Evolution and emerging trends of named entity recognition: Bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023.

Identifying valuable information within the extensive texts documented in natural language presents a significant challenge in various disciplines. Named Entity Recognition (NER), as one of the critical technologies in text data processing and mining, has become a current research hotspot. To accurately and objectively review the progress in NER, this paper employs bibliometric methods. It analyzes 1300 documents related to NER obtained from the Web of Science database using CiteSpace software. Firstly, statistical analysis is performed on the literature and journals that were obtained to explore the distribution characteristics of the literature. Secondly, the core authors in the field of NER, the development of the technology in different countries, and the leading institutions are explored by analyzing the number of publications and the cooperation network graph. Finally, explore the research frontiers, development tracks, research hotspots, and other information in this field from a scientific point of view, and further discuss the five research frontiers and seven research hotspots in depth. This paper explores the progress of NER research from both macro and micro perspectives. It aims to assist researchers in quickly grasping relevant information and offers constructive ideas and suggestions to promote the development of NER.

Effect of propofol and ciprofol on the euphoric reaction in patients with painless gastroscopy: A prospective randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To explore the effects of propofol and ciprofol on patient euphoric reactions during sedation in patients undergoing gastroscopy and to investigate potential factors that may influence euphoric reactions in patients. Methods: A total of 217 patients were randomly divided into two groups: the propofol group (P group, n = 109) and the ciprofol group (C group, n = 108). The patients in the P group were given 2 mg/kg propofol, and those in the C group were given 0.5 mg/kg ciprofol. The patients were assessed using the Addiction Research Center Inventory-Chinese Version (ARCI-CV) to measure euphoric reactions at three time points: preexamination, 30 min after awakening, and 1 week after examination. Anxiety, depression, and sleep status were evaluated using appropriate scales at admission and 1 week after the examination. The dream rate, sedative effects, vital sign dynamics, and adverse reactions were documented during the sedation process. Results: After 30 min of awakening, the P group and C group showed no statistically significant differences in the mean morphine-benzedrine group (MBG) score (8.84 vs. 9.09, P > 0.05), dream rate (42.2 % vs. 40.7 %, P > 0.05), or MBG score one week after the examination (7.04 vs. 7.05, P > 0.05). The regression analysis revealed that sex, dream status, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score, and examination time had notable impacts on the MBG-30 min score. No statistically significant differences were observed in sedative effects, anxiety, depression, or sleep status between the two groups (P > 0.05). The incidence of injection pain and severe hypotension was significantly lower in the C group (P < 0.05), and hemodynamics and SpO2 were more stable during sedation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant difference between propofol and ciprofol in terms of euphoria experienced by patients after sedation in patients undergoing gastroscopy. Ciprofol has demonstrated addictive potential similar to that of propofol, warranting careful attention to its addictive potential during clinical application.

Detection of elevated levels of PINK1 in plasma from patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Backgrounds: Numerous lines of evidence support the intricate interplay between Parkinson's disease (PD) and the PINK1-dependent mitophagy process. This study aimed to evaluate differences in plasma PINK1 levels among idiopathic PD, PD syndromes (PDs), and healthy controls. Methods: A total of 354 participants were included, consisting of 197 PD patients, 50 PDs patients, and 107 healthy controls were divided into two cohorts, namely the modeling cohort (cohort 1) and the validated cohort (cohort 2). An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)-based analysis was performed on PINK1 and α-synuclein oligomer (Asy-no). The utilization of the area under the curve (AUC) within the receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves served as a robust and comprehensive approach to evaluate and quantify the predictive efficacy of plasma biomarkers alone, as well as combined models, in distinguishing PD patients from controls. Results: PINK1 and Asy-no were elevated in the plasma of PD and PDs patients compared to healthy controls. The AUCs of PINK1 (0.771) and Asy-no (0.787) were supposed to be potentially eligible plasma biomarkers differentiating PD from controls but could not differentiate PD from PDs. Notably, the PINK + Asy-no + Clinical RBD model showed the highest performance in the modeling cohort and was comparable with the PINK1 + Clinical RBD in the validation cohort. Moreover, there is no significant correlation between PINK1 and UPDRS, MMSE, HAMD, HAMA, RBDQ-HK, and ADL scores. Conclusion: These findings suggest that elevated PINK1 in plasma holds the potential to serve as a non-invasive tool for distinguishing PD patients from controls. Moreover, the outcomes of our investigation lend support to the plausibility of implementing a feasible blood test in future clinical translation.

