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Abstract Nanoribbons (NRs) of atomic layer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) can boost the rapidly emerging field of quantum materials owing to their width-dependent phases and electronic properties. However, the controllable downscaling of width by direct growth and the underlying mechanism remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate the vapor-liquid-solid growth of single crystal of single layer NRs of a series of TMDs (MeX2: Me = Mo, W; X = S, Se) under chalcogen vapor atmosphere, seeded by pre-deposited and respective transition metal-alloyed nanoparticles that also control the NR width. We find linear dependence of growth rate on supersaturation, known as a criterion for continues growth mechanism, which decreases with decreasing of NR width driven by the Gibbs-Thomson effect. The NRs show width-dependent photoluminescence and strain-induced quantum emission signatures with up to ≈ 90% purity of single photons. We propose the path and underlying mechanism for width-controllable growth of TMD NRs for applications in quantum optoelectronics.

Abstract Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii are of major concern worldwide due to their resistance to last resort carbapenem and polymyxin antibiotics. To develop an effective treatment strategy, it is critical to better understand how an A. baumannii MDR bacterium interacts with its mammalian host. Pattern-recognition receptors sense microbes, and activate the inflammasome pathway, leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine production and programmed cell death. Here, we examined the effects of a systemic MDR A. baumannii infection and found that MDR A. baumannii activate the NLRP3 inflammasome complex predominantly via the non-canonical caspase-11-dependent pathway. We show that caspase-1 and caspase-11-deficient mice are protected from a virulent MDR A. baumannii strain by maintaining a balance between protective and deleterious inflammation. Caspase-11-deficient mice also compromise between effector cell recruitment, phagocytosis, and programmed cell death in the lung during infection. Importantly, we found that cytosolic immunity - mediated by guanylate-binding protein 1 (GBP1) and type I interferon signalling - orchestrates caspase-11-dependent inflammasome activation. Together, our results suggest that non-canonical inflammasome activation via the (Interferon) IFN pathway plays a critical role in the host response against MDR A. baumannii infection.

Abstract Background Coffee and tea consumption account for most caffeine intake and 2–3 billion cups are taken daily around the world. Caffeine dependence is a widespread but under recognized problem. Objectives To conduct a systematic review on the genetic susceptibility factors affecting caffeine metabolism and caffeine reward and their association with caffeine intake. Methodology We conducted PubMed and Embase searches using the terms “caffeine”, “reward”, “gene”, “polymorphism”, “addiction”, “dependence” and "habit" from inception till 2024. The demographics, genetic and clinical data from included studies were extracted and analyzed. Only case-control studies on habitual caffeine drinkers with at least 100 in each arm were included. Results A total of 2552 studies were screened and 26 studies involving 1,851,428 individuals were included. Several genes that were involved with caffeine metabolism such as CYP1A2, ADORA2A, AHR, POR, ABCG2, CYP2A6, PDSS2 and HECTD4 rs2074356 (A allele specific to East Asians and monomorphic in Europeans, Africans and Americans) were associated with habitual caffeine consumption with effect size difference of 3% to 32% in number of cups of caffeinated drink per day per effect allele. In addition, ALDH2 was linked to the Japanese population. Genes associated with caffeine reward included BDNF, SLC6A4, GCKR, MLXIPL and dopaminergic genes such as DRD2 and DAT1 which had around 2–5% effect size difference in number of cups of caffeinated drink for each allele per day. Conclusion Several genes that were involved in caffeine metabolism and reward were associated with up to 30% effect size difference in number of cups of caffeinated drink per day, and some associations were specific to certain ethnicities. Identification of at-risk caffeine dependence individuals can lead to early diagnosis and stratification of at-risk vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women and children, and can potentially lead to development of drug targets for dependence to caffeine.

