Type 2 cytokine signaling in macrophages protects from cellular senescence and organismal aging.

Accumulation of senescent cells in organs and tissues is a hallmark of aging and known to contribute to age-related diseases. Although aging-associated immune dysfunction, or immunosenescence, is known to contribute to this process, the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report that type 2 cytokine signaling deficiency accelerated aging and, conversely, that the interleukin-4 (IL-4)-STAT6 pathway protected macrophages from senescence. Mechanistically, activated STAT6 promoted the expression of genes involved in DNA repair both via homologous recombination and Fanconi anemia pathways. Conversely, STAT6 deficiency induced release of nuclear DNA into the cytoplasm to promote tissue inflammation and organismal aging. Importantly, we demonstrate that IL-4 treatment prevented macrophage senescence and improved the health span of aged mice to an extent comparable to senolytic treatment, with further additive effects when combined. Together, our findings support that type 2 cytokine signaling protects macrophages from immunosenescence and thus hold therapeutic potential for improving healthy aging.

Activatable Heavy-Atom-Free Photosensitizer with Large Stokes Shift and a NIR-II Emission Harnessing Rhodamine Ring-Opening Strategy.

Activatable photosensitizers (PSs) generating 1O2 only under specific conditions can minimize concomitant injury to normal tissues. Heavy-atom-free PSs hold the merits of low dark toxicity, long triplet-state lifetimes, good photostability, and relatively low cost. PSs with emission in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window are highly valuable for deep-tissue, high-contrast imaging. Herein, we have designed and synthesized a series of heavy-atom-free PSs by a one-step reaction between an easily accessible rhodamine derivative and commercially available thiophene aldehydes. One of the as-prepared PSs, 2b-3T, exhibits emission maxima at 810 nm and tails to the NIR-II region at 1140 nm, together with large Stokes shift (178 nm). Importantly, the newly developed PSs, featuring functional carboxylic acid groups, present promising opportunities as versatile platforms for creating activatable PSs. To validate our concept, we developed Cu2+/pH-activatable PSs using the spirocyclization mechanism of rhodamine. Ultimately, we showcased the effectiveness of these innovative PSs in photodynamic therapy through in vitro experiments.

Revealing the Synergistic Effect of Cation and Anion Vacancies on Enhanced Fenton-Like Reaction: The Electron Density Modulation of O 2p-Co 3d Bands.

Defect engineering is considered as a flexible and effective mean to improve the performance of Fenton-like reactions. Herein, a simple method is employed to synthesize Co3O4 catalysts with Co-O vacancy pairs (VP) for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. Multi-scaled characterization, experimental, and simulation results jointly revealed that the cation vacancies-VCo contributed to enhanced conductivity and anion vacancies-VO provided a new active center for the 1O2 generation. Co3O4-VP can optimize the O 2p and Co 3d bands with the strong assistance of synergistic double vacancies to reduce the reaction energy barrier of the "PMS → Co(IV) = O → 1O2" pathway, ultimately triggering the stable transition of mechanism. Co3O4-VP catalysts with radical-nonradical collaborative mechanism achieve the synchronous improvement of activity and stability, and have good environmental robustness to favor water decontamination applications. This result highlights the possibility of utilizing anion and cation vacancy engineering strategies to rational design Co3O4-based materials widely used in catalytic reactions.

Diagnostic performance of Node Reporting and Data System (Node-RADS) for assessing mesorectal lymph node in rectal cancer by CT.

