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Abstract Background This study was aimed at investigating the correlation between the occurrence of stroke and relative fat mass (RFM), a novel metric for determining total body fat. Methods This cross-sectional study employed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) dataset, which encompassed the years 2005 to 2018 to assess the independent relationship between RFM and stroke. Moreover, multinomial logistic regression, subgroup analysis, smooth curve fitting, and interaction testing were also used. Results This study included 35,842 participants and 1,267 (3.53%) of them were diagnosed with stroke. Fully adjusted Models showed that RFM was positively associated with stroke (odds ratio [OR] = 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.03). The odds of having a stroke in quartile 4 were significantly elevated by 44%, compared to quartile 1 (OR = 1.44,95%CI:1.09–1.90). In addition, a subgroup analysis also demonstrated that age and BMI significantly impacted the association between RFM and stroke (P for interaction

Abstract Small cell carcinoma of the bladder (SCCB) is a rare, highly malignant neuroendocrine tumor. This study attempted to analyze tumor characteristics, treatments and clinical outcomes in China. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with non-metastatic SCCB at multi-institutions between January 2007 and January 2022. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate survival. A total of 20 patients were included. 10 had localized disease (T1-2N0), and 10 had locally advanced disease (≥ T3 or N+). 13 received local treatment (partial cystectomy or transurethral resection of the bladder tumor) and 7 received radical treatment (radical cystectomy or radiotherapy). A total of 18 patients (90%) received chemotherapy (CT), either neoadjuvant CT (n = 5) or adjuvant CT (n = 13). The median OS for the receiving local treatment was 65.3 months (95% CI 0 to 138 months) and the corresponding 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year OS was 77%, 54%, and 54%, respectively. The median OS for the receiving radical treatment was not reached and the corresponding 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year OS was 100%, 100%, and 75%, respectively. The median PFS for receiving local treatment was 13.8 months (95% CI 9.3 to 18.3 months) and the corresponding 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year PFS was 46%, 31%, and 31%, respectively. The median PFS for the receiving radical treatment was not reached and the corresponding 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year PFS was 83%, 56%, and 56%, respectively. This study reported the largest cohort of non-metastatic SCCB among Chinese population. Given its metastatic potential, CT remained an essential part of the treatment. The survival outcomes of radical cystectomy and RT in non-metastatic SCCB were encouraging.

Abstract Background Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is characterized by elevated levels of thyroid hormone (TSH) and normal levels of free thyroxine (FT4). The outcomes of SCH patients are crucial for determining treatment plans; therefore, our aim is to summarize the existing prospective studies to understand the changes in thyroid function over time in SCH patients and the factors influencing these changes, providing references for clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science for prospective follow-up studies on natural outcomes of SCH published until September 2024. Results are presented as the overall risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results We reviewed 8 prospective follow-up studies involving 1,859 individuals and extracted data from them for a meta-analysis. We found that when TSH levels are ≥ 10 mU/L, patients with SCH are more likely to progress to overt hypothyroidism (OH) (RR11.38, 95%CI 4.98–26.03, P

Abstract Background Recent studies have established a correlation between ADAMTSL2 (ADAMTS-like 2) and the development of various cancers. This study aims to conduct a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis in 37 cancer types and investigate its potential role in colon and rectal adenocarcinoma (COADREAD). Method Pan-cancer and mutation data were sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database and analyzed using Sangerbox analysis platform. We explored the expression patterns and prognostic implications of ADAMTSL2, and investigated its relationships with tumor heterogeneity, stemness, immune checkpoint genes, immune cell infiltration, RNA modifications, and mutational profiles across different cancers. Additionally, with Ethics Committee approval, we conducted immunohistochemical (IHC) analysis on 120 COADEAD samples to evaluate ADAMTSL2 expression and its association with clinicopathological parameters. Results ADAMTSL2 expression was positively correlated with the hazard ratio of OS, DSS, DFI and PFI for ESCA and COADREAD. A negative correlation was observed between ADAMTSL2 expression and NEO levels in COAD. Gene alterations in ADAMTSL2 were observed, with a mutation frequency of 5.0% in COAD. There is a significant correlation between ADAMTSL2 expression and immune cell infiltration in a variety of cancers. The expression level of ADAMTSL2 protein was associated with T stage, N stage, M stage (p

The construction of flexible pavement on expansive soil subgrade necessitates the precise determination of the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value, a crucial aspect of flexible pavement design. However, the conventional laboratory determination of CBR often demands considerable human resources and time. As a result, there is a need to explore alternative methods, such as developing dependable models to estimate the CBR of modified expansive soil subgrade. In this research, a machine learning (ML) model, specifically a Random Forest (RF) machine model, was developed to forecast the CBR of an expansive soil subgrade mixed with sawdust ash, ordinary Portland cement, and quarry dust. The models’ performance was assessed using several error indices, and the findings revealed that the RFAO model exhibited superior predictive capability when compared to the RFDA and RFSM machine models. Specifically, the R2 values for the training and testing data for the RFAO model were 0.9952 and 0.9988, respectively. In addition, RFAO obtained the most suitable RMSE equal to 0.4878. The RFAO model generally indicated an acceptable predictive ability and more desirable generalization ability than the other developed models.

Abstract Background To compare the differences in long-term quality of life (QoL) between survivors of paediatric and adult patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and assess the clinical factors that predict long-term QoL. Methods We enrolled 420 long-term NPC survivors who were alive for at least 8 years after treatment, including 195 paediatric and 225 adult patients diagnosed and treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre (SYSUCC) between 2011 and 2015. Data on clinical factors and EORTC QLQ-C30 were collected from all participants. The QoL of paediatric and adult NPC survivors was compared. Results The paediatric group had significantly better outcomes in global health status (paediatric: 80.2 ± 12.7; adult: 77.2 ± 11.5; P = 0.027), physical function (paediatric: 98.5 ± 4.6; adult: 95.1 ± 7.0; P

Abstract At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, traffic sharply fell due to social distancing policies in many locations. Correspondingly, many regions observed an increase in traffic volume (traffic recovery) as the pandemic eased in 2022. We examine how vaccination rates influence traffic recovery in Los Angeles County (LAC), controlling for differences in case counts, demographics, and socioeconomic factors across areas with different vaccination rates. We use arterial road sensor data as a proxy for the traffic volume within each ZIP code, alongside their respective demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. We find that a higher vaccination rate is statistically significantly associated with a larger traffic recovery, a finding that remains consistent across all explored models. This implies that an increased vaccination rate could reduce the public’s perception of the risks of disease infection, leading to a larger traffic recovery. Moreover, we found that variables including population, income, race, work industry, and commuting preferences were correlated with vaccination rates. This highlights potential inequalities based on race, income, and industry sectors in the COVID-19 vaccination and a return to normal traffic flow.

Abstract Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent type of tumor in the urinary system, and it has been discovered that long non‐coding RNA (lncRNA) plays a significant role in its occurrence and development. However, thus far, no reports have been published on the involvement of LINC00461 in BC. Here, we found that LINC00461 levels were upregulated in BC tissues and cell lines. Besides, knockdown of LINC00461 inhibited BC cell proliferation, migration, invasion through epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and slowed down tumor growth in vivo. Moreover, we found that LINC00461 regulated HNRNPUL1 expression through miR-518b sponge activity, and the miR-518 inhibitor could reverse the inhibitory effects of LINC00461 knockdown on BC cell proliferation, migration, and EMT. Our results suggest that LINC00461 may serve as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for BC.

