Structure-based stabilization of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) is a promising strategy for drug discovery. However, this approach has mainly focused on the stabilization of native PPIs, and ...non-native PPIs have received little consideration. Here, we identified a non-native interaction interface on the three-dimensional dimeric structure of the N-terminal domain of the MERS-CoV nucleocapsid protein (MERS-CoV N-NTD). The interface formed a conserved hydrophobic cavity suitable for targeted drug screening. By considering the hydrophobic complementarity during the virtual screening step, we identified 5-benzyloxygramine as a new N protein PPI orthosteric stabilizer that exhibits both antiviral and N-NTD protein-stabilizing activities. X-ray crystallography and small-angle X-ray scattering showed that 5-benzyloxygramine stabilizes the N-NTD dimers through simultaneous hydrophobic interactions with both partners, resulting in abnormal N protein oligomerization that was further confirmed in the cell. This unique approach based on the identification and stabilization of non-native PPIs of N protein could be applied toward drug discovery against CoV diseases.
Abstract Objective To explore the effectiveness of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in treating cartilage degenerative pathology in knee joints. Data Sources Electronic databases, including PubMed and ...Scopus, were searched from the earliest record to September 2013. Study Selection We included single-arm prospective studies, quasi-experimental studies, and randomized controlled trials that used PRP to treat knee chondral degenerative lesions. Eight single-arm studies, 3 quasi-experimental studies, and 5 randomized controlled trials were identified, comprising 1543 participants. Data Extraction We determined effect sizes for the selected studies by extracting changes in functional scales after the interventions and compared the PRP group pooled values with the pretreatment baseline and the groups receiving placebo or hyaluronic acid (HA) injections. Data Synthesis PRP injections in patients with knee degenerative pathology showed continual efficacy for 12 months compared with their pretreatment condition. The effectiveness of PRP was likely better and more prolonged than that of HA. Injection doses ≤2, the use of a single-spinning approach, and lack of additional activators led to an uncertainty in the treatment effects. Patients with lower degrees of cartilage degeneration achieved superior outcomes as opposed to those affected by advanced osteoarthritis. Conclusions PRP application improves function from basal evaluations in patients with knee joint cartilage degenerative pathology and tends to be more effective than HA administration. Discrepancy in the degenerative severity modifies the treatment responses, leading to participants with lower degrees of degeneration benefiting more from PRP injections.
Since the chemical composition of wood is closely related to its mechanical properties, chemical analysis techniques such as near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy provide a reasonable non-destructive ...method for predicting wood strength. In this study, we used NIR spectra with principal component analysis (PCA) to reveal that vacuum hydrothermal (VH) treatment causes degradation of hemicellulose as well as the amorphous region of cellulose, resulting in lower hydroxyl and acetyl group content. These processes increase the crystallinity of the luanta fir wood (Cunninghamia konishii Hayata), which, in turn, effectively increases its compressive strength (σc,max), hardness, and modulus of elasticity (MOE). The PCA results also revealed that the primary factors affecting these properties are the hemicellulose content, hydroxyl groups in the cellulose amorphous region, the wood moisture content, and the relative lignin content. Moreover, the ratios of performance deviation (RPDs) for the σc,max, shear strength (σs,max), hardness, and modulus of rupture (MOR) models were 1.49, 1.24, 1.13, and 2.39, indicating that these models can be used for wood grading (1.0 < RPD < 2.5). Accordingly, NIR can serve as a useful tool for predicting the mechanical properties of VH-treated wood.
This study investigated variations in the chemical compositions and thermal decomposition kinetics of Japanese cedar and beech wood during heat treatment. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and ...nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra revealed that various reactions, such as hemicellulose deacetylation, condensation reactions causing lignin cross-linking, and reductions in cellulose amorphous regions, were carried out during the heat treatment process. In addition, combinations of FTIR spectra and principal component analysis (PCA) succeeded in discriminating the major changes in functional groups of wood at various heat treatment temperatures. On the other hand, the decrease in the storage modulus of wood was more rapid in the presence of oxygen than in an oxygen-free atmosphere during heat treatment. Accordingly, the activation energies of thermal decomposition using Arrhenius model for Japanese cedar and beech were 120.6 and 141.3 kJ/mol under air, respectively, while these values were 124.8 and 150.0 kJ/mol under nitrogen, respectively.
•This study succeeded in discriminating the major changes in functional groups of wood at various heat treatment temperatures.•The thermal decomposition kinetics of wood were measured in single cantilever bending mode by DMA.•Little change was observed in E′ as a function of time at temperatures below 140 °C.•The activation energy of thermal decomposition for Japanese cedar was higher than that for beech.
This study used the luanta fir (Cunninghamia konishii Hayata) wood, one of the most used wood construction and building materials in Taiwan, as specimens to examine the impact of different conditions ...of vacuum hydrothermal (VH) treatment on the physical properties of this wood. A prediction model for these properties was created using a nondestructive spectroscopy technique. The test results revealed that the mass loss, moisture exclusion efficiency, anti-swelling efficiency, color difference, and surface contact angle of the VH-treated wood all increased under increasing heat treatment temperature and time. Moreover, the use of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in creating the prediction model for the physical properties of the VH-treated luanta fir wood revealed that the ratios of performance to deviation (RPD) for mass loss, equilibrium moisture content, and color difference were all above 2.5, indicating a high prediction accuracy. These results suggested that an NIR spectrometer can serve as a useful instrument for the accurate prediction of the physical properties or for controlling the quality of VH-treated wood.