Objective To explore the inhibitory effect of berberine （BBR） on contrast-induced nephropathy （CIN） and clarify the underlying mechanism. Methods Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were utilized for constructing a rat CIN model. BBR treatment group （M+B） received a gavage of 200 mg/kg BBR while control group （Con） and model group （Mod） had an oral intake of the same volume of normal saline. Human kidney cortex proximal tubule epithelial cells （HK-2） were utilized for constructing a CIN cell model in vitro. No special treatment was offered to HK-2 cells in Con group. HK-2 cells in Mod group were treated with 50 g/L ioversol for 24 h and HK-2 cells in M+B group 50 g/L ioversol and 30 μmol/L BBR for 24 h. Akt agonist （SC79） and Akt inhibitor （MK2206） were utilized for confirming the effect of BBR on protein kinase B-forkhead box O3-nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Akt-Foxo3a-Nrf2） regulatory axis. Serum creatinine （Scr） detection and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） stain were employed for evaluating renal injury in rats. Annexin V-propidium iodide （annexin V-PI） stain was used for detecting cell apoptosis. And Western blot was utilized for detecting the protein expression of Akt-Foxo3a-Nrf2 axis.Results The level of Scr was higher in Mod group than that in Con group [（58.83 ± 7.96）μmol/L vs （23.52 ± 0.78）μmol/L，P＜0.05]. And it was lower in M+B group than that in Mod group [（39.64 ± 2.52）μmol/L vs （58.83 ± 7.96）μmol/L，P＜0.05]. HE stain indicated that kidney morphology was normal and renal tubular epithelial cells remained intact in Con group. In Mod group， structure of renal tubules was disarrayed with diffuse death of epithelial cells and obvious vacuolar degeneration of renal tubular epithelial cells. In M+B group， morphology of renal tubules was partially restored and vacuolar degeneration of renal tubule epithelial cells and cell death lessened. Western blot results indicated that， as compared with Con group， the expression of phospho-protein kinase B （p-Akt） was up-regulated in CIN rats and ioversol treated HK-2 cells. And the difference was statistically significant （P＜0.05）. In M+B group， the expression of p-Akt dropped as compared with Mod group （P＜0.05）. Annexin V-PI apoptosis assay indicated that， as compared with Con group， cell apoptosis spiked in Mod group [（12.65 ± 1.25）% vs （27.44 ± 0.73）%，P＜0.05]. As compared with Mod group， cell apoptosis declined in M+B group [（27.44 ± 0.73）% vs （24.81 ± 0.49）%，P＜0.05]. As compared with M+B group， cell apoptosis rose in BBR plus SC79 treatment group [（24.81 ± 0.49）% vs （27.50 ± 0.35）%，P＜0.05]. As compared with Mod group， cell apoptosis declined in MK2206 treatment group [（27.65 ± 0.56）% vs （25.20 ± 0.64）%，P＜0.05]. As compared with M+B group， MK2206 plus BBR further reduced ioversol-induced HK-2 cell apoptosis [（24.51 ± 0.52）% vs （21.24 ± 0.99）%，P＜0.05]. Conclusion BBR may suppress CIN in vivo and in vitro through regulating Akt-Foxo3a-Nrf2 axis in a p-Akt dependent mode.

Abstract Metal nanoparticles have extraordinary properties, but their integration into mesostructures has been challenging. Producing uniformly dispersed nanoparticles attached to substrates in industrial quantities is difficult. Herein, a “plasmashock” method was developed to synthesize metal nanoparticles anchored on different types of carbonaceous substrates using liquid salt solution precursors. These self-supporting, nanoparticle-loaded carbon fabrics are mechanically robust and have been tested as antibacterial substrates and electrocatalysts for reducing carbon dioxide and nitrite. A piece of silver–carbon nanotube paper with a silver loading of ~0.13 mg cm−2 treated after a few-second plasmashock presents good antibacterial and electrocatalytic properties in wastewater, even after 20 bactericidal immersion cycles, due to the strong bonding of the nanoparticles to the substrate. The results prove the effectiveness of this plasmashock method in creating free-standing functional composite films or membranes.

Abstract The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has enabled a comprehensive exploration of materials for various applications. However, AI models often prioritize frequently encountered material examples in the scientific literature, limiting the selection of suitable candidates based on inherent physical and chemical attributes. To address this imbalance, we generated a dataset consisting of 1,453,493 natural language-material narratives from OQMD, Materials Project, JARVIS, and AFLOW2 databases based on ab initio calculation results that are more evenly distributed across the periodic table. The generated text narratives were then scored by both human experts and GPT-4, based on three rubrics: technical accuracy, language and structure, and relevance and depth of content, showing similar scores but with human-scored depth of content being the most lagging. The integration of multimodal data sources and large language models holds immense potential for AI frameworks to aid the exploration and discovery of solid-state materials for specific applications of interest.

Abstract Beamforming is an effective way of resolving target direction and anti‐jamming in short wave (SW) radar systems. In conventional beamforming (CBF) at a certain frequency, to get high resolution, the array aperture should be increased, and this is often not allowed in practical applications. A new narrow beam forming (NBF) method for beam sharpening based on the generalised oblique projection (GOP) filter with a flexible parameter is proposed. This method uses a GOP filter bank to form deep nulls in the undesired azimuth range on the pattern and utilises the logic product process to synthesise the GOP filters’ outputs and thus obtains a narrow beam. Compared to traditional beamforming methods, the result of NBF has the characteristics of narrower beam width and bigger side lobe suppression ratio (SLSR). Especially, a narrower beam can be obtained in the case of a small array aperture, which is valuable for practical applications. Experimental results of the range‐Doppler spectrum of short wave radar show that this narrow beam forming method can achieve super resolution of targets within a wide beam and greatly suppress clutter. Therefore, NBF can improve the azimuth resolution and achieve interference suppression in a conventional beam.