Abstract Human activities have profound impacts on land use and the supply–demand balance of ecosystem services (ESs). Various activities, such as urban construction, urban and rural planning, and inter-basin water transfer projects, continuously reshape land use patterns. This is a case study of the Anhui section of the Yangtze-Huaihe Water Diversion Project. Data from 2000, 2010, and 2020 is analyzed. Additionally, the patch-generating land use simulation (PLUS) model is utilized to quantify the specific impacts of the water diversion project construction on the supply and demand of ESs. The results indicate that the comprehensive dynamic attitude of land use during the project construction period significantly increased, rising from 0.16 to 13.79%, and mainly affected forest, water areas, construction land, and unused land. Specifically, the construction of the project led to significant changes in water purification, biodiversity, and, especially, hydrological regulation services. Additionally, the migration of residents significantly impacted the demand for ESs. The study also found a significant correlation between land use changes and the balance of ES supply and demand: the proportion of cultivated land and construction land is positively correlated with the balance, while the proportion of forest, grassland, and water areas is negatively correlated. This study provides empirical data for understanding the environmental and socio-economic impacts of large-scale water diversion projects and offers a scientific basis for local mitigation and control of adverse impacts. Through quantitative analysis and model prediction, this research effectively bridges the gap between theory and practice, providing important references for sustainable regional development.

Abstract Cytokinins, which play crucial roles in shoot development, substantially affect grain yield. In rice, the OsRopGEF10-OsRAC3 module is associated with cytokinin signaling and crown root development. However, the effects of RopGEF-mediated cytokinin signaling on rice shoot development and grain yield remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the role of OsRopGEF10 in SAM development and the underlying mechanism. We showed that overexpression of OsRopGEF10 inhibited SAM and panicle development, leading to decreased grain yield. Intriguingly, the overexpression of a specific amino acid mutant of OsRopGEF10, designated gef10-W260S, was found to promote panicle development and grain yield. Further analysis using the BiFC assay revealed that the gef10-W260S mutation disrupted the recruitment of rice histidine phosphotransfer proteins (OsAHP1/2) to the plasma membrane (PM), thereby promoting cytokinin signaling. This effect was corroborated by a dark-induced leaf senescence assay, which revealed an increased cytokinin response in the gef10-W260S ectopic expression lines, whereas the overexpression lines presented a suppressed cytokinin response. Moreover, we revealed that the enhanced panicle development in the gef10-W260S lines was attributable to the upregulated expression of several type-B response regulators (RRs) that are crucial for panicle development. Collectively, these findings revealed the negative regulatory function of OsRopGEF10 in the development of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) via interference with cytokinin signaling. Our study highlights the promising role of OsRopGEF10 as a potential target for regulating SAM and panicle development in rice, revealing a valuable breeding strategy for increasing crop yield.

Objective: To evaluate whether improved progression-free survival (PFS) from radiotherapy (RT) translates into an overall survival (OS) benefit for diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Methods: A systematic literature search identified randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and retrospective studies that compared combined-modality therapy (CMT) with chemotherapy (CT) alone. Weighted regression analyses were used to estimate the correlation between OS and PFS benefits. Cohen's kappa statistic assessed the consistency between DLBCL risk-models and PFS patterns. Furthermore, the benefit trend of RT was analyzed by fitting a linear regression model to the pooled hazard ratio (HR) according to the PFS patterns. Results: For both 7 RCTs and 52 retrospective studies, correlations were found between PFS HR (HRPFS) and OS HR (HROS) at trial level (r = 0.639–0.876), and between PFS and OS rates at treatment-arm level, regardless of CT regimens (r = 0.882–0.964). Incorporating RT into CT increased about 18% of PFS, and revealed a different OS benefit profile. Patients were stratified into four CT-generated PFS patterns (>80%, >60–80%, >40–60%, and ≤40%), which was consistent with risk-stratified subgroups (kappa > 0.6). Absolute gain in OS from RT ranged from ≤5% at PFS >80% to about 21% at PFS ≤40%, with pooled HROS from 0.70 (95% CI, 0.51–0.97) to 0.48 (95% CI, 0.36–0.63) after rituximab-based CT. The OS benefit of RT was predominant in intermediate- and high-risk patients with PFS ≤ 80%. Conclusion: We demonstrated a varied OS benefit profile of RT to inform treatment decisions and clinical trial design.

ABSTRACTBackground Vaccination remains the cornerstone of defense against COVID-19 globally. This study aims to assess the safety and immunogenicity profile of innovative vaccines LYB001.Research design and methods This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled trial, in 100 healthy Chinese adults (21 to 72 years old). Three doses of 30 or 60 µg of SARS-CoV-2 RBD-based VLP vaccine (LYB001), or the SARS-CoV-2 RBD-based protein subunit vaccine (ZF2001, control group) were administered with a 28-day interval. Differences in the incidence of adverse events (AEs) and indicators of humoral and cellular immunity among the different groups were measured.Results No severe adverse events were confirmed to be vaccine-related, and there was no significant difference in the rate of adverse events between the LYB001 and control group or the age subgroups (p > 0.05). The LYB001 groups had significantly higher or comparable levels of seroconversion rates, neutralization antibody, S protein-binding antibody, and cellular immunity after whole vaccination than the control group.Conclusions Our findings support that LYB001 developed on the VLP platform is safe and well tolerated with favorable immunogenicity for fundamental vaccination in healthy adults. Therefore, further larger-scale clinical studies are warranted.Trial Registration This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05552573).

Abstract Background Thin endometrium (TE) is a common cause of female infertility in clinical practice. Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) therapy becomes a novel treatment for thin endometrium; however, its clinical application remains controversial. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the therapeutic effects of intrauterine autologous PRP infusion in women with thin endometrium through relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Methods We systematically searched studies published in English from inception until June 2024 in databases such as PubMed, The Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, and MEDLINE. Search terms included “Platelet-Rich Plasma,” “thin endometrium,” “endometrial thickness,” “infertility,” “pregnancy,” “reproduction,” and “adverse reactions”. RCTs identified through the search were subjected to systematic review and meta-analysis, and data were analyzed using fixed-effects or random-effects models based on heterogeneity. Results Eight RCTs involving 678 patients with thin endometrium were included. Patients receiving PRP infusion demonstrated significantly superior outcomes compared to the control group in endometrial thickness (MD: 1.23, 95%CI: 0.87 to 1.59, P = 0.000), clinical pregnancy rate (RR: 2.04, 95%CI: 1.52 to 2.76, P = 0.000), live birth rate (RR: 2.46; 95%CI: 1.57 to 3.85, P = 0.000), cycle cancellation rate (RR: 0.46, 95%CI: 0.23 to 0.93, P = 0.000), and embryo implantation rate (RR: 2.71; 95%CI: 1.91 to 3.84, P = 0.000). There were no statistically significance in spontaneous abortion rate (RR: 0.85, 95%CI: 0.40 to 1.78, P = 0.659), chemical pregnancy rate (RR: 1.84, 95%CI: 0.72 to 4.72, P = 0.204) and endometrial vascular improvement rate (RR: 1.10; 95%CI: 0.89 to 1.38, P = 0.367) between the two groups. The limitations of this study includes that, we only included single lauguage for literature research, the sample size and heterogeneity which could cause criteria bias. Conclusion Intrauterine PRP infusion may be an effective and safe treatment for women with thin endometrium. Further high-quality, large-sample, randomized controlled trials are needed to validate the reliability of our results. Trial registration The review protocol is registered on PROSPERO with registration number CRD42023490421, and no modifications were made to the information provided at registration.

