Constructing a Size-Controllable Spherical P2-Type Layered Oxides Cathode That Achieves Practicable Sodium-Ion Batteries

P2-type layered metal oxides are regarded as promising cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries due to their high voltage platform and rapid Na+ diffusion kinetics. However, limited capacity and unfavorable cycling stability resulting from inevitable phase transformation and detrimental structure collapse hinder their future application. Herein, based on P2-type Na0.67Ni0.18Mn0.67Cu0.1Zn0.05O2, we synthesized a series of secondary spherical morphology cathodes with different radii derived from controlling precursors prepared by a coprecipitation method, which can be promoted to large-scale production. Consequently, the synthesized materials possessed a high tap density of 1.52 g cm-3 and a compacted density of 3.2 g cm-3. The half cells exhibited a specific capacity of 111.8 mAh g-1 at a current density of 0.1 C as well as an 82.64% capacity retention with a high initial capacity of 85.80 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles under a rate of 5 C. Notably, in situ X-ray diffraction revealed a reversible P2-OP4 phase transition and displayed a tiny volume change of 6.96% during the charge/discharge process, indicating an outstanding cycling stability of the modified cathode. Commendably, the cylindrical cell achieved a capacity of 4.7 Ah with almost no change during 1000 cycles at 2 C, suggesting excellent potential for future applications.

Zanubrutinib delays selinexor resistance evolution in biopsy sample-derived primary central nervous system lymphoma models

Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare and aggressive lymphoma of the brain with poor prognosis. The scarcity of cell lines established using PCNSL makes it difficult to conduct preclinical studies on new drugs. We aimed to explore the effect of selinexor combined with zanubrutinib in PCNSL using established PCNSL cells and an orthotopic PCNSL model. Primary PCNSL cells were successfully cultured. Selinexor inhibited proliferation, induced G1 phase arrest, and promoted apoptosis, however, induced drug resistance in PCNSL. Selinexor combined with zanubrutinib had a synergistic effect on PCNSL and prevented the onset of selinexor resistance in PCNSL by inhibiting AKT signaling. Moreover, selinexor combined with zanubrutinib notably slowed tumor growth and prolonged survival compared to that of the control. Overall, the addition of zanubrutinib to selinexor monotreatment had a synergistic effect in vitro and prolonged survival in vivo.

Machine learning-based pathomics signature of histology slides as a novel prognostic indicator in primary central nervous system lymphoma

PURPOSE

To develop and validate a pathomics signature for predicting the outcomes of Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL).

METHODS

In this study, 132 whole-slide images (WSIs) of 114 patients with PCNSL were enrolled. Quantitative features of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slides were extracted using CellProfiler. A pathomics signature was established and validated. Cox regression analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, Calibration, decision curve analysis (DCA), and net reclassification improvement (NRI) were performed to assess the significance and performance.

RESULTS

In total, 802 features were extracted using a fully automated pipeline. Six machine-learning classifiers demonstrated high accuracy in distinguishing malignant neoplasms. The pathomics signature remained a significant factor of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in the training cohort (OS: HR 7.423, p < 0.001; PFS: HR 2.143, p = 0.022) and independent validation cohort (OS: HR 4.204, p = 0.017; PFS: HR 3.243, p = 0.005). A significantly lower response rate to initial treatment was found in high Path-score group (19/35, 54.29%) as compared to patients in the low Path-score group (16/70, 22.86%; p < 0.001). The DCA and NRI analyses confirmed that the nomogram showed incremental performance compared with existing models. The ROC curve demonstrated a relatively sensitive and specific profile for the nomogram (1-, 2-, and 3-year AUC = 0.862, 0.932, and 0.927, respectively).

CONCLUSION

As a novel, non-invasive, and convenient approach, the newly developed pathomics signature is a powerful predictor of OS and PFS in PCNSL and might be a potential predictive indicator for therapeutic response.

Is polyethylene glycol loxenatide 100 μg the preferred glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes mellitus? A meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to systematically evaluate the efficacy, safety and optimal dose of polyethylene glycol loxenatide (PEX168) for treating type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical trials of PEX168 for T2DM were identified in 8 databases, with a build time limit of January 2023. Included studies were subjected to meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis (TSA).

RESULTS

On the efficacy endpoint, the meta-analysis showed that PEX168 100 μg significantly reduced 0.86% glycated hemoglobin type A1c (HbA1c) (MD -0.86, 95% CI -1.02 - -0.70,  p<0.00001), 1.11 mmol/L fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (MD -1.11, 95% CI -1.49 - -0.74, p<0.00001) and 1.91 mmol/L 2h postprandial glucose (PPG) (MD -1.91, 95% CI -3.35 - -0.46, p=0.01) compared with placebo. The TSA showed that all these benefits were conclusive. On safety endpoints, total adverse events (AEs), gastrointestinal (GI) AEs, serious AEs, and hypoglycemia were comparable to placebo for PEX168 100 μg (p>0.05). In the dose comparison, the HbA1c, FPG, and 2h PPG of PEX168 200 μg were comparable to 100 μg (p>0.05), while GI AEs were significantly higher than 100 μg (RR=2.84, 95% CI 1.64-4.93,  p=0.0002).

CONCLUSIONS

PEX168 100 μg can significantly lower blood glucose and does not increase the risk of total AEs, GI AEs, and hypoglycemia, which may be a preferred glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

[Play the "combo fist" in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced gastric cancer]

The incidence of gastric cancer ranks fifth among malignant tumors worldwide, with the fourth highest mortality rate. A noteworthy characteristic of our country is the high prevalence of advanced-stage patients of approximately 40%. Advanced-stage gastric cancer carries an unfavorable prognosis with median survival of around one year. Diagnosis methods for advanced-stage gastric cancer (such as laparoscopic exploration, molecular profiling, and artificial intelligence) are still being continuously improved, while chemotherapy remains the primary treatment. With the rapid development of medical science, the role of surgical intervention in advanced-stage gastric cancer is becoming increasingly prominent. Therefore, as gastric tumor surgeons, we should consider how to use a combination of treatments, including surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, and interventional therapy, based on different pathological stages and the heterogeneity of tumors. With a multidisciplinary approach involving experts from various fields, we can collectively improve the survival rate and quality of life for advanced-stage patients. This article provides a brief overview of the current advances in the diagnosis and treatment of advanced-stage gastric cancer, and discusses therapeutic decision primarily from the perspective of surgeons.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and faecal microbiota transplantation can improve colitis in mice by affecting gut microbiota and metabolomics

