Fine-Tuning of Optical Resonance Wavelength of Surface-Micromachined Optical Ultrasound Transducer Arrays for Single-Wavelength Light Source Readout.

This article reports the fine-tuning of the optical resonance wavelength (ORW) of surface-micromachined optical ultrasound transducer (SMOUT) arrays to enable ultrasound data readout with non-tunable interrogation light sources for photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT). Permanent ORW tuning is achieved by material deposition onto or subtraction from the top diaphragm of each element with sub-nanometer resolution. For demonstration, a SMOUT array is first fabricated, and its ORW is tuned for readout with an 808 nm laser diode (LD). Experiments are conducted to characterize the optical and acoustic performances of the elements within the center region of the SMOUT array. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional PACT (photoacoustic computed tomography) is also performed to evaluate the imaging performance of the ORW-tuned SMOUT array. The results show that the ORW tuning does not degrade the optical, acoustic, and overall imaging performances of the SMOUT elements. As a result, the fine-tuning method enables new SMOUT-based PACT systems that are low cost, compact, powerful, and even higher speed, with parallel readout capability.

Food nanotechnology: opportunities and challenges.

Food nanotechnology, which applies nanotechnology to food systems ranging from food production to food processing, packaging, and transportation, provides tremendous opportunities for conventional food science and industry innovation and improvement. Although great progress and rapid growth have been achieved in food nanotechnology research owing to the unique food features rendered by nanotechnology, at a fundamental level, food nanotechnology is still in its initial stages and the potential adverse effects of nanomaterials are still a controversial problem that attract public attention. Food-derived nanomaterials, compared to some inorganic nanoparticles and synthetic organic macromolecules, can be digested rapidly and produce similar digestion products to those produced normally, which become the mainstream and trend for food nanotechnology in practical applications, and are expected to be a vital tool for addressing the security problem and easing public concerns. These food-derived materials enable the favourable characteristics of nanostructures to be combined with the safety, biocompatibility, and bioactivity of natural food. Very recently, diverse food-derived nanomaterials have been explored and widely applied in multiple fields. Herein, we thoroughly summarize the fabrication and development of nanomaterials for use in food technology, as well as the recent advances in the improvement of food quality, revolutionizing food supply, and boosting food industries based on foodborne nanomaterials. The current challenges in food nanotechnology are also discussed. We hope this review can provide a detailed reference for experts and food manufacturers and inspire researchers to participate in the development of food nanotechnology for highly efficient food industry growth.

Polysaccharide Based Self-Driven Tubular Micro/Nanomotors as a Comprehensive Platform for Quercetin Loading and Anti-inflammatory Function.

Quercetin (QR) is a natural flavonoid with strong anti-inflammatory properties, but it suffers from poor water solubility and bioavailability. Micro/nanomotors (NMs) are tiny devices that convert external energy or chemical fuels into an autonomous motion. They are characterized by their small size, rapid movement, and self-assembly capabilities, which can enhance the delivery of bioactive ingredients. The study synthesized natural polysaccharide-based nanotubes (NTs) using a layer-by-layer self-assembly method and combined with urease (Ure), glucose oxidase (GOx), and Fe3O4 to create three types of NMs. These NMs were well-dispersed and biocompatible. In vitro experiments showed that NMs-Fe3O4 has excellent photothermal conversion properties and potential for use in photothermal therapy. Cellular inflammation model results demonstrated that QR-loaded NMs were not only structurally stable but also improved bioavailability and effectively inhibited the release of inflammatory mediators such as IL-1ß and IL-6, providing a safe and advanced carrier system for the effective use of bioactive components in food.

The influence of adverse events on inpatient outcomes in a tertiary hospital using a diagnosis-related group database.

