Synergistic Effects of TiO2 and Carbon Black for Water Evaporation-Induced Electricity Generation.

Water evaporation-induced electricity generators (WEGs) have drawn widespread attention in the field of hydrovoltaic technology, which can convert atmospheric thermal energy into sustainable electric power. However, it is restricted in the wide application of WEGs due to the low power output, complex fabrication process, and high cost. Herein, we present a simple and effective approach to fabricate TiO2-carbon black film-based WEGs (TC-WEGs). A single TC-WEG device can sustainably output an open-circuit voltage of 1.9 V and a maximum power density of 40.9 µW/cm2. Moreover, it has been shown that TC-WEGs exhibit stable electrical energy output when operating in seawater, which can yield a short-circuit current of 1.2 µA. The superior electricity generation performance can be attributed to the intrinsic characteristics of the TC-WEGs, including hydrophilicity, porous structure, and electrical conductivity. This work provides an important reference for the constant harvesting of clean energy.

[Feasibility Analysis of Establishing Combat Readiness Blood Bank Based on Low Titer Group O Whole Blood and Group A Plasma].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of establishing combat readiness blood bank with low titer group O whole blood and group A plasma. METHODS: The Galileo automatic blood analyzer was used to detect the titers of IgM anti-A and anti-B antibodies in the samples of group O blood donors and IgM anti-B titer in the samples of group A blood donors. Group O blood donors with antibody titers below 128 were selected and included in the mobile blood bank for combat readiness, group A plasma with anti-B titer lower than 128 and group O whole blood with antibody titers below 128 were included in the combat readiness entity blood bank. RESULTS: A total of 1 452 group O blood donors were selected, and the anti-A/B antibody titers were detected. Both antibody titers were distributed below 512, and both peak values of sample distribution were at titer 4. The proportion of samples with titers>128 for both antibodies was relatively low. There was a significant positive correlation between the titers of the two antibodies (r =0.383), and the proportion of samples with IgM anti-A titer higher than IgM anti-B titer was relatively high. 1 335(91.94%) group O blood donors with IgM anti-A and anti-B antibody titers <128 could be included in the mobile blood bank. The anti-B titer of group A blood was detected in 512 cases and the results showed that as the antibody titer increased, the proportion of blood donors gradually decreased. 99.8% of group A blood donors had anti-B antibody titer less than 128, and only one case did not meet the inclusion criteria. CONCLUSION: The proportion of group O blood donors whose whole blood meet the low antibody titer standard is high, and almost all plasma of group A blood donors meet the low titer standard, which improves the blood supply rate in emergencies.

A Pilot Study on a Possible Mechanism behind Olfactory Dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease: The Association of TAAR1 Downregulation with Neuronal Loss and Inflammation along Olfactory Pathway.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized not only by motor symptoms but also by non-motor dysfunctions, such as olfactory impairment; the cause is not fully understood. Our study suggests that neuronal loss and inflammation in brain regions along the olfactory pathway, such as the olfactory bulb (OB) and the piriform cortex (PC), may contribute to olfactory dysfunction in PD mice, which might be related to the downregulation of the trace amine-associated receptor 1 (TAAR1) in these areas. In the striatum, although only a decrease in mRNA level, but not in protein level, of TAAR1 was detected, bioinformatic analyses substantiated its correlation with PD. Moreover, we discovered that neuronal death and inflammation in the OB and the PC in PD mice might be regulated by TAAR through the Bcl-2/caspase3 pathway. This manifested as a decrease of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and an increase of the pro-apoptotic protein cleaved caspase3, or through regulating astrocytes activity, manifested as the increase of TAAR1 in astrocytes, which might lead to the decreased clearance of glutamate and consequent neurotoxicity. In summary, we have identified a possible mechanism to elucidate the olfactory dysfunction in PD, positing neuronal damage and inflammation due to apoptosis and astrocyte activity along the olfactory pathway in conjunction with the downregulation of TAAR1.

MILIP Binding to tRNAs Promotes Protein Synthesis to Drive Triple-Negative Breast Cancer.

Patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) have a poor prognosis due to the lack of effective molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. Here we found that the long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) MILIP supports TNBC cell survival, proliferation, and tumorigenicity by complexing with transfer RNAs (tRNA) to promote protein production, thus representing a potential therapeutic target in TNBC. MILIP was expressed at high levels in TNBC cells that commonly harbor loss-of-function mutations of the tumor suppressor p53, and MILIP silencing suppressed TNBC cell viability and xenograft growth, indicating that MILIP functions distinctively in TNBC beyond its established role in repressing p53 in other types of cancers. Mechanistic investigations revealed that MILIP interacted with eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha 1 (eEF1α1) and formed an RNA-RNA duplex with the type II tRNAs tRNALeu and tRNASer through their variable loops, which facilitated the binding of eEF1α1 to these tRNAs. Disrupting the interaction between MILIP and eEF1α1 or tRNAs diminished protein synthesis and cell viability. Targeting MILIP inhibited TNBC growth and cooperated with the clinically available protein synthesis inhibitor omacetaxine mepesuccinate in vivo. Collectively, these results identify MILIP as an RNA translation elongation factor that promotes protein production in TNBC cells and reveal the therapeutic potential of targeting MILIP, alone and in combination with other types of protein synthesis inhibitors, for TNBC treatment. SIGNIFICANCE: LncRNA MILIP plays a key role in supporting protein production in TNBC by forming complexes with tRNAs and eEF1α1, which confers sensitivity to combined MILIP targeting and protein synthesis inhibitors.

Prevalence and Predictors of Concomitant Meniscal Surgery During Pediatric and Adolescent ACL Reconstruction: Analysis of 4729 Patients Over 20 Years at a Tertiary-Care Regional Children's Hospital.

Background: The rate of concomitant meniscal procedures performed in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is increasing. Few studies have examined these procedures in high-risk pediatric cohorts. Hypotheses: That (1) the rates of meniscal repair compared with meniscectomy would increase throughout the study period and (2) patient-related factors would be able to predict the type of meniscal operation, which would differ according to age. Study Design: Cohort study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 2. Methods: Natural language processing was used to extract clinical variables from notes of patients who underwent ACL reconstruction between 2000 and 2020 at a single institution. Patients were stratified to pediatric (5-13 years) and adolescent (14-19 years) cohorts. Linear regression was used to evaluate changes in the prevalence of concomitant meniscal surgery during the study period. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of the need for and type of meniscal procedure. Results: Of 4729 patients (mean age, 16 ± 2 years; 54.7% female) identified, 2458 patients (52%) underwent concomitant meniscal procedures (55% repair rate). The prevalence of lateral meniscal (LM) procedures increased in both pediatric and adolescent cohorts, whereas the prevalence of medial meniscal (MM) repair increased in the adolescent cohort (P = .02). In the adolescent cohort, older age was predictive of concomitant medial meniscectomy (P = .031). In the pediatric cohort, female sex was predictive of concomitant MM surgery and of undergoing lateral meniscectomy versus repair (P≤ .029). Female sex was associated with decreased odds of concomitant LM surgery in both cohorts (P≤ .018). Revision ACLR was predictive of concomitant MM surgery and of meniscectomy (medial and lateral) in the adolescent cohort (P < .001). Higher body mass index was associated with increased odds of undergoing medial meniscectomy versus repair in the pediatric cohort (P = .03). Conclusion: More than half of the young patients who underwent ACLR had meniscal pathology warranting surgical intervention. The prevalence of MM repair compared with meniscectomy in adolescents increased throughout the study period. Patients who underwent revision ACLR were more likely to undergo concomitant meniscal surgeries, which were more often meniscectomy. Female sex had mixed effects in both the pediatric and adolescent cohorts.

