Indophenol Blue Colorimetric Method to Determine Grain Protein Content of Cereal Plants.

Here, we propose a method to convert the organic nitrogen in maize kernels into ammonia in solution and then chlorinate it to prepare monochloride salts, which can form an oxidatively coupled blue-green mixture with sodium salicylate and sodium dichloroisocyanurate. The concentration of ammonium ions in the blue-green mixture can then be determined in the solution, and finally the protein content in maize kernels can be calculated from the nitrogen content.

The association of the platelet/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio with self-reported stroke and cardiovascular mortality: a population-based observational study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have shown that the relationship between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and stroke is controversial, and the association between the platelet/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (PHR), a novel marker for inflammation and hypercoagulability states, and stroke has not been established. METHODS: This study presents an analysis of cross-sectional data from the 2005-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Stroke history, HDL-C levels, and platelet counts were obtained during cross-sectional surveys. The PHR was calculated as the ratio of the number of platelets to HDL-C concentration. Weighted logistic regression was used to assess the associations of HDL-C and the PHR with stroke. Nonlinearity of this relationship was determined through restricted cubic splines (RCSs) and two-piecewise linear regression for identifying inflection points. Furthermore, Cox regression was utilized to prospectively analyze the associations of the PHR and HDL-C concentration with cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality in stroke survivors. RESULTS: A total of 27,301 eligible participants were included in the study; mean age, 47.28 years and 50.57% were female, among whom 1,040 had a history of stroke. After full adjustment, the odds ratio (OR) of stroke associated with a per standard deviation (SD) increase in the PHR was estimated at 1.13 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03 - 1.24, P = 0.01), and the OR of stroke associated with a per SD increase in HDL-C was 0.95 (95% CI: 0.86-1.05, P = 0.30). The RCS indicated a nonlinear relationship for both variables (PPHR = 0.018 and PHDL-C = 0.003), and further piecewise linear regression identified inflection points at PHR = 223.684 and HDL-C = 1.4 mmol/L. Segmental regression indicated that in the PHR ≥ 223.684 segment, the estimated OR of stroke associated with a per-SD increase in the PHR was 1.20 (95% CI: 1.09 - 1.31, P < 0.001), while the association of stroke with HDL-C was not significant before or after the inflection point (P > 0.05). Furthermore, Cox regression and RCS showed that a per-SD increase in the PHR was linearly associated with a greater risk of CVD mortality among stroke survivors (HR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.06 - 1.22, P < 0.001; nonlinear, P = 0.956), while HDL-C was not significantly associated with CVD mortality. CONCLUSION: The association between the PHR and stroke incidence exhibited a significant threshold effect, with an inflection point at 223.684. A PHR exceeding 223.684 was positively associated with stroke, while the association between HDL-C and stroke was not significant. Additionally, the PHR was positively and linearly associated with CVD mortality among stroke survivors.

Funding employment inclusion for Ontario youth with disabilities: a theoretical cost-benefit model.

Early engagement in employment-related activities is associated with greater lifetime labor force attachment, which correlates with positive health, social, and quality of life outcomes. People with disabilities often require vocational intervention to enter and remain in the workforce and reap the employment-related health and social benefits. Their labor force attachment brings about the added societal-level benefits of increased tax contributions and reduced social assistance funding. Reason and evidence both support the need for early intervention to facilitate young people with disabilities' workforce entry. Based on available evidence and best practices, and in conjunction with expert input, a cost-benefit model was constructed to provide support for public investment in early employment intervention by demonstrating the societal-level benefits that could be projected. Results indicate the potential benefits for investment in early, targeted employment intervention at a societal level. Two personas were crafted to demonstrate the lifetime societal-level impact of investment in intervention for an individual with disabilities. The results provide relevant arguments for advocates, policy makers, program directors, and people entering adulthood with disabilities to understand the benefits of investing in interventions with the goal of long-term public savings.

Effectiveness and tolerability of programmed cell death protein-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy for upper gastrointestinal tract cancers.

