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Background: To review the changes and survey on status quo of the surgical treatment for esophageal cancer in China. The differences in diagnosis and treatment for esophageal cancer among hospitals in different regions across China were also investigated. Methods: We sent questionnaires to 46 hospitals across China, investigating the volume of esophageal cancer surgeries, surgical procedures, and perioperative management under the guidance of esophageal surgery chiefs. Results: A total of 46 questionnaires were sent out and collected. The survey results showed that in the past 5 years, the volume of surgeries for esophageal cancer remained stable by 23.9% of those hospitals, increased by 30.4%, and decreased by 45.7%. Of those patients treated by surgery, 19.1% were in the early stages, and 80.9% were in locally advanced stages. In terms of surgical procedures, 73.4% of the patients were treated by minimally invasive surgery and 85.7% of esophageal substitutes were a gastric conduit, 93.1% of the substitutes were pulled to the neck through the esophageal bed. For the lymph node dissection, 78.5% of the patients had a complete two‐field lymph node dissection including the para‐recurrent laryngeal nerve lymph nodes. Of the patients with neoadjuvant therapy, 53.5% received chemotherapy or chemotherapy plus immunotherapy (47.0%), and 43.5% had chemoradiation. Conclusions: Currently, in China, minimally invasive surgery‐oriented multimodality treatment, including complete two‐field lymph node dissection, has become the standard approach for esophageal cancer management. Over the past decade, this standardized approach has significantly improved prognosis compared to previous decades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccination programs in Taiwan are one of the earliest programs in the world and have largely reduced the prevalence of HBV infection. We aimed to demonstrate the vaccination efficacy after 35 years and identify gaps toward HBV elimination. Methods: A total of 4717 individuals aged 1–60 years were recruited from four administrative regions based on the proportion of population distribution. Serum levels of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), hepatitis B surface antibody (anti‐HBs), and hepatitis B core antibody (anti‐HBc) levels were assessed. HBV viral load, genotypes and HBsAg 'ɑ' determinant variants were evaluated if indicated. Results: After 35 years of vaccination, the overall seropositivity rates for HBsAg and anti‐HBc in Taiwan were 4.05% and 21.3%, respectively. The vaccinated birth cohorts exhibited significantly lower seropositivity rates for both markers compared to the unvaccinated birth cohorts (HBsAg: 0.64% vs. 9.78%; anti‐HBc: 2.1% vs. 53.55%, respectively; p < 0.0001). Maternal transmission was identified as the main route of HBV infection in breakthrough cases. Additionally, increased prevalences of genotype C and HBsAg escape mutants were observed. Conclusion: The 35‐year universal HBV vaccination program effectively reduced the burden of HBV infection, but complete eradication of HBV infection has not yet been achieved. In addition to immunization, comprehensive screening and antiviral therapy for infected individuals, especially for pregnant women, are crucial strategies to eliminate HBV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio (CCR) or sarcopenia index is considered a useful marker of muscle mass. However, its usefulness in late‐stage older adults remains unclear. We aimed to determine the usefulness of CCR as an indicator of sarcopenia in community‐dwelling Japanese adults aged >75 years. Methods: Our study recruited participants aged 70, 80, and 90 ± 1 years during the baseline years, and included a 3‐year follow‐up in the Septuagenarians, Octogenarians, Nonagenarians, Investigation with Centenarians study. From 2015 to 2018, 955 participants were eligible: 367 in their 70s, 304 in their 80s, and 284 in their 90s. The diagnostic components of sarcopenia, including "low muscle mass, plus low muscle strength, and/or low physical performance," were evaluated using the bioelectrical impedance analysis‐measured skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), handgrip strength, and short physical performance battery (SPPB) score, respectively, in accordance with the Asia Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria. Separate analyses were performed between each component and CCR, adjusting for sex, body mass index, and other blood biomarkers in each group. Results: The relationship between CCR and sarcopenia components was significant for handgrip strength (β = 0.21, 0.13, 0.19, and P < 0.0001, =0.0088, <0.0001, for the 70s, 80s, and 90s age groups, respectively); however, it was limited for SMI (β = 0.14; P = 0.0022, only for the 90s) and not significant for the SPPB score. Conclusion: CCR is a limited indicator of sarcopenia in late‐stage older adults. Although its association with muscle strength was significant, its relationship with muscle mass and physical performance was less pronounced. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 529–536. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free radicals are increasingly recognized as active intermediate reactive species that can participate in various redox processes, significantly influencing the mechanistic pathways of reactions. Numerous researchers have investigated the generation of one or more distinct photogenerated radicals, proposing various hypotheses to explain the reaction mechanisms. Notably, recent research has demonstrated the emergence of photogenerated radicals in innovative processes, including organic chemical reactions and the photocatalytic dissolution of precious metals. To harness the potential of these free radicals more effectively, it is imperative to consolidate and analyze the processes and action modes of these photogenerated radicals. This conceptual paper delves into the latest advancements in understanding the mechanics of photogenerated radicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleophilic substitutions are fundamentally important transformations in synthetic organic chemistry. Despite the substantial advances in bimolecular nucleophilic substitutions (SN2) at saturated carbon centers, analogous SN2 reaction at the amide nitrogen atom remains extremely limited. Here we report an SN2 substitution method at the amide nitrogen atom with amine nucleophiles for nitrogen–nitrogen (N−N) bond formation that leads to a novel strategy toward biologically and medicinally important hydrazide derivatives. We found the use of sulfonate‐leaving groups at the amide nitrogen atom played a pivotal role in the reaction. This new N−N coupling reaction allows the use of O‐tosyl hydroxamates as electrophiles and readily available amines, including acyclic aliphatic amines and saturated N‐heterocycles as nucleophiles. The reaction features mild conditions, broad substrate scope (>80 examples), excellent functional group tolerability, and scalability. The method is applicable to late‐stage modification of various approved drug molecules, thus enabling complex hydrazide scaffold synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric neoplasm is a high‐mortality cancer worldwide. Chemoresistance is the obstacle against gastric cancer treatment. Mitochondrial dysfunction has been observed to promote malignant progression. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. The mitokine growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a significant biomarker for mitochondrial disorder and is activated by the integrated stress response (ISR) pathway. The serum level of GDF15 was found to be correlated with the poor prognosis of gastric cancer patients. In this study, we found that high GDF15 protein expression might increase disease recurrence in adjuvant chemotherapy‐treated gastric cancer patients. Moreover, treatment with mitochondrial inhibitors, especially oligomycin (a complex V inhibitor) and salubrinal (an ISR activator), respectively, was found to upregulate GDF15 and enhance cisplatin insensitivity of human gastric cancer cells. Mechanistically, it was found that the activating transcription factor 4‐C/EBP homologous protein pathway has a crucial function in the heightened manifestation of GDF15. In addition, reactive oxygen species‐activated general control nonderepressible 2 mediates the oligomycin‐induced ISR, and upregulates GDF15. The GDF15–glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor family receptor a‐like–ISR–cystine/glutamate transporter‐enhanced glutathione production was found to be involved in cisplatin resistance. These results suggest that mitochondrial dysfunction might enhance cisplatin insensitivity through GDF15 upregulation, and targeting mitokine GDF15–ISR regulation might be a strategy against cisplatin resistance of gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the actual conditions of older patients receiving home medical care after hospitalization over a period of 2 years in Japan. Methods: The study population included 102 participants, aged ≥65 years, receiving home medical care, who consented to participate in the Osaka Home Care Registry (OHCARE) study in Japan over a period of 2 years. We investigated the actual conditions for returning home after hospitalization. Results: The median age of the 102 participants was 84 years, and 61 (59.8%) were women. In the group that returned home, 42 (55.3%) of the respondents desired to recuperate in a familiar place, as in advanced care planning (ACP). During the 2‐year follow‐up period, the group that did not return home had significantly more deaths. A multivariate analysis showed the association in the presence of ACP (odds ratio: 4.72, 95% confidence interval: 1.60–13.86) and cardiac disease (odds ratio: 0.25, 95% confidence interval: 0.08–0.76). The lack of ACP in the medical records when the patient was admitted to the hospital may have prevented the return home. Conclusion: In older patients who had difficulty returning home after hospitalization, the lack of ACP in home medical care may have been an influencing factor. ACP could help continue with home medical care. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 320–326. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterospora epinepheli is an intranuclear microsporidian parasite causing serious emaciative disease in hatchery‐bred juvenile groupers (Epinephelus spp.). Rapid and sensitive detection is urgently needed as its chronic infection tends to cause emaciation as well as white faeces syndrome and results in fry mortality. This study established a TaqMan probe‐based real‐time quantitative PCR assays targeting the small subunit rRNA (SSU) gene of E. epinepheli. The relationship between the standard curve of cycle threshold (Ct) and the logarithmic starting quantity (SQ) was determined as Ct = −3.177 lg (SQ) + 38.397. The correlation coefficient (R2) was 0.999, and the amplification efficiency was 106.4%. The detection limit of the TaqMan probe‐based qPCR assay was 1.0 × 101 copies/μL and that is 100 times sensitive than the traditional PCR method. There is no cross‐reaction with other aquatic microsporidia such as Ecytonucleospora hepatopenaei, Nucleospora hippocampi, Potaspora sp., Ameson portunus. The intra‐assay and inter‐assay showed great repeatability and reproducibility. In addition, the test of clinical samples showed that this assay effectively detected E. epinepheli in the grouper's intestine tissue. The established TaqMan qPCR assays will be a valuable diagnostic tool for the epidemiological investigation as well as prevention and control of E. epinepheli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite the well‐established efficacies of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutated non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), there is limited real‐world evidence comparing their effectiveness according to patients' clinical characteristics. This network meta‐analysis (NMA) compared survival outcomes among first‐line EGFR‐TKIs in different subgroups of East Asian patients with advanced NSCLC. Methods: This NMA included real‐world observational studies reporting outcomes with TKIs in patients aged >65 years, with baseline brain metastasis, with different Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) statuses, or with different common EGFR mutation types. Results: In patients with the EGFR L858R mutation, afatinib resulted in significantly longer progression‐free survival (PFS) than erlotinib (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.46–0.75) and gefitinib (HR: 0.41, 95% CI: 0.32–0.53). Similarly, in patients with the EGFR Del19 mutation, afatinib and erlotinib resulted in significantly longer PFS than gefitinib (HR: 0.48 with 95% CI: 0.33–0.71 and HR: 0.54 with 95% CI: 0.36–0.80, respectively). Moreover, afatinib resulted in significantly longer PFS than gefitinib in patients with brain metastasis (HR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.33–0.87) or ECOG status 0–1 (HR: 0.37, 95% CI: 0.23–0.59). Conclusion: This NMA suggests that afatinib results in similar PFS to erlotinib and superior PFS than gefitinib in patients with Del19 mutant NSCLC, aged ≥65 years, with ECOG scores of 0–1, and with baseline brain metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We hypothesized that older patients who underwent a urinary catheter removal protocol would not have an increased risk of postoperative complications. We further hypothesized that the revised protocol would be more suitable for clinical application. This study aimed to develop a urinary catheter removal protocol after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate and to assess the feasibility of the protocol to support catheter removal and promote recovery of self‐voiding function. Delayed catheter removal after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate was associated with urinary tract infection and longer hospital stays. However, no strategy has been described to promote recovery of self‐voiding function after catheter removal after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate. The urinary catheter removal protocol was developed through expert consensus, including strategies for caring for urinary catheters, assessment of urinary catheter removal, and strategies after urinary catheter removal. Moreover, a quasi‐experimental design was adopted in the urology ward of a tertiary care medical centre in southern Taiwan. Patients aged ≥65 years who underwent Transurethral Resection of the Prostate were included. A total of 13 patients (intervention = 5; control = 8) were included in the feasibility evaluation. A urinary catheter removal protocol after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate was developed and the consensus among experts on the urinary catheter removal protocol was 99%. There were no significant differences in terms of bleeding, urine retention, urinary tract infection, or re‐catheterization between the two groups. However, in the intervention group, the pain score decreased significantly on the second day after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate. This revised urinary catheter removal protocol after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate may be suitable for clinical applications. However, small size reduces the statistical power of the findings and further studies are needed to examine the current protocol does not have an increased risk of postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma is an increasingly prevalent cancer type characterized by high incidence and mortality rates. Its early detection is challenging, primarily because of the absence of early molecular markers. Cuproptosis is a novel regulatory mechanism of cell death with implications in various cancers. In this study, we aimed to study cuproptosis‐related genes in oral squamous cell carcinoma to identify their prognostic value. Methods: By analyzing genomic, bulk RNA‐seq, and single‐cell RNA‐seq data, we investigated 13 cuproptosis‐related genes in The Cancer Genome Atlas‐Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma dataset and Gene Expression Omnibus repository (GSE172577). Results: ATP7A, ATP7B, and DLST were the most frequently mutated genes, with nine of our studied genes associated with overall survival. Single‐cell analysis was conducted to identify cuproptosis‐related tumor cells in oral squamous cell carcinoma, which revealed two distinct patterns based on the expression of cuproptosis‐related genes. These patterns exhibit differences in genetic alterations and tumor immune microenvironment. Finally, we developed a cuproptosis index using a random forest algorithm based on cuproptosis pattern‐related genes in which higher levels were linked to poorer prognosis. Conclusion: Our findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying oral squamous cell carcinoma‐associated cuproptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gastric cancer is a common cancer worldwide, particularly in East Asia. Chemotherapy is used in adjuvant or palliative therapies for gastric cancer. However, subsequent chemoresistance often develops. Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) links to several cancers, but its effect on chemoresistance in gastric cancer remains unclear. Here, we analyzed clinical samples from genetic databases and included patients with gastric cancer. We dissected the regulatory mechanism underlying GDF15‐mediated resistance of cisplatin in human gastric cancer cells. We showed that GDF15 serum levels might be a valuable biomarker for predicting prognosis in gastric cancer. The expressions of GDF15 and its receptor glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor family receptor a‐like (GFRAL) in gastric tumors are important for malignant progression. Moreover, GDF15 expression is increased in gastric cancer cells with cisplatin resistance, resulting from elevated intracellular glutathione (GSH) and antioxidant activities. Upregulated GDF15 could increase intracellular GSH content by activating the GFRAL‐GCN2‐eIF2α‐ATF4 signaling, enhancing cystine‐uptake transporter xCT expression, and contributing biosynthesis of GSH in human gastric cancer cells. In conclusion, our results indicate that GDF15 could induce chemoresistance by upregulating xCT expression and GSH biosynthesis in human gastric cancer cells. Targeting GDF15 could be a promising treatment method for gastric cancer progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Afatinib is the only currently approved EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR G719X/L861Q/S768I. However, there are limited real-world data concerning the benefits and resistance mechanisms of afatinib in patients with these nonclassical mutations. To fill this gap, the present study was conducted.Methods: All NSCLC patients treated with afatinib were screened, and patients with EGFR G719X/L861Q/S768I were enrolled into the analysis. Either tumor tissue or blood specimens were detected by the commercial next-generation sequencing (NGS) panels or amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to figure out the mutation genotype.Results: A total of 106 advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR G719X/L861Q/S768I received afatinib treatment. The benefits of afatinib exhibited heterogeneity in different mutation genotypes. Notably, at baseline, NGS testing was performed in 59 patients, and TP53 was the most frequently coexisting mutation. Patients with TP53 mutations obtained fewer survival benefits than those with TP53 wild-type. A total of 68 patients ultimately experienced progression, and 27 patients received NGS testing to clarify the potential resistance mechanisms. EGFR-T790M, CDK4 amplification, FGFR1 amplification, PIK3CA, MET amplification, RET fusions, HER2, and BRAF mutations were identified in three (11.1%), three (11.1%), three (11.1%), three (11.1%), three (11.1%), one (3.7%), one (3.7%), and one (3.7%) of the cases, respectively. Five patients underwent ARMS-PCR testing for detecting EGFR-T790M mutation, and only one patient was T790M-positive.Conclusions: The present study elucidated the differential benefits of afatinib within different mutation genotypes and first revealed the spectrum of potential resistance mechanisms in patients with EGFR G719X/L861Q/S768I. The results of this study may provide practical clinical information that can guide optimal treatment in this setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary lymphoepithelioma‐like carcinoma (PLELC) is a rare and histologically distinctive subtype of nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). High expression of programmed death ligand 1 (PD‐L1) and scarcity of druggable driver mutations raise the potential of immunotherapy for advanced PELEC. However, evidence on the clinical impact of immune‐checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remained limited and unconvincing. The present study retrospectively enrolled advanced PLELC patients who received ICIs either as up‐front or salvage therapy in SYSUCC between March 15, 2017 and March 15, 2022. The comparative efficacy of chemoimmunotherapy vs chemotherapy in the first‐line setting and chemoimmunotherapy vs ICIs monotherapy in the ≥2 line setting was investigated. A total of 96 patients were finally enrolled; 49 PLELC patients received immunotherapy plus platinum‐based chemotherapy, while 45 patients received platinum‐based chemotherapy as first‐line treatment. Patients with chemoimmunotherapy significantly obtain more survival benefits than those receiving chemotherapy (median progression‐free survival [PFS]: 15.6 vs 8.6 months, P =.0015). Additionally, patients with chemoimmunotherapy obtained more PFS benefits than those with ICIs monotherapy in the ≥2 line of therapy (median PFS: 21.7 months vs 7.8 months, P =.094). A significant correlation was observed between prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and favorable treatment outcomes in patients receiving first‐line chemoimmunotherapy (median PFS: 17.8 months vs 7.6 months, P <.0001). Likewise, patients in the monocyte‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (MLR)‐high group had significantly shorter PFS than the MLR‐low group (median PFS: 11.2 months vs not reached, P =.0009). Our study elucidated the superior efficacy of ICIs therapy, especially chemoimmunotherapy in advanced PLELC, which may provide new insight into the role of immunotherapy in advanced PLELC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is preferentially treated as a risk factor for the development and progression of osteoporosis. Corynoline as a component of Corydalis bungeana Turcz presents antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory properties. In the present study, the effects of Corynoline on osteoblasts following hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)‐induced injury were evaluated accompanied by the investigation of the molecular mechanisms involved. It was found that Corynoline downregulated the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and restored the osteogenic potential of the disrupted osteoblasts by H2O2 exposure. Furthermore, Corynoline was revealed to activate the Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling pathway, while ML385 (an Nrf2 inhibitor) would prevent the Corynoline‐mediated positive effects on the disrupted osteoblasts. In terms of the animal experiments, Corynoline treatment contributed to a significantly alleviated bone loss. These findings indicate that Corynoline may significantly attenuate the H2O2‐induced oxidative damage of osteoblasts via the Nrf2/HO‐1 signaling pathway, providing novel insights to the development of treatments for osteoporosis induced by oxidative injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Automated manipulation of small particles using external (e.g., magnetic, electric and acoustic) fields has been an emerging technique widely used in different areas. The manipulation typically necessitates a reduced‐order physical model characterizing the field‐driven motion of particles in a complex environment. Such models are available only for highly idealized settings but are absent for a general scenario of particle manipulation typically involving complex nonlinear processes, which has limited its application. In this work, the authors present a data‐driven architecture for controlling particles in microfluidics based on hydrodynamic manipulation. The architecture replaces the difficult‐to‐derive model by a generally trainable artificial neural network to describe the kinematics of particles, and subsequently identifies the optimal operations to manipulate particles. The authors successfully demonstrate a diverse set of particle manipulations in a numerically emulated microfluidic chamber, including targeted assembly of particles and subsequent navigation of the assembled cluster, simultaneous path planning for multiple particles, and steering one particle through obstacles. The approach achieves both spatial and temporal controllability of high precision for these settings. This achievement revolutionizes automated particle manipulation, showing the potential of data‐driven approaches and machine learning in improving microfluidic technologies for enhanced flexibility and intelligence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 26A1 (CYP26A1) plays a vital role in early pregnancy in mice. Our previous studies have found that CYP26A1 affects embryo implantation by modulating natural killer (NK) cells, and that there is a novel population of CYP26A1+ NK cells in the uteri of pregnant mice. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CYP26A1 on the subsets and killing activity of NK cells. Through single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐seq), we identified four NK cell subsets in the uterus, namely, conventional NK (cNK), tissue‐resident NK (trNK) 1 and 2, and proliferating trNK (trNKp). The two most variable subpopulations after uterine knockdown of CYP26A1 were trNKp and trNK2 cells. CYP26A1 knockdown significantly downregulated the expression of the NK cell function‐related genes Cd44, Cd160, Vegfc, and Slamf6 in trNK2 cells, and Klra17 and Ogn in trNKp cells. Both RNA‐seq and cytotoxicity assays confirmed that CYP26A1+ NK cells had low cytotoxicity. These results indicate that CYP26A1 may affect the immune microenvironment at the maternal‐foetal interface by regulating the activity of NK cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is a corrigendum that provides a correction to the acknowledgement section of a research paper titled "Data-Driven Intelligent Manipulation of Particles in Microfluidics." The correction acknowledges the equal contributions of W.-Z.F. and T.X. to the work, and expresses gratitude to Howard A. Stone for initial discussions. T.X. is also thanked for a research scholarship provided by the National University of Singapore, and L.Z. is acknowledged for support from the Singapore Ministry of Education Academic Research Fund Tier 2 grant. O.S.P. is acknowledged for support from the National Science Foundation, and the computation was performed on resources of the National Supercomputing Centre, Singapore. [Extracted from the article]

Aim: Periodontitis has been proposed to lead to Helicobacter pylori infection, which could cause many gastrointestinal tract cancers. This study aimed to determine the association or otherwise between periodontitis and survival outcomes in individuals with respect to H. pylori infection. Materials and Methods: The study population comprised 4955 subjects aged 20–90 who had received both periodontal examination and H. pylori serum test in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) database. Logistic regression models were used to analyse the association between periodontitis and H. pylori seropositivity (H. pylori infection). Survival analysis was performed using the NHANES III linked to mortality data. Cox proportional hazard regression was carried out to investigate the association between periodontitis and gastrointestinal tract cancer mortality in individuals with/without H. pylori infection. Results: Compared to periodontal health, periodontitis was significantly associated with increased odds of H. pylori infection (OR = 1.271, 95% CI = 1.177–1.372). Periodontitis significantly increased the mortality risk from all causes (HR = 1.574, 95% CI = 1.327–1.866) and all cancers (HR = 1.948, 95% CI = 1.701–2.232), including gastrointestinal (GI) tract cancer (HR = 4.140, 95% CI = 3.656–4.687), gastric cancer (HR = 4.288, 95% CI = 3.969–4.632), and colorectal cancer (HR = 4.814, 95% CI = 3.849–6.020) in subjects with H. pylori infection after adjusting for health‐related factors. Periodontitis was significantly related to the decreased survival time in subjects with GI tract (p =.001) or colorectal cancer (p =.002) and H. pylori infection. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that periodontitis was significantly associated with higher mortality risk of GI tract, gastric, and colorectal cancer in subjects with H. pylori infection. Owing to an interactive effect between periodontitis and H. pylori infection on cancer mortality, H. pylori infection has a significant moderating effect in regulating the association between periodontitis and mortality due to all cancers, including GI tract cancer and colorectal cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Color centers, optically active defects within solids, are vital for leading quantum information technologies such as quantum computing and quantum sensing. An essential prerequisite for realizing scalable quantum architectures is the ability to create quantum emitters deterministically. In the last decades, significant efforts have been devoted to selectively generating color centers. One of the most used methods is high‐energy ion implantation. However, this method usually causes extended lattice damage along the entire trajectory because of ions bombardment. Moreover, the position depth of color centers is also limited by the ions penetrate length in crystals. The direct laser‐writing (DLW) technique has recently emerged as a powerful tool to create color centers in solid‐state materials. It can define color centers at arbitrary depths inside the substrate and operate at the ambient environment, therefore, providing a feasible 3D fabrication method for integrated quantum photonics. Here, recent advancements of laser writing of color centers in solid‐state materials are reviewed, from bulk crystals, such as diamond and silicon carbide, to nanostructures, involving single‐walled carbon nanotubes, 2D layered materials, and quantum dots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Redox tailoring enzymes play key roles in generating structural complexity and diversity in type II polyketides. In chartreusin biosynthesis, the early 13C‐labeling experiments and bioinformatic analysis suggest the unusual aglycone is originated from a tetracyclic anthracyclic polyketide. Here, we demonstrated that the carbon skeleton rearrangement from a linear anthracyclic polyketide to an angular pentacyclic biosynthetic intermediate requires two redox enzymes. The flavin‐dependent monooxygenase ChaZ catalyses a Baeyer–Villiger oxidation on resomycin C to form a seven‐membered lactone. Subsequently, a ketoreductase ChaE rearranges the carbon skeleton and affords the α‐pyrone containing pentacyclic intermediate in an NADPH‐dependent manner via tandem reactions including the reduction of the lactone carbonyl group, Aldol‐type reaction, followed by a spontaneous γ‐lactone ring formation, oxidation and aromatization. Our work reveals an unprecedented function of a ketoreductase that contributes to generate structural complexity of aromatic polyketide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare the psychometric properties of different short versions of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) among community‐dwelling widowed older people. Methods: A cross‐sectional design was conducted between February 2018 and August 2019 in southern Taiwan (n = 330). The GDS short versions included Hoyl et al's 5‐item version, Molloy et al's 5‐item version and van Marwijk et al's 4‐item version. Results: All GDS short versions had satisfactory internal consistency (α = 0.83‐0.90), with strong item loading embedded in the same construct of depression (0.43‐0.72). The activity of daily living (ADL) scores had strong associations with van Marwijk et al's 4‐item version (absolute standardised coefficient [|β|] = 0.15‐0.59), Hoyl et al's 5‐item version (|β| = 0.16‐0.45) and Molloy et al's 4‐item version (|β| = 0.09‐0.40). Conclusions: Hoyl et al's 5‐item version was found to be more suitable than the other two versions of the GDS to assess the precise construct of depression. Meanwhile, van Marwijk et al's 4‐item version can be used when the focus is on ADL performance. However, the conclusion should be interpreted with caution since the results were derived only from a widowed population in Taiwan. More research on this topic among other populations is thus needed to corroborate our conclusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This letter proposes a simple and universal method to measure the current within the pulse of pulsed power amplifiers. Pulsed high‐power amplifiers have large current within the pulse and the current changes very quickly when the pulse turns on