Responsive and traceless assembly of iron nanoparticles and 131I labeled radiopharmaceuticals for ferroptosis enhanced radio-immunotherapy.

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of programmed cell death with the potential to reverse traditional cancer therapy resistance. The combination of ferroptosis with chemotherapy, photodynamic therapy and X-ray therapy has demonstrated remarkably improved therapeutic efficiency. Radiopharmaceutical therapy (RPT) is an emerging approach that achieves precise radiation to diseased tissues via radionuclide delivery. However, insufficient accumulation and retention of therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals in tumor region as well as cancer radioresistance impact treatment efficacy. Here, a nanoassembly of renal clearable ultrasmall iron nanoparticles (USINPs) and 131I-aPD-L1 is prepared via the affinity of fluorophenylboronic acid modified on the USINPs with 131I-aPD-L1. The 150 nm USINAs(131I-aPD-L1) nanoassembly is stable in blood circulation, effectively targets to the tumor and disassembles in the presence of ATP in the tumor microenvironment. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments prove that USINPs-induced ferroptosis boosted the tumor radiosensitization to 131I while 131I-mediated RPT further enhanced ferroptosis. Meanwhile, the immunogenic cell death caused by RPT and ferroptosis combined with PD-L1 immune checkpoint blockade therapy exhibits a strong antitumor immunity. This study provides a novel way to improve the tumor accumulation of ferroptosis inducer and radiopharmaceuticals, insights into the interaction between RPT and ferroptosis and an effective SPECT-guided ferroptosis-enhanced radio-immunotherapy.

Satisfaction analysis of 5G remote ultrasound robot for diagnostics based on a structural equation model.

Objectives: With the increasing application of 5G remote ultrasound robots in healthcare, robust methods are in critical demand to assess participant satisfaction and identify its influencing factors. At present, there is limited empirical research on multi-parametric and multidimensional satisfaction evaluation of participants with 5G remote ultrasound robot examination. Previous studies have demonstrated that structural equation modeling (SEM) effectively integrates various statistical techniques to examine the relationships among multiple variables. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the satisfaction of participants with 5G remote ultrasound robot examination and its influencing factors using SEM. Methods: Between April and June 2022, 213 participants from Wuhan Automobile Manufacturing Company underwent remote ultrasound examinations using the MGIUS-R3 remote ultrasound robot system. After these examinations, the participants evaluated the performance of the 5G remote ultrasound robot based on their personal experiences and emotional responses. They completed a satisfaction survey using a self-developed questionnaire, which included 19 items across five dimensions: examination efficiency, examination perception, communication perception, value perception, and examination willingness. A SEM was established to assess the satisfaction of participants with the 5G remote ultrasound robot examinations and the influencing factors. Results: A total of 201 valid questionnaires were collected. The overall satisfaction of participants with the 5G remote ultrasound robot examination was 45.43 ± 11.60, with 169 participants (84%) expressing satisfaction. In the path hypothesis relationship test, the dimensions of examination efficiency, examination perception, communication perception, and value perception had positive effects on satisfaction, with standardized path coefficients of 0.168, 0.170, 0.175, and 0.191. Satisfaction had a direct positive effect on examination willingness, with a standardized path coefficient of 0.260. Significant differences were observed across different educational levels in the dimensions of examination perception, communication perception, value perception, and examination willingness. Participants with different body mass indices also showed significant differences in examination perception; all p-values were less than 0.05. Conclusion: In this study, value perception was identified as the most significant factor influencing satisfaction. It could be improved by enhancing participants' understanding of the accuracy and safety of 5G remote ultrasound robot examinations. This enhances satisfaction and the willingness to undergo examinations. Such improvements not only facilitate the widespread adoption of this technology but also promote the development of telemedicine services.

May Measurement Month 2020: An Analysis of Blood Pressure Screening Results From China.

