Effects of Conventional Speech Therapy with Liuzijue Qigong, a Traditional Chinese Method of Breath Training, in 70 Patients with Post-Stroke Spastic Dysarthria.

BACKGROUND Post-stroke spastic dysarthria (PSSD) is a motor speech impairment that impacts patient communication and quality of life. Liuzijue Qigong (LQG), a traditional Chinese method of breath training, could serve as an effective treatment for PSSD. This study compared the effects of conventional speech therapy and conventional speech therapy combined with LQG in patients with PSSD. MATERIAL AND METHODS Seventy patients with PSSD were randomly divided into a control group (conventional speech therapy, n=35, 77.14% cerebral infarction, 22.86% cerebral hemorrhage) and experimental group (LQG combined with conventional speech therapy, n=35, 85.71% cerebral infarction, 14.29% cerebral hemorrhage). Conventional speech therapy included relaxation, breath control, organ articulation, and pronunciation training. LQG involved producing 6 different sounds (Xu, He, Hu, Si, Chui, and Xi) accompanied by breathing and body movements. Patients were treated once a day, 5 times a week, for 4 weeks. The Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment scale (FDA), speech articulation, maximum phonation time (MPT), loudness, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA) were evaluated. RESULTS At 4 weeks, the experimental group showed significant improvements compared with the control group in the change of FDA (13.26±6.84 vs 18.03±5.32, P=0.028), speech articulation (63.17±22.40 vs 76.51±15.28, P=0.024), MPT (1.34±1.30 vs 3.89±3.98, P<0.001), loudness (3.46±2.74 vs 7.14±2.56, P=0.009), MoCA (19.40±3.72 vs 22.20±5.30, P=0.020), total effective rate (68.57% vs 88.57%, P=0.041). CONCLUSIONS LQG, when combined with conventional speech therapy, enhanced the comprehensive speech ability of patients with PSSD compared with conventional treatment alone.

Indole Alkaloids and Chromones from the Stem Bark of Cassia alata and Their Antiviral Activities.

The Cassia (Leguminosae) genus has attracted a lot of attention as a prolific source of alkaloids and chromones with diverse structures and biological properties. The aim of this study is to screen the antiviral compounds from Cassia alata. The extract of the stem bark of this plant was separated using silica gel, MCI, ODS C18, and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, as well as semi-preparative HPLC. As a result, three new indole alkaloids, alataindoleins A-C (1-3); one new chromone, alatachromone A (4); and a new dimeric chromone-indole alkaloid, alataindolein D (5) were isolated. Their structures were determined by means of HRESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. Interestingly, alataindolein D (5) represents a new type of dimeric alkaloid with an unusual N-2-C-16' linkage, which is biogenetically derived from a chromone and an indole alkaloid via an intermolecular nucleophilic substitution reaction. Compounds 1-5 were tested for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) and anti-rotavirus activities, and the results showed that compounds 2-4 showed high anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 44.4%, 66.5%, and 52.3%, respectively. These rates were higher than those of the positive control (with inhibition rate of 32.8%). Compounds 1 and 5 also showed potential anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 26.5% and 31.8%, respectively. In addition, compounds 1-5 exhibited potential anti-rotavirus activities with therapeutic index (TI) values in the range of 9.75~15.3. The successful isolation and structure identification of the above new compounds provided materials for the screening of antivirus drugs, and contributed to the development and utilization of C. alata.

Correlation Between Serum TSH Levels Within Normal Range and Serum Lipid Profile.

