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Background: Mucinous gastric carcinoma (MGC) is a distinct histologic subtype of gastric cancer (GC) that is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. The clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of MGC, when compared to adenocarcinoma and signet-ring cell carcinoma (SRCC), are currently subjects of debate and require further investigation. Methods: In this study, we conducted an investigation on 4,417 patients who were hospitalized with GC at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between April 2008 and December 2019. The objective was to compare the prognosis and clinicopathological characteristics of MGC with other types of GC. Results: In comparison to adenocarcinoma, MGC patients exhibited more advanced tumor infiltration (p < 0.001), lower tumor differentiation (p < 0.001), and higher rates of preoperative tumor marker positivity (except for AFP and CA125) (all p < 0.05). However, after propensity score matching (PSM) to eliminate confounding factors, MGC patients surprisingly exhibited a better prognosis than adenocarcinoma patients (p = 0.008), and the results in multifactorial COX regression were similar (HR = 0.792, 95% CI 0.629–0.997, p = 0.047). Among patients with MGC, age, pN stage, as well as preoperative levels of CA125 and CA724 (all p < 0.05), emerged as independent prognostic markers. While overall survival did not significantly differ between MGC and SRCC (p = 0.196), significant survival disparities emerged in advanced-stage patients (p = 0.009), with MGC showing better survival rates. Furthermore, a nomogram was developed to predict 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival in gastric cancer patients based on various factors, achieving a C-index of 0.772 (95% CI: 0.745–0.799). Conclusions: While the poorer prognosis associated with MGC may be linked to its advanced stage and lower degree of differentiation, its biological behavior could contribute to improved survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Our new synthesized bibenzyl compound Ae had potent anti-angiogenic activity in zebrafish in vivo. • Ae exhibited the obvious inhibitory activity of proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation in HUVEC cells in vitro. • The anti-angiogenic activity of compound Ae is connected with the ang-2, tek in ANGPT-TEK pathway and the kdr, kdrl signaling axle in VEGF-VEGFR pathway. The inhibition of angiogenesis has been considered as an attractive method for the discovery of potential anti-cancer drugs. Herein, we report our new synthesized bibenzyl compound Ae had potent anti-angiogenic activity(the lowest effective concentration is to 0.62–1.25 μM) in zebrafish in vivo and showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of inter-segmental blood vessels (ISVs) compared to control. Further, Ae exhibited the obvious inhibitory activity of proliferation, migration, invasion and tube formation in HUVEC cells in vitro. Moreover, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that the anti-angiogenic activity of compound Ae is connected with the ang-2 , tek in ANGPT-TEK pathway and the kdr, kdrl signaling axle in VEGF-VEGFR pathway. Molecular docking studies revealed that compound Ae had an interaction with the angiopoietin-2 receptor(TEK) and VEGFR2. Additionally, analysis of the ADMET prediction data indicated that compound Ae possessed favorable physicochemical properties, drug-likeness, and synthetic accessibility. In conclusion, compound Ae had remarkable anti-angiogenic activity and could be served as an candidate for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of laser and magneto-optical technology and the discovery of a broad range of magnetic quantum materials exhibiting exotic properties and new physics, ultrafast magnetization dynamics has become increasingly appealing to advanced magnetic information technology. Furthermore, manipulating magnetization via light provides insights into interactions among multiple degrees of freedom in condensed matters and has revealed a wide range of nonequilibrium phenomena. In this minireview, we first present the theoretical considerations of ultrafast magnetization dynamics from both classical and ab initio points of view. We then discuss several aspects of state-of-the-art experimental studies on light-induced magnetization dynamics in various materials, including ultrafast demagnetization and magnetization reversal, as well as coherent-phonon-driven magnetization precession and phase transitions. In particular, we highlight the role of light-induced phonons from some recent work in the latter two aspects, providing a completely new perspective as well as an alternative approach for optical control of magnetization dynamics. As a powerful means of dynamical control and thanks to the progress and advances of experimental techniques, all-optical quantum manipulation of emergent materials is becoming one of the most far-reaching frontier research areas of ultrafast sciences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic synaptic transistors are considered to be one of the most promising device concepts for neuromorphic systems. However, repressively low memory retention and high-temperature instability greatly preclude the development and real-world application of organic