BACKGROUND: To compare the diagnostic performance of the Node-RADS scoring system and lymph node (LN) size in preoperative LN assessment for rectal cancer (RC), and to investigate whether the selection of size as the primary criterion whereas morphology as the secondary criterion for LNs can be considered the preferred method for clinical assessment. METHODS: Preoperative CT data of 146 RC patients treated with radical resection surgery were retrospectively analyzed. The Node-RADS score and short-axis diameter of size-prioritized LNs and the morphology-prioritized LNs were obtained. The correlations of Node-RADS score to the pN stage, LNM number and lymph node ratio (LNR) were investigated. The performances on assessing pathological lymph node metastasis were compared between Node-RADS score and short-axis diameter. A nomogram combined the Node-RADS score and clinical features was also evaluated. RESULTS: Node-RADS score showed significant correlation with pN stage, LNM number and LNR (Node-RADS of size-prioritized LN: r = 0.600, 0.592, and 0.606; Node-RADS of morphology-prioritized LN: r = 0.547, 0.538, and 0.527; Node-RADSmax: r = 0.612, 0.604, and 0.610; all p < 0.001). For size-prioritized LN, Node-RADS achieved an AUC of 0.826, significantly superior to short-axis diameter (0.826 vs. 0.743, p = 0.009). For morphology-prioritized LN, Node-RADS exhibited an AUC of 0.758, slightly better than short-axis diameter (0.758 vs. 0.718, p = 0.098). The Node-RADS score of size-prioritized LN was significantly better than that of morphology-prioritized LN (0.826 vs. 0.758, p = 0.038). The nomogram achieved the best diagnostic performance (AUC = 0.861) than all the other assessment methods (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The Node-RADS scoring system outperforms the short-axis diameter in predicting lymph node metastasis in RC. Size-prioritized LN demonstrates superior predictive efficacy compared to morphology-prioritized LN. The nomogram combined the Node-RADS score of size-prioritized LN with clinical features exhibits the best diagnostic performance. Moreover, a clear relationship was demonstrated between the Node-RADS score and the quantity-dependent pathological characteristics of LNM.

MRI-Based Machine Learning Radiomics for Preoperative Assessment of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 Status in Urothelial Bladder Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) has recently emerged as hotspot in targeted therapy for urothelial bladder cancer (UBC). The HER2 status is mainly identified by immunohistochemistry (IHC), preoperative and noninvasive methods for determining HER2 status in UBC remain in searching. PURPOSES: To investigate whether radiomics features extracted from MRI using machine learning algorithms can noninvasively evaluate the HER2 status in UBC. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: One hundred ninety-five patients (age: 68.7 ± 10.5 years) with 14.3% females from January 2019 to May 2023 were divided into training (N = 156) and validation (N = 39) cohorts, and 43 patients (age: 67.1 ± 13.1 years) with 13.9% females from June 2023 to January 2024 constituted the test cohort (N = 43). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3 T, T2-weighted imaging (turbo spin-echo), diffusion-weighted imaging (breathing-free spin echo). ASSESSMENT: The HER2 status were assessed by IHC. Radiomics features were extracted from MRI images. Pearson correlation coefficient and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were applied for feature selection, and six machine learning models were established with optimal features to identify the HER2 status in UBC. STATISTICAL TESTS: Mann-Whitney U-test, chi-square test, LASSO algorithm, receiver operating characteristic analysis, and DeLong test. RESULTS: Three thousand forty-five radiomics features were extracted from each lesion, and 22 features were retained for analysis. The Support Vector Machine model demonstrated the best performance, with an AUC of 0.929 (95% CI: 0.888-0.970) and accuracy of 0.859 in the training cohort, AUC of 0.886 (95% CI: 0.780-0.993) and accuracy of 0.846 in the validation cohort, and AUC of 0.712 (95% CI: 0.535-0.889) and accuracy of 0.744 in the test cohort. DATA CONCLUSION: MRI-based radiomics features combining machine learning algorithm provide a promising approach to assess HER2 status in UBC noninvasively and preoperatively. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Clinical practice of the transrectal shear-wave elastography in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the practical value of the transrectal two-dimensional shear-wave elastography (SWE) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS: Consecutive male participants with and without BPH constituted the BPH and control group respectively were enrolled prospectively between March and December 2022. Transrectal conventional ultrasound and SWE examinations for the prostate were performed on these participants. Data of quantitative stiffness of the transitional zone (TZ) and peripheral zone (PZ) of prostate, volume of prostate (VP) and volume of TZ (VTZ) and prostate specific androgen (PSA), etc., were collected. Linear regression analyses were used to investigate the associations between quantitative stiffness data and other clinical parameters. RESULTS: There were 200 participants evaluated, including 100 healthy participants and 100 BPH patients. For every one-year increment in age, it was correlated with 0.50 kPa increasement of TZ stiffness. VP and VTZ were correlated with TZ stiffness. Higher TZ stiffness was associated with higher free prostate specific antigen (PSA) and total PSA. CONCLUSIONS: The prostate is stiffer and larger in BPH group compared to control group. Quantitative stiffness of the TZ was related with age, VP, VTZ and PSA.

