Left Versus Right Destroyed Lung Pneumonectomy: Long Term Prognosis and Key Factors Associated With Poor Treatment Outcomes.

INTRODUCTION: To compare and analyze postoperative short-term and long-term prognosis of destroyed lung (DL) disease patients undergoing left versus right pneumonectomy and to identify potential key factors associated with poor treatment outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 128 DL patients who underwent pneumonectomy in the thoracic surgery department of the Beijing Chest Hospital from November 2001 to May 2022. Cases were assigned to two groups according to lesion site: a left pneumonectomy group (104 cases) and right pneumonectomy group (24 cases). Postoperative short-term and long-term DL disease clinical features and prognostic factors were analyzed and compared between groups. RESULTS: As compared with the left pneumonectomy group, the right pneumonectomy group experienced greater rates of preoperative diabetes, chronic pulmonary aspergillosis, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative respiratory failure, rehospitalization, tuberculosis (TB) recurrence, bronchopleural fistula (BPF) and empyema. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed a potential correlation between chronic pulmonary aspergillosis and increased odds of developing secondary respiratory failure (adjusted odds ratio: 5.234, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.768-15.498). Results of Cox Proportional Hazards Model regression analysis suggested that right pneumonectomy was correlated with increased odds of TB recurrence (adjusted hazard ratio: 4.017, 95% CI: 1.282-12.933) and BPF/empyema (adjusted hazard ratio: 5.655, 95% CI: 1.254-25.505). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the group undergoing left pneumonectomy, patients with DL who undergo right-sided pneumonectomy may be at a heightened risk of experiencing secondary postoperative TB recurrence and BPF or edema. It is advised to exercise utmost caution and deliberate consideration of these potential risks when contemplating pneumonectomy, with the intention of proactively preventing adverse events.

Safety analysis of Oseltamivir and Baloxavir Marboxil after market approval: a pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA adverse event reporting system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Amidst limited influenza treatment options, evaluating the safety of Oseltamivir and Baloxavir Marboxil is crucial, particularly given their comparable efficacy. This study investigates post-market safety profiles, exploring adverse events (AEs) and their drug associations to provide essential clinical references. METHODS: A meticulous analysis of FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) data spanning the first quarter of 2004 to the fourth quarter of 2022 was conducted. Using data mining techniques like reporting odds ratio (ROR), proportional reporting ratio, Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network, and Multiple Gamma Poisson Shrinkage, AEs related to Oseltamivir and Baloxavir Marboxil were examined. Venn analysis compared and selected specific AEs associated with each drug. RESULTS: Incorporating 15,104 Oseltamivir cases and 1,594 Baloxavir Marboxil cases, Wain analysis unveiled 21 common AEs across neurological, psychiatric, gastrointestinal, dermatological, respiratory, and infectious domains. Oseltamivir exhibited 221 significantly specific AEs, including appendicolith [ROR (95% CI), 459.53 (340.88 ∼ 619.47)], acne infantile [ROR (95% CI, 368.65 (118.89 ∼ 1143.09)], acute macular neuroretinopathy [ROR (95% CI), 294.92 (97.88 ∼ 888.64)], proctitis [ROR (95% CI), 245.74 (101.47 ∼ 595.31)], and Purpura senile [ROR (95% CI), 154.02 (81.96 ∼ 289.43)]. designated adverse events (DMEs) associated with Oseltamivir included fulminant hepatitis [ROR (95% CI), 12.12 (8.30-17.72), n=27], ventricular fibrillation [ROR (95% CI), 7.68 (6.01-9.83), n=64], toxic epidermal necrolysis [ROR (95% CI), 7.21 (5.74-9.05), n=75]. Baloxavir Marboxil exhibited 34 specific AEs, including Melaena [ROR (95% CI), 21.34 (14.15-32.18), n = 23], cystitis haemorrhagic [ROR (95% CI), 20.22 (7.57-54.00), n = 4], ileus paralytic [ROR (95% CI), 18.57 (5.98-57.71), n = 3], and haemorrhagic diathesis [ROR (95% CI), 16.86 (5.43-52.40)), n = 3]. DMEs associated with Baloxavir Marboxil included rhabdomyolysis [ROR (95% CI), 15.50 (10.53 ∼ 22.80), n = 26]. CONCLUSION: Monitoring fulminant hepatitis during Oseltamivir treatment, especially in patients with liver-related diseases, is crucial. Oseltamivir's potential to induce abnormal behavior, especially in adolescents, necessitates special attention. Baloxavir Marboxil, with lower hepatic toxicity, emerges as a potential alternative for patients with liver diseases. During Baloxavir Marboxil treatment, focused attention on the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis is advised, necessitating timely monitoring of relevant indicators for those with clinical manifestations. The comprehensive data aims to provide valuable insights for clinicians and healthcare practitioners, facilitating an understanding of the safety profiles of these influenza treatments in real-world scenarios.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of different types of lung function impaiement in TDL patients.

