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Smart construction technology offers fresh avenues for advancing the field of civil engineering. It seamlessly integrates across the entire life cycle of civil engineering projects, encompassing planning, design, construction, and maintenance, thereby fundamentally reshaping the landscape of civil engineering development. Nonetheless, it is essential to recognize that, presently, smart construction’s developmental stage remains relatively nascent. Its progression is subject to a myriad of adoption barriers, and the complex dynamics of their interactions remain insufficiently understood. Therefore, this study aims to (1) explore the barriers to the adoption of smart construction; (2) analyze the impact level of each barrier; and the interaction mechanism between the barriers (3) propose effective strategies to promote the development of smart construction. This study commences by identifying 16 major impediments to the adoption of smart construction through a comprehensive synthesis of existing literature and expert interviews. Subsequently, Euclidean similarity analysis is employed to harmonize varying expert assessments. Following this, the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory model is utilized to ascertain the degree of influence associated with each barrier. Further, the Interpretive Structural Model is employed to establish a hierarchical framework that illuminates the interdependencies among these barriers. Additionally, the Matrice d’Impacts Croisés Multiplication Appliqués à un Classement method is invoked to elucidate the roles and statuses of each barrier. Finally, strategies are proposed based on the results of the analysis. This study offers practical strategies for overcoming barriers and driving the adoption of smart construction, filling a critical gap in understanding by identifying key barriers and providing actionable insights, thus significantly advancing the field and empowering stakeholders for successful implementation and dissemination.

Green innovation is pivotal for global sustainability, with state-owned capital playing a significant role, especially in the Chinese corporate landscape. This study, spanning 2008 to 2020 and leveraging a comprehensive dataset of listed companies, explores the intricate relationship between state-owned capital and the quality of green innovation in Chinese private enterprises. Motivated by the imperative to address crucial issues in green innovation quality in China, this research utilizes empirical data to uncover the mechanisms through which state-owned capital fosters green innovation. The study reveals how state-owned capital optimizes internal governance structures and reinforces environmental consciousness within private firms. Findings underscore the crucial role of state-owned capital in enhancing the quality of green innovation in private enterprises, operating through two primary mechanisms. Firstly, state-owned capital cultivates a heightened inclination towards green innovation within these firms. Secondly, it facilitates the adoption of enhanced internal governance practices, catalyzing the development of high-quality green innovation projects. A battery of mechanism tests provides robust evidence that state-owned capital enhances environmental awareness, restrains self-serving behaviors among major shareholders, mitigates financing constraints, and amplifies the motivation and capability of private enterprises for green innovation. This multifaceted approach ultimately fosters high-quality green innovation within companies. The study reveals the subtle interplay between state capital and private sector green innovation, highlighting its relevance to policymaking and practical considerations. It provides valuable insights into the ongoing pursuit of sustainability and the integration of green practices into the corporate world.

Abstract Objective This study aims to assess the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection at the household level in Hainan Province in China and identify the factors that contribute to its spread. The findings of this study have significant implications for public health prevention strategies in the Hainan region. Methods A total of 421 families, comprising 1355 individuals, were tested for Hp infection across five cities in Hainan Province between July 2021 and April 2022. The study utilized questionnaires that included questions about personal characteristics, household shared lifestyle and dietary habits, and potential pathways of Hp infection in children to identify potential factors linked to household Hp infection and transmission patterns. Results The prevalence of Hp infection on an individual basis was 46.72% (629/1355), with age ≥ 20 years, being married and having junior secondary education and above as risk factors for Hp infection. The prevalence of Hp infection in households was 80.29% (338/421), household size of 5, 6 and above were risk factors for Hp infection with Odds Ratios (ORs) of 4.09 (1.17–14.33) and 15.19 (2.01–114.73), respectively, household income ≥ 100,000 yuan and drinking boiled water from a tap source were protective factors for Hp infection with ORs of 0.52 (0.31–0.89) and 0.51 (0.28–0.95), respectively. The prevalence of Hp infection among minors in the household was 24.89% (58/233), with paternal infection and maternal infection as risk factors for child infection, with ORs of 2.93 (1.29–6.62) and 2.51 (1.07–5.89), respectively. Conclusion Hp infection was prevalent among Hainan families, and interaction with infected family members may be the primary cause of transmission.

