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Breast cancer, a heterogeneous disease, is the most frequently diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. Recently, epigenetic abnormalities have emerged as an important hallmark of cancer development and progression. Given that histone deacetylases (HDACs) are crucial to chromatin remodeling and epigenetics, their inhibitors have become promising potential anticancer drugs for research. Here we reviewed the mechanism and classification of histone deacetylases (HDACs), association between HDACs and breast cancer, classification and structure–activity relationship (SAR) of HDACIs, pharmacokinetic and toxicological properties of the HDACIs, and registered clinical studies for breast cancer treatment. In conclusion, HDACIs have shown desirable effects on breast cancer, especially when they are used in combination with other anticancer agents. In the coming future, more multicenter and randomized Phase III studies are expected to be conducted pushing promising new therapies closer to the market. In addition, the design and synthesis of novel HDACIs are also needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To determine the relevance of the single or combination mutations of BRAF V600E, TERT, and NRAS genes and the clinicopathologic relationship in papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Methods: Patients with PTC were enrolled into the study between February 2018 and April 2019. Based on the number of mutant genes, we classified the participants into single BRAF V600E mutation group, double mutations group and no mutation group. Single factor and multiple logistic regression analyses were applied to explore the independent factors. Review Manager 5.3 was used for meta-analysis to review the clinical efficacy of gene co-mutations. Results: Finally, 483 patients were enrolled into the study and 419 (86.7%) of them harbored BRAF V600E mutation. TERT or NRAS mutation was likely to coexist with BRAF V600E mutation in PTC. BRAF V600E and NRAS promoter co-mutations was identified in 6 patients, with a prevalence of 1.2%. Prevalence of BRAF V600E and TERT coexistence in PTC was 2.1%. Significant differences were found among age, pathology, multifocality, bilateral lesions, lymph node metastasis, and 131I radiotherapy, P < 0.01. Multiple logistic regression analyses demonstrated that age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.044, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.013–1.076; P = 0.006], lymph node metastasis [OR = 0.094, 95% CI = 0.034–0.264; P < 0.001], 131I radiotherapy [OR = 7.628, 95% CI = 2.721–21.378; P < 0.001] were risk factors for BRAF V600E mutation. Besides, age [OR = 1.135, 95% CI = 1.069–1.205; P < 0.001], multiple leisions [OR = 4.128, 95% CI = 1.026–16.614; P = 0.046], pathology [OR = 3.954, 95% CI = 1.235–12.654; P = 0.021] were independent factors for combination mutations. Meta-analysis showed significant association of BRAF V600E+/TERT+ co-mutations with lymph node metastasis, multifocality, distant metastasis, tumor recurrence, extrathyroidal extension, and dead of disease. Conclusions: Prevalence of BRAF V600E mutation in Northwest China was higher than other areas. Age, multiple lesions, and pathology were independent factors for double mutation of BRAF V600E/TERT or BRAF V600E/NRAS. Coexistence of BRAF V600E and TERT promoter mutations was significantly correlated with poor outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In many countries, nurses are ill-prepared to provide care to patients with terminal illnesses. Limited education and training affect their ability to deliver proper palliative care. Only a few studies have explored appropriate and effective training methods of palliative care in China. Therefore, we aimed to provide evidence for a palliative care training system by appraising the effects of a mixed-method intervention on participants' knowledge of palliative care and attitudes towards dying patients and death. Methods: An e-learning intervention approach was adopted for 97 nurses from oncology departments across five hospitals, using a mobile terminal combined with a virtual forum and face-to-face interactions. We conducted a pre- and post-training evaluation through the Palliative Care Quiz of Nursing (PCQN), Frommelt Attitude Toward Care of the Dying Scale Form B (FATCOD-B), and Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R). Results: After a three-week intervention, there was a significant increase in the PCQN and FATCOD-B scores as compared to the baseline. For PCQN, the total score increased from 10.3 ± 1.9 to 11.1 ± 2.2 (p =.011) and the score for management of pain and other symptoms increased from 7.7 ± 1.7 to 8.4 ± 1.7 (p =.003). FATCOD-B scores increased noticeably from 100.6 ± 7.9 to 102.9 ± 8.9 (p =.019). The DAP-R scores showed no obvious difference between pre- and post-intervention results. Conclusions: The mixed-method intervention was effective in improving participants' knowledge and attitudes about palliative care. The implementation of training for nurses at appropriate intervals during both education and professional life is required, especially regarding the improvement in participants' attitudes towards death. Therefore, palliative care training in China should receive more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel photocatalyst was prepared using p-type Cu 2 O and n-type g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets. • A strong internal electric field was formed due to a type II Cu 2 O/CN p-n heterojunction. • The separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers was enhanced by the internal electric field. • The Cu 2 O/CN photocatalyst offered a QE of 0.57% for N 2 reduction to NH 3. Graphitic carbon nitride (CN) is a metal-free polymeric n-type semiconductor and a promising photocatalyst for dinitrogen fixation. However, modest solar spectrum utilization and poor charge separation limit its photocatalytic performance. Herein, we combined p-type Cu 2 O with n-type CN to create novel p-n heterojunction photocatalysts, which demonstrated greatly improved nitrogen reduction performance relative to pristine CN or Cu 2 O, and also excellent cyclic stability. The quantum efficiency of the compositionally optimized 0.6Cu 2 O/CN photocatalyst was 0.57%, which was approximately 5 times higher than that of Cu 2 O (0.1%). A NH 3 production rate of 10 μmol h−1 was realized under visible light. The NH 3 production activity remained high over 20 h of continuous testing. An in-depth exploration of the energy band structure of the photocatalyst allowed rationalization of the enhanced photocatalytic fixation performance in the p-n system, which guides the future design of improved nitrogen reduction photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aurora kinase B (AURKB) overexpression promotes tumor initiation and development by participating in the cell cycle. In this study, we focused on the mechanism of AURKB in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression and on AURKB's value as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in HCC. We used data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) to analyze AURKB expression in HCC. We found that the expression levels of AURKB in HCC samples were higher than those in the corresponding control group. R packages were used to analyze RNA sequencing data to identify AURKB-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and these genes were found to be significantly enriched during the cell cycle. The biological function of AURKB was verified, and the results showed that cell proliferation was slowed down and cells were arrested in the G2/M phase when AURKB was knocked down. AURKB overexpression resulted in significant differences in clinical symptoms, such as the clinical T stage and pathological stage. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, Cox regression analysis, and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that AURKB overexpression has good diagnostic and prognostic potential in HCC. Therefore, AURKB may be used as a potential target for the diagnosis and cure of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-resorptive agents like bisphosphonates have been widely used for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. However, their long-term safety and efficacy are still controversial. This study is to examine the effect of Asiatic acid (AA) in osteoclastic differentiation, and further to investigate its effect on bone quality in animals. Effect of AA on osteoclastic differentiation was measured by Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase stain, bone resorption pit assays, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling were measured by western blot before and after AA treatment. Ovariectomized (OVX) wild-type or Smad7 partially knock out mice were used to evaluate the effects of AA on bone quality by micro-computed tomography, mechanical test, and histomorphometry. Results revealed a dose-dependent inhibitory effect of AA on osteoclastic differentiation. After AA treatment, Smad7 was upregulated, while NF-κB and TGF-β signaling were inhibited during osteoclastic differentiation. Results from animal study revealed that AA prevented bone from further loss caused by OVX and increased the mechanical properties of femur in wild-type animals. AA also prevented bone loss in the Smad7-deficient animals. When combining with OVX in the Smad7-deficient mice, AA could only partially preserve their bone mass. Taken together, we found that AA effectively inhibited osteoclastic differentiation and attenuated osteoporosis, which effects may be through TGF-β and NF-κB pathways. This study reveals that AA may be a potential anti-resorptive agent for postmenopausal osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of and the optimal parameters for intense pulsed light (IPL) with