Cardiopulmonary Coupling Spectrogram as an Ambulatory Method for Assessing Sleep Disorders in Patients With Autoimmune Encephalitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Sleep disorders are a common and important clinical feature in patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AE); however, they are poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate whether cardiopulmonary coupling (CPC), an electrocardiogram-based portable sleep monitoring technology, can be used to assess sleep disorders in patients with AE. METHODS: Patients fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of AE were age- and sex-matched with recruited healthy control subjects. All patients and subjects received CPC testing between August 2020 and December 2022. Demographic data, clinical information, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were collected from the medical records. Data analysis was performed using R language programming software. RESULTS: There were 60 patients with AE (age 26.0 [19.8-37.5] years, male 55%) and 66 healthy control subjects (age 30.0 [25.8-32.0] years, male 53%) included in this study. Compared with healthy subjects, patients with AE had higher PSQI scores (7.00 [6.00-8.00] vs 3.00 [2.00-4.00], p < 0.001), lower sleep efficiency (SE 80% [71%-87%] vs 92% [84%-95%], p < 0.001), lower percentage of high-frequency coupling (25% [14%-43%] vs 45% [38%-53%], p < 0.001), higher percentage of REM sleep (19% ± 9% vs 15% ± 7%, p < 0.001), higher percentage of wakefulness (W% 16% [11%-25%] vs 8% [5%-16%], p = 0.074), higher low-frequency to high-frequency ratio (LF/HF 1.29 [0.82-2.40] vs 0.91 [0.67-1.29], p = 0.001), and a higher CPC-derived respiratory disturbance index (9.78 [0.50-22.2] vs 2.95 [0.40-6.53], p < 0.001). Follow-up evaluation of 14 patients showed a decrease in the PSQI score (8.00 [6.00-9.00] vs 6.00 [5.00-7.00], p = 0.008), an increased SE (79% [69%-86%] vs 89% [76%-91%], p = 0.030), and a decreased W% (20% [11%-30%] vs 11% [8%-24], p = 0.035). Multiple linear regression indicated that SE (-7.49 [-9.77 to -5.21], p < 0.001) and LF/HF ratio (0.37 [0.13-0.6], p = 0.004) were independent factors affecting PSQI scores in patients with AE. DISCUSSION: Sleep disorders with autonomic dysfunction are common in patients with AE. Improvements in the PSQI score and SE precede the restoration of sleep microstructural disruption in the remission stage. CPC parameters may be useful in predicting sleep disorders in patients with AE.

Fabrication of bimetallic Ag@ZnO nanocomposite and its anti-cancer activity on cervical cancer via impeding PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

INTRODUCTION: Bimetallic nanoparticles, specifically Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Silver (Ag), continue to much outperform other nanoparticles investigated for a variety of biological uses in the field of cancer therapy. This study introduces biosynthesis of bimetallic silver/zinc oxide nanocomposites (Ag@ZnO NCs) using the Crocus sativus extract and evaluates their anti-cancer properties against cervical cancer. METHODS: The process of generating bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs), namely Ag@ZnO NCs, through the utilization of Crocus sativus extract proved to be uncomplicated and eco-friendly. Various methods, such as UV-vis, DLS, FTIR, EDX, and SEM analyses, were utilized to characterize the generated Ag@ZnO NCs. The MTT assay was employed to assess the cytotoxic properties of biosynthesized bimetallic Ag@ZnO NCs against the HeLa cervical cancer cell line. Moreover, the impact of Ag@ZnO NCs on HeLa cells was assessed by examining cell survival, ROS production, MMP levels, and induced apoptosis. Through western blot analysis, the expression levels of the PI3K, AKT, mTOR, Cyclin D, and CDK proteins seemed to be ascertained. Using flow cytometry, the cancer cells' progression through necrosis and apoptosis, in addition to the cell cycle analysis, were investigated. RESULTS: Bimetallic Ag@ZnO NCs that were biosynthesized showed a high degree of stability, as demonstrated by the physicochemical assessments. The median size of the particles in these NCs was approximately 80-90 nm, and their zeta potential was -14.70 mV. AgNPs and ZnO were found, according to EDX data. Further, Ag@ZnO NCs hold promise as a potential treatment for cervical cancer. After 24 hours of treatment, a dosage of 5 µg/mL or higher resulted in a maximum inhibitory effect of 58 ± 2.9. The concurrent application of Ag/ZnO NPs to HeLa cells resulted in elevated apoptotic signals and a significant generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). As a result, the bimettalic Ag@ZnO NCs treatment has been recognized as a chemotherapeutic intervention by inhibiting the production of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR-mediated regulation of propagation and cell cycle-regulating proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The research yielded important insights into the cytotoxic etiology of biosynthesized bimetallic Ag@ZnO NCs against HeLa cells. The biosynthesized bimetallic Ag@ZnO NCs have a significant antitumor potential, which appears to be associated with the development of oxidative stress, which inhibits the development of the cell cycle and the proliferation of cells. Therefore, in the future, biosynthesized bimetallic Ag@ZnO NCs may be used as a powerful anticancer drug to treat cervical cancer.

