Multiomics Analysis Revealed Colorectal Cancer Pathogenesis.

Gut microbiota-derived microbial compounds may link to the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the role of the host-microbiome in the incidence and progression of CRC remains elusive. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing, metabolomics, and proteomic studies on samples from 85 CRC patients who underwent colonoscopy examination and found two distinct changed patterns of microbiome in CRC patients. The relative abundances of Catabacter and Mogibacterium continuously increased from intramucosal carcinoma to advanced stages, whereas Clostridium, Anaerostipes, Vibrio, Flavonifractor, Holdemanella, and Hungatella were significantly altered only in intermediate lesions. Fecal metabolomics analysis exhibited consistent increases in bile acids, indoles, and urobilin as well as a decrease in heme. Serum metabolomics uncovered the highest levels of bilin, glycerides, and nucleosides together with the lowest levels of bile acids and amino acids in the stage of intermediate lesions. Three fecal and one serum dipeptides were elevated in the intermediate lesions. Proteomics analysis of colorectal tissues showed that oxidation and autophagy through the PI3K/Akt-mTOR signaling pathway contribute to the development of CRC. Diagnostic analysis showed multiomics features have good predictive capability, with AUC greater than 0.85. Our overall findings revealed new candidate biomarkers for CRC, with potentially significant diagnostic and prognostic capabilities.

Molecular Design of Solid Polymer Electrolytes with Enthalpy-Entropy Manipulation for Li Metal Batteries with Aggressive Cathode Chemistry.

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) with high ion conductivity, high Li+ transference number, and a wide electrochemical window are promising for the next-generation high-energy Li metal batteries (LMBs). Here we describe an enthalpy-entropy manipulation strategy enabling a class of polycarbonate-based copolymeric electrolytes (PCCEs) with regulated cation/anion solvation via a molecular design of the polymer backbone. By integrating a weakly solvating linear carbonate with another strongly solvating cyclic carbonate segment in the polymer backbone, the cation-dipole coordination for Li+ ions (with two types of carbonyl groups) is weakened (low enthalpy penalty) and nondirectional (high entropy penalty), which enables a weak solvation and rapid diffusion of Li+. We further introduce a bis-acrylamide-based cross-linking segment which, other than imparting high mechanical strength, exhibits dihydrogen bonding with the difluoro(oxalate) borate anions, which is strong (high enthalpy penalty) and directional (low entropy penalty), thus restricting the migration of anions. As a result, the PCCE delivers a high ionic conductivity of 0.66 mS cm-1 with a high Li+ transference number (0.76) at 25 °C, as well as high oxidation stability. By an in situ polymerization approach, the PCCE enables LMBs using high-nikel LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 cathodes with a high capacity retention of 82.2% over 800 cycles with a cutoff voltage of 4.5 V and further LMBs using aggressive LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathodes with a 96.4% capacity retention over 300 cycles with a cutoff voltage of 5.0 V. The described enthalpy-entropy manipulation approach offers a unique perspective for the molecular design of high-performance SPEs for high-energy Li metal batteries.

Tuning the Electrolyte and Interphasial Chemistry for All-Climate Sodium-ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) present a promising avenue for next-generation grid-scale energy storage. However, realizing all-climate SIBs operating across a wide temperature range remains a challenge due to the poor electrolyte conductivity and instable electrode interphases at extreme temperatures. Here, we propose a comprehensively balanced electrolyte by pairing carbonates with a low-freezing-point and low-polarity ethyl propionate solvent which enhances ion diffusion and Na+-desolvation kinetics at sub-zero temperatures. Furthermore, the electrolyte leverages a combinatorial borate- and nitrile-based additive strategy to facilitate uniform and inorganic-rich electrode interphases, ensuring excellent rate performance and cycle stability over a wide temperature range from -45 °C to 60 °C. Notably, the Na||sodium vanadyl phosphate cell delivers a remarkable capacity of 105 mAh g-1 with a high rate of 2 C at -25 °C. In addition, the cells exhibit excellent cycling stability over a wide temperature range, maintaining a high capacity retention of 84.7 % over 3,000 cycles at 60 °C and of 95.1 % at -25 °C over 500 cycles. The full cell also exhibits impressive cycling performance over a wide temperature range. This study highlights the critical role of electrolyte and interphase engineering for enabling SIBs that function optimally under diverse and extreme climatic environments.

Quantitative Proteomic Analysis Reveals the Mechanisms of Sinapine Alleviate Macrophage Foaming.

