Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy for premenstrual syndrome symptoms in patients with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a pathological condition characterized by a series of abnormal physical, psychological, and behavioral symptoms. We evaluated the effectiveness of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in the treatment of patients with obesity and PMS. METHODS: In this case-control study, 131 patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 27.5 kg/cm2) diagnosed with moderate-to-severe PMS from March 2018 to March 2022 were prospectively selected to undergo LSG or not at their own discretion. Participants self-reported their PMS severity using the Premenstrual Syndrome Screening Tool. Among them, 68 patients chose LSG surgery, and 63 control group patients were followed up without surgery. Data were recorded at baseline and at 3 months post-treatment. We used a multivariate analysis to assess the improvement in PMS symptoms and associated factors. RESULTS: Of the 131 patients with obesity and PMS, the improvement rate of PMS in the LSG group was 57.35% (n = 39), while the improvement rate of PMS in the control group was 25.40% (n = 16). Furthermore, our study revealed that surgery is an independent factor affecting the improvement of patients with PMS. Additionally, there was a correlation between alcohol use, T2DM and obesity-related metabolic diseases, and BMI with PMS. The changes in BMI, testosterone, and estradiol(E2) levels may also contribute to the improvement of patients with obesity and PMS. CONCLUSION: LSG can improve the management of obesity in patients with PMS to some extent. Changes in BMI, testosterone, and E2 may be indicative of improvement in patients with obesity and PMS.

Clinical Outcomes and Return to Preinjury Sports After Anatomic Reconstruction With a Gracilis Autograft Versus the Modified Broström Procedure in Patients With Generalized Joint Laxity.

Background: Generalized joint laxity (GJL) is a risk factor for inferior outcomes after the modified Broström procedure for chronic lateral ankle instability, while anatomic reconstruction with tendons is more inclined to be recommended. However, whether anatomic reconstruction could achieve better results than the modified Broström procedure in patients with GJL is unknown. Purpose: To compare clinical outcomes and return to sports between anatomic reconstruction and the modified Broström procedure in patients with GJL. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Patients with GJL (Beighton score ≥4) who underwent either the modified Broström procedure or anatomic reconstruction with gracilis autografts between 2017 and 2020 were reviewed. Included were 19 patients who underwent anatomic reconstruction (reconstruction group) and 49 patients who underwent the modified Broström procedure (MBP group). Clinical outcomes were compared using the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and the Karlsson score. The rates of return to preinjury level in high-demand sports, sprain recurrence, and range of motion between the 2 groups were also compared. Results: The mean follow-up duration was 38.3 months in the reconstruction group and 43.7 months in the MBP group. The FAOS and Karlsson scores improved significantly after surgery in both groups (P < .001 for all), with the reconstruction group having significantly higher postoperative FAOS-Sports scores (87.9 ± 8.9 vs 80.5 ± 11.6; P = .015) and Karlsson scores (86.9 ± 6.1 vs 82 ± 8.4; P = .025) than the MBP group. The rate of return to preinjury high-demand sports was higher in the reconstruction group than in the MBP group (73.3% vs 38.9%; P = .034). The MBP group had a significantly higher rate of sprain recurrence (22.4% vs 0%; P = .027). More patients reported dorsiflexion restriction in the reconstruction group (n = 4; 21.1%) than in the MBP group (n = 1; 2%) (P = .019); nonetheless, there was no noticeable effect on daily life and sports. Conclusion: Better clinical outcomes, less sprain recurrence, and a higher rate of return to preinjury high-demand sports were found after anatomic reconstruction with free tendons compared with the modified Broström procedure in patients with GJL. Anatomic tendon reconstruction can be recommended for such patients, especially those participating in high-demand sports.