Gut microbiota may have therapeutic effects on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Regulating intestinal microbiota through Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) and faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a novel approach to treating IBD. This study aimed to explore the effect of L. plantarum and FMT pretreatment in alleviating colitis in mice. Five groups of mice (n = 6 per group) were included: CON group, DSS group (dextran sodium sulphate-induced colitis mice), LP-DSS pretreatment group (colitis mice were given strain L. plantarum and 5% DSS), DSS-FMT group (mice pretreated with faecal microbiota transplantation were given 5% DSS), and LP-FMT pretreatment group (mice pretreated with faecal microbiota transplantation and L. plantarum were given 5% DSS). Serum metabolites and intestinal microbiota were analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The results demonstrated that L. plantarum and FMT improved gut microbiota in mice by increasing Firmicutes and decreasing the Bacteroidetes. In the serum metabolomics analysis, there were 11 differential metabolites in the DSS-FMT and LP-FMT pretreatment groups, and these differential metabolites were mainly glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids. It is worth noting that Lachnospira and Lactobacillus were positively associated with 8 differential metabolites. These results suggest that L. plantarum and FMT can regulate intestinal microorganisms and serum metabolomics to alleviate inflammation.

Enabling Electrochemical-Mechanical Robustness of Ultra-High Ni Cathode via Self-Supported Primary-Grain-Alignment Strategy

The electrochemical-mechanical degradation of ultrahigh Ni cathode for lithium-ion batteries is a crucial aspect that limits the cycle life and safety of devices. Herein, the study reports a facile strategy involving rational design of primary grain crystallographic orientation within polycrystalline cathode, which well enhanced its electro-mechanical strength and Li+ transfer kinetics. Ex situ and in situ experiments/simulations including cross-sectional particle electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), single-particle micro-compression, thermogravimetric analysis combined with mass spectrometry (TGA-MS), and finite element modeling reveal that, the primary-grain-alignment strategy effectively mitigates the particle pulverization, lattice oxygen release thereby enhances battery cycle life and safety. Besides the preexisting doping and coating methodologies to improve the stability of Ni-rich cathode, the primary-grain-alignment strategy, with no foreign elements or heterophase layers, is unprecedently proposed here. The results shed new light on the study of electrochemical-mechanical strain alleviation for electrode materials.

Warburg effect-related risk scoring model to assess clinical significance and immunity characteristics of glioblastoma

BACKGROUND

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common primary malignant brain tumor, has a poor prognosis, with a median survival of only 14.6 months. The Warburg effect is an abnormal energy metabolism, which is the main cause of the acidic tumor microenvironment. This study explored the role of the Warburg effect in the prognosis and immune microenvironment of GBM.

METHODS

A prognostic risk score model of Warburg effect-related genes (Warburg effect signature) was constructed using GBM cohort data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Cox analysis was performed to identify independent prognostic factors. Next, the nomogram was built to predict the prognosis for GBM patients. Finally, the drug sensitivity analysis was utilized to find the drugs that specifically target Warburg effect-related genes.

RESULTS

Age, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and WRGs score were confirmed as independent prognostic factors for GBM by Cox analyses. The C-index (0.633 for the training set and 0.696 for the validation set) and area under curve (>0.7) indicated that the nomogram exhibited excellent performance. The calibration curve also indicates excellent consistency of the nomogram between predictions and actual observations. In addition, immune microenvironment analysis revealed that patients with high WRGs scores had high immunosuppressive scores, a high abundance of immunosuppressive cells, and a low response to immunotherapy. The Cell Counting Kit-8 assays showed that the drugs targeting Warburg effect-related genes could inhibit the GBM cells growth in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Our research showed that the Warburg effect is connected with the prognosis and immune microenvironment of GBM. Therefore, targeting Warburg effect-related genes may provide novel therapeutic options.

Efficacy and safety of new-generation Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) is a type of mature B lymphocyte clonal proliferative tumor with a specific immunophenotype. Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors (BTKi) have been approved for the treatment of CLL/SLL. However, the efficacy and safety of new-generation BTKi-based regimens have not been systematically studied. In this systematic review, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of new-generation BTKi-based regimens for the treatment of patients with CLL/SLL. A comprehensive search on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. up to January 31, 2023, was conducted by us. Studies reporting data on CLL/SLL patients treated with new-generation BTKi were included. We assessed the overall response rate (ORR), complete response (CR) rate, and 24-month OS/PFS rates for efficacy analysis. For safety analysis, we evaluated the incidence of grade ≥ 3 adverse events (AEs). The meta-analysis included twenty studies. The pooled ORR for new-generation BTKi was 92% (95% CI, 89-95%, I2 = 80.68%, P = 0.00), while the pooled CR rate was 10% (95% CI, 6-14%, I2 = 88.11%, P = 0.00). Research has found that the new-generation BTKi-based therapy had higher efficacy under the following treatment conditions: < 65 years old, treatment-naive (TN)-CLL, and BTKi combination therapy. The ORR/CR rates and 24-month OS/PFS rates of BTKi combination therapy were higher than that of BTKi monotherapy. Compared to acalabrutinib monotherapy, zanubrutinib monotherapy demonstrated higher ORR/CR rates and 24-month OS/PFS rates. Common grade ≥ 3 AEs included cytopenia and hypertension. The new-generation BTKi-based therapy has good tolerance and provides incremental benefits for CLL/SLL patients. Despite the superior efficacy of BTKi combination therapy compared to monotherapy, its AEs rates are relatively high. Compared to acalabrutinib, Zanubrutinib may be the preferred monotherapy for CLL. However, randomized-controlled studies are still needed.

Impacts of Combining Pulsed Low Dose Rate Radiotherapy (PLDR) and Anti-PD-1 Antibody on Tumor Growth and Its Mechanism for Lung Cancer in Mice

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE(S)

As an emerging anti-tumor strategy, Immunotherapies has been approved for the treatment of a variety of tumors. Recent data suggest that the efficacy of radiotherapy in various cancers can be augmented when combined with immune checkpoint blockade. Then, pulsed low dose rate radiotherapy (PLDR) is a new radiotherapy segmentation method. Therefore, this study investigated the inhibitory effect of PLDR combined with anti-PD-1 antibody on lung cancer in mice and its impact on tumor immune microenvironment.

