Screening Characteristics of Hemoglobin and Mean Corpuscular Volume for Detection of Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy.

Iron deficiency in pregnancy remains underdiagnosed despite professional society recommendations for first-trimester complete blood count (CBC) screening. To determine the effectiveness of the CBC hemoglobin and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) to identify iron deficiency in pregnancy, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 20,550 pregnancies from 2009 to 2022 at the University of California, San Francisco, obstetrics clinics. A total of 16,547 (80.5%) pregnant individuals had first-trimester screening CBC; 345 (2.1%) had a coincident ferritin test. Hemoglobin level less than 11 g/dL and MCV level less than 80 fL each had sensitivity of only 30% (95% CI, 20-41%) to detect first-trimester iron deficiency (ferritin level less than 30), corresponding to a negative likelihood ratio of 0.90 (95% CI, 0.77-1.05) and 0.85 (95% CI, 0.73-0.99), respectively. More than 50% of the 1,749 women with documented iron deficiency anytime during pregnancy were neither anemic nor microcytic at the time of diagnosis.

Fat Mass Index Predicts the Effect of Weight Loss and Quality of Life Early After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

BACKGROUND: Fat mass index (FMI) is a body composition indicator that reflects body fat content. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is widely performed in patients with obesity. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the value of the FMI in predicting weight loss effect and quality of life early after LSG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From January 2014 to July 2022, the clinical data and computed tomography (CT) images of patients who underwent LSG at a tertiary referral teaching hospital were analyzed. Body composition indicators were calculated using the SliceOmatic software. Achieving initial body mass index within 6 months postoperatively was defined as early eligible weight loss (EEWL). The relationship between body composition and EEWL was analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 243 patients were included. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed that the predictive value of the FMI for EEWL in patients after LSG was higher than that of other indicators (all P < 0.05; area under the curve = 0.813). The best FMI cut-off point was 13.662. Accordingly, the patients were divided into the high-FMI group and low-FMI group. The %EWL and BMI of patients in the low-FMI group at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24 months after surgery were better than those in the high-FMI group (all P < 0.001). Patients in the low-FMI group had higher BAROS (Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System) scores than those in the high-FMI group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared with other body composition indicators, FMI can effectively predict the early effect of weight loss and quality of life after LSG.

Research progress on the regulation of starch-polyphenol interactions in food processing.

Starch is a fundamental material in the food industry. However, the inherent structural constraints of starch impose limitations on its physicochemical properties, including thermal instability, viscosity, and retrogradation. To address these obstacles, polyphenols are extensively employed for starch modification owing to their distinctive structural characteristics and potent antioxidant capabilities. Interaction between the hydroxyl groups of polyphenols and starch results in the formation of inclusion or non-inclusion complexes, thereby inducing alterations in the multiscale structure of starch. These modifications lead to changes in the physicochemical properties of starch, while simultaneously enhancing its nutritional value. Recent studies have demonstrated that both thermal and non-thermal processing exert a significant influence on the formation of starch-polyphenol complexes. This review meticulously analyzes the techniques facilitating complex formation, elucidating the critical factors that dictate this process. Of noteworthy importance is the observation that thermal processing significantly boosts these interactions, whereas non-thermal processing enables more precise modifications. Thus, a profound comprehension and precise regulation of the production of starch-polyphenol complexes are imperative for optimizing their application in various starch-based food products. This in-depth study is dedicated to providing a valuable pathway for enhancing the quality of starchy foods through the strategic integration of suitable processing technologies.

Development of a staging system for hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach based on multicenter data: A retrospective cohort study: A Staging System for Hepatoid Adenocarcinoma of the Stomach.

