Suppressing Hole Accumulation Through Sub-Nanometer Dipole Interfaces in Hybrid Perovskite/Organic Solar Cells for Boosting Near-Infrared Photon Harvesting.

The potential of hybrid perovskite/organic solar cells (HSCs) is increasingly recognized owing to their advantageous characteristics, including straightforward fabrication, broad-spectrum photon absorption, and minimal open-circuit voltage (VOC) loss. Nonetheless, a key bottleneck for efficiency improvement is the energy level mismatch at the perovskite/bulk-heterojunction (BHJ) interface, leading to charge accumulation. In this study, it is demonstrated that introducing a uniform sub-nanometer dipole layer formed of B3PyMPM onto the perovskite surface effectively reduces the 0.24 eV energy band offset between the perovskite and the donor of BHJ. This strategic modification suppresses the charge recombination loss, resulting in a noticeable 30 mV increase in the VOC and a balanced carrier transport, accompanied by a 5.0% increase in the fill factor. Consequently, HSCs that achieve power conversion efficiency of 24.0% is developed, a new record for Pb-based HSCs with a remarkable increase in the short-circuit current of 4.9 mA cm-2, attributed to enhanced near-infrared photon harvesting.

Wafer-Scale Freestanding Monocrystalline Chalcogenide Membranes by Strain-Assisted Epitaxy and Spalling.

Monocrystalline chalcogenide thin films in freestanding forms are very much needed in advanced electronics such as flexible phase change memories (PCMs). However, they are difficult to manufacture in a scalable manner due to their growth and delamination challenges. Herein, we report a viable strategy for a wafer-scale epitaxial growth of monocrystalline germanium telluride (GeTe) membranes and their deterministic integrations onto flexible substrates. GeTe films are epitaxially grown on Ge wafers via a tellurization reaction accompanying a formation of confined dislocations along GeTe/Ge interfaces. The as-grown films are subsequently delaminated off the wafers, preserving their wafer-scale structural integrity, enabled by a strain-engineered spalling method that leverages the stress-concentrated dislocations. The versatility of this wafer epitaxy and delamination approach is further expanded to manufacture other chalcogenide membranes, such as germanium selenide (GeSe). These materials exhibit phase change-driven electrical switching characteristics even in freestanding forms, opening up unprecedented opportunities for flexible PCM technologies.

Emergency department laparotomy for patients with severe abdominal trauma: a retrospective study at a single regional trauma center in Korea.

Purpose: Severe abdominal injuries often require immediate clinical assessment and surgical intervention to prevent life-threatening complications. In Jeju Regional Trauma Center, we have instituted a protocol for emergency department (ED) laparotomy at the trauma bay. We investigated the mortality and time taken from admission to ED laparotomy. Methods: We reviewed the data recorded in our center's trauma database between January 2020 and December 2022 and identified patients who underwent laparotomy because of abdominal trauma. Laparotomies that were performed at the trauma bay or the ED were classified as ED laparotomy, whereas those performed in the operating room (OR) were referred to as OR laparotomy. In cases that required expeditious hemostasis, ED laparotomy was performed appropriately. Results: From January 2020 to December 2022, 105 trauma patients admitted to our hospital underwent emergency laparotomy. Of these patients, six (5.7%) underwent ED laparotomy. ED laparotomy was associated with a mortality rate of 66.7% (four of six patients), which was significantly higher than that of OR laparotomy (17.1%, 18 of 99 patients, P=0.006). All the patients who received ED laparotomy also underwent damage control laparotomy. The time between admission to the first laparotomy was significantly shorter in the ED laparotomy group (28.5 minutes; interquartile range [IQR], 14-59 minutes) when compared with the OR laparotomy group (104 minutes; IQR, 88-151 minutes; P<0.001). The two patients who survived after ED laparotomy had massive mesenteric bleeding, which was successfully ligated. The other four patients, who had liver laceration, kidney rupture, spleen injury, and pancreas avulsion, succumbed to the injuries. Conclusions: Although ED laparotomy was associated with a higher mortality rate, the time between admission and ED laparotomy was markedly shorter than for OR laparotomy. Notably, major mesenteric hemorrhages were effectively controlled through ED laparotomy.

