Ultra-strong optical four-wave mixing signal induced by strong exciton-phonon and exciton-plasmon couplings.

We propose a scheme to generate ultra-strong four-wave mixing (FWM) signal based on a suspended monolayer graphene nanoribbon nanomechanical resonator (NR) coupled to an Au nanoparticle (NP). It is shown that, the FWM spectrum can switch among two-peaked, three-peaked, four-peaked or five-peaked via the modulation of exciton-phonon and exciton-plasmon couplings. This is mainly attributed to the vibrational properties of NR related to the exciton-phonon coupling, and the energy-level splitting of the localized exciton correlated to three classes of resonances consisting of three-photon resonance, Rayleigh Resonance, and AC-Stark atomic resonance. Especially, in a dual-strong coupling regime, the gains for these peaks can be as high as nine orders of magnitude (∼ 109) around the lower bistable threshold due to a combined effect of two couplings. Our findings not only offer an efficient way to measure the vibrational frequency of NR and the exciton-phonon coupling strength but also provide a possibility to fabricate high-performance optoelectronic nanodevices.

Dual-channel bistable switch based on a monolayer graphene nanoribbon nanoresonator coupled to a metal nanoparticle.

We theoretically propose a dual-channel bistable switch based on a monolayer Z-shaped graphene nanoribbon nanoresonator (NR) coupled to a metal nanoparticle (MNP). We show that the bistable nonlinear absorption response can be realized due to a competition and combination of the exciton-plasmon and exciton-phonon interactions. We map out two-dimensional and three-dimensional bistability phase diagrams, which reveal clearly the dynamical evolution of the roles played by these two interactions in managing optical bistability (OB) at all stages. Specifically, the bistable switch proposed can be controlled via a single channel or dual channels by only adjusting the intensity or frequency of the pump field. In/outside these channels, the switch will be turned on/off. The results obtained here not only can be employed to measure precisely the distance between the MNP and the NR but also provide promising applications in optical switching and optical storage.

[Explore pharmacological mechanism of glycyrrhizin based on systems pharmacology].

To explore the pharmacological mechanism of glycyrrhizin with series methods of systems pharmacology, main diseases related to glycyrrhizin were obtained by text mining tool; and the target proteins of glycyrrhizin were obtained via the database of Polysearch and PubChem. Then, the target proteins interaction network of glycyrrhizin was built using the software called Cytoscape. Next, the protein groups related to glycyrrhizin were analyzed by using Gene Ontology (GO) tool, and the action pathway of its target proteins was analyzed by using enrichment method. Text mining results showed that the related diseases of glycyrrhizin included chronic hepatitis C, chronic hepatitis, hepatitis, HIV virus, liver cancer and so on. Gene ontology analysis indicated that glycyrrhizin played a role mainly through modification of proteins and chromatin. The signaling pathway enrichment results showed that the main action proteins of glycyrrhizin were related to MAPK signaling pathway, toll-like receptor signaling pathway, neurotrophic factor signaling pathway, cancer and apoptosis pathways. So we can conclude that glycyrrhizin may exert its biological functions primarily by regulating multiple pathways such as MAPK signaling pathway and Toll-like receptors signaling pathway. The pharmacological action of a drug can be rapidly and comprehensively analyzed by the ways of systems pharmacology.