BACKGROUND: Hepatoid adenocarcinoma of the stomach (HAS) is a rare subtype of gastric cancer (GC) with a poor prognosis. Furthermore, the current pathological staging system for HAS does not distinguish it from that for common gastric cancer (CGC). METHODS: The clinicopathological data of 251 patients with primary HAS who underwent radical surgery at 14 centers in China from April 2004 to December 2019 and 5082 patients with primary CGC who underwent radical surgery at 2 centers during the same period were retrospectively analyzed. A modified staging system was established based on the differences in survival. RESULTS: After 1:4 propensity score matching (PSM), 228 patients with HAS and 828 patients with CGC were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis showed patients with HAS had a poorer prognosis compared with CGC. Multivariate analysis identified pN stage, CEA level, and perineural invasion (PNI) as independent prognostic factors in patients with HAS. A modified pT (mpT) staging was derived using recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) incorporating PNI and pT staging. The modified pathological staging system (mpTNM) integrated the mpT and the 8th American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) pN definitions. Multivariate analysis showed that mpTNM stage outperformed other pathological variables as independent predictors of OS and RFS in patients with HAS. The mpTNM staging system exhibited significantly higher predictive accuracy for 3-year OS in patients with HAS (0.707, 95% CI: 0.650-0.763) compared to that of the 8th AJCC staging system (0.667, 95% CI: 0.610-0.723, P<0.05). Analysis using the Akaike information criterion favored the mpTNM staging system over the 8th AJCC staging system (824.69 vs. 835.94) regarding the goodness of fit. The mpTNM stages showed improved homogeneity in survival prediction (likelihood ratio: 41.51 vs. 27.10). Comparatively the mpTNM staging system outperformed the 8th AJCC staging system in survival prediction, supported by improvements in the net reclassification index (NRI: 47.7%) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI: 0.083, P<0.05). Time-dependent ROC curve showed that the mpTNM staging system consistently outperformed the 8th AJCC staging system with increasing observation time. CONCLUSION: The mpTNM staging system exhibited superior postoperative prognostic accuracy for patients with HAS compared to the 8th AJCC staging system.

Impact of dynamic changes of tumor marker in neoadjuvant chemotherapy-treated triple-negative gastric cancer patients: a multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Independent and valid prognostic predictors for locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC) patients with non-elevated serum tumor markers (Triple-negative: CA199 < 37U/ml, CEA < 5 µg/ml and CA125 < 35U/ml) before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) remain unclear. METHODS: A total of 352 LAGC patients treated with NACT(NLAGC) from two centers were included. Of the 156 were Triple-negative patients. CA72-4 trajectory groupings was defined as longitudinal changes in CA72-4 levels before and after NACT to identify different potential subgroups and to compare recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) among subgroups. The predictive performance of the nomogram-trajectory was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC), decision curve analysis, and C-index. RESULTS: In the Triple-negative patients, the Stable group had significantly worse 3-year OS than the Normal, Elevated, and Descend groups(3-year OS: 53.9% vs. 77.9% vs. 73.5% vs. 87.7%;P = 0.002). Cox multivariate analysis showed that CA72-4 trajectory groupings (Stable group: HR:3.442, 95%CI[1.574-7.528], P = 0.002) was an independent prognostic risk factor. In addition, the C-index and AUC values based on the nomogram-trajectory were significantly higher than those of ypTNM staging (C-index: 0.788 vs. 0.719,P < 0.001;AUC: 0.800 vs. 0.667,P < 0.001). Furthermore, The survival analysis revealed that the 3-year OS of the Low-Risk group of nomogram scores was significantly better than that of the High-Risk group(3-year OS:84.7% vs. 29.1%). And the Low-Risk group had the lower cumulative risk of recurrence (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The CA72-4 trajectory groupings were an independent prognostic factor for NLAGC Triple-negative patients. The predictive efficacy of the Nomogram-trajectory was significantly better than the ypTNM.

Developing a modified textbook outcome for elderly patients with gastric cancer: a multi-center study.

OBJECTIVE: Textbook outcome (TO) is widely recognized as a comprehensive prognostic indication for patients with gastric cancer (GC). This study aims to develop a modified TO (mTO) for elderly patients with GC. METHODS: Data from the elderly patients (aged ≥ 65 years) in two Chinese tertiary referral hospitals were analyzed. 1389 patients from Fujian Medical University Union Hospital were assigned as the training cohort and 185 patients from Affiliated Hospital of Putian University as the validation cohort. Nomogram was developed by the independent prognostic factors of Overall Survival (OS) based on Cox regression. RESULTS: In the training cohort, laparoscopic surgery was significantly correlated with higher TO rate (P < 0.05). Cox regression analysis revealed that surgical approach was also an independent factor of OS (P < 0.001), distinct from the traditional TO. In light of these findings, TO parameters were enhanced by the inclusion of surgical approach, rendering a modified TO (mTO). Further analysis showed that mTO, tumor size, pTNM staging, and adjuvant chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors associated with OS (all P < 0.05). Additionally, the nomogram incorporating these four indicators accurately predicted 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS in the training cohort, with AUC values of 0.793, 0.814, and 0.807, respectively, and exhibited outstanding predictive performance within the validation cohort. CONCLUSION: mTO holds a robust association with the prognosis of elderly patients with GC, meriting intensified attention in efforts aimed at enhancing surgical quality. Furthermore, the predictive model incorporating mTO demonstrates excellent predictive performance for elderly patients with GC.

