The fibroblast hormone endotrophin is a biomarker of mortality in chronic diseases.

Fibrosis, driven by fibroblast activities, is an important contributor to morbidity and mortality in most chronic diseases. Endotrophin, a signaling molecule derived from processing of type VI collagen by highly activated fibroblasts, is involved in fibrotic tissue remodeling. Circulating levels of endotrophin have been associated with an increased risk of mortality in multiple chronic diseases. We conducted a systematic literature review collecting evidence from original papers published between 2012 and January 2023 that reported associations between circulating endotrophin (PRO-C6) and mortality. Cohorts with data available to the study authors were included in an Individual Patient Data (IPD) meta-analysis that evaluated the association of PRO-C6 with mortality (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42023340215) after adjustment for age, sex and BMI, where available. In the IPD meta-analysis including sixteen cohorts of patients with different non-communicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) (N=15,205) the estimated summary hazard ratio for 3-years all-cause mortality was 2.10 (95% CI 1.75-2.52) for a 2-fold increase in PRO-C6, with some heterogeneity observed between the studies (I2=70%). This meta-analysis is the first study documenting that fibroblast activities, as quantified by circulating endotrophin, are independently associated with mortality across a broad range of NCCDs. This indicates that, irrespective of disease, interstitial tissue remodeling, and consequently fibroblast activities, has a central role in adverse clinical outcomes, and should be considered with urgency from drug developers as a target to treat.

Robust battery interphases from dilute fluorinated cations.

Controlling solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) in batteries is crucial for their efficient cycling. Herein, we demonstrate an approach to enable robust battery performance that does not rely on high fractions of fluorinated species in electrolytes, thus substantially decreasing the environmental footprint and cost of high-energy batteries. In this approach, we use very low fractions of readily reducible fluorinated cations in electrolyte (∼0.1 wt%) and employ electrostatic attraction to generate a substantial population of these cations at the anode surface. As a result, we can form a robust fluorine-rich SEI that allows for dendrite-free deposition of dense Li and stable cycling of Li-metal full cells with high-voltage cathodes. Our approach represents a general strategy for delivering desired chemical species to battery anodes through electrostatic attraction while using minute amounts of additive.

Tuning MXene Properties through Cu Intercalation: Coupled Guest/Host Redox and Pseudocapacitance.

MXenes are 2D transition metal carbides, nitrides, and/or carbonitrides that can be intercalated with cations through chemical or electrochemical pathways. While the insertion of alkali and alkaline earth cations into Ti3C2Tx MXenes is well studied, understanding of the intercalation of redox-active transition metal ions into MXenes and its impact on their electronic and electrochemical properties is lacking. In this work, we investigate the intercalation of Cu ions into Ti3C2Tx MXene and its effect on its electronic and electrochemical properties. Using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD), we observe an unusual phenomenon whereby Cu2+ ions undergo partial reduction upon intercalation from the solution into the MXene. Furthermore, using in situ XAS, we reveal changes in the oxidation states of intercalated Cu ions and Ti atoms during charging. We show that the pseudocapacitive response of Cu-MXene originates from the redox of both the Cu intercalant and Ti3C2Tx host. Despite highly reducing potentials, Cu ions inside the MXene show an excellent stability against full reduction upon charging. Our findings demonstrate how electronic coupling between Cu ions and Ti3C2Tx modifies electrochemical and electronic properties of the latter, providing the framework for the rational design and utilization of transition metal intercalants for tuning the properties of MXenes for various electrochemical systems.

Efecto de la pandemia en la cirugía radical del cáncer vesical / Effect of the pandemic on radical surgery for bladder cancer

Objetivo: El advenimiento de la pandemia de síndrome respiratorio agudo por coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) ha tenido un impacto en el manejo del resto de las patologías por la elevada presión asistencial generada. Por su historia natural, el cáncer vesical susceptible de cistectomía radical (CR) requiere especial atención. Nuestro objetivo es comparar los resultados perioperatorios y oncológicos de estos pacientes durante el estado de alarma respecto a la era pre-COVID en un centro de tercer nivel. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo observacional descriptivo y analítico. Pacientes intervenidos de cistectomía radical por neoplasia entre abril de 2019 y marzo de 2021 divididos en dos grupos, abril 2019-marzo 2020 (n = 42) y abril 2020-marzo 2021 (n = 43). Resultados: Ambos grupos resultaron ser homogéneos. La mediana de espera desde la resección transuretral de vejiga hasta la realización de la CR no aumentó (82,5 vs. 83 días, p = = 0,860). No se observan tampoco diferencias en la estadificación TNM de las piezas quirúrgicas. Los tumores localmente avanzados no aumentaron significativamente (18 vs. 21, p = 0,580). La presencia de afectación ganglionar tampoco presentó diferencias significativas (10 vs. 13, p = 0,675). La estancia media disminuyó en un valor cercano a significación (mediana en días: 11 vs. 8, p = 0,056) sin que ello asociase un mayor número de complicaciones o de reingresos a los 30 días. Conclusión:: En nuestra serie no hemos constatado diferencias significativas en los resultados perioperatorios y oncológicos de pacientes tratados mediante CR durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

Introduction: The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic (caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2] has had an impact on the management of other pathologies due to the high healthcare pressure generated. Due to its natural history, bladder cancer amenable to radical cystectomy requires special attention. We aim to compare the perioperative and oncological results of these patients during the alarm state with respect to the pre-COVID era in a tertiary care center. Material and methods: Observational descriptive and analytical retrospective research. Patients who underwent radical cistectomy because of bladder cancer between April 2019 to March 2021, divided in two groups, April 2019-March 2020 (n = 42) and April 2020-March 2021 (n = 43). Results: Both groups turned out to be homogeneous. The median wait time from transurethral resection of the bladder to radical cystectomy did not increase (82.5 vs. 83 days, p = 0.860). No differences were observed in the TNM staging of the surgical specimens. Locally advanced tumors did not increase significantly (18 vs. 21, p = 0.580). The presence of lymph node involvement did not present significant differences either (10 vs. 13, p = 0.675). The average stay decreased by a value close to significance (median in days 11 vs. 8, p = 0.056) without being associated with a greater number of complications or readmissions at 30 days. Conclusion: In our series, we have not found significant differences in the perioperative and oncological results of patients treated by radical cystectomy during the COVID-19 pandem

Variety patterns in defense and health technological systems: evidence from international trade data.

In recent years, a debate on the technological sources of the next long wave of growth has emerged. In this context, some authors consider that health-related industries will be more likely to generate new technological systems than defense-related industries, which have entered a stage of technological maturity (Ruttan 2006; Steinbock 2014; among others). Based on evolutionary works, in this paper we state that technological systems are characterized by a high degree of technological relatedness, which is positively associated with the possibility of a system to generate variety through the recombination of knowledge from a common base. Following this statement, this work aims to analyze technological relatedness between defense (and health) technological system(s) and other groups of products to compare their variety patterns. Based on international trade data (a panel for 60 countries and 17 years), and different measures of proximity and relatedness (e.g. sectoral competitiveness of countries), we compare defense and health technological systems regarding their potential of generating related variety through two main methods: network analysis and econometrical analysis. The main results support Ruttan's hypothesis. The network analysis shows the potential for both systems to generate related variety, but higher centrality indicators for health products. In line with that, competitiveness in health products presents a stronger correlation with competitiveness in other groups of products, both related and high and medium technology. This suggests that an improvement in countries' competitiveness in health sectors can generate spillovers on other related sectors, which can strengthen structural competitiveness and sustain long-term growth.