Facile fabrication of Au-Ag alloy nanoparticles/Ag nanowires SERS substrates with bimetallic synergistic effect for ultra-sensitive detection of crystal violet and alkali blue 6B.

The bimetallic nanostructure of Au and Ag can integrate two distinct properties into a novel substrate compared to single metal nanostructures. This work presents a rapid and sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate for detecting illegal food additives and dyes of crystal violet (CV) and alkali blue 6B (AB 6B). Au-Ag alloy nanoparticles/Ag nanowires (Au-Ag ANPs/Ag NWs) were prepared by solid-state ionics method and vacuum thermal evaporation method at 5µA direct current electric field (DCEF), the molar ratio of Au to Ag was 1:18.34. Many 40 nm-140 nm nanoparticles regularly existed on the surface of Ag NWs with the diameters from 80 nm to 150 nm. The fractal dimension of Au-Ag ANPs/Ag NWs is 1.69 due to macroscopic dendritic structures. Compared with single Ag NWs, the prepared Au-Ag ANPs/Ag NWs substrates show superior SERS performance because of higher surface roughness, the SERS active of Ag NWs and bimetallic synergistic effect caused by Au-Ag ANPs, so the limit of detections (LOD) of Au-Ag ANPs/Ag NWs SERS substrates toward detection of CV and AB 6B were as low as 10-16mol/L and 10-9mol/L, respectively. These results indicate that Au-Ag ANPs/Ag NWs substrates can be used for rapid and sensitive detection of CV and AB 6B and have great development potential for detection of illegal food additives and hazardous substances in the fields of environmental monitoring and food safety.

Cell-Membrane-Inspired Ultrathin Silica Nanochannels Coating for Long-Term Stable Photoelectrocatalysis with Enhanced Performance.

Photoelectrocatalysis has attracted significant attention for water splitting and contaminant degradation. However, the lifetime of photoelectrocatalysis devices is hampered by the severe instability and photocorrosion of the photo-active nanomaterial on the photoelectrode, which is a key limitation to realizing industrialization. Typically, the conventional protection strategy of photoelectrodes usually suffers from the trade-off between the photoelectrocatalytic activity and stability. Inspired by biological cell membrane with water channels, here a highly permeable and ultrathin silica coating with ultrasmall straight nanochannels is in situ grown that stabilizes the photoelectrode. These ultrasmall channels boost photoelectrocatalysis by accelerating water transport and reducing the reaction energy within the confined nanochannels. Specifically, the ultrathin coating imparts significant mechanical and structural stability to the photo-active nanomaterial, thereby preventing its detachment, dissolution, and crystal damage without compromising performance. As a result, the protected photoelectrode exhibits enhanced water splitting activity and excellent stability over 120 h, whereas the photocurrent of the unprotected photoelectrode degrades rapidly. Meanwhile, the coated photoelectrode also exhibits superior photoelectrocatalytic degradation efficiency (>97%), even after the 10th cycle. This strategy is facile and universal and can be extended to construct other stable and high-performance electrodes for promoting photoelectrocatalysis in practical applications.

Effectiveness of foot skin protection technology in elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Objective: The aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness of foot skin protection technology in elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods: The foot skin protection technology was developed based on a comprehensive literature review and preliminary research conducted by our research team. Subsequently, 88 elderly patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy and experiencing foot skin problems were recruited from two community health service centers in Shanghai. Using a random number table, the participants were randomly assigned to either the control group or the experimental group. Patients in the experimental group received foot skin protection technology interventions, while those in the control group received standard community nursing guidance for a duration of 3 months. The incidence, severity, and discomfort associated with foot skin problems were evaluated before and after the intervention period in both groups. Results: The incidence, severity, and discomfort of foot skin problems notably reduced in the experimental group (all P< 0.05). Conclusion: The foot skin protection technology demonstrates significant potential in enhancing foot skin condition.

Brief Pup Separation in Lactation Confers Stress Resistance with Increased Prolactin and Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Postpartum C57BL/6J Dams.

