Investigation into enhanced performance of toluene and Hg0 stimulative abatement over Cr-Mn oxides co-modified columnar activated coke.

In this study, a string of Cr-Mn co-modified activated coke catalysts (XCryMn1-y/AC) were prepared to investigate toluene and Hg0 removal performance. Multifarious characterizations including XRD, TEM, SEM, in situ DRIFTS, BET, XPS and H2-TPR showed that 4%Cr0.5Mn0.5/AC had excellent physicochemical properties and exhibited the best toluene and Hg0 removal efficiency at 200℃. By varying the experimental gas components and conditions, it was found that too large weight hourly space velocity would reduce the removal efficiency of toluene and Hg0. Although O2 promoted the abatement of toluene and Hg0, the inhibitory role of H2O and SO2 offset the promoting effect of O2 to some extent. Toluene significantly inhibited Hg0 removal, resulting from that toluene was present at concentrations orders of magnitude greater than mercury's or the catalyst was more prone to adsorb toluene, while Hg0 almost exerted non-existent influence on toluene elimination. The mechanistic analysis showed that the forms of toluene and Hg0 removal included both adsorption and oxidation, where the high-valent metal cations and oxygen vacancy clusters promoted the redox cycle of Cr3+ + Mn3+/Mn4+ ↔ Cr6+ + Mn2+, which facilitated the conversion and replenishment of reactive oxygen species in the oxidation process, and even the CrMn1.5O4 spinel structure could provide a larger catalytic interface, thus enhancing the adsorption/oxidation of toluene and Hg0. Therefore, its excellent physicochemical properties make it a cost-effective potential industrial catalyst with outstanding synergistic toluene and Hg0 removal performance and preeminent resistance to H2O and SO2.

Variations of soil metal content, soil enzyme activity and soil bacterial community in Rhododendron delavayi natural shrub forest at different elevations.

BACKGROUND: Rhododendron delavayi is a natural shrub that is distributed at different elevations in the karst region of Bijie, China, and that has an important role in preventing land degradation in this region. In this study, we determined the soil mineral element contents and soil enzyme activities. The composition of the soil bacterial community of R. delavayi at three elevations (1448 m, 1643 m, and 1821 m) was analyzed by high-throughput sequencing, and the interrelationships among the soil bacterial communities, mineral elements, and enzyme activities were determined. RESULTS: The Shannon index of the soil bacterial community increased and then decreased with increasing elevation and was highest at 1643 m. Elevations increased the number of total nodes and edges of the soil bacterial community network, and more positive correlations at 1821 m suggested stronger intraspecific cooperation. Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria were the dominant phyla at all three elevations. The Mantel test and correlation analysis showed that Fe and soil urease significantly affected bacterial communities at 1448 m; interestingly, Chloroflexi was positively related to soil urease at 1448 m, and Actinobacteria was positively correlated with Ni and Zn at 1821 m. Fe and soil urease significantly influenced the bacterial communities at lower elevations, and high elevation (1821 m) enhanced the positive interactions of the soil bacteria, which might be a strategy for R. delavayi to adapt to high elevation environments. CONCLUSION: Elevation significantly influenced the composition of soil bacterial communities by affecting the content of soil mineral elements and soil enzyme activity.

The YTH domain-containing protein family: Emerging players in immunomodulation and tumour immunotherapy targets.

BACKGROUND: The modification of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) plays a pivotal role in tumor by altering both innate and adaptive immune systems through various pathways, including the regulation of messenger RNA. The YTH domain protein family, acting as "readers" of m6A modifications, affects RNA splicing, stability, and immunogenicity, thereby playing essential roles in immune regulation and antitumor immunity. Despite their significance, the impact of the YTH domain protein family on tumor initiation and progression, as well as their involvement in tumor immune regulation and therapy, remains underexplored and lacks comprehensive review. CONCLUSION: This review introduces the molecular characteristics of the YTH domain protein family and their physiological and pathological roles in biological behavior, emphasizing their mechanisms in regulating immune responses and antitumor immunity. Additionally, the review discusses the roles of the YTH domain protein family in immune-related diseases and tumor resistance, highlighting that abnormal expression or dysfunction of YTH proteins is closely linked to tumor resistance. KEY POINTS: This review provides an in-depth understanding of the YTH domain protein family in immune regulation and antitumor immunity, suggesting new strategies and directions for immunotherapy of related diseases. These insights not only deepen our comprehension of m6A modifications and YTH protein functions but also pave the way for future research and clinical applications.

