Early gastric cancer detection and lesion segmentation based on deep learning and gastroscopic images.

Gastric cancer is a highly prevalent disease that poses a serious threat to public health. In clinical practice, gastroscopy is frequently used by medical practitioners to screen for gastric cancer. However, the symptoms of gastric cancer at different stages of advancement vary significantly, particularly in the case of early gastric cancer (EGC). The manifestations of EGC are often indistinct, leading to a detection rate of less than 10%. In recent years, researchers have focused on leveraging deep learning algorithms to assist medical professionals in detecting EGC and thereby improve detection rates. To enhance the ability of deep learning to detect EGC and segment lesions in gastroscopic images, an Improved Mask R-CNN (IMR-CNN) model was proposed. This model incorporates a "Bi-directional feature extraction and fusion module" and a "Purification module for feature channel and space" based on the Mask R-CNN (MR-CNN). Our study includes a dataset of 1120 images of EGC for training and validation of the models. The experimental results indicate that the IMR-CNN model outperforms the original MR-CNN model, with Precision, Recall, Accuracy, Specificity and F1-Score values of 92.9%, 95.3%, 93.9%, 92.5% and 94.1%, respectively. Therefore, our proposed IMR-CNN model has superior detection and lesion segmentation capabilities and can effectively aid doctors in diagnosing EGC from gastroscopic images.

Methanetriol─Formation of an Impossible Molecule.

Orthocarboxylic acids─organic molecules carrying three hydroxyl groups at the same carbon atom─have been distinguished as vital reactive intermediates by the atmospheric science and physical (organic) chemistry communities as transients in the atmospheric aerosol cycle. Predicted short lifetimes and their tendency to dehydrate to a carboxylic acid, free orthocarboxylic acids, signify one of the most elusive classes of organic reactive intermediates, with even the simplest representative methanetriol (CH(OH)3)─historically known as orthoformic acid─not previously been detected experimentally. Here, we report the first synthesis of the previously elusive methanetriol molecule in low-temperature mixed methanol (CH3OH) and molecular oxygen (O2) ices subjected to energetic irradiation. Supported by electronic structure calculations, methanetriol was identified in the gas phase upon sublimation via isomer-selective photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with isotopic substitution studies and the detection of photoionization fragments. The first synthesis and detection of methanetriol (CH(OH)3) reveals its gas-phase stability as supported by a significant barrier hindering unimolecular decomposition. These findings progress our fundamental understanding of the chemistry and chemical bonding of methanetriol, hydroxyperoxymethane (CH3OOOH), and hydroxyperoxymethanol (CH2(OH)OOH), which are all prototype molecules in the oxidation chemistry of the atmosphere.

Synthesis, Structures and Properties of Trioxa[9]circulene and Diepoxycyclononatrinaphthalene.

This article presents trioxa[9]circulene (3) as a novel member of hetero[n]circulenes. Its synthesis began with the synthesis of dimethoxydioxa[8]helicene (5) and used dimethoxydiepoxycyclononatrinaphthalene (4) as a key intermediate, despite the condensation reaction predominantly yielding a 1,4-addition byproduct. The structures and properties of 3-5 were extensively investigated using experimental and computational methods. Analysis of the crystal structures reveal elongation of the internal C-C bonds in the nine-membered ring of 3 compared to 4 and 5. Computational studies demonstrate the remarkable flexibility of trioxa[9]circulene's saddle-shaped polycyclic framework, while the other two compounds are rigid with large racemization barriers. Optically pure forms of 4 and 5 exhibit absorption and luminescence dissymmetry factors on the order of 10-2, with smaller values observed for compound 4. In the crystal structures, molecules of 3 stack to form columns with remarkable π-π overlap, and the π-π interactions of 4 exhibit short intermolecular C-to-C contacts. Consequently, the solution-processed film of 4 functioned as a p-type organic semiconductor in field effect transistors.

Echinacoside Exerts Antihepatic Fibrosis Effects in High-Fat Mice Model by Modulating the ACVR2A-Smad Pathway.