MATERIALS/METHODS

By transplanting murine LLC cells into the right leg of C57BL/6 mice with immune activity, a transplanted subcutaneous tumor model was established. The mice were randomly divided into five groups: control, conventional radiotherapy (RT)±anti-PD-1 antibody (mAb),PLDR±anti-PD-1 antibody (mAb). RT was delivered as a dose of 5 × 2 Gy whereas PLDR involved delivering a dose of 2 Gy as 10 pulses of 0.2 Gy, each 3 minutes apart and lasting for 5 days. Anti-PD-1 antibody and isotype control were administered intraperitoneally once every three days at a dose of 5mg/kg, three times in total. The tumor, blood and tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) were harvested after treatment, and a single cell suspension was prepared for flow cytometry to analyze the changes in the immune microenvironment of the tumor tissue, the expression of PD-L1. PD-1 and the activated systemic immune response; Finally, this study explored a mechanism able to explain the observed synergy of combined therapy.

RESULTS

PLDR combined with anti-PD-1 antibody can better inhibit the growth of tumor than RT,PLDR and RT combined group. Survival analysis demonstrated a statistically significant advantage for PLDR+anti-PD-1 than other groups. Median survival with PLDR+anti-PD-1mAb was 63d compared with 54d with RT+anti-PD-1mAb,41d with RT and 40d with PLDR and 33 with control. Meanwhile both RT and PLDR induced up-regulation of PD-L1 expression on tumor surface and PD-1 expression on lymphocytes. Then, the frequency of CD4+,CD8+T cells were higher in the PLDR combined treatment group in tumor blood and draining lymph nodes, and synergistically reduce the local accumulation of tumor-infiltrating myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) than others. Finally, the main reason for the better tumor inhibition effect of PLDR combined group is that it upgrades the number and activity of CD8+T cells in tumor.

CONCLUSION

PLDR combined with anti-PD-1 antibody can result in better tumor growth inhibition and significantly delay the survival time of mice, which was mainly through the cytotoxic T cell-dependent mechanism, meanwhile increasing the infiltration of CD4 + and CD8 +T-cells in tissues.

Analysis of prognostic factors for vocal fold leukoplakia based on 344 cases at a two-year follow up

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate risk factors for poor prognosis in vocal fold leukoplakia.

METHODS

Clinical data were collected for 344 patients with vocal fold leukoplakia who received surgical treatment in our otolaryngology department from October 2010 to June 2019. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of the relevant factors were conducted.

RESULTS

Among the 344 patients, 98 exhibited recurrence and 30 underwent a malignant change. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that size of the lesion (p = 0.03, odds ratio = 2.14), form of the lesion under white light (p < 0.001), surgical method (p < 0.001, odds ratio = 0.28) and pathological type (p < 0.001) were independent factors that affected the recurrence of vocal fold leukoplakia. In both univariate and multivariate analyses, the sole independent risk factor for malignant transformation of vocal fold leukoplakia was pathological type (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The outlook for vocal fold leukoplakia depends on several clinical factors, especially pathological type. The more severe the pathological type, the more likely it is to recur or become cancerous.

Diagnostic value of triglyceride-glucose index and related parameters in metabolism-associated fatty liver disease in a Chinese population: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

Our study aimed to explore the diagnostic value of triglyceride-glucose (TyG) and its related parameters in metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD).

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study of residents who attended medical checkups at the First Hospital of Nanping City, Fujian Medical University, between 2015 and 2017.

SETTING

One participation centre.

PARTICIPANTS

2605 subjects met the inclusion-exclusion criteria and were grouped according to whether they had MAFLD.

RESULTS

The TyG index and its associated parameters are positively associated with the risk of developing MAFLD (p<0.001). Restriction cube spline analysis showed a significant dose-response relationship between the TyG index and MAFLD. The risk of developing MAFLD increases significantly with a higher TyG index. After adjusting for confounders, this relationship remains (OR: 4.89, 95% CI 3.98 to 6.00). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves of the TyG index for MAFLD detection were 0.793 (0.774 to 0.812). The areas under the curve (AUC) of TyG-related parameters were improved, among which TyG-waist circumference (TyG-WC) showed the largest AUC for MAFLD detection (0.873, 95% CI 0.860 to 0.887). In addition, the best cut-off value of the TyG-WC was 716.743, with a sensitivity and specificity of 88.7% and 71.4%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The TyG index effectively identifies MAFLD, and the TyG-related parameters improved the identification and diagnosis of MAFLD, suggesting that TyG-related parameters, especially TyG-WC, may be a useful marker for diagnosing MAFLD.

Bibliometric analysis of intestinal microbiota in diabetic nephropathy

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to use bibliometrics to explore the research overview and research hotspots.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The relevant literature on intestinal flora and diabetic nephropathy in the Web of Science Core Collection was sorted out, and VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Scimago Graphica and other software were used to conduct data visualization analysis on the number of publications, countries, institutions, journals, authors, keywords and citations.

RESULTS

A total of 124 relevant literatures were included. From 2015 to 2022, the number of published papers increased every year. The countries, institutions and journals that published the most articles in this field are China, Isfahan University Medical Science and Frontiers in Pharmacology. Liu Bicheng and Mirlohi Maryam are the authors with the most published articles in this field. The main keywords of research in this field are obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, indoxyl sulfate, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and Chinese herbal medicine.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first bibliometric analysis of diabetic nephropathy and gut microbiota, reporting hot spots and emerging trends. Obesity, inflammation, oxidative stress, indoxyl sulfate, SCFAs and Chinese herbal medicine are the main keywords of current research, and SCFAs and Chinese herbal medicine may be the hotspots of future research.

Efficacy and safety of iguratimod combined with methylprednisolone for primary Sjögren's syndrome: a meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the combination of iguratimod (IGU) and methylprednisolone (MP) for the efficacy and safety of primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) by a meta-analysis and a trial sequential analysis (TSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Clinical studies of IGU combined with MP for pSS were searched through eight databases. Revman 5.3 and TSA 0.9.5.10 Beta were used for the meta-analysis and TSA.

