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Foregut duplication cyst is most commonly seen in the posterior mediastinum without communication with adjacent organs or presence of other malformations and typically shows ectopic gastric or respiratory epithelium. The finding of ectopic pancreatic tissue is extremely rare. A 15-year-old female patient presented with elevated blood pressure, intermittent right flank pain for 18 months. An abdominal MRI revealed a 4 cm right cystic retroperitoneal mass, initially thought to arise from the right adrenal gland. Intraoperatively, the mass was centered in the retroperitoneum between the right adrenal gland and kidney, without attachments to these organs and no communication with other structures, and it was completely excised. Gross examination revealed a 3.5 cm well-circumscribed solid and cystic mass with orange–white cut surface and cloudy fluid surrounded by variable amounts of adipose tissue. On microscopic examination, the cysts were lined by respiratory and gastric antral/oxyntic-type mucosa, surrounded by muscularis mucosae, submucosal tissue, muscularis propria, and perienteric tissue. Within the muscular propria, exocrine pancreatic tissue was also noted. The patient is well with 7-months of follow up. This case is the first one reporting gastric, respiratory, and pancreatic epithelia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In females, the pathophysiological mechanism of poor ovarian response (POR) is not fully understood. Considering the expression level of p62 was significantly reduced in the granulosa cells (GCs) of POR patients, this study focused on identifying the role of the selective autophagy receptor p62 in conducting the effect of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) on antral follicles (AFs) formation in female mice. The results showed that p62 in GCs was FSH responsive and that its level increased to a peak and then decreased time-dependently either in ovaries or in GCs after gonadotropin induction in vivo. GC-specific deletion of p62 resulted in subfertility, a significantly reduced number of AFs and irregular estrous cycles, which were same as pathophysiological symptom of POR. By conducting mass spectrum analysis, we found the ubiquitination of proteins was decreased, and autophagic flux was blocked in GCs. Specifically, the level of nonubiquitinated Wilms tumor 1 homolog (WT1), a transcription factor and negative controller of GC differentiation, increased steadily. Co-IP results showed that p62 deletion increased the level of ubiquitin-specific peptidase 5 (USP5), which blocked the ubiquitination of WT1. Furthermore, a joint analysis of RNA-seq and the spatial transcriptome sequencing data showed the expression of steroid metabolic genes and FSH receptors pivotal for GCs differentiation decreased unanimously. Accordingly, the accumulation of WT1 in GCs deficient of p62 decreased steroid hormone levels and reduced FSH responsiveness, while the availability of p62 in GCs simultaneously ensured the degradation of WT1 through the ubiquitin‒proteasome system and autophagolysosomal system. Therefore, p62 in GCs participates in GC differentiation and AF formation in FSH induction by dynamically controlling the degradation of WT1. The findings of the study contributes to further study the pathology of POR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the ecocompatibility with carbonate‐based substrates, Ca(OH)2 nanoparticles are currently used for cultural heritage conservation such as wall paintings. However, the nano Ca(OH)2 still suffers from different forms and poor uniformity, limiting its application potential. Also, there is a lack of systematic comparative studies between nano Ca(OH)2 and the commonly used wall painting reinforcement materials. In this study, homogeneous hexagonal nano Ca(OH)2 particles with a size of ≈100 nm are successfully prepared through the convenient chemical liquid phase method and by utilizing surfactants to control the growth. The resulting nano Ca(OH)2 is less agglomerated and has superior crystalline morphology, prolonged suspension time, and more suitable carbonation time in comparison to commercial Ca(OH)2 materials. Additionally, the reinforcement effect of the resulting nano‐Ca(OH)2 with that of the commonly used pigment layer reinforcement materials such as AC33, B72, Tetraethyl orthosilicate, WPU (Waterborne polyurethane) and commercial Ca(OH)2 is systematically compared. The synthesized nano Ca(OH)2 penetrated wall painting blocks to a depth of 683 µm, three times deeper than commercial Ca(OH)2, achieving moderate color deviation, higher flexural strength (0.529 MPa), and bond strength (1.105 mg cm−2), thus highlighting its potential in wall painting reinforcement and expanding its application scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To address the challenge of poor fracture toughness of lithium disilicate glass-ceramics, which hinders their application as posterior single crowns and three-unit fixed bridges, the concept of fiber toughening was employed. In this study, Li 2 Si 2 O 5 fibers were successfully prepared through an electrospinning technology combined with sol-gel followed by a heat treatment. The fibers could be further densified by adding SiO 2 nano-powder to partially replace TEOS as a silicon source and the possible mechanism was put forward. By using the fibers as the reinforcement phase, the uniform fiber-toughened Li 2 Si 2 O 5 glass-ceramic composites were successfully produced by hot pressing sintering. These composites exhibited significant enhancements in mechanical properties, including a flexural strength of 315 ± 10 MPa, fracture toughness of 4.57 ± 0.35 MPa m1/2, and Vickers hardness of 5.61 ± 0.28 GPa, respectively. Notably, the highest fracture toughness of the composite increased by 41 % compared to the samples without fiber reinforcement, which was attributed to the toughening mechanisms including crack deflection, fiber bridging, and fiber pull-out. The results demonstrated the advantages of Li 2 Si 2 O 5 fibers in toughening glass-ceramic materials, thereby expanding the application areas of this material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report an efficient and simple method for the synthesis of core–shell quantum dots CdSe/CdS in aqueous media under normal pressure. This QDs was successfully loaded on the surface of titanium dioxide nanotubes (TNTs) to get the QDs/TNTs composite photocatalysts. The QDs/TNTs composites were successfully applied to the cyclization reaction between arylamines and a series of aldehydes to give the corresponding N-heterocyclic compounds. The results show that the QDs/TNTs composite with the advantages of good catalytic activity, low cost, ease of recovering, and being able to be used for several times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] In the work, Bi 2 WO 6 /C-TiO 2 photocatalyst was successfully synthesized for the first time by loading narrow bandgap semiconductor Bi 2 WO 6 on MOF-derived carboxyl modified TiO 2. The phase structure, morphology, photoelectric properties, surface chemical states and photocatalytic performance of the prepared photocatalysts were systematically investigated using various characterization tools. The degradation efficiency of oxytetracycline by 6BT Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst under visible light could reach 93.6 % within 100 min, which was related to the high light harvesting and effective separation and transfer of photo-generated carriers. Furthermore, the effects of various environmental factors in actual wastewater were further investigated, and the results showed that 6BT exhibited good adaptability, durability and resistance to interference. Unlike most works, the degradation system with a different single active species were designed and constructed based on their formation mechanism. In addition, for the first time, a positive study was conducted on the priority attack sites, intermediate products, and degradation pathways for the photocatalytic degradation of oxytetracycline by a single active species through HPLC-MS and Fukui index calculations. The toxicity changes of intermediate products produced in three different single active species oxidation systems were evaluated using toxicity assessment software tools (T.E.S.T.), Escherichia coli growth experiments, and wheat growth experiments. Among them, the intermediate products formed through O 2 – oxidation had the lowest toxicity and the main active sites it attacked were the 20C, 38O, 18C, 41O, and 55O atoms with high f+ values in the oxytetracycline molecular structure. This work provided the insight into the role of each active species in the degradation of antibiotics and offered new ideas for the design and synthesis of efficient and eco-friendly photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Newborns are as the primary recipients of blood transfusions. There is a possibility of an association between blood transfusion and unfavorable outcomes. Such complications not only imperil the lives of newborns but also cause long hospitalization. Our objective is to explore the predictor variables that may lead to extended hospital stays in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) patients who have undergone blood transfusions and develop a predictive nomogram. A retrospective review of 539 neonates who underwent blood transfusion was conducted using median and interquartile ranges to describe their length of stay (LOS). Neonates with LOS above the 75th percentile (P75) were categorized as having a long LOS. The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression method was employed to screen variables and construct a risk model for long LOS. A multiple logistic regression prediction model was then constructed using the selected variables from the LASSO regression model. The significance of the prediction model was evaluated by calculating the area under the ROC curve (AUC) and assessing the confidence interval around the AUC. The calibration curve is used to further validate the model's calibration and predictability. The model's clinical effectiveness was assessed through decision curve analysis. To evaluate the generalizability of the model, fivefold cross-validation was employed. Internal validation of the models was performed using bootstrap validation. Among the 539 infants who received blood transfusions, 398 infants (P75) had a length of stay (LOS) within the normal range of 34 days, according to the interquartile range. However, 141 infants (P75) experienced long LOS beyond the normal range. The predictive model included six variables: gestational age (GA) (< 28 weeks), birth weight (BW) (< 1000 g), type of respiratory support, umbilical venous catheter (UVC), sepsis, and resuscitation frequency. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for the training set was 0.851 (95% CI 0.805–0.891), and for the validation set, it was 0.859 (95% CI 0.789–0.920). Fivefold cross-validation indicates that the model has good generalization ability. The calibration curve demonstrated a strong correlation between the predicted risk and the observed actual risk, indicating good consistency. When the intervention threshold was set at 2%, the decision curve analysis indicated that the model had greater clinical utility. The results of our study have led to the development of a novel nomogram that can assist clinicians in predicting the probability of long hospitalization in blood transfused infants with reasonable accuracy. Our findings indicate that GA (< 28 weeks), BW(< 1000 g), type of respiratory support, UVC, sepsis, and resuscitation frequency are associated with a higher likelihood of extended hospital stays among newborns who have received blood transfusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the increasing consumption of non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels, human beings are facing the crisis of energy shortage. Therefore, researchers in most regions and countries in the world are actively committed to designing and developing new dielectric energy storage components with high energy storage density and high energy storage efficiency. In this work, 2-dimensional flaky Na 0.5 Bi 0.5 TiO 3 (NBT) inorganic powders were prepared by the two-step molten salt method and compounded with polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). NBT/PVDF monolayer and 'sandwich' structure composites were prepared by the tape casting method, and the flaky NBT powders were arranged in parallel in the PVDF matrix. The phase and microstructure of the prepared NBT powders were analyzed by X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope. The dielectric, conductivity, ferroelectric, and energy storage properties of the prepared composites were tested. The results show that the critical breakdown field strength of the prepared single-layer NBT/PVDF and 'sandwich' structure composites with a volume fraction of 0.75 vol.% NBT inorganic powder is 380 kV/mm and 540 kV/mm, respectively. The energy storage density reaches 13.78 J/cm3 and 21.57 J/cm3, which is about 1.87 and 3.01 times the volume fraction of 0 vol.%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perylene diimide-tethered pillar[5]arene derivatives showed significantly varied circular dichroism (CD) spectral responses towards different amino acid derivatives in both the dispersed and aggregated forms. The wide variety of patterns and intensity combinations of CD signals at different wavelengths allowed for the differentiation of not only the configuration but also types of amino acid derivatives with only one chiroptical sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan is a linear polyelectrolyte with active hydroxyl and amino groups that can be made into chitosan-based hydrogels by different cross-linking methods. Chitosan-based hydrogels also have a three-dimensional network of hydrogels, which can accommodate a large number of aqueous solvents and biofluids. CS, as an ideal drug-carrying material, can effectively encapsulate and protect drugs and has the advantages of being nontoxic, biocompatible, and biodegradable. These advantages make it an ideal material for the preparation of functional hydrogels that can act as wound dressings for skin injuries. This review reports the role of chitosan-based hydrogels in promoting skin repair in the context of the mechanisms involved in skin injury repair. Chitosan-based hydrogels were found to promote skin repair at different process stages. Various functional chitosan-based hydrogels are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung (IMA) is a unique and rare subtype of lung adenocarcinoma with poorly defined prognostic factors and highly controversial studies. Hence, this study aimed to comprehensively identify and summarize the prognostic factors associated with IMA. Methods: A comprehensive search of relevant literature was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases from their inception until June 2023. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of overall survival (OS) and/or disease-free survival (DFS) were obtained to evaluate potential prognostic factors. Results: A total of 1062 patients from 11 studies were included. In univariate analysis, we found that gender, age, TNM stage, smoking history, lymph node metastasis, pleural metastasis, spread through air spaces (STAS), tumor size, pathological grade, computed tomography (CT) findings of consolidative-type morphology, pneumonia type, and well-defined heterogeneous ground-glass opacity (GGO) were risk factors for IMA, and spiculated margin sign was a protective factor. In multivariate analysis, smoking history, lymph node metastasis, pathological grade, STAS, tumor size, and pneumonia type sign were found to be risk factors. There was not enough evidence that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations, CT signs of lobulated margin, and air bronchogram were related to the prognosis for IMA. Conclusion: In this study, we comprehensively analyzed prognostic factors for invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung in univariate and multivariate analyses of OS and/or DFS. Finally, 12 risk factors and 1 protective factor were identified. These findings may help guide the clinical management of patients with invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung (IMA) is a unique and rare subtype of lung adenocarcinoma with poorly defined prognostic factors and highly controversial studies. Hence, this study aimed to comprehensively identify and summarize the prognostic factors associated with IMA. Methods: A comprehensive search of relevant literature was conducted in the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases from their inception until June 2023. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) of overall survival (OS) and/or disease-free survival (DFS) were obtained to evaluate potential prognostic factors. Results: A total of 1062 patients from 11 studies were included. In univariate analysis, we found that gender, age, TNM stage, smoking history, lymph node metastasis, pleural metastasis, spread through air spaces (STAS), tumor size, pathological grade, computed tomography (CT) findings of consolidative-type morphology, pneumonia type, and well-defined heterogeneous ground-glass opacity (GGO) were risk factors for IMA, and spiculated margin sign was a protective factor. In multivariate analysis, smoking history, lymph node metastasis, pathological grade, STAS, tumor size, and pneumonia type sign were found to be risk factors. There was not enough evidence that epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations, CT signs of lobulated margin, and air bronchogram were related to the prognosis for IMA. Conclusion: In this study, we comprehensively analyzed prognostic factors for invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung in univariate and multivariate analyses of OS and/or DFS. Finally, 12 risk factors and 1 protective factor were identified. These findings may help guide the clinical management of patients with invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The MS disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) prescribing landscape in Australia have changed over time. Objectives: This study evaluated the utilisation and cost trends of MS-related DMTs in Australia over 10 years and investigated differences between States/Territories. Methods: The prescription and costs of 16 DMTs were extracted from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for 2013–2022. Descriptive approaches analysed the total number of people prescribed DMTs and total DMT costs per 10,000 population, proportions of prescriptions/costs by DMT groups and the number of people prescribed each individual DMT and costs of each DMT over the 10-year period. All estimates were for Australia and each State/Territory individually. Results: The number of people prescribed DMT and costs per 10,000 population had substantial growth between 2013 and 2022: 125%/164% for Australia, and 94%–251%/129%–373% for individual States/Territories. Higher efficacy group accounted for 54% of total people prescribed DMTs in 2013 and 75% in 2022. Fingolimod was the most popular DMT until 2020, then was dominated by ocrelizumab. The trends of individual DMT prescriptions and costs differed between states particularly in Western Australia (WA), Tasmania and Northern Territory (NT). Conclusion: DMT prescriptions and costs continuously increased over the last decade, particularly for higher efficacy DMTs, and their trends differed between States/Territories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our previous study had demonstrated that Runx1 promoted LPS-induced macrophage inflammatory