[Analysis of Clinical Characteristics and Laboratory Indicators in Patients with Solid Malignant Tumor-Associated Venous Thromboembolism].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical features and laboratory indicators in patients with solid malignant tumor-associated venous thromboembolism (Ta-VTE), and to study the risk factors for Ta-VTE. METHODS: The hospitalized patients with VTE in Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital from January to December 2020 were enrolled, and they were divided into Ta-VTE group and pure VTE group based on the presence or absence of solid malignant tumor. The differences in clinical data and laboratory indicators between the two groups were analyzed, and the indicators with significant differences were included in logistic regression model to analyze the risk factors of Ta-VTE. RESULTS: A total of 288 patients with VTE were included in this study, including 64 cases in Ta-VTE group and 224 cases in pure VTE group, respectively. There were significant differences in the following indexes between the two groups, including the hospitalization time (14.20±15.29 d vs 10.05±6.90 d, t=3.112, P =0.002), pain (35.94% vs 65.18%, χ2=17.554, P =0.000), recent surgery (75.00% vs 37.50%, χ2=28.196, P =0.000), D-dimer [2.8 (0.92, 7.55) µg/ml vs 5.69 (2.25, 13.91) µg/ml, Z=-2.710, P =0.007], PLR[198.59 (139.54, 312.16) vs 149.76 (114.08, 233.66), Z=-2.924, P =0.003] and TBIL[10.90 (7.63, 15.68) µmol/L vs 12.90 (9.33, 18.28) µmol/L, Z=-2.066, P =0.039]. There was no significant difference in the other indicators (P >0.05). The result of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that elevated PLR (OR =1.003, 95%CI : 1.000-1.006, P =0.027), recent surgery (OR =4.312, 95%CI : 2.093-8.885, P =0.000) and prolonged hospitalization (OR =1.037, 95%CI : 1.002-1.074, P =0.038）were independent risk factors for Ta-VTE. However, pain (OR =0.274, 95%CI : 0.133-0.564, P =0.000) was a protective factor. CONCLUSION: Elevated PLR level, recent surgery and prolonged hospital stay are independent risk factors for Ta-VTE patients, and rational use of these indicators is helpful for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of Ta-VTE patients.

Effect of HCG-Triggered Ovulation on Pregnancy Outcomes in Intrauterine Insemination: An Analysis of 5,610 First IUI Natural Cycles With Donor Sperm in China.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) trigger ovulation on pregnancy outcomes in natural IUI cycles with donor sperm. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 5,610 first-natural IUI cycles with donor sperm in infertile couples during the period from January 2012 to December 2017. To control for other confounding factors, our analysis was restricted to normo-ovulatory women without tubal infertility. The main outcome measure was live birth rate; the secondary outcomes included rates of clinical pregnancy and miscarriage. Results: In the crude analysis, both the clinical pregnancy (27.40 vs. 22.73%; P = 0.001) and live birth rates (24.52 vs. 20.13%; P = 0.007) were significantly higher for the hCG group than for the spontaneous LH group. After adjustment for a number of confounding factors, the reproductive outcomes were still significantly worse for the spontaneous ovulatory group. Conclusions: Among women undergoing natural cycle IUI with donor sperm, hCG triggered ovulation for timing insemination offers beneficial impacts on both clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates.

Design, synthesis and bioevaluation of novel substituted triazines as potential dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitors.

A series of novel substituted triazines bearing a benzimidazole scaffold were designed and synthesized based on the structures of known anti-cancer agents, namely gedatolisib and alpelisib. All the target compounds were screened for inhibitory activity against PI3Kα and mTOR kinases. Notably, most analogs exhibited IC50 in the nanomolar range. Investigation of the isozyme selectivity indicated that the compounds exhibited remarkable inhibitory activity against PI3Kδ, especially compound 19f showed an IC50 value of 2.3 nM for PI3Kδ and moderate δ-isozyme selectivity over other class I PI3K isoforms and mTOR (with IC50 values of 14.6, 34.0, 849.0 and 15.4 nM for PI3Kα, ß, γ and mTOR, respectively). An in vitro MTT assay was conducted to assess the antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects of the prepared analogs. It was revealed that the compounds displayed significant inhibitory activities against the HCT116 human colon cancer cell line. Compound 19i showed 4.7-fold higher potency than the positive control gedatolisib (0.3 vs. 1.4 µM, IC50 values). Phosphoblot studies demonstrated that 19c and 19i could significantly suppress the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway at 10 µM. Moreover, analogs 19b, 19c and 19i displayed better stability in artificial gastric fluids than gedatolisib, while 19i was indicated not very stable in rat liver microsomes, and may occur phase I metabolic transformations.

(E)-3-Allyl-sulfanyl-N-(4-methoxy-benzyl-idene)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-phen-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine.

