Electrostatic Regulation of Bola-Amphiphilic Peptide Self-Assembly and Nanotube Formation Induced by Salt Ions.

Peptide self-assembly into nanostructures offers substantial potential for applications in catalysis, drug delivery, and nanodevice fabrication. However, controlling the morphology of these assemblies remains a challenge. In this study, we investigate the role of salt ions in regulating the self-assembly of the bola-amphiphilic peptide KFFFFK, facilitating a transition from twisted fibrils to nanotubes.

β-Lactoglobulin Forms a Conserved Fibril Core That Assembles into Diverse Fibril Polymorphs.

The β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) protein, sourced from dietary products, is notable for forming amyloid fibrils, which are increasingly recognized as valuable protein-based nanomaterials due to their superior cytocompatibility, chemical resilience, and mechanical characteristics. However, the precise atomic details of β-LG's fibril assembly are not understood. In this study, we utilized cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate the composition and architecture of β-LG fibrils.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for prevention of postoperative urinary retention: A systematic review.

Introduction: Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) has been proposed for postoperative urinary retention (POUR). This meta-analysis evaluated the effect of TEAS in preventing POUR.

Methods: Databases were searched until February 6, 2023.

Waste biomass garlic stem-derived porous carbon materials as high-capacity and long-cycling anode for lithium/sodium-ion batteries.

Carbon materials are promising anode materials for rechargeable lithium and sodium-ion batteries, due to their low cost, high capacity, and structural designability. In this work, we selected a waste biomass, garlic stem, as the carbon precursor, and we systematically investigated the effect of pyrolysis temperature and time on their battery performance. We find that 800 °C and 2 h are the best pyrolysis conditions, which leads to the optimal carbon material (800C-2H) with a large layer spacing, abundant defect sites, high surface area, and sufficient micro/meso-porous structures.

Transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation for the prevention of postoperative delirium in elderly surgical patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the preventive effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on postoperative delirium in elderly surgical patients.

Methods: PubMed, CENTRAL, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang databases were searched for randomized controlled trials regarding the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation on preventing postoperative delirium in elderly patients undergoing any type of surgery. The primary outcome was the incidence of postoperative delirium.

Innate Immunity Involves Multiple Signaling Pathways and Coordinated Communication Between Different Tissues.

The innate immune response provides the first line of defense against invading pathogens, and immune disorders cause a variety of diseases. The fruit fly employs multiple innate immune reactions to resist infection. First, epithelial tissues function as physical barriers to prevent pathogen invasion.

A novel asymmetric CDI device for targeted removal of cation in water desalination.

A novel asymmetric capacitive deionisation (CDI) device was home-made for the removal of cations from an aqueous solution through the structural innovation in this experiment. The adsorbent materials were characterised by Scanning Electron Microscope and BET as well as performing cyclic voltammetry curve tests. The results showed that the materials exhibited excellent performance (the specific surface area is 321.

Tio and carbon nanotubes composites modify capacitive deionization anodes to improve the dechlorination efficiency in desulfurization wastewater.

A new capacitive deionization (CDI) technology was used to remove Cl from desulfurization wastewater. TiO and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were combined with N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) to form composites by a solvothermal method in which it is coated onto the CDI anode to improve dechlorination efficiency (DE). The morphology, surface area, wettability, crystal structure and chemical composition of the TiO/CNTs were characterized.

Experimental and theoretical study of a new CDI device for the treatment of desulfurization wastewater.

According to the characteristics of desulfurization wastewater, A new capacitive deionization (CDI) device was designed to study the desalination characteristics of desulfurization wastewater in this paper. The experiments investigated the desalination efficiency under different conditions which find that the best desalination efficiency is achieved at a voltage of 1.2V, pH=11 and 50°C.

Zafirlukast in combination with pseudohypericin attenuates spinal cord injury and motor function in experimental mice.

Background: Biosynthesis of leukotriene (LT) by arachidonic acid involves 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO) as an important precursor. Here, we evaluated the role of pseudohypericin (PHP) for its postulated 5-LO inhibitory activity along with a Cys-LT receptor antagonist zafirlukast (ZFL) against inflammatory response and tissue injury in mice.

Materials And Methods: The spinal injury was induced by two-level laminectomy of T6 and T7 vertebrae.

Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase by compound 991 protects osteoblasts from dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone (Dex) induces direct cytotoxicity to cultured osteoblasts. The benzimidazole derivative compound 991 ("C991") is a novel and highly-efficient AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activator. Here, in both MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and primary murine osteoblasts, treatment with C991 activated AMPK signaling, and significantly attenuated Dex-induced apoptotic and non-apoptotic cell death.

Phosphodiesterase inhibitor ameliorates neuronal injury in spinal cord ischemia/reperfusion injured rat model.

This study investigated the mechanisms responsible for the neuroprotective effect of sildenafil citrate (SFC) on ischemia-reperfusion spinal cord (SC) injuries. Balloon occlusion of the thoracic aorta was used to induce SC ischemia. The animals (n=30) were separated into three groups: sham, SC injury with saline, and SC injury with 5mg/kg i.

RBEL1 is required for osteosarcoma cell proliferation via inhibiting retinoblastoma 1.

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of primary malignant tumor of the bone. However, mechanisms underlying osteosarcoma cell proliferation are poorly understood. The present study shows that RBEL1, a newly identified Rab-like GTPase, may be a key regulator of osteosarcoma cell proliferation.

Comparison between posterior dynamic stabilization and posterior lumbar interbody fusion in the treatment of degenerative disc disease: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Few studies compared radiographic and clinical outcomes between posterior dynamic stabilization (PDS) and posterior lumbar intervertebral fusion (PLIF) in treating degenerative disc disease (DDD).

Methods: A total of 176 consecutive patients who underwent posterior instrumented spinal surgery for degenerative disc disease between January 2007 and January 2009 were prospectively divided into two groups-PDS and PLIF. All patients included in the analysis were followed up for 3 years.

A label-free microfluidic biosensor for activity detection of single microalgae cells based on chlorophyll fluorescence.

Detection of living microalgae cells is very important for ballast water treatment and analysis. Chlorophyll fluorescence is an indicator of photosynthetic activity and hence the living status of plant cells. In this paper, we developed a novel microfluidic biosensor system that can quickly and accurately detect the viability of single microalgae cells based on chlorophyll fluorescence.

[Selection of suitable procedure in the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis based upon imaging studies].

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacies of two different procedures in the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis.

Methods: From August 2008 to August 2011, 28 patients of lumbar degenerative scoliosis were divided into one group (n = 14) undergoing modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) instrumented surgery and another group (n = 14) undergoing posterolateral fusion (PLF) instrumented surgery. There were 12 males and 16 females with a mean age of 66.

[Treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis via posterior decompression and fusion with internal fixation].

Objective: To explore the pathogenic mechanism, operative techniques and therapeutic efficacy of lumbar degenerative scoliosis.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed for 32 patients (14 males and 18 females with a mean age of 67.4 years old) with degenerative lumbar scoliosis undergoing posterior decompression and fusion with pedicle screw system from January 2007 to March 2010.

[Pedicle screw implanting in the treatment of multi-level lumbar spine fractures].

Objective: To review the clinical data of a group of patients with multi-level lumbar spine fractures treated with TSRH-3D pedicle screw system and to investigate the effect and post-operative efficacy of this technique.

Methods: Eighteen patients diagnosed as multi-level lumbar spine fracture were treated with TSRH-3D pedicle screw system. The operations were performed at 4 hours to 2 days after injury and the follow-up period was 15-32 months (mean: 23 months).