Effects of sustained viral response on lipid in Hepatitis C: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Direct-acting Antiviral Agents (DAAs) influence serum lipids of patients with Hepatitis C virus (HCV). This paper presents an analysis of the relevant literature to investigate the effects of DAAs in treating hepatitis C to achieve a sustained viral response (SVR) on lipid parameters. METHODS: PubMed,Web of science, Embase and Central databases were searched, with a deadline of September 2023. Studies on the effects of sustained viral response on lipid parameters after DAAs treatment for hepatitis C were selected. The required information was extracted from the included studies, and then the Stata 12.0 was used to analyze the data quantitatively. RESULTS: Of 32 studies, the results showed that total cholesterol (TC) levels increased from the end of treatment (WMD = 20.144, 95%CI = 3.404, 36.884,P = 0.018) to one year after treatment (WMD = 24.900, 95%CI = 13.669, 36.131, P < 0.001). From the end of treatment (WMD = 17.728, 95%CI = 4.375, 31.082, P = 0.009) to one year after treatment (WMD = 18.528, 95%CI = 7.622, 29.433, P < 0.001), the levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were also increased. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were elevated from 4 weeks after treatment (WMD = 6.665, 95%CI = 3.906, 9.424, P < 0.001) to 24 weeks after treatment (WMD = 3.159,95% CI = 0.176, 6.142, P = 0.038). Triglyceride (TG) levels showed no significant change after the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatitis C patients who achieved SVR on DAAs showed the increase of lipid levels and the improvement of hepatic inflammation indicators AST and ALT. This may provide evidence-based medical evidence for the follow-up and monitoring of blood lipids and hyperlipidemia treatment. REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42020180793.

Bio-inspired Two-dimensional Nanofluidic Ionic Transistor for Neuromorphic Signal Processing.

Voltage-gated ion channels prevalent in neurons play important roles in generating action potential and information transmission by responding to transmembrane potential. Fabricating bio-inspired ionic transistors with ions as charge carriers will be crucial for realizing neuro-inspired devices and brain-liking computing. Here, we reported a two-dimensional nanofluidic ionic transistor based on a MXene membrane with sub-1 nm interlayer channels. By applying a gating voltage on the MXene nanofluidic, a transmembrane potential will be generated to active the ionic transistor, which is similar to the transmembrane potential of neuron cells and can be effectively regulated by changing membrane parameters, e.g., thickness, composition, and interlayer spacing. For the symmetric MXene nanofluidic, a high on/off ratio of ~2000 can be achieved by forming an ionic depletion or accumulation zone, contingent on the sign of the gating potential. An asymmetric PET/MXene-composited nanofluidic transitioned the ionic transistor from ambipolar to unipolar, resulting in a more sensitive gate voltage characteristic with a low subthreshold swing of 560 mV/decade. Furthermore, ionic logic gate circuits, including the "NOT", "NAND", and "NOR" gate, were implemented for neuromorphic signal processing successfully, which provides a promising pathway towards highly parallel, low energy consumption, and ion-based brain-like computing.

Evaluation of blood-based PRO-C3 testing as a diagnostic marker for staging liver fibrosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: With the global increase in chronic liver disease and cirrhosis, there is an increasing need to identify non-invasive biomarkers to measure the severity of disease progression while reducing reliance on pathological biopsies. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic value of PRO-C3 as a biomarker for staging liver fibrosis in patients with viral hepatitis or fatty liver disease. METHODS: Articles published until January 6, 2023, were searched in the PubMed, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, and likelihood ratios were integrated using a random-effects model, and a summary receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed. Publication bias was also detected. Subgroup and meta-regression analyses, as well as sensitivity analysis, were also performed. RESULTS: Fourteen studies with 4315 patients were included. Summary area under the curve of PRO-C3 for the identification of significant fibrosis (≥ F2) and advanced fibrosis (≥ F3) was 0.80 (95% confidence interval: 0.76-0.83). Subgroup and meta-regression analyses suggested that disease type and sample size may be the primary factors of heterogeneity in PRO-C3 diagnosis of ≥ F2, while study design, study sample type, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit brand may be the primary sources of heterogeneity in PRO-C3 diagnosis of ≥ F3. CONCLUSIONS: PRO-C3 demonstrated clinically meaningful diagnostic accuracy when used alone as a non-invasive biomarker for diagnosing the liver fibrosis stage in individuals with viral hepatitis or fatty liver disease.