Adverse events (AEs) are a significant concern for healthcare systems. However, it is difficult to evaluate their influence because of the complexity of various medical services. This study aimed to assess the influence of AEs on the outcomes of hospitalized patients using a diagnosis-related group (DRG) database. We conducted a case-control study of hospitalized patients at a multi-district tertiary hospital with 2200 beds in China, using data from a DRG database. An AE refers to an unintended physical injury caused or contributed to by medical care that requires additional hospitalization, monitoring, treatment, or even death. Relative weight (RW), a specific indicator of DRG, was used to measure the difficulty of diagnosis and treatment, disease severity, and medical resources utilized. The primary outcomes were hospital length of stay (LOS) and hospitalization costs. The secondary outcome was discharge to home. This study applied DRG-based matching, Hodges-Lehmann estimate, regression analysis, and subgroup analysis to evaluate the influence of AEs on outcomes. Two sensitivity analyses by excluding short LOS and changing adjustment factors were performed to assess the robustness of the results. We identified 2690 hospitalized patients who had been divided into 329 DRGs, including 1345 patients who experienced AEs (case group) and 1345 DRG-matched normal controls. The Hodges-Lehmann estimate and generalized linear regression analysis showed AEs led to prolonged LOS (unadjusted difference, 7 days, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6-8 days; adjusted difference, 8.31 days, 95% CI 7.16-9.52 days) and excess hospitalization costs (unadjusted difference, $2186.40, 95% CI: $1836.87-$2559.16; adjusted difference, $2822.67, 95% CI: $2351.25-$3334.88). Logistic regression analysis showed AEs were associated with lower odds of discharge to home (unadjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.66, 95% CI 0.54-0.82; adjusted OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.61-0.93). The subgroup analyses showed that the results for each subgroup were largely consistent. LOS and hospitalization costs increased significantly after AEs in complex diseases (RW ≥ 2) and in relation to high degrees of harm subgroups (moderate harm and above groups). Similar results were obtained in sensitivity analyses. The burden of AEs, especially those related to complex diseases and severe harm, is significant in China. The DRG database serves as a valuable source of information that can be utilized for the evaluation and management of AEs.

Polysaccharide-Based Micro/Nanomotors for Active Ingredient Delivery in Food.

Micro/nanomotors (MNMs) are miniature devices that can generate energy through chemical reactions or physical processes, utilizing this energy for movement. By virtue of their small size, self-propulsion, precise positioning within a small range, and ability to access microenvironments, MNMs have been applied in various fields including sensing, biomedical applications, and pollutant adsorption. However, the development of food-grade MNMs and their application in food delivery systems have been scarcely reported. Currently, there are various issues with the decomposition, oxidation, or inability to maintain the activity of some nutrients or bioactive substances, such as the limited application of curcumin (Cur) in food. Compared to traditional delivery systems, MNMs can adjust the transport speed and direction as needed, effectively protecting bioactive substances during delivery and achieving efficient transportation. Therefore, this study utilizes polysaccharides as the substrate, employing a simple, rapid, and pollution-free template method to prepare polysaccharide-based microtubes (PMTs) and polysaccharide-based micro/nanomotors (PMNMs). PMNMs can achieve multifunctional propulsion by modifying ferrosoferric oxide (Fe3O4), platinum (Pt), and glucose oxidase (GOx). Fe-PMNMs and Pt-PMNMs exhibit excellent photothermal conversion performance, showing promise for applications in photothermal therapy. Moreover, PMNMs can effectively deliver curcumin, achieving the effective delivery of nutrients and exerting the anti-inflammatory performance of the system.

YTHDF1 promotes gallbladder cancer progression via post-transcriptional regulation of the m6A/UHRF1 axis.

Gallbladder cancer is a rare but fatal malignancy. However, the mechanisms underlying gallbladder carcinogenesis and its progression are poorly understood. The function of m6A modification and its regulators was still unclear for gallbladder cancer. The current study seeks to investigate the function of YTH m6A RNA-binding protein 1 (YTHDF1) in gallbladder cancer. Transcriptomic analysis and immunochemical staining of YTHDF1 in gallbladder cancer tissues revealed its upregulation compared to paracancerous tissues. Moreover, YTHDF1 promotes the proliferation assays, Transwell migration assays, and Transwell invasion assays of gallbladder cancer cells in vitro. And it also increased tumour growth in xenograft mouse model and metastases in tail vein injection model in vivo. In vitro, UHRF1 knockdown partly reversed the effects of YTHDF1 overexpression. Mechanistically, dual-luciferase assays proved that YTHDF1 promotes UHRF1 expression via direct binding to the mRNA 3'-UTR in a m6A-dependent manner. Overexpression of YTHDF1 enhanced UHRF1 mRNA stability, as demonstrated by mRNA stability assays, and Co-IP studies confirmed a direct interaction between YTHDF1 and PABPC1. Collectively, these findings provide new insights into the progression of gallbladder cancer as well as a novel post-transcriptional mechanism of YTHDF1 via stabilizing target mRNA.

