Self-assembled PtNi layered metallene nanobowls for pH-universal electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Compared with layered materials such as graphite and transition metal disulfide compounds with highly anisotropic in-plane covalent bonds, it is inherently more challenging to obtain independent metallic two-dimensional films with atomic thickness. In this study, PtNi layered metallene nanobowls (LMBs) with multilayer atomic-scale nanosheets and bowl-like structures have been synthesized in one step using structural and electronic effects. The material has the advantage of catalyzing pH-universal hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Compared with Pt/C, PtNi LMBs exhibited excellent HER activity and stability under all pH conditions. The overpotentials of 10 mA cm-2 at 0.5 M H2SO4, 1.0 M phosphate buffer and 1.0 M KOH were 14.8, 20.3, and 34.0 mV, respectively. Under acidic, neutral and alkaline conditions, the HER Faraday efficiencies reach 98.97%, 98.85%, and 99.04%, respectively. This study provides an example for the preparation of unique multilayer nanobowls, and also provides a basic research platform for the development of special HER materials.

Distinctive p-d Orbital Hybridization in CuSb Porous Nanonetworks for Enhanced Nitrite Electroreduction to Ammonia

Electrochemical nitrite reduction reaction (NO 2 - RR ${\mathrm{NO}}_{\mathrm{2}}^{\mathrm{ - }}{\mathrm{RR}}$ ), as a green and sustainable ammonia synthesis technology, has broad application prospects and environmental friendliness. Herein, an unconventional p-d orbital hybridization strategy is reported to realize the fabrication of defect-rich CuSb porous nanonetwork (CuSb PNs) electrocatalyst forNO 2 - RR ${\mathrm{NO}}_{\mathrm{2}}^ - {\mathrm{RR}}$ . The crystalline/amorphous heterophase structure is cleverly introduced into the porous nanonetworks, and this defect-rich structure exposes more atoms and activated boundaries. CuSb PNs exhibit a large NH3 yield (r N H 3 ${{r}_{{\mathrm{N}}{{{\mathrm{H}}}_{\mathrm{3}}}}}$ ) of 946.1 µg h-1m cat - 1 ${\mathrm{m}}_{{\mathrm{cat}}}^{ - {\mathrm{1}}}$ and a high faradaic efficiency (FE) of 90.7%. Experimental and theoretical studies indicate that the excellent performance of CuSb PNs results from the defect-rich porous nanonetworks structure and the p-d hybridization of Cu and Sb elements. This work describes a powerful pathway for the fabrication of p-d orbital hybrid defect-rich porous nanonetworks catalysts, and provides hope for solving the problem of nitrogen oxide pollution in the field of environment and energy.

Is polyethylene glycol loxenatide 100 μg the preferred glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes mellitus? A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy, safety and optimal dose of polyethylene glycol loxenatide (PEX168) for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical trials of PEX168 for T2DM were identified in 8 databases, with a build time limit of January 2023. Included studies were subjected to meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA).

RESULTS

On the efficacy endpoint, the meta-analysis showed that PEX168 100 μg significantly reduced 0.86% glycated hemoglobin type A1c (HbA1c) (MD -0.86, 95% CI -1.02 - -0.70,  p<0.00001), 1.11 mmol/L fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (MD -1.11, 95% CI -1.49 - -0.74, p<0.00001) and 1.91 mmol/L 2h postprandial glucose (PPG) (MD -1.91, 95% CI -3.35 - -0.46, p=0.01) compared with placebo. The TSA showed that all these benefits were conclusive. On safety endpoints, total adverse events (AEs), gastrointestinal (GI) AEs, serious AEs, and hypoglycemia were comparable to placebo for PEX168 100 μg (p>0.05). In the dose comparison, the HbA1c, FPG, and 2h PPG of PEX168 200 μg were comparable to 100 μg (p>0.05), while GI AEs were significantly higher than 100 μg (RR=2.84, 95% CI 1.64-4.93,  p=0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

PEX168 100 μg can significantly lower blood glucose and does not increase the risk of total AEs, GI AEs, and hypoglycemia, which may be a preferred glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Play the "combo fist" in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced gastric cancer]

The incidence of gastric cancer ranks fifth among malignant tumors worldwide, with the fourth highest mortality rate. A noteworthy characteristic of our country is the high prevalence of advanced-stage patients of approximately 40%. Advanced-stage gastric cancer carries an unfavorable prognosis with median survival of around one year. Diagnosis methods for advanced-stage gastric cancer (such as laparoscopic exploration, molecular profiling, and artificial intelligence) are still being continuously improved, while chemotherapy remains the primary treatment. With the rapid development of medical science, the role of surgical intervention in advanced-stage gastric cancer is becoming increasingly prominent. Therefore, as gastric tumor surgeons, we should consider how to use a combination of treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and interventional therapy, based on different pathological stages and the heterogeneity of tumors. With a multidisciplinary approach involving experts from various fields, we can collectively improve the survival rate and quality of life for advanced-stage patients. This article provides a brief overview of the current advances in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced-stage gastric cancer, and discusses therapeutic decision primarily from the perspective of surgeons.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and faecal microbiota transplantation can improve colitis in mice by affecting gut microbiota and metabolomics

Gut microbiota may have therapeutic effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Regulating intestinal microbiota through Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a novel approach to treating IBD. This study aimed to explore the effect of L. plantarum and FMT pretreatment in alleviating colitis in mice. Five groups of mice (n = 6 per group) were included: CON group, DSS group (dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis mice), LP-DSS pretreatment group (colitis mice were given strain L. plantarum and 5% DSS), DSS-FMT group (mice pretreated with faecal microbiota transplantation were given 5% DSS), and LP-FMT pretreatment group (mice pretreated with faecal microbiota transplantation and L. plantarum were given 5% DSS). Serum metabolites and intestinal microbiota were analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The results demonstrated that L. plantarum and FMT improved gut microbiota in mice by increasing Firmicutes and decreasing the Bacteroidetes. In the serum metabolomics analysis, there were 11 differential metabolites in the DSS-FMT and LP-FMT pretreatment groups, and these differential metabolites were mainly glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. It is worth noting that Lachnospira and Lactobacillus were positively associated with 8 differential metabolites. These results suggest that L. plantarum and FMT can regulate intestinal microorganisms and serum metabolomics to alleviate inflammation.

