Risk prediction for dermatomyositis-associated hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To explore dermatomyositis signature genes as potential biomarkers of hepatocellular carcinoma and their associated molecular regulatory mechanisms. METHODS: Based on the mRNA-Seq data of dermatomyositis and hepatocellular carcinoma in public databases, five dermatomyositis signature genes were screened by LASSO regression analysis and support vector machine (SVM) algorithm, and their biological functions in dermatomyositis with hepatocellular carcinoma were investigated, and a nomogram risk prediction model for hepatocellular carcinoma was constructed and its predictive efficiency was initially evaluated. The immune profile in hepatocellular carcinoma was examined based on the CIBERSORT and ssGSEA algorithms, and the correlation between five dermatomyositis signature genes and tumor immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoints in hepatocellular carcinoma was investigated. RESULTS: The expression levels of five dermatomyositis signature genes were significantly altered in hepatocellular carcinoma and showed good diagnostic efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that they may be potential predictive targets for hepatocellular carcinoma, and the risk prediction model based on five dermatomyositis signature genes showed good risk prediction efficacy for hepatocellular carcinoma and has good potential for clinical application. In addition, we also found that the upregulation of SPP1 expression may activate the PI3K/ART signaling pathway through integrin-mediated activation, which in turn regulates the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma. CONCLUSION: LY6E, IFITM1, GADD45A, MT1M, and SPP1 are potential predictive targets for new-onset hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with dermatomyositis, and the upregulation of SPP1 expression may activate the PI3K/ART signaling pathway through the mediation of integrins to promote the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Identification of a Novel CD8+ T cell exhaustion-related gene signature for predicting survival in hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major health concern, necessitating a deeper understanding of its prognosis and underlying mechanisms. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism and prognostic value of CD8+ T Cell exhaustion (CD8+ TEX)-related genes in HCC and construct a survival prognosis prediction model for patients with HCC. METHODS: CD8+ TEX-related genes associated with HCC prognosis were analysed and identified, and a prognostic prediction model was constructed using the 'least absolute shrinkage and selection operator' Cox regression model. Immunohistochemistry was used to verify the expression of the model genes in HCC tissues. A nomogram was constructed based on risk scores and clinical features, and its predictive efficacy was verified. The expression of STAM, ANXA5, and MAD2L2 in HCC cell lines was detected by western blotting; subsequently, these genes were knocked down in HCC cell lines by small interfering RNA, and their effects on the proliferation and migration of HCC cell lines were detected by colony formation assay, cck8, wound healing, and transwell assays. RESULTS: Six genes related to CD8+ TEX were included in the risk-prediction model. The prognosis of patients with HCC in the low-risk group was significantly better than that of those in the high-risk group. Cox regression analysis revealed that the risk score was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of patients with HCC. The differentially expressed genes in patients with high-risk HCC were mainly enriched in the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein-like receptor, hypoxia-inducible factor-1, and tumour programmed cell death protein (PD)-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint pathways. The CD8+ TEX-related genes STAM, ANXA5, and MAD2L2 were knocked down in HCC cell lines to significantly inhibit cell proliferation and migration. The prediction results of the nomogram based on the risk score showed a good fit and application value. CONCLUSION: The prediction model based on CD8+ TEX-related genes can predict the prognosis of HCC and provide a theoretical basis for the early identification of patients with poor HCC prognosis.

PTSA-catalyzed selective synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles.

Herein, we developed a convenient and efficient method via protonation of p-toluenesulfonic acid promoted cyclocondensation of o-phenylenediamine and aldehydes for selectively synthesizing 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles. This method displayed broad substrate adaptability and afforded the desired products in moderate to excellent yield in short reaction time. The effect of different substituents on the yield was investigated by extending optimum reaction conditions, which was further confirmed by theoretical calculations. It suggested that the surface electrostatic potential of oxygen atom and nitrogen atom on the substrates played important role in the synthesis of 1,2-disubstituted benzimidazoles. Besides, the crystal structure of compound 2t in the orthorhombic space group P2(1)/c was presented. Also, the anti-mycolicibacterium smegmatis (MC2155) activity was evaluated using rifampicin as a positive control. The products (2a, 2b, 2c, 2i, 2j, 2k, 2m) showed good antibacterial activities which were comparable to rifampicin.

Clinical characteristics and antibodies against Echinococcus granulosus recombinant antigen P29 in patients with cystic echinococcosis in China.

