Sex disparity in clinical characteristics and long-term prognosis after liver resection for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma: A propensity score matching analysis.

Aim: To compare the survival outcomes between male and female patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma who underwent liver resection. Methods: Data from 976 consecutive intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma patients undergoing liver resection between January 2005 and May 2013 at the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital were prospectively collected and retrospectively reviewed. Patient clinicopathological characteristics, overall survival, and cumulative recurrence rates were compared between male and female patients using propensity score matching. Results: Propensity score matching generated 313 matched pairs of patients. Among the entire cohort, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival and recurrence rates of the male and female patients were 60.2 %, 37.3 %, and 27.7 % vs. 65.8 %, 40.4 %, and 31.0 % (P = 0.380) and 50.6 %, 67.4 %, and 74.2 % vs. 44.4 %, 63.5 %, and 69.6 % (P = 0.123), respectively. In the matched cohort, the 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival and recurrence rates of the male and female patients were 60.6 %, 35.9 % and 22.4 % vs. 66.4 %, 40.6 % and 31.1 % (P = 0.041) and 51.5 %, 69.3 % and 83.9 % vs. 44.3 %, 63.6 %, and 69.9 % (P = 0.041), respectively. After adjustment for other confounding variables by multivariate Cox regression analysis, male sex was independently associated with worse overall survival (hazard ratio = 1.322, 95 % confidence interval: 1.079-1.621, P = 0.007) and tumor recurrence (hazard ratio = 1.337, 95 % confidence interval: 1.088-1.645, P = 0.006). A subgroup analysis of patients younger than 55 years old after propensity score matching showed that male patients had significantly worse overall survival and higher recurrence rates than female patients after surgery, while no significant difference in long-term overall survival and recurrence was observed between male and female patients older than 55 years old after propensity score matching. Conclusion: Male sex was an independent risk factor for overall survival and tumor recurrence in patients after liver resection for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Aspartate ß-hydroxylase (ASPH) Accelerates Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma Metastasis via Upregulating SHH Signaling Pathway.

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. Aspartate ß-hydroxylase (ASPH) is an α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase involved in the post-translational hydroxylation of target proteins. ASPH has been demonstrated to be upregulated in ICC, yet its role remains to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the potential function of ASPH in ICC metastasis. Methods: Survival curves for the overall survival of pan-cancer data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was depicted using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. The expression of ASPH, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3ß, phosphorylation GSK-3ß (p-GSK-3ß), epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers, and sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling elements in ICC cell lines was analyzed by western blot. Wound healing and transwell assays were conducted to examine the effects of ASPH knockdown and overexpression on cell migration and invasion. An immunofluorescence assay was conducted to evaluate the expression of glioma-associated oncogene 2 (GLI2), GSK-3ß and ASPH. The effect of ASPH on tumor in vivo was analyzed using a nude mouse xenograft model. Results: Pan-cancer data showed that expressed ASPH was significantly correlated with a poor prognosis in patients. ASPH knockdown inhibited the migration and invasion of human ICC cells lines QBC939 and RBE. ASPH overexpression contributed to an increase in the N-cadherin and Vimentin, resulting in the promotion of the EMT process. The p-GSK-3ß levels decreased in the presence of ASPH overexpression. The overexpression of ASPH led to an upregulation of the expression of SHH signaling elements GLI2 and SUFU. The results of in vivo experiments with a lung metastasis model in nude mice with ICC cell line RBE are consistent with these results. Conclusion: ASPH accelerated metastasis of ICC cells by facilitating EMT via a GSK-3ß/SHH/GLI2 axis-dependent manner, in which phosphorylation of GSK-3ß was downregulated and the SHH signaling pathway was activated.

Applying cover crop residues as diverse mixtures increases initial microbial assimilation of crop residue-derived carbon.