SCOPE: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is an increasingly common chronic liver disease in which hepatic fibrosis is the major pathological change. The transforming growth factor ß (TGF-ß)/mall mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad) signaling is the main effector of fibrosis. Although the antifibrotic effect of echinacoside (Ech) on the liver has been indicated previously, the cellular and molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate both in vivo and in vitro antifibrotic properties of Ech. METHODS AND RESULTS: Cell viability and scratch/wound assays show that Ech significantly inhibits the proliferation, migration, and activation of human hepatic stellate LX-2 cells. In mice with high-fat diet-induced hepatic fibrosis, Ech treatment attenuates the progression of liver injury, inflammation, and fibrosis. Furthermore, transcriptome analysis and subsequent functional validation demonstrate that Ech achieves antifibrotic effects by the activin receptor type-2A (ACVR2A)-mediated TGF-ß1/Smad signaling pathway; ultimately, ACVR2A is demonstrated to be an important target for hepatic fibrosis by inhibiting and inducing the expression of ACVR2A in LX-2 cells. CONCLUSION: Ech exerts potent antifibrotic effects by inhibiting the ACVR2A-mediated TGF-ß1/Smad signaling axis and may serve as an alternative treatment for hepatic fibrosis.

A Prospective Study of the Effects of General Anesthesia on Intraocular Pressure in Healthy Children.

Purpose: To determine the effect of general anesthesia on intraocular pressure (IOP) in children with no intraocular pathology and determine which postanesthetic time point is most predictive of preinduction IOP. Design: Prospective observational study. Participants: Children with no intraocular pathology ≤ 18 years scheduled for general anesthesia as part of their routine care followed by a pediatric ophthalmologist at Nanjing Medical University. Methods: Participants underwent a standardized general anesthetic protocol using a mask induction with sevoflurane and propofol maintenance. Intraocular pressure was measured at the following 7 time points: preinduction (taken in the preoperative area), postinduction minutes 1, 3, and 5, and postairway placement minutes 1, 3, and 5 for a total time period of 10 minutes after induction. A generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate the effect of anesthesia on IOP and the effect of patient factors (age, gender, vital signs, and airway type) on preanesthetic and postanesthetic IOP. An IOP prediction model was developed using the postanesthesia IOP measurements for predicting preinduction IOP. Main Outcome Measures: Intraocular pressure and change in IOP at prespecified time points. Results: Eighty-five children were enrolled with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 7.5 ± 2.9 years. Mean ± SD preinduction IOP was 20.1 ± 3.7 mmHg. Overall, IOP was lowest at 3 minutes postinduction, decreased to a mean of 13.4 ± 3.7 mmHg (P < 0.001). After this, IOP rose 5 minutes postinduction to 16.5 ± 4.2 mmHg, which did not reach preinduction IOP levels (P < 0.001). The IOP prediction model showed that combining 1 minute postinduction and 3 minutes postairway was most predictive (R2 = 0.13), whereas 1 minute postairway was least predictive of preinduction IOP (R2 = 0.01). Conclusions: After the induction of general anesthesia in children, IOP temporarily decreases with a trough at 3 minutes postinduction before increasing and remaining stable just below preinduction levels. Intraocular pressure measurements taken 1 minute after induction with 3 minutes after airway placement are most predictive of preinduction IOP, though predictive value is relatively low. Financial Disclosures: Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article.

Regulation of BTB (POZ) Structural Domain 6b by MicroRNA-222b in Zebrafish Embryos after Exposure to Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate at Low Concentrations.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is a sort of endocrine disruptor that induces abnormal physiological and biochemical activities such as epigenetic alterations, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of short noncoding RNAs that may regulate the expression of many protein-coding genes when organisms are exposed to environmental chemicals. miR-222b is a differentially expressed miRNA after DEHP exposure. miRNA-mRNA prediction suggested that BTB (POZ) structural domain 6b (BTBD6B) might be a target mRNA of miR-222b, and DEHP exposure altered its expression. However, the correlation between miR-222b and BTBD6B has not been experimentally confirmed. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation of BTBD6B by miR-222b in zebrafish embryos under the effect of low concentration of DEHP. Dual fluorescent protein assays and dual luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed the interaction between miR-222b and the 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) of BTBD6B. Ectopic expression assays showed that miR-222b could negatively regulate BTBD6B in ZF4 cells. However, the relative expression of miR-222b and BTBD6B was significantly higher at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels in zebrafish embryos exposed to low concentrations of DEHP. The results of this study improved our understanding of the molecular mechanism of DEHP exposure toxicity. It identified that the aberrant expression of miR-222b/BTBD6B may be one of the mechanisms of DEHP toxicity, which can provide a theoretical reference and scientific basis for environmental management and biological health risk assessment.