Impact of obesity-related indicators on first-pass effect in patients with ischemic stroke receiving mechanical thrombectomy.

PURPOSE: The first-pass effect (FPE), defined as complete revascularization after a single thrombectomy pass in large vessel occlusion, is a predictor of good prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) receiving mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aimed to evaluate obesity-related indicators if possible be predictors of FPE. METHODS: We consecutively enrolled patients with AIS who were treated with MT between January 2019 and December 2021 at our institution. Baseline characteristics, procedure-related data, and laboratory test results were retrospectively analyzed. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the independent predictors of FPE. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients were included in this study, of whom 47 (31.1%) had FPE. After adjusting for confounding factors, the independent predictors of achieving FPE were low levels of body mass index (BMI) (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.748 to 0.971), non-intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (OR 4.038, 95% CI 1.46 to 11.14), and non-internal carotid artery occlusion (OR 13.14, 95% CI 2.394 to 72.11). Patients with lower total cholesterol (TC) (< 3.11 mmol/L) were more likely to develop FPE than those with higher TC (≥ 4.63 mmol/L) (OR 4.280; 95% CI 1.24 to 14.74) CONCLUSION: Lower BMI, non-intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis, non-internal carotid artery occlusion, and lower TC levels were independently associated with increased rates of FPE in patients with AIS who received MT therapy. FPE was correlated with better clinical outcomes after MT.

Experimental and Simulation Investigation on Fatigue Performance of H13 Steel Tools in Friction Stir Welding of Aluminum Alloys.

As the central component in friction stir welding, the design and manufacture of welding tools for aluminum alloys have garnered substantial attention. However, the understanding of tool reliability during the welding process, especially in terms of fatigue performance, remains unclear. This paper focuses on the welding of AA2219-T4 as a case study to elucidate the predominant failure mode of the tool during the friction stir welding (FSW) of aluminum alloys. Experimental methods, including FSW welding and fracture morphology analysis of the failed tool, coupled with numerical simulation, confirm that high-cycle mechanical fatigue fracture is the primary mode of the tool failure. Failures predominantly occur at the tool pin's root and the shoulder end face with scroll concave grooves. The experimental and simulation results exhibit a noteworthy agreement, validating the reliability of the simulation model. The FSW Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) model developed in this study analyzes stress distribution and variation under the thermo-mechanical coupling effect of the tool. It reveals that stress concentration resulting from structural changes in the tool is the primary driver of fatigue crack initiation. This is attributed to exposure to alternating cyclic stresses such as bending, tension, and torsion at the tool pin's root, manifesting as multiaxial composite mechanical fatigue. Among these stresses, bending alternating cyclic stress exerts the most significant influence. The paper employs the Tool Life module in DEFORM software to predict the fatigue life of the tool. Results indicate that reducing welding speed or increasing rotation speed can enhance the tool's fatigue life to some extent. The methodology proposed in this paper serves as a valuable reference for optimizing FSW structures or processes to enhance the fatigue performance of welding tools.

Kurarinone, a flavonoid from Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, inhibits RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in mouse bone marrow-derived monocyte/macrophages.