Prolactin (PRL) assumes a pivotal role during the postpartum phase, particularly within the hippocampus-a region densely populated with receptors for stress hormones, where stress significantly inhibits adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). The reduction in neurogenesis is implicated in the pathogenesis of anxiety and depression. Mothers are at an increased risk of developing depression when exposed to chronic stress. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the potential role of PRL in depression-like behaviors stemming from prolonged postpartum stress, and to explore any underlying mechanisms. Despite pup separation (PS) being a natural postpartum care practice, the impact of various PS methods on lactating dams remains uncertain. Lactating C57BL/6J mice, from postpartum day (PPD) 1 to PPD 21, underwent no PS (NPS), brief PS (15 min per day, PS15), or long PS (180 min per day, PS180), followed by 21 days of chronic restraint stress (CRS). Behavioral tests were conducted, and measurements included serum PRL concentration, PRL-R expression, and AHN in the hippocampus. Dams with CRS exhibited cognitive decline, depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors, and reduced PRL secretion, correlating with lower levels of AHN. PS15 dams displayed lower levels of depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors and cognitive decline compared to NPS and PS180 dams. Significantly, PS15 dams exhibited higher levels of AHN, PRL-R expression in the hippocampus, and serum PRL concentration. This study collectively reveals reduced serum PRL and AHN in dams with cognitive decline and depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors after CRS. Brief PS confers resistance to behavioral deficits after CRS, increasing serum PRL concentration and reversing AHN decrease in dams.

Correlation analysis of myopia and dietary factors among primary and secondary school students in Shenyang, China.

Currently, the global prevalence of myopia is high and on the rise, seriously affecting the health of students. Studies have suggested that dietary factors may be associated with the occurrence and development of myopia, but the results are inconsistent. This survey aims to analyze the correlation between dietary factors and myopia while controlling for more confounding factors. A multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method was performed to select 10,619 primary and secondary school students in Shenyang for visual examination, and questionnaires were administered to 6974 of them. Logistic regression was performed with myopia as the dependent variable and the variables with p < 0.1 in the univariate analysis as independent variables. Sensitivity analysis was conducted using propensity score matching. The results showed that the overall prevalence of myopia among primary and secondary school students in Shenyang was 59.1%, with mild myopia predominating. Students who ate fresh fruits two or more times a day had a 0.69 times lower risk of myopia compared to those who did not eat fruits (95% CI 0.50-0.97). However, subgroup analysis demonstrated that this protective effect was only significant for male students, with an OR of 0.59 (95% CI 0.38-0.91). Moreover, female students who consumed sugary beverages once or more a day had a 1.8 times higher risk of myopia compared to those who did not consume sugary beverages (95% CI 1.03-3.15). Vegetable consumption, intake of fried foods, and breakfast habits were not significantly associated with myopia. In summary, excessive consumption of sugary beverages could increase the risk of myopia, especially in female students, whereas fruit intake contributed to reducing the risk of myopia, particularly in male students.

Genome-Wide Identification of NAC Gene Family Members of Tree Peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) and Their Expression under Heat and Waterlogging Stress.

An important family of transcription factors (TFs) in plants known as NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) is crucial for the responses of plants to environmental stressors. In this study, we mined the NAC TF family members of tree peony (Paeonia suffruticosa Andrews) from genome-wide data and analyzed their response to heat and waterlogging stresses in conjunction with transcriptome data. Based on tree peony's genomic information, a total of 48 PsNAC genes were discovered. Based on how similar their protein sequences were, these PsNAC genes were divided into 14 branches. While the gene structures and conserved protein motifs of the PsNAC genes within each branch were largely the same, the cis-acting elements in the promoter region varied significantly. Transcriptome data revealed the presence of five PsNAC genes (PsNAC06, PsNAC23, PsNAC38, PsNAC41, PsNAC47) and one PsNAC gene (PsNAC37) in response to heat and waterlogging stresses, respectively. qRT-PCR analysis reconfirmed the response of these five PsNAC genes to heat stress and one PsNAC gene to waterlogging stress. This study lays a foundation for the study of the functions and regulatory mechanisms of NAC TFs in tree peony. Meanwhile, the NAC TFs of tree peony in response to heat and waterlogging stress were excavated, which is of great significance for the selection and breeding of new tree peony varieties with strong heat and waterlogging tolerance.