Analysis of risk factors for the recurrence of osteomyelitis of the limb after treatment with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate and autologous bone graft.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate combined with autologous iliac bone transplantation in the treatment of limb-localized osteomyelitis (Cierny-Mader type III) and analyze the causes and risk factors associated with infection recurrence. Methods: Clinical data of 163 patients with localized osteomyelitis of the extremities treated with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate combined with autologous iliac bone transplantation in Xi'an Honghui Hospital from January 2017 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were diagnosed with localized osteomyelitis through clinical examination and treated with antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate combined with autologous iliac bone. Based on the infection recurrence status, the patients were divided into the recurrence group and the non-recurrence group. The clinical data of the two groups were compared using univariate analysis. Subsequently, the distinct datasets were included in the binary logistic regression analysis to determine the risk and protective factors. Results: This study included 163 eligible patients, with an average age of 51.0 years (standard deviation: 14.9). After 12 months of follow-up, 25 patients (15.3%) experienced infection recurrence and were included in the recurrence group; the remaining 138 patients were included in the non-recurrence group. Among the 25 patients with recurrent infection, 20 required reoperation, four received antibiotic treatment alone, and one refused further treatment. Univariate analysis showed that education level, smoking, hypoproteinemia, open injury-related infection, and combined flap surgery were associated with infection recurrence (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that open injury-related infection (odds ratio [OR] = 35.698; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.997-212.495; p < 0.001) and combined flap surgery (OR = 41.408; 95% CI: 5.806-295.343; p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for infection recurrence. Meanwhile, high education level (OR = 0.009; 95% CI: 0.001-0.061; p < 0.001) was a protective factor for infection recurrence. Conclusion: Antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate combined with autologous iliac bone transplantation is an effective method for treating limb-localized osteomyelitis. Patients without previous combined flap surgery and non-open injury-related infections have a relatively low probability of recurrence of infection after treatment with this surgical method. Additionally, patients with a history of smoking and hypoproteinemia should pay attention to preventing the recurrence of infection after operation. Providing additional guidance and support, particularly in patients with lower education levels and compliance, could contribute to the reduction of infection recurrence.

Efficacy of endometrial receptivity testing for recurrent implantation failure in patients with euploid embryo transfers: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Embryo implantation remains a critical barrier in assisted reproductive technologies. One of the main causes of unsuccessful embryo implantation is window of implantation (WOI) displacement, particularly in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Therefore, a reliable diagnostic tool for identifying the optimal WOI is essential. Previous data has suggested that a novel RNA-Seq-based endometrial receptivity testing (ERT) can diagnose WOI, guide personalized embryo transfer (pET), and improve pregnancy outcomes in patients with RIF compared to standard embryo transfer (sET). However, there is still a lack of evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCT) with sufficient power to determine whether pET based on ERT can increase the rate of live births as the primary outcome. METHODS: This trial is a prospective, single-blind, parallel-group RCT (1:1 ratio of pET versus sET). Infertile women with RIF who intend to undergo frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) with the availability of at least one euploid blastocyst for transfer will be enrolled and assigned into two parallel groups randomly. Participants in the intervention group will undergo ERT and then pET based on the results of ERT, while those in the control group will undergo sET. The primary outcome is live birth rate. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study will provide evidence for the effect of pET guided by ERT on pregnancy outcomes in patients with RIF. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR2100049041. Registered on 20 July 2021.

Emerging health disparities among college graduates: Understanding the health consequences of education-occupation mismatch.

