Search

Background and Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) poses a considerable health risk. Nevertheless, its risk factors are not thoroughly comprehended, and the association between the reticulocyte count and MASLD remains uncertain. This study aimed to explore the relationship between reticulocyte count and MASLD.Methods: A total of 310,091 individuals from the UK Biobank were included in this cross-sectional study, and 7,316 individuals were included in this prospective study. The cross-sectional analysis categorized reticulocyte count into quartiles, considering the sample distribution. Logistic regression models examined the connection between reticulocyte count and MASLD. In the prospective analysis, Cox analysis was utilized to investigate the association.Results: Our study findings indicate a significant association between higher reticulocyte count and an elevated risk of MASLD in both the cross-sectional and prospective analyses. In the cross-sectional analysis, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of MASLD increased stepwise over reticulocyte count quartiles (quartile 2: OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.17–1.28, p < 0.001; quartile 3: OR 1.44; 95% CI 1.38–1.51, p < 0.001; quartile 4: OR 1.66, 95% CI 1.59–1.74, p < 0.001). The results of prospective analyses were similar.Conclusion: Increased reticulocyte count was independently associated with a higher risk of MASLD. This discovery offers new insights into the potential of reticulocytes as biomarkers for MASLD.

Abstract Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are safe and efficacious treatments for advanced primary liver cancer (PLC). The efficacy of different ICIs in the treatment of liver cancer remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore whether there is a difference in the efficacy and safety of various programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors in combination with lenvatinib in the treatment of unresectable PLC. Patients with PLC treated with lenvatinib in combination with PD-1 inhibitors (camrelizumab, tislelizumab, sintilimab, or pembrolizumab) between January 2018 and December 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. Tumor response, adverse events, and grades were evaluated. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to compare the overall survival and progression-free survival of patients treated with different PD-1 inhibitors. Cox regression analysis was used for univariate and multivariate analyses to identify clinical variables related to treatment efficacy. This study included a total of 176 patients who received a combination of lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitors. Of these, 103 patients received camrelizumab, 44 received tislelizumab, 20 received sintilimab, and 9 received pembrolizumab. There was no significant difference in the pairwise comparison of camrelizumab, tislelizumab, sintilimab, and pembrolizumab using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Adverse events occurred in 40 (22.7%) patients (grade ≥ 3, 2.3%). The incidence of grade 3 adverse events among the four PD-1 inhibitor groups was below 5%. Camrelizumab, tislelizumab, sintilimab, and pembrolizumab are viable options for patients with unresectable PLC. These PD-1 inhibitors in combination with lenvatinib showed good safety profiles. The results guide selecting treatment for patients with unresectable PLC.

Abstract Background & aims Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) play an increasingly important role in the treatment of primary liver cancer (PLC). Some patients with PLC experience symptoms of splenomegaly. Splenomegaly may affect the efficacy of ICIs due to an imbalance of the immune microenvironment. Currently, there is a lack of evidence on the relationship between splenomegaly and prognosis in patients with PLC treated with ICIs. This study analyzed the relationship between splenomegaly and prognosis in patients with PLC treated with ICIs. Methods In this retrospective cohort study of 161 patients with PLC treated with ICIs, splenomegaly was diagnosed using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging and the impact of splenomegaly on patient survival was analyzed. Results Through univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, we determined that splenomegaly was associated with shortened overall survival (p = 0.002) and progression‐free survival (p = 0.013) in patients with PLC treated with ICIs. Kaplan–Meier analysis further validated our results. The overall survival and progression‐free survival of patients with splenomegaly were significantly shorter than those of patients without splenomegaly (p

Background and aim: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are widely used in the treatment of liver cancer. However, the interaction with other drugs may change the efficacy of ICIs. Few studies investigated the effects of antibiotics (ATBs) on the efficacy of immunotherapy and the survival of patients with primary liver cancer receiving immunotherapy. This study aimed to explore the impact of ATBs on the efficacy of immunotherapy in patients with primary liver cancer. Methods: In total, 215 patients with primary liver cancer who received ICIs from June 2018 to October 2020 were included for retrospective analysis. The progression-free survival (PFS), disease control rate (DCR), and overall survival (OS) were compared between patients treated with and without ATBs within 30 days before and after immunotherapy. Results: No significant differences in PFS (P = 0.376) and OS (P = 0.121) were found between patients treated with and without ATBs. Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that using ATBs was not associated with PFS, DCR, and OS. Conclusion: The use of ATBs within 30 days before and after immunotherapy in patients with primary liver cancer had no adverse effects on PFS, DCR, and OS.

