Post-modification of covalent organic framework functionalized aminated carbon nanotubes with active site (Fe) for the sensitive detection of luteolin.

In this research, the TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs was innovatively prepared through a post-modification synthetic process functionalized TT-COF@NH2-CNTs with active site (Fe), where TT-COF@NH2-CNTs was prepared via a one-pot strategy using 5,10,15,20-tetrakis (para-aminophenyl) porphyrin (TTAP), 2,3,6,7-tetra (4-formylphenyl) tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and aminated carbon nanotubes (NH2-CNTs) as raw materials. The complex TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs material possessed porous structures, outstanding conductivity and rich catalytic sites. Thus, it can be adopted to construct electrochemical sensor with glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs/GCE can selectively detect luteolin (Lu) with a wide linear plot ranging from 0.005 to 3 µM and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 1.45 nM (S/N = 3). The Lu residues in carrot samples were determined using TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs sensor and UV-visible (UV-Vis) approach. This TT-COF(Fe)@NH2-CNTs/GCE sensor paves the way for the quantification of Lu through a cost-efficient and sensitive electrochemical approach, which can make a significant step in the sensing field based on crystalline COFs.

Relative humidity-dependent evolution of molecular composition of α-pinene secondary organic aerosol upon heterogeneous oxidation by hydroxyl radicals.

Heterogeneous oxidation by gas-phase oxidants is an important chemical transformation pathway of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) and plays an important role in controlling the abundance, properties, as well as climate and health impacts of aerosols. However, our knowledge on this heterogeneous chemistry remains inadequate. In this study, the heterogeneous oxidation of α-pinene ozonolysis SOA by hydroxyl (OH) radicals was investigated under both low and high relative humidity (RH) conditions, with an emphasis on the evolution of molecular composition of SOA and its RH dependence. It is found that the heterogeneous oxidation of SOA at an OH exposure level equivalent to 12 hr of atmospheric aging leads to particle mass loss of 60% at 25% RH and 95% at 90% RH. The heterogeneous oxidation strongly changes the molecular composition of SOA. The dimer-to-monomer signal ratios increase dramatically with rising OH exposure, in particular under high RH conditions, suggesting that aerosol water stimulates the reaction of monomers with OH radicals more than that of dimers. In addition, the typical SOA tracer compounds such as pinic acid, pinonic acid, hydroxy pinonic acid and dimer esters (e.g., C17H26O8 and C19H28O7) have lifetimes of several hours against heterogeneous OH oxidation under typical atmospheric conditions, which highlights the need for the consideration of their heterogeneous loss in the estimation of monoterpene SOA concentrations using tracer-based methods. Our study sheds lights on the heterogeneous oxidation chemistry of monoterpene SOA and would help to understand their evolution and impacts in the atmosphere.

The role of sulfur cycle in new particle formation: Cycloaddition reaction of SO3 to H2S.

The chemistry of sulfur cycle contributes significantly to the atmospheric nucleation process, which is the first step of new particle formation (NPF). In the present study, cycloaddition reaction mechanism of sulfur trioxide (SO3) to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) which is a typical air pollutant and toxic gas detrimental to the environment were comprehensively investigate through theoretical calculations and Atmospheric Cluster Dynamic Code simulations. Gas-phase stability and nucleation potential of the product thiosulfuric acid (H2S2O3, TSA) were further analyzed to evaluate its atmospheric impact. Without any catalysts, the H2S + SO3 reaction is infeasible with a barrier of 24.2 kcal/mol. Atmospheric nucleation precursors formic acid (FA), sulfuric acid (SA), and water (H2O) could effectively lower the reaction barriers as catalysts, even to a barrierless reaction with the efficiency of cis-SA > trans-FA > trans-SA > H2O. Subsequently, the gas-phase stability of TSA was investigated. A hydrolysis reaction barrier of up to 61.4 kcal/mol alone with an endothermic isomerization reaction barrier of 5.1 kcal/mol under the catalytic effect of SA demonstrates the sufficient stability of TSA. Furthermore, topological and kinetic analysis were conducted to determine the nucleation potential of TSA. Atmospheric clusters formed by TSA and atmospheric nucleation precursors (SA, ammonia NH3, and dimethylamine DMA) were thermodynamically stable. Moreover, the gradually decreasing evaporation coefficients for TSA-base clusters, particularly for TSA-DMA, suggests that TSA may participate in NPF where the concentration of base molecules are relatively higher. The present new reaction mechanism may contributes to a better understanding of atmospheric sulfur cycle and NPF.