Identification of key genes increasing susceptibility to atrial fibrillation in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease and the potential mechanisms: mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are major health burdens, with emerging evidence suggesting NAFLD as a significant risk factor for AF, but the mechanism is remain unclear. Methods: In this study, we analyzed gene expression data from NAFLD (GSE89632) and AF (GSE75092) datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus. We identified co-upregulated and co-downregulated genes between NAFLD and AF, assessed diagnostic potential of specific genes, conducted immune infiltration analysis, and performed molecular docking studies with sodium glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). Results: We identified eight co-upregulated and 31 co-downregulated genes between NAFLD and AF. Genes such as AMOT, PDE11A, TYMS, TMEM98, and PTGS2 demonstrated substantial diagnostic potential for identifying NAFLD patients at risk of AF. Immune infiltration analysis discovered an elevated presence of CD8 T cells, γδ T cells, and M2 macrophages in NAFLD livers, linking systemic inflammation to NAFLD and AF. Additionally, studies have shown that a connection between mitochondrial dysfunction and several hub genes like DGAT1, TYMS, and PTGS2, suggesting that mitochondrial disturbances may underpin the systemic inflammation in NAFLD, which possibly exacerbating AF. Molecular docking studies indicated that empagliflozin's binding affinity with key genes such as DGAT1, TYMS, and PTGS2 presents a novel therapeutic avenue for NAFLD-associated AF. Conclusion: Our study firstly discovered that AMOT, PDE11A, TYMS, TMEM98, and PTGS2 are associated with NAFLD-related AF and hold strong diagnostic values. Our study also indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and systemic inflammation may be potential mechanisms bridging NAFLD and AF. Additionally, we identified empagliflozin as a potentially effective therapeutic agent for NAFLD-related AF at the molecular structure level. These novel insights contribute to the further understanding, diagnosis, and intervention of NAFLD-related AF.

Multidisciplinary management based on clinical nursing pathway model for the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of multidisciplinary management based on a clinical nursing pathway model for the treatment of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (HICH). METHODS: A total of 124 patients with HICH admitted to our hospital between February 2021 and June 2023 were selected as research subjects in this randomized, controlled, unblinded study. They were divided into Control-group and Study-group using a random number table method, with 62 cases in each group. The Control-group received routine care and the Study-group adopted a multidisciplinary management approach based on the clinical nursing pathway model. A multidisciplinary intervention group including 1 attending physician, 1 psychotherapist, 1 nutritionist, 1 rehabilitation specialist, and 4 responsible nurses was constructed. From preoperative to postoperative day, patients were provided with psychological intervention, health education, respiratory tract management, and specific care for patients who were restless. One to 3 days after operation, the patients and their family members were guided in basic postoperative care and nutrition care. From the 4th day after surgery to the 1st day before discharge, patients were guided for rehabilitation exercises. Patients also received discharge advices upon discharge. Activities of daily living, neurological function, stress response indicators, incidence of complications, and nursing satisfaction before and after the intervention were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: After the intervention, the activities of daily living and neurological function of the 2 groups were significantly improved compared to before the intervention, and the Study-group was significantly higher than the Control-group (P < .05). After intervention, the levels of stress response indicators in both groups significantly decreased compared to before the intervention, and the Study-group was significantly lower than the Control-group (P < .05). The incidence of complications in the Study-group (3.23%) was lower than that in the Control-group (15.00%) (P < .05). Nursing satisfaction in the Study-group (95.16%) was higher than that in the Control-group (83.33%) (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that adopting a multidisciplinary management approach based on clinical nursing pathways to intervene in patients with HICH can reduce stress response levels, reduce the risk of complications, and facilitate the recovery of neurological function and activities of daily living with high patient satisfaction.

Operando investigation of the synergistic effect of electric field treatment and copper for bacteria inactivation.

As the overuse of chemicals in our disinfection processes becomes an ever-growing concern, alternative approaches to reduce and replace the usage of chemicals is warranted. Electric field treatment has shown promising potential to have synergistic effects with standard chemical-based methods as they both target the cell membrane specifically. In this study, we use a lab-on-a-chip device to understand, observe, and quantify the synergistic effect between electric field treatment and copper inactivation. Observations in situ, and at a single cell level, ensure us that the combined approach has an enhancement effect leading more bacteria to be weakened by electric field treatment and susceptible to inactivation by copper ion permeation. The synergistic effects of electric field treatment and copper can be visually concluded here, enabling the further study of this technology to optimally develop, mature, and scale for its various applications in the future.