Impacts of shellfish and macroalgae mariculture on the seawater carbonate system and air-sea CO2 flux in Haizhou Bay, China.

China is the largest mariculture country, and shellfish and algae output ranks first, showing high carbon sink capacity. In recent years, the single cultivation of macroalgae (Pyropia yezoensis) has been changed to macroalgae-shellfish mariculture in Haizhou Bay to increase the yield of P. yezoensis and improve the water environment quality. In this study, four surveys were carried out in July 2022 during the monoculture period of oyster (Magallana gigas), as well as at different stages of P. yezoensis culture (head-crop period, November 2022, peak growing season, January 2023, and end of harvesting, March 2023) in the mariculture and the surrounding waters of Haizhou Bay. The effects of different stages of culture on the seawater environment and seasonal and spatial variations in the carbonate system were analyzed, and the carbon sink capacity was preliminarily estimated. The results showed that in summer, the calcification of M. gigas and the primary production process of phytoplankton effectively reduced the dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) level in the culture area. The culture area acts as a CO2 sink, with an average air-sea CO2 flux of -4.5 mmol m-2 d-1. During the polyculture period, the P. yezoensis culture activities maintained the stability of the seawater carbonate system, and the culture area shows strong CO2 sinks, with the average air-sea CO2 flux of -24.10 mmol m-2 d-1, -37.68 mmol m-2 d-1, and -38.99 mmol m-2 d-1, respectively. The absorption of CO2 by large-scale cultured P. yezoensis through the "biological pump" effect is the main factor affecting the CO2 exchange process at the air-sea interface, and the absorption rate of CO2 by P. yezoensis at the mature stage is higher than that at the growth stage before harvesting. The study revealed that macroalgae-shellfish mariculture could promote mutual growth, alleviate environmental pressure, and enhance the carbon sink of the culture area. The relationship between mariculture and the carbon cycle of a mariculture ecosystem is very complicated, and its biochemical process should be given great attention for further study.

Helicobacter pylori VacA-induced mitochondrial damage in the gastric pit cells of the antrum and therapeutic rescue.

Exploring host cell specificity, pathogenicity, and molecular mechanisms of the vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA), secreted by Helicobacter pylori (Hp) is crucial for developing novel treatment strategies. VacA affects subcellular events, particularly mitochondria, at a cell-type-specific level. However, the lack of reliable models that mimic VacA-induced subcellular damages and enable novel drug screening linked to the human stomach clinically limits our understanding of the mitochondrial networks in vivo. Here, human antrum gastric organoids (hAGOs) and tissue samples from Hp-infected patients were used to show the toxic effects of VacA-induced mitochondrial damage mainly in mucus-producing gastric pit cells by employing transcriptional, translational, and functional analyses. In VacA-intoxicated or Hp-infected hAGOs, robust mitochondrial fragmentation in gastric pit cells reduced ATP production during respiration, and loss of mucosal barrier integrity was first demonstrated experimentally. Using hAGOs, clinically relevant small molecules were screened for efficacy, and MLN8054, an Aurora kinase A inhibitor, reversed VacA-induced mitochondrial damage and loss of gastric epithelium integrity. MLN8054 was effective in VacA-treated and Hp-infected hAGOs and mice, highlighting hAGOs as a promising drug-screening model. These findings suggest that mitochondrial quality control may serve as a promising therapeutic target for Hp VacA-mediated toxicity and disease progression.