Enhancement of peroxymonosulfate activation with nickel foam-supported CuCo2O4 for tetracycline degradation: Performance and mechanism insights.

The modulation of bimetallic oxide structures and development of efficient, easily recoverable catalysts are expected to effectively overcome the limitations associated with powdered catalysts in activating peroxymonosulfate (PMS). In this study, CuCo2O4 was successfully immobilized on the surface of nickel foam (NF) via an electrodeposition-calcination procedure, with highly efficient activation of PMS for tetracycline (TC) degradation (0.55 min-1). Besides acting as a support carrier and providing ample active sites, NF mediated electron transport, prevented the leaching of metal ions and enhanced the efficiency of recycling. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations and experimental tests illustrated that Cu/Co dual-sites can efficiently adsorb PMS, enabling simultaneous reduction and oxidation reactions. The dual-site synergy substantially decreased the adsorption barrier and increased the electron transfer rate. Especially, the Cu+/Cu2+ redox couple acted as an electron donor and facilitated rapid charge transfer, leading to the conversion of Co3+ to Co2+. Moreover, the CuCo2O4@NF + PMS system effectively eliminated TC by employing radical pathways (SO4•-, •OH) and nonradical processes (1O2, e-). Therefore, this study introduces a new approach to overcome the limitations of powdered bimetallic oxides, providing a promising solution for practical applications.

Qingqianliutianosides A-E: five new sweet dammarane triterpenoid glycosides derived from the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus - identification, characterization and interactions with T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptors.

BACKGROUND: Cyclocarya paliurus, as a new food resource, is utilized extensively in human and animal diets due to its bioactive compounds, health benefits, and its highly prized sweet flavor. This study aimed to investigate the sweet-taste ingredient of C. paliurus leaves. RESULTS: Five new dammarane triterpenoid glycosides were isolated and identified as qingqianliutianosides A-E (1-5) by comprehensive spectroscopic data analysis and a single crystal X-ray diffraction experiment. Qingqianliutianoside A (1) and qingqianliutianoside C (3), present in relatively high quantities in the plant, were shown to exhibit sweetness by sensory evaluation and electronic tongue analysis. Further monitoring was conducted on the content changes in 3 in leaves at different growth stages, indicating that 3 reached its peak content in April and then showed a decreasing trend. Molecular docking studies revealed that T1R2/T1R3 receptors Ser212, Ser105, Thr239, Asn380, Thr305, and Val381 may play critical roles, demonstrating that hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions were the dominant interaction forces between all of the identified compounds and the active sites in the Venus flytrap module of the T1R2/T1R3 receptors. CONCLUSION: Qingqianliutianosides A-E are promising natural source sugar substitutes for use in functional foods and beverages. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Kindlin-2 regulates the oncogenic activities of integrins and TGF-ß in triple-negative breast cancer progression and metastasis.

