Study of the significance of the combination of the fibrinogen-albumin ratio and sarcopenia in predicting the prognosis of laryngeal cancer patients undergoing radical surgery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate how the impact of preoperative sarcopenia and inflammatory markers for laryngeal cancer patients and develop a new scoring system to predict their prognosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients who underwent laryngectomy for laryngeal cancer (LC) from December 2015 to December 2020 at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University were included. Independent prognostic factors were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. A new scoring system (SFAR) was established based on FAR and preoperative sarcopenia, and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: 198 cases included in this study that met the admission criteria. Multivariate analysis shown that preoperative sarcopenia, pTNM stage, and FAR were independent prognostic factors for laryngeal cancer. Based on these three indicators, we developed the SFAR scoring system. Multivariate analysis showed that SFAR was an independent predictor of laryngeal cancer (p < 0.001). SFAR was then incorporated into a prognostic model that included T-stage and N-stage, and a column-line graph was generated to accurately predict its survival. CONCLUSION: Systemic inflammation and sarcopenia are significantly associated with postoperative prognosis in laryngeal cancer. A new scoring system (SFAR) had implications for improving the prognosis of patients undergoing surgery for laryngeal cancer.

Clinical value of thromboelastography in predicting the risk of recurrence of acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Thromboelastography (TEG) can objectively reflect the formation, development and rupture process of thrombosis in patients, but there are limited data on whether TEG can be used as a predictive tool for recurrence in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Objective: To explore the TEG risk of recurrence in patients with acute ischemic stroke predictive value. Methods: A total of 441 patients with acute ischemic stroke who met the research criteria in the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the research objects. TEG was measured in all patients, and the main parameters of TEG (R value, indicating coagulation reaction time; K value and Angle, the rate of blood clot formation; MA value, indicating the maximum amplitude). The primary outcome of this study was ischemic stroke recurrence. Recurrent events included cerebral infarction, cerebral hemorrhage, TIA, and were determined by combining imaging events and clinical events. Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of recurrence in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Results: Fifty-six patients (12.7%) had recurrence. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that: Age [OR = 1.078, 95%CI(1.024, 1.135)], triglyceride [OR = 1.541, 95%CI(1.033, 2.298)], glycosylated hemoglobin [OR = 1.401, 95%CI(1.097, 1.790)], history of hypertension [OR = 16.046, p < 0.05], 95%CI(4.726, 54.489), R value [OR = 0.533, 95%CI(0.351, 0.809)], MA value [OR = 1.399, 95%CI(1.004, 1.949)] were independent influencing factors for hemorrhagic transformation in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Conclusion: TEG has some value in predicting recurrence in patients with acute ischemic stroke, and the MA value in TEG [AUC = 0.806 (95%CI:0.747-0.867), with a sensitivity of 78.6% and a specificity of 70.4%], predicted the most significant efficiency of AIS recurrence.

Multidrug-resistant aeromonas caviae causing cystitis in a renal failure patient.

A 49-year-old female with multiple myeloma complicated by renal failure had dysuria. The urine culture revealed multidrug-resistant aeromonas caviae during her hospital stay. Her symptoms and signs significantly improved after receiving a seven-day course of piperacillin-tazobactam treatment. She had no history of urinary tract infections(UTIs). On follow-up, she felt clinically well. Aeromonas caviae is a rare cause of UTI. We review previous cases of aeromonas caviae UTIs. The purpose of this case report is to assist in the diagnosis and management of aeromonas caviae cystitis.