BACKGROUND: The combination of programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor and chemotherapy is approved as a standard first- or second-line treatment in patients with advanced oesophageal or gastric cancer. However, it is unclear whether this combination is superior to chemotherapy alone. AIM: To assess the comparative effectiveness and tolerability of combining PD-1 inhibitors with chemotherapy vs chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced gastric cancer, gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) cancer, or oesophageal carcinoma. METHODS: We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for studies that compared the efficacy and tolerance of PD-1 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy vs chemotherapy alone in patients with advanced oesophageal or gastric cancer. We employed either random or fixed models to analyze the outcomes of each clinical trial, encompassing data on overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), objective response rate, and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: Nine phase 3 clinical trials (7016 advanced oesophageal and gastric cancer patients) met the inclusion criteria. Our meta-analysis demonstrated that the pooled PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy group had a significantly longer OS than the chemotherapy-alone group [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.71-0.81]; the pooled PFS result was consistent with that of OS (HR = 0.67, 95%CI: 0.61-0.74). The count of patients achieving an objective response in the PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy group surpassed that of the chemotherapy-alone group [odds ratio (OR) = 1.86, 95%CI: 1.59-2.18]. AE incidence was also higher in the combination-therapy group than in the chemotherapy-alone group, regardless of whether ≥ grade 3 only (OR = 1.30, 95%CI: 1.07-1.57) or all AE grades (OR = 1.88, 95%CI: 1.39-2.54) were examined. We performed a subgroup analysis based on the programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS) and noted extended OS and PFS durations within the CPS ≥ 1, CPS ≥ 5, and CPS ≥ 10 subgroups of the PD-1 inhibitor + chemotherapy group. CONCLUSION: In contrast to chemotherapy alone, the combination of PD-1 inhibitor and chemotherapy appears to present a more favorable option for initial or subsequent treatment in patients with gastric cancer, GEJ tumor, or oesophageal cancer. This holds true particularly for individuals with PD-L1 CPS scores of ≥ 5 and ≥ 10.

Mechanism of Musashi2 affecting radiosensitivity of lung cancer by modulating DNA damage repair.

Identifying new targets for overcoming radioresistance is crucial for improving the efficacy of lung cancer radiotherapy, given that tumor cell resistance is a leading cause of treatment failure. Recent research has spotlighted the significance of Musashi2 (MSI2) in cancer biology. In this study, we first demonstrated that MSI2 plays a key function in regulating the radiosensitivity of lung cancer. The expression of MSI2 is negatively correlated with overall survival in cancer patients, and the knockdown of MSI2 inhibits tumorigenesis and increases radiosensitivity of lung cancer cells. Cellular radiosensitivity, which is closely linked to DNA damage, is influenced by MSI2 interaction with ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related kinase (ATR) and checkpoint kinase 1 (CHK1) post-irradiation; moreover, knockdown of MSI2 inhibits the ATR-mediated DNA damage response pathway. RNA-binding motif protein 17 (RBM17), which is implicated in DNA damage repair, exhibits increased interaction with MSI2 post-irradiation. We found that knockdown of RBM17 disrupted the interaction between MSI2 and ATR post-irradiation and increased the radiosensitivity of lung cancer cells. Furthermore, we revealed the potential mechanism of MSI2 recruitment into the nucleus with the assistance of RBM17 to activate ATR to promote radioresistance. This study provides novel insights into the potential application of MSI2 as a new target in lung cancer radiotherapy.

Ferroptosis in liver cancer: a key role of post-translational modifications.

Ferroptosis is an emerging form of regulated cell death in an oxidative stress- and iron-dependent manner, primarily induced by the over-production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Manipulation of ferroptosis has been considered a promising therapeutic approach to inhibit liver tumor growth. Nevertheless, the development of resistance to ferroptosis in liver cancer poses a significant challenge in cancer treatment. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are crucial enzymatic catalytic reactions that covalently regulate protein conformation, stability and cellular activities. Additionally, PTMs play pivotal roles in various biological processes and divergent programmed cell death, including ferroptosis. Importantly, key PTMs regulators involved in ferroptosis have been identified as potential targets for cancer therapy. PTMs function of two proteins, SLC7A11, GPX4 involved in ferroptosis resistance have been extensively investigated in recent years. This review will summarize the roles of PTMs in ferroptosis-related proteins in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment.

Simulation of Natural Convection with Sinusoidal Temperature Distribution of Heat Source at the Bottom of an Enclosed Square Cavity.

