Mediating Triple Ions Migration Behavior via a Fluorinated Separator Interface toward Highly Reversible Aqueous Zn Batteries.

Rampant dendrite growth, electrode passivation and severe corrosion originate from the uncontrolled ions migration behavior of Zn2+ , SO4 2- , and H+ , which are largely compromising the aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) performance. Exploring the ultimate strategy to eliminate all the Zn anode issues is challenging but urgent at present. Herein, a fluorinated separator interface (PVDF@GF) is constructed simply by grafting the polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) on the GF surface to realize high-performance AZIBs. Experimental and theoretical studies reveal that the strong interaction between C─F bonds in the PVDF and Zn2+ ions enables evenly redistributed Zn2+ ions concentration at the electrode interface and accelerates the Zn transportation kinetics, leading to homogeneous and fast Zn deposition. Furthermore, the electronegative separator interface can spontaneously repel the SO4 2- and anchor H+ ions to alleviate the passivation and corrosion. Accordingly, the Zn|Zn symmetric cell with PVDF@GF harvests a superior cycling stability of 500 h at 10 mAh cm-2 , and the Zn|VOX full cell delivers 76.8% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 2 A g-1 . This work offers an all-round solution and provides new insights for the design of advanced separators with ionic sieve function toward stable and reversible Zn metal anode chemistry.

Separator Design Strategies to Advance Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc Ion Batteries.

With the increasing demand for low-cost and high-safety portable batteries, aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have been regarded as a potential alternative to the lithium-ion batteries, bringing about extensive research dedicated in the exploration of high-performance and highly reversible ZIBs. Although separators are generally considered as non-active components in conventional research on ZIBs, advanced separators designs seem to offer effective solutions to the majority of issues within ZIBs system. These issues encompass concerns related to the zinc anode, cathode, and electrolyte. Initially, we delve into the origins and implications of various inherent problems within the ZIBs system. Subsequently, we present the latest research advancements in addressing these challenges through separators engineering. This includes a comprehensive, detailed exploration of various strategies, coupled with instances of advanced characterizations to provide a more profound insight into the mechanisms that influence the separators. Finally, we undertake a multi-criteria evaluation, based on application standards for diverse substrate separators, while proposing guiding principles for the optimal design of separators in zinc batteries. This review aims to furnish valuable guidance for the future development of advanced separators, thereby nurturing progress in the field of ZIBs.

Antiferroelectric AgNbO3 @KH550 Doped PVDF/PMMA Composites with High Energy Storage Performance.

The residual polarization of antiferroelectric ceramics is very small, yet they possess high energy storage density and efficiency. Incorporating antiferroelectric ceramic particles into a polymer matrix is beneficial for improving the energy storage performance of composites. However, excessive amounts of ceramic particles can lead to aggregation within the polymer, resulting in defects and a significant reduction in composite film performance. In this study, the antiferroelectric AgNbO3 is selected as the filler and modified with silane coupling agent KH550. poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) are blended as the matrix, and the energy storage performance of the composite is improved by adjusting the additional amount of PVDF. The structure, dielectric properties, and energy storage properties of the composites are systematically studied. The results show that hydrogen bonds are formed between PVDF and PMMA, and PVDF and PMMA are tightly bonded under the action of hydrogen bonds. The compatibility of PVDF with PMMA is optimal when the mass fraction of PVDF is 30 wt%. Moreover, with the synergistic effect of the antiferroelectric filler AgNbO3 , the breakdown strength of AgNbO3 /PVDF/PMMA composites reaches 430 kV mm-1 , and the energy storage density reaches 14.35 J cm-3 .

Improving the Energy Storage Performance of All-Polymer Composites By Blending PVDF and P(VDF-CTFE).

