Lattice engineering of noble metal-based nanomaterials via metal-nonmetal interactions for catalytic applications.

Noble metal-based nanomaterials possess outstanding catalytic properties in various chemical reactions. However, the increasing cost of noble metals severely hinders their large-scale applications. A cost-effective strategy is incorporating noble metals with light nonmetal elements (e.g., H, B, C, N, P and S) to form noble metal-based nanocompounds, which can not only reduce the noble metal content, but also promote their catalytic performances by tuning their crystal lattices and introducing additional active sites. In this review, we present a concise overview of the recent advancements in the preparation and application of various kinds of noble metal-light nonmetal binary nanocompounds. Besides introducing synthetic strategies, we focus on the effects of introducing light nonmetal elements on the lattice structures of noble metals and highlight notable progress in the lattice strain engineering of representative core-shell nanostructures derived from these nanocompounds. In the meantime, the catalytic applications of the light element-incorporated noble metal-based nanomaterials are discussed. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future perspectives in the development of noble metal-nonmetal based nanomaterials.

Correction: Lattice engineering of noble metal-based nanomaterials via metal-nonmetal interactions for catalytic applications.

Correction for 'Lattice engineering of noble metal-based nanomaterials via metal-nonmetal interactions for catalytic applications' by Long Zheng et al., Nanoscale, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1039/d4nr00561a.

Efficacy and safety of dabigatran and rivaroxaban in atrial fibrillation patients with impaired liver function: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with impaired liver function (ILF) have not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DOACs for stroke prevention in patients with AF and ILF. METHOD: This study was based on data from 15 centers in China, including 4,982 AF patients. The patients were divided into 2 subgroups based on their liver function status: patients with normal liver function (NLF)(n = 4213) and patients with ILF (n = 769). Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the risk of total bleeding, major bleeding, thromboembolism, and all-cause deaths in AF patients with NLF and ILF after taking dabigatran or rivaroxaban, respectively. RESULTS: Among AF patients treated with dabigatran or rivaroxaban, patients with ILF were associated with significantly higher major bleeding, compared with NLF patients (aOR: 4.797; 95% CI: 2.224-10.256; P < 0.001). In patients with NLF, dabigatran (n = 2011) had considerably lower risk of total bleeding than rivaroxaban (n = 2202) (aOR: 1.23; 95% CI: 1.002-1.513; P = 0.049). In patients with ILF, dabigatran (n = 321) significantly favored lower risks of major bleeding compared with rivaroxaban(n = 448) (aOR: 5.484; 95% CI: 1.508-35.269; P = 0.026). CONCLUSION: After using dabigatran or rivaroxaban, patients with ILF had remarkably increased risk of major bleeding compared with patients with NLF. In AF patients with NLF, dabigatran had the distinct strength of significantly reduced risk of total bleeding compared with rivaroxaban. In patients with AF and ILF, dabigatran use was associated with lower risk for major bleeding compared with rivaroxaban.