In Vitro Effects of Zinc Compounds on the Candidacidal Activities of Salivary Antimicrobials.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects of zinc compounds on the candidacidal activities of lysozyme and the peroxidase (PO) and glucose oxidase-mediated peroxidase (GO-PO) systems against Candida albicans. METHODS: Four zinc compounds were used: zinc chloride, gluconate, lactate, and sulphate. Three antimicrobial systems were used: hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL), the PO system [bovine lactoperoxidase (bLPO), potassium thiocyanate, and hydrogen peroxide], and the GO-PO system (bLPO, potassium thiocyanate, glucose oxidase, and glucose). Three Candida albicans strains were used: ATCC 10231, 11006, and 18804. The candidacidal activity of each zinc compound-antimicrobial system mixture was compared with that of the zinc compound or antimicrobial system alone. RESULTS: The addition of zinc chloride and gluconate significantly (P < .05) increased the candidacidal activity of HEWL in the ATCC 10231 and 11006 strains. Regarding the PO system, the addition of zinc sulphate in the ATCC 10231 strain and of zinc chloride or gluconate in the ATCC 18804 strain significantly (P < .05) increased the candidacidal activity compared with the PO system alone. No significant changes were observed in the candidacidal activities of the mixture of each zinc compound and the GO-PO system compared with the GO-PO system alone for all three C. albicans strains. CONCLUSIONS: Although it depended on the type of zinc compound or strain, the addition of zinc compounds increased the candidacidal activities of antimicrobial enzymes against C. albicans compared with HEWL or the PO system alone. The introduction of zinc compounds into oral healthcare products containing antimicrobials could provide additional antifungal activity.

Systematic treatment in gastric cancer patients with overt bleeding: A propensity score matching analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hemorrhage, which is not a rare complication in patients with gastric cancer (GC)/gastroesophageal junction cancer (GEJC), can lead to a poor prognosis. However, no study has examined the effectiveness and safety of chemotherapy as an initial therapy for GC/GEJC patients with overt bleeding (OB). AIM: To investigate the impact of OB on the survival and treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) of GC/GEJC patients. METHODS: Patients with advanced or metastatic GC/GEJC who received systematic treatment at Peking University Third Hospital were enrolled in this study. Propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was performed. RESULTS: After 1:2 PSM analysis, 93 patients were assessed, including 32 patients with OB before treatment (OBBT) and 61 patients without OBBT. The disease control rate was 90.6% in the group with OBBT and 88.5% in the group without OBBT, and this difference was not statistically significant. There was no difference in the incidence of TRAEs between the group with OBBT and the group without OBBT. The median overall survival (mOS) was 15.2 months for patients with OBBT and 23.7 months for those without OBBT [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.101, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.672-1.804, log rank P = 0.701]. The mOS was worse for patients with OB after treatment (OBAT) than for those without OBAT (11.4 months vs 23.7 months, HR = 1.787, 95%CI: 1.006-3.175, log rank P = 0.044). CONCLUSION: The mOS for GC/GEJC patients with OBBT was similar to that for those without OBBT, but the mOS for patients with OBAT was worse than that for those without OBAT.

Single acute and repeated subacute toxicity evaluations of Annona atemoya leaf extract with in vitro anti-inflammatory potential.

The nutraceutical and biological potential of Annona atemoya, a fruiting plant, has been reported. We and others have demonstrated that A. atemoya leaf extract (AAL) has various pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and neuroprotective effects. However, knowledge about the safety and potential toxicity of AAL remains limited. We aimed to assess the potential toxicity of AAL using acute and repeated subacute oral toxicity tests in rats. In both acute and repeated subacute toxicity test, no AAL-related behavioral abnormalities or changes in mortality, food intake, body weight were observed up to a dosage of 2000 mg/kg, indicating that the median lethal dose of AAL is higher than 2000 mg/kg. In subacute toxicity tests, no significant changes in hematological and biochemical parameters, urinalysis results, and histopathological variables were observed. Therefore, the no-observed-adverse-effect level (NOAEL) of orally administered AAL was estimated to be 2000 mg/kg/day in male and female rats. We also examined the effect of AAL on the inflammatory reaction in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 cells. AAL treatment significantly inhibited the LPS-stimulated increases in the levels of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory cytokines, implying that AAL has an anti-inflammatory effect. Quality control analysis revealed that two marker compounds, rutin and isoquercitrin, were present at 27.570 and 4.322 mg/g, respectively, in a freeze-dried AAL sample and were completely eluted within 27 min. The extraction recovery was 99.47-103.80%, and the precision was ≤2.79%. Overall, these findings suggest the safety, anti-inflammatory activity, and standardization of AAL.

Feasibility and acceptability pilot study of an online weight loss program in rural, underserved communities.