Sedative and hypnotic effects of the saponins from a traditional edible plant Liriope spicata Lour. in PCPA-induced insomnia mice.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Liriope spicata Lour., a species listed in the catalogue of 'Medicinal and Edible Homologous Species', is traditionally used for the treatment of fatigue, restlessness, insomnia and constipation. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study is aimed to evaluate the sedative and hypnotic effect of the saponins from a natural plant L. spicata Lour. in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The total saponin (LSTS) and purified saponin (LSPS) were extracted from L. spicata, followed by a thorough analysis of their major components using the HPLC-MS. Subsequently, the therapeutic efficacy of LSTS and LSPS was evaluated by the improvement of anxiety and depression behaviors of the PCPA-induced mice. RESULTS: LSTS and LSPS exhibited similar saponin compositions but differ in their composition ratios, with liriopesides-type saponins accounting for a larger proportion in LSTS. Studies demonstrated that both LSTS and LSPS can extend sleep duration and immobility time, while reducing sleep latency in PCPA-induced mice. However, there was no significant difference in weight change among the various mice groups. Elisa results indicated that the LSTS and LSPS could decrease levels of NE, DA, IL-6, and elevate the levels of 5-HT, NO, PGD2 and TNF-α in mice plasma. LSTS enhanced the expression of neurotransmitter receptors, while LSPS exhibited a more pronounced effect in regulating the expression of inflammatory factors. In conclusion, the saponins derived from L. spicata might hold promise as ingredients for developing health foods with sedative and hypnotic effects, potentially related to the modulation of serotonergic and GABAAergic neuron expression, as well as immunomodulatory process.

Cells in the liver microenvironment regulate the process of liver metastasis.

The research of liver metastasis is a developing field. The ability of tumor cells to invade the liver depends on the complicated interactions between metastatic cells and local subpopulations in the liver (including Kupffer cells, hepatic stellate cells, liver sinusoidal endothelial cells, and immune-related cells). These interactions are mainly mediated by intercellular adhesion and the release of cytokines. Cell populations in the liver microenvironment can play a dual role in the progression of liver metastasis through different mechanisms. At the same time, we can see the participation of liver parenchymal cells and nonparenchymal cells in the process of liver metastasis of different tumors. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to summarize the relationship between cellular components of liver microenvironment and metastasis and emphasize the importance of different cells in the occurrence or potential regression of liver metastasis.

Knee Flexion Angle of Fixation During Anterolateral Ligament Reconstruction or Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Lateral Extra-articular Reinforcement Techniques Performed in Conjunction With ACL Reconstruction.

Background: Anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR) or lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) is being used more frequently in conjunction with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). However, the knee flexion angle at which fixation of ALLR or LET is performed during the procedure is quite variable based on existing technique descriptions. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to identify whether flexion angle at the time of ALLR/LET fixation affected postoperative outcomes in a clinical population. It was hypothesized that ALLR/LET fixation at low versus high flexion angles would lead to no statistically significant differences in patient-reported outcome measures and graft failure rates. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines to identify published clinical studies of ACLR with ALLR/LET in which the knee flexion angle at the time of ALLR/LET was reported. A priori, low flexion was defined as 0° to 30°, and high flexion was defined as 60° to 90°. Studies were excluded if the flexion angle was between 31° and 59° because these angles constituted neither low nor high flexion angles and including them in an analysis of high versus low flexion angle at fixation would have biased the study results toward the null. The overall risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. The pooled results of the studies were analyzed using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, and Tegner scores, along with reported graft failure rates. Results: A total of 32 clinical studies (5230 patients) met inclusion criteria: 22 studies (1999 patients) in the low-flexion group and 10 studies (3231 patients) in the high-flexion group. The median Newcastle-Ottawa Scale score was 6. Comparisons of patients with a low flexion angle versus a high flexion angle demonstrated no differences in the IKDC (P = .84), Lysholm (P = .67), or Tegner (P = .44) scores or in graft failure (3.4% vs 4.1%, respectively; P = .69). Conclusion: The results of this review indicated that ACLR performed in conjunction with ALLR/LET provides good to excellent patient-reported outcomes and low graft failure rates when ALLR/LET fixation is performed in either low or high knee flexion.

Appendicitis combined with Meckel's diverticulum obstruction, perforation, and inflammation in children: Three case reports.

