Room-Temperature Liquid Crystalline Tetraphenylethylene-Surfactant Complex with Chiral Supramolecular Structure and Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence.

A novel room-temperature liquid crystal of tetraphenylethylene derivative (TPE-DHAB) was synthesized using an ionic self-assembly strategy. The TPE-DHAB complex exhibits typical aggregation-induced emission properties and a unique helical supramolecular structure. Moreover, the generation and handedness inversion of circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) can be achieved through further chiral solvation, providing a facile approach to fabricate room-temperature liquid crystalline materials with controllable supramolecular structures and tunable CPL properties through a synergistic strategy of ionic self-assembly and chiral solvation process.

The correlation between the level of cellular classification in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae and clinical characteristics.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) is a common respiratory tract infection disease in children. To date, there have been few studies on the relationship between cytological changes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and clinical features. The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation between changes in the proportion of cell classifications in BALF and the clinical features in children with severe MPP (SMPP). In total, the study included 64 children with SMPP requiring bronchoalveolar lavage who were admitted to our hospital between March and September 2022 (study group) and 11 children with bronchial foreign bodies without co-infection (control group), who were admitted during the same period. The proportion of cell classifications in BALF was determined by microscopic examination after performing Wright-Giemsa staining. Patients were grouped according to different clinical characteristics, and between-group comparisons were made regarding the variations in the proportion of cell classifications in BALF. The levels of blood routine neutrophil percentage (GRA%), C-reactive protein, D-dimer and lactate dehydrogenase in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05). There were differences in the GRA% and macrophage percentage in the BALF between the two groups (P < 0.05). The GRA% and blood lymphocyte percentage were associated with pleural effusion. Multiple indicators correlated with extrapulmonary manifestations (P < 0.05). Moreover, the percentage of lymphocytes in the BALF correlated with pleural effusion, extrapulmonary manifestations and refractory MPP (RMPP) (P < 0.05). Logistic regression showed that BALF lymphocytes were protective factors for RMPP, while serum amyloid A and extrapulmonary manifestations were risk factors (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The BALF of children with SMPP is predominantly neutrophilic. A lower percentage of lymphocytes is related to a higher incidence of pleural effusion, extrapulmonary manifestations and progression to RMPP, as well as a longer length of hospitalisation. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Mycoplasma pneumonia in children is relatively common in clinical practice. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a routine clinical procedure. WHAT IS NEW: However, there are relatively few studies focusing on the cytomorphological analysis of cells in BAL fluid.

A rat model of cerebral small vascular disease induced by ultrasound and protoporphyrin.

Cerebral small vascular disease (CSVD) has a high incidence worldwide, but its pathological mechanisms remain poorly understood due to the lack of proper animal models. The current animal models of CSVD have several limitations such as high mortality rates and large-sized lesions, and thus it is urgent to develop new animal models of CSVD. Ultrasound can activate protoporphyrin to produce reactive oxygen species in a liquid environment. Here we delivered protoporphyrin into cerebral small vessels of rat brain through polystyrene microspheres with a diameter of 15 µm, and then performed transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) on the model rats. We found that TUS did not affect the large vessels or cause large infarctions in the brain of model rats. The mortality rates were also comparable between the sham and model rats. Strikingly, TUS induced several CSVD-like phenotypes such as cerebral microinfarction, white matter injuries and impaired integrity of endothelial cells in the model rats. Additionally, these effects could be alleviated by antioxidant treatment with N-acetylcysteine (NAC). As control experiments, TUS did not lead to cerebral microinfarction in the rat brain when injected with the polystyrene microspheres not conjugated with protoporphyrin. In sum, we generated a rat model of CSVD that may be useful for the mechanistic study and drug development for CSVD.

DHPS-Mediated Hypusination Regulates METTL3 Self-m6A-Methylation Modification to Promote Melanoma Proliferation and the Development of Novel Inhibitors.

