Cholecystokinin and cholecystokinin-A receptor: An attractive treatment strategy for biliary dyskinesia?

Biliary dyskinesia is a relatively common gastrointestinal disease that is increas-ing in incidence as living standards improve.However,its underlying pathogenesis remains unclear,hindering the development of therapeutic drugs.Recently,“Expression and functional study of cholecystokinin-A receptors on the interstitial Cajal-like cells of the guinea pig common bile duct”demonstrated that cholecystokinin(CCK)regulates the contractile function of the common bile duct through interaction with the CCK-A receptor in interstitial Cajal-like cells,contributing to improving the academic understanding of biliary tract dynamics and providing emerging directions for the pathogenesis and clinical management of biliary dyskinesia.This letter provides a brief overview of the role of CCK and CCK-A receptors in biliary dyskinesia from the perspective of animal experiments and clinical studies,and discusses prospects and challenges for the clinical application of CCK and CCK-A receptors as potential therapeutic targets.

Acupuncture accelerates neural regeneration and synaptophysin production after neural stem cells transplantation in mice

BACKGROUND Synaptophysin plays a key role in synaptic development and plasticity of neurons and is closely related to the cognitive process of Alzheimer’s disease(AD)patients.Exogenous neural stem cells(NSCs)improve the damaged nerve function.The effects of Sanjiao acupuncture on cognitive impairment may be related to the regulation of the NSC microenvironment.AIM To explore the anti-dementia mechanism of acupuncture by regulating the NSC microenvironment.METHODS NSCs were isolated from pregnant senescence-accelerated mouse resistant 1(SAMR1)mice,labeled with BrdU,and injected into the hippocampus of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8(SAMP8)mice.Eight-month-old senescence-accelerated mice(SAM)were randomly divided into six groups:SAMR1(RC),SAMP8(PC),sham transplantation(PS),NSC transplantation(PT),NSC transplantation with acupuncture(PTA),and NSC transplantation with nonacupoint acupuncture(PTN).Morris water maze test was used to study the learning and memory ability of mice after NSC transplantation.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunofluorescence were used to observe the histopathological changes and NSC proliferation in mice.A co-culture model of hippocampal slices and NSCs was established in vitro,and the synaptophysin expression in the hippocampal microenvironment of mice was observed by flow cytometry after acupuncture treatment.RESULTS Morris water maze test showed significant cognitive impairment of learning and memory in 8-mo-old SAMP8,which improved in all the NSC transplantation groups.The behavioral change in the PTA group was stronger than those in the other two groups(P<0.05).Histopathologically,the hippocampal structure was clear,the cell arrangement was dense and orderly,and the necrosis of cells in CA1 and CA3 areas was significantly reduced in the PTA group when compared with the PC group.The BrdU-positive proliferating cells were found in NSC hippocampal transplantation groups,and the number increased significantly in the PTA group than in the PT and PTN groups(P<0.05).Flow cytometry showed that after co-culture of NSCs with hippocampal slices in vitro,the synaptophysin expression in the PC group decreased in comparison to the RC group,that in PT,PTA,and PTN groups increased as compared to the PC group,and that in the PTA group increased significantly as compared to the PTN group with acupointrelated specificity(P<0.05).CONCLUSION Acupuncture may promote nerve regeneration and synaptogenesis in SAMP8 mice by regulating the microenvironment of NSC transplantation to improve the nerve activity and promote the recovery of AD-damaged cells.

