Medicinal Characteristics of Jing Medicine

In the long process of living, working and fighting against diseases, the Jing people have formed a medical system with their own characteristics, which has made great contributions to the hygiene and health of the ethnic group and is still playing an important role today. As an indispensable part of Chinese traditional medicine system, Jingzu medicine has its own unique advantages and characteristics, which need to be further explored and sorted out. In this paper, the characteristics and advantages of Peking medicine were summarized from the characteristics of medicine use.

Pickering乳液模板法制备石墨烯/聚苯胺空心微球及其在超级电容器中的应用

以离子液体(IL-NH2)对氧化石墨烯进行修饰,得到离子液体修饰的还原氧化石墨烯(rGO-IL),将其作为颗粒乳化剂稳定含有苯胺单体的油相,制备稳定均匀的Pickering乳液,然后通过引发苯胺单体聚合得到石墨烯/聚苯胺空心微球。离子液体的引入不仅可以调节Pickering乳化剂的润湿性,还能避免降低材料的电导率。通过控制IL-NH2对石墨烯的修饰程度调节了rGO-IL的润湿性,并探究了rGO-IL的润湿性、浓度以及乳化时的油水比对Pickering乳液性质的影响。利用超景深三维显微镜观察了rGO-IL稳定的Pickering乳液状态;利用傅里叶变换红外光谱仪、拉曼光谱仪和扫描电子显微镜对所得石墨烯/聚苯胺空心微球的化学结构和形貌进行了观察;利用循环伏安法与恒流充放电法对空心微球的电容性能进行了探究。结果显示,石墨烯/聚苯胺空心微球比电容可以达到451.8 F/g,是二维石墨烯/聚苯胺材料的近2倍(227 F/g);另外空心微球表现出良好的倍率性能,当电流密度从0.5 A/g增加至10 A/g时,其电容保持率高达92.4%,远高于二维材料的46.5%。

系统联合认知融合靶向穿刺提高有临床意义前列腺癌的诊断率

目的:探讨静脉麻醉下经会阴的前列腺系统穿刺(systematic biopsy,SB)、认知融合靶向穿刺(cognitive fusion targeted biopsy,CF-TB)和系统联合认知融合靶向穿刺即联合穿刺(combined biopsy,CB)对有临床显著意义前列腺癌(clinically significant prostate cancer,csPCa)和无临床显著意义前列腺癌(clinically insignificant prostate cancer,incsPCa)诊断阳性率的差异。方法:分析2019年1月至2021年11月151例于北京市朝阳区桓兴肿瘤医院和中国医学科学院北京协和医学院肿瘤医院行首次前列腺穿刺且前列腺特异性抗原(prostate-specific antigen,PSA)≤50 ng/mL患者的临床资料,行3.0 T标准前列腺多参数磁共振成像(multi-parametric magnetic resonance imaging,mpMRI)检查显示有161个符合前列腺影像报告和数据系统(prostate imaging reporting and data system,PI-RADS)评分≥3分的结节,每个结节行2~4针CF-TB后再行SB 12针,分别分析SB、CF-TB和CB对csPCa和incsPCa的诊断阳性率,同时对年龄、PSA、CF-TB针数、PI-RADS评分和直肠指诊结果进行分层分析。结果:患者的中位PSA为11.50(0.52~49.37)ng/mL,161个结节的PI-RADS评分≥3分,151例患者均行12针SB,结节行2、3和4针CF-TB患者分别47、52和52例。SB、CF-TB和CB诊断csPCa阳性率分别为54.3%(82/151)、53.0%(80/151)和58.9%(89/151),CB阳性率高于SB阳性率(P=0.016)和CF-TB阳性率(P=0.004);SB、CF-TB和CB诊断incsPCa阳性率分别为7.9%(12/151)、9.3%(14/151)和11.3%(17/151),CB阳性率与SB阳性率和CF-TB阳性率比较差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。按年龄、PSA、CF-TB针数、PI-RADS评分和直肠指诊结果分层分析显示,行2针CF-TB对csPCa诊断差于CB(P=0.031),3针和4针CF-TB与CB诊断csPCa阳性率比较差异无统计学意义。结论:经会阴的前列腺CB诊断csPCa阳性率最高,同时不增加incsPCa检出,每个结节行3针CF-TB诊断csPCa是高效的。

