Effectiveness of a single low-dose computed tomography screening for lung cancer: A population-based perspective cohort study in China.

The purpose of this perspective cohort study was to evaluate the effectiveness of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening for lung cancer in China. This study was conducted under the China Urban Cancer Screening Program (CanSPUC). The analysis was based on participants aged 40 to 74 years from 2012 to 2019. A total of 255 569 eligible participants were recruited in the study. Among the 58 136 participants at high risk of lung cancer, 20 346 (35.00%) had a single LDCT scan (defined as the screened group) and 37 790 (65.00%) not (defined as the non-screened group). Overall, 1162 participants were diagnosed with lung cancer at median follow-up time of 5.25 years. The screened group had the highest cumulative incidence of lung cancer and the non-screened group had the highest cumulative lung cancer mortality and all-cause cumulative mortality. We performed inverse probability weighting (IPW) to account for potential imbalances, and Cox proportional hazards model to estimate the weighted association between mortality and LDCT scans. After IPW adjusted with baseline characteristics, the lung cancer incidence density was significantly increased (37.0% increase) (HR1.37 [95%CI 1.12-1.69]), lung cancer mortality was decreased (31.0% decrease) (HR0.69 [95%CI 0.49-0.97]), and the all-cause mortality was significantly decreased (23.0% lower) (HR0.77 [95% CI 0.68-0.87]) in the screened group. In summary, a single LDCT for lung cancer screening will reduce the mortality of lung cancer and all-cause mortality in China.

High Rate and Low-Temperature Stable Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Lithiophilic 3D Cu-CuSn Porous Framework.

Lithium (Li) metal is regarded as the "Holy Grail" of anodes for high-energy rechargeable lithium batteries by virtue of its ultrahigh theoretical specific capacity and the lowest redox potential. However, the Li dendrite impedes the practical application of Li metal anodes. Herein, lithiophilic three-dimensional Cu-CuSn porous framework (3D Cu-CuSn) was fabricated by a vapor phase dealloying strategy via the difference in saturated vapor pressure between different metals and the Kirkendall effect. CuSn alloy sites were converted into LiSn alloy sites through the molten Li infusion method, and composite Li metal anodes (3D Cu-LiSn-Li) are achieved. Alloyed tin, as the bridge between the porous copper substrate and metallic Li, plays a critical role in optimizing Li nucleation and enhancing the fast lithium migration kinetics. This work demonstrates that lithiophilic binary copper alloys are an effective way to achieve room-temperature high rate performance and satisfied low-temperature cycling stability for Li metal batteries.

Yield and cost of government-organized colorectal cancer screening in young high-risk population in Northeast China.

Guidelines for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening recommend screening at age 40 for high-risk population in China. However, the yield and cost of CRC screening in younger population are lacking. This analysis aimed to evaluate the yield and cost of CRC screening in high-risk 40- to 54-year-olds. Individuals aged 40-54 years who were determined to have a high risk of CRC were recruited from December 2012 to December 2019. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the detection rate of colorectal lesions among the three age groups and further calculated number of colonoscopies needed to screen (NNS) to detect one advanced lesion and cost of each group. The detection rates of advanced colorectal neoplasm in men aged 45-49 years (OR = 2.00, 95% CI: 0.93-4.30) and 50-54 years (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.04-4.62) were higher than that aged 40-44 years. The detection rates of colorectal adenoma in women aged 50-54 years was higher than that aged 40-44 years (OR = 1.64, 95% CI: 1.23-2.19). Among the male screening population, NNS and cost to detect one advanced lesion in participants aged 45-49 years were similar to that aged 50-54 years, saving approximately half endoscopic resources and financial expenses compared with screening that aged 40-44 years. From the perspective of screening results and costs, it might be beneficial to delay the starting age of screening by gender. This study may provide reference for optimizing CRC screening strategies.

Chloride application weakens cadmium immobilization by lime in paddy rice soil.

