Insights into the potential mechanism of liquid nitrogen spray freezing's influence on volatile compounds in surimi gels with different cross-linking degrees: Focus on oxidation, protein structure, intermolecular force and free amino acid alterations

This study revealed the variations in odor characteristics and underlying mechanisms of different cross-linked surimi gels under liquid nitrogen (LN) spray freezing. The results demonstrated that LN spray freezing had an essential effect on the gels' odor. The odor changes in the -80 °C LN spray freezing group were closer to the control group, while -35 °C LN spray freezing treatment had the greatest impact on the aroma quality of gels. Freezing reduced gels' texture properties, intensified lipid and protein oxidation, altered protein conformation, increased surface hydrophobicity and hydrophobic interactions. These changes affected the gels' odor characteristics, leading to a reduction in fish aroma and an increase in fishy and oil odors after freezing. These tendencies were more pronounced at -35 °C LN spray freezing with lower cross-linking degrees, and reducing the freezing temperature to -80 °C and increasing the cross-linking degree to 62.99% mitigated the extent of deterioration in gel flavor quality.

Porous Ceramic Metal-Based Flow Battery Composite Membrane

In metal-based flow battery, membranes significantly impact energy conversion efficiency and security. Unfortunately, damages to the membrane occur due to gradual accumulation of metal dendrites, causing short circuits and shortening cycle life. Herein, we developed a rigid hierarchical porous ceramic flow battery composite membrane with a sub-10-nm-thick polyelectrolyte coating to achieve high ion selectivity and conductivity, to restrain dendrite, and to realize long cycle life and high areal capacity. An aqueous zinc-iron flow battery prepared using this membrane achieved an outstanding energy efficiency of >80%, exhibiting excellent long-term stability (over 1000 h) and extremely high areal capacity (260 mAh cm-2). Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, small-angle X-ray scattering, in situ infrared spectroscopy, solid-state NMR analysis, and nano-computed tomography revealed that the rigid hierarchical pore structures and numerous hydrogen bonding networks in the membrane contributed to the stable operation and superior battery performance. This study contributes to the development of next-generation metal-based flow battery membranes for energy and power generation.

Psilocybin restrains activity-based anorexia in female rats by enhancing cognitive flexibility: contributions from 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptor mechanisms

Psilocybin has shown promise for alleviating symptoms of depression and is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of anorexia nervosa (AN), a condition that is characterised by persistent cognitive inflexibility. Considering that enhanced cognitive flexibility after psilocybin treatment is reported to occur in individuals with depression, it is plausible that psilocybin could improve symptoms of AN by breaking down cognitive inflexibility. A mechanistic understanding of the actions of psilocybin is required to tailor the clinical application of psilocybin to individuals most likely to respond with positive outcomes. This can only be achieved using incisive neurobiological approaches in animal models. Here, we use the activity-based anorexia (ABA) rat model and comprehensively assess aspects of reinforcement learning to show that psilocybin (post-acutely) improves body weight maintenance in female rats and facilitates cognitive flexibility, specifically via improved adaptation to the initial reversal of reward contingencies. Further, we reveal the involvement of signalling through the serotonin (5-HT) 1 A and 5-HT2A receptor subtypes in specific aspects of learning, demonstrating that 5-HT1A antagonism negates the cognitive enhancing effects of psilocybin. Moreover, we show that psilocybin elicits a transient increase and decrease in cortical transcription of these receptors (Htr2a and Htr1a, respectively), and a further reduction in the abundance of Htr2a transcripts in rats exposed to the ABA model. Together, these findings support the hypothesis that psilocybin could ameliorate cognitive inflexibility in the context of AN and highlight a need to better understand the therapeutic mechanisms independent of 5-HT2A receptor binding.

Radiomics signature for dynamic changes of tumor-infiltrating CD8+ T cells and macrophages in cervical cancer during chemoradiotherapy

BACKGROUND

Our previous study suggests that tumor CD8+ T cells and macrophages (defined as CD68+ cells) infiltration underwent dynamic and heterogeneous changes during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in cervical cancer patients, which correlated with their short-term tumor response. This study aims to develop a CT image-based radiomics signature for such dynamic changes.

METHODS

Thirty cervical squamous cell carcinoma patients, who were treated with CCRT followed by brachytherapy, were included in this study. Pre-therapeutic CT images were acquired. And tumor biopsies with immunohistochemistry at primary sites were performed at baseline (0 fraction (F)) and immediately after 10F. Radiomics features were extracted from the region of interest (ROI) of CT images using Matlab. The LASSO regression model with ten-fold cross-validation was utilized to select features and construct an immunomarker classifier and a radiomics signature. Their performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC).

RESULTS

The changes of tumor-infiltrating CD8+T cells and macrophages after 10F radiotherapy as compared to those at baseline were used to generate the immunomarker classifier (AUC= 0.842, 95% CI:0.680-1.000). Additionally, a radiomics signature was developed using 4 key radiomics features to predict the immunomarker classifier (AUC=0.875, 95% CI:0.753-0.997). The patients stratified based on this signature exhibited significant differences in treatment response (p = 0.004).

CONCLUSION

The radiomics signature could be used as a potential predictor for the CCRT-induced dynamic alterations of CD8+ T cells and macrophages, which may provide a less invasive approach to appraise tumor immune status during CCRT in cervical cancer compared to tissue biopsy.

Insights into microbial contamination and antibiotic resistome traits in pork wholesale market: An evaluation of the disinfection effect of sodium hypochlorite

Chlorine and its derivatives, such as sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and chlorine dioxide, are frequently employed as disinfectants throughout the pork supply chain in China. Nevertheless, the extensive use of NaClO has the potential to cause the creation of 'chlorine-tolerant bacteria' and accelerate the evolution of antibiotic resistance. This study evaluated the efficacy of NaClO disinfection by examining alterations in the microbiome and resistome of a pork wholesale market (PWM), and bacteria isolation and analysis were performed to validate the findings. As expected, the taxonomic compositions of bacteria was significantly different before and after disinfection. Notably, Salmonella enterica (S. enterica), Salmonella bongori (S. bongori), Escherichia coli (E. coli), Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) were observed on all surfaces, indicating that the application of NaClO disinfection treatment in PWM environments for pathogenic bacteria is limited. Correlations were identified between antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) associated with aminoglycosides (aph(3'')-I, aph(6')-I), quinolone (qnrB, abaQ), polymyxin (arnA, mcr-4) and disinfectant resistance genes (emrA/BD, mdtA/B/C/E/F). Furthermore, correlations were found between risk Rank I ARGs associated with aminoglycoside (aph(3')-I), tetracycline (tetH), beta_lactam (TEM-171), and disinfectant resistance genes (mdtB/C/E/F, emrA, acrB, qacG). Importantly, we found that Acinetobacter and Salmonella were the main hosts of disinfectant resistance genes. The resistance mechanisms of the ARGs identified in PWM were dominated by antibiotic deactivation (38.7%), antibiotic efflux (27.2%), and antibiotic target protection (14.4%). The proportion of genes encoding efflux pumps in the PWM resistome increased after disinfection. Microbial cultures demonstrated that the traits of microbial contamination and antibiotic resistane were consistent with those observed by metagenomic sequencing. This study highlights the possibility of cross-resistance between NaClO disinfectants and antibiotics, which should not be ignored.

Case report: A successful clinical experience of transplantation of liver and kidney from a donor with myelodysplastic syndromes

With a shortage of organs for transplant, the use of marginal donors can be an effective measure to meet the shortfall. Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are considered an absolute contraindication for organ donation because of the high invasive potential. Currently, organ transplantation from donors with a past history of MDS has not been reported. In this paper, we report the successful clinical experience of one liver transplantation and two kidney transplantations, with organs donated by a 39-year-old patient diagnosed with a past history of MDS following intracranial hemorrhage. Four and a half years after transplantation, the three recipients are all doing well. However, it is still not clear to what extent organs donated by patients with a past history of MDS can be safely transplanted. This report provides support for the careful use of marginal donors. With effective treatment and full peer assessment, livers and kidneys from donors with a past history of MDS may be safely transplanted.

Novel polymorphisms in CYP4A22 associated with susceptibility to coronary heart disease

BACKGROUND

Coronary heart disease (CHD) has become a worldwide public health problem. Genetic factors are considered important risk factors for CHD. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between CYP4A22 gene polymorphism and CHD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population.

