Explore the vast range of titles available.

l -DOPA (3,4-dihydroxyphenyl- l -alanine) is a preferred drug for Parkinson’s disease, and is currently in great demand every year worldwide. Biocatalytic conversion of l -tyrosine by tyrosinases is the most promising method for the low-cost production of l -DOPA in both research and industry. Yet, it has been hampered by low productivity, low conversion rate, and low stability of the biocatalyst, tyrosinase. An alternative tyrosinase TyrVs from Verrucomicrobium spinosum with more efficient expression in heterologous host and better stability than the commercially available Agaricus bisporus tyrosinase was identified in this study. Additionally, it was prepared as a novel nano-biocatalyst based on the distinct one-step in situ immobilization on the surface of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) nano-granules. The resulting PHA-TyrVs nano-granules demonstrated improved l -DOPA-forming monophenolase activity of 9155.88 U/g (Tyr protein), which was 3.19-fold higher than that of free TyrVs. The nano-granules also exhibited remarkable thermo-stability, with an optimal temperature of 50 °C, and maintained more than 70% of the initial activity after incubation at 55 °C for 24 h. And an enhanced affinity of copper ion was observed in the PHA-TyrVs nano-granules, making them even better biocatalysts for l -DOPA production. Therefore, a considerable productivity of l -DOPA, amounting to 148.70 mg/L h, with a conversion rate of l -tyrosine of 90.62% can be achieved by the PHA-TyrVs nano-granules after 3 h of biocatalysis under optimized conditions, without significant loss of enzyme activity or l -DOPA yield after 8 cycles of repeated use. Our study provides an excellent and robust nano-biocatalyst for the cost-effective production of l -DOPA.

Objective: To establish and validate a comprehensive predictive model combining clinical data and radiomics features to improve the accuracy of predicting recurrence within five years after surgery in patients with non-functioning pituitary macroadenomas (NFMA). Methods: This retrospective study included 292 NFMA patients who underwent surgery between January 2012 and January 2018, with an additional 123 patients as an external test set. Clinical, pathological, and conventional imaging features were collected and analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression to identify independent risk factors for postoperative recurrence. Radiomic features were extracted from preoperative T1-weighted (T1WI), T2-weighted (T2WI), and T1-enhanced images using 3D Slicer software. A radiomics prediction model was developed, and a combined model integrating clinical and radiomics features was established. The predictive performance of the models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: The clinical model (Cli-score), radiomics model (Rad-score) and combined model were developed. The diagnostic performance of the clinical model in the external test set, showed an AUC of 0.757 (95%CI: 0.671–0.830), with SEN, SPE, and ACC of 82.5%, 59.04%, and 71.54%, respectively. The diagnostic performance of the radiomics model in the external test set showed an AUC of 0.835 (95% CI: 0.757–0.896), with 80%, 79.52% and 63.41% for SEN, SPE and ACC%, respectively. The diagnostic performance of the combined model in the external test set showed an AUC of 0.863 (95% CI: 0.790–0.919), with SEN, SPE, and ACC of 80%, 81.93%, and 68.30%, respectively. The calibration curve indicated good predictive performance, and DCA confirmed the high clinical utility of the combined model. Conclusion: The combined model provides a more accurate prediction of NFMA recurrence. This model can guide postoperative follow-up strategies and aid in early initiation of adjuvant therapy for high-risk patients.