Abstract Objective To study the historical global incidence and mortality trends of gastric cancer and predicted mortality of gastric cancer by 2035. Methods Incidence data were retrieved from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) volumes I-XI, and mortality data were obtained from the latest update of the World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database. We used join-point regression analysis to examine historical incidence and mortality trends and used the package NORDPRED in R to predict the number of deaths and mortality rates by 2035 by country and sex. Results More than 1,089,000 new cases of gastric cancer and 769,000 related deaths were reported in 2020. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in the incidence of gastric cancer from 2003 to 2012 among the male population, South Korea, Japan, Malta, Canada, Cyprus, and Switzerland showed an increasing trend (P > 0.05); among the female population, Canada [AAPC, 1.2; (95%Cl, 0.5–2), P 0.05). AAPC in the mortality of gastric cancer from 2006 to 2015 among the male population, Thailand [3.5 (95%cl, 1.6–5.4), P 0.05); among the male population aged 20–44, Thailand [AAPC, 3.4; (95%cl, 1.3–5.4), P 0.05). It is predicted that the mortality rate in Slovenia and France’s female population will show an increasing trend by 2035. It is predicted that the absolute number of deaths in the Israeli male population and in Chile, France, and Canada female population will increase by 2035. Conclusion In the past decade, the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer have shown a decreasing trend; however, there are still some countries showing an increasing trend, especially among populations younger than 45 years. Although mortality in most countries is predicted to decline by 2035, the absolute number of deaths due to gastric cancer may further increase due to population growth.

Summary: Background: Impaired mitochondrial protein import machinery leads to phenotypically heterogeneous diseases. Here, we report a recurrent homozygous missense variant in the gene that encodes the translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 7 (TOMM7) in nine patients with microcephaly, short stature, facial dysmorphia, atrophic macular scarring, and moyamoya disease from seven unrelated families. Methods: To prove the causality of the TOMM7 variant, mitochondrial morphology, proteomics, and respiration were investigated in CRISPR/Cas9-edited iPSCs-derived endothelial cells. Cerebrovascular defects and mitochondrial respiration were also examined in CRISPR/Cas9-edited zebrafish. Findings: iPSC-derived endothelial cells with homozygous TOMM7 p.P29L showed increased TOM7 stability, enlarged mitochondria, increased senescence, and defective tube formation. In addition, proteomic analysis revealed a reduced abundance of mitochondrial proteins involved in ATP synthesis or coordinating TCA cycle and gluconeogenesis. Moreover, mitochondrial respiration was slightly decreased while ATP production from glycolysis was significantly increased. Furthermore, deletion of tomm7 in zebrafish caused craniofacial and cerebrovascular defects that recapitulated human phenotypes. Notably, homozygous iPSCs differentially expressed genes involved in glycolysis and response to hypoxia. Finally, the metabolic imbalance was evidenced by decreased oxygen consumption, increased level of hexokinase 2, and enhanced glycolysis in endothelial cells derived from the patient's iPSCs. Interpretation: These results revealed the essential role of TOMM7 in balancing cellular sources of energy production at both proteomic and transcriptomic levels and provided the molecular mechanisms through which TOMM7 p.P29L variant leads to an autosomal recessive microcephalic osteodysplastic dwarfism with moyamoya disease. Funding: This work is supported by National Science and Technology Council grants and National Cheng Kung University Hospital.

Background: The prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas (PDAC) remains very poor, emphasizing the critical importance of early detection, where biomarkers offer unique potential. Although growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and Lipocalin 2 (LCN2) have been linked to PDAC, their precise roles as biomarkers are uncertain. Methods: Circulating levels of GDF15 and LCN2 were examined in human PDAC patients, heathy controls, and individuals with benign pancreatic diseases. Circulating levels of IL-6, CA19-9, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were measured for comparisons. Correlations between PDAC progression and overall survival were assessed. A mouse PDAC model was employed for comprehensive analyses, complementing the human studies by exploring associations with various metabolic and inflammatory parameters. Sensitivity and specificity of the biomarkers were evaluated. Findings: Our results demonstrated elevated levels of circulating GDF15 and LCN2 in PDAC patients compared to both healthy controls and individuals with benign pancreatic diseases, with higher GDF15 levels associated with disease progression and increased mortality. In PDAC mice, circulating GDF15 and LCN2 progressively increased, correlating with tumor growth, behavioral manifestations, tissue and molecular pathology, and cachexia development. GDF15 exhibited highly sensitive and specific for PDAC patients compared to CA19-9, IL-6, or NLR, while LCN2 showed even greater sensitivity and specificity in PDAC mice. Combining GDF15 and LCN2, or GDF15 and CA19-9, enhanced sensitivity and specificity. Interpretation: Our findings indicate that GDF15 holds promise as a biomarker for early detection and prognosis of PDAC, while LCN2 could strengthen diagnostic panels.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by social interaction deficits and repetitive behaviors. Recent research has linked that gut dysbiosis may contribute to ASD-like behaviors. However, the exact developmental time point at which gut microbiota alterations affect brain function and behavior in patients with ASD remains unclear. We hypothesized that ASD-related brain microstructural changes and gut dysbiosis induce metabolic dysregulation and proinflammatory responses, which collectively contribute to the social behavioral deficits observed in early childhood. We used an autistic-like rat model that was generated via prenatal valproic acid exposure. We analyzed brain microstructural changes using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and examined microbiota, blood, and fecal samples for inflammation biomarkers. The ASD model rats exhibited significant brain microstructural changes in the anterior cingulate cortex, hippocampus, striatum, and thalamus; reduced microbiota diversity (Prevotellaceae and Peptostreptococcaceae); and altered metabolic signatures. The shift in microbiota diversity and density observed at postnatal day (PND) 35, which is a critical developmental period, underscored the importance of early ASD interventions. We identified a unique metabolic signature in the ASD model, with elevated formate and reduced acetate and butyrate levels, indicating a dysregulation in short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism. Furthermore, increased astrocytic and microglial activation and elevated proinflammatory cytokines—interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)—were observed, indicating immune dysregulation. This study provided insights into the complex interplay between the brain and the gut, and indicated DTI metrics as potential imaging-based biomarkers in ASD, thus emphasizing the need for early childhood interventions.