The lattice Boltzmann method is employed in the current study to simulate the heat transfer characteristics of sinusoidal-temperature-distributed heat sources at the bottom of a square cavity under various conditions, including different amplitudes, phase angles, initial positions, and angular velocities. Additionally, a machine learning-based model is developed to accurately predict the Nusselt number in such a sinusoidal temperature distribution of heat source at the bottom of a square cavity. The results indicate that (1) in the phase angle range from 0 to π, Nu basically shows a decreasing trend with an increase in phase angle. The decline in Nu at an accelerated rate is consistently observed when the phase angle reaches 4π/16. The corresponding Nu decreases as the amplitude increases at the same phase angle. (2) The initial position of the sinusoidal-temperature-distributed heat source Lc significantly impacts the convective heat transfer in the cavity. Moreover, the decline in Nu was further exacerbated when Lc reached 7/16. (3) The optimal overall heat transfer effect was achieved when the angular velocity of the non-uniform heat source reached π. As the angular velocity increases, the local Nu in the square cavity exhibits a gradual and oscillatory decline. Notably, it is observed that Nu at odd multiples of π surpasses that at even multiples of π. Furthermore, the current work integrates LBM with machine learning, enabling the development of a precise and efficient prediction model for simulating Nu under specific operational conditions. This research provides valuable insights into the application of machine learning in the field of heat transfer.

Effect and Mechanism of Rapamycin on Cognitive Deficits in Animal Models of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Preclinical Studies.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, remains long-term and challenging to diagnose. Furthermore, there is currently no medication to completely cure AD patients. Rapamycin has been clinically demonstrated to postpone the aging process in mice and improve learning and memory abilities in animal models of AD. Therefore, rapamycin has the potential to be significant in the discovery and development of drugs for AD patients. Objective: The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of rapamycin on animal models of AD by examining behavioral indicators and pathological features. Methods: Six databases were searched and 4,277 articles were retrieved. In conclusion, 13 studies were included according to predefined criteria. Three authors independently judged the selected literature and methodological quality. Use of subgroup analyses to explore potential mechanistic effects of rapamycin interventions: animal models of AD, specific types of transgenic animal models, dosage, and periodicity of administration. Results: The results of Morris Water Maze (MWM) behavioral test showed that escape latency was shortened by 15.60 seconds with rapamycin therapy, indicating that learning ability was enhanced in AD mice; and the number of traversed platforms was increased by 1.53 times, indicating that the improved memory ability significantly corrected the memory deficits. CONCLUSIONS: Rapamycin therapy reduced age-related plaque deposition by decreasing AßPP production and down-regulating ß-secretase and γ-secretase activities, furthermore increased amyloid-ß clearance by promoting autophagy, as well as reduced tau hyperphosphorylation by up-regulating insulin-degrading enzyme levels.

[Toxic effect and mechanism of Tripterygium glycosides on ovarian germline stem cells of mice in vitro by Notch signaling pathway].

The ovarian germline stem cells(OGSCs) cultured in the optimized culture system were used as the research object to observe the effect of Tripterygium glycosides(TG) on OGSCs and explore the mechanism of reproductive toxicity by the Notch signaling pathway. Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) was used to observe the viability level of OGSCs in mice cultured in vitro by TG of 3.75, 7.5, and 15 µg·mL~(-1). Immunofluorescence technology and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) were used to detect the protein and gene expression level of OGSCs marker mouse vasa homologue(MVH) and octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4) by TG of 3.75 µg·mL~(-1). RT-PCR detected the gene expression of neurogenic locus Notch homolog protein 1(Notch1), Hes family BHLH transcription factor 1(Hes1), and jagged canonical Notch ligand 1(Jagged1). The RNA was extracted for transcriptome analysis to analyze the mechanism of action of TG intervention on OGSCs. 3.75 µg·mL~(-1) of TG was combined with 40 ng·mL~(-1) Notch signaling pathway γ-secretagocin agonist jagged canonical notch ligand(Jagged) for administration. CCK-8 was used to detect the viability level of OGSCs. Double immunofluorescence technology was used to detect the protein co-expression of MVH with Hes1, Notch1, and Jagged1. The results showed that compared with the blank group, the TG administration group significantly inhibited the activity of OGSCs(P<0.01 or P<0.001). It could reduce the protein and gene expression of OGSC markers, namely MVH and Oct4(P<0.05, P<0.01, or P<0.001). It could significantly inhibit the gene expression of Notch1, Hes1, and Jagged1(P<0.001). Transcriptomic analysis showed that TG affected the growth and proliferation of OGSCs by intervening Jagged1, a ligand associated with the Notch signaling pathway. The experimental results showed that the combination of Notch signaling pathway γ-secretagorein agonist Jagged could significantly alleviate the decrease in OGSC viability induced by TG(P<0.001) and significantly increased the OGSC viability compared with the TG group(P<0.001). It also could significantly increase the co-expression of MVH/Jagged1, MVH/Hes1, and MVH/Notch1 proteins(P<0.01 or P<0.001). It suggested that TG play the role of γ-secretagorease inhibitors by downregulating the OGSC markers including MVH and Oct4 and Notch signaling pathway molecules such as Notch1, Hes1, and Jagged1, participate in the OGSC pathway, and mediate reproductive toxicity caused by the Notch signaling pathway.