synaptic transistors. Herein, we reported three conjugated polymers based on a bithiophene-thienothiophene backbone and the traditional ethylene glycol (EG) chains substituted by more hydrophobic propylene glycol (PG) and butylene glycol (BG) counterparts for three-terminal organic neuromorphic memory devices (TONMD). The resulting TONMD exhibits superior viability in ambient and high-temperature environments. BG chain-based p(b2T-TT) show ultra-long memory retention of over 103 s and large analog switching range (>10 ×) at 180 °C, which represents the record-high high-temperature resilience for reported TONMD to date. They also demonstrated excellent endurance of over 105 write-read operations and ultra-high ambient stability with 96 % of its original conductance after 3 months. Data of molecular dynamic simulations and microstructure show that the superior high-temperature resilience and ambient stability originate from more rigid conformation and stable morphology with the increased hydrophobicity of the PG and BG functionalities. Overall, rational design of oligoether side-chains will boost the device's dual high-temperature and ambient stability without compromising synaptic function and provide promising strategies for high-temperature neuromorphic applications. [Display omitted] • The effect of side chains engineering on the high temperature and ambient stability of organic synaptic transistors is reported for the first time. • A record-high high-temperature resilience (180 °C) is realized in BG chain-based p(b2T-TT) devices. • Excellent endurance and ultra-high ambient stability were realized in p(b2T-TT) devices. • The recognition accuracy of p(b2T-TT) is the recorded high among organic synaptic transistors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ginsenoside Rb 1 , an active ingredient in Panax ginseng , was widely used for its various biological activities. To clarify the role of the gut microbiota in pharmacokinetics and metabolism of Rb 1 , a comprehensive and comparative study of colonic deglycosylation metabolism and systemic exposure of ginsenoside Rb 1 in normal rats, antimicrobials (ATMs) treated rats, and restraint stressed rats was conducted. ATMs treated rats received oral administration of non-absorbable antimicrobial mixtures for 7 consecutive days. Restraint stressed rats were subjected to repeated restraint stress for a period of 2 h once daily for 7 days. Plasma concentration dynamics, urine and fecal excretion of Rb 1 and its deglycosylation metabolites (Rd, F 2 , and C-K) were studied. Moreover, the in vitro metabolism of Rb 1 in fecal suspension and the fecal β- d -glucosidase activity were profiled. Systemic exposure of the deglycosylation metabolites of ginsenoside Rb 1 (F 2 , C-K) were significantly higher in restraint stressed rats, but ATMs treated rats exhibited a decreased plasma levels of F 2 and C-K, compared with normal rats. Further studies illustrated that altered systemic Rb 1 and its deglycosylation metabolites exposure in restraint-stressed rats and ATMs treated rats may be partially attributed to alternations in cumulative fecal excretion. The distinguishing fecal β- d -glucosidase, in vitro elimination of Rb 1 , and formation of these deglycosylation metabolites afforded further evidence for the in vivo data. In conclusion, the dys-regulated fecal β- d -glucosidase activity and deglycosylation metabolism may contribute to the altered pharmacokinetic of ginsenoside Rb 1 and its hydrolysis metabolites after ATMs treatment or restraint stress exposure. Our results may offer valuable insights into the pharmacological changes of bioactive ginsenosides in dys-regulated gut microbiota statue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Understanding the fiber-type specification and metabolic switch in skeletal muscle provides insights into energy metabolism in physiology and diseases. Here, we show that miR-182 is highly expressed in fast-twitch muscle and negatively correlates with blood glucose level. miR-182 knockout mice display muscle loss, fast-to-slow fiber-type switching, and impaired glucose metabolism. Mechanistic studies reveal that miR-182 modulates glucose utilization in muscle by targeting FoxO1 and PDK4, which control fuel selection via the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDHC). Short-term high-fat diet (HFD) feeding reduces muscle miR-182 levels by tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), which contributes to the upregulation of FoxO1/PDK4. Restoration of miR-182 expression in HFD-fed mice induces a faster muscle phenotype, decreases muscle FoxO1/PDK4 levels, and improves glucose metabolism. Together, our work establishes miR-182 as a critical regulator that confers robust and precise controls on fuel usage and glucose homeostasis. Our study suggests that a metabolic shift toward a faster and more glycolytic phenotype is beneficial for glucose control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is significant interest in the catalytic properties of substituted iridium carbonyl clusters but little thermodynamic information available characterizing them. The low-energy isomers of Ir x (PH 3 ) y (CO) z ( x = 1, 2, 4) were investigated with density functional theory and correlated molecular orbital theory at the coupled cluster CCSD(T) level. The relative energies and ligand