or turns off. The conventional method of using a current clamp to measure the current within the pulse needs a large current clamp, which will increase the parasitic inductance of power path and result in a large voltage overshoot that can damage the amplifier. The proposed method measures the average current under several different pulse widths; thus, the current can be concluded with these average currents. Since current clamp is avoided, the proposed method can significantly reduce the parasitic inductance and voltage overshoot. Experiment shows that the voltage overshoot is significantly reduced by the proposed method. The result of the current value calculated by the proposed method is consistent with that measured by the conventional method, and the difference is within 2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perioperative adjuvant treatment has become an increasingly important aspect of the management of patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In particular, the success of immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as antibodies against PD‐1 and PD‐L1, in patients with lung cancer has increased our expectations for the success of these therapeutics as neoadjuvant immunotherapy. Neoadjuvant therapy is widely used in patients with resectable stage IIIA NSCLC and can reduce primary tumor and lymph node stage, improve the complete resection rate, and eliminate microsatellite foci; however, complete pathological response is rare. Moreover, because the clinical benefit of neoadjuvant therapy is not obvious and may complicate surgery, it has not yet entered the mainstream of clinical treatment. Small‐scale clinical studies performed in recent years have shown improvements in the major pathological remission rate after neoadjuvant therapy, suggesting that it will soon become an important part of NSCLC treatment. Nevertheless, neoadjuvant immunotherapy may be accompanied by serious adverse reactions that lead to delay or cancellation of surgery, additional illness, and even death, and have therefore attracted much attention. In this article, we draw on several sources of information, including (i) guidelines on adverse reactions related to immune checkpoint inhibitors, (ii) published data from large‐scale clinical studies in thoracic surgery, and (iii) practical experience and published cases, to provide clinical recommendations on adverse events in NSCLC patients induced by perioperative immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wideband circularly polarized (CP) cross‐dipole antenna with folded ground plane is presented. The antenna consists of an L‐shaped stepped patch as driven elements and four rotated L‐shaped metallic ground strips as parasitic elements. A sequential phase feeding structure is used to provide 90° phase difference, which is composed of a pair of vacant‐quarter printed rings. It is noticed that the four rotated parasitic L‐shaped metallic ground strips and ground plane are directly connected to form a folded ground plane instead of the traditional disconnection between parasitic elements and ground plane. By using these elements, multiple CP resonances can be excited to meet the requirement for the wideband CP radiation. The presented antenna shows outstanding CP feature with a broad axial‐ratio bandwidth (ARBW) of 85.7% (1.3–3.25 GHz) and a wide impedance bandwidth (IBW) of 100% (0.95–2.85 GHz). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the effects of a simplified reablement program on physical function and quality of life in hospitalized older patients. Methods: The randomized controlled trial enrolled 114 older patients aged ≥65 years who, 2 weeks before admission, had been able to walk independently. Patients randomized to the reablement group received supervision and assistance to carry out the simplified reablement program 30 min daily during their hospital stay. Patients in the reminding group received only oral encouragement to continue the reablement program for 30 min daily. The control group received only usual care that included medical intervention consistent with the patient's diagnosis. The main outcome was improvement in physical function, including the modified version of the Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) score, Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Hand Grip Strength (HGS). Secondary outcomes included the EuroQoL 5 Dimension (EQ‐5D) Questionnaire and Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: The intervention had no significant effect on the Katz ADL score. However, a significant within‐group improvement in TUG occurred in the reminding group and reablement group. In addition, a significant time‐dependent improvement in HGS occurred only in the reablement group. With respect to secondary outcomes, the EQ5D score improved significantly only in the reablement group at 3 months after discharge. Conclusions: The simplified reablement program may be beneficial to optimize physical function and improve quality of life in hospitalized older patients. It is recommended that health professionals should assist or encourage older patients to do simplified reablement during their hospital stay. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 436–442. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Interferon (IFN)‐α treatment predisposes patients to the occurrence of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). Methods: We investigated associations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of molecules participating in the IFN‐α signature, including rs2304204 and rs2304206 of IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), rs1061501 of IRF7, and rs7708392 of TNFA1P3‐interacting protein 1 with serum IFN‐α levels and AITD in an ethnic Chinese (ie Taiwanese) population. Totally, 319 patients with Graves' disease (GD), 83 patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) and 351 healthy controls were recruited. Results: There were increased percentages of the C allele, and CC and TC + CC genotypes of rs1061501 in GD patients compared to the controls. HT patients had higher serum IFN‐α levels compared to the controls, while there was no difference in serum IFN‐α levels between patients with GD and controls. However, patients with GD in a remission status had lower serum IFN‐α levels than those without remission. On the other hand, the C allele of rs1061501 was only associated with serum IFN‐α levels in patients with HT. Conclusions: The SNP rs1061501 of IRF7 was associated with the development of GD. Serum IFN‐α levels were associated with HT, while they might modify the disease status of GD. Moreover, a genetic effect of rs1061501 on regulating serum IFN‐α production was observed in HT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of TADF‐active compounds: 0D chiral Ln−Ag(I) clusters L‐/D‐Ln2Ag28‐0D (Ln=Eu/Gd) and 2D chiral Ln−Ag(I) cluster‐based frameworks L‐/D‐Ln2Ag28‐2D (Ln=Gd) has been synthesized. Atomic‐level structural analysis showed that the chiral Ag(I) cluster units {Ag14S12} in L‐/D‐Ln2Ag28‐0D and L‐/D‐Ln2Ag28‐2D exhibited similar configurations, linked by varying numbers of [Ln(H2O)x]3+ (x=6 for 0D, x=3 for 2D) to form the final target compounds. Temperature‐dependent emission spectra and decay lifetimes measurement demonstrated the presence of TADF in L‐Ln2Ag28‐0D (Ln=Eu/Gd) and L‐Gd2Ag28‐2D. Experimentally, the remarkable TADF properties primarily originated from {Ag14S12} moieties in these compounds. Notably, {Ag14S12} in L‐Eu2Ag28‐0D and L‐Gd2Ag28‐2D displayed higher promote fluorescence rate and shorter TADF decay times than L‐Gd2Ag28‐0D. Combined with theoretical calculations, it was determined that the TADF behaviors of {Ag14S12} cluster units were induced by 4 f perturbation of Ln3+ ions. Specially, while maintaining ΔE(S1–T1) small enough, it can significantly increase k(S1→S0) and reduce TADF decay time by adjusting the type or number of Ln3+ ions, thus achieving the purpose of improving TADF for cluster‐based luminescent materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cerebral Small Vessel Disease (CSVD) represents a variety of pathological processes affecting the cerebrovascular system. We tested whether the populations of oligodendrocytes (OLs) and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs), associate with ageing and with CSVD. Method: We examined deep subcortical white matter