In situ Raman reveals the critical role of Pd in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to CH4 on Cu-based catalysts.

Electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) for CH4 production presents a promising strategy to address carbon neutrality, and the incorporation of a second metal has been proven effective in enhancing catalyst performance. Nevertheless, there remains limited comprehension regarding the fundamental factors responsible for the improved performance. Herein, the critical role of Pd in electrocatalytic CO2 reduction to CH4 on Cu-based catalysts has been revealed at a molecular level using in situ surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). A "borrowing" SERS strategy has been developed by depositing Cu-Pd overlayers on plasmonic Au nanoparticles to achieve the in situ monitoring of the dynamic change of the intermediate during CO2RR. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that Pd incorporation significantly enhances selectivity toward CH4 production, and the Faradaic efficiency (FE) of CH4 is more than two times higher than that for the catalysts without Pd. The key intermediates, including *CO2-, *CO, and *OH, have been directly identified under CO2RR conditions, and their evolution with the electrochemical environments has been determined. It is found that Pd incorporation promotes the activation of both CO2 and H2O molecules and accelerates the formation of abundant active *CO and hydrogen species, thus enhancing the CH4 selectivity. This work offers fundamental insights into the understanding of the molecular mechanism of CO2RR and opens up possibilities for designing more efficient electrocatalysts.

Effect of mineralized dentin matrix on the prognosis of bone defect and retained root after coronectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of mineralized dentin matrix (MDM) on the prognosis on bone regeneration and migration of retained roots after coronectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were divided into three groups based on the type of bone graft after coronectomy: Group C (n = 20, collagen), Group T (n = 20, tricalcium phosphate (TCP) + collagen), and Group D (n = 20, MDM + collagen). CBCT scans, conducted immediately and 6 months after surgery, were analyzed using digital software. Primary outcomes, including changes in bone defect depth and retained root migration distance, were evaluated 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: After 6 months, both Groups D and T exhibited greater reduction of the bone defect and lesser retained root migration than Group C (p < 0.001). Group D had greater regenerated bone volume in the distal 2 mm (73 mm3 vs. 57 mm3, p = 0.011) and lesser root migration (2.18 mm vs. 2.96 mm, p < 0.001) than Group T. The proportion of completely bone embedded retained roots was also greater in Group D than in Group C (70.0% vs. 42.1%, p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: MDM is an appropriate graft material for improving bone defect healing and reducing retained root migration after coronectomy. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MDM is an autogenous material prepared chairside, which can significantly improve bone healing and reduce the risk of retained root re-eruption. MDM holds promise as a routine bone substitute material after M3M coronectomy.

Targeting transposable elements in cancer: developments and opportunities.

Transposable elements (TEs), comprising nearly 50% of the human genome, have transitioned from being perceived as "genomic junk" to key players in cancer progression. Contemporary research links TE regulatory disruptions with cancer development, underscoring their therapeutic potential. Advances in long-read sequencing, computational analytics, single-cell sequencing, proteomics, and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies have enriched our understanding of TEs' clinical implications, notably their impact on genome architecture, gene regulation, and evolutionary processes. In cancer, TEs, including long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1), Alus, and long terminal repeat (LTR) elements, demonstrate altered patterns, influencing both tumorigenic and tumor-suppressive mechanisms. TE-derived nucleic acids and tumor antigens play critical roles in tumor immunity, bridging innate and adaptive responses. Given their central role in oncology, TE-targeted therapies, particularly through reverse transcriptase inhibitors and epigenetic modulators, represent a novel avenue in cancer treatment. Combining these TE-focused strategies with existing chemotherapy or immunotherapy regimens could enhance efficacy and offer a new dimension in cancer treatment. This review delves into recent TE detection advancements, explores their multifaceted roles in tumorigenesis and immune regulation, discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic approaches centered on TEs, and anticipates future directions in cancer research.

The interfacial synergy of hierarchical FeCoNiP@FeNi-LDH heterojunction for efficient alkaline water splitting.