We reported the blood pressure data obtained in the May Measurement Month (MMM) China project in 2020 during the COVID-19 control period. The study participants were adults (≥ 18 years), ideally in whom blood pressure had not been measured in the previous year. Blood pressure was measured three times consecutively with a 1-min interval in the sitting position, using a validated automated BP monitor (Omron HEM-7081IT), and transmitted to a central database via a smartphone app. The measurement was performed at 136 sites across 29 China provinces. The 100 728 participants had a mean (±SD) age of 45.6 (±18.3) years and included 56 097 (55.7%) women. The mean systolic/diastolic blood pressure was 120.0/76.9 mm Hg. The proportion of hypertension was 28.9% (n  =  29 135), and the awareness, treatment, and control rates of hypertension were 45.3% (n = 13 212), 39.7% (n =  1573), and 24.4% (n = 7101), respectively. After adjustment for age, gender, and use of antihypertensive medication, systolic/diastolic BP were significantly higher with cigarette smoking (n = 8070, +0.5/+1.0 mm Hg, p < 0.05), mild (n = 4369, +1.2/+1.3 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and moderate or heavy alcohol drinking (n = 3871, +0.4/+0.7 mm Hg, p < 0.05), and overweight (+1.8/+1.4 mm Hg, p < 0.001) and obesity (+2.3/+1.5 mm Hg, p < 0.001). In conclusion, our study provided unique blood pressure data during the COVID-19 period, and suggested that hypertension management might have been even more challenging when the medical professionals had to shift their focus on other urgencies.

Adverse event signal mining and severe adverse event influencing factor analysis of Lumateperone based on FAERS database.

Background: Lumateperone has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of schizophrenia in adults since 2019, however, there is still a lack of data report on adverse reactions in real-world settings. Conducting data mining on adverse events (AEs) associated with Lumateperone and investigating the risk factors for serious AEs can provide valuable insights for its clinical practice. Methods: AE reports in the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 2019 Q4 (FDA approval of Lumateperone) to 2024 Q1 were collected and analyzed. Disproportionality in Lumateperone-associated AEs was evaluated using the following parameters: Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), and Multi-item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the risk factors for Lumateperone-induced severe AEs. Results: A total of 2,644 reports defined Lumateperone as the primary suspected drug was collected, including 739 reports classified as severe AEs and 1905 reports as non-severe AEs. The analysis revealed that 130 preferred terms (PTs) with significant disproportionality were based on the four algorithms, 67 (51.53%) of which were not included in the product labeling, affecting 6 systems and organs. In addition, dizziness (81 cases) was the most reported Lumateperone-associated severe AEs, and tardive dyskinesia showed the strongest signal (ROR = 186.24). Logistic regression analysis indicated that gender, bipolar II disorder, and concomitant drug use are independent risk factors for Lumateperone-associated severe AEs. Specifically, female patients had a 1.811-fold increased risk compared with male patients (OR = 1.811 [1.302, 2.519], p = 0.000), while patients with bipolar II disorder had a 1.695-fold increased risk compared with patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder (OR = 1.695 [1.320, 2.178], p = 0.000). Conversely, concomitant use of CYP3A4 inhibitors or drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 was associated with a decreased risk of severe AEs (OR = 0.524 [0.434, 0.633], P = 0.000). Conclusion: Collectively, this study provides critical insights into the safety profile of Lumateperone. It highlights the need for cautious use in high-risk populations, such as females and individuals with bipolar II disorder, and emphasizes the importance of monitoring for AEs, including dizziness and tardive dyskinesia. Healthcare also should remain alert to potential AEs not listed in the prescribing information to ensure medical safety.

Cobalt Ditelluride Meets Tellurium Vacancy: An Efficient Catalyst as a Multifunctional Polysulfide Mediator toward Robust Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

The commercialization of lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) faces significant challenges due to persistent issues, such as the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and the slow kinetics of cathodic reactions. To address these limitations, this study proposes a vacancy-engineered cobalt ditelluride catalyst (v-CoTe2) supported on nitrogen-doped carbon as a sulfur host at the cathode. Density functional theory calculations and experimental results indicate that the electron configuration modulation of v-CoTe2 enhances the chemical affinity and catalytic activity toward LiPS. Specifically, v-CoTe2 can strongly interact with PSs through multisite coordination, effectively facilitating the kinetics of the LiPS redox reaction. Furthermore, the introduction of Te vacancies generates a large number of spin-polarized electrons, further enhancing the reaction kinetics of LiPS. As a result, the v-CoTe2@S cathode demonstrates high initial capacity and excellent cyclic stability, maintaining 80.4% capacity after 500 cycles at a high current rate of 3 C. Even under a high sulfur load of 6.7 mg cm-2, a high areal capacity of 6.1 mA h cm-2 is retained after 50 cycles. These findings highlight the significant potential of Te vacancies in CoTe2 as a sulfur host material for LSBs.