This study examines the health consequences and underlying pathways of education-occupation mismatch. Using a longitudinal sample of college graduates from the Panel Studies of Income Dynamics (1984-2019) and employing longitudinal hybrid models, we found that contemporary vertical mismatch (between education level and educational requirements of occupation) was associated with poorer psychological well-being and bio-behaviors (obesity and smoking), but not physical health. In contrast, horizontal mismatch (between field of study and field required for occupation) did not show clear health consequences. Sequence analysis was employed to uncover the mismatch trajectories and revealed that persistent vertical mismatch over one's career had a greater impact on psychological distress and smoking than episodic mismatch experiences. Furthermore, the linkage between vertical mismatch and health outcomes was likely shaped by psychosocial processes rather than reduced material well-being. These findings imply that education-occupation vertical (mis)match produces health disparities between occupationally matched and mismatched college graduates.

Different interfaces for stabilizing liquid-liquid, liquid-gel and gel-gel emulsions: Design, comparison, and challenges.

Interfaces play essential roles in the stability and functions of emulsion systems. The quick development of novel emulsion systems (e.g., water-water emulsions, water-oleogel emulsions, hydrogel-oleogel emulsions) has brought great progress in interfacial engineering. These new interfaces, which are different from the traditional water-oil interfaces, and are also different from each other, have widened the applications of food emulsions, and also brought in challenges to stabilize the emulsions. We presented a comprehensive summary of various structured interfaces (stabilized by mixed-layers, multilayers, particles, nanodroplets, microgels etc.), and their characteristics, and designing strategies. We also discussed the applicability of these interfaces in stabilizing liquid-liquid (water-oil, water-water, oil-oil, alcohol-oil, etc.), liquid-gel, and gel-gel emulsion systems. Challenges and future research aspects were also proposed regarding interfacial engineering for different emulsions. Emulsions are interface-dominated materials, and the interfaces have dynamic natures, as the compositions and structures are not constant. Biopolymers, particles, nanodroplets, and microgels differed in their capacity to get absorbed onto the interface, to adjust their structures at the interface, to lower interfacial tension, and to stabilize different emulsions. The interactions between the interface and the bulk phases not only affected the properties of the interface, but also the two phases, leading to different functions of the emulsions. These structured interfaces have been used individually or cooperatively to achieve effective stabilization or better applications of different emulsion systems. However, dynamic changes of the interface during digestion are only poorly understood, and it is still challenging to fully characterize the interfaces.

Prediction model of early recurrence of multimodal hepatocellular carcinoma with tensor fusion.

Clinical decision-making in oncology involves multimodal data, encompassing histopathological, radiological, and clinical factors. Several computer-aided multimodal decision-making systems have emerged in recent years to predict the recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy, but they tend to employ simplistic feature-level concatenation, resulting in redundancy and hampering overall performance. More notably, these models often lack an effective integration with clinical relevance. Particularly, they still face major challenges of integrating data from diverse scales and dimensions, and introducing a liver background, which are clinically significant but previously overlooked aspects. In addressing these challenges, we provide new insight in two areas. Firstly, we introduce the tensor fusion method into the model, which demonstrates unique advantages in handling the fusion of multi-scale and multi-dimensional data, thus potentially enhancing the model's performance. Secondly, to our best knowledge, it's a precedent to take the impact of the liver background into account. We innovatively incorporate the impact of the liver background into the feature extraction process by using a deep learning segmentation-based algorithm. This inclusion makes the model closer to real-world clinical scenarios, as the liver background may contain vital information related to postoperative recurrence. We collected radiomics (MRI) and histopathological images of 176 cases diagnosed by experienced clinicians from two independent centers. Our proposed network went through training and 5-fold cross-validation on the dataset of 176 cases and was subsequently validated on an independent external dataset of 40 cases. Finally, our proposed network exhibited excellent performance in predicting the postoperative early recurrence of HCC with an AUC of 0.883. These results suggest significant progress in addressing the challenges related to multimodal data fusion which provides potential value for more accurate predictions of clinical outcomes.

Rapid evaluation of the quality of Smilax glabra Roxb. using QADS based on FT-NIR combined with multiple intelligent algorithms.

