Construction of a risk prediction model for lung infection after chemotherapy in lung cancer patients based on the machine learning algorithm.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to create and validate a machine learning (ML)-based model for predicting the likelihood of lung infections following chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 502 lung cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Data on age, Body Mass Index (BMI), underlying disease, chemotherapy cycle, number of hospitalizations, and various blood test results were collected from medical records. We used the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique (SMOTE) to handle unbalanced data. Feature screening was performed using the Boruta algorithm and The Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO). Subsequently, six ML algorithms, namely Logistic Regression (LR), Random Forest (RF), Gaussian Naive Bayes (GNB), Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) were employed to train and develop an ML model using a 10-fold cross-validation methodology. The model's performance was evaluated through various metrics, including the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, F1 score, calibration curve, decision curves, clinical impact curve, and confusion matrix. In addition, model interpretation was performed by the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) analysis to clarify the importance of each feature of the model and its decision basis. Finally, we constructed nomograms to make the predictive model results more readable. Results: The integration of Boruta and LASSO methodologies identified Gender, Smoke, Drink, Chemotherapy cycles, pleural effusion (PE), Neutrophil-lymphocyte count ratio (NLR), Neutrophil-monocyte count ratio (NMR), Lymphocytes (LYM) and Neutrophil (NEUT) as significant predictors. The LR model demonstrated superior performance compared to alternative ML algorithms, achieving an accuracy of 81.80%, a sensitivity of 81.1%, a specificity of 82.5%, an F1 score of 81.6%, and an AUC of 0.888(95%CI(0.863-0.911)). Furthermore, the SHAP method identified Chemotherapy cycles and Smoke as the primary decision factors influencing the ML model's predictions. Finally, this study successfully constructed interactive nomograms and dynamic nomograms. Conclusion: The ML algorithm, combining demographic and clinical factors, accurately predicted post-chemotherapy lung infections in cancer patients. The LR model performed well, potentially improving early detection and treatment in clinical practice.

Expression profile of circulating miRNAs in patients with atrial fibrillation-dominated cardioembolic stroke: A systematic review and bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Cardioembolic stroke is a type of ischemic stroke with high disability and mortality, a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. miRNAs have been explored as potential noninvasive biomarkers in atrial fibrillation and ischemic stroke, but their expression profile in cardioembolic stroke still needs to be explored. This study will explore the differences in miRNA expression between cardioembolic stroke patients and healthy people through meta-analysis and attempt to analyze the target genes by bioinformatics analysis. Methods: Literature databases and gene expression databases were searched from the inception date to June 2022. The study reported the circulating miRNA expression profiles in cardioembolic stroke patients and healthy controls. miRNAs with significantly differential expression and their target genes were analyzed. Results: Three articles and one gene expression dataset were included in the analysis. The results showed that miR-21-5p (SMD: 2.16; 95 % CI: 1.57, 2.75; p < 0.001), miR-943, miR-145-3p, and miR-3148 were upregulated in cardioembolic stroke patients compared with controls. The downregulated miRNAs included miR-3136-5p, miR-2277-5p, and miR-2277-3p. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of miR-21-5p for cardioembolic stroke was 0.975 (0.933-0.989). For the enrichment results, the target genes of upregulated miRNAs were enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway, Ras signaling pathway, etc. The target genes of downregulated miRNAs were also enriched in the Ras signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study suggested that circulating miR-21-5p is upregulated in cardioembolic stroke patients compared to healthy controls. The Ras signaling pathway plays an important role in pathogenesis according to enrichment analysis.