In response to the growing demand for clean, green, and sustainable energy sources, the development of cost-effective and durable high-activity overall water splitting electrocatalysts is urgently needed. In this study, the heterogeneous structure formed by the combination of FeCoNiP and FeNi-LDH was homogeneously dispersed onto CuO nanowires generated by in-situ oxidation of copper foam as a substrate using an electrodeposition method. This multilevel structure exhibits excellent bifunctional properties as an electrode material in alkaline solutions, for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) only 206 mV and 147 mV overpotentials are needed to achieve a current density of 100 mA cm-2 respectively. Full water electrolysis is thus enabled to take place at such a low cell voltage as 1.64 V to reach the current density of 100 mA cm-2, which exhibits a long-term stability of 30 h. These improved electrocatalytic performances stem from the construction of multilevel structures. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy suggests that strong electron transfer occurs between heterogeneous structures, thus facilitating the OER and HER process. The dispersion of CuO nanowires not only increases the electrochemically active surface areas but also improves the overall hydrophilic and aerophobic properties. This work highlights the positive effect of multilevel structure in the design of more efficient electrocatalysts and provides a reference for the preparation of other low-cost, high-activity bifunctional electrocatalysts.

Association of Cytokines with Clinical Indicators in Patients with Drug-Induced Liver Injury.

Objective: To explore characteristics of clinical parameters and cytokines in patients with drug-induced liver injury (DILI) caused by different drugs and their correlation with clinical indicators. Method: The study was conducted on patients who were up to Review of Uncertainties in Confidence Assessment for Medical Tests (RUCAM) scoring criteria and clinically diagnosed with DILI. Based on Chinese herbal medicine, cardiovascular drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-infective drugs, and other drugs, patients were divided into five groups. Cytokines were measured by Luminex technology. Baseline characteristics of clinical biochemical indicators and cytokines in DILI patients and their correlation were analyzed. Results: 73 patients were enrolled. Age among five groups was statistically different ( P = 0.032). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ( P = 0.033) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) ( P = 0.007) in NSAIDs group were higher than those in chinese herbal medicine group. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in patients with Chinese herbal medicine (IL-6: P < 0.001; TNF-α: P < 0.001) and cardiovascular medicine (IL-6: P = 0.020; TNF-α: P = 0.001) were lower than those in NSAIDs group. There was a positive correlation between ALT ( r = 0.697, P = 0.025), AST ( r = 0.721, P = 0.019), and IL-6 in NSAIDs group. Conclusion: Older age may be more prone to DILI. Patients with NSAIDs have more severe liver damage in early stages of DILI, TNF-α and IL-6 may partake the inflammatory process of DILI.

Which factors are associated with adverse prognosis in multiple myeloma patients after surgery? - preliminary establishment and validation of the nomogram.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the prognosis of patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) after surgery, analyze the risk factors leading to adverse postoperative outcomes, and establish a nomogram. METHODS: Clinical data from 154 patients with MM who underwent surgery at our institution between 2007 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Assessing and comparing patients' pain levels, quality of life, and functional status before and after surgery (P < 0.05) were considered statistically significant. The Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to estimate the median survival time. Adverse postoperative outcomes were defined as worsened symptoms, lesion recurrence, complication grade ≥ 2, or a postoperative survival period < 1 year. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the prognostic factors. Based on the logistic regression results, a nomogram predictive model was developed and calibrated. RESULTS: Postoperative pain was significantly alleviated in patients with MM, and there were significant improvements in the quality of life and functional status (P < 0.05). The median postoperative survival was 41 months. Forty-nine patients (31.8%) experienced adverse postoperative outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified patient age, duration of MM, International Staging System, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status, and Hb < 90 g/L as independent factors influencing patient prognosis. Based on these results, a nomogram was constructed, with a C-index of 0.812. The calibration curve demonstrated similarity between the predicted and actual survival curves. Decision curve analysis favored the predictive value of the model at high-risk thresholds from 10% to-69%. CONCLUSION: This study developed a nomogram risk prediction model to assist in providing quantifiable assessment indicators for preoperative evaluation of surgical risk.