Abstract Background Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have been used to successfully treat primary liver cancer (PLC); however, identifying modifiable patient factors associated with therapeutic benefits is challenging. Obesity is known to be associated with increased survival after ICI treatment; however, the relationship between body composition (muscle, fat) and outcomes is unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the association between sarcopenia and CT-derived fat content and the prognosis of ICIs for the treatment of PLC. Methods In this retrospective cohort study of 172 patients with PLC, we measured the skeletal muscle index (SMI), skeletal muscle density, visceral adipose tissue index, subcutaneous adipose tissue index, total adipose tissue index (TATI), and visceral-to-subcutaneous adipose tissue area ratio using CT. In addition, we analyzed the impact of body composition on the prognosis of the patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to screen for influencing factors. Results Among the seven body composition components, low SMI (sarcopenia) and low TATI were significantly associated with poor clinical outcomes. Multivariate analysis revealed that sarcopenia (hazard ratio [HR], 5.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.74–16.74; p = 0.004) was a significant predictor of overall survival (OS). Kaplan–Meier curves showed that sarcopenia and TATI were significant predictors of OS. Body mass index was not associated with survival outcomes. Conclusions Sarcopenia and fat tissue content appear to be independently associated with reduced survival rates in patients with PLC treated with ICIs.

Abstract Background Dyslipidemia is a significant contributor to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Research on the relationship between breakfast consumption frequency and dyslipidemia in the working population is lacking. Therefore, we aimed to investigate this relationship based on a retrospective cohort study of a large working population in China. Methods This retrospective cohort study used data from the physical examinations and questionnaire survey of working participants at Nanfang Hospital from January 20, 2015 to October 16, 2020. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore the relationship between breakfast consumption frequency and dyslipidemia in this working population (n = 7644). Results The prevalence of dyslipidemia among the participants was 26.4%. The univariate logistic regression test showed that the breakfast consumption frequency was inversely correlated with dyslipidemia. After adjusting for multiple factors, such as sex, age, body mass index, hypertension, hyperuricaemia, diabetes, smoking status, alcohol consumption, education level, marital status, long-term exposure to kitchen oil fumes, attending business dinners, and sleep time, it was found that breakfast consumption remained inversely associated with dyslipidaemia. The odds ratio for daily breakfast consumption was 0.466 (95% confidence interval 0.283–0.770, P = 0.003). After adjusting for confounding factors, we found that the higher the frequency of breakfast consumption, the lower the odds ratios for hypertriglyceridaemia. Conclusions This study demonstrated that breakfast consumption frequency was inversely correlated with dyslipidemia. The higher the frequency of breakfast, the lower the risk of hypertriglyceridaemia. This study provides a basis on which dietary suggestions for the working population and lifestyle guidance for patients with a clinical need to prevent dyslipidemia can be made.

In this study, a trisodium citrate (TSC)-assisted hydrothermal method is utilized to prepare three-dimensional hydroxyapatite (3D HA). Understanding the role of TSC in the preparation of 3D HA crystals may provide valuable methods to design advanced biomaterials. As one of the indexes of solution supersaturation, the initial pH (ipH) value can not only directly affect the nucleation rate, but also affect the growth of HA crystals. In this work, the effect of the ipH on the microstructure, particle size distribution, and specific surface area of the 3D HA is explored. Results showed that the morphology of 3D HA transformed from a bundle to a dumbbell ball and then a dumbbell with an increase in the ipH. A corresponding mechanism of such a structural evolution was proposed, providing inspiration for the fabrication of innovative 3D HA structures with enhanced biological functionality and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the basic principle of biomineralization, hydroxyapatite fiber (HAF) with high crystallinity was fabricated via a hydrothermal route with Ca(NO3)2·4H2O and (NH4)2HPO4 as the resources, respectively. Effects of the addition of acidic amino acid L-glutamic acid (Glu), neutral amino acid L-phenylalanine (Phe) and basic amino acid L-lysine (Lys) on the phase composition and morphology of the obtained products were laid special emphasis on. The results show that the products obtained by using the three amino acids are all hydroxyapatite (HA) phase with minor CaCO3 in some samples. Meanwhile, all of the amino acids inhibit the growth of the fibers. Spherical morphology exists when Glu is added, the homogeneity of the fibers deteriorates with the addition of Lys. However, rod-like fibers with good uniformity can be obtained with the addition of Phe.