The predictive value of anterior segment optical coherence tomography for postoperative corneal edema in cataract patients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the predictive value of anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for postoperative corneal edema in cataract patients. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of 144 cataract patients from December 2020 to December 2021 was conducted. Patients were divided into edema eyes (84 cases) and observation (60 cases) group based on postoperative corneal edema occurrence. Relevant indicators were compared between groups. Logistic regression identified risk factors for postoperative corneal edema. Receiver operating characteristic curves evaluated the predictive value. RESULTS: The edema eyes group had significantly higher postoperative central corneal thickness (CCT) and lower postoperative endothelial cell density (ECD) than the observation group (P < 0.05). The edema eyes group also had significantly lower preoperative ECD, anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber angle (ACA), and preoperative lens position (LP) than the observation group (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative ECD, ACD, ACA, and LP were independent risk factors for postoperative corneal edema (P < 0.05), all of which also showed good predictive value for postoperative corneal edema, with areas under the curve (AUCs) of 0.854, 0.812, 0.791, and 0.778, respectively, under the ROC curve analysis. CONCLUSION: AS-OCT can provide useful information for predicting postoperative corneal edema in cataract patients. Preoperative ECD, preoperative ACD, preoperative ACA, and preoperative LP are important parameters that can be measured by AS-OCT and used as risk factors for postoperative corneal edema.

Magnetic resonance imaging combined with serum endolipin and galactagoglobin-3 to diagnose cerebral infarction in the elderly with diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with serum endothelin and galactagoglobin-3 (Gal-3) can improve the clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus complicated with cerebral infarction. AIM: To analyze the clinical value of MRI combined with serum endolipin and Gal-3 for the diagnosis of cerebral infarction in the elderly with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: One hundred and fifty patients with acute cerebral infarction hospitalized between January 2021 and December 2023 were divided into two groups according to comorbid diabetes mellitus, including 62 and 88 cases in the diabetic and nondiabetic cerebral infarction groups. Serum samples were collected to detect the expression of serum endolipoxins, and Gal-3, and cranial MRI was performed at admission. Differences between the two groups were compared to analyze the diagnostic value of these parameters. RESULTS: Serum endolipin and Gal-3 expression were higher in the diabetic cerebral infarction group (P < 0.05). The arterial wall area, vessel area, normalized wall index, and lumen stenosis rate were higher in the diabetic cerebral infarction group, while the rate of arterial lumen moderate and severe stenosis was 48.39% higher (36.36%, P < 0.05). The percentage of large (29.03%) and multiple infarcts (33.87%) in the diabetic cerebral infarction group was higher (13.64% and 20.45%), and the incidence rate of lacunar infarcts was lower (37.10% vs 65.91%) (P < 0.05). The total incidence of arterial plaque in patients in the diabetic cerebral infarction group was 96.77% higher (69.32%), while the incidence of necrotic lipid core plaque was 58.06% higher (26.14%) (P < 0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to assess the diagnosis utility of these techniques. MRI in combination with serum endoglin and Gal-3 had the highest area under the curve, the Yoden index, sensitivity and specificity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The expression of serum endolipin and Gal-3 in elderly patients with diabetes mellitus with cerebral infarction showed an elevated trend, and the degree of luminal stenosis was severe. MRI predominantly revealed large and multiple infarct foci. This combined index examination can improve the clinical diagnosis of diabetes mellitus combined with cerebral infarction.

Protective effect of dihydromyricetin on intestinal epithelium in weaned pigs upon enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli challenge.

