Cationic complex-enhanced C-H stimulated Raman scattering in naphthalene-benzene solution.

Ring skeleton vibrations of aromatic series are dominant in Raman spectroscopy compared with the C-H stretching vibrations. When a laser-induced plasma (LIP) was generated in a mixed solution of naphthalene and benzene, an anomalous enhancement was observed in stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) of aromatic C-H stretching vibrations of naphthalene (3055 cm-1). However, SRS of C-H stretching vibrations of benzene at 3060 cm-1 disappeared. The LIP produced electrons and cations, and the transient production of ionized material contributed to the enhancement of SRS of C-H vibrations of naphthalene. Density functional theory calculations showed that the C-H Raman activity of the naphthalene molecules in (naphthalene-benzene)+ heterodimer was significantly enhanced compared with neutral naphthalene. In addition, SRS pulse durations were better compressed in pure benzene and naphthalene due to the self-focusing effect.

Isolation and functional analysis of OsAOS1 promoter for resistance to Nilaparvata lugens Stål infestation in rice.

Insect pests have a great impact on the yield and quality of crops. Insecticide applications are an effective method of pest control, however, they also have adverse effects on the environment. Using insect-inducible promoters to drive insect-resistant genes in transgenic crops is a potential sustainable pest management strategy, but insect-inducible promoters have been rarely reported. In this study, we found rice allene oxide synthase gene (AOS, LOC_Os03g12500) can be highly upregulated following brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens Stål, BPH) infestation. Then, we amplified the promoter of OsAOS1 and the ß- glucuronidase reporter gene was used to analyze the expression pattern of the promoter. Through a series of 5' truncated assays, three positive regulatory regions in response to BPH infestation in the promoter were identified. The transgenic plants, P1R123-min 35S and P1TR1-min 35S promoter-driven snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin, GNA) gene, demonstrated the highest expression levels of GNA and lowest BPH survival. Our work identified a BPH-inducible promoter and three positive regions within it. Transgenic rice with GNA driven by OsAOS1 promoter and positive regions exhibited an expected lethal effect on BPH. This study proved the application potential of BPH-inducible promoter and provided a novel path for the selection of insect-resistant tools in the future.

Exosome-transferred hsa_circ_0014235 promotes DDP chemoresistance and deteriorates the development of non-small cell lung cancer by mediating the miR-520a-5p/CDK4 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play crucial roles in the development and progression of human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, most of these circRNAs, such as hsa_circ_0014235, are not fully identified in functions and mechanisms. METHODS: The isolated exosomes from serum specimens were identified using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The expression of hsa_circ_0014235, miR-520a-5p and cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) was detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). For functional assays, cell proliferation, colony formation ability, migration, invasion, cell apoptosis and cell cycle progression were determined using cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, transwell assay and flow cytometry assay, respectively. The expression of CDK4 and other indicated marker proteins was detected by western blot. The predicted target relationship between miR-520a-5p and hsa_circ_0014235 or cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) was verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay or RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay. RESULTS: The expression of hsa_circ_0014235 was notably elevated in NSCLC serum-derived exosomes, tumor tissues and cells. NSCLC serum-derived exosomes promoted NSCLC cell resistance to cisplatin (DDP), cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro, as well as tumor growth and DDP resistance in vivo. Hsa_circ_0014235 overexpression enhanced DDP resistance and facilitated cell malignant behaviors. MiR-520a-5p was a target of hsa_circ_0014235, and rescue experiments showed that miR-520a-5p restoration reversed the effects of hsa_circ_0014235 overexpression. Moreover, CDK4 was a target of miR-520a-5p, and rescue experiments showed that CDK4 knockdown reversed the aggressive effects of miR-520a-5p inhibition on NSCLC progression. CONCLUSIONS: Exosome-transmitted hsa_circ_0014235 promoted NSCLC malignant development by mediating the miR-520a-5p/CDK4 regulatory axis.

99mTc-DTPA SPECT/CT provided guide on triamcinolone therapy in Graves' ophthalmopathy patients.