Organic film capacitors have incredibly high power density and have an irreplaceable position in pulsed power systems, high-voltage power transmission networks and other fields. At present, the energy storage density and energy storage efficiency of organic film capacitors are relatively low, resulting in excessive equipment volume. The performance of organic film capacitors is determined by polymer materials, so it is crucial to develop a polymer composite with high energy storage density and high charge-discharge efficiency. Poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene) (P(VDF-CTFE)) is incorporated into the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) matrix by solution blending. The successful preparation of the all-polymer composite material solves the problems of low breakdown electric field strength, low discharge energy density, and low charge-discharge efficiency of high-dielectric ferroelectric materials. The discharge energy density of the PVDF/P(VDF-CTFE) (70/30) film is more than twice that of pure PVDF due to the increase of phases α and γ and the decrease of crystallinity. Under the breakdown electric field (380 kV mm-1 ), PVDF/P(VDF-CTFE) (70/30) film also has an ultrahigh energy storage efficiency of 64%. The relationship between the structure and properties of composite materials is investigated in this study, which has important implications for the development of capacitors with high energy storage density.

Baicalein Relieves Ferroptosis-Mediated Phagocytosis Inhibition of Macrophages in Ovarian Endometriosis.

Iron overload and oxidative stress have been reported to contribute to ferroptosis in endometriotic lesions. However, the possible roles of iron overload on macrophages in endometriosis (EMs) remain unknown. Based on recent reports by single-cell sequencing data of endometriosis, here we found significant upregulations of ferroptosis-associated genes in the macrophage of the endometriotic lesion. Additionally, there was an elevated expression of HMOX1, FTH1, and FTL in macrophages of peritoneal fluid in EMs, as well as iron accumulation in the endometriotic lesions. Notably, cyst fluid significantly up-regulated levels of intracellular iron and ferroptosis in Phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-stimulated THP-1 cells. Additionally, high iron-induced ferroptosis obviously reduced PMA-stimulated THP-1 cells' phagocytosis and increased the expression of angiogenic cytokines, such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and interleukin 8 (IL8). Baicalein, a potential anti-ferroptosis compound, increased GPX4 expression, significantly inhibited ferroptosis, and restored phagocytosis of THP-1 cells in vitro. Collectively, our study reveals that ferroptosis triggered by high iron in cyst fluid promotes the development of EMs by impairing macrophage phagocytosis and producing more angiogenic cytokines (e.g., IL8 and VEGFA). Baicalein displays the potential for the treatment of EMs, especially in patients with high ferroptosis and low phagocytosis of macrophages.

Predictors of Psychological Distress and Resilience in the Post-COVID-19 Era.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 global pandemic has had profound effects on mental health and wellbeing. The present study examined trends in distress and recovery in the aftermath of COVID-19 in China. Predictors that might increase risks or provide protections again distress were explored. METHOD: Participants were recruited using social media during the COVID-19 pandemic to complete a baseline and 6-week follow-up survey (N = 241). The change patterns of PTSD symptoms from baseline to follow-up were characterized using latent class growth analysis (LCGA). A repeated-measures ANOVA was conducted to explore the differences in the depressive symptoms across trajectory groups. Multinominal logistic regression was performed to investigate potential predictors of the outcome trajectories. RESULTS: Four longitudinal outcome trajectories were identified: chronic (PTSD symptoms remained high; 14.9%), resilient (symptoms remained low; 43.2%), recovered (symptoms decreased from symptomatic levels to asymptomatic; 19.5%), and delayed (symptoms increased from asymptomatic levels to symptomatic; 22.4%). Hopelessness and maladaptive coping strategies were unique predictors of distress and resilience as well as longer-term trajectories. CONCLUSION: Individuals evidenced four outcome trajectories of distress in the aftermath of COVID-19 in China. Despite the uncertainty and high levels of stress related to the pandemic, the majority of the sample demonstrated resilience and recovery. It is essential to identify individuals at risk for chronic and delayed distress in order to build resilience.

[Advances in the clinical research of gastro-esophageal reflux disease and functional gastrointestinal diseases].

Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and functional gastrointestinal diseases (FGIDs) are common digestive diseases with an increasing concern. Both of them share similar pathogenesis, symptoms overlapping and merged mental psychological factors, which cause lack of standardization in diagnosis and poor response to treatment. The topics of this issue focused on the characteristics of motility dysfunction in different subtype of GERD and treatment priorities, main points of diagnosis and treatment of atypical-GERD with extra-esophageal symptoms as the primary presenting manifestation, status and characteristics of symptom overlapping between GERD and FGIDs, as well as the influence of symptom overlapping and mental psychological factors to life quality of GERD and FGIDs patients. With these advances in clinical research translating into clinical practice, it becomes promising to improve the standardization of diagnosis and to optimize the treatment of these diseases, which could lead to the change of therapeutic goal from simply alleviation of symptoms into the improvement of life quality with more concern of symptoms indicators.

[Clinical features, quality of life and psychological health of patients with irritable bowel syndrome and functional dyspepsia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate severity of gastrointestinal symptoms, quality of life, and mental health status of patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and functional dyspepsia (FD). METHODS: IBS patients were enrolled consecutively at the Outpatient Department of Gastroenterology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from September 2012 to May 2013. The participants were divided into two groups according to their appearance with FD. Ten healthy volunteers served as normal controls. A questionnaire survey was undertaken to measure scores of gastrointestinal symptom rating scale (GSRS), Chinese IBS-quality of life (ChIBS-QOL), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) and medical conditions. RESULTS: Twenty-five (41.7%) IBS patients were overlapped with FD (IBS-FD). The IBS-FD patients had significantly higher scores of GSRS than IBS patients and healthy volunteers (P < 0.05). The IBS-FD patients saw doctors more frequently than IBS patients (P < 0.05). Neither anxiety nor depression were observed in healthy volunteers. The IBS patients were more likely to present mild anxiety and depression, while the IBS-FD patients were more likely to present moderate to severe anxiety and depression. The IBS-FD patients had significantly higher prevalence of anxiety and depression than IBS patients (80.0% vs. 51.4%, 76.0% vs. 48.6% respectively, P < 0.05). Scores of GSRS, ChIBS-QOL and prevalence of anxiety and depression were the highest in the IBS-FD patients with constipation (IBS-C-FD, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: IBS-FD patients especially those with constipation suffer more gastrointestinal discomforts, and are more likely to suffer from anxiety and depression and poor quality of life compared with those with IBS only.

[Effect of hypoxia on the activation and visfatin expression in rat hepatic stellate cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of hypoxia on the visfatin and the expression of smooth muscle-actin (alpha-SMA) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). METHODS: Rat primary HSCs were isolated from SD rats by in situ perfusion of collagenase and pronase and single-step Nycodenz density gradient centrifugation, and then cultured and activated. Completely activated primary HSCs were exposed to hypoxic conditions (37 degrees C, 5% CO2, 1% O2, 94% N2), or normoxic conditions (37 degrees C, 5% CO2, 21% O2, 74% N2), for 3, 6, 12 or 24 h respectively. The expression of alpha-SMA, the marker of HSC activation, and visfatin were assessed by Real time-PCR and Western blot. The Expression of HIF-1alpha was detected by Real time-PCR. RESULTS: HIF-1alpha mRNA in rat HSCs was induced after exposed to hypoxia for 3 h, and maintained elevated status up to 24 h. HSCs exposed to 1% O2 hypoxic conditions for 6 h increased alpha-SMA mRNA and protein expression. Visfatin mRNA expression was up-regulated after subjected to hypoxia for 12 h, and protein level was elevated after 6 h hypoxia. A positive linear correlation existed between alpha-SMA and visfatin expression in responsible to hypoxia (r = 0.991 (genes) and r = 0.968 (proteins), P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Microcirculation impairment could significantly induce alpha-SMA and visfatin expression in rat HSCs, which might potentate the activation process of HSCs.

