Digital exclusion and cognitive impairment in older people: findings from five longitudinal studies.

OBJECTIVES: Older people are more likely to have digital exclusion, which is associated with poor health. This study investigated the relationship between digital exclusion and cognitive impairment in older adults from 23 countries across five longitudinal surveys. DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS: Digital exclusion is defined as self-reported non-use of the Internet. We assessed cognitive impairment on three dimensions: orientation, memory, and executive function. We used generalized estimation equations fitting binary logistic regression with exchangeable correlations to study the relationship between digital exclusion and cognitive impairment, and apply the minimum sufficiently adjusted set of causally directed acyclic graphs as the adjusted variable. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We pooled a nationally representative sample of older adults from five longitudinal studies, including the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal study (CHARLS), the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), the Mexican Health and Ageing Study (MHAS) and the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in European (SHARE). RESULTS: We included 62,413 participants from five longitudinal studies. Digital exclusion varied by country, ranging from 21.69% (SHARE) in Denmark to 97.15% (CHARLS) in China. In the original model, digital exclusion was significantly associated with cognitive impairment in all five studies. In the adjusted model, these associations remained statistically significant: CHARLS (Odds ratio [OR] = 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.84-4.28, ELSA (1.92 [1.70-2.18]), HRS(2.48[2.28-2.71), MHAS (1.92 [1.74-2.12]), and SHARE (2.60 [2.34-2.88]). CONCLUSION: Our research shows that a significant proportion of older people suffer from digital exclusion, especially in China. Digital exclusion was positively correlated with cognitive impairment. These findings suggest that digital inclusion could be an important strategy to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of cognitive impairment in older adults.

Thermodynamic Modeling of the Au-Ge-X (X = In, Sb, Si, Zn) Ternary Systems.

In this study, the CALPHAD approach was employed to model the thermodynamics of the Au-Ge-X (X = In, Sb, Si, Zn) ternary systems, leveraging experimental phase equilibria data and previous assessments of related binary subsystems. The solution phases were modeled as substitutional solutions, and their excess Gibbs energies were expressed using the Redlich-Kister polynomial. Owing to the unavailability of experimental data, the solubility of the third elements in the Au-In, Au-Sb, and Au-Zn binary intermetallic compounds was excluded from consideration. Additionally, stable ternary intermetallic compounds were not reported in the literature and, thus, were not taken into account in the present thermodynamic calculations. Calculations of liquidus projections, isothermal sections, and vertical sections for these ternary systems have been performed, aligning with existing experimental findings. These thermodynamic parameters form a vital basis for creating a comprehensive thermodynamic database for Au-Ge-based alloys, which is essential for the design and development of new high-temperature Pb-free solders.

A DNA demethylase reduces seed size by decreasing the DNA methylation of AT-rich transposable elements in soybean.

Understanding how to increase soybean yield is crucial for global food security. The genetic and epigenetic factors influencing seed size, a major crop yield determinant, are not fully understood. We explore the role of DNA demethylase GmDMEa in soybean seed size. Our research indicates that GmDMEa negatively correlates with soybean seed size. Using CRISPR-Cas9, we edited GmDMEa in the Dongnong soybean cultivar, known for small seeds. Modified plants had larger seeds and greater yields without altering plant architecture or seed nutrition. GmDMEa preferentially demethylates AT-rich transposable elements, thus activating genes and transcription factors associated with the abscisic acid pathway, which typically decreases seed size. Chromosomal substitution lines confirm that these modifications are inheritable, suggesting a stable epigenetic method to boost seed size in future breeding. Our findings provide insights into epigenetic seed size control and suggest a strategy for improving crop yields through the epigenetic regulation of crucial genes. This work implies that targeted epigenetic modification has practical agricultural applications, potentially enhancing food production without compromising crop quality.

The relationship between lactate dehydrogenase and Apolipoprotein A1 levels in patients with severe pneumonia.