Aromatic Hydrocarbon Based and Space Interactions Induced Color-tunable Single-component Organic Phosphorescence.

Construction of new system and exploration of new approach are of great importance for the improvement of their photophysical properties to meet the growing various uses of phosphorescent materials. Triphenylmethane (TPM), composed only of carbon and hydrogen, exhibits excellent color tunable phosphorescence in air, with ultralong lifetime (836 ms), and wide color-tunable range (from cyan to green, then to yellow and finally to orange, 525 nm-616 nm). Through careful comparison with the single crystal diffraction structure of tetraphenylmethane (TTPM) and theoretical calculation analysis, we believe that various clusters formed through space interactions are crucial for color-tunable phosphorescence.

De novo dedifferentiated SDH-deficient gastrointestinal stromal tumor with MDM2 amplification: case report and literature review.

The dedifferentiation of the gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) has been reported in a small number of cases, usually under the pressure of the tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment. Herein, we described a de novo dedifferentiated GIST with the SDH deficiency in a 32-year-old Chinese woman. The tumor was located on the lesser curvature of the gastric antrum, measuring 4.1x9.1 cm2. Microscopically, the tumor was composed of 2 distinct morphological populations, mild epithelioid cells arranged in the multinodular growth pattern and hyperchromatic spindle cells arranged in the fascicular or sheet-like architecture. The two zones showed different immunophenotypes. The former proved to be an epithelioid GIST with the positive expression for C-KIT, DOG-1, and CD34, and the latter expressed the CKpan and P53, but negative for the C-KIT, DOG-1, and CD34. However, the SDHB staining was negative in both areas. Genetically, the next-generation sequencing (NGS) analysis showed the SDHC mutation (p.S48*) in both components and the MDM2 amplification was only in the spindle cell area. The lesion was diagnosed as the SDH-deficient GIST with the epithelial cell dedifferentiation. We proposed that the P53 associated gene alteration or other alternative escape mechanisms for the KIT-independent signaling pathways might play a role in the dedifferentiation.

Trilobatin rescues fulminant hepatic failure by targeting COX2: Involvement of ROS/TLR4/NLRP3 signaling.

BACKGROUND: Fulminant hepatic failure (FHF) lacks efficient therapies notwithstanding increased comprehending of the inflammatory response and oxidative stress play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of this type of hepatic damage. Trilobatin (TLB), a naturally occurring food additive, is endowed with anti-inflammation and antioxidant properties. PURPOSE: In current study, we evaluated the effect of TLB on FHF with a mouse model with d-galactosamine/lipopolysaccharide (GalN/LPS)-induced FHF and LPS-stimulated Kupffer cells (KCs) injury. METHODS: Mice were randomly divided into seven groups: control group, TLB 40 mg/kg + control group, GalN/LPS group, TLB 10 mg/kg + GalN/LPS group, TLB 20 mg/kg + GalN/LPS group, TLB 40 mg/kg + GalN/LPS group, bifendate 150 mg/kg + GalN/LPS group. The mice were administered intragastrically TLB (10, 20 and 40 mg/kg) for 7 days (twice a day) prior to injection of GalN (700 mg/kg)/LPS (100 µg/kg). The KCs were pretreated with TLB (2.5, 5, 10 µM) for 2 h or its analogue (10 µM) or COX2 inhibitor (10 µM), and thereafter challenged by LPS (1 µg/ml) for 24 h. RESULTS: TLB effectively rescued GalN/LPS-induced FHF. Furthermore, TLB inhibited TLR 4/NLRP3/pyroptosis pathway, and caspase 3-dependent apoptosis pathway, along with reducing excessive cellular and mitochondrial ROS generation and enhancing mitochondrial biogenesis. Intriguingly, TLB directly bound to COX2 as reflected by transcriptomics, molecular docking technique and surface plasmon resonance assay. Furthermore, TLB failed to attenuate LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in KCs in the absence of COX2. CONCLUSION: Our findings discover a novel pharmacological effect of TLB: protecting against FHF-induced pyroptosis and apoptosis through mediating ROS/TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway and reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. TLB may be a promising agent with outstanding safety profile to treat FHF.