Identification and Analysis of Aluminum-Activated Malate Transporter Gene Family Reveals Functional Diversification in Orchidaceae and the Expression Patterns of Dendrobium catenatum Aluminum-Activated Malate Transporters.

Aluminum-activated malate transporter (ALMT) genes play an important role in aluminum ion (Al3+) tolerance, fruit acidity, and stomatal movement. Although decades of research have been carried out in many plants, there is little knowledge about the roles of ALMT in Orchidaceae. In this study, 34 ALMT genes were identified in the genomes of four orchid species. Specifically, ten ALMT genes were found in Dendrobium chrysotoxum and D. catenatum, and seven were found in Apostasia shenzhenica and Phalaenopsis equestris. These ALMT genes were further categorized into four clades (clades 1-4) based on phylogenetic relationships. Sequence alignment and conserved motif analysis revealed that most orchid ALMT proteins contain conserved regions (TM1, GABA binding motif, and WEP motif). We also discovered a unique motif (19) belonging to clade 1, which can serve as a specifically identified characteristic. Comparison with the gene structure of AtALMT genes (Arabidopsis thaliana) showed that the gene structure of ALMT was conserved across species, but the introns were longer in orchids. The promoters of orchid ALMT genes contain many light-responsive and hormone-responsive elements, suggesting that their expression may be regulated by light and phytohormones. Chromosomal localization and collinear analysis of D. chrysotoxum indicated that tandem duplication (TD) is the main reason for the difference in the number of ALMT genes in these orchids. D. catenatum was chosen for the RT-qPCR experiment, and the results showed that the DcaALMT gene expression pattern varied in different tissues. The expression of DcaALMT1-9 was significantly changed after ABA treatment. Combining the circadian CO2 uptake rate, titratable total acid, and RT-qPCR data analysis, most DcaALMT genes were highly expressed at night and around dawn. The result revealed that DcaALMT genes might be involved in photosynthate accumulation. The above study provides more comprehensive information for the ALMT gene family in Orchidaceae and a basis for subsequent functional analysis.

A novel secondary ALK gene mutation which resistant to second-generation TKIs: a case report and literature review.

Background: Adenocarcinoma with positive echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4 gene and anaplastic lymphoma kinase (EML4-ALK) gene fusion accounts for 3-7% of lung cancer cases and can be targeted with ALK tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Second-generation TKIs are the standard of care for targeted populations, especially those with central nervous system (CNS) metastasis. However, most patients eventually experience disease progression because of drug resistance caused by multiple mechanisms, predominantly secondary mutations. Case description: We present a female advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) case with positive EML4-ALK gene fusion, in which disease progression occurred in only 3 months after first-line treatment with alectinib. Two secondary mutations were detected by next-generation sequencing; one was V1180L located in exon 23, and the other was E803Q located in exon 14, which was a novel mutation that had never been reported. Ensartinib and ceritinib were administered as second-line and third-line treatments. However, the response to these TKIs was poor, and her overall survival was only 7 months. Conclusion: The secondary mutation E803Q located in exon 14 seems resistant to most second-generation ALK-TKIs. If there is an opportunity, the efficacy of the third-generation ALK-TKI loratinib should be tested.

Inhibitory activity and antioomycete mechanism of citral against Phytophthora capsici.

The natural terpenoid citral has antifungal activity against multiple fungi, but its bioactivity against oomycetes is unclear. Therefore, this study investigated the antioomycete activity and mechanism of citral against Phytophthora capsici, a highly destructive invasive oomycete. Results showed that citral not only had a great inhibition on the mycelial growth of P. capsici (EC50 = 94.15 mg/L), but also had a significant inhibition on multiple spores, such as sporangia formation, zoospore discharge and zoospore germination. Citral at 4000 mg/L exhibited favorable protective (73.33%) and curative efficacy (55.11%) against pepper Phytophthora blight. Citral significantly damaged the hyphal morphology, disrupted the cell membrane integrity, increased the permeability of cell membrane, and increased the glycerol content in P. capsici. A total of 250 upregulated and 288 downregulated proteins were identified in iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis. Downregulated proteins were mostly enriched in pathways of ABC transporters, cyanoamino acid metabolism and starch and sucrose metabolism, suggesting an inhibition of citral on transmembrane transporter (e.g., ABC transporters) and pathogenicity (e.g., ß-glucosidases) proteins. Upregulated proteins were enriched in biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, pyruvate metabolism and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, suggesting an activation of citral on energy generation proteins, including acyl-CoA oxidase, D-lactate dehydrogenase, pyruvate kinase, acetyl-CoA synthetase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase. Biochemical and iTRAQ analysis suggested that cell membrane may be the target of citral in P. capsici.