Effects of thermal processing on natural antioxidants in fruits and vegetables.

Research on the content of polyphenolic compounds in fruits and vegetables, the extraction of bioactive compounds, and the study of their impact on the human body has received growing attention in recent years. This is due to the great interest in bioactive compounds and their health benefits, resulting in increased market demand for natural foods. Bioactive compounds from plants are generally categorized as natural antioxidants with health benefits such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, etc. Thermal processing has been used in the food sector for a long history. Implementing different thermal processing methods could be essential in retaining the quality of the natural antioxidant compounds in plant-based foods. A comprehensive review is presented on the effects of thermal blanching (i.e., hot water, steam, superheated steam impingement, ohmic and microwave blanching), pasteurization, and sterilization and drying technologies on natural antioxidants in fruits and vegetables.

CircUBA2 promotes the cancer stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer through upregulating STC1 via sponging miR-144-5p.

BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are critical factors that limit the effectiveness of gastric cancer (GC) therapy. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are confirmed as important regulators of many cancers. However, their role in regulating CSC-like properties of GC remains largely unknown. Our study aimed to investigate the role of circUBA2 in CSC maintenance and the underlying mechanisms. METHODS: We identified circUBA2 as an upregulated gene using circRNA microarray analysis. qRT-PCR was used to examine the circUBA2 levels in normal and GC tissues. In vitro and in vivo functional assays were performed to validate the role of circUBA2 in proliferation, migration, metastasis and CSC-like properties of GC cell. The relationship between circUBA2, miR-144-5p and STC1 was characterised using bioinformatics analysis, a dual fluorescence reporter system, FISH, and RIP assays. RESULTS: CircUBA2 expression was significantly increased in GC tissues, and patients with GC with high circUBA2 expression had a poor prognosis. CircUBA2 enhances CSC-like properties of GC, thereby promoting cell proliferation, migration, and metastasis. Mechanistically, circUBA2 promoted GC malignancy and CSC-like properties by acting as a sponge for miR-144-5p to upregulate STC1 expression and further activate the IL-6/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. More importantly, the ability of circUBA2 to enhance CSC-like properties was inhibited by tocilizumab, a humanised Interleukin-6 receptor (IL-6R) antibody. Thus, circUBA2 knockdown and tocilizumab synergistically inhibited CSC-like properties. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated the critical role of circUBA2 in regulating CSC-like properties in GC. CircUBA2 may be a promising prognostic biomarker for GC.

Study on the Thermal Decomposition Risk of 3,7-Dinitro-1,3,5,7-tetraazabicyclo[3,3,1]nonane under Different Conditions.

Given its role as a pivotal intermediate in octogen production, the thermal safety of DPT is of paramount importance due to its significant thermal hazard. To assess the potential thermal hazard associated with its decomposition, a nonisothermal DSC experiment and an ARC test were conducted. For the acquisition of more precise thermal decomposition kinetic parameters, the impact of various crucible types on the experimental outcomes was scrutinized. The DSC results indicate that the precise thermal decomposition process of DPT, an autocatalytic decomposition material, can be accurately ascertained by using a high-pressure sealed crucible test. The authentic thermal decomposition process of DPT encompasses two critical reactions: the decomposition of DPT itself and the secondary reaction and decomposition of its byproducts. A robust thermal decomposition kinetic model was established, integrating the findings from the DSC test results. Subsequently, the risk of thermal explosion during DPT storage was simulated by using a kinetic numerical simulation approach.

