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Yuan-Qi Shi,1,* Cai-Chuan Yan,1,* Xiao Zhang,1 Meng Yan,1 Li-Rong Liu,1 Huai-Ze Geng,1 Lin Lv,1 Bao-Xin Li1,21Department of Pharmacology, Harbin Medical University, 2State-Province Key Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical Engineering, Harbin, Heilongjiang, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workAbstract: The hERG gene encodes the pore-forming α-subunit of the rapidly activating delayed rectifier potassium channel (IKr), which is important for cardiac repolarization. Reduction of IhERG due to genetic mutations or drug interferences causes long QT syndrome, leading to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias (torsades de pointes) or sudden death. Probucol is a cholesterol-lowering drug that could reduce hERG current by decreasing plasma membrane hERG protein expression and eventually cause long QT syndrome. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of probucol effects on IhERG and hERG-channel expression. Our data demonstrated that probucol reduces SGK1 expression, known as SGK isoform, in a concentration-dependent manner, resulting in downregulation of phosphorylated E3 ubiquitin ligase Nedd4-2 expression, but not the total level of Nedd4-2. As a result, the hERG protein reduces, due to the enhanced ubiquitination level. On the contrary, carbachol could enhance the phosphorylation level of Nedd4-2 as an alternative to SGK1, and thus rescue the ubiquitin-mediated degradation of hERG channels caused by probucol. These discoveries provide a novel mechanism of probucol-induced hERG-channel deficiency, and imply that carbachol or its analog may serve as potential therapeutic compounds for the handling of probucol cardiotoxicity.Keywords: long QT, hERG potassium channels, probucol, SGK1, Nedd4-2