Long-Term Protective Effects and Mechanisms of Gastric Bypass Surgery on the Kidneys in Hypertensive Obese Rat.

OBJECTIVE: Investigate the long-term protective effects of gastric bypass surgery on the kidneys of hypertensive obese rats to better understand the role of gastric bypass surgery in preventing renal injury in humans with hypertension and obesity. METHODS: Compare 6-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats, including 30 Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and 30 sham operations. Body weight and blood pressure were monitored before and up to 12 months after the operation. Blood lipids, blood creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen were measured. Kidney pathology was assessed using HE staining, while renal fibrosis was observed via Masson staining. Inflammatory indicators were examined by ELISA. The expression of the NLRP3 gene in the kidney was measured using immunofluorescence and western blot, and the changes in key pathways including ASC/IL-1ß protein were verified. RESULTS: RYGB reduced the body weight of hypertensive obese rats and had a protective effect on blood pressure. Additionally, the bypass effectively mitigated renal inflammation and fibrosis. Moreover, RYGB modulated the expression of NLRP3 and prevented kidney damage via the ASC/IL-1 pathway. CONCLUSION: This study validates that RYGB effectively attains sustained blood pressure control in hypertensive obese rats and has a potential kidney-protective mechanism via the NLRP3-ASC/IL-1ß pathway.

Corrigendum: From function to metabolome: metabolomic analysis reveals the effect of probiotic fermentation on the chemical compositions and biological activities of Perilla frutescens leaves.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.933193.].

Development of a QuEChERS-HPLC-FLD Procedure for the Simultaneous Detection of Residues of Florfenicol, Its Metabolite Florfenicol Amine, and Three Fluoroquinolones in Eggs.

A method utilizing high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detection (HPLC-FLD) has been developed and refined for the simultaneous detection of florfenicol (FF) and its metabolite florfenicol amine (FFA) along with three fluoroquinolone (ciprofloxacin (CIP), enrofloxacin (ENR), and sarafloxacin (SAR)) residues in different parts of eggs (whole egg, egg yolk, and egg albumen). The QuEChERS ("Quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe") procedure utilized 0.1 M disodium EDTA solution, water, and acetonitrile as extractants; sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, and trisodium citrate as dehydrating salts; and N-propylethylenediamine and C18 as adsorbents. A dual-channel FLD method was utilized to analyze the target compounds using an XBridge BEH C18 chromatographic column (4.6 mm × 150 mm, 5 µm). The mobile phase was employed isocratically using a solution of 0.01 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate, 0.005 M sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 0.1% triethylamine (pH 4.8) in combination with acetonitrile at a ratio of 65:35 (V/V). The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of the analytes ranged from 0.03 to 1.5 µg/kg and from 0.1 to 5.0 µg/kg, respectively. The recoveries of the analytes in the blank egg samples ranged from 71.9% to 94.8% when reference standard concentrations of the LOQ, half of the maximum residual limit (MRL), MRL, and twice the MRL were added. The parameters of the presented protocol were validated and subsequently applied to the analysis of real samples, demonstrating the applicability and reliability of the method.

