Quality of life and its association with predictors in lung transplant recipients: a latent profile analysis.

Backgrounds: Improving quality of life (QOL) is one of the main aims of lung transplantation (LTx). There is a need to identify those who have poor quality of life early. However, research addressing inter individual quality of life variability among them is lacking. This study aims to identify group patterns in quality of life among lung transplant recipients and examine the predictors associated with quality of life subgroups. Methods: In total, 173 lung transplant recipients were recruited from one hospital in Guangdong Province between September 2022 and August 2023. They were assessed using the Lung Transplant Quality of Life scale (LT-QOL), Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS), Life Orientation Test-Revised scale (LOT-R), and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Latent profile analysis was used to identify QOL subtypes, and logistic regression analysis was used to examine the associations between latent profiles and sociodemographic and psychosocial characteristics. Results: Two distinct QOL profiles were identified: "low HRQOL" profile [N = 53 (30.94%)] and "high HRQOL" profile [N = 120 (69.06%)]. Single lung transplant recipients, and patients who reported post-transplant infection, high levels of negative emotion or low levels of mindfulness and optimism were significantly correlated with the low QOL subgroup. Conclusion: Using the domains of the LT-QOL scale, two profiles were identified among the lung transplant recipients. Our findings highlighted that targeted intervention should be developed based on the characteristics of each latent class, and timely attention must be paid to patients who have undergone single lung transplantation, have had a hospital readmission due to infection, exhibit low levels of optimism, low levels of mindfulness or high negative emotions.

Lithium Exposure and Risk of Major Neurocognitive Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Published studies on the association between lithium use and the decreased risk of major neurocognitive disorders (MNCDs) have shown disparities in their conclusions. We aimed to provide updated evidence of this association. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library from inception until August 31, 2023. All the observational studies evaluating the association between lithium use and MNCD risk were eligible for inclusion. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% prediction intervals were computed using random-effects models. RESULTS: Eight studies with 377,060 subjects were included in the analysis. In the general population on the association between lithium use versus nonuse and dementia, the OR was 0.94 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.77-1.24). Further analysis also demonstrated that lithium use was not associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.31-1.65). When the analysis was restricted to individuals with bipolar disorder to reduce the confounding by clinical indication, lithium exposure was also not associated with a decreased risk of MNCD (OR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.71-1.15). CONCLUSION: The results of this systematic review and meta-analysis do not support a significant association between lithium use and the risk of MNCD.

Optimizing ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI scan duration in the differentiation of benign and malignant breast lesions.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal scan duration for ultrafast DCE-MRI in effectively differentiating benign from malignant breast lesions. METHODS: The study prospectively recruited participants who underwent breast ultrafast DCE-MRI from September 2021 to March 2023. A 30-phase breast ultrafast DCE-MRI on a 3.0-T MRI system was conducted with a 4.5-s temporal resolution. Scan durations ranged from 40.5 s to 135.0 s, during which the analysis is performed at three-phase intervals, forming eight dynamic sets (scan duration [SD]40.5s: 40.5 s, SD54s: 54.0 s, SD67.5s: 67.5 s, SD81s: 81.0 s, SD94.5s: 94.5 s, SD108s: 108.0 s, SD121.5s: 121.5 s, and SD135s: 135.0 s). Two ultrafast DCE-MRI parameters, maximum slope (MS) and initial area under the curve in 60 s (iAUC), were calculated for each dynamic set and compared between benign and malignant lesions. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) were used to assess their diagnostic performance. RESULTS: A total of 140 women (mean age, 47 ± 11 years) with 151 lesions were included. MS and iAUC from eight dynamic sets exhibited significant differences between benign and malignant lesions (all p < 0.05), except iAUC at SD40.5s. The AUC of MS (AUC = 0.804) and iAUC (AUC = 0.659) at SD67.5s were significantly higher than their values at SD40.5s (AUC = 0.606 and 0.516; corrected p < 0.05). No significant differences in AUCs for MS and iAUC were observed from SD67.5s to SD135s (all corrected p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrafast DCE-MRI with a 67.5-s scan duration appears optimal for effectively differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions. CRITICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: By evaluating scan durations (40.5-135 s) and analyzing two ultrafast DCE-MRI parameters, we found a scan duration of 67.5 s optimal for discriminating between these lesions and offering a balance between acquisition time and diagnostic efficacy. KEY POINTS: Ultrafast DCE-MRI can effectively differentiate malignant from benign breast lesions. A minimum of 67.5-sec ultrafast DCE-MRI scan duration is required to differentiate benign and malignant lesions. Extending the scan duration beyond 67.5 s did not significantly improve diagnostic accuracy.

