Search

The photo‐assisted strategy is regarded as a crucial approach to enhance the conversion kinetics of polysulfides in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries. However, the development of photo‐assisted Li–S batteries still faces important challenges, such as the rapid recombination of photogenerated electron−holes on cathode and more severe shuttle effect. Herein, a breakthrough in overcoming the challenges has been made by constructing a promising photo‐assisted Li−S battery based on semiconducted metal−organic frameworks. During the discharging progress, the photoexcited electrons generated by H2BPDC ligand based on ligand‐to‐metal charge transfer (LMCT) effect, are injected into the Ti‐oxo clusters in Ti‐MOF, thereby facilitating the sulfur reduction to Li2S. And photoexcited holes are capable of promoting the decomposition kinetics of Li2S during charging. More importantly, the stronger chemical interaction between Ti‐BPDC‐d and polysulfides under light inhibits the polysulfides dissolution and shuttling, which fundamentally addresses the issue of light‐accelerated shuttling. As a result, the photo‐assisted Li–S batteries deliver a reversible capability of 1090.21 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C with a capacity retention of 82.91% over 150 cycles, and a superior rate capability of 673.58 mAh g−1 at 5 C. The findings are promising in advancing the design principles for photo‐rechargeable Li−S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleurogenoides japonicus (Trematoda: Microphalloidea) is an important parasite in wood frogs with high infection rates and significant ecological, economic, and societal importance. The scarcity of molecular data for these parasites severely limits population genetics and phylogenetic studies. In the present study, for the first time, we determined and described the entire mitochondrial (mt) genome of P. japonicus as the first representative of the family Pleurogenidae. The entire mt genome of P. japonicus was circular, with 15,043 bp (GenBank accession number OR900118), containing 36 genes, comprising 12 protein‐coding genes (cox1–3, nad1–6, nad4L, cytb, and atp6), two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes, and two non‐coding regions. There were 23 intergenic spacers, ranging from 2 to 162 bp, and only one 40 bp overlap between nad4L and nad4 genes in the P. japonicus mt genome. The nucleotide composition of P. japonicus mt genome exhibited a strong AT bias with a 63.75% A + T content, while the AT‐ and GC‐skews were − 0.435 and 0.407, respectively. Comparative analysis demonstrated that the P. japonicus mt genome shared the most common characteristics with Microphalloidea trematodes, and the cox1 gene was the longest and most conserved gene in Microphalloidea trematodes. The gene arrangements of Xiphidiata trematodes were of the same order based on protein‐coding genes and rRNA genes, except for tRNA. More than two gene arrangement types exist in Echinostomata and Xiphidiata, and the gene rearrangement events mainly occurred in "trnE‐trnG" and "trnG‐trnE". Phylogenetic analysis suggested that trematodes of the family Pleurogenidae clustered more with Prosthogonimidae than Eucotylidae. The mt genome data of P. japonicus provide an accurate genetic marker for further studies of Xiphidiata trematodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hydraulic system is an integral part of CNC machine tools. In analyzing the reliability of machine tool hydraulic systems, their failures are influenced by both aleatory and epistemic uncertainties. This paper utilizes the fault tree analysis method to address failure modes subject to epistemic uncertainty, using the interval rough number scoring method to evaluate the probability of such failures occurring. The resulting reliability calculation is termed as "subjective reliability". For failure modes influenced by aleatory uncertainty, objective data combined with the Dempster–Shafer evidence theory is used to determine their failure probability, with the corresponding reliability calculation referred to as "objective reliability". Finally, a comprehensive calculation of both subjective and objective reliability is conducted to determine the overall reliability of the hydraulic system, along with the ranking of the importance of basic events of fault tree. This methodology covers scenarios with small samples, sufficient data, and their combinations, offering extensive application prospects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved 29 small molecule drugs. These newly approved small molecule drugs possess the distinct scaffolds, thereby exhibiting diverse mechanisms of action and binding modalities. Moreover, the marketed drugs have always been an important source of new drug development and creative inspiration, thereby fostering analogous endeavors in drug discovery that potentially extend to the diverse clinical indications. Therefore, conducting a comprehensive evaluation of drug approval experience and associated information will facilitate the expedited identification of highly potent drug molecules. In this review, we comprehensively summarized the relevant information regarding the clinical applications, mechanisms of action and chemical synthesis of 29 small molecule drugs, with the aim of providing a promising structural basis and design inspiration for pharmaceutical chemists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To review the changes and survey on status quo of the surgical treatment for esophageal cancer in China. The differences in diagnosis and treatment for esophageal cancer among hospitals in different regions across China were also investigated. Methods: We sent questionnaires to 46 hospitals across China, investigating the volume of esophageal cancer surgeries, surgical procedures, and perioperative management under the guidance of esophageal surgery chiefs. Results: A total of 46 questionnaires were sent out and collected. The survey results showed that in the past 5 years, the volume of surgeries for esophageal cancer remained stable by 23.9% of those hospitals, increased by 30.4%, and decreased by 45.7%. Of those patients treated by surgery, 19.1% were in the early stages, and 80.9% were in locally advanced stages. In terms of surgical procedures, 73.4% of the patients were treated by minimally invasive surgery and 85.7% of esophageal substitutes were a gastric conduit, 93.1% of the substitutes were pulled to the neck through the esophageal bed. For the lymph node dissection, 78.5% of the patients had a complete two‐field lymph node dissection including the para‐recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes. Of the patients with neoadjuvant therapy, 53.5% received chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy (47.0%), and 43.5% had chemoradiation. Conclusions: Currently, in China, minimally invasive surgery‐oriented multimodality treatment, including complete two‐field lymph node dissection, has become the standard approach for esophageal cancer management. Over the past decade, this standardized approach has significantly improved prognosis compared to previous decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tea is the second largest nonalcoholic beverage in the world due to its characteristic flavor and well‐known functional properties in vitro and in vivo. Global tea production reaches 6.397 million tons in 2022 and continues to rise. Fresh tea leaves are mainly harvested in spring, whereas thousands of tons are discarded in summer and autumn. Herein, pruned tea biomass refers to abandon‐plucked leaves being pruned in the non‐plucking