It is well established that the presence of soluble amyloid-beta protein (Abeta) correlates with the severity of dementia in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several lines of evidence indicate that cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and protein kinase A (PKA) are involved in soluble Abeta-trigged disruption of synaptic plasticity in early AD. Previously we demonstrated the beneficial effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on Abeta-induced neuronal insult. Therefore, in the present study, we examined the effects of long-term consumption of Rg1 on the cerebral Abeta content and PKA/CREB signaling molecules, as well as cognitive performance in senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8). Notably, a significant dose-dependent reduction of soluble Abeta(1-40) was shown in the hippocampus of SAMP8 mice after administration with ginsenoside Rg1 for 3 months. Furthermore, Rg1 treatment resulted in a significant decrease of hippocampal PKA RIIalpha level (isoform IIalpha of the regulatory subunit of PKA). In contrast, phospho-CREB and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels were dramatically increased in the hippocampus of SAMP8 treated with Rg1. Additionally, administration of ginsenoside Rg1 consequently improved learning and memory outcomes in SAMP8 mice. These data suggest that long-term consumption of ginsenoside Rg1 may delay cognitive decline, associated with significant effects on Abeta generation, PKA/CREB activity, as well as BDNF content in the brain. These data provide further support for the therapeutic or intervention potency of ginsenoside Rg1 in the early stage of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Excessive endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in intestinal epithelial cells can lead to damage to the intestinal mucosal barrier, activate the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3)/nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway, and exacerbate the inflammatory response, thus participating in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Mesalazine is a commonly used drug in the clinical treatment of UC. However, further studies are needed to determine whether mesalazine regulates the ER stress of intestinal epithelial cells, down-regulates the STAT3/NF-κB pathway to play a role in the treatment of UC., Aim: To study the therapeutic effects of mesalazine on spontaneous colitis in interleukin-10 (IL-10) -/- mice., Methods: The 24-week-old IL-10 -/- mice with spontaneous colitis were divided into the model group and the 5-amino salicylic acid group. Littermates of wild-type mice of the same age group served as the control. There were eight mice in each group, four males and four females. The severity of symptoms of spontaneous colitis in IL-10 -/- mice was assessed using disease activity index scores. On day 15, the mice were sacrificed. The colon length was measured, and the histopathological changes and ultrastructure of colonic epithelial cells were detected. The protein expressions of STAT3, p-STAT3, NF-κB, IκB, p-IκB, and glucose-regulated protein 78 were identified using Western blotting. The STAT3 and NF-κB mRNA expressions were identified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. The glucose-regulated protein 78 and C/EBP homologous protein expressions in colon sections were detected using immunofluorescence., Results: Mesalazine reduced the symptoms of spontaneous colitis in IL-10 knockout mice and the histopathological damage of colonic tissues, and alleviated the ER stress in epithelial cells of colitis mice. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction results showed that the STAT3/NF-κB pathway in the colon tissue of model mice was activated, suggesting that this pathway was involved in the pathogenesis of UC and might become a potential therapeutic target. Mesalazine could down-regulate the protein expressions of p-STAT3, NF-κB and p-IκB, and down-regulate the mRNA expression of STAT3 and NF-κB., Conclusion: Mesalazine may play a protective role in UC by reducing ER stress by regulating the STAT3/NF-κB signaling pathway., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article., (©The Author(s) 2025. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Neuropathic pain (NP) is a chronic pain caused by injury or disease of the somatosensory nervous system, or it can be directly caused by disease. It often presents with clinical features like spontaneous pain, hyperalgesia, and dysesthesia. At present, voltage-gated calcium ion channels (VGCCs) are known to be closely related to the development of NP, especially the α2δ subunit. The α2δ subunit is a regulatory subunit of VGCCs. It exists mainly in the brain and peripheral nervous system, especially in nerve cells, and it plays a crucial part in regulating presynaptic and postsynaptic functions. Furthermore, the α2δ subunit influences neuronal excitation and pain signaling by promoting its expression and localization through binding to VGCC-related subunits. The α2δ subunit is widely used in the management of NP as a target of antiepileptic drugs gabapentin and pregabalin. Although drug therapy is one of the treatments for NP, its clinical application is limited due to the adverse reactions caused by drug therapy. Therefore, further research on the therapeutic target α2δ subunit is needed, and attempts are made to obtain an effective treatment for relieving NP without side effects. This review describes the current associated knowledge on the function of the α2δ subunit in perceiving and modulating NP., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics Approval: This is a review manuscript; the Research Ethics Committee has confirmed that no ethical approval is required. Consent to Participate: This is a review manuscript and does not require the informed consent. Consent for Publication: This manuscript does not contain any person’s data in any form; all authors affirm and approve the publication. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Objectives: To investigate the correlation between gastric xanthoma (GX) and precancerous lesions (PCL) and gastric cancer (GC), and to explore other potential risk factors for PCL and GC in northwest China., Methods: A case-control study was conducted from September 2022 to September 2023 at Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University (Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China). The patients who underwent gastroscopy were enrolled and divided into the chronic gastritis (CG) group (n = 423), PCL group (n = 422), and GC group (n = 415). The variables were selected through univariate analysis, including demographic information, dietary habits, lifestyle, gastroscopic findings, and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the factors associated with PCL and GC, and odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated., Results: GX was more prevalent in the PCL group (14.93%) and the GC group (19.76%) than in the CG group (6.15%). Multivariate analysis revealed that age ≥ 50 years, male gender, rural residence, H. pylori infection, family history of GC, GX, and hypertension were independent risk factors for GC and PCL. Furthermore, a diet high in salt and spice, coupled with daily intake of less than 100 g of fresh fruits, might be associated with the occurrence of GC., Conclusion: Age ≥ 50 years, male gender, rural residence, family history of GC and H. pylori infection, presence of GX, and a history of hypertension may be risk factors for PCL and GC., (© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Digestive Diseases published by Chinese Medical Association Shanghai Branch, Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Background: Hypospadias is a prevalent pediatric urological condition. Perididymis covering is often used as a surgical procedure for the treatment of hypospadias. This study aims to investigate the risk factors associated with postoperative complications following perididymis covering in the treatment of hypospadias., Methods: This study involved 204 patients with hypospadias who underwent perididymis cove ring at Tangshan Maternal and Child Health Hospital from May 2018 to May 2024. Patients were followed up for 1 year, with 63 experiencing complications (30.88%) and 141 not experiencing complications (69.12%). Baseline data from both groups were collected and compared. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between various factors and postoperative complications. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were utilized to evaluate the predictive value of the nomogram model for postoperative complications., Results: The complication group had a higher mean age and longer formed urethra lengths compared to the non-complication group. The types of hypospadias were categorized as intermediate, proximal, and those associated with preoperative penile curvature. The AUC for the nomogram model in the prediction of the postoperative complications was 0.909 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.866-0.952], with a sensitivity of 0.746, a specificity of 0.929, and a Youden's index of 0.675., Conclusions: Age, length of the formed urethra, types of hypospadias, preoperative penile curvature, and surgical methods are significantly associated with postoperative complications following perididymis covering in patients with hypospadias. These indicators can guide the formulation of clinical treatment plans to reduce the incidence of postoperative complications., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at https://tp.amegroups.com/article/view/10.21037/tp-24-368/coif). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (Copyright © 2025 AME Publishing Company. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate anticoagulation effects of nafamostat mesylate(NM) in sustained low-efficiency dialysis (SLED) and its relevant factors. Methods: Critically ill patients with kidney disease who were admitted to Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University and underwent SLED treatment from May to August 2024 were retrospectively included. Baseline clinical data were collected, and the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and activated clotting time (ACT) were measured at the arterial end, before the filter, and at the venous end two hours post-NM anticoagulation treatment. Patients were categorized into two groups: the anticoagulation achievement group and the anticoagulation non-achievement group, based on the observed clotting status of the filter and venous reservoir following treatment completion. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors influencing the efficacy of NM anticoagulation. Additionally, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was utilized to ascertain optimal monitoring indicators for NM anticoagulation. Results: A total of 96 patients (64 males and 32 females) aged (60±18) years undergoing SLED were included in the study, with 75 patients in the anticoagulation achievement group and 21 patients in the anticoagulation non-achievement group. No statistically significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics such as age, gender, body weight, baseline liver and kidney function, and platelet count between the two groups (all P >0.05). The proportion of patients with a baseline hematocrit (HCT)>30% was higher in the anticoagulation non-achievement group than that in the achievement group [57.1% (12/21) vs 22.7% (17/75), P =0.009]. The proportion of patients with fibrinogen (Fib)>4 g/L was also higher in the anticoagulation non-achievement group [90.5% (19/21) vs 49.3% (37/75), P <0.001]. The ultrafiltration rate in the anticoagulation achievement group was lower than that in the non-achievement group [232 (182, 353) ml/h vs 478 (289, 691) ml/h, P <0.001], and the NM dose was higher in the achievement group [35 (30, 40) mg/h vs 30 (25, 35) mg/h, P <0.001]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that high ultrafiltration rate ( OR =1.489, 95% CI : 1.007-2.145, P <0.001), HCT>30% ( OR =6.907, 95% CI : 1.523-18.342, P =0.009), and low albumin level ( OR =0.821, 95% CI : 0.709-0.951, P =0.002) were relevant factors for poor NM efficacy. After 2 hours of NM treatment, the ratio of ACT at the venous/baseline ACT and the ratio of APTT at the venous/baseline APTT in the anticoagulation achievement group were both higher than those in the non-achievement group (both P <0.05). There was a positive correlation between APTT and ACT measured at the venous end 2 hours after NM treatment ( r =0.763, P <0.001). The ROC curve analysis results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for determining the effectiveness of NM anticoagulation using the ratio of APTT at the venous end to baseline APTT at 2 hours was 0.845 (95% CI : 0.762-0.928, P <0.001), with a cut-off value of 1.78 (sensitivity: 89.8%; specificity: 68.6%). Conclusions: Higher filtration rate, HCT>30% and lower albumin levels are identified as relevant factors for poor NM efficacy. Additionally, the ratio of venous/baseline APTT at 2 h after NM treatment may serve as a predictive indicator for assessing of NM anticoagulation.

16S rRNA gene sequence is the most common housekeeping genetic marker to study bacterial phylogeny and taxonomy. Therefore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing has the potential to identify novel bacteria and diagnose bacteria. This study compared 16S rRNA gene sequencing with conventional PCR for bacterial identification and disease diagnosis. The bacterial community in healthy and diseased hosts was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. 16S rRNA gene sequencing is more sensitive than conventional PCR in detecting bacteria. Moreover, 16S rRNA gene sequencing is adequate to identify novel bacteria. 16S rRNA gene sequencing demonstrated that most pathogenic bacteria persist in diseased or healthy hosts in different abundance. Pathogenic bacteria, such as well-known chicken pathogen Avibacterium paragallinarum, Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale, and Gallibacterium anatis, were identified as indicator species of diseased samples. Alpha diversity analysis showed that the healthy group species is significantly higher than in the diseased groups. Beta diversity analysis also demonstrated differences between healthy and infected groups. The study concluded that 16S rRNA gene sequencing is a more sensitive method for detecting pathogens, and microbiota analysis can distinguish between healthy and diseased samples. Eventually, 16S rRNA gene sequencing has represented the potential in human and animal clinical diagnosis and novel bacterial identification., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

In recent years, cyclic sulfone compounds, a subset of biologically active heterocyclic compounds, have gained considerable attention due to their potential in the development of novel active pharmaceutical ingredients. This review focuses on identifying simple, mild, environmentally friendly, and efficient synthesis methods. Various catalytic approaches for the synthesis of cyclic sulfone compounds are systematically reviewed, highlighting their advantages and potential applications in pharmaceutical development.