AIM: The clinical characteristics associated with pulmonary function decline in patients with Tuberculosis-destroyed lung (TDL) remain uncertain. We categorize them based on the pattern of pulmonary function impairment, distinguishing between restrictive spirometric pattern (RSP) and obstructive spirometric pattern (OSP). We aim to compare the severity of these patterns with the clinical characteristics of TDL patients and analyze their correlation. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective analysis on the clinical data of TDL patients who underwent consecutive pulmonary function tests (PFT) from November 2002 to February 2023. We used the lower limit formula for normal values based on the 2012 Global Lung Function Initiative. We compared the clinical characteristics of RSP patients with those of OSP patients. The characteristics of RSP patients were analyzed using the tertiles of forced vital capacity percentage predicted (FVC% pred) decline based on PFT measurements, and the characteristics of OSP patients were analyzed using the tertiles of forced expiratory volume in 1 s percentage predicted (FEV1% pred) decline. RESULT: Among the RSP patients, those in the Tertile1 group (with lower FVC% pred) were more likely to have a higher of body mass index (BMI), spinal deformities, and C-reactive protein (CRP) compared to the other two groups (P for trend < 0.001, 0.027, and 0.013, respectively). Among OSP patients, those in the Tertile1 group (with lower FEV1% pred) showed an increasing trend in cough symptoms and contralateral lung infection compared to the Tertile 2-3 group (P for trend 0.036 and 0.009, respectively). CONCLUSION: For TDL patients, we observed that Patients with high BMI, a higher proportion of spinal scoliosis, and abnormal elevation of CRP levels were more likely to have reduced FVC. Patients with decreased FEV1% pred have more frequent cough symptoms and a higher proportion of lung infections on the affected side.

Prognostic analysis of destroyed-lung patients with preoperative massive hemoptysis: a 20-year retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the main treatment option for destroyed-lung (DL) patients with life-threatening massive hemoptysis. However, short-term and long-term surgical safety and efficacy are unclear, prompting this study. METHODS: Data from 124 DL patients undergoing surgery between November 2001 and January 2022 at Beijing Chest Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Data of the DL group (82 cases) and DL + massive hemoptysis group (42 cases) were compared with regard to clinical characteristics, long-term postoperative residual lung reinfection. RESULTS: As compared with DL group rates, The DL + massive hemoptysis group had greater incidence rates of postoperative complications, invasive postoperative respiratory support, long-term postoperative residual lung reinfection, and postoperative tuberculosis recurrence. Revealed risk factors for postoperative complications (Extent of lung lesion resection), postoperative invasive respiratory therapy (preoperative Hb < 9 g/L, severe intraoperative hemoptysis), and postoperative long-term residual lung reinfection (DL with massive hemoptysis). CONCLUSIONS: DL patients with massive hemoptysis had greater rate of invasive respiratory support therapy and postoperative complications. Extensive lesion removal, preoperative anaemia, severe intraoperative bleeding associated with recent postoperative complications for the patient.

Reconsidering the Effectiveness of Fear Appeals: An Experimental Study of Interactive Fear Messaging to Promote Positive Actions on Climate Change.

Masspersonal communication has emerged as a compelling alternative persuasive approach in response to the widespread use of social media. It is crucial to comprehend how observing online interpersonal interactions regarding the fear appeal of climate change can foster pro-environmental behaviors among users. This study examines the effects of vicarious message interactivity in promoting actions against climate change and the underlying mechanisms behind this effect. The results of an online experiment conducted in China (N = 236) revealed that psychological reactance and message elaboration mediated the effects of vicarious message interactivity on behavioral intention in a serial indirect effect. In comparison to static fear appeal, interactive fear appeal proves effective in reducing psychological reactance, promoting message elaboration, and ultimately increasing intention to take actions against climate change. Our findings not only contribute to the literature on interactive communication but also provide insights for environmental-health campaigns on social media.

