Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Imaging of Atherosclerotic Intracranial Disease.

Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is one of the most common causes of stroke worldwide. Among people with stroke, those of East Asia descent and non-White populations in the United States have a higher burden of ICAD-related stroke compared with Whites of European descent. Disparities in the prevalence of asymptomatic ICAD are less marked than with symptomatic ICAD. In addition to stroke, ICAD increases the risk of dementia and cognitive decline, magnifying ICAD societal burden. The risk of stroke recurrence among patients with ICAD-related stroke is the highest among those with confirmed stroke and stenosis ≥70%. In fact, the 1-year recurrent stroke rate of >20% among those with stenosis >70% is one of the highest rates among common causes of stroke. The mechanisms by which ICAD causes stroke include plaque rupture with in situ thrombosis and occlusion or artery-to-artery embolization, hemodynamic injury, and branch occlusive disease. The risk of stroke recurrence varies by the presumed underlying mechanism of stroke, but whether techniques such as quantitative magnetic resonance angiography, computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance perfusion, or transcranial Doppler can help with risk stratification beyond the degree of stenosis is less clear. The diagnosis of ICAD is heavily reliant on lumen-based studies, such as computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, or digital subtraction angiography, but newer technologies, such as high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging, can help distinguish ICAD from stenosing arteriopathies.

Effect of short neuropeptide F signaling on larval feeding in Mythimna separata.

Mythimna separata is a notorious phytophagous pest which poses serious threats to cereal crops owing to the gluttony of the larvae. Because short neuropeptide F (sNPF) and its receptor sNPFR are involved in a diversity of physiological functions, especially in functions related to feeding in insects, it is a molecular target for pest control. Herein, an sNPF and 2 sNPFRs were identified and cloned from M. separata. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the sNPF and its receptors had a highly conserved RLRFamide C-terminus and 7 transmembrane domains, respectively. The sNPF and its receptor genes were distributed across larval periods and tissues, but 2 receptors had distinct expression patterns. The starvation-induced assay elucidated that sNPF and sNPFR expression levels were downregulated under food deprivation and recovered with subsequent re-feeding. RNA interference knockdown of sNPF, sNPFR1, and sNPFR2 by injection of double-stranded RNA into larvae not only suppressed food consumption and increased body size and weight, but also led to decrease of glycogen and total lipid contents, and increase of trehalose compared with double-stranded green fluorescent protein injection. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed on the interaction mode between sNPFR protein and its ligand sNPF based on the 3-dimensional models constructed by AlphaFold; the results indicated that both receptors were presumably activated by the mature peptide sNPF-2. These results revealed that sNPF signaling played a considerably vital role in the feeding regulation of M. separata and represents a potential control target for this pest.

Two decades of nonfatal injury data: a scoping review of the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program, 2001-2021.

BACKGROUND: Injury is a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality in the USA. Ongoing surveillance is needed to understand changing injury patterns to effectively target prevention efforts. Launched jointly in 2000 by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) provides national-level estimates of US emergency department visits for nonfatal injuries. A scoping review of peer-reviewed articles was conducted to characterize how NEISS-AIP data have been used for injury surveillance in the USA. MAIN BODY: This review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Three bibliographic databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar) were systematically searched for English language peer-reviewed articles that used NEISS-AIP data as the primary data source during 2001-2021. Key article characteristics from included articles were abstracted to generate descriptive summary statistics to understand the use and limitations of NEISS-AIP for injury surveillance. Database queries returned 6944 citations; 594 citations were manually reviewed, and 167 non-duplicate journal articles were identified. An average of 8.0 articles (range: 1-14) were published annually during 2001-2021. Articles appeared in 72 different journals representing a diverse audience with the majority of articles written by CDC authors. Starting in 2013, a higher proportion of articles were published by non-CDC authors. The largest number of articles examined injury among all age groups (n = 71); however, the pediatric population was the specific age group of greatest interest (n = 48), followed by older adults (n = 23). Falls (n = 20) and motor-vehicle-related injuries (n = 10) were the most studied injury mechanisms. The most commonly identified limitation identified by authors of reviewed articles was that NEISS-AIP only produces national estimates and therefore, cannot be used for state- or county-level injury surveillance (n = 38). CONCLUSIONS: NEISS-AIP has contributed to nonfatal injury surveillance in the USA. CDC and CPSC continue to work together to expand and enhance NEISS-AIP data collection. Researchers are encouraged to continue using this publicly available dataset for injury surveillance.

