Effects of Traditional Chinese Exercises on Glycemic Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BACKGROUND: Currently, most studies on the health benefits of traditional Chinese exercises on type 2 diabetes mellitus have explored the effects of a single type of traditional Chinese exercise on type 2 diabetes. Although a previous study evaluated the combined clinical effects of traditional Chinese exercises on type 2 diabetes, the studies included in that review were deficient in their study design. In addition, previous studies have not explored the ideal exercise dose that should be taken by patients with type 2 diabetes when performing traditional Chinese exercises. OBJECTIVE: To understand whether the findings of previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses are still applicable and to try to address the deficiencies in the previous review, this review conducted a meta-analysis of existing randomized controlled trials to investigate the impact of traditional Chinese exercises on glycemic control with type 2 diabetes. METHODS: The literature was searched in seven Chinese and English databases. Randomized controlled trials published in English and Chinese, from database inception to March 2023, were included in this review. Two reviewers independently reviewed the search results, extracted the data, and assessed the risk of bias. A meta-analysis of the included studies was conducted using Rev Man 5.4 and Stata 15.1 software. Heterogeneity was investigated using a sensitivity analysis, a subgroup analysis, and a meta-regression analysis. Pre-determined subgroups included the duration of the intervention, frequency of exercise, and duration of the single exercise session. RESULTS: A total of 31 randomized controlled trials (2077 subjects) were selected in this review. The meta-analysis revealed that traditional Chinese exercises were more effective than control groups in lowering glycated hemoglobin (Z = 6.06; mean difference [MD] = - 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.85, - 0.44; P < 0.00001), fasting blood glucose (Z = 7.81; MD = - 0.82, 95% CI - 1.03, - 0.62; P < 0.00001), 2-h plasma glucose (Z = 5.61; MD = - 1.03, 95% CI - 1.39, - 0.67; P < 0.00001), total cholesterol (Z = 4.23; MD = - 0.37, 95% CI - 0.54, - 0.20; P < 0.0001), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Z = 5.94; MD = 0.12, 95% CI 0.08, 0.16; P < 0.00001), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (Z = 6.20; MD = - 0.34, 95% CI - 0.44, - 0.23; P < 0.00001), and triglyceride levels (Z = 3.74; MD = - 0.44, 95% CI - 0.67, - 0.21; P = 0.0002) among patients with type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: Traditional Chinese exercises can significantly improve blood glucose and lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. When performing traditional Chinese exercise interventions for type 2 diabetes, it is recommended that exercise programs are designed for 30-50 min/session, 4-5 sessions/week for at least 3 months.