High-frequency surface-micromachined optical ultrasound transducer array for 3D micro photoacoustic computed tomography.

This Letter reports a new, to the best of our knowledge, high-frequency surface-micromachined optical ultrasound transducer (HF-SMOUT) array for micro photoacoustic computed tomography (µPACT). An 11 × 11 mm2 2D array of 220 × 220 elements (35 µm in diameter) is designed, fabricated, and characterized. The optical resonance wavelength (ORW) of ≥90% of the elements falls within a 6-nm range. The acoustic center frequency and bandwidth of the elements are ∼14 MHz and ∼18 MHz (129%), respectively. The noise equivalent pressure (NEP) is 161 Pa (or 18 m P a/H z) within a measurement bandwidth of 5-75 MHz. The standard deviation of the ORW drift is 0.45 nm and 0.93 nm within 25°C-55°C, respectively, and during a seven-day continuous water immersion. PACT experiments are conducted to evaluate the imaging performances of the HF-SMOUT array. The spatial resolution is estimated as 90 µm (axial) and 250-750 µm (lateral) within a 10 × 10 mm2 field of view (FoV) and the imaging depth of 16 mm. A 3D PA image of a knotted black hair target is also successfully acquired. These results demonstrate the feasibility of using the HF-SMOUT array for µPACT applications.

Critical Domains Within the Self-Reported Patient Experience of Virtual Care.

This cross-sectional study examines the association between domains of patient experience with a physician and patient likelihood of recommending the physician for virtual vs in-person visits.

Maximizing micro-grid energy output with modified chaos grasshopper algorithms.

This study presents a Modified version of Chaos Grasshopper Algorithm (MCGA) as a solution to the Techno-Economic Energy Management Strategy (TEMS) problem in microgrids. Our main contribution is the optimization of parameters to minimize the overall daily electricity price in an integrated clean energy micro-grid, incorporating fuel cell, battery storage, and photovoltaic systems. Through comparative simulations with established methods (HOMER, GAMS, GWO, and MILPA), we demonstrate the superiority of our proposed strategy. The results reveal that MCGA surpasses these methods, yielding significantly improved optimal solutions for the overall daily electricity price. Notably, the MCGA approach exhibits high precision, flexibility, and adaptability to power prices and environmental constraints, leading to accurate and flexible solutions. Thus, our proposed approach offers a promising and effective solution for the TEMS problem in microgrids, with the potential to greatly enhance microgrid performance.

Preoperative H. pylori Eradication Therapy Facilitates Precise Delineation in Early Gastric Cancer with Current H. pylori Infection.

INTRODUCTION: Early gastric cancer with current Helicobacter pylori infection (HpC-EGC) is common, but it is still unclear whether H. pylori eradication therapy (Hp-ET) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) should be performed first. We evaluated Hp-ETs short-term effects on horizontal boundary delineations of HpC-EGC in ESD. METHODS: Prospectively enrolled HpC-EGC patients were randomly assigned to eradication or control groups. Operation scopes of HpC-EGC lesions were delineated with marking dots at 5 mm out of the endoscopic demarcation line by an independent endoscopist, unaware of eradication status, before formal circumferential incision. As representatives, precise delineation rate, the shortest distance of all marking dots to the pathological demarcation line in all slices of one intact resected specimen (Dmin), and negative marking dot specimen rate were examined. RESULTS: Twenty-three HpC-EGC patients (25 lesions) were allocated to eradication group and 26 patients (27 lesions) were allocated to the control group with similar eradication success rates and all were differentiated type. With improving background mucosa inflammation after Hp-ET and similar gastritis-like epithelium rates, 10 lesions (40.0%) in the eradication group were of precise delineation compared to control group with 2 lesions (7.4%) (relative risk = 5.40, 95% CI 1.31-22.28). Dmin of eradication and control groups were 4.17 ± 2.52 mm and 2.67 ± 2.30 mm (p = 0.029), accompanied by 4 (14.8%) and none (0.0%) specimens that exhibited positive marking dots (p = 0.11), respectively. CONCLUSION: For HpC-EGC patients, administrating eradication medication before ESD is beneficial for the precise delineation of lesions and reducing the risk of positive horizontal resection margins.