a 420-nm filter on an isolate of the fungus Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) were examined in vitro. Colonies of T. rubrum were irradiated by using 420-nm IPL with various pulse numbers and energies. Colony areas were photographed and compared with those of untreated colonies to assess growth inhibition. Statistically significant inhibition of T. rubrum growth was detected in colonies treated with 12 pulses of greater than or equal to 12 J/cm2. The optimal parameters of 420-nm IPL were 12 pulses of 12 J/cm2. However, more in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to investigate and explore this mechanism to determine whether IPL would have a potential use in the treatment of fungal infections of the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apolipoprotein E (ApoE), a critical targeting protein, has been found to play an essential role in the protection against infection and inflammation. However, the immune functions of ApoE against bacterial infection in fish have not been investigated. In this study, a full-length cDNA for ApoE , named On-ApoEb was cloned from Oreochromis niloticus. The predicted cDNA sequence was 831bp in length and coded for a protein of 276 amino acid residues, which shared 63.87%–98.55% identity with ApoEb from other fishes, and about 22% identity with ApoEb from mammals. On-ApoEb from O. niloticus was highly expressed in the liver and could be activated in the tissues (liver, spleen, brain, and intestine) after infection with Streptococcus agalactiae. Moreover, the results revealed that On-ApoEb could decrease the expression levels of pro-inflammatory factors, immune-related pathways, and apoptosis, while increasing the expression levels of anti-inflammatory factors. Furthermore, On-ApoEb was noted to improve the survival rate and reduce the bacterial load in the liver and spleen. These results suggested that On-ApoEb was connected with immune response and had anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis activities. • Apolipoprotein Eb (On-ApoEb) was cloned from Oreochromis niloticus. • On-ApoEb was induced during Streptococcus agalactiae infection. • On-ApoEb protected O. niloticus against S. agalactiae infection in vivo. • On-ApoEb was connected with antimicrobial response and had anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C-type lectins (CTLs), as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), play an important role in the innate immunity of Litopenaeus vannamei. In this study, a novel CTL, named perlucin-like protein (PLP), was identified from L. vannamei , which shared homology sequences of PLP from Penaeus monodon. PLP from L. vannamei was expressed in the hepatopancreas, eyestalk, muscle and brain and could be activated in the tissues (hepatopancreas, muscle, gill and intestine) after infection with the pathogen Vibrio harveyi. Bacteria (Vibrio alginolyticus , V. parahaemolyticus , V. harveyi , Streptococcus agalactiae and Bacillus subtilis) could be bound and agglutinated by the PLP recombinant protein in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Moreover, PLP could stabilise the expression of the immune-related genes (ALF , SOD , HSP70 , Toll4 and IMD) and apoptosis gene (Caspase2). The RNAi of PLP could remarkably affect the expression of antioxidant gene, antimicrobial peptide genes, other CTLs, apoptosis genes, Toll signaling pathways, and IMD signaling pathways. Moreover, PLP reduced the bacterial load in the hepatopancreas. These results suggested that PLP was involved in the innate immune response against V. harveyi infection by recognising bacterial pathogens and activating the expression of immune-related and apoptosis genes. • Perlucin-like protein (PLP) was cloned from Litopenaeus vannamei. • PLP were induced during Vibrio harveyi infection. • PLP possesses binding and agglutination activity, and involves in innate immune response. • PLP protects L. vannamei against V. harveyi infection in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has become a new strategy for treating diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the role of placenta derived mesenchymal stem cells (P-MSCs) in DKD remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic application and molecular mechanism of P-MSCs on DKD from the perspective of podocyte injury and PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy at the animal, cellular, and molecular levels. Western blotting, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the expression of podocyte injury-related markers and mitophagy-related markers, SIRT1, PGC-1α, and TFAM. Knockdown, overexpression, and rescue experiments were performed to verify the underlying mechanism of P-MSCs in DKD. Mitochondrial function was detected by flow cytometry. The structure of autophagosomes and mitochondria were observed by electron microscopy. Furthermore, we constructed a streptozotocin-induced DKD rat model and injected P-MSCs into DKD rats. Results showed that as compared with the control group, exposing podocytes to high-glucose conditions aggravated podocyte injury, represented by a decreased expression of Podocin along with increased expression of Desmin, and inhibited PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy, manifested as a decreased expression of Beclin1, the LC3II/LC3I ratio, Parkin, and PINK1 associated with an increased expression of P62. Importantly, these indicators were reversed by P-MSCs. In addition, P-MSCs protected the structure and function of autophagosomes and mitochondria. P-MSCs increased mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP content and decreased the accumulation of reactive oxygen species. Mechanistically, P-MSCs alleviated podocyte injury and mitophagy inhibition by enhancing the expression of the SIRT1-PGC-1α-TFAM pathway. Finally, we injected P-MSCs into streptozotocin-induced DKD rats. The results revealed that the application of P-MSCs largely reversed the markers related to podocyte injury and mitophagy and significantly increased the expression of SIRT1, PGC-1α, and TFAM compared with the DKD group. In conclusion, P-MSCs ameliorated podocyte injury and PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy inhibition in DKD by activating the SIRT1-PGC-1α-TFAM pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity and osteoporosis are often concurrently happened in the menopausal women. Obesity in menopausal women is not only related to a high risk of cardiovascular disease, but also results in a detrimental effect on bone health. This study aimed to investigate the effects of aspirin, a popular anti-thrombosis drug, on bone quantity and quality in the high-fat-fed animal model. Adult female rats were subjected to either sham operations or ovariectomized operations. The ovariectomized rats were orally administered with deionized water or standardized high fat emulsion with or without aspirin. All rats were injected with calcein before killed for the purpose of double in vivo labeling. Biochemistry, histomorphometry, micro-computed tomography analysis, mechanical test, and component analysis were performed after 12 weeks. In vitro cell culture was also performed to observe the effect of aspirin in osteogenesis. We found that high fat remarkably impaired bone formation and bone biomechanics. Aspirin treatment significantly prevented bone loss by increasing bone formation. In vitro studies also validated the enhancement of osteogenic differentiation. However, aspirin presented no significant improvement in bone mechanical properties. Component analysis shown aspirin could significantly increase the content of mineral, but had limited effect on the content of collagen. In conclusion, aspirin is beneficial for the prevention of bone loss; meanwhile, it may cause an imbalance in the components of bone which may weaken the mechanical properties. The current study provided further evidence that aspirin might not be powerful for the prevention of fracture in osteoporotic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rational design of nanostructure is crucial to achieving high-rate and long-term cycling performance for electrodes. Herein, the tin phosphide composites with yolk – shell nanostructure (Sn x P y /NG) are designed and synthesized by one-step carbonization and phosphorization from the precursor of Sn 6 O 4 (OH) 4 /NG. The Sn x P y /NG electrode with yolk – shell nanostructure shows energy storage properties superior to that of nanoclusters or nanoparticles. The void space in yolk – shell nanostructure relieves the huge volume expansion, and the unique phase hybridization of Sn 4 P 3 and SnP 0.94 promotes the reaction kinetics. Thus, Sn x P y /NG delivers high-rate long-term cycling stability for Li-half cells (521.2 mA h g−1 maintained after 3000 cycles at 5.0 A g−1) and Na-half cells (203.1 mA h g−1 maintained after 300 cycles at 1.0 A g−1). The design strategy can promote the practical application of Sn-based phosphide and pave the way for designing and exploring other metal-based phosphide electrodes for energy storage. • Sn x P y /NG with yolk-shell morphology are designed and prepared from the precursor of Sn 6 O 4 (OH) 4 /NG. • The proportion of Sn 4 P 3 and SnP 0.94 phases for the tin phosphides composites can be precisely regulated. • The yolk-shell nanostructure and phase hybridization relieve the huge volume expansion and promote reaction kinetics. • Sn x P y /NG with yolk-shell nanostructure achieves excellent high-rate long-term cycling properties for LIBs/SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High mobility group protein B2 (HMGB2) is an abundant chromatin-associated protein with pivotal roles in transcription, cell proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, and tumorigenesis. However, its immune function in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) remains unclear. In this study, we identified a homologue of HMGB2 from Nile tilapia (On-HMGB2) and investigated its functions in the immune response against streptococcus infection. The open reading frame (ORF) of On-HMGB2 spans 642 bp, encoding 213 amino acids, and contains two conserved HMG domains. On-HMGB2 shares over 80 % homology with other fish species and 74%–76 % homology with mammals. On-HMGB2 was widely distributed in various tissues, with its highest transcript levels in the liver and the lowest in the intestine. Knockdown of On-HMGB2 promoted the inflammatory response in Nile tilapia, increased the bacterial load in the tissues, and led to elevated mortality in Nile tilapia following Streptococcus agalactiae infection. Taken together, On-HMGB2 significantly influences the immune system of Nile tilapia in response to streptococcus infection. • High mobility group protein B2 (On-HMGB2) was cloned from Oreochromis niloticus. • On-HMGB2 was knocked down by RNA interference. • HMGB2 protected O. niloticus against S. agalactiae infection in vivo. • HMGB2 is associated with an antimicrobial response with anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although silicon has higher theoretical specific capacity to meet the demand for higher energy density, its large volume expansion and low conductivity make the practical application of silicon anode difficult in the field of lithium-ion batteries. In this work, Si@(AP-AOCNTs) composites with uniform conductive network and pore structure are prepared by spray drying method. In the composite microspheres, silicon particles are embedded into the 3D interwoven network of 1-aminopyrene modified oxidized carbon nanotubes, which can not only buffer the volume expansion of silicon, but also ensure the effective transport of electrons and ions. This is demonstrated by the remarkable cycle life, and the electrode still has a reversible specific capacity of 939.3mAh/g after 975 cycles at 0.5A/g. Moreover, 97.3% of the initial capacity (at 0.5A/g) is still retained after the rate cycling, when the current density returns to 0.5A/g. [Display omitted] • Three-dimensional carbon nanotube networks facilitate electron transport and particle integrity. • 1-aminopyrene can effectively improve the dispersion uniformity of CNTs and favor the formation of a stable SEI film. • Si@ (AP-AOCNTs) anode exhibits obvious improved rate and cyclic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An approach to grain control using seed-assisted growth in directional solidification (DS) is reported in this paper. Proper multi-crystalline silicon seeds at the bottom of the crucible provided numerous fine nucleation points for the controlled grain growth in an optimized hot-zone. Low dislocation density was observed with large numbers of uniform small grains in the silicon ingot, although the grain size increased with crystal growth. Crystals produced using seed-assisted growth showed a higher and more uniform minority carrier lifetime with a much lower dislocation multiplication rate. A higher average solar cell conversion efficiency of about 0.5% in absolute value was obtained in the seed-assisted grown silicon in comparison with that in the seedless silicon under the same cell fabrication process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Lithium‑sulfur (Li-S) batteries have been hindered by the difficulty of achieving satisfactory cycling stability of high sulfur loading owing to the structural instability and exaggerated shuttle problem. Here, we design and fabricate a "reinforced concrete" structure based on the carbon fibers (CFs) supporting graphene/carbon nanotubes (GC) matrix composites, followed by a slurry-casting process to produce the final CFs-S/GC cathode with 4.5– 5.5 mg cm−2 sulfur loading. The 3D architecture of the micro/nano-hybrid materials enhances the structural strength and builds an interconnected conductive network for efficient electrolyte infiltration and the rapid electric/ionic transport. Furthermore, carbon nanofibers (CNFs) are growth on the surface of CFs by chemical vapor deposition to formation of CFs@CNFs. The CFs@CNFs-S/GC cathode enables the effective confines of polysulfides on electrochemically active sites, leading to a much-improved cycling performance. The strategy reported in this paper provides a feasible way for the construction of CFs or modified CFs skeleton in nanostructured carbon materials for high energy density Li-S batteries. [Display omitted] • GC hybrid matrix was prepared by mechanical mixing and high temperature reduction. • The 3D micro/nano-structure supported by CFs improves electrode mechanical strength. • Growth of CNFs on CFs surface increases the reactive sites and utilization of sulfur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of Sn-based material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is hindered by the fast capacity fade due to the large volume expansion and the instability of solid electrolyte interface (SEI) film. Based on structural optimization and interfacial engineering theories, phosphorus-modified Sn nanoclusters encapsulated by graphene (P-Sn/NG) were designed and prepared through phosphorization process. Phosphorus modification optimize the nanostructure of the P-Sn/NG composite into nano/micro primary particles, and modify the material interface to an amorphous state. Thus, the stability of the SEI film was improved, the initial Coulombic efficiency was enhanced (82.2% on average), and the ion transmission efficiency was accelerated. As a result, the P-Sn/NG electrode showed superior cycling stability and rate capability (maintained 620.4 mA h g−1 after 3200 cycles at 5.0 A g−1) for half cells, as well as for full cells. Furthermore, the mechanism for performance improvement was revealed in detail. This work provides a new avenue for the practical application of Sn-based and other high-performance lithium-ion battery materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dual S-scheme heterojunction system is established in BP/(Ti 3 C 2 T x @TiO 2) photocatalytic composite with excellent H 2 evolution rate of 564.8 μmol h−1 g−1 in pure water without any sacrificial agents. [Display omitted] • A conception of dual S-scheme heterojunction system is proposed. • The BP/(Ti 3 C 2 T x @TiO 2) composite system is endowed with a broad absorption window. • Driven by the dual S-scheme system, the lifetime of photocarriers is prolonged. • This photocatalytic system shows outstanding H 2 evolution in pure water. Artificial photocatalysis with high-efficiency is a promising route for storing sustainable energy from water splitting. Whereas it is challenging to broaden the solar-spectrum responsive window for harvesting high level of conversion. Herein, based on the band-matching engineering theory, a design of dual S-Scheme heterojunction system is proposed and established in a BP/(Ti 3 C 2 T x @TiO 2) composite photocatalyst. The complementary light response region between TiO 2 and BP realizes the extension of solar energy utilization over a broad absorption window. Furthermore, this specific band-matching configuration endows spatially long-lived charge carriers with greater accumulation on the divided sub-systems, thereby maintaining the sufficient potential energy capacity associated with excellent photocatalytic properties (H 2 evolution rate of 564.8 μmol h−1 g−1 and AQE of 2.7% at 380 nm in pure water). This work describes a promising protocol of designing advanced broadband light-activated photocatalytic systems for solar-chemical energy conversion applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photocatalytic nitrogen fixation is a promising method for solar energy storage. In order to improve the efficiency of photocatalysis, it is necessary to accelerate the transfer of photogenerated electron-holes and inhibit their recombination. Based on energy band engineering theory, the band gap of CN is changed by adjusting the doping proportion of B element so as to better match the energy band of WO 3 , and the optimal energy band state is achieved. The change of the band of CN is studied in depth while introducing B. The WO 3 /B-CN photocatalytic system can effectively improve the separation efficiency and prolong the life of photogenerated carriers. The quantum efficiency of the photocatalyst material for nitrogen fixation at 400 nm is 0.71%. The yield of NH 3 under visible light is 450.94 μmol g-1 h-1. This study has important guiding significance for the design of high efficiency photocatalysts in photocatalytic nitrogen fixation. The B-CN energy band structure better matches with WO 3 which optimizes the behavior of photogenerated electrons and holes. [Display omitted] • The introduction of B atoms changes the energy band structure of CN. • The z-scheme constructed by band matching between WO 3 and B-CN improves the photocatalytic efficiency. • The WO 3 /B-CN photocatalyst offers a QE of 0.71% for N 2 reduction to NH 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With thickness increase, the high tortuosity and long ion-path way lead to the sluggish kinetic in the electrode. Low tortuosity structure design can facilitate lithium ion (Li+) diffusion and electrolyte percolation in the electrode. • Vertical aligned hollow carbon fibers provide electrolyte percolation channels. • Low tortuosity electrode structure facilitates Lithium ion diffusion in thick electrode. • The method of low tortuosity design is simple, avoiding the template removed. The sluggish kinetic is the key factor to restrain electrochemical performance of high sulfur loading thick electrode. With thickness increase, the high tortuosity and long ion-path way lead to the sluggish kinetic in the electrode. Low tortuosity structure design can facilitate lithium ion (Li+) diffusion and electrolyte percolation into the electrode, which is an appropriate method to improve electrochemical performance. This paper focuses on the construction of low tortuosity electrode design. The hollow carbon