Background: Vonoprazan is a new acid-suppressing drug that provides an additional choice for eradicating Helicobacter pylori. The effectiveness and safety of vonoprazan and high-dose amoxicillin (VHA) dual therapy requires study in a systematic analysis., Materials and Methods: A comprehensive search of the literature from the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science databases was conducted up to 16 May 2024. Trials comparing H. pylori eradication rates, adverse events, and compliance of VHA dual therapy with that of other therapies were included. RevMan 5.4 was used for statistical analysis., Results: Eleven randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and two retrospective clinical studies with 4570 samples were included. VHA dual therapy had superior H. pylori eradication rates (intention-to-treat [ITT]: 86.0% vs. 80.7%; odds ratio [OR]=1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.07-1.73; P=0.01; per-protocol [PP]: 90.6% vs. 85.7%; OR=1.42; 95% CI 1.07-1.88; P=0.02), fewer adverse events (15.4% vs. 27.7%; OR=0.49; 95% CI 0.35-0.68, P<0.0001), and similar compliance (94.6% vs. 93.2%; OR=1.27; 95% CI 0.98-1.64; P=0.07) compared with other guideline therapies. According to subgroup analysis with PP data, VHA dual therapy is more effective than bismuth quadruple therapy based on proton-pump inhibitors (P-BQT) (93.5% vs. 89.3%; OR=1.76; 95% CI 1.03-3.00; P=0.04). In addition, the eradication rates for 7-day, 10-day and 14-day VHA dual therapy were 65% (95% CI 0.55-0.75), 92% (95% CI 0.91-0.94) and 93% (95% CI 0.90-0.97), respectively., Conclusion: VHA dual therapy for 10 or 14 days showed superior efficacy and safety compared with therapies recommended by the guidelines and should be prioritised for adoption., Competing Interests: Declarations Funding: This work was supported by grants from Shaanxi Health Scientific Research Innovation Team Project (No. 2024TD-06) and Shaanxi Key Research & Development Project (No. 2023-ZDLSF-35). Competing Interests: None. Ethical Approval: Not required. Sequence Information: Not applicable., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Black carbon (BC) and brown carbon (BrC) over the high-altitude Tibetan Plateau (TP) can significantly influence regional and global climate change as well as glacial melting. However, obtaining plateau-scale in situ observations is challenging due to its high altitude. By integrating reanalysis data with on-site measurements, the spatial distribution of BC and BrC can be accurately estimated using the random forest algorithm (RF). In our study, the on-site observations of BC and BrC were successively conducted at four sites from 2018 to 2021. Ground-level BC and BrC concentrations were then obtained at a spatial resolution of 0.25° × 0.25° for three periods (including Periods-1980, 2000, and 2020) using RF and multi-source data. The highest annual concentrations of BC (1363.9 ± 338.7 ng/m 3 ) and BrC (372.1 ± 96.2 ng/m 3 ) were observed during Period-2000. BC contributed a dominant proportion of carbonaceous aerosol, with concentrations 3-4 times higher than those of BrC across the three periods. The ratios of BrC to BC decreased from Period-1980 to Period-2020, indicating the increasing importance of BC over the TP. Spatial distributions of plateau-scale BC and BrC concentrations showed heightened levels in the southeastern TP, particularly during Period-2000. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of the spatio-temporal distribution of light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosol over the TP., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the leading cause of low back pain, which is one of the major factors leading to disability and severe economic burden. Necroptosis is an important form of programmed cell death (PCD), a highly regulated caspase-independent type of cell death that is regulated by receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3 and mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL)-mediated, play a key role in the pathophysiology of various inflammatory, infectious and degenerative diseases. Recent studies have shown that necroptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of IDD. In this review, we provide an overview of the initiation and execution of necroptosis and explore in depth its potential mechanisms of action in IDD. The analysis focuses on the connection between NP cell necroptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction-oxidative stress pathway, inflammation, endoplasmic reticulum stress, apoptosis, and autophagy. Finally, we evaluated the possibility of treating IDD by inhibiting necroptosis, and believed that targeting necroptosis may be a new strategy to alleviate the symptoms of IDD., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: During the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a notable increase in acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) cases was observed. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between AMN and COVID-19 by examining 3 cases in China., Case Summary: The first case involved a 30-year-old man who presented with progressive vision loss following a COVID-19 infection. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and near-infrared imaging identified hallmark AMN lesions, hyperreflective disruptions within the outer plexiform layer, and hyporeflective anomalies in the ellipsoid zone, leading to an AMN diagnosis. Despite partial visual recovery, OCT angiography (OCTA) revealed persistent microvascular changes, specifically a decreased vascular density in the deep capillary plexus. The second case was a 24-year-old woman who experienced blurred vision and exhibited bilateral cotton-wool spots on fundus examination post-COVID-19. Imaging confirmed the presence of AMN along with paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM). Follow-up OCTA found a progressive reduction in vascular density, indicating ongoing microvascular compromise. The third case was a 28-year-old woman who reported sensations of occlusion in her right eye following a COVID-19 infection. Imaging confirmed both AMN and PAMM, revealing similar decreases of microvascular density on OCTA despite a significant improvement in visual acuity. We noted that all 3 patients had received the COVID-19 vaccine prior to the appearance of symptoms., Conclusion: The findings highlight the diagnostic utility of advanced ocular imaging in detecting AMN in COVID-19 patients and the importance of comprehensive eye examinations., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