Formation mechanism of the Lidang circular structure in the Guangxi Province

The Lidang circular structure in the center of the Guangxi Province is about 8 km in diameter. This structure appears as an abnormal shallow depression that has disturbed the rather harmonic regional joint systems. Its unique occurrence in the whole region, the circular morphology, negative topography, and the spatial distribution of interior and exterior strata are all consistent with those of impact craters that are formed by asteroidal or cometary collision. To test the impact hypothesis, we carried out both field investigation and remote sensing study of this structure. Regional geological history suggests that if the impact hypothesis were correct, the impact event should have occurred at or after the Early Permian. Field investigation found that the strata inside and outside the crater are dominated by parallel stacks of Lower and Upper Permian limestone that have various thicknesses and different mud contents. The layers of limestone within and outside the circular structure have identical attitudes;no structural disturbances were visible in the outcrops. Field investigations provide conclusive evidence against the impact cratering hypothesis. A high-resolution digital elevation model shows that the spatial distribution of rounded mountains within the structure is controlled by faint but continual extension of joints, suggesting that the crater interior has gone through a much higher degree of erosion. Therefore, regional joints that had once existed within the crater are preserved less well than exterior terrains, forming the abruptly disrupted circular depression. Differential erosion, as the possible formation mechanism of the Lidang structure, is consistent with the different mud contents found between the interior and exterior limestone. The circular outline of this structure may correspond to the shape of the original deposition basin. In conclusion, the Lidang circular structure is a polje formed by karstification, not an astrobleme.

An updated constraint on the local stratigraphy at the Chang'E-4 landing site

The Chang’E-4 mission has been exploring the lunar farside.Two scientific targets of the rover onboard are(1)resolving the possible mineralogy related to the South Pole-Aitken basin and(2)understanding the subsurface processes at the lunar farside.Publications to date that are based on the reflectance spectra and radar data obtained by the rover have shown a persistent inconsistency about the local stratigraphy.To explain both the abnormal surface topography at the landing site and the unexpected radargram observed by the rover,the Alder crater has been frequently reported to be older than the mare basalts at that landing site.However,this argument is not supported by earlier geological mapping nor recent crater statistics.Resolving this controversy is critical for a full understanding of the geological history of the landing area and for correct interpretations of the scientific data returned.Employing detailed crater statistics,rigorous statistical analyses,and an updated crater chronology function,this study is determined to resolve the relative ages of the Alder crater,Finsen crater,and the mare basalts on the floor of Von Kármán.Our results reveal that while background secondaries and local resurfacing have widely occurred in the study area,affecting age determinations,the statistics are significant enough to conclude that the Alder crater is the oldest among the three targets.This independent constraint is consistent with both the crosscutting relationships of different terrains in this area and global stratigraphic mapping.Our results exclude Alder as a possible contributor of the post-mare deposits at the landing site,appealing for a more systematic stratigraphy study to resolve the provenances of these deposits.

Effects of cardiac rehabilitation qigong exercise in patients with stable coronary artery disease undergoing phase Ⅲ rehabilitation: A randomized controlled trial (with video)

