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Understanding early patterning events in the extracellular matrix (ECM) formation can provide a blueprint for regenerative strategies to better recapitulate the function of native tissues. Currently, there is little knowledge on the initial, incipient ECM of articular cartilage and meniscus, two load-bearing counterparts of the knee joint. This study elucidated distinctive traits of their developing ECMs by studying the composition and biomechanics of these two tissues in mice from mid-gestation (embryonic day 15.5) to neo-natal (post-natal day 7) stages. We show that articular cartilage initiates with the formation of a pericellular matrix (PCM)-like primitive matrix, followed by the separation into distinct PCM and territorial/interterritorial (T/IT)-ECM domains, and then, further expansion of the T/IT-ECM through maturity. In this process, the primitive matrix undergoes a rapid, exponential stiffening, with a daily modulus increase rate of 35.7% [31.9 39.6]% (mean [95% CI]). Meanwhile, the matrix becomes more heterogeneous in the spatial distribution of properties, with concurrent exponential increases in the standard deviation of micromodulus and the slope correlating local micromodulus with the distance from cell surface. In comparison to articular cartilage, the primitive matrix of meniscus also exhibits exponential stiffening and an increase in heterogeneity, albeit with a much slower daily stiffening rate of 19.8% [14.9 24.9]% and a delayed separation of PCM and T/IT-ECM. These contrasts underscore distinct development paths of hyaline versus fibrocartilage. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into how knee joint tissues form to better guide cell- and biomaterial-based repair of articular cartilage, meniscus and potentially other load-bearing cartilaginous tissues. Successful regeneration of articular cartilage and meniscus is challenged by incomplete knowledge of early events that drive the initial formation of the tissues' extracellular matrix in vivo. This study shows that articular cartilage initiates with a pericellular matrix (PCM)-like primitive matrix during embryonic development. This primitive matrix then separates into distinct PCM and territorial/interterritorial domains, undergoes an exponential daily stiffening of ≈36% and an increase in micromechanical heterogeneity. At this early stage, the meniscus primitive matrix shows differential molecular traits and exhibits a slower daily stiffening of ≈20%, underscoring distinct matrix development between these two tissues. Our findings thus establish a new blueprint to guide the design of regenerative strategies to recapitulate the key developmental steps in vivo. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pollution of water bodies by oil-containing compounds is increasing. Therefore, new oil-water separation adsorbents are under constant development. In this paper, melamine sponges with three-dimensional flexible porous framework are used to prepare oil-water separation adsorbents. Using a convenient one-step impregnation coating method, the material (THS@MS) was prepared by directly alkylating melamine sponge with a Trimethoxy (1 H, 1 H, 2 H, 2 H-heptadecafluordecyl) silane solution in an acidic (pH=5.5) ethanol solution. The adsorbent was superhydrophobic and had a strong oil adsorption capacity, ranging from 62.03 g/g to 71.33 g/g for various oils and organic compounds. After 50 cycles of oil-water separation, the separation efficiency remained above 95 %. The sponge remained in the superhydrophobic range after multiple separation tests. At this point, the hydrophobicity angle dropped by only a small value of 157.88 ° (compared to 158.57 ° in the original THS@MS test). THS@MS could be used to treat emulsion separations and is highly resistant to strong acid and alkali solutions. Its superhydrophobic properties enhanced self-cleaning ability and provided excellent environmental adaptability. The sponge showed great promise for wide application in real industries. [Display omitted] • THS@MS sponge was highly hydrophobic with a hydrophobicity angle of 158.57°. • THS@MS was highly self-cleaning and could easily separate waste oil in harsh environments. • THS@MS exhibited improved stability in acid, alkali, and compression tests. • THS@MS had strong oil-water separation capabilities and could successfully separate emulsions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the construction of ecological civilization in the society continues to advance, various oil-water separation materials and methods come into being, to achieve efficient and clean protection of oil-contaminated water bodies. Modified melamine sponge is widely used in the field of oil-water separation due to its unique three-dimensional super-wetting property. This paper outlines the mechanism of superwetting oil-water separation; discusses the research progress of melamine sponges in the field of oil-water separation; and summarizes the materials and technologies that have been used for hydrophobic modification of melamine sponges in recent years. In addition, some unique properties of modified melamine sponges are discussed, including magnetic properties and corrosion resistance. The article described the development prospects of hydrophobically modified melamine sponges for oil-water separation. An objective assessment of the above materials and technologies was also provided. It provided a reference for the preparation technology of low-cost and high-performance superhydrophobic melamine sponges applied in the treatment of waste oil pollution. [Display omitted] • Systematic review of melamine sponge (MS) application in oil-water separation. • A concise and clear overview of the mechanism of surface super humidity. • Systematic analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of various methods modified by MS. • Discussed the challenges and future development of MS in oil-water separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiac complication of diabetes that currently lacks specific treatment. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) has been proved to have cardioprotective effect in DCM. However, the insufficient cardiac delivery effect of FGF21 limits its application in DCM. Therefore, to improve the therapeutic efficacy of FGF21 in DCM, an effective drug delivery system is urgently required. In this study, perfluoropropane (C 3 F 8) and polyethylenimine (PEI)-doped poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobubbles (CPPNBs) were synthesized via double-emulsion evaporation and FGF21 was efficiently absorbed (CPPNBs@FGF21) via the electrostatic incorporation effect. CPPNBs@FGF21 could effectively deliver FGF21 to the myocardial tissue through the cavitation effect under low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS). The as-prepared CPPNBs@FGF21 could efficiently load FGF21 after doping with the cationic polymer PEI, and displayed uniform dispersion and favorable biosafety. After filling with C 3 F 8 , CPPNBs@FGF21 could be used for distribution monitoring through ultrasound imaging. Moreover, CPPNBs@FGF21 significantly downregulated the expression of ANP, CTGF, and caspase-3 mRNA via the action of LFUS owing to increased FGF21 release, therefore exhibiting enhanced inhibition of myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, and interstitial fibrosis in DCM mice. In conclusion, we established an effective protein delivery nanocarrier for the diagnosis and prophylactic treatment of DCM. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a serious cardiac complication of diabetes that currently lacks effective clinical treatments. Fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) can protect cardiomyocytes from diabetic damage, but insufficient cardiac drug delivery limits the application of FGF21 in DCM. In this study, perfluoropropane (C3F8) and polyethylenimine (PEI)-doped poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanobubbles loaded with FGF21 (CPPNBs@FGF21) were developed for the prophylactic treatment of DCM. CPPNBs@FGF21 could effectively deliver the FGF21 to the myocardial tissue through the cavitation effect of low-frequency ultrasound (LFUS). Our results indicated that CPPNBs@FGF21 combined with LFUS could significantly down-regulate the expressions of ANP, CTGF, and caspase-3 mRNA, and as a result, it prevented the myocardial hypertrophy, apoptosis, and interstitial fibrosis of DCM mice. Overall, we established an effective protein delivery nanocarrier for the diagnosis and prophylactic treatment of DCM. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the clinical significance of perinuclear anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (p-ANCA) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). This retrospective study included 120 SLE patients. All patients were divided into group p-ANCA+ and group p-ANCA−. Demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, autoantibodies, laboratory tests and renal pathology were compared between these two groups. Among 120 patients, 45 (37.5%) patients were p-ANCA+ and 75 (62.5%) patients were p-ANCA−. The occurrence of lupus nephritis was significantly higher in group p-ANCA+ (P = 0.046). For autoantibodies, the occurrences of anti-dsDNA, anti-nucleosome and anti-histone were significantly higher in group p-ANCA+ (P < 0.001, P = 0.004 and P = 0.006, respectively). Titers of anti-dsDNA antibody, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), serum beta-2-microglobulin (β2-MG) and systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) were higher in group p-ANCA+ (P < 0.001 , P = 0.021, P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively), while albumin was significantly lower than p-ANCA− group (P = 0.012). There were no differences in the classification of lupus nephritis, activity index and chronicity index. p-ANCA correlated with lupus nephritis, anti-dsDNA antibody, anti-nucleosome antibody and anti-histone antibody, and also disease activity markers, such as titers of anti-dsDNA antibody, ESR, albumin, serum β2-MG and SLEDAI. The appearance of p-ANCA in SLE indicated high probability of lupus nephritis and more severe condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: We assess the performance of a model combining a deep convolutional neural network and a hand-crafted radiomics signature for predicting KRAS status in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).Materials and Methods: The primary cohort consisted of 279 patients with clinicopathologically confirmed CRC between April 2011 and April 2015. Portal venous phase computed tomographic images were analyzed to extract traditional hand-crafted radiomics features as well as deep learning features. A Wilcoxon rank sum test, the minimum redundancy maximum relevance algorithm, and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to select features and build a radiomics signature. A combined model was then developed using multivariable logistic regression analysis. An independent validation cohort of 119 patients from May 2015 to April 2016 was used to confirm the combined