S/O/W Emulsion with CAPE Ameliorates DSS-Induced Colitis by Regulating NF-κB Pathway, Gut Microbiota and Fecal Metabolome in C57BL/6 Mice.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) has attracted much attention worldwide due to its prevalence. In this study, the effect of a solid-in-oil-in-water (S/O/W) emulsion with Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE, a polyphenolic active ingredient in propolis) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in C57BL/6 mice was evaluated. The results showed that CAPE-emulsion could significantly alleviate DSS-induced colitis through its effects on colon length, reduction in the disease activity index (DAI), and colon histopathology. The results of ELISA and Western blot analysis showed that CAPE-emulsion can down-regulate the excessive inflammatory cytokines in colon tissue and inhibit the expression of p65 in the NF-κB pathway. Furthermore, CAPE-emulsion promoted short-chain fatty acids production in DSS-induced colitis mice. High-throughput sequencing results revealed that CAPE-emulsion regulates the imbalance of gut microbiota by enhancing diversity, restoring the abundance of beneficial bacteria (such as Odoribacter), and suppressing the abundance of harmful bacteria (such as Afipia, Sphingomonas). The results of fecal metabolome showed that CAPE-emulsion restored the DSS-induced metabolic disorder by affecting metabolic pathways related to inflammation and cholesterol metabolism. These research results provide a scientific basis for the use of CPAE-emulsions for the development of functional foods for treating IBD.

Reductive Radical-Polar Crossover Enabled Carboxylative Alkylation of Aryl Thianthrenium Salts with CO2 and Styrenes.

Carboxylic functionalities are among the pivotal groups in bioactive molecules and in the synthesis of new lead compounds because of their unique character in the formation of hydrogen bonds and the possibility of constructing molecular complexes via amide couplings. We adopt the reductive radical-polar crossover strategy to introduce carboxyalkyl groups into arenes with styrenes and CO2 via thianthrenium salts. This protocol exhibits excellent potential as a straightforward and modular platform for site-selective carboxylative derivation of bioactive molecules.

Mouthguards Based on the Shear-Stiffening Effect: Excellent Shock Absorption Ability with Softness Perception.

Mouthguards are used to prevent craniomaxillofacial injuries when collisions happen during contact and high-speed sports. However, poor compliance with mouthguard wear in athletes is attributed to discomfort because of its thickness and hardness. These drawbacks significantly restrict their protective performance for oral tissues and applications during contact sports; as a result, the incidence of craniomaxillofacial injuries increases. In this study, non-Newton material is introduced into mouthguard material and then a mouthguard with shear-stiffening behavior is fabricated, which is named the shear-stiffening mouthguard (SSM). Compared with commercial mouthguard materials (Erkoflex and Erkoloc-pro), SSMs show remarkable enhancement of shock absorption ability with an approximately 60% reduction in peak force relative to commercial materials and approximately 3-fold extensive buffer time. Moreover, Young's modulus of SSMs (average 0.48 MPa) is extremely lower compared to commercial materials (22.88 MPa for Erkoflex and 26.71 MPa for Erkoloc-pro). This manifests that SSMs have not only excellent shock absorption ability but also softness perception. Moreover, SSMs show biocompatibility in vitro. In conclusion, this work provides a platform to develop a new type of thin and soft mouthguard with a shear-stiffening effect and broadens the horizon in protecting oral tissues with shear-stiffening materials.

Prognostic role of the peritoneal cancer index in ovarian cancer patients who undergo cytoreductive surgery: a meta-analysis.