Abstract The highest ambient‐pressure Tc among binary compounds is 40 K (MgB2). Higher Tc is achieved in high‐pressure hydrides or multielement cuprates. Alternatively, are explored superconducting properties of binary, metastable sub‐oxides, that may emerge under extremely low oxygen partial pressure. The emphasis is on the rock‐salt structure, which is known to promote superconductivity, and exploring AlO, ScO, TiO, and NbO. Dynamic lattice stability is achieved by introducing metal and oxygen vacancies in the fashion of Nb1−xO1−x‐type structure (x = ¼). The electron‐phonon (e‐ph) coupling is remarkably large in Al1−xO1−x and Ti1−xO1−x (λ ≈ 2 at x = ¼), with Tc ≈ 35 K according to the Allen–Dynes equation. Significantly, the coupling strength is comparable to that in high‐pressure hydrides, yet, in contrast to hydrides and MgB2, the coupling is largely driven by low frequency phonons. Sc1−xO1−x and Nb1−xO1−x show significantly smaller λ and Tc. Further, hydrogen intercalation to boost λ and Tc is investigated. Only Ti1−x(O1−xHx) and Nb1−x(O1−xHx) are dynamically stable upon intercalation, where H, respectively, decreases and increases Tc. The effect of H doping on electronic structure and Tc is discussed. Altogether, the study suggests that metal sub‐oxides are promising compounds to achieve strong e‐ph coupling at ambient pressure.

BackgroundParticulate matter pollution (PMP) is a major global health concern, with the older adult being particularly vulnerable. This study aimed to analyze global trends in PMP-related deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among the older adult from 1991 to 2021.MethodsUsing data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021, we examined the impacts of ambient particulate matter pollution (APMP) and household air pollution from solid fuels (HAP-SF). We analyzed trends across different regions, socioeconomic development levels, age groups, and genders.ResultsAPMP-related older adult deaths increased from 1,745,000 to 3,850,000, and DALYs from 32,000,000 to 70,000,000. However, age-standardized mortality rate decreased from 384 to 337 per 100,000. HAP-SF-related deaths decreased from 2,700,000 to 2,100,000, and DALYs from 54,000,000 to 42,000,000. Age-standardized mortality rate for HAP-SF declined from 580 to 188 per 100,000. High APMP burden was concentrated in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, while high HAP-SF burden was found in parts of Africa and South Asia. East Asia had the highest APMP-related older adult deaths (1,680,000) with an age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of 619 per 100,000. For HAP-SF, South Asia bore the heaviest burden with 1,020,000 deaths and an ASMR of 616 per 100,000. Females consistently experienced higher age-standardized DALYs rate than males for both APMP and HAP-SF across all regions and years. APMP burden showed a weak negative correlation with the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) at the regional level (r = −0.25, p

IMPORTANCE:. In the ICU, opioids treat pain and improve ventilator tolerance as part of an analgosedation approach. Identifying predictors of opioid consumption during the ICU course might highlight actionable items to reduce opioid consumption. OBJECTIVES:. To identify risk factors for opioid use during a postoperative ICU course. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:. Patients enrolled in the Michigan Genomics Initiative single-center prospective observational cohort study completed baseline preoperative sociodemographic and mental/physical health questionnaires and provided blood samples for genetic analysis. Included patients were 18 years old and older, admitted to ICU postoperatively, and received opioids postoperatively. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:. The primary outcome was ICU mean daily oral morphine equivalent (OME) use. The association between OME and phenotypic risk factors and genetic variants previously associated with pain were analyzed through univariable and multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS:. The cohort consisted of 1865 mixed-surgical patients with mean age of 56 years (sd, 15 yr). Preoperative opioid users were more likely to continue to receive opioids throughout their ICU stay than opioid-naive patients. OME (log10 scale) was most strongly associated with ICU mechanical ventilation (β = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.15–0.38; p < 0.0001; effect size 1.85 for receiving > 24 hours of mechanical ventilation), preoperative opioid use (β = 0.22; 95% CI, 0.16–0.29; p < 0.0001; effect size 1.67 for receiving preoperative opioids), major surgery (β = 0.21; 95% CI, 0.12–0.30; p < 0.0001; effect size 1.62 compared with minor surgery), and current/former illicit drug use (β = 0.12; 95% CI, 0.01–0.23; p = 0.04; effect size 1.30 for drug use). Younger age, centralized pain, and longer anesthetic duration were also significantly associated with OME but with smaller effect sizes. Selected genetic variants (FKBP5, COMT, and OPRM1) were not associated with OME use. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:. Mechanical ventilation and preoperative opioids were the strongest risk factors for postoperative ICU opioid consumption, whereas psychologic factors and genetic variants were not associated.

