the Cochrane tool. Risk ratio and 95% confidence intervals will be used to estimate the efficacy of treatment,. and the grading of recommendations, assessment, development, and evaluation approach to rate the certainty of evidence. The statistical heterogeneity will be evaluated by Cochran's Q and the I. Data will be analyzed using Stata software (Version 13.0, Stata Corp, College Station, TX, USA). RESULTS: This study will provide a comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of electroacupuncture against UI after stroke, with a view of providing more reliable evidence-based solutions for UI. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This work synthesises evidence from previously published studies and does not require ethics review or approval. A manuscript describing the findings will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. INPLASY REGISTRATION NUMBER: INPLASY202050073.

Curcumin-Loaded Nanoparticles with Low-Intensity Focused Ultrasound-Induced Phase Transformation as Tumor-Targeted and pH-Sensitive Theranostic Nanoplatform of Ovarian Cancer.

We have developed a simple and versatile nanoplatform using pH-sensitive ferritin nanocages co-loaded with the anticancer drug curcumin (Cur) and liquid fluorocarbon perfluorohexane (PFH) inside the core and conjugated tumor-targeting molecule FA outside the shell referred to as FA-FCP. The synthesized FA-FCP has an average particle diameter of 47 nm, with stable and favorable physicochemical properties in different media, and high biocompatibility and biosafety in vivo and in vitro. Under the conditions of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU) and at pH = 5.0, FA-FCP released a large amount of drugs (53.2%) in 24 h. After 4 min of LIFU (7 W) treatment, FA-FCP provided contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging capabilities at pH = 5.0. Due to FA receptor-mediated endocytosis, FA-FCP could efficiently enter the cells and further relocate to lysosomes. Eighteen hours after injection of FA-FCP, the tumor was stimulated by LIFU, resulting in a contrast-enhanced ultrasound image. In vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the combined use of FA-FCP and LIFU had significant tumor treatment effects. Based on the results, it was concluded that FA-FCP combined with the external LIFU and the endogenic acidic environment can have powerful theranostic functions and provide a novel type of non-invasive and integrated tumor theranostic option.

pH- and acoustic-responsive platforms based on perfluoropentane-loaded protein nanoparticles for ovarian tumor-targeted ultrasound imaging and therapy.

In this study, we developed a multifunctional ultrasound (US) therapeutic agent that encapsulates perfluoropentane (PFP) into ferritin (FRT) and conjugates the tumor-targeting molecule folic acid (FA) (FA-FRT-PFP). The prepared FA-FRT-PFP had an average particle diameter of 42.8 ± 2.5 nm, a zeta potential of - 41.1 ± 1.7 mV and shows good stability in physiological solution and temperatures. FRT is a pH-sensitive cage protein that, at pH 5.0, disassembles to form pores that can load PFP. The adjustment to neutral pH closes the pores and encapsulates the PFP inside the FRT to form nanoparticles. At pH 5.0, 3 min of low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU, 2 W/cm2) significantly enhanced the US signal of FA-FRT-PFP through the acoustic droplet vaporization (ADV) effect. Under identical conditions, 4 min of LIFU irradiation caused the bubbles generated by FA-FRT-PFP to break. FA-FRT-PFP could be efficiently targeted into ovarian cancer cells and significantly enhanced the US contrast of FA-FRT-PFP after 3 min of LIFU irradiation. After 4 min of LIFU irradiation, cell viability significantly decreased due to necrosis, likely due to the FA-FRT-PFP mediated release of PFP in the acidic environment of lysosomes after entering the tumor cells. PFP is then transformed into bubbles that burst under LIFU irradiation, forming physical shock waves that lead to the destruction of the cell structure and necrosis, achieving tumor treatment. Taken together, this demonstrates that FA-FRT-PFP is both a novel and promising US theranostics agent for future clinic application.

Physicochemical, antioxidant properties of giant croaker (Nibea japonica) swim bladders collagen and wound healing evaluation.

Acid-solubilized collagen (ASC) and pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) were obtained from Nibea japonica swim bladders. The denaturation temperature (Td) of ASC and PSC was approximately 33.8 °C. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses indicated that ASC and PSC contained triple-helical type I collagen when compared to rat tail collagen type I. Moreover, the microstructure of collagen sponges was uniform and porous. In addition, ASC and PSC exhibited antioxidant properties and in vitro scratch assays showed that PSC at various concentrations (0, 12.5, 25, and 50 µg/mL) had significant effects on the scratch closure rate. Furthermore, collagen sponge from Nibea japonica swim bladders exhibited an increased efficacy of wound healing when compared to the control mice. The levels of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the collagen sponge treated mice were significantly decreased when compared to the control group. Thus, our results suggested that collagen sponge from Nibea japonica swim bladders has potential wound healing applications.