Impacts of Combining Pulsed Low Dose Rate Radiotherapy (PLDR) and Anti-PD-1 Antibody on Tumor Growth and Its Mechanism for Lung Cancer in Mice

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

As an emerging anti-tumor strategy, Immunotherapies has been approved for the treatment of a variety of tumors. Recent data suggest that the efficacy of radiotherapy in various cancers can be augmented when combined with immune checkpoint blockade. Then, pulsed low dose rate radiotherapy (PLDR) is a new radiotherapy segmentation method. Therefore, this study investigated the inhibitory effect of PLDR combined with anti-PD-1 antibody on lung cancer in mice and its impact on tumor immune microenvironment.

MATERIALS/METHODS

By transplanting murine LLC cells into the right leg of C57BL/6 mice with immune activity, a transplanted subcutaneous tumor model was established. The mice were randomly divided into five groups: control, conventional radiotherapy (RT)±anti-PD-1 antibody (mAb),PLDR±anti-PD-1 antibody (mAb). RT was delivered as a dose of 5 × 2 Gy whereas PLDR involved delivering a dose of 2 Gy as 10 pulses of 0.2 Gy, each 3 minutes apart and lasting for 5 days. Anti-PD-1 antibody and isotype control were administered intraperitoneally once every three days at a dose of 5mg/kg, three times in total. The tumor, blood and tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) were harvested after treatment, and a single cell suspension was prepared for flow cytometry to analyze the changes in the immune microenvironment of the tumor tissue, the expression of PD-L1. PD-1 and the activated systemic immune response; Finally, this study explored a mechanism able to explain the observed synergy of combined therapy.

RESULTS

PLDR combined with anti-PD-1 antibody can better inhibit the growth of tumor than RT,PLDR and RT combined group. Survival analysis demonstrated a statistically significant advantage for PLDR+anti-PD-1 than other groups. Median survival with PLDR+anti-PD-1mAb was 63d compared with 54d with RT+anti-PD-1mAb,41d with RT and 40d with PLDR and 33 with control. Meanwhile both RT and PLDR induced up-regulation of PD-L1 expression on tumor surface and PD-1 expression on lymphocytes. Then, the frequency of CD4+,CD8+T cells were higher in the PLDR combined treatment group in tumor blood and draining lymph nodes, and synergistically reduce the local accumulation of tumor-infiltrating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) than others. Finally, the main reason for the better tumor inhibition effect of PLDR combined group is that it upgrades the number and activity of CD8+T cells in tumor.

CONCLUSION

PLDR combined with anti-PD-1 antibody can result in better tumor growth inhibition and significantly delay the survival time of mice, which was mainly through the cytotoxic T cell-dependent mechanism, meanwhile increasing the infiltration of CD4 + and CD8 +T-cells in tissues.

Analysis of prognostic factors for vocal fold leukoplakia based on 344 cases at a two-year follow up

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate risk factors for poor prognosis in vocal fold leukoplakia.

METHODS

Clinical data were collected for 344 patients with vocal fold leukoplakia who received surgical treatment in our otolaryngology department from October 2010 to June 2019. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of the relevant factors were conducted.

RESULTS

Among the 344 patients, 98 exhibited recurrence and 30 underwent a malignant change. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that size of the lesion (p = 0.03, odds ratio = 2.14), form of the lesion under white light (p < 0.001), surgical method (p < 0.001, odds ratio = 0.28) and pathological type (p < 0.001) were independent factors that affected the recurrence of vocal fold leukoplakia. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, the sole independent risk factor for malignant transformation of vocal fold leukoplakia was pathological type (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The outlook for vocal fold leukoplakia depends on several clinical factors, especially pathological type. The more severe the pathological type, the more likely it is to recur or become cancerous.

Bibliometric analysis of intestinal microbiota in diabetic nephropathy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to use bibliometrics to explore the research overview and research hotspots.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The relevant literature on intestinal flora and diabetic nephropathy in the Web of Science Core Collection was sorted out, and VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Scimago Graphica and other software were used to conduct data visualization analysis on the number of publications, countries, institutions, journals, authors, keywords and citations.

RESULTS

A total of 124 relevant literatures were included. From 2015 to 2022, the number of published papers increased every year. The countries, institutions and journals that published the most articles in this field are China, Isfahan University Medical Science and Frontiers in Pharmacology. Liu Bicheng and Mirlohi Maryam are the authors with the most published articles in this field. The main keywords of research in this field are obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, indoxyl sulfate, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and Chinese herbal medicine.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first bibliometric analysis of diabetic nephropathy and gut microbiota, reporting hot spots and emerging trends. Obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, indoxyl sulfate, SCFAs and Chinese herbal medicine are the main keywords of current research, and SCFAs and Chinese herbal medicine may be the hotspots of future research.

Efficacy and safety of iguratimod combined with methylprednisolone for primary Sjögren's syndrome: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the combination of iguratimod (IGU) and methylprednisolone (MP) for the efficacy and safety of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) by a meta-analysis and a trial sequential analysis (TSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical studies of IGU combined with MP for pSS were searched through eight databases. Revman 5.3 and TSA 0.9.5.10 Beta were used for the meta-analysis and TSA.