Abstract DNA is a universal and programmable signal of living organisms. Here we develop cell-based DNA sensors by engineering the naturally competent bacterium Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) to detect specific DNA sequences in the environment. The DNA sensor strains can identify diverse bacterial species including major human pathogens with high specificity. Multiplexed detection of genomic DNA from different species in complex samples can be achieved by coupling the sensing mechanism to orthogonal fluorescent reporters. We also demonstrate that the DNA sensors can detect the presence of species in the complex samples without requiring DNA extraction. The modularity of the living cell-based DNA-sensing mechanism and simple detection procedure could enable programmable DNA sensing for a wide range of applications.

Although selenium deficiency correlates with colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, the roles of the selenium-rich antioxidant selenoprotein P (SELENOP) in CRC remain unclear. In this study, we defined SELENOP’s contributions to sporadic CRC. In human single-cell cRNA-Seq (scRNA-Seq) data sets, we discovered that SELENOP expression rose as normal colon stem cells transformed into adenomas that progressed into carcinomas. We next examined the effects of Selenop KO in a mouse adenoma model that involved conditional, intestinal epithelium-specific deletion of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (Apc) and found that Selenop KO decreased colon tumor incidence and size. We mechanistically interrogated SELENOP-driven phenotypes in tumor organoids as well as in CRC and noncancer cell lines. Selenop-KO tumor organoids demonstrated defects in organoid formation and decreases in WNT target gene expression, which could be reversed by SELENOP restoration. Moreover, SELENOP increased canonical WNT signaling activity in noncancer and CRC cell lines. In defining the mechanism of action of SELENOP, we mapped protein-protein interactions between SELENOP and the WNT coreceptors low-density lipoprotein receptor–related proteins 5 and 6 (LRP5/6). Last, we confirmed that SELENOP-LRP5/6 interactions contributed to the effects of SELENOP on WNT activity. Overall, our results position SELENOP as a modulator of the WNT signaling pathway in sporadic CRC.

Summary: Droplet-based single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) data are plagued by ambient contaminations caused by nucleic acid material released by dead and dying cells. This material is mixed into the buffer and is co-encapsulated with cells, leading to a lower signal-to-noise ratio. Although there exist computational methods to remove ambient contaminations post-hoc, the reliability of algorithms in generating high-quality data from low-quality sources remains uncertain. Here, we assess data quality before data filtering by a set of quantitative, contamination-based metrics that assess data quality more effectively than standard metrics. Through a series of controlled experiments, we report improvements that can minimize ambient contamination outside of tissue dissociation, via cell fixation, improved cell loading, microfluidic dilution, and nuclei versus cell preparation; many of these parameters are inaccessible on commercial platforms. We provide end-users with insights on factors that can guide their decision-making regarding optimizations that minimize ambient contamination, and metrics to assess data quality.

Lenticular galaxies (S0s) are formed mainly from the gas stripping of spirals in the cluster. But how S0s form and evolve in the field is still in need of being resolved. Based on spatially resolved observations from the optical Hispanic Astronomical Center in Andalusia 3.5 m telescope with the PPAK Integral Field Spectroscopy instrument and Northern Extended Millimeter Array, we study a dwarf ( M _* < 10 ^9 M _⊙ ) S0, PGC 44685, with triple star-forming regions in the central region, namely, A, B, and C, respectively. In northwest region C, we clearly detect the spectral features of Wolf–Rayet (W-R) stars and quantify the W-R population by stacking spectra with high W-R significance. Most of the molecular gas is concentrated in region C(W-R), and there is diffuse gas around regions A and B. The W-R region possesses the strongest intensities of H α , CO(1–0), and 3 mm continuum, indicating its ongoing violent star formation (gas depletion timescale ≲25 Myr) with tentative hundreds (