Artificial intelligence-based models enabling accurate diagnosis of ovarian cancer using laboratory tests in China: a multicentre, retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy. Timely diagnosis of ovarian cancer is difficult due to the lack of effective biomarkers. Laboratory tests are widely applied in clinical practice, and some have shown diagnostic and prognostic relevance to ovarian cancer. We aimed to systematically evaluate the value of routine laboratory tests on the prediction of ovarian cancer, and develop a robust and generalisable ensemble artificial intelligence (AI) model to assist in identifying patients with ovarian cancer. METHODS: In this multicentre, retrospective cohort study, we collected 98 laboratory tests and clinical features of women with or without ovarian cancer admitted to three hospitals in China during Jan 1, 2012 and April 4, 2021. A multi-criteria decision making-based classification fusion (MCF) risk prediction framework was used to make a model that combined estimations from 20 AI classification models to reach an integrated prediction tool developed for ovarian cancer diagnosis. It was evaluated on an internal validation set (3007 individuals) and two external validation sets (5641 and 2344 individuals). The primary outcome was the prediction accuracy of the model in identifying ovarian cancer. FINDINGS: Based on 52 features (51 laboratory tests and age), the MCF achieved an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0·949 (95% CI 0·948-0·950) in the internal validation set, and AUCs of 0·882 (0·880-0·885) and 0·884 (0·882-0·887) in the two external validation sets. The model showed higher AUC and sensitivity compared with CA125 and HE4 in identifying ovarian cancer, especially in patients with early-stage ovarian cancer. The MCF also yielded acceptable prediction accuracy with the exclusion of highly ranked laboratory tests that indicate ovarian cancer, such as CA125 and other tumour markers, and outperformed state-of-the-art models in ovarian cancer prediction. The MCF was wrapped as an ovarian cancer prediction tool, and made publicly available to provide estimated probability of ovarian cancer with input laboratory test values. INTERPRETATION: The MCF model consistently achieved satisfactory performance in ovarian cancer prediction when using laboratory tests from the three validation sets. This model offers a low-cost, easily accessible, and accurate diagnostic tool for ovarian cancer. The included laboratory tests, not only CA125 which was the highest ranked laboratory test in importance of diagnostic assistance, contributed to the characterisation of patients with ovarian cancer. FUNDING: Ministry of Science and Technology of China; National Natural Science Foundation of China; Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China; and Science and Technology Project of Guangzhou, China. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Associations of fatty acids with the risk of biliary tract calculus and inflammation: a Mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: The presence of gallstones in both the gallbladder and bile ducts is referred to as cholelithiasis. The prevalence of cholecystolithiasis and bile duct stones differs. Observational and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies have elucidated the significant contributing role of numerous fatty acids (FAs) in the development of cholelithiasis. Despite numerous studies about cholelithiasis, evidence on the relationship between serum FA levels and cholecystolithiasis, as well as bile duct stones with or without inflammation, remains insufficient. METHODS: A two-sample MR study was designed to clarify the impact of serum FA levels on various bile duct inflammatory diseases. The summary statistics of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with fatty acids were obtained from the UK Biobank (UKB) and included data from 114,999 participants. The researchers obtained GWAS summary statistics for cholecystolithiasis and bile duct stones in 463,010 and 361,194 European participants, including cases with and without inflammation. No sample overlap between the exposure and outcome was verified through the "mr-lap" package. The SNPs were screened to identify instrumental variables (IVs). Cochran's Q test was applied for heterogeneity assessment. Inverse variance weighting (IVW) (fixed effects or random effects), MR-Egger regression and weighted median methods were used for MR. Multivariable MR was applied to determine the direct effect of each exposure on the outcome. A false discovery rate (FDR) was applied to adjust for multiple testing correction based on the Benjamini-Hochberg method. Finally, the FinnGen Consortium was used to validate some results. RESULTS: The overall concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the serum was negatively associated with the risk of calculus of the gallbladder with acute cholecystitis (IVW, OR = 0.996, P = 0.038, CI 0.992-0.999; weighted median, OR = 0.995, P = 0.025, CI 0.991-0.999). The percentage of PUFAs to total monounsaturated fatty acids(MUFAs) (IVW, OR = 0.998, P = 0.045, CI 0.997-0.999) and the percentage of PUFAs to total FAs (IVW, OR = 0.997, P = 0.025, CI 0.995-0.999) had a protective role against cholecystitis. The percentage of PUFAs to total FAs had a protective role against calculus of the gallbladder without cholecystitis (IVW, OR = 0.995, P = 0.026, CI 0.990-0.999; MR Egger, OR = 0.99, P = 0.03, CI 0.982-0.998; weighted median, OR = 0.991, P = 5.41e-06, CI 0.988-0.995). Conversely, the percentage of MUFAs to total FAs increased the risk for cholecystitis (IVW, OR = 1.001, P = 0.034, CI 1.0001-1.002). However, there were no causal effects of the above exposures on the outcomes through multivariable MR and multiple testing correction. Finally, the causal effects of the above exposures on cholecystitis were validated in the FinnGen Consortium, which suggested that the percentage of PUFAs to total FAs (IVW, OR = 0.744, P = 0.021, CI 0.579-0.957) had a protective role against cholecystitis. CONCLUSION: These Mendelian randomization findings suggested that more attention should be focused on people who have low serum PUFA levels, which may have a potential role in the occurrence of calculus of the gallbladder or cholecystitis rather than calculus of the bile duct without cholangitis or cholecystitis.