Objective Asthma, a well-known disease with high morbidity, is characterized by chronic airway inflammation. However, the allergic inflammation mechanisms of follistatin-like protein 1 (FSTL1) have not been elucidated. This study aims to investigate the effects of FSTL1 in ovalbumin (OVA)-induced mice and macrophages on nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (NLRP3)/interleukin-1β (IL-1β) signaling pathway. Methods Mice were randomly divided into control-WT, OVA-WT, control- Fstl1 ± , OVA- Fstl1 ± . Histological changes were assessed by HE and PAS staining. The protein levels of Muc-5AC, FSTL1, NLRP3, and IL-1β in lung tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. The bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in mice and human serum samples were detected by ELISA. Then, mice were grouped into control, FSTL1, MCC950 + FSTL1 to further investigate the relationship between FSTL1 and NLRP3/IL-1β. Alveolar macrophage cells (MH-S cells) were separated into control, OVA, FSTL1, OVA + FSTL1, OVA + siNC, OVA + siFSTL1, MCC950, and FSTL1 + MCC950 groups to explore the effect of FSTL1 on the NLRP3/IL-1β signaling. The protein expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β in MH-S cells was detected by Western blot analysis. Results The present results uncovered that Fstl1 ± significantly ameliorated OVA-induced Muc-5AC production and mucus hypersecretion. Fstl1 ± was also found to decrease the production of inflammatory cytokines and inflammatory cell infiltration in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. Meanwhile, the serum concentrations of FSTL1 and IL-1β were higher in  asthma subjects than the health subjects, and Fstl1 ± ameliorated the production of NLRP3 and IL-1β in OVA-induced asthmatic mice. Furthermore, mice by injected FSTL1 substantially stimulated the expression of NLRP3 and IL-1β, while pretreatment with MCC950 in mice significantly weakened the production of NLRP3 and IL-1β induced by injection FSTL1. Pretreatment with siFSTL1 or MCC950 significantly reduced the production of NLRP3 and IL-1β induced by OVA or FSTL1 in MH-S cells. Conclusions The study results showed that FSTL1 played an important role in allergic airway inflammation by activating NLRP3/IL-1β. Hence, inhibition FSTL1 could be applied as a therapeutic agent against asthma.

Purpose The MRI features of Diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered and glioma in the midline without H3 K27-altered were compared and analyzed, and the changes in the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of the two groups were quantitatively analyzed. Methods The MRI images of 35 patients with Diffuse midline gliomas, H3 K27-altered and gliomas in the midline without H3 K27-altered were analyzed retrospectively. The location, edge, signal, peritumoral edema and enhancement characteristics of the lesions were observed, and the changes in ADC values were analyzed. Results In the H3 K27-altered group, 85.7% (12/14) of the tumors were located in the thalamus and brainstem compared with 28.6% (6/21) in the no H3 K27-altered group. In the H3 K27-altered group, for tumors only located in the midline area, only 14.3% (1/7) had irregular shapes and unclear boundaries, while for tumors also invaded the extramidline tissues 85.7% (6/7) had irregular shapes and unclear boundaries.The\"basilar artery wrapped sign” was found in 6 patients with tumors located in the pons in the H3 K27-altered group, but none in the no H3 K27-altered group had this sign. In the H3 K27-altered group, only 14.3% (1/7) of the tumors confined to the midline area had small cystic degeneration and necrosis, while for tumors also invaded the extramidline tissues, 100% (7/7) of the tumors had cystic degeneration and necrosis, and the cystic degeneration and necrosis only located in the extramidline region of the tumor in 6 cases.A total of 78.6% (11/14) of tumors in the H3 K27-altered group showed mild to moderate enhancement, while 47.6% (10/21) of tumors in the no H3 K27-altered group showed mild to moderate enhancement. The average peritumoral edema index was 1.13 in the H3 K27-altered group and 1.75 in the no H3 K27-altered group. The average ADC value of tumor in the H3 K27-altered group was 7.83 × 10 − 4 mm 2 /s, and the ratio to normal brain tissue was 0.844, while the values in the no H3 K27-altered group were 13.5 × 10 − 4 mm 2 /s and 1.75, respectively. Conclusion Compared with gliomas in the midline without H3 K27-altered, The MRI findings and ADC value of Diffuse midline gliomas, H3K27-altered have some characteristics, which can help improve the diagnosis and differential diagnosis.

