Exploring the Interplay of Soft Power, Culture, and Cinema on a Global Scale: A Review of Current Research and Future Directions

This paper examines the significance of soft power in academia, policy-making, and international relations. It reviews the current state of soft power research, identifies gaps in the literature, and explores the interplay of soft power, culture, and cinema. The paper analyses the research hotspots in Chinese soft power research and highlights the need for further research to enhance soft power strategies on a global scale

Tissue Infiltrating Immune Cells as Prognostic Biomarkers in Endometrial Cancer: A Meta-Analysis

Background. The association between tumour-infiltrating immune cells and the prognosis of endometrial cancer (EC) is controversial due to the smaller sample sizes and limited statistical power of the extant studies. We carried out a meta-analysis of the relationship between tumour-infiltrating immune cells and EC survival outcomes. Methods. A literature search in multiple databases was carried out up to December 2019. Pooled hazard ratio (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by the Z-test to assess the association between infiltrating immune cells and overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), relapse-free survival (RFS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and disease-free survival (DFS). A subgroup analysis was performed based on the localisation of immune cells in tumour parenchyma or stroma, immune markers, and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage. Heterogeneity and publication bias between studies were evaluated by Cochran’s Q-test and Egger regression test, respectively. Results. Seventeen studies were included in the analysis. The pooled HR of OS, PFS, DSS, and DFS indicated that a high CD8+ T cell density was associated with a favorable prognosis in EC patients. A significant relationship was found between a high density of CD45RO+ T cells and a favorable OS in EC patients, but the FoxP3+ T cell density was not associated with either OS or RFS. A high TAM density was associated with a worse PFS. However, a sensitivity analysis indicated that the findings of PFS and DSS in CD8+ T cell and PFS in TAM were not robust results. Conclusion. This is the first meta-analysis of the relationship between tumour-infiltrating immune cells and the prognosis of EC. High CD8+ and CD45RO+ T cell densities in tumours were associated with favorable outcomes in EC patients

Optimization of extraction of polysaccharides from Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall. by ultrasonic: characterization, purification and antioxidant assessment

Under optimal extraction conditions, characterization and antioxidant activity of polysaccharides from the Suaeda salsa (L.) Pall. were investigated. This was the first report that described the composition of the polysaccharide form this plant. Obviously, the yield of 2.19% for extraction of polysaccharides was obtained as ethanol volume fraction of 65%, extraction time of 72 min, ultrasound assisted power of 438 W, and temperature of 85°C, respectively. The structure study was carried out with FT-IR and SEM, and the chemical contents of carbohydrates, proteins, uronic acids and total flavonoids were measured in this study. The crude polysaccharides were purified into two components including SGP-1-1 and SGP-2-1. Moreover, the chemical composition analysis according to HPLC showed that it was viscous polysaccharide, which mainly contained glucose, mannose, xylose, galacturonic acid, glucuronic acid, fucose, rhamnose, arabinose, galactose, respectively. Besides, it was proved that the optimum polysaccharides possessed higher significant potentials (P<0.05) in scavenging ability against DPPH, ABTS+ and hydroxyl radical

Approach for Discrimination and Quantification of Electroactive Species: Kinetics Difference Revealed by Higher Harmonics of Fourier Transformed Sinusoidal Voltammetry

Discrimination and quantification of electroactive species are traditionally realized by a potential difference which is mainly determined by thermodynamics. However, the resolution of this approach is limited to tens of millivolts. In this paper, we described an application of Fourier transformed sinusoidal voltammetry (FT-SV) that provides a new approach for discrimination and quantitative evaluation of electroactive species, especially thermodynamic similar ones. Numerical simulation indicates that electron transfer kinetics difference between electroactive species can be revealed by the phase angle of higher order harmonics of FT-SV, and the difference can be amplified order by order. Thus, even a very subtle kinetics difference can be amplified to be distinguishable at a certain order of harmonics. This method was verified with structurally similar ferrocene derivatives which were chosen as the model systems. Although these molecules have very close redox potential (<10 mV), discrimination and selective detection were achieved by as high as the thirteenth harmonics. The results demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of the method. It was also implied that the combination of the traditional thermodynamic method and this kinetics method can form a two-dimension resolved detection method, and it has the potential to extend the resolution of voltammetric techniques to a new level

A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effects of Diosmin in the Treatment of Radicular Pain