Clinical significance of the advanced lung cancer inflammation index in gastrointestinal cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI) has been identified as a scientific and clinical priority in multiple malignancies. The aim of this study is to investigate the value of the ALI before treatment in evaluating postoperative complications (POCs) and survival outcomes in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancer. Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase and Web of Science were comprehensively reviewed up to June 2022. The endpoints were POCs and survival outcomes. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Results: Eleven studies including 4417 participants were included. A significant heterogeneity in the ALI cut-off value among studies was observed. Patients in the low ALI group showed increased incidence of POCs (OR=2.02; 95%CI:1.60-2.57; P<0.001; I2 = 0%). In addition, a low ALI was also significantly associated with worse overall survival (HR=1.96; 95%CI: 1.58-2.43; P<0.001; I2 = 64%), which remained consistent in all subgroups based on country, sample size, tumor site, tumor stage, selection method and Newcastle Ottawa Scale score. Moreover, patients in the low ALI group had an obviously decreased disease-free survival compared to these in the high ALI group (HR=1.47; 95%CI: 1.28-1.68; P<0.001; I2 = 0%). Conclusion: Based on existing evidence, the ALI could act as a valuable predictor of POCs and long-term outcomes in patients with GI cancer. However, the heterogeneity in the ALI cut-off value among studies should be considered when interpreting these findings.

Comparisons of perioperative and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic versus open gastrectomy for advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant therapy: an updated pooled analysis of eighteen studies.

BACKGROUND: Outcomes of laparoscopic surgery in advanced gastric cancer patients who received neoadjuvant therapy represent a controversial issue. We performed an updated meta-analysis to evaluate the perioperative and long-term survival outcomes of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) versus conventional open gastrectomy (OG) in this subset of patients. METHODS: Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and China National Knowledge Infrastructure were comprehensively searched up to May 2023. The short-term and long-term outcomes of LG versus OG in advanced gastric cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy were evaluated. Effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals were always assessed using random-effects model. The prospective protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022359126). RESULTS: Eighteen studies (2 randomized controlled trials and 16 cohort studies) involving 2096 patients were included. In total, 933 patients were treated with LG and 1163 patients were treated with OG. In perioperative outcomes, LG was associated with less estimated blood loss (MD = - 65.15; P < 0.0001), faster time to flatus (MD = - 0.56; P < 0.0001) and liquid intake (MD = - 0.42; P = 0.02), reduced hospital stay (MD = - 2.26; P < 0.0001), lower overall complication rate (OR = 0.70; P = 0.002) and lower minor complication rate (OR = 0.69; P = 0.006), while longer operative time (MD = 25.98; P < 0.0001). There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of proximal margin, distal margin, R1/R2 resection rate, retrieved lymph nodes, time to remove gastric tube and drainage tube, major complications and other specific complications. In survival outcomes, LG and OG were not significantly different in overall survival, disease-free survival and recurrence-free survival. CONCLUSION: LG can be a safe and feasible technique for the treatment of advanced gastric cancer patients receiving neoadjuvant therapy. However, more high-quality randomized controlled trials are still needed to further validate the results of our study.

Prophylactic drainage versus non-drainage following gastric cancer surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies.

BACKGROUND: The role of prophylactic drainage (PD) in gastrectomy for gastric cancer (GC) is not well-established. The purpose of this study is to compare the perioperative outcomes between the PD and non-drainage (ND) in GC patients undergoing gastrectomy. METHODS: A systematic review of electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure was performed up to December 2022. All eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies were included and meta-analyzed separately. The registration number of this protocol is PROSPERO CRD42022371102. RESULTS: Overall, 7 RCTs (783 patients) and 14 observational studies (4359 patients) were ultimately included. Data from RCTs indicated that patients in the ND group had a lower total complications rate (OR = 0.68; 95%CI:0.47-0.98; P = 0.04; I2 = 0%), earlier time to soft diet (MD = - 0.27; 95%CI: - 0.55 to 0.00; P = 0.05; I2 = 0%) and shorter length of hospital stay (MD = - 0.98; 95%CI: - 1.71 to - 0.26; P = 0.007; I2 = 40%). While other outcomes including anastomotic leakage, duodenal stump leakage, pancreatic leakage, intra-abdominal abscess, surgical-site infection, pulmonary infection, need for additional drainage, reoperation rate, readmission rate, and mortality were not significantly different between the two groups. Meta-analyses on observational studies showed good agreement with the pooled results from RCTs, with higher statistical power. CONCLUSION: The present meta-analysis suggests that routine use of PD may not be necessary and even harmful in GC patients following gastrectomy. However, well-designed RCTs with risk-stratified randomization are still needed to validate the results of our study.