Rapeseed polyphenols have cardiovascular protective effects. Sinapine, one main rapeseed polyphenol, possesses antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and antitumor properties. However, no research has been published about the role of sinapine in alleviating macrophage foaming. This study aimed to reveal the macrophage foaming alleviation mechanism of sinapine by applying quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics analyses. A new approach was developed to retrieve sinapine from rapeseed meals by using hot-alcohol-reflux-assisted sonication combined with anti-solvent precipitation. The sinapine yield of the new approach was significantly higher than in traditional methods. Proteomics was performed to investigate the effects of sinapine on foam cells, and it showed that sinapine can alleviate foam cell formation. Moreover, sinapine suppressed CD36 expression, enhanced the CDC42 expression, and activated the JAK2 and the STAT3 in the foam cells. These findings suggest that the action of sinapine on foam cells inhibits cholesterol uptake, activates cholesterol efflux, and converts macrophages from pro-inflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory M2. This study confirms the abundance of sinapine in rapeseed oil by-products and elucidates the biochemical mechanisms of sinapine that alleviates macrophage foaming, which may provide new perspectives for reprocessing rapeseed oil by-products.

Health risk study of cadmium, chromium, lead and arsenic in reservoir water of Changzhou, China.

Accurately assessing the health risks of human exposure to heavy metals via water is of great importance for performing targeted health risk prevention measures. To better understand the concentration characteristics and potential harm to human health of cadmium, chromium, lead and arsenic in the main drinking water-type reservoirs of Changzhou city, we collected samples from the Haidi Reservoir, Dongjin Reservoir, Xinfushan Reservoir, Maodong Reservoir and Xiangyang Reservoir of Changzhou in the summer of 2019. The results showed that the daily average comprehensive exposure level of metals was much lower than the provisional tolerated daily intake (PTDI), i.e., Cd: 1 µg kg-1 d-1; Cr: 3 µg kg-1 d-1; Pb: 3.57 µg kg-1 d-1; and As: 2.14 µg kg-1 d-1. The comprehensive non-carcinogenic risk levels of four metals under water-drinking exposure and water-skin exposure routes ranged from 4.68E - 3 to 1.69E - 1, and the carcinogenic risk ranged from 2.09E - 5 to 7.30E - 5, which were all at acceptable risk levels. Although lead and chromium were present at acceptable health risk levels, they still represented the main pollutants of potential health risk in the local water environment from a non-carcinogenic or carcinogenic perspective, and they should be listed as the primary targets for water environmental risk management.

Quantitative CT for detecting COVID­19 pneumonia in suspected cases.

BACKGROUND: Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is currently a worldwide pandemic and has a huge impact on public health and socio-economic development. The purpose of this study is to explore the diagnostic value of the quantitative computed tomography (CT) method by using different threshold segmentation techniques to distinguish between patients with or without COVID-19 pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 47 patients with suspected COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed, including nine patients with positive real-time fluorescence reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test (confirmed case group) and 38 patients with negative RT-PCR test (excluded case group). An improved 3D convolutional neural network (VB-Net) was used to automatically extract lung lesions. Eight different threshold segmentation methods were used to define the ground glass opacity (GGO) and consolidation. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to compare the performance of various parameters with different thresholds for diagnosing COVID-19 pneumonia. RESULTS: The volume of GGO (VOGGO) and GGO percentage in the whole lung (GGOPITWL) were the most effective values for diagnosing COVID-19 at a threshold of - 300 HU, with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.769 and 0.769, sensitivity of 66.67 and 66.67%, specificity of 94.74 and 86.84%. Compared with VOGGO or GGOPITWL at a threshold of - 300 Hounsfield units (HU), the consolidation percentage in the whole lung (CPITWL) with thresholds at - 400 HU, - 350 HU, and - 250 HU were statistically different. There were statistical differences in the infection volume and percentage of the whole lung, right lung, and lobes between the two groups. VOGGO, GGOPITWL, and volume of consolidation (VOC) were also statistically different at the threshold of - 300 HU. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative CT provides an image quantification method for the auxiliary diagnosis of COVID-19 and is expected to assist in confirming patients with COVID-19 pneumonia in suspected cases.

Tapping ahead of time: its association with timing variability.

Researchers have puzzled over the phenomenon in sensorimotor timing that people tend to tap ahead of time. When synchronizing movements (e.g., finger taps) with an external sequence (e.g., a metronome), humans typically tap tens of milliseconds before event onsets, producing the elusive negative asynchrony. Here, we present 24 metronome-tapping data sets from 8 experiments with different experimental settings, showing that less negative asynchrony is associated with lower tapping variability. Further analyses reveal that this negative mean-SD correlation of asynchrony is likely to be observed for sequence types appropriate for synchronization, as indicated by the statistically negative lag 1 autocorrelation of inter-response intervals. The reported findings indicate an association between negative asynchrony and timing variability.

