A scoring system to predict the technical difficulty of endoscopic resection for cardial submucosal tumors.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endoscopic resection has been successfully used for the removal of digestive submucosal tumors (SMTs). However, the cardia has been considered a challenging location for endoscopic resection due to its narrow lumen and sharp angle. The objective of this study was to establish a clinical scoring model to grade the technical difficulty of endoscopic resection for cardial SMTs. METHODS: A total of 246 patients who suffered cardial SMTs and received endoscopic resection were included in this retrospective study. All of them were randomized into the training cohort (n = 123) or internal validation cohort (n = 123). Potential predictors were analyzed using univariate analysis. Then, covariates with P < 0.05 were selected for the multivariate logistic regression model. The ß coefficients from the logistic regression model were used to create a scoring system for technical difficulty prediction by rounding the score to the nearest integer of the absolute ß coefficient value. RESULTS: The clinical score consisted of the following factors: male gender (2 points), extraluminal growth (3 points), and maximum diameter ≥3 cm (3 points). The scoring model demonstrated good discriminatory power, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.860 and a 95% confidence interval of 0.763-0.958. The model also showed a good goodness of fit in the Hosmer-Lemeshow test (P = 0.979). In the training cohort, the probability of encountering technical difficulty in the easy (score = 0), intermediate (score = 1-3), difficult (score = 4-6), and very difficult (score >6) categories was 0, 6.8%, 33.3%, and 100.0%, respectively; similarly, in the validation cohort, it was 0, 5.6%, 22.2%, and 50.0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This scoring system could serve as a valuable tool for clinicians in predicting the technical difficulty of endoscopic resection for cardial SMTs.

Sunflower pollen-derived microcapsules adsorb light and bacteria for enhanced antimicrobial photothermal therapy.

Bacterial infection is one of the most serious clinical complications, with life-threatening outcomes. Nature-inspired biomaterials offer appealing microscale and nanoscale architectures that are often hard to fabricate by traditional technologies. Inspired by the light-harvesting nature, we engineered sulfuric acid-treated sunflower sporopollenin exine-derived microcapsules (HSECs) to capture light and bacteria for antimicrobial photothermal therapy. Sulfuric acid-treated HSECs show a greatly enhanced photothermal performance and a strong bacteria-capturing ability against Gram-positive bacteria. This is attributed to the hierarchical micro/nanostructure and surface chemistry alteration of HSECs. To test the potential for clinical application, an in situ bacteria-capturing, near-infrared (NIR) light-triggered hydrogel made of HSECs and curdlan is applied in photothermal therapy for infected skin wounds. HSECs and curdlan suspension that spread on bacteria-infected skin wounds of mice first capture the local bacteria and then form hydrogels on the wound upon NIR light stimulation. The combination shows a superior antibacterial efficiency of 98.4% compared to NIR therapy alone and achieved a wound healing ratio of 89.4%. The current study suggests that the bacteria-capturing ability and photothermal properties make HSECs an excellent platform for the phototherapy of bacteria-infected diseases. Future work that can fully take advantage of the hierarchical micro/nanostructure of HSECs for multiple biomedical applications is highly promising and desirable.