Smilax glabra Roxb. (SGR) is known for its high nutritional and therapeutic value. However, the frequent appearance of counterfeit products causes confusion and inconsistent quality among SGR varieties. Herein, this study collected the proportion of SGR adulteration and used high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to measure the astilbin content of SGR. Then Fourier-transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) technology, combined with multivariate intelligent algorithms, was used to establish partial least squares regression quantitative models for detecting SGR adulteration and measuring astilbin content, respectively. The method conducted a quantitative analysis of dual indicators through single-spectrum data acquisition (QADS) to comprehensively evaluate the authenticity and superiority of SGR. The coefficients of determination (R2) for both the calibration and prediction sets exceeded 0.96, which successfully leverages FT-NIR combined with multivariate intelligent algorithms to considerably enhance the accuracy and reliability of quantitative models. Overall, this research holds substantial value in the comprehensive quality evaluation in functional health foods.

Unraveling the prognostic significance of RGS gene family in gastric cancer and the potential implication of RGS4 in regulating tumor-infiltrating fibroblast.

Regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) proteins are regulators of signal transduction mediated by G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Current studies have shown that some molecules in the RGS gene family are related to the occurrence, development and poor prognosis of malignant tumors. However, the RGS gene family has been rarely studied in gastric cancer. In this study, we explored the mutation and expression profile of RGS gene family in gastric cancer, and evaluated the prognostic value of RGS expression. Then we established a prognostic model based on RGS gene family and performed functional analysis. Further studies showed that RGS4, as an independent prognostic predictor, may play an important role in regulating fibroblasts in the immune microenvironment. In conclusion, this study explores the value of RGS gene family in gastric cancer, which is of great significance for predicting the prognosis and guiding the treatment of gastric cancer.

Development and Validation of a Diagnostic Model for Identifying Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma in Small Renal Masses Based on CT Radiological Features: A Multicenter Study.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to develop a diagnostic model based on clinical and CT features for identifying clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) in small renal masses (SRMs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: This retrospective multi-centre study enroled patients with pathologically confirmed SRMs. Data from three centres were used as training set (n = 229), with data from one centre serving as an independent test set (n = 81). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were utilised to screen independent risk factors for ccRCC and build the classification and regression tree (CART) diagnostic model. The area under the curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the performance of the model. To demonstrate the clinical utility of the model, three radiologists were asked to diagnose the SRMs in the test set based on professional experience and re-evaluated with the aid of the CART model. RESULTS: There were 310 SRMs in 309 patients and 71% (220/310) were ccRCC. In the testing cohort, the AUC of the CART model was 0.90 (95% CI: 0.81, 0.97). For the radiologists' assessment, the AUC of the three radiologists based on the clinical experience were 0.78 (95% CI:0.66,0.89), 0.65 (95% CI:0.53,0.76), and 0.68 (95% CI:0.57,0.79). With the CART model support, the AUC of the three radiologists were 0.93 (95% CI:0.86,0.97), 0.87 (95% CI:0.78,0.95) and 0.87 (95% CI:0.78,0.95). Interobserver agreement was improved with the CART model aids (0.323 vs 0.654, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The CART model can identify ccRCC with better diagnostic efficacy than that of experienced radiologists and improve diagnostic performance, potentially reducing the number of unnecessary biopsies.

Association between electroencephalogram alpha-band oscillations and executive and processing functions in patients with cerebral small vessel diseases.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) alpha-band oscillations may reflect executive and processing function in patients with cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). We aimed to assess such association and its relationship with CSVD severity, and to identify specific alpha-band parameters and the cut-off values for cognitive screening. We analysed the dispersion of amplitude-frequency characteristics of EEG alpha-band and different alpha-band parameters (PFα , ΔPFα , PPα , NCL) in different brain locations. We also assessed patients' executive and processing functions using verbal fluency test (VFT) and color trails test (CTT), and CSVD severity using total burden and Fazekas scores. 129 patients were recruited in the study. After adjusting for age, gender and education, PFα(F3), PFα(F4) and NCL were significantly associated with VFT-composite performance (p < 0.05). CTT-1 time and error were associated with PFα(F3), PFα(F4), ΔPFα(O1;F3) and CSVD severity (p < 0.05), whereas CTT-2 time was only associated with CSVD severity. Moreover, the correlations between alpha-band oscillations and cognitive function were higher in low than in high disease-severity group (ρ: -0.58 vs. -0.38, p < 0.05). The AUC of selected alpha-band parameters were higher than 0.8 for VFT and CTT. Specific alpha-band parameters in the frontal lobe were identified to correspond to executive and processing function. Assessing EEG alpha-band oscillations may assist in screening cognitive impairment.