Puerarin Modulates Hepatic Farnesoid X Receptor and Gut Microbiota in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Obesity is associated with alterations in lipid metabolism and gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study investigated the effects of puerarin, a bioactive isoflavone, on lipid metabolism disorders and gut microbiota in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. Supplementation with puerarin reduced plasma alanine aminotransferase, liver triglyceride, liver free fatty acid (FFA), and improved gut microbiota dysbiosis in obese mice. Puerarin's beneficial metabolic effects were attenuated when farnesoid X receptor (FXR) was antagonized, suggesting FXR-mediated mechanisms. In hepatocytes, puerarin ameliorated high FFA-induced sterol regulatory element-binding protein (SREBP) 1 signaling, inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction in an FXR-dependent manner. In obese mice, puerarin reduced liver damage, regulated hepatic lipogenesis, decreased inflammation, improved mitochondrial function, and modulated mitophagy and ubiquitin-proteasome pathways, but was less effective in FXR knockout mice. Puerarin upregulated hepatic expression of FXR, bile salt export pump (BSEP), and downregulated cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1) and sodium taurocholate transporter (NTCP), indicating modulation of bile acid synthesis and transport. Puerarin also restored gut microbial diversity, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, and the abundance of Clostridium celatum and Akkermansia muciniphila. This study demonstrates that puerarin effectively ameliorates metabolic disturbances and gut microbiota dysbiosis in obese mice, predominantly through FXR-dependent pathways. These findings underscore puerarin's potential as a therapeutic agent for managing obesity and enhancing gut health, highlighting its dual role in improving metabolic functions and modulating microbial communities.

Boosting thermal energy transport across the interface between phase change materials and metals via self-assembled monolayers.

Thermal energy storage using phase change materials (PCMs) has great potential to reduce the weather dependency of sustainable energy sources. However, the low thermal conductivity of most PCMs is a long-standing bottleneck for large-scale practical applications. In modifications to increase the thermal conductivity of PCMs, the interfacial thermal resistance (ITR) between PCMs and discrete additives or porous networks reduces the effective thermal energy transport. In this work, we investigated the ITR between a metal (gold) and a polyol solid-liquid PCM (erythritol) at various temperatures including temperatures below the melting point (300 and 350 K), near the melting point (390, 400, 410 K, etc) and above the melting point (450 and 500 K) adopting non-equilibrium molecular dynamics. Since the gold-erythritol interfacial thermal conductance (ITC) is low regardless of whether erythritol is melted or not (<40 MW m-2K-1), self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) were used to boost the interfacial thermal energy transport. The SAM with carboxyl groups was found to increase the ITC most (by a factor of 7-9). As the temperature increases, the ITC significantly increases (by ∼50 MW m-2K-1) below the melting point but decreases little above the melting point. Further analysis revealed that the most obvious influencing factor is the interfacial binding energy. This work could build on existing composite PCM solutions to further improve heat transfer efficiency of energy storage applications in both liquid and solid states.

Toward Designing Reactive Metal Clusters for Dinitrogen Activation: A Guideline Based on N2 Initial Adsorption.

Gas-phase metal clusters are ideal models to explore transition-metal-mediated N2 activation mechanism. However, the effective design and search of reactive clusters in N2 activation are currently hindered by the lack of clear guidelines. Inspired by the Sabatier principle, we discovered in this work that N2 initial adsorption energy (ΔEads) is an important parameter to control the N2 activation reactivity of metal clusters in the gas phase. This mechanistic insight obtained from high-level calculations rationalizes the N2 activation reactivity of many previously reported metal clusters when combined with the known factor determining the N≡N cleavage process. Furthermore, based on this guideline of ΔEads, we successfully designed several new reactive clusters for cleaving N≡N triple bond under mild conditions, including FeV2S2-, TaV2C2-, and TaV2C3-, the high N2 activation reactivity of which has been fully corroborated in our gas phase experiments employing mass spectrometry with collision-induced dissociation. The importance of ΔEads revealed in this work not only reshapes our understanding of N2 activation reactions in the gas phase but also could have implication for other N2 activation processes in the condensed phase. The more general establishment of this new perspective on N2 activation reactivity warrants future experimental and computational studies.