Abstract Background Assisted reproductive technology (ART) is the most effective method to treat infertility and the pathogenesis of implantation failure after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is a challenging filed in infertility. Microbes in the female reproductive tract are considered to be associated with gynecological and obstetric diseases. However, its effects on embryo implantation failure are unsured. Purpose This study aimed to investigate reproductive tract dysbiosis, identify different bacteria in reproductive tract as potential biomarkers of embryo implantation failure and demonstrate the pathogenesis through metabolites analysis. Methods We compared the data from 16S rRNA gene and metagenome in reproductive tracts through QIIME2 and HUMAnN2 by the times of embryo implantation failure on 239 infertile patients and 17 healthy women. Results Our study revealed a strong positive correlation between Lactobacillus abundance and embryo implantation success (IS) after IVF-ET. The microbial community composition and structure in reproductive tract showed substantially difference between the embryo implantation failure (IF) and healthy control. Moreover, we established a diagnostic model through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) with 0.913 area under curve (AUC) in IS and multiple implantation failures (MIF), verified its effectiveness with an AUC = 0.784 demonstrating microbial community alterations could efficiently discriminate MIF patients. Metagenome functional analyses of vaginal samples from another independent infertile patients after IVF-ET revealed the L-lysine synthesis pathway enriched in IF patients, along with ascended vaginal pH and decreased Lactobacillus abundance. Conclusions This study clarifies several independent relationships of bacteria in vagina and endometrial fluid on embryo implantation failure and undoubtedly broadens the understanding about female reproductive health.

Abstract In the current study, we aimed to investigate whether disulfiram (DSF) exerts a neuroprotective role in cerebral ischemiareperfusion (CI-RI) injury by modulating ferredoxin 1 (FDX1) to regulate copper ion (Cu) levels and inhibiting inflammatory responses. To simulate CI-RI, a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) model in C57/BL6 mice was employed. Mice were administered with or without DSF before and after tMCAO. Changes in infarct volume after tMCAO were observed using TTC staining. Nissl staining and hematoxylin–eosin (he) staining were used to observe the morphological changes of nerve cells at the microscopic level. The inhibitory effect of DSF on initial inflammation was verified by TUNEL assay, apoptosis-related protein detection and iron concentration detection. FDX1 is the main regulatory protein of copper death, and the occurrence of copper death will lead to the increase of HSP70 stress and inflammatory response. Cuproptosis-related proteins and downstream inflammatory factors were detected by western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, and immunohistochemistry. The content of copper ions was detected using a specific kit, while electron microscopy was employed to examine mitochondrial changes. We found that DSF reduced the cerebral infarction volume, regulated the expression of cuproptosis-related proteins, and modulated copper content through down regulation of FDX1 expression. Moreover, DSF inhibited the HSP70/TLR-4/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Collectively, DSF could regulate Cu homeostasis by inhibiting FDX1, acting on the HSP70/TLR4/NLRP3 pathway to alleviate CI/RI. Accordingly, DSF could mitigate inflammatory responses and safeguard mitochondrial integrity, yielding novel therapeutic targets and mechanisms for the clinical management of ischemia–reperfusion injury.

Hydrogel-based tissue-engineered skin has attracted increased attention due to its potential to restore the structural integrity and functionality of skin. However, the mechanical properties of hydrogel scaffolds and natural skin are substantially different. Here, we developed a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/acrylamide based interpenetrating network (IPN) hydrogel that was surface modified with polydopamine (PDA) and termed Dopa-gel. The Dopa-gel exhibited mechanical properties similar to native skin tissue and a superior ability to modulate paracrine functions. Furthermore, a tough scaffold with tensile resistance was fabricated using this hydrogel by three-dimensional printing. The results showed that the interpenetration of PVA, alginate, and polyacrylamide networks notably enhanced the mechanical properties of the hydrogel. Surface modification with PDA endowed the hydrogels with increased secretion of immunomodulatory and proangiogenic factors. In an in vivo model, Dopa-gel treatment accelerated wound closure, increased vascularization, and promoted a shift in macrophages from a proinflammatory M1 phenotype to a prohealing and anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype within the wound area. Mechanistically, the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) signaling pathway may mediate the promotion of skin defect healing by increasing paracrine secretion via the Dopa-gel. Additionally, proangiogenic factors can be induced through Rho-associated kinase-2 (ROCK-2)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-mediated paracrine secretion under tensile stress conditions. Taken together, these findings suggest that the multifunctional Dopa-gel, which has good mechanical properties similar to those of native skin tissue and enhanced immunomodulatory and angiogenic properties, is a promising scaffold for skin tissue regeneration.

Abstract Reticulocyte-binding protein homologue 5 (RH5), a leading blood-stage Plasmodium falciparum malaria vaccine target, interacts with cysteine-rich protective antigen (CyRPA) and RH5-interacting protein (RIPR) to form an essential heterotrimeric “RCR-complex”. We investigate whether RCR-complex vaccination can improve upon RH5 alone. Using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) we show that parasite growth-inhibitory epitopes on each antigen are surface-exposed on the RCR-complex and that mAb pairs targeting different antigens can function additively or synergistically. However, immunisation of female rats with the RCR-complex fails to outperform RH5 alone due to immuno-dominance of RIPR coupled with inferior potency of anti-RIPR polyclonal IgG. We identify that all growth-inhibitory antibody epitopes of RIPR cluster within the C-terminal EGF-like domains and that a fusion of these domains to CyRPA, called “R78C”, combined with RH5, improves the level of in vitro parasite growth inhibition compared to RH5 alone. These preclinical data justify the advancement of the RH5.1 + R78C/Matrix-M™ vaccine candidate to Phase 1 clinical trial.

Bacillus velezensis TCS001 is a novel biocontrol bacterium with broad-spectrum antifungal activity and plant growth-promoting effects, holding great potential for development in agricultural production. This study optimized the fermentation conditions for B. velezensis TCS001 through single-factor experiments combined with response surface methodology, and developed a formulation for TCS001 suspension concentrate (TCS001-SC). The efficacy of TCS001-SC to promote the growth of strawberries and to prevent and control strawberry anthracnose was evaluated. The optimal liquid fermentation condition for TCS001 was determined to be 2.89 % soluble peanut cake powder, 3.0 % glucose, 3.0 % soluble starch, 0.002 % FePO4, 0.006 % KCl, 0.6 % NaCl, 0.05 % MgCl2·6H2O, 0.3 % K2HPO4, 0.15 % KH2PO4, 0.05 % CaCO3, 0.005 % MnSO4, a working volume of 31 % (77.5 mL/250 mL), a rotation speed of 173 r/min, a cultivation temperature of 28°C, an inoculum volume of 1.0 %, and a pH of 7.0. The 15 L fermenter upscale culture achieved a spore count of 9.46 × 109 CFU/mL, which was 2.01 times the spore count of 4.7 × 109 CFU/mL before optimization, and a preliminary TCS001-SC was developed with the fermented broth as the main component. Agar plate confrontation tests showed that TCS001 had antifungal activity against five types of anthracnose fungi, with inhibition rates ranging from 70.3 % to 87.2 %. TCS001-SC could promote the growth of strawberries and induce a rapid defense enzyme response in their leaves, enhancing the plant's resistance to pathogens. After treatment, individual strawberry plants showed significant increases in the number of leaves, fresh weight of stems and leaves, root fresh weight, leaf area, plant height, and the content of POD, SOD, CAT enzymes, GA, IAA, and ABA compared to the control.Additionally, it shows good prevention and control effects against strawberry anthracnose, with a control efficacy of 60.45% after five spray treatments at a concentration of 2 × 107 CFU/mL, which is not significantly different from the efficacy of commercial microbial agents such as Bacillus subtilis wettable powder, subsequent field trials will be conducted to determine its potential as a microbial pesticide. This study provides important support for the future industrial production and application of the strain TCS001.