Induction cladding of alloys and metal-matrix composite coatings: A review.

Induction cladding is a promising surface technology that combines the advantages of surface coatings and induction heating. It is an energy-efficient, environment-friendly, and cost-effective method that facilitates the fabrication of coatings with controllable thicknesses and ensures metallurgical bonding between the coating and the substrate. Owing to the high power-conversion efficiency of helical coil, induction cladding is particularly adaptable for the application of coatings on long shafts and rod parts, which find widespread use in mining and energy machinery. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art methods in induction cladding. Herein we focus on its mechanisms, cladding process and parameters, commonly used materials, simulations, innovative induction cladding technologies, industrial applications, problems, and future developments in this field.

Optimizing the combination of chemotherapeutic drugs along with radiotherapy for extranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma.

Background: Extranodal natural killer/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTCL) has a unique treatment principle. However, the optimal combination of drugs along with radiotherapy (RT) is unknown. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objectives: We screened multiple drug combinations to identify the most efficacious therapeutic combinations. Methods: We reviewed 3105 patients who received 40 chemotherapy regimens with different combinations of 9 drug classes and/or RT. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to screen efficacious single drugs and identify optimal combinations for overall survival (OS). Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) and multivariable analyses were used to compare survival between treatment regimens. Results: Screening and validation revealed RT, asparaginase (ASP), and gemcitabine (GEM) to be the most efficacious single modality/drug. RT remained an important component of first-line treatment, whereas ASP was a fundamental drug of non-anthracycline (ANT)-based regimens. Addition of RT to non-ANT-based or ASP/GEM-based regimens, or addition of an ASP-drug into ANT-based or GEM/platinum-based regimens, improved 5-year OS significantly. Use of ASP/GEM-based regimens was associated with significantly higher 5-year OS (79.9%) compared with ASP/ANT-based (69.2%, p = 0.001), ASP/methotrexate-based (63.5%, p = 0.011), or ASP/not otherwise specified-based (63.2%, p < 0.001) regimens. The survival benefit of ASP/GEM-based regimens over other ASP-based regimens was substantial across risk-stratified and advanced-stage subgroups. The survival benefits of a combination of RT, ASP, and GEM were consistent after adjustment for confounding factors by IPTW. Conclusion: These results suggest that combining ASP/GEM with RT for ENKTCL is an efficacious and feasible therapeutic option and provides a rationale and strategy for developing combination therapies.

Colloidal Ag2SbBiSe4 nanocrystals as n­type thermoelectric materials.

Materials with low intrinsic thermal conductivity are essential for the development of high-performance thermoelectric devices. At the same time, the solution processing of these materials may enable the cost-effective production of the devices. Herein, we detail a high-yield and scalable colloidal synthesis route to produce Ag2SbBiSe4 nanocrystals (NCs) using amine-thiol-Se chemistry. The quaternary chalcogenide material is consolidated by a rapid hot-press maintaining the cubic crystalline structure. Transport measurements confirm that n-type Ag2SbBiSe4 exhibits an inherently ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of ca. 0.34 W m-1K-1 at 760 K. Moreover, a modulation doping strategy based on the blending of semiconductor Ag2SbBiSe4 and metallic Sn NCs is demonstrated to control the charge carrier concentration in the final composite material. The introduction of Sn nanodomains additionally blocks phonon propagation thus contributing to reducing the thermal conductivity of the final material. Ultimately, a peak thermoelectric figure of merit value of 0.64 at 760 K is achieved for n-type Ag2SbBiSe4-Sn nanocomposites that also demonstrate a notable Vickers hardness of 185 HV.