Enantioselective remote methylene C-H (hetero)arylation of cycloalkane carboxylic acids.

Stereoselective construction of γ- and δ-stereocenters in carbonyl compounds is a pivotal objective in asymmetric synthesis. Here, we report chiral bifunctional oxazoline-pyridone ligands that enable enantioselective palladium-catalyzed remote γ-C-H (hetero)arylations of free cycloalkane carboxylic acids, which are essential carbocyclic building blocks in organic synthesis. The reaction establishes γ-tertiary and α-quaternary stereocenters simultaneously in up to >99% enantiomeric excess, providing access to a wide range of cyclic chiral synthons and bioactive molecules. The sequential enantioselective editing of two methylene C-H bonds can be achieved by using chiral ligands with opposite configuration to construct carbocycles containing three chiral centers. Enantioselective remote δ-C-H (hetero)arylation is also realized to establish δ-stereocenters that are particularly challenging to access using classical methodologies.

MDM2 accelerated renal senescence via ubiquitination and degradation of HDAC1.

Senescence, an intricate and inevitable biological process, characterized by the gradual loss of homeostasis and declining organ functions. The pathological features of cellular senescence, including cell cycle arrest, metabolic disruptions, and the emergence of senescence-associated secretory phenotypes (SASP), collectively contribute to the intricate and multifaceted nature of senescence. Beyond its classical interaction with p53, murine double minute gene 2 (MDM2), traditionally known as an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in protein degradation, plays a pivotal role in cellular processes governing senescence. Histone deacetylase (HDAC), a class of histone deacetylases mainly expressed in the nucleus, has emerged as a critical contributor to renal tissues senescence. In this study we investigated the interplay between MDM2 and HDAC1 in renal senescence. We established a natural aging model in mice over a 2-year period that was verified by SA-ß-GAL staining and increased expression of senescence-associated markers such as p21, p16, and TNF-α in the kidneys. Furthermore, we showed that the expression of MDM2 was markedly increased, while HDAC1 expression underwent downregulation during renal senescence. This phenomenon was confirmed in H2O2-stimulated HK2 cells in vitro. Knockout of renal tubular MDM2 alleviated renal senescence in aged mice and in H2O2-stimulated HK2 cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that MDM2 promoted renal senescence by orchestrating the ubiquitination and subsequent degradation of HDAC1. These mechanisms synergistically accelerate the aging process in renal tissues, highlighting the intricate interplay between MDM2 and HDAC1, underpinning the age-related organ function decline.

Ganoderic acid A ameliorates depressive-like behaviors in CSDS mice: Insights from proteomic profiling and molecular mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: Ganoderic Acid A (GAA), a primary bioactive component in Ganoderma, has demonstrated ameliorative effects on depressive-like behaviors in a Chronic Social Defeat Stress (CSDS) mouse model. This study aims to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms through proteomic analysis. METHODS: C57BL/6 J mice were allocated into control (CON), chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), GAA, and imipramine (IMI) groups. Post-depression induction via CSDS, the GAA and IMI groups received respective treatments of GAA (2.5 mg/kg) and imipramine (10 mg/kg) for five days. Behavioral assessments utilized standardized tests. Proteins from the prefrontal cortex were analyzed using LC-MS, with further examination via bioinformatics and PRM for differential expression. Western blot analysis confirmed protein expression levels. RESULTS: Chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) induced depressive-like behaviors in mice, which were significantly alleviated by GAA treatment, comparably to imipramine (IMI). Proteomic analysis identified distinct proteins in control (305), GAA-treated (949), and IMI-treated (289) groups. Enrichment in mitochondrial and synaptic proteins was evident from GO and PPI analyses. PRM analysis revealed significant expression changes in proteins crucial for mitochondrial and synaptic functions (namely, Naa30, Bnip1, Tubgcp4, Atxn3, Carmil1, Nup37, Apoh, Mrpl42, Tprkb, Acbd5, Dcx, Erbb4, Ppp1r2, Fam3c, Rnf112, and Cep41). Western blot validation in the prefrontal cortex showed increased levels of Mrpl42, Dcx, Fam3c, Ppp1r2, Rnf112, and Naa30 following GAA treatment. CONCLUSION: GAA exhibits potential antidepressant properties, with its action potentially tied to the modulation of synaptic functions and mitochondrial activities.

