Comparison between intramedullary nail and conventional plate for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of the intramedullary nail and conventional plate for the treatment of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures from clinical comparative trials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search of English databases was carried out in the Springer, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases until September 2023. Studies on calcaneal fractures treated by an intramedullary nail or a plate were considered for inclusion. Endpoints included duration of operation, length of hospital stay, the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, postoperative functional score, radiological parameters, and complications. The mean difference (MD) and risk difference (RD) as the combined variables, as well as the 95% confidence intervals, (CIs) were calculated. RESULTS: Five retrospective controlled studies covering 473 feet at the one-year follow-up met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis demonstrated that there were significant differences in the duration of operation (MD: -10.81; 95% CI: -16.32, -5.31; p=0.0001), length of hospital stay (MD: -3.65; 95% CI: -4.35, -2.95; p<0.00001). No significant differences were found regarding postoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale (MD: 0.36; 95% CI: -3.89, 4.61; p=0.87), VAS (MD: 1.95; 95% CI: -0.30, 4.21; p=0.09), or postoperative Böhler angle (MD: 0.94; 95% CI: -0.04, 1.92; p=0.06) between the two groups. The incidence of total complications (RD: -0.31; 95% CI: -0.46, -0.17; p<0.0001) and wound-healing complications (RD: -0.16; 95% CI: -0.30, -0.03; p=0.02) were lower in the intramedullary nail group. There were no significant differences in the incidences of revision surgery, implant removal, superficial wound infection, deep infection, and nonunion. CONCLUSION: Compared to conventional plates, the intramedullary nail showed a shorter duration of operation, reduced length of hospital stay, and fewer postoperative total complications and wound-healing complications in treating displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures.

Integrated and DC-powered superconducting microcomb.

Frequency combs, specialized laser sources emitting multiple equidistant frequency lines, have revolutionized science and technology with unprecedented precision and versatility. Recently, integrated frequency combs are emerging as scalable solutions for on-chip photonics. Here, we demonstrate a fully integrated superconducting microcomb that is easy to manufacture, simple to operate, and consumes ultra-low power. Our turnkey apparatus comprises a basic nonlinear superconducting device, a Josephson junction, directly coupled to a superconducting microstrip resonator. We showcase coherent comb generation through self-started mode-locking. Therefore, comb emission is initiated solely by activating a DC bias source, with power consumption as low as tens of picowatts. The resulting comb spectrum resides in the microwave domain and spans multiple octaves. The linewidths of all comb lines can be narrowed down to 1 Hz through a unique coherent injection-locking technique. Our work represents a critical step towards fully integrated microwave photonics and offers the potential for integrated quantum processors.

[Spectral Characteristics and Sources of Dissolved Organic Matter in Inflow Rivers of Baiyangdian Lake Water in Summer Flood Season].

DOM is the largest reservoir of organic carbon in the world, and it plays a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycles of natural water bodies. A river is a transition area connecting source water and receiving water that controls the DOM exchange between them. Therefore, in this study, ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy (EEMs) combined with parallel factor analysis (PARAFAC) were used to analyze the spectral characteristics and sources of dissolved organic matter in the Fuhe River, Xiaobai River, Baigouyin River, and Puhe River of Baiyangdian. The results showed that a245 and a355 in the Fuhe River and Xiaobai River were significantly higher than those in the Baigouyin River and Puhe River. E2/E3 showed that the DOM relative molecular mass of the inflow river water body was Puhe River > Baigouyin River > Fuhe River > Xiaobai River. Three components, tyrosine-like (C1), terrigenous humus (C2), and tryptophan-like (C3), were determined using three-dimensional fluorescence through PARAFAC. There was no difference among the fluorescence components (P>0.05), but there were differences among the C2 and C3 components (P<0.05). The proportion of easily degradable protein-like components (C1+C3) was higher than that of humus-like components (C2). The autogeny index BIX was greater than 1, and the humification index HIX was less than 4, indicating that the autogeny characteristics of the river bodies were obvious, and the humification degree was weak. The FI index was the highest (1.96±0.25), and the HIX index was the lowest (0.46±0.08), and the self-generated source characteristics gradually strengthened along the direction of the river entering the lake, indicating that the water body of the Fuhe River showed higher endogenous and autogenic characteristics. Based on the correlation analysis of fluorescence components and characteristic parameters of DOM, the correlations between the Fuhe River and Xiaobaihe River and between the Baigouyin River and Puhe River bodies were similar. The correlation between fluorescence components of DOM and water quality parameters of each lake was significantly different, and it was strongly correlated with nitrogen and phosphorus in water. According to multiple linear regression analysis, there was no significant difference among C1 components, but there was a significant difference between C2 and C3 components. In summary, the carbon cycle process of Baiyangdian Lake was further understood through the study on the DOM spectral characteristics and sources of the inflow river waters in the summer flood season.