Inflammation-induced osteoclast proliferation is a crucial contributor to impaired bone metabolism. Kurarinone (KR), a flavonoid extracted from the Radix Sophorae Flavescentis, exhibits notable anti-inflammatory properties. Nevertheless, the precise influence of KR on osteoclast formation remains unclear. This study's objective was to assess the impact of KR on osteoclast activity in vitro and unravel its underlying mechanism. Initially, a target network for KR-osteoclastogenesis-osteoporosis was constructed using network pharmacology. Subsequently, the intersecting targets were identified through the Venny platform and a PPI network was created using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Key targets within the network were identified employing topological algorithms. GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis were then performed on these targets to explore their specific functions and pathways. Additionally, molecular docking of potential core targets of KR was conducted, and the results were validated through cell experiments. A total of 83 target genes overlapped between KR and osteoclastogenesis-osteoporosis targets. Enrichment analysis revealed their role in inflammatory response, protein tyrosine kinase activity, osteoclast differentiation, and MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways. PPI analysis and molecular docking demonstrate that key targets MAPK14 and MAPK8 exhibit more stable binding with KR compared to other proteins. In vitro experiments demonstrate that KR effectively inhibits osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption without cellular toxicity. It suppresses key osteoclast genes (NFATc1, c-Fos, TRAP, MMP9, Ctsk, Atp6v2), hinders IκB-α degradation, and inhibits ERK and JNK phosphorylation, while not affecting p38 phosphorylation. The results indicate that KR may inhibit osteoclast maturation and bone resorption by blocking NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways, suggesting its potential as a natural therapeutic agent for osteoporosis.

Effect of two different modalities of hysterectomy on wound infection and wound dehiscence in obese patients.

This research intended to investigate the influence of the operation of both kinds of hysterectomies in the risk of wound infection and the degree of wound dehiscence. Both of them were open field and laparoscope. In this research, we looked into four databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library. Research was conducted on various operative methods for hysterectomy in obese patients between 2000 and October 2023. Two independent investigators performed an independent review of the data, established the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and managed the results with Endnote software. It also evaluated the quality of the included literature. Finally, the data were analysed with RevMan 5.3. This study involved 874 cases, 387 cases received laparoscopy and 487 cases received open access operation. Our findings indicate that there is a significant reduction in the rate of post-operative wound infection among those who have received laparoscopy compared with who have received open surgical procedures (odds ratio [OR], 0.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.15; p < 0.001); There was no statistical difference between the rate of post-operative wound dehiscence and those who received laparotomy compared with those who received open surgical procedures (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.10-1.11; p = 0.07); The estimated amount of blood lost during the operation was less in the laparoscopy group compared with the open procedure (mean difference, -123.72; 95% CI, -215.16 to -32.28; p = 0.008). Generally speaking, the application of laparoscopy to overweight women who have had a hysterectomy results in a reduction in the expected amount of bleeding during surgery and a reduction in the risk of post-operative wound infections.

Biomimetic design of micro- and nano-wrinkle wood surface via coating reinforced with hyperbranched polymer grafted cellulose nanofibers for skin-tactile performance.

Inspired from human skin, micro- and nano-wrinkled wood surface with skin-tactile performance was designed and developed using a waterborne UV-curable polyurethane acrylate coating and cellulose nofibers (CNF). To further improve the properties, the CNF was diacetylated to D-CNF and further grafted with a hyperbranched polymer containing rich end amino groups (HB-CNF). The surface structure and chemical reactions were characterized, and the skin-tactile performance of the coating was comprehensively investigated. The HB-CNF exhibited excellent dispersion in the coating, and extensive reactions occurred between the two through the -NH2 and terminal -NCO groups, resulting in much improved mechanical properties and durability. Micro-wrinkles with a width of approximately 12-15 µm and a height of 8-14 µm were created, and nano-protrusions of wrinkles ranging from to 50-100 nm were obtained. The coated surface was hydrophobic and exhibited high resilience after compression, with a gloss of 3.3 GU at an incident angle of 60° and a static friction coefficient of 0.26, both of which were similar to those of human skin. The results presented an effective strategy for high-performance wood products with a good feeling, which is helpful to improve the market competitiveness and meet the people's pursuit of a better life.