An NIR Type I Photosensitizer Based on a Cyclometalated Ir(III)-Rhodamine Complex for a Photodynamic Antibacterial Effect toward Both Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative Bacteria.

Type I photosensitizers offer an advantage in photodynamic therapy (PDT) due to their diminished reliance on oxygen levels, thus circumventing the challenge of hypoxia commonly encountered in PDT. In this study, we present the synthesis and comprehensive characterization of a novel type I photosensitizer derived from a cyclometalated Ir(III)-rhodamine complex. Remarkably, the complex exhibits a shift in absorption and fluorescence, transitioning from "off" to "on" states in aprotic and protic solvents, respectively, contrary to initial expectations. Upon exposure to light, the complex demonstrates the effective generation of O2- and ·OH radicals via the type I mechanism. Additionally, it exhibits notable photodynamic antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, demonstrated through in vitro and in vivo experiments. This research offers valuable insights for the development of novel type I photosensitizers.

Mid-upper arm circumference predicts the risk of gestational diabetes in early pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: The present work aimed to assess the value of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) at 8 to 12 weeks in predicting the occurrence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: According to eligibility criteria, 328 women with singleton pregnancies who underwent routine antenatal check-ups at Qinhuangdao Maternal and Child Health Hospital from September 2017 to September 2020 were included. The patients were divided into the gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and non-GDM groups according to oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) data from gestation weeks 24 to 28. Clinical data were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors independently predicting GDM. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was employed to analyze the value of MUAC in predicting the occurrence of GDM. The optimal cut-off points were calculated. RESULTS: In logistic regression analysis, pre-pregnancy weight, waist circumference, MUAC, UA, TG, and HDL-C independently predicted the occurrence of GDM (P < 0.05). MUAC retained statistical significance upon adjustment for various confounders (OR = 8.851, 95%CI: 3.907-20.048; P < 0.001). ROC curve analysis revealed good diagnostic potential for MUAC in GDM (AUC = 0.742, 95%CI: 0.684-0.800, P < 0.001), with a cut-off of 28.5 cm, sensitivity and specificity were 61% and 77%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Pregnant women with MUAC >28.5 cm are prone to develop GDM during pregnancy, indicating that MUAC as an important predictive factor of GDM in early pregnancy.

Febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome with claustrum lesion: an underdiagnosed inflammatory encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical characteristics and prognosis of febrile infection-related epilepsy syndrome with claustrum lesions (FIRES-C). METHOD: Clinical data of FIRES-C patients were collected retrospectively. The study reviewed and analyzed their clinical manifestations, treatment strategies, and prognosis. RESULT: Twenty patients were enrolled, including 13 females and 7 males, with a median onset age of 20.5 years. All patients developed seizures after fever, with a median interval of 5 days. Brain MRI showed symmetric lesions in the claustrum in all patients. The median interval from seizure onset to abnormal MRI signals detection was 12.5 days. All patients had negative results for comprehensive tests of neurotropic viruses and antineuronal autoantibodies. Seventy percent of cases had been previously empirically diagnosed with autoimmune encephalitis or viral encephalitis before. All patients received anti-seizure medicine. Eleven patients (55%) received antiviral therapy. All patients received immunotherapy, including glucocorticoids (100%), intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) (65%), plasma exchange (PLEX) (10%), tocilizumab (10%), rituximab (5%), and cyclophosphamide (5%). Sixty percent of patients received long-term immunotherapy (≥ 3 months). The median follow-up was 11.5 months;60% of patients were diagnosed with refractory epilepsy. CONCLUSION: Bilateral claustrum lesion on MRI is a distinctive neuroimage feature for FIRES, which may serve as an indication for the initial clinical assessments. FIRES-C should be classified as a type of inflammatory encephalopathy characterized by a monophasic nature. Some FIRES-C patients respond to immunotherapy and antiseizure treatments but most experience refractory epilepsy as a long-term outcome.