Clinical efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy plus cholangioscopy for the treatment of cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND: Currently, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) plus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the main treatment for cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis. However, the treatment is unsatisfactory, and the development of better therapies is needed. AIM: To determine the clinical efficacy of LC plus cholangioscopy for cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis. METHODS: Patients (n = 243) with cholecystolithiasis and choledocholithiasis admitted to The Affiliated Haixia Hospital of Huaqiao University (910th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force) between January 2019 and December 2023 were included in the study; 111 patients (control group) underwent ERCP + LC and 132 patients (observation group) underwent LC + laparoscopic common bile duct exploration (LCBDE). Surgical success rates, residual stone rates, complications (pancreatitis, hyperamylasemia, biliary tract infection, and bile leakage), surgical indicators [intraoperative blood loss (IBL) and operation time (OT)], recovery indices (postoperative exhaust/defecation time and hospital stay), and serum inflammatory markers [C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were compared. RESULTS: No significant differences in surgical success rates and residual stone rates were detected between the observation and control groups. However, the complication rate, IBL, OT, postoperative exhaust/defecation time, and hospital stays were significantly reduced in the observation group compared with the control group. Furthermore, CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 Levels after treatment were reduced in the observation group compared with the levels in the control group. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that LC + LCBDE is safer than ERCP + LC for the treatment of cholecystolithiasis combined with choledocholithiasis. The surgical risks and postoperative complications were lower in the observation group compared with the control group. Thus, patients may recover quickly with less inflammation after LCBDE.

Walking Interventions and Sleep Quality of Persons Living With Dementia and Their Family Caregivers: Effects of Different Walking Companions.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of walking interventions on sleep quality of persons with dementia (PWD) and their caregivers (dyads), and how different companions affect results. METHOD: Forty-five dyads were divided into three groups: a control group and two experimental groups (one with a care attendant, one with a family caregiver). The two experimental groups engaged in 120 minutes of walking per week for 24 weeks. RESULTS: A significant improvement in sleep quality was observed among PWD in the family caregiver group (Wald χ2 = 4.55, p = 0.033), whereas there was no improvement in the care attendant group. A slight improvement in sleep quality of family caregivers was also found. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest the importance of creating individualized walking activity plans for dyads, incorporating trust and rapport-building strategies to improve sleep quality. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(8), 46-56.].

KLHL21 suppresses gastric tumourigenesis via maintaining STAT3 signalling equilibrium in stomach homoeostasis.

OBJECTIVE: Precancerous metaplasia transition to dysplasia poses a risk for subsequent intestinal-type gastric adenocarcinoma. However, the molecular basis underlying the transformation from metaplastic to cancerous cells remains poorly understood. DESIGN: An integrated analysis of genes associated with metaplasia, dysplasia was conducted, verified and characterised in the gastric tissues of patients by single-cell RNA sequencing and immunostaining. Multiple mouse models, including homozygous conditional knockout Klhl21-floxed mice, were generated to investigate the role of Klhl21 deletion in stemness, DNA damage and tumour formation. Mass-spectrometry-based proteomics and ribosome sequencing were used to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. RESULTS: Kelch-like protein 21 (KLHL21) expression progressively decreased in metaplasia, dysplasia and cancer. Genetic deletion of Klhl21 enhances the rapid proliferation of Mist1+ cells and their descendant cells. Klhl21 loss during metaplasia facilitates the recruitment of damaged cells into the cell cycle via STAT3 signalling. Increased STAT3 activity was confirmed in cancer cells lacking KLHL21, boosting self-renewal and tumourigenicity. Mechanistically, the loss of KLHL21 promotes PIK3CB mRNA translation by stabilising the PABPC1-eIF4G complex, subsequently causing STAT3 activation. Pharmacological STAT3 inhibition by TTI-101 elicited anticancer effects, effectively impeding the transition from metaplasia to dysplasia. In patients with gastric cancer, low levels of KLHL21 had a shorter survival rate and a worse response to adjuvant chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlighted that KLHL21 loss triggers STAT3 reactivation through PABPC1-mediated PIK3CB translational activation, and targeting STAT3 can reverse preneoplastic metaplasia in KLHL21-deficient stomachs.

Increased ONECUT2 induced by Helicobacter pylori promotes gastric cancer cell stemness via an AKT-related pathway.