Association of HSD17B13 rs72613567: TA allelic variant with liver disease: review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To assess the association of HSD17B13 rs72613567:TA allelic variant with liver disease, we performed the current review and meta-analysis. METHODS: Seven studies were identified by a search of CNKI,CBM,MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases from inception to November 2021. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using random effects model or fixed effects model based on the between-study heterogeneity. The Stata 14.0 software was employed for data analysis. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that the HSD17B13 rs72613567:TA allelic variant can decrease the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients, alcoholic fatty liver disease (ALD) patients and viral hepatitis patients (TA vs T OR = 0.766, 95% CI = 0.682-0.860, P = 0.000; TATA + TAT vs TT OR = 0.755, 95% CI = 0.645-0.885, P = 0.001) or healthy controls(TA vs T OR = 0.649, 95% CI = 0.431-0.977, P = 0.038). Besides, the HSD17B13 rs72613567:TA allelic variant can also provide protection from nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) not only in entire population (TA vs T OR = 0.669, 95% CI = 0.524-0.856, P = 0.001) but also in healthy people (TA vs T OR = 0.600, 95% CI = 0.464-0.777, P = 0.000). No significant publication bias found in this airticle. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest HSD17B13 rs72613567:TA allelic variant can reduce the risk of HCC and NAFLD in the entire population studied.

Electroacupuncture Improves Cognitive Function in Senescence-Accelerated P8 (SAMP8) Mice via the NLRP3/Caspase-1 Pathway.

Background. Clinically, electroacupuncture (EA) is the most common therapy for aging-related cognitive impairment (CI). However, the underlying pathomechanism remains unidentified. The aims of this study were to observe the effect of EA on cognitive function and explore the potential mechanism by which EA acts on the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway. Main Methods. Thirty male SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into the model, the 2 Hz EA and 10 Hz EA groups. Ten male SAMR1 mice were assigned to the control group. Cognitive function was assessed through the Morris water maze test. Hippocampal morphology and cell death were observed by HE and TUNEL staining, respectively. The serum IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α levels were measured by ELISA. Hippocampal NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, GSDM-D, IL-1ß, IL-18, Aß, and tau proteins were detected by Western blotting. Key Findings. Cognitive function, hippocampal morphology, and TUNEL-positive cell counts were improved by both EA frequencies. The serum IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α levels were decreased by EA treatment. However, 10 Hz EA reduced the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the CA1 region and serum IL-1ß and IL-6 levels more effectively than 2 Hz EA. NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway-related proteins were significantly downregulated by EA, but 2 Hz EA did not effectively reduce ASC protein expression. Interestingly, both EA frequencies failed to reduce the expression of Aß and tau proteins. Significance. The effects of 10 Hz EA at the GV20 and ST36 acupoints on the NLRP3/caspase-1 signaling pathway may be a mechanism by which this treatment relieves aging-related CI in mice.

Association of TM6SF2 rs58542926 T/C gene polymorphism with hepatocellular carcinoma: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth-most common malignancy worldwide. Multiple previous studies have assessed the relationship between TM6SF2 gene polymorphism and the risk of developing HCC, with discrepant conclusions reached. To assess the association of TM6SF2 rs58542926 T/C gene polymorphism with liver cancer, we performed the current meta-analysis. METHODS: This study queried the MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL databases from inception to April 2019. Case-control studies assessing the relationship between TM6SF2 rs5854292 locus polymorphism and liver cancer were selected according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Stata 12.0 software was employed for data analysis. RESULTS: A total of 5 articles, encompassing 6873 patients, met inclusion criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis showed that the TM6SF2 gene polymorphism was significantly associated with liver cancer in the allele contrast, dominant, recessive and over dominant models (T vs C, OR = 1.621, 95%CI 1.379-1.905; CT + TT vs CC. OR = 1.541, 95%CI 1.351-1.758; TT vs CT + CC, OR = 2.897, 95%CI 1.690-4.966; CC + TT vs TC, OR = 0.693, 95%CI 0.576-0.834). The Egger's test revealed no significant publication bias. CONCLUSION: The present findings suggest a significant association of TM6SF2 gene polymorphism with HCC risk in the entire population studied.

Feasibility of ambulatory surgery for anal fistula with LIFT procedure.