Combined acupuncture and HuangDiSan treatment affects behavior and synaptophysin levels in the hippocampus of senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 after neural stem cell transplantation

Sanjiao acupuncture and HuangDiSan can promote the proliferation, migration and differentiation of exogenous neural stem cells in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 （SAMP8） mice and can improve learning and memory impairment and behavioral function in dementia-model mice. Thus, we sought to determine whether Sanjiao acupuncture and HuangDiSan can elevate the effect of neural stem cell transplantation in Alzheimer’s disease model mice. Sanjiao acupuncture was used to stimulate Danzhong （CV17）, Zhongwan （CV12）,Qihai （CV6）, bilateral Xuehai （SP10） and bilateral Zusanli （ST36） 15 days before and after implantation of neural stem cells （5 × 10^5） into the hippocampal dentate gyrus of SAMP8 mice. Simultaneously, 0.2 mL HuangDiSan, containing Rehmannia Root and Chinese Angelica,was intragastrically administered. Our results demonstrated that compared with mice undergoing neural stem cell transplantation alone,learning ability was significantly improved and synaptophysin mRNA and protein levels were greatly increased in the hippocampus of mice undergoing both Sanjiao acupuncture and intragastric administration of HuangDiSan. We conclude that the combination of Sanjiao acupuncture and HuangDiSan can effectively improve dementia symptoms in mice, and the mechanism of this action might be related to the regulation of synaptophysin expression.

Prognostic value of circulating tumor cells in esophageal cancer

AIM To perform a meta-analysis of the related studies to assess whether circulating tumor cells(CTCs) can be used as a prognostic marker of esophageal cancer.METHODS Pub Med, Embase, Cochrane Library and references in relevant studies were searched to assess the prognostic relevance of CTCs in patients with esophageal cancer. The primary outcome assessed was overall survival(OS). The meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model, with hazard ratio(HR), risk ratio(RR) and 95% confidence intervals(95%CIs) as effect measures.RESULTS Nine eligible studies were included involving a total of 911 esophageal cancer patients. Overall analyses revealed that CTCs-positivity predicted disease progression(HR = 2.77, 95%CI: 1.75-4.40, P < 0.0001) and reduced OS(HR = 2.67, 95%CI: 1.99-3.58, P < 0.00001). Further subgroup analyses demonstrated that CTCs-positive patients also had poor OS in different subsets. Moreover, CTCs-positivity was also significantly associated with TNM stage(RR = 1.48, 95%CI: 1.07-2.06, P = 0.02) and T stage(RR = 1.44, 95%CI: 1.13-1.84, P = 0.003) in esophageal cancer.CONCLUSION Detection of CTCs at baseline indicates poor prognosis in patients with esophageal cancer. However, this finding relies on data from observational studies and is potentially subject to selection bias. Prospective trials are warranted.

Prognostic value of the lymph node ratio in stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer

The nodal stage of colorectal cancer is based on the number of positive nodes.It is inevitably affected by the number of removed lymph nodes,but lymph node ratio can be unaffected.We investigated the value of lymph node ratio in stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer in this study.The clinicopathologic factors and follow-up data of 145 cases of stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer between January 1998 and December 2008 were analyzed retrospectively.The Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were used to determine the correlation coefficient,the Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze survival,and the Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for multivariate analysis in forward stepwise regression.We found that lymph node ratio was not correlated with the number of removed lymph nodes(r =-0.154,P = 0.065),but it was positively correlated with the number of positive lymph nodes(r = 0.739,P < 0.001) and N stage(r = 0.695,P < 0.001).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that tumor configuration,intestinal obstruction,serum carcinoembryonic antigen(CEA) concentration,T stage,N stage,and lymph node ratio were associated with disease-free survival of patients with stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer(P < 0.05).Multivariate analysis showed that serum CEA concentration,T stage,and lymph node ratio were prognostic factors for disease-free survival(P < 0.05),whereas N stage failed to achieve significance(P = 0.664).We confirmed that lymph node ratio was a prognostic factor in stage Ⅲ colorectal cancer and had a better prognostic value than did N stage.