Comparison of diagnostic value of technetium 99m-labeled red blood cell computed single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT) and contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) for small bowel bleeding: a retrospective study.

Background: Although small bowel bleeding is relatively rare, it is a potentially fatal disease, and its diagnosis still faces challenges. Technetium 99m-labeled red blood cell computed single photon emission computed tomography/computed tomography (99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT) and contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) are common imaging methods for diagnosing small bowel bleeding, but there have been no studies comparing their diagnostic efficacy for this purpose. This study aims to compare the diagnostic value of 99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT and contrast-enhanced MDCT for small bowel bleeding. Methods: A total of 44 patients (30 males and 14 females, median age of 64 years) definitively diagnosed with small bowel bleeding and 15 non-small bowel bleeding patients (8 males and 7 females, median age of 66 years) were consecutively included in this study. All patients underwent 99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT and contrast-enhanced MDCT examinations at Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University between January 2020 to September 2023. The definitive diagnosis had been made through surgery or colonoscopy, or through patient history, patient management, and clinical follow-up. We collected clinical data of the participants. 99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT and contrast-enhanced MDCT were reviewed in a blinded fashion for accuracy of detection of active bleeding as well as the active small bowel bleeding location. Results: Among the 59 patients, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 99mTc-RBC SPECT were 27.3%, 93.3%, and 92.3%; for 99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT they were 76.3%, 40.5%, and 93.3%; whereas for contrast-enhanced MDCT they were 45.8%, 27.3%, and 100%, respectively. The diagnostic accuracy of 99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT for jejunal and ileal bleeding was high, at 100% and 86.4%, respectively. Meanwhile, 99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT had a higher accuracy in diagnosing more causes of small bowel bleeding. In 59 patients, the combination of 99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT and contrast-enhanced MDCT accurately diagnosed small bowel bleeding and provided precise localization in 50 patients, resulting in the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of 84.7%, 79.5%, and 100.0%, respectively. Conclusions: 99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT has high diagnostic value in diagnosing small bowel bleeding and is superior to 99mTc-RBC SPECT and contrast-enhanced MDCT. The combination of 99mTc-RBC SPECT/CT and contrast-enhanced MDCT can further improve the diagnostic accuracy of diagnosis, and can accurately guide the diagnosis and treatment of small bowel bleeding.

Effects of long-term running on the structure and biochemical composition of knee cartilage in males: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Running has been widely recognized as a beneficial activity for improving physical fitness, but it can also increase the risk of running-related injuries (RRIs). This study aims to assess the impact of long-term running on the structural and biochemical composition of the knee. Methods: This study recruited a total of 32 participants, including 16 male recreational runners, aged 28-49 years, with a running experience of 2-7 years, and 16 matched sedentary controls. Magnetic resonance (MR) scans of T2* mapping and three-dimensional double-echo steady-state (3D-DESS) were performed on all participants. The volumes, thickness, and T2* values of joint articular cartilage were obtained via automatic segmentation software. Results: Compared with the sedentary controls, runners exhibited significant increases in the volumes of both the femoral medial articular cartilage and the tibial medial articular cartilage. Additionally, there were significant increases in the thickness of several cartilage regions, including femoral medial cartilage, femoral medial articular cartilage, femoral medial thickness, femoral lateral cartilage, and tibial medial articular cartilage. Notably, the T2* values in the femoral lateral and tibial lateral cartilage of runners decreased significantly, while those in the patellar cartilage and medial tibial cartilage increased significantly. Runner pace was negatively correlated with the overall knee cartilage thickness (r=-0.556; P=0.02), femoral cartilage thickness (r=-0.533; P=0.03), and volume (r=-0.532; P=0.03) but positively correlated with the T2* value of the patellar cartilage (r=0.577; P=0.01). Conclusions: Our study suggests that long-term mechanical stress from running may lead to increased thickness and volume in certain knee joint cartilage regions, possibly enhancing the functional adaptability of knee cartilage. The varying changes in T2* value in the tibial and fibular cartilage areas may indicate differing adaptability to pressure.

The effect of dietary supplementation of Lycium barbarum leaves on the growth performance, organ indexes and intestinal microflora of rats.

