A review of functions and mechanisms of clay soil conditioners and catalysts in thermal remediation compared to emerging photo-thermal catalysis.

High temperatures and providing sufficient time for the thermal desorption of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from contaminated clay soils can lead to intensive energy consumption. Therefore, this article provides a critical review of the potential additives which can improve soil texture and increase the volatility of POPs, and then discusses their enhanced mechanisms for contributing to a green economy. Ca-based additives have been used to reduce plasticity of bentonite clay, absorb water and replenish system heat. In contrast, non-Ca-based additives have been used to decrease the plasticity of kaolin clay. The soil structure and soil plasticity can be changed through cation exchange and flocculation processes. The transition metal oxides and alkali metal oxides can be applied to catalyze and oxidize polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, petroleum and emerging contaminants. In this system, reactive oxygen species (•O2- and •OH) are generated from thermal excitation without strong chemical oxidants. Moreover, multiple active ingredients in recycled solid wastes can be controlled to reduce soil plasticity and enhance thermal catalysis. Alternatively, the alkali, nano zero-valent iron and nano-TiN can catalyze hydrodechlorination of POPs under reductive conditions. Especially, photo and photo-thermal catalysis are discussed to accelerate replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy in thermal remediation.

An orally administered glucose-responsive polymeric complex for high-efficiency and safe delivery of insulin in mice and pigs.

Contrary to current insulin formulations, endogenous insulin has direct access to the portal vein, regulating glucose metabolism in the liver with minimal hypoglycaemia. Here we report the synthesis of an amphiphilic diblock copolymer comprising a glucose-responsive positively charged segment and polycarboxybetaine. The mixing of this polymer with insulin facilitates the formation of worm-like micelles, achieving highly efficient absorption by the gastrointestinal tract and the creation of a glucose-responsive reservoir in the liver. Under hyperglycaemic conditions, the polymer triggers a rapid release of insulin, establishing a portal-to-peripheral insulin gradient-similarly to endogenous insulin-for the safe regulation of blood glucose. This insulin formulation exhibits a dose-dependent blood-glucose-regulating effect in a streptozotocin-induced mouse model of type 1 diabetes and controls the blood glucose at normoglycaemia for one day in non-obese diabetic mice. In addition, the formulation demonstrates a blood-glucose-lowering effect for one day in a pig model of type 1 diabetes without observable hypoglycaemia, showing promise for the safe and effective management of type 1 diabetes.

SAFFRON-104: a phase Ib/II study of sitravatinib alone or with tislelizumab in advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction cancer.

BACKGROUND: Sitravatinib is a spectrum-selective tyrosine kinase inhibitor targeting TAM (TYRO3, AXL, MER), VEGFR-2, KIT, and MET. SAFFRON-104 (NCT03941873) was a multicohort phase Ib/II study investigating sitravatinib with/without tislelizumab, an anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) antibody, in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) or gastric cancer/gastroesophageal junction cancer (GC/GEJC). METHODS: Eligible patients had histologically/cytologically confirmed advanced HCC or GC/GEJC. Phase I determined the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) of sitravatinib with/without tislelizumab. Phase II evaluated sitravatinib monotherapy in patients with pretreated HCC, and sitravatinib plus tislelizumab in anti-PD-(L)1-naïve or -treated HCC and anti-PD-(L)1-naïve GC/GEJC. Primary endpoints were safety/tolerability (phase I) and objective response rate (ORR) (phase II). RESULTS: At data cutoff (March 31, 2023), 111 patients were enrolled; 102 were efficacy-evaluable (median study follow-up 9.1 months [range: 0.7-36.9]). The RP2D of sitravatinib was determined as 120 mg orally once daily. In patients receiving sitravatinib monotherapy and sitravatinib in combination with tislelizumab, grade ≥ 3 treatment-related adverse events occurred in 14 (51.9%) and 42 (50.0%) patients, respectively. The ORR was 25% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.7-49.1) in patients with pretreated HCC receiving sitravatinib monotherapy. In patients receiving sitravatinib with tislelizumab, the ORR was 11.5% (95% CI 2.4-30.2) with anti-PD-(L)1-naïve HCC, 9.5% (95% CI 1.2-30.4) with anti-PD-(L)1-treated HCC, and 16.1% (95% CI 5.5-33.7) in patients with anti-PD-(L)1-naïve GC/GEJC. CONCLUSIONS: Sitravatinib with/without tislelizumab was generally well tolerated and showed preliminary antitumor activity in patients with advanced HCC and GC/GEJC.

