•A new TENGs based on PVDF-ZnO NWs/nylon-ZnO NWs was constructed with highly polar crystalline β-phase by electrospinning.•The maximum power density of ZnO NWs incorporated PVDF/nylon 11 ...triboelectric nanogenerator reached as high as 3.0 W/m2.•A potent and sustainable power source for portable electronic devices was demonstrated.
Triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is a novel energy harvester technology which attracted a great deal of attention in the area of self-powering electronic devices due to its high output power density. In this investigation, zinc oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) were incorporated into the electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nylon 11 nanofibers to construct new TENGs based on PVDF-ZnO NWs/nylon-ZnO NWs. This study showed that ZnO NWs were aligned along the fiber axis during electrospinning. The cooperative and mutual alignment of polymer chains with ZnO NWs were also achieved in the fibers because of electrospinning, which promoted formation of the highly polar crystalline β-phase of PVDF and δ’-phase of nylon. The maximum power density of ZnO NWs incorporated PVDF/nylon 11 triboelectric nanogenerator reached as high as 3.0 W/m2 under an external load of 10–20 MΩ. The fabricated TENG with improved output performance can be directly used to lightening of more than 100 LEDs. Incorporation of ZnO NWs also improved both thermal stability and mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and elastic modulus of PVDF and nylon 11 fibrous membranes. This work disclosed a potent and sustainable power source for portable electronic devices.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The cochlear basilar membrane (CBM) contains inner hair cells and outer hair cells that convert sound waves into electrical signals and transmit them to the central auditory system. Cochlear aging, ...the primary reason of age-related hearing loss, can reduce the signal transmission capacity. There is no ideal in vitro aging model of the CBM. In this study, we cultured the CBM, which was dissected from the cochlea of the C57BL/6 mice 5 days after birth, in a medium containing 20 mg/mL, 40 mg/mL, or 60 mg/mL
d
-galactose (
d
-gal). Compared with the control group, the levels of senescence-associated β-galactosidase were increased in a concentration-dependent manner in the CBM of the
d
-gal groups. In addition, levels of the mitochondrial superoxide and patterns of an age-related mitochondrial DNA3860-bp deletion were significantly increased. The ATP levels and the membrane potential of the mitochondrial were significantly decreased in the CBM of the D-gal groups compared with the control group. Furthermore, in comparison with the control group, damaged hair cell stereocilia and a loss of inner hair cell ribbon synapses were observed in the CBM of the
d
-gal groups. A loss of hair cells and activation of caspase-3-mediated outer hair cell apoptosis were also observed in the CBM of the high-dose
d
-gal group. These insults induced by D-gal in the CBM in vitro were similar to the ones that occur in cochlear natural aging in vivo. Thus, we believe that this is a successful in vitro aging model using cultured CBM. These results demonstrate the effects of mitochondrial oxidative damage on presbycusis and provide a reliable aging model to study the mechanisms of presbycusis in vitro.
To report long‐term results of a randomized controlled trial that compared cisplatin/fluorouracil/docetaxel (TPF) induction chemotherapy (IC) plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with CCRT alone ...in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Patients with stage III–IVB (except T3–4 N0) NPC were randomly assigned to receive IC plus CCRT (n = 241) or CCRT alone (n = 239). IC included three cycles of docetaxel (60 mg/m2 d1), cisplatin (60 mg/m2 d1), and fluorouracil (600 mg/m2/d civ d1–5) every 3 weeks. Patients from both groups received intensity‐modulated radiotherapy concurrently with three cycles of 100 mg/m2 cisplatin every 3 weeks. After a median follow‐up of 71.5 months, the IC plus CCRT group showed significantly better 5‐year failure‐free survival (FFS, 77.4% vs. 66.4%, p = 0.019), overall survival (OS, 85.6% vs. 77.7%, p = 0.042), distant failure‐free survival (88% vs. 79.8%, p = 0.030), and locoregional failure‐free survival (90.7% vs. 83.8%, p = 0.044) compared to the CCRT alone group. Post hoc subgroup analyses revealed that beneficial effects on FFS were primarily observed in patients with N1, stage IVA, pretreatment lactate dehydrogenase ≥170 U/l, or pretreatment plasma Epstein–Barr virus DNA ≥6000 copies/mL. Two nomograms were further developed to predict the potential FFS and OS benefit of TPF IC. The incidence of grade 3 or 4 late toxicities was 8.8% (21/239) in the IC plus CCRT group and 9.2% (22/238) in the CCRT alone group. Long‐term follow‐up confirmed that TPF IC plus CCRT significantly improved survival in locoregionally advanced NPC with no marked increase in late toxicities and could be an option of treatment for these patients.
What's new?