Background: To investigate the relationship between lactate dehydrogenase and apolipoprotein A1 levels and the condition and prognosis of patients with severe pneumonia. Methods: Data was collected from 204 patients with severe pneumonia who were hospitalized from January 1, 2019 to December 1, 2021 in Zhaotong First People's Hospital (respiratory intensive care unit (RICU)), and divided into survival group (160 patients) and death group (44 patients) according to their hospitalization outcome. The relationship between lactate dehydrogenase and apolipoprotein A1 levels and general information, disease, and treatment needs of patients with severe pneumonia was analyzed, and lactate dehydrogenase, apolipoprotein A1, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, hematocrit, C-reactive protein, calcitoninogen, D-dimer, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Status Rating System II, and Pneumonia Severity Index scores were compared between the survival and death groups. The value of these indicators in determining the prognosis of patients was analyzed using subject operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors for death from severe pneumonia.

Clinical Implications of a Six-Protein Signature in Bone Metastasis of Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Bone metastases is prevalent from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) with poor quality of life and prognosis. Our previous proteomics analysis identified dysregulated proteins in the bone-tropism RCC cells. In this study, we further examined the clinical implications of these proteins using multiple clinical cohorts. We identified 6 proteins with significant upregulation in RCC tumor tissue in comparing to tumor adjacent normal tissue (p<0.05). High expression of these 6 protein-encoding genes significantly correlates with a poor survival in the TCGA-KIRC (Kidney renal clear cell carcinoma) cohort (log-rank test p=2.7e-05), and they all individually had a reverse-correlation with the gene expression of VHL and PBRM1 (p<0.001), and positive-correlation with the expression of VEGFA (p<0.001). Further gene set variation analysis (GSVA) revealed positive correlation with Th17 cells enrichment and negative CD8 T cell infiltration in the RCC tumor microenvironment. High expression of these 6 genes in pretreatment tumors favors longer overall survival (OS)(p=0.027) in anti-PDL1 treated patients (n=428). We treated one humeral metastases RCC patient with the anti-PDL1 antibody drug atezolizumab after examined the elevated expression of the 6 proteins in his nephrectomy tumor tissue, the tumor at the fracture site shrunk remarkably after four courses of treatment. These results altogether suggest a clinical implication of the 6-protein signature in RCC bone metastasis prognosis and response to immune-checkpoint inhibitor treatment.

Improving Buried Interface Contact by Bidentate Anchoring for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

Nickel oxide (NiOx) is a promising hole transport layer (HTL) to fabricate efficient and large-scale inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) due to its low cost and superior chemical stability. However, inverted PSCs based on NiOx are still lagging behind that of other HTL because of the poor quality of buried interface contact. Herein, a bidentate ligand, 4,6-bis (diphenylphosphino) phenoxazine (2DPP), is used to regulate the NiOx surface and perovskite buried interface. The diphosphine Lewis base in the 2DPP molecule can coordinate both with NiOx and lead ions at NiOx/perovskite interface, leading to high-quality perovskite films with minimized defects. It is found that the inverted PSCs with 2DPP-modified buried interface exhibit double advantages of being both fast charge extraction and reduced nonradiative recombination, which is a combination of multiple factors including favorable energetic alignment, improved interface contact and strong binding between NiOx/2DPP and perovskite. The optimal PSC based on 2DPP modification yields a champion power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 21.9%. The unencapsulated PSC maintains above 75% of its initial PCE in the air with a relative humidity (RH) of 30-40% for 1000 h.