Cardiolipin oxidized by ROS from complex II acts as a target of gasdermin D to drive mitochondrial pore and heart dysfunction in endotoxemia.

Cardiac dysfunction, an early complication of endotoxemia, is the major cause of death in intensive care units. No specific therapy is available at present for this cardiac dysfunction. Here, we show that the N-terminal gasdermin D (GSDMD-N) initiates mitochondrial apoptotic pore and cardiac dysfunction by directly interacting with cardiolipin oxidized by complex II-generated reactive oxygen species (ROS) during endotoxemia. Caspase-4/11 initiates GSDMD-N pores that are subsequently amplified by the upregulation and activation of NLRP3 inflammation through further generation of ROS. GSDMD-N pores form prior to BAX and VDAC1 apoptotic pores and further incorporate into BAX and VDAC1 oligomers within mitochondria membranes to exacerbate the apoptotic process. Our findings identify oxidized cardiolipin as the definitive target of GSDMD-N in mitochondria of cardiomyocytes during endotoxin-induced myocardial dysfunction (EIMD), and modulation of cardiolipin oxidation could be a therapeutic target early in the disease process to prevent EIMD.

A novel method for gas mixing and distribution in multi-chamber embryo incubators.

BACKGROUND: High-quality control of the gas environment in incubators is crucial for in vitro embryo development, which requires high accuracy, fast recovery, and low gas consumption. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we propose a novel gas mixing and distribution system and method as an alternative solution for multi-chamber embryo incubators. METHODS: The system-based embryo incubator enables a controllable gas circulation process and a quantitative supply of CO2 and N2. To determine the optimal parameters for the mixing time and flow rate of the circulated gases, we conducted contrast experiments on the system-based incubator. To evaluate the performance of the gas system in the incubator, we conducted tests under four different initial conditions, simulating various practical application scenarios. Furthermore, we performed a mouse embryo assay to assess the system's effectiveness. RESULTS: The results show that the system achieved a gas concentration accuracy of ± 0.2% (volume fraction) after stabilization, a minimum recovery time of 5 minutes, an average consumption of 8.9 L/d for N2 and 0.83 L/d for CO2 during routine operation, and a blastocyst rate exceeding 90% observed after 96 hours of culture in the incubator. CONCLUSION: The system and method demonstrate a significant advantage in terms of low gas consumption compared to existing incubators, while still maintaining high accuracy and fast recovery.

Modulating synovial macrophage pyroptosis and mitophagy interactions to mitigate osteoarthritis progression using functionalized nanoparticles.

Synovial macrophages play an important role in the progression of osteoarthritis (OA). In this study, we noted that synovial macrophages can activate pyroptosis in a gasdermin d-dependent manner and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), aberrantly activating the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP9) expression in synovial tissue samples collected from both patients with OA and collagen-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) mouse model. To overcome this, we constructed rapamycin- (RAPA, a mTORC1 inhibitor) loaded mesoporous Prussian blue nanoparticles (MPB NPs, for catalyzing ROS) and modified the NPs with MMP9-targeted peptides (favor macrophage targeting) to develop RAPA@MPB-MMP9 NPs. The inherent enzyme-like activity and RAPA released from RAPA@MPB-MMP9 NPs synergistically impeded the pyroptosis of macrophages and the activation of the mTORC1 pathway. In particular, the NPs decreased pyroptosis-mediated ROS generation, thereby inhibiting cGAS-STING signaling pathway activation caused by the release of mitochondrial DNA. Moreover, the NPs promoted macrophage mitophagy to restore mitochondrial stability, alleviate pyroptosis-related inflammatory responses, and decrease senescent synoviocytes. After the as-prepared NPs were intra-articularly injected into the CIOA mouse model, they efficiently attenuated synovial macrophage pyroptosis and cartilage degradation. In conclusion, our study findings provide a novel therapeutic strategy for OA that modulates the pyroptosis and mitophagy of synovial macrophage by utilizing functionalized NPs. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Osteoarthritis (OA) presents a significant global challenge owing to its complex pathogenesis and finite treatment options. Synovial macrophages have emerged as key players in the progression of OA, managing inflammation and tissue destruction. In this study, we discovered a novel therapeutic strategy in which the pyroptosis and mitophagy of synovial macrophages are targeted to mitigate OA pathology. For this, we designed and prepared rapamycin-loaded mesoporous Prussian blue nanoparticles (RAPA@MPB-MMP9 NPs) to specifically target synovial macrophages and modulate their inflammatory responses. These NPs could efficiently suppress macrophage pyroptosis, diminish reactive oxygen species production, and promote mitophagy, thereby alleviating inflammation and protecting cartilage integrity. Our study findings not only clarify the intricate mechanisms underlying OA pathogenesis but also present a promising therapeutic approach for effectively managing OA by targeting dysregulation in synovial macrophages.