METHODS

We used SNPStats online software to complete the association analysis among 962 volunteers. False-positive report probability analysis was used to confirm whether a positive result is noteworthy. Haploview software and SNPStats were used for haplotype analysis and linkage disequilibrium. Multi-factor dimensionality reduction was applied to evaluate the interaction between candidate SNPs.

RESULTS

In overall and some stratified analyses (male, age ≤ 60 years or CHD patients complicated with hypertension), CYP4A22-rs12564525 (overall, OR = 0.83, p-value is 0.042) and CYP4A22-rs2056900 (overall, OR = 1.22, p-value is 0.032) were associated with the risk of CHD. CYP4A22-4926581 was associated with increased CHD risk only in some stratified analyses. FPRP indicated that all positive results in our study are noteworthy findings. In addition, MDR showed that the single-locus model composed of rs2056900 is the best model for predicting susceptibility to CHD.

CONCLUSION

There are significant associations between susceptibility to CHD and CYP4A22 rs12564525, and rs2056900.

Biomimetic leaves with immobilized catalase for machine learning-enabled validating fresh produce sanitation processes

Washing and sanitation are vital steps during the postharvest processing of fresh produce to reduce the microbial load on the produce surface. Although current process control and validation tools effectively predict sanitizer concentrations in wash water, they have significant limitations in assessing sanitizer effectiveness for reducing microbial counts on produce surfaces. These challenges highlight the urgent need to improve the validation of sanitation processes, especially considering the presence of dynamic organic contaminants and complex surface topographies. This study aims to provide the fresh produce industry with a novel, reliable, and highly accurate method for validating the sanitation efficacy on the produce surface. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of using a food-grade, catalase (CAT)-immobilized biomimetic leaf in combination with vibrational spectroscopy and machine learning to predict microbial inactivation on microgreen surfaces. This was tested using two sanitizers: sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The developed CAT-immobilized leaf-replicated PDMS (CAT@L-PDMS) effectively mimics the microscale topographies and bacterial distribution on the leaf surface. Alterations in the FTIR spectra of CAT@L-PDMS, following simulated sanitation processes, indicate chemical changes due to CAT oxidation induced by NaClO or H2O2 treatments, facilitating the subsequent machine learning modeling. Among the five algorithms tested, the competitive adaptive reweighted sampling partial least squares discriminant analysis (CARS-PLSDA) algorithm was the most effective for classifying the inactivation efficacy of E. coli on microgreen leaf surfaces. It predicted bacterial reduction on microgreen surfaces with 100% accuracy in both training and prediction sets for NaClO, and 95% in the training set and 86% in the prediction set for H2O2. This approach can improve the validation of fresh produce sanitation processes and pave the way for future research.

Synergistic antimicrobial interaction of plant essential oils and extracts against foodborne pathogens

Essential oils (EOs) and plant extracts have demonstrated inhibitory activity against a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. In this study, the chemical composition of manuka, kanuka, peppermint, thyme, lavender, and feijoa leaf and peel EOs and feijoa peel and leaf extracts were analyzed, and their antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica Typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Listeria monocytogenes were determined. The results showed that the major compounds varied among different EOs and extracts, with menthol in peppermint EO, thymol and carvacrol in thyme EO, linalool in lavender EO, β-caryophyllene in feijoa EO, and flavones in feijoa extract being the most prevalent. The study found that while EOs/extracts had antimicrobial activity alone, no individual EO/extract was highly effective against all tested species. Therefore, their combinations were tested to identify those that could broaden the spectrum of activity and act synergistically. The checkerboard method was applied to assess the possible synergism between the paired combinations of EOs/extract. The peppermint/thyme, peppermint/lavender, and peppermint/feijoa peel extract combinations exhibited a synergistic effect against E. coli and L. monocytogenes, with the peppermint/thyme and peppermint/feijoa peel extract combinations being the most effective against all five pathogens. Time-to-kill kinetics assays demonstrated that peppermint/thyme and peppermint/feijoa peel extract combinations achieved complete eradication of E. coli within 10-30 min and L. monocytogenes within 4-6 h. This study provides a promising approach to developing a natural alternative for food preservation using synergistic combinations of EOs/extracts, which could potentially reduce the required dosage and broaden their application in food products as natural preservatives.

Effects of freezing methods on physicochemical properties, protein/fat oxidation and odor characteristics of surimi gels with different cross-linking degrees

This work investigated the effects of liquid nitrogen immersion freezing (LNF), -35 °C air freezing (AF-35℃) and -18 °C air freezing (AF-18℃) on the physical and chemical characteristics and flavor quality of surimi gels with different cross-linking degrees. Compared to AF-35 °C and AF-18 °C, LNF was shown to considerably delay the texture deterioration and water migration of frozen gels, as well as the accumulation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values and carbonyl contents. Additionally, an appropriate increase of cross-linking degree (45.83 to 62.99%) was found able to improve gel properties and inhibit quality deterioration during freezing. Moreover, LNF-treated gels were closer to fresh gels in the amount of volatile compounds, in contrast to most significant negative aroma changes in AF-18℃-treated gels. Furthermore, 29, 29 and 31 key differential volatile compounds were screened for gels with a cross-linking degree of 29.66, 45.83 and 62.99%, respectively, mainly including aldehydes, alcohols and esters.

Reducing SULT2B1 promotes the interaction of LncRNAgga3-204 with SMAD4 to inhibit the macrophage inflammatory response and delay atherosclerosis progression

Inflammation is a crucial pathophysiological mechanism in atherosclerosis (AS). This study aims to investigate the impact of sulfotransferase family 2b member 1 (SULT2B1) on the inflammatory response of macrophages and the progression of AS. Here, we reported that SULT2B1 expression increased with the progression of AS. In AS model mice, knockdown of Sult2b1 led to remission of AS and reduced inflammation levels. Further exploration of the downstream molecular mechanisms of SULT2B1 revealed that suppressing Sult2b1 in macrophages resulted in decreased levels of 25HC3S in the nucleus, elevated expression of Lxr, and increased the transcription of Lncgga3-204. In vivo, knockdown of Lncgga3-204 aggravated the inflammatory response and AS progression, while the simultaneous knockdown of both Sult2b1 and Lncgga3-204 exacerbated AS and the inflammatory response compared with knockdown of Sult2b1 alone. Increased binding of Lncgga3-204 to SMAD4 in response to oxidized-low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) stimulation facilitated SMAD4 entry into the nucleus and regulated Smad7 transcription, which elevated SMAD7 expression, suppressed NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and ultimately attenuated the macrophage inflammatory response. Finally, we identified the presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs2665580, in the SULT2B1 promoter region in monocytes from coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. The predominant GG/AG/AA genotypes were observed in the Asian population. Elevated SULT2B1 expression in monocytes with GG corresponded to elevated inflammatory factor levels and more unstable coronary plaques. To summarize, our study demonstrated that the critical role of SULT2B1/Lncgga3-204/SMAD4/NF-κB in AS progression. SULT2B1 serves as a novel biomarker indicating inflammatory status, thereby offering insights into potential therapeutic strategies for AS.

Role of pyroptosis in diabetic cardiomyopathy: an updated review

Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM), one of the common complications of diabetes, presents as a specific cardiomyopathy with anomalies in the structure and function of the heart. With the increasing prevalence of diabetes, DCM has a high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Recent studies have found that pyroptosis, as a programmed cell death accompanied by an inflammatory response, exacerbates the growth and genesis of DCM. These studies provide a theoretical basis for exploring the potential treatment of DCM. Therefore, this review aims to summarise the possible mechanisms by which pyroptosis promotes the development of DCM as well as the relevant studies targeting pyroptosis for the possible treatment of DCM, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis, different cellular pyroptosis pathways associated with DCM, the effects of pyroptosis occurring in different cells on DCM, and the relevant drugs targeting NLRP3 inflammasome/pyroptosis for the treatment of DCM. This review might provide a fresh perspective and foundation for the development of therapeutic agents for DCM.