Background Peripheral facial paralysis (PFP) results in functional disorder and social dysfunction, when it is under a severe condition at onset, long-term poor outcomes do occur. Different acupuncture methods have been reported to be potentially effective for shortening the disease course and reducing the occurrence of sequelae when they are applied at an early stage. Neuro edema is a common pathological feature in the acute phase, and many clinical studies have suggested its effect of reducing facial nerve edema. It is of value to estimate the effectiveness and safety of acupuncture treatment at the onset, and to assess the most suitable acupuncture method for the acute period. Methods and analysis All the RCTs and quasi-RCTs on acupuncture therapy for patients who is during acute stage of PFP will be included. The recovery rate of facial function, the time it takes to restore facial function and the odds of sequelae occurring will be the key parts we focus on. Psychological well-being and quality of life will also be evaluated. Literature searching will be conducted until December 31th, 2022 from eight databases systematically. Two reviewers will screen the literature and extract the data independently. RevMan software will be used for data analysis, and the version 2 of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2) will be used to assess the certainty of evidence. Forest plots and summary findings will be generated. If data permits, a meta-analysis will be conducted. Ethics and dissemination Since this study will not involve clinical treatment of patients, ethics approval is not required. The result of this study will be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal for publication and as a proposal for clinical practice and further study on acupuncture treatment at the early stage of PFP. Discussion This review will summarize the evidence on the different type of acupuncture therapy for acute Bell’s palsy and Ramsay-Hunt syndrome. We anticipate that it would be safe and effective when applied to the acute phase of PFP, and some specific suitable acupuncture methods would be found resulting from this review. Systematic review registration International Prospective Register for Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) number CRD42020205127

The machining accuracy of parts depends greatly on the positioning accuracy and repeated positioning accuracy of the machine tools, which can be affected by the transmission backlash. Therefore, it is of great importance to measure and compensate the transmission reverse clearance of NC machine tools at regular intervals. This paper mainly studies how to eliminate the reverse clearance of NC machine tools.

The ability of natural conception decreases with age, leading many advanced-age women with fertility desire begin to attempt in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) technique nowadays. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believes that human body undergoes periodic changes corresponding to the natural rhythms. Women exhibit distinct physiological lunar rhythms of the thoroughfare vessel and the conception vessel, as well as pathological rhythms during the menstrual cycle and IVF-ET cycle. Based on the theory of TCM temporal rhythm, this paper discusses the pathogenesis characteristics of infertility in advanced-age women at different stages. It believes that acupuncture intervention should comply with the following ideas: determining main acupoints based on disease differentiation, with a preference for the acupoints on the thoroughfare vessel, the conception vessel, spleen meridian and kidney meridian, as well as the back-shu points of the liver, spleen and kidney; determining the supplementary acupoints based on syndrome differentiation and symptoms; determining the supplementary acupoints based on time differentiation of lunar rhythm of the thoroughfare vessel and the conception vessel, and integrating both reinforcing and reducing techniques. During the process of intervention, the physical and mental states were balanced simultaneously.

Identifying key acupuncture elements is essential for optimizing sham acupuncture controls. Based on the characteristics and current state of acupuncture therapy, this paper categorizes key acupuncture elements into types and contents. Taking the former as a clue, it examines the current understanding of key acupuncture elements and underscores the need for further refinement to ensure that sham acupuncture controls more closely approximate physiological inertness. Additionally, it explores strategies and methodologies for advancing the understanding of key acupuncture elements from both the type and content perspectives. Key acupuncture elements should expand the number of included element types. Elements such as acupuncture needles, point selection, point combination, needle insertion, needle manipulation, and needle withdrawal should all be included, and they should be reported in a standardized manner in the trials. Regarding element content, improvements should be made in three key areas to enhance selection accuracy: 1. Strengthening the comprehensiveness of relevant theoretical frameworks. 2. Emphasizing the role of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) diagnosis and acupoint palpation methods in trial application and reporting. 3. Continuously investigating the mechanisms underlying both the specific efficacy and the placebo efficacy of acupuncture.