Coupling Relationships between the Brain and the Central Pattern Generator Based on a Fractional-Order Extended Hindmarsh-Rose Model.

BACKGROUND: The states of the central nervous system (CNS) can be classified into subcritical, critical, and supercritical states that endow the system with information capacity, transmission capabilities, and dynamic range. A further investigation of the relationship between the CNS and the central pattern generators (CPG) is warranted to provide insight into the mechanisms that govern the locomotion system. METHODS: In this study, we established a fractional-order CPG model based on an extended Hindmarsh-Rose model with time delay. A CNS model was further established using a recurrent excitation-inhibition neuronal network. Coupling between these CNS and CPG models was then explored, demonstrating a potential means by which oscillations generated by a neural network respond to periodic stimuli. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: These simulations yielded two key sets of findings. First, frequency sliding was observed when the CPG was sent to the CNS in the subcritical, critical, and supercritical states with different external stimulus and fractional-order index values, indicating that frequency sliding regulates brain function on multiple spatiotemporal scales when the CPG and CNS are coupled together. The main frequency range for these simulations was observed in the gamma band. Second, with increasing external inputs the coherence index for the CNS decreases, demonstrating that strong external inputs introduce neuronal stochasticity. Neural network synchronization is then reduced, triggering irregular neuronal firing. Together these results provide novel insight into the potential mechanisms that may underlie the locomotion system.

Verapamil inhibits inflammation and promotes autophagy to alleviate ureteral scar by regulation of CaMK IIδ/STAT3 axis.

BACKGROUND: Ureteral stricture (US) is a pathological stenosis in the urinary tract characterized by increased collagen synthesis and inflammation. Autophagy activation has been shown to ameliorate tissue fibrosis and protect against fibrotic diseases. Verapamil has beneficial therapeutic benefits on fibrotic disorders. The pharmacological effects of verapamil on fibroblast autophagy in US and the underlying mechanism need to be investigated further. METHODS: US patients were recruited to isolate scar tissues, hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson trichrome staining were performed to analyze histopathological changes. The US animal model was established and administered with verapamil (0.05 mg/kg) in the drinking water. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 was adopted to facilitate collagen synthesis in fibroblasts. The mRNA and protein expressions were examined by qRT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. ELISA was adopted to measure interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 levels. Molecular interaction experiments like dual luciferase reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays were performed to analyze the interaction between signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3) and RNA polymerase II associated factor 1 (PAF1). RESULTS: Herein, our results revealed that verapamil activated TGF-ß1-treated fibroblast autophagy and inhibited inflammation and fibrosis by repressing Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II) δ-mediated STAT3 activation. Our following tests revealed that STAT3 activated PAF1 transcription. PAF1 upregulation abrogated the regulatory effect of verapamil on fibroblast autophagy and fibrosis during US progression. Finally, verapamil mitigated US in vivo by activating fibroblast autophagy. CONCLUSION: Taken together, verapamil activated TGF-ß1-treated fibroblast autophagy and inhibited fibrosis by repressing the CaMK IIδ/STAT3/PAF1 axis.

A Combined Method of Seismic Monitoring and Transient Electromagnetic Detection for the Evaluation of Hydraulic Fracturing Effect in Coal Burst Prevention.