RESULTS

In terms of efficacy endpoints, compared with "HCQ+MP" group, "IGU+MP" group decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) [mean difference (MD)=-5.15, 95% confidence interval (CI)=(-7.37, -2.93), p<0.0001], immunoglobulin G (IgG) [MD=-3.38, 95% CI=(-4.13, -2.64), p<0.00001], immunoglobulin M (IgM) [MD=-0.64, 95% CI=(-1.19, -0.09), p=0.02], Immunoglobulin A (IgA) [MD=-1.16, 95% CI=(-1.92, -0.39), p=0.003], EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Disease Activity Index (ESSDAI) [MD=-1.62, 95% CI=(-2.07, -1.17), p<0.0001], EULAR Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI) [MD=-2.07, 95% CI=(-2.54, -1.59), p<0.0001], increase platelet (PLT) [MD=13.21, 95% CI=(9.77,16.65), p<0.00001], and improve Schirmer I test (SIT) [MD=1.86, 95% CI=(1.40, 2.32), p<0.0001]. TSA presented that these benefits observed with the current information volume were all conclusive, except for IgM. In terms of safety endpoints, the total adverse event rates (AEs), leucopenia, gastrointestinal (GI) AEs, skin diseases, and liver dysfunction of the "IGU+MP" group and the "HCQ+MP" group were comparable. And TSA indicated that the results need to be confirmed by additional studies. Harbord regression showed no publication bias (p=0.986).

CONCLUSIONS

IGU combined with MP effectively attenuates autoimmune responses (IgG, IgM, IgA), reduces clinical symptoms and disease activity (ESR, PLT, ESSPRI, ESSDAI), and improves the exocrine gland functional status (SIT) in patients with pSS. IGU combined with MP does not increase the risk of adverse events, which means that IGU combined with MP may be a safe and effective strategy for the treatment of pSS and has value for further research exploration.

Is tirzepatide 15 mg the preferred treatment strategy for type 2 diabetes? A meta-analysis and trial-sequence-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The study aims to evaluate tirzepatide's efficacy and safety in treating type 2 diabetes by meta-analysis and trial-sequential-analysis (TSA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight databases were searched for clinical trials on tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes with a time limit of November 2022. Revman5.3 and TSA 0.9.5.10 Beta were selected for meta-analysis and TSA.

RESULTS

Compared with placebo, the meta-analysis demonstrated that tirzepatide 15 mg reduced hemoglobin-type-A1C (HbA1c) (p<0.00001), fasting-serum-glucose (FSG) (p<0.00001), and weight (p<0.00001). Compared with insulin, tirzepatide 15 mg reduced HbA1c (p<0.00001), FSG (p<0.00007), and weight (p<0.00001). Compared with glucagon-like-peptide-1 receptor-agonist (GLP-1 RA), tirzepatide 15 mg reduced HbA1c (p=0.00004), FSG (p=0.001), and weight (p<0.00001). In safety endpoints, the meta-analysis revealed that adverse events (AEs) of placebo, insulin and GLP-1 RA were comparable to tirzepatide 15 mg. The total AEs (p=0.02) and gastrointestinal (GI) AEs (p=0.03) were higher in tirzepatide 15 mg than in the placebo, while hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dl) was comparable. The major adverse cardiovascular events-4 (MACE-4) (p=0.03) and hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dl) (p<0.00001) of tirzepatide 15 mg were lower when compared to insulin, while total AEs (p=0.03) were increased. Compared with GLP-1 RA, tirzepatide 15 mg was comparable in safety endpoints in total AEs and GI AEs, while hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dl) (p=0.04) was higher. TSA indicated that HgA1c, FSG, and weight benefits were conclusive. In safety endpoints, only MACE-4 and hypoglycemia (<54 mg/dl) of Tirzepatide 15 mg vs. Insulin were conclusive. Harbord regression of AEs suggested no evident publication bias (p=0.618).

CONCLUSIONS

Tirzepatide 15 mg reduced HbA1c and weight more effectively than placebo, insulin, and GLP-1 RA. Total AEs were higher than placebo and insulin but comparable to GLP-1 RA. Tirzepatide 15 mg is a kind of optimal strategy to treat type 2 diabetes. However, there is a need to focus on GI AEs.

Simultaneous quantification of exosomal MMP14 expression and proteolysis activity on a spherical dual-probe-based fluorescent nanosensor

Among various exosomal proteins, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of membrane associated endopeptidases and have been considered as potential biomarkers in liquid biopsy owing to their multiple roles in pathological processes. However, the potential of MMP14 expression (MMP14-E) and MMP14 proteolytic activity (MMP14-A) in clinical diagnosis is still not clear due to the lack of sensitive and simultaneous detection techniques. Herein, we propose a fluorescent nanosensor for the simultaneous detection of MMP14-E and MMP14-A using a spherical aptamer/peptide dual-probe strategy. The aptamer and peptide probes were sequentially immobilized on Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles coated with gold nanoparticles (m-AuNPs) using a disulfide linker. MMP14 can be specifically recognized by the aptamer, while the proteolytic-active MMP14 can cleave the peptide probe. While achieving simultaneous detection, the proposed sensor provides better analytical performances than traditional MMP14 sensors owing to the m-AuNP-based spherical dual-probe strategy. This sensor has been successfully applied for the detection of exosomal MMP14 from cell culture media and real serum samples. Levels of both MMP14-E and MMP14-A increase in serum from cancer patients, indicating their potential applications as biomarkers in liquid biopsy for disease diagnosis and real-time surveillance.

Phytochemicals and Glioma: Results from Dietary Mixed Exposure

The information about phytochemicals' potential to prevent cancer is encouraging, including for glioma. However, most studies on phytochemicals and glioma mainly focused on preclinical studies. Their epidemiological studies were not sufficient, and the evidence on the dose-response relationship is usually limited. Therefore, this investigation examined the association between dietary phytochemical intake and glioma in Chinese adults. This case-control study was carried out in a hospital in China. Based on the dietary information obtained from the food frequency questionnaire, the researchers estimated the phytochemical intake of 506 patients with glioma and 506 controls. Compared with participants in the lowest tertile, the highest intakes of carotene, flavonoids, soy isoflavones, anthocyanin, and resveratrol were associated with a reduced risk of glioma. The WQS and BKMR models suggested that anthocyanin and carotene have a greater influence on glioma. The significant nonlinear dose-response associations between dietary phytochemicals and glioma were suggested using the restricted cubic spline function. According to this study on phytochemicals and glioma, higher intakes of carotene, flavonoids, soy isoflavones, anthocyanins, and resveratrol are linked to a lower risk of glioma. So, we might not be able to ignore how phytochemicals affect gliomas.