Background: Chemoradiotherapy (CRT) is the main treatment for elderly patients with non-metastatic rectal cancer who are ineligible for or decline surgery, but the optimal modality remains unclear. Objectives: This study was to validate the safety and efficacy of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) guided radiotherapy in older patients. Design: An exploratory analysis of a single-arm, multicenter, Phase II trial. Methods: Patients aged over 70 and diagnosed with rectal cancer were enrolled and evaluated by CGA. CGA-guided radiotherapy was individually conducted in a multidisciplinary setting. Patients in fit, intermediate, and frail groups were scheduled to receive CRT, long-course radiotherapy, and short-course radiotherapy (SCRT) alone respectively. Patients who were unfit for or refused surgery were analyzed for acute toxicities and survival outcomes. Results: In a total of 109 enrolled patients, 47 individuals who did not undergo surgery were included, with 26, 9, and 12 categorized into fit, intermediate, and frail groups. Only 11 (23.4%) grade 3 or above toxicities were observed overall. Within a median follow-up of 69.0 months, the 3-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates were 44.3% (95% CI: 32.1%–61.2%), 25.5% (95% CI: 15.7%–41.6%) and 61.0% (95% CI: 47.8%–77.6%) in total. The 5-year OS, PFS, and CSS reached 15.0% (95% CI: 7.4%–30.3%), 14.6% (95% CI: 7.3%–29.4%), and 36.2% (95% CI: 22.0%–59.4%), with no significant difference among the three subgroups. SCRT ( p

BackgroundEsophageal variceal diameter (EVD) is a crucial factor in determining the risk of esophageal variceal bleeding, which is associated with an increased portal pressure gradient (PPG). However, research into the relationship between EVD and PPG has been limited, primarily because the assessment of EVD depends on visual estimation during endoscopy. Recently, we developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based method to accurately detect EVD. In this study, we aim to investigate the correlation between EVD and PPG, with the goal of evaluating EVD as a potential non-invasive indicator of PPG.MethodsThis study included both retrospective and prospective data from 128 patients diagnosed with portal hypertension and gastroesophageal varices, gathered from two medical institutions. Clinical data including PPG, biochemical markers, and routine blood tests were collected. In the retrospective phase, EVD was evaluated using an AI-based virtual ruler. In the prospective phase, PPG was measured using radiological intervention methods, and EVD was measured during endoscopy with the aid of AI.ResultsA positive correlation between PPG and EVD was identified (r = 0.521, P < 0.001), which was further supported by multivariate linear regression analysis (b = 6.521, t = 6.872, P < 0.001). When patients were stratified into two groups based on PPG levels (27 patients with PPG < 20 mmHg and 101 patients with PPG ≥ 20 mmHg), a significant difference in EVD was observed between the groups (OR = 29.275, 95% CI 5.590–153.304, P < 0.001), with larger EVD in the higher PPG group. These findings suggest that EVD may serve as a predictor of adverse events associated with elevated PPG levels. In addition, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that EVD had an accuracy of 0.814 in diagnosing PPG function (standard error 0.048, 95% CI 0.720-0.908; P < 0.001), indicating that PPG levels are likely to exceed 20 mmHg when the variceal diameter is greater than 1.1 cm.ConclusionEVD demonstrated a positive correlation with PPG and could potentially be used as a predictive marker for assessing PPG levels. These findings provide novel insights for the non-invasive evaluation of PPG in clinical practice.

BackgroundObesity is becoming more widely acknowledged as a chronic illness that raises the risk of oncogenesis. This inquiry aimed to look into the correlation between cancer patient mortality and obesity, as measured by the weight-adjusted waist index (WWI).MethodsWe used continuous data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018 as the benchmark, with a follow-up validity period of December 31, 2019. First, we assessed the correlation between WWI and the all-cause and cause-specific execution of cancer sufferers using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Second, a smoothed curve fit was utilized to examine the relationship between WWI and both cause-specific and all-cause mortality in cancer patients. Lastly, we analyzed the relationship between WWI and both cause-specific and all-cause mortality in cancer patients, to find out if this link held across the population subgroup evaluation and impact analyses were used as well during the last step.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 87.8 months, 1,547 (34.7%) of the 4,463 cancer patients had deceased. Among them, 508 (11.4%) succumbed to cancer, while 322 (7.2%) passed away due to cardiovascular disease. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards model of mortality among cancer patients revealed an all-cause mortality hazard ratio [HR=1.13; 95% CI (1.04, 1.23)] and cardiovascular mortality [HR=1.39; 95% CI (1.16, 1.67)]. Furthermore, for each unit increase in WWI, all-cause mortality was significantly higher in male cancer survivors than in female cancer survivors.ConclusionsOur study reveals substantial correlations between WWI and all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in US cancer survivors, helping to identify cancer survivors at higher risk of death and thus potentially guiding targeted interventions.

Background: The emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in March 2020 led to the implementation of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) to curb its spread. Studies have shown that adult asthma exacerbations and viral infections decreased during NPI use. However, few studies have shown the effects of NPIs on pediatric asthma exacerbations and infections during and after the pandemic. Objective: This study aimed to understand the impact of NPIs on asthma exacerbations and viral respiratory infections in pediatric patients at our institution from March 2018 to December 2022. Methods: The medical record numbers of children with asthma exacerbations seen at our institution between March 2018 and December 2022 were analyzed. Subjects were categorized on the basis of timing of their exacerbation in relation to NPI enforcement. We used the results from clinical testing with the BioFire Respiratory Panel (BRP) to detect up to 22 respiratory pathogens and then correlated these results with asthma exacerbation severity. Results: There were 5,758 asthma exacerbations recorded, with a 50% decline in average weekly exacerbations during NPI enforcement. Of the 70,682 BRP tests performed, 87% returned a positive result for at least 1 pathogen. Several viruses (respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza, and influenza) had a decrease in positivity rate with NPIs, whereas rhinovirus/enterovirus positivity rates were unchanged throughout the pandemic. Asthma exacerbations with a positive BRP result required higher clinical levels of care during the admission. Conclusion: NPIs were associated with significantly reduced numbers of asthma exacerbations and respiratory viral infections. The post-NPI period saw a return to prepandemic levels of asthma exacerbations and an unusual surge in respiratory syncytial virus infections, emphasizing the need for continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies in the postpandemic landscape.

Maintaining metabolic homeostasis is crucial for cellular and organismal health throughout their lifespans. The intricate link between metabolism and inflammation through immunometabolism is pivotal in maintaining overall health and disease progression. The multifactorial nature of metabolic and inflammatory processes makes study of the relationship between them challenging. Homologs of Saccharomyces cerevisiae silent information regulator 2 protein, known as Sirtuins (SIRTs), have been demonstrated to promote longevity in various organisms. As nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide-dependent deacetylases, members of the Sirtuin family (SIRT1–7) regulate energy metabolism and inflammation. In this review, we provide an extensive analysis of SIRTs involved in regulating key metabolic pathways, including glucose, lipid, and amino acid metabolism. Furthermore, we systematically describe how the SIRTs influence inflammatory responses by modulating metabolic pathways, as well as inflammatory cells, mediators, and pathways. Current research findings on the preferential roles of different SIRTs in metabolic disorders and inflammation underscore the potential of SIRTs as viable pharmacological and therapeutic targets. Future research should focus on the development of promising compounds that target SIRTs, with the aim of enhancing their anti-inflammatory activity by influencing metabolic pathways within inflammatory cells.