INTRODUCTION: Distinguishing between the active and inactive stages of Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) is essential for making treatment decisions. 99mTc-DTPA SPECT/CT is sensitive in identifying inflammation in extraocular muscles of GO patients, which we designate 99mTc-DTPA-active. This study aimed to evaluate the response of 99mTc-DTPA-active GO patients to local immunosuppressive therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-four 99mTc-DTPA-active GO patients (89 eyes) were retrospectively analyzed. Forty-five patients (64 eyes) received repeated peribulbar triamcinolone injection, and 19 patients (25 eyes) received no immunosuppressive treatment. Ophthalmological assessment, including clinical activity score, eyelid retraction, eyelid aperture, proptosis, diplopia, and ocular mobility, was recorded before and after treatment. RESULTS: Compared with untreated patients, the clinical activity score decreased significantly (P < 0.001) while eye symptoms (soft-tissue swelling and eyelid retraction and aperture) improved significantly (P = 0.02, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively) in treated patients after six months. The inferior and medial recti were significantly smaller (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively), and 99mTc-DTPA uptake in the two recti was significantly less (P = 0.001, P = 0.01, respectively) in treated patients than in untreated patients after 3 months. CONCLUSION: Clinical activity score of < 3 does not indicate inactive GO, as revealed with 99mTc-DTPA SPECT/CT. Patients with 99mTc-DTPA-active GO can improve the symptoms with peribulbar triamcinolone injection.

Candidate detoxification-related genes in brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens, in response to ß-asarone based on transcriptomic analysis.

Nilaparvata lugens(Stål) is a serious pest of rice and has evolved different levels of resistance against most chemical pesticides. ß-asarone is the main bioactive insecticidal compound of Acorus calamus L. that shows strong insecticidal activity against pests. In this study, we conducted a bioassay experiment to determine the contact toxicity of ß-asarone to N. lugens nymphs. The LD30 sublethal dose was 0.106 µg per nymph, with 95% confidence limits of 0.070-0.140 µg. We applied the LD30 concentration of ß-asarone to nymphs for 24 h or 72 h and then performed a transcriptome sequence analysis by referencing the N. lugens genome to characterize the variation. The transcriptomic analysis showed that several GO terms and KEGG pathways presented significant changes. Individually, 126 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 72 upregulated and 54 downregulated genes, were identified at 24 h, and 1771 DEGs, including 882 upregulated and 889 downregulated genes, were identified at 72 h. From the DEGs, we identified a total of 40 detoxification-related genes, including eighteen Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase genes (P450s), three Glutathione S-transferase genes, one Carboxylesterase gene, twelve UDP-glucosyltransferases and six ATP-binding cassette genes. We selected the eighteen P450s for subsequent verification by quantitative PCR. These findings indicated that ß-asarone presented strong contact toxicity to N. lugens nymphs and induced obvious variation of detoxification-related genes that may be involved in the response to ß-asarone.

[Efficacy of 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT on the evaluation of lacrimal gland inflammation in patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the values of orbital single photon emission computed tomography/computerized tomography (SPECT/CT) with 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (99mTc-DTPA) on the evaluation of lacrimal gland inflammation in patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO).
 Methods: A total of 58 TAO patients were retrospectively recruited for this study, all of whom were categorized into all active group and all inactive group based on the clinical active score (CAS). Another 12 patients with the negative images on SPECT/CT served as a normal control group (NC). All patients were undergone the 99mTc-DTPA orbit SPECT/CT. Quantitative parameters of lacrimal gland including width, length, volume, and the count ratio of region of interest (ROI) drawn on lacrimal gland to the region of occipital brain (target/non-target ratio, T/NT), were measured on axial and coronal slices, respectively. Quantitative parameters were compared among the 3 groups, and the diagnostic value on discrimination of TAO patients from inactive to active ones was evaluated.
 Results: All parameters in TAO patients (except the length on coronal slices and the mean radioactive counts of axial T/NT in the TAO inactive group) were much greater than those in the NC group (P<0.05). All parameters in the TAO active group (except the length on axial and coronal slices) were much greater than those in the TAO inactive group (P<0.05). There were significant lineal positive correlations between the parameters in all TAO patients (except the length on coronal slices ) and CAS. The best diagnostic value was detected by the max radioactive counts of axial T/NT (area under the curve=0.82, P<0.01).
 Conclusion: As an invasive imaging modality, 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT is helpful to estimate the lacrimal gland inflammation and to assess the disease activity in TAO patients.