Dihydromyricetin (DMY), a natural flavonoid compound, are believed to prevent inflammatory response, dealing with pathogens and repairing the intestinal barrier. The objective of this study was to investigate whether DMY supplementation could attenuate intestinal damage in the context of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (ETEC F4+) infection. After weaning, different litters of pigs were randomly assigned to one of the following treatments: (1) non-challenged control (CON, fed with basal diet); (2) ETEC-challenged control (ECON, fed with basal diet); and (3) ETEC challenge + DMY treatment (EDMY, fed with basal diet plus 300 mg kg-1 DMY). We observed a significant reduction in fecal Escherichia coli shedding and diarrhea incidence, but an increase in ADG in pigs of EDMY group compared to the pigs of ECON group. Relative to the pigs of ECON group, dietary DMY treatment decreased (P < 0.05) concentrations of the serum D-xylose, D-lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO), but increased the abundance of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) in the jejunum of pigs. In addition, DMY also decreased (P < 0.05) the number of S-phase cells and the percentage of total apoptotic epithelial cells of jejunal epithelium in pigs of the EDMY group compared to the pigs of the ECON group. Furthermore, DMY decreased the mRNA expression levels of critical immune-associated genes TLR4, NFκB, Caspase3, Caspase9, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and the protein p-NFκB and p-IκBα expressions of intestinal epithelium in pigs of the EDMY group compared to the pigs of the ECON group. Compared to the ECON group, DMY elevated (P < 0.05) the expression levels of ß-defensins PBD1, PBD2, PBD3, PBD129, as well as the abundance of secreted IgA in intestinal mucosae of the EDMY group. Thus, our results indicate that DMY may relieve intestinal integrity damage due to Escherichia coli F4.

Optimization of saponin extraction from the leaves of Panax notoginseng and Panax quinquefolium and evaluation of their antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities.

Panax notoginseng and Panax quinquefolium are important economic plants that utilize dried roots for medicinal and food dual purposes; there is still insufficient research of their stems and leaves, which also contain triterpenoid saponins. The extraction process was developed with a total saponin content of 12.30 ± 0.34% and 12.19 ± 0.64% for P. notoginseng leaves (PNL) and P. quinquefolium leaves (PQL) extracts, respectively. PNL and PQL saponin extracts showed good antioxidant, antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and RAW264.7 cells. A total of 699 metabolites were identified in PNL and PQL saponin extracts, with the majority being triterpenoid saponins, flavonoids and amino acids. Fourteen ginsenosides, 18 flavonoids or alkaloids, and 16 amino acids were enriched in both saponin extracts. Overall, the utilization of saponins from medicinal plants PNL and PQL has been developed to facilitate systematic research in the functional food and natural product industries.

Paeoniflorin suppresses ferroptosis after traumatic brain injury by antagonizing P53 acetylation.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) could induce multiple forms of cell death, ferroptosis, a novel form of cell death distinct from apoptosis and autophagy, plays an important role in disease progression in TBI. Therapies targeting ferroptosis are beneficial for recovery from TBI. Paeoniflorin (Pae) is a water-soluble monoterpene glycoside and the active ingredient of Paeonia lactiflora pall. It has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. However The effects and mechanisms of paeoniflorin on secondary injury after TBI are unknown. PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanism by which Pae regulates ferroptosis after TBI. METHODS: The TBI mouse model and cortical primary neurons were utilized to study the protective effect of paeoniflorin on the brain tissue after TBI. The neuronal cell ferroptosis model was established by treating cortical primary neurons with erastin. Liproxstatin-1(Lip-1) was used as a positive control drug. Immunofluorescence staining, Nissl staining, biochemical analyses, pharmacological analyses, and western blot were used to evaluate the effects of paeoniflorin on TBI. RESULTS: Pae significantly ameliorated neuronal damage after TBI, inhibited mitochondrial damage, increased glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) activity, decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) production, restored neurological function and inhibited cerebral edema. Pae promotes the degradation of P53 in the form of proteasome, promotes its ubiquitination, and reduces the stability of P53 by inhibiting its acetylation, thus alleviating the P53-mediated inhibition of cystine/glutamate antiporter solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) by P53. CONCLUSION: Pae inhibits ferroptosis by promoting P53 ubiquitination out of the nucleus, inhibiting P53 acetylation, and modulating the SLC7A11-GPX4 pathway.

Polyphenol-Reinforced Glycocalyx-Like Hydrogel Coating Induced Myocardial Regeneration and Immunomodulation.