OBJECTIVES: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a neglected parasitic zoonotic disease caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus (E. granulosus). This study aimed to understand the clinical characteristics of human CE in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (NHAR) located in northwest China and to investigate the antibody profiles against the recombinant E. granulosus antigen P29 (rEg.P29) in plasma of CE patients. METHODS: A total of 37 human CE patients, along with 37 healthy donors enrolled in this study and demographic and clinical data were analyzed, including age, gender, laboratory data, symptoms, and cysts description. Plasma levels of cytokines, total IgG, and total IgE were determined by sandwich ELISA kits. Specific antibodies against rEg.P29 and hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) were assessed by indirect ELISA. RESULTS: The results revealed that females have a higher percentage of CE patients than males. The incidence of CE reached a peak in the 41-50 years-old group. The liver was the most frequent location, accounting for 91.9%. Based on the CT images, cysts of 34 patients who had liver involvement, were classified as 1 (2.9%) CE1, 12 (35.3%) CE2, 5 (14.7%) CE3a, 1 (2.9%) CE3b, and 15 (44.2%) CE5. Twenty-nine (78.4%) patients had a single cyst and 8 (21.6%) had at least two cysts. The most frequently reported symptom was upper abdominal pain. The plasma level of IL-6 and total IgE were significantly increased in CE patients compared with healthy donors. Additionally, IgG response to rEg.P29 in CE patients was significantly higher than in healthy donors, and the dominant IgG subclass was IgG4. Further analysis of different patient groups revealed that rEg.P29-specific IgG and IgG4 were only elevated in CE patients with CE2 type cysts. CONCLUSIONS: This study systematically investigated the clinical characteristics of patients with CE and may provide a reference basis for the diagnosis and treatment of CE in NHAR. Furthermore, tests of specific IgG and IgG4 against rEg.P29 can be used as an assisted method for imaging techniques to identify cystic activity and determine the best therapeutic approach for CE.

[Cost-benefit analysis of Ying Yang Bao (YYB) intervention in 6 to 23 months rural infants].

OBJECTIVE: To study on the cost-benefit from anemia and stunting reduction of Ying Yang Bao(YYB) intervention in 6 to 23 months rural infants in the six counties of Shanxi, Hubei and Yunnan provinces. METHODS: YYB was distributed to 6-23 months infants in 6 counties by YYB nutrition intervention project. The numbers of childhood recovered from stunting and anemia was collected by a designed project monitoring plan. The cost-benefit was analyzed with PROFILING model as a nutritional microeconomic tool. RESULTS: Total numbers of monitored infants was 10 672 while the total cost of YYB intervention was estimated 2.57 million RMB. From 2012 to 2020, the total benefit was 14.92 million RMB from recover of stunting and anemia by YYB project and the average cost-benefit ratio of 6 counties was 1∶5.8. Sensitivity analysis showed the result of this study was stable. CONCLUSION: The YYB nutrition intervention for infants aged 6-23 months in the six counties of Shanxi, Hubei and Yunnan provinces showed a high cost-benefit ratio.

ID1 mediates resistance to osimertinib in EGFR T790M-positive non-small cell lung cancer through epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

BACKGROUND: ID1 is associated with resistance to the first generation of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, the effect of ID1 expression on osimertinib resistance in EGFR T790M-positive NSCLC is not clear. METHODS: We established a drug-resistant cell line, H1975/OR, from the osimertinib-sensitive cell line H1975. Alterations in ID1 protein expression and Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins were detected with western blot analysis. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the differences of gene mRNA levels. ID1 silencing and overexpression were used to investigate the effects of related gene on osimertinib resistance. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8) was used to assess the proliferation rate in cells with altered of ID1 expression. Transwell assay was used to evaluate the invasion ability of different cells. The effects on the cell cycle and apoptosis were also compared using flow cytometry. RESULTS: In our study, we found that in osimertinib-resistant NSCLC cells, the expression level of the EMT-related protein E-cadherin was lower than that of sensitive cells, while the expression level of ID1 and vimentin were higher than those of sensitive cells. ID1 expression levels was closely related to E-cadherin and vimentin in both osimertinib-sensitive and resistant cells. Alteration of ID1 expression in H1975/OR cells could change the expression of E-cadherin. Downregulating ID1 expression in H1975/OR cells could inhibit cell proliferation, reduce cell invasion, promote cell apoptosis and arrested the cell cycle in the G1/G0 stage phase. Our study suggests that ID1 may induce EMT in EGFR T790M-positive NSCLC, which mediates drug resistance of osimertinib. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed the mechanism of ID1 mediated resistance to osimertinib in EGFR T790M-positive NSCLC through EMT, which may provide new ideas and methods for the treatment of EGFR mutated NSCLC after osimertinib resistance.