Mitochondria and lysosomes play a very important role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, and the dysfunction of these organelles is closely related to many diseases. Recent studies have revealed direct interactions between mitochondria and lysosomes, forming mitochondria-lysosome contact sites that regulate organelle network dynamics and mediate the transport of metabolites between them. Impaired function of these contact sites is not only linked to physiological processes such as glucose and cholesterol transport but also closely related to the pathological processes of metabolic diseases. Here, we highlight the recent progress in understanding the mitochondria-lysosome contact sites, elucidate their role in regulating metabolic homeostasis, and explore the potential implications of this pathway in metabolic disorders.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of preoperative concurrent chemoradiotherapy (preCRT) for locally advanced rectal cancer in older people who were classified as “fit” by comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). Methods A single-arm, multicenter, phase II trial was designed. Patients were eligible for this study if they were aged 70 years or above and met the standards of “fit” (SIOG1) as evaluated by CGA and of the locally advanced risk category. The primary endpoint was 2-year disease-free survival (DFS). Patients were scheduled to receive preCRT (50 Gy) with raltitrexed (3 mg/m2 on days 1 and 22). Results One hundred and nine patients were evaluated by CGA, of whom eighty-six, eleven and twelve were classified into the fit, intermediate and frail category. Sixty-eight fit patients with a median age of 74 years were enrolled. Sixty-four patients (94.1%) finished radiotherapy without dose reduction. Fifty-four (79.3%) patients finished the prescribed raltitrexed therapy as planned. Serious toxicity (grade 3 or above) was observed in twenty-four patients (35.3%), and fourteen patients (20.6%) experienced non-hematological side effects. Within a median follow-up time of 36.0 months (range: 5.9-63.1 months), the 2-year overall survival (OS), cancer-specific survival (CSS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates were 89.6% (95% CI: 82.3-96.9), 92.4% (95% CI: 85.9-98.9) and 75.6% (95% CI: 65.2-86.0), respectively. Forty-eight patients (70.6%) underwent surgery (R0 resection 95.8%, R1 resection 4.2%), the corresponding R0 resection rate among the patients with positive mesorectal fascia status was 76.6% (36/47). Conclusion This phase II trial suggests that preCRT is efficient with tolerable toxicities in older rectal cancer patients who were evaluated as fit based on CGA. Trial registration The registration number on ClinicalTrials.gov was NCT02992886 (14/12/2016).

Abstract Background Gut microbiome metabolites are important modulators of host health and disease. However, the overall metabolic potential of the gut microbiome and interactions with the host organs have been underexplored. Results Using stable isotope resolved metabolomics (SIRM) in mice orally gavaged with 13C-inulin (a tracer), we first observed dynamic enrichment of 13C-metabolites in cecum contents in the amino acids and short-chain fatty acid metabolism pathways. 13C labeled metabolites were subsequently profiled comparatively in plasma, liver, brain, and skeletal muscle collected at 6, 12, and 24 h after the tracer administration. Organ-specific and time-dependent 13C metabolite enrichments were observed. Carbons from the gut microbiome were preferably incorporated into choline metabolism and the glutamine-glutamate/GABA cycle in the liver and brain, respectively. A sex difference in 13C-lactate enrichment was observed in skeletal muscle, which highlights the sex effect on the interplay between gut microbiome and host organs. Choline was identified as an interorgan metabolite derived from the gut microbiome and fed the lipogenesis of phosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylcholine in host organs. In vitro and in silico studies revealed the de novo synthesis of choline in the human gut microbiome via the ethanolamine pathway, and Enterococcus faecalis was identified as a major choline synthesis species. These results revealed a previously underappreciated role for gut microorganisms in choline biosynthesis. Conclusions Multicompartmental SIRM analyses provided new insights into the current understanding of dynamic interorgan metabolite transport between the gut microbiome and host at the whole-body level in mice. Moreover, this study singled out microbiota-derived metabolites that are potentially involved in the gut-liver, gut-brain, and gut-skeletal muscle axes. Video Abstract

This is an article in the field of ceramics andcomposites. C30 concrete was prepared with steel slag powder with different particle size as admixture, and the effect of steel slag powder particle size on the durability of concrete was studied. The test results show that the internal pores of concrete are mainly concentrated in 100~1000 nm, and the number of pores decreases with the refinement of steel slag powder, and the pores of about 10~100 nm increase with the refinement of steel slag. The addition of steel slag can improve the workability of concrete; With the continuous refinement of steel slag, the 7, 28 and 56 d compressive strength of concrete decreases first and then increases. The 56 d compressive strength decreases from 50.4 MPa to 37.8 MPa and continues to increase to 40.32, 42.84, 45.36 and 48.4 MPa. With the fineness of steel slag from 23.1 MPa decreases to 16.8、12.2、10.1、4.2 μm. The activity of m steel slag increased from 75% to 96%. After 100 freeze-thaw cycles, the mass loss of concrete without steel slag group is 7.6%. When 30% steel slag is added, the frost resistance of concrete decreases. With the change of steel slag fineness, the frost resistance of concrete increases continuously, when the fineness is 10.1、4.2 μm, the mass loss is reduced to 7.4% and 6.1%. The addition of steel slag can promote the solidification and storage capacity of concrete to CO2 and enhance the pressure strength of concrete. The finer the steel slag is, the stronger the carbonization resistance of concrete is.

Abstract Liquid marbles are non-wetting, particle-covered microdroplets with a core-shell structure that are used in sample transport, material synthesis, and real-time sensing. Optimizing the distribution of shell particles remains a challenge, due to a tendency for aggregation via spontaneous assembly, which often leads to multilayered structures. Here, we outline a simple method for fabricating water-filled, monolayer liquid marbles with adjustable particle coverage rates, greatly reducing particle consumption. The soft liquid marbles are enclosed by a small quantity of modified polystyrene microspheres and display good atmospheric stability. The rolling behavior of flexible liquid marbles with wide coverage rates is then characterized. Contrary to common perception, the marbles with transparent openings exhibit high maneuverability on hydrophilic surfaces, and also excel in fusion, reaction and surface cleaning, with an elongated operational duration and a wide visualization range. The study provides new insights into the implementation of liquid marble-based miniaturized platforms.

Abstract Background Epidemiological research and systematic meta-analyses indicate a higher risk of B-cell lymphomas in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared to non-infected individuals. However, the genetic links between HCV and these lymphomas remain under-researched. Methods Mendelian randomization analysis was employed to explore the association between chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and B-cell lymphomas as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Approximate Bayes Factor (ABF) localization analysis was conducted to find shared genetic variants that might connect CHC with B-cell lymphomas and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Furthermore, The Variant Effect Predictor (VEP) was utilized to annotate the functional effects of the identified genetic variants. Results Mendelian randomization revealed a significant association between CHC and increased diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) risk (OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.01–1.78; P = 0.0397). Subsequent colocalization analysis pinpointed two noteworthy variants, rs17208853 (chr6:32408583) and rs482759 (chr6:32227240) between these two traits. The annotation of these variants through the VEP revealed their respective associations with the butyrophilin-like protein 2 (BTNL2) and notch receptor 4 (NOTCH4) genes, along with the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) TSBP1-AS1. Conclusion This research provides a refined genetic understanding of the CHC-DLBCL connection, opening avenues for targeted therapeutic research and intervention.

Abstract Background For patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), total neoadjuvant therapy (TNT), namely, intensifying preoperative treatment through the integration of radiotherapy and systemic chemotherapy before surgery, was commonly recommended as the standard treatment. However, the risk of distant metastasis at 3 years remained higher than 20%, and the complete response (CR) rate was less than 30%. Several clinical trials had suggested a higher complete response rate when combining single-agent immunotherapy with short-course radiotherapy (SCRT). The CheckMate 142 study had shown encouraging outcomes of dual immunotherapy and seemingly comparable toxicity for CRC compared with single-agent immunotherapy in historical results. Therefore, dual immunotherapy might be more feasible in conjunction with the TNT paradigm of SCRT. We performed a phase II study to investigate whether the addition of a dual immune checkpoint inhibitor bispecific antibody, Cadonilimab, to SCRT combined with chemotherapy might further increase the clinical benefit and prognosis for LARC patients. Methods This single-arm, multicenter, prospective, phase II study included patients with pathologically confirmed cT3-T4N0 or cT2-4N + rectal adenocarcinoma with an ECOG performance score of 0 or 1. Bispecific antibody immunotherapy was added to SCRT combined with chemotherapy. Patients enrolled would be treated with SCRT (25 Gy in five fractions over 1 week) for the pelvic cavity, followed by 4 cycles of CAPOX or 6 cycles of mFOLFOX and Cadonilimab. The primary endpoint was the CR rate, which was the ratio of the pathological CR rate plus the clinical CR rate. The secondary endpoints included local–regional control, distant metastasis, disease-free survival, overall survival, toxicity profile, quality of life and functional outcome of the rectum. To detect an increase in the complete remission rate from 21.8% to 40% with 80% power, 50 patients were needed. Discussion This study would provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of SCRT plus bispecific antibody immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy as neoadjuvant therapy for patients with LARC, which might be used as a candidate potential therapy in the future. Trial registration This phase II trial was prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, under the identifier NCT05794750.

