Alveoli-Inspired Carbon Cathodes with Interconnected Porous Structure and Asymmetric Coordinated Vanadium Sites for Superior Li-S Batteries.

Accelerating sulfur conversion catalysis to alleviate the shuttle effect has become a novel paradigm for effective Li-S batteries. Although nitrogen-coordinated metal single-atom (M-N4) catalysts have been investigated, further optimizing its utilization rate and catalytic activities is urgently needed for practical applications. Inspired by the natural alveoli tissue with interconnected structure and well-distributed enzyme catalytic sites on the wall for the simultaneously fast diffusion and in-situ catalytic conversion of substrates, here, we proposed the controllable synthesis of bioinspired carbon cathode with interconnected porous structure and asymmetric coordinated V-S1N3 sites for efficient and stable Li-S batteries. The enzyme-mimetic V-S1N3 shows asymmetric electronic distribution and high tunability, therefore enhancing in-situ polysulfide conversion activities. Experimental and theoretical results reveal that the high charge asymmetry degree and large atom radius of S in V-S1N3 result in sloping adsorption for polysulfide, thereby exhibiting low thermodynamic energy barriers and long-range stability (0.076% decay over 600 cycles).

Nardilysin-regulated scission mechanism activates polo-like kinase 3 to suppress the development of pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) develops through step-wise genetic and molecular alterations including Kras mutation and inactivation of various apoptotic pathways. Here, we find that development of apoptotic resistance and metastasis of KrasG12D-driven PDAC in mice is accelerated by deleting Plk3, explaining the often-reduced Plk3 expression in human PDAC. Importantly, a 41-kDa Plk3 (p41Plk3) that contains the entire kinase domain at the N-terminus (1-353 aa) is activated by scission of the precursor p72Plk3 at Arg354 by metalloendopeptidase nardilysin (NRDC), and the resulting p32Plk3 C-terminal Polo-box domain (PBD) is removed by proteasome degradation, preventing the inhibition of p41Plk3 by PBD. We find that p41Plk3 is the activated form of Plk3 that regulates a feed-forward mechanism to promote apoptosis and suppress PDAC and metastasis. p41Plk3 phosphorylates c-Fos on Thr164, which in turn induces expression of Plk3 and pro-apoptotic genes. These findings uncover an NRDC-regulated post-translational mechanism that activates Plk3, establishing a prototypic regulation by scission mechanism.

Dynamic Viscoelastic Behavior of Maize Kernel: Application of Frequency-Temperature Superposition.

Maize kernels were treated using two varieties of drying methodologies, namely combined hot air- and vacuum-drying (HAVD) and natural drying (ND). We performed frequency sweep tests, modified Cole-Cole (MCC) analysis, and frequency-temperature superposition (FTS) on these kernels. The kernels' elastic and viscous properties for ND were higher than those for HAVD. The heterogeneous nature of maize kernel may account for the curvature in MCC plot for the kernel treated by HAVD 75 °C and the failure of FTS. MCC analysis was more sensitive than FTS. The kernel treated by HAVD 75 °C demonstrated thermorheologically simple behavior across the entire temperature range (30-45 °C) in both MCC analysis and FTS. The frequency scale for the kernel treated using HAVD 75 °C was broadened by up to 70,000 Hz. The relaxation processes in the kernel treated by HAVD 75 °C were determined to be mainly associated with subunits of molecules or molecular strands. The data herein could be utilized for maize storage and processing.

Phosphocreatine promotes epigenetic reprogramming to facilitate glioblastoma growth through stabilizing BRD2.

