Analysis of the expression level and predictive value of CLEC16A|miR-654-5p|RARA regulatory axis in the peripheral blood of patients with ischemic stroke based on biosignature analysis.

Introduction: Ischemic stroke (IS) is a cerebrovascular disease that can be disabling and fatal, and there are limitations in the clinical treatment and prognosis of IS. It has been reported that changes in the expression profile of circRNAs have been found during injury in ischemic stroke, and circRNAs play an important role in the IS cascade response. However, the specific mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of IS are not yet fully understood, and thus in-depth studies are needed. Methods: In this study, one circRNA dataset (GSE161913), one miRNA dataset (GSE60319) and one mRNA dataset (GSE180470) were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and included, and the datasets were differentially expressed analyzed by GEO2R and easyGEO to get the DEcircRNA, DEmiRNA and DEmRNA, and DEmRNA was enriched using ImageGP, binding sites were predicted in the ENCORI database, respectively, and the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network was visualized by the cytoscape software, and then selected by MCC scoring in the cytoHubba plugin Hub genes. In addition, this study conducted a case-control study in which blood samples were collected from stroke patients and healthy medical examiners to validate the core network of ceRNAs constructed by biosignature analysis by real-time fluorescence quantitative qRT-PCR experiments. Results: A total of 233 DEcircRNAs, 132 DEmiRNAs and 72 DEmRNAs were screened by bioinformatics analysis. circRNA-mediated ceRNA regulatory network was constructed, including 148 circRNAs, 43 miRNAs and 44 mRNAs. Finally, CLEC16A|miR-654-5p|RARA competitive endogenous regulatory axis was selected for validation by qRT-PCR, and the validation results were consistent with the bioinformatics analysis. Discussion: In conclusion, the present study establishes a new axis of regulation associated with IS, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of IS.

[The Regulatory Effect of RNA m6 A Methylation Modification on KDM4B Gene Expression in t (8;21) AML Cells by MeRIP-qPCR].

OBJECTIVE: To confirm the direct regulatory effect of WTAP-mediated RNA m6A modification on the KDM4B gene in t (8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells through MeRIP combined with reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) technology. METHODS: The lentivirus-mediated shRNA target WTAP or KDM4B gene was used to transfect the t (8;21) AML cell lines: Kasumi-1 and SKNO-1, and cells transfected with randomly shuffled shRNA as the control. Using the Ultrapure RNA Extraction Kit (DNase I) to extract RNA. The Magna MeRIPTM m6A Kit was used to enrich methylated modified fragments, and detect the m6A methylated RNA regions by RT-qPCR, and the protein and mRNA expression levels of WTAP and KDM4B in cells were detected by Western blot and reverse transcription real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Colony formation assays were used to detect the colony ability of cells in vitro. RESULTS: Silencing the expression of WTAP in Kasumi-1 cells, the enrichment of m6A methylation modification was significantly decreased in the 3'UTR of KDM4B mRNA(P < 0.01), and the protein(P < 0.001) and mRNA (Kasumi-1:P < 0.001; SKNO-1: P < 0.01) expression levels of KDM4B were also significantly inhibited in Kasumi-1 and SKNO-1 cells upon WTAP knockdown (all P < 0.01), accompanied by a significant decrease in the colony-forming ability of both cell lines (both P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: In t(8;21) AML cell lines, WTAP could regulate the expression of KDM4B by regulating the m6A modification of the 3'UTR of KDM4B mRNA, and silencing the expression of KDM4B could inhibit the cellular proliferation in vitro.

Epithelial Tight Junction Anomalies in Nasal Inverted Papilloma.