A bibliometric study on carbon cycling in vegetated blue carbon ecosystems

Understanding carbon cycling in blue carbon ecosystems is key to sequestrating more carbon in these ecosystems to mitigate climate change. However, limited information is available on the basic characteristics of publications, research hotspots, research frontiers, and the evolution of topics related to carbon cycling in different blue carbon ecosystems. Here, we conducted bibliometric analysis on carbon cycling in salt marsh, mangrove, and seagrass ecosystems. The results showed that interest in this field has dramatically increased with time, particularly for mangroves. The USA has substantially contributed to the research on all ecosystems. Research hotspots for salt marshes were sedimentation process, carbon sequestration, carbon emissions, lateral carbon exchange, litter decomposition, plant carbon fixation, and carbon sources. In addition, biomass estimation by allometric equations was a hotspot for mangroves, and carbonate cycling and ocean acidification were hotspots for seagrasses. Topics involving energy flow, such as productivity, food webs, and decomposition, were the predominant areas a decade ago. Current research frontiers mainly concentrated on climate change and carbon sequestration for all ecosystems, while methane emission was a common frontier for mangroves and salt marshes. Ecosystem-specific research frontiers included mangrove encroachment for salt marshes, ocean acidification for seagrasses, and aboveground biomass estimation and restoration for mangroves. Future research should expand estimates of lateral carbon exchange and carbonate burial and strengthen the exploration of the impacts of climate change and restoration on blue carbon. Overall, this study provides the research status of carbon cycling in vegetated blue carbon ecosystems, which favors knowledge exchanges for future research.

Influence of Aging Treatment Regimes on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Selective Laser Melted 17-4 PH Steel

Aging is indispensable for balancing the strength and ductility of selective laser melted (SLM) precipitation hardening steels. This work investigated the influence of aging temperature and time on the microstructure and mechanical properties of SLM 17-4 PH steel. The 17-4 PH steel was fabricated by SLM under a protective argon atmosphere (99.99 vol.%), then the microstructure and phase composition after different aging treatments were characterized via different advanced material characterization techniques, and the mechanical properties were systematically compared. Coarse martensite laths were observed in the aged samples compared with the as-built ones, regardless of the aging time and temperature. Increasing the aging temperature resulted in a larger grain size of the martensite lath and precipitation. The aging treatment induced the formation of the austenite phase with a face-centered cubic (FCC) structure. With prolonged aging treatment, the volume fraction of the austenite phase increased, which agreed with the EBSD phase mappings. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and yield strength gradually increased with increasing aging times at 482 °C. The UTS reached its peak value after aging for 3 h at 482 °C, which was similar to the trend of microhardness (i.e., UTS = 1353.4 MPa). However, the ductility of the SLM 17-4 PH steel decreased rapidly after aging treatment. This work reveals the influence of heat treatment on SLM 17-4 steel and proposes an optimal heat-treatment regime for the SLM high-performance steels.

Pregnancy rate and reproductive hormones in humpback whale blubber: Dominant form of progesterone differs during pregnancy

To better understand reproductive physiology of humpback whales Megaptera novaeangliae that reside in Hawai'i and Alaska, enzyme immunoassays were validated for both progesterone and testosterone in free-ranging and stranded animals (n = 185 biopsies). Concentrations were analyzed between different depths of large segments of blubber taken from skin to muscle layers of stranded female (n = 2, 1 pregnant, 1 non-pregnant) and male (n = 1) whales. Additionally, progesterone metabolites were identified between pregnant (n = 1) and non-pregnant (n = 3) females using high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Progesterone concentrations were compared between juvenile (i.e., sexually immature), lactating, and pregnant females, and male whales, and pregnancy rates of sexually mature females were calculated. Based on replicate samples from ship struck animals collected at 7 depth locations, blubber containing the highest concentration of progesterone was located 1 cm below the skin for females, and the highest concentration of testosterone was in the skin layer of one male whale. HPLC of blubber samples of pregnant and non-pregnant females contain different immunoreactive progesterone metabolites, with the non-pregnant female eluate comprised of a more polar, and possibly conjugated, form of progesterone than the pregnant female. In females, concentrations of progesterone were highest in the blubber of pregnant (n = 28, 28.6 ± 6.9 ng/g), followed by lactating (n = 16, 0.9 ± 0.1 ng/g), and female juvenile (n = 5, 1.0 ± 0.2 ng/g) whales. Progesterone concentrations in male (n = 24, 0.6 ng/g ± 0.1 ng/g) tissues were the lowest all groups, and not different from lactating or juvenile females. Estimated summer season pregnancy rate among sexually mature females from the Hawai'i stock of humpback whales was 0.562 (95 % confidence interval 0.528-0.605). For lactating females, the year-round pregnancy rate was 0.243 (0.09-0.59), and varies depending on the threshold of progesterone assumed for pregnancy in the range between 3.1 and 28.5 ng/g. Our results demonstrate the synergistic value added when combining immunoreactive assays, HPLC, and long-term sighting histories to further knowledge of humpback whale reproductive physiology.

Nonylphenol Promoted Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Colorectal Cancer Cells by Upregulating the Expression of Regulator of Cell Cycle

Nonylphenol (NP) is a widely used chemical, which has been considered a kind of endocrine-disrupting chemical and is involved in the occurrence and development of many types of cancers. Our recent studies demonstrated that NP exposure is related to colorectal cancer (CRC) progression. In this study, we also found epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) promoted by NP treatment in CRC cells. However, the mechanism of NP on tumor metastasis is still unclear. In this study, we focused on the effect of the regulator of cell cycle (RGCC) induced by NP treatment. The cancer genome atlas (TCGA) analysis suggested that the expression of RGCC increased in CRC tissues, and our clinical samples showed that the expression of RGCC in tumor tissues is positively correlated with the serum level of NP in CRC patients. Further studies revealed that overexpression of RGCC could enhance the NP-induced EMT process in CRC cells and activate ERK signaling pathways. Inhibiting ERK signaling by ERK inhibitors or the knockdown of RGCC could attenuate the NP-induced EMT process. In addition, both RGCC overexpression and NP treatment could activate ERK pathways and attenuate the effect of ERK inhibitors on the EMT process in CRC cells. Altogether, this study demonstrated that NP could induce cell invasion and migration by increasing the expression of RGCC to enhance the EMT process, which might be through the activation of ERK signaling pathways. This finding supported a potential target for studying NP exposure-related colorectal cancers.