The beneficial effects of neutrophil elastase inhibitor on gastrointestinal dysfunction in sepsis.

To investigate the effects of neutrophil elastase inhibitor (sivelestat sodium) on gastrointestinal function in sepsis. A reanalysis of the data from previous clinical trials conducted at our center was performed. Septic patients were divided into either the sivelestat group or the non-sivelestat group. The gastrointestinal dysfunction score (GIDS), feeding intolerance (FI) incidence, serum levels of intestinal barrier function and inflammatory biomarkers were recorded. The clinical severity and outcome variables were also documented. A total of 163 septic patients were included. The proportion of patients with GIDS ≥2 in the sivelestat group was reduced relative to that in the non-sivelestat group (9.6% vs. 22.5%, p = 0.047) on the 7th day of intensive care unit (ICU) admission. The FI incidence was also remarkably reduced in the sivelestat group in contrast to that in the non-sivelestat group (21.2% vs. 37.8%, p = 0.034). Furthermore, the sivelestat group had fewer days of FI [4 (3, 4) vs. 5 (4-6), p = 0.008]. The serum levels of d-lactate (p = 0.033), intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (p = 0.005), interleukin-6 (p = 0.001), white blood cells (p = 0.007), C-reactive protein (p = 0.001), and procalcitonin (p < 0.001) of the sivelestat group were lower than those of the non-sivelestat group. The sivelestat group also demonstrated longer ICU-free days [18 (0-22) vs. 13 (0-17), p = 0.004] and ventilator-free days [22 (1-24) vs. 16 (1-19), p = 0.002] compared with the non-sivelestat group. In conclusion, sivelestat sodium administration appears to improve gastrointestinal dysfunction, mitigate dysregulated inflammation, and reduce disease severity in septic patients.

Efficacy and safety of perioperative therapy for locally resectable gastric cancer: A network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

BACKGROUND: Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most commonly diagnosed malignancy worldwide, with over 1 million new cases per year, and the third leading cause of cancer-related death. AIM: To determine the optimal perioperative treatment regimen for patients with locally resectable GC. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted, focusing on phase II/III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing perioperative chemotherapy and chemoradiotherapy in treating locally resectable GC. The R0 resection rate, overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), and incidence of grade 3 or higher nonsurgical severe adverse events (SAEs) associated with various perioperative regimens were analyzed. A Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to compare treatment regimens and rank their efficacy. RESULTS: Thirty RCTs involving 8346 patients were included in this study. Neoadjuvant XELOX plus neoadjuvant radiotherapy and neoadjuvant CF were found to significantly improve the R0 resection rate compared with surgery alone, and the former had the highest probability of being the most effective option in this context. Neoadjuvant plus adjuvant FLOT was associated with the highest probability of being the best regimen for improving OS. Owing to limited data, no definitive ranking could be determined for DFS. Considering nonsurgical SAEs, FLO has emerged as the safest treatment regimen. CONCLUSION: This study provides valuable insights for clinicians when selecting perioperative treatment regimens for patients with locally resectable GC. Further studies are required to validate these findings.

Series of Viologen-Based Metal-Organic Polyhedra with Photo/Electrochromic Behavior for Inkless Printing and UV Detection.

The fabrication of molecular crystalline materials with fast, multistimuli-responsive behavior and the construction of the corresponding structure-activity relationship are of extraordinary significance for the development of smart materials. In this context, three multistimuli-responsive functional metal-organic polyhedra (MOP), {[Dy2(bcbp)3(NO3)1.5(H2O)7]·Cl4.2·(NO3)0.3·H2O}n (1), {[Dy2(bcbp)4(H2O)8]Cl6}n (2), and {[Eu2(bcbp)4(H2O)10]Cl6·H2O}n (3; bcbp = 1,1'-bis(4-carboxyphenyl)-4,4'-bipyridinium), were successfully prepared and characterized. All of the compounds exhibit rapid and reversible photochromic and electrochromic dual-responsive behaviors. Furthermore, benefiting from the well-defined crystal structure and different responsive behaviors, the photoinduced electron transfer (PIET) process and structure-activity relationship were explored. In addition, considering the excellent photochromic performance, function filter paper and smart organic glass were successfully prepared and used for ink-free printing and UV light detection.