A Two-Dimensional Polyimide-Graphene Heterostructure with Ultra-fast Interlayer Charge Transfer.

Two-dimensional polymers (2DPs) are a class of atomically/molecularly thin crystalline organic 2D materials. They are intriguing candidates for the development of unprecedented organic-inorganic 2D van der Waals heterostructures (vdWHs) with exotic physicochemical properties. In this work, we demonstrate the on-water surface synthesis of large-area (cm2 ), monolayer 2D polyimide (2DPI) with 3.1-nm lattice. Such 2DPI comprises metal-free porphyrin and perylene units linked by imide bonds. We further achieve a scalable synthesis of 2DPI-graphene (2DPI-G) vdWHs via a face-to-face co-assembly of graphene and 2DPI on the water surface. Remarkably, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy reveals an ultra-fast interlayer charge transfer (ca. 60 fs) in the resultant 2DPI-G vdWH upon protonation by acid, which is equivalent to that of the fastest reports among inorganic 2D vdWHs. Such large interlayer electronic coupling is ascribed to the interlayer cation-π interaction between 2DP and graphene.

Icotinib is as efficacious as gefitinib for brain metastasis of EGFR mutated non-small-cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: The prognosis of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with brain metastases is very poor. Currently, therapeutic methods for this patient population include whole-brain radiation therapy (WBRT), surgery, radiosurgery and systemic treatment. Epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) could be effective on cerebral metastases of mutated NSCLC. However, which EGFR-TKIs is more appropriate is still unknown. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of advanced NSCLC patients with brain metastases for EGFR targeted therapy from November 2013 to April 2018 at Dongguan People's Hospital, Southern Medical University, China. A total of 43 patients were recruit in this study. Among them, 21 cases received icotinib (125 mg, thrice a day) and 22 cases received gefitinib (250 mg, once a day) until disease progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary end point of this study was intracranial PFS (iPFS). The relationships between therapeutic arms and patients characteristics were performed using Pearson's chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. The differences in PFS among the two arms were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves and log rank tests. RESULTS: There was no significant difference of intracranial ORR (66.6% versus 59.1%, P = 0.62) and DCR (85.7% versus 81.8%, P = 0.73) between the two arms. The median intracranial PFS (iPFS) for icotinib and gefitinib arms were 8.4 months (95% CI, 5.4 to 11.3 months) and 10.6 months (95% CI, 6.3 to 14.8 months), respectively (P = 0.17). Adverse events of the two study arms were generally mild. None of the patients experienced dose reduction of EGFR-TKIs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that icotinib and gefitinib had similar efficacy for brain metastasis of EGFR mutated NSCLC. Large randomized studies are suggested to further illuminate the effect of these two EGFR-TKIs on cerebral lesions of NSCLC.

Ginsenoside Rg3 attenuates the osimertinib resistance by reducing the stemness of non-small cell lung cancer cells.

In the present study, we found that Ginsenoside Rg3 attenuated the stemness of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, evident by decreasing spheroid formation ability, ALDH1 activity and stemness marker expression. Furthermore, osimertinib-resistant NSCLC cells displayed a stronger stemness than the parental cells. Ginsenoside Rg3 reduced the stemness and osimertinib resistance of osimertinib-resistant cells. RNA-sequencing revealed that Hippo signaling was shown on the top of the most upregulated pathways regulated by Ginsenoside Rg3 in NSCLC cells, and YAP/TAZ expression was suppressed by Ginsenoside Rg3. Notably, the inhibitor of Hippo signaling attenuated the effects of Ginsenoside Rg3 on the stemness of NSCLC cells. Therefore, Ginsenoside Rg3 attenuates the osimertinib resistance of NSCLC cells via suppressing the stemness, which is dependent on Hippo pathway.

Highly Crystalline and Semiconducting Imine-Based Two-Dimensional Polymers Enabled by Interfacial Synthesis.