Clinical and histopathological factors for recurrence and metastasis in lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma in Chinese patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the association of metabolism-related proteins and clinicopathological features with poor prognosis in lacrimal gland adenoid cystic carcinoma (LGACC). METHODS: Clinicopathological data for 39 Chinese patients with LGACC enrolled were retrospectively analysed. Disease progression included death, recurrence, further nodal metastasis, and distant metastasis. Expression of ASCT2 and GLS1 were evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards regression models were used for risk factor analyses. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, 14 patients (35.9%) developed local recurrence, 13 patients (33.3%) developed distant metastasis, 3 patients (7.7%) developed lymph node metastasis, and 9 patients (23.1%) died. Among the 13 patients who developed distant metastasis, lung metastasis was observed in 8 patients (61.5%), the brain in 8 patients (61.5%), and bone in 1 patient (7.7%). ASCT2 was expressed in 16 (57.14%) cases, while GLS1 had high expression in 19 (67.9%) cases. Advanced T category (≥T3), bone erosion, basaloid subtype, and ASCT2 (-) were associated with disease progression. Basaloid subtype was an independent risk factor for local recurrence (P = 0.028; HR, 12.12; 95% CI, 1.3-111.5). ASCT2(-) was an independent risk factor for distant metastasis (P = 0.016; HR, 14.46; 95% CI, 1.6-127.5) and was associated with basaloid subtype (P = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: For LGACC, ≥T3 category, basaloid subtype, and bone erosion were high-risk predictors. ASCT2(-) was an independent risk factor for distant metastasis, which suggested that it could be a potential biomarker for LGACC.

Systemic investigation of di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) exposure in the risk of cardiovascular via influencing the gut microbiota arachidonic acid metabolism in obese mice model.

Phthalate esters (PE), a significant class of organic compounds used in industry, can contaminate humans and animals by entering water and food chains. Recent studies demonstrate the influence of PE on the development and progression of heart diseases, particularly in obese people. Di-isobutyl phthalate (DIBP) was administered orally to normal and diet-induced obese mice in this research to assess cardiovascular risk. The modifications in the microbial composition and metabolites were examined using RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry analysis. Based on the findings, lean group rodents were less susceptible to DIBP exposure than fat mice because of their cardiovascular systems. Histopathology examinations of mice fed a high-fat diet revealed lesions and plagues that suggested a cardiovascular risk. In the chronic DIBP microbial remodeling metagenomics Faecalibaculum rodentium was the predominant genera in obese mice. According to metabolomics data, arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism changes caused by DIBP were linked to unfavorable cardiovascular events. Our research offers new understandings of the cardiovascular damage caused by DIBP exposure in obese people and raises the possibility that arachidonic acid metabolism could be used as a regulator of the gut microbiota to avert related diseases.