[Pexidartinib inhibits the aggregation of monocytes into tumor microenvironment and reduces the number of M2 tumor-associated macrophages].

Objective To explore the effect of pexidartinib on the recruitment of monocytes into the tumor microenvironment and the polarization of M2 macrophages. Methods The colon cancer mouse model was established with the subcutaneous rejection of MC38 cells. After the tumor-bearing mice were treated with pexidartinib, we observed the effects of pexidartinib on the tumor growth, the survival of tumor-bearing mouse and the number of intratumoral tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from the enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFPTg/+) transgenic mice and then transferred into the tumor-bearing mice via tail vein. After the tumor-bearing mice were treated with pexidartinib, the monocyte recruitment and the proportions of F4/80 and CD206-positive cells were detected by the immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. Results Pexidartinib alleviated the growth of MC38 cells in vivo and improved the survival rate in tumor-bearing mice. Pexidartinib reduced the number of TAMs and the formation of M2 TAMs in the tumor microenvironment, and inhibited the recruitment of monocytes from peripheral blood to the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion Pexidartinib can inhibit the tumor growth by suppressing the aggregation of macrophages and the number of M2 TAMs in the tumor microenvironment.

Effect of sertraline in the treatment and prevention of poststroke depression: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Morbidity of poststroke depression (PSD) remains high worldwide. Additionally, PSD causes multiple sequelae. Although sertraline has been reported to be effective in treating PSD, many studies remain inconsistent. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Clinical trials. gov, Wan fang Data (Chinese), VIP (Chinese), and CNKI (Chinese) were retrieved from inception to April 2017. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and self-controlled trials (SCTs) were recruited, which met the inclusion criteria in our study. The depression rating scores, the incidence of PSD, activities of daily living (ADL), neurological impairment scores, and adverse effects were assessed. RESULTS: Around 11 studies were recruited in our work, including 1258 participants. For trials enrolled, the results were depicted: the reduction of depression rating scores was significant in sertraline groups (WMD -6.38; 95% CI -8.63 to -4.14; P < .00001); the incidence of PSD was significantly lower in sertraline groups (RR 0.48; 95%CI 0.35-0.67; P < .0001); there was obvious improvement of ADL (WMD 11.48; 95% CI 4.18-18.78; P = .002 <0.05) and neurological impairment (WMD -3.44; 95% CI -6.66 to -0.21; P = .04 <0.05); no significant difference between sertraline and control groups in the morbidity of adverse events (RR 0.94; 95% CI 0.83-1.06; P = .33 >0.05). However, in sensitivity analyses, the conclusions of the reduction of depression rating scores and the improvement of ADL were altered. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests that sertraline has a potentially protective role compared with control groups and demonstrates sertraline is safe. However, the reduction of depression rating scores and the improvement of ADL should be considered carefully.

[Wogonoside reverses cisplatin resistance in SGC7901/cDDP cells through inhibition of PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway].

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of wogonoside (WGS) on the cisplatin (cDDP) resistance in human gastric carcinoma SGC7901/cDDP cells and its possible mechanism. The drug-resistant SGC7901/cDDP cells were established by stepwise exposure to cDDP. CCK-8 assay was employed to detect the cytotoxic effect of WGS and cDDP on SGC7901/cDDP cells, and the combined effect of WGS and cDDP was analyzed by Chou-Talalay method. Flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptosis and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) gene was knocked down by using the short hairpin RNA (shRNA) approach. The protein levels of Nrf2, NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), glutathione S transferase-π (GST-π), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1), cleaved Capase-3, p-Akt and Akt were detected by Western blotting. The result showed that after various concentrations of WGS and/or cDDP treatment for 48 h, the cell viability was remarkably reduced in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). When the inhibition rate exceeded 16%, the combination of WGS and cDDP produced a synergistic effect. The protein levels of p-Akt, Nrf2 and MRP1 in SGC7901/cDDP cells were higher than those in SGC7901 cells (P < 0.05). WGS and LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor) both remarkably decreased the phosphorylation level of Akt (P < 0.05), down-regulated the protein level of Nrf2 (P < 0.05), increased the content of ROS (P < 0.05), up-regulated the protein level of cleaved Caspase-3 (P < 0.05), and induced apoptosis (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) decreased apoptosis and oxidative stress reaction induced by WGS (P < 0.05). WGS and Nrf2 gene silencing both down-regulated the protein levels of NQO1, GST-π and MRP1 (P < 0.05). These results suggest that WGS may reverse cDDP resistance in SGC7901/cDDP cells through blocking the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway, thus enhancing the cytotoxicity of cDDP and inducing oxidative stress reaction and apoptosis.