This study was conducted to investigate both fruit and different levels of leaf supplementation on the growth performance, organ indices and intestinal microflora of rats. Twenty-five healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups. The rats in the control (NC) and positive control (PC) groups were fed by gavage a basal diet and a basal diet with 4 g/kg of L. barbarum fruit homogenate, respectively. The test (LD, MD, and HD) groups were fed basal diets with additional 2, 4, and 8 g/kg of L. barbarum leaf homogenate, respectively. The feeding period was 35 d. The result revealed that the rats in the LD group had the highest average weight gain (p < 0.05). The cardiac and renal indexes in the LD and MD groups were significantly higher than in NC group, respectively (p < 0.05). Diversity analysis revealed that adding low concentrations of L. barbarum leaf homogenates markedly reduced the Shannon index of the rats cecum (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Verrucomicrobiota was higher in the LD group than those in other groups (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Actinobacteriota was found significantly higher in PC group than others (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Akkermansia in LD group was the highest (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Romboutsia in the PC group was considerably higher than that in other groups. The relative abundance of Candidatus_Saccharimonas in the supplementation groups was appreciably lower than those found in other groups. The relative abundance of Alloprevotella was significantly lower in PC, LD, and MD groups than in NC and HD groups (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Oscillibacter was significantly higher in HD group than in other groups (p < 0.05). Thus, L. barbarum leaf homogenate fed to rats could increase their growth performance, internal organ weights and additionally enhance the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria. Therefore, based on the obtained data in the current study, a dose of L. barbarum leaf homogenate supplemented with 2 g/kg in diet is recommended, however, further studies are required to confirm, especially in animals.

Differences in T cell-associated serum markers between ischemic cardiomyopathy and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Background: Ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have similar clinical manifestations but differ in pathogenesis. We aimed to identify T cell-associated serum markers that can be used to distinguish between ICM and DCM. Methods: We identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with transcriptome sequencing data in GSE116250, and then conducted enrichment analysis of DEGs in the Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were used to analyze the relationship between T cells-related genes and identify hub genes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect T cell-associated proteins in serum, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of these serum markers. Results: Using the limma package and Venn plots, we found that the non-failing donors (NFD) and DCM groups shared many of the same DEGs and DEGs-enriched functions compared to the ICM group, which were involved in T cell activation and differentiation, among other functions. Subsequently, the immune cell score showed no difference between NFD and DCM, but they were significantly different from ICM patients in CD8 T cells CD4 T cells memory resting and activated, T cells follicular helper, and M1 macrophage. After analyzing T cell-associated DEGs, it was found that 4 DEGs encoding secreted proteins were highly expressed in the ICM group compared with the NFD and DCM groups, namely chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 21 (CCL21), interleukin (IL)-1ß, lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG3), and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Importantly, the serum levels of CCL21, IL-1ß, LAG3, and VCAM-1 in ICM patients were all significantly higher than those in DCM patients. The ROC curves showed that the area under the curve (AUC) values of serum CCL21, IL-1ß, LAG3, and VCAM-1 were 0.775, 0.868, 0.934, and 0.903, respectively. Conclusions: We have identified four T cell-associated serum markers, CCL21, IL-1ß, LAG3, and VCAM-1, as potential diagnostic serum markers that differentiate ICM from DCM.

Effect of preoperative autologous platelet-rich plasmapheresis on postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

Background: Cardiovascular surgeries often require deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), which can disrupt blood clotting and lead to excessive bleeding. Traditional treatments involve transfusing blood and blood products, which can have adverse effects and place significant strain on the global blood supply. Research suggests that autologous platelet-rich plasmapheresis (aPRP) may reduce the need for transfusions by preserving blood components. However, the impact of aPRP on postoperative blood loss and clinical outcomes in cardiovascular surgery remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the effects of aPRP on postoperative blood loss and recovery in patients undergoing heart valve surgery. Methods: A total of 183 patients were divided into either aPRP or control groups. The aPRP group received aPRP before CPB, whereas the control group did not. The primary endpoint was postoperative bleeding between the groups. The secondary endpoints were postoperative bleeding risk factors and clinical outcome assessment. Logistic regression analysis with covariate adjustment was used to calculate these risk factors. Results: A total of 76 patients (41.5%) in the aPRP group and 107 patients (58.5%) in the control group were included in the analysis. No significant difference was found in the occurrence of postoperative bleeding [odds ratio (OR) =0.53, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.28-1.00, P=0.05], and the aPRP group had fewer complications than the controls (OR =0.28, 95% CI: 0.10-0.68, P=0.009). However, after adjusting for the New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification, diabetes, arrhythmology, mean activated clotting time (ACTmean), CPB, bleeding, thoracotomy, and body mass index (BMI), there was a significant difference in postoperative bleeding (adjusted OR =0.47, 95% CI: 0.22-0.98, P=0.04) and complications (adjusted OR =0.23, 95% CI: 0.07-0.64, P=0.008) between the two groups. Conclusions: Preoperative aPRP can improve postoperative outcomes and reduce complications in patients undergoing heart valve surgery.