The aim of the work was to investigate the correlation between serum TSH (thyrotropin) levels within normal range and serum lipids. A total of 1962 subjects with normal thyroid function were enrolled. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of serum normal TSH levels, [Q1 (0.27-1.68) mIU/l, Q2 (1.69-2.35) mIU/l, Q3 (2.36-3.07) mIU/l, and Q4 (3.08-4.20) mIU/l]. The effect of serum normal TSH levels on serum lipid profiles of different age or gender was analyzed. The total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of the Q3 group and TG levels of the Q4 group were higher than those of the Q1 group in youth (p <0.05). The TC levels of the Q3 group were higher than those of the Q2 group in middle age (p <0.05). The LDL-C levels of middle age or elderly were higher than those of youth at the same TSH levels (p <0.05), while the TC levels of middle age were higher than those of youth in Q1, Q3, or Q4 group (p <0.05), and the TC and HDL-C levels of elderly were higher than those of youth in the Q2 group (p <0.05). The TG levels of the Q3 group were higher than those of Q1 group in males (p <0.05). The LDL-C levels of the Q3 group were higher than those of the Q1 group in females (p <0.05). In conclusion, the normal serum TSH levels were found to be closely related to serum lipid profiles, and with increasing TSH levels, serum lipids levels increased gradually.

Genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of Ebola virus in Sierra Leone.

A novel Ebola virus (EBOV) first identified in March 2014 has infected more than 25,000 people in West Africa, resulting in more than 10,000 deaths. Preliminary analyses of genome sequences of 81 EBOV collected from March to June 2014 from Guinea and Sierra Leone suggest that the 2014 EBOV originated from an independent transmission event from its natural reservoir followed by sustained human-to-human infections. It has been reported that the EBOV genome variation might have an effect on the efficacy of sequence-based virus detection and candidate therapeutics. However, only limited viral information has been available since July 2014, when the outbreak entered a rapid growth phase. Here we describe 175 full-length EBOV genome sequences from five severely stricken districts in Sierra Leone from 28 September to 11 November 2014. We found that the 2014 EBOV has become more phylogenetically and genetically diverse from July to November 2014, characterized by the emergence of multiple novel lineages. The substitution rate for the 2014 EBOV was estimated to be 1.23 × 10(-3) substitutions per site per year (95% highest posterior density interval, 1.04 × 10(-3) to 1.41 × 10(-3) substitutions per site per year), approximating to that observed between previous EBOV outbreaks. The sharp increase in genetic diversity of the 2014 EBOV warrants extensive EBOV surveillance in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia to better understand the viral evolution and transmission dynamics of the ongoing outbreak. These data will facilitate the international efforts to develop vaccines and therapeutics.

Glomerular Parietal Epithelial Cells Infection Is Associated With Poor Graft Outcome in Kidney Transplant Recipients With BK Polyomavirus-Associated Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of BK polyomavirus (BKPyV infection of glomerular parietal epithelial cells (GPECs) on graft outcome in kidney transplant recipients with BKPyV-associated nephropathy (BKPyVAN). METHODS: A total of 152 kidney transplant recipients with BKPyVAN were divided into 31 with (GPEC-positive group) and 121 without (GPEC-negative group) BKPyV-infected GPECs. Clinicopathological characteristics and allograft survival were compared between the groups. RESULTS: The GPEC-positive group had more patients with advanced-stage BKPyVAN than the GPEC-negative group (P < .001). At the last follow-up, the GPEC-positive group had a significantly higher serum creatinine level than the GPEC-negative group. The graft loss rate in the GPEC-positive group was higher than that in the GPEC-negative group (32.3% vs 12.4%; P = .008). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the graft survival rate in the GPEC-positive group was lower than that in the GPEC-negative group (log-rank test, P = .004). Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that BKPyV infection of GPECs was an independent risk factor for graft survival (hazard ratio, 3.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.43-8.76; P = .006). CONCLUSIONS: GPEC infection in patients with BKPyVAN indicates more-severe pathological damage and a rapid decline in renal function. BKPyV infection of GPECs is an independent risk factor for allograft loss.

Benzo(a)pyrene facilitates dermatophagoides group 1 (Der f 1)-induced epithelial cytokine release through aryl hydrocarbon receptor in asthma.