Advanced-stage ovarian cancer is usually associated with peritoneal carcinomatosis. This study evaluates the prognostic role of the Peritoneal Cancer Index (PCI) in predicting the survival of patients with ovarian cancer. A literature search was conducted in electronic databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Ovid, and Science Direct) and study selection was based on precise eligibility criteria. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed to estimate survival with low and high PCI scores and to pool hazard ratios (HR) of survival between lower and higher PCI scores. A total of 20 studies (2588 patients) were included. Median follow-up was 39 months [95%CI: 25, 54]. Complete cytoreduction rate was 80% [95% CI: 73, 87]. The median PCI score was 11.3 [95% CI: 9.9, 12.7]. Median survival was 56.7 months [95% CI: 45.2, 68.2] with below and 28.8 months [95% CI: 23.0, 34.6] with above any PCI cutoff. Most studies used PCI cutoffs between 10 and 20. The median progression-free survival was 23.7 months [95% CI: 16.5, 30.8] with below and 11.9 months [95% CI: 5.9, 17.9] with above any PCI cutoff. 5-year survival rates were 61.3% [95% CI: 49.9, 72.8] with PCI<10 cutoffs, 21.7% [95% CI: 11.6, 31.8] with PCI>10 cutoffs, 50.1% [95% CI: 39.0, 61.2] with PCI<20 cutoffs, and 21.7% [95% CI: 16.2, 27.1] with PCI>20 cutoffs. Pooled analysis of HRs showed that a higher PCI score was associated with worse survival in both univariate (HR 2.14 [95%CI: 1.63, 2.66]) and multivariate (HR 1.10 [95% CI: 1.02, 1.18]) analyses. In a set of studies that used varying PCI cutoffs, the PCI has been found to have a significant inverse association with the survival of patients with advanced ovarian cancer who underwent cytoreductive surgery.

Povidone-iodine enhanced underwater tape.

Realizing rapid and stable bonding under humid conditions has remained a challenge in adhesion science and wound dressing. In this study, polyacrylate-based underwater tape with water-enhanced adhesion and antimicrobial performance was designed and synthesized. Good underwater adhesion performance is achieved through the reasonable selection of comonomers, among which 4-hydroxybutyl acrylate (4-HBA) and isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) provide rich hydrogen bond interactions and a rigid side chain stable structure, respectively. The former effectively increases the interface strength between the tape and the substrate, while the latter ensures that the tape can maintain a good cohesion strength under water. Besides, povidone iodine (PVP-I2) as a reinforcing filler and germicidal factor endows the tape with tunable mechanical properties and impressive antimicrobial abilities. This work provides a facile approach to prepare a wet adhesive for medical and industrial fields which can be used as wound dressing and underwater adhesive materials.

Clinical analysis and literature review of a case of ovarian clear cell carcinoma with PIK3CA gene mutation: A case report.

RATIONALE: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is an uncommon malignant form of 5 subtypes of ovarian cancer, accounting for approximately 5% to 25% of all ovarian cancers. OCCC is usually diagnosed at a young age and an early stage. More than 50% of patients are associated with endometriosis. It shows less sensitivity to platinum-based chemotherapies, high recurrence, and poor prognosis, especially late. However, platinum-based chemotherapies remain the first-line treatment. Meanwhile, new treatment modalities have been explored, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway inhibitors. PATIENT CONCERN: A 48-year-old Chinese woman, Gravida2 Para1, complained of irregular and painful vaginal bleeding for 4 months. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was diagnosed with stage IC ovarian clear cell carcinoma that presented with a mutation of the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase alpha subunit (PIK3CA) gene. INTERVENTION: We performed an early diagnosis and complete surgical resection of the tumor with platinum-based chemotherapy. OUTCOME: This patient with mutation of the PIK3CA gene was sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy, showed a significant downwards trend in tumor markers, and was in good health within the year of follow-up. LESSONS: This study described an OCCC case that presented with a PIK3CA mutation and was successfully managed with careful and complete resection of the tumor. This patient with mutation of the PIK3CA gene was sensitive to platinum-based chemotherapy, showed a significant downwards trend in tumor markers, and did not have recurrence after a year of follow-up, indicating a reasonably good prognosis. Therefore, surgery plus platinum drug chemotherapy is still the best strategy for OCCC treatment. In addition, it is recommended for such patients to undergo genetic testing as much as possible to predict the clinical treatment effect.