micro-fibers of carbonized kapok fibers (CKFs) are decorated by superparamagnetic Co 3 O 4 derived from ZIF-67, which are utilized to provide the vertical channel in the thick electrode. The orientation of CKFs@Co 3 O 4 in the magnetic field provides the directional pathway to improve the kinetics of mass transport in the thick electrode. Compared with the conventional electrode, the low tortuosity electrode shows better electrochemical performance. With sulfur loading of 6 mg cm−2 and around 300 μm thickness, it exhibits the excellent reversible capacity of 866.2 mAh g-1at 0.2C after 100 cycles and delivers a high initial capacity of 479.1 mAh g−1 at 2C. The low tortuosity structure design reported from this paper is effective to relieve the sluggish kinetic of the thick electrode and is potential for practical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional meta-analyses can only provide direct comparison evidence, and the best options of nonpharmacological interventions for cancer-related cognitive impairment remain largely unknown. To evaluate the comparative effects of all known nonpharmacological interventions for cancer-related cognitive impairment, and to rank the best intervention options for adult non- central nervous system cancer patients with cancer-related cognitive impairment. Systematic review with a new analytic approach of network meta-analysis. Six electronic databases were searched for randomized controlled trials from January 2010 to July 2019. Literature screening, data extraction and quality appraisal was undertaken systematically by two independent reviewers. Quantitative network meta-analysis performed to analyze key study outcomes. The primary outcome was the effectiveness of interventions on subjective cognitive function, and the secondary outcome was the safety of nonpharmacological interventions for cancer-related cognitive impairment. There were 29 eligible randomized controlled trials searched, and a total of 10 interventions identified. All 29 randomized controlled trials that were included had no reported significant adverse events, therefore, these 10 nonpharmacological interventions are safe for cancer-related cognitive impairment management. In terms of effectiveness, the pooled overall effects were in favor of these 10 nonpharmacological interventions. The most effective interventions included meditation, cognitive training, cognitive rehabilitation, and exercise interventions, with a mean difference of effective size plus 95% confidence interval 10.26 (1.53, 19.00), 5.02 (1.41, 8.63), 4.88 (0.65, 9.11), and 3.82 (0.52, 7.13), respectively. Other treatment effects did not show statistically significant differences. This network meta-analysis found that meditation interventions, cognitive training, cognitive rehabilitation, and exercise were the most effective interventions for adult non-central nervous system cancer patients to manage cancer-related cognitive impairment. Results of this network meta-analysis contribute evidence-based data to inform medical decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Let G be a finite abelian group and S be a sequence with elements of G. Let Σ (S) ⊂ G denote the set of group elements which can be expressed as a sum of a nonempty subsequence of S. We call S zero-sum free if 0 ∉ Σ (S). In this paper, we study | Σ (S) | when S is a zero-sum free sequence of elements from G and 〈 S 〉 is not cyclic. We improve the results of A. Pixton and P. Yuan on this topic. In particular, we show that if S is a zero-sum free sequence with elements of G of length | S | = exp ⁡ (G) + 3 , then | Σ (S) | ≥ 5 exp ⁡ (G) − 1 , where exp ⁡ (G) denotes the exponent of G. This gives a positive answer to a case of a conjecture of B. Bollobás and I. Leader as well as to a case of a conjecture of W. Gao et al. For a video summary of this paper, please visit https://youtu.be/cvK4nZkY4lo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertrophic scars are dermal fibrosis diseases that protrude from the surface of the skin and irregularly extend to the periphery, seriously affecting the appearance and limb function of the patient. In this study, we found that microRNA-130a (miR-130a) was increased in hypertrophic scar tissues and derived primary fibroblasts, accompanied by up-regulation of collagen1/3 and α-SMA. Inhibition of miR-130a in hypertrophic scars fibroblasts suppressed the expression of collagen1/3 and α-SMA as well as the cell proliferation. Bioinformatics analysis combined with luciferase reporter gene assay results indicated that CYLD was a target gene of miR-130a, and the miR-130a mimic could reduce the level of CYLD. In contrast to miR-130a, the expression of CYLD was downregulated in hypertrophic scars and their derived fibroblasts. Overexpressing CYLD inhibited the expression of collagen 1/3 and α-SMA, slowed cell proliferation, and inhibited Akt activity. As expected, further study showed that the overexpression of CYLD could prevent the pro-fibroproliferative effects of miR-130a. Consistent with the in vitro results, the inhibitor of miR-130a effectively ameliorated excessive collagen deposition in bleomycin-induced skin fibrosis mouse model. Taken together, our results indicate that miR-130a promotes collagen secretion, myofibroblast transformation and cell proliferation by targeting CYLD and enhancing Akt activity. Therefore, the miR-130a/CYLD/Akt pathway may serve as a novel entry point for future skin fibrosis research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Citrus blue and green molds caused by Penicillium digitatum , P. italicum , and P. polonicum , are the major postharvest diseases of citrus fruit. In the present study, Actinomycin X 2 (Act-X 2), a naturally occurring antibiotic produced by Streptomyces species, was found to show excellent antifungal effect against these three pathogens with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 62.5 μg/mL for them all, which was better than the positive control thiophanate-methyl. Act-X 2 significantly reduced the percentage of spore germination, and highly inhibited the mycelial growth of P. italicum , P. digitatum , and P. polonicum with EC 50 values being 34.34, 13.76, and 37.48 μg/mL, respectively. In addition, Act-X 2 greatly decreased the intracellular protein content while increasing the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and superoxide anion (O 2 −) content in the mycelia of pathogens. In vivo test indicated that Act-X 2 strongly inhibited the infection of navel oranges by these three Penicillium species, with an inhibition percentage of >50% for them all at the concentration of 10 MIC. Transcriptome analysis suggested that Act-X 2 might highly influence the ribosomal functions of P. polonicum , which was supported as well by the molecular docking analysis of Act-X 2 with some key functional proteins and RNAs of the ribosome. Furthermore, Act-X 2 significantly reduced the decay percentage and improved the firmness, color, and sugar-acid ratio of navel oranges spray-inoculated with P. polonicum during the postharvest storage at 4 °C for 60 d. [Display omitted] • Act-X 2 highly inhibits the growth of P. digitatum , P. italicum , and P. polonicum. • Act-X 2 greatly decreases the intracellular protein content of pathogens. • Act-X 2 significantly increases the ROS level and O 2 − content in mycelia. • Act-X 2 might influence the ribosomal functions of P. polonicum. • Act-X 2 efficiently reduces the decay percentage and improves the fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin 8 (IL8) is vital in promoting inflammation and is a crucial mediator in various physiopathological processes while influencing immunological function. The effect of IL8 on the immunological response to acute bacterial infections in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) remains unknown. This work found an IL8 gene from Nile tilapia (On-IL8). It includes a 285 bp open reading frame and codes for 94 amino acids. The transcript levels of On-IL8 were highest in the head-kidney tissue and sharply induced by Streptococcus agalactiae and Aeromonas hydrophila. Besides, in vitro experiments revealed that On-IL8 regulated a variety of immunological processes and promoted inflammatory responses. Moreover, On-IL8 suppressed the NF-κB signaling pathway, consistent with in vitro results. These significant findings serve as the basis for further investigation into how IL8 confers protection to bony fish in opposition to bacterial infections. • IL8 is widely distributed in various tissues in healthy Nile tilapia. • IL8 was induced during bacterial infection in Nile tilapia. • IL8 was partially involved in the immunomodulation of Nile tilapia head-kidney leukocytes in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CD27 is a member of the TNF-receptor superfamily and plays various roles in immunities. However, the detailed information and mechanism of CD27 in bony fish immunity remain unclear. Therefore, in this research, certain interesting roles of CD27 in Nile tilapia (On-CD27) were determined. On-CD27 was largely expressed in the immune organs, head kidney, and spleen, and was sharply induced during bacterial infection. The in vitro tests suggested On-CD27 was involved in regulating inflammatory responses, activating immune-related signal pathways, and inducing apoptosis and pyroptosis progress. The scRNA data and in vivo experiments indicated that On-CD27 is mainly expressed in CD4+ T cells and involved in both innate and adaptive immunities. The present data provide a theoretical principle for further research on the mechanisms of CD27 in the innate and adaptive immunities of fish. • CD27 was induced during bacterial infection in tilapia. • CD27 was partially involved in the immunomodulation of tilapia lymphocytes in vitro. • CD27 was mainly expressed in CD4+ T cells and involved in both innate and adaptive immunities in tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant-derived