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Vivian Andoh,1,* Dickson Kofi Wiredu Ocansey,2,3,* Hassan Naveed,1 Naijian Wang,4 Liang Chen,1 Keping Chen,1 Fei Mao2 1School of Life Sciences, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, People’s Republic of China; 2Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College, Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China; 3Directorate of University Health Services, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Central Region, CC0959347, Ghana; 4Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China*The first two authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Fei Mao, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Lianyungang Clinical College, Jiangsu University, Lianyungang, Jiangsu, 222006, People’s Republic of China, Tel/Fax +86 511 8503 8215, Email maofei2003@ujs.edu.cnAbstract: The relentless pursuit of effective cancer diagnosis and treatment strategies has led to the rapidly expanding field of nanotechnology, with a specific focus on nanocomposites. Nanocomposites, a combination of nanomaterials with diverse properties, have emerged as versatile tools in oncology, offering multifunctional platforms for targeted delivery, imaging, and therapeutic interventions. Nanocomposites exhibit great potential for early detection and accurate imaging in cancer diagnosis. Integrating various imaging modalities, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and fluorescence imaging, into nanocomposites enables the development of contrast agents with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Moreover, functionalizing nanocomposites with targeting ligands ensures selective accumulation in tumor tissues, facilitating precise imaging and diagnostic accuracy. On the therapeutic front, nanocomposites have revolutionized cancer treatment by overcoming traditional challenges associated with drug delivery. The controlled release of therapeutic agents from nanocomposite carriers enhances drug bioavailability, reduces systemic toxicity, and improves overall treatment efficacy. Additionally, the integration of stimuli-responsive components within nanocomposites enables site-specific drug release triggered by the unique microenvironment of the tumor. Despite the remarkable progress in the field, challenges such as biocompatibility, scalability, and long-term safety profiles remain. This article provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments, challenges, and prospects, emphasizing the transformative potential of nanocomposites in revolutionizing the landscape of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. In Conclusion, integrating nanocomposites in cancer diagnosis and treatment heralds a new era for precision medicine. Keywords: nanocomposites, cancer, diagnosis, therapy, nanoparticles, theranostic

Hao Wu, Yan Na Shen, Zhongxiao Wu, Feng Mao, You Gang Ren, Li Zhang Department of Dermatology, Ningbo No 6 Hospital, Ningbo, 315040, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Li Zhang, Email lishay1022@hotmail.comAbstract: Although the use of biologics has led to great improvement in psoriasis patients, the treatment of psoriasis during pregnancy still faces many challenges. We herein report on a 29-year-old pregnant woman treated with ustekinumab for generalized pustular psoriasis. Upon becoming pregnant, the woman underwent continued treatment with ustekinumab in the first trimester. We also considered the need for neonatal vaccination. The patient discontinued ustekinumab therapy in the second trimester, and during the period of drug discontinuation we noted a slight rash recurrence. The patient was treated with ultraviolet B phototherapy and topical corticosteroids, and the rash was localized to the abdomen. However, in the 27th week of pregnancy, the patient was infected with COVID-19, which made the condition worse. The rash erupted rapidly and spread throughout her body, and she experienced a high fever with her blood count showing augmented numbers of white blood cells. The patients self-administered 0.3 g of acetaminophen three times per day, and after four days her core body temperature was 38.0°C; the rash, however, did not diminish. We diagnosed an outbreak of generalized pustular psoriasis and treated the patient with ustekinumab. The rash resolved quickly, and a healthy newborn was delivered by caesarean section at 39 weeks.Keywords: Ustekinumab, interleukin-12/-23, generalized pustular psoriasis, pregnancy, COVID-19

Zhe Wang, Ying Zhong, Yidong Zhou, Feng Mao, Xiaohui Zhang, Changjun Wang, Qiang Sun Department of Breast Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, 100730, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Qiang Sun, Email sunqpumch@163.comPurpose: This study aimed to assess the effect of comorbidities on prognosis using the Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI) among the elderly with breast cancer (BC).Methods: This study included 745 patients divided into two groups following the ACCI score (≤ 3 vs > 3). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted for all kinds of outcomes, including BC-specific death (BCSD) and non-breast cancer-specific death (NBCSD). The Kaplan–Meier curves were plotted, and survival analysis was conducted for disease-free survival (DFS), overall survival (OS), BC-specific survival (BCSS), and non-BCSS (NBCSS).Results: A significantly higher NBCSD was found in the high-score (ACCI > 3) group than in the low-score (ACCI < 3) group (p = 0.032). The multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed ACCI score as an independent affecting factor for all-cause death (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.22– 0.83, p = 0.012) and NBCSD (HR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.20– 0.87, p = 0.020). The Kaplan–Meier curves revealed statistical differences only in NBCSS between the two groups (p = 0.039). Subgroup analysis revealed a worse prognosis in the high-score group for OS and NBCSS among hormone receptor-positive participants and those who without undergoing axillary dissection or receiving chemotherapy (all p < 0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed ACCI as an independent prognostic predictor for OS (HR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.22– 3.92, p = 0.009) and NBCSS (HR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.02– 4.08, p = 0.044).Conclusion: ACCI was indeed an effective indicator of the effects of comorbidities on survival among elderly patients with BC. However, the co-effect from age and comorbidities was not significant enough on cancer-specific prognosis, although it exerted a significant effect on treatments received.Keywords: comorbidity, elderly, breast cancer, Age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index, prognosis