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection initiates and promotes gastric carcinogenesis. ONECUT2 shows promise for tumor diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. This study explored ONECUT2's role and the specific mechanism underlying HP infection-associated gastric carcinogenesis to suggest a basis for targeting ONECUT2 as a therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer (GC). Multidimensional data supported an association between ONECUT2, HP infection, and GC pathogenesis. HP infection upregulated ONECUT2 transcriptional activity via NFκB. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that ONECUT2 increased the stemness of GC cells. ONECUT2 was also shown to inhibit PPP2R4 transcription, resulting in reduced PP2A activity, which in turn increased AKT/ß-catenin phosphorylation. AKT/ß-catenin phosphorylation facilitates ß-catenin translocation to the nucleus, initiating transcription of downstream stemness-associated genes in GC cells. HP infection upregulated the reduction of AKT and ß-catenin phosphorylation triggered by ONECUT2 downregulation via ONECUT2 induction. Clinical survival analysis indicated that high ONECUT2 expression may indicate poor prognosis in GC. This study highlights a critical role played by ONECUT2 in promoting HP infection-associated GC by enhancing cell stemness through the PPP2R4/AKT/ß-catenin signaling pathway. These findings suggest promising therapeutic strategies and potential targets for GC treatment.

Development and validation of a preoperative radiomics-based nomogram to identify patients who can benefit from splenic hilar lymphadenectomy: a pooled analysis of three prospective trials.

BACKGROUND: The authors aimed to use preoperative computed tomography images to develop a radiomic nomogram to select patients who would benefit from spleen-preserving splenic hilar (No.10) lymphadenectomy (SPSHL). METHODS: A pooled analysis of three distinct prospective studies was performed. The splenic hilar lymph node (SHLN) ratio (sLNR) was established as the quotient of the number of metastatic SHLN to the total number of SHLN. Radiomic features reflecting the phenotypes of the primary tumor (RS1) and SHLN region (RS2) were extracted and used as predictive factors for sLNR. RESULTS: This study included 733 patients: 301 in the D2 group and 432 in the D2+No.10 group. The optimal sLNR cutoff value was set at 0.4, and the D2+No.10 group was divided into three groups: sLNR=0, sLNR ≤0.4, and sLNR >0.4. Patients in the D2+No. 10 group were randomly divided into the training ( n =302) and validation ( n =130) cohorts. The AUCs value of the nomogram, including RS1 and RS2, were 0.952 in the training cohort and 0.888 in the validation cohort. The entire cohort was divided into three groups based on the nomogram scores: low, moderate, and high SHLN metastasis burden groups (LMB, MMB, and HMB, respectively). A similar 5-year OS rate was found between the D2 and D2+No. 10 groups in the LMB and HMB groups. In the MMB group, the 5-year OS of the D2+No. 10 group (73.4%) was significantly higher than that of the D2 group (37.6%) ( P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The nomogram showed good predictive ability for distinguishing patients with various SHLN metastasis burdens. It can accurately identify patients who would benefit from SPSHL.

Structure, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities of novel pentacyclic triterpenoids and other constituents from the leaves of Pittosporum elevaticostatum.

The investigation of the leaves of Pittosporum elevaticostatum Chang et Yan led to the isolation of fifteen pentacyclic triterpenoids (1-15), including five previously undescribed ones (1-5), and nine others (16-24). The structures of compounds 1-5 were elucidated based on comprehensive spectroscopic techniques, including one dimension (1D) and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high resolution electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy (HR-ESI-MS), and other methods. Compounds 2 and 13 demonstrated significant inhibitory activity against Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 32 µM. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations revealed insights into the antibacterial mechanism, indicating that compounds 2 and 13 either prevent biofilm formation of dispersed the preformed cell membranes. Additionally, compounds 1, 5, 7, and 12 exhibited anti-inflammatory activity on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells with IC50 values ranging from 11.27 to 17.80 µM.

Multi-functional nanozyme-based colorimetric, fluorescence dual-mode assay for Salmonella typhimurium detection in milk.