Insurance-Based Disparities in Stroke Center Access in California: A Network Science Approach.

BACKGROUND: Our objectives were to determine whether there is an association between ischemic stroke patient insurance and likelihood of transfer overall and to a stroke center and whether hospital cluster modified the association between insurance and likelihood of stroke center transfer. METHODS: This retrospective network analysis of California data included every nonfederal hospital ischemic stroke admission from 2010 to 2017. Transfers from an emergency department to another hospital were categorized based on whether the patient was discharged from a stroke center (primary or comprehensive). We used logistic regression models to examine the relationship between insurance (private, Medicare, Medicaid, uninsured) and odds of (1) any transfer among patients initially presenting to nonstroke center hospital emergency departments and (2) transfer to a stroke center among transferred patients. We used a network clustering method to identify clusters of hospitals closely connected through transfers. Within each cluster, we quantified the difference between insurance groups with the highest and lowest proportion of transfers discharged from a stroke center. RESULTS: Of 332 995 total ischemic stroke encounters, 51% were female, 70% were ≥65 years, and 3.5% were transferred from the initial emergency department. Of 52 316 presenting to a nonstroke center, 3466 (7.1%) were transferred. Relative to privately insured patients, there were lower odds of transfer and of transfer to a stroke center among all groups (Medicare odds ratio, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.22-0.26] and 0.59 [95% CI, 0.50-0.71], Medicaid odds ratio, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.23-0.29] and odds ratio, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.38-0.62], uninsured odds ratio, 0.75 [95% CI, 0.63-0.89], and 0.72 [95% CI, 0.6-0.8], respectively). Among the 14 identified hospital clusters, insurance-based disparities in transfer varied and the lowest performing cluster (also the largest; n=2364 transfers) fully explained the insurance-based disparity in odds of stroke center transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Uninsured patients had less stroke center access through transfer than patients with insurance. This difference was largely explained by patterns in 1 particular hospital cluster.

Factors Associated with the Digital Patient Experience of Virtual Care Across Specialties.

Background: We aimed to characterize patient experience with virtual care across medical specialties using validated survey data. Primary objective: to determine whether experience varied by visit modality (virtual vs. in-person) and whether relationships persisted after adjusting for patient and provider characteristics. Secondarily, among physicians with sufficient data, we compared virtual versus in-person patient experience scores at the physician level and identified characteristics associated with better experience scores for virtual care. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of administrative databases from a large New England health care system, including all ambulatory visits from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021 with patient experience scores recorded. We compared experience between virtual and in-person at the visit level (score: 0-10) and the physician level for likelihood of recommending the physician to friends or family. We used a series of cross-classified hierarchical models with visits grouped by patient and by physician to decompose sources of variation. Among physicians with sufficient data, we compared physicians with higher virtual versus higher in-person net promoter score (NPS). Results: Of 378,472 visits performed by 3368 physicians, 86,878 (23%) were conducted virtually. Most scored ≥9 for either modality, with a small preference for virtual versus in-person care (9.6 vs. 9.5, p < 0.001). We found that more variation in scores was explained by patient than by physician (22.9% vs. 3%). Visit modality was of minimal explanatory value. Most physicians' virtual and in-person NPS were similar, and virtual visit volume was not associated. Conclusions: We found robust evidence for the parity of patient experience between virtual and in-person modalities across specialties.

High-aspect-ratio three-dimensional polymer and metallic microstructure microfabrication using two-photon polymerization.