Objective:To explore the effectiveness and safety of cardiac rehabilitation qigong exercise in stable coronary artery disease(CAD)patients undergoing phaseⅢrehabilitation.Methods:This was a randomized controlled trial.A total of 59 stable CAD patients undergoing phaseⅢrehabilitation treated in Sports Medicine Hospital from March 2017 to September 2017 were enrolled after meeting the inclusion criteria and then divided into cardiac rehabilitation qigong exercise group(n=30)receiving a 12-week intervention and control group(n=29).All participants were assessed at baseline and at 12-week intervention for the primary outcome,that was treadmill test parameter and the secondary outcomes including physical fitness,body composition,bone mineral density,and cardiac ultrasound B-mode imaging.Results:There were no significant differences in baseline demographics between the two groups.After a 12-week cardiac rehabilitation qigong exercise intervention,compared with the control group,ΔV02(initial 1352.63±340.95 vs 12 weeks 1594.57±467.14)vs(initial 1363.83±322.90 vs 12 weeks 1323.76±318.92)(P=.003),ΔVO2/kg(initial 21.23±3.56 vs 12 weeks 24.75±5.11)vs(initial 21.01±3.71 vs 12 weeks 20.35±3.66)(P=.002),ΔMETS(initial 6.19±1.12 vs 12 weeks 7.16±1.60)vs(initial 6.00±1.19 vs 12 weeks 5.86±1.23)(P=.001),ΔVO2/HR(P=.027),ΔSV(P=.014),ΔOUES(P=.012),Δhand-grip strength(P=.002),Δflexibility(P=.001),Δbalance(P=.002),ΔT-score(P=.042),ΔBQI(P=.018).However,Δresting systolic blood pressure(P=.004)andΔresting diastolic pressure(P=.012)decreased in the cardiac rehabilitation qigong exercise group.Conclusion:Cardiac rehabilitation qigong exercise can improve cardiopulmonary aerobic capacity,physical fitness,bone mineral density in patients with stable CAD,suggesting that certain effect and safety for stable CAD patients undergoing phaseⅢrehabilitation can be obtained.

Effectiveness of traditional Chinese exercises on stroke risk factors in individuals with pre-hypertension or mild-to-moderate essential hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of traditional Chinese exercises (TCEs) on stroke risk factors in patients with pre-hypertension or mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.Methods:We performed searches of seven electronic databases for studies published from their inception until July 2017.We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of the effects of TCEs with or without health education on stroke risk factors in patients with prehypertension or mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.Outcomes were independently extracted from each study by two authors and were pooled to determine risk ratios and standardized mean differences.materials-methodsResults:We included 15 RCTs,involving 1272 hypertensive participants.Compared with no intervention,TCEs were associated with a clinically meaningful amelioration of stroke risk factors,including reductions in systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),fasting blood glucose,blood lipids,and waist-to-hip ratio,and improved quality of life.Compared with health education,TCEs reduced SBP but had no effect on DBP.Compared with health education alone,TCEs plus health education resulted in an amelioration of stroke risk factors.No serious adverse events were reported.resultsConclusion:TCEs may be effective alongside health education in ameliorating stroke risk factors in individuals with pre-hypertension or mild-to-moderate essential hypertension.However,the current evidence is insufficient due to poor methodology and lack of adequate safety data.Further rigorously-designed RCTs are warranted.conclusion.

An Empirical Study on Self-Efficacy of Online Learning of Overseas Chinese Children in Europe

In the post-Covid-19 pandemic era,it is more difficult for some Chinese schools in Europe to provide online extra classes for overseas Chinese children after school hours,as they did previously.To meet students'multifaceted learning needs,online extra classes teaching,including online Chinese language classes and some online art classes,is increasingly being offered as a supplement to the diversity of teaching activities in Chinese schools in Europe,with the ultimate goal of improving the learning abilities of overseas Chinese children while relieving pressure on teaching resources in schools.Children’s learning self-efficacy in online extracurricular courses has its own uniqueness,which can be considered from three dimensions,including learning confidence,learning ability,and self-assessment ability.This study aims to examine the factors influencing the self-efficacy of overseas Chinese children and to make optimization suggestions for better teaching methods.In search of that,an online questionnaire survey with 127 participants from overseas Chinese children aged􀀘to􀀔􀀘was collected.The findings indicate that the role of learning confidence in overseas Chinese children outweighs their learning ability and self-assessment ability.Gender and age have a negligible effect on self-efficacy but have an impact on learning confidence.Chinese schools in Europe do not need to show gender differences when conducting classroom activities in online teaching to improve the online self-efficacy of Chinese children,and efforts should also be made to keep the courage of older students to trial and error.Teachers are expected to investigate more aspects of their students'personalities in future classrooms rather than sticking to a consistent and unchanging teaching model.

