Concurrent Ammonia Synthesis and Alcohol Oxidation Boosted by Glutathione-Capped Quantum Dots under Visible Light.

Mother nature accomplishes efficient ammonia synthesis via cascade N2 oxidation by lightning strikes followed with enzyme-catalyzed nitrogen oxyanion (NOx -, x = 2,3) reduction. The protein environment of enzymatic centers for NOx --to-NH4 + process greatly inspires the design of glutathione-capped (GSH) quantum dots (QDs) for ammonia synthesis under visible light (440 nm) in tandem with plasma-enabled N2 oxidation. Mechanistic studies reveal that GSH induces positive shift of surface charge to strengthen the interaction between NOx - and QDs. Upon visible light irradiation of QDs, the balanced and rapid hole and electron transfer furnish GS·radicals for 2e-/2H+ alcohol oxidation and H·for 8e-/10H+ NO3 --to-NH4 + reduction simultaneously. For the first time, mmol-scale ammonia synthesis is realized with apparent quantum yields of 5.45% ± 0.64%, and gram-scale synthesis of value-added acetophenone and NH4Cl proceeds with 1:4 stoichiometry and stability, demonstrating promising multielectron and multiproton ammonia synthesis efficiency and sustainability with nature-inspired artificial photocatalysts.

Effects of physicochemical and structural properties of single and double feedstuffs derived from different botanic sources on in vitro starch digestion and glucose release kinetics.

Starch is the largest constituent in animal diets. The aims of this study were as follows: (a) to assess the variability of basic physicochemical properties and in vitro starch digestion of starchy feedstuffs and investigate relationship between physicochemical properties and starch digestion of the feedstuffs, and (b) to explore the effects of different sources of starchy feedstuffs on starch digestion and glucose release. In this study, we determined the inherent molecular structure and granular structure of starch and chemical compositions of seven starchy feedstuffs, as well as starch digestion in single feedstuff and different feedstuffs combined with corn. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed significant difference between granule shape and size of starch of different feedstuffs. Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectra for barley and wheat had lower (p < 0.05) absorbance band at areas A_860 and A_928 than other feedstuffs, yet rice starch had the lowest value for ratio (R) (1047/1022). Moreover, digestion rate ranged from 0.0157/min for resistant starch (sorghum) to 0.029/min for rapidly starch (broken rice). The principle component analysis (PCA) showed that predicted glycaemic index (pGI) was positively related to A_1022, glucose and rapidly (RDS) content and negatively related to A_995, A_1047, R (1047/1022), resistant starch (RS) and amylose content. Most of the feedstufss with corn combination had no effect on rate of starch digestion. In addition, different starchy feeds and corn combination changed the rate of starch digestion, when barley, however, sorghum combined with corn seemed to affect rate of starch digestion. To sum up, different sources differed in basic physicochemical and structural properties, which would influence the digestion rate of starch and the release of glucose. Combination of different feedstuffs particular sorghum with corn has interactive effect on starch digestion and the release of glucose.

Luminescent carbon dots with concentration-dependent emission in solution and yellow emission in solid state.

Carbon dots (CDs) is a class of zero-dimensional carbon nanomaterials with favorable stability and optical properties. However, CDs in solid state often suffer from fluorescence quenching due to π-π stacking of conjugated systems, like most small molecules or organic dyes. Herein, we prepared the CDs that generate bright yellow luminescence in solid state without any additional matrix, meanwhile the solid CDs are inclined to assembly into spherical structure. While the CDs are dissolved in aqueous solution, the photoluminescence (PL) emission from blue to green can be realized by regulating the concentration of CDs. With the concentration increasing, the self-assembly behavior of CDs is observed in solution, which leads to the bathochromic shift of photoluminescence. Besides, the mechanism of PL conversion in this process was proposed based on the characterization results, that with the concentration of CDs rising in solution, π-π interaction was restrained while electron redistribution was induced. Consequently, a localized state II caused by electron rearrangement gradually becomes the predominant emission state, resulting in the PL emission shifting to long-wavelength region. Moreover, CDs have shown favorable potentials in the field of anti-counterfeit and multicolor bioimaging, making the CDs highly attractive for a wide variety of applications.