Loss of PBX1 function in Leydig cells causes testicular dysgenesis and male sterility.

Leydig cells are essential components of testicular interstitial tissue and serve as a primary source of androgen in males. A functional deficiency in Leydig cells often causes severe reproductive disorders; however, the transcriptional programs underlying the fate decisions and steroidogenesis of these cells have not been fully defined. In this study, we report that the homeodomain transcription factor PBX1 is a master regulator of Leydig cell differentiation and testosterone production in mice. PBX1 was highly expressed in Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells in the adult testis. Conditional deletion of Pbx1 in Leydig cells caused spermatogenic defects and complete sterility. Histological examinations revealed that Pbx1 deletion impaired testicular structure and led to disorganization of the seminiferous tubules. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed that loss of Pbx1 function affected the fate decisions of progenitor Leydig cells and altered the transcription of genes associated with testosterone synthesis in the adult testis. Pbx1 directly regulates the transcription of genes that play important roles in steroidogenesis (Prlr, Nr2f2 and Nedd4). Further analysis demonstrated that deletion of Pbx1 leads to a significant decrease in testosterone levels, accompanied by increases in pregnenolone, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone. Collectively, our data revealed that PBX1 is indispensable for maintaining Leydig cell function. These findings provide insights into testicular dysgenesis and the regulation of hormone secretion in Leydig cells.

Intrinsically Microporous Polyimides Derived from 2,2'-Dibromo-4,4',5,5'-bipohenyltetracarboxylic Dianhydride for Gas Separation Membranes.

This work aims to expand the structure-property relationships of bromo-containing polyimides and the influence of bromine atoms on the gas separation properties of such materials. A series of intrinsically microporous polyimides were synthesized from 2,2'-dibromo-4,4',5,5'-bipohenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (Br-BPDA) and five bulky diamines, (7,7'-(mesitylmethylene)bis(8-methyldibenzo[b,e][1,4]dioxin-2-amine) (MMBMA), 7,7'-(Mesitylmethylene)bis(1,8-dimethyldibenzo[b,e][1,4] dioxin-2-amine) (MMBDA), 4,10-dimethyl-6H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine-2,8-diamine (TBDA1), 4,10-dimethyl-6H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine-3,9-diamine (TBDA2), and (9R,10R)-9,10-dihydro-9,10-[1,2]benzenoanthracene-2,6-diamine (DAT). The Br-BPDA-derived polyimides exhibited excellent solubility, high thermal stability, and good mechanical properties, with their tensile strength and modulus being 59.2-109.3 MPa and 1.8-2.2 GPa, respectively. The fractional free volumes (FFVs) and surface areas (SBET) of the Br-BPDA-derived polyimides were in the range of 0.169-0.216 and 211-342 m2 g-1, following the order of MMBDA > MMBMA > TBDA2 > DAT > TBDA1, wherein the Br-BPDA-MMBDA exhibited the highest SBET and FFV and thus highest CO2 permeability of 724.5 Barrer. Moreover, Br-BPDA-DAT displayed the best gas separation performance, with CO2, H2, O2, N2, and CH4 permeabilities of 349.8, 384.4, 69.8, 16.3, and 19.7 Barrer, and H2/N2 selectivity of 21.4. This can be ascribed to the ultra-micropores (<0.7 nm) caused by the high rigidity of Br-BPDA-DAT. In addition, all the bromo-containing polymers of intrinsic microporosity membranes exhibited excellent resistance to physical ageing.

