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Background. Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a type of life-threatening malignant tumor of the urinary system. IL20RB, interleukin 20 receptor subunit beta, is a cytokine receptor subunit coding gene and was initially found to play a vital role in human cancers, while its role in ccRCC still remains unclear. Methods. In this work, we explored the prognostic value and therapeutic potential of IL20RB in ccRCC mainly by online tools. Firstly, we used UALCAN and GEPIA to explore the expression profile and prognostic value of IL20RB in various cancers; the expression profile in tumor cell lines was also analysed with CCLE and Expression Atlas. Then, we decided to focus on ccRCC for further analysis; we further demonstrated the significant correlation between expression and clinical features by GEPIA and UALCAN. In order to reveal the potential intrinsic mechanism responsible for the upregulation of IL20RB in ccRCC, we made genetic alternation analysis and methylation analysis. cBioPortal was used for genetic alternation analysis. UALCAN, MethSurv, and Xena were used for methylation analysis. To learn details of how IL20RB might function in ccRCC, we further conducted functional analysis and immune infiltration analysis. STRING and GSEA were used to do functional analysis. TIMER was used for immune infiltration analysis; KM plotter was used for survival analysis. Results. Results show that IL20RB is upregulated in ccRCC, and low methylation may be responsible for its upregulation. Both high expression and low methylation of IL20RB predict worse survival, and both have a strong positive correlation with clinical characteristics. In addition, results indicate that there exists a crosstalk between IL20RB and neutrophils. Furthermore, the immune microenvironment could influence the prognosis predicting ability of IL20RB. Conclusions. In conclusion, IL20RB plays an important role in ccRCC and is identified as a novel prognostic and potential therapeutic biomarker in ccRCC.

Pitch-based porous carbons with the abundant resources and high conductivity have potential advantages as potassium-ion battery anode materials. However, they suffer from small interlayer distance and rare potassium storage sites. Herein, nitrogen and phosphorus dual-doped coal tar pitch-based porous carbons (NPPC) was prepared in one-step carbonization using ammonium polyphosphate as N and P source and studied as the anodes for the potassium ion batteries. NPPC delivers a high capacity retention of 81.8% over 400 cycles at 1.0 A g−1. When the current density is raised to 10 A g−1, it can still retain a reversible capacity of 126 mAh g−1. The effects of carbonation temperature and ratio of ammonium polyphosphate to coal tar pitch on nitrogen and phosphorus doping contents were investigated by in situ Fourier transform infrared and synchronous thermal analysis. This work may shed light on the design of advanced potassium-ion battery by employing heteroatom doped functionalized soft carbons.

Background: Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is a common malignant tumor of the urinary system. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays an important role in the generation, metabolism and survival of tumor. We are aimed to make a comprehensive exploration of the UPS's role in ccRCC with bioinformatic tools, which may contribute to the understanding of UPS in ccRCC, and give insight for further research. Methods: The UPS-related genes (UPSs) were collected by an integrative approach. The expression and clinical data were downloaded from TCGA database. R soft was used to perform the differentially expressed UPSs analysis, functional enrichment analysis. We also estimated prognostic value of each UPS with the help of GEPIA database. Two predicting models were constructed with the differentially expressed UPSs and prognosis-related genes, respectively. The correlations of risk score with clinical characteristics were also evaluated. Data of GSE29609 cohort were obtained from GEO database to validate the prognostic models. Results: We finally identified 91 differentially expressed UPSs, 48 prognosis related genes among them, and constructed a prognostic model with 18 UPSs successfully, the AUC was 0.760. With the help of GEPIA, we found 391 prognosis-related UPSs, accounting for 57.84% of all UPSs. Another prognostic model was constructed with 28 prognosis-related genes of them, and with a better AUC of 0.825. Additionally, our models can also stratify patients into high and low risk groups accurately in GSE29609 cohort. Similar prognostic values of our models were observed in the validated GSE29609 cohort. Conclusions: UPS is dysregulated in ccRCC. UPS related genes have significant prognostic value in ccRCC. Models constructed with UPSs are effective and applicable. An abnormal ubiquitin proteasome system should play an important role in ccRCC and be worthy of further study.