Nocturnal Awakening Associated with Greater Social Disconnectedness in Older Adults: The Compensatory Role of Cognition.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the association between sleep and social disconnectedness by examining the role of global cognitive function in diverse samples of older adults. METHODS: Study 1 compared differences in social disconnectedness between older adults with clinical sleep disorders and healthy sleepers. Studies 2 and 3 examined the relationship between objective sleep and social disconnectedness in community-dwelling older adults from two independent datasets. In the three studies, we analyzed the moderating effect of global cognitive function in the association between objective sleep and social disconnectedness. RESULTS: Study 1 showed that older adults with clinical sleep disorders had greater social disconnectedness, among whom those with better cognition showed less influence of sleep disorder on social disconnectedness. Studies 2 and 3 showed that nocturnal awakening was robustly associated with social disconnectedness in community-dwelling older adults. Global cognitive function moderated this association, counteracting the negative effect of nocturnal awakening on social function. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a relationship between objective sleep, particularly nocturnal awakening, and social disconnectedness, and the compensatory role of global cognitive function. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Geriatric caregivers are encouraged to consider cognitive interventions to mitigate sleep-related, specifically excessive nocturnal awakening-related, social disconnectedness in older adults.

Two new hypogean species of the genus Triplophysa (Osteichthyes, Cypriniformes, Nemacheilidae) from Guizhou Province, Southwest China, with underestimated diversity.

Two new species of the genus Triplophysa from southwestern Guizhou Province, China, are described. These are Triplophysaziyunensis Wu, Luo, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. and Triplophysayaluwang Lan, Liu, Zhou & Zhou, sp. nov. from Maoying Town, Ziyun County, Guizhou Province, China. Triplophysaziyunensis Wu, Luo, Xiao & Zhou, sp. nov. is distinguished from other hypogean species of the genus Triplophysa by having a combination of the following characteristics: body naked, scaleless, pigmented markings on surface of body, except ventral; eyes reduced, diameter 2.4-4.9% of head length; pelvic-fin tip extending to anus; tip of pectoral fin not reaching pelvic fin origin; anterior and posterior nostrils closely set, with anterior nostril elongated to a barbel-like tip; tip of outrostral barbel extending backward, not reaching anterior margin of the eye; lateral line complete; posterior chamber of air bladder degenerated; and fin differences. Triplophysayaluwang Lan, Liu, Zhou & Zhou, sp. nov. is distinguished from other hypogean species of the genus Triplophysa by having a combination of the following characteristics: body naked, scaleless, with irregular pale and dark brownish brown markings, except ventrally; eyes reduced, diameter 4.6-6.1% of head length; pelvic-fin tip reaching anus; tip of pectoral fin not reaching to pelvic fin origin; anterior and posterior nostrils closely set, with anterior nostril elongated to a barbel-like tip; tip of outrostral barbel extending backward, not reaching to anterior margin of the eye; lateral line complete; posterior chamber of air bladder degenerated; and fin differences. Mitochondrial Cyt b revealed relatively small genetic differences, 1.4-2.0%, between the two new species and close relatives. Nuclear gene RAG1 indicated that the two new species possessed unique haplotypes with multiple linking mutations. This study emphasizes the importance of utilizing nuclear genes to identify new species in rapidly speciation cave species, with small genetic differences due to mitochondrial introgression occurring interspecies.

Evaluation of 4 quantification methods for monitoring 16 antidepressant drugs and their metabolites in human plasma by LC-MS/MS.

BACKGROUND: Therapeutic drug monitoring for antidepressants (ADs) is vital due to the potentially serious consequences and disputes related to medical events. Therefore, we created a quick and convenient analysis way for separation and quantification of ADs. METHODS: To ensure quantitative stability, we divided the 16 ADs or their metabolites into 4 pools (AD1-AD4), considering the hospital frequency that the clinician prescribed, the physicochemical properties of medicines, and the calibration range of selected ADs. After precipitation with methanol, the analytes were eluted for at least 3.5 min on a BEH C18 analytical column by different gradient elution methods. RESULTS: The LLOQ and LOD were 1.25-10 ng/mL and 0.42-5 ng/mL, respectively. High precision (<12 %) and accuracy (87.07-111.47 %) were demonstrated by quality control samples both within and between days. All the compounds were stable at room temperature and within -80 °C. CONCLUSION: The method is of wide clinical and laboratory interest due to simpler sample cleanup, shorter chromatographic run times, and wider calibration range compared to other methods.

