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Objective To investigate the predictive value of albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) score combined with liver function index and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with colorectal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in the Second Hospital & Clinical Medical Hospital, Lanzhou University from January 2016 to July 2021 and were followed up for 24 months. According to the follow-up results, the enrolled patients were divided into liver metastasis group and non-liver metastasis group, and were randomly divided into modeling group and validation group by a ratio of 2∶1. The risk factors of liver metastasis in the patients with colorectal cancer were analyzed. Lasso-Logistic regression was used to construct the prediction model. Bootstrap method was used for internal verification. Receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve and clinical decision curve were used to evaluate the reliability of the prediction model. Finally, a nomogram was drawn to show the prediction results. Results A total of 195 patients who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled, including 130 in the modeling group and 65 in the validation group. Through Lasso regression variable screening and Logistic regression analysis, the results showed that ALBI score(OR=8.062, 95% CI: 2.545-25.540), alanine transaminase (ALT) (OR=1.037, 95% CI: 1.004-1.071) and CEA (OR=1.025, 95% CI: 1.008-1.043) were independent predictors of liver metastasis in colorectal cancer. The area under curve (AUC) of the combined prediction of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer in the modeling group was 0.921, the sensitivity was 78%, the specificity was 95%, the C-index was 0.921, the H-L fitting curve χ2=0.851, P=0.654, and the slope of the calibration curve was close to 1, suggesting that the accuracy of the model was high, and the DCA curve showed that the model had good clinical application value. For the data of the modeling group, the Bootstrap method was used for internal verification of 1000 resamplings. The accuracy was 0.869, the kappa consistency was 0.709, and the AUC was 0.913. When ALBI score, ALT and CEA were used to diagnose liver metastasis of colorectal cancer alone, the AUC of CEA was the largest (0.897), and the combination of the three had the highest efficacy in the diagnosis of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. In the validation group, the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, C-index of the combined prediction of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer were 0.918, 85.0%, 95.6%, 0.918, respectively, and H-L fitting curve χ2=0.586, P=0.746. Conclusions ALBI score, ALT and CEA have certain predictive value for liver metastasis of colorectal cancer. The combined diagnosis of liver metastasis of colorectal cancer has high efficacy, and the risk prediction model constructed has a good predictive effect.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of preoperative fibrinogen/albumin ratio (FAR) and systemic immune inflammation index (SII) on the postoperative prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Methods An ROC curve was used in determining the best cutoff values of FAR and SII and then grouped. The Cox proportional hazards model was used in analyzing the prognostic factors of radical pancreatic cancer surgery, and then a Nomogram prognostic model was established. C-index, AUC, and calibration curve were used in evaluating the discrimination and calibration ability of the Nomogram. DCA curves were used in assessing the clinical validity of the Nomograms. Results The optimal cutoff values for preoperative FAR and SII were 0.095 and 532.945, respectively. FAR≥ 0.095, SII≥ 532.945, CA199≥ 450.9 U/ml, maximum tumor diameter≥ 4 cm, and the absence of postoperative chemotherapy were independent risk factors for the poor prognosis of pancreatic cancer (P

BACKGROUND/AIM:Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells secrete inflammatory cytokines that affect CRC progression. The aim of the present study was to determine if micro-RNA-140(miR-140) regulates inflammatory cytokine secretion induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in colorectal cancer cells by targeting tumor necrosis factor receptor (TNFR)-associated factor 6 (TRAF6). MATERIALS AND METHODS:Fifty fresh colon-cancer specimens and normal colorectal tissues were collected from patients with CRC and tested for the expression miR-140. Human CRC cell lines SW480 and HCT116 were treated with various concentrations and times with LPS. miR-140 and mRNA expression of potentially related genes were analyzed by qPCR. Protein expression was analyzed using western blot or ELISA. Overexpression plasmids with pcDNA3.1-TRAF6, pGL4.10-wtTRAF6 and pGL4.10-mutTRAF6 were constructed. miRNA target gene prediction and a dual luciferase assay were used to analyze miR-140-targeted TRAF6. RESULTS:miR-140 expression was up-regulated in CRC tissues. In CRC cells, LPS could increase miR-140 expression in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. LPS increased inflammatory cytokine mRNA expression levels in SW480 and HCT116 human colon-cancer cells. miRNA-140 suppressed TRAF6 expression via targeting the 3'UTR. TRAF6 affected miR-140-mediated inflammatory cytokine expression of SW480 and HCT116 cells under LPS treatment. CONCLUSION:miR-140 regulates inflammatory cytokine secretion of LPS-induced colorectal cancer cells by targeting TRAF6.