Discovering new treatments for melanoma will benefit human health. The mechanism by which deoxyhypusine synthase (DHPS) promotes melanoma development remains elucidated. Multi-omics studies have revealed that DHPS regulates m6A modification and maintains mRNA stability in melanoma cells. Mechanistically, DHPS activates the hypusination of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A (eIF5A) to assist METTL3 localizing on its mRNA for m6A modification, then promoting METTL3 expression. Structure-based design, synthesis, and activity screening yielded the hit compound GL-1 as a DHPS inhibitor. Notably, GL-1 directly inhibits DHPS binding to eIF5A, whereas GC-7 cannot. Based on the clarification of the mode of action of GL-1 on DHPS, it is found that GL-1 can promote the accumulation of intracellular Cu2+ to induce apoptosis, and antibody microarray analysis shows that GL-1 inhibits the expression of several cytokines. GL-1 shows promising antitumor activity with good bioavailability in a xenograft tumor model. These findings clarify the molecular mechanisms by which DHPS regulates melanoma proliferation and demonstrate the potential of GL-1 for clinical melanoma therapy.

Hereditary Severe Insulin-resistance Syndrome and Acanthosis Nigricans Caused by Novel Mutations in the INSR Gene.

Most cases associated with Hereditary Severe Insulin Resistance Syndrome (H-SIRS) are linked to mutations in the insulin receptor (INSR) gene. Patients with H-SIRS typically manifest symptoms of hyperinsulinemia, insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus. Other symptoms include impaired glucose regulation, hyperandrogenism, and the presence of acanthosis nigricans (AN). In this report, we present two cases of H-SIRS in female children exhibiting various symptoms, such as hyperinsulinemia, fasting hypoglycemia, postprandial hyperglycemia, overweight, fatty liver, hyperandrogenism, and varying degrees of AN. One patient also presented with mental retardation. Gene sequencing identified specific mutations in the INSR gene for both patients: c.2663A > G (p.Tyr888Cys) and c.38_61del (p.Pro13_Ala20del). These mutations have the potential to disrupt the interaction between INSR and insulin, leading to abnormal insulin signaling, insulin resistance, and various clinical manifestations.

Comparative study on emotional behavior and parental job stress of only-child and non-only-child preschool children.

BACKGROUND: Studies have revealed that Children's psychological, behavioral, and emotional problems are easily influenced by the family environment. In recent years, the family structure in China has undergone significant changes, with more families having two or three children. AIM: To explore the relationship between emotional behavior and parental job stress in only preschool and non-only preschool children. METHODS: Children aged 3-6 in kindergartens in four main urban areas of Shijiazhuang were selected by stratified sampling for a questionnaire and divided into only and non-only child groups. Their emotional behaviors and parental pressure were compared. Only and non-only children were paired in a 1:1 ratio by class and age (difference less than or equal to 6 months), and the matched data were compared. The relationship between children's emotional behavior and parents' job stress before and after matching was analyzed. RESULTS: Before matching, the mother's occupation, children's personality characteristics, and children's rearing patterns differed between the groups (P < 0.05). After matching 550 pairs, differences in the children's parenting styles remained. There were significant differences in children's gender and parents' attitudes toward children between the two groups. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) scores of children in the only child group and the Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (PSI-SF) scores of parents were significantly lower than those in the non-only child group (P < 0.05). Pearson's correlation analysis showed that after matching, there was a positive correlation between children's parenting style and parents' attitudes toward their children (r = 0.096, P < 0.01), and the PSI-SF score was positively correlated with children's gender, parents' attitudes toward their children, and SDQ scores (r = 0.077, 0.193, 0.172, 0.222). CONCLUSION: Preschool children's emotional behavior and parental pressure were significantly higher in multi-child families. Parental pressure in differently structured families was associated with many factors, and preschool children's emotional behavior was positively correlated with parental pressure.