[Association between acid reflux and esophageal dysmotility in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between esophageal motility and acid reflux in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). METHODS: A total of 94 patients with typical reflux symptoms such as heartburn, regurgitation and chest pain, whose score (Sc) of reflux diagnostic questionnaire (RDQ) was greater than or equal to 12 were enrolled in the study. Each participant was evaluated by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, high resolution manometry (HRM) of esophagus and 24 h esophageal pH monitoring. The participants were divided into groups of reflux esophagitis (RE) and non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) on the basis of endoscopy findings. The 24 h esophageal pH monitoring categorized participants into physiologic reflux (pH) and pathologic reflux (pH+). The characteristics of esophageal motility and acid reflux were compared between the two groups of participants. RESULTS: Lower but non-significant differences (P > 0.05) were found in pressure of lower esophageal sphincter (LESP), length of lower esophageal sphincter (LESL), esophageal contraction amplitude (CA), distal contractile integral (DCI) and effective peristalsis proportion (EPP) in the participants in the RE group compared with those in the NERD group. Participants in the RE group had significantly higher prevalence of reduced LESP (63.0% vs. 31.7%, P < 0.01) and hiatus hernia (HH) (37.0% vs. 14.3%, P < 0.05) than those in the NERD group, pH+ was more prevalent in the RE group than in the NERD group (63.0% vs. 17.5%, P < 0.01). Indicators of 24 h esophageal pH monitoring were significantly higher in participants in the RE group compared with those in the NERD group (P < 0.05). Participants with pH+ had significantly lower LESP, CA and higher HH and prevalence of reduced LESP compared with those with pH (P < 0.05). LESL, DCI and EPP were lower in those with pH+ compared with those with pH-, but without statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: RE is closely associated with acid reflux and hiatus hernia. Esophageal dysmotility is more likely to appear in patients with pH+. The interaction of acid reflux and esophageal dysmotility may play a role in GERD.

[Comparison of clinical features between gastroesophageal reflux diseases with atypical and typical symptoms].

OBJECTIVE: To study the differences between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with atypical symptoms (a-GERD) and typical symptoms (t-GERD). METHODS: 30 patients of suspected a-GERD were recruited and examined with upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, high-resolution manometry (HRM), 24 h esophageal multichannel intra-luminal impedance monitoring with pH sensor (MII-pH) and proton pump inhibitor (PPI) trials. The results were compared with those of 33 cases of GERD with typical symptoms. RESULTS: Among the 30 patients of suspected GERD, 24 were confirmed with a-GERD. One third of those patients were over sixty-years old, significantly higher than those with typical GERD (P < 0.05). No significant differences in prevalence of esophageal mucosa breakage and esophageal manometry readings were found between the two groups (P > 0.05). The a-GERD patients had higher data readings in 24 h esophageal MCII-pH monitoring than the t-GERD patients (P < 0.05). Supine type of GER and mixed reflux were predominately seen in the a-GERD patients, while upright type of GER was predominate seen in the t-GERD patients. The response rate of PPI in the a-GERD patients was significantly lower than that in the t-GERD patients when a course of standard dosage of PPI was given (45.8% vs. 78.8%, P < 0.01). But there was no significant difference in PPI response between these two groups when a second course with double standard dosage of PPI combined with pro-motility agents were given (72.7% vs. 88.0%, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with patients of t-GERD, older onset age, more severe degree of acid reflux are presented in patients of a-GERD. a-GERD should be considered when it is hard to explain the symptoms of upper part of the chest in clinical practice. 24 h esophageal MII-pH monitoring and/or diagnostic therapy with double standard dosage of PPI helps make a correct diagnosis.

An analysis of adjuvant chemoradiotherapy versus chemotherapy on the survival rates for patients with stage IB-III uterine serous carcinoma.

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether a combination of chemotherapy plus radiotherapy was able to increase the overall survival rates compared with chemotherapy alone in stage IB-III uterine serous carcinoma. A total of 1096 patients (593 who had not received radiotherapy, and 503 who had) with primary stage IB-III uterine serous carcinoma who underwent surgery and received chemotherapy were included in the present study. The Kaplan-Meier method and Log-Rank tests showed that radiotherapy did not increase 5-year overall survival rates compared with the no-radiotherapy groups (52.3 cf. 50.8%, respectively; P = 0.641). Cox regression analysis subsequently corroborated that radiotherapy did not affect the 5-year overall survival rate (P = 0.635). Patients who were aged ≥ 60 years had a higher mortality rate [hazard ratio (HR), 1.712; 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.385-2.117; P < 0.05]. The 5-year overall survival rates were found to be lower in the groups where the regional lymph nodes had not been removed (HR 0.645; 95% CI 0.508-0.821; P < 0.05). Chemotherapy plus radiotherapy was found to not be associated with improved 5-year overall survival rates. However, chemotherapy may be a better treatment option for patients with primary stage IB-III uterine serous carcinoma who have undergone surgery.