Contamination of agricultural products by cadmium (Cd) is a global health problem, causing chronic abnormalities. The consumption of rice, the most-consumed foods, is an important exposure route of Cd to human body. Chloride (Cl-) is reported to increase Cd uptake by rice; however, the effect on Cd uptake and accumulation by rice in the presence of lime is not clear. Therefore, a pot culture experiment was performed to explore the influence of Cl- on the absorption and accumulation of Cd in rice plants under lime remediation and its possible mechanisms. The results showed that Cl- promoted Cd accumulation in rice grains, mainly because of increased Cd bioavailability in the soil and by impeding the formation of iron plaques on rice roots, which reduced chelating and precipitation of Cd. Moreover, increased overexpression of the main transporters of Cd in rice roots, including OsNramp5, OsNramp1, OsIRTs and OsHMA2, favored the upward translocation of Cd from the root to shoot and increased the transfer factors (TFs) from soil to root, root-stem, leaf to grain, and soil to grain. Therefore, the application of Cl-rich materials to Cd-contaminated rice fields should be avoided during liming of the soil for Cd immobilization.

Remote Photothermal Control of DNA Origami Assembly in Cellular Environments.

In situ synthesis of DNA origami structures in living systems is highly desirable due to its potential in biological applications, which nevertheless is hampered by the requirement of thermal activation procedures. Here, we report a photothermal DNA origami assembly method in near-physiological environments. We find that the use of copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) can mediate efficient near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion to remotely control the solution temperature. Under a 4 min NIR illumination and subsequent natural cooling, rapid and high-yield (>80%) assembly of various types of DNA origami nanostructures is achieved as revealed by atomic force microscopy and single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer analysis. We further demonstrate the in situ assembly of DNA origami with high location precision in cell lysates and in cell culture environments.

Adenovirus diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 228 case reports.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical characteristics of various adenovirus (ADV) infection are underexplored up till now. To investigate the risk factors, manifestation, current status of ADV species, treatment and prognosis of this disease. METHODS: We performed a Pubmed and Embase systematic review for case report reporting the ADV infection to analyze the clinical characteristics of disease. RESULTS: Initial database searched identified articles of which 168 (228 cases) were included in the final analysis. Previous solid organ transplantation [odds ratio (OR) = 3.45, 95% CI 1.31-9.08, P = 0.01], hematopoietic stem cell transplant (OR = 4.24, 95% CI 1.33-13.51, P = 0.01) and hematological malignancy (OR = 4.78, 95% CI 1.70-13.46, P = 0.01) were associated with increased risk of disseminated ADV infection. Use of corticosteroids (OR = 3.86, 95% CI 1.21-12.24, P = 0.02) was a significant risk factor for acquiring urinary tract infections. A total of six species (21 types) of ADV infection have been identified in 100/228 (43.9%) cases. ADV B was the most common species. ADV B species (26/60, 52.0% or 5/41, 12.2% P = 0.001) were more isolated in patients with ADV pneumonia. ADV C (13/15, 86.7% versus 35/86, 40.7% P = 0.001) species were more identified in patients with disseminated disease. The species associated with keratoconjunctivitis is only ADV D in our analysis. Urinary tract ADV infections were observed in ADV A/B/D species. Cidofovir (CDV) (82/228, 36.0%) remained the most commonly antiviral therapy in our cases, followed by ribavirin (15/228, 6.6%), ganciclovir (18/228, 7.9%), and brincidofovir (12/228, 5.3%). Brincidofovir was administered as salvage therapy in 10 cases. Death was reported in 81/228 (35.5%) patients. Mortality rate was higher among patients with gastrointestinal (GI) ADV infection (5/10, 50.0%), ADV pneumonia (20/45, 44.4%) and disseminated ADV infection (53/122, 43.4%). CONCLUSION: Previous solid organ transplantation, hematopoietic stem cell transplant and hematological malignancy were risk factors for disseminated ADV infection. Use of corticosteroids was significant for urinary tract ADV infection. Different species correlated with different clinical manifestations of infection. Mortality rate was higher among patients with GI disease, pneumonia and disseminated disease. Our review clarified the current treatment of ADV infections, and more treatment required further investigation.