[Evaluation of inflammatory activity in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy by SPECT/CT with 99mTc-DTPA].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the inflammatory activity in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) by 99mTc-diethylene triamine pentaaceticacid (99mTc-DTPA) orbital single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT)/CT.
 Methods: A total of 48 patients were enrolled from Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between October 2016 and March 2017. According to clinical active score (CAS), 93 eyes were divided into a TAO active group (n=72) and a TAO inactive group (n=21). All patients underwent 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination, and the DTPA uptake in extraocular muscle belly was supposed to be positive. The results of 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination were compared with those of CAS score evaluation.
 Results: The uptake rate (UR) of 99mTc-DTPA in the TAO active group was higher than that in the TAO inactive group (P<0.01). There was a linear positive correlation between UR and its CAS scores in all patients (r=0.767, P<0.01). Five cases (7 eyes) showed inconsistent results between 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination and CAS score. Among the 7 eyes, 6 eyes showed myocarditis lesions in 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination while its CAS was no more than 3; meanwhile, there was 1 eye with CAS>3, but 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT examination showed negative myocarditis lesions.
 Conclusion: 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT is consistent with the CAS score in evaluation of the disease activity of TAO; 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT may be more objective and accurate to evaluate TAO than CAS.

[Effect of AG490 on JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway in human retinoblastoma HXO-RB44 cell lines].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor AG490 in the anti-proliferation and cell cycle in human retinoblastoma HXO-RB44 cell lines in vitro, and to explore its effect on the expression of JAK2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3).
 Methods: Cells were divided into an experiment group and a control group, and the experiment group was further divided into 6 sub-groups according to different AG490 concentrations (6.25, 12.50, 25.00, 50.00 or 100.00 µmol/L). Cell proliferation in the different groups was analyzed by cell vitality determination. Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate were examined by flow cytometry. The protein levels of STAT3, p-STAT3 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected by Western blot.
 Results: After 48 h treatment with AG490, the viability of HXO-RB44 cells was reduced in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the experiment groups except the 6.25 µmol/L group (all P>0.05). The apoptosis rates in the experiment groups were significantly increased with increase in concentration of AG490 compared with that in the control group (all P<0.05). The cell ratio in the G1 phase in 50 or 100 µmol/L group was increased, whereas the cell ratio in the S phase was decreased. Western blot results showed that the expressions of STAT3 and p-STAT3 in the experiment groups were dramatically reduced with the increase in concentration of AG490 compared with that in the control group (all P<0.05). VEGF expression didn't obviously change in the experiment groups with AG490 concentration less than 12.5 µmol/L compared with that in the control group (both P>0.05), but there were significant differences in the other experiment groups (all P<0.05). 
 Conclusion: JAK inhibitor AG490 can inhibit proliferation and promote apoptosis of the retinoblastoma HXO-RB44 cells through down-regulation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.

[Nontarget area and threshold selection in 99mTc-DTPA orbital SPECT/CT imaging inthyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To compare diagnostic value of 4 kinds of target-to-nontarget ratio (T/NT), and to choose a better one to assess thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) activity.
 Methods: The clinical data were collected for 29 newly-diagnosed patients (58 eyes) with TAO who underwent orbital 99mTc-DTPA single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (SPECT/CT) fusion images according to the clinical activity score (CAS). They were divided into an active group (18 cases, 36 eyes), an inactive group (11 cases, 22 eyes), and a control group (9 cases, 18 eyes). Diagnostic value of orbital/occipital lobe radioactive uptake count ratio (T/NT1), orbital/occipital radioactive uptake count ratio (T/NT2), orbital/thalamus radioactive uptake count ratio (T/NT3), and orbital/cerebellar radioactivity uptake count ratio (T/NT4) were calculated, and the CAS of Spearman rank correlation and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were analyzed.
 Results: T/NT1, T/NT2 and CAS were correlated (r1=0.873, r2=0.527; P<0.001), with the better correlation between T/NT1 and CAS and there was no correlation between T/NT3, T/NT4 and CAS (r3=0.039, r4=0.090; P>0.05). Area under the ROC curve of T/NT1 was 0.860, area under the ROC curve of T/NT2 was 0.581, and the accuracy for T/NT1 on TAO activity was good. T/NT1=9.74 could be used as active threshold for judge of TAO in patients.
 Conclusion: There is a good correlation between T/NT1 and CAS. TAO activity assessment possesses high diagnostic value, and SPECT/CT together with imaging anatomical location is more accurate.