of individuals aged 78.5 (18.3) (mean (SD); range 20‐97, n = 24 (no information were given for 2 of them, only 'young')) with and without CSVD. All had minimal AD pathology (Braak stage II or less). Immunohistochemistry was performed, using the markers NogoA (specific for mature OLs), CD140A (for OPCs) and Sox10 (both OPCs and OLs) followed by digital image analysis. Result: All samples had a substantial density of small, parenchymal cells with robust expression of each marker (NogoA, CD140A, Sox10). The density of NogoA‐positive cells was correlated with age (rs = 0.619, p = 0.011). There was a lower density of CD140A‐positive cells in individuals aged >70 with CVSD compared to those without CVSD (p = 0.016). Conclusion: Our results indicate that there may be changes in OL and OPC density with age, and in CSVD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Osteopontin (OPN) is recognized as a potent immunoregulator of autoimmune disease. In the study, we tried to explore the association of serum OPN levels with autoimmune thyroid disease, including Graves' disease (GD) and Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), in an ethnic Chinese population. Materials and methods: We enrolled 131 patients with GD, 33 patients with HT and 123 healthy controls. Serum OPN, B cell–activating factor (BAFF) and interferon (IFN)‐α levels were quantified. Graves' disease patients with high thyroid function at the time of sample collection were defined as having active GD, while the other patients were defined as having inactive GD. Results: Serum OPN levels were higher in active GD than in inactive GD and the control groups (P = 0.001 and P = 0.018, respectively). In GD, significant associations of OPN levels with thyroid‐stimulating hormone receptor antibody (TSHRAb) levels were observed in women (r = −0.344, P = 0.002, and r = 0.440, P = 0.004, respectively) but not in men. Osteopontin levels were associated with BAFF levels only in women with GD or HT (r = 0.506, P < 0.001 and r = 0.430, P = 0.025, respectively), but not in men with GD or HT. Conclusions: Serum OPN levels were upregulated in active GD, and serum OPN levels were associated with thyroid function and TSHRAb levels in GD. Additionally, OPN levels were correlated with BAFF levels in GD and HT. The associations of OPN levels with clinical phenotypes of GD and BAFF levels showed a dimorphic pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Aims: LncRNAs play a vital role in the pathological and physiological process. This study aimed to explore the involvement of lncRNAs in cryptococcal meningitis. Methods: Microarray was performed in cryptococcal meningitis patients, and then, GO and KEGG pathways were analyzed. Coexpression relationship between lncRNA and mRNA was explored. The expressions of the lncRNAs and mRNAs, and their changes after treatment were detected by PCR. Results: A total of 325 mRNAs (201 upregulated and 124 downregulated) and 497 lncRNAs (263 upregulated and 234 downregulated) were identified. The top three enriched GO terms for the mRNAs were arachidonic acid binding, activin receptor binding, and replication fork protection complex. The top three pathways in KEGG were asthma, one carbon pool by folate, and allograft rejection. A total of 305 coexpression relationships were found between 108 lncRNAs and 87 mRNAs. LncRNA‐DPY19L1p1 was significantly increased in patients and decreased after treatment. ROC analysis revealed DPY19L1p1 was a potential diagnostic marker (AUCROC = 0.9389). Furthermore, the target genes of DPY19L1p1 in cis or trans regulation were mainly involved in immune‐related pathways like the interleukin signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study analyzed the differential lncRNA profile in cryptococcal meningitis patients and revealed DPY19L1p1 could be used for treatment evaluation and disease diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Although hundreds of genetic male sterility (GMS) mutants have been identified in maize, few are commercially used due to a lack of effective methods to produce large quantities of pure male‐sterile seeds. Here, we develop a multicontrol sterility (MCS) system based on the maize male sterility 7 (ms7) mutant and its wild‐type Zea mays Male sterility 7 (ZmMs7) gene via a transgenic strategy, leading to the utilization of GMS in hybrid seed production. ZmMs7 is isolated by a map‐based cloning approach and encodes a PHD‐finger transcription factor orthologous to rice PTC1 and Arabidopsis MS1. The MCS transgenic maintainer lines are developed based on the ms7‐6007 mutant transformed with MCS constructs containing the (i) ZmMs7 gene to restore fertility, (ii) α‐amylase gene ZmAA and/or (iii) DNA adenine methylase gene Dam to devitalize transgenic pollen, (iv) red fluorescence protein gene DsRed2 or mCherry to mark transgenic seeds and (v) herbicide‐resistant gene Bar for transgenic seed selection. Self‐pollination of the MCS transgenic maintainer line produces transgenic red fluorescent seeds and nontransgenic normal colour seeds at a 1:1 ratio. Among them, all the fluorescent seeds are male fertile, but the seeds with a normal colour are male sterile. Cross‐pollination of the transgenic plants to male‐sterile plants propagates male‐sterile seeds with high purity. Moreover, the transgene transmission rate through pollen of transgenic plants harbouring two pollen‐disrupted genes is lower than that containing one pollen‐disrupted gene. The MCS system has great potential to enhance the efficiency of maize male‐sterile line propagation and commercial hybrid seed production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims The main purpose was to verify the potent capacity of Neurotropin® against neuronal damage in hippocampus and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Methods HT22 cells were treated with 40 μmol/L Aβ25-35 in the presence of various concentrations of Neurotropin® or in its absence. The cell viability was assessed with a CCK-8 assay, and flow cytometry was used to measure cell apoptosis, intracellular ROS levels, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Aβ plaques were examined by Bielschowsky silver staining, and the activities of antioxidants were detected in hippocampus of APP/ PS1 mice after Neurotropin® treatment. The expression of proteins, including HIF-1α, Bcl-2, Bax, and MAPKs signaling molecules was evaluated by Western blot. Results Neurotropin® significantly reversed the cell injury induced by Aβ25-35 through increasing cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential, decreasing intracellular ROS and cell apoptosis of HT22 cells ( P<.05). Furthermore, Neurotropin® markedly reduced the formation of Aβ plaques and upregulated the activities of antioxidants ( P<.05). Additionally, the protein expression of HIF-1α, p- ERK1/2, p- JNK, and p-P38 was significantly inhibited in hippocampus of APP/ PS1 mice. Conclusions Neurotropin® exhibited a potent neuroprotective effect on inhibiting Aβ-induced oxidative damage and alleviating Aβ deposition in hippocampus via modulation of HIF-1α/ MAPK signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 26A1 ( CYP26A1) has a spatiotemporal expression pattern in the uterus, with a significant increase in mRNA and protein levels during peri-implantation. Inhibiting the function or expression of CYP26A1 can cause pregnancy failure, suggesting an important regulatory role of CYP26A1 in the maintenance of pregnancy. However, little is known about the exact mechanism involved. In this study, using a pCR3.1-cyp26a1 plasmid immunization mouse model and a Cyp26a1- MO ( Cyp26a1-specific antisense oligos) knockdown mouse model, we report that the number of Dolichos biflorus agglutinin ( DBA) lectin-positive uterine natural killer ( uNK) cells was reduced in pCR3.1-cyp26a1 plasmid immunized and Cyp26a1- MO-treated mice. In contrast, the percentage of CD3− CD49b+ NK cells in the uteri from the treatment group was significantly higher than that of the control group in both models. Similarly, significantly up-regulated expression of CD49b (a pan- NK cell marker), interferon gamma, CCL2, CCR2 ( CCL2 receptor) and CCL3 were detected in the uteri of pCR3.1-cyp26a1- and Cyp26a1- MO-treated mice. Transcriptome analysis suggested that CYP26A1 might regulate NK cells through chemokines. In conclusion, the present data suggest that silencing CYP26A1 expression/function