FAM3 family genes are associated with prognostic value of human cancer: a pan-cancer analysis.

Family with sequence similarity three member (FAM3) plays a crucial role in the malignant development of various cancers of human. However, there remains doubtful what specific role of FAM3 family genes in pan-cancer. Our study aimed to investigate the role of FAM3 family genes in prognosis, immune subtype, tumor immune microenvironment, stemness score, and anticancer drug sensitivity of pan-cancer. We obtained data from UCSC Xena GDC and CellMiner databases, and used them to study the correlation of the expression, survival, immune subtype, tumor microenvironment, stemness score, and anticancer drug sensitivity between FAM3 family genes with pan-cancer. Furthermore, we investigated the tumor cellular functions and clinical prognostic value FAMC3 in pancreatic cancer (PAAD) using cellular experiments and tissue microarray. Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8), transwell invasion, wound-healing and apoptosis assays were performed to study the effect of FAM3C on SW1990 cells' proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis. Immunohistochemical staining was used to study the relationship between FAM3C expression and clinical characteristics of pancreatic cancer patients. The results revealed that FAM3 family genes are significantly differential expression in tumor and adjacent normal tissues in 7 cancers (CHOL, HNSC, KICH, LUAD, LUSC, READ, and STAD). The expression of FAM3 family genes were negatively related with the RNAss, and robust correlated with immune type, tumor immune microenvironment and drug sensitivity. The expression of FAM3 family genes in pan-cancers were significantly different in immune type C1 (wound healing), C2 (IFN-gamma dominant), C3 (inflammatory), C4 (lymphocyte depleted), C5 (immunologically quiet), and C6 (TGF-beta dominant). Meanwhile, overexpression FAM3C promoted SW1990 cells proliferation, migration, invasion and suppressed SW1990 cells apoptosis. While knockdown of FAM3C triggered opposite results. High FAM3C expression was associated with duodenal invasion, differentiation and liver metastasis. In summary, this study provided a new perspective on the potential therapeutic role of FAM3 family genes in pan-cancer. In particular, FAM3C may play an important role in the occurrence and progression of PAAD.

Densely Functionalized Macrocyclic Sesquiterpene Pyridine Alkaloids from Maytenus austroyunnanensis.

Eleven densely functionalized new dihydro-ß-agarofuran sesquiterpenoid derivatives, named maytenoids A-K (1-11), as well as one known analog, were isolated and characterized from Maytenus austroyunnanensis. Their structures were assigned based on analysis of spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallography. Compounds 1-9 are macrocyclic sesquiterpene pyridine alkaloids generated by the respective acylation of the hydroxy groups at C-3 and C-13 of dihydro-ß-agarofuran sesquiterpenoids via diverse pyridine dicarboxylic acids. Compounds 1, 2, 5-10, and 12 exhibited significant inhibitory effects on NO production at 10 µM in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV2 cells.

Synthesis, Molecular Packing and Semiconductor Properties of V-Shaped N-Heteroacene Dimers.

This article presents two groups of V-shaped π-scaffolds that consist of two N-heteroacene units fused with either a rigid or flexible eight-membered ring. These rigid and flexible N-heteroacene dimers were synthesized through the condensation of tetraphenylenetetraone with the corresponding diamine and the Pd-catalyzed cross-coupling of tetrabromodibenzo[a,e]cyclooctatetraene with the corresponding diamine, respectively. A comparison of electronic structures and properties of the two groups of V-shaped N-heteroacene dimers shows subtle difference between the rigid and flexible eight-membered ring linkers in forming extended π-systems. X-ray crystallography of these V-shaped molecules has revealed interesting π-π interaction modes, which are dependent on the central connecting units and substituting groups. These π-π interactions between the V-shaped π-scaffolds have enabled the molecules to function as organic semiconductors in solution-processed field effect transistors.