Single-layer and multi-layer 2D polyimine films have been achieved through interfacial synthesis methods. However, it remains a great challenge to achieve the maximum degree of crystallinity in the 2D polyimines, which largely limits the long-range transport properties. Here we employ a surfactant-monolayer-assisted interfacial synthesis (SMAIS) method for the successful preparation of porphyrin and triazine containing polyimine-based 2D polymer (PI-2DP) films with square and hexagonal lattices, respectively. The synthetic PI-2DP films are featured with polycrystalline multilayers with tunable thickness from 6 to 200 nm and large crystalline domains (100-150 nm in size). Intrigued by high crystallinity and the presence of electroactive porphyrin moieties, the optoelectronic properties of PI-2DP are investigated by time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy. Typically, the porphyrin-based PI-2DP 1 film exhibits a p-type semiconductor behavior with a band gap of 1.38 eV and hole mobility as high as 0.01 cm2 V-1 s-1 , superior to the previously reported polyimine based materials.

Long non-coding RNA XIST inhibited breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion via miR-155/CDX1 axis.

Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is an important member of non-coding RNA family and emerging evidence has indicated that it plays a pivotal role in many physiological and pathological processes. The lncRNA X inactive specific transcript (XIST) is a potential tumour suppressor in some types of cancers. However, the expression and function of XIST in breast cancer remain largely unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression and biological role of XIST in breast cancer. The results showed that XIST was significantly down-regulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Further functional analysis indicated that overexpression of XIST remarkably inhibited breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion. The results of luciferase reporter assays verified that miR-155 was a direct target of XIST in breast cancer. Moreover, caudal-type homeobox 1 (CDX1) was identified as a direct target of miR-155 and miR-155/CDX1 rescued the effects of XIST in breast cancer cells. Taken together, our results suggest that XIST is down-regulated in breast cancer and suppresses breast cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion via the miR-155/CDX1 axis.

Integrated Hierarchical Cobalt Sulfide/Nickel Selenide Hybrid Nanosheets as an Efficient Three-dimensional Electrode for Electrochemical and Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting.

Developing highly active electrocatalysts for photoelectrochemical water splitting is critical to bring solar/electrical-to-hydrogen energy conversion processes into reality. Herein, we report a three-dimensional (3D) hybrid electrocatalyst that is constructed through in situ anchoring of Co9S8 nanosheets onto the surface of Ni3Se2 nanosheets vertically aligned on an electrochemically exfoliated graphene foil. Benefiting from the synergistic effects between Ni3Se2 and Co9S8, the highly conductive graphene support, and large surface area, the novel 3D hybrid electrode delivers superior electrocatalytic activity toward water reduction in alkaline media, featuring overpotentials of -0.17 and -0.23 V to achieve current densities of 20 and 50 mA cm-2, respectively, demonstrating an electrocatalytic performance on the top of the Ni3Se2- and Co9S8-based electrocatalysts as reported in literature. Experimental investigations and theoretical calculations confirm that the remarkable activity of the obtained material results from the unique 3D hierarchical architecture and interface reconstruction between Ni3Se2 and Co9S8 through Ni-S bonding, which leads to charge redistribution and thus lowers the energy barrier of hydrogen desorption in the water splitting process. Further integration of the 3D hybrid electrode with a macroporous silicon photocathode enables highly active and sustainable sunlight-driven water splitting in both basic media and real river water. The overall water splitting with 10 mA cm-2 at a low voltage of 1.62 V is achieved using our hybrid as both anode and cathode catalysts, which surpasses that of the Ir/C-Pt/C couple (1.60 V) for sufficiently high overpotentials.

[Research on cost-benefit analysis of improved nutrition status by infants Ying Yang Bao intervention in poor rural regions].

OBJECTIVE: To study on the cost-benefit from anemia reduction of 6-24 months infants in poor rural regions by Ying Yang Bao( YYB) intervention. METHODS: YYB was donated and distributed to 6-24 months infants in 8 counties in provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi. Total covered infants were 25 125 within them 1200 were sampled and measured hemoglobin levels and change of anemia prevalence in the baseline and after 1 year intervention. Total recovered infants number from anemia was calculated with decrease of anemia rate. The cost-benefit was analyzed with PROFILING and DALY models. RESULTS: The total cost estimated was 6 134 871 RMB, average cost per person was 244 RMB among which costs of YYB, administration and manpower were 121 RMB, 104 RMB and 19 RMB respectively. After 1 year intervention, the anemia rate significantly declined from 52. 8 % to 26. 3 %. The recovered DALYs from present anemia and future cognition was 4863. 08 person·year. Benefit from 1 year YYB intervention in the counties was 69. 3065 million RMB from PROFILING model and60. 6874 million RMB from DALY model. The average cost of the intervention was 938. 46 RMB in saving 1 anemic and 1261. 52 RMB in saving 1 DALY loss in YYB intervention project. The cost-benefit ratio was 1 ∶ 10 at least. Sensitivity analysis showed stability of this cost-benefit analysis acceptable. CONCLUSION: The nutrition intervention using YYB for poor rural region showed high economic benefit.