The Distal Fascicle of the Anterior Inferior Tibiofibular Ligament: A Potential Landmark for Lateral Ankle Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: A reliable landmark and precise distances from the ligament attachments are needed for lateral ankle stabilization surgery. The distal fascicle of the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL) has been used to locate the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) or calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) centers on the fibula. However, there is no anatomic study to validate the distal fascicle of the AITFL as a landmark of lateral ankle ligament stabilization, and more importantly, the exact distances from the ATFL or CFL attachments to the distal fascicle of the AITFL are unknown. METHODS: Sixteen frozen cadaveric specimens (8 paired specimens) with no previous history of ankle injury were used in this study. Whether the distal fascicle of AITFL was present in each specimen was confirmed. Then, the distances from the most distal insertion of the AITFL's distal fascicle to the footprint centers of the ATFL and CFL on the fibula were measured. All measurements were performed by 2 observers, and the intraobserver and interobserver reliabilities were analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). RESULTS: The distal fascicle of the AITFL was found in all specimens (100%). The mean distance from the most distal insertion of the AITFL's distal fascicle to the footprint centers of the ATFL, CFL, and the intersection center of the 2 ligaments on the fibula was 6.0 to 7.1 mm, 11.5 to 13.2 mm, and 9.0 to 10.0 mm, respectively. Excellent interobserver and intraobserver agreement (all ICCs > 0.9, P < .01) was shown in the anatomic measurements of these distances. CONCLUSION: In this cadaveric study, we found that the distal fascicle was a constant structure of the AITFL in the lateral ankle. The distances from the most distal insertion of the AITFL's distal fascicle to the ligamentous footprint centers were reliable and may be used to identify the origins of the ATFL and CFL for lateral ankle ligament reconstruction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This anatomic study validates the AITFL's distal fascicle as a potential landmark and, more importantly, determines the range of distances from AITFL's distal fascicle to the attachment centers of lateral ankle ligaments by anatomic measurements. The data may be used to identify the ATFL and CFL for lateral ankle stabilization surgery and become particularly valuable for endoscopic or arthroscopic techniques.

Identification of novel angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides from Pacific saury: In vivo antihypertensive effect and transport route.

Nature food-derived angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitory peptides (ACEIPs) can be potent and safe therapeutics for many medical illnesses, particularly hypertension. In this study, novel ACEIPs were screened and identified from Pacific saury by bio-activity guided approach through ultrafiltration membrane, Sephadex G-25 and RP-HPLC. The antihypertensive effect of ultrafiltration fraction was confirmed with spontaneous hypertensive rats' (SHRs) model. The peptides sequences of which gave the best activity was identified by Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS and selectively synthesized based on the binding energy of molecular docking. Five peptides VVLASLK, LTLK, LEPWR, ELPPK and LPTEK were synthesized, and the peptide LEPWR (IC50 = 99.5 µM) showed the best ACE inhibitory ability. Furthermore, LEPWR against ACE in a mixed competitive pattern and formed six hydrogen bonds with ACE. Additionally, the apparent permeability coefficient (Papp) of LEPWR was 3.56 ± 0.14 × 10-6 cm/s and paracellular transport across tight junctions was the main pathway across the Caco-2 monolayer. Therefore, the Pacific saury is a good material to prepare ACEIPs, but antihypertensive mechanism of peptide LEPWR on SHRs needs further investigation.