Glioblastoma (GBM) exhibits profound metabolic plasticity for survival and therapeutic resistance, while the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that GBM stem cells (GSCs) reprogram the epigenetic landscape by producing substantial amounts of phosphocreatine (PCr). This production is attributed to the elevated transcription of brain-type creatine kinase (CKB), mediated by Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1). PCr inhibits the poly-ubiquitination of the chromatin regulator bromodomain containing protein 2 (BRD2) by outcompeting the E3 ubiquitin ligase SPOP for BRD2 binding. Pharmacological disruption of PCr biosynthesis by cyclocreatine leads to BRD2 degradation and a decrease in its targets' transcription, which inhibits chromosome segregation and cell proliferation. Notably, cyclocreatine treatment significantly impedes tumor growth and sensitizes tumors to a BRD2 inhibitor in mouse GBM models without detectable side effects. These findings highlight that high production of PCr is a druggable metabolic feature of GBM and a promising therapeutic target for GBM treatment.

The association and underlying mechanism of the digit ratio (2D:4D) in hypospadias.

ABSTRACT: The second-to-fourth digit (2D:4D) ratio is thought to be associated with prenatal androgen exposure. However, the relationship between the 2D:4D ratio and hypospadias is poorly understood, and its molecular mechanism is not clear. In this study, by analyzing the hand digit length of 142 boys with hypospadias (23 distal, 68 middle, and 51 proximal) and 196 controls enrolled in Shanghai Children's Hospital (Shanghai, China) from December 2020 to December 2021, we found that the 2D:4D ratio was significantly increased in boys with hypospadias (P < 0.001) and it was positively correlated with the severity of the hypospadias. This was further verified by the comparison of control mice and prenatal low testosterone mice model obtained by knocking out the risk gene (dynein axonemal heavy chain 8 [DNAH8]) associated with hypospadias. Furthermore, the discrepancy was mainly caused by a shift in 4D. Proteomic characterization of a mouse model validated that low testosterone levels during pregnancy can impair the growth and development of 4D. Comprehensive mechanistic explorations revealed that during the androgen-sensitive window, the downregulation of the androgen receptor (AR) caused by low testosterone levels, as well as the suppressed expression of chondrocyte proliferation-related genes such as Wnt family member 5a (Wnt5a), Wnt5b, Smad family member 2 (Smad2), and Smad3; mitochondrial function-related genes in cartilage such as AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and nuclear respiratory factor 1 (Nrf-1); and vascular development-related genes such as myosin light chain (MLC), notch receptor 3 (Notch3), and sphingosine kinase 1 (Sphk1), are responsible for the limitation of 4D growth, which results in a higher 2D:4D ratio in boys with hypospadias via decreased endochondral ossification. This study indicates that the ratio of 2D:4D is a risk marker of hypospadias and provides a potential molecular mechanism.

Clinical phenotype and genetic function analysis of a family with hypomyelinating leukodystrophy-7 caused by POLR3A mutation.

Hypomyelinating leukodystrophy (HLD) is a rare genetic heterogeneous disease that can affect myelin development in the central nervous system. This study aims to analyze the clinical phenotype and genetic function of a family with HLD-7 caused by POLR3A mutation. The proband (IV6) in this family mainly showed progressive cognitive decline, dentin dysplasia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Her three old brothers (IV1, IV2, and IV4) also had different degrees of ataxia, dystonia, or dysarthria besides the aforementioned manifestations. Their brain magnetic resonance imaging showed bilateral periventricular white matter atrophy, brain atrophy, and corpus callosum atrophy and thinning. The proband and her two living brothers (IV2 and IV4) were detected to carry a homozygous mutation of the POLR3A (NM_007055.4) gene c. 2300G > T (p.Cys767Phe), and her consanguineous married parents (III1 and III2) were p.Cys767Phe heterozygous carriers. In the constructed POLR3A wild-type and p.Cys767Phe mutant cells, it was seen that overexpression of wild-type POLR3A protein significantly enhanced Pol III transcription of 5S rRNA and tRNA Leu-CAA. However, although the mutant POLR3A protein overexpression was increased compared to the wild-type protein overexpression, it did not show the expected further enhancement of Pol III function. On the contrary, Pol III transcription function was frustrated (POLR3A, BC200, and tRNA Leu-CAA expression decreased), and MBP and 18S rRNA expressions were decreased. This study indicates that the POLR3A p.Cys767Phe variant caused increased expression of mutated POLR3A protein and abnormal expression of Pol III transcripts, and the mutant POLR3A protein function was abnormal.