Effect of tele-exercise interventions on quality of life in cancer patients: A meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impacts of tele-exercise intervention with cancer patients' quality of life, taking into account the influence of the duration of tele-exercise intervention, type of intervention, and gender of cancer patients on quality of life. METHODS: The PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, and PsycINFO databases were searched from inception to August 21, 2023. The Cochrane Collaboration's Risk of Bias tool 2 was utilized to estimate the risk of bias, and the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment. For statistical analyses, R Studio was employed. RESULTS: This meta-analysis contained eight trials. When compared to controls, tele-exercise interventions (SMD=0.41, 95% CI: 0.12 to 0.70, p < .010; I2=54%, p=.030) have a positive influence on boosting the quality of life within cancer patients. Subgroup analyses demonstrated the greater effectiveness of tele-exercise in enhancing the quality of life of cancer patients when the duration was greater than or equal to 10 weeks. Furthermore, tele-exercise was found to have a stronger advantageous effect with quality of life among female cancer. In addition, among the types of interventions for tele-exercise, neither web-based nor telephone-based formats significantly enhanced quality of life among cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Tele-exercise interventions are a cost-effective and feasible non-pharmacologic complementary way to promote cancer patients' quality of life. Additional large-sample, carefully designed randomized controlled trials are warranted to further validate the impact of tele-exercise concerning cancer patients' quality of life. REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023477147.

Anticancer activity and mechanism studies of photoactivated iridium(III) complexes toward lung cancer A549 cells.

Cyclometalated iridium(III) compounds have been widely explored due to their outstanding photo-physical properties and multiple anticancer activities. In this paper, three cyclometalated iridium(III) compounds [Ir(ppy)2(DBDIP)]PF6 (5a), [Ir(bzq)2(DBDIP)]PF6 (5b), and [Ir(piq)2(DBDIP)]PF6 (5c) (ppy: 2-phenylpyridine; bzq: benzo[h]quinoline; piq: 1-phenylisoquinoline, and DBDIP: 2-(2,3-dihydrobenzo[b][1,4]dioxin-6-yl)-1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthroline) were synthesized and the mechanism of antitumor activity was investigated. Compounds photoactivated by visible light show strong cytotoxicity against tumor cells, especially toward A549 cells. Biological experiments such as migration, cellular localization, mitochondrial membrane potential and permeability, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and calcium ion level detection were performed, and they demonstrated that the compounds induced the apoptosis of A549 cells through a mitochondrial pathway. At the same time, oxidative stress caused by ROS production increases the release of damage-related molecules and the expression of porogen gasdermin D (GSDMD), and the content of LDH released from damaged cell membranes also increased. Besides, the content of the lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA), increased and the expression of GPX4 decreased. These indicate that the compounds promote cell death by combining ferroptosis and pyroptosis. The results reveal that cyclometalated iridium(III) compounds 5a-5c may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for photodynamic therapy of cancers.

Maternal separation during lactation affects recognition memory, emotional behaviors, hippocampus and gut microbiota composition in C57BL6J adolescent female mice.