BackgroundThis study aims to analyze the historical trends of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) burden in the elderly from 1990 to 2021 and forecast future trends up to 2051.MethodsData from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 were utilized. Age-standardized rates (ASR) for incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were calculated. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were computed to quantify temporal trends. A Bayesian Age-Period-Cohort model was employed to project future trends.ResultsFrom 1990 to 2021, the global number of elderly IBD increased from 573,500 to 1,278,190. The age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) rose from 8.01 to 8.77 per 100,000, while the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) slightly decreased from 118.14 to 117.29 per 100,000. Death number increased from 14,400 to 33,490, but the age-standardized mortality rate decreased from 3.21 to 2.84 per 100,000. DALYs increased from 324,100 to 683,750, with the age-standardized DALYs rate declining from 68.78 to 60.88 per 100,000. Significant geographical variations were observed, with high Socio-demographic Index regions showing the highest burden. Projections suggest that by 2051, elderly IBD prevalence number may reach 2,316,000, with ASIR and ASPR potentially rising after 2035 and 2042, respectively. Deaths and DALYs are projected to increase to 75,000 and 1,401,000 respectively, despite continued declines in ASRs.ConclusionThe absolute burden of IBD in the elderly population is projected to increase substantially by 2051, despite decreasing ASRs. These findings underscore the need for tailored healthcare strategies and resource allocation to address the growing challenge of elderly IBD globally.

BackgroundInadequate levels of vitamin D (VitD) have been linked to increased rates of various health conditions and mortality. However, little is known about the relationship between mortality outcomes and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study aimed to examine this association using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.MethodsA cohort of 2,290 individuals aged 20 to 85 years with RA was analyzed. Lower 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with all-cause mortality, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.91 (0.87 to 0.96) per 10 nmol/L increase. Comparatively, the HR for the VitD insufficiency group was 0.64 (0.50 to 0.83), and for the VitD sufficiency group, it was 0.60 (0.44 to 0.80), both compared to the VitD deficiency group. Cause-specific analysis showed that higher 25(OH)D levels were associated with reduced mortality from heart disease (HR: 0.88, 0.82 to 0.95) and malignant neoplasms (HR: 0.86, 0.79 to 0.94). No significant correlation was found between 25(OH)D levels and cause-specific mortalities for other conditions.ResultsStratified by gender, the HR for males was 0.92 (0.85 to 0.99) and for females was 0.91 (0.86 to 0.98) per 10 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D levels. Among individuals aged 20-59 years, no significant correlation was observed, while for those aged 60 years and older, the HR was 0.86 (0.82 to 0.90) per 10 nmol/L increase. Nonlinear analysis identified a sharp increase in HR below 59.95 nmol/L, while HR remained below 1 for 25(OH)D levels above 59.95 nmol/L.ConclusionThis study reveals a strong negative correlation between 25(OH)D levels and overall mortality in individuals with RA. Notably, this association is particularly significant for mortality related to heart disease and malignant neoplasms. Targeted VitD supplementation should be emphasized, especially in individuals aged 60 years and older with RA. The proposed minimum threshold for adequate 25(OH)D levels in the RA population is 60 nmol/L.

Background/Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most common malignant tumors and the third leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Extensive literature suggests that long noncoding RNAs play a role in the progression of HCC and hold potential as diagnostic biomarkers for this disease. Materials and Methods: We examined the serum levels of HOX antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) in 49 hepatitis patients, 31 liver cirrhosis (LC), and 37 HCC patients using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Correlations between serum HOTAIR levels and clinical data were evaluated in HCC patients. The receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to analyze the diagnostic potency of HOTAIR. Results: The HOTAIR levels in serum were significantly higher in HCC patients compared to those with hepatitis (P = .003) and LC patients (P = .048). There was a significant association between the serum levels of HOTAIR and positivity of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (P = .039) as well as portal vein tumor thrombus (P = .040) in HCC patients. The area under the curve (AUC) for HOTAIR for distinguishing HCC from hepatitis and LC was 0.697. The combined AUC for HOTAIR, HBeAg, and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was 0.777. Conclusion: Serum HOTAIR functions as a potential diagnostic marker for hepatitis B virus-related HCC. Combining HOTAIR with clinical data and AFP can reinforce the diagnostic precision on HCC.

Abstract Robotic surgery may be an alternative to laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer (GC). However, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reporting the differences in survival between these two approaches are currently lacking. From September 2017 to January 2020, 300 patients with cT1-4a and N0/+ were enrolled and randomized to either the robotic (RDG) or laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (LDG) group (NCT03313700). The primary endpoint was 3-year disease-free survival (DFS); secondary endpoints reported here are the 3-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence patterns. The remaining secondary outcomes include intraoperative outcomes, postoperative recovery, quality of lymphadenectomy, and cost differences, which have previously been reported. There were 283 patients in the modified intention-to-treat analysis (RDG group: n = 141; LDG group: n = 142). The trial has met pre-specified endpoints. The 3-year DFS rates were 85.8% and 73.2% in the RDG and LDG groups, respectively (p = 0.011). Multivariable Cox regression model including age, tumor size, sex, ECOG PS, lymphovascular invasion, histology, pT stage, and pN stage showed that RDG was associated with better 3-year DFS (HR: 0.541; 95% CI: 0.314-0.932). The RDG also improved the 3-year cumulative recurrence rate (RDG vs. LDG: 12.1% vs. 21.1%; HR: 0.546, 95% CI: 0.302-0.990). Compared to LDG, RDG demonstrated non-inferiority in 3-year DFS rate.