A transdiagnostic and translational framework for delineating the neuronal mechanisms of compulsive exercise in anorexia nervosa

OBJECTIVE

The development of novel treatments for anorexia nervosa (AN) requires a detailed understanding of the biological underpinnings of specific, commonly occurring symptoms, including compulsive exercise. There is considerable bio-behavioral overlap between AN and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), therefore it is plausible that similar mechanisms underlie compulsive behavior in both populations. While the association between these conditions is widely acknowledged, defining the shared mechanisms for compulsive behavior in AN and OCD requires a novel approach.

METHODS

We present an argument that a better understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms that underpin compulsive exercise in AN can be achieved in two critical ways. First, by applying a framework of the neuronal control of OCD to exercise behavior in AN, and second, by taking better advantage of the activity-based anorexia (ABA) rodent model to directly test this framework in the context of feeding pathology.

RESULTS

A cross-disciplinary approach that spans preclinical, neuroimaging, and clinical research as well as compulsive neurocircuitry and behavior can advance our understanding of when, why, and how compulsive exercise develops in the context of AN and provide targets for novel treatment strategies.

DISCUSSION

In this article, we (i) link the expression of compulsive behavior in AN and OCD via a transition between goal-directed and habitual behavior, (ii) present disrupted cortico-striatal circuitry as a key substrate for the development of compulsive behavior in both conditions, and (iii) highlight the utility of the ABA rodent model to better understand the mechanisms of compulsive behavior relevant to AN.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

Individuals with AN who exercise compulsively are at risk of worse health outcomes and have poorer responses to standard treatments. However, when, why, and how compulsive exercise develops in AN remains inadequately understood. Identifying whether the neural circuitry underlying compulsive behavior in OCD also controls hyperactivity in the activity-based anorexia model will aid in the development of novel eating disorder treatment strategies for this high-risk population.

Global Burden of Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias Attributed to High Fasting Plasma Glucose from 1990 to 2019

BACKGROUND

Burden of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias have grown rapidly over the decades, and high fasting plasma glucose (HFPG) was one of the well-established risk factors. It is urgently needed to estimate the global burden of AD and other dementias attributable to high fasting plasma glucose between regions, countries, age groups, and sexes to inform development of effective primary disease prevention strategies and intervention policies.

METHODS

The burden of AD and other dementias attributable to HFPG was estimated based on a modeling strategy using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019 dataset. The disease burden and time trend globally and by region, country, development level, age group, and sex were evaluated.

RESULTS

The number of AD and other dementias-related deaths attributable to HFPG increased from 42,998.23 (95% uncertainty interval, UI: 4459.86-163,455.78, the year of 1990) to 159,244.53 deaths (95% UI 18,385.23-583,514.15, the year of 2019). The age-standardized death rate increased from 1.69 (95% UI 0.18-6.54) in 1990 to 2.24 (95% UI 0.26-8.24) in 2019. The burden was higher in more developed regions. The burden in women was double that in men, that HFPG-attributable AD and other dementias caused 99,812.79 deaths (95% UI 9005.67-387,160.60) in women and 59,431.74 deaths (95% UI 5439.02-214,819.23) in men, with age-standardized death rate of 2.27 (95% UI 0.20-8.79) per 100,000 population in women and 2.20 (95% UI 0.20-8.00) in men.

CONCLUSION

Findings from the current study emphasizes the urgent requirement for targeted interventions in high-development regions, as well as the importance of proactive measures in middle-development countries in protection of AD and other dementias. The gender disparity necessitates the integration of gender-specific considerations in targeted approaches in prevention of AD and other dementias.

Crystallizing Self-Standing Covalent Organic Framework Membranes for Ultrafast Proton Transport in Flow Batteries

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) display great potential to be assembled into proton conductive membranes for their uniform and controllable pore structure, yet constructing self-standing COF membrane with high crystallinity to fully exploit their ordered crystalline channels for efficient ionic conduction remains a great challenge. Here, a macromolecular-mediated crystallization strategy is designed to manipulate the crystallization of self-standing COF membrane, where the -SO3 H groups in introduced sulfonated macromolecule chains function as the sites to interact with the precursors of COF and thus offer long-range ordered template for membrane crystallization. The optimized self-standing COF membrane composed of highly-ordered nanopores exhibits high proton conductivity (75 mS cm-1 at 100 % relative humidity and 20 °C) and excellent flow battery performance, outperforming Nafion 212 and reported membranes. Meanwhile, the long-term run of membrane is achieved with the help of the anchoring effect of flexible macromolecule chains. Our work provides inspiration to design self-standing COF membranes with ordered channels for permselective application.

[Overview of design and construction of hypertensive disorders of a pregnancy-cohort in Shenzhen]

Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) involves two major public health issues: mother-infant safety and prevention and controlling major chronic disease. HDP poses a serious threat to maternal and neonatal safety, and it is one of the leading causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, as well as an important risk factor for long-term cardiovascular disease (CVD). In order to explore effective strategies to prevent and control the source of CVD and reduce its risk, we have established a cohort of HDPs in Shenzhen for the primordial prevention of CVD. The construction of the HDP cohort has already achieved preliminary progress till now. A total of 2 239 HDP women have been recruited in the HDP cohort. We have established a cohort data management platform and Biobank. The follow-up and assessment of postpartum cardiovascular metabolic risk in this cohort has also been launched. Our efforts will help explore the pathophysiological mechanism of HDP, especially the pathogenesis and precision phenotyping, prediction, and prevention of pre-eclampsia, which, therefore, may reduce the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, and provide a bridge to linking HDP and maternal-neonatal cardiovascular, metabolic risk to promote the cardiovascular health of mothers and their infants.

CYP4V2 rs56413992 C > T was associated with the risk of coronary heart disease in the Chinese Han population: a case-control study

PURPOSE

The research aimed to detect the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in CYP4V2 gene and coronary heart disease (CHD) risk.

METHODS

This case-control study included 487 CHD subjects and 487 healthy individuals. Logistic regression was performed to analyze the connection between five SNPs in CYP4V2 (rs1398007, rs13146272, rs3736455, rs1053094, and rs56413992) and CHD risk, and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the connection.

RESULTS

As a result, we found that rs56413992 T allele (OR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.09-1.70, p = 0.007) and CT genotype (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.06-1.83, p = 0.017) were significantly associated with an increased risk of CHD in the overall analysis. Precisely, rs56413992 was linked to an elevated risk of CHD in people aged > 60, males, smokers and drinkers. The study also indicated that rs1398007 was linked to an increased CHD risk in drinkers. In addition, rs1053094 was correlated with a decreased risk of CHD complicated with diabetes mellitus (DM), and rs1398007 was correlated with a decreased risk of CHD complicated with hypertension (HTN).

CONCLUSION

This study was the first to experimentally demonstrate that CYP4V2 rs56413992 was associated with the risk of CHD, which will provide a certain reference for revealing the pathogenesis of CHD.

Two-Dimensional MFI-Type Zeolite Flow Battery Membranes

Vanadium flow battery (VFB) is one of the most reliable stationary electrochemical energy-storage technologies, and a membrane with high vanadium resistance and proton conductivity is essential for manufacturing high-performance VFBs. In this study, a two-dimensional (2D) MFI-type zeolite membrane was fabricated from zeolite nanosheet modules, which displayed excellent vanadium resistance (0.07 mmol L-1 h-1 ) and proton conductivity (0.16 S cm-1 ), yielding a coulombic efficiency of 93.9 %, a voltage efficiency of 87.6 %, and an energy efficiency of 82.3 % at 40 mA cm-2 . The self-discharge period of a VFB equipped with 2D MFI-type zeolite membrane increased up to 116.2 h, which was significantly longer than that of the commercial perfluorinated sulfonate membrane (45.9 h). Furthermore, the corresponding battery performance remained stable over 1000 cycles (>1500 h) at 80 mA cm-2 . These findings demonstrate that 2D MFI-type membranes are promising ion-conductive membranes applicable for stationary electrochemical energy-storage devices.

Efficacy of fosaprepitant combined with tropisetron plus dexamethasone in preventing nausea and emesis during fractionated radiotherapy with weekly cisplatin chemotherapy: interim analysis of a randomized, prospective, clinical trial using competing risk analysis

PURPOSE

There are no well-recognized guidelines for antiemesis during concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for cervical cancer (CC) and nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) until now. The study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of fosaprepitant combined with tropisetron and dexamethasone in preventing nausea and vomiting during 5 weeks of fractionated radiotherapy and concomitant weekly low-dose cisplatin chemotherapy in patients with CC or NPC.