Amelioration of Cd-Induced Oxidative Stress, MT Gene Expression, and Immune Damage by Vitamin C in Grass Carp Kidney Cells.

Cadmium (Cd) is the most common heavy metal and is easily detected in aquatic environments on a global scale. Vitamin C was a widely used vitamin in aquaculture. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of vitamin C in ameliorating Cd-induced toxicity in grass carp kidney (CIK) cells. Cell viability, oxidative response, metallothionein (MT), and immune-related gene expression was analyzed in the present study. The results show that cell viability was significantly reduced following Cd exposure, but the vitamin C supplementation attenuated the increased in cell viability. In addition, vitamin C supplementation can increase the antioxidation response and MT and immune-related gene expression. These results indicate that vitamin C has the potential to alleviate the effects of Cd toxicity in CIK cells.

Prevalence of human papillomavirus type-18 in head and neck cancer among the Chinese population: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: China has a high burden of head and neck cancer globally and oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) has been hypothesized as a risk factor for head and neck cancer, but research was absent for establishing HPV prevalence in China. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to estimate the high-risk HPV-18 prevalence of head and neck cancer in the Chinese population. METHODS: This meta-analysis was reported following the guideline of PRISMA. The reports on HPV and head and neck cancer in a Chinese population published between Jan 1, 2006 and May 31, 2018 were retrieved via CNKI/WANFANG/MEDLINE/EMBASE/COCHRANE databases. A random-effect model was used to calculate pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 1881 head and neck cancer cases from 19 studies were included in this meta-analysis. Overall, the pooled HPV-18 prevalence among head and neck cancer cases was 6.0% (4.1%-7.9%) in China, 31.2% (13.0%-49.4%) in laryngeal cancer, 7.2% (3.9%-10.5%) in oral cancer and 0.6% (0.0%-1.3%) in oropharyngeal cancer, 18.7% (6.2%-31.2%) in fresh or frozen biopsies and 4.3% (2.5%-6.1%) in paraffin-embedded fixed biopsies, 29.5% (15.6%-43.3%) by E6/E7 region and 3.9% (0.5%-7.4%) by L1 region of HPV gene. The highest HPV-18 prevalence was found in Central China. CONCLUSIONS: High prevalence of HPV-18 was found in the samples of Chinese head and neck cancers. Prophylactic HPV-vaccination may reduce the burden of HPV-related head and neck cancer in China.

Study of Bioaccumulation, Hematological Parameters, and Antioxidant Responses of Carassius auratus gibelio Exposed to Dietary Lead and Bacillus subtilis.

Lead (Pb) is one of the most ubiquitous and toxic elements in the aquatic environment. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) is a widely used probiotic in aquaculture. The aim of this study was to explore the toxic effects on bioaccumulation, hematological parameters, and antioxidant responses of Carassius auratus gibelio (C. gibelio) exposed to dietary lead at 0, 120, and 240 mg/kg and/or B. subtilis at 109 cfu/g. At 15 and 30 days, the fish were sampled and bioaccumulation, hematological parameters, and antioxidant responses were assessed. The result showed that B. subtilis administration can provide a significant protection against lead toxicity by reducing lead bioaccumulation in tissues, increasing the antioxidant enzymes activity, recovering δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase activity and optimizing the hematological parameters. Our results suggested that administration of B. subtilis (109 cfu/g) has the potential to combat dietary lead toxicity in C. gibelio.

Role of surface charge on the interaction between carbon nanodots and human serum albumin.

