Single-exposure multi-wavelength optical diffraction tomography based on space-angle dual multiplexing holography.

We present a space-angle dual multiplexing holographic recording system for realizing single-exposure multi-wavelength optical diffraction tomographic (ODT) imaging. This system is achieved by combining the principle of single-exposure multi-wavelength holographic imaging technique based on angle-division multiplexing with the principle of single-exposure ODT imaging technique based on microlens array multi-angle illuminations and space-division multiplexing. Compared with the existing multi-wavelength ODT imaging methods, it enables the holographic recording of all the diffraction tomography information of a measured specimen at multiple illumination wavelengths in a single camera exposure without any scan mechanism. Using our proposed data processing method, the multi-wavelength three-dimensional (3D) refractive index tomograms of a specimen can be eventually reconstructed from single recorded multiplexing hologram. Experimental results of a static polystyrene bead and a living C. elegans worm demonstrate the feasibility of this system.

T cell-redirecting antibody for treatment of solid tumors via targeting mesothelin.

T cell engaging bispecific antibodies (TCBs) have recently become significant in cancer treatment. In this study we developed MSLN490, a novel TCB designed to target mesothelin (MSLN), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked glycoprotein highly expressed in various cancers, and evaluated its efficacy against solid tumors. CDR walking and phage display techniques were used to improve affinity of the parental antibody M912, resulting in a pool of antibodies with different affinities to MSLN. From this pool, various bispecific antibodies (BsAbs) were assembled. Notably, MSLN490 with its IgG-[L]-scFv structure displayed remarkable anti-tumor activity against MSLN-expressing tumors (EC50: 0.16 pM in HT-29-hMSLN cells). Furthermore, MSLN490 remained effective even in the presence of non-membrane-anchored MSLN (soluble MSLN). Moreover, the anti-tumor activity of MSLN490 was enhanced when combined with either Atezolizumab or TAA × CD28 BsAbs. Notably, a synergistic effect was observed between MSLN490 and paclitaxel, as paclitaxel disrupted the immunosuppressive microenvironment within solid tumors, enhancing immune cells infiltration and improved anti-tumor efficacy. Overall, MSLN490 exhibits robust anti-tumor activity, resilience to soluble MSLN interference, and enhanced anti-tumor effects when combined with other therapies, offering a promising future for the treatment of a variety of solid tumors. This study provides a strong foundation for further exploration of MSLN490's clinical potential.

Laparoscopic Pancreaticoduodenectomy Combined With Portal-Superior Mesenteric Vein Resection and Reconstruction: Inferior-Posterior "Superior Mesenteric Artery-First" Approach.

BACKGROUND: Laparoscopic pancreaticoduodenectomy (LPD) with portal-superior mesenteric vein (PV/SMV) resection and reconstruction is increasingly performed. We aimed to introduce a safe and effective surgical approach and share our clinical experience with LPD with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction. METHODS: We reviewed data for the patients undergoing LPD and open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) combined with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction at the First Hospital of Jilin University between April 2021 and May 2023. The inferior-posterior "superior mesenteric artery-first" approach was used. We compared the preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative clinicopathological data of the 2 groups to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of LPD with major vascular resection. RESULTS: A cohort of 37 patients with periampullary and pancreatic tumors underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with major vascular resection and reconstruction, consisting of 21 LPDs and 16 OPDs. The LPD group had a longer operation time (322 vs. 235 min, P =0.039), reduced intraoperative bleeding (152 vs. 325 mL, P =0.026), and lower intraoperative blood transfusion rates (19.0% vs. 50.0%, P =0.046) compared with the OPD group. The LPD group had significantly shorter operation times in end-to-end anastomosis (26 vs. 15 min, P =0.001) and artificial grafts vascular reconstruction (44 vs. 22 min, P =0.000) compared with the OPD group. There was no significant difference in the rate of R0 resection (100% vs. 87.5%, P =0.096). The length of hospital stay and ICU stay did not show significant differences between the 2 groups (15 vs. 18 d, P =0.636 and 2.5 vs. 4.5 d, P =0.726, respectively). However, the postoperative hospital stay in the LPD group was notably shorter compared with the OPD group (11 vs. 16 d, P =0.007). Postoperative complication rates, including postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) Grade A/B, biliary leakage, and delayed gastric emptying (DGE), were similar between the two groups (38.1% vs. 43.8%, P =0.729). In addition, 1 patient in each group developed thrombosis, with vascular patency improving after anticoagulation treatment. CONCLUSION: LPD combined with PV/SMV resection and reconstruction can be easily and safely performed using the inferior-posterior "superior mesenteric artery-first" approach in cases of venous invasion. Further studies are required to evaluate the procedure's long-term outcomes.