Abstract Pathological conditions linked to shear stress have been identified in hematological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. These conditions often exhibit significantly elevated shear stress levels, surpassing 1000 dyn/cm2 in severely stenotic arteries. Heightened shear stress can induce mechanical harm to endothelial cells, potentially leading to bleeding and fatal consequences. However, current technology still grapples with limitations, including inadequate flexibility in simulating bodily shear stress environments, limited range of shear stress generation, and spatial and temporal adaptability. Consequently, a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms underlying the impact of shear stress on physiological and pathological conditions, like thrombosis, remains inadequate. To address these limitations, this study presents a microfluidic-based shear stress generation chip as a proposed solution. The chip achieves a substantial 929-fold variation in shear stress solely by adjusting the degree of constriction in branch channels after PDMS fabrication. Experiments demonstrated that a rapid increase in shear stress up to 1000 dyn/cm2 significantly detached 88.2% cells from the substrate. Long-term exposure (24 h) to shear stress levels below 8.3 dyn/cm2 did not significantly impact cell growth. Furthermore, cells exposed to shear stress levels equal to or greater than 8.3 dyn/cm2 exhibited significant alterations in aspect ratio and orientation, following a normal distribution. This microfluidic chip provides a reliable tool for investigating cellular responses to the wide-ranging shear stress existing in both physiological and pathological flow conditions. Graphical Abstract

Cardiac resident macrophages (CRMs) are the main population of cardiac immune cells. The role of these cells in regeneration, functional remodeling, and repair after cardiac injury is always the focus of research. However, in recent years, their dynamic changes and contributions in physiological states have a significant attention. CRMs have specific phenotypes and functions in different cardiac chambers or locations of the heart and at different stages. They further show specific differentiation and development processes. The present review will summarize the new progress about the spatiotemporal distribution, potential developmental regulation, and their roles in cardiac development and aging as well as the translational potential of CRMs on cardiac diseases. Of course, the research tools for CRMs, their respective advantages and disadvantages, and key issues on CRMs will further be discussed.

Objective To observe the effects of Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao method on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and oxidative stress expression level in the medial vestibular nucleus of aging model rats induced by intraperitoneal injection of D-galactose, and to explore the mechanism of Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao method in delaying the aging of the medial vestibular nucleus. Methods After adaptive feeding of 18 rats for 7 days, they were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, and a Traditional Chinese Medicine group, with 6 rats in each group.The blank group was intraperitoneally injected with 500 mg/(kg·d) of physiological saline, while the model group and Traditional Chinese Medicine group were intraperitoneally injected with 500 mg/(kg·d) of D-galactose for 8 consecutive weeks.After successful modeling, the blank group and model group were orally administered physiological saline at 18.45 g/(kg·d), while the Traditional Chinese Medicine group was orally administered Yishen Huoxue Tongqiao decoction at 18.45 g/(kg·d) for 8 consecutive weeks.The vestibular function of each group of rats 2 hours after the last administration was evaluated, and the samples from the medial vestibular nucleus were collected.The expression levels of glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), reactive oxygen species(ROS) in each group were detected by the Elisa method, and the expression levels of PI3K and AKT1 in the medial vestibular nucleus were detected by the Western blot method. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the success rates of three sets of aerial righting reflex tests(P>0.05).The head deviation angle of the model group and the Traditional Chinese Medicine group was greater than that of the blank group, while the head deviation angle of the Traditional Chinese Medicine group was smaller than that of the model group, and the differences were statistically significant(P

Abstract To investigate the safety and efficacy of the neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) followed by neoadjuvant consolidation chemotherapy (NCCT) and surgery for locally advanced gastric cancer (GC) or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma. Patients diagnosed as locally advanced GC or Siewert II/III GEJ adenocarcinoma with clinical stage T3-4 and/or N positive were prospectively enrolled. Patients underwent NCRT (45 Gy/25 fractions) with concurrent S-1, followed by NCCT (4 to 6 cycles of the SOX regimen) 2 to 4 weeks after NCRT. Gastric cancer radical resection with D2 lymph node dissection was performed 4 to 6 weeks after the total neoadjuvant therapy. The study was conducted from November 2019 to January 2023, enrolling a total of 46 patients. During the NCRT, all patients completed the treatment without dose reduction or delay. During the NCCT, 32 patients (69.6%) completed at least 4 cycles of chemotherapy. Grade 3 or higher adverse events in NCRT (5 cases) were non-hematological. During the course of NCCT, a notable occurrence of hematological toxicities was observed, with grade 3 or higher leukopenia (9.7%) and thrombocytopenia (12.2%) being experienced. A total of 28 patients (60.9%) underwent surgery, achieving R0 resection in all cases. A significant proportion of cases (71.4%) exhibited pathological downstaging to ypT0-2, while 10 patients (35.7%) demonstrated a pathologic complete response (pCR). The total neoadjuvant therapy comprising NCRT followed by NCCT and surgery demonstrates a low severe adverse reactions and promising efficacy, which could be considered as a viable treatment for locally advanced GC or GEJ adenocarcinoma. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov (registration number: NCT04062058); the full date of first trial registration was 20/08/2019.

Abstract Background Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a severe disorder leading to female infertility. Genetic mutations are important factors causing POI. TP63-truncating mutation has been reported to cause POI by increasing germ cell apoptosis, however what factors mediate this apoptosis remains unclear. Methods Ninety-three patients with POI were recruited from Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed for each patient. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm potential causative genetic variants. A minigene assay was performed to determine splicing effects of TP63 variants. A TP63-truncating plasmid was constructed. Real-time quantitative PCR, western blot analyses, dual luciferase reporter assays, immunofluorescence staining, and cell apoptosis assays were used to study the underlying mechanism of a TP63-truncating mutation causing POI. Results By WES of 93 sporadic patients with POI, we found a 14-bp deletion covering the splice site in the TP63 gene. A minigene assay demonstrated that the 14-bp deletion variant led to exon 13 skipping during TP63 mRNA splicing, resulting in the generation of a truncated TP63 protein (TP63-mut). Overexpression of TP63-mut accelerated cell apoptosis. Mechanistically, the TP63-mut protein could bind to the promoter region of CLCA2 and activate the transcription of CLCA2 several times compared to that of the TP63 wild-type protein. Silencing CLCA2 using a specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) or inhibiting the Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) pathway using the KU55933 inhibitor attenuated cell apoptosis caused by TP63-mut protein expression. Conclusion Our findings revealed a crucial role for CLCA2 in mediating apoptosis in POI pathogenesis, and suggested that CLCA2 is a potential therapeutic target for POI.

Abstract Background Systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (sJIA) is a severe form of juvenile arthritis that is characterized by chronic joint inflammation and systemic symptoms such as fever, rash, and organ involvement. Anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody tocilizumab is an effective treatment. However, some patients still experience persisting or recurrent symptoms and the real-world effectiveness of canakinumab in Chinese patients with sJIA has never been reported. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of canakinumab in Chinese patients with sJIA using real-world data. Methods We conducted a retrospective study on children with active sJIA. Clinical features, laboratory data, corticosteroid dosage, and adverse events (AEs) were collected at baseline and at 4, 8, 12, and 24 weeks after initiating canakinumab treatment. Results Seven female and four male patients were included in the study. All patients had previously been treated with tocilizumab and were administered canakinumab for 12.4 ± 3.4 months. Notably, significant improvements were observed in both clinical signs and symptoms as well as laboratory indicators. Four children under corticosteroid treatment were able to successfully discontinue their corticosteroid therapy: one at week 4, two at week 12, and one at week 24. Notably, there was a significant reduction in the number of tender and swollen joints (P = 0.0059) as well as the systemic juvenile arthritis disease activity score (P

Bioabsorbable zinc (Zn)-based materials for bone defect repair have received increasing attention. Based on 3D printing technology, this study innovatively designed and manufactured pure Zn and Ti6Al4V porous scaffolds. The pore size of the scaffold was 700 μm and the porosity was 70%. Compared with the traditional Ti6Al4V scaffolds, it was found that the Zn scaffolds had a larger deformation, the ultimate compressive stress was 18 MPa, but the ultimate strain could exceed 20%, while Ti6Al4V was only 6%. The elastic modulus of the Zn scaffolds was also lower than that of Ti6Al4V, which was 0.25 GPa, which can meet bone repair requirements in the non-weight-bearing area. However, Zn scaffolds had better strain capacity and lower elastic modulus, so they had less stress-shielding effect on bone. Degradation experiments also proved that the Zn scaffold had good degradation performance. Further in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the Zn scaffolds had better osteogenic ability than the Ti6Al4V scaffolds. The findings of our study underscore the potential of integrating pure Zn into 3D printed scaffolds for their application in orthopedic scenarios.