BACKGROUND: Environmental pollutants, which coexist with allergens, have been associated with the exacerbation of asthma. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We sought to determine whether benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) co-exposure with dermatophagoides group 1 allergen (Der f 1) can potentiate Der f 1-induced asthma and its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: The effect of BaP was investigated in Der f 1-induced mouse model of asthma, including airway hyper-responsiveness, allergic inflammation, and epithelial-derived cytokines. The impact of BaP on Der f 1-induced airway epithelial cell oxidative stress (ROS) and cytokine release was further analyzed. The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling in BaP-promoted Der f 1-induced ROS, cytokine production, and allergic inflammation was also investigated. RESULTS: Compared with Der f 1, BaP co-exposure with Der f 1 led to airway hyper-responsiveness and increased lung inflammation in mouse model of asthma. Increased expression of TSLP, IL-33, and IL-25 was also found in the airways of these mice. Moreover, BaP co-exposure with Der f 1 activated AhR signaling with increased expression of AhR and CYP1A1 and promoted airway epithelial ROS generation and TSLP and IL-33, but not IL-25, expression. Interestingly, AhR antagonist CH223191 or cells with AhR knockdown abrogated the increased expression of ROS, TSLP, and IL-33. Furthermore, ROS inhibitor N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) also suppressed BaP co-exposure-induced expression of epithelial TSLP, IL-33, and IL-25. Finally, AhR antagonist CH223191 and NAC inhibited BaP co-exposure with Der f 1-induced lung inflammation. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that BaP facilitates Der f 1-induced epithelial cytokine release through the AhR-ROS axis.

Hepatitis B virus promotes proliferation and metastasis in male Chinese hepatocellular carcinoma patients through the LEF-1/miR-371a-5p/SRCIN1/pleiotrophin/Slug pathway.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a male-dominant cancer. Several factors may contribute to the gender difference. Recent investigations have reported that miRNAs are involved in sex-linked signaling pathways and play a critical role in the molecular pathogenesis of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related HCC. Therefore, we speculated that some of these miRNAs might contribute to the gender differences observed in HBV-related HCC. Our results showed that miR-371a-5p was significantly upregulated in tumor tissue and serum from HCC patients and that the expression level of miR-371a-5p was related to HBV infection, sexuality, TNM stage, adjacent organ invasion and microvascular invasion. Moreover, a high level of miR-371a-5p expression predicted poor overall survival of HCC patients, and in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that the overexpression of miR-371a-5p promoted proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistic investigations suggested that miR-371a-5p was upregulated by HBV and testosterone through LEF-1. SRCIN1 was a direct target of miR-371a-5p and reversed the effects of miR-371a-5p on HCC tumorigenesis. Our results also revealed that SRCIN1 negatively regulated the expression of PTN by inhibiting the activity of NF-κB. As a hepatocyte growth factor, PTN promoted EMT-induced metastasis in vitro and in vivo through the AKT/Slug pathway. These data strongly suggested that the upregulation of miR-371a-5p played an important role in HBV-related HCC. Through the LEF-1/miR-371a-5p/SRCIN1/PTN/Slug pathway, HBV and testosterone promote the proliferation and metastasis of hepatoma cells, especially in male patients with HBV-related HCC.

Three new sesquiterpenes from the stems of Nicotiana tabacum and their bioactivities.

Three new sesquiterpenes, methyl 4-isopropyl-7-methoxy-6-methylnaphthalene-1-carboxylate (1), methyl 2-hydroxy-4-isopropyl-7-methoxy-6-methylnaphthalene-1-carboxylate (2), and methyl 2-hydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-4-isopropyl-7-methoxynaphthalene-1-carboxylate (3), together with three known sesquiterpenes (4-6), were isolated from the stems of Nicotiana tabacum. Their structures were determined by means of HRESIMS and extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic studies. The results showed that compounds 2, 3, and 5 exhibited high anti-TMV activity with inhibition rates of 33.6, 35.8, and 36.7%. Compounds 1-6 showed weak inhibitory activities against some tested human tumor cell lines (NB4, A549, SHSY5Y, PC3, and MCF7) with IC50 values in the range of 6.7-9.6 µM.