Background/aimInflammation may play a role in cancer initiation and progression. The molecular mechanisms by which inflammation causes colorectal cancer, remains unclear. The present study investigated a signaling pathway that affects inflammation in colorectal cancer.Materials and methodsSW480 cells, HCT116 cells, and cells with knockdown of myeloid differentiation 88 (MyD88), and forced expression of MyD88 were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 μg/ml). Inflammation-related mRNA expression was analyzed by the quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and inflammatory cytokines were detected by western blotting. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to quantify inflammation-related cytokines in colorectal cancer cells. Cancer cell properties were evaluated using the wound-healing assay, transwell migration assay, transwell invasion assay, colony-formation assay, and CCK-8 assay.ResultsLPS up-regulated mRNA and protein levels of inflammatory factors in colorectal cancer cells. Knockdown of MyD88 inhibited LPS-induced mRNA expression and inflammatory protein expression in colorectal cancer cells. Similarly, silencing of MyD88 expression suppressed LPS-induced changes in the biological behavior of colorectal cancer cells. Silencing of MyD88 expression down-regulated expression of proteins of the LPS/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B-cells (NF-ĸB)/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Restoration of the expression of MyD88 reversed the effects in LPS-treated HCT116 cells.ConclusionMyD88-regulated LPS/NF-ĸB/MAPK signaling pathway affects the inflammatory and biological behavior of LPS-induced colorectal cancer cells.

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries have attracted significant attention in the realm of electronic energy storage and conversion owing to their remarkable theoretical energy density and cost‐effectiveness. However, Li–S batteries continue to face significant challenges, primarily the severe polysulfides shuttle effect and sluggish sulfur redox kinetics, which are inherent obstacles to their practical application. Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs), known for their porous structure, high adsorption capacity, structural flexibility, and easy synthesis, have emerged as ideal materials for separator modification. Efficient polysulfides interception/conversion ability and rapid lithium‐ion conduction enabled by MOFs modified layers are demonstrated in Li–S batteries. In this perspective, the objective is to present an overview of recent advancements in utilizing pristine MOF materials as modification layers for separators in Li–S batteries. The mechanisms behind the enhanced electrochemical performance resulting from each design strategy are explained. The viewpoints and crucial challenges requiring resolution are also concluded for pristine MOFs separator in Li–S batteries. Moreover, some promising materials and concepts based on MOFs are proposed to enhance electrochemical performance and investigate polysulfides adsorption/conversion mechanisms. These efforts are expected to contribute to the future advancement of MOFs in advanced Li–S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: China's deer population is rich in resources and species; how to improve the health status of the deer population and reduce the occurrence of intestinal diseases is a necessary direction for current research. In this study, Enterococcus faecalis was used as the research object to explore the effect of lactic acid bacteria on deer growth performance and intestinal health and to further investigate the role played by lactic acid bacteria on the intestinal health status of deer. The results of this study showed that the addition of Enterococcus faecalis to the feed promoted weight gain, improved immune function, altered the structure of the intestinal flora of fallow deer, especially increasing the abundance of Firmicutes phylum, and increased the abundance of the Ruminococcaceae and Lacertococcaceae at the same phylum as that of Enterococcus faecalis. Furthermore, metabolomic analyses also revealed that Enterococcus faecalis supplementation increased the metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates and phospholipids by the intestinal microbiota. In conclusion, this study revealed the beneficial effects of lactic acid bacteria on growth traits, immunity and intestinal health of deer and provided a scientific basis for the further development of deer-specific probiotic products to promote intestinal health and reduce intestinal diseases in deer species in the future. Intestinal diseases are one of the diseases that affect the growth and immunity of deer. Currently, more lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are available as feed additives to improve the intestinal ecological balance of ruminants in production practices. In this study, Enterococcus faecalis was supplemented in the feed of fallow deer for 170 d, and body weights, blood indices and immune levels of fallow deer were counted at 35, 65 and 170 d. The effects of Enterococcus faecalis on the intestinal microbiota and the metabolism of fallow deer were analysed using 16S rDNA and UPLC-MS/MS methods. The results showed that the addition of Enterococcus faecalis to the diet improved