This study represents the first analysis of the bacterial community in chickens affected by swollen head syndrome, utilizing 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Samples were obtained from clinical laying chickens and were examined for the presence of Avibacterium paragallinarum (APG) and Ornithobacterium rhinotracheale (ORT) using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). From the samples, five APG-positive (APG) and APG-negative (N-APG) samples were chosen, along with five specific pathogen-free chickens, for 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results showed that APG and ORT were widely detected in the chicken samples with swollen head syndrome (SHS, 9/10), while APG was detected in all five specific pathogen-free (SPF) samples. In contrast, conventional PCR sensitivity was found to be inadequate for diagnosis, with only 35.7% (5/14) and 11.1% (1/9) sensitivity for APG and ORT, respectively, based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing data. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was able to quantify the bacteria in the samples, revealing that the relative abundance of APG in the APG group ranged from 2.7 to 81.3%, while the relative abundance of APG in the N-APG group ranged from 0.1 to 21.0%. Notably, a low level of APG was also detected in all 5 SPF samples. The study also identified a significant number of animal and human common bacterial pathogens, including but not limited to Gallibacterium anatis, Riemerella columbina, Enterococcus cecorum, Mycoplasma synoviae, Helicobacter hepaticus, and Staphylococcus lentus. In conclusion, 16S rRNA gene sequencing is a valuable tool for bacterial pathogen diagnosis and the discovery of novel bacterial pathogens, while conventional PCR is not reliable for diagnosis., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Background and Purpose: Neuropathic pain affects millions of patients, but there are currently few viable therapeutic options available. Microtubule affinity-regulating kinases (MARKs) regulate the dynamics of microtubules and participate in synaptic remodelling. It is unclear whether these changes are involved in the central sensitization of neuropathic pain. This study examined the role of MARK1 or MARK2 in regulating neurosynaptic plasticity induced by neuropathic pain., Experimental Approach: A rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model was established to induce neuropathic pain. The role of MARKs in nociceptive regulation was assessed by genetically knocking down MARK1 or MARK2 in amygdala and systemic administration of PCC0105003, a novel small molecule MARK inhibitor. Cognitive function, anxiety-like behaviours and motor coordination capability were also examined in SNL rats. Synaptic remodelling-associated signalling changes were detected with electrophysiological recording, Golgi-Cox staining, western blotting and qRT-PCR., Key Results: MARK1 and MARK2 expression levels in amygdala and spinal dorsal horn were elevated in SNL rats. MARK1 or MARK2 knockdown in amygdala and PCC0105003 treatment partially attenuated pain-like behaviours along with improving cognitive deficit, anxiogenic-like behaviours and motor coordination in SNL rats. Inhibition of MARKs signalling reversed synaptic plasticity at the functional and structural levels by suppressing NR2B/GluR1 and EB3/Drebrin signalling pathways both in amygdala and spinal dorsal horn., Conclusion and Implications: These results suggest that MARKs-mediated synaptic remodelling plays a key role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and that pharmacological inhibitors of MARKs such as PCC0105003 could represent a novel therapeutic strategy for the management of neuropathic pain., (© 2023 British Pharmacological Society.)

Herein we have pioneered an innovative synthetic strategy for the efficient assembly of various heteroarene-condensed benzofuran derivatives, utilizing benzofuran-derived azadienes (BDAs) and quinolines as the starting materials. This method functions with transition-metal catalysis and uses cost-effective formic acid as the reducing agent. Mechanistic investigations indicate that this transformation would involve a [4 + 2] annulation cascade process. This approach demonstrates a high tolerance to various functional groups and yields excellent results.

MXene-based thermal camouflage materials have gained increasing attention due to their low emissivity, however, the poor anti-oxidation restricts their potential applications under complex environments. Various modification methods and strategies, e.g., the addition of antioxidant molecules and fillers have been developed to overcome this, but the realization of long-term, reliable thermal camouflage using MXene network (coating) with excellent comprehensive performance remains a great challenge. Here, a MXene-based hybrid network comodified with hyaluronic acid (HA) and hyperbranched polysiloxane (HSi) molecules is designed and fabricated. Notably, the presence of appreciated HA molecules restricts the oxidation of MXene sheets without altering infrared stealth performance, superior to other water-soluble polymers; while the HSi molecules can act as efficient cross-linking agents to generate strong interactions between MXene sheets and HA molecules. The optimized MXene/HA/HSi composites exhibit excellent mechanical flexibility (folded into crane structure), good water/solvent resistance, and long-term stable thermal camouflage capability (with low infrared emissivity of ≈0.29). The long-term thermal camouflage reliability (≈8 months) under various outdoor weathers and the scalable coating capability of the MXene-coated textile enable them to disguise the IR signal of various targets in complex environments, indicating the great promise of achieved material for thermal camouflage, IR stealth, and counter surveillance., (© 2024 The Authors. Advanced Science published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Revealing the genetic basis for stress-resistant traits in extremophile plants will yield important information for crop improvement. Zygophyllum xanthoxylum, an extant species of the ancient Mediterranean, is a succulent xerophyte that can maintain a favorable water status under desert habitats; however, the genetic basis of this adaptive trait is poorly understood. Furthermore, the phylogenetic position of Zygophyllales, to which Z. xanthoxylum belongs, remains controversial. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the chromosome-level genome of Z. xanthoxylum. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Zygophyllales and Myrtales form a separated taxon as a sister to the clade comprising fabids and malvids, clarifying the phylogenetic position of Zygophyllales at whole-genome scale. Analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data revealed multiple critical mechanisms underlying the efficient osmotic adjustment using Na+ and K+ as "cheap" osmolytes that Z. xanthoxylum has evolved through the expansion and synchronized expression of genes encoding key transporters/channels and their regulators involved in Na+/K+ uptake, transport, and compartmentation. It is worth noting that ZxCNGC1;1 (cyclic nucleotide-gated channels) and ZxCNGC1;2 constituted a previously undiscovered energy-saving pathway for Na+ uptake. Meanwhile, the core genes involved in biosynthesis of cuticular wax also featured an expansion and upregulated expression, contributing to the water retention capacity of Z. xanthoxylum under desert environments. Overall, these findings boost the understanding of evolutionary relationships of eudicots, illustrate the unique water retention mechanism in the succulent xerophyte that is distinct from glycophyte, and thus provide valuable genetic resources for the improvement of stress tolerance in crops and insights into the remediation of sodic lands., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement. The authors declare no potential conflict of interest., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

Neuropathic pain is a common pain syndrome, which seriously affects the quality of life of patients. The mechanism of neuropathic pain is complex. Peripheral tissue injury can trigger peripheral sensitization; however, what really plays a key role is the sensitization of the central nervous system. Central sensitization is a key factor in the perception of chronic pain. Central sensitization refers to the increased sensitivity of the central nervous system to pain treatment, which is related to the change of the functional connection mode of the neural network. The current study aims to reveal the basic molecular mechanisms of central sensitization, including the involvement of P2 purine X4 receptor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. In terms of treatment, although there are drugs and physical therapy, the accuracy of targeting is limited and the efficacy needs to be further improved. Future therapeutic strategies may involve the development of new drugs designed to specifically inhibit the central sensitization process. This article focuses on the effector molecules involved in central sensitization, aiming to elucidate the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain and provide a basis for the development of more effective treatment models., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by IMR Press.)

