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[Display omitted] Previous studies implied that local M2 polarization of macrophage promoted mucosal edema and exacerbated T H 2 type inflammation in chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). However, the specific pathogenic role of M2 macrophages and the intrinsic regulators in the development of CRS remains elusive. We sought to investigate the regulatory role of SIRT5 in the polarization of M2 macrophages and its potential contribution to the development of CRSwNP. Real-time reverse transcription–quantitative PCR and Western blot analyses were performed to examine the expression levels of SIRT5 and markers of M2 macrophages in sinonasal mucosa samples obtained from both CRS and control groups. Wild-type and Sirt5 -knockout mice were used to establish a nasal polyp model with T H 2 inflammation and to investigate the effects of SIRT5 in macrophage on disease development. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were conducted to elucidate the regulatory role of SIRT5 in polarization of M2 macrophages. Clinical investigations showed that SIRT5 was highly expressed and positively correlated with M2 macrophage markers in eosinophilic polyps. The expression of SIRT5 in M2 macrophages was found to contribute to the development of the disease, which was impaired in Sirt5 -deficient mice. Mechanistically, SIRT5 was shown to enhance the alternative polarization of macrophages by promoting glutaminolysis. SIRT5 plays a crucial role in promoting the development of CRSwNP by supporting alternative polarization of macrophages, thus providing a potential target for CRSwNP interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to clarify whether the extent of thyroidectomy (total thyroidectomy vs thyroid lobectomy) influences survival in adults with localized medullary thyroid cancer. Patients with localized medullary thyroid cancer were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2000–2018). An independent cohort of patients with localized medullary thyroid cancer were retrospectively reviewed from three medical centers in China from 2010 to 2020. The patients were grouped by the extent of surgery (total thyroidectomy vs thyroid lobectomy). Primary end points were overall survival and disease-specific survival. From 1,686 patients with medullary thyroid cancer identified in SEER, 1,122 patients met inclusion for matching, with a median follow-up of 99 months. After propensity score matching, 122 patients underwent a total thyroidectomy and 122 patients underwent a thyroid lobectomy. The 10-year overall survival was 85.2% (77.9%–90.7%) and 83.1% (75.5%–90.7%) in total thyroidectomy group and in thyroid lobectomy group, respectively. The 10-year disease-specific survival was 100% and 96.8% (93.1%–100%) in total thyroidectomy group and in thyroid lobectomy group, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in overall survival or disease-specific survival in patients with localized medullary thyroid cancer undergoing total thyroidectomy or thyroid lobectomy (hazard ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval 0.44–1.57, P =.57 and hazard ratio = 0.49, 95% confidence interval 0.10–2.41, P =.39, respectively). Forty-seven patients with localized medullary thyroid cancer were identified in an independent Chinese cohort (n = 29 in total thyroidectomy group vs n = 18 in thyroid lobectomy group). After a median follow-up of 47 months, there was no mortality observed in either group. This study suggests that the extent of thyroidectomy does not influence survival for patients with early-stage localized medullary thyroid cancer and that thyroid lobectomy might be adequate in this patient population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal behavior in aluminum-air battery has prominent effect on its operation performance, however, the investigations to the battery thermal behavior are still scarce. In this paper, an alkaline vehicular traction aluminum-air battery was designed and its thermal behavior was experimentally investigated. The impacts of various parameters were examined, including the ambient temperature, electrolyte concentration, and discharge current density on the battery's temperature-rise, outgoing heat-flux, heat generation rate, and discharge efficiency, etc. It is shown that the battery's temperature-rise, outgoing heat-flux, and heat generation rate increase with the ambient temperature decreases and the electrolyte concentration increases. Furthermore, the battery heat generation rate decreases over the discharge time, particularly it decreases drastically at the first half of discharge. The discharge efficiency of the battery increases with the increases of operating temperature and discharge current density. The battery discharge efficiency varies with the electrolyte concentration, which approaches 78 % under the electrolyte concentration of 3.0 mol L−1, but less than 60 % under the concentrations of 1.0 mol L−1 and 6.0 mol L−1. The present study compensates a vacancy of the thermal behavior characterization for a vehicular traction aluminum-air