dissociation energies were calculated. Differences in relative energies are consequences of both electronic and steric effects of the phosphines and carbonyls. The calculations predict three fundamental structural types for Ir 2 (PH 3 ) y (CO) z : C 2v , C 2 , and D 3d . Ten exchange–correlation functionals were used for the ligand dissociation energy calculations in addition to CCSD(T) for the smaller clusters. The ωB97X-D functional gave the most consistent ligand dissociation energies as compared with the CCSD(T) benchmark calculations, and, so it was used to predict the dissociation energies for larger clusters when CCSD(T) calculations were infeasible. The dissociation energies characteristic of Ir 4 (PH 3 ) y (CO) z were in the range of ∼30 to ∼60 kcal/mol. Dissociation of a bridging ligand often involved a hydrogen atom transfer from a phosphine to a coordinatively unsaturated iridium atom and a phosphine converting from a bridging site to an equatorial site. The products of such reactions are predicted to have lower relative energies than other isomers. Phosphines act as σ-electron donors, and there is a trend of an increase in carbonyl ligand dissociation energies as more phosphines are substituted in the small clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging literature illustrates critical roles of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the progression of atherosclerosis. However, the biological functions and mechanism by which lncRNAs regulate the atherosclerosis remain unclear. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with oxidative low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL). RNA and protein levels were respectively measured using RT-qPCR and western blot. Molecular interaction was detected using luciferase reporter assay and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). Proliferation and migration were measured using CCK-8 and wound healing assay. Here, results unveiled that lncRNA SNHG7 was remarkedly up-regulated in ox-LDL exposed HUVECs. Gain and loss of function experiments showed that the SNHG7 repressed the proliferation and migration of HUVECs. Mechanistically, transcription factor E2F1 was found to target the promoter region of lncRNA SNHG7 and accelerated its expression. Moreover, miR-186-5p was found to bind with the 3′-UTR of SNHG7, meanwhile miR-186-5p also bound with the MMP2 mRNA 3′-UTR. In conclusion, these results show the essential roles of E2F1/SNHG7/miR-186-5p/MMP2 axis on the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells, providing a potential therapeutic target for atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alginate or chitosan microparticles as drug loading system performed pH-responsiveness and biocompatibility, yet with the burst-release and limited encapsulation. In order to improve the performance, herein, Pickering emulsion of chitosan-hydrophobic alginate nanocomposite (HSA-CS NCs) as the bio-stabilizer, was proposed as the drug-loading vehicle. Integrating the merits of HSA-CS and Pickering emulsion, such drug carrier of emulsion performed pH-response and biocompatibility from HSA-CS, and high loading capacity and rigid layer from Pickering emulsion, so as for the manipulated release behavior. With thorough investigation, via the various pH-response of HSA-CS nanocomposite in the continuous simulated gastrointestinal fluid, Pickering emulsion gradually released the loading drug (ibuprofen) out, performing the pH-triggered controlled-release behavior. Ibuprofen-loaded Pickering emulsions (30 mg/mL) released nearly none in SGF for 3 h, whereas in SIF, performed constant release in initial 5 h and continuous-release of 88.37% ibuprofen in 24 h with no drug-burst and high loading capacity, promisingly as the pH-responsive vehicle for drug delivery in oral route. • With biocompatibility and pH-response, the chitosan-hydrophobic alginate nanocomposite could stabilize Pickering emulsion. • The nanocomposite was 396 nm on average. • From SGF to SIF, ibuprofen-loaded Pickering emulsion released pH-triggered, zero content in SGF and 88.37% content in SIF. • Ibuprofen-loading capacity in Pickering emulsion was manipulated from 1 mg/mL to 30 mg/mL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A simplified two-fluid model is proposed for critical two-phase flow in microchannels. • The model preserves precision while incorporating fewer constitutive relations. • Proposed an enhanced metastable liquid nucleation model, achieving precise predictions of nucleation pressure. • Advance the understanding of critical flow in microchannels. Critical flow phenomena are present in many chemical engineering processes, such as microchannel heat exchangers, modeling of jet pumps, nuclear safety analysis, and various industrial facilities that involve subcooled or two-phase pressurized fluids. This paper presents a simplified, reliable two-fluid model for accurately simulating critical flow in microchannels. This study develops a five-equation two-fluid model by constructing a mixed energy equation based on the assumption of metastable liquid phase and saturated gas phase. The model utilizes an improved metastable liquid nucleation model as the gas–liquid phase transition boundary to obtain a more accurate flashing inception. It also uses fewer interfacial constitutive relation equations to