OBJECTIVES: As a critical component of the epithelial barrier, tight junctions (TJs) are essential in nasal mucosa against pathogen invasion. However, the function of TJs has rarely been reported in nasal inverted papilloma (NIP). This study aims to investigate the potential factors of TJs' abnormality in NIP. METHODS: We assessed the expression of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1, claudin-3, and claudin-7 in healthy controls and NIP by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunofluorescent staining. The correlation between TJs expression and neutrophil count, TH 1/TH 2/TH 17 and regulatory T cell biomarkers, and the proportion of nasal epithelial cells was investigated. RESULTS: Upregulation of ZO-1, occludin, claudin-1, and claudin-7, along with downregulation of claudin-3, was found in NIP compared to control (all p < 0.05). An abnormal proportion with a lower number of ciliated cells (control vs. NIP: 37.60 vs. 8.67) and goblet cells (12.52 vs. 0.33) together with a higher number of basal cells (45.58 vs. 124.00) in NIP. Meanwhile, claudin-3 was positively correlated with ciliated and goblet cells (all p < 0.01). Additionally, neutrophils were excessively infiltrated in NIP, negatively correlated with ZO-1, but positively with claudin-3 (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, FOXP3, IL-10, TGF-ß1, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-22 levels were induced in NIP (all p < 0.01). Occludin level was negatively correlated with IL-10, IL-5, IL-13, and IL-22, whereas ZO-1 was positively with TGF-ß1 (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Nasal epithelial barrier dysfunction with TJs anomalies is commonly associated with abnormal proliferation and differentiation of epithelial cells and imbalance of immune and inflammatory patterns in NIP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 134:552-561, 2024.

Anisotropic structure building unit involving diverse chemical bonds: a new opportunity for high-performance second-order NLO materials.

We define the anisotropic structure building unit that encompasses diverse chemical bonds (ABUCB). The ABUCB is highly likely to cause anisotropy in both crystallographic structure and spatial electron distribution, ultimately resulting in enhanced macroscopic optical anisotropy. Accordingly, the (PO3F)2- or (SO3F)- tetrahedron involving the unique P-F or S-F bond serves as such an ABUCB. The distinct chemical bond effectively alters the microscopic nature of the structure building unit, such as polarizability anisotropy, hyperpolarizability, and geometry distortion; this consequently changes the macroscopic second-order nonlinear optical (2nd-NLO) properties of the materials. In this review, we summarize both typical and newly emerged compounds containing ABUCBs. These compounds encompass approximately 90 examples representing six distinct categories, including phosphates, borates, sulfates, silicates, chalcogenides and oxyhalides. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the presence of ABUCBs in DUV/UV NLO compounds contributes to an increase in birefringence and retention of a large band gap, facilitating phase matching in high-energy short-wavelength spectral ranges. On the other hand, the inclusion of ABUCBs in IR NLO compounds offers a feasible method for increasing the band gap and consequently enhancing the larger laser-induced damage threshold. This review consolidates various trial-and-error explorations and presents a novel strategy for designing 2nd-NLO compounds, potentially offering an opportunity for the development of high-performance 2nd-NLO materials.

Single-center phase 2 study of PD-1 inhibitor combined with DNA hypomethylation agent + CAG regimen in patients with relapsed/refractory acute myeloid leukemia.

Anti-PD-1 monotherapy had limited clinical efficacy in relapsed/refractory (r/r) AML patients with higher PD-1 and PD-L1 expression. Hence, we investigated the efficacy and safety of PD-1 inhibitor with DNA hypomethylating agent (HMA) + CAG regimen in patients who had failed prior AML therapy. In this phase 2, single-arm study, r/r AML patients received azacitidine or decitabine plus CAG regimen with tislelizumab. Primary endpoints were efficacy (objective response rate [ORR]) and safety. Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS) and duration of response (DOR). Statistical analyses were performed using Stata 14.0 and SPSS 20.0 software where P < 0.05 denoted significance. Twenty-seven patients were enrolled patients and completed 1 cycle, and 14 (51.9%) and 4 (14.8%) patients completed 2 and 3 cycles, respectively. ORR was 63% (14: complete remission [CR]/CR with incomplete hematologic recovery [CRi], 3: partial remission (PR), 10: no response [NR]). Median OS (mOS) and EFS were 9.7 and 9.2 months, respectively. With a median follow-up of 8.2 months (1.1-26.9), the mOS was not reached in responders (CR/CRi/PR) while it was 2.4 months (0.0-5.4) in nonresponders (P = 0.002). Grade 2-3 immune-related adverse events (irAEs) were observed in 4 (14.8%) patients and 3 nonresponders died of lung infection after treatment. Tislelizumab + HMA + CAG regimen showed improved outcomes in r/r AML patients with lower pretherapy leukemia burden. irAEs were mild and low-grade and higher pretherapy bone marrow CD4+ CD127+ PD-1+ T cells might serve as a predictor of treatment response.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT04541277.