Interstitial Hydrogen Atom to Boost Intrinsic Catalytic Activity of Tungsten Oxide for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Tungsten oxide (WO3 ) is an appealing electrocatalyst for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) owing to its cost-effectiveness and structural adjustability. However, the WO3 electrocatalyst displays undesirable intrinsic activity for the HER, which originates from the strong hydrogen adsorption energy. Herein, for effective defect engineering, a hydrogen atom inserted into the interstitial lattice site of tungsten oxide (H0.23 WO3 ) is proposed to enhance the catalytic activity by adjusting the surface electronic structure and weakening the hydrogen adsorption energy. Experimentally, the H0.23 WO3 electrocatalyst is successfully prepared on reduced graphene oxide. It exhibits significantly improved electrocatalytic activity for HER, with a low overpotential of 33 mV to drive a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and ultra-long catalytic stability at high-throughput hydrogen output (200 000 s, 90 mA cm-2 ) in acidic media. Theoretically, density functional theory calculations indicate that strong interactions between interstitial hydrogen and lattice oxygen lower the electron density distributions of the d-orbitals of the active tungsten (W) centers to weaken the adsorption of hydrogen intermediates on W-sites, thereby sufficiently promoting fast desorption from the catalyst surface. This work enriches defect engineering to modulate the electron structure and provides a new pathway for the rational design of efficient catalysts for HER.

Carbon export from leaves is controlled via ubiquitination and phosphorylation of sucrose transporter SUC2.

All multicellular organisms keep a balance between sink and source activities by controlling nutrient transport at strategic positions. In most plants, photosynthetically produced sucrose is the predominant carbon and energy source, whose transport from leaves to carbon sink organs depends on sucrose transporters. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, transport of sucrose into the phloem vascular tissue by SUCROSE TRANSPORTER 2 (SUC2) sets the rate of carbon export from source leaves, just like the SUC2 homologs of most crop plants. Despite their importance, little is known about the proteins that regulate these sucrose transporters. Here, identification and characterization of SUC2-interaction partners revealed that SUC2 activity is regulated via its protein turnover rate and phosphorylation state. UBIQUITIN-CONJUGATING ENZYME 34 (UBC34) was found to trigger turnover of SUC2 in a light-dependent manner. The E2 enzyme UBC34 could ubiquitinate SUC2 in vitro, a function generally associated with E3 ubiquitin ligases. ubc34 mutants showed increased phloem loading, as well as increased biomass and yield. In contrast, mutants of another SUC2-interaction partner, WALL-ASSOCIATED KINASE LIKE 8 (WAKL8), showed decreased phloem loading and growth. An in vivo assay based on a fluorescent sucrose analog confirmed that SUC2 phosphorylation by WAKL8 can increase transport activity. Both proteins are required for the up-regulation of phloem loading in response to increased light intensity. The molecular mechanism of SUC2 regulation elucidated here provides promising targets for the biotechnological enhancement of source strength.

Key Factors Associated With Administration of Ventilator Support After Thymoma Resection.

INTRODUCTION: In clinical practice, some patients undergoing surgery for thymoma require post-surgical ventilator support, although, factors associated with administration of ventilator support are unclear. This study aimed to explore factors associated with incidence of post-surgical severe respiratory failure requiring ventilator support after thymoma resection. METHODS: Clinical data of patients who underwent thymoma re-section in our thoracic surgery department between January 2001 and February 2020 was retrospectively analyzed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with patient need for post-surgical ventilator support after thymoma resection. RESULTS: Among 157 patients who underwent thymoma resection, 17.8% (28/157) required post-surgical ventilator support. Results of univariate analysis revealed that gender, myasthenia gravis (MG) grade, anti-MG medication use (neostigmine or prednisone), Masaoka thymoma stage, pulmonary function test index values, surgical approach, and intraoperative blood loss were associated with increased incidence of severe respiratory failure requiring post-operative ventilator support (P < 0.05). Results of multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that median sternotomy, MG grade three status, and patient use of anti-MG drug treatments before thymoma resection surgery were associated with greater need for post-surgical ventilator support. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that median sternotomy, MG grade three status, and preoperative use of anti-MG drugs are associated with greater incidence of severe respiratory failure requiring respiratory support after thymoma surgery. Therefore, patients with these risk factors should be closely monitored to reduce the incidence of severe postoperative respiratory failure.

Phosphite synthetic auxotrophy as an effective biocontainment strategy for the industrial chassis Pseudomonas putida.