Clinical analysis of bleeding and thrombotic events in haematological-oncology patients with severe thrombocytopenia and a high risk of thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: Haematological patients with severe thrombocytopenia and high thrombotic risk face challenges related to balancing bleeding and thrombosis risks. This study investigated factors associated with bleeding and thrombosis in high-risk haematological oncology patients with severe thrombocytopenia not receiving anticoagulant therapy and characterized their clinical features when both events occurred. METHODS: A total of 446 haematological oncology patients with Caprini scores ≥ 5 were included from July 2022 to June 2023 at Mianyang City Central Hospital. Those not receiving prophylactic anticoagulants due to an admission platelet count < 50 × 109/L were studied. Patients were categorized into bleeding/nonbleeding and thrombotic/nonthrombotic groups on the basis of hospital course. Relevant clinical data were collected, and univariate/multivariate logistic regression was used to analyse the influencing factors. The platelet count at admission was assessed via ROC curves for thrombosis prediction. RESULTS: In the bleeding group, higher proportions of patients with leukaemia, myeloid tumours, lung infections, and a central venous catheter (CVC) with two lumens were observed, along with shorter catheter durations, lower initial and minimum platelet counts during hospitalization, and prolonged plasminogen times (all P < 0.05). The thrombotic group had a greater thrombosis history, initial platelet count, use of two venous catheter lumens, parenteral nutrition, sedation, and autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Auto-HSCT), with a lower leukaemia proportion (P < 0.05). Logistic regression identified lymphoma type and minimum platelet count as bleeding protective factors and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score as an independent risk factor. Thrombosis history, two venous catheter lumens, and sedation were risk factors for thrombosis. The median platelet count was lower at bleeding and thrombosis than at admission (P = 0.007). The platelet count at admission had predictive value for thrombosis, especially severe thrombocytopenia, with an AUC of 0.735 (95% CI 0.613-0.858, P = 0.003) and a cut-off value of 42.5 × 109/L. CONCLUSIONS: For haematological neoplasm patients with a high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), severe thrombocytopenia and high CCI scores, risk prevention and control of bleeding take precedence over thrombosis prophylaxis. Prophylactic anticoagulation is still recommended for patients with lymphoma assessed at high risk for VTE and with platelet counts of at least 42.5 × 109/L.

U-shaped Association Between Weight-Adjusted-Waist Index and Arterial Stiffness Among Adult Hypertensive Patients: A Population-Based Study in the United States.

The weight-adjusted-waist index (WWI) is an innovative measure of obesity that appears to surpass body mass index (BMI) in assessing lean body mass and fat mass. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between WWI and AS in hypertensive adults in the United States. The study included 9753 adults diagnosed with hypertension from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which spanned the years 2007-2016. WWI was calculated by dividing waist circumference (in cm) by the square root of body weight (in kg), and arterial stiffness (represented by estimated pulse wave velocity [ePWV]) was analyzed as the outcome. Weighted multiple linear regression and smooth curve fitting were used to test for linear and nonlinear associations. Threshold effects were determined using a two-part linear regression model. Additionally, subgroup analyses and interaction tests were conducted to gain a more in-depth understanding of the observed associations. The mean WWI of the participants was 11.32 ± 0.76. After multivariable adjustment, WWI showed a significant nonlinear association with ePWV, with a U-shaped association observed between the two. Specifically, WWI below the threshold of 10.23 was negatively associated with arterial stiffness (ß = -0.39, 95% CI: -0.54 to -0.25), while WWI above the threshold of 10.23 was positively associated with arterial stiffness (ß = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.07). To conclude, the present findings imply that maintaining WWI within an optimal range could reduce AS in hypertensive individuals and potentially decrease cardiovascular risk. However, this observation needs to be confirmed in large clinical trials.

Numerical modeling assisting in surgical treatment of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection in children.