Neural stem cell therapy for brain disease

Brain diseases, including brain tumors, neurodegenerative disorders, cerebrovasculardiseases, and traumatic brain injuries, are among the major disordersinfluencing human health, currently with no effective therapy. Due to the lowregeneration capacity of neurons, insufficient secretion of neurotrophic factors,and the aggravation of ischemia and hypoxia after nerve injury, irreversible lossof functional neurons and nerve tissue damage occurs. This damage is difficult torepair and regenerate the central nervous system after injury. Neural stem cells(NSCs) are pluripotent stem cells that only exist in the central nervous system.They have good self-renewal potential and ability to differentiate into neurons,astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes and improve the cellular microenvironment.NSC transplantation approaches have been made for various neurodegenerativedisorders based on their regenerative potential. This review summarizes anddiscusses the characteristics of NSCs, and the advantages and effects of NSCs inthe treatment of brain diseases and limitations of NSC transplantation that need tobe addressed for the treatment of brain diseases in the future.

Fungal diversity notes 1611-1716: taxonomic and phylogenetic contributions on fungal genera and species emphasis in south China

This article is the 15th contribution in the Fungal Diversity Notes series,wherein 115 taxa from three phyla,nine classes,28 orders,48 families,and 64 genera are treated.Fungal taxa described and illustrated in the present study include a new family,five new genera,61 new species,five new combinations,one synonym,one new variety and 31 records on new hosts or new geographical distributions.Ageratinicolaceae fam.nov.is introduced and accommodated in Pleosporales.The new genera introduced in this study are Ageratinicola,Kevinia,Pseudomultiseptospora(Parabambusicolaceae),Marasmiellomycena,and Vizzinia(Porotheleaceae).Newly described species are Abrothallus altoandinus,Ageratinicola kunmingensis,Allocryptovalsa aceris,Allophoma yuccae,Apiospora cannae,A.elliptica,A.pallidesporae,Boeremia wisteriae,Calycina papaeana,Clypeo-coccum lichenostigmoides,Coniochaeta riskali-shoyakubovii,Cryphonectria kunmingensis,Diaporthe angustiapiculata,D.campylandrae,D.longipapillata,Diatrypella guangdongense,Dothiorella franceschinii,Endocalyx phoenicis,Epicoc-cum terminosporum,Fulvifomes karaiensis,F.pannaensis,Ganoderma ghatensis,Hysterobrevium baoshanense,Inocybe avellaneorosea,I.lucida,Jahnula oblonga,Kevinia lignicola,Kirschsteiniothelia guangdongensis,Laboulbenia caprina,L.clavulata,L.cobiae,L.cosmodisci,L.nilotica,L.omalii,L.robusta,L.similis,L.stigmatophora,Laccaria rubriporus,Lasiodiplodia morindae,Lyophyllum agnijum,Marasmiellomycena pseudoomphaliiformis,Melomastia beihaiensis,Nemania guangdongensis,Nigrograna thailandica,Nigrospora ficuum,Oxydothis chinensis,O.yunnanensis,Petriella thailandica,Phaeoacremonium chinensis,Phialocephala chinensis,Phytophthora debattistii,Polyplosphaeria nigrospora,Pronectria loweniae,Seriascoma acutispora,Setoseptoria bambusae,Stictis anomianthi,Tarzetta tibetensis,Tarzetta urceolata,Tetraploa obpyriformis,Trichoglossum beninense,and Tricoderma pyrrosiae.We provide an emendation for Urnula ailaoshanensis Agaricus duplocingulatoides var.brevisporus introduced as a new variety based on morphology and phylogeny.

The family Amanitaceae: molecular phylogeny, higher-rank taxonomy and the species in China