Simultaneous determination of inflammatory factors SAA and LTF based on stable element labeling and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to aid in the diagnosis of infection.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical value of Serum amyloid A (SAA) and Lactoferrin (LTF) has received significant attention, but their detection methods are inadequate, which limits their application. This study aims to develop a dual detection method based on stable element labeling strategies and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for SAA/LTF and to assess whether it can be widely used in clinical practice. METHODS: A duplex immunoassay system based on sandwich method was constructed. After optimization, methodological evaluation was performed with the guidelines of Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). Finally, 131 plasma samples were collected to analyze whether the new method is suitable for clinical detection. RESULTS: The LoB, LLoQ, ULoQ, and linear range of the assay were 1.09 ng/mL, 3 ng/mL, 1500 ng/mL, 3-1500 ng/mL for SAA and 0.85 ng/mL, 2 ng/mL, 1200 ng/mL, 2-1200 ng/mL for LTF respectively. The recovery rates were 95.01% to 106.26%, the intra-batch precision of low, intermediate, and high-level samples was <8%, and the inter-batch of them was <11%, the deviation of interference test results was less than±10%. The Area Under the Curve (AUC) was 0.9809 for SAA, 0.8599 for LTF, and 0.9986 for combination. CONCLUSION: The quantitative duplex immunoassay for SAA/LTF has high accuracy, good precision, and high specificity, which meets the clinical testing requirements and can be widely used in clinical practice.

Methods, Mechanisms, and Application Prospects for Enhancing Extracellular Vesicle Uptake.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered to be a new generation of bioinspired nanoscale drug delivery systems due to their low immunogenicity, natural functionality, and excellent biocompatibility. However, limitations such as low uptake efficiency, insufficient production, and inhomogeneous performance undermine their potential. To address these issues, numerous researchers have put forward various methods and applications for enhancing EV uptake in recent decades. In this review, we introduce various methods for the cellular uptake of EVs and summarize recent advances on the methods and mechanisms for enhancing EV uptake. In addition, we provide further understanding regarding enhancing EV uptake and put forward prospects and challenges for the development of EV-based therapy in the future.

Genome-wide analysis of in vivo-evolved Candida auris reveals multidrug-resistance mechanisms.

Candida auris, an emerging and multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen, has led to numerous outbreaks in China. While the resistance mechanisms against azole and amphotericin B have been studied, the development of drug resistance in this pathogen remains poorly understood, particularly in in vivo-generated drug-resistant strains. This study employed pathogen whole-genome sequencing to investigate the epidemiology and drug-resistance mutations of C. auris using 16 strains isolated from two patients. Identification was conducted through Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, and antimicrobial susceptibilities were assessed using broth microdilution and Sensititre YeastOne YO10. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that all isolates belonged to the South Asian lineage, displaying genetic heterogeneity. Despite low genetic variability among patient isolates, notable mutations were identified, including Y132F in ERG11 and A585S in TAC1b, likely linked to increased fluconazole resistance. Strains from patient B also carried F214L in TAC1b, resulting in a consistent voriconazole minimum inhibitory concentration of 4 µg/mL across all isolates. Furthermore, a novel frameshift mutation in the SNG1 gene was observed in amphotericin B-resistant isolates compared to susceptible ones. Our findings suggest the potential transmission of C. auris and emphasize the need to explore variations related to antifungal resistance. This involves analyzing genomic mutations and karyotypes, especially in vivo, to compare sensitive and resistant strains. Further monitoring and validation efforts are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of drug resistance in C. auris.

Projection of Mortality Burden Attributable to Nonoptimum Temperature with High Spatial Resolution in China.