Kindlin-2, an adapter protein, is dysregulated in various human cancers, including triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), where it drives tumor progression and metastasis by influencing several cancer hallmarks. One well-established role of Kindlin-2 involves the regulation of integrin signaling, achieved by directly binding to the cytoplasmic tail of the integrin ß subunit. In this study, we present novel insights into Kindlin-2's involvement in stabilizing the ß1-Integrin:TGF-ß type 1 receptor (TßRI) complexes, acting as a physical bridge that links ß1-Integrin to TßRI. Loss of Kindlin-2 results in the degradation of this protein complex, leading to the inhibition of downstream oncogenic pathways. We used a diverse range of in vitro assays, including CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, cell migration, 3D-tumorsphere formation and invasion, solid binding, co-immunoprecipitation, cell adhesion and spreading assays, as well as western blot and flow cytometry analyses, utilizing MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 TNBC cell lines. Additionally, preclinical in vivo mouse models of TNBC tumor progression and metastasis were employed to substantiate our findings. Our studies established the direct interaction between Kindlin-2 and ß1-Integrin and between Kindlin-2 and TßRI. Disruption of these interactions, via CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of Kindlin-2, led to the degradation of ß1-Integrin and TßRI, resulting in the inhibition of oncogenic pathways downstream of both proteins, subsequently hindering tumor growth and metastasis. Treatment of Kindlin-2-deficient cells with the proteasome inhibitor MG-132 restored the expression of both ß1-Integrin and TßRI. Furthermore, the rescue of Kindlin-2 expression reinstated their oncogenic activities in vitro and in vivo, while Kindlin-2 lacking domains involved in the interaction of Kindlin-2 with ß1-Integrin or TßRI did not. This study identifies a novel function of Kindlin-2 in stabilizing the ß1-Integrin:TßRI complexes and regulating their downstream oncogenic signaling. The translational implications of these findings are substantial, potentially unveiling new therapeutically targeted pathways crucial for the treatment of TNBC tumors.

A single sequence MRI-based deep learning radiomics model in the diagnosis of early osteonecrosis of femoral head.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to create and assess a Deep Learning-Based Radiomics model using a single sequence MRI that could accurately predict early Femoral Head Osteonecrosis (ONFH). This is the first time such a model was used for the diagnosis of early ONFH. Its simpler than the previously published multi-sequence MRI radiomics based method, and it implements Deep learning to improve on radiomics. It has the potential to be highly beneficial in the early stages of diagnosis and treatment planning. Methods: MRI scans from 150 patients in total (80 healthy, 70 necrotic) were used, and split into training and testing sets in a 7:3 ratio. Handcrafted as well as deep learning features were retrieved from Tesla 2 weighted (T2W1) MRI slices. After a rigorous selection process, these features were used to construct three models: a Radiomics-based (Rad-model), a Deep Learning-based (DL-model), and a Deep Learning-based Radiomics (DLR-model). The performance of these models in predicting early ONFH was evaluated by comparing them using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: 1,197 handcrafted radiomics and 512 DL features were extracted then processed; after the final selection: 15 features were used for the Rad-model, 12 features for the DL-model, and only 9 features were selected for the DLR-model. The most effective algorithm that was used in all of the models was Logistic regression (LR). The Rad-model depicted good results outperforming the DL-model; AUC = 0.944 (95%CI, 0.862-1.000) and AUC = 0.930 (95%CI, 0.838-1.000) respectively. The DLR-model showed superior results to both Rad-model and the DL-model; AUC = 0.968 (95%CI, 0.909-1.000); and a sensitivity of 0.95 and specificity of 0.920. The DCA showed that DLR had a greater net clinical benefit in detecting early ONFH. Conclusion: Using a single sequence MRI scan, our work constructed and verified a Deep Learning-Based Radiomics Model for early ONFH diagnosis. This strategy outperformed a Deep learning technique based on Resnet18 and a model based on Radiomics. This straightforward method can offer essential diagnostic data promptly and enhance early therapy strategizing for individuals with ONFH, all while utilizing just one MRI sequence and a more standardized and objective interpretation of MRI images.

Dietary intakes of vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12 and erectile dysfunction: a national population-based study.

