The conservative management for improving Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scoring in greater trochanteric pain syndrome: a Bayesian analysis

Abstract Background Greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) possesses a harmful influence on quality of life. Numerous conservative management modalities with varying success have been proposed for patients with GTPS. However, it is not clear which treatment is more effective for reducing pain. The purpose of this Bayesian analysis was to assess the current evidence for the effectiveness of conservative treatments on improving Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scoring of GTPS and to determine the most effective treatment protocol. Methods A comprehensive study search was performed from inception until July 18, 2022, via the electronic databases PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for potential research. The risk of bias assessment for the included studies was independently performed based on the Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias Tool. Bayesian analysis was conducted by using ADDIS software (v1.16.5). The DerSimonian-Laird random effects model was used to perform the traditional pairwise meta-analysis. Results Eight full-text articles with a total of 596 patients with GTPS were included in the analysis. In comparing ultrasound-guided platelet-rich plasma application (PRP-U) to ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection (CSI-U), patients who received PRP therapy experienced reduced pain as the VAS decreased significantly (MD, -5.21; 95% CI, -6.24 to -3.64). VAS score in group of extracorporeal shockwave treatment (ESWT) was significant improved than that in exercise (EX) group (MD, -3.17; 95% CI, -4.13 to -2.15). There were no statistically significantly different VAS scores between the CSI-U group and the CSI under landmark (CSI-B) group. The treatment efficacy rankings of the different treatments on improving VAS scores showed that the most likely efficacious treatment was PRP-U (99%) followed by ESWT (81%), CIS-U (58%), usual care (48%), CIS-B (54%), and EX (84%). Conclusion Bayesian analysis revealed that PRP injection and ESWT are relatively safe and effective in the treatment of GTPS. More multicenter high-quality randomized clinical trials with large sample sizes are still needed in the future to provide further evidence

Preparation of Bio-Based Polyamide Elastomer by Using Green Plasticizers

The purpose of this work was to study the effects of three green plasticizers H2O, glycerol, and soybean oil, on the properties of bio-based BDIS polyamides. The BDIS polyamides synthesized from the following biomass monomers: 1,4-butanediamine (BD), 1,10-decanediamine (DD), itaconic acid (IA), and sebacic acid (SA). It is interesting to note that the amorphous BDIS (IA-80%) polyamide was changed from the glassy state to the rubbery state after water soaking and induced crystallization at the same time. The H2O-plasticized non-crosslinked BDIS (IA-80%) polyamides can be very useful for the preparation of physical water gel. The glycerol- and soybean oil-plasticized BDIS (IA-80%) polyamides displayed excellent toughness. The plasticized BDIS (IA-80%) polyamides were characterized by Fouriertransform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), mechanical testing, and X-ray diffraction (XRD)

A Preliminary Study on the Domestication and Breeding Methods of Experimental Cats

ObjectiveFocused on the laboratory animal domestication and breeding of domestic cats, to explore the feeding management methods and breeding techniques of experimental cats.MethodsSeven Chinese garden cats from three litters were introduced from the rural suburbs of Guangzhou, and a breeding seed colony was established. The cats were domesticated in captivity, bred, closed breeding and transmission according to the feeding and management methods of laboratory animal. The population reproduction, the number of pregnancies per year, the litter season, the birth and weaning quality of the cats, and the survival rate of weaning were statistically collected.ResultsThe young breeding cats were able to adapt to the cage feeding management. In the transmission breeding and the expanded breeding colony, the number of female cats pregnant with one, two or three litters a year accounted for 63.2%, 26.3% and 10.5%, respectively. The proportions of litters born from the 1st to the 4th quarters were 20.7%, 20.7%, 27.6%, and 31.0%. A total of 29 pregnancies and 101 kittens were got from 19 female cats, with an average of (3.5±1.33) kittens per litter. The birth weights of female and male cats were (89.31±13.69) g and (93.47±15.12) g, respectively. Sixty-seven kittens survived from weaning. The average survival rate was 60.86%, and the weaning weights of female and male cats were (361.62±82.77) g and (376.0±91.71) g, respectively.ConclusionDomestic Chinese garden cats can adapt to laboratory animal feeding and breeding rules, and have strong fertility. They can normally pregnant and breeding throughout the year. The kittens grow to 5-6 months of age can meet the weight requirements for the examination of pharmaceutical hypotensive substances, and can be used as experimental cats for pharmaceutical examination with clear origin

Adaptive Changes in Detoxification Metabolism and Transmembrane Transport of <i>Bombyx mori</i> Malpighian Tubules to Artificial Diet