Novel WFS1 variants are associated with different diabetes phenotypes.

Background: The WFS1 gene encodes the protein wolframin, which is crucial for maintaining endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis. Variants in this gene are predominantly associated with Wolfram syndrome and have been implicated in other disorders such as diabetes mellitus and psychiatric diseases, which increases the rate of clinical misdiagnosis. Methods: Patients were diagnosed with early-onset unclassified diabetes according to their clinical and laboratory data. We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 165 patients, interpreting variants according to the American College of Medical Genetics/Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) 2015 guidelines. Variant verification was done by Sanger sequencing. In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of WFS1 compound heterozygous variants. Results: We identified WFS1 compound heterozygous variants (p.A214fs*74/p.F329I and p.I427S/p.I304T) in two patients with Wolfram Syndrome-Like disorders (WSLD). Both WFS1 compound heterozygous variants were associated with increased ER stress, reduced cell viability, and decreased SERCA2b mRNA levels. Additionally, pathogenic or likely pathogenic WFS1 heterozygous variants were identified in the other three patients. Conclusion: Our results underscore the importance of early genetic testing for diagnosing young-onset diabetes and highlight the clinical relevance of WFS1 variants in increasing ER stress and reducing cell viability. Incorporating these genetic insights into clinical practice can reduce misdiagnoses and improve treatment strategies for related disorders.

Reporting quality and risk of bias of randomized controlled trials of Chinese herbal medicine for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common non-traumatic disabling disease affecting young adults. A definitive curative treatment is currently unavailable. Many randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have reported the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) on MS. Because of the uncertain quality of these RCTs, the recommendations for routine use of CHM for MS remain inconclusive. The comprehensive evaluation of the quality of RCTs of CHM for MS is urgent. Methods: Nine databases, namely, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Sinomed, Wanfang Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and VIP Database, were searched from inception to September 2023. RCTs comparing CHM with placebo or pharmacological interventions for MS were considered eligible. The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) and its extension for CHM formulas (CONSORT-CHM Formulas) checklists were used to evaluate the reporting quality of RCTs. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. The selection criteria of high-frequency herbs for MS were those with cumulative frequency over 50% among the top-ranked herbs. Results: A total of 25 RCTs were included. In the included RCTs, 33% of the CONSORT items and 21% of the CONSORT-CHM Formulas items were reported. Eligibility title, sample size calculation, allocation concealment, randomized implementation, and blinded description in CONSORT core items were reported by less than 5% of trials. For the CONSORT-CHM Formulas, the source and authentication method of each CHM ingredient was particularly poorly reported. Most studies classified the risk of bias as "unclear" due to insufficient information. The top five most frequently used herbs were, in order, Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, Radix Rehmanniae Recens, Herba Epimedii, Scorpio, and Poria. No serious adverse effect had been reported. Conclusions: The low reporting of CONSORT items and the unclear risk of bias indicate the inadequate quality of RCTs in terms of reporting completeness and result validity. The CONSORT-CHM Formulas appropriately consider the unique characteristics of CHM, including principles, formulas, and Chinese medicinal substances. To improve the quality of RCTs on CHM for MS, researchers should adhere more closely to CONSORT-CHM Formulas guidelines and ensure comprehensive disclosure of all study design elements.

An electrochemical biosensor equipped with a logic circuit as a smart automaton for two-miRNA pattern detection.

