Psychometric validation of the PERMA-profiler for well-being in Chinese adults.

Well-being is one of the central topics in psychology, and research on this topic has shifted from emotional experiences to flourishing life in recent years. Seligman's PERMA model is a prominent theory in this shift. However, this model is proposed in Western culture and has yet to be empirically validated in the Chinese context. The present research aims to examine the applicability of the five-dimension PERMA-Profiler in Chinese culture, which has been developed based on the PERMA model. A sample of 1468 Chinese adults participated in the research. After translation and validation, a series of psychometric analyses were conducted to examine the internal consistency reliability, construct validity, convergent and discriminant validity, and factorial invariance across genders. The PERMA-Profiler Chinese showed high Cronbach's alpha coefficients (α = 0.79-0.88), good divergent (r = -0.19 to -0.38) and convergent validity (r = 0.53-0.85), as well as satisfactory structural validity. Results of the structural validity demonstrated a better fit to the first-order model with five correlated factors after modification (χ2/df = 4.65, RMSEA = 0.058, SRMR = 0.030, CFI = 0.943, TLI = 0.924) than the second-order model with a higher-order factor of well-being. However, the engagement dimension of the PERMA-Profiler Chinese could be improved further. In conclusion, the PERMA model is applicable to the Chinese culture, and the PERMA-Profiler provides a valid measure of well-being for Chinese adults.

Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) compared with unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis: a 2-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) has been proven to be an effective method of indirect decompression for the treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis (DLS). However, its superiority over Unilateral biportal endoscopic Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ULIF) has not been reported yet. The current study aimed to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of OLIF and ULIF in patients with DLS. METHODS: A total of 107 patients were included in this study, divided into two groups according to the surgical methods with 45 patients treated by OLIF combined with anterolateral single screwrod fixation, and 62 patients treated by ULIF. To compare the perioperative parameters (blood loss, operation time, and postop hospitalization) and clinical (the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores of the low back pain and leg pain and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI)) and radiological (disk height (DH), lumbar lordosis (LL), segmental lordosis (SL), the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the spinal canal) results of the two surgical approaches to evaluate their efficacy. RESULTS: Compared with the ULIF group, the blood loss and operation time in the OLIF-AF group were significantly reduced, and the Postop hospitalization was comparable. The VAS scores in both groups were significantly improved compared to preop; however, the VAS score of low back pain in the OLIF-AF group was superior to that in ULIF group throughout the follow-up period (P < 0.05). The improvements in DH, LL, and Segmental angle were significantly lower in the ULIF group, and the expansion rate of CSA in the OLIF-AF group was superior to that in the ULIF group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The fusion rate in OLIF-AF group was significantly higher than that in ULIF group within 6 mo postop, and there was no significant difference at the last follow-up. The incidence of complications was comparable between the two groups, and there was no statistical difference. CONCLUSIONS: Both OLIF-AF and ULIF achieved good short-term results in the treatment of DLS, and both surgical approaches are desirable. However, OLIF-AF has advantages over ULIF in terms of postoperative restoration of lumbar sagittal parameters and earlier intervertebral fusion. Long-term follow-up and larger clinical studies are needed to confirm this result.

Expandable versus static cages in unilateral biportal endoscopy lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) for treating degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS): comparison of clinical and radiological results.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, early rehabilitation after spinal fusion and the recovery of physiological curvature have attracted much attention. Therefore, expandable cages have entered the field of vision of scientists. The goal of the current study was to compare the clinical and radiological results of unilateral portal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) in the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) with expandable versus static cages. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed patients who received ULIF treatment for DLS from May 2019 to February 2021. Patients were categorized by cage type (static vs. expandable), and the main study was the preop and postop clinical and radiological index changes of the patients. RESULTS: Eighty-four patients were included (38 in the static cages group; 46 in the expandable cages group). There was no difference in the preop results between the two groups. The VAS scores for low back and leg pain and ODI scores in the expandable cages group 7 d postop were significantly superior to those in the static cages group (P < 0.05), and the segmental angle and PDH in the expandable cages group postop were significantly higher than those in the static cages group (P < 0.05). The fusions at 6 m postop in the expandable cages group were superior to those in the Static Cages group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed that compared with the stable cage group, the expandable cage group had unique advantages in restoring the physiological curvature of the lumbar spine, increasing the fusion rate, and relieving pain in the early postoperative period. ULIF can be used to treat single-segment, mild lumbar spondylolisthesis patients using expandable cages instead of static cages.