The inclusion of biosafety strategies into strain engineering pipelines is crucial for safe-by-design biobased processes. This in turn might enable a more rapid regulatory acceptance of bioengineered organisms in both industrial and environmental applications. For this reason, we equipped the industrially relevant microbial chassis Pseudomonas putida KT2440 with an effective biocontainment strategy based on a synthetic dependency on phosphite, which is generally not readily available in the environment. The produced PSAG-9 strain was first engineered to assimilate phosphite through the genome-integration of a phosphite dehydrogenase and a phosphite-specific transport complex. Subsequently, to deter the strain from growing on naturally assimilated phosphate, all native genes related to its transport were identified and deleted generating a strain unable to grow on media containing any phosphorous source other than phosphite. PSAG-9 exhibited fitness levels with phosphite similar to those of the wild type with phosphate, and low levels of escape frequency. Beyond biosafety, this strategy endowed P. putida with the capacity to be cultured under non-sterile conditions using phosphite as the sole phosphorous source with a reduced risk of contamination by other microbes, while displaying enhanced NADH regenerative capacity. These industrially beneficial features complement the metabolic advantages for which this species is known for, thereby strengthening it as a synthetic biology chassis with potential uses in industry, with suitability towards environmental release.

Long-term follow-up of tuberculosis-destroyed lung patients after surgical treatment.

BACKGROUND: To monitor dypsnea and mortality at 5 and 10 years, respectively, after surgical treatment of tuberculosis-destroyed lung (TDL) patients. METHODS: TDL patients treated surgically at Beijing Chest Hospital from November 2007 to June 2019 were monitored in this observational study. Follow-up assessments of respiratory function indicators and survival conducted 5 and 10 years post-surgery led to patient grouping based on mMRC score into a dyspnea group (mMRC ≥ 1) and a non-dyspnea group (mMRC = 0). Cox regression analysis detected effects of patient demographics, clinical characteristics, surgical factors and respiratory function on 5 year post-surgical survival. RESULTS: By study completion (June 30, 2020), 32 of 104 patients were lost and 72 completed follow-up for a study total of 258.9 person-years. 45 patients (62.5%, 45/72) had mMRC scores of 0, while 12 (16.7%, 12/72), 21 (36.2%, 21/58) and 27 (60.0%, 27/45) patients exhibited dyspnea by 1, 3 and 5 years post-surgery, respectively. Low lung carbon monoxide diffusion score (DLCO% pred) and scoliosis contributed to dyspnea occurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Most TDL patients lacked subjective dyspnea signs post-surgery, while dyspnea rates increased with time. Preoperative low lung diffusion function and Scoliosis were associated with factors for postoperative dyspnea. Surgical treatment increased TDL patient survival overall.

Upregulation of nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 confers oxaliplatin resistance to gastric cancer.

The present study aims to investigate the roles of nuclear-enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1) in the regulation of oxaliplatin resistance to gastric cancer (GC). Oxaliplatin-resistant cell lines were constructed using stepwise selection. NEAT1 knockdown and overexpression of NEAT1 were performed. The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assays were used to evaluate cell proliferation. Propidium iodide (PI) and annexin V staining were used to evaluate cell apoptosis. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to evaluate the molecular interactions. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to determine messenger RNA (mRNA) expression. Western blotting was used to determine the protein expression. Kaplan-Meier's analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between NEAT1 and poor prognosis in GC. NEAT1 was upregulated in oxaliplatin-resistant GC cells and associated with poor prognosis in GC patients. NEAT1 knockdown suppressed oxaliplatin resistance, whereas overexpression of NEAT1 induced oxaliplatin resistance. In addition, the expressions of NEAT1 were negatively associated with miR-26 expressions. Overexpression of NEAT1 attenuated the inhibitory effects of miR-26 on the enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2). The roles of NEAT1 in the regulation of oxaliplatin resistance to GC are in part by ameliorating the inhibitory effect of miR-26 on EZH2.

Methylation of CLEC14A is associated with its expression and lung adenocarcinoma progression.