Prognostic characteristics of gastrointestinal tract NK/T-cell lymphoma: an analysis of 47 patients in China.

BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal tract is the most common primary site of extranodal lymphomas, whereas gastrointestinal natural killer/T-cell (GINKT) lymphomas are relatively rare. To date, neither the prognostic characteristics nor the clinical features or optimal therapeutic approach for GINKT has yet been defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, a retrospective analysis was carried out on clinical data obtained from 47 patients diagnosed with GINKT lymphoma between May 1999 and August 2011 at West China Hospital. RESULTS: Patients had a median age of 37 years. Thirty-five of the patients were men (74.5%). The common clinical manifestations included fever (78.7%) and abdominal pain (76.6%). Seventeen patients had intestinal perforation (36.2%). All patients showed ulcerative lesions; the most common site of involvement was the colon (27/47; 57.4%), followed by the jejunoileum and ileocecum (14/47; 29.8%). The median survival period was 2.83 (95% confidence interval, 0.27-29) months. Age, perforation, B syndrome, staging according to Lugano system, and surgery were independent prognostic risk factors for GINKT lymphoma. CONCLUSIONS: This study concluded that GINKT lymphoma is prone to perforation, hemorrhage, and other complications; moreover, the prognosis is very poor. The Lugano staging is a relatively suitable staging system. Surgery before perforation is a key therapy factor that affected prognosis. Although the roles played by chemotherapy and radiotherapy are unclear, combination therapy is necessary.

Effects of radiotherapy on the survival of patients with stage IA and low-grade stage IB uterine endometrioid carcinoma.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of radiotherapy on the overall survival of patients with primary stage IA, grade I-III uterine endometrioid carcinoma or stage IB, grade I-II uterine endometrioid carcinoma. A total of 7504 patients with stage IA, grade I-III uterine endometrioid carcinoma, and 857 patients with stage IB, grade I-II uterine endometrioid carcinoma were collected for the present study. Following propensity score matching (PSM), statistical analysis was performed for the equalized number of patients with stage IA, grade I-III uterine endometrioid carcinoma (n = 383) and patients with stage IB, grade I-II uterine endometrioid carcinoma (n = 330). For patients with primary stage IA, grade I-III uterine endometrioid carcinoma, radiotherapy was found to promoted a reduced 5-year overall survival rates [hazard ratio (HR), 1.726; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.456-2.046; P < 0.05]. In patients with primary stage IB, grade I-II uterine endometrioid carcinoma, no significant differences were observed in the 5-year overall survival rates between radiotherapy and no radiotherapy groups (P = 0.059). In conclusion, radiotherapy may not improve 5-year overall survival for patients with primary stage IA, grade I-III or stage IB, grade I-II uterine endometrioid carcinoma.

Contraction reserve in high resolution manometry is correlated with lower esophageal acid exposure time in patients with normal esophageal motility: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: In high resolution manometry (HRM), distal contractile integral post multiple rapid swallow augmentation is considered as contraction reserve. The relationship between contraction reserve and esophageal acid reflux remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between contraction reserve and esophageal acid exposure in ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) and normal HRM. METHODS: Patients who underwent HRM and ambulatory reflux monitoring were retrospectively screened. Those with diagnosis of normal HRM or IEM were included in the analysis. The proportion of patients with abnormal acid exposure time (AET) was compared between patients with and without contraction reserve. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine the predictors of abnormal AET and contraction reserve. RESULTS: A total of 338 patients, including 264 normal HRM and 74 IEM, were included in the analysis. In patients with normal HRM, proportion of abnormal total AET (AET > 6.0%) was significantly lower in patients with supine contraction reserve than patients without contraction reserve (13.85% vs. 24.63%, p = 0.027). Multivariate regression analysis showed that supine contraction reserve could independently predict abnormal total AET (OR = 0.468, 95% CI: 0.249-0.948, p = 0.034), while upright contraction reserve trended strongly (OR = 0.558, 95% CI: 0.290-1.071, p = 0.079). Subgroup analysis showed that upright contraction reserve was an independent predictor of abnormal total AET in patients with 50-70% infective swallows (OR = 0.205, 95% CI: 0.051-0.821, p = 0.025), whereas supine contraction reserve did not have predictive value (p = 0.359). CONCLUSIONS: Supine contraction reserve correlates with esophageal acid reflux in patients with normal HRM, while only upright contraction reserve correlates with esophageal acid reflux in patients with infective swallows of 50-70%.