Carbon nanodots (Cdots) have aroused widespread concerns in the field of biomedical applications. In order to achieve better implications of behavior of Cdots in the biological environment, an array of spectroscopic, electrochemical and calorimetric techniques were performed to study the interaction of Cdots possessing different charges with human serum albumin (HSA) in physiological condition. Two polymer, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyetherimide (PEI), were applied to passivate the bare Cdots to achieve the Cdots with different surface charge, namely negatively charged PEG Cdots and positively charged PEI Cdots. The fluorescence of HSA was obviously quenched by both Cdots in a charge-independent behavior through a dynamic collision mechanism. Moreover, the association affinity of PEG Cdots or PEI Cdots bound to HSA was very close to each other. In addition, PEG Cdots with diverse content exhibited little effects on the secondary structure of HSA while only high content of PEI Cdots induced obvious conformation perturbation of HSA. The electrostatic forces dominate the association between HSA and PEI Cdots while the association of PEG Cdots to HSA is initiated by hydrophobic and van der Waals forces. Furthermore, the results of isothermal titration calorimetry revealed that both the interaction was driven by favorable entropy and enthalpy, which confirmed that these association processes are thermodynamically spontaneous. Finally, the sites marker competitive experiment showed that the association sites of Cdots with HSA exhibit a charge dependent manner, namely PEG Cdots effectively occupy the site I of HSA while the association sites of PEI Cdots are mainly located in site II.

Effect of sub-chronic exposure to lead (Pb) and Bacillus subtilis on Carassius auratus gibelio: Bioaccumulation, antioxidant responses and immune responses.

Lead (Pb) poisoning in humans and fish represents a significant global problem. Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) is a widely used probiotic in aquaculture. Carassius auratus gibelio (C. gibelio) is one of the most important aquaculture species with great commercial value. The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of B. subtilis in ameliorating lead-induced toxicity in C. gibelio. The fish were exposed for 60 days to waterborne Pb at 0, 0.05, 0.5 and 1 mg/L and/or dietary B. subtilis at 109 cfu/g. After 30 and 60 days, the fish were sampled and bioaccumulation, antioxidant activity and immune responses were assessed. The results revealed that B. subtilis confers significant protective effects against lead toxicity by preventing alterations in the levels of bioaccumulation, superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione. B. subtilis also assists in the recovery of blood δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase, lysozyme, and IgM levels while regulating the expression of immune-related genes including IL-10, lysozyme, TNF-α, IgM and Hsp70 after 60 days of lead exposure. Our results suggest that administration of B. subtilis (109 cfu/g) has the potential to combat lead toxicity in C. gibelio.

Prevalence of Human Papillomavirus Type-16 in Head and Neck Cancer Among the Chinese Population: A Meta-Analysis.

Background: The burden of head and neck cancer in China is heavier, and studies have shown that it may be associated with HPV infection, especially high-risk HPV. Objectives: We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to estimate the high-risk HPV-16 prevalence of head and neck cancer in the Chinese population. Methods: The reports on HPV and head and neck cancer in a Chinese population published between Jan 1, 2006 and Oct 23, 2018 were retrieved via WANFANG/CNKI/MEDLINE/EMBASE databases. The pooled prevalence and corresponding 95% confidence intervals was calculated by a random-effect model. Results: The meta-analysis included a total of 2,896 head and neck cancer cases from 28 studies. Overall, the pooled HPV-16 prevalence among head and neck cancer cases was 24.7% (20.2-29.3%) in China, 31.6% (21.7-41.5%) in oropharyngeal cancer, 28.5% (18.2-38.7%) in laryngeal cancer and 14.9% (10.1-19.7%) in oral cancer, 25.3% (14.8-35.8%) in fresh or frozen biopsies and 25.0% (19.5-30.5%) in paraffin-embedded fixed biopsies, 36.5% (17.9-55.1%) by E6/E7 region and 14.3% (6.4-22.1%) by L1 region of HPV gene. The highest HPV-16 prevalence was found in Central China. Conclusions: High prevalence of HPV-16 was found in the samples of Chinese head and neck cancers. Preventive HPV-vaccination may reduce the burden of HPV-related head and neck cancer in China.

Efficacy of Superselective Neck Dissection in Detecting Metastasis in Patients with cN0 Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma at High Risk of Lateral Neck Metastasis.

Background Material and Methods Results Conclusions.