Identification of differentially expressed mRNAs as novel predictive biomarkers for gastric cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) has a high mortality rate worldwide. Despite significant progress in GC diagnosis and treatment, the prognosis for affected patients still remains unfavorable. AIM: To identify important candidate genes related to the development of GC and identify potential pathogenic mechanisms through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. METHODS: The Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to obtain the GSE183136 dataset, which includes a total of 135 GC samples. The limma package in R software was employed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Thereafter, enrichment analyses of Gene Ontology (GO) terms and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways were performed for the gene modules using the clusterProfile package in R software. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks of target genes were constructed using STRING and visualized by Cytoscape software. The common hub genes that emerged in the cohort of DEGs that was retrieved from the GEPIA database were then screened using a Venn Diagram. The expression levels of these overlapping genes in stomach adenocarcinoma samples and non-tumor samples and their association with prognosis in GC patients were also obtained from the GEPIA database and Kaplan-Meier curves. Moreover, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were performed to determine the mRNA and protein levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in GC and normal immortalized cell lines. In addition, cell viability, cell cycle distribution, migration and invasion were evaluated by cell counting kit-8, flow cytometry and transwell assays. Furthermore, we also conducted a retrospective analysis on 70 GC patients diagnosed and surgically treated in Wenzhou Central Hospital, Dingli Clinical College of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shanghai University between January 2017 to December 2020. The tumor and adjacent normal samples were collected from the patients to determine the potential association between the expression level of GPT and the clinical as well as pathological features of GC patients. RESULTS: We selected 19214 genes from the GSE183136 dataset, among which there were 250 downregulated genes and 401 upregulated genes in the tumor samples of stage III-IV in comparison to those in tumor samples of stage I-II with a P-value < 0.05. In addition, GO and KEGG results revealed that the various upregulated DEGs were mainly enriched in plasma membrane and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, whereas the downregulated DEGs were primarily enriched in cytosol and pancreatic secretion, vascular smooth muscle contraction and biosynthesis of the different cofactors. Furthermore, PPI networks were constructed based on the various upregulated and downregulated genes, and there were a total 15 upregulated and 10 downregulated hub genes. After a comprehensive analysis, several hub genes, including runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI1), lysyl oxidase (LOX), fibrillin 1 (FBN1) and GPT, displayed prognostic values. Interestingly, it was observed that GPT was downregulated in GC cells and its upregulation could suppress the malignant phenotypes of GC cells. Furthermore, the expression level of GPT was found to be associated with age, lymph node metastasis, pathological staging and distant metastasis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: RUNX2, SPI1, LOX, FBN1 and GPT were identified key hub genes in GC by bioinformatics analysis. GPT was significantly associated with the prognosis of GC, and its upregulation can effectively inhibit the proliferative, migrative and invasive capabilities of GC cells.

Self-etching assembly of designed NiFeMOF nanosheet arrays as high-efficient oxygen evolution electrocatalyst for water splitting.

2D metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as potential candidates for electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reactions (OER) due to their inherent properties like abundant coordination unsaturated active sites and efficient charge transfer. Herein, a versatile and massively synthesizable self-etching assembly strategy wherein nickel-iron foam (NFF) acts as a substrate and a metal ion source. Specifically, by etching the nickel-iron foam (NFF) surface using ligands and solvents, Ni/Fe metal ions are activated and subsequently reacted under hydrothermal conditions, resulting in the formation of self-supporting nanosheet arrays, eliminating the need for external metal salts. The obtained 33 % NiFeMOF/NFF exhibits remarkable OER performance with ultra-low overpotentials of 188/231 mV at 10/100 mA cm-2 , respectively, outperforming most recently reported catalysts. Besides, the built 33 % NiFeMOF/NFF(+) ||Pt/C(-) electrolyzer presents low cell voltages of 1.55/1.83 V at 10/100 mA cm-2 , superior to the benchmark RuO2 (+) ||Pt/C(-) , implying good industrialization prospects. The excellent catalytic activity stems from the modulation of the electronic spin state of the Ni active site by the introduction of Fe, which facilitates the adsorption process of oxygen-containing intermediates and thus enhances the OER activity. This innovative approach offers a promising pathway for commercial-scale sustainable energy solutions.

Synergistic vacancy engineering of Co/MnO@NC catalyst for superior oxygen reduction reaction in liquid/solid zinc-air batteries.

The pursuit of efficient and economically viable catalysts for liquid/solid-state zinc-air batteries (ZABs) is of paramount importance yet presents formidable challenge. Herein, we synthesized a vacancy-rich cobalt/manganese oxide catalyst (Co/MnO@NC) stabilized on a nitrogen-doped mesoporous carbon (NC) nanosphere matrix by leveraging hydrothermal and high-temperature pyrolysis strategy. The optimized Co/MnO@NC demonstrates fast reaction kinetics and large limiting current densities comparable to commercial Pt/C in alkaline electrolyte for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Moreover, the Co/MnO@NC serves as an incredible cathode material for both liquid and flexible solid-state ZABs, delivering impressive peak power densities of 217.7 and 63.3 mW cm-2 and robust long-term stability (459 h), outperforming the state-of-the-art Pt/C and majority of the currently reported catalysts. Research indicates that the superior performance of the Co/MnO@NC catalyst primarily stems from the synergy between the heightened electrical conductivity of metallic Co and the regulatory capacity of MnO on adsorbed oxygen intermediates. In addition, the abundance of vacancies regulates the electronic configuration, and superhydrophilicity facilitates efficient electrolyte diffusion, thereby effectively ensuring optimal contact between the active site and reactants. Besides, the coexisting NC layer avoids the shedding of active sites, resulting in high stability. This work provides a viable approach for designing and advancing high-performance liquid/solid-state ZABs, highlighting the great potential of energy storage technology.