The hydrophilic properties of lignocellulosic materials pose problems when they are used as reinforcement in plastics. The hydrophilicity of lignocelluloses influences its durability and also the ...interfacial adhesion between lignocellulose and polymers. Chemical modification, especially acetylation, has been used successfully to decrease the hydrophilicity and increase the weathering resistance of lignocellulose. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to investigate the natural weathering properties of bamboo plastic composites (BPCs) reinforced with bamboo fibers acetylated to different weight gains (WGs). The results showed that the retention ratios of mechanical properties of acetylated BPCs, especially those containing fibers with a high WG, were significantly improved as compared to the unmodified composite during natural weathering. In addition, the crystallinity of the high-density polyethylene (HDPE) in all BPCs increased after natural weathering for 120–240 days and then leveled off. This result indicates that the chain scission of HDPE mainly occurred during this period, producing shorter and more mobile chains and enabling them to undergo secondary crystallization. Furthermore, the mildew resistance of the acetylated BPCs was higher than that of unmodified composite. These results indicate that the durability and decay resistance of BPCs can be enhanced through acetylation of the bamboo reinforcement.
To explore the effectiveness of suprascapular nerve block (SSNB) at different timing after administration compared with physical therapy, placebo, and intra-articular injections in patients with ...chronic shoulder pain.
Two electronic data sources, PubMed and Scopus, were mainly searched from the earliest record to September 2015.
Eleven randomized controlled trials that compared SSNB with physical therapy, placebo, and intra-articular injections were included, comprising 591 patients.
Patient demographics, regimens for SSNB and intra-articular injections, use of fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance, conjunction with physical therapy, methods of randomization, and measurements of functional change and pain improvement were retrieved. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) of pain relief and functional improvement were calculated 1, 4, and 12 weeks after intervention.
Regarding pain relief, SSNB provided better pain relief for 12 weeks compared with physical therapy (SMD=.75; 95% confidence interval CI, .35-1.14) and placebo injections (SMD=.70; 95% CI, .40-1.00), but was not superior to intra-articular injections. Differences in patient populations and use of pulsed radiofrequency did not cause a significant variation in therapeutic efficacy, but guidance using ultrasound showed consistently better effectiveness than guidance using surface landmarks and fluoroscopy.
This meta-analysis demonstrated the superiority of SSNB to placebo and physical therapy and a similar efficacy of SSNB compared with intra-articular injection for treatment of chronic shoulder pain. Ultrasound was the most preferable guidance tool, and future studies are advised to integrate physical therapy in order to improve the long-term effectiveness of SSNB.
The purpose of this study is to compare the characteristics of wood–plastic composites (WPCs) made of polypropylene (PP) and wood fibers (WFs) from discarded stems, branches, and roots of pomelo ...trees. The results show that the WPCs made of 30–60 mesh WFs from stems have better physical, flexural, and tensile properties than other WPCs. However, the flexural strengths of all WPCs are not only comparable to those of commercial wood–PP composites but also meet the strength requirements of the Chinese National Standard for exterior WPCs. In addition, the color change of WPCs that contained branch WFs was lower than that of WPCs that contained stem or root WFs during the initial stage of the accelerated weathering test, but the surface color parameters of all WPCs were very similar after 500 h of xenon arc accelerated weathering. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs showed many cracks on the surfaces of WPCs after accelerated weathering for 500 h, but their flexural modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity (MOE) values did not differ significantly during weathering. Thus, all the discarded parts of pomelo trees can be used to manufacture WPCs, and there were no significant differences in their weathering properties during 500 h of xenon arc accelerated weathering.
Curcumin is a polyphenol with strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that has been shown to be effective in ameliorating cognitive decline in animal studies. However, its clinical ...effectiveness is inconclusive, and relevant gastrointestinal adverse events (AEs) have been reported. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the existing evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of effects of curcumin on overall cognitive function, individual cognitive domains, and gastrointestinal AE. The study includes 8 RCTs and 389 participants. A random-effects model was used for the meta-analysis. Compared with the placebo group, the curcumin group was associated with an improvement in working memory (Hedges'
= 0.396, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.078 to 0.714,
= 0.015) and a borderline benefit in processing speed (Hedges'
= 0.303, 95% CI = -0.013 to 0.619,
= 0.06). In the domains of language, episodic memory/visual learning, verbal memory, cognitive flexibility/problem solving, and overall cognitive function, no significant difference existed for the comparison between the curcumin and placebo groups. The curcumin group had a significantly higher risk of gastrointestinal AEs than the placebo group (odds ratio = 3.019, 95% CI = 1.118 to 8.150,
= 0.029). In the future, the effects of curcumin on working memory, processing speed, and gastrointestinal AE should be further investigated.
High-temperature vapour-phase acetylation (HTVPA) is a simultaneous acetylation and heat treatment process for wood modification. This study was the first investigation into the impact of HTVPA ...treatment on the resistance of wood to biological degradation. In the termite resistance test, untreated wood exhibited a mass loss (MLsub.t) of 20.3%, while HTVPA-modified wood showed a reduced MLsub.t of 6.6–3.2%, which decreased with an increase in weight percent gain (WPG), and the termite mortality reached 95–100%. Furthermore, after a 12-week decay resistance test against brown-rot fungi (Laetiporus sulfureus and Fomitopsis pinicola), untreated wood exhibited mass loss (MLsub.d) values of 39.6% and 54.5%, respectively, while HTVPA-modified wood exhibited MLsub.d values of 0.2–0.9% and −0.2–0.3%, respectively, with no significant influence from WPG. Similar results were observed in decay resistance tests against white-rot fungi (Lenzites betulina and Trametes versicolor). The results of this study demonstrated that HTVPA treatment not only effectively enhanced the decay resistance of wood but also offered superior enhancement relative to separate heat treatment or acetylation processes. In addition, all the HTVPA-modified wood specimens prepared in this study met the requirements of the CNS 6717 wood preservative standard, with an MLsub.d of less than 3% for decay-resistant materials.
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