Application of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures Undergoing Percutaneous Kyphoplasty.

BACKGROUND: The enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program helps patients recover faster and better, postoperatively. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the clinical effectiveness of the ERAS program after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures. METHODS: We enrolled patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture who had undergone PKP between January 2019 and June 2021 and divided them into the control group (CG; n = 296), without the ERAS program, and the intervention group (IG; n = 306), with the ERAS program. The visual analog scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and Barthel Index scores of the 2 groups were compared on admission and 2 days and 1, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Perioperative evaluation parameters included the mean surgery time, length of stay (LOS), and hospitalization expenses. In addition, postoperative complications were compared. RESULTS: Regarding perioperative parameters, LOS and hospitalization expenses were significantly better in IG than in CG (P < 0.001), but the mean surgery time did not differ significantly (P > 0.05). The VAS, Barthel Index, and ODI scores were significantly better in IG than in CG at 2 days and 1 month postoperatively (P < 0.001). None of the clinical effectiveness parameters (VAS, Barthel Index, and ODI scores) differed between IG and CG at 6 or 12 months postoperatively. In addition, 141 patients in CG and 56 patients in IG experienced postoperative complications, including pressure ulcers, deep vein thrombosis, nausea and vomiting, and refracture (P = 0.970, P = 0.036, P < 0.001, P = 0.002 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: For patients undergoing PKP, the ERAS program is a reliable and effective perioperative management method that can effectively reduce LOS, postoperative pain, and economic burden and promote recovery of patients.

Decoupling locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT) intensity and copper release by applying asymmetric electric pulses for water disinfection.

Copper has well-known anti-microbial properties but is typically not considered for drinking water disinfection because of its health risk to human at efficient biocidal concentrations. Locally enhanced electric field treatment (LEEFT) is a cutting-edge technique that aims to inactivate bacteria by generating aqueous pores on the cell membrane through the application of a strong electric field. LEEFT can also increase the permeability of the cell membrane, which promotes the uptake of chemical disinfectants to reduce the required biocidal concentrations. Previously, a coaxial-electrode copper ionization cell (CECIC) was developed to combine copper disinfection with LEEFT, demonstrating superior disinfection efficiency with low effluent copper concentrations (<0.5 mg/L). However, using direct-current (DC) voltages results in a dilemma that a higher voltage is necessary for effective LEEFT disinfection, but a lower voltage is required to limit Cu release. Here, asymmetric electric pulses are employed to decouple the LEEFT intensity from copper release in the CECIC. In this case, LEEFT intensity is primarily determined by the pulse amplitude while the copper release is controlled by the pulse offset. We have demonstrated that the use of asymmetric electric pulses achieves significantly higher inactivation efficiency compared to the DC voltages with the similar level of Cu release. For the water with conductivity similar to tap water (∼100 µS/cm), a high inactivation efficiency of 4.7-log is achieved with only 0.49 mg/L copper release. These findings highlight the potential of asymmetric electric pulses as a promising alternative to DC voltages for the practical application of LEEFT-Cu systems in the future.

Identification of metabolite biomarkers in Salmonella enteritidis-contaminated chickens using UHPLC-QTRAP-MS-based targeted metabolomics.

This study aimed to characterize the metabolic profile of Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis) in chicken matrix and to identify metabolic biomarkers of S. enteritidis in chicken. The UHPLC-QTRAP-MS high-throughput targeted metabolomics approach was employed to analyze the metabolic profiles of contaminated and control group chickens. A total of 348 metabolites were quantified, and the application of deep learning least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) modelling analysis obtained eight potential metabolite biomarkers for S. enteritidis. Metabolic abundance change analysis revealed significantly enriched abundances of anthranilic acid, l-pyroglutamic acid, 5-hydroxylysine, n,n-dimethylarginine, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, and menatetrenone in contaminated chicken samples. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated the strong ability of these six metabolites as biomarkers to distinguish S. enteritidis contaminated and fresh chicken samples. The findings presented in this study offer a theoretical foundation for developing an innovative approach to identify and detect foodborne contamination caused by S. enteritidis.