Tumour response following preoperative chemotherapy is affected by body mass index in patients with colorectal liver metastases.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is the third most prevalent malignancy globally and ranks second in cancer-related mortality, with the liver being the primary organ of metastasis. Preoperative chemotherapy is widely recommended for initially or potentially resectable colorectal liver metastases (CRLMs). Tumour pathological response serves as the most important and intuitive indicator for assessing the efficacy of chemotherapy. However, the postoperative pathological results reveal that a considerable number of patients exhibit a poor response to preoperative chemotherapy. Body mass index (BMI) is one of the factors affecting the tumorigenesis and progression of colorectal cancer as well as prognosis after various antitumour therapies. Several studies have indicated that overweight and obese patients with metastatic colorectal cancer experience worse prognoses than those with normal weight, particularly when receiving first-line chemotherapy regimens in combination with bevacizumab. AIM: To explore the predictive value of BMI regarding the pathologic response following preoperative chemotherapy for CRLMs. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in 126 consecutive patients with CRLM who underwent hepatectomy following preoperative chemotherapy at four different hospitals from October 2019 to July 2023. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were applied to analyse potential predictors of tumour pathological response. The Kaplan-Meier method with log rank test was used to compare progression-free survival (PFS) between patients with high and low BMI. BMI < 24.0 kg/m2 was defined as low BMI, and tumour regression grade 1-2 was defined as complete tumour response. RESULTS: Low BMI was observed in 74 (58.7%) patients and complete tumour response was found in 27 (21.4%) patients. The rate of complete tumour response was significantly higher in patients with low BMI (29.7% vs 9.6%, P = 0.007). Multivariate analysis revealed that low BMI [odds ratio (OR) = 4.56, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.42-14.63, P = 0.011], targeted therapy with bevacizumab (OR = 3.02, 95%CI: 1.10-8.33, P = 0.033), preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level < 10 ng/mL (OR = 3.84, 95%CI: 1.19-12.44, P = 0.025) and severe sinusoidal dilatation (OR = 0.17, 95%CI: 0.03-0.90, P = 0.037) were independent predictive factors for complete tumour response. The low BMI group exhibited a significantly longer median PFS than the high BMI group (10.7 mo vs 4.7 mo, P = 0.011). CONCLUSION: In CRLM patients receiving preoperative chemotherapy, a low BMI may be associated with better tumour response and longer PFS.

Differences in glucose homeostasis and islet injury among diverse mice strains post acute pancreatitis.

Diverse animal models have been used to study postpancreatitis diabetes mellitus (PPDM) development; however, no study has yet conducted a comparative analysis of the specific differences in glucose homeostasis and islet injury between these models. Therefore, we investigated the differences in pancreatic islet injury and glucose homeostasis among diverse strains in a cerulein-induced acute pancreatitis (AP) model to determine the appropriate animal model for PPDM. BALB/cJ, C57BL/6J, C57BL/6 N, and FVB/NJ mice were administered cerulein to induce AP. Serum amylase levels, pancreatic acinar injury, blood glucose homeostasis, islet function, and islet injury were measured and analyzed. All strains exhibited elevated amylase secretion post pancreatitis, and BALB/cJ, C57BL/6J, and C57BL/6 N mice exhibited sex-related differences. All strains exhibited pancreatic acinar injury post pancreatitis but mostly recovered within 15 days. Overall, glucose homeostasis remained balanced post pancreatitis in all strains compared to that in the control groups, except in FVB/NJ male and female mice, which exhibited an imbalance in glucose homeostasis on day 7 post pancreatitis. All the strains, except BALB/cJ mice, exhibited a decline in Homeostasis model assessment-ß(HOMA-ß) values post pancreatitis, with significant decrease in C57BL/6J females and FVB/NJ males. Islet size decreased post pancreatitis in all strains, except BALB/cJ mice. Pancreatic islet insulin secretion levels significantly decreased in male FVB/NJ mice post pancreatitis onset and did not recover within 15 days. Therefore, FVB/NJ male mice are a useful model for studying PPDM.

Effectiveness of a Full Course Health Education in the Care of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease Receiving Peritoneal Dialysis.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis face numerous challenges that can impact their health behaviors, treatment adherence, and overall quality of life. A comprehensive health education program tailored for CKD patients on peritoneal dialysis is imperative to enhance the effectiveness of treatment and address these issues. Objective: The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of a full course health education program on health behaviors, treatment adherence, quality of life, and the occurrence of adverse events in CKD patients receiving peritoneal dialysis. Methods: A total of 98 CKD patients on peritoneal dialysis at our hospital between October 2019 and October 2022 were selected. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either routine care (n=52) or participate in a full-course health education program (n=46). The comparative assessments included health behavior scores, treatment adherence, Kidney Disease Targeted Area (KDTA) scores, monitoring adverse events, and tracking readmissions. Results: Patients in the observation group who underwent the full course health education program exhibited significant improvements in health behavior scores and treatment adherence (P < .05). Notably, the observation group demonstrated higher levels of medication compliance, timely reviews, and catheter maintenance. Moreover, full-course health education contributed to an enhanced quality of life, reflected in higher KATA scores, and led to a reduction in adverse events and readmission rates compared to routine care (P < .05). Conclusions: This study concludes that a full-course health education program is effective in improving health behaviors, treatment adherence, and quality of life while reducing adverse events among CKD patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis.