Zhuowei Gong, Dayuan Lao, Fang Huang, Sirao Lv, Fengping Mao, Wen Huang Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Wen Huang, Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 Shuangyong Road, Nanning, Guangxi, 530021, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-771-5356504, Email hwen1229@163.comPurpose: Disturbance of consciousness is common in patients with severe anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis. However, little is known about it. This study aimed to analyze the clinical manifestations and prognostic factors of anti-NMDAR encephalitis with disturbance of consciousness.Methods: In this retrospective study, the clinical features, treatment results, and long-term outcomes of anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients with disturbance of consciousness were analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the factors affecting their prognosis.Results: In the group with disturbance of consciousness, the incidences of seizures, involuntary movements, pulmonary infection, mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), abnormal cerebrospinal fluid index, plasma exchange, and immunosuppressive therapy were higher than those in the group without disturbance of consciousness (all P< 0.05). During the follow-up period (median: 36 months, range: 12– 78 months), the modified Rankin scale (mRS) score, the maximum mRS score during hospitalization, the mRS score at discharge, and the mRS score at 12 months after discharge were higher in the disturbance of consciousness group (all P < 0.001). However, there was no significant difference in long-term outcomes and recurrence between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that mechanical ventilation, elevated IgG index, and delayed immunotherapy were independent risk factors for poor outcomes in patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis with disturbance of consciousness at 12 months (odds ratio: 22.591, 39.868, 1.195). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of mechanical ventilation, elevated IgG index, and delayed immunotherapy was 0.971 (95% CI=0.934– 1.000, P< 0.001).Conclusion: Mechanical ventilation, elevated IgG index, and delayed immunotherapy may be the influencing factors of poor prognosis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis patients with disturbance of consciousness. Although their condition is relatively serious, most patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis with disturbance of consciousness will achieve favorable long-term outcomes after long-term treatment.Keywords: anti-NMDAR encephalitis, disturbance of consciousness, severity of disease, prognosis

Hao Wu, Yanna Shen, Li Zhang, Mouzhe Yang, Yougang Ren, Feng Mao, Zhongxiao Wu Department of Dermatology, Ningbo No.6 Hospital, Ningbo, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Zhongxiao Wu, Department of Dermatology, Ningbo No.6 Hospital, No. 1059, Zhongshan East Road, Ningbo, People’s Republic of China, Email 2016123801@jou.edu.cnAbstract: Psoriasis is relatively common in clinical practice, whereas niacin deficiency is relatively rare. We describe the clinical case of a patient with plaque psoriasis for over 20 years who also had a concomitant latent tuberculosis infection. After secukinumab and anti-tuberculosis treatment for 1 year, the psoriatic rash mostly resolved, but atypical symptoms of niacin deficiency suddenly appeared. The patient’s symptoms rapidly subsided after experimental treatment with niacin. After 2 weeks, the patient suddenly developed an erythroderma-like rash, manifesting as large areas of erythema and plaque psoriasis throughout the body. The patient was admitted to the hospital and treated with an anti-inflammatory, biologic adalimumab, tripterygium glycoside, and sodium thiosulfate. The patient was discharged after a week. This case suggests the need for caution and to look out for the emergence of new symptoms when treating patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis, especially with biologics.Keywords: psoriasis, niacin deficiency, case report

We report an investigation of artificial pit growth (APG) in P355QL2 Grade Carbon Steel in the highly alkaline, synthetic concrete pore solution [sat. Ca(OH)2/NaOH of pH of 13.5] + 0.5 M NaCl under both “oxic” and “anoxic” environmental conditions. The corrosion potential of the external surface, as well as the coupling currents flowing between the external surface and the pit tip and pit walls of the segmented carbon steel specimens under the selected conditions, were measured as a function of time and pit aspect ratio. The findings were interpreted in terms of the Differential Aeration Hypothesis (DAH).