Modulation Effects of Sargassum pallidum Extract on Hyperglycemia and Hyperlipidemia in Type 2 Diabetic Mice.

The aim of this study was to investigate the antidiabetic effect of the extract from Sargassum pallidum (SPPE) on type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) mice. SPPE treatment alleviated hyperglycemia, insulin resistance (IR), liver and pancreatic tissue damage, hyperlipidemia and hepatic oxidative stress resulting from T2DM. SPPE reversed phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPCK) and hexokinase (HK) activities to improve gluconeogenesis and glycogen storage in the liver. Furthermore, SPPE modulated glucose metabolism by regulating the levels of mRNA expression involving the PI3K/Akt/FOXO1/G6pase/GLUT2 pathway and could inhibit fatty acid synthesis by reducing the gene expression levels of fatty acid synthase (FAS) and acetyl-CoA carboxylase-1 (ACC-1). A 16 sRNA analysis indicated that SPPE treatment also reversed gut dysbiosis by increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria (Bacteroides and Lactobacillus) and suppressing the proliferation of harmful bacteria (Enterococcus and Helicobacter). Untargeted metabolomics results indicated that histidine metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis were significantly influenced by SPPE. Thus, SPPE may be applied as an effective dietary supplement or drug in the management of T2DM.

Engineering anisotropy in 2D transition metal dichalcogenides via heterostructures.

Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors featuring low-symmetry crystal structures hold an immense potential for the design of advanced optoelectronic devices, leveraging their inherent anisotropic attributes. While the synthesis techniques for transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have matured, a promising avenue emerges: the induction of anisotropy within symmetric TMDs through interlayer van der Waals coupling engineering. Here, we unveil the creation of heterostructures (HSs) by stacking highly symmetric MoSe2 with low-symmetry ReS2, introducing artificial anisotropy into monolayer MoSe2. Through a meticulous analysis of angle-dependent photoluminescence (PL) spectra, we discern a remarkable anisotropic intensity ratio of approximately 1.34. Bolstering this observation, the angle-resolved Raman spectra provide unequivocal validation of the anisotropic optical properties inherent to MoSe2. This intriguing behavior can be attributed to the in-plane polarization of MoSe2, incited by the deliberate disruption of lattice symmetry within the monolayer MoSe2 structure. Collectively, our findings furnish a conceptual blueprint for engineering both isotropic and anisotropic HSs, thereby unlocking an expansive spectrum of applications in the realm of high-performance optoelectronic devices.

Avulsion fracture is associated with more pain after anatomic repair procedure for ATFL injury at the talar side.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of anatomic repair procedure for chronic anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) injury at the talar side, and to compare the outcomes between patients with and without concomitant avulsion fractures. It was hypothesized that anatomic repair procedure could produce similarly satisfactory outcomes for those two groups. METHODS: Thirty-nine consecutive patients with chronic ATFL injuries at the talar side who underwent anatomic repair procedure at the department of sports medicine at Peking University Third Hospital between 2013 and 2018, were retrospectively evaluated. The pain visual analogue scale (VAS), American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Tegner score, and Foot & Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were recorded as the primary outcomes. Time to return to sports (RTS), surgical satisfaction, deficiency of ankle range of motion (ROM), recurrent sprain, and postoperative complications were recorded as the secondary outcomes. Outcomes were compared between patients with (Group A, 16 cases) and without (Group B, 23 cases) concomitant avulsion fractures. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 79.4 ± 17.0 and 76.6 ± 18.5 months for Group A and B, respectively. VAS, AOFAS, Tegner, FAOS, and all subscale scores of FAOS were significantly improved in both groups at the final follow up. Patients in group A had inferior postoperative VAS, AOFAS, FAOS, and pain score of FAOS compared to group B (1.1 ± 1.1 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, 89.1 ± 10.1 vs. 95.2 ± 5.2, 87.2 ± 7.2 vs. 91.5 ± 4.1, and 88.4 ± 11.3 vs. 96.7 ± 3.5, respectively).The mean time to RTS, rate of satisfaction and recurrent sprain had no significant differences between group A and B (6.1 ± 2.8, 93.8%, and 18.8% vs. 5.2 ± 2.2, 100.0%, and 13.0%, respectively), and the rate of ROM deficiency was significantly higher in group A (37.5 vs. 8.7%). Avulsion fracture was identified as an independent risk factor for inferior pain score of FAOS. CONCLUSION: Anatomic repair procedure for chronic ATFL injuries at the talar side produces favourable results for patients with and without avulsion fractures at 5 to 10 years follow-up, however, avulsion fracture is associated with more pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Delta radiomics analysis for prediction of intermediary- and high-risk factors for patients with locally advanced cervical cancer receiving neoadjuvant therapy.