Preparation of Fe/Co bimetallic oxide loaded hydrophobic & catalytic bifunctional membrane and its catalytic performance in sulfite oxidation.

Sulfite oxidation is critical for the stable operation of desulfurization process and the treatment & recovery of desulfurization by-products. The Fe and Co oxides modified super hydrophobic layer was prepared on tubular ceramic membranes using hydrothermal synthesis and surface modifications to realize the combination of the membrane catalysis and membrane aeration. These two oxides were approximately two-layer distributed on the membrane surface, among which the Fe2O3 located in the bottom layer and the Co3O4 located in the upper layer. The catalytic rate of the bifunctional membrane was about 5.8 times than that of the original ceramic membrane, which was decreased with the increasing of Fe/Co ratio and declined after an initial rise with the increase of urea and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The conjoint effect of Fe and Co could improve the catalytic performance and reduce the dissolution loss of catalyzer. The oxidation rate tended to be constant after a 15 % decrease in 7 times experiments.

Structural Phase Transition and Disproportionation of MnF3 Under High Pressure and High Temperature.

Materials that once suffered under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions often display unusual phenomena that challenge traditional understanding. MnF3, an intermediate valence state Mn-F compound, exhibits a distorted octahedral crystal structure influenced by the Jahn-Teller effect. Here we report the structural phase transition and self-disproportionation of MnF3 under high pressure and high temperature. The initial octahedra phase I2/a-MnF3 transforms into the hendecahedra Pnma phase under high pressure. Subsequently, we found that molten Pnma-MnF3 self-disproportionate into MnF2 and MnF4 with the aid of laser heating at a pressure above 57.1 GPa. Raman spectra and UV-vis absorption experiments confirmed these changes that were ultimately confirmed by synchrotron radiation XRD. The equation of states for the volume with the pressure of these Mn-F compounds was also given. This work expands the study of Mn-F systems and provides guidance for the behavior of transition metal fluorides under high pressures and high temperatures.

Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction to Ethanol by ZnCo2O4/ZnO Janus Hollow Nanofibers.

Photocatalytic carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction for high-value hydrocarbon fuel production is a promising strategy to tackle global energy demand and climate change. However, this technology faces formidable challenges, primarily stemming from low yield and poor selectivity of C2 products of the desired hydrocarbon fuels. This study reported ZnO/ZnCo2O4 Janus hollow nanofibers (ZnO/ZCO JHNFs) prepared by electrospinning and atomic layer deposition. Photocatalytic tests revealed an ethanol yield of 4.99 µmol g-1 h-1 for ZnO/ZnCo2O4 JHNFs, surpassing mixed ZnO/ZnCo2O4 nanofibers (ZnO/ZCO NFs) by 4.35 times and pure ZnO by 12.7 times. The selectivity of 58.8% is 2.38 and 4.49 times higher than those of ZnO/ZnCo2O4 NFs and ZnO, respectively. These enhancements are attributed to efficient carrier separation facilitated by the ordered internal electric field of the Z-scheme heterojunction interface, validated by the energy band evaluations from experimentation and density functional theory (DFT) simulations and charge separation characterizations of photocurrent, impedance, and photoluminescence spectra. The Janus structure also effectively exposes the surface of ZnCo2O4 to CO2 molecules, increasing the active site availability, as confirmed by BET nitrogen adsorption/desorption, temperature-programmed desorption tests, and DFT adsorption energy calculations. This study proposes a novel approach for efficient photocatalytic hydrocarbon fuel production, with potential applications in energy and climate crisis mitigation.

Liver Extracellular Vesicles and Particles Enriched ß-Sitosterol Effectively Promote Liver Regeneration in Mice.