Background: While deficiencies in vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 are linked to various human diseases, including anemia, depression, peripheral neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease (CVD), literature regarding the association between vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 and erectile dysfunction (ED) is scarce. We aimed to determine the dietary intake of vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 and ED in the United States population. Methods: We extracted data from the 2001-2004 cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Dietary intakes of B vitamins were collected based on one 24-hour dietary recall. The association between dietary intake of vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12 and ED was examined using multivariate logistic regression models. Results: A total of 3,875 participants were included for analysis, with 1,201 reporting ED and 2,894 not experiencing ED. The multivariable odds ratios (ORs) for the highest vs. lowest quartiles of vitamin B6 was 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.60-0.99; P for trend =0.03] for the prevalence of ED. Subgroup analyses demonstrated a significant inverse association between dietary intake of vitamin B6, folate, vitamin B12 and the prevalence of ED among men aged ≤60 years, individuals of Mexican American and non-Hispanic White ethnicity, and those without a history of CVD, diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Conclusions: The consumption of dietary vitamin B6, folate, and vitamin B12 was significantly linked to decreased risks of ED among younger healthier men, suggesting a potential protective role of these nutrients against ED in United States adults.

Hepatic Arterial Infusion Chemotherapy Combined Lenvatinib and PD-1 Inhibitor Showed Improved Survival for Infiltrative Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Cohort Study.

Purpose: Lenvatinib and programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) inhibitor on infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have obtained demonstrated efficacy and still need improvement. Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) has shown promising results for advanced HCC. This study aimed to compare the efficacy of HAIC combined Lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitor versus Lenvatinib combined PD-1 inhibitor for infiltrative HCC. Patients and Methods: A total of 232 patients were enrolled. There were 114 patients received Lenvatinib combined PD-1 inhibitor (Len+PD-1 group) and 118 patients received HAIC combined Lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitor (HAIC+Len+PD-1 group). Overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS) and safety of patients were compared between the two groups by propensity score-matching (PSM). Results: The 6-, 12-, and 24-month OS rates were 93.8%, 65.1% and 13.4% in Len+PD-1 group, and 100%, 77.3% and 32.1% in HAIC+Len+PD-1 group, respectively. The 3-, 6-, and 12-month PFS rates were 86.4%, 45.7% and 14.1% in Len+PD-1 group, and 95.1%, 59.3% and 25.9% in HAIC+Len+PD-1 group, respectively. The HAIC+Len+PD-1 group had obviously better survival than the Len+PD-1 group both in OS (P=0.002) and PFS (P=0.004). Subgroup analysis revealed that OS in patients with metastasis was improved with HAIC+Len+PD-1 treatment. Patients with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response after treatment showed better survival than the non-response. In addition, HAIC+Len+PD-1 group showed manageable adverse events (AEs). Conclusion: Patient with infiltrative HCC, HAIC+Len+PD-1 treatment had longer OS and PFS than Len+PD-1 treatment. Early AFP response was an effective indicator of better survival and tumor response to therapy.

Infiltrative hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is an odd group that is not well adjudicated in the current staging systems, and treatment options for patients with infiltrative HCC are challenging with scant and insufficient clinical evidence. In this multi-center study, we innovatively analyzed the outcome of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy (HAIC) combined lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitor (HAIC+Len+PD-1) was associated longer progression-free survival and overall survival than Lenvatinib plus PD-1 inhibitor combination (Len+PD-1) for patient with infiltrative HCC. In addition, further intragroup analysis revealed that OS of patients with and without metastasis in Len+PD-1 group was significant difference. However, no difference was observed in OS for patients with and without metastasis in HAIC+Len+PD-1 group. Patients with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) response after treatment showed better survival than the non-response. Our research provides evidence that HAIC combined Lenvatinib and PD-1 inhibitor results in clinically significant improvements in infiltrative HCC. It could be recommended as a first choice for infiltrative HCC therapy.