HIF1α-mediated transactivation of WTAP promotes AML cell proliferation via m6A-dependent stabilization of KDM4B mRNA.

Hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) is abnormally overexpressed in t(8;21) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and functions as an oncogene through transactivating DNA methyltransferase 3 alpha leading to DNA hypermethylation. However, it remains unclear whether HIF1α influences RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methyltransferases. Here, we show that HIF1α promotes the expression of Wilms tumor 1-associated protein (WTAP), a main component of the m6A methyltransferase complex, markedly alters the transcriptome-wide m6A distribution and enhances cell proliferation in t(8;21) AML. In agreement with this, WTAP is overexpressed and predicts poor prognosis in t(8;21) AML patients. Moreover, WTAP knockdown inhibits growth, and induces apoptosis and differentiation of leukemia cells. Mechanistically, HIF1α transactivates WTAP gene expression by directly binding to the hypoxia-response element of its promoter region. Pharmacological or genetic intervention in the HIF1α-WTAP axis results in the reduction of m6A level on lysine demethylase 4B (KDM4B) transcripts and increased its degradation, correlated with lower expression of KDM4B and higher trimethylation levels of histone H3 on lysine 9. KDM4B knockdown inhibits leukemia cell growth in vitro and in mice. Thus, HIF1α-mediated WTAP high expression enhances the malignant behavior of leukemia cells and drives a crosstalk between m6A RNA methylation and histone methylation through monitoring m6A-dependant KDM4B translation.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of 5-Fluoro-2-Oxindole Derivatives as Potential α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

α-Glucosidase inhibitors are known to prevent the digestion of carbohydrates and reduce the impact of carbohydrates on blood glucose. To develop novel α-glucosidase inhibitors, a series of 5-fluoro-2-oxindole derivatives (3a ∼ 3v) were synthesized, and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were investigated. Biological assessment results showed that most synthesized compounds presented potential inhibition on α-glucosidase. Among them, compounds 3d, 3f, and 3i exhibited much better inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 49.89 ± 1.16 µM, 35.83 ± 0.98 µM, and 56.87 ± 0.42 µM, respectively, which were about 10 ∼ 15 folds higher than acarbose (IC50 = 569.43 ± 43.72 µM). A kinetic mechanism study revealed that compounds 3d, 3f, and 3i inhibited the α-glucosidase in a reversible and mixed manner. Molecular docking was carried out to simulate the affinity between the compound and α-glucosidase.

Synthesis and Evaluation of Coumarin-Chalcone Derivatives as α-Glucosidase Inhibitors.

Coumarin and chalcone, two important kinds of natural product skeletons, both exhibit α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. In this work, coumarin-chalcone derivatives 3 (a∼v) were synthesized, and their α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was screened. The results showed that all synthetic derivatives (IC50: 24.09 ± 2.36 to 125.26 ± 1.18 µM) presented better α-glucosidase inhibitory activity than the parent compounds 3-acetylcoumarin (IC50: 1.5 × 105 µM) and the positive control acarbose (IC50: 259.90 ± 1.06 µM). Among them, compound 3t displayed the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50: 24.09 ± 2.36 µM), which was approximately 10 times stronger than that of acarbose. The kinetic assay of 3t (K I = 18.82 µM, K IS = 59.99 µM) revealed that these compounds inhibited α-glucosidase in a mixed-type manner. Molecular docking was used to simulate the interaction between α-glucosidase and compound 3t.

Efficacy of buffered hypertonic seawater in different phenotypes of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps after endoscopic sinus surgery: a randomized double-blind study.