Comparison of the Effect of Chemoradiotherapy and Chemotherapy on the Survival of Patients with Primary Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma of the Spine: A SEER-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE: The role of radiotherapy in primary spinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PB-DLBCL) remains controversial. This study explored the effects of chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy alone on the survival of patients with PB-DLBCL and established an instructive nomogram. METHODS: Survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test was performed for patients diagnosed with PB-DLBCL from 1983 to 2016, identified in the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. The Cox regression model was used to analyze the effects of each variable on the overall survival (OS) and construct a nomogram for predicting OS in patients. RESULTS: Overall, 873 patients with PB-DLBCL were included. The patients were divided into the 1983-2001 (227 [26%]) and 2002-2016 (646 [74%]) groups. The 5-and 10-year OS rates of patients with PB-DLBCL in the 2002-2016 group were 62.8% and 49.9%, respectively. The results of the multivariate Cox regression analysis in the 2002-2016 group showed that age, stage, marriage, and treatment strategy were independent prognostic factors. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the OS of patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy from 2002 to 2016 was significantly better than that of patients treated with chemotherapy alone. Further subgroup analysis of patients with different stages of DLBCL and at different ages showed that chemoradiotherapy had a better prognosis than chemotherapy alone in stages I-II and age >60 years, whereas the advantages of chemoradiotherapy were not reflected in stages III-IV and age <60 years. CONCLUSIONS: Chemoradiotherapy improves the OS of patients with PB-DLBCL who are aged >60 years or have stage I-II disease. The nomograms established in this study can help clinicians determine prognosis and select treatment strategies.

Clinical Efficacy of Bilateral Decompression Using Biportal Endoscopic Versus Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: The study purpose was to compare unilateral biportal endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF) with minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases in terms of surgical trauma and short-to medium-term postoperative results. METHODS: Forty-nine patients with lumbar degenerative diseases (25 underwent ULIF, 24 underwent MIS-TLIF) who were treated between May 2019 and October 2021, were included in this retrospective analysis. We compared the 2 groups' blood loss, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), visual analog scale (VAS) scores for low back and leg pain, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score and slip percentage (SP). The modified Macnab score was obtained at the last follow-up. RESULTS: On the postoperative day, the CRP levels (P < 0.05) were considerably lower in the ULIF group than those in the MIS-TLIF group. In addition, the ULIF group had significantly decreased intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.00) and postoperative blood loss (P = 0.00). After surgery, there was significant improvement in both groups in the VAS scores for low back and leg pain and in the ODI scores (P < 0.05). Two weeks after surgery, the ODI and VAS scores for low back pain of the ULIF group were considerably lower than those of the MIS-TLIF group (P < 0.05). The excellent and good rates of the Macnab criteria between the 2 groups were not significantly different at the last follow-up (P = 0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The ULIF technique can effectively treat short-segment lumbar degenerative diseases and is a feasible alternative to the traditional minimally invasive surgery.

The health halo effect of 'low sugar' and related claims on alcoholic drinks: an online experiment with young women.

AIMS: To investigate whether 'low sugar' and related claims influence consumers' perceptions of the healthiness or other attributes of alcoholic drinks, promote greater consumption or impact diet and activity behaviour intentions. METHOD: N = 501 Australian women aged 18-35 viewed and rated six images of alcoholic drinks in a randomized online experiment with a 2 (claim: low sugar claim, no claim control) × 2 (drink type: cider, ready-to-drink spirits) between-subjects design. RESULTS: Participants who viewed drinks with low sugar claims rated them as healthier, less harmful to health, lower in sugar and kilojoules, and more suitable for weight management and a healthy diet than participants who viewed identical drinks with no claim (P < 0.001-P = 0.002). Drinks with low sugar claims were also perceived as being lower in alcohol (P < 0.001) despite being of equivalent alcohol content. There were no significant differences in anticipated social approval associated with consumption or in hypothetical intended consumption of the drinks, but participants who viewed drinks with low sugar claims were less likely to indicate they would compensate for consumption of the drink by modifying food intake or physical activity (P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Low sugar and related claims on alcoholic drinks can generate a health halo: consumers generalise from a specific favourable attribute (low sugar) to misperceive other favourable health- and nutrition-related attributes, including lower alcohol content. Findings support calls to reconsider the permissibility of low sugar claims on alcoholic drinks as they may mislead consumers.