Detecting multiple targets in complex cellular and biological environments yields more reliable results than single-label assays. Here, we introduced an electrochemical biosensor equipped with computing functions, acting as a smart automaton to enable computing-based detection. By defining the logic combinations of miR-21 and miR-122 as detection patterns, we proposed the corresponding AND and OR detection automata. In both logic gate modes, miR-21 and miR-122 could be replaced with single-stranded FO or FA, modified with Fc, binding to the S chain on the electrode surface. This process led to a significant decrease in the square wave voltammetry (SWV) of Fc on the same sensing platform, as numerous ferrocene (Fc)-tagged DNA fragments escaped from the electrode surface. Experimental results indicated that both automata efficiently and sensitively detected the presence of the two targets. This strategy highlighted how a small amount of target could generate a large current signal decrease in the logic automata, significantly reducing the detection limit for monitoring low-abundance targets. Moreover, the short-stranded DNA components of the detection automata exhibited a simple composition and easy programmability of probe sequences, offering an innovative detection mode. This simplified the complex process of detection, data collection, computation, and evaluation. The direct detection result ("0" or "1") was exported according to the embedded computation code. This approach could be expanded into a detection system for identifying other sets of biomarkers, enhancing its potential for clinical applications.

Blood soluble CD89-IgA complex may be a potential biomarker for predicting multi-organ involvement, especially renal involvement in children with immunoglobulin A vasculitis.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin A vasculitis (IgAV) is a kind of systemic vasculitis mediated by IgA immune complexes (IgA-ICs). Soluble CD89-IgA complex (sCD89-IgA) as a type of IgA-IC associated with renal involvement in IgAV, the ability of blood sCD89-IgA as a biomarker to predict renal or multi-organ involvement in children with IgAV is not evident, and this study mainly focused on this. METHODS: The clinical characteristics and blood samples of 57 pediatric patients with IgAV were collected. ELISA was used to detect plasma IgA-ICs and sCD89-IgA levels. Serum IgA levels were detected by Nephelometry method. Statistical analysis was conducted to analyze the relationship between sex, age, serum IgA levels, plasma IgA-ICs levels, plasma sCD89-IgA levels and the involvement of multiple organs (except skin) including kidneys in these patients. RESULTS: Compared to patients with simple skin involvement, patients with multi-organ involvement, especially kidneys, had higher levels of plasma IgA-ICs and sCD89-IgA, and the statistical difference was significant. In addition, a high level of plasma sCD89-IgA was a high-risk factor for patients to develop multi-organ or renal involvement in addition to the skin. ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC was 0.861 (Sensitivity: 83 %, Specificity: 88 %, p < 0.0001) when plasma sCD89-IgA predicted multi-organ involvement, and AUC 0.926 (Sensitivity: 94 %, Specificity: 88 %, p < 0.0001) for predicting renal involvement. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that plasma sCD89-IgA may be a potential biomarker for predicting multi-organ involvement (in addition to skin), especially renal involvement in IgAV pediatric patients.

Current status and future directions of nanovaccine for cancer: a bibliometric analysis during 2004-2023.

Background: Nanovaccine treatment is an exciting area of research in immunology and personalized medicine, holding great promise for enhancing immune responses and targeting specific diseases. Their small size allows efficient uptake by immune cells, leading to robust immune activation. They can incorporate immune-stimulating molecules to boost vaccine efficacy. Therefore, nanovaccine can be personalized to target tumor-specific antigens, activating the immune system against cancer cells. Currently, there have been ample evidence showing the effectiveness and potential of nanovaccine as a treatment for cancer. However, there was rare bibliometric analysis of nanovaccine for cancer. Here we performed a bibliometric and visual analysis of published studies related to nanovaccine treatment for cancer, providing the trend of future development of nanovaccine. Methods: We collected the literatures based on the Web of Science Core Collection SCI-Expanded database. The bibliometric analysis was performed via utilizing visualization analysis tools VOSviewer, Co-Occurrence (COOC), Citespace, Bibliometrix (R-Tool of R-Studio), and HitCite. Results: A total of 517 literatures were included in this study. China is the country with the most publications and the highest total local citation score (TLCS). The Chinese Academy of Sciences holds the largest research count in this field and the most prolific author is Deling Kong from Nankai University. The most prominent journal for publishing in this area is Biomaterials. The researches mainly focus on the therapeutic process of tumor nanovaccines, the particle composition and the application of nanovaccines, suggesting the potential hotspots and trends of nanovaccine. Conclusion: In this study, we summarized the characteristics and variation trends of publications involved in nanovaccine, and categorized the most influential countries, institutions, authors, journals, hotspots and trends regarding the nanovaccine for cancer. With the continuous development of nanomaterials and tumor immunotherapy, nanovaccine for cancer provides a research field of significant clinical value and potential application.