Global Trends on ß-Thalassemia Research Over 10 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Purpose: Thalassemia, an inherited quantitative globin disorder, is the most prevalent monogenic disease globally. While severe alpha thalassemia results in intrauterine death, ß-thalassemia manifests during childhood due to the "second conversion of hemoglobin", garnering increased attention in recent decades. Methods: In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted of thalassemia articles published in the Web of Science Core Collection database between 2013 and 2023 to establish a comprehensive overview and to identify emerging trends. A total of 5655 studies published between 2013 and 2023 were systematically retrieved, and annual publications demonstrated a steady increase, maintaining a high level over the past decade. Results: The United States contributed the highest number of publications, followed by China. Notably, the journal Blood emerged as the leading authority in ß-thalassemia research. Analysis of research hotspots revealed that the pathogenesis of ß-thalassemia is primarily linked to iron overload, anemia, gene mutations, and ineffective erythropoiesis. Furthermore, recent studies focusing on gene editing therapies present promising avenues for future investigation. Conclusion: These findings grasp the research status of ß-thalassemia and shed new light on future research frontiers.

Rumen metagenome reveals the mechanism of mitigation methane emissions by unsaturated fatty acid while maintaining the performance of dairy cows.

Dietary fat content can reduce the methane production of dairy cows; however, the relevance fatty acid (FA) composition has towards this inhibitory effect is debatable. Furthermore, in-depth studies elucidating the effects of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) on rumen function and the mechanism of reducing methane (CH4) production are lacking. This study exposed 10 Holstein cows with the same parity, similar milk yield to two total mixed rations: low unsaturated FA (LUFA) and high unsaturated FA (HUFA) with similar fat content. The LUFA group mainly added fat powder (C16:0 > 90%), and the HUFA group mainly replaced fat powder with extruded flaxseed. The experiment lasted 26 d, the last 5 d of which, gas exchange in respiratory chambers was conducted to measure gas emissions. We found that an increase in the UFA in diet did not affect milk production (P > 0.05) and could align the profile of milk FAs more closely with modern human nutritional requirements. Furthermore, we found that increasing the UFA content in the diet lead to a decrease in the abundance of Methanobrevibacter in the rumen (|linear discriminant analysis [LDA] score| > 2 and P < 0.05), which resulted in a decrease in the relative abundance of multiple enzymes (EC:1.2.7.12, EC:2.3.1.101, EC:3.5.4.27, EC:1.5.98.1, EC:1.5.98.2, EC:6.2.1.1, EC:2.1.1.86 and EC:2.8.4.1) during methanogenesis (P < 0.05). Compared with the LUFA group, the pathway of CH4 metabolism was inhibited in the HUFA group (|LDA| > 2 and P < 0.05), which ultimately decreased CH4 production (P < 0.05). Our results illustrated the mechanism involving decreased CH4 production when fed a UFA diet in dairy cows. We believe that our study provides new evidence to explore CH4 emission reduction measures for dairy cows.

A transformer-based deep learning model for early prediction of lymph node metastasis in locally advanced gastric cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy using pretreatment CT images.

Background: Early prediction of lymph node status after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) facilitates promptly optimization of treatment strategies. This study aimed to develop and validate a deep learning network (DLN) using baseline computed tomography images to predict lymph node metastasis (LNM) after NAC in patients with locally advanced gastric cancer (LAGC). Methods: A total of 1205 LAGC patients were retrospectively recruited from three hospitals between January 2013 and March 2023, constituting a training cohort, an internal validation cohort, and two external validation cohorts. A transformer-based DLN was developed using 3D tumor images to predict LNM after NAC. A clinical model was constructed through multivariate logistic regression analysis as a baseline for subsequent comparisons. The performance of the models was evaluated through discrimination, calibration, and clinical applicability. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was conducted to assess overall survival (OS) of LAGC patients at two follow-up centers. Findings: The DLN outperformed the clinical model and demonstrated a robust performance for predicting LNM in the training and validation cohorts, with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.804 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.752-0.849), 0.748 (95% CI, 0.660-0.830), 0.788 (95% CI, 0.735-0.835), and 0.766 (95% CI, 0.717-0.814), respectively. Decision curve analysis exhibited a high net clinical benefit of the DLN. Moreover, the DLN was significantly associated with the OS of LAGC patients [Center 1: hazard ratio (HR), 1.789, P < 0.001; Center 2:HR, 1.776, P = 0.013]. Interpretation: The transformer-based DLN provides early and effective prediction of LNM and survival outcomes in LAGC patients receiving NAC, with promise to guide individualized therapy. Future prospective multicenter studies are warranted to further validate our model. Funding: National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. 82373432, 82171923, 82202142), Project Funded by China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (NO. 2022M720857), Regional Innovation and Development Joint Fund of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NO. U22A20345), National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China (NO. 81925023), Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Image Analysis and Application (NO. 2022B1212010011), High-level Hospital Construction Project (NO. DFJHBF202105), Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province for Distinguished Young Scholars (NO. 2024B1515020091).