Association of preoperative and postoperative circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) with PIK3CA gene mutation with risk of recurrence in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA), contains tumour-specific gene mutation in blood circulation and could aid in postoperative risk stratification of non-metastatic breast cancer. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of detecting PIK3CA gene mutations in ctDNA in the preoperative (preop) and postoperative period (postop), and its prognostic significance in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: A cohort of patients with breast cancer undergoing curative surgery with available blood samples preoperatively and postoperatively (Post op) at either Post op time period; week 1-2, week 3-4 or weeks 5-12 were enrolled. PIK3CA gene mutations at exons 9 and 20 were detected in ctDNA with High resolution melting (HRM) PCR and Allele specific fluorescence probe-based PCR. RESULTS: A total of 62 patients (age, median (IQR), 51.50 (45.0-65.0) years), with a median follow-up of 90 months (interquartile range (IQR),60-120 months) were enrolled. In total, 25 (40.3%) and 22 (35%) patients with breast cancer had detectable PIK3CA gene mutations in ctDNA in preoperative and postoperative period, respectively. PIK3CA gene mutations in ctDNA in postoperative period (hazard ratio (H.R: 18.05, p = 0.001) were a negative prognostic factor for recurrencefree survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) (H.R: 11.9, p = 0.01) in patients with breast cancer. Subgroup analysis of ctDNA indicate that positive ctDNA in both preoperative/postoperative period and post op period only were found to have prognostic effect on RFS and OS (RFS; p < 0.0001, O·S; p = 0.0007). Moreover, ctDNA-based detection preceded clinical detection of recurrence in patients with an average lead time of 12 months (IQR:20-28.5 months) across all the breast cancer subtypes. CONCLUSION: We highlighted the prognostic ability of ctDNA in patients with breast cancer in perioperative period. However, future prospective studies are needed to assess the utility of ctDNA in clinical practice.

Impact of guideline-directed medical therapy on systolic blood pressure and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with heart failure and low blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIMS: Existing research indicates that patients with heart failure (HF) may have restricted access to guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) when their blood pressure (BP) is comparatively low. However, recent clinical trials suggest that HF patients with low BP could still benefit from certain HF medications, which have a minimal impact on BP. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether this applies to all GDMT. METHODS AND RESULTS: A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted for studies published from inception to 10 January 2024. Randomized controlled trials were selected if they reported on the longitudinal change of systolic BP (SBP) due to GDMT, or the risks of cardiovascular events in HF patients based on SBP categories. Weighted mean difference (WMD), hazard ratio or relative risk, and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were pooled for meta-analysis where possible. Data from 20 studies, encompassing information on 84 782 individuals, were analysed. Overall, GDMT is associated with lower SBP (WMD, -2.16; 95% CI -2.86 to -1.46), with no significant difference between baseline low and non-low BP subgroups (interaction p = 0.810). However, SBP of the treatment group increased by 5.8 mmHg from baseline in the low SBP subgroup during follow-up, while it decreased by 4.0 mmHg in the baseline non-low SBP subgroup. GDMT demonstrated similar cardiovascular benefits and risk of hypotension between low and non-low SBP subgroups (interaction p = 0.318 and 0.903, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Guideline-directed medical therapy is associated with a negligible decrease in SBP, but can provide similar cardiovascular benefits in both low and non-low SBP HF patients, with no significant interaction with SBP as to hypotension. Therefore, GDMT should be initiated and maintained in HF patients with low BP.

Evaluating the developmental potential of 2.1PN-derived embryos and associated chromosomal analysis.

PURPOSE: Zygotes with 2.1 pronuclei (2.1PN) present with two normal-sized pronuclei, and an additional smaller pronucleus, that is approximately smaller than two thirds the size of a normal pronucleus. It remains unclear whether the additional pronucleus causes embryonic chromosome abnormalities. In the majority of cases, in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics discarded 2.1PN zygotes. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the developmental potential and value of 2.1PN zygotes. METHODS: 2.1PN-derived embryos from 164 patients who underwent IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment between January 2021 and December 2022 were included in the present study. All embryos were monitored using a time-lapse system, and blastocyst formation was used to assess 2.1PN-derived embryo developmental potential. The blastocyst formation was quantified using generalized estimating equations, and chromosome euploidy was analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, the potential association between age and occurrence of 2.1PN zygotes was determined. RESULTS: The present study demonstrated that numerous 2.1PN zygotes developed into blastocysts. Early cleavage patterns and embryo quality on Day 3 were the independent predictors for the blastocyst formation of 2.1PN-derived embryos. The 2.1PN zygotes displayed a comparable developmental potential compared to 2PN zygotes in advanced age patients (≥ 38). Moreover, there was a tendency that 2.1PN-derived blastocysts showed a similar euploidy rate compared to 2PN-derived blastocysts. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider using 2.1PN-derived euploid embryos for transfer after preimplantation genetic testing in the absence of available 2PN embryo cycles. 2.1PN-derived embryos could be a candidate, particularly beneficial for patients at advanced age.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 2 hijacks CMA-mediated lipolysis through upregulation of small GTPase RAB18.