Unconventional Superconducting Diode Effects via Antisymmetry and Antisymmetry Breaking.

Symmetry breaking plays a pivotal role in unlocking intriguing properties and functionalities in material systems. For example, the breaking of spatial and temporal symmetries leads to a fascinating phenomenon: the superconducting diode effect. However, generating and precisely controlling the superconducting diode effect pose significant challenges. Here, we take a novel route with the deliberate manipulation of magnetic charge potentials to realize unconventional superconducting flux-quantum diode effects. We achieve this through suitably tailored nanoengineered arrays of nanobar magnets on top of a superconducting thin film. We demonstrate the vital roles of inversion antisymmetry and its breaking in evoking unconventional superconducting effects, namely a magnetically symmetric diode effect and an odd-parity magnetotransport effect. These effects are nonvolatilely controllable through in situ magnetization switching of the nanobar magnets. Our findings promote the use of antisymmetry (breaking) for initiating unconventional superconducting properties, paving the way for exciting prospects and innovative functionalities in superconducting electronics.

Molecular Targets and Mechanisms of Hedyotis diffusa Willd. for Esophageal Adenocarcinoma Treatment Based on Network Pharmacology and Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hedyotis diffusa Willd. (HDW) is a common anticancer herbal medicine in China, and its therapeutic effectiveness has been demonstrated in a range of cancer patients. There is no consensus about the therapeutic targets and molecular mechanisms of HDW, which contains many active ingredients. AIM: To clarify the mechanism of HDW for esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), we utilized network pharmacology and weighted gene co-expression network analysis methods (WGCNA). METHODS: The gene modules that were linked with the clinical features of EAC were obtained through the WGCNA method. Then, the potential target genes were retrieved through the network pharmacology method in order to determine the targets of the active components. After enrichment analysis, a variety of signaling pathways with significant ratios of target genes were found, including regulation of trans-synaptic signaling, neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction and modulation of chemical synaptic transmission. By means of protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, we have successfully identified the hub genes, which were AR, CNR1, GRIK1, MAPK10, MAPT, PGR and PIK3R1. RESULT: Our study employed molecular docking simulations to evaluate the binding affinity of the active components with the hub gene. The identified active anticancer constituents in HDW are scopoletol, quercetin, ferulic acid, coumarin, and trans-4-methoxycinnamyl alcohol. CONCLUSION: Our findings shed light on the molecular underpinnings of HDW in the treatment of EAC and hold great promise for the identification of potential HDW compounds and biomarkers for EAC therapy.

Comparison between bioabsorbable magnesium and titanium compression screws for hallux valgus treated with distal metatarsal osteotomies: A meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: In this review, we discuss the efficacy and safety of biodegradable magnesium screws compared to titanium screws in the treatment of hallux valgus (HV) in patients undergoing distal metatarsal osteotomy (DMO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eligible scientific articles published prior to October 2022 were retrieved from the PubMed, Springer, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane Library databases. The terms used for searching included "hallux valgus", "distal metatarsal osteotomies", and "bioabsorbable magnesium screw" which were limited in the title or abstract through the text. The title and abstract were checked one by one to exclude the non-related studies. For primary identified studies and relevant systematic reviews, the full texts were accessed and browsed to finally include the eligible studies. No restriction was set on publication language and publication status. RESULTS: Two randomized-controlled trials (RCTs) and three non-RCTs that met the inclusion criteria were included. There was no significant difference in the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, postoperative HV angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, soft tissue irritation, implant fracture, reoperation, and infection rates between two groups. CONCLUSION: Bioabsorbable magnesium compression screws show comparable clinical or radiological results to titanium compression screws in the treatment of HV in patients undergoing DMO.