BACKGROUND: Meckel's diverticulum is a common congenital malformation of the small intestine, with the three most common complications being obstruction, perforation, and inflammation. To date, only a few cases have been reported worldwide. In children, the clinical symptoms are similar to appendicitis. As most of the imaging features are nonspecific, the preoperative diagnosis is not precise. In addition, the clinical characteristics are highly similar to pediatric acute appendicitis, thus special attention is necessary to distinguish Meckel's diverticulum from pediatric appendicitis. Patients with poor disease control should undergo laparoscopic exploration to avoid serious complications, including intestinal necrosis, intestinal perforation and gastrointestinal bleeding. CASE SUMMARY: This report presents three cases of appendicitis in children combined with intestinal obstruction, which was caused by fibrous bands (ligaments) arising from the top part of Meckel's diverticulum, diverticular perforation, and diverticular inflammation. All three patients, aged 11-12 years, had acute appendicitis as their initial clinical presentation. All were treated by laparoscopic surgery with a favorable outcome. A complete dataset including clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, surgical information, and histopathologic findings was also provided. CONCLUSION: Preoperative diagnosis of Meckel's diverticulum and its complications is challenging because its clinical signs and complications are similar to those of appendicitis in children. Laparoscopy combined with laparotomy is useful for diagnosis and treatment.

Thermal-to-Electrical Conversion Based on Salinity Gradient Driven by Evaporation.

Constructing concentration differences between anions and cations at the ends of an ionic conductor is an effective strategy in electricity generation for powering wearable devices. Temperature gradient or salinity gradient is the driving force behind such devices. But their corresponding power generation devices are greatly limited in actual application due to their complex structure and harsh application conditions. In this study, a novel ionic concentration gradient electric generator based on the evaporation difference of the electrolyte is proposed. The device can be constructed without the need for semipermeable membranes, and operation does not need to build a temperature difference. As a demonstration, a PVA-Na ionic hydrogel is prepared as an electrolyte for the device and achieved a thermovoltage of more than 200 mV and an energy density of 77.94 J m-2 at 323 K. Besides, the device exhibits the capability to sustain a continuous voltage output for a duration exceeding 1500 min, as well as enabling charging and discharging cycles for 100 iterations. For practical applications, a module comprising 16 sub-cells is constructed and successfully utilized to directly power a light-emitting diode. Wearable devices and their corresponding cell modules are also developed to recycle body heat.

[Characterization and identification of chemical constituents from Schizonepetae Spica based on UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS technique].

The chemical constituents of Schizonepetae Spica were qualitatively analyzed by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. An Agilent poroshell 120 SB-C_(18) column(3.0 mm×100 mm, 2.7 µm) was used for gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid water(A)-acetonitrile(B) solution as mobile phase at the flow rate of 0.4 mL·min~(-1) and column temperature of 45 ℃. The data were collected by scanning in positive and negative ion modes, and the compounds were identified by comparison of reference materials and PeakView software. Ninety-seven compounds were identified from Schizonepetae Spica, including 28 flavonoids, 23 phenolic acids, 23 fatty acids, 15 terpenoids, and 8 other compounds. The UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS method established in this study can identify the chemical components of Schizonepetae Spica rapidly, accurately, and comprehensively, and provide a basis for the basic study of pharmacodynamic substances of Schizonepetae Spica.

Prevalence and Predictors of Concomitant Meniscal and Ligamentous Injuries Associated With ACL Surgery: An Analysis of 20 Years of ACL Reconstruction at a Tertiary Care Children's Hospital.

BACKGROUND: There is an increasing rate of procedures being performed for concomitant injuries during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. Few studies have examined risk factors for these associated injuries in young patients. HYPOTHESIS: There are patient-related factors predictive of concomitant knee pathology that differ between age-based cohorts. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Natural language processing was used to extract clinical variables from available notes of patients undergoing ACL surgery between 2000 and 2020 at a single institution (5174 ACL surgeries; mean age, 17 ± 4 years; 53.1% female; accuracy, >98%). Patients were stratified to pediatric (5-13 years), adolescent (14-19 years), and young adult (20-35 years) cohorts. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of concomitant injury to the menisci, medial collateral ligament (MCL), posterolateral corner (PLC), and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2020, 54% of pediatric, 71% of adolescent, and 70% of adult patients had ≥1 concomitant soft tissue injury. In children and adolescents, increased age was consistently predictive of sustaining a concomitant injury (P < .02). Female children had increased odds of concomitant medial meniscal injury, while female adults had decreased odds (P≤ .046). Adolescent and adult female patients had decreased odds of concomitant lateral meniscal injury (P≤ .027). Female children had increased odds of injury to the MCL (P = .015), whereas female children and adolescents had decreased odds of PCL injury (P≤ .044). Adolescents undergoing revision ACL surgery had increased odds of meniscal injury (P≤ .001) and decreased odds of concomitant MCL injury (P = .028). Increased body mass index (BMI) was associated with increased odds of concomitant medial meniscal injury in all cohorts (P≤ .041), lateral meniscal injury in adults (P = .045), and PLC injury in children (P = .016). Contact injuries were associated with increased odds of MCL injury in adolescents (P = .017) and PLC injury in adolescents and adults (P < .014). CONCLUSION: These findings support the hypothesis, as there were multiple factors that significantly affected the risk of concomitant injuries that differed between cohorts. Increased age, BMI, and contact injury history were generally associated with increased odds of sustaining a concomitant injury, whereas female sex and revision ACL surgery had mixed effects. Further studies are essential to investigate the sex-based differences in risk for concomitant injuries and to develop tailored treatment plans that minimize the risk of secondary ACL injury.