METHODS

Patients with CC or NPC were scheduled to receive fractionated radiotherapy and weekly cisplatin (25-40 mg/m2) chemotherapy for at least 5 weeks. Patients stratified by tumor type and induction chemotherapy were 1:1 randomly assigned to receive fosaprepitant, tropisetron, and dexamethasone or tropisetron plus dexamethasone as an antiemetic regimen. Efficacy was assessed primarily by the cumulative incidence of emesis after 5 weeks of treatment, and safety by adverse events (AEs).

RESULTS

Between July 2020 and July 2022, 116 patients consented to the study of whom 103 were included in this interim analysis (fosaprepitant group [N = 52] vs control group [N = 51]). The cumulative incidence of emesis at 5 weeks (competing risk analysis) was 25% (95% CI 14.2-37.4) for the fosaprepitant group compared with 59% (95% CI 43.9-71.0) for the control group. There was a significantly lower cumulative risk of emesis in the fosaprepitant group (HR 0.35 [95% CI 0.19-0.64]; p < 0.001). Fosaprepitant was well tolerated as the incidences of adverse events in the two groups were comparable.

CONCLUSION

The addition of fosaprepitant to tropisetron plus dexamethasone significantly reduced the risk of nausea and vomiting during 5 weeks of CCRT in patients with CC or NPC, and fosaprepitant was well tolerated.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on October 3, 2022, number NCT05564286.

[Clinical observation on the efficacy and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis]

To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis (AD) in China. A small sample self-controlled study before and after treatment was conducted to retrospective analysis patients with moderate to severe AD treated with dupilumab in the department of dermatology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from July 2020 to March 2022. Dupilumab 600 mg was injected subcutaneously at week 0, and then 300 mg was injected subcutaneously every 2 weeks. The condition was evaluated by SCORAD(severity scoring of atopic dermatitis), NRS(numerical rating scale), DLQI(dermatology life quality index) and POEM(patient-oriented eczema measure). The improvement of SCORAD, NRS, DLQI and POEM was analyzed by paired t test and non-parametric paired Wilcoxon. The results showed that a total of 67 patients with moderate to severe AD received dupilumab treatment, of which 41 patients (the course of treatment was more than 6 weeks) had reduced the severity of skin lesions, improved quality of life and reduced pruritus. A total of 23 patients completed 16 weeks of treatment. At 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks, SCORAD, NRS, DLQI and POEM decreased compared with the baseline, and the differences were statistically significant. SCORAD (50.13±15.19) at baseline, SCORAD (36.08±11.96)(t=6.049,P<0.001) at week 4,SCORAD (28.04±11.10)(t=10.471,P<0.001) at week 8, SCORAD (22.93±9.72)(t=12.428,P<0.001) at week 12, SCORAD (16.84±7.82)(t=14.609,P<0.001) at week 16, NRS 7(6,8) at baseline, NRS 4(3,5)(Z=-3.861,P<0.001) at week 4, NRS 2(1,4)(Z=-4.088,P<0.001) at week 8, NRS 1(0,2)(Z=-4.206,P<0.001) at week 12, NRS 2(0,2)(Z=-4.222,P<0.001) at week 16, DLQI (13.83±5.71) at baseline, DLQI (8.00±4.02)(t=6.325,P<0.001) at week 4, DLQI (5.61±3.50)(t=8.060,P<0.001) at week 8, DLQI (3.96±1.99)(t=8.717,P<0.001) at week 12, DLQI (2.70±1.89)(t=10.355,P<0.001) at week 16, POEM (18.04±6.41) at baseline, POEM (9.70±4.70)(t=7.031,P<0.001) at week 4, POEM (7.74±3.48)(t=8.806,P<0.001) at week 8, POEM (6.35±3.33)(t=10.474,P<0.001) at week 12, POEM (4.26±2.51)(t=11.996,P<0.001) at week 16. In the 16th week, 100%(23 patients), 91.3%(21 patients), 34.8%(8 patients) and 8.7%(2 patients) of 23 patients reached SCORAD30, SCORAD50, SCORAD70, and SCORAD90 statuses, respectively. There were 82.6%(19 patients), 95.7%(22 patients) and 95.7%(22 patients) of 23 patients with NRS, DLQI and POEM improved by≥4 points compared with baseline. Twelve patients with AD who continued to receive dupilumab after 16 weeks showed further improvement in skin lesions. The adverse events were conjunctivitis and injection site reaction. In conclusion, dupilumab is an effective and safe treatment for moderate and severe AD. However, the longer-term efficacy and safety require further studies involving larger sample sizes and a longer follow-up time.

Dosimetric Advantages of VMAT TBI Plans: A Direct Comparison to Conventional TBI Plans

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Total body irradiation (TBI) continues to play an integral role in the conditioning of patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Historically, conventional TBI (C-TBI) has been delivered based on a clinical plan without CT simulation. However, volumetric modulated arc therapy TBI (V-TBI) is emerging as an alternative method to deliver TBI in a contemporary fashion. We aimed to compare these two methods of TBI delivery.

MATERIALS/METHODS

Patients undergoing treatment with V-TBI were identified. C-TBI plans were created using their existing simulation CT images. Patient thickness was measured on the scan and compensators such as lead sheets to attenuate dose in areas with less separation and lung blocks drawn on digitally reconstructed radiographs (DRR) were added when necessary. A 3D dose distribution was then calculated allowing for the direct comparison between C-TBI and V-TBI on the same patient using the same CT image set. Dosimetric data from each plan including target volume coverage, dose homogeneity, absolute max dose, and dose to lungs were recorded.

RESULTS

V-TBI and C-TBI plans for a total of four patients were preliminarily analyzed. Two patients were prescribed 200 cGy in a single fraction, while the other two were prescribed 1200 cGy in eight fractions. V-TBI resulted in a more favorable dosimetry for all four patients in most evaluated metrics including dose coverage, dose homogeneity, and lung dose (Table 1). V-TBI did result in an increased absolute maximum dose to all four patients compared to c-TBI, but still met the desired constraint of D0.03cc<125%.

CONCLUSION

V-TBI resulted in more favorable dosimetry for all four patients compared to C-TBI. To our knowledge, this is the first direct dosimetric comparison between the two methods. Analysis of 8 more V-TBI cases is currently underway. In the future, we plan to design a prospective study to evaluate the clinical outcomes of patients undergoing V-TBI vs C-TBI.

Dose Coverage Variation Caused by Setup Uncertainties in VMAT-TBI Treatment

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy Total Body Irradiation (VMAT TBI) offers several advantages over conventional TBI techniques, including reduced cost of the treatment room (a normal-sized vault versus a large shielded vault), increased patient comfort during treatment, lung sparing without the need for physical blocks, and a more homogeneous dose distribution. In VMAT-TBI treatment, plans at multiple isocenters are utilized to cover the entire body, and patients are positioned with the aid of image guidance. However, aligning the patient's entire body during setup can be challenging due to its pliability, and the setup time is heavily dependent on the tolerance allowed by the image guidance. Therefore, studying the variation in dose coverage caused by setup uncertainties in VMAT-TBI treatments can help optimize the clinical workflow and determine the optimal tolerance for patient positioning.

MATERIALS/METHODS

New plans were generated to simulate the uncertainties that occur during treatment setup for each patient. These plans were created by shifting the original VMAT TBI plans at the head, chest, abdomen (or pelvis) isocenters by 5mm and 1cm in the left-right (LR), inferior-superior (IS), and anterior-posterior (AP) directions, respectively. Dose DicomRT files were exported, and the dose change due to the shifts was analyzed. The statistical quantification of the percentage of the body that experienced a dose change of over 2%, 5%, and 10% of the prescription due to the shifts from the original plans was calculated for all patients. Histograms were generated, showing the percentage of body getting dose change of 1-2%, 2-3%, 3-5%, 5-7%, 7-10%, 10-15%.