Pancreatic cancer, one of the most aggressive malignancies, has no effective treatment due to the lack of targets and drugs related to tumour metastasis. SIRT6 can promote the migration of pancreatic cancer and could be a potential target for antimetastasis of pancreatic cancer. However, highly selective and potency SIRT6 inhibitor that can be used in vivo is yet to be discovered. Here, we developed a novel SIRT6 allosteric inhibitor, compound 11e, with maximal inhibitory potency and an IC50 value of 0.98 ± 0.13 μmol/L. Moreover, compound 11e exhibited significant selectivity against other histone deacetylases (HADC1‒11 and SIRT1‒3) at concentrations up to 100 μmol/L. The allosteric site and the molecular mechanism of inhibition were extensively elucidated by cocrystal complex structure and dynamic structural analyses. Importantly, we confirmed the antimetastatic function of such inhibitors in four pancreatic cancer cell lines as well as in two mouse models of pancreatic cancer liver metastasis. To our knowledge, this is the first study to reveal the in vivo effects of SIRT6 inhibitors on liver metastatic pancreatic cancer. It not only provides a promising lead compound for subsequent inhibitor development targeting SIRT6 but also provides a potential approach to address the challenge of metastasis in pancreatic cancer.

The identification a signature comprising a group of genes as markers of cancer response to chemoradiotherapy would be more appropriate and effective for predicting chemoradiotherapy efficacy. This study investigated the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to chemoradiotherapy resistance and established a multigene expression model for predicting the sensitivity of rectal cancer to chemoradiotherapy in rectal cancer patients, elucidated the mechanism of resistance to synchronized chemoradiotherapy. The genome-wide expression profiling microarray were performed in the tissues of 81 rectal cancer patients before neoadjuvant therapy to analyze and discover DEGs related to chemoradiotherapy resistance, and the results were verified in 45 rectal cancer patients, and finally a 20-gene signature was proposed to be a predictor of chemoradiotherapy response. Molecular biology experiments revealed that zinc finger protein 37A (ZNF37A) downregulation leads to therapeutic resistance. This study identified a 20-gene signature with group of genes can help predict the response to chemoradiotherapy of rectal cancer patients. ZNF37A demonstrated a statistically significant correlation with sensitivity to chemoradiotherapy and survival in patients with LARC who underwent chemoradiotherapy. The findings revealed that ZNF37A bound to the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 6B (TNFRSF6B) promoter region, thereby suppressing its transcriptional activity. Reduced expression of ZNF37A induces chemoradiation resistance by inhibiting apoptosis in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells. TNFRSF6B Knockdown restored the sensitivity of CRC to chemoradiotherapy. ZNF37A is an effective modulator of chemoradiotherapy response in rectal cancer. These findings elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying chemoradiotherapy resistance and provide potential applications for individualized clinical therapy.

Objective: This study examined relationships between home smoking/vaping bans and caregiver restrictions on child access to tobacco in the home among rural, Black/African American caregivers who smoke. Methods: Data were from the baseline survey of a randomized trial conducted in 2020–2022 among caregivers who smoke cigarettes and/or little cigars/cigarillos (N = 188). Logistic regressions examined associations between independent variables (tobacco product-specific and comprehensive home smoking/vaping bans) and dependent variables (caregiver keeps tobacco in the home; among caregivers with tobacco at home, caregiver restricts child tobacco access at home). Models were adjusted for caregiver tobacco use, income, and additional covariates based on stepwise selection. Results: Compared to caregivers with no bans, caregivers with full bans on cigar smoking and vaping were less likely to keep cigars and e-cigarettes at home, respectively. Caregivers with full bans across all tobacco products and no/partial bans across some products were less likely than those with lesser bans to keep e-cigarettes and “other tobacco products” (hookah, pipe, smokeless tobacco, IQOS) at home. Among caregivers with cigarettes at home, those with partial cigarette smoking bans were more likely than those with no bans to restrict child cigarette access at home. Among caregivers with e-cigarettes at home, those with no/partial bans on some products were less likely than those with lesser bans to restrict child e-cigarette access at home. Conclusions: Interventions addressing intergenerational tobacco use among socially-disadvantaged groups may benefit by supporting the implementation of home smoking/vaping bans and caregiver restrictions on child access to tobacco in the home.

To investigate the optimum parameters of gas chromatography ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) in determination of flavors and fragrances in tobacco. The effects of reaction parameters such as chromatographic column temperature, incubation temperature, incubation time and injection volume are evaluated with the number of identified characteristic peaks, peak intensity and peak pacing as indexes by an orthogonal L9 (34) test. Furthermore, prediction of test results is conducted based on the PLS method. Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is used to optimize the parameters. The collection of 30 different flavors and fragrances are tested by GC – IMS which operation parameters are set according to optimal results. The results show that a total of 60 kinds of the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are identified across all samples, including aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, esters, ethers and so on. Therefore, by means of fingerprints can infer the general composition of fragrance-base or distinguish flavors and fragrances.

ABSTRACTNirsevimab has been recently licensed for universal RSV prophylaxis in infants. NIRSE-GAL is a three-year population-based study initiated in Galicia in September 2023. It aims to evaluate nirsevimab effectiveness against RSV-related hospitalizations lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), severe RSV, all-cause LRTI, and all-cause hospitalization. NIRSE-GAL also aims to estimate nirsevimab impact on primary healthcare use in the short and mid-term, children’s wheezing and asthma, and medical prescriptions for RSV. The immunization campaigns will be scheduled based on the expected start week for the RSV season and will last the whole season. Immunization will be offered to: i) infants born during the campaign (seasonal), ii) infants

ObjectiveIt has been recognized that there is a nexus among Trisomy 8 (T8), Behcet's disease (BD), and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We reported a series of inflammatory features in 2 children with T8 without hematological involvement.Methods2 children with trisomy 8 who were excluded from MDS were retrospectively collected from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing.ResultsPatients developed a range of inflammatory manifestations before a diagnosis of T8. The clinical manifestations of T8 patients vary from normal to severely disabled. Glucocorticoids and thalidomide can effectively relieve inflammation in patients with T8.ConclusionThe early clinical manifestations of T8 in children lack specificity, and the diagnosis is mainly based on karyotype analysis, gastrointestinal endoscopy and bone marrow aspiration findings. Active and effective immunoregulatory therapy and long-term follow-up can improve the prognosis of patients with T8.

