Morphological Control of Gold Nanoparticles by Green Synthesis Using L-Tryptophan and Other Additives

This study focuses on shape-controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles, using the green reducing agent L-Tryptophan(L-Trp), which is non-toxic and eco-friendly. This specific agent was investigated to realize certain morphology controlling effects by changing the relative growth rates among various crystal planes. Experimental samples were characterized by transmission electron microscope, UV-Vis spectrophotometer and X-ray diffraction(XRD) for size and morphological information. The effects of the specific additives of PVP((C_6 H_9 NO)_n), CTAB(C_(16)H_(33)(CH_3)_3 NBr), and KBr were examined for their morphological control individually and synergistically in this system. Hexagonal gold nanoparticles were successfully obtained via the PVP/CTAB and PVP/KBr systems. Particular amounts of PVP/KBr produced various polyhedron structures, such as cubes, and others with triangular and rhombic straight-side cross sections.

The assessment of disease activity in patients with Takayasu arteritis by FDG PET-CT

Background It is difficult to assess the disease activity in Takayasu arteritis(TA)patients,and the role of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)-positron emission tomography/computed tomography(PET/CT)to differentiate active and inactive patients have caused controversy.Methods41 TA patients underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT at Fu Wai Hospital from January 2016 to May 2017(36 women and 5 men;median age[34±13]years).

BmCaspase-8-like regulates autophagy by suppressing BmDREDD-mediated cleavage of BmATG6

Autophagy plays an important role in tissue remodeling during insect development.The interplay between autophagy-related(ATG)proteins and caspases regulates the autophagic activity of ATGs,thereby modulating the process of autophagy.Our previous study characterized BmCaspase-8-like(BmCasp8L)as a caspase suppressor that inhibits apoptosis and immune signaling by suppressing the activation of death-related ced-3/Nedd2-like caspase(DREDD),a caspase-8 homolog in silkworm.In this study,we explored the regulatory role of BmCasp8L in autophagy.We found that the expression of Bmcasp8l increased from the late spinning stage to the pupa stage in the posterior silk gland(PSG),correlating with the expression patterns of Bmatg8 and Bmatg6.RNA interference-mediated downregulation of BmCasp8L expression significantly decreased starvation-induced autophagic influx as determined by the levels of BmATG8–phosphatidylethanolamine and the percentage of cells displaying punctate enhanced green fluorescent protein-BmATG8.Conversely,the overexpression of BmCasp8L significantly increased autophagic influx.We also found that BmCasp8L underwent autophagic degradation induced by starvation and that it was colocalized with BmATG8.Lastly,we demonstrated that BmDREDD attenuated autophagy and BmCasp8L suppressed BmDREDD-mediated cleavage of BmATG6.Taken together,our results demonstrated that BmCasp8L is a novel proautophagic molecule which suppresses BmDREDD-mediated cleavage of BmATG6 and is a target for autophagy.

Incidence of Eczema in Early Infancy and the Prenatal Risk Factors—Guangzhou,Guangdong,China,2018–2019

What is already known on this topic?Eczema is a common allergic disease in children,which seriously affects the quality of life of children and their families.What is added by this report?The results showed that the incidence of very-earlyonset eczema was 12.4%.Primiparity was associated with a higher risk of eczema[risk ratio(95%confidence interval):1.23(1.06–1.42)].What are the implications for public health practice?Very-early-onset eczema is common.Given its adverse impact on children’s health and life quality,this previously neglected public health issue needs to be prioritized.In addition,maternal parity could serve as an indicator in risk assessment and prediction for infant eczema.

Assessing the treatment effect of cranberry type A proanthocyanidins on vulvovaginal candidiasis:a randomised controlled clinical interventional study

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cranberry extracts:A-type proanthocyanidins(A-PACs)in the treatment and prevention of vulvovaginal candidiasis(WC).Method An open,randomised,parallel-design study was conducted.A cohort of 300 eligible patients with WC was recruited from the hospital.All participants were randomly divided into three groups according to a computergenerated randomisation list.Patients in group 1 were treated with standard antifungal therapy(oral single-dose fluconazole 150mg and vaginal miconazole suppository 400 mg at bedtime for 3 days);patients in group 2 received oral A-PACs16mLtwo times perdayfor6days basedon the treatment regimen of group 1;patients in group 3 were given oral A-PACs 16 mL two times per day for 6 days and vaginal miconazole suppository 400mg at bedtime for 3 days.Patients who were clinically cured at the seventh day of follow-up in group 2 received maintenance therapy by oral A-PACs for 12 weeks.Result At the seventh day of follow-up,the vaginal mycological results of all patients in group 2 who initially tested positive for pseudohyphae exhibited negative results.The negative conversion rates of fungal spores and blastospores in group 2 were superior to those in both group 1 and group 3.The symptoms of patients in group 2 ameliorated conspicuously compared with those in group 1(p<0.05).The clinical cure rate of VC in both group 2 and group 3 was not inferior to group 1.Cox regression analysis showed maintenance therapy was not significantly associated with short-term recurrence(HR 0.44(0.11,1.67);p=0.23)but could significantly diminish the risk of long-term recurrence(HR 0.57(0.33,0.99);p<0.05).Conclusion This study revealed that A-PACs in cranberry juice combined with azole antibiotics can be used as a novel therapeutic option for the treatment and prevention of long-termrecurrenceof WC.Trial registration number ChiCTR2300076392.

Laparoscopic lateral suspension(Dubuisson)in the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse

Background Currently,the global ageing population is becoming increasingly severe,and the incidence of pelvic organ prolapse(POP)is rising year by year,which seriously impacts the psychosomatic health and the quality of life in female patients.Surgical treatments for POP still face enormous challenges.Methods The aim of this review is to discuss the laparoscopic lateral suspension(LLS)approach to the management of POP.We use MeSH terms for each topic to retrieve relevant literature from the PubMed and Embase databases.Our group reviewed,synthesised and summarised included studies.Results LLS has been widely applied in the treatment of middle pelvic compartment defects.In comparison to sacrocolpopexy(SC),the most significant advantage of LLS is that it avoids dissecting the complex sacral region and possesses simple surgical procedures.But its cure,recurrence,reoperation and complication rates have been widely discussed.Issues regarding its value and its potential equivalence in surgical therapeutic effects compared with SC have gained continuous attention.Conclusions Based on the existing research,LLS demonstrates advantages in the treatment of POP,particularly in cases of middle pelvic compartment defects.However,solely based on current clinical studies,it is premature to establish superiority or inferiority compared with SC.LLS is not yet a substitute for SC.