In order to mitigate the risk of roof-dominated coal burst in underground coal mining, horizontal long borehole staged hydraulic fracturing technology has been prevailingly employed to facilitate the weakening treatment of the hard roof in advance. Such weakening effect, however, can hardly be evaluated, which leads to a lack of a basis in which to design the schemes and parameters of hydraulic fracturing. In this study, a combined underground-ground integrated microseismic monitoring and transient electromagnetic detection method was utilized to carry out simultaneous evaluations of the seismic responses to each staged fracturing and the apparent resistivity changes before and after all finished fracturing. On this basis, the comparable and applicable fracturing effects on coal burst prevention were evaluated and validated by the distribution of microseismic events and their energy magnitude during the mining process. Results show that the observed mining-induced seismic events are consistent with the evaluation results obtained from the combined seismic-electromagnetic detection method. However, there is a limited reduction effect on resistivity near the fractured section that induces far-field seismic events. Mining-induced seismic events are concentrated primarily within specific areas, while microseismic events in the fractured area exhibit high frequency but low energy overall. This study validates the rationality of combined seismic-electromagnetic detection results and provides valuable insights for optimizing fracturing construction schemes as well as comprehensively evaluating outcomes associated with underground directional long borehole staged hydraulic fracturing.

Revolution in Cancer Treatment: How Are Intelligently Designed Nanostructures Changing the Game?

Nanoparticles (NPs) are extremely important tools to overcome the limitations imposed by therapeutic agents and effectively overcome biological barriers. Smart designed/tuned nanostructures can be extremely effective for cancer treatment. The selection and design of nanostructures and the adjustment of size and surface properties are extremely important, especially for some precision treatments and drug delivery (DD). By designing specific methods, an important era can be opened in the biomedical field for personalized and precise treatment. Here, we focus on advances in the selection and design of nanostructures, as well as on how the structure and shape, size, charge, and surface properties of nanostructures in biological fluids (BFs) can be affected. We discussed the applications of specialized nanostructures in the therapy of head and neck cancer (HNC), which is a difficult and aggressive type of cancer to treat, to give an impetus for novel treatment approaches in this field. We also comprehensively touched on the shortcomings, current trends, and future perspectives when using nanostructures in the treatment of cancer.

Significance of Normalized Apparent Diffusion Coefficient in the Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System for Diagnosing Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Vesical Imaging-Reporting and Data System (VI-RADS) has been developed for assessing bladder cancer from multiparametric (mp) MRI but its performance in diagnosing muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is suboptimal. PURPOSE: To investigate associations between normalized apparent diffusion coefficient (NADC) and clinicopathological characteristics and to determine whether the inclusion of NADC can improve the performance of VI-RADS in diagnosing MIBC. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. POPULATION: Two hundred seventy-five patients with pathologically confirmed bladder cancer (101 MIBC and 174 non-MIBC [NMIBC]) underwent preoperative mpMRI (233 male, 42 female). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 3-T, T2-weighted imaging (turbo spin-echo), diffusion-weighted imaging (free-breathing spin-echo), and dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging (gradient-echo). ASSESSMENT: NADC was the mean ADC of tumor divided by that of the iliopsoas muscles in trans caput femoris plane. Associations between NADC and clinicopathological characteristics were evaluated. Models were established for differentiating MIBC and NMIBC: VI-RADS model; VN model (VI-RADS and NADC), Images model (significant variables from imaging associated with MIBC), LN model (Images model without NADC), and Full model (all significant variables associated with MIBC). STATISTICAL TESTS: Variables for model development were based on logistic regression. Models were evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Comparison of the area under the curves (AUCs) for the models used DeLong's test. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: NADC was significantly lower in lesions with diameter ≥ 3 cm, MIBC, histological high grade, lymph node metastasis, and lymphovascular invasion. Compared with VI-RADS model, the AUCs for VN model (VI-RADS score and NADC), Images model (VI-RADS score, NADC and tumor size) and Full model (VI-RADS score, NADC, tumor size and histological grade) were significantly higher. No significant differences were observed between the AUCs for VN model and Images model (P = 0.051). DATA CONCLUSION: NADC reflects information about the aggressiveness of bladder cancer. Combining VI-RADS with NADC can improve performance in diagnosing MIBC. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.

First-Trimester Triglyceride-Glucose Index and Triglyceride/High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol are Predictors of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Among the Four Surrogate Biomarkers of Insulin Resistance.