Robust Antiwater and Anti-oil-fouling Double-Sided Tape Enabled by SiO2 Reinforcement and a Liquefied Surface.

Realizing simultaneous antiwater and anti-oil-fouling adhesion is extremely challenging owing to the solvated overlayer on the surface of substrates. Herein, we develop a supertough polyacrylate-based tape bearing SiO2 as a reinforcing filler and a solvent to liquefy the surface. The SiO2 reinforcement enhances the cohesion strength, while the liquefied surface not only expels the solvated overlayer but also improves the interfacial wettability and interaction. This material design imparts the double-sided tape with admirable antiwater and anti-oil-fouling adhesion performance, which far exceeds that of commercial tapes, as well as high transparency and long-term stability. In addition, we carry out an in-depth study on the adhesive mechanism for the tape and clarify the role of the solvent and the interaction between SiO2 and a polymer matrix. This work provides a novel strategy for designing antiwater and anti-oil-fouling adhesives with wide applications in various fields such as leakage repair, antiseep, underwater adhesion, building materials, and biological adhesives.

[Retracted] MicroRNA­101 induces apoptosis in cisplatin­resistant gastric cancer cells by targeting VEGF­C.

Following the publication of this paper, it was drawn to the Editors' attention by a concerned reader that certain of the cell apoptotic assay data shown in Figs. 3C and 5B were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in other articles by different authors. Owing to the fact that the contentious data in the above article had already been published elsewhere, or were already under consideration for publication, prior to its submission to Molecular Medicine Reports, the Editor has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. The authors were asked for an explanation to account for these concerns, but the Editorial Office did not receive any reply. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [the original article was published in Molecular Medicine Reports 13: 572­578, 2016; DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2015.4560].

Electron-Donating Effect Enabled Simultaneous Improvement on the Mechanical and Self-Healing Properties of Bromobutyl Rubber Ionomers.

Due to the dynamic nature of networks and high mobility of molecular chains, self-healing elastomers are usually confronted with the trade-off between self-healing efficiency and mechanical properties. Herein, a self-healing ionomer with both high mechanical performance and high self-healing efficiency has been successfully developed by grafting bromobutyl rubber (BIIR) with pyridine-based derivatives. Interestingly, the substituents on the pyridine ring can be used to regulate the interaction forces of ionic clusters and molecular dynamics. The electron-donating effect of the substituents facilitates stable π-π stacking between pyridyl ions, inducing the formation of regular and large ion aggregates, thereby improving the mechanical strength of the ionomer. Meanwhile, the plasticizing effect of the substituents reduces the activation energy and relaxation temperature of the ionic aggregates, thus endowing the ionomer with a high self-healing efficiency. As a result, the ionomer shows tensile strength as high as 8.1 ± 0.3 MPa under room temperature and self-healing efficiency of 100 ± 3% at 60 °C. Therefore, this strategy can be easily extended to other halogen-containing polymers, leading to a novel class of self-healing ionomers that hold great promise in diverse applications.

One-step detection for two serological biomarker species to improve the diagnostic accuracy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

At present, the accuracy of clinical hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis needs to be further improved. In this work, two kinds of serological biomarker species, microRNA and protein biomarker, have been detected simultaneously to identify HCC. Herein, a dual-aptamer hairpin DNA oligonucleotide is designed as the electrochemical sensing probe (ESP) to achieve this goal. The hairpin-structured DNA probe consists microRNA-16 (miR-16) complementary sequence and alpha fetoprotein (AFP) aptamer sequence, so it can both capture miR-16 and AFP. Once it hybridizes with miR-16, the hairpin structure is unlocked so that the terminal modified signal molecule (methylene blue, MB) would give a decreased electrochemical signal. Meanwhile, once it recognizes AFP, concanavalin A (ConA) modified silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can bind to AFP at the sensing surface. An obvious electrochemical signal of AgNPs can thus be generated for AFP detection. In this way, one-step and simultaneous detection of miRNA-16 and AFP can easily be realized by collecting the two sensitive and non-interfering electrochemical signals. Compared with traditional single biomarker detection methods, this assay strategy can improve the accuracy of HCC by monitoring two kinds of serological biomarkers species. Besides, this novel electrochemical biosensor based on ESP is simple, low-cost and efficient, which make it promising to improve the accuracy and specificity for the diagnosis HCC in the future.