Effect of maternal oxygen supplementation for parturient undergoing elective cesarean section by high-flow nasal oxygen compared with room air on fetal acidemia: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Maternal oxygen supplementation is usually used as an intrauterine resuscitation technique to prevent fetal hypoxia and acidemia during delivery. However, there has been a great deal of controversy regarding the effects of prophylactic maternal oxygen during cesarean section, during which the incidence of fetal acidemia seems to be higher compared with that during labor. High-flow nasal oxygen (HFNO) can improve oxygenation better in patients with high-flow oxygen airflow. The purpose of this study is to determine whether maternal oxygen supplementation with HFNO has a positive effect on fetal acidemia during cesarean section through umbilical arterial blood gas analysis. METHOD: This prospective, single-center, randomized, double-blinded trial will enroll 120 patients undergoing cesarean section. Participants will be randomly assigned to the HFNO group or air group at a 1:1 ratio. For parturients in the HFNO group, the flow rate is 40L/min, and the oxygen is heated to 37℃ with humidity 100% oxygen concentration through the Optiflow high-flow nasal oxygen system. And for the air group, the flow rate is 2 L/min with an air pattern through the same device. The primary outcome was umbilical artery (UA) lactate. Secondary outcomes include UA pH, PO2, PCO2, BE, the incidence of pH < 7.20 and pH < 7.10, Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min, and neonatal adverse outcomes. DISCUSSION: Our study is the first trial investigating whether maternal oxygen supplementation with HFNO can reduce the umbilical artery lactate levels and the incidence of fetal acidemia in cesarean section under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05921955. Registered on 27 June 2023.

Bisphenol a downregulates GLUT4 expression by activating aryl hydrocarbon receptor to exacerbate polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Bisphenol A (BPA) levels are high in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The mechanism by which BPA induces abnormal glucose metabolism in PCOS patients is largely unknown. METHODS: Serum and urine samples were collected from women with and without PCOS (control) at the reproductive medicine center with informed consent. Non-PCOS patients who received in vitro fertilization were recruited for collection of ovarian follicular fluid and granular cells. Wild-type C57BL/6 and AhR -/- mice were used to verify the effects of BPA on PCOS. Real-time PCR, western blotting, and ELISA were conducted to analyze the function of BPA. Chip-qPCR verified the role of AhR in GLUT4 transcription. Flow cytometry was performed to determine glucose uptake. RESULTS: A positive correlation was observed between BPA concentration and serum BPA levels in PCOS patients. BPA aggravated the changes in PCOS with abnormal glucose metabolism, impaired fertility, and increased body fat. Mechanistically, we showed that BPA activated AhR and led to decreased glucose transport via GLUT4 downregulation in ovarian granular cells. Therefore, the use of inhibitors or knockout of AhR could effectively rescue BPA-induced metabolic disorders in PCOS mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our results revealed that BPA suppressed GLUT4 expression and induced abnormal glucose metabolism by activating AhR, causing insulin resistance, and is thus a potential contributor to the development of PCOS. Therefore, AhR could be a potential new therapeutic target for PCOS. Video Abstract.