18F-BMS-986229 PET to Assess Programmed-Death Ligand 1 Status in Gastroesophageal Cancer.

Anti-programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors are the standard of care for advanced gastroesophageal cancer. Although recommendations and approval by regulatory agencies are often based on programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression, pathologic assessments of PD-L1 status have several limitations. Single-site biopsies do not adequately capture disease heterogeneity within individual tumor lesions or among several lesions within the same patient, the PD-L1 combined positive score is a dynamic biomarker subject to evolution throughout a patient's disease course, and repeated biopsies are invasive and not always feasible. Methods: This was a prospective pilot study of the PD-L1-targeting radiotracer, 18F-BMS-986229, with PET imaging (PD-L1 PET) in patients with gastroesophageal cancer. Patients were administered the 18F-BMS-986229 radiotracer intravenously at a dose of 370 MBq over 1-2 min and underwent whole-body PET/CT imaging 60 min later. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of 18F-BMS-986229. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04161781). Results: Between February 3, 2020, and February 2, 2022, 10 patients with gastroesophageal adenocarcinoma underwent PD-L1 PET. There were no adverse events associated with the 18F-BMS-986229 tracer, and imaging did not result in treatment delays; the primary endpoint was achieved. Radiographic evaluation of PD-L1 expression was concordant with pathologic assessment in 88% of biopsied lesions, and 18F-BMS-986229 uptake on PET imaging correlated with pathologic evaluation by the combined positive score (Spearman rank correlation coefficient, 0.64). Seventy-one percent of patients with 18F-BMS-986229 accumulation on PET imaging also had lesions without 18F-BMS-986229 uptake, highlighting the intrapatient heterogeneity of PD-L1 expression. Patients treated with frontline programmed death 1 inhibitors who had 18F-BMS-986229 accumulation in any lesions on PET imaging had longer progression-free survival than patients without tracer accumulation in any lesions (median progression-free survival, 28.4 vs. 9.9 mo), though the small sample size prevents any definitive conclusions. Conclusion: PD-L1 PET imaging was safe, feasible, and concordant with pathologic evaluation and offers a potential noninvasive tool to assess PD-L1 expression.

Analysis of etiology and clinical features of spontaneous downbeat nystagmus: a retrospective study.

Objective: To investigate the topical diagnosis, possible etiology and mechanism of spontaneous downbeat nystagmus (sDBN) patients with dizziness/vertigo. Methods: The clinical features of dizziness/vertigo patients accompanied with DBN were retrospectively reviewed in the Vertigo Center of our hospital from January 2018 to March 2021. The clinical features of dizziness/vertigo patients accompanied with DBN were reviewed. Comprehensive VNG, bithermal caloric testing, video-head-impulse test (vHIT), vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP), head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), three-dimensional fluid-attenuated incersion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (3D-FLAIR MRI) in the inner ear, serum immunology and other examinations were to determine the lesion site, and analyze its possible etiology and mechanism. Results: A total of 54 patients were included. Among them, 70.4% (n = 38) of DBN patients were diagnosed with episodic vestibular syndrome (EVS), 22.2% (n = 12) with chronic vestibular syndrome (CVS), and 7.4% (n = 4) with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS). Among all the patients, 51.9% of DBN patients had clear etiology, with central lesions of 29.6% and peripheral diseases of 22.2%. The most common diseases in DBN patients were cerebellar lesions (13.0%, n = 7) and vestibular migraine (13.0%, n = 7), followed by benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (7.4%, n = 4) and drug-related dizziness/vertigo (5.6%, n = 3). The other 48.1% of the patients had unknown etiology. 53.8% (14/26) of patients with idiopathic DBN had decreased semicircular canal function, with 42.9% (6/14) decreased posterior semicircular canal function. The posterior semicircular canal gain in DBN patients decreased compared to the anterior semicircular canal in the same conjugate plane. Patients with peripheral DBN were more prone to horizontal/torsional nystagmus during positional testing. Conclusion: In our study, DBN patients have a relative decrease in posterior semicircular canal gain, which is possibly a particular result found in a subset of downbeat nystagmus patients. The changes in nystagmus during positional testing may be helpful in distinguishing between peripheral and central causes.