Analysis of related factors of CRA in lung cancer patients with different serum iron levels: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Serum iron, an essential component of hemoglobin (Hb) synthesis in vivo, is a crucial parameter for evaluating the body's iron storage and metabolism capacity. Iron deficiency leads to reduced Hb synthesis in red blood cells and smaller red blood cell volume, ultimately resulting in iron-deficiency anemia. Although serum iron cannot independently evaluate iron storage or metabolism ability, it can reflect iron concentration in vivo and serve as a good predictor of iron-deficiency anemia. Therefore, exploring the influence of different serum iron levels on anemia and diagnosing and treating iron deficiency in the early stages is of great significance for patients with lung cancer. AIM: This study aims to explore the related factors of cancer-related anemia (CRA) in lung cancer and construct a nomogram prediction model to evaluate the risk of CRA in patients with different serum iron levels. METHODS: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 1610 patients with lung cancer, of whom 1040 had CRA. The relationship between CRA and its influencing factors was analyzed using multiple linear regression models. Lung cancer patients were divided into two groups according to their serum iron levels: decreased serum iron and normal serum iron. Each group was randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort at a ratio of 7:3. The influencing factors were screened by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses, and nomogram models were constructed. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the models. RESULTS: CRA in lung cancer is mainly related to surgery, chemotherapy, Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) score, serum iron, C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, and total cholesterol (p < 0.05). CRA in lung cancer patients with decreased serum iron is primarily associated with albumin, age, and cancer staging, while CRA in lung cancer patients with normal serum iron is mainly related to CRP, albumin, total cholesterol, and cancer staging. The area under the ROC curve of the training cohort and validation cohort for the prediction model of lung cancer patients with decreased serum iron was 0.758 and 0.760, respectively. Similarly, the area under the ROC curve of the training cohort and validation cohort for the prediction model of lung cancer patients with normal serum iron was 0.715 and 0.730, respectively. The calibration curves of both prediction models were around the ideal 45° line, suggesting good discrimination and calibration. DCA showed that the nomograms had good clinical utility. CONCLUSION: Both models have good reliability and validity and have significant clinical value. They can help doctors better assess the risk of developing CRA in lung cancer patients. CRP is a risk factor for CRA in lung cancer patients with normal serum iron but not in patients with decreased serum iron. Therefore, whether CRP and the inflammatory state represented by CRP will further aggravate the decrease in serum iron levels, thus contributing to anemia, warrants further study.

MARLens: Understanding Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Traffic Signal Control Via Visual Analytics.

The issue of traffic congestion poses a significant obstacle to the development of global cities. One promising solution to tackle this problem is intelligent traffic signal control (TSC). Recently, TSC strategies leveraging reinforcement learning (RL) have garnered attention among researchers. However, the evaluation of these models has primarily relied on fixed metrics like reward and queue length. This limited evaluation approach provides only a narrow view of the model's decision-making process, impeding its practical implementation. Moreover, effective TSC necessitates coordinated actions across multiple intersections. Existing visual analysis solutions fall short when applied in multi-agent settings. In this study, we delve into the challenge of interpretability in multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL), particularly within the context of TSC. We propose MARLens, a visual analytics system tailored to understand MARL-based TSC. Our system serves as a versatile platform for both RL and TSC researchers. It empowers them to explore the model's features from various perspectives, revealing its decision-making processes and shedding light on interactions among different agents. To facilitate quick identification of critical states, we have devised multiple visualization views, complemented by a traffic simulation module that allows users to replay specific training scenarios. To validate the utility of our proposed system, we present three comprehensive case studies, incorporate insights from domain experts through interviews, and conduct a user study. These collective efforts underscore the feasibility and effectiveness of MARLens in enhancing our understanding of MARL-based TSC systems and pave the way for more informed and efficient traffic management strategies.

Patient-Controlled Subcutaneous Analgesia with Hydromorphone versus Oral Oxycontin for Opioid Titration of Cancer Pain: A Prospective Multicenter Randomized Trial.

Background: Studies have shown that oral oxycontin tablets can be used for opioid titration. The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) guidelines for adult cancer pain recommend opioid titration through the parenteral route, usually the intravenous or subcutaneous route. Patient-controlled subcutaneous analgesia (PCSA) with hydromorphone needs further evaluation for opioid titration. This prospective multicenter study was designed to compare the efficacy and safety of hydromorphone PCSA with oral oxycontin tablets for opioid titration of cancer pain. Patients and Methods: Eligible patients with cancer pain were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to the PCSA group or the oxycontin group for dose titration. Different titration methods were given in both groups depending on whether the patient had an opioid tolerance. The primary endpoint of this study was time to successful titration (TST). Results: A total of 256 patients completed this study. The PCSA group had a significantly lower TST compared with the oxycontin group (median [95% confidence interval (CI)], 5.5[95% CI:2.5-11.5] hours vs.16.0 [95% CI:11.5-22.5] hours; p<0.001). The frequency (median; interquartile) of breakthrough pain (Btp) over 24 hours was significantly lower in the PCSA group (2.5;2.0-3.5) than in the oxycontin group.(3.0; 2.5-4.5) (p=0.04). The pain was evaluated by numeric rating scale (NRS) score at 12 hours after the start of titration. The pain score (median; interquartile) was significantly lower in the PCSA versus the oxycontin group (2.5;1.5-3.0) vs 4.5;3.0-6.0) (p=0.02). The equivalent dose of oral morphine (EDOM) for a successful titration was similar in both groups (p=0.29), but there was a significant improvement in quality of life (QoL) in both groups (p=0.03). No between-group difference in the incidence of opioid-related adverse effects was observed (p=0.32). Conclusion: Compared with oral oxycontin tablet, the use of PCSA with hydromorphone achieved a shorter titration duration for patients with cancer pain (p<0.001), without significantly increasing adverse events (p=0.32).