Efficiency of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation and Transcutaneous Nerve Stimulation on Hemiplegic Shoulder Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TENS) on hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP). DESIGN: This is a prospective randomized controlled trial. SETTING: A rehabilitation hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Participants (N=90) were randomized into NMES (n=36), TENS (n=36), or control groups (n=18). INTERVENTIONS: NMES (15Hz, pulse width 200µs) was applied to supraspinatus and deltoids (medial and posterior parts), whereas TENS (100Hz, pulse width 100µs) was used on the same areas. The surface electrodes were placed near the motor points of the supraspinatus and medial or posterior bundle of deltoids. The 4-week treatment consisted of 20 sessions, each session composed of 1 hour of stimulation per day. Routine rehabilitation program without any stimulation was administered to the control and the NMES/TENS groups. Numerical rating scale (NRS), active/passive range of motion (AROM/PROM) of shoulder, upper extremity Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), modified Ashworth scale (MAS), Barthel Index (BI), and stroke-specific quality of life scale (SSQOLS) were assessed in a blinded manner at baseline, 2, 4, and 8 weeks after treatment, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary endpoint was the improvement from baseline in NRS for HSP at 4 weeks. RESULTS: NRS scores in NMES, TENS, and control groups had decreased by 2.03, 1.44, and 0.61 points, respectively after 4 weeks of treatment, with statistically significant differences among the 3 groups (P<.001). The efficacy of the NMES group was significantly better than that of the TENS group (P=.043). Moreover, the efficacy of NMES and TENS groups was superior to that of the control group (P<.001, P=.044, respectively). The differences in the therapeutic efficacy on shoulder AROM/PROM, FMA, MAS, BI, and SSQOLS scores were not significant among the 3 groups. CONCLUSIONS: TENS and NMES can effectively improve HSP, the efficacy of NMES being distinctly superior to that of TENS in maintaining long-term analgesia. However, NMES was not more efficacious than the TENS or control group in improving the shoulder joint mobility, upper limb function, spasticity, the ability of daily life activity, and stroke-specific quality of life in HSP patients.

Pleiotrophin, a target of miR-384, promotes proliferation, metastasis and lipogenesis in HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection plays a crucial role and is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in China. microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as key players in hepatic steatosis and carcinogenesis. We found that down-regulation of miR-384 expression was a common event in HCC, especially HBV-related HCC. However, the possible function of miR-384 in HBV-related HCC remains unclear. The oncogene pleiotrophin (PTN) was a target of miR-384. HBx inhibited miR-384, increasing PTN expression. The PTN receptor N-syndecan was highly expressed in HCC. PTN induced by HBx acted as a growth factor via N-syndecan on hepatocytes and further promoted cell proliferation, metastasis and lipogenesis. PTN up-regulated sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c (SREBP-1c) through the N-syndecan/PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 pathway and the expression of lipogenic genes, including fatty acid synthesis (FAS). PTN-mediated de novo lipid synthesis played an important role in HCC proliferation and metastasis. PI3K/AKT and an mTORC1 inhibitor diminished PTN-induced proliferation, metastasis and lipogenesis. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that the dysregulation of miR-384 could play a crucial role in HBV related to HCC, and the target gene of miR-384, PTN, represents a new potential therapeutic target for the prevention of hepatic steatosis and further progression to HCC after chronic HBV infection.

Prognostic value of pretreatment serum alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) ratio and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) in patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The levels of liver function tests (LFTs) are often used to assess liver injury and non-liver disease-related mortality. In our study, the relationship between pretreatment serum LFTs and overall survival (OS) was evaluated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients. METHODS: Our purpose was to investigate the prognostic value of the preoperative alanine aminotransferase/aspartate aminotransferase (ALT/AST) ratio and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) in ESCC patients. A retrospective study was performed in 447 patients with ESCC, and follow-up period was at least 60 months until death. The prognostic significance of serum LFTs were determined by univariate and multivariate Cox hazard models. RESULTS: LFTs including ALT, AST, LSR, GGT, TBA and LDH were analyzed. Serum LSR (HR: 0.592, 95% CI = 0.457-0.768, p < 0.001 and GGT (HR: 1.507, 95% CI = 1.163-1.953, p = 0.002) levels were indicated as significant predictors of OS. The 5-year OS among patients with higher LSR levels was longer compared with those patients with decreased LSR levels, not only in the whole cohort but also in the subgroups stratified by pathological stage (T1-T2 subgroup, T3-T4 subgroup, N0 subgroup and M0 subgroup). We also found that patients with a higher GGT might predict worse OS than patients with a normal GGT, not only in the whole cohort but also in the subgroups stratified by pathological stage (T3-T4 subgroup and N1-N2 subgroup). CONCLUSIONS: Both increased levels of LSR and decreased levels of GGT might predict shorter overall survival in ESCC patients. Our findings suggest that serum LSR and GGT levels could be used as a key predictor of survival in patients with ESCC.