p300 arrests intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating the FOXO3/Sirt1/Wnt/ß-catenin axis.

The transcription factor p300 is reportedly involved in age-associated human diseases, including intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). In this study, we investigate the potential role and pathophysiological mechanism of p300 in IDD. Clinical tissue samples were collected from patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH), in which the expression of p300, forkhead box O3 (FOXO3), and sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) was determined. Nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) isolated from clinical degenerative intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues were introduced with oe-p300, oe-FOXO3, Wnt/ß-catenin agonist 1, C646 (p300/CBP inhibitor), or si-p300 to explore the functional role of p300 in IDD and to characterize the relationship between p300 and the FOXO3/Sirt1/Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. Also, we established a rat IDD model by inducing needle puncture injuries in the caudal IVDs for further verification of p300 functional role. We found that p300 was downregulated in the clinical tissues and NPCs of IDD. Overexpression of p300 promoted the proliferation and autophagy of NPCs while inhibiting cell apoptosis, which was associated with FOXO3 upregulation. p300 could increase the expression of FOXO3 by binding to the Sirt1 promoter, and thus, contributed to inactivation of the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway. In vivo results further displayed that p300 slowed down the progression of IDD by disrupting the Wnt/ß-catenin pathway through the FOXO3/Sirt1 axis. Taken together, we suggest that p300 can act to suppress IDD via a FOXO3-dependent mechanism, highlighting a potential novel target for treatment of IDD.

Isolation of Leydig cells from adult rat testes by magnetic-activated cell sorting protocol based on prolactin receptor expression.

BACKGROUND: The primary function of testicular Leydig cells (LCs) is to produce testosterone (T). In vitro culture of the cells represents a very important approach to study androgen production and its regulations. Various methods have been developed for the enrichment of the cells from the testes. However, getting cells in large numbers with high purity and viability is still challenging. Here, we describe a new way to isolate LCs from rat testes in large quantity with high purity and viability. METHODS: Enzymatic digested testicular cells from adult rats were labelled with prolactin receptor (PRLR) antibody. The positive cells were isolated by magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) protocol. Purified LCs were tested in vitro for their steroidogenic (T production) and non-steroidogenic (25-OH-vitamin D production and Insl3 and Cyp2r1expressions) functions in the presence of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) for up to 24 h. RESULTS: Reanalysis of scRNA-seq data indicates that Prlr expression is highly specific in LCs of adult rat testis. MACS procedure based on PRLR expression was able to isolate LCs with very high yield (about 106 cells/testis), high purity (about 95%) and viability (> 93%). Purified LCs retained high steroidogenic and non-steroidogenic functions in responding to maximal LH stimulations, with more than 10-fold increases in T production in 3 h and 42% and 103% increases in Insl3 and Cyp2r1 expressions in 24 h. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: We have established an excellent way to purify high quality LCs from adult rat testis that can serve as a useful tool to study the physiology, pharmacology and toxicology of the cells in vitro.