Effect of long-term cervical extensor exercise program on functional disability, pain intensity, range of motion, cervical muscle mass, and cervical curvature in young adult population with chronic non-specific neck pain: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of chronic non-specific neck pain (CNNP) is on the rise among the young adult population. We herein aimed to compare the effects of long-term specific cervical extensor training and stretching exercises on improving this chronic disorder in young adults. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized, controlled study, 70 participants aged 18-35 years with CNNP and cervical lordosis loss were included. The participants were assigned to undergo either specific cervical extensor training (observation group) or perform usual stretching exercises (control group). The exercise duration was set at 12 months, with 9 months at the clinic and 3 months at home. The outcome assessments included changes in the neck disability index, visual analog scale from baseline, cervical range of motion (CROM), cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of cervical extensors, and cervical curvature from baseline. The outcome measures were compared between groups at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS: All 70 participants underwent randomization, and no significant differences in demographics and baseline data were found between the two groups. The observation group showed a greater improvement in neck disability index and visual analog scale scores at the 12-month follow-up than the control group. Additionally, a more substantial increase in CROM and CSAs of cervical extensors was observed in the observation group at the 6-month and 12-month follow-ups (P < 0.05). Although more participants in the observation group achieved cervical lordosis at the 12-month follow-up, the difference was marginally nonsignificant (9% in the control group vs. 28% in the observation group, P = 0.075). CONCLUSIONS: In young adults with CNNP, long-term specific cervical extensor training was associated with a more significant clinically meaningful improvement in disability, pain, and CROM than stretching exercises. The increased CSAs of cervical extensors may potentially contribute to the restoration of cervical lordosis. Trial registration The study is registered at the Chinese domestic clinical trial (ChiCTR2000040009) at Chictr.org. The date of registration: November 18, 2020.

Highly Stable Lithium Metal Batteries Enabled by Tuning the Molecular Polarity of Diluents in Localized High-Concentration Electrolytes.

Electrolyte plays a crucial role in ensuring stable operation of lithium metal batteries (LMBs). Localized high-concentration electrolytes (LHCEs) have the potential to form a robust solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and mitigate Li dendrite growth, making them a highly promising electrolyte option. However, the principles governing the selection of diluents, a crucial component in LHCE, have not been clearly determined, hampering the advancement of such a type of electrolyte systems. Herein, the diluents from the perspective of molecular polarity are rationally designed and developed. A moderately fluorinated solvent, 1-(1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy)propane (TNE), is employed as a diluent to create a novel LHCE. The unique molecular structure of TNE enhances the intrinsic dipole moment, thereby altering solvent interactions and the coordination environment of Li-ions in LHCE. The achieved solvation structure not only enhances the bulk properties of LHCE, but also facilitates the formation of more stable anion-derived SEIs featured with a higher proportion of inorganic species. Consequently, the corresponding full cells of both Li||LiFePO4 and Li||LiNi0.8 Co0.1 Mn0.1 O2 cells utilizing Li thin-film anodes exhibit extended long-term stability with significantly improved average Coulombic efficiency. This work offers new insights into the functions of diluents in LHCEs and provides direction for further optimizing the LHCEs for LMBs.

Tibial Spine Fractures in the Child and Adolescent Athlete: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Tibial spine fractures (TSFs) are uncommon injuries that may result in substantial morbidity in children. A variety of open and arthroscopic techniques are used to treat these fractures, but no single standardized operative method has been identified. PURPOSE: To systematically review the literature on pediatric TSFs to determine the current treatment approaches, outcomes, and complications. STUDY DESIGN: Meta-analysis; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature was performed in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses) guidelines using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Studies evaluating treatment and outcomes of patients <18 years old were included. Patient demographic characteristics, fracture characteristics, treatments, and outcomes were abstracted. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize categorical and quantitative variables, and a meta-analytic technique was used to compare observational studies with sufficient data. RESULTS: A total of 47 studies were included, totaling 1922 TSFs in patients (66.4% male) with a mean age of 12 years (range, 3-18 years). The operative approach was open reduction and internal fixation in 291 cases and arthroscopic reduction and internal fixation in 1236 cases; screw fixation was used in 411 cases and suture fixation, in 586 cases. A total of 13 nonunions were reported, occurring most frequently in Meyers and McKeever type III fractures (n = 6) and in fractures that were treated nonoperatively (n = 10). Arthrofibrosis rates were reported in 33 studies (n = 1700), and arthrofibrosis was present in 190 patients (11.2%). Range of motion loss occurred significantly more frequently in patients with type III and IV fractures (P < .001), and secondary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury occurred most frequently in patients with type I and II fractures (P = .008). No statistically significant differences were found with regard to rates of nonunion, arthrofibrosis, range of motion loss, laxity, or secondary ACL injury between fixation methods (screw vs suture). CONCLUSION: Despite variation in TSF treatment, good overall outcomes have been reported with low complication rates in both open and arthroscopic treatment and with both screw and suture fixation. Arthrofibrosis remains a concern after surgical treatment for TSF, but no significant difference in incidence was found between the analysis groups. Larger studies are necessary to compare outcomes and form a consensus on how to treat and manage patients with TSFs.