High Expression of S100A6 Predicts Unfavorable Prognosis of Lung Squamous Cell Cancer.

BACKGROUND S100 family of proteins is mainly involved in regulation of intracellular calcium homeostasis. Aberrant expression of S100 family members has been reported in many types of cancers. However, as a member of S100 family, the prognostic value of S100A6 for lung squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) has not been well-studied. MATERIAL AND METHODS Using immunohistochemistry, we investigated the expression of S100A6 in 177 patients with SCC and further divided the cohort into a high S100A6 expression group and a low S100A6 expression group. The chi-square test was applied to analyze the correlation between S100A6 expression and clinicopathological factors. Univariate analysis using the Kaplan-Meier method was performed to compare the difference in survival rates between the high S100A6 expression group and the low S100A6 expression group; multivariate analysis with Cox regression model was used to identify independent prognostic risk factors. RESULTS In our experiment, we demonstrated that the expression of S100A6 was significantly associated with patient age and tumor differentiation. High-expression of S100A6 was shown to be substantially related to the unfavorable prognosis of SCC. Moreover, our results confirmed that S100A6 was an independent risk factor for SCC prognosis, and could predict unfavorable prognosis. CONCLUSIONS High-expression of S100A6 was identified as an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for SCC, suggesting that targeting S100A6 may result in the development of potential targeted drug for SCC.

Simplified system to investigate alteration of retinal neurons in diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is traditionally considered as a microvascular complication in diabetic retinas. Emerging evidences suggest that the alteration of neuronal function and the death of retinal neurons are part of DR pathology. However, surprisingly little is known about how retinal neurons behave in DR. As diabetic animals are chronicle models that are difficult and expensive to maintain, we used a chemical hypoxia model that mimics the later stage of diabetes and investigated its potential in predicting retinal cell behaviors in diabetes in an efficient manner. In this chapter, we discuss the similarities and differences between diabetic and hypoxic models and the usefulness and limitation of the cobalt-chloride-generated hypoxia system in mice for studying retinal neurobiology in diabetes.

[Treatment of rectus recession-suspension on posterior sclera surgery for restrictive strabismus in thyroid associated ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the oblique angle, diplopia and stereoacuity before and after rectus recession-suspension on posterior sclera surgery in patients with restrictive strabismus caused by thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO). METHODS: Data from 18 patients (19 eyes) with restrictive strabismus caused by TAO, who underwent rectus recession-suspension on posterior sclera surgery from July 2010 to June 2013 in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, were analyzed retrospectively. Eight patients (8 eyes) or 5 patients (5 eyes) with hypotropia were operated with inferior rectus recession or superior rectus recession. Two patients (2 eyes) with esohypertropia or 3 patients (4 eyes) with esotropia were operated with inferior rectus recession plus medial rectus recession or medial rectus recession. Two patients (1 hypotropia, 1 esotropia) underwent orbital decompression surgery before strabismus surgery. All patients were performed rectus recession-suspension on posterior sclera surgery, and the oblique angle, diplopia view and stereopsis test were examined before and after the operation. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for more than 6 months. The preoperative prism were 20(Δ)- 80(Δ) and postoperative prism were 2(Δ)-10(Δ). There was diplopia on the primary position before surgery in 16 patients. After surgery, the diplopia in 14 patients disappeared on the primary and 15° down gaze, and 2 patients had not diplopia on the primary position but residual diplopia on inferior field. Two patients had stereopsis before surgery, and the numbers of patients raised to 14 after surgery. Compared with pre-operation, changes of the above measured indexs in post-operation were significant difference (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The rectus recession-suspension on posterior sclera surgery is effective to improve oblique angle and diplopia in restrictive strabismus caused by TAO, which can improve patient's living quality.

Targeting oxidative stress with natural products: A novel strategy for esophageal cancer therapy.