Characterizing Local Electronic States of Twin Boundaries in Copper.

Grain boundaries (GBs) and twin boundaries (TBs) in copper (Cu) are two major planar defects that influence electrical conductivity due to their complex electron transport characteristics, involving electron scattering and electron concentration. Understanding their local electronic states is crucial for the design of future conductor materials. In this study, we characterized electron behaviors at TBs and GBs within one Cu grain using atomic force microscopy. Our findings revealed that, compared with GBs, TBs exhibit better current transport capability (direct-current mode) and larger electromagnetic loss (high-frequency microwave mode). Both kelvin probe force microscopy and theoretical analysis suggested that TBs with smaller lattice disorder possess lower density of states at the Fermi level. The reduced density of states may result in decreased electron scattering and a lower electron concentration at TBs. The latter can be highlighted by the high-frequency skinning effect, manifested as larger electromagnetic loss and weaker high-frequency conductivity.

Radical Three-Component Nitro Spiro-Cyclization of Unsaturated Sulfonamides/Amides to Access NO2-Featured 4-Azaspiro[4.5]decanes.

Free radical three-component nitration/spirocyclization of unsaturated sulfonamides/amides with tert-butyl nitrite was developed for the construction of diverse NO2-revised 4-azaspiro[4.5]decanes. This tandem system featured metal-free participation, simple operation, good selectivity/yields, and a green/low-cost O source. Meanwhile, one nitro-containing complex molecule and a scaled-up operation were performed well to test the synthetic potential of the cascade reaction. Isotopic labeling, radical inhibition experiments, and DFT analysis were carried out to gain insight into the reaction process.

Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Luteolin against Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Network Pharmacology and In vivo and In vitro Studies.

BACKGROUND: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is an acute life-threatening disease, and luteolin has the potential to become a therapeutic agent for ARDS. However, its mechanism of action has not yet been clarified. OBJECTIVE: The present study explored the potential effects and mechanisms of luteolin in the treatment of ARDS through network pharmacology analysis and verified them through biological experiments. METHODS: The potential targets of luteolin and ARDS were obtained from online databases. Functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) analyses were performed to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms and to identify hub targets. Molecular docking was used to verify the relationship between luteolin and target proteins. Finally, the effects of luteolin on key signaling pathways and biological processes were verified by in vitro and in vivo experiments. RESULTS: A total of 146 luteolin- and 496 ARDS-related targets were extracted from public databases. The network pharmacological analysis suggested that luteolin could inhibit ARDS through the following potential therapeutic targets: AKT1, RELA, and NFKBIA. Inflammatory and oxidative stress responses were the main biological processes involved, with the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway being the key signaling pathway targeted by luteolin for the treatment of ARDS. Molecular docking analysis indicated that luteolin had a good binding affinity to AKT1, RELA, and NFKBIA. The in vitro and in vivo experiments revealed that luteolin could regulate the inflammatory response and oxidative stress in the treatment of ARDS by inhibiting the AKT/NF- κB signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: Luteolin could reduce the production of reactive oxygen species and inflammatory factors by inhibiting the AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway, thus reducing apoptosis and attenuating ARDS.

Phenolic compounds weaken the impact of drought on soil enzyme activity in global wetlands.