BACKGROUND: Ambulatory surgery maintains the advantages of a more rapid return to work and overall reduced hospital costs. The specific impact of ambulatory surgery for anal fistula using the LIFT procedure (ligation of the intersphincteric fistula tract) is presented. METHODS: A total of 218 consecutive patients with anal fistula who underwent ambulatory LIFT surgery were retrospectively compared with 386 cases managed as in-patients. Patient demographics, comorbidities, postoperative morbidity and pain as well as readmission rates within 30 days and satisfaction ratings were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: When compared with patients undergoing in-patient surgery, those in the ambulatory group were younger with a better level of education (P < 0.05). Ambulatory cases returned to work after shorter postoperative periods (P < 0.01) but experienced more frequent postoperative external hemorrhoidal thrombosis and more reported postoperative pain (P < 0.05). There were no differences in the overall rate of complications or readmissions between the two groups. Ambulatory patients reported higher satisfaction ratings than in-patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The LIFT procedure for anal fistula can be safely performed in the ambulatory setting resulting in an acceptable level of satisfaction and a more rapid return to work when compared with in-patient fistula management.

Structure and Electronic Properties of Neutral and Negatively Charged RhBn Clusters (n = 3-10): A Density Functional Theory Study.

The geometrical structure and electronic properties of the neutral RhBn and singly negatively charged RhBn- clusters are obtained in the range of 3 ≤ n ≤ 10 using the unbiased CALYPSO structure search method and density functional theory (DFT). A combination of the PBE0 functional and the def2-TZVP basis set is used for determining global minima on potential energy surfaces of the Rh-doped Bn clusters. The photoelectron spectra of the anions are simulated using the time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) method. Good agreement between our simulated and experimentally obtained photoelectron spectra for RhB9- provides support to the validity of our theoretical method. The relative stabilities of the ground-state RhBn and RhBn- clusters are estimated using the calculated binding energies, second-order total energy differences, and HOMO-LUMO gaps. It is found that RhB7 and RhB8- are the most stable species in the neutral and anionic series, respectively. The chemical bonding analysis reveals that the RhB8-cluster possesses two sets of delocalized σ and π bonds. In both cases, the Hückel 4N + 2 rule is fulfilled and this cluster possesses both σ and π aromaticities.

The hepatocellular carcinoma risk in patients with HBV-related cirrhosis: a competing risk nomogram based on a 4-year retrospective cohort study.

Objective: The study aimed to build and validate a competitive risk nomogram to predict the cumulative incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) for patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related cirrhosis. Methods: A total of 1401 HBV-related cirrhosis patients were retrospectively enrolled from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2014. Application of 20 times imputation dealt with missing data using multiple imputation by chained equations (MICE). The patients were randomly divided into a training set (n = 1017) and a validation set (n = 384) at a ratio of 3:1. A prediction study was carried out using a competing risk model, where the event of interest was HCC and the competing events were death and liver transplantation, and subdistribution hazard ratios (sHRs) with 95% CIs were reported. The multivariate competing risk model was constructed and validated. Results: There was a negligible difference between the original database and the 20 imputed datasets. At the end of follow-up, the median follow-up time was 69.9 months (interquartile range: 43.8-86.6). There were 31.5% (442/1401) of the patients who developed HCC, with a 5-year cumulative incidence of 22.9 (95%CI, 20.8%-25.2%). The univariate and multivariate competing risk regression and construction of the nomogram were performed in 20 imputed training datasets. Age, sex, antiviral therapy history, hepatitis B e antigen, alcohol drinking history, and alpha-fetoprotein levels were included in the nomogram. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve values at 12, 24, 36, 60, and 96 months were 0.68, 0.69, 0.70, 0.68, and 0.80, and the Brier scores were 0.30, 0.25, 0.23, 0.21, and 0.20 in the validation set. According to the cumulative incidence function, the nomogram effectively screened out high-risk HCC patients from low-risk patients in the presence of competing events (Fine-Gray test p < 0.001). Conclusion: The competitive risk nomogram was allowed to be used for predicting HCC risk in individual patients with liver cirrhosis, taking into account both the association between risk factors and HCC and the modifying effect of competition events on this association.

Ionic Transistors.

Biological voltage-gated ion channels, which behave as life's transistors, regulate ion transport precisely and selectively through atomic-scale selectivity filters to sustain important life activities. By this inspiration, voltage-adaptable ionic transistors that use ions as signal carriers may provide an alternative information processing unit beyond solid-state electronic devices. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the first generation of biomimetic ionic transistors, including their operating mechanisms, device architecture development, and property characterizations. Despite its infancy, significant progress has been made in the applications of ionic transistors in fields such as DNA detection, drug delivery, and ionic circuits. Challenges and prospects of full exploitation of ionic transistors for a broad spectrum of practical applications are also discussed.