Superior mesenteric veinous thrombosis with Bacteroides fragilis infection: a case report / 中国热带医学

@#Abstract: Superior mesenteric veinous thrombosis (SMVT) is a rare complication that often occurs in conjunction with intra-abdominal diseases such as diverticulitis, appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease, etc. Its clinical symptoms are non-specific and include fevers, abdominal pain; it has no specific symptoms, and the diagnosis depends on clinical laboratory tests and imaging studies. The occurrence of superior mesenteric veinous thrombophlebitis is related to septic phlebitis caused by the sloughing of the embolus containing bacteria into the portal vein with blood flow. Due to the nonspecific clinical features of this disease, diagnosing it based on clinical characteristics and microbiological aspects is a challenge. A case of superior mesenteric veinous septic thrombophlebitis caused by Bacteroides fragilis infection is reported and to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases. The patient was a 34-year-old man who was admitted the hospital with intermittent abdominal pain and fever. Computed tomography (CT) showed partial thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein, colonoscopy revealed diverticulitis in the ileoceca, and the blood culture grew Bacteroides fragilis. The patient was treated with anti-infection (ceftazidime 2.0 g q12h intravenous infusion for 11 days; metronidazole 0.5 g, q8h intravenous infusion for 3 days) and anticoagulation (rivaroxaban 20 mg qd orally for 8 days. On the 11th day of hospitalization, the patient's condition improved, and he was discharged. In this case, for patients with fever and abdominal pain, superior mesenteric venous thrombophlebitis should be included in the differential diagnosis. Through auxiliary examination, blood sample culture and other technologies, clear diagnosis should be made in time to improve patient outcomes.

Detection of asymptomatic recurrence following curative surgery improves survival in patients with gastric cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: To date, there is no evidence that intensive follow-up provides survival benefit in gastric cancer patients undergoing curative gastrectomy. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of detection of asymptomatic recurrence using intensive surveillance strategy in long-term survival after curative gastric cancer surgery. Methods: A systematic review of electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Clinical Trials Registry and Google Scholar was performed up to April 2022. The primary outcomes were survival outcomes: overall survival, recurrence-free survival and post-recurrence survival. The secondary endpoints were clinicopathological features, recurrence patterns and treatment after recurrence. The registration number of this protocol is PROSPERO CRD42022327370. Results: A total of 11 studies including 1898 participants were included. In the pooled analysis, the detection of asymptomatic recurrence was significantly associated with an improved overall survival compared to patients showing symptoms of recurrence (HR=0.67; 95%CI: 0.57-0.79; P<0.001), which was primarily driven by the prolongation of post-recurrence survival (HR=0.51; 95%CI: 0.42-0.61; P<0.001), since there was no significant difference observed in recurrence-free survival (HR=1.12; 95%CI: 0.81-1.55; P=0.48) between the two groups. Meanwhile, male sex and advanced T stage were more frequently observed in the symptomatic recurrence group. Furthermore, patients in the symptomatic recurrence group had a higher proportion of peritoneal relapse but lower proportion of distant lymph node metastasis. Additionally, patients in the symptomatic recurrence group were less likely to receive surgery treatment and post-recurrence chemotherapy. Conclusion: The detection of asymptomatic recurrence using intensive follow-up was associated with an appreciable improvement in overall survival. However, more robust data from high-quality studies are still required to verify this issue. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=327370, identifier CRD42022327370.

Zinc isotopic evidence for recycled carbonate in the deep mantle.

Carbonate, the major carbon reservoir on Earth's surface, can enter into the mantle by subduction. However, evidence for recycled surficial carbonates in the deep mantle is still scarce. Ocean island basalts from Cook-Austral islands and St. Helena Island, widely called HIMU basalts because of their high µ = 238U/204Pb sources, are thought to be fed by mantle plumes originating in the lower mantle. Here we report exceptionally high δ66Zn values (δ66Zn = 0.38 ± 0.03‰) of these HIMU lavas relative to most published data for oceanic basalts (δ66Zn = 0.31 ± 0.10‰), which requires a source contributed by isotopically heavy recycled surficial carbonates. During subduction of the oceanic lithosphere, melting of mixed surficial carbonates and basaltic crust in the deep mantle generates carbonatite melts, which metasomatizes the nearby mantle and the resultant carbonated mantle ultimately evolves into a high-δ66Zn HIMU source. High-δ66Zn signatures of HIMU basalts, therefore, demonstrate that carbonates can be transported into Earth's deep mantle.