Clinicopathological Characteristics, Prognosis, and Correlated Tumor Cell Function of Tropomodulin-3 in Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) is a frequent malignant tumor with a high mortality rate. Searching for novel biomarkers that can influence its prognosis may help patients. It has been shown that tropomodulin-3 (TMOD3) may influence tumor progression, but its role in pancreatic cancer is not clear. We aimed to explore the expression and prognostic value of TMOD3 in PAAD. METHODS: We used bioinformatics analysis to analyze the relationship between TMOD3 expression and clinicopathological features and prognosis and verified it with clinical data from tissue microarray. We also conducted in vitro cell experiments to explore the effects of TMOD3 on the function of PAAD cells. RESULTS: TMOD3 expression was found to be significantly higher in PAAD tissues than in matched paracancerous tissues (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, high TMOD3 expression was associated with significantly poorer overall survival (P < 0.05). Analysis of relevant clinicopathological characteristics data obtained from TCGA showed that high TMOD3 expression correlated with age, TNM stage, N stage, and M stage (P < 0.05). Analysis of correlation data obtained from tissue microarrays showed that high TMOD3 expression was associated with lymph node invasion, nerve invasion, macrovascular invasion, and TNM stage (P < 0.05). In addition, siRNA knockdown of TMOD3 significantly reduced the migration and invasion of PAAD cells. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that TMOD3 may be associated with the progression of PAAD cells, and that it is an independent risk factor for poor pathological features and prognosis of PAAD. It may be helpful as a prognostic indicator of clinical outcomes in PAAD patients.

CUL4B enhances the malignant phenotype of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by suppressing TGFBR3 expression.

Cullin 4B (CUL4B), which acts as a scaffold protein in CUL4B-RING ubiquitin ligase complexes (CRL4B), is frequently overexpressed in cancer and represses tumor suppressors through epigenetic mechanisms. However, the expression and function of CUL4B in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) have not been well illustrated. In this study, we show that upregulation of CUL4B in ESCC cells enhances proliferation, invasion and cisplatin (CDDP)-resistance, while knockdown of CUL4B significantly represses the malignant activities. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that CUL4B promotes proliferation and migration of ESCC cells through inhibiting expression of transforming growth factor beta receptor III (TGFBR3). CRL4B complex binds to the promoter of TGFBR3, and represses its transcription by catalyzing monoubiquitination at H2AK119 and coordinating with PRC2 and HDAC complexes. Taken together, our findings establish a critical role for the CUL4B/TGFBR3 axis in the regulation of ESCC malignancy.

Color-Tunable Ultralong Organic Phosphorescence: Commercially Available Triphenylmethylamine for UV-Light Response and Anticounterfeiting.

Due to the unclear mechanism and lack of effective design for color-tunable ultralong organic phosphorescence (UOP) in a single-component molecule, the development of new types of single-component UOP materials with color-tunable property remains challenging. Herein, commercially available triphenylmethylamine-based single-component phosphors featuring color-tunablity and ultralong lifetime (0.56 s) are reported. The changed afterglow colors from cyan to orange were observed after different wavelengths of UV excitation. Crystal structure and calculation studies show that multiple emission centers in the aggregated states may be responsible for the color-tunablity. In addition, visual probing of UV light (from 260 to 370 nm) and colorful anti-counterfeiting were conducted. More importantly, UV light ranging from 350 to 370 nm could be detected with the minimal interval of 2 nm. The findings provide a new type of single-component color-tunable UOP materials and shed new light on mechanism and design for such materials.