response, however, the role of Runx1 in M2 macrophage polarization still remains largely unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the role of Runx1 in IL-4/IL-13-induced M2 macrophage polarization and its potential regulatory mechanism. We found that exposure of macrophages to IL-4/IL-13 induced a remarkable increasement in Runx1 expression level. Specifically, we established genetically modified mice lacking Runx1 in myeloid cells, including macrophages. RNA-Seq was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between Runx1 knockout and WT control bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). We identified 686 DEGs, including many genes which were highly expressed in M2 macrophage. In addition, bioinformatics analysis indicated that these DEGs were significantly enriched in extracellular matrix-related processes. Moreover, RT-qPCR analysis showed that there was an obvious upregulation in the relative expression levels of M2 marker genes, including Arg1, Ym1, Fizz1, CD71, Mmp9, and Tgm2, in Runx1 knockout macrophages, as compared to WT controls. Consistently, similar results were obtained in the protein and enzymatic activity levels of Arg1. Finally, we found that the STAT6 phosphorylation level was significantly enhanced in Runx1 knockout macrophages, and the STAT6 inhibitor AS1517499 partly reduced the upregulated effect of Runx1 deficiency on the M2 macrophage polarization. Taken together, Runx1 deficiency facilitates IL-4/IL-13-induced M2 macrophage polarization through enhancing STAT6 phosphorylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on various macrocyclic arenes have received increasing attention due to their straightforward syntheses, convenient derivatization, and unique complexation properties. Represented by pillar[n]arenes, several distinctive macrocyclic arenes have recently emerged with the following characteristics: they possess a pair of enantiomeric planar chiral conformations, and interconversion between these enantiomeric conformations can be achieved through the flipping of ring units. Complexation of a chiral guest with these macrocyclic arenes will lead to a shift of the equilibrium between the Rp and Sp conformers, leading to intriguing possibilities for chiral induction and sensing. By the introduction of bulky substituents on the rims, employing rotaxanation or pseudocatenation, planar chirality could be locked, enabling the enantiomeric separation of the chiral structures. The induced or separated chiral conformers/compounds exhibit significant chiroptical properties. These macrocyclic arenes, with flipping-induced inversion of planar chirality, demonstrated intriguing chiral induction dynamics and kinetics. In this featured review, we systematically summarize the progress in chiroptical induction/regulation of these macrocyclic arenes, particularly in the fields of chiral sensing, molecular machines, molecular recognition, and assembly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to observe the effects of extracorporeal circulation (ECC) with different time on platelet count in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A total of 427 patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under ECC in affiliated hospital of north Sichuan medical college from January 1, 2018 to July 31, 2021 were divided into three groups according to ECC time. We concluded that thrombocytopenia was common after ECC, maximum drop of the platelet counts after ECC was usually seen on the second day after ECC, and platelet counts started to recover on the fifth day after ECC. With the extension of ECC time, the drop in platelet counts is more pronounced, the volume of perioperative blood loss and blood products transfusion are more, and the recovery level and speed of platelet counts is lower. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a pathophysiological disease affecting reproductive and metabolic indicators. Research has shown that kisspeptin might be involved in the regulation of pituitary hormone secretion and energy metabolism. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum kisspeptin levels and abnormal metabolism in PCOS. Methods: Fifty patients with PCOS and 50 control patients were recruited for this study. Serum kisspeptin levels were measured via ELISA. High‐performance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry metabolomics was used to study the changes in serum metabolism between the PCOS and control groups. Results: Serum kisspeptin levels were significantly elevated in individuals with PCOS compared with those in healthy controls (p = 0.011) and positively correlated with LH, T, FFA, BA, and LEP levels (p < 0.05). Significantly dysregulated expression of several metabolites was observed in the intergroup comparisons of the high‐kisspeptin PCOS, low‐kisspeptin PCOS, and healthy control groups. These primarily consisted of lipid, amino acid, and carbohydrate metabolites, among which palmitic acid and N‐formylkynurenine levels were lower in the high‐kisspeptin group than in controls. Metabolite set enrichment analysis was also performed based on metabolites in the KEGG database. The results showed that owing to the differences in kisspeptin concentrations in individuals with PCOS, there was a significant difference in amino acid and pyruvate metabolism. Conclusions: Kisspeptin could be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of PCOS and plays an important role in metabolic regulation in individuals with PCOS. In addition, metabolomics provides a promising method for the study of metabolic abnormalities in individuals with PCOS, which might contribute to our understanding of its mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In current vineyards, potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) is a common foliar fertilizer with the lowest salt index. It is employed to improve the transportation and distribution of grape photosynthetic products, but the mechanism of its effect on fruit flavonoid synthesis is unclear. RESULTS: This study investigated the effects of foliar spraying of KH2PO4 at different developmental stages (1 week before veraison; the end of veraison (EV)) on flavonoid metabolites and related gene expression of 'Cabernet Sauvignon' grape for two consecutive vintages. High‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry technology was used to identify 6 flavan‐3‐ols, 11 flavonols, and 16 anthocyanins. KH2PO4 influenced anthocyanins content, especially when applied at the EV stage, the content of anthocyanins was significantly higher than that of the control. Further, quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis showed that KH2PO4 treatment applied at the EV stage can increase the expression of anthocyanin synthesis genes and accelerate anthocyanin synthesis. In particular, the expression of VviGST in EV treatment was significantly higher than that of the control during the development process. CONCLUSION: These findings have enhanced our understanding of the effect of KH2PO4 treatment on grape flavonoids. Among them, EV treatment can significantly increase anthocyanins content. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the effect of intraoperative remimazolam sedation on postoperative sleep quality in elderly patients after total joint arthroplasty. Methods: Between May 15, 2021 and March 26, 2022, 108 elderly patients (age ≥ 65 years) who received total joint arthroplasty under neuraxial anesthesia were randomized into remimazolam group (a loading dose of 0.025–0.1 mg/kg and followed by an infusion rate of 0.1–1.0 mg/kg/h till end of surgery) or routine group (sedation was given on patient's requirement by dexmedetomidine 0.2–0.7 μg/kg/h). Primary outcome was the subjective sleep quality at surgery night which was evaluated by Richards Campbell Sleep Questionnaire (RCSQ). Secondary outcomes included RCSQ scores at postoperative first and second nights and numeric rating scale pain intensity within first 3 days after surgery. Results: RCSQ score at surgery night was 59 (28, 75) in remimazolam group which was comparable with 53 (28, 67) in routine group (median difference 6, 95% CI − 6 to 16, P = 0.315). After adjustment of confounders, preoperative high Pittsburg sleep quality index was associated worse RCSQ score (P = 0.032), but not remimazolam (P = 0.754). RCSQ score at postoperative first night [69 (56, 85) vs. 70 (54, 80), P = 0.472] and second night [80 (68, 87) vs. 76 (64, 84), P = 0.066] were equivalent between two groups. Safety outcomes were comparable between the two groups. Conclusions: Intraoperative remimazolam did not significantly improve postoperative sleep quality in elderly patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty. But it is proved to be effective and safe for moderate sedation in these patients. Clinical trial number and registry URL: ChiCTR2000041286 (www.chictr.org.cn). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To investigate the effect of benzothiazole derivatives (Rosline) on ovarian cancer and the potential mechanism. Methods: Ovarian cancer tissues were collected clinically and immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of p53 and p21. Ovarian cancer cells were exposed to 0, 2.5, 5, 10 μmol/L Rosline for 24 h. 100 nmol/L Pifithrin‐α pre‐incubation was used to inhibit the transcriptional activity of p53. CCK‐8 and BrdU assays were used to detect the effects of different concentrations of rosline on the proliferation and cell cycle of OVCAR420 and SKOV3 cells. Flow cytometry assay was used to detect cell cycle. The transcriptional and translational expression of p21 and p53 were detected by RT‐qPCR and Western blot. Results: p21 was expressed in ovarian cancer tissues without p53 expression. Rosline inhibits the proliferation of ovarian cancer cells and blocks the cell cycle progression. Meanwhile, Rosline promotes p21 expression in ovarian cancer cells at both mRNA and protein levels, but with no significant effect on p53 expression. Besides, Rosline promotes p21 expression, inhibits cell proliferation, and blocks the cell cycle via the p53‐independent pathway. Conclusion: Rosline promoted p21 expression thereby inhibiting cell proliferation and blocks the cell cycle via p53‐independent pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) combined with the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) for adenomyosis. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang, and VIP databases from their inception to Nov 20, 2021 for relevant articles that compared HIFU combined with LNG-IUS vs. HIFU alone in patients with adenomyosis. RevMan5.4 software was used for the data analysis. The primary outcome was changes in volume of the uterine. Secondary outcomes included visual analog scale (VAS) scores for dysmenorrhea, serum CA125 level, recurrence rate, changes in volume of the adenomyotic lesion, menstrual volume scores, and adverse reactions. Data synthesis was conducted using a random-effects model with significant heterogeneity (I2 > 50%), and using a fixed-effects model otherwise. This study is registered on the PROSPERO platform (CRD42021295214). Results: The final analysis included 13 studies, with a total of 1861 patients. Results of analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in uterine volume reduction between the HIFU control group and the HIFU/LNG-IUS group at 3 months after procedure (MD:30.63). Compared with the HIFU control group, the HIFU/LNG-IUS group had more pronounced reduction in uterine volume at 6 (MD:29.04) and 12 months (MD:22.10) after procedure. The HIFU/LNG-IUS group has lower VAS scores for dysmenorrhea than the HIFU control group at 3 (MD:1.68), 6 (MD:1.69), and 12 months (MD:1.30) after procedure. Serum CA125 level in the HIFU/LNG-IUS group decreased more significantly than the HIFU control group at 6 (MD:18.34) and 12 months (MD:18.49) after procedure. The recurrence rate in the HIFU/LNG-IUS group was lower than that in the HIFU control group (RR:0.20). Conclusions: Compared to HIFU control group, HIFU/LNG-IUS group for the management of adenomyosis had more advantages in alleviating symptoms and decreasing the volumes of the uterine and adenomyotic lesions. However, since the number of the included studies was too small and some of them were not RCT, this conclusion needs to be referenced with caution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural polysaccharides are macromolecular substances with a wide range of biological activities. The structural modification of polysaccharides by chemical means can enhance their biological activity. This paper reviews the latest research reports on the chemical modification of natural polysaccharides. At present, the modification methods of polysaccharides mainly include sulfation, phosphorylation, carboxymethylation, socialization, methylation and acetylation. The chemical and physical structures of the modified polysaccharides were detected via ultraviolet spectroscopy, FT-IR, high-performance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet spectroscopy, gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance and scanning electron microscopy. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that the modified polysaccharide has various biological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor, immune regulation, antiviral, antibacterial and anticoagulant functions in vitro. This review provides fresh ideas for the research and application of polysaccharide structure modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional numerical simulations are performed to investigate the interactions between a rotating detonation combustor (RDC) and turbine. The flowfield structure and coupling characteristics are analyzed under different equivalent ratios. Furthermore, the formation mechanism of the detonation wave direction is illustrated. Results show that although RDCs increase the average turbine work, they enhance the flowfield oscillation and maintain the quasi-periodic fluctuation in the turbine work. Compared to counter-clockwise propagation, the pressure oscillation attenuation and total pressure loss through the turbine guide vane increase when the detonation wave propagates clockwise. When the detonation wave height is low, RDCs are more prone to quenching due to the impact of reflected waves. After re-ignition, the detonation wave direction is unrelated to the initial ignition direction and is random. Introduction of deflecting wedges into RDCs enables the automatic control of the detonation wave direction but causes extra total pressure loss of at least 3.6%. • Two-dimensional simulations of rotating detonation combustor with one-stage turbine. • Coupling characteristics between rotating detonation combustor and turbine. • Formation mechanism of the detonation wave direction under turbine influence. • Automatic control of detonation wave direction by introducing deflecting wedges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is one of the leading cancer killers. Apigenin (Api) and Naringenin (Nar) are natural bioactive substances obtained in various vegetables and fruits, possessing anti-tumor effects across multiple studies. This study investigated the latent synergistic antiproliferative functions of Api and Nar in A549 and H1299 NSCLC cells. Cell viability was determined after incubating with different concentrations of Api, Nar, or the combination of Api and Nar (CoAN) for 24 h. Analysis using the CompuSyn software revealed that the CI value of each combined dose was < 1, depicting that the two drugs had a synergistic inhibitory effect. The CoAN (A:N = 3:2) group with the lowest CI value was selected for subsequent experiments. The IC50 of CoAN (A:N = 3:2) was used to determine the cell cycle, the expression ratio of Bax to Bcl2, Caspase 3 activity, and mitochondrial function to assess oxidative stress and apoptosis. The results established that CoAN treatment caused significant cytotoxicity with cell cycle arrest at G2/M phases. Furthermore, CoAN significantly enhanced mitochondria dysfunction, elevated oxidative stress, and activated the apoptotic pathway versus Api or Nar alone groups. Thus, the CoAN chemotherapy approach is promising and deserves further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Improving depression is critical to the success of HIV treatment. Concerns about the adverse effects of pharmacotherapy have led to non-pharmacological treatments for depression in people living with HIV (PLWH) becoming increasingly popular. However, the most effective and acceptable non-pharmacological treatments for depression in PLWH have not yet been determined. This protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis aims to compare and rank all available non-pharmacological treatments for depression in PLWH in the global network of countries as well as in the network of low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) only. Methods: We will include all randomized controlled trials of any non-pharmacological treatments for depression in PLWH. The primary outcomes will consider efficacy (the overall mean change scores in depression) and acceptability (all-cause discontinuation). Published and unpublished studies will be systematically searched through the relevant databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PsycINFO, CINAHL, ProQuest, and OpenGrey), international trial registers, and websites. There is no restriction by language and publication year. All study selection, quality evaluation, and data extraction will be independently conducted by at least two investigators. We will perform a random-effects network meta-analysis to synthesize all available evidence for each outcome and obtain a comprehensive ranking of all treatments for the global network of countries as well as for the network of LMICs only. We will employ validated global and local approaches to evaluate inconsistency. We will use OpenBUGS (version 3.2.3) software to fit our model within a Bayesian framework. We will evaluate the strength of evidence using the Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) tool, a web application based on the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. Ethics and dissemination: This study will use secondary data and therefore does not require ethical approval. The results of this study will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publication. Trial registration: PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021244230. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four previously undescribed highly oxygenated diterpenoids (1–4), zeylleucapenoids A–D, characterized by halimane and labdane skeletons, were isolated from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica. Their structures were elucidated primarily via NMR experiments. The absolute configuration of 1 was established using theoretical ECD calculations and X-ray crystallographic analysis, whereas those for 2–4 were assigned using theoretical ORD calculations. Zeylleucapenoids A–D were tested for anti-inflammatory activity against nitric oxide (NO) production in RAW264.7 macrophages, of which only 4 showed significant efficacy with an IC50 value of 38.45 μM. Further, active compound 4 was also evaluated for the inhibition of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 and was found to have a dose-dependent inhibitory effect, while it showed nontoxic activity for zebrafish embryos. A subsequent Western blotting experiment revealed that 4 inhibited the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Furthermore, molecular docking analysis indicated that the possible mechanism of action for 4 may be bind to targets via hydrogen and hydrophobic bond interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the risk factors of lung progression in patients with connective tissue disease-associated interstitial lung disease (ILD). Patients and methods: A total of 91 ILD patients (28 males, 63 females; mean age: 54.9±11.3 years; range, 30 to 77 years) were included in the prospective follow-up study conducted throughout 2020. They were divided into progressors (n=27) and nonprogressors (n=64) according to whether the pulmonary disease progressed during a six-month follow-up period. The clinical data of the two groups were analyzed, and a logistic regression model was constructed to analyze the risk factors of the progression of ILD in all patients. Results: Univariate analysis revealed significant differences (p<0.05) between the two groups in smoking history, serum ferritin, FVC% (the percentage of forced vital capacity), DLCO% (the percentage of diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide), and computed tomography involvement range. Further application of a logistic regression model revealed that increased serum ferritin level was an independent risk factor for ILD progression (odds ratio=1.002, 95% confidence interval: 1.000-1.003, p=0.004). The optimal critical value of serum ferritin was 303.25 ng/mL, the sensitivity and specificity were 81.5% and 54.7%, respectively, and the area under the curve was 0.747. Conclusion: The level of serum ferritin may be an independent predictor for ILD progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perylene diimide tethered pillar[5]arene derivatives form aggregates in non‐polar organic solvents, and the complexation of cationic amino acid ethyl ester (cAA‐OEt) with the aggregates induce a central‐to‐planar‐to‐helical chirality transfer, leading to intensive circular dichroism (CD) signals having dissymmetric factors (gabs) of up to 3.67×10−2. The hierarchical chiral induction exhibited an intriguing threshold dose effect, namely, the chiral induction does not occur in the low concentration range of cAA‐OEt but is triggered when cAA‐OEt exceeds a threshold concentration. The inhibited interconversion between the Rp and Sp conformers of pillar[5]arene, which is further restricted in the aggregation, plays a crucial role in the threshold effect. When adding enantiopure cAA‐OEt first to the threshold concentration and then adding an equal amount of the antipodal cAA‐OEt to give cAA‐OEt in racemic form, CD spectra having the same sign as the CD induced by first adding pure cAA‐OEt were induced, thus showing an unprecedented "first come, first served" effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perylene diimide tethered pillar[5]arene derivatives form aggregates in non‐polar organic solvents, and the complexation of cationic amino acid ethyl ester (cAA‐OEt) with the aggregates induce a central‐to‐planar‐to‐helical chirality transfer, leading to intensive circular dichroism (CD) signals having dissymmetric factors (gabs) of up to 3.67×10−2. The hierarchical chiral induction exhibited an intriguing threshold dose effect, namely, the chiral induction does not occur in the low concentration range of cAA‐OEt but is triggered when cAA‐OEt exceeds a threshold concentration. The inhibited interconversion between the Rp and Sp conformers of pillar[5]arene, which is further restricted in the aggregation, plays a crucial role in the threshold effect. When adding enantiopure cAA‐OEt first to the threshold concentration and then adding an equal amount of the antipodal cAA‐OEt to give cAA‐OEt in racemic form, CD spectra having the same sign as the CD induced by first adding pure cAA‐OEt were induced, thus showing an unprecedented "first come, first served" effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The diterpene kirenol has notable biological activity. In this study, molecular docking software (Discovery Studio) was adopted to investigate the anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant properties of kirenol. Twenty‐nine kirenol derivatives were synthesized based on the molecular docking outcomes. Cytotoxicity analyses of the kirenol derivatives were performed in Raw264.7 macrophages using the CCK‐8 assay, and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were determined using the Griess assay. The DCFH‐DA approach identified the general pattern of reactive oxygen species (ROS) fluctuations. The mitochondrial mass and morphology were detected using the Mito‐Tracker Red fluorescent probe. Preliminary bioassay tests indicated that the concentration of NO was substantially reduced by certain derivatives. Moreover, these derivatives inhibited LPS‐induced ROS generation, and one of them exhibited a further reducing ROS generation and pro‐inflammatory response by suppressing excessive mitochondrial fission. These findings suggest that this particular derivative may be a promising natural compound for combating oxidative inflammatory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The safety and effectiveness of perampanel in clinical settings involving Chinese pediatric patients are limited, as perampanel has only recently been approved for use in China, in September 2019. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of perampanel as an adjunctive therapy for pediatric patients with epilepsy aged ≥ 4 years in Xinjiang, Northwest China. Methods: Efficacy was assessed by measuring changes in seizure frequency at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up compared with baseline. The baseline was 3 months before the addition of perampanel, and the seizure frequency was based on the patients' seizure diary. The safety and tolerability depended on the type and frequency of any adverse event during epilepsy treatment across all pediatric patients. Results: Overall, 67 pediatric patients from 2 different hospitals were enrolled in the study. Among the pediatric patients with seizures during the baseline period, the effective rates for all seizure types at 3, 6, and 12 months were 59.1%, 58.7%, and 57.4%, respectively. During perampanel treatment, 34 patients (50.7%) experienced at least 1 adverse reaction. Conclusion: Overall, this real-world retrospective study of pediatric patients validated that perampanel is an effective treatment option as an adjunctive therapy among pediatric patients with epilepsy aged ≥4 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy and safety of lacosamide (LCM) monotherapy in Chinese pediatric patients with epilepsy have not been established. Therefore, this real-world retrospective study aimed to assess the efficacy of 12 months after achievement the maximal dose and tolerability of LCM as monotherapy for epilepsy treatment in pediatric patients. Pediatric patients were administered LCM monotherapy in two ways: primary or conversion monotherapy. Seizure frequency was recorded as an average per month for the preceding three months at baseline and then at each follow-up period for three, six, and 12 months. Primary monotherapy with LCM was administered to 37 (33.0%) pediatric patients, whereas conversion to monotherapy was achieved in 75 (67.0%) pediatric patients. The responder rates of pediatric patients receiving primary monotherapy with LCM at three, six, and 12 months were 75.7% (28 of 37), 67.6% (23 of 34), and 58.6% (17 of 29), respectively. The responder rates of pediatric patients receiving conversion to monotherapy with LCM at three, six, and 12 months were 80.0% (60 of 75), 74.3% (55 of 74), and 68.1% (49 of 72), respectively. The incidence of adverse reactions with conversion to LCM monotherapy and primary monotherapy was 32.0% (24 of 75) and 40.5% (15 of 37), respectively. LCM is an effective and well-tolerated treatment option as monotherapy for the treatment of epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. A major contributor to older disability is osteoarthritis. Radix Angelicae Biseratae (known as Duhuo in China, DH, the dried rhizome of Angelica pubescens) and Dipsaci Radix (known as Xuduan in China, XD, the dried rhizome of Dipsacus asper Wall) herb pair (DXHP) is widely used to treat osteoarthritis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms still have not been revealed. This research aimed to illustrate the therapeutic mechanism of DXHP against osteoarthritis through the techniques of network pharmacology and molecular docking. Methods. Gene targets for osteoarthritis and active ingredients for DXHP were screened based on the pharmacology public database and the gene-disease target database. The software program Cytoscape was used to visualize the active chemical target-disease gene network. The STRING biological information website was used to investigate protein interactions. On the Metascape bioinformatics website, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment were carried out. The molecular docking of the important chemicals and primary targets identified by the aforementioned screening was performed using Autodock software. Results. Twenty-six active substances from the DXHP that had strong connections to 138 osteoarthritis-related targets were screened out. According to network analysis, TNF, GAPDH, IL-6, AKT-1, IL-1B, and VEGFA are prospective therapeutic targets, while osthole, cauloside A, ammidin, angelicone, beta-sitosterol, and asperosaponin VI may be significant active components. 