period, especially in summer and autumn. At present, no relevant concluding remarks have been made on this undervalued biomass. This review summarizes the seasonal differences of intrinsic metabolites and pays special attention to the most critical bioactive and flavor compounds, including polyphenols, theanine, and caffeine. Additionally, meaningful and profound methods to transform abandon‐plucked fresh tea leaves into high‐value products are reviewed. In summer and autumn, tea plants accumulate much more phenols than in spring, especially epigallocatechin gallate (galloyl catechin), anthocyanins (catechin derivatives), and proanthocyanidins (polymerized catechins). Vigorous carbon metabolism induced by high light intensity and temperature in summer and autumn also accumulates carbohydrates, such as soluble sugars and cellulose. The characteristics of abandon‐plucked tea leaves make them not ideal raw materials for tea, but suitable for novel tea products like beverages and food ingredients using traditional or hybrid technologies such as enzymatic transformation, microbial fermentation, formula screening, and extraction, with the abundant polyphenols in summer and autumn tea serving as prominent flavor and bioactive contributors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new coordination polymers (CPs), {[Cu(NDC)(Fbtx)(H2O)] ⋅ 1.5H2O}n (1), {[Co(NDC)(Fbtx)(H2O)2] ⋅ 0.5Fbtx}n (2), and [Co2(NDC)2(Fbtx)]n (3), were synthesized by employing acid‐base mixed ligands of rigid 1,4‐naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (H2NDC) and flexible bis(1,2,4‐triazole‐1‐ylmethyl)‐2,3,5,6‐tetrafluorobenzene (Fbtx) under both hydrothermal and microwave‐assisted reaction conditions. Single‐crystal structure analysis establishted that both compounds 1 and 2 exhibit two‐dimensional (2D) layered structures, while compound 3 features a three‐dimensional (3D) complicated framework. The geometries of metal ions vary from square pyramidal (in 1 and 3) to distorted octahedral (in 2). Topological strudy showed that compounds 1 and 2 have exposed common 4‐connected 44‐sql net, while compound 3 has made a novel 4,5‐connected net with point symbol of (43 ⋅ 62 ⋅ 7)(43 ⋅ 64 ⋅ 72 ⋅ 8). The catalytic performance of the three complexes for the solvent‐free ring‐opening polymerization of L‐lactide has been investigated. The results indicated that compound 3 with coordinatively unsaturated cobalt(II) sites showed good activity and the molecular weight of the polymer obtained was high. Moreover, the complex 3 catalyst could be recycled up to five times with the retention of both catalytic activity and crystal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given the increasing requirements for ablative thermal protection materials, there is an urgent need for boron phenolic resin (BPR) composites with excellent high-temperature strength properties as well as ablation performance to address the structural failure during the ablation process of these devices. Herein, modified pickling asbestos (MPA) was successfully incorporated into BPR to prepare MPA-modified BPR (MPABPR). In addition, one-dimensional MPA with improved dispersion and compatibility was used to fabricate a fiber-reinforced network inside of BPR for the first time, which effectively increased the high-temperature strength and ablation resistance of BPR. The results demonstrated that the hightemperature strength of MPABPR was optimally improved by 25% compared to pure BPR. Meanwhile, when the content of MPA was only 5 wt%, the linear and mass ablation rates of MPABPR could reduce to 0.046 mm/s and 0.043 g/s, which were 34.3% and 23.2% lower than that of pure BPR, respectively. This study has the enormous potential to provide a new strategy for preparing high-performance BPR matrix materials. Highlights • The dispersion and compatibility of PA are improved by modification. • MPA constructs a fiber-reinforced network that can strengthen the carbon layer. • The ablative properties of MPABPR have great advantages over the BPR. • The compressive strength of carbonized MPABPR5 is 25% higher than that of BPR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surgical removal of the thyroid gland (TG) for treating thyroid disorders leaves the patients on lifelong hormone replacement that partially compensates the physiological needs, but regenerating TG is challenging. Here, an approach is reported to regenerate TG within the spleen for fully restoring the thyroid's functions in mice, by transplanting thyroid tissue blocks to the spleen. Within 48 h, the transplanted tissue efficiently revascularizes, forming thyroid follicles similar to the native gland after 4 weeks. Structurally, the ectopically generated thyroid integrates with the surrounding splenic tissue while maintaining its integrity, separate from the lymphatic tissue. Functionally, it fully restores the native functions of the TG in hormone regulation in response to physiological stimuli, outperforming the established method of oral levothyroxine therapy in maintaining systemic homeostasis. The study demonstrates the full restoration of thyroid functions post‐thyroidectomy by intrasplenic TG regeneration, providing fresh insights for designing novel therapies for thyroid‐related disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a discrete diffusive predator–prey system involving two competing preys and one predator in a shifting habitat induced by the climate change. By applying Schauder's fixed‐point theorem on various invariant cones via constructing several pairs of generalized super‐ and subsolutions, we establish four different types of supercritical and critical forced extinction waves, which describe the conversion from the state of a saturated aboriginal prey with a pair of invading alien predator–prey, two competing aboriginal coexistent preys with an invading alien predator, a pair of aboriginal coexistent predator–prey and an invading alien prey, and the coexistence of three species to the extinction state, respectively. Meanwhile, the nonexistence of some subcritical forced waves is showed by contradiction. Furthermore, some numerical simulations are given to present and promote the theoretical results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To investigate the long-term and spatial patterns of incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates of severe periodontitis in Asia from 1990 to 2019, and to estimate the associations between disease burden and socioeconomic development using the Socio-Demographic Index (SDI).Methods: Data were obtained from the global burden of disease study 2019. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was calculated to reflect temporal trends, spatial autocorrelation analysis was conducted to estimate the spatial characteristics, and spatial panel models were used to investigate the association between SDI and severe periodontitis burden.Results: For Asia as a whole, the crude rates increased by 1.10% per year for incidence, 1.42% per year for prevalence, and 1.41% per year for DALY from 1990 to 2019. The age-standardized incidence, prevalence and DALY rates increased by 0.18%, 0.22%, and 0.23% per year, respectively. Spatially, the hot spots of age-standardized incidence, prevalence and DALY rates were located in Southern Asia, besides, these rates all showed increasing trends in most countries, and the increases were clustered in Southeastern Asia. Further, SDI showed a negative association with incidence (coef = -14.44; 95% CI: -24.63, -4.25) and prevalence (coef = -40.09; -51.81, -28.36), and a positive association with DALY rates (coef = 0.31; 0.23; 0.38).Conclusions: Severe periodontitis poses a serious public health challenge in Asian countries with increasing temporal trends and substantial spatial inequalities. Effective geographically targeted public health interventions and strategies are needed to address the growing burden associated with severe periodontitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The functional food ingredients of apple juice can significantly change during processing, transportation, and storage, thus affecting the quality of the product. A simple and derivation‐free analytical method based on ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) was developed and optimized for the simultaneous determination of functional food ingredients in apple juice bought in the market. Cleanup steps and chromatographic conditions were optimized to remove interference and decrease the matrix effect. The nine target analytes were separated on an Acquity UPLC system equipped with a BEH C18 column and detected by electrospray ionization source (ESI) operating in positive subsection acquisition mode under multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) conditions. The results showed that p‐hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuate, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, phloridzin, hyperoside, procyanidin B2, and rutin could be sufficiently separated for content determination within 6 min. In the concentration range of 20 μg/L–50 mg/L, nine standard samples exhibited a good linear fit with correlation coefficients above.985. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionic liquids (ILs)‐incorporated solid‐state polymer electrolytes (iono‐SPEs) have high ionic conductivities but show non‐uniform Li+ transport in different phases. This work greatly promotes Li+ transport in polymer phases by employing a poly (vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) [P(VDF‐TrFE‐CTFE), PTC] as the framework of ILs to prepare iono‐SPEs. Unlike PVDF, PTC with suitable polarity shows weaker adsorption energy on IL cations, reducing their possibility of occupying Li+‐hopping sites. The significantly higher dielectric constant of PTC than PVDF facilitates the dissociation of Li‐anions clusters. These two factors motivate Li+ transport along PTC chains, narrowing the difference in Li+ transport among varied phases. The LiFePO4/PTC iono‐SPE/Li cells cycle steadily with capacity retention of 91.5 % after 1000 cycles at 1 C and 25 °C. This work paves a new way to induce uniform Li+ flux in iono‐SPEs through polarity and dielectric design of polymer matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ionische Flüssigkeiten (ionic liquids, ILs) eingebettet in feste Polymer‐Elektrolyte (iono‐SPEs) weisen eine hohe ionische Leitfähigkeit auf, zeigen jedoch einen nicht‐uniformen Li+‐Transport in den verschiedenen Phasen. In dieser Arbeit wird gezeigt wie der Li+‐Transport in Polymerphasen erheblich durch ein Poly(vinylidenfluorid‐trifluorethylen‐chlorotrifluorethylen)‐Netzwerk [P(VDF‐TrFE‐CTFE), PTC] ILs zur Herstellung von iono‐SPEs verbessert werden kann. Im Gegensatz zu PVDF zeigt PTC mit geeigneter Polarität eine schwächere Adsorptionsenergie an IL‐Kationen, wodurch ihre Möglichkeit, Li+‐Sprungstellen zu besetzen, reduziert wird. Die deutlich höhere Dielektrizitätskonstante von PTC als PVDF erleichtert die Dissoziation von Li‐Anionen‐Clustern. Diese beiden Faktoren verstärken den Li+‐Transport entlang von PTC‐Ketten, wodurch der Unterschied des Li+‐Transports zwischen den verschiedenen Phasen verringert wird. Die LiFePO4/PTC iono‐SPE/Li‐Zellenzyklen stabil mit einer Kapazitätserhaltung von 91.5 % nach 1000 Zyklen bei 1 C und 25 °C. Diese Arbeit ebnet einen neuen Weg zur Erzeugung eines gleichmäßigen Li+‐Flusses in iono‐SPEs durch Optimierung der Polarität und Dielektrizität der Polymermatrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The flickering of low‐temperature polycrystalline silicon and metal‐oxide (LTPO) active‐matrix organic light‐emitting diode (AMOLED) display under low‐refresh‐rate driving condition can be detected even though there is no critical leakage current path from the storage capacitor. The flickering is mainly due to the brightness increase during data holding period. The effective channel length of driving thin‐film transistor (DTFT) would be reduced by electron trapping into the gate insulator of DTFT which operates under saturation mode. This study presents not only the physical model of electron trapping but also a novel driving method to release the trapped electrons. The experimental results show that that the brightness variation can be reduced from 3.7 % to 1.4 % at the 63rd gray level by the novel driving method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functionalized 4H‐chromenes represent one class of the most important structural scaffolds in both synthetic and medicinal chemistry. They often appear in an arrange of biological natural products, pharmaceutical agents and drug candidates. The significance has stimulated the development of efficient methodologies for the synthesis of such compounds. In this review, a comprehensive discussion on different synthetic approaches to 4H‐chromenes has been presented with an emphasis on reaction features and mechanisms. Three main categories are outlined: 1) nucleophilic addition to 2H‐chromene derivatives, 2) 4H‐chromene ring formation involved cycloaddition or cyclization reactions, and 3) miscellaneous reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have demonstrated the mouse double minute gene (MDM2), a main oncogene, as a novel and interesting therapeutic target for cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of MDM2 in antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects of resveratrol in breast cancer cells. MCF‐7 cells were transfected with siRNA against MDM2 and resveratrol. Proliferation and apoptosis were evaluated by MTT assay and cell death ELISA assay, respectively. MDM2, p53, Bax, Bcl‐2, caspase‐3, MMP‐2, and MMP9 expressions were determined by qRT‐PCR and Western blotting. Transfection with si‐MDM2 significantly suppressed the expression of MDM2 expression, resulting in MCF‐7 cell growth inhibition and spontaneous apoptosis. Pretreatment with Si‐MDM2 synergically increased antiproliferation and antimetatstatic effects of resveratrol. No significant anticancer effects were detected with negative control siRNA treatment. Our findings suggest that silencing of MDM2 by specific siRNA effectively induce apoptosis and also enhanced anticancer effects of resveratrol. Therefore, siMDM2 may be a potent combination in breast therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restricted by the poor ability of polymers to dissociate lithium salts and transport ions, solid‐state polymer electrolytes (SPEs) show extremely low ionic conductivities (≈10−7–10−5 S cm−1) and transference number of lithium ions (tLi+ ≈0.2–0.4) at 25 °C. Here, a novel polymer matrix of SPEs that simultaneously promotes lithium salt dissociation and ion transportation based on a high dielectric poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene‐chlorotrifluoroethylene) (TerP) and an all‐trans conformational poly(vinylidene fluoride‐trifluoroethylene) (CoP), is developed. The high dielectric constant increases the polarity of CH2CF2 polar groups; then, brings a strong electronegative end that dissociates Li+ from lithium salts. The all‐trans conformation assures all fluorine atoms locate on one side of the chain, constructing ion hopping highways. As a result, the TerP/CoP (TC) SPE exhibits a high ionic conductivity (2.37 × 10−4 S cm−1) and a quite large tLi+ of 0.61 at 25 °C. The Li/TC SPE/Li symmetric cells cycle stably for more than half a year (>4500 h) and the LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2/TC SPE/Li cell cycles steadily for 1000 and 600 cycles at 1 C and 2 C at 25 °C, respectively. This work paves a new way to prepare high‐performance SPEs by simultaneously modulating dielectric constants and conformation of polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin‐momentum locking is universal and an inherent property of evanescent electromagnetic (EM) waves, which transfers the spinning or handedness of electromagnetic waves onto their propagation direction. This motivates an approach to investigate the polarization‐controlled directional transmission or emission. Here, the spin‐momentum locking is demonstrated in spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) waveguides, and momentum‐controlled radiation is further realized in SSPP‐patch antennas. The study shows that the circular polarization of the SSPP‐patch antennas originates from the spin‐momentum locking in the SSPP waveguides and hence is determined by the propagation direction of the SSPP modes. Two examples are presented to achieve ±45° dual‐polarizations and vertical/horizontal dual‐polarizations by combining the SSPP‐patch antenna with hybrid couplers. Finally, a straightforward method is proposed for synthesizing the polarization emitted by the SSPP‐patch antenna, allowing access to arbitrary polarization states on the Poincare sphere. The SSPP‐patch antenna is polarization responsive, shedding light on chiral sensors, Stokes polarimetry, and polarization measurement. Hence, the spin‐momentum locking and the related momentum‐controlled radiations provide additional freedom to regulate the EM waves by engineering the helicity in the SSPP waveguide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive melt‐peridotite interactions had been documented in the lithospheric mantle beneath the North China Craton (NCC), a prime example of destroyed cratons in the world. Yet the impacts of melt‐peridotite interactions on the deformation and seismic anisotropy of the NCC upper mantle remain unclear. Here we studied in detail the microstructure, crystallographic preferred orientation (CPO) of minerals, and seismic properties of 26 peridotite xenoliths from the Damaping area of the NCC. The studied samples can be classified into two groups: weakly to nonfoliated and strongly foliated. Petrographic and microstructural observations suggest that multiple melt‐peridotite interactions and at least two stages of deformation had influenced samples from both microstructural groups. Dislocation creep in response to a transpression deformation led to the [010]‐fiber type olivine CPOs in most samples. Variable degrees of annealing followed the last stage of deformation. Due to a higher degree of melt‐peridotite interactions, which had promoted nondislocation creep, and more extensive annealing, olivine and pyroxene in the strongly foliated samples developed weaker CPOs. This in turn leads to weaker maximum P wave propagation anisotropy and S wave polarization anisotropy for this microstructural group. Our data, therefore, cast light on a strong control of intensity of melt‐peridotite interactions on deformation and seismic properties of the upper mantle beneath the NCC. If foliation and lineation are vertical and horizontal, respectively, the measured SKS splitting parameters can be well explained by the "fossil" anisotropy frozen in the lithospheric mantle, with no need to invoke asthenospheric flow as a source of the anisotropy. Plain Language Summary: Melt‐peridotite interactions are widespread in the Earth's upper mantle and influence significantly the deformation and seismic properties of that part of the Earth. Here we investigated in detail the petrography, microstructure, and seismic properties of peridotite xenoliths from Damaping, North China Craton (NCC), a prime example of craton destruction in the world. Our data show that the increase of melt‐peridotite interaction and annealing weakened olivine and pyroxene fabrics and the seismic anisotropies through enhanced deformation by a nondislocation creep. Moreover, our calculations suggest that, in the most favorable case, the measured parameters of seismic anisotropy by seismic studies in this area can be well explained by the seismic anisotropy of the lithospheric mantle, with no need to invoke a contribution from the asthenospheric mantle. These results should provide important constraints on interpreting the deep geodynamics and in turn mechanisms of destruction of the NCC. Key Points: Both the weakly to nonfoliated and the strongly foliated samples had experienced multiple melt‐peridotite interactionsHigh degree of melt percolation and extensive annealing led to weak fabrics in the strongly foliated peridotitesThe "fossil" anisotropy frozen in the lithospheric mantle can well explain the observed SKS splitting parameters [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much is known about the significance of lycorine, a natural alkaloid, in combating various types of cancer, including breast cancer (BC), but whether it participates in regulating tamoxifen (TAM) resistance and its underlying mechanism remain to be elucidated. Tamoxifen‐resistant (TAMR) BC cells were first established by continuously exposed to increasing concentrations of TAM. Levels of targeted gene including HOXD antisense growth‐associated lncRNA (HAGLR) and Vestigial like family member 4 (VGLL4) were analyzed by qRT‐PCR and western blot, respectively. Cell proliferation ability was assessed by MTT and EdU assays. Flow cytometry was carried out to evaluate the apoptosis. VGLL4 promoter methylation was examined using methylation specific PCR (MSP). The role of HAGLR acting on the expression of VGLL4 via DNA hypermethylation was confirmed by RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP). Here, we reported that lycorine administration reduced the survival ratio of TAMR BC cells, decreased the IC50 of TAM, and strengthened TAM‐induced apoptosis. HAGLR, observed to be highly expressed in TAMR BC cells, was identified to be a downstream effector of lycorine, of which overexpression abolished lycorine‐mediated TAMR inhibition. VGLL4 served as a target of HAGLR in regulating lycorine‐mediated suppression on tamoxifen resistance of TAMR BC cells. Mechanistically, HAGLR epigenetically suppressed VGLL4 expression via DNA methyltransferase 1 (DNMT1)‐mediated DNA hypermethylation. Taken together, our data highlights the pivotal role of lycorine in TAM resistance of BC, which may provide a potential agent for improving the effectiveness and efficacy of BC resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The comprehension of spoken language is one of the most essential language functions in humans. However, the neurological underpinnings of auditory comprehension remain under debate. Here we used multi‐modal neuroimaging analyses on a group of patients with low‐grade gliomas to localize cortical regions and white matter tracts responsible for auditory language comprehension. Region‐of‐interests and voxel‐level whole‐brain analyses showed that cortical areas in the posterior temporal lobe are crucial for language comprehension. The fiber integrity assessed with diffusion tensor imaging of the arcuate fasciculus and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus was strongly correlated with both auditory comprehension and the grey matter volume of the inferior temporal and middle temporal gyri. Together, our findings provide direct evidence for an integrated network of auditory comprehension