Three new benzolactones from Lavandula angustifolia and their bioactivities.

Three new benzolactones (1-3), together with four known ones (4-7), were isolated from the whole herb of Lavandula angustifolia. Their structures were established on the basis of detailed spectroscopic analysis (1D- and 2D-NMR, HRESIMS, UV, and IR) and comparison with data reported in the literature. New compounds were evaluated for their anti-tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) activities and cytotoxic activities. The results revealed that compounds 1-3 showed obvious anti-TMV activities with inhibition rates of 26.9, 30.2, and 28.4%, which were at the same grade as positive control. Compounds 1-3 also showed weak inhibitory activities against some tested human tumor cell lines with IC50 values in the range of 32.1-7.6 µM.

Heart rate changes in partial seizures: analysis of influencing factors among refractory patients.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the frequency of heart rate (HR) changes related to seizures, and we sought to identify the influencing factors of these changes during partial seizures, to summarize the regularity of the HR changes and gain some insight into the mechanisms involved in the neuronal regulation of cardiovascular function. To date, detailed information on influencing factors of HR changes related to seizures by multiple linear regression analysis remains scarce. METHODS: Using video-electroencephalograph (EEG)-electrocardiograph (ECG) recordings, we retrospectively assessed the changes in the HR of 81 patients during a total of 181 seizures, including 27 simple partial seizures (SPS), 110 complex partial seizures (CPS) and 44 complex partial seizures secondarily generalized (CPS-G). The epileptogenic focus and the seizure type, age, gender, and sleep/wakefulness state of each patient were evaluated during and after the seizure onset. The HR changes were evaluated in the stage of epilepsy as time varies. RESULTS: Of the 181 seizures from 81 patients with ictal ECGs, 152 seizures (83.98%) from 74 patients were accompanied by ictal tachycardia (IT). And only 1 patient was accompanied by ictal bradycardia (IB). A patient has both IT and IB. We observed that HR difference was independently correlated with side, type and sleep/wakefulness state. In this analysis, the HR changes were related to the side, gender, seizure type, and sleep/wakefulness state. Right focus, male, sleep, and CPS-G showed more significant increases than that were observed in left, female, wakefulness, SPS and CPS. HR increases rapidly within 10 seconds before seizure onset and ictus, and typically slows to normal with seizure offset. CONCLUSION: CPS-G, sleep and right focus led to higher ictal HR. The HR in the stage of epilepsy has regularly been observed to change to become time-varying. The risk factors of ictal HR need to be controlled along with sleep, CPS-G and right focus. Our study first explains that the HR in seizures has a regular evolution varying with time. Our study might help to further clarify the basic mechanisms of interactions between heart and brain, making seizure detection and closed-loop systems a possible therapeutic alternative in refractory patients.

Rapid identification of fragrant rice using starch flavor compound via NIR spectroscopy coupled with GC-MS and Badh2 genotyping.

The identification of fragrant rice varieties using near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) models has attracted extensive attention from regulatory authorities worldwide. In this study, 138 fragrant and 54 nonfragrant rice varieties were planted in the same region and distinguished using sensory evaluation, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, and betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (Badh2) genotyping. Then, the 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline (2-AP) content was assessed based on partial least-squares discriminant (PLS-DA) models generated after 2nd individually or combined with SNV/MSC/smoothing preprocessing successfully classified fragrant rice both in the calibration and predictive sets. Moreover, design of experiments (DoE)-based preprocessing selection was employed as an effective strategy to optimize the calibration models compared with the one variable at a time (OVAT) method. Further, Badh2 genotype sample screening assisted with identifying authentic fragrant rice and guaranteed the NIRS model's prediction accuracy in identifying fragrant rice. In conclusion, the high throughput PLS-DA multivariate method coupled with NIRS data was applied to identify fragrant rice varieties in routine monitoring and was effective, accurate, and rapid.