A novel and efficient method for functionalizing organosulfones has been established, utilizing a visible-light-driven intermolecular radical cascade cyclization of α -allyl- β -ketosulfones. This process employs fac -Ir(ppy) 3 as the photoredox catalyst and α -carbonyl alkyl bromide as the oxidizing agent. Via this approach, the substrates experience intermolecular addition of α -carbonyl alkyl radicals to the alkene bonds, initiating a sequence of C-C bond formations that culminate in the production of organosulfone derivatives. Notably, this technique features gentle reaction conditions and an exceptional compatibility with a wide array of functional groups, making it a versatile and valuable addition to the field of organic synthesis.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic characteristics of Crohn's disease (CD). Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 52 CD patients who underwent surgical resection at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2014 and June 2023. Clinical presentations and histopathological features were assessed. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 17 of the samples, followed by sequencing and pathway enrichment analyses. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of frequently mutated genes. Results: Among the 52 patients, 34 were males and 18 were females, male-to-female ratio was 1.9∶1.0, with a median age of 45 years at surgery and 35 years at diagnosis. According to the Montreal classification, A3 (51.9%,27/52), B2 (61.5%, 32/52), and L3 (50.0%,26/52) subtypes were the most predominant. Abdominal pain and diarrhea were the common symptoms. Histopathological features seen in all 52 patients included transmural inflammation, disruption of cryptal architecture, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, varying degrees of submucosal fibrosis and thickening, increased enteric nerve fibers and neuronal proliferation. Mucosal defects, fissure ulcers, abscesses, pseudopolyps, and adenomatous proliferation were also observed in 51 (98.1%), 38 (73.1%), 28 (53.8%), 45 (86.5%), and 28 (53.8%) cases, respectively. Thirty-one (59.6%) cases had non-caseating granulomas, and 3 (5.8%) cases had intestinal mucosal glandular epithelial dysplasia. Molecular analysis showed that 12/17 CD patients exhibited mutations in at least one mucin family gene (MUC2, MUC3A, MUC4, MUC6, MUC12, MUC17), and MUC4 was the most frequently mutated in 7/17 of cases. Immunohistochemical stains showed reduced MUC4 expression in epithelial cells, with increased MUC4 expression in the epithelial surface, particularly around areas of inflammatory cell aggregation; and minimal expression in the lower half of the epithelium. Conclusions: CD exhibits diverse clinical and pathological features, necessitating a comprehensive multidimensional analysis for diagnosis. Mutations and expression alterations in mucin family genes, particularly MUC4, may play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of CD.

Background: Duodenal neuroendocrine tumours (DNETs) are rare neoplasms. However, the incidence of DNETs has been increasing in recent years, especially as an incidental finding during endoscopic studies. Regrettably, there is no consensus regarding the ideal treatment of DNETs. Even there are few studies on the clinical features and survival analysis of DNETs., Aim: To analyze the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of patients with duodenal neuroendocrine tumours., Methods: The clinical data of DNETs diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University from June 2011 to July 2022 were collected. Neuroendocrine tumours located in the ampulla area of the duodenum were divided into the ampullary region group; neuroendocrine tumours in any part of the duodenum outside the ampullary area were divided into the nonampullary region group. Using a retrospective study, the clinical characteristics of the two groups and risk factors affecting the survival of DNET patients were analysed., Results: Twenty-nine DNET patients were screened. The male to female ratio was 1:1.9, and females comprised the majority. The ampullary region group accounted for 24.1% (7/29), while the nonampullary region group accounted for 75.9% (22/29). When diagnosed, the clinical symptoms of the ampullary region group were mainly abdominal pain (85.7%), while those of the nonampullary region groups were mainly abdominal distension (59.1%). There were differences in the composition of staging of tumours between the two groups (Fisher's exact probability method, P = 0.001), with nonampullary stage II tumours (68.2%) being the main stage ( P < 0.05). After the diagnosis of DNETs, the survival rate of the ampullary region group was 14.3% (1/7), which was lower than that of 72.7% (16/22) in the nonampullary region group (Fisher's exact probability method, P = 0.011). The survival time of the ampullary region group was shorter than that of the nonampullary region group ( P < 0.000). The median survival time of the ampullary region group was 10.0 months and that of the nonampullary region group was 451.0 months. Multivariate analysis showed that tumours in the ampulla region and no surgical treatment after diagnosis were independent risk factors for the survival of DNET patients (HR = 0.029, 95%CI 0.004-0.199, P < 0.000; HR = 12.609, 95%CI: 2.889-55.037, P = 0.001). Further analysis of nonampullary DNET patients showed that the survival time of patients with a tumour diameter < 2 cm was longer than that of patients with a tumour diameter ≥ 2 cm ( t = 7.243, P = 0.048). As of follow-up, 6 patients who died of nonampullary DNETs had a tumour diameter that was ≥ 2 cm, and 3 patients in stage IV had liver metastasis. Patients with a tumour diameter < 2 cm underwent surgical treatment, and all survived after surgery., Conclusion: Surgical treatment is a protective factor for prolonging the survival of DNET patients. Compared to DNETs in the ampullary region, patients in the nonampullary region group had a longer survival period. The liver is the organ most susceptible to distant metastasis of nonampullary DNETs., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

The superconductivity in systems containing dispersionless (flat) bands is seemingly paradoxical, as traditional Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer theory requires an infinite enhancement of the carrier masses. However, the combination of flat and steep (dispersive) bands within the multiple band scenario might boost superconducting responses, potentially explaining high-temperature superconductivity in cuprates and metal hydrides. Here, we report on the magnetic penetration depths, the upper critical field, and the specific heat measurements, together with the first-principles calculations for the Mo 5 Si 3-x P x superconducting family. The band structure features a flat band that gradually approaches the Fermi level as a function of phosphorus doping x, reaching the Fermi level at x ≃ 1.3. This leads to an abrupt change in nearly all superconducting quantities. The superfluid density data placed on the 'Uemura plot' results in two separated branches, thus indicating that the emergence of a flat band enhances correlations between conducting electrons., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Glucose imbalance is common in total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Hypoglycemia seems to be less frequent than hyperglycemia, but it influences the clinical outcome to a greater extent. Therefore, it should be effectively prevented and treated. However, there is no relevant report on how to treat hypoglycemia caused by TPN in patients with liver cell injury., Case Summary: We present three patients with liver cell injury who developed severe hypoglycemia during or after TPN infusion. The causes of severe hypoglycemia and glucose-raising strategies were discussed. According to the physiological characteristics of the hepatocellular injury, the ratio of nutrition components prescribed in TPN was appropriately adjusted for the three cases. We simultaneously reduced the dose of insulin and fat emulsion, and increased the dose of glucose in TPN. The blood glucose level was restored to normal range and clinical symptoms were eliminated., Conclusion: When hypoglycemia occurs during or after TPN in patients with hepatocellular injury, physicians need to simultaneously reduce insulin and fat emulsion, and increase glucose, and correct severe hypoglycemia in time to reduce its adverse consequences., Competing Interests: Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose., (©The Author(s) 2024. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Our study aimed to investigate the Hub genes and their prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC) via bioinformatics analysis., Methods: The data set of colorectal cancer was downloaded from the GEO database (GSE21510, GSE110224 and GSE74602) for differential expression analysis using the GEO2R tool. Hub genes were screened by protein-protein interaction (PPI) comprehensive analysis. GEPIA was used to verify the expression of Hub genes and evaluate its prognostic value. The protein expression of Hub gene in CRC was analyzed using the Human Protein Atlas database. The cBioPortal was used to analyze the type and frequency of Hub gene mutations, and the effects of mutation on the patients' prognosis. The TIMER database was used to study the correlation between Hub genes and immune infiltration in CRC. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to explore the biological function and signal pathway of the Hub genes and corresponding co-expressed genes., Results: We identified 346 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including 117 upregulated and 229 downregulated. Four Hub genes (AURKA, CCNB1, EXO1 and CCNA2) were selected by survival analysis and differential expression validation. The protein and mRNA expression levels of AURKA, CCNB1, EXO1 and CCNA2 were higher in CRC tissues than in adjacent tissues. There were varying degrees of immune cell infiltration and gene mutation of Hub genes, especially B cells and CD8+ T cells. The results of GSEA showed that Hub genes and their co-expressed genes mainly participated in chromosome segregation, DNA replication, translational elongation and cell cycle., Conclusion: Overexpression of AURKA, CCNB1, CCNA2 and EXO1 had a better prognosis for CRC and this effect was correlation with gene mutation and infiltration of immune cells.