Multi-omics data-based analysis characterizes molecular alterations of the vesicle genes in human colorectal cancer.

The role of vesicular genes in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) is crucial. Analyzing alterations in these genes at multi-omics can aid in understanding the molecular pathways behind colorectal carcinogenesis and identifying potential treatment targets. However, studies on the overall alteration of vesicular genes in CRC are still lacking. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between vesicle genetic alterations and CRC progression. To achieve this, we analyzed molecular alterations in CRC vesicle genes at eight levels, including mRNA, protein, and epigenetic levels. Additionally, we examined CRC overall survival-related genes that were obtained from a public database. Our analysis of chromatin structural variants, DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, and proteins (including phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and malonylation), along with RNA-seq data from the TCGA database, revealed multiple levels of alterations in CRC vesicle genes in the collected tissue samples. We progressively examined the alterations of vesicle genes in mRNA and protein levels in CRC and discovered the hub genes. Further investigation identified the probable essential transcription factors. This study contributes to a thorough knowledge of the connection between vesicle gene alterations at multiple levels and the development of CRC and offers a theoretical framework for the identification of novel treatment targets.

Association of the Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index (ALI) and Gustave Roussy Immune (GRIm) score with immune checkpoint inhibitor efficacy in patients with gastrointestinal and lung cancer.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive analysis, evaluating the prognostic significance of the baseline Advanced Lung Cancer Inflammation Index (ALI) and Gustave Roussy Immune (GRIm) Score in patients undergoing immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed across various databases, including PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google Scholar, until October 21, 2023, to compile relevant articles for analysis. The investigation encompassed diverse clinical outcomes, including overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). RESULTS: This analysis included a total of 15 articles, comprising 19 studies involving 3335 patients. Among the 19 studies, nine studies focused on NSCLC, and six studies were conducted on HCC. Pooled results revealed that patients with elevated ALI levels experienced prolonged OS (HR: 0.51, 95% CI: 0.37-0.70, p < 0.001) and extended PFS (HR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.52-0.72, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a GRIm score > 1 was associated with reduced OS (HR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.47-2.92, p < 0.001) and diminished PFS (HR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.35-2.34, p < 0.001) in cancer patients receiving ICIs. Subgroup analysis indicated that ALI cutoff values of 18 exhibited enhanced predictive potential. Additionally, for HCC patients, those with HCC-GRIm score > 2 showed a substantially decreased risk of mortality compared to individuals with HCC-GRIm score ≤ 2 (HR: 2.63, 95% CI: 1.89-3.65, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The ALI and GRIm score served as dependable prognostic indicators for patients undergoing ICI therapy in the context of cancer treatment.

Revealing the mechanism of post-harvest processing on rose quality based on dynamic changes in water content, enzyme activity, volatile and non-volatile metabolites.

Existing studies on post-harvest processing of edible roses have mainly focused on processing techniques and physicochemical properties of the final dried products, with limited studies on how changes in metabolites during processing affect the quality of these products. This study investigated changes in water content and status, enzyme activity, phenolic compounds, and volatile and non-volatile compounds during processing and revealed the mechanisms by which post-harvest processing (drying without blanching (WBD) and drying with blanching (BD)) affects the quality of dried roses by establishing their correlations. Results showed that the blanching reduced the relative content of free water and water activity, thus reducing the subsequent drying time and enzyme activity. The BD method caused higher levels of phenolic compounds than the WBD method in terms of gallic acid, ellagic acid, epicatechin, and quercetin. The OPLS-DA analysis identified 6 differential volatiles out of 72 detected volatiles, contributing to the unique aroma of dried roses by activating olfactory receptors through hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interactions. 58 differential metabolites were screened from 964 non-volatile metabolites. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the changes in volatile and non-volatile metabolites induced by different processing methods were due to the effect of blanching on glutathione and fatty acid metabolism. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of how post-harvest processing affects the quality of dried roses.