BACKGROUND: Maternal separation (MS) in rodents is a paradigm of early life events that affects neurological development in depression. Adolescence is a time of dramatic increases in psychological vulnerability, and being female is a depression risk factor. However, data on whether different MS scenarios affect behavioral deficits and the potential mechanisms in adolescent female mice are limited. METHODS: C57BL/6 J female pups were exposed to different MS (no MS, NMS; MS for 15 min/day, MS15; or 180 min/day, MS180) from postnatal day (PND)1 to PND21 and subjected for behavioral tests during adolescence. Behavioural tests, specifically the open field test (OFT), novel object recognition test (NOR) test and tail suspension test (TST), were performed. The expression of proinflammatory cytokines, hippocampal neurogenesis, neuroinflammation, and gut microbiota were also assessed. RESULTS: The results showed that MS180 induced emotional behavioral deficits and object recognition memory impairment; however, MS15 promoted object recognition memory in adolescent females. MS180 decreased hippocampal neurogenesis of adolescent females, induced an increase in microgliosis, and increased certain inflammatory factors in the hippocampus, including TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6. Furthermore, different MS altered gut microbiota diversity, and alpha diversity in the Shannon index was negatively correlated with the peripheral inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6. Species difference analysis showed that the gut microbiota composition of the phyla Desulfobacterota and Proteobacteria was affected by the MS. LIMITATIONS: The sex differences in adolescent animal and causality of hippocampal neurogenesis and gut microbiota under different MS need to be further analyzed in depression. CONCLUSION: This study indicates different MS affect recognition memory and emotional behaviors in adolescent females, and gut microbiota-neuroinflammation and hippocampal neurogenesis may be a potential site of early neurodevelopmental impairment in depression.

Psychological resilience and associated factors in caring for mass burn patients among rescue nurses: A cross-sectional study.

This current study explored the relationship between challenge-hindrance stressors, coping style, and psychological resilience among rescue nurses caring for mass burn patients. METHODS: This study is multicenter and cross-sectional. Registered nurses who saved and cared for extensively burned patients at two tertiary hospitals in mainland China between January and August of 2023 were selected through purposeful sampling. Online surveys were used to gather data. Multiple linear regression and Pearson correlation were used to examine the link between challenge-hindrance stressors, coping style, and psychological resilience. RESULTS: 121 nurses completed the online questionnaires. The mean score for psychological resilience was 63.80 ± 11.63, for the challenge-stressor 16.23 ± 4.38, and for hindrance-stressor 9.85 ± 3.89. The total score for positive coping style was 23.69 ± 7.73, and that for the negative coping style 11.45 ± 5.21. Pearson analysis showed total resilience score was positively correlated with challenge stressors (r = 0.697, p＜0.05) and positive coping style (r = 0.616, p＜0.05), and negatively correlated with the hindrance stressors (r = -0.512, p＜0.05) and negative coping style (r = -0.589, p＜0.05) among rescuer nurses. Multiple linear regression analyses identified that having attended rescues before, challenge-hindrance, and coping style are the potential influencing factors of resilience. CONCLUSION: In mass burns accidents, rescuer nurses have a medium level of psychological resilience, which positively and significantly correlated with challenge stressors and positive coping style. It is suggested that more attention should be devoted to the target population to formulate effective intervention plans, reduce psychological impact, and improve their capacity for coping with disasters.

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of the abdominal-B homeotic gene in the global pest, fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda).

The Homeotic complex (Hox) genes play a crucial role in determining segment identity and appendage morphology in bilaterian animals along the antero-posterior axis. Recent studies have expanded to agricultural pests such as fall armyworm (FAW), scientifically known as Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), which significantly threatens global agricultural productivity. However, the specific role of the hox gene Sfabd-B in FAW remains unexplored. This research investigates the spatial and temporal expression patterns of Sfabd-B in various tissues at different developmental stages using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Additionally, we explored the potential function of the Sfabd-B gene located in the FAW genome using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The larval mutant phenotypes can be classified into three subgroups as compared with wild-type individuals, that is, an excess of pedis in the posterior abdomen, deficient pedis due to segmental fusion and deviations in the posterior abdominal segments. Importantly, significant differences in mutant phenotypes between male and female individuals were also evident during the pupal and adult phases. Notably, both the decapentaplegic (dpp) and cuticular protein 12 (cp 12) genes displayed a substantial marked decrease in expression levels in the copulatory organ of male mutants and the ovipositor of female mutants compared with the wild type. These findings highlight the importance of Sfabd-B in genital tract patterning, providing a potential target for improving genetic control.

Improved high-current-density hydrogen evolution reaction kinetics on single-atom Co embedded in an order pore-structured nitrogen assembly carbon support.