Study region: Tabu Basin is located on a typical-deserted steppe in Inner Mongolia, China and plays a significant role in maintaining ecological stability of northern China.Study focus: Among rivers worldwide, 51–60 % cease to flow for at least one day annually, especially in arid and semiarid areas. Understanding interactions between intermittent rivers (IRs) and groundwater (GW) is crucial for protecting water resources and sustaining ecological balance. A comprehensive framework was developed to analyze these interactions.New hydrological insights for the region: Unlike previous studies, this study considered seasonal differences in hydrochemical and isotopic compositions of IR and GW, as well as the intensive influence of evaporation. Multitemporal datasets were employed to analyze the IR–GW interaction across spatial, temporal, and profiling scales. Hydrochemical evidence and isotopic analysis indicated the input of meltwater with depleted isotopic signatures to GW and GW recharge to IR. The isotopic compositions followed the order of rainfall < GW

ObjectivesThis study utilizes bibliometric analysis to map the current research landscape and forecast emerging trends within the domain of Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS).Materials and methodsA comprehensive review of literature related to BMS was conducted, drawing from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 2008 to 2023. The analysis included both publication types “Article” and “Review Article.” Advanced quantitative techniques and visual analytics tools, including CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Tableau, and the Map Equation online platform were utilized to analyze the academic publications within this domain.ResultsOur analysis incorporated 497 articles on BMS. The data exhibit a progressive increase in the annual volume of publications from 2008 to 2023. In terms of geographic and institutional contributions, the United States of America (with 80 publications) and Nihon University (with 26 publications) emerged as leading entities in BMS research, while the Netherlands and England were identified as central to international collaboration efforts. Prominent researchers in this field include Adamo Daniela (18 publications) and Sun Andy (16 publications). Furthermore, the most cited works were authored by Jääskeläinen SK. An examination of the journals in which these articles were published showed a dominance of dental journals, highlighting significant interest and research efforts in BMS within the dental research community.ConclusionThe steady growth in BMS research signifies the formation of a robust core of researchers and demonstrates the maturation of the field. Despite this progress, the findings highlight a notable deficiency in cross-institutional and cross-regional collaborative efforts. Keyword cluster analysis has revealed “management” as a persistently relevant theme, with “pain modulation” emerging as the current focal interest. Additionally, “blood profile,” “pernicious anemia,” and “folate” have been identified as prospective areas of growing interest, suggesting important directions for future investigations.Clinical relevanceThis bibliometric analysis reveals the research landscape of BMS, aiming to highlight potential collaborative opportunities and define future research directions. These insights are invaluable for guiding subsequent investigations and carving new paths in the exploration of BMS.

IntroductionGalactose-deficient IgA1 (GdIgA1) is critical in the formation of immunodeposits in IgA nephropathy (IgAN), whereas the origin of GdIgA1 is unknown. We focused on the immune response to fecal microbiota in patients with IgAN. MethodsBy running 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, we compared IgAN samples to the control samples from household-matched or non-related individuals. Levels of plasma GdIgA1 and poly-IgA complexes were measured, and candidate microbes that can either incite IgA-directed antibody response or degrade IgA through specific IgA protease activities were identified.ResultsThe IgAN group showed a distinct composition of fecal microbiota as compared to healthy controls. Particularly, high abundance of Escherichia-Shigella was associated with the disease group based on analyses using receiver operating characteristic (area under curve, 0.837; 95% CI, 0.738–0.914), principle coordinates, and the linear discriminant analysis effect size algorithm (linear discriminant analysis score, 4.56; p < 0.001). Accordingly, the bacterial levels directly correlated with high titers of plasma GdIgA1(r = 0.36, p < 0.001), and patients had higher IgA1 against stx2(2.88 ± 0.46 IU/mL vs. 1.34 ± 0.35 IU/mL, p = 0.03), the main antigen of Escherichia-Shigella. Conversely, the healthy controls showed relatively higher abundance of the commensal bacteria that produce IgA-degrading proteases. Particularly, the abundance of some intestinal bacteria expressing IgA proteases showed an inverse correlation with the levels of plasma GdIgA1 in IgAN.ConclusionOur data suggest that mucosal IgA production, including those of GdIgA1, is potentially linked to the humoral response to gut Escherichia-Shigella as one of the sources of plasma GdIgA1. Conversely, the IgA protease-producing microbiota in the gut are suppressed in patients with IgAN.

BackgroundThere are limited studies exploring the relationship between physical activity (PA), cognitive function, and the brain processing characteristics in healthy older adults.MethodsA total of 41 participants (42.7 ± 20.5 years, 56.1% males) were included in the data analysis. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form was used to assess PA levels, and the Chinese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Basic and the Flanker task were employed to evaluate cognitive function. Furthermore, fMRI technology was utilized to examine brain activation patterns.ResultsThe cognitive function of the older adults was found to be significantly lower compared to the young adults. Within the older adults, those with high levels of PA exhibited significantly higher cognitive function than those with low and medium PA levels. The fMRI data showed significant differences in brain activation patterns among young adults across the different PA levels. However, such difference was not observed among older adults.ConclusionA decline in cognitive function was observed among older adults. There was a significant correlation between the levels of PA and cognitive function in healthy older adults. The study demonstrated significant effects of PA levels on brain activation patterns in inhibitory control-related regions among young adults, while not significant among older adults. The findings suggest that neurological mechanisms driving the relationship between PA and cognitive function may differ between older and young adults.

Herpes zoster (HZ), also known as shingles, remains a significant global health issue and most commonly seen in elderly individuals with an early exposure history to varicella-zoster virus (VZV). Currently, the licensed vaccine Shingrix, which comprises a recombinant VZV glycoprotein E (gE) formulated with a potent adjuvant AS01B, is the most effective shingles vaccine on the market. However, undesired reactogenicity and increasing global demand causing vaccine shortage, prompting the development of novel shingles vaccines. Here, we developed novel vaccine candidates utilising multiple nanoparticle (NP) platforms to display the recombinant gE antigen, formulated in an MF59-biosimilar adjuvant. In naïve mice, all tested NP vaccines induced higher humoral and cellular immune responses than Shingrix, among which, the gEM candidate induced the highest cellular response. In live attenuated VZV (VZV LAV)-primed mouse and rhesus macaque models, the gEM candidate elicited superior cell-mediated immunity (CMI) over Shingrix. Collectively, we demonstrated that NP technology remains a suitable tool for developing shingles vaccine, and the reported gEM construct is a highly promising candidate in the next-generation shingles vaccine development.

BackgroundPathologically, metabolic disorder plays a crucial role in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). However, there is no conclusive evidence lipid metabolite levels to PCOS risk.MethodsIn this study, genome-wide association study (GWAS) genetic data for 122 lipid metabolites were used to assign instrumental variables (IVs). PCOS GWAS were derived from a large-scale meta-analysis of 10,074 PCOS cases and 103,164 controls. An inverse variance weighted (IVW) analysis was the primary methodology used for Mendelian randomization (MR). For sensitivity analyses, Cochran Q test, MR-Egger intercept, MR-PRESSO, leave-one-out analysis,and Steiger test were performed. Furthermore, we conducted replication analysis, meta-analysis, and metabolic pathway analysis. Lastly, reverse MR analysis was used to determine whether the onset of PCOS affected lipid metabolites.ResultsThis study detected the blood lipid metabolites and potential metabolic pathways that have a genetic association with PCOS onset. After IVW, sensitivity analyses, replication and meta-analysis, two pathogenic lipid metabolites of PCOS were finally identified: Hexadecanedioate (OR=1.85,95%CI=1.27–2.70, P=0.001) and Dihomo-linolenate (OR=2.45,95%CI=1.30–4.59, P=0.005). Besides, It was found that PCOS may be mediated by unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and primary bile acid biosynthesis metabolic pathways. Reverse MR analysis showed the causal association between PCOS and 2-tetradecenoyl carnitine at the genetic level (OR=1.025, 95% CI=1.003–1.048, P=0.026).ConclusionGenetic evidence suggests a causal relationship between hexadecanedioate and dihomo-linolenate and the risk of PCOS. These compounds could potentially serve as metabolic biomarkers for screening PCOS and selecting drug targets. The identification of these metabolic pathways is valuable in guiding the exploration of the pathological mechanisms of PCOS, although further studies are necessary for confirmation.