Timing of early water intake post-general anaesthesia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early water intake has gained widespread attention considering enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). In the present systematic evaluation and meta-analysis, we assessed the effects of early water intake on the incidence of vomiting and aspiration in adult patients who received general anaesthesia on regaining consciousness during the resuscitation period. OBJECTIVE: To systematically analyse the results of randomised controlled trials on early postoperative water intake in patients who underwent different types of surgery under general anaesthesia, both at home and abroad, to further explore the safety and application of early water intake and provide an evidence-based foundation for clinical application. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: To perform the systematic evaluation and meta-analysis, we searched the Web of Science, CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Cochrane Library, Sinomed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang, and Vipshop databases to identify randomised controlled trial studies on early water intake in adult patients who received general anaesthesia. RESULTS: Herein, we included 10 publications with a total sample size of 5131 patients. Based on statistical analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of vomiting (odds ratio [OR] = 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.58-1.12]; p = 0.20; I-squared [I2] = 0%) and aspiration (OR = 0.78; 95%CI [0.45-1.37]; p = 0.40; I2 = 0%) between the two groups of patients on regaining consciousness post-general anaesthesia. CONCLUSION: Based on the available evidence, early water intake after regaining consciousness post-anaesthesia did not increase the incidence of adverse complications when compared with traditional postoperative water abstinence. Early water intake could effectively improve patient thirst and facilitate the recovery of gastrointestinal function.

The endonuclease FEN1 mediates activation of STAT3 and facilitates proliferation and metastasis in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The metastasis accounts for most deaths from breast cancer (BRCA). Understanding the molecular mechanisms of BRCA metastasis is urgently demanded. Flap Endonuclease 1 (FEN1), a pivotal factor in DNA metabolic pathways, contributes to tumor growth and drug resistance, however, little is known about the role of FEN1 in BRCA metastasis. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this study, FEN1 expression and its clinical correlation in BRCA were investigated using bioinformatics, showing being upregulated in BRCA samples and significant relationships with tumor stage, node metastasis, and prognosis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of local BRCA cohort indicated that the ratio of high FEN1 expression in metastatic BRCA tissues rose over that in non-metastatic tissues. The assays of loss-of-function and gain-of-function showed that FEN1 enhanced BRCA cell proliferation, migration, invasion, xenograft growth as well as lung metastasis. It was further found that FEN1 promoted the aggressive behaviors of BRCA cells via Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) activation. Specifically, the STAT3 inhibitor Stattic thwarted the FEN1-induced enhancement of migration and invasion, while the activator IL-6 rescued the decreased migration and invasion caused by FEN1 knockdown. Additionally, overexpression of FEN1 rescued the inhibitory effect of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitor BAY117082 on phosphorylated STAT3. Simultaneously, the knockdown of FEN1 attenuated the phosphorylation of STAT3 promoted by the NF-κB activator tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate a novel mechanism that NF-κB-driven FEN1 contributes to promoting BRCA growth and metastasis by STAT3 activation.

X-Ray-Triggered CO-Release from Gold Nanocluster: All-in-One Nanoplatforms for Cancer Targeted Gas and Radio Synergistic Therapy.