Bioinspired carbon nanotube-based nanofluidic ionic transistor with ultrahigh switching capabilities for logic circuits.

The voltage-gated ion channels, also known as ionic transistors, play substantial roles in biological systems and ion-ion selective separation. However, implementing the ultrafast switchable capabilities and polarity switching of ionic transistors remains a challenge. Here, we report a nanofluidic ionic transistor based on carbon nanotubes, which exhibits an on/off ratio of 104 at operational gate voltage as low as 1 V. By controlling the morphology of carbon nanotubes, both unipolar and ambipolar ionic transistors are realized, and their on/off ratio can be further improved by introducing an Al2O3 dielectric layer. Meanwhile, this ionic transistor enables the polarity switching between p-type and n-type by controlled surface properties of carbon nanotubes. The implementation of constructing ionic circuits based on ionic transistors is demonstrated, which enables the creation of NOT, NAND, and NOR logic gates. The ionic transistors are expected to have profound implications for low-energy consumption computing devices and brain-machine interfacing.

External validation and improvement of the scoring system for predicting the prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma after interventional therapy.

Background: Currently, locoregional therapies, such as transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) and ablation, play an important role in the treatment of Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, an easy-to-use scoring system that predicts recurrence to guide individualized management of HCC with varying risks of recurrence remains an unmet need. Methods: A total of 483 eligible HCC patients treated by TACE combined with ablation from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019, were included in the temporal external validation cohort and then used to explore possibilities for refinement of the original scoring system. We investigated the prognostic value of baseline variables on recurrence-free survival (RFS) using a Cox model and developed the easily applicable YA score. The performances of the original scoring system and YA score were assessed according to discrimination (area under the receiver operating curve [AUROC] and Harrell's concordance index [C-statistic]), calibration (calibration curves), and clinical utility [decision curve analysis (DCA) curves]. Finally, improvement in the ability to predict in the different scoring systems was assessed using the Net Reclassification Index (NRI). The YA score was lastly compared with other prognostic scores. Results: During the median follow-up period of 35.6 months, 292 patients experienced recurrence. In the validation cohort, the original scoring system exhibited high discrimination (C-statistic: 0.695) and calibration for predicting the prognosis in HCC. To improve the prediction performance, the independent predictors of RFS, including gender, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-γ-carboxyprothrombin (DCP), tumor number, tumor size, albumin-to-prealbumin ratio (APR), and fibrinogen, were incorporated into the YA score, an improved score. Compared to the original scoring system, the YA score has better discrimination (c-statistic: 0.712VS0.695), with outstanding calibration and the clinical net benefit, both in the training and validation cohorts. Moreover, the YA score accurately stratified patients with HCC into low-, intermediate- and high-risk groups of recurrence and mortality and outperformed other prognostic scores. Conclusion: YA score is associated with recurrence and survival in early- and middle-stage HCC patients receiving local treatment. Such score would be valuable in guiding the monitoring of follow-up and the design of adjuvant treatment trials, providing highly informative data for clinical management decisions.

Different hydraulic and photosynthetic responses to summer drought between newly sprouted and established Moso bamboo culms.

The subtropical regions in China are prone to recurrent summer droughts induced by the Western Pacific Subtropical High-Pressure, which has induced the death of tens of millions of culms of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis (Carriere) J. Houzeau), a widely distributed giant bamboo with high economic and ecological values. In the future, the intensity and frequency of the summer drought are projected to increase in these areas due to global climate change, which may lead to significant age-specific mortality of Moso bamboo. So far, it is still unclear about the age-specific response mechanisms of hydraulic traits and carbon balance of Moso bamboo when it is suffering to an ongoing summer drought. This study aimed to investigate the hydraulic and photosynthetic responses of newly sprouted (1 year old) and established (2-5 years old) culms of Moso bamboo to summer drought, which was manipulated by throughfall reduction in Lin'an of Zhejiang. The results showed that both newly sprouted and established culms had a gradually weakening hydraulic conductivity and photosynthesis during the whole drought process. In the early stage of the manipulated drought, the established culms had more loss of hydraulic conductivity than the newly sprouted culms. However, the newly sprouted culms had significant more loss of hydraulic conductivity and lower photosynthetic rates and stomatal conductance in the middle and late stages of the manipulated drought. The results suggest that the newly sprouted culms were more susceptible to summer drought than established culms due to the combined effects of hydraulic damage and photosynthetic restriction, explaining why the newly sprouted culms have higher mortality than elder culms when subjected to extreme drought. These findings provided insights into the mechanisms of Moso bamboo's age-specific drought-induced mortality, which will help for the anti-drought management of bamboo.

