Ovarian cancer classification and prognosis assessment model based on prognostic target genes in key microRNA-target gene networks.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to screen key microRNA (miRNA)-target gene networks for ovarian cancer (OC) and to classify and construct a risk assessment system for OC based on the target genes. METHODS: OC sample data of The Cancer Genome Atlas dataset and GSE26193, GSE30161, GSE63885 and GSE9891 datasets were retrospectively collected. Pearson correlation analysis and targeted analysis of miRNA and target gene were performed to screen key miRNA-target gene networks. Target genes associated with the prognosis of OC were screened from key miRNA-target gene networks for consensus clustering and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator-based regression machine learning analysis of OC samples. RESULTS: Twenty target genes of 2651 key miRNA-target gene pairs had significant prognostic correlation in each OC cohort, and OC was divided into three clusters. There were differences in prognostic outcome, biological pathways, immune cell abundance and susceptibility to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapy and anti-tumor drugs among the three molecular clusters. S2 exhibited the least advantage in prognosis and immunotherapy response rate in the three molecular clusters, and the pathways regulating immunity, hypoxia, metabolism and promoting malignant progression of cancer, as well as infiltrating immune and stromal cell population abundance, were the highest in this cluster. An eight-target gene prognostic model was created, and the risk index obtained by using this model not only significantly distinguished the immune characteristics of the sample, but also predicted the response of the sample to ICB treatment, and helped to screen 36 potential anti-OC drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides a classification strategy for OC based on prognostic target genes in key miRNA-target gene networks, and creates a risk assessment system for predicting prognosis and response to ICB therapy in OC patients, providing molecular basis for prognosis and precise treatment of OC.

Germline sexual fate is determined by the antagonistic action of dmrt1 and foxl3/foxl2 in tilapia.

Germline sexual fate has long been believed to be determined by the somatic environment, but this idea is challenged by recent studies of foxl3 mutants in medaka. Here, we demonstrate that the sexual fate of tilapia germline is determined by the antagonistic interaction of dmrt1 and foxl3, which are transcriptionally repressed in male and female germ cells, respectively. Loss of dmrt1 rescued the germ cell sex reversal in foxl3Δ7/Δ7 XX fish, and loss of foxl3 partially rescued germ cell sex reversal but not somatic cell fate in dmrt1Δ5/Δ5 XY fish. Interestingly, germ cells lost sexual plasticity in dmrt1Δ5/Δ5 XY and foxl3Δ7/Δ7 XX single mutants, as aromatase inhibitor (AI) and estrogen treatment failed to rescue the respective phenotypes. However, recovery of germ cell sexual plasticity was observed in dmrt1/foxl3 double mutants. Importantly, mutation of somatic cell-specific foxl2 resulted in testicular development in foxl3Δ7/Δ7 or dmrt1Δ5/Δ5 mutants. Our findings demonstrate that sexual plasticity of germ cells relies on the presence of both dmrt1 and foxl3. The existence of dmrt1 and foxl3 allows environmental factors to influence the sex fate decision in vertebrates.

Plasma-Engraved Lattice-Matched NiO/NiFe2O4 Heterostructure with Ample Oxygen Vacancies for Efficient Water Electrolysis and Zn-Air Batteries.

Heterogeneous interface and defect engineering offer effective pathways to accelerate oxygen evolution reaction (OER) charge transfer kinetics and motivate optimal intrinsic catalytic activity. Herein, we report the lattice-matched NiO/NiFe2O4 heterostructure with ample oxygen vacancies (Vo-NiO/NiFe2O4) induced by a feasible hydrothermal followed by calcination and plasma-engraving assistant technique, which shows the unique porous microflower arrangement of intertwined nanosheets. Benefitting from the synergetic effects between lattice-matched heterointerface and oxygen vacancies induce the strong electronic coupling, optimized OH-/O2 diffusion pathway and ample active sites, thus-prepared Vo-NiO/NiFe2O4 presents a favorable OER performance with a low overpotential (261 mV @ 10 mA cm-2) and small Tafel slope (39.4 mV dec-1), even surpassing commercial RuO2 catalyst. Additionally, the two-electrode configuration water electrolyzer and rechargeable zinc-air battery assembled by Vo-NiO/NiFe2O4 catalyst show the potential practical application directions. This work provides an innovative avenue for strengthening OER performance toward water electrolysis and Zn-air batteries via the interface and vacancy engineering strategy.