battery, and the results are of significance in understanding the aluminum-air battery's thermal behavior. • An alkaline Al-air battery is devised. • Proposes a measurement method to characterize the Al-air battery thermal behavior. • Impacts of thermal behavior on Al-air battery operating performance is studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A working model of Cucurbitacin B suppressing AKT/mTORC1 and LXRα/SREBP1 lipogenic pathways. [Display omitted] • Cucurbitacin B mitigates aberrant lipid accumulation and hepatic steatosis in AKT-triggered NAFLD mice. • Cucurbitacin B ameliorates liver function in AKT-injected mice. • Cucurbitacin B impairs AKT/mTORC1 and lipogenic cascades in mice. • Cucurbitacin B restrains AKT-driven lipogenic pathway in vitro. • Cucurbitacin B ameliorates AKT-driven fatty liver disease in mice by suppressing AKT/mTORC1 and LXRα/SREBP1 lipogenic pathways. Dysregulated de novo lipogenesis (DNL) is an essential characteristic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Cucurbitacin B (CuB) is a triterpenoid found in the edible plants of Cucurbitaceae with a broad spectrum of beneficial effects. Here, we investigate the in vivo anti-steatotic efficacy of CuB in an AKT-driven NAFLD mouse model established using hydrodynamic injection. Hepatocyte lines with artificial activation of AKT were used for in vitro experiments. The results demonstrate that CuB effectively attenuates the content of triglyceride and total cholesterol (P < 0.05) and hepatocyte injury (P < 0.01) in the AKT-injected mice. Mechanically, CuB directly represses AKT/mTORC1 and LXRα/SREBP1 signaling, leading to the downregulation of key lipogenic enzymes, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) and fatty acid synthase (FASN) in vivo and in vitro. Taken together, CuB attenuates AKT-driven hepatic steatosis by retarding DNL, indicating that CuB may be beneficial for the treatment of NAFLD, especially in the subset displaying activated AKT/mTORC1 and lipogenic cascades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the correlation between the contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) imaging characteristics and different molecular subtypes of breast cancer (BC). We retrospectively included 313 eligible female patients who underwent CEM examination and surgery in our hospital from July 2017 to July 2021. Their lesions were confirmed on histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis. BC was divided into luminal A, luminal B, HER2-enriched, and triple-negative BC (TNBC) subtypes according to immunohistochemical markers. Nine features were extracted from CEM images, including tumor shape, margins, spiculated mass, lobulated mass, malignant calcification, lesion conspicuity, internal enhancement pattern, multifocal mass, and swollen axillary lymph nodes. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0. Univariate analysis and binomial regression were used to analyze the correlation between CEM imaging features and BC molecular subtypes. There were 184 (58.8 %) Luminal A, 44 (14.1 %) Luminal B, 47 (15.0 %) HER-2-enriched and 38 (12.1 %) TNBC, respectively. Molecular subtypes were significantly related to the tumor shape, margins, spiculated mass, internal enhancement pattern, malignant calcification and swollen axillary lymph nodes. Spiculated and calcified tumors were associated with Luminal subtypes, especially Luminal B (P < 0.05). Irregular tumor shape and malignant calcification were associated with HER-2-enriched subtype (P < 0.05). Oval or round tumor shape, rim enhancement, and swollen axillary lymph nodes were associated with TNBC (P < 0.05). CEM imaging features could distinguish BC molecular subtypes. In particular, TNBC showed oval or round tumor shape, rim enhancement, and swollen axillary lymph nodes, providing insights into the diagnosis and prognosis of TNBC. • Spiculated margins on tumor masses may indicate Luminal B. • Compared to TNBC, Luminal B and HER-2 enriched showed malignant calcification (P < 0.05). • Luminal A showed homogenous enhancement compared to TNBC (OR = 937.77, P < 0.001). • Luminal B showed homogenous enhancement compared to TNBC (OR = 143.946, P < 0.001). • TNBC showed oval shape, rim enhancement, and swollen axillary lymph nodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two flow regimes were observed in membrane assisted reactive crystallization (MARC). • Reversible transitions between liquid layer and droplet can be achieved on membrane surface. • Controllable mixing and ions diffusion conditions were achieved via MARC. • Crystals with narrow nano/micro size distribution were obtained via MARC. Herein, membrane-assisted reactive crystallization (MARC) with effective interfacial flow regimes was proposed to achieve the effective mass transfer control during reactive crystallization. Three tube-shell side solution systems (EtOH-H 2 O, Butanol-H 2 O and H 2 O-H 2 O) were chosen to form different flow regimes on the membrane surface, including the microscale liquid layer and the uniform droplets. The fundamental mechanisms of 'rising and falling tide' phenomenon, and