Effect of HBsAg expression in liver tissue on prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma after minimally invasive interventional therapy.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between pathologic markers and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who received transcatheter chemoembolization combined with locoregional ablation therapy. Methods: This retrospective study included 111 hepatitis B virus (HBV)-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). All patients underwent transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with locoregional ablation therapy, and received core needle biopsy before therapy in Beijing You 'an Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2016. Demographic, pathological indicators and clinical laboratory data were collected. The cumulative recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated and compared by Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test, and Cox proportional risk model was used to screen for independent predictors of recurrence and long-term prognosis in HCC patients. Results: There was a correlation between HBsAg expression in liver tissue and prognosis of HCC patients. Patients with negative HBsAg expression had longer 1-,3- and 5-year RFS rates than positive HBsAg expression (78.3%, 43.5%, 30.4% and 58.5%, 24.5%, 17.0%, P=0.018). Meanwhile,the postoperative 1-,3-and 5-year OS rates of HCC patients in the negative HBsAg expression group were significantly higher than those of HCC patients in the positive HBsAg expression group (100%, 89.1%, 80.4% and 100%, 75.5%, 58.5%, P=0.008). Conclusions: The prognosis of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma with negative HBsAg expression was better than that with positive HBsAg expression. Accordingly, the expression of the liver HBsAg before combined therapy was a prognostic indicator for OS and RFS. For patients with liver HBsAg positive, follow-up should be strengthened and corresponding intervention measures should be taken to improve prognosis.

Reprogramming of lipid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma resulting in downregulation of phosphatidylcholines used as potential markers for diagnosis and prediction.

BACKGROUND: Aberrant methylation and metabolic perturbations may deepen our understanding of hepatocarcinogenesis and help identify novel biomarkers for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We aimed to develop an HCC model based on a multi-omics. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Four hundred patient samples (200 with HCC and 200 with hepatitis B virus-related liver disease (HBVLD)) were subjected to liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and multiplex bisulfite sequencing. Integrative analysis of clinical data, CpG data, and metabolome for the 20 complete imputation datasets within a for-loopwas used to identify biomarker. RESULTS: Totally, 1,140 metabolites were annotated, of which 125 were differentially expressed. Lipid metabolism reprogramming in HCC, resulting in phosphatidylcholines (PC) significantly downregulated, partly due to the altered mitochondrial beta-oxidation of fatty acids with diverse chain lengths. Age, sex, serum-fetoprotein levels, cg05166871,cg14171514, cg18772205, PC (O-16:0/20:3(8Z, 11Z, 14Z)), and PC (16:1(9Z)/P-18:0) were used to develop the HCC model. The model presented a good diagnostic and an acceptable predictive performance. The cumulative incidence of HCC in low- and high-risk groups of HBVLD patients were 1.19% and 21.40%, respectively (p = 0.0039). CONCLUSIONS: PCs serve as potential plasma biomarkers and help identify patients with HBVLD at risk of HCC who should be screened for early diagnosis and intervention.

Partitioning of respired CO2 in newly sprouted Moso bamboo culms.

Stem respiration (R s) plays a vital role in ecosystem carbon cycling. However, the measured efflux on the stem surface (E s) is not always in situ R s but only part of it. A previously proposed mass balance framework (MBF) attempted to explore the multiple partitioning pathways of R s, including sap-flow-transported and internal storage of R s, in addition to E s. This study proposed stem photosynthesis as an additional partitioning pathway to the MBF. Correspondingly, a double-chamber apparatus was designed and applied on newly sprouted Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) in leafless and leaved stages. R s of newly sprouted bamboo were twice as high in the leafless stage (7.41 ± 2.66 µmol m-2 s-1) than in the leaved stage (3.47 ± 2.43 µmol m-2 s-1). E s accounted for ~80% of R s, while sap flow may take away ~2% of R s in both leafless and leaved stages. Culm photosynthesis accounted for ~9% and 13% of R s, respectively. Carbon sequestration from culm photosynthesis accounted for approximately 2% of the aboveground bamboo biomass in the leafless stage. High culm photosynthesis but low sap flow during the leafless stage and vice versa during the leaved stage make bamboo an outstanding choice for exploring the MBF.