Electrochemistry promotion of Fe(â ¢)/Fe(â ¡) cycle for continuous activation of PAA for sludge disintegration: Performance and mechanism.

In this study, electrochemistry was used to enhance the advanced oxidation of Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA (EC/Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA) to disintegrate waste activated sludge, and its performance and mechanism was compared with those of EC, PAA, EC/PAA and Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA. Results showed that the EC/Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA process effectively improved sludge disintegration and the concentrations of soluble chemical oxygen demand, polysaccharides and nucleic acids increased by 62.85%, 41.15% and 12.21%, respectively, compared to the Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA process. Mechanism analysis showed that the main active species produced in the EC/Fe(Ⅱ)/PAA process were •OH, R-O• and FeIVO2+. During the reaction process, sludge flocs were disrupted and particle size was reduced by the combined effects of active species oxidation, electrochemical oxidation and PAA oxidation. Furthermore, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) was degraded, the conversion of TB-EPS to LB-EPS and S-EPS was promoted and the total protein and polysaccharide contents of EPS were increased. After sludge cells were disrupted, intracellular substances were released, causing an increase in nucleic acids, humic acids and fulvic acids in the supernatant, and resulting in sludge reduction. EC effectively accelerated the conversion of Fe(Ⅲ) to Fe(Ⅱ), which was conducive to the activation of PAA, while also enhancing the disintegration of EPS and sludge cells. This study provided an effective approach for the release of organic matter, offering significant benefits in sludge resource utilization.

Does controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in women with a history of borderline tumor influence recurrence rate?

PURPOSE: To determine the recurrence rate in the women with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation after a history of borderline ovarian tumors (BOT). METHODS: This was a retrospective analysis of 275 patients with BOT undergoing surgery for fertility preservation in our hospital between 2001 and 2017. Cases were divided into an assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatment group (n = 15) and a non-ART treatment group (n = 260). We compared the recurrence rate, survival rate and pregnancy outcomes between these two groups. RESULTS: The ART group had a higher recurrence rate (33.33% vs. 10.80%, P = 0.023). Survival analysis indicated that the recurrence time in patients undergoing ART was significantly shorter (P = 0.026). A low pregnancy rate before diagnosis, and high intraoperative blood loss, were associated with postoperative ART treatment (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that ART treatment and bilateral lesions both significantly increased the risk of recurrence (P < 0.05). The pathological type of recurrent tumors was often the same as the initial tumor. CONCLUSION: The postoperative use of ART in patients with BOT significantly increased the recurrence rate, but does not significantly affect the overall survival rate of patients. Therefore, ART in such patients should be individualized, and close follow-up is necessary after ART.

Bioconversion of Homogeneous Linear C-Lignin to Polyhydroxyalkanoates.

The bioconversion of homogeneous linear catechyl lignin (C-lignin) to polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) was examined for the first time in this study. C-lignins from vanilla, euphorbia, and candlenut seed coats (denoted as C1, C2, and C3, respectively) varied in their molecular structures, which showed different molecular weight distributions, etherification degrees, and contents of hydroxyl groups. A notable amount of nonetherified catechol units existed within C1 and C2 lignins, and these catechol units were consumed during fermentation. These results suggested that the nonetherified catechol structure was readily converted by Pseudomonas putida KT2440. Since the weight-average molecular weight of C2 raw lignin was 26.7% lower than that of C1, the bioconversion performance of C2 lignin was more outstanding. The P. putida KT2440 cell amount reached the maximum of 9.3 × 107 CFU/mL in the C2 medium, which was 37.9 and 82.4% higher than that in the C1 and C3 medium, respectively. Accordingly, PHA concentration reached 137 mg/L within the C2 medium, which was 41.2 and 149.1% higher than the C1 and C3 medium, respectively. Overall, C-lignin, with a nonetherified catechol structure and low molecular weight, benefits its microbial conversion significantly.