A novel bispecific antibody drug conjugate targeting HER2 and HER3 with potent therapeutic efficacy against breast cancer.

Antibody drug conjugate (ADC) therapy has become one of the most promising approaches in cancer immunotherapy. Bispecific targeting could enhance the efficacy and safety of ADC by improving its specificity, affinity and internalization. In this study we constructed a HER2/HER3-targeting bispecific ADC (BsADC) and characterized its physiochemical properties, target specificity and internalization in vitro, and assessed its anti-tumor activities in breast cancer cell lines and in animal models. The HER2/HER3-targeting BsADC had a drug to antibody ratio (DAR) of 2.89, displayed a high selectivity against the target JIMT-1 breast cancer cells in vitro, as well as a slightly higher level of internalization than HER2- or HER3-monospecific ADCs. More importantly, the bispecific ADC potently inhibited the viability of MCF7, JIMT-1, BT474, BxPC-3 and SKOV-3 cancer cells in vitro. In JIMT-1 breast cancer xenograft mice, a single injection of bispecific ADC (3 mg/kg, i.v.) significantly inhibited the tumor growth with an efficacy comparable to that caused by combined injection of HER2 and HER3-monospecific ADCs (3 mg/kg for each). Our study demonstrates that the bispecific ADC concept can be applied to development of more potent new cancer therapeutics than the monospecific ADCs.

Nine-Gene Prognostic Signature Related to Gut Microflora for Predicting the Survival in Gastric Cancer Patients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this study is to screen the feature genes related to gut microflora and explore the role of the genes in predicting the prognosis of patients with gastric cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We downloaded the gene profile of gastric cancer from the University of California Santa Cruz, the gut microflora related to gastric cancer from The Cancer Microbiome Atlas. The GSE62254 dataset was downloaded from National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus as a validation dataset. A correlation network between differentially expressed genes and gut microflora was constructed using Cytoscape. The optimized prognostic differentially expressed genes were identified through least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) algorithm and univariate Cox regression analysis. The risk score model was established and then measured via Kaplan-Meier and area under the curve. Finally, the nomogram model was constructed according to the independent clinical factors, which was evaluated using C-index. RESULTS: A total of 754 differentially expressed genes and 8 gut microflora were screened, based on which we successfully constructed the correlation network. We obtained 9 optimized prognostic differentially expressed genes, including HSD17B3, GNG7, CHAD, ARHGAP8, NOX1, YY2, GOLGA8A, DNASE1L3, and ABCA8. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier curves indicated the risk score model correctly predicted the prognosis of gastric cancer in both University of California Santa Cruz and GSE62254 dataset (area under the curve >0.8; area under the curve >0.7). Finally, we constructed the nomogram, in which the C index of 1, 3, and 5 years was 0.824, 0.772, and 0.735 representing that the nomogram was consistent with the actual situation. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the 9 differentially expressed genes related to gut microflora might predict the survival time of patients with gastric cancer. Both risk signature and nomogram could effectively predict the prognosis for patients with gastric cancer.

Immunomodulation of cuproptosis and ferroptosis in liver cancer.

According to statistics, the incidence of liver cancer is increasing yearly, and effective treatment of liver cancer is imminent. For early liver cancer, resection surgery is currently the most effective treatment. However, resection does not treat the disease in advanced patients, so finding a method with a better prognosis is necessary. In recent years, ferroptosis and cuproptosis have been gradually defined, and related studies have proved that they show excellent results in the therapy of liver cancer. Cuproptosis is a new form of cell death, and the use of cuproptosis combined with ferroptosis to inhibit the production of hepatocellular carcinoma cells has good development prospects and is worthy of in-depth discussion by researchers. In this review, we summarize the research progress on cuproptosis combined with ferroptosis in treating liver cancer, analyze the value of cuproptosis and ferroptosis in the immune of liver cancer, and propose potential pathways in oncotherapy with the combination of cuproptosis and ferroptosis, which can provide background knowledge for subsequent related research.