RESULTS

In terms of efficacy endpoints, compared with "HCQ+MP" group, "IGU+MP" group decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [mean difference (MD)=-5.15, 95% confidence interval (CI)=(-7.37, -2.93), p<0.0001], immunoglobulin G (IgG) [MD=-3.38, 95% CI=(-4.13, -2.64), p<0.00001], immunoglobulin M (IgM) [MD=-0.64, 95% CI=(-1.19, -0.09), p=0.02], Immunoglobulin A (IgA) [MD=-1.16, 95% CI=(-1.92, -0.39), p=0.003], EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) [MD=-1.62, 95% CI=(-2.07, -1.17), p<0.0001], EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) [MD=-2.07, 95% CI=(-2.54, -1.59), p<0.0001], increase platelet (PLT) [MD=13.21, 95% CI=(9.77,16.65), p<0.00001], and improve Schirmer I test (SIT) [MD=1.86, 95% CI=(1.40, 2.32), p<0.0001]. TSA presented that these benefits observed with the current information volume were all conclusive, except for IgM. In terms of safety endpoints, the total adverse event rates (AEs), leucopenia, gastrointestinal (GI) AEs, skin diseases, and liver dysfunction of the "IGU+MP" group and the "HCQ+MP" group were comparable. And TSA indicated that the results need to be confirmed by additional studies. Harbord regression showed no publication bias (p=0.986).

CONCLUSIONS

IGU combined with MP effectively attenuates autoimmune responses (IgG, IgM, IgA), reduces clinical symptoms and disease activity (ESR, PLT, ESSPRI, ESSDAI), and improves the exocrine gland functional status (SIT) in patients with pSS. IGU combined with MP does not increase the risk of adverse events, which means that IGU combined with MP may be a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of pSS and has value for further research exploration.

Is tirzepatide 15 mg the preferred treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes? A meta-analysis and trial-sequence-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to evaluate tirzepatide's efficacy and safety in treating type 2 diabetes by meta-analysis and trial-sequential-analysis (TSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight databases were searched for clinical trials on tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes with a time limit of November 2022. Revman5.3 and TSA 0.9.5.10 Beta were selected for meta-analysis and TSA.

RESULTS

Compared with placebo, the meta-analysis demonstrated that tirzepatide 15 mg reduced hemoglobin-type-A1C (HbA1c) (p<0.00001), fasting-serum-glucose (FSG) (p<0.00001), and weight (p<0.00001). Compared with insulin, tirzepatide 15 mg reduced HbA1c (p<0.00001), FSG (p<0.00007), and weight (p<0.00001). Compared with glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor-agonist (GLP-1 RA), tirzepatide 15 mg reduced HbA1c (p=0.00004), FSG (p=0.001), and weight (p<0.00001). In safety endpoints, the meta-analysis revealed that adverse events (AEs) of placebo, insulin and GLP-1 RA were comparable to tirzepatide 15 mg. The total AEs (p=0.02) and gastrointestinal (GI) AEs (p=0.03) were higher in tirzepatide 15 mg than in the placebo, while hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dl) was comparable. The major adverse cardiovascular events-4 (MACE-4) (p=0.03) and hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dl) (p<0.00001) of tirzepatide 15 mg were lower when compared to insulin, while total AEs (p=0.03) were increased. Compared with GLP-1 RA, tirzepatide 15 mg was comparable in safety endpoints in total AEs and GI AEs, while hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dl) (p=0.04) was higher. TSA indicated that HgA1c, FSG, and weight benefits were conclusive. In safety endpoints, only MACE-4 and hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dl) of Tirzepatide 15 mg vs. Insulin were conclusive. Harbord regression of AEs suggested no evident publication bias (p=0.618).

CONCLUSIONS

Tirzepatide 15 mg reduced HbA1c and weight more effectively than placebo, insulin, and GLP-1 RA. Total AEs were higher than placebo and insulin but comparable to GLP-1 RA. Tirzepatide 15 mg is a kind of optimal strategy to treat type 2 diabetes. However, there is a need to focus on GI AEs.

Metal nanoparticles capped with plant polyphenol for oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

The development of a convenient and universal strategy for the synthesis of inorganic-organic hybrid nanomaterials with phenolic coating on the surface is of special significance for the preparation of electrocatalysts. In this work, we report an environmentally friendly, practical, and convenient method for one-step reduction and generation of organically capped nanocatalysts using natural polyphenol tannic acid (TA) as reducing agents and coating agents. TA coated metal (Pd, Ag and Au) nanoparticles are prepared by this strategy, among which TA coated Pd nanoparticles (PdTA NPs) show excellent oxygen reduction reaction activity and stability under alkaline conditions. Interestingly, the TA in the outer layer makes PdTA NPs methanol resistant, and TA acts as molecular armor against CO poisoning. We propose an efficient interfacial coordination coating strategy, which opens up new way to regulate the interface engineering of electrocatalysts reasonably and has broad application prospects.