1705 biological processes (BP), 155 molecular functions (MF), and 89 cellular components (CC) were identified by GO analysis. KEGG analysis indicated that IL-17, NF-kappa B, HIF-1, MAPK, and AGE-RAGE signaling pathways are potentially involved. Molecular docking showed that cauloside A, osthole, and β-sitosterol have excellent binding activity with main targets. Conclusions. This study comprehensively illuminated the active ingredients, potential targets, primary pharmacological effects, and relevant mechanisms of the DXHP in the treatment of OA. These findings provide fresh thoughts into the therapeutic mechanisms of the main active ingredients of DXHP and provide a reference for further exploration and clinical applications of DXHP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combined with molecular docking and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation, the derivative directions and structure‐activity relationships of the compounds were initially explored. Nineteen gypsogenin derivatives were synthesized and screened for cytotoxic activities. Their structures were established using IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and LC–MS spectroscopic data. In the CCK‐8 assays, most of the compounds displayed good cytotoxicity in the low μΜ range for several human tumor cell lines (A549, MCF‐7 and LOVO). The bioassay test suggested that most of these derivatives showed antitumor activities. In particular, some compounds posed moderate antitumor activity. They may be related to start the process of apoptosis and lead to cell death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult stem cells have a unique ability to self-renew and to generate differentiated daughter cells that are required in the body tissues. The identity of adult stem cells is maintained by extrinsic signals from other cell types, known as niche cells. Thus, the niche is required for appropriate tissue homeostasis. Niche is formed and recruits stem cells during tissue development; therefore, it is essential to establish niche cells and stem cells in proper numbers during development. A small niche may recruit too few stem cells and cause tissue degeneration, while a large niche may maintain too many stem cells and lead to tumorigenesis. Given that vertebrate tissues are not suitable for large-scale forward genetics studies, the Drosophila ovary stands out as an excellent model for studying how multiple niche cell types and germ cells (GCs) are coordinately regulated in vivo. Recent studies are beginning to reveal how various signaling molecules regulate niche formation and how niche cells non-autonomously influence GC number. In this review, we summarize the ovarian niche structure, the key signaling pathways for niche formation, and how niche cells generate extrinsic factors to control GC proliferation during ovarian development. AcNrqP6WkdjHtFAiyTcj8k Video abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chlorinated volatile organic compounds (CVOCs) are a class of hazardous pollutants that severely threaten environmental safety and human health. Although the catalytic oxidation technique for CVOCs elimination is effective, enhancing the catalytic efficiency and simultaneously inhibiting the production of organic byproducts is still of great challenge. Herein, Ru‐substituted LaMn(Ru)O3+δ perovskite with Ru–O–Mn structure and weakened Mn–O bond strength has been developed for catalytic oxidation of chlorobenzene (CB). The formed Ru–O–Mn structure serves as favorable sites for CB adsorption and activation, while the weakening of Mn–O bond strength facilitates the formation of active oxygen species and improves oxygen mobility and catalyst reducibility. Therefore, LaMn(Ru)O3+δ exhibits superior low‐temperature activity with the temperature of 90% CB conversion decreasing by over 90 °C compared with pristine perovskite, and the deep oxidation of chlorinated byproducts produced in low temperature is also accelerated. Furthermore, the introduction of water vapor into reaction system triggers the process of hydrolysis oxidation that promotes CB destruction and inhibits the generation of chlorinated byproducts, due to the higher‐activity *OOH species generated from the dissociated H2O reacting with adsorbed oxygen. This work can provide a unique, high‐efficiency, and facile strategy for CVOCs degradation and environmental improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Iron-refractory iron deficiency anaemia (IRIDA) is an autosomal recessive iron deficiency anaemia caused by mutations in the TMPRSS6 gene. Iron deficiency anaemia is common, whereas IRIDA is rare. The prevalence of IRIDA is unclear. This study aimed to estimate the carrier frequency and genetic prevalence of IRIDA using Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD) data. Methods: The pathogenicity of TMPRSS6 variants was interpreted according to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) and the Association for Molecular Pathology (AMP) standards and guidelines. The minor allele frequency (MAF) of TMPRSS6 gene disease-causing variants in 141,456 unique individuals was examined to estimate the global prevalence of IRIDA in seven ethnicities: African/African American (afr), American Admixed/Latino (amr), Ashkenazi Jewish (asj), East Asian (eas), Finnish (fin), Non-Finnish European (nfe) and South Asian (sas). The global and population-specific carrier frequencies and genetic prevalence of IRIDA were calculated using the Hardy–Weinberg equation. Results: In total, 86 pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (PV/LPV) were identified according to ACMG/AMP guideline. The global carrier frequency and genetic prevalence of IRIDA were 2.02 per thousand and 1.02 per million, respectively. Conclusions: The prevalence of IRIDA is greater than previous estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assist the researches of toxic and harmful algae and provide government workers with judgment basis for decision-making related events, we established a biological information management system for toxic and harmful algae in China's offshore to assist relevant research. In this study, Karenia mikimotoi was studied as a typical toxic and harmful algae species, and the basic biological information and biogeographic distribution information of K. mikimotoi were systematically studied and collected. In the part of basic biological information, the name, toxin, and molecular characteristic sequence of K. mikimotoi were sorted out by literature searching and website browsing. Through experimental means, the relevant information of morphological identification, pigment composition, and lipid composition were obtained. In the part of biogeographic distribution information, this study sorted out the information of K. mikimotoi, analyzed the characteristics of its occurrence, and completed the standardized construction of biogeographic distribution information. Through the collation of basic biological information and biogeographic distribution information of K. mikimotoi, the standardization of related information was completed, which provided template and method reference for information collection of other toxic and harmful algae species, which was beneficial to the database analysis and design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • This is the first demonstration that precise nonequilibrium supramolecular assembly of macroscopic building blocks can be achieved. • The in situ sewing-growing strategy is applicable for tailoring the hybrid polymer hydrogels to control the precise assembly behaviors. • The transient devices are first used for timed release of cargoes, which expands the application range of macroscopic supramolecular assemblies. Macroscopic nonequilibrium assembly helps to interpret the interfacial assembly mechanism and promotes the creation of self-adaptive chemical systems for potential applications such as controlled release and mass transfer. We propose that the precise macroscopic nonequilibrium assembly can be achieved by rationally integrating pH-responsive hybrid polymer hydrogels with the urea-urease clock reaction. Herein, pH-responsive and urease-containing polyelectrolyte hydrogels were fabricated for achieving macroscopic nonequilibrium assembly. Optical microscopy was used to visualize the interface of the macroscopic assemblies. Tensile tests were performed to investigate the adhesion strength of the assemblies and the modulus of the hydrogels. The charges and electric field distribution at the hydrogel surface were estimated by zeta potential measurements. Furthermore, an in situ sewing-growing method for fabricating hybrid polymer hydrogels with modularized surface chemistry was presented to achieve precise nonequilibrium assembly. The realization of precise macroscopic nonequilibrium assembly relies on the transient electrostatic attraction between the hybrid polymer hydrogels, which lays the foundation for yielding transient macroscopic supramolecular devices potentially useful for timed release. The stability and lifetime of the transient assemblies can be controlled by adjusting the hydrogel synthesis parameters and fuel compositions, and the macroscopic nonequilibrium assembly can be repeated by refueling the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors associated with BV(bacterial vaginosis, BV), VVC (vulvovaginal candidiasis, VVC) and TV (trichomonal vaginitis, TV) among non-pregnant women. Among 770 women included in analyses, surveyed using a questionnaire and subsequently diagnosed with BV, VVC and TV via Gram staining and vaginal swab microscopy. Vaginal infections were prevalent in 31.30%, with BV being the most prevalent (21.35%). Single-variable analysis revealed that an age of 20–29 years (odds ratio [OR] = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.24–4.29; p =.007) and lack of education (OR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.28-0.89; p =.018) were significantly associated with BV. However, an age of 30–39 years was significantly associated with VVC (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.03–4.38; p =.038). Multivariable analysis confirmed that miscarriage was an independent predictor of BV and VVC. Miscarriage was significantly associated with the incidence of BV and VVC (OR = 1.680, 95% CI: 1.146–2.462; p =.011 and OR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.30–3.20; p =.002, respectively). In conclusion, BV appears to be the predominant cause of vaginitis, risk factors for vaginitis include age and level of education and miscarriage. What is already known on this subject? Inflammation of the vagina, or vaginitis, is caused by various infectious and non-infectious factors. The most common causes of infectious vaginitis are BV, VVC and TV. Kunming located at the southwestern border of China, However, there is still no systematic research investigating the status of vaginitis infection in Yunnan Province. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of these vaginal infections; BV, VVC, and TV, among women of childbearing age, and to assess the prevalence of vaginal infections and the associated risk factors. What do the results of this study add? In our study we found that vaginal infections were prevalent in 31.30% of reproductive-age women, with BV being the most prevalent (21.35%). We believe that our study makes a significant contribution to the literature because we report that BV appears to be the predominant cause of vaginitis, followed by VVC and TV. Risk factors for vaginitis include age, miscarriage and level of education. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? This study aimed to determine the prevalence of these vaginal infections, BV, VVC and TV, and to assess the prevalence of vaginal infections and the associated risk factors. Health education interventions are recommended to raise women's awareness of vaginitis and its prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solution‐processed, color‐selective organic photodetectors are uniquely positioned to deliver high‐performance, low‐cost, multicolor light sensors/imagers beyond the limitations of conventional, color‐filter‐based technologies. To realize such potential, however, a prominent challenge has been the solution‐based, monolithic integration of vertically stacked organic photodetectors, which would enable multicolor sensing with optimum light collection while benefiting from the scalability, cost, and sustainability edges of solution‐based manufacturing. To tackle this challenge, this paper demonstrates, for the first time, the monolithic integration of vertically stacked solution‐processed organic photodetectors for independent, multicolor light sensing within the same pixel area. The solvent orthogonality challenge is tackled by selecting polymer‐based photoactive layers and an insulating polymeric spacer—for independent biasing and photocurrent readout—with compatible processing conditions. Based on the suitable characteristics of blue‐ and green‐sensitive standalone devices, the vertically stacked, monolithic device architecture is optimized by also incorporating semitransparent electrodes for photons to reach deep into the stack. The resultant device architecture enables efficient blue‐ and green‐selective photodetection with state‐of‐the‐art linearity, alongside speed of response adequate for real‐world applications. Based on its solution‐processability and modularity, this approach paves the way for the facile, solution‐based fabrication of organic imagers covering multiple spectral regions with high sensitivity and resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous condition that increases the risk for serious health complications among women. Thus, in this study, we aimed to identify polymorphisms in the KiSS-1 and GPR54 genes and investigate the associations between KiSS-1, BMI, FSH, LH, and estradiol in Chinese women with PCOS. This study recruited women with PCOS (n = 60) and controls (n = 60). We collected blood samples and measured endocrine indicators (kisspeptin, FSH, LH–FSH ratio, estradiol, prolactin, and testosterone). PCR and Snapshots were performed to screen single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the KiSS-1 and GPR54 genes. Compared with the controls, endocrine and metabolic disturbances in women with PCOS were reflected in significantly higher levels of BMI, LH, LH–FSH ratio, prolactin, and testosterone. Serum kisspeptin levels were significantly higher and positively correlated with LH and T levels (p < 0.05). No identified SNPs of KiSS-1 and GPR54 showed significant differences in frequency between patients and controls. The mutant G allele was highly predisposed to polymorphism in the PCOS GPR54 gene r10407968. We observed a significant difference in estradiol (p = 0.023, p = 0.012) after comparing the values of LH, FSH, estradiol, progesterone, and testosterone among the three genotypes of rs4889 and rs5780218. The KiSS-1 rs4889 CC genotype and rs5780218 AA genotype showed significantly higher estradiol levels compared with the other two genotypes. These results suggest that kisspeptin plays a potential role in the etiology of PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer is one of the leading diseases for human mortality. Although substantial research works have been conducted to investigate the initiation and progression of cancer disease, it is still an active debate regarding the function of mutations conferring a clone advantage and the importance of mutator phenotypes caused by the mutation of stability genes. To address this issue further, we develop a mathematical model based on the incidence data of non-small cell lung cancer and small cell lung cancer from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results registry in the USA. The key biological parameters have been analyzed to investigate the potential effective measures for inhibiting the risk of lung cancer. Although the first event is the gene mutation that leads to clonal expansion of cells for lung cancer, the simulation results show that the clonal advantage of cancer cells alone is insufficient to cause tumorigenesis. Our analysis suggests that mutations in genes that keep genetic stability are critical in the development of lung cancer. This implies that mutator phenotype is an important indicator for the diagnosis of lung cancer, which can enable early detection and treatment to reduce the risk of lung cancer effectively. Furthermore, the parameter analysis indicates that it would be highly effective to control the risk of lung cancer by inhibiting the transformation rate from the normal cells to mutated cells and the clonal expansion of cells with fewer gene mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The most appropriate alternative to induction therapy for HIV-associated cryptococcal meningitis (CM) remains unclear when standard treatment is unavailable, inaccessible, intolerable, or ineffective.Methods: A prospective, multi-centre cohort study was conducted to analyze the data of 156 HIV-infected patients with CM who were treated with amphotericin B deoxycholate (AmB-D) + flucytosine (5FC), voriconazole (VCZ) + 5FC, or AmB-D + Fluconazole (Flu) as induction regimens. Clinical efficacy, cumulative mortality, and adverse effects were compared among the three treatment groups.Results: Fewer deaths occurred by week 4 and week 10 among patients receiving AmB-D + 5FC than among those receiving AmB-D + Flu [4 (5.1%) vs. 8 (16.0%) deaths by week 4; hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0 to 3.3; p = 0.039; and 8 (10.3%) vs. 14 (28.0%) deaths by week 10; hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1 to 2.7; p = 0.008, respectively]. AmB-D plus 5FC was found to result in significantly higher rates of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture sterility (57.6% vs. 34% by week 2; 87.9% vs. 70% by week 10; p < 0.05 for both comparisons). However, the differences in CSF culture sterility and mortality between the VCZ + 5FC group and the AmB-D + 5FC group were not statistically significant. VCZ plus 5FC had a significantly advantageous effect on the incidence of new AIDS-defining illness and length of hospital stay, compared with AmB-D plus 5FC. Laboratory adverse events (grade 3 or 4), such as severe anemia, were less frequent with VCZ + 5FC use than with AmB-D combined with 5FC or Flu use.Conclusion: Our results suggest that AmB-D combined with 5FC remains the more efficacious induction regimen compared to AmB-D plus Flu, and that VCZ + 5FC might be a potential alternative when the standard regimen is not readily available, accessible, tolerated, or effective.Clinical Trials: Registration number, ChiCTR1900021195. Registered 1 February 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=35362 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The severe volume expansion and uncontrolled mechanical stress restrict the high‐areal‐capacity Li storage in the alloy‐type or metallic anodes. Hitherto, most of the mitigation coating strategies are still based on the "trial‐and‐error" attempts, without the quantitative elucidation of the stress‐relaxation mechanism. This article herein constructs a prototypical coating model based on the Si‐O bonding, with the virtual and experimental screening of various structural parameters (for instance, the thickness, elasticity and cross‐linking density), for the deep lithiation of the Ag nanowires (AgNWs) framework. The operando X‐ray diffraction analysis and density functional theory calculations show that γ2(Li10Ag3) exhibits the highest Li affinity to induce the piled‐up deposits till 10 mA h cm–2; while the molecular dynamics simulations depict the optimal stress‐buffering pattern of the segmental motion in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) coating layer. As pairing the integrated anode of the AgNWs@PDMS slurries that casted on the AlOx modified polyethylene separator with the NMC‐811 cathode (12.5 mg cm–2), the constructed single‐layer pouch cell can balance the robust cyclability even at the mechanical deformations. This study demonstrates a tentative inverse design strategy to realize the stress‐buffering purpose upon the priori defining of the structural properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study investigated the therapeutic effects of oridonin on epilepsy and its potential mechanisms. • Oridonin reduced seizure attacks, abnormal discharges, and neuronal excitability. • Oridonin