Preliminary study of finger temperature recovery in patients with diabetes mellitus following cold stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the difference in temperature recovery following cold stimulation between participants with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The participants without (control group; n = 25) and with (DM group; n = 26) DM were subjected to local cold stimulation (10º C for 90 s). The thermal images of their hands were continuously captured using a thermal camera within 7 min following cold stimulation, and the highest temperature of each fingertip was calculated. According to the temperature values at different timepoints, the temperature recovery curves were drawn, and the baseline temperature (T-base), initial temperature after cooling (T0), temperature decline amplitude (T-range), and area under the temperature recovery curve > T0 (S) were calculated. Finally, symmetry differences between the two groups were analysed. RESULTS: No statistical differences in the T-base, T0, and T-range were observed between the DM and control groups. After drawing the rewarming curve according to the temperature of the fingertips of the patients following cold stimulation, the S in the DM group was significantly lower than that in the control group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the asymmetry of the base temperature of the hand was observed in the DM group. CONCLUSIONS: Following cold stimulation, the patients with DM exhibited a different rewarming pattern than those without DM. Thus, cold stimulation tests under infrared thermography may contribute to the early screening of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in future.

Disease control outcomes of stereotactic body radiation therapy or moderate hypo-fractionation for prostate cancer: Real-world experience at two Canadian centers.

BACKGROUND: Advantages of using stereotactic body radiation therapy to treat prostate cancer include short treatment times, decreased costs, and limited toxicity. Randomized trial outcomes comparing 5-fraction stereotactic body radiation therapy to conventionally fractionated radiotherapy or hypo-fractionated radiation therapy are pending. OBJECTIVE: We report the 10-year experience with 5-fraction stereotactic body radiation therapy and hypo-fractionated radiation therapy at two Canadian centers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with low- or intermediate-risk prostate cancer treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy alone (35-40 Gy in 5 fractions) or hypo-fractionated radiation therapy alone (60-62 Gy in 20 fractions) in the period of July 2010 and June 2020. The biochemical relapse-free survival, PSA nadir, interval time to PSA nadir, time to biochemical recurrence (2 ng/ml above PSA nadir) and overall survival were reviewed. Outcomes between treatment groups were compared after propensity-matching by patient baseline characteristics. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to assess biochemical relapse-free survival and overall survival. RESULTS: We identified 205 and 513 patients with low or intermediate-risk prostate cancer who were treated with stereotactic body radiation therapy or hypo-fractionation, respectively. Intermediate-risk category composed 81% and 95% of the stereotactic body radiation therapy and hypo-fractionated radiation therapy cohorts, respectively. After a median follow up of 58.6 months for the stereotactic body radiation therapy cohort and 45.0 months for the hypo-fractionated cohort, biochemical relapse-free survival and overall survival were not significantly different between treatment groups. The 5-year biochemical relapse-free survival rates were 92.1% and 93.6% and overall survival rates were 96.4% and 95.0% for the stereotactic body radiation therapy and hypo-fractionated cohorts, respectively, after propensity-matching. Stereotactic body radiation therapy resulted in a significantly lower PSA nadir (0.18 ng/ml) compared to hypo-fractionated radiation therapy (0.48 ng/ml) in patients with low-risk prostate cancer. Mean time to biochemical recurrence was not different between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Stereotactic body radiation therapy is an effective treatment option for low and intermediate-risk prostate cancer with encouraging biochemical relapse-free survival and overall survival rates comparable with hypo-fractionated radiation therapy.