Efficacy and safety of acupuncture for cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture in the treatment of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD) by meta-analysis, in order to provide evidence-based evidence for the application of acupuncture therapy in the clinical process of AD. Methods: From the establishment of the database to December 31, 2022, China Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Network (CNKI), VIP database, WanFang Database, Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library Database were systematically searched. To collect published randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTS) of acupuncture in the treatment of cognitive impairment in AD. The subjects in the intervention group were given acupuncture alone or combined with other treatments the same as the control group; the control group received conventional Western medicine treatment. The main outcome indicators of the study were cognitive function assessment of subjects, including: Simple Mental State Examination Scale (MMSE), Assessment of daily Living Ability Scale (ADL), Alzheimer's Disease Cognitive Function Assessment Scale (ADAS-Cog), TCM syndrome score (SDSD), Montreal Cognitive Test (MoCA), Secondary outcome indicators were the occurrence of adverse reactions. Literature screening, data extraction, and quality evaluation of the included literature were performed independently by two researchers, according to bias risk assessment tools recommended in the Cochrane manual. Data were analyzed by RevMan5.3 software. Dichotomous variables were represented by risk ratio (OR) and 95% CI, and continuity variables were represented by mean difference (MD) and 95% CI. For heterogeneity analysis, when P > 0.1 and I 2 ≤ 50%, fixed effect model was applied. When P ≤ 0.1 and I 2 > 50%, the random effects model is applied. Results: A total of 1,172 eligible subjects were included in 18 RCTS, including 595 in the intervention group and 577 in the control group. The results of meta-analysis are as follows: acupuncture intervention group improved MMSE [MD = 1.67, 95% CI (0.94, 2.41), P < 0.00001], ADL [MD = -1.18, 95% CI (-3.09, 0.72), P = 0.22], ADAS-Cog [MD = 3.31, 95% CI (5.84, 0.78), P = 0.01], SDSD [MD = 2.40, 95% CI (3.53, 1.26), P < 0.0001], MoCA [MD = 4.80, 95% CI (3.74, 5.86), P = 0.04] were better than the control group. No serious adverse reactions related to acupuncture were observed in the intervention group, and the incidence and severity of adverse reactions were lower than those in the control group, with statistical significance [OR = 0.17, 95% CI (0.04, 0.67), P = 0.01]. Conclusion: Existing data show that acupuncture therapy has certain advantages in improving cognitive dysfunction and improving self-care ability of patients with Alzheimer's disease. However, due to the small number of RCTS and cases evaluating the efficacy of acupuncture, and the possibility of measurement bias and selectivity bias in included studies, it is still unable to conduct high-intensity demonstration on its effectiveness. Further large-scale, high-quality randomized, double-blind controlled trials are needed to evaluate its efficacy. Systematic Review Registration: https://inplasy.com/inplasy-2021-12-0125/, identifier: INPLASY2021120125.

Activation of H2O2-HCO3- by Ca2Co2O5 for pollutant degradation.

The bicarbonate-activated hydrogen peroxide (BAP) system is widely studied for organic pollutant degradation in wastewater treatment. Ca2Co2O5, a heterogeneous catalyst containing multivalent cobalt including Co(II) and Co(III), was herein investigated as a BAP activator, and Acid Orange 7 (AO7) was used as a model pollutant. Ca2Co2O5 exhibited good activation performance. The degradation rate and the initial rate constant of the Ca2Co2O5-activated BAP system were 5.4 and 11.2 times as high as the BAP system, respectively. The removal rate of AO7 reached 90.9% in 30 min under optimal conditions (AO7 20 mg/L, Ca2Co2O5 0.2 g/L, H2O2 1 mM, NaHCO3 5 mM, pH 8.5, 25℃). The Ca2Co2O5 catalyst exhibited good stability and recyclability, retaining 85% of AO7 removal rate in the fifth run. Compared to the BAP system, a lower dosage of H2O2 was required and a higher initial concentration of pollutants allowed for effective degradation in the Ca2Co2O5-BAP system. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used to analyze the catalytic mechanism. The analysis showed that the good catalytic performance of Ca2Co2O5 attributes to its high proportion of oxygen vacancies and Co(III) species, and the presence of Ca. The active species O2•-, •OH, and 1O2 are responsible for the degradation, as indicated by the quenching experiments. The degradation mechanism of AO7 was speculated based on UV-Vis spectral analysis and the identification of degradation intermediates. The azo form, naphthalene and benzoic rings in the AO7 structure are destroyed in the decomposition. This research provides a feasible approach to designing effective and reusable BAP activators for pollutant degradation in wastewater treatment.

Oxidative Difunctionalization of N-Aryl Bicyclobutyl Amides with Aldehydes: Divergent Synthesis of Acylated and Alkylated 3-Spirocyclobutyl Oxindoles.

