Publications

Bee venom (BV) is usually associated with pain since, when humans are stung by bees, local inflammation and even an allergic reaction can be produced. BV has been traditionally used in ancient medicine and in acupuncture. It consists of a mixture of substances, principally of proteins and peptides, including enzymes as well as other types of molecules in a very low concentration. Melittin and phospholipase A2 (PLA2) are the most abundant and studied compounds of BV. Literature of the main biological activities exerted by BV shows that most studies focuses on the comprehension and test of anti-inflammatory effects and its mechanisms of action. Other properties such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, neuroprotective or antitumor effects have also been assessed, both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, human trials are necessary to confirm those clinical applications. However, notwithstanding the therapeutic potential of BV, there are certain problems regarding its safety and the possible appearance of adverse effects. On this perspective, new approaches have been developed to avoid these complications. This manuscript is aimed at reviewing the actual knowledge on BV components and its associated biological activities as well as the latest advances on this subject.

Abstract Background Forward surgical team (FST) is a highly mobile team for surgical missions in battlefield. FST training has been well held in many western countries. However, such training in Chinese army is far from satisfaction. Methods and Results Relying on Second Military Medical University and its affiliated hospitals, we are launching an entry‐level training program for 5th grade students, in order to improve their understandings on basic concepts of FST, as well as their abilities to complete surgical missions on battlefield. Conclusions In this article, we are going to introduce our training facilities as well as our training methods in our training program.

2',4'-DHC inhibited CRC growth through various mechanisms, mainly by regulating NLRP3 inflammasome and caspase-3/4/11 activation. Considering the anti-tumor and immunomodulation roles of 2',4'-DHC, it might be a new direction for the development of new strategies to treat colorectal cancer.

The optical extinction response of individual Au-Ag@SiO2 heterodimers whose individual morphologies are determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is investigated using spatial modulation spectroscopy. The extinction spectra show two resonances spectrally close to the surface plasmon resonances of the constituting Au and Ag@SiO2 core-shell particles. The interparticle electromagnetic coupling is demonstrated to induce a large increase of the optical extinction of the dimer around its Au-like surface plasmon resonance for light polarized along its axis, as compared to that for perpendicular polarization and to that of an isolated Au nanoparticle. For spherical particles, this interaction also leads to comparable shifts with light polarization of the two dimer resonances, an effect masked or even reversed for particles significantly deviating from sphericity. Both amplitude and spectral effects are found to be in excellent quantitative agreement with numerical simulations when using the TEM-measured dimer morphology (i.e., size, shape, and orientation of the individual dimers), stressing the importance of individual morphology characterization for interpreting heterodimer optical response.

Abstract Composite structures created from metal‒organic framework (MOF) matrices are reviewed in this work. Depending on the nature of the second component apart from the MOF platform, several synergistic properties may arise; at the same time, the initial features of the single constituent materials are usually maintained, and individual shortcomings are mitigated. Currently, timely energy and environmental challenges necessitate the quest for more advanced materials and technologies. Significant developments in MOF‐nanocomposites have enabled their application across a wide range of modern and traditional fields. This review demonstrates in an exhaustive and critical way a broad range of MOF‐based nanocomposites, namely, MOF/perovskite nanoparticles (NPs), MOF/metal (non‐iron) oxide NPs, MOF/Fe 3 O 4 NPs, MOF/metal chalcogenide NPs, MOF/metal NPs, and MOF/carbon‐based materials, as well as nanocomposites of MOFs with other semiconductor NPs. Key points related to the synthesis, characterization, and applications of these materials are provided. Depending on their configuration, the composites under discussion can be applied in domains such as photoelectrochemical sensing, antibiotic/dye degradation, optoelectronics, photovoltaics, catalysis, solar cells, supercapacitors, batteries, water remediation, and drug loading. Sometimes, MOFs can undergo certain processes (e.g. pyrolysis) and act as precursors for composite materials with appealing characteristics. Therefore, a special section in the manuscript is devoted to MOF‐derived NP composites. Toward the end of the text, we conclude while also describing the challenges and possibilities for further investigations in the umbrella of material categories analyzed herein. Despite the progress achieved, key questions remain to be answered regarding the relationships among the morphology, properties, and polyvalent activity of these materials. The present work aims to shed light on most of their aspects and innovative prospects, facilitating a deeper comprehension of the underlying phenomena, functionality, and mechanistic insights governing their behavior.

Additional file 5. CNA Panel sequencing.