RESULTS

The table below displays the percent volume receiving a dose change of 2%, 5%, and 10% of the prescription for a 5mm shift. Among the shift directions, the dose change is most sensitive in the IS direction, with similar impact observed the in LR and AP directions. Among different sites, the chest experiences the largest dose change, followed by the pelvis. For a 5mm shift in the IS direction, the average percent volume receiving a dose change of 2%, 5%, and 10% in the chest is 9.25%, 2.64%, and 0.27%, respectively. For a 1cm shift, the numbers are 12.23%, 6.75%, and 1.29%. In the pelvis (abdomen), these values are 9.03%, 1.67%, and 0.17% for a 5mm shift and 13.28%, 6.1%, and 0.85% for a 1cm shift. For head plans, the values are 2.72%, 0.9%, and 0.14% for a 5mm shift and 3.77%, 1.66%, and 0.53% for a 1cm shift.

CONCLUSION

Accurate alignment in the chest region is crucial in VMAT TBI treatment. Efforts should be made to minimize shifts over 1cm in the IS direction.

A Randomized Single-Blinded Study Comparing Preoperative with Post-Mastectomy PECS Block for Post-operative Pain Management in Bilateral Mastectomy with Immediate Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Ultrasound-guided pectoralis muscle blocks (PECS I/II) are well established for postoperative pain control after mastectomy with reconstruction. However, optimal timing is unclear. We conducted a randomized controlled single-blinded single-institution trial comparing outcomes of block performed pre-incision versus post-mastectomy.

METHOD

Patients with breast cancer undergoing bilateral mastectomy with immediate expander/implant reconstruction were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided PECS I/II either pre-incision (PreM, n = 17) or post-mastectomy and before reconstruction (PostM, n = 17). The primary outcome was the average pain score using the Numerical Rating Score during post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) and inpatient stay, with the study powered to detect a difference in mean pain score of 2. Secondary outcomes included mean pain scores on postoperative day (POD) 2, 3, 7, 14, 90, and 180; pain catastrophizing scores; narcotic requirements; PACU/inpatient length of stay; block procedure time; and complications.

RESULT

No significant differences between the two groups were noted in average pain score during PACU (p = 0.57) and 24-h inpatient stay (p = 0.33), in the 2 weeks after surgery at rest (p = 0.90) or during movement (p = 0.30), or at POD 90 and 180 at rest (p = 0.42) or during movement (p = 0.31). Median duration of block procedure (PreM 7 min versus PostM 6 min, p = 0.21) did not differ. Median PACU and inpatient length of stay were the same in each group. Inpatient narcotic requirements were similar, as were length of stay and post-surgical complication rates.

CONCLUSION

Intraoperative ultrasound-guided PECS I/II block administered by surgeons following mastectomy had similar outcomes to preoperative blocks.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This trial is registered with Clinical Research Information Service (NCT03653988).

Advanced strategies to overcome the challenges of bacteriophage-based antimicrobial treatments in food and agricultural systems

Bacteriophages (phages), highly prevalent in aquatic and terrestrial environments, have emerged as novel antimicrobial agents in food and agricultural systems. Owing to their efficient and unique infection mechanism, phages offer an alternative to antibiotic therapy as they specifically target their host bacteria without causing antibiotic resistance. However, the real-world applications of phages as antimicrobials are still limited due to their low survivability under harsh conditions and reduced antimicrobial efficacy. There is an unmet need to understand the challenges of using phages in food and agricultural systems and potential strategies to enhance their stability and delivery. This review overviews the challenges of using phages, including acidic conditions, improper temperatures, UV-light irradiation, desiccation, and inefficient delivery. It also summarizes novel strategies such as encapsulation, embedding, and immobilization, which enable improved viability and enhanced delivery. The protein capsid and nucleic acid components of phages are delicate and sensitive to physicochemical stresses. Incorporating phages into biocompatible materials can provide a physical barrier for improving phage stability and enhancing phage delivery, resulting in a high antimicrobial efficacy. In conclusion, the development of phage delivery systems can significantly overcome the challenges associated with phage treatments and reduce the risk of foodborne diseases in the industry.

Altered pupil responses to social and non-social stimuli in Shank3 mutant dogs

Pupillary response, an important process in visual perception and social and emotional cognition, has been widely studied for understanding the neural mechanisms of neuropsychiatric disorders. However, there have been few studies on pupil response to social and non-social stimuli in animal models of neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Here, we developed a pupilometer using a robust eye feature-detection algorithm for real-time pupillometry in dogs. In a pilot study, we found that a brief light flash induced a less-pronounced and slower pupil dilation response in gene-edited dogs carrying mutations in Shank3; mutations of its ortholog in humans were repeatedly identified in ASD patients. We further found that obnoxious, loud firecracker sound of 120 dB induced a stronger and longer pupil dilation response in Shank3 mutant dogs, whereas a high reward food induced a weaker pupillary response in Shank3 mutants than in wild-type control dogs. In addition, we found that Shank3 mutants showed compromised pupillary synchrony during dog-human interaction. These findings of altered pupil response in Shank3 mutant dogs recapitulate the altered sensory responses in ASD patients. Thus, this study demonstrates the validity and value of the pupilometer for dogs, and provides an effective paradigm for studying the underlying neural mechanisms of ASD and potentially other psychiatric disorders.

High-Pressure Synthesis of Single-Crystalline SnS Nanoribbons

Two-dimensional tin monosulfide (SnS) is attractive for the development of electronic and optoelectronic devices with anisotropic characteristics. However, its shape-controlled synthesis with an atomic thickness and high quality remains challenging. Here, we show that highly crystalline SnS nanoribbons can be produced via high-pressure (0.5 GPa) and thermal treatment (400 °C). These SnS nanoribbons have a length of several tens of micrometers and a thickness down to 5.8 nm, giving an average aspect ratio of ∼30.6. The crystal orientation along the zigzag direction and the in-plane structural anisotropy of the SnS nanoribbons are identified by transmission electron microscopy and polarized Raman spectroscopy, respectively. An ionic liquid-gated field-effect transistor fabricated using the SnS nanoribbon exhibits an on/off current ratio of >103 and a field-effect mobility of ∼0.7 cm2 V-1 s-1. This work provides a unique way to achieve one-dimensional growth of SnS.

Cascade energy transfer boosted near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence of nanofibers from an exclusively achiral system

We constructed chiral supramolecular nanofibers for light harvesting based on symmetry-breaking, and these can generate near-infrared circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) with high dissymmetry factor (g_lum) through a synergistic energy transfer and chirality transfer process. Firstly, the achiral molecule BTABA was assembled into a symmetry-breaking assembly using a seeded vortex strategy. Subsequently, the chiral assembly can endow the two achiral acceptors, Nile Red (NR) and Cyanine 7 (CY7), with supramolecular chirality, as well as chiroptical properties. CY7 can reach an excited state and emit near-infrared light through a cascade energy transfer process from BTABA to NR and then to CY7, but cannot directly acquire energy from the excited BTABA. Significantly, the near-infrared CPL of CY7 can be obtained with a boosted g_lum value of 0.03. This work will provide a deep insight into the preparation of materials with near-infrared CPL activity from an exclusively achiral system.

Genetic Variants of CYP4F2 Associated with Ischemic Stroke Susceptibility in the Han Population from Southern China

Background

The pathophysiological mechanism of ischemic stroke is complex. Traditional risk factors cannot fully or only partially explain the occurrence and development of IS. Genetic factors are getting more and more attention. Our study aimed to explore the association between CYP4F2 gene polymorphism and susceptibility to IS.

Methods

A total of 1322 volunteers were enrolled to perform an association analysis through SNPStats online software. Using FPRP (false-positive report probability) to detect whether the result is a noteworthy finding. The interaction of SNP-SNP in IS risk was assessed by multi-factor dimensionality reduction. Statistical analysis of this study was mainly completed by SPSS 22.0 software.

Results

Mutant allele "A" (OR = 1.24) and genotype "AA" (OR = 1.49) or "GA" (OR = 1.26) of CYP4F2-rs2108622 are risk genetic factors for IS. Rs2108622 is significantly associated with an increased risk of IS among subjects who are females, aging >60 years old, with BMI ≥24 kg/m², and smoking or drinking volunteers. CYP4F2-rs3093106 and -rs3093105 are associated with susceptibility to IS among smoking, drinking subjects, or IS patients complicated with hypertension.