Activation Patterns of Functional Brain Network in Response to Action Observation-Induced and Non-Induced Motor Imagery of Swallowing: A Pilot Study.

Action observation (AO) combined with motor imagery (MI) was verified as more effective in improving limb function than AO or MI alone, while the underlying mechanism of swallowing was ambiguous. The study aimed at exploring the efficacy of AO combined with MI in swallowing. In this study, twelve subjects performed the motor imagery of swallowing (MI-SW) during magnetoencephalography (MEG) scanning, and trials were divided into three groups: the non-induced group (control group, CG), male AO-induced group (M-AIG), and female AO-induced group (F-AIG). We used event-related spectral perturbations (ERSPs) and phase locking value (PLV) to assess the degree of activation and connectivity of the brain regions during MI-SW in the three groups. The results showed that compared to CG, F-AIG and M-AIG significantly activated more brain regions in the frontoparietal, attention, visual, and cinguloopercular systems. In addition, M-AIG significantly activated the sensorimotor cortex compared to CG and F-AIG. For the brain network, F-AIG and M-AIG increased the diffusion of non-hub hot spots and cold hubs to the bilateral hemispheres which enhanced interhemispheric functional connectivity and information transmission efficiency in the MI-SW task. This study provided supporting evidence that AO induction could enhance the effect of MI-SW and supported the application of AO-induced MI-SW in clinical rehabilitation.

Imbalanced Gamma-band Functional Brain Networks of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Resting gamma-band brain networks are known as an inhibitory component in functional brain networks. Although autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is considered as with imbalanced brain networks, the inhibitory component remains not fully explored. The study reported 10 children with ASD and 10 typically-developing (TD) controls. The power spectral density analysis of the gamma-band signal in the cerebral cortex was performed at the source level. The normalized phase transfer entropy values (nPTEs) were calculated to construct brain connectivity. Gamma-band activity of the ASD group was lower than the TD children. The significantly inhibited brain regions were mainly distributed in the bilateral frontal and temporal lobes. Connectivity analysis showed alterations in the connections from key nodes of the social brain network. The behavior assessments in the ASD group revealed a significantly positive correlation between the total score of Childhood Autism Rating Scale and the regional nPTEs of the right transverse temporal gyrus. Our results provide strong evidence that the gamma-band brain networks of ASD children have a lower level of brain activities and different distribution of information flows. Clinical meanings of such imbalances of both activity and connectivity were also worthy of further explorations.

Diagnosis and treatment discussion of congenital factor VII deficiency in pregnancy: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital factor VII deficiency (FVIID) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder. The clinical manifestations of this deficiency vary greatly. Predicting the risk of bleeding during and after childbirth of pregnant women with congenital FVIID is difficult. Recombinant factor VIIa is the most common replacement therapy for FVIID. However, no unified diagnosis and treatment plan for pregnant women with congenital FVIID has been established. CASE SUMMARY: We report the clinical history of a pregnant woman who was considered to have congenital FVIID. Recombinant factor VIIa was prophylactically administered to the pregnant woman at the time of cervical fully opening. She successfully delivered a live infant without any complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage, neonatal abnormalities, and so on. CONCLUSION: Prophylaxis of recombinant factor VIIa during delivery can effectively reduce the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage among pregnant women with congenital FVIID associated with a high risk of bleeding.

[Effects of soil permeability improvement and purification of pollutants in urban green space under different matrix composition amendments]. / ä¸åŒç‰©æ–™é æ¯”å¯¹åŸŽå¸‚ç»¿åœ°åœŸå£¤æ¸—é€æ€§åŠæ±¡æŸ“ç‰©å‡€åŒ–æ•ˆæžœçš„å½±å“.

Green land is important carrier in cities. We investigated the effects of soil permeability improvement and purification of pollutants under different matrix composition amendments in Xixian New Area, Shaanxi Province. Six materials, including biochar, vermiculite, perlite, compost, polyacrylamide (PAM) and coir, were mixed with basic materials that were composed of soil and sand (volume ratio of 4:4), and then incubated for 30 days. We analyzed bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, saturated moisture, and total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), chemical oxygen demand (COD), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd) concentrations in pollutants. For biochar and compost with volume ratio of 0.5:1.5 (1) and 1:1 (2), 1%PAM application had the best effect on soil permeability (including bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, and saturated moisture). The effect purification of TN and COD was better under the condition of biochar and compost (1) with 0.5% PAM amendment than that with 1% PAM amendment. Under biochar and compost (1) with 1%PAM treatment, the adsorption rate of Zn, Cd, Cu was 99.9%, 99.7%, and 97.2%, respectively. In general, biochar and compost (volume ratio of 0.5:1.5) with 1% PAM could be recommended as the media of the sponge city green land in Xixian New Area.

