The photocatalytic properties and construction of a WS2/MoS2/CdS heterojunction

The as-prepared WS2/MoS2/CdS composite heterojunction semiconductor exhibited high photocatalytic activity when degrading organic pollutants under visible light illumination.

Efficacy and Toxicity of Alternative Radiation Treatment Schemes for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies: A Collaborative ILROG COVID Era Report

Purpose/Objective(s)

The COVID19 pandemic required radiation oncologists (ROs) to consider shorter treatment courses to minimize patient and staff exposure and conserve healthcare resources. Hematologic ROs adopted hypofractionated radiation therapy (hRT) regimens according to guidelines published by the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group (ILROG). We report for the first time the preliminary efficacy and toxicity of these novel hypofractionated regimens in the treatment of hematologic malignancies.

Materials/Methods

We conducted a multicenter, multinational retrospective study under the direction of the ILROG. All patients receiving hRT according to ILROG guidelines from 1/1/2020 to 8/31/2020 were included. Patient and treatment details were abstracted from separate institutional databases. Toxicity was graded using CTCAE v5.0.

Results

Ninety-three patients from 4 institutions treated with 114 RT courses were included. Patient and treatment details are displayed in Table 1. Median follow up for the cohort was 179 days, and 77 patients (82%) were alive at last follow up. Maximal toxicity experienced by patients included Grade 1 (n = 16), Grade 2 (n = 1) and Grade 3 (n = 1) toxicities. Of 80 sites with response assessment within the RT field, 69% of patients achieved a complete response (n = 55), 20% partial response (n = 16), 9% stable disease (n = 7), and 2% progressive disease (n = 2). No COVID19 infections during or after RT have been documented in this patient cohort.

Conclusion

HRT according to ILROG guidelines resulted in low rates of acute toxicity and reasonable short-term treatment efficacy. Longer follow up and comparison with control groups is needed to draw more definitive conclusions and will be presented at the Annual Meeting.

[Mechanism of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway for mediating anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of chrysin: a protein microarray-based study]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the mechanism of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway for mediating the anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects of chrysin.

METHODS

RAW264.7 cells were treated with different concentrations of chrysin for 24 h, and the changes in cell viability were detected using CCK-8 method. The cells with or without chrysin pretreatment for 2 h were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for different lengths of time, and the related signal molecules were screened using protein chip technique. In cells pretreated with chrysin for 2 h followed by LPS stimulation for 18 h, the release of IL-6, MCP-1 and TNF-α by the cells was detected with ELISA, and NO production was examined using Griess method, and ROS level was determined using DCFH-DA. The effects of chrysin, LPS, and their combination on the mRNA expressions of iNOS and COX-2 were detected using RT-PCR; Western blotting was performed to examine the changes in cellular expressions of p-AKT, p-PRAS40, p-mTOR, mTOR, p-P70S6k, p-S6RP and S6RP following the treatments with LPS, N-Acetyl-L-cysteine, and chrysin, alone or in combinations.

RESULTS

Chrysin below 60 μg/mL did not significantly affect the viability of RAW264.7 cells (P>0.05). Chrysin treatment significantly reduced the release of IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-α and the level of NO (P < 0.01), and inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of iNOS and COX-2 (P < 0.01) in the cells. The results of protein chip screening suggested that LPS could activate the AKT/mTOR pathway, which was significantly inhibited by chrysin pretreatment, and the results were verified by Western blotting (P < 0.01). Chrysin treatment significantly reduced the generation of endogenous ROS, and treatment with N-Acetyl-L-cysteine to eliminate intracellular ROS obviously reduced the expressions of iNOS and COX-2 (P < 0.05) and blocked the AKT/mTOR pathway (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Chrysin can inhibit the synthesis of the upstream signaling molecule ROS to inhibit the activation of AKT/mTOR signaling pathway, regulate the translation process of ribosomes, down-regulate the synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory mediators, and thus produce anti-inflammatory effects.

Double-layer capsule of mesoporous ZnO@SnO2 for sensitive detection of triethylamine

To overcome obstacles such as low response and poor selectivity of pure ZnO and SnO₂ gas sensors, the ZnO@SnO₂ sensor was synthesized by hydrothermal synthesis. The samples were characterized by XRD, XPS, SEM, HRTEM, N₂ adsorption-desorption and other techniques. The results show that ZnO@SnO₂ forms an n-n-type heterostructure and presents a double-layer capsule with a size of 0.5-4 μm. The results show that compared with pure ZnO and SnO₂, the ZnO@SnO₂ sensor exhibits a higher response (138.9) to 50 ppm triethylamine (TEA) at 152°C, which is 19.56 times that of the pure ZnO sensor and 21.7 times that of the SnO₂ sensor. It has a short response/recovery time (11/11 s), excellent selectivity and cycling stability. Compared with other volatile organic compounds or gases, it has higher selectivity for TEA detection.