[Comparative study on effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic and Wiltse-approach transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PE-TLIF) and Wiltse-approach TLIF (W-TLIF) in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis. METHODS: The clinical data of 47 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis who met the selection criteria between July 2018 and June 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, in which 21 patients were treated with PE-TLIF (PE-TLIF group) and 26 patients were treated with W-TLIF (W-TLIF group). There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, disease duration, level of spondylolisthesis vertebrae, spondylolisthesis degree, spondylolisthesis type, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score of low back pain and leg pain, lumbar Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the disc height (DH), segmental lordosis (SL), and Taillard index (TI) of the operated vertebrae ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, postoperative bedridden time, and complications were compared between the two groups. The VAS score and JOA score were used to evaluate the improvement of pain and function. At last follow-up, DH, SL, and TI of operated vertebrae were measured by X-ray films, and lumbar CT was performed to evaluate the interbody fusion. RESULTS: Compared with W-TLIF group, the operation time in PE-TLIF group was significantly longer, but the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage were significantly less, and the postoperative bedridden time was significantly shorter ( P<0.05). There were 2 cases of transient lower limb radiating pain in PE-TLIF group and 1 case of superficial incision infection in W-TLIF group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications (9.5% vs. 3.8%) between the two groups ( χ 2=0.037, P=0.848). The patients in both groups were followed up 12-24 months, with an average of 17.3 months in PE-TLIF group and 17.7 months in W-TLIF group. The VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain, and the JOA scores of the two groups significantly improved at each time point after operation when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). Compared with W-TLIF group, the VAS scores of low back pain in PE-TLIF group significantly lower at 3 days and 3 months after operation ( P<0.05), and the JOA score of PE-TLIF group was significantly higher at 3 months after operation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in each score at any other time point between the two groups ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the DH, SL, and TI of operated vertebrae of the two groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the differences of each parameter between the two groups ( P>0.05). According to Suk's standard, the fusion rates of PE-TLIF group and W-TLIF group were 90.5% (19/21) and 92.3% (24/26), respectively, with no significant difference ( χ 2=0.000, P=1.000). At last follow-up, there was no case of Cage sunk into the adjacent vertebral body, or dislodgement of Cage anteriorly or posteriorly in both groups. CONCLUSION: PE-TLIF and W-TLIF are both effective in the treatment of grade Ⅰ and Ⅱ lumbar spondylolisthesis. Although the operation time is prolonged, PE-TLIF has less intraoperative blood loss and postoperative drainage, shorter postoperative bedridden time, and can get more obvious short-term improvement of low back pain and function.

Caregiver burden and associated factors among primary caregivers of patients with ALS in home care: a cross-sectional survey study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to understand the caregiver burden experienced by the primary caregivers of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and to explore the factors influencing caregiver burden. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey design was used. SETTING: This study was conducted with ALS inpatients and follow-up outpatients at the neurology department of a tertiary general hospital in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China and their caregivers. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with ALS and their caregivers (N=120 pairs) participated in a face-to-face interview. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures included the Zarit Burden Interview scores and personal/role burden scores. There were no secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the factors influencing burden in ALS patient's caregivers. Multiple linear regression showed that caregivers with higher Anxiety Index (AI) experienced greater personal (ß=0.089, p<0.001), role (ß=0.065, p<0.001) and overall (ß=0.200, p<0.001) burden. Logistic regression analysis showed that AI (p=0.025; OR 1.351, 95% CI 1.038 to 1.759) and disease knowledge level (p=0.033; OR 0.305, 95% CI 0.107 to 0.593) are the influencing factors of ALS load classification. CONCLUSIONS: Higher AI scores were associated with greater caregiver burden. Caregiver burden of caregivers who had no knowledge of the patient's disease was 0.305 times that of those who had good knowledge. The level of disease knowledge and AI score can serve as key predictors of caregiver burden in ALS.

Engineering single-atomic ruthenium catalytic sites on defective nickel-iron layered double hydroxide for overall water splitting.

Rational design of single atom catalyst is critical for efficient sustainable energy conversion. However, the atomic-level control of active sites is essential for electrocatalytic materials in alkaline electrolyte. Moreover, well-defined surface structures lead to in-depth understanding of catalytic mechanisms. Herein, we report a single-atomic-site ruthenium stabilized on defective nickel-iron layered double hydroxide nanosheets (Ru1/D-NiFe LDH). Under precise regulation of local coordination environments of catalytically active sites and the existence of the defects, Ru1/D-NiFe LDH delivers an ultralow overpotential of 18 mV at 10 mA cm-2 for hydrogen evolution reaction, surpassing the commercial Pt/C catalyst. Density functional theory calculations reveal that Ru1/D-NiFe LDH optimizes the adsorption energies of intermediates for hydrogen evolution reaction and promotes the O-O coupling at a Ru-O active site for oxygen evolution reaction. The Ru1/D-NiFe LDH as an ideal model reveals superior water splitting performance with potential for the development of promising water-alkali electrocatalysts.