Monocomponent Nanodots with Dichromatic Output Regulated by Synergistic Dual-Stimuli for Cervical Cancer Tissue Imaging and Photodynamic Tumor Therapy.

Inflammation exists in the microenvironment of most, if not virtually all, tumors, which greatly exacerbates the difficulty of cancer treatment. Considering the superiority of activatable photosensitizers (PSs), a novel strategy of 'making friends with the enemy' for tumor treatment was proposed. In this strategy, the "enemy" refers to inflammatory cytokines and the tumor site is targeted by detecting the enemy. Upon detection, a dichromatic fluorescence signal is released and the PS is activated specifically by the inflammatory cytokines. In this study, a multifunctional PS (TPE-PTZ-Py) was rationally designed, which can be activated specifically under the synergistic action of hypochlorous acid (HClO) (one kind of inflammatory cytokines) and acid (one typical marker of tumor), and output a ratiometric fluorescence signal simultaneously. The sulfoxide analogue (TPE-PTZO-PyH) as the response product effectively produced 1O2 (1.8-fold higher than that obtained with Rose Bengal) and showed high phototoxicity (IC50 < 7.6 µM). More importantly, imaging analyses confirmed that TPE-PTZ-Py could be activated in human cervical cancer tissue. To date, several phenothiazine (PTZ)-based fluorescent probes have been developed for the selective sensing and imaging of HClO in subcellular organelles; however, this is the first phenothiazine-based nanodrug designed for the treatment of inflammation-associated tumors with a few side effects.

Heterostructured V-Doped Ni2 P/Ni12 P5 Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution in Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers.

Regulating the electronic structure and intrinsic activity of catalysts' active sites with optimal hydrogen intermediates adsorption is crucial to enhancing the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline media. Herein, a heterostructured V-doped Ni2 P/Ni12 P5 (V-Ni2 P/Ni12 P5 ) electrocatalyst is  fabricated through a hydrothermal treatment and controllable phosphidation process. In comparison with pure-phase V-Ni2 P, in/ex situ characterizations and theoretical calculations reveal a redistribution of electrons and active sites in V-Ni2 P/Ni12 P5 due to the V doping and heterointerfaces effect. The strong coupling between Ni2 P and Ni12 P5 at the interface leads to an increased electron density at interfacial Ni sites while depleting at P sites, with V-doping further promoting the electron accumulation at Ni sites. This is accompanied by the change of active sites from the anionic P sites to the interfacial Ni-V bridge sites in V-Ni2 P/Ni12 P5 . Benefiting from the interface electronic structure, increased number of active sites, and optimized H-adsorption energy, the V-Ni2 P/Ni12 P5 exhibits an overpotential of 62 mV to deliver 10 mA cm-2 and excellent long-term stability for HER. The V-Ni2 P/Ni12 P5 catalyst is applied for anion exchange membrane water electrolysis to deliver superior performance with a current density of 500 mA cm-2 at a cell voltage of 1.79 V and excellent durability.

Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion with Anterolateral Screw Fixation Is as Effective as with Posterior Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Fixation in Treating Single-Segment Mild Degenerative Lumbar Diseases.

BACKGROUND Oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) is a new and minimally invasive surgery. This study aimed to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of oblique lateral interbody fusion with anterolateral screw fixation and with posterior percutaneous screw fixation in treating single-segment mild degenerative lumbar diseases. MATERIAL AND METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on 51 patients with single-segment mild degenerative lumbar diseases who received OLIF from April 2017 to January 2020 in Hong Hui Hospital, Xi'an Jiao Tong University; 24 and 27 patients received OLIF with anterolateral screw fixation (OLIF+AF) and OLIF with posterior percutaneous screw fixation (OLIF+PF), respectively. Anesthesia time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, intraoperative fluoroscopy number, hospital stay, postoperative complications, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) score, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, anterior and posterior disc heights, foraminal height, and fusion rate of the 2 groups were compared to assess clinical and radiological outcomes. RESULTS Anesthesia time, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of intraoperative fluoroscopy, and VAS score in the OLIF+AF group were significantly better than those in the OLIF+PF group (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in ODI score, anterior and posterior disc heights, foraminal height, fusion rate, and incidence of complications between the 2 groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS OLIF+AF in treating single-segment mild degenerative lumbar diseases produces a satisfactory clinical effect. Moreover, OLIF+AF does not invade the paraspinal muscle group, thereby reducing trauma, postoperative residual low back pain, operation time, bleeding, and frequency of fluoroscopy. Thus, OLIF+AF is a feasible treatment method for single-segment mild degenerative lumbar diseases.