This study aimed to assess the feasibility of using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based Delta radiomics characteristics extrapolated from the Ax LAVA + C series to identify intermediary- and high-risk factors in patients with cervical cancer undergoing surgery following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. A total of 157 patients were divided into two groups: those without any intermediary- or high-risk factors and those with one intermediary-risk factor (negative group; n = 75). Those with any high-risk factor or more than one intermediary-risk factor (positive group; n = 82). Radiomics characteristics were extracted using Ax-LAVA + C MRI sequences. The data was divided into training (n = 126) and test (n = 31) sets in an 8:2 ratio. The training set data features were selected using the Mann-Whitney U test and the Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) test. The best radiomics features were then analyzed to build a preoperative predictive radiomics model for predicting intermediary- and high-risk factors in cervical cancer. Three models-the clinical model, the radiomics model, and the combined clinic and radiomics model-were developed in this study utilizing the random forest Algorithm. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to assess the predictive efficacy and clinical benefits of each model. Three models were developed in this study to predict intermediary- and high-risk variables associated with postoperative pathology for patients who underwent surgery after receiving neoadjuvant radiation. In the training and test sets, the AUC values assessed using the clinical model, radiomics model, and combined clinical and radiomics models were 0.76 and 0.70, 0.88 and 0.86, and 0.91 and 0.89, respectively. The use of machine learning algorithms to analyze Delta Ax LAVA + C MRI radiomics features can aid in the prediction of intermediary- and high-risk factors in patients with cervical cancer receiving neoadjuvant therapy.

Evaluation of the Accuracy of a Polymerase Chain Reaction-Based Assay for Polymerase Epsilon Mutation Detection in Endometrial Carcinoma.

CONTEXT.­: Molecular stratification of endometrial carcinoma provides more accurate prognostic information than traditional clinicopathologic features. However, because next-generation sequencing is typically recommended for polymerase epsilon (POLE) mutation detection, the practical application of a test based on molecular stratification is limited in the clinical setting. OBJECTIVE.­: To evaluate a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay for POLE mutation detection in endometrial carcinoma. DESIGN.­: We developed a PCR-based technology called Dalton Mutation Identifier Technology (Dalton-MIT) that targets 9 mutation sites within POLE exons. Endometrial carcinoma specimens from 613 patients were tested for POLE mutations. Correlations between POLE mutations with patient clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis were analyzed. RESULTS.­: PCR detection data showed that the incidence rate of POLE mutation was 11.4% (70 of 613). Patients with POLE mutations presented better clinicopathologic characteristics and prognosis than those with non-POLE mutations. Comparison between Dalton-MIT and next-generation sequencing in 59.5% (365 of 613) of specimens showed that the sensitivity of Dalton-MIT for detecting POLE pathogenic mutations was 100%, the specificity was 99.3%, the Youden index was .993, and the κ value was .981 (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS.­: Our data demonstrate that POLE mutation detection by Dalton-MIT correlates with next-generation sequencing. This suggests that Dalton-MIT represents a promising alternative assay for detecting POLE mutations and will facilitate the wider application of molecular stratification tools for endometrial carcinoma in the clinic.