Charges Transfer in Interfaces for Energy Generating.

Under the threat of energy crisis and environmental pollution, the technology for sustainable and clean energy extraction has received considerable attention. Owing to the intensive exploration of energy conversion strategies, expanded energy sources are successfully converted into electric energy, including mechanical energy from human motion, kinetic energy of falling raindrops, and thermal energy in the ambient. Among these energy conversion processes, charge transfer at different interfaces, such as solid-solid, solid-liquid, liquid-liquid, and gas-contained interfaces, dominates the power-generating efficiency. In this review, the mechanisms and applications of interfacial energy generators (IEGs) with different interface types are systematically summarized. Challenges and prospects are also highlighted. Due to the abundant interfacial interactions in nature, the development of IEGs offers a promising avenue of inexhaustible and environmental-friendly power generation to solve the energy crisis.

Age effects of Moso bamboo on leaf isoprene emission characteristics.

Isoprene is a highly reactive volatile organic compound that significantly affects atmospheric oxidant capacity, regional air quality, and climate change. Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), a species widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in China, is a strong isoprene emitter with great potential for carbon sequestration. Carbon sequestration is negatively correlated with culm age; however, the effect of this correlation on isoprene emissions remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the photosynthetic and isoprene emission characteristics of Moso bamboo at different culm ages. The results showed that the age effect on isoprene emission was different from that on photosynthesis; the net photosynthesis rate (Pn) was the highest in young, followed by mature, and then old bamboo, whereas the isoprene emission rate (Iso) was the highest in young, followed by old, and then mature bamboo. Moreover, the percentage of carbon loss as isoprene emission (C-loss) during photosynthesis of old bamboo was 35% higher than that of mature bamboo under standard conditions (leaf temperature: 30°C; light intensity: 1000 µmol m-2 s-1). Therefore, we strongly recommend considering the culm age when establishing an isoprene emission model of Moso bamboo. Additionally, because the Iso and C-loss of old bamboo were higher than those of mature bamboo, we suggest that attention should be paid to the management of bamboo age structure and timely felling of aged bamboo to reduce environmental risk.

Bioinspired Artificial Ion Pumps.

Ion pumps are important membrane-spanning transporters that pump ions against the electrochemical gradient across the cell membrane. In biological systems, ion pumping is essential to maintain intracellular osmotic pressure, to respond to external stimuli, and to regulate physiological activities by consuming adenosine triphosphate. In recent decades, artificial ion pumping systems with diverse geometric structures and functions have been developing rapidly with the progress of advanced materials and nanotechnology. In this Review, bioinspired artificial ion pumps, including four categories: asymmetric structure-driven ion pumps, pH gradient-driven ion pumps, light-driven ion pumps, and electron-driven ion pumps, are summarized. The working mechanisms, functions, and applications of those artificial ion pumping systems are discussed. Finally, a brief conclusion of underpinning challenges and outlook for future research are tentatively discussed.

Nomogram established on account of Lasso-Cox regression for predicting recurrence in patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To investigate the risk factors for recurrence in patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after minimally invasive treatment with curative intent, then to construct a prediction model based on Lasso-Cox regression and visualize the model built. Methods: Clinical data were collected from 547 patients that received minimally invasive treatment in our hospital from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016. Lasso regression was used to screen risk factors for recurrence. Then we established Cox proportional hazard regression model and random survival forest model including several parameters screened by Lasso regression. An optimal model was selected by comparing the values of C-index, then the model was visualized and the nomogram was finally plotted. Results: The variables screened by Lasso regression including age, gender, cirrhosis, tumor number, tumor size, platelet-albumin-bilirubin index (PALBI), and viral load were incorporated in the Cox model and random survival forest model (P<0.05). The C-index of these two models in the training sets was 0.729 and 0.708, and was 0.726 and 0.700 in the validation sets, respectively. So we finally chose Lasso-Cox regression model, and the calibration curve in the validation set performed well, indicating that the model built has a better predictive ability. And then a nomogram was plotted based on the model chosen to visualize the results. Conclusions: The present study established a nomogram for predicting recurrence in patients with early-stage HCC based on the Lasso-Cox regression model. This nomogram was of some guiding significance for screening populations at high risk of recurrence after treatment, by which doctors can formulate individualized follow-up strategies or treatment protocols according to the predicted risk of relapse for patients to improve the long-term prognosis.