LncRNA MONC suppresses the malignant phenotype of Endometrial Cancer Stem Cells and Endometrial Carcinoma Cells by regulating the MiR-636/GLCE axis.

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence shows that abnormal expression of long non-coding RNA is involved in the occurrence and development of various tumors. LncRNA MONC is abnormally expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, and acute megakaryocytic leukemia, but the biological function and potential regulatory mechanism of MONC in endometrial cancer stem cells (ECSCs) and endometrial cancer cells (ECCs) have not been studied. In this study, we aimed to explore the tumor suppressive effect and mechanism of MONC in regulating ECSCs and ECCs. METHODS: We used qRT-PCR to detect the expression of MONC, miR-636 and GLCE in normal human endometrial tissues and endometrial carcinoma (EC) tissues. Luciferase assay was used to verify the binding sites between MONC and miR-636 and between miR-636 and GLCE. Double fluorescence in situ hybridization was used to locate MONC and miR-636 in cells. ECSCs were obtained by flow cytometry sorting assay. Sphere formation assay, CCK-8 assay, transwell invasion assay, cell cycle analysis and apoptosis assay were used to detect the effects of MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis on the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and ECCs. The effect of MONC on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process was detected using western blot. Finally, we conducted in vivo verification through Tumor xenografts in BALB/C nude mice. RESULTS: In this study, we found MONC is low expression in endometrial carcinoma (EC) and patients in the MONC high-expression group had a better prognosis. MONC and miR-636 are relatively co-localized in the cytoplasm. MONC directly inhibits the malignant biological behavior of ECSCs and ECCs by directly inhibiting miR-636. Simultaneously, miR-636 may indirectly reduce the expression of MONC. Down-regulation of miR-636 may promote GLCE expression by targeting the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of the downstream gene GLCE, thereby inhibiting the progression of ECSCs. MONC combined with miR-636 inhibited tumor epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In addition, we verified the tumor suppressive effect of MONC in nude mice, miR-636 can rescue the tumor suppressive effect of overexpressing MONC. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, this study showed that MONC inhibits the malignant phenotypes of ECSCs and ECCs by regulating the miR-636/GLCE axis. Thus the MONC/miR-636/GLCE axis may provide novel treatment avenues for human EC.

Regulation of spermatogenesis and reproductive capacity by Igf3 in tilapia.

A novel insulin-like growth factor (igf3), which is exclusively expressed in the gonads, has been widely identified in fish species. Recent studies have indicated that Igf3 regulates spermatogonia proliferation and differentiation in zebrafish; however, detailed information on the role of this Igf needs further in vivo investigation. Here, using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as an animal model, we report that igf3 is required for spermatogenesis and reproduction. Knockout of igf3 by CRISPR/Cas9 severely inhibited spermatogonial proliferation and differentiation at 90 days after hatching, the time critical for meiosis initiation, and resulted in less spermatocytes in the mutants. Although spermatogenesis continued to occur later, more spermatocytes and less spermatids were observed in the igf3-/- testes when compared with wild type of testes at adults, indicating that Igf3 regulates spermatocyte to spermatid transition. Importantly, a significantly increased occurrence of apoptosis in spermatids was observed after loss of Igf3. Therefore, igf3-/- males were subfertile with drastically reduced semen volume and sperm count. Conversely, the overexpression of Igf3 in XY tilapia enhanced spermatogenesis leading to more spermatids and sperm count. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that the absence of Igf3 resulted in dysregulation of many genes involved in cell cycle, meiosis and pluripotency regulators that are critical for spermatogenesis. In addition, in vitro gonadal culture with 17α-methyltetosterone (MT) and 11-ketotestosterone (11-KT) administration and in vivo knockout of cyp11c1 demonstrated that igf3 expression is regulated by androgens, suggesting that Igf3 acts downstream of androgens in fish spermatogenesis. Notably, the igf3 knockout did not affect body growth, indicating that this Igf specifically functions in reproduction. Taken together, our data provide genetic evidence for fish igf3 in the regulation of reproductive capacity by controlling spermatogenesis.