Rapid and high-sensitive Salmonella detection in milk is important for preventing foodborne disease eruption. To overcome the influence of the complex ingredients in milk on the sensitive detection of Salmonella, a dual-signal reporter red fluorescence nanosphere (RNs)-Pt was designed by combining RNs and Pt nanoparticles. After being equipped with antibodies, the immune RNs-Pt (IRNs-Pt) provide an ultra-strong fluorescence signal when excited by UV light. With the assistance of the H2O2/TMB system, a visible color change appeared that was attributed to the strong peroxidase-like catalytic activity derived from Pt nanoparticles. The IRNs-Pt in conjunction with immune magnetic beads can realize that Salmonella typhimurium (S. typhi) was captured, labeled, and separated effectively from untreated reduced-fat pure milk samples. Under the optimal experimental conditions, with the assay, as low as 50 CFU S. typhi can be converted to detectable fluorescence and absorbance signals within 2 h, suggesting the feasibility of practical application of the assay. Meanwhile, dual-signal modes of quantitative detection were realized. For fluorescence signal detection (emission at 615 nm), the linear correlation between signal intensity and the concentration of S. typhi was Y = 83C-3321 (R2 = 0.9941), ranging from 103 to 105 CFU/mL, while for colorimetric detection (absorbamce at 450 nm), the relationship between signal intensity and the concentration of S. typhi was Y = 2.9logC-10.2 (R2 = 0.9875), ranging from 5 × 103 to 105 CFU/mL. For suspect food contamination by foodborne pathogens, this dual-mode signal readout assay is promising for achieving the aim of convenient preliminary screening and accurate quantification simultaneously.

Flexible and Disposable Hafnium Nitride Extended Gates Fabricated by Low-Temperature High-Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering.

To obtain a high-performance extended gate field-effect transistor for pH detection, hafnium nitride (HfN) was first fabricated on an indium tin oxide on polyethylene terephthalate (ITO/PET) substrate using a high-power impulse magnetron sputter system (HiPIMS) in this study. It can be easily applied in biomedical diagnostic and environmental monitoring applications with the advantages of flexible, disposable, cost-effective, and reliable components. Various duty cycle conditions in HiPIMSs were designed to investigate the corresponding sensing performance and material properties including surface morphology and composition. As the duty cycle increased, the grain size of HfN increased. Additionally, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis illustrated the presence of HfOxNy on the deposited HfN surface. Both behaviors could result in a better pH sensing performance based on the theory of the site-binding model. Subsequently, HfN with a 15% duty cycle exhibited excellent pH sensitivity and linearity, with values of 59.3 mV/pH and 99.8%, respectively; its hysteresis width and drift coefficient were -1 mV and 0.5 mV/h, respectively. Furthermore, this pH-sensing performance remained stable even after 2000 repeated bending cycles. These results indicate the potential and feasibility of this HiPIMS-deposited HfN for future wearable chemical applications.

Cyclometalated iridium(III) tetrazine complexes for mitochondria-targeted two-photon photodynamic therapy.

The fast-moving field of photodynamic therapy (PDT) has provided fresh opportunities to expand the potential of metallodrugs to combat cancers in a light-controlled manner. As such, in the present study, a series of cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes modified with a tetrazine functional group (namely, Ir-ppy-Tz, Ir-pbt-Tz, and Ir-dfppy-Tz) are developed as potential two-photon photodynamic anticancer agents. These complexes target mitochondria but exhibit low toxicity towards HLF primary lung fibroblast normal cells in the dark. When receiving a low-dose one- or two-photon PDT, they become highly potent towards A549 lung cancer cells (with IC50 values ranging from 24.0 nM to 96.0 nM) through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to induce mitochondrial damage and subsequent apoptosis. Our results indicated that the incorporation of tetrazine with cyclometalated Ir(III) matrices would increase the singlet oxygen (1O2) quantum yield (ΦΔ) and, meanwhile, enable a type I PDT mechanism. Ir-pbt-Tz, with the largest two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section (σ2 = 102 GM), shows great promise in serving as a two-photon PDT agent for phototherapy.

Application of adaptive chaotic dung beetle optimization algorithm to near-infrared spectral model transfer.