Lenticular galaxies (S0s) in the local Universe are generally absent of recent star formation and lack molecular gas. In this paper, we investigate one massive ( M _* ∼ 5 × 10 ^10 M _⊙ ) star-forming S0, PGC 39535, with the Northern Extended Millimeter Array (NOEMA). Using optical data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey IV Mapping Nearby Galaxies at the Apache Point Observatory survey, we find star formation mainly concentrates in the central region of PGC 39535. The total star formation rate estimated using extinction-corrected H α flux is 1.57 M _⊙ yr ^−1 . The results of the NOEMA observation suggest that the molecular gas mainly concentrates in the central regions as a gaseous bar and a ring-like structure, and shows similar kinematics as the stellar and ionized gas components. The total molecular gas mass estimated from CO(1–0) is (5.42 ± 1.52) × 10 ^9 M _⊙ . We find PGC 39535 lies on the star-forming main sequence but falls below the Kennicutt–Schmidt relation of spiral galaxies, suggesting that the star formation efficiency may be suppressed by the massive bulge. The existence of a second Gaussian component in the CO spectrum of the central region indicates possible gas flows. Furthermore, our analyses suggest that PGC 39535 resides in the center of a massive group and the derived star formation history indicates it may experience a series of gas-rich mergers over the past 2–7 Gyr.

The Mars Atmospheric Wind Imaging Interferometer offers several advantages, notably its high throughput, enabling the acquisition of precise and high vertical resolution data on the temperature and wind fields in the Martian atmosphere. Considering the current absence of such an Interferometer, this paper introduces a novel Mars wind field imaging interferometer. In analyzing the photochemical model of O2 (a1Δg) 1.27 μm molecular airglow radiation in the Martian atmosphere and considering the impact of instrument signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), we have chosen an optical path difference (OPD) of 8.6 cm for the interferometer. The all-solid-state polarized wind imaging interferometer is miniaturized by incorporating two arm glasses as the compensation medium in its construction, achieving the effects of field-widening and temperature compensation. Additionally, an F-P Etalon is designed to selectively filter the desired three spectral lines of O2 dayglow, and its effect is evaluated through simulations. The accuracy of the proposed compact Mars polarized wind imaging interferometer for detecting Mars’ wind field and temperature field has been validated through rigorous theoretical derivation and comprehensive computer simulations. The interferometer boasts several advantages, including its compact and small size, static stability, minimal stray light, and absence of moving parts. It establishes the theoretical, technological, and instrumental engineering foundations for future simultaneous static measurement of Martian global atmospheric wind fields, temperature fields, and ozone concentrations from spacecraft, thereby significantly contributing to the dataset for investigating Martian atmospheric dynamics.

Abstract Background Irisin is a novel myokine associated with obesity, which is a traditional cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF). The present study aimed to investigate the association between serum irisin and a single CVRF as well as the clustering of CVRFs among Chinese overweight/obese population. Methods A total of 98 overweight and 93 obese subjects without clinical treatments were enrolled in this study. Subjects were then divided into two groups, based on the serum irisin level: a low irisin group (1.10–13.44 ng/ml) and a high irisin group (13.49–29.9 ng/ml). The clustering of CVRFs, smoking, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension, was classified as 0, 1, 2 and ≥ 3 CVRFs. The demographic and baseline clinical characteristics of all participants were collected and serum irisin was measured. Results The high serum irisin group had significantly higher high-density lipoprotein cholesterol but lower fasting plasma glucose than the low serum irisin group. Additionally, the high serum irisin group had a significantly lower prevalence of smoking, diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia than the low serum irisin group. Increased serum irisin was significantly associated with a reduced risk of smoking and dyslipidemia in both the unadjusted and adjusted models. Furthermore, high serum irisin significantly reduced the risk of the prevalence of 1, 2 and ≥ 3 CVRFs. Conclusions among the Chinese overweight/obese populations, high serum irisin is negatively associated with smoking, dyslipidemia and the clustering of CVRFs. Thus, high serum irisin is potentially associated with a low risk of cardiovascular diseases in the Chinese overweight/obese population.