[Temporal and spatial variations and driving factors of phytoplankton in Yongjiang River estuary]. / ç”¬æ±Ÿå£æµ®æ¸¸æ¤ç‰©æ—¶ç©ºåˆ†å¸ƒç‰¹å¾åŠé©±åŠ¨å› å­.

To explore the temporal and spatial variations in phytoplankton community in small estuaries, we collected surface water samples from Yongjiang River estuary during wet, normal, and dry seasons and determined the main driving factors of phytoplankton community. A total of 358 species belonging to nine phyla and 123 genera were identified in all seasons. During wet, normal, and dry seasons, species number was 276, 154 and 151, and the abundance was (170.45±225.43)×103, (51.92±30.28)×103 and (31.65±12.79)×103 cells·L-1, respectively. Diatoms dominated the phytoplankton community, and the main dominant species were Cyclotella meneghiniana, Skeletonema costatum, and Paralia sulcata. Shannon diversity and Pielou evenness indices decreased from inside mouth to outside mouth in wet season, but there was no obvious spatial difference in normal season or dry season. Results of non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis and analysis of similarities showed that phytoplankton community composition differed significantly among different regions (inside, at and outside mouth) and different seasons. In wet season, phytoplankton abundance was significantly positively correlated with temperature, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, and dissolved reactive phosphorus, but significantly negatively correlated with salinity. In normal season, phytoplankton abundance was significantly negatively correlated with temperature. In dry season, it was not significantly correlated with environmental factors. Results of redundancy analysis showed that temperature, salinity, ammonium and dissolved reactive phosphorus explained the variations in phytoplankton community by 19.5%, 11.9%, 9.4% and 8.2%, respectively. These results revealed high dominance of diatoms and the main driving factors (temperature, salinity and nutrients) of phytoplankton community in Yongjiang River estuary.

Concurrent JCPyV-DNAemia Is Correlated With Poor Graft Outcome in Kidney Transplant Recipients With Polyomavirus-associated Nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Co-infection of JC polyomavirus (JCPyV) and BK polyomavirus (BKPyV) is uncommon in kidney transplant recipients, and the prognosis is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of concurrent JCPyV-DNAemia on graft outcomes in BKPyV-infected kidney transplant recipients with polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PyVAN). METHODS: A total of 140 kidney transplant recipients with BKPyV replication and PyVAN, 122 without concurrent JCPyV-DNAemia and 18 with JCPyV-DNAemia were included in the analysis. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to identify prognostic factors for graft survival. A nomogram for predicting graft survival was created and evaluated. RESULTS: The median tubulitis score in the JCPyV-DNAemia-positive group was higher than in JCPyV-DNAemia-negative group ( P  = 0.048). At last follow-up, the graft loss rate in the JCPyV-DNAemia-positive group was higher than in the JCPyV-DNAemia-negative group (50% versus 25.4%; P  = 0.031). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the graft survival rate in the JCPyV-DNAemia-positive group was lower than in the JCPyV-DNAemia-negative group ( P  = 0.003). Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression and multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that concurrent JCPyV-DNAemia was an independent risk factor for graft survival (hazard ratio = 4.808; 95% confidence interval: 2.096-11.03; P  < 0.001). The nomogram displayed favorable discrimination (C-index = 0.839), concordance, and clinical applicability in predicting graft survival. CONCLUSIONS: Concurrent JCPyV-DNAemia is associated with a worse graft outcome in BKPyV-infected kidney transplant recipients with PyVAN.