An efficient and operationally simple oxidative radical difunctionalization of N-aryl bicyclobutyl (BCB) amides with aldehydes is described. It was found that acylated 3-spirocyclobutyl oxindoles were generated from the coupling of BCB-amides and aromatic aldehydes, while reactions gave exclusively decarbonylative alkylarylation products using alkyl aldehydes as radical precursors.

Terahertz Polarization Isolator Using Two-Dimensional Square Lattice Tellurium Rod Array.

A novel terahertz polarization isolator using a two-dimensional square lattice tellurium rod array is numerically investigated at the interesting band of 0.22 THz in this short paper. The isolator is designed by inserting six hexagonal tellurium rods into a fully polarized photonic crystals waveguide with high efficiency of -0.34 dB. The TE and TM photonic band gaps of the 7 × 16 tellurium photonic crystals are computed based on the plane wave expansion method, which happen to coincide at the normalized frequency domain from 0.3859(a/λ) to 0.4033(a/λ), corresponding to the frequency domain from 0.2152 to 0.2249 THz. The operating bandwidth of the tellurium photonic crystals waveguide covers 0.2146 to 0.2247 THz, calculated by the finite element method. The six hexagonal tellurium rods with smaller circumradii of 0.16a serve to isolate transverse electric waves and turn a blind eye to transverse magnetic waves. The polarization isolation function and external characteristic curves of the envisaged structure are numerically simulated, which achieves the highest isolation of -33.49 dB at the central frequency of 0.2104 THz and the maximum reflection efficiency of 98.95 percent at the frequency of 0.2141 THz. The designed isolator with a unique function and high performance provides a promising approach for implementing fully polarized THz devices for future 6G communication systems.

Novel prognostic biomarkers in nasopharyngeal carcinoma unveiled by mega-data bioinformatics analysis.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is commonly diagnosed at an advanced stage with a high incidence rate in Southeast Asia and Southeast China. However, the limited availability of NPC patient survival data in public databases has resulted in less rigorous studies examining the prediction of NPC survival through construction of Kaplan-Meier curves. These studies have primarily relied on small samples of NPC patients with progression-free survival (PFS) information or data from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) studies almost without NPC patients. Thus, we coanalyzed RNA expression profiles in eleven datasets (46 normal (control) vs 160 tumor (NPC)) downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and survival data provided by Jun Ma from Sun Yat-sen University. Then, differential analysis, gene ontology (GO) enrichment, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis and network analysis were performed using STRING database. After that, 2142 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 3857 downregulated DEGs were screened. Twenty-five of them were identified as hub genes, which were enriched in several pathways (cilium movement, extracellular matrix structural constituent, homologous recombination and cell cycle). Utilizing the comprehensive dataset we amassed from GEO database, we conducted a survival analysis of DEGs and subsequently constructed survival models. Seven DEGs (RASGRP2, MOCOS, TTC9, ARHGAP4, DPM3, CD37, and CD72) were identified and closely related to the survival prognosis of NPC. Finally, qRT-PCR, WB and IHC were performed to confirm the elevated expression of RASGRP2 and the decreased expression of TTC9, CD37, DPM3 and ARHGAP4, consistent with the DEG analysis. Conclusively, our findings provide insights into the novel prognostic biomarkers of NPC by mega-data bioinformatics analysis, which suggests that they may serve special targets in the treatment of NPC.

Selective autophagy of the immunoproteasomes suppresses innate inflammation.

Immunoproteasomes are involved in various inflammatory diseases. Upon stimulation, standard constitutive proteasomes are partially replaced by newly formed immunoproteasomes that promote inflammatory responses. How the upregulated immunoproteasomes are cleared to constrain hyper-inflammation is unknown. Recently, our studies showed that the pan-FGFR inhibitor LY2874455 efficiently activates macroautophagy/autophagy in macrophages, leading to the degradation of the immunoproteasomes. Immunoproteasome subunits are ubiquitinated and recognized by the selective autophagy receptor SQSTM1/p62. LY2874455 suppresses inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide both in vivo and in vitro through autophagic degradation of the immunoproteasomes. In summary, our work uncovers a mechanism of inflammation suppression by autophagy in macrophages.