Clinical significance of miR-9-5p in NSCLC and its relationship with smoking.

Purpose: Dysregulated expression of microRNA (miRNAs) in lung cancer has been wildly reported. The clinicopathologic significance of miR-9-5p in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and its effect on NSCLC progression were explored in this study. Patients and methods: A total of 76 NSCLC patients were included. miR-9-5p expression was evaluated by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Then, in vitro experiments including cell growth curve assays, colony formation assays, and transwell migration assays were performed. Further clinicopathological and prognostic values were explored using bioinformatics analysis of the TCGA database. Results: miR-9-5p expression was significantly increased in tumor tissues (both P < 0.0001). miR-9-5p expression was relatively higher in larger tumors (P = 0.0327) and in lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC) (P = 0. 0143). In addition, miR-9-5p was significantly upregulated in the normal lung tissues of cigarette smokers (P = 0.0099). In vitro, miR-9-5p was correlated with cell proliferation and migration. After that, bioinformatics analysis of the TCGA database indicated that miR-9-5p was correlated with tumor size (P = 0.0022), lymphatic metastasis (P = 0.0141), LUSC (P < 0.0001), and smoking history (P < 0.0001). Finally, a prognostic study indicated high miR-9-5p expression was correlated with poor prognosis in LUAD (P = 0.0121). Conclusion: Upregulation of miR-9-5p may have an oncogenic effect in NSCLC and may be related to smoking. The conclusion of this study may help find new prognostic and therapeutic targets for NSCLC and the exploration of the relationship between smoking and lung cancer.

Acupuncture and related acupoint therapies for smoking cessation: An umbrella review and updated meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Acupuncture and related acupoint therapies have been widely used for smoking cessation. Some relevant systematic reviews (SRs) have been published. There is a need to summarize and update the evidence to inform practice and decision-making. METHODS: Eight databases were searched from their inception to December 2023. SRs, any randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing acupuncture therapies with sham acupuncture, pharmacotherapy, behavioral therapy, or no treatment, were included. The primary outcome was the abstinence rate. AMSTAR-2 was employed to assess the quality of SRs. An updated meta-analysis was conducted based on SRs and RCTs. Data were synthesized using risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The GRADE approach was employed to assess the certainty of the updated evidence. RESULTS: Thirteen SRs and 20 RCTs outside of the SRs were identified. The SRs were of low or very low quality by AMSTAR-2. Sixteen (80%) RCTs were at high risk of performance bias. Eight acupuncture and related acupoint therapies were involved. The short-term (≤6 months) abstinence rate outcome was summarized as follows. Most SRs suggested that filiform needle acupuncture or acupressure had a better effect than sham acupuncture, but the findings were inconsistent. The updated meta-analysis also suggested that filiform needle acupuncture was more effective than sham acupuncture (RR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.02-2.02; I2 = 66%; low certainty; 9 RCTs, n=1358). Filiform needle acupuncture combined with acupressure was comparable to nicotine patches (RR=0.99; 95% CI: 0.74-1.32; low certainty; 6 RCTs, n= 524). Acupressure was superior to counseling (RR=1.46; 95% CI: 1.14-1.87; I2=5%; low certainty; 8 RCTs, n=595). No serious adverse events were reported in these SRs or RCTs. CONCLUSIONS: Low certainty evidence suggests that filiform needle acupuncture and auricular acupressure appear to be safe and effective in achieving short-term smoking cessation. However, long-term follow-up data are needed.