Conclusion

CYP4F2-rs2108622, -rs3093106, and -rs3093105 are associated with an increased risk of IS.

Unraveling the cation adsorption of geopolymer binder: A molecular dynamics study

Geopolymers play a significant role in remediation of heavy metal contamination and are attracting increasing interests. Sodium aluminosilicate hydrate (NASH) is the prime hydration substance of geopolymers which exhibits excellent adsorption capacity, however, the mechanism of metal cation adsorption at the NASH interface remains unclear. In this study, the adsorption behavior of cations at the NASH interface was investigated in depth, and the effects of Si/Al ratios, ion concentration and ion type on adsorption behavior were also analyzed. Furthermore, three Si/Al ratio models of NASH gel were modified and developed by molecular dynamics simulation, and validated by experiments. The result showed that electrostatic attraction and ion exchange played the major role in adsorbing three cations on the surface of NASH gel. For cations with the same charge number, ionic radius was inversely proportional to the cation exchange and adsorption capacity. Cations with lower ionic potential, among those with different charge numbers, were easier to be adsorbed onto the NASH surface. Therefore, the adsorption capacity of NASH for the three adsorbents was in the order of Na⁺ > Cs⁺ > Pb²⁺. The adsorption capacity of NASH gel for cations increased with the increasing of Al/Si and decreased with the increasing of cation concentration, which was attributed to the increased electrostatic attraction on the NASH surface and the limited number of adsorption sites. The derived microstructure and dynamics information are beneficial for profoundly understanding the adsorption mechanisms of geopolymers on cations.

Role of CYP19A1 Loci (rs28757157 and rs3751591) with Ischemic Stroke Risk in the Chinese Han Population

Introduction

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a multifactorial and polygenic disease, which is affected by genetic factors. In this study, we explored the role of CYP19A1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IS in the Chinese population.

Methods

1302 subjects (651 controls and 651 cases) were recruited in this case-control study. Four candidate SNPs (rs28757157 C/T, rs3751592 C/T, rs3751591 G/A, rs59429575 C/T) of CYP19A1 were selected by the 1000 genomes project database. The association between CYP19A1 SNPs and IS risk was assessed using logistic regression analysis with odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). False-positive report probability (FPRP) analysis further verified the positive results. The interaction of SNP-SNP was analyzed by multi-factor dimensionality reduction (MDR) to predict is risk.

Results

In the research, CYP19A1 loci (rs28757157 and rs3751591) were associated with the occurrence of IS. The two variants conferred an increased susceptibility to IS in the subjects aged over 60 years old, smokers and drinkers. Rs28757157 was related to the risk of IS in females, non-smokers and subjects with BMI less than 24, while rs59429575 was related to the risk of IS in males and subjects with BMI greater than 24.

Conclusion

The study revealed that there is a significant association between CYP19A1 loci (rs28757157 and rs3751591) and IS risk in the Chinese Han population, providing a theoretical basis for further exploring its specific role in the pathogenesis of IS.

Clinical Relevance of Plaque Distribution for Basilar Artery Stenosis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is no clear association between plaque distribution and postoperative complications in patients with basilar artery atherosclerotic stenosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether plaque distribution and postoperative complications after endovascular treatment for basilar artery stenosis are related.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Our study enrolled patients with severe basilar artery stenosis who were scanned with high-resolution MR imaging and followed by DSA before the intervention. According to high-resolution MR imaging, plaques can be classified as ventral, lateral, dorsal, or involved in 2 quadrants. Plaques affecting the proximal, distal, or junctional segments of the basilar artery were classified according to DSA. An experienced independent team assessed ischemic events after the intervention using MR imaging. Further analysis was conducted to determine the relationship between plaque distribution and postoperative complications.

RESULTS

A total of 140 eligible patients were included in the study, with a postoperative complication rate of 11.4%. These patients were an average age of 61.9 (SD, 7.7) years. Dorsal wall plaques accounted for 34.3% of all plaques, and plaques distal to the anterior-inferior cerebellar artery accounted for 60.7%. Postoperative complications of endovascular treatment were associated with plaques located at the lateral wall (OR = 4.00; 95% CI, 1.21-13.23; P = .023), junctional segment (OR = 8.75; 95% CI, 1.16-66.22; P = .036), and plaque burden (OR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06; P = .042).

CONCLUSIONS

Plaques with a large burden located at the junctional segment and lateral wall of the basilar artery may increase the likelihood of postoperative complications following endovascular therapy. A larger sample size is needed for future studies.

Self-Reconstructed Spinel Surface Structure Enabling the Long-Term Stable Hydrogen Evolution Reaction/Oxygen Evolution Reaction Efficiency of FeCoNiRu High-Entropy Alloyed Electrocatalyst

High catalytic efficiency and long-term stability are two main components for the performance assessment of an electrocatalyst. Previous attention has been paid more to efficiency other than stability. The present work is focused on the study of the stability processed on the FeCoNiRu high-entropy alloy (HEA) in correlation with its catalytic efficiency. This catalyst has demonstrated not only performing the simultaneous hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with high efficiency but also sustaining long-term stability upon HER and OER. The study reveals that the outstanding stability is attributed to the spinel oxide surface layer developed during evolution reactions. The spinel structure preserves the active sites that are inherited from the HEA's intrinsic structure. This work will provide an insightful direction/pathway for the design and manufacturing activities of other metallic electrocatalysts and a benchmark for the assessment of their efficiency-stability relationship.

[Analysis of the clinical features and the risk factors of severe human metapneu movirus-associated community acquired pneumonia in children]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and the risk factors of severe human metapneumovirus (hMPV)-associated community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children. Methods: A retrospective case summary was conducted. From December 2020 to March 2022, 721 children who were diagnosed with CAP and tested positive for hMPV nucleic acid by PCR-capillary electrophoresis fragment analysis of nasopharyngeal secretions at the Yuying Children's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University were selected as the research objects. The clinical characteristics, epidemiological characteristics and mixed pathogens of the two groups were analyzed. According to CAP diagnostic criteria, the children were divided into the severe group and the mild group. Chi-square test or Mann-Whitney rank and contrast analysis was used for comparison between groups, while multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the risk factors of the severe hMPV-associated CAP. Results: A total of 721 children who were diagnosed with hMPV-associated CAP were included in this study, with 397 males and 324 females. There were 154 cases in the severe group. The age of onset was 1.0 (0.9, 3.0) years, <3 years old 104 cases (67.5%), and the length of hospital stay was 7 (6, 9) days. In the severe group, 67 children (43.5%) were complicated with underlying diseases. In the severe group, 154 cases (100.0%) had cough, 148 cases (96.1%) had shortness of breath and pulmonary moist rales, and 132 cases (85.7%) had fever, 23 cases (14.9%) were complicated with respiratory failure. C-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated in 86 children (55.8%), including CRP≥50 mg/L in 33 children (21.4%). Co-infection was detected in 77 cases (50.0%) and 102 strains of pathogen were detected, 25 strains of rhinovirus, 17 strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 15 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae, 12 strains of Haemophilus influenzae and 10 strains of respiratory syncytial virus were detected. Six cases (3.9%) received heated and humidified high flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy, 15 cases (9.7%) were admitted to intensive care unit, and 2 cases (1.3%) received mechanical ventilation. In the severe group, 108 children were cured, 42 children were improved, 4 chlidren were discharged automatically without recovery and no death occurred. There were 567 cases in the mild group. The age of onset was 2.7 (1.0, 4.0) years, and the length of hospital stay was 4 (4, 6) days.Compared with the mild group, the proportion of children who age of disease onset <6 months, CRP≥50 mg/L, the proportions of preterm birth, congenital heart disease, malnutrition, congenital airway malformation, neuromuscular disease, mixed respiratory syncytial viruses infection were higher (20 cases (13.0%) vs. 31 cases (5.5%), 32 cases (20.8%) vs. 64 cases (11.3%), 23 cases (14.9%) vs. 44 cases (7.8%), 11 cases (7.1%) vs. 18 cases (3.2%), 9 cases (5.8%) vs. 6 cases (1.1%), 11 cases (7.1%) vs. 12 cases (2.1%), 8 cases (5.2%) vs. 4 cases (0.7%), 10 cases (6.5%) vs. 13 cases (2.3%), χ²=0.42, 9.45, 7.40, 4.94, 11.40, 8.35, 3.52, 6.92, all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age<6 months (OR=2.51, 95%CI 1.29-4.89), CRP≥50 mg/L (OR=2.20, 95%CI 1.36-3.57), prematurity (OR=2.19, 95%CI 1.26-3.81), malnutrition (OR=6.05, 95%CI 1.89-19.39) were the independent risk factors for severe hMPV-associated CAP. Conclusions: Severe hMPV-associated CAP is most likely to occur in infants under 3 years old and has a higher proportion of underlying diseases and co-infection. The main clinical manifestations are cough, shortness of breath and pulmonary moist rales, fever. The overall prognosis is good. Age<6 months, CRP≥50 mg/L, preterm birth, malnutrition are the independent risk factors for severe hMPV-associated CAP.