reduce the occurrence of unstable solutions. The improved nucleation model is validated using experimental data from previous researchers, with prediction errors controlled within 10%. Furthermore, the five-equation model demonstrates substantial improvements in numerical convergence compared to its six-equation counterpart. By comparing critical mass flux predictions, along-channel pressure variations, and interfacial transfer terms, the five-equation model effectively mitigates instability issues observed in the six-equation model while maintaining prediction accuracy. As a result, this model boasts a broader range of applicability and excels in accurately predicting critical flow, even under more complex conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• CTS/HMMT (chitosan/hydrophobically-modified montmorillonite) sorbent via Pickering emulsion polymerization was obtained. • HMMT coated onto the crosslinked chitosan as core-shell composite. • HMMT coat of rigidity limited crosslinked chitosan swelled effectively during iodide-ion adsorption. • CTS/HMMT composites showed the fast I− adsorption efficiency of ≥90% among the wide pH during five regenerations. • Both chitosan and HMMT favored for iodide adsorption during iodide removal. The radioactive iodine from nuclear wastes caused severe environmental contamination and public health concern. Chitosan and montmorillonite as green materials of the favorable adsorptivity were proposed for iodine treatment. Rather than intercalation, the crosslinked chitosan proposedly via Pickering emulsion polymerization was coated by hydrophobical-modified montmorillonite (HMMT) to form the micro-composite of chitosan/HMMT (CTS/HMMT) as the iodide adsorbent of eco-safety, adsorptivity combination and chitosan-swelling limitation. From pH 3 to 10, CTS/HMMTs adsorbed I127 anions no <90% during 40 min, with the maximum adsorption capacity of 0.3033 mmol/g, well-fitting with Langmuir isotherm model and the pseudo first-order kinetic model. CTS/HMMTs were also well-regenerated within the five adsorption/desorption cycles of the nearly same adsorption efficiency, performing the high stability. Nonetheless, the CTS/HMMT adsorbents were prospective for radioactive iodine removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The mechanisms underlying the relationship between life events and psychological distress are unclear. However, evidence of genetic involvement, including the neuropeptide S receptor gene (NPSR1), exists.Methods: A total of 600 Chinese adults were enrolled in this cross-sectional study using random cluster sampling. Demographic information, measures of life events and psychiatric symptoms, and fasting blood samples were collected.Results: Significant correlations were observed among life-event scores, somatization, and psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depressive symptoms). Regression revealed life-event scores and somatization predicted anxiety, depressive symptoms, and psychological distress, while controlling for sex, age, income, education, and marital status. Structural equation modeling indicated that somatization mediated the association between life-event scores and psychological distress. Moreover, the mediating effect was influenced by the NPSR1 gene, suggesting that the NPSR1 polymorphisms rs324981, rs6947841, and rs6972158 influenced the association between life-event scores and somatization (ps < 0.05). The NPSR1 polymorphisms rs12673132 significantly affected the relationship of somatization with psychological distress (p < 0.05).Conclusions: In conclusion, somatization mediated the association between life-event scores and psychological distress. The current study is the first to demonstrate this relationship with a Chinese sample, whereby the NPSR1 gene affects the mediating effect of somatization on the association between life-event scores and psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Heat transfer experiments with axially sinusoidal heating were conducted. • The large temperature difference between the top and bottom wall was explained. • The effect of circumferential heat conduction is considered. • The local heat transfer characteristics is investigated in the horizontal tube. For a heat exchanger, the heat flux is usually non-uniform in the axial direction, and the knowledge about heat transfer of supercritical water with axially non-uniform heating is scarce. To fill the gap, experiments were conducted in a horizontal tube to study the heat transfer characteristics of supercritical water with axially sinusoidal heating. The pressures varied from 23.5 to 26.5 MPa, mass fluxes 200 to 400 kg·m−2·s−1 and average heat fluxes 50 to 150 kW·m−2. Compared with uniform heat flux, the temperature difference between the top and bottom wall is larger than that of the axially sinusoidal heat flux. The inner-wall heat flux is non-uniform along the circumference due to the temperature difference, being higher at the side wall and lower at the top wall. A relative heat flux parameter is defined to describe the relative magnitude of the local heat flux. The relative heat flux parameter of the top generatrix, which is inversely proportional to the average heat flux, decreases linearly with the increase of the temperature difference between the top and side generatrix. The non-uniform degree of