Background: The purpose of this intervention was to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of an online weight loss program, EMPOWER, in rural, underserved communities. Methods: Adults with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2 living in rural counties were recruited through collaboration with University of Illinois Extension. The intervention lasted 1 year including online educations sessions, nutrition and lifestyle coaching, and diet and weight monitoring via a novel web application, MealPlot. Feasibility was measured by enrollment attainment, participant retention, online education session completion, and completion of anthropometric and dietary measures. Acceptability was measured by survey using Likert scales of satisfaction for all program components. Anthropometric measurements, 24-h dietary records, and food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) were measures of program efficacy. Additionally, two interviews were collected for program feedback. Results: Enrollment of 16 participants was attained, however due to higher than anticipated dropout (retention 62.5%, N = 10) at 3-months, 62.5% of the education sessions were completed and 75.0% of anthropometric and dietary measures. The average satisfaction rating for the comprehensive program was 4.2/5 with lowest satisfaction being the MealPlot web application 2.7/5 (N = 11). On average a clinically significant (≥5% baseline weight) weight loss of 6.2 ± 6.0% body weight or 5.7 ± 5.3 kg and improvements to protein and fiber intake at 12 months (N = 10) were observed. Conclusions: A novel online weight loss program showed adequate to strong feasibility and acceptability and preliminary results indicating efficacy among a pilot sample of rural residents. Future studies are required to investigate means of improving retention and reducing the burden on program collaborators.

The therapeutic effect of 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-acetyl-rac-glycerol on chemically induced atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease worldwide. However, it is still urgent to develop innovative treatments that can effectively manage refractory patients with unpredictable chronic disease courses. In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-acetyl-rac-glycerol (PLAG) as a novel agent for AD treatment using a human-like mouse model of AD. PLAG significantly improved 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB)-induced AD skin lesions compared to those in mice treated with DNCB alone. PLAG substantially modulated the AD-induced infiltration of monocytes and eosinophils into skin lesions and humoral systemic responses involving immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-13, restoring them to a normal state. Next, we compared the therapeutic efficacy of PLAG and abrocitinib for severe AD treatment. PLAG exhibited a significant therapeutic effect on AD skin lesions compared to abrocitinib. Unlike abrocitinib, PLAG significantly reduced AD-induced eosinophil infiltration to a level similar to that observed in untreated negative controls. Notably, both PLAG and abrocitinib downregulated IgE, IL-4, and IL-13 in a similar pattern, reaching levels similar to those in the untreated negative controls. Our findings strongly suggest that PLAG may serve as a therapeutic agent for AD with an efficacy comparable to that of abrocitinib.

The impact of shortening patient-doctor contact duration on early peritoneal dialysis-related infections.

Early peritoneal dialysis (PD)-related infection is a severe complication. This study investigated the relationship between patient-doctor contact (PDC) duration and early PD-related infection. In the Peritoneal Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (PDOPPS) Korea, incident dialysis patients receiving PD were divided into two groups based on PDC duration (< 15 min versus ≥ 15 min), which was defined as the duration a nephrologist typically spends with a patient receiving PD during each visit according to the facility practice pattern. Early risks of PD-related infections, such as peritonitis and catheter-related infection (onset within 3 and 12 months of PD), were compared to the PDC duration using Cox regression. The study included 276 patients (184 [66.7%] in the shorter PDC group [< 15 min] and 92 [33.3%] in the longer PDC group [≥ 15 min]). The average age did not differ between the groups. The incidences of 3- and 12-month PD-related infections were significantly lower in the longer PDC group than in the shorter PDC group (3 months: 1.1% versus 9.8%, P = 0.007; 12 months: 9.8% versus 23.4%, P = 0.007). Longer PDC was independently associated with a lower risk of PD-related infections at 3 and 12 months (3 months: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.11; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.02-0.85, P = 0.034; 12 months: aHR, 0.43; 95% CI 0.19-0.99, P = 0.048). Overall, a longer PDC duration was associated with a significantly lower risk of early PD-related infection.