Controlling Risk Factors Reduces Cancer Risk in Patients with Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: The association of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) with cancer occurrence is not well examined, and the impact of common risk factors on the risk of cancer in ASCVD patients is not known. This study aimed to explore the effect and possible causes of ASCVD on cancer risk through a cohort study. METHODS: A total of 14,665 age- and sex-matched pairs of participants were recruited from the Kailuan cohort (ASCVD vs non-ASCVD). A competing risk model was used to calculate the risk of cancer after ASCVD. RESULTS: A total of 1124 cancers occurred after 5.80 (3.05-9.44) years of follow-up. The ASCVD group had a reduced risk of cancer (hazard ratio 0.74; 95% confidence interval, 0.65-0.85). Also, the risk of cancer in the digestive system, respiratory system, urinary system, and reproductive system was reduced by 17%, 16%, 14%, and 52%, respectively. According to the status of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and body mass index after ASCVD, the risk of overall cancer and digestive system cancer decreased with the increase in the number of ideal indicators (P for trend < .01). With the increase of follow-up time, the risk of cancer and the 5 site-specific cancers gradually decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer risk can be reduced by controlling for common risk factors after ASCVD event. This risk reduction is site-specific-, time-, and the number of ideal indicator-dependent.

Effects of a multilevel intervention of resistance training with or without beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate in medical ICU patients during entire hospitalisation: a four-arm multicentre randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is a prevalent and severe issue among ICU patients. Resistance training and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) intervention have demonstrated the potential to enhance muscle function in patients with sarcopenia and in older adults. The purpose of this study was to determine whether resistance training and/or HMB administration would improve physical function, muscle strength, and quality of life in medical ICU patients. METHODS: In this multicentre, four-arm, single-blind randomised control trial, a total of 112 adult patients with internal medical diagnoses admitted to the ICU were enrolled. These participants were then randomly assigned to one of four treatment groups: the resistance training group received protocol-based multilevel resistance exercise, the HMB group received 3 g/day of HMBCa, combination group and control groups received standard care, from the ICU to the general ward until discharge. The primary outcomes assessed at discharge included six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and short physical performance battery (SPPB). Secondary outcomes measured included muscle mass, MRC score, grip strength, and health reports quality of life at different time points. Data analysis was performed using a generalised linear mixed model, adhering to the principles of intention-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: Resistance training and combination treatment groups exhibited significant increases in SPPB scores (3.848 and 2.832 points, respectively) compared to the control group and substantial improvements in 6WMD (99.768 and 88.577 m, respectively) (all with P < 0.01). However, no significant changes were observed in the HMB group. Muscle strength, as indicated by MRC and grip strength tests conducted at both ICU and hospital discharge, showed statistically significant improvements in the resistance training and combination groups (P < 0.05). Nevertheless, no significant differences were found between the treatment groups and usual care in terms of 60-day mortality, prevalence of ICU-AW, muscle mass, quality of life, or other functional aspects. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training with or without beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate during the entire hospitalisation intervention improves physical function and muscle strength in medical ICU patients, but muscle mass, quality of life, and 60-day mortality were unaffected. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR2200057685 was registered on March 15th, 2022.

Health Service Utilization and Its Associations with Depression and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Transgender Women in Shanghai, China.

Purpose: Given the limited research on health care utilization among transgender women in China, we described the use of primary health care and gender-affirming health care, and the associations between utilization of gender-affirming health care and depression and sexual risk behaviors. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey in 2017 among a purposive sample of transgender women in Shanghai, China (N=199). We examined correlates of health care utilization and its association with depression and sexual risk behaviors with Chi-square (χ2), Fisher's exact tests, and analysis of variance. Results: The majority of the sample (78.5%) only had physician appointments when having an illness, while about one-fifth of the sample had physician appointments for yearly checkups. Nineteen out of 199 participants (9.5%) received gender-affirming surgery, among which only five used hormone therapy prescribed by a doctor (26.3%). Receiving some form of gender-affirming surgery was associated with higher depression scores [Welch's F(2, 12.22)=4.16, p=0.04], engagement in sex work (p=0.001), having 7 or more male sexual partners in the last 30 days (p=0.003), lifetime unprotected sex with a man (p=0.050), and unprotected sex with a main partner (p=0.043). Compared with transgender women who received both breast augmentation and vulvo-vaginoplasty (mean=5.86), those who received breast augmentation only (mean=12.33) scored higher on depression (p=0.04). Conclusions: Access to gender-affirming health care is low among transgender women in this study. The utilization of gender-affirming surgery is associated with depression and sexual risk behaviors. Findings suggest China should establish national guidelines on transgender-related health care and set up more clinics to provide consultation and services for the transgender population in China.