Objective: To investigate the etiology, complications, and prognostic factors of stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD5) in children. Methods: A case series study was conducted to retrospectively analyze the general situation, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, genetic testing, and follow-up data (until October 2022) of 174 children with CKD5 who were diagnosed and hospitalized at the Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from April 2012 to April 2021. The characteristics of complications in the children were compared based on age, gender, and etiology. Based on the presence or absence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), patients were divided into LVH group and non LVH group for analyzing the influencing factors of cardiovascular disease. Patients were also divided into death group and survival group, peritoneal dialysis group and hemodialysis group based on the follow-up data for analyzing the prognostic factors. The chi-square test, independent sample t -test, Fisher exact probability test, Mann-Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis test were used to analyze data among different groups. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the prognostic factors. Results: A total of 174 children with CKD5 were enrolled in the study (96 boys and 78 girls), aged 11.2 (8.2, 13.0) years. Congenital kidney and urinary tract malformations (CAKUT) were the most common causes of the CKD5 (84 cases, 48.3%), followed by glomerular diseases (83 cases, 47.7%), and among which 28 cases (16.1%) were hereditary glomerular diseases. The common complications of CKD5 included anemia (98.2%, 165/168), mineral and bone disorder in chronic kidney disease (CKD-MBD) (97.7%, 170/174), lipid metabolism disorders (87.5%, 63/72), hypertension (81.4%, 127/156) and LVH (57.6%,57/99). The incidences of hypertension in primary glomerular disease were higher than that in CAKUT(93.8%(30/32) vs. 73.7%(56/76), χ 2 =5.59, P <0.05). The incidences of hypertension in secondary glomerular disease were higher than that in CAKUT and that in hereditary kidney disease (100.0%(20/20) vs. 73.7%(56/76), 68.2%(15/22), both P <0.05). The incidence of hypocalcemia in CAKUT, primary glomerular disease, and hereditary kidney disease was higher than that in secondary glomerular disease (82.1%(69/84), 88.2%(30/34), 89.3%(25/28) vs. 47.6%(10/21), χ 2 =10.21, 10.75, 10.80, all P =0.001); the incidence of secondary hyperparathyroidism in women was higher than that in men (80.0%(64/80) vs. 95.0%(57/60), χ 2 =6.58, P =0.010). The incidence of LVH in children aged 6-<12 was higher than that in children aged 12-18 (73.5%(25/34) vs. 43.1%(22/51), χ 2 =7.62, P =0.006). Among 113 follow-up children, the mortality rate was 39.8% (45/113). Compared to the survival group, the children in the death group had lower hemoglobin, higher blood pressure, lower albumin, lower alkaline phosphatase and higher left ventricular mass index ((67±19) vs . (75±20) g/L, 142 (126, 154) vs . 128(113, 145) mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), (91±21) vs . (82±22) mmHg, 32 (26, 41) vs . 40 (31, 43) g/L, 151 (82, 214) vs . 215 (129, 37) U/L, 48 (38, 66) vs . 38(32, 50) g/m 2.7 , t =2.03, Z =2.89, t =2.70, Z =2.49, 2.79, 2.29,all P <0.05), but no independent risk factors were identified (all P >0.05). The peritoneal dialysis group had better alleviation for anemia, low calcium, and high phosphorus than the hemodialysis group ((87±22) vs. (72±16) g/L, (1.9±0.5) vs. (1.7±0.4) mmol/L, (2.2±0.7) vs. (2.8±0.9) mmol/L, t =2.92, 2.29, 2.82, all P <0.05), and the survival rate of the peritoneal dialysis group was significantly higher than that of the hemodialysis group (77.8% (28/36) vs . 48.4% (30/62), χ 2 =8.14, P =0.004). Conclusions: CAKUT is the most common etiology in children with CKD 5, and anemia is the most common complication. The incidence of complications in children with CKD 5 varies with age, gender and etiology. Anemia, hypertension, hypoalbuminemia, reduced alkaline phosphatase and elevated LVMI may be the prognostic factors in children with CKD5. Peritoneal dialysis may be more beneficial for improving the long-term survival rate.

Air pollution continues to be a serious problem in Xi'an. A heavy pollution process and formation mechanism were investigated in Xi'an in January 2019 using multi-source methods (such as material balance and sulfur/nitrogen oxidation rate (SOR/NOR)). The multi-source data included the concentrations of PM 2.5 , PM 10 , SO 2 , NO 2 , CO, and O 3 ; the chemical components of PM 2.5 ; the meteorological records of ground and vertical observations; the atmospheric reanalysis data. Three phases were obtained including the accumulation phase (P1), maintenance phase (P2), and dispersion phase (P3) during the pollution period. The pollution event was primarily attributed to the superposition of adverse weather conditions and feedback effects. During the periods of P1 and P2, the area of Xi'an was affected by blocking and zonal westerly airflow at 500 hPa (with flat westerly airflow) and uniform-distribution pressure at sea level with a limited pressure gradient and stable weather conditions, and the easterly wind was dominant at 925 hPa; not all of these factors were conducive to the pollutant diffusion. An interaction feedback mechanism between meteorological conditions and heavy pollution could be studied using the ground-based microwave radiometer. The correlations between PM 2.5 and inversions of water vapor density, relative humidity, air temperature, and temperature inversion were significant with coefficients of 0.86, 0.62, 0.53, and 0.38, respectively. The feedback mechanism was primarily manifested as follows:with the pollutant accumulation, the radiative cooling effect could lead to or strengthen the occurrence and intensity of temperature inversion, decrease the mixed layer height, and cause moisture accumulation. High humidity could further maintain the pollution by accelerating the secondary formation and promoting the hygroscopic growth of aerosol particles. Therefore, the dominant chemical components to PM 2.5 were secondary inorganic ions (SO 4 2- +NO 3 - +NH 4 + , SNA) and "other" components during the period of P2, with contributions of 43.2% and 23.1%, respectively. In addition, the peak values of PM 2.5 , SOR, NOR, and the light extinction coefficients all occurred on the same days (January 3 and 6), indicating that the effect of secondary formation was important for both heavy pollution events and visibility. The total contribution of NH 4 NO 3 , organic matter (OM), (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 , and EC to the light extinction coefficient was more than 85%. Limited variations in the proportion for components were observed in three phases. During the period of P3, the strong cold air in the mid-lower atmosphere was conducive to the dry and clean air sinking and the pressure gradient at sea level increasing. These were beneficial to the diffusion of air pollutants and water vapor.