Association between glymphatic dysfunction and neurocognitive decline in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy.

Background: The glymphatic system is essential for the maintenance of brain homeostasis. It may be impaired in patients with epilepsy, but its association with neurocognitive function remains unknown. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the association between changes in the glymphatic system and neurocognitive function in individuals diagnosed with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE). Methods: This retrospective case-control research engaged a group of patients with FLE and age-, sex-, and education-matched healthy volunteers. All participants were subjected to extensive neurocognitive assessments, complemented by structural and diffusion-weighted imaging. The "diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space" (DTI-ALPS) index was computed to ascertain differences in glymphatic system function between the groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to explore associations between DTI-ALPS, clinical characteristics in patients with FLE, and the neurocognitive test outcomes for both groups. Results: Twenty-five patients [mean age ± standard deviation (SD): 26.28±8.12 years, 10 females] with FLE and 22 healthy control (HC) participants (average age ± SD: 25.86±6.15 years, 11 females) were included. The average ALPS-index in FLE group was significantly lower than that in HC group (1.387±0.127 vs. 1.468±0.114, P=0.026). Further, significant neurocognitive difference was noted in Trail Making Test (TMT), Stroop Color and Word Test (SCWT), Digit Span Test (DST) and similarity test (ST) between the two groups. ALPS-index scores exhibited a negative correlation with disease duration in patients with FLE (r=-0.415, P=0.039), and positive correlations with the Forward Digit Span Test (FDST, r=0.399, P=0.005) and Similarity Test (ST, r=0.395, P=0.006) in both groups. After adjusting for potential confounders, DTI-ALPS maintained a significant independent association with FDST and ST. Conclusions: The findings of the current study suggest a possible association between impairment in glymphatic function and FLE. Furthermore, results indicate that glymphatic dysfunction, as assessed via DTI-ALPS index, appears to be related to neurocognitive decline in FLE.

Changes in lipids and medium- and long-chain fatty acids during the spontaneous fermentation of ripened pu-erh tea.

During the fermentation of ripened pu-erh tea (RPT), the composition of lipids and other compounds changes significantly. In this study, we conducted industrial fermentation of RPT and observed that the levels of water extract, tea polyphenols, free amino acids, catechins, caffeine, rutin, theophylline, luteolin, and myricetin decreased, while the level of soluble sugar increased. Additionally, the levels of gallic acid, quercetin, ellagic acid, and kaempferol first increased and then decreased during fermentation. We identified a total of 731 lipids, which were classified into seven categories using a lipomics method. Among these lipids, 85 with relatively high contents decreased, while 201 lipids with low contents increased after fermentation. This led to an overall decrease in the sum contents of lipids and dominant lipids, including glycerophospholipids and saccharolipids. We also detected 33 medium- and long-chain fatty acids, with α-linolenic acid (881.202 ± 12.13-1322.263 ± 19.78 µg/g), palmitic acid (797.275 ± 19.56-955.180 ± 30.49 µg/g), and linoleic acid (539.634 ± 15.551-706.869 ± 12.14 µg/g) being the predominant ones. Coenzymes Q9 (62.76-63.57 µg/g) and Q10 (50.82-59.33 µg/g) were also identified in the fermentation process. Our findings shed light on the changes in lipids during the fermentation of RPT and highlight the potential bio-active compounds, such as α-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, Coenzymes Q9, and Q10, in ripened pu-erh tea. This contributes to a better understanding of the fermentation mechanism for RPT.