Mechanism Analysis of Antimicrobial Peptide NoPv1 Related to Potato Late Blight through a Computer-Aided Study.

Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary, the oomycotic pathogen responsible for potato late blight, is the most devastating disease of potato production. The primary pesticides used to control oomycosis are phenyl amide fungicides, which cause environmental pollution and toxic residues harmful to both human and animal health. To address this, an antimicrobial peptide, NoPv1, has been screened to target Plasmopara viticola cellulose synthase 2 (PvCesA2) to inhibit the growth of Phytophthora infestans (P. infestans). In this study, we employed AlphaFold2 to predict the three-dimensional structure of PvCesA2 along with NoPv peptides. Subsequently, utilizing computational methods, we dissected the interaction mechanism between PvCesA2 and these peptides. Based on this analysis, we performed a saturation mutation of NoPv1 and successfully obtained the double mutants DP1 and DP2 with a higher affinity for PvCesA2. Meanwhile, dynamics simulations revealed that both DP1 and DP2 utilize a mechanism akin to the barrel-stave model for penetrating the cell membrane. Furthermore, the predicted results showed that the antimicrobial activity of DP1 was superior to that of NoPv1 without being toxic to human cells. These findings may offer insights for advancing the development of eco-friendly pesticides targeting various oomycete diseases, including late blight.

The oxidant-antioxidant imbalance was involved in the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Background: Although oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiological process of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), the specific underlying mechanism is still unclear. Whether antioxidant therapy can treat CRSwNP needs further investigation. Methods: Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analyses were performed to detect the distribution and expression of oxidants and antioxidants in nasal polyp tissues. qPCR revealed correlations between oxidase, antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory cytokine levels in CRSwNP patients. Human nasal epithelial cells (HNEpCs) and primary macrophages were cultured to track the cellular origin of oxidative stress in nasal polyps(NPs) and to determine whether crocin can reduce cellular inflammation by increasing the cellular antioxidant capacity. Results: The expression of NOS2, NOX1, HO-1 and SOD2 was increased in nasal epithelial cells and macrophages derived from nasal polyp tissue. Oxidase levels were positively correlated with those of inflammatory cytokines (IL-5 and IL-6). Conversely, the levels of antioxidant enzymes were negatively correlated with those of IL-13 and IFN-γ. Crocin inhibited M1 and M2 macrophage polarization as well as the expression of NOS2 and NOX1 and improved the antioxidant capacity of M2 macrophages. Moreover, crocin enhanced the ability of antioxidants to reduce inflammation via the KEAP1/NRF2/HO-1 pathway in HNEpCs treated with SEB or LPS. Additionally, we observed the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of crocin in nasal explants. Conclusion: Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of CRSwNP by promoting various types of inflammation. The oxidative stress of nasal polyps comes from epithelial cells and macrophages. Antioxidant therapy may be a promising strategy for treating CRSwNP.

Buffering or boosting? The dynamic curvilinear relationship between work-related use of information and communication technologies after-hours and wok procrastination.

Work-related use of information and communication technologies after-hours (W_ICTs) blurs the boundaries between work and non-work domains, representing a typical boundary-crossing behavior that affects employees' lives and organizational development. Drawing on the Job Demands-Resources theory, this study develops a dynamic curvilinear model of the impact of W_ICTs on work procrastination, considering intrinsic motivation (self-efficacy and enjoyment) and regulatory focus (prevention focus). Empirical testing of the research hypotheses is conducted through a survey involving 817 employees with standard working hours (e.g. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The results indicate that W_ICTs can be regarded as both inhibitors and promoters, with a U-shaped impact on work procrastination and an inverted U-shaped effect on self-efficacy and enjoyment. The mediating roles of self-efficacy and enjoyment are significant. Moreover, prevention focus moderates the relationship between W_ICTs and enjoyment, whereas the moderating effect between W_ICTs and self-efficacy is insignificant. This dynamic curvilinear relationship may explain the inconsistent results of prior studies regarding the relationship between W_ICTs and employees' negative behaviors. It contributes to expanding research on the outcomes of W_ICTs and the antecedents of work procrastination. Moreover, the proposed influence mechanism between W_ICTs and work procrastination has not been established from the perspective of intrinsic motivation and prevention focus. Hence, this study responds to scholars' calls and adds to the existing research on how W_ICTs affect work procrastination. These research findings enhance the current understanding of the effects of W_ICTs and offer valuable insights for organizations to effectively manage W_ICTs and address work procrastination behavior in practice.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Alkylarylation of N-Aryl Bicyclobutyl Amides with α-Carbonyl Alkyl Bromides: Access to 3-Spirocyclobutyl Oxindoles.