Abstract In the absence of externally applied mechanical loading, it would seem counterintuitive that a solid particle sitting on the surface of another solid could not only sink into the latter, but also continue its rigid-body motion towards the interior, reaching a depth as distant as thousands of times the particle diameter. Here, we demonstrate such a case using in situ microscopic as well as bulk experiments, in which diamond nanoparticles ~100 nm in size move into iron up to millimeter depth, at a temperature about half of the melting point of iron. Each diamond nanoparticle is nudged as a whole, in a displacive motion towards the iron interior, due to a local stress induced by the accumulation of iron atoms diffusing around the particle via a short and easy interfacial channel. Our discovery underscores an unusual mass transport mode in solids, in addition to the familiar diffusion of individual atoms.

Abstract The influence of hydrogen charging potentials on the hydrogen embrittlement susceptibility of R6 ultra-high strength mooring chain steel was investigated via constant potential hydrogen charging slow strain rate tensile tests combined with thermal desorption analysis. The results reveal that hydrogen charging leads to a 38.94% decrease in elongation, while the impact on tensile strength is relatively minor. Furthermore, the specimens experienced intergranular cracking at the critical potential of −1150 mV, with the size of the brittle region increasing as the negative charging potential becomes more negative. And, hydrogen atoms can cause local embrittlement of materials and increase KAM value.

Carbohydrates play a vital role in food science, medicine science, life science and other fields. Carbohydrates can be divided into monosaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides, among which monosaccharides and oligosaccharides are mostly soluble, which can not only serve as structural substances, but also have various biological activities such as antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral activities. Hydrophilic interaction chromatography makes up for the deficiency of reversed-phase liquid chromatography in the separation of carbohydrates. This paper reviews the stationary phases including amino bonded stationary phase, amide bonded stationary phase, carbohydrate bonded stationary phase and zwitterionic bonded stationary phase used in hydrophilic interaction chromatography for the separation and analysis of monosaccharides and oligosaccharides during 2017­–2022, and summarizes the effects of chromatographic separation conditions such as acetonitrile content, buffer salt concentration, mobile phase pH and column temperature on the hydrophilic separation efficiency so as to provide a reference for the separation and analysis of monosaccharides and oligosaccharides.

Abstract Background This study aimed to assess COVID-19 vaccine confidence among healthcare personnel in the safety net sector of the United States and Puerto Rico. This study aimed to examine the extent to which increased knowledge and positive attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccine safety and efficacy were associated with healthcare workers’ COVID-19 vaccination status and their recommendation of the vaccine to all patients. Methods Online survey data were collected from health care workers working in Free and Charitable Clinics across the United States and Federally Qualified Health Centers in Puerto Rico. The survey consisted of 62 questions covering various demographic measures and constructs related to healthcare workers’ vaccination status, beliefs, and recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination. Statistical analyses, including multivariate analysis, were conducted to identify the factors associated with the COVID-19 vaccine status and recommendations among healthcare personnel. Results Among the 2273 respondents, 93% reported being vaccinated against COVID-19. The analysis revealed that respondents who believed that COVID-19 vaccines were efficacious and safe were three times more likely to be vaccinated and twice as likely to recommend them to all their patients. Respondents who believed they had received adequate information about COVID-19 vaccination were 10 times more likely to be vaccinated and four times more likely to recommend it to all their patients. Conclusions The study results indicate that healthcare workers’ confidence in COVID-19 vaccines is closely tied to their level of knowledge, positive beliefs, and attitudes about vaccine safety and efficacy. The study emphasizes the significance of healthcare workers feeling well informed and confident in their knowledge to recommend the vaccine to their patients. These findings have important implications for the development of strategies to boost COVID-19 vaccine confidence among healthcare workers and increase vaccine uptake among patients.

Abstract Background Syndromic ciliopathies are a group of congenital disorders characterized by broad clinical and genetic overlap, including obesity, visual problems, skeletal anomalies, mental retardation, and renal diseases. The hallmark of the pathophysiology among these disorders is defective ciliary functions or formation. Many different genes have been implicated in the pathogenesis of these diseases, but some patients still remain unclear about their genotypes. Methods The aim of this study was to identify the genetic causes in patients with syndromic ciliopathy. Patients suspected of or meeting clinical diagnostic criteria for any type of syndromic ciliopathy were recruited at a single diagnostic medical center in Southern Taiwan. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was employed to identify their genotypes and elucidate the mutation spectrum in Taiwanese patients with syndromic ciliopathy. Clinical information was collected at the time of patient enrollment. Results A total of 14 cases were molecularly diagnosed with syndromic ciliopathy. Among these cases, 10 had Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), comprising eight BBS2 patients and two BBS7 patients. Additionally, two cases were diagnosed with Alström syndrome, one with Oral-facial-digital syndrome type 14, and another with Joubert syndrome type 10. A total of 4 novel variants were identified. A recurrent splice site mutation, BBS2: c.534 + 1G > T, was present in all eight BBS2 patients, suggesting a founder effect. One BBS2 patient with homozygous c.534 + 1G > T mutations carried a third ciliopathic allele, TTC21B: c.264_267dupTAGA, a nonsense mutation resulting in a premature stop codon and protein truncation. Conclusions Whole exome sequencing (WES) assists in identifying molecular pathogenic variants in ciliopathic patients, as well as the genetic hotspot mutations in specific populations. It should be considered as the first-line genetic testing for heterogeneous disorders characterized by the involvement of multiple genes and diverse clinical manifestations.