The Effectiveness and Issues of Using Feedback in Second Language Writing

Based on the description of feedback in the literature and the classification of feedback by different scholars,this paper discusses the efficiency and possible issues of the teachers’use of different feedback in the teaching of second language writing.Through interviews with experienced English majors,this paper further demonstrates the importance of teachers'use of feedback in second language writing teaching.At the end of the paper,the author also shows that the combination of different feedback according to specific situations in teaching can better promote the writing proficiency of second language learners.

Geological Context of the SLIM Landing Site

INTRODUCTION Japan’s first successful lunar landing mission,Smart Lander for Investigating Moon(SLIM),was landed on the Moon on January 19th,2024.SLIM made a precise landing within 100 m of the targeted landing zone(central coordinates 13.316°S,25.251°E),which is located around the Shioli crater(D=270 m,central coordinates as 13.33°S,25.23°E)in the southwestern ejecta of the Theophilus crater(D=98.6 km,central coordinates as 11.45°S,26.28°E).

High-resolution anatomical and spatial transcriptome analyses reveal two types of meristematic cell pools within the secondary vascular tissue of poplar stem

The secondary vascular tissue emanating from meristems is central to understanding how vascular plants such as forest trees evolve,grow,and regulate secondary radial growth.However,the overall molecular characterization of meristem origins and developmental trajectories from primary to secondary vascular tissues in woody tree stems is technically challenging.In this study,we combined high-resolution anatomic analysis with a spatial transcriptome(ST)technique to define features of meristematic cells in a developmental gradient from primary to secondary vascular tissues in poplar stems.The tissue-specific gene expression of meristems and derived vascular tissue types were accordingly mapped to specific anatomical domains.Pseudotime analyses were used to track the origins and changes of meristems throughout the development from primary to secondary vascular tissues.Surprisingly,two types of meristematic-like cell pools within secondary vascular tissues were inferred based on high-resolution microscopy combined with ST,and the results were confirmed by in situ hybridization of,transgenic trees,and single-cell sequencing.The rectangle shape procambium-like(PCL)cells develop from procambium meristematic cells and are located within the phloem domain to produce phloem cells,whereas fusiform shape cambium zone(CZ)meristematic cells develop from fusiform metacambium meristematic cells and are located inside the CZ to produce xylem cells.The gene expression atlas and transcriptional networks spanning the primary transition to secondary vascular tissues generated in this work provide new resources for studying the regulation of meristem activities and the evolution of vascular plants.A web server(https://pgx.zju.edu.cn/stRNAPal/)was also established to facilitate the use of ST RNA-seq data.

Aerosol composition,sources,and secondary processing during autumn at a regional site in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region

Air pollution is serious during autumn in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei(BTH)region,but there are few studies that have utilized real-time observations and source apportionment of the autumn submicron aerosols in this region.In this study,a quadrupole aerosol chemical speciation monitor(Q-ACSM)was deployed for the real-time measurement of the non-refractory compositions of submicron aerosols(NR-PM1)at a regional site(Xianghe)from October 3 to November 14,2017.The results showed that nitrate was the largest inorganic aerosol,and the oxygenated organic aerosol(OOA)was the largest organic aerosol in Xianghe.Hydrocarbon-like OA(HOA)was the largest organic aerosol When the NR-PM1 mass concentrations increased from the lowest to the highest bins,nitrate and biomass burning OA(BBOA)showed increasing trends in the suburban area.Enhanced nitrate formation during the pollution epi-sodes resulted from both photochemical and aqueous processing.To reduce the particulate matter(PM2.5)concentrations and eliminate heavy pollution episodes,control measures should focus on reducing NO_(x),NH_(3),and volatile organic compound(VOCs)emissions.