Time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay based on glucose oxidase-encapsulated metal-organic framework for amplified detection of foodborne pathogen.

BACKGROUND: Fluorescence immunoassays are commonly employed for the detection of pathogenic bacteria as a means of ensuring food safety and preserving public health. However, the challenges such as poor photostability and background interference have limited their sensitivity and accuracy. The emergence of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as a label probe offers a promising solution for advancing fluorescence immunoassays owing to their tunable nature. Nonetheless, the low fluorescence efficiency of MOFs and the potential risk of dye leakage pose obstacles to achieving high detection sensitivity. Therefore, there exists a pressing need to fully utilize the potential of MOF composites in fluorescence immunoassays. RESULTS: We explored the potential of glucose oxidase-encapsulated zeolitic imidazole framework-90 (GOx@ZIF-90) as a label probe to construct a time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay with amplified detection signal. This immunoassay involved functionalizing Fe3O4 nanoparticle with porcine antibody to specifically capture and separate the target bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The captured S. aureus was then bound by GOx@ZIF-90 modified with vancomycin, resulting in a fluorescence response in the europium tetracycline (EuTc). The encapsulation of GOx in ZIF-90 provided a confinement effect that significantly enhanced the catalytic activity and stability of GOx. This led to a highly efficient conversion of glucose to H2O2, amplifying the fluorescence signal of EuTc. The immunoassay demonstrated a high sensitivity in detecting S. aureus, with a detection limit of 2 CFU/mL. We also obtained satisfactory results in milk samples. Attractively, the time-resolved detection mode of EuTc allowed the immunoassay to eliminate background fluorescence and enhance accuracy. SIGNIFICANCE: This study not only presented a new method for detecting foodborne pathogens but also highlighted the potential of enzyme-encapsulated MOF composites as label probes in immunoassays, providing valuable insights for the design and fabrication of MOF composites for various applications.

Synergistic Co-N/V-N dual sites in N-doped Co3V2O8 nanosheets: pioneering high-efficiency bifunctional electrolysis for high-current water splitting.

Developing affluent dual-metal active sites bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential to achieve large-scale water electrolysis, whereas still remains challenging. Herein, a novel nitrogen-doped cobalt-vanadium oxide with abundant Co-N and V-N dual active sites supported on nickel foam (N-Co3V2O8@NF) is constructed by a controllable impregnation-thermal nitridation strategy. The staggered nanosheet structure ensures optimal exposure of active sites. More importantly, N doping effectively regulates the electronic structure of the metal centers and induces the formation of Co-N and V-N dual active sites, which is conducive to improving the conductivity and hydrophilicity, thus synergistically enhancing the electrocatalytic efficiency. Consequently, the optimized N-Co3V2O8@NF exhibits prominent HER (63 mV@10 mA cm-2) and OER (256 mV@10 mA cm-2) activities, surpassing most contemporary bifunctional electrocatalysts. In practical application, the assembled N-Co3V2O8@NF(+/-) electrolyzer consistently achieved ultra-low cell voltages of 1.97 and 2.03 V at 500 and 1000 mA cm-2, respectively, superior to the benchmark RuO2@NF(+) || Pt/C@NF(-) and showcasing robust durability. This paves the way for its prospective adoption in industrial water electrolysis applications.