PURPOSE: Nasal douching is commonly used as a postoperative management strategy for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Few studies to date have compared the effectiveness of nasal douching in CRSwNP phenotypes after endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS). We evaluated the efficacy of seawater types in eosinophilic CRSwNP (ECRSwNP) and noneosinophilic CRSwNP (nonECRSwNP) after ESS. METHODS: Patients with bilateral CRSwNP who had undergone ESS were blindly randomized to receive buffered hypertonic seawater (BHS) (n = 48) or physiological seawater (PS) (n = 45). CRSwNP patients were stratified by phenotypes (ECRSwNP and nonECRSwNP) retrospectively according to whether tissue eosinophils exceeded 10%. Follow-up evaluations were conducted at 2, 8, 16, and 24 weeks after surgery. Evaluations included the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22), visual analog scale (VAS), Lund-Kennedy endoscopic score (LKES), saccharine clearance time (SCT), and adverse events. RESULTS: All of the patients experienced significant improvements in SNOT-22 scores, VAS scores, and LKES over time. BHS resulted in better improvement of LEKS and SCT relative to PS at 8 weeks postoperatively. Mucosal edema formation was significantly reduced with less crusting among HBS recipients at 8 weeks. After stratification, only patients in the nonECRSwNP + BHS subgroup showed a significant improvement in LEKS and SCT at 8 weeks postoperatively. Side effect profiles were not significantly different among the groups. CONCLUSIONS: BHS has a better inhibitory effect on mucosal edema and crusting during the early postoperative care period of CRSwNP. Among all of the patients, nonECRSwNP patients showed a significant improvement in LEKS and SCT at 8 weeks.

[Ethacrynic acid inhibits airway smooth muscle contraction in mice].

The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect and the underlying mechanism of ethacrynic acid (EA) on the contraction in mice. BL-420S force measuring system was used to measure the tension of mouse tracheal rings. The whole cell patch clamp technique was utilized to record the channel currents of airway smooth muscle (ASM) cells. The calcium imaging system was used to determine the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in ASM cells. The results showed that EA significantly inhibited the high K+ (80 mmol/L) and acetylcholine (ACh, 100 µmol/L)-induced contraction of mouse tracheal rings in a dose-dependent manner. The maximal relaxation percentages were (97.02 ± 1.56)% and (85.21 ± 0.03)%, and the median effective concentrations were (40.28 ± 2.20) µmol/L and (56.22 ± 7.62) µmol/L, respectively. EA decreased the K+ and ACh-induced elevation of [Ca2+]i from 0.40 ± 0.04 to 0.16 ± 0.01 and from 0.50 ± 0.01 to 0.39 ± 0.01, respectively. In addition, EA inhibited L-type voltage-dependent calcium channel (LVDCC) and store-operated calcium channel (SOCC) currents in ASM cells, and Ca2+ influx. Moreover, EA decreased the resistance of the respiratory system (Rrs) in vivo in mice. These results indicated that EA inhibits LVDCC and SOCC, which results in termination of Ca2+ influx and decreases of [Ca2+]i, leading to relaxation of ASM. Taken together, EA might be a potential bronchodilator.

Is the delivery mode a critical factor for the microbial communities in the meconium?

BACKGROUND: Mothers are the primary source of bacteria for newborns, but it is unclear whether mother-to-newborn transmission occurs prior to, during or after birth. Similarly, the effect of the delivery mode on neonatal microorganisms has been the focus of controversy. METHODS: Healthy maternal and neonatal pairs that underwent vaginal birth and caesarean section were enrolled in this study. Meconium, placenta, membrane and amniotic fluid samples for newborns and vaginal, rectal and oral samples for mothers were collected. All samples were amplified and sequenced by a 16S rRNA gene primer set targeting bacteria and archaea. FINDINGS: A total of 550 samples from 36 mother-neonate pairs with vaginal births and 42 mother-neonate pairs with caesarean sections were included in this study. The negative controls showed that the data analysis in this study was not affected by contamination. There was a high diversity of microbial communities in the pregnancy environment of the foetus. Meconium samples could be divided into three distinct types that were not influenced by the delivery method. INTERPRETATION: The distribution patterns of bacterial communities in the meconium, placenta, and foetal membranes were highly similar and had nothing to do with the mode of delivery. For approximately half of the placental microorganisms, the same sequence could be found in the vaginal, rectal, and oral samples of the mother.

Combined experimental and theoretical investigations of Ba3GaS4I: interesting structural transformation originated from halogen substitution.