The updated climate models provide projections at a fine scale, allowing us to estimate health risks due to future warming after accounting for spatial heterogeneity. Here, we utilized an ensemble of high-resolution (25 km) climate simulations and nationwide mortality data from 306 Chinese cities to estimate death anomalies attributable to future warming. Historical estimation (1986-2014) reveals that about 15.5% [95% empirical confidence interval (eCI):13.1%, 17.6%] of deaths are attributable to nonoptimal temperature, of which heat and cold corresponded to attributable fractions of 4.1% (eCI:2.4%, 5.5%) and 11.4% (eCI:10.7%, 12.1%), respectively. Under three climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585), the national average temperature was projected to increase by 1.45, 2.57, and 4.98 °C by the 2090s, respectively. The corresponding mortality fractions attributable to heat would be 6.5% (eCI:5.2%, 7.7%), 7.9% (eCI:6.3%, 9.4%), and 11.4% (eCI:9.2%, 13.3%). More than half of the attributable deaths due to future warming would occur in north China and cardiovascular mortality would increase more drastically than respiratory mortality. Our study shows that the increased heat-attributable mortality burden would outweigh the decreased cold-attributable burden even under a moderate climate change scenario across China. The results are helpful for national or local policymakers to better address the challenges of future warming.

A universal inverse design methodology for microfluidic mixers.

The intelligent design of microfluidic mixers encompasses both the automation of predicting fluid performance and the structural design of mixers. This article delves into the technical trajectory of computer-aided design for micromixers, leveraging artificial intelligence algorithms. We propose an automated micromixer design methodology rooted in cost-effective artificial neural network (ANN) models paired with inverse design algorithms. Initially, we introduce two inverse design methods for micromixers: one that combines ANN with multi-objective genetic algorithms, and another that fuses ANN with particle swarm optimization algorithms. Subsequently, using two benchmark micromixers as case studies, we demonstrate the automatic derivation of micromixer structural parameters. Finally, we automatically design and optimize 50 sets of micromixer structures using the proposed algorithms. The design accuracy is further enhanced by analyzing the inverse design algorithm from a statistical standpoint.

Transumbilical single-incision hybrid pyeloplasty for infant ureteropelvic junction obstruction.

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) can be treated by various pyeloplasty techniques. We present a hybrid technique incorporating elements of laparoendoscopic single-site surgery and open pyeloplasty through a single umbilical incision. As a result, seven infants with UPJO underwent the hybrid pyeloplasty smoothly. The mean operative time was 131.9 min. At a follow-up of 11.8-50.0 months, all infants showed significant improvement and no symptoms except for one febrile urinary tract infection. The cosmetic results were very satisfactory without obvious visible scars. Therefore, the hybrid pyeloplasty appears to be a simple and effective minimally invasive surgery for treating infant UPJO.

Domain-specific phenotypes in LINS1-related disorder-A Chinese family with the Q92X variant and literature review.

LINS1 is the human homolog of the Drosophila segment polarity gene that encodes an essential regulator of the wingless/Wnt signaling. By 2011, only seven pedigrees (16 patients) with eight causative variants in LINS1 gene have been reported. These cases mainly presented with infancy-/child-onset neurodevelopmental disorders, facial dysmorphia, and other clinical features, and a wide spectrum of clinically distinct phenotypes were also manifested. In our study, two brothers in a family were admitted and diagnosed with child-onset movement disorders, slight intellectual disability, psychological symptoms, eye problems, urinary and bowel dysfunction, mitral value prolapse, and Q-T prolongation. By exome sequencing, we identified a nonsense homozygous pathogenic variant (LINS1: c.274C > T (p.Q92X)), which had been reported in a case diagnosed with intellectual disability and psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia and anxiety). Compared with this case, the clinical features of our cases were distinct. In particular, our cases displayed unusual features of heart and blood system. Furthermore, the genotype-phenotype relationship analysis suggested that distinct phenotypes presented in cases carrying variants in different domains of the LINS1 gene. In conclusions, our findings suggest the high clinical variations in the LINS1 variants-related disorders. Moreover, the Q92X might be a recurrent variant in Hans of Southern China.