Erythroderma combined with deeper dermal dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton rubrum in a patient with myasthenia gravis: first case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Dermatophytes are the most common causative pathogens of mycoses worldwide and usually cause superficial infections. However, they can enter deep into the dermis lead to invasive dermatophytosis such as deeper dermal dermatophytosis on rare occasions. Erythroderma is a severe dermatological manifestation of various diseases resulting in generalized skin redness, but erythroderma due to fungi infections is barely reported. In this article, we reported the first case of erythroderma combined with deeper dermal dermatophytosis due to Trichophyton rubrum (T. rubrum) in a patient with myasthenia gravis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old man was hospitalized because of erythema with scaling and nodules covering his body for a month. The patient had a history of myasthenia gravis controlled by regularly taking prednisolone for > 10 years and accompanied by onychomycosis and tinea pedis lasting > 8 years. Based on histopathological examinations, fungal cultures, and DNA sequencing results, the patient was finally diagnosed with dermatophyte-induced erythroderma combined with deeper dermal dermatophytosis caused by T. rubrum. After 2 weeks of antifungal treatment, the patient had recovered well. CONCLUSIONS: This case report shows that immunosuppressed patients with long histories of superficial mycoses tend to have a higher risk of developing invasive dermatophytic infections or disseminated fungal infections. Dermatologists should be alert to this condition and promptly treat the superficial dermatophytosis.

Effect of exercise interventions based on family management or self-management on glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Most studies about exercise interventions for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have been conducted in hospitals or labs, but it is unclear whether study findings from this specific condition can be generalised to real-life T2DM communities. If patients with T2DM can exercise on their own or with family members, it may also reduce the need for patient supervision by medical staff, thereby reducing the burden of medical treatment and improving condition management's cost-effectiveness and practicability. Much of the current research on exercise interventions for T2DM was focused on the type of exercise and less on the mode of management, so we aimed to examine the effect of exercise interventions based on family management or self-management on glycaemic control in patients with T2DM. METHODS: Articles were searched from eight Chinese and English databases. Randomized control trials (RCTs) published in English and Chinese, from inception to October 17, 2022, were included in this review. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the RCT risk of bias assessment tool provided by the Cochrane Collaboration's tool. Meta-analysis was performed using Rev Man 5.4 and Stata 15.0 software. Heterogeneity was investigated using sensitivity analysis and subgroup analyses. Publication bias was tested by funnel plot and Egger's asymmetry tests. RESULTS: A total of 10 studies with a total of 913 subjects were finally included in this review. The Meta-analysis showed that exercise interventions based on family management or self-management were more effective than control groups in reducing HbA1c (Z = 3.90; 95% CI MD = - 0.81; - 1.21 to - 0.40; P < 0.0001), fasting glucose (Z = 4.63; 95% CI MD = - 1.17; - 1.67 to - 0.68; P < 0.00001), 2-h plasma glucose (Z = 5.53; 95% CI MD = - 1.84; - 2.50 to - 1.19; P < 0.00001), and Low-density lipoproteins levels (Z = 3.73; 95% CI MD = - 0.38; - 0.58 to - 0.18; P = 0.0002). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise interventions based on family management or self-management can significantly reduce glycosylated haemoglobin, fasting glucose, 2-h plasma glucose, and Low-density lipoproteins levels in patients with T2DM, which can effectively delay disease progression and reduce the risk of developing complications. In the future, for exercise interventions based on family or self-management, this review recommended that exercise intervention programmes should be formulated according to 30-60 min per session, more than three times per week, for more than six months of aerobic exercise or aerobic combined with resistance exercise.

Regulation of the pleiotropic transcriptional regulator CodY on the conversion of branched-chain amino acids into branched-chain aldehydes in Lactococcus lactis.