Association between vitamins and risk of brain tumors: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies

Background

Brain tumor is one of the important causes of cancer mortality, and the prognosis is poor. Therefore, early prevention of brain tumors is the key to reducing mortality due to brain tumors.

Objective

This review aims to quantitatively evaluate the association between vitamins and brain tumors by meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched articles on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Embase databases from inception to 19 December 2021. According to heterogeneity, the fixed-effects model or random-effects model was selected to obtain the relative risk of the merger. Based on the methods described by Greenland and Longnecker, we explored the dose-response relationship between vitamins and the risk of brain tumors. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were also used for the analysis.

Results

The study reviewed 23 articles, including 1,347,426 controls and 6,449 brain tumor patients. This study included vitamin intake and circulating concentration. For intake, it mainly included vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin E, β-carotene, and folate. For circulating concentrations, it mainly included vitamin E and vitamin D in the serum (25-hydroxyvitamin D and α-tocopherol). For vitamin intake, compared with the lowest intakes, the highest intakes of vitamin C (RR = 0.81, 95%CI:0.66–0.99, I² = 54.7%, P_{for heterogeneity} = 0.007), β-carotene (RR = 0.78, 95%CI:0.66–0.93, I² = 0, P_{for heterogeneity} = 0.460), and folate (RR = 0.66, 95%CI:0.55–0.80, I² = 0, P_{for heterogeneity} = 0.661) significantly reduced the risk of brain tumors. For serum vitamins, compared with the lowest concentrations, the highest concentrations of serum α-tocopherol (RR = 0.61, 95%CI:0.44–0.86, I² = 0, P_{for heterogeneity} = 0.656) significantly reduced the risk of brain tumors. The results of the dose-response relationship showed that increasing the intake of 100 μg folate per day reduced the risk of brain tumors by 7% (P_{−nonlinearity} = 0.534, RR = 0.93, 95%CI:0.90–0.96).

Conclusion

Our analysis suggests that the intake of vitamin C, β-carotene, and folate can reduce the risk of brain tumors, while high serum α-tocopherol concentration also has a protective effect on brain tumors. Therefore, vitamins may provide new ideas for the prevention of brain tumors.

Systematic Review Registration

PROSPERO, identifier CRD42022300683.

Association Between Dietary Nitrite intake and Glioma Risk: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Background

Nitrite and nitrate intake through food and water may be an important risk factor for many cancers, including glioma. However, the association of nitrite and nitrate with glioma is unclear.

Objective

This review aimed to quantitatively assess the effects of nitrite and nitrate on glioma by meta-analysis.

Methods

A literature search was conducted for available articles published in English using the databases of Embase, Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, and the Cochrane Library up to 24 March 2022. According to heterogeneity, the fixed-effects or random-effects model was selected to obtain the merger’s relative risk (RR). Based on the methods described by Greenland and Longnecker, we explored the dose-response relationship between nitrite/nitrate and the risk of glioma. Subgroup analysis, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias tests were also used.

Results

This study reviewed 17 articles, including 812,107 participants and 4,574 cases. For glioma in adults, compared with the lowest intakes, the highest intakes of nitrite significantly increased the risk of glioma (RR=1.26, 95% confidence interval (95%CI):1.09-1.47). For brain tumors in children, compared with the lowest intakes, the highest intakes of nitrate significantly increased the risk of brain tumors (RR=1.27, 95%CI:1.06-1.52). The results of subgroup and sensitivity analyses remained unchanged. In the dose-response relationship, per 1 mg/day increase in nitrite intake increased the risk of glioma by 14% (RR=1.14, 95%CI:1.01-1.27).

Conclusions

Our analysis suggests that nitrite increases the risk of glioma in adults, while nitrate increases the risk of brain tumors in children. Therefore, the effects of nitrite and nitrate on glioma cannot be ignored.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022320295.

A proteomic atlas of atherosclerosis: regional proteomic signatures for plaque inflammation and calcification

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: Foundation. Main funding source(s): This study was mainly supported from the British Heart Foundation (BHF) supporting Prof. Manuel Mayr as a Chair Holder (CH/16/3/32406) with BHF programme grant support (RG/16/14/32397) and Dr. Theofilatos with BHF programm grant support (G/20/10387).

Background

Using proteomics, we strove to reveal novel molecular subtypes of human atherosclerotic lesions, study their associations with histology and imaging and relate them to long-term cardiovascular outcomes.

Methods

219 samples were obtained from 120 patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. Sequential protein extraction was combined with multiplexed, discovery proteomics. Parallel reaction monitoring for 135 proteins was deployed for targeted validation. A combination of statistical, bioinformatics and machine learning methods was used to perform differential expression, network, pathway enrichment analysis and train and evaluate prognostic models.

Results

Our extensive proteomics analysis from the core and periphery of plaques doubled the coverage of the plaque proteome compared to the largest proteomics study on atherosclerosis thus far. Plaque inflammation and calcification signatures were inversely correlated and validated with targeted proteomics. The inflammation signature was enriched with neutrophil-derived proteins, including calprotectin (S100A8/9) and myeloperoxidase. The calcification signature contained fetuin-A, osteopontin, and gamma-carboxylated proteins. Sex differences in the proteome of atherosclerosis were explained by a higher proportion of calcified plaques in women. Single-cell RNA sequencing data attributed the inflammation signature predominantly to neutrophils and macrophages and the calcification signature to smooth muscle cells, except for certain plasma proteins that were not expressed but retained in the plaque, i.e., fetuin-A. Echogenic lesions reflect the collagen content and calcification of plaque but carotid Duplex ultrasound fails to capture the extent of inflammatory protein changes in symptomatic plaques. Applying dimensionality reduction and machine learning on the proteomics data defined 4 distinct plaque phenotypes and revealed key protein signatures linked to smooth muscle cell content, plaque calcification and structural extracellular matrix, which improved the 9-year prognostic AUC by 25% compared to ultrasound and histology. A biosignature of four proteins (CNN1, PROC, SERPH, and CSPG2) independently predicted the progression of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular mortality with an AUC of 75%

Conclusion

We combined discovery and targeted proteomics with network reconstruction and clustering techniques to provide molecular insights into protein changes in atherosclerotic plaques. The application of proteomics and machine learning techniques revealed distinct clusters of plaques that inform on disease progression and future adverse cardiovascular events.