Single-atom catalysis is a subcategory of heterogeneous catalysis with well-defined active sites. Numerous endeavors have been devoted to developing single-atom catalysts for industrially applicable catalysis, including the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). High-current-density electrolyzers have been pursued for single-atom catalysts to increase active-site density and enhance mass transfer. Here, we reasoned that a single-atom metal embedded in nitrogen assembly carbon (NAC) catalysts with high single-atom density, large surface area, and ordered mesoporosity, could fulfil an industrially applicable HER. Among several different single-atom catalysts, the HER overpotential with the best performing Co-NAC reached a current density of 200 mA cm-2 at 310 mV, which is relevant to industrially applicable current density. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggested feasible hydrogen binding on single-atom Co resulted in the promising HER activity over Co-NAC. The best-performing Co-NAC showed robust performance under alkaline conditions at a current density of 50 mA cm-2 for 20 h in an H-cell and at a current density of 150 mA cm-2 for 100 h in a flow cell.

A spectrum of altered non-rapid eye movement sleep in schizophrenia.

Multiple facets of sleep neurophysiology, including electroencephalography (EEG) metrics such as non-rapid eye movement (NREM) spindles and slow oscillations, are altered in individuals with schizophrenia (SCZ). However, beyond group-level analyses, the extent to which NREM deficits vary among patients is unclear, as are their relationships to other sources of heterogeneity including clinical factors, ageing, cognitive profiles and medication regimens. Using newly collected high-density sleep EEG data on 103 individuals with SCZ and 68 controls, we first sought to replicate our previously reported group-level differences between patients and controls (original N=130) during N2 stage. Then in the combined sample (N=301 including 175 patients), we characterized patient-to-patient variability. We replicated all group-level mean differences and confirmed the high accuracy of our predictive model (AUC=0.93 for diagnosis). Compared to controls, patients showed significantly increased between-individual variability across many (26%) sleep metrics. Although multiple clinical and cognitive factors were associated with NREM metrics, collectively they did not account for much of the general increase in patient-to-patient variability. Medication regimen was a greater contributor to variability. Some sleep metrics including fast spindle density showed exaggerated age-related effects in SCZ, and patients exhibited older predicted biological ages based on the sleep EEG; further, among patients, certain medications exacerbated these effects, in particular olanzapine. Collectively, our results point to a spectrum of N2 sleep deficits among SCZ patients that can be measured objectively and at scale, with relevance to both the etiological heterogeneity of SCZ as well as potential iatrogenic effects of antipsychotic medication.

Comparative efficacy of cryoablation versus robot-assisted partial nephrectomy in the treatment of cT1 renal tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study utilizes a meta-analytic approach to investigate the effects of cryoablation and robot-assisted partial nephrectomy on perioperative outcomes, postoperative renal function, and oncological results in patients. METHODS: This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Four electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library database) were systematically searched to identify relevant studies published in English up to November 2023. The primary outcomes were perioperative results, complications, postoperative renal function and oncologic outcomes. Review Manager 5.4 was used for this analysis. RESULTS: This study included a total of 10 studies comprising 2,011 patients. Compared to RAPN (Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy), the CA (Cryoablation) group had a shorter hospital stay [MD -1.76 days; 95% CI -3.12 to -0.41; p = 0.01], less blood loss [MD -104.60 ml; 95% CI -152.58 to -56.62; p < 0.0001], and fewer overall complications [OR 0.62; 95% CI 0.45 to 0.86; p = 0.004], but a higher recurrence rate [OR 7.83; 95% CI 4.32 to 14.19; p < 0.00001]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of operative time, minor complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade 1-2), major complications (Clavien-Dindo Grade 3-5), changes in renal function at 12 months post-operation, RFS (Recurrence-Free Survival), and OS (Overall Survival). CONCLUSION: The evidence provided by this meta-analysis indicates that the therapeutic effects of Cryoablation (CA) are similar to those of Robot-Assisted Partial Nephrectomy (RAPN) in terms of perioperative outcomes and renal function. However, the recurrence rate of tumors treated with CA is significantly higher. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: The study has been registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO: CRD42023465846).

Increased bone mass but delayed mineralization: in vivo and in vitro study for zoledronate in bone regeneration.