Chemical Reaction Modulated Low-Dimensional Phase Toward Highly Efficient Sky-Blue Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

Blue perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) are crucial avenues for achieving full-color displays and lighting based on perovskite materials. However, the relatively low external quantum efficiency (EQE) has hindered their progression towards commercial applications. Quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) perovskites stand out as promising candidates for blue PeLEDs, with optimized control over low-dimensional phases contributing to enhanced radiative properties of excitons. Herein, the impact of organic molecular dopants on the crystallization of various n-phase structures in quasi-2D perovskite films. The results reveal that the highly reactive bis(4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)phosphine oxide (BTF-PPO) molecule could effectively restrain the formation of organic spacer cation-ordered layered perovskite phases through chemical reactions, simultaneously passivate those uncoordinated Pb2+ defects. Consequently, the prepared PeLEDs exhibited a maximum EQE of 16.6% (@ 490 nm). The finding provides a new route to design dopant molecules for phase modulation in quasi-2D PeLEDs.

A New Ferroptosis-Related Long Non-Coding RNA Risk Model Predicts the Prognosis of Patients With Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Background: Ferroptosis is a novel form of regulated cell death that involves in cancer progression. However, the role of ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this paper was to clarify the prognostic value of ferroptosis-related lncRNAs in PTC. Methods: The transcriptome data and clinical information were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The correlation between ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) and lncRNA was determined using Pearson correlation analysis. Multivariate Cox regression model (P < 0.01) was performed to establish a ferroptosis-related lncRNAs risk model. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, risk curve and nomograms were then performed to assess the accuracy and clinical applicability of prognostic models. The correlations between the prognosis model and clinicopathological variables, immune and m6A were analyzed. Finally, in vitro assays were performed to verify the role of LINC00900, LINC01614 and PARAL1 on the proliferation, migration and invasion in TPC-1 and BCPAP cells, as well as the relationship between three lncRNAs and ferroptosis. Results: A five-ferroptosis-related lncRNAs (PARAL1, LINC00900, DPH6-DT, LINC01614, LPP-AS2) risk model was constructed. Based on the risk score, samples were divided into the high- and low-risk groups. Patients in the low-risk group had better prognosis than those in high-risk group. Compared to traditional clinicopathological features, risk score was more accurate in predicting prognosis in patients with PTC. Additionally, the difference of immune cell, function and checkpoints was observed between two groups. Moreover, experiments showed that LINC00900 promoted the proliferation, migration and invasion in TPC-1 and BCPAP cells, while LINC01614 and PARAL1 revealed opposite effects, all of which were related to ferroptosis. Conclusions: In summary, we identified a five-ferroptosis-related lncRNAs risk model to predict the prognosis of PTC. Furthermore, our study also revealed that LINC00900 functioned as a tumor suppressor lncRNA, LINC01614 and PARAL1 as an oncogenic lncRNA in PTC.

Implementing nursing interventions based on stress system theory alongside painting therapy for pediatric post-traumatic stress disorder following accidental injury.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to examine the impact of a nursing intervention based on stress system theory, coupled with painting therapy, on children experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subsequent to an accidental injury. METHODS: The clinical data of 100 children diagnosed with PTSD following accidental injuries were retrospectively analyzed for the period spanning April 2021 to May 2023. There were 48 children who received standard nursing care between April 2021 and April 2022 in the control group, and 52 children who received nursing intervention based on stress system theory combined with painting therapy between May 2022 and May 2023 in the observation group. Scores of PTSD Self-evaluation Scale (PTSD-SS), post-traumatic growth, coping style, quality of life, and family satisfaction were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Prior to nursing care, the scores of each dimension in the PTSD-SS, post-traumatic growth, coping style, and quality of life were similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). Following nursing intervention, the observation group exhibited lower scores in each dimension of the PTSD-SS compared to the control group. Moreover, the scores in each dimension of the children's version of the Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) were higher in the observation group than in the control group. Additionally, the Confrontation scores in the Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ) were higher in the observation group than in the control group, while the scores of Avoidance and Resignation were lower in the observation group than in the control group. The scores of each dimension in the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Measurement Models (PedsQL4.0) were higher than those in the control group (P < 0.05), and the family satisfaction in the observation group (96.15%) was higher than that in the control group (81.25%), with P < 0.05. CONCLUSION: The implementation of nursing intervention based on stress system theory combined with painting therapy in children with PTSD following an accidental injury can alleviate stress, help them actively cope with the condition, promote post-traumatic growth, and improve the quality of life and family satisfaction.

