Effective Combination of Targeted Therapies with Sonodynamic Treatment for Use in Exploring Differences in Therapeutic Efficacy across Organelle Targets.

Acoustic kinetic therapy systems that target specific organelles can improve the precision of a sonosensitizer, which is a perfect combination of targeted therapy and sonodynamic therapy (SDT) and plays an important role in current acoustic kinetic therapy. In this study, we loaded PpIX, a sonosensitizer, on targeted-functional carbon dots (CDs) via an amide reaction and then generated the mitochondria-targeted system (Mit-CDs-PpIX) and nucleus-targeted system (Nuc-CDs-PpIX), respectively, to deliver the sonosensitizer. Both systems exhibited minimal cytotoxicity in the absence of ultrasound stimulation. The efficacy of the targeted SDT systems was investigated using methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) assays, live/dead staining, flow cytometry, etc. Compared with the free PpIX and mitochondria-targeted system, the nucleus-targeted system is more potent in killing effect under ultrasound stimulation and induces apoptosis with higher intensity. To achieve the equal killing effect, the effective concentration of Nuc-CDs-PpIX is just one third of that of Mit-CDs-PpIX.

Do policy burdens induce excessive managerial perks? Evidence from China's stated-owned enterprises.

This paper explores the effect of policy burdens of China's state-owned enterprises (SOEs) on senior executives' excessive perks. The empirical analysis demonstrates that SOE policy burdens are significantly and positively correlated with senior executives' excessive perks, indicating that SOE policy burdens increase agency cost. The results hold after controlling for potential endogeneity. Moreover, we find the following evidences. Strategic policy burdens of SOEs have a significantly greater impact on their senior executives' excessive perks, compared with social policy burdens. The positive impact of SOE policy burdens on excessive perks is significantly weaker in east China due to the higher degree of marketization. The central government's stricter supervision can also alleviate the positive correlation between policy burdens of centrally administered SOEs and senior executives' excessive perks.

Correlation between CTLA-4 and CD40 gene polymorphisms and their interaction in graves' disease in a Chinese Han population.

BACKGROUND: Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotype and SNP-SNP interactions of CTLA-4 and CD40 genes, with susceptibility to Graves' disease (GD), were explored in a Chinese Han population. METHODS: SNP were genotyped by high resolution melting (HRM). Use the method of Pearson χ2 test and Logistic regression for the association between single SNP and Graves' disease. Using the method of χ2 test and Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) to analysis the haplotype frequency distribution, the interaction of SNPs respectively. RESULTS: Genotypic and allelic frequencies of SNP rs231775, rs3087243 and rs1883832 were statistically different between controls and GD (p < 0.05). Mutant allelic frequency of G rs231775 was higher, and A and T allelic frequencies of rs3087243 and rs1883832 were lower in GD than in controls (P < 0.05). In CTLA-4 rs1024161, rs5742909, rs231775, rs231777, rs231779, rs3087243 and rs11571319 showed D' < 50% and r2 < 0.3 among each SNP. We identified six commonly found haplotypes; TCGCTGC was associated with the highest GD risk (OR = 2.565) and TCACTAC the lowest (OR = 0.096). MDR analysis indicated interactions among the rs231775 GG, rs231779 TT and rs3087243 GG genotypes in CTLA-4 might increase GD risk by 2.53-fold (OR = 2.53). CONCLUSION: CTLA-4 and CD40 were associated with GD incidence in a Chinese Han population. The TCGCTGC and TCACTAC haplotypes in the CTLA-4 gene, were risk and protective factors for Graves'disease respectively. Interactions among the SNPs of rs231775, rs231779 and rs3087243 significantly increase the susceptibility to GD.

Be aware of the effects of glucocorticoids on SIADH: A case report.

RATIONALE: Hyponatremia is one of the most common electrolyte disorders in clinic. Due to the complicated etiology and the nonspecific clinical manifestations, the diagnosis of hyponatremia is a complicated process. A variety of clinical disorders can cause inappropriately increased antidiuretic hormone (ADH) secretion, leading to inappropriate water retention and consequent hyponatremia. The most common cause of hyponatremia in hospital inpatients is syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic (SIADH). The action of glucocorticoid against pituitary posterior lobe can reduce the secretion of ADH. However, the effect of hormone on diuretic hormone during treatment has been less reported. PATIENT CONCERNS AND DIAGNOSIS: The patient in this case report was misdiagnosed as anterior pituitary hypofunction because of the long-term glucocorticoid therapy was effective in this patient, and the patient was finally diagnosed as SIADH after reassessment. The patient is a 76-year-old male with long-term symptomatic hyponatremia after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The patient has been consistently diagnosed as anterior pituitary hypofunction. Based on the diagnosis, glucocorticoid replacement therapy was administered. The serum sodium of the patient gradually increased to normal level after hydrocortisone intravenous injection but dropped again after switch to hydrocortisone oral administration. Through examination and analysis of the patient status during the five-time hospitalization, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (SIADH) was considered. INTERVENTIONS: Water intake limitation and oral furosemide and antisterone were administered after glucocorticoid therapy was stopped. OUTCOME: The serum sodium level of the patient gradually increased and maintained within normal range based on his clinical follow-up. LESSONS: For hyponatremia with effective glucocorticoid treatment, SIADH should still be excluded.