whereby the superior temporal gyrus and sulcus, the posterior parts of the middle and inferior temporal gyri serve as auditory comprehension cortex, and the arcuate fasciculus and the inferior longitudinal fasciculus subserve as crucial structural connectivity. These findings provide critical evidence on the neural underpinnings of language comprehension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photonic spin Hall effect (SHE) arises from the spin–orbit interaction of lights and plays an important role in light–matter interactions. The phenomenon of spin‐momentum locking validates photonic SHE with unprecedented abilities in wave manipulation. Here, the directional coupling and spin‐momentum locking in spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPP) are demonstrated. The transverse spin angular momentum in SSPP is calculated using effective medium theory and the study shows the spin direction is inherently locked to the propagation direction, thus manifesting the spin–orbit interaction of electromagnetic (EM) waves. The spin‐momentum locking is further verified by projecting linearly and circularly polarized waves onto a scatterer‐SSPP structure. It is observed that the helicity of the incident EM wave governs the propagation direction of excited SSPP modes and the directional coupling originates from constructive and destructive interferences of two orthogonal modes. Reconfigurable transmissions of SSPPs are further demonstrated. The proposed design can find applications in reconfigurable sensors, antennas, and power dividers. This approach demonstrates the spin‐momentum locking in SSPPs and introduces new degrees of freedom to manipulate SSPPs by engineering the helicity and interference of EM waves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Processing powdered metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) into more usable forms can greatly expand their practical applications. We report a very simple and efficient method for synthesizing a green‐friendly γ‐cyclodextrin (CD)‐MOF monolith (rather than powder), without using any connectors or high temperature/pressure. Compared with the γ‐CD‐MOF‐powder, the γ‐CD‐MOF‐monolith showed much better humidity stability because the MOF particles in the γ‐CD‐MOF‐monolith were tightly packed. In addition, the CO2 adsorption test indicated that it had a higher volume adsorption capacity for CO2, with adsorption capacities of 44.04 and 36.85 cm3/cm3 at 0 and 25°C, respectively. The γ‐CD‐MOF‐monolith can maintain its porous structure and gas adsorption capacity even after 14 days of exposure to humid conditions, and the amount of CO2 absorption remains almost unchanged. This humidity stable γ‐CD‐MOF‐monolith is expected to have greater practical applications than its powdered counterpart in many applications including CO2 adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of pegylated recombinant human granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (PEG‐rhG‐CSF) in preventing neutropenia during multiple cycles of chemotherapy in patients with non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Method: In a multicenter, prospective, randomized trial, patients with NSCLC were randomly assigned in a 2:1 ratio to treatment group (PEG‐rhG‐CSF as primary prophylactic therapy) or control group. Patients in the control group were administered rhG‐CSF when white blood cell count was <2.0 × 109/L or absolute neutrophil count <1.0 × 109/L. The primary endpoint was the incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia. Secondary endpoints included the incidence and duration of grade 3/4 neutropenia in each cycle, the incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN), delay rate of chemotherapy, prolonged time of chemotherapy, and safety. Results: Between January 2019 and July 2021, 130 patients were enrolled (treatment group: n = 87, control group: n = 43). The incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia in the treatment group was significantly lower than that in the control group (1.15% vs. 11.63%, p < 0.05). The mean duration of grade 3/4 neutropenia for the treatment and control group was 2.00 and 3.75 days, respectively. There were no statistical differences in the incidence of FN, delay rate of chemotherapy, prolonged time of chemotherapy, and antibiotic use between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Adverse events were reported in 47.13% of patients in the treatment group and 48.84% patients in the control group. Conclusions: Primary prophylactic treatment with PEG‐rhG‐CSF could reduce the incidence of neutropenia in patients with NSCLC during multiple cycles of chemotherapy, with acceptable safety and tolerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To construct a preoperative model for survival prediction in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) patients using ultrasound (US) based radiographic‐radiomics signatures. Methods: Between April 2010 and September 2015, 170 patients with ICC who underwent curative resection were retrospectively recruited. Overall survival (OS)‐related radiographic signatures and radiomics signatures based on preoperative US were built and assessed through a time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. A nomogram was developed based on the selected predictors from the radiographic‐radiomics signatures and clinical and laboratory results of the training cohort (n = 127), validated in an independent testing cohort (n = 43) by the concordance index (C‐index), and compared with the Tumor Node Metastasis (TNM) cancer staging system as well as the radiographic and radiomics nomograms. Results: The median areas under the curve of the radiomics signature and radiographic signature were higher than that of the TNM staging system in the testing cohort, although the values were not significantly different (0.76–0.82 versus 0.62, P =.485 and.264). The preoperative nomogram with CA 19‐9, sex, ascites, radiomics signature, and radiographic signature had C‐indexes of 0.72 and 0.75 in the training and testing cohorts, respectively, and it had significantly higher predictive performance than the 8th TNM staging system in the testing cohort (C‐index: 0.75 versus 0.67, P =.004) and a higher C‐index than the radiomics nomograms (0.75 versus 0.68, P =.044). Conclusions: The preoperative nomogram integrated with the radiographic‐radiomics signature demonstrated good predictive performance for OS in ICC and was superior to the 8th TNM staging system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Uremic toxin‐induced shortening of red blood cell (RBC) lifespan is an important mechanism of anemia in end‐stage renal disease (ESRD). Conventional hemodialysis does not improve RBC lifespan; the efficacy of hemodiafiltration (HDF) for alleviating RBC lifespan has not yet been evaluated in patients with ESRD. Methods: Twenty‐three patients with ESRD in maintenance hemodialysis were enrolled. Baseline data for sex, age, dialysis vintage, pre‐dialysis hemoglobin (Hb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), single pool Kt/V (spKt/V), and plasma indophenol sulfate (IS) were collected. RBC lifespans before and after one session of HDF were compared. The resultant differences were subjected to correlational analyses with baseline data. Results: RBC lifespan increased from 73 (66, 89) days at baseline to 77 (71, 102) days after a single HDF treatment (p = 0.034). Meanwhile, plasma IS concentration decreased from 113.05 (80.67, 133.05) mg/L to 83.87 (62.98, 96.78) mg/L (p < 0.001). RBC lifespan increases correlated negatively with Hb levels. Conclusions: A single HDF treatment