Cold Spray: Over 30 Years of Development Toward a Hot Future

Cold Spray (CS) is a deposition process, part of the thermal spray family. In this method, powder particles are accelerated at supersonic speed within a nozzle; impacts against a substrate material triggers a complex process, ultimately leading to consolidation and bonding. CS, in its modern form, has been around for approximately 30 years and has undergone through exciting and unprecedented developmental steps. In this article, we have summarized the key inventions and sub-inventions which pioneered the innovation aspect to the process that is known today, and the key breakthroughs related to the processing of materials CS is currently mastering. CS has not followed a liner path since its invention, but an evolution more similar to a hype cycle: high initial growth of expectations, followed by a decrease in interest and a renewed thrust pushed by a number of demonstrated industrial applications. The process interest is expected to continue (gently) to grow, alongside with further development of equipment and feedstock materials specific for CS processing. A number of current applications have been identified the areas that the process is likely to be the most disruptive in the medium-long term future have been laid down.

Clinical effect of unilateral balloon infusion of low dose bone cement in PKP for osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures in the elderly

OBJECTIVE

The study was undertaken to determine the clinical effectiveness of percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) with unilateral balloon infusion of low dose of bone cement for treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) in the elderly.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was carried out. A total of 36 patients with OVCFs treated by PKP from August 2019 and August 2020 were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to the amount of bone cement infused into the vertebral body. The amount of cement in conventional-dose group was 3.5-6.0 mL and the amount of cement in small-dose group was 1.8-3.0 mL. Pain relief before and after the operation were evaluated, and the leakage of bone cement in the two groups was also observed.

RESULTS

Two groups of patients have obtained a good clinical efficacy. Pain has significant differences before and after the operation (p < 0.05). More importantly, compared with conventional-dose group, small-dose group has lower bone cement leakage rate (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

PKP with small-dose bone cement infusion can obtain the same clinical effects of conventional-dose, but the incidence of bone cement leakage is lower and safe.

Powder Reuse in Laser-Based Powder Bed Fusion of Ti6Al4V-Changes in Mechanical Properties during a Powder Top-Up Regime

The properties of Extra Low Interstitials (ELI) Ti6Al4V components fabricated via the laser-based powder bed fusion (L-PBF) process are prone to variation, particularly throughout a powder reuse regime. Interstitial pick-up of interstitial elements within the build chamber during processing can occur, most notably, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, which can impair the mechanical properties of the built component. This study analyses ELI Ti6Al4V components manufactured by the L-PBF process when subjected to a nine-stage powder reuse sequence. Mechanical properties are reported via hardness measurement and tensile testing. Results showed that from 0.099 wt.% to 0.126 wt.% oxygen content, the mean hardness and tensile strength increased from 367.8 HV to 381.9 HV and from 947.6 Mpa to 1030.7 Mpa, respectively, whereas the ductility (area reduction) reduced from around 10% to 3%. Statistical analysis based on the empirical model from Tabor was performed to determine the strength–hardness relationship. Results revealed a significant direct relationship between tensile strength and Vickers hardness with a proportionality constant of 2.61 (R-square of 0.996 and p-value of 6.57 × 10⁻⁶).

Mechanical and Fatigue Properties of Diamond-Reinforced Cu and Al Metal Matrix Composites Prepared by Cold Spray

Diamond-reinforced metal matrix composites (DMMC) prepared by cold spray are emerging materials simultaneously featuring outstanding thermal conductivity and wear resistance. In our paper, their mechanical and fatigue properties relevant to perspective engineering applications were investigated using miniature bending specimens. Two different diamond mass concentrations (20 and 50%) embedded in two metal matrices (Al-lighter than diamond, Cu-heavier than diamond) were compared with the respective cold-sprayed pure metals, as well as bulk Al and Cu references. The pure Al, Cu coatings showed properties typical for cold spray deposits, i.e., decreased elastic moduli (50 GPa for Al, 80 GPa for Cu), limited ductility (< 1 × 10-3) and low fracture toughness (3.8 MPa·m0.5 for Al, 5.6 MPa·m0.5 for Cu) when compared to the bulks. Significantly improved properties (strain at fracture, ultimate strength, fatigue crack growth resistance, fracture toughness) were then observed for the produced DMMC. The improvement can be explained by a combination of two factors: changes in the properties of the metallic matrix triggered by the reinforcement particles peening effect and stress redistribution due to the particles presence.

Marital status and survival in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients: a multinomial propensity scores matched study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the correlation between the marital status and prognosis of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC).

STUDY DESIGN

MPSM was adopted to minimize the maximum standardized average difference of the covariates among the four groups with different marital status.

SETTING

Multinomial propensity scores matching (MPSM) based on data from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database.

METHODS

The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used to compare the survival outcomes of these groups with different marital status.

RESULTS

Totally, 16,981 LSCC patients (median [IQR] age 62 [55-69] years; 829 [76.41%] males) from 2004 to 2016 were included in this study. Among them, 9112 (53.66%) were married, 2708 (15.95%) divorced or separated, 1709 (10.06%) widowed, and 3452 (20.33%) single. After MPSM, the weights make the characteristics of four groups with different marital status sufficient balance. The Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test showed widowed patients may lead to the highest mortality rate while married patients have a higher survival rate than the other three groups. Single and divorced or separated patients had no significant difference in the survival rate. In addition, multivariate analysis by controlling for confounding factors showed that in male, well-differentiated, and early stage patients, compared with married, unmarried was an independent risk factor for CSS (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Marital status showed a significant association with the survival status of LSCC patients. Importantly, the outcome of married patients was better, while widowed patients tended to have worse prognosis.