Our main objective is probing the effect of methylation of CLEC14A on its expression and lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) progression. Microarray analysis was utilized to screen out differentially downregulated genes with hypermethylation in LUAD tissues. The CLEC14A expression level was measured by western blot analysis and qRT-PCR. Methylation-specific-PCR was performed to evaluate methylation status of CLEC14A. The 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromid (MTT) assay was used to check the relation between CLEC14A expression and cell proliferation. Cell cycle, cell apoptosis, migration, and invasion were respectively detected by the flow cytometry assay, wound healing assay, and transwell assay. Tumor xenograft models were established for investigating the effect of CLEC14A on tumor formation. CLEC14A expression in LUAD tissues was impaired compared with that in adjacent tissues, and CLEC14A promoter was highly methylated in LUAD. Overexpressing CLEC14A or inhibiting the methylation level of CLEC14A in A549 and LTEP-a-2 cells impeded the duplication of LUAD cells, promoted apoptosis, attenuated cell migration, and invasion ability, and arrested cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Overexpression of CLEC14A inhibited tumorigenesis of LUAD cells in nude mice. The promoter of CLEC14A is methylated in LUAD, leading to downregulation of CLEC14A in LUAD. CLEC14A acts as an antitumor role in LUAD by suppressing cell proliferation, migration, invasion, promoting cell apoptosis, and reducing tumorigenicity in nude mice. Thus, the inhibition of CLEC14A methylation is a novel strategy for the clinic treatment of LUAD.

MiR-876-3p regulates cisplatin resistance and stem cell-like properties of gastric cancer cells by targeting TMED3.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Gastric cancer (GC), a prevalent tumor, exerts a major economic burden, and we aimed to explore miR-876-3p's effects on GC and related mechanisms. METHODS: Cell viability was analyzed via CCK-8 and colony formation assay. Stem cell-like properties were examined via spheroid colony formation assay. mRNA abundance of key genes was analyzed via quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Protein level of TMED3 and stem cell markers was examined by western blot. TargetScan, luciferase, and biotin-miRNA pulldown assay were used to identify miR-876-3p's target. RESULTS: MiR-876-3p was downregulated in GC, and its mRNA level had negative relationship with cisplatin resistance of GC. Moreover, decreased miR-876-3p expression level suggested poor prognosis of GC patients. MiR-876-3p inhibited drug resistance of cisplatin-resistant cell line SGC-7901/DDP and MKN-45/DDP, as shown by decreased cell viability, IC50 , and colony formation ability. MiR-876-3p inhibited stem cell-like features and downregulated the expressions of Sox-2, Oct-4, CD133, and CD44 in GC cells. Luciferase and biotin-miRNA pulldown assay confirmed that TMED3 was miR-876-3p's direct target. TMED3 siRNA inhibited miR-876-3p's effects on cisplatin resistance and stem cell-like features of SGC-7901/DDP cells. CONCLUSION: MiR-876-3p enhanced cisplatin sensitivity and restricted stem cell-like features of GC through targeting TMED3.

CiRS-7 targeting miR-7 modulates the progression of non-small cell lung cancer in a manner dependent on NF-κB signalling.

The purpose of this study was to figure out the effect of ciRS-7/miR-7/NF-κB axis on the development of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In response, the expressions of ciRS-7, miR-7 and NF-κB subunit (ie RELA) within NSCLC tissues and cell lines were determined with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot. Moreover, the NSCLC cells were transfected with pcDNA3-ciRS-7-ir, pcDNA3-ciRS-7, miR-NC and miR-7 mimic. Furthermore, the targeted relationships between ciRS-7 and miR-7, as well as between miR-7 and RELA, were confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. The proliferation, migration and apoptosis of NSCLC cells were, successively, measured using CCK-8 assay, wound-healing assay and flow cytometry test. Consequently, ciRS-7, miR-7, histopathological grade, lymph node metastasis and histopathological stage could independently predict the prognosis of patients with NSCLC (all P < .05). Moreover, remarkably up-regulated ciRS-7 and RELA expressions, as along with down-regulated miR-7 expressions, were found within NSCLC tissues and cells in comparison with normal ones (P < .05). Besides, overexpressed ciRS-7 and underexpressed miR-7 were correlated with increased proliferation, migration and invasion, yet reduced apoptosis rate of NSCLC cells (P < .05). More than that, ciRS-7 specifically targeted miR-7 to reduce its expressions (P < .05). Ultimately, the NSCLC cells within miR-7 + RELA group were observed with superior proliferative, migratory and invasive capabilities than those within miR-7 group (P < .05), and RELA expression was also significantly modified by both ciRS-7 and miR-7 (P < .05). In conclusion, the ciRS-7/miR-7/NF-kB axis could exert pronounced impacts on the proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of NSCLC cells.