Analysis of risk factors for progressive fibrovascular proliferation in proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the risk factors associated with progressive fibrovascular proliferation (FVP) in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of patients who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for PDR between August 2017 and October 2019 at our department of ophthalmology. The FVP was divided into five grades based on the coverage area of proliferative membrane. Then we compared the patients with different severities of FVP to analyze the risk factors for higher grade of FVP in PDR. RESULTS: Univariate analysis showed that positive urinary protein (p = 0.007), higher levels of serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) (p < 0.001) and serum creatinine (p < 0.001), more severe stage of estimated glomerular filtration rate (p < 0.001), age < 45 years (p = 0.005), longer duration of diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.007), history of hypertension (p = 0.034) and smoking (p = 0.008) were related to FVP grade ≥ 3. Multivariate analysis showed that the level of BUN, age < 45 years and smoking were independent risk factors for FVP grade ≥ 3 in PDR patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that BUN (odds ratio [OR] = 1.318, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.150-1.511, p < 0.001), age ≤ 45 years (OR = 3.774, 95% CI = 1.762-8.082, p = 0.001) and smoking (OR = 2.111, 95% CI = 1.040-4.288, p = 0.039) were independent risk factors for progressive FVP in PDR among northeastern Chinese patients.

NADPH Oxidase Isoforms Are Involved in Glucocorticoid-Induced Preosteoblast Apoptosis.

Oxidative stress induced by long-term glucocorticoid (GC) use weakens the repair capacity of bone tissue. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate, reduced form (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) is a superoxide-generating enzyme that plays an important role in regulating bone metabolism. To clarify the role of nonphagocytic NOX isoforms in osteoblast reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and apoptosis, dexamethasone was used to establish a high-dose GC environment in vitro. A dose-dependent increase in intracellular ROS generation was demonstrated, which was accompanied by increased osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis. Addition of the ROS inhibitor NAC (N-acetyl-L-cysteine) or NOX inhibitor DPI (diphenyleneiodonium) reversed this effect, indicating that NOX-derived ROS can induce osteoblast apoptosis under high-dose dexamethasone stimulation. NOX1, NOX2, and NOX4 are NOX homologs recently identified in bone tissue. To clarify the NOX isoforms that play a role in osteoblast ROS generation, Nox1, Nox2, and Nox4 mRNA expression and NOX2 and NOX4 protein expression were analyzed. Nox1 and Nox4 mRNA expression was elevated in a dose-dependent manner after culture in 100 nM, 250 nM, 500 nM, or 1000 nM dexamethasone, and the increased expression of NOX1 mRNA was more significant compared with NOX4 mRNA. Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) were used to confirm the role of NOX1 and NOX4 in ROS generation. To clarify the signaling pathway in ROS-induced osteoblast apoptosis, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling molecules were analyzed. Phosphorylated ASK1 and p38 levels were significantly higher in the 1000 nM dexamethasone group, which NAC or DPI markedly attenuated. However, the total mRNA and protein levels of ASK1 and p38 between the dexamethasone group and control were not significantly different. This is related to ROS regulating the posttranslational modification of ASK1 and p38 in MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis. Altogether, NOX1- and NOX4-derived ROS plays a pivotal role in high-dose dexamethasone-induced preosteoblast apoptosis by increasing phosphorylated ASK1 and p38 and may be an important mechanism in steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH).

3,5-Dimethoxy-4-hydroxy myricanol ameliorates photoreceptor cell degeneration in Pde6brd10 mouse model.