model's predictive performance.Results: The C-index of hand-crafted radiomics signature's discriminative ability was 0.719 (95% confidence interval, CI: 0.658-0.776) for the primary cohort and 0.720 (95% CI: 0.625-0.813) for the validation cohort. The C-index of the deep radiomics signature's discriminative ability was 0.754 (95% CI: 0.696-0.813) for the primary cohort and 0.786 (95% CI: 0.702-0.863) for the validation cohort. The combined model, which merged the hand-crafted radiomics features and deep radiomics features, achieve a C-index of 0.815 (95% CI: 0.766-0.868) for the primary cohort and 0.832 (95% CI: 0.762-0.905) for the validation cohort.Conclusion: This study presents a model that incorporates the hand-crafted and deep radiomics signature, which can be used for individualized preoperative prediction of KRAS mutations in patients with CRC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A quality control circle can reduce the incidence of CAUTI. • Interrupted time series analysis can better evaluate the impact of QCC interventions. • Monitoring and feedback the compliance rates will be beneficial to control CAUTI. To report a quality control circle (QCC) activity on the theme of reducing the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and used an interrupted time series analysis to evaluate the impact of the QCC. In a general tertiary hospital in Shenzhen, China, we carried out a QCC activity with the theme of reducing CAUTI from April 2017 to December 2017. Before the QCC, we carried out the routine measures; during the QCC, we implemented usual measures and the countermeasures of QCC, and after the QCC, we performed the routine measures and adhered to the core measures of QCC. The interrupted time series analysis method was used to analyze the changes in the CAUTI incidence during the 3 stages. Before, during, and after the QCC activities, the catheter use ratios and mean indwelling time both had a downward trend; meanwhile, the compliance rate of CAUTI prevention measures showed an upward trend. After the interventions, the CAUTI incidence decreased by 1.317‰ immediately, then gradually decreased by 0.510‰ per month. After the completion of QCC, the CAUTI incidence increased by 0.266‰ immediately and increased by 0.070‰ over time, but the difference was not statistically significant. The CAUTI incidence is reduced through QCC, providing a useful reference for the prevention of CAUTI and the development of medical quality improvement activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the safety and effectiveness of bronchial artery (BA) embolization (BAE) in children with pulmonary hemorrhage.Materials and Methods: Between February 2016 and February 2019, 41 patients (median age, 4 y; interquartile range, 2.3-8 y; median weight, 17.6 kg; interquartile range, 12.3-23.6 kg) underwent BAE. The indication of BAE included massive hemoptysis in 10 patients (24.4%), recurrent hemoptysis in 18 patients (43.9%), and refractory anemia in 13 patients (31.7%). The main etiology of pulmonary hemorrhage included pulmonary hemosiderosis (58.5%), congenital heart disease (17.1%), and infection (14.6%). A retrospective review was conducted of clinical outcomes of BAE.Results: There were 44 embolization sessions, with a total of 137 embolized vessels. Pulmonary hemorrhage was caused by BAs in 30 cases, nonbronchial systemic arteries plus BAs in 10, and nonbronchial systemic arteries in 1. Embolic particles were used in 30 cases (24 polyvinyl alcohol [PVA] and 6 microsphere), coils in 9 cases, and particles plus coils in 5 cases (4 PVA and 1 microsphere). Technical success (ability to embolize abnormal vessel) was achieved in 97.6% of patients (40 of 41), and clinical success (complete or partial resolution of hemoptysis within 30 days of embolization) was achieved in 90.2% (37 of 41). There was 1 procedure-related complication (2.4%) of cerebral infarction and 1 death from multiple-organ dysfunction (2.4%). Bleeding-free survival rates at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 92.5%, 83.9%, 83.9%, and 70.8%, respectively.Conclusions: BAE is a safe and effective procedure in children with pulmonary hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives To develop and validate a computed tomography-based radiomics signature for preoperatively discriminating high-grade from low-grade colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRAC). Materials and Methods This retrospective study was approved by our institutional review board, and the informed consent requirement was waived. This study enrolled 366 patients with CRAC (training dataset: n = 222, validation dataset: n = 144) from January 2008 to August 2015. A radiomics signature was developed with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method in training dataset. Mann-Whitney U test was applied to explore the correlation between radiomics signature and histologic grade. The discriminative power of radiomics signature was investigated with the receiver operating characteristics curve. An independent validation dataset was used to confirm the predictive performance. We further performed a stratified analysis to validate the predictive performance of radiomics signature in colon adenocarcinoma and rectal adenocarcinoma. Results The radiomics signature demonstrated discriminative performance for high-grade and low-grade CRAC, with an area under the curve of 0.812 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.749–0.874) in training dataset and 0.735 (95%CI: 0.644–0.826) in validation dataset. Stratified analysis