Despite advances in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, approximately 30% of high‐risk patients experience recurrence after treatment. Here the authors find that combining the conventional chemoradiotherapy with a triple induction chemotherapy (cisplatin/fluorouracil/docetaxel) prolonged survival of patients with locoregionally advanced cancer, even after more than 70 months of follow‐up. The combination treatment increased acute, but not late, toxicities, and the authors propose that it could present a new treatment option for this patient group.
Full text
Available for:
BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Alpha-1,3-mannosyltransferase (ALG3) is an oncoprotein associated with multiple malignancies. We aimed to investigate the role and potential mechanisms of ALG3 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
...We detected the expressions of ALG3 in NSCLC tissues and adjacent tissues by RT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Chi-square test was used to analyze the correlation between ALG3 expression and pathological paremeters. Then we used shRNA to construct a low expression model of ALG3 in NCI-H292 and NCI-H460. CCK-8 assay and transwell assay were then performed to monitor the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. Western blot was to detect the expression of EMT-related indicators. Further, the interaction of miR-98-5p with ALG3 was verified by luciferase reporter assay.
The expression of ALG3 in NSCLC tissues was higher than that in normal tissues, and the increase in ALG3 expression was significantly associated with higher T stage, lymph node metastasis, and poor tissue differentiation. Patients with high ALG3 expression had a worse prognosis. ALG3 knockdown inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC cells. In addition, the knockdown of ALG3 resulted in increased expression of EMT-related protein E-cadherin, while N-cadherin and Vimentin expression was decreased. Dual luciferase assay confirmed that miR-98-5p can specifically bind to the 3′UTR of ALG3 and reduces its expression and activity.
ALG3 can promote the progression of NSCLC and is negatively regulated by miR-98-5p.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPUK, ZRSKP
HMGB1 usually serves as a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) molecule (also known as alarmin) that regulates the inflammatory and immune responses via different receptors or direct uptake. ...Numerous studies have reported the association between HMGB1 and inflammatory diseases; however, its role in temporomandibular joint (TMJ) osteoarthritis (OA) has not been elucidated. In this retrospective study, we aimed to investigate HMGB1 levels in the synovial fluid (SF) in patients with TMJOA and TMID, their correlation with TMJOA and TMID severity, and the therapeutic effect of sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid, HA) on TMJOA.
SF samples were analyzed for 30 patients with TMJ internal derangement (TMJID) and TMJOA, along with visual analog scale (VAS) scores, radiographic stages, and mandibular functional limitations. The SF levels of HMGB1, IL-1β, IL-18, PGE2, RAGE, TLR4, and iNOS were determined via an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. To evaluate the therapeutic effects of HA, pre-treatment and post-treatment clinical symptoms were also compared in patients of the TMJOA group who had received an intra-articular injection of HA.
VAS and Jaw Functional Limitation Scale (JFLS) scores were significantly higher in the TMJOA group than in the TMNID group, as were SF levels of HMGB1, TLR4, IL-1β, IL-18, PGE2, and iNOS. The synovial HMGB1 level was positively correlated with the VAS score (r = 0.5512, p = 0.0016) and mandibular functional limitations (r = 0.4684, p = 0.0054). The cut-off value for the HMGB1 level as a diagnostic biomarker was 986.8 pg/ml. The SF level of HMGB1 yielded an area under the curve value (AUC) of 0.8344 for predicting TMJOA. HA alleviated TMJ disorders by significantly reducing the VAS score and improving the maximum extent of mouth opening in both the TMJID and TMJOA groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, patients in both the TMJID and TMJOA groups exhibited significant improvement in the JFLS score following HA treatment.
Our results indicate that HMGB1 is a potential marker for predicting the severity of TMJOA. Intra-articular HA injection exerts a positive therapeutic effect on TMJOA; however, further investigations are warranted to validate its therapeutic effect in the late phase of visco-supplementation treatment.
Full text
Available for:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
Precipitation predictions during the flood season are critical and imperative on continents, especially in monsoon-impacted areas. However, majority of current dynamical models failed to predict the ...flood-season rainfall very well, although their simulations are high correct. In this study, based on the EOF decomposition of multi-factors field, we used a similar-error correction method to improve model prediction effect, which we call dynamic–statistic combined prediction method. Chinese Global atmosphere-ocean Coupled Model/Climate System Model was combined with dynamic–statistic combined prediction method as a case and the real-time prediction during 2009-2019 were implemented. The spatial anomaly correlation coefficient between predicted and observed values was used to assess the effectiveness of the improvement. The results show that the average anomaly correlation coefficient scores of dynamic–statistic combined prediction method (0.16) is 0.12 higher than that of Chinese Global atmosphere-ocean Coupled Model/Climate System Model (0.04), implying that dynamic–statistic combined prediction method has a broad application prospects in precipitation prediction. We suggest that dynamic–statistic combined prediction method should be promoted to other models for testing.