Purpose. The MRI features of epithelioid glioblastoma (eGBM) were analyzed. The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), MR perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI), and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) findings were quantitatively analyzed.Methods. The MRI images of 8 cases of eGBM were analyzed retrospectively. The location and edge, signal, peritumoral edema, adjacent meningeal invasion, and enhancement of the lesions were observed. The ADC value, relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and N-acetylaspartate/acetylcholine (NAA/Cho) value were analyzed.Results. Among the 8 patients, the tumors were mainly located in the temporal lobe (n=3), frontal lobe (n=3), and parietal lobe (n=2). The lesion boundary was clear in 6 cases and unclear in 2. The lesions were superficial in 5 cases and in the deep white matter in 3. Internal hemorrhage was observed in 4 cases. There was cystic necrosis in 7 cases, and only 1 case was solid without cystic necrosis. There was no edema around the lesion in 1 case, severe edema in 5, and moderate edema in 2. In 4 cases, the adjacent meninges were involved, and in 1 case, the ependyma was involved. Two patients developed leptomeningeal metastasis within 2 months after the operation. The average ADC value of the tumor parenchyma among all 8 patients was7.15×10−4 mm2/s,which was 17.6% lower than that of the contralateral side. The Cho/NAA metabolite ratio was 5.27 and 0.81 in the lesions of 2 patients. The rCBV was 3.51 ml/100 g and 3.32 ml/100 g of lesions in 2 patients; these values were 36% and 29% higher, respectively, than those of the contralateral side. The rCBF was 31.5 ml/100 g/min and 82.1 ml/100 g/min of lesions in two patients; these values were 49% and 203% higher, respectively, than those of the contralateral side.Conclusion. eGBM characteristics include a superficial location, easy cyst degeneration, easy necrosis and hemorrhage, and clear boundaries. It easily invades adjacent meninges and shows cerebrospinal fluid dissemination and metastasis. Combining new MR techniques, such as ADC values, PWI, and MRS, could be helpful for improving diagnostic accuracy.

Objectives. This study aimed to examine the efficacy and safety of acupoint catgut embedding (ACE) for obesity over a 16-week treatment period using sham stimulation as the control. Methods. A multicenter, randomised, parallel, sham-controlled trial was conducted from February 10, 2017, to May 15, 2018. Men with waistlines ≥85 cm and women with ≥80 cm at three sites were randomised to receive eight sessions (over 16 weeks) of ACE (n = 108) or sham ACE (n = 108) with skin penetration at sham acupoints. The catgut was embedded once every two weeks using two alternating sets of acupoints. The follow-up lasted for an additional 24 weeks. The primary outcome was the percentage waistline reduction from baseline to week 16. Results. We included 216 individuals in the intention-to-treat analysis. At 16 weeks, the rate of waistline reduction was 8.80% (95% confidence interval (CI), 7.93% to 9.66%) in the ACE group and 4.09% (95% CI, 3.18% to 5.00%) in the sham control group, with a between-group difference of 4.71% (95% CI, 3.47% to 5.95%; P < 0.0001). This difference persisted throughout the entire follow-up period (between-group difference after 24-week additional weeks, 4.94% (95% CI, 3.58% to 6.30%); P < 0.001). The subgroup analyses of waistline by sex (male/female) revealed treatment effects of 1.93 (95% CI, −0.37 to 4.23, P = 0.1) in the male group and 3.19 (95% CI, 1.99 to 4.39, P < 0.001) in the female group. The adverse event analysis suggested that ACE and laboratory tests confirmed the safety of ACE. Discussion. ACE for 16 weeks could decrease the waistline and weight and was safe for the treatment of obesity. Further research is needed to evaluate the long-term efficacy and sex differences. This trial is registered with NCT02936973.