Differences in Cpg Island Distribution Between Subgenotypes of the Hepatitis B Virus Genotype.

BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes show genomic variations, resulting in different CpG islands in each HBV genotypes or subgenotype. This study aimed to establish reference sequences for each HBV subgenotype of A-H genotypes and to analyze the characteristics of the CpG islands. MATERIAL AND METHODS There were 3,037 retrieved whole-genome sequences of HBV genotypes A-H from GenBank, 28 subgenotype reference sequences were established for these genotypes. CpG islands of the subgenotype reference sequences were analyzed, and 939 strains were selected from the 3,037 genomic sequences. Differences in CpG islands between subgenotypes were compared using the chi-squared and non-parametric tests. RESULTS Of the 28 subgenotype reference sequences established, 11 subgenotype reference sequences lacked CpG island I, and only F4 contained a new CpG island. Of all selected strains, 48.35% (454/939) contained three traditional CpG islands I, II, and III (no new islands); 45.05% (423/939) lacked CpG island I; 38.98% (366/939) contained only CpG islands II and III; and 12.46% (117/939) contained new islands (genotypes A1, D7) (genotype G had no new islands). Strains with or without CpG island I, or new islands between subgenotypes of each HBV genotype were significantly different (P<0.05). Strains containing CpG islands I, II, and III and new islands among different subtypes in HBV genotypes A, C, and F were significantly different (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Different HBV genotypes and subgenotypes had characteristic CpG island patterns. Strains with or without CpG island I, or new islands among subgenotypes of each HBV genotype, were significantly different.

Stress-Induced Cubic-to-Hexagonal Phase Transformation in Perovskite Nanothin Films.

The strong coupling between crystal structure and mechanical deformation can stabilize low-symmetry phases from high-symmetry phases or induce novel phase transformation in oxide thin films. Stress-induced structural phase transformation in oxide thin films has drawn more and more attention due to its significant influence on the functionalities of the materials. Here, we discovered experimentally a novel stress-induced cubic-to-hexagonal phase transformation in the perovskite nanothin films of barium titanate (BaTiO3) with a special thermomechanical treatment (TMT), where BaTiO3 nanothin films under various stresses are annealed at temperature of 575 °C. Both high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy show a higher density of hexagonal phase in the perovskite thin film under higher tensile stress. Both X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron energy loss spectroscopy does not detect any change in the valence state of Ti atoms, thereby excluding the mechanism of oxygen vacancy induced cubic-to-hexagonal (c-to-h) phase transformation. First-principles calculations show that the c-to-h phase transformation can be completed by lattice shear at elevated temperature, which is consistent with the experimental observation. The applied bending plus the residual tensile stress produces shear stress in the nanothin film. The thermal energy at the elevated temperature assists the shear stress to overcome the energy barriers during the c-to-h phase transformation. The stress-induced phase transformation in perovskite nanothin films with TMT provides materials scientists and engineers a novel approach to tailor nano/microstructures and properties of ferroelectric materials.

Computational Exploration of the Li-Electrode|Electrolyte Interface in the Presence of a Nanometer Thick Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Layer.

A nanometer thick passivation layer will spontaneously form on Li-metal in battery applications due to electrolyte reduction reactions. This passivation layer in rechargeable batteries must have "selective" transport properties: blocking electrons from attacking the electrolytes, while allowing Li+ ion to pass through so the electrochemical reactions can continue. The classical description of the electrochemical reaction, Li+ + e → Li0, occurring at the Li-metal|electrolyte interface is now complicated by the passivation layer and will reply on the coupling of electronic and ionic degrees of freedom in the layer. This passivation layer is called "solid electrolyte interphase (SEI)" and is considered as "the most important but the least understood in rechargeable Li-ion batteries," partly due to the lack of understanding of its structure-property relationship. Predictive modeling, starting from the ab initio level, becomes an important tool to understand the nanoscale processes and materials properties governing the interfacial charge transfer reaction at the Li-metal|SEI|electrolyte interface. Here, we demonstrate pristine Li-metal surfaces indeed dissolve in organic carbonate electrolytes without the SEI layer. Based on joint modeling and experimental results, we point out that the well-known two-layer structure of SEI also exhibits two different Li+ ion transport mechanisms. The SEI has a porous (organic) outer layer permeable to both Li+ and anions (dissolved in electrolyte), and a dense (inorganic) inner layer facilitate only Li+ transport. This two-layer/two-mechanism diffusion model suggests only the dense inorganic layer is effective at protecting Li-metal in electrolytes. This model suggests a strategy to deconvolute the structure-property relationships of the SEI by analyzing an idealized SEI composed of major components, such as Li2CO3, LiF, Li2O, and their mixtures. After sorting out the Li+ ion diffusion carriers and their diffusion pathways, we design methods to accelerate the Li+ ion conductivity by doping and by using heterogonous structure designs. We will predict the electron tunneling barriers and connect them with measurable first cycle irreversible capacity loss. Finally, we note that the SEI not only affects Li+ and e- transport, but it can also impose a potential drop near the Li-metal|SEI interface. Our challenge is to fully describe the electrochemical reactions at the Li-metal|SEI|electrolyte interface. This will be the subject of ongoing efforts.