improved RBC lifespan in ESRD patients on maintenance hemodialysis, with more severe pre‐HDF anemia at baseline being associated with greater increases in RBC lifespan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel pH‐responsive molecular shuttle based on a [2]rotaxane with a phosphine ligand has been designed and synthesized. In the rhodium‐catalyzed hydrogenation of α,β‐dehydroamino acid esters and aryl enamides, ON/OFF‐switchable catalysis was accomplished with high ON/OFF ratios by adjusting the movements of the rotaxane wheels located at the catalyst terminals with acid/base. Mechanistic studies using NMR spectroscopy and quasi in situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that RhIII‐hydride species are possibly formed in a H2 atmosphere when the catalyst is in the OFF state. During the reaction, a heterolytic activation of dihydrogen occurs by the interlocked rotaxane dibenzylamine and RhI catalytic center acting as a frustrated Lewis pair. Subsequent homolytic splitting of dihydrogen with the newly formed RhI‐hydride species generates RhIII‐hydride species. These findings show that a substrate‐selective hydrogenation can be achieved by using the OFF‐state catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic hydrogenolysis of 2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexabenzyl‐2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexaazaisowurtzitane (HBIW) over Pd‐based catalysts in the ternary solvents of acetic anhydride, bromobenzene (PhBr) and N, N'‐dimethylformamide (DMF) was the key step for producing 2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexanitro‐2,4,6,8,10,12‐hexaazaisowurtzitane (HNIW or CL‐20). However, the role of the bromobenzene is still allusive. Herein, Pd/graphite carbon nitride nanosheets (g‐C3N4 NS) was used in the hydrogenolysis of HBIW under the atmospheric pressure, and exhibited a yield of 80 % as well as a faster debenzylation rate than Pd/C. By the virtue of the kinetic study, the effect of the bromide, solvent and proton on the debenzylation rate was investigated and discussed. The bromide worked as a co‐catalyst to promote the desorption of the product of the hydrogenolysis from the surface of the palladium nanoparticle. The observation benefits for elucidating the reaction mechanism and may inspire the design of the novel catalysts for the hydrogenolysis of HBIW. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effect of autophagy expression levels of different weight‐bearing states and different stages of osteoarthritis in animal models, as well as the corresponding mechanisms. Methods: We used the male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats (12‐week‐old, SPF) to establish the OA animal models by modified Hulth method, and grouped animal models according to the length of time after surgery and different weight‐bearing areas. RT‐qPCR was carried out for detection of autophagy‐related genes such as Atg7, Atg12, P62, etc. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression levels of corresponding autophagy‐related proteins such as LC3B, P62, etc. T test was performed for statistical analysis to compare different groups, while the differences were deemed statistically significant with P < 0.05. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the autophagosome to demonstrate the level of autophagy expression and the status of the chondrocytes. Results: The results of the RT‐qPCR testing showed that when the weight‐bearing cartilage of the 4‐week group (relatively mild) was compared with that of the 10‐week group (relatively severe), there were statistically significant differences in all the genes tested, in detail: Atg3 (P < 0.01), Atg7 (P < 0.01), Atg12 (P < 0.01), P62 (P < 0.0001). The expression of autophagy‐related mRNA in the 4‐week group is increased compared with that of the 10‐week group. As for the expression of proteins, Western blotting showed that in the comparison between the 4‐ and the 10‐week groups, statistically significant results include Atg12 (P < 0.01) in the non‐weight‐bearing area, with decreased autophagy in the 10‐week group compared with that of the 4‐week group, while expression of LC3B (P < 0.05) protein was significantly higher in the 4‐week group than in the control in the non‐weight‐bearing area. The expression of LC3B (P < 0.0001) and P62 (P < 0.05) in the 10‐week group were higher than that of the control. Transmission electron microscope showed that autophagy in the weight‐bearing area is stronger than that in the non‐weight‐bearing area, and autophagy in the 4‐week group is stronger than in the 10‐week group for the weight‐bearing area. Conclusions: The expression of autophagy varies during different stages of osteoarthritis, in which the autophagy is stronger in the early stage of osteoarthritis, and gradually decreases with the progression of the disease. Autophagy in different weight‐bearing areas may also be different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ziziphus spinosa (Bunge) H.H. Hu ex F.H. Chen is a woody plant species of the family Rhamnaceae (order Rhamnales) that possesses high nutritional and medicinal value. Predicting the effects of climate change on the distribution of Z. spinosa is of great significance for the investigation, protection, and exploitation of this germplasm resource. For this study, optimized maximum entropy models were employed to predict the distribution patterns and changes of its present (1970–2000) and future (2050s, 2070s, and 2090s) potential suitable regions in China under multiple climate scenarios (SSP1‐2.6, SSP2‐4.5, SSP3‐7.0 & SSP5‐8.5). The results revealed that the total area of the present potential suitable region for Z. spinosa is 162.60 × 104 km2, which accounts for 16.94% of China's territory. Within this area, the regions having low, medium, and high suitability were 80.14 × 104 km2, 81.50 × 104 km2, and 0.96 × 104 km2, respectively, with the high suitability regions being distributed primarily in Shanxi, Hebei, and Beijing Provinces. Except for SSP‐1‐2.6‐2070s, SSP‐5‐8.5‐2070s, and SSP‐5‐8.5‐2090s, the suitable areas for Z. spinosa in the future increased to different degrees. Meanwhile, considering the distribution of Z. spinosa during different periods and under different climate scenarios, our study predicted that the low impact areas of Z. spinosa were mainly restricted to Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Gansu, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, and Jilin Provinces. The results of core distributional shifts showed that, except for SSP1‐2.6, the center of the potential suitable region of Z. spinosa exhibited a trend of gradually shifting to the northwest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension and atrial fibrillation (AF) are risk factors for heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Aim: To examine the effects of the simultaneous control of all three conditions on new‐onset HFpEF in this population. Methods: This prospective cohort study enrolled 552 patients with T2DM, hypertension and AF, but without clinical signs or symptoms of heart failure. The participants were followed up for 5 years to examine the effects of glycaemic control (haemoglobin A1c: <7.0%, 7.0%–8.0% and >8.0%), blood pressure (BP) control (systolic BP: <120, 120–140 and >140 mmHg) or rhythm versus rate control for AF on new‐onset HFpEF. Results: With a follow up of 5 years, the new‐onset HFpEF occurred in 62 of 552 enrolled participants. Among the different control level for diabetes, hypertension and AF, the intensive blood glucose (BG) control, poor BP control and rate control of AF had the highest risk of new‐onset HFpEF, and the conservative BG control, intensive BP control and rhythm control of AF had the lowest risk of new‐onset HFpEF. Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that both poor BP control (hazard ratio (HR): 1.421, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.013–1.992, P = 0.042) and rate control of AF (HR: 1.362, 95% CI: 1.006–1.821, P = 0.033) were independently associated with the development of new‐onset HFpEF. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that, besides intensive BP control, conservative BG control and rhythm control of AF were crucial factors to delay the progression of HFpEF among patients with T2DM, hypertension and AF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental and clinical therapies in the field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have focused on elimination of extracellular amyloid beta aggregates or prevention of cytoplasmic neuronal fibrillary tangles formation, yet these approaches have been generally ineffective. Interruption of nuclear lamina integrity, or laminopathy, is a newly identified concept in AD pathophysiology. Unraveling the molecular players in the induction of nuclear lamina damage may lead to identification of new therapies. Here, using 3xTg and APP/PS1 mouse models of AD, and in vitro model of amyloid beta42 (Aβ42) toxicity in primary neuronal cultures and SH‐SY5Y neuroblastoma cells, we have uncovered a key role for cathepsin L in the induction of nuclear lamina damage. The applicability of our findings to AD pathophysiology was validated in brain autopsy samples from patients. We report that upregulation of cathepsin L is an important process in the induction of nuclear lamina damage, shown by lamin B1 cleavage, and is associated with epigenetic modifications in AD pathophysiology. More importantly, pharmacological targeting and genetic knock out of cathepsin L mitigated Aβ42 induced lamin B1 degradation and downstream structural and molecular changes. Affirming these findings, overexpression of cathepsin L alone was sufficient to induce lamin B1 cleavage. The proteolytic activity of cathepsin L on lamin B1 was confirmed using mass spectrometry. Our research identifies cathepsin L as a newly identified lamin B1 protease and mediator of laminopathy observed in AD. These results uncover a new aspect in the pathophysiology of AD that can be pharmacologically prevented, raising hope for potential therapeutic interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalysis is an efficient and green technology in the environmental protection. Due to the high charge separation and transfer, donor–acceptor (D–A) conjugated polymers attract much attention for their photocatalytic degradations towards organic pollutants. Herein, the authors reported three novel D–A conjugated polymers, named as HPBP, HPTP, and HPF, with heptazine moieties as electron acceptors, while biphenyl, terphenyl, or fluorene moieties as electron donors, respectively, which indeed exhibit a highly efficient photocatalytic degradation towards tetracyclines upon the visible‐light irradiation. Among them, the photocatalytic performance of HPF is especially noticeable with the degradation rate up to 87% within 30 min, almost 11 times in comparison to those of pristine g‐C3N4, which is mainly attributed to its high crystallinity and conjugation. For their photocatalytic mechanism, the •O2– radical anions are regarded as the active species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid‐state fluorescent materials play a critical role in the manufacture of light‐emitting diodes, laser dyes, storage materials, and fluorescence sensors. However, it remains challenging to produce solid‐state fluorescent materials using traditional organic dyes since most are subject to aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ) in the solid state. Here, a macrocycle‐derived crystalline framework is reported that captures various cationic test‐ACQ dyes (e.g., Basic Red 2 (BR2)) and stabilizes them in a fluorescent form. Cyclo[3](1,3‐benzene)[3](4,6‐benzene)(1,3‐dicarboxylic acid), CA‐3, is used as the core macrocyclic building block. When allowed to coordinate with Zn(NO3)2•6H2O or Cd(NO3)2•4H2O, crystalline sponge (CS‐Zn or CS‐Cd) is obtained. In the case of CS‐Zn, nano‐sized cavities are observed in the solid state that serve as containers to capture the cationic ACQ dye BR2 with loading yields up to 14.6 wt% and emission enhancements up to 41× of those seen for solid BR2. The resulting dye‐containing material, CS‐Zn@BR2, displays high stability in water or selected organic solvents at room temperature or under reflux, or when heated at 300 °C for 1 h open to the air, or in the presence of sodium hypochlorite solution (3.0 mm). This study highlights a new strategy for rendering fluorescent ACQ dyes in the solid state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous materials have attracted significant attention because of their rising applications in many fields. Cyclodextrins (CDs) are suitable building units in the fabrication of porous materials owing to their intrinsic nanoporous structure, easy modification, and biocompatibility, which may result in the formation of CD‐based organic frameworks (including cyclodextrin metal‐organic frameworks (CD‐MOFs) and cyclodextrin covalent organic frameworks (CD‐COFs)), and CD‐based polymer hybrid porous materials. This review focuses on the recent progress in the fabrication and applications of CD‐based porous materials with novel structures and functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Irrigation & Drainage is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biliary fistula is an abnormal communication between the biliary system and the epidermis or internal organs, and is considered a rare complication of hepatobiliary diseases. Choledocholithiasis can cause CBD fistula and frequently affects the duodenum because of its adjacency in anatomy.[5] CBD malignancy leads to the formation of fistulas due to tumor tissue invasion.[[6]] Moreover, CBD fistula can also be found in patients with specific infection such as tuberculosis and hydatid, resulted in choledochoduodenal fistula.[[4], [8]] However, spontaneous fistula affecting the intrahepatic bile duct and stomach has barely been reported. Here we report a rare case of intrahepatic bile duct stones that led to fistula penetrating through the intrahepatic bile duct to the stomach. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Most esophageal motility studies are based on animals. It is necessary to explore smooth muscle motility in the human esophagus. This study was undertaken to explore the feasibility of in vitro culture of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from human esophagogastric junction (EGJ) and to determine changes of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) fluorescence ([Ca2+]i) in SMCs stimulated by acetylcholine (ACh). Methods: Primary cells of EGJ (Clasp, Sling, esophageal circular muscle (ECM), and longitudinal muscle (ELM)) were obtained by enzymatic digestion (ED) and explant culture with tissues (EC‐T) from 9 upper esophageal carcinoma patients. Cells were cultured in smooth muscle cell medium (SMCM) and DMEM/F‐12 medium containing 10% newborn bovine serum (10%‐F12), respectively, and then identified by α‐SMA staining. After incubation with 5 μM Fluo‐3/am, the effect of 10−6 mM ACh on [Ca2+]i in Ca2+‐containing and Ca2+‐free buffers was evaluated by confocal microscopy. Results: Cultured cells from ED and EC‐T were identified as SMCs by α‐SMA with spindle surface and "hills and valleys" morphology. Cells cultured in 10%‐F12 showed better morphology. The main characteristic of [Ca2+]i in Clasp‐, Sling‐ and ECM‐SMCs was the release of intracellular Ca2+ stores; the main characteristic in ELM‐SMCs was extracellular Ca2+ influx. However, these cells seemed not to rely on a unique Ca2+ activity, instead combining the two activities to maintain [Ca2+]i. Conclusions: It was feasible to culture human EGJ SMCs in vitro; moreover, Ach‐induced changes of [Ca2+]i in EGJ SMCs represent a complex interaction of intracellular Ca2+ release and extracellular Ca2+ influx. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hot spot gene mutations in splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1) are observed in many types of cancer and create abundant aberrant mRNA splicing, which is profoundly implicated in tumorigenesis. Here, we identified that the SF3B1 K700E (SF3B1K700E) mutation is strongly associated with tumor growth in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Knockdown of SF3B1 significantly retarded cell proliferation and tumor growth in a cell line (Panc05.04) with the SF3B1K700E mutation. However, SF3B1 knockdown had no notable effect on cell proliferation in two cell lines (BxPC3 and AsPC1) carrying wild‐type SF3B1. Ectopic expression of SF3B1K700E but not SF3B1WT in SF3B1‐knockout Panc05.04 cells largely restored the inhibitory role induced by SF3B1 knockdown. Introduction of the SF3B1K700E mutation in BxPC3 and AsPC1 cells also boosted cell proliferation. Gene set enrichment analysis demonstrated a close correlation between SF3B1 mutation and aerobic glycolysis. Functional analyses showed that the SF3B1K700E mutation promoted tumor glycolysis, as evidenced by glucose consumption, lactate release, and extracellular acidification rate. Mechanistically, the SF3B1 mutation promoted the aberrant splicing of PPP2R5A and led to the activation of the glycolytic regulator c‐Myc via post‐translational regulation. Pharmacological activation of PP2A with FTY‐720 markedly compromised the growth advantage induced by the SF3B1K700E mutation in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, our data suggest a novel function for SF3B1 mutation in the Warburg effect, and this finding may offer a potential therapeutic strategy against PDAC with the SF3B1K700E mutation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient and stable metal–organic framework (MOF) catalysts with coordinatively unsaturated metal sites for modern organic synthesis is greatly important. Herein, a robust [Cu4(μ3‐OH)2]‐cluster‐based MOF (Cu‐MOF) with a mixed‐ligand system was successfully fabricated by a microwave‐assisted method under mild conditions. The as‐prepared Cu‐MOF catalyst possessing unsaturated Cu (II) sites exhibited excellent catalytic activity toward the direct carboxylation of 1‐ethynylbenzene with CO2, and various propiolic acid derivatives were synthesized in moderate to good yields under optimized reaction conditions. Furthermore, the catalyst remained stable and could be easily recycled for five sequential runs without incredible decrease in catalytic efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is a frequently fatal malignant disease of haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells. The molecular and phenotypic characteristics of AML are highly heterogeneous. Our previous study concluded that CaMKIIγ was the trigger of chronic myeloid leukaemia progression from the chronic phase to blast crisis, but how CaMKIIγ influences AML stem‐like cells remains elusive. In this study, we found that CaMKIIγ was overexpressed in AML patients and AML cell lines, as measured by qRT‐PCR and Western blot assays. Moreover, CaMKIIγ decreased when the disease was in remission. Using an shRNA lentivirus expression system, we established CaMKIIγ stable‐knockdown AML cell lines and found that knockdown of CaMKIIγ inhibited the viability and self‐renewal of AML stem‐like cell lines. Additionally, the ratio of CD34+ AML cell lines decreased, and CaMKIIγ knockdown induced the downregulation of Alox5 levels. We further detected downstream molecules of the Alox5/NF‐κB pathway and found that c‐myc and p‐IκBα decreased while total IκBα remained normal. In conclusion, our study describes a new role for CaMKIIγ as a stem‐like cell marker that is highly regulated by the Alox5/NF‐κB pathway in AML stem‐like cells. CaMKIIγ can participate in the viability and self‐renewal of AML stem‐like cells by regulating the Alox5/NF‐κB pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) develops in response to hypertensive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy and is associated with increased cardiovascular events. Although the progression to systolic heart failure is a known consequence of LV hypertrophy and HFpEF, few data are available on the LV geometry change and frequency of deterioration to systolic dysfunction in this population. Methods and results: We evaluated the baseline and follow‐up characteristics in 680 patients with LV hypertrophy and HFpEF in this prospective cohort study. The primary endpoint was 5 year all‐cause mortality. The changes of LV geometry and heart failure transition were analysed. Systolic dysfunction [left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%] occurred in 182 patients (26.8%) during a 5 year follow‐up. Patients with LVEF deterioration were associated with a lower survival rate. Beta‐blocker prescription was a protective factor for preserved LVEF. And concentric LV geometry shifted to eccentric hypertrophy was uncommon (10.6%) during a 5 year follow‐up. Conclusions: A quarter of patients with hypertensive LV hypertrophy and HFpEF progresses to systolic dysfunction during a 5 year follow‐up, which was accompanied by poor clinical outcomes. And beta‐blocker therapy might play a protective role for preserved LVEF in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Altered function or expression of GABAA receptors contributes to anxiety disorders. Benzodiazepines are widely prescribed for the treatment of anxiety. However, the long-term use of benzodiazepines increases the risk of developing drug dependence and tolerance. Thus, it is urgent to explore new therapeutic approaches. Metformin is widely used to treat Type 2 diabetes and other metabolic syndromes. However, the role of metformin in psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety, remains largely unknown.Experimental Approach: We examined the effects of metformin on anxiety-like behaviour of rats in open field test and elevated plus maze test. We also observed the effect of metformin (10 μM, in vitro; 100 mg·kg-1 , in vivo) on the trafficking of GABAA receptors, as mechanisms underlying the anxiolytic effects of metformin.Key Results: Metformin (100 mg·kg-1 , i.p. 30 min) displayed a robust and rapid anxiolytic effect, without tolerance. Metformin up-regulated the surface expression of GABAA receptors and increased miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs). AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activated by metformin-induced stimulation of forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) transcriptional activity, followed by increased expression of GABAA receptor-associated protein (GABARAP) and its binding to GABAA receptors finally resulted in the membrane insertion of GABAA receptors.Conclusions and Implications: Metformin increased mIPSCs by up-regulating the membrane insertion of GABAA receptors, via a pathway involving AMPK, FoxO3a, and the GABAA receptor-associated protein. Thus metformin has a potential new use in the treatment of anxiety disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]