The title compound, C(22)H(24)N(4)O(4)S, adopts a trans configuration with respect to the C=N double bond. A weak intra-molecular C-H⋯N hydrogen bond is observed between the N atom of the C=N double bond and its neighboring phenyl H atom. The crystal structure is stabilized by inter-molecular C-H⋯N hydrogen bonds and C-H⋯π inter-actions.

N-[(E)-2-Chloro-benzyl-idene]-3-(4-methyl-benzyl-sulfan-yl)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-phen-yl)-4H-1,2,4-triazol-4-amine.

In the title compound, C(26)H(25)ClN(4)O(3)S, the acyclic imine group exhibits an E configuration. The triazole ring is oriented at dihedral angles of 53.84 (2), 70.77 (1) and 32.59 (3)° with respect to the benzene rings of the 2-chloro-benzyl-idene, 4-methyl-benzyl-sulfanyl and 3,4,5-trimethoxy-phenyl groups, respectively. The crystal packing is stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯N, C-H⋯S and C-H⋯π inter-actions.

(Z)-Methyl 4-(1,3-benzothia-zol-2-yl-sulfan-yl)-2-(methoxy-imino)-3-oxo-butanoate.

In the mol-ecular structure of the title compound, C(13)H(12)N(2)O(4)S(2), there is a dihedral angle of 0.41 (13)° between the benzene and thia-zole rings. In the crystal, inversion dimers linked by two C-H⋯O inter-actions together with π-π stacking between the parallel benzene rings of adjacent mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.673 (2) Å].

Protective Effect of Norcantharidin on Collagen-Induced Arthritis Rats.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of norcantharidin (NCTD) on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats. METHODS: Sixty Sprague-Dawley(SD) rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=10): normal group, CIA model group(model group), NCTD low-dose group [1.35 mg/(kg•d)], NCTD middle-dose group [2.7 mg/(kg•d)], NCTD high-dose group [5.4 mg/(kg•d)] and methotrexate (MTX) group [1.8 mg/(kg/w)]. Anesthetized rats were sacrificed by luxation of cervical vertebra after 4 weeks of administration. The arthritis scores were evaluated twice a week. The pathological changes in the ankle joints of rats were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. The serum levels of interleukin (IL) 1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-17 and transform growth factor (TGF) ß were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expression of retinoid-related orphan nuclear receptorγt (RORγt) and forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) in peripheral blood lymphocytes were confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: MTX and high-dose NCTD not only decreased the arthritis scores but also alleviated the pathological changes in CIA rats' ankle joints compared with the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). All doses of NCTD significantly inhibited the serum levels of IL-6, IL-17 and TNF-α in CIA rats (P<0.05). Only middle- and high-dose of NCTD prominently decreased serum IL-1ß and TGF-ß levels of CIA rats (P<0.05). However, NCTD has no effect on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in CIA rats. The Foxp3 mRNA expression in all NCTD groups were increased significantly than in the model group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of RORγt in NCTD high-dose group was decreased apparently in comparison with the model group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: NCTD showed therapeutic effect on CIA rats by inhibition of cytokines and regulation of Th17/Treg cells.

[Pilot-scale cultivation of Spirulina plantensis with digested piggery wastewater ].

The swine waste pretreated with coagulation sedimentation was used for the outdoor pilot-scale cultivation of Spirulina platensis isolated from digested piggery wastewater (DPW) in a raceway pond. The growth of S. platensis and removal of nitrogen/ phosphorus were studied, moreover, the conversion efficiency of total nitrogen (TN) or total phosphorus (TP) from DPW to S. platensis was calculated. On this basis, the existing problems and countermeasures during outdoor pilot-scale culture were analyzed and summarized combined with the laboratory research. We conducted 6 batches culture experiments, only 3 of which could reach the S. platensis harvest requirements (D560 >0. 8). Meanwhile, the 3 successful batches achieved removal of COD, ammonia nitrogen, TN, TP with corresponding 28. 6% -48. 5% , 0.4% -48. 5% , 41. 8% -48. 6% , 14. 3% -94. 5% , and the conversion efficiency of TN or TP from DPW to S. platensis reached 12. 1% -98. 5% , 21.2% -83.7% , respectively. High concentration of ammonia nitrogen and insect attack of remaining egg hatching in the pretreated swine waste were the main factors to cause the slow-growing of the 3 batches of S. platensis. Therefore, it is highly necessary for the removal of ammonia nitrogen with biological treatment technology and insect eggs with membrane to achieve a stable high productivity.