Abstract Aims/Introduction To explore the potential role of irisin in the outcomes of newly diagnosed prediabetes. Materials and Methods Data were obtained from the Guiyang subcenter of the Risk Evaluation of cAncers in Chinese diabeTic Individuals: a lONgitudinal (REACTION) study. A total of 2,530 participants had newly diagnosed prediabetes at baseline and completed follow up. The nested 1:1 case–control study included 161 participants who developed diabetes mellitus at follow up, and 161 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. The follow‐up study included 86 matched case–control pairs. Fasting serum irisin levels were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results Baseline serum irisin levels were higher in the cases than in the controls (P = 0.002); high baseline serum irisin levels were an independent risk factor for the development of diabetes (odds ratio 1.235, 95% confidence interval 1.025–1.488). After adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), smoking, exercise, and family history of diabetes, subjects in the highest quartile of irisin levels had a higher risk of diabetes than those in the lowest quartile (odds ratio 3.065, 95% confidence interval 1.511–6.218). The extent of decrease in irisin levels during follow‐up was greater in the cases than in the controls (P

The tumor microenvironment plays a key role in the pathogenesis of colorectal tumors and contains various cell types including epithelial, immune, and mesenchymal cells. Characterization of the interactions between these cell types is necessary for revealing the complex nature of tumors. In this study, we used single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) to compare the tumor microenvironments between a mouse model of sporadic colorectal adenoma (Lrig1CreERT2/+;Apc2lox14/+) and a mouse model of inflammation-driven colorectal cancer induced by azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate (AOM/DSS). While both models develop tumors in the distal colon, we found that the two tumor types have distinct microenvironments. AOM/DSS tumors have an increased abundance of two populations of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) compared with APC tumors, and we revealed their divergent spatial association with tumor cells using multiplex immunofluorescence (MxIF) imaging. We also identified a unique squamous cell population in AOM/DSS tumors, whose origins were distinct from anal squamous epithelial cells. These cells were in higher proportions upon administration of a chemotherapy regimen of 5-Fluorouracil/Irinotecan. We used computational inference algorithms to predict cell-cell communication mediated by ligand-receptor interactions and downstream pathway activation, and identified potential mechanistic connections between CAFs and tumor cells, as well as CAFs and squamous epithelial cells. This study provides important preclinical insight into the microenvironment of two distinct models of colorectal tumors and reveals unique roles for CAFs and squamous epithelial cells in the AOM/DSS model of inflammation-driven cancer.

BackgroundTechnologies that enhance motor learning-based therapy and are clinically deployable may improve outcome for those with neurological deficits. The MyoPro™ is a customized myoelectric upper extremity orthosis that utilizes volitionally generated weak electromyographic signals from paretic muscles to assist movement of an impaired arm. Our purpose was to evaluate MyoPro as a tool for motor learning-based therapy for individuals with chronic upper limb weakness.MethodsThis was a pilot study of thirteen individuals with chronic moderate/severe arm weakness due to either stroke (n = 7) or TBI (n = 6) who participated in a single group interventional study consisting of 2 phases. The in-clinic phase included 18 sessions (2x per week, 27hrs of face-to-face therapy) plus a home exercise program. The home phase included practice of the home exercise program. The study did not include a control group. Outcomes were collected at baseline and at weeks 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, and 18. Statistics included mixed model regression analysis.ResultsStatistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements were observed on Fugl-Meyer (+7.5 points). Gains were seen at week 3, increased further through the in-clinic phase and were maintained during the home phase. Statistically significant changes in Modified Ashworth Scale, Range of Motion, and Chedoke Arm and Hand Activity Inventory were seen early during the in-clinic phase. Orthotic and Prosthetic User's Survey demonstrated satisfaction with the device throughout study participation. Both stroke and TBI participants responded to the intervention.ConclusionsUse of MyoPro in motor learning-based therapy resulted in clinically significant gains with a relatively short duration of in-person treatment. Further studies are warranted.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03215771.