RAB GTPases (RABs) control intracellular membrane trafficking with high precision. In the present study, we carried out a short hairpin RNA (shRNA) screen focused on a library of 62 RABs during infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 2 (PRRSV-2), a member of the family Arteriviridae. We found that 13 RABs negatively affect the yield of PRRSV-2 progeny virus, whereas 29 RABs have a positive impact on the yield of PRRSV-2 progeny virus. Further analysis revealed that PRRSV-2 infection transcriptionally regulated RAB18 through RIG-I/MAVS-mediated canonical NF-κB activation. Disrupting RAB18 expression led to the accumulation of lipid droplets (LDs), impaired LDs catabolism, and flawed viral replication and assembly. We also discovered that PRRSV-2 co-opts chaperone-mediated autophagy (CMA) for lipolysis via RAB18, as indicated by the enhanced associations between RAB18 and perlipin 2 (PLIN2), CMA-specific lysosomal associated membrane protein 2A (LAMP2A), and heat shock protein family A (Hsp70) member 8 (HSPA8/HSC70) during PRRSV-2 infection. Knockdown of HSPA8 and LAMP2A impacted on the yield of PRRSV-2 progeny virus, implying that the virus utilizes RAB18 to promote CMA-mediated lipolysis. Importantly, we determined that the C-terminal domain (CTD) of HSPA8 could bind to the switch II domain of RAB18, and the CTD of PLIN2 was capable of associating with HSPA8, suggesting that HSPA8 facilitates the interaction between RAB18 and PLIN2 in the CMA process. In summary, our findings elucidate how PRRSV-2 hijacks CMA-mediated lipid metabolism through innate immune activation to enhance the yield of progeny virus, offering novel insights for the development of anti-PRRSV-2 treatments.

Pseudorabies virus manipulates mitochondrial tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase 2 for viral replication.

The pseudorabies virus (PRV) is identified as a double-helical DNA virus responsible for causing Aujeszky's disease, which results in considerable economic impacts globally. The enzyme tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase 2 (WARS2), a mitochondrial protein involved in protein synthesis, is recognized for its broad expression and vital role in the translation process. The findings of our study showed an increase in both mRNA and protein levels of WARS2 following PRV infection in both cell cultures and animal models. Suppressing WARS2 expression via RNA interference in PK-15 â€‹cells led to a reduction in PRV infection rates, whereas enhancing WARS2 expression resulted in increased infection rates. Furthermore, the activation of WARS2 in response to PRV was found to be reliant on the cGAS/STING/TBK1/IRF3 signaling pathway and the interferon-alpha receptor-1, highlighting its regulation via the type I interferon signaling pathway. Further analysis revealed that reducing WARS2 levels hindered PRV's ability to promote protein and lipid synthesis. Our research provides novel evidence that WARS2 facilitates PRV infection through its management of protein and lipid levels, presenting new avenues for developing preventative and therapeutic measures against PRV infections.

Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identifies important modules and hub genes involved in the regulation of breast muscle yield in broilers.