Surficial Homogenic Effect Enables Highly Stable Deep-Blue Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

The device performance of deep-blue perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) is primarily constrained by low external quantum efficiency (EQE) especially poor operational stability. Herein, we develop a facile strategy to improve deep-blue emission through rational interface engineering. We innovatively reported the novel electron transport material, 4,6-Tris(4-(diphenylphosphoryl)phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (P-POT2T), and utilized a sequential wet-dry deposition method to form homogenic gradient interface between electron transport layer (ETL) and perovskite surface. Unlike previous reports that achieved carrier injection balance by inserting new interlayers, our strategy not only passivated uncoordinated Pb in the perovskite via P=O functional groups but also reduced interfacial carrier recombination without introducing new interfaces. Additionally, this strategy enhanced the interface contact between the perovskite and ETL, significantly boosting device stability. Consequently, the fabricated deep-blue PeLEDs delivered an external quantum efficiency (EQE) exceeding 5% (@ 460 nm) with an exceptional halftime extended to 31.3 minutes. This straightforward approach offers a new strategy to realize highly efficient especially stable PeLEDs.

Aflatoxin B1 as a complicit in intestinal damage caused by Eimeria ovinoidalis in lambs: Novel insights to reveal parasite-gut battle.

Mycotoxins, unavoidable contaminants in feed and feed ingredients, have the potential to influence the incidence and severity of various diseases upon ingestion. Sheep coccidiosis is an enteric disease caused by protozoa of Eimeria spp. However, the extent to which the presence of aflatoxin b1 (AFB1) synergistically exacerbates damage to intestinal health in lambs with Eimeria remains unclear. 50-day-old female lambs were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments for 15 days to assess the impact of AFB1 exposure on lambs with or without Eimeria (E.) ovinoidalis infection. Our findings reveal that AFB1 synergistically intensifies damage to intestinal health in lambs challenged by E. ovinoidalis. This is evidenced by disruptions to the intestinal microbiota and reductions in the production of short-chain fatty acids. AFB1 further aggravates damage to the cecal mechanical barrier. Additionally, AFB1 contributes to the entry of lipopolysaccharide into the bloodstream, activating the inflammatory response. Interestingly, AFB1 exposure history results in an early peak of oocyst excretion and a decreased number of oocyst excretion in E. ovinoidalis infected lambs. This may be closely linked to the destruction of the intestinal epithelial cell structure and its apoptosis, as indicated by a decreased ratio of Bcl-2 to Bax and increased caspase-3 levels. Mechanistically, proteomics analysis identified mitochondrial dysfunction (inhibition of the oxidative phosphorylation pathway) as the primary factor intensifying intestinal epithelial cell destruction caused by coccidia, exacerbated by AFB1 through the inhibiting the conversion of NADH to NAD+ in the cecum of lambs via down-regulation of the PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM pathway. Overall, these results offer novel insights into the AFB1 complicity in accelerating intestinal damage caused by E. ovinoidalis in lambs. Targeting the mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation pathway of the intestine may represent a new therapeutic strategy against the detrimental effects of mycotoxin and coccidia.