Bevacizumab in combination with anticancer drugs for previously treated advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for about 85% of all lung cancer cases. Patients with NSCLC often have an advanced disease at the time of diagnosis, with a 1-year survival rate about 10-15% under the best support treatment. As therapeutic methods for lung cancer developed rapidly in recent years, the prognosis of stage IIIB or IV NSCLC also improve to a large extend. Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody against VEGFR which inhibits abnormal vascular growth in malignant tumors. In October 2006, bevacizumab was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for first-line use in advanced NSCLC. For patients with advanced NSCLC who failed in previously platinum-based chemotherapy, bevacizumab also showed enhancing efficacy to antitumor drugs recommended by the latest NCCN guideline. This review intends to present the recent progress and prospects of bevacizumab in second- or third-line treatment for patients with refractory NSCLC.

Preoperative platelet/lymphocyte ratio is a superior prognostic factor compared to other systemic inflammatory response markers in ovarian cancer patients.

The aim of the present study was to determine the most meaningful preoperative prognostic factor of cancer-related death in ovarian cancer patients by comparing potentially prognostic systemic inflammatory response (SIR) markers. The levels of fibrinogen, albumin, C-reactive protein (CRP), and serum cancer antigen-125 (CA-125) and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR) were evaluated in 190 ovarian cancer patients to identify predictors of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) using univariate and multivariate analyses. Patients with a PLR >203 had a shorter PFS and OS than the patients in PLR ≤203 group (11 vs. 24 months and 28 vs. 64 months). Univariate analyses revealed that tumor stage, postoperative residual tumor mass, ascites, and the levels of all SIR markers were associated with PFS and OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that PLR was independently associated with PFS (hazard ratio [HR] 1.852, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.271-2.697, P = 0.001) and OS (HR 2.158, 95%CI 1.468-3.171, P < 0.001), as well as tumor stage and postoperative residual tumor mass. In contrast, fibrinogen remained significant only for PFS (HR 1.724, 95%CI 1.197-2.482, P = 0.003). Patients with a PLR >203 were more prone to have advanced tumor stage (P = 0.002), postoperative residual tumor mass >2 cm (P = 0.032), malignant ascites (P < 0.001), and all the other elevated SIR markers (P < 0.001). Preoperative PLR is superior to other SIR markers (CA-125, NLR, fibrinogen, CRP, and albumin) as a predictor of survival in ovarian cancer patients.

The efficacy and safety of pemetrexed plus bevacizumab in previously treated patients with advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (ns-NSCLC).

Bevacizumab (Bev), a monoclonal antibody against vascular endothelial growth factor, when combined with standard first-line chemotherapy, shows impressive clinical benefit in advanced non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer (ns-NSCLC). Our study aims to investigate whether the addition of Bev to pemetrexed improves progression-free survival (PFS) in advanced ns-NSCLC patients after the failure of at least one prior chemotherapy regimens. Patients with locally advanced, recurrent, or metastatic ns-NSCLC, after failure of platinum-based therapy, with a performance status 0 to 2, were eligible. Patients received 500 mg/m(2) of pemetrexed intravenously (IV) day 1 with vitamin B12, folic acid, and dexamethasone and Bev 7.5 mg/kg IV day 1 of a 21-day cycle until unacceptable toxicity, disease progression or the patient requested therapy discontinuation. The primary end point was PFS. Between December 2011 and October 2013, 33 patients were enrolled, with median age of 55 years and 36.4% men. Twenty-three patients (69.7%) had received two or more prior regimens, and 28 patients (84.8%) had received chemotherapy containing pemetrexed. The median number of the protocol regimens was 4. Median PFS was 4.37 months (95% CI 2.64-6.09 months). Median overall survival (OS) was 15.83 months (95% CI 10.52-21.15 months). Overall response rates were 6.45%. Disease control rate was 54.84%. No new safety signals were detected. No patient experienced drug-related deaths. The combination of Bev and pemetrexed every 21 days is effective in ns-NSCLC patients who failed of prior therapies with improved PFS. Toxicities are similar with historical data of these two agents and are tolerable. Our results may provide more a regimen containing Bev and pemetrexed for Chinese clinical practice in previously treated ns-NSCLC.

