(1) Background: Asians tend to have a regressive midface. Midface augmentation is an effective treatment, and various materials have been used as fillers for this purpose. Bio-Oss bone powder has a ...strong positive effect on promoting new bone regeneration, and has been used in the dental field for over 30 years. However, it has not been used and reported as a filler in midface augmentation. (2) Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of midface augmentation using Bio-Oss bone powder in treating midface retrusion and resulting nasolabial folds, and to develop a predictive model for patient satisfaction. (3) Methods: 85 patients underwent midface augmentation through an intraoral approach with Bio-Oss. Treatment efficacy was assessed by blinded investigators. The data on safety were collected from patient interviews at each follow-up visit. A questionnaire was used for investigating patient satisfaction. The influencing factors of satisfaction were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analysis. A nomogram to predict the risk of dissatisfaction was built based on significant factors with R software. Results: Compared to baseline, there was a significant improvement (
< 0.001) in Wrinkle Severity (4) Rating Scale scores at week 24, with a mean decrease of 0.52 ± 0.57. The aesthetic improvement rate evaluated by the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale was 92.9%. Four mild treatment-related adverse events were noted. The majority of patients were satisfied overall. A nomogram with good prediction performance was plotted. (5) Conclusions: This new procedure yielded safe and satisfactory aesthetic results. A nomogram with good test performance and discriminative ability was established for predicting patient satisfaction.
Recently, we reported the co-transcriptional formation of DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplex (HQ) structure by the non-template DNA strand and nascent RNA transcript, which in turn modulates transcription ...under both in vitro and in vivo conditions. Here we present bioinformatic analysis on putative HQ-forming sequences (PHQS) in the genomes of eukaryotic organisms. Starting from amphibian, PHQS motifs are concentrated in the immediate 1000-nt region downstream of transcription start sites, implying their potential role in transcription regulation. Moreover, their occurrence shows a strong bias toward the non-template versus the template strand. PHQS has become constitutional in genes in warm-blooded animals, and the magnitude of the strand bias correlates with the ability of PHQS to form HQ, suggesting a selection based on HQ formation. This strand bias is reversed in lower species, implying that the selection of PHQS/HQ depended on the living temperature of the organisms. In comparison with the putative intramolecular G-quadruplex-forming sequences (PQS), PHQS motifs are far more prevalent and abundant in the transcribed regions, making them the dominant candidates in the formation of G-quadruplexes in transcription. Collectively, these results suggest that the HQ structures are evolutionally selected to function in transcription and other transcription-mediated processes that involve guanine-rich non-template strand.
The parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) leads to capacity fade of aqueous redox flow batteries. In addition, the evolved hydrogen gas bubbles stagnating inside the porous electrode may block ...the flow of electrolyte, increase the flow resistance, and reduce the battery performance. By precisely controlling the HER and electrolyte flow rates, we explore the impact of the mA cm−2 scale HER on the relative permeability of HCl-based aqueous electrolyte flowing through a carbon felt electrode. Experimental results show that the HER with a current density of 2 mA cm−2 reduces the quasi-steady two-phase flow relative permeability in the negative half-cell from 1.0 to 0.84, even at a high electrolyte flow velocity of 16 mm s−1. With an ultrasonic gas sensor, the delay of gas release out of the cell from the beginning of HER has been measured. After the halt of HER, the recovery of the liquid permeability lasts for more than an hour if the electrolyte velocity is maintained at 8 mm s−1. Moreover, significant instability of pressure drop is observed at a low electrolyte velocity of 2 mm s−1.
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•The rate of mA cm−2 scale hydrogen evolution is controlled in a redox flow battery.•Hydrogen evolution induced blockage of electrolyte flow is quantified.•The electrolyte flow becomes unstable at low velocity.•Slow recovery of electrolyte permeability is observed after hydrogen evolution ceasing.
Menthae Haplocalycis Herba has been utilized for food and medicinal purposes in China for thousands of years. It has various efficacies, including dispelling wind and heat and relieving sore throat. ...M. Haplocalycis Herba has been also widely used in food, cosmetics, spices, and other fields. Exploring the constituents and detecting the metabolites of M. Haplocalycis are of great significance to clarify the effective substances. However, the in vivo metabolites of M. Haplocalycis Herba water extract are still unclear. Herein, a sensitive and specific method, ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography with linear ion trap‐Orbitrap mass spectrometry, established in this assay was used to study the metabolism of M. Haplocalycis Herba water extract in rat plasma, urine, and feces. We characterized and identified 9, 50, and 34 metabolites in plasma, urine, and feces, respectively. Seven metabolic pathways, including phase Ⅰ (isomerization, demethylation, hydroxylation, and dehydration) and phase Ⅱ (sulfation and glucuronidation) were mainly involved in the metabolism. It is the first systematic study on the metabolism of M. Haplocalycis Herba water extract in vivo, which enrich current understanding of the metabolic behavior of M. Haplocalycis Herba water extract and provide a metabolic rationale for further in‐depth in vivo biotransformation and pharmacokinetic analysis.
A dual-functional peptide-PNA (peptide nucleic acid) conjugate consisting of a PNA G3-tract and an RHAU23 peptide is devised to target nucleic acids bearing three tandem guanine tracts (G-tracts). ...The PNA G3-tract joins the three G-tracts to form a stable bimolecular G-quadruplex (G4) and the resulting G4 is then bound by the RHAU23 moiety to form an extra stable G4-peptide complex. Owing to this synergistic dual structural enforcement, the conjugate accomplished extremely high selectivity and nM to sub-nM affinities towards its targets that are up to 1000 times greater than the small molecule G4 ligands. As a result, the conjugate impacts the tracking activity of motor proteins on DNA with superior selectivity and potency that are rarely seen in other G4-targeting approaches.