flexible layer thickness control were uncovered. A force analysis model was established to illustrate the transition behavior of the droplet and liquid layer on the membrane surface. Molecular simulations additionally demonstrated that MARC implemented various ion diffusion conditions in different solution systems. Compared to the conventional reactive crystallization, MARC with multiple flow regimes can achieve effective control of CaCO 3 crystal size ranging from 700 nm to 3 μm and obtain uniform size distribution (coefficient of variation less than 15.1 %), which shed light on the advanced material manufacture with reactive crystallization process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Digestive system cancers account for nearly half of all cancers around the world and have a high mortality rate. Cell culture and animal models represent cornerstones of digestive cancer research. However, their ability to enable cancer precision medicine is limited. Cell culture models cannot retain the genetic and phenotypic heterogeneity of tumors and lack tumor microenvironment (TME). Patient-derived xenograft mouse models are not suitable for immune-oncology research. While humanized mouse models are time- and cost-consuming. Suitable preclinical models, which can facilitate the understanding of mechanisms of tumor progression and develop new therapeutic strategies, are in high demand. This review article summarizes the recent progress on the establishment of TME by using tumor organoid models and microfluidic systems. The main challenges regarding the translation of organoid models from bench to bedside are discussed. The integration of organoids and a microfluidic platform is the emerging trend in drug screening and precision medicine. A future prospective on this field is also provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Li-Al-LDH composite nanosheets by hydrothermal method. • This kind of rGO/Li-Al-LDH nanosheets layer is expected to improve the wettability of liquid electrolytes and thermal stability. • The rGO/Li-Al-LDH@PP composite separator exhibits enhanced lithium-ion transport property. • The rGO/Li-Al-LDH@PP composite separator can be applied in Li||LiFePO 4 half cells. Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) with ultra-high theoretical energy density are a prospective candidate to replace current lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, there are still two non-negligible problems of lithium dendrites and the volume expansion effect of LMBs. In this study, reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Li-Al-LDH composite nanosheets were firstly prepared via a hydrothermal method and then vacuum filtered onto commercial polypropylene (PP) separator. This kind of rGO/Li-Al-LDH nanosheets layer is expected to improve the wettability of liquid electrolytes and thermal stability. Furthermore, rich- Li-Al LDH can promote more ionic carriers and channels, which exhibits higher-efficiency lithium-ion transport properties. Meanwhile, rGO with a graphitic-like structure is able to disperse the concentration of electrons at the sharp point when lithium dendrites arise. As a result, the discharge capacity of the Li||LiFePO 4 cells based on the rGO/Li-Al-LDH@PP separator is still 1.852 mAh after 250 cycles and the capacity decay rate is just 4.24%. It is demonstrated that a feasible and effective strategy for the modified separator can enhance the electrochemical performance of LMBs. [Display omitted] The functional coat is a superior strategy to optimize the interface among the electrode, separator, and liquid electrolyte. In our study, we have synthesized reduced graphene oxide (rGO)/Li-Al-LDH composite nanosheets by hydrothermal method. Li-Al-LDH possesses plenty of octahedral vacancies and abundant lithium-ion diffusion pathways. Meanwhile, rGO with a graphitic-like structure is able to disperse the concentration of electrons at the sharp point when lithium dendrites arise. The prepared rGO/Li-Al-LDH@PP composite separator exhibits increased lithium-ion transference number (0.39) and enhanced ionic conductivity (0.74 mS cm−1) when compared with bare PP separator. The cell has excellent cycle performance. The discharge capacity of the Li||LiFePO 4 cells based on the rGO/Li-Al-LDH@PP separator is still 1.852 mAh after 250 cycles and the capacity decay rate is just 4.24%. At the same time, it also improves the rate performance and Coulomb efficiency of the cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is one of the most common neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke, affecting cognitive function, recovery of somatic function, and patient survival. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Chaihu-Shugan-San, a traditional Chinese medicine formula used clinically to treat depression, could improve symptoms in a rat model for PSD, to investigate the potential mechanisms, and to validate the findings in an in vitro oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD) model. Male rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). The rats were then allocated to experimental groups (n = 15) that were treated with Chaihu-Shugan-San, a JAK-STAT3 inhibitor, a GSK3β overexpressing virus, or an empty virus (control). The subjects allocated to each group, as well as those that received no treatment and rats that did not undergo MCAO/CUMS, were then subjected to forced swimming, tail suspension, and sugar water preference tests, and their neurological deficit score was determined. Inflammatory factor levels and the expression of proteins related to the JAK/STAT3-GSK3β/PTEN/Akt pathway were measured, and the synaptic ultrastructure was observed using transmission electron microscopy. Flow cytometry showed microglia polarization towards the M1 phenotype in an in vitro PSD model, which was reversed after treatment with a GSK3β overexpression virus, Chaihu-Shugan-San, or a JAK-STAT3 inhibitor. The results showed that Chaihu-Shugan-San has a therapeutic effect on an in vivo model for PSD and can regulate microglia polarization through the activation of the JAK/STAT3-GSK3β/PTEN/Akt pathway, suggesting that it exerts its effect via the inhibition of neuroinflammation. [Display omitted] • Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a common neuropsychiatric consequence of stroke. • We used both an in vivo and an in vitro model to evaluate potential therapies for PSD. • Chaihu-Shugan-San, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, improved PSD symptoms. • This effect involved the activation of the JAK/STAT3-GSK3β/PTEN/Akt pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For sodium-ion batteries, polyanionic cathode materials have been mainly studied due to their advantages of high safety, low-cost and environmental friendliness. However, some shortcomings of low intrinsic conductivity and slow reaction kinetics limit its further application. In our study, a uniform and dense amorphous carbon layer is coated onto the surface of fluorophosphate (Na 2 FePO 4 F/C) via high-energy ball milling and heat-treatment process. According to the results of SEM and TEM, it is seen that the surface of the active particles would be composited with a carbon layer. When the heat treatment temperature is 650 °C, the ratio of I D /I G of Raman is the largest, indicating that the highest disorder degree of the carbon layer. The obtained Na 2 FePO 4 F/C-650 has the largest initial discharge specific capacity (120 mAh·g−1 at 0.1 C), and the specific capacity retention rate is 76.54% at 10 C for 1000 cycles. Furthermore, the sodium-ion diffusion coefficient of Na 2 FePO 4 F/C-650 measured using AC impedance is up to 4.91 × 10−12 cm2·s−1. It could be resulted from the fact that amorphous carbon layer can absorb more sodium ions and is beneficial to ion diffusion kinetics according to the DFT calculation. This study has proposed a new idea to modify cathode material and facilitated the commercial application of Na 2 FePO 4 F. The functional carbon layer is an effective strategy to improve the conductivity and ionic reaction kinetics of cathode materials. In this study, Na 2 FePO 4 F/C composite cathode material with a uniform and dense amorphous carbon layer have been synthesized through high-energy ball milling and heat treatment process. This amorphous carbon layer can absorb more sodium ions and is beneficial to the ion diffusion kinetics. What's more, the sodium-ion diffusion coefficient of the obtained Na 2 FePO 4 F/C-650 is up to 4.91 × 10−12 cm2· s −1. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PES is first time used to modify the li electrode which shows excellent lithium affinity. • PES film with polar functional groups (O = S = O) can realize the redistribution of the lithium ion flow and a uniform nano-columnar lithium layer can be obtained even in the high current density of 5 mA cm−2. • (3) the PES film prolongs the half-cell life three times than control group with higher coulombic efficiency. The dendrite problem and low Coulombic efficiency of lithium anode have hindered its commercial application for long time. In this paper, the Polyethersulfone (PES) film is spin-coated to construct a composite lithium anode. With the polar functional groups of PES, the lithiophilicity of the anode is greatly improved. Non-conductive uniform structure with polar functional groups (O = S = O) constructed on the lithium metal anode can realize the redistribution of the lithium ion flow and reduce the probability of dendrite formation in the "hot spot" area. A uniform nano-columnar lithium layer can be obtained even in the high current density of 5 mA cm−2. Electrochemical interface studies have illustrated that PES film can increase the migration speed of lithium ion among the electrodes, increase the reduction reaction rate of lithium ion. Finite element simulation calculations show that the PES film can effectively reduce the concentration of lithium ion near the dendrite tip. In addition, with the Cu-PES structure modified by 3.3 mg mL−1 PES, the average Coulombic efficiency of half-cell reaches 90%, and the cell can run for 220 cycles stably which is three times than control group in 0.5 mA cm−2. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]