Soil enzymes play a central role in carbon and nutrient cycling, and their activities can be affected by drought-induced oxygen exposure. However, a systematic global estimate of enzyme sensitivity to drought in wetlands is still lacking. Through a meta-analysis of 55 studies comprising 761 paired observations, this study found that phosphorus-related enzyme activity increased by 38% as result of drought in wetlands, while the majority of other soil enzyme activities remained stable. The expansion of vascular plants under long-term drought significantly promoted the accumulation of phenolic compounds. Using a 2-week incubation experiment with phenol supplementation, we found that phosphorus-related enzyme could tolerate higher biotoxicity of phenolic compounds than other enzymes. Moreover, a long-term (35 years) drainage experiment in a northern peatland in China confirmed that the increased phenolic concentration in surface layer resulting from a shift in vegetation composition inhibited the increase in enzyme activities caused by rising oxygen availability, except for phosphorus-related enzyme. Overall, these results demonstrate the complex and resilient nature of wetland ecosystems, with soil enzymes showing a high degree of adaptation to drought conditions. These new insights could help evaluate the impact of drought on future wetland ecosystem services and provide a theoretical foundation for the remediation of degraded wetlands.

A new species of the genus Soriculus (Soricidae, Eulipotyphla, Mammalia) from Medog in the eastern Himalaya.

Himalayan shrews of the genus Soriculus (Soricidae, Eulipotyphla), currently represented by four nominal species, are endemic to the Himalayas and the Gaoligong Mountains. In April 2022 and April 2023, a total of 10 specimens of Soriculus were collected from Beibeng and Damu, Medog County, Tibet, China. The morphology of the specimens was compared with the four recognised species of the genus Soriculus. Additionally, two mitochondrial (Cyt b and 12S) and three nuclear (APOB, BRCAI and RAG2) genes were sequenced to test the phylogenetic relationships of these specimens with the other species. Our results indicate that these specimens represent a distinct species, Soriculusbeibengensissp. nov., which is formally described here. The new species is distinguished from the other Soriculus species by the combination of darker pelages, smaller size, the relatively stubby nasal and the widened posterior processes of incisors. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the new species is sister to S.minor. The p-distance of Cyt b gene between S.beibengensis sp. nov. and other nominal Soriculus species ranges from 9.1-16.3%. This new species has a known distribution at an elevation of 1,500-2,125 m in Medog County, Tibet, China. The discovery of this new species from Medog County has important implications for interpreting small mammal biogeographic patterns in the eastern Himalaya and the mountain chains of south-west China.

Tobramycin-mediated self-assembly of DNA nanostructures for targeted treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa-infected lung inflammation.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is one of the most common multidrug-resistant pathogens found in clinics, often manifesting as biofilms. However, due to the emergence of superbugs in hospitals and the overuse of antibiotics, the prevention and treatment of PA infections have become increasingly challenging. Utilizing DNA nanostructures for packaging and delivering antibiotics presents an intervention strategy with significant potential. Nevertheless, construction of functional DNA nanostructures with multiple functionalities and enhanced stability in physiological settings remains challenging. In this study, the authors propose a magnesium-free assembly method that utilizes tobramycin (Tob) as a mediator to assemble DNA nanostructures, allowing for the functionalization of DNA nanostructures by combining DNA and antibiotics. Additionally, our study incorporates maleimide-modified DNA into the nanostructures to act as a targeting moiety specifically directed towards the pili of PA. The targeting ability of the constructed functional DNA nanostructure significantly improves the local concentration of Tob, thereby reducing the side effects of antibiotics. Our results demonstrate the successful construction of a maleimide-decorated Tob/DNA nanotube (NTTob-Mal) for the treatment of PA-infected lung inflammation. The stability and biocompatibility of NTTob-Mal are confirmed, highlighting its potential for clinical applications. Furthermore, its specificity in recognizing and adhering to PA has been validated. In vitro experiments have shown its efficacy in inhibiting PA biofilm formation, and in a murine model, NTTob-Mal has exhibited significant therapeutic effectiveness against PA-induced pneumonia. In summary, the proposed antibiotic drug-mediated DNA nanostructure assembly approach holds promise as a novel strategy for targeted treatment of PA infections.

Endoscopic resection for calcifying fibrous tumors of the gastrointestinal tract.