Purpose: This study seeks to assess the potential of early pregnancy Triglyceride Glucose Index (TyG), triglyceride to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-c), Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ratio (LDL-C/HDL-C), and Total Cholesterol to High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ratio (TC/HDL-C) in predicting Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM). Patients and Methods: A total of 1073 adults singleton pregnant women were enrolled from June 2017 to September 2019. Complete anthropometric data and lipid profiles were measured in the first trimester (before 12 weeks gestation) and a 75g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) at 24-28 weeks was performed. Based on OGTT results, participants were categorised into Normal Glucose Tolerance (NGT) group (n=872) and GDM group (n=201). General data, laboratory test results, and surrogate insulin resistance indicators such as TyG index, TG/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and TC/HDL-C were documented and compared. To compare differences between the two groups, t-test was used, Spearman correlation analysis and linear regression analysis were performed to establish associations between these indicators and insulin resistance in GDM. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves were generated to compare the thresholds of these indicators for predicting GDM during pregnancy and to quantify overall diagnostic accuracy. Results: Individuals with GDM had higher TyG, TG/HDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C levels (P < 0.001), but with no significant difference observed in TC/HDL-C. All four ratios were positively correlated with Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), yet only TyG emerged as an independent risk factor for HOMA-IR. The Area under the Curve (AUC) of TyG index (0.692) was comparable to that of HOMA-IR (0.703). The cut-off points for TyG index, TG/HDL-C, and HOMA-IR in predicting GDM were 7.088, 0.831, and 1.8, respectively. HOMA-IR exhibited the highest sensitivity (79.1%), while TyG index (64.3%) and TG/HDL-C ratio (64.3%) demonstrated better specificity compared to HOMA-IR (56.3%). LDL-C/HDL-C and TC/HDL-C offered no discernible predictive advantage. Conclusion: Early pregnancy TyG index and TG/HDL-C can aid in identifying pregnant women at risk for GDM, potentially facilitating early and effective intervention to improve prognosis. TyG index exhibited superior predictive capability compared to TG/HDL-C.

Wide-direct-band-gap monolayer carbon nitride CN2: a potential metal-free photocatalyst for overall water splitting.

Two dimensional metal-free semiconductors with high work function have attracted extensive research interest in the field of photocatalytic water splitting. Herein, we have proposed a kind of highly stable monolayer carbon nitride CN2 with an anisotropic structure based on first principles density functional theory. The calculations of electronic structure properties, performed using the HSE06 functional, indicate that monolayer CN2 has a wide direct band gap of 2.836 eV and a high work function of 6.54 eV. And the suitable band edge alignment, high electron mobility (∼103 cm2 V-1 s-1) and visible-light optical absorption suggest that monolayer CN2 has potential on visible-light photocatalytic water splitting at pH ranging from 0 to 14. Moreover, we have observed that uniaxial strain can effectively control the electronic structure properties and optical absorption of monolayer CN2, which can further improve its solar to hydrogen efficiency from 9.6% to 16.02% under 5% uniaxial tension strain along the Y direction. Our calculations have not only proposed a new type of potential metal-free photocatalyst for water splitting but also provided a functional part with high work function for type-I and scheme-Z heterojunction applied in photocatalytic water splitting.

The complete chloroplast genome sequence of a cultivar of Chrysanthemum, Chrysanthemum × morifolium 'Hangbaiju' (Asteraceae).

Chrysanthemum × morifolium Ramat 1792 cultivar 'Hangbaiju', also known as 'Hangzhou White Chrysanthemum', originates from Tongxiang City, Zhejiang Province, China. It is celebrated as one of Zhejiang's 'eight flavors'. In this study, we reported the complete chloroplast genome of Chrysanthemum × morifolium cultivar 'Hangbaiju'. The genome has a circular structure of 151,110 bp containing a large single-copy region (LSC) of 82,851 bp, a small copy region (SSC) of 18,351 bp, and two inverted repeats (IR) of 24,936 and 24,972 bp in length. It comprises 128 genes: 85 protein-coding gene, 8 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 35 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes. Phylogenetic analysis, based on complete chloroplast genomes, demonstrates that Chrysanthemum × morifolium 'Hangbaiju' shares a close genetic cluster with Chrysanthemum × morifolium 'Fubaiju' (MT1919691.1). Notably, 'Fubaiju' was introduced to Macheng, Hubei Province from Tongxiang in 1968 according to public information. The chloroplast genome data, coupled with morphological and historical records, strongly suggest that they are the same variety known by different names based on their cultivation locations.