Increasing the diversity of crops grown in arable soils delivers multiple ecological functions. Whether mixtures of residues from different crops grown in polyculture contribute to microbial assimilation of carbon (C) to a greater extent than would be expected from applying individual residues is currently unknown. In this study, we used 13C isotope labelled cover crop residues (buckwheat, clover, radish, and sunflower) to track microbial assimilation of plant residue-derived C using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis. We also quantified microbial assimilation of C derived from the soil organic matter (SOM) because fresh residue inputs also prime the decomposition of SOM. To consider the initial stages of residue decomposition, and preclude microbial turnover, we compared a quaternary mixture of residues with the average effect of their four components 1 day after incorporation. Our results show that the microbial biomass carbon (MBC) in the treatment receiving the mixed residue was significantly greater, by 132% (3.61 µg C g-1), than the mean plant residue-derived MBC in treatments receiving the four individual components of the mixture. However, there was no evidence that the mixture resulted in any additional assimilation of C derived from native SOM than the average observed in individual residue treatments. We surmise that, during the initial stages of crop residue decomposition, a greater biodiversity of residues increases microbial assimilation to a greater extent than would be expected from applying individual residues either due to faster decomposition or greater carbon use efficiency (CUE). This might be facilitated by functional complementarity in the soil microbiota, permitted by a greater diversity of substrates, reducing competition for any single substrate. Therefore, growing and incorporating crop polycultures (e.g., cover crop mixtures) could be an effective method to increase microbial C assimilation in the early stages of cover crop decomposition. Highlights: The effect of mixing crop residues on assimilation of C by soil microbial biomass was investigated.The study is important due to recent interest in diverse cover crop mixtures for arable systems.Mixing crop residues enhanced the assimilation of plant residue-derived C into microbial biomass.Growing and incorporating cover crop polycultures may enhance C storage in arable soils.

The Feedback Loop Between the Demand for Voluntary Private Insurance and the Burden of Healthcare System: An Explanatory System Dynamics Model of Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND: Many countries with universal healthcare have a parallel private healthcare sector due to the waiting time in the public sector. People purchase individual health insurance to pay for private services. Past studies on the relationship between the public sector's waiting time and the demand for health insurance have two limitations: not considering the capacity of the private sector, and subsequently, the omission of a feedback loop. These limitations are also present in the health insurance policy discussion in Hong Kong, where the public sector is overstretched. A lack of understanding of market dynamics might lead to unrealistic expectations of public policy. This study highlights these limitations, and tries to answer the research question: whether the historical dynamics between the intersectoral imbalance of burden and the demand for health insurance in Hong Kong could be quantitatively explained. METHODS: A system dynamics model was created based on a negative feedback loop. The model's initial input was the percentage of population with health insurance in 2009, and to simulate the percentage continuously until 2019. Results from 2015 to 2019 were compared with actual figures to examine the model's explanatory power. Multivariable sensitivity analysis was performed. RESULTS: With initial fluctuation, the simulated result stabilized and was within the acceptable error range from 2015 to 2019. The mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was 0.94%. At the end of 2019, the simulated percentage of population with health insurance is 36.6% versus the "real value" of 36.7%. Simulated patient admissions and occupancy rates also approximate the reality. Sensitivity analysis demonstrates the robustness of the model. CONCLUSION: We can quantitatively explain the feedback loop between health system burden and demand for health insurance. With local parameterization, this model should be transferable to other universal health systems for a better understanding of the system dynamics and more informed policy-making.

Clear aligner treatment for a four-year-old patient with anterior cross-bite and facial asymmetry: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Clear aligners have been widely used to treat malocclusions from crowding, extraction cases to orthodontic-orthognathic cases, and practitioners are exploring the border of it. For the first time, clear aligners were used to early intervene anterior cross-bite and facial asymmetry. CASE SUMMARY: This case report described a four-year-old child presented with anterior cross-bite and facial asymmetry associated with functional mandibular shift, who had undergone a failed treatment with conventional appliances. The total treatment time was 18 weeks, and a stable outcome was obtained. CONCLUSION: The increasing need in early treatment highlights the need for clinicians to thoroughly investigate for the patient regarding clinical manifestation as well as patient compliance. We hope that our case will be contemplated by clinicians when seeking for treatment alternatives.