Clinical therapeutic effects of combined methotrexate and other chemotherapeutic agents in treating children and young patients with osteosarcoma: A protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma is one of the most common primary bone tumour in children and young patients, and the third most common among adults. Its main treatment option is currently based on neoadjuvant or adjuvant chemoradiotherapy along with the lesion's surgical resection. The current study's primary aim is to examine the clinical therapeutic impacts of combined methotrexate, along with other chemotherapeutic agents to treat children and young adults suffering from osteosarcoma. METHODS: We will perform a comprehensive literature search in English database (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochran Library CINAHL, and PsycINFO) and Chinese database (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP information database, Chinese Biomedical Database, and WanFang Database) with no language restriction from their inception to the search date. Additionally, two independent authors will screen the works of literature obtained from these databases, obtain information, and examine the risks of data included for the studies' bias. Furthermore, we intend to employ the Q statistics as well as I2 statistics to calculate heterogeneity among each study's analysis. Accordingly, we will utilize the funnel plots and Egger test to assess the possibility of publication bias where relevant. RESULTS: The current study aims to provide significant information regarding the clinical therapeutic impacts of combines methotrexate along with other chemotherapeutic agents to treat children and young adults suffering from osteosarcoma. CONCLUSIONS: The present study will generate compelling evidence of combined methotrexate as well as other chemotherapeutic agents for osteosarcoma among children and young adults. Also, it will provide clinical practice suggestions. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study is founded upon published data. Therefore, there is no requirement for ethics approval. OSF REGISTRATION NUMBER: March 26, 2021.osf.io/a23rc. (https://osf.io/a23rc/).

Troxerutin Improves Dextran Sulfate Sodium-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Mice.

Screening potential compounds for improving ulcerative colitis (UC) from clinical medication is an effective strategy for drug repurposing. We applied bioinformatics and network pharmacology to the drug screening process in this study, which helped us to screen out troxerutin that could improve UC. Troxerutin belongs to flavonoids and is used clinically as an anticoagulant and thrombolytic agent. This study found a new pharmacological activity of troxerutin, that is, it had a significant improvement effect on UC in mice. Experimental results of in vitro and in vivo levels showed that troxerutin could effectively reduce the level of oxidative stress that caused damages in intestinal epithelial cells and colonic tissue, maintain the distribution and expression of tight junction-related proteins, and protect the barrier function of colon tissue. In addition to the oxidative stress, severe inflammatory response is also an important pathological factor that aggravates UC. However, troxerutin could reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells in the colon tissue and decrease the expression of inflammation-related proteins and proinflammatory cytokines. Due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, troxerutin inhibited the process of cell apoptosis in the colon tissue and relieved the degree of colonic fibrosis. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the ameliorating effect of troxerutin on UC was probably related to its network regulation of signaling pathways. In summary, we discovered a new pharmacological activity of the flavonoid troxerutin against UC, which is conducive to the expansion and application of flavonoids in the treatment of human diseases.

Standardized nursing management of enzyme replacement therapy for late-onset Pompe disease.

ABSTRACT: Pompe disease or glycogen storage disease type II is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme a-glucosidase. Although enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with 2 weekly intervals following was considered an effective treatment for Pompe disease in 2006, few patients can afford to receive treatment in China because of the high cost. This study aimed to examine the standard management of enzyme replacement therapy for late-onset Pompe disease among patients over the age of 14 years from a nursing perspective in order to assess operating procedures. ERT injection fluid dispensing and infusion procedures using different methods were analyzed and compared in 3 patients with advanced Pompe disease for forming standard operation procedures. In addition, the impact of different methods on time consumption was analyzed by 1-way analysis of variance. There were significant differences in time consumption between different dispensing and infusion methods. The time of dispensing and infusing the injection fluids using the cooperative method was 15.97 minutes shorter than that using the conventional method (95% CI: 4.51-27.43, P = .012); the time using the modified method was 20.93 minutes shorter than that using the conventional method (95% CI: 9.47-32.39, P = .012); and there was no significant difference between the cooperative and modified methods (P = .431). Enzyme replacement therapy entails frequent treatment and strict nursing requirements related to the intravenous infusion process. In this context, a standard operating procedure can be used to control nursing times and labor costs effectively while ensuring a safe and effective infusion process.