An electrochemical biosensor for the assay of alpha-fetoprotein-L3 with practical applications.

The detection of alpha-fetoprotein-L3 (AFP-L3) is of great importance for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) diagnosis, but remains unsatisfactory owing to poor sensitivity and complex operating steps. In this work, a simple and sensitive method has been proposed for the detection of AFP-L3. Firstly, biotinylated Lens culinaris agglutinin-integrated silver nanoparticles (B-LCA-AgNPs) is fabricated. Owing to the specific interaction between Lens culinaris agglutinin and AFP-L3, AFP-L3 can be detected directly through the electrochemical signal readout of AgNPs, avoiding separated steps used in clinical practice. Furthermore, after the recognition between B-LCA-AgNPs and AFP-L3, large amount of AgNPs can be gathered at the binding site through avidin-biotin interactions, which can amplify the signal. Therefore, detection of AFP-L3 can be sensitively achieved. Moreover, compared with the other approaches, this new method has a better linear correlation (25-15,000pg/mL) and a lower detection limit (12pg/mL). Also, the new method developed in this work has been demonstrated to have good stability and reproducibility for the assay of AFP-L3 in human serum samples, so, it may hold a great application prospect in clinical diagnostics.

Investigation of MTH1 activity via mismatch-based DNA chain elongation.

Accumulation and misincorporation of oxidative damaged 8-oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine triphosphates (8-oxo-dGTP) in genomic DNA may cause serious cellular function disorders. MutT Homolog 1 (MTH1), a protein enzyme that can help to prevent 8-oxo-dGTP misincorporation, plays critical roles in oxidative stress neutralization, oncogene-associated tumor malignancy, and anticancer therapies. So, in this work, a simple and function-oriented method is developed for the assay of MTH1 activity. Specifically, a mismatch-based ("8-oxoG: A" mismatch) DNA chain elongation strategy (MB-DCE) is firstly proposed to reveal the misincorporation efficiency of 8-oxo-dGTP. Then, further coupled with the inherent activity of MTH1 to prevent 8-oxo-dGTP misincorporation, a relationship can be established to reveal the activity of MTH1 through MB-DCE. As the method is designed directly towards the cellular function of MTH1, activity of MTH1 in different breast cancer cell lines has been detected, implying the potential application of this assay method for biomedical research and clinical diagnose in the future.

MicroRNA-101 induces apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant gastric cancer cells by targeting VEGF-C.

Deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) is known to be associated with drug resistance in human cancers. However, the precise role of miR­101 in the cisplatin (DPP) resistance of human gastric cancer cells has not been elucidated, yet. The present study revealed that miR­101 was markedly downregulated in gastric cancer cell lines compared to that in the normal gastric mucosa epithelial cell line GES1. Furthermore, a significant decrease in miR­101 levels, accompanied with an increased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)­C in DDP­resistant SGC7901 gastric cancer cells (SGC7901/DDP) compared with those in native SGC7901 cells was observed. In addition, forced overexpression of miR­101 significantly inhibited cell proliferation, while enhancing cisplatin­induced apoptosis of SGC7901/DDP cells. A luciferase reporter assay confirmed that VEGF­C was a direct target of miR­101 in SGC7901/DDP cells. Forced overexpression of miR­101 in SGC7901/DDP cells reduced the expression of VEGF­C, while knockdown of miR­101 expression significantly enhanced VEGF­C expression in SGC7901/DDP cells. Finally, overexpression of VEGF­C inhibited DDP­induced apoptosis in SGC7901 cells. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggested that miR­101 inhibited the proliferation and promoted DDP­induced apoptosis of DDP­resistant gastric cancer cells, at least in part via targeting VEGF-C.