A visible-light-induced radical alkylarylation of N-aryl bicyclobutyl amides with α-carbonyl alkyl bromides for the synthesis of functionalized 3-spirocyclobutyl oxindoles is described in which ß-selective radical addition of the alkyl radical to N-aryl bicyclobutyl amides forms a key radical intermediate followed by interception with intrinsic arene functional group. This approach can be applicable to a wide range of α-carbonyl alkyl bromides, including primary, secondary, and tertiary α-bromoalkyl esters, ketones, nitriles, and nitro compounds.

Pharmacological induction of autophagy reduces inflammation in macrophages by degrading immunoproteasome subunits.

Defective autophagy is linked to proinflammatory diseases. However, the mechanisms by which autophagy limits inflammation remain elusive. Here, we found that the pan-FGFR inhibitor LY2874455 efficiently activated autophagy and suppressed expression of proinflammatory factors in macrophages stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Multiplex proteomic profiling identified the immunoproteasome, which is a specific isoform of the 20s constitutive proteasome, as a substrate that is degraded by selective autophagy. SQSTM1/p62 was found to be a selective autophagy-related receptor that mediated this degradation. Autophagy deficiency or p62 knockdown blocked the effects of LY2874455, leading to the accumulation of immunoproteasomes and increases in inflammatory reactions. Expression of proinflammatory factors in autophagy-deficient macrophages could be reversed by immunoproteasome inhibitors, confirming the pivotal role of immunoproteasome turnover in the autophagy-mediated suppression on the expression of proinflammatory factors. In mice, LY2874455 protected against LPS-induced acute lung injury and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and caused low levels of proinflammatory cytokines and immunoproteasomes. These findings suggested that selective autophagy of the immunoproteasome was a key regulator of signaling via the innate immune system.

New Method for 5'-Nucleotidase Preparation and Evaluation of Its Catalytic Activity.

In this study, we established a new methodology for preparing 5'-nucleotidase (5'-NT) with the aim of enhancing our understanding of its enzyme activity and laying a basis for regulating the content of umami-enhancing nucleotides in pork. 5'-NT was prepared with Sephadex gel filtration and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and its enzymatic properties and catalytic activity were evaluated. The results show that the molecular weight of the prepared 5'-NT was 57 kDa, the optimal catalytic temperature was 40 °C, and the optimal pH was 8. Zn2+, and sucrose showed inhibitory effects on the activity of 5'-NT, while K+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, glucose, fructose, and trehalose promoted the activity of the studied compound. The prepared 5'-NT exhibited higher catalytic activity and selectivity against IMP compared with its commercial counterpart, while its catalytic activity against XMP was not significant (p > 0.05). In brief, we established a new methodology for preparing 5'-NT, enhancing our understanding of its enzyme activity and providing a solid basis for regulating the content of umami-enhancing nucleotides in pork through the control of endogenous 5'-NT activity.