Objective: Increasing breast meat production is one of the primary goals of the broiler industry. Over the past few decades, tremendous progress has been made in genetic selection and the identification of candidate genes for improving the breast muscle mass. However, the molecular network contributing to muscle production traits in chickens still needs to be further illuminated. Methods: A total of 150 1-day-old male 817 broilers were reared in a floor litter system. At the market age of 50 d, eighteen healthy 817 broilers were slaughtered and the left pectoralis major muscle sample from each bird was collected for RNA-seq sequencing. The birds were then plucked and eviscerated and the whole breast muscle was removed and weighed. Breast muscle yield was calculated as the ratio of the breast muscle weight to the eviscerated weight. To identify the co-expression networks and hub genes contributing to breast muscle yield in chickens, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) based on the 18 transcriptome datasets of pectoralis major muscle from eighteen 817 broilers. Results: The WGCNA analysis classified all co-expressed genes in the pectoral muscle of 817 broilers into 44 modules. Among these modules, the turquoise and skyblue3 modules were found to be most significantly positively (r=0.78, p=1e-04) and negatively (r=-0.57, p=0.01) associated with breast meat yield, respectively. Further analysis identified several hub genes (e.g., DLX3, SH3RF2, TPM1, CAV3, MYF6, and CFL2) that involved in muscle structure and muscle development were identified as potential regulators of breast meat production. Conclusion: The present study has advanced our understanding of the molecular regulatory networks contributing to muscle growth and breast muscle production and will contribute to the molecular breeding of chickens in the future.

Palladium(II)-Catalyzed Tandem γ-C(sp2)-H Arylation and Cyclization for the Construction of Natural Product-Like Polycyclic Fused ortho-Quinone Scaffolds.

Here, we report a novel strategy for the direct construction of polycyclic fused ortho-quinone scaffolds through palladium(II)-catalyzed tandem γ-C(sp2)-H arylation and cyclization of arylglyoxals with aryl iodides. This transformation features unique tandem transient directing of γ-C(sp2)-H arylation and cyclization reaction mode, broad substrate scope, especially for the aromatic substrates containing oxygen and sulfur atoms, and avoiding the common issue of aromatization due to the construction of the hexatomic ring.

Synthesis and Characterization of Superhydrophobic Epoxy Resin Coating with SiO2@CuO/HDTMS for Enhanced Self-Cleaning, Photocatalytic, and Corrosion-Resistant Properties.

The exceptional corrosion resistance and combined physical and chemical self-cleaning capabilities of superhydrophobic photocatalytic coatings have sparked significant interest among researchers. In this paper, we propose an economical and eco-friendly superhydrophobic epoxy resin coating that incorporates SiO2@CuO/HDTMS nanoparticles modified with Hexadecyltrimethoxysilane (HDTMS). The application of superhydrophobic coatings effectively reduces the contact area between the metal surface and corrosive media, leading to a decreased corrosion rate. Additionally, the incorporation of nanomaterials, exemplified by SiO2@CuO core-shell nanoparticles, improves the adhesion and durability of the coatings on aluminum alloy substrates. Experimental data from Tafel curve analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirm the superior corrosion resistance of the superhydrophobic modified aluminum alloy surface compared to untreated surfaces. Estimations indicate a significant reduction in corrosion rate after superhydrophobic treatment. Furthermore, an optical absorption spectra analysis of the core-shell nanoparticles demonstrates their suitability for photocatalytic applications, showcasing their potential contribution to enhancing the overall performance of the coated surfaces. This research underscores the promising approach of combining superhydrophobic properties with photocatalytic capabilities to develop advanced surface modification techniques for enhanced corrosion resistance and functional properties in diverse industrial settings.

A highly sensitive, long-time stable Ag/AgCl ultra-micro sensor for in situ monitoring chloride ions inside the crevice using SECM.

