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SnO2-based materials are promising catalysts for CO2 electrochemical reduction due to its attractive selectivity for C1 products (formate and carbon monoxide) but they tend to suffer high overpotential and poor stability. Here, a porous SnO2/ZnO catalyst is synthesized via hydroxides coprecipitation, hydrothermal treatment and carbon black template calcination. SnO2 nanocrystals are produced by calcination of tin hydroxides while the growth of ZnO nanocrystals is associated with carbon black template. The porous SnO2/ZnO catalyst presents a stable Faradaic efficiency of >90% for CO2 reduction at an applied voltage of -0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and a C1 current density of 9.53 mA cm−2 over a testing period of 100 h. The improved performance is originated from abundant heterojunctions and lattice defects of SnO2 and ZnO nanocrystals, large specific surface area and grain boundary. This study provides a facile method to fabricate porous and nanocrystal metal oxides electrocatalysts for electrochemical processes.

Atmospheric CO2 concentrations are soaring due to the continued use of fossil fuels in energy production, an anthropogenic activity that is playing a leading role in global warming. Thus, research aimed at the capture and conversion of CO2 into value-added products, such as cyclic carbonates, is booming. While CO2 is an abundant, cheap, non-toxic, and readily accessible C1 feedstock, its thermodynamic stability necessitates the development of highly efficient catalysts that are able to promote chemical reactions under mild conditions. In this work, a novel mesoporous poly(ionic liquid) with dual active sites was synthesized through a facile method that involves co-polymerization, post-synthetic metalation, and supercritical CO2 drying. Due to a high density of nucleophilic and electrophilic sites, the as-prepared poly(ionic liquid), denoted as P2D-4BrBQA-Zn, offers excellent performance in a CO2 cycloaddition reaction using epichlorohydrin as the substrate (98.9% conversion and 96.9% selectivity). Moreover the reaction is carried out under mild, solvent-free, and additive-free conditions. Notably, P2D-4BrBQA-Zn also efficiently promotes the conversion of various other epoxide substrates into cyclic carbonates. Overall, the catalyst is found to have excellent substrate compatibility, stability, and recyclability.

Spiraea prunifolia f. simpliciflora Nakai is a perennial shrub widely used for horticultural and medicinal purposes. We simultaneously obtained the complete plastid genome (plastome) and nuclear ribosomal gene transcription units, 45S nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) and 5S nrDNA of S. prunifolia f. simpliciflora, using Illumina short-read data. The plastome is 155,984 bp in length with a canonical quadripartite structure consisting of 84,417 bp of a large single-copy region, 18,887 bp of a short single-copy region, and 26,340 bp of two inverted repeat regions. Overall, a total of 113 genes (79 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNAs, and four rRNAs) were annotated in the plastome. The 45S nrDNA transcription unit is 5,848 bp in length: 1,809 bp, 161 bp, and 3,397 bp for 18S, 5.8S, and 26S, respectively, and 261 bp and 220 bp for internal transcribed spacer (ITS) 1 and ITS 2 regions, respectively. The 5S nrDNA unit is 512 bp, including 121 bp of 5S rRNA and 391 bp of intergenic spacer regions. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the genus Spiraea was monophyletic and sister to the clade of Sibiraea angustata, Petrophytum caespitosum and Kelseya uniflora. Within the genus Spiraea, the sections Calospira and Spiraea were monophyletic, but the sect. Glomerati was nested within the sect. Chamaedryon. In the sect. Glomerati, S. prunifolia f. simpliciflora formed a subclade with S. media, and the subclade was sister to S. thunbergii and S. mongolica. The close relationship between S. prunifolia f. simpliciflora and S. media was also supported by the nrDNA phylogeny, indicating that the plastome and nrDNA sequences assembled in this study belong to the genus Spiraea. The newly reported complete plastome and nrDNA transcription unit sequences of S. prunifolia f. simpliciflora provide useful information for further phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of the genus Spiraea, as well as the family Rosaceae.

Understanding the function of the nasal vasculature in homeostasis and pathogenesis of common nasal diseases is important. Here we describe an extensive network of venous sinusoids (VSs) in mouse and human nasal mucosa. The endothelium of the VSs expressed Prox1 (considered to be a constitutive marker of lymphatic endothelium) and high levels of VCAM-1 and exhibited unusual cell-to-cell junctions. VSs are supported by circular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and surrounded by immune cells. The nasal mucosa also showed a rich supply of lymphatic vessels with distinctive features, such as the absence of the lymphatic marker LYVE1 and sharp-ended capillaries. In mouse models of allergic rhinitis or acute Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection, Prox1+ VSs were regressed or compromised. However, in aged mice, the VSs lost the SMC support and were expanded and enlarged. Our findings demonstrate three-dimensional morphological and molecular heterogeneities of the nasal vasculature and offer insights into their associations with nasal inflammation, infection and aging.