INTRODUCTION: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) caused by the photoreceptor cell degeneration is currently incurable and leads to partial or complete blindness eventually. 3,5-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy myricanol (DM) is a novel compound isolated from the leaves of Micromelum integerrimum, with proliferative activities on NIH3T3 cells. This study was to investigate whether DM could mitigate retinal degeneration of rd10 mice, a well-characterized mouse model of RP. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Rd10 mice were treated with DM daily by intraperitoneal injection from postnatal day 12 (P12) to P26. Electroretinography (ERG) reflects the mass response of photoreceptor cells and was used to test the outer retinal function after DM treatment. Haematoxylin and Eosin staining was used to show the retinal morphology and evaluate the rod photoreceptor cell loss. TUNEL assay was used to detect the apoptosis-positive cells. Inflammatory factors were measured by ELISA to show the inflammatory response. Real-time PCR and western blot were applied to measure the gene and protein change to explore the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS: Results showed that DM significantly improved the retinal function by increasing the ERG amplitude, preserving the retinal morphology, reducing photoreceptor cell apoptosis, decreasing inflammatory response, and inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum stress in rd10 mice. CONCLUSION: This is the first time when the protective effects of DM against photoreceptor cell degeneration of rd10 mice have been demonstrated, providing scientific rationale to develop DM as a potential agent to treat RP.

Incidence and risk factors of postoperative delirium in the elderly patients with hip fracture.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the incidence and related risk factors of delirium in elderly patients with hip fracture. METHODS: This is a retrospective study, performed in a medical center from October 2014 to February 2017, which enrolled all subjects aged over 65 years who were admitted for hip surgeries (hip arthroplasty, proximal femoral nail fixation). Univariate and multivariate logistic analysis was used to determine the incidence and risk factors of delirium. Delirium was assessed according to the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM). RESULTS: Overall, 19.29% of total 306 patients (mean age 81.9 ± 5.4 years) were identified as delirium. The delirium was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with the factors of age, hospitalization, diabetes, preoperative hematocrit (HCT), perioperative protein consumption, transfusion volume, preoperative leukocyte level, albumin level, American Society of Anesthesiologists (NYHA) classification, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, blood loss, coronary heart disease, and cerebral infarction. Multivariate analysis of the variables confirmed that age (> 75 years old), diabetes, and ASA classification (> 2 level) are the independent risk factors of postoperative delirium (POD). In addition, patients in delirium had prolonged hospitalization and high perioperative albumin infusion. CONCLUSION: The elderly patients over the age of 75 years with the history of diabetes or ASA classification > 2 level were at higher risk of POD. Delirium is an important postoperative complication, which had prolonged hospitalization and high perioperative albumin infusion. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Designing Optoelectronic Properties by On-Surface Synthesis: Formation and Electronic Structure of an Iron-Terpyridine Macromolecular Complex.

Supramolecular chemistry protocols applied on surfaces offer compelling avenues for atomic-scale control over organic-inorganic interface structures. In this approach, adsorbate-surface interactions and two-dimensional confinement can lead to morphologies and properties that differ dramatically from those achieved via conventional synthetic approaches. Here, we describe the bottom-up, on-surface synthesis of one-dimensional coordination nanostructures based on an iron (Fe)-terpyridine (tpy) interaction borrowed from functional metal-organic complexes used in photovoltaic and catalytic applications. Thermally activated diffusion of sequentially deposited ligands and metal atoms and intraligand conformational changes lead to Fe-tpy coordination and formation of these nanochains. We used low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory to elucidate the atomic-scale morphology of the system, suggesting a linear tri-Fe linkage between facing, coplanar tpy groups. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy reveals the highest occupied orbitals, with dominant contributions from states located at the Fe node, and ligand states that mostly contribute to the lowest unoccupied orbitals. This electronic structure yields potential for hosting photoinduced metal-to-ligand charge transfer in the visible/near-infrared. The formation of this unusual tpy/tri-Fe/tpy coordination motif has not been observed for wet chemistry synthetic methods and is mediated by the bottom-up on-surface approach used here, offering pathways to engineer the optoelectronic properties and reactivity of metal-organic nanostructures.