alternatives to antibiotics are of great concern. The goal of this work was to enhance the Hu Zhang (Polygonum cuspidatum) extraction procedure against non-O1/O139 V. cholerae (HZE), identify the antibacterial components, analyze the mechanism of action, and investigate its potential in prawn storage. The extraction process of HZE optimized by one-factor-at-a-time experiment combined with response surface methodology was as follows: 95% methanol of extraction solvent, 28 mL/g of the ratio of liquid to solid, 88 °C of extraction temperature, and 150 min of extraction time. The MIC and MBC values of HZE were 1.5 and 3.0 mg/mL. The anti- V. cholera activity of HZE was attributed to the synergistic effects of various active chemical components such as rhein, aloe-emodin, chrysophanol, etc. HZE could significantly damage the integrity and permeability of the cell membrane and change bacterial morphology. Further practical potential in prawn storage indicated HZE could significantly decrease total V. cholera count in prawns at 4 °C. In this paper, the inhibitory activity of HZE against V. cholerae was investigated and its cellular damage mechanism was revealed for the first time. The results demonstrate the potential of HZE as a natural and effective antimicrobial agent to control V. cholera in fishery products. • It is the first extraction report of HZE against non-O1/O139 Vibrio cholerae. • The anti- V. cholerae activity of HZE was attributed to the synergistic effects. • HZE have strong impairing effects on the cell membrane of V. cholerae. • HZE could effectively inhibit TVC in shrimps at 4 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of bis-pyrazole derivatives were designed and synthesized, and their antitumor effects in vitro and in vivo were investigated. Several compounds displayed good antiproliferative activity with IC 50 values in low-micromolar range against three human cancer cell lines in vitro , superior to 5-FU. The most potent compound 10M selectively inhibited human hepatocellular carcinoma cells but not non-tumor liver cell proliferation in vitro , and significantly triggered SMMC-7721 cell apoptosis by cleavage of both PARP and caspase-3 in a concentration-dependent manner. Further study revealed that the potent activity in the cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction effects of 10M were related to DNA damage and activation of the p53 signaling pathway. Moreover, 10M showed low acute toxicity to mice and significant growth inhibition of the hepatoma tumor in vivo . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Li metal anode is regarded as the most ideal anode material for the next-generation high-energy-density rechargeable Li batteries. Unfortunately, infinite volume change, "dead" Li formation, and continuous dendrite growth, severely hamper its commercial applications. Constructing 3D hosts has been widely developed to address these issues. Herein, nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (NCNTs) are grown in the carbon felt (CF) as the host material for Li metal anode via economic chemical vapor deposition was developed. Carbon felt provides a fast and uniform ion/electron pathway and alleviates the volume expansion during the charge/discharge process. With the introduction of NCNTs, lithiophilic functional groups like pyridine and pyrrole distributed uniformly on the surface of carbon felt, providing adequate lithiophilic sites to guide Li nucleation, ensuring the smooth Li deposition with dendrite-free morphology. As a result, excellent cycling stability is realized in symmetric cells with low overpotential and long lifespan. In addition, when the composite Li electrode is paired with the sulfur cathode (8.7 mg cm−2), the full cell displays a steady cycle life in coulombic efficiency retention of 93 % and a high specific capacity of 3.32 mAh cm−2 after 270 cycles at 0.2C. [Display omitted] • The 3D free-standing carbon felt with high nitrogen-doped content carbon nanotubes is constructed. • Lithiophilic functional groups offering adequate lithiophilic sites to regulate Li deposition. • The composite structure shows moderate surface area and good conductivity. • The optmized Li anode realizes excellent electrochemical performance in symmetric cells and Li full cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, anatase-TiO 2 is investigated as a catalyst support in Pd/TiO 2 –C composite to improve the electrocatalytic properties of Pd for formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR). Pd/TiO 2 has been synthesized by an impregnation-reduction method and then mixed with Vulcan XC-72R carbon black to obtain Pd/TiO 2 –C composite. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show Pd nanoparticles (ca.3.5 nm in average diameter) in the Pd/TiO 2 –C (1:1) composite catalyst were dispersed on the surface of TiO 2 with a narrow particle size distribution. Electrochemical tests demonstrate Pd/TiO 2 –C (1:1) composite has significantly increased catalytic activity and stability compared with Pd/C for FAOR. The proposed reasons for these observations are the excellent acid corrosion and oxidation resistance of TiO 2 and the synergistic effect of Pd and TiO 2 nanoparticles. The effect of mass ratios of TiO 2 to C on the catalytic performance is also discussed. The best catalytic activity and stability for FAOR is found when the mass ratio of TiO 2 to C is 1:1. It can be interpreted as the synergistic effects and conductivity reach balance at this point. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Self-supporting BCNNTs-encapsulated NiSe 2 electrode is prepared for SIB anodes. • Self-supporting NiSe 2 @BCNNTs electrode owns native 3D electron transfer paths. • The BCNNTs effectively alleviate the volumetric expansion issue of NiSe 2. • The NiSe 2 @BCNNTs anode shows high energy density and stable cycling performance. Highly conductive metal selenides have attracted considerable attention as a conversion-type anode of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). However, their poor rate capability, sluggish reaction kinetics, and rapid capacity fading greatly hinder their large-scale commercial application. In this work, a novel self-supporting NiSe 2 composite encapsulated in boron carbonitride (BCN) nanotubes (NiSe 2 @BCNNTs) was prepared through a simple pyrolysis method. The self-supporting NiSe 2 @BCNNTs conductive matrix creates native 3D electron transfer paths, accelerating the ionic and electronic diffusion/transport kinetics. Benefiting from these merits, the as-made NiSe 2 @BCNNTs anode exhibits a remarkable reversible Na+ storage capacity (787 mAh g−1 at the current density of 100 mA g−1) and superior long-term cycling stability (382.4 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 after 2000 cycles). Furthermore, the assembled NiSe 2 @BCNNTs//Na 3 V 2 (PO 4) 3 /N-CNTs full-cell delivers a high reversible capacity of 72.8 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 after 500 cycles, indicating its potential for SIBs application.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the clinical outcome of fresh versus vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (BT) cycles. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Medical university affiliated hospital. Patient(s): Women aged less than 40 years undergoing BT cycles. Intervention(s): Vitrification and warming of blastocyst with the Cryotop system. Main Outcome Measure(s): Clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), implantation rate (IR), and multiple pregnancy rate (MPR). Result(s): In 110 fresh BT cycles versus 136 vitrified-warmed BT cycles performed from January 2007 to March 2010, the IR and CPR of vitrified-warmed BT cycles were 37.0% and 55.1%, respectively, which were statistically significantly higher than the corresponding values of 25.2% and 36.4% obtained for fresh BT cycles. Additionally, the MPR was not statistically significantly different between vitrified-warmed and fresh BT cycles when a similar number of blastocysts was transferred to patients. Conclusion(s): Vitrified-warmed BT cycles resulted in statistically significantly higher CPR and IR compared with fresh BT cycles. A new embryo transfer strategy is therefore proposed whereby fresh BT would be avoided in the initial ovarian stimulation cycle. Instead, all the patient’s available blastocysts would be vitrified-warmed and transferred in subsequent cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by developmental impairments, inattention, motor hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Currently, there is no effective intervention that can completely cure it. One of the pathogenic mechanisms of ADHD involves abnormalities in the norepinephrine (NE) pathway within the prefrontal cortex (PFC). In recent years, transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a non-invasive neuromodulation technique, has demonstrated promising potential in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric disorders. However, its application in the management of ADHD remains relatively unexplored. Previous studies have shown that taVNS exerts therapeutic effects on attention, cognition, arousal, perception, and behavioral regulation primarily through activating the vagus nerve conduction pathway, specifically targeting the nucleus tractus solitarius - locus coeruleus - NE pathway. These findings have led to the hypothesis that taVNS may be an effective intervention for ADHD, with NE and its pathway playing a pivotal role in this context. Therefore, this review comprehensively examines the correlation between NE pathway alterations in the PFC and ADHD, the mechanism of action of taVNS, and the potential role of the NE pathway in treating ADHD with taVNS, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation for clinical applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Zhi, Zhang, Huang, Qin, Xu, Chang and Wang.)