The effect of long-term hemodialysis on diabetic retinopathy observed by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes can cause chronic microvascular complications such as diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic nephropathy (DN). DR and DN can lead to or exacerbate diabetic macular edema (DME). Hemodialysis (HD) is the main treatment method for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) secondary to DN. PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective cohort study was to determine the immediate effect of single HD session on retinal and choroidal thickness in DR patients with ESKD and the features of DR and the prevalence of DME in these patients who have received long-term HD. METHODS: Eighty-five eyes of 44 DR patients with ESKD who underwent long-term HD were examined by swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). Based on OCTA images, the characteristics of DR and the prevalence of DME in these patients were analyzed. Changes in central retinal thickness (CRT), central retinal volume (CRV), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) and subfoveal choroidal volume (SFCV) within 30 min before and after single HD session were compared. CRT, CRV, SFCT and SFCV were compared before single HD session and before the next single HD session. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the average CRT (251.69 ± 39.21 µm vs. 251.46 ± 39.38 µm, P = 0.286) or CRV (0.15 ± 0.62 µm vs. 0.15 ± 0.63 µm, P = 0.324) between before and after single HD session. After single HD session, SFCT (243.11 ± 77.15 µm vs. 219.20 ± 72.84 µm, P < 0.001) and SFCV (0.15 ± 0.10 µm vs. 0.13 ± 0.90 µm, P < 0.001) significantly decreased. There was no statistically significant difference in CRT (251.69 ± 39.21 µm vs. 251.11 ± 38.47 µm, P = 0.206), CRV (0.15 ± 0.62 µm vs. 0.15 ± 0.61 µm, P = 0.154), SFCT (243.11 ± 77.15 µm vs. 245.41 ± 76.23 µm, P = 0.108), or SFCV (0.15 ± 0.10 µm vs. 0.16 ± 0.10 µm, P = 0.174) before HD and before the next single HD session. On en face OCTA images, eighty-five eyes (100%) had retinal nonperfusion areas, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) enlargement, and abnormal retinal microvasculature. Based on cross-sectional OCTA images, retinal neovascularization (RNV) was confirmed in 42 eyes (49.41%), and intraretinal microvascular abnormalities (IRMAs) were detected in 85 eyes (100%). Seventeen eyes (20%) still had DME, all of which were cystoid macular edema (CME). Among eyes with DME, the epiretinal membrane (ERM) was present in 7 eyes (8.24%). CONCLUSIONS: For DR patients with ESKD who have undergone long-term HD, the choroidal thickness still changes significantly before and after single HD session, which may be related to short-term effects such as reduced blood volume and plasma osmotic pressure caused by single HD session. Although macular features seem to have stabilized in DR patients undergoing long-term dialysis, the DR of patients with ESKD should still be given attention.

ZMAT2 condensates regulate the alternative splicing of TRIM28 to reduce cellular ROS accumulation, thereby promoting the proliferation of HCC cells.

Dysregulation of splicing factor expression plays a crucial role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our research found that the expression level of splicing factor ZMAT2 was increased in HCC, promoting the proliferation of HCC cells. RNAseq data indicated that the absence of ZMAT2 induced skipping exon of mRNA, while RIPseq data further revealed the mRNA binding motifs of ZMAT2. A comprehensive analysis of RNAseq and RIPseq data indicateed that ZMAT2 played a crucial role in the maturation process of TRIM28 mRNA. Knocking down of ZMAT2 led to the deletion of 25 bases in exon 11 of TRIM28, ultimately resulting in nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). Our data revealed that ZMAT2 could regulate TRIM28 to reduce the accumulation of ROS in HCC cells, thereby promoting their proliferation. Our research also discovered that ZMAT2 was capable of undergoing phase separation, resulting in the formation of liquid droplet condensates within HCC cells. Additionally, it was found that ZMAT2 was able to form protein-nucleic acid condensates with TRIM28 mRNA. In summary, this study is the first to reveal that ZMAT2 and TRIM28 mRNA form protein-nucleic acid condensates, thereby regulating the splicing of TRIM28 mRNA. The increased expression of ZMAT2 in HCC leads to upregulated TRIM28 expression and reduced ROS accumulation, ultimately accelerating the proliferation of HCC cells.