Muricauda antarctica sp. nov., a marine member of the Flavobacteriaceae isolated from Antarctic seawater.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped bacterium with appendages, designated Ar-22(T), was isolated from a seawater sample collected from the western part of Prydz Bay, near Cape Darnley, Antarctica. Strain Ar-22(T) grew optimally at 35 °C, at pH 7.5 and in the presence of 1-3% (w/v) NaCl. The isolate was positive for casein, gelatin and Tween 20 decomposition and negative for H2S production and indole formation. Chemotaxonomic analysis showed that MK-6 was the major isoprenoid quinone and phosphatidylethanolamine was the major polar lipid. The major fatty acids were iso-C(17:0) 3-OH, iso-C(15:1) G, iso-C(15:0) and C(16:1)ω7c/iso-C(15:0) 2OH. The genomic DNA G+C content was 44.8 mol%. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain Ar-22(T) is closely related to members of the genus Muricauda, sharing 94.2-97.3% sequence similarity with the type strains of species of the genus Muricauda and being most closely related to the Muricauda aquimarina. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison confirmed that strain Ar-22(T) formed a deep lineage with Muricauda flavescens. Sequence similarity between strain Ar-22(T) and Muricauda ruestringensis DSM 13258(T), the type species of the genus Muricauda, was 96.9%. Strain Ar-22(T) exhibited mean DNA-DNA relatedness values of 40.1%, 49.4% and 25.7% to M. aquimarina JCM 11811(T), M. flavescens JCM 11812(T) and Muricauda lutimaris KCTC 22173(T), respectively. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, strain Ar-22(T) represents a novel species of the genus Muricauda, for which the name Muricauda antarctica sp. nov. (type strain Ar-22(T) =CGMCC 1.12174(T) = JCM 18450(T)) is proposed.

Compact conformal tattoo-polymer antenna for on-body wireless power transfer.

This paper presents a 35.0 × 35.0 × 2.7 mm3 compact, low-profile, and lightweight wearable antenna for on-body wireless power transfer. The proposed antenna can be easily printed on a piece of flexible tattoo paper and transformed onto a PDMS substrate, making the entire antenna structure conform to the human body for achieving a better user experience. Here, a layer of frequency selective surface (FSS) is inserted in between the antenna and human tissue, which has successfully reduced the loading effects of the tissue, with 13.8 dB improvement on the antenna gain. Also, the operating frequency of the rectenna is not affected much by deformation. To maximize the RF-DC conversion efficiency, a matching loop, a matching stub, and two coupled lines are integrated with the antenna for tuning the rectenna so that a wide bandwidth (~ 24%) can be achieved without the use of any external matching networks. Measurement results show that the proposed rectenna can achieve a maximum conversion efficiency of 59.0% with an input power of 5.75 µW/cm2 and can even exceed 40% for a low input power of 1.0 µW/cm2 with a 20 kΩ resistive load, while many other reported rectennas can only achieve a high PCE at a high power density level, which is not always practical for a wearable antenna.

Confined synthesis of ternary FeCoMn single-atom nanozyme in N-doped hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres for synergistic chemotherapy and chemodynamic cancer therapy.

Recently, nanozymes show increasing biological applications and promising possibilities for therapeutic intervention, while their mediated therapeutic outcomes are severely compromised due to their insufficient catalytic activity and specificity. Herein, ternary FeCoMn single atoms were incorporated into N-doped hollow mesoporous carbon nanospheres by in situ confinement pyrolysis at 800 °C as high-efficiency nanozyme. The confinement strategy endows the as-prepared nanozyme with the enhanced catalase- and oxidase-like activities. Specifically, the FeCoMn TSAs/N-HCSs nanozyme can decompose intracellular H2O2 to generate O2 and subsequently convert O2 to cytotoxic superoxide radicals (O2∙-), which can initiate cascade enzymatic reactions in tumor microenvironment (TME) for chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Moreover, the cancer therapy was largely enhanced by loading with doxorubicin (DOX). Impressively, the FeCoMn TSAs/N-HCSs nanozyme-mediated CDT and the DOX-induced chemotherapy endow the DOX@FeCoMn TSAs/N-HCSs with effective tumor inhibition, showing the superior therapeutic efficacy.