Neutrophil Nanodecoys Inhibit Tumor Metastasis by Blocking the Interaction between Tumor Cells and Neutrophils.

Cancer metastasis is the main cause of cancer-related deaths and involves the interaction between tumor cells and neutrophils. In this study, we developed activated neutrophil membrane-coated nanoparticles (aNEM NPs) as nanodecoys to block neutrophil-mediated cancer metastasis. The aNEM NPs were fabricated by cloaking poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles with membranes derived from activated neutrophils and inherited the functional proteins of activated neutrophils. We demonstrated that aNEM NPs could interfere with the recruitment of neutrophils to the primary tumor and premetastatic niches, inhibit the adhesion of neutrophils to tumor vascular endothelium and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), and disrupt the formation of CTC-neutrophil clusters in vitro and in vivo. In 4T1-bearing mice, aNEM NPs could effectively reduce breast cancer metastasis to various organs in mice. Our results suggest that aNEM NPs are a promising nanomedicine for preventing or treating cancer metastasis by acting as neutrophil nanodecoys.

Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation to Elucidate the Pharmacological Mechanisms of Luteolin Against Chondrocyte Senescence.

BACKGROUND: Luteolin, a flavonoid found in various medicinal plants, has shown promising antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties. The cartilaginous endplate (CEP) represents a crucial constituent of the intervertebral disc (IVD), assuming a pivotal responsibility in upholding both the structural and functional stability of the IVD. OBJECTIVE: Exploring the precise mechanism underlying the protective effects of luteolin against senescence and degeneration of endplate chondrocytes (EPCs). METHODS: Relevant targets associated with luteolin and aging were obtained from publicly available databases. To ascertain cellular functions and signaling pathways, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were employed. Core genes were identified through the construction of a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Molecular docking (MD) was utilized to assess the binding affinity of luteolin to these core genes. Finally, the impact of luteolin on the senescence and degeneration of EPCs was evaluated in an in vitro cellular senescence model induced by tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP). RESULTS: There are 145 overlapping targets between luteolin and senescence. Analysis using GO revealed that these targets primarily participate in cellular response to oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species. KEGG analysis demonstrated that these markers mainly associate with signaling pathways such as p53 and PI3K-Akt. MD simulations exhibited luteolin's binding affinity to P53, Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK)2, and CDK4. Cell cycle, cell proliferation, and ß- galactosidase assays confirmed that luteolin mitigated senescence in SW1353 cells. Western blot assays exhibited that luteolin significantly suppressed the expression of Matrix Metallopeptidase (MMP) 13, P53, and P21, while concurrently promoting CDK2, CDK4, and Collagen Type II Alpha 1 (COL2A1) expression. CONCLUSION: In summary, luteolin demonstrated beneficial properties against aging and degeneration in EPCs, offering novel insights to mitigate the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD).

Chronic Fluoride Exposure Induces Ovarian Dysfunction and Potential Association with Premature Ovarian Failure in Female Rats.

Chronic fluorosis has been widely investigated for its adverse effects on skeletal and neurological health; however, its impact on reproductive health, especially in females, remains underexplored. In this study, female Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to different fluoride concentrations (0.75, 50, and 100 mg/L) in their drinking water for six months. Dental fluorosis and increased urinary fluoride content were observed in fluoride-exposed rats, reflecting fluoride accumulation and exposure levels. Chronic fluorosis resulted in reduced ovary organ coefficient, indicating harmful effects on ovarian tissue. Additionally, the number of ovarian primordial and primary/secondary follicles decreased, while the number of atresia follicles increased. Furthermore, chronic fluorosis led to disrupted estrous cycles. Hormonal analysis revealed altered secretion of estrogen, progesterone, anti-Müllerian hormone, luteinizing hormone, follicular stimulating hormone, and inhibin B in response to fluoride exposure. Ultrastructural observation of ovarian granulosa cells showed evidence of apoptosis, which was further confirmed by flow cytometry. Caspase-3 activity was increased, and ATP levels were decreased, suggesting mitochondrial impairment and apoptosis induction. The mRNA and protein expression of BMP15 and GDF9, essential regulators of ovarian function, significantly decreased with increasing fluoride concentration. Furthermore, gene expression analysis identified a panel of premature ovarian failure-related genes that were downregulated in fluoride-exposed rat ovaries. These findings suggest that chronic fluoride exposure may contribute to ovarian dysfunction and possibly the pathogenesis of premature ovarian failure. Understanding the toxicological effects of chronic fluoride exposure on ovarian function is essential for identifying potential environmental risk factors affecting female reproductive health.