Intra-articular platelet-rich plasma versus hyaluronic acid in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and hyaluronic acid (HA) have been increasingly used in recent years to treat knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, whether PRP is superior to HA is controversial. METHODS: We conducted an electronic search of PubMed, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane library. The pooled data were analyzed using RevMan 5.1. RESULTS: Three prospective and ten randomized trials were identified. PRP injections reduced pain more effectively than HA injections in OA of the knee at 6 months (mean difference [MD]=-14.18; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -26.12 to -2.23; P=0.02; I2=95%) and 12 months (MD=-15.25; 95% CI: -22.17 to -8.32; P<0.01; I2=81%) of follow-up evaluated by Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain score, while the VAS showed no significant difference at 3 months (MD=-0.98; 95% CI: -2.55 to 0.59; P=0.22; I2=90%) and 6 months (MD=-0.82; 95% CI: -1.80 to 0.16; P=0.1; I2=83%). Additionally, similar results were observed for the function recovery according to the WOMAC function score and EuroQol-visual analog scales. CONCLUSION: The intra-articular injection of PRP was not obviously superior to HA in knee OA. Due to the limited quality and data of the evidence currently available, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are required.

MOXIBUSTION ALLEVIATES GASTRIC PRECANCEROUS LESIONS IN RATS BY PROMOTING CELL APOPTOSIS AND INHIBITING PROLIFERATION-RELATED ONCOGENES.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that gastric mucosa dysplasia and intestinal metaplasia are gastric precancerous lesions (GPL). Moxibustion treatment of Liangmen (ST21) and Zusanli (ST36) alleviated the inflammatory response and dysplasia of gastric mucosa in our previous study. The purpose of this study was to further examine the underlying mechanism of moxibustion treatment of ST21 and ST36 on GPL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty SD rats were divided into five groups and rats with GPL were treated with either moxibustion (ST), moxibustion (Sham), or vitacoenzyme. B-cell lymphoma 2 (bcl-2), tumor protein p53 (P53) and cellular Myc (C-MYC), which are related to cell apoptosis, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), argyrophilic nucleolar organizer region proteins (Ag-NORs), which are associated with cell proliferation, and cell signaling proteins, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (p-ERK), were measured after moxibustion treatment. RESULTS: Compared with Control group, gastric mucosa in GPL group showed abnormal mucosal proliferation and pathological mitotic figure, the mRNA expression of bcl-2, P53 and C-MYC increased significantly (P < 0.01), the protein expression of PCNA, VEGF, Ag-NORs and the activity of NF-κß as well as EGFR/ERK signaling proteins also increased significantly (P < 0.01). Moxibustion treatment decreased gastric mucosal proliferation and pathological mitotic figure, down-regulated the mRNA expression of bcl-2, P53, C-MYC (P < 0.01), decreased the protein expression of PCNA, VEGF, Ag-NORs and the activity of NF-κß as well as EGFR/ERK signaling proteins significantly (P < 0.01). But moxibustion treatment of Sham didn't show the same effect on GPL. CONCLUSION: Moxibustion treatment inhibited cell apoptosis and reduced gastric mucosa dysplasia by inhibiting the expression of bcl-2, P53, C-MYC and decreased the activity of NF-κß as well as EGFR/ERK signaling proteins.

Evolution of CH3NO2/Si interfacial chemistry under reaction conditions: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

Dissociative adsorption of CH3NO2 onto a Si(100)-2 × 1 surface is studied using ambient-pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The unprecedented scission of the C-N bond in CH3NO2 and the formation of a Si-CH3 surface species are observed at elevated CH3NO2 pressure (0.5 mbar) and temperature (>573 K).

Gastrointestinal stability of dihydromyricetin, myricetin, and myricitrin: an in vitro investigation.

The gastrointestinal (GI) stability of three flavonoids, dihydromyricetin (DMY), myricetin (MYR), and myricitrin (MYT), was examined in simulated physiological fluids. Several factors that may influence the degradation rate of theses flavonoids were evaluated, including pH and the presence of pepsin and pancreatin enzymes. We found that GI stability followed the order of MYT > DMY > MYR. These flavonoids were stable in simulated gastric fluids and buffer solutions (pH 1.2), but encountered a pseudo-first-order kinetic degradation in simulated intestinal fluids and buffer solutions (pH 6.8). We conclude that it is the pH, rather than the presence of pepsin or pancreatin, which most strongly influences the stability of these three flavonoids. Further study of the stability of the compounds using a pH range (1.0-8.0) indicated potential instability in the duodenum, small intestine, and colon. Therefore, we conclude that the low bioavailability of these flavonoids may be due to their poor stability in the GI tract.