A new transfer approach was proposed to share calibration models of the hexamethylenetetramine-acetic acid solution for studying hexamethylenetetramine concentration values across different near-infrared (NIR) spectrometers. This approach combines Savitzky-Golay first derivative (S_G_1) and orthogonal signal correction (OSC) preprocessing, along with feature variable optimization using an adaptive chaotic dung beetle optimization (ACDBO) algorithm. The ACDBO algorithm employs tent chaotic mapping and a nonlinear decreasing strategy, enhancing the balance between global and local search capabilities and increasing population diversity to address limitations observed in traditional dung beetle optimization (DBO). Validated using the CEC-2017 benchmark functions, the ACDBO algorithm demonstrated superior convergence speed, accuracy, and stability. In the context of a partial least squares (PLS) regression model for transferring hexamethylenetetramine-acetic acid solutions using NIR spectroscopy, the ACDBO algorithm excelled over alternative methods such as uninformative variable elimination, competitive adaptive reweighted sampling, cuckoo search, grey wolf optimizer, differential evolution, and DBO in efficiency, accuracy of feature variable selection, and enhancement of model predictive performance. The algorithm attained outstanding metrics, including a determination coefficient for the calibration set (Rc2) of 0.99999, a root mean square error for the calibration set (RMSEC) of 0.00195%, a determination coefficient for the validation set (Rv2) of 0.99643, a root mean squared error for the validation set (RMSEV) of 0.03818%, residual predictive deviation (RPD) of 16.72574. Compared to existing OSC, slope and bias correction (S/B), direct standardization (DS), and piecewise direct standardization (PDS) model transfer methods, the novel strategy enhances the accuracy and robustness of model predictions. It eliminates irrelevant background information about the hexamethylenetetramine concentration, thereby minimizing the spectral discrepancies across different instruments. As a result, this approach yields a determination coefficient for the prediction set (Rp2) of 0.96228, a root mean squared error for the prediction set (RMSEP) of 0.12462%, and a relative error rate (RER) of 17.62331, respectively. These figures closely follow those obtained using DS and PDS, which recorded Rp2, RMSEP, and RER values of 0.97505, 0.10135%, 21.67030, and 0.98311, 0.08339%, 26.33552, respectively. Unlike conventional methods such as OSC, S/B, DS, and PDS, this novel approach does not require the analysis of identical samples across different instruments. This characteristic significantly broadens its applicability for model transfer, which is particularly beneficial for transferring specific measurement samples.

Global incidence and mortality trends of gastric cancer and predicted mortality of gastric cancer by 2035.

OBJECTIVE: To study the historical global incidence and mortality trends of gastric cancer and predicted mortality of gastric cancer by 2035. METHODS: Incidence data were retrieved from the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) volumes I-XI, and mortality data were obtained from the latest update of the World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database. We used join-point regression analysis to examine historical incidence and mortality trends and used the package NORDPRED in R to predict the number of deaths and mortality rates by 2035 by country and sex. RESULTS: More than 1,089,000 new cases of gastric cancer and 769,000 related deaths were reported in 2020. The average annual percent change (AAPC) in the incidence of gastric cancer from 2003 to 2012 among the male population, South Korea, Japan, Malta, Canada, Cyprus, and Switzerland showed an increasing trend (P > 0.05); among the female population, Canada [AAPC, 1.2; (95%Cl, 0.5-2), P < 0.05] showed an increasing trend; and South Korea, Ecuador, Thailand, and Cyprus showed an increasing trend (P > 0.05). AAPC in the mortality of gastric cancer from 2006 to 2015 among the male population, Thailand [3.5 (95%cl, 1.6-5.4), P < 0.05] showed an increasing trend; Malta Island, New Zealand, Turkey, Switzerland, and Cyprus had an increasing trend (P > 0.05); among the male population aged 20-44, Thailand [AAPC, 3.4; (95%cl, 1.3-5.4), P < 0.05] showed an increasing trend; Norway, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Slovakia, France, Colombia, Lithuania, and the USA showed an increasing trend (P > 0.05). It is predicted that the mortality rate in Slovenia and France's female population will show an increasing trend by 2035. It is predicted that the absolute number of deaths in the Israeli male population and in Chile, France, and Canada female population will increase by 2035. CONCLUSION: In the past decade, the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer have shown a decreasing trend; however, there are still some countries showing an increasing trend, especially among populations younger than 45 years. Although mortality in most countries is predicted to decline by 2035, the absolute number of deaths due to gastric cancer may further increase due to population growth.