Abstract Background We investigated the value of three-dimensional amide proton transfer-weighted imaging (3D-APTWI) in the diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer (BC) and its correlation with the immunohistochemical characteristics of malignant lesions. Methods Seventy-eight women underwent APTWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI. Pathological results were categorized as either benign (n = 43) or malignant (n = 37) lesions. The parameters of APTWI and DCE-MRI were compared between the benign and malignant groups. The diagnostic value of 3D-APTWI was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC-AUC) to establish a diagnostic threshold. Pearson’s correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the magnetization transfer asymmetry (MTRasym) and immunohistochemical characteristics. Results The MTRasym and time-to-peak of malignancies were significantly lower than those of benign lesions (all p < 0.010). The volume transfer constant, rate constant, and wash-in and wash-out rates of malignancies were all significantly greater than those of benign lesions (all p < 0.010). ROC-AUCs of 3D-APTWI, DCE-MRI, and 3D-APTWI+DCE to differential diagnosis between early-stage BC and benign lesions were 0.816, 0.745, and 0.858, respectively. Only the difference between AUCAPT+DCE and AUCDCE was significant (p < 0.010). When a threshold of MTRasym for malignancy for 2.42%, the sensitivity and specificity of 3D-APTWI for BC diagnosis were 86.5% and 67.6%, respectively; MTRasym was modestly positively correlated with pathological grade (r = 0.476, p = 0.003) and Ki-67 (r = 0.419, p = 0.020). Conclusions 3D-APTWI may be used as a supplementary method for patients with contraindications of DCE-MRI. MTRasym can imply the proliferation activities of early-stage BC. Relevance statement 3D-APTWI can be an alternative diagnostic method for patients with early-stage BC who are not suitable for contrast injection. Key points • 3D-APTWI reflects the changes in the microenvironment of early-stage breast cancer. • Combined 3D-APTWI is superior to DCE-MRI alone for early-stage breast cancer diagnosis. • 3D-APTWI improves the diagnostic accuracy of early-stage breast cancer. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a well‐established procedure using a catheter‐introduced valve prosthesis for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS). This retrospective study investigated sex‐related differences in pre‐ and post‐TAVR clinical and hemodynamic outcomes and analyzed data of the first 100 cases at Kaohsiung Medical University Chung‐Ho Memorial Hospital (KMUH) between December 2013 and December 2021. Baseline characteristics, procedural outcomes, mortality rates, and echocardiographic parameters were analyzed and compared between sexes. Among the 100 patients, male (46%) and female (54%) were of similar age (mean age, male 86.0 years vs. female 84.5 years) and of the same severity of AS (mean pressure gradient, male 47.5 mmHg vs. female 45.7 mmHg) at the time receiving the TAVR procedure. Women had smaller aortic valve areas calculated by continuity equation (0.8 ± 0.3 cm2 vs. 0.7 ± 0.2 cm2, p

Abstract Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a leading indication for corneal transplantation, but its molecular etiology remains poorly understood. We performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of FECD in the Million Veteran Program followed by multi-ancestry meta-analysis with the previous largest FECD GWAS, for a total of 3970 cases and 333,794 controls. We confirm the previous four loci, and identify eight novel loci: SSBP3, THSD7A, LAMB1, PIDD1, RORA, HS3ST3B1, LAMA5, and COL18A1. We further confirm the TCF4 locus in GWAS for admixed African and Hispanic/Latino ancestries and show an enrichment of European-ancestry haplotypes at TCF4 in FECD cases. Among the novel associations are low frequency missense variants in laminin genes LAMA5 and LAMB1 which, together with previously reported LAMC1, form laminin-511 (LM511). AlphaFold 2 protein modeling, validated through homology, suggests that mutations at LAMA5 and LAMB1 may destabilize LM511 by altering inter-domain interactions or extracellular matrix binding. Finally, phenome-wide association scans and colocalization analyses suggest that the TCF4 CTG18.1 trinucleotide repeat expansion leads to dysregulation of ion transport in the corneal endothelium and has pleiotropic effects on renal function.