The periodical application of androgen deprivation therapy, immunotherapy, or chemotherapy is an effective method for cancer treatment, but few studies combine them. To explore such comprehensive treatment mechanisms, this paper establishes a pulsed stochastic hybrid dynamics model considering tumor antigenicity and density-dependent mortality. In addition to analyzing the basic properties of solutions such as the tumor-free periodic solution and global attraction of the model, the threshold conditions for the persistence and extinction of prostate cancer cells and effector cells are obtained by using stochastic differential equation theory. Besides, sufficient conditions for the existence of stationary distribution of the system are established. The results reveal that comprehensive therapy or white noise can determine tumor dynamics and suggest that the treatment of prostate cancer should be individualized according to the state of tumor development. Finally, biological significance is discussed and conclusions are given.

This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of brachytherapy in post-operative cervical cancer patients with risk factors other than positive stump, and to identify the candidates most likely to benefit.Newly diagnosed, non-metastatic cervical cancer patients treated in our hospital between January 2012 and November 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Early stage patients receiving radical surgery and needing adjuvant external radiotherapy were included, but those with positive stump were excluded. All patients received external radiotherapy. They were divided into two groups: one group received vaginal brachytherapy and the other did not. The 5-year local-regional recurrence free survival (LRRFS) and overall survival (OS) rates in the two groups were compared.Two hundred and twenty-five patients were included in this study; while 99 received brachytherapy, 126 did not. The brachytherapy group had significantly superior 5-year LRRFS (87.7% vs. 72.5%, p = 0.004), but did not show a significant overall survival benefit (78.4% vs. 75.3%, p = 0.055). In multivariate analysis, brachytherapy, pathological type, high-risk factors, duration of radiotherapy, and transfusion were independent prognostic factors for 5-year LRRFS. In stratified analysis, the brachytherapy group showed superior LRRFS in those meeting Sedlis criteria (p = 0.017).The combination of external beam radiation therapy and brachytherapy can improve LRRFS in post-operative cervical cancer patients with risk factors other than positive stump. Therefore, brachytherapy should be considered for these patients.

Objective The purpose of the present study was to develop and validate the Korean version of the clinician-administered KSADSCOMP, which is the recently updated, web-based computerized version of the Kiddie Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for school-age children (KSADS).Methods A total of 71 participants (mean age=12.04±3.86 years, female=29.57%) participated in the study. A child-adolescent psychiatrist established a diagnosis for the participant after a thorough psychiatric interview with the participant and the parent. Researchers who were blind to the diagnoses administered the clinician-administered KSADS-COMP to the parents and participants. The gold-standard diagnoses made by child-adolescent psychiatrists were compared to the current diagnoses generated by the clinician-administered KSADS-COMP. Percent agreement, Cohen’s Kappa, Gwet’s first-order agreement coefficient (AC1), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated.Results Gwet’s AC1, our preferred measure of agreement, showed excellent range between 0.78 and 1. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value and negative predictive value also showed high scores.Conclusion The current study demonstrated excellent criterion validity of the Korean version of the clinician-administered KSADSCOMP, though the small sample size could be a limitation. The current study was the first study to examine the criterion validity of the KSADS-COMP. Due to its readily usable format and efficient and accurate diagnostic process, widely-use of KSADS-COMP is expected.

Dysfunction of glucagon-secreting α-cells participates in the progression of diabetes, and glucagon receptor (GCGR) antagonism is regarded as a novel strategy for diabetes therapy. GCGR antagonism upregulates glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) secretion and, notably, promotes β-cell regeneration in diabetic mice. Here, we aimed to clarify the role of GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) activated by glucagon and/or GLP-1 in the GCGR antagonism–induced β-cell regeneration. We showed that in db/db mice and type 1 diabetic wild-type or Flox/cre mice, GCGR monoclonal antibody (mAb) improved glucose control, upregulated plasma insulin level, and increased β-cell area. Notably, blockage of systemic or pancreatic GLP-1R signaling by exendin 9-39 (Ex9) or Glp1r knockout diminished the above effects of GCGR mAb. Furthermore, glucagon-neutralizing antibody (nAb), which prevents activation of GLP-1R by glucagon, also attenuated the GCGR mAb–induced insulinotropic effect and β-cell regeneration. In cultured primary mouse islets isolated from normal mice and db/db mice, GCGR mAb action to increase insulin release and to upregulate β-cell–specific marker expression was reduced by a glucagon nAb, by the GLP-1R antagonist Ex9, or by a pancreas-specific Glp1r knockout. These findings suggest that activation of GLP-1R by glucagon participates in β-cell regeneration induced by GCGR antagonism in diabetic mice. Article Highlights Glucagon receptor (GCGR) antagonism promotes β-cell regeneration in type 1 and type 2 diabetic mice and in euglycemic nonhuman primates. Glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) can activate the GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R), and their levels are upregulated following GCGR antagonism. We investigated whether GLP-1R activated by glucagon and/or GLP-1 contributed to β-cell regeneration induced by GCGR antagonism. We found that blockage of glucagon–GLP-1R signaling attenuated the GCGR monoclonal antibody–induced insulinotropic effect and β-cell regeneration in diabetic mice. Our study reveals a novel mechanism of β-cell regeneration and uncovers the communication between α-cells and β-cells in regulating β-cell mass.