Background: To evaluate the safety and feasibility of single-handed trans-umbilical single-site laparo-endoscopic surgery using the suspension-line method for salpingectomy in ectopic pregnancy. Methods: This study reviewed 54 patients with ectopic pregnancy who underwent salpingectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University from June 2018 to June 2019. The control group (n = 29) was treated with routine two-handed trans-umbilical laparoendoscopic single-site surgery (TU-LESS), while the study group (n = 25) was treated with single-handed TU-LESS using the suspension line method. Results: There were no significant differences in clinical indicators such as operation time, postoperative recovery ventilation time, recovery time of β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) to normal level, and postoperative complications (p > 0.05) between two groups, whereas the patients in the study group suffered less pain and were more satisfied with the incision (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Single-handed LESS using the suspension method can be safely and effectively applied to salpingectomy, with less trauma, more beautiful incision, and more comfortable operation.

Objective This study evaluated the association of serum irisin level with thyroid autoantibody (TAA) positivity and subclinical hypothyroidism (SH). Methods In this cross-sectional study, 334 participants were assigned to one of the following four age- and sex-matched groups: TAA plus SH (84 patients), isolated TAA (83 patients), isolated SH (83 patients), or healthy controls (84 individuals). Irisin and creatine kinase (CK) were measured in serum samples. Results Patients with TAA plus SH, isolated TAA, and isolated SH had higher irisin levels compared with the controls. There was a significant increase in the irisin level in the TAA plus SH group compared with the control group. Among all participants, the irisin levels were positively associated with thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase antibody titers and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, but negatively associated with waist circumference, glycated hemoglobin levels, and fasting plasma glucose levels. The irisin level was not associated with the thyroid-stimulating hormone, free thyroxine, or CK levels. Irisin levels were independently associated with TAA, with or without SH, but they were not associated with SH alone. Conclusions Irisin level may help to predict the risk of developing TAA with or without SH.

Gait deficits are often persistent after stroke, and current rehabilitation methods do not restore normal gait for everyone. Targeted methods of focused gait therapy that meet the individual needs of each stroke survivor are needed. Our objective was to develop and test a combination protocol of simultaneous brain stimulation and focused stance phase training for people with chronic stroke (>6 months). We combined Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) with targeted stance phase therapy using Virtual Reality (VR)-assisted treadmill training and overground practice. The training was guided by motor learning principles. Five users (>6 months post-stroke with stance phase gait deficits) completed 10 treatment sessions. Each session began with 30 min of VR-assisted treadmill training designed to apply motor learning (ML)-based stance phase targeted practice. During the first 15 min of the treadmill training, bihemispheric tDCS was simultaneously delivered. Immediately after, users completed 30 min of overground (ML)-based gait training. The outcomes included the feasibility of protocol administration, gait speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG), Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), paretic limb stance phase control capability, and the Fugl–Meyer for lower extremity coordination (FMLE). The changes in the outcome measures (except the assessments of stance phase control capability) were calculated as the difference from baseline. Statistically and clinically significant improvements were observed after 10 treatment sessions in gait speed (0.25 ± 0.11 m/s) and FGA (4.55 ± 3.08 points). Statistically significant improvements were observed in TUG (2.36 ± 3.81 s) and FMLE (4.08 ± 1.82 points). A 10-session intervention combining tDCS and ML-based task-specific gait rehabilitation was feasible and produced clinically meaningful improvements in lower limb function in people with chronic gait deficits after stroke. Because only five users tested the new protocol, the results cannot be generalized to the whole population. As a contribution to the field, we developed and tested a protocol combining brain stimulation and ML-based stance phase training for individuals with chronic stance phase deficits after stroke. The protocol was feasible to administer; statistically and/or clinically significant improvements in gait function across an array of gait performance measures were observed with this relatively short treatment protocol.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of electromyographic biofeedback on acupoints to improve foot drop in stroke patients with hemiplegia.Methods:According to the random number table, forty stroke patients were divided into the control group and the treatment group, each group with 20 cases. Both two groups were treated with same routine rehabilitation training and electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback parameters. EMG biofeedback equipment electrodes were adhesion to Zusanli, Jiexi, Yanglingquan, Shangjuxu acupoints in the treatment group, but those were adhesion to the muscle fiber direction along the electrode surface adhesion in the anterior tibial muscle in the control group. Before treatment and after 8 weeks of treatment, the Fugl-Meyer (FMA) scores of the lower limb function, active range of motion (AROM) of ankle joint and isometric contraction surface EMG integral value (iEMG) of ankle joint maximum flexion of the anterior tibial muscle were used to assess both in two groups respectively.Results:After 8 weeks of treatment, there were statistically significance comparison of the FMA, AROM and iEMG in group (PP