IMPORTANCE: Branched-chain aldehydes are the primary compounds that contribute to the nutty flavor in cheddar cheese. Lactococcus lactis, which is often applied as primary starter culture, is a significant contributor to the nutty flavor of cheddar cheese due to its ability of conversion of BCAAs into branched-chain aldehydes. In the present study, we found that the regulatory role of CodY is crucial for the conversion. CodY acts as a pleiotropic transcriptional regulator via binding to various regulatory regions of key genes. The results presented valuable knowledge into the role of CodY on the regulation and biosynthetic pathway of branched-chain amino acids and the related aldehydes. Furthermore, it provided new insight for increasing the nutty flavor produced during the manufacture and ripening of cheese.

Rectal sensitivity and associated factors in patients with different subtypes of functional defecation disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate rectal sensitivity and associated factors in patients with different subtypes of functional defecation disorder (FDD). METHODS: We segregated individuals diagnosed with FDD into two groups based on their defecation patterns: those with dyssynergic defecation and those with inadequate defecatory propulsion. We gathered general information through questionnaires and assessed rectal sensitivity using anorectal manometry. The rectal sensitivity performances of the two groups were compared; the factors related to rectal sensitivity were analyzed to determine the factors associated with rectal sensitivity, and the effect of biofeedback therapy on rectal sensitivity was clarified. RESULTS: Rectal sensitivity in different subtypes of FDD decreased, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P  > 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the first constant sensation volume, defecatory desire volume, and maximum tolerable volume between the different subtypes of FDD ( P  > 0.05). Multi-factor binary logistic regression analysis showed that age, constipation symptom score, and diabetes were all independent risk factors for decreased rectal sensitivity ( P  < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the prior- and post-biofeedback therapy in the first constant sensation volume, defecatory desire volume, and maximum tolerable volume ( P  > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Rectal sensitivity in different subtypes of FDD decreased. Age, constipation symptom score, and diabetes were independent risk factors for decreased rectal sensitivity. Short-term biofeedback therapy did not improve rectal hyposensitivity in patients with FDD.

Prospective analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of digital rectal examination and magnetic resonance imaging for T staging of prostate cancer.

Background: Accurate staging of prostate cancer (PCa) is the basis for the risk stratification to select targeted treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy rates of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital rectal examination (DRE) for preoperative T staging of potentially resectable PCa. Methods: From March 2021 to March 2022, patients with PCa with T staging by prostate biopsy were included. All examinations used postoperative histopathologic T staging as the reference standard. All patients underwent DRE and MRI before the puncture. Two blinded urologists and radiologists independently evaluated DRE and MRI, respectively. Before the examination, patients were then divided into early- (T1, T2) and late-(T3, T4) stage cancer. Analysis of a paired sample sign test was performed to determine differences between DRE and MRI. Results: A total of 136 study participants with PCa were evaluated histopathologically, of whom 71% (97/136) and 29% (39/136) were at the early- and late-stage cancer, respectively. MRI had a significantly higher accuracy (91.9% vs. 76.5%, P < 0.001) compared with DRE. Further, MRI showed a higher sensitivity than DRE to diagnose early PCa (92.8% vs. 74.2%; P < 0.001). However, the specificity was not significantly different between them (89.7% vs. 82.1%; P = 0.375). Area under the curve (receiver operating curve) values were calculated as 0.78 ± 0.038 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71-0.86), 0.91 ± 0.028 (95% CI, 0.86-0.97), and 0.872 ± 0.028 (95% CI, 0.80-0.92) for DRE-, MRI-, MRI + DRE-based PCa predictions, respectively. The prediction performance of MRI was better than that of DRE (DeLong test, z = 3.632, P = 0.0003) and MRI + DRE (DeLong test, z = 3.715, P = 0.0002). Conclusion: For resectable PCa, the diagnostic potential of MRI in assessing the T stage was higher than that of DRE. However, DRE is still valuable, especially for patients with locally advanced PCa.

Effects of dietary L-Citrulline supplementation on growth performance, meat quality, and fecal microbial composition in finishing pigs.