A novel technique of reverse-sequence endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy with direct-to-implant breast reconstruction: medium-term oncological safety outcomes and feasibility of 24-h discharge for breast cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Due to the short operation time and no need for special instruments, reverse-sequence endoscopic nipple-sparing mastectomy (R-E-NSM) with direct-to-implant breast reconstruction (DIBR) has been rapidly becoming popular in the last three years. However, there has yet to be an evaluation of its oncologic safety or the feasibility of discharging patients within 24 h. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this single-centre retrospective cohort study, individuals diagnosed with stage 0-III breast cancer between May 2020 and April 2022 who underwent traditional open mastectomy or R-E-NSM with DIBR were included. Follow-up started on the date of surgery and ended in December 2023. Data, including demographics, tumour characteristics, medium-term oncological outcomes, and postoperative complications, were collected and analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to minimize selection bias. RESULTS: This study included 1679 patients [median (IQR) age, 50 [44-57) years]. Of these, 344 patients underwent R-E-NSM with DIBR (RE-R group), and 1335 patients underwent traditional open mastectomy (TOM group). The median [IQR] follow-up time was 30 [24-36] months [29 (23-33) months in the RE-R group and 30([24-36) months in the TOM group]. Regarding before or after PSM, the P value of local recurrence-free survival (LRFS, 0.910 and 0.450), regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS, 0.780 and 0.620), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS, 0.061 and 0.130), overall survival (OS, 0.260 and 0.620), disease-free survival (DFS, 0.120 and 0.330) were not significantly different between the RE-R group and the TOM group. The 3y-LRFS and 3y-DFS rates were 99.0% and 97.1% for the RE-R group and 99.5% and 95.3% for the TOM group, respectively. The rates of any complications and major complications were not significantly different between the RE-R patients who were discharged within 24 h and the RE-R patients who were not discharged within 24 h ( P =0.290, P =0.665, respectively) or the TOM patients who were discharged within 24 h ( P =0.133, P =0.136, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: R-E-NSM with DIBR is an innovative oncologic surgical procedure that not only improves cosmetic outcomes but also ensures reliable oncologic safety and fewer complications, enabling patients to be safely discharged within 24 h. A long-term prospective multicenter assessment will be supporting.

Rare NRPS Gene Cluster for Desferriferrichrome Biosynthesis Controls the Conflict between Trap Formation and Nematicidal Activity in Arthrobotrys oligospora.

The formation of the trapping device induced by nematodes has been assumed as an indicator for a switch from saprophytic to predacious lifestyles for nematode-trapping fungi. However, fungal nematocidal activity is not completely synonymous with fungal trap formation. We found that the predominant nematode-trapping fungus Arthrobotrys oligospora harbored a rare NRPS (Ao415) gene cluster that was mainly distributed in nematode-trapping fungi. The gene Ao415 putatively encodes a protein with a unique domain organization, distinct from other NRPSs in other fungi. Mutation of the two key biosynthetic genes Ao415 and Ao414 combined with nontarget metabolic analysis revealed that the Ao415 gene cluster was responsible for the biosynthesis of a hydroxamate siderophore, desferriferrichrome (1). Lack of desferriferrichrome (1) and its hydroxamate precursor (3) could lead to significantly increased Fe3+ content, which induced fungal trap formation without a nematode inducer. Furthermore, the addition of Fe3+ strongly improved fungal trap formation but deleteriously caused broken traps. The addition of 1 significantly attenuated trap formation but enhanced fungal nematicidal activity. Our findings indicate that iron is a key factor for trap formation and provide a new insight into the underlying mechanism of siderophores in nematode-trapping fungi.

Evaluation of perceptual interactions between key aldehydes in Kung Pao Chicken.

Aldehydes are the strongest and most abundant aromatic compounds in Kung Pao Chicken. However, the perceptual interactions between these aldehydes are not fully understood. Therefore, the flavor contribution of nine key aldehydes was estimated by determining thresholds. Except for benzaldehyde, the thresholds of all aldehydes measured in tasteless chicken matrices (TM) were significantly larger than their comparable values in water. Based on these results, the perceptual interactions of nine aldehydes were evaluated using S-curves and σ-τ plots. The interactions indicated that 31 of their 36 binary mixtures exhibited additive effects, three had masking effects, while two had synergistic effects. Recombination experiments showed that the addition of aldehydes lowered the odor threshold of aldehyde reconstitution (AR), thereby enhancing the aroma intensity of AR. These findings contribute to a better understanding of Kung Pao Chicken's aroma and can be used to improve its aroma quality.

Narrative review: precision medicine applications in neuroblastoma-current status and future prospects.