Objective: To develop a model using patient-specific computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to predict the required anastomotic size for total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) surgery and to forecast surgical outcomes. Methods: Based on clinical data from patients, a CFD model was used to simulate the anastomosis between pulmonary venous confluence and the left atrium. Blood flow velocity, wall shear stress, power loss, and pressure were calculated using numerical algorithms within the model. Various sizes of anastomosis were applied during the simulation. The energy dissipation at the anastomosis was computed from the results and compared with real-world data. Results: As the simulated anastomotic size increased, blood flow velocity, pulmonary venous pressure, and energy loss decreased. However, when the anastomotic size exceeded 18 mm, the efficiency of energy conversion no longer improved. The realistic and simulated velocities matched well for anastomosis sizes ranging from 15 to 20 mm. Conclusion: The model can assist surgeons in preoperative planning for determining the anastomotic size in TAPVC surgical treatment.

RGD-based self-assembling nanodrugs for improved tumor therapy.

RGD-based self-assembling nanodrugs are a promising advancement in targeted cancer therapy, combining the specificity of RGD peptides with the benefits of nanotechnology. These nanodrugs enhance tumor targeting and cellular uptake while reducing off-target effects. RGD peptides facilitate the self-assembly of stable nanostructures, ensuring efficient drug delivery. Despite their potential, challenges such as immunogenicity, stability, tumor heterogeneity, and manufacturing scalability need to be addressed. Future research should focus on improving biocompatibility, advanced targeting strategies, personalized medicine approaches, and innovative manufacturing techniques. Overcoming these challenges will pave the way for the successful clinical translation of RGD-based nanodrugs, offering more effective and safer cancer treatments.

The emerging modulators of non-coding RNAs in diabetic wound healing.

Diabetic wound healing is a complex physiological process often hindered by the underlying metabolic dysfunctions associated with diabetes. Despite existing treatments, there remains a critical need to explore innovative therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes. This article comprehensively examines the roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), specifically microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), in regulating key phases of the wound healing process: inflammation, angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and tissue remodeling. Through a deep review of current literature, we discuss recent discoveries of ncRNAs that have been shown to either promote or impair the wound healing process in diabetic wound healing, which were not covered in earlier reviews. This review highlights the specific mechanisms by which these ncRNAs impact cellular behaviors and pathways critical to each healing stage. Our findings indicate that understanding these recently identified ncRNAs provides new insights into their potential roles in diabetic wound healing, thereby contributing valuable knowledge for future research directions in this field.

Venous thromboembolism and ovarian cancer risk: a Mendelian randomized study.

INTRODUCTION: A potential link between venous thromboembolism and the risk of ovarian cancer has been identified in clinical practice. However, it is unclear whether there is a causal relationship between the two. In this study, we applied a univariate two-sample Mendelian randomization method to explain the possible link between venous thromboembolism and ovarian cancer pathogenesis at the genetic level, and pointed out that lipid metabolism and ovarian cancer pathogenesis have innovative basic experimental directions. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the causal effect between a history of venous thromboembolism and the risk of ovarian cancer. METHODS: Genome-Wide Association Study (GWAS) data of venous thromboembolism patients (n = 9176) of the same ethnicity were selected as study exposures, and GWAS data of ovarian cancer patients (n = 1218) of the same ethnicity were selected as study exposures. In this study, univariate two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis (UVMR) was performed separately using inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger regression, and weighted median (WM) to assess causal effects. In this study, Cochran's Q test, MR-Egger regression intercept term, MR-PRESSO, and leave-one-out method were used for sensitivity analysis to assess the stability and reliability of the results. RESULTS: The GWAS data screened in this study were all European ethnicity data. In this study, we found that genetically predicted history of venous thromboembolism was associated with an upward trend in ovarian cancer incidence, and the results of Weighted median, Simple mode, Weighted mode, and MR Egger showed a similar trend (OR = 1.0006, 95% CI: 1.00007-1.0013, p < 0.05). There was no heterogeneity of results (p = 0.18) and no horizontal pleiotropy (p = 0.77). The instrumental variables selected for venous thromboembolism in this study were all strong instrumental variables (F = 669.7). The results of the sensitivity analysis remained consistent. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that patients with a history of venous thromboembolism are at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer and point to possible associations between lipid metabolism genes, such as CYP4V2, and the development of ovarian cancer, which provide interesting directions for further basic research.