Mushrooms in the basidiomycete family Amanitaceae are very important both economically and ecologically.However,the delimitation of the family is still controversial,in part due to limited taxon sampling and in part because of insufficient gene fragment employed for molecular phylogenetic analyses.Furthermore,species diversity in the family is likely to have been largely underestimated,due to morphological similarity between taxa and phenotypic plasticity.In this study,we examined 1190 collections,including 1008 Chinese and 182 external ones,and performed the first comprehensive phylogenetic analyses of Amanitaceae using multi-locus sequence data.To test the monophyly of the Amanitaceae,a concatenated(nrLSU,rpb1,and rpb2)dataset of 200 taxa of the order Agaricales was analyzed.To infer the phylogeny of Amanitaceae,a concatenated nrLSU,tef1-a,rpb2 and b-tubulin dataset(3010 sequences from ca.890 samples with 2309 newly generated sequences)was used.In this dataset,252 sequences from the types of 77 species were provided.Our results indicate that Amanitaceae is a monophyletic group,and consists of five genera,namely Amanita,Catatrama,Limacella,Limacellopsis and Myxoderma.It is clear that Catatrama is closely related to Limacella,however,the phylogenetic relationships among these genera remain largely unresolved.Amanita contains 95%of the species in the family,and is here divided into three subgenera and eleven sections(subgen.Amanita,containing:sect.Amanita,sect.Amarrendiae,sect.Caesareae and sect.Vaginatae;subgen.Amanitina,containing:sect.Amidella,sect.Arenariae,sect.Phalloideae,sect.Roanokenses,sect.Strobiliformes and sect.Validae;and subgen.Lepidella,containing sect.Lepidella).Subgen.Lepidella occupies the basal position in the genus.One-hundred and sixty-two species of Amanitaceae known from China are treated in this study,including 50 novel species and 112 known taxa.Amanita gleocystidiosa,A.pyriformis,A.atrofusca,A.subjunquillea var.alba and A.areolata are treated as synonyms of A.sychnopyramis f.subannulata,A.orientigemmata,A.umbrinolutea,A.subjunquillea and A.zangii,respectively.26 extralimital taxa including a novel species,namelyCatatrama indica,were included in our study to allow us to make comparisons between these and the Chinese taxa.DNA sequence data for all the species of Amanitaceae in China and keys for identification of the species are provided.

钴-钼双金属碳化物修饰隔膜强化锂硫电池中多硫化锂的吸附和催化转化

本文报道了一种钴-钼双金属碳化物(Co3Mo3C)催化材料用于修饰锂硫电池隔膜,强化多硫化锂的化学吸附和催化转化.所组装的电池表现出优异的电化学性能,即使在8.0 mg cm^-2的硫面积负载量条件下,面积比容量仍高达6.8 mA h cm^-2.理论计算结果表明,相比于单一金属碳化物Mo2C,双金属碳化物Co3Mo3C具有更多的活性位点,更利于化学固定多硫化锂,并催化多硫化锂间相互转化;同时,Ni3Mo3C和Fe3Mo3C亦表现出类似的高催化活性.本研究对高性能锂硫电池关键催化材料的设计具有一定的指导意义.

Mass-production of flexible and transparent Te-Au nylon SERS substrate with excellent mechanical stability

In the past two decades,the field of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has flourished and many rational strategies have been reported for the successful construction of SERS substrates.However,it still lacks the mass-production and programmability for practical applications with arbitrary configurations,and it is highly desirable to develop SERS substrates with strong signal enhancement,large-scale surface area,easy fabrication and low cost.Herein,we demonstrate a large-area fabrication (1.5 m × 5 m) of low-cost (18.8 dollars per square meter),highly sensitive,flexible and transparent SERS substrate by a simple solution process.The high sensitivity of SERS substrate using 3,3'-diethylthiatricarbocyanine iodide (DTTCI) as probe molecules is strongly dependent on the density and diameter of gold nanoparticles (NPs) on the surface of nylon mesh with the best enhancement factor (EF) of 9.17 × 10^10 and the SERS detection limit of DTTCI molecules is as low as 10-14 M which shows no obvious degradation even after 10,000 cycles of fatigue test,high temperature (above than 160 ℃) and acid-alkali treatment,indicating their excellent stability for the performance in all climates.