Esophageal cancer (ESC) is a malignant tumor that originates from the mucosal epithelium of the esophagus and is part of the digestive tract. Although the exact pathogenesis of ESC has not been fully elucidated, excessive oxidative stress is an important characteristic that leads to the development of many cancers. Abnormal expression of several proteins and transcription factors contributes to oxidative stress in ESCs, which alters the growth and proliferation of ESCs and promotes their metastasis. Natural compounds, including alkaloids, terpenes, polyphenols, and xanthine compounds, can inhibit reactive oxygen species production in ESCs. These compounds reduce oxidative stress levels and subsequently inhibit the occurrence and progression of ESC through the regulation of targets and pathways such as the cytokine interleukins 6 and 10, superoxide dismutase, the NF-+ACY-kappa+ADs-B/MAPK pathway, and the mammalian Nrf2/ARE target pathway. Thus, targeting tumor oxidative stress has become a key focus in anti-ESC therapy. This review discusses the potential of Natural products (NPs) for treating ESCs and summarizes the application prospects of oxidative stress as a new target for ESC treatment. The findings of this review provide a reference for drug development targeting ESCs. Nonetheless, further high-quality studies will be necessary to determine the clinical efficacy of these various NPs.

The impact of acupuncture combined with acupoint catgut embedding on simple obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a widespread chronic metabolic disease that significantly impairs quality of life. Studies have demonstrated the efficacy of both acupuncture and acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) in the management of obesity. However, the superiority of acupuncture combined with ACE over acupuncture alone remains a subject of controversy. This study aims to elucidate this controversy and provide robust clinical evidence. METHODS: A comprehensive search of relevant literature from the initiation to July 2022 was carried out in 8 databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane database, Web of Science, CBM Database, CNKI, Wan-fang Database, and VIP Database). We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated the treatment of simple obesity using acupuncture paired with ACE, with acupuncture alone as the control group. The pooled outcomes included body mass index (BMI), body weight (BW), %BF, waist circumference (WC), hip circumferences (HC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), therapeutic effective rate (TER), and adverse events. Two independent reviewers performed screening (using EndNote X9) and quality assessment (using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool) for the included studies. with the software RevMan 5.3 was used to perform pooling of effect sizes. The certainty of the evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE). RESULTS: A total of 20 trials involving 15 datasets (1616 participants) were included. The findings demonstrated significant improvements in outcome measures when acupuncture was combined with ACE, compared with acupuncture alone (BMI: MD = -1.49 kg/m2, 95% confidence interval [CI] = -1.93 to -1.04, P < .01; BW: MD = -2.38, 95% CI = -3.86 to -0.89, P < .01; %BF: MD = -2.19, 95% CI = -3.23 to -1.15, P < .01; WC: MD = -2.01, 95% CI = -3.66 to -0.35, P < .05; HC: MD = -0.83, 95% CI = -1.64 to -0.02, P < .05; WHR: MD = -0.02, 95% CI = -0.03 to -0.01, P < .01; TER: OR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.93-3.74, P < .01). Adverse effects were reported in 4 studies. CONCLUSION SUBSECTIONS: The results of this meta-analysis indicate that acupuncture combined with ACE is superior to acupuncture alone in the treatment of obesity, which is supported by the subgroup analysis. The assessment of efficacy may have been influenced by variations in study quality, potentially amplifying the observed effects. RCTs with larger sample sizes and improved methodological quality are needed to enhance the validity of the findings.

Effects of the Long-Term Continuous Cropping of Yongfeng Yam on the Bacterial Community and Function in the Rhizospheric Soil.

Replant disease caused by continuous cropping commonly occurs in yam with consecutive monoculture. However, little is known about how the continuous cropping of yam affects the rhizospheric soil bacterial community structure. In this study, the effects of continuous cropping on rhizospheric soil characteristics, bacterial diversity, and community structure were investigated in the Yongfeng yam fields under monoculture for 1, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. Long-term monoculture caused soil acidification and increased the concentration of available potassium (AK) and available phosphorus (AP), and soil bacterial richness, but decreased the soil bacterial diversity. An exception was for the field under monoculture for 20 years as it showed the highest bacterial diversity. The relative abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Chloroflexi decreased while the relative abundance of harmful bacteria, including Gemmatimonadetes and Acidobacteria, increased with an extended continuous cultivation time. The networks varied among yams with different cultivation years and became complex with the increase in cultivation years. However, after time in monoculture, the bacterial network decreased gradually and existed stably. These changes in bacterial community composition and co-occurrence of networks may increase the potential risk of soil-borne disease and reduce the yield and quality of Yongfeng yam.