An oleic acid-assisted solvothermal method has been utilized to prepare hydroxyapatite (HA) nanofibers with a high flexibility and aspect ratio. Understanding the role of oleic acid in the synthesis of HA may provide effective routes for the design of advanced biomaterials. The concentration of OH− ions ([OH−]) has a great impact on the reaction system, which in turn affects the nucleation and crystal growth of HA. In this work, the effect of oleic acid on the morphology and structure of the as-prepared products under different concentrations of NaOH was investigated by XRD, FTIR and FE-SEM. The formation process of HA was also explored to better explain the role of oleic acid based on structured characteristics and morphology evolution. These results showed that oleic acid molecules absorbed on the surface of HA would effectively induce a one-dimensional crystal growth, even if the crystal growth habit had been changed under different [OH−]. For [OH−] < 1.50 M, [OH−]-responsive oleic acid and its corresponding behavior as a pH buffer can regulate pH at a relatively constant value. Besides, the flexible ultralong HA nanofibers can be formed at [OH−] = 1.25–1.50 M, while the crystallite size and preferred growth along the c-axis were both improved with an increase in [OH−] added. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium phosphates (Ca-P) represent a significant class of biological minerals found in natural hard tissues. Crystallization through phase transformation of a metastable precursor is an effective strategy to guide the growth of crystalline Ca-P with exceptional functionality. Despite extensive research on Ca-P, the exact process during the crystallization of amorphous particles to hydroxyapatite (HA) remains elusive. Herein, pure HA microspheres with a core-shell structure are crystallized via dissolution and re-crystallization of smooth amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) microspheres. The transformation is initiated with the increase of the hydrothermal treatment time in the presence of sodium trimetaphosphate and l-glutamic. The underlying mechanisms along with the kinetics of such transformation are explored. Nanocrystalline areas are formed on the smooth ACP microspheres and crystallization advances via nanometre-sized clusters formed by directional arrangement of nanocrystalline whiskers. Our findings shed light on a crucial but unclear stage in the genesis of HA crystals, specifically under the conditions of hydrothermal synthesis., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)

Catalysts used for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are crucial to fuel cells. However, the development of novel catalysts possessing high activity at a low cost is very challenging. Recently, extensive research has indicated that nitrogen-doped carbon materials, which include nonprecious metals as well as metal-based oxides, can be used as excellent candidates for the ORR. Here, Co/Co 3 O 4 @N-doped carbon (NC) with a low cost and highly stable performance is utilized as an ORR electrocatalyst through the pyrolysis of an easily prepared physical mixture containing a cobalt-based zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF-67 precursor) and biomass materials from poplar flowers. Compared with the pure ZIF-derived counterpart (Co@NC) and PL-bio-C, the as-synthesized electrocatalysts show significantly enhanced ORR activities. The essential roles of doped atoms (ZIF-67 precursor) in improving the ORR activities are discussed. Depending mainly on the formation of Co-Co 3 O 4 active sites and abundant nitrogen-containing groups, the resulting Co/Co 3 O 4 @NC catalyst exhibits good electroactivity (onset and half-wave potentials: E onset = 0.94 V and E 1/2 = 0.85 V, respectively, and a small Tafel slope of 90 mV dec -1 ) compared to Co@NC and PL-bio-C and follows the 4-electron pathway with good stability and methanol resistance. The results of this study provide a reference for exploring cobalt-based N-doped biomass carbon for energy conversion and storage applications., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts to declare., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)