Inorganic chalcohalides have emerged as promising functional materials for a range of applications. However, most of them are chlorides and bromides, while iodides are still rare. Herein, a new quaternary iodine-based chalcohalide Ba3GaS4I has been acquired by the reaction of BaS, Ga, S and BaI2 at 1173 K. Single-crystal XRD analysis reveals that Ba3GaS4I has a centrosymmetric structure (orthorhombic, space group Cmcm, a = 6.991(3) Å, b = 15.910(7) Å, c = 9.698(4) Å, V = 1078.6(7) Å3, and Z = 4) and consists of isolated [GaS4] tetrahedra with charge-balanced Ba2+ cations and I- anions. Ba3GaS4I can be regarded as the product of chemical substitution of Ba3GaS4X (X = Cl, Br), which adopts a different space group, Pnma. The influences of the halogen elements on the bandgap and birefringence have been discussed through first principles calculations and structural comparison.

The host range of Aphis gossypii is dependent on aphid genetic background and feeding experience.

BACKGROUND: A polyphagous insect herbivore has a wide range of host plants. However, it has been found that many polyphagous herbivores commonly exhibit a strong preference for a subset of species in their broad host range, and various host biotypes exist in herbivore populations. Nutrition and secondary metabolites in plants affect herbivore preference and performance, but it is still not clear which factors determine the host range and host preference of polyphagous herbivores. METHOD: Cotton-melon aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, collected from cotton and cucumber crops, were used in this study. The genetic backgrounds of these aphids were detected using microsatellite PCR and six genotypes were evaluated. Performance of these six aphid genotypes on excised leaves and plants of cotton and cucumber seedlings were examined through a reciprocal transplant experiment. In order to detect whether the feeding experience on artificial diet would alter aphid host range, the six genotypes of aphids fed on artificial diet for seven days were transferred onto cotton and cucumber leaves, and then their population growth on these two host plants was surveyed. RESULTS: Aphids from cotton and cucumber plants could not colonize the excised leaves and intact plants of cucumber and cotton seedlings, respectively. All six genotypes of aphids collected from cotton and cucumber plants could survive and produce offspring on artificial diet, which lacked plant secondary metabolites. The feeding experience on the artificial diet did not alter the ability of all six genotypes to use their native host plants. However, after feeding on this artificial diet for seven days, two aphid genotypes from cotton and one from cucumber acquired the ability to use both of the excised leaves from cucumber and cotton plants. The two aphid genotypes from cotton conditioned by the feeding experience on artificial diet and then reared on excised cucumber leaves for >12 generations still maintained the ability to use intact cotton plants but did not establish a population on cucumber plants. However, one cucumber genotype conditioned by artificial diet and then reared on excised cotton leaves could use both the intact cotton and cucumber plants, showing that the expansion of host range was mediated by feeding experience. CONCLUSION: Feeding experience on artificial diet induced the expansion of host range of the cucurbit-specialized A. gossypii, and this expansion was genotype-specific. We speculated that feeding on a constant set of host plants in the life cycle of aphids may contribute to the formation of host specialization.

Infections with Arsenophonus Facultative Endosymbionts Alter Performance of Aphids (Aphis gossypii) on an Amino-Acid-Deficient Diet.

Genetic polymorphism and endosymbiont infection are ubiquitous in aphid populations. It has been known that the obligate symbiont Buchnera provides aphids with essential amino acids which cannot be ingested from plant sap. Buchnera often coexists with facultative endosymbionts in aphids. However, it is unclear whether the facultative endosymbionts affect the aphid's amino acid requirements from diet. In this study, we found that the facultative endosymbiont status in populations of the cotton-melon aphid Aphis gossypii was associated with aphid genotype or host plant. The infection frequency of Arsenophonus in aphids living on cotton was significantly higher than that in aphids on cucumber, and cucumber leaves contained higher titers of free amino acids than cotton leaves, especially amino acids Leu, Arg, Ile, Val, and Phe. The net reproductive rates of five aphid genotypes infected with Arsenophonus were not different on the complete-amino-acid diet, but the values were significantly different among seven Arsenophonus-free aphid genotypes. Moreover, the net reproductive rates of aphids on the amino-acid-deficient diet were significantly affected by Arsenophonus infection and aphid genotype. Arsenophonus infection decreased aphid performance on the Phe-free diet but improved performance on the Leu-free diet and did not affect the performance on the Ile-free or Val-free diet. Arsenophonus infections altered aphid requirements for amino acids that were significantly different in cotton and cucumber leaves, suggesting this endosymbiont would modulate the host specialization of this aphid.IMPORTANCE The facultative endosymbiont Arsenophonus plays an important role in regulating reproduction through son killing, enemy resistance, and the dietary breadth of its insect hosts. In this study, we found Arsenophonus could alter aphid performance on the amino-acid-deficient diets. Arsenophonus infection increased aphid requirements for the amino acid Phe, but decreased requirements for the Leu. Cotton and cucumber leaves contained drastically different titers of free amino acids Phe and Leu, and aphids living on these two plants were infected with different incidences of Arsenophonus We hypothesize that host specialization or the host plant range of aphids may be mediated by Arsenophonus.