[Resection of orbito-cranial fibrous dysplasia lesion and reconstruction with titanium].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the method and opportunity of operation for orbito-cranial fibrous dysplasia, and further to summarize our experience in repairing the bony defect with titanium after excision and assess the surgical outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 21 patients with visual function damage and/ or orbital malformation, who treated surgically. All patients were underwent CT examinations (coronal, horizontal, sagittal and three-dimensional scans) before surgery. CT image data of patients with serious orbital skull lesions were analyzed by computer to produce the three-dimensional, solid titanium mesh prostheses used to repair the lesions; for smaller lesions solid titanium mesh prostheses were shaped artificially during surgery according to the normal orbit and the cranium. All the patients were treated surgically via craniofacial approach. After removing the diseased tissue, the defective area was repaired by titanium plate and nets. RESULTS: Of the 21 patients, tumor removal was complete in 18 patients, and incomplete in 3 patients due to extensive invasion into the sious cavernosus. Of the 13 patients with vision impairment before surgery, vision was improved in 11 cases (range from 3 to 5 lines) following surgery. All orbital malformations were healed in these 11 patients. CONCLUSION: Patients with fibrous dysplasia should undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible. Where this results in visual dysfunction or orbital-cranial deformities, repairing the bony defect with titanium material has many advantages: it is solid, easily molded, and easily fastened.

Prussian blue analogues derived electrocatalyst with multicatalytic centers for boosting oxygen reduction reaction in the wide pH range.

Due to the complex of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), designing catalysts with multicatalytic centers is considered as a promising way for boosting the ORR. Herein, a multicatalytic centers electrocatalyst Fe3C/Mn3O4 encased by N-doped graphitic layers (FeMn PDA-900) is synthesized using iron manganese Prussian blue analogues and dopamine as the precursor. It exhibits a half-wave potential (E1/2) of 0.86 V for ORR and yields of H2O2 lower than 5% in 0.1 M KOH. Moreover, the prepared catalyst has also shown high catalytic ORR performance in both acidic and neutral electrolyte solutions, which exhibits the potential application in both the proton exchange membrane fuel cell and the microbial electrolysis cell. It is found that the good performance can be well explained by proton-coupled electron transfer mechanism due to the multicatalytic centers from Fe-Nx, Fe3C and Mn3O4 for providing enough active sites at the same time and the N-doped graphitic layers as a bridge for facilitating the electron transfer between the interfaces of Fe3C/Mn3O4 nanoparticles, which paves the way for protons and electrons transfer simultaneously and rapidly, and thus lowing the energy barrier and facilitating the ORR process. Therefore, FeMn PDA-900 is a promising candidate to replace precious metal-based ORR electrocatalysts at the whole pH range.

First assessment of thermoacoustic tomography for in vivo detection of rheumatoid arthritis in the finger joints detection of rheumatoid arthritis in the finger joints.

BACKGROUND: The diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complicated because of the complexity of symptoms and joint structures. Current clinical imaging techniques for the diagnosis of RA have strengths and weaknesses. Emerging imaging techniques need to be developed for the diagnosis or auxiliary diagnosis of RA. PURPOSE: This study aimed to demonstrate the potential of thermoacoustic tomography (TAT) for in vivo detection of RA in the finger joints. METHODS: Finger joints were imaged by a TAT system using three different microwave illumination methods including pyramidal horn antenna, and parallel in-phase and anti-phase microwave illuminations. Both diseased and healthy joints were imaged and compared when the three microwave illumination methods were used. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of all the joints was performed to validate the TAT findings. In addition, two diseased joints were imaged at two time points by the pyramidal horn antenna-based TAT to track/monitor the progression of RA during a time period of 16 months. Three-dimensional (3-D) TAT images of the joints were also obtained. RESULTS: The TAT images of the diseased joints displayed abnormalities in bone and soft tissues compared to the healthy ones. The TAT images by pyramidal horn antenna and in-phase microwave illumination showed high similarity in image appearance, while the anti-phase-based TAT images provided different information about the disease. We found that the TAT findings matched well with the MRI images. The 3-D TAT images effectively displayed the stereoscopic effect of joint lesions. Finally, it was evident that TAT could detect the development of the lesions in 16 months. CONCLUSION: TAT can noninvasively visualize bone lesions and soft tissue abnormalities in the joints with RA. This first in vivo assessment of TAT provides a foundation for its clinical application to the diagnosis and monitoring of RA in the finger joints.