Indications,strategies,and development on prostate targeted biopsy:Report of the Panjiayuan Consensus Conference 2022

Prostate biopsy is the gold standard for diagnosing prostate cancer(PCa).Prostate targeted biopsy(TB)having a higher rate of detecting clinically significant PCa(csPCa)than traditional systematic biopsy(SB)is supported by high-quality evidence.However,the TB indications and strategies are controversial.The National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences,invited a panel of recognized urology experts in PCa to address these topics at the Panjiayuan Consensus Conference 2022.The conference results on prostate TB are presented herein.The National Cancer Center/Cancer Hospital,Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences identified 10 key areas of prostate biopsy:(1)selection of imaging examination;(2)indications of TB;(3)transperineal and transrectal prostate biopsy;(4)TB pathways;(5)TB and SB;(6)three techniques of TB;(7)the number of TB cores needed for one lesion;(8)core number for SB;(9)free-hand TB;(10)future development of TB/prostate diagnosis.Thus,a panel of 25 recognized urologists and 2 radiologists from China were invited to attend this conference.The panel voted anonymously on 14 predetermined questions.Voting was based on the panelists'clinical practice and opinion,rather than high-level evidence.The voting outcomes were supported by the panel unequally,and details of the voting results were reported.The voting results can help clinicians to decide on biopsy timing and proper strategies,for which guidelines are sparse.We also focused on the future development of TB and SB,such as the combined pathway of TB and SB,techniques of TB,biopsy cores,free-hand TB,and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography.

数值流形方法无自锁和沙漏问题的一种单点积分策略

凭借切割运算,数值流形方法(NMM)可通过最简单的规则网格处理任意形状的问题域然而,这通常会生成很多低阶的、形状不规则的单元。因此NMM不但需要大量积分点,而且在几乎不可压缩和弯曲变形占优时常常存在自锁现象.为解决上述问题,本研究将建立一个数值稳定的单点积分策略.通过单元的矩,该策略将单元虚功分解为零阶主项和高阶稳定项,进一步通过修正高阶稳定项中的球应变部分和剪切应变部分,达到克服体积自锁和剪切自锁的目的,并用始终非零的稳定项克服沙漏变形.除了积分点更少外,新方法不存在体积自锁、剪切自锁和沙漏模式,因而也具有更高精度.文中数值算例验证了新规则的鲁棒性和精度提升.

New insights into effects of Kaixin Powder on depression via lipid metabolism related adiponectin signaling pathway

Objective:To clarify the anti-depressive potential mechanisms of Kaixin Powder(KP),a drug that helps to prevent and treat depression and other mentaldiseases,from genome-wide transcriptome profiling.Methods:Transcriptome and KEGG pathway analysis were conducted on the hippocampus of depressed rats,then the differentially expressed genes were validated and serum concentration of lipid parameters were identified by enzymatic assays.Furthermore,high-fat diets induced depression-like behaviors in Syrian golden hamsters were conducted to verify the predicted molecular mechanisms acquired from the transcriptome analysis.Results:Transcriptome results revealed that the 24 differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in chronic mild stress(CMS)rats could be reversed after two weeks of KP treatment.The mechanisms of KP in treating depression firstly involved the regulation of several pathology modules,including lipid metabolism,synapse function and inflammation.KP could regulate imbalances of lipid homeostasis in high-fat diet induced depressive symptoms.Furthermore,it was validated that cholesterol metabolism dysfunction can be ameliorated by KP,which was correlated with upregulation of the AdipoR1-BDNF(brainderived neurotrophic factor)co-regulatory pathway.Conclusion:Taken together,our results demonstrated that KP not only alleviates depression via traditional mental illness targets,but it may also simulates the cholesterol metabolism and adiponectin signaling with multi-target characteristics.