Background: The liver's regenerative capacity allows it to repair itself after injury. Extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) in the liver's interstitial space are crucial for signal transduction, metabolism, and immune regulation. Understanding the role and mechanism of liver-derived EVPs in regeneration is significant, particularly after partial hepatectomy, where the mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: A 70% hepatectomy model was established in mice, and EVPs were isolated and characterized using electron microscopy, nanocharacterization, and Western blot analysis. Combined metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses revealed ß-sitosterol enrichment in EVPs and activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway during regeneration. The role of ß-sitosterol in EVPs on the Hedgehog pathway and its targets were identified using qRT-PCR, Western blot analysis. The regulation of carnitine synthesis by this pathway was determined using a dual luciferase assay. The effect of a ß-sitosterol diet on liver regeneration was verified in mice. Results: After 70% hepatectomy, the liver successfully regenerated without liver failure or death. At 24 hours post-surgery, tissue staining showed transient regeneration-associated steatosis (TRAS), with increased Ki67 positivity at 48 hours. EVPs displayed a spherical lipid bilayer structure with particle sizes of 70-130 nm. CD9, CD63, and CD81 in liver-derived EVPs were confirmed. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed EVPs supplementation significantly promoted carnitine synthesis and fatty acid oxidation. Tissue staining confirmed accelerated TRAS resolution and enhanced liver regeneration with EVP supplementation. Mass spectrometry identified ß-sitosterol in EVPs, which binds to Smo protein, activating the Hedgehog pathway. This led to the nuclear transport of Gli3, stimulating Setd5 transcription and inducing carnitine synthesis, thereby accelerating fatty acid oxidation. Mice with increased ß-sitosterol intake showed faster TRAS resolution and liver regeneration compared to controls. Conclusion: Liver-derived EVPs promote regeneration after partial hepatectomy. ß-sitosterol from EVPs accelerates fatty acid oxidation and promotes liver regeneration by activating Hedgehog signaling pathway.

An overview of multi-omics technologies in rheumatoid arthritis: applications in biomarker and pathway discovery.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease with a complex pathological mechanism involving autoimmune response, local inflammation and bone destruction. Metabolic pathways play an important role in immune-related diseases and their immune responses. The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis may be related to its metabolic dysregulation. Moreover, histological techniques, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics, provide powerful tools for comprehensive analysis of molecular changes in biological systems. The present study explores the molecular and metabolic mechanisms of RA, emphasizing the central role of metabolic dysregulation in the RA disease process and highlighting the complexity of metabolic pathways, particularly metabolic remodeling in synovial tissues and its association with cytokine-mediated inflammation. This paper reveals the potential of histological techniques in identifying metabolically relevant therapeutic targets in RA; specifically, we summarize the genetic basis of RA and the dysregulated metabolic pathways, and explore their functional significance in the context of immune cell activation and differentiation. This study demonstrates the critical role of histological techniques in decoding the complex metabolic network of RA and discusses the integration of histological data with other types of biological data.

Risk Prediction Model for Non-Suicidal Self-Injury in Chinese Adolescents with Major Depressive Disorder Based on Machine Learning.

Background: Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) is a significant social issue, especially among adolescents with major depressive disorder (MDD). This study aimed to construct a risk prediction model using machine learning (ML) algorithms, such as XGBoost and random forest, to identify interventions for healthcare professionals working with adolescents with MDD. Methods: This study investigated 488 adolescents with MDD. Adolescents was randomly divided into 75% training set and 25% test set to testify the predictive value of risk prediction model. The prediction model was constructed using XGBoost and random forest algorithms. We evaluated the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, recall, F Score of the two models for comparing the performance of the two models. Results: There were 161 (33.00%) participants having NSSI. Compared without NSSI, there were statistically significant differences in gender (P=0.035), age (P=0.036), depressive symptoms (P=0.042), sleep quality (P=0.030), dysfunctional attitudes (P=0.048), childhood trauma (P=0.046), interpersonal problems (P=0.047), psychoticism (P) (P=0.049), neuroticism (N) (P=0.044), punishing and Severe (F2) (P=0.045) and Overly-intervening and Protecting (M2) (P=0.047) with NSSI. The AUC values for random forest and XGBoost were 0.780 and 0.807, respectively. The top five most important risk predictors identified by both machine learning methods were dysfunctional attitude, childhood trauma, depressive symptoms, F2 and M2. Conclusion: The study demonstrates the suitability of prediction models for predicting NSSI behavior in Chinese adolescents with MDD based on ML. This model improves the assessment of NSSI in adolescents with MDD by health care professionals working. This provides a foundation for focused prevention and interventions by health care professionals working with these adolescents.