Treatment of late left bronchopleural fistula after left pneumonectomy through right thoracic approach assisted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopleural fistula (BPF) is a rare but fatal complication after pneumonectomy. When a BPF occurs late (weeks to years postoperatively), direct resealing of the bronchial stump through the primary thoracic approach is challenging due to the risks of fibrothorax and injury to the pulmonary artery stump, and the surgical outcome is generally poor. Here, we report a case of late left BPF following left pneumonectomy successfully treated using a right thoracic approach assisted by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 57-year-old male patient who underwent left lower and left upper lobectomy, respectively, for heterochronic double primary lung cancer. A left BPF was diagnosed at the 22nd month postoperatively, and conservative treatment was ineffective. Finally, the left BPF was cured by minimally invasive BPF closure surgery via the right thoracic approach with the support of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced BPF following left pneumonectomy can be achieved with an individualized treatment plan, and the right thoracic approach assisted by ECMO is a relatively simple and effective method, which could be considered as an additional treatment option for similar patients.

The Burden of Hypertension-Related Chronic Kidney Disease - China, 2010-2019.

What is already known about this topic?: The global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is on the rise. What is added by this report?: In 2019, 5.58 million individuals in China were affected by CKD related to hypertension, leading to 70,260 fatalities and 1.69 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). The most affected groups were men, older individuals, and residents of western China. Over the period from 2010-2019, the age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) remained constant, and the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and age-standardized DALY rate (ASDR) showed a decreasing trend. However, there was an increase in the number of cases, deaths, and DALYs associated with this condition. What are the implications for public health practice?: Hypertension significantly contributes to the burden of CKD; therefore, raising awareness and implementing early screening measures are essential.

Bi Nanospheres Embedded in N-Doped Carbon Nanowires Facilitate Ultrafast and Ultrastable Sodium Storage.

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) are considered as the ideal candidates for the next generation of electrochemical energy storage devices. The major challenges of anode lie in poor cycling stability and the sluggish kinetics attributed to the inherent large Na+ size. In this work, Bi nanosphere encapsulated in N-doped carbon nanowires (Bi@N-C) is assembled by facile electrospinning and carbonization. N-doped carbon mitigates the structure stress/strain during alloying/dealloying, optimizes the ionic/electronic diffusion, and provides fast electron transfer and structural stability. Due to the excellent structure, Bi@N-C shows excellent Na storage performance in SIBs in terms of good cycling stability and rate capacity in half cells and full cells. The fundamental mechanism of the outstanding electrochemical performance of Bi@N-C has been demonstrated through synchrotron in-situ XRD, atomic force microscopy, ex-situ scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and density functional theory (DFT) calculation. Importantly, a deeper understanding of the underlying reasons of the performance improvement is elucidated, which is vital for providing the theoretical basis for application of SIBs.

Economic Evaluation of COVID-19 Immunization Strategies: A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to systematically assess global economic evaluation studies on COVID-19 vaccination, offer valuable insights for future economic evaluations, and assist policymakers in making evidence-based decisions regarding the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination. METHODS: Searches were performed from January 2020 to September 2023 across seven English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, MEDLINE, EBSCO, KCL-Korean Journal Dataset, SciELO Citation Index, and Derwent Innovations Index) and three Chinese databases (Wanfang Data, China Science and Technology Journal, and CNKI). Rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Data were extracted from eligible studies using a standardized data collection form, with the reporting quality of these studies assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards 2022 (CHEERS 2022). RESULTS: Of the 40 studies included in the final review, the overall reporting quality was good, evidenced by a mean score of 22.6 (ranging from 10.5 to 28). Given the significant heterogeneity in fundamental aspects among the studies reviewed, a narrative synthesis was conducted. Most of these studies adopted a health system or societal perspective. They predominantly utilized a composite model, merging dynamic and static methods, within short to medium-term time horizons to simulate various vaccination strategies. The research strategies varied among studies, investigating different doses, dosages, brands, mechanisms, efficacies, vaccination coverage rates, deployment speeds, and priority target groups. Three pivotal parameters notably influenced the evaluation results: the vaccine's effectiveness, its cost, and the basic reproductive number (R0). Despite variations in model structures, baseline parameters, and assumptions utilized, all studies identified a general trend that COVID-19 vaccination is cost-effective compared to no vaccination or intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The current review confirmed that COVID-19 vaccination is a cost-effective alternative in preventing and controlling COVID-19. In addition, it highlights the profound impact of variables such as dose size, target population, vaccine efficacy, speed of vaccination, and diversity of vaccine brands and mechanisms on cost effectiveness, and also proposes practical and effective strategies for improving COVID-19 vaccination campaigns from the perspective of economic evaluation.