Home care needs assessment among caregivers of children and adolescents with osteogenesis imperfecta: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Children and adolescents with complex medical issues need home care services; however, few studies have provided insight into the unmet home care needs of the families of patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI). In this study, we aimed to assess the home care needs of caregivers of children and adolescents with OI and the associated factors. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire was administered online to 142 caregivers of patients with OI aged 3-17 years between May and October 2022 from 25 provinces in China. The questionnaire comprised 15 questions on demographic variables and 14 questions on home care needs. Chi-square analysis was used to compare group differences for categorical variables. Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine predictors of caregivers' home care needs. RESULTS: The study findings indicated that 81.5% of caregivers had high home care needs. The three leading types of home care needs were helping the child carry out physical fitness recovery exercises at home (72.5%), understanding precautions regarding treatment drugs (72.5%), and relieving the child's pain (70.4%). OI patients' poor self-care ability (adjusted odds ratio = 5.9, 95% confidence interval = 1.8-19.0) was related to caregivers' high level of home care needs. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that future scientific research and nursing guidance should focus on OI patients' physical training, medication management, pain relief, fracture prevention, and treatment. In addition, caregivers of patients with poor self-care ability should receive special attention in the development of interventions. This study can help with addressing the unmet home care needs of caregivers of children and adolescents with OI. It is vital to develop a personalized intervention plan based on patients' self-care ability.

All-solid highly sensitive fiber-tip magnetic field sensor based on a Fabry-Perot interferometer with a breakpoint structure.

An all-solid fiber-tip Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) coated with a nickel film is proposed and experimentally verified for magnetic field sensing with high sensitivity. It is fabricated by splicing a segment of a thin-wall capillary tube to a standard single-mode fiber (SMF), then inserting a tiny segment of fiber with a smaller diameter into the capillary tube, and creating an ultra-narrow air-gap at the SMF end to form an FPI. When the device is exposed to magnetic field, the capillary tube is strained due to the magnetostrictive effect of the nickel film coated on its outer surface. In addition, owing to the unique breakpoint sensitivity-enhancement structure of the air-gap FPI, the elongation of the capillary tube whose length is over 100 times longer than the air-gap width is entirely transferred to the cavity length change of the FPI, and the sensor is extremely sensitive to the magnetic field as proved by our experiments, achieving a high sensitivity of up to 2.236 nm/mT for a linear magnetic field range from 40 to 60 mT, as well as a low-temperature cross-sensitivity of 56 µT/°C. The all-solid stable structure, compact size (total length of ∼3.0 mm), and reflective working mode with high magnetic field sensitivity indicate that this sensor has good application prospects.

Metformin Mitigates Adipogenesis of Fibro-adipogenic Progenitors After Rotator Cuff Tears Via Activating mTOR/ULK1 Mediated Autophagy.

Muscular fatty infiltration is a common issue after rotator cuff tears (RCT) which impairs shoulder function. Females suffer higher prevalence and more severe degree of muscular fatty infiltration after RCT when compared to males, with the underlying mechanisms remaining unclear. Fibro/adipogenic progenitors (FAPs) are the primary source of muscular fatty infiltration following RCT. Our findings disclose that gender-specific disparities in muscular fatty infiltration are linked to mTOR/ULK1-mediated autophagy of FAPs. Decreased autophagic activity contributes to adipogenic differentiation in female FAPs after RCT. Furthermore, metformin could enhance mTOR/ULK1 mediated autophagic processes of FAPs, thereby alleviating fatty infiltration and improving shoulder functionality after RCT. Together, our study reveals that gender differences in muscular fatty infiltration arise from distinct autophagic activities. Metformin could be a promising non-invasive intervention to ameliorate muscular fatty infiltration of RCT.

Self-healing hydrogel based on poly (vinyl alcohol)-poly (lysine)-gum arabic accelerates diabetic wound healing under photothermal sterilization.

Diabetic wounds are a significant clinical challenge. Developing effective antibacterial dressings is crucial for preventing wound ulcers caused by bacterial infections. In this study, a self-healing antibacterial hydrogel (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-polylysine-gum arabic, PLG hydrogels) with near-infrared photothermal response was prepared by linking PVA and a novel polysaccharide-amino acid compound (PG) through borate bonding combined with freeze-thaw cycling. Subsequently, the hydrogel was modified by incorporating inorganic nanoparticles (modified graphene oxide (GM)). The experimental results showed that the PLGM3 hydrogels (PLG@GM hydrogels, 3.0 wt%) could effectively kill bacteria and promote diabetic wound tissue healing under 808-nm near-infrared laser irradiation. Therefore, this hydrogel system provides a new idea for developing novel dressings for treating diabetic wounds.