A modified method to treat severe asymptomatic pre-existing degeneration of adjacent segment: a retrospective case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Pre-existing degeneration of adjacent segment is an important risk factor for adjacent-segment degeneration (ASD), but only limited and controversial studies have addressed its management. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed patients with symptomatic degeneration of the L5/S1 segment warranting surgical interference and severe asymptomatic degeneration of the L4/5 segment. Of these patients, those who underwent interbody fusion of the causative (L5/S1) segment and distraction of the intervertebral space and facet fusion of the adjacent L4/5 segment were included in Group A (n = 103), while those who underwent interbody fusion of both the L5/S1 and L4/5 segments were included in Group B (n = 81). Clinical and radiographic outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Mean follow-up time was 58.5 months (range, 48-75 months). We found no significant difference in clinical outcomes or incidence of ASD in the L3/4 segment between Groups A and B. Compared with Group B, Group A experienced less bleeding (315 ± 84 ml vs. 532 ± 105 ml), shorter operation time (107 ± 34 min vs. 158 ± 55 min) and lower costs (US $13,830 ± $2640 vs. US $16,020 ± $3380; P < 0.05). In Group A, the disc height ratio (DHR) of the L4/5 segment was significantly increased from a preoperative value of 0.40 ± 0.13 to a last-follow-up value of 0.53 ± 0.18 (P < 0.05), while the degree of canal stenosis (DCS) was decreased from a preoperative value of 34.3 ± 11.2% to a last-follow-up value of 15.9 ± 9.3 % (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This modified method could be effective in treating severe asymptomatic pre-existing degeneration of adjacent segment in the lumbar spine.

Sulfur-Dopant-Promoted Electroreduction of CO2 over Coordinatively Unsaturated Ni-N2 Moieties.

Atomically dispersed nickel-nitrogen-carbon (Ni-N-C) moieties are promising for efficient electrochemical CO2 -to-CO conversion. To improve the intrinsic electrocatalytic activity, it is essential but challenging to steer the coordination environment of Ni centers for promoting the CO formation kinetics. Here, we introduce alien sulfur atoms to tune the local electronic density of unsaturated NiN2 species. A coordinated structure evolution is detected and S vacancies are generated at high overpotentials, as confirmed by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The sulfur dopants enhance CO selectivity and activity over normal unsaturated NiN2 structure, reaching a high CO Faradaic efficiency of 97 % and a large CO current density of 40.3 mA cm-2 in a H-cell at -0.8 V and -0.9 V (vs. RHE), respectively. DFT calculations reveal both doped S atoms and evolved S vacancies in the NiN2 coordination environment contribute to the reduced energy barriers for CO2 electroreduction to CO.

Hierarchical Ultrathin Mo/MoS2(1- x - y ) Px Nanosheets Assembled on P, N Co-Doped Carbon Nanotubes for Hydrogen Evolution in Both Acidic and Alkaline Electrolytes.