pH-dependent water permeability switching and its memory in MoS2 membranes

Intelligent transport of molecular species across different barriers is critical for various biological functions and is achieved through the unique properties of biological membranes1-4. Two essential features of intelligent transport are the ability to (1) adapt to different external and internal conditions and (2) memorize the previous state5. In biological systems, the most common form of such intelligence is expressed as hysteresis6. Despite numerous advances made over previous decades on smart membranes, it remains a challenge to create a synthetic membrane with stable hysteretic behaviour for molecular transport7-11. Here we demonstrate the memory effects and stimuli-regulated transport of molecules through an intelligent, phase-changing MoS2 membrane in response to external pH. We show that water and ion permeation through 1T' MoS2 membranes follows a pH-dependent hysteresis with a permeation rate that switches by a few orders of magnitude. We establish that this phenomenon is unique to the 1T' phase of MoS2, due to the presence of surface charge and exchangeable ions on the surface. We further demonstrate the potential application of this phenomenon in autonomous wound infection monitoring and pH-dependent nanofiltration. Our work deepens understanding of the mechanism of water transport at the nanoscale and opens an avenue for the development of intelligent membranes.

A General Strategy to Remove Metal Aggregates toward Metal-Nitrogen-Carbon Catalysts with Exclusive Atomic Dispersion

Metal- and nitrogen-doped nanocarbons (M-N-Cs) are promising alternatives to precious metals for catalyzing electrochemical energy conversion processes. However, M-N-Cs synthesized by high-temperature pyrolysis frequently suffer from compositional heterogeneity with the simultaneous presence of atomically dispersed M-N_x sites and crystalline metal nanoparticles (NPs), which hinders the identification of active sites and rational optimization in performance. Herein, a universal and efficient strategy is reported to obtain both precious- and nonprecious-metal-based M-N-Cs (M = Pt, Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Cu, Zn) with exclusive atomic dispersion by making use of ammonium iodide as the etchant to remove excessive metal aggregates at high temperature. Taking Pt-N-C as a proof-of-concept demonstration, the complete removal of Pt NPs in Pt-N-C enables clarification on the contributions of the atomic Pt-N_x moieties and Pt NPs to the catalytic activity toward the hydrogen evolution reaction. Combined electrochemical measurements and theoretical calculations identify that the atomic Pt-N_x moieties by themselves possess negligible activity, but they can significantly boost the activity of the Pt NPs via the synergistic effect.

Social and paternal female choice for male MHC genes in golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana)

Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) play important roles in vertebrate immunocompetence. MHC genes thus offer females indirect benefits to mate choice through the production of offspring of an optimal MHC genotype. Females may choose males with specific MHC haplotypes, dissimilar MHC genotypes, MHC heterozygous males or MHC-diverse males. We tested these four alternatives for both female social and paternal choice in wild golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) by examining overall genetic variability (via microsatellites) and four MHC-genes (DRB1, DRB2, DQA1 and DQB1). Monte Carlo randomization tests showed that MHC dissimilarity was favored for social choice (males to which females were socially affiliated) and intermediate MHC dissimilarity was favored in paternal choice (fathers of offspring). No evidence of inbreeding avoidance was found for either social or paternal mates. We found that MHC heterozygotes, higher microsatellite multi-locus heterozygosity and higher microsatellites diversity were favored for social mates, and higher microsatellite diversity was favored for paternal mates. Independent of male age, we found that the formation of male-female social pairings is significantly predicted by compatibility based on the sharing of MHC haplotypes. However, we found no evidence of independent genetic effects on the duration of male-female social pairings, male social status (achieving OMU leader male status or not), the number of females with which individual leader males paired, the likelihood of potential male-female pairings producing offspring, or whether males fathered offspring or not. Overall, our findings suggest different genetic factors are involved in social and paternal choice in R. roxellana.

Sequential treatment of teriparatide and alendronate versus alendronate alone for elevation of bone mineral density and prevention of refracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty in osteoporosis: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous vertebroplasty was the most common strategy for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture. However, refracture after vertebroplasty also occurred and bone mineral density (BMD) was one of the main factors associated with refracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty.

AIMS

To investigate the efficacy of a short-sequential treatment of teriparatide followed by alendronate on prevention of refracture after percutaneous vertebroplasty in osteoporotic patients, and compare it with the therapy of alendronate alone.

METHODS

From January 2018 to January 2020, we recruited 165 female osteoporosis patients after percutaneous vertebroplasty who were assigned into sequential treatment of teriparatide followed by alendronate group (TPTD + ALN group) and alendronate alone group (ALN group). The vertebral fracture occurred during this process was also recorded in both the groups. A total of 105 participants completed the 1-year follow-up. Furthermore, BMD and serum procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (PINP) and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) were compared between the two groups during 1-year follow-up.

RESULTS

The 105 patients were finally included, with 59 in ALN group and 46 in TPTD + ALN group. During 1-year follow-up, the vertebral refracture rate in TPTD + ALN group was much lower than that in ALN group (2.2% vs. 13.6%, p < 0.05). At 12 months, the BMDs at lumbar in TPTD + ALN group were significantly elevated when compared to the ALN group (0.65 ± 0.10 vs. 0.57 ± 0.07, p < 0.001).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

A short-sequential administration of teriparatide followed by alendronate was more effective in elevating the BMD and decreasing the refracture rate at 12-month follow-up, compared to the counterpart with alendronate alone.

LncRNA GAS5 Regulates Gemcitabine Resistance in Pancreatic Carcinoma by Targeting miRNA-21

OBJECTIVE

Gemcitabine is the first-line drug for chemotherapy of pancreatic cancer. However, owing to the inherent and acquired resistance, gemcitabine does not change obviously the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. Exploration of the mechanism of acquired resistance to gemcitabine is of great clinical importance.

METHODS

Human gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells were established and GAS5 expression levels were determined. Proliferation and apoptosis were detected in vitro. Multidrug resistance related proteins were determined by western blotting. The relationship between GAS5 and miR-21 were evaluated by luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

The results showed that GAS5 was significantly downregulated in gemcitabine-resistant PAN-1 and CaPa-2 cells. Overexpression of GAS5 in gemcitabine-resistant PAN-1 and CaPa-2 cells significantly inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis and reduced MRP1, MDR1, and ABCG2 expressions. In addition, miR-21 mimics reversed the phenotype of GAS5-overexpression in gemcitabine-resistant PAN-1 and CaPa-2 cells.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, GAS5 was involved in gemcitabine resistance in pancreatic carcinoma and possibly through regulating miR-21, and subsequent cell proliferation, apoptosis and expression of multidrug resistant transporters.

High-order robust control and Stackelberg game-based optimization for uncertain fuzzy PMSM system with inequality constraints

There exist the uncertainties and the inequality constraints in permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) system. In order to meet the safety control requirements in industrial applications, the state transformation is used to meet the inequality constraints for limiting the outputs within desired bounds. Then, fuzzy set theory, which is different from fuzzy logic, is used to describe uncertainty, and the fuzzy PMSM dynamical model is established. Based on that, a robust control with high-order term is proposed to compensate for the time-varying uncertainty. Furthermore, for improving the system performance and decreasing the control cost, the Stackelberg game is introduced into the optimization scheme design, in which the leader plays a more important role than follower. These characteristic corresponds to the influence of the two tunable control parameters on the system. Thus, the optimal parameters are obtained by the rules of Stackelberg game. Finally, experimental results show the effectiveness of the above theories.