Glycolysis-dominant metabolic pathway in cancer cells can promote their therapeutic resistance against radiotherapy (RT). Carbon monoxide (CO) as a glycolysis inhibitor can enhance the efficiency of RT. Herein, an X-ray responsive CO-releasing nanocomposite (HA@AuNC@CO) based on strong host-guest interactions between the radiosensitizer and CO donor for enhanced RT is developed. The encapsulated gold nanoclusters (CD-AuNCs) can effectively generate cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) under X-ray radiation, which not only directly inactivate cancer cells but also induce in situ CO gas generation from adamantane modified metal carbonyl (Ada-CO) for glycolysis inhibition. Both in vitro and in vivo results demonstrate that HA@AuNC@CO exhibits active targeting toward CD44 overexpressed cancer cells, along with excellent inhibition of glycolysis and efficient RT against cancer. This study offers a new strategy for the combination of gas therapy and RT in tumor treatment.

Formation of cation bridges and its promoting mechanism for sorption of sulfamethoxazole by montmorillonite.

The coexistence of metal cations is often accompanied by organic pollution and could affect the environmental fate of organics by mediating the formation of cation bridges. However, the environmental fate and risk of organics in cation co-existing environments are poorly understood due to the lack of accurate identification of cation bridge formation and stability. In this study, the sorption of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) on montmorillonite (MT) with the coexistence of three different valence metal cations (Na+, Ca2+, and Cr3+) was investigated. Ca2+ and Cr3+ can significantly promote the sorption of SMX on MT for about 5∼10 times promotion, respectively, while Na+ bridges displayed little effect on the sorption of SMX. The sorption binding energy of SMX with MT-Ca (-44.01 kcal/mol) and MT-Cr (-64.57 kcal/mol) bridges was significantly lower than that with MT-Na (-38.45 kcal/mol) and MT (-39.39 kcal/mol), indicating that the sorption affinity of SMX on Cr and Ca bridges was much stronger. The higher valence of the cations also resulted in a more stable adsorbed SMX with less desorption fluctuation. In addition, the relatively higher initial concentration of SMX and the valence of cations increased the bonding density of the cation bridges, thus promoting the apparent sorption of SMX on MT to a certain extent. This work reveals the formation and function of cation bridges in the sorption of SMX on MT. It lays a theoretical foundation for further understanding the environmental fate and risk of organics.

Phenylspirodrimane with Moderate Reversal Effect of Multidrug Resistance Isolated from the Deep-Sea Fungus Stachybotrys sp. 3A00409.

Two new phenylspirodrimanes, stachybotrins K and L (1 and 2), together with eight known analogues (3-10), were isolated from deep-sea-derived Stachybotrys sp. MCCC 3A00409. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR data and mass spectroscopic analysis. Absolute configurations of new compounds were determined through a comparison of their circular dichroism (CD) spectra with other reported compounds. The possible reversal effects of all compounds were assayed in the resistant cancer cell lines. Stachybotrysin B (8) can reverse multidrug resistance (MDR) in ABCB1-overexpression cells (KBv200, Hela/VCR) at the non-cytotoxic concentration. Doxorubicin accumulation assay and molecular-docking analysis reveal that the mechanism of its reversal MDR effect may be related to the increase in the intracellular concentration of substrate anticancer drugs.

Learning Local and Global Temporal Contexts for Video Semantic Segmentation.

Contextual information plays a core role for video semantic segmentation (VSS). This paper summarizes contexts for VSS in two-fold: local temporal contexts (LTC) which define the contexts from neighboring frames, and global temporal contexts (GTC) which represent the contexts from the whole video. As for LTC, it includes static and motional contexts, corresponding to static and moving content in neighboring frames, respectively. Previously, both static and motional contexts have been studied. However, there is no research about simultaneously learning static and motional contexts (highly complementary). Hence, we propose a Coarse-to-Fine Feature Mining (CFFM) technique to learn a unified presentation of LTC. CFFM contains two parts: Coarse-to-Fine Feature Assembling (CFFA) and Cross-frame Feature Mining (CFM). CFFA abstracts static and motional contexts, and CFM mines useful information from nearby frames to enhance target features. To further exploit more temporal contexts, we propose CFFM++ by additionally learning GTC from the whole video. Specifically, we uniformly sample certain frames from the video and extract global contextual prototypes by k-means. The information within those prototypes is mined by CFM to refine target features. Experimental results on popular benchmarks demonstrate that CFFM and CFFM++ perform favorably against state-of-the-art methods. The code is available at https://github.com/GuoleiSun/VSS-CFFM.