Treating Acute Kidney Injury with Antioxidative Black Phosphorus Nanosheets.

Black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNSs) have been actively employed as nanomedicine agents for photothermal and photodynamic therapy by virtue of their unique optical properties. However, their chemical reactivity as a competent biomaterial has not been fully explored yet. Here, we report on the use of BPNSs as reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers to cure acute kidney injury (AKI) in mice. Importantly, in vivo analysis in mice revealed that BPNSs were preferably accumulated in kidney. We found that BPNSs alleviated oxidative-pressure-induced cellular apoptosis. In a ROS-triggered acute kidney injury (AKI) model, BPNSs effectively consumed ROS in kidney, demonstrating high efficacy for curing AKI. BPNSs also exhibited excellent biocompatibility and biodegradability, making them promising candidates for therapeutic treatment of AKI and other renal diseases.

Growth of Black Phosphorus Nanobelts and Microbelts.

Black phosphorus nanobelts are fabricated with a one-step solid-liquid-solid reaction method under ambient pressure, where red phosphorus is used as the precursor instead of white phosphorus. The thickness of the as-fabricated nanobelts ranges from micrometers to tens of nanometers as studied by scanning electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction indicate that the nanobelts have the composition and the structure of black phosphorus, transmission electron microscopy reveals a typical layered structure stacked along the b-axis, and scanning transmission electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis demonstrates the doping of bismuth into the black phosphorus structure. The nanobelt can be directly measured in scanning tunneling microscopy in ambient conditions.

Epidemiology and trend analysis on malignant mesothelioma in China.

OBJECTIVE: Population-based cancer registration data were used to analyze the epidemiology and trend of malignant mesothelioma in China, and the result would provide basic data for its prevention and control. METHODS: Malignant mesothelioma data in 2013 were retrieved from the database of National Cancer Registry. Malignant mesothelioma incidence and mortality were estimated using age-specific rate by urban/rural and gender according to the national population in 2013. Malignant mesothelioma data from 22 cancer registries were used for trend analysis during 2000-2013. RESULTS: It is estimated that there were 2,041 new malignant mesothelioma cases and 1,659 malignant mesothelioma deaths occurred in 2013. The crude incidence rate in China were 1.50/106 (males 1.67/106, females 1.32/106), age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were 1.03/106 and 1.02/106, respectively. The crude mortality rate in China was 1.22/106 (males 1.67/106, females 1.32/106), age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) and by world standard population (ASMRW) were 0.83/106 and 0.81/106, respectively. There was an increasing trend of incidence rate for malignant mesothelioma in registration areas of China during 2000-2013 with annual percentage change (APC) of 2.5% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.6%-4.5%]. After age standardization, no significant differences were observed. No matter for crude mortality rates or age-standardized mortality rates, no significant differences were observed during 2000-2013. CONCLUSIONS: Malignant mesothelioma is the major occupational and environmental neoplasm associated with asbestos exposure. The increasing incidence trend suggests that more attention should be paid on this disease.