Circular RNA ACTN4 promotes intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression by recruiting YBX1 to initiate FZD7 transcription.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a primary liver cancer with high aggressiveness and extremely poor prognosis. The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in ICC carcinogenesis and progression remains to be determined. METHODS: CircRNA microarray was performed to screen significantly upregulated circRNAs in paired ICC and non-tumor tissues. Colony formation, transwell, and xenograft models were used to examine the role of circRNAs in ICC proliferation and metastasis. RNA pulldown, mass spectrometry, chromatin immunoprecipitation, RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation, chromatin isolation by RNA purification, electrophoretic mobility shift assay, and luciferase reporter assays were used to explore the molecular sponge role of the circRNA (via miRNA binding), and the interaction between circRNA and RNA-binding proteins. RESULTS: Hsa_circ_0050898, which originated from exon 1 to exon 20 of the ACTN4 gene (named circACTN4), was significantly upregulated in ICC. High circACTN4 expression was associated with enhanced tumor proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo, as well as a worse prognosis following ICC resection. In addition, circACTN4 upregulated Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) expression by sponging miR-424-5p. More importantly, circACTN4 also recruited Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1) to stimulate Frizzled-7 (FZD7) transcription. Furthermore, circACTN4 overexpression in ICC cells enhanced the interaction between YAP1 and ß-catenin, which are the core components of the Hippo and Wnt signaling pathways, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: CircACTN4 was upregulated in ICC and promoted ICC proliferation and metastasis by acting as a molecular sponge of miR-424-5p, as well as by interacting with YBX1 to transcriptionally activate FZD7. These results suggest that circACTN4 is a potential prognostic marker and therapeutic target for ICC. LAY SUMMARY: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a primary liver cancer associated with aggressiveness and extremely poor prognosis. It is essential for therapeutic development that we uncover relevant pathogenic pathways. Herein, we showed that a circular RNA (circACTN4) was highly expressed in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and was positively associated with tumor growth and metastasis through key developmental signaling pathways. Thus, circACTN4 could be a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Appointment impact and orthodontic emergency occurrence during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: A retrospective study.

INTRODUCTION: This retrospective study aimed to quantify the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on the orthodontic appointment and make an analysis of orthodontic emergencies (OEs) that occurred during the pandemic. METHODS: A total of 628 patients were randomly sampled from 3489 subjects who were undergoing active orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances, and the medical records were reviewed. OE occurrence was analyzed from 617 patients who had explicit return-visit records after the COVID-19 outbreak. Wilcoxon signed rank tests, chi-square tests, and a binary logistic regression were performed. RESULTS: The return-visit of 98.6% of the patients was delayed significantly with an increase over 8.98 ± 4.76 weeks (P <0.001). In general, 32.3% of the patients suffered from various OEs while waiting for their first return-visit, and bracket or band debonding was the most frequently reported category. Most OEs did not receive timely treatments because of the lockdown. The incidence was nearly 2 times higher than that of the normal appointment times. No correlation was found between OE occurrence and different demographic and clinical characteristics of patients. The therapeutic progress of patients, especially those in stage 3, was postponed because of the occurrence of OEs. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the limitations, our study suggested that it is highly possible that the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed appointments of fixed orthodontic patients. OEs did bother a minority of patients and could not be settled in time during the lockdown, which had a negative impact on the near-term treatment progress and should have been prevented. Further studies are required to investigate the long-dated influence of COVID-19 on orthodontic practices.

Genetic Variants of CLPP and M1AP Are Associated With Risk of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are often associated with distinct phenotypes in cancer. The present study investigated associations of cancer risk and outcomes with SNPs discovered by whole exome sequencing of normal lung tissue DNA of 15 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients, 10 early stage and 5 advanced stage. METHODS: DNA extracted from normal lung tissue of the 15 NSCLC patients was subjected to whole genome amplification and sequencing and analyzed for the occurrence of SNPs. The association of SNPs with the risk of lung cancer and survival was surveyed using the OncoArray study dataset of 85,716 patients (29,266 cases and 56,450 cancer-free controls) and the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian study subset of 1,175 lung cancer patients. RESULTS: We identified 4 SNPs exclusive to the 5 patients with advanced stage NSCLC: rs10420388 and rs10418574 in the CLPP gene, and rs11126435 and rs2021725 in the M1AP gene. The variant alleles G of SNP rs10420388 and A of SNP rs10418574 in the CLPP gene were associated with increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma (OR = 1.07 and 1.07; P = 0.013 and 0.016, respectively). The variant allele T of SNP rs11126435 in the M1AP gene was associated with decreased risk of adenocarcinoma (OR = 0.95; P = 0.027). There was no significant association of these SNPs with the overall survival of lung cancer patients (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SNPs identified in the CLPP and M1AP genes may be useful in risk prediction models for lung cancer. The previously established association of the CLPP gene with cancer progression lends relevance to our findings.