Full text
Available for:
GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Mucormycosis is a type of fatal infectious disease, rarely involved in the oromaxillofacial region. This study aimed to describe a series of 7 cases with oromaxillofacial mucormycosis and to discuss ...the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment algorithm thereof.
Seven patients in the author's affiliation have been treated. They were assessed and presented as per their diagnostic criteria, surgical approach, and mortality rates. Reported cases of mucormycosis originally happened in craniomaxillofacial region were synthesized through a systematic review so as to better discuss its pathogenesis, epidemiology, and management.
Six patients had a primary metabolic disorder, and one immunocompromised patient had a history of aplastic anemia. The criteria for a positive diagnosis of invasive mucormycosis were based on clinical presentation of signs and symptoms, and a biopsy for microbiological culture and histopathologic analysis. Each patient used antifungal drugs and five of them also underwent surgical resection at the same time. Four patients died due to the unregulated spread of mucormycosis, and one patient died owing to her main disease.
Although uncommon in clinical practice setting, mucormycosis should be of great concern in oral and maxillofacial surgery, due to the life-threatening possibility of this disease. The knowledge of early diagnosis and prompt treatment is of utmost importance for saving lives.
The present study involved building a model of immune-related genes (IRGs) that can predict the survival outcomes of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC). Using the TCGA database, we collected the ...gene expression profiles of patients with TSCC and analyzed the differences in IRGs obtained from the ImmPort database. Subsequently, we constructed a predictive model. Transcription factors and differentially expressed IRGs can be used to construct TSCC regulatory network. CIBERSORT tool was used to analyze the relative proportion of 22 tumor-infiltrating immune cells in TSCC samples. Finally, a prognostic model is constructed. We established an IRG model formed by seven genes. The receiver operating characteristic value of the prognostic model based on IRGs is 0.739. After the analysis of the correlation between IRGs and clinical and pathological conditions, we found that Gast was related to grade, IRF9, LTB, and T stage. Among the 22 tumor-infiltrating immune cells, the resting natural killer (NK) cells were found to be related to the 5-year survival rate. This study constructed a prognostic model formed by seven IRGs and discussed the tumor-infiltrating immune cells, which are related to the survival outcome, reflecting the potential regulatory role of TSCC tumor immune microenvironment that could potentially promote individualized treatment.
Objective To investigate the effect of fluid flow shear stress (FFSS) on the fluid mechanic threshold of high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) release by synovial cells and chondrocytes. Moreover, the ...mechanism of chondrocyte and synovial cell damage induced by abnormal mechanical force was investigated to provide an experimental basis for exploring the pathogenesis and pathology of temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis. Methods With the approval of the Ethics Committee for Animal Experiments of the hospital, synovial tissue and cartilage tissue blocks were obtained from the knee joints of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats, and synovial cells and chondrocytes were cultured and digested for subsequent experiments. Synovial cells and chondrocytes of 3-4 generations were acquired, and FFSS was applied to synovial and cartilage cells using a fluid shear mechanical device. The cells were divided according to the FFSS values of different sizes. Synovial cells were stimulated for 1 h with 1, 3, 5, or 10 dyn/cm2 of FFSS, and cho
Sponge gourd is a versatile vegetable that can be used as a household cleaning product, industrial material and medicine, and possesses anti-human immunodeficiency virus activity. In the current ...study, a large dataset composed of 77,858 unigenes derived from the sponge gourd transcriptome was assembled. Of all unigenes, 52,113 (66.93 %) had significant similarity to known proteins from NCBI non-redundant, Swiss-Prot, Clusters of Orthologous Group and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases. Based on these generated sequences, we identified 12,932 putative simple sequence repeats (SSRs) and successfully designed 8,523 high-quality SSR primer pairs. Six hundred and forty-one primer pairs were randomly selected to be verified among S1174 Luffa acutangula (L.) Roxb., 93075 L. cylindrica (L.) Roem. and their hybrid F1. The result showed that 494 (77.07 %) exhibited successful amplification, of which 201 (40.69 %) revealed polymorphism between S1174 and 93075. Fifty polymorphic expressed sequence tag (EST)-SSRs were used to genotype 60 sponge gourd accessions. Cluster analysis revealed two major clusters, one comprising 42 accessions of L. acutangula and the other 18 accessions belonging to L. cylindrica. Transferability of the 77 polymorphic EST-SSR markers was investigated in six other cucurbits: pumpkin, cucumber, wax gourd, bitter gourd, bottle gourd and chieh-qua, and the percentage of cross-genus amplification was 85.90, 83.33, 83.33, 79.49, 75.64 and 74.36 %, respectively. This indicated that EST-SSRs in sponge gourd could well be applied to other cucurbits. These transcriptome shotgun assembly sequences and EST-SSR data are of great value for the discovery of novel genes and for marker-assisted selection in sponge gourd.
PDF