The synergy between two recognizing units in a bi-functional peptide-PNA G-tract conjugate recognizes a three guanine-tracts motif to form an extra stable bimolecular complex, resulting in highly potent and selective interference to DNA metabolism.
Human mitochondrial DNA contains a distinctive guanine-rich motif denoted conserved sequence block II (CSB II) that stops RNA transcription, producing prematurely terminated transcripts to prime ...mitochondrial DNA replication. Recently, we reported a general phenomenon that DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplexes (HQs) readily form during transcription when the non-template DNA strand is guanine-rich and such HQs in turn regulate transcription. In this work, we show that transcription of mitochondrial DNA leads to the formation of a stable HQ or alternatively an unstable intramolecular DNA G-quadruplex (DQ) at the CSB II. The HQ is the dominant species and contributes to the majority of the premature transcription termination. Manipulating the stability of the DQ has little effect on the termination even in the absence of HQ; however, abolishing the formation of HQs by preventing the participation of either DNA or RNA abolishes the vast majority of the termination. These results demonstrate that the type of G-quadruplexes (HQ or DQ) is a crucial determinant in directing the transcription termination at the CSB II and suggest a potential functionality of the co-transcriptionally formed HQ in DNA replication initiation. They also suggest that the competition/conversion between an HQ and a DQ may regulate the function of a G-quadruplex-forming sequence.
Surface plasmons with ultrasmall optical mode volume and strong near field enhancement can be used to realize nanoscale light-matter interaction. Combining surface plasmons with the quantum system ...provides the possibility of nanoscale realization of important quantum optical phenomena, including the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT), which has many applications in nonlinear quantum optics and quantum information processing. Here, using a custom-designed resonant plasmon nanocavity, we demonstrate polarized position-dependent linewidth-controllable EIT spectra at the nanoscale. We analytically obtain the double coherent population trapping conditions in a double-Λ quantum system with crossing damping, which give two transparent points in the EIT spectra. The linewidths of the three peaks are extremely sensitive to the level spacing of the excited states, the Rabi frequencies and detunings of pump fields, and the Purcell factors. In particular the linewidth of the central peak is exceptionally narrow. The hybrid system may have potential applications in ultra-compact plasmon-quantum devices.
•YTHDF2 knockdown suppresses the growth of cervical cancer cells and tumor stemness while also promoting apoptosis.•Induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress is the cause of YTHDF2 knockdown-induced ...suppression of tumor stemness and promotion of apoptosis.•The activation of the JNK pathway through up-regulation of GLI2 expression is responsible for YTHDF2 knockdown-induced promotion of endoplasmic reticulum stress.•YTHDF2 regulates the expression of GLI2 by targeting the 3′UTR of GLI2 mRNA. Additionally, phosphorylated JNK promotes the upregulation of GLI2 expression.
Cervical cancer ranks fourth in women in terms of incidence and mortality. The RNA-binding protein YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA-binding protein F2 (YTHDF2) contributes to cancer progression by incompletely understood mechanisms. We show how YTHDF2 controls the fate of cervical cancer cells and whether YTHDF2 could be a valid target for the therapy of cervical cancer. Sphere formation and alkaline phosphatase staining assays were performed to evaluate tumor stemness of cervical cancer cells following YTHDF2 knockdown. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL assay. The compounds 4PBA and SP600125 were used to investigate the correlation between JNK, endoplasmic reticulum stress, tumor stemness, and apoptosis. Data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) revealed that GLI family zinc finger 2 (GLI2) might be the target of YTHDF2. The transcription inhibitor actinomycin D and dual-luciferase reporter gene assays were employed to investigate the association between the GLI2 mRNA and YTHDF2. Nude mouse xenografts were generated to assess the effects of YTHDF2 knockdown on cervical cancer growth in vivo. Knockdown of YTHDF2 up-regulated the expression of GLI2, leading to JNK phosphorylation and endoplasmic reticulum stress. These processes inhibited the proliferation of cervical cancer cells and their tumor cell stemness and promotion of apoptosis. In conclusion, the knockdown of YTHDF2 significantly affects the progression of cervical cancer cells, making it a potential target for treating cervical cancer.
Copper ferrite （CuFe204） nanoparticles catalyzed room temperature multicomponent reaction of aliphatic amines, formaldehyde, arylboronic acids and alkynyl carboxylic acids was reported for the ...synthesis of diverse propargylamines with good to excellent yields. The catalyst can be magnetically recovered and reused at least five times without significant loss of activity.
Gastrodin (GAS), the main phenolic glycoside extracted from
Blume, exhibited potential neuroprotective properties. Here we examined the protective effects of GAS against lead(Pb)-induced nerve injury ...in mice, and explores its underlying mechanisms. Our research findings revealed that GAS improved behavioral deficits in Pb-exposed mice. GAS reduced the accumulation of p-tau and amyloid-beta (Aβ). GAS inhibited Pb-induced inflammation in the brain, as indicated by the decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). GAS increased the expression levels of NR2A and neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). GAS inhibited Pb-induced apoptosis of neurons in hippocampus tissue, as indicated by the decreased levels of pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects of GAS were associated with inhibiting oxidative stress by modulating nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)-mediated antioxidant signaling. GAS supplement activated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and reduced the expression of Wnt inhibitor Dickkopf-1 (Dkk-1). Collectively, this study clarified that GAS exhibited neuroprotective property by anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptosis effects and its ability to regulate the Wnt/Nrf2 pathway.
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