Erinacine A has been proven to have the ability to protect nerves and have the benefit of neurohealth. However, the pharmacokinetic and metabolites study of erinacine A in pigs, whose physiology and anatomy are similar to humans, have not been reported. In this study, 5 mg/kg of erinacine A was intravenously administered to the landrace pig. Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and brain tissue samples were collected and analyzed by HPLC-QQQ/MS and UPLC-QTOF/MS. The results indicated the following pharmacokinetic parameters in plasma samples: with an area under the plasma concentration versus time curve (AUC) were 38.02 ± 0.03 mg∙min/L (AUC0-60) and 43.60 ± 0.06 mg∙min/L (AUC0-∞), clearance (CL) was 0.11 ± 0.00 L/min∙kg, volume of distribution (Vd) was 4.24 ± 0.00 L/kg, and terminal half-life (T1/2β) was 20.85 ± 0.03 min. In the cerebrospinal fluid samples, erinacine A was detected after 15 min and the highest concentration (5.26 ± 0.58 μg/L) was observed at 30 min. In the brain tissue sample, 77.45 ± 0.58 μg/L of erinacine A was found. In the study of metabolites, there were 6 identical metabolites in plasma and brain tissue. To our surprise, erinacine B was found to be the metabolite of erinacine A, and its concentration increased over time as erinacine A was metabolized. In summary, this study is the first to demonstrate that erinacine A can be found in the cerebrospinal fluid of landrace pigs. Additionally, the metabolite identification of erinacine A in landrace pigs is also investigated.

Abstract A supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO2) fluid, characterized by gas‐like diffusivity, near‐zero surface tension, and excellent mass transfer properties, is used as a precursor to produce silicon oxycarbide (SiOC) coating. SCCO2 disperses and reacts with Si particles to form an interfacial layer consisting of Si, O, and C. After an 850 °C annealing process, a conformal SiOC coating layer forms, resulting in core‐shell Si@SiOC particles. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy and its X‐ray line‐scan spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy, are used to examine the SiOC formation mechanism. Effects of SCCO2 interaction time on the SiOC properties are investigated. The SiOC layer connects the Si@SiOC particles, improving electron and Li+ transport. Cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic intermittent titration technique, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are employed to examine the role of SiOC during charging/discharging. Operando X‐ray diffraction data reveal that the SiOC coating reduces crystal size of the formed Li15Si4 and increases its formation/elimination reversibility during cycling. The Si@SiOC electrode shows a capacitiy of 2250 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1. After 500 cycles, the capacity retention is 72% with Coulombic efficiency above 99.8%. A full cell consisting of Si@SiOC anode and LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathode is constructed, and its performance is evaluated.

BackgroundSarcopenia is a progressive, systemic skeletal muscle disorder. Resistance exercise and physical activity have been proven effective in its treatment, but consensus on pharmacological interventions has not yet been reached in clinical practice. β-Hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) is a nutritional supplement that has demonstrated favorable effects on muscle protein turnover, potentially contributing to beneficial impacts on sarcopenia.AimTo assess the potential positive effects of HMB or HMB-containing supplements on individuals with sarcopenia, a systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) examining the treatment of sarcopenia with HMB. Two assessors independently conducted screening, data extraction, and bias risk assessment. Outcome data were synthesized through a random-effects model in meta-analysis, using the mean difference (MD) as the effect measure.ResultsA meta-analysis was conducted on six studies. HMB or HMB-rich nutritional supplements showed a statistically significant difference in Hand Grip Strength (HGS) for sarcopenia patients [MD = 1.26, 95%CI (0.41, 2.21), p = 0.004], while there was no statistically significant difference in Gait Speed (GS) [MD = 0.04, 95%CI (−0.01, 0.08), p = 0.09], Fat Mass (FM) [MD = −0.18, 95%CI (−0.38, 0.01), p = 0.07], Fat-Free Mass (FFM) [MD = 0.09, 95%CI (−0.23, 0.42), p = 0.58], and Skeletal Muscle Index (SMI) [MD = 0.01, 95%CI (−0.00, 0.01), p = 0.13].ConclusionHMB or HMB-rich nutritional supplements are beneficial for muscle strength in sarcopenia patients. However, there is limited evidence demonstrating significant effects on both muscle strength and physical performance in sarcopenia individuals. HMB may be considered as a treatment option for sarcopenia patients.Systematic review registrationCRD42024512119.

Abstract To enhance Li storage properties, nitrogenation methods are developed for Si anodes. First, melamine, urea, and nitric oxide (NO) precursors are used to nitrogenize carbon‐coated Si particles. The properties of the obtained particles are compared. It is found that the NO process can maximize the graphitic nitrogen (N) content and electronic conductivity of a sample. In addition, optimized N functional groups and O─C species on the electrode surface increase electrolyte wettability. However, with a carbon barrier layer, NO hardly nitrogenizes the Si cores. Therefore, bare Si particles are reacted with NO. Core‐shell Si@amorphous SiNx particles are produced using a facile and scalable NO treatment route. The effects of the NO reaction time on the physicochemical properties and charge–discharge performance of the obtained materials are systematically examined. Finally, the Si@SiNx particles are coated with N‐doped carbon. Superior capacities of 2435 and 1280 mAh g−1 are achieved at 0.2 and 5 A g−1, respectively. After 300 cycles, 90% of the initial capacity is retained. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry data indicate that the multiple nitrogenation layers formed by NO significantly suppress electrode exothermic reactions during thermal runaway.