Dysfunction is a common clinical symptom among rehabilitation patients; however, whether there are sex differences in dysfunctions remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to explore this issue by examining a large sample of the population with dysfunctional problems. A multi-stage sampling scheme was used to select the rehabilitation outpatients as study participants. A total of 3415 participants from 21 medical institutions in seven cities in China were included in the final analysis. The measurement included general characteristics (age, sex, educational level, marital status, and household income) and disease-related characteristics (dysfunctions, self-care ability, vital signs, disease status, and disease course). The logistic regression was used to analyse the sex difference in dysfunctions among rehabilitation outpatients. Among 3415 rehabilitation outpatients, the mean age of participants was 45.3 years (SD:24.9), and more than half (54.0%) were male. The male patients were more likely to have cognitive impairment (OR = 1.74; 95% CI = 1.42, 2.13), speech disorders (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.62, 2.48), dysphagia (OR = 1.55; 95% CI = 1.12, 2.16), and multiple dysfunctions (OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.57, 2.54) than female. Female patients were more likely to have motor dysfunctions (OR = 0.63; 95% CI = 0.50, 0.78). There are sex differences in dysfunctions among rehabilitation outpatients. This sex difference may provide potential clinical value for the treatment of rehabilitation patients., Competing Interests: Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Transition-metal-catalyzed enantioselective transformations of aryl/aryl carbene are inherently challenging due to the difficulty in distinguishing between two arene rings in the reaction process thus remain largely less explored. The few successful examples reported so far, without exception, have all been catalyzed by Rh(II)-complexes. Herein, we describe our successful development of a novel cationic Rh(I)/chiral diene catalytic system capable of efficient enantioselective B-H and O-H insertions with diaryl diazomethanes, allowing the access to a broad range of gem-diarylmethine boranes and gem-diarylmethine ethers in good yields with high enantioselectivities. Notably, previously unattainable asymmetric diarylcarbene insertion into the O-H bond was achieved for the first time. A remarkable feature of this newly designed Rh(I)/diene catalyst bearing two ortho-amidophenyl substitutents is that it can distinguish between two arene rings of the diaryl carbene through a stereochemically selective control of π-π stacking interactions. DFT calculations indicate that the rotation-restricted conformation of Rh(I)/diene complex played an important role in the highly enantioselective carbene transformations. This work provides an interesting and unprecedented stereocontrol mode in diaryl metal carbene transformations., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Background: In stroke patients with tracheotomy, reduced lung function heightens pulmonary infection risk. Body position can affect lung function; however, its impact in stroke patients with tracheostomy remains unclear., Objective: To investigate the influence of five body positions on pulmonary function in stroke patients with tracheotomy., Methods: Pulmonary function was assessed in five body positions (supine, supine 30°, supine 60°, sitting, and prone) in 47 stroke patients who underwent tracheotomy. Diaphragmatic excursion during quiet breathing (DE Q ), diaphragmatic thickening fraction during quiet breathing (DTF Q ), and diaphragmatic excursion during coughing (DE C ) were measured using ultrasound. Peak cough flow (PCF) was measured using an electronic peak flow meter., Results: Different positions had a significant impact on DE Q , DE C , and PCF in stroke patients with tracheotomy, although not on DTF Q . DE Q showed no significant differences between supine 60°, sitting, and prone positions. Both DE C and PCF reached their maximum values in the sitting position. In the sub-group analysis, DE Q in females did not show significant differences across different positions. Both males and females exhibited significantly higher PCF in the sitting compared to supine position. The lung function of obese patients was significantly better in the sitting than in the supine and supine 30° position. Regardless of the patient's level of consciousness and whether the brainstem was injured, lung function in the sitting position was significantly higher than in the supine position., Conclusions: Body posture influences lung function in stroke patients with tracheotomy. Patients should adopt a sitting position to enhance pulmonary function.

The South China Sea is rich in sea anemone resources, and the protein and peptide components from sea anemone toxins comprise an important treasure trove for researchers to search for leading compounds. This study conducted a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of the tentacles and column of Macrodactyla doreensis and explored the distribution and diversity of proteins and peptides in depth using bioinformatics, initially constructing a putative protein and peptide database. In this database, typical peptide families are identified through amino acid sequence analysis, and their 3D structures and potential biological activities are revealed through AlphaFold2 modeling and molecular docking. A total of 4239 transcripts were identified, of which the putative protein accounted for 81.53%. The highest content comprised immunoglobulin and a variety of proteases, mainly distributed in the column and related to biological functions. Importantly, the putative peptide accounted for 18.47%, containing ShK domain and Kunitz-type peptides, mainly distributed in the tentacles and related to offensive predatory behavior. Interestingly, 40 putative peptides belonging to eight typical peptide families were identified, and their structures and targets were predicted. This study reveals the diversity and complexity of Macrodactyla doreensis toxins and predicts their structure and targets based on amino acid sequences, providing a feasible approach for research regarding the discovery of peptides with potentially high activity.