Temperature-Dependent Structural and Optoelectronic Properties of the Layered Perovskite 2-Thiophenemethylammonium Lead Iodide.

Improved knowledge of the influence of temperature upon layered perovskites is essential to enable perovskite-based devices to operate over a broad temperature range and to elucidate the impact of structural changes upon the optoelectronic properties. We examined the Ruddlesden-Popper layered perovskite 2-thiophenemethylammonium lead iodide (ThMA2PbI4) and observed a structural phase transition between a high- and a low-temperature phase at 220 K using temperature-dependent X-ray diffraction, UV-visible absorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The structural phase transition altered the tilt pattern of the inorganic octahedra layer, modifying the absorption and PL spectra. Further, we found a narrow and intense additional PL peak in the low-temperature phase, which we assigned to radiative emission from a defect-bound exciton state. In both phases we determined the thermal expansion coefficient and found values similar to those of cubic 3D perovskites, i.e., larger than those of typical substrates such as glass. These results demonstrate that the organic spacer plays a critical role in controlling the temperature-dependent structural and optoelectronic properties of layered perovskites and suggests more widely that strain management strategies may be needed to fully utilize layered perovskites in device applications.

Being ghosted online and non-suicidal self-injury among adolescents: The role of social avoidance and depression.

The advancement of science and technology has facilitated the emergence of relationship dissolution strategies mediated by electronic communication, such as ghosting on social media. This study aims to investigate how the frequency of being ghosted online affects Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) in adolescents, exploring the mediating roles of social avoidance and depression. A structural equation model was employed to assess 887 Chinese adolescents. The results reveal a significant positive impact of being ghosted online on NSSI. Depression alone was identified as the mediator between being ghosted online and NSSI. Social avoidance and depression demonstrated a sequential mediating effect on the relationship between being ghosted online and NSSI. The findings underscore the mental health implications of being ghosted and emphasize the importance of interventions addressing both social avoidance and depression to mitigate the adverse impacts of being ghosted online on NSSI behaviors.

Clinical Diagnostic Value of Shear-Wave Elastography in Detecting Malignant Nipple Retraction.

OBJECTIVES: In recent years, the use of shear-wave elastography (SWE) as a diagnostic tool for detecting malignant breast lesions has shown promising results. This study aims to determine the clinical diagnostic value of SWE in detecting malignant nipple retraction. METHODS: Both US and SWE (Philips EPIQ7 system) were performed for 41 consecutive patients with nipple retraction (56 nipples). The mean, median, and maximum tissue elasticity values (in kilopascals) were determined for each nipple by using SWE. The sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of each measurement was determined by using the surgical pathology results or clinical diagnosis as the gold standard. RESULTS: Of the 56 retracted nipples, 32 were due to benign lesions, and 24 were due to malignant lesions. No significant differences in dimensions or echo features were found between the benign and malignant groups. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of the color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI) pattern were 63.89% (23/36), 95% (19/20), 95.83 (23/24), 59.38 (19/32), and 75% (42/56), respectively; the corresponding values for median elasticity on SWE were 88.46% (23/26), 96.67% (29/30), 95.83 (23/24), 90.63 (29/32), and 92.85 (52/56), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The addition of SWE to conventional US could help differentiate benign from malignant lesions associated with nipple retraction.

Activation of Bi2MoO6/Zn0.5Cd0.5S charge transfer through interface chemical bonds and surface defects for photothermal catalytic CO2 reduction.

The photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to high-value fuels has been proposed as a solution to the energy crisis caused by the depletion of energy resources. Despite significant advancements in photocatalytic CO2 reduction catalyst development, there are still limitations such as poor CO2 adsorption/activation and low charge transfer efficiency. In this study, we employed a defect-induced heterojunction strategy to construct atomic-level interface Cd-O bonds and form Bi2MoO6/Zn0.5Cd0.5S heterojunctions. The sulfur vacancies (VS) formed in Bi2MoO6/Zn0.5Cd0.5S acted as activation sites for CO2 adsorption. While the interfacial stability provided by the Cd-O bonds served as an electron transfer channel that facilitated the movement of electrons from the interface to the catalytic site. The VS and Cd-O bonds simultaneously influence the distribution of charge, inducing the creation of an interface electric field that facilitates the upward displacement of the center of the d-band. This enhances the adsorption of reaction intermediates. The optimized Bi2MoO6/Zn0.5Cd0.5S heterostructure exhibited high selectivity and stability of photoelectrochemical properties for CO, generating 42.97 µmol⋅g-1⋅h-1 of CO, which was 16.65-fold higher than Zn0.5Cd0.5S under visible light drive. This research provides valuable insights for designing photocatalyst interfaces with improved CO2 adsorption conversion efficiency.