The high adaptability of insects to food sources has contributed to their ranking among the most abundant and diverse species on Earth. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the rapid adaptation of insects to different foods remain unclear. We explored the changes in gene expression and metabolic composition of the Malpighian tubules as an important metabolic excretion and detoxification organ in silkworms (Bombyx mori) fed mulberry leaf and artificial diets. A total of 2436 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 245 differential metabolites were identified between groups, with the majority of DEGs associated with metabolic detoxification, transmembrane transport, and mitochondrial function. Detoxification enzymes, such as cytochrome P450 (CYP), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and UDP-glycosyltransferase, and ABC and SLC transporters of endogenous and exogenous solutes were more abundant in the artificial diet group. Enzyme activity assays confirmed increased CYP and GST activity in the Malpighian tubules of the artificial diet-fed group. Metabolome analysis showed increased contents of secondary metabolites, terpenoids, flavonoids, alkaloids, organic acids, lipids, and food additives in the artificial diet group. Our findings highlight the important role of the Malpighian tubules in adaptation to different foods and provide guidance for further optimization of artificial diets to improve silkworm breeding

PD-1-Targeted Discovery of Peptide Inhibitors by Virtual Screening, Molecular Dynamics Simulation, and Surface Plasmon Resonance

The blockade of the programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway plays a critical role in cancer immunotherapy by reducing the immune escape. Five monoclonal antibodies that antagonized PD-1/PD-L1 interaction have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and marketed as immunotherapy for cancer treatment. However, some weaknesses of antibodies, such as high cost, low stability, poor amenability for oral administration, and immunogenicity, should not be overlooked. To overcome these disadvantages, small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-L1 were developed. In the present work, we applied in silico and in vitro approaches to develop short peptides targeting PD-1 as chemical probes for the inhibition of PD-1&ndash;PD-L1 interaction. We first predicted the potential binding pocket on PD-1/PD-L1 protein&ndash;protein interface (PPI). Sequentially, we carried out virtual screening against our in-house peptide library to identify potential ligands. WANG-003, WANG-004, and WANG-005, three of our in-house peptides, were predicted to bind to PD-1 with promising docking scores. Next, we conducted molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation for the further analysis of interactions between our peptides and PD-1. Finally, we evaluated the affinity between peptides and PD-1 by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) binding technology. The present study provides a new perspective for the development of PD-1 inhibitors that disrupt PD-1&ndash;PD-L1 interactions. These promising peptides have the potential to be utilized as a novel chemical probe for further studies, as well as providing a foundation for further designs of potent small-molecule inhibitors targeting PD-1

LBY135, a Novel Anti-DR5 Agonistic Antibody Induces Tumor Cell–Specific Cytotoxic Activity in Human Colon Tumor Cell Lines and Xenografts

ABSTRACT TRAIL (TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) induces apoptosis on binding to DR4 and DR5 receptors on the surface of tumor cells. These receptors are of particular interest in the development of cancer therapeutics as they preferentially mediate tumor cell apoptosis. We have generated a chimeric anti-DR5 agonistic antibody, LBY135, from its murine parental antibody, LCR211, identified using hybridoma technology. Both LCR211 and LBY135 specifically bind to DR5 with nanomolar affinity, mimic TRAIL to induce cell death in tumor cells, and have little effect on non-transformed cells in vitro. The anti- DR5 antibody reduced viability in 45% of a panel of 40 human colon cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 20nM or less. In vivo, using human colorectal tumor xenograft mouse models, LCR211 induced tumor regression and showed enhanced efficacy when combined with 5-FU. Both in vitro evaluation of ADCC (antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity) and CDC (complement-dependent cytotoxicity), and in vivo studies using a non-functional DR5 specific antibody or SCID-Beige mice, suggested ADCC and CDC are unlikely to be the mechanism to ablate tumors in vivo. LBY135 and LCR211 appear to mediate cell death and tumor regression mainly through apoptosis, as demonstrated by the activation of caspase 3, caspase 8, M30, and TUNEL assay. In addition, the discovery of synergy between cross-linked LBY135 and TRAIL not only revealed the unique epitope of LBY135, but also demonstrated an additional mechanism of action for LBY135 in vivo. LBY135 demonstrates promise as a novel therapeutic for cancer treatment and is currently in Phase I clinical trials. Drug Dev Res 69: 69–82, 2008

China’s National Security Review: a tit-for-tat response?

China is gradually taking its place as a major regulator, exercising concurrent jurisdiction of the national security review along with the US and EU over high-profile cross-border mergers and acquisitions. The National Security Review (NSR) regulatory regime of foreign acquisitions has attracted significant attention recently with the establishment of China's counterpart to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS). Due to the intensified activities of sovereign wealth funds (SWFs) that are closely linked with states, CFIUS's broad discretion to deal with China's SWF-based investment may have a far-reaching impact on China's implementation of the newly enacted NSR regime. It is essential to design a mechanism that allows SWFs to maximise their positive attributes while safeguarding the apolitical integrity of the marketplace. Any disproportionate use of the NSR regime would inevitably bring about more unintended consequences, such as tit-for-tat protectionism. This represents an imminent threat to the tenuous recovery from the recent economic crisis, largely because of the increasingly intertwined and interdependent nature of the global financial markets. It is of utmost significance to evaluate the extent to which the updated legislation strikes a reasonable balance between preserving genuine national security interests and maintaining an open environment for investment