demonstrated that radiomics signature also showed distinguishing ability for histologic grade in both colon adenocarcinoma and rectal adenocarcinoma, with area under the curve of 0.725 (95%CI: 0.653–0.797) and 0.895 (95%CI: 0.838–0.952), respectively. Conclusions We developed and validated a radiomics signature as a complementary tool to differentiate high-grade from low-grade CRAC preoperatively, which may make contribution to personalized treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale and Objectives: This study aims to investigate the value of a magnetic resonance imaging-based radiomics classifier for preoperatively predicting the Ki-67 status in patients with breast cancer.Materials and Methods: We chronologically divided 318 patients with clinicopathologically confirmed breast cancer into a training dataset (n = 200) and a validation dataset (n = 118). Radiomics features were extracted from T2-weighted (T2W) and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted (T1+C) images of breast cancer. Radiomics feature selection and radiomics classifiers were generated using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis method. The correlation between the radiomics classifiers and the Ki-67 status in patients with breast cancer was explored. The predictive performances of the radiomics classifiers for the Ki-67 status were evaluated with receiver operating characteristic curves in the training dataset and validated in the validation dataset.Results: Through the radiomics feature selection, 16 and 14 features based on T2W and T1+C images, respectively, were selected to constitute the radiomics classifiers. The radiomics classifier based on T2W images was significantly correlated with the Ki-67 status in both the training and the validation datasets (both P < .0001). The radiomics classifier based on T1+C images was significantly correlated with the Ki-67 status in the training dataset (P < .0001) but not in the validation dataset (P = .083). The T2W image-based radiomics classifier exhibited good discrimination for Ki-67 status, with areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of 0.762 (95% confidence interval: 0.685, 0.838) and 0.740 (95% confidence interval: 0.645, 0.836) in the training and validation datasets, respectively.Conclusions: The T2W image-based radiomics classifier was a significant predictor of Ki-67 status in patients with breast cancer. Thus, it may serve as a noninvasive approach to facilitate the preoperative prediction of Ki-67 status in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose LGI1 antibody encephalitis is a synaptic autoimmune disorder that was first reported in 2010. To date, LGI1 antibody encephalitis is a widely-recognized disease in neurology and psychiatry. In order to aid clinical recognition of the condition, we analyze the clinical characteristics of 13 Chinese LGI1 antibody encephalitis patients. Methods We analyzed clinical features of patients admitted to the West China Hospital who had been diagnosed with LGI1 antibody encephalitis from 2015 to 2017. Results The median age of the 13 patients was 40.5 years. There were 8 female patients, and 1 patient younger than 20 years. The initial symptoms in 6 patients (46%) were psychiatric in nature. After treatment, 10 patients (77%) recovered gradually, and 11 patients (85%) showed improvement of psychiatric symptoms. Conclusions LGI1 antibody encephalitis should be suspected in patients who developed a rapid change in behavior or psychosis, seizures, or cognition. Timely diagnosis and treatment may yield favorable prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the capability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging radiomics signatures for pretreatment prediction of early response to induction chemotherapy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study consisting of 120 patients with biopsy-proven NPC (stage II-IV). Texture features were extracted from the pretreatment morphological MR images for each case. Radiomics signatures were obtained with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator method (LASSO) logistic regression model. The association between the radiomics signatures and the early response to induction chemotherapy was explored.Results: From the contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MR imaging (CE T1WI), 5 features were selected by the LASSO model. The radiomics signature categorised patients with NPC into response and nonresponse groups (P<0.001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve values (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value(NPV) were 0.715(95% CI 0.699-0.731), 0.940, 0.500, 0.568 and 0.897 respectively, where non-responders are true-positives. The AUC of 1000 bootstrap internal validation was 0.715. Furthermore, when the features of T1-weighted MR imaging (T1WI), T2-weighted MR imaging (T2WI), T2-weighted fat-suppressed MR imaging (T2WI FS) and CE T1WI were analysed together, 15 features were selected to develop the radiomics signature. The performance of this radiomics signature was better than that developed only from CE T1WI (P<0.05). The AUC value was 0.822(95% CI 0.809-0.835) with sensitivity of 0.980, specificity of 0.529, PPV of 0.593 and NPV of 0.949. The AUC of 1000 bootstrap analysis was 0.821. From T1WI, T2WI, and T2WI FS images separately, no valuable features were selected.Conclusions: Pretreatment morphological MR imaging radiomics signatures can predict early response to induction chemotherapy in patients with NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]