Gut microbiota play an important role in the gut ecology and development of pigs, which is always regulated by nutrients. This study investigated the effect of L-Citrulline on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and its potential regulatory mechanism. The results showed that 1% dietary L-Citrulline supplementation for 52 days significantly increased final weight, liveweight gain, carcass weight, and average backfat and markedly decreased drip loss (p < 0.05) of finishing pigs compared with the control group. Microbial analysis of fecal samples revealed a marked increase in α-diversity and significantly altered composition of gut microbiota in finishing pigs in response to L-Citrulline. In particular, these altered gut microbiota at the phylum and genus level may be mainly involved in the metabolic process of carbohydrate, energy, and amino acid, and exhibited a significant association with final weight, carcass weight, and backfat thickness. Taken together, our data revealed the potential role of L-Citrulline in the modulation of growth performance, carcass characteristics, and the meat quality of finishing pigs, which is most likely associated with gut microbiota.

Mn-Doped Zn Metal-Organic Framework-Derived Porous N-Doped Carbon Composite as a High-Performance Nonprecious Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Reduction and Aqueous/Flexible Zinc-Air Batteries.

Developing low-cost, efficient, and stable oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is crucial for the commercialization of energy conversion devices such as metal-air batteries. In this study, we report a Mn-doped Zn metal-organic framework-derived porous N-doped carbon composite (30-ZnMn-NC) as a high-performance ORR catalyst. 30-ZnMn-NC exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity, demonstrating a kinetic current density of 9.58 mA cm-2 (0.8 V) and a half-wave potential of 0.83 V, surpassing the benchmark Pt/C and most of the recently reported non-noble metal-based catalysts. Moreover, the assembled zinc-air battery with 30-ZnMn-NC demonstrates high peak power densities of 207 and 66.3 mW cm-2 in liquid and flexible batteries, respectively, highlighting its potential for practical applications. The excellent electrocatalytic activity of 30-ZnMn-NC is attributed to its unique porous structure, the strong electronic interaction between metal Zn/Mn and adjacent N-doped carbon, as well as the bimetallic Mn/Zn-N active sites, which synergistically promote faster reaction kinetics. This work offers a controllable design strategy for efficient electrocatalysts with porous structures and bimetallic active sites, which can significantly enhance the performance of energy conversion devices.

Comparative analysis of salvage partial nephrectomy versus radical nephrectomy after the failure of initial partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the oncologic outcomes and renal function discrepancy of salvage partial nephrectomy (sPN) and salvage radical nephrectomy (sRN) after an initial failed PN. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective data from multiple centers between 2008 and 2022 were analyzed in this study. Patients who received sPN or sRN after an initial failed PN were identified. Comparative analysis and propensity score matching (PSM) was performed and the RENAL score, tumor size, and pathological T stage at salvage surgery were used to match the 2 groups. Local recurrence-free survival (LRFS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were assessed using the Cox proportional hazards model and log-rank tests. Renal function after salvage surgery was assessed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test. RESULTS: A total of 140 patients who underwent salvage surgery were evaluated, of whom 60 were considered for PSM analysis after matching. At a median follow-up of 27.0 months, LRFS and RFS showed no significant difference between sPN and sRN, either before (LRFS, HR = 0.673 [95% CI: 0.171-2.644], P = 0.610; RFS, HR = 0.744 [95% CI: 0.271-1.344], P = 0.595) or after matching (LRFS, HR = 1.080 [95% CI: 0.067-17.30], P = 0.957; RFS, HR = 1.199 [95% CI: 0.241-5.983], P = 0.822). During long-term follow-up, sPN preserved renal function (after matching, eGFR, 71.4 vs. 54.0, P < 0.001) and prevented eGFR loss (after matching: 6.6% vs. 25.6%, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Salvage partial nephrectomy offers a better alternative than sRN for recurrence after initial PN, as sPN preserves renal function better while maintaining parallel tumor control and acceptable complication rates.