Pregnancy rate and reproductive hormones in humpback whale blubber: Dominant form of progesterone differs during pregnancy

To better understand reproductive physiology of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae that reside in Hawai'i and Alaska, enzyme immunoassays were validated for both progesterone and testosterone in free-ranging and stranded animals (n = 185 biopsies). Concentrations were analyzed between different depths of large segments of blubber taken from skin to muscle layers of stranded female (n = 2, 1 pregnant, 1 non-pregnant) and male (n = 1) whales. Additionally, progesterone metabolites were identified between pregnant (n = 1) and non-pregnant (n = 3) females using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Progesterone concentrations were compared between juvenile (i.e., sexually immature), lactating, and pregnant females, and male whales, and pregnancy rates of sexually mature females were calculated. Based on replicate samples from ship struck animals collected at 7 depth locations, blubber containing the highest concentration of progesterone was located 1 cm below the skin for females, and the highest concentration of testosterone was in the skin layer of one male whale. HPLC of blubber samples of pregnant and non-pregnant females contain different immunoreactive progesterone metabolites, with the non-pregnant female eluate comprised of a more polar, and possibly conjugated, form of progesterone than the pregnant female. In females, concentrations of progesterone were highest in the blubber of pregnant (n = 28, 28.6 ± 6.9 ng/g), followed by lactating (n = 16, 0.9 ± 0.1 ng/g), and female juvenile (n = 5, 1.0 ± 0.2 ng/g) whales. Progesterone concentrations in male (n = 24, 0.6 ng/g ± 0.1 ng/g) tissues were the lowest all groups, and not different from lactating or juvenile females. Estimated summer season pregnancy rate among sexually mature females from the Hawai'i stock of humpback whales was 0.562 (95 % confidence interval 0.528-0.605). For lactating females, the year-round pregnancy rate was 0.243 (0.09-0.59), and varies depending on the threshold of progesterone assumed for pregnancy in the range between 3.1 and 28.5 ng/g. Our results demonstrate the synergistic value added when combining immunoreactive assays, HPLC, and long-term sighting histories to further knowledge of humpback whale reproductive physiology.

B, P-co-doped PdCu nanothorn assemblies for enhanced oxygen reduction electrolysis

Nonmetal doping is a promising strategy to improve electrocatalytic performance of noble metal based catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, we report a facile method to fabricate PdCuBP nanothorn assemblies (PdCuBP NTAs) by co-doping B and P into pre-synthesized PdCu NTAs using NaBH₄and NaH₂PO₂as B source and P source, respectively. The metal-nonmetal structure and multi-branched morphology can optimize oxygen adsorption energy and avoid catalyst migration, agglomeration and Ostwald ripening. As such, the obtained PdCuBP NTAs exhibit efficient activity and excellent long-term stability for ORR. This research offers an excellent strategy for co-doping nonmetal elements into metal nanocrystals with controllable composition and structure to improve electrocatalytic ORR performance.

Tannic acid modified PdAu alloy nanowires as efficient oxygen reduction electrocatalysts

Design of the structure, composition and interface of the catalysts is very important to improve oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalytic activity under alkaline environment. Herein, we propose a direct method to rapid synthesis of tannic acid (TA) modified PdAu alloy nanowires (PdAu@TA NWs). Compared with pure PdAu NWs and commercial Pt/C, the PdAu@TA NWs exhibit superior ORR electrocatalytic activity (mass activity: 0.73 A mg^-1_metaland specific activity: 3.50 mA cm^-2), stability, and methanol tolerance in an alkaline medium because PdAu@TA NWs possess sufficient active sites and synergistic effect that can effectively promote the oxygen reduction, inhibit the oxidation of the catalyst and improve the methanol tolerance of the catalyst. This synthetic method is a promising strategy to prepare metallic catalyst with surface functionalization.

A proteomic atlas of atherosclerosis: regional proteomic signatures for plaque inflammation and calcification

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): This study was mainly supported from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) supporting Prof. Manuel Mayr as a Chair Holder (CH/16/3/32406) with BHF programme grant support (RG/16/14/32397) and Dr. Theofilatos with BHF programm grant support (G/20/10387).

Background

Using proteomics, we strove to reveal novel molecular subtypes of human atherosclerotic lesions, study their associations with histology and imaging and relate them to long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods

219 samples were obtained from 120 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Sequential protein extraction was combined with multiplexed, discovery proteomics. Parallel reaction monitoring for 135 proteins was deployed for targeted validation. A combination of statistical, bioinformatics and machine learning methods was used to perform differential expression, network, pathway enrichment analysis and train and evaluate prognostic models.

Results

Our extensive proteomics analysis from the core and periphery of plaques doubled the coverage of the plaque proteome compared to the largest proteomics study on atherosclerosis thus far. Plaque inflammation and calcification signatures were inversely correlated and validated with targeted proteomics. The inflammation signature was enriched with neutrophil-derived proteins, including calprotectin (S100A8/9) and myeloperoxidase. The calcification signature contained fetuin-A, osteopontin, and gamma-carboxylated proteins. Sex differences in the proteome of atherosclerosis were explained by a higher proportion of calcified plaques in women. Single-cell RNA sequencing data attributed the inflammation signature predominantly to neutrophils and macrophages and the calcification signature to smooth muscle cells, except for certain plasma proteins that were not expressed but retained in the plaque, i.e., fetuin-A. Echogenic lesions reflect the collagen content and calcification of plaque but carotid Duplex ultrasound fails to capture the extent of inflammatory protein changes in symptomatic plaques. Applying dimensionality reduction and machine learning on the proteomics data defined 4 distinct plaque phenotypes and revealed key protein signatures linked to smooth muscle cell content, plaque calcification and structural extracellular matrix, which improved the 9-year prognostic AUC by 25% compared to ultrasound and histology. A biosignature of four proteins (CNN1, PROC, SERPH, and CSPG2) independently predicted the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality with an AUC of 75%

Conclusion

We combined discovery and targeted proteomics with network reconstruction and clustering techniques to provide molecular insights into protein changes in atherosclerotic plaques. The application of proteomics and machine learning techniques revealed distinct clusters of plaques that inform on disease progression and future adverse cardiovascular events.