Cancer incidence and mortality in China in 2013: an analysis based on urbanization level.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the cancer patterns in areas with different urbanization rates (URR) in China with data from 255 population-based cancer registries in 2013, collected by the National Central Cancer Registry (NCCR). METHODS: There were 347 cancer registries submitted cancer incidence and deaths occurred in 2013 to NCCR. All those data were checked and evaluated based on the NCCR criteria of data quality, and qualified data from 255 registries were used for this analysis. According to the proportion of non-agricultural population, we divided cities/counties into 3 levels: high level, with URR equal to 70% and higher; median level, with URR between 30% and 70%; and low level, with URR equal to 30% and less. Cancer incidences and mortalities were calculated, stratified by gender and age groups in different areas. The national population of Fifth Census in 2000 and Segi's population were applied for age-standardized rates. RESULTS: Qualified 255 cancer registries covered 226,494,490 populations. The percentage of cases morphologically verified (MV%) and death certificate-only cases (DCO%) were 68.04% and 1.74%, respectively, and the mortality to incidence rate ratio (M/I) was 0.62. A total of 644,487 new cancer cases and 399,275 cancer deaths from the 255 cancer registries were submitted to NCCR in 2013. The incidence rate was 284.55/100,000 (314.06/100,000 in males, 254.19/100,000 in females), and the age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were 190.10/100,000 and 186.24/100,000 with the cumulative incidence rate (0-74 age years old) of 21.60%. The cancer mortality was 176.28/100,000 (219.03/100,000 in males, 132.30/100,000 in females), and the age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) and by world standard population (ASMRW) were 110.91/100,000 and 109.92/100,000, and the cumulative mortality rate (0-74 age years old) was 12.43%. Low urbanization areas were high in crude cancer incidence and mortality rates, middle urbanization areas came next to it followed by high urbanization areas. After adjusted by age, there was a U-shaped association between age-standardized incidence (ASIRC and ASIRW) and the urbanized ratio with the middle urbanization areas having the lowest ASIRC and ASIRW. Unlike with the age-standardized incidence, the sort order of age-standardized mortality (ASMRC and ASMRW) among three urbanization areas was reversed completely from the crude mortality. Lung cancer was the most common cancer in all areas of 255 cancer registries, followed by stomach cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer and esophageal cancer with new cases of 130,700, 76,200, 63,800, 60,900 and 50,200 respectively. Lung cancer was also the leading cause of cancer death in all areas of 255 cancer registries for both males and females with the number of deaths of 72,200 and 34,100, respectively. Other cancer types with high mortality in males were liver cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer. In females, stomach cancer was the second cause of cancer death, followed by liver cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Along with the development of socioeconomics associated with urbanization, as well as the aging population, the incidence and mortality keep increasing in China. Cancer burden and patterns are different in each urbanization level. Cancer control strategies should be implemented referring to local urbanization status.

National cancer incidence and mortality in China, 2012.

BACKGROUND: Population-based cancer registration data in 2012 from all available cancer registries were collected by the National Central Cancer Registry (NCCR). NCCR estimated the numbers of new cancer cases and cancer deaths in China with compiled cancer incidence and mortality rates. METHODS: In 2015, there were 261 cancer registries submitted cancer incidence and deaths occurred in 2012. All the data were checked and evaluated based on the NCCR criteria of data quality. Qualified data from 193 registries were used for cancer statistics analysis as national estimation. The pooled data were stratified by area (urban/rural), gender, age group [0, 1-4, 5-9, 10-14, …, 85+] and cancer type. New cancer cases and deaths were estimated using age-specific rates and corresponding national population in 2012. The Chinese census data in 2000 and Segi's population were applied for age-standardized rates. All the rates were expressed per 100,000 person-year. RESULTS: Qualified 193 cancer registries (74 urban and 119 rural registries) covered 198,060,406 populations (100,450,109 in urban and 97,610,297 in rural areas). The percentage of cases morphologically verified (MV%) and death certificate-only cases (DCO%) were 69.13% and 2.38%, respectively, and the mortality to incidence rate ratio (M/I) was 0.62. A total of 3,586,200 new cancer cases and 2,186,600 cancer deaths were estimated in China in 2012. The incidence rate was 264.85/100,000 (289.30/100,000 in males, 239.15/100,000 in females), the age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were 191.89/100,000 and 187.83/100,000 with the cumulative incidence rate (0-74 age years old) of 21.82%. The cancer incidence, ASIRC and ASIRW in urban areas were 277.17/100,000, 195.56/100,000 and 190.88/100,000 compared to 251.20/100,000, 187.10/100,000 and 183.91/100,000 in rural areas, respectively. The cancer mortality was 161.49/100,000 (198.99/100,000 in males, 122.06/100,000 in females), the age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) and by world standard population (ASMRW) were 112.34/100,000 and 111.25/100,000, and the cumulative mortality rate (0-74 years old) was 12.61%. The cancer mortality, ASMRC and ASMRW were 159.00/100,000, 107.231/100,000 and 106.13/100,000 in urban areas, 164.24/100,000, 118.22/100,000 and 117.06/100,000 in rural areas, respectively. Cancers of lung, stomach, liver, colorectum, esophagus, female breast, thyroid cervix, brain tumor and pancreas were the most common cancers, accounting for about 77.4% of all cancer new cases. Lung cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, female breast cancer, brain tumor, leukemia and lymphoma were the leading causes of cancer death, accounting for about 84.5% of all cancer deaths. The cancer spectrum showed difference between urban and rural, males and females both in incidence and mortality rates. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer surveillance information in China is making great progress with the increasing number of cancer registries, population coverage and the improving data quality. Cancer registration plays a fundamental role in cancer control by providing basic information on population-based cancer incidence, mortality, survival and time trend. The disease burden of cancer is serious in China, so that, cancer prevention and control, including health education, health promotion, cancer screening and cancer care services in China, should be enhanced.