Diosmin has been widely used to treat patients with vascular pain for its potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Diosmin in the treatment of radicular pain, we conducted an investigator-initiated, randomized, active-controlled noninferiority trial between January 1, 2009, and December 1, 2010. Diosmin (50 mg/kg/day) was orally administered to treat the radicular pain in 150 patients for one month. Another 150 patients with the same symptom were given 20% 250 ml mannitol (1 g/kg/day) for 7 days and dexamethasone (10 mg/day) for 3 days intravenously guttae. Short-term relief and long-term relief were measured. Secondary outcomes include improvement in functional and psychological status, return to work, and reduction in anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs intake. Patients treated with oral Diosmin achieved reduction in radicular pain. The total satisfaction rate of Diosmin group was 84.7% [95% confidence interval (CI): 77.9%, 90.0%], and the complete satisfaction rate was 50.7% (95% CI: 42.4%, 58.9%). No statistically significant difference was found between the Diosmin group and the active-control group regarding patient satisfaction. No adverse effects were found during the study period. Our study suggests that clinical application of Diosmin with a dose of 50 mg/kg/day might reduce the radicular pain. This trial is registered with ISRCTN97157037

Purification, Identification and Molecular Docking of Immunomodulatory Peptides from the Heads of <i>Litopenaeus vannamei</i>

In order to realize the high-value utilization of Litopenaeus vannamei (L. vannamei) heads, immunomodulatory peptides were prepared from the enzymatic hydrolysate of L. vannamei heads, and the action mechanism of immunomodulatory peptides was determined by molecular docking. The results showed that six proteases were used to hydrolyze L. vannamei head proteins, with the animal protease hydrolysate exhibiting the highest macrophage relative proliferation rate (MRPR). The enzymatic products were then sequentially purified by ultrafiltration, Sephadex G-15 gel chromatography, identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and finally selected for six immunomodulatory peptides (PSPFPYFT, SAGFPEGF, GPQGPPGH, QGF, PGMR, and WQR). These peptides maintained good immune activity under heat treatment, pH treatment, and in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. Molecular docking analysis indicated that these peptides showed great binding to both toll-like receptor 2 and 4 (TLR2 and TLR4/MD-2), leading to immunomodulation. The discarded L. vannamei heads in this article are considered to be promising food-borne immunomodulators that contribute to enhancing the immune function of the body

Simultaneous Interphase Optimizations on the Large-Area Anode and Cathode of High-Energy-Density Lithium-Ion Pouch Cells by a Multiple Additives Strategy

Prior to the maturation of next-generation energy storage devices, the actual lithium-ion batteries for commercial purposes are still expected to fulfill some critical requirements, among which the high energy density, wide operating temperature range, and related long-term cycling stability are the most challenging issues. Herein a multiple additives strategy is employed to simultaneously optimize the solid electrolyte interphase on the large-area anode and cathode in a 2 Ah artificial graphite (AGO/LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) pouch cell with high gravimetric (>260 Wh kg(-1)) and volumetric (>630 Wh L-1) energy density. By introducing a rational mixture of electrolyte additives, a highly sulfurized surface layer and a uniform and thin passivation layer are separately formed on the anode and cathode of the AGr/NCM523 pouch cell, exhibiting high storage stability at 60 degrees C, much improved discharge capacity at -10 and -20 degrees C, high anodic stability at high voltage of 4.4 V, and stable cyclic performance with a capacity retention of 85.5% after 500 cycles, significantly outperforming the value of 75.7% after only 200 cycles of the cell without additional additives. These results demonstrate the critical effect of simultaneous optimizations of anode and cathode interphase layers to construct stable high-energy-density lithium-ion pouch cells

Porphyrin-Based Porous Organic Frameworks as a Biomimetic Catalyst for Highly Efficient Colorimetric Immunoassay

Herein, we synthesized a cost-effective iron porphyrin (FePor)-based covalent organic polymer (COP), FePor-TFPA-COP, through an easy aromatic substitution reaction between pyrrole and tris­(4-formylphenyl)­amine (TFPA). The triangular pyramid-shaped, N-centric structure of TFPA facilitated the formation of FePor-TFPA-COP with three-dimensional porous structure, larger surface area, and abundant surface catalytically active sites. FePor-TFPA-COP exhibited strong intrinsic peroxidase activity toward a classical peroxidase substrate, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), in the presence of H₂O₂. Compared with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), FePor-TFPA-COP exhibited several advantages such as easy storage, high sensitivity, and prominently chemical and catalytic stability under the harsh conditions, which guaranteed the accuracy and reliability of measurements. Utilizing the excellent catalytic activity, a FePor-TFPA-COP-based colorimetric immunoassay was first established for α-fetoprotein (AFP) detection and showed high sensitivity, stability, and acceptable reproducibility. The linear response range for AFP was 5 pg/mL to 100 ng/mL and the detection limitation was 1 pg/mL. The routine provided a brilliant biomimetic catalyst to develop the nonenzyme immunoassay. More importantly, the high chemical and catalytic stability and sensitivity facilitated future practical applications under various conditions