Although minimally invasive interventional occluders can effectively seal heart defect tissue, they still have some limitations, including poor endothelial healing, intense inflammatory response, and thrombosis formation. Herein, a polyphenol-reinforced medicine/peptide glycocalyx-like coating was prepared on cardiac occluders. A coating consisting of carboxylated chitosan, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), tanshinone IIA sulfonic sodium (TSS), and hyaluronic acid grafted with 3-aminophenylboronic acid was prepared. Subsequently, the mercaptopropionic acid-GGGGG-Arg-Glu-Asp-Val peptide was grafted by the thiol-ene "click" reaction. The coating showed good hydrophilicity and free radical-scavenging ability and could release EGCG-TSS. The results of biological experiments suggested that the coating could reduce thrombosis by promoting endothelialization, and promote myocardial repair by regulating the inflammatory response. The functions of regulating cardiomyocyte apoptosis and metabolism were confirmed, and the inflammatory regulatory functions of the coating were mainly dependent on the NF-kappa B and TNF signaling pathway.

A real-world study on the treatment of extremely preterm infants: a multi-center study in southwest area of Fujian Province in China.

BACKGROUND: Due to regional and cultural differences, the current status of extremely preterm infants(EPIs) treatment across different areas of mainland China remains unclear. This study investigated the survival rate and incidence of major diseases among EPIs in the southwest area of Fujian province. METHOD: This retrospective and multicenter study collected perinatal data from EPIs with gestational ages between 22-27+ 6w and born in the southwest area of Fujian province. The study population was divided into 6 groups based on gestational age at delivery. The primary outcome was the survival status at ordered hospital discharge or correct gestational age of 40 weeks, and the secondary outcome was the incidence of major diseases. The study analyzed the actual survival status of EPIs in the area. RESULT: A total of 2004 preterm infants with gestational ages of 22-27+ 6 weeks were enrolled in this study. Among them, 1535 cases (76.6%) were born in the delivery room but did not survive, 469 cases (23.4%) were transferred to the neonatal department for treatment, 101 cases (5.0%) received partial treatment, and 368 cases (18.4%) received complete treatment. The overall all-cause mortality rate was 84.4% (1691/2004). The survival rate and survival rate without major serious disease for EPIs who received complete treatment were 85.1% (313/368) and 31.5% (116/318), respectively. The survival rates for gestational ages 22-22+ 6w, 23-23+ 6w, 24-24+ 6w, 25-25+ 6w, 26-26+ 6w, and 27-27+ 6w were 0%, 0%, 59.1% (13/22), 83% (39/47), 88.8% (87/98), and 89.7% (174/198), respectively. The survival rates without major serious disease were 0%, 0%, 9.1% (2/22), 19.1% (9/47), 27.6% (27/98), and 40.2% (78/194), respectively. CONCLUSION: The all-cause mortality of EPIs in the southwest area of Fujian Province remains high, with a significant number of infants were given up after birth in the delivery room being the main influencing factor. The survival rate of EPIs who received complete treatment at 25-27 weeks in the NICU was similar to that in developed countries. However, the survival rate without major serious disease was significantly lower compared to high-income countries.

[Retracted] MicroRNA­9 inhibits gastric cancer cell proliferation and migration by targeting neuropilin­1.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.7841.].

Dihydromyricetin improves growth performance, immunity, and intestinal functions in weaned pigs challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