can decrease the number of uNK cells and significantly increase the percentage of CD3− CD49b+ NK cells in the uteri of pregnant mice. These findings provide a new line of evidence correlating the deleterious effects of blocking CYP26A1 in pregnancy with the aberrant regulation of NK cells in the uterus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptococcal meningitis ( CM) is a life-threatening mycosis primarily occurring in HIV-infected individuals. Recently, non- HIV-infected hosts were increasingly reported to form a considerable proportion. However, the majority of the reported studies on the diagnosis of CM patients were performed on HIV-infected patients. For evaluation of various diagnostic approaches for CM in non- HIV-infected patients, a range of conventional and molecular assays used for diagnosis of CM were verified on 85 clinical CSFs from non- HIV-infected CM patients, including India ink staining, culture, a newly developed loop-mediated isothermal amplification ( LAMP), the lateral flow assay ( LFA) of cryptococcal antigen detection and a qPCR assay. The LFA had the highest positive detection rate (97.6%; 95% CI, 91.8-99.7%) in non- HIV-infected CM patients, followed by the LAMP (87.1%; 95% CI, 78.0-93.4%), the qPCR (80.0%; 95% CI, 69.9-87.9%), India ink staining (70.6%; 95% CI, 59.7-80.0%) and culture (35.3%; 95% CI, 25.2-46.4%). All culture positive specimens were correctly identified by the LFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the progression of molecular techniques, the detection of circulating plasma DNA (cpDNA) is clinically feasible. However, the role of the cpDNA levels in gastric cancer is not well understood. This study assessed the mutational profile in primary tumors and clarified the clinical utility of quantitative and qualitative cpDNA alterations in 277 patients with advanced gastric cancer. The concentrations of cpDNA were measured by TaqMan qPCR, and 68 mutations in 8 genes were studied for cpDNA mutations. The median cpDNA concentrations in patients with stages I, II, and III gastric cancer were 3979, 3390 and 4278 copies/mL, respectively, and increased to 11,380 copies/mL in patients with Stage IV gastric cancer ( p < 0.001). Among the 35 patients harboring cpDNA mutations, Stage IV patients (100%) were more likely to display high cpDNA levels than were Stage I (33.3%), II (75%) and III patients (66.7%) ( p = 0.037). Patients displaying high cpDNA levels were more likely to experience peritoneal recurrence and exhibited significantly lower 5-year overall survival rates (39.2% vs. 45.8%, p = 0.039) than did patients displaying low cpDNA levels. Only for late stage (Stages III or IV) gastric cancer, patients harboring cpDNA mutations were more likely to experience vascular invasion (20% vs. 2.4%, p = 0.036) and exhibited a lower 5-year overall survival rate than did those lacking cpDNA mutations (5.6% vs. 31.5%, p = 0.028). High cpDNA levels are associated with peritoneal recurrence and poor prognosis in patients with advanced gastric cancer; harboring cpDNA mutations is associated with poor prognosis among patients with late stage gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Low gait speed is associated with inflammation and muscle strength. Follistatin, a glycosylated plasma protein, is involved in inflammatory diseases, bone metabolism, muscle strength and cognition. However, research regarding the relationship between follistatin and gait speed in elderly individuals is limited. In this study, we aimed to examine the association between follistatin and gait speed in older adults. Methods This cross-sectional, observational study included 205 ambulatory individuals aged ≥ 65 years. The baseline measures included 15-foot walking time, a structured questionnaire, grip strength and biomarkers, including follistatin and myostatin levels. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the change in gait speed for each 1 pg/mL increase in serum follistatin level. An extended model approach with a quartile-based analysis of serum follistatin levels was conducted. Results In the linear regression model, the β coefficient, representing the change in gait speed for each 1 pg/mL increase in serum follistatin level, was −0·308 ( P < 0·001). After additional adjustment for relevant covariates, the β coefficient changed slightly, although the negative correlation remained (all P ≤ 0·001). After controlling for multiple covariates, participants in the highest serum follistatin level quartile had a significantly lower gait speed than those in the lowest quartile (all P for trend < 0·001). Conclusions A higher follistatin level was independently associated with lower gait speed in community-dwelling elderly individuals; this suggests that serum follistatin level may be an indicator of mobility in elderly persons and may more particularly represent lower extremity function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 1502 samples, including feces of sheep (793) and cattle (348), pasture soil (118), dung compost (147) and barn soil (96), were examined between October 2012 and August 2014 to discover potential strains of nematophagous fungi for the biological control of livestock-parasitic nematodes. These samples were collected from 87 sites located in 48 counties of 20 provinces (autonomous regions/municipalities) of China. Fungi were identified down to a species level. Four hundred and seventy-seven isolates, which were distributed in 8 genera and 28 taxa, were identified as nematophagous fungi. Nematode-trapping fungi included 17 species and one unidentified species of Arthrobotrys, two of Dactylella, Drechslerella dactyloides, and Duddingtonia flagrans. Five identified species and two unidentified species of endoparasitic fungi were isolated. The predominant species from all regions were Arthrobotrys oligospora, followed by Arthrobotrys musiformis, Arthrobotrys ( Monacrosporium) thaumasiun, and Arthrobotrys ( Monacrosporium) microscaphoides. Species with adhesive networks were the most frequently isolated. Among the endoparasitic fungi, Podocrella harposporifera ( Harposporium anguillulae) was the most common species, followed by Harposporium lilliputanum and Harposporium arcuatum. Based on Shannon diversity index, the diversity levels of nematophagous fungi were relatively higher in samples associated with cattle, barn soil, and subtropical monsoon climate zone. Three species isolated from this study, namely, Duddingtonia flagrans, Arthrobotrys salina ( Monacrosporium salinum), and Arthrobotrys oligospora var. sarmatica, are newly recorded in China, and 20 species (including one unidentified species) are newly recorded in sheep and cattle barn soils worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate incidence, reasons, risk factors and outcomes for inappropriate use of urinary catheters in hospitalized elderly patients. Methods: The prospective study enrolled 321 patients aged 65 years and older with a urinary catheter placed within 24 h of hospitalization. Collected data included characteristics of patients and catheter use, reasons for urinary catheter use, mortality, length of hospital stay, time to first removal of catheter, catheter remaining in place at discharge, catheter-associated urinary tract infections and complications, change of activities of daily living, and new admission to nursing home after discharge. Results: The use of 418 urinary catheters was observed. Among these patients with a total of 1958 urinary catheter-days, 1035 (52.8%) urinary catheter-days were inappropriate in hospitalized elderly patients. Inappropriate catheter use occurred mostly in women and surgical patients, and was associated with initially inappropriate catheter use and lack of medical documentation. "Convenience of care" was the most common reason for inappropriate catheter use. Inappropriate use was a significant predictor for longer hospital stay, delayed timing of first removal of catheter, increased rate of catheterization in place at discharge, increased incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections and catheter-related complications, and decline in activities of daily living. Conclusions: The study highlights a considerable percentage of inappropriate use of urinary catheters and its association with adverse outcomes in hospitalized elderly patients. Efforts to improve quality of documentation by clinicians and to