A quantitative and qualitative study on the neuropsychiatric sequelae of acutely ill COVID-19 inpatients in isolation facilities.

This study examined the neuropsychiatric sequelae of acutely ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection who received treatment in hospital isolation wards during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ten COVID-19 patients who received treatment in various hospitals in Chongqing, China; 10 age- and gender-matched psychiatric patients; and 10 healthy control participants residing in the same city were recruited. All participants completed a survey that collected information on demographic data, physical symptoms in the past 14 days and psychological parameters. Face-to-face interviews with COVID-19 patients were also performed using semi-structured questions. Among the COVID-19 patients, 40% had abnormal findings on the chest computed topography scan, 20% had dysosmia, 10% had dysgeusia, and 80% had repeated positivity on COVID-19 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction testing. COVID-19 and psychiatric patients were significantly more worried about their health than healthy controls (p = 0.019). A greater proportion of COVID-19 patients experienced impulsivity (p = 0.016) and insomnia (p = 0.039) than psychiatric patients and healthy controls. COVID-19 patients reported a higher psychological impact of the outbreak than psychiatric patients and healthy controls, with half of them having clinically significant symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. COVID-19 and psychiatric patients had higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress than healthy controls. Three themes emerged from the interviews with COVID-19 patients: (i) The emotions experienced by patients after COVID-19 infection (i.e., shock, fear, despair, hope, and boredom); (ii) the external factors that affected patients' mood (i.e., discrimination, medical expenses, care by healthcare workers); and (iii) coping and self-help behavior (i.e., distraction, problem-solving and online support). The future direction in COVID-19 management involves the development of a holistic inpatient service to promote immune and psychological resilience.

Inflammation Score System using Preoperative Inflammatory Markers to Predict Prognosis for Hepatocellular Carcinoma after Hepatectomy: A Cohort Study.

Background: This study developed a novel inflammation score system to predict survival outcomes using preoperational inflammatory markers in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after surgery. Materials and Methods: An inflammation score system was developed using five preoperative inflammatory markers based on the clinical data of 455 HCC patients (training cohort) receiving radical resection in the Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital. The system was validated using a cohort from a different hospital (external validation). Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank test were used to compare the survival of patients with different inflammation scores. A nomogram including inflammation scores for survival prediction was created to exhibit the risk factors of overall survival (OS). Results: The patients in the low-score group showed better OS and recurrence-free survival (RFS) in the training and external validation cohorts than those from the high-score group. Subgroup analysis showed that compared with patients in the training cohort from the high-score group, stage I (eighth TNM stage) patients in the low-score group exhibited better prognosis results, whereas the findings for Stage II and III patients were different. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that high inflammation score is an independent risk factor of OS and RFS. The nomogram established using the inflammation score with the C-index value of 0.661 (95% confidence interval=0.624-0.698) revealed a good three- and five-year calibration curves. Conclusions: The inflammation score system based on five preoperative inflammatory markers well predicted the survival of HCC patients after surgery, especially in those at the early stage (Stage I).

Do psychiatric patients experience more psychiatric symptoms during COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown? A case-control study with service and research implications for immunopsychiatry.