Background: The presence of brain amyloid-beta positivity is associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, but whether there are specific aspects of cognition that are most linked to amyloid-beta is unclear. Analysis of neuropsychological test data presents challenges since a single test often requires drawing upon multiple cognitive functions to perform well. It can thus be imprecise to link performance on a given test to a specific cognitive function. Our objective was to provide insight into how cognitive functions are associated with brain amyloid-beta positivity among samples consisting of cognitively normal and mild cognitively impaired (MCI) subjects, by using partially ordered set models (POSETs).Methods: We used POSET classification models of neuropsychological test data to classify samples to detailed cognitive profiles using ADNI2 and AIBL data. We considered 3 gradations of episodic memory, cognitive flexibility, verbal fluency, attention and perceptual motor speed, and performed group comparisons of cognitive functioning stratified by amyloid positivity (yes/no) and age (

Membrane filtration fouling is a very complex process and is determined by many properties such as the membrane internal morphology, membrane pore structure, flow rate and contaminant properties. In a very slow filtration process or during the late stage of filtration, when the flow rate is naturally low and Péclet number is small, particle diffusion is essential and cannot be neglected, while in typical filtration models, especially in moderate and fast filtration process, the main contribution stems from the particle advection. The objectives of this study is to formulate mathematical models that can (i) investigate how filtration process varies under possible effects of particles diffusion; and (ii) describe how membrane morphology evolves and investigate the filtration performance during the filtration process. We also compare the results with the case that diffusion is less important and make a prediction about what kind of membrane filter pore structure should be employed to achieve a particular optimum filtration performance. According to our results, the filtrate and efficiency of particle separation are found to be under the trade-off relationship, and the selection of the membrane properties depends on the requirement of the filtration.

Recently, representation-based subspace clustering algorithms for hyperspectral images (HSIs) have been developed with the assumption that pixels belonging to the same land-cover class lie in the same subspace. Polarization is regarded to be a complement to spectral information, but related research only focus on the clustering for HSIs without considering polarization, and cannot effectively process large-scale hyperspectral datasets. In this paper, we propose an efficient representation-based subspace clustering framework for polarized hyperspectral images (PHSIs). Combining with spectral information and polarized information, this framework is extensible for most existing representation-based subspace clustering algorithms. In addition, with a sampling-clustering-classification strategy which firstly clusters selected in-sample data into several classes and then matches the out-of-sample data into these classes by collaborative representation-based classification, the proposed framework significantly reduces the computational complexity of clustering algorithms for PHSIs. Some experiments were carried out to demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency and potential capabilities of the algorithms under the proposed framework.

Purpose: This work focused on the investigation the hyperthermia performance of the carbon-coated magnetic particles (CCMPs) in laser-induced hyperthermia. Materials and methods: We prepared CCMPs using the organic carbonization method, and then characterized them with transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometry, vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). In order to evaluate their performance in hyperthermia, the CCMPs were tested in laser-induced thermal therapy (LITT) experiments, in which we employed a fully distributed fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensor to profile the tissue's dynamic temperature change under laser irradiation in real time. Results: The sizes of prepared CCMPs were about several micrometers, and the LITT results show that the tissue injected with the CCMPs absorbed more laser energy, and its temperature increased faster than the contrast tissue without CCMPs. Conclusions: The CCMPs may be of great help in hyperthermia applications.