Prognostic significance of interactions between ER alpha and ER beta and lymph node status in breast cancer cases.

OBJECTIVE: Both estrogen receptors, ER alpha (ERα) and ER beta (ERß), are expressed in 50-70% of breast cancer cases. The role of ERα as a prognostic marker in breast cancer has been well established as its expression is negative correlated with tumor size and lymph node metastasis. ERß is also a favorable prognostic predictor although this is less well documented than for ERα. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To explore whether ERs independently or together might influence clinical outcome in breast cancer, the correlation between the ERs with the clinicopathological features was analyzed in 84 patients. RESULTS: ERα expression negatively correlated with tumor stage (r=-0.246, p=0.028) and tended to be negatively correlated with lymph node status (r=-0.156, p=0.168) and tumor size (r=-0.246, p=0.099). Also, ERß was negatively correlated with nodal status (r=-0.243, p=0.028), as was coexpression of ERα and ERß (p=0.043, OR=0.194, 95% CI= 0.040- 0.953). CONCLUSION: Coexpression of ERs might serve as an indicator of good prognosis in breast cancer patients.

An exploratory study of the association between KCNB1 rs1051295 and type 2 diabetes and its related traits in Chinese Han population.

Since the KCNB1 encoding Kv2.1 channel accounts for the majority of Kv currents modulating insulin secretion by pancreatic islet beta-cells, we postulated that KCNB1 is a plausible candidate gene for genetic variation contributing to the variable compensatory secretory function of beta-cells in type-2 diabetes (T2D). We conducted two studies, a case-control study and a cross-section study, to investigate the association of common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in KCNB1 with T2D and its linking traits. In the case-control study, we first examined the association of 20 tag SNPs of KCNB1 with T2D in a population with 226 T2D patients and non-diabetic subjects (screening study). We then identified the association in an enlarged population of 412 T2D patients and non-diabetic subjects (replication study). In the cross-sectional study, we investigated the linkage between the candidate SNP rs1051295 and T2D by comparing beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity among rs1051295 genotypes in a general population of 1051 subjects at fasting and after glucose loading (oral glucose tolerance tests, OGTT) in 84 fasting glucose impaired subjects, and several T2D-related traits. We found that among the 19 available tag SNPs, only the KCNB1 rs1051295 was associated with T2D (P = 0.027), with the rs1051295 TT genotype associated with an increased risk of T2D compared with genotypes CC (P = 0.009). At fasting, rs1051295 genotype TT was associated with a 9.8% reduction in insulin sensitivity compared to CC (P = 0.008); along with increased plasma triglycerides (TG) levels (TT/CC: P = 0.046) and increased waist/hip (W/H) ratio (TT/CC: P = 0.013; TT/TC: P = 0.002). OGTT confirmed that genotype TT exhibited reduced insulin sensitivity by 16.3% (P = 0.030) compared with genotype TC+CC in a fasting glucose impaired population. The KCNB1 rs1051295 genotype TT in the Chinese Han population is associated with decreased insulin sensitivity and increased plasma TG and W/H ratio, which together contribute to an increased risk for T2D.

Deep brain stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus may influence renal function.

Deep brain stimulation of the pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTg) had usually been reported to improve the symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease. Previous studies showed that neurons in the PPTg involved in the control of the sympathetic outflow to the kidneys. Our recent studies using transneuronal labeling pseudorabies virus (PRV)-614 supported the sympathetic nature of the caudal PPTg. We propose a hypothesis that deep brain stimulation of the PPTg may influence renal function by serotonergic and catecholaminergic pathways. Because PRV-614/tryptophan hydroxylase and PRV-614/tyrosine hydroxylase double-labeled neurons in the compact parts of PPTg (cpPPTg) were not detected, deep brain stimulation of the cpPPTg might not influence renal function.