Barthel Index, SPAN-100, and NIHSS Studies on the Predictive Value of Prognosis in Patients With Thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVE: We mainly explore the predictive value of Barthel Index (BI), SPAN-100, and National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS) scores on clinical prognosis and functional outcomes in thrombolytic patients and compare the differences in the predictive values of the above 3 scales so as to provide an effective basis to evaluate the prognosis of thrombolytic patients. METHODS: Data were collected from 212 patients with the first-onset AIS (acute ischemic stroke). The enrolled patients were treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator thrombolytic therapy and were divided into 2 groups according to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge: the prognosis group (mRS≤2 points) and the poor prognosis group (mRS≥3 points). Logistic multivariate analysis was used to analyze the predictors of poor prognosis in patients with thrombolysis. MedCalc software was used to plot receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calculate the area under the ROC curve (AUC), and compare the prediction performance of the 3 scales by the Delong and colleagues' method, and the difference of P<0.05 was statistically significant. RESULTS: Logistic binary regression multivariate analysis suggested that BI was a predictor of poor prognosis for thrombolytic therapy in patients with AIS. The lower the BI score, the poorer the prognosis. The AUC for BI score was 0.862, 95% CI (0.808-0.906), NIHSS score AUC was 0.665, 95% CI (0.597-0.728), and SPAN-100 score AUC was 0.640, 95% CI (0.572-0.705). AUC comparison of 3 scoring ROC curves suggested statistically significant differences between BI and NIHSS (PC=0.0000), BI and SPAN-100 (PC=0.0000); no significant difference was observed between SPAN-100 and NIHSS (PC=1.7997). CONCLUSIONS: Simple BI scores have a high prognostic value for thrombolytic therapy in AIS.

Clinical and molecular characteristics of early-onset vs average-onset esophagogastric cancer.

BACKGROUND: The rate of esophagogastric cancer is rising among individuals under 50 years of age. It remains unknown whether early-onset esophagogastric cancer represents a unique entity. This study investigated the clinical and molecular characteristics of early-onset and average-onset esophagogastric cancer . METHODS: We reviewed the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center gastric, esophageal, and gastroesophageal junction cancer database. Associations between baseline characteristics and tumor and germline molecular alterations were compared between those with early-onset and average-onset esophagogastric cancer using Fisher exact tests and the Benjamini-Hochberg method for multiple-hypothesis correction. RESULTS: We included 1123 patients with early-onset esophagogastric cancer (n = 219; median age = 43 years [range = 18-49 years]) and average-onset esophagogastric cancer (n = 904; median age = 67 years [range = 50-94 years]) treated between 2005 and 2018. The early-onset group had more women (39% vs 28%, P = .002). Patients with early-onset esophagogastric cancer were more likely to have a gastric primary site (64% vs 44%, P < .0001). The signet ring cell and/or diffuse type was 3 times more common in the early-onset esophagogastric cancer group (31% vs 9%, P < .0001). Early-onsite tumors were more frequently genomically stable (31% vs 18%, P = .0002) and unlikely to be microsatellite instability high (2% vs 7%, P = .003). After restricting to adenocarcinoma and signet ring cell and/or diffuse type carcinomas, we observed no difference in stage (P = .40) or overall survival from stage IV diagnosis (median = 22.7 vs 22.1 months, P = .78). CONCLUSIONS: Our study supported a preponderance of gastric primary disease sites, signet ring histology, and genomically stable molecular subtypes in early-onset esophagogastric cancer. Our findings highlight the need for further research to define the underlying pathogenesis and strategies for early detection and prevention.