Doxycycline vs Placebo at 12 Weeks in Patients With Mild Thyroid-Associated Ophthalmopathy: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Mild thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) negatively impacts quality of life, yet no clinical guidelines for its treatment are available. Existing evidence supports the use of doxycycline in treating mild TAO. Objective: To evaluate the short-term (12 weeks) efficacy of doxycycline in treating mild TAO. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this placebo-controlled multicenter randomized double-masked trial, 148 patients were assessed for eligibility. After exclusions (patients who were pregnant or lactating, had an allergy to tetracyclines, or had uncontrolled systematic diseases), 100 patients with mild TAO (orbital soft tissue affected mildly) at 5 centers in China were enrolled from July 2013 to December 2019 and monitored for 12 weeks. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive doxycycline (50 mg) or placebo once daily for 12 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the rate of improvement at 12 weeks compared with baseline assessed by a composite indicator of eyelid aperture (reduction ≥2 mm), proptosis (reduction ≥2 mm), ocular motility (increase ≥8°), and Graves ophthalmopathy-specific quality-of-life (GO-QOL) scale score (increase ≥6 points). Adverse events were recorded. Results: A total of 50 participants were assigned to doxycycline and 50 to placebo. The mean (SD) age was 36.7 (9.1) years; 75 participants (75.0%) were female and 100 (100.0%) were Asian. Medication compliance was checked during participant interviews and by counting excess tablets. At week 12, the improvement rate was 38.0% (19 of 50) in the doxycycline group and 16.0% (8 of 50) in the placebo group (difference, 22.0%; 95% CI, 5.0-39.0; P = .01) in the intention-to-treat population. The per-protocol sensitivity analysis showed similar results (39.6% [19 of 48] vs 16.0% [8 of 50]; difference, 23.6%; 95% CI, 6.4-40.8; P = .009). No adverse events other than 1 case of mild gastric acid regurgitation was recorded in either group. Conclusions and Relevance: The results of this study indicate that oral doxycycline, 50 mg daily, resulted in greater improvement of TAO-related symptoms at 12 weeks compared with placebo in patients with mild TAO. These findings support the consideration of doxycycline for mild TAO but should be tempered by recognizing the relatively short follow-up and the size of the cohort. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02203682.

[Effects of LPS-induced inflammation on differentiation of orbital pre-adipocytes in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation on the differentiation of orbital pre-adipocytes in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) and to explore the mechanism of orbital adipose proliferation in TAO. METHODS: Orbital adipose tissues were obtained from patients with TAO undergoing orbital decompression surgery. The orbital fibroblasts cultured from orbital adipose tissues were divided into group A and group B. In group A, orbital pre-adipocytes were incubated in culture medium containing 1 mg/L LPS for 8 hours before stimulated to differentiate into mature adipocytes with Differentiation Medium I and II. No LPS or other intervention was used in group B before induced to differentiate into mature adipocyte with Differentiation Medium I and II. Intracellular fat accumulation in differentiated adipocytes was determined by oil red O staining and the expression of cyclooxygenase2 (COX2) and peroxisome proliferators activated receptor γ (PPARγ) mRNA of both groups were detected by RT-PCR. Protein expression of COX2 and PPARγ in both groups was detected by Western-blot and the secretion of PGE(2) in the supernatant was detected by ELISA. RESULTS: COX2 expression and secretion of PGE(2) in differentiated cells of both groups were significantly decreased compared with pre-differentiation (P < 0.05), while PPARγ mRNA and protein expression enhanced significantly (P < 0.05). COX2 mRNA and protein expression and secretion of PGE(2) of pre-differentiation cells in group A was significantly increased compared with group B (P < 0.05), while PPARγ mRNA and protein expression in group A was also stronger than those in the group B (P < 0.05). COX2 and PPARγ mRNA and protein expression and secretion of PGE(2) of differentiated cells in group A were greater than those in group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: LPS can induce inflammatory response of orbital preadipocytes in TAO and enhance the expression of COX2, PPARγ and PGE(2). The expression of PPARγ is enhanced significantly while the expression of COX2 and PGE(2) is attenuated markedly when the orbital pre-adipocytes differentiated into adipocytes.