This study aimed to assess and compare the immediate stress and psychological impact experienced by people with and without psychiatric illnesses during the peak of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic with strict lockdown measures. Seventy-six psychiatric patients and 109 healthy control subjects were recruited from Chongqing, China and completed a survey on demographic data, physical symptoms during the past 14 days and a range of psychiatric symptoms using the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). IES-R measures PTSD symptoms in survivorship after an event. DASS-21 is based on tripartite model of psychopathology that comprise a general distress construct with distinct characteristics. The mean IES-R, DASS-21 anxiety, depression and stress subscale and ISI scores were higher in psychiatric patients than healthy controls (p < 0.001). Serious worries about their physical health, anger and impulsivity and intense suicidal ideation were significantly higher in psychiatric patients than healthy controls (p < 0.05). More than one-third of psychiatric patients might fulfil the diagnostic criteria post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). More than one-quarter of psychiatric patients suffered from moderately severe to severe insomnia. Respondents who reported no change, poor or worse physical health status and had a psychiatric illness were significantly more likely to have higher mean IES-R, DASS depression, anxiety and stress subscale scores and ISI scores (p < 0.05). This study confirms the severity of negative psychological impact on psychiatric patients during the COVID-19 epidemic with strict lockdown measures. Understanding the psychological impact on psychiatric patients during the COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to provide insight into how to develop a new immunopsychiatry service. Further research is required to compare pro-inflammatory cytokines between psychiatric patients and healthy controls during the pandemic.

Is returning to work during the COVID-19 pandemic stressful? A study on immediate mental health status and psychoneuroimmunity prevention measures of Chinese workforce.

This study aimed to quantify the immediate psychological effects and psychoneuroimmunity prevention measures of a workforce returning to work during the COVID-19 epidemic. Workforce returning to work was invited to complete an online questionnaire regarding their attitude toward the COVID-19 epidemic and return-to-work along with psychological parameters including the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale- 21 (DASS-21) and Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Psychoneuroimmunity prevention measures include precautions at personal and organization levels. From 673 valid questionnaires, we found that 10.8% of respondents met the diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after returning to work. The respondents reported a low prevalence of anxiety (3.8%), depression (3.7%), stress (1.5%) and insomnia (2.3%). There were no significant differences in the severity of psychiatric symptoms between workers/technicians and executives/managers. >95% reported psychoneuroimmunity prevention measures including good ventilation in the workplace and wore a face mask as protective. Factors that were associated with the severity of psychiatric symptoms in the workforce were marital status, presence of physical symptom, poor physical health and viewing return to work as a health hazard (p < 0.05). In contrast, personal psychoneuroimmunity prevention measures including hand hygiene and wearing face masks as well as organizational measures including significant improvement of workplace hygiene and concerns from the company were associated with less severe psychiatric symptoms (p < 0.05). Contrary to expectations, returning to work had not caused a high level of psychiatric symptoms in the workforce. The low prevalence of psychiatric symptoms could be due to confidence instilled by psychoneuroimmunity prevention measures before the resumption of work. Our findings would provide information for other countries during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Optimization of ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction of polysaccharides from thick-shell mussel (Mytilus coruscus) and their antioxidant activities.

This study aimed to obtain the purified fractions of Mytilus coruscus polysaccharides (MCPs) and investigate their antioxidant activities. MCPs were prepared through ultrasonic-assisted enzymatic extraction optimized by employing the response surface methodology. A single-factor experiment was conducted using the Box-Behnken design to determine the optimum extraction conditions of MCPs. The ultrasonic power was 60 W, liquid-to-material ratio was 30 mL/g, extraction time was 36 min, extraction temperature was 64 °C, enzyme concentration was 3.2%, and polysaccharide extraction yield was 12.86% ±â€¯0.12%. A novel polysaccharide (MCP1-2) was obtained after the purification with AB-8 macroporous resin, DEAE Sepharose Fast Flow, and Sepharose CL-6B column. The molecular weight of MCP1-2 was estimated to be 134.9 kDa according to high-performance gel permeation chromatography. High-pressure liquid-phase chromatography results showed that MCP1-2 contained mannose, rhamnose, glucuronic acid, glucose, galactose, and L-Fuc at a molar ratio of 1.53:1:4.83:81.82:2.36:1.51. Infrared and NMR spectroscopies confirmed that MCP1-2 possessed α- and ß- configurations. The antioxidant activities of MCP1-2 were investigated in vitro, and the results showed that MCP1-2 had good antioxidant activity and can be used as a natural antioxidant in food.

Short-Time Antibacterial Effects of Dimethylaminododecyl Methacrylate on Oral Multispecies Biofilm In Vitro.