emphasize catheterization education for patients and caregivers are necessary to reduce the incidence of inappropriate urinary catheter use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, both time domain random telegraph noise (RTN) and frequency domain Lorentzian spectra due to generation-recombination (GR) centres are studied in ultra-thin buried oxide (UTBOX) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) nMOSFETs. As will be shown, for a Si film-related RTN, the corner frequency is moderately dependent on the gate voltage, while a strong VGS dependence is found for an oxide RTN. This translates in the time domain in a different behaviour of the capture and the emission time constants and their ratio: for an oxide RTN, an exponential gate voltage dependence is observed for the time constant ratio, from which the trap depth in the oxide can be derived. On the other hand, for a defect in the silicon film, the ratio remains constant around one, indicating that the Fermi level is close to the trap level in that case. Based on this analysis, one can distinguish RTN due to gate oxide traps from RTN due to silicon film defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An overview is given on the possibilities of using generation-recombination (GR) noise as a tool for defect spectroscopy in semiconductor materials and devices. The method is illustrated by n-channel MOSFETs fabricated on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates with an ultra-thin buried oxide (UTBOX). As will be shown, the use of fully depleted (FD) UTBOX devices offers some unique opportunities and challenges. In the first instance, one can apply the standard GR noise spectroscopy in function of the temperature to derive the relevant deep-level parameters like the activation energy, the capture cross section and the concentration. In addition, some new type of spectroscopy can be applied to defects in the silicon film by exploiting the front- and/or back-gate bias dependence of the Lorentzian noise parameters. Finally, it is shown that for small geometry transistors the GR noise is generated by one or only a few centres. This becomes obvious in the time domain, where the channel current exhibits random telegraph signal (RTS) fluctuations. The up and down time constants and the relative RTS amplitude can be used to derive the GR centre parameters and, moreover, its spatial location, when combined with numerical device simulations. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Light is usually confined in photonic structures with a band gap or relatively high refractive index for broad scientific and technical applications. Here, a light confinement mechanism is proposed based on the photonic bound state in the continuum (BIC). In a low-refractive-index waveguide on a high-refractive-index thin membrane, optical dissipation is forbidden because of the destructive interference of various leakage channels. The BIC-based low-mode-area waveguide and high- Q microresonator can be used to enhance light-matter interaction for laser, nonlinear optical and quantum optical applications. For example, a polymer structure on a diamond membrane shows excellent optical performance that can be achieved with large fabrication tolerance. It can induce strong coupling between photons and the nitrogen-vacancy center in diamond for scalable quantum information processors and networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorine-doped hierarchical porous single-crystal rutile TiO2 nanorods have been synthesized through a silica template method, in which F− ions acts as both n-type dopants and capping agents to make the isotropic growth of the nanorods. The combination of high crystallinity, abundant surface reactive sites, large porosity, and improved electronic conductivity leads to an excellent photoelectrochemical activity. The photoanode made of F-doped porous single crystals displays a remarkably enhanced solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency (≈0.35 % at −0.33 V vs. Ag/AgCl) under 100 mW cm−2 of AM=1.5 solar simulator illumination that is ten times of the pristine solid TiO2 single crystals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SOX2 is a transcription factor essential for self-renewal and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells. Recently, SOX2 was found overexpressed in the majority of the lung squamous cell carcinoma (SQC), in which it acts as a lineage-survival oncogene. However, downstream targets/pathways of SOX2 in lung SQC cells remain to be identified. Here, we show that BMP4 is a downstream target of SOX2 in lung SQC. We found that SOX2 -silencing-mediated inhibition of cell growth was accompanied by upregulation of BMP4 mRNA and its protein expression. Meta-analysis with 293 samples and qRT-PCR validation with 73 clinical samples revealed an inversely correlated relationship between levels of SOX2 and BMP4 mRNA, and significantly lower mRNA levels in tumor than in adjacent normal tissues. This was corroborated by immunohistochemistry analysis of 35 lung SQC samples showing lower BMP4 protein expression in tumor tissues. Cell-based experiments including siRNA transfection, growth assay and flow cytometry assay, further combined with a xenograft tumor model in mice, revealed that reactivation of BMP4 signaling could partially account for growth inhibition and cell cycle arrest in lung SQC cells upon silencing SOX2. Finally, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis and luciferase reporter assay revealed that SOX2 could negatively regulate BMP4 promoter activity, possibly through binding to the promoter located in the first intron region of BMP4. Collectively, our findings suggest that BMP4 could act as a tumor suppressor and its downregulation by elevated SOX2 resulting in enhanced growth of lung SQC cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, ammonium polyphosphate (APP) was microencapsulated by UV-curable epoxy acrylate (EA) resin. The resulting novel EA-microencapsulated APP (EA-APP) was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, granulometry, and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. EA-APP was used to flame retard polypropylene (PP). The water solubility of EA-APP and the water resistance of PP/EA-APP systems were investigated. The thermal stability and combustion behaviors of PP/EA-APP composites were studied through TG and cone calorimeter (CC) tests, respectively. The water resistance test showed that the EA shell could significantly improve the water resistance of PP/APP. TG data illustrated that the char residue of EA-APP greatly increased by 149% compared with uncoated APP, and the thermal stability of PP/EA-APP composite was improved because of the microencapsulation of APP, with an increment of 248% for the char residue compared with PP/APP. CC test results indicated that the peak value of heat release rate, the total heat release, and the peak of smoke production rate of PP/EA-APP decreased in comparison with PP/APP. The mechanism for the improvement of flame retardancy in CC test was discussed based on the experimental results. EA resin containing a large number of hydroxyl groups might promote the dehydration reaction in EA-APP, which facilitated the formation of char residue and the stabilization of APP. Consequently, the flame-retardant efficiency for APP was improved because of the presence of EA shell. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A crosslinkable terpolymer P( MMA-BA-HEMA) was prepared by atom transfer radical copolymerization of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate. The structure of the terpolymer was characterized by 1H NMR and gel permeation chromatography. The effects on the polymerization of ligand, initiator, solvent, CuCl2 added in the initial stage and reaction temperature were investigated. The optimal reaction conditions were ethyl 2-bromopropionate as initiator, CuCl/ PMDETA as catalyst, cyclohexanone as solvent, catalyst/ligand = 1:1.5, [M]0:[I]0 = 200:1 and temperature 70 °C. The reaction followed first-order kinetics with respect to monomer concentration, indicating the best control over the polymerization process, a constant concentration of the propagating radical during the polymerization, efficient control over Mn of the polymer and low polydispersity ( Mw/ Mn < 1.3). © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]