Cold Spray: Over 30 Years of Development Toward a Hot Future

Cold Spray (CS) is a deposition process, part of the thermal spray family. In this method, powder particles are accelerated at supersonic speed within a nozzle; impacts against a substrate material triggers a complex process, ultimately leading to consolidation and bonding. CS, in its modern form, has been around for approximately 30 years and has undergone through exciting and unprecedented developmental steps. In this article, we have summarized the key inventions and sub-inventions which pioneered the innovation aspect to the process that is known today, and the key breakthroughs related to the processing of materials CS is currently mastering. CS has not followed a liner path since its invention, but an evolution more similar to a hype cycle: high initial growth of expectations, followed by a decrease in interest and a renewed thrust pushed by a number of demonstrated industrial applications. The process interest is expected to continue (gently) to grow, alongside with further development of equipment and feedstock materials specific for CS processing. A number of current applications have been identified the areas that the process is likely to be the most disruptive in the medium-long term future have been laid down.

Clinical effect of unilateral balloon infusion of low dose bone cement in PKP for osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures in the elderly

OBJECTIVE

The study was undertaken to determine the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) with unilateral balloon infusion of low dose of bone cement for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) in the elderly.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out. A total of 36 patients with OVCFs treated by PKP from August 2019 and August 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the amount of bone cement infused into the vertebral body. The amount of cement in conventional-dose group was 3.5-6.0 mL and the amount of cement in small-dose group was 1.8-3.0 mL. Pain relief before and after the operation were evaluated, and the leakage of bone cement in the two groups was also observed.

RESULTS

Two groups of patients have obtained a good clinical efficacy. Pain has significant differences before and after the operation (p < 0.05). More importantly, compared with conventional-dose group, small-dose group has lower bone cement leakage rate (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PKP with small-dose bone cement infusion can obtain the same clinical effects of conventional-dose, but the incidence of bone cement leakage is lower and safe.

Mechanical and Fatigue Properties of Diamond-Reinforced Cu and Al Metal Matrix Composites Prepared by Cold Spray

Diamond-reinforced metal matrix composites (DMMC) prepared by cold spray are emerging materials simultaneously featuring outstanding thermal conductivity and wear resistance. In our paper, their mechanical and fatigue properties relevant to perspective engineering applications were investigated using miniature bending specimens. Two different diamond mass concentrations (20 and 50%) embedded in two metal matrices (Al-lighter than diamond, Cu-heavier than diamond) were compared with the respective cold-sprayed pure metals, as well as bulk Al and Cu references. The pure Al, Cu coatings showed properties typical for cold spray deposits, i.e., decreased elastic moduli (50 GPa for Al, 80 GPa for Cu), limited ductility (< 1 × 10-3) and low fracture toughness (3.8 MPa·m0.5 for Al, 5.6 MPa·m0.5 for Cu) when compared to the bulks. Significantly improved properties (strain at fracture, ultimate strength, fatigue crack growth resistance, fracture toughness) were then observed for the produced DMMC. The improvement can be explained by a combination of two factors: changes in the properties of the metallic matrix triggered by the reinforcement particles peening effect and stress redistribution due to the particles presence.

Two-Dimensional Heterojunction Electrocatalyst: Au-Bi2Te3 Nanosheets for Electrochemical Ammonia Synthesis

The design of Au-based materials with good dispersion and more active sites is critical to enhance the catalytic performance of electrochemical ammonia production. Herein, two-dimensional (2D) heterojunction Au-Bi₂Te₃ nanosheets (Au-Bi₂Te₃ NSs) are prepared by Au nanoparticles growing on Bi₂Te₃ nanosheets. Benefiting from the good dispersion of Au nanoparticles and the synergistic effect of the heterojunction composite, Au-Bi₂Te₃ NSs demonstrate excellent behavior for an ambient nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR). In a 0.1 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte (N₂-saturated), Au-Bi₂Te₃ NSs display a high NH₃ yield rate of 32.73 μg h^-1 mg_cat.^-1 and a faradic efficiency of 20.39% at -0.4 V. The proposed synthetic method provides a feasible strategy for designing high-performance heterojunction electrocatalysts for electrochemical ammonia synthesis.

[Microcontact printing and its application prospect in bone tissue engineering]

The application of bone tissue engineering regeneration technology is expected to repair maxillofacial bone tissue defects caused by tumors, trauma, etc. Surface patterning occupies an important position in bone tissue engineering. Microcontact printing is an emerging technology through which the elastic stamp contacts with the substance and materials used as ink can be transferred from stamp to substance to form patterns. The biggest characteristic of the technology is to fabricate high-throughput and high-accuracy patterned surface, making it widely applied. This review summarized the application and optimization of microcontact printing, and prospected its application in bone tissue engineering.

POS0320 POOR PROGNOSIS PREDICTION IN ANTI-MDA5 POSITIVE DERMATOMYOSITIS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASE: THE CROSS-CAR DECISION TREE MODEL

Background:

The prognosis of anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5 positive dermatomyositis (anti-MDA5+ DM) – associated interstitial lung disease (ILD) is poor and heterogeneity.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to evaluate prognostic factors and to develop a simple and generally applicable bedside decision tree model for predicting outcomes in patients with anti-MDA5+ DM and to guide treatment.

Methods:

We analyzed data for 246 anti-MDA5+ DM patients from Myositis Study Group-Jiangsu, a multicenter cohort across eighteen tertiary hospitals in Jiangsu province, from March 2019 to October 2020. The primary end point was all-cause death, and the secondary end point was occurring of rapidly progressive-ILD (rp-ILD). We used a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to identify the independent prognostic risk factors of death and rp-ILD respectively. A decision-tree prediction model was developed by using data from 10 hospital of southern region (n=163), with validation by using contemporaneous data from northern region (n=83).