Perspectives of children, family caregivers, and health professionals about pediatric oncology symptoms: a systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the existing body of evidence to determine the current state of knowledge regarding the perspectives of the following groups: (1) children with cancer, (2) family caregivers, and (3) healthcare professionals, about symptoms, as well as factors that may influence the symptom reports. METHODS: A systematic search was performed for all types of studies that included the perspectives of at least two groups of participants' symptom reports. Children included anyone younger than 19 years of age who was diagnosed with any type of cancer. Electronic searches were conducted in five English databases and four Chinese databases. The appraisal of methodological quality was conducted using the GRADE criteria. Data were extracted into matrix tables. RESULTS: Thirty-three studies were included. The pediatric oncology symptoms reported by children, family caregivers, and healthcare professionals were synthesized. Findings suggested that family caregivers' symptom reports were more closely aligned with children's reports than with the healthcare professionals' reports. Influencing factors on the different symptom reports included the children's diagnosis, symptom characteristics, social-demographic factors, and family caregivers' psychosocial status. CONCLUSIONS: Children with cancer should be the primary reporters for their symptoms. When there are reporters other than the children, the potential discrepancy between the different perspectives needs to be carefully considered.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in pediatric and young patients.

Oral mucositis is one of the most frequent complications after chemotherapy, occurring in approximately 52 to 80% of children receiving treatment for cancer. Recently, it has been suggested that the use of low-energy laser could reduce the grade of oral mucositis and alleviate the symptoms. In 2014, Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology has recommended low-level laser therapy in prevention of mucositis for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation patients because of its beneficial effects in majority of recent studies. However, the recommendation was made for adult patients, not pediatric patients. Data about the effect of low-level laser therapy in pediatric patients is limited. This study aims to synthesize the available clinical evidences on the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in the prevention and treatment of chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM). A meta-analysis was performed using trials identified through the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE, Web of Science, China Biology Medicine (CBM), Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI). Data on occurrence, duration, and severity of oral mucositis were collected. All randomized controlled studies and clinical controlled studies comparing LLLT to routine qualified prevention or treatment during or after chemotherapy were critically appraised and analyzed. We found 8 qualified clinical trials with a total of 373 pediatric patients; the methodological quality was acceptable. After prophylactic LLLT, the odds ratio for developing OM was significantly lower compared with placebo(OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.87, P = 0.01), the odds ratio for developing grade III OM or worse was statistically significantly lower compared with placebo (OR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.10, 0.90), P = 0.03), and the OM severity was statistically significantly lower compared with placebo (SMD = - 0.56, 95% CI (- 0.98, - 0.14), P = 0.009). For therapeutic LLLT, the OM severity was significantly reduced compared to routine care (SMD = - 1.18, 95% CI (- 1.52, - 0.84), P < 0.00001). Oral pain was also reduced after LLLT over routine care (MD = - 0.73, 95% CI (- 1.36, - 0.11), P = 0.02). CONCLUSION: Prophylactic LLLT reduces mucositis and severe mucositis and decreases the average severity of oral mucositis in pediatric and young patients with cancer. Therapeutic LLLT also reduces the average severity of oral mucositis and oral pain. Further research should investigate the optimal parameter of LLLT in pediatric and young patients, and studies with higher methodological quality should be performed. What is known: • Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) was recommended by Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/International Society of Oral Oncology; however, evidences about LLLT on oral mucositis in pediatric and young patients were insufficient and lack supportive synthesized data. • Recently, there have been several new RCTs or CCTs for pediatric patients or young adults. What is new: • Prophylactic LLLT reduces the occurrence of mucositis and severe mucositis and decreases the average severity of oral mucositis in pediatric and young patients. • Therapeutic LLLT reduces the average severity of oral mucositis and oral pain.

High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) effects on antigenicity and structural properties of soybean ß-conglycinin.

In this study, the effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on antigenicity, free sulfhydryl group (SH) content, hydrophobicity (Ho), fluorescence intensity and circular dichroism data of soybean ß-conglycinin was studied. The antigenicity of soybean ß-conglycinin was decreased significantly at pressures 200-400 MPa. The antigenicity inhibition rate of ß-conglycinin declined from 92.72 to 55.15%, after being treated at 400 MPa for 15 min. Results indicated that free sulphydryl (SH) groups and surface Ho of ß-conglycinin were significantly increased at pressures 200-400 MPa and 5-15 min, whereas these properties decreased at the treatments above 400 MPa and 15 min. The maximum fluorescence intensity was noticed at 400 MPa and 15 min. The circular dichroism data analysis revealed that the amount of ß-turns and unordered structure significantly increased, while the content of α-helix1 and ß-strand1 noticeably decreased. These results provide evidence that HHP-induced the structural modification of ß-conglycinin and could alter the antigenicity of ß-conglycinin.