Elucidation of the anti-fibrotic diseases mechanism of chelerythrine by integrative approach of network pharmacology and experimental verification.

In the present study, we conducted an integrative approach of network pharmacology and experimental validation study to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of Chelerythrine (CLT), in treating fibrotic diseases (FD), which are disorders characterised by excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. 27 common targets of CLT against FD were analysed, and these common targets were used to construct the PPI network. The results of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses suggested that CLT exerted pharmacological effects on FD by regulating mTOR signalling pathway, AKT-PI3K pathway and apoptosis signalling pathway. Finally, molecular docking confirmed a strong binding affinity between CLT and the core target proteins. CLT has inhibitory effects on the proliferation and migration of L929 cells, CLT could promote cell apoptosis. CLT decreased levels of the Bcl-2, p-AKT/AKT, p-mTOR/mTOR and p-PI3K/PI3K, meanwhile increased levels of the Bax. Taken together, these results indicate that CLT may be a potential drug for anti-fibrotic diseases therapy.

Red blood cell distribution width to albumin ratio associates with prevalence and long-term diabetes mellitus prognosis: an overview of NHANES 1999-2020 data.

Background: Erythrocyte dysfunction is a characteristic of diabetes mellitus (DM). However, erythrocyte-associated biomarkers do not adequately explain the high prevalence of DM. Here, we describe red blood cell distribution width to albumin ratio (RAR) as a novel inflammatory biomarker for evaluating an association with DM prevalence and prognosis of all-cause mortality. Methods: Data analyzed in this study were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999-2020. A total of 40,558 participants (non-DM and DM) were enrolled in the study; RAR quartiles were calibrated at Q1 [2.02,2.82] mL/g, Q2 (2.82,3.05] mL/g, Q3 (3.05,3.38] mL/g, and Q4 (3.38,12.08] mL/g. A total of 8,482 DM patients were followed (for a median of 84 months), of whom 2,411 died and 6,071 survived. The prevalence and prognosis associated with RAR and DM were analyzed; age and sex were stratified to analyze the prevalence of RAR in DM and the sensitivity of long-term prognosis. Results: Among non-DM (n=30,404) and DM (n=10,154) volunteers, DM prevalence in RAR quartiles was 8.23%, 15.20%, 23.92%, and 36.39%. The multivariable odds ratio (OR) was significant for RAR regarding DM, at 1.68 (95% CI 1.42, 1.98). Considering Q1 as a foundation, the Q4 OR was 2.57 (95% CI 2.11, 3.13). The percentages of DM morbidity varied across RAR quartiles for dead (n=2,411) and surviving (n=6,071) DM patients. Specifically, RAR quartile mortality ratios were 20.31%, 24.24%, 22.65%, and 29.99% (P<0.0001). The multivariable hazard ratio (HR) for RAR was 1.80 (95% CI 1.57, 2.05). Considering Q1 as a foundation, the Q4 HR was 2.59 (95% CI 2.18, 3.09) after adjusting for confounding factors. Sensitivity analysis revealed the HR of male DM patients to be 2.27 (95% CI 1.95, 2.64), higher than females 1.56 (95% CI 1.31, 1.85). DM patients who were 60 years of age or younger had a higher HR of 2.08 (95% CI1.61, 2.70) as compared to those older than 60 years, who had an HR of 1.69 (95% CI 1.47, 1.94). The HR of RAR in DM patients was optimized by a restricted cubic spline (RCS) model; 3.22 was determined to be the inflection point of an inverse L-curve. DM patients with a RAR >3.22 mL/g suffered shorter survival and higher mortality as compared to those with RAR ≤3.22 mL/g. OR and HR RAR values were much higher than those of regular red blood cell distribution width. Conclusions: The predictive value of RAR is more accurate than that of RDW for projecting DM prevalence, while RAR, a DM risk factor, has long-term prognostic power for the condition. Survival time was found to be reduced as RAR increased for those aged ≤60 years among female DM patients.