[Analysis of genetic etiology in a patient with 1p36 deletion syndrome in conjunct with Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a patient with unexplained developmental delay and special facial features. METHODS: A male patient admitted to the Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Gansu Province on May 27, 2021 due to infertility was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the patient was collected, and genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples from the patient and his parents. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was carried out, and candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: The patient was found to harbor a 2.54 Mb deletion in 1p36.33p36.32 and a heterozygous c.1123G>C (p.E375Q) variant of the CHD3 gene, neither of which was detected in his parents. CONCLUSION: The patient was diagnosed with Snijders Blok-Campeau syndrome in conjunct with 1p36 deletion syndrome, which has enabled genetic counseling for his family.

Adding quantitative T1rho-weighted imaging to conventional MRI improves specificity and sensitivity for differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the feasibility of T1rho-weighted imaging in differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions and to explore the additional value of T1rho to conventional MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively enrolled consecutive women with breast lesions who underwent preoperative T1rho-weighted imaging, diffusion-weighted imaging, and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) between November 2021 and July 2023. The T1rho, apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and semi-quantitative parameters from DCE-MRI were obtained and compared between benign and malignant groups. The diagnostic performance was analyzed and compared using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the Delong Test. RESULTS: This study included 113 patients (74 malignant and 39 benign lesions). The mean T1rho value in the benign group (92.61 ± 22.10 ms) was significantly higher than that in the malignant group (72.18 ± 16.37 ms) (P < 0.001). The ADC value and time to peak (TTP) value in the malignant group (1.13 ± 0.45 and 269.06 ± 106.01, respectively) were lower than those in the benign group (1.57 ± 0.45 and 388.30 ± 81.13, respectively) (all P < 0.001). T1rho combined with ADC and TTP showed good diagnostic performance with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.896, a sensitivity of 81.0%, and a specificity of 87.1%. The specificity and sensitivity of the combination of T1rho, ADC, and TTP were significantly higher than those of the combination of ADC and TTP (87.1% vs. 84.6%, P < 0.005; 81.0% vs. 77.0%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: T1rho-weighted imaging was a feasible MRI sequence for differentiating malignant from benign breast lesions. The combination of T1rho, ADC and TTP could achieve a favorable diagnostic performance with improved specificity and sensitivity, T1rho could serve as a supplementary approach to conventional MRI.

Ferroptotic alveolar epithelial type II cells drive TH2 and TH17 mixed asthma triggered by birch pollen allergen Bet v 1.

Asthma is a common allergic disease characterized by airway hypersensitivity and airway remodeling. Ferroptosis is a regulated death marked by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Several environmental pollutants and allergens have been shown to cause ferroptosis in epithelial cells, but the relationship between birch pollinosis and ferroptosis in asthma is poorly defined. Here, for the first time, we have identified ferroptosis of type II alveolar epithelial cells in mice with Bet v 1-induced asthma. Further analysis revealed that treatment with ferrostatin-1 reduced TH2/TH17-related inflammation and alleviated epithelial damage in mice with Bet v 1-induced asthma. In addition, ACSL4-knocked-down A549 cells are more resistant to Bet v 1-induced ferroptosis. Analysis of clinical samples verified higher serum MDA and 4-HNE concentrations compared to healthy individuals. We demonstrate that birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 induces ferroptosis underlaid TH2 and TH17 hybrid asthma. Lipid peroxidation levels can be considered as a biomarker of asthma severity, and treatment with a specific ferroptosis inhibitor could be a novel therapeutic strategy.

GLUT1 mediates the release of HMGB1 from airway epithelial cells in mixed granulocytic asthma.