Bidirectional effects of the tryptophan metabolite indole-3-acetaldehyde on colorectal cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a high incidence and mortality. Recent studies have shown that indole derivatives involved in gut microbiota metabolism can impact the tumorigenesis, progression, and metastasis of CRC. AIM: To investigate the effect of indole-3-acetaldehyde (IAAD) on CRC. METHODS: The effect of IAAD was evaluated in a syngeneic mouse model of CRC and CRC cell lines (HCT116 and DLD-1). Cell proliferation was assessed by Ki-67 fluorescence staining and cytotoxicity tests. Cell apoptosis was analysed by flow cytometry after staining with Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate and propidium iodide. Invasiveness was investigated using the transwell assay. Western blotting and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction were performed to evaluate the expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition related genes and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) downstream genes. The PharmMapper, SEA, and SWISS databases were used to screen for potential target proteins of IAAD, and the core proteins were identified through the String database. RESULTS: IAAD reduced tumorigenesis in a syngeneic mouse model. In CRC cell lines HCT116 and DLD1, IAAD exhibited cytotoxicity starting at 24 h of treatment, while it reduced Ki67 expression in the nucleus. The results of flow cytometry showed that IAAD induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells but had no effect on DLD1 cells, which may be related to the activation of AhR. IAAD can also increase the invasiveness and epithelial-mesenchymal transition of HCT116 and DLD1 cells. At low concentrations (< 12.5 µmol/L), IAAD only exhibited cytotoxic effects without promoting cell invasion. In addition, predictions based on online databases, protein-protein interaction analysis, and molecular docking showed that IAAD can bind to matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP2), and myeloperoxidase (MPO). CONCLUSION: Indole-3-aldehyde can induce cell apoptosis and inhibit cell proliferation to prevent the occurrence of CRC; however, at high concentrations (≥ 25 µmol/L), it can also promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and invasion in CRC cells. IAAD activates AhR and directly binds MMP9, ACE, PARP1, MMP2, and MPO, which partly reveals why it has a bidirectional effect.

Avoiding misdiagnosis of multilocular thymic cysts as malignant tumors on computer tomography.

This editorial provides insights from a case report by Sun et al published in the World Journal of Clinical Cases. The case report focuses on a case where a multilocular thymic cyst (MTC) was misdiagnosed as a thymic tumor, resulting in an unnecessary surgical procedure. Both MTCs and thymic tumors are rare conditions that heavily rely on radiological imaging for accurate diagnosis. However, the similarity in their imaging presentations can lead to misinterpretation, resulting in unnecessary surgical procedures. Due to the ongoing lack of comprehensive knowledge about MTCs and thymic tumors, we offer a summary of diagnostic techniques documented in recent literature and examine potential causes of misdiagnosis. When computer tomography (CT) values surpass 20 Hounsfield units and display comparable morphology, there is a risk of misdiagnosing MTCs as thymic tumors. Employing various differential diagnostic methods like biopsy, molecular biology, multi-slice CT, CT functional imaging, positron emission tomography/CT molecular functional imaging, magnetic resonance imaging and radiomics, proves advantageous in reducing clinical misdiagnosis. A deeper understanding of these conditions requires increased attention and exploration by healthcare providers. Moreover, the continued advancement and utilization of various diagnostic methods are expected to enhance precise diagnoses, provide appropriate treatment options, and improve the quality of life for patients with thymic tumors and MTCs in the future.

Analysis of the Variation in Antioxidant Activity and Chemical Composition upon the Repeated Thermal Treatment of the By-Product of the Red Ginseng Manufacturing Process.

Steamed ginseng water (SGW) is a by-product of the repeated thermal processing of red ginseng, which is characterized by a high bioactive content, better skin care activity, and a large output. However, its value has been ignored, resulting in environmental pollution and resource waste. In this study, UHPLC-Q-Exactive-MS/MS liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and multivariate statistical analysis were conducted to characterize the compositional features of the repeated thermal-treated SGW. The antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and OH) and chemical composition (total sugars, total saponins, and reducing and non-reducing sugars) were comprehensively evaluated based on the entropy weighting method. Four comparison groups (groups 1 and 3, groups 1 and 5, groups 1 and 7, and groups 1 and 9) were screened for 37 important common difference markers using OPLS-DA analysis. The entropy weight method was used to analyze the weights of the indicators; the seventh SGW sample was reported to have a significant weight. The results of this study suggest that heat treatment time and frequency can be an important indicator value for the quality control of SGW cycling operations, which have great potential in antioxidant products.