Tracking the variation of Cl- timely within the crevice is of great significance for comprehending the dynamic mechanism of crevice corrosion. The reported chloride ion selective electrodes are difficult to realize the long-time Cl- detection inside the confined crevice, due to their millimeter size or a relative limited lifespan. For this purpose, an Ag/AgCl ultra-micro sensor (UMS) with a radius of 12.5 µm was fabricated and optimized using laser drawing and electrodeposition techniques. Results show the AgCl film's structure is significantly impacted by the deposited current density, and further affects the linear response, life span and stability of Ag/AgCl UMS. The UMS prepared at current density of 0.1 mA/cm2 for 2 h shows a rapid response (several seconds), excellent stability and reproducibility, strong acid/alkali tolerance, sufficient linearity (R2 > 0.99), and long lifespan (86 days). Moreover, combined with the potentiometric mode of scanning electrochemical microscope (SECM), the Ag/AgCl UMS was successfully applied to monitor the in-situ radial Cl- concentration in micro-regions inside a 100 µm gap of stainless steel. The findings demonstrated that there was obvious radial difference in Cl- concentration inside the crevice, where the fastest rise in Cl- concentration was at the opening. The proposed method which combines the UMS with SECM has attractive practical applications for microzone Cl- monitoring in real time inside crevice. It may further promote the study of other localized corrosion mechanism and the development of microzone ions detection method.

Adeno-associated virus as a delivery vector for gene therapy of human diseases.

Adeno-associated virus (AAV) has emerged as a pivotal delivery tool in clinical gene therapy owing to its minimal pathogenicity and ability to establish long-term gene expression in different tissues. Recombinant AAV (rAAV) has been engineered for enhanced specificity and developed as a tool for treating various diseases. However, as rAAV is being more widely used as a therapy, the increased demand has created challenges for the existing manufacturing methods. Seven rAAV-based gene therapy products have received regulatory approval, but there continue to be concerns about safely using high-dose viral therapies in humans, including immune responses and adverse effects such as genotoxicity, hepatotoxicity, thrombotic microangiopathy, and neurotoxicity. In this review, we explore AAV biology with an emphasis on current vector engineering strategies and manufacturing technologies. We discuss how rAAVs are being employed in ongoing clinical trials for ocular, neurological, metabolic, hematological, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular diseases as well as cancers. We outline immune responses triggered by rAAV, address associated side effects, and discuss strategies to mitigate these reactions. We hope that discussing recent advancements and current challenges in the field will be a helpful guide for researchers and clinicians navigating the ever-evolving landscape of rAAV-based gene therapy.

A Concrete Core Void Imaging Approach and Parameter Analysis of Concrete-Filled Steel Tube Members Using Travel Time Tomography: Multi-Physics Simulations and Experimental Studies.

Concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) members have been widely used in civil engineering due to their advanced mechanical properties. However, internal defects such as the concrete core voids and interface debonding in CFST structures are likely to weaken their load-carrying capacity and stiffness, which affects the safety and serviceability. Visualizing the inner defects of the concrete cores in CFST members is a critical requirement and a challenging task due to the obvious difference in the material mechanical parameters of the concrete core and steel tube in CFST members. In this study, a curved ray theory-based travel time tomography (TTT) with a least square iterative linear inversion algorithm is first introduced to quantitatively identify and visualize the sizes and positions of the concrete core voids in CFST members. Secondly, a numerical investigation of the influence of different parameters on the inversion algorithm for the defect imaging of CFST members, including the effects of the model weighting matrix, weighting factor and grid size on the void's imaging quality and accuracy, is carried out. Finally, an experimental study on six CFST specimens with mimicked concrete core void defects is performed in a laboratory and the mimicked defects are visualized. The results demonstrate that TTT can identify the sizes and positions of the concrete core void defects in CFST members efficiently with the use of optimal parameters.

Interposition of acellular amniotic membrane at the tendon to bone interface would be better for healing than overlaying above the tendon to bone junction in the repair of rotator cuff injury.