Background: Despite research identifying a possible association between air pollution exposure and dementia risk, no study has investigated the perceptions, knowledge, attitude, and experiences of the caregivers of people with dementia on this topic. This article presents an investigation of the dementia caregivers on the association in China, and the healthcare professionals’ perception on measures to reduce the impact of air pollution on dementia.Method: A qualitative study design comprising two focus group discussions was used. The focus groups were conducted guided by semi-structured guides: one with five caregivers and the other with six health professionals. The focus groups were audio recorded, transcribed. Each transcript was analyzed using thematic analysis where codes were generated and assigned by two researchers independently. Similar codes were then grouped and categorized into themes.Results: While some participants thought that pollution may be associated with the risk of developing dementia, they felt the need to discuss the dementia diagnosis process, which indirectly reflected knowledge of dementia prevention among the general population in China. Most participants considered that the association between air pollution and dementia was indirect. Caregivers and family members appeared to have limited knowledge on dementia prevention. Health professionals identified several modifiable preventive measures to mitigate against the impact of pollution on dementia but identified several challenges of sharing this knowledge with the public and eventually changing people’s behaviors.Conclusions: Low awareness of dementia and high stigma around dementia must be overcome to help preventive measures against air pollution and dementia in China. Strengthening policy formulation and global cooperation is an important measure to tackle air pollution and its impact on dementia.

Bladder cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed tumors and is results from the accumulation of somatic mutations in the DNA. Tumor mutation burden (TMB) has been associated with cancer immunotherapeutic response. In this study, we attempted to explore the correlation between TMB and cancer prognosis. Identify the different expressed genes and immune cell infiltration signatures between low and high TMB group. Mutation data, gene expression profiles and clinical data were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Patients were divided into high and low TMB groups, allowing differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to be identified. Functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis were used to identify the functions of the DEGs. And immune cell infiltration signatures were evaluated by CIBERSORT algorithm. These results shown that high TMB was significantly associated with prognosis. We obtained a list of TMB related genes which may influence the infiltrations of immune cells. We also found a higher proportion of CD8 T cells, CD4 T cells and NK cells in the high TMB group. Our data suggest that higher TMB tends to promote the infiltrations of T cells and NK cells and patients with higher TMB may achieve a more favorable prognosis in bladder cancer.

To compare the efficacy and safety of different interventions (including Antimuscarinics, Mirabegron, OnabotulinumtoxinA, sacral neuromodulation (SNM) and peripheral tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS)) on idiopathic overactive bladder (OAB). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and other sources were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing interventions of OAB from 1 January 2000 to 19 April 2021. A systematic review and network meta-analysis were performed by two authors independently. 55 RCTs involving 32,507 patients were included in this network. Overall, Antimuscarinics, Mirabegron, OnabotulinumtoxinA, SNM, and PTNS were more efficacious than placebo and SNM showed the best effect for reducing micturition frequency, urgency episodes and urgency urinary incontinence episodes. OnabotulinumtoxinA was the best in achieving reduction of 100% and ≥50% in the number of urinary incontinence episodes /day and PTNS was the best in reducing urinary incontinence episodes. The efficacy of Antimuscarinics, Mirabegron and PTNS were similar in reducing micturition frequency, urinary incontinence episodes and urgency urinary incontinence episodes. The results revealed that all interventions included in the network were efficacious in managing adult OAB syndrome compared with placebo. Furthermore, SNM and OnabotulinumtoxinA were the most efficient treatments for overactive bladder.