A variant of RAG1 gene identified in severe combined immunodeficiency: a case report

BACKGROUND

The recombination-activating gene 1 (RAG1) protein is essential for the V (variable)-D (diversity)-J (joining) recombination process. Mutations in RAG1 have been reported to be associated with several types of immune disorders. Typical clinical features driven by RAG1 variants include persistent infections, severe lymphopenia, and decreased immunoglobulin levels .

CASE PRESENTATION

In this study, a 2-month-24-days-old infant with recurrent fever was admitted to our hospital with multiple infections and absence of T and B lymphocytes. The infant was diagnosed with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). A homozygous variation c.2147G>A (NM_000448.2: exonme2: c.2147G>A (p.Arg716Gln)) was identified in the RAG1 gene using whole-exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing. The predicted 3D structure of variant RAG1 indicated altered protein stability. Additionally, decreased expression of variant RAG1 gene was detected at both the mRNA and protein levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identified a novel homozygous variant in RAG1 gene that causes SCID. This finding expands the variant spectrum of RAG1 in SCID and provides further evidence for the clinical diagnosis of SCID.

Do golden snub-nosed monkeys use deceptive alarm calls during competition for food?

Tactical deception can be beneficial for social animals during intra-specific competition. However, the use of tactical deception in wild mammals is predicted to be rare. We tested whether a food-provisioned free-ranging band of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) use alarm calls in a functionally deceptive manner to gain access to food resources, whether the rate of deceptive alarm calls varies among individuals, and whether there are any counter-deception behaviors. We used a hexagonal camera array consisting of 10 cameras to record videos during feeding, which allowed us to identify individual alarm callers. We found evidence that these monkeys use deceptive alarms and that adult females were more likely to use such calls than other individuals. The monkeys increased their rates of response to alarm calls when competition for food was high. However, we found no direct evidence of any counter-deception strategies.

Bio-based antimicrobial compositions and sensing technologies to improve food safety

Microbial contamination of food products is a significant challenge that impacts food safety and quality. This review focuses on bio-based technologies for enhancing the decontamination of raw foods during postharvest processing, preventing cross-contamination, and rapidly detecting microbial risks. The bio-based antimicrobial compositions include bio-based antimicrobial delivery systems and coatings. The antimicrobial delivery systems are developed using cell-based carriers, microbubbles, and lipid-based colloidal particles. The antimicrobial coatings are engineered by incorporating biopolymers with conventional antimicrobials or cell-based antimicrobial carriers. The bio-based sensing approaches focus on replacing antibodies with more stable and cost-effective bio-receptors, including antimicrobial peptides, bacteriophages, DNAzymes, and engineered liposomes. Together, these approaches can reduce microbial contamination risks and enhance the in-situ detection of microbes.

Development of a laser-based angle-resolved-photoemission spectrometer with sub-micrometer spatial resolution and high-efficiency spin detection

Angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with sub-micrometer spatial resolution (μ-ARPES), has become a powerful tool for studying quantum materials. To achieve sub-micrometer or even nanometer-scale spatial resolution, it is important to focus the incident light beam (usually from synchrotron radiation) using x-ray optics, such as the zone plate or ellipsoidal capillary mirrors. Recently, we developed a laser-based μ-ARPES with spin-resolution (LMS-ARPES). The 177 nm laser beam is achieved by frequency-doubling a 355 nm beam using a KBBF crystal and subsequently focused using an optical lens with a focal length of about 16 mm. By characterizing the focused spot size using different methods and performing spatial-scanning photoemission measurement, we confirm the sub-micron spatial resolution of the system. Compared with the μ-ARPES facilities based on the synchrotron radiation, our LMS-ARPES system is not only more economical and convenient, but also with higher photon flux (>5 × 10¹³ photons/s), thus enabling the high-resolution and high-statistics measurements. Moreover, the system is equipped with a two-dimensional spin detector based on exchange scattering at a surface-passivated iron film grown on a W(100) substrate. We investigate the spin structure of the prototype topological insulator Bi₂Se₃ and reveal a high spin-polarization rate, confirming its spin-momentum locking property. This lab-based LMS-ARPES will be a powerful research tool for studying the local fine electronic structures of different condensed matter systems, including topological quantum materials, mesoscopic materials and structures, and phase-separated materials.

PEC/Colorimetric Dual-Mode Lab-on-Paper Device via BiVO4/FeOOH Nanocomposite In Situ Modification on Paper Fibers for Sensitive CEA Detection

A dual-mode lab-on-paper device based on BiVO₄/FeOOH nanocomposites as an efficient generating photoelectrochemical (PEC)/colorimetric signal reporter has been successfully constructed by integration of the lab-on-paper sensing platform and PEC/colorimetric detection technologies for sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Concretely, the BiVO₄/FeOOH nanocomposites were in situ synthesized onto the paper-working electrode (PWE) through hydrothermal synthesis of the BiVO₄ layer on cellulose fibers (paper-based BiVO₄) which were initially modified by Au nanoparticles for improving the conductivity of three dimensional PWE, and then the photo-electrodeposition of FeOOH onto the paper-based BiVO₄ to construct the paper-based BiVO₄/FeOOH for the portable dual-mode lab-on-paper device. The obtained nanocomposites with an FeOOH needle-like structure deposited on the BiVO₄ layer exhibits enhanced PEC response activity due to its effective separation of the electron-hole pair which could further accelerate the PEC conversion efficiency during the sensing process. With the introduction of CEA targets onto the surface of nanocomposite-modified PWE assisted by the interaction with the CEA antibody from a specific recognition property, a signal-off PEC signal state with a remarkable photocurrent response decreasing trend can be achieved, realizing the quantitative detection of CEA with the PEC signal readout mode. By means of a smart origami paper folding, the colorimetric signal readout is achieved by catalyzing 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to generate blue oxidized TMB in the presence of H₂O₂ due to the satisfied enzyme-like catalytic activity of the needle-like structure, FeOOH, thereby achieving the dual-mode signal readout system for the proposed lab-on-paper device. Under the optimal conditions, the PEC and colorimetric signals measurement were effectively carried out, and the corresponding linear ranges were 0.001-200 ng·mL^-1 and 0.5-100 ng·mL^-1 separately, with the limit of detection of 0.0008 and 0.013 ng·mL^-1 for each dual-mode. The prepared lab-on-paper device also presented a successful application in serum samples for the detection of CEA, providing a potential pathway for the sensitive detection of target biomarkers in clinical application.

Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Comparison of Tau Imaging with 18F-MK6240 and 18F-Flortaucipir in Populations Matched for Age, MMSE and Brain Beta-Amyloid Burden

OBJECTIVES

Longitudinal tau quantification may provide a useful marker of drug efficacy in clinical trials. Different tau PET tracers may have different sensitivity to longitudinal changes, but without a head-to-head dataset or a carefully designed case-matching procedure, comparing results in different cohorts can be biased. In this study, we compared the tau PET tracers, 18F-MK6240 and 18F-flortaucipir (FTP), both cross-sectionally and longitudinally by case-matching subjects in the AIBL and ADNI longitudinal cohort studies.

METHODS

A subset of 113 participants from AIBL and 113 from ADNI imaged using 18F-MK6240 and 18F-FTP respectively, with baseline and follow-up, were matched based on baseline clinical diagnosis, MMSE, age and amyloid (Aβ) PET centiloid value. Subjects were grouped as 64 Aβ- cognitively unimpaired (CU), 22 Aβ+ CU, 14 Aβ+ mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 13 Aβ+ Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tracer retention was measured in the mesial, temporoparietal, rest of the cortex, and a meta-temporal region composed of entorhinal, inferior/middle temporal, fusiform, parahippocampus and amygdala. T-tests were employed to assess group separation at baseline using SUVR Z-scores and longitudinally using SUVR%/Yr.

RESULTS

Both tracers detected statistically significant differences at baseline in most regions between all clinical groups. Only 18F-MK6240 showed statistically significant higher rate of SUVR increase in Aβ+ CU compared to Aβ- CU in the mesial, meta-temporal and temporoparietal regions.

CONCLUSION

18F-MK6240 appears to be a more sensitive tracer for change in tau level at the preclinical stage of AD.