Nucleos(t)ide analogs to treat patients with positive hepatitis B virus deoxyribonucleic acid and normal alanine transaminase: protocol for an open-label single-center randomized parallel controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Direct high-quality evidence remains absent on the benefits of HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients (CHB) with normal alanine transaminase (ALT) and positive HBV DNA after nucleos(t)ide analogs (NAs) treatment. METHODS: This is a single-center, open-label, randomized parallel controlled trial with a follow-up duration of 96 weeks. An estimated 300 patients will be recruited at West China Hospital of Sichuan University, China. After stratified by serum HBV DNA (< 2000 vs. ≥ 2000 IU/ml), eligible patients will be randomized (allocation ratio 1:1) to receive either antiviral therapy (the treatment group) or regular examination alone (the control group). The primary outcomes are rates of virological response and changes in the levels of serum HBV pregenomic RNA (pgRNA) and scores of health-related qualities of life. DISCUSSION: This randomized controlled trial focuses on HBeAg-negative patients with normal ALT, including those of the inactive carrier phase and the grey zone, whose antiviral treatment remains controversial. Additionally, a health-related quality of life scale is introduced to comprehensively estimate the benefit of antiviral treatment apart from virological response and adverse liver events. Meaningfully, the study findings will provide high-quality and direct evidence for optimal clinical management in such populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (ChiCTR2300069391) on 15 March 2023.

Novel Roles of Catalysts in Producing High-purity High-pressure Hydrogen from Sodium Borohydride.

Hydrogen has received enormous attention as a clean fuel with its high specific energy (142 MJ/kg). To apply hydrogen as a practically available energy vector, the direct production of high-pressure hydrogen with high purity is pivotal, as it allows for circumventing the mechanical compression process. Recently, the concept of utilizing sodium borohydride (SBH) dehydrogenation as a chemical compressor that can generate high-pressure hydrogen gas was demonstrated by adopting formic acid as an acid catalyst. However, the presence of impurities (e.g., CO, CO2) in the final gas product requires an alternative method to enhance the use of SBH as a chemical compressor. Here, we highlighted the feasibility of producing high-purity, high-pressure hydrogen gas from the SBH dehydrogenation with and without Co-based catalysts. The scrutiny behind the thermodynamics and kinetics of the SBH dehydrogenation was conducted under the elevated pressure condition. As a result, the dual roles of the catalysts as proton collectors and heat sources were revealed, both of which are essential for improving hydrogen production efficiency. We hope that our research stimulates subsequent research that pave the way to exploit hydrogen as an energy vector and achieve a more sustainable future society.

Guaijaverin And Epigallocatechin Gallate Exerts Antiinflammatory And Antiallergenic Effects Through Interleukin-12 Production.

Our aim in the current study was to determine the in vitro and in vivo synergistic antiinflammatory and antiallergic effect associated with the IL-12 production of guaijaverin and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) complex (GEC) and ILS-F-2301 (2:8 extract of Psidium guajava and Camellia sinensis). Compared to EGCG alone, GEC showed synergistic inhibition of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase, and cyclooxygenase-2 by 3.8, 5.1, and 4.1%, respectively. The downregulation of interleukin-12 (IL-12) by 2,4-dinitrophenyl-human serum albumin conjugate/DNP-immunoglobulin E or ovalbumin (OVA) was synergistically increased by GEC by about 7.5% or 5.4% compared to EGCG alone. The level of downregulation of IL-12 in plasma increased by 100 mg/kg with ILS-F-2301 (28.7%) when compared to the OVA/Alu-treated group. Also, GEC synergistically increased by GEC by about 7.5% or 5.4% compared to EGCG alone. The level of down and cyclooxygenase C synergistically inhibited p-Akt, PI3K, mTOR, p-STAT6, and GATA3 by 4.9%, 4.1%, 19.2%, 23.8%, and 35.3%, respectively, while increasing the expressions of p-STAT1 and T-bet (showing 53.3% and 9.4% activation) when compared to EGCG alone. In an allergenic rhinitis mouse model, 100 mg/kg of ILS-F-2301 was shown to inhibit p-Akt, PI3K, mTOR, p-c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), p-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (p-ERK), and p-p38 by 23.3%, 43.8%, 17.2%, 32.2%, 29.1%, and 41.8% when compared to the OVA/Alu-sensitized group. Taken together, our findings suggest that ILS-F-2301 may have potential as a functional food for alleviating antiallergic rhinitis.