Publication trends and hotspots in enhanced recovery after surgery: 20-year bibliometric analysis

We evaluated enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) research and used bibliometric analysis to quantitatively and qualitatively predict research hotspots through extracting relevant publications from the core collection of the Web of Science database.

Transparent and Stretchable Graphene Electrode by Intercalation Doping for Epidermal Electrophysiology

Epidermal electronics is regarded as the next-generation technology, and graphene is a promising electrode, which is a key building block of such devices. However, graphene has a tendency to crack at small strains with a rapidly increased resistance upon stretching. Here, to enable graphene applicable in epidermal electronics, we designed a novel graphene structure that is molybdenum chloride (MoCl₅)-intercalated few-layer graphene (Mo-FLG) fabricated in a confined environment. In the case of bilayer graphene (BLG), MoCl₅-intercalated bilayer graphene (Mo-BLG) exhibited a low sheet resistance of 40 Ω/square (sq) at a transmittance of 80%. Due to the self-barrier doping effect, the sheet resistance increased to only 60 Ω/sq after exposing to the atmosphere over 1 month. Transferred onto elastomer substrates, Mo-BLG can work as an electrode up to 80% strain and maintain a high conductivity that is durable over 2000 cycles at 30% strain. This mechano-electrostability is attributed to the special intercalated structure where the intercalated dopants act as lubricants to weaken the layer-layer interaction and allow a certain degree of sliding, as well as electrical crack-connectors to bridge the cracked domains at a high strain. Mo-BLG can be applied as epidermal electrodes to monitor electrophysiological signals such as electrocardiogram (ECG), electrooculogram (EOG), electroencephalography (EEG), and surface electromyogram (sEMG) with high signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) comparable to commercial Ag/AgCl electrode. This is the first demonstration of epidermal electrodes based on intercalation-doped graphene applied in health monitoring, shedding light on the future development of graphene-based epidermal electronics.

Hydrangea-like mesoporous WO3 nanoflowers with crystalline framework for 3-hydroxy-2-butanone sensing

In this study, a simple and efficient strategy for the construction of hydrangea-like mesoporous WO₃ nanoflowers templated using diblock copolymer PS₁₁₉-PtBA₁₂₉ was developed. The nanoflower shows good gas sensing properties, especially for 3-hydroxy-2-butanone (3H-2B), which is the signature metabolite of Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes). Therefore, the gas sensing of 3H-2B by hydrangea-like mesoporous WO₃ nanoflowers can be used to detect L. monocytogenes. In the case of 25 ppm 3H-2B as target gas, the response (R_a/R_g) of the hydrangea-like mesoporous WO₃ nanoflowers at 205 °C is 152, where R_a and R_g are the resistances of the sensing device in air and target gas, respectively, and the response and recovery times at 25 ppm are 25 s and 146 s, respectively. Schematic illustration of the formation of hydrangea-like mesoporous WO₃ nanoflowers and its gas sensing implication.

Kisspeptin treatment induces gonadotropic responses and rescues ovulation in a subset of preclinical models and women with polycystic ovary syndrome

STUDY QUESTION

Can kisspeptin treatment induce gonadotrophin responses and ovulation in preclinical models and anovulatory women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Kisspeptin administration in some anovulatory preclinical models and women with PCOS can stimulate reproductive hormone secretion and ovulation, albeit with incomplete efficacy.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

PCOS is a prevalent, heterogeneous endocrine disorder, characterized by ovulatory dysfunction, hyperandrogenism and deregulated gonadotrophin secretion, in need of improved therapeutic options. Kisspeptins (encoded by Kiss1) are master regulators of the reproductive axis, acting mainly at GnRH neurons, with kisspeptins being an essential drive for gonadotrophin-driven ovarian follicular maturation and ovulation. Altered Kiss1 expression has been found in rodent models of PCOS, although the eventual pathophysiological role of kisspeptins in PCOS remains unknown.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

Gonadotrophin and ovarian/ovulatory responses to kisspeptin-54 (KP-54) were evaluated in three preclinical models of PCOS, generated by androgen exposures at different developmental windows, and a pilot exploratory cohort of anovulatory women with PCOS.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Three models of PCOS were generated by exposure of female rats to androgens at different periods of development: PNA (prenatal androgenization; N = 20), NeNA (neonatal androgenization; N = 20) and PWA (post-weaning androgenization; N = 20). At adulthood (postnatal day 100), rats were subjected to daily treatments with a bolus of KP-54 (100 μg/kg, s.c.) or vehicle for 11 days (N = 10 per model and treatment). On Days 1, 4, 7 and 11, LH and FSH responses were assessed at different time-points within 4 h after KP-54 injection, while ovarian responses, in terms of follicular maturation and ovulation, were measured at the end of the treatment. In addition, hormonal (gonadotrophin, estrogen and inhibin B) and ovulatory responses to repeated KP-54 administration, at doses of 6.4-12.8 nmol/kg, s.c. bd for 21 days, were evaluated in a pilot cohort of anovulatory women (N = 12) diagnosed with PCOS, according to the Rotterdam criteria.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