[Mortality and survival analysis of liver cancer in China].

OBJECTIVE: Based on the cancer registry data to analyze the mortality and survival of liver cancer in China. METHODS: Liver cancer data of 2011 were retrieved from the National Cancer Registry Database.Liver cancer deaths were estimated using age-specific rate by areas and gender according to the national population in 2011. Mortality data from 22 cancer registries during 2000-2011 were used to analyze the mortality trend, and data from 17 cancer registries during 2003-2005 were used for survival analysis. RESULTS: The estimates of liver cancer deaths were about 322 thousand in 2011 with a crude mortality rate of 23.93/10(5).There was an increasing trend of crude mortality rate of liver cancer during 2000-2011 in 22 Chinese cancer registries with an average annual percentage change of 0.7% (95%CI: 0.2%-1.2%), 1.1% in urban and 0.4% in rural areas. After age standardization with Segi's population, the mortality rate was significantly decreased, with an APC of -2.3%, -1.9% in urban and -2.2% in rural populations. The 5-year age standardized relative survival was 10.1% (95%CI: 9.5% to 10.7%), and the 1-, 3- and the 5-year observed survival rates were 27.2%, 12.7%, and 8.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Liver cancer is a major cancer threatening people's lives and health in China, and the liver cancer burden is still high.

[Analysis of liver cancer incidence and trend in China].

OBJECTIVE: The national population-based cancer registration data were used to analyze the liver cancer incidence and trend in China, in order to provide advise for making further strategy on liver cancer prevention and control. METHODS: Liver cancer data of 2011 were retrieved from the database of the National Cancer Registry. The incident cases of liver cancer were estimated using age-specific rate by urban or rural areas and gender according to the national population in 2011. Liver cancer incidence data from 22 cancer registries were used to analyze the incidence trend during 2000-2011. RESULTS: The estimates of new cases of liver cancer were about 356 thousand in China in 2011. The incidence rate was 26.39/10(5,) and the age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population and by world population were 19.48/10(5) and 19.10/10(5,) respectively.There was an increasing trend of incidence rate of liver cancer in China during 2000-2011 with an average annual percentage change(AAPC) of 1.0% (95%CI: 0.5%-1.4%), 1.2% (95%CI: 0.7%-1.8%)in urban areas and 1.1% (95%CI: 0.5%-1.8%) in rural areas. After age standardization, the incidence rate was significantly decreased, with an AAPC of -1.8% (95%CI: -2.4% to -1.2%), -1.6% (95%CI: -2.2% to -0.9%) in urban and -1.4% (95%CI: -2.5% to -0.3%) in rural areas. CONCLUSIONS: Liver cancer is a common cancer in China. As changing in people's dietary habits and implementing neonatal HBV vaccination for years, the exposure to risk factors is reducing, and age-standardized incidence rate is decreasing. While cardinal number of population is big and aging population is growing rapidly in the country, trend of incidence rate is increasing, and the burden of liver cancer is still high in China.