heat flux along the circumference is positively correlated with the average heat flux. Additionally, the local heat transfer characteristics should be considered in horizontal tubes. On the one hand, the heat transfer deterioration may occur when the fluid temperature near the top wall is higher than the pseudo-critical temperature and it can be suppressed with increasing Reynolds number. On the other hand, the local heat transfer can be enhanced if the side and bottom wall temperatures exceed the pseudo-critical temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Heat transfer experiments considering local temperature were conducted. • Mechanism of heat transfer deterioration was studied. • Heat transfer was dominated by relative magnitude of buoyancy and inertia force. A comprehensive understanding of heat transfer to supercritical fluids is essential to improve the thermal efficiency of some advanced thermal systems. However, the mechanism remains unclear that how the heat transfer is affected by local temperature, especially the near-wall temperature. In this study, heat transfer experiments of supercritical water are conducted in a horizontal tube. Five local water temperatures from the near-wall region to the core in a cross-section are measured to clarify the heat transfer process with the operating pressure of 23.5–26.5 MPa, mass flux of 200–400 kg·m–2 s–1, and heat flux of 50–180 kW·m–2. The tube length and inner diameter are 6000 mm and 26 mm, respectively. The results show that the heat transfer is suppressed and the enthalpy increase is no longer linear before the pseudo-critical point. Heat transfer is dominated by the relative magnitude of buoyancy and inertia force, which are affected by heat flux and mass flux, respectively. Moreover, the heat transfer process is divided into four parts, and the heat transfer deterioration occurs at the end of part II and restores in part III. Finally, a new correlation which is suitable for supercritical heat transfer in horizontal tubes with large diameters is developed based on the present experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symptoms of cardiovascular diseases are frequently found in patients with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. However, it is unknown whether arachidonic acid metabolites, the potent mediators in cardiovascular system, are involved in cardiovascular disorders caused by hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. To answer this question, serum levels of arachidonic acid metabolites in human subjects with hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism and mice with hypothyroidism or thyroid hormone treatment were determined by a mass spectrometry-based method. Over ten arachidonic acid metabolites belonging to three catalytic pathways: cyclooxygenases, lipoxygenases, and cytochrome P450, were quantified simultaneously and displayed characteristic profiles under different thyroid hormone status. The level of 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, a cytochrome P450 metabolite, was positively correlated with thyroid hormone level and possibly contributed to the elevated blood pressured in hyperthyroidism. The increased prostanoid (PG) I 2 and decreased PGE 2 levels in hypothyroid patients might serve to alleviate atherosclerosis associated with dyslipidemia. The elevated level of thromboxane (TX) A 2 , as indicated by TXB 2 , in hyperthyroid patients and mice treated with thyroid hormone might bring about pulmonary hypertension frequently found in hyperthyroid patients. In conclusion, our prospective study revealed that arachidonic acid metabolites were differentially affected by thyroid hormone status. Certain metabolites may be involved in cardiovascular disorders associated with thyroid diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The efficient & quick I− removal was achieved by silver chloride entrapped cross-linked chitosan microsphere (AgCl@CM). • The maximum adsorption capacity of I− was up to 1.5267 mmol/g in 20 min adsorption. • AgCl@CM performed wide pH adaptation from pH 2 to pH 10 for iodide ion adsorption. • AgCl@CM adsorbed I− efficient-selectively relative to Cl− and CO 3 2−. Radioactive iodine waste from nuclear plant became the severe environmental problem and led to the public health concern. The cross-linked chitosan adsorbed iodide anions through the electrical attraction, yet performing limited-efficiently. Targeting as the better adsorption, the modified chitosan sorbent as AgCl@CM (silver chloride entrapped in the cross-linked chitosan microspheres) for iodine adsorption was proposed and implemented by chemisorption from AgCl and physisorption from chitosan via the improved emulsion method (emulsions mixing-collision and polymerization). With the broad application from pH 2 to pH 10, the spherical AgCl@CM (from 0.20 g silver nitrate) performed the I127 anions (instead of radioactive iodine) adsorption efficiency of higher than 90 % in 20 min, with the maximum adsorption capacity of 1.5267 mmol/g, well-fitting with the pseudo-first-order model and Sips isothermal model. AgCl@CM also performed I127 adsorption with the significant selectivity relative to Cl−. The micro-spherical AgCl@CM sorbents were therefore prospective-effectively for iodine waste water treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]