Enteric infection is a major cause of enteric disorder in neonatal pigs during the weaning transition. Dihydromyricetin (DMY) is a natural flavanonol compound extracted from Ampelopsis grossedentata with numerous biological activities such as antioxidative and immunomodulatory functions. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary dihydromyricetin supplementation on growth performance, immunity, and intestinal functions in weaned pigs challenged by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). In total, 24 weaned DLY (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) pigs were allotted to 3 treatments. Pigs fed with basal diet or basal diet containing 300 mg/kg DMY were orally infused with sterilized culture or ETEC (2.5 × 1011 colony-forming units). Dietary DMY supplementation significantly elevated the final weight and average daily gain (ADG) but reduced diarrhea incidence in the weaned pigs of the EDMY group compared to the pigs of the ECON group (p < 0.05). Compared to the ECON group, DMY also improved the digestibility of dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), gross energy (GE), and ash of the EDMY group (p < 0.05). Moreover, DMY not only significantly decreased the ratio of albumin/globulin but also elevated serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (e.g., IgA and IgG) in the weaned pigs of the EDMY group compared to the pigs of the ECON group (p < 0.05). Interestingly, the villus height, the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (V:C), and the activities of mucosal alkaline phosphatase, sucrase, and maltase in the duodenum and jejunum of the EDMY group were higher than those in the ECON group (p < 0.05). Importantly, DMY significantly elevated the expression levels of jejunal zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), claudin-1, cationic amino acid transporter-1 (CAT-1), and fatty acid transport protein-1 (FATP-1) in the weaned pigs of the EDMY group compared to the pigs of the ECON group (p < 0.05). Additionally, compared to the ECON group, DMY increased the concentrations of microbial SCFA metabolites (e.g., acetic acid and propanoic acid), but reduced the abundance of Escherichia coli in the cecum of the EDMY group (p < 0.05). Dietary DMY supplementation can attenuate the ETEC-induced growth retardation and intestinal injury, which was attributed to the amelioration of intestinal nutrient digestion and transport functions as well as the improved microbiota.

One stone two birds - Submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection for a large esophageal submucosal mass and esophageal diverticulum.

A-35-year-old woman presented our hospital with half a year's history of solid food dysphagia. An upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a large submucosal mass in an esophageal diverticulum near the gastroesophageal junction. Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) confirmed a hypoechoic lesion arising from the muscularis propria layer with the size of 25*14 mm. Therefore, submucosal tunneling endoscopic resection (STER) was proposed to remove the large submucosal lesion in addition to targeted septotomy of the esophageal diverticula. A 2-cm longitudinal mucosal access was made at 3 cm above the submucosal lesion, and a submucosal longitudinal tunnel was created until the submucosal lesion revealed using a DualKnife (Olympus, Japan). Meticulous resection was performed with the DualKnife, and the lateral border of the lesion was dissected from muscularis propria layer. It was completely removed the lesion with en bolc resection, and dissected the septum of the diverticulum using the DualKnife. The tunnel access was closed with several hemoclips. Finally, it has been demonstrated to achieve a perfect outcome for the patient. The patient was discharged three days later with symptom resolved on follow-up and to date.

Potential Risk of Caffeoylquinic Acids, the Main Polyphenol Components in Coffee, on the Health of Piglets.

As the main coffee polyphenols, caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs) are abundant in coffee-derived products and have the potential to act as novel feed additives for animals. However, research on the side effects of dietary CQAs supplementation is scarce, especially in young animals. Here, we explore the safety of CQAs derived from green coffee beans. Results showed that ingesting 50, 125, 250, and 500 mg/kg of dietary CQAs for 55 days is associated with greater final body weight, average daily gain, and feed efficiency in piglets compared with the control group (P < 0.05). CQAs also increased the apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, and gross energy at a dose over 50 mg/kg (P < 0.05). Interestingly, CQAs supplementation with 500 mg/kg increased the white blood cell count (P < 0.05). Moreover, CQAs supplementation at a dose over 50 mg/kg decreased the serum total cholesterol concentration but increased the immunoglobulin M level in serum (P < 0.05). Importantly, CQAs supplementation had no side effects on organ histopathology and organ weight (P > 0.05). These results suggest that CQAs could serve as a secure and effective additive to improve growth performance without negatively affecting the organs of piglets.

Applying mixed-integer linear programming to the non-coplanar beam angle optimization of intensity-modulated radiotherapy for liver cancer.