Semen cassiae Extract Inhibits Contraction of Airway Smooth Muscle.

ß2-adrenoceptor agonists are commonly used as bronchodilators to treat obstructive lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), however, they induce severe side effects. Therefore, developing new bronchodilators is essential. Herbal plants were extracted and the extracts' effect on airway smooth muscle (ASM) precontraction was assessed. The ethyl alcohol extract of semen cassiae (EESC) was extracted from Semen cassia. The effects of EESC on the ACh- and 80 mM K+-induced sustained precontraction in mouse and human ASM were evaluated. Ca2+ permeant ion channel currents and intracellular Ca2+ concentration were measured. HPLC analysis was employed to determine which compound was responsible for the EESC-induced relaxation. The EESC reversibly inhibited the ACh- and 80 mM K+-induced precontraction. The sustained precontraction depends on Ca2+ influx, and it was mediated by voltage-dependent L-type Ca2+ channels (LVDCCs), store-operated channels (SOCs), TRPC3/STIM/Orai channels. These channels were inhibited by aurantio-obtusin, one component of EESC. When aurantio-obtusin removed, EESC's action disappeared. In addition, aurantio-obtusin inhibited the precontraction of mouse and human ASM and intracellular Ca2+ increases. These results indicate that Semen cassia-contained aurantio-obtusin inhibits sustained precontraction of ASM via inhibiting Ca2+-permeant ion channels, thereby, which could be used to develop new bronchodilators.

[Effect of suspension exercise training on motor and balance functions in children with spastic cerebral palsy].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of suspension exercise training on motor and balance functions in children with spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: A total of 97 children with spastic cerebral palsy were randomly divided into an observation group with 49 children and a control group with 48 children. Both groups were given routine rehabilitation training, and the children in the observation group were given suspension exercise training in addition. The scores of the D and E domains of the 88-item version of the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM-88) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were recorded before treatment and at 1, 3, and 6 months after treatment. Surface electromyography was performed to observe the changes in the root mean square (RMS) of surface electromyogram signals of the adductor muscle and the gastrocnemius muscle. RESULTS: Over the time of treatment, both groups had varying degrees of improvement in the scores of the D and E domains of GMFM-88 and BBS. Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly greater improvements in D and E functional areas and balance function (P<0.05). Both groups had reductions in the RMS of the surface electromyogram signals of the adductor muscle and the gastrocnemius muscle over the time of treatment, and the observation group had significantly greater reductions than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Suspension exercise training can effectively improve the motor and balance functions of children with spastic cerebral palsy.

Ternary Mixed-Metal Cd4GeS6: Remarkable Nonlinear-Optical Properties Based on a Tetrahedral-Stacking Framework.

Noncentrosymmetric (NCS) mixed-metal chalcogenides have attracted significant attention lately because of their structural multiplicities, strong second-harmonic-generation (SHG) efficiencies ( d ij) and large laser-induced damage thresholds (LIDTs), which make them promising nonlinear-optical (NLO) materials in mid- and far-IR (MFIR) applications. In this work, a ternary mixed-metal material, Cd4GeS6, has been synthesized by reacting CdS with GeS2 via a solid-state method at 1273 K. It exhibits a unique tetrahedral-stacking NCS framework structure consisting of two types of [Cd2S7] asymmetric groups and dispersed GeS4 tetrahedra. Remarkably, Cd4GeS6 shows type-I phase-matching ability and achieves a desired balance between strong d ij (about 1.1AgGaS2) and large LIDT (about 3.6AgGaS2), demonstrating that this material satisfies the essential requirements as a promising MFIR NLO candidate. Moreover, theoretical calculations were performed for a better understanding of the structure-property relationships.