Intensive Versus Moderate Statin-Based Therapies in Patients With Mild Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Multicenter Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Statins are widely used for treating patients with ischemic stroke at risk of secondary cerebrovascular events. It is unknown whether Asian populations benefit from more intensive statin-based therapy for stroke recurrence. Therefore, in the present study we evaluated the effectiveness and safety of high-dose and moderate-dose statins for patients who had experienced mild ischemic stroke during the acute period. METHODS AND RESULTS: This multicenter prospective study included patients with mild ischemic stroke who presented within 72 hours of symptom onset. The outcomes of patients in the high-intensity and moderate-intensity statin treatment groups were compared, with the main efficacy outcome being stroke recurrence and the primary safety end point being intracranial hemorrhage. The propensity score matching method was employed to control for imbalances in baseline variables. Subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate group differences. In total, the data of 2950 patients were analyzed at 3 months, and the data of 2764 patients were analyzed at 12 months due to loss to follow-up. According to the multivariable Cox analyses adjusted for potential confounders, stroke recurrence occurred similarly in the high-intensity statin and moderate-intensity statin groups (3 months: adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.12 [95% CI, 0.85-1.49]; P=0.424; 12 months: adjusted HR, 1.08 [95% CI, 0.86-1.34]; P=0.519). High-intensity statin therapy was associated with an increased risk of intracranial hemorrhage (3 months: adjusted HR, 1.81 [95% CI, 1.00-3.25]; P=0.048; 12 months: adjusted HR, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.10-3.16]; P=0.021). The results from the propensity score-matched analyses were consistent with those from the Cox proportional hazards analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with moderate-intensity statin therapy, high-dose statin therapy may not decrease the risk of mild, noncardiogenic ischemic stroke recurrence but may increase the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. REGISTRATION: URL: www.chictr.org.cn/. Unique Identifier: ChiCTR1900025214.

Unraveling the mechanism of malancao in treating ulcerative colitis: A multi-omics approach.

BACKGROUND: Malancao (MLC) is a traditional Chinese medicine with a long history of utilization in treating ulcerative colitis (UC). Nevertheless, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying its efficacy remain elusive. This study leveraged ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with exactive mass spectrometry (UHPLC-QE-MS), network pharmacology, molecular docking (MD), and gene microarray analysis to discern the bioactive constituents and the potential mechanism of action of MLC in UC management. AIM: To determine the ingredients related to MLC for treatment of UC using multiple databases to obtain potential targets for fishing. METHODS: This research employs UHPLC-QE-MS for the identification of bioactive compounds present in MLC plant samples. Furthermore, the study integrates the identified MLC compound-related targets with publicly available databases to elucidate common drug disease targets. Additionally, the R programming language is utilized to predict the central targets and molecular pathways that MLC may impact in the treatment of UC. Finally, MD are conducted using AutoDock Vina software to assess the affinity of bioactive components to the main targets and confirm their therapeutic potential. RESULTS: Firstly, through a comprehensive analysis of UHPLC-QE-MS data and public database resources, we identified 146 drug-disease cross targets related to 11 bioactive components. The Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis highlighted that common disease drug targets are primarily involved in oxidative stress management, lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, and other processes. They also affect AGE-RAGE and apoptosis signaling pathways. Secondly, by analyzing the differences in diseases, we identified key research targets. These core targets are related to 11 active substances, including active ingredients such as quercetin and luteolin. Finally, MD analysis revealed the stability of compound-protein binding, particularly between JUN-Luteolin, JUN-Quercetin, HSP90AA1-Wogonin, and HSP90AA1-Rhein. Therefore, this suggests that MLC may help alleviate intestinal inflammation in UC, restore abnormal lipid accumulation, and regulate the expression levels of core proteins in the intestine. CONCLUSION: The utilization of MLC has demonstrated notable therapeutic efficacy in the management of UC by means of the compound target interaction pathway. The amalgamation of botanical resources, metabolomics, natural products, MD, and gene chip technology presents a propitious methodology for investigating therapeutic targets of herbal medicines and discerning novel bioactive constituents.