Living Artificial Skin: Photosensitizer and Cell Sandwiched Bacterial Cellulose for Chronic Wound Healing.

Chronic wounds pose a significant global public health challenge due to their suboptimal treatment efficacy caused by bacterial infections and microcirculatory disturbances. Inspired by the biofunctionality of natural skin, an artificial skin (HV@BC@TBG) is bioengineered with bacterial cellulose (BC) sandwiched between photosensitizers (PS) and functionalized living cells. Glucose-modified PS (TBG) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-functionalized living cells (HV) are successively modified on each side of BC through biological metabolism and bio-orthogonal reaction. As the outermost layer, the TBG layer can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) upon light illumination to efficiently combat bacterial infections. The HV layer is the inner layer near the diabetic wound, which servs as a living factory to continuously secrete VEGF to accelerate wound repair by promoting fibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis. The sandwiched structural artificial skin HV@BC@TBG is nontoxic, biocompatible, and demonstrated its ability to significantly accelerate the healing process of infected diabetic wounds, rendering it a promising next-generation medical therapy for chronic wound management.

Disease Burden and Coping Strategies of Spouses of Patients with Psoriasis: A Qualitative Study.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory skin condition characterized by erythema, papules, and scales. It imposes a heavy psychological and social strain on both patients and their families. Surprisingly, there's limited research delving into the disease burden and coping strategies of spouses contending with psoriasis. Objective: The objective is to explore the disease burden faced and coping strategies utilized by spouses of individuals living with psoriasis. This exploration aims to offer insights crucial for devising mental health support and intervention strategies. Methods: The research methodology employed in this study was phenomenological, a qualitative approach. A total of fifteen spouses of patients with psoriasis were selected using an objective sampling method for in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was then applied to the recorded interview data to derive meaningful themes. Results: This study has identified and analyzed three core themes concerning the disease burden and coping strategies of spouses of patients with psoriasis: Overwhelming disease burden; Lack of support system; Coping strategies (Problem - centered coping strategies: Proactive acquisition of disease knowledge; Active confrontation of illness - related issues; Behavioral habit alteration; and Emotional - centered coping strategies: Active acceptance and normalization; Passive acceptance and internalized stigma; Avoidance of disease - related problems). Conclusion: This study adds valuable insights into comprehending the disease burden encountered by spouses of patients with psoriasis and sheds light on the coping strategies they employ. Healthcare providers should proactively recognize and address the burden experienced by spouses early on. Establishing a robust support network is crucial, and promoting adaptive coping strategies can significantly aid spouses in effectively navigating and managing the complexities associated with psoriasis.