Trophic Transfer of Halogenated Organic Pollutants in a Wetland Food Web: Insights from Compound-Specific Nitrogen Isotope of Amino Acids and Food Source Analysis.

A trophic position (TP) model (TPmix model) that simultaneously considered trophic discrimination factor and ßGlu/Phe variations was developed in this study and was first applied to investigate the trophic transfer of halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs) in wetland food webs. The TPmix model characterized the structure of the wetland food web more accurately and significantly improved the reliability of TMF compared to the TPbulk, TPAAs, and TPsimmr models, which were calculated based on the methods of stable nitrogen isotope analysis of bulk, traditional AAs-N-CSIA, and weighted ßGlu/Phe, respectively. Food source analysis revealed three interlocking food webs (kingfisher, crab, and frogs) in this wetland. The highest HOP biomagnification capacities (TMFmix) were found in the kingfisher food web (0.24-82.0), followed by the frog (0.08-34.0) and crab (0.56-11.7) food webs. The parabolic trends of TMFmix across combinations of log KOW in the frog food web were distinct from those of aquatic food webs (kingfisher and crab), which may be related to differences in food web composition and HOP bioaccumulation behaviors between aquatic and terrestrial organisms. This study provides a new tool to accurately study the trophic transfer of contaminants in wetlands and terrestrial food webs with diverse species and complex feeding relationships.

Low intensity focused ultrasound: a new prospect for the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Background: As a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease, Parkinson's disease (PD) still lacks effective and safe targeted drug therapy. Low-intensity focused ultrasound (LIFU), a new method to stimulate the brain and open the blood-brain barrier (BBB), has been widely concerned by PD researchers due to its non-invasive characteristics.Methods: PubMed was searched for the past 10 years using the terms 'focused ultrasound', 'transcranial ultrasound', 'pulse ultrasound', and 'Parkinson's disease'. Relevant citations were selected from the authors' references. After excluding articles describing high-intensity focused ultrasound or non-Parkinson's disease applications, we found more than 100 full-text analyses for pooled analysis.Results: Current preclinical studies have shown that LIFU could improve PD motor symptoms by regulating microglia activation, increasing neurotrophic factors, reducing oxidative stress, and promoting nerve repair and regeneration, while LIFU combined with microbubbles (MBs) can promote drugs to cross the BBB, which may become a new direction of PD treatment. Therefore, finding an efficient drug carrier system is the top priority of applying LIFU with MBs to deliver drugs.Conclusions: This article aims to review neuro-modulatory effect of LIFU and the possible biophysical mechanism in the treatment of PD, summarize the latest progress in delivering vehicles with MBs, and discuss its advantages and limitations.

Neuro-modulatory effects of LIFU at the cellular or molecular level.Opening the BBB through the combination of LIFU and MBs.Biophysical mechanism of LIFU.

Impact of lipid profiles on parenchymal hemorrhage and early outcome after mechanical thrombectomy.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to investigate the association of lipid parameters with parenchymal hemorrhage (PH) and early neurological improvement (ENI) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in stroke patients. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients who underwent MT between January 2019 and February 2022 at a tertiary stroke center. PH was diagnosed and classified as PH-1 and PH-2 according to the European Cooperative Acute Stroke Study definition. ENI was defined as a decrease in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score by ≥8 or an NIHSS score of ≤1 at 24 h after MT. RESULTS: Among 155 patients, PH occurred in 41 (26.5%) patients, and 34 (21.9%) patients achieved ENI. In multivariate analysis, lower triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (TG/HDL-C) value (OR = 0.51; 95% CI 0.30-0.89; p = 0.017) and higher HDL-C level (OR = 5.83; 95% CI 1.26-26.99; p = 0.024) were independently associated with PH. The combination of TG <0.77 mmol/L and HDL-C ≥ 0.85 mmol/L was the strongest predictor of PH (OR = 10.73; 95% CI 2.89-39.87; p < 0.001). A low HDL-C level was an independent predictor of ENI (OR 0.13; 95% CI 0.02-0.95; p = 0.045), and PH partially accounts for the failure of ENI in patients with higher HDL-C levels (estimate: -0.05; 95% CI: -0.11 to -0.01; p = 0.016). INTERPRETATION: The combination of lower TG level and higher HDL-C level can predict PH after MT. Postprocedural PH partially accounts for the failure of ENI in patients with higher HDL-C levels. Further studies into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this observation are of interest.