Probing recycled carbonate in the lower mantle.

Whether surficial carbonates can be carried into the Earth's lower mantle is key to global deep carbon cycles but remains poorly understood. New clues from magnesium and zinc isotopic systematics on rocks from deep-rooted mantle plumes are presented and discussed in this Perspective.

Clinical therapeutic effects of eradication of Helicobacter pylori in treating patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have demonstrated that Helicobacter pylori is a critical factor in the development of gastrointestinal diseases. However, only limited studies have reported results on the relationship between H pylori infection and patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Moreover, the conclusions from these past studies are variable. Because there are contradictory results on this issue, the present study aims to examine the clinical therapeutic impacts of H pylori eradication to treat patients experiencing T2DM. METHODS: The present protocol is drafted according to the provisions of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analyses Protocols guidelines. PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases, EMBASE, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Chinese BioMedical Literature Database will be searched up to May 2021 to obtain randomized controlled trials evaluating the clinical therapeutic effects of H pylori eradication to treat patients experiencing T2DM. We will use 2 investigators independently to carry out study selection, data extraction, and employ the Cochrane Collaboration criteria to evaluate their risks of bias. Furthermore, we will apply Stata 16.0 software to perform data analysis. RESULTS: We intend to evaluate the clinical therapeutic impacts of H pylori eradication to treat patients suffering from T2DM. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings may support existing evidence on the clinical therapeutic impacts of H pylori eradication to treat patients with T2DM. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Since all data will be extracted from the published literature, the study does not require an ethical approval. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: May 31, 2021.osf.io/qtexu. (https://osf.io/qtexu/).

Dynamic Detection of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia: A Study in 3 Centers.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage negatively impacts long-term recovery but is often detected too late to prevent damage. We aim to develop hourly risk scores using routinely collected clinical data to detect DCI. METHODS: A DCI classification model was trained using vital sign measurements (heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation) and demographics routinely collected for clinical care. Twenty-two time-varying physiological measures were computed including mean, SD, and cross-correlation of heart rate time series with each of the other vitals. Classification was achieved using an ensemble approach with L2-regularized logistic regression, random forest, and support vector machines models. Classifier performance was determined by area under the receiver operating characteristic curves and confusion matrices. Hourly DCI risk scores were generated as the posterior probability at time t using the Ensemble classifier on cohorts recruited at 2 external institutions (n=38 and 40). RESULTS: Three hundred ten patients were included in the training model (median, 54 years old [interquartile range, 45-65]; 80.2% women, 28.4% Hunt and Hess scale 4-5, 38.7% Modified Fisher Scale 3-4); 101 (33%) developed DCI with a median onset day 6 (interquartile range, 5-8). Classification accuracy before DCI onset was 0.83 (interquartile range, 0.76-0.83) area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Risk scores applied to external institution datasets correctly predicted 64% and 91% of DCI events as early as 12 hours before clinical detection, with 2.7 and 1.6 true alerts for every false alert. CONCLUSIONS: An hourly risk score for DCI derived from routine vital signs may have the potential to alert clinicians to DCI, which could reduce neurological injury.

National Estimates of ENDS Liquid Nicotine Exposures, U.S., 2013-2017.

INTRODUCTION: Increased use of ENDS in the U.S. is related to acute adverse events from liquid nicotine exposure. This paper provides national estimates of U.S. hospital emergency department visits for exposures from liquid nicotine exposure in individuals aged ≥5 years. METHODS: In 2018-2019, data from the 2013-2017 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System All Injury Program were used to identify cases of liquid nicotine-related exposures in individuals aged ≥5 years. National estimates of exposures related to liquid nicotine exposure in ENDS for those aged ≥5 years by demographic characteristics, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatment dispositions were calculated. RESULTS: From 2013 to 2017, an estimated 2,718 cases related to liquid nicotine among those aged ≥5 years were treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. Most exposures occurred among those who were aged ≥25 years (51.7%), white (74.1%), and male (51.9%). Most case patients were treated and released from the hospitals, and 7.5% were admitted. Poisoning was the most common diagnosis of these exposures (82.7%). The most common symptoms were cardiovascular (29.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides national estimates of emergency department visits for injury and poisoning cases related to nicotine exposure from ENDS among individuals aged ≥5 years. Although long-term health outcome studies of liquid nicotine exposure are not available, these estimates provide some insight into the acute health effects. Findings from this study may inform education programs aimed at preventing exposures related to ENDS products.