Background: Currently, intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is commonly used in radiotherapy clinics. However, designing a treatment plan with multiple beam angles depends on the experience of human planners, and is mostly achieved using a trial-and-error approach. It is preferrable but challenging to solve this issue automatically and mathematically using an optimization approach. The goal of this study is to develop a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) approach for the beam angle optimization (BAO) of non-coplanar IMRT for liver cancer. Methods: MILP models for the BAO of both coplanar and non-coplanar IMRT treatment plans were developed. The beam angles of the IMRT plans were first selected by the MILP model built using mathematical optimization software. Next, the IMRT plans with the selected beam angles was created in a commercial treatment planning system. Finally, the fluence map and dose distribution of the IMRT plans were generated under pre-defined dose-volume constraints. The IMRT plans of 10 liver cancer patients previously treated at our institute were used to assessed the proposed MILP models. For each patient, both coplanar and non-coplanar IMRT plans with beam angles optimized by the MILP models were compared with the IMRT plan clinically approved by physicians. Results: The MILP model-guided IMRT plans showed reduced doses for most of the organs at risk (OARs). Compared with the IMRT plans clinically approved by physicians, the doses for the spinal cord (28.5 vs. 36.1, P=0.001<0.05) and liver (27.6 vs. 29.1, P=0.005<0.05) decreased significantly in the IMRT plans with non-coplanar beams selected by the MILP models. Conclusions: The MILP model is an effective tool for the BAO in coplanar and non-coplanar IMRT treatment planning. It facilitates the automation of IMRT treatment planning for current high-precision radiotherapy.

Association between frozen embryo transfer and childhood allergy: a retrospective cohort study.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Does frozen embryo transfer (FET) increase the risk of allergic diseases in offspring? DESIGN: This study followed up 653 singleton children: 166 born through FET and 487 born through natural conception. Demographic characteristics, perinatal information and allergic diseases of children and their parents were collected through clinical medical systems and questionnaires. Among these 653 children, allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing was performed using peripheral blood samples collected from 207 children: 145 in the FET group and 62 in the natural conception group. The prevalence of allergic diseases and positive rates of allergen-specific IgE testing were compared between the two groups with adjustments for confounding factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of food allergy was significantly higher in children born through FET compared with children born through natural conception (adjusted OR = 3.154, 95% CI 1.895-5.250; P < 0.001). In addition, positive rates of food allergen sensitization were higher in children in the FET group compared with children in the natural conception group (adjusted OR = 5.769, 95% CI 2.859-11.751, P < 0.001). Children in the FET group had a higher positive sensitization rate to at least one allergen compared with children in the natural conception group (adjusted OR = 3.127, 95% CI 1.640-5.961, P < 0.001). No association was observed between FET and other allergic diseases, including asthma (P = 0.136), atopic dermatitis (P = 0.130) and allergic rhinitis (P = 0.922). Allergen sensitization IgE testing indicated no differences between the two groups in terms of positive sensitization rates of other common allergens, including animal and insect allergens (P = 0.627), inhaled outdoor allergens (P = 0.915) and inhaled outdoor allergens (P = 0.544). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that children born through FET have increased risk of developing food allergy in early childhood.

Concordance of phenotypic characteristics among patients with familial Crohn's disease in China.

OBJECTIVES: Familial Crohn's disease (CD) accounts for approximately 1.5%-22.5% of all CD cases worldwide. We aimed to assess the concordance in disease subtype and phenotypic features among patients with CD and their relatives based on data from a large, well-characterized, referral center-based cohort in China. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on patients with familial CD who were admitted to the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2012 and June 2022. We analyzed the disease characteristics and performed a concordance analysis within the same family among patients with familial CD. RESULTS: Among 5150 patients, 70 (1.4%) had a family history of Crohn's disease. The median age of the patients at initial diagnosis did not differ significantly between the probands and successors of family members with CD (p = 0.25). At the initial diagnosis, 54 first-degree relatives showed moderate concordance in age (κ = 0.50) and disease location (κ = 0.44). At the last follow-up visit, all family members and first-degree relatives showed good concordance in upper gastrointestinal involvement (κ = 0.67 and 0.62) and stricturing or penetrating behavior (κ = 0.69 and 0.77), respectively. Patients with familial CD within the same family showed moderate agreement regarding anti-tumor necrosis factor α monoclonal antibody use and treatment efficacy (κ = 0.44 and 0.42) and mild agreement regarding the efficacy and adverse reactions of thiopurine (κ = 0.26 and 0.35). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of patients with familial CD in China may be relatively low. The consistency of certain disease features in familial CD may be associated with the degree of kinship and convergence with longer follow-up duration.