Synergistically coupled 1D/2D materials have great potential for energy conversion application due to its high catalytic activity. Herein, an in situ assembly strategy is developed for preparing the P, N co-doped carbon nanotubes and Mo/MoS2(1- x - y ) Px nanosheets composites (Mo/MoS2(1- x - y ) Px @PNC) for hydrogen evolution reactions (HER). The PNC guarantees structural stability and fast charge transfer in a long-range, while Mo/MoS2(1- x - y ) Px nanosheets offer a large electrochemically active surface area with embedded metallic Mo in improving its internal conductivity and rich surface/interface properties. Thus, the optimized catalyst (Mo/MoS1.15 P0.30 @PNC) possesses more surface active sites and exhibits extraordinary HER activities, with a small overpotential of -79 and -131 mV at 10 mA cm-1 , and low Tafel slope of 49 and 82 mV dec-1 in 0.5 m H2 SO4 and 1.0 m KOH, respectively. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the higher substitution of S atoms by P in MoS2 can form strong Mo 3d-S 2p-P 2p hybridizations at Fermi level, resulting in the narrower bandgap and smaller ∆GH * of hydrogen (H*) adsorption, thereby leading to the promoted HER activity.

High-throughput sequencing study of the effect of transabdominal hysterectomy on intestinal flora in patients with uterine fibroids.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effect of transabdominal hysterectomy on the diversity of the intestinal flora in patients with uterine fibroids. Patients with uterine fibroids were selected from September 2018 to December 2018, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, and stool specimens were collected from patients before and after surgery. RESULTS: High-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to detect the changes in microbial community structure and diversity, and the effects of total hysterectomy on the intestinal flora were further analyzed. Estrogen levels decreased after trans-abdominal hysterectomy. High-throughput sequencing showed that after abdominal hysterectomy, the abundance and diversity of the intestinal flora decreased. The abundance changes were mainly due to Proteobacteria, where their abundance increased. CONCLUSIONS: Trans-abdominal hysterectomy changes the intestinal flora of the body by lowering the level of estrogen in the body, which reduces the diversity and abundance of the intestinal flora.

BTG1 inhibits malignancy as a novel prognosis signature in endometrial carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Endometrial carcinoma (EC) is one of the three major malignant tumors of the female reproductive system. In recent years, the incidence and mortality rate of EC have increased. B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1) is an anti-proliferation gene that regulates the occurrence and development of a variety of tumors, but there is no research regarding this gene in EC. METHODS: Based on The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database, we used a variety of bioinformatics tools and databases to explore the expression and prognosis of BTG1. We verified expression and prognosis of BTG1 in EC using qRT-PCR and analyzed the relevant clinicopathological parameters. We functionally enriched BTG1 and related genes in EC patients through the bioinformatics website and analyzed miRNA targets of BTG1 and interacting protein networks. Cell proliferation, wound healing, transwell invasion, and cell apoptosis assays were used to detect the effects of BTG1 on the malignant biological behavior of endometrial carcinoma cells (ECCs). The effect of BTG1 on the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process was detected using western blot. RESULTS: We analyzed the expression and prognosis of BTG1 based on TCGA and found that low expression of BTG1 was associated with poor EC prognosis. The qRT-PCR suggested that BTG1 had low expression in EC. BTG1 expression was significantly correlated with overall survival (OS) shortening. Clinicopathological analysis suggested that expression of BTG1 was related to invasion depth and the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage. EC pathological tissue type, fertility history, lymphatic metastasis, menopause, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and age of diagnosis were not related. Functional enrichment analysis showed that BTG1 plays an important role in regulating embryonic development, tumorigenesis, apoptosis, and cell cycle. Biological behavior experiments suggest that BTG1 inhibits proliferation, migration, and invasion of ECCs, and promotes apoptosis of ECCs. Western blot indicated that BTG1 inhibited the EMT process of ECCs. CONCLUSIONS: BTG1, as a tumor suppressor gene, plays an important role in the occurrence and development of EC. We believe that BTG1 can be used as a potential prognostic biomarker for EC.

Co-Evolution of Complex Network Public Goods Game under the Edges Rules.

The reconnection of broken edges is an effective way to avoid drawback for the commons in past studies. Inspired by this, we proposed a public goods game model under the edges rules, where we evaluate the weight of edges by their nodes' payoff. The results proved that the game obtains a larger range of cooperation with a small gain factor by this proposed model by consulting Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) and real experiments. Furthermore, as the following the course of game and discussing the reason of cooperation, in the research, we found that the distribution entropy of the excess average degree is able to embody and predict the presence of cooperation.