Key Points Question Is the labor migration of parents in China associated with nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) or suicidality among children, adolescents, and young adults who were left behind, and are there sex differences in any association? Findings In this cross-sectional study in China of 15 312 participants, labor migration of the father or of both parents was associated with 1 to 4 (but not ≥5) episodes of NSSI in 1 year and with suicidality among offspring, whereas differential associations by sex were minimal. In addition, higher odds of experiencing 1 to 4 episodes of NSSI were found for offspring who were initially separated from 1 or both parents at preschool age. Meaning These findings suggest that interventions to address NSSI should consider potential associations with parental migration., Importance The labor migration of parents in China often leaves children behind, which may be adversely associated with children’s health. However, few studies have assessed the association of parental migration with nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) or with suicidality among their offspring. Objective To examine the associations of parental labor migration with NSSI and with suicidality as well as potential differential associations by sex among offspring left behind. Design, Setting, and Participants This nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from February to October 2015 among individuals aged 11 to 20 years from 45 public middle and high schools across 5 provinces of China. Data analysis was performed from November 1, 2020, to March 1, 2021. Exposures Parental labor migration, including parental migration status (yes vs no), migration pattern (father, mother, or both), and the child’s age at the initial parent-child separation. Main Outcomes and Measures Less frequent (1-4 episodes) NSSI, more frequent (≥5 episodes) NSSI, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempt in the past year were measured using validated questionnaires. Multinomial or binomial logistic regression analyses were used separately to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% CIs of the associations between parental migration and NSSI, suicidal ideation, or suicide attempt. Potential covariates (demographic, family-level, and psychological characteristics) were adjusted for in 3 sequential models. Results A total of 15 312 participants (7904 male [51.6%] and 7408 female [48.4%]) aged 11 to 20 years (mean [SD] age, 15.1 [1.8] years) were included. Of those participants, 5963 (23.3%) experienced parental migration. The 12-month prevalence of less frequent NSSI was 17.2% (2635 of 15 312), the 12-month prevalence of more frequent NSSI was 11.6% (1783 of 15 312), the 12-month prevalence of suicidal ideation was 15.2% (2335 of 15 312), and the 12-month prevalence of suicide attempt was 3.5% (535 of 15 312). Parental migration was associated with less frequent NSSI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.13; 95% CI, 1.03-1.24); no significant association of parental migration with more frequent NSSI (aOR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.90-1.13), suicidal ideation (aOR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.90-1.10), or suicide attempt (aOR, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.90-1.33) was identified. Compared with children whose parents did not migrate, the aOR for less frequent NSSI for participants whose father migrated was 1.18 (95% CI, 1.06-1.31), and the aOR for less frequent NSSI for participants having both parents migrate was 1.12 (95% CI, 1.01-1.28). Compared with children whose parents did not migrate, participants who experienced initial separation from 1 or both parents at preschool age had an aOR for less frequent NSSI of 1.16 (95% CI, 1.03-1.31). No sex disparities were found in these associations except for participants who experienced initial separation from 1 or both migrant parents at preschool age, for which the aOR for more frequent NSSI was higher among male (aOR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04-1.55) than female (aOR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.77-1.19) participants. Conclusions and Relevance This cross-sectional study found that parental migration, mainly of the father or of both parents, or an initial separation of children at preschool age from 1 or both parents who migrated was associated with higher odds of experiencing 1 to 4 NSSI episodes in 1 year among offspring. Overall, the associations of parental migration with NSSI and suicidality were similar between male and female participants., This cross-sectional study examines whether migration of 1 or both parents is associated with risk of nonsuicidal self-injury or suicidality and whether the risk differs by sex among the children, adolescents, and young adult offspring left behind in China.

In this work, two spirobifluorene-based probes, namely SPF-1 and SPF-2, were designed and synthesized. They exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity toward Zn2+ with enhanced emissions, which could be attributed to the formation of an L–Zn complex. The detection limit of SPF-2 is 63 nM for Zn2+ and this is significantly lower than most previous reports. SPF-1 was successfully used for intracellular Zn2+ imaging. In addition, SPF-2 possesses two-photon absorption properties and has been applied in two-photon fluorescence cell imaging. This study is the first time that a spirobifluorene-based probe with aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE) properties has been reported. We hope that this molecular design triggers further interest in using spiro-configured compounds in AIEE-based bioprobes for further applications.

Flexible electronics greatly facilitate human life due to their convenience and comfortable utilization. Liquid metals are an ideal candidate for flexible devices; however, the high surface tension and poor surface wettability restrict their application on diverse substrates. Herein, a printable and recyclable ink composed of poly(vinyl alcohol) and a liquid metal (PVA-LM) was developed to resolve these problems. The materials were designed considering the compatibility between PVA and the liquid metal, and the composite theory was applied to determine the component proportion. The developed composites improved the surface wettability of the liquid metal on diverse substrates, and three-dimensional (3D) printing technology was chosen to maximize the use of this material. Moreover, the PVA-LM ink showed excellent conductivity of about 1.3 × 105 S/m after being turned on, which favored the designing of alarm systems and object locators. The flexible sensors produced with this ink have broad application, high sensitivity, and superstable signal generation even after 200 cycles. When acting as strain sensors, the constructed composites had high sensitivity for monitoring the human movements. Furthermore, liquid metals in printed products can be recycled under alkaline conditions. This study opens a new direction for the next generation of environmentally friendly flexible devices.

In this paper, super absorbent polymer (SAP) is used as anti-washout admixtures (AWA) to investigate the influence of the swelling property, salt resistance swelling property and chemical interaction of SAP on the washout of underwater cement grout. Herein, a new villus-like nanocomposite hydrogel (V-NC gel), one self-synthesized new SAP, were used to fabricate underwater cement grout with ultra-stable anti-washout performance. Incorporating V-NC gel can significantly reduce underwater cement grout washout loss from 91.05% to 62.22%, which was much better than those of adding commercial water absorbent polyacrylate sodium (PAAS). The villus-like structure of V-NC gel ensured super water absorbing performance in the cement environment, leading to strengthening the anti-washout performance. Further, the –COO− group (from V-NC gel) could chelate with Ca2+ (released from cement hydration) to form a cross-linking network, being conducive to gluing the cement particles, thereby enhancing the anti-washout performance of the cement grout.