Effects of slurry ice treatment on the physicochemical changes and proteome of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea).

Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is susceptible to oxidative denaturation during storage. This work is to investigate the quality alterations by analyzing its physicochemical changes and proteomics throughout preservation under refrigeration, frozen, and slurry ice (SI) conditions. Results revealed that the freshness of large yellow croaker, as evaluated by indicators such as total volatile basic nitrogen, total viable count, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, was well maintained while stored in the SI group. Meanwhile, the water distribution in the muscle tissue of group SI exhibited slower fluctuations, thereby preserving the integrity of fish muscle cells. Based on label-free proteomic analysis, a considerable downregulation was observed in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, indicating that SI decelerated this metabolic pathway and effectively delayed the deterioration of muscle. Therefore, the application of SI provides potential for maintaining the quality stability of large yellow croaker.

Recent advances in catalytic enantioselective construction of monofluoromethyl-substituted stereocenters.

Chiral organofluorine compounds featuring a monofluoromethyl (CH2F)-substituted stereocenter are often encountered in a number of drugs and bioactive molecules. Consequently, the development of catalytic asymmetric methods for the enantioselective construction of CH2F-substituted stereocenters has made great progress over the past two decades, and a variety of enantioselective transformations have been accordingly established. According to the types of fluorinated reagents or substrates employed, these protocols can be divided into the following major categories: (i) enantioselective ring opening of epoxides or azetidinium salts by fluoride anions; (ii) asymmetric monofluoromethylation with 1-fluorobis(phenylsulfonyl)methane; (iii) asymmetric fluorocyclization of functionalized alkenes with Selectfluor; and (iv) asymmetric transformations involving α-CH2F ketones, α-CH2F alkenes, or other CH2F-containing substrates. This feature article aims to summarize these recent advances and discusses the possible reaction mechanisms, advantages and limitations of each protocol and their applications. Synthetic opportunities still open for further development are illustrated as well. This review article will be an inspiration for researchers engaged in asymmetric catalysis, organofluorine chemistry, and medicinal chemistry.

Time to Treat First Acute Attack of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease.

Importance: A proportion of people with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) have a relapsing disease course and persistent anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein immunoglobulin G (MOG-IgG) seropositivity. Few studies have investigated whether treatment of the first MOGAD attack is associated with the long-term disease course and/or MOG-IgG seronegative conversion. Objective: To investigate the association of time to treat the first acute MOGAD attack with relapse risk and MOG-IgG serostatus. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a retrospective, nationwide, multicenter cohort study involving 14 secondary or tertiary hospitals in South Korea between November 2009 and August 2023. People with adult-onset MOGAD, who either had a relapse or were followed up for more than 12 months after disease onset and had a detailed medical record of their first attack, were included. Individuals were excluded for adolescent-onset MOGAD or short disease duration. Exposures: Patients were categorized based on the time to treat the first acute MOGAD attack: early (<5 days), intermediate (5-14 days), and late (not treated within 14 days). Main Outcomes and Measures: A multivariable analysis for clinical and treatment factors associated with relapsing disease course and/or MOG-IgG seronegative conversion. Further subgroup analyses were conducted among those without long-term nonsteroidal immunosuppressant (NSIS) maintenance treatment. Results: Among the 315 individuals screened, 75 were excluded. A total of 240 patients (median [IQR] age at onset, 40.4 [28.8-56.1] years; 125 female [52.1%]) with median (IQR) disease duration of 3.07 (1.95-6.15) years were included. A total of 110 of 240 patients (45.8%) relapsed after a median (IQR) of 0.45 (0.18-1.68) years, and 29 of 116 patients (25.0%) experienced a conversion to seronegative MOG-IgG. Both the time to treatment of the first MOGAD attack (late vs early: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.64; 95% CI, 1.43-4.84; P = .002; intermediate vs early: aHR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.10-3.74; P = .02) and NSIS maintenance treatment (aHR, 0.24; 95% CI, 0.14-0.42; P < .001) were independently associated with the risk of relapse. In a subgroup without NSIS maintenance, the time to treat of the first MOGAD attack was still associated with higher risk of relapse (late vs early: aHR, 3.51; 95% CI, 1.64-7.50; P = .001; intermediate vs early: aHR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.23-5.85; P = .01). Lastly, the time to treat of the first MOGAD attack was also associated with MOG-IgG seronegative conversion (early vs late: adjusted odds ratio, 7.04; 95% CI, 1.58-31.41; P = .01), whereas NSIS maintenance treatment was not. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this cohort study suggest that early treatment of the first acute MOGAD attack was associated with a reduction in the proportion of relapsing disease course and an increase in the likelihood of MOG-IgG seronegative conversion. These data suggest that timing of acute phase treatment for the first MOGAD attack can be associated with the long-term prognosis and autoimmune status of patients.