Therapeutic efficacy of Transpedicular Intracorporeal cement augmentation with short segmental posterior instrumentation in treating osteonecrosis of the vertebral body: a retrospective case series with a minimum 5-year follow-up.

BACKGROUND: Transpedicular intracorporeal cement augmentation (TCA) with short segmental posterior instrumentation (SSPI), which provides an ideal immediate analgesic effect and long-term reconstructive stability, is thought to be a sensible advancement to the operative strategy in treating osteonecrosis of the vertebral body (ONV). However, long-term follow-up studies about the treatment are scarce. METHODS: Forty-six ONV patients (22 males and 24 females, mean age of 62.8 ± 7.11 years) underwent TCA with SSPI were retrospectively analyzed. During follow-up, clinical outcomes, such as the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) score, were evaluated, as well as radiologic outcomes, such as the average vertebral height and kyphotic angle. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients completed a follow-up period of at least 5 years (mean follow-up period of 67 ± 4.2 months). Among them, seven patients experienced complications, i.e., pneumonia (2/36, 5.56%), screw loosening (2/36, 5.56%), moderate hematoma in the subcutaneous tissue (1/36, 2.78%), and cement leakage (2/36, 5.56%). Compared to the preoperative score, the mean VAS score was significantly reduced 6 months postoperatively (P < 0.05), and it concluded being virtually identical to the preoperative score (P > 0.05). The mean ODI score exhibited a comparable trend. Regarding the radiologic evaluation, the mean kyphotic angle and average vertebral body height were significantly corrected postoperatively (both P < 0.05). However, these radiological parameters were maximally ameliorated during the direct postoperative period and slowly deteriorated over time. CONCLUSION: The present study shows that TCA with SSPI may be only mildly effective for symptom relief and correction of kyphotic deformity during a relatively long follow-up, thus we do not recommend it for ONV.

Processable Surface Modification of Nickel-Heteroatom (N, S) Bridge Sites for Promoted Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution.

Nickel-heteroatoms bridge sites are important reaction descriptors for many catalytic and electrochemical processes. Herein we report the controllable surface modification of nickel-nitrogen (Ni-N) bridge sites on metallic Ni particles via a simplified vapor-assisted treatment approach. X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Operando Raman spectroscopy verifies the interaction between Ni and surface-anchored N, which leads to distorted Ni lattice structure with improved wettability. The Ni-N bridge sites with appropriate N coverage level plays a critical role in the enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the optimized electrode (Ni-N0.19 ) has demonstrated superior HER performances with low overpotential merely of 42 mV for achieving a current density of 10 mA cm-2 , as well as favorable reaction kinetics and excellent durability in alkaline electrolyte. DFT calculations revealed that the appropriate N-coverage level can lead to the most favorable ΔGH* kinetics for both adsorption of H* and release of H2 , while high N coverage (Ni-N0.59 ) results in weaker H* adsorption, thus a decreased HER activity, corresponding well to our experimental observations. Furthermore, this generic synthetic approach can also be applied to prepare S-modified Ni HER catalyst by generating hydrogen sulfide vapor.

Low-Temperature Synthesis of Cuboid Silver Tetrathiotungstate (Ag2WS4) as Electrocatalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Ternary bimetallic sulfide silver tetrathiotungstate (Ag2WS4) was prepared by a simple low-temperature precipitation method. The structure of Ag2WS4 was determined using the data from powder X-ray diffraction, which is in space group I4̅2 m (I-phase) with a tetragonal unit cell of a = b = 5.950 71 Å and c = 9.562 65 Å, containing layers of edge-sharing AgS4 and WS4 tetrahedra. The Ag2WS4 was also used as an electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in acid electrolyte. The results demonstrated that, attributed to its unique composition, large electrochemical active surface area, and high electric conductivity, the Ag2WS4 exhibited superior electrocatalytic activity for HER, in comparison with the ternary counterparts of WS2 and Ag2S with a low onset potential and small Tafel slope. The Ag2WS4 also presented superior stability and maintained the electrocatalytic activity of HER for at least 24 h in 0.5 M H2SO4.