Background: Relative fat mass (RFM) is a newly developed, sex-specific anthropometric formula designed to estimate total body fat percentage. However, research investigating the correlation between RFM and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains limited. This study evaluates the association between RFM and the risk of NAFLD within the Japanese population., Methods: This study including 14,250 Japanese adults who underwent physical examinations at Murakami Memorial Hospital between 2004 and 2015. We employed binary logistic regression to elucidate the direct relationship between RFM levels and the incidence of NAFLD. Additionally, a generalized additive model (GAM) coupled with smooth curve fitting techniques was utilized to map the non-linear association., Results: The cohort had an average age of 43.53 ± 8.89 years, with a male majority of 52.00%. NAFLD was identified in 17.59% of the participants. After adjusting for confounding factors, a significant positive correlation between RFM and NAFLD risk was observed (OR: 1.15, 95%CI: 1.10-1.21, P < 0.0001 for females; OR: 1.15, 95%CI: 1.10-1.19, P < 0.0001 for males). Additionally, a non-linear relationship between RFM and the incidence of NAFLD was detected in both genders. The RFM threshold was identified as 34.95 for women and 23.40 for men. RFM was positively associated with the risk of NAFLD when RFM was below the respective threshold (OR: 1.29, 95%CI: 1.19-1.40, P < 0.0001 for females; OR: 1.23, 95%CI: 1.17-1.29, P < 0.0001 for males), whereas no significant association was found when RFM was above the threshold (OR: 1.05, 95%CI: 0.98-1.12, P = 0.1829 for females; OR: 1.01, 95%CI: 0.95-1.08, P = 0.7392 for males)., Conclusion: Our findings suggest a positive, nonlinear relationship between RFM and the risk of NAFLD, with a saturation effect. These results imply that maintaining RFM at a lower level may be advantageous in mitigating the risk of NAFLD., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Aims: This study aimed to assess the effects of Low-to-Moderate Intensity Continuous Training (LMICT), Moderate-Intensity Interval Training (MIIT), and Reduced-Exertion High-Intensity Training (REHIT) on blood glucose regulation, functional recovery, and lipid levels in individuals who have experienced a stroke and are diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM)., Methods: Forty-two T2DM stroke patients were randomly allocated to four groups: LMICT, MIIT, REHIT, and a control group (CON). Participants continuously monitored their blood glucose levels throughout the intervention using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices. The study comprised two exercise intervention cycles: the first lasting from Day 3 to Day 14 and the second from Day 15 to Day 28, with the initial two days serving as contrasting periods. Primary outcomes encompassed CGM-derived blood glucose measurements, the Barthel Index (BI), Fugl-Meyer Assessment lower-extremity subscale (FMA-LE), and alterations in triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c)., Results: Compared with the CON, the MIIT group showed significant improvements in mean glucose (MG), glucose standard deviation (SD), time above range (TAR), and time in range (TIR). The REHIT group exhibited significantly reduced time below range (TBR), glucose SD, and coefficient of variation (CV). Regarding lipid levels, although the REHIT group achieved a significant reduction in TG levels compared with the CON, the overall effects of LMICT, MIIT, and REHIT on lipid profiles were relatively modest. Concerning functional recovery, the REHIT group significantly improved the BI and FMA-LE., Conclusion: Although the short-term quantitative impact of exercise on lipid levels may be limited, both REHIT and MIIT significantly improved glycemic management and reduced glucose variability in post-stroke patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Additionally, REHIT notably enhanced functional recovery., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Chen, Wang, Li, Li, Huang, Huang and Ma.)

Background: This work aims to explore circ&#95;ROBO1's function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)., Methods: circ&#95;ROBO1 expression in NPC tissues and cell lines was measured. The regulation of circ&#95;ROBO1 and/or miR-324-3p on the proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of NPC cells was investigated by functional experiments. The interplay between circ&#95;ROBO1, miR-324-3p, and NME1 was explored. Tumor growth and metastasis were studied in mice., Results: circ&#95;ROBO1 was overexpressed in NPC. Knockdown of circ&#95;ROBO1 repressed proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced apoptosis of NPC cells. Loss of circ&#95;ROBO1 reduced tumor growth and metastasis in mice. circ&#95;ROBO1 competed with miR-324-3p to upregulate NME1. Lowering miR-324-3p expression impaired the effect of knockdown of circ&#95;ROBO1on NPC cells., Conclusion: Overexpressed circ&#95;ROBO1 promotes NPC development by modifying the miR-324-3p/NME1 axis., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Breast cancer is rare in men and is managed using strategies similar to those for breast cancer in women. This study retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological features, treatment, and survival of male breast cancer (MBC). A total of 66 patients with MBC admitted into Xijing Hospital from August 2006 to March 2024 were reviewed. Data were collected from patients' hospital records and breast cancer database of Xijing Hospital. The incidence of MBC tended to increase from 2018, with affected individuals being older than those with female breast cancer (FBC). The most common histological type of MBC was invasive carcinoma, with positive hormone receptor status. A total of 62 (93.9%) patients with MBC underwent modified radical mastectomy. Chemotherapy was administered to 39 (59.1%) patients, while endocrine therapy was received by 14 patients (21.2%) and radiotherapy by nine patients (13.6%). Survival analysis indicated that the median overall survival (OS) of patients with MBC was 46.7 months (0.9-184.8 months). As of the latest data, 58 patients (87.9%) with MBC are alive. Factors significantly associated with survival included age (χ 2  = 3.856, p  = .050), estrogen receptor (χ 2  = 10.427, p  = .005), molecular types (χ 2  = 10.641, p  = .031), P63 (χ 2  = 2.631, p  < .001), and endocrine therapy (χ 2  = 31.167, p  < .001). These findings provide valuable insights into MBC within the Chinese population and serve as a reference for the standard treatment of MBC., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Neuroinflammatory responses are closely associated with poststroke prognosis severity. This study aimed to develop a predictive model, combining inflammation-derived markers and clinical indicators, for distinguishing functional outcomes in patients with subacute ischemic stroke., Methods and Results: Based on activities of daily living assessments, ischemic stroke participants were categorized into groups with little effective (LE) recovery and obvious effective (OE) recovery. Initial biocandidates were identified by overlapping differentially expressed proteins from proteomics of clinical serum samples (5 LE, 5 OE, and 6 healthy controls) and differentially expressed genes from an RNA sequence of the ischemic cortex in middle cerebral artery occlusion mice (n=3). Multidimensional validations were conducted in ischemia-reperfusion models and a clinical cohort (15 LE, 11 OE, and 18 healthy controls). Models of robust biocandidates combined with clinical indicators were developed with machine learning in the training data set and prediction in another test data set (15 LE and 11 OE). We identified 194 differentially expressed proteins (LE versus healthy controls) and 174 differentially expressed proteins (OE versus healthy controls) in human serum, and 5121 differentially expressed genes (day 3) and 5906 differentially expressed genes (day 7) in middle cerebral artery occlusion mice cortex. Inflammation-derived biomarkers TIMP1 (tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1) and galactosidase-binding protein LGLAS3 (galectin-3) exhibited robust increases under ischemic injury in mice and humans. TIMP1 and LGALS3 coupled with clinical indicators (hemoglobin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and uric acid) were developed into a combined model for differentiating functional outcome with high accuracy (area under the curve, 0.8)., Conclusions: The combined model is a valuable tool for evaluating prognostic outcomes, and the predictive factors can facilitate development of better treatment strategies.

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) can promote the growth of Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Histone deacetylases (HDACs) play essential roles in the proliferation and apoptosis resistance of Ph + ALL cells. In our previous study, inhibiting histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) decreases the proliferation of Ph + ALL cells. However, little is known regarding how HDAC1 in BMSCs of Ph + ALL patients affects the imatinib (IM) resistance. Therefore, the present work examined the roles of HDAC1 in BMSCs. Overexpression of HDAC1 was found in BMSCs of Ph + ALL patients with IM resistance. In addition, the Ph + ALL cell line SUP-B15 was co-cultured with BMSCs after lentivirus transfection for regulating HDAC1 expression. Knockdown of HDAC1 within BMSCs elevated the IM-mediated SUP-B15 cell apoptosis, while increasing HDAC1 expression had an opposite effect. IL-6 in BMSCs, which is an important factor for the microenvironment-associated chemoresistance, showed evident up-regulation in HDAC1-upregulated BMSCs and down-regulation in HDAC1-downregulated BMSCs. While recombinant IL-6 (rIL-6) can reversed the sensitivity of SUP-B15 cells to IM induced by downregulating HDAC1 expression in BMSCs. HDAC1 showed positive regulation on IL-6 transcription and secretion. Moreover, IL-6 secretion induced by HDAC1 in BMSCs might enhance IM resistance in Ph + ALL cells. With regard to the underlying molecular mechanism, NF-κB, an important signal responsible for IL-6 transcription in BMSCs, mediated the HDAC1-regulated IL-6 expression. Collectively, this study facilitated to develop HDAC1 inhibitors based not only the corresponding direct anti-Ph + ALL activity but also the regulation of bone marrow microenvironment., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Background: Gestational weight gain (GWG) may be associated with delayed onset of lactogenesis II (DOL II), but it is still unclear and controversial. Object: The study aims to evaluate the relationship between GWG and DOL II. Methods: A comprehensive search was performed in 10 electronic databases from inception to May 21, 2023, for studies that reported outcomes in breastfeeding. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. A meta-analysis was conducted to calculate the pooled estimates of association using random-effect models with Review Manager (RevMan) software version 5.4. The primary outcome was the rate of DOL II. Results: In this study, 248,515 women were included in 16 eligible articles. Women with excessive GWG have a higher risk of DOL II (odds ratio [OR] = 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-1.43). Specifically, prepregnancy overweight and obese women with GWG above recommendations (OR = 3.01, 95% CI: 1.38-6.57) and underweight women with excessive GWG before pregnancy have a higher risk of DOL II (OR = 3.32, 95% CI: 1.69-6.53). Nonetheless, there is no distinction between women with inadequate GWG and those with adequate GWG in DOL II(OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 0.88-1.33). In addition, the women whose GWG is above the recommendations also tend to stop exclusive breastfeeding 1 month postpartum (OR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.80-0.85). Conclusion: Excessive GWG has a negative influence on the timing of the onset of lactogenesis and exclusive breastfeeding within 1 month postpartum.