Asthma is quite heterogenous and can be categorized as eosinophilic, mixed granulocytic (presence of both eosinophils and neutrophils in the airways) and neutrophilic. Clinically, mixed granulocytic asthma (MGA) often tends to be severe and requires large doses of corticosteroids. High mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) is one of the epithelium-derived alarmins that contributes to type 2 inflammation and asthma. This study was aimed to investigate the role of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) in modulation of airway epithelial HMGB1 production in MGA. Induced sputum and bronchial biopsy specimens were obtained from healthy subjects and asthma patients. BALB/c mice, the airway epithelial cell line BEAS-2B, or primary human bronchial epithelial cells (HBECs) were immunized with allergens. Intracellular and extracellular HMGB1 were both detected. The role of GLUT1 was assessed by using a pharmacological antagonist BAY876. MGA patients have a significant higher sputum HMGB1 level than the health and subjects with other inflammatory phenotypes. Nuclear-to-cytoplasmic translocation of HMGB1 was also observed in the bronchial epithelia. Allergen exposure markedly induced GLUT1 expression in murine lungs and cultured epithelial cells. Pharmacological antagonism of GLUT1 with BAY876 dramatically decreased airway hyperresponsiveness, neutrophil and eosinophil accumulation, as well as type 2 inflammation in murine models of MGA. Besides, the allergen-induced up-regulation of HMGB1 was also partly recovered by BAY876, accompanied by inhibited secretion into the airway lumen. In vitro, treatment with BAY876 relieved the allergen-induced over-expression and secretion of HMGB1 in airway epithelia. Taken together, our data indicated that GLUT1 mediates bronchial epithelial HMGB1 release in MGA.

Multiparametric MRI model to predict molecular subtypes of breast cancer using Shapley additive explanations interpretability analysis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the predictive performance of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for molecular subtypes and interpret features using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with breast cancer who underwent pre-treatment MRI (including ultrafast dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy, diffusion kurtosis imaging and intravoxel incoherent motion) were recruited between February 2019 and January 2022. Thirteen semantic and thirteen multiparametric features were collected and the key features were selected to develop machine-learning models for predicting molecular subtypes of breast cancers (luminal A, luminal B, triple-negative and HER2-enriched) by using stepwise logistic regression. Semantic model and multiparametric model were built and compared based on five machine-learning classifiers. Model decision-making was interpreted using SHAP analysis. RESULTS: A total of 188 women (mean age, 53 ± 11 [standard deviation] years; age range: 25-75 years) were enrolled and further divided into training cohort (131 women) and validation cohort (57 women). XGBoost demonstrated good predictive performance among five machine-learning classifiers. Within the validation cohort, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) for the semantic models ranged from 0.693 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.478-0.839) for HER2-enriched subtype to 0.764 (95% CI: 0.681-0.908) for luminal A subtype, inferior to multiparametric models that yielded AUCs ranging from 0.771 (95% CI: 0.630-0.888) for HER2-enriched subtype to 0.857 (95% CI: 0.717-0.957) for triple-negative subtype. The AUCs between the semantic and the multiparametric models did not show significant differences (P range: 0.217-0.640). SHAP analysis revealed that lower iAUC, higher kurtosis, lower D*, and lower kurtosis were distinctive features for luminal A, luminal B, triple-negative breast cancer, and HER2-enriched subtypes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Multiparametric MRI is superior to semantic models to effectively predict the molecular subtypes of breast cancer.

Superior component compositions and antioxidant activity of Volvariella volvacea oil compared to those of Agrocybe cylindracea and two Lentinula edodes oils.