[Analysis of risk factors for bleeding after thyroid surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for bleeding after thyroid surgery, and discuss the potential relevance between the bleeding timing and sources. METHODS: A total of 2568 cases that underwent thyroid operation from June 2012 to June 2013 were collected and analysed retrospectively the risk factors for postoperative bleeding by Cox and the potential relevance between the bleeding timing and sources. RESULTS: Among 2568 patients, 40 patients occurred postoperative bleeding Indentified risk factors were extent resection (P=0.0435) and surgeon (P=0.0071). Thyroid bed and strap muscles/sternocleidomastoid were the most common sources of bleeding after surgery within 6 hours; while thyroid bed was the most common source of bleeding after surgery between 6 and 8 h; wound errhysis was the most common source during 8-24 h after the operation; thyroid bed and strap muscles/sternocleidomastoid were the most common sources within 24 h after thgroid surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Bleeding after thyroid surgery is a rare but potentially life-threatening complication, and the extent of resection and the surgeon are risk factors. Thyroid bed and strap muscles/sternocleidomastoid are the most common sources of bleeding after surgery within 24 hours.

[Digital and three-demention print technique in reconstruction for complex defect after resection of jaw neoplasms].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application of digital and three-demention (3D) print technique in reconstruction of complex jaw defect after removal of maxillofacial cancer. METHODS: From May 2013 to January 2015, 10 cases were enrolled in the study, 3 were maxillary defects and 7 were mandibular defects. The process included preoperative computer aided design, template and model manufacture with 3D Printer, intraoperative ablation and shaping of fibula based on template, flap suture and vessel anastomosis. RESULTS: All the cases were successfully operated according to preoperative computer aided design, and all the fibulas and skin islands survived. All the cases had regular diet 2 weeks after surgery and showed satisfying appearance. CONCLUSION: Digital and 3D print technique has good practicability in reconstruction of complex jaw defect with free fibula.

[Free jejunum for circumferential hypopharynx and cervical esophagus reconstruction].

Free jejunum has always been a good choice for circumferential hypopharynx and cervical esophagus reconstruction with a low complication rate. Although more and more flaps were used in recent years, free jejunum is still considered as the first choice for such defect.

[Clinical analysis of 40 cases with sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical characters and the mode of treatment, and to analyze the prognosis of patients with sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma. METHODS: The clinical data were analyzed retrospectively in 40 patients with sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma. The characters of survival rate, local recurrence and distant metastasis in these patients were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. RESULTS: The maxillary sinus was the most common site of origin and account for 80% of all patients. Five-year and ten-year overall survival rate were 76.9% and 61.6% respectively. Five-year and ten-year disease-free survival rate were 44.2% and 23.0%. Five-year local recurrence rate and distant metastasis rate were 45.0% and 23.0%, respectively. The most common site of distant metastasis was lung. Presence of distant metastasis correlated with decreased 5-year survival (chi2=7.26, P=0.007). The distant metastasis rate of preoperative treatment (18.2%) seemed lower than that of postoperative treatment (38.9%), but there was no significant difference in the two groups (chi2=1.37, P=0.24). The combined therapy mainly composed of surgery was adopted to treat the local recurrence. Five-year survival rate after development of local recurrence was 60.0%. CONCLUSIONS: Distant metastasis is an important factor affecting the prognosis of the patients with sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma. Combined therapy composed of surgery and radiation was the first choice of treatment to the patients with sinonasal adenoid cystic carcinoma. Radiation can play an important role in the treatment. The combined therapy mainly composed of surgery should be adopted in the patients with local recurrence to improve the survival rate.

[Esophageal voice training and quality of life in laryngectomees].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the extensive and degree of physical rehabilitation improvement of the quality of life in laryngectomees. METHODS: Forty nine patients who underwent total laryngectomies were trained by esophageal voice rehabilitation successfully. The questionnaires of performance status scale for head and neck cancer patients (PSS-HN) and the functional assessment of head and neck cancer therapy (FACT-H&N) were answered by them before esophageal voice training and 3 months after successful vocal rehabilitation. RESULTS: Total laryngectomy deteriorated the quality of life in laryngectomees. The mean scores of PSS-HN scale and FACT-H&N questionnaire were lower than the criteria scores after patients underwent total laryngectomy, the mean score were 131. 4,90.6 respectively, the difference was significant statistically (t =53. 673, P <0.001) , (t = 67.44, P <0.001). After successful esophageal speech training, the mean scores of the laryngectomees were improved both in PSS-HN scale and FACT-H&N which were 240.4 and 103.7 respectively, the difference was significant statistically (t = 18.209, P < 0.001) , (t = 21.389, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The quality of life in laryngectomees can be improved by physical rehabilitation and the esophageal voice training.