The mediating effects of parenting self-efficacy between readiness for hospital discharge and post-discharge coping difficulty among mothers of preterm infants.

Post-discharge coping difficulty presents a significant challenge for mothers of preterm infants. The readiness for hospital discharge and parenting self-efficacy are crucial factors influencing post-discharge coping difficulty. However, the pathways through which these factors impact post-discharge coping difficulty remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of readiness for hospital discharge on post-discharge coping difficulty and the mediating role of parenting self-efficacy among mothers of preterm infants. A prospective study involving 462 mothers of preterm infants from six tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province was conducted. Mothers were evaluated on the day of discharge (using the Baseline characteristics and Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale) and three weeks post-discharge (utilizing the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale-Efficacy subscale and Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale). Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the mediating effect. The results of this study revealed that readiness for hospital discharge significantly decreased post-discharge coping difficulty (ß = - 0.533, P < 0.001), and parenting self-efficacy also significantly reduced post-discharge coping difficulty (ß = - 0.419, P < 0.001). Furthermore, parenting self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between readiness for hospital discharge and post-discharge coping difficulty, accounting for 25.35% of the total effect. Mothers reported a moderate level of post-discharge coping difficulty. In assisting mothers of premature infants to alleviate post-discharge coping difficulty, nurses could implement strategies focused on enhancing readiness for hospital discharge and parenting self-efficacy.

Linear and non-linear relationships between body fat mass distribution and bone mineral density in adults: The NHANES, 2011-2018.

OBJECTIVE: The relationship between body fat mass and bone mineral density (BMD) remains controversial. This research aimed to explore the linear or non-linear relationship between body fat mass and BMD among adults in the United States. METHODS: This cross-sectional study identified adults aged 18 years or older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2011 to 2018. After adjusting for covariates, linear relationships between body fat mass and BMD in different genders were tested by generalized linear models, and potential non-linear relationships were explored by generalized additive models and piecewise linear regression models. RESULTS: The research included 4691 (57.9% of the total sample) males and 3417 (42.1% the of total sample) females. In both males and females, we found a negative association between android or total body fat mass and lumbar spine BMD and a positive association between appendicular, android, gynoid, or total body fat mass and whole body BMD (all P < 0.05). The relationships between body fat mass in all regions and lumbar spine BMD were U-shaped in males and inverted U-shaped in females (all Pnon-linear < 0.05). Inverted U-shaped relationships existed between body fat mass in all regions and whole body BMD in females (all Pnon-linear < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Body fat mass was negatively and linearly associated with lumbar spine BMD, but positively associated with whole body BMD. Body fat mass had a U-shaped relationship with lumbar spine BMD in males and an inverted U-shaped association with lumbar spine and whole body BMD in females.

Engineered nanovesicles mediated cardiomyocyte survival and neovascularization for the therapy of myocardial infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) leads to substantial cellular necrosis as a consequence of reduced blood flow and oxygen deprivation. Stimulating cardiomyocyte proliferation and angiogenesis can promote functional recovery after cardiac events. In this study, we explored a novel therapeutic strategy for MI by synthesizing a biomimetic nanovesicle (NV). This biomimetic NVs are composed of exosomes sourced from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, which have been loaded with placental growth factors (PLGF) and surface-engineered with a cardiac-targeting peptide (CHP) through covalent bonding, termed Exo-P-C NVs. With the help of the myocardial targeting effect of homing peptides, NVs can be enriched in the MI site, thus improve cardiac regeneration, reduce fibrosis, stimulate cardiomyocyte proliferation, and promote angiogenesis, ultimately resulted in improved cardiac functional recovery. It was demonstrated that Exo-P-C NVs have the potential to offer novel therapeutic strategies for the improvement of cardiac function and management of myocardial infarction.

Single-center experience with self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve system for symptomatic high-risk patients with severe aortic regurgitation: One-year outcomes.