BACKGROUND: Calcifying fibrous tumors (CFTs) are rare mesenchymal lesions that can occur in various sites throughout the body, including the tubular gastrointestinal (GI) tract. AIM: To analyze the clinical findings of 36 patients with GI tract CFTs to provide guidance for diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study included 36 patients diagnosed with CFTs of the GI tract. We collected demographic and clinical information and conducted regular follow-ups to assess for local recurrence. RESULTS: The stomach was the most commonly involved site, accounting for 72.2% of the 36 CFTs. Endoscopic mucosal resection (n = 1, 2.8%), endoscopic submucosal dissection (n = 14, 38.9%), endoscopic full-thickness resection (n = 16, 44.4%), and submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (n = 5, 13.9%) were used to resect calcifying fibrous tumors. Overall, 34 (94.4%) CFTs underwent complete endoscopic resections with a mean procedure time of 39.8 ± 29.8 min. The average maximum diameter of the tumors was 10.6 ± 4.3 cm. No complications, such as bleeding or perforation, occurred during an average hospital stay of 2.9 ± 1.2 d. In addition, two patients developed new growth of CFTs near the primary tumor sites, and none of the patients developed distant metastases during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: GI tract CFTs are rare and typically benign tumors that can be effectively managed with endoscopic procedures.

The protective effects of ruscogenin against lipopolysaccharide-induced myocardial injury in septic mice.

ABSTRACT: Sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) commonly occurs in individuals with sepsis and is a severe complication with high morbidity and mortality rates. The current study aimed to investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of the natural steroidal sapogenin ruscogenin (RUS) against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced myocardial injury in septic mice. We found that RUS effectively alleviated myocardial pathological damage, normalized cardiac function, and increased survival in septic mice. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) demonstrated that RUS administration significantly inhibited the activation of the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway in the myocardial tissues of septic mice. Subsequent experiments further confirmed that RUS suppressed myocardial inflammation and pyroptosis during sepsis. Additionally, cultured HL-1 cardiomyocytes were challenged with LPS, and we observed that RUS could protect these cells against LPS-induced cytotoxicity by suppressing inflammation and pyroptosis. Notably, both the in vivo and in vitro findings indicated that RUS inhibited NLRP3 upregulation in cardiomyocytes stimulated with LPS. As expected, knockdown of NLRP3 blocked the LPS-induced activation of inflammation and pyroptosis in HL-1 cells. Furthermore, the cardioprotective effects of RUS on HL-1 cells under LPS stimulation were abolished by the novel NLRP3 agonist BMS-986299. Taken together, our results suggest that RUS can alleviate myocardial injury during sepsis, at least in part by suppressing NLRP3-mediated inflammation and pyroptosis, highlighting the potential of this molecule as a promising candidate for SIMD therapy.

Nitrogen fertilization practices alter microbial communities driven by clonal integration in Moso bamboo.

Nitrogen (N) fertilization is crucial for maintaining plant productivity. Clonal plants can share resources between connected ramets through clonal integration influencing microbial communities and regulating soil biogeochemical cycling, especially in the rhizosphere. However, the effect of various N fertilization practices on microbial communities in the rhizosphere of clonal ramets remain unknown. In this study, clonal fragments of Moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis), consisting of a parent ramet, an offspring ramet, and an interconnecting rhizome, were established in the field. NH4NO3 solution was applied to the parent, offspring ramets or rhizomes to investigate the effect of fertilization practices on the structure and function of rhizosphere microbial communities. The differences in N availability, microbial biomass and community composition, and abundance of nitrifying genes among rhizosphere soils of ramets gradually decreased during the rapid growth of Moso bamboo, irrespective of fertilization practice. The soil N availability variation, particularly in NO3-, caused by fertilization practices altered the rhizosphere microbial community. Soil N availability and stable microbial biomass N in parent fertilization were the highest, being 9.0 % and 18.7 %, as well as 60.8 % and 90.4 % higher than rhizome and offspring fertilizations, respectively. The microbial network nodes and links in rhizome fertilization were 1.8 and 7.5 times higher than in parent and offspring fertilization, respectively. However, the diversity of bacterial community and abundance of nitrifying and denitrifying genes were the highest in offspring fertilization among three practices, which may be associated with increased N loss. Collectively, the rhizosphere microbial community characteristics depended on fertilization practices by altering the clonal integration of N in Moso bamboo. Parent and rhizome fertilization were favorable for N retention in plant-soil system and resulted in more stable microbial functions than offspring fertilization. Our findings provide new insights into precision fertilization for the sustainable Moso bamboo forest management.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection for well-differentiated nonampullary duodenal neuroendocrine tumors.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Nonampullary duodenal neuroendocrine tumors (NAD-NETs) are rare with limited evidence regarding endoscopic treatment. The study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection of well-differentiated NAD-NETs and evaluate long-term outcomes, including local recurrence and metastasis. METHODS: A total of 78 patients with NAD-NETs who underwent endoscopic resection between January 2011 and August 2022 were included. The clinicopathologic characteristics and treatment outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: En bloc resection was achieved for 74 of the tumors (94.9%) and R0 resection was obtained in 68 of the tumors (87.2%). Univariate analysis identified tumors in the second part of the duodenum, tumor size ≥ 10 mm and muscularis propria invasion as risk factors for non-curative resection. Two patients with R1 resection (vertical margin involvement) and two patients with lymphovascular invasion underwent additional surgery. Four patients experienced adverse events (5.1%), including two cases of delayed bleeding and two cases of perforation, all successfully managed conservatively. During a median follow-up period of 62.6 months, recurrence and lymph node metastasis were only detected in one patient with R1 resection 3 months after the original procedure. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic resection is safe and effective and provides a favorable long-term outcome for patients with well-differentiated NAD-NETs without regional lymph node or distant metastasis.