Analysis of the efficacy of separation surgery for severe neurological compression in multiple myeloma: a retrospective analysis of 35 cases.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of separation surgery for Epidural Spinal Cord Compression (ESCC) graded ≥ 2 in patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM), analyze factors influencing surgical outcomes, and develop a preliminary treatment decision framework for these patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 35 MM patients who underwent separation surgery for ESCC graded ≥ 2 between 2013 and 2018. Patient data, including baseline information, surgical details, complications, and pre-operative as well as one-month post-operative efficacy evaluation indicators were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed on pre-operative and post-operative efficacy indicators to determine if there were significant improvements (p < 0.05). Ordered logistic regression was utilized to assess factors associated with an unfavorable post-operative quality of life outcome. RESULTS: Compared to pre-operative values, at one-month post-surgery, patients showed significant improvements in Frankel Score Classification (4 vs 5, p < 0.05), Karnofsky Performance Score (30 vs 70, p < 0.05), and Visual Analogue Scale (8 vs 3, p < 0.05). Complications occurred in 7 cases (20%). The number of segments with ESCC (OR = 0.171, p < 0.05) and pre-operative chemotherapy (OR = 5.202, p = 0.05) were identified as independent factors influencing patient outcomes. Patients with more than two vertebral segments with ESCC exhibited significantly worse post-operative conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Separation surgery effectively alleviates pain, improves neurological function, and enhances the quality of life in patients with ESCC graded ≥ 2 due to MM.

Soil redox status governs within-field spatial variation in microbial arsenic methylation and rice straighthead disease.

Microbial arsenic (As) methylation in paddy soil produces mainly dimethylarsenate (DMA), which can cause physiological straighthead disease in rice. The disease is often highly patchy in the field, but the reasons remain unknown. We investigated within-field spatial variations in straighthead disease severity, As species in rice husks and in soil porewater, microbial composition and abundance of arsM gene encoding arsenite S-adenosylmethionine methyltransferase in two paddy fields. The spatial pattern of disease severity matched those of soil redox potential, arsM gene abundance, porewater DMA concentration, and husk DMA concentration in both fields. Structural equation modelling identified soil redox potential as the key factor affecting arsM gene abundance, consequently impacting porewater DMA and husk DMA concentrations. Core amplicon variants that correlated positively with husk DMA concentration belonged mainly to the phyla of Chloroflexi, Bacillota, Acidobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, and Myxococcota. Meta-omics analyses of soil samples from the disease and non-disease patches identified 5129 arsM gene sequences, with 71% being transcribed. The arsM-carrying hosts were diverse and dominated by anaerobic bacteria. Between 96 and 115 arsM sequences were significantly more expressed in the soil samples from the disease than from the non-disease patch, which were distributed across 18 phyla, especially Acidobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Verrucomicrobiota, Chloroflexota, Pseudomonadota, and Actinomycetota. This study demonstrates that even a small variation in soil redox potential within the anoxic range can cause a large variation in the abundance of As-methylating microorganisms, thus resulting in within-field variation in rice straighthead disease. Raising soil redox potential could be an effective way to prevent straighthead disease.

Reverse water-gas shift catalyzed by RhnVO3,4- (n = 3-7) cluster anions under variable temperatures.

A fundamental understanding of the exact structural characteristics and reaction mechanisms of interface active sites is vital to engineering an energetic metal-support boundary in heterogeneous catalysis. Herein, benefiting from a newly developed high-temperature ion trap reactor, the reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) (CO2 + H2 → CO + H2O) catalyzed by a series of compositionally and structurally well-defined RhnVO3,4- (n = 3-7) clusters were identified under variable temperatures (298-773 K). It is discovered that the Rh5-7VO3,4- clusters can function more effectively to drive RWGS at relatively low temperatures. The experimentally observed size-dependent catalytic behavior was rationalized by quantum-chemical calculations; the framework of RhnVO3,4- is constructed by depositing the Rhn clusters on the VO3,4 "support", and a sandwiched base-acid-base [Rhout--Rhin+-VO3,4-; Rhout and Rhin represent the outer and inner Rh atoms, respectively] feature in Rh5-7VO3,4- governs the adsorption and activation of reactants as well as the facile desorption of the products. In contrast, isolated Rh5-7- clusters without the electronic modification of the VO3,4 "support" can only catalyze RWGS under relatively high-temperature conditions.