The inhibition by human MSCs-derived miRNA-124a overexpression exosomes in the proliferation and migration of rheumatoid arthritis-related fibroblast-like synoviocyte cell.

BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis is a long-term, progressive autoimmune disease. It is characterized by synovial hyperplasia leading to swelling, stiffness, and joint deformity in more than one joint. Fibroblast-like synoviocytes are the major cell types that make up the synovial intima structure, which is one of the decisive factors in the development and course of rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: The potential therapeutic effects of MSCs-derived miRNA-124a overexpression exosomes were evaluated in vitro by the method including MTT assay and cell cycle test for cell proliferation, scratch wound closure and transwell for cell migration, flow cytometry and western for the apoptosis detection. RESULTS: Exosomes derived from human MSCs that overexpression miRNA-124a were prepared and characterized. We found that the pretreatment of this exosome was able to inhibit the proliferation and migration of fibroblast-like synoviocyte cell line and promote the apoptosis of this cell during the co-incubation. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomes derived from MSCs were proved to be a suitable vector for the delivery of therapeutic miRNA-124a, and such miRNA-124a overexpression exosomes were expected to provide a new medicine and strategy for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Evidence of metasomatism in the interior of Vesta.

Diogenites are a group of meteorites that are derived from the interior of the largest protoplanet Vesta. They provide a unique opportunity to understanding together the internal structure and dynamic evolution of this protoplanet. Northwest Africa (NWA) 8321 was suggested to be an unbrecciated noritic diogenite meteorite, which is confirmed by our oxygen and chromium isotopic data. Here, we find that olivine in this sample has been partly replaced by orthopyroxene, troilite, and minor metal. The replacement texture of olivine is unambiguous evidence of sulfur-involved metasomatism in the interior of Vesta. The presence of such replacement texture suggests that in NWA 8321, the olivine should be of xenolith origin while the noritic diogenite was derived from partial melting of pre-existing rocks and had crystallized in the interior of Vesta. The post-Rheasilvia craters in the north-polar region on Vesta could be the potential source for NWA 8321.

The general odorant receptor GmolOR9 from Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is mainly tuned to eight host-plant volatiles.

Grapholita molesta is one of the most destructive fruit pests distributed worldwide. Odorant receptors (ORs) located on the dendritic membrane of chemosensory neurons are deemed to be key molecules for sensing exogenous chemical signals. In this study, GmolOR9, a general OR from G. molesta, was functionally characterized. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that GmolOR9 was more highly expressed in adults than in other stages, including eggs, larvae, and pupae. GmolOR9 expression was highly significantly more in the antennae of females than in those of males, and the highest level occurred in the antennae of 3-day-old female adults. GmolOR9 was broadly tuned to eight of 47 odorant components tested, including (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, butyl propionate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, 1-hexanol, (Z)-3-hexenol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, and linalool, by in vitro heterologous expression. Furthermore, electroantennogram responses indicated that the effects of dsOR9-injected females to (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate dramatically decreased. These results suggested that GmolOR9 might be involved in detecting host-plant volatiles. Moreover, (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate might serve as a potential attractant for the biological control of G. molesta.

Functional Analysis of the Chemosensory Protein GmolCSP8 From the Oriental Fruit Moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae).

Chemosensory proteins (CSPs) belong to a family of small water-soluble proteins that can selectively bind and transport odorant molecules for olfactory communication in insects. To date, their definite physiological functions in olfaction remain controversial when compared with odorant binding proteins (OBPs). To investigate the functions of CSPs in the oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta, we determined the tissue expression patterns and binding properties of the CSP, GmolCSP8. The key binding sites of GmolCSP8 with a representative ligand were evaluated using molecular flexible docking, site-directed mutagenesis and ligand-binding experiments. Multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis showed that GmolCSP8 possesses a typical conserved four cysteines motif and shares high sequence identity with some CSP members of other Lepidopteran insects. GmolCSP8 was predominantly expressed in the wings and antennae of both male and female adults and may be involve in contact chemoreception. Recombinant GmolCSP8 (rGmolCSP8) exhibited specific-binding affinities to small aliphatic alcohols (C4-12) and had the strongest binding affinity to 1-hexanol. The three-dimensional structure of GmolCSP8 was constructed using the structure of sgCSP4 as a template. Site-directed mutagenesis and ligand-binding experiments confirmed that Thr27 is the key binding site in GmolCSP8 for 1-hexanol binding, because this residue can form hydrogen bond with the oxygen atom of the hydroxyl group in 1-hexanol, and Leu30 may play an important role in binding to 1-hexanol. We found that pH significantly affected the binding affinities of rGmolCSP8 to ligand, revealing that ligand-binding and -release by this protein is related to a pH-dependent conformational transition. Based on these results, we infer that GmolCSP8 may participate in the recognition and transportation of 1-hexanol and other small aliphatic alcohols.