Deregulated reproductive indices were detected in all PCOS models: PNA, NeNA and PWA. Yet, anovulation was observed only in NeNA and PWA rats. However, while anovulatory NeNA rats displayed significant LH and FSH responses to KP-54 (P < 0.05), which rescued ovulation, PWA rats showed blunted LH secretion after repeated KP-54 injection and failed to ovulate. In women with PCOS, KP-54 resulted in a small rise in LH (P < 0.05), with an equivalent elevation in serum estradiol levels (P < 0.05). Two women showed growth of a dominant follicle with subsequent ovulation, one woman displayed follicle growth but not ovulation and desensitization was observed in another patient. No follicular response was detected in the other women.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

While three different preclinical PCOS models were used in order to capture the heterogeneity of clinical presentations of the syndrome, it must be noted that rat models recapitulate many but not all the features of this condition. Additionally, our pilot study was intended as proof of principle, and the number of participants is low, but the convergent findings in preclinical and clinical studies reinforce the validity of our conclusions.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our first-in-rodent and -human studies demonstrate that KP-54 administration in anovulatory preclinical models and women with PCOS can stimulate reproductive hormone secretion and ovulation, albeit with incomplete efficacy. As our rat models likely reflect the diversity of PCOS phenotypes, our results argue for the need of personalized management of anovulatory dysfunction in women with PCOS, some of whom may benefit from kisspeptin-based treatments.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This work was supported by research agreements between Ferring Research Institute and the Universities of Cordoba and Edinburgh. K.S. was supported by the Wellcome Trust Scottish Translational Medicine and Therapeutics Initiative (STMTI). Some of this work was undertaken in the MRC Centre for Reproductive Health which is funded by the MRC Centre grant MR/N022556/1. M.T.-S. is a member of CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, which is an initiative of Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Dr Mannaerts is an employee of Ferring International PharmaScience Center (Copenhagen, Denmark), and Drs Qi, van Duin and Kohout are employees of the Ferring Research Institute (San Diego, USA). Dr Anderson and Dr Tena-Sempere were recipients of a grant support from the Ferring Research Institute, and Dr Anderson has undertaken consultancy work and received speaker fees outside this study from Merck, IBSA, Roche Diagnostics, NeRRe Therapeutics and Sojournix Inc. Dr Skorupskaite was supported by the Wellcome Trust through the Scottish Translational Medicine and Therapeutics Initiative 102419/Z/13/A. The other authors have no competing interest.

Predictive significance of Charcot-Leyden Crystal mRNA levels in nasal brushing for nasal polyp recurrence

BACKGROUND

Tissue eosinophils have been shown to be associated with polyp recurrence in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). We addressed whether the mRNA levels of Charcot-Leyden Crystal (CLC) in nasal brushing samples, a molecule mainly released from activated eosinophils, could serve as an effective non-invasive biomarker to predict polyp recurrence.

METHODS

A total of 51 patients with CRSwNP completing the postoperative follow-up over a period of 12-18 months were enrolled. Baseline CLC mRNA levels of the nasal brushings collected prior to endoscopic sinus surgery were quantified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Polyp specimens were collected during surgery and were evaluated for inflammatory cells by histopathologic staining. The patients' baseline characteristics were reviewed and analyzed for associations with recurrence. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the predictive factors for polyp recurrence, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were performed to determine their predictive values.

RESULTS

Overall, 25/51(49.02%) patients experienced polyp recurrence during the 12-18 months follow-up. The baseline relative CLC mRNA level in nasal brushing samples was significantly increased in patients with recurrence compared to those without recurrence (p.

GC-MS analysis of volatiles in cinnamon essential oil extracted by different methods

Cinnamon essential oil (CEO) was extracted by three different methods: steam distillation (SD), ultrasound-assisted steam distillation (UASD) and microwave-assisted steam distillation (MASD). The volatiles in CEO were separated and identified by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and the differences in volatiles among the three different methods were further analyzed through principal component analysis. The results showed that 36 individual volatile components were present in the CEO from the three different methods. In general, the numbers of aldehydes, esters, alcohols, terpenes, aromatics and ketones were 6, 3, 7, 17, 2, and 1, respectively. The most abundant volatile component was determined to be cinnamic aldehyde. The content of total cinnamic aldehydes, which determines the price of CEO, was the highest among the three methods in the UASD sample (85.633%). Moreover, the highest yield (8.33‰) of essential oil was extracted by the UASD method. Therefore, UASD was the best way for CEO extraction in this research and was recommended for future industrial applications.