Creating micrometer-resolution high-aspect-ratio three-dimensional (3D) structures remain very challenging despite significant microfabrication methods developed for microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). This is especially the case when such structures are desired to be metallic to support electronic applications. Here, we present a microfabrication process that combines two-photon-polymerization (2PP) printing to create a polymeric high-aspect-ratio three-dimensional structure and electroless metal plating that selectively electroplates only the polymeric structure to create high-aspect-ratio 3D metallic structures having micrometer-resolution. To enable this, the effect of various 2PP processing parameters on SU-8 photoresist microstructures were first systematically studied. These parameters include laser power, slicing/hatching distances, and pre-/post-baking temperature. This optimization resulted in a maximum aspect ratio (height to width) of ~ 12. Following this polymeric structure printing, electroless plating using Tollens' Reagent were utilized to selectively coat silver particles only on the polymeric structure, but not on the silicon substrate. The final 3D metallic structures were evaluated in terms of their resistivity, reproducibly showing resistivity of ~ 10-6 [Ω·m]. The developed 3D metallic structure microfabrication process can be further integrated with conventional 2D lithography to achieve even more complex structures. The developed method overcomes the limitations of current MEMS fabrication processes, allowing a variety of previously impossible metallic microstructures to be created.

Outcomes of recurrent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation according to presumed etiology / Desfecho de AVC recorrente em pacientes com fibrilação atrial de acordo com etiologia presumida

Abstract Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a potent risk factor for stroke. The presence of competing etiologies can modify disease outcomes and demand different treatment strategies. Objective The primary purpose of the study was to examine the differences in outcomes for patients with AF admitted with a recurrent stroke, stratified according to the presumed etiology of the stroke. Methods We analyzed AF patients admitted for a recurrent ischemic stroke in an academic comprehensive stroke center. Recurrent strokes were categorized as "Cardioembolic", meaning AF without any competing mechanism, versus "Undetermined" etiology due to competing mechanisms. We used logistic regression to test the association between recurrent stroke etiology and favorable outcome (discharge home), after accounting for important covariates. Results We included 230 patients, with a mean age 76.9 (SD ± 11.3), 52.2% male, median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 7 (IQR 2-16). Patients with cardioembolic stroke (65.2%) had higher median NIHSS 8.5 (3-18) versus 3 (1-8) and were more likely to be treated with reperfusion therapies. The favorable outcome was reached by 64 patients (27.8%), and in-hospital mortality was 15.2% overall. After adjustment, there was no difference in outcome between patients with cardioembolic versus undetermined stroke etiology (odds ratio for discharge home: 1.41; 95% CI: 0.65-3.15). Conclusions In this single-center sample of AF patients with history of stroke, there was no difference in discharge outcomes between those with cardioembolic and those with undetermined stroke etiology. This question warrants examination in larger samples to better understand the importance of the stroke mechanism and secondary prophylaxis.

Resumo Antecedentes Fibrilação atrial (FA) é um fator de risco importante para AVC. A presença de mecanismos concorrentes para o AVC pode modificar o desfecho e demandar estratégias de tratamento diferentes. Objetivo O objetivo primário do estudo foi examinar diferenças no desfecho de pacientes com FA admitidos por um AVC recorrente, sendo estratificados de acordo com a etiologia presumida do AVC. Métodos Nós analisamos pacientes com FA admitidos por conta de AVC recorrente em um centro acadêmico terciário de AVC. Os casos de AVC recorrentes foram classificados como "Cardioembólicos", sendo FA sem outros mecanismos alternativos, versus aqueles de etiologia "Indeterminada" por conta de mecanismos concorrentes. Foi usada regressão logística para testar a associação entre a etiologia do AVC recorrente e desfecho favorável (alta direto para casa) após controle para covariáveis importantes. Resultados Nós incluímos 230 pacientes, com uma idade média 76,9 anos (DP ± 11.3), 52.2% homens, com um escore mediano do National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) de 7 (IIQ 2-16). Pacientes com AVC cardioembólicos (65,2%) tiveram um escore de NIHSS mediano mais alto 8,5 (3-18) versus 3 (1-8), e com maior chance de tratamento com terapias de reperfusão. O desfecho favorável ocorreu em 64 pacientes (27,8%) e a mortalidade institucional foi de 15,2% no total. Após ajustes, não encontramos diferença no desfecho entre pacientes com AVC cardioembólico versus AVC de etiologia indeterminada (odds ratio para alta para casa: 1,41; 95% IC: 0,65-3,15). Conclusões Nessa amostra de pacientes com FA e história de AVC recorrente de centro único, não houve diferença no desfecho de alta entre aqueles com AVC cardioembólico e aqueles com etiologia indeterminada. Essa questão deve ser examinada em amostras maiores para melhor compreender a importância do mecanismo do AVC e a profilaxia secundária.