Generation and Role of Oscillatory Contractions in Mouse Airway Smooth Muscle.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Tetraethylammonium chloride (TEA) induces oscillatory contractions in mouse airway smooth muscle (ASM); however, the generation and maintenance of oscillatory contractions and their role in ASM are unclear. METHODS: In this study, oscillations of ASM contraction and intracellular Ca2+ were measured using force measuring and Ca2+ imaging technique, respectively. TEA, nifedipine, niflumic acid, acetylcholine chloride, lithium chloride, KB-R7943, ouabain, 2-Aminoethoxydiphenyl borate, thapsigargin, tetrodotoxin, and ryanodine were used to assess the mechanism of oscillatory contractions. RESULTS: TEA induced depolarization, resulting in activation of L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (LVDCCs) and voltage-dependent Na+ (VNa) channels. The former mediated Ca2+ influx to trigger a contraction and the latter mediated Na+ entry to enhance the contraction via activating LVDCCs. Meanwhile, increased Ca2+-activated Cl- channels, inducing depolarization that resulted in contraction through LVDCCs. In addition, the contraction was enhanced by intracellular Ca2+ release from Ca2+ stores mediated by inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). These pathways together produce the contractile phase of the oscillatory contractions. Furthermore, the increased Ca2+ activated the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX), which transferred Ca2+ out of and Na+ into the cells. The former induced relaxation and the latter activated Na+/K+-ATPase that induced hypopolarization to inactivate LVDCCs causing further relaxation. This can also explain the relaxant phase of the oscillatory contractions. Moreover, the depolarization induced by VNa channels and NCX might be greater than the hypopolarization caused by Na+/K+-ATPase alone, inducing LVDCC activation and resulting in further contraction. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that the TEA-induced oscillatory contractions were cooperatively produced by LVDCCs, VNa channels, Ca2+-activated Cl- channels, NCX, Na+/K+ ATPase, IP3Rs-mediated Ca2+ release, and extracellular Ca2+.

Nematic superconducting state in iron pnictide superconductors.

Nematic order often breaks the tetragonal symmetry of iron-based superconductors. It arises from regular structural transition or electronic instability in the normal phase. Here, we report the observation of a nematic superconducting state, by measuring the angular dependence of the in-plane and out-of-plane magnetoresistivity of Ba0.5K0.5Fe2As2 single crystals. We find large twofold oscillations in the vicinity of the superconducting transition, when the direction of applied magnetic field is rotated within the basal plane. To avoid the influences from sample geometry or current flow direction, the sample was designed as Corbino-shape for in-plane and mesa-shape for out-of-plane measurements. Theoretical analysis shows that the nematic superconductivity arises from the weak mixture of the quasi-degenerate s-wave and d-wave components of the superconducting condensate, most probably induced by a weak anisotropy of stresses inherent to single crystals.

Growth of single-crystal Ca10(Pt4As8)(Fe(1.8)Pt(0.2)As2)5 nanowhiskers with superconductivity up to 33 K.

Single-crystal Ca(10)(Pt(4)As(8))(Fe(1.8)Pt(0.2)As(2))(5) superconducting (SC) nanowhiskers with widths down to hundreds of nanometers were successfully grown in a Ta capsule in an evacuated quartz tube by a flux method. Magnetic and electrical properties measurements demonstrate that the whiskers have excellent crystallinity with critical temperature of up to 33 K, upper critical field of 52.8 T, and critical current density of J(c) of 6.0 × 10(5) A/cm(2) (at 26 K). Since cuprate high-T(c) SC whiskers are fragile ceramics, the present intermetallic SC whiskers with high T(c) have better opportunities for device applications. Moreover, although the growth mechanism is not understood well, the technique can be potentially useful for growth of other whiskers containing toxic elements.