Objective: To study the effects of cadmium on autophagy in germ cells (GC-2 spd cells) through Ca2+ and IRE1 pathway., Methods: The viability of GC-2 spd cells was determined using a CCK-8 assay to establish the concentration of cadmium treating . MDC staining was employed to assess autophagosome formation. Laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were utilized to measure cytoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ levels. Western blot was conducted to evaluate the expression levels of proteins associated with the IRE1 signaling pathway and autophagy., Results: As the concentration of cadmium increased, cell viability gradually decreased. The concentrations of cadmium were determined to be 2.5, 5, and 10 μmol/L. Compared with the control group, the IOD values of MDC fluorescence intensity within the cadmium group were all elevated (P<0.05), accompanied by elevated ratios of autophagy markers LC3-II/LC3-I and up-regulation of Beclin-1 protein expression (P<0.05). Cytoplasm Ca2+ levels gradually increased, while ER Ca2+ levels decreased (P<0.05). The expression of IP3R protein, the ER Ca2+ release pathway, was up-regulated (P<0.05). Additionally, the expressions of IRE1, XBP1s, CHOP, and GRP78 were up-regulated in the cadmium group (P<0.05)., Conclusion: Cadmium exposure can induce dysregulation of calcium homeostasis in GC-2spd cells, activates the ER stress-induced IRE1 signaling pathway, and ultimately induces the occurrence of autophagy in GC-2spd cells.

Purinergic receptor P2X4 (P2X4R) plays an essential role in neuropathic pain. However, the specific mechanism needs to be clarified. Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin produced by Clostridium botulinum type A. This study found that intrathecal injection of botulinum toxin type A produced an excellent analgesic effect in a rat model of chronic constriction sciatic nerve injury and inhibited the activation of P2X4R, microglia, and astrocytes. The administration of a P2X4R activator can up-regulate the expression of P2X4R and eliminate the analgesic effect of intrathecal injection of botulinum toxin type A. In addition, we found that microglia and astrocytes in the spinal cord of rats injected with botulinum toxin type A were reactivated after administration of the P2X4R activator. Our results suggest that intrathecal injection of botulinum toxin type A has an analgesic effect in a rat model of chronic constriction sciatic nerve injury by inhibiting the activation of P2X4R in the spinal cord., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Normal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) play an important role in regulating follicular growth, angiogenesis and sex hormone synthesis in ovarian tissue. When the balance between ROS and antioxidants is disrupted, however, it can cause serious consequences of oxidative stress (OS), and the quantity and quality of oocytes will decline. Therefore, this review discusses the interrelationship between OS and premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), the potential mechanisms and the methods by which antioxidants can improve POI through controlling the level of OS. We found that OS can mediate changes in genetic materials, signal pathways, transcription factors and ovarian microenvironment, resulting in abnormal apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) and abnormal meiosis as well as decreased mitochondrial Deoxyribonucleic Acid(mtDNA) and other changes, thus accelerating the process of ovarian aging. However, antioxidants, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), biological enzymes and other antioxidants can delay the disease process of POI by reducing the ROS level in vivo ., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Shi, Zhu, Zhang, Ma, Han, Jiang and Zhang.)

Background: Microglia has gradually gained researchers' attention in the past few decades and has shown its promising prospect in treating neuropathic pain. Our study was performed to comprehensively evaluate microglia-related neuropathic pain via a bibliometric approach., Methods: We retrospectively reviewed publications focusing on microglia-related neuropathic pain from 2000 to 2021 in WoSCC. VOS viewer software and CiteSpace software were used for statistical analyses., Results: A total of 2,609 articles were finally included. A steady increase in the number of relevant publications was observed in the past two decades. China is the most productive country, while the United States shares the most-cited and highest H-index country. The University of London, Kyushu University, and the University of California are the top 3 institutions with the highest number of publications. Molecular pain and Pain are the most productive and co-cited journals, respectively. Inoue K (Kyushu University) is the most-contributed researcher and Ji RR (Duke University) ranks 1st in both average citations per article and H -index. Keywords analyses revealed that pro-inflammatory cytokines shared the highest burst strength. Sex differences, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress are the emerging keywords in recent years., Conclusion: In the field of microglia-related neuropathic pain, China is the largest producer and the United States is the most influential country. The signaling communication between microglia and neurons has continued to be vital in this field. Sexual dimorphism, neuroinflammation, and stem-cell therapies might be emerging trends that should be closely monitored., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Zhang, Zhao, Lv, Gong, Shi, Nan, Zhang.)

It is particularly meaningful to therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of mycophenolic acid (MPA) for transplant patients to maximize the drug efficacy and minimize the adverse effect. In this study, a novel fluorescence and colorimetric dual-readout probe was put forward to fast and reliable detect MPA. The blue fluorescence of MPA was largely enhanced in the presence of poly (ethylenimine) (PEI), while the red fluorescence of CdTe@SiO 2 (silica-coated CdTe quantum dots) provided a reliable reference signal. Hence, combining PEI 70,000 and CdTe@SiO 2 , a fluorescence and colorimetric dual-readout probe could be constructed. For fluorescence measurement of MPA, the linearity was obtained in the MPA concentration range of 0.5-50 μg/mL, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 33 ng/mL. For the visual detection, the fluorescent colorimetric card was established in the MPA concentration from 0.5 to 50 μg/mL corresponding to the fluorescence color from red to violet and then to blue, which could be used for semi-quantification. Furthermore, in the light of the ColorCollect APP by the smartphone, the ratio of blue and red brightness values was linear with the MPA concentration from 1 to 50 μg/mL; thus, quantification of MPA could be realized by APP with the LOD of 83 ng/mL. The developed method was successfully applied to the analysis of MPA in the plasma samples of three patients after oral administration of mycophenolate mofetil, which was the prodrug of MPA. The result was comparable to those obtained by the clinically widely-used enzyme multiplied immunoassay technique. The developed probe was fast, cost-effective and operational convenience, and possessed high potential for TDM of MPA., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between gastric cancer and its precancerous lesions and gastric xanthoma., Methods: Medical records of 47 736 patients who underwent gastroscopy in our center from January 2020 to December 2021 were reviewed. Patients' age, sex, endoscopic and histopathological findings, and the presence, number and location of gastric xanthoma were recorded. To investigate the detection rate of gastric xanthoma at different stages of gastric lesions, the participants were further divided into the chronic gastritis group (n = 42 758), the precancerous lesion group (n = 3672), and the gastric cancer group (n = 1306), respectively., Results: The overall detection rate of gastric xanthoma was 2.85%, and it was most commonly observed in the gastric antrum (52.50%). In addition, gastric xanthoma was more common in men and more likely to be single lesion. It was most detected in the precancerous lesion group (8.39%), followed by the gastric cancer group (5.44%), and least in the chronic gastritis group (2.29%). Multivariate analysis showed that gastric xanthoma was closely related to precancerous lesions (odds ratio [OR] 3.197, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.791-3.662, P < 0.001) and gastric cancer (OR 1.794, 95% CI 1.394-2.309, P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Gastric xanthoma is closely related to gastric precancerous lesions and gastric cancer., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Digestive Diseases published by Chinese Medical Association Shanghai Branch, Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