Incidence and mortality of liver cancer in China in 2011.

BACKGROUND: Liver cancer is a common cancer with poor prognosis in China. In this study, the national population-based cancer registration data were used to evaluate and analyze liver cancer incidence and mortality in China in 2011 and provide a reference for liver cancer prevention and control. METHODS: We collected and evaluated the incidence and mortality data of liver cancer in 2011 from 177 cancer registries with qualified data. These data were used in the final analysis including calculating crude, standardized, and truncated incidences and mortalities, and estimated new liver cancer cases and deaths using age-specific rates and the corresponding populations. The national census in 2000 and Segi's population were used for age-standardized rates. RESULTS: The estimates of new liver cancer cases and deaths were 355,595 and 322,416, respectively, in China in 2011. The crude incidence, age-standardized rate of incidence by Chinese standard population (ASRIC), and age-standardized rate of incidence by world standard population (ASRIW) of liver cancer were 26.39/100,000, 19.48/100,000, and 19.10/100,000, respectively; the crude mortality, age-standardized rate of mortality by Chinese standard population (ASRMC), and age-standardized rate of mortality by world standard population (ASRMW) of liver cancer were 23.93/100,000,17.48/100,000, and 17.17/100,000, respectively. The incidence and mortality were higher in rural areas than in urban areas and higher in males than in females. The age-specific incidence and mortality of liver cancer increased greatly with age, particularly after 30 years and peaked at 80-84 or 85+ years. CONCLUSIONS: Liver cancer is a common cancer in China, particularly for males and residents in rural areas. Targeted prevention, early detection, and treatment programs should be carried out.

Cancer literacy differences of basic knowledge, prevention, early detection, treatment and recovery: a cross-sectional study of urban and rural residents in Northeast China.

Background: Cancer literacy as a potential health intervention tool directly impacted the success of cancer prevention and treatment initiatives. This study aimed to evaluate the cancer literacy in Northeast China, and explore the factors contributing to urban-rural disparities. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 14 cities across Liaoning Province, China, from August to October 2021, using the multistage probability proportional to size sampling (PPS) method. The survey comprised 4,325 participants aged 15-69 and encompassed 37 core knowledge-based questions spanning five dimensions. Associations between sociodemographic factors and the cancer literacy rate were evaluated using chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression model. Results: The overall cancer literacy rate was 66.9% (95% CI: 65.6-68.2%). In the primary indicators, cancer literacy were highest in treatment (75.8, 95% CI: 74.2-77.4%) and early detection (68.2, 95% CI: 66.8-69.6%), followed by basic knowledge (67.2, 95% CI: 65.8-68.6%), recovery (62.6, 95% CI: 60.7-64.5%) and prevention (59.7, 95% CI: 58.2-61.3%). Regarding secondary indicators, the awareness rates regarding cancer-related risk factors (54.7, 95% CI: 52.8-56.5%) and early diagnosis of cancer (54.6, 95% CI: 52.7-56.6%) were notably inadequate. Rural participates exhibited lower cancer literacy across all dimensions compared to urban. Multi-factor analysis showed that factors such as advanced age, limited education or low household income were barriers to health literacy in rural areas. Conclusion: Strengthening awareness concerning prevention and early detection, particularly among key populations, and bridging the urban-rural cancer literacy gap are imperative steps toward achieving the Healthy China 2030 target.

Engineering tumor-oxygenated nanomaterials: advancing photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a promising treatment modality, employs photosensitizers to generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) within localized tumor regions. This technique involves administering a photosensitizer followed by light activation in the presence of oxygen (O2), resulting in cytotoxic ROS production. PDT's spatiotemporal selectivity, minimally invasive nature, and compatibility with other treatment modalities make it a compelling therapeutic approach. However, hypoxic tumor microenvironment (TME) poses a significant challenge to conventional PDT. To overcome this hurdle, various strategies have been devised, including in-situ O2 generation, targeted O2 delivery, tumor vasculature normalization, modulation of mitochondrial respiration, and photocatalytic O2 generation. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in designing tumor-oxygenated nanomaterials to enhance PDT efficacy. Furthermore, we delineate ongoing challenges and propose strategies to improve PDT's clinical impact in cancer treatment.