An immunotherapeutic artificial vitreous body hydrogel to control choroidal melanoma and preserve vision after vitrectomy.

Choroidal melanoma, a common intraocular malignant tumor, relies on local radiotherapy and enucleation for treatment. However, cancer recurrence and visual impairment remain important challenges. Here, a therapeutic artificial vitreous body (AVB) hydrogel based on tetra-armed poly(ethylene glycol) was developed to control the recurrence of choroidal melanoma and preserve vision after vitrectomy. AVB loaded with melphalan (Mel) and anti-programmed cell death ligand-1 (αPDL1), was injected after surgical resection in the choroidal melanoma mouse model. Afterwards, the sequentially released Mel and αPDL1 from AVB could achieve a synergistic antitumor effect to inhibit tumor recurrence. AVB with similar physical properties to native vitreous body could maintain the normal structure and visual function of eye after vitrectomy, which has been evidenced by standard examinations of ophthalmology in the mouse model. Thus, the immunotherapeutic AVB may be a promising candidate as an infill biomaterial to assist surgical treatment of intraocular malignant tumors.

New score for predicting thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation using direct oral anticoagulants.

Determinants of thrombotic events remain uncertain in patients with atrial fibrillation treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Our aim was to identify risk factors associated with thromboembolism in patients with at atrial fibrillation on DOACs and to construct and externally validate a predictive model that would provide a validated tool for clinical assessment of thromboembolism. In the development cohort, prediction model was built by logistic regression, the area under the curve (AUC), and Nomogram. External validation and calibration of the model using AUC and Hosmer-Lemeshow test. This national multicenter retrospective study included 3263 patients with atrial fibrillation treated with DOACs. The development cohort consisted of 2390 patients from three centers and the external validation cohort consisted of 873 patients from 13 centers. Multifactorial analysis showed that heavy drinking, hypertension, prior stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA), cerebral infarction during hospitalization were independent risk factors for thromboembolism. The Alfalfa-TE risk score was constructed using these four factors (AUC = 0.84), and in the external validation cohort, the model showed good discriminatory power (AUC = 0.74) and good calibration (Hosmer-Lemeshow test P value of 0.649). Based on four factors, we derived and externally validated a predictive model for thromboembolism with DOACs in patients with atrial fibrillation (Alfalfa-TE risk score). The model has good predictive value and may be an effective tool to help reduce the occurrence of thromboembolism in patients with DOACs.

Safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants in stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation complicated with anemia and/or thrombocytopenia: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data about the clinical benefits and harm of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) complicated with anemia or thrombocytopenia. METHODS: This is a multi-center retrospective cohort study involving 5469 AF patients from 15 hospitals in China. Patients were divided into three groups according to hemoglobin and platelet levels: Group 1 (hemoglobin male ≥ 130 g/L; female ≥ 120 g/L and platelet ≥ 100 × 109/L), Group 2 (hemoglobin male < 130 g/L; female < 120 g/L or platelet < 100 × 109/L), and Group 3 (hemoglobin male < 130 g/L; female < 120 g/L and platelet < 100 × 109/L). Patients in each category are further divided into two groups according to their stroke prevention strategies: rivaroxaban or dabigatran. Clinical results include major, minor, total bleeding, thrombosis, and the composite outcome of major bleeding and thrombosis. RESULTS: Higher hemoglobin levels were associated with a reduced risk of total bleeding and major bleeding, while platelet counts were not associated with any event. Compared with Group 1, Group 2 had a higher risk of major bleeding (aOR 1.70, 95%CI 1.12-2.57, P = 0.012), and the composite endpoint of major bleeding and thrombosis (aOR 1.70, 95%CI 1.19-2.44, P = 0.004). Compared with Group 1, Group 3 had a higher total bleeding risk (aOR 2.15, 95%CI 1.14-4.05, P = 0.018). Compared with dabigatran, rivaroxaban was associated with higher composite risk in Group 1 (aOR 2.91, 95% CI 1.66-5.16, P < 0.001) and Group 2 (aOR 3.05, 95%CI 1.46-6.39, P = 0.003), but there was no significant difference in Group 3 (aOR 1.78, 95%CI 0.23-13.54, P = 0.577). CONCLUSIONS: Higher hemoglobin levels are associated with a reduced risk of total bleeding and major bleeding in patients with AF. Dabigatran was associated with better clinical outcomes than rivaroxaban in patients with anemia or thrombocytopenia but not in those with anemia and thrombocytopenia.

The Impact of Emotional Care on Poor Mood, Quality of Life and Self-Efficacy in Patients with Chronic Primary Kidney Disease.

Objective: To investigate the impact of affective care on poor mood, quality of life, and self-efficacy in patients with chronic primary kidney disease. Methods: Between January 2020 and January 2021, 112 patients treated in our hospital were divided into a control group (n=55, receiving conventional care) and a research group (n=57, using emotional nursing in addition to conventional care), and the anxiety self-assessment scale (SAS) scores, depression self-assessment scale (SDS) scores, kidney disease quality of life (KDQOL-SF) scores, and the quality of life (KDQOL-SF) scores developed by the Center for Chronic Disease Education, Stanford University, USA were compared before and aftercare. The results of the study group were compared with those of the KDQOL-SF, the Self-Efficacy Scale developed by the Center for Chronic Disease Education and Research, Stanford University, USA, and the adherence to care. Results: After the intervention, the research group had lower SAS and SDS scores than the control group (P < .05). After the intervention, all KDQOL-SF scores and all self-efficacy scores were higher in the research group than in the control group (P < .05). The research group had a higher nursing care adherence rate of 92.98% than the control group of 78.18% (P < .05). Conclusion: Emotional nursing can help improve the poor mood of patients with chronic primary kidney disease, improve their quality of life, and strengthen their self-efficacy, and the overall nursing compliance of patients is higher, which is of high clinical application.

Self-reported barriers in self-management of women with gestational diabetes: A systematic review of qualitative studies.

AIM: To provide a systematic review of the qualitative literature on self-reported barriers to self-management in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: This systematic review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute meta-aggregation approach and was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Qualitative Research. Qualitative studies on the barriers to self-management among GDM pregnancy survivors conducted until 17 May 2022, were searched. RESULTS: A total of 30 studies were included, of which seven were in Chinese and 23 were in English, and 10 findings resulted in three themes: (a) Knowledge and belief, (b) Skills and abilities and (c) Environment and social support. By summarizing the self-reported barriers to self-management in patients with GDM and recommends precise interventions for these barriers, thereby saving health resources and helping to increase their willingness and ability to engage in self-management.

Cold-Induced Reprogramming of Subcutaneous White Adipose Tissue Assessed by Single-Cell and Single-Nucleus RNA Sequencing.