Effects of intrinsically disordered regions in gp120 underlying HIV neutralization phenotypes.

HIV envelope protein gp120 is considered a primary molecular determinant of viral neutralization phenotype due to its critical role in viral entry and immune evasion. The intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in gp120 are responsible for their extensive sequence variations and significant structural rearrangements. Despite HIV neutralization phenotype and sequence/structural information of gp120 have been experimentally characterized, there remains a gap in our understanding of the correlation between the viral phenotype and IDRs in gp120. Here, we combined machine learning (ML) techniques and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to gain data-driven and molecule-mechanism insights into relationships between viral sequence, structure, and phenotypes from the perspective of IDRs in gp120. ML models, trained only on the length and disorder score of IDRs, achieved equivalent performance to the best baseline model using amino acid sequences to discriminate HIV neutralization phenotype, indicating that the lengths or disorder of specific IDRs are strongly related to HIV neutralization phenotypes. Comparative MD analysis reveals that gp120 with extreme neutralization phenotypes in multiple conformational states, especially some IDRs, exhibit significantly distinct structural dynamics, conformational flexibility, and thermodynamic distributions. Taken together, our study provided insights into the role of IDRs in gp120 responding to HIV neutralization phenotypes, which will advance the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying viral function associated with HIV neutralization phenotype and help develop antiviral vaccines or drugs.

A Bayesian benchmark concentration analysis for urinary fluoride and intelligence in adults in Guizhou, China.

Environmental fluoride exposure has been linked to numerous cases of fluorosis worldwide. Previous studies have indicated that long-term exposure to fluoride can result in intellectual damage among children. However, a comprehensive health risk assessment of fluorosis-induced intellectual damage is still pending. In this research, we utilized the Bayesian Benchmark Dose Analysis System (BBMD) to investigate the dose-response relationship between urinary fluoride (U-F) concentration and Raven scores in adults from Nayong, Guizhou, China. Our research findings indecate a dose-response relationship between the concentration of U-F and intelligence scores in adults. As the benchmark response (BMR) increased, both the benchmark concentration (BMCs) and the lower bound of the credible interval (BMCLs) increased. Specifically, BMCs for the association between U-F and IQ score were determined to be 0.18 mg/L (BMCL1 = 0.08 mg/L), 0.91 mg/L (BMCL5 = 0.40 mg/L), 1.83 mg/L (BMCL10 = 0.83 mg/L) when using BMRs of 1 %, 5 %, and 10 %. These results indicate that U-F can serve as an effective biomarker for monitoring the loss of IQ in population. We propose three interim targets for public policy in preventing interllectual harm from fluoride exposure.

Chromatin Modifier EP400 Regulates Oocyte Quality and Zygotic Genome Activation in Mice.