Silk Nanofiber Carriers for Both Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Drugs to Achieve Improved Combination Chemotherapy.

Combination chemotherapy is considered an effective strategy to inhibit tumor growth. Here, beta-sheet-rich silk nanofibers are co-loaded with hydrophilic doxorubicin (DOX) and hydrophobic paclitaxel (PTX) through a sequential physical blending-centrifugation-blending process. The ratio and amount of DOX and PTX on the nanofibers are regulated independently to optimize cooperative interaction. Both PTX and DOX are immobilized on the same nanofibers to avoid burst release problems. Besides the water-insoluble PTX, more than half of the DOX remained fixed on the nanofibers for more than 28 days, which facilitated the co-internalization of both DOX and PTX by tumor cells in vitro. Changing the ratio of co-loaded DOX and PTX achieved optimal combination therapy in vitro. The DOX-PTX co-loaded nanofibers are assembled into injectable hydrogels to facilitate in situ injection around tumor tissues in vivo. Long-term inhibition is achieved for tumors treated with DOX-PTX co-loaded hydrogels, superior to those treated with free DOX and PTX, and hydrogels loaded with only DOX or PTX. Considering the mild and controllable physical loading process and superior loading capacity for both hydrophilic and hydrophobic ingredients, these injectable silk nanofiber hydrogels are promising carriers to deliver multiple drug types simultaneously in situ, enhancing combination chemotherapies towards clinical applications.

New perspective on first-trimester serum uric acid level in predicting the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus.

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum uric acid (UA) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the first trimester and provide a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of GDM. Based on the diagnostic criteria of gestational diabetes of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups, 1744 and 4256 patients were enrolled in the GDM and normal glucose tolerance (NGT) groups. Four groups were constituted based on the quartile of first-trimester serum UA (UA) level, and the differences in each indicator between groups were compared. Logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of UA level on GDM risk. The rate of GDM in the UA quartile changed from low to high. Significant differences were also observed in fasting plasma glucose level, 1 h post glucose and 2 h post glucose levels, in all the groups (P < 0.05), which increased with the UA level. UA level were independent risk factors for GDM. The best threshold of GDM predicted by the first-trimester UA level was 226.55 µmol/L. The first-trimester UA level in patients with GDM was relatively higher and was an independent risk factor for GDM.

The Effects of Implantable Collamer Lens ICL Implantation in High Myopia Patients' Mental Health.

Purpose: To investigate the psychological changes in patients pre and post implantable collamer lens (ICL, EVO) implantation surgery in the posterior chamber. Patients and methods: Self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were used to assess the mental states of 43 patients who underwent ICL implantation surgery performed by the same surgeon between January 2021 and December 2022. Results: Comparing the results before and one week after the operation, there is a significant difference in both the SAS scale (P<0.05) and the SDS scale (P<0.05). Similarly, when comparing the pre-operation and one-month post-operation results, there is also a significant difference in both the SAS scale (P<0.05) and the SDS scale (P<0.05). However, when comparing the one-week post-operation and one-month post-operation results, there is no significant difference in either the SAS scale (P>0.05) or the SDS scale (P>0.05). Moving on to the comparison between the pre-operation results and the national norm level, there is a significant difference in both the SAS scale (P<0.05) and the SDS scale (P<0.05). When comparing the one-week post-operation results and the national norm level, there is a significant difference in the SAS scale (P<0.05). Similarly, when comparing the one-month post-operation results and the national norm level, there is a significant difference in the SAS scale (P<0.05). Conclusion: After undergoing ICL implantation surgery, patients typically experience a notable decrease in anxiety (SAS) and depression (SDS) scales. These improvements gradually stabilize and enhance during the postoperative recovery period. However, it may require a significant amount of time for patients to fully restore their psychological well-being to levels comparable to the national norm, particularly in terms of anxiety levels.