Purpose. The association between obesity and colon neoplasia is well established but the underlying biological mechanisms are not fully understood. Rates of both obesity and colon cancer differ by race. Adipokines have been postulated as contributors to the observed association; however, few studies have examined the mediating effect of adipokines on the obesity-colon adenoma association with consideration of racial differences. Methods. We determined prediagnostic levels of adiponectin and leptin in Caucasians (217 cases and 650 controls) and African Americans (175 cases and 378 controls) participating in the Case Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer Colon Adenoma Study. We evaluated mediating effects of adiponectin and leptin on the association of abdominal adiposity and colon adenoma separately according to race using mediational pathway analysis. Results. We observed differences in circulating adipokine concentrations by race; African Americans had higher levels of leptin and lower levels of adiponectin than Caucasians for both adenoma cases and controls (P values 0.27). Conclusions. We found no evidence that leptin or adiponectin mediates the abdominal obesity-colorectal adenoma pathway. Larger studies on how these associations vary by race, sex, and obesity are needed.

Purpose. We recently reported an association of adult BMI change with colon cancer risk. Here, we sought to further explore this association with respect to postmenopausal HRT use in a larger study population. Methods. We included 1,457 postmenopausal women participating in an ongoing population-based case-control study of colon cancer. Results. We confirmed a previously reported association of adulthood weight gain and increased risk of colon cancer: compared to those with 10 kg/m2) BMI changes since their 20s had OR estimates of 1.54 (95% CI = 1.09–2.19) and 1.45 (95% CI = 0.90–2.33), respectively (P for trend = 0.05). Stratified analyses showed that this association was limited to HRT nonusers: ORs were 1.77 (95% CI = 1.02–3.05) and 2.21 (95% CI = 1.09–4.45), respectively (P for trend = 0.03), for BMI changes occurring between the 20s decade and time of recruitment among non-users. Similar associations were observed for BMI changes since the 30s decade. There was no association among HRT users. Conclusion. Our results suggest early adulthood weight gain increases colon cancer risk in postmenopausal women who do not use HRT.

Objective: Neighbourhood deprivation increases the risk of colorectal neoplasia and contributes to racial disparities observed in this disease. Developing race-specific advanced colorectal neoplasia (ACN) prediction models that include neighbourhood socioeconomic status has the potential to improve the accuracy of prediction. Methods: The study includes 1457 European Americans (EAs) and 936 African Americans (AAs) aged 50-80 years undergoing screening colonoscopy. Race-specific ACN risk prediction models were developed for EAs and AAs, respectively. Area Deprivation Index (ADI), derived from 17 variables of neighbourhood socioeconomic status, was evaluated by adding it to the ACN risk prediction models. Prediction accuracy was evaluated by concordance statistic (C-statistic) for discrimination and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of- fit test for calibration. Results: With fewer predictors, the EA-specific and AA-specific prediction models had better prediction accuracy in the corresponding race/ethnic subpopulation than the overall model. Compared with the overall model which had poor calibration (PCalibration=0.053 in the whole population and PCalibration=0.011 in AAs), the EA model had C-statistic of 0.655 (95% CI 0.594 to 0.717) and PCalibration=0.663; and the AA model had C-statistic of 0.637 ((95% CI 0.572 to 0.702) and PCalibration=0.810. ADI was a significant predictor of ACN in EAs (OR=1.24 ((95% CI 1.03 to 1.50), P=0.029), but not in AAs (OR=1.07 ((95% CI 0.89 to 1.28), P=0.487). Adding ADI to the EA-specific ACN prediction model substantially improved ACN calibration accuracy of the prediction across area deprivation groups (PCalibration=0.924 with ADI vs PCalibration=0.140 without ADI) in EAs. Conclusions: Neighbourhood socioeconomic status is an important factor to consider in ACN risk prediction modeling. Moreover, non-race- specific prediction models have poor generalisability. Race-specific prediction models incorporating neighbourhood socioeconomic factors are needed to improve ACN prediction accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the case of a 50-year-old female with gastric carcinoma. The tumor was positive for epithelial and other immunological markers; however, SMARCA4 was completely inactivated. The histological and immunophenotypic findings were consistent with a diagnosis of SMARCA4-DTS. Next-generation sequencing identified a frameshift mutation in SMARCA4 . The pathological diagnosis was SMARCA4-deficient gastric carcinoma. The tumor exhibits a poor response to conventional chemotherapy and has a poor prognosis; therefore, correct diagnosis is necessary. Moreover, new therapies such as EZH2 inhibitors and etoposide should be considered in cases where conventional chemotherapy is ineffective.