Epigenetic modifiers that accumulate in oocytes, play a crucial role in steering the developmental program of cleavage embryos and initiating life. However, the identification of key maternal epigenetic regulators remains elusive. In the findings, the essential role of maternal Ep400, a chaperone for H3.3, in oocyte quality and early embryo development in mice is highlighted. Depletion of Ep400 in oocytes resulted in a decline in oocyte quality and abnormalities in fertilization. Preimplantation embryos lacking maternal Ep400 exhibited reduced major zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and experienced developmental arrest at the 2-to-4-cell stage. The study shows that EP400 forms protein complex with NFYA, occupies promoters of major ZGA genes, modulates H3.3 distribution between euchromatin and heterochromatin, promotes transcription elongation, activates the expression of genes regulating mitochondrial functions, and facilitates the expression of rate-limiting enzymes of the TCA cycle. This intricate process driven by Ep400 ensures the proper execution of the developmental program, emphasizing its critical role in maternal-to-embryonic transition.

Endoscopic features and treatments of gastric cystica profunda.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cystica profunda (GCP) represents a rare condition characterized by cystic dilation of gastric glands within the mucosal and/or submucosal layers. GCP is often linked to, or may progress into, early gastric cancer (EGC). AIM: To provide a comprehensive evaluation of the endoscopic features of GCP while assessing the efficacy of endoscopic treatment, thereby offering guidance for diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: This retrospective study involved 104 patients with GCP who underwent endoscopic resection. Alongside demographic and clinical data, regular patient follow-ups were conducted to assess local recurrence. RESULTS: Among the 104 patients diagnosed with GCP who underwent endoscopic resection, 12.5% had a history of previous gastric procedures. The primary site predominantly affected was the cardia (38.5%, n = 40). GCP commonly exhibited intraluminal growth (99%), regular presentation (74.0%), and ulcerative mucosa (61.5%). The leading endoscopic feature was the mucosal lesion type (59.6%, n = 62). The average maximum diameter was 20.9 ± 15.3 mm, with mucosal involvement in 60.6% (n = 63). Procedures lasted 73.9 ± 57.5 min, achieving complete resection in 91.3% (n = 95). Recurrence (4.8%) was managed via either surgical intervention (n = 1) or through endoscopic resection (n = 4). Final pathology confirmed that 59.6% of GCP cases were associated with EGC. Univariate analysis indicated that elderly males were more susceptible to GCP associated with EGC. Conversely, multivariate analysis identified lesion morphology and endoscopic features as significant risk factors. Survival analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference in recurrence between GCP with and without EGC (P = 0.72). CONCLUSION: The findings suggested that endoscopic resection might serve as an effective and minimally invasive treatment for GCP with or without EGC.

Strain-induced excellent photocatalytic performance in Z-scheme BlueP/γ-SnS heterostructures for water splitting.

Constructing Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts with high solar-to-hydrogen (STH) efficiency is a practical alternative to produce clean and recyclable hydrogen energy on a large scale. This paper presents the design of stable Z-scheme blue phosphorene (BlueP)/γ-SnS heterostructures with excellent photocatalytic activities by applying strains. The first-principles calculations show that the BlueP/γ-SnS heterobilayer is a type-I heterojunction with an indirect bandgap of 1.41 eV and strong visible-light absorption up to 105 cm-1. Interestingly, biaxial strains (ε) can effectively regulate its bandgap width (semiconductor-metal) and induce the band alignment transition (type-I-type-II). Compressive and tensile strains can significantly enhance the interfacial interaction and visible-light absorption, respectively. More intriguingly, compressive strains can not only modulate the heterojunction types but also make the band edges meet the requirements for overall water splitting. In particular, the Z-scheme (type-I) BlueP/γ-SnS bilayer at -8% (-2%) strain exhibits a relatively high STH efficiency of 18% (17%), and the strained Z-scheme system (-8% ≤ ε ≤ -6%) also exhibits high and anisotropic carrier mobilities (158-2327 cm2 V-1 s-1). These strain-induced outstanding properties make BlueP/γ-SnS heterostructures promising candidates for constructing economically feasible photocatalysts and flexible nanodevices.