Assembly of highly efficient overall CO2 + H2O electrolysis cell with the matchup of CO2 reduction and water oxidation catalyst.

The exploitation of highly active and stable catalysts for reduction of CO2 and water oxidation is one of the approaches to facilitate scalable and sustainable CO2 reduction potentially at the industrial scale. Herein, a feasible strategy to rationally build an overall CO2 + H2O electrocatalytic reaction device is the preparation and matchup of a high-performance CO2 reduction catalyst and low-cost and highly active oxygen anode catalyst. A heterostructured nanosheet, γ-NiOOH/NiCO3/Ni(HCOO)2, exhibited superior catalytic activity in the oxygen evolution reaction, and was integrated with CoPc/Fe-N-C to build an overall CO2 + H2O cell with a current density of 10 mA cm-2 at a very low cell voltage of 1.97 V, and the faradaic deficiency of CO2 to CO was maintained at greater than 90% at 1.9 V.

Identification of a coagulation-related signature correlated with immune infiltration and their prognostic implications in lung adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is a fatal form of lung cancer with a poor prognosis. Coagulation system had been confirmed closely related to tumor progression and the hypercoagulable state encouraged the immune infiltration and development of tumor cells, leading to a poor prognosis in cancer patients. However, the use of the coagulation-related genes (CRGs) for prognosis in LUAD has yet to be determined. In this study, we constructed an immune-related signature (CRRS) and identified a potential coagulation-related biomarker (P2RX1). METHODS: We obtained a total of 209 CRGs based on two coagulation-related KEGG pathways, then developed the CRRS signature by using the TCGA-LUAD RNA-seq data via the procedure of LASSO-Cox regression, stepwise-Cox regression, univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Grouped by the CRRS, Kaplan-Meier survival curves and receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn for the training and validation sets, respectively. In addition, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis was exploited to explore immune infiltration level. Moreover, immunophenotypes and immunotherapy grouped by CRRS were further analyzed. RESULTS: We developed an immune-related signature (CRRS) composed of COL1A2, F2, PLAUR, C4BPA, and P2RX1 in LUAD. CRRS was an independent risk factor for overall survival and displayed stable and powerful performance. Additionally, CRRS possessed distinctly superior accuracy than traditional clinical variables and molecular features. Functional analysis indicated that the differentially high expressed genes in the low-risk group significantly enriched in T cell and B cell receptor signaling pathways. The low-risk group was sensitive to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 immunotherapy and displayed abundant immune infiltration and immune checkpoint gene expression. Finally, we identified an independent prognostic gene P2RX1. Low expression of P2RX1 associated with poor overall survival and decreased immune infiltration. CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed a significant correlation between CRRS and immune infiltration. CRRS could serve as a promising tool to improve the clinical outcomes for individual LUAD patients.

Effect of esketamine nasal drops on pain in children after tonsillectomy using low temperature plasma ablation.

Objective: To explore the effect of esketamine nasal drops on pain in children after tonsillectomy using low-temperature plasma ablation. Methods: 76 children who underwent tonsillectomy between May 2020 and July 2021, were randomly divided into two groups of 38 cases each. Patients in the control group were treated with conventional medication, while those in the study group were treated with esketamine nasal drops, along with the routine drug treatment. Pain levels of children in the two groups were compared within 1-3 days post-surgery, and the pseudomembrane formation and shedding-off time and recovery time were statistically analyzed. Results: The pain level of children in the study group was lower than that of the control group 1-3 days post-surgery. The pseudomembrane formation and shedding-off time and recovery time in the study group were shorter than in the control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups, and there were no serious adverse reactions in the two groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: It is safe to use esketamine nasal drops in children after tonsillectomy using low temperature plasma ablation, and this is found to reduce pain and shorten the recovery time.