Results:

To assess the risk of rp-ILD, we developed a combined risk score, the CROSS score, that included the following values and scores: C-reactive protein (≤8mg/L, 0; >8mg/L, 3), anti-Ro52 antibody (negative, 0; positive, 4), Sex (Female, 0; Male, 2) and Short course of disease (More than 3 months, 0; Less than 3 months, 2). The mortality risk was identified by the CAR score, including C-reactive protein (≤8mg/L, 0; >8mg/L, 1), Alanine Transaminase (≤50units/L, 0; >50units/L, 1) and rp-ILD (non-rpILD, 0; rp-ILD, 3). We divided patients into three risk groups according to the CROSS score: low, 0 to 3; medium, 4 to 7; and high 8-11. And then Use of a simple decision tree prediction model permitted stratification into three different outcome prediction groups. High-risk patients had significantly higher mortality rates than low- and medium-risk patients in both discovery and validation cohorts (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion:

The CROSS-CAR decision tree model is easy to evaluate the poor prognostic risk in MDA5+ DM patients during any follow-up period. Unnecessary lung examination, such as chest CT scan and arterial blood gas analysis was avoided in low- and medium- rpILD risk patients. The special ambulance, with red cross sign tagged on car in China, may help to screen the high risk patients and to guide further treatment.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Engineering One-Dimensional AuPd Nanospikes for Efficient Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation

Designing one-dimensional (1D) bimetallic nanomaterials is of great significance for electrochemical nitrogen fixation. Inspired by this, 1D AuPd nanospikes (AuPd NSs) composed with internal Au nanowire and external Pd nanohumps were fabricated by a flexible low-temperature wet-chemical method. Benefiting from the excellent electron transport efficiency of the 1D material and the accessible surface area provided by the unique nanospike-like structure, AuPd NSs exhibit outstanding nitrogen reduction reaction performance with an NH₃ yield rate of 16.9 μg h^-1 mg^-1_cat. and a Faradaic efficiency of 15.9% at -0.3 V under 0.1 M Na₂SO₄. This work not only provides an effective electrocatalyst for nitrogen fixation technology, but also presents a flexible method for the controlled synthesis of spike-like nanomaterials.

Remote Mesoscopic Signatures of Induced Magnetic Texture in Graphene

Mesoscopic conductance fluctuations are a ubiquitous signature of phase-coherent transport in small conductors, exhibiting universal character independent of system details. In this Letter, however, we demonstrate a pronounced breakdown of this universality, due to the interplay of local and remote phenomena in transport. Our experiments are performed in a graphene-based interaction-detection geometry, in which an artificial magnetic texture is induced in the graphene layer by covering a portion of it with a micromagnet. When probing conduction at some distance from this region, the strong influence of remote factors is manifested through the appearance of giant conductance fluctuations, with amplitude much larger than e^{2}/h. This violation of one of the fundamental tenets of mesoscopic physics dramatically demonstrates how local considerations can be overwhelmed by remote signatures in phase-coherent conductors.

Flexible synthesis of Au@Pd core-shell mesoporous nanoflowers for efficient methanol oxidation

The design of bimetallic core-shell nanostructures with mesoporous surfaces is considered significant to strengthen the catalytic activity and stability for direct methanol fuel cells. Here, we report a flexible method to synthesize Au@Pd core-shell mesoporous nanoflowers (Au@mPd NFs) with Au core coated with mesoporous Pd nano-petals, in which polymeric micelle-assembled structures are used as templates to induce the formation of mesopores. Benefiting from the electronic and structural effects, Au@mPd NFs show excellent electrocatalytic activity and stability for methanol oxidation reaction in alkaline electrolytes. This study demonstrates a versatile strategy for the fabrication of core-shell mesoporous nanoflowers with adjustable composition.

B-Doped PdRu nanopillar assemblies for enhanced formic acid oxidation electrocatalysis

Adjusting the morphology and composition of Pd-based materials is a promising strategy to improve their performance for the electrocatalytic formic acid oxidation reaction (FAOR). In this work, we report the preparation of B-doped PdRu nanopillar assemblies (B-PdRu NPAs) by a two-step method using NaBH4 as the boron dopant. On combining the hyper-branched structure and the multi-component synergistic effect, B-PdRu NPAs achieve a high mass activity of 1.09 mA μg-1Pd for the FAOR and retain 73.19% of the initial activity after 500 cycles, which is superior to undoped counterparts. The proposed synthesis strategy provides a simple method for the synthesis of metal-nonmetal nanomaterials with desired composition and design structure for electrocatalytic fields.

Binary nonmetal S and P-co-doping into mesoporous PtPd nanocages boosts oxygen reduction electrocatalysis

The development of doped noble metal catalysts with nonmetal elements to improve the catalytic performance toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is significant for proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology. Here, we report a one-pot for dual-nonmetal-doping strategy for the synthesis of S and P-co-doped mesoporous PtPd nanocages (PtPdSP mNCs) by using pre-synthesized mesoporous PtPd nanocages (PtPd mNCs) as the precursor and triphenylphosphine sulphide as both S and P sources. Benefitting from the combined advantages of metal-nonmetal incorporation, hollow cavity and surface porosity, the resultant quaternary PtPdSP mNCs exhibit outstanding ORR activity and long-term stability. This research work provides a good strategy for the doping of two or more selected nonmetallic elements into metallic nanocrystals with a controllable structure and composition.