Background and Objective: Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common malignant tumor in children, and its treatment remains challenging. Precision medicine, as an individualized treatment strategy, aims to improve efficacy and reduce toxicity by combining unique patient- and tumor-related factors, bringing new hope for NB treatment. In this article, we review the evidence related to precision medicine in NB, with a focus on potential clinically actionable targets and a series of targeted drugs associated with NB. Methods: We conducted an extensive search in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science using key terms and database-specific strategies, filtered for time and language, to ensure a comprehensive collection of literature related to precision medicine in NB. The main search terms consisted of "neuroblastoma", "precision medicine", "pediatrics", and "targeting". The articles included in this study encompass those published from 1985 to the present, without restrictions on the type of articles. Key Content and Findings: ALK inhibitors and MYCN inhibitors have been developed to interfere with tumor cell growth and dissemination, thereby improving treatment outcomes. Additionally, systematic testing to identify relevant driver mutations is crucial and can be used for diagnosis and prognostic assessment through the detection of many associated molecular markers. Furthermore, liquid biopsy, a non-invasive tumor detection method, can complement tissue biopsy and play a role in NB by analyzing circulating tumor DNA and circulating tumor cells to provide genetic information and molecular characteristics of the tumor. Recently, trials conducted by many pediatric oncology groups have shown the urgent need for new approaches to cure relapsed and refractory patients. Conclusions: The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest advances in clinical treatment of NB, to better understand and focus on the development of promising treatment approaches, and to expedite the transition to the precision medicine clinical relevance in NB patients.

Effects of first-line nucleot(s)ide analogues on lipid profiles in patients with chronic hepatitis B: a network meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have found that lipid levels in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) may change during antiviral therapy. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of first-line nucleot(s)ide analogues (NAs) on lipid profiles in patients with CHB using network meta-analysis. METHODS: Seven electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and four Chinese databases) were searched for cohort studies on the effect of NA on lipids in patients with CHB up to August 1, 2023. The changes of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were taken as outcomes. The mean difference (MD) of continuous variables and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using RevMan 5.4 and Stata 16.0 software, and network meta-analysis was based on a frequentist framework. RESULTS: A total of 4194 patients were included in the study, including patients with CHB treated with entecavir (ETV), tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), and tenofovir alafenamide (TAF), as well as patients not receiving antiviral therapy [patients with inactive CHB who were not receiving antiviral therapy (referred as inactive CHB patients) and non-HBV-infected patients]. TDF reduced TC levels compared to the non-antiviral group (TDF vs. inactive CHB patients: MD = - 17.27, 95% CI (- 30.03, - 4.47); TDF vs. non-HBV-infected individuals: MD = - 17.10, 95% CI (- 20.13, - 14.07)). TC changes in the TAF and ETV groups were not statistically different from the non-antiviral group (TAF vs. inactive CHB patients: MD = - 2.69, 95% CI (- 14.42, 9.04); TAF vs. non-HBV-infected individuals: MD = - 2.52, 95% CI (- 8.47, 3.43); ETV vs. inactive CHB patients: MD = - 4.24, 95% CI (- 17.12, 8.64); ETV vs. non-HBV-infected individuals: MD = - 4.07, 95% CI (- 9.90, 1.75)). The ranking of the effects for lowering TC is as follows: CHB patients treated with nucleotide analogues [with varying efficacy: TDF (SUCRA = 99.9) > ETV (SUCRA = 59.3) > TAF (SUCRA = 43.6)] > inactive CHB patients (SUCRA = 27.3) > non-HBV-infected individuals (SUCRA = 19.9). As for secondary outcomes, among the three antiviral drugs, TDF had the most significant effect on lowering TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C, but none of the three drugs was statistically different from the non-antiviral group. Subgroup analysis showed that the lipid-lowering effect of TDF was more pronounced in the elderly (≥ 50 years). CONCLUSION: TDF was effective in lipid reduction, particularly pronounced in the older population. TAF and ETV had a neutral effect to TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Despite a relative increase in lipids observed in patients transitioning from TDF to TAF or ETV, these changes remained within acceptable limits.