The biological activity of an oil not only depends on its fatty acid composition but also the lipid composition and trace components. In this paper, to select the optimal mushroom oil, the component compositions (fatty acids, lipids, polyphenols, flavones, tocopherols, and unsaponifiable matters) and antioxidant activities in vitro of four mushroom oils (Agrocybe cylindracea, two Lentinula edodes, and Volvariella volvacea) were investigated and compared. The results showed that the four tested oils had the same fatty acid composition in different amounts, but the lipid component, minor components, and free radical scavenging activity in the tested oils varied widely depending on the type of mushroom. Overall, Volvariella volvacea oil was considered superior to the other three tested oils, as it had the largest contents of polar lipids, diglycerides, polyunsaturated fatty acids (74.38%), unsaponifiable matter (319.09 mg/kg), total phenols (124.08 mg/100 g), tocopherols (139.86 mg/100 g), as well as the highest ABTS and FRAP values (349.45 and 3801.70 µmol Trolox/100 g). This finding suggests that Volvariella volvacea oil is a promising resource that should be further researched.

A novel avian intestinal epithelial cell line: its characterization and exploration as an in vitro infection culture model for Eimeria species.

BACKGROUND: The gastrointestinal epithelium plays an important role in directing recognition by the immune system, and epithelial cells provide the host's front line of defense against microorganisms. However, it is difficult to cultivate avian intestinal epithelial cells in vitro for lengthy periods, and the lack of available cell lines limits the research on avian intestinal diseases and nutritional regulation. Chicken coccidiosis is a serious intestinal disease that causes significant economic losses in the poultry industry. In vitro, some cell line models are beneficial for the development of Eimeria species; however, only partial reproduction can be achieved. Therefore, we sought to develop a new model with both the natural host and epithelial cell phenotypes. METHODS: In this study, we use the SV40 large T antigen (SV40T) gene to generate an immortalized cell line. Single-cell screening technology was used to sort positive cell clusters with epithelial characteristics for passage. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification, immunofluorescence detection, and bulk RNA sequencing analysis and validation were used to check the expression of epithelial cell markers and characterize the avian intestinal epithelial cell line (AIEC). AIECs were infected with sporozoites, and their ability to support the in vitro endogenous development of Eimeria tenella was assessed. RESULTS: This novel AIEC consistently expressed intestinal epithelial markers. Transcriptome assays revealed the upregulation of genes associated with proliferation and downregulation of genes associated with apoptosis. We sought to compare E. tenella infection between an existing fibroblast cell line (DF-1) and several passages of AIEC and found that the invasion efficiency was significantly increased relative to that of chicken fibroblast cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: An AIEC will serve as a better in vitro research model, especially in the study of Eimeria species development and the mechanisms of parasite-host interactions. Using AIEC helps us understand the involvement of intestinal epithelial cells in the digestive tract and the immune defense of the chickens, which will contribute to the epithelial innate defense against microbial infection in the gastrointestinal tract.

A hydrogel optical fibre sensor for rapid on-site ethanol determination.

Ethanol plays a critical role in the modern chemical industry, food production, and medical research. Given its wide applications, the detection of ethanol concentration is very necessary. In this paper, a fibre device for rapid ethanol detection is proposed. The sensing head was fabricated with multimode fibre. The hydrogel was photo-cured on the fibre tip from polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA). In the hydrogel, rhodamine 6G (R6G) was immobilized as the fluorescent indicator. The sensor was designed based on the swelling behaviour of the hydrogel in liquid. The transparency of the hydrogel was modulated by the component of the water-ethanol mixture, thus, the fluorescence intensity of R6G was monitored for the determination of ethanol. Within the range of 0-62.2 vol%, the detection limit (LOD) was 0.4 vol%. A detailed comparison with other detection methods showed that the proposed sensor has the advantages of being single-ended, low LOD, cost-effective, and easy to prepare. It has great potential for on-site ethanol detection applications.

Coregulation of Li/Li+ Spatial Distribution by Electric Field Gradient with Homogenized Li-Ion Flux for Dendrite-Free Li Metal Anodes.