Mental health status and related influencing factors in patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-2019) has resulted in a significant number of diagnosed patients requiring treatment in designated hospitals. However, limited evidence exists regarding the prevalence of mental health problems and associated psychological factors in COVID-19 patients. OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the prevalence rates of anxiety, depression, and insomnia among COVID-19 patients, as well as explored the associations between these mental health problems and psychological factors. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 387 COVID-19 patients in a designated shelter hospital. Online measures were used to assess anxiety, depression, insomnia, social support, coping styles, and emotional regulation. Data were analyzed to determine the prevalence rates of mental health problems and examine the associations between these problems and the psychological factors. RESULTS: The results revealed high prevalence rates of anxiety (21.80%), depression (49.0%), and insomnia (63.70%) among COVID-19 patients. Objective social support scores and positive coping style scores were significantly associated with lower levels of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, respectively. Conversely, high negative coping style scores, higher education level, and self-perceived illness severity, were significantly related to higher levels of anxiety, depression, or insomnia symptoms. Emotional regulation scores did not show a significant association with any of the examined mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS: These findings have implications for guiding psychological interventions tailored to COVID-19 patients in future outbreaks. By targeting social support and promoting adaptive coping strategies, psychological interventions can address the psychological distress experienced by COVID-19 patients.

Preparation of a Novel Formaldehyde-Free Impregnated Decorative Paper Containing MnO2 Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Formaldehyde Removal.

The loading of catalytic manganese dioxide (MnO2) nanoparticles onto an impregnated decorative paper has been an effective method for the removal of indoor formaldehyde (HCHO) pollutants. However, its preparation can present numerous challenges, including instability in dipping emulsions and leaching. In this investigation, a novel and stable formaldehyde-free polyacrylate dipping emulsion containing MnO2 particles was prepared and then back-coated on a decorative paper. To improve the dispersion and fixation, the MnO2 was modified with silane. HCHO can undergo physical adsorption on the cellulosic fibers present in the paper, while it can also undergo chemical degradation into CO2 within the MnO2 groups. The silane not only enhanced the interfacial adhesion to a polyacrylate resin but also increased the interlayer distance, thereby creating a larger space for HCHO absorption. The impregnated decorative paper back-coated with 10 wt % of silane-modified MnO2 exhibited a removal efficiency of approximately 90% for HCHO at 20 °C. The removal rate further improved to approximately 100% when the temperature was increased to 60 °C. Moreover, it is worth noting that the release of volatile organic compounds was exceptionally minimal. Additionally, the particleboard bonded with this impregnated decorative paper exhibited an extremely low emission of HCHO, with a value that approached 0 mg·L-1. Furthermore, the bonding strength of the surface remained unaffected. Therefore, this study provides a simple and eco-friendly method for effectively removing HCHO, which can enhance indoor air quality.