Synergistic Promotion of Large-Current Water Splitting through Interfacial Engineering of Hierarchically Structured CoP-FeP Nanosheets with Rich P Vacancies.

The development of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts with high performance under large current density is still a challenge. Introducing P vacancies in heterostructure is an appealing strategy to enhance HER kinetics. This study investigates a CoP-FeP heterostructure catalyst with abundant P vacancies (Vp-CoP-FeP/NF) on nickel foam (NF), which was prepared using dipping and phosphating treatment. The optimized Vp-CoP-FeP catalyst exerted prominent HER catalytic capability, requiring an ultra-low overpotential (58 mV @ 10 mA cm-2 ) and displaying robust durability (50 h @ 200 mA cm-2 ) in 1.0 M KOH solution. Furthermore, the catalyst demonstrated superior overall water splitting activity as cathode, demanding only cell voltage of 1.76 V at 200 mA cm-2 , outperforming Pt/C/NF(-) || RuO2 /NF(+) . The catalyst's outstanding performance can be attributed to the hierarchical structure of porous nanosheets, abundant P vacancies, and synergistic effect between CoP and FeP components, which promote water dissociation and H* adsorption and desorption, thereby synergically accelerating HER kinetics and enhancing HER activity. This study demonstrates the potential of HER catalysts with phosphorus-rich vacancies that can work under industrial-scale current density, highlighting the importance of developing durable and efficient catalysts for hydrogen production.

Oxygen vacancy engineering of mesoporous Bi-Fe2O3@NC multi-channel microspheres for remarkable oxygen reduction and aqueous/flexible Zn-air batteries.

Designing multi-channel mesoporous structure and introducing oxygen vacancies to synergistically enhance oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity is crucial for the practical application of zinc-air batteries (ZABs) in the field of energy storage and conversion. Herein, a novel multi-channel mesoporous Bi-Fe2O3 microsphere with abundant oxygen vacancies supported on nitrogen-doped carbon (denoted as Bi-Fe2O3@NC) is constructed and the designated catalyst demonstrates a higher half-wave potential (0.88 V), large limiting current density (5.8 mA cm-2@0.4 V), and superior stability. Besides, the aqueous ZAB utilizing Bi-Fe2O3@NC cathode achieves a high power density of 198.6 mW cm-2 and maintains exceptional stability for 459 h at 5 mA cm-2, superior to most previously reported catalysts. Furthermore, a solid-state ZAB assembled with Bi-Fe2O3@NC shows a power density of 55.9 mW cm-2, highlighting its potential for flexible ZAB applications. The prominent ORR performance of Bi-Fe2O3@NC can be ascribed to its unique multi-channel mesoporous structure and abundant oxygen vacancies, which increase the exposure of active sites and facilitate efficient electron/mass transport. This work provides valuable insights for the rational design of advanced ORR catalysts for the practical requirements of aqueous/flexible ZABs in energy storage and conversion.

pH Meter-Assisted Biosensor Based on Glucose Oxidase-Conjugated Magnetic Metal-Organic Framework for On-Site Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination.

There remains a critical need for the detection of bacterial contamination to ensure public health. In this work, we developed a pH meter-assisted biosensor based on glucose oxidase (GOx)-conjugated magnetic zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (mZIF-8) for on-site evaluation of bacterial contamination. The mZIF-8/GOx conjugate was produced from the electrostatic interaction between GOx and mZIF-8 and was demonstrated to inhibit GOx activity without protein denaturation. However, the presence of bacteria can cause the release of GOx from the mZIF-8 surface through competitive binding with mZIF-8, resulting in the recovery of GOx activity, which converts glucose into gluconic acid and provides an amplified pH signal. This finding allows the mZIF-8/GOx conjugate to be a biosensor for on-site detection of bacterial contamination with a pH meter as a readout. Benefiting from the magnetic separation property of mZIF-8, greatly enhanced sensitivity and precision have been achieved with detection limits of 10 cfu/mL for Escherichia coli and 30 cfu/mL for Staphylococcus aureus. Meanwhile, the flexibility of this biosensor was validated by quantitative analysis of mixed bacteria including Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with desired performances. The accurate bacterial determination in contaminated drinking water samples demonstrates the applicability of this biosensor for reliable home monitoring of water quality.