Lithium (Li) metal batteries are highly sought after for their exceptional energy density. However, their practical implementation is impeded by the formation of dendrites and significant volume fluctuations in Li, which stem from the uneven distribution of Li-ions and uncontrolled deposition of Li on the current collector. Here, an amino-functionalized reduced graphene oxide covered with polyacrylonitrile (PrGN) film with an electric field gradient structure is prepared to deal with such difficulties. This novel current collector serves to stabilize Li-metal anodes by regulating Li-ion flux through vertically aligned channels formed by porous polyacrylonitrile (PAN). Moreover, the amino-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (rGN) acts as a three-dimensional (3D) host, reducing nucleation overpotential and accommodating volume expansion during cycling. The combination of the insulating PAN and conducting rGN creates an electric field gradient that promotes a bottom-up mode of Li electrodeposition and safeguards the anode from interfacial parasitic reactions. Consequently, the electrodes exhibit exceptional cycle life with stable voltage profiles and minimal hysteresis under high current densities and large areal capacities.

Efficacy and safety of intratonsillar immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: A lower adherence rate existed in patients receiving allergen-specific immunotherapy due to its lengthy period and adverse effects even though it is the only curative treatment for IgE-mediated allergies. Therefore, exploring innovative allergen-specific immunotherapy routes is necessary. OBJECTIVE: To explore the efficacy and safety of the intratonsillar injection of house dust mite (HDM) extract in patients with HDM-induced allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODS: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 80 patients with HDM-induced AR were randomized to receive 6 intratonsillar injections with HDM extract or placebo in 3 months. The total nasal symptom score (TNSS), visual analogue scale of nasal symptoms, combined symptom and medication score, mini rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire, and serum allergen-specific IgG4 to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus were all monitored at baseline and 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the treatment was finished. The intent-to-treat and per-protocol set (PPS) are both analyzed. RESULTS: The primary end points TNSS and ΔTNSS were improved significantly at 3 months after the patients with AR finished a 3-month 6-injection intratonsillar immunotherapy compared with those in the placebo treatment in both intent-to-treat and PPS. Results of visual analogue scale, combined symptom and medication score, and mini rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire were also improved significantly at 3 months after the treatment in PPS. However, the improvement effect of intratonsillar immunotherapy at 6 and 12 months was limited and uncertain based on the data. The increase of serum Der p IgG4 in the active group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group at 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatment was finished. Adverse events were monitored, and no systemic adverse reactions were observed. CONCLUSION: The clinical trial revealed that intratonsillar injection with HDM extract was safe and effective in patients with AR. Optimizing the protocol and allergen formulations is expected to increase and maintain the efficacy of this novel approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.html, identifier: ChiCTR-TRC-13003600.

Comparing extracellular volume fraction with apparent diffusion coefficient for the characterization of breast tumors.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility of dual-energy CT (DECT)-derived extracellular volume (ECV) fraction for characterization of breast tumors, compared to apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and validated against histopathological findings. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The ECV fraction and ADC were prospectively assessed in patients with breast tumors using chest DECT and breast MRI. The diagnostic performance of ECV fraction and ADC was accessed in predicting breast histopathological subtypes and pathological complete response (pCR) status. Histopathological sections were analyzed by digital image analysis. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to correlate between DECT and histopathological ECV fractions. RESULTS: This study included 271 patients, with 314 breast lesions (61 benign and 253 malignant). The ECV fraction and ADC showed comparable area under the curve (AUC) for distinguishing benign from malignant lesions (p = 0.123) and invasive carcinoma from ductal carcinoma in situ (p = 0.115). There were significant differences in ECV fraction between different hormone receptors and Ki67 states (p = 0.001 âˆ¼ 0.014), while ADC values only differed among various Ki67 states (p < 0.001). The ECV fraction was lower (p = 0.007), ADC was higher (p = 0.013) in pCR than in non-pCR group, with an AUC of 0.748 and 0.730 (p = 0.887), respectively. There was a positive correlation between DECT and histopathological ECV fractions (r = 0.615, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Routine chest DECT-derived ECV fraction is a viable quantitative imaging biomarker for predicting histopathological subtypes and pCR in patient with breast tumors, and correlated well with histopathology finding.