Quaternary ammonium compounds constitute a large group of antibacterial chemicals with a potential for inhibiting dental plaque. The aims of this study were to evaluate short-time antibacterial and regulating effects of dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate (DMADDM) on multispecies biofilm viability, reformation, and bacterial composition in vitro. DMADDM, chlorhexidine (CHX), and sodium fluoride (NaF) were chosen in the present study. Streptococcus mutans, Streptococcus sanguinis, and Streptococcus gordonii were used to form multispecies biofilm. Cytotoxicity assay was used to determine the optimal tested concentration. 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and resazurin test of biofilm were conducted to study the biomass changes and metabolic changes of controlled multispecies biofilm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe biofilm images. TaqMan real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the proportion change in multispecies biofilm of different groups. Cytotoxicity assay showed that there existed a certain concentration application range for DMADDM, CHX, and NaF. MTT assay and resazurin test results showed that DMADDM and CHX groups decreased multispecies biofilm growth and metabolic activity (p < 0.05), no matter after 1 min or 5 min direct contact killing or after 24 h regrowth. The proportion of S. mutans decreased steadily in DMADDM and CHX groups after 1 min and 5 min direct contact killing and 24 h regrowth, compared to control groups. A novel DMADDM-containing solution was developed, achieving effective short-time antibacterial effects and regulation ability of biofilm formation.

An ionic liquid process for mercury removal from natural gas.

Efficient scrubbing of mercury vapour from natural gas streams has been demonstrated both in the laboratory and on an industrial scale, using chlorocuprate(II) ionic liquids impregnated on high surface area porous solid supports, resulting in the effective removal of mercury vapour from natural gas streams. This material has been commercialised for use within the petroleum gas production industry, and has currently been running continuously for three years on a natural gas plant in Malaysia. Here we report on the chemistry underlying this process, and demonstrate the transfer of this technology from gram to ton scale.

Theoretical and experimental correlations of gas dissolution, diffusion, and thermodynamic properties in determination of gas permeability and selectivity in supported ionic liquid membranes.

Supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) has the potential to be a new technological platform for gas/organic vapour separation because of the unique non-volatile nature and discriminating gas dissolution properties of room temperature ionic liquids (ILs). This work starts with an examination of gas dissolution and transport properties in bulk imidazulium cation based ionic liquids [C(n)mim][NTf2] (n=2.4, 6, 8.10) from simple gas H(2), N(2), to polar CO(2), and C(2)H(6), leading to a further analysis of how gas dissolution and diffusion are influenced by molecular specific gas-SILMs interactions, reflected by differences in gas dissolution enthalpy and entropy. These effects were elucidated again during gas permeation studies by examining how changes in these properties and molecular specific interactions work together to cause deviations from conventional solution-diffusion theory and their impact on some remarkably contrasting gas perm-selectivity performance. The experimental perm-selectivity for all tested gases showed varied and contrasting deviation from the solution-diffusion, depending on specific gas-IL combinations. It transpires permeation for simpler non-polar gases (H(2), N(2)) is diffusion controlled, but strong molecular specific gas-ILs interactions led to a different permeation and selectivity performance for C(2)H(6) and CO(2). With exothermic dissolution enthalpy and large order disruptive entropy, C(2)H(6) displayed the fastest permeation rate at increased gas phase pressure in spite of its smallest diffusivity among the tested gases. The C(2)H(6) gas molecules "peg" on the side alkyl chain on the imidazulium cation at low concentration, and are well dispersed in the ionic liquids phase at high concentration. On the other hand strong CO(2)-ILs affinity resulted in a more prolonged "residence time" for the gas molecule, typified by reversed CO(2)/N(2) selectivity and slowest CO(2) transport despite CO(2) possess the highest solubility and comparable diffusivity in the ionic liquids. The unique transport and dissolution behaviour of CO(2) are further exploited by examining the residing state of CO(2) molecules in the ionic liquid phase, which leads to a hypothesis of a condensing and holding capacity of ILs towards CO(2), which provide an explanation to slower CO(2) transport through the SILMs. The pressure related exponential increase in permeations rate is also analysed which suggests a typical concentration dependent diffusion rate at high gas concentration under increased gas feed pressure. Finally the strong influence of discriminating and molecular specific gas-ILs interactions on gas perm-selectivity performance points to future specific design of ionic liquids for targeted gas separations.