Exploring the interconnected between type 2 diabetes mellitus and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: Genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization analysis.

Epidemiological and clinical studies have indicated a higher risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), implying a potentially shared genetic etiology, which is still less explored. Genetic links between T2DM and NAFLD were assessed using linkage disequilibrium score regression and pleiotropic analysis under composite null hypothesis. European GWAS data have identified shared genes, whereas SNP-level pleiotropic analysis under composite null hypothesis has explored pleiotropic loci. generalized gene-set analysis of GWAS data determines pleiotropic pathways and tissue enrichment using eQTL mapping to identify associated genes. Mendelian randomization analysis was used to investigate the causal relationship between NAFLD and T2DM. Linkage disequilibrium score regression analysis revealed a strong genetic correlation between T2DM and NAFLD, and identified 24 pleiotropic loci. These single-nucleotide polymorphisms are primarily involved in biosynthetic regulation, RNA biosynthesis, and pancreatic development. generalized gene-set analysis of GWAS data analysis revealed significant enrichment in multiple brain tissues. Gene mapping using these 3 methods led to the identification of numerous pleiotropic genes, with differences observed in liver and kidney tissues. These genes were mainly enriched in pancreas, brain, and liver tissues. The Mendelian randomization method indicated a significantly positive unidirectional causal relationship between T2DM and NAFLD. Our study identified a shared genetic structure between NAFLD and T2DM, providing new insights into the genetic pathogenesis and mechanisms of NAFLD and T2DM comorbidities.

Prognostic factors in lung transplantation after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation bridging therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has recently emerged as a critical support system for lung function in patients awaiting lung transplantation. This meta-analysis investigates the prognostic factors of lung transplantation following ECMO bridging therapy. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, Web of Science, Scopus, and ProQuest databases from inception to August 11, 2023. Included were cohort or case-control studies focusing on prognostic factors of lung transplantation with ECMO bridging therapy. Data extraction was performed independently, and study quality was assessed. A meta-analysis was carried out using RevMan 5.4 and Stata17.0 software to aggregate mortality rates and pertinent prognostic factors of ECMO as a bridge to lung transplantation. Results: The search identified eight trials encompassing 1,086 participants. The prognosis of patients undergoing lung transplantation with ECMO bridging was significantly associated with several factors: prolonged ECMO support [odds ratio 1.07, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.02-1.12, I2=77%], deterioration in liver and kidney function (odds ratio 3.62, 95% CI: 2.37-5.54, I2=0%), and complications during ECMO (odds ratio 2.24, 95% CI: 1.45-3.44, I2=5%). Conclusions: Prolonged ECMO support, declining liver and kidney functions, and complications during ECMO are vital prognostic factors in lung transplantation following ECMO bridging therapy.

DNA Reaction Circuits to Establish Designated Biological Functions in Multicellular Community.

In multicellular organisms, individual cells are coordinated through complex communication networks to accomplish various physiological tasks. Aiming to establish new biological functions in the multicellular community, we used DNA as the building block to develop a cascade of nongenetic reaction circuits to establish a dynamic cell-cell communication network. Utilizing membrane-anchored amphiphilic DNA tetrahedra (TDN) as the nanoscaffold, reaction circuits were incorporated into three unrelated cells in order to uniquely regulate their sense-and-response behaviors. As a proof-of-concept, this step enabled these cells to simulate significant biological events involved in T cell-mediated anticancer immunity. Such events included cancer-associated antigen recognition and the presentation of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), APC-facilitated T cell activation and dissociation, and T cell-mediated cancer targeting and killing. By combining the excellent programmability and molecular recognition ability of DNA, our cell-surface reaction circuits hold promise for mimicking and manipulating many biological processes.