body weight and immune function and increased the aggregation of gut microbiota in fallow deer. The addition of Enterococcus faecalis altered the community structure of intestinal microorganisms in fallow deer and increased the number of beneficial bacteria. In addition, combined with metabolomics analysis, it was found that supplementation with Enterococcus faecalis significantly altered the metabolites of fallow deer, mainly regulating lipid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism and phospholipid metabolism. In conclusion, this study presents, for the first time, evidence that the LAB strain Enterococcus faecalis can be used as a potential probiotic for deer and points to a new direction for the treatment of intestinal disorders in the deer family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain boundaries (GBs) in perovskite polycrystalline films are the most sensitive place for the formation of the defect states and the accumulation of impurities. Thus, abundant works have been carried out to explore their properties and then try to solve the induced problems. Currently, two important issues remain. First, the role of GBs in charge carrier dynamics is unclear due to their component complexity/defect tolerance nature and the insufficiency in testing accuracy. Some works conclude that GBs are benign, while others consider GBs as carrier recombination centers. Things for sure are the deterioration in ion transport and perovskite decomposition. Second, to solve the known hazards of GBs, a lot of additives have been added to anchoring ions and passivate defects. But in most of those works, GBs and perovskite surfaces are treated in the same manner ignoring the fact that GB is essentially a homogeneous junction in a narrow and slender space, while surface is a heterogeneous junction with a stratified structure. In this review, we focus on works insight into GBs and additives for them. Additionally, we also discuss the prospects of the maturity of GB exploration toward upscaling the manufacture of perovskite photovoltaic and related optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elaborately designed multifunctional electrocatalysts capable of promoting Li+ and CO2 transport are essential for upgrading the cycling stability and rate capability of Li‐CO2 batteries. Hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) with open channels and easily functionalized surfaces hold great potential for applications in efficient cathodes of Li‐CO2 batteries. Herein, a robust HOFS (HOF‐FJU‐1) is introduced for the first time as a co‐catalyst in the cathode material of Li‐CO2 batteries. HOF‐FJU‐1 with cyano groups located periodically in the pore can induce homogeneous deposition of discharge products and accommodate volumetric expansion of discharge products during cycling. Besides, HOF‐FJU‐1 enables effective interaction between Ru0 nanoparticles and cyano groups, thus forming efficient and uniform catalytic sites for CRR/CER. Moreover, HOF‐FJU‐1 with regularly arranged open channels are beneficial for CO2 and Li+ transport, enabling rapid redox kinetic conversion of CO2. Therefore, the HOF‐based Li‐CO2 batteries are capable of stable operation at 400 mA g−1 for 1800 h and maintain a low overpotential of 1.96 V even at high current densities up to 5 A g−1. This work provides valuable guidance for developing multifunctional HOF‐based catalysts to upgrade the longevity and rate capability of Li‐CO2 batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sharp increase in imported malaria cases has made A preventing reintroduction of malaria in China a major challenge (1). High importation risk from Myanmar, where malaria is endemic, and [...]

This study aimed to assess whether protective measures could reduce the health risks of air pollution in mice living in the chambers situated at a suburban site in Beijing. The living chambers of mice were divided into four groups: male mice with and without the high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter (male group A and group B), as well as female mice with and without the HEPA filter (female group A and group B). The experiment was carried out from 1 December 2017 to 31 May 2018. Parameters of respiratory function during periods of clean air and air pollution were determined for all groups to evaluate the role of the indoor air filter (i.e., HEPA) in protection against respiratory health risks in mice. Significant differences in minute volumes were observed in male and female groups with versus without the HEPA. Additionally, respiratory health parameters including respiratory rate, duration of breaking, expiratory time, and relaxation time exhibited differences in female groups with HEPA versus without HEPA. Levels of inflammatory factors in the lungs were measured for all groups after 6months of exposure. Greater mean levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were found in the male groups without HEPA than in those with HEPA. Higher average concentrations of IL-6, T-AOC, SOD, GSH-Px, LDH, TNF-α, and TGF-β1 were found in the female group without HEPA than those without HEPA. Our study has proved the effective protection provided by indoor air filters (i.e., HEPA filters) in reducing respiratory health risks associated with PM2.5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]