Recycled ancient ghost carbonate in the Pitcairn mantle plume.

The extreme Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb isotopic compositions found in Pitcairn Island basalts have been labeled enriched mantle 1 (EM1), characterizing them as one of the isotopic mantle end members. The EM1 origin has been vigorously debated for over 25 years, with interpretations ranging from delaminated subcontinental lithosphere, to recycled lower continental crust, to recycled oceanic crust carrying ancient pelagic sediments, all of which may potentially generate the requisite radiogenic isotopic composition. Here we find that δ26Mg ratios in Pitcairn EM1 basalts are significantly lower than in normal mantle and are the lowest values so far recorded in oceanic basalts. A global survey of Mg isotopic compositions of potentially recycled components shows that marine carbonates constitute the most common and typical reservoir invariably characterized by extremely low δ26Mg values. We therefore infer that the subnormal δ26Mg of the Pitcairn EM1 component originates from subducted marine carbonates. This, combined with previously published evidence showing exceptionally unradiogenic Pb as well as sulfur isotopes affected by mass-independent fractionation, suggests that the Pitcairn EM1 component is most likely derived from late Archean subducted carbonate-bearing sediments. However, the low Ca/Al ratios of Pitcairn lavas are inconsistent with experimental evidence showing high Ca/Al ratios in melts derived from carbonate-bearing mantle sources. We suggest that carbonate-silicate reactions in the late Archean subducted sediments exhausted the carbonates, but the isotopically light magnesium of the carbonate was incorporated in the silicates, which then entered the lower mantle and ultimately became the Pitcairn plume source.

Hyaluronic acid, an efficient biomacromolecule for treatment of inflammatory skin and joint diseases: A review of recent developments and critical appraisal of preclinical and clinical investigations.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) plays multifaceted role in regulating various biological processes and maintaining homeostasis into the body. Numerous researches evidenced the biomedical implications of HA in skin repairmen, cancer prognosis, wound healing, tissue regeneration, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulation. The present review was aimed to summarize and critically appraise the recent developments and efficacy of HA for treatment of inflammatory skin and joint diseases. A thorough analysis of the literature revealed that HA based formulations (i.e., gels, creams, autologous graft, thin sheets, soaked gauze, gauze pad, tincture, injection) have shown remarkable efficacy in treating a wide range of inflammatory skin diseases. The safety, tolerability, and efficacy of HA (as intra-articular injection) have also been well-documented for treatment of various types of joint disease including knee osteoarthritic, joint osteoarthritis, canine osteoarthritis, and meniscal swelling. Intra-articular injection of HA produces remarkable reduction in joint pain, synovial inflammation, and articular swelling. A remarkable improvement in chondrocyte density, territorial matrix appearance, reconstitution of superficial amorphous layer of the cartilage, collagen remodelling, and regeneration of meniscus have also been evident in patients treated with HA. Conclusively, we validate that the application/administration of HA is a promising pharmacotherapeutic regimen for treatment of inflammatory skin and joint diseases.

Associations of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase gene single nucleotide polymorphisms with sport performance and relative maximal oxygen uptake.

To observe the associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase (NNMT) gene and sport performance and to analyse genotype associations of the associated SNPs with sport performance and relative maximal oxygen uptake ([Formula: see text]). Participants were selected from 685 Chinese Han male college students. The completion times of a 1000-m run and a 50-m run were used to reflect sport performance, respectively. Nineteen tagSNPs were genotyped with Polymerase chain reaction-ligase detection reaction. Relative [Formula: see text] was directly determined with a cardiopulmonary function analyser. A significant association was found between rs2256292 and 1000-m run performance, but no significant association was found between any tagSNPs and 50-m run performance. The genotype associations of rs2256292 with 1000-m run performance and with relative [Formula: see text] were both significant under the recessive model (CC vs. CG + GG). No tagSNP in NNMT is significantly associated with 50-m run performance but rs2256292 is significantly associated with 1000-m run performance. The genotype associations of rs2256292 with sport performance are significant under recessive model, and a higher relative [Formula: see text] may be the physiological reason for minor homozygote CC carriers being of the better 1000-m runners.