Abstract Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common chronic liver disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. One of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms is insulin resistance (IR). Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has showed potential benefits in the management of NAFLD. Lingguizhugan decoction (LGZG) is a representative Chinese herbal formula; however, there is still no rigorous clinical trial supporting its application. Methods/design This study will be a three-arm, dose-optimization, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled...

This paper presents an approach that combines the generalized multimode nonlinear Schrodinger equation with a transmission model to analyze spatiotemporal characteristics of multimode interference in single mode/large mode area fiber–graded-index multimode fiber–single-mode fiber (SMF/LMA-GIMF-SMF) structures for the first time. Approximated self-imaging (ASIM) behavior in GIMF and the study of the latter structure used in spatiotemporal mode-locked fiber lasers are first demonstrated. Simulations show that these structures can work as saturable absorbers enabling high-energy pulse output...

Abstract Background Liver metastasis (LM) is a major obstacle to the prognosis of gastric cancer (GC) patients, but the molecular mechanism underlying gastric cancer liver metastasis (GC-LM) remains unknown. Exosomes have been identified as an important mediator of communication between tumor cells and the microenvironment. Therefore, we sought to investigate the effects of primary GC cells on the liver microenvironment and the role of exosomal microRNAs (exo-miRNA) in GC-LM. Methods Sequential differential centrifugation, transmission electron...

Abstract Background Ferroptosis is a novel form of iron-dependent cell death and participates in the malignant progression of glioblastoma (GBM). Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) are found to play key roles in ferroptosis via several mechanisms, including regulating iron metabolism, glutathione metabolism, lipid peroxidation and mitochondrial-related proteins, there are many novel circRNAs regulating ferroptosis need to be found, and they may become a new molecular treatment target in GBM. Methods The expression levels of circLRFN5, PRRX2...

Abstract Background Beta-1,3-galactosyltransferase-4 (B3GALT4) plays a critical regulatory role in tumor biology. However, the role of B3GALT4 in modulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) of neuroblastoma (NB) remains unknown. Methods Public datasets and clinical NB samples were collected to evaluate the expression and clinical significance of GD2 and B3GALT4 in NB patients. CCK-8, colony formation, and transwell assays and experiments in tumor-bearing mouse models were conducted to investigate the function of B3GALT4. Flow cytometry, ELISA, immunohistochemistry,...

Stepped wedge designs have uni-directional crossovers at randomly assigned time points (steps) where clusters switch from control to intervention condition. Incomplete stepped wedge designs are increasingly used in cluster randomized trials of health care interventions and have periods without data collection due to logistical, resource and patient-centered considerations. The development of sample size formulae for stepped wedge trials has primarily focused on complete designs and continuous responses. Addressing this gap, a general, fast, non-simulation based...

Abstract Background Sorbus sensu stricto (Sorbus s.s.) is a genus with important economical values because of its beautiful leaves, and flowers and especially the colorful fruits. It belongs to the tribe Maleae of the family Rosaceae, and comprises about 90 species mainly distributed in China. There is on-going dispute about its infrageneric classification and species delimitation as the species are morphologically similar. With the aim of shedding light on the circumscription of taxa within the...

Abstract Background Sorbus sensu stricto (Sorbus s.s.) is a genus with important economical values because of its beautiful leaves, and flowers and especially the colorful fruits. It belongs to the tribe Maleae of the family Rosaceae, and comprises about 90 species mainly distributed in China. There is on-going dispute about its infrageneric classification and species delimitation as the species are morphologically similar. With the aim of shedding light on the circumscription of taxa within the...

Fiber fuse effect can occur spontaneously and propagate along optical fibers to cause wide-spread damage; it threatens all applications involving optical fibers. This paper presents two results. First, it establishes that the initiation of fiber fuse (IFF) in silica fibers is caused by defect-induced absorption. Critical temperatures and critical optical powers for IFF are simulated for the first time using a 3D solid-state heat transfer model with heat source generated by defect-induced absorption. In this...

Abstract Background It has been determined through extensive studies that autophagy, the Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and apoptotic responses in macrophages jointly contribute to atherogenesis and its development in the presence of lipid abnormalities. Few studies have investigated in full-scale if the intervention time for lipids abnormality or NLRP3 activation have a significant effect on autophagy, NLRP3 or the apoptotic status in macrophages. Methods Human THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages were...

Abstract Background It has been determined through extensive studies that autophagy, the Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor containing pyrin domain 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and apoptotic responses in macrophages jointly contribute to atherogenesis and its development in the presence of lipid abnormalities. Few studies have investigated in full-scale if the intervention time for lipids abnormality or NLRP3 activation have a significant effect on autophagy, NLRP3 or the apoptotic status in macrophages. Methods Human THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages were...

Abstract Background Cervical cerclage has been proposed as an effective treatment for cervical insufficiency, but there has been controversy regarding the surgical options of cervical cerclage in singleton and twin pregnancies. This study aimed to compare the pregnancy outcomes between transvaginal cervical cerclage (TVC) and laparoscopic abdominal cervical cerclage (LAC) in patients with cervical insufficiency. We also aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety, and provide more evidence to support the application of cervical cerclage...

Abstract Background The cultivated Camellia sasanqua forms a divergent double flower pattern, and the stamen petaloid is a vital factor in the phenomenon. However, the regulation mechanism remains largely unclear. Results Here, a comprehensive comparative transcriptome analysis of the wild-type, “semi-double”, “peony double”, and “rose double” was performed. The cluster analysis of global gene expression level showed petal and stamen difficulty separable in double flower. The crucial pathway and genes related to double flower patterns...