PURPOSE: The retear rate of rotator cuff (RC) after surgery is high, and the rapid and functional enthesis regeneration remains a challenge. Whether acellular amniotic membrane (AAM) helps to promote the healing of tendon to bone and which treatment is better are both unclear. The study aims to investigate the effect of AAM on the healing of RC and the best treatment for RC repair. METHODS: Thirty-three Sprague Dawley rats underwent RC transection and repair using microsurgical techniques and were randomly divided into the suturing repair only (SRO) group (n = 11), the AAM overlaying (AOL) group (n = 11), and the AAM interposition (AIP) group (n = 11), respectively. Rats were sacrificed at 4 weeks, then examined by subsequent micro-CT, and evaluated by histologic and biomechanical tests. The statistical analyses of one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test were performed using with SPSS 23.0. A p < 0.05 was considered a significant difference. RESULTS: AAM being intervened between tendon and bone (AIP group) or overlaid over tendon to bone junction (AOL group) in a rat model, promoted enthesis regeneration, increased new bone and cartilage generation, and improved collagen arrangement and biomechanical properties in comparison with suturing repair only (SRO group) (AOL vs. SRO, p < 0.001, p = 0.004, p = 0.003; AIP vs. SRO, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). Compared with the AOL group, the AIP group had better results in micro-CT evaluation, histological score, and biomechanical testing (p = 0 0.039, p = 0.011, p = 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: In the RC repair model, AAM enhanced regeneration of the tendon to bone junction. This regeneration was more effective when the AAM was intervened at the tendon to bone interface than overlaid above the tendon to bone junction.

Diagnostic and prognostic nomograms for laryngeal carcinoma patients with lung metastasis: a SEER-based study.

PURPOSE: To establish two nomograms to quantify the risk of lung metastasis (LM) in laryngeal carcinoma (LC) and predict the overall survival of LC patients with LM. METHODS: Totally 9515 LC patients diagnosed histologically from 2000 to 2019 were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The independent diagnostic factors for LM in LC patients and prognostic factors for LC patients with LM were identified by logistic and Cox regression analysis, respectively. Nomograms were established based on regression coefficients and evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis. RESULTS: Patients with supraglottis, higher pathological grade, higher N stage, and distant metastasis (bone, brain, or liver) were more likely to have LM (P < 0.05). Chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy were independent factors of the overall survival of LC patients with LM (P < 0.05). The area under curve of diagnostic nomogram were 0.834 and 0.816 in the training and validation cohort respectively. For the prognostic nomogram, the area under curves of 1-, 2-, and 3-years were 0.735, 0.734, and 0.709 in the training cohort and 0.705, 0.803, and 0.809 in the validation cohort. The calibration curves and decision curve analysis indicated good performance of the nomograms. CONCLUSION: Distant metastasis (bone, brain, or liver) and N stage should be considered for prediction of LM in LC patients. Chemotherapy is the most significant influencing prognostic factor improving the survival of LC patients with LM. Two nomograms may benefit for providing better precautionary measures and treatment decision.

Influence of Zr Addition on the Microstructure and Hydrogenation Kinetics of Ti50-xV25Cr25Zrx (x = 0, 5, 7, and 9) Alloys.

Due to the poor activation performance and kinetics of Ti50V25Cr25 alloys, the element Zr was added to improve the phase structure of the alloy and achieve a high-performance hydrogen storage alloy. The Ti50-xV25Cr25Zrx (x = 0, 5, 7, and 9) system alloys were prepared by arc melting. The alloys were analyzed using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The hydrogen storage capabilities of the alloys were also obtained by the Sievert volumetric method. The results indicated that the alloy with Zr added had a combination of the C15 Laves phase and the BCC phase, whereas the Zr-free alloy had a BCC single phase. The partial replacement of Zr with Ti resulted in an increase in the lattice parameters of the main phase. The hydrogen storage kinetic performance and activation of the alloys both significantly improved with an increasing Zr concentration. The time to reach 90% of the maximum hydrogen storage capacity decreased to 2946 s, 230 s, and 120 s, respectively, with the increases in Zr concentration. The initial hydrogen absorption content of the alloys increased and then decreased after the addition of the element Zr. The second phase expanded with an increasing Zr concentration, which in turn decreased the abundance of the BCC main phase. The Ti43V25Cr25Zr7 alloy showed good cycle stability and hydrogen-desorption performance, and it could absorb 90% of the maximum hydrogen storage capacity in around 230 s. The maximum hydrogen-absorption capacity of the alloy was 2.7 wt%. The diffusion activation energy of hydrogen desorption dropped from 102.67 kJ/mol to 92.62 kJ/mol.