Correlation between anesthetic concentration and low Apgar scores in neonates born via Cesarean sections under general anesthesia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare plasma concentrations of anesthetic drugs administered during Cesarean section with low Apgar score in neonates deliveried under general anesthesia and analyze associated risk factors. METHODS: Data from 76 neonates undergoing Cesarean section under general anesthesia with blood concentrations of anesthetic drugs were analyzed. A low Apgar score was defined as ≤ 7. Perioperative maternal and neonatal data were collected and analyzed. Neonates were divided into a control group (Group CON, n = 65) and a low Apgar score group (Group LAS, n = 11) based on Apgar score. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the plasma concentrations of anesthetic drugs in maternal artery, umbilical vein or umbilical artery blood between the two groups. Risk factors for neonatal low Apgar scores during Cesarean section under general anesthesia were premature delivery (aOR 10.2, 95% CI = 1.8-56.9) and preoperative fetal distress (aOR 9.6, 95% CI = 1.3-69.0). The prediction model was: probability = 1/(e­Y), Y= -4.607 + 2.318× (premature delivery) + 2.261× (fetal distress) (yes = 1, no = 0). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed χ²= 9.587, P = 0.213, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.850 (0.670 ~ 1.000). With a cutoff value of 0.695, sensitivity and specificity were 81.8% and 87.7%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation between blood concentration of general anesthetic drugs and Apgar score or occurrence of neonatal low Apgar scores. Premature delivery and preoperative fetal distress were identified as independent risk factors for neonatal low Apgar scores after Cesarean section under general anesthesia.

Autophagy in benign prostatic hyperplasia: insights and therapeutic potential.

Autophagy is a cellular homeostatic mechanism characterized by cyclic degradation. It plays an essential role in maintaining cellular quality and survival by eliminating dysfunctional cellular components. This process is pivotal in various pathophysiological processes. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common urological disorder in middle-aged and elderly men. It frequently presents as lower urinary tract symptoms due to an increase in epithelial and stromal cells surrounding the prostatic urethra. The precise pathogenesis of BPH is complex. In recent years, research on autophagy in BPH has gained significant momentum, with accumulating evidence indicating its crucial role in the onset and progression of the disease. This review aims to outline the various roles of autophagy in BPH and elucidate potential therapeutic strategies targeting autophagy for managing BPH.

Synergistic augmentation and fundamental mechanistic exploration of ß-Ga2O3-rGO photocatalyst for efficient CO2 reduction.

We explore the novel photodecomposition capabilities of ß-Ga2O3 when augmented with reduced graphene oxide (rGO). Employing real-time spectroscopy, this study unveils the sophisticated mechanisms of photodecomposition, identifying an optimal 1 wt% ß-Ga2O3-rGO ratio that substantially elevates the degradation efficiency of Methylene Blue (MB). Our findings illuminate a direct relationship between the photocatalyst's composition and its performance, with the quantity of rGO synthesis notably influencing the catalyst's morphology and consequently, its photodegradation potency. The 1 wt% ß-Ga2O3-rGO composition stands out in its class, showing a notable 4.7-fold increase in CO production over pristine ß-Ga2O3 and achieving CO selectivity above 98%. This remarkable performance is a testament to the significant improvements rendered by our novel rGO integration technique. Such promising results highlight the potential of our custom-designed ß-Ga2O3-rGO photocatalyst for critical environmental applications, representing a substantial leap forward in photocatalytic technology.