BACKGROUND: Bisphosphonates (BPs) are widely used to inhibit excessive osteoclast activity. However, the potential to compromise bone defect healing has limited their broader application. To better understand the influence of BPs on bone regeneration, we established a bone grafting model with Zoledronate administration, aiming to deepen the understanding of bone remodeling and mineralization processes. METHODS: A bone grafting model was established in the distal femurs of male Sprague-Dawley rats. The experimental group received systemic administration of Zoledronate (ZOL, 0.2 mg/kg, administered twice). Histological analysis and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were employed to assess osteoblastic and macrophage activity, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining was used to evaluate osteoclastogenesis. Mineralization was assessed through Micro-CT analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and back-scatter scanning electron microscopy (BSE-SEM). Additionally, the in vitro effects of ZOL on osteoblast and osteoclast activity were investigated to further elucidate its impact on bone regeneration. RESULTS: In vivo, the ZOL group showed increased bone mass, as observed in histological and radiological assessments. However, Micro-CT, Raman spectroscopy, and BSE-SEM detection revealed lower mineralization levels in ZOL group's regenerated bone. Acid-etched SEM analysis showed abnormal osteocyte characteristics in ZOL-group's regenerated bone. Simultaneously, elevated osteopontin (OPN), F4/80 expression along with reduced TRAP expressing was found in the grafting region of ZOL group. In vitro, ZOL did not negatively impact osteogenetic activity (ALP, BMP4, OCN expression) at the tested concentrations (0.02-0.5 g/ml) but significantly impaired mineralization and inhibited osteoclast formation, even at the lowest concentration. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a less recognized negative effect of ZOL on bone mineralization during bone regeneration. More research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanism.

Breaking the Linear Scaling Relationship by Alloying Micro Sn to a Cu Surface toward CO2 Electrochemical Reduction.

The electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to HCOOH provides an avenue for reducing global accelerated CO2 emissions and producing high-value-added chemicals. Nevertheless, the presence of an inherent linear scaling relationship (LSR) between *OCHO and *HCOOH leads to the electrosynthesis of HCOOH being achieved at high cathodic potentials. In this work, by adjusting the different Cu:Sn ratio of SnxCu(1-x) alloys, we comprehensively explored the electrocatalytic 2e- CO2RR performance toward the production of HCOOH. Combining density functional theory calculations with the constant-potential implicit solvent model, the Sn0.03Cu0.97 surface alloy was posited to be a promising electrocatalyst with superior HCOOH selectivity and an ultralow limiting potential of -0.20 V in an environment of pH = 7.2. The high performance was found to originate from the breaking of the LSR, which is a result of an extraordinary electronic property of the active Cu site. This work not only advances a global-searched strategy for the rational design of efficient catalysts toward HCOOH production but also provides in-depth insights into the underlying mechanism for the enhanced performance of microalloy electrocatalysts.

Evaluation of Efficiency of Liposome-Entrapped Iridium(III) Complexes Inhibiting Tumor Growth In Vitro and In Vivo.

In this paper, three new iridium(III) complexes: [Ir(piq)2(DFIPP)]PF6 (piq = deprotonated 1-phenylisoquinoline, DFIPP = 3,4-difluoro-2-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenenthrolin-2-yl)phenol, 3a), [Ir(bzq)2(DFIPP)]PF6 (bzq = deprotonated benzo[h]quinoline, 3b), and [Ir(ppy)2(DFIPP)]PF6 (ppy = deprotonated 1-phenylpyridine, 3c), were synthesized and characterized. The complexes were found to be nontoxic to tumor cells via 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl)-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Surprisingly, its liposome-entrapped complexes 3alip, 3blip, and 3clip on B16 cells showed strong cytotoxicity (IC50 = 13.6 ± 2.8, 9.6 ± 1.1, and 18.9 ± 2.1 µM). Entry of 3alip, 3blip, and 3clip into B16 cells decreases mitochondrial membrane potential, regulates Bcl-2 family proteins, releases cytochrome c, triggers caspase family cascade reaction, and induces apoptosis. In addition, we also found that 3alip, 3blip, and 3clip triggered ferroptosis and autophagy. In vivo studies demonstrated that 3blip inhibited melanoma growth in C57 mice with a high inhibitory rate of 83.95%, and no organic damage was found in C57 mice.