From Tolerance for Ambiguity to Stress and Anxiety: The Mediating Role of Need for Cognitive Closure Among Chinese University Students.

Based on the Entropy Model of Uncertainty, this study examined the relationship between tolerance for ambiguity and stress and anxiety, as well as the mediating roles of overall need for cognitive closure and its dimensions in this relationship. Four hundred and eighty-eight Chinese university students were recruited online and completed the survey voluntarily and anonymously. The results of structural equation modeling revealed that tolerance for ambiguity negatively predicted students' perceived stress and anxiety. Moreover, overall need for cognitive closure, as well as its dimensions of preference for order and decisiveness played full mediating roles in this relationship. Specifically, tolerance for ambiguity negatively predicted students' overall need for cognitive closure, preference for order, preference for predictability, decisiveness, and closed-mindedness. Further, preference for order negatively predicted students' perceived stress and anxiety, while overall need for cognitive closure and decisiveness positively predicted such. However, preference for predictability and closed-mindedness were not significant predictors of perceived stress and anxiety.

Achieving High Strength and High Conductivity of Cu-6 wt%Ag Sheets by Controlling the Aging Cooling Rate.

In this paper, Cu-6 wt%Ag alloy sheets were prepared using vacuum induction melting, heat treatment, and cold working rolling. We investigated the influence of the aging cooling rate on the microstructure and properties of Cu-6 wt%Ag alloy sheets. By reducing the cooling rate of the aging treatment, the mechanical properties of the cold-rolled Cu-6 wt%Ag alloy sheets were improved. The cold-rolled Cu-6 wt%Ag alloy sheet achieves a tensile strength of 1003 MPa and an electrical conductivity of 75% IACS (International Annealing Copper Standard), which is superior to the alloy fabricated with other methods. SEM characterization shows that the change in properties of the Cu-6 wt%Ag alloy sheets with the same deformation is due to a precipitation of the nano-Ag phase. The high-performance Cu-Ag sheets are expected to be used as Bitter disks for water-cooled high-field magnets.

DNA Supramolecular Hydrogel-Enabled Sustained Delivery of Metformin for Relieving Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a musculoskeletal disorder affecting ∼500 million people worldwide. Metformin (MET), as an oral hypoglycemic drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration, has displayed promising potential for treating OA. Nonetheless, in the articular cavity, MET suffers from rapid clearance and cannot circumvent the severe inflammatory environment, greatly confining the therapeutic efficacy. Herein, DNA supramolecular hydrogel (DSH) has been utilized as a sustained drug delivery vehicle for MET to treat OA, which dramatically prolonged the retention time of MET in the articular cavity from 3 to 14 days and simultaneously exerted a greater anti-inflammatory effect. Our delivery platform, termed MET@DSH, better protects cartilage than single-agent MET. Additionally, the corresponding molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects were also analyzed. We anticipate this DNA supramolecular hydrogel-enabled sustained drug delivery and anti-inflammatory strategy will reshape the current landscape of OA treatment.

[Two new sequence type isolates of Bacillus anthracis by multilocus sequence typing].

OBJECTIVE: To define the sequence type (ST) isolates of Bacillus anthracis by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). METHODS: Fragments of seven housekeeping genes (glpF, gmk, ilvD, pta, pur, pycA, and tpi) were amplified by PCR using the standard primers as described on the website for MLST of Bacillus and the sequences were compared with existing allele sequences on the MLST website. RESULTS: Two novel allele combinations of the seven loci were found in two isolates 17003-14 and 17003-32. CONCLUSION: Two novel ST isolates of B. anthracis were identified by this study and confirmed by the MLST website, and the pubMLST ids were id-1053 and id-1054.