Antimalarial agent artesunate induces G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis via increasing intracellular ROS levels in normal liver cells

Artesunate (ARS) has been shown to be highly effective against chloroquine-resistant malaria. In vitro studies reported that ARS has anticancer effects; however, its detrimental action on cancer cells may also play a role in its toxicity toward normal cells and its potential toxicity has not been sufficiently researched. In this study, we investigated the possible cytotoxic effects using normal BRL-3A and AML12 liver cells. The results showed that ARS dose-dependently inhibited cell proliferation and arrested the G0/G1 phase cell cycle in both BRL-3A and AML12 liver cells. Western blotting demonstrated that ARS induced a significant downregulation of cyclin-dependent kinase-2 (CDK2), CDK4, cyclin D1, and cyclin E1 in various levels and then caused apoptosis when the Bcl-2/Bax ratio decreased. Conversely, the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased. The ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine can significantly inhibit cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by ARS. Thus, the data confirmed that ARS exposure impairs normal liver cell proliferation by inducing G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, and this detrimental action may be associated with intracellular ROS accumulation. Collectively, the possible side effects of ARS on healthy normal cells cannot be neglected when developing therapies.

Three-dimensional Pd-Ag-S porous nanosponges for electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction to ammonia

Electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) provides a facile and sustainable route to synthesize ammonia. The preparation of efficient and high-performance catalysts is one of the most important issues in large-scale applications of the electrochemical synthesis of ammonia. Herein, we have devised a simple method to fabricate three-dimensional palladium-silver-sulphur porous nanosponges (Pd-Ag-S PNSs) under room temperature. The porous network can provide more active sites and accessible channels for the reaction species. The incorporation of sulfur reduces the energy barrier of NRR and promotes the nitrogen hydrogenation to ammonia. Intrinsically, the Pd-Ag-S PNSs demonstrates a superior NRR performance with an NH3 yield of 9.73 μg h-1 mg-1cat. and a faradaic efficiency of 18.41% at -0.2 V, superior to those of the undoped Pd-Ag PNSs. The design of the three-dimensional metallic nanosponges with the doping of nonmetallic elements is a highly valuable strategy for NRR and other electrocatalytic reactions.

0559 Association of Rapid Eye Movement Sleep with Insulin Resistance in Han Chinese Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Introduction

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is increasingly associated with insulin resistance. The underlying pathophysiology remains unclear but rapid eye movement (REM) sleep has been hypothesized to play a key role. To investigate the associations of insulin resistance with respiratory events and sleep duration during REM sleep, 4,062 Han Chinese individuals with suspected OSA were screened and 2,899 were analyzed.

Methods

We screened 4,062 participants with suspected OSA who underwent polysomnography in our sleep center from 2009 to 2016. Polysomnographic variables, biochemical indicators, and physical measurements were collected. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for insulin resistance as assessed by hyperinsulinemia, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), fasting insulin resistance index (FIRI), and Bennet’s insulin sensitivity index (ISI).

Results

The final analyses included 2,899 participants. After adjusting for age, gender, body mass index, waist circumference, mean arterial pressure, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and the apnea and hypopnea index during non-REM sleep (AHINREM), the results revealed that AHI during REM sleep (AHIREM) was independently associated with insulin resistance; across higher AHIREM quartiles, the ORs (95% CIs) for hyperinsulinemia were 1.340 (1.022, 1.757), 1.210 (0.882, 1.660), and 1.632 (1.103, 2.416); those for abnormal HOMA-IR were 1.287 (0.998, 1.661), 1.263 (0.933, 1.711), and 1.556 (1.056, 2.293); those for abnormal FIRI were 1.386 (1.048, 1.835), 1.317 (0.954, 1.818), and 1.888 (1.269, 2.807); and those for abnormal Bennet’s ISI were 1.297 (1.003, 1.678), 1.287 (0.949, 1.747), and 1.663 (1.127, 2.452) (P &lt; 0.01 for all linear trends). Additionally, the results showed that for every 1-h increase in REM duration, the risk of hyperinsulinemia decreased by 22.3% (P &lt; 0.05).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that AHIREM was independently associated with hyperinsulinemia and abnormal HOMA-IR, FIRI, and Bennet’s ISI. Additionally, REM sleep duration was independently associated with hyperinsulinemia.

Support

This study was supported by Grants-in-aid from Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology (No.18DZ2260200).

0713 Association Between Obesity Indices And Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Modified By Age In A Sex-specific Manner

Introduction

The beneficial effects of weight loss on obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are highly variable. Whether the variability is associated with the effects of age and sex remains unclear. This study examined this issue with large cross-sectional data.

Methods

A total of 4600 adult males and 1156 females with suspected OSA were included in the study. Anthropometric measurements, polysomnographic variables, biochemical indicators, and medical history were collected for each subject. Multivariable linear regression with interaction terms was used to estimate the modification effect of age on the associations between OSA severity (assessed by apnea-hypopnea index, AHI) with obesity indices (body mass index, BMI; neck circumference, NC; waist circumference, WC) in a sex-specific manner, and vice versa.

Results

BMI, NC, and WC were all positively correlated with AHI after adjusting for potential confounders in all populations. In males, these associations were much stronger and more significant in younger than older individuals (P for interaction &lt; 0.001). For example, a 10% increase in BMI was independently associated with a 31.6% increase in AHI for males &lt; 40 years old, whereas the corresponding increases were 20.8% and 16.7% for males 40-60 and &gt;60 years old, respectively. By contrast, no modification effect of age was observed in females (P for interaction &gt; 0.05). A 10% increase in BMI was associated with 25.6%, 26.8%, and 23.8% increases in AHI for females &lt; 40, 40-60, and &gt;60 years old, respectively.

Conclusion

Age modifies the associations between obesity indices and OSA severity in a sex-specific manner, and vice versa. These findings may broaden the understanding of age- and sex-related heterogeneities in the pathogenic role of obesity in OSA, and may be beneficial for individualized risk evaluation and treatment management for patients with OSA.

Support

This study was funded by Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology (grant number.18DZ2260200); the National Key R&D Program of China (grant number: 2017YFC0112500); Multi-Center Clinical Research Project from the School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (grant number: DLY201502); and the Shanghai Shen-Kang Hospital Management Center Project (grant number: SHDC12015101 and 16CR3103B).