Outcomes of recurrent stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation according to presumed etiology.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a potent risk factor for stroke. The presence of competing etiologies can modify disease outcomes and demand different treatment strategies. OBJECTIVES: The primary purpose of the study was to examine the differences in outcomes for patients with AF admitted with a recurrent stroke, stratified according to the presumed etiology of the stroke. METHODS: We analyzed AF patients admitted for a recurrent ischemic stroke in an academic comprehensive stroke center. Recurrent strokes were categorized as "Cardioembolic", meaning AF without any competing mechanism, versus "Undetermined" etiology due to competing mechanisms. We used logistic regression to test the association between recurrent stroke etiology and favorable outcome (discharge home), after accounting for important covariates. RESULTS: We included 230 patients, with a mean age 76.9 (SD ± 11.3), 52.2% male, median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 7 (IQR 2-16). Patients with cardioembolic stroke (65.2%) had higher median NIHSS 8.5 (3-18) versus 3 (1-8) and were more likely to be treated with reperfusion therapies. The favorable outcome was reached by 64 patients (27.8%), and in-hospital mortality was 15.2% overall. After adjustment, there was no difference in outcome between patients with cardioembolic versus undetermined stroke etiology (odds ratio for discharge home: 1.41; 95% CI: 0.65-3.15). CONCLUSIONS: In this single-center sample of AF patients with history of stroke, there was no difference in discharge outcomes between those with cardioembolic and those with undetermined stroke etiology. This question warrants examination in larger samples to better understand the importance of the stroke mechanism and secondary prophylaxis.

ANTECEDENTES: Fibrilação atrial (FA) é um fator de risco importante para AVC. A presença de mecanismos concorrentes para o AVC pode modificar o desfecho e demandar estratégias de tratamento diferentes. OBJETIVOS: O objetivo primário do estudo foi examinar diferenças no desfecho de pacientes com FA admitidos por um AVC recorrente, sendo estratificados de acordo com a etiologia presumida do AVC. MéTODOS: Nós analisamos pacientes com FA admitidos por conta de AVC recorrente em um centro acadêmico terciário de AVC. Os casos de AVC recorrentes foram classificados como "Cardioembólicos", sendo FA sem outros mecanismos alternativos, versus aqueles de etiologia "Indeterminada" por conta de mecanismos concorrentes. Foi usada regressão logística para testar a associação entre a etiologia do AVC recorrente e desfecho favorável (alta direto para casa) após controle para covariáveis importantes. RESULTADOS: Nós incluímos 230 pacientes, com uma idade média 76,9 anos (DP ± 11.3), 52.2% homens, com um escore mediano do National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) de 7 (IIQ 2­16). Pacientes com AVC cardioembólicos (65,2%) tiveram um escore de NIHSS mediano mais alto 8,5 (3­18) versus 3 (1­8), e com maior chance de tratamento com terapias de reperfusão. O desfecho favorável ocorreu em 64 pacientes (27,8%) e a mortalidade institucional foi de 15,2% no total. Após ajustes, não encontramos diferença no desfecho entre pacientes com AVC cardioembólico versus AVC de etiologia indeterminada (odds ratio para alta para casa: 1,41; 95% IC: 0,65­3,15). CONCLUSõES: Nessa amostra de pacientes com FA e história de AVC recorrente de centro único, não houve diferença no desfecho de alta entre aqueles com AVC cardioembólico e aqueles com etiologia indeterminada. Essa questão deve ser examinada em amostras maiores para melhor compreender a importância do mecanismo do AVC e a profilaxia secundária.

Smartphone-assisted ratiometric sensing platform for on-site tetracycline determination based on europium functionalized luminescent Zr-MOF.