Carbon deficiency introduced plasticity of rock-salt-structured transition metal carbides

High-hardness rock-salt structured transitional metal carbides(TMC)are attracting substantial interest as potential next-generation thermal protection materials.However,the intrinsic brittleness of TMC ceramics impedes their performance in aerodynamically harsh environments.In this work,a promising strategy is proposed to introduce plasticity in TaC–HfC solid solutions by manipulating carbon deficiency.The approach combines density-functional theory(DFT)with experiments and takes Pugh's ratio(k)as the criteria.Depletion of carbon atoms in TaC–HfC solid solutions results in the de-localizing of valence electrons,deviation of spatial modulus along different crystal plane directions,and leading to significant elastic anisotropy.The carbon deficient Ta_(0.8)Hf_(0.2)C_(0.8) is predicted to be a‘softer phase’with reduced modulus and Pugh's ratio(k=0.58).A series of Ta1–xHfxCy(x=0.2 and 0.8,y=0.8,0.9,and 1.0)bulk ceramics are experimentally fabricated by an excessive metal alloying method.Trigonal and hexagonal close-packed structured carbides are derived when the carbon deficiency y decreased to 0.7.The indentation modulus drops from 641.8±14.8 GPa for Ta_(0.8)Hf_(0.2)C_(1.0) to 555.8±9.9 GPa for Ta0.8Hf0.2C0.8.The specific stoichiometric composition of Ta_(0.8)Hf_(0.2)C_(0.8) is experimentally verified to possess both plasticity(k=0.41)and ultra-high nanohardness(41.3±1.3 GPa).

设计稳定的钌基析氢和析氧反应催化剂的基本原理

清洁和可再生能源具有地域性和间歇性,需要能量转换和存储技术来解决这些问题.氢气(H_(2))具有无毒、易得、经济、储量丰富和零碳排放的优势,作为能源媒介展现出巨大的潜力.而电分解水技术,因其高效性和便利性,成为了一种极具吸引力、应用前景广阔且可靠的能源技术.研究表明,在较宽的pH范围内,贵金属催化剂仍然是最优的析氢反应(HER)和析氧反应(OER)催化剂.其中,钌(Ru)作为一种相对便宜的铂族金属,显示出在HER中替代商业铂碳(Pt/C)催化剂以及在OER中替代铱(Ir)的潜力.然而,尽管在提高钌基催化剂的催化活性方面取得了很大进展,但其稳定性问题仍然是阻碍其实际应用的主要障碍.因此,迫切需要全面梳理和综述关于设计稳定钌基HER和OER催化剂的基本原理和最新进展,更好地理解钌基催化剂的催化机理,深入认识影响其稳定性的关键因素,以期为解决这一挑战提供有力的理论支持和实践指导.本文系统总结了钌基催化剂在电分解水反应中关于稳定性研究的最新进展.首先,简要介绍了钌基催化剂在HER/OER中的反应机理以及与之相关的理论计算、原位表征技术、稳定性测试手段和评价标准等方面的研究进展.接下来,详细探讨了钌基催化剂在HER/OER过程中的失活机制,包括载体腐蚀、奥斯特瓦尔德成熟、团聚、颗粒脱离、活性位点中毒、金属溶解、过度氧化和晶体结构坍塌等.基于以上对失活机制的认识,进一步归纳了提高钌基催化剂稳定性的设计策略和机制.在HER方面,从引入导电基底、构筑核壳结构、形成镶嵌结构、增强金属-载体相互作用、相转变工程以及调节中间体吸附和脱附行为等方面阐述了提高钌基催化剂稳定性的策略.对于OER过程,也总结了一系列提高钌基催化剂OER稳定性的策略,包括与铱杂化、构筑核壳结构、引入稳定的载体、化学掺杂、形成固溶体以及转变反应路径.在分析了各种策略的优缺点并提出改进方向后,还概述了钌基催化剂在全电解水以及器件中的研究现状.最后,指出了钌基催化剂稳定性研究所面临的挑战和未来的研究方向:(1)需要更贴近工业实际的稳定性测试策略和评价标准;(2)对失活机制的进一步研究;(3)原位技术的进一步发展和应用;(4)探索更多先进的改性策略,如非晶态载体、范德华异质结、自旋态调节以及微环境调节等;(5)关注实际应用中可能遇到的问题,如催化剂大规模制备、双功能催化剂的设计以及杂质的影响.综上,本文系统地总结了钌基催化剂的反应机制、稳定性测试方法与评价标准、失活机制、设计策略、研究进展、具体应用以及目前存在的挑战,希望能够进一步促进该领域深入水平研究.同时,本文对光催化、热催化、酶催化等催化领域的研究也提供一定的参考和借鉴.