AIMS: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) for the treatment of aortic regurgitation (AR). METHODS: From September 2019 to February 2022, 62 patients who underwent transfemoral TAVI procedure for pure, symptomatic severe AR with the VitaFlow system were enrolled in the current study. The outcomes were assessed according to the Valve Academic Research Consortium 3 criteria. Procedural results and clinical outcomes for 1 year were analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age was 71.56 ± 7.34 years and 58.1% were male. The mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score was 5.44 ± 3.22%. The device success rate was 79.0%. Only one patient was converted to open surgery. The in-hospital mortality rate was 1.6%. The 1-year all-cause mortality rate was 6.5%. The new permanent pacemaker implantation rate was 29.0% in-hospital and 30.7% at 1-year follow-up. The second valve implantation rate was 14.5%. No patient developed more than moderate paravalvular leakage during follow-up. The mean ejection fraction improved from 54.05 ± 10.83% at baseline to 59.32 ± 8.70% (p < 0.001 compared with baseline) at 12 months. Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased from 61.62 ± 5.58 mm at baseline to 55.20 ± 4.51 mm (p < 0.001 compared with the baseline) at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Transfemoral TAVI procedure shows efficacy in treating patients with severe pure native AR. The safety is improved with the development of the VitaFlow system.

Supermolecule-opitimized defect engineering of rich nitrogen-doped porous carbons for advanced zinc-ion hybrid capacitors.

Pitch-based porous carbons with adjustable surface chemical property and controllable pore structure are regarded as promising cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion hybrid capacitors (ZIHCs), while its disordered carbon matrix and microstructure as well as insufficient surface defects often result in low Zn2+-storage capacity and poor rate capability of ZIHCs. Herein, a synergetic strategy of self-assembled supermolecule and enriched defective carbon engineering was developed to achieve ultrahigh edge-nitrogen doping for ZIHCs. The crystallite defects and surface structure of porous carbon could be effectively achieved through grafting electronegative oxygen-containing small molecules and high-level nitrogen-containing functional groups between modified polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and supermolecule framework. The optimized three-dimensional carbon structure delivered high capacity of 218 mAh g-1 at 0.2 A g-1, fast charge/discharge capability, enhanced energy density (165.4 Wh kg-1) and superior cycling stability (95% retention after 10000 cycles as cathode of ZIHCs). This provided new insight into the controllable synthesis of carbon cathodes for ZIHCs and expects to prepare functional porous carbon by supermolecules and special precursors.

Analysis of the causes of neonatal death and genetic variations in congenital anomalies: a multi-center study.

Background: Neonatal deaths often result from preventable conditions that can be addressed with appropriate interventions. This study aims to analyze the distribution of the causes of neonatal death and explore genetic variations that lead to congenital anomalies in Northwest China. Methods: This multi-center observational study was conducted across six medical centers in Shaanxi province, Northwest China. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from neonates admitted between 2016 and 2020. Kaplan-Meier analysis was utilized to estimate survival rates, while high-throughput sequencing platforms were employed to detect mutations causing congenital anomalies. Results: Among 73,967 neonates requiring hospital care, 424 neonatal deaths were recorded, leading to a neonatal mortality rate of 0.57%. The primary causes of death included neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (23.8%), birth asphyxia (19.8%), neonatal septicemia (19.3%), and congenital anomalies (13.6%). The leading causes of neonatal deaths due to congenital anomalies were congenital heart defects (38.6%), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (14.0%), and inherited metabolic disorders (10.5%). Genetic analysis identified 83 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants in 23 genes among the neonates with congenital anomalies, including four novel mutations (c.4198+1G>T, c.1075delG, c.610-1G>A, c.7769C>T) in the ABCC8, CDKL5, PLA2G6, and NIPBL genes. Conclusion: Congenital anomalies represent a significant and preventable cause of neonatal deaths in Northwest China. Early detection of congenital anomalies through genetic testing and comprehensive prenatal care are crucial for reducing neonatal mortality rates and improving pregnancy outcomes.

The acoustic change complex evoked by location-change sounds in the elderly.