Endoscopic reintervention after unilateral metal stent deployment for MHBO using SIS method.

Endoscopic biliary drainage is the main treatment for unresectable malignant hilar biliary obstruction (MHBO). Recurrent biliary obstruction (RBO) often occurs after unilateral metal stent deployment. Endoscopic reintervention can be complex for this problem, especially for drainage of the contralateral bile duct. The stent-in-stent (SIS) method is a possible solution to this problem. Our objective was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the SIS method for endoscopic reintervention in patients with RBO due to MHBO after unilateral metal stent deployment. Eleven patients with MHBO received endoscopic reintervention using the SIS method to manage RBO after unilateral metal stent deployment. Clinical data, including technical and clinical success, procedure time, adverse events and complications, stent patency, RBO of the revisionary stent, and survival time were recorded. Nine patients (82%) achieved technical success, and all 9 of them also achieved clinical success. The 2 unsuccessful cases received percutaneous transhepatic cholangial drainage. The median procedure time was 73 minutes. The 3 adverse events were post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography pancreatitis, cholangitis, and liver abscess. 6 patients (67%) experienced RBO of the revisionary stent, the median time to RBO of the revisionary stent was 95.5 days, the median survival time after reintervention was 111 days, and the median overall survival time was 305.5 days. Endoscopic reintervention after previous unilateral metal stent deployment using the SIS method appears to be safe and technically feasible for MHBO patients who experience RBO.

Association of trajectories of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration with risk of cardiovascular disease: the Kailuan Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the association between longitudinal change in non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and subsequent cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. DESIGN: A retrospective study. SETTING: Data were obtained from the Kailuan Study, a dynamic cohort study initiated in 2006 in Tangshan, China. PARTICIPANTS: The current study included 41 085 participants (mean age 53.9±11.6 years) free of CVD events in or before 2012. The non-HDL-C trajectory was developed according to the repeated measurement during 2006-2012 surveys to predict the CVD risk from 2012 to 2020. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: CVD events included myocardial infarction and stroke. RESULTS: 3 discrete non-HDL-C trajectories were identified: low-increasing (n=20 038), moderate-increasing (n=17 987) and high-increasing (n=3060). During 8 years of follow-up, 1797 CVD events were documented. Relative to the low-increasing pattern, adjusted HRs were 1.25 (95% CI: 1.13 to 1.38) for the moderate-increasing pattern and 1.46 (95% CI: 1.24 to 1.71) for the high-increasing pattern after adjustment for potential confounders such as age, sex, education background, smoking status, drinking status, physical activity, body mass index, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes and lipid-lowering medications. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in non-HDL-C were significantly associated with subsequent risk of CVD events, and participants with a high-increasing pattern had a higher CVD risk. Long-term monitoring of non-HDL-C could be useful to improve the prediction of CVD risk. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-TNC-1100148.

Effect of dual residual risk of cholesterol and inflammation on all-cause mortality in patients with cardiovascular disease.

BACKGROUND: Randomized controlled trials confirm that risks of residual cholesterol and residual inflammation remains in patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD) even after lipid-lowering therapy. This study aims to investigate the association between dual residual risk of cholesterol and inflammation and all-cause mortality in a real-world population with CVD. METHODS: Patients with a CVD history who first took statins between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2017 in the Kailuan Study were selected as study participants. According to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and hypersensitive C-reactive protein levels, patients were divided into those with no residual risk, residual inflammatory risk (RIR), residual cholesterol risk (RCR), and residual cholesterol and inflammatory risk (RCIR). Cox proportional hazard model was conducted to determine hazard ratio (HR) of all-cause mortality for RIR, RCR, and RCIR. Stratified analysis was conducted according to good medication adherence and 75% of the percentage LDL-C decline, high SMART 2 risk score, and blood pressure and blood glucose at standard levels. RESULTS: After 6.10 years of follow-up, 377 all-cause deaths occurred in 3509 participants (mean age 63.69 ± 8.41 years, 86.78% men). After adjusting for related risk factors, the HR and (95% confidence interval [CI]) of all-cause mortality in the RIR, RCR, and RCIR was 1.63 (1.05, 2.52), 1.37 (0.98, 1.90), and 1.75 (1.25, 2.46), compared with no residual risk. Similar associations were observed in participants with moderate or low statin compliance, a lower percentage of LDL-C decline, high SMART 2 risk score, uncontrolled blood pressure, and uncontrolled blood glucose, in the RCIR had a 1.66-fold, 2.08-fold, 1.69-fold, 2.04-fold, and 2.05-fold higher risk of all-cause mortality, respectively, than the reference. CONCLUSION: Risks of residual cholesterol and residual inflammation remain in patients with CVD after receiving statins, and their combined effect significantly increases the risk of all-cause mortality. Here, this increased risk was dependent on statin compliance, LDL-C reduction, SMART 2 risk score, and blood pressure and blood glucose control.