Background Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is related to depressive disorder, and adolescents with both present poor outcomes. However, evidence for the safety of concomitantly using a methylphenidate (MPH) and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) among adolescent ADHD patients is limited, a literature gap aimed to address through this investigation. Methods We conducted a new-user cohort study using a nationwide claims database in South Korea. We identified a study population as adolescents who were diagnosed both ADHD and depressive disorder. MPH-only users were compared with patients who prescribed both a SSRI and a MPH. Fluoxetine and escitalopram users were also compared to find a preferable treatment option. Thirteen outcomes including neuropsychiatric, gastrointestinal, and other events were assessed, taking respiratory tract infection as a negative control outcome. We matched the study groups using a propensity score and used the Cox proportional hazard model to calculate the hazard ratio. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted in various epidemiologic settings. Results The risks of all the outcomes between the MPH-only and SSRI groups were not significantly different. Regarding SSRI ingredients, the risk of tic disorder was significantly lower in the fluoxetine group than the escitalopram group [HR 0.43 (0.25–0.71)]. However, there was no significant difference in other outcomes between the fluoxetine and escitalopram groups. Conclusion The concomitant use of MPHs and SSRIs showed generally safe profiles in adolescent ADHD patients with depression. Most of the differences between fluoxetine and escitalopram, except those concerning tic disorder, were not significant.

Although Li-ion batteries are widely used, recent catastrophic accidents have seriously hindered their widespread application. In this study, a novel acoustic-signal-based battery fault warning and location method is proposed. This method requires only four acoustic sensors at the corners of the energy storage cabin. It captures the venting acoustic signal when a fault occurs in the cell and calculates the spatial location of the cell. The maximum spatial error is 0.1 m. Considering that the effective range of a fire-fighting facility is significantly greater than 0.1 m, such a location error is acceptable. Furthermore, a wavelet-transform-based anti-misjudgment method that ensures the reliability of the fault warning and location is proposed. Thus, a nonintrusive, timely, and effective solution to ensure the safety of the battery energy storage system is provided.

Purpose: To evaluate risk factors for significant rotation and determine optimal timing for repositioning surgery following a plate-haptic toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Methods: This retrospective study enrolled patients who underwent the plate-haptic toric IOL implantation at seven hospitals in Shanghai. IOL rotation and residual astigmatism were compared before and after repositioning surgery. Risk factors for significant IOL rotation after cataract surgery were identified by stepwise multiple linear regression analysis. Spearman's and linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with IOL rotation after repositioning. The receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the optimal timing for repositioning surgery. Results: Among 2,745 eyes implanted with the toric IOL, 46 eyes (1.68%) of 45 patients underwent repositioning surgery. Axial length and lens thickness were significantly associated with IOL rotation before repositioning. After repositioning surgery, IOL rotation and residual astigmatism were significantly reduced (all P < .001). IOL rotation after repositioning was negatively associated with the timing of repositioning surgery (all P < .001). The ROC curve showed that the optimal cut-off for the timing of repositioning surgery was 15 days or greater. Conclusions: The prevalence of repositioning surgery after the plate-haptic toric IOL implantation was 1.68%, and the optimal timing for repositioning surgery was recommended to be 2 to 3 weeks after cataract surgery. [ J Refract Surg . 2023;39(2):120–126.]

Refractory or relapsing metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) has a poor prognosis. Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) is a novel antibody-drug conjugate, targeting human trophoblast cell-surface antigen 2 (Trop-2). This is the first report of SG's efficacy and safety in Chinese patients with mTNBC. EVER-132-001 (NCT04454437) was a multicenter, single-arm, Phase IIb study in Chinese patients with mTNBC who failed ≥2 prior chemotherapy regimens. Eligible patients received 10 mg/kg SG on Days 1 and 8 of each 21-day treatment cycle, until disease progression/unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR) assessed by the Independent Review Committee. Secondary endpoints included: duration of response (DOR), clinical benefit rate (CBR), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and safety. 80 female Chinese patients (median age 47.6 years; range 24-69.9 years) received ≥1 SG dose with a median of 8 treatment cycles by the cutoff date (August 6, 2021). Median number of prior systemic cancer treatments was 4.0 (range 2.0-8.0). ORR and CBR were reported 38.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 28.06-50.30) and 43.8% (95% CI: 32.68- 55.30) of patients, respectively. The median PFS was 5.55 months (95% CI: 4.14-N/A). SG-related Grade ≥3 treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported in 71.3%, the most common were neutrophil count decreased (62.5%), white blood cell count decreased (48.8%), and anemia (21.3%); 6.3% discontinued SG because of TEAEs. SG demonstrated substantial clinical activity in heavily pre-treated Chinese patients with mTNBC. The observed safety profile was generally manageable.