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) played an important role in the folding, assembly and post-translational modification of proteins. ER homeostasis could be disrupted by the accumulation of misfolded proteins, elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and abnormal Ca2+ signaling, which was referred to ER stress (ERS). Ferroptosis was a unique programmed cell death model mediated by iron-dependent phospholipid peroxidation and multiple signaling pathways. The changes of mitochondrial structure, the damage of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and excess accumulation of iron were the main characteristics of ferroptosis. ROS produced by ferroptosis can interfere with the activity of protein-folding enzymes, leading to the accumulation of large amounts of unfolded proteins, thus causing ERS. On the contrary, the increase of ERS level could promote ferroptosis by the accumulation of iron ion and lipid peroxide, the up-regulation of ferroptosis related genes. At present, the studies on the relationship between ferroptosis and ERS were one-sided and lack of in-depth studies on the interaction mechanism. This review aimed to explore the molecular mechanism of cross-talk between ferroptosis and ERS, and provide new strategies and targets for the treatment of liver diseases., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

Background: Perineal massage, as a preventive intervention, has been shown to reduce the risk of perineal injuries and may have a positive impact on pelvic floor function in the early postpartum period. However, there is still debate concerning the best period to apply perineal massage, which is either antenatal or in the second stage of labor, as well as its safety and effectiveness. Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the effect of implementing perineal massage in antenatal versus the second stage of labor on the prevention of perineal injuries during labor and early postpartum pelvic floor function in primiparous women., Methods: We searched nine different electronic databases from inception to April 16, 2024. The randomized controlled trials (RCTs) we included assessed the effects of antenatal and second-stage labor perineal massage in primiparous women. All data were analyzed with Revman 5.3, Stata Statistical Software, and Risk of Bias 2 was used to assess the risk of bias. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the different periods of perineal massage. The primary outcomes were the incidence of perineal integrity and perineal injury. Secondary outcomes were perineal pain, duration of the second stage of labor, postpartum hemorrhage, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, and flatus incontinence., Results: This review comprised a total of 10 studies that covered 1057 primigravid women. The results of the analysis showed that perineal massage during the second stage of labor reduced the perineal pain of primigravid women in the immediate postpartum period compared to the antenatal period, with a statistical value of (MD = -2.29, 95% CI [-2.53, -2.05], P < 0.001). Additionally, only the antenatal stage reported that perineal massage reduced fecal incontinence (P = 0.04) and flatus incontinence (P = 0.01) in primiparous women at three months postpartum, but had no significant effect on urinary incontinence in primiparous women at three months postpartum (P = 0.80)., Conclusions: Reducing perineal injuries in primiparous women can be achieved by providing perineal massage both antenatally and during the second stage of labor. Pelvic floor function is improved in the postnatal phase by perineal massage during the antenatal stage., Trial Registration: CRD42023415996 (PROSPERO)., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Treatment of disorders of consciousness (DOC) poses a huge challenge for clinical medicine. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulation method, which shows potential in improving recovery of DOC. However, the evidence came from single-center, small-sample randomized controlled trial, which is insufficient to form a conclusion. Thereby, we propose a prospective, multicenter, double-blind, stratified, two-arm randomized controlled trial protocol to investigate the efficacy and safety of bilateral synchronous taVNS for treatment of DOC., Methods: We aim to recruit 382 patients with prolonged DOC, and divide them into an active stimulation group and a sham stimulation group. The patients in the active stimulation group will receive bilateral synchronous taVNS with a 200 μs pulse width, 20 Hz frequency, and personal adjusted intensity. The sham stimulation group will wear the same stimulator but without current output. Both groups will receive treatment for 30 min per session, twice per day, 6 days per week lasting for 4 weeks. The clinical assessment including Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), Full Outline of Unresponsiveness (FOUR), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E) will be conducted to evaluate its efficacy. Heart rate variability (HRV), blood pressure, and adverse events will be recorded to evaluate its safety., Discussion: These results will enable us to investigate the efficacy and safety of taVNS for DOC. This protocol will provide multicenter, large-sample, high-quality Class II evidence to support bilateral synchronous taVNS for DOC, and will advance the field of treatment options for DOC. Clinical trial registration: https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=221851, ChiCTR2400081978., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wang, Yang, Liu, Zhou, Huang, Zou, Feng and Bai.)

The global management for persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) and very persistent and very mobile (vPvM) substances has been further strengthened with the rapid increase of emerging contaminants. The development of a ready-to-use and publicly available tool for the high-throughput screening of PMT/vPvM substances is thus urgently needed. However, the current model building with the coupling of conventional algorithms, small-scale data set, and simplistic features hinders the development of a robust model for screening PMT/vPvM with wide application domains. Here, we construct a graph convolutional network (GCN)-enhanced model with feature fusion of a molecular graph and molecular descriptors to effectively utilize the significant correlation between critical descriptors and PMT/vPvM substances. The model is built with 213,084 substances following the latest PMT classification criteria. The application domains of the GCN-enhanced model assessed by kernel density estimation demonstrate the high suitability for high-throughput screening PMT/vPvM substances with both a high accuracy rate (86.6%) and a low false-negative rate (6.8%). An online server named PMT/vPvM profiler is further developed with a user-friendly web interface (http://www.pmt.zj.cn/). Our study facilitates a more efficient evaluation of PMT/vPvM substances with a globally accessible screening platform.

The present study investigated the antibacterial mechanism, control efficiency, and nontarget toxicity of actinomycin X 2 (Act-X 2 ) against Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc) for the first time. Act-X 2 almost completely inhibited the proliferation of Xcc in the growth curve assay at a concentration of 0.25 MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC = 31.25 μg/mL). This inhibitory effect was achieved by increasing the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), blocking the formation of biofilms, obstructing the synthesis of intracellular proteins, and decreasing the enzymatic activities of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) of Xcc. Molecular docking and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis results indicated that Act-X 2 steadily bonded to the RNA polymerase, ribosome, malate dehydrogenase, and succinate dehydrogenase to inhibit their activities, thus drastically reducing the expression levels of related genes. Act-X 2 showed far more effectiveness than the commercially available pesticide Cu 2 (OH) 3 Cl in the prevention and therapy of citrus canker disease. Furthermore, the nontarget toxicity evaluation demonstrated that Act-X 2 was not phytotoxic to citrus trees and exhibited minimal toxicity to earthworms in both contact and soil toxic assays. This study suggests that Act-X 2 has the potential as an effective and environmentally friendly antibacterial agent.