Interfacial state induced ultrasensitive ultraviolet light photodetector with resolved flux down to 85 photons per second

我们在场 ultrasensitive 紫外紫外察觉者基于 p 类型 ZnS nanoribbon NR/indium 听氧化物 ITO Schottky 障碍二极管 SBD。设备展出能允许 SBD 与 6 湡 ? 慨 ? 湡愠灰牡湥 ? 捡楴慶楴湯攠敮杲 ? 獡氠睯愠 ? 的事件力量检测紫外轻照耀的伪 photovoltaic 行为 ?? ″ ? 鐿?? 鐿?? 颒酃 ? 鮬???? 辬???? 殰吗？？

Stability and protection of nanowire devices in air

Nanowire devices have attracted considerable attention because of their unique structure and novel properties, and have opened up significant development opportunities. However, not many studies have focused on their stability and durability under practical conditions, which limits the rapid development of real applications. Herein, we systematically investigate three different treatments, polymer coating, inert atmosphere protection, and thickness-induced self-protection, to protect the tellurium nanowire devices from oxidation when exposed to open air. The degree of oxidation was monitored by examining changes in the valence states of tellurium element and in the morphology of the nanowires~ After the protective treatments, the tellurium nanowire devices showed improved stability and remained stable even after 800 days of storage. This work highlights the importance of investigating the stability of nanowire devices, especially for their practical applications.

Synthesis of PdS_(x)- Mediated Polydymite Heteronanorods and Their Long-Range Activation for Enhanced Water Electroreduction

Material interfaces permit electron transfer that modulates the electronic structure and surface properties of catalysts,leading to radically enhanced rates for many important reactions.Unlike conventional thoughts,the nanoscale interfacial interactions have been recently envisioned to be able to afect the reactivity of catalysts far from the interface.However,demonstration of such unlocalized alterations in existing interfacial materials is rare,impeding the development of new catalysts.We report the observation of unprecedented long-range activation of polydymite Ni_(3)S_(4) nanorods through the interfacial interaction created by PdS_(x) nanodots(dot-on-rod structure)for high-performance water catalytic electroreduction.Experimental results show that this local interaction can activate Ni3S4 rods with length even up to 25 nanometers due to the tailored surface electronic structure.We anticipate that the long-range efect described here may be also applicable to other interfacial material systems,which will aid the development of newly advanced catalysts for modern energy devices.

Strong and stiff Ag nanowire-chitosan composite films reinforced by Ag-S covalent bonds

High-performance composites containing various kinds of nanofibers as reinforcing building blocks have recently received considerable attention, owing to their superior mechanical properties. One of the effective strategies to reinforce these composites involves strengthening interfacial interactions via covalent bonds. However, in contrast to nanosheets, covalent bonds have been rarely used in nanofiber-reinforced composites. Herein, we report the macroscale fabrication of a series of Ag nanowire （NW）-thiolated chitosan （TCS） composite films via spray induced self-assembly. The obtained films were significantly strengthened by Ag-S covalent bonds formed between the Ag NWs and the thiol groups of TCS. The tensile strength of the optimized Ag NW-TCS film was up to 3.9 and 1.5 times higher compared with that of pure TCS and Ag NW-chitosan （CS） films, respectively.

Dual-polarization two-dimensional valley photonic crystals

The recent realization of valley physics in photonic systems has enriched the topological phases of light with protected edge modes and shown applications in designing high-performance photonic devices. However, the widely reported valley Hall effect of light in two-dimensional systems is limited to one single polarization. Here, we present dual-polarization two-dimensional valley photonic crystals by simultaneously opening two frequency accidental degenerate Dirac cones. Two band gaps with different polarizations are characterized by opposite-valley Chern numbers, which are confirmed by the opposite-phase vortex distributions of bulk modes and opposite Berry curvatures. This situation results in the polarization-dependent refraction of bulk and edge modes, which locate in opposite valleys. The polarization-independent topological valley transport is also demonstrated. Our work shows the flexible control of light in topological photonic systems with a polarization degree of freedom and has applications in polarization multiplexing photonic devices.