3D multifrequency magnetic resonance elastography in distinguishing endometrial and cervical adenocarcinoma.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively evaluate the value of tomoelastography in determining the underlying origins of uterine adenocarcinoma. METHODS: This prospective work was approved by our institutional review board, and all patients provided informed consent. 64 patients with histopathologically confirmed adenocarcinomas originated either from the cervix (CAC: cervical adenocarcinoma) or endometrium (EAC: endometrial adenocarcinoma) underwent MRI and tomoelastography examination on a 3.0 T MR scanner. To biomechanically characterize the adenocarcinoma, two MRE-derived parameters maps were provided in the tomoelastography, namely shear wave speed (c, m/s) and loss angle (φ, radian), which represented the stiffness and fluidity, respectively. The MRE-derived parameters were compared by using a two-tailed independent-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Five morphologic features were also analyzed by using the χ2 test. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop diagnosis models. Delong test was used to compare the receiver operating characteristic curves whith different diagnostic models and evaluate the diagnostic efficiency. RESULTS: CAC were significantly stiffer and behaved more fluid like than EAC (c: 2.58 ± 0.62 m/s vs.2.17 ± 0.72 m/s, p = 0.029, φ, 0.97 ± 0.19 rad vs.0.73 ± 0.26 rad, p < 0.0001). The diagnostic performance for distinguishing CAC from EAC was similar for c (AUC = 0.71) and for φ (AUC = 0.75). For distinguishing CAC from EAC, the AUC of tumor location was the higher than c and φ (AUC = 0.80). A cmobined model consisting of tumor location, c, and φ achieved the best diagnostic performance, with an AUC of 0.88 (77.27% sensitivity and 85.71% specificity). CONCLUSIONS: CAC and EAC displayed their unique biomechanical features. 3D multifrequency MRE provided added value to the conventional morphologic features in distinguishing the two types of diseases.

Application of amino acids nitrogen stable isotopic analysis in bioaccumulation studies of pollutants: A review.

Accurately quantifying trophic positions (TP) to describe food web structure is an important element in studying pollutant bioaccumulation. In recent years, compound-specific nitrogen isotopic analysis of amino acids (AAs-N-CSIA) has been progressively applied as a potentially reliable tool for quantifying TP, facilitating a better understanding of pollutant food web transfer. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the analytical procedures, applications, and limitations of AAs-N-CSIA in pollutant (halogenated organic pollutants (HOPs) and heavy metals) bioaccumulation studies. We first summarize studies on the analytical techniques of AAs-N-CSIA, including derivatization, instrumental analysis, and data processing methods. The N-pivaloyl-i-propyl-amino acid ester method is a more suitable AAs derivatization method for quantifying TP. The AAs-N-CSIA application in pollutant bioaccumulation studies (e.g., Hg, MeHg, and HOPs) is discussed, and its application in conjunction with various techniques (e.g., spatial analysis, food source analysis, and compound tracking techniques, etc.) to research the influence of pollutant levels on organisms is summarized. Finally, the limitations of AAs-N-CSIA in pollutant bioaccumulation studies are discussed, including the use of single empirical values of ßglu/phe and TDFglu/phe that result in large errors in TP quantification. The weighted ßglu/phe and the multi-TDFglu/phe models are still challenging to solve for accurate TP quantification of omnivores; however, factors affecting the variation of ßglu/phe and TDFglu/phe are unclear, especially the effect of pollutant bioaccumulation in organisms on internal AA metabolic processes.

A novel self-wrinkled polyurethane-acrylate wood coating with self-matting, anti-fingerprint performance and skin-tactile feeling via excimer lamp/UV curing.

Wrinkled surfaces exist widely in nature and organic living world, such as plants, insects, and skin. The optical, wettability and mechanical properties of materials can be enhanced by artificially preparing regular microstructure on the surface of materials. In this study, a novel self-wrinkled polyurethane-acrylate (PUA) wood coating with self-matting, anti-fingerprint performance and skin-tactile feeling curing by excimer lamp (EX) and ultraviolet (UV) was prepared. The wrinkles were formed on the surface of PUA coating at microscopic level after excimer and UV mercury lamp irradiation. The width and height of the wrinkles on the coating surface can be controlled to adjust the coating performance by changing the curing energy. When the PUA coating samples were cured by excimer lamp and UV mercury lamp with curing energy of 25-40 mJ cm-2 and 250-350 mJ cm-2, the excellent coating performances were observed. The gloss value of self-wrinkled PUA coating at 20° and 60° were less than 3 GU, while at 85° was 6.5 GU, which satisfied the demanding of matting coating. Besides, the fingerprints on the coating samples could disappear in 30 s and could still have anti-fingerprint performance after 150 times of anti-fingerprint tests. Furthermore, the pencil hardness, abrasion quantity and adhesion of self-wrinkled PUA coating were 3H, 0.045 g and 0 grade respectively. Finally, the self-wrinkled PUA coating has excellent skin-tactile feeling for touching. The coating can be applied to wood substrates, and has potential application in the field of wood-based panels, furniture and leather.