Fang Huang, Yu Wu, Weidong Nong, Fengping Mao, Xiaoli Cao, Wen Huang, Jinou Zheng Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Wen Huang; Jinou Zheng, Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, No. 6 shuangyong Road, Qingxiu District, Nanning, 530021, Guangxi, People’s Republic of China, Tel +86-18277197957; 86-13977166059, Email hwen1229@163.com; jinouzheng@163.comPurpose: This retrospective study aimed to investigate the relationship between clinical characteristics, seizure outcomes, and the potential factors influencing the withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in adult patients with symptomatic seizures secondary to neuronal surface antibody (NSAb)-associated autoimmune encephalitis (AE).Patients and Methods: Eighty-one patients (age ≥ 18 years) diagnosed with NSAb-associated AE were included in this retrospective study. After at least 1 year of follow-up, clinical details, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, electroencephalography (EEG) data, cerebrospinal fluid parameters, and the therapeutic outcomes were analyzed. Patients who needed long-term AEDs to control seizures were divided into two groups (withdrawal ≤ 1 year and withdrawal > 1 year). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors affecting the AEDs’ withdrawal in patients with seizures secondary to NSAb-associated AE.Results: During the 12-month follow-up after AEDs’ withdrawal, 28 (44.4%) patients among the 63 patients who needed long-term AEDs stopped AEDs within 1 year, while 35 (55.6%) patients continued AEDs treatment. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that delayed immunotherapy, status epilepticus (SE), and elevated intrathecal Immunoglobulin G synthesis rate of 24 hours (24-h intrathecal IgG) were independent risk factors for delayed withdrawal in patients with seizure secondary to NSAb-associated AE (odds ratios: 1.129, 6.497, 3.415, P< 0.05). The receiver operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of delayed immunotherapy, SE, and elevated 24-h intrathecal IgG was 0.816 (95% CI=0.711– 0.921, P< 0.001).Conclusion: Delayed immunotherapy, status epilepticus and elevated 24-hour intrathecal IgG synthesis rate are the factors that may influence the decision to delay AEDs’ withdrawal.Keywords: autoimmune encephalitis, GABA(BR), LGI1, NMDAR, prognosis, seizure

Xinwei Xu,1,&ast; Jintu Huang,2,&ast; Dickson Kofi Wiredu Ocansey,1,3 Yuxuan Xia,1 Zihan Zhao,1 Zhiwei Xu,1 Yongmin Yan,1 Xu Zhang,1 Fei Mao1 1Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212013, People’s Republic of China; 2Clinical Laboratory Department, The People’s Hospital of Danyang, Affiliated Danyang Hospital of Nantong University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, 212300, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Clinical Laboratory Diagnostics, Directorate of University Health Services, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Fei MaoKey Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, Jiangsu, People’s Republic of ChinaTel/Fax +86 511 8503 8215Email maofei2003@ujs.edu.cnAbstract: Methylation, first proposed in DNAs, but later found in RNAs, serves as one of the most widespread epigenetic modifications in eukaryotes, where N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification has been found to play an important role in a variety of cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). Under the action of various enzymes and proteins, the regulatory role of m6A in RNAs and immune cells has also been gradually realized. This paper reviews the general biogenesis and effects of m6A, and its emerging crucial role in intestinal mucosal immunity via the regulation of RNAs and immune cells, and thus closely related to the occurrence and development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and CRC. m6A-related genes and regulatory factors are expected to be potential predictive markers and therapeutic targets.Keywords: N6-methyladenosine, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, non-coding RNA, intestinal mucosal immunity