[Anatomy of recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery: 198 cases report].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the surgical anatomy of the recurrent laryngeal nerve during thyroid surgery and provide theory basis for surgical experience. METHOD: The surgical anatomy of recurrent laryngeal nerve of 201 sides of 198 cases were observed during thyroid lobectomy or total thyroidectomy. The anatomical relationship of recurrent laryngeal nerve and inferior thyroid artery were recorded and classified as risk and safe types according to the recurrent laryngeal nerve easy to be injured or not. RESULT: The safe type and risk type of 117 right sides were 84.6% and 15.4%, and that of 82 left sides were 92.7% and 7.3% respectively. That indicated the incidence of risk type of the right side was higher than that of the left side. CONCLUSION: The incidence of risk type of the right side was higher than that of the left side and more attention should be paid during thyroid lobectomy of the right sides.

[Evaluation of sentinel lymph node in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) radiolocalization in stage in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and to gain insight as to whether the sentinel lymph node could be prognostic of regional micrometastatic disease. METHODS: A prospective trial was made on the application sentinel lymph node radiolocalization in 10 patients with NO squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. For each patient a peritumoral submucosal injection of filtered technetium 99m prepared with dextran colloid (99mTc-DX) was performed immediately. After 30 minutes, focal areas of accumulation corresponding to sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) were marked on the skin surface. The SLN was localized by lymphoscintigraphy and intraoperatively through the intact skin by a hand-held gamma-probe. SLN was defined as the count of lymph node could be detected 4 times more than that of background. Complete neck dissections were performed, and SLNs were identified for later histological evaluation and comparison to the remaining lymphadenectomy specimen. RESULTS: SLN radiolocalization accurately identified one or more SLNs in the ten cases. 3 of 10 cases revealed occult metastatic disease. Therefore the negative metastasis rate was 30% (3/10). The positive rate of SLN and nonsentinel lymph node (NSLN) were 22.7% (5/22) and 0.4% (1/247) respectively. Serial sectioning (SS) and immunohistochemical (IHC) on SLNs would reduce the false-negative rate of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB). There was no instance in which SLN was negative for micrometastatic disease while being positive in a nonsentinel lymph node. CONCLUSIONS: SLN evaluation in NO neck in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is accurately feasible and seems to adequately predict the presence of occult metastasis. Although SLN radiolocalization in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma may potentially reduce the time, cost, and morbidity of regional lymph node management, more experience with technique is required before its role can be determined.

[Transmaxillary approach for surgical removal of the invasive skull base tumors].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the capable use of transmaxillary approach for surgical removal of invasive skull base tumors, the indications and the key points of this approach. METHODS: From November 1998 to July 2001, 27 consecutive patients with skull base tumor were operated through transmaxillary approach, including 6 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, 5 with nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, 5 with nasopharyngeal cystadenocarcinoma, 2 with olfactory neuroblastoma, 2 with poorly differentiated carcinoma, 2 with sarcoma, 1 with maxillary carcinoma, 2 with schwannoma, and 2 with chordoma. Most of them (18/27) were recurrent tumor and 17/27 tumors involved important intracranial structures. All patients were followed up 2 - 33 months (average 16 months) and the clinical data was reviewed. RESULTS: The tumors could be totally removed in all patients. There were no operative mortality and morbidity. After operation, 2 patients died of cancer recurrence in 5 and 8 months separately. One patient had metastasis to the lungs 11 months after operation. Two patients had local recurrence in 7 and 12 months postoperation seperately and live with the tumor now. The rest patients are back to their routine life. CONCLUSIONS: Transmaxillary approach facilitates the surgical removal of invasive skull base tumors. The exposure is wide. The lesion as well as the important anatomy structures can be viewed directly and clearly. The tumor removal could be done more thoroughly and safely. This approach is suitable for the patients in whom tumor involves the skull base extensively and may be difficult to deal with by other approaches.