Engineering active sites on hierarchical transition bimetal oxides/sulfides heterostructure array enabling robust overall water splitting.

Rational design of the catalysts is impressive for sustainable energy conversion. However, there is a grand challenge to engineer active sites at the interface. Herein, hierarchical transition bimetal oxides/sulfides heterostructure arrays interacting two-dimensional MoOx/MoS2 nanosheets attached to one-dimensional NiOx/Ni3S2 nanorods were fabricated by oxidation/hydrogenation-induced surface reconfiguration strategy. The NiMoOx/NiMoS heterostructure array exhibits the overpotentials of 38 mV for hydrogen evolution and 186 mV for oxygen evolution at 10 mA cm-2, even surviving at a large current density of 500 mA cm-2 with long-term stability. Due to optimized adsorption energies and accelerated water splitting kinetics by theory calculations, the assembled two-electrode cell delivers the industrially relevant current densities of 500 and 1000 mA cm-2 at record low cell voltages of 1.60 and 1.66 V with excellent durability. This research provides a promising avenue to enhance the electrocatalytic performance of the catalysts by engineering interfacial active sites toward large-scale water splitting.

Graphene oxide-based magnetic nanocomposites for the delivery of melittin to cervical cancer HeLa cells.

Melittin (MEL), the primary active component of bee venom, has recently emerged as a promising cancer chemotherapeutic agent. However, the instability and rapid degradation of MEL is a significant challenge in practical therapeutic applications. In the present study, graphene oxide (GO)-based magnetic nanocomposites (PEG-GO-Fe3O4) were prepared and adopted as the drug delivery vehicles of MEL, and the anticancer effects of PEG-GO-Fe3O4/MEL complexes on human cervical cancer HeLa cells were studied. PEG-GO-Fe3O4 exhibited a series of unique physical and chemical properties resulting in multiple interactions with MEL, and ultimately the release of MEL. In vitro experiments showed that PEG-GO-Fe3O4/MEL not only distinctly enhanced the inhibition effect on HeLa cells, but also induced pore formation in the cell membrane that ultimately led to cell lysis. In this newly developed drug delivery system, PEGylated GO plays the role of a MEL protector while Fe3O4 nanoparticles act as magnetic responders; therefore active MEL can be released over a long period of time (up to 72 h) and maintain its inhibition effect on HeLa cells.

Gossypol inhibits 5α-reductase 1 and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: Its possible use for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Gossypol is a yellow polyphenol isolated from cotton seeds. It has the antitumor activity and it is being tested to treat prostate cancer. However, its underlying mechanisms are still not well understood. The present study investigated the inhibitory effects of gossypol acetate on rat 5α-reductase 1, 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and retinol dehydrogenase 2 for androgen metabolism. Rat 5α-reductase 1, 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and retinol dehydrogenase 2 were expressed in COS-1 cells. Immature Leydig cells that contain these enzymes were isolated from 35-day-old male Sprague Dawley rats. The potency and mode of action of gossypol acetate to inhibit these enzymes in both enzyme-expressed preparations and immature Leydig cells were examined. Molecular docking study of gossypol on the crystal structure of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase was performed. Gossypol acetate inhibited 5α-reductase 1 and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase with IC50 values of 3.33 ±â€¯0.07 and 0.52 ±â€¯0.06 × 10-6 M in the expressed enzymes as well as 8.512 ±â€¯0.079 and 1.032 ±â€¯0.068 × 10-6 M in intact rat immature Leydig cells, respectively. Gossypol acetate inhibited rat 5α-reductase 1 in a noncompetitive mode and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in a mixed mode when steroid substrates were supplied. Gossypol acetate weakly inhibited retinol dehydrogenase 2 with IC50 value over 1 × 10-4 M. Molecular docking analysis showed that gossypol partially bound to the steroid-binding site of the crystal structure of rat 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Gossypol acetate is a potent inhibitor of rat 5α-reductase 1 and 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, possibly inhibiting the formation of androgen in the prostate cancer cells.