Adipose browning has demonstrated therapeutic potentials in several diseases. Here, by conducting transcriptomic profiling at the single-cell and single-nucleus resolution, we reconstituted the cellular atlas in mouse inguinal subcutaneous white adipose tissue (iWAT) at thermoneutrality or chronic cold condition. All major nonimmune cells within the iWAT, including adipose stem and progenitor cells (ASPCs), mature adipocytes, endothelial cells, Schwann cells, and smooth muscle cells, were recovered, allowing us to uncover an overall and detailed blueprint for transcriptomes and intercellular cross-talks and the dynamics during white adipose tissue brown remodeling. Our findings also unravel the existence of subpopulations in mature adipocytes, ASPCs, and endothelial cells, as well as new insights on their interconversion and reprogramming in response to cold. The adipocyte subpopulation competent of major histocompatibility complex class II (MHCII) antigen presentation is potentiated. Furthermore, a subcluster of ASPC with CD74 expression was identified as the precursor of this MHCII+ adipocyte. Beige adipocytes are transdifferented from preexisting lipid generating adipocytes, which exhibit developmental trajectory from de novo differentiation of amphiregulin cells (Aregs). Two distinct immune-like endothelial subpopulations are present in iWAT and are responsive to cold. Our data reveal fundamental changes during cold-evoked adipose browning.

Unique Genomic Alterations and Microbial Profiles Identified in Patients With Gastric Cancer of African, European, and Asian Ancestry: A Novel Path for Precision Oncology.

OBJECTIVE: Here, we characterize differences in the genetic and microbial profiles of GC in patients of African (AFR), European, and Asian ancestry. BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is a heterogeneous disease with clinicopathologic variations due to a complex interplay of environmental and biological factors, which may affect disparities in oncologic outcomes.. METHODS: We identified 1042 patients with GC with next-generation sequencing data from an institutional Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets assay and the Cancer Genomic Atlas group. Genetic ancestry was inferred from markers captured by the Integrated Mutation Profiling of Actionable Cancer Targets and the Cancer Genomic Atlas whole exome sequencing panels. Tumor microbial profiles were inferred from sequencing data using a validated microbiome bioinformatics pipeline. Genomic alterations and microbial profiles were compared among patients with GC of different ancestries. RESULTS: We assessed 8023 genomic alterations. The most frequently altered genes were TP53 , ARID1A , KRAS , ERBB2 , and CDH1 . Patients of AFR ancestry had a significantly higher rate of CCNE1 alterations and a lower rate of KRAS alterations ( P < 0.05), and patients of East Asian ancestry had a significantly lower rate of PI3K pathway alterations ( P < 0.05) compared with other ancestries. Microbial diversity and enrichment did not differ significantly across ancestry groups ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Distinct patterns of genomic alterations and variations in microbial profiles were identified in patients with GC of AFR, European, and Asian ancestry. Our findings of variation in the prevalence of clinically actionable tumor alterations among ancestry groups suggest that precision medicine can mitigate oncologic disparities.

Stretchable and sensitive sodium alginate ionic hydrogel fibers for flexible strain sensors.

Ionic conductive hydrogel fibers based on natural polymers provide an immense focus for a new generation of electronics due to their flexibility and knittability. The feasibility of utilizing pure natural polymer-based hydrogel fibers could be drastically improved if their mechanical and transparent performances satisfy the requirements of actual practice. Herein, we report a facile fabrication strategy for significantly stretchable and sensitive sodium alginate ionic hydrogel fibers (SAIFs), by glycerol initiating physical crosslinking and by CaCl2 inducing ionic crosslinking. The obtained ionic hydrogel fibers not only show significant stretchability (tensile strength of 1.55 MPa and fracture strain of ∼161 %), but also exhibit wide-range sensing, satisfactorily stable, rapidly responsive, and multiply sensitive abilities to external stimulus. In addition, the ionic hydrogel fibers have excellent transparency (over 90 % in a wide wavelength range), and good anti-evaporation and anti-freezing properties. Furthermore, the SAIFs have been easily knitted into a textile, and successfully applied as wearable sensors to recognize human motions, by observing the output electrical signals. Our methodology for fabrication intelligent SAIFs will shed light on artificial flexible electronics and other textile-based strain sensors.