Nitric oxide hinders club cell proliferation through Gdpd2 during allergic airway inflammation.

Excessive nitric oxide (NO) is often observed in the airways of patients with severe asthma. Here, we show that the NO donor diethylamine NONOate impairs the proliferative capacity of mouse club cells and induces club cell apoptosis, cell cycle arrest, and alterations in lipid metabolism. Our data suggest that NO inhibits club cell proliferation via upregulation of Gdpd2 (glycerophosphodiester phosphodiesterase domain containing 2). During ovalbumin (OVA) challenge, apoptotic club cells are observed, but surviving club cells continue to proliferate. OVA exposure induces Gdpd2 expression; Gdpd2 knockout promotes the proliferation of club cells but inhibits goblet cell differentiation. Elimination of airway NO was found to inhibit goblet cell differentiation from club cells during OVA challenge. Our data reveal that excessive NO might be related to airway epithelial damage in severe asthma and suggest that blockade of the NO-Gdpd2 pathway may be beneficial for airway epithelial restoration.

A Novel Manner of Anchoring Cobalt Phthalocyanine on Edge-Defected Carbon for Highly Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction.

Cobalt phthalocyanine anchored on carbon material has attracted an enormous amount of attention due to its superior performance in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction. However, the interaction between cobalt phthalocyanine and the carbon substrate remains problematic, and the role of intrinsic carbon defects is unfortunately ignored in the anchoring of cobalt phthalocyanine on carbon. Herein, new interactions between the bridging N atoms of cobalt phthalocyanine and the edge defects of carbon have been discovered, which result in a novel model of anchoring of cobalt phthalocyanine on ketjen black carbon. Such anchored cobalt phthalocyanine has been found to be responsible for superior catalysis for electrochemical reduction of CO2 to CO with high selectivity and low overpotential.

The Mediating Role of Systemic Inflammation in the Effects of Fetal Famine Exposure on Cardiovascular Disease in Adults: A Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: A few studies have reported the association between famine exposure during fetal development and risk of CVD, but no mechanisms have been explored. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine risk of CVD in adulthood after exposure to famine during the fetal stage and explore the mediating role of systemic inflammation. METHODS: A total of 59,416 participants of the Kailuan Study without CVD were included. All participants were divided into 3 groups based on date of birth, including the unexposed group (1963-1974), the fetal-exposed group (1959-1962), and the childhood-exposed group (1949-1958). Systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) (neutrophils × platelets / lymphocytes) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) (neutrophils × monocytes / lymphocytes) are 2 novel systemic inflammation indexes that represent the level of systemic inflammation. Time-weighted Cox regression was used to test the effect of famine exposure on risk of CVD, and a mediation model was used to calculate the role of systemic inflammation. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 12.36 (12.69, 13.16) y, a total of 3772 cases of CVD were documented. Compared with unexposed participants, the fetal-exposed group had an increased risk of CVD (HR: 1.19; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.38) and stroke (HR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.09, 1.51) but not MI. No association was observed in the childhood-exposed group. In mediation analysis, SII mediated an estimated 24.43% of the association between fetal exposure and CVD (24.61% for stroke and 23.27% for MI). For SIRI, this percentage was 30.20% for CVD (29.94% for stroke and 31.25% of MI). CONCLUSIONS: Fetal exposure to famine may increase risk of CVD in adulthood. Systemic inflammation may play an intermediary role in the effect of fetal famine exposure on CVD.