Broadband chaos of an interband cascade laser with a 6-GHz bandwidth.

Near-infrared semiconductor lasers subject to optical feedback usually produce chaos with a broad bandwidth of a few GHz. However, the reported mid-infrared interband cascade lasers (ICLs) only show chaos with a limited bandwidth below 1 GHz. Here we show that an ICL with optical feedback is able to generate broadband chaos as well. The mid-infrared chaos exhibits a remarkable bandwidth of about 6 GHz, which is comparable to that of the near-infrared counterpart. In addition, the spectral coverage in the electrical domain reaches as high as 17.7 GHz. It is found that the chaos bandwidth generally broadens with increasing feedback ratio and/or increasing pump current of the laser, while it is insensitive to the feedback length.

Efficacy and Safety of Xylitol Nasal Irrigation after Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Xylitol is considered a naturally occurring antibacterial agent. It is generally believed to enhance the body's own innate bactericidal mechanisms. It also provides anti-adhesive effects against both Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenza. This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of xylitol nasal irrigation in the postoperative care of functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Patients with chronic rhinosinusitis who received FESS were recruited and randomly assigned to two groups at one month post-surgery. Thirty-five patients in the xylitol group received 400 mL of 5% xylitol nasal irrigation daily for 2 months, while another 35 in the normal saline (NS) group received 400 mL of NS nasal irrigation daily for 2 months. Prior to FESS, as well as before and after nasal irrigation, sinonasal symptoms were assessed through the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test Questionnaire. The patients also underwent an endoscopic examination while undergoing nasal function tests, and a cytokine measurement of the nasal lavage and a bacterial culture from the middle meatus were performed. The safety of the nasal irrigation was assessed through any self-reported adverse events, the Eustachian Tube Dysfunction Patient Questionnaire and the eustachian tube function test. The endoscopic scores and olfactory threshold significantly decreased after xylitol irrigation when compared with those before irrigation. The prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the nasal secretions also decreased significantly after xylitol irrigation. The amounts of Interleukin-5 and Interleukin-17A were significantly increased in the nasal lavage after xylitol irrigation. No side effects, including those related to eustachian tube function, were seen after nasal irrigation in both groups. Our results showed that xylitol nasal irrigation was both beneficial and safe during the postoperative care of FESS.

Microdeletion on Xq27.1 in a Chinese VACTERL-Like Family with Kidney and Anal Anomalies.

Objective: VATER/VACTERL-like association is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Genetic evidence of this disorder is sporadic. In this study, we aimed to provide genetic insights to improve the diagnosis of VACTERL. Methods: We have described a Chinese family in which four members were affected by renal defects or agenesis, anal atresia, and anovaginal fistula, which is consistent with the diagnosis of a VACTERL-like association. Pedigree and genetic analyses were conducted using genome and exome sequencing. Results: Segregation analysis revealed the presence of a recessive X-linked microdeletion in two living affected individuals, harboring a 196-380 kb microdeletion on Xq27.1, which was identified by familial exome sequencing. Genome sequencing was performed on the affected male, confirming a -196 kb microdeletion in Xq27.1, which included a 28% loss of the CDR-1 gene. Four family members were included in the co-segregation analysis, and only VACTERL-like cases with microdeletions were reported in X27.1. Conclusion: These results suggest that the 196-380 kb microdeletion in Xq27.1 could be a possible cause of the VATER/VACTERL-like association. However, further genetic and functional analyses are required to confirm or rule out genetic background as the definitive cause of the VACTERL association.