Carbon materials are considered as one of the most promising electrocatalysts for the electrochemical CO2 reduction which can convert CO2 to value-added chemical products in a clean, cheap and efficient manner. However, the carbon-based catalysts still suffer from low partial current density under high Faradaic efficiency of products, which results from their poor intrinsic electrocatalytic activity and the use of insulating binders. Herein, we design a novel monolithic electrocatalyst by combining the carbon foam with Ni-Nx active sites, which possesses high electrical conductivity, low mass transfer resistance and abundant active sites. Benefiting from these structural advantages, this monolithic electrocatalyst exhibits a large partial current density (71.6 mA cm−2 at -1.4 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode) and a stable Faradaic efficiency of CO (>90 %) at the applied potential range from -1.0 to -1.4 V.

Tumor-infiltrating immune cells are closely related to the prognosis of bladder cancer. Analysis of tumor infiltrating immune cells is usually based on immunohistochemical analysis. Since many immune cell marker proteins are not specific for different immune cells, which may induce misleading or incomplete. CIBERSORT is an algorithm to estimate specific cell types in a mixed cell population using gene expression data. In this study, the CIBERSORT algorithm was used to identify the immune cell infiltration signatures. The gene expression profiles, mutation data, and clinical data were collected from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Unsupervised consensus clustering was used to acquire the immune cell infiltration subtypes of bladder cancer based on the fractions of 22 immune cell types. Four immune cell clusters with different immune infiltrate and mutation characteristics were identified. In addition, this stratification has a prognostic relevance, with cluster 2 having the best outcome, cluster 1 the worst. These clusters showed distinct mRNA expression patterns. The characteristic genes in subtype cluster 1 were mainly involved in cell division, those in subtype cluster 2 were mainly related in antigen processing and presentation, those in subtype cluster 3 were mainly involved in epidermal cell differentiation, and those in subtype cluster 4 were mainly related in the humoral immune response. These differences may affect the development of the bladder cancer, the sensitivity to treatment as well as the prognosis. Through further validation, this study may contribute to the development of personalized therapy and precision medical treatments.

Aims Cell death and inflammation are involved in the development of bladder dysfunction. Pyroptosis is programmed cell death, causing cytotoxic effects and local inflammation. As one of the biggest health threats in the world, smoking is also closely related to urinary system diseases. The aims of this study were to investigate the role of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in the bladder after cigarette smoke exposure. Methods The expression of NLRP3 inflammasome and the activity of caspase-1 in bladder tissue was investigated after cigarette smoke exposure. In vitro, bladder urothelial cells were stimulated by cigarette smoke extract and then the activity of caspase-1 and the expression of NLRP3 inflammasome were measured. The role of oxidative stress was also assessed. Results The activity of caspase-1 in bladder tissue increased by 50% after cigarette smoke exposure. Cigarette smoke caused oxidative stress injury and the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome. In addition, reactive oxygen species (ROS) inhibitor N-acetyl-cysteine alleviated the pyroptosis of urothelial cells. Conclusions Cigarette smoke-induced pyroptosis of bladder tissue by activating ROS/NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway. Inhibition of bladder urothelial cell pyroptosis may be a new approach to alleviate bladder damage caused by smoking.

PURPOSE Cannabinoids have been shown to exert analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, and the effects of cannabinoids are mediated primarily by cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2). The objective of this study was to determine efficacy and mechanism of CB2 activation on cyclophosphamide (CYP)-induced cystitis in vivo. METHODS Cystitis was induced by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of CYP in female C57BL/6J mice. Mice were pretreated with CB2 agonist JWH-133 (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), CB2 antagonist AM-630 (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) (50 mM, intraperitoneally) before IP injection of CYP. Peripheral nociception and spontaneous voiding were investigated in these mice. Bladders were collected, weighed, and processed for real-time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting analysis, histological and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS Twenty-four hours after IP injection of CYP, the bladder of CYP-treated mice showed histological evidence of inflammation. The expression of CB2 in bladder was significantly increased in CYP-treated mice. Mechanical sensitivity was significantly increased in CYP-treated mice and CB2 agonist JWH-133 attenuated this effect (P