The Optimal First-Line Therapy for Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer Based on Liver Metastasis Status: A Network Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of first-line regimens based on programmed cell death (or ligand) [PD-(L)1] blockade in extensive-stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) patients with or without liver metastases (LM), and to identify optimal treatment strategies. METHODS: Network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing chemo-immunotherapy (CIT) and chemotherapy (CT) in ES-SCLC patients stratified by LM. Overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were evaluated using hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Seven RCTs involving 3658 ES-SCLC patients (1243 with LM, 2415 without LM) were analyzed. For patients with LM, the combination therapies of anti-PD-1 + CT (HR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.54%-0.82%; p < 0.001) and anti-PD-L1 + CT + anti-angiogenesis (HR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.71%-0.99%; p = 0.042) demonstrated superior efficacy in prolonging OS compared to CT alone. The anti-PD-1 + CT regimen had the highest cumulative probability of 91.6% for extending OS in patients with LM. For patients without LM, all CIT regimens resulted in improved OS compared to CT alone, with the regimen of anti-angiogenesis + anti-PD-L1 + CT ranking first and having the highest cumulative probability of 95.5% for prolonging OS. CONCLUSIONS: CIT is effective for ES-SCLC patients regardless of LM status. For patients with LM, PD-1 blockade combined with CT is the best option. For patients without LM, the most beneficial regimen is the combination of anti-angiogenesis, PD-L1 blockade, and CT.

A Photo-Assisted Zinc-Air Battery with MoS2/Oxygen Vacancies Rich TiO2 Heterojunction Photocathode.

Converting solar energy into electrochemical energy is a sustainable strategy, but the design of photo-assisted zinc-air battery (ZAB) with efficient utilization of sunlight faces huge challenges. Herein, a photo-assisted ZAB of a three-electrode system using MoS2/oxygen vacancies-rich TiO2 heterojunction as charge cathode and Fe, N-doped carbon matrix (FeNC) as discharge cathode is constructed, where MoS2 is chosen as solar light-responsive catalytic material and TiO2 acts as electron transport layer and hole blocking layer, arising from a train of thought for efficient charging under sunlight irradiation and light-independent discharging. The introduction of oxygen vacancies in TiO2 facilitates the temporary trapping of carriers and triggers rapid carrier transfer at the interface of the heterojunction, which hinders the recombination of photogenerated holes, thereby facilitating their further participation in the oxygen evolution reaction. Moreover, FeNC exhibits superior oxygen reduction reaction performance due to strong d-π interactions. As a result, the well-built ZABs deliver a low charge voltage (0.71 V) under illumination at 0.1 mA cm-2, and a high power density (167.6 mW cm-2) in dark. This work paves a special way for the development of ZABs by directly harvesting solar energy in charging and efficiently discharging regardless of lighting conditions.

Double-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol/starch bioplastic with superior water-resistance and flame retardancy.

The high water solubility and flammability of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) limits its further widespread use in areas such as bioplastic and green packaging. In this study, double-crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol/starch bioplastics (named PDA) were fabricated using PVA, dialdehyde starch (DAS), and phytic acid (PA), resulting in a material with superior water resistance, flame retardancy, and excellent degradability. PA not only plays the role of catalyst for the chemical crosslinking but also as the physical crosslinker to form the intermolecular hydrogen bonds with PVA and DAS. This chemically and physically double cross-linked network structure results in PDA bioplastics with excellent toughness and water resistance. Specifically, the optimal formulation with 15 % PA content, designated as PDA15, exhibited a high toughness of 35.5 MJ/m3 and demonstrated prolonged shape retention in the boiling water. Additionally, PA also serves as a flame-retardant and antibacterial agent; the PDA15 achieved a high limit oxygen index (LOI) value of 40.0 % and passed the UL-94 V-0 rating without melt dripping, along with better degradability compared to pure PVA film. These outstanding performances make the PDA bioplastics highly promising for various applications, particularly in disposable plastics and laminated flexible packaging materials.