Smoking as a risk factor for lower extremity peripheral artery disease in women compared to men: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether the relationship between smoking and peripheral artery disease (PAD) differs by sex (PROSPERO CRD42022352318). METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL were searched (3 March 2024) for studies reporting associations between smoking and PAD in both sexes, at least adjusted for age. Data were pooled using random effects. Between-study heterogeneity was examined using I2 statistic and Cochran's Q test. Newcastle-Ottowa Scale was adopted for quality assessment. RESULTS: Four cohort studies (n = 2,117,860, 54.4% women) and thirteen cross-sectional studies (n = 230,436, 59.9% women) were included. In cohort studies, former and current smokers had higher risk of PAD than never smokers. Compared to those who never or previously smoked, women current smokers (relative risk (RR) 5.30 (95% confidence interval 3.17, 8.87)) had higher excess risk of PAD than men (RR 3.30 (2.46, 4.42)), women-to-men ratio of RR 1.45 (1.30, 1.62)(I2 = 0%, p = 0.328). In cross-sectional studies, risk of PAD was higher among former and current compared to never smokers, more so in men, women-to-men ratios of odds ratio: 0.64 (0.46, 0.90)(I2 = 30%, p = 0.192), 0.63 (0.50, 0.79)(I2 = 0%, p = 0.594), respectively. For both sexes, risk of PAD was higher among current smokers compared to those who were not currently smoking. Cohort studies and five cross-sectional studies were of good quality, scoring 6 to 8 of a possible maximum 9 points. Eight cross-sectional studies scored 2 to 5. DISCUSSIONS: Further research is required to elucidate sex differences in the relationships between smoking and PAD, as the current evidence is limited and mixed. Tobacco-control programs should consider both sexes.

Exploration of decision aids to support advance care planning: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Advance care planning is a process through which people communicate their goals and preferences for future medical care. Due to the complexity of the decision-making process, decision aids can assist individuals in balancing potential benefits and risks of treatment options. OBJECTIVE: While decision aids have the potential to better promote advance care planning, their characteristics, content and application effectiveness are unclear and lack systematic review. Therefore, we aimed to explore these three aspects and establish a foundation for future research. DESIGN: Scoping review. METHODS: This scoping review adheres to the framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley and the PRISMA-ScR list. Six English-language databases were systematically searched from the time of construction until 1 December 2023. Two researchers conducted the article screening and data extraction, and the extracted data was presented in written tables and narrative summaries. RESULTS: Of the 1479 titles and abstracts, 20 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Types of decision aids were employed, mainly websites and videos. Decision aid's primary components center around 11 areas, such as furnishing information, exploring treatment and care preferences. The main manifestations were a significant increase in knowledge and improved recognition of patients' target value preferences. Among the aids, websites and videos for advance care planning have relatively high content acceptability and decision-making process satisfaction, but their feasibility has yet to be tested. CONCLUSIONS: Decision aids were varied, with content focused on describing key information and exploring treatment and care preferences. Regarding application effects, the aids successfully facilitated the advance care planning process and improved the quality of participants' decisions. Overall, decision aids are efficient in improving the decision-making process for implementing advance care planning in cancer and geriatric populations. In the future, personalised decision aids should be developed based on continuous optimization of tools' quality and promoted for clinical application. REPORTING METHOD: The paper has adhered to the EQUATOR guidelines and referenced the PRISMAg-ScR checklist. NO PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This is a review without patient and public contribution. REGISTRATION: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/YPHKF, Open Science DOI: 10.17605/OSF.IO/YPHKF.

Machine Learning for Experimental Reactivity of a Set of Metal Clusters toward C-H Activation.

Understanding the mechanisms of C-H activation of alkanes is a very important research topic. The reactions of metal clusters with alkanes have been extensively studied to reveal the electronic features governing C-H activation, while the experimental cluster reactivity was qualitatively interpreted case by case in the literature. Herein, we prepared and mass-selected over 100 rhodium-based clusters (RhxVyOz- and RhxCoyOz-) to react with light alkanes, enabling the determination of reaction rate constants spanning six orders of magnitude. A satisfactory model being able to quantitatively describe the rate data in terms of multiple cluster electronic features (average electron occupancy of valence s orbitals, the minimum natural charge on the metal atom, cluster polarizability, and energy gap involved in the agostic interaction) has been constructed through a machine learning approach. This study demonstrates that the general mechanisms governing the very important process of C-H activation by diverse metal centers can be discovered by interpreting experimental data with artificial intelligence.