In order to explore the pollution characteristics and sources of atmospheric volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in winter in Kaifeng City, based on the atmospheric VOCs component data obtained from the online monitoring station of the Kaifeng Ecological and Environmental Bureau (Urban Area) from December 2021 to January 2022, the pollution characteristics of VOCs and secondary organic aerosol formation potential (SOAP) were discussed, and the sources of VOCs were analyzed by using the PMF model. The results showed that the average mass concentration of VOCs in winter in Kaifeng City was (104.71±48.56) μg·m -3 , and alkanes (37.7%) had the highest proportion of mass concentrations, followed by that of halohydrocarbons (23.5%), aromatics (16.8%), OVOCs (12.6%), alkenes (6.9%), and alkynes (2.6%). The averaged total SOAP contributed by VOCs was 3.18 μg·m -3 , of which aromatics contributed as much as 83.8%, followed by alkanes (11.5%). The largest anthropogenic source of VOCs in winter in Kaifeng City was solvent utilization (17.9%), followed by fuel combustion (15.9%), industrial halohydrocarbon emission (15.8%), motor vehicle emission (14.7%), organic chemical industry (14.5%), and LPG emission (13.3%); solvent utilization contributed 32.2% of the total SOAP, followed by motor vehicle emission (22.8%) and industrial halohydrocarbon emission (18.9%). It was found that reducing VOCs emissions from solvent utilization, motor vehicle emission, and industrial halohydrocarbon emission was important to control the formation of secondary organic aerosols in winter in Kaifeng City.

Objectives: To assess the predictive value of endoscopic grading of gastric atrophy using Kimura-Takemoto classification, histological grading systems of operative link on gastritis assessment (OLGA) and operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia (OLGIM) on risk stratification for early gastric cancer (EGC) and other potential risk factors of EGC., Methods: A single-center, case-control study was retrospectively conducted including 68 patients with EGC treated with endoscopic submucosal dissection and 68 age- and sex-matched control subjects. Kimura-Takemoto classification, OLGA and OLGIM systems, and other potential risk factors were evaluated between the two groups., Results: Of the 68 EGC lesions, 22 (32.4%) were well differentiated, 38 (55.9%) were moderately differentiated, and 8 (11.8%) were poorly differentiated, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed O-type Kimura-Takemoto classification (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.282, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.106-9.744, P = 0.032) and OLGIM stage III/IV (AOR 17.939, 95% CI 1.874-171.722, P = 0.012) were significantly related to a higher risk of EGC. Especially, O-type Kimura-Takemoto classification within 6-12 months before EGC diagnosis (AOR 4.780, 95% CI 1.650-13.845, P = 0.004) was independently associated with EGC risk. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the three systems for EGC were comparable., Conclusions: Endoscopic Kimura-Takemoto classification and histological OLGIM stage III/IV are independent risk factors for EGC, which may reduce the need for biopsies in risk stratification of EGC. Further multicenter prospective studies of large sizes are needed., (© 2023 The Authors. Journal of Digestive Diseases published by Chinese Medical Association Shanghai Branch, Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Renji Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

We report the discovery and detailed investigation of superconductivity in Mo 4 Ga 20 As. Mo 4 Ga 20 As crystallizes in a space group of I 4/ m (No. 87), with the lattice parameters a = 12.86352 Å and c = 5.30031 Å. The resistivity, magnetization, and specific heat data reveal Mo 4 Ga 20 As to be a type-II superconductor with T c = 5.6 K. The upper and lower critical fields are estimated to be 2.78 T and 22.0 mT, respectively. In addition, electron-phonon coupling in Mo 4 Ga 20 As is possibly stronger than the BCS weak-coupling limit. First-principles calculations suggest the Fermi level being dominated by the Mo-4 d and Ga-4 p orbitals., (© 2023 IOP Publishing Ltd.)

A coordination-driven host has been reported to encapsulate guests by noncovalent interactions. Herein, we present the design and synthesis of a new type of prism combining porphyrin and terpyridine moieties with a long cavity. The prism host can contain bisite or monosite guests through axial coordination binding of porphyrin and aromatic π interactions of terpyridine. The ligands and prismatic complexes were characterized by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), TWIM-MS, NMR spectrometry, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The guest encapsulation was investigated through ESI-MS, NMR spectrometry, and transient absorption spectroscopy analysis. The binding constant and stability were determined by UV-Vis spectrometry and gradient tandem MS (gMS 2 ) techniques. Based on the prism, a selectively confined condensation reaction was also performed and detected by NMR spectrometry. This study provides a new type of porphyrin- and terpyridine-based host that could be used for the detection of pyridyl- and amine-contained molecules and confined catalysis.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has become a serious medical problem faced by medical personnel all over the world, due to its high incidence, high fatality, and easily missed and misdiagnosed. Patients with severe burns are at high risk for VTE due to the presence of blood hypercoagulability, central venous catheterization, repeatedly received surgical procedures, and prolonged bed rest. Identifying the risk factors of VTE in burn patients and taking targeted preventive measures are the key to reduce the incidence of VTE. However, there are no risk assessment tools or prevention guidelines for VTE in burn patients at home and abroad, and scholars from various countries are actively exploring the occurrence, influencing factors, and prevention of VTE in burn patients. This paper reviews the research progress of the occurrence situation, related risk factors, risk assessment, and prevention of VTE in burn patients in recent years, and discusses the existing problems and future research directions in this field.