Accurate on-site analysis of tetracycline (TC) is of great research value for ensuring food safety and estimating environmental pollution. Herein, a smartphone-based fluorescent platform for TC detectionhas been developed based on a europium functionalized metal-organic framework (Zr-MOF/Cit-Eu). Based on the inner filter and antenna effect between Zr-MOF/Cit-Eu and TC, the probe exhibited a ratiometric fluorescent response toward TC, resulting in an emission color change from blue to red. Excellent sensing performance was achieved with a detection limit of 3.9 nM, consistent with the linear operation spanning nearly four orders of magnitude. Subsequently, visual test strips based on Zr-MOF/Cit-Eu were prepared, possessing the potential for accurate testing of TC via RGB signals. Finally, the proposed platform was well applied in actual samples with satisfied recoveries (92.27 to 110.22%). This MOF-based on-site fluorescent platform holds great potential on constructing intelligent platform for visual and quantitative detection of organic contaminants.

Predicting metastasis at initial diagnosis and radiotherapy effectiveness in patients with metastatic osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is a primary malignant bone tumor affecting mostly children and adolescents. The overall 10 year survivals of patients with metastatic osteosarcoma are typically less than 20% in the literature and remain concerning. We aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting the risk of metastasis at initial diagnosis in patients with osteosarcoma and evaluate the effectiveness of radiotherapy in patients with metastatic osteosarcoma. Clinical and demographic data of patients with osteosarcoma were collected from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results database. We randomly split our analytical sample into the training and validation cohorts, then established and validated a nomogram for predicting the risk of osteosarcoma metastasis at initial diagnosis. The effectiveness of radiotherapy was evaluated by performing propensity score matching in patients underwent surgery + chemotherapy and those underwent surgery + chemotherapy + radiotherapy, among patients with metastatic osteosarcoma. 1439 patients met the inclusion criteria and were included in this study. 343 of 1439 had osteosarcoma metastasis by the time of initial presentation. A nomogram for predicting the likelihood of osteosarcoma metastasis by the time of initial presentation was developed. In both unmatched and matched samples, the radiotherapy group demonstrated a superior survival profile comparing with the non-radiotherapy group. Our study established a novel nomogram to evaluate the risk of osteosarcoma with metastasis, and demonstrated that radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy and surgical resection could improve 10-year survival in patients with metastasis. These findings may guide the clinical decision-making for orthopedic surgeons.

Mitochondria in innate immunity signaling and its therapeutic implications in autoimmune diseases.

Autoimmune diseases are characterized by vast alterations in immune responses, but the pathogenesis remains sophisticated and yet to be fully elucidated. Multiple mechanisms regulating cell differentiation, maturation, and death are critical, among which mitochondria-related cellular organelle functions have recently gained accumulating attention. Mitochondria, as a highly preserved organelle in eukaryotes, have crucial roles in the cellular response to both exogenous and endogenous stress beyond their fundamental functions in chemical energy conversion. In this review, we aim to summarize recent findings on the function of mitochondria in the innate immune response and its aberrancy in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, etc., mainly focusing on its direct impact on cellular metabolism and its machinery on regulating immune response signaling pathways. More importantly, we summarize the status quo of potential therapeutic targets found in the mitochondrial regulation in the setting of autoimmune diseases and wish to shed light on future studies.

The Roles of Innate Lymphoid Cells in the Gastric Mucosal Immunology and Oncogenesis of Gastric Cancer.

Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are a group of innate immune cells that have garnered considerable attention due to their critical roles in regulating immunity and tissue homeostasis. They are particularly abundant in the gastrointestinal tract, where they have been shown to interact with commensal bacteria, pathogens, and other components of the local microenvironment to influence host immune responses to infection and oncogenesis. Their tissue-residency properties enable gastric ILCs a localized and rapid response to alert and stress, which indicates their key potential in regulating immunosurveillance. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of the role of ILCs in the gastric mucosa, with a focus on their interactions with the gastric microbiota and Helicobacter pylori and their contributions to tissue homeostasis and inflammation. We also highlight recent findings on the involvement of ILCs in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer and the implications of targeting ILCs as a therapeutic approach. Overall, this review provides an overview of the diverse functions of ILCs in gastric mucosa and highlights their potential as targets for future therapies for gastric cancer.