It is significant to note that 50% of patients with sepsis show cardiac insufficiency. Ginsenoside-Rg1 (G-Rg1) has been shown to have a cardiovascular protective effect. However, whether G-Rg1 is involved in the mechanism of action of sepsis-induced myocardial damage (SIMD) is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the protective effect of G-Rg1 on SIMD and to further investigate its mechanism and mechanisms of regulation of downstream pathways. An in vivo model of sepsis was established in mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP), and mice was administered intraperitoneally 35 or 70 mg/kg G-Rg1 after surgery. The damage to cardiac tissue was detected by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Forkhead transcription factor O subfamily member 3a (FOXO3A) in SIMD mice was detected by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis in mouse myocardial tissue was determined by TUNEL staining. The effect of G-Rg1 on SIMD cardiomyocytes was evaluated by incubating the cells with lipopolysaccharide to induce inflammation as an in vitro model of SIMD. Cardiomyocyte viability and apoptosis were evaluated by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and flow cytometry. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), and Fe2+ markers of heart damage were detected by the kit. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-a) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1ß) in heart tissue and H9c2 cells were determined by ELISA. The factors related to the focal adhesion kinase (FAK)/protein kinase B (AKT)-FOXO3A signaling pathway were determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot. High-dose G-Rg1 had a significant inhibitory effect on SIMD mouse model and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced H9c2 cardiomyocytes, reducing serum levels of LDH, CK-MB, and cTnI concentrations, which effectively alleviated SIMD. G-Rg1 restored the abnormally elevated levels of TNF-a, IL-1ß, and iron ions and promoted the expression of antiapoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression, inhibiting apoptosis and inflammatory responses. In addition, G-Rg1 reversed the inhibitory effect of G-Rg1 on LPS-induced H9c2 cardiomyocyte injury through activation of the FAK/AKT signaling pathway and up-regulation of FOXO3A. G-Rg1 promoted the activation of the FAK/AKT signaling pathway and up-regulation of the protein expression levels of pathway-associated proteins, p-FAK and p-AKT. Therefore, G-Rg1 mediated the FAK/AKT-FOXO3A signaling pathway and played a role in the treatment of SIMD. We conclude that G-Rg1 inhibited apoptosis and inflammation of cardiomyocytes induced by sepsis and reduced iron ion levels by regulating FAK/AKT-FOXO3A signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multifunctional integration is the basic feature of artificial superhydrophobic coatings widely used in many fields. This paper presents a simple and economical experimental method to prepare a super hydrophobic coating with super strong corrosion resistance by spraying a mixed solution composed of epoxy resin (EP) as the base, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), sericite (SER), nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) and octadecyl trimethoxysilane (ODTMS) on an aluminum substrate. Firstly, the superhydrophobic property of the coating prepared in this experiment is better than that of the ordinary coating, and its contact angle reaches 167.3° and rolling angle is as low as 2.7°. Secondly, the superhydrophobic coating can not only maintain the superhydrophobic property in harsh environment (such as: soaking in boiling water for 10 hours, soaking in acid, alkali and salt solution for 7 days, high temperature, burning and strong ultraviolet irradiation, etc.), but also can withstand a variety of mechanical damage without losing the superhydrophobic property (such as: 1000 sandpaper wear cycles, 100 tape stripping cycles and 1000 g grit sustained impact). In addition, the excellent non-wettability of superhydrophobic coating can make it have excellent performance in the field of selfcleaning and anti-fouling. It is worth mentioning that the electrochemical workstation experiment proved that the coating also has good corrosion resistance, and the anticorrosion efficiency reached 99.924%. This strong superhydrophobic coating has many functions, such as self-cleaning, antifouling and corrosion prevention, and will have good application prospects in many fields in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Xu Zhang,1,2,* Peng Zhang,1,* Meng Shao,1 Xueyan Zang,1 Jiayin Zhang,1 Fei Mao,1 Hui Qian,1,2 Wenrong Xu1,2 1Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China; 2Zhenjiang Key Laboratory of Gastrointestinal Cancer, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, China *These authors contributed equally to this work Background: Increasing evidence suggests that SALL4 plays oncogenic roles in cancer development and progression. We have previously shown that SALL4 is highly expressed in gastric cancer, and its upregulation is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor prognosis. The role of SALL4 in gastric cancer metastasis and the underlying mechanism remain unclear.Materials and methods: The biological roles of SALL4 in gastric cancer cell mobility, migration, and invasion were investigated by wound healing, transwell migration assay, and Matrigel invasion assay. The effects of SALL4 on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) in gastric cancer cells were examined by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. The downstream target genes of SALL4 were identified by microarray. The regulation of TGF-β1 by SALL4 in gastric cancer cells was analyzed by luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay.Results: SALL4 knockdown inhibited, while SALL4 overexpression promoted the motility, migration, and invasion abilities of gastric cancer cells in vitro. SALL4 knockdown also suppressed the peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer cells in nude mice. SALL4 knockdown suppressed, while SALL4 overexpression induced the activation of TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway and triggered EMT in gastric cancer cells. TGF-β1 was identified as a direct target gene of SALL4. The results of chromatin immunoprecipitation study and luciferase reporter assay further confirmed that SALL4 bound to the promoter of TGF-β1 gene and activated its expression. TGF-β1 knockdown reversed SALL4-mediated promotion of gastric cancer cell motility, migration, and invasion, indicating that TGF-β1 acts as a downstream effector of SALL4. Furthermore, the expression of TGF-β1 was found to be closely associated with that of SALL4 in gastric cancer tissues.Conclusion: SALL4 promotes the metastasis of gastric cancer, at least partly, by directly activating TGF-β1, suggesting that SALL4 may serve as a new target for gastric cancer therapy. Keywords: gastric cancer, SALL4, TGF-β1, EMT, metastasis

In this paper, from the perspective of improving the durability of superhydrophobic coatings, a strong and durable superhydrophobic coating was prepared by a simple spray method. The coating has good chemical stability and mechanical durability. After soaking in aqueous solution with pH value of 1 and 14 for 30 hours and 24 hours respectively, the contact angle is 139.8 ° and 143.5 °respectively. After 90 times of abrasion, the contact angle is still 148 ° and the coating shows excellent self-cleaning and antifouling properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]