Expansion of a Novel Subset of L-Selectin+ Classical Monocytes in Kawasaki Disease.

Purpose: Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis that is associated with dysregulated immune responses. Monocytes play a central role in innate immunity. Our previous single-cell RNA sequencing of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) revealed a new subset of monocytes in children with KD called L-Selectin+ classical monocytes (SELL+ CM). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the correlation between KD and SELL+ CM. Patients and Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 81 KD patients, 18 febrile patients and 36 healthy children before treatment. Among them, ten KD patients were followed up, and samples were obtained before and after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Analysis of SELL+ CM was performed using flow cytometry. Additionally, ROC curve analysis was conducted to assess the diagnostic value of SELL+ CM for KD. Results: Classical monocytes (CM) expressed the highest levels of L-selectin in children with KD. The ratio of SELL+ CM in CM was significantly higher in KD patients than in febrile and healthy children. Following IVIG treatment, the ratio of SELL+ CM in CM showed a downward trend. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (the area under the curve, AUC = 0.71) indicated the potential diagnostic value of SELL+ CM in KD. The correlation analysis suggested that SELL+ CM may serve as a new clinical index for patients with KD. Conclusion: In KD, the ratio of SELL+ CM in CM significantly increases during the acute phase, which may become a potential biomarker and help facilitate KD diagnosis based on clinical features.

Efficacy and safety of paclitaxel liposome versus paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin in the first-line chemotherapy for ovarian cancer: a multicenter, open-label, non-inferiority, randomized controlled trial.

Background: The paclitaxel liposome formulation, encapsulating paclitaxel within a phospholipid bilayer, addresses the insolubility of traditional paclitaxel formulations, thereby reducing toxicity without compromising its antitumor efficacy. Methods: This multicenter, open-label, non-inferiority randomized controlled trial (ChiCTR2000038555) evaluates the efficacy and safety of paclitaxel liposome in comparison to the standard regimen of paclitaxel combined with carboplatin (PLC vs. PC) as first-line therapy in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Results: An analysis of median progression-free survival (PFS) revealed non-inferior outcomes between 263 patients in the PLC group and 260 patients in the PC group (32.3 vs. 29.9 months, hazard ratio [HR], 0.89 [95% CI, 0.64-1.25]), using a non-inferior margin of 1.3. Although the overall incidence of treatment-related adverse events was comparable between groups, the PLC group experienced significantly fewer non-hematologic toxicities than those treated with the PC regimen. Conclusion: The findings affirm the non-inferiority of paclitaxel liposome compared to the combination of paclitaxel and carboplatin regarding therapeutic efficacy, with an enhanced safety profile marked by reduced non-hematologic toxicities.

A bio-functional cryogel with antioxidant activity for potential application in bone tissue repairing.

Antioxidant and free radical resistance has been a key concern of tissue engineering. In this study, Hydroxyapatite (HAp) with osteogenic activity and Oligomeric Proantho Cyanidins (OPC) with antioxidant activity were chemically grafted to prepare gelatin-based biofunctional aerogel (GHPOS). SEM results confirmed that these aerogels exhibited obvious macroporous structure and could provide a suitable microenvironment for bone cell growth. The addition of HAP-PEI-OPC made it have good antioxidant activity, and the cell results proved that the aerogel prepared in this study had good cytocompatibility and did not produce cytotoxicity. The addition of nanoparticles played an important role in the activity of 3T3-E1. The results showed that these bioactive aerogel scaffolds have potential applications in bone tissue engineering.