Comparison of mothers' perceptions of hunger cues in 3-month-old infant under different feeding methods.

BACKGROUND: Mothers' perception of infant hunger cues is a critical content of responsive feeding, which is central to the promotion of early childhood development. However, only a few studies have examined responsive feeding in China, especially lacking the studies on perceptions of infant hunger cues. Consider the cultural differences, the aim of this study was to describe the perceptions of infant hunger cues of Chinese mothers for infants aged 3 months, and explore the relationship between maternal perceptions of infant hunger cues and different feeding methods. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 326 mothers of healthy 3-month-old infants, including 188 exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) mothers and 138 formula feeding (FF) mothers. It was implemented in four provincial and municipal maternal and child health hospitals. The mothers' perceptions of infant hunger cues were surveyed by self-reporting questionnaires. Chi-square tests and logistic analysis were applied to analyze the differences in maternal perceptions of infant hunger cues, including the number of hunger cues and the specific cues, between EBF group and FF group by controlling sociodemographic variables and the daily nursing indicators. RESULTS: We found that a higher proportion of EBF mothers could perceive multiple hunger cues (≥ 2) than FF mothers (66.5% vs.55.1%). For specific cues, the EBF mothers had higher perceptions of infant's "hand sucking" (67.6% vs. 53.6%) and "moving head frantically from side to side" (34.6% vs. 23.9%), all p < 0.05. Regression analysis revealed that EBF might support mothers to perceive infant hunger cues than FF mothers, with the number of infant hunger cues (OR = 1.70, 95% CI: 1.01-2.85), "hand sucking" (OR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04-2.87), "moving head frantically from side to side" (OR = 2.07, 95% CI: 1.19-3.62). The number of infant hunger cues perceived by mothers was also associated with their educational level and family structure. CONCLUSION: EBF mothers of 3-month-old infants may be more likely to perceive infant hunger cues than FF mothers in China. It is necessary to increase the health education about infant hunger and satiety cues to caregivers in China, especially among mothers with lower education levels, mothers living in nuclear families, and FF mothers.

Bi-directional causal effect between vitamin B12 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Inferring from large population data.

Objectives: Many observational studies evaluate the association between vitamin B12 and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, the causality of this association remains uncertain, especially in European populations. We conducted a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study to explore the association between vitamin B12 and NAFLD. Methods: Two-sample Mendelian randomization study was conducted. Summary statistics for vitamin B12 were acquired from a genome-wide association studies (GWAS) meta-analysis including 45,576 subjects. Summary-level data for NAFLD was obtained from a GWAS meta-analysis of 8,434 cases and 770,180 non-cases and another GWAS meta-analysis of 1,483 cases and 17,781 non-cases. Summary-level data for 4 enzymes including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT), was available from the UK Biobank. Inverse variance weighting (as main analysis), weighted median estimate, robust adjusted profile score, MR-Egger, and MR-PRESSO (sensitivity analyses) were performed to calculate causal estimates. Results: Genetically predicted higher vitamin B12 concentrations were consistently associated with an increased NAFLD in two sources. The combined odds ratio (OR) of NAFLD was 1.30 (95% confidence interval (CI), 1.13 to 1.48; p < 0.001) per SD-increase in vitamin B12 concentrations. Genetic liability to NAFLD was also positively associated with vitamin B12 concentrations (Beta 0.08, 95%CI, 0.01 to 0.16; p = 0.034). Sensitivity analyses also revealed consistent results. Genetically predicted vitamin B12 concentrations showed no significant association with liver enzymes. Conclusion: The present study indicates that increased serum vitamin B12 concentrations may play a role in NAFLD risk. NAFLD also has a causal impact on elevated vitamin B12 concentrations in the circulation. Notably, vitamin B12 concentrations imply the levels of vitamin B12 in the circulation, and higher intake of vitamin B12 may not directly lead to higher levels of serum vitamin B12, instead the higher levels of vitamin B12 in the circulation may be caused by the dysregulation of the metabolism of this vitamin in this study. There exist bidirectional causal effects between serum vitamin B12 concentrations and risk of NAFLD in European individuals.