Tuning the Ferroelectric Response of Sandwich-Structured Nanocomposites with the Coordination of Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 Nanoparticles and Boron Nitride Nanosheets to Achieve Excellent Discharge Energy Density and Efficiency.

With the rapid development of new electronic products and sustainable energy systems, there is an increasing demand for electrical energy storage devices such as electrostatic capacitors. In order to comprehensively improve the dielectric, insulating, and energy storage properties of PVDF-based composites, sandwich-structured composites were prepared by layer-by-layer solution casting. The outer layers of the sandwich structure composite are both PVDF/boron nitride nanosheet composites, and the middle layer is a PVDF/Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 nanoparticles composite. The structural and electrical properties of the sandwich-structured composites were characterized and analyzed. The results show that when the volume percentage of Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 nanoparticles in the middle layer of the sandwich structure composite is 1 vol.%, the dielectric properties are significantly improved. Its dielectric constant is 8.99 at 10 kHz, the dielectric loss factor is 0.025, and it has better insulating properties and resistance to electrical breakdown. Benefiting from the high breakdown electric field strength and the large maximum electrical displacement, the sandwich-structured composites with 1 vol.% and Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 nanoparticles in the middle layer show a superior discharge energy density of 8.9 J/cm3, and excellent charge and discharge energy efficiency of 76%. The sandwich structure composite achieves the goal of simultaneous improvement in breakdown electric field strength and dielectric constant.

Network pharmacology and experimental validation to explore the potential mechanism of Sanjie Zhentong Capsule in endometriosis treatment.

Purpose: Sanjie Zhentong Capsule (SZC) is gradually becoming widely used in the treatment of endometriosis (EMs) and has demonstrated an excellent curative effect in the clinic. However, the active components and mechanisms of Sanjie Zhentong Capsule (SZC) in the treatment of endometriosis (EMs) remain unclear, and further research is needed to explore the effects of Sanjie Zhentong Capsule (SZC). Materials and methods: First, a drug target database of Sanjie Zhentong capsule (SZC) was established by consulting the TCMSP database and related literature. An endometriosis (EMs) disease target database was then established by consulting the GeneCards, OMIM and Drug Bank databases. The overlapping genes of SZC and EMs were determined, and protein-protein interactions (PPIs), gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Gene and Genome Encyclopedia (KEGG) analyses were performed to predict the potential therapeutic mechanisms. Molecular docking was used to observe whether the key active ingredients and targets predicted by network pharmacology had good binding energy. Finally, in vitro experiments such as CCK-8, flow cytometry and RT-PCR assays were carried out to preliminarily verify the potential mechanisms. Results: Through the construction of a pharmacological network, we identified a total of 28 active components in SZC and 52 potential therapeutic targets. According to GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, the effects of SZC treatment may be related to oxidative stress, steroid metabolism, apoptosis and proliferation. We also experimentally confirmed that SZC can regulate the expression of steroid hormone biosynthesis-related genes, inhibit ectopic endometrial stromal cell (EESC) proliferation and oxidative stress, and promote apoptosis. Conclusion: This study explored the potential mechanism of SZC in the treatment of EMs through network pharmacology and experiments, providing a basis for further future research on SZC in the treatment of EMs.