[Improvement in compatibility of hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesive with cinnamon volatile oil and in vitro transdermal property by physical blending]

Hot melt pressure-sensitive adhesive(HMPSA) has broad application potential in the field of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) plasters due to its high drug loading, weak skin irritation, satisfactory adhesion, etc. compared with rubber plasters.However, the structure of HMPSA is prone to suffer from the damage caused by volatile oils in TCM plasters. In view of this, a kind of HMPSA with a stable structure was prepared by physical blending of DINCH, polypropylene wax and liquid rubber(LIR) in the present study, which is denoted as DPL. The dosage of cinnamon volatile oil(CVO), the model drug, was selected with viscosity, softening point and cohesion as evaluation indexes. The interaction between DPL and HMPSA was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR) and differential scanning calorimetry(DSC). The compatibility of HMPSA with CVO and its transdermal ability were studied by in vitro transdermal test, adhesion, scanning electron microscopy( SEM) and rheological evaluation. The results showed that 5% CVO began to damage the structure of HMPSA. The initial adhesion and holding adhesion of DPL-modified HMPSA(DPL-HMPSA) were not significantly changed compared with those of HMPSA, whereas the 180° peel strength was decreased. FI-IR unraveled that DPL formed the n-π conjugated system with styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymer(SIS), and there was no significant difference in the glass transition temperature according to DSC results, which indicated the good compatibility of DPL with HMPSA. With 5% CVO loaded, the drug content of DPL-HMPSA was 1. 14 times higher than that of HMPSA, and the decrease rate of drug content in DPL-HMPSA was 16% lower than that in HMPSA after 3 months. SEM demonstrated that CVO did not cause obvious structural damage to DPL-HMPSA. Rheological evaluation revealed that the storage modulus and loss factor of DPL-HMPSA were higher than those of HMPSA, and the cohesion was also stronger. The percutaneous penetration rate of cinnamaldehyde in DPL-HMPSA was 2. 25 times that of HMPSA. In conclusion, DPL-HMPSA had more stable structure, better compatibility with CVO, and higher in vitro transdermal efficiency of cinnamaldehyde than before the modification. This study can provide reference for the mitigation of the matrix structure damage caused by volatile oil components in TCM plasters and the enhancement of the content and in vitro transdermal rate of drug.

Insights on the Properties of the O-Doped Argyrodite Sulfide Solid Electrolytes (Li6PS5-xClOx, x=0-1)

Argyrodite sulfide solid electrolytes, such as Li₆PS₅Cl (LPSC), have received much attention due to their high ionic conductivity (>1 mS cm^-1) and success in all-solid-state batteries (long cycle performance, high energy density, etc.). Numerous efforts are spent on modifying the properties of the electrolyte itself. Here, we combine first-principles calculations with experiments to investigate O-doped argyrodite sulfide solid electrolytes (Li₆PS_5-xClO_x, x = 0-1). It is found that Li₆PS_4.75ClO_0.25 (LPSCO_0.25) with x = 0.25 and cubic phase (F4̅3 m) shows the highest ion conductivity of 4.7 mS cm^-1 (cold-pressed), higher than that of undoped Li₆PS₅Cl (4.2 mS cm^-1). The bare LiCoO₂/LPSCO_0.25/Li-In all-solid-state battery exhibits an initial capacity of 131 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 C and satisfactory cycling stability with 86% capacity retention after 250 cycles to the 4th cycle at 0.3 C under 25 °C. In addition, the NCM811/LPSCO_0.25/Li-In cell is assembled using bare LiNi_0.83Co_0.06Mn_0.11O₂ cathode and shows an initial discharge capacity of 181 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 C and 160 mA h g^-1 at 0.3 C. The doping of oxygen-forming Li₆PS_5-xClO_x also improves the stability to Li metal, proven by cyclic voltammetry and powder X-ray diffraction tests. The calculation results for the band structure reveals that LPSC has the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital than LPSCO_0.25, further confirming the above conclusion.

Coiled-Coil Domain Containing 80 Suppresses Nonylphenol-Induced Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation by Inhibiting the Activation of ERK1/2

Recently, the effect of endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the cancer procession has been a concern. Nonylphenol (NP) is a common environmental estrogen that has been shown to enhance the proliferation of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells in our previous studies; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we confirmed the increased concentration of NP in the serum of patients with CRC. RNA sequencing was used to explore the differentially expressed genes after NP exposure. We found 16 upregulated genes and 12 downregulated genes in COLO205 cells after NP treatment. Among these differentially expressed genes, we found that coiled-coil domain containing 80 (CCDC80) was downregulated by NP treatment and was associated with CRC progression. Further experiments revealed that the overexpression of CCDC80 significantly suppressed NP-induced cell proliferation and recovered the reduced cell apoptosis. Meanwhile, the overexpression of CCDC80 significantly inhibited the activation of ERK1/2 induced by NP treatment. ERK1/2 inhibitor (PD98059) treatment also suppressed NP-induced CRC cell growth, but the overexpression of CCDC80 did not enhance the effect of ERK1/2 inhibitor. Taken together, NP treatment significantly inhibited the expression of CCDC80, and the overexpression of CCDC80 suppressed NP-induced CRC cell growth by inhibiting the activation of ERK1/2. These results suggest that NP could induce CRC cell growth by influencing the expression of multiple genes. CCDC80 and ERK1/2 inhibitors may be suitable therapeutic targets in NP-related CRC progression.

Effects of biological nitrification inhibitors on nitrogen use efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural soils: A review

To maintain and increase crop yields, large amounts of nitrogen fertilizers have been applied to farmland. However, the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of chemical fertilizer remains very low, which may lead to serious environmental problems, including nitrate pollution, air quality degradation and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Nitrification inhibitors can alleviate nitrogen loss by inhibiting nitrification; thus, biological nitrification inhibition by plants has gradually attracted increasing attention due to its low cost and environmental friendliness. Research progress on BNI is reviewed in this article, including the source, mechanisms, influencing factors and application of BNIs. In addition, the impact of BNI on agriculture and GHG emissions is summarized from the perspective of agricultural production and environmental protection, and the key future research prospects of BNIs are also noted.

[Microcontact printing and its application prospect in bone tissue engineering]

The application of bone tissue engineering regeneration technology is expected to repair maxillofacial bone tissue defects caused by tumors, trauma, etc. Surface patterning occupies an important position in bone tissue engineering. Microcontact printing is an emerging technology through which the elastic stamp contacts with the substance and materials used as ink can be transferred from stamp to substance to form patterns. The biggest characteristic of the technology is to fabricate high-throughput and high-accuracy patterned surface, making it widely applied. This review summarized the application and optimization of microcontact printing, and prospected its application in bone tissue engineering.