Nuclear-encoded CbbX located in chloroplast is essential for the activity of red-type Rubisco in Saccharina japonica.

Saccharina japonica (Laminariales, Phaeophyta) is a brown alga and the major component of algae beds on the northwest coast of the Pacific Ocean. Rubisco, the key enzyme of CO2 fixation in photosynthesis, is inhibited by nonproductive binding of its substrate RuBP and other sugar phosphates. The inhibited Rubisco in eukaryotic phytoplankton of the red plastid lineage was reactivated by CbbXs, the red-type Rubisco activases, through the process of ATP-hydrolysis-powered remodeling. As well documented, CbbXs had two types of subunits encoded by the plastid or nuclear genome respectively. In this study, both proteins of S. japonica (SjCbbX-n and SjCbbX-p) were localized in the chloroplast illustrated by immuno-electron microscopy technique. GST pull-down detection verified SjCbbX-n could interact with SjCbbX-p. Two-dimensional electrophoresis-based Western blot analysis illustrated that the endogenous SjCbbXs could form heterohexamer in the ratio of 1:1. Activase activity assays showed that although both the recombinant proteins of SjCbbXs were functional, SjCbbX-n illustrated the significantly higher activase activity than SjCbbX-p. Notably, when the two proteins were mixed, the highest specific efficiencies of Rubisco were obtained. These results implied SjCbbX-n may be essential for Rubisco activation. Molecular evolutionary analysis of cbbx genes revealed that cbbx-n originated from the duplication of cbbx-p and then evolved independently under the positive selection pressure. This is the first report about the functional relationship between the two types of CbbXs in macroalge with the red-type Rubisco and provides useful information for revealing the mechanism of high photosynthetic efficiency of this important kelp.

High WT1 expression predicted induction chemotherapy failure in acute myeloid leukemia patients with non-favorable cytogenetic risk.

The prognostic significance of WT1 expression at diagnosis in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains obscure, and subgroup analysis is the way for clarification. We previously reported the results in t(8;21) AML. In this study, 437 consecutive adult AML patients with non-favorable cytogenetic risk were enrolled. All patients were tested WT1 transcript levels using real-time quantitative PCR at diagnosis; AML-related common fusion genes, KMT2A-PTD, FLT3-ITD, NPM1, CEBPA and TP53 mutations were simultaneously tested. 92.4% of patients overexpressed WT1 compared to normal bone marrow. The existence of FLT3-ITD, NPM1 mutation and the absence of CEBPA biallelic mutation were significantly related to higher WT1 expression. The cutoff value for WT1 was determined by performing receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in regard to complete remission (CR) achievement and was used to categorize patients into low-expression (WT1-L) and high-expression (WT1-H) groups. In the entire cohort, WT1-H was significantly associated with a lower 1-course and 2-course CR rate (P < 0.0010 and P = 0.0060) but was not related to relapse-free survival (RFS). Multivariate analysis showed that WT1-H was an independent adverse prognostic factor for both 1-course and 2-course CR achievement. Subgroup analysis was further performed. WT1-H had a significant adverse impact on CR achievement within intermediate-cytogenetic risk, high-cytogenetic risk, ELN-defined-intermediate-risk, normal karyotype, KMT2A rearrangement, FAB-M2, FAB-M5 and NPM1 mutation (+) subgroups, whereas it had no impact within ELN-defined-low-risk, ELN-defined-high-risk, FAB-M4, FLT3-ITD mutation (+) and CEBPA biallelic mutation (+) subgroups. Moreover, WT1-H patients had a significantly lower RFS rate than WT1-L patients within both FAB-M5 and KMT2A rearrangement subgroups (P = 0.010 and 0.028), whereas WT1 had no impact on RFS within other subgroups mentioned above (all P > 0.05). Therefore, high WT1 expression at diagnosis independently predicted induction chemotherapy failure in AML patients with non-favorable cytogenetic risk, and it was related to relapse just within FAB-M5 and KMT2A rearrangement subgroups.