Active Sites Intercalated Ultrathin Carbon Sheath on Nanowire Arrays as Integrated Core-Shell Architecture: Highly Efficient and Durable Electrocatalysts for Overall Water Splitting.

The development of active bifunctional electrocatalysts with low cost and earth-abundance toward oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) remains a great challenge for overall water splitting. Herein, metallic Ni4 Mo nanoalloys are firstly implanted on the surface of NiMoOx nanowires array (NiMo/NiMoOx ) as metal/metal oxides hybrid. Inspired by the superiority of carbon conductivity, an ultrathin nitrogen-doped carbon sheath intercalated NiMo/NiMoOx (NC/NiMo/NiMoOx ) nanowires as integrated core-shell architecture are constructed. The integrated NC/NiMo/NiMoOx array exhibits an overpotential of 29 mV at 10 mA cm-2 and a low Tafel slope of 46 mV dec-1 for HER due to the abundant active sites, fast electron transport, low charge-transfer resistance, unique architectural structure and synergistic effect of carbon sheath, nanoalloys, and oxides. Moreover, as OER catalysts, the NC/NiMo/NiMoOx hybrids require an overpotential of 284 mV at 10 mA cm-2 . More importantly, the NC/NiMo/NiMoOx array as a highly active and stable electrocatalyst approaches ≈10 mA cm-2 at a voltage of 1.57 V, opening an avenue to the rational design and fabrication of the promising electrode materials with architecture structures toward the electrochemical energy storage and conversion.

Taxifolin inhibits rat and human 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2.

Taxifolin is a flavonoid in food plants. Kidney 11ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 2 (11ß-HSD2) is an NAD+-dependent oxidase that inactivates glucocorticoid cortisol (human) or corticosterone (rodents) into biologically inert 11 keto glucocorticoids. The present study investigated the effects of taxifolin on rat and human kidney microsomal 11ß-HSD2. Taxifolin noncompetitively inhibited rat and human 11ß-HSD2 against steroid substrates, with IC50 values of 33.08 and 13.14µM, respectively. Administration of 5 and 10mg/kg taxifolin for 30min ex vivo inhibited 11ß-HSD2 significantly and also in vivo decreased cortisol metabolism, as shown in the significant increase of area under curve (AUC). This result shows that taxifolin is a potent 11ß-HSD2 inhibitor, possibly causing side effects.

Graphene Dots Embedded Phosphide Nanosheet-Assembled Tubular Arrays for Efficient and Stable Overall Water Splitting.

Bifunctional electrocatalysts are highly desired for overall water splitting. Herein, the design and fabrication of three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical earth-abundant transition bimetallic phosphide arrays constructed by one-dimensional tubular array that was derived from assembling two-dimensional nanosheet framework has been reported by tailoring the Co/Ni ratio and tunable morphologies, and zero-dimensional (0D) graphene dots were embedded on Co-Ni phosphide matrix to construct 0D/2D tubular array as a highly efficient electrode in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). On the basis of advanced merits, such as the high surface-active sites, well-dispersed graphene dots, and enhanced electron transfer capacity as well as the confinement effect of the graphene dots on the nanosheets, the integrated GDs/Co0.8Ni0.2P tubular arrays as anode and cathode exhibit excellent OER and HER performance. By use of GDs/Co0.8Ni0.2P arrays in the two-electrode setup of the device, a remarkable electrocatalytic performance for full water splitting has been achieved with a high current density of 10 mA cm-2 at 1.54 V and outstanding long-term operation stability in an alkaline environment, indicating a promising system based on nonprecious-metal electrocatalysts toward potential practical devices of overall water splitting.