The evidence framework of traditional Chinese medicine injection (Aidi injection) in controlling malignant pleural effusion: A clustered systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Aidi injection (Aidi), a traditional Chinese medicine injection, is often practiced to control malignant pleural effusion (MPE). OBJECTIVES: We performed a registered systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD42022337611) to clarify the clinical role of Aidi in MPE, reveal optimal combinations of Aidi and chemical agents, their indications, therapeutic route and usage, and demonstrate their clinical effectiveness and safety. METHODOLOGY: All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about Aidi in controlling MPE were collected from Chinese and English databases (up to October 2022). We clustered them into multiple homogenous regimens, evaluated the risk-of-bias at outcome level using a RoB 2, extracted and pooled the data using meta-analysis or descriptive analysis, and finally summarized their evidence quality. RESULTS: All 56 studies were clustered into intrapleural administration with Aidi alone or plus chemical agents, and intravenous administration with Aidi for MPE. Intrapleural administration with Aidi alone displayed similar clinical responses on Cisplatin (DDP) alone. Only administration with Aidi plus DDP significantly improved complete response and quality of life, and displayed a low pleurodesis failure, disease progression, hematotoxicity, gastrointestinal and hepatorenal toxicity. For patients with moderate to massive effusion, Karnofsky Performance Status score ≥ 50 or anticipated survival time ≥3 months, Aidi (50 ml to 80 ml each time, one time each week and three to eight times) plus DDP (20 to 30 mg, 40 to 50 mg, or 60 to 80 mg each time) significantly improved clinical responses. Most results had moderate to low quality. CONCLUSIONS: Current evidences indicate that Aidi, a pleurodesis agent, plays an interesting clinical role in controlling MPE. Aidi plus DDP perfusion is a most commonly used regimen, which shows a significant improvement in clinical responses. These findings also provide an indication and possible optimal usage for rational drug use.

Effect of cavitation jet technology on instant solubility characteristics of soymilk flour: Based on the change of protein conformation in soymilk.

The protein conformation of soymilk is the key to affecting the instant solubility of soymilk flour. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of cavitation jet treatment time (0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 min) on the instant solubility of soymilk flour based on the conformational changes of protein in soymilk. The results showed that the cavitation jet treatment for 0-4 min significantly unfolded the protein structure of soymilk and increased the content of soluble protein, which reduced the particle size and increased the electrostaticrepulsion and the viscosity of soymilk. This was beneficial for soymilk droplets fully atomized and repolymerized in the spray drying tower, forming soymilk flour particles with large size, smooth surface, and uniform distribution. When the cavitation jet treatment time was 4 min, the wettability (from 127.3 ± 2.5 s to 84.7 ± 2.1 s), dispersibility (from 70.0 ± 2.0 s to 55.7 ± 2.1 s), and solubility (from 56.54% to 78.10%) of soymilk flour were significantly improved. However, when the time of the cavitation jet treatment was extended to 8 min, the protein of soymilk aggregated and the stability of soymilk decreased, which reduced the particle size and hurt the surfacecharacteristics of soymilk flour after spraydrying. It resulted in a decrease in the instant solubility of soymilk flour. Therefore, the cavitationjet treatment with proper time increases the instant solubility of soymilk flour by improving the protein conformation of soymilk.

Photocatalytic Synthesis of Ultrafine Pt Electrocatalysts with High Stability Using TiO2 -Decorated N-Doped Carbon as Composite Support.

Commercial Pt/C (Com. Pt/C) electrocatalysts are considered optimal for oxygen reduction and hydrogen evolution reactions (ORR and HER). However, their high Pt content and poor stability restrict their large-scale application. In this study, photocatalytic synthesis was used to reduce ultrafine Pt nanoparticles in-situ on a composite support of TiO2 -decorated nitrogen-doped carbon (TiO2 -NC). The nitrogen-doped carbon had a large surface area and electronic effects that ensured the uniform dispersion of TiO2 nanoparticles to form a highly photoactive and stable support. TiO2 -NC served as a composite support that enhanced the dispersibility and stability of ultrafine Pt electrocatalyst, owing to the presence of N sites and the strong metal-support interaction. Relative to Com. Pt/C, the as-obtained Pt/TiO2 -NC had positive shifts of 44 and 10 mV in the ORR half-wave potential and HER overpotential at -10 mA cm-2 , respectively. After an accelerated durability test, Pt/TiO2 -NC had lower losses in electrochemical specific area (0.7 %) and electrocatalytic activity (0 mV shift) than Com. Pt/C (25.6 %, 22 mV shift). These results indicate that the developed strategy enabled the facile synthesis and stabilization of ultrafine Pt nanoparticles, which improved the utilization efficiency and long-term stability of Pt-based electrocatalysts.