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) materials with the functions of bone reconstruction as well as drug release have important applications in treatment of bone diseases. However, it still remains a challenge to synthesize ion-doped HAp with low crystallinity and high surface area to improve its biological responses and drug loading capacity. Herein, strontium-substituted hydroxyapatite (Sr-HAp) hollow microspheres that exhibit high drug loading efficiency and excellent biocompatibility are reported via a simple one-step hydrothermal method. The specific surface area of the as-prepared Sr-HAp microspheres can be as high as 214.69 m2/g. The simulation results show that there is no significant difference in the total binding energy between doxorubicin (DOX) and HAp as well as Sr-HAp. Both HAp and Sr-HAp show high DOX loading efficiency and sustained DOX release behavior. The binding between DOX and Sr-HAp is mainly through the electrostatic interaction between Ca or Sr ions on Sr-HAp surfaces and carbonyl-O or hydroxyl-O in DOX molecule. The findings provide insights into the design and development of drugs used in drug delivery system of HAp or ion-doped HAp materials.

Two spirobifluorene-based two-photon fluorescent probes for the detection of hydrazine, namely SPF-MN and SPF- PA, have been designed and synthesized. Along with the addition of hydrazine to a solution of SPF-MN, both a colorimetric change from yellow to colorless and a fluorescence change from yellow to blue (Under 365 nm UV light) can be observed by ‘‘naked-eye’’. Probe SPF- PA displayed response toward hydrazine with fluorescence enhancement. The detection limits are 6.9 μM for SPF- PA and 0.29 μM for SPF-MN, respectively. Moreover, SPF-MN and SPF- PA can be used as two-photon fluorescent probes for hydrazine with large two-photon absorption cross-sections and used for the imaging of hydrazine in living cells. Specially, SPF-PA can located at the surface of the cells, and it is the first fluorescent probe which possesses the capability of sensing intercellular hydrazine. Besides, SPF-MN is the first colorimetric two-photon fluorescent probe for meeting the criteria of both hydrazine bioimaging and visual detection of hydrazine in solution.

Through breakdown tests, we find that propylene carbonate modified by Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles exhibits higher impulse breakdown strength than pure propylene carbonate. To investigate the nanoparticle modification mechanisms, we measured the electric field and space charge distributions in propylene carbonate using Kerr electro-optic measurement method. The results indicate that the nanoparticles can capture the space charge injected from electrodes, converting the space charge to relatively slow-charged particles, which reduces the space charge density in liquid and inhibit the space charge transportation. Thus, the streamer propagation in propylene carbonate is hindered, and the impulse breakdown strength of propylene carbonate is improved.

Space charge can distort the electric field in high voltage stressed liquid dielectrics and lead to breakdown. Observing the evolution of space charge in real time and determining the influencing factors are of considerable significance. The spatio-temporal evolution of space charge in propylene carbonate, which is very complex under impulse voltage, was measured in this study through the time-continuous Kerr electro-optic field mapping measurement. We found that the injection charge from a brass electrode displayed an asymmetric effect; that is, the negative charge injection near the cathode lags behind the positive charge injection near the anode. Physical mechanisms, including charge generation and drift, are analyzed, and a voltage-dependent saturated drift rectification model was established to explain the interesting phenomena. Mutual validation of models and our measurement data indicated that a barrier layer, which is similar to metal-semiconductor contact, was formed in the contact interface between the electrode and propylene carbonate and played an important role in the space charge injection.

Addition of nanoparticles of the ferromagnetic material Fe3O4 can increase the positive impulse breakdown voltage of propylene carbonate by 11.65%. To further investigate the effect of ferromagnetic nanoparticles on the space charge distribution in the discharge process, the present work set up a Kerr electro-optic field mapping measurement system using an array photodetector to carry out time-continuous measurement of the electric field and space charge distribution in propylene carbonate before and after modification. Test results show that fast electrons can be captured by Fe3O4 nanoparticles and converted into relatively slow, negatively charged particles, inhibiting the generation and transportation of the space charge, especially the negative space charge.

Transformer oil is widely used in power systems because of its excellent insulation properties. The accurate measurement of electric field and space charge distribution in transformer oil under high voltage impulse has important theoretical and practical significance, but still remains challenging to date because of its low Kerr constant. In this study, the continuous electric field and space charge distribution over time between parallel-plate electrodes in high-voltage pulsed transformer oil based on the Kerr effect is directly measured using a linear array photoelectrical detector. Experimental results demonstrate the applicability and reliability of this method. This study provides a feasible approach to further study the space charge effects and breakdown mechanisms in transformer oil.