Hedgehog signaling in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis and the gastrointestinal tumor microenvironment

The Hedgehog(HH) signaling pathway plays important roles in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis and the gastrointestinal tumor microenvironment(TME). Aberrant HH signaling activation may accelerate the growth of gastrointestinal tumors and lead to tumor immune tolerance and drug resistance.The interaction between HH signaling and the TME is intimately involved in these processes, for example, tumor growth, tumor immune tolerance, inflammation, and drug resistance. Evidence indicates that inflammatory factors in the TME, such as interleukin 6(IL-6) and interferon-g(IFN-g), macrophages, and T cell-dependent immune responses, play a vital role in tumor growth by affecting the HH signaling pathway. Moreover, inhibition of proliferating cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs) and inflammatory factors can normalize the TME by suppressing HH signaling. Furthermore, aberrant HH signaling activation is favorable to both the proliferation of cancer stem cells(CSCs) and the drug resistance of gastrointestinal tumors. This review discusses the current understanding of the role and mechanism of aberrant HH signaling activation in gastrointestinal carcinogenesis, the gastrointestinal TME,tumor immune tolerance and drug resistance and highlights the underlying therapeutic opportunities.

Synthesis of cell-penetrated nitrogen-doped carbon dots by hydrothermal treatment of eggplant sepals

Novel nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots were successfully fabricated by a hydrothermal method with eggplant sepals as carbon source.The carbon materials were characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),UV-Vis adsorption,Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),fluorescence and the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) measurements,respectively.The carbon quantum dots showed excellent photoluminescence property with high stability in phosphate buffer solution with different pH values from 5 to 9,even in the cell culture medium supplied with the fetal bovine serum.Meanwhile,we also studied the interaction of carbon quantum dots with living HeLa cells with confocal microscopy.Our results indicated that the carbon quantum dots can enter the living HeLa cells by cellular penetration.

Role of nitric oxide in the genotoxic response to chronic microcystin-LR exposure in human–hamster hybrid cells

Microcystin-LR （MC-LR） is the most abundant and toxic microcystin congener and has been classified as a potential human carcinogen （Group 2B） by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. However, the mechanisms underlying the genotoxic effects of MC-LR during chronic exposure are still poorly understood. In the present study, human-hamster hybrid （AL） cells were exposed to MC-LR for varying lengths of time to investigate the role of nitrogen radicals in MC-LR-induced genotoxicity. The mutagenic potential at the CD59 locus was more than 2-fold higher （p 〈 0.01） in AL ceUs exposed to a cytotoxic concentration （1 μmol/L） of MC-LR for 30 days than in untreated control ceils, which was consistent with the formation of micronucleus. MC-LR caused a dose-dependent increase in nitric oxide （NO） production in treated cells. Moreover, this was blocked by concurrent treatment with the NO synthase inhibitor NC-methyl-L-arginine （L-NMMA）, which suppressed MC-LR- induced mutations as well. The survival of mitochondrial DNA-depleted （pO） AL ceils was markedly decreased by MC-LR treatment compared to that in AL cells, while the CD59 mutant fraction was unaltered. These results provided clear evidence that the genotoxicity associated with chronic MC-LR exposure in mammalian cells was mediated by NO and might be considered as a basis for the development of therapeutics that prevent carcinogenesis.