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of applying internal fixation with a T-shaped locking plate that was used on the distal radius in fractures of the anterior process of the calcaneus (APC) with calcaneocuboid (CC) joint injury.MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled adult patients diagnosed with APC with CC joint injury that had received internal fixation with a T-shaped locking plate of the distal radius. Group NA underwent open reduction with ‘not-across’ CC joint plate fixation; and group...

Owing to the high rates of relapse and migration, ovarian cancer (OC) has been recognized as the most lethal gynecological malignancy worldwide. The activity of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway is frequently associated with OC cell proliferation and migration. Despite this knowledge, inhibition of EGFR signaling in OC patients failed to achieve satisfactory therapeutic effects. In this study, we identified that bruceine D (BD) and EGFR inhibitor, afatinib, combination resulted in synergistic...

Cerebral blood flow (CBF) decreases across the adult lifespan; however, more studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms. This study measured CBF and cerebrovascular resistance (CVR) using a multimodality approach in 185 healthy adults (21–80 years). Color-coded duplex ultrasonography and phase-contrast MRI were used to measure CBF, CBF velocity, and vessel diameters of the internal carotid (ICA) and vertebral arteries (VA). MRI arterial spin labeling was used to measure brain perfusion. Transcranial Doppler was...

Abstract Background Anoxia is characterized by changes in the morphology, metabolism, and function of tissues and organs due to insufficient oxygen supply or oxygen dysfunction. Gentiana straminea Maxim (G.s Maxim) is a traditional Tibetan medicine. Our previous work found that G.s Maxim mediates resistance to hypoxia, and we found that the ethyl acetate extract had the best effect. Nevertheless, the primary anti-hypoxia components and mechanisms of action remain unclear. Methods Compounds from the ethyl acetate...

Purpose: Radiotherapy is a promising treatment option for lung cancer, but patients’ responses vary. The purpose of the study was to investigate the potential of radiomics and clinical signature for predicting the radiotherapy sensitivity and overall survival of inoperable stage III and IV non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Materials: This retrospective study collected 104 inoperable stage III and IV NSCLC patients at the Yunnan Cancer Hospital from October 2016 to September 2020. They were divided...

The friction and wear properties of self-lubricating fabric composites were closely related to fiber properties. In this paper, polyimide (PI), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyisophthalamide (PMIA) and cyclic aramid (Aramid III) fibers were selected as reinforcing fibers to compare and investigate the friction and wear properties of self-lubricating fabric composites at high temperature. The tribological behavior of self-lubricating fabric composites was evaluated by ball-on-disk friction test. The wear mechanism was investigated by scanning electron microscope and mechanical...

The application of blue-phase liquid crystals (BPLCs) in optical control devices has been widely studied due to their fast response characteristics. However, the fabrication of free-standing BPLC fiber with emerging functionalities is challenging. Here, we demonstrates a free-standing fiber based on BPLC with excellent stability, flexibility and multifunction. The multi-mode fiber (MMF) end face is etched by the etching agent of buffered oxide etch (BOE), which can be fixedly connected with the free-standing BPLC fiber...

Abstract Background Vascular calcification is a major cause of the high morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases and is closely associated with the intestinal microbiota. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are derived from the intestinal microbiota and can also regulate intestinal microbiota homeostasis. However, it remains unclear whether exogenous supplementation with propionate, a SCFA, can ameliorate vascular calcification by regulating the intestinal microbiota. This study was conducted to explore the roles of propionate and the intestinal...

Abstract Background The long-term protective effect of hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), the incidence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine breakthrough infections (VBIs), and whether a booster HepB is necessary remain to be clarified in children born to mothers with chronic HBV infection. Methods Based on a long-term follow-up prospective cohort of 1177 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive mothers and their paired infants which was established from 2009 to 2011, total 454 children with immunoprophylaxis success...

Abstract Avian influenza virus H9 subtype (AIV H9) has contributed to enormous economic losses. Effective diagnosis is key to controlling the spread of AIV H9. In this study, a nonenzymatic highly electrocatalytic material was prepared using chitosan (Chi)-modified graphene sheet (GS)-functionalized Au/Pt nanoparticles (GS-Chi-Au/Pt), followed by the construction of a novel enzyme-free sandwich electrochemical immunosensor for the detection of AIV H9 using GS-Chi-Au/Pt and graphene–chitosan (GS-Chi) nanocomposites as a nonenzymatic highly electrocatalytic material and a...

Ingestion of a foreign body (FB) is a common emergency encountered in otorhinolaryngology. In most cases, FBs pass through the digestive tract spontaneously without any serious consequences, but some of them require nonsurgical interventions, and more severe cases require surgical interventions. The types of FBs ingested may differ in different countries and regions. In adults, bones, fish bones, and dental prostheses are most commonly found in the esophagus, and most of the FBs are retained...

Abstract Background Plants are continuously challenged with biotic stress from environmental pathogens, and precise regulation of defense responses is critical for plant survival. Defense systems require considerable amounts of energy and resources, impairing plant growth, and plant hormones controlling transcriptional regulation play essential roles in establishing the appropriate balance between defense response to pathogens and growth. Chromatin regulators modulating gene transcription are broadly involved in regulating stress-responsive genes. However, which chromatin factors are involved in...