Synergy Between Dynamic Behavior of Hydrogen Defects and Non-Radiative Recombination in Metal-Halide Perovskites.

In organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs), hydrogen defects introduce deep-level trap states, significantly influencing non-radiative recombination processes. Those defects are primarily observed in MA-PSCs rather than FA-PSCs. As a result, MA-PSCs demonstrated a lower efficiency of 23.6% compared to 26.1% of FA-PSCs. In this work, both hydrogen vacancy (VH -) and hydrogen interstitial (Hi -) defects in MAPbI3 bulk and on surfaces, respectively are investigated. i) Bulk VH - defects have dramatic impact on non-radiative recombination, with lifetime varying from 67 to 8 ns, depending on whether deprotonated MA0 are ion-bonded or not. ii) Surface H-defects exhibited an inherent self-healing mechanism through a chemical bond between MA0 and Pb2+, indicating a self-passivation effect. iii) Both VH - and Hi - defects can be mitigated by alkali cation passivation; while large cations are preferable for VH - passivation, given strong binding energy of cation/perovskite, as well as, weak band edge non-adiabatic couplings; and small cations are suited for Hi - passivation, considering the steric hindrance effect. The dual passivation strategy addressed diverse experimental outcomes, particularly in enhancing performance associated with cation selections. The dynamic connection between hydrogen defects and non-radiative recombination is elucidated, providing insights into hydrogen defect passivation essential for high-performance PSCs fabrication.

Solvent-dependent chemoselective synthesis of different isoquinolinones mediated by the hypervalent iodine(III) reagent PISA.

Isoquinolinone is an important heterocyclic framework in natural products and biologically active molecules, and the efficient synthesis of this structural motif has received much attention in recent years. Herein, we report a (phenyliodonio)sulfamate (PISA)-mediated, solvent-dependent synthesis of different isoquinolinone derivatives. The method provides highly chemoselective access to 3- or 4-substituted isoquinolinone derivatives by reacting o-alkenylbenzamide derivatives with PISA in either acetonitrile or wet hexafluoro-2-isopropanol.

Macrogenomes reveal microbial-mediated microplastic degradation pathways in the porcine gut: a hope for solving the environmental challenges of microplastics.

It is increasingly recognized that microplastics (MPs) are being transmitted through the food chain system, but little is known about the microorganisms involved in MP degradation, functional biodegradation genes, and metabolic pathways of degradation in the intestinal tract of foodborne animals. In this study, we explored the potential flora mainly involved in MP degradation in the intestinal tracts of Taoyuan, Duroc, and Xiangcun pigs by macrogenomics, screened relevant MP degradation genes, and identified key enzymes and their mechanisms. The pig colon was enriched with abundant MP degradation-related genes, and gut microorganisms were their main hosts. The fiber diet did not significantly affect the abundance of MP degradation-related genes but significantly reduced their diversity. We identified a total of 94 functional genes for MP degradation and classified them into 27 categories by substrate type, with polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were the most predominant degradation types. The MP degradation functional genes were widely distributed in a variety of bacteria, mainly in the phylum Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Based on the identified functional genes for MP degradation, we proposed a hypothetical degradation mechanism for the three major MP pollutants, namely, PS, PET, and DEHP, which mainly consist of oxidoreductase, hydrolase, transferase, ligase, laccase, and isomerase. The degradation process involves the breakdown of long polymer chains, the oxidation of short-chain oligomers, the conversion of catechols, and the achievement of complete mineralization. Our findings provide insights into the function of MP degradation genes and their host microorganisms in the porcine colon.