OBJECTIVE: We have shown that the acoustic change complex (ACC) can be elicited by changing the horizontal sound location in young individuals. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the application of ACC within the elderly and its relationship with behavioural results. DESIGN: The minimum audible angle (MAA), as well as onset cortical auditory evoked potentials (onset-CAEPs) and ACC elicited by the stimuli of location-change white noise (±45 to ±2 degrees) were recorded. Latencies and amplitudes were analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA. Pearson correlation analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between ACC and MAA. STUDY SAMPLE: Ten older adults with normal hearing (NH) and twenty with presbycusis. RESULTS: The ACC was effectively elicited with angular variations in elderly participants. The onset-CAEP N1 latency, ACC N1'-P2' amplitude, and N1' latency were all associated with the angle shifts, with the N1' latency being the most predictive factor for angle discrimination. The consistency between MAA and ACC made them complementary for the clinical evaluation of sound localisation. CONCLUSIONS: The utilisation of ACC, evoked by location-change sounds, presented a promising clinical objective measure for evaluating sound localisation abilities in the elderly.

The role of tRF-Val-CAC-010 in lung adenocarcinoma: implications for tumorigenesis and metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: Transfer RNA-derived fragments (tRFs) are short non-coding RNA (ncRNA) sequences, ranging from 14 to 30 nucleotides, produced through the precise cleavage of precursor and mature tRNAs. While tRFs have been implicated in various diseases, including cancer, their role in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the impact of tRF-Val-CAC-010, a specific tRF molecule, on the phenotype of LUAD cells and its role in tumorigenesis and progression in vivo. METHODS: The expression level of tRF-Val-CAC-010 was quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Specific inhibitors and mimics of tRF-Val-CAC-010 were synthesized for transient transfection. Cell proliferation was assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), while cell invasion and migration were evaluated through Transwell invasion and scratch assays. Flow cytometry was utilized to analyze cell cycle and apoptosis. The in vivo effects of tRF-Val-CAC-010 on tumor growth and metastasis were determined through tumor formation and metastasis imaging experiments in nude mice. RESULTS: The expression level of tRF-Val-CAC-010 was upregulated in A549 and PC9 LUAD cells (P < 0.01). Suppression of tRF-Val-CAC-010 expression resulted in decreased proliferation of A549 and PC9 cells (P < 0.001), reduced invasion and migration of A549 (P < 0.05, P < 0.001) and PC9 cells (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), enhanced apoptosis in both A549 (P < 0.05) and PC9 cells (P < 0.05), and increased G2 phase cell cycle arrest in A549 cells (P < 0.05). In vivo, the tumor formation volume in the tRF-inhibitor group was significantly smaller than that in the model and tRF-NC groups (P < 0.05). The metastatic tumor flux value in the tRF-inhibitor group was also significantly lower than that in the model and tRF-NC groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that tRF-Val-CAC-010 promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells and induces apoptosis in vitro, however, its specific effects on the cell cycle require further elucidation. Additionally, tRF-Val-CAC-010 enhances tumor formation and metastasis in vivo. Therefore, tRF-Val-CAC-010 may serve as a novel diagnostic biomarker and potential therapeutic target for LUAD.

Family Functioning and Adolescent Mental Health: The Mediating Role of Bullying Victimization and Resilience.

This study aimed to understand the current state of adolescent mental health, explore the mediating effect of bullying victimization and resilience in the relationship between adolescent family functioning and mental health, and investigate gender differences in this association. A total of 4319 students (2347 boys and 1972 girls) completed the questionnaire. Mediating effects were analyzed using the framework of structural equation modeling and bootstrapping. The results revealed that family functioning is significantly associated with adolescent mental health, and that bullying victimization and resilience have significant independent and chain mediating effects on this relationship. Multiple group analysis revealed that the independent mediating role of resilience was more significant for male adolescents. Furthermore, the chain-mediated effects of bullying victimization and resilience were observed only in the relationship between family functioning and mental health in male adolescents. To improve the mental health of adolescents, special attention should be given to the impact of family life on adolescents' school life. Early detection and intervention for adolescents with poor family functioning are also important to effectively prevent bullying victimization and reduce the emergence of mental health problems.