Analysis of surgical treatment of appendix neuroendocrine neoplasms-17 years of single-center experience.

BACKGROUND/AIM: This study investigated the clinicopathological characteristics and treatment of appendix neuroendocrine neoplasms in appendectomy specimens of our center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinicopathological data, including age, sex, preoperative clinical manifestation, surgical method, and histopathological examination results of 11 patients with appendix neuroendocrine neoplasms confirmed by surgery and pathology between November 2005 and January 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In the histopathological examination of 7277 appendectomy specimens, 11 cases (0.2%) had appendix neuroendocrine neoplasms. Among the 11 patients, 8(72.7%) were males, and 3(27.3%) were females, with an average age of 48.1 years. All patients underwent emergency surgery. A total of 9 patients underwent open appendectomy, including 1 patient who underwent second-stage simple right hemicolectomy after an appendectomy, and two who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. All 11 patients were followed up for a period of 1 to 17 years. All patients survived without any indication of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: Appendiceal neuroendocrine neoplasms are low-grade malignant tumors originating from neuroendocrine cells. They are rarely seen in clinical practice and are often treated based on acute and chronic appendicitis symptoms. These tumors are challenging to diagnose before surgery due to the lack of specificity in clinical manifestations and auxiliary examinations. The diagnosis generally depends on postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry. Despite the diagnostic challenges, these tumors have a favorable prognosis.

Metabolic Syndrome and Clinical Outcomes of Patients with Gastric Cancer: A Meta-Analysis.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is suggested to participate in the pathogenesis and progress of some cancers via inducing low-grade systemic inflammation. However, the influence of MetS on patients with gastric cancer (GC) remains not fully determined. A systematic review and meta-analysis was therefore performed to evaluate the influence of MetS on clinical outcomes of patients with GC. A search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Wanfang, and CNKI retrieved relevant cohort studies from the inception of the databases to October 11, 2022. We pooled the results using a random-effects model that incorporates heterogeneity. In the meta-analysis, 6649 patients with GC were included, and all of them received gastrectomy. A total of 1248 (18.8%) patients had MetS at baseline. Pooled results showed that MetS was associated with higher risks of postoperative complications [risk ratio (RR): 2.41, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.85 to 3.14, p<0.001; I2=55%], overall mortality (RR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.85 to 3.14, p<0.001; I2=77%), and recurrence of GC (RR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.10 to 3.63, p=0.02; I2=39%). Subgroup analyses showed similar results in prospective and retrospective cohort studies and in studies with MetS diagnosed with the Chinese Diabetes Society criteria and the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (p for subgroup difference all>0.05). In patients with GC after gastrectomy, MetS may be a predictor of high incidence of postoperative complications, cancer recurrence, and overall mortality.

Ultrasensitive visual detection of the food-borne pathogen via MOF encapsulated enzyme.

Various methods have been made to achieve sensitive detection (10 CFU/mL) of Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) in real samples, however, they are complex, time-consuming, or instrument-dependent. Enzyme-catalyzed reactions are one of the most efficient methods to amplify signals for sensitive detection. ZIF-8 owning stability, porosity, and high specific area are suitable for embedding enzymes which can effectively protect enzyme activity and thus improve detection sensitivity. Herein, a simple visual assay of E. coli with the limits of detection of 1 CFU/mL was developed based on this stable enzyme-catalyzed amplified system. A microbial safety test of milk, orange juice, seawater, cosmetic, and hydrolyzed yeast protein, was successfully performed with the limits of detection of 10 CFU/mL by the naked eye. And this bioassay possessed high selectivity and stability making the developed detection method practically promising.