Different Mechanisms May Exist for HBsAg Synthesis and Secretion During Various Phases of Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to characterize the expression and secretion of hepatitis B surface-antigen (HBsAg) in the hepatocytes of hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients at different phases of infection; as such, the association of intrahepatic HBsAg expression with virological markers and the histological characteristics were analyzed. MATERIAL AND METHODS 302 chronic HBV infection patients who had not received antiviral therapy were stratified by HBeAg status. The proportion of HBsAg-positive cells was used as an indicator for HBsAg expression level. RESULTS In HBeAg-positive patients, there was a significant correlation between serum HBsAg and serum HBV DNA levels (r=0.569, p<0.001). Intrahepatic HBsAg expression and serum HBsAg level in HBeAg-positive patients were higher than those in HBeAg-negative patients (p=0.002 and p<0.001, respectively). A significant correlation between serum HBsAg level and intrahepatic HBsAg expression was found in HBeAg-negative patients (r=0.377, p<0.001), but not in HBeAg-positive patients (r=0.051, p=0.557). Very interestingly, the correlation between serum HBsAg level and HBsAg expression in hepatocytes gradually increased along with disease progression through the immune-tolerant, immune-clearance, inactive, and recovery phases of HBV infection (r=-0.184, 0.068, 0.492, and 0.575; and p=0,238, 0,722, 0.012, and 0.002, respectively). CONCLUSIONS Different mechanisms may be involved in HBsAg synthesis and secretion in different phases of chronic HBV infection.

Interleukin-8 -251A/T gene polymorphism and lung cancer susceptibility: a meta-analysis.

Many studies have examined the association between the interleukin-8 -251T/A (rs4073) gene polymorphism and lung cancer risk in various populations, but the results have been inconsistent. In this meta-analysis, PubMed was searched for case-control studies published through 01 December 2013. The data were extracted, and pooled odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. We assessed six published studies on the association between the interleukin-8 -251T/A polymorphism and lung cancer risk. The included studies yielded a total of 3265 lung cancer cases and 3607 controls. For the homozygous A/A and A allele carriers (T/A + A/A), the pooled ORs for all studies combining 3265 cases and 3607 controls were 1.03 (95% CI = 0.92-1.14; P = 0.235 for heterogeneity) and 1.07 (95% CI = 0.96-1.19; P = 0.245 for heterogeneity) when compared with the homozygous wild-type genotype (T/T). When the analysis was stratified by ethnicity, significant risks were found among Asians for both the A allele carriers and the homozygous A/A individuals. However, no significant associations were found in non-Asian populations using any of the genetic models. This meta-analysis suggests that the interleukin-8 -251A allele confer an increased risk for the development of lung cancer among Asians.

Frequency distribution-aware network based on discrete cosine transformation (DCT) for remote sensing image super resolution.

Single-image super-resolution technology based on deep learning is widely used in remote sensing. The non-local feature reflects the correlation information between different regions. Most neural networks extract various non-local information of images in the spatial domain but ignore the similarity characteristics of frequency distribution, which limits the performance of the algorithm. To solve this problem, we propose a frequency distribution aware network based on discrete cosine transformation for remote sensing image super-resolution. This network first proposes a frequency-aware module. This module can effectively extract the similarity characteristics of the frequency distribution between different regions by rearranging the frequency feature matrix of the image. A global frequency feature fusion module is also proposed. It can extract the non-local information of feature maps at different scales in the frequency domain with little computational cost. The experiments were on two commonly-used remote sensing datasets. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively complete image reconstruction and performs better than some advanced super-resolution algorithms. The code is available at https://github.com/Liyszepc/FDANet.