Efficacy and Safety of Covered Stents Versus Bare-Metal Stents for Aortoiliac Occlusive Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety outcome of covered stents (CSs), as compared with bare-metal stents (BMSs), for the treatment of patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease (AIOD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to August 2023 to identify all studies comparing efficacy and safety outcomes of CSs versus BMSs for treating AIOD. Our outcome was primary patency, secondary patency, technical success, ankle-brachial index (ABI) variation, target lesion revascularization (TLR), limb salvage, complications, and long-term survival. Dichotomous outcomes were pooled as relative risks (RR) or hazard ratio with the 95% confidence interval (CI). Continuous outcomes were pooled as weighted mean differences and 95% CI. Model selection was based on the heterogeneity of the included studies. RESULTS: There were 10 studies (2 randomized controlled trials, 8 retrospective cohort studies), comprising 1676 sample size. Compared with BMSs, CSs use was associated with better primary patency of patients with a Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II (TASC) D lesion (RR, 1.15, 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.27, p=0.007), TLR (RR, 0.39, 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.56, p<0.001), technical success (RR, 1.01, 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.02, p=0.010), and long-term survival (RR, 1.06, 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.11, p=0.020). There is no difference between CSs and BMSs regarding primary patency of all patients, secondary patency, variation in ABI, limb salvage, and complications. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with BMSs, CSs used in AIOD was associated with more favorable primary patency in patients with TASC D lesions, TLR, technical success rates, and patient long-term survival. These results provide evidence of the advantages of using CSs for AIOD treatment. Future studies focusing on long-term variations in ABI, primary patency of different degrees of calcification, vascular segments, and TASC classification are warranted. CLINICAL IMPACT: Although several studies evaluated the clinical efficacy of CS in the context of AIOD treatment, the significance and consistency of these findings were not determined to date. We found that CS was used in AIOD associated with better technical success rate, long-term patient survival, lower target lesion revascularization, and higher primary patency of patients with a Trans-Atlantic Inter-Society Consensus II D lesion when compared with BMSs. Our study provides evidence supporting the superiority of CSs over BMSs in the treatment of AIOD, and furnishing clinicians with guidance for treatment decisions.

Analyzing the bibliometrics of brain-gut axis and Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD), characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. Recent research has revealed a significant connection between gut microbiota and PD. To gain insight into research interests, disciplinary contexts, and potential future directions, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis was conducted on the brain-gut axis and PD literature published between 2014 and 2023. Methods: Relevant literature records were gathered from the Web of Science Core Collection on August 11, 2023. The data were then analyzed by Biblioshiny R packages and VOSviewer (version 1.6.19). Results: The dataset revealed an upward trend in annual scientific publications on the brain-gut axis and PD, with an annual growth rate of 50.24%. China, the United States, and Italy were the top three most productive countries/regions. The journal "International Journal Of Molecular Sciences" published the most articles, while "Movement Disorders" received the highest number of citations. Professor Keshavarzian A emerged as the most prolific author, while Professor Scheperjans F held the highest h-index. Keyword analysis highlighted "alpha-synuclein" as the most frequent term, with "mouse model," "inflammation," and "risk" as emerging research topics. Additionally, "central nervous system" and "intestinal bacterial overgrowth" attracted increasing attention. Conclusion: This study examined current trends and hotspots in the bibliometric landscape of the brain-gut axis and PD research. Future research directions should explore the functional and metabolic activities of gut microbiota. Additionally, transitioning from observational to interventional study designs offers the potential for personalized interventions and disease prediction. These findings can guide researchers in navigating the latest developments and shaping the future directions of this field.

Simple and Safe Synthesis of Yolk-Shell-Structured Silicon/Carbon Composites with Enhanced Electrochemical Properties.

With its substantial theoretical capacity, silicon (Si) is a prospective anode material for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the challenges of a substantial volume expansion and inferior conductivity in Si-based anodes restrict the electrochemical stability. To address this, a yolk-shell-structured Si-carbon composite, featuring adjustable void sizes, was synthesized using tin (Sn) as a template. A uniform coating of tin oxide (SnO2) on the surface of nano-Si particles was achieved through a simple annealing process. This approach enables the removal of the template with concentrated hydrochloric acid (HCl) instead of hydrofluoric acid (HF), thereby reducing toxicity and corrosiveness. The conductivity of Si@void@Carbon (Si@void@C) was further enhanced by using a high-conductivity carbon layer derived from pitch. By incorporating an internal void, this yolk-shell structure effectively enhanced the low Li+/electron conductivity and accommodated the large volume change of Si. Si@void@C demonstrated an excellent electrochemical performance, retaining a discharge capacity of 735.3 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 1.0 A g-1. Even at a high current density of 2.0 A g-1, Si@void@C still maintained a discharge capacity of 1238.5 mAh g-1.