inhibited neuronal pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3 in epilepsy mice and HT22 cells. • Oridonin inhibited epilepsy through NLRP3 mediated pyroptosis in vivo and vitro. Epilepsy is a chronic disabling disease poorly controlled by available antiseizure medications. Oridonin, a bioactive alkaloid with anti-inflammatory properties and neuroprotective effects, can inhibit the increased excitability of neurons caused by glutamate accumulation at the cellular level. However, whether oridonin affects neuronal excitability and whether it has antiepileptic potential has not been reported in animal models or clinical studies. Pentylenetetrazol was injected into mice to create a model of chronic epilepsy. Seizure severity was assessed using the Racine scale, and the duration and latency of seizures were observed. Abnormal neuronal discharge was detected using electroencephalography, and neuronal excitability was assessed using calcium imaging. Damage to hippocampal neurons was evaluated using Hematoxylin-Eosin and Nissl staining. The expression of the NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome and other pyroptosis-related proteins was determined using western blotting and immunofluorescence. A neuronal pyroptosis model was established using the supernatant of BV2 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide and adenosine triphosphate to stimulate hippocampal neurons. Oridonin (1 and 5 mg/kg) reduced neuronal damage, increased the latency of seizures, and shortened the duration of fully kindled seizures in chronic epilepsy model mice. Oridonin decreased abnormal discharge during epileptic episodes and suppressed increased neuronal excitability. In vitro experiments showed that oridonin alleviated pyroptosis in hippocampal HT22 neurons. Oridonin exerts neuroprotective effects by inhibiting pyroptosis through the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway in chronic epilepsy model mice. It also reduces pyroptosis in hippocampal neurons in vitro, suggesting its potential as a therapy for epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current studies indicate that curved beam bridges are more sensitive to the spatial variability of earthquake ground motion (SVEGM) than straight bridges. However, research methods used currently typically disregard the nonlinear characteristics of bridges or use only deterministic excitations for analysis. Furthermore, the sensitivity of curved beam bridges with different curvature radii to the SVEGM has not been investigated comprehensively. Hence, in this study, a nonlinear finite element model of curved beam bridges is established using the ANSYS platform and the MATLAB is then employed to reduce and decouple the non-stationary seismic evolutionary power spectral density (EPSD) matrix. The absolute displacement method is employed for the multidimensional and multipoint nonlinear time-history analysis of the bridges. Considering different wave velocities, site conditions, and coherence types, this study comprehensively analyses the random response and frequency domain characteristics of curved continuous beam bridges under different SVEGMs. The analysis includes a verification of curved beam bridges with different curvature radii based on 48 cases (six SVEGMs with eight curvature radii). The results indicate that the presence of curvature renders curved beam bridges more sensitive to the SVEGM. The SVEGM significantly affects the random response and response frequency domain distribution of curved beam bridges, with smaller curvature radii contributing more significantly to the response. Therefore, the SVEGM must be considered in the seismic analysis of curved beam bridges, particularly those with smaller radii, to avoid an inaccurate estimation of the seismic performance of the bridges. The findings of this study can improve the seismic design and evaluation of curved beam bridges as well as enhance their seismic performance and reliability. • By introducing a method that combines the absolute displacement approach with the virtual excitation method, we conducted a multidimensional and multipoint nonstationary elastoplastic response analysis of curved beam bridges. • A comprehensive analysis was conducted to assess the sensitivity of curved beam bridges to the spatial variability of earthquake ground motion (SVEGM) by considering different apparent wave velocities, site conditions, and coherence types. The response magnitude and distribution of response frequencies were examined in this analysis. • Sensitivity assessments were conducted for curved beam bridges with different radii of curvature for the SVEGM. By comparing a substantial number of conditions, we conclude that the smaller the radius of curvature, the more sensitive is curved beam bridges to the SVEGM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four new undescribed halimane- and labdane-type diterpenoids, named zeylleucapenoids E–H (1–4), along with four known analogues (5–8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Leucas zeylanica (L.) R. Br. Their structures were determined by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis and computational calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 are the highly modified halimane diterpenoids featuring a 6/6/6-fused tricyclic system with an unusual six-membered 6,11-ether ring. Compound 8 exhibits nontoxic effects for zebrafish embryo, while it displays efficient reduction against NO production in a dose-dependent manner and strongly suppresses the secretion of LPS-induced TNF- α and IL-6 cytokines in RAW264.7 macrophages. In addition, marked reductions of iNOS and COX-2 expression were observed. Molecular docking analysis indicated that 8 has high affinities with the target amino acid residues on protein-binding sites, which may be a possible mechanism contributing to the anti-inflammatory potential of this molecule. [Display omitted] • Four new diterpenoids were purified from Leucas zeylanica. • Two structurally unique 6/6/6-fused tricyclic halimane-type structures were purified from Leucas zeylanica. • ECD and VCD calculations were employed to define the absolute configuration of new diterpenoids. • The in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of all the isolates were evaluated. • The anti-inflammatory mechanism was preliminarily investigated using molecular docking and Western blotting analysis. • The nontoxic effects were conducted with a zebrafish model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A charged superhydrophilic-oleophobic anti-fouling sponge was prepared. • The sponges achieved high permeation fluxes and separation efficiency simultaneously. • The sponge demonstrated outstanding one-cycle emulsion treatment volume. The crude oil spillage and large-scale industrial release of oily effluents has led to significant ecological degradation and resource wastage. Traditional superwetting materials encounter intractable challenges for treating surfactant-stabilized oil–water emulsions, including trade-off effect of permeation flux and separation efficiency, and low emulsion processing life. These issues considerably impede advancements in oil–water separation industry. In order to enhance the demulsification durability of materials while ensuring high separation efficiency and flux, this work doped perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) onto the modified sponge surface with superhydrophilic charged surface, and a unique in-air superhydrophilic-oleophobic sponge was prepared. This special surface allows rapid water phase permeation yet offers remarkably more stable oleophobicity compared with traditional underwater oleophobic materials when processing a large amount of emulsions. The intrinsic oleophobicity endows the sponge outstanding fouling resistance and greatly increases the one-cycle emulsion treatment amount up to 1695 L·m−2. Moreover, the sponge's inherent long permeation channels and surface charge maintain a high separation efficiency of over 97 %. The large pores of the sponges and superhydrophilic surface provide a high permeation flux exceeding 40,000 L·m−2·h−1. The sponge with high separation efficiency, flux, and capacity marks a significant advancement, offering a promising strategy for superwetting material applications in oil-in-water emulsion separation fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The spreading and splashing of the liquid film by inclined jet impingement were studied using high-speed cameras. • A unique liquid film deflection phenomenon is observed due to the boiling of the liquid film. • The splashing characteristics and mechanism of liquid film have been discussed. In this paper, the liquid film formed by inclined jet impingement on the vertical hot wall is investigated by a high-speed camera. The effects of the jet velocity (5.5 m/s ≤ u 0 ≤ 14.6 m/s, 3804 ≤ Re ≤ 10098) and initial wall temperature (25 ℃≤ T 0 ≤ 250 ℃) on the spreading and splashing of the liquid film are explored. Although the jet velocity and initial wall temperature have little effect on the spreading velocity of the liquid film, the wetting front position and liquid film area increase. For T 0 ≥ 150 ℃, a unique liquid film deflection phenomenon is observed due to the boiling of the liquid film, which results in a substantial amount of splashing. Based on the characteristics of the deflection splashing, three modes are categorized, i.e., annular splashing, banded splashing, and non-splashing. The splashing of the liquid film on the hot surface is owing to the rupture of boiling bubbles, the breakup of surface waves, and the liquid splashing in the boiling zone. The splashing rate of the liquid film is measured, and it is found that an increase in T 0 improves the splashing rate significantly, and the splashing rate even exceeds 70 % at T 0 = 250 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]