0601 Use of The Epworth Sleepiness Scale, the NoSAS, and the STOP-BANG Questionnaire to Identify Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Introduction

A variety of scales and questionnaires regarding sleep and sleep-related disorders have been widely used in scientific research and clinical practice, as important tools for differential diagnosis and rapid screening of complex sleep disorders, especially obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, the diagnostic efficacy of different scales and questionnaires for patients with different severity of OSA and of different demographic characteristics has not been clearly described. In this study, we evaluated the ability of the most popular scales, including the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), the NoSAS, and the STOP-BANG questionnaire in predicting moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by gender.

Methods

This cross-sectional study screened 2,031 consecutive subjects referred with suspected OSA from 2012 to 2016. Anthropometric measurements, polysomnographic data, ESS, NoSAS scores and STOP-BANG scores were recorded. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed, and the final predictive models were verified in a validation cohort.

Results

A total of 1,840 adults were finally included. The STOP-BANG questionnaire afforded a better diagnostic accuracy than did the ESS, with different cutoffs for the two genders: 3 in males and 1 in females. A predictive model based on STOP-BANG yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.918 (0.897-0.935), a sensitivity of 79.89%, and a specificity of 89.19%, in males; and an AUC of 0.951 (0.914-0.975), a sensitivity of 80.52%, and a specificity of 95.92%, in females. In the validation cohort, the sensitivity and specificity were respectively 85.44 and 93.00% in males and respectively 83.02 and 87.60% in females.

Conclusion

The STOP-BANG questionnaire was moderately effective when used to screen for moderate-to-severe OSA. A STOP-BANG-based predictive model afforded excellent diagnostic efficacy, which could be applied in clinical practice. However, gender differences must be considered.

Support

This study was supported by Grants-in-aid from Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology (Grant No.18DZ2260200).

0565 Obstructive Sleep Apnea, But Not Short Sleep Duration, is Independently Associated with Insulin Resistance: A Large-Scale Cohort Study

Introduction

Both short sleep duration and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) seem to be associated with insulin resistance. However, the majority of previous studies addressing the relationship between OSA and insulin resistance did not evaluate short sleep duration, and vice versa. In this study, we used a large-scale hospital-based cross-sectional dataset, including 5,447 participants, to examine 1) whether objectively measured short sleep duration and OSA are independently associated with insulin resistance, and 2) whether the presence of OSA modulates the association between sleep duration and insulin resistance.

Methods

Participants were consecutively enrolled from our sleep center during the period from 2007 to 2017. The index of homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated from insulin and glucose. Sleep duration was determined by standard polysomnography. The associations between sleep duration and insulin resistance were estimated by logistic regression analyses.

Results

A total of 5,447 participants (4507 OSA and 940 primary snorers) were included in the study. In comparison to primary snorers, OSA combined with extremely short sleep duration (&lt; 5 hours) increased the risk of insulin resistance by 34% (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.01-1.77) after adjusting for confounding factors that are frequently associated with insulin resistance and OSA. In subgroup analysis stratified by sleep duration, the risk of insulin resistance in patients with a short sleep duration (5-6 hours or &lt; 5 hours) was increased in those with OSA compared to primary snorers, but not in the other three sleep duration groups (6 - 7, 7 - 8, and &gt; 8 hours).

Conclusion

OSA, but not short sleep duration, was independently associated with insulin resistance. It is worth noting that OSA combined with extremely short sleep duration showed a greater detrimental effect than OSA itself with regard to insulin resistance.

Support

This study was supported by grants-in-aid from Shanghai Municipal Commission of Science and Technology (Grant No.18DZ2260200).

Universal scaling of weak localization in graphene due to bias-induced dispersion decoherence

The differential conductance of graphene is shown to exhibit a zero-bias anomaly at low temperatures, arising from a suppression of the quantum corrections due to weak localization and electron interactions. A simple rescaling of these data, free of any adjustable parameters, shows that this anomaly exhibits a universal, temperature- (T) independent form. According to this, the differential conductance is approximately constant at small voltages (V < kBT/e), while at larger voltages it increases logarithmically with the applied bias. For theoretical insight into the origins of this behaviour, which is inconsistent with electron heating, we formulate a model for weak-localization in the presence of nonequilibrium transport. According to this model, the applied voltage causes unavoidable dispersion decoherence, which arises as diffusing electron partial waves, with a spread of energies defined by the value of the applied voltage, gradually decohere with one another as they diffuse through the system. The decoherence yields a universal scaling of the conductance as a function of eV/kBT, with a logarithmic variation for eV/kBT > 1, variations in accordance with the results of experiment. Our theoretical description of nonequilibrium transport in the presence of this source of decoherence exhibits strong similarities with the results of experiment, including the aforementioned rescaling of the conductance and its logarithmic variation as a function of the applied voltage.

Mesoporous Pt@PtM (M = Co, Ni) cage-bell nanostructures toward methanol electro-oxidation

Rational design of Pt-based nanostructures with a controllable morphology and composition is vital for electrocatalysis. Herein, we demonstrate a dual-template strategy to fabricate well-defined cage-bell nanostructures including a Pt core and a mesoporous PtM (M = Co, Ni) bimetallic shell (Pt@mPtM (M = Co, Ni) CBs). Owing to their unique nanostructure and bimetallic properties, Pt@mPtM (M = Co, Ni) CBs show higher catalytic activity, better durability and stronger CO tolerance for the methanol oxidation reaction than commercial Pt/C. This work provides a general method for convenient preparation of cage-bell nanostructures with a mesoporous bimetallic shell, which have high promising potential for application in electrocatalytic fields.