Baicalein improves the chemoresistance of ovarian cancer through regulation of CirSLC7A6.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to investigate whether baicalein improves the sensitivity of resistant ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin. METHODS: Transcriptomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were used to screen differentially expressed CirSLC7A6 in A2780 and A2780/CDDP cells. RT-qPCR was performed to examine the expression levels of CirSLC7A6, miR-2682-5p, and SLC7A6. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were examined using a Cell Counting Kit-8 assay and flow cytometry, and cell migration and invasion were analyzed using wound healing and Transwell assays. Cell suspensions were inoculated into the subcutaneous tissues of the bilateral interscapular region of nude mice. Saline, cisplatin, baicalein and cisplatin plus baicalein were intraperitoneally injected to observe the effects on tumor growth. Toxicity analyses in the liver and kidney were performed using H&E staining. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of CirSLC7A6, miR-2682-5p, and SLC7A6 in tumor tissues, and western blot analysis was carried out to measure protein expression levels. RESULTS: CirSLC7A6 was markedly upregulated in A2780/CDDP cells compared with the A2780 cells. CirSLC7A6 knockdown notably increased the expression of miR-2682-5p and decreased SLC7A6 expression. The rates of inhibition and apoptosis in the group treated with a combination of cisplatin and baicalein were significantly higher than those of the cisplatin and baicalein groups of A2780/CDDP shCirSLC7A6 cells. In A2780/CDDP shCirSLC7A6 cells, migration and invasion were significantly higher in the cisplatin and baicalein groups, compared with the combined treatment group. In the A2780/CDDP shCirSLC7A6 cell xenograft, the tumor weight of the combined treatment group was significantly lower than that of the cisplatin and baicalein groups. In addition, the combination of cisplatin and baicalein did not induce higher levels of toxicity in the liver or kidney. Baicalein alone and in combination with cisplatin notably reduced the expression of CirSLC7A6 and SLC7A6, and increased the expression of miR-2682-5p in the A2780/CDDP shCirSLC7A6 cell xenograft. In A2780/CDDP shCirSLC7A6 cells, the expression levels of P-Akt, P-mTOR, P-Erk, Bcl-2 and MMP2 were lower in the combined treatment group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with baicalein improved the sensitivity of ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin and inhibited cell proliferation, metastasis and tumor growth.

Using Relational Training to Improve Performance During Acceptance and Commitment Training Sessions.

The current study investigated the effect of relational training on improving engagement during acceptance and commitment training (ACT) sessions that aimed to reduce maladaptive behavior. Three female children diagnosed with autism participated in the current research. The relational training protocol involved eight programs designed to improve participants' ability to engage in relational responding. A concurrent multiple-baseline across-participants design was used, and participants' maladaptive behavior during ACT sessions was recorded. Results indicated a decrease in maladaptive behavior for one of the three participants, with a medium to large treatment effect. A secondary measure also showed improvement in all three participants' performance during ACT sessions. The percentage of nonoverlapping data and Cohen's d suggest a small to moderate treatment effect. Implications for implementing ACT with individuals diagnosed with autism are discussed.

Developing and Enhancing Adherence to a Telehealth ABA Parent Training Curriculum for Caregivers of Children with Autism.

The current COVID-19 pandemic poses unique challenges to the delivery of applied behavior analysis (ABA) services, and there has been a growing demand for evidence-based practices on how to develop a telehealth ABA service model. The current article provides a detailed technological guide on how to develop a telehealth ABA parent training curriculum. Our model also includes a series of brief acceptance and commitment training (ACT) protocols to enhance parental adherence. We provide the details for replicating our telehealth model and also demonstrate its effectiveness. To begin, a step-by-step guide on how to develop this curriculum is presented, as well as protocols used in a 60-day telehealth ABA parent training program. Afterward, we describe a randomized controlled trial design to examine the effectiveness of this protocol. Thirteen families from the southern Illinois region participated in the curriculum before the COVID-19 outbreak. Obtained data indicated training was effective to teach skills, and parents with supplemental ACT material made significantly more progress than those in the control group, t(11) = 2.36, p = .038. Halfway through the training, the outbreak of COVID-19 occurred, and parents in the ACT group were